EZTravelpad

It is Shatner's World....

"Shatner's World - we just live in it"

In case you are not aware, there is a new theater production crossing the US and it is Shatner's World - a One Man Show starring who else - William Shatner (yeah that one - Captain Kirk, Denny Crane, The Negotiator, Alexander the Great, TJ Hooker, even a recording artist - check out this awesome little nugget a video that ends with part of a great song from his album "Has Been").

Wait, you say - this is a travel blog, what's up with a theater review? Well, that's easy - often when you want to go to a performance like this you need to spend the night in the city and who helps with the hotel? The travel agent...

On a deeper level, EZTravelPad is not just a travel agency helping clients arrange transportation and lodging, but a source for better information and ideas. The real reason that I do what I do is that I decided I wanted to enjoy my life better through experiencing new places, people and events, plus I enjoy helping people enjoy their lives a little better too - THAT is why I have the best job in the world.

So with that in mind, I have to confess- I am no theater critic, but I loved Shatner's World. My wife and I recently saw the show in Chicago and while it lacks the drama and spectacle of other performances I have witnesses before, it is just a little bit life changing.

If you had told me a month ago that I would spend 2 hours in an uncomfortable chair listening to an 80 year old guy ramble on about his life experiences I might not have believed you, but this Shatner guy has lived quite a life and I wanted to know more- and more I did learn.

Shatner spent just short of 2 hours telling stories about his most incredible experiences, stories about people he has loved, stories from his childhood, stories about his marriages. Some stories were not exceptional - some were and most were funny - for example the punch line to one such story is....

"and somewhere in New Orleans a family is living in a house that my kidney stone bought"

 What did I take away?

• Live
• Take a chance
• Say YES

You never know what it might lead to. That philosophy has certainly worked for Shatner and it brings me back around to my life, and how I like to live, and how I like to help you with yours....I know I am going to seize every chance to do new things - what about you? 

When you are ready for a new experience (or maybe to revisit a great one) get with EZTravelPad and see why so many other people are turning back to travel agencies - it make sense 

Perfect Valentine's Day Present - give them Enrique Iglesias

Give the Gift of Enrique and $1500 resort credits as a bonus!

Palace Resorts in the Cancun area offer free tickets to Enrique Iglesias show

This is your chance to catch international sensation Enrique Iglesias in concert at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort. With worldwide hits like "Bailamos", "Hero", "Be with You", "I Like It" and "Tonight I'm Loving You", concert attendees will be treated to a performer that Billboard has called The King of Latin Pop.

Details:

Receive 2 Free tickets to ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Concert at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort when you stay at the following Cancun area Palace resorts - Beach Palace, Sun Palace, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Playacar Palace and Le Blanc Spa Resort.

Stay a minimum of 7 nights and travel between March 4-16. This is a perfect opportunity to get out of winter and into the sun & fun - plus take advantage of $1500 in resort credits in addition to the show!

Get with EZTravelPad early today for a confirmation that can be the perfect gift for your perfect Valentine - and will create a memory to last a lifetime....

Santa, Elvis & Michael Jackson - what do they have in common?

It's Christmas Time - so where is Elvis and Michael?

This Christmas I see Santa impersonators everywhere. They are in stores, on TV, in the parade and more. There once was a time, not so long ago, that the most popular impersonator was the Santa. Then something wonderful happened - Elvis.

Hmmm.... Elves - Elvis a connection?

Elvis gave us so much, perhaps not as much as Santa, but hey- Santa never sang Blue Christmas now did he? Elvis was to be short-lived though - he died far too young and left us with only memories - and impersonators. All manner of Elvi (is that the plural of Elvis?) now roam the countryside in search of cheap gigs. Some are good, most are not - but given that Elvis works 24/7/365 and Santa really only works from Thanksgiving to Christmas, my unscientific analysis indicates that there are now more Elvis than Santa impersonators so Elvis is now number 1

But for how long? As Yoda once said - "there is another" - Yes Santa fans, I now predict that within the next decade or two, Santa will have fallen to number 3 behind Elvis and.....Michael Jackson.

