Travel is....

This is the time of the year many people start making travel plans for the summer. In celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week, our industry wondered how travel affects us all with the theme: “Travel is ___________.” Travel is vacationing. Travel is making memories. Travel is essential to the U.S. economy. Travel is a job creator. No matter how you complete the sentence, the bottom line message is that travel is vital to our country and our lives, and it has meaning for everyone.

Throughout our travels we learn so much about ourselves. Travel teaches us that when we broaden our horizons, we can overcome obstacles. Travel reminds us that we can find happiness by taking a swing at life and enjoy a weekend getaway.

When you plan your next Chicagoland getaway, we challenge you to Broaden Your Horizons and think just beyond the city limits in the Chicago Southland. The Harvest Room in Palos Heights is producing something new and exciting in the area with great prices and free parking. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the menu will make the heart of any self-proclaimed "foodie" flutter with excitement. My favorite example is the Boom Boom Brisket Benedict, which features strawberry BBQ hollandaise that covers grilled cheese with tomato marmalade, white cheddar and house smoked beef brisket. That's a beautiful way to start the day exploring Chicago Southland. But don't take our word for it,  click here to read the excellent three out of four stars review from Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune. Or watch Head Chef Johnathan Hartoonian of the Harvest Room explain that, "Tourism is outstanding…creative…organic…it’s passionate and exciting…tourism is Broadening Your Horizons."

 

 

 

 

Harvest Room 7164 West 127th Street, Palos Heights, IL 60463 

 



Once you're done eating, it's time to go for an adventure! There's an adventure like no other at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center in Olympia Fields. Personally, I am afraid of heights and I thought it was going to be a problem when I climbed 30 feet to walk on top of Irons Oaks' new High Ropes course. However, the staff and safe equipment helped me overcome this obstacle and learn so much more about myself. Everything learned on the High Ropes Course at Irons Oaks can provide a new sense of confidence for student groups to overcome bullying. Church groups will literally take a leap of faith from beam to beam. It will be beneficial for any company trying to figure out how to encourage better teamwork.

As you'll hear from John in the video below, numerous groups can testify to learning all the above as Irons Oaks has approximately 40,000 visitors, which includes little kids up to corporate bigwigs. The staff at Irons Oaks has learned throughout the years that "working together and working on team building, collaboration and cooperation makes people better individuals, makes for a better office to work in and makes for a happier environment." If you want to be a better individual or work in a happier work environment, then you should travel...preferably to Irons Oaks in Chicago Southland.

 

 

 

 

 Irons Oaks 20000 South Western Avenue, Olympia Fields, IL 60461

Maybe to you, travel is escaping everything and taking a swing at life. At Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood, you can do just that. Golfers know the feeling of hitting that one amazing shot that makes you keep coming back time after time. Golfing can be addictive that way. Ravisloe Country Club with its small, elevated, undulating green complexes, which are surrounded by pot bunkers. It is short but demanding: a real shot-makers golf course. From the stunning architecture of the clubhouse to the beauty of the sprawling tree line grounds, Ravisloe Country Club is truly majestic. The course has the Donald Ross influence, courtesy of a 1917-1919 Ross renovation, and an ambitious 2001 David Esler restoration consistent with Ross principles.

As you can see in the video below with Ravisloe Country Club Head Golf Professional Mike Hainline, most golf events and tournaments being held at Ravisloe Country Club bring many visitors from surrounding states. "Our success is also dependent on bringing visitors to the Chicago Southland," explains Hainline.

 

 

 

 

  Ravisloe Country Club 18231 South Park Avenue, Homewood, IL 60430

As you heard in the Ravisloe Country Club video, "La Banque is a perfect getaway for the bridal party to relax before the big day." Enjoy a Weekend Getaway at La Banque Boutique Hotel in Homewood, IL. This is Chicago Southland's first boutique hotel. La Banque will breathe new life into a Homewood landmark building located at the corner of Ridge Road and Martin Avenue, which had been occupied by Great Lakes Bank since 1925. The unique hotel experience will begin at the reception desk set in the majestic bank lobby, and follow through to the guest rooms, which will be appointed with high-end furniture and fine linens. You'll feel like a million bucks drinking at their bar. The unique feature wall has the safety lock deposits from the old bank holding up the high-end alcohol to enjoy your delicious drink. The focal point of the restaurant will be one of the bank's vaults. A massive pneumatic door, inspected and signed by the legendary former FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover, secures the vault.

 

Listen to Dr. Claude Gendreau explain how this unique hotel experience is a tranquil oasis including French inspired Bistro, La Voute (when translated from French means "The Vault"). La Banque opens June 2015. This upscale retreat, staffed by individuals committed to serving you, conveys a sense of history and hospitality. They will make certain you are happy you took a weekend getaway in Chicago Southland. 

 

 

 

 

 La Banque Hotel 2034 Ridge Road, Homewood, IL 60430

Are you traveling to Chicago Southland this summer? Don't forget to take pictures and tag them with #ChicagoSouthland. We might post them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.