Marion Travels - Travel Tips and Fun Activities

Football fan or not - Sofi stadium is the Grand Canyon of sports arenas. YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE STADIUM. Make a reservation online and make sure to check the details. All tours take you behind the scenes and inside of a VIP lounge, the Google Integrated Technology Center and different stadium levels. On many days you can also experience the stadium like a player, take part in the exciting tunnel run, play on the field and even visit the Rams locker room and owner's lounge. In one word: EPIC! Field access is only possible when no other events are set up on the date. What a great gift idea for the men and sports fans in your life. However, I am a woman and not a great sports fan and I had a blast!  https://am.ticketmaster.com/lased/tours

"NOT EVERYTHING THAT IS FACED CAN BE CHANGED BUT NOTHING CAN BE CHANGED UNTIL IT IS FACED"  JAMES BALDWIN. May 31st marks the anniversary of the Black Wall Street Massacre. The Greenwood neighborhood commemorates this event with  Legacy Fest. And Juneteenth is just around the corner.  I am German, I grew up with the concept of "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" - coping with the past and James Baldwin's words resonate deeply with me.  I toured Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center in February 2022. It is No 7 on USA Today's Best New Attractions List. I thought I knew a lot about the massacre from news reports and documentary films but visiting the center in the location where the events occurred gave me so much more context, insight and understanding. I urge you to visit and experience it for yourself. Make a reservation online, the one-hour tour itself is free, family friendly, interactive and immersive. It will transport you back in time.  You can explore more history of Greenwood in the final hall of the exhibit, read historic news reports, learn about residents of the 1920s, the rebuilding of Black Wall Street and the fate of survivors and descendants.  The center also presents special events and art exhibits. Parking in the area is easy and mostly free.  Opening hours vary according to weekday. The center is closed on Tuesdays. Their website gives more details: www.greenwoodrising.org. The best fried chicken is served right across the street at Wanda J's. In the words of Terry Baccus - food is the best way to learn about another culture and make friends. Hope and Growth is what Tulsa is all about and that's what I love about T-Town.  Thank you for listening.  I am Marion and this is Let's Travel!

What a great way to spend some family time on Memorial Day weekend. Fleet Week is taking place at the historic San Pedro Waterfront. The event is very well organized, with ample parking, a free shuttle service and lots of interactive, educational fun things to do. I sat in a helicopter, played on a weapon simulator, toured the USS Essex and took lots of selfies.  More information: https://lafleetweek.com renk-rosenthal.com https://marion-travels.blogspot.com

You have heard of the Black Wall Street Massacre. But there is a lot more to learn about Greenwood. I have the pleasure of talking with the Mayor of Greenwood, Terry Baccus, Tulsa Native, with family ties to the area since before Oklahoma was a state. Listen to the full episode on Let's Travel! www.tourofblackwallstreet.com

Let's Travel! is back with another Tulsa, Oklahoma, Special. Marion has a fascinating conversation with Terry Baccus, sovereign citizen of the Muskogee Creek Nation, and resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, founder and owner of Tours of Black Wall Street and Greenwood Avenue Project community activist. Terry is an artist, activist and expert on the history of Tulsa, with focus on the black and Native American history of Tulsa.  He is the founder and producer of the soon to be released documentary “Greenwood Avenue Project”. In the summer of 2021 the centennial of one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history, the Black Wall Street Massacre, made global headlines. Tulsans are making a very intentional effort to heal from and learn from the past. Terry has fascinating background knowledge of the history - his family settled in the area before Oklahoma became a state - and current situation  and hopes for Greenwood and the African-American community.  No subject is off-limits: what happened after the Black Wall Street Massacre? Stories of the resilience of the community and surprisingly fast rebuilding of the Greenwood District, and the unexpected and devastating effect that urban renewal, gentrification and de-segregation have had on the once thriving black community.  Today, Greenwood and Black Wall Street have become a draw for local small business and visitors interested in American history. Greenwood stands for resilience, reconciliation and hope.  Terry Baccus brings this history, the history of his family and community, to life during his tours. It is a truly authentic, personal and passionate tour that addresses and includes everyone.  Links: www.tourofblackwallstreet.com ,  Greenwood Avenue Project Documentary Trailer: https://youtu.be/0kMKTFBNaUo Support black-owned business: www.buyblacktulsa.com

Travel and Tourism Entrepreneur Jeffrey Tanenhaus founded his walking tour company Tulsa Tours in 2018. The customizable public and private tours take visitors through architecture and history of Tulsa, the richest American city 100 years ago thanks to its oil. The city is currently reinventing itself - Jeffrey guides visitors through the heart of Downtown's Art Deco and modern architecture buildings, secret tunnels and mural art districts.  His story in itself is an inspiration. The born New Yorker left Manhattan in 2015 and crossed the country on an illegal bike ride. After visiting cities from coast to coast, Tulsa was the place he decided to call home.  He wrote a book about his adventure, the compelling "West of Wheeling: How I Quit My Job, Broke the Law & Biked to a Better Life " which is avaliable on Amazon, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Good Reads, Kobo and more. Links: www.tulsa.tours https://www.instagram.com/tulsa.tours/