If my recent trips to the Cancun and the Riviera Maya resort areas are any indication there will one day soon be more Michael Jackson impersonators than Santa - and perhaps even more than Elvis (although given the obesity epidemic it is far easier to go the Elvis route).

See the show at Fiesta Americana

  

Michael is Everywhere

There are today, as we speak, legions - well, maybe not legions, but groups - definitely groups - of Michael Jackson troupes practicing right now for the show tonight - and tomorrow night, and next month. They are rehearsing for the gig at the resort, at the arena, at the bar, and yes - for the Cirque du Soleil show. See this link - think that will be awesome or what?

Maybe the whole process will occur within the next year - perhaps this is what the Mayans foresaw - Michael Jackson performances throughout Mexican resorts and the end of the world....Hmmm.....

Get ShipRocked with Buckcherry, Queensryche & Hinder this November

Hey Rockers- ready to get ShipRocked?

Looking for something a little different? What do you think about a 5 night concert festival headlined by Buckcherry, Queensryche, Hinder, Filter, Living Colour, Candlebox, Hellyeah, In This Moment, Sick Puppies, Sevendust, Lynam, Broken Teeth, Rival Sons & More - Hmmm?

Now how about if the festival takes place on a beautiful ship floating to Cozumel & Costa Maya for 5 nights - sound interesting?

The ship is sailing

It's your chance to party with some of the top names in rock

THIS November -

Contact EZTravelpad ASAP for more info

Cabins going quickly!!

One for the Ladies - Sexy Polynesian Men in Tahiti

A Couple of Gifts for the Ladies- Polynesian Men Dancing in Tahiti and More

 

Recently I was fortunate to be able to travel to French Polynesia (Tahiti) to take part in a travel agent conference and tour of French Polynesia. We visited Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea & Huahine, and took in 3 Polynesian shows in all.

I can tell you that there are some very sexy Tahitian men running around! how do i know this? The ladies on the trip made it PERFECTLY clear that these men were Hot! Guys like this....

 

well, he's ok I guess....if you like your men fit and tan.

 

Here's a little clip from one of the Polynesian shows - one that I'm sure the ladies will love!

   

So short and sweet, that's just a little taste of what is in store for you if you make your way to Tahiti, which is just one of the Society Islands- The Society islands are one of 5 island chains that make up French Polynesia- known the world over for their incredible natural beauty and unbelievably friendly people.

Much more later on Tahiti, The Society island & French Polynesia- from EZTravelpad "Your firiends....in the travel business"

Things to do in French Polynesia - Polynesian Show!!

Taking in a Polynesian Show at le Meridien in Tahiti

It may come as a bit of a surprise, but there is nothing to do in French Polynesia - after dark that is, except have dinner and then some after dinner entertainment. I was fortunate enough to take in more than a couple Polynesian shows while visiting the islands recently. Here is an excerpt from the best one (in my opinion) - and it was not the show we saw at the highly regarded St Regis (the resort where Couples Retreat was filmed) either. Check out a taste...

 

So what else is there for night life? Surprisingly little- and when I say little, I mean nothing. This is not a nightlife destination...not a place for dancing until dawn. It's a place to arise at dawn and watch the sunrise in paradise. it's a place to live simply and enjoy each moment in nature....it's a place to bathe in the natural beauty every direction you look...and to enjoy excellent cuisine prepared by top chefs from around the globe.

 Stay tuned to EZTravelpad "Your friends....in the travel business" for much more fun from The Society Islands in French Polynesia

 

Hard Rock Resort & Casino set to Rock Hard this winter in Dominican Republic

Hard Rock Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Rolling Out the Celebrities for Grand Opening!

And YOU are Invited!

Don’t Miss Out on
Rock and Roll History

GRAND OPENING WEEK: JANUARY 26-30‚ 2011.

Revel in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the Grand Opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana‚ the first and only all-inclusive Hard Rock resort. And since this is a Hard Rock‚ you know this isn’t going to be just any ordinary old hotel opening. You will be treated to:

• Featured Performance by the Gipsy Kings on January 29‚ 2011

• Grand Opening Entertainment

• Killer Parties

• Outrageous Special Events

• Opportunities to Rub Elbows with Celebrities

And to make things rock even harder‚ book by 12/31/10‚ and receive $700 in credit* toward airfare PLUS $1‚500 in Resort Credit**‚ good for extras like spa treatments‚ greens fees‚ casino gaming‚ tours‚ room upgrades and more.

