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The Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau (GNHCVB) is one of five regional tourism districts in the State of Connecticut. All 169 towns in Connecticut are members of a tourism District. The GNHCVB is responsible for promotion of the Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau. The cities and towns that make up Connecticut's Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau are Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Clinton, Durham, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Killingworth, Madison, Middlefield, Milford, Orange, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge. The mission of the GNHCVB is to promote Connecticut's Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau as a destination or stopover point for individual and group tourism. This is accomplished by engaging in visitor promotions and soliciting and servicing conventions, sporting events and other related group business. The goal is to ultimately generate overnight stays and business for area attractions and businesses, thereby enhancing the economic fabric of the region. MORE ABOUT THE BUREAU The GNHCVB is a legislatively created organization, formed in 2003, responsible for promoting the Greater New Haven region as an attractive destination for leisure travelers, motorcoach groups, sporting events, and meetings/conventions. The Bureau is funded by a percentage of the district hotels' gross receipts received by the State Department of Revenue Services. The Bureau is governed by a 40 member volunteer Board of Directors; 19 members of the Board are appointed by the chief elected officials in the member municipalities, and the remaining 21 members are elected from the hospitality industry by the appointed members of the board. The staff of the Bureau is hired by the Board to carry out the day-to-day operations to the Bureau. THE ROLE OF THE BUREAU The Greater New Haven CVB is a destination marketing organization. Because convention and visitor business can be attracted to the Greater New Haven region more effectively through coordinated efforts rather than individual efforts, the Bureau serves like a cooperative, representing all components of the visitor industry including lodging, restaurants, convention/meeting facilities, tour operators, attractions and transportation carriers as well as the retail and commercial resources that are important to our visitors. Each component of our visitor industry is competitive; yet they share that competitive spirit with the Bureau to form the "destination team" that helps us carry out a comprehensive marketing program for our region. Working closely with meeting and group planners is a very important role the GNHCVB plays. The Bureau serves as a centralized resource for planners who need assistance in receiving reliable information about the Greater New Haven area regarding their meeting/convention, sporting event, or group tour. The CVB serves as the liaison between the planner and the destination. Given this dual responsibility of representing the interests of both the buyer and the seller, the GNHCVB serves as the stabilizing long-term influence through which groups, conventions/meetings are solicited and serviced. The Bureau also serves as the individual visitor's one-stop center for ideas and information on things to do in the region. GNHCVB STAFF Steven Paganelli, CDME, President & CEO Carole LaPrise, Group Sales Manager Bill Buckingham, Sports Marketing Manager Renny Loisel, Public Relations Director Suzette Benitez, Publications and Internet Manager Susan McCullough, Administrative Assistant Ginny Kozlowski, Vice President & COO MORE INFORMATION Visitors may contact the Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling 1-800-332-STAY (7829). Visitors in the Greater New Haven region are invited to visit our administrative offices at 169 Orange Street, New Haven. The office is conveniently located downtown, one block south of the New Haven green and is an easy walk from downtown hotels, restaurants, museums and shopping areas. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:00. The office is closed on major holidays. The local phone number for those in the area is 203-777-8550. Our fax number is 203-782-7755. Directions to our offices: From I-95 North or South: - Take I-95 to exit #48 onto I-91 North toward Hartford - Follow I-91 North to exit #3 (Trumbull Street) - Turn left off the exit ramp onto Orange Street (1st traffic light) - Proceed approximately five blocks to Court Street - The office is located in the building on the corner of Orange and Court Streets at 169 Orange Street (ivory-colored awning) - Reception is located on the first floor From I-91 North or South: - Take I-91 to exit #3 (Trumbull Street) - Turn left off the exit ramp onto Orange Street (1st traffic light) - Proceed approximately five blocks to Court Street - The office is located in the building on the corner of Orange and Court Streets at 169 Orange Street (ivory-colored awning) - Reception is located on the first floor From Danbury and points West: - Take Route 34 East (through Derby) - Follow Route 34 all the way to New Haven - Route 34 will become George Street - Continue on George Street through Downtown - Turn left onto Church Street - Proceed approximately four blocks to Elm Street - Turn right onto Elm Street - At the next traffic light, turn right onto Orange Street - The office is located in the building on the corner of Orange and Court Streets at 169 Orange Street (ivory-colored awning) - Reception is located on the first floor. Parking:

Louisiana has the most colorful history of any state and of many countries. Beginning long before the Louisiana Purchase, our state took shape in prehistoric times. We have had a past of many battles, on the battlefield and in the political arena. Our architecture is a lasting impression of French and Spanish rule. Today, there are many reminders of the past in our museums, plantations, historic sites and attractions. Civil War If you're a Civil War buff, Louisiana offers you the opportunity to visit forts, battlegrounds and other important links to our Civil War history. We also have 27 sites on the Civil War Discovery Trail. To purchase a book listing these sites, call (800) CWTRUST. Main Street Louisiana's Main Street downtowns have much to offer: historic architecture, museums, interpretive history centers, walking tours, regional arts, performing arts, festivals, bed and breakfast establishments, shopping and restaurants. For more information on the Main Street communities in the areas you plan to visit, click here. Museums Learn all about Storyville, New Orleans' notorious red-light district where jazz was born. Splash ashore with the soldiers of D-Day. See exhibits on 130 years of prison life. View Civil War displays created by the actual soldiers. You'll find history and cultural heritage preserved and interpreted by more than 200 museums statewide. For more on Louisiana's State Museums including the Cabildo, the Presbytere and the Old U.S. Mint in New Orleans and the Old Courthouse Museum in Natchitoches, call (800) 568-6968. For more on other state-managed museums, click here. For more on Louisiana's independent museums and historic sites, call (225) 383-6800. World War II World War II was fought in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in the Soviet Union, North Africa, Western Europe and Asia. Some 56 countries were involved in the conflicts. Louisiana was in the forefront on the home front...training massive numbers of troops and manufacturing the vessels that have been said to be responsible for winning the war. For more information, click here. Culture When you make a list of all the unique things Louisiana has to offer visitors, you quickly see the long-lasting influences of our French, Spanish and African ancestry. In fact, there’s not another state, save Hawaii, that has preserved its past with a living history that can be experienced each and every day through the lives of its local population. Our own style of architecture --wrought iron balconies and port coheres of the French Quarter, plantation homes along the Mississippi River and raised cottages found through out Cajun Country are being built and rebuilt to this very day. Walk into any fourth or fifth generation Louisiana home and you’re sure to find gumbo on the stove, pecan pie in the fridge, home-grown tomatoes on a window sill, or some variation of uniquely Cajun and Creole foods that date back to the days of Evangeline. Our music, too has a sound and a story all its own. A wailful mix of West Indies voodoo chants, African tribal drums and Nova Scotian fiddles that tell tales of loves and lives lost and a new world found. Louisiana. As rare as an oyster’s perfect pearl, as raw as a gator’s hide, as mysterious as the fog that blankets the bayous, as illusive as the aroma of jasmine on a hot summer night. Louisiana. Custom-made. Just for you. African American Discover the culinary delights of local chefs. Learn all about the colorful Mardi Gras Indians. Call on Melrose, a plantation once owned by a freed slave. Explore Laura Plantation, where you’ll learn how West African slaves brought the Bre’r Rabbit stories to America. Visit Frogmore Plantation, where you can hear about slave customs, listen to their secret music, and learn about their surprising relationships with the master, mistress, and overseer. Also at Frogmore, you can tour authentically furnished slave quarters, a rare steam gin, and other plantation dependencies. And stroll the grounds of Destrehan Plantation, home to a successful Freedmen’s Bureau Colony during Reconstruction. Louisiana has been the birthplace of many famous African Americans. Come celebrate achievements of African Americans in art, architecture, law, education, sports, the culinary arts and more. We invite you to wander through exhibits in the Cabildo and U.S. Mint. Give your kids something to think about at the River Road African-American Museum near Burnside, the Kent Plantation House in Alexandria or the African American Museum in Shreveport. The Hermione Museum in Tallulah includes an exhibit on Madam C.J. Walker, the first black self-made millionaire in the U.S. For a free copy of Textures, the official African American travel guide to Louisiana, call (800) 753-6194. » Get your FREE copy of Textures, Louisiana's African-American directory Cajun The Cajun culture sprang from the traditions of the Acadians who settled in South Louisiana following their expulsion from Nova Scotia in 1755. This French colonial culture melded with mainland French traditions already in place in Louisiana and with Spanish, Native American, English and German influences as it evolved to form the distinctive and unique Cajun culture found today in South Louisiana. Creole The term Creole was originally used by those "born in the colony" as a way of differentiating themselves from the many Americans who settled in the city after the Louisiana Purchase and from the waves of German and other immigrants arriving in the area. Creole in its broadest sense can refer to a variety