It's TULSA TIME! Tulsa Oklahoma is the only US destination to make it onto  CNN TRAVEL  22 PLACES TO VISIT IN 22 and  GOOD MORNING AMERICA TRAVEL DESTINATIONS that won't break the bank.  I just spent a week in T-TOWN and I fell in love with the place. A huuuuge thank you to Tulsa Remote!  There is so much to do and see that I couldn't do it all.  Music, arts, world class museums, foodie scene, Route 66 and an award winning park just to mention a few.  Let's check it out! I have very interesting guests and we will talk about things to do and see; starting next week with travel and tourism entrepreneur Jeffrey Tanenhaus from Tulsa Tours. Make sure to subscribe. See you in Tulsa!

Get the latest news about Olvera Street, Downtown L.A., Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice. It has been almost two years since I have worked with international guests. The pandemic has affected Southern California overall, but some cities have been impacted a lot more than others. I went on a site inspection tour on Sunday, the 6th of February to check it out. Here is my report. Get the latest Covid Regulations for L.A. County: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/vaccine/

Virtual Travel: How does it work? What are the benefits? How do you prepare? YouTube offers a number of Virtual Travel Experiences. I tried P.K. Maxx's relaxing, healing India and China experiences. I find it to be a wonderful way to relax, get rid of stress, and let my mind wander. P.K. shares how she develops these meditations and how you best experience them. You can find her videos on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCchm-iss3o6tVyIvz68A7SA P.K. Maxx Hypnotherapist. Her website: www.bodymindimaging.com.  Season 1 of Let's Travel! was a lot of fun for me to produce. Thank you for participating, listening and subscribing. We will be back with Season 2 after a short break. Be safe and Bon Voyage! 

We are facing a really stressful weekend. Positive Thinking will make it easier. F.E.A.R. false evidence appearing real - this concept is an eye opener and my guest, hypno-therapist and life coach P.K. Maxx explains how negative thinking can start out small and turn into a big vicious cycle. Mind and Body are connected. Negative thought literally affects your cellular makeup. P.K. tells us how we can flip the switch and get to positive thinking and results. P.K. Maxx website: www.bodymindimaging.com

When I started this podcast in spring we all thought that our travel and event world would recover by fall. Things were looking up.  Now we are in the midst of the next pandemic wave and more cancellations and postponements are pouring in. I decided to create a special report because I have had great help during the last year and a half to remain positive and hopeful. It's all about perspective and finding new opportunities. I am very grateful that my career coach, Dr. Chaz Austin,  hypnotherapist P.K. Maxx and Melody Heller, aromatherapist and reiki master, are happy to share practical advice on what to do to fight the blues.  Medical disclaimer: P.K. Maxx and Melody Heller are both certified professionals in their respective fields. Hypnotherapy and aroma therapy are great tools but please consult with a medical professional.  But now: lots of great tips in just 40 minutes. Here we go! How to think positive, how to switch careers now, how to find work now, F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real, the mind-body connection, achieve balance with aroma therapy and reiki.  Links:  Chaz Austin: http://chazaustin.com/  P.K. Maxx: www.mindbodyimaging.com  Melody Heller: www.heavenlyaromatics.com SHOW LESS

Tour guides are the face of a city, your ambassador and host in the location. As domestic tourism in the USA rebounds, tour guides are slowly getting back to work. But many have left the industry. Episode 9 of Let's Travel! explores what tour guides are doing right now, which organizations can best support them and our visitors and how you can find a tour guide now! Don't become the victim of a scam. Get a guide to have a great experience and wonderful memories. And plan ahead. Los Angeles will host Rose Bowl events over New Year's and the 2022 SuperBowl! Book now.  Links:  Southern California Tour Guide Assocation: www.socaltourguidesassoc.com/ Email: sctgaoffice@gmail.com International Association of Tour Directors & Guides: https://iatdg.org/

How is Las Vegas now? Laura Siebold, travel professional, reports from the Strip, Linq Casino Promenade, the Flamingos in the Flamingo Hotel and Bellagio's Conservatory. Tips on great shopping and new quick restaurants, the best ice cream, Gordon Ramsey's Fish&Chips. The main reason for her visit: a professional site visit to the brand new Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and its indoor/outdoor restaurants, Kassi Beach Club and Casa Calavera.   Links:  https://virginhotelslv.com/  https://locations.in-n-out.com/320-Las-Vegas  https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/gordon-ramsay-fish-chips/ https://www.sweetsinbyclaude.com/  https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/conservatory-botanical-garden.html  https://www.caesars.com/flamingo-las-vegas/things-to-do/wildlife-habitat  https://kassibeach.com/  https://hakkasangroup.com/casacalavera/las-vegas/  Laura Siebold: https://www.instagram.com/lauralovela/

