September 14, 2022

Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jessica O’Riley – Iowa Office of Tourism, Iowa Economic Development Authority
515.348.6256 or traveliowa@iowaeda.com

Iowa Tourist Board Launches Redesigned Website and Latest Travel Guide

Revamped site, guide offers new inspiration for Iowa travel

September 14, 2022 (Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Office of Tourism has launched a redesign of traveliowa.com and the latest edition of the Iowa Travel Guide.

The new website, the definitive source for Iowa vacation inspiration and planning, uses a content-driven approach, highlighting unique and inspiring ideas that invite users to explore Iowa using rich photography, featured articles and interactive tools. Simplified navigation leads users to the best content. Additional site enhancements include new travel areas more closely aligned with traveler needs, easier use across devices, improved page speed, and accessibility enhancements.

“It’s been almost a decade since we’ve had a major overhaul of traveliowa.com,” said Amy Zeigler, director of the Iowa Office of Tourism. “This redesigned site better meets the needs of today’s travelers and allows us to show the best of Iowa through engaging stories and stunning photography. Combined with the latest Iowa Fall/Winter Travel Guide, we hope to inspire many trips across the state.

The 140-page Iowa Fall/Winter Travel Guide includes listings of hundreds of authentic and unexpected destinations, cabins and campgrounds. Editorial content features museums and mansions, barns and grain silos converted into lodging properties, 99 hidden gems, winter skiing and ways to celebrate the holidays. The free guide can be ordered online at traveliowa.com, by phone at 800.345.IOWA, or picked up at one of 14 Welcome Centers across Iowa. An online version is also available.

The Iowa Office of Tourism, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events to promote the magnificently expansive scenery and history sole of the state. Tourism in Iowa generated $1.5 billion in tax revenue in 2020, with more than $860 million supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 60,218 people statewide . For more information on all that Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.

# # #

Navigate an open-world game like Saints Row can be tricky if you’re only starting from one area. Luckily, there are a few places you should be able to teleport to when you need to speed up the process. here is our Saints Row quick travel guide to help you with all quick travel photo locations in Santo Ileso.

To note: We will have a Saints Row guides and feature hub coming soon, so stay tuned.

Saints Row fast travel guide – All fast travel photo locations

How to unlock fast travel points in Saints Row

Unlock fast travel points in Saints Row is not obvious at first sight. Indeed, these points will only appear on your map if you are nearby. If there is one nearby, a trailer (or shelter) icon will be displayed.

You will then need to activate photo mode (i.e. the “P” key by default) to take a photo. Make sure the object is centered and you’re not too close (or too far). Similarly, hovering over the icon on the map will also show you the appropriate angle. Either way, once the camera borders turn green, hit the spacebar to mark that location to allow it to move quickly.

Footnote 1: Unlike your apartment or church headquarters much later, these regular fast travel points in Saints Row are only used for teleportation. There are no garages or helipads. As such, if you need special vehicles, you will definitely need to respawn in your HQ. Alternatively, you can use JimRob’s car delivery service after completing all of its tasks.

Footnote 2: Criminal Empire businesses do not act as regular fast travel points, although you are still teleported there once they are first built. After that, you will need to drive/fly/glide to these settlements as normal.

Saints Row fast travel location maps

Below you will see three images with maps of the fast travel photo locations in Saints Row. We’ve split them into three locations (east, north, and south) to match the neighborhoods in the game. You can click on each image (or right-click and open the image in a new tab) for a larger view.

West Providencia: Panther Rock

Head east along the highway from JimRob’s garage (which you’ll unlock as a location after completing a few main missions). The panther-shaped cliff can be easily spotted from there.

Rojas Desert North: Twin Coyote Motel

This one is further away than most of the other spots. You will need to continue east following the highway and dirt roads until you come across an isolated motel.

Marina West: Bear Lake

Follow the main roads until you reach the northern part of Marina West. The bear statue sits on a lake just below the Santo Ileso sign on the hill.

South Lakeshore: Cactus Bill

The cactus statue is in a large park in the southern part of the district.

El Dorado: El Dorado sign

The sign itself is visible when crossing the main highway towards the El Dorado neighborhood. You’ll need to take a picture from street level to get the right angle.

