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Travunch of Spaceship Earth At Epcot At Disney World Scheduled For February

Spaceship Earth, the iconic centerpiece of Epcot at the Disney World complex in Orlando, Florida, relaunches in February with changes and refinements installed during more than seven months of construction and detailing. Presented by Siemens, the relaunched Spaceship Earth looks on the outside like it did when Epcot opened a quarter century ago. But on the inside, Spaceship Earth has undergone changes since summer 2007 that will treat guests to an innovative "interactive" attraction with many new scenes, new costumes and set decorations, new lighting and special effects, a new musical score and narration, and a totally re-themed interactive post-show.
On a trip through time inside the Spaceship Earth attraction, guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from caves to the cosmos. During the journey, new scenes depict: a family in the late 1960s viewing the moon landing on television; a massive, two-story computer room of the late 1960s with reel-to-reel-computers; a garage of the early 1970s where the "personal computer" is born; and a "tech tunnel" in which guests become part of a digital data stream.
Even scenes that guests have experienced since 1982 have been touched by the project. "Practically every Audio-Animatronics figure in Spaceship Earth has been updated in one way or another," said Show Producer Bob Zalk of Walt Disney Imagineering. "To make the figures more realistic, they've received a makeover of everything from their hair to their costumes to their movements."
As the ride-through adventure nears its finish, interactive touch-screens in the ride vehicles light up with a series of questions, soliciting guests' preferences concerning things such as where they'd like to live and work in the future. Then guests are treated to a personalized view of themselves in their idyllic future.
When guests disembark the time travel experience, they are invited to visit "Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow" presented by Siemens, where interactive exhibits bring to life the ideas and technologies Siemens is developing to help make the world a better place for the future. The space is filled with fun, interactive games and displays that showcase innovative technologies.
Epcot is part of the 25,000-acre Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, Fla. For more information, guests may call 407/824-4321 or visit www.disneyworld.com.

The French Riviera: Take a Walk Into Its Wild Side

Close to 10 million people visit the French Riviera every year. Despite the Cote d'Azur's popularity, most of the region's footpaths remain a well-kept secret. Yet footpaths crisscross the region in some of the most scenic and sometimes unusual spots. They skirt the flanks of red volcanic mountains that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. They stroll along the coast and reach inlets otherwise only accessible by boat. They climb wild wooded bluffs and lead to prehistoric burial sites dating back to the early Copper Age some 4,500 years ago.
"Most visitors to the Cote d'Azur stay on the main corridors of attraction," explains Florence Chatzigianis, author of the new illustrated guidebook 26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Cote d'Azur. "Many would love to escape the crowds and veer off onto a footpath for a half-day of gentle adventure and panoramic views. They just don't know where to go for that."
The walks covered in the guidebook range from one to nine miles in length (one to four hours) and appeal to hikers of all levels of experience.
Florence Chatzigianis is a member of the French Hiking Federation. She helps many visitors to southern France hop off the main tourist tracks and discover the region's lesser-known walks.
The guidebook (AzurAlive Press, February 2008, ISBN: 978-0-9792796-2-1, full-color trade paperback, 160 pages, $16.95) can be ordered from online vendors or at your favorite bookstore.

US State Department Upgrades Its Consular Information Program
The US Department of State has announced improvements to its consular affairs website, www.travel.state.gov, which provides Americans with the latest information for their international travel. Since 1995, the Department has posted on the web current travel information on every country around the globe, as well as updates on developing issues and special conditions that Americans may face abroad.
Reports on current conditions in all nations, previously known as Consular Information Sheets, are now known as Country Specific Information. Reports about conditions that are expected to be of limited duration and scope, previously known as Public Announcements, are now titled Travel Alerts. These new names for familiar, reliable reports will help the public find information more readily. Travel Warnings, which contain information on continuing conditions throughout a country, continue in their current format.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Department of State’s consular information program are at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_3910.html.

Snow Lion Expeditions & Vermont Public Radio Offer Special Trip to China
Vermont Public Radio and Snow Lion Expeditions have teamed up to offer a comprehensive look at the "Middle Kingdom" with a focus on history, politics, cuisine, art and classical music. Accompanied by VPR commentator Christopher Wren, former Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times, this adventure includes the booming cities of Beijing and Shanghai. It also will visit seven UNESCO World Heritage sites including the famed terra cotta army of Xian and the lush Li River valley in Guilin.
The trip includes attendance at performances by the Beijing and Shanghai Symphony Orchestras as well as tours of Beijing’s 798 Art District, and the Museum of Contemporary Art and 50 Moganshan Road district in Shanghai.
This one-of-a-kind cultural adventure departs Boston's Logan Airport on May 6, returning two weeks later on May 20. For more information or to book your spot, visit www.Snowlion.com or call (800) 525-8735.

Rough Guides Publishes New Book—Travel with Babies and Young Children

From pre-trip planning to pre-empting and dealing with challenges when away, The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children is the ultimate comprehensive guide to hassle-free family travel. With the low-down on everything from planning your itinerary and accommodation to what to bring and how to pack it, the guide is packed with tips on painless travel by plane, car, bus or train, as well how to deal with delays, queues and travel sickness. Insiders’ tips from destinations all around the globe ensure you’ll know what to expect when you arrive. You’ll find thoroughly researched and accessible advice on coping with the challenges once you’re there, from eating out with toddlers to getting enough sleep. Ideal for busy parents, the guide comes complete with listings of resources, websites and further reading, plus handy checklists, first-hand stories and advice from travel industry experts and parents who’ve been there and done it.
Available in bookstores, the price for the guidebook published by Penguin is US $15.99; U.K. £9.99 and CAN $21.99. Website: www.roughguides.com

Schrager and Bill Marriott Introduce New Lifestyle Boutique Hotel Brand
This month, Ian Schrager and J.W. Marriott, Jr., started their new lifestyle boutique hotel brand, introducing its name, "Edition," and announcing an initial wave of signed development deals that will see the expected opening of the first properties in 2010. The renowned inventor of the boutique hotel and the CEO of the world's premier lodging company said that they have reached agreements with developers for the first nine of what eventually could be more than 100 Edition hotels in markets around the globe. Under the agreements, Edition hotels are now planned for Paris, Madrid, Costa Rica, Miami, Washington, Chicago and Scottsdale, Ariz. Two hotels are planned for Los Angeles.

Mobil Travel Guide Announces 2008 Mobil 4 & 5 Star Hotel, Restaurant Ratings
Mobil Travel Guide, the originator of the Mobil Travel Guide star ratings certifications, unveiled its list of Mobil Four- and Five-Star hotels, restaurants and spas. The complete list of Mobil Star award winners and updated comprehensive reviews written by Mobil Travel Guide's experts are available exclusively at www.mobiltravelguide.com. For the past 50 years, Mobil Travel Guide has been the trusted source in travel ratings and expert reviews, steering travelers in the right direction," said Shane O'Flaherty, President and CEO for Mobil Travel Guide. "We are thrilled to share this landmark year with travelers across the world and look forward to another fantastic 50 years."
Several of Mobil Travel Guide's Five-Star properties are celebrating record achievements of their own. The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs will mark its 48th year on the Mobil Five-Star list, making it the longest running Mobil Five-Star property in Mobil Travel Guide's history. Several new additions to the Mobil Five-Star list will be the first properties in their respective states to be awarded the honor, including the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo. and the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah.
This year Mobil Travel Guide has added eight new properties to the Mobil Five-Star list.

Boston Harbor Hotel gets 5 stars
Four new Mobil Five-Star hotels join the Five-Star list, including the Boston Harbor Hotel, The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island in South Carolina, the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo. and the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah. Three new restaurants have been awarded a Mobil Five-Star rating: the Georgian Room in Sea Island, Ga., The Inn at Dos Brisas in Brenham, Texas and Le Bernardin in New York, N.Y. One new spa-the Spa at the Sanctuary in South Carolina-completes the list of only three Mobil Five- star Spas in the United States and Canada. Along with the newest Five-Star properties, Mobil Travel Guide is announcing 50 new Four-Star hotels, restaurants and spas for 2008.
A special 50th Anniversary edition of Mobil Travel Guide's print guides will be distributed by Langenscheidt Publishing Group (LPG) and will be available at all major book stores starting January 29th, 2008.
For a detailed explanation of how Mobil Travel Guide compiles its star ratings, visit www.mobiltravelguide.co.

St. Lucia's Newest Luxury Boutique Hotel to Open in July 2008
Cap Maison, St. Lucia's first residential-style luxury boutique hotel, announces that construction will be completed in May 2008. The hotel is now accepting reservations for stays starting in July 2008 when the property officially opens.
Set on a stunning four-acre, cliff-top parcel of land, Cap Maison's distinctive architecture and design is quite literally set upon a pedestal. It is just minutes north of popular Rodney Bay, known for its nightlife, yet removed enough to provide peace and tranquility, thanks to its location within the larger Cap Estate development. Creative use of architecture and design renders surprising nooks and unexpected vistas throughout the property. The guest rooms, villas and suites have spectacular views north to Martinique, west to Pigeon Island and striking views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea, most dramatically seen from the individual rooftop terraces. Fifty artfully appointed suites and guest rooms will be serviced by private butlers. The Villa Suites are exceptionally spacious and will be fully equipped with professional-grade kitchens, remarkably spacious living and dining areas, outdoor showers and private pools, which will be located either on the ground floor or on a private roof top terrace, depending on the room.
The Spa at Cap Maison will be a calm oasis with interiors drawn from "Arabian Nights" accented with soft nuances, draped ceilings, copper lighting and a soothing ambience that will relax guests well before the treatments even begin. Spa Maison will have one double treatment room, two single treatment rooms with outdoor showers, a salon room for manicures, pedicures and hair styling, in addition to a relaxation deck. An herbal and medicinal garden for the spa will provide fresh-cut flowers and herbs for natural treatment products and a line of soothing, post-treatment teas.

Couples Ocho Rios To Unveil New Hotel Within Historic Walls
Couples Resorts is pleased to announce plans for a US$15 million renovation of Jamaica’s first all-inclusive, couples only resort, Couples Ocho Rios. Nearly all areas of the 59 year old resort will be renovated as it is restored to its original Old World Jamaican charm, marrying tropical splendor with an updated, Grand Island style.
The resort will close on April 1 and a new and improved Couples Ocho Rios will be unveiled on December 15, 2008. Nearly every aspect of the resort from the lobby to the spa to restaurants and pool facilities will be renovated with contemporary upgrades to ensure the romance, refinement and quality that Couples Resorts’ savvy guests have come to expect.
Originally built in 1949 as the Tower Isle Hotel and rebranded as Couples Ocho Rios in 1978, the resort will undergo extensive renovations that will include the addition of 20 accommodations – four suites and 16 rooms - all with ocean views, flat screen televisions in all rooms, new doors to guest room entrance and enhancements to the main pool (including leveling the depth to 5.0 feet throughout and creating a new water feature), lobby, piano bar, main dining room, main bar, and garden villa suites. Some bathrooms will feature zero edge walk-in showers.
Brand new amenities include a new wedding gazebo, veggie and juice bar, pool grill, spa with 10 treatment rooms, swim-up pool bar and new dive pool, gym, aerobics room, photo shop, gift shop, games room, and a floating dock at Tower Isle, Couples Ocho Rios’ own private island.
Guests already booked at Couples Ocho Rios during the closed period will be protected at one of the three sister properties (Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril) and will receive a certificate entitling them to two complimentary nights on a return stay at Couples Ocho Rios from April 1 – December 15, 2009. Guests who elect not to travel will be offered a full refund.
For further information, call 1-800-COUPLES or visit www.couples.com.

A Host Of New Hotels Scheduled To Open In 2008 In The UK
Visitors to London and the rest of the UK will have a host of new hotels to book lodging for their stay. The list includes:
London
-- Sofitel London Heathrow Terminal 5 will be a spectacular new $360 million five star hotel linked to the exciting new Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow airport. Opening in March 2008, the Sofitel, which will be the only hotel at the terminal, will be one of the largest luxury airport hotels and convention centers in Europe. Given that this new hotel is located at one of the most strategically important locations in the UK, the Sofitel is destined to attract international acclaim.
--London Gatwick airport is also set for another hotel when the Marriott Courtyard London Gatwick opens in summer 2008. With 218 bedrooms planned, the hotel hopes to offer the right price value balance while delivering the consistency of product and service for which the Courtyard brand is world-renowned.
-- Another luxurious London hotel, The Langham is currently investing in a major refurbishment program hoping for a completion at the end of 2008. The $100 million project has seen the addition of a stylish new bar, Artesian, whilst work has now commenced on the re-decoration of the bedroom and lobby areas ensuring that the sumptuous and luxurious qualities of this grand hotel are maintained for many years to come.
--The Connaught is one of the luxurious London hotels currently undergoing a major reburbishment. Scheduled to re-open in 2008, the hotel will have 31 new rooms and suites including a penthouse suite modeled on an exclusive Mayfair apartment. The property will also incorporate a state-of-the-art spa and world-class meeting facilities.

--Grosvenor House, the landmark five star hotel in central London, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment program with completion cited for towards the end of 2008. Frequented by royal family members, celebrities and business leaders since its opening in 1928, the hotel’s new changes and additions promise to ensure an even higher standard of luxury and comfort for even the most discerning guests.
Outside of London, new openings include:
Bath
-- The exclusive Lucknam Park encapsulates all such offerings and is billed as one of Britain’s finest country house hotels. At the end of July 2008, the hotel’s new multi-million pound spa complex will open within the grounds offering world class treatments and facilities within the most tranquil setting. One key feature will be the 65 feet pool which is covered by a louvered roof, giving the impression of swimming outside, but with all the indoor comforts.
Liverpool
-- Liverpool early 2008, perfectly timed as Liverpool has been crowned the 2008 European Capital of Culture. The property will enjoy a waterfront location and offer an excellent standard of budget three star accommodation right in the heart of this bustling city.
-- Liverpool will also be home for the new Hotel Layla on the River Mersey in 2008. The new boutique property will feature 88 bedrooms and 26 suites.
-- Staybridge Suites are also planning there first foray into the British market with their new opening in Liverpool planned for early 2008. The property will comprise 132 fully equipped one bedroom and studio suites, with modern interior design to create a 'home from home' environment for extended stay business travelers.
Lake District
-- Yew Tree Farm should be the destination of choice for anyone seeking a romantic escape to the beautiful Lake District. As one of the most photographed farms in these valleys, it once belonged to the famous children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, who penned the famous Peter Rabbit Stories. The farm itself gained further fame in the film Miss Potter which featured several scenes at the cottage. After major refurbishment, 2008 will see the re-opening of these doors welcoming guests once more to this truly beloved location.
Scotland
-- If you are seeking a luxurious stay in a grand old building then the Blythswood Square hotel in Glasgow would seem perfectly suited when it opens its doors in 2008. This Georgian building will house 88 luxury bedrooms and incorporate many aspects of the original building, along with a state of the art spa and extensive conference facilities. The building, originally built in 1832, is located in the Glasgow City Central Conservation Area, and borders on one of the few areas of green space left in the city center.
-- For those who love to self indulge themselves in luxurious spas, they seem spoilt for choice with the numerous new openings. The Norton House Hotel and Spa, Edinburgh, being one of them which, as part of the $27million re-development of the hotel, aims to offer a large sumptuous spa to be located within the walled garden of the hotel. Set behind a stone gatehouse and along a long tree-lined drive, any visitor will be left in little doubt that they have found a delightful country retreat.
-- If you are looking for a more remote escape, then a stay at the Saxa Vod resort in the Shetland Islands may be suited to your tastes. Situated in the Wild North Atlantic, on the same latitude as Greenland, the new Officers Mess hotel will offer spectacular views from its standard rooms or superior suites when it opens in 2008. Peace, serenity and wide open expanses of beautiful coastline are all included.
-- The Malmaison group is investing $14 million converting the former family-owned Queens Hotel in Aberdeen. Upon completion, the 34 bedroom baronial mansion, located in the heart of Aberdeen's West End, will be extended into an 82 bedroom hotel. Aberdeen Malmaison should be operational by April 2008.
-- Hotel Missoni Edinburgh will be situated on the Royal Mile in the city center. It will be the first Rezidor life-style hotel brand to open in the UK. The exciting building will be completely rebuilt from the inside, to preserve the existing façade, and will feature 136 bedrooms and suites, a Bar Missoni, Missoni Cucina with private dining, a spa and fitness centre and several conference rooms. The hotel Missoni Edinburgh is scheduled to open its doors in June 2008.
-- The luxurious Cameron House Hotel, part of the DeVere group, is undergoing an extensive renovation throughout the property. The property has 96 bedrooms including five suites and incredible lagoon swimming pool, spa and two golf courses. The hotel is scheduled to re-open in the middle of 2008.
Wales
-- For those travelers familiar with the renowned Radisson SAS hotel brand, the chain is planning to open a new four-star hotel in the heart of Cardiff city in October 2008. The 200 room hotel will be the first Radisson SAS hotel in Wales and will feature a restaurant; bar; meeting, events and leisure facilities.
-- Sleeperz will be a new budget hotel in the city center of Cardiff offering 76 bedrooms at competitive prices when it opens in June 2008. The hotel is perfectly positioned alongside the main railway station in Cardiff.
-- If a charming and eccentric stay is appealing, then the newly opened Holm House hotel in the Victorian seaside town of Penrith, South Wales is definitely worth a visit. The hotel has been created by converting a 1920’s house into 12 uniquely designed bedrooms with three opulent loft suites featuring spectacular views across the Bristol Channel. The rooms are fitted out with decadent Welsh, English and European furniture and the restaurant specializes in locally sourced food. This new hotel aims to provide a unique and charismatic stay in this fantastic picturesque town.
For more information about new hotel developments in England, Scotland and Wales, please contact VisitBritain by calling 1-800-462-2748, by e-mailing travelinfo@visitbritain.org or by visiting www.visitbritain.us .

