Scottsdale, Arizona: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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Scottsdale, lying east of Phoenix, Arizona as part of the greater metro area, contains several galleries, resorts, attractions, and golfing opportunities. Exquisite shopping locations such as the Fashion Square Mall are one of the high points of this tourist destination. Galleries displaying local and global creations along with upscale shopping facilities reside to the west of the downtown portion of the metropolitan region. Visitors desiring an active nightlife scene or stunning art creations should visit the once working class South Scottsdale. Old Town offers a variety of activities to visitors including:

  • Old Fashion Boutiques
  • Restaurants
  • Nightclubs
  • Western Era Galleries
  • Main Cultural District

Shea Corridor is in close proximity to Shea Boulevard and holds a large array of homes built in the seventies. A number of communities in this portion of the city are highly desired residentially. The district contains a few high end resorts designed for individuals desiring to see this beautiful city. North Scottsdale has experienced the most development projects in recent years, but was the least built up until these changes began taking place. It is home to major employers such as Fidelity Investments, GoDaddy.com, and The Vanguard Group. Each section of the city has its own little perks and easily meets the precise vacationing needs or desires of visitors.

Things to See & Do

A historical tour through Old Town provides hours of fun with western stories, live demonstrations, and sampling from the area’s most exquisite restaurants. The tour provides vast information about the cities initial development and how it became the metropolitan area it is today. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a great place to take the children for a day of fun. It contains a few playgrounds with a fully functional train that adults or children can ride to access each area. Piestewa Peak is an undeveloped mountainous location near the downtown metropolitan region where individuals can explore and is open to the public for hiking, picnicking, or mountain biking. Fashion Square Mall not only supplies a plethora of shopping choices, but is also a great location for travelers who love to take part in people watching.

Local Culture & The Arts

The annual arts festival has been highly ranked within the United States for many years and the downtown region houses a vast number of galleries that are divided among a total of three districts. A trip to the Main Street Arts District provides an extensive selection of genre and style collections. Marshal Way Arts District offers a more contemporary setting while the Old Town section provides a western themed collection. The city holds numerous events centered on the western time period such as the Arabian Horse Show. The Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol is a rodeo-based cowboy event consisting of a parade among other activities. The city is also home to a well-known automobile show where individuals gather to view historic, exotic, and luxury vehicles. Visitors have a variety of activities to choose from including galleries, museums, cultural events, unique restaurants, shopping, and nature oriented attractions. Regardless of the interest, Scottsdale promises a lifetime memory of fun, new experiences.

San Antonio, Texas: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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San Antonio became one of the most rapidly expanding cities throughout a ten year period that ended in 2010. It was named after Saint Anthony of Padua who discovered the area during a 1691 expedition. San Antonio is best known for historical attractions such as The Alamo, Tower of the Americas, and Marriage Island. It offers a variety of versatile activities in a modern atmosphere with a little southern historical charm. This metropolis is the residing home of several military bases, five companies featured on the Fortune 500 list, and sits approximately seventy-five miles away from the state capital of Austin. The region has a semi-arid climate with temperatures sometimes surging as high as one-hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. Average lows during the winter range from forty to fifty degrees and the summer months experience the most precipitation. While historical sites are a main drawing point for individuals traveling to this destination, San Antonio supplies plenty of sun and fun activities to visitors with varying interests.

River Walk

The River Walk, located in the downtown region, is a tourist attraction with multiple shops, restaurants, and the famous Arneson River Theater. It is a network of walking areas lying along the San Antonio River bank approximately one story below the Downtown region and away from automobile traffic. Pedestrians can peruse shops located along the walkways, stop for a bite to eat, and make their way to several portions of the city. The River Walk provides a laid back, easy mode of travel for anyone wanting to take in the city while making their way to some of its top tourist destinations.

The Alamo

San Antonio history is best observed by taking a little time to visit The Alamo, which was once a Roman Catholic mission where the infamous battle took place in 1836. It is located in the Downtown region of the city and today is one of the most famous historical landmarks in the area. Originally built as a Native American educational compound by the Spanish Empire, the location later became a protective site for the Mexican Army. It continued to be used by military groups as a defensive action positioning point for many years. The city has preserved the location as a historical site for individuals who want to see this remnant of the regions past.

