New Monument on the National Mall

A four-acre site on the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., located between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, pays tribute to an American who spoke memorably in the nation's capital about freedom and racial equality. The Martin Luther King Memorial stands 30 feet tall with two massive white granite halves called "The Mountain of Despair" and the "Stone of Hope," from which the sculpture of King emerges. A 450-foot wall is inscribed with 14 quotations from King's sermons, speeches, and writings. Atlanta green granite, Kenoran Sage granite from North America and granite from Asia served as the raw materials for the Chinese architect and his team to create the monument honoring the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace prize. Hurricane Irene delayed the official opening of the memorial to sometime later this fall, but you can take a virtual tour on www.mlkmemorial.org in the meantime.

>> Click Here for Washington, DC Meetings

Sonoma Wine Country Getaway

Even the drive to Sonoma County can be a pleasure as the Golden Gate Bridge crosses over the San Francisco Bay and heads into the hills. The scenery changes yet again as the trip gets you closer to the more than 190 wineries and rolling hills covered with grape vines.

>> Click Here for California Meetings

New York's Downtown
The place to be this fall and winter for a weekend getaway is New York City. Not only will you be supporting the city where the new 9/11 memorial was recently unveiled, it is also a city where spirit, energy and joy are evident everywhere. Lower Manhattan boasts a choice of hotels for a stay.

Exploring Berlin
This exciting city always has something new to offer travelers, from impressive art shows to great shopping and a lively night scene. The newest art event in town can be found at the beautifully restored Bode Museum.

>> Click Here for Germany Meetings

Twenty Manning Grill
The City of Brotherly Love loves to pamper its visitors with unexpected delights, and one of those is the lovely Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. This quiet enclave leads to a number of great restaurant finds, including one of the newer ones, Twenty Manning Grill. This classic bistro exudes charm and sophistication in a comfortable setting that begs diners to stay and relax with its varied menu. Start with a Caprese salad or the raw bar, move on to burgers—all varieties from tuna to bison—or try the daily special entrees. Charbroiled beef sirloin noodles are a house favorite in a restaurant that serves seasonal classic fare. Top it off with a berry cobbler or just relax with the great wine list in the pretty tin-roofed room (261 South 20th Street; 215-731-0900; www.twentymanninggrill.com).