{#FestiveFriday} #Photo Highlights from the @TropicanaAC Tropicana #AtlanticCity #Casino Holiday Tree Lighting

Tropicana Atlantic City Casino 2015 Holiday Tree Lighting

If like me you share a penchant for 'pulse-pounding' gaming/Casino action, then a visit to Atlantic City is definitely for you. I have been visiting there for a VERY long time and I enjoy visiting Atlantic City for the holidays, each Casino has it's own unique way of decorating for the Holidays and this year I got the chance to attend the annual Tropicana Atlantic City Casino Holiday Tree Lighting as Press. (You may remember I featured Tropicana's Holiday Tree in 2013 and Google Plus did it's 'auto awesome' magic to my shot of the tree and I made it my first photo in the post, you can see that post and photo HERE).

I arrived a bit before the official kick off and got a chance to take a peek at the Casino Floor and hit some new Slot machines I hadn't tried before like Britney Spears, Batman, The Walking Dead and The Big Bang Theory and enjoy the 25-foot Poinsettia Tree located in the Palm Walk!

If you haven't visited in awhile, Tropicana underwent a $50 million renovation which includes a Multimedia Light and Sound Show, the addition of AltantiCare LifeCenter Fitness and  (NEEDED) renovations to its North Tower Hotel Rooms and Casino.

The 25-foot Poinsettia Tree is just one of the trees you will find at Tropicana, and here are the highlights of the Tree Lighting Ceremony:

Above: As you can see The Quarter at Tropicana was all abuzz in anticipation of the lighting!

Above: Tropicana General Manager, Steve Callender

Above: Mayor Don Guardian

Above: Tropicana General Manager Steve Callender, Mayor Don Guardian and the big guy - Santa Claus light the Holiday Tree!

Above: Tropicana's Holiday Tree all lit up and pretty!

Above: I just had to nab a shot of Santa laughing! He gave goodies to some of the children that were in the crowd!

Above: We were treated to a delightful medley of Christmas Carols, the performers are from the Tropicana Holiday Magic Show (which I have some photo highlights from as well!)

Above: All that Christmas Goodness really helped us Press work up an appetite, thankfully Tropicana had just the right idea, lunch for Press at Broadway Burger Bar in The Quarter! Salad, Sliders, and beverages of choice - my choice was prosecco of course! The Broadway Burger Bar has a great deal for a meal and imax movie, date night anyone?

Above: After lunch we hit 10 North Lounge on the Casino Floor for drinks before the show.

Above: Need a break from the action on the Casino Floor? Hit up 10 North Lounge for a 'Hazelnut Hot Chocolate' - what's in it? I am so glad you asked:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nutella

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Frangelico

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brandy

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Topped with Whipped Cream and Chocolate Straw and Shavings for garnish!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better than this, they brought out:

Above: Option 2 'Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate' 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Caramel Baileys

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Topped with Whipped Cream, Caramel and Sea Salt

Served with an assortment of cookies and biscotti.

These were both delicious, but the standout for everyone was the second option. I was actually surprised I liked the second one so much as I am actually not a Caramel fan, but I am a Baileys Fan and this was warm and delish. In all fairness what didn't resonate with folks about the first spiked hot chocolate was the brandy. I am a Brandy Lover, but I only like Remy Martin, I want to try to make this one myself using Remy for the Brandy and see if I taste a difference. Hot Chocolate and Nutella Goodness, they just needed the right Brandy! 

Above: View of the Gaming Floor from 10 North Lounge.

I will definitely go back to 10 North Lounge when I visit again, it's a great place to unwind and get off the Casino floor for a moment. Or if like me and my friends and family if you all go in different directions this is a great place to meet up before dinner or before the Holiday Magic Show!

Above: Dancers twirling at Tropicana Holiday Magic Show

Above: Remember the singers that sang during the tree lighting ceremony - here they are!

Above: I need to add that I was off center and there is no flash photography during the show. So I was taking these with a DSLR with no Flash and trying capture performers in motion - I'm pretty pleased with myself! :)

Above: I did say this was a Magic Show!

Above: Ta-Daa!

Above: And then Presto-Chango!

Above: Check out the leg action - with NO Flash - can you tell I am still quite pleased with myself?

Above: Great singing and dancing!

Above: Beautiful Aerial Performance!

Above: I wish I could do this! (My watermark gets cut off with this photo on extra large, but it's worth it!)

I got WAY more shots, just didn't want to give it all away! :)

Above: Back to the Magic!

Above: How do they do that?

Above: Here is where I admit I haven't put up my tree yet! Maybe I will just hang these photos on my wall! LOL

Above: Notice the elf in the audience?

