New Rail Line in Italy

NTV, or Nuovo Transporto Viaggiatori begins service in Italy on April 28. It's inaugural voyage is scheduled for Friday, and will be departing from the southern Italian town of Naples ending in Milan. The new privately-owned high-speed rail company is poised to break the Italian FS state railway monopoly. The open-access, high-speed rail operator is headed by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, also the chairman of iconic carmakers Ferrari.

The train service will initially cover nine Italian cities, and will eventually have 25 trains. The 450-seat trains are capable of going up to 360 kilometers an hour, however they will not be going faster than 300 kph for now.  The new rail line hopes to have 25 percent of Italy's high-speed train market within 2 years. It will also compete with airlines, both Alitalia and low-cost carriers, with the launch of the non-stop Milan-Rome route August 26. 

America's Meanest Airlines 2012

By Miriam B. Weiner , U.S. News

The 2012 Airline Quality Ratings (AQR) report shows that the American airline industry has improved over the past year, but only slightly, notes the report's co-author, Dr. Dean Headley.

Headley, an associate professor of marketing at Wichita State University, has been co-writing the AQR report for 22 years with Dr. Brent Bowen, head of the Department of Aviation Technology at Purdue University's College of Technology. The 2012 AQR report ranks the performance and quality of 15 major American airline carriers. The methodology factors in four common complaint areas: on-time arrivals, involuntary denied boardings (commonly referred to as "getting bumped"), mishandled baggage, and customer satisfaction. While some industry professionals believe that the airline's size-whether it's a national or regional carrier-should be taken into account, Headley disagrees. "The question is: For every 1,000 passengers, how many times did you get it right?" he says

The entire article can be found here.

NYC to Introduce Smartphone Pay Phones

Next month some 250 phone booths across New York City will be converted to house 39 inch touch-screen pads instead of phones. The pads will be operable in several languages and are aimed at tourists and residents looking for information on local restaurants, sales, or entertainment attractions. There will also be a direct line to the 311 number, which deals with non-emergency complaints and questions to city authorities.

On the pilot program, the experiment will have information screens, which will not have open web browsing capability, put alongside old-fashioned pay phones in double booths. If it proves feasible the pilot program will spread through the system of 12,800 pay phones, expanding to allow ability to consult email and make Skype phone calls.

London to Shut Down Trafalgar Square Fountains

London's iconic Trafalgar Square fountains will be switched off over the summer to comply with the strict hosepipe ban. Thames Water ordered the supply be cut last night as part of a blanket restriction, which includes ornamental fountains, designed to conserve drought-hit reservoirs.

The Greater London Authority said the current water stocks feeding the fountains will run out over the weekend. Negotiations are underway to see if a compromise can be found in time for the arrival of millions of tourists to Trafalgar Square during the Olympics and Jubilee summer.

The on hosepipes for 20 million people in the drought-hit South and East of the country came into force yesterday. Water firms say the ban is likely to last until the autumn if not into next year, even if there is normal rainfall during the summer. This March saw just 37% of the long-term average rainfall in all of England and Wales, according to the Met Office. This is just a little above last year which was the driest March on record, while February saw just 46% of the average. Two dry winters have left reservoirs and aquifers very low.

Public fountains, including London's Trafalgar Square, which was set to be a centerpiece of the Olympics after a £200,000 refit, will be turned off this weekend when their current supplies run out.

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Venice Sinking Faster Than Anticipated

Scientists have recently revealed that Venice is sinking five times faster than previously thought. The city is gradually tilting eastward into the Adriatic Sea.

Previous studies had shown water-levels in the former capital of the Maritime Venetian Republic had stabilized. New research claims it has actually submerged, and tilted to the east, by an unprecedented 2mm per year over the last decade. Earlier studies had suggested it was submerging at just 0.04mm per year. The patches of land in Venice's 117 island lagoon are also sinking. Northern sections are dropping between 2 to 3mm per year, while the southern lagoon is subsiding by 3 to 4mm over the same period.

A study to be published in the American Geophysical Union's journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems said the current subsidence was due to natural causes, such as plate tectonics. The Adriatic plate, which includes Venice, sub ducts beneath the Apennines Mountains and causes the city and its environs to drop slightly in elevation. About four or five times each year, residents and tourists must walk on wooden planks to stay above the floodwaters in large parts of the city. The city has invested billions of dollars into a flood defense system to prevent the city from sinking. A system of flood prevention walls that can be raised to block incoming tides is nearing completion.

Heathrow Airport Unveils Strategy to Handle Olympics Influx

London's Heathrow Airport has announced a £20 million plan to cope with the expected massive influx of passengers during the Olympics.

The extraordinary measures include a check-in at the athletes' village in Stratford and a temporary Olympics terminal to ease pressure while the airport is at full stretch. Some 10,000 flights will divert to other South-East airports to protect Heathrow's schedule for Olympic flights and other regular users. Heads of state and other VIPs will be sent to Stansted or Luton during a month-long ban on private jets and special charters at the country's most crowded airport.

Tourists and regular business fliers shuld be unaffected and should follow airlines' normal guidance on what time to arrive for flights. Olympic Family members will be fast-tracked at passport control with 300 extra UK Border Agency staff manning dedicated "Games lanes". But the airport will not face its biggest challenge until the day after the closing ceremony, August 13, when the airport will be inundated with more than 138,000 passengers and 203,000 bags, in its busiest ever day.

Other key dates will be July 16, when scores of teams fly in as the Olympic village opens, and July 26, when many of the 25,500 sponsors and their guests will arrive for the opening ceremony.

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Overhead Bins Getting Bigger

Packed planes and a high volume of carry-ons are forcing airlines to expand the space above passenger's heads.

United and Delta are the latest airlines to replace or upgrade bins so they hold more luggage. Engineers are busy at Boeing designing jet interiors with larger luggage in mind. Because of fees on checked bags, more passengers are bringing carry-ons, which are growing in size. And with planes more crowded than ever, bins fill up before everyone has reached their seat.

