How to Spend Less on International Travel

Many of us are working with reduced budgets in today’s economy. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t still travel internationally. These simple tips can help make your travel dollars go further.

Travel During Off Season.

This is pretty simple and often the biggest money saver. Do a little research as to when the off season is where you are traveling to before making travel plans. Summer and holiday travel will almost always be the most expensive, while travel during Spring or Fall will often be substantially lower.

Book Your Ticket Early.

If you want to get the best deal on airfare, make sure to purchase your ticket at least a few months in advance. If you have to travel over the holidays, book 3-5 months prior to travel to get the best rates. Last minute tickets often come with hefty price tags.

Use Public Transportation.

Forgo renting a car or booking private transfers. If you are traveling to a big city, most offer various public transportation options and can save you lots in the long run.

Consider Spending some Time in a Hostel.

Hostels aren’t for everyone, but many people do opt to stay in them, especially in Europe. Hostels aren’t just for college students anymore. These days’ people of all ages can be found staying in them, and many offer private or semi-private rooms. Since they cost substantially less then hotels, sometimes spending just a few nights in a hostel and out of the hotel can make your trip more affordable.

Eat Cheap.

The amount of money you spend on food can vary greatly, and can ultimately end up costing you a small fortune if you’re eating at restaurants three times a day. Instead, consider eating just one meal a day at a restaurant, like breakfast or lunch, which is always cheaper than dinner prices. Order the soup from the menu, which is almost always inexpensive, yet healthy and filling. Consider buying some meals from a local supermarket. Often, the deli at a local market can provide you with sandwiches, salads, chips, and beverages for half of what you'd pay if you bought the same meal at a restaurant.

Check on Your Cell Phone Plan.
Many people are not aware that all cellular plans are domestic, and using them internationally can rack up thousands of dollars in fees unknowingly! Make sure to check with your cell phone carrier prior to traveling abroad if you plan on bringing your phone, and find out what kind of international plans they offer.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next International Vacation!

Civil War Theme Cruises

American Cruise Lines will offer Civil War theme cruises aboard its new sternwheeler, Queen of the Mississippi, which is currently under construction in Salisbury.

The ship will enter service next summer. Passengers will be invited to retrace the steps of the Civil War, discovering famous museums, such as Vicksburg's National Military Park and New Orleans' Civil War Museum, the oldest museum in Louisiana. Memorial monuments such as the 60 foot-tall statue of Robert E. Lee, also in New Orleans can be seen, and famous historic battle fields, including those of Vicksburg and Nashville.

On board, passengers will enjoy era-inspired cuisine, music and entertainment, while sharing war theories along the way with onboard Civil War historians. Dependent on the itinerary, each theme cruise will feature elements specific to each destination, making for a truly remarkable experience.

Details about these and other theme cruise will be available later this summer. Contact a Cruise Specialist today for more information, or to book your next cruise!

Lahaina Noon

Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. where the sun stands directly overhead at high noon, but only twice each year.

This astonomical phenomenon is known as the "Lahaina Noon". For that brief moment, you have no shadow. The next occurence will be between July 11-24, depending on the location within the state.

Princess Cruises Now Offering Zumba Classes

Zumba Fitness classes, the exhilarating dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music and contagious choreography, is rolling out to the entire Princess Cruise fleet.

Since December, passengers on many Princess ships have been joining in the hip-shaking fun with complimentary classes taught by licensed Zumba instructors. The classes quickly became among the most popular activities on board, and now additional staff members will complete the official training to become licensed Zumba instructors as the program expands fleetwide.

On land, there are more than 110,000 Zumba classes held in gyms, fitness studios and even nightclubs, attracting millions of enthusiasts around the world. At sea, Princess ships offer the complimentary workouts once or twice per cruise, transforming venues such as Club Fusion, the Piazza or the outside decks adjacent to Movies Under the Stars into a high-energy Zumba fitness party.

Contact a Cruise Specialist today to book your next Cruise Vacation!

New Lounge for Venice Cruise Passengers

Venice is opening a new lounge for passengers coming and going from cruise ships. The new lounge will be available beginning July 2 at Venice Cruise Terminal for those passengers waiting for transfers to the airport.

It is located on the first floor in Terminal 103 and will be open from 8 am to 5 pm during the peak days of July, August, September and October. Called the Comfort Lounge, it will feature a bar serving food and beverages, have air conditioning, comfortable seats, shatzu massaging armchairs, screens broadcasting news, tourist information, and information on flight departures, a reading room with international papers, free internet points and a printer for web check-in, a free Wi-Fi area and hostesses offering general assistance and information.

Also a special room for kids will be fitted with a colorful playground suitable from toddlers to pre-teens, with games, table and seats, blackboards and pencils. The admittance ticket is €6 including a free soft drink. Accompanied children under the age of 12 will have free access. This is a good deal if you have a couple of hours or more to wait.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your next Cruise Vacation!

A Resort Fit for Royalty

The wedding of Prince William and Kate last month drew more viewers than any other wedding in history. Of course the public was also very curious about the royal honeymoon. It recently came out that the newlyweds spent two weeks in the island paradise of the Seychelles, a beautiful island country made up of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some 932 miles east of mainland Africa.

William and Kate stayed at the breathtaking North Island Resort while there, a luxurious lodge located on a secluded island, dotted with pristine white sand beaches and surrounded by clear turquoise waters.

The North Island has just 11 villas total, each approximately 4,890 square feet in size, offering ample privacy and space to relax and rejuvenate. Each villa has been individually hand crafted, and each features 2 bedrooms, a changing room, a large bathroom with marble bathtub, and indoor and outdoor shower, and fully retracting sliding doors which open to a view of the sea.

The amenities feature satellite TV, DVD/CD systems, internet access, kitchen, lounge, a huge private patio and private plunge pool. Each villa also has its own Island Buggy, to explore the island at leisure.

The resort also has a spa/wellness center, air-conditioned gym and swimming pool, and exceptional world class dining. Optional island activities include; diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, fly fishing, private boat tours and more!

Prices at this amazing resort start at around $2,900 per person, per night. Contact a Professional Travel Agent today if money is not an issue & you want a vacation or honeymoon that is like heaven on Earth!

NCL Norwegian Epic Offers Single Cabins

Solo travelers are becoming more common every year, and Norwegian Cruise Lines newest ship, the Norwegian Epic, is appealing to those travelers, as the first cruise ship with single cabins. In the history of cruising, single cruisers have had to pay a pricy surcharge for having their own cabin.

