Budget Travel's Awe-Inspiring American Monuments

Budget Travel's 16 Awe-Inspiring American Monuments
I was browsing through the list of monuments that Budget Travel deems to be the best in the country.  After reviewing the article I realized I have been to many of those places!  Check out my Awe-Inspiring Travels :)

Golden Gate Bridge- 1992 & 2009 
Went with my parents when I was 9, then again for a conference in 2009 with a girlfriend of mine. I love San Fran!

Highway 1 - 1992

Don't have the pictures, but I certainly remember riding in the backseat of the car at 10 years old getting car sick along the way :(

Hollywood Walk of Fame- 1992

Have them but buried somewhere in my mom's guest room closet...

Las Vegas Strip- 2011

My first and I guarantee it won't be my last.  :)

Hoover Dam- 2011

A great stop on the way from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon! 

Mount Rushmore- TBA

So this is one of the ones I have not yet been to.  My mom has always wanted to go, but there doesn't seem to be much else out there...  One day we'll make it!

French Quarter, New Orleans- TBA

Would love to do a road trip out to Texas and stop here along the way ;)

Gateway Arch, Saint Louis- TBA

Haven't had the burning desire to go there, but I'm sure I'd have a great time tasting the amazing ribs and sampling the local music scene!

National Mall, D.C.- 1994, 1997, 2009, 2010, 2011

Do you think I like the place??? I see something new every time I go.  Our country has a fabulous "downtown."

Independence National Historical Park- 2008

Silly me didn't get a picture in front of Independence Hall- but I have a picture of me inside it with a teacher tour group.  The following picture is at the National Park as well- Liberty Bell!

 Statue of Liberty- TBA

I'm hoping to get there in the summer of 2012 or 2013. 

 Times Square- TBA

I'm hoping to get there in the summer of 2012 or 2013. 

 

Grand Canyon Skywalk- 2011-not really but...

Okay I have a rant.  It's a small one.  While it is an awesome concept, the Skywalk is located in the Western Rim (not the best view).  There is a laundry list of things you can and cannot do (including bring your own camera...)  The South Rim is by far a better view and there is lodging, so you can make it an extended stay.  The South Rim is also where you can hike down and camp, raft, etc.  I did extensive research this summer when heading out there.  I chose South Rim- when talking to locals they all said that the West Rim is somewhat of a "trap".  So here are my pictures from the amazing South Rim from 4 different locations within the National Park ;)

 Millenium Park, Chicago

Haven't been there, yet...

Fenway Park, Boston- 1994

I am pretty sure we went there when we took a family vacation when I was 10.  Again, the photos are buried in my mom's closet!

So wouldn't you rather have an agent working for you that's been there and done that?!?  

If you're interested in the article feel free to read it here: Budget Travel's Awe-Inspiring Monuments

Promote! Like a Norwegian

So I will have to search for those missing posts.  They are lost out there somewhere on the internet!!

In the meantime I wanted to say a few words about Norwegian Cruise Line.  About 6 months ago I was in an agent webinar with NCL when they announced they were going to begin a program for travel agents.  They didn't give many details but said that it would be well worth it.

At the next month's webinar they revealed some of the features of this program.  Over the course of the last 5-6 months they have been truly supportive of travel professionals.  The programs and incentives are great, they make a full force effort to engage the agents. 

Here si what this tells me: they realize that more people book cruises with agents than without.  They realize that if they can get the agents onboard, both metaphorically and in reality, it will help spread the word about their ships and experiences.

I have only sailed on the Norwegian Sky, a quick 3-night Bahamas run. I have toured a nuber of their ships- Dawn, Jewel, Pearl, and Epic.I will be on the Epic in March to have the full week experience.  We're in a balcony room, so I will report on whether I had issues with the "peek-a-boo" bathrooms.

And now I will leave you with their brand spankin new TV commercials!