The percentage of passengers bringing bags on board has hovered around 87% in recent years while the size of carry ons have increased. United is replacing its bin doors on 152 planes starting in April. The new doors curve out more than the old ones. That allows passengers to slide bags into the compartment wheels-first instead of sideways. American's new 737s will hold 48 more bags than the planes they are replacing, although they have 24 more seats that means more people and luggage. American's older 737s are also getting new baggage-bin doors that curve out more. The work is finished on about half of the 76 planes. Delta is adding new bins on their 767s that will hold 26 more bags than the bins they are replacing, an increase of 23%. US Airways had already enlarged bins on its 757s back in 2008. The change allowed fliers to slide bags in wheels-first instead of sideways.

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11 Tips to Overcome Fears of Flying

Love to travel but hate to fly? Some people just hate the hassle thanks to increased airport security, plane delays, or breathing the same air of a thousand strangers in a confined space, to name a few. Others, however, are downright scared to fly. It is estimated that one out of every five Americans possess a fear of flying.

Psychiatrists that treat such disorders generally categorize fear of flying as an anxiety issue. In fact, it often stems from something more specific than just boarding a plane, such as fear of small spaces (claustrophobia), heights, turbulence, crashing, terrorists, or traveling over water. If you can pinpoint exactly what you’re afraid of, it’s easier to rationalize the situation which helps to remain calm.

If you’re not a fan of the friendly skies, follow these helpful tips:

1. Know what to expect. For many fearful fliers, learning the basics of how airplanes work can go a long way toward alleviating their anxiety. For instance, understanding how a plane can continue to fly even if an engine fails can help you feel less concerned about your aircraft malfunctioning.



2. Familiarize yourself with your plane. Getting to know what your plane looks like can make it seem a little less scary. This fearful flier actually puts a picture of the plane's cabin on her computer's desktop; by the time her flight rolls around, the image is familiar, not scary.



3. Choose an aisle seat. Most airlines and booking engines allow you to request a seat assignment when you book your flight. Request an aisle seat, particularly if you're prone to claustrophobia; you'll feel less hemmed in by other people, and you'll be able to get up and move around the cabin more easily.



4. Monitor your media intake. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's worth mentioning: avoid plane disaster movies, news coverage of plane crashes or other scary media images. Remember that the vast majority of flights arrive safely, but only the problem flights make the news. Don't let that skew your impressions of flying.



5. Think positive. In the days leading up to your flight, it’s easy to let the anxiety build. Instead, try to focus on more positive things, like all the fun things you'll do once you reach your destination.



6. Don't rush. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport before your flight is scheduled to depart. Rushing to the gate and worrying about missing your plane will only add to your anxiety.



7. Wait for your flight in an airline lounge. Most airlines have private airport lounges that are quiet, luxurious oases away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the airport. While they're usually reserved for club members or elite fliers, you can often purchase a day pass for a minimal fee, which may be a small price to pay for a soothing place to relax and prepare for your flight. Or, just find a comfortable seat at the restaurant or bar nearest to your gate.



8. Medicate. Popping a sleeping or anti-anxiety pill prior to boarding can work wonders to help you relax. Alcohol can do the same trick as long is it not combined with anti-anxiety medications. Just please remember to drink in moderation, overdoing can potentially work against you in a variety of ways.



9. Find a distraction. Read a book or magazine, work on your laptop, or strap on your headphones and listen to some soothing music to help to take your mind off flying.



10. Remind yourself who's in charge. Many fearful fliers are bothered by their perceived lack of control, since they have no influence over the safety or performance of the aircraft. Try to remain calm by reminding yourself that you made the decision to fly, that you can decide how you respond to the experience, and that experts with years of training are the ones in control.



11. Breathe. Breathing is an instant stress reliever. As anxiety increases your breathing becomes shallow so breathe slowly and deeply for a count of 5 or 10.

If all else fails, get professional help. Licensed therapists are trained to help people overcome anxiety and reportedly, success rates are high.

Tips courtesy of the independenttraveler.com.

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Minute Suites Coming to More Airports

Minute Suites will open its third location later this year, at at Dallas/Fort Worth airport. The company opened its first location in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in 2009 and then a second location at Philadelphia's airport just last year.

The private yet tiny suites rent by the hour and offer a quiet place to work or take a short nap. Each suite is equipped with a daybed sofa that features two sleeping surfaces with fresh pillows and blankets. A sound-masking system in each suite neutralizes noise, and the unique NAP26 audio program helps deliver the equivalent of three hours of sleep in only 26 minutes! Each room has a high-definition television with access to DIRECTV, the Internet, and flight-tracking information.

The new Minute Suites in DFW will be located in Terminal D, near gate D22 and across from American Airlines' Admiral Club. There will be nine mini suites in this location. It costs $30 to rent a suite for an hour and then $7.50 for each additional 15 minutes.

The average stay at the first two locations is just under two hours and the company expects to see the same at its DFW location.

The Tiny Little Island of Wilson, Australia

Ever fantasized about being stranded on your own little island paradise? Wilson Island, located just above The Tropic of Capricorn, approximately 72 kilometers off the Queensland Coast in Australia is indeed a little piece of paradise!

Just a tiny coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef, the island can only be accessed by complimentary boat transfer from nearby Heron Island. Those who visit can enjoy the natural beauty and its seclusion and the freedom from modern-day living.

Wilson Island is also a national park, with nesting green turtles and logger head turtles as well as much birdlife playing a key role in the island’s natural calendar. At night time the shearwater birds dominate with their mating calls.

The island features six permanent, luxury tents, for a maximum of 12 guests at one time. Every tent is located about 50 feet from the water, with ocean and reef views.

Contact an Australia Specialist today to book your amazing vacation to Wilson Island!

Grand Canyon Bans Plastic Water Bottle Sales

The National Park Service will ban the sale of plastic water bottles within Grand Canyon National Park. The ban comes more than a year after the initial decision was made. It was held up because Coca-Cola raised concerns about the ban.

The new restrictions take effect within 30 days, and are similar to those of Utah's Zion National Park, which launched a similar program in 2008. Also Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which offers water stations and encourages visitors to bring their own bottles or buy a stainless steel reusable bottle at the Kilauea Visitors Center.

