US 7-8 may29 26/5/09 16:07 Page 46
knowledge usa
ttglive.com
The Great Lakes region
The Lakes
market
The Great Lakes of North America tourist
board hosted UK agents and reservations
staff on a fam trip run in association
with Virgin Atlantic and Avis. Here, four
agent Roving Readers report back
GILLIAN DAVIS. ISTVAN.
Travel counsellor, CSANALOSI.
Travel Counsellors Travel consultant,
Hayes & Jarvis and
I had been to America Thomson Worldwide
a number of times but JODY.
had never visited Chicago, let alone This was my first visit to the Great Lakes WALDING.
Wisconsin or Minnesota. area and, although the names of Chicago, Deputy group
I expected plenty of scenery but not much Michigan, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and manager, Thomas Cook
for visitors, but I was wrong as there are lots Detroit are familiar to most people, I thought
of activities to do and cities to visit. of them mainly as business destinations. This was my first visit to
It is very easy to get there and to get I didn’t expect the cultural diversity and the US, and I realised just how easy it is to
around, and with so many land and heritage that we experienced. get around by car.
water-based activities I would recommend it There is plenty to offer visitors of all ages, A lot of the airports are close to each
to families with older children. but as the focus tends to be on the area’s other, so you can offer an alternative if your
I loved the museums and I would definitely heritage, I would probably recommend it clients’ first choice isn’t available.
recommend a visit to an Amish farm. most to those aged over 40. Chicago was my highlight. It is a beautiful
I think the region would also suit older First-time visitors to the US are probably city and its location on Lake Michigan sets it
couples who can spend two or three likely to head for New York, Florida, Las apart from other cities I have visited.
weeks travelling around, particularly the Vegas or California, and the Great Lakes area The Great Lakes are a great destination
adventurous ones who might like to tour on shouldn’t try to compete. for a range of clients. There are many state
a Harley-Davidson and visit the place where It’s a great place to experience the real US parks in Indiana for those looking to
it originated. when you’ve visited these places, and as the explore, and lots of museums and historical
The locals are incredibly area is relatively new as a tourist landmarks throughout Illinois and Indiana.
friendly, and I would suggest a destination, the people are I now have hotel suggestions for a variety
visit in the spring or autumn genuinely friendly and always of customers and accommodation prices are
when the scenery would be lush. willing to help. reasonable. We stayed in several different
Winter would be too cold to If I had to pick one highlight types of accommodation, from a family-run
visit, though Christmas would of the trip, it would be the B&B to a large resort hotel. For sports enthu-
be an option. Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. siasts I would recommend Indiana as there is
I would recommend clients It highlights the innovation the Indianapolis speedway and also a new
start and finish in a city where that the US is famous for, and golf course at the spa resort of French Lick.
they can fly from, so I might it’s not at all cheesy as some My one tip for clients would be to pack for
suggest starting in Chicago and venues can be. Plus, you can all weathers. On our first day it was sleeting,
finishing in Minneapolis/St Paul. The Mississippi river area drive around in a Model T! and on our last day I had to buy sun cream!
46 29.05.2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72