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[ General Travel News
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General Travel News
Cool Nights in Vermont
If a converted farm set amid Vermont’s natural beauty sounds like an unusual place to find an excellent golf resort, you will be surprised to learn that the Basin Harbor Golf Course has been serving customers since 1927. The 18-hole championship course in the Champlain Valley is the first golf course that was sanctioned as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Golf Course. The golf course is much more—it’s also a comfortable family-friendly resort with old-fashioned cottages, containing one to three bedrooms, and a New England dining room that serves a local menu. Families have been coming here for generations to golf, swim, explore, shop, and relax during the summer season in this private getaway. For more information visit www.basinharbor.com or call (800)622-4000.
Luxury on Sale
The Resort Reconnect package at The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, starts at $399 per night and includes daily breakfast for two at the Mountain Blue Market or Manzanita, plus a daily $100 resort credit, for a luxury package that gives back and doesn’t break the bank. Visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
A Texas Getaway
The Ritz-Carlton offers a great City Reconnect package at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, starting at $299 per night, with a deluxe accommodations package that offers a $100 credit for two nights and a $200 credit for three nights, all at one of the city’s prime locations and most luxurious addresses. Visit www.ritzcarlton.com for details and to make reservations.
New Texas Theme Park Opens
A 25-acre theme park designed with disabled visitors in mind has opened in Texas. Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio is the brainchild of a father who has a daughter with special needs and features rides and attractions accessible to individuals in wheelchairs and tailored to those with cognitive and developmental challenges. Admission to the park is free for those with disabilities and family and friends cost $5 per person. The park includes rides, interactive exhibits, and playgrounds—all geared towards disabled visitors of all age groups. Reservations are required. Call (210)637-3434 or visit www.morganswonderland.com.
Green Chicago
Chicago is a very green city. You can visit a center for green technology, book a green tour of former industrial pockets now transformed, and visit a public green rooftop in this most friendly Midwestern destination. As an eco-friendly and livable city, Chicago is home to 14 Green Seal Certified hotels as well as the Chicago Center for Green technology, an excellent resource for information about green technologies and environmental impact. The guided tour of the former industrial pockets in South Chicago that have undergone green transformation are eye-openers for those who want to learn what this city has to offer. For information about Green Chicago, go to www.cityofchicago.org.
Vegas Deals
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority would like visitors to head to town for a newly launched “Camp Vegas,” a program of discounts that will draw those looking for a bargain. The Palms Casino Resort offers rates starting at $79 with buffet passes on top of that discount. Check out www.palms.com.
Web Only Offers in Massachusetts
Special online packages are on offer by the Massachusetts Office of Tourism, and for the summer there are bargains and deals to be had. Call (800)227-MASS or visit www.massvacation.com for all the details.
Arizona Welcomes an Aquarium
Arizona is landlocked, but that doesn’t keep the creatures from the deep from flourishing in Tempe. The new Sea Life Arizona, opened May 14, houses more than 5,000 aquatic creatures of all sorts. Sea Life Arizona is a worldwide aquarium “chain,” if you will, with more than a dozen facilities worldwide. Arid Arizona is a great destination, and now visitors can enjoy the interactive watery display, a 360-degree tunnel and fabulous wildlife displays. Visit www.sealifeus.com for details.
Summer in the Finger Lakes
The summer is a wonderful time to visit this stunningly scenic part of New York state where small towns abound and life slows down just a bit. Visitors come especially for the wide variety of wineries. A long weekend is a perfect way to experience the summer season in the Finger Lakes with stops at some of the most well-known regions, including the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, home to the Belhurst Winery in scenic Geneva (www.belhurst.com) and the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail on the western edge of the Finger Lakes region (www.canandaiguawinetrail.com). Canandaigua’s Finger Lakes Wine Center boasts wines from more than 40 wineries in one location. For more information go to www.visitfingerlakes.com.
Discover China
Still on the intrepid traveler’s wish list, a trip to China can be a costly undertaking. Best bets are to take organized escorted tours, among them the ones offered by Champion Holidays. For cruises and guided sightseeing tours with meals included, check out www.championholidays.com or call (800)868-7658 for best pricing for a trip of lifetime.
