18 REGION ADVERTORIAL
18 REGION ADVERTORIAL AMERICAS Jet Pack Thrill Ride First for Naples Florida Captain CJ’s Jet Pack Adventures: a new attraction in Naples, Florida Adrenaline junkies and James Bond aficionados alike will welcome a new attraction at Florida’s Paradise Coast – a jet pack that enables visitors to ‘lift off’ several feet above the water in a manner not dissimilar to Sean Connery in the film Thunderball. The jet pack thrill ride, called Captain CJ’s Jet Pack Adventures, is one of the latest attractions at the sophisticated beach destination of Naples. The pack works by forcing water through a pump. On either side of the jet pack, water is soaked in and between 800 and 1,000 gallons per minute are blown back out with a 240-horesepower engine. After short instruction and some minutes of practice travellers can “lift off”. Instruction and help are offered throughout the ride, which takes about 30 minutes. Pure fun for the jet pack participants, not to mention the viewers. Fairbanks, Alaska Offers Special Service for Germanspeaking Tour Operators Fairbanks Alaska has launched German language tour offerings to explore the city, which is affectionately known as ‘the Golden Heart City’. This is a special service from the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau to connect travellers with Germanspeaking tour operators who specialise in Alaska. The offers are quite diverse and range from viewing brown and polar bears in one excursion to northern light adventures and selfdrive bed and breakfast tours. The aurora borealis lights up the night sky near Faribanks, Alaska Fairbanks, which lies outside the Arctic Circle, is regarded as the gateway to Alaska and a great place to orient oneself for a trip to the far north. These offers are now online at http:// tinyurl.com/cbuekgx Louisiana Promises Festive Year-round Tourism Options Jazz performer at Festival International, Louisiana © Jesse Calstrum/FCVB High Sierra Highlights The breathtaking vistas of Yosemite National Park are iconic and legendary but equally magnificent and far less crowded are the areas outside the park. The High Sierra Visitor Council is at ITB Berlin to highlight the magnificence of these areas, such as the Yosemite back country and the Mariposa area. Backpackers can savour Wapama Falls, arguably the most powerful waterfall in the park, or the stunning Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and take a dip in one of many swimming holes in the area, such as the accessible Rainbow Pool. Additionally, they can dine at a tavern or quaint roadside café or stay in a cozy cabin or luxurious mountain retreat. The Mariposa – the Spanish name for butterfly – was given to the area by a Spanish explorer traveling through the region. From the foothills to river canyons, to the hills and mountains, Mariposa County is full of outdoor adventures, activities, culture, restaurants and more. From foothills to river canyons, Mariposa offers a wealth of natural beauty Louisiana is among the most diverse tourism destinations in America’s Deep South. From New Orleans’ celebrated Mardi Gras festival, to paddle boat tours of the state’s endless waterways, to exploring the rich music heritage or enjoying specialty Cajun and Creole cuisine, Louisiana is a rich and varied tourism locale all-year-round. Visitors to Louisiana can experience distinctive local festivals almost every week of the year – with more than 400 festivals annually. Louisiana is often called the Festival Capital of America. Themed festivals range from a Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula, the Tomato Festival in Chalmette, the great Festival International in Lafayette, the Oyster Festival in Violet, the Contraband Days Pirate Festival in Lake Charles and the Holiday Festival of Lights in Natchitoches. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Saturday 9 th March 2013 www.itb-berlin-news.com
Hall 2.1 AMERICAS REGION 19 ADVERTORIAL San Diego Is Still One of the World’s Top Tourist Destinations San Diego is consistently recognised as one of the leading family vacation destinations worldwide for families with children of all ages. In addition to 70 miles of pristine beaches, nearperfect climate and yearround special events, the city is renowned for popular family attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Balboa Park, which has been called the ‘Smithsonian of the West’. In Spring 2013, San Diego acquires some major new attractions: a Legoland Hotel – the first Lego hotel of its kind in the US – and Aquatica San Diego, a SeaWorld-branded waterpark featuring waterpark thrills with marine park habitats. In May 2013, a new Australian Outback exhibit will be opened and a Giant Panda, born in July 2012, will be a significant attraction at the San Diego Zoo. The city’s rich heritage only adds to San Diego’s appeal. San Diego is not only California’s birthplace, it is also the state’s historic soul. Visitors can travel to San Diego for a thorough lesson on California’s early beginnings and the region’s rich Mexican heritage. Guests can also explore a gold mine from the Southern California gold rush days of 1869 in the East County mountain town of Julian. Other notable historic settings include Mission San Diego de Alcala and Mission San Luis Rey, the first and largest of California’s missions. San Diego is regarded as one of the leading family vacation destinations worldwide New Orleans Offers an Exceptional Cultural and Historical Mix Canal Street Mardis Gras Festival, New Orleans New Orleans is unique among US cities, offering a fascinating blend of culture, food, historic architecture and joie de vivre influenced from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond. The Crescent City has suffered plagues, wars and devastating floods, yet, driven by the city’s distinctive sounds and rhythms, always gets quickly back on its feet. Visitors can experience late nights in dark jazz clubs, strolls through historic neighbourhoods – including the French Creole elegance of the Vieux Carré – bowls filled to the rim with gumbo and vibrant annual festivals. Bouncing back from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans tourism is booming again, with the city hosting many major events including the Super Bowl in 2013. During Mardi Gras season, the city becomes a world party centre. Although the festival has been celebrated in cities worldwide since 1699, no city does it better than New Orleans, from the colourful Mardi Gras Balls to the flambeaux carriers who light the way for endless parade floats. Each spring, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival moves the focus to the charming Gentilly area and the Fair Grounds Race Course. But no matter the time of year, the Crescent City’s calendar overflows with celebration. Among the upcoming attractions to the city is a rare performance by Billy Joel at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27th, 2013. Billy Joel will headline an event that showcases some of the most important names in music alongside Louisiana’s favourite entertainers. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Saturday 9 th March 2013