Above: Let it Snow!

Above: Dancing Snowmen!

Above: Dancing Reindeer!

Above: Singing, Dancing, Magic and Fantasy, what's not to love?

Above: Santa came out into the audience and brought this little audience member some holiday magic!

MY TAKE:

Atlantic City has always been one of my favorite weekend getaway destinations, I didn't get nearly as much time as I wanted to explore all the changes at Tropicana so I think another trip up there is in order! I enjoy their Holiday Tree Lighting and they really have become a one stop shop, with an imax theatre, comedy club, 2 pools, spa, great restaurants from casual to fine dining, bars, shops and so much more! You really don't have to leave the building, well only to watch the outdoor light show! This was a great way to kick off the holiday season and I couldn't recommend it enough! Don't miss the Holiday Musical Light Show in The Quarter at Tropicana Atlantic City Casino!

Readers Sound Off: Have you seen the changes at Tropicana Atlantic City? What is your favorite Casino and why?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated Post, and all opinions are 100% my own! The tree lighting was open to the public, lunch and tickets to the Holiday Magic Show were provided for Editorial Consideration. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Find out how my #Travel Wanderlust could mean a trip to #Paris for YOU! #trafalgarinsider

This post is sponsored by:

I have battled both Snowmageddon 2015 and the Flu this brutal winter here in the North East and the only thing they have both stirred up in me is my never-ending battle with Travel Wander Lust! I want to escape, and I want to escape BAD! Having worked in the airline industry in the past my passion for travel has never waned.

With my birthday coming up in April I really want to go big, but quite frankly I'm not sure I am up for the planning involved in an Epic adventure you know - that 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip that you never forget! (My first trip to Vegas was one of those Epic trips that's for sure! Thankfully what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!) The only thing I'm sure of at this point is that I want it to be an international trip, Europe, Asia or somewhere Down Under are my top choices right now.

While stuck at home with the flu I have done some preliminary research, and come across some real contenders both in terms of destination AND who should plan it - with the same attention to detail that I would if I did it myself.  One of the forerunners is a family owned company who is one of the innovators in "Insider Experiences' - allowing travelers to dine with locals in their homes and more! I have always been an 'off-the-beaten-path' type of traveler, and like me, the folks at Trafalgar share a passion for all things travel.

I need a personal travel director/concierge for this upcoming birthday trip and with Trafalgar they arrange for every detail - think luxury coach transportation, hand-picked four-star accommodations, all baggage, hotel and restaurant gratuties! Now that's what I'm talking about!

I personally was snowed in with the Flu on Valentine's Day, but my research for one thing (my upcoming birthday trip) led to another that I just couldn't keep to myself and just had to share! How does an eight-night romantic trip to France - you know THE CITY OF LOVE - sound to you?

Photo Credit: Mayors & Cities - The Worldwide Municipalities Magazine

Not yet sold? The Wonderful France Trip Includes:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visiting famous landmarks including: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Palace of Versailles

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - St. Tropez and Monaco - the playground of the rich and famous

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pristine Cote d'Azur Coastline

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Trafalgar unique insider experiences including a Be My Guest dinner in Provence cooked in a wood-fired oven in a family run restaurant

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit the world-renowned vineyards of Cote du Rhone and Burgundy Wine Regions

But HURRY! The contest runs until February 26th, that is also the deadline date for the Early Payment Discount allowing couples to save up to $1,200 on trips to Europe! Enter HERE for the contest, and if you can't wait to find out if you won and want to lock in that discount, call Trafalgar Travel Experts at 866-544-4434!

MY TAKE: 

You know just how much brands that give back mean to me and I am happy to share that Trafalgar is a founder and active supporter of The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit that works to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and well preserved, TreadRight has donated $2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide!

If you are like me and like to 'lurk' a bit and get to know a brand before you commit, you can hang out with Trafalgar on Facebook and Twitter! And as a blogger I am literally bursting at the seams to share that if you fill out the form HERE and share your best photo taken during a Trafalgar Vacation, they will PAY YOU for it! And it is easy as one, two, three - (1) Enter your Details, (2) Upload your images and (3) Submit, note they will only accept hi-res images 710 x 710 pixels or larger!

Where is your next adventure? Where would you like Trafalgar to help you plan an epic adventure for? Did you enter the Wonderful France Competition Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Want to spend more time enjoying your vacation than you do planning it? Want to win $1,000 USD? #TravelOnUs

Take it from someone who used to work for an airline, at one time travel was my living, I assisted key agencies in their vacation bookings for a major airline, and let me tell you when it comes to Travel you want to shop smarter and not harder.

