Columbus replica ships 'Pinta" and 'Nina' to visit Brunswick and The Golden Isles

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.

He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.

A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.*

Replicas of two of Christopher Columbus' ships, the Pinta and the Nina, will dock in downtown Brunswick Thursday, April 22 beginning a three-day stay at Brunswick Landing Marina.

The two ships are touring together as a 'sailing museum' to educate the public on the 'caravel,' a Portuguese ship that was used by Columbus and many explorers to discover the world.

The 'Nina' was built completely by hand, without the use of power tools. Archaeology Magazine called it "the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built." It was used during production of the film, '1492' starring Gerard Depardieu and directed by Ridley Scott.

The 'Pinta' was built in Brazil to accompany the 'Nina' on her travels. She is a larger version of the typical caravel and offers larger deck space for walk-aboard tours. Below deck, a 900 square-foot main salon features a slide presentation highlighting the ships' construction.

While in port, the general public is invited to board the ships for self-guided tours. The ships will be open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission.

The Columbus replica ships are operated by the Columbus Foundation, Inc., based in the British Virgin Islands. For additional information, please visit them online.

*From the poem, "In 1492." Author unknown.

CVB offers smart options for savings-savvy tour operators

BRUNSWICK AND THE GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA – For savings and great group tour options, look no further than the Georgia coast. That's the message from Brunswick and The Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau, which encourages tour operators to bring their groups to Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia.

"For smart, savvy, savings-minded tour operators, there's never been a better time to visit Georgia. And some of the smartest places to visit are right here on our coast," the CVB advises in a new marketing campaign.

To encourage tour operators to consider Brunswick and The Golden Isles, the CVB has launched a "Name Your Rates and Dates" program for groups that book accommodations between now and March 2010. Participants are asked to contact the CVB with the size of their group and their desired rates and dates. They will receive information and offers from area hotels and resorts that match their specifications.

Brunswick and The Golden Isles – St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island – offer a great array of group-friendly recreational and cultural activities, fascinating historic sites and attractions, and a great selection of accommodations that range from convenient Interstate hotels to full-service island resorts and bed-and-breakfast inns.

Brunswick and The Golden Isles' convenient location – just minutes from I-95 at Georgia Exits 29, 26, 38 and 42, make it an ideal "hub and spoke" destination for day trips to other popular coastal Georgia attractions, from Savannah to St. Marys and the Okefenokee Swamp.

"Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia offer significant economic advantages for tour operators who seek fun and memorable activities for their groups," says Bill Tipton, CVB executive director. "Our sales team will gladly help you plan an itinerary that is custom-tailored to your groups' needs and interests, from golf outings to educational visits and special-interest tours."

Brunswick and The Golden Isles CVB offers a free Group Tour Planning Guide, which includes comprehensive information about area attractions and activities, dining options, accommodations and sample itineraries. To request a copy or for information about the "Name Your Rates and Dates" program, contact Brunswick and The Golden Isles CVB toll-free at 800-809-1790 or visit them online at ComeCoastAwhile.com. Or send an email to: info@ComeCoastAwhile.com

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Chinese interns visit Brunswick & The Golden Isles

The Brunswick-Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau recently hosted two visiting college students from Hong Kong. The students, Winnie Yin, 20, and Macy Au, 21, are completing a summer internship at the Georgia Dept. of Economic Development in Atlanta. They are part of a group of 20 Chinese students who worked in Atlanta this summer.

Winnie and Macy worked at the Tourism division, where they helped to develop new travel marketing materials for the Chinese market. Their tasks included translating the Brunswick-Golden Isles area brochure and other documents into Chinese.

“We are very excited to have their help in translating the brochure,” said Bill Tipton, executive director of the Brunswick-Golden Isles CVB. “Now we are able to offer area information in nine languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. We also are working with them to have our area video translated, which will expand that offering to nine languages as well.”

During their visit, Winnie and Macy enjoyed much of the best our area has to offer. Among their favorite activities were riding the Lady Jane shrimp boat, visiting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, climbing to the top of the St. Simons Lighthouse and going to the beach on St. Simons Island. They were “crazy for seafood,” and especially enjoyed our fresh shrimp.

“People in China know Atlanta, but they are not familiar with the Golden Isles,” Winnie said. “It is a very beautiful area and we enjoyed visiting.”

Caption: Bill Tipton, executive director of the Brunswick-Golden Isles CVB, greeted visiting Chinese interns Winnie Yin, center, and Macy Au. The students, who attend school in Hong Kong, have been working with the Georgia Dept. of Economic Development tourism division in Atlanta.