Wimco Villas Publishes Vacation Guide To Leeward Islands in Caribbean

Wimco Villas has just introduced an 84-page, four-color Vacation Guide to the Leeward Islands covering villas, hotels, restaurants and other information for St. Martin, Anguilla and Nevis. “It’s great to get much of the in-depth knowledge from our staff into this concise, easy-to-access reference book,” says Stiles Bennet, Wimco Villas’ Director of Marketing. “Unlike other vacation guide books, we don’t have to be egalitarians. We include only those properties and suggestions of things to see and do that we know will appeal to our upscale clients, some
of whom have been booking our villas again and again for the past 20 years.’”
A three-page special features index charts each villa’s amenities from access to beach, tennis and golf to fitness equipment and more. There is also a paragraph on each island that describes, as of publication date, the airlines servicing each island. Villas and hotels are also keyed to specific island maps.
Wimco Villas also publishes similar vacation guides to St. Barts, Italy, France, Greece and Barbados. To obtain a copy of the Leeward Islands and other books, please go to www.wimco.com and order on line or call 800-449-1553. A direct live link to the new guide is http://www.wimcotrip.com/newsletter/guideorder.aspx.

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British Air To Launch New Subsidiary Airline For NY/Brussels/Paris Flights
British Airways is planning to launch its new US-EU subsidiary airline OpenSkies with daily flights from New York to Brussels and Paris. The airline will launch in June 2008 with one Boeing 757 aircraft that will operate from New York to either Brussels or Paris Charles de Gaulle airports. A second aircraft will be added to the fleet later this year to
fly to the other EU destination. The plan is to operate six 757s by the
end of 2009, all of which will be sourced from the current British Airways’
fleet. The aircraft will carry up to 82 passengers on Boeing 757 aircraft with
three onboard cabins: business, premium economy and economy. British Airways’ Chief Executive Willie Walsh said: “This is an exciting new venture for us and we’re confident that it will be a great success as we build on the strength of British Airways’ brand in the US and Europe. By naming the airline OpenSkies, we’re celebrating the first major step in 60 years towards a liberalized US/EU aviation market which means we can fly
between any US and EU destination. It also signals our determination to lobby for further liberalization in this market when talks between the EU and US take place later this year.”
OpenSkies’ business class cabin has 24 seats that convert into six-foot long flat beds. There will be 28 premium economy seats with a 52-inch seat pitch and 30 economy seats.

US Helicopter's Allows Guests to Pre-Clear Airport Security
U.S. Helicopter Corporation has signed a partnership agreement with Eos Airlines to provide helicopter service between Manhattan and JFK International Airport for Eos Guests traveling to or from London. US Helicopter offers 135 flights per week between Manhattan and JFK -- from East 34 Street Heliport and from Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Eos has 44 flights per week between New York's JFK and London's Stansted Airport.
Guests reserving unrestricted tickets aboard Eos will be offered complimentary helicopter transfer from either heliport to/from JFK. At the heliports, TSA security screening and thru check-in of bags to London's Stansted -- will be completed. After a convenient eight-minute helicopter flight Guests will be greeted by an Eos Guide and escorted to the Lounge or directly to their flight.
Reservations on US Helicopter can be made by visiting www.flyush.com or calling toll free 877-262-7676. From the UK call toll free +00-800-2727-6766.
Heliport or East 34th Street Heliport to JFK International Airport. Founded in 2003, US Helicopter provides scheduled, reliable, fast and affordable helicopter transportation designed to meet the needs of time- sensitive business travelers. All flights utilize state-of-the-art Sikorsky S-76 helicopters configured for eight passengers and staffed with two pilots. For more information please visit www.flyush.com or call 877-262-7676. From the UK, call toll free +00-800-2727-6766.

New Lufthansa Frankfurt-to-Bergen, Norway Route Begins In March
Lufthansa is opening a new route from Frankfurt to Bergen. The new Lufthansa service, which will operate twice daily, year round, will be launched on March 30, 2008, when the summer timetable goes into effect. Bergen is the third destination in Norway after Oslo and Stavanger to be served from Frankfurt by Germany’s largest carrier. “With the new service to Bergen, we are linking one of the most important economic centers and attractive tourist regions in Norway to our largest hub in Frankfurt,” says Dr. Karl-Rudolf Rupprecht, Lufthansa’s Head of Hub Management Frankfurt.
Bergen lies on the west coast of Norway. With a population of 250,000, it is the secondlargest city in the country.
Bergen has huge potential as a tourism destination, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Scandinavia. When the new service to Bergen is introduced, Lufthansa will offer a total of 111 flights per week to Norway.
In the summer, Lufthansa will also operate a twice-weekly, seasonal service to Bergen from Hamburg, with flights departing on Saturdays and Sundays. The Norwegian capital Oslo is already served several times daily from Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. In addition, Lufthansa customers have a choice of two flights per day from Frankfurt to Stavanger. Lufthansa’s flight services to Norway are supplemented by its Star Alliance partner Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).

Lufthansa And JetBlue Complete Stock Purchase Transaction
Deutsche Lufthansa AG and JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq: JBLU) today completed their stock purchase agreement transaction this month in which Lufthansa now holds a 19 percent stake in JetBlue. With the conclusion of the financial transaction, Lufthansa and JetBlue will begin exploring innovative commercial arrangements designed to benefit both airlines and their customers.

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Scandinavian Rail Pass Brought Under Eurail Umbrella
The Eurail Group is giving more options to travelers wanting to explore the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Scandinavia has long been a popular tourist destination for overseas visitors with numbers increasing steadily; in 2006 there were over seven hundred thousand visitors from the United States alone. Now through a new selection of offerings, Eurail passengers can travel throughout the region's excellent rail systems using just a single pass.
On January 1, Eurail introduced the Eurail Scandinavia Pass to its vast array of rail packages (replacing the former ScanRail Pass). The pass enables unlimited 2nd class rail travel in all four participating countries and is available throughout a range of validity periods. Discounts are offered to groups of two or more and to young people under the age of 26. Prices start from just 50 euros a day for a four-day Saver Pass.
Eurail's global network of sales agents makes the pass widely available around the world, and assists travelers in purchasing packages prior to their departure to Europe. Therefore passes can be conveniently bought using local currency, saving the time and stress of buying a series of tickets upon arrival.
Eurail's new Scandinavian packages also allow flexibility for different itineraries and country combinations. Those wanting to visit only one or two Scandinavian countries can choose among the Finland-Sweden, Denmark-Sweden and Norway-Sweden options. Additionally, the Norway and Sweden One Country Passes have been adjusted in line with many other Eurail Passes and now offer "Saver" discounts in 2nd class for groups of 2-5 travelers.
Trains in Scandinavia are modern, comfortable and reliable. High speed trains such as Sweden's X2000 and Finland's Pendolino whisk travellers from city to city, while slower scenic routes, like the Bergen Railway in Norway, wind through mountain tunnels and across bridges providing continuous panoramas of unspoiled scenic beauty. Although each country's railway is operated by its own company, cross border connections are easy and efficient. Traveling from Oslo to Stockholm takes just over six hours, while Stockholm to Copenhagen is about a five hour journey. Connections between Helsinki and Stockholm are made possible by ship, operated by Tallink Silja Oy, which gives all Eurail Pass holders a 50% reduction on the full fare of the crossing.
In addition to its Scandinavian packages, the Eurail Group offers a wide range of passes from single country options to the classic Eurail Global Pass, valid in 20 countries. For more information about the Eurail Group, go to http://www.EurailGroup.com.

50% Discount One Way Thalys Tickets Between France & Benelux Countries.
Rail Europe is currently offering 50% off the normal price for one-way full-fare tickets on all routes of the high-speed Thalys train connecting Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam. Tickets must be booked by March 2, 2008 for travel through March 20, 2008.
This special offer is for 1st or 2nd class full-fare tickets between all French, Belgian, and Dutch cities Thalys serves. The normal one-way full-fare ticket between Paris and Brussels costs from $234 US/CAD (1st class) or $140 US/CAD (2nd), compared to the promotional fare from $109 US/CAD (1st) or $70 US/CAD (2nd). Between Paris and Amsterdam the normal full-fare ticket costs from $291 US/CAD (1st) or $179 US/CAD (2nd); with this special promotion, that drops to $149 US/CAD (1st) or $90 US/CAD (2nd). While full-fare tickets are fully exchangeable and refundable, the special promotional fares are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
[Note: this promotion is not valid for travel to/from Germany.]
Thalys to get faster in 2008
Thalys takes just 1 hour 22 minutes to go from downtown Paris to Brussels, most of the journey made at 186 mph. In 2008, all Thalys tracks will be high-speed and travel times Paris-Amsterdam (currently 4 hrs 11 min.) and Paris-Cologne (presently 3 hrs 50 min) will be cut to 3 hrs 9 min and 2 hrs 50 min, respectively. Up to 27 trains travel between Paris and Brussels in each direction daily, making the service convenient as well as fast.
For more information or to book any of Rail Europe's wide range of economical rail passes and point-to-point tickets on trains throughout Europe and the U.K., consult a travel agent or log on to Rail Europe's web site, www.raileurope.com or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).

Buy Now, Travel Later With Eurail 6-, 8- and 10- Day Select Passes
Eurail Group announced today that it is offering an extra day of rail travel on all six-, eight- and ten-day Eurail Select Passes purchased up until the end of March 2008. Customers will then have up to six months in which to start traveling. This promotion is being offered to all customers worldwide, outside of Europe in order to encourage travelers to choose Eurail Pass and buy early.
The Eurail Select Pass is a popular rail pass as it allows customers to practically tailor-make their own pass by selecting three to five adjoining countries. With 23 countries participating in the scheme there are over 750 possibilities to choose from, giving travelers endless opportunities to explore Europe. Not only does the Select Pass cover the more commonly known European destinations such as France, Germany, Italy, Portugal Switzerland and Spain, it also reaches out to the increasingly popular Eastern European destinations such as Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and Slovenia. Regardless of which part

High Speed Rail Links Madrid with Barcelona, Segovia & Malaga Faster
It’s now easier to travel around Spain. Just in time for the New Year three Alta Velocidad Española, AVE, or high-speed trains are now traveling even faster from Madrid to the north and to the south.
When construction is completed travel time from Madrid to Barcelona on the AVE train will shrink from the previous four-hour-ten-minute trip to about three hours and ten minutes. And once the final section of the high-speed track is completed this spring between Camp de Tarragona and Barcelona, the train will travel at 186 miles per hour (mph). When the latest version of the European Train Control System (ETCS) is in place, the AVE trains will operate at 199 mph and eventually reach speeds of 219 mph, reducing the trip to only two hours and 30 minutes. More information is available on the Spanish rail website http://www.renfe.es/horarios/english/index.html
built through tunnels – one the fourth longest in Europe – under the Sierra de
The Spanish government plans to have 4350 miles (7000 kilometers) of high-speed track operational by 2010 with all the provincial capitals only four hours from Madrid and six and a half hours from Barcelona.

World's Top 25 Trains Announced by Society of International Railway Travelers
What does Europe's very dignified grande dame, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, share in common with India's wheezing, narrow-gauge geezer, the 100-year-old steam Toy Train? They're both members of a select group; namely, The World's Top 25 Trains, as determined by The Society of International Railway Travelers(R).
Some on the list are over-the-top luxury, such as the all-first-class Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa and India's Deccan Odyssey. Others offer the most stylish and comfortable way to see less-developed regions, such the world's newest private train, the Danube Express, which offers week-long, rail-based "cruises" through Central Europe.
Per-person prices for these mostly private-train tours range from $2,895 for a week in Mexico's Copper Canyon aboard the Sierra Madre Express to $26,500 for a 16-day Vancouver-Montreal excursion aboard the exclusive Royal Canadian Pacific, which hosted the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth -and Bill Gates.
Following, in geographical order, are the winning trains and principal countries or areas of operation:
North America
1) Canadian (Canada)
2) Royal Canadian Pacific (Canada)
3) Canadian Rockies Steam Express (Canada)
4) Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
5) GrandLuxe Express (US)
6) Sierra Madre Express (Mexico)
South America
7) Andean Explorer (Peru)
8) Hiram Bingham (Peru)
Africa
9) Blue Train (South Africa)
10) Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail) (South Africa)
Asia/Indian Subcontinent
11) Palace on Wheels (India)
12) Eastern & Oriental Express (SE Asia)
13) ShangriLa Express (China/Tibet)
14) Toy Train (India)
15) Deccan Odyssey (India)
Europe
16) Danube Express (Central Europe, Turkey)
17) Al Andalus Express (Spain)
18) El Transcantabrico (Spain)
19) Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia)
20) Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
21) Glacier Express (Switzerland)
22) Royal Scotsman (Scotland)
Down Under
23) Ghan (Australia)
24) Indian Pacific (Australia)
25) Sunlander (Australia)
The IRT Special Edition includes complete descriptions of each of the Top 25 trains: their compartments and public spaces, equipment used and preferred routes. The cover price is $35, but the publication is available free of charge through April 30 for inquiries made directly to the IRT Society office.
The Society is a membership organization whose benefits include an annual subscription to The International Railway Traveler. Regular annual U.S. membership dues are $85 ($95 for Canada; $105 elsewhere).To join, contact The Society of International Railway Travelers(R), 2010 Edgeland Ave. #100, Louisville, KY 40204; telephone (502) 454-0277 or (800) 478-4881; fax (502) 458-2250, email tourdesk@irtsociety.com. The web site is http://www.irtsociety.com.

& Information

Passports: Information on US Passports can be found at the US Department of State (DOS) website at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. To check the status of a recently submitted passport, click http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.
Please refer to Note on Passports at the end of this section for the latest developments in passport requirements.

Warnings and advice covering travel and health issues in countries can be found at the Department of State (DOS) homesite at http://travel.state.gov .
-- Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries currently listed can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html -- The State Department issues Public Announcements at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions that pose significant risks or disruptions to Americans.
A branch of DOS, the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) exists to serve Americans traveling or residing abroad. ACS supports the work of our overseas embassies and consulates in providing emergency services to Americans in cases of arrest, death, crime victimization, repatriation, medical evacuation, temporary financial assistance and welfare-and-whereabouts cases. The ACS also assists in non-emergency matters of birth, identity, passport, citizenship, registration, judicial assistance, and estates. ACS can facilitate the transfer of funds overseas to assist US citizens in need, repatriate the remains of loved ones who have died overseas, assist with medical bills, assist victims of crime, and help U.S. citizens who are detained in foreign prisons. ACS also administers a repatriation loan program to bring home destitute Americans and operates a 24-hour Duty Officer Program and Crisis Response Teams who work on task forces convened to deal with natural or man-made disasters. Website: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
-- Information on countries can be found in the Consular section of the DOS website at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html . The website also provides information on Avian Flu per country and any other endangerment issues such as child abduction.
NOTE: With trouble flashpoints erupting around the world, Americans are urged to record their out-of-country trip itineraries/residences along with passport details and email addresses with the State Department to receive assistance in case of emergency. Visit the Travel Registration Service/DOS at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui.