The Epic features six different types of staterooms, enough to accommodate 4,200 passengers, there are 128 Studio cabins, designed for single travelers. Each studio cabin features a full size bed, innovative bathroom design with a separate sink and shower, one way window into the corridor (you can see out, but others can’t see in), flat screen TV and desk.

Every passenger staying in a Studio cabin also has access to the Studio Lounge, a private, two-story lounge where you can grab a cup of coffee in the morning, or a cocktail in the evening and meet up with fellow solo cruisers. This lounge is exclusively for guests staying in the Studios.
The Norwegian Epic also features many entertainment options, thirteen restaurants, several lounges and dance clubs, a world-class spa and fitness center, and a huge aqua/pool complex.

The ship offers 7-14 day cruises in Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Transatlantic. Contact a Cruise Specialist today for more information, or to book your next cruise!

American First Airline to Test Streaming In-Flight Entertainment

American Airlines is the first US airline to test streaming in flight entertainment. Aircell's new product will allow customers to wirelessly stream content such as movies and TV shows from an in-flight library to their personal Wi-Fi enabled devices during flight.

American is starting the new in-flight video testing early this summer on two Boeing 767-200 aircraft used in transcontinental flights. Pending FAA certifications, the airline's goal is to roll out this product on Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft starting this fall. American is working with Aircell to enhance onboard connectivity by expanding in flight Wi-Fi to its narrow body fleet, including additional MD-80's and domestic Boeing 757-200 aircraft, so all of its domestic aircraft will offer the service within the continental United States.

Installation will begin this summer and continue through 2012. In addition, American continues to install Wi-Fi service on its entire fleet of 737-800 aircraft. Aircell uses an air-to-ground system with three small antennas installed outside the aircraft that connect to Aircell's exclusive nationwide mobile broadband network. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date and after the testing period.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your next trip!

Space Trips Launching in January 2014

The Dutch Aviation Company, Space Expedition Curacao (SXC) will begin suborbital space trips for private individuals, beginning January 1, 2014. The one-man flights taking off from Curacao will last about 35 minutes and cost US$ 95,000 dollars.

Pilot Rick Searfoss will pilot the flights to a height of around 100 kilometers. Searfoss, a threefold Space Shuttle astronaut and one-time Space Shuttle commander, currently works as a test pilot for XCOR, the US company which builds the Lynx2, the two-seater space ship figuring so prominently in SXC’s plans. The developers said Curaçao was selected because of the nice weather and because it is a relatively quiet area in the region’s air space.

The company plans to offer four one-passenger flights each day. Those who have made the flight can officially call themselves astronauts, according to the company. For more information, visit http://www.spaceexperiencecuracao.com/ or contact a professional travel agent today!

World's First In-Flight Duty Free Store

Korean Airlines will be the first airline to have the world's first in-flight duty free store on its A380 aircraft. The store, designed by UK firm AIM Aviation and Lancome, will be located at the back of the lower deck measuring 11.9 sqm, which is the equivalent of 13 economy seats.

The airline believes it will take in more in sales at the store then they would by selling the 13 economy seats, by selling higher branded products. They will also sell advertising space. The duty free store will consist of five units. Unit 1 is a "video wall" displaying advertisements while the other units will showcase cosmetics, fragrances, accessories and a limited selection of liquor. The store is intended to serve as a "physical catalogue."

The airline is also the first to devote the entire upper deck to business class with 94 "Prestige Class" seats. The lower deck will have 12 first class seats and 301 economy class seats. Their first A380 will be delivered at the end of next month.

Contact a professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next trip!

Electric Limo "Superbus"

The first of it's kind, a fully electric-powered 'Superbus', looking like something between the bat mobile and a limo, has made its public debut in Dubai.

The eco-friendly limo bus offers comfortable and luxurious transport for up to 23 passengers. Measuring 15 meters in length, 2.5 meters wide, and 1.65 meters high and boasting eight gull wing style doors, the new super limo is hoping to offer the discerning residents of the United Arab Emirates a convenient and luxurious travel experience.

With a top speed of 250 km per hour, and with plans to create a dedicated road for the limo super-bus running parallel to the main motorway route between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the service will reduce travel times between the two major cities dramatically which will be especially appealing to corporate clients.

The Superbus project is supported by the Dutch government who have invested $7m Euros.

DOT Wants Airlines to Refund Baggage Fees for Lost Bags

The Department of Transportation is working on new rules that would require airlines to refund baggage fees if a bag is lost or not delivered in a timely manner.

Under the existing rules, if a bag is lost or damaged, passengers can ask for a refund of the fee as part of their claim for lost property. If the bag is just delayed there is no recourse for the passenger, even if he has to purchase necessities.

We will be hearing details of the new rules later this month. The rules will address baggage as well as other proposed changes, including payments to bumped passengers, no-penalty cancelations and improved fee disclosure. The DOT wants to make airlines pay passengers more when they're bumped off their flight, allow passengers to cancel reservations within 24 hours of booking with no penalty and require better disclosure of fees and surcharges.

United Celebrates 85 Years of Flying

United's first flight took place on April 6, 1926 in Nevada. Walter Varney was the pilot of the small swallow biplane, and completed the first airmail delivery. Varney founded Varney Air service in 1926 after he was given an airmail contract. He later sold the company to United Aircraft and Transport, which changed its name to United Air Lines in 1933. In 1934, Varney and his business partner Louis Mueller founded Varney Speed Lines, which was sold in 1937 and renamed Continental Airlines.

In 1926, fewer than 6,000 Americans paid to travel by plane. By 1930, that number had gone up to about 170,000 paying passengers each year. Boeing's tri-motored Model 80 carried up to 18 people in an enclosed cabin, a step up from only a few years earlier when two passengers rode on top of mailbags, wearing parachutes and goggles. In 1936, people could fly coast to coast, allowing at least 20 hours for the trip, but generally bought tickets at the door of the plane just before takeoff.

Today United flies more than 150 million customers each year, equal to about half the population of the U.S., and travelers can book flights from virtually anywhere. The new United features the world's most comprehensive route network, offering customers access to destinations on six continents and nonstop or one-stop service from virtually anywhere in the United States. With the most modern and fuel-efficient fleet among America's network carriers, United takes to the sky with 5,675 daily departures from nearly 375 airports.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your next trip!

eBay to Start Selling Hotel Rooms?

