For the second year in a row, summer vacation planning in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is easier and more affordable than ever with the return of the Visitor & Convention Bureau’s value-driven ECOnomical Summer Escapes programs. The value-added campaign offers savings which stretch on into fall. This year’s packages offer even more options, with an assortment of free nights, bonuses and giveaways from May through October 31, 2010. Some properties are even offering a risk-free vacation guarantee. Details are available at charlotteharbortravel.com/summerescapes.
Located halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, this Southwest Florida vacation destination offers world-class fishing and boating, 4 ½ star golfing, boutique shopping, a great variety of water and outdoor activities, and plenty to do for families and couples. The shell-strewn beaches offer an escape from the crowds, with miles of unobstructed vistas.
Charlotte Harbor is helping its visitors enjoy an ECOnomical vacation at an assortment of accommodations ranging from well-known flag hotels to specialty boutique properties to a barrier island resort and private rental homes on the beach. Enticing savings range from an additional free night’s stay when booking two or more nights, to an additional two nights free when reserving a five night stay. To view these specials, visit Free Night Stay, choose your package, then call the property and request the Charlotte Harbor FREE Summer Night Bonus.
To make summer vacations even more carefree, participating accommodations safeguard the purchase of hotel/condo/home rental stays with no-penalty re-booking policies in the event of storms. To view the full terms of the Risk Free Guarantee, go to Risk Free Vacation.
In addition to free additional nights, several hotels are packaging accommodations with activities and attractions. Romantic extras and spa services and full-day fishing charters in Charlotte Harbor are among the offerings. Packages
Three hotels are offering accommodations and a 2 ½ hour guided kayak tour from a certified outfitter at rates starting at $70 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy.
Paddlers can traverse portions of the area’s nearly 200 miles of Blueway Trails while exploring river passages and mangrove-edged aquatic preserves. Sightings of dolphins, manatees, rare and endangered birds, sea turtles and other wildlife are common.
The area’s beautiful water vistas also offer stunning backdrops for world-class golf. Play a round on any of 20 scenic, challenging courses-some ranked 4½ stars by Golf Digest. Each have special summer greens fees, and four hotels are offering accommodations and golf packages starting at $164 to $391 per person, plus tax.
To learn more about all of the Charlotte Harbor specials and packages specific to every taste and budget, including some radio and magazine giveaways, visit the Smart Savings page at Smart Savings.
A host of dining, shopping, nightlife and cultural experiences await. From scenic, historic towns and villages with art galleries and museums, from funky fish shacks to James Beard-style fine dining, from public jam-bands to symphony orchestras, there’s something for every age and interest. Best of all, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has a special, ECOnomical appeal from May through October.
The Bureau’s 2009 ECOnomical Summer Escapes Promotion was honored with a Gold Addy Award from the American Advertising Federation and a Bronze Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands was named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” The city of Punta Gorda was named as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was just named as No. 2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; (941) 743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Huber
Tourism Public Relations Manager
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau
Tel: (941) 743-1900
jennifer.huber@charlottefl.com
Mary Huff
Senior Media Relations Specialist
SMITH
MHuff@SMITHadv.com
(404) 713-3774
Located halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, this Southwest Florida vacation destination offers world-class fishing and boating, 4 ½ star golfing, boutique shopping, a great variety of water and outdoor activities, and plenty to do for families and couples. The shell-strewn beaches offer an escape from the crowds, with miles of unobstructed vistas.
Charlotte Harbor is helping its visitors enjoy an ECOnomical vacation at an assortment of accommodations ranging from well-known flag hotels to specialty boutique properties to a barrier island resort and private rental homes on the beach. Enticing savings range from an additional free night’s stay when booking two or more nights, to an additional two nights free when reserving a five night stay. To view these specials, visit Free Night Stay, choose your package, then call the property and request the Charlotte Harbor FREE Summer Night Bonus.
To make summer vacations even more carefree, participating accommodations safeguard the purchase of hotel/condo/home rental stays with no-penalty re-booking policies in the event of storms. To view the full terms of the Risk Free Guarantee, go to Risk Free Vacation.
In addition to free additional nights, several hotels are packaging accommodations with activities and attractions. Romantic extras and spa services and full-day fishing charters in Charlotte Harbor are among the offerings. Packages
Three hotels are offering accommodations and a 2 ½ hour guided kayak tour from a certified outfitter at rates starting at $70 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy.
Paddlers can traverse portions of the area’s nearly 200 miles of Blueway Trails while exploring river passages and mangrove-edged aquatic preserves. Sightings of dolphins, manatees, rare and endangered birds, sea turtles and other wildlife are common.
The area’s beautiful water vistas also offer stunning backdrops for world-class golf. Play a round on any of 20 scenic, challenging courses-some ranked 4½ stars by Golf Digest. Each have special summer greens fees, and four hotels are offering accommodations and golf packages starting at $164 to $391 per person, plus tax.
To learn more about all of the Charlotte Harbor specials and packages specific to every taste and budget, including some radio and magazine giveaways, visit the Smart Savings page at Smart Savings.
A host of dining, shopping, nightlife and cultural experiences await. From scenic, historic towns and villages with art galleries and museums, from funky fish shacks to James Beard-style fine dining, from public jam-bands to symphony orchestras, there’s something for every age and interest. Best of all, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has a special, ECOnomical appeal from May through October.
The Bureau’s 2009 ECOnomical Summer Escapes Promotion was honored with a Gold Addy Award from the American Advertising Federation and a Bronze Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands was named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” The city of Punta Gorda was named as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was just named as No. 2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; (941) 743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Huber
Tourism Public Relations Manager
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau
Tel: (941) 743-1900
jennifer.huber@charlottefl.com
Mary Huff
Senior Media Relations Specialist
SMITH
MHuff@SMITHadv.com
(404) 713-3774