South Badlands: Lone Wolf

This is another fast travel location in Saints Row it’s off the beaten track. You can visit a location close to this during Eli’s The Dustmoot mission.

---

Saints Row is available through the Epic Games Store.

The immense achievement of Tilman Fertitta, The Post Oak Hotelhas once again booked a 5 star rating by one of the most prestigious guides in the country.

Fertitta’s Post Oak joins three properties in Texas earning the highest ranking in the highly regarded 2022 Star Awards recently released by Forbes Travel Guide.

Those who receive 5-star awards include The Spa at the Post Oak Hotel; Flames, a chef-run restaurant in Dallas; and the Ritz Carlton Dallas Hotel.

In addition, 20 other awards were presented to Texas properties, including hotels and spas in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, part of a group of 1,830 winners around the world.

The Star Awards award three levels of rating: Five Star (virtually flawless), Four Star (outstanding), and Recommended (consistently good). Notably, two redesigned Houston hotels achieved 4-star ratings: The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa and Four Seasons Houston.

It is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. The full list is online and includes these properties in Texas:

5 stars

• The Spa at the Post Oak Hotel / Houston
• Carte Blanche / Dallas
• Post Oak Hotel Uptown Houston
• Ritz Carlton Dallas

4 stars

• Fairmont Austin Hotel
• The fear
• Four Seasons Austin
• Four Seasons Houston
• Four Seasons Dallas at Las Colinas
• Garrison / Austin
• Hotel Granduca/Houston
• The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa
• The Joule
• Mokara Hotel & Spa – San Antonio
• Spa Mokara – San Antonio
• Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas
• Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
• Joule Spa / Dallas
• St. Regis Houston
• Lattice Spa / Houston
• Wellness Spa at Four Seasons Dallas at Las Colinas

Recommended

• The Adolphe
• The French bedroom
• Hotel Emma/San Antonio
• Hotel Granduca/Austin

It’s a particularly gratifying victory for Carte Blanche, the only restaurant in the state to earn 5 stars, alongside nationally acclaimed names like Daniel, Eleven Madison Park and The French Laundry.

The only other restaurants in Texas to win awards are Fearing’s, which earned 4 stars; Garrison in Austin, which also earned 4 stars; and The French Room at the Adolphus in Dallas, which made the recommended list.

Meanwhile, this is the second year in a row that Fertitta’s Post Oak has achieved a 5-star rating. “This renowned list recognizes the world’s most notable hotels, and it’s a true honor to be among the best of the best for the second year in a row,” Steven Chou, chief executive of Post Oak, said in a statement. “We are extremely proud to receive this worldwide recognition and to maintain our Double Five-Star status for Houston. It’s an extremely tough test to pass, and our dedicated staff work diligently every day to ensure that all of our customers receive a first-class experience.

Originally known as Mobil Travel Guide and considered a renowned leader in the travel industry, Forbes Travel Guide publishes prestigious annual star ratings recognizing the best luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, based on Rigorous anonymous job performance reviews of up to 900 objective standards. Rankings are determined by anonymous professionals.

Hotel stays span a minimum of two nights and they pay their own way. No one can buy a note, although attendees pay a fee to be considered. But the inspectors are anonymous at all times, so they have the same experience as a typical guest.

THE ONLY PIOUS EXPERIENCE

Utah’s number one tourist attraction is Temple Square, the epicenter of the Mormon religion. On a grand scale, the most illuminating way to explore the complex and learn about the fascinating faith is to join a free tour, led by young sister missionaries on an 18-month mission. While the awe-inspiring temple is inaccessible to non-Mormons, tours include a tour of the Assembly Hall, the North Visitor Center with its oversized statue of Christ, and the famous Tabernacle, its near-perfect acoustics demonstrated by the waterfall a pin . www.templesquare.com

THE ONLY RESTAURANT

Leading a new wave of Modern American restaurants elevating Salt Lake City’s dining scene to big-city heights, Eva’s focus is on communal dining, quality ingredients, and a nourishing approach to comfort food. The tapas-style sharing plates are heavily veggie, including sautéed Brussels sprouts, charred beets served with goat cheese, and grilled asparagus topped with a poached egg; while not-so-small menu items include sublime pizzas and baked Greek mac and cheese. evaslc.com

