Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

For more than a century, the city of Philadelphia has been home to a number of prominent African-American artists who received academic training and created visual works of all media, contributing to the artistic and intellectual life of the city. Establishments like the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, art schools like Moore College of Art and Design and Tyler School of Art at Temple University and venues like Sande Webster Gallery and ArtJaz Gallery have provided important channels for the career development of African-American artists in Philadelphia. While the African-American art scene has blossomed and waned to varying degrees

• The second largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States, with a population of 1.4 million in Philadelphia and 3.9 million people residing in the five-county region.
• Thanks to founder William Penn, Philadelphia’s Center City follows an easy-to-navigate grid street design. The best ways to get around Center City are by foot, taxi or public transportation. The city’s lush and historic countryside is home to many areas of interest, including Valley Forge National Historical Park, Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum, the King of Prussia Mall, Chaddsford Winery and more. The farthest

Today, short getaways, in the form of weekend retreats and day trips, are more popular than ever. Philadelphia day spas and salons are on top of the trend, offering clients a variety of luxurious customized services designed to refresh both body and spirit, from a couple’s massage to hot-stone therapy and deep-tissue reflexology. The region is home to dozens of day spas and salons offering the latest in body treatments, relaxation therapy and beauty services. Here’s a sampling:

Spa/Salons:

• Adolf Biecker Spa/Salon, located in The Rittenhouse Hotel, offers a full menu of services and packages like “The Energizer,” an

Pet lovers are crazy about their animal companions and spend more than $40 billion a year in the U.S. on pet services and accoutrements to prove it. For those who love to spoil their pet but hate to leave him behind while traveling, the Philadelphia region proves to be the “purr-fect” getaway. Pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and retail shops welcome visitors and their animal companions in all sections of the city and its suburbs. From canine-friendly parks to Very Important Pet (VIP) hotel programs, the Philadelphia region makes it easy for visitors to bring their furry friends along for the ride.

Families heading to the nation’s birthplace this summer will have plenty of time to explore the city thanks to the new Historic Philadelphia Hotel Package, offering a great hotel rate, free parking and tickets to various attractions, at five area hotels. Here are the details:

PACKAGE AVAILABILITY DATES: Available any day of the week through September 7, 2009

HOTEL PACKAGE ELEMENTS:

• Two-night accommodations
• Free hotel parking for both nights
• Two tickets to the Betsy Ross House
• Two tickets to the Lights of Liberty Show
• Two tickets for Philly-themed miniature golf in Franklin Square
• 50% discount on two tickets to 1776:

Wide-angle Panoramas With Skyline In Background:

• South Street Bridge: Skyline view from west, over the Schuylkill River. As of April 2008, parts of the bridge are under construction and access could be tricky.
• Penn Tower Hotel (roof, 22 stories high): Close to Schuylkill River, skyline view from west. 33^rd Street & Civic Center Boulevard, (215) 898-0405 (Request official permission well in advance of shoot.)
• University of Pennsylvania High Rise Residences (roof or glass-walled penthouse lounges, 26 stories high): East-facing view overlooking the center of University of Pennsylvania campus with sight lines through to Center City; unobscured view from

CAMPAIGN NAME: With Love, Philadelphia XOXO™

CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW: Launching May 2009, With Love, Philadelphia XOXO™ is part of GPTMC’s 2009 recessionary strategy to boost leisure visitation and overnight hotel stays in Philadelphia. It appeals to many different audiences through various letters addressed to travelers. Penned by the city itself, the letters let a bit of Philly “atty-tude” through while extending the invitation to visit.

FUNDING: In fall 2008, the mayor of Philadelphia and City Council approved a 1.2% increase in hotel tax on Philadelphia County hotel rooms to be shared among GPTMC, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and the

Name: Joan Shepp
Affiliation: Joan Shepp
Her Story: In 1971, the doyenne of Philadelphia vogue founded her eponymous shop with $100 and the credo: “Fashion is supposed to be fun.” In 1999, Shepp, who now works alongside daughter Ellen Shepp, moved the business from Philly’s burbs to a soaring, 22-foot-ceiling industrial-gallery-salon a block from Rittenhouse Square. Today, Joan Shepp the store proffers the conceptual fashion fruits of exclusive relationships with major international designers (Balenciaga, Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens, Ann Demeulemeester), “it” looks from Christian Louboutin, Marni, D&G and an ever-changing collection of prêt-a-porter garments, shoes and accessories from la mode’s

In summer 2009, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) debuted a new twist on its African-American tourism marketing campaign. The initiative focuses on expanding the destination’s current visitor base by attracting a new group of African-American travelers who are younger, technologically savvy and driven to an urban destination based on its contemporary cultural offerings, vibrant nightlife scene and overall buzz factor.

Helping to shape the campaign is the Philly 360˚™ Coalition—a name that reflects the group’s commitment to giving potential visitors a 360˚ view of the city’s modern and historic tourism offerings. Here is a look at the African-American

Like so many larger-than-life figures, Galileo Galilei (February 15, 1564-January 8, 1642) made it to the top of his field through a combination of hard work and a connection to people in powerful places, specifically the Medici family.