For more information on security measures implemented at airports and other travel venues, visit the US Transportation Security website at http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm or the US Dept. of Homeland Security website at http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec .
NOTE: Citizens from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda Citizens from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are required to present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. Beginning January 31, 2008, Citizens from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda traveling to the United States by land or sea could be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined. Website: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1200669485238.shtm
Visitors Traveling Under the Visa Waiver Program International travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program now need to present an e-Passport if their passport was issued on or after October 26, 2006.

Travel Health Warnings can be obtained from the US Government Printing Office Health Information for International Travel by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which gives a global rundown of disease and immunization advice and other health guidance, including risks in particular countries. The CDC maintains the international travelers’ hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), an automated faxback service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299) and a website at http://www.cdc.gov . More travel advice is at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.
For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad as well as medical inoculations, as well as other travel-health information, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en.

NOTE ON PASSPORTS
DOS has restored passport service to the standard six to eight week processing time for routine passport applications, and no more than three weeks for expedited service. (Note: At the moment, passport renewals are expedited in less than three weeks using the standard processing but that could change.)
As early as January 2008, the departments will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.
Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reminding air carriers and the traveling public that the temporary Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) accommodation allowing U.S. citizens to travel by air within the Western Hemisphere using a Department of State (DOS) official proof of passport application receipt will end as scheduled at midnight on Sept. 30, 2007. U.S. citizens who departed the country under this travel accommodation prior to Oct. 1 with a Department of State official proof of passport application receipt and government-issued identification will be readmitted with these same documents if returning to the United States AFTER September 30.
Effective Oct. 1, 2007, U.S. Citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter or depart from the United States. It is always strongly recommended that U.S. Citizens verify the specific documentary requirements for their destination country.
For more information about WHTI approved travel documentation, please visit our website at www.dhs.gov. For information on obtaining a U.S. passport please go to www.travel.state.gov.
For those traveling on cruise ships, no exact date is set but passports will be required for “sea” or cruise passengers entering or re-entering the U.S. on the same deadline as for land border crossings - some time before June 1, 2009.
And in conjunction with the cruise deadline, a passport or other qualified travel document will be required at all land border ports-of-entry prior to June 1, 2009.*

If you would like to request the status of your application by email, please go to the National Passport Information Center - Passport Status Inquiry website http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

A new website, www.GetAPassportNow.com was established by the American travel industry to inform travelers about new passport requirements and to help them get passports.
*NOTE: With regard to Cruise Travel, the Department of Homeland Security has issued new requirements with regard to embarkation of a cruise vessel, requiring cruise lines to provide a passenger manifest 96 hours before entering into any US port. To avoid delays, cruise lines are offering passengers the opportunity to provide their personal information well in advance of embarkation. Best to check with the cruise line of choice about embarkation requirements when finalizing your cruise trip.

Travel Alerts/Information

For more information on security measures implemented at airports and other travel venues, visit the US Transportation Security website at http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm or the US Dept. of Homeland Security website at http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec .
NOTE: Citizens from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda Citizens from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are required to present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. Beginning January 31, 2008, Citizens from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda traveling to the United States by land or sea could be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined.
Visitors Traveling Under the Visa Waiver Program International travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program now need to present an e-Passport if their passport was issued on or after October 26, 2006.

Visit Barbados on the Web ... and say 'I Do'
For those planning a wedding and honey moon in Barbados, the Barbados Tourism Authority has launched the ultimate wedding and honeymoon destination website— www.IDoBarbados.com.
A straightforward layout separates the Wedding from the Honeymoon portion to make it easier to sift through information. Weddings are broken down into categories such as Getting Married in Barbados, Accommodations, Wedding Services, Activities and Events, while the Honeymoon page features categories such as Accommodations, Getting Here and Getting Around.
Additionally, a special 10 Top 10 feature will provide in-depth insider's tips on what to do during the honeymoon that cannot be experienced any where else in the world including ten secret spots in Barbados. The site is a perfect tool for those who wish to plan the ultra exotic destination wedding (or honeymoon) with one simple click of a mouse!

Zagat Publishes Its 2008 London Restaurants Guide

The new Zagat Guide on London restaurants is now out. From fish 'n' chip shops to cozy bistros, this all-new guide is packed with over 1,100 dining destinations in and around London. Use the indexes arranged by cuisine, neighborhood and special feature
to find the perfect restaurant for any occasion.
Covering over 1,100 restaurants in and around London, this handy guide contains Zagat Survey's trusted ratings and reviews for area restaurants based on the opinions of diners like you. The trademark reviews and corresponding ratings for Food, Décor, Service and Cost are organized alphabetically in a user-friendly format. Use the indexes arranged by cuisine, neighborhood and special features like Trendy, Winning Wine Lists, or Romantic Places to find the perfect restaurant for any occasion. Price: $14.95, cheaper if you are a Zagat subscriber. Website: www.zagat.com

New Vatican Airlines Links Up With Israel Tourism
According to published reports, the Milan office of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is teaming up with Vatican Airlines on a marketing agreement to bring pilgrims to Israel.

The cooperation is aimed at marketing the flights towards young religious Italians, who want to visit Christian holy sites in Israel. The charter flights also encourage nonreligious Italians to visit the country. Prices for the charter packages are determined by the travel agents booking the trips.
In August Vatican Airlines launched the world's first airline for Catholic pilgrims. Complete with Vatican logos on headrests and air hostesses' uniforms, the inaugural flight traveled from Rome's Fiumicino airport for the shrine of Lourdes in France.
The Vatican aims to serve 150,000 pilgrims a year on its chartered Boeing 737, run by Italy's Mistral Air. Destinations range from the shrine of Fatima in Portugal to Mount Sinai in Egypt, where Moses is said to have received the 10 Commandments from God.
In-flight entertainment on the way to the world's holy sites will, somewhat predictably, be religious in nature, the Vatican said. Website:

UK’s First Halloween Horror Show Goes Live This October!
Bygone Times, the popular Victorian shopping village and tourist attraction in Eccleston, Chorley, Lancashire has undergone a frightening metamorphosis over the last three months and has been transformed into a Halloween horror show that offers the audience the chance to come face to face with a cast of terrifying ghosts and gruesome special effects in the dark!
The 38,000 square foot horror attraction is a live action interactive experience that quite literally brings the dead back to life! AtmosFEAR’s haunted-attraction producers mixes live actors, theatrical special effects, illusions and chilling history to create an immersive experience that that brings the horrors of the building's haunted past vividly to life—the tragic tale of a powerful Victorian family and a 17th century curse.
The show runs every night from 7 pm between October 20h and November 3 2007. Tickets on sale now GBP13.00 per person, to book call +44-1257-451889. Readers can watch a preview of the show at http://www.atmosfearuk.com.
AtmosFEAR! was the brainchild of producers Jason Karl and Paul Howse in 2005 when, after seeing the potential of bringing this American industry to the UK, they began development and imagineering of a major entertainment brand which could successfully introduce the industry to a new country. After assembling a diverse team of creative individuals with skills in theatrical design, television and film production, special effects and acting, AtmosFEAR! quickly became uniquely placed to produce haunted attractions for the UK tourism and home markets.

Haunted Hotels In North America Provide Scary Treats For Its Guests
Make the past come alive at Historic Hotels of America which offer a haunting array of "permanent" guests-spirits of those who checked in but have yet to leave at some of its member hotels. Apparitions range from characters such as the night-shift nurse at the Admiral Fell Inn in Baltimore; solemn John at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans; and the cigar-smoking man at The Blennerhassett in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Questions remain: Who is the young girl bouncing the ball at The Driskill in Austin, Texas? Who is helping the maintenance manager at the Napa River Inn in Napa, California? Who is the woman that guests see on the sixth floor of the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Massachusetts? More information at http://www.historichotels.org.

Regional Focus: Embark on a Unique Discovery Tour in Bremerhaven
Depart the port, cross the Atlantic on board of a steamship or ocean liner, and, finally arrive in Ellis Island in New York. As visitors travel through the exhibition of the German Emigration Museum in Bremerhaven they learn about the stories of emigrants and their descendants living in the US today.
Between 1830 and 1974, more than seven million people emigrated for the New World overseas via Bremerhaven. The historical location of the old harbor is today the site of an incredible adventure museum on the subject of emigration. The exhibition invites visitors to experience emigration true to life. Extensive reconstructions and multi-media sets give a fascinating, close-up experience of emigration. The Forum Migration, housed in the museum, offers numerous research possibilities, allowing family historians to embark on a personal search for their emigrated ancestors on to find the meaning of family names. In addition, the German Emigration Museum presents topical aspects of global migration and cultural events, festivals and special exhibitions supplement the program.
Located in the heart of the vacation region on Germany's spectacular North Sea Coast, the museum and the city of Bremerhaven present themselves not only as a new tourist attraction but as an invaluable source of information for those who want to find out more about their family heritage. www.bremerhaven-touristik.de and www.dah-bremerhaven.de

New Website Makes Adventure Tour Planning Easier
Planning that adventure tour has become a lot easier with the debut of a new website— www.VoyageTrek.com. Consumers can search by activity and/or destination for tour operators and outfitters who offer guided single and multi-day vacations with listings information compiled by the website’s editors and through direct submissions from tour operators. Readers will find the listings broken down into categories such as cultural tours, cycling, hiking and motor tours. There is even a section on sailing and small-ship cruises. The site currently lists more than 10,000 diverse travel company profiles.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. Now Open
Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is the newest attraction in the nation’s capitol. The premier wax attraction gives visitors an interactive, full-sensory experience; they can touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction. Located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House, the attraction is housed in the historic Woodies building with the entrance on the corner of 10th and F Streets.
Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is divided into sections, and each section features an array of exhibits, interactive experiences and wax figures. "The Spirit of Washington D.C." takes visitors on an adventure through D.C.'s history from the Founding Fathers to modern day politics with hands-on exhibits featuring George Washington's inauguration, Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the Watergate scandal. As visitors travel through these historical events and rub elbows with today's leaders, they become part of the moments and can touch the people that shaped the nation.
Another incredible experience featured in "The Spirit of Washington D.C." is a replica of The Oval Office where guests can veto a bill, address the nation or simply put their feet up on the most powerful desk in the country.
Visitors will also experience history through the eyes and ears of the politicians and icons that lived it. For example, they can stand next to Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill and listen in on phone calls as they strategize during World War II. In the Civil Rights exhibit, guests can witness Rosa Parks' memory as she is asked to give up her seat on a Montgomery City bus. Visitors can learn about Watergate by researching actual press coverage and background information with Bob Woodward at his desk. They can also sweat it out in an interrogation with J. Edgar Hoover as he glares at them in his searches for communism in America.
It's not all politics at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. Guests will be able to mingle with Hollywood's A-list as they step into a chic nightclub space and are transported to a high-profile celebrity party. They can hang out with superstars Will Smith or Brad Pitt after they take a picture with Julia Roberts. On the dance floor are bootylicious divas Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. Or visitors can get "physical" with their favorite sports idols, including Evander Holyfield, who coaches guests as they box reactive light beams to gain points and hear sound effects. After throwing a few punches, visitors can test their short game by helping Tiger Woods line up his next putt for birdie.
The 27,000 square foot space is the seventh Madame Tussauds attraction globally, joining the hugely successful Merlin Entertainments Group operations in London, Amsterdam, New York, Las Vegas, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Prominently located on the corner of 10th and F Streets within walking distance of The National Mall and the White House. Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is open 365 days a year at 10 a.m. For more information visit www.madametussaudsdc.com.

New Tour Highlights Movie Locations In The Big Apple
Visitors to New York might want to check out a new service that gives tours to city sites that have been featured in classic movie and television dramas or sitcoms. On Location Tours and New York Water Taxi (www.watertaxi.com ) are offering New York TV and Movie tours on the Water this October. The trip begins with a visit to South Beach Seaport and continues with a water tour of the Brooklyn and Manhattan waterfronts. It ends with a walk through Battery Park. New York actors lead the two-hour-plus tours which take place Thursdays in October at 4 pm. (The tours will be resumed in May, 2008.) Rates are $40 for adults, $30 for seniors and children under 12. More information at www.watertaxi.com.

Delta Launches Chauffeur Service At London/Gatwick & New York/JFK Airport
BusinessElite passengers on Delta who are travelling within a 50-mile radius of Gatwick Airport outside London and from JFK to any of the five boroughs of New York City will be eligible for the airline’s new chauffeur service.
In New York, the new chauffeur service will complement an expanded relationship with US Helicopter which operates a helicopter service available to Delta BusinessElite customers traveling between downtown and midtown Manhattan and New York's JFK airport. The new chauffeur service at Gatwick and JFK airports is contracted to Tristar Worldwide Chauffeur Services and is available to Delta BusinessElite passengers traveling in J and D class, and also some corporate BusinessElite passengers.

US Airways To Reduce Pittsburgh Service In Early 2008
US Airways plans to reduce mainline flying in January from 31 to 22 daily flights, focusing on customers' preferred destinations, as the airline continues to maximize the financial stability of its Pittsburgh operation. As part of the new schedule, regional flying to smaller cities is expected to be reduced from 77 to 46 daily flights. Most of the expected reductions for smaller cities reflect decisions that we expect to be made by independent regional carriers that develop their own plans and schedules. These carriers have not finalized their schedules so the overall level of Express flying may change.
Customers will continue to fly to the most popular destinations from Pittsburgh, including larger East and West Coast business markets such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., and Raleigh-Durham, and US Airways hubs in Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C. and Phoenix. Non-stop service to Florida will also continue. The airline's reduced schedule, which takes effect January 6, 2008.

For Limited Time Reduced Business Class Fares To Europe On SWISS
Enjoy the relaxing pleasures of feeling right at home with true Swiss hospitality when flying SWISS Business across the Atlantic to Switzerland and beyond. Available for a limited time only, travel round-trip in SWISS Business from any US SWISS gateway (Boston, Chicago, New York, Newark, Los Angeles and Miami) to Switzerland and other select destinations in Europe for as low as *$900 round-trip. Fares are valid for travel November 18 to November 24, 2007, and for travel December 17, 2007 - January 4, 2008. Travel must be booked and ticketed by December 4, 2007. For more information and to book a flight, click onto www.swiss.com.

National Trust Historic Hotels of America Adds Third Colonial Williamsburg Hotel
The Resort Collection of Colonial Williamsburg is honored to announce the addition of the recently refurbished Williamsburg Lodge to National Trust Historic Hotels of America (HHA). The Lodge joins sister properties, Williamsburg Inn and Colonial Houses in the prestigious rank, chosen on merits of historic integrity, significance, architecture and ambience. The recognition of the Lodge makes the Resort Collection the second hotel group with three HHA member properties in such close proximity to one another, and the distinction seems only natural given that each of the lodging options is situated in or just outside the national treasure of the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area. Guests of the Colonial Houses enjoy a full immersion into the living history museum, sleeping in authentic period accommodations of the country's Founding Families, while those staying in the Lodge or the Inn experience the evolution of American history just steps away.
In keeping with the diverse tapestry of American history and culture, the creation of the Resort Collection of Colonial Williamsburg has strived to honor the varied richness of the nation's character. The Williamsburg Lodge, built in 1939, evokes the warmth of Americana in 323 attractively appointed guest rooms inspired by the collections of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. The Williamsburg Inn was completed in 1937 by John D. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Jr. with the goal of creating a non-traditional hotel, styled more as a gracious country estate. The Williamsburg Inn was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, and the Williamsburg Lodge is part of the Resort Historic District added in 2006. The two hotels have served as hosts to significant VIP visits this year, including the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II of England to the Inn and the World Forum on the Future of Democracy at the Lodge, with keynote speaker Robert M. Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense addressing more than 600 international delegates.
For more information about the Resort Collection of Colonial Williamsburg, call 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg's Web site at www.ColonialWilliamsburg.com.

