Travel Smarts is no stranger to the Loop. Several entries have mentioned this oldest downtown district of Chicago, but not a single one has covered the West Loop. And it’s a shame, too - the West Loop has a whole lot to see, experience and enjoy.

But now the Professor is here to rectify this injustice - along with the travesty of high hotel rates. Choose Orbitz for your reservations and land the guaranteed lowest rate every time. Plus, book with your Orbitz coupons and take an additional 10% off your stay.

With such a hefty discount, feel free to indulge in a vacation at some of the finest Chicago West Loop hotels:

• Crowne Plaza Hotel Chicago Metro - Stylish & classy suites with sweeping city views
• Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown - Top-value accommodations with plenty of luxurious extras
• W Chicago City Center - Pure modern elegance from top to bottom

But classy hotels aren’t the only upside to visiting this glamorous downtown neighborhood. The list of attractions stretches longer than the Magnificent Mile, but here’s just a few:

• Oprah’s Couch - Pay a visit to Harpo Studios
• City’s Hottest Restaurants - Choose from all sorts of fusion cuisine & ethnic fine dining
• House That Jordan Built - Check out the United Center for a Bulls or Blackhawks game

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Oprah Winfrey Show at Harpo Studios (Now Filming)

It can be tough to get tickets, but if you call early enough, then a spot in Oprah’s audience is all yours. If you love to watch the show on TV, wait until you see it live. Plus, you may even walk away with free gifts - Ms. Winfrey once gave a free car to every audience member!

Chances are that if you’re an avid fan of Oprah Winfrey’s show, then you’re probably an honorary member of Oprah’s Book Club. Search for all Ms. Winfrey’s latest recommendations at Borders. Spend more than $25 and get free shipping with Borders coupons.

The kids are out of school and keep whining that there’s nothing to do. Keep them busy with books, DVDs, and music to stimulate their minds even during the crazy, hazy, lazy days of summer. And while you’re at it, pick up something for yourself to make those work commutes go by that much faster.

But don’t worry - your hard-earned money won’t go by much faster, too. Just use the free Borders.com coupons by August 17 for 30% off 1 item of your choice!

For You:

• Life with My Sister Madonna - Christopher Ciccone exposes a new side of the evolving pop singer
• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream - Barack Obama’s ideas for change we can believe in
• 21 - A card-counting group hits the casino, letting greed & corruption take over their morals
• The Slip - Nine Inch Nails delivers blistering tunes & hard-rocking anthems with this album

For the Kids:

• Artemis Fowl 6: The Time Paradox - They won’t be able to put this book down until they find out whether or not Artemis can save his dying mother
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Enjoy an endearing perspective from a young boy entering middle school & all its hiccups
• The Day My Butt Went Psycho - A silly story about a butt that won’t quit…until it leaves its owner
• Best of Elmo - Children can’t help but love the red guy, especially when he sings

Never have a dull moment again. When you’ve got Borders.com, you have an arsenal of entertainment right at your fingertips! Get your click on!

As if the Loop, the Magnificent Mile and the Gold Coast weren’t enough, Chicago’s South Side packs more cultural and historical flavor than a fistful of curry.

Sample a bit of that tasty travel for less by booking Chicago South Side hotels with your Orbitz coupon. Save 10% when you book at your South Chicago hotel of choice:

• Hyatt Regency McCormick Place - Luxury rooms next to Chicago’s premier conference facilities
• Ramada Inn Lake Shore Chicago - Affordable accommodations with gorgeous waterfront views
• Wheeler Mansion Chicago - Get bed & breakfast-style lodging in the city

For more than 150 years, the South Side has served as Chicago’s melting pot. Countless new citizens of Chi-Town have settled here, giving the neighborhood a vibrant feel all its own.

Take a tour of the South Side and experience firsthand the city’s history. Discover the diversity that is its strength:

• Bronzeville District - Home to historic buildings chronicling the neighborhood’s past
• Chinatown - Shops, restaurants, gardens, murals, museums & more
• McCormick Place - Largest convention center in the US, built in 1960
• Washington Park - Featuring the DuSable Museum, Fountain of Time sculpture & more

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UNITY ‘08 (July 23 to 27)

Journalists working to increase balanced news coverage of people of color gather at the McCormick Place for 5 days in July. Be a part of this international initiative and help support fair journalism.

And while you’re at it, why not give somebody the gift of international literature, music and more from Borders? Order Borders gift cards and let your loved ones experience an exciting world of cultural exploration!