Now that the freezing temps and snow have arrived in the Chicagoland area, the early feelings of cabin fever begin making its way into our everyday lives. A few joy filled days of sledding with the kids and some light shoveling of the driveway tend to be quickly outlived and before we know it, we can’t wait for spring to show its face again. Like most Chicagolanders, you will likely try to make the most out of this winter by either engaging in more fun winter activities or by taking a trip to places of warmer climates.
If the first option sounds too cold for you, then you’re likely the type of person to fall into the latter group and fly away to your favorite destination. What’s that? Can’t afford a trip this year? Well, you’re definitely not alone, but I bet you would at least love to dream about such destinations, right? And what about those you who can afford it, but aren’t sure where to go. Are you looking for better ideas than what your computer screen can offer? Whether you can afford a trip or would like to just do some dreaming, you could most likely benefit from a visit to their local travel agency to browse through brochures and get their mind off the things that causes cabin fever. Better yet, how about going to the nation’s largest travel and adventure show at the Rosemont Horizon this weekend to get a wonderful dose of ethnic cultures and places to visit?
That’s right. According to the Chicago Travel Adventure Show: “The nation’s largest travel and adventure show returns to Chicago January 28–29 for its eighth consecutive year with new additions and returning favorites. Between well-known travel experts, adventurous activities, more than 120 world-class destinations on exhibit and non-stop cultural music and dance performances, guests will uncover unlimited inspiration and information to plan their next vacation.
New additions this year include appearances by travel insiders like Samantha Brown (host of multiple shows on The Travel Channel), Patricia Schultz (author of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die) and Marc Peyser (editor at Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine.) Travel Agency Partner AAA Chicago will be featuring seminars on personalized African safari tours, guided European vacations and cruising at the AAA Travel Theater. Also debuting is an audience “cook-off” hosted by Chicago native and Travel Channel star Mark DeCarlo, with the winner receiving a vacation to the Mexican Yucatan. Crowd favorites return, such as free scuba diving and rock wall climbing, along with non-stop music and dance and more than 120 exhibits of amazing destinations from every continent.
“Whether it’s a short weekend getaway to Wisconsin or traveling to Tanzania next summer, the Travel & Adventure Show brings together an amazing array of travel ideas and expert advice,” said John Golicz, CEO for Unicomm, which produces the event in five cities nationally. “Chicago is always one of our largest events, and we’re looking forward to bringing great information and entertainment to our guests.”
Must-see stops on your itinerary at the show include:
- Domestic and International Exhibitors– Representatives from Africa, Asia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey and the South Pacific join domestic destinations from Alaska to West Virginia. Tour operators who can give you expert advice on countless other locales will also be on-hand. “Computer research is one thing, but there’s nothing like talking to someone face-to-face who has been where you want to go,” said Golicz.
- Fiery Foods Challenge – Local chefs representing some of the destinations you’ll find at the show will be on hand to cook traditional “hot” dishes. Audience members will sample these spicy creations and vote for their favorites, as well as take home the recipes to try them at home.
- Mark DeCarlo Interactive Cooking Class and Competition –The host of the Travel Channel show “Taste of America” and author of “A Fork In The Road” will selectthree lucky audience members at random to recreate a dish of Mark’s choosing – right on the spot. The winner (chosen by the audience) will win an all-inclusive Yucatan vacation!
- ScubaDo! – Scuba diving in the world’s largest mobile scuba diving pool (no matter HOW cold it is outside, this pool – all 15,000 gallons of it! -- is a toasty 72 degrees, mimicking the temperatures of Bonaire in the Caribbean.) All equipment is provided, even hair dryers.
- Global Beats Stage– musical and dance performances will transport you to an exotic destination, running non-stop throughout the show.
The Travel & Adventure Show opens Saturday, January 28, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, January 29, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. (The show opens 9:30 a.m. Saturday for travel professionals.) Adult admission is $9 online with Promo Code: CHPR or $15 at the door. Children 16 year of age and under are free.
The Travel and Adventure Show is the longest-running series of consumer travel events in the U.S., with shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas and Washington D.C. The national magazine sponsor is Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel.
For more information on attending or exhibiting in the event, please visit www.adventureexpo.com/Chicago or call 203-878-2577 x100.”
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