of combinations of French culture with Spanish, African or Caribbean cultures in colonial Louisiana. In rural Southwestern Louisiana, a blending of French, African and Caribbean cultures was considered Creole. Natchitoches Parish includes many historic sites significant to the Creole culture. Hispanic The contributions made by los Españoles who came searching for gold in Louisiana in te 1500s, and ruled here from 1763 to 800, deserve to be recognized, studied, and celebrated. Did you know, por ejemplo, that New Orleans' famous French Quarter is actually of Spanish design, built when earlier French structures were leveled in a fire? It's true! Without the Spanish, we may never have had sugarcane, citrus fruits, and a cultural concoction peppered with phrases, traditions, and practices that are, in reality, of Spanish origin. To find out more about our Spanish roots and the Spanish influence in recent years, visit the Canary Islands Descendants Association Museum in Braithwaite, the Los Adaes State Historic Site near Robeline, or call 800-944-2793 for your free copy of Raices, our guide to Louisiana's Hispanic heritage or order online. Native American Before the Mayan Temples in South America, before the pyramids in Egypt, before Stonehenge in England, ancient peoples built mounds in Louisiana. Here, mounds date back to around 4000 BC, which makes them some of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. But our Native Americans created more than mounds-they influenced the way we eat. We owe the file in our gumbo and the turtle soup served in our fine restaurants to Native Americans. Today, you can learn all about Louisiana's Native American cultures at Poverty Point State Historic Site near Epps and the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport. In addition, the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Museum in Marksville is home to a collection of European and Native American artifacts from the Colonial Period. For a brochure on ancient mound sites in Louisiana, call 225-342-8170 or visit the Louisiana Division of Archaeology site.

Maryland … Welcome Seize the opportunity for a complete vacation experience – one filled with hiking, history, kayaking, culture, big-city excitement and Main Street memories. Enjoy an unforgettable journey through Maryland, from Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Eastern Shore hideaways to our historic state capital of Annapolis and the majestic Allegheny Mountains. Drive along a network of Civil War Trails, explore the Historic National Road, pause in Baltimore at the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and indulge in the state’s rich, multicultural heritage. Maryland is also the home of the Preakness and other action-packed spectator sports, as well as four seasons of recreational pursuits like sailing, golfing and skiing. Pack your days with tons of family fun and your nights with a variety of entertainment options. Along the way, the Old Line State invites you to enjoy the legendary taste of great local seafood before relaxing at friendly, convenient accommodations that range from quaint bed-and-breakfasts to luxurious hotels. Old Line Lore Capital:Annapolis Statehood: April 28, 1788 (The Seventh State) Origin of Name: Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I Nicknames: “Old Line State” (General Smallwood’s “Maryland Line” stood firm against British troops during the 1776 Battle of Long Island) and “Free State” (Coined during Prohibition by a Baltimore Sun editor who argued against prohibiting the sale of liquor) Area: 12,193 miles, ranks 42nd in the nation and includes the Chesapeake Bay, America’s largest estuary (source: Maryland Geological Survey) Highest Point: Backbone Mountain, 3,360 feet above sea level in the Allegheny Mountains Time Zone: Eastern, Daylight-Saving Time Sales Tax: 5% (A 1% to 13% lodging and amusement tax also may be imposed) Phone Calls: Dial the three-digit area code (240, 301, 410 or 443) plus the seven-digit phone number. State Symbols State Flag: Black and gold quarters (the arms of Lord Baltimore’s family, the Calverts) along with red and white quarters (the arms of his mother’s family, the Crosslands) State Song: “Maryland, My Maryland,” written by teacher James Ryder Randall after a Civil War riot in Baltimore State Dog: Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a hunting breed with webbed paws and a waterproof coat State Cat: Calico, with colors resembling the Maryland flag State Bird: Baltimore Oriole, with black and gold coloring State Fish: Striped bass, also known as rockfish State Crustacean: Maryland blue crab State Boat: Skipjack, the last working boat under sail in North America, used for dredging oysters in the Chesapeake Bay State Flower: Black-eyed Susan, with black and gold coloring and a blossom of 13 petals State Tree: White Oak State Sport: Jousting, which requires horseback riders to spear small, suspended rings State Folk Dance: Square dancing State Drink: Milk State Dinosaur: Astrodon johnstoni, “star tooth,” which lived between 95 and 130 million years ago State Fossil Shell: Ecphora quadricostata, an extinct Chesapeake Bay snail State Insect: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, with orange and white spots on a black base State Reptile: Diamondback terrapin, also the University of Maryland College Park mascot Driving Distances to Baltimore In miles – Toronto ONT (715), Montreal QUE (564), Boston MA (392), Columbus OH (392), Cleveland OH (343), Albany NY (333), Pittsburgh PA (218), New York NY (196), Philadelphia PA (96), Gettysburg