Celebrate The King with Elvis trips

Elvis has left the building

If you’re one who knows all the words to Love Me Tender or Blue Suede Shoes, you probably know that 80 years ago this month Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss. In honour of this milestone, Cheapflights has compiled a Top 10 Elvis Tribute Destinations where fans can celebrate the man.

You may already have made your pilgrimage to Graceland, the huge estate bought by the singer in 1957. It’s now a museum where the faithful can see such items as the TV set Elvis shot after watching something that annoyed him. It is here that Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977 and where he is buried.

But there are other destinations with an Elvis connection. Porthcawl, Wales, for example, boasts that it is home to the largest Elvis impersonator convention in the world. The Porthcawl Elvis Festival is held every September.

Hawaii is where the King made three films and it was Elvis who famously proclaimed ‘Viva Las Vegas!’. See cheapflights.ca/news/ top-10-elvis-tribute-destinations.

Happening portland

Make your way to Portland this winter for specials available to visitors during the Portland Is Happening Now campaign. It highlights the city’s tax-free shopping, craft breweries, restaurants, specialty shops and Portland Dining Month.

There is also free stuff to be had. For example, when you book a hotel stay for travel through March 31 on TravelPortland.com, you’ll receive access to a downloadable coupon pack. It’s brimming with over 85 coupons valued at more than $1,000. The deals are good through Dec. 31.

Portland Dining Month throughout March offers dining deals.

This year it will feature more than 100 restaurants offering three-course dinners for $29 US every day of the week. Restaurants include such establishments as Paley’s Place and Higgins Restaurant alongside some of the newer places like Smallwares and Ned Ludd. SeeTravelPortland.com/diningmonth.

Barbara Braidwood and Rick Cropp (rickandbarbara@telus.net) are Vancouver-based writers.