HOLLAND AMERICA ADDS MORE ROUND-TRIP VOYAGES IN 2010 
Culinary staff and guest chefs will lead cooking classes and demonstrations in the onboard Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, and, as part of the Explorations Speaker Series, special guest lecturers will sail on each of the Grand Voyages to offer unique and enriching perspectives on regional art, history and culture. The Explorations Café — powered by the New York Times — enables guests to stay connected to loved ones. When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse shore excursions including Overland Adventures, off-the-beaten-track explorations, Signature Collection private-car touring and exclusive Medallion Collection excursions. For a cruise brochure or for more information on Holland America Line’s voyages, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
K HOTELS ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING OF COSTA RICAN HOTEL THE BEACON ESCAZÚ Travelers Revel In Lush Boutique Resort Opening in February, 2009 Los Angeles-based K Hotels, the leader in exclusive and diverse hotels around the world, announces the grand opening of The Beacon Escazú, just outside of San Jose, Costa Rica. The upscale and serene boutique property is nestled among the hillsides, overlooking the mountains. More than a luxury resort, The Beacon Escazú is the ultimate destination for those looking to escape to a haven of tranquility. Featuring architecture with an exotic, vibrant Spanish aesthetic that is flawlessly merged with old Colonial and modern design, The Beacon Escazú is ready to enchant travelers from all over the world. Curl up in cozy 300 thread-count Italian sheets, explore the beautiful countryside, or bask in the glorious rays of the sun poolside, while enjoying the hotel's magnificent natural beauty. The Beacon Escazú offers a full service restaurant and bar, wine cellar, cigar room, lounge area and a relaxing on-site spa, among other luxurious amenities. Allow the lush locale to seduce your senses, nurture your soul and offer complete and total rejuvenation. “This property is an ideal place for any traveler looking to explore Costa Rica and in need of complete relaxation. We look forward to supporting The Beacon Escazú hotel with their grand opening efforts and are excited about having them as part of our boutique collection,” said Lara Weiss, Managing Director of K Hotels. The Beacon Escazú features The Muse Restaurant, fine international cuisine, prepared by world-renowned Chef Jean Pierre Peiny; business and fitness centers, spa facilities, outdoor pool, luxury transportation, and much more. The hotel is located only six miles away from San Jose. For the first 90 days, we are offering a special opening rate of $99. After that, rooms will be available from $189 on weekends, and $229 on weekdays. For more information on K Hotels and The Beacon Escazú, please visit www.k-hotels.com and respectively www.mybeaconescazu.com.
CAVALLO POINT - THE LODGE AT THE GOLDEN GATE
WRAPPED UP 2008 WITH EIGHT AWARDS Travel + Leisure's Top Ten New American Landmarks Tops the List Cavallo Point - the Lodge at the Golden Gate, which officially opened its doors this past summer, wrapped up 2008 with eight awards and accolades. Travel + Leisure Magazine, Preferred Hotels, 7x7 Magazine and five other organizations recognized Cavallo Point Lodge for its commitment to environmental sustainability and excellence in design. "This level of recognition so early in the lodge's life is incredible. It is fabulous to see the industry's appreciation of our efforts to design a lodge in a manner that respects not only the environment but our history and community," said General Manager Dominie Lenz at Cavallo Point Lodge. "In planning what we envisioned Cavallo Point would become, we focused on not only the design, architecture and sustainable practices but the guest experience, which today offers a rich program in wellness, culinary and adventure travel." Travel + Leisure Magazine listed Cavallo Point Lodge in its September 2008 list of "Ten New American Landmarks" for the lodge's modern and environmentally sustainable design. Preferred Hotels named the lodge "Hotel of the Year" in its elite GIFTTS Program 2008, honoring its philanthropic, community and environmental endeavors. 7x7 Magazine named the lodge the "Best Home Away From Home" in its annual June 'Best of the Bay' issue.
Additionally, Cavallo Point Lodge was awarded four designations for its historic restoration. These include "Best Historic Rehab or Adaptive Re-Use for Hotel/Hospitality" in the 2008 J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation from the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association; "North Bay's Top Real Estate Projects of 2008" in the Historic Restoration Category from the North Bay Business Journal; and "Preservation Design Awards" in both categories of rehabilitation and sustainability from the California Preservation Foundation. Other accolades include the New York Times' "31 Places to Go this Summer" and Sherman's Travel Magazine's "Top 10 National Park Lodges."