Gutsy Women Travel Adds Magical Morocco Tour For 2008
Gutsy Women Travel is offering a ten-day Magical Morocco Tour to discover all the charms of this fascinating country. The guided tour offers an experience unlike any other destination. "This trip is perfect for our Gutsy Women clients, especially our past guests who are looking for new experiences and more exotic locales but prefer not to travel on their own or unescorted. We offer camaraderie, fabulous pricing and inclusions that are truly unique." said April M. Merenda, President & Co-Founder of Gutsy Women Travel.
The tour departs the U.S. on February 1, 2008 and explores the captivating North African country from its Atlantic coast to the lush Ourika Valley and the foothills of the spectacular Atlas Mountains with visits to Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Beni Mellal, Ouirgane, and Marrakesh.
Ladies will experience the bustle of the souks and medinas; watch artisans in leather tanning and carpet weaving demonstrate their craft; relax in a traditional hamman steam bath; dine at a gourmet restaurant run by a women's cooperative; take a Moroccan cooking lesson; and participate in the unique experience of a henna ceremony.
The February 1 departure for this tour is priced from $2599 per person, based on double occupancy including land and air from New York City. Fares from other departure cities are available. Tour price does not include airport taxes, fees, September 11th Security Fee, tips to tour manager. For detailed day-by-day itinerary and additional information, click http://www.gutsywomentravel.com/europe-travel/10-day-magical-morocco.asp

Valencia To Host America’s Cup In 2009
After successfully hosting sailing’s most prestigious race this summer, Valencia has been selected again as the venue for the next America’s Cup to be held in 2009. The 33rd America’s Cup will take place between May and July 2009 and four teams have already been accepted. Two pre-regattas are scheduled for 2008, one in Valencia in July and another in a second European country that fall. In the spring of 2009, a playoff will determine who will challenge the defending Swiss team, Alinghi.
Back in 2003, Valencia embarked on a $2.8 billion program of infrastructure improvements and began creating a new urban area integrating the city with the port, marina and the beach areas. Valencia spent more than $675 million to completely transform its waterfront area by redesigning the existing harbor and commercial port and adding several state-of-the-art marinas. The new mega-yacht marina accommodates vessels of 98 feet and the 1,968-foot channel conceived for this year’s race allowed racers and their boats direct access from their bases to the sea.
Hosting the America’s Cup has also led to an unprecedented demand for sailing courses. The Royal Yacht Club of Valencia offers courses all year round in three categories: Dinghy Sailing for both beginners and advanced sailors, a “Cruise Boats” course in 40-foot boats, and an “Optimist Class” course, for kids.
For more information about Spain, visit www.spain.info. Valencia is a wonderful blend of old and new.

The Levin Hotel Opens In London
Following a multimillion dollar investment, The Levin opened as a stylish and sophisticated 12 room hotel on Basil Street, next to its sister property The Capital in London. The hotel’s interiors reflect its fashionable location next to retail emporiums Harrods and Harvey Nichols. The striking interiors include carpets designed by Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen for Brintons, Casamance silk paper wall coverings, William Yeowood upholstery and chestnut and nickel bedroom furniture, Porta Romana light fittings and fabrics, and Designers Guild curtains. Each of the rooms offer a highly modern living space including lavish fabrics and furnishings which effortlessly combine with the latest in lighting and communication technology. Exclusive to the Levin in the UK, is the replacement of the standard mini-bar with an exclusive Champagne Bar, allowing guests to mix their own champagne cocktails in-room! Room rates at The Levin, inclusive of continental breakfast served in Le Metro, start from £225 for an executive double room. Website: www.slh.com/thelevin

Oasis Hotels & Resorts Offer Savings For Fall Stays At Select Mexico Properties
Oasis Hotels & Resorts is offering spectacular savings at six of its All-Inclusive properties in Mexico from now through December 20, 2007. The Oasis Fall Rates reflect a savings of up to 45% off regular rack rates and include all meals, drinks, many activities, live entertainment, and more!
The following All-Inclusive Oasis and Grand Oasis resorts are participating in the special Fall Rates offer with all-inclusive prices starting from only $50 per person, per night, based on double occupancy:
-- Grand Oasis Cancun, great fall savings from $99 per person, per night (regular room rates range from $133 - $212 ). The Grand Oasis Cancun is one of Cancun's premier destination resorts. The property, with its distinctive pyramid structure, sits right on the beach offering spectacular views of the ocean and lagoon from each of its 736 guestrooms. The resort features the longest swimming pool in Cancun; 17 restaurants and 15 bars; a full service spa and beauty salon; watersports; tennis courts and an executive 9-hole golf course.
-- Grand Oasis Playa, from $75 per person, per night (regular room rates range from $130 - $203). Now an adults-only resort (23 and over), the Grand Oasis Playa sits on a beautiful, powdery sand beach a short distance from the shopping venues, bars, restaurants, and clubs of downtown Cancun. The 388-room Grand Oasis Playa provides all the amenities needed for total relaxation of the mind, body, and soul -- from its exceptional beach to gorgeous infinity pool and pampering spa services. The resort features two pools; one of the nicest stretches of beach in Cancun; a full-service spa and beauty salon; a fitness center, six restaurants and eight bars; watersports, tennis courts, and an executive 9-hole golf course (at nearby Grand Oasis Cancun).
-- Grand Oasis Riviera Maya, from $75 per person, per night (regular room rates range from $133 - $212). The secluded and exclusive Grand Oasis Riviera Maya is located in the heart of The Mayan Riviera, 10 miles from the Mayan ruins of Tulum and close to the eco-parks of Xel-Ha and Xcaret. The 303-room beachfront resort features two luxury spas, a pool, seven restaurants and eight bars, tennis courts, and nearby golf.
-- Oasis Cancun, from $63 per person, per night (regular room rates range from $88 - $168). The Oasis Cancun is a resort on a grand scale. Conveniently located in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone, the 1,008-room resort sits on a powdery white sand beach, just minutes from the nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and shopping of the Hotel Zone and downtown Cancun. This magnificent complex offers a multitude of amenities for pampering, relaxation and fun -- the largest swimming pool in Latin America, spectacular Caribbean gardens, a children's pool area, 11 restaurants and 10 bars, tennis courts, a marina for watersports, a full service spa and beauty salon; an executive 9-hole golf course, and meeting facilities.
Oasis Palm Beach, from $60 per adult, per night - for two adults (up to three children can share a room with two paying adults complimentary (regular room rates range from $81 - $167). Focusing on the family getaway, the Oasis Palm Beach offers rooms for up to a family of five. The resort's new "Kids Club" provides a secure environment with numerous activity rooms, its own pool with waterslides, restaurant, e-mail access, rest areas, overnight camp, and an amphitheater. Situated on a white sandy beach along a calm stretch of the Caribbean Sea, the 471-room Oasis Palm Beach features three pools, including a new serpentine pool which winds through the property, six restaurants and six bars, a full-service spa and beauty salon, tennis courts, fitness center, watersports, and an executive 9-hole golf course (nearby).
Oasis America, from $50 per person, per night (regular room rates range from $63 - $91).
The Oasis America is the ideal city hotel for work and leisure. Conveniently located close to the shopping centers, restaurants, nightclubs, and commercial centers of downtown Cancun, the Oasis America also offers an ample swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and meeting facilities. Guests of the Oasis America have complimentary access to the beach and all of the facilities of the Oasis Palm Beach (via shuttle service) and the facilities and amenities at the newly opened Sens Cancun.
For reservations and additional information on Oasis Hotels & Resorts and Grand Oasis Deluxe All Inclusive Resorts & Spas, www.oasishotels.com.

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Travel News Briefs

To Get Around Paris, Take A Bike

The city of Paris will unveil a new self-service bicycle transit system called Velib on July 15. Parisians and visitors alike will be able to pick up and drop off bicycles throughout the city at 750 locations—offering a total of 10,648 bikes. By the end of the year, there will be a Velib station approximately every 900 feet for a total of 1,451 locations and 20,600 bikes.
To access the bikes, riders can select a one-day card for 1 euro, a weekly card for 5 euros or an annual card for 29 euros. After the purchase of an access card, riding for the first half-hour is free and a supplement of 1 euro will be charged for an additional half-hour, 2 euros for another 30-minutes and 4 euros for every addition half-hour after that. Example: a 25 minute trip = 0 euros, a 50 minute trip = 1 euro, an hour and 15-minute ride = 3 euros.
Each Velib parking station will be equipped with muni-meters to purchase one and seven-day passes and to pay any additional charges once the bike is dropped off. The Velib meters will also provide information on other station locations.
Application forms for the annual card are available at Paris District City Halls, 300 métro stations and 400 pastry shops throughout the city.
The city of Paris has over 371 km (230 miles) of cycling lanes. For more information visit: www.velib.paris.fr (French language only).
Besides Paris, other European cities with biking rental facilities include Lyon, where the program was first introduced; Copenhagen (www.bycyklen.dk ); Barcelona (www.bicing.com ); and Helsinki. In London (www.oybike.com ) a street-based rental station network allows you to hire and return a bicycle via your mobile phone. The OYBike system is based on the availability of rental bicycles at key locations such as the Tube (subway), major transport interchanges, public buildings, and car parks
Car Parks. Similar programs are being considered in the US for New York, Washington DC, and Chicago.

DogFriendly.com Offers Its List Of Top Places To Visit With Your Canine
The versatile website DogFriendly.com offers suggestions on top vacation areas to take your dogs in 2007.
DogFriendly.com, founded in 1998 to provide dog travel information, offers a free website and publishes paperback books. Interesting guides include such topics as Outdoor Dining Guide for Dogs, Off-Leash Dog Parks, and Parks and Hiking Guide For Dogs. GuideDogFriendly.com's United States and Canada Dog Travel Guide and DogFriendly.com's Campground and RV Park Guide are also available at bookstores everywhere and at http://www.dogfriendly.com.

Montreal’s International Flora: Montréal Garden Festival
On the banks of the St. Lawrence River, just a stone’s throw from downtown, lies a verdant oasis called International Flora. And until September 3, visitors are invited to soak up its arresting views in the Jardins des Écluses on the Quays of the Old Port.
If you weren’t among the 175,000 visitors who took part in the festival’s first edition, don’t worry: the 2007 edition promises to be even more inspiring than its predecessor.
Aside from unique gardens, each designed by a different horticultural artist, the festival offers four distinct sections sure to delight any green thumb or gardening enthusiast. From art happenings to sustainable development to residential gardens and gourmet feasts, this is a garden path worth wandering, where inspiration and innovation come together in lush and fragrant creations.
Enjoy this exotic and intimate interaction between visitors and gardens, and the chance to reconnect with the earth. More information at www.floramontreal.ca

Xanterra Accepting Reservations For Campsites In Crater Lake National Park
Xanterra Parks &Resorts, operator of lodging, dining and retail operations in Crater
Lake National Park, located in Oregon, is now accepting reservations for a limited number of campsites in the Mazama Village Campground. The remaining sites are still available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campground is open from mid-June to late September/early October, weather permitting. Located seven miles from the rim of Crater Lake and just inside the south entrance gate of Crater Lake National Park, the Mazama Village Campground has 213 tent and recreational vehicle sites accommodating tents up to 12 feet by 12 feet and RVs up to 50 feet in length.
Reservations at the campground may be made by calling Crater Lake Lodges’ central reservations at 1-888-774-CRATER (888-774-2728).
Crater Lake National Park is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range. It is 100 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, 110 miles from the California border on I-5, and halfway between Bend to the north and Klamath Falls to the south on Highway 97. At 1,947 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest and clearest lake in the country. It is surrounded by lava walls 500 to 2,000 feet high Website: http://www.craterlakelodges.com
Xanterra also operates the 71-room Crater Lake Lodge open mid-May through mid-October, and the 40-unit Mazama Village Motor Inn open June through early October
Reservations at Crater Lake Lodge or Cabins at Mazama Village can also be made at 1-888-774-CRATER (888-774-2728) or by visiting
www.craterlakelodges.com.

Unique Audiovisual Presentation Informs Visitors About Paris’ History
A unique audiovisual presentation that amazes, entertains and informs visitors on the City of Paris and its history, culture and geography. In less than one and a half hours, participants can travel through time from the Roman-era city of Lutèce to the very modern French capital of today.
Paris-Story, hosted by a holographic Victor Hugo, is projected on a forty-foot panoramic screen. With a choice of 14 languages, 2,000 years of history is impressively presented with thousands of photographs, filmed documents and archive images. The expressive music and special effects add depth and excitement to make it a learning experience that would enhance any tourist's visit to the City of Light.
A second attraction, Miniature Paris, gives a bird's eye view of Paris with a 3-D interactive model of the city. Visitors can get oriented and plan what to visit with touch screens providing access to photos and descriptions of 180 sites including those featured in The Da Vinci Code.
Lastly, Paris Experience is a gallery of five plasma screens that feature video clips on topics such as "Paris by Night", "Paris and the Seine", "Paris Architecture and Monuments", "Paris on Foot", and "Hidden and Unusual Paris". Another highlight is the flat-screen displaying 3-D images of Paris filmed in 1898 by the Lumière brothers (without 3-D glasses!).
Located in the center of Paris at 11b Rue Scribe behind the Opera and just a few steps from the Galeries Lafayette department store, Paris-Story, Miniature Paris and Paris Experience are open 365 days a year with shows on the hour from 10:00am to 6:00pm daily. One entrance fee covers all attractions. Adults: 10€, children 6 - 18: 6€, family (2 adults + 2 children): 26€. Online reservations can be made at: reservations@paris-story.com. Website: www.paris-story.com Métro station: Opéra

Lausanne Becomes Part Of The UNESCO World Heritage
After many months of work and waiting, the decision was handed down this morning. Meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, to decide the fate of the Lavaux candidature, the UNESCO Committee recognized the exceptional and universal value of this region. It will thus become part of the list of registered World Heritage assets, and promises some excellent international tourism prospects for the Lake Geneva region.
The riches and beauty of Lavaux have matched the demanding criteria of the international organization. The region, called the “Three Suns” – those of the sky, the lake and the walls – finds itself honored with a worldwide distinction under the title of “cultural landscape”. Fashioned through the ages by human activity, this territory has become a “constructed” countryside, typical of a winegrowing culture. Vineyards, terraces and villages facing Lake Geneva and the Alps have enabled Lavaux to be considered as a site of universal, exceptional and authentic value. Recognition of these qualities on a worldwide level is a magnificent tribute to the Lake Geneva region.
Lavaux is a site full of character, tradition and history, a literary cradle of great artists, and also has a strong orientation towards tourism. Its culinary diversity, rich in tones and flavors, and its conviviality linked to its wines, the fruit of its hillsides, attract many visitors each year. Instructive walks and other outings encourage the discovery of picturesque villages and the wine cellars of local producers. A wide collection of wines and vintages from the eight appellations d'origine contrôlées (AOCs” (officially controlled classifications of origins) also contribute to Lavaux’s reputation. The entry gateways, Lausanne and Montreux/Vevey, without forgetting the other destinations within the Lake Geneva Region, offer a good choice of hotels, suitable for visitors from all over the world. The accommodation infrastructures, although mostly situated outside the site area, provide plenty of tours and excursions to Lavaux.
In order to mark the event, the AILU (Association for the registration of Lavaux as a UNESCO World Heritage site) is organizing a public festival on September 22—The Lavaux Festival—in the villages throughout Lavaux. Events and tastings on the theme of “5 senses, 5 appellations” will take place all over the winegrowing area (www.lavauxenfete.ch). For further information, visit www.lake-geneva-region/unesco.

Hot-Air Balloon Festival Held In Lorraine, France in July
From July 27 to August 5, hundreds of hot air balloons will fill the skies over the region of Lorraine. The 10th biannual Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons, the world’s largest international balloon event, will bring participants from 67 countries for ten days of festivities in the air and on the ground.
Centered around the Chambley Air Base, the event will be spread over 1200 acres in the heart of the Lorraine regional nature reserve. Balloons will launch twice daily at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for in-line takeoffs, trophy competitions and long distance races. "Night Candle," the nighttime inflation and a nocturnal balloon ballet set to music will light the skies after dark.
A temporary city of shops, restaurants, displays, exhibits and a multi-media center will be dedicated to ballooning with a small train available for transportation. Activities including performances, concerts, outdoor movies, workshops and balloon flights will take place throughout the grounds for the 400,000 spectators. A special welcome is planned for American veterans who lived on the former NATO base between 1953 and 1967.
The highlight of 2007 will be the attempt to set a new world record with some 400 balloons taking off at the same time.
Admission and parking are free. More information at www.pilatre-de-rozier.com.

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Air Travel News & Offers

Boeing Premieres Its 787 Dreamliner

Boeing officially debuted the technologically advanced and environmentally progressive 787 Dreamliner on July 8 in a celebration attended by employees, airline customers, supplier partners and government and community officials at the Everett, Washington final-assembly factory. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world's first mostly composite commercial airplane, will use 20 percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes, produce fewer carbon emissions, and will have quieter takeoffs and landings.
Following the premiere, the first 787 Dreamliner will be completed in the Everett factory—including the installation of final systems elements, interiors and flight test equipment. First flight of the airplane is expected in late August or September. A total of six airplanes will be included in the flight test program, which will conclude in May 2008 with the certification of the airplane followed shortly by the first delivery of a 787 to ANA. To date, 47 customers worldwide have ordered 677 airplanes worth more than $110 billion at current list prices, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history. The first 787 is scheduled to enter passenger service in May 2008.

