Miami, Florida: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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Miami, Florida is a city known for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping opportunities; however, the location offers much more than these enticing activities. It is a region with a tropical climate consisting of hot, short summers and warmer winter temperatures. Miami’s positioning at the top of the Tropic of Cancer contributes to its welcoming climate. The city has a temperature average of sixty-seven degrees in January making the winter months a great time to visit. Located right off the Atlantic Coast in the Southeast portion of Florida, Miami resides as one of the most populated metropolis regions in the South. The city is a large contributor in the areas of finance, entertainment, culture, commerce, and international trade. It has also been noted as one of the cleanest cities in North America by Forbes magazine. Miami’s distinct historical neighborhoods and surplus of attractions supplies a unique experience around every corner.

Local Neighborhoods Offer a Culturally Diverse Atmosphere

Coral Way is an old neighborhood containing twentieth century architecture with a mixture of the Mission Revival style and Bungalow homes. Art Deco designs building in the 1930’s can be found amidst the various sub-neighborhoods of this distinct location. Coral Way, completed in 1922, is a residential area lined with many historical buildings and resides as a connection point for other portions of the city. Coconut Grove, established in 1825, is best known for its array of nightclubs, restaurants, and unique shops. It is a popular area for local college students and travelers seeking a little excitement. Travelers will find narrow, curved streets with an abundance of tree coverage over historical structures. The region contains several parks including Barnacle Historical State Park. Little Havana is a cultural neighborhood where individuals of Cuban decent have resided for years. It is a unique location that received its name from one of the largest Cuban cities. Today, the neighborhood is a cultural center of Miami offering colorful festivals, famous landmarks, and a one of a kind street life.

Must See Attractions in Miami

South Beach is a top destination point where travelers can shop, party, or spend the day basking in the sun. The local zoo has been ranked highly in the United States since the surrounding climate makes an ideal location for housing a large variety of animal species. Visitors can view local water inhabitants at the Seaquarium or have a more personal, up close experience at Dolphin Harbor. Everglades National Park offers a mixture of swamp, grass-prairie, and jungle atmospheres. It has been said to be one of the most exclusive parks found in the nation. The park houses fourteen species of animals that are either rare or endangered. Travelers are able to walk around the park, camp, or take a canoe trip for the day. Kennedy Space Center puts visitors right in the middle of the action with the Shuttle Launch Experience. Area theme parks provide the opportunity to walk amidst tropical wildlife. A large array of museums allows for an educational day of fun. Miami brings out the explorer in every visitor and is a great place to have a relaxing or adventurous getaway.

Charleston, South Carolina: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

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Charleston, South Carolina became a settlement in 1670 as William Sayle worked with English Settlers to create a community near the Ashley River. It was originally named Charles Town and quickly grew into a major port while England was under the rule of Charles II. The settlement developed quickly causing a surge in population counts and in 1680 was moved to its current peninsula location. Charleston resided furthest to the south of all existing English settlements toward the end of the seventeenth century. It was a center for importing, a settlement expansion point, and suffered a large number of sea based attacks. The city continued to grow into a cultural community with numerous social groups having formed in the late 1700’s. Spain, France, Native Americans, and even pirates attempted to stake a claim at Charleston in its early beginnings. 

As a major focal point of the American Revolution, Charleston suffered two major British attacks. Charles Town was freed from the British in 1782 and given its current name a year later. The city continued to grow as inventions like the Cotton Gin further developed crop production. As the Civil War began, Charleston became a target due to its succession from the Union. It was bombarded many times by Union forces, but did not get taken over until 1865 when a night attack by submarine took place. Charleston went through a rebuilding period as part of the aftermath of the Civil War. A few major natural disasters followed these historical events including the 7.3 earthquake in 1886. While the quake did almost destroy the city, it is once again a thriving southern port location. 

Exploring Past and Present Charleston 

Charleston is a highly desired vacation spot due to its extensive history, great food, abundance of activities, and beauty. Its charm is a remnant of the “Old South” character many people are only familiar with through movies. Locals provide a rich atmosphere filled with hospitality and pride. Visitors have an abundance of historical sites to see ranging from old homes to early war remnants. Charleston Museum is a great starting point for learning about the history of this beautiful city. Travelers have the opportunity to visit the island where Fort Sumter once stood strong. The location now serves as a National Monument for the Civil War era. 

