TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO SHOW 12/12

Guests included:   HOUR 1 Uri Steinberg, Consul, Director of Midwest Region Israel Tourism 12 Unesco World Heritage Sites www.goisrael.com   Dan Thornton Thornton Photography, Godfrey IL Eagle Photography Safari   Kevin with Travel News Sue with Travel Tips   HOUR 2 Tom Parsons www.Bestfares.com   Jake Duhaime Stratton Mountain Resort Stratton Mountain, VT Ski season is open   Michelle Newman Granville Island Vancouver, BC

TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO 12/5

Hour 1 Guests Included:   Stan and Sandra Posner Authors of "Drive I-95"   Max Hartshorne www.gonomad.com New Zealand   Kent St. John www.gonomad.com Papua New Guinea

Grandkids Wayne and Dori

Wayne and Dori Have A Fun Day With Grandma at the St Louis Science Center

DINOSAURS IN ST. LOUIS

A Special Exhibition Dinosaurs Unearthed   When the 2 - 4 year old grandkids come to visit I try to find activities to entertain them.  St. Louis Science Center offered just the place to go.  Both Dori (2) and Wayne (4) know more names of Dinosaurs than I do since they are avid watchers of the PBS show Dino Train.  The exhibit will be there through March 28, 2010 and makes the perfect family activity while the kids are off school for the holidays and family comes to town to visit.  A special thanks to Beth at the St. Louis Science Center for helping make our visit an enjoyable and memorable fun day with the grandkids.  Have you ever seen a 62-foot long Omeisaurus?  Animatronics let the kids push a button and make the dinosaurs move their heads and tails.   www.slsc.org

The Travel Planners show now available 24/7 at KMOX.COM

Good news! The Travel Planners show segments are now available 24/7 at http://www.kmox.com/ Siimply hover over "shows" and click on "Travel Planners" to listen to individual segments from our weekly nationally syndicated Travel Planners Radio Shows. You may also download these segmenta and/or subscribe to an RSS feed at this site. We are proud to be associated with CBS's KMOX Radio, "The Voice of St. Louis"

Travel Planners Radio Broadcast

Travel Planners Radio Broadcast www.globalamericanbroadcasting.com Saturday, November 28   HOUR 1 Jeannine Sherman CVB - Holiday talk www.visitmilwaukee.com   Cassandra, Chicago Travel Agent Riviera Maya, Karisma Resorts Weddings www.traviloni.com   Kevin - Travel News Sue - Travel Tips   HOUR 2   Tom Parsons www.bestfares.com   Rafaela Riveria Maya, Karisma Resort Weddings www.karismahotels.com www.lomastravel.com   Sabrina Phileto Riveria Maya, Karisma Resorts Eldorado Royal Seaside Suites, Maroma Boutique Hotels Azul www.karismahotels.com

THREE SISTERS WINERY

Sharon and Doug Paul, Owners Contributed holiday recipe for Holiday Gluhwein, a traditional German Holiday Spiced Wine   1-2 bottles Holiday Wine 6 Cinnamon Sticks 6 Whole Cloves 1/8 tsp Allspice 1/2 - 3/4 cup Dixie Crystal Sugar (sweeten to taste) 1 sliced orange   Heat in crockpot, add sugar & spices, stir until sugar is dissolved.  Heat (don't boil).  Add 1 whoole sliced orange once mix is hot.  Serve hot.  Garnish with cinnamon stick and orange slice.  Annual December Holiday Open House Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. Complimentary tasting for over 21 yrs.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 RADIO SHOW

HOUR1 Stephen Smith, Chamber of Commerce Talking about the town square, great restaurants, wineries, historic Holly Theater and GOLD. www.dahlonega.org Dahlonega, GA   Kevin McCarthy Talking about the Honor Freedom Flight to Washington, DC with WWII Veterans and being on a tour of the War monuments and Arlington National Cemetery with Elizabeth Dole   Kevin with the Travel News Sue with Travel Tips   HOUR2 Tom Parsons, BestFares.com   Doug Paul Three Sisters Winery Dahlonega, GA   Michele DeBlois Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Spa www.forresthillsresort.com Dahlonega, GA

WBGZ TODAY

TRAVEL PLANNERS, KEVIN AND SUE MC CARTHY WILL BE GUESTS ON WBGZ 1570AM TODAY 10 - 11AM CENTRAL.