Apparently eBay wants to become a player in selling hotel rooms by partnering with RateTiger, to allow direct booking on their website and also the ability to manage pricing and availability directly on eBay's booking platform. This would be done in the same way a hotel property would allow rooms booked through other distribution channels such as the GDS and online travel agencies.

eBay currently has around 275 million users worldwide and is said to account for 14% of global ecommerce. Hotel chains already using eBay include Marriott, Renaissance, Hilton, Radisson Blu, Intercontinental and Choice Hotels International. eBay will be featured as a new channel within the RateTiger system.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next trip!

Traveling to Australia's Outback

The Northern Territory is the third largest state in Australia, the least populated and occupies the northern central part of the country. It is also what many consider to be the “Real Outback”, with dramatic landscapes, abundant wartime heritage, rich aboriginal culture, World Heritage listed Kakadu National park, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the location for a number of scenes from Australia the movie.

When traveling to the Outback, it is most common to fly into the city of Alice Springs. Flights from Los Angeles or San Francisco fly non-stop to either Sydney or Brisbane, and then connect on to Alice Springs. The entire travel time takes about 20 hours.

The best times of year to travel to this area are April,or September - October, when the weather is typically warm and dry. The climate in the Outback is semi-arid with little rain usually falling during the hottest months, which are from October to March. Central Australia receives less than 250 mm of rain per year.

The city of Alice Springs is surrounded by dramatic red desert, and is referred to by locals as the Capitol of the Outback. Some of the most popular activities include mountain-bike riding, four-wheel driving, trekking along the Larapinta Trail, bush camping and swimming in lush waterholes. Some of the top attractions in Alice Springs are:

Alice Springs Desert Park offers the opportunity to discover many of the secrets of the Central Australian deserts, you even have the option to experience desert habitats as they are at night, including animals, in their nocturnal tour. Open year round, except for Christmas day

Alice Springs Reptile Centre is not very big, but it features over 30 species of reptiles, including snakes, lizards and crocodiles. You can even get up close and have a chance to feed some of them. Live shows run a few times daily. Open year round, except for major holidays.

Larapinta Trail is a 155 mile trail that begins just outside of Alice Springs, and runs through red desert, high mountains, and a national park. It can also be hiked in shorter, more manageable sections.

Approximately 270 miles southwest of Alice Springs is where the most famous attraction in the Northern Territory can be found. Uluru / Ayers Rock is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This famous sandstone monolith stands over 1100 feet high, and is over 500 million years old. The best ways to see this park are via Aboriginal lead walking tours, helicopter tours or on the back of a camel. Make sure not to miss the spectacular Sounds of Silence gourmet dinner under a clear night sky.

For the ultimate journey right through the heart of Australia, take The Ghan train from Alice Springs to Darwin or Adelaide to experience another Australian city.

Contact an Australia Travel Specialist today to start planning your trip of a lifetime!

Traveling to France this Year?

If you are going to France anytime soon, you might want to consider getting some of these:

Paris
The Paris Museum Pass allows priority admission and free access to 60 museums, castles, gardens, cathedrals and monuments in and around Paris, including multiple visits at no extra charge, starting from $59.

The CityRama Paris L'Open Tour Pass allows over 50 stops and four open-air bus routes allow visitors to choose the sights worth seeing, starting from $45 per one-day pass.

The French Wine Discovery offers a beginning course on French regional wines without ever leaving Paris, starting from $47.

A Guided Visit of the Louvre Museum starting from $69.

A Paris Dinner Cruise in a glass-sided boat, and a meal from $143.

The Paris Visite offers unlimited travel to sites in and around Paris on the RER, bus or Metro, starting from $31.

Lyon

The Lyon Le Grand Tour, Hop on Hop off bus tours start from $27.

Loire Valley: Day Tours come in one of three distinct tours around Villandry, Chambord or Chenonceau and Amboise, all coupled with a taste of the local wine, starting from $211.

Marseille

The Marseille Le Grand Tour, Hop on Hop off bus tours start from $28.

The Marseille City Card offers visitors free public transportation in Marseille and free entry to more than 15 of Marseille's finest museums and monuments.

Nice

The Nice le Grand Tour starts from $31. The French Wine Master Class is a two-hour advanced wine tasting class that includes the tastes of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône & Champagne, starting from $77.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today for assistance with booking your next trip to France.

December Snow Cost the Airlines

Nationwide, airlines cancelled about 4% of flights during December 2010, due to the severe weather. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics are out and they show that airlines cancelled thousands of flights in December, as much of the country dealt with several severe winter storms.

There were three flights that had tarmac delays over three hours in December, down from 34 in December 2009. The flights were a Delta Air Lines flight from Detroit to Miami delayed 192 minutes on December 12, a United Airlines flight from San Diego to San Francisco delayed 189 minutes on Dec. 27, and a Pinnacle Airlines flight from Detroit to Cedar Rapids, delayed 186 minutes on December 12.

Since the new tarmac rules went into effect there have been only 15 flights with three-hour-plus delays compared with 584 in the same period in 2010. What an incredible difference!

Maiden Voyage of Disney's Dream

Disney Cruise Lines newest ship Dream, set sail last week on its maiden voyage with 3,100 passengers aboard. The ships first cruise was a 4 night, from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, with a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.

The Dream was christened on January 19 in Port Canaveral, FL. The red-carpet, waterside celebration had singers, dancers, marching bands, flag bearers, and Academy Award–winner Jennifer Hudson, who is the ship’s godmother. Most of Disney's characters were in attendance as well.

Disney Dream is Disney's biggest ship to date. It is 50 percent larger than Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. It is 1,115 feet long, has 14 decks, can sleep 4,000 passengers and has over 1,450 crew members. It offers six restaurants, nine bars and nightclubs, seven Disney-themed kids’ areas, three swimming pools, including one adults-only, the Aqua Duck, a 765-foot-long water coaster, a fitness center, and spa and salon. It also features a fireworks spectacular at sea called “Buccaneer Blast!” Choreographed to a dramatic score including songs from “Pirates of the Caribbean”.

The Dream offers three, four and five night Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, FL year round.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent to get started booking your next cruise today!

Another Wake-up Call for the TSA?

The terrorist attack at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport yesterday, which killed 35 people and injured over 100 took place in the airports arrival hall, or often known as the “land side”. This is an open space for anyone to enter without having to go through any security checkpoints.