Savings in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Check out the Family Fun package for the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the “get one-half off a second room” savings offering available through your travel agent or by visiting www.visitusvi.com. Deals are available year-round for a relaxing vacation in a laid-back atmosphere.
European Adventure in Virginia
Families love Busch Gardens, the well-kept, well-run theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia, which has been voted the “Most Beautiful Theme Park” for 20 years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Amid the beautiful landscaped acres are different “country” sections and the whole family can enjoy the new high-tech simulator called “Europe in the Air” that takes visitors on a tour of top European attractions. Visitors can get a taste of Europe and enjoy thrilling rides. For a schedule of summer events and more information visit www.buschgardens.com.
A Newcomer in Snowmass, Colorado
There’s a new hotel at the base of Snowmass Village and it is located minutes from trendy downtown Aspen. With the ski season still in swing it’s a great time to check it out. The ski-in/ski-out luxury resort offers an alternative accommodation in Snowmass. Viceroy Hotels and Resorts in Snowmass Village is a family-friendly resort with amenities including horseback riding, a Ute Indian-inspired wellness spa, and the Eight K restaurant, a Colorado treat. The all-season pool welcomes all ages, as do the children’s programs in this environmentally stunning retreat. After the ski and snowboarding season, look here for fishing, tennis, golfing, and more. The upcoming “Food and Wine Classic” in Aspen, June 18 to 20, 2010, is another good time to visit this resort in the Rockies. Visit www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/snowmass or call (970)923-8000.
Atlanta Savings
For those interested in art as well as “The Allure of the Automobile” exhibit, head for a stay at the W Atlanta Buckhead Hotel for great savings and two tickets to the High Museum of Art, breakfast for two and valet parking. This AAA Four Diamond hotel boasts rates as low as $99. Visit www.starwoodhotels.com or call (678)500-3100.
Great Deals in Florida
With a price tag of only $19.09 for an additional night after a stay of two, three or four nights, 81 participating hotels, resorts and b & bs are giving Palm Beach County a bit of business these days. Call (800)554-7256 or visit www.PalmBeachFL.com for details.
Space Adventures for the Family
Family trips can be a relaxing affair, such as a beach vacation or a quiet lakeside cottage retreat, or you can plan for bit of excitement for the kids. The two-day “Family Astronaut Training Experience” at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral is just the ticket. Go on a simulated launch and experience weightlessness in this educational and fun vacation. Learn what it takes to be an astronaut. The cost is $625 for one adult and one child, with $275 for each additional person. The package includes one night’s accommodation and two meals. Visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com for details.
Florida’s Family Break
As spring break and school vacations arrive and leave families with the choice of staying home or heading somewhere warm for a few days, the city of Orlando is trying to make it easy to come on down. Of course, families especially need to seek bargains and the hotels, attractions, and venues of Orlando are cooperating. The popular “Magicard” is offering super deals at this time of year for savings on hotels, tickets, dining, and more. The goal is to make “high season” as low as possible when it comes to price. Go to www.orlandoinfo.com for details on packages and the special Magicard sweepstakes.
Great Hotel Deals in Spring
The city of Santa Barbara wants to see you this spring! With the extension of the “24 More” offer to May 31, 2010, visitors can take advantage of the “buy two get the third night free” at 25 participating hotels. The accommodations range from B & Bs to boutique properties to luxury resorts and wine country hideaways. The deal represents substantial savings. Go to www.24-MoreSantaBarbara.com for details.
Value Packages at Colony Beach and Tennis Resort
The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort is offering a new “Family Fun in the Florida Sun” package with accommodations in a one- or two-bedroom suite, continental breakfast for four daily, a dining credit, and babysitting service for three hours. Package rates start at $239 per night. Visit www.colonybeachresort.com or call (800)4-COLONY.