The plastic bottles account for some 30% of the Grand Canyon's total waste. A park official said bottles were the single biggest source of trash found inside the canyon. The Grand Canyon has installed 10 water filling stations on the South Rim and three on the North Rim, and some of the park's concessionaires have installed similar facilities at hotels or restaurants. The new policy applies only to bottled water. Retail outlets within the park can still sell soda and juice in plastic bottles, and visitors can still bring plastic bottles into the park.

Survey Shows Wi-Fi as Most Important Amenity for US Travelers

As recent survey taken by Trip Advisor of more than 1,000 US travelers and more than 600 US hotel representatives show that Wi-Fi Internet access in most valued amenity. Breakfast included with booking came in as second, while a turndown service offers very little value.

The top five most important amenities to US Travelers are Wi-Fi access, included breakfast, guest loyalty points, having a restaurant on site, and shuttle service to local attractions/airport. The five least important are turndown service, pets allowed, spa, tour/activities desk, room service.

Big Ben is Leaning

Surveyors have found that the British Parliament's Clock Tower, located in the Palace of Westminster and better known as Big Ben, is leaning.

The 96-meter tall clock tower, which houses the bell originally nicknamed Big Ben, leans about 46 cm to the left of its peak. The House of Commons Commission is meeting today to discuss the matter and will conduct an investigation on how repairs could be made. Renovation work on the Palace of Westminster is not scheduled to begin until 2020.

The commission said the Palace remained structurally sound. The clock tower was completed in 1859. In 1976 pendulum weights fell down a shaft and the clock mechanism exploded, putting it out of action for almost nine months. Although the tilt is nothing as pronounced as that of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, it can still be spotted by the naked eye.

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Planning a Trip to Europe? How About a European Cruise?

If you're planning to travel to Europe anytime soon, you should consider taking a cruise! There are so many European Cruise options available these days, whether you're interested in seeing the Norwegian fjords, or the Mediterranean coastline, there are cruises for every interest and price range!

Imagine seeing Holland’s windmill-studded tulip fields or Germany’s fairy-tale castles, from the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal to the picturesque vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley, all via a cruise!

Or sail through the Greek Isles, where white-washed churches point tilted Greek crosses heavenward in skies of brilliant blue, while sun worshippers bask on the powdery beaches.

There are some great Spring & Summer rates on European Cruises this year, seven-night cruises through Italy, Tunisia, Spain and Morocco start at just $799 per person! Fifteen-day cruises along the Rhine, Danube and Main rivers start at just $3,400 per person!

Contact a Cruise Specialist today for more information!

Non-Stop Atlantic Flights Stopping for Fuel

According in an article in the Wall St. Journal, dozens of Continental Airlines flights from Europe to the United States East Coast are being forced to make unexpected stops in Canada, and elsewhere, to take re fuel after running into unusually strong headwinds over the Atlantic Ocean.

The winds from the west have been exceptionally strong in the past few months, causing delays and inconvenience for thousands of passengers in recent weeks. Another part of the problem is the decision by United Continental to use smaller jets on a growing number of long, trans-Atlantic routes. It works fine when the winds are calm.

The smaller jets, Boeing 757s, use less fuel and fewer crew members, though they have fewer seats as well, but they are pretty much at their limit of a 4,000 nautical-mile range. This leaves little room for error when the winds are strong and increase the fuel burn for the two engine planes.

In December, United reported the 757s had to stop 43 times out of nearly 1,100 flights headed to the US. The resulting delays can cause passengers to miss connections, have forced overnight stays in hotels and involves passenger compensation. Most of the stops have been in Iceland, Ireland, and Albany and Steward have also received some of the flights. The headwinds are the strongest in at least 10 years, and are caused by El Nina.

Tips For Traveling With Kids

Traveling with kids can be a very stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. With these simple tips, your family trip can be a fun and enjoyable experience for the entire family, creating wonderful memories for life!

Allow plenty of time. With kids in tow, it will take longer to get through airports, get checked in, bathroom stops, etc, so make sure to plan for it.

Travel during off-peak days and times. If possible, try to travel during the slower times, when the airports are less crowded and planes are not completely full. These are typically Monday-Thursday mornings, and not over major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or spring break.

Use the bathroom. Make sure to have little ones use the bathroom before boarding the plane. Sometimes it can be a while before you are allowed to get out of your seat in a plane, or before the next rest area, so try to plan in advance.

Something to chew on. Bring something for kids to chew on or drink during take-off and landing, to help avoid their little ears from popping. Bring gum or hard candies for older kids, chewy candies or juice boxes for younger kids, and either breastfeed or give a bottle to babies during take-off and landing.

Keep kids on a schedule. Everyone knows that kids are happiest when kept on a regular schedule. This also goes for vacations, the better you do with keeping the regular meal times and bedtimes, chances are the happier your kids will be too!

Comfy clothes. Whether you will be travelling by car or plane, it is always wise to wear layers of comfy clothes. Layers are helpful in case of temperature changes in the plane. Also make sure to bring a change of clothes for children and at least a spare top for adults, because you just never know what might be spilled or spit up on you!

Burn off steam. It can be tough for anyone to remain seated for hours at a time in a confined space, especially for kids! Make sure to give your children opportunities to run around, whether it’s at airports, rest stops, or even walking up and down the aisle on the airplane.

Keep them busy. Since the attention span of most young children is about 20-30 minutes, make sure to bring a variety of things for kids to do on a plane, or in a car, such as: books, coloring books and crayons, music CD’s and player, portable DVD player. Sometimes packing a few new “travel toys” can be a fun idea too!

Bring healthy snacks. It is important not to load kids up on sugar during long trips, as it just makes it harder for them to remain seated. Some ideas for healthy snacks that travel well are: fresh fruit (bananas, apples or grapes), veggie sticks, cheese sticks, crackers, dried fruit or cheerios.