Set within the Golden Gate National Parks at Fort Baker, Cavallo Point Lodge marks a milestone for California and the National Park Service. Once a Pacific Coast fortress, Fort Baker went from a designated military post to a 350-acre national park in 2002. Cavallo Point Lodge signals a new era, one that burnishes Fort Baker's stalwart legacy as it preserves historic landmark buildings, restores natural habitat, protects the environment, and ensures access to the revitalized national park site for generations to come. A member of Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Cavallo Point Lodge was developed by the Fort Baker Retreat Group LLC. Passport Resorts or its affiliated companies manage Cavallo Point Lodge, the award-winning Post Ranch Inn, the Sea Ranch Lodge and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort. For more information, visit http://www.cavallopoint.com or call (888) 651-2003.
WHAT’S NEW IN ATLANTIC CANADA New Scenic Trails, Cultural Centers, Golf Courses, Hotels Sign up for Whale Camp or Spend a Night in a Museum Sail on a Houseboat, Make Moonshine, Watch Icebergs and Polar Bears New golf courses, cultural centers and hiking trails are debuting, new hotels are opening, even new house boats are sailing in Atlantic Canada. There’s an authenticity here amidst the gorgeous natural beauty. And the region’s rich mix of cultures – Scottish, Irish, English and French – is very much alive. This year New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are offering new one-of-a-kind experiences that will create lasting memories. Visitors can learn about the region’s maritime heritage, paint landscapes or study the wealth of marine life here. You’ll find plenty to grab your attention in Atlantic Canada and the price is definitely right. Maxxim Vacations has land-only packages for six nights that start as low as $620 and six-night air/land packages starting at only $1,425 per person, double occupancy.* THE GREATEST OUTDOORS Atlantic Canada boasts some of North America’s last unexplored wilderness, not to mention lots of beautiful, and very accessible, natural scenery. From the Torngats to the TablelandMountains, and from the Bay of Fundy, with the world’s highest tides, to the Cabot Trail, one of the world’s iconic coastal drives, Atlantic Canada is a paradise for nature lovers. New sections of the Fundy Trail Parkway, CapeChignectoPark and the International Appalachian Trail will celebrate their first seasons, making spectacular views accessible to active and sedentary alike. Whales and icebergs float by off the coast and the Northern Lights fill the sky while thousands of puffins gather on shore. The long stretches of sandy beaches may be deserted, but the waters are the warmest north of Virginia. IT’S THE REAL THING Prince Edward Island (PEI) offers visitors the chance to “Live Like an Islander,” learning to tong oysters, make legal moonshine or try harness racing. ExperiencePEI features 25 different island experiences. Travelers to Halifax who book Heritage Explorers’ “Night Watch” can spend a night in the MaritimeMuseum learning about Nova Scotia’s marine heritage and listening to ghost stories. On New Brunswick’s Grand Manan Island, where life hasn’t changed in 100 years, families can raise the sails on a 50-foot schooner and study the behavior of whales and dolphins at The Whale Camp. Fredericton’s edVentures gives visitors the chance to channel their inner Picassos at 120 workshops in the arts, crafts and design. In Newfoundland and Labrador, CapeRace Cultural Adventures offers one-of-a-kind introductions to life in three of the province’s outports where travelers can meet locals, see wildlife and icebergs and hear the region’s stories and traditional music. FAMILY FUN & PLENTY OF HISTORY Vikings. Indians. Revolutionary soldiers. There’s lots to interest kids in Atlantic Canada. Want to play Tarzan and zip through the trees of New Brunswick? Why not be a “soldier for a day” at the 1856 Halifax Citadel? There’s nothing quite like the thrill of getting eye-to-eye with a whale. And there’s nothing boring about riding the 50-foot Tidal Bore in the Bay of Fundy. The Joggins Fossil Cliffs – with 300-million-year-old relics – was just named a UNESCO World Heritage site. The MetepenagiagHeritagePark celebrates the 3,000-year-old Mi’kmaq culture. Following Newfoundland’s Viking Trail brings you to the 1,000-year-old settlement of North America’s first “discoverers.” In 2008, PEI celebrated the 100th birthday of Anne of Green Gables, and this year young fans can attend an old-fashioned country fair in Anne’s honor. GIRLFRIEND GETAWAYS Fly fishing on the MiramichiRiver in New Brunswick? Hanging ten at the first all-women surfing school in Nova Scotia? Girlfriends can saddle up and ride out at the