Welcome to Let’s Travel! Episode 7 with Nicole Bookman - we are sharing the experience of our girls weekend road trip to Baja California and how we got our travel groove back.  We talk about our preparation and initial trepidation. We share our trip and travel tips, step by step, from Mexican car insurance to AirBnB booking to restaurants, shopping and the best culinary experience that we insist you must try! Fauna at Bruma in Guadalupe Valley. We had a wonderful, fun, safe trip! Bon Voyage!  Links: Mexican Car Insurance: https://www.discoverbaja.com/mexican-auto-insurance/ Border Traffic: https://bwt.cbp.gov/ Our AirBnB: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48284888?adults=2&check_in=2021-06-25&check_out=2021-06-28&translate_ugc=false&source_impression_id=p3_1625434048_7vB1%2F4IF1bwUqsH7&guests=1 Popotla Restaurant and Bar: https://www.facebook.com/popotlarestaurantbar/ Puerto Nuevo: https://www.puertonuevo.com/ Villa Ortega: https://ortegavillasrest.wixsite.com/website-1/ And our favorite restaurant at this time in the world:  Fauna at Bruma: https://www.facebook.com/faunarestaurante/photos/?ref=page_internal

As more people are getting vaccinated  we want to get back to traveling. But what does the future of travel look like? How is the tourism industry changing?  I had a very interesting and inspiring conversation with two tourism experts in Brighton, United Kingdom.  Selective Asia creates tailor-made holidays, crafted by Asia experts. In May 2020, after tourism had come to a complete stop, the owner, Nick Pulley, decided to pivot completely and take the agency apart to rebuild every aspect of the business.  Where others saw an end, Nick and team member - and my friend - Aaron Smart, saw an opportunity to reinvent the way they live and work and do business.  Instead of despair they felt gratitude for this chance to pivot. The result is a horizontal organization, dedicated to three core values: deliver top quality custom-crafted holidays, ensure that the partners in the destinations also benefit, and focus on happiness.  We may look at a very different future in travel but it may actually be a brighter one.  I am happy to present Nick and Aaron.  Contact Info: www.selectiveasia.com Email: contact@selectiveasia.com Phone: +44-1273-670001

My friend and client Anja Carrillo is a tourism and transportation executive in the heart of Hollywood. Anja has 10 years experience in creating and executing highly customized, elevated, branded group events.  The great news: private open-air charter buses make for a safe location. Customized itineraries and activities enhance the guest experience. We talk about what groups and individuals can do in Hollywood now, how much of the tourism center is open, and how to book. Anja is available: https://anjacarrillo.com/ These are great resources to plan your trip: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/ https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/the-beginners-guide-to-hollywood https://www.laweekly.com/calendar/ Private Tour Guide/Management Services in English, Deutsch, Français, Español: Marion Renk-Rosenthal.  Email: Marion@renk-rosenthal.com

Meet Jennifer Davis, owner and founder of Rabbit Circle Tours in Springfield, TN, about 45min north of Nashville, and find out what you will experience during a true farm tour. Jennifer takes visitors in small groups to a truly immersive, authentic small farm tour on Middle Tennessee. Each and every tour is different, as every day in a farmer's life is different.  In our conversation we discuss the positive changes the back-to-real-cooking movement during quarantine cuisine has had on small local farms. Come in fall and witness the smoking of dark fire tobacco, the only place in the world where this sort of tobacco grows. I experienced a day with Jennifer on tour in June 2018 and I made wonderful memories. Bon Voyage, Marion Contact Information: www.rabbitcircle.com

Farm Tours, dark fired tobacco, real deal farm tours, sustainable farming and more.  A great conversation with Jennifer Davis from Rabbit Circle. Dropping June 1. https://rabbitcircle.com/

Travel and Tourism in Hollywood. Safe tours and things to do right now.  It's what we are famous for: the glitter of "Hollywood". It's part of life in the Los Angeles area to bump into celebrities in the supermarket. It's also a major tourist attraction. Nowhere else in the world do you have access to stars like here. Jeff Napshin's celebrity homes tour agency offers the most modern, enhanced star homes tours in town. Star Track Tours are completely outdoors in open vans and the tours are up and running. Star Track Tours are guided by actors who know a lot about the real inner workings of the TV and Movie Industry.  Jeff Napshin describes the various tours and the proprietary video enhancements that take visitors inside the experience and the locations.  Contact Information Star Track Tours Celebrity Home Tours Website: https://www.startracktours.com Phone: +1 (310) 905-7145 Open Daily 9am to 9pm Address: 6735 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA Facebook: startracktourshollywood  EMAIL: Jeff@startracktours.com #STARHOMESTOURS #CELEBRITYHOMESTOURS #HOLLYWOODTOURS #BEVERLYHILLSTOURS #THINGSTODOINHOLLYWOOD

It's what we are famous for: the glitter of "Hollywood". It's part of life in the Los Angeles area to bump into celebrities in the supermarket. It's also a major tourist attraction. Nowhere else in the world do you have access to stars like here.  Tune in on May 25th to hear my conversation with Jeff Napshin, owner of Star Track Tours, Hollywood. He and his actor guides will take you into the world of Star Homes like no other agency. https://www.startracktours.com/