TripSmarter.Com Smart Tips

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Dear Traveler,

One week ago today, an uninvited guest made a big impact on Florida's beautiful Emerald Coast. Ivan the Terrible made landfall as a Category 3 Hurricane and disrupted the peaceful lives of hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors. Many questions have been asked by our members in the aftermath of the powerful storm. "Should I keep my plans to visit Pensacola? Is Panama City Beach okay? How did Destin fare during Ivan?" Members have also been inquiring about their favorite restaurants and hotels. Capt. Anderson's, Schooners, Pineapple Willy's, Pompano Joe's, Holiday Inn SunSpree, and many others have been the subject of numerous posts in the TripSmarter.Com Forums.

One week later, we have a clear picture of the effects of Ivan on the Emerald Coast... and there is GOOD news! Panama City Beach is back to business as normal. Destin did receive some damage, but in most cases it was minimal and they are well on their way to a full recovery. Pensacola was hit the hardest by Ivan and will take some time to recover, but relief efforts are in full swing and the outlook is positive.

We've put together all the info we've received from various organizations and businesses and want to pass it along to our TripSmarter.Com members and hopefully help answer any questions you may have: Destin | Panama City Beach | Pensacola

- The TripSmarter.Com Team

P.S. Our best wishes go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Ivan and we hope you have a speedy recovery.

In This Issue:
• HOT Travel Deals - save big with this month's HOT Travel Deals!
• In the Aftermath of Ivan...
• Upcoming Special Events
• Join our VIP Travel Deals email list!
• WIN a Panama City Beach GOLF Vacation for Two!!!
• Latest Posts in Our Message Boards
• Look Before You Leave: Tourist Network TV Stations LIVE Online!
• Link to Us & WIN
• User Survey: WIN FREE STUFF!

HOT Travel Deals!

Panama City Beach
Try us now... you'll love us even more later!
Marriott Bay Point Resort - The Marriott Bay Point Resort is changing... with a new name, new facilities, and exciting new experiences. We want you to sample the newest change. The Spa is open September 1st offering a complete menu of great services to relax, rejoice, and renew. Package includes accommodations, champagne, breakfast for two, choice of Swedish massage or one round of golf, including greens fees, cart, and lunch. From $99 per night. Per person, double occupancy. Does not include taxes, fees or gratuities. Subject to availability. Blackout days may apply.

Emerald Coast (Destin, FL & surrounding areas)
Rise & Shine at Sandestin!
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort - Sandestin’s most popular value-added travel package includes daily accommodations at the Bayside Inn and a daily breakfast buffet for two adults at the newly renovated Sunset Bay Café. From $125 per night through October 30th. Certain restrictions apply. See website for details.

Emerald Coast (Destin, FL & surrounding areas)
Majestic Sun Condos - Majestic Sun Condos... 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom "Gulf Front" Luxury Condos with 18 hole Championship Golf Course, Eight Tennis Courts, Indoor-Outdoor heated Pools with Hot Tubs, On-site Fitness Center and much more! Check out our website for a Virtual Tour and Online Reservations. Prices range from $98 - $198 per night. AAA discounts available too!

New Orleans
French Quarter Escape Bed and Breakfast Package
Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans - Enjoy beautiful, fascinating and romantic New Orleans, "The City that Care Forgot," with The French Quarter Escape Bed and Breakfast Package. Includes breakfast for two in-room, deluxe accommodations, complimentary newspaper, complimentary New Orleans CD, access to the fitness center and complimentary parking. Through December 31, 2004.

Upcoming Special Events

Atlanta
9/25 Open House at Atlanta Motor Speedway
9/25 - 9/26 JapanFest
10/1 - 10/31 Six Flags Fright Fest
10/17 AIDS Walk Atlanta
More Events for Atlanta

Destin
10/1 - 10/3 Destin Seafood Festival
10/9 - 10/10 Flutterby Festival
10/23 - 10/24 Festival of the Arts
More Events for Destin

Key West
10/22 - 10/31 Fanatsy Festivities
11/4 - 11/7 Meeting of the
Minds (Parrot Heads)
More Events for Key West

Myrtle Beach
NOW - 9/26 S.O.S. Fall Migration (video)
9/24 - 9/26 Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival
9/29 - 10/3 M.B. Fall Bike Rally
10/2 Oktoberfest
10/9 - 10/10 Art in the Park
More Events for Myrtle Beach

New Orleans
10/1 - 10/3 Gretna Heritage Festival
10/2 - 10/3 SwampFest
10/16 - 10/17 Voodoo Music Experience
More Events for New Orleans

Panama City Beach
9/23 - 9/26 Thunder Beach Fall Rally
9/24 - 9/26 St. Andrews Seafood and Pirate Festival
9/24 - 9/26 Schooners LobsterFest!!! (video)
10/8 - 10/10 Indian Summer Seafood Festival
More Events for Panama City

Pensacola
The following events in the Pensacola area may have been rescheduled or postponed due to Hurricane Ivan. Check with each event's organizers for more info.
- Pensacola Seafood Festival
- Seafood Festival 5K Walk/Run
- Greek Festival
- Photog. Digital Arts Exhibition
- Hot To Trot Duathlon
- Pensacola Interstate Fair
More Events for Pensacola

Tourist Network TV Stations:
Streaming LIVE Online!

Atlanta Channel
Atlanta, GA

Beach TV
Destin, FL

Key TV
Key West, FL

Beach TV
Myrtle Beach, SC

New Orleans Television
New Orleans, LA

Beach TV
Panama City Beach, FL

Beach TV
Pensacola, FL

In the Aftermath of Ivan...
Hurricane Ivan may be gone, but the effects of the powerful category 3 storm will long be remembered. Communities all along the Panhandle of Florida are currently recovering from various levels of damage... some areas were bombarded by tornados, others dealt with major flooding and power outages. The least fortunate were hammered by 100+mph winds and a catastrophic storm surge. TripSmarter.Com and Beach TV wish a speedy recovery to all that suffered a loss because of Hurricane Ivan. And in the midst of it all... there is GOOD NEWS...

Click here for full article!

about Hurricane Ivan:

Here's the Hurricane... (photos)

Capt. Anderson's to help in Ivan Relief Efforts

Seaside virtually unscathed by Ivan

SandPiper Beach

Pineapple Willy's?

How is the Holiday Inn Sunspree?

Edgewater up and running after Ivan

Are there any gas shortages?

Panama City Beach okay for vacay next week?

Panama City Beach after Ivan

More Panama City Beach Info

Silver Sands is open and helping with Ivan Relief Efforts

Destiny by the Sea and Crabtrap

Ivan (Destin)

Sandestin Resort is business as usual after Ivan

Destin Seafood Festival is still on!!!

Jetty East

Damage in Destin

Seagrove Beach

Missing Destin and Ft. Walton

More Destin Info

Hurricane Ivan (Pensacola)

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