PA (75), Washington DC (37), Harpers Ferry WV (80), Richmond VA (143), Williamsburg VA (205), Norfolk VA (243), Raleigh NC (273), Charlotte NC (444) Travel & Lodging Reservation Services Want help planning your visit to Maryland? Call toll-free 1-877-333-4455 and speak with a Maryland Travel Specialist. You can also make lodging reservations and receive additional travel assistance online at http://www.visitmaryland.org Maryland Store Order State of Maryland merchandise like shot glasses, polo shirts, T-shirts, and Maryland Civil War Trails memorabilia from the “Maryland Store” online at www.visitmaryland.org, or the Celebrate Maryland! web site, www.celebratemaryland.com. You can also call 1-800-999-8330 or visit Celebrate Maryland! locations at BWI Airport and in Columbia. Passport Savings Be sure to take advantage of terrific Maryland Welcome! Passport savings at more than 200 participating attractions, restaurants, shops and accommodations. The National Trust for Historic Preservation describes cultural heritage travel as "Traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present." In Maryland, that means embarking on journeys of exploration and discovery that include history culture, recreation and scenery. So pick a theme, pack up the kids, and enjoy by car, foot, bike canoe, kayak, or snowshoe...you might even learn something along the way! Maryland's National Parks Maryland boasts 23 national park units, which display a collection of the state's best scenery, nature, culture, history and recreational opportunities. Visit and experience the parks, battlefields, historic sites, scenic trails, a national monument and a national seashore that make Maryland unique. At the Atlantic Ocean, Assateague Island National Seashore is famous for its wild ponies and offers sparkling white sands beaches amid dunes and marshes for a natural seashore experience. National Battlefields, such as Antietam and Monoacy, interpret the bloodiest day in the Civil War and a battle that became the Civil War's turning point. Historic sites honor Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and Thomas Stone, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. But, perhaps Maryland is best known for the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen "The Star Spangled Banner" during the defense of Baltimore from Fort McHenry, now a National Monument and Historic Shrine. Camp at Greenbelt Park while visiting Washington, D.C., located just a few miles away. Or enjoy the splendor of fall color changes at Catoctin Mountain Park while staying in an authentic 1930's log cabin. Take in a scenic view of ridge tops and valleys along the Appalachian Trail that runs from Maine to Georgia, or bike the Potomac River valley on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. In Maryland's National Park Service sites, you can immerse yourself in the stories of preserving America, experience our national culture, or jest get away from it all! Check out this site: www.nps.gov Scenic Byways In Maryland, there are 31 state Scenic Byways that reflect the rich heritage of the region surrounding each of the routes. By driving these byways, our visitors and residents can explore the roads less traveled and appreciate Maryland even more. Each byway has a theme and must meet at least one of the six intrinsic qualities required in order to be a State Scenic Byway: historical, scenic, cultural, recreational, archeological, and geological. For more information, visit www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/oed/scenicByways/scenicByways.asp or call 877-MDBYWAY. Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network: Your Chesapeake Connection In Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure. Its wonders unfold along winding rivers, in deep forests, in lush marshland, in sheltered coves, and on open water. The Gateways Network connects you to the authentic Chesapeake including museums, sailing ships, paddling trails, parks, wildlife refuges, and more. The Gateways are where you encounter the stories, discoveries, and adventures the Chesapeake Bay offers. For more information, visit www.baygateways.net or call 866-229-9297. Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail In Maryland, the Potomac River corridor has long been referred to as the "Grand Canyon of American history and culture." The Potomac River begins near Thomas, West Virginia and winds its way as Maryland's southern border all the way to its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay. For thousands of years, the Potomac River has served as a "leeway" for Native Americans. For hundreds of years, it has served as a place for freedom and strife for european settlers and enslaved Africans. Today, there are countless ways to enjoy the River's land and waterscapes. Among the best are driving scenic byways and hiking, biking an paddling on the many trails found within the region. Stop, enjoy the many working farms and take home fresh-cut flowers, locally-grown produce or home-made preserves. So, come to the place that the Algonquin Indians named "where something is brought" and take away a Maryland memory. For more information on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, visit www.nps.gov/pohe . For water trail and paddling information, visit www.baygateways.net Agricultural Tourism In Maryland, agriculture has played a part ever since the first explorers and settlers traded the indians goods for food. Today agriculture continues to be a vital to Maryland. For more information and places to visit: Ag-Tourism in Maryland.