A Flight of Honor

Yesterday I Had the travel experience of a lifetime. I accompanied more than fifty World war Two Veterans from the St. Louis area on an "Honor Flight" to Washington, DC. These men and women truly are our "Greatest Generation". Members of this group raised the American flag over Hitler's Eagle's nest, were part of the Bataan Death March, liberated Dachau and the list goes on and on. These hero's of our Nation were given a trip to visit the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Iwo Jimi Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery where they witnessed a changing of the guard at Tomb of the Unknowns. Were it not for their military hats, insignias and a few medals, these elderly men and women would have gone totally unnoticed. But yesterday they were the recipients of a great deal of well deserved acknowledgment and thanks. I was there to video tape a documentary of their day of recognition. As we left St. Louis at 6:35am, the employees of American Airlines surprised these Vets with acknowledgments from the PA set. As our plane pushed back from the gate, a baggage tug on each side of the plane accompanied us to the taxi way with huge American flags flying as a salute to these Veterans. Upon our arrival at Reagan National Airport our plane was given a water cannon salute from the airport fire department. What happened next had me swallowing hard and fighting back tears. Apparently an announcement was made that these Vets were about to arrive. I honestly think we may have shut down the airport because it appeared that everyone waiting to board other flights came to our gate to stand and cheer and shake the hands of these deserving Veterans. I was stunned by the genuine respect given to these men and women. At the WWII Memorial two college aged young ladies spontaneously sang the National Anthem to these Vets because they "just thought it was appropriate" That did bring a tear to my eyes! Elizabeth Dole came to meet our group (her husband, Bob Dole, was preparing for knee replacement surgery) and personally thanked each member of our group. Every where we went these Veterans were greeted with standing ovations, cheers and handshakes. On the return flight the Vets were surprised by a true "Mail Call". Each Vet received a packet of cards and letters of thanks from hometown school students, family members, business leaders and more. When deplaning in St. Louis they were again greeted with cheers and handshakes from other travelers and after clearing the secured area, were greeted by at least 200 people with cheers, banners, handshakes, hugs and tears. This was an incredible experience for me and I am sure it was an experience of a lifetime for these well deserving WWII Veterans. Today I documented the "naturalization" of 52 new American Citizens from 20 different countries, but that is another story. All I can say is that I am proud to be an American and thank full that I was able to witness these events that make our country so great. I am truly humbled and thank my host for this unbelievable opportunity.

TOM PARSONS BESTFARES.COM QUOTE

Tom Parsons www.bestfares.com on Holiday Travel Specials.   Tom says, "If you love your money more...then you better be flexible this holiday season.  Check nearby airports and be flexible on dates of travel."   Thanksgiving, Fly Nov. 23 - Nov. 27                 RT  non-stop to Newark $368                 RT  non-stop to LaGuardia $222   If you travel on peak days Nov. 25 - Nov.29                 RT non-stop to Neward no difference                 RT non-stop to LaGuardia $505    Taxes and surcharges not included in price.

AEROMEXICO FAMILY PLAN

FAMILY PLAN 3+1 = SAVINGS   Buy 3 tickets and get 1 FREE Tickets must be purchased by December 15 Blackout dates November 19 - December 1 Travel valid through the holiday season   Chicago to Guadalajara, Mexico City and Morelia, Mexico   www.aeromexico.com   Call 800-237-6639   Sue will be on Fox News Channel 2, 7:40am discussing Holiday Fare Specials

Call in to our radio show

Travel Planners Radio Show invites you to call in with questions or comments during our broadcast Saturdays, 8 - 10am central www.globalamericanbroadcasting.com 877-711-5211

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 RADIO SHOW

HOUR 1 SEG1A    Ramsey Quebein                Business Travel Writer                "Creative Things Hotels Are Doing To                Lure Guests"   SEG1B    Ramsey Quebein                WTM - World Trade Market in London   SEG1C   Susan Rose, Owner               Littlefield Cottage and Spa               Dahlonega, GA               www.littlefieldcottage.com   SEG1D  Kevin Travel News and Tips   HOUR 2 SEG2A & B  Tom Parsons, www.bestfares.com   SEG2C         Patrice Raplee, Travelwriter                     Music, Music, Music                     Muscle Shoals, AL   SEG2D        Patrice Raplee, Travelwriter                    Home of Helen Keller in                    Florence, AL

CARIBBEAN MAP

As discussed on Fox News Channel 2 Thursday, November 19 at 7:40am central

HOLIDAY TRAVEL SPECIALS

Topic of Interview:  Holiday Travel Specials   Southwest Cruise www.southwest.com (Click on Special Offers and Cruises)   Norwegian Cruise Line NCL - Norwegian Spirit 7-night Western Caribbean $43 a night $299 inside cabin                                             $50 a night $349 ocean view cabin   New Orleans; Costa Maya, MX; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City; New Orleans   Departure Nov. 22 Thanksgiving                  Dec. 20 Christmas Other dates are available.