This vulnerability in airport security has been long recognized by both security officials and terrorists. "Every airport in the world, including every airport in the United States, has virtually no security until you get to the security checkpoint," said Richard Clarke, an ABC News consultant and former White House counter-terrorism official.

Passenger and baggage screening typically take place before entering the “airside” of the airport. For international arriving passengers, baggage pick-up normally occurs airside up until the exit from customs to the arrival hall. However, for domestic passengers, baggage pick-up can often occur landside, which adds a level of threat from terrorists who may have concealed weapons in their checked luggage. At Domodedovo Airport, the space between baggage pick-up and the public arrival area is very small and was vulnerable to attack. This is a problem worldwide. In fact, almost all violent criminal or terrorist attacks at airports over the past 20 years have occurred landside.

This is an issue that will not be easy to deal with because of the large number of people at land side that include those meeting travelers, service providers and friends and family of departing passengers. There is surveillance but no screening. Will land side screening become the next area for the TSA to pinpoint?

300 Year Old Versailles Mansion to Become Hotel

A historic mansion that is located about one hundred yards from the cherished cultural landmark; Versailles is being renovated into a five-star, 23-room luxury hotel, the Grand Hotel de l'Orangerie.

Versailles, home to the French monarchy since Louis XIV, is a monument of royal grandeur. Soon, the palace may also become known for its new five-star hotel.

Starting in January 2012, guests will be able to spend the night for anywhere from $650 to $950. The mansion was built in the 1680s, it was the home and offices of the king's treasurer, where he lived with his family and servants. There is much work to be done on the mansion, as some of the walls are literally crumbling. Renovations are estimated to cost $7 million and should take about a year, according to a news release from the Château de Versailles.

The Belgian company Ivy International has been commissioned to head the restoration and operate the property for 30 years. A portion of the profits will be paid to the Château de Versailles for rent. It will retain its history and culture as the mirrors and floors and chimneys will be retained. The centerpiece of the hotel will be a big library and the main hall. The hotel will be decorated in the style of the Chateau and will be a five star property.

When the Hotel de l'Orangerie is completed, overnight guests will be able to stroll in the gardens of Versailles for the first time in 300 years. Guests will be able to schedule private visits to the Chateau every day after 5:30 p.m. and all day Monday.

To get started booking your trip to France, contact a Travel Agent today!

Feeback from a Client Just back from Australia...

Just a note of thank-you for all your work and suggestions in preparing our Australia trip. We had a simply splendid time--everything worked wonderfully, even if the weather was a bit cooler and cloudier than the Aussies would have liked. But for us frozen east coasters, having temps in the upper 70s to low 80s was a welcomed change.

A special thanks for the recommendations for both of the Mount N Beach trips: the 1/2 day Sydney area tour was great with an excellent and very engaging driver, and the day trip Blue Mountain bush trek was superb. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to see both the scenic wonders of that area, plus have the option for a jaunt into the rain forest. But do warn folks about the optional 1,000-step stairs that descend down the mountain face into the forest. Wow, talk about scary, to say nothing of the sore legs and wobbly knees!

And a final thanks for your recommendation to spend our final nights in Sydney at the Swissotel. It was a truly delightful hotel, and the package deal you arranged provided us with Executive Club accommodations and privileges. What a way to wrap up our stay! By the way, if anyone is looking for an excellent high end Italian restaurant in the downtown Sydney area, we'd recommend "Il Pendolino" which is located in the Strand Arcade just off George Street. Outstanding service and superb food in the $30-50 entree price range.

Cathy, your planning on our behalf truly made the trip for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dennis
Harrisburg, PA

Italy Bans Plastic Bags

As of January 1st, Italy became the first country to ban plastic bags. Shopkeepers in Italy have been banned from giving out plastic shopping bags to reduce "white pollution."

Italians use about 20 billion of those plastic bags a year (about one-fifth of all European use) and they are non-biodegradable. The new law took effect on January 1. Stores are only allowed to give out plastic bags till they run out, and then must use either paper, biodegradeable plastic or cloth bags. There have been similar restrictions on the bags in about 200 Italian communities but now the ban is nationwide.

Other countries, such as China, Ireland and the UK charge 5 cents per plastic bag. Cities across the world, such as Mexico City, San Fransisco and Edmonds, Washington, have also outlawed plastic bags.

Thinking about traveling to Italy? Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started!

Travel Happy During the Holidays

Being with family and loved ones is just one of the essential components of making any holiday festivity a memorable one. Usually this gathering requires many folks to board a plane and arrive in what sometimes feels like a whole other world. Keeping a few things in mind can help this adventure be a fun one.

• First and for most, keep a positive attitude. We are all human and sometimes have little control over of how things play out especially in a large industry like air travel. Remember to breathe and find the good in a situation. I once was given first class seats by an agent at the gate because I wasn’t bothering her wondering what my seat assignment was. As soon as she called my name and saw my face she said, “I haven’t seen you yet. I think I have some first class seats for you.” Patience is everything.



• Print boarding passes at home by checking-in online. Most airlines allow you to check-in online 24 hours in advance of your flight whether you booked your flight yourself or through a Travel Agent. Head to the airlines website and find the “Check-In” button and follow the instructions. You not only get your boarding pass, but the airline usually makes more seats available giving passengers a chance to obtain a better seat to their liking. This is an easy way to avoid lines at the airport being you already have your boarding pass it allows you to simply check your luggage upon arrival and head to your gate.



• Arrive at the airport early. The general rule is 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights. As you can imagine, you and your travel companions are a handful of 1000’s of travelers during the holiday season. Bring books, snacks, music, pillows – whatever will make your relaxation in the airport more enjoyable. It’s more fun to window shop or people watch than to be frantic about getting to your flight on time.
  
  
• Have identification ready and easy to retrieve. You will most likely be asked to show your ID about 2-4 times before you even board the plane. Find an easy, non-cumbersome way to have all flight information including tickets, boarding passes, itinerary and identification right at your fingertips, but also secure. This will save you and passengers behind you a lot of time and sometimes frustration.



• Keep gifts unwrapped. If you want your hard to work to stay beautiful, wait to wrap your gifts upon arriving at your final destination. The TSAwill rip them open to see what is inside, so the best idea (and to stay on task with the first tip of a positive attitude) is to just leave them as they are and take care of gift wrapping later.
  


• Stay Healthy. Drink plenty of water and take Vitamin C to increase your healthy immune system. Remember you are not allowed to take liquids through security so you will either have to buy water once inside the airport security area, or bring an empty water container and fill up at the water fountains saving some money (a lot of money!).
  