Galileo’s parents, Giulia Ammannati and Vincenzo Galilei, a respected music teacher who conducted experiments on lute strings to support his musical theories, sent their son away from home in Florence at age 10 to study with a tutor in preparation for further education at the Camaldolese Monastery. Vincenzo wanted Galileo to become a physician, but he was intrigued by the monks and

Philadelphia is committed to the environment, as evidenced by Mayor Michael Nutter’s appointment of a director of sustainability in 2008. The position develops, implements and oversees the city’s environmental policies and initiatives to deliver the mayor’s promise to make Philadelphia the greenest city in America. The new position is just one of the latest efforts that shows the city’s commitment to reducing the region’s environmental impact.

In another pioneering venture for the city, the Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) will launch the second year of its initiative to encourage more eco-friendly practices during film production. The 2009 theme, Greener S.E.T.S.

Visitors to Philadelphia and The Countryside® can pick from dozens of special hotel packages on gophila.com, but the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package remains a fan favorite. Available year round at more than 30 hotels in the city and region, the offer comes with free hotel parking and a brand-new incentive for travelers. As part of the Love tourism campaign, 100 lucky hotel package buyers who redeem their stay before March 16, 2009 will be randomly named “Philly Guest of the Day” and receive any number of prizes at check-in. Here are the package details:

PACKAGE AVAILABILTY DATES: Check in

One hundred years ago, Philadelphia was known as the greatest brewing city in the Western Hemisphere or the “Cradle of American Libation,” according to Craig LaBan of The Philadelphia Inquirer. In fact, it was in Philadelphia taverns that the American Revolution took hold. Today, area microbreweries are reclaiming the region’s reputation by brewing some of the world’s best beer. Visitors can tour the facilities and sample the beer at most of these spots, and increasingly, local pubs are specializing in serving locally made brews.

In the mid-19^th through the early-20^th centuries, more than 90 breweries operated in Philadelphia

Name: Don Russell, also known as “Joe Sixpack”
Affiliation: Philadelphia Daily News
His Story: In the 12 years that reporter Don Russell has written a weekly beer column for the Philadelphia Daily News, he has fashioned himself into an internationally sought-after figure in the beer world and has raised the profile of Philadelphia’s beer scene in the process. As one of the few full-time beer writers in the United States, Russell’s writing has elevated the level of knowledge and expectation among his local readers, and his Web site, joesixpack.net, has exposed a global audience to the depth and variety of

When Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy makes its once-in-a-lifetime journey from Florence to Philadelphia for an exclusive world appearance at The Franklin Institute Science Museum, April 4 through September 7, 2009, the exhibition won’t be the only thing the sister cities have in common. The two river-side towns share similarities in geography, history, cuisine, culture and more. In fact, the close Philly-Florence connection was first established in 1964 by Sister Cities International, a creation of the Eisenhower administration. Here’s a look at just how much alike the two cities are:

Food:

• Mangia Mondo: A city of

The towns of the Philadelphia countryside are serious about food, and that means great eating on any budget. Chic lounges, elegant restaurants and casual pubs in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties provide a sophisticated day or evening on the town that’s just a short drive from Center City Philadelphia. And when the weather is favorable, foodies can enjoy the fresh air, as many of the region’s restaurants include outdoor seating. Here are just a few suggestions for high-, moderate- and low-priced dining:

Money-Is-No-Object Options ($40 per person and up):

• A bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) establishment set in a charming West

Bed and breakfasts have been popular in the towns of the Philadelphia countryside since George Washington first trekked to Valley Forge. With more than 100 area B&Bs from which to choose, all conveniently located close to top area attractions, restaurants and nightlife, the region’s tradition of personalized hospitality offers a world of options.

Bucks County:

• Doylestown Inn – Just steps from quaint downtown Doylestown, this elegant inn has welcomed local celebs, including Pearl S. Buck and Oscar Hammerstein. Free off-site continental breakfast, high-speed Internet and concierge service are among the amenities. Ask about the fireplace suites. 18 W. State

Here in Philly, cheesesteaks are a civic icon, a tourist draw and a cultural obsession. Often imitated around the world, the cheesesteak is rarely duplicated successfully outside of Philadelphia. So what is an authentic cheesesteak and where did it come from? Here’s the lowdown on this region’s favorite sandwich.

What Is A Cheesesteak?:
A cheesesteak is a long, crusty roll filled with thinly sliced sautéed ribeye beef and melted cheese. Generally, the cheese of choice is Cheez Whiz, but American and provolone are common substitutions. The art of cheesesteak preparation lies in the balance of flavors, textures and what

Population:
There are 3.9 million people residing in the five-county region (7.75 million in the Philadelphia Designated Market Area), making Philadelphia the second largest city on the East Coast and the sixth largest in the U.S.

Location:
Philadelphia is a two-hour drive from New York City, two-and-a-half hours from Washington, DC and 45 minutes from Atlantic City, with convenient access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-76, I-95 and the New Jersey Turnpike. 25% of the United States population lives within 350 miles of Center City Philadelphia.

The city is a 90-minute flight or a one-day drive from Toronto (880

Southeastern Pennsylvania is continuing to emerge as a major force in the nation’s wine industry. As wineries usher in major changes that promise to significantly enhance their visitors’ experience, Pennsylvania wines as a whole are continuing to make steady gains in quality, quantity and recognition. Over the past eight years, the number of the state’s wineries has doubled, increasing from around 60 in 2000 to 120 today. And, by winning top awards at the prestigious San Francisco and Los Angeles County Fair Competitions and international critics’ tasting challenges, Pennsylvania vintners have proven they can craft worthy wines.

The Philadelphia countryside