I had to live and breathe air fares and hotel rates for top resorts, this was a bit before the dot-com boom turned anyone with a computer into a travel agent, and agencies relied very heavily on our team to get them the best fares possible.

Being on the inside helped me to become a much savvier consumer when it came time to book my own flights and vacations. The one thing that ruled then, still very much applies now: bundles are cheaper. Booking your air and hotel together is not only a time saver, but when done right, it's also a tremendous money saver also. With entertainment being super expensive these days, it is invaluable to me to be able to save money when booking my vacation so I'll have some money to spend on the things that matter while on vacation, eating out, tickets and entertainment, museums, ground and local travel at my destination and hopefully a little ching ching for some shopping too! (and depending on my destination a little 'pulse-pounding' gaming fun!)

One site I have frequented since its inception is Expedia. Did you know that their parent company owns upwards of 140 dot-com travel sites? I won't list them all here (it's actually a top result if you google them), and with that many travel sites under their umbrella, they are serious about getting their customers the best possible fare!

What are the advantages of booking your trip online (like with Expedia) vs an agency? One of the top ones butterflies is accountability. And I can tell you first hand after having trips go wrong that I booked with agencies, it's hard to get them on the phone after their business hours end in their time zone. Expedia will assist you if you run into a problem. They offer 24 hour Customer Support. They also offer a Best Price Guarantee (which I have yet to receive via a traditional brick and mortar agency). And if that wasn't enough to sway you, you can also download their Fare Alert tool which will email YOU about the prices of flight destinations you are tracking. That's a great tool not only for business travelers who tend to frequent the same cities, but destination and resort travelers who also like to regularly visit a particular location.

Letting Expedia do the leg work for you to find fares and hotel deals or a bundle that does BOTH in one shot, is not only smart, it's a time saver. (With those minutes you save, you could start packing!)

GREAT GIVEAWAY ALERT:

Expedia has partnered with Savings.com to host a giveaway where Three (3) winners will each receive $1,000 Visa Gift Cards! You can enter the giveaway by heading to the Expedia Page on Savings.com and submitting your email address on the form at the top of the page! But ACT FAST dear butterfly as this giveaway runs from Tuesday, July 15th (TODAY) at 9:00 AM ET to Thursday, July 17th at 9:00 PM ET. Winners will be chosen via a Lottery drawing on Friday 07/18/14 and will be notified via the email address they used to enter!

TWITTER PARTY ALERT:

You know just how much #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ loves her twitter parties right? Well there is going to be a Twitter Party using the hashtag #TravelOnUs on Wednesday, July 16th at 1:00 PM ET with THREE (3) $100 Visa Gift Card Prizes! RSVP HERE! - Just note butterflies, I am neither a host or co-host for this party so please direct questions directly to the hosts. I, like you will be there for the great conversation, because when it comes to combining my two passions travel and twitter, I'm in it to WIN it! Feel free to tweet me a hello, I'll be tweeting from my personal handle @Tracy_Iglesias and will only use the @Ascending1 handle if I get thrown in twitter jail for oversharing!

MY TAKE:

I love that Expedia offers 24/7 Customer Service Support! I learned the hard way on the very last trip I ever booked via an agency that accountability and being able to reach an actual human being is important. I booked an international trip (pre-Expedia of course!) via a Brick and Mortar Travel Agency and when I arrived at my Resort there was confusion about my confirmed room type and even my printed itinerary from the Agency wasn't enough to solve the problem. The hotel manager wasn't helpful and when I got back the agency attitude was 'well did you get a room?, then everything is OK right?' - UM NO!!!!

Take it from an airline industry insider, leave the fare finding to a pro, in this case Expedia and have more time to sit back, relax and enjoy the view. They say it's not the destination but it's the journey right? Well as for me, I want that journey to be smooth and that destination to be five star!

If you win that $1,000 Visa Giftcard, where will you travel to Butterfly?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Savings.com. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup Atlantic City 2014 #DOACsand

Follow all the Sand Scupting action using the hashtag #DOACsand via twitter

I hope all my butterflies are having a fantastic Fourth of July holiday weekend! I trust all things 'B' are being enjoyed this weekend, Beach and BBQ - what did you think I meant? LOL (and maybe another good 'B', Beer!)

This post is a continuation of my Atlantic City Sampling Experience via Crowdtap! (Check out the first post HERE) I told you Atlantic City has a ton of things to see and do, it's just as family friendly as it is a place for singles like me, one of the activities on my itinerary was the DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup in Atlantic City.