Don’t over pack. Sure you want to be comfortable and have all the necessities for your family while on vacation. However, try to distinguish what is actually a necessity and what is not. You don’t want to be stuck lugging ten suitcases through busy airports.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to start planning your next Family Vacation!

Tibet Building World's Highest Altitude Airport

Tibet will start construction on the world's highest-altitude airport next year. The airport will be built at an altitude of 4,436 meters above sea level.

It is going to be in Nagqu prefecture, and will be 102 meters higher than Bamda Airport in Tibet's Qamdo prefecture, which is currently the worlds’ highest. The airport will cover an area of up to 267 hectares. The airport is expected to cost $285 million with a three-year construction period.

Regional aviation authorities will add more flights next year to connect major cities in Tibet and also link the plateau region with other major cities nationwide.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent to book your next trip to China.

FAA's New Rules to Help With Pilot Fatigue

The FAA has updated airline pilots work rules, some of which go back to the 1960's. The new rules came out after a crash at Buffalo nearly three years ago, and an investigation that found the two pilots were exhausted and shouldn't have been flying.

The new rules reflect the need for rest and how night shifts and traveling through time zones can increase errors. Carriers have two years to adapt to the new rules.

The new rules limit the maximum time a pilot can be scheduled to be on duty, including wait time before flights and administrative duties, to between nine and 14 hours. The total depends on the time of day pilots begin their first flight and the number of time zones crossed. The maximum amount of time pilots can be scheduled to fly is limited to eight or nine hours, and pilots would get a minimum of 10 hours to rest between duty periods, a two-hour increase over the old rules. The minimum amount of time off between work weeks will be increased 25 percent, and there will be new limits on how many hours per month pilots can fly. Pilots flying overnight would be allowed fewer hours than pilots flying during the day.

It is interesting that cargo pilots are not included in the new rulings. The FAA said forcing cargo carriers to reduce the number of hours their pilots can fly would be too costly when compared with the safety benefits. Those companies that contract for military charters are included in the new rules. The rule will require pilots to sign a statement before each flight stating that they are rested and fit for duty.

Italy's New High-Speed Train Coming Next Year

Europe's first privately owned high-speed rail operator has introduced its Italo AGV train, which will compete early next year against the Italian state-owned network.

Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori(NTV)has ordered 25 trains from France's Alstom of the latest AGV generation, which has set a speed record of 575 kph and will run at up to 300 kph between Rome and Milan. Services will later be extended to take in Naples and Salerno in the south, as well as Turin and Venice in the north.

The 11-carriage trains offer three classes, with constant Wi-Fi throughout provided by satellite transmission. One carriage is a dedicated 39-seat cinema. All carriages also offer satellite TV through Internet provided by 21 Net, an Anglo-Belgian company.

“This is the most modern train in Europe. We are the first to use this train,” said Luca di Montezemolo, chairman of NTV, at the unveiling ceremony at Nola.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your next Europe vacation!

World's Oldest Commissioned Warship to Get $25M Restoration

HMS Victory, the world's oldest commissioned warship will undergo a restoration to restore the iconic battleship. It will be the most extensive restoration to HMS Victory in more than 200 years, when she underwent repairs following the Battle of Trafalgar.

BAE Systems has been contracted to carry out the works for five years with an option to extend the work for a further five years. HMS Victory was commissioned in 1778 and during three decades of service she saw some of the most legendary clashes. She's the only surviving warship from the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic wars. But it’s the Battle of Trafalgar in the Napoleonic Wars for which she is most well-known. As Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory served at the front of the battle on the Spanish coast.

Only 20% remains of the original ship that is currently located in Portsmouth, England. The structure of the 246-year-old warship still marvels modern day experts. The outside of the hull will be re-planked, repairs will be made to the masts and work will be carried out on the interior. Much of the restoration will be done by hand using traditional specialist skills, particularly when it comes to carving and shaping the wood. They hope to be able to train new apprentices so that the art of repairing these types of ships is not lost.

This historic beauty can be seen at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard,open everyday throughout the year, except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Australia to Create World's Largest Marine Reserve

Australia's Environment Ministry says it will create the world's largest marine reserve in the Coral Sea. The Ministry says the area has shallow reefs that support tropical ecosystems with sharks, coral, sponges and many fish species.

The proposal includes seas beyond the already protected Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off northeast Australia. The reserve would cover almost 400,000 square miles. Fishing would be allowed in parts of the reserve. The proposal announced in a ministry statement last Friday is now open for a 90-day comment period.

The protected zone would cover an area more than one-and-a-half times the size of France. New fishing limits would be imposed and exploration for oil and gas banned. The sea off the Queensland coast in north-east Australia is also the resting place of three US navy ships that sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942.

Currently the world's largest marine reserve is a 545,000-sq-km area established by the UK around the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. The Coral Sea reserve, if approved, would be approximately 989,842 sq km.

New Technology for Hotel Check-Ins

Holiday Inn has been testing its Mobile Room Key program at it's properties in Houston and Chicago, and plans to expand it at other locations soon.

The program allows guests to bypass the front desk entirely and use their mobile phones as keys. Guests get an email or text prior to arrival that provides them with a room number and a toll-free number. Dialing the number produces an audio chirp that unlocks the door via an audio reader on the lock. Because it's audio and not visual, any phone, smartphone or otherwise, works.

There are other companies working of new ways to streamline the check-in process. One company has developed a registration process where front desk personnel can scan a guest's ID that can will fill in forms and minimize manual entry. The company is working with Accor to implement the technology in Motel 6 and Studio 6 properties across North America.

Visiting The Great Barrier Reef

If you’re planning a trip to the land down under, the Great Barrier Reef is a must-see! The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s single largest coral system. With the broad, shallow continental shelf of tropical northeastern Australia providing an ideal pedestal for growth, this coral complex reaches as far as 160 miles offshore and more than 1,250 miles from north to south. The Great Barrier Reef covers 135,000 square miles and is home to more than 400 types of coral reef, colorful fish and sea life. It can be viewed by boat, plane, helicopter, or underwater observatories.

There are hundreds of tour options available for viewing and experiencing the Great Barrier Reef, something for everyone!