The history of Greater Norfolk coincides with the birth of our nation and throughout the region, evidence of this important legacy may be found today. Walk along downtown Norfolk's Cannonball Trail and revisit the city's past among historic sites, buildings and museums along the way. Enjoy a harbor cruise on a three-masted schooner, and envision a time when scores of merchant vessels dotted the Elizabeth River and the Chesapeake Bay. This historical overview is told in 16 image & text windows, rotating at 25-second intervals. You may also click 'next', 'previous' or 'close window' below. Special thanks to Ms. Peggy Haile McPhillips, Norfolk City Historian. Within an hour of the Norfolk are colonial attractions, major theme parks, museums, golf courses and beach resorts. Day trips to First Landing State Park, the Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg and Fort Monroe offer an in-depth experience of the rich history of the 50-mile Virginia Waterfront region, where Norfolk plays a major role. In 1606, a group of English investors formed the Virginia Company of London, to try to establish a permanent colony in the New World. In 1607, 104 men and boys sponsored by the Company landed at present day Cape Henry in Virginia Beach and traveled upriver to establish Jamestown, the country's first permanent English settlement. Virginia became England's first Royal Colony in 1624, when the now-bankrupt Virginia Company was dissolved by King James I. That same year, Thomas Willoughby was granted 500 acres of land in what is now the Ocean View section of Norfolk. Twelve years later, under King Charles I, Willoughby received a grant of another 200 acres in the present downtown Norfolk, part of which would become the original "Norfolk Towne." The House of Burgesses authorized construction of a fort in the shape of a half moon on Four Farthing Point in 1673, to protect the harbor from attacks by the Dutch, and later from the threat of pirates. While no trace of the old fort remains, Four Farthing Point is now the site of downtown's bustling Town Point Park. Norfolk's importance as a port began in 1680, when the Crown under King Charles II directed "the building of storehouses to receive imported merchandise ...and tobacco for export" in each of Virginia's then 20 counties.. In 1682, 50 acres of land along the Elizabeth River were purchased from Mr. Nicholas Wise for ten thousand pounds of tobacco, and the "Towne of Norfolk" was established. During the next century, communities developed throughout the nearby countryside, and the capital of the colony was moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg. Ships from Europe and the West Indies traveled in and out of Norfolk's deep-water harbor, and by 1775, Norfolk was the colony's most prosperous town. In 1754 Lt. Gov. Robert Dinwiddie presented a silver mace to the Norfolk Borough Council on behalf of the Crown, a token of England's esteem. The mace is housed in the Chrysler Museum of Art today. Within the next 20 years, relations with England became strained, however, and Revolution would follow. In 1775, Norfolk's newspaper was shut down by the British, who seized the presses and carried them aboard ships lying off downtown. On New Year's Day 1776, three English ships under the command of Royal Governor Lord Dunmore bombarded the city. During the three-day siege, cannonballs and fires destroyed most of Norfolk's early structures. Only the walls of the Borough Church (built 1739) survived. The church, renamed and rebuilt as St. Paul's in 1827, is still in use today where an English cannonball is imbedded in its historic wall. Forced to abandon Norfolk, her citizens soon returned and made plans to rebuild. By the end of the century, several substantial buildings had been erected here, among them the Moses Myers and Willoughby-Baylor homes, both of which stand today. The 19th century began with renewed tension between the United States and Great Britain, culminating in the War of 1812. Fort Norfolk was constructed on the Elizabeth River to protect the harbor, on a site once occupied by a fortification built during the American Revolution. In December 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed in Europe, ending the War. A copy of the treaty was carried to America on a ship belonging to Norfolk resident Richard Drummond, who proudly re-named his property "Ghent." Today's Ghent neighborhood was developed on Drummond's property in the 1890s. Norfolk was incorporated as a City in 1845 and