Latest Travel Articles

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Ever thought of going on an independent vacation for your honeymoon? You choose your destination, how long you stay, it really doesn't get any easier than that. Below is a press release about the new independent programs that Monograms offers especially for honeymooners.

LITTLETON, Colorado 11/11/2009 – When planning a wedding, some perfectly lovely women become “bridezillas” and wonderfully great men find themselves doing everything wrong… Together, bride and groom are often under extraordinary pressure – and sometimes, at odds – while booking the “perfect” honeymoon.  Monograms provides want-to-be-honeymooners a solution: Simplifying travel planning by taking care of vacation details on nearly 150 travel packages in 31 countries on five continents around the world.

“We handle all the details for honeymooners,” said Jennifer Halboth, director of marketing for the Globus family of brands, parent company to Monograms.  “This includes offering them a wide variety of destinations from which to choose the perfect getaway as well as a selection of highly recommended hotels, known for their location and amenities and transportation, ensuring they easily get from point A to B (and C, D and F).”

For international escapes, Monograms also provides travelers a Local Host – an expert in their destination – to help them make the most of their vacation.  And, in 2010, Monograms has expanded the cities worldwide in which Local Host services are available.

“Many newlyweds don’t have a lot of time or energy to research their honeymoon destination before they go.  This isn’t a problem when choosing Monograms as a travel companion,” said Halboth.  “When couples travel internationally with us, they will be welcomed by an on-site expert who will help them get acquainted with their honeymoon destination by facilitating a half-day of sightseeing.  The Local Host is also on hand to personalize their experience, providing suggestions, making excursion arrangements and answering questions.” 

Sample Monograms Vacations Sure to Appeal to Honeymooners in 2010 Include:

EUROPE

• A Week in Paris (7 days)
• Rome, Paris & London (10 days)
• Paris & Nice (7 days)
• Rome, Florence & Venice (10 days)
• NEW Rome & Sorrento (7 days)
• Barcelona & Madrid (7 days)

SOUTH AMERICA

• Cruising the Galapagos with Peru (13 days)
• NEW Brazil, Argentina & Chile (13 days)
• NEW Costa Rica Wonders (7 days)

SOUTH PACIFIC

• Australian Escape (11 days)
• Journey Down Under (11 days)

ASIA

• NEW Beijing & Shanghai (7 days)
• NEW Beijing & Hong Kong (7 days)
• NEW Bangkok & Phuket (9 days)

NORTH AMERICA

• NEW Vancouver & Whistler (7 days)
• Oahu & Maui (7 days)
• NEW Maui & Kauai (7 days)

Ready to start picking out your honeymoon http://www.independentvacations.org/

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Operating since 1947, Trafalgar is now the world's favorite touring company. Offering a wide range of holidays to Europe, Britain, Egypt, USA, Canada, South America, China, Australia and New Zealand, they've hosted over 2 million travelers worldwide and many return year after year.

Trafalgar is renowned and trusted for its outstanding quality, service, reliability and financial stability. With over 60 years of practice they've perfected the art of creating exceptional escorted vacations. Every expertly designed travel experience includes transportation, via deluxe motor coach, rail or cruise ship, first class hotel accommodation, daily sightseeing and most meals and at at savings of up to 30% off the cost of doing it "on your own".

Trafalgar continuously strives to fulfill their guests' needs and exceed their expectations – attention to detail ensures you will enjoy a totally hassle-free vacation. We provide the perfect balance between organized activities and free time for individual exploration and relaxation –  all you have to do is Dream. Pack. And leave... the rest to Trafalgar.

