Vacations That Rock Initially, Elizabeth Duss was a little hesitant when her husband, Anthony told her about his special plans for their anniversary. "When my husband said that he was taking me away on a romantic weekend for our anniversary, I was thrilled, until he told me he was planning on taking me to Boise. But it was the best anniversary we ever could have had." Like tens of thousands of people nationally, Anthony had discovered the newest thing in getaway weekends?Event Based Travel.

"I looked at a lot of stuff, but since it had to fit in a weekend, most of the places that really appealed to my wife were either too far or too expensive." Said Anthony. "But then I found out her favorite band from high school?Journey?was on tour." "With the help of my travel agent, I found out that I could take her to a show only an hour away by plane much cheaper than I could take her to Jamaica.

And we had a great time. She got in her Concert babe wear, and just had a blast." More and more people are finding great values in planning vacations around events like concerts, sports, and comedy. "Comedy is my Favorite" Said Lisa Martin, of Valdosta, Ga.

, So when I planned my vacation, that was definitely a factor. I was able to go to Tampa, and in one long weekend, I saw Dave Atell, Tommy Blaze, and three other headliners, Which I never could have done month at home. Planning vacations around events you want to see has a couple of major advantages. First of all, it lets you have something really special as the centerpiece of your vacations. Second, because most acts tour nationally, you can choose destinations to meet you budget. "I love Classic Rock," Says Phil Kramer of Queens, New York, "But the worst seat in Madison Square Garden for some of these things runs $450! So for what I would have spent for three hours in MSG, I can get the tickets, hotel, dinner and drinks, so if I go to Philly, the wife and I can make a weekend of it.

" Another advantage of traveling to concerts is that in some "mega-markets" premium seats can be unattainable, or ridiculously priced. So by moving out of that market into a neutral one, you can get better seating, and do it for much less than a market like New York or Chicago. More and more, travel agents are finding that "centerpieces" offer them the opportunity entice clients that otherwise would not spend. "I love it," said Marion Gooding, of XTOURS travel "It lets people have the concert and the vacation in one." Though Marion does it a little differently. "Most of my clients are traveling for business, or with families, so I find out what's in that area while they are there?It's just a nice little extra we give them.

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By: Andrew Kress