Country Vacations & Resorts

Okay, I’m kidding here but to read an article about “travel” and “MICE” before I’ve ingested my morning’s first cup of coffee guarantees momentary confusion!

Leave it to the travel industry – known for its use or overuse of capital letters and MICE begins to make a bit more sense. Have a look through the “Travel Dictionary” for any you find and can’t identify!

M.I.C.E. stands for – Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions.

Otherwise known to the rest of us as the “commercial and business-oriented” side of travel and travel planning. And it is BIG BUSINESS!

Apparently mice travel in packs and that is the focus of most MICE travel for humans as well. Tours to specific regions and focusing on specific topics, travel tours following sports such as golf or racing, (think of the travel and tourism aspects of the Kentucky Derby) and seasonal travel – think of all the “leaf-peepers” that will be heading out soon.

All these topics are potentially MICE travel events. But don’t forget large corporate retreats and business-focused conventions. A Medicaid-focused conference in Austin, Texas just this August no doubt brought thousands of new visitors to the city. Much planning is required to ensure visitors – many who were seeing Austin for the first time – would have a pleasant experience.

Towns and cities fight hard to be the destination for these MICE events – which is when the “incentives” part of our equation kicks in. Tourism is one of the most competitive industries in the world and since the rewards in revenue and exposure are huge, MICE officials spend a lot of time and effort promoting their city’s highlights and benefits.

While the lone traveler or family might be totally annoyed to find some convention being held in their chosen destination when their visit is planned – take heart! MICE forces states, cities, and towns to think far in advance about the needs of travelers and plan and respond accordingly. This is a win for the rest of us.

Have a safe Columbus Day tomorrow!

Here are a few luxury resort ideas if you haven’t already booked. Great for Summer 2011 vacations or a mini-break! 4 and 5-Star accommodations and a free night – hard to resist!

Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, Florida

Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, California

Kingsmill Resort & Spa – Williamsburg, Virginia

Hotel Gansevoort – New York City

The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa, California

Chateau Elan Winery And Resort – Braselton, Georgia

Barton Creek Resort & Spa – Austin, Texas

I watched a movie last night called, “127 Hours.” I don’t want to give too much away, but for anyone planning hiking, mountain biking, or any other outside activities this year in remote areas, it might be good to watch. Things can be going very smoothly and then suddenly you can find yourself in a life or death situation.

Amazing movie – highly recommended and well-acted by James Franco, and below, a few little items that might have come in handy – along with more water!

This is the The Only Complete Swiss Army Knife. in the world, holder of the Guinness World Record for “The Most Multifunctional Penknife,” with 87 precision-engineered tools spanning 112 functions. Made by Wenger, crafters of genuine Swiss Army knives since 1893, it uses stainless steel for all parts and is hand-assembled by just two cutlery specialists in Delmont, Switzerland, ensuring that every knife meets exacting standards. It has seven blades, three types of pliers, three golf tools (club face cleaner, shoe spike wrench, and divot repair tool), 25 flat- and Phillips-head screwdrivers and bits, saws, wrenches, and more. It also has a bicycle chain rivet setter, signal whistle, 12/20-gauge shotgun choke tube tool, combination fish scaler, hook disgorger, and line guide tool, cigar-cutting scissors, laser pointer, tire-tread gauge, toothpick, tweezers, and key ring.

Here’s the CRKT KISS Knife 50/50 Blade – a lot less expensive but looks like it could prove very useful in an emergency situation.

A Red Swiss Army LED Flashlight, rugged and ultralightweight flashlight for backpack or glove compartment.

I have one of these at home, and in my car’s glove box.

This Satellite Personal Tracker can give you a vital line of communication.

Just remember that cell phones and GPS units may be totally useless when blocked by mountains and while you’re in canyons. Always make sure someone knows when you are leaving, where you are going, and when you are expected to return.

And don’t forget your maps:
Buy Maps for all 50 states only at Maps.com!

More on the movie…

Olde Moat House near Rye, England, holds the exceptional 5 Diamond Gold Award accolade from the English Tourism Council, which is the highest award available for a Bed and Breakfast and only given to a few top quality establishments throughout the country.

The house stands in 3.5 acres of gardens and paddock and is surrounded by its own moat. It has a storybook elegance from the white walls and pitched roof to the beamed ceilings and canopied beds.The guest lounge boasts a wealth of oak beams and an enormous inglenook fireplace ablaze with logs during the cooler months. A delicious breakfast for you is included each morning made with locally purchased produce.

More info on this and hundreds of other unique vacation destinations at Country Vacations & Resorts.

Find your perfect bed and breakfast getaway….