THE ONLY BREWPUB

For a city where alcohol is heavily regulated and was once served behind a “Zion Curtain” (a frosted glass partition separating a bar from a restaurant from patrons), Salt Lake City has warmly embraced the craft beer scene. , with around 30 micro-breweries and breweries popping up over the past 30 years. Leading that charge in the heart of downtown, the popular Squatters – whose motto is “Good for What Ales You” – serves up its award-winning beers alongside hearty pizzas, burgers and jalapeno peppers. squatters.com

THE ONE DELI

A sandwich at Caputo’s Market & Deli – an SLC institution for more than two decades – is more than a bite worth queuing for, with classic Italian-style fillings served in hearty American-sized portions . Half a sandwich (about US$7) should suffice for mere mortals, along with vegetarians as well as meat lovers. Save room for artisanal chocolate, with the family-run store offering an extensive collection from around the world; or do a cheese tasting in the deliciously stinky “cheese cellar”. caputos.com

THE ONLY SPORTING EVENT

If you can’t beat them, join them – and if you’re visiting Salt Lake City between October and April, that means catching an NBA basketball game. As one of four SLC-based professional sports teams, Utah Jazz pockets most of the local sports obsession; and a home game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena is a joyful carnival not to be missed. With All Star players Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert leading the pack, Utah Jazz is always a force to be reckoned with. nba.com/jazz/

THE ONLY SKI RESORT

With 11 ski resorts located within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City International Airport, choosing a run to hit the trademark “World’s Biggest Snow” is a matter of whim and mood. Locals tend to be loyal to the resort, however – some hardcore skiers prefer Alta and Deer Valley as they are ski-only resorts, while snowboarders tend to gravitate to the terrain parks of Brighton or Park City. For perfect powder, minimal crowds and the largest ski area in the United States, head to Powder Mountain, a relatively unknown gem that caps its numbers at 1,500 per day and 3,000 season passes per year. skiutah.com

THE SINGLE GARDEN

As surreal as it is, the Gilgan Sculpture Garden is tucked away behind downtown office buildings, invisible unless you know where to find it. A collection of bizarre sculptures and stones engraved with Bible verses, the garden was created in the mid-20th century by Thomas Battersby Child Jr, with the aim of inspiring viewers to ponder the “unsolved mysteries of life”. It is identified as Utah’s only “visionary arts environment”. gilgalgarden.com

EXPERIENCE ONE NATURE

The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi; and although it may appear to be an arid, salty desert from the air, it is actually a haven for wildlife as well as a cool place to take a mineral-rich and vibrant dip. The best access to the lake is Antelope Island, a 9,000-acre state park 100 miles north of SLC that’s home to amazing free-roaming wildlife, including a herd of about 700 bison. Take a bike or a horse to explore the backcountry trails or stroll along the white sand beaches. stateparks.utah.gov

THE UNIQUE PARTY

The Sundance Film Festival is arguably the most influential independent film festival in the world, drawing celebrities and up-and-coming filmmakers to the ski resorts of Park City and Sundance each January. What few people realize, however, is that a significant number of events also take place in Salt Lake City, which tend to be easier to access for the general public. In addition to screenings, the city also hosts film workshops, panels, parties, live performances and pop-up bars. sundance.org

ONE MORE THING

Despite its conservative reputation, Mormons make up less than 50% of Salt Lake City’s population, with growing diversity and growing tolerance for minorities. In fact, a 2017 Gallup poll ranked SLC as the seventh most gay city in the United States, with 4.7% of its population identifying as LGBTQ. So yes, you will have a drink if you visit, and you will have a great time.

Julie Miller traveled as a guest of Visit Utah.

Here are some tips, tricks and resources to make your summer a memorable and adventurous one!

Not sure what you’re going to do with your summer? We’ve compiled cheap options and resources you can use this summer that are student discount friendly.

Traveling can be difficult with COVID-19 restrictions, so all listed destinations are open to vaccinated travelers departing from Canada from April 14.

But first, here are the tools you’ll need to find the best prices for accommodation, flights, and transportation.

Flights

To find the cheapest flight on any airline to any destination, sites like FlightHub and KAYAK are the places to go. Some trips may also have special call prices which may be lower than what other sites may estimate. Remember that these are third-party agencies, so getting a refund for a canceled trip can be more difficult.