These are some of the Great Barrier Reef Tour options to available:

·Diving. There are several different tours available daily for divers, departing from Cairns and Port Douglas. Tours are typically between 6 – 9 hours, include lunch and the vessels range from small high speed luxury catamarans, to large catamarans that have their own platforms on the outer reef.

·Snorkeling. These tours are very similar to the dive tours, except that you don’t have to know how to dive. They also depart from Cairns and Port Douglas, are usually between 6-9 hours, and have a variety of vessel types to choose from. Many of the snorkel tours can be combined with the dive tours.

·Fishing. While one-third of the Great Barrier Reef park is a no-fishing zone, there are many tours available daily for the other 2-thirds.

·Sightseeing. If you prefer to just relax and stay dry, there are plenty of sightseeing tours available, including semi-submersible boats to platforms featuring underwater observatories.

·Helicopter Tours. Experience a bird’s eye view of the reef with a flight tour! These tours are usually between 30-60 minutes long, and operate year round, subject to weather conditions.

·Great Barrier Reef Cruises. If you want to spend more than just one day on the reef, there are cruise options ranging from 2-7 nights, on sail boats that only hold 10 passengers, or small cruise ships that hold up to 50 passengers.

Contact an Australia Specialist to start planning your dream vacation to Australia today!

New Zealand Deconsecrated Christchurch Cathedral

New Zealanders attended an emotional ceremony yesterday deconsecrating Christchurch
Cathedral, which was destroyed in February's earthquake.

The ceremony paves the way for the building to be partially demolished, and for a new cathedral to be built. The city's shattered cathedral with its broken spire became one of the most striking images after the quake struck.

The city has been sectioned off into color-coded zones, with the red zone, including the cathedral, still being largely off-limits. Officials say it is likely to cost NZ$4m to demolish the parts of the cathedral that cannot be saved, and another NZ$30m to build a new structure. Church leaders said they hoped to have a temporary cathedral in place in time for next Easter.

Even with the devastating earthquake in February, New Zealand is still an amazing place to visit, as most of the country was not affected. Contact a Professional Travel Agent to book your New Zealand vacation today!

Dutch Ban Tourists from Cannabis-Selling Coffee Shops

A new policy by the Dutch government will ban tourists from coffee shops selling cannabis. Only residents will be allowed to get a "cannabis card" to be used when visiting one of the country's 670 licensed coffee shops. Non-Dutch residents will be banned from cannabis-selling coffee shops in southern Netherlands beginning January 1to "spare locals from the nuisance of drug tourism", the justice ministry said Tuesday.

The measure will come into force for the (southern) provinces of Limburg, North-Brabant and Zeeland, the provinces most affected by drug tourism. Under the new policy licensed coffee shops will be considered private clubs with a maximum of 2,000 members limited to Dutch residents who are older than 18. The measures will come into force in the rest of the country in January 2013.

The policy aims to cut down traffic jams, nocturnal disturbances, and the abundance of drug pushers catering to the millions of foreign tourists drawn to the Netherlands by its relaxed marijuana laws. The Dutch government also plans to introduce a policy, coming into force in January 2014, requiring coffee shops to be at least 350 meters away from schools, to keep drug consumption away from children.

10 Luxury Islands You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Original article by By Suzanne Weinstock, Departures.com

Tried-and-true island favorites such as St. Barths and Capri have long been wooing fashionable travelers. But these days, the new prestige in globetrotting lies in exploring far-flung destinations the masses have yet to invade. Even better: a vacation spot so exotic that no one has even heard of it.

"We've been seeing strong interest in remote, off-the-beaten-path destinations," says Scott Wiseman, president of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent USA.

Enter a new set of islands in the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Caribbean and beyond.

"Private and reassuringly hard-to-get, these islands entice diehard fans to get off the grid," says James Lohan, CEO and co-founder of the boutique hotel website Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

They let vacationers "be the ruler of their own domain and feel like they have discovered someplace unique."

So transition into being a trendsetter by picking a destination that bears some similarities to a familiar favorite. Then prepare to tack on extra travel time, since being an early adopter usually means adding an extra leg of travel. It's the moderate difficulty in getting there that keeps these places exclusive. Are you ready for an island less ordinary?

The entire article can be found here.

Floating Golf Course to be Built in Maldives

A Dutch company has announced plans to build a $500 million floating golf course in the Maldives. The course will feature 18 holes connected by underwater tunnels. The course will be made up of several islands floating in the Indian Ocean, which will
contain two or three holes each.

The floating islands will also be linked to a series of hotels by more underwater tunnels, which will overlook the golf course and surrounding coral reefs. The project will be powered by solar energy with sustainable desalination and water cooling techniques, and will work in co-operation with the Maldives' rising sea levels.

The project is expected to be completed by 2015. The course will be located five minutes from the airport to attract stop-over golfers. There is no word yet on how much a round of golf will cost.

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Some of the World's Creepiest Places

The world is full of places where the restless spirits of the night linger. Paranormal activity knows no borders and they manifest as eerie voices and creep out of the shadows as apparitions. We have omitted the more familiar sights, like the Tower of London, the Catacombs in Paris and various places throughout New Orleans and Edinburgh, not because their tales of strange and terrifying experiences with the phantom world are any less spooky, but because we simply wanted to share some lesser known places that have a truly unnerving reputation.

Read entire article here.

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New Online Baggage Fee Calculator

Farelogix has unveiled iflybags.com, a new interactive, online baggage calculator.

This new baggage calculator provides travelers with instant access to up-to-date airline checked baggage allowances and fees based on the specific traveler, number and weight of planned checked bags/items, and airline-itinerary specific information.

Users simply enter a basic itinerary and bag details into the iflybags web site and it instantly calculates baggage allowances and fees for travelers. It will also evaluate, optimize and present the best combination of checked bags for multiple travelers on a single itinerary, taking into account traveler frequent flyer status.