Downtown

Downtown San Antonio is an area filled with stunning architecture and countless opportunities for fun. The Majestic Theatre, built in 1929, is one of the oldest performing arts facilities in the city and can seat just over twenty-three thousand people. It is a must see for every person traveling to the city. The Hemis Fair Park is a remnant of the first official world fair in 1968. Today, it houses various tourist attractions including the Tower of the Americas. Museums, galleries, classic architecture, shopping, and great food are common to each individual district. It is a modern atmosphere where travelers get to experience southern charm mixed with a rich history in a one of a kind setting.

Naples, Florida: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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Naples is located off the Gulf of Mexico along the southern tip of Florida just below Fort Myers. It has a savanna type climate with average summer temperatures ranging in the seventies to the nineties. The months of June, July, August, and September experience the most precipitation. Winter temperatures remain mild with the average consisting of approximately seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit.  The city’s economy is directly fed from tourism, but was originally generated through agriculture and real estate. Its close location to the Everglades among other land attributes made these two economical areas extremely prosperous. The city holds numerous small businesses; however, it is also home to larger names in the health, technology, and medical equipment industries. It is a cultural location with performing arts opportunities such as the opera, jazz orchestra, and theatrical venues.

Nature Activities and Shopping

The area contains several land reserves where visitors can explore the great outdoors. Available reserve parks include:

  • Everglades National Park
  • Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
  • Big Cypress National Preserve
  • Picayune Strand State Forest

The Naples Zoo, built in 1919, is located in the Caribbean Gardens and offers visitors a chance to spend the day with unique animal species. This region supplies countless nature adventure opportunities, but also has a modern appeal for travelers who want to kick back on the sand or experience local culture. A trip to the downtown region of the city supplies tourist with a chance to do a little antique shopping or visit one of many art galleries. Visitors desiring to shop can make their way to The Village on Venetian Bay where the Waterside Shops center is located or peruse around the shopping districts of Tin City and Big Cypress Market Place. This stunning metropolitan region also hosts the Oliver Group Champions Cup and the swamp buggy races every year.

A Surplus of Recreational Choices

Individuals desiring more time on the beach or in the water have a variety of options to choose from. The cities shoreline spans over ten miles along the Gulf of Mexico and was noted as one of the best to visit by the Travel Channel. Beaches in the area include:

  • Clam Pass Beach Park
  • Vanderbilt Beach
  • North Gulfshore Boulevard Beach
  • Naples Pier

Travelers can relax on the shoreline, swim, play in the sand, or reserve a private boat for a day of fun. The area supplies various types of excursion activities in the gulf waters for the more adventurous visitors. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and camping are additional choices for spending some time outdoors with the family. King Richards Fun Park is another option for families or individuals seeking a break from coastal atmosphere. The park has batting cages, mini golf, a water park, go-karts, and amusement rides. Of course, a day on the beach is always welcomed by travelers desiring to have a relaxing getaway. Naples is a beautiful Oceanside city with plenty of fun and relaxing activities for families or individuals. It is a tourist hot spot where every person will find something they enjoy. This city provides a one of a kind scenic environment where travelers can rejuvenate from everyday life.

West Palm Beach, Florida: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination

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West Palm Beach sits in the southeast part of Florida along the Atlantic Coast and was first settled in the late 1800’s. Interestingly enough, the original name for the town consisted of no spaces, but fear of a bad omen with a thirteen letter count caused it to be separated shortly after the settlement was founded. It is the oldest incorporated city in the southern portion of Florida. West Palm Beach experienced a large growth spurt in the 1920’s as the Florida land boom took place. A large number of the currently preserved neighborhoods and landmarks were constructed during this time. A hurricane in the late twenties caused the region to enter a depression period; however, a recovery period took place as World War II began. Another population boom occurred in the fifties as veterans returned from their service during the war. The introduction of air conditioning at this time caused additional people to move to the warmer climate location.