Lodging

Finding accommodation depends on the budget of the traveler. For those feeling adventurous or on an extreme budget, the Couchsurfing website allows travelers to stay on the couch of a locale completely free.

While that idea is a little daunting, hostels are also a great option for meeting other travellers. Hostelworld is the one site with millions of reviews, and finding a hostel in any city is a breeze.

If you prefer privacy, Airbnb or Trivago are also great options for private accommodation like hotels or apartments, at a premium price. However, depending on the size of your group, Airbnb can end up costing a lot less than a hostel stay.

Transportation

Depending on where you decide to go, public transport and walking are always the cheapest option, but if you need to take a train or rent a car, here are some good resources: HappyRail (Europe), Eurail (Europe), and KAYAK (international).

It’s also important to remember that Uber isn’t global, and if you’re somewhere where taking a taxi is a consideration, it’s important to research average prices beforehand – don’t let yourself be the tourist who pays triple what he should. Also keep in mind that city taxis are not always safe at every destination. A quick search on Reddit should help you learn from other tourists and even some locals.

With gas prices at an all time high, the classic summer road trip may not be the cheapest option. Instead, check out train prices for super cheap round-trip prices this summer:

(prices vary depending on departure date)

Montreal to Ottawa: $74+

Montreal to Quebec: $76+

Montreal to Toronto: $98+

For those looking to soak up the sun this summer, here are plenty of cheap beach flights to choose from:

All prices shown were found using Flighthub for the months of May, June and July.

Miami, United States: $350+

With many beaches to choose from, Miami is a great city to explore this summer with its vibrant nightlife. You can get a room in a hostel for as little as $25+/night.

Cancun, Mexico: $500+

Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen when you go, as the summer heat in Cancun stays around 30 degrees. Even if the heat hits you, you won’t have to worry about the cost, with hostels costing just $9+ a night.

Montego Bay, Jamaica: $500+

The white sand beaches and crystal blue waters of Montego Bay are a great place to spend your summer lounging or exploring. Hostels start at $25+/night.

Guatemala, Guatemala: $500+

Guatemala City offers a mix of great food, jungle temples, secret coves and colorful neighborhoods to explore this summer on the cheap with an average cost of $39+/day, including $10+ hostels /night.

San José and Liberia, Costa Rica: $600+

Costa Rica offers plenty to do, whether you want to sit back and relax on the journey or hike an active volcano. San Jose and Liberia offer hostels for $13+/night.

Bogotá – Colombia: $650+

If you want to have a mix of city and jungle, Bogotá is the place for you. With many historical and cultural sites to discover, you will never be bored during your trip. Hostels are cheap starting at $5+/night.

Belize City, Belize: $750+

If you’re looking to catch waves and surf this summer, Belize might be the destination for you. The town offers a wide range of activities, from cave exploration to white water rafting – it’s perfect for the active traveler. With hostels starting at $35+/night, this destination is the most expensive option.

Leaving the tropics here are some cheap flights to Europe where you can choose to stay or catch a cheap train or flight with Ryanair or easyJet to anywhere from North Africa to the Middle East and in Asia.

Dublin, Ireland: $550+

This summer you can experience the vibrant Irish nightlife or explore the medieval castles and beautiful landscapes featured in shows like Game of Thrones. Hostels start at $28+/night and one-way flights out of the country as low as $22+.

Lisbon, Portugal: $700+

A beautiful city to explore on foot, Lisbon offers travelers the perfect European experience on the cheap. Hostels start at $18+/night and flights to other cities start at $41+.

Paris, France: $700+

The day-to-day cost of living in Paris makes it one of the most expensive destinations on the list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great place to travel on a budget. Parisian nightlife and art make the city an ideal destination for those looking to pick up a bit of European culture this summer. Hostels start at $26+/night, and it’s a great city to travel to with flights out of the country starting at $12+.

The world is once again open to you to explore after the last two years of COVID-19, so take advantage of some cheap destinations this summer and head out to new places!

It’s important to remember that you don’t need to have a lot of money to explore the world. It’s not because you have a budget do not means you have to settle for a staycation this summer!