Broadleaf Guest Ranch. How about cycling PEI’s 180-mile Confederation Trail? Want to be eligible for the next “Survivor?” The Tuckamore Inn in Newfoundland and Labrador is offering a six-day, wilderness-training package – only for women. CULTURE LOVERS Americans can sample many different cultures – Irish, Scottish, British and French – by simply crossing their northern border. This August, New Brunswick’s French Acadians will roll out the red carpet with joie de vivre during the Acadian World Congress. Visitors to “Spirits of the River” on Beaubear’s Island can hear legends of the native Mi’kmaq peoples. In Nova Scotia, or New Scotland, its Acadian culture is presented at the new Clare Interpretive Centre and the new Centre de la Mi-Careme. Also new are interactive displays at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts and, of course, there’s plenty of piping and step dancing. At Cupid’s in Newfoundland, Canada’s oldest English settlement, you can hear tall tales at the 1610 archaeological site. Performances about the Vikings will be presented at the Norstead Theatre, just down the road from L’Anse aux Meadows, the only authenticated Viking site in North America. TO THE MAX How about some adrenaline-pumping options? There’s surfing a half hour from Halifax, diving World War II wrecks off St. John’s and kite boarding off New Brunswick’s AcadianCoast. Fishermen can reel in tuna off the waters of PEI. Hiking in the recently-opened TorngatMountainsNational Park is not for wimps; polar bears prowl along the paths. FORE! With more than 100 challenging courses, many with stunning coastal views and greens fees starting at less than $50, the region is a golfer’s paradise. Three new courses are opening or expanding. Set along the shores of the Brasd’OrLakes, The Lakes Golf Club, designed by Graham Cook, will debut this spring. The $240 million Louisbourg Resort Golf & Spa, on 2,500 acres, will welcome the 18-hole Fortress course, designed by Nick Faldo, in 2010. In Newfoundland and Labrador, where greens fees can be as low as $20, the course at St. Andrews Na Creige, in the beautiful CodroyValley, is expanding to 18-holes. Last year, PEI’s Green Gables course had a $5 million refurbishment. SLOW FOOD & LOCAVORE PARADISE PEI is justly famed for its delicious mussels and oysters, not to mention its potatoes. Entrepreneurs in New Brunswick are gathering dulse and producing sturgeon caviar. In the spring, chefs create dishes with local fiddleheads. On menus in Newfoundland and Labrador visitors will find local cod and partridgeberries. There’s a burgeoning food scene as more young chefs move here and open trendy restaurants. Did someone say lobster? Atlantic Canada is seafood central and visitors can gorge on pristine shellfish. Locavores should know that long before slow food and “eat local” became a mantra, folks in Atlantic Canada have been doing just that. The Seaport Farmer’s Market on the Halifax waterfront will debut in June. This year, the 11th winery opens in Nova Scotia, which also boasts its own single malt distillery. Moonshine just became legal on PEI, and visitors can stop in for a taste at the Myriad View Distillery. RIGHT NEXT DOOR Only two hours north by plane, or several hours drive from New England, Atlantic Canada is a quick and easy getaway. This June, Delta will relaunch flights from Boston, and Northwest will renew service from Detroit to Charlottetown, PEI. Continental flies to St. John’s, Newfoundland and to Moncton, New Brunswick. Six airlines offer daily service to Halifax, Nova Scotia: Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United. NEW HOTELS, HOUSEBOATS; STAY IN LIGHTHOUSES AND A FORMERCHURCH Fourteen new properties have opened in Atlantic Canada and more are on the way. Nova Scotia will have seven new hotels and motels by mid 2009. Three Holiday Inns, a Best Western and a Days Inn have opened recently and a Hampton Inn and another Best Western will open this spring. A new Sheraton and Hilton Garden Inn will open in the next two years. Six new hotels have opened since last summer in New Brunswick, including three in Moncton. New this year: Lakeway Houseboats provide a private floating “hotel” on the Saint John River. Three new properties have opened their doors in St. John’s, Newfoundland. At The Beach House, you can watch icebergs and ships sail by and dine at Atlantica, one of Canada’s best new restaurants. The beautifully-restored 1909 RyanMansion opened in the city’s historic district, and modern design and deep soaking tubs draw travelers to The Hometel. And you can always stay in the lighthouse on QuirponIsland or on BattleHarbour, a once-deserted fishing settlement dating from the 18th century. On PEI options range from Harrington House, an 1864 church to the West Point Lighthouse. 
The Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) is a nine member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.) For more information, go to www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca, www.newfoundlandandlabrador.com, www.novascotia.com and www.gentleisland.com.
ANGUILLA AIR EXPRESS BEGINS SERVICE FROM SAN JUAN TO ANGUILLA WITH INAUGURAL FLIGHT ON FEBRUARY 14th Anguilla’s Chief Minister, the Honourable Osbourne B. Fleming (left), led the welcome team on the tarmac at Wallblake Airport to greet the arrival of the first Anguilla Air Express service into the island on Saturday, February 14th. The inaugural flight was carrying a select group of travel industry VIPs to experience first hand the new service and enjoy a special Valentine’s weekend hosted by the Anguilla Tourist Board. Special festivities were held at the airport to celebrate the occasion. "This new service is a big step in improving direct access into Anguilla, and helps fill a major void. Travelers now have three daily options for a safe, reliable and easy connection between San Juan and Anguilla, and most importantly, it gets our visitors to Anguilla early enough for them to relax and enjoy their first day of vacation,” stated The Honourable Donna Banks, Special Advisor Tourism, Anguilla’s Ministry of Tourism. The luxury King Air Turboprop A 100 seats 8 passengers and departs San Juan daily at 11:30 am, 2:45pm and 5:45pm, with departures from Anguilla at 8:00am, 1:00 pm and 4:00pm, conveniently scheduled to meet the US mainland flights. Operated by Rainbow International Airlines Inc., one of the premiere charter companies in the region, the new service provides guests the comfort, luxury and convenience of a private jet service. The emphasis of the Anguilla Air Express is on first class, personalized service, with an agent meeting all passengers at the gate and escorting them through security and to the departure gate in San Juan, and through Immigration and Customs on arrival in Anguilla, with the same VIP service on the return. Ticket prices are US$399.00 per person, round trip, including taxes. The toll free number for bookings is 1-866-966-1881 or online at info@anguillaairexpress.com. To learn more about Anguilla, call the Anguilla Tourist Board at 1.877.4ANGUILLA (US) or in Anguilla 1 264.497.2759 or visit www.anguilla-vacation.com.
MAJOR U.S. TOUR OPERATOR
CANCELS DUBAI PROGRAMS "Dubai appears not ready to be a member of the world tourism family," says Gelber
One of America's largest tour operators, New York-based IsramWorld has cancelled its tour programs to Dubai, it was announced today in the wake of the United Arab Emirates' decision to deny a visa to Israeli tennis player, Shahar Peer, to participate in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
"The UAE's action is an odious act of political bigotry," says A. Ady Gelber, president and CEO of IsramWorld, a leading U.S. tour operator for more than four decades and a prominent member of USTOA (the United States Tour Operators' Association), "and it reveals that despite its massive investment in tourism infrastructure, Dubai appears not ready to be a member of the world tourism family."
IsramWorld offers tours and packages to 56 countries on five continents. In the wake of the Camp David Accords, it was one of the first U.S. tour operators to offer a diverse program of tours to Egypt, and in 1994 it began offering tours to Jordan. "I am deeply disappointed in the UAE's decision, one that seems to spell a return to the grim dark days of division and discrimination," observed Gelber.
The Dubai Tennis Championships are sponsored by Barclays, Britain's fourth-biggest bank that in 2008 acquired the assets of failed U.S. investment bank, Lehman Brothers.
According to a report in Sunday's New York Times, when U.S. tennis champion, Venus Williams, learned of Peer's visa denial she said, "All the players support Shahar, we are all athletes, and we stand for tennis." Peer and her family urged the Women's Tennis Association not to cancel the tournament because of the incident, but The New York Times took an unusually strong position in its article on the controversy, saying: "There is always going to be international conflict, and athletes in the middle. But they can't be abandoned there when there is a choice. Tennis should finish its business in the gulf this month, and say bye-bye, Dubai."