The French Quarters was once the site of an English colonial town surrounded by walls and is now a place to visit art galleries or see a variety of architectural creations. Travelers who love to shop must take a walk through the old shopping area sitting at the bottom of Market Street. The city offers countless alternative activities for those who want a more modern stay. Arthur Ravenel Bridge is a cable-stay passage that was completed in 2005 and remains as the longest of its type in North America. Historical landmarks, beaches, downtown shopping, museums, and nature activities await anyone visiting this beautiful city. While Charleston was a center for several major past events, it is also a place where people of all interests can come to enjoy traditional southern charm with the modern perks of a sea-side location.

The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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The Homestead, located in Hot Springs, Virginia, is a luxury vacation spot known for golf, skiing, and relaxation. It sits amidst the Allegheny Mountains near the biggest hot spring found in the state of Virginia. The resort, built in 1959, remains as one of the locations oldest accommodations and has been chosen as a historical landmark. Its history spans over two centuries beginning with the initial building of the lodge in 1766 by Thomas Bullitt. Since the initial construction, The Homestead has been a vacation spot with famous presidents as part of the visitor repertoire. The hotel was redone between 1888 and 1892 after it was purchased by an investment group. It was rebuilt entirely by the group; however, the hotel burnt down shortly after in 1901. The hotel was reconstructed in the early 1900’s and the main structure remains in existence as part of the luxury resort. 

A Golfers Dream 

The Homestead offers three courses with the oldest consisting of six holes that were originally designed in 1892. The first tee developed on the resort is considered to be the oldest within the country. This original course was expanded in 1901 to contain eighteen holes and then redesigned again by Donald Ross in 1913. The Cascade Course is the most famously known of all three golfing options due to its ranking within the top one-hundred links by popular magazines such as Golf Digest. It has been the site of seven major championships and the designer, William S. Flynn, was also an architect who contributed to the famous Shinnecock Hills course. The Cascade Course, opened in 1923, remains as an excellent choice for testing ones skills while staying at this luxury hotel. Lower Cascades, the newest course at this location, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is a hosting site for those taking a chance at qualifying for the amateur tournament. 

Additional Activities 

While golf is a main attraction at The Homestead, plenty of alternative activities await those who desire a different setting. The resort offers a ski area that has been open to visitors since 1959. Visitors can use one of five ski lifts to make their way to the top and the slope has been designed to accommodate skiers of all skill levels with a half pipe for those who want a little more of a challenge. Winter activities are not limited to skiing only and visitors can take a turn at snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing. 

In the warmer months, visitors have numerous choices for family or individual fun including horseback rides and fly fishing. The outdoor atmosphere of this beautiful location offers plenty to do with hiking or biking being a great choice regardless of the season. A romantic carriage ride through the stunning scenery offered at The Homestead makes a great start to any vacation. Travelers wanting to challenge themselves have choices such as paintball, shooting, archery, and kayaking. Indoor activities at the resort include a theatre, historical tour, games, and swimming. As a place where nature takes center stage, The Homestead provides the perfect vacation setting for visitors to experience the uniqueness of Virginia.

Montreal, Canada: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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Montreal, the cultural capital and main entry location of Quebec, ranks second in size among Canadian cities. An extravagant history and immense culture make it one of the liveliest North American places. Besides coming in second for size, Montreal also ranks second in regards to use of the French language. The downtown area of Central Montreal consists of skyscrapers, museums, and various shopping facilities. Visitors can take a stroll through the older side of town where the quaint riverfront portion of the city resides or spend a day in The Plateau. The area offers a little something for everyone including: 

  • Sporting Facilities
  • Little Villages
  • Upscale Neighborhoods
  • Pubs
  • Fine Dining
  • Olympic Park
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Theatres
  • Galleries 

An emerging culinary spot called Petite-Bourgogne can be found in the Mile End part of Montreal. Visitors have the choice of four varying seasons when planning a trip to this destination. Summers are fairly humid with a daily temperature average of seventy degrees Fahrenheit. July is one of the hottest months with temperatures surpassing eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit. Winter does not begin until the middle of November and lasts until March with temperatures often reaching below freezing. Spring brings fairly mild temperatures, but is also known to have unexpected and drastic fluctuations. Those desiring the mildest atmosphere with the most sunlight will find April to be the best time to travel. 

