We’re pleased to announce the winner of our first ever Orlando Stay Giveaway Twitter Contest! Her name is Monica (twitter handle: @momtodanielle) and she resides in New York along with her four year old daughter, Danielle. Monica will be taking Danielle on her first trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where they’ll both enjoy a two night stay at the Regal Sun Resort. The contest ran from August 28, 2009 to September 25, 2009.

We’d like to congratulate Monica and wish both her and Danielle a great time! We would also like to extend a warm thanks to the Regal Sun Resort and everyone who participated in our Twitter Contest!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates on future promotions and great deals in major cities including Orlando, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Chicago, Paris and London. You can also visit our YouTube Channel and check out weekly videos on travel news and tips from our travel maven, Kate Hall.

Stay tuned for our next blog entry, where we’ll be highlighting Phoenix – the sun-drenched capital of Arizona and our newest hotel destination. You can also view our wide range of properties in major U.S. and European cities, from Flatotel in New York City and the Trump International in Miami Beach to the Adante Hotel in San Francisco and the Sahara Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Other properties include The Allerton in Chicago, Celebration Hotel and Blue Heron Beach Resort in Orlando, Anaheim Executive Inn & Suites in Anaheim, and the Best Western Marina Gateway in sunny San Diego.

Got to admit it – it’s tough for this Californian to give up his car for the weekend, but that’s exactly what we did on a recent train getaway to Santa Barbara that proved we could do our small part to help reduce traffic and vehicle emissions and still have a great time.

In fact, just put aside the benefits to the environment and look at the benefits to our own family: We saved on gas, vehicle wear and tear and on the frustration that always comes with a never-know-what-you’re-gonna-get drive through the L.A. freeway system. We got to try a new adventure, introduce our 8-year-old to rail travel and we packed a lot of sightseeing into a short two-day period.

Santa Barbara is especially well suited to car-less travel because years ago city fathers decided they needed to do something to reduce the congestion they were seeing with many more visitors and the smog that would trap itself over the city. The Santa Barbara Car Free Project today offers travelers discounts on Amtrak as well as at participating hotels. They sweeten the pot by throwing in a multitude of discounts on local attractions and transportation. Our family of three decided to give it a try, traveling to Santa Barbara from our home in north San Diego County.

Boarding the 7 a.m. northbound Pacific Surfliner in Oceanside was a snap. Accustomed to long waits nowadays for air travel, we showed up nearly an hour before our train to check our one large piece of luggage. But A/ we really didn’t need to check the luggage – there is a rack you can put your luggage on in the business class rail car – and B/ you can step right on the train, even purchasing your tickets onboard.

Business class is slightly more expensive but offers reserved seating and amenities such as a continental breakfast, a newspaper and a comfortable work area with a power outlet for our laptop. We went up the stairs to the second level, found our seating and sat back to enjoy the scenery. In just a couple of minutes we were on our way, the gorgeous California coastline passing before our very eyes.

We were reminded of a recent country chart-topper called Sunday Morning that talks about the many walks of life in the USA and how people spend their Sunday mornings. It was, in fact, Sunday morning and we were observing our fellow Californians out for their morning jog or enjoying a newspaper and coffee on their beachfront deck, or preparing an outdoor breakfast in one of several beachfront state parks along the Surfliner’s path. The train sped along, often at 70 miles per hour or more, taking us on an adventurous route through many parts of the Southern California coastal region that we had not seen in our many drives along Interstate 5.

Another way to describe the feeling is to relate it to those “Over” shows – you know, the PBS television programs that are entirely made up of aerial views of life in a city or region. We weren’t really up in the sky looking down, but even the upstairs level on the train can give you that same mesmerizing effect.

Our trip from Oceanside to Santa Barbara took about five hours but we noticed something quite curious. When driving that distance, we always are anxious to arrive. But on the Surfliner, we almost were sorry we had arrived. It was such great relaxation and interesting scenery that the journey was no longer a means to an end but part of the end itself. Our stress-relieving getaway weekend had started from the moment we had boarded the train.

Arriving in Santa Barbara, it was just a three-block walk to the Hotel Santa Barbara, one of the “car-free” participating hotels with a location in the heart of the city near sidewalk cafes and chic stores along State Street. We checked into our spacious and comfortable room by noon and were sitting at a sidewalk bistro just a few minutes later, enjoying some terrific people-watching and Panini sandwiches. In fact, we lingered a little too long over lunch and then did something we were trying not to do: we hired a taxi. It was the only way to get to the harbor in time to hop aboard the 43-foot sailboat, the Sunset Kidd, for a two-hour cruise along the Santa Barbara coastline.