A few reasons why Trafalgar is the world's favorite touring company:

• Trafalgar has over 60 years of knowledge & expertise in designing wonderfully unforgettable touring vacations
  
• Trafalgar has over 200 worldwide itineraries so you are spoilt for choice
  
• You will enjoy a hassle-free vacation without car rental or accommodation worries
  
• Trafalgar tours has the finest Tour Directors in the industry to help you make the most of every moment
  
• You will stay in quality hotels, carefully selected and monitored by our Quality Control team
  
• You will travel in modern and comfortable coaches, trains or ships
  
• You will enjoy authentic cultural and culinary experiences
  
• You will experience all the 'must-see' attractions without the long lines as well as hidden treasures
  
• Trafalgar offers great special offers, discounts and has an excellent loyalty program
  
• Trafalgar has a 98% satisfaction rating from past guests and many return, year after year.
  

Monday, November 16, 2009

Adventures by Disney just released their tour vacations for 2010.

Entering its fifth year, Adventures by Disney designs tours with the family in mind and provides educationally-enriched experiences so even younger travelers understand, appreciate and have fun in their new surroundings. These hassle-free vacations, rooted in the service and quality of family travel leader Disney, provide distinctive opportunities and special touches to make memories that last a lifetime.

“We are able to offer vacation experiences to some of the most fascinating places on earth, literally bringing history to life for our guests,” said Don Gross, Vice President, Adventures by Disney. “Each itinerary is carefully planned, creating a vacation that includes the most iconic and must-see sites as well as off-the-beaten path excursions. In fact, guests often tell us the hardest part about the trip is choosing the adventure.”

The Disney Difference

From snorkeling with sea turtles in the Galapagos to discovering Europe’s classic history, each itinerary is as matchless as its surroundings. Yet one aspect holds true for every trip: the special touches that are collectively called “the Disney difference” .

Adventure Guide: Part storyteller, ambassador, concierge and role model, Adventures by Disney’s highly-trained Adventure Guides are the friendly hosts and travel specialists who lead guests on every trip. With two guides assigned for every group (of up to 40 people), travelers receive individual attention to ensure a fun and enriching vacation.

Junior Adventurers: Young travelers are transformed into Junior Adventurers – seeing, hearing and tasting things that they might otherwise not have experienced. The immersive activities created just for kids allow young travelers to learn and have fun in places like museums that aren’t always as entertaining for the younger set. For example, at the Louvre in Paris, the Junior Adventurers play an Art Detective game throughout the museum with their Adventure Guides, while adults take a privately guided tour with an art historian. In addition, the Adventure Guides are expert storytellers and are trained to create fun and unique, locally-based experiences for the kids. On almost every departure, there is also a Junior Adventurers night, in which the kids have a special evening experience with their Guides, while the adults get a quiet evening on their own at the resort.

Local Experts: An authentic Tuscan chef, a naturalist from Costa Rica, a Chinese tai chi master – these local experts share a passion; they live and breathe the local history and culture of their destination. They are an integral part of every Adventures by Disney vacation. They join guests to share their stories and provide an “insider’s” perspective to each destination.

VIP Access: Travelers vacationing with Adventures by Disney receive VIP experiences that are practically impossible to schedule on their own. Special entry to otherwise crowded sites, unique accommodations (like castles in Ireland and Germany, a dude Ranch in Yellowstone and at the base of a live, active volcano in Costa Rica. Guests also get backstage access of celebrated performances like “The Lion King“ in London. These are just a few of the exceptional moments woven through each itinerary, promising expedited service and a broader knowledge of each destination.

Adventures by Disney’s 2010 destinations include 19 global itineraries:

Asia & Pacific

• Enchanted China - China: Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong
• Safari to South Africa - South Africa: Cape Town, The Garden Route and Kapama Game Reserve
• Discovery Down Under - Australia: North Queensland, Ayers Rock and Sydney

British Isles & Europe

• Cities of Knights and Lights – England and France: London and Paris
• The Emerald Isle – Ireland: Dublin, Killarney and Shannon
• Once Upon a Fairytale – Germany: Heidelberg, Trendelburg, Rothenburg and Munich
• Alpine Magic - Italy and Switzerland: Stresa, Zermatt and Lake Lucerne
• Viva Italia - Italy: Rome, Tuscany and Venice
• Bella Italia – Central Italy: Sorrento and Florence

