The scoop on popular travel destinations

• By ROXANNE C. HARE
• Special sections editor
• Published: Apr 26, 2009

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There are many great travel destinations for Baton Rougeans to consider for vacation, some being the hottest new thing, others being trusty favorites. Here is a list of some, as suggested by Melanie Williams, travel consultant at Gulf South Travel, and Farin Fabre, general manager at Malcolm Travel:

‘Gooooo Tigers!’
Around here, you can’t go far without hearing or seeing some reference to the beloved purple and gold. And many local fans don’t mind. In fact, some are taking things to the next level by following the Tigers to Seattle, where they are scheduled to play the University of Washington Sept. 5.

“People are coinciding the LSU football game in Seattle, and they’re taking a cruise either before or after the game,” Williams said.

In this case, the cruise is to Alaska. But a sight-seeing adventure in the city, with its fish markets and the Space Needle, is also sure to wow travelers.

Alaska cruises
Speaking of Alaskan cruises, they are hugely popular, according to both Williams and Fabre. In fact, they also were touted by local travel agents last year in The Advocate’s Vacation & Travel section.

“They have lowered their rates. The rates are really reasonable,” Williams said. She also recommended going off-season, not during summer months. “Any time before June 1 and after August 30, the rates drop significantly.”

Fabre said some cruises are as low as $499.

Disney
There always seems to be a good promotion or two at Walt Disney World.

“Disney does have really good deals,” Williams said.

Here are some incentives:

• Treehouse Villas: Imagine sleeping in a treehouse 10 feet off the ground. That is the vision for this lodging attraction, set to open June 1. The stand-alone buildings can sleep up to nine. The goal of the design, with the house sitting on pedestals, is to create a structure that blends into nature.
• ‘American Idol’ experience: “They’re allowing audience members to participate as if they were a contestant on ‘American Idol,’” Williams said.