The goal with iflybags is to ensure that no traveler arrives at an airport without knowing what their checked baggage allowance and fees will be. The new baggage calculator accesses baggage data from over 300 of the world's airlines, with new carriers being added all the time. To ensure travelers have access to the most up-to-date baggage allowance and fee information, iflybags is updated every hour. Iflybags uses industry-standard data from the Airline Tariff Publishing Company to calculate baggage allowances and fees.

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Americans Traveling to Europe Might Consider Getting "Smart Card"

It may come as a surprise to many Americans that many businesses in Western Europe are no longer accepting traditional magnetic strip credit cards. They have moved on to the more secure "chip cards", or "smart cards".

These computer-chip-embedded cards transmit encrypted data stored in the card's chip to an electronic processing device. In addition, the cards typically require a PIN code to complete a transaction. Such features make the chip cards much less vulnerable to credit card fraud, which is the main reason they were developed in Western Europe in the first place.

Many automatic machines including train ticket machines and even some restaurants will now only accept the new chip cards. A Travel Team agent found out the hard way during her recent trip to Nice, France, when she tried purchasing a train ticket in the morning before the ticket windows were open, and she was unable to with her magnetic strip card.

If you are planning on traveling to Europe, you might want to consider getting one of these cards before you go. Currently US Bank, Wells Fargo and Chase are offering cards with a smart chip option. Other banks will hopefully folllow soon.

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Virgin America Voted Best US Airline Again

Virgin America, took top honors as "Best U.S. Airline" in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards. The airline has won the award for the fourth consecutive year for its innovative low-fare service. The results of this year's Readers' Choice Awards will be reported in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveler.

The survey is unique for both its size and unfiltered results and reflects the opinions of nearly 30,000 Conde Nast Traveler readers. To thank guests for voting the airline best in America for the fourth year in a row, Virgin America today launches the "You Win Some, You Win Some More" fare sale.

The best foreign airline was Singapore Airlines and the best small airline was OpenSkies. From 1 to 10 here, these are the best US Airlines: Virgin America, JetBlue, Hawaiian, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United, Alaska and American.

The best foreign carriers from 1 to 10 are: Singapore, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, Etihad, Korean, Asiana and All Nippon Airways. The est small carriers from 1 to 10 are; Open Skies, Porter Airlines, Air Tahiti Nui, Volaris, SilkAir, WestJet and Air Pacific.

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A Travel Team Agent Recounts Her Recent Trip to New Zealand

New Zealand Highlights

Queenstown part I

BROWNS BOUTIQUE B&B. Hotel is perched a couple blocks from the center – about a 7 minute walk to town. Front facing rooms have a great view of the town, back rooms look up to the Gondola/ Bob’s Peak. Very friendly staff provides cozy evening fire in the lounge (also with a great view of the city).
Restaurant recommendation: Solera Vino French restaurant – really good


Doubtful Sound

This isn’t as far from Queenstown as one might think, and connections are seamless. Absolutely stunning snow-capped fjords – fewer people visit Doubtful Sound than Milford –50,000 visitors per year to Doubtful Sound versus 500,000 per year to Milford. Also included on the Doubtful Sound tour is a visit to Manapouri Power Station, where you travel down a 2km spiral tunnel to view the underground machine hall. The Power Station utilizes the difference in lake altitude between Lake Manapouri and Doubtful sound (approx. 170 meters) to generate hydro power for the country, and it is considered one of the country’s greatest engineering achievements.


Te Anau

DISTINCTION LUXMORE HOTEL – decent property and location with a terrific full breakfast, and friendly staff. Te Anau is a good stopover point for folks who wish to visit both Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound (i.e. one day for each tour). My purpose in visiting Te Anau was to see the Glowworm Caves. The boat trip to the caves is beautiful, however, when you enter the caves, the walkway slopes down to 4’ of clearance at times (like to do the limbo anyone?) and there is a giant gushing river adjacent to the walkway. It is cold and wet. Not for the faint of heart! Although the venue is quite family friendly and there were a lot of kids present that day.

The Caves tour is from 2:00pm to 4:15pm, and the InterCity coach departs Te Anau at 5:00pm, and arrives Queenstown about 7:45pm


Queenstown part II

Coronet Ski Park (my equipment was rented from Kiwi Discovery Shop in Queenstown). This is a good ski area for both beginner and advanced levels, only a 45 minute drive from Queenstown, and subsequently quite popular. Other ski areas include Remarkables, Treble Cone and Cardrona, which are apparently less crowded than Coronet, where I dodged snow board kamikazes and advanced-level kiddies on school holiday. Frequent buses serve all four ski areas from Queenstown, they are quite convenient.

Queenstown – Wanaka – Haast – Franz Josef

The InterCity Coach driver from Queenstown was friendly and professional, and he made stops about once an hour en route. Wanaka is sort of a Queenstown “light” – a popular resort amongst New Zealanders without the glitterati and glamour of Queentown.

When you reach the town of Haast about 3 hours later, you can see the Tasman Sea, and the road climbs precipitously up the hill with panoramic views.

Our driver stopped at a lovely fish farm near Paringa (one hour north of Haast), and it was like being in a rainforest. The West Coast is truly remote – and driving distances are longer than elsewhere in NZ because of the winding roads. Still it is well worth the trip if clients have the time to explore.

In Franz Josef it is possible to walk to the glacier independently to view it. If you wish to climb the glacier, however, it is necessary to go with a tour guide. I stayed at PUNGA GROVE Lodge – friendly property, close to restaurants and the Glacier Hot Pools.


Franz Josef – Greymouth - Christchurch

The coach trip from Franz Josef to Greymouth is through more rainforest country. The stop in Hokitika is well worth it – you can dip your toes in the Tasman Sea or visit the New World grocery story to stock up on goodies. And in March Hokitika hosts the Wild Foods festival – with such delights as jellied grasshopper and pigs eyes, alongside traditional New Zealand specialties (not mentioned above)!

Arrival in Greymouth and the transfer to the TranzAlpine train is straightforward and easy. Leaving the coastal area of Greymouth, you ascend through the Otira Tunnel (8.5 kilometers rising at a 3% grade – climbing 250 meters from one end of the tunnel to the other) finally reaching Arthurs Pass at 737 meters above sea level. Commentary on board the TranzAlpine is informative and entertaining.