New National Parks Guide Available
Families looking for adventure and outdoor experience should look no further than their own backyards. Despite budget cuts, many national parks are still open and offer some of the best and most budget-conscious vacations available for families. For a complete guide to the country’s 58 major national parks and more than 300 additional properties within the National Park System, purchase the brand-new “Complete National Parks of the United States,” prepared by the expert staff of the National Geographic and available wherever books are sold. It’s a great resource for road trip adventures. Visit www.nationalgeographic.com/books for details.
Ski West, Ski Value
Visitors to this “Land of Enchantment” don’t always think of it for the winter season. But residents know that New Mexico offers some of the best skiing around. Skiers can chose from a wide variety of ski areas, including Red River, Angel Fire, Pajarito, Ski Apache, and Santa Fe, among others, all offering family friendly and budget conscious outdoor adventure. Taos also offers ski packages that can include a stay at a classic bed and breakfast hotel along with the art, culture and shopping available in town. Visit www.skinewmexico.com for details
Retreat to Luxury
Transport yourself to Italy at the luxurious Venetian Hotel Casino, which offers $150 in credits for dining and amenities in their “Retreat to Luxury” package. With more than 4,000 rooms, the Grande Canal Shoppes, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, and Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, this is one of the city’s favorite getaways (3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard; 702-414-1000; www.venetian.com).
Great Location, Great Deal
The landmark Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers is offering several great discount packages in 2010. Visitors can enjoy this Historic Hotel of America, built in 1927, just steps away from the Boston Common and Public Garden. Check for package details at www.bostonparkplaza.com (50 Park Plaza; 617-426-2000).
The Chronicles of Narnia Explained
Families can still catch “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition” at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land since it has been extended to April 25, 2010. The new facility, opened October 3, 2009, was once the site of the Imperial Prison Farm and then the Central State Prison, but today the buildings and 5.5 acres of land have been refurbished to hold the wonders of science and imagination for school children and visitors. The exhibit fires the imagination with 100 props and creatures from the whimsical movie and book by C.S. Lewis, and explains the fantasy with real science as well. Presented by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden media, the show is just the beginning. Be sure to check out the Hall of Paleontology and Stan, the T. rex! Visit www.hmns.org or call (713)639-4629 for details.
Lake Tahoe’s Ski Heaven
With world-class ski resorts that pack in the snow and sunshine, Lake Tahoe is a ski lover’s paradise. The season is in full swing as people head to this family-friendly ski resort area. The conditions at Heavenly Ski Resort (www.skiheavenly.com) are always heavenly due to the fact that the resort utilizes one of the largest snow-making systems in the western United States. With 34 miles of ski terrain for every level, it’s a blockbuster ski destination. On the north shore, Squaw Valley is celebrating 60 years this year (www.squaw.com) with specials and packages throughout the season. Take time to enjoy Lake Tahoe as well, the largest alpine lake in the United States, covering 22 miles by 12 miles. For a free Nevada visitor’s package call (800)NEVADA-8 or visit www.travelnevada.com.
Boutique Hotel Deal
The “Love Him or Leave Him Package” is offered by some appealing boutique hotels in the Union Square area. Visit www.personalityhotels.com for details about this deal, starting at $135 per night, through April 2010. Included are the Hotel Metropolis, Hotel Frank, Hotel Vertigo, Hotel Union Square, Hotel Diva, and Kensington Park. Call (800)553-1900 for more information.
Art Museum Savings in Florida
Marriott is offering a special package that gives visitors the opportunity to explore one of Florida’s most popular art museums. Use the promotional code “E0N” (that’s E “zero” N) to enjoy rooms at the West Palm Beach Marriott for $144 to $264 per night through April 30, 2010. The Norton Museum Package includes two tickets to the art museum, breakfast for two and two drinks at the Bistro Ten Zero One Lounge. Go to www.marriott.com for details.
