Donna Dailey's Blog
Posted by Donna Dailey
With the Democratic National Convention just three weeks away, Denver is gearing up for the biggest event the city has ever seen. Some 50,000 visitors will be arriving in the city for the convention, held August 25-28, including delegates, media, campaign workers and anyone else eager to be here for what will likely turn out to be a milestone in political history.
This isn't the first time the Democrats have held their National Convention in Denver. They met here 100 years ago, in July of 1908, when they chose William Jennings Bryan as their presidential candidate. It was the famous orator's third bid for the presidency, which he lost to William Taft.
A century on, the Mile High City is ready to roll out the red, white and blue carpet once again. By the time the delegates arrive, the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau will have trained upwards of 3,500 people in its "Go the EXTRA Mile" hospitality program. These include taxi drivers, rental car staff, hotel and restaurant workers, and airport employees.
The aim is to improve customer service and help visitors make the most of their stay in Denver, a goal which will have long-term benefits to Denver as a travel destination.
Some of Denver's top hotels are also getting into the spirit. The Brown Palace has re-reinstalled a historic 16-by-30-foot flag in the center of its atrium lobby. The flag hung there from the 1940s until 1996, and will remain until the end of the convention. They have also temporarily renamed the Eisenhower Presidential Suite as the Barack Obama Suite.
At the Hotel Monaco, guests will be greeted by Hercules, the hotel's four-legged Director of Pet Relations, decked out in his Super Delegate red, white and blue tuxedo and top hat.
*
Posted by Donna Dailey
Returning from a trip this week, I switched on the BBC to catch up on the news. Filling my television screen was some fantastic footage of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano in full flow.
Kilauea is the world's most active volcano. It is situated on the eastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Mauna Loa, the park's other active volcano, is the most massive mountain on earth. Together they have created an eerie landscape of deep craters, crusty cinder cones, steaming vents, pumice heaps and blackened lava fields up to 3 miles wide
Kilauea has been erupting continually since 1983. But it has been more ferocious than usual since its latest eruption which began last Sunday. Enormous lava "waves" nearly 40 feet high have been recorded. The flow of lava down the mountainside is so large and deep that satellites in space have registered the heat image.
In the build-up to the eruption, there were small explosions which shot out rock ash and flashing red flame at the Halemaumau fuming vent, one of the volcanic features around the crater. Another, Puu Oo, was emitting 4,800 tons of sulfur dioxide a day, far above normal. So far, the toxic gases have not endangered nearby villages.
Several earthquakes were recorded in the area on July 7. Could this have triggered the eruption? Or is Kilauea simply celebrating its 25th birthday with its own spectacular brand of fireworks.
The BBC has some fantastic aerial footage of Kilauea's eruption on its website. Fast-flowing rivers of molten rock stream down the mountainside, swallowing everything in their path. Best of all are the huge fiery fountains of lava bubbling out of the fissures like cauldrons from hell.
As you watch this amazing display, be sure to wish Kilauea a Happy Birthday!
*
Posted by Donna Dailey
TripAdvisor has recommended a list of top ten free US attractions as a way of helping budget travelers find more ways to stretch their vacation dollar. The list was chosen by TripAdvisor editors, apparently according to the destinations' popularity with visitors.
I am happy to report that six of the ten attractions are in the Southwest states or Hawaii. Here they are, in no particular order:
- Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1, California
- Waimea Canyon, Waimea, Hawaii
- Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park, Utah
- Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
- Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas, Nevada
- U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
I would certainly agree with the first two destinations. The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most beautiful drives in the country, if not the world. So is Waimea Canyon, on the island of Kauai.
The next two, however, are a bit dubious. The hiking trail to Angel's Landing is in Zion National Park, and like all national parks, it has an entrance fee.
The Golden Gate Bridge is only free if you drive across it northbound. Southbound vehicles coming into the city must pay a toll. Of course, there is no charge to simply admire it from afar.
But who's quibbling? The list obviously reflects the site's users personal favorites, and opinion is always going to differ.
Which ones would you choose? If you have some favorite attractions in the Southwest and Hawaii, and they're FREE, let me know.
For those who are curious, here are TripAdvisor's remaining top ten free US attractions:
- Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts
- Central Park, New York, New York
- Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
- Holocaust Museum, Washington, D.C.
*
Posted by Donna Dailey
Whatever your political views, the Democrats got one thing absolutely right when they chose Denver as the host city for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. It takes place August 25-28, and the city has long been gearing up for what may turn out to be a momentous event in American history.
Politics is tough business, and whether you need a place to drown your sorrows, celebrate your victories or simply recharge your batteries, you'll find it in the Mile High City. For a Delegate's Guide to Denver, check out these stories on our Colorado Travel pages.
For liquid refreshment visit some of Denver's Best Brewpubs and Bars. They've been given in-depth personal research by yours truly.
Be sure to try the local cuisine. There's none more traditional than at Denver's Buckhorn Exchange. Rocky Mountain Oysters anyone?
After chowing down on a buffalo steak, you might like to pay homage to the man who made buffalo bagging a legend. When you need a breath of fresh air, head for the foothills a short drive outside town and visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave.
Barack Obama's bid for the top spot has focused attention on the African-American experience. The Black American West Museum presents a fascinating look at the black cowboys who helped tame the Wild West.
Of course, you'll want to dress the part with a shirt from the famous Rockmount Store.
On the other hand, you may prefer to chill out in one of Denver's top spas.
For more ideas, check out Denver's top ten attractions.
And for all those delegates staying at Hotel Teatro or the Brown Palace – two of my favorite hotels – I only have one word: Enjoy!
*
Posted by Donna Dailey
As a travel writer, researching and writing travel guides is a large part of my work. I've written or co-written around 30 guidebooks, including several to places in the Southwest USA.
This year I've been particularly busy writing two brand new titles. Exactly this time last year I was traveling around the French Riviera researching CityPack Nice, published by the AA, which comes out in July. I've just finished Step by Step Orlando, which is published by Insight Guides (APA) this autumn.
People seldom believe me when I tell them how much work it is to produce a good guidebook. It sounds too much like fun. But it doesn't end with the final keystroke. You have to keep it up to date.
I'm about to update three of my long-running titles: Berlitz Los Angeles, Drive Around Ireland and Drive Around Scotland (the last two published by Thomas Cook). And I've recently written new text for my chapters in Eyewitness Southwest USA and Las Vegas (Dorling Kindersley).
Since I know what goes into creating a good travel guide, I'm happy to recommend the following guidebooks which I've reviewed in recent months for Suite 101. You can read more about them on these pages.
REGIONAL AND COUNTRY GUIDES
Good Beer Guide to West Coast USA
Lonely Planet Guide to Coastal California
Lonely Planet Hawaii Travel Guide
Lonely Planet Guide to the USA
*
CITY GUIDES
Lonely Planet Encounter Los Angeles Guide
Zagat Guide to San Diego Restaurants
*
NATIONAL PARK GUIDES
Grand Canyon National Park Guide
Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Guide
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Guide
Rough Guide to Yosemite National Park
*