China Southern Airlines Offering New Travel Discounts
China Southern Airlines at www.csair.com/en is enhancing its “Premium Service Year” programs by offering exciting new travel discounts to its Free & Easy Travel groups.
In total, passengers using the China Southern Free & Easy Travel programs can enjoy discounts of 10 percent% offering preferred leisure travel packages to the exhilarating Guangzhou Chimelong Paradise one of the world’s largest global entertainment resorts where guests can enjoy one of the world’s largest indoor circus; one of the largest crocodiles breeding centers; Asia’s biggest water park as well as China‘s biggest wild animal park.
Additionally, China Southern Airlines is offering incredible passengers special discounts to visit Happy Valley (10 percent off), Splendid China (Window of China 15 percent off) and Sea World (15 percent off) in Shenzhen; New Yuanming Imperial Garden and Lost City Waterpark in Zhuhai (20 percent off).
Passengers retaining their boarding pass or a special voucher presented while flying on China Southern Airlines to Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Zhuhai from any city in China, can immediately receive favorable discounts (again up to 20 percent) to these and other local tourism destinations.
The largest airline in The People’s Republic of China for the past 28 years, China Southern Airlines www.csair.com/en connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan and as well as International service, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Lagos, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

AirTran Airways Relocates its Operations to Airside 4, Terminal B at Orlando AirTran Airways a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., announced today has officially relocate its operations at the Orlando International Airport to Airside 4, Gates 90 to 97 in Terminal B, Ticket counters, gates, baggage service offices, administrative offices, operations offices and the aircraft maintenance department will all move from their current locations at Landside A and Airside 2 to Landside B and Airside 4 at Orlando International Airport. The new wing nearly doubles the airline's capacity to handle customers at the ticket counter. The airline currently has ten kiosks and six staffed positions for passenger check-in, but will increase to 23 kiosks and four staffed positions, allowing for a much quicker check-in process with this move.

Gatewick International Airport Now Offers Cabins For Rent At Affordable Prices
London Gatewick International Airport outside London is now offering air passengers small cabins to rent for a quick rest or full night. Called Yotel, the 46-cabin hotel located in Gatewick’s South Terminal offers fully equipped with private bathrooms; free WiFi and wired Internet access; and entertainment systems.

Qantas Airways and Jet Airways announce Expansion Of Their Codeshare.
Qantas Airways and Jet Airways are expanding their codeshare agreement that will will enable Jet Airways’ customers to travel on Qantas flights between Australia and Singapore, connecting to Jet Airways services between Singapore and India. grow
Jet Airways operates daily flights from Singapore to Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
Members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program and Jet Privilege Program can earn
and redeem points on eligible Qantas and Jet Airways flights between Australia and
India.

South African Airways (SAA) Announces New Flexible Fares
South African Airways now makes easier for travelers to access flights from more than 30 cities in the U.S. to more than 25 destinations in Southern Africa through SAA's service from New York JFK and Washington Dulles to Johannesburg, and feature simpler rules that allow for a three-day minimum stay and maximum 12-month stay. For example, service from New York or Washington, D.C., to Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban in South Africa starts as low as $1,100 round trip for travel during the fall months.
South African Airways features the only nonstop service from the US to South Africa with daily departures from Washington, D.C., and daily direct service from New York. As a member to the worldwide Star Alliance, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 855 destinations in 155 countries and more than 16,000 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 30 cities in the U.S. through code share service with Star Alliance partner United Airlines. Members of United Airlines' Mileage Plus program are able to earn miles on all South African Airways flights. For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 7221005 or visit http://www.flysaa.com.

New York/JFK Now Offers Free Cellphone Lot
New York’s JFK has become the first of the area’s big three airports —the others being Newark Liberty (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) — to offer a free cellphone lot for those waiting to pick up arriving passengers. The lot is located just inside the airport, near Federal Circle, and is clearly markedfrom the Van Wyck Expressway entrance. Drivers can wait in the lot for a call from their arriving passengers indicating that they have their luggage and can leave the terminal.

Aeroflot Withdraws Its Bid For Alitalia
Aeroflot of Russia has abandoned its bid to buy Italian airline Alitalia. Aeroflot said it was withdrawing because its advisers had not been given access to what it called critical information on Alitalia’s business. As a result, the Russian airline, which had been working to line up $900 million in loans to finance its purchase, said it could not formulate a “well-supported business proposal to successfully restructure Alitalia.
Aeroflot also said that conditions put on the eventual buyer by the Italian government would make it difficult to rejuvenate Alitalia. The carrier has lost money every year since 1998 even as the rest of the aviation industry has enjoyed a return to profits.
The decision leaves Italy’s auction of the unprofitable airline in danger of collapse, with just Alitalia’s smaller rival Air One and the buyout firm MatlinPatterson Global Advisers as possible buyers. -- Excerpted from June 27 New York Times

European Community Blocks Ryanair Bid for Aer Lingus
Discount airline Ryanair’s bid to buy Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national carrier, was blocked late June. In barring what would have been the first takeover of a national flag carrier by a low-cost rival, the European competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes, invoked her power to prohibit mergers for only the second time since taking office in 2004.
The commission said the combination of the two Dublin-based airlines would have created a near-monopoly in the Irish market. To try to win approval for its bid of 1.48 billion euros ($1.99 billion), Ryanair had offered to lower the short-haul fares of Aer Lingus by 10 percent for one year and to sell airport slots for a new rival operating as many as six aircraft. But the commission said a merger would have created a monopoly on 22 out of 35 routes in or out of Ireland, arguing that the number of slots Ryanair offered to give up would not have permitted a competitor to emerge, and that the price cut would be limited in duration and difficult to enforce.
The European Commission’s rejection of the deal prompted a robust reaction and the promise of a legal challenge from Ryanair’s outspoken chief executive, Michael O’Leary, who accused Brussels of bowing to political pressure from the Irish government, which had opposed the deal. --- Excerpted from June 27 NY Times

Air China to Operate New First & Business Class for European Flyers
The presence of Chinese flag carrier Air China on the London/Beijing route has been established for some years. To cater to the increasing demand of UK passengers and enhance competitive advantages in the pan-European market, Air China has launched Airbus 340 with the new two cabins on a daily nonstop route. The spacious and luxury new First Class seats are designed with three seat positions: standard, executive and rest, creating an optimal environment for comfort and privacy. Every single seat can recline 180degrees into a fully flat comfortable 75inch bed at the rest position. The new Business Class seats feature an angle of incidence as high as 170degrees with a 60inch pitch. For added comfort, adjustable mood lighting system on the two new cabins creates sunrise, sunset, dawn and night ambiance for passengers during the journey. Also, each seat is equipped with 10.4inch LCD screen and a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system allow passengers to select among 60 movie programs, Chinese and world-class audio channels running music on 98 CDs, and diversified interactive games. Furthermore, the multiple power connections available right at the fingertips ensure passengers to use laptops or other personal electronic devices throughout the flight.
At present, Air China operates new two cabins on Beijing/Frankfurt and Shanghai/Frankfurt routes.

Dallas/Fort Worth British Airways Flights To Change London Airport In 2008
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and British Airways have announced that British Airways will move its daily DFW/London Gatwick flight to London's Heathrow Airport starting March 30, 2008. The announcement, made in London by British Airways CEO Willie Walsh and DFW CEO Jeff Fegan, marks the first major international flight change since the new Open Skies agreement between the European Union and the United States took effect April 30. The new flight will also connect millions of international travelers at DFW to Heathrow's top global destinations.

Eos Best Ontime Performer Between New York/London For First Quarter 2007
In airline statistics recently published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Eos Airlines has once again earned the top spot with the best on-time performance of any commercial airline between New York and London during the first quarter of 2007. Eos, which recently announced a schedule expansion to 40 flights per week, earned top honors for the full year in 2006. Jack Williams, Eos CEO, commented, "We offer an uncrowded experience by flying the world's only commercial fleet of Boeing 757s outfitted for just 48 guests. When you take away the crowds, great things are possible including the elimination of delays at check-in, boarding and deplaning."
Among the major carriers offering service between New York and London, Eos posted significant leads in on-time performance, with 78% of Eos flights operating on-time or within 15 minutes of schedule, compared to 69% of American Airlines flights, 56% of British Airways flights, and 50% of Virgin Atlantic flights.
Eos provides a curbside assistant service at JFK and London Stansted Airports, in which Guides greet guests at the airport entrance curb to help with the check-in and fast-track security process. Eos offers its guests the convenience of arriving up to 45 minutes prior to departure time.
Starting September 9, Eos will increase its schedule frequency between London and New York, putting a newly acquired fourth Boeing 757 into service.

American Offers Triple AAdvantage(R) Miles for First/Business Class Passengers
If you travel on American Airlines in First or Business Class between New York and London this summer, be prepared to see a big jump in your AAdvantage(R) miles.
American is offering triple AAdvantage miles for roundtrip travel on eligible First or Business Class tickets between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London's Heathrow Airport completed by Aug. 31, 2007. That's more than 22,000 bonus miles for each roundtrip taken, nearly enough for a free* trip within the continental United States and Canada.
Here are the highlights of American's triple miles special between New York and London:
Travel round trip between New York JFK and London Heathrow on an eligible First or Business Class ticket (booked in F, J, A, D or I) through August 31, 2007, and earn triple AAdvantage miles. Travel may begin in either New York or London. Register before traveling at http://www.aa.com/offers and use promotion code AALHR.
Offer is valid only on American Airlines marketed and operated nonstop flights for roundtrip travel between New York JFK airport and London Heathrow (LHR) from June 22, 2007, through August 31, 2007. Registration prior to travel is required. To qualify, members must purchase and fly on published fare tickets booked in F, A, J, D or I. Flights operated by American's codeshare partners are not eligible for this promotion. For the purpose of this offer, a round trip is defined as travel in the same purchased booking class for both the departure and the return transAtlantic flight segments. Bonus miles will be awarded based on the booking class purchased and do not count toward elite status qualification. Triple miles will be calculated at 200 percent of the base miles earned. The total miles earned in conjunction with this promotion include the base flight miles, triple mile offer bonus and the class of service bonus associated with First or Business Class travel.

Icelandair Introduces Flexible Fare Structure
Effective June 21, Icelandair implemented a simplified pricing structure for travel to and from Iceland. The new structure is more passenger friendly with increased flexibility and convenience, based on the air fare travelers are willing to pay, their particular needs and service requirements. There will be four airfare categories: "Saga," "Economy Flex," "Economy" and "Best Price," which includes "Special Offers."
All air fares will be combinable, allowing passengers to fly one way in one category and return in another, enabling them to take full advantage of the best air fares available at the time of booking and their personal preferences.
Icelandair Saga passengers will retain the most flexibility and the highest service levels with priority check-in and seat selection, airport lounge facilities, extra baggage allowance and easier cancellation and itinerary change rules as well as one-way fares, combinable fares, and additional Frequent Flyer points (four times more than lowest economy fare).
Economy Flex passengers will receive similar benefits with flexible cancellation, itinerary change and seat selection options as well as one-way and combinable fares and additional Frequent Flyer points (50% more than lowest economy fare).
Economy passengers will enjoy one-way and combinable fares, choice of seating and minimal charges for itinerary changes and cancellations. They also will receive additional Frequent Flyer points (25% more than lowest economy fare).
Price sensitive passengers will find the new one-way and combinable fares particularly advantageous to their needs under the "Best Price" category, which will still qualify for Frequent Flyer points. Occasional "Special Offers" will be less flexible and will provide the absolute lowest airfares.
The new fare structure to and from Iceland will be uniform in all Icelandair offices in the United States, Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia, Great Britain and Continental Europe.
Additional details will be available from Travel Agents, Icelandair representatives at (800) 2235500 and online at http://www.icelandair.com.

JetBlue and Continental Continue to Rank Highest in Airline Customer Satisfaction
Despite severe delays and flight cancellations caused by weather and computer malfunctions in the past year, JetBlue Airways again ranks highest among low-cost airline carriers, while Continental Airlines ranks highest among traditional network carriers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM) released in June.
The study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in seven measures (in order of importance): cost and fees; flight crew; inflight services; aircraft; boarding/deplaning/baggage; check in and reservation.
JetBlue ranks highest overall for a third consecutive year, earning the highest ranking for lowcost carriers in 2006 and 2007. Lowcost carriers are defined as airlines that operate singlecabin aircraft with typically low fares. JetBlue also earns particularly high ratings in the low-cost carrier segment across all seven customer satisfaction measures despite a double-digit segment decline in overall satisfaction since 2006. JetBlue achieves an overall satisfaction index score of 810 of a possible 1,000 points and is followed in the rankings by Frontier Airlines (750) and Southwest Airlines (744).
Overall Airline Satisfaction Index Scores Low-Cost Carrier Segment (Based on a 1,000point scale)
JetBlue Airways                              810
Frontier Airlines                            750
Low-Cost Carrier Segment Average 748
Southwest Airlines                           744
AirTran Airways                              721
Continental Airlines, which ranks highest for a second consecutive year in the traditional network carrier segment, earns an overall satisfaction index score of 704, and improves in six measures: reservations, check-in, boarding/deplaning/baggage, aircraft, flight crew, and cost and fees. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines follow in the rankings with index scores of 680 and 670, respectively. Traditional network carriers are defined as airlines that operate multicabin aircraft and use multiple airport hubs.
Overall Airline Satisfaction Index Scores Traditional Network Carrier Segment (Based on a 1,000point scale)
Continental Airlines                       704
Delta Air Lines                               680
American Airlines                          670
Alaska Airlines                               668
Traditional Network Carrier Segment Average 667
United Airlines                              659
US Airways                                   655
Air Canada                                    648
Northwest Airlines                        646
The study also finds that passengers in various age ranges report different preferences for "must-have" amenities. While passengers among all age groups report that complimentary meals and inflight movies are the amenities they want most during a flight, higher percentages of younger passengers express a desire for high-tech amenities. Among Generation X passengers (those born between 1965 and 1976), 54 percent say they would like to have in-seat satellite or live TV, while Generation Y passengers (born between 1977 and 1994) are seven times more likely to want in-flight video games than are PreBoomers (born in 1945 and earlier).
The 2007 North America Airline Satisfaction Study measures customer satisfaction of both business and leisure travelers with major North American carriers that earn at least $1 billion a year in passenger revenue, based on Department of Transportation statistics. The study is based on responses from 9,653 passengers who flew on a major North American airline between April 2006 and April 2007.

Continental Airlines and China Southern Airlines Announce Strategic Partnership
Continental Airlines and China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in the People's Republic of China, have entered into a strategic partnership for frequent flyer and airport lounge access reciprocity and extensive codesharing, providing better service to customers who travel between the U.S. and China and transfer between the two carriers.
"As we look to build upon our successful service to China, we are honored to partner with China Southern. Our customers will appreciate the benefits of this new agreement," said Larry Kellner, chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines. "China Southern is the right partner for us in China and we look forward to welcoming them into the SkyTeam alliance in the very near future."
Beginning in September, members of the two airlines' frequent flyer programs, Continental's OnePass and China Southern's Sky Pearl Club, will be able to earn and redeem miles on all flights marketed and operated by the other carrier. Reciprocal airport lounge access for eligible customers will also begin when China Southern joins SkyTeam.
In November, the carriers plan to begin codesharing. Continental will place its code (CO*) on China Southern flights connecting to Continental's daily flight between New York and Beijing and on China Southern's flights between Guangzhou and Los Angeles. At the same time, China Southern will place its code (CZ*) on Continental flights connecting with China Southern at Los Angeles.
Continental and China Southern customers traveling on connecting itineraries will be able to have single checkin for all flights, including the issuance of electronic tickets, boarding passes and checked baggage to their final destination.

The Bahamas Included Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security recently issued an update on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which states "under the revised procedures, US citizens will be permitted to fly to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda without a passport as long as they can show proof that they have applied for one."
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism would like to clarify that although the country is not geographically located in The Caribbean Sea (the country is actually in the Western Atlantic Ocean), the popular vacation destination is considered to be part of The Caribbean in general travel terms and is included in the federal government's new revised procedures and is subject to the same temporary rules that were granted to all affected foreign countries.
Visitors to The Islands of the Bahamas who are pending passports will need to show valid photo ID and official proof of application (passport status notice downloaded from the State Department Web site at http://travel.state.gov/) through September 30, 2007 to travel by air back to the United States.

