I recently had the opportunity to attend MLT University held at the River Centre in St. Paul Minn.

My course of study at the U included more than 40 sessions taught by destination experts.

Each class was packed full with in-depth destination information, sightseeing options and updated property information.

This year’s MLT University line-up of classes included every major leisure travel destination throughout the U.S., including Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

My elective classes included learning more about the Romance Honeymoons and Destination Wedding packages offered by Delta Vacations and Continental Airlines

Vacations between these two carriers one can fly to most of the world’s most popular vacation spots and take advantage of some great prices and extra value added packaged getaways.

The resounding theme in all sessions was “now is the time to travel!” Many of the suppliers compared their current rates to price ranges that date back to the 1990s.

The capstone educational event was a tradeshow where I had to meet with over 200 hotel and destination partners and discuss their 2010 vacation offerings.

I’d be glad to share my knowledge about what’s new for 2010. Send an email to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com or call 740-550-9540.

The Travel Professor wasn’t stuck in the classroom all the time. I did manage to explore a little of Minnesota’s capital city.

The local bus system made it a breeze to travel around this splendid location.

For just $6 you can enjoy an entire day of touring with the Day Pass.

It’s good for unlimited rides on any Metro Transit bus or light-rail train (not valid on Northstar). Route 54 whisks you from the Mall of America to the heart of St. Paul and vice versa.

I was told by some locals that Saint Paul is the City of Neighborhoods. Officially the city has 17 official district councils which give residents a say in decisions affecting their communities but it also has a smaller number of neighborhoods that have become their own entities.

Each neighborhood has its own unique feel with a neighborhood grocery store or popular pub or well known spot for a burger, or pizza or walleye.

In my excursions I managed to check out (and you should too) the West Seventh (W7) and Summit Avenue neighborhoods. Vibrant, alive and incredible would be and are my descriptions of these journeys.

W7 is a mesh of the old and new. With the historic Mancini’s Steakhouse as an anchor it holds true to its Saint Paul roots while opening itself up to new developments.

It’s got everything you could ask for in one stretch including grocery stores, fantastic restaurants, liquor stores, fast food and easy access to major highways.

A don’t miss trip is Summit Avenue. This street boasts the longest stretch of Victorian houses in the United States.

It runs from the Mississippi River to the Saint Paul Cathedral and includes two colleges, a law school, the Governor’s mansion, several haunted houses, places of worship for several denominations and a few eclectic dining options.

The Travel Professor has already selected the dates for his next group venture back to the Twin Cities region. It’s going to be Oct. 29 through 31, 2010.

You can plan on watching Ohio State versus the Golden Gophers of Minnesota football game, shopping at the Mall of America plus an in depth tour of St. Paul Minn.

For more information contact the St Paul Visitors and Convention Authority (www.stpaulcvb.org) at 800-627-6101.

Be kind to your travel agent! Get out of town!