commissioned a beautiful new City Hall to befit its new stature. Completed in 1850, the building housed all City offices until the 1890s, and served as a courthouse until the 1960s. It became the MacArthur Memorial in 1964, the final resting place of five-star Army General Douglas A. MacArthur. Yellow fever was a frequent visitor to the port for much of the 19th century. The most devastating epidemic struck in 1855, when a steamer arrived from the Virgin Islands with the fever on board. Almost every citizen became ill, and about 2,000 died. A memorial on Hampton Boulevard at Princess Anne Road honors those who died during this time. One of the most famous naval battles in history took place in Hampton Roads in 1862, when the USS Monitor engaged the CSS Virginia in the first battle between ironclad war ships. The outcome of the battle was inconclusive, both sides claiming victory, but the course of naval warfare was changed forever, as it became clear that a wooden Navy had little future. After Virginia seceded from the Union, Norfolk was surrendered to Federal troops and was occupied for the duration of the war. After the Civil War, Norfolk County's rich waterways and farmland enabled it to recover quickly. Railroads opened the way for transportation of coal to our port, trade that would make Norfolk the greatest port in the world. The first coal arrived here by rail in 1883, and soon replaced cotton as Norfolk's primary export. After each setback, Norfolk has risen and rebuilt herself, stronger and with a definite sense of purpose. Since the beginning, Norfolk's citizenry has been determined to survive and flourish. Many of the city's prominent examples of residential architecture were built in the decades following the Civil War. Architectural expansion continued into the 20th Century, as Norfolk prepared to host the Jamestown Tercentennial Exposition of 1907. This World's Fair, held on 340 acres at Sewell's Point on the Chesapeake Bay, celebrated the 300th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. President Theodore Roosevelt delivered the opening address on April 26. Other honored guests included American humorist Mark Twain, educator Booker T. Washington and orator William Jennings Bryan. Elaborate buildings representing governments, manufacturing and institutions from all over the world were constructed on the Jamestown Exposition grounds in Norfolk. The event also provided an opportunity to showcase local architectural talent, and a number of downtown hotels, apartments and office buildings were constructed during this time. Vessels from many countries participated in an International Naval Review during the Exposition, followed by the departure of The Great White Fleet - American warships, all painted white - on a round-the-world cruise to demonstrate American naval power. The Exposition closed in November 1907. When the United States entered World War I, the Federal government took possession of the property for use as a naval base. Today, only 17 of the original buildings survive. Of these, many serve as housing for senior Naval officers, and are known collectively as "Admirals' Row". The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can be seen on a guided tour of the base, now Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval installation. By the early 20th century , the intersection of Granby Street and City Hall Avenue was the city's primary commercial hub. Nine annexations between 1887 and 1959 brought Norfolk's land area to its present size; and two World Wars created population booms that did not abate when the wars ended. Norfolk's Naval Station and Port continue to be among the largest in the world, and provide employment for thousands. Norfolk is a city actively planning its future while not abandoning its past. In the Downtown Historic District, exciting new urban renewal projects such as a revitalized restaurant and theater district and the super-regional MacArthur Center mall live in harmony with such historic treasures as the 1859 U. S. Customhouse and the refurbished Wells Theater, an outstanding example of Beaux Arts Classical architecture. In June 2000, the city hosted OpSail, the largest tall ship and maritime event in history. In December 2000, the battleship USS Wisconson became a permanent resident of the downtown waterfront, and is moored at the quay of Nauticus, The National Maritime Center. No matter where you go in the city, Norfolk truly is a place where life -- past and present -- is celebrated daily.