NOVEMBER RADIO SHOWS

Saturday, November 7, 2009   Hour 1 Kristin Mitchell, www.visitpittsburgh.com   Jeff Pritts, GM, Marriott Hotel and Conference Center Bloomington/Normal, IL New 4 Diamond Hotel Opened on Oct. 30th   Exec Chef  Roger Li Restaurant Mgr Tom Mastacuza Tamari Restaurant Lawrenceville, PA Neighborhood   Kevin and Sue Travel News and Tips   Tom Parsons, BestFares.com   Janeen Aggen, CVB Independence, MO Holiday Kickoff and new $68 mill Events Ctr www.visitindependence.com   Kristin Rockwell O'Bannons Oriental Carpets Lawrenceville, PA Neighborhood 16:62 Design Zone

OCTOBER RADIO INTERVIEWS

Saturday, October 31, 2009   HOUR 1 National WWI Museum, New Orleans www.nationalww2museum.org Kacey Hill PR Officer   Robert A Tino Gallery Sevierville, TN www.robertatinogallery.com   Churchhill Memorial/Westminster College Fulton, MO Freedom Without Walls Celebration of Fall of Berlin Wall Rob Havers   Kevin Travel News/Sue Travel Tips   HOUR 2 Michelle Newman, Regular Contributor Alaska Celebrity Millenium Cruise www.celebritycruises.com   Kevin and Sue talk about upcoming Pittsburgh, PA trip   Saturday, October 24, 2009 HOUR 1   Tracey Teo, Regular Contributor Mediterranean Cruise Holland American MS Oosterdam Onboard Exec Chef Lee Hillson Italian and Greek ports (Rome and Santorini) www.hollandamerica.com   Dan McGinnity, Travel Guard Insurance H1N1 Flu and Travel www.travelguard.com   Kevin Travel News/Sue Travel Tips   HOUR 2 Tom Parsons, Regular Contributor www.BestFares.com   Amanda Maples Marr, Chamber of Commerce Sevierville, TN Tanger Outlet Mall, Wilderness Resort Water Park and Golf, Appalchian Trail, Super Scrapbook Store, KT's Grill, Mimi Golf www.visitsevierville.com www.yourscrapbooksuperstore.com   Saturday, October 10, 2009 HOUR 1 Martin Armes Raleigh, NC BOO - Carolina Inn Ghost Tours   George Gill, www.rentabikenow.com Rails to Trails Conservancy     Chris Jay Robinson Film Center Shreveport, LA   Kevin Travel Talk/Sue Travel Tips   SHREVEPORT, LA LIVE BROADCAST  Saturday, October 3, 2009 Hour 1 Brandy Evans, VP Communications Shreveport-Bossier CVB   Kip Holloway, Exec Dir Red River Revel Arts Festival   Julia Foley, Mktg Dir. Shreveport Regional Arts Council   HOUR 2  Big O's Restaurant Shreveport, LA   Chef Michael Brady Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop   Panderina Soumas Heritage Creole Cottage

SEPTEMBER TRAVEL RADIO SHOW

Saturday, September 26, 2009   HOUR 1 Kelly Schulz, VP & PR New Orleans New Tourist Attractions   Audrey Firth, GM Authentic Seacoast Resort Nova Scotia www.authenticseacoast.com     HOUR 2  Tom Parsons www.bestfares.com   Mika Doyle, CVB Dinosaurs to Sock Monkeys Discovery Center Museum Rockville, IL   Scott Nagel, Producer Regional Chamber of Commerce Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival Olympic Peninsula and Port Angeles, WA

