TAKE THE TRAIN BETWEEN VEGAS AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Update April 30, 2011  It won't be long before luxury train travel will be in service between Las Vegas and Southern California.  A private company says it will have luxury and entertaining train travel in service by the end of 2011.  And the train service is being built by a private company without government and taxpayer money.  It's called the XTrain.  And now the company and The Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas say they have a deal to have the X Train operate using the rail station that is inside the Plaza.  The station used to be used by AMTRAK trains until AMTRAK abandoned passenger rail service.  The Plaza also says that it will be involved in marketing and ticket sales.

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. is the creator of the "X" Train, a passenger train that is planned to link Las Vegas to the Los Angeles area on existing railroad routes. When service is launched, which is expected later this year and in time for holiday travel, the "X" Train will offer Las Vegas-style entertainment en route, including a sports bar lounge and entertainment cars as well as a host of travel-related amenities including the ability book hotel rooms, tickets to popular shows and other entertainment activities.

"More than 12 million tourists drive the 300-mile trip between Los Angeles and Las Vegas each year, and with no alternatives other than buses and hassling with crowded airports and higher-cost air travel, we believe we have an opportunity to provide a service that will be a green, low-carbon, money-saving alternative," said Chairman and CEO Michael Barron. "We plan to use existing right-of-way and will be able to hit the rails with a minimum of new infrastructure and a minimum of cost."  Watch our video report below and go to www.VegasXtrain.com for more information.  For information about the Las Vegas Railway Express stock (XTRN) go to our "Vegas and Casino Stocks" page.

HACIENDA HOTEL AND CASINO

The Hacienda Hotel and Casino in Boulder City might be called a "Goldilocks resort" because it's not too big and it's not too small and it's just right.  The Hacienda is just twenty minutes from The Strip and it's just a few minutes from Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and river fun.  Keep in mind that the new bridge by Hoover Dam has now been completed.  The casino has slots and table games and caters to locals with a generous slot club comps and cash back.  So if you believe that the "locals" know the best place, then you have to check out The Hacienda.  Avoid the hustle and bustle and the crowds on The Strip and at the Hacienda you'll definitely not pay high prices.  It's a great getaway location especially if you want to relax.  Watch the video report below from our Vegas Best Buys TV Show.  Call the Hacienda at (800) 245-6380.

HOW TO GET SOMEONE OR SOME BUSINESS TO PAY FOR THE TRIP OF YOUR DREAMS

Yes, you can get someone or some business to pay for the trip of your dreams.  Travel public relations professional Jeff Blumenfeld tells how in his new book.  He tell about how one man received funding to climb a mountain in Antarctica and how a Denver schoolteacher got money to climb the tallest peaks in each state in record time, and then there's the crazed golfer who receives sponsorship for hitting a golf ball 1,319 miles across Mongolia.

Is it easy to get someone to pay for your dream trip? No, not at all. But Expedition News editor and travel public relations professional Jeff Blumenfeld explains how with the right idea and proper advance preparation, it is possible to raise thousands of dollars in cash and outdoor gear and apparel for worthy expeditions in his new book, You Want to Go Where?: How to Get Someone to Pay for the Trip of Your Dreams.  A section of the book even explains where there are thousands of dollars available in grants from sponsors such as W.L. Gore & Associates, Land Rover, National Geographic, Polartec, and Rolex.

Blumenfeld's book turns to experts to explain how to negotiate sponsorships, provides advice from a professional photographer about how to take photos that will thrill sponsors and encourage them to participate in the next adventure, and lists guide services ready to help aspiring adventurers obtain the outdoor skills they'll need to convince sponsors they have what it takes.  After reading this, the only remaining question will be “where do you want to go?”  The hardcover edition is $24.95 and is available at www.skyhorsepublishing.com.  Enter "Jeff Blumenfeld" in the "search box" for "author" to find the book on the web site.

MONTROSE TRAVEL FOR FULL SERVICE AND DEALS

I've been telling you about Montrose Travel for many, many years -- going back to when I brought you travel news and best buys on the KCAL-TV News.  Montrose continues to deliver the best for your money.  And these days they can get you the best possible deals on cruising with their relationship with Carnival Cruise Lines.  There are thousands of cruises available now and you can find them on the Montrose Travel web site www.MontroseTravel.com or call them at (800) MONTROSE.  If you want to stop in to Montrose Travel, visit them at 2349 Honolulu Avenue in Montrose.

Montrose Travel reports that some of the cruise deals for the Summer of 2009 are truly phenomenal with prices that haven't been this low in twenty years.  There are 7-day cruises through Alaska starting from $459 per person, and 7-day Caribbean cruises from $499 per person, and 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises from $459 a person.  These prices represent a savings of more than 70% and can mean expenses of less than $70 a day for your "hotel," onboard entertainment, and all of your meals.  Watch the video report below.