The ocean provides the best, most panoramic view of Santa Barbara, its mountains and its beaches and offers convincing evidence that local tourism promoters were spot on when they named this part of the coast the “American Riviera.” One can imagine such places as Monte Carlo or Cannes when you take in this spectacular overview along with the parade of luxurious yachts and young, beautiful people. Captain Dennis Longaberger prides himself on offering a true sailing experience rather than a tourist boat and says the Sunset Kidd is a rare example of a private sailboat that has been upgraded to carry passengers. The best part of this sail was watching two pods of dolphins frolic just a few yards from our boat.

Back from our sail, it was just footsteps to the Endless Summer bar-caf?a perfectly located restaurant and watering hole named after the famous surf movie and offering gorgeous views of Santa Barbara’s harbor area. Known for such specialties as its popcorn shrimp, fresh ahi and to-die-for Kaui Mud Pie, the restaurant enjoys a loyal following of both locals and visitors who keep coming back for more.

This first day set the tone for the entire trip – great restaurants, visits to such attractions as Stearns Wharf, the waterfront, the shops along State Street, the various parks, gardens and museums that all are either within walking distance of downtown or easily reached by the city’s convenient public transportation. The Car Free Project offers a $2 discount off the Santa Barbara Trolley which, for $21, will let you ride the trolley all day to eight different area tourist attractions. (note: you can save $5 by purchasing your ticket online at www.sbtrolley.com). Another convenient way to get around the main part of town is the Electric Shuttle which runs up and down State Street as well as along the beach areas. It’s just 25 cents each time you board.

If that’s still not enough options for transportation, hybrid taxi service is 20 percent off for Car Free visitors, and there are plenty of local bike rentals.

We had a full day of sightseeing that second day because our train didn’t depart until 7 p.m. We had done a lot in just two days, and the gentle journey home by Amtrak gave us the opportunity to truly sit back and relax – a far cry from our usual nail-biting trip home on those congested Southern California freeways.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Santa Barbara is about 100 miles north of Los Angeles and a comfortable train ride from many coastal cities to the north and south.

WHAT: Santa Barbara is unmatched in beauty and is an excellent city to see car-free. Or if you prefer, you can drive the coastal highway through Ventura.

WHEN: Any time of the year. Santa Barbara has one of California’s most comfortable year-round climates. Our suggestion would be to consider avoiding the busiest Amtrak trains which are those that depart northbound Friday night and southbound Sunday night. At peak times, coach class can be standing room only. Amtrak is seeing more customers as fuel prices climb.

WHY: The Spanish architecture sets the mood in Santa Barbara, but the city is loaded with tourist attractions including Stearns Wharf, the harbor and marina, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, the Museum of Natural History and the Courthouse as well as parks, gardens and a robust downtown shopping area.

HOW: The Santa Barbara Car Free Project offers discounts on many visitor services in order to encourage people to visit the city without their car. Amtrak allows a 20 percent Santa Barbara Car Free discount on coach fares. The adult coach fare from Oceanside to Santa Barbara, roundtrip, is $66 before discount. Business class offers reserved seating and is $16 more each way with no discount. In addition to discounts on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, there are discounts on lodging, services and retail it
ems. For more information, go to www.santabarbaracarfree.org or phone (805) 696-1100. For more information on the Hotel Santa Barbara, a very classically styled hotel with an excellent continental breakfast, go to www.hotelsantabarbara.com.

India is a colorful land of mystical beauties which mesmerize the travelers at the very first glance. It has an endless array of unique and enchanting nature’s beauties like snowy Himalayas, placid backwaters, tempting beaches, barren deserts, untamed hilly rivers, and many more. All these things has creates an awesome atmosphere in India.

India is a land enriched with vivid traditions, customs and joyful festivities. Every other day in India is a special day for celebrations. Indians are so energetic and lively people that they live each and every moment of their life with utmost gaiety. This specialty of India has made it a hot tourist destination in the entire world. Every year thousands of holidaymakers comes here to have an experience of lifetime.

India has no dearth of wonderful things to see. Every region of India has something special to offer to its guests. Some of the most sought after things in India are forts, historical monuments, museums etc, which still very well maintain its historical legacy, religious places of various communities like temples, mosque , church, monasteries etc., the diverse flora and fauna available in the various wildlife sanctuaries of India and so on.