Southern Eats Louisiana Style

On our recent trip to Louisiana we had the good fortune to be taken to two of Shreveport's more unique family owned restaurants. Our first night found us at Big O's A Taste With Class.   Odis and Drenette Johnson, along with their children, opened Big O's just one year ago and have already become the talk of the town. Their menu combines the best of Southern cooking and Soul Food specialties served with a friendly family smile.   Sue had the Catfish Platter with Hush Puppies, Fries and Corn Bread. Big O's Famous Louisiana Homemade Tarter Sauce was a perfect accompaniment for her dinner. "Big O" said the recipe for this fantastic condiment came to him in a dream. It is the best tartar sauce I've ever tasted and there was no way I could talk him out of the recipe.   I chose the Thursday night special, Barbequed Baby Back Ribs, with green beans, yellow rice, purple hulled peas (black eyed peas to us Yankees) and hot water corn bread. I also ordered a small portion of Big O's Southern Style Beans with smoked sausage and rice.   I told Mr. Johnson that I had only one complaint "I like to gnaw on the bones of barbequed ribs and his ribs were so tender that they literally fell off the bone" I tried to pick up a rib by the bone and all I got was the bone. We all got a laugh out that one.   Dessert was Chocolate Cake or Apple Pie with Caramel Ice Cream. These homemade specialties, along with a cup of fresh brewed coffee made us feel right at home.   Big O's is located at 1327 Captain Shreve Drive, Shreveport, LA 71105. Their phone # is 318-828-2271. Their web site is www.bigosatastewithclass.com   The next day's lunch found us at A National Historic Landmark, Fertitta's Italian Deli, "The Home of the Muffy", a patented sandwich.   Fertitta's started out as a neighborhood Italian grocery store. Papa Fertitta's regular customers always asked him to fix them his favorite sandwich, a version of a New Orleans muffaletto. The Muffy contains slice ham, bologna, turkey, three cheeses, mustard and a house special olive mix. This huge round sandwich is then toasted to perfection. A bag of chips and a cold beer, or better yet, Italian mint iced tea and your day is bound to get better!    Over the years this sandwich has become a Shreveport legend and is truly a must have meal in Shreveport. A Muffy is more than enough for two people and if you are not too hungry, perhaps four.   Agatha McCall, Papa Fertitta's only daughter, and her husband continue the historic tradition in the grocery's original location. The interior is truly a step  back in time with oiled wood floors, vintage photographs and advertising along with an old butchers scale and cutting board.  Tables are set with red and white oilcloth table clothes and a roll of paper towels in a large olive can and the obligatory salt and peppershaker. I suggest you plan an extra half hour or so to enjoy the ambience of this National landmark.   If you can't make it to Shreveport you can order fresh frozen Muffys sent to your door from Fertittas web site. www.papafertitta.com. You can also read more about the history of this great restaurant, view photos and get the recipe for a Muffy and many other great Italian dishes at their website. If you want to order by phone call toll free 866-293-5032. Fertitta's Muffys would be a great addition to your Holiday party.

DesBarres Manor Gourmet Dining

Tomorrow morning, 9/26/09, we will interview Audrey Firth, the GM of DesBarres Manor Authentic Seacoast Resort. In preparation for the show I looked at their website. I had an instant recognition with one of my favorite gastronomic specialties; Bread Pudding!   If you have followed our show, print articles or conversations you know that I have a fondness for bread pudding. At the DesBarres Manor website I found a recipe for a savory Smoked Salmon Bread Pudding that sent my mind into cartwheels of delight.   I decided to try it for dinner tonight and it was FANTASTIC!  It was quick and easy to prepare and oh, so tasty. Rather than making individual ramekins, I baked the bread pudding in a paella dish.   I served it with a field green salad served on herb toasted slices of french bread with chick peas, julienned carrots, artichoke hearts, anise stalks and herbed chevres topped with porcini olive oil.   a chilled Italian Pinot Grisio was a perfect paring for this light, yet filling evening meal.   This recipe would be great for "covered dish" dinner or a "Sunday Brunch" In fact, I think we will have this for breakfast with a Bearnaise Sauce and a Mimosa. I'm in Heaven!!   I have included a photo of our dinner as well as posting the recipe below.   The other photo is of Sue, the Party Animal, at a recent outdoor concert. Being the true gourmand that she is, she is chowing down on Cheese Wizz, Corn Curls and Caviar on a toasted wheat cracker (that makes it healthy?). It was served with a chilled Bud Light! Now that's livin' large!!!   DesBarres Manor Atlantic Smoked Salmon Bread Pudding Serves 6 as a first course Ingredients ½ pound diced Atlantic smoked salmon 8 cups cubed bread* 2 eggs ½ cup whipping cream 2 tsp wasabi mustard 1 tsp chopped chives 1 tsp chopped fennel Salt & pepper to taste Olive oil for greasing ramekins To Prepare Combine all ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.  Divide ingredients evenly among six greased ramekins.  Bake in a pre-heated, 400° oven for 15 to 20 minutes. *DesBarres Manor Executive Chef Shaun Zwarun likes to use a light rye bread with this recipe as the flavour of the rye combines well with the smoked salmon.  An oatmeal bread or French loaf would also work well. Wine Pairing General Manager Audrey Firth enjoys a Gewurztraminer with anything smoked and recommends the Pelee Island Gewurztraminer from Ontario.  Audrey's other choice is the Pinot Gris from Argentina's J. & F. Lurton Winery.  Well-rounded, this full bodied Pinot Gris will stand up well with smoked fish.