The Magic of Old Montreal 

This area, dating as far back as New France, resides in Ville-Marie as the oldest portion of the city. In 1964, a vast majority of the area became a historical site with its origination dating back to 1605. This section started out as a fur trading post; however, the trading inhabits were warded off by local Iroquois. Ville-Marie, created in 1642, is the original location of Montreal and the site of the city’s first fort. After Canada changed hands to the British in 1763, architectural creations of French nature were abandoned. Fires spanning over a timeframe of more than fifty years caused a large portion of the original French architecture to be lost. The region experienced a massive re-design in 1804, which led to the enlargement of Old Montreal along with community improvements. Today, visitors come to the older side of the city to see architectural creations dating back to as early as the seventeenth century, cobbled streets,  and museums while taking horse-drawn carriage rides. 

Additionally Notable Attractions 

Visitors can make a trip downtown to see large skyscrapers, galleries, colleges, underground malls, and experience some arcade fun. Park Jean-Drapeau, once the site of the World Fair of 1967, is now an outdoor venue for concerts. The area contributes to the racing circuit as well by hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix every year. A casino can also be found on the outskirts of this grand park location. The Rialto Theatre is not only an iconic structure, but also a great place to catch a performing arts show or enjoy some music. Theme parks, cross country skiing, ice skating, and water sports are additional activities in this region. Montreal is a wondrous destination consisting of old time charm, architectural wonders, and plenty to do.

Pebble Beach, California: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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Pebble Beach, California: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

Pebble Beach, California is known for its unique coastal beauty and as a golfer’s paradise. Relaxation, romance, comfort, and a one of a kind experience await those traveling to this heavenly location. Pebble Beach is a smaller coastal destination where everyone comes back with a memorable seaside experience. As part of Monterey County, this laid back location neighbors the Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Pacific Grove, and the Pacific Ocean. Its setting consists of many outcroppings of granite rock with old trees and abundant waters.

A Little Bit of History

The Pebble Beach name originated in 1836 as part of a land grant given to Fabian Barreto and was associated with a rocky cove found in the area. After Fabian passed on, this same piece of land was transferred to various owners until Chinese immigrants began to form fishing settlements. This same piece of land was purchased in 1860 by David Jack who held on to the property for roughly twenty years and then sold it to the Pacific Improvement Company (PIC). The Pacific Improvement company was part of the four big railroad tycoons at the time and created a seventeen mile picturesque road referred to as 17-Mile Drive after the acquisition. The Pebble Beach Lodge, originally constructed in 1908, was a popular stopping point along 17-Mile Drive in addition to a community center to individuals residing in the Del Monte Forest area. The property, after many changes of ownership, has remained as a top domestic tourist destination with plenty of attractions.

Best Time to Visit

The weather in Pebble Beach is best during the spring or fall because this timeframe offers the largest possibility for a clear skyline. A common fog during the summer months can hinder any golf game or decrease the opportunity to bask on the coastline in the sun. While the fog is not always welcomed by visitors, summer is a great time for those who like a mystery setting as portrayed in the famous Scooby Doo series. At times when big events are taking place, hotels fill quickly and those not attending one of the scheduled festivities might want to consider booking at a different time.

Things to Do

17-Mile Drive is one of the best ways to experience Pebble Beach in its entirety and is often the focal point of day trips to this destination. The Lexus Driving Experience is a stylish way to travel along the coastline while seeing the sights. A variety of the activities found at Pebble Beach are water oriented with oceanfront walks, swimming, and sun-basking being common. Golf is another high point of the area since the Pebble Beach Golf Links sits among the top ranked public courses in the country. Visitors are able to take lessons and reserve tee times for this ever so famous course. The Equestrian Center is another must see attraction that offers trail rides each day along the beautiful coastline. A local spa provides the ultimate day of relaxation including the unique Lasapa Leelima treatment of the natives. A variety of interest driving activities ensures visitors find their own little paradise when making their way to this unforgettable destination.

Contact Us if you would like more information about Incentive Travel Programs for Pebble Beach, CA.