Latin America

• Path to Pura Vida – Costa Rica: San Jose, Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park
• Treasures of the Galapagos - Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
• Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities – Peru: Lima, Sacred Valley and Cusco

North America

• Spirit of America -Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pa., and Williamsburg, Va.
• Quest for the West – Wyoming: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
• Southwest Splendors – Arizona and Utah: Sedona, Grand Canyon and Moab
• Backstage Magic – Southern California: Hollywood and Disneyland Resort
• Golden Path to Yosemite – Northern California: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco
• Taming the Last Frontier – Alaska: Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Kenai Peninsula
• Rocky Trails and Mountie Tales - Montana and Canada: Glacier National Park and Banff National Park

For Family Tour Vacations visit EscortedFamilyTours.com. For more on Adventure by Disney & other family tours, we invite you to visit  www.luxurytour.com.

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Sydney Opera House is a late modern architecture masterpiece. It is admired all over the world and proudly treasured by the Australian people. It was created by a young architect who envisioned the potential provided by the site against the gorgeous backdrop of Sydney Harbour. 

The structure represents creativity, both in architectural form and structural design. It is a great urbanized sculpture carefully set in a remarkable waterscape, and it is considered a world famous iconic building. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only is this a place to see great works of art, music and theatre, but it is also a breathtaking piece of history to admire. Every year, visitors from around the world come to visit the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

When visiting the Sydney Opera House, there are many options to choose from such as special tours and show packages. You can indulge in an evening of exceptional entertainment and delicious food. When purchasing your performance tickets, just add a show plus package. Enjoy a 2-course pre-theatre dinner, a couple of drinks, and choose between Parking or The Essential Tour. Also, you may choose from a range of casual and fine dining restaurants. The Gold Show Plus package is $98 per person, and the Silver Show Plus is $78 per person. These packages change as often as the shows do, so please be sure to check with your travel agent or the Sydney Opera House website, to find out which package sparks your interest and what is available at the time you are traveling.

In its short lifetime, the Sydney Opera House has earned an incredible reputation as a world-class performing arts center. It has become a symbol of both Sydney and the Australian nation. If you are an individual who can appreciate beauty and history under one roof, then this is an experience in life that you do not want to pass by. There is never a shortage of choice when there are over 2,500 performances each year. Keep in mind that many Australia packaged vacations include a tour and show of the Opera house in the price.

The Opera House is only one of the many things to enjoy in Sydney, Australia. Other popular sites are the Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World, the Royal Botanic Gardens, China Town and the Harbour Bridge. Try to spend a minimum of three nights in the city to have time to take it all in.

Friday, October 23, 2009

We all “feel” better getting away on vacation. Did you know it really is not just your imagination? Science and statistics show it is true.  Vacations can reduce risk of heart disease, depression and even slow down the aging process. How about this statistic… Two vacations can cut your risk of heart attack by 50%.

Vacations help reduce stress, which will always help your health. 

Here are some other  tips to reduce stress during travel.

• Get away long enough time to let go of your daily grind.  A week is recommended.
• Watch your time zones – too many time zones actually increase your stress on your body’s natural rhythms.
• Don’t over schedule your trip – Make sure you have quiet time each day.
• Be social – making new acquaintances has a restorative power.
• Enjoy physical activity – moderate exercise like swimming and walking are great energy boosters.

How sad that a third or us do not use all our vacation days!  Hopefully this will inspire you to take some time to better your health with travel.

Ready to research a trip?

Here is our network of travel destination sites for travel planning made easy!

Africa Tours | Alaska Tours | Antarctica Tours | Asia Tours | Atlas Cruises & Tours | Australia Tours | Canada Tours | Christmas Market Tours | England Tours | Escorted Family Vacations | Fall Foliage Tours | France Tours | Greece Tours | Hawaii Tours | Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | Luxury Tour | National Parks Tours | Oberammergau | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | South America Tours | Spain Tours