Christchurch

TERRA VIVE MOTOR LODGE – Only stayed one night, served as a good stopover point from the TranzAlpine train. Spacious room with washer/ dryer in the unit. Proximity to good restaurants as well as the InterCity bus departure to Picton - 5 minute walk. The continental breakfast was exceptional, and the staff at reception were most welcoming.

The central area of Christchurch is unfortunately not open at this time. The city has an eerie quietness to it, and there wasn’t a soul out the evening I was there. Many houses have red notices taped to the front door, meaning the premises are uninhabitable. Walking along I happened to come across the house below, half of which is still standing.

Christchurch – Kaikoura – Picton

Early departure from Christchurch at 7:00 to catch the InterCity bus to Picton. We stopped in Kaikoura for 30 minutes. Kaikoura is a lovely little coastal town.

Inter-Islander Ferry

I splurged and bought the Kaitaki Plus class on the Inter-Islander Fery. Totally worth it – a quiet lounge with comfortable sitting room furniture. Complementary lunch and refreshments, it’s an ideal reprieve in which to relax. The ferry crossing was lovely as we cruised through the Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton. However - the open sea of the Cook Strait is a different story! The stabilizers were working overtime, so the voyage was still pleasant, but I went up on the top deck to get a better view, and heard a fierce howl such that I’ve never heard on a boat before. I didn’t have the courage to stay up top for long!

Wellington

NOVOTEL WELLINGTON on the Terrace, with elevator access to Lambton Quay - the main shopping and dining area. Seventh floor room, it was nice to get a view of the city. Wellington is, in my opinion, the most interesting city in New Zealand. The topography is not unlike San Francisco or Monte Carlo. Due to an earthquake in 1855, half of the waterfront territory that was previously underwater surfaced above ground and become the new waterfront line at Lambton Quay.

Also met with management at Carter Observatory – this is on the Cable Car line near the botanical gardens. Anyone who is interested in the southern night sky would find this fascinating. They also had displays on black holes and expanding universes.

Restaurant recommendation: Great India – authentic and elegant

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The Queen Mary Now a Historical Hotel

The Queen Mary ship, a former ocean liner, has become a member of the Historical Hotels of America. The liner operated from 1936 to 1967, and is now a dockside attraction and historical hotel in Long Beach, California.

To become a member of the Historical Hotels of America, a hotel must be at least 50 years old and listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized locally as having historic significance.

She is a grand old ship and if you haven't had the pleasure of an overnight stay on her, you should consider it. The hotel has 314 guest rooms, which includes 9 suites. All rooms include modern amenities, such as iPod clock radios and flat-panel televisions.

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Chocolate Dream Park Opens December 16

The World Chocolate Wonderland opens in Shanghai December 16 through February 19. This is the second location for the Chocolate Wonderland.

It first opened in Beijing in 2010. It will be located on the 3rd floor of Himalayan Center in Pudong District and consists of four areas: World Chocolate Pavilion, Dream Park Theme Pavilion, Pavilion of Chocolate Life and Square of Chocolate and Happiness. Visitors can browse the famous architectural complex, made entirely of chocolate, in Pudong District and Puxi District following the Huangpu River made of chocolate. There will be many chocolate art works referring to Old Shanghai in early 20 century that will be exhibited.

Vampire Themed Cruise Planned for Next Year

A week-long vampire convention on a cruise ship that will feature a vampire ball and costume contest is planned for scenic Southeast Alaska next summer.

KINY (http://bit.ly/24LLCy ) says the ship will make stops in Juneau, Glacier Bay, Skagway and Ketchikan after it departs from Vancouver, B.C.

Vampire scholar John Edgar Browning is scheduled to host a vampire movie festival. Also scheduled to join the cruise is Dacre Stoker, a great-grandnephew of "Dracula" author Bram Stoker and a co-author of a sequel, "Dracula: The Un-Dead."

Original article at msnbc.com

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Virtual Staff Now at Paris Airport

Orly Airport in Paris is experimenting with virtual boarding staff to make things look more high tech. The virtual boarding staff member is always smiling, never takes a break and will not strike.

The project is being tested at Orly and over the past month the virtual staff have received a mixed reception from travelers. The images materialise seemingly out of thin air when a boarding agent - a real live human - presses a button to signal the start of boarding.
They are actually being rear-projected onto a human shaped silhouette made of plexiglass. Three real-life airport boarding agents were filmed in a studio to create the illusion, which the airport hopes will be more eye-catching and easier for passengers to understand than traditional electronic display terminals.

As you walk to your boarding gate, the virtual person says "Bonjour! I invite you to go to your boarding gate. Paris Airport wishes you a bon voyage."

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DOT to Postpone Some Consumer Protection Laws

The Department of Transportation is postponing some consumer protections scheduled to take effect on August 23. The airlines said it would take more time to implement the changes. The rules that are being delayed until January 24 are:

• Airlines must prominently disclose all potential fees on their websites, including fees for baggage, meals, canceling or changing reservations, and advanced or upgraded seating.


• Also, airlines and ticket agents must include all taxes and fees in every advertised price.


• Airlines must disclose baggage fees on e-ticket confirmations. Airlines must apply the same baggage allowances and fees through a passenger's journey, including segments with interline and code share partners.


• Airlines are banned from raising prices after the purchase; unless they are due to government-imposed taxes or fees, and only if the passenger is notified and agrees to the potential increase at the time of sale.


• Airlines are required to provide passengers timely notice of flight delays and cancellations.


• Airlines must allow reservations to be held at the quoted fare without payment, or cancelled without penalty, for at least 24 hours after the reservation is made if the reservation is made one week or more before a flight's departure date.
  
  The Laws that will take effect on August 23 are:
  


• Passengers that are involuntarily bumped from flights will be eligible for increased compensation. Under the new rule, bumped passengers can get up to $650 or $1,300 respectively. Inflation adjustments will be made to those compensation limits every two years.


