How will travel change you? It’s the question that’s been plaguing Angelenos on billboards for weeks and February 10 & 11 was their chance to finally find out. Held at the Long Beach Convention Center, the 2007 Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show gave hundreds of exhibitors from around the world an opportunity to persuade prospective travelers to visit their little part of the globe.
Whether a vacation to Puerto Rico or just a quick getaway to Sedona was in question, travel enthusiasts were sure to find their perfect destination.? From resorts to safaris, there was certainly no shortage of adventures to choose from.
Never been to Hawaii?? Now’s your chance, as Kaua’I’s Visitor’s Bureau was on hand to give interested vacationers all the information needed to visit Hawaii’s island of discovery.
Thinking of crossing the border?? Then San Felipe may just be the place for you.? With beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife and excellent Mexican cuisine, this could be your next vacation spot.
Perhaps you’re set on heading overseas?? No problem.? Car Italy and Tours was more than happy to accommodate all your travel needs, whether Rome, Florence or Milan was your destination of choice.
For those of you who prefer to travel with someone who knows the lay of the land, Trafalgar may be the company you’re looking for.? Providing? group tours for more than 60 years, they can plan your trip and set up an itinerary while you just figure out what to pack for your visit to Morocco, Paris, Greece or Moscow.?
Maybe this is all too exotic and you just want to escape for a weekend?? There were plenty offerings in the state of California as well.? From Yosemite National Park to Pismo Beach, there were more than enough getaways to choose from.
Aside from all the travel opportunities presented over the weekend, visitors were bombarded with action sport experiences as well.? From shark diving to storm chasing, if you were an adventure enthusiast this was the place for you.
For a one stop shopping guide to the ultimate adrenaline rush, check out Extremethings.com.? Based in Pasadena, they offer experiences in rock climbing, scuba diving, hang-gliding and auto racing all in the surrounding area. If you’d like something a little more low key, they can accommodate you as well.? Dance lessons? Massages? Photography?? They got you covered.
After, or in between, pursuing all the different vendors, the expo presented visitors with the chance to attend workshops, listen to speakers and even try out a virtual adventure experience.
Workshops and lectures ranged in topics from destination weddings to family vacations to travel writing and travel deals.? There were also detailed discussions on locations such as Alaska, Guam, Turkey, New Zealand and Mongolia for those wanting to learn more before committing to a place they’ve never been.
If you were looking for a more hands on approach to the day, that was available too.? DEMA (Diving Equipment & Marketing Association) provided a pool where you could actually immerse yourself in water and experience the sport of scuba diving.? Tourism Ireland offered patrons a golf simulator for those trying to prefect their swing.? Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite made a rock climbing wall available for anyone daring enough to try it.? Then there were the sharks. Shark Diving International allowed those of a curious nature to stand in a cage while sharks swam around them on large screen TVs.
Over on the Global Beat Stage, different cultures displayed their particular brand of dance.? Entertainers from Thailand, Cook Island, Aruba and Hawaii took to the stage and shed light on their diverse traditions.
There was so much going on at the event that two days might not even have been enough time to see it all.? But however long or short one’s particular experience, there’s no doubt everyone left planning their next adventure.
For more information on the LA Times Travel and Adventure Show go to www.latimes.com/events.
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