When it comes time to decide on vacation options, it pays to have "A friend....in the travel business" - and when it comes time to book and you don't want to pay too much, it REALLY pays to know EZTravelpad

Vegas, Dylan, Mellancamp - Oh Yeah!

Dylan & Mellancamp Share the Stage

You have probably heard the saying "There are 2 types of people..."

Well, There are 2 types of people- those who Love Bob Dylan, and those who don't. Frequently it cuts along gender lines, but not entirely. I think it could be as simple as some people have been fortunate enough to experience Dylan at his best, and will never forget. I remember seeing Dylan KILL at the concert for the opening of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - amazing!! (actually I had to watch on TV from several states away....)

I've seen Mellancamp before, and it was a party on the lawn at Deer Creek in Indy that night! Everybody dancin' on the hill for hours as John rocked the house.

Now you have the chance to see both rock legends share the stage in Vegas- 1 night only - August 18. It will be a great show, and you can get you tickets right now !

Not many shows are worth flying out to Vegas for, but this is one of them & EZTravelpad can help with your plans if you are going to make the trip

$34 Worth of Elvis.... Graceland & more

Learning to Appreciate The King of Rock n Roll

Recently I toured Graceland- the home of Elvis Aaron Presley - The King of Rock n Roll

I had $34 worth of seeing where he lived, and saw where he lies today...

So how much Elvis does $34 buy?

There are options when it comes to how much Elvis you would like to pack into 1 trip. After careful review of all of the options (you can see the options at www.elvis.com) I decided on $34 worth, which includes the following-

• an audio-guided tour of Graceland Mansion and grounds
• a self-guided tour of Elvis's two custom airplanes,
• a self-guided tour of Elvis's Automobile Museum
• a self-guided tour of Elvis in Hollywood
• a self-guided tour of Elvis Presley: Fashion King

While touring Graceland, Elvis' Auto Museum, Elvis' Airplanes, listening to the story of Elvis on the audio-guided tour, reading the memorabilia and more, I came to realize something....

Elvis IS America and America IS Elvis

Ok Scott (you may be saying)- I can buy that (as Mojo Nixon once said) Elvis is everywhere but Elvis IS America? Really? Well- consider....

There are a lot of opinions in this big world- not everyone agrees, as well they shouldn't.

• Politics
• Religion
• Art
• Music

All of those topics are debated. We each know what we like, and what we don't, and believe it or not- even Elvis Presley had his haters.

Personally, I can understand why someone would prefer a different ______ (fill in the blank) to __________(fill in this blank too), but to not like Elvis is simply Un-American.

Elvis IS America- he is (or was) the personification of the American spirit. He rose from obscurity to become the most powerful force in entertainment in his era, just as The USofA rose to become the most powerful nation on earth.

His charitable giving knew no bounds. His heart was as big as his legend. Much like the way America shines as a beacon of freedom and charity, and why people aspire to live here.

He was classless, but defined style (make no mistake, Elvis loved him some bling).

He liked to eat (I think you know where I'm going with this one- Beale St Music Fest Flashback alert), as do most Americans....

He made people feel better about themselves, and everyone wanted to be closer to him.

And today, even though The King is gone, people still flock to he home of Elvis- Graceland

So how do you see the similarities between Elvis and America?

On To Graceland

Graceland Tours

As you drive down Elvis Presley Blvd in Memphis the first thing you see, even before the Graceland entrance is--not surprisingly-- the Rock 'n' Roll Cafe plus a half dozen souvenir shops-

*Eztravelpad dining tip-.... Go to the Rock 'n' Roll Cafe for the Elvisness...not the cuisine or the value  

So you get a bite, probably banana pancakes- (you know The King loved bananas!) and head over to Graceland ticket office, wait to board the bus (already crowded by 10:15AM on Sunday) to the Graceland Mansion, and take in the tour- not quite knowing what to expect- and here is the first thing you see upon entering the Graceland Mansion...

then you start to realize- Elvis was a kid when he lived here. He was only 42 when he died!