"We're saying 'bye-bye, Dubai,' right now," Gelber added.
ABOUT ISRAMWORLD
Established in 1967, IsramWorld is a full-fledged member of the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. For more information on IsramWorld, visit www.isram.com, call 800-223-7460, or e-mail info@isram.com. DESTINATIONS: Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Eastern & Central Europe, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Orient, China, Indochina, South Pacific, Central and South America. |
Séjour Nature et DétenteLe temps d’un week-end, combinez le plaisir de la randonnée avec la douceur du littoral. Nous vous proposons au départ de Mandelieu en petits groupes de 6 à 15 personnes, sur 3 jours et 2 nuits de découvrir les massifs forestiers qui bordent la Méditerranée : le lac de l’Ecureuil, le volcan de Maure Vieil et les Iles de Lérins. D’un niveau facile, encadrées par un accompagnateur en montage diplômé d’état, les 4 heures de marche quotidiennes vous laisseront le temps de découvrir les charmes de Mandelieu-La Napoule « entre mer et nature » Dates des séjours : 28 au 30 mars, 25 au 27 Avril, 29 au 31 Mai et 19 au 21 Juin. Pour plus d’informations :
Le nouveau tracé du GR 51Le GR 51, un moment interrompu en traversant la commune de Mandelieu-La Napoule, il bénéficie d’un nouveau tracé à l'Est. Ce dernier n’étant pas encore dans les nouvelles éditions des guides, nous souhaitons vous faire part de cette information. Le nouveau tracé passe désormais par Capitou, le quartier des mimosistes. Très odorant en cette période de floraison, il passe par la Vernède au travers des mimosas sauvages et rejoint par les collines la forêt du Grand Duc et ses différents itinéraires de balades. A cet endroit, il reprend l’ancien tracé qui vous mène du côté d’Auribeau et de Tanneron.
Trail des Balcons d’AzurLe 26 Avril, une belle course à pied nature en perspective au travers de pistes et sentiers du Massif de l’Estérel. Plusieurs distances pour les coureurs : 50, 30 et 15 Km (épreuve réservée aux féminines : Nouveauté 2009) et 15 Km pour les marcheurs avec des dénivelés positifs de 2300 m, 1100 m et 800 m. A noter que ce trail sera couru sous le signe du respect de l’environnement et de la protection du domaine en pa rtenariat avec l’ONF.
Pour tous renseignement complémentaires et inscriptions : Plus d'informations sur notre site Web
Bigreen, Rando VTT les 7 et 8 mars 2009Le VTT ne sera pas en reste et vous propose 3 parcours de 40 à 55 Km au départ de Mons dans le Var jusqu’à Mandelieu-la Napoule. Nouveauté pour cette année, la Grand’Descente, parcours Super Enduro de 3,5 Km ouvert à tous à partir de 9 ans ! Contact : 04 93 43 51 54 / www.avalanchecup.com
 GO “ALL GREEN” THIS ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN CHICAGO
From March 6-17, celebrate Irish heritage and all things green throughout the city
Chicago’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations offer something for all ages of the Irish-at-heart. From the emerald-colored Chicago River to 13 earth-friendly green hotels, Chicago visitors can “go green” in every way this St. Patrick’s Day. These celebrations aren’t just limited to March 17—visitors can begin enjoying parades, festivals, special tours and “green” activities throughout the city as soon as March 6. Visitors to the city are invited to make their first stop the Visitor Information Center in the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 78 East Washington Street. For more information on St. Patrick’s Day activities in Chicago, or to book accommodations, visit or call 877.CHICAGO. Family-friendly Parades
Arrive early to get the best spots for the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14. Watch as the Chicago River is dyed with an environmentally-friendly green dye at 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, followed by a lively parade through Grant Park. The parade runs north along Columbus Drive, beginning at Balbo Drive at 12 p.m. and ending at Monroe Drive. For a double-dose of Irish luck, head south on Sunday, March 15 to view the South Side Irish Parade, beginning at the corner of 104th Street and Western Avenue at 12 p.m. With over 15,000 marchers and 250,000 spectators, this parade is considered to be the largest neighborhood-based St. Patrick’s Day parade in the U.S. Visitors arriving early for St. Patrick’s Day can enjoy the newest of the annual parades, the Northwest Side Irish Parade on Sunday, March 8. This community parade starts at 11 a.m. from 6333 North Northwest Highway. Irish Heritage Festivals