Funjet Travel Show

President Mike Going with Kevin and Sue McCarthy of Travel Planners Radio Shows and Dennis Klautzer of KRMS/WENG

SEPTEMBER TRAVEL RADIO SHOWS

Saturday, September 19, 2009   Max Hartshorne of GoNomad.com and one of our regular contributors spoke about the Connecticut Shores and New England.   Greg Ludwig, Sales Manager for FUNJET   Carlos Canino, Director of Excellence Resorts   Michael Going, President of FUNJET   We attended a FUNJET travel show that was held in St. Louis at Renaissance Hotel.   Tom Parsons of BestFares.com, Kevin's Travel News and Sue Travel Tips are also part of the weekly show.

TRAVEL RADIO SHOW

Our September 5th travel radio show was from a previously pre-recorded show while we were in Montgomery, AL for TMS - Travel Media Showcase.  This is an annual event held at different U.S. locations and provides travel writers, photojournalists and broadcast media the opportunity to meet with 45 Tourism Representatives from the U.S., Canada and Domenican Republic.

Hotel Rip-Offs

On a recent trip we stayed at an upscale National hotel chain in a room that cost $159.00 a night. This hotel felt compelled to charge us $10.00/day for Internet service and they count it down to the second! When I tried to buy the second day of service my room was "Blocked Out" and it took three phone calls to the front desk before I could give them another $10 to check our E-Mails. The worst part about it was the fact that it wasn't even wireless Internet service!   Regal 8, Motel 6 and other budget motel/hotels offer FREE wireless Internet and their room rates run from $45 - $75, so what am I missing? It is certainly not the hotel's cost of the Internet service.   I finally asked a manager of one of these pricey hotels why they choose to charge their guests so much for Internet service. His response was.."because we can"!   They assume that most of their guests are traveling on business, with an expense account,  and their employers don't seemed to mind paying extra for Internet service.   The Manager said if enough people complained about it, they might consider lowering or eliminating these ridiculous fees. Needless to say, my campaign has begun.   In the meantime I have found that it never hurts to search for other wireless networks in the area. Sometimes you just get lucky.

UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE CENTER

Photos from our trip in September to Scottsboro, AL Unclaimed Baggage Ctr

UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE SCOTTSBORO AL

We just did a driving trip south for a Travel Conference in Montgomery AL and took a side trip to the UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE STORE.  We always find great bargains here and this time was no exception.  I bought a woman's Navy Blazer for $7.50, clothes for the grandkids for $4 and $7.50, Kevin got an IPOD for $65!!!  We bought a 4-wheeled large luggage that we needed.  Great Deals and you can check them out on the website too for Unclaimed Baggage.

TRAVEL NEWS

Southwest Airlines announced passengers could pay $10 each way and reserve a spot in the boarding line behind elite flyers and ahead of families and other travels.  The advantage would be the passenger could choose a better seat selection. Southwest recently added additional fees for pets and minors traveling alone.  Good news is there still isn't a charge for those Carry on or Extra Bags.

CHANNEL 2

CRUISE SPECIALS

Sue McCarthy "Travel Expert"

If you like my TV segments on Travel, let Channel 2 know.  Thanks.

FOX NEWS CHANNEL 2

APPEARANCE #10   Sue will be on as Channel 2's "Travel Expert", Wednesday, September 2 at 8:40am. The topic will be Cruise Specials and Repositioning Cruises. Check out www.Southwest.com - Cruises www.bestfares.com and www.carnival.com/cms/fun/earlysaver/specials   My favorites are the Mediterranean Repositioning Cruises from Barcelona to NY (NCL)or Malaga to Miami (Royal Caribbean)