US Helicopter Joins UATP Network and Enhances Corporate Offerings
US Helicopter recently joined the Universal Air Travel Plan network (UATP), making it the first helicopter service to accept all UATP corporate cards as part of the UATP global corporate travel payment network. "US Helicopter aims to make the customer experience as easy as possible," said Jerry Murphy, chief executive officer and president of US Helicopter. "Accepting UATP enables US Helicopter to meet corporate client payment demands, as well as expand market share through strategic partnerships."
In addition to the regularly scheduled flights offered Monday through Friday, US Helicopter also offers corporate clients unrivaled benefits including: eight-minute travel time between New York City Heliports at Midtown's FDR Drive at East 34th Street and Downtown Manhattan on the FDR Drive near Wall Street, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty Airport; federally regulated TSA security clearance at NYC Heliports, convenient check-in and boarding passes to final destinations (when traveling aboard US Helicopter's partner airlines, Delta Air Lines at JFK and Continental Airlines at Newark Liberty); and baggage check to final destination (for both passengers traveling to and from Manhattan).
US Helicopter's Eight Minute Shuttle Service operates from 7 in the morning to 8 at night between Manhattan, JFK and Newark Liberty, fitting the corporate travelers' needs. Additional service is also offered between Manhattan, the airports and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Visit www.uatp.com or www.flyush.com for additional information.

US Helicopter and Continental Airlines Announce Codeshare Agreement
To further simplify the booking and ticketing expedition, US Helicopter and Continental have announced a codeshare agreement to expedite the process for customers connecting between two New York City heliports and Continental's flights at its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Effective immediately, Continental has placed its code (CO*) on US Helicopter flights that operate between the Downtown Manhattan or the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street and connect to Continental's international BusinessFirst flights at New York Liberty. "Codesharing improves airline service by simplifying the booking process with electronic ticketing and communication of itinerary information between the two companies," said Mark Erwin, Continental's senior vice president Asia/Pacific and corporate development. "Customers traveling on connecting itineraries are able to have single check in for all flights, including the issuance of boarding passes and baggage checked through to their final destination."
Codeshare itineraries are eligible for check in at continental.com, airport kiosks or with a US Helicopter or Continental Airlines ticket agent. Members of Continental's frequent flyer program also earn 500 OnePass miles when traveling on codeshare flights operated by US Helicopter.
US Helicopter and Continental Airlines have partnered to provide eight minute shuttle service between Manhattan and New York Liberty since December 2006. US Helicopter customers traveling on Continental flights complete security screening at the heliport allowing customers to proceed directly to their departure gate at New York Liberty. A one-way ticket aboard US Helicopter starts at $159, plus applicable security fees and can be purchased by visiting www.continental.com or www.flyush.com. US Helicopter's flights between New York Liberty and two New York City heliports operate from 7:15 am to 8:00 pm.

Business Jet Seats Incorporated Launches Air Charter-By-The-Seat
Busy travelers now have the option of booking seats on business jets. By chartering the number of seats needed through www.BusinessJetSeats.com , travelers can charter flights on jets at 50 percent savings compared with chartering the entire plane.
BusinessJetSEATS arranges by-the-seat private charter service from convenient community airports and accesses to the 2,000 jet charter fleet, while offering:
-- 50% discounts compared with aircraft charter
-- All-inclusive pricing without extra charges and surprises
-- No membership fees
-- Easy-to-use travel arrangement systems
BusinessJetSEATS does not operate aircraft as service is provided by charter companies authorized by the FAA under Part 135. BusinessJetSEATS points out that it is committed to the highest safety, convenience and comfort standards at the lowest prices for by-the-seat jet service.

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New Air Travel Connections

Zoom Airlines has begun daily London/Gatwick to New York/JFK flights from £129. The low-fares, full-service airline is to operate daily flights from London Gatwick to New York JFK from Thursday 21 June. Zoom's standard fares for economy class seats on its New York-London service start at $199 one way, excluding taxes and fees, although it has promotional fares at launch that are lower. The standard economy seat has 31 inches of pitch. The service includes a hot meal and non-alcoholic beverages for free, and there is in-flight entertainment with a $5 charge to buy a headset if the customer does not bring one. Customers also can pay extra to fly in Premium Economy, which includes 35 or 36 inches of pitch; a separate check-in line; priority baggage and boarding; and complimentary alcoholic drinks and headsets. The new route operates between South Terminal at London Gatwick and JFK’s Terminal 4 five times a week. New York-bound flights leave London Gatwick every lunchtime, arriving into New York in the early afternoon. Return flights leave New York in the early evening, landing at London Gatwick at around 6am the following morning.
Zoom is also planning additional services from London Gatwick to Canada.

Zoom Airlines has begun low-cost direct flights between Bermuda and London Gatwick. The airline will become the first to compete with British Airways on the route since 1967 – breaking the longest-running monopoly on any air route in the world.
Zoom flights depart from Bermuda to London Gatwick on Tuesday and Saturday evenings, with Tuesday flights leaving Bermuda at 19:30 and arriving into London Gatwick at 06:00 on Wednesday morning; and Saturday flights leaving Bermuda at 21:30 and arriving into London Gatwick at 07:55 on Sunday morning. Flights from London Gatwick will depart on Wednesdays at 13:00, arriving Bermuda at 16:15, whilst flights on Sunday will depart London Gatwick at 11:00 and arrive in Bermuda at 14.15.
All Zoom fares are one-way, enabling passengers to fly to create their own itineraries.
Premium Economy seats can be booked for an additional $179 one-way offering additional legroom and check-in, luggage and in-flight meal and drinks benefits
Flights are available at www.flyzoom.com or by phone on 1 613 235 9666.

Premium class Eos Airlines will expand its operations between New York/JFK and London’s Stansted Airport starting September 9, putting a newly-acquired fourth Boeing 757 in service and expanding to 40 flights per week. Eos flies the world's only Boeing 757s outfitted with only 48 "suites," each of which houses an award-winning 6'6" fully-horizontal flat-bed and provides 21 square feet of personal space with guaranteed aisle access for every guest. Website: www.eosairlines.com

AirTran Airways will add a total of five new nonstop destinations this summer out of Orlando International Airport. The low-cost airline will add flights to Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine; Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee; Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Missouri; San Diego International Airport in San Diego, California .; and Lambert St. Louis International Airport in St. Louis, Missouri.

Air France has begun a new, daily non-stop flight to Paris from Seattle its 13th gateway city in the US. Flight AF041 offers a convenient departure from Seattle at 16:55, arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 11:40 the following day. The return flight, AF046, departs at 13:20 and arrives in Seattle at 14:35 the same day. The Seattle flight offers easy connections beyond Paris with Air France's expansive global network throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The Seattle flight will be serviced with an A330-200 featuring Air France's New Travel Concept in a two-class configuration: 40 seats in l'Espace Affaires Business Class and 179 in Tempo Economy Class.

Northwest Airlines has begun service to Amsterdam from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, just outside of Hartford, Connecticut. The service is on a 160-passenger Boeing 757-200 aircraft.

SWISS will offer daily service to Los Angeles, to Johannesburg and to Santiago de Chile (via São Paulo) from mid-July onwards.
SWISS is increasing its flights to Riyadh for the summer months where it currently operates a four-times-weekly non-stop service from Zurich. This will now be supplemented by an additional Saturday flight from the end of June to the beginning of September. The extra service will be operated by an all-Business-Class jet of PrivatAir under a wet-lease agreement.
SWISS is also broadening its European network this summer. Non-stop service to Salzburg was introduced on June 4, with Cirrus Airlines offering up to three flights a day under a codeshare agreement. And service between Zurich and Italy has also been expanded: Air One began offering daily codeshare flights to Naples and Catania at the beginning of May. SWISS now operates its own non-stop services to 43 European destinations; and a further 16 points within Europe are served by SWISS in collaboration with codeshare partners.

SWISS will introduce scheduled service to Delhi (India) in its 2007/08 winter timetable, and will add Shanghai (China) to its network in the 2008 summer schedules. Delhi will be served with Airbus A330 aircraft from November 25, 2007, while the service to Shanghai, which will begin on March 30, 2008, will be provided using Airbus A340 equipment. Apart from flights to and from Hong Kong, no direct services currently exist between Switzerland and China.
Beijing is also set to appear in the SWISS timetable in spring 2008, under a codeshare operation with Lufthansa via Munich.

Continental Airlines has begun twice-weekly service today between George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and Loreto, Mexico, the airline's 31st Mexican destination. The Continental flight departs Houston at 11:10 a.m. on Thursdays and Sundays during peak travel season (summer, winter and spring), arriving in Loreto at 1:18 p.m. The return flight departs Loreto at 1:50 p.m., arriving in Houston at 5:35 p.m. The Loreto flights are timed for convenient connections to the Midwest and East Coast. In the fall, the service will operate once a week on Saturdays. Continental will utilize the Embraer-145 XR jet with seating for 50 passengers in either aisle or window seats.

Frontier Airlines has launched non-stop service between Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Mazatlan (MZT), the stunning Mexican Riviera town located on the northern Pacific Coast. Passengers traveling from Dallas to Mazatlan can now enjoy three weekly flights in the comfort of Frontier's new fleet of Airbus A319s with 33 inches of legroom and 24 channels of DIRECTV(R) service and pay-per-view movies in every seat back. And, as if that weren't enough, passengers on today's inaugural flight to Mazatlan celebrated the first trip south-of-the-border-style with spicy Mexican shrimp dishes and refreshing bodegaritas hosted by some of the top restaurants at DFW

United Airlines has launched of daily, nonstop passenger and cargo service between San Francisco and Taipei. United is the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service between the U.S. and Taipei.
United is also now offering daily nonstop flights between Washington, D.C. and Kuwait.
United Airlines is strengthening its international network by launching two new nonstop flights from the United States to Asia and South America. Daily, nonstop passenger and cargo service between Los Angeles and Hong Kong, and between Washington, D.C., and Rio de Janeiro will begin October 2007. Flights are now open for sale.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., has launched flight service at Portland International. AirTran Airways offers three daily roundtrip flights between Portland and Baltimore/Washington, with one Saturday roundtrip flight to Orlando beginning June 9, 2007. Passengers departing from Portland can travel to 43 total destinations nationwide via Baltimore/Washington and Atlanta.

Delta Airways, which emerged from bankruptcy in May, is increasing its international air service and will add nonstop flights between Atlanta and Dubai, and Atlanta and Seoul, South Korea.
Delta also announced that will begin nonstop daily flights between New York/JFK and Tel Aviv beginning next March. It already offers nonstop service from Atlanta to Tel Aviv.

American Airlines will begin nonstop service between New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport starting September 5, offering three daily round-trip flights conveniently timed for early morning, midday and early evening departures. The airline will use Boeing MD80 aircraft on the route configured with 16 First-Class seats and 120 seats in the Main Cabin.
In addition, because of strong demand on flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, American will increase the number of flights and the size of the jets currently flown on that route beginning September 5. American will begin flying the route twice daily using 136-seat MD80 aircraft, while American Eagle will reduce its JFK-Chicago O'Hare schedule to one daily flight. The net effect will be one additional flight, for a total of three flights daily—two operated with MD80s -- and 222 additional seats, each way, in the JFK-Chicago O'Hare market.

American Airlines will add another new Caribbean destination from New York this fall when it begins nonstop service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to St. Lucia. American will fly the route three times weekly beginning November 15, 2007, with flights operating into St. Lucia's Hewanorra International Airport. Service will be flown with Boeing 757 aircraft, configured with 22 seats in First Class and 166 seats in the Main Cabin. American currently offers daily nonstop service to St. Lucia (Hewanorra) from Miami, while its regional partner, American Eagle, flies five times daily from San Juan, Puerto Rico (to George F.L. Charles Airport). Service operates on Thursday/Saturday/Monday through December 13, 2007, and then Thursday/Sunday/Monday thereafter.
American will begin nonstop service from JFK to St. Kitts and Nevis, also starting in November.

American Airlines is planning to begin daily service on October 28 from New York/JFKennedy International Airport to London’s Stansted Airport. The airline plans to add a second daily flight on that route in spring 2008. American's JFK-Stansted service will be flown with two-class (Business and Economy/Coach) Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 221 seats, including 30 Next Generation Business Class seats.
American Airlines will begin serving London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) nonstop from its Raleigh/Durham (RDU) gateway effective March 29, 2008. American will continue to fly to London, both to Gatwick in the interim and switch to Heathrow beginning March 29, 2008, using its three-class Boeing 777 aircraft with 245 seats.

American Airlines has announced that it will move one of its two daily DFW-London flights from Gatwick Airport into Heathrow Airport, beginning in the spring of 2008. The change in service will give millions of DFW travelers nonstop access to more connections, destinations and flight options out of Heathrow, which is Europe's busiest airport and the world's top connecting hub for international traffic.

American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, will begin a daily nonstop flight between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, using Canadair 70-seat CRJ-700 jets. The service will start September 5.
American Eagle will also add nonstop service between Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) and Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), beginning September 5, operating round-trip service between the two cities using 37-seat Embraer ERJ-135 jets.
American Eagle will add a daily nonstop flight between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Okaloosa Regional Airport beginning September 5. American Eagle will operate the service with 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 jets. American Eagle already has two daily round trips between Dallas/Fort Worth and Okaloosa Regional Airport.
American Eagle, will add nonstop service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Roswell International Air Center, beginning Sept. 5.American Eagle will operate two daily round-trip flights between the two cities using 50-seat ERJ-145 aircraft.
American Eagle Continues Growth in Mexico
American Eagle is adding a weekly flight between Miami International Airport and Cozumel International Airport, effective June 2, 2007.

Alaska Airlines will offer more nonstop flights between Seattle and Cancun, Mexico, beginning October 28, moving from four flights a week to daily service. The flights, offering convenient connections from cities throughout the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Canada, are available for purchase at alaskaair.com or by calling (800) ALASKAAIR.
Alaska inaugurated nonstop Seattle-Cancun service last winter and operates the route during Mexico's peak tourism season, from late October to late April.
Alaska increased its capacity on Mexico flights by more than 20 percent last fall, offering more frequent flights on existing routes and adding five new nonstop routes. In addition to Seattle-Cancun service, the airline introduced flights between Los Angeles and La Paz; San Francisco and Cancun; Portland, Ore., and Los Cabos; and Portland and Puerto Vallarta. The airline offers seasonal nonstop service from Seattle to four Mexico destinations, including daily service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, and two flights a week to Mazatlan. Customers can travel year-round to all 10 of Alaska's Mexico destinations on flights connecting or stopping in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Alaska Airlines Vacations offers vacation packages, including round-trip air travel and hotel accommodations, to all of its Mexico resort destinations. Alaska's mealtime flights to Mexico's resort destinations offer the airline's Northern Bites meals-for-purchase service, which allows coach passengers to purchase a meal onboard for $5.
Alaska Airlines will offer year-round daily flights beginning October 12 between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Honolulu, and nonstop between Seattle and Lihue on the island of Kauai starting October 28. It will also launch seasonal service between Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Honolulu starting December 9. Website: www.alaskaair.com

Low-cost carrier Flyglobespan launched the first-ever nonstop scheduled air service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport to Ireland West Airport Knock on May 27 and May 29, respectively. These landmark transatlantic flights mark the first time guests from these U.S. destinations will be able travel direct on scheduled flights to this award-winning airport, significantly easing the ability to experience the historic and picturesque Western region of Ireland.
Flyglobespan, the award-winning scheduled low-cost carrier based in Scotland and one of the largest airlines in the UK, will operate three flights weekly from JFK and two flights weekly from Logan, offering guests the option of Economy service and Economy - Premium Service Upgrade. Service from JFK will also offer Business service. These flights will be available through October 2007, and rates begin at $259 one way, exclusive of tax. Flights from JFK International Airport will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and flights from Logan International Airport will depart on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8:45 p.m.
Flyglobespan commenced its first flight in April 2002 and now operates 21 aircraft which travel to 31 destinations in Europe, North America and Africa. www.flyglobespan.com .

In 2008, Qantas Airways will increase services to Los Angeles and South Africa and add a South American destination to its network. It will offer two additional Brisbane-Los Angeles services each week (from March 2008); one additional Sydney-Los Angeles service each week (from March 2008); an additional one weekly service between Sydney and Johannesburg (from November 2008); and begin service to South America in November between Sydney and Santiago, Chile. In addition, it is offering additional return service between Sydney and Shanghai from August 2007, taking the total number of flights offered on the route to five per week.

Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines is to introduce new services to Africa. From December 16, Entebbe will get two new direct flights to Europe per week while Rwanda and Burundi will get an additional service each. Nairobi, however, will suffer a reduction in flights as the airline will withdraw the sixth flight that has been operating on Sundays. Under the new schedule, the Wednesday and Sunday flights will originate in Bujumbura and pass through Entebbe en route to Brussels while the Monday and Friday services from Entebbe will be routed through Nairobi. The Sunday and Wednesday flights from Bujumbura have been routed through Entebbe to raise initial volumes but also because the Burundi capital suffers security restrictions that don’t allow night time flying.
Brussels Airlines is so far the only European airline flying into Kigali and Bujumbura.
Presently, there is no direct service to Tanzania. The northern territories of Mwanza and Arusha are currently served through a code share arrangement with Precision Air which flies to Entebbe. Website: www.brusselsairlines.com

JetBlue Airways has added new nonstop service between Syracuse, New York and
and Fort Lauderdale, effective November 1. The airline using EMBRAER 190 will operate one daily flight on the route year-round, providing Syracuse with its only nonstop link to South Florida. Fares start as low as $99(a) each way.

JetBlue Airways has begun daily nonstop service to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (D.R.) from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The capital city of Santo Domingo is JetBlue's ninth Caribbean/Atlantic
destination and its second city served in the D.R., including Santiago.
JetBlue Airways has commenced non-stop service to Nantucket, Massachusetts from
its home base of operations at New York's John F. Kennedy International
Airport. The low-fare, high-value airline is introducing convenient daily service to the popular Massachusetts island resort for the peak season through September 24(a), with additional weekend flights operating throughout the summer. To celebrate the launch of the new route, the airline is offering its $79(b) each-way fares with no advance
purchase required for travel on nonstop flights between New York and Nantucket completed on or before June 30, 2007.

ExpressJet Airlines' new non-stop service from Colorado Springs and Oklahoma City will bring non-stop service to connect San Diego with Bakersfield, Boise, Fresno, Monterey, Omaha, Spokane, and Tulsa in time for the summer travel season. ExpressJet Airlines is located in the Commuter Terminal at San Diego International Airport.
The airline also offers new non-stop service from Jacksonville, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., and Louisville as well as one-stop service to Tucson.

US Airways is expanding its seasonal service to Ireland year round. Passengers can fly from Philadelphia to Dublin four times a week beginning October 28. Flights from Philadelphia will occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and flights from Dublin will be scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. US Airways will continue to serve Shannon, Ireland seasonally during the summer travel season.
In Europe, US Airways has also added service to Brussels, Athens and Zurich from its hub in Philadelphia.

Qatar Airways will begin flights four times a week from Doha International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport via Geneva as of June 26.
In mid-July Qatar will provide daily service from Doha to Dulles International Airport in Washington.

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Rail Travel News & Offers

New Hybrid Rail Cars Introduced On Japan’s Koumi Line This Summer

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has been developing E200 hybrid railcars with a hybrid power system to reduce the burden on the environment, and has made various kinds of tests since May 2003. Now three hybrid rail car will be placed on the the Koumi Line, between Kobuchizawa and Komoro, for commercial service this summer.

Japan Rail East Pass Offers Unlimited Travel For Visitors
The JR East Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan, providing unlimited travel on JR trains (including shinkansen and limited express trains) in the Kanto, Koshinetsu and Tohoku Region on five or ten consecutive days or four flexible days within one month. From July to October 2007, the JR East Pass Special, a flexible three-day version for only 10,000 Yen ($81), will be temporarily available. Other passes
JR East Pass (July - October 2007)
Type Ordinary Cars Green Cars
Five consecutive days 20,000 Yen:/$163; 28,000 Yen/$228
Ten consecutive days 32,000 Yen/$261; 44,800 Yen/$365
Four flexible days within 1 month 20,000 Yen/$163; 28,000 Yen/$228
Reduced rates apply to people aged 12-25 in ordinary cars (about 20 percent off) and to children aged 6-11 (50 percent off).
The JR East Pass can be purchased through travel agencies outside of Japan and at major JR railway stations in the service area of JR East, including Tokyo and Narita Airport.
When purchasing the pass outside of Japan, you will receive an exchange order, which has to be exchanged into an actual rail pass after your arrival in Japan and within three months of the purchase. Exchange orders for the temporarily available JR East Pass Special need to be exchanged by October 1, 2007.
When purchasing the pass inside Japan, you are limited to the purchase of one pass, and need to show your passport and return air ticket. More information at http://www.japanrail.com or http://www.japanrailpass.net.

France’s New TGVEast, Just Launched Boosts Ticket Sales 65%
Build a high-speed rail line and they will come – this has proven true time and again in Europe since the first high-speed line (Paris-Lyon) was launched. History is repeating itself with the new TGV* East line, which opened recently, slashing previous train travel times by one-third to one-half between Paris and eastern France (Reims, Metz, Nancy, Colmar, Strasbourg, etc), Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Since Rail Europe announced the availability of TGV East tickets (on April 10, 60 days before service started), the number of North American passengers buying tickets for these routes has increased an average of 65% over the same period last year (when journey times were longer). Some routes have seen ticket sales increase as much as 400% (Nancy-Strasbourg) or 368% (Paris-Stuttgart). On other routes, ticket sales are nearly double what they were during April-June 2006: Mulhouse-Paris (94%), Metz-Paris (92%), Paris-Strasbourg (84%).
Besides cutting travel times nearly in half, the launch of TGV East has also increased the frequency along routes to and within eastern France 15-20%, plus now there are many direct trains, where previously passengers had to transfer at intermediate stations.
High-speed rail has traditionally captured the major share of combined air/rail traffic along routes where train journeys are under 3 hours. The new TGV line is expected to garner 75% of the Paris-Strasbourg market within one year and eventually 90%. Air France previously announced plans to discontinue flights Paris-Metz in July.
Faster travel times
Between                                  with TGV East                                       Previous travel time
Paris-Reims                                       45 min.                                          1 hr. 35 min.
Paris-Nancy                                           1 hr. 30 min.                                        2 hr. 40 min.
Paris-Strasbourg                        2 hr. 20 min.                                        4 hr.
Paris-Luxembourg                     2 hr. 5 min.                                         3 hr. 35 min.
Paris-Zurich                              4 hr. 32 min.                                        5 hr. 50 min.
Paris-Frankfurt                           3 hr. 50 min.                                        6 hr. 15 min.
Paris-Stuttgart                         3 hr. 40 min.                                         6 hr.
The following prices are for one-way, full-fare (fully exchangeable/refundable) tickets. Special offers will appear at www.raileurope.com (U.S) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada).
Paris-Reims: $43 US/$51 CAD (2nd cl.) or $75 US/$88 CAD (1st)
Paris-Nancy: $76 US/$ 89 CAD (2nd) or $135 US/$ 158 CAD (1st)
Paris-Strasbourg: $ $96 US/$113 CAD (2nd) or $170 US/$199 CAD (1st)
Paris-Basel: $128 US / $150 CAD (2nd) or $193US / $226 CAD (1ST)
Paris-Stuttgart: $144 US/$169 CAD (2nd) or $250 US/ $293 CAD (1st)
A France Railpass – which covers 3 days of unlimited rail travel throughout France within a one-month period – starts at $227 US/$ 266 CAD. (Seat reservations, which are required on all TGVs, must be purchased separately).
Holders of France Railpass receive special low Passholder fares on international routes (France-Germany, France-Switzerland or on Eurostar or Thalys high-speed trains) that can save 70-80% over regular fares. In addition, the pass provides discounts on Bateaux Parisiens cruises, city passes for Nancy and Strasbourg, museums, scenic rail journeys in other parts of France and more.
For more information or to book railpasses or tickets for individual or group travel on TGV East or high-speed, scenic, and overnight trains throughout Europe and the UK, consult a travel agent or log on to www.raileurope.com (U.S.) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada) or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).

Grand Canyon Railway Offers Half-Day Excursion to Grand Canyon In The Fall

The Grand Canyon Railway will again offer the Sunset Limited, an afternoon excursion for adults on selected weekend days in September and October. The Sunset Limited features first-class train cars with food, drinks, jazz musicians and a spectacular setting as the train travels from the Williams, Arizona Depot to the Grand Canyon and back. The Sunset Limited is offered September 7, 8, 9, 15, 21, 22 and 29; and October 5, 6, 13. Trains depart the Williams Depot at 1:45 p.m. and arrive at Grand Canyon Depot at 4 p.m. Trains leave the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park at 7:30 p.m. and arrive back at the Williams Depot at 9:45 p.m.
Tickets for the train only are $179 per person and include round-trip train travel, guided tour of the rim, meals aboard the train and a signature souvenir Grand Canyon Railway wine glass. Overnight Sunset Limited packages include a train ticket, a one- or two-night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and breakfast the morning after train travel.
The Sunset Limited packages cost $249 for the one-night package and $349 for the two-night package. Rates are per person based on double occupancy and do not include tax or national park entrance fee. Each train transports approximately 190 people, and the train car setup makes it easy to mingle and to enjoy the built-in buffet.
In addition to the Sunset Limited, the Grand Canyon Railway makes the journey from Williams to the Grand Canyon every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Trips include a daily Wild West shootout prior to departure each morning and live entertainment aboard the train, including roaming Western singers. The train travels through 65 miles of high desert plains, small arroyos and portions of the world’s largest
ponderosa pine forest.
The Grand Canyon Railway offers five classes of service and a variety of trip options, including packages with overnight stays at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel includes 297 rooms as well as a restaurant, lounge and gift shop. The Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is comprised of 124 RV spaces, and the Pet Resort features space for 28 dogs and 16 cats.
Grand Canyon Railway operates daily train service between Williams, Arizona, and the Grand Canyon. The Railway offers five distinct classes of service, as well as money-saving packages featuring the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams. Overnight stays at the Grand Canyon also can be included in the packages. Grand Canyon Railway is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
For more information, visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-THE-TRAIN
(1-800-843-8724).
The Grand Canyon Railway is owned and operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

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Hotel/Resort News & Offers

St. James's Hotel and Club in London to be Operated by Althoff Hotels
Starting January 2008 Althoff Hotels will open the St. James Hotel & Club in Mayfair. The established hotel with 61 rooms and suites is currently being completely renovated.
The German hotel group based in Cologne includes seven luxury hotels in Germany and France.
Located in the best part of London, the St. James's Hotel and Club is only a short distance from Buckingham Palace and in close vicinity to the exclusive shops of Old-Bond Street. The musical theatres in the West End are also close by.
The upper floors of the hotel offer an outstanding panoramic view over London's historical buildings. All rooms and suites will have state-of-the-art technology and exquisite furnishings. The design is modeled on a classic British style with masterful design elements.
The gastronomy concept of the hotel will be in line with the Althoff standard. Althoff is operating several awarded Restaurants; two of them are awarded with three Michelin stars each and are told to be the best within the European gourmet scene: the Restaurant of Dieter Müller in the Schlosshotel Lerbach and the one of Joachim Wissler named Vendôme in the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg close to Cologne.
More information at www.althoffhotels.com or www.stjamesclubandhotel.co.uk

Carlson Hotels Worldwide Opens 13 New Hotels in April and May
Carlson Hotels Worldwide added 13 new properties to its global portfolio of brands during April and May -- bringing its expansion pace to an average of six new hotels per month since the start of 2007. The company currently has more than 950 hotels in 70 countries.
Among the 13 new hotels are The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos managed by Regent Hotels & Resorts in the British West Indies; two Radisson SAS hotels in Ireland; two new Radisson Hotels & Resorts properties in the United States; five additional Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, including one in Canada and four throughout the United States; and two Park Inn hotels in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Carlson hotel brands also include Park Plaza(SM) Hotels & Resorts.

Blackstone To Buy Hilton Hotels Corp.
Hilton Hotels Corp. has agreed to be acquired by the Blackstone Group, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $26 billion. Blackstone said it would acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Hilton for $47.50 per share, a 40 percent premium over Hilton's July 2 closing price of $33.87 per share.
Blackstone, a global private equity firm, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on June 22. The company has been involved in several large travel company acquisitions over the years; it currently owns Travelport, the La Quinta Corp. and LXR Luxury Resorts, and it recently sold the Extended Stay Hotels and Budgetel brands. In 2005 it sold the management and franchise business of the Wyndham chain for $101 million.
Hilton's portfolio includes nine hotel and hospitality brands, among them Hilton, Conrad Hotels, Embassy Suites Hotels and the Waldorf-Astoria Collection. In 2006 it was the fifth-largest hotel company by number of rooms, at 393,922, and the sixth-largest by number of hotels, at 2,460, according to data from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

Oasis Hotels & Resorts Acquire Four Properties In The Dominican Republic
Oasis Hotels & Resorts has acquired four properties in the Dominican Republic, it was announced by Enrique Klein, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for TravAmerica, which exclusively represents the Oasis and Grand Oasis properties.
-- Grand Oasis Marien Beach Resort & Spa - 325 rooms and suites located just a short distance from the Victorian city of Puerto Plata. Top dive sites and superb off-road adventures are nearby. The hotel is less than 20 minutes from the International Airport of Puerto Plata, and less than one hour from the city of Santiago de Los Caballeros, which is well-known for its fine cigars and old rum factories. Other hotel facilities include four restaurants, four bars, nightly live entertainment, a swimming pool, Kidz Paradise Club with kids swimming pool, InSense Spa, 9-hole mini-golf and shuffle board, water polo and bocce court, basketball and beach volleyball courts, water sports, and scuba diving lessons.
-- Grand Oasis Punta Cana - 460 rooms and suites of this fine hotel are located on the Caribbean east coast of Punta Cana. The property is cushioned by a picturesque coral reef in the destination's best beachfront location. The resort features four restaurants, seven bars, a fully equipped Spa, theater with nightly live entertainment, horseback riding, casino, tennis courts, four swimming pools including a children's pool, fully supervised children's activities, fitness center, water skiing, and scuba diving lessons.
-- Oasis Hamaca Beach Resort, Spa & Casino - 589 rooms and suites rest serenely on Boca Chica Bay, one of the Dominican Republic's most famous beaches. The resort is just a few minutes from the International Airport of Las Americas and 20 minutes from the colonial charm and exciting nightlife of Santo Domingo. Facilities include five restaurants and five bars, live nightly entertainment, a fitness center and sauna, swimming pool, Kidz Paradise Club with kids swimming pool, game room, water sports, scuba diving lessons, and the InSense Spa.
-- Oasis Canoa Beach Resort & Spa - 532 rooms and suites of this hotel are set on a palm-fringed, white sand beach with tranquil turquoise waters. The resort is located within walking distance of the Eastern National Park, home of the biggest archaeological site, from the island's first inhabitants, the Taino Indians. Top dive sites are nearby or just a short boat ride from Saona Island. The hotel is less than a thirty minute drive from the La Romana International Airport and the famous artisan village of Altos de Chavon. Other facilities include four restaurants, four bars, a swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, a Kidz Paradise Club with kids swimming pool, InSense Spa, 9-hole mini-golf course and shuffleboard, game room, basketball court, water sports, and scuba diving lessons.
Website: www.oasishotels.com

New Steigenberger Hotel in Luxor
The Steigenberger Hotel Group is expanding its presence in Egypt through its Cairo subsidiary Steigenberger Middle East Hotels & Resorts with the Hotel Nile Palace becoming part of Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts. Located in the heart of Luxor, this deluxe hotel has 283 exclusive rooms and 19 suites, attractive restaurants, a pool, a tennis court, four conference rooms and the largest ballroom in Luxor. The Hotel Nile Palace is the company’s fourth hotel in the land of the Pharaohs.
The Steigenberger Hotel Nile Palace lies in the heart of this popular tourist destination, on the banks of the Nile and only about a half-mile away from the Luxor Temple. The five star hotel, which opened in 2002 and operated as Le Meridien Hotel up until the end of last year, appeals to holidaymakers, business travellers and conference delegates alike.
All of the hotel’s 302 rooms and suites, decorated in light sandy tones, are fully equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV, safe, minibar and telephone, complete with personal voicemail service. Most rooms look out over the Nile or onto the main boulevard. The Steigenberger Hotel Nile Palace is the perfect place for conferences and all manner of functions. The hotel’s own ballroom, the largest in Luxor, and the four conference rooms can hold over 1,000 people. On the sporting front, the Deluxe hotel offers a heated outdoor pool, a tennis court and a Fitness and Wellness area. Golfing enthusiasts can use the nearby golf course at special terms.
Alongside three restaurants serving national and international cuisine the hotel also has two cafes and three bars, including a pool bar. Website: http://www.steigenbergerhotelgroup.com
The Steigenberger Hotel Group currently operates 82 hotels under the brand names Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts and InterCityHotels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Egypt.