Kick off the weekend at the Irish-American Heritage Center (4626 North Knox Avenue) with Irish Dance Chicago, showcasing Chicago’s finest talent in traditional Irish dancing. Irish Dance Chicago begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 13. Make sure to come back after Saturday’s downtown parade for live music, food and children’s activities at St. Patrick’s Festival from 1 p.m.-midnight. Irish culture buffs arriving earlier this in the should be sure to check out the 10th annual Chicago Irish Film Festival at the Beverly Arts Center (2407 West 111th Street). This festival features nine screenings of Irish classic, contemporary and documentary films from Friday, March 6 - Wednesday, March 11. See Chicago Through “Irish eyes” The best view of the city may be from the Chicago River itself! Shoreline Sightseeing offers two St. Patrick’s Day Cruises the day of the downtown parade, featuring traditional food and stories about Chicago’s Irish community. Cruises depart on Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Get the inside scoop on Chicago’s rich Irish-American Heritage from a friendly, knowledgeable volunteer with a free Chicago Greeter tour of the city. Eco-conscious travelers can explore the other side of “Green” Chicago with a Greeter visit to Chicago’s green buildings and park space. Book a Chicago Greeter visit 7-10 days in advance at www.chicagogreeter.com. Chicago Neighborhood Tours also offer an Irish Chicago tour of the city on Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. This half-day tour explores the historically Irish-American Bridgeport neighborhood, as well as some of the cities oldest cathedrals. The Irish Chicago tour can be booked at www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com. Green Grub and Irish Pubs
Two Irish-owned restaurants are sure to please St. Patrick’s Day appetites: The Gage ((24 South Michigan Avenue) offers a contemporary American menu of Irish classics with a twist, while the Irish Oak (3511 North Clark Street) features traditional St. Patrick’s Day pub fare and great Irish brews on tap.
Visitors staying in the Loop don’t have to venture far to find some of Chicago’s best Irish pubs. Celtic Crossings (751 North Clark Street), Fadó (100 West Grand Avenue), and Emerald Loop (216 North Wabash) are some downtown favorites.
Treat a sweet tooth with Garrett’s Green Popcorn balls, a Chicago tradition available at all five Garrett’s locations from March 1-17. Continue on a “green” streak with dinner at Green Zebra (1460 West Chicago Avenue), an upscale vegetarian restaurant that focuses on seasonal ingredients. Go on to visit the historic Green Mill (4802 North Broadway Avenue) and Green Dolphin Street (2200 North Ashland), two of the most popular jazz clubs in Chicago. Eco-friendly Chicago: Green Hotels and More
Chicago’s river and restaurants aren’t the only things “going green”! Chicago is now home to 13 Green Seal Certified hotels—the most of any city in the U.S. Earth-friendly and energy efficient, these 13 properties offer great options for the green-minded visitor: Essex Inn, Four Seasons, Hilton Chicago, Ritz-Carlton Chicago, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Silversmith Hotel & Suites, Westin Michigan Avenue, Hotel Monaco Chicago, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Allegro Chicago, InterContinental Chicago, and the Talbott. Boutiques like Pivot (1101 West Fulton Market), It’s a Cooler Planet (2211 West Roscoe Street) and the children’s store Grow (1943 West Division) offer sustainable, organic clothing, accessories and home décor for the eco-conscious shopper. Now operating year-round, Green City Market (1750 North Clark Street) is Chicago’s first sustainable market, featuring organically-grown produce and more from local vendors. The Chicago Center for Green Technology (445 North Sacramento Boulevard) is open to the public and offers free educational seminars several times a week. Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive Chicago brochures, reserve hotel accommodations and receive trip-planning assistance by calling toll-free 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246), or visiting www.explorechicago.org. Brochures and information on Chicago’s exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, please call 1.312.201.8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294. The Chicago Office of Tourism, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, is the official City agency dedicated to promoting Chicago to domestic and international visitors and to providing innovative visitor programs and services.
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