New Cabin And Tipi Rental Business, Back 2 Basics, Reveals Plans to Help Boost Tourism, and Attract More Visitors to Southern Illinois

Back 2 Basics, a new cabin and tipi rental business located halfway between Blue Sky Vineyard of the Shawnee Wine Trail and Interstate 57, today announced plans to help boost the tourism industry in Southern Illinois by partnering with local businesses to offer unique packages to out-of-town guests.

Makanda, IL (PRWEB) September 22, 2006 -- Back 2 Basics, a new cabin and tipi rental business located halfway between Blue Sky Vineyard of the Shawnee Wine Trail and Interstate 57, today announced plans to help boost the tourism industry in Southern Illinois by partnering with local businesses to offer unique packages to out-of-town guests. Packages include “back to nature” workshops, with topics and activities including Native American customs, wilderness training, renewable energy, how to build a cob oven, and more.

Guests of Back 2 Basics can rent any of three new A-Frame cabins with accommodations for six guests, private bath and stocked kitchenette. 18-foot diameter tipis are also expected to be ready for rental later this fall, and will offer guests accommodations with a rustic, close-to-nature feel.

Back 2 Basics will partner with local businesses to provide everything from logistical solutions to unique vacation experiences. For example, Back 2 Basics will work closely with Blue Sky Vineyard to utilize the Tuscan Sun Event Facility at the vineyard, while providing overflow lodging space to the vineyard wedding and event guests. Another partner, the Permaculture Project, provides certificate-based training programs in ecologically-based planning, site design and management, and is developing original 3-4 day workshops on subjects including ecological diversity in Southern Illinois, that will be available to Back 2 Basics guests. Other partners include Legacy Limos and Sedans, the Egyptian Revival Day Spa, Art Lovers Trading Company, and Great Boars of Fire.

“Southern Illinois is a secret garden, and by partnering with local experts and businesses, we can showcase the variety and beauty of Southern Illinois in new ways,” said Peter Van Muylder, President, Back 2 Basics. “The result will be a richer experience for visitors.”

“Also, workshops and packages will help us to rediscover the knowledge of our ancestors that may be all but forgotten,” said Van Muylder. “Southern Illinois is a great backdrop for that kind of learning.”

“We want Back 2 Basics to be successful, and vice versa. Businesses in Southern Illinois will grow faster by working together. Also, we like Back 2 Basics’ Euro-connection,” said Blue Sky Vineyard owner Barrett Rochman, referring to Van Muylder’s Belgian roots. To expand Southern Illinois’ reach into the worldwide market, Back 2 Basics will offer the website in four languages: English, French, Dutch and German. Additionally, Van Muylder will be traveling to Europe this winter to promote Southern Illinois and the Midwestern US as tourist destinations for overseas visitors.

Back 2 Basics already has local tours and packages available for guests, and plans to offer the first workshops in early spring of 2007. For additional information on packages and other activities at Back to Basics, contact Amy McMorrow at 618-713-2896 or visit www.back2basics.us.

About Back 2 Basics:

Back 2 Basics is a cabin and tipi rental business located in Southern Illinois featuring back-to-nature workshops.

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