NYC’s Eleven Madison Park Garners Four Stars
In a city where food is king and great restaurants are the norm, the news that Danny Meyer’s downtown restaurant, Eleven Madison Park (at 11 Madison Avenue) captured four stars from The New York Times was news indeed. The elegant Art Deco building exudes relaxed sophistication and the team here serves a menu featuring chef Daniel Humm’s French cuisine creations. The three-course prix-fixe menu or the "Taste of Winter” courses selected by the chef compete with the 11-course menu and wine pairings that makes dinner here a very special occasion. Danny Meyer’s 11 other New York dining locations include the Union Square Café, Gramercy Tavern, Tabla, and The Modern—this is restaurant genius who knows how to please both loyal customers and New York visitors alike. For more information call (212)889-0905 or visit www.elevenmadisonpark.com.
Vermont’s Favorite Ski Town
This quintessential New England town swells with visitors during the winter ski season, but never so many that it becomes mobbed with tourists. There are plenty of restaurants to cater to any taste, a lot of down-to-earth shops, and a pancake house that offers a huge variety. Cross-country skiing along the town “path” is just as popular as on the mountain slopes, and ski lovers will find a nice variety of skill levels and terrains. Vermont’s highest mountain, 4,395-foot Mount Mansfield, forms the centerpiece of the downhill ski activity. Always popular is the nearby Ben & Jerry’s ice cream plant, as well as the many independently owned stores that offer one-of-a-kind merchandise. Visit www.gostowe.com for details.
A Hershey Holiday
Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a favorite place to visit during the holidays with glittering decorations, traditions, and chocolate! Both the Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey are offering packages for visitors who want to enjoy the festivities for a multi-day stay. The holidays offer a great chance to explore this quaint town. For information visit www.christmasinhershey.com or call (800)437-7439.
New England Ski Savings
New England is a great place for ski vacations, and now the Frequent Skier card offers the opportunity to save on lift tickets in three locations—Sugarloaf and Sunday River in Maine, and Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. Available online or in person, the $89 card offers savings for the 2009-10 season. Visit www.frequentskiercard.com or call (800)543-2SKI (Sunday River); (800)THE-LOAF (Sugarloaf); or (800)229-LOON (Loon Mountain).
Culinary Festival in South Beach
Plan ahead for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, scheduled for February 25 to 28, 2010, and you’ll be rewarded with a star-studded event featuring celebrity chefs and culinary delights. One of the nation’s most popular food festivals, the festival will feature such stars as Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, and Daniel Boulud. The event is sponsored by Food & Wine magazine and offers a range of presentations, lectures, demonstrations, and opportunities to hobnob with star chefs. Visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com/2010 for details and reservations.
Caribbean Winter Escape
The warm breezes of the Caribbean beckon during the winter months, and one all inclusive resort holds a special allure. With country club elegance and family appeal, Curtain Bluff has welcomed guests for 48 years. There are 72 rooms and suites to choose from (some with balcony Jacuzzis) located on a scenic bluff with great ocean views. Curtain Bluff, founded by the late Howard Hulford, is a classic Caribbean resort with an excellent beach, upscale ambiance, and plenty of activities. Check out the free scuba diving and deep-sea fishing as well as the 25,000-bottle wine cellar. Multi-generational winter vacations are a favorite here, especially when taking advantage of special packages through the upcoming season. Call (888)289-9898 or visit www.curtainbluff.com for details.
Grand Experience Package in Phoenix
With suites starting at $199 per night (plus tax and resort fees), and a $100 resort credit for dining, golf or a spa experience, the Arizona Grand Resort is a good winter deal. The golf is unlimited for two, the spa offer is buy one spa treatment, get the second one free. Visit www.arizonagrandresort.com or call (866)982-9472 and mention the promo code: PROCMG.
Marriott Savings in Miami
A selection of Miami Marriott hotels is offering special rates if you book five, seven or 14 days in advance through December 31, 2009. Mention the promotional code ADR or call direct at (800)834-7015 for a great stay at Miami Beach or Miami properties. Visit www.marriott.com/specials for details.
MOMA’s Bauhaus Exhibit
For the first time since 1938, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City is mounting a major exhibition on the Bauhaus movement, the avant-garde art movement in Germany that was shut down by the Nazis in 1933. “Bauhaus 1919 - 1933: Workshops for Modernity” opens November 8, 2009 and goes through January 25, 2010 with more than 400 works, many of them never seen in the United States. It’s a show of industrial design, graphic art, textiles, paintings, ceramics, and much more by such artists as Anni Albers, Marcel Breuer, Vasily Kandinsky, Pail Klee, and Oskar Schlemmer. Visit www.moma.org.