  
• Review TSA rules and follow them. The security at our airports is sometimes difficult. Make sure you breeze through by being prepared before hand. View this TSA Informative Site for information.



• Pack Light. I know it’s hard to leave behind three of your favorite pairs of shoes or think you need eight pairs of underwear for a three-day trip. Remember where you are going will most likely have a washer and dryer. Save yourself from lugging around a bunch of weight. Go light. You’ll be happy you did in the end.
  
  
• Remember Why You’re Traveling. This is a grand time to the year. Have fun and smile a lot, it keeps you positive. Smiling helps release those wonderful things we call endorphins giving us a sense of lightless and bliss. Smile at people you don’t know and remember your patience. Everyone is trying to accomplish the same things: keep customers happy, fellow passengers delightful and arrive wherever you are traveling to safe and sound.

Enjoy your trip and show abundance of love and gratitude for those around you.

World's 5 Largest Airlines are not from the USA

The world's five biggest airlines now hail from Asia and Latin America, highlighting the industry's shift away from the U.S. and Europe to higher-growth countries.

Air China is now twice the size of both U.S.'s Delta Airlines and Germany's Lufthansa. "The world is changing in aviation, and it's changing very, very quickly," IATA Chief Executive Giovanni Bisignani recently stated at a news conference in Geneva. "Rapidly developing markets are shifting the industry's center of gravity to the East."

The Geneva-based group representing some 230 carriers and 93 percent of scheduled air traffic said the outlook is bright for Asia. A rapidly expanding middle class in Asia along with growing demand for air links between the continent's 15 mega-cities, with over 10 million inhabitants in each, promise strong industry profits in the region, Bisignani said. If "archaic ownership rules" in the United States were changed, the industry might soon see the first takeover of a U.S. carrier by an Asian airline, he added.

American's Traveling to Cuba

Cuban government has reported that American's are Cuba's second largest source of visitors in 2010. More than 1,000 travelers from the United States arrive in Cuba every day, most of them are of Cuban origin. They come second only to Canadians who take first place in the number of foreign visitors.

U.S. charter companies say that business is booming because restrictions were lifted on Cuban-Americans visiting their homeland earlier this year. Restrictions were also lifted on academic, religious, cultural and other professional travel. U.S. citizens are forbidden from traveling to Cuba without the government's permission under a wide-ranging U.S. trade embargo on the island imposed nearly five decades ago.

Around 265,000 people from the U.S. have travelled to Cuba this year through October. If the travel ban was lifted, just think of how those numbers would go up.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next vacation!

UK Airports to Relax Ban on Liquids

The ban on liquids that was imposed in August of 2005 on containers greater than 100ml (3.5 oz) is set to be phased out of UK airports, starting in April 2011.

The Guardian reports that current airport restrictions on carrying bottled drinks, shampoo and perfume on to flights will be relaxed beginning next year. Although the majority of passengers will have to wait until 2013 before the measures are scrapped. The Transport secretary has confirmed that the first phase in relaxing the ban, which applies to liquids, aerosols and gels in containers greater than 100ml, will begin in April next year.

Transfering passengers traveling from outside Europe will be allowed to carry liquids bought in duty free shops on to connecting flights within Europe, ending a restriction that has seen the impounding of duty-free goods. These liquids will still have to be carried in clear plastic bags and put through screening machines.

The current guidelines will be completely scrapped in 2013, by which point European airports must have acquired screening machines that can detect suspicious liquids.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent to get started your next trip today!

How to Get Hotel Upgrades

When 24/7 Real Media chairman and founder David J. Moore arrived at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, it could have been one of the worst travel experiences of his life. His flight had been repeatedly delayed, it was 4 a.m. and he had to wake up early the next morning for a conference. Instead, he scored an upgrade to the best room in the hotel: the top executive suite, replete with mirrored ceilings and an enormous hot tub.

That was 15 years ago. These days, with fewer reservations on the books and less money changing hands, hotel upgrades are harder than ever to come by. But that doesn't mean they're impossible. Many seasoned travelers attribute their most impressive upgrades to a combination of luck and overbooking, but our insider, a front desk manager at a luxury Atlanta hotel, says there are a few measures you can take to put yourself in a more favorable position to be upgraded.

"Staying only one night, coming in late and traveling when there's a conference in town make it easier to give someone an upgrade," he says. That's because short stays and late arrivals free up the staff to move people around, and traveling during major events makes it more likely all of the smaller rooms will be occupied, allowing the management to offer the top suites as an alternative to relocating guests to another hotel. And while our insider concedes that the best upgrades are partially a function of luck, he says the front desk staff has more control than most patrons realize.

"We want to keep people happy," he says. "We could be under-booked, and if someone comes up and is really pleasant, but obviously exhausted, I'll give him a nicer view, or a bigger bed."

Even if you're well-rested, just starting a brief conversation with the staff about events you have planned on your vacation can confer benefits. Guests who are celebrating birthdays or anniversaries, or who just need extra room to work can often procure an upgrade by mentioning their situation to the front desk managers, says former Opus hotel manager Daniel Edward Craig.

Playing nice with the management is important for another reason as well: It will make them more likely to remember you, and hotels are big on loyalty. Quintin Payton, a New York City-based freelance stylist, has experienced the benefits of customer loyalty firsthand at the Savoy Hotel in Miami, where he regularly stays for both business and pleasure. "I've stayed there so often, even the maid recognizes me," he says. "Now, when I go, they always give me the same room, no matter what I booked; I never have to pay for parking, which is supposed to be $30 a day; and they never charge me for the mini-bar."

So, what if you've booked your favorite hotel during the 31,000-strong Society for Neuroscience conference, and have arrived haggard-looking in the middle of the night, but no upgrades seem forthcoming? "Just ask," says our informant. "If you're nice and you act important, we'll probably give you something."

This original article by Jacqueline Detwiler of Forbes, can be read here.

First Cruise to Cuba Since 2007

A cruise ship carrying 220 passengers anchored in Havana on Nov. 12. The Gemini, a small cruise ship owned by a Spanish company, Happy Cruises, is the first cruise ship to call on Havana since 2007.

At that time Pulmantur offered a stop in Cuba but after it was acquired by Royal Caribbean in 2007, it had to stop the calls. It also had calls in Cozumel and Cancun. A British cruise line and a Russian line will also make calls in Cuba during 2011.