Welcome to the official travel and tourism website for Western Australia, where you’ll find everything you need to know about planning your holiday in WA – from our unique holiday experiences and world-class events, to suggested itineraries, maps, holiday specials, latest news, and much more. Or if you know what you want, search for accommodation, tours, hire or attractions. Ever wondered what happened to The Real Australia? The Australia where the trees weren’t part of a ‘landscaping design’. Where the only things colouring the water were fish. Where it was harder to find a noisy spot than a quiet one. It can still be found in Western Australia - unspoilt beaches, amazing scenery, big blue skies and friendly faces. About Western Australia Sun, adventure, an awesome natural environment and friendly people – it’s what you’ll find on a holiday to Western Australia whatever time of year you visit. Nowhere else in the world can you experience and interact with such unique natural attractions. Dive with the world’s largest fish - the whale shark, snorkel with manta rays, swim with wild dolphins, walk amongst the tree tops of ancient trees, sleep under a canopy of stars in the desert, or explore the beehive-like formations of the Bungle Bungles with the help of an Aboriginal guide. Western Australia truly is the authentic Australian experience. A climate to suit all occasions The big variety of landscapes and climates in Western Australia means there is always plenty of sunshine, making it a perfect year-round destination. It is a land blessed with spectacular diversity where the deep reds of ancient interior rock formations contrast with the sparkling blue of the Indian and Southern Oceans and the lush greenery of the stunning southern regions. Western Australia is famous for its long days of sunshine, spotless blue skies and brilliant beaches. Western Australia’s many distinct regions The capital of Perth is Australia’s western gateway and a great place to start your holiday. Perth City in the centre of Experience Perth offers an easy-going lifestyle – the beautiful Swan River and inner-city parks like Kings Park add to the relaxed, natural feel. There is much to see and do in this part of the State, from swimming in crystal clear ocean waters to enjoying a sunny afternoon sipping a cold beer at an open-air pub. From the city, head to the South West for world class wineries, luxury accommodation and forests of tall trees. These taper off to a ribbon of coastal hinterlands of sheltered bays and rivers, often lined with massive granite boulders and stunning outlooks. Here, life is simple and genuine, offering a taste of rural Australian living along with relaxing country retreats and secluded chalets. The Golden Outback's spectacular outback and goldfields are the place for historic townships, brilliant, starry night skies, and wide open spaces with spinifex and red earth as far as the eye can see. Here too, are the beaches of the Southern Ocean. These seas can be wild one day and brilliant blue calm the next – they’re also home to humpback whales and their calves. Awesome marine life, endless white sand beaches and warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean characterise the state’s far north. Sunshine, cooling sea breezes and the outdoor activities of the Coral Coast make it a relaxing and friendly destination. If it’s an Aussie frontier adventure you’re after head further north to the North West. Here you’ll find rugged ancient landforms, remnant rainforest, deep red gorges, vast cattle stations and pioneering personalities, ancient Aboriginal culture and unique quality accommodation. The sheer size of Western Australia beckons visitors back time and again to explore the huge number and range of holiday possibilities.

Dubai Government's Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing Established in January 1997, the DTCM has two main areas of responsibility. The first of these includes all the functions of the former Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board (DCTPB), which had been in existence since 1989 and concentrated on the international promotion of Dubai’s commerce and tourism interests. The DTCM’s second main area of responsibility is as the principal authority for the planning, supervision and development of the tourism sector in the emirate. Underlining the importance attached to tourism development at the highest level, the DTCM’s Chairman is UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Its Director-General is Khalid A. bin Sulayem. As part of its marketing role, the DTCM plans and implements an integrated programme of international promotions and publicity activities. This programme includes exhibition participation, marketing visits, presentations and roadshows, familiarisation and assisted visits, advertising brochure production and distribution, media relations and enquiry information services. In addition to its head office in Dubai, the DTCM has 14 overseas offices. They are located in New York (USA), London (the UK and Ireland), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Stockholm (Scandinavia), Milan (Italy), Moscow (the Russian Federation, CIS and Baltic States),Sydney (Australia), Johannesburg (South Africa), Mumbai (India), Hong Kong (Far East), Tokyo (Japan),Saudi Arabia and Zurich (Switzerland and Austria). In assuming its administrative responsibilities within Dubai, the DTCM has now taken over the licensing of hotels, hotel apartments, tour operators, tourist transport companies and travel agents. Its supervisory role also covers all touristic, archaeological and heritage sites, tourism conferences and exhibitions, the operation of tourist information services and the organisation and licensing of tour guides.