West Palm Beach Historical Districts

The Bel Air Historic District was originally a neighborhood designed for individuals who assisted with the development of the county. A portion of the land began as a pineapple plantation of Richard Hone who built a home at the location in 1895. The plantation passed through several hands after Hones death; however, the house remains standing in its original location. El Cid contains a combination of Mediterranean revival and mission-style structures. As the pineapple crops became dismal in the late 1900’s, this land was subdivided and sold off. Today the neighborhood resides on the National Register of Historic Places and is a marvelous site for anyone traveling in the region. Flamingo Park is a coastal neighborhood consisting of structures developed throughout the twenties. Numerous homes of varying architecture styles have been renovated in the neighborhood and are quite a sight for individuals touring the area. West Palm Beach’s history can be seen throughout each district due to renovations that started in the nineties.

Area Attractions

West Palm Beach is a vacation destination where every visitor can let their imagination take over. Travelers wanting to take a step back in time can board the Black Sparrow pirate ship and make their own adventurous fun or climb to the top of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse for a great view of the area. Greyhound racing, croquet, polo, and equestrian events are a few of the great sporting activities in the area. Water taxis supply the chance to learn more about the cities transition into what it is today. The drive through safari offer travelers the opportunity to be close to animals in the wild. Individuals visiting this wildlife attraction can shop, dine, enjoy amusement park rides, and see live demonstrations. The city offers plenty of cultural activities with options such as live performances and art museums. Visitors should also take some time to explore Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens or the Mounts Botanical Garden for one of a kind, breathtaking views. West Palm Beach is a versatile vacation destination that has retained its historical attributes while managing to supply a fun-filled experience to every visitor.

New Orleans, Louisiana: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination

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New Orleans, known for its jazz roots and unique energy, the “Big Easy” resides as Louisiana’s biggest metropolitan area. It is a popular tourist destination with attractions like Bourbon Street and Creole cuisine. The city’s name was derived from a location on the Loire River in France. A multi-cultural heritage makes the destination a memorable place to visit for any individual. The area is most associated with local cuisine, music, and the Mardi Gras festival; however, this North American destination offers much more than the well-known good time.

Early History

New Orleans / The Big Easy, located next the Mississippi River, was first founded in May of 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville who worked for the French Mississippi Company. It was taken over by the Spanish in 1763 and remained as part of their territories until 1801. New Orleans was obtained by the United States when Napoleon sold it as part of the Louisiana Purchase a couple of years later. People of various heritages began making the region their home after this transition took place. Several wars throughout the years caused the city to be attacked and led to a reconstruction period in the late 1800’s after remittance to the Union. The twentieth century consisted mostly of a civil rights struggle as African Americans were granted freedom. New Orleans has remained strong, recovered from major natural disasters, and still resides as a top vacation destination in North America.

New Orleans Today

The region has a humid subtropical climate, which makes it a sticky yet fun place to experience during the warmer months. Average summer temperatures range from eighty-five to ninety-five degrees with precipitation each month remaining around five to six inches. Winter offers a mild atmosphere to travelers with average temperatures remaining around the sixties. The Big Easy contains many famous streets where travelers are able to experience local culture. Downtown neighborhoods are located below Canal Street whereas uptown districts lie above it. Visitors can peruse prominent neighborhoods on both sides of this dividing line including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Treme, and the Lower Garden District. The metropolis is now a bustling location that provides a variety of tourist attractions and cultural events where individuals can truly let go.

Local Attractions

Structures have architectural designs based on the regions immense cultural and historical background. It contains twenty nationally registered historical districts along with fourteen locally recognized neighborhoods. Architectural styles throughout the region include shotgun, bungalow, Creole, antebellum, Victorian, and Italian style homes. Travelers also have options such as Magazine Street, which contains quite a few shopping boutiques. The region is popular for having a good time, historical architecture, cafes, fine cuisine, vintage shops, and live musical performances. Travelers have countless attractions to choose from when visiting this destination. Marigny supplies authentic music with a Bohemian style while the uptown district houses beautiful architectural creations. An abundance of galleries, tantalizing restaurants, antique shops, and the area zoo reside in the uptown portion of the city. New Orleans offers something different around every corner and this versatility is what has made the city a top ranking place to visit.