The Cuban Tourism Ministry predicts that Cuba would receive 1,000 cruise ships a year carrying 1.2 million U.S. tourists if Washington were to lift the travel embargo banning U.S. visitors to the country.

Contact a Cruise Specialist today to book your next cruise!

FAA Orders New Safety Steps on Older Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered new steps to protect thousands of commercial aircraft from serious structural fatigue as they age.

The FAA is requiring manufacturers and airlines to intensify and streamline inspections of the metallic skeleton and skin of aircraft, estimated to cost the industry some $3.6 million. The regulation has been in the works for years and pulls together related rules and directives issued by the agency on fatigue cracking, which is mainly caused by repeated changes in pressurization during flight.

Structural fatigue and questions about FAA oversight have arisen in a handful of incidents in recent years. At issue are tiny cracks, some of them visible, that often form on a plane as it ages. Individually, the cracks are of little concern. But they can weaken an aircraft's structure if permitted to spread and link with other cracks.

More than 4,100 planes registered to fly in the United States are affected by the new rule. There have been several instances in the past few years involving fatigue. The FAA said it is working with European safety officials to harmonize regulations. European Aviation Safety Agency is currently working on its own fatigue directive.

Manufacturers have between 18 and 60 months to comply with the new FAA rule, depending on the plane involved. Airlines then have another 30 to 72 months to incorporate the changes into their inspection routines.

Tahiti's Heiva Festival

During the month of July, Tahiti comes alive with lights, costume, music, dancing, sporting events and other forms of entertainment to celebrate Heiva. This annual Polynesian festival originated in 1882 and is a version of Bastille Day for the Tahitians, comparable to Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Buenos Aires.

Heiva is about bringing the community together and keeping the Polynesian traditions alive. From July 2nd through the 21st, there are daily competitions of all sorts: pirogue racing, petanque, javelin throwing, tennis, basketball, bike racing, and the traditional barefoot race where contestants have to carry heavy sacks of fruit on their shoulders. There are also demonstrations of Polynesian tattooing, medicine, massage, and basket weaving.

The most popular event of Heiva is the Mr. and Miss Tahiti competition. This beauty pageant is not just about good looks but also talent and intelligence, including a race to see who can crack open ten coconuts first.

The best days for visitors to attend Heiva is at the beginning of the month. Nightly singing and dancing begins on the 2nd, followed by days of nonstop entertainment. Tickets to sporting events, which last several hours, generally run about $20 USD. The festival concludes on July 21st (or 22nd in case of poor weather) with the awards ceremony.

Heiva is also celebrated [to a lesser degree] in California, Hawaii, Fiji, and Japan.

Contact a South Pacific Specialist to book your Tahiti vacation!

The Most Romantic Islands in the World

By Emma Sloley
Travel + Leisure

It’s easy to fall in love on an island. “I wore a bikini for five days straight and never put on real clothes for anything,” recalls Christina Greer, a New York professor who took a vacation to Panama’s Bocas del Toro a few years back with her boyfriend. “We went dolphin watching and snorkeling all day,” Greer says. “It was total relaxation.” The two are now married and have visited 15 countries together on a tireless quest to uncover the world’s most romantic destinations.

Whether you’re after all-out luxury or sand-between-the-toes casual, there’s a romantic island for you. And while many of these dream destinations have “remote” and “secluded” as their principle selling points, others are surprisingly close to home.

These are some of the islands that made the list.

Molokai, Hawaii
A conspicuous absence of international hotel chains is just one reason this idyll—situated east of Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago—draws romantics from all over. Hike to remote waterfalls, kayak secluded rocky coastlines, and ride donkeys into the lush valleys, or just laze beachside. (Head for the golden sands of secluded three-mile-long Papohaku Beach, at the far-west end of the island.) With just one traffic light on the island, the only gridlock you’ll encounter is caused by colonies of curious sea turtles frolicking in the outrageously clear waters.

Capri, Italy
Sure, noon in Capri Town can be a tourist swarm, but the bulk of visitors depart on the last ferry back to Naples or Sorrento—leaving the island blissfully free for lovers. And this dramatically craggy outcrop, a Mediterranean Garden of Eden splashed with floral color and perfumed by lemon trees and herb gardens, has remained a magnet for the A-list since antiquity, when Emperor Tiberius set up camp here.

St. Lucia, Caribbean
If the Caribbean Sea were a catwalk, St. Lucia would be its most bankable supermodel. This 27-mile-long island is lush, mountainous, and blessed with gorgeous beaches and verdant cocoa plantations. The jade-green twin peaks of the Pitons, jungle-swathed volcanic plugs that rise from a silvery ocean on the southwest coast, are the Caribbean’s most striking backdrop.

Bocas del Toro, Panama
Located in the Caribbean Sea near the border with Costa Rica, this group of islands is all about low-key relaxation with a Latin American flavor, pitch-perfect for sybarites who don’t want to pack a designer bikini. The main island of Colon has a buzzy downtown full of waterfront bars and laid-back nightclubs, while the smaller islands offer deserted beaches, rainforests, mangroves, and coral reefs.

Catalina Island, California
Just 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina has a certain Mediterranean flavor. Yachts jostle in a glinting harbor, sorbet-colored homes cascade down the hillside, and the secluded coves are ready-made for romance—including the aptly named Lover’s Cove, east of Avalon.

Santorini, Greece
Sweeping views over a picture-perfect caldera—the result of a volcanic eruption around 1600 B.C.—is just one factor in Santorini’s romantic charm. Gorgeous, striated cliffs and black-sand beaches don’t hurt, either. Head to the famously picturesque village of Oia (book a room at the 18-suite Mystique) with its classic whitewashed, cliff-edge architecture, blue-domed churches, and stone houses overhung with bougainvillea canopies.

Rangali Island, The Maldives
Of the 1,192 islets that make up this island nation in the Indian Ocean, roughly 1,000 are uninhabited. Suffice to say, your chances of finding romantic seclusion are pretty high. Like most of the resorts here, the Conrad Maldives Hotel occupies its own private atoll, called Rangali Island. The romance factor kicks in before you even arrive, thanks to a seaplane ride over the shallow, impossibly clear lagoon. Soon enough, you’re dining in the underwater restaurant and kicking back in the over-water spa.