• International flights delayed on U.S. airport tarmacs more than four hours must allow passengers to deplane, with exceptions allowed for safety, security or air traffic control-related reasons.


• Foreign airlines must post contingency plans for lengthy delays, customer service plans and contracts of carriage on their websites.


• Airlines must refund any baggage fee if the bag is lost.


• Airlines must post changes in baggage fees on their websites for three months.


• Airlines must prominently disclose all fees for optional aviation services on their websites.


• Where refunds are due, airlines must provide prompt refunds of fares and optional fees.

Possibly the World's Messiest Festival

The Spanish town of Buñol, located in the Valencia region will host its annual celebration of the tomato on August 31.

The festival takes place on the last Wednesday in August. Some 40,000 people come from round the world to take part in the festival. More than 100 tons of tomatoes are used in the battle. The festival lasts a week but the major day is the Tomato Fight day.

At 11 am a water rocket is shot off and trucks release tons of tomatoes onto the street. The hurling of tomatoes begins. Participants are instructed to crush the tomatoes in their hands before launching them through the air to reduce the impact of a successful hit. Everyone and everything is stained red as participants wade through a tide of tomato pulp.

An hour later, another water rocket is shot off signaling the end of the tomato throwing. The tomato mush is hosed off the streets, leaving the cobblestones bleached and disinfected thanks to the acids of the tomatoes. Participants also get a rinse.

The festival dates back to 1944 when a street fight broke out during one of the parades celebrating the town's patron saints. During the street fight, tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stall were used as ammunition and the tradition began.

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First Trans Atlantic Flight Using Biofuel

Yesterday an Aero Mexico, Boeing 777 made the first commercial Trans Atlantic flight using biofuel on a flight from Mexico City to Madrid. The flight was just over 11 hours and had more than 250 passengers on board.



The biofuel mix was 30% biofuel and 70% conventional fuel. The flight consumed some 26,000 liters of biofuel. The biofuel was made from the jatropha curcas plant, which is native to Mexico. Airlines have been increasingly investigating the potential of biofuels made from waste or energy crops which are then mixed with kerosene. Advocates of the technology claim that it can help to curb greenhouse gas emissions from aviation while also providing an alternative for airlines struggling with soaring oil prices.

Aero Mexico said it will begin flights to Costa Rica using the jatropha fuel from next year.

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Italy Issues New Driver License Requirements

The new driver license rules in Italy apply to all visitors renting cars, who come from non-
European countries.

An International Driving License is now mandatory in Italy for all renters with non-European driving licenses. The International Driving License must be accompanied by a renter's original driving license from their home country. Rental cars will no longer be delivered without the required documents.

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Makepeace Island Now Available for Rent

Beautiful Makepeace Island is one of two very private islands owned by Sir Richard Branson, the other being Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.

Makepeace Island, which is located 20 minutes from Noosa in Queensland, is now available to rent. The once muddy patch of land floating in the Noosa River has been transformed into an ultra-luxurious Balinese-style retreat. The property features a main long house with a giant bar, a four-bedroom guest house, several two-bedroom villas, a boat house and a lagoon pool with a lap lane, dive spots and a 15-person spa. It can accommodate up to 22 guests.

The island, once called Pig Island, has its own riverboat to transfer guests, full-sized tennis court, outdoor cinema, two-story open-air Balinese wantilan "for relaxing and gatherings", a game room and office facilities.

Makepeace is available for whole of island rental only. It costs $7900 a night for between one and eight guests and up to $14,990 a night for between 20 and 22 guests.

Norwegian Cruise Line Releases Details of "Project Breakaway"

NCL announced the exclusive suite complex on the two Project Breakaway ships will be named "The Haven by Norwegian" and that name will be carried over to five other ships.

The Haven will offer extra services, including a butler certification and a Courtyard pool valet will also be added. The suite complexes on five vessels-Norwegian Epic, Gem, Pearl, Jade and Jewel will also be named The Haven by Norwegian. On the new builds, The Haven, consisting of 42 suites on Decks 15 and 16 forward, includes a private restaurant, a cocktail lounge and a concierge desk where passengers can relax, have a drink and make dining, entertainment and spa reservations through the dedicated concierge.

There is a two-story courtyard area with a pool that has a deep end for swimming and a shallow area for relaxing, two whirlpools and a private sun deck, along with two private massage rooms, changing areas and a sauna. The Haven guests also have direct, private access to the ship's spa and fitness center.

The 21 Two-Bedroom Family Villas feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The separate living room and dining area includes a single sofa bed, writing desk and bar. The master bedroom has a king-size bed, floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. The master bath includes an oversize oval tub that looks out to the sea. The second bedroom includes a double sofa bed and bathroom.

There are 17 Courtyard Penthouses which feature a king-size bed, living and dining area, a single sofa bed, writing desk and ample storage spaces. There are 16 Spa Suites on each new build that have easy access to the spa and fitness center, and free access to the thermal spa suite.

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A Shantytown in Rio to Become Tourist Area

The President of Brazil announced plans to turn Rio's Complexo do Alemao shantytown into a tourism spot as recent police operations significantly reduced crime there.

The government is carrying out a major facelift of the shantytown and improving living conditions with the construction of a cable car line, a state-of-the-art 3D movie theater, a family clinic, a school, and several other renovations. The new cable car line was inaugurated last week. It connects to a neighboring train station and will facilitate travel to and from the remotest corner of the shantytown on a hill.

Rio has several tourist attractions in shantytowns. Some hotels located in slums near the beach offer beautiful views of the city.

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Royal Caribbean Behind the Scenes Tour

Last week Royal Caribbean announced it's plans for elaborate behind-the-scenes tours for passengers on their ships.

For $150, the three and a half hour guided tour will take guests through the shipboard areas such as the bridge, engine control room, the galley, and even behind the scenes look at the main theater. Royal Caribbean says it's responding to a growing demand from passengers to see behind-the-scenes. These tours will be available to purchase onboard beginning this month.

Carnival and Princess Cruises have already added such tours on their cruises in recent years.

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