Top most things to see in India are:

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh: Taj Mahal, “the epitome of eternal love” is one of the most sought after tourist spot in India. It is considered among one the seven wonders of the modern world. UNESCO has declared Taj Mahal as a “ World Heritage Site”. This master piece in white marble

was created by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is situated in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh state. The beauty of Taj Mahal enhances to another level on th efull moon night as its glowing image reflects on the river Yamuna, which is flowing through its backward.

Red Fort, Delhi:Red Fort or Lal Quilla is one of the famous World Heritage site of India, which is built at the heart of the nation’s capital, Delhi. This mighty citadel built in red sandstone is one of the fine example of Mughal grandeur. Emperor Shah Jahan rules his imperial state from here only. Now, with the passage of time, Red fort has attained another prestigious position in India. It is the site from where the Prime Minister of India address the entire nation on independence and republic day. A market named Meena bazaar, surrounds the Red Fort which is famous for fake ivory jewellry and many other handicrafts.

City Palace,Jaipur, Rajasthan: CityPalace, Jaipur is one of the prime attractions of India. This Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh of Kacchawa clan of Rajput. This is one of the elegant palaces of Jaipur which exhibits the rich Rajputana and Mughal architectural designs. This palace complex contains many buildings like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani’s Palace, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. This palace is also decorated with some beautiful gardens.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharahtra: Ajanta and Ellora caves are one of the fine repository of ancient Indian architectural heritage. Situated near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, these famous cave shrines are cut out of rock by the Buddhist monks. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta, has been designated as a World Heritage Site. These caves are revered by the devotees of three communities namely, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain. The sculpture in these caves are really awesome and requires proper protection.

Khajuraho temples,, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh: Khajuraho temples at the Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are renowned world wide for their erotic sculptures. These temples are also known as the “temple of love” and has bold artistic statement. It is also recognized as one of the popular “World Heritage Site of India”. These temples are built by the Chandela dynasty in between 9th century to 12 century. These temples very well displays every facets of woman hood

Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirumala: Tirupati Balaji temple is known as the “temple of tranquility”. Tirupati is one of the most popular temple of India. It is one of the most crowded temple built in Andhra Pradesh, near the border of Tamil Nadu in South India. Every year thousands of pilgrimages comes here to offer their prayers to Lord Tirupati. This is one of the richest temple in the entire world. This temple is perched on the top of the venkatadri hill, 860m above the sea level.

Jim Corbett National Park: Jim Corbett national park situated in the Nainital, Pauri Garwhal and Bijnore districts of Uttaranchal. It is named after the famous hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett. It was the first national park from where India’s ambitious Tiger project was lunched in 1973 to protect and increase the strength of the Tiger. Other animals which are found here are elephant, chital, sambar, nilgai, gharial, King Cobra, muntjac, wild boar, hedgehog, common musk shrew, flying fox, Indian Pangolin.

Kaziranga National Park: This national park situated in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. It is a World Heritage Site and has two third population of world’s one-horned great Indian rhinoceros. It is the wild abode of various kinds of animals such as elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Indian muntjac, wild boar, hog deer, gaur, sambhar, Assamese macque, capped and golden langur, hoolock gibbon and many more. It is also home to the various species of birds such as migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds. Also to the Ganges Dolphin.

Kerala Backwaters: Kerala, one of the Southern Indian state is famous for its vast networks of backwaters. These backwaters are the life line of Kerala. They are one of the major contributor to the Kerala’s tourism industry. Its for sure that these tranquil backwaters of Kerala are visual delight for the visitors. Some of the districts of Kerala which are blessed with these backwaters are Kottayam, Kasaragod, Chandragiri, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Valiyaparamba district

Beaches of India: Coastal India is dotted with some of the tempting beaches of India. These beaches are considered among the best beaches in the world. The white and the golden sand, coconut groves and delicious sea food makes these an awesome destination for vacationing. India has a long coastline of 7,600 km which touches some of the south India states are Goa, Kerala, Maharastra, Orissa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep and Daman and Diu. These states are famous for some of the finest beaches are Juhu Beach, Kovalam Beach, Anjuna Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Marina Beach, Calangute Beach, Majorda Beach, Baga beach and many more. These beaches provides ideal option to know the marine world in a more better way. Also, they are famed for some thrilling water sports like surfing, boating, scuba diving.