TRAVERSE CITY, MI. – Oct. 23, 2004 – Once you’ve been to Traverse City, it’s easy to catch yourself daydreaming about it. Those sun-kissed beaches… those snow-dusted forest glades and picture-perfect golf courses… little port towns with their friendly inhabitants, cozy restaurants and quaint shops.

The people at the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau understand exactly how you feel. That’s why they’ve published the all-new 2005 Traverse City Area Guide -- 108 pages of sparkling prose, mouth-watering photography and lively articles designed to provide fast (if temporary) relief to victims of Traverse City Deprivation Syndrome.

For those who haven’t yet been exposed to the wonders of Traverse City, the 2005 Area Guide is a perfect introduction to this land of awe-inspiring views and romantic getaways, of pine-scented woods, crystalline lakes, snow-cloaked winters and crisp autumn weekends. Best of all, it’s absolutely free!

No mere tourist brochure, the Traverse City Area Guide is a handsome coffee-table magazine that features the work of some of the nation’s most gifted writers and photographers. You can explore the waters of the Grand Traverse region with Kurt Repanshek, who’s written for National Geographic Traveler, or wander through our little-known historical museums with Linda Tagliaferro, whose work has appeared in the New York Times. And be sure to read Harry Talvace’s story about marketing wizard Ray Dornbusch, one of the founders of Amazon.com, who traded a high-energy career in Seattle for an espresso machine in Traverse City.

"We’re extremely proud of this year’s Area Guide," says Bureau president Deborah Knudsen. "I think it’s one of our very best efforts to date."

Of course, even the most well-crafted magazine is only a pale substitute for an actual trip to Traverse City. Fortunately, the 2005 Traverse City Area Guide also contains lots of practical information to help visitors plan their vacations. There’s a detailed schedule of activities and events, a helpful lodging section that describes the area’s best hotels and resorts, and a mouth-watering guide to some of the region’s best restaurants.

For a free copy of the new 2005 Traverse City Area Guide, call the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-TRAVERS or visit us on-line at www.mytraversecity.com.

Public Information: 1-800-TRAVERS (1-800-872-8377)
Media Contact: Michael A. Norton
(800) 940-1120; (231) 947-1120, fax (231) 947-2621
mnorton@mytraversecity.com