I took so many hi-res photos I was afraid to break my server so I created a slideshow of the amazing sand sculptures, I even got to meet a few of the sculptors which was pretty neat!

I used Flickr to create this slideshow, but if the slideshow moves too fast for your taste you can check out each photo individually in two places: Flickr - DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup 2014 as well as on our Pinterest Travel Board (I may create a unique board for these on Pinterest in addition to throwing them into travel, once I do I will come back and update this post with the direct URL).

Which is your Favorite Sand Sculpture in the Slideshow Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure:  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Crowdtap and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. This post is a continuation of the Atlantic City Sampling Experience offered to select Crowdtap members.

Whether you chose to #DOAC by day or enjoy #DOACNightlife, you can't go wrong at #AtlanticCity this summer!

#DOACNightlife Bus

I have spent a lot of time the last two weeks visiting one of my favorite places, Atlantic City. Both by night, on an Atlantic City bound Party Bus enjoying the City's Nightlife, and then again by day, exploring great eats, the boardwalk, beach, casinos, pools and more!

And of course when I find something I love I just have to share it!

My visits out there were actually so extensive I am going to split this into multiple posts, and the pictures that didn't make this post you will be able to find on our Pinterest Page on our 'Travel' Pinterest Board. I was trying to make separate boards for each place I visit, but I think it's easier to drop them all in Travel and then just label where each picture was taken!

DJ Nigel Richards keeps tunes & fun flowing on the AC Party Bus!

I boarded the Party Bus above a bit skeptical about how fun Atlantic City Nightlife would be on a Monday night, and I can tell you they don't call it a 'party bus' for nothing my friends, we actually had not one, but three DJ's on board (I would say four technically, but no one knew they had #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ on board and I kept that one to myself!), and the 45-foot 'Nightclub-on-Wheels' provided us a curated experience,our own bartender, and a guide to keep the group organized and show us around the city.

Steve kept the Beverages coming! :)

Below: The bus can carry up to 30 passengers and we definitely had a full house and a great atmosphere!

Below: Our first stop was the Hard Rock at Taj Mahal in Atlantic City to have some drinks and a bite to eat!

The picture above was actually taken during my day trip the following week (just thought you'd like to see it from the outside)

Below: Here are some more photos taken at The Hard Rock in Atlantic City:

Above: Couldn't resist getting a shot of this fun neon sign which reads: No Drugs or Nuclear Weapons Allowed Inside

Below: I always like to remind folks, to 'look up', here is the view up above our heads, it reads "Love All Serve All"

Below: Check out the cool guitar above the bar:

Below: Keith Richards Memorabilia at The Hard Rock Atlantic City

Below: Loved the look of the cool stained glass:

We also got to visit the popular night spot Mur Mur at Borgata! But before our group had to depart we had to leave our mark:

I got to return for what was supposed to be an overnight trip, there was a few of us up there and we were assigned to different Casinos, we got Trump Plaza, and I extended my trip and added on a night at Tropicana Hotel and Casino!

On the way to Trump Plaza on the Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Below: View from our room's window:

Below: After getting settled, it was off on a private jitney as a cocktail reception at the Pool awaited us at Golden Nugget Atlantic City:

Above: Trying to re-create the magic of my shot from 2012, not bad right? This is the view when you look up while sitting poolside, pretty sweet right?

Above: Look up! Check out the chandeliers in the lobby while on my way up the escalator!

Above: The H2O Bar, Poolside at Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Above: DO AC welcomes bloggers

Above: Crowdtap welcomes bloggers

Above: The Ascending Butterfly Editorial Team enjoying the View at the Cocktail Reception at Golden Nugget Atlantic City!

Above: I snapped this shot while I was seated, look at the cool reflection in the clouds of this shot (see the people's reflection on the upper right? And a Way to Go to Golden Nugget, that's how clear the glass I was sitting behind actually was!)

My Take:

I had an amazing time on both the DO AC Nightlife Party Bus and my CrowdTap Atlantic City Experience Sampling, so much so that I extended my stay and stayed at Trump Plaza courtesy of CrowdTap, then at Tropicana the next day on my own, there was so much to see and do both by day and by night! I have been visiting Atlantic City pretty much monthly since I turned 21 as there is always something to see and do and it's literally super easy to get there by bus from the City, it has always been one of my favorite 'staycation' destinations and one I always enjoy especially during Summer. If it's been awhile since you've been there, you should definitely check it out, and visit the Do Atlantic City website to check out events and happenings so you can  plan your trip!

There is so much more I got to see and do that I will have to recap this adventure in multiple posts, so consider this an overview, and know there is more to come!

What is your favorite Vacation Spot Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure:  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Crowdtap and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.