SATW 2010 travel auction opens online

The annual auction for travel bargains from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is open for business at SATWauction.com.  It closes Nov. 20 at 10 p.m. (MST). 

For the traveler, it's the best deal online as savings are generally more than 50 percent from listed values, even though airfare is not included. Top items range from attractions and hotels around the United States from Orlando to Seattle to hotel packages as far away as Venice (Pictured right) and Bali, and Caribbean cruises with rock stars. From beaches (below Wilimington, NC) to mountains to sea, your vacation awaits you.

This auction works much the same as Ebay and other online auctions. Register by logging on with your personally created ID and password, and then browse through the more than 50 travel themed items. Then bid as often and on as many items as you would like. The auction is updated in real time.

Values range from a $160 culinary tour in Colorado to four nights in Bali for $4,422. Bids for some items start as low as $25. The more than 50 travel-themed items are valued at more than $53,000. All you need do is log on to SATWAuction.com and start bidding.

Items are donated to SATW for their fundraising auction. All proceeds are spent by SATW for professional development programs for its members.

Log on now to SATWAuction.com, begin bidding and planning your travels!

Business travel round up: Orlando, Florida

When Mickey Mouse isn't on the agenda and I'm wearing my professional shoes (pumps or heels), I always recommend asking a local where to stay for business travel in Orlando, Florida

I hunkered down with Norman's, a popular restaurant for power business dinners featuring the memorable cuisine of celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken, Florida’s most ‘James Beard’ awarded chef, to get their suggestions on where to stay and what to do when traveling on business in Orlando.

Here's the excerpt from my International Business Travel Examiner column:

"Known to vacationers as “the happiest place on earth,” Orlando, Florida is also one of the top conference and convention destinations in the United States with more than 6.0 million attendees flowing in and out of Orlando’s hotels. There’s much more to this city than theme parks and Mickey Mouse. Sure, Orlando was built on imagination, innovation, and creativity and the destination thrives on excitement and energy. Perhaps that's why it only makes sense that its meetings, business conferences, and conventions also draw from this dynamic, engaging environment....
(Pictured: Photo: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes)


Read the rest of the story here: http://bit.ly/86IkhR

Happy travels...and for my U.S. friends, Happy Thanksgiving!
Diana Rowe