Laucala Island, Fiji
The South Pacific fantasy of swaying palm trees and extravagantly lush scenery reaches its fullest expression here. There are just 25 cottages on this privately owned resort, which occupies the entire island, each with a private pool, dining pavilion, and outdoor hot tub and shower. While the resort attracts deep-pocketed travelers, don’t expect glitzy lobbies. The emphasis is on rustic, pared-back luxury; every detail seems crafted to appeal to couples, including the lagoon pool with its man-made “islands” big enough for two.

Pamalican Island, The Philippines
You’ll find only one resort here—Amanpulo, set on its own private island southwest of Manila with just 40 secluded pitched-roof traditional villas, strung along a pristine beach with sand so white it’s blinding. Beachcombers can navigate the entire island on foot in less than two hours, keeping their eyes out for baby sharks, kingfishers, and sea turtles, which lay their eggs here between March and October.

Lizard Island, Australia
How’s this for romantic: Australia’s northernmost island resort is set on its own private speck of land in the middle of the world’s largest coral reef. Here, you’ll find seven-course private dinners on the beach; picnic hampers for two; and sundowners on the ocean-view deck. Every moment seems custom-made for couples. The island has no less than 24 white-sand secluded beaches. And couples can arrange a private picnic on any of them.

Sicily, Italy
Swoon-worthy scenery is something Sicily has in spades: winding rivers, olive tree–studded hills, Greek and Roman ruins galore, and of course the brooding Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Thanks to a slew of high-profile new hotels—including the much-vaunted Verdura Golf & Spa Resort on the south coast—this rugged, mountainous island off the tip of Italy’s boot is firmly in the spotlight. Fortunately, there’s still time to clock up some romantic R&R before the crowds arrive.

Aitutaki, Cook Islands
This under-the-radar Polynesian paradise ticks several essential romantic boxes: seclusion, great beaches, and the complete absence of mass tourism. The combination was why New Yorker Nicole Daw and her husband chose to spend their honeymoon here. And the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa, set on its own motu and comprising bungalows suspended over a blue lagoon, will make any getaway even more romantic.

Vieques, Puerto Rico
In-the-know globetrotters have been whispering about this magical island for years. The secret is definitely out now—especially since W Hotels opened its first property here—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a secluded corner to call your own. Naturally, Vieques has all the classic elements for a romantic escape: superb beaches, balmy weather, a languid pace. But the highlight is the bioluminescent bay on the southern shore of the island, filled with microscopic organisms that flash bright blue and light up the water with what looks like a million stars.

You can read the original article here.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent to get started booking your next vacation today!

Customs and Courtesies Around the World

By Harriet Baskas
msnbc.com contributor

When President Bush once ducked a pair of shoes thrown by an Iraqi reporter during a press conference in Baghdad, he called it “one of the most weird moments” of his presidency. Anyone familiar with Iraqi culture knew immediately, though, that hurling shoes at someone wasn’t just weird — in Iraq it’s a sign of contempt.

The “shoe incident” reminded PR account executive John Kreuzer of the “peace sign incident” and a lesson he learned back in 1992. While visiting Australia, former president George H.W. Bush flashed a peace sign with his palm facing inward. That gesture, Kreuzer’s junior-high-school history teacher explained in class the next day, “actually means the same thing as giving the middle finger in many countries. He intended to give the normal two-fingered peace sign but made the mistake of giving it backwards.”

So what’s important to know as we trek around the world? We asked experienced travelers for their advice about traditions that can open doors and keep you out of trouble.

Meet and Greet
Samantha Brown, host of the Travel Channel’s “Passport to Great Weekends,” has noticed that in France and Latin America especially, people treat their stores and shops as if they are their personal homes,” so she urges travelers to make a special point of greeting shop owners when entering a store and saying goodbye on the way out. She admits that doing this in France at first seemed strange to her, “since in NYC the unspoken rules are ‘You don’t acknowledge me, I don’t acknowledge you.’” But when she tried making the extra effort, she discovered that “shop owners responded. Sometimes they’d even go out of their way by speaking in English to help me.”

Terms, tipping and nose-blowing
When planning a trip in the Australian Outback, “Remember that the term ‘highway’ in Australia might not refer to a high-speed, high-capacity road” says guidebook author Laine Cunningham. “It can mean anything from a freeway to a two-lane road with crumbling edges that cuts through extremely remote territory. Always carry extra fuel, water and spare tires.” And once you get somewhere, “Tipping is not done Down Under ... unless they hear your American accent,” she adds. “The exception is taxi drivers, who also don’t receive tips from locals but are notorious for pressuring Americans for tips.”

On a trip to Mexico, management consultant Lisa Koss was reprimanded for putting change onto the counter for a purchase. A Mexican colleague told her that it was considered disrespectful to mindlessly “pay the countertop” instead of putting the change into the person's hand and making eye contact. “By giving the money more intentionally, you are acknowledging the person while making a transaction,” says Koss.

Heading to Nepal? Leon Logothetis, host of the Fox Reality TV show “Amazing Adventures of a Nobody,” says that it’s a sign of respect to take off your shoes when you enter a temple or someone’s home. “Also, it seems that blowing your nose in public is not approved of,” he says.

For more on the meaning of gestures in other countries, global culture trainer Peggy Hazard swears by the books in Roger Axtell’s “Do’s and Taboos” series and warns travelers to pay careful attention to what they do with their hands. “Direct hand gestures and individual fingers have vastly different meanings all over the world and can even be construed as offensive,” says Hazard. “The OK sign of circling the thumb and index finger doesn’t always mean ‘OK.’ It’s considered vulgar in Brazil and Germany and means ‘worthless’ in France.”

Is that a yes or a no?
Sometimes you don’t even need to say or do much of anything to get into trouble in another country. Strategic foreign policy consultant Charles Francis says he had a hard time remembering that “unlike the rest of the world, Bulgarians shake their heads from side to side to indicate ‘yes’ and use an up and down movement when they’re saying ‘no.’”

While having dinner with his daughter one evening at a quaint little restaurant in rustic Dimitrovgrad, Francis got his yes’s and no’s mixed up. “My daughter had to help poor old dad home after I mistakenly shook my head “no” (which in Bulgarian means “yes”) when the young lady in the restaurant asked if I wanted another bottle of wine.”

More tips from around the globeStaff members of the public TV program “Worldfocus” not only want you to stay up to date on current affairs, they want you to be mindful of your travel manners.

A few other tips when globetrotting:
“Don‘t pull your hand away if an Arab businessman walking with you takes your hand and holds it as you go. It’s a sign of friendship,” assistant producer Mohammad Al-Kassim, a Palestinian from Jerusalem, advises.