Florida’s Best Beaches
St. Petersburg/Clearwater—Visitors to this Florida escape know that St. Petersburg/Clearwater offers some of the country’s best beaches and family-friendly venues, from pirate ships to Pier 60 to casual dining spots. Best time to travel? The upcoming late fall/winter season for great deals. Check out the new luxury resort called Barefoot Beach Resort, set on Indian Shores between St. Pete and Clearwater, for a prime location to capture all the fun. The resort offers accommodations with a kitchen, dining room and casual Florida room. The "buy two nights get one free" package through October 30 offers not only a good family bargain but great privacy as well. Visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com for details about the area's winter events and attractions and www.barefootbeachresort.com for fall and winter packages at the resort.
North Carolina Getaway
A perfect fall getaway in Asheville, North Carolina, can start with a culinary adventure at Brookstone Lodge (877-798-5888), one of several accommodations that offer seasonal packages. Through December 2009 and starting at $273 per night, the chef at the Lodge offers a special dinner made with fresh organic produce plus a luxurious breakfast, all included. Check out www.exploreasheville.com for these and other deals.
Culinary Deals
This is the perfect time of year to travel to San Francisco and there are plenty of deals, including culinary ones if you know where to look. Start in the neighborhoods and try ethnic eateries, and you’ll keep the costs down. For the month of January coming up, there’s also a special “Dine About Town” event that offers deals on three-course dinners and lunches at more than 100 high-end venues. Visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com for details.
Halloween Treat in Philadelphia
The Edgar Allen Poe House in Philadelphia may be a bit off-the-beaten-track, in a neighborhood north of Center City along the Delaware River, but this is the season to check it out. Halloween is a special time, and 2009 marks the bicentennial of this famous writer. Located at 532 North 7th Street in the “Northern Liberties” neighborhood, the house offers thrills and chills. Check out the pedestrian strip called “Liberties Walk” along Third to Second streets for eclectic boutiques, a tasty bakery and a coffee shop called One Shot Coffee (1040 North 2nd Street). For Philadelphia travel packages go to www.gophila.com.
New England Tour
The quintessential Shelburne Museum is just one stop on the Tauck fall foliage tour “Grand Autumn New England.” It’s a great experience for the whole family as well as a scenic way to enjoy New England’s fall treasures. The 11-day tour includes a variety of iconic sights such as the Mount Washington Observatory, the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, and a variety of New England destinations in the $3,470 cost. Also on tap is a special dinner at the New England Culinary Institute. Visit www.tauck.com for complete details.
Hawaii Savings
Starwood Hotels is offering the third night free at any one of their 11 properties in Hawaii, including a $75 dining credit on Oahu or a free daily breakfast for two on the neighboring islands. Plus, kids eat free. Check it out on www.sunsationalhawaii.com or call (866)716-8140.
Palm Beach Package
Now through December 31, 2009, when you stay two or more nights at any one of the 78 participating hotels, resorts or bed-and-breakfasts in Palm Beach, visitors get an additional night for $19.09 to celebrate the founding of the county in 1909. Book now to enjoy 47 miles of beaches, plus golf courses, museums, family attractions, parks, and more. Visit www.PalmBeachFL.com or call (800)554-7256.
Eiffel Tower Reservations
Who would travel all the way to Paris and miss out on seeing the Eiffel Tower, let alone not take the elevators to the top for that glorious view of Paris below? Travelers know that this tourist icon can be a bear to conquer, with long lines at the elevators and hard-to-get reservations for the pricey Le Jules Verne restaurant on top. At the end of 2009, a new online reservation system will debut to allay all those fears of missing out on a French experience like no other. Reservations to reach the 906-foot-high observation deck and avoid all those long lines below may be booked for the regular fee of about $19 later this year at www.tour-eiffel.fr.