Elvis bought Graceland for $100,000 at the age of 22, so again, much like America, Elvis had a great deal of responsibility thrust upon him at a very young age. 

(Don't forget that the great European and Asian cultures have been around for thousands of years- America just a little over 200 years, so we're still very young- like Elvis)

Ever wonder what it might have been like to sit in The Jungle Room?

 
Elvis had toys- and lots of 'em

• Motorcycles
• Snowmobiles
• Golf Carts
• and Cars....and yes, there is a Pink Cadillac prominently displayed in the museum!

But did you ever see a picture of The King's tractor before? Well, you're not gonna see it now either (can't find the photo- oops) but you CAN see it at the Elvis' Cars Museum at Graceland- that's for sure!!

Lisa Marie

Of course you know that Elvis' largest jet was named The Lisa Marie- after his daughter Lisa Marie Presley

But did you ever see Lisa Marie's actual swing set?

Did you know that Elvis' dad Vernon Presley had his business office nearby, and when I say business office, I mean he meant business!

Sign The Wall

Like Elvis fans have been doing for well over 4 decades- no trip to Graceland is complete without signing the Graceland wall, which is a little like paying your respects at the Lincoln Memorial (I said a little)- and EZTravelpad marked the event by leaving a business card...

 

Well, I think I've rattled on just about long enough. For many more excellent photos of this American shrine visit EZTravelpad page on Facebook where many photos are published- become a fan- please, you'll be glad you did.

Wrap Up

Suffice it to say that Graceland is really well worth the time.

All joking aside, I did feel a sense of something special having happened here. Something real, and something uniquely American.

Graceland should be on your Bucket List. I left feeling richer for the experience, and you will too. So when you're ready, get in touch with EZTravelpad for some advice- Thankyouverymuch

Beale Street Music Festival- 3 Days of Music Lover's Heaven

A Highlight of Memphis in May is Beale Street Music Festival

Beale St Music Fest (or as it is sometimes loving referred to as... Beale St Mud Fest) is 3 days of music lover's paradise. One of the weekends during the Memphis in May celebrations, Beale St Music Fest ROCKS- and Rolls.

Are you gonna go to see a newcomer like Colbie Caillat?

or a legend like Bobby Blue Bland?

FYI- the Hall of Famer filled the Blues tent to capacity even though is was 12,000 degrees in there

Music is for Everyone

Whether you are a conservatively dressed professional like this gentleman...

or are behaving as "An Udder Disgrace"

the odds are you're gonna have a good time. Yes, there's beer. Yes, there's lots of people. Heck, there are even drunken people. There are old folks and babies (why are you bringing that baby again?).

Eat- there's plenty of great food

Yes, the food selection just doesn't get much better than this-

"I'll have an order of Rocky Mountain Oysters, some bacon wrapped sausage - and a cheesecake on a  stick please - oh, and a Diet Coke"

Shop- there's plenty of things for sale

But mostly, just groove to the sights and sounds from legends that span the musical spectrum- from the cool groovin' instrumental sounds of Booker T & the M.G.s

  

to the Hard Drivin' 3 guitar attack -&- explanation of the "Southern Condition" that can only be offered up from "Drive-By Truckers"

So who was there?

• Booker T
• Jerry Lee Lewis
• Hall and Oates
• Boys Like Girls
• Colbie Calaitt
• Drive-By Truckers
• Vince Neil
• Earth, Wind & Fire,
• Puddle of Mudd
• North Mississippi Allstars
• Michael McDonald
• Bobby Blue Bland
• B-52s
• Blues Traveler

And many, many more- about 60 acts scheduled (although some, like John Hiatt and Alison Krauss were unable to get out of Nashville due to the severe weather and floods)

It really is an amazing festival at a fantastic venue - Tom Lee Park - aside the mighty Mississippi River.

Go for the sounds, go for the sights, go for the smells (WARNING- the smells of the mud are not pleasant), go because you just love to go.

You know, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that may be true, but this video can tell a tale much better than I - C'mon and groove to a little E W & F

Now who can resist a party like this- really? Want to go next year? You know I do!

For travel planning and so much more, turn to EZTravelpad "Your friends....in the travel business"