In Asia, “When taking stuff from others, use both of your hands. And when sitting, sit still. Don’t shake your feet or rest your feet on the chair,” says assistant producer Hsin-Yin Lee, who is from Taiwan.

When eating in Europe, remember that “it’s very rude to put a piece of bread on your plate. Leave it on the table beside the plate. Also remember to break the bread with your hands and not with a knife,” notes production assistant Illaria Mignatti, who is from Milan.

In Russia, it’s taboo to give an even number of flowers, warns researcher Christine Kiernan. “Always buy odd numbers. Bunches of even-numbered flowers are for funerals.”

Mind your words, author and foreign language expert Mark Frobose warns, because they often don’t mean what you think. “In Spanish, ‘embarazada’ does not mean ‘embarrassed,’ it means ‘pregnant.’” he explains. “And ‘constipado’ means ‘stuffy nose.’”

The lesson learned? Before setting out to visit a foreign country, it’s a good idea to study up on the traditions and customs of that land. That goes for presidents as well as travelers without spokespeople to explain any unintended gestures.

Original Article: Throwing Shoes and Blowing Noses

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Anatomy of an Ice Hotel

In Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, just 200 km inside the Arctic Circle, lies an architectural feat made of frozen water. Every year the hotel is rebuilt for obvious reasons, and guestrooms come at a hefty price tag, for obvious reasons. What started as an igloo has evolved into a luxury walk-in freezer. Allow us to walk you through the anatomy of Sweden’s Icehotel:

March
The Icehotel constructed last year is still open for business—the spring thaw comes late 125 miles north of the arctic circle—but this is the time to gather raw material for next year’s structure. Workers use hydraulic saws to slice the surface of the nearby Torne river into 3-foot-thick blocks, which are extracted with earthmoving equipment.

April
By now, workers have harvested 3,000 blocks of ice, each weighing 2.2 tons. They are transported to a warehouse and stored at 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

May-September
As the ice blocks chillax in storage, last year’s hotel gradually melts back into the river.

November
Brr! Time to start rebuilding. Large steel moldings are positioned where the finished edifice will stand, and snow machines produce tons and tons of “snice”—a mixture of snow and ice. Giant snow blowers inhale the slushy stuff and blast it onto the metal frames. After two days, the snice has frozen solid and the frames can be removed. The giant hunks of ice are removed from storage and stacked on top of one another. Then they get doused with water. The liquid freezes quickly, cementing the blocks into support columns.

December
Leftover ice is used to make windowpanes and beds (covered in reindeer fur for comfort). Icehotel’s first guests of the season check in. They enjoy welcoming drinks of Absolut vodka—served, of course, in tumblers made of ice. Just don’t forget your mittens!

Information courtesy of Wired Magazine.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent to get started booking your next vacation to Sweden!

Air New Zealand Introduces "Cuddle Class"

Beginning next year Air New Zealand is introducing "Cuddle Class", where passengers can book a row of seats that convert into a couch or bed.

Planned for trans-Pacific flights, the "Skycouch" is a row of three regular seats that's being redesigned to create a space for children to play or a flat surface for adults to relax and sleep. This will debut in April, and will be available on the Los Angeles - Auckland, and London - Auckland flights.

It will cost the price of two standard economy seats plus half-price for the third seat in the row. Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe said, "for those who choose, the days of sitting in economy and yearning to lie down and sleep are gone" .

Pricing details should be available for this unique class by the end of this year. Contact your Professional Travel Agent today for more information, or to book your next vacation to New Zealand!

The Vibrant Little Village of Kuranda, Australia

If you are planning a trip to Queensland, Australia, make sure you visit Kuranda! Kuranda is a vibrant little village located in northern Queensland, in the Daintree National Park, and is a very popular day trip from Cairns. It is about 2 hours from Cairns by rail, or about 1 hour by car.

Making your way to Kuranda can be just as much fun as the actual visit. The most popular means of transportation to Kuranda is the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The railway promises to be a leisurely and scenic trip, going through 15 tunnels and over more than 30 bridges. Another popular way to get to Kuranda is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This runs between Caravonica to Kuranda, above the Barron Gorge National Park. Many visitors combine the two, taking the Railway there and the Skyrail back.

Kuranda is a small village, although somewhat hilly. Walking 3 kilometers will take you from one end of town to the other. It is most famous for its markets and they run every day offering a wide range of handcrafted goods and Aboriginal artifacts. Kuranda is also home to many art galleries and has a variety of restaurants and coffee shops.

Some highlights in Kuranda include:

Bird World is a large mesh canopy, naturally landscaped with waterfalls, lakes, exotic and native plants, in which you can wander among free flying birds. The birds are divided evenly between colorful parrots and drab quails and doves with the addition of some cassowaries fenced away from people wandering around the circuit.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly enclosure in Australia. The all-weather flight aviary is home to some 2000 tropical butterflies. The sanctuary is open every day except Christmas.

Kuranda Koala Gardens is located right in the heart of Kuranda Village, and is a small wildlife zoo housing Australian native animals. In addition to koalas, there are also kangaroos, crocodiles, snakes and lizards. Visitors can hold a koala and have their picture taken. A Free shuttle bus operates from the Skyrail and Kuranda Train stations every 10 - 15 minutes.

Contact an Australia Specialist today to book your trip to Australia that can include a visit to Kuranda!

Travel Tip: Backup Your Important Travel Documents

Let’s be frank, there is nothing fun about a travel emergency. When something goes wrong while traveling abroad, getting things straightened out can be exponentially more difficult due to a variety of factors including language barriers and simply not having easy access to your personal computer, filing cabinet, etc...

Making copies of your important travel documents is about the easiest part of planning. What takes only a few minutes now may save you hours in the long-run.

Scan, print, and email yourself a copy of the following documents:

• Passport


• Driver’s license


• Emergency phone numbers: friends/family/credit cards/bank accounts


• Travel itinerary


• Travel insurance policy numbers & insurance certificate


• Medical insurance cards & prescriptions

Store the physical copies in a secret compartment within your locked luggage. Take it a step further and leave a copy with a trusted (and easily accessible) friend or family member. While some are weary of sending important numbers via a web-based email platform (gmail, hotmail, etc…), it is one of the easiest ways to access specific info quickly, and as long as you’re diligent about properly logging out of common computers you should be fine. Better to be safe than sorry!

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today for assistance booking your next trip!