Idyllic Indian Summer Days
Nantucket, Massachusetts—With the warm days of Indian summer coming soon to the Northeast, it may be a great time to consider heading to a prime summer spot on the shoulder of the off-season. Idyllic weather and fewer crowds are the norm in Nantucket after Labor Day. A popular destination, this island offers historic buildings, art galleries and boutiques, and glorious beaches along with a host of accommodations. Check out the White Elephant, a 65-room resort hotel complete with a spa, a harbor-side terrace with al fresco dining and rooms with fireplaces. Visit www.whiteelephanthotel.com for packages and special offerings.
Great Escape Packages
Atlantic City is coming into its own as a gaming destination. With a solid selection of hotels that offer great packages, many travelers are choosing this seaside city for their casino vacation. Check out www.harrahs.com, www.ballysac.com or www.caesarsac.com for the latest deals.
Vacation Values in D.C.
The Washington, D.C., convention bureau wants you to come to the nation’s capital—anytime. So the “Staying Power” hotel package, with rates starting at $107 per night, is on offer for a 30 percent savings overall on a three-day weekend. There’s plenty to do for the whole family and dozens of free attractions to go along with the savings. Visit www.washington.org for more.
New Orleans Gem Restored
A New Orleans landmark has reopened on July 31 after a $145-million renovation, four years after Katrina. Now part of the Waldorf-Astoria portfolio, the Roosevelt Hotel has been restored to its former glory of the 1930s. Originally built in 1893, the 540-room, 135-suite luxury property holds many memories as New Orleans’ residents celebrated weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and proms here. The Sazarac Bar, decorated with Art Deco murals by artists Paul Ninas, is once again a lively hotpot. For details visit www.therooseveltneworleans.com.
Head North for Savings
Vancouver, British Columbia—Americans are heading north for summer and early fall savings in the city that is set to host the Winter Olympics in February 2010. Canada’s cosmopolitan city is sprucing up already in anticipation. The current hotel savings, plus lower airfares in the first quarter of 2009, are enticing visitors from all over the United States. Check out the stunning rooftop garden, created with 400,000 plantings, on the top of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre along with the other improvements throughout town. For more on the Winter Olympics, go to www.vancouver2010.com and for city information go to www.tourismvancouver.com.
Statue of Liberty Reopens
The Fourth of July marked the reopening of the Statue of Liberty—the crown, that is—closed since 9/11 and one of the most iconic symbols of this country’s principles. Visitors who travel to Ellis Island will now be able to see New York Harbor from a unique vantage point. The crown is accessible by a narrow 168-step double-helix spiral staircase, so it’s a good idea to wear comfortable walking shoes. The walk up is well worth it. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/stli.
Savings in St. Martin
The luxury resort La Samanna, an Orient-Express Hotel, is giving one night free with three nights’ stay, a 25 percent savings, for visitors who book through December 21, 2009. Daily buffet breakfast, tennis, fitness center, and some water sports are included in this package. Visit www.lasamanna.com or call (800)854-2252 for details.
San Diego Zoo News
Opening May 23, 2009, the new habitat “The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey” at the world-famous San Diego Zoo will give the elephants a new 2.5-acre place to roam. Seven elephants will surely enjoy the new 137,000-gallon pool. Check out the Elephant Care Center where trainers provide routine care and watch out for 12,000-pound Ranchipur, the largest elephant in the zoo, and fifty-three-year-old Cookie, who loves to collect rocks. Go to www.sandiegozoo.org.
Affordable Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina—One of America’s best preserved historic destinations has a lot going for it during these tough economic times. Discover affordable hotels and great restaurants all within driving distance of major Northeastern cities. Visitors can absorb the history in the charming tree-lined streets and stately plantations, visit Fort Sumter National Park and explore the waterfront district. World-class golf plus scenic beaches offer relaxation. There’s plenty for the children to do as well including the Charleston Museum’s “Around the World” exhibit, which features items that are part of everyday life for kids in other countries (www.charlestonmuseum.org). Visit www.CharlestonCVB.com for details on summer packages.
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