Warwick International Hotels offers Special Rates For Seniors
Warwick International Hotels and Resorts (WIH) offers for those 65 years and older the Senior Elite Program where exceptional discounts are available at most hotels and resorts.
WIH is offering a wide range of leisure destinations in the United States, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific and Africa. Choose between primary European cities such as Paris, Brussels, Barcelona, Rome, London, and Geneva or charming areas such as Cannes, Nice, Marseille, Provence, Corsica or St Tropez or the smallest European cities like Lyon, Venise, and Florence. To book the Senior Elite Programme, call the Toll free number 1 800 203 3232, contact a Travel Agent,or book at www.warwickhotels.com using Booking Code: SENIOR.
Identification confirming your age will be required at registration. If proper identification cannot be provided at check-in, this special rate will not be honored by the hotel or resort.
Minimum and / or maximum stays may apply.

Hastings House’s New Pre-Arranged Escape Packages
Getting to the serenity and indulgence of Hastings House Country House and Salt Spring Island in British Columbia now requires a single phone call to Hastings House to arrange sea plane or charter flights and book accommodations for a three-day getaway. Offered through November 20, the new Salt Spring Island Escape Packages takes care of all the details. The three packages offered are:
-- Gold Level Package—Includes luxurious, private round-trip air charter, from Vancouver International Airport (starting at $812.50 per person) or Seattle (starting at $1837.50)*.
-- Silver Level Package—Includes a scenic floatplane journey from Vancouver International Airport (starting at $587.50 per person) or from Seattle (starting at $825.00 per person)*.
-- Bronze Level Package—Allows guests to bring their own vehicle to the island by providing gift vouchers for return ferry services for two passengers and a car from Tsawwassen (near Vancouver), starting at $512.50 per person*.
* Upgrades to suites are available
Each of the three new three-day Escape Packages includes two nights’ accommodations, a four-course Chef’s menu dinner, a picnic lunch, continental breakfast daily, a $100 spa credit, and a choice of round-trip transportation from Vancouver or Seattle. Optional add-ons include additional nights for a discounted summer rate of $345 and a discounted fall rate of $235 per room.
For guests who fly to Salt Spring Island, car rentals can be arranged for $49 per day
A gourmet safari tour with driver can be arranged for $300 for a half-day excursion for up to four people. Website:
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the 18-room Hastings House Country House Hotel sits on 22 manicured acres at the head of Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island, off Vancouver. Website: www.hastingshouse.com

Free Weddings at Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa On St. Thomas, USVI
Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, located in St. Thomas, USVI, is offering a special romantic answer to the most important day in a couple's life with a Free Wedding package now through December 22, 2007, for $400/night.* Get the venue and lots more for free and let Wyndham Sugar Bay arrange all the tedious details, so all you need to worry about is showing up! Carved into a mountainside and surrounded by 31 lush, tropical acres, the 300-room newly renovated Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and neighboring islands providing a picturesque backdrop for your romantic day.
The "Free Wedding" package is with the purchase of a five-night, all- inclusive stay. At no additional cost, the bride and groom enjoy the services of the on-property expert wedding coordinator, arrangements and fees for the officiate, a religious or non-denominational ceremony and a beautifully decorated wedding site, set along the resort's tropically landscaped lawns, or upgrade to the sandy beach gazebo for sunset nuptials or the St. John's Terrace wedding gazebo, overlooking the Caribbean sea.
Additional activities offered at Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa include pool volleyball, jet skiing, 1/3 mile jogging trail, bumper boats,* three interconnecting freshwater pools with waterfall, complimentary "Grotto Grove" Kids Klub with daily iguana feedings, video games*, slot machines, snooker, foosball, ping pong, board games, four Laykold tennis courts, use of Sugar Bay's impressive Fitness Center with pro-form state-of-the-future equipment, free weights Pilates, yoga, step aerobics, feature films at the amphitheatre and cap the night off with dancing or slot machines at the Ocean Club gaming room.*
For "free weddings" at Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, visit www.wyndhamsugarbayresort.com or call 340-777-7100 ext. 2214.
* Double occupancy; five-night, all-inclusive minimum; additional costs and blackout dates apply; based on availability; prices subject to change; tax and gratuity not included; rates may vary based on travel date.

Explore Provence At Les Frenes From 150 Euros Per Person Per Night
Experience the wine, weather and cuisine of the magical region of Provence. From the historic city of Avignon, home to the papacy for more than a century, to the divinely picturesque village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhone wine area – origin of some of France’s greatest wines – Provence offers fine delights fit for the summer months.
An oasis of greenery, freshness, of calm and serenity invades the property of Hostellerie Les Frênes, a lovely Napoleon-style villa built in 1800, located in fragrant gardens with trees many over two hundred years old. Hostellerie Les Frênes is ideally situated just five minutes from Avignon, the Papal city, with highlights such as the famous Bridge of Avignon, the Pope’s Palace and the ramparts of Avignon located nearby.
Explore the character of this varied, entrancing region from the luxurious sanctuary of
Stein Hotels and Resorts’ Les Frenes in a three-, five- or seven-night package.
For further information or reservations, contact Les Frenes by e-mail: contact@lesfrenes.com

London’s Lanesborough Hotel Offering Special Summer Rates To September 9
The deluxe Lanesborough Hotel in London is currently offering super summer rates until September 9, 2007. Room rates begin at £395 for a deluxe double. Subject to a minimum three-night stay Inclusive of Service, exclusive of VAT
The hotel package includes :
• Round Trip Airport Transfers*
• English Breakfast Daily
• Champagne and Petits Fours on Arrival
• Unlimited landline calls to the USA and EU Countries
More information at www.lanesborough.com or email info@lanesborough.com

Fontainebleau Suites at Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s Family Fun Package
The 37-story tower at Fontainebleau Miami Beach has announced its spectacular Family Fun Package. Guests can enjoy hundreds of dollars in savings at stores, restaurants, tours and nearby attractions, as well as take advantage of the hotel's best available rates, when they book their stay now through December 31.
Upon check-in, guests will receive Family Fun Package coupons offered by popular Miami attractions. In addition to these fantastic savings, guests will receive complimentary valet parking and a two-for-one breakfast buffet at the hotel during their stay.
The Family Fun Package includes more than 50 discount offers at stores, restaurants, tour boats and nearby attractions from Bayside Marketplace, more than 50 discount offers from Aventura Mall and special discounts at Miami Children's Museum, Jungle Island and Bloomingdale's just to name a few.
Fontainebleau Suites features junior suites offering 500 square feet with a spacious sitting area and kitchenette and one-bedroom suites boasting 1,000 square feet complete with full living room, dining area and breakfast bar, full kitchen, two full bathrooms, walk-in closet and washer/dryer. Amenities include more than 1,000 feet of sandy ocean beach, 7th floor outdoor pool, in- room dining, valet parking, full concierge and housekeeping services, coffee bar, express business center, breakfast buffet, fitness center, free wireless internet, plus complimentary shuttle transportation to Bal Harbour Shops, Aventura Mall and Lincoln Road.
All suites feature a king bed and queen sofa bed, 32" LG flat-screen television, entertainment system, separate bath tub and stall shower, marble bathroom floors, work desk, large closets and balcony. All are also available with flatware, dishware and glassware.
Guests can book now through December 31, 2007 and must fulfill their stay by that date as well. Blackout dates may be applicable. The package can be booked by calling 800-548-8886 using the rate code FAMILY.
Fontainebleau Suites is part of the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach, currently undergoing a massive one billion dollar renovation and expansion, scheduled for completion in July 2008. Website: http://www.fontainebleau.com

A Classic Caribbean Gem Thrives On Popular St. Lucia
East Winds Inn is discretely nestled between the capital of Castries and Rodney Bay Marina on the northwest side of St. Lucia. Surrounded by 12-acres of lush tropical gardens and bordered by BrelotteBay, the Inn is set on one of the most pristine beaches on the island.
The Inn has just 30 guest rooms, most of which are individual cottages trimmed with gingerbread fretwork and topped with traditional shingle-style tile roofs. The cottages are scattered among the sloping lawns and trunks of enormous mango, casuarinas and flamboyant trees, surrounded by an abundance of crotons and sprays of palm fronds. East Winds has the sophisticated elegance that only a handful of venerable Caribbean resorts truly possess. East Winds harkens back to the classic European resort model of an all-inclusive, or all-experience stay, where a single price takes care of both room and board through refined and sophisticated services, meals in one of the island's top restaurants, drinks in the Caribbean's most elegant cocktail lounge, and a variety of resort activities.
All room rates include three meals daily, beverages, afternoon tea and water sports.
Free flowing Pertois Moriset Brut or Pertois Moriset Rose champagne is served each evening at the Sunset Bar and Bamboo Lounge.
Dinner in the Flamboyant Room is silver service, complemented by a more casual semiweekly barbeque and popular seasonal Friday night Lobster Grill.
Shuffle board, table-tennis, Pétanque (French boules), wide selection of board games, and an extensive free library of CDs and DVDs (for rooms with TV) and books.
Free water sports: canoes, kayaks, aqua-view boards and snorkeling equipment.
Picnic hampers are prepared for guests wishing to enjoy their lunch on a private excursion while exploring the island.
Dine Around Meal Plan: for every six night booking, guests receive an invitation to a 3-course á la carte dinner or lunch at a local restaurant.
A large part of East Winds charm is its intimate scale. The Inn has only 30 guest rooms, many of which are located in quaint, stand-alone cottages. For 2007, all-inclusive rates start at $350 per room per night for the summer and will begin at $600 per room per night in the winter high season.
Ideal for families of four or less, the Superior rooms are based on a Rondavel design, a traditional African-style house built on a large hexagonal frame. The room features walk-in showers and a private semicircular shaded patio. Rates begin at $350 during the summer and $600 during the winter.
Honeymooners, as well as some families, are drawn to the Deluxe category of rooms, located in individual garden bungalows with a wide covered terrace, with private access. They feature expansive bathrooms with semi-open air showers, and a wet bar area on the terrace. All-inclusive rates begin at $380 during the summer and $630 during the winter.
Ocean View Rooms are slightly smaller than the other units, and are closer to the beach and have their own balconies with water views. All-inclusive rates begin at $380 during the summer and $630 during the winter.
As one of the most popular room types fit for girlfriend getaways, the Ocean View Suites are a one-of-a-kind accommodation, with views of the sea, a small separate sitting room and a large private sun-deck with an extra out-door shower. Rates begin at $445 during the summer and $695 during the winter.
East Winds Inn is located at La Brelotte Bay, Gros Islet in St. Lucia. Website: www.eastwinds.com or email info@eastwinds.com

Breathe Easy At HKhotels In New York City
With a healthy lifestyle a top priority for many frequent travelers, HKHotels had made all four of its New York City hotels smoke-free environments. The smoke-free hotels include Hotel Elysee, Casablanca Hotel, the Library Hotel and the Hotel Giraffe. The Library and the Giraffe hotels still do allow smoking on their outdoor roof garden terraces.
The HKHotels collection includes the glamorous Hotel Giraffe on 26th and Park Avenue South; the book-lovers paradise, the Library Hotel on 41st and Madison Avenue; the country French Style Hotel Elysee on East 54th and Madison Avenue; and the Moroccan motif Casablanca Hotel on 43rd just off Broadway.
For more information visit http://www.hkhotels.com

Buy One Night,Get The Second Free At The Highland Lake Inn In New Hampshire
The Highland Lake Inn in the New Hampshire Lakes Region is offering a "Buy One Night, Get The Second Night Free" offer throughout 2007, subject to availability.
The Highland Lake Inn is one of the oldest homesteads in East Andover, New Hampshire. This gentleman's farmhouse was originally built in 1767, enlarged in the early 1800's and completely restored in 1999. The Inn, surrounded by fields, historic farmhouses and barns, sits on a country lane lined with rustic stone walls and shady sugar maples. Today, it is run by Pecco Beaufays, a European hotelier who spent many years with the five-star Kempinski Hotels group, and his wife, Gail.
The Highland Lake Inn is a lovely New England bed and breakfast with 10 well-appointed, spacious guest rooms, featuring full private bathrooms with Molton Brown amenities, flat screen cable television, and WiFi access. The guest rooms on the main floor also feature working gas fireplaces.
Located in East Andover, the Inn is situated on seven acres, which adjoin a 21-acre nature preserve.
Rates at the inn range from $145 to $175 per night, including breakfast. The special one night complimentary offer is based upon availability. Call 603-735-6426 or
e-mail: innkeeper@highlandlakeinn.com for reservations. Website: www.highlandlakeinn.com

Oasis Hotels & Resorts Invest $90 Million To Renovate Properties In Mexico
Oasis Hotels & Resorts has invested $90 million into seven properties in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Mexico, and will also open three new resorts in 2007. By the end of the year, Oasis Hotels & Resorts and Grand Oasis Deluxe All Inclusive Resorts & Spas will operate a total of 4,000 rooms in 10 all-inclusive hotels in Mexico.
According to Enrique Klein, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for TravAmerica, which represents the Oasis and Grand Oasis properties, the $90 million investment was used to upgrade facilities at each of the Oasis and Grand Oasis properties, including adding or renovating restaurants, bars, lobbies, and guest rooms in addition to swimming pools, landscaping, and beach preservation.
The product enhancement program was also used to make an investment into the resort's food and beverage operations, with an emphasis on show cooking and creating oceanfront restaurants and bars, as well as upgraded entertainment. Other additions included golf (9-hole executive pitch and putt courses), tennis water sports, and other activities.
Oasis Hotels & Resorts currently operates the Oasis Cancun, Oasis Viva Beach, Oasis Palm Beach, and Oasis America. Grand Oasis Deluxe All Inclusive Resorts & Spas operates the flagship Grand Oasis Cancun, Grand Oasis Riviera Maya, and the Grand Oasis Playa, which is now an adults only (23 and over) property.
This summer, Grand Oasis will have a soft opening for its Grand Oasis Caribbean Beach Resort and the company will introduce a new brand calls Sens, which will include the Sens Cancun, currently open, and the Sens Del Mar (opening in December 2007).
For additional information on Oasis Hotels & Resorts and Grand Oasis Deluxe All Inclusive Resorts & Spas, contact TravAmerica at (800) 44-OASIS or (770) 448-7700 or visit www.oasishotels.com .

Ten New York Luxury Hotels Invite Visitors to Stay an Extra Night at No Charge
The Signature Collection, comprising a group of 16 luxury hotels in New York City, presents the highly anticipated Third Night Promotion for summer 2007. Visitors using any American Express© Card will receive a complimentary reservation for a third night after paying the prevailing rate for the first two. Running from July 4 through September 3, the promotion is offered in partnership with American Express and is facilitated through NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing and tourism organization.
The 10 Signature Collection hotels participating in the Third Night program are: The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel; Jumeirah Essex House; Loews Regency Hotel; The London NYC; Mandarin Oriental, New York; The New York Palace Hotel; Hôtel Plaza Athénée New York; The Sherry-Netherland; The St. Regis Hotel and New York Trump International Hotel & Tower.
For more information on the Third Night Promotion and how to book your stay, visit NYC & Company’s website, www.nycvisit.com.

Washington's Mayflower Hotel Modernizes With $11.1 Million Enhancement
From the lobby to the suites, The Mayflower, a Renaissance Hotel, exudes a new vibrancy designed to attract the next generation of travelers and event planners. High-tech additions and modern luxuries mix with vintage architecture and world-renowned history to please youthful hipsters, politicos, socialites and celebrities.
The new million-dollar Fitness Center features 3,000 square feet for cardio theater machines with complimentary headphones, circuit training machines, free weights, yoga and aerobics-a luxury rarely seen in urban hotels.
The yearlong project brings wireless high-speed Internet access to The Mayflower's public spaces, making the block-long promenade an ideal spot to work and people-watch.
New upholstery and carpeting complement the fabled murals, massive crystal chandelier and Mediterranean cuisine of Café Promenade. Private dining areas and white-glove service make it the power lunch location of choice.
Restyled function space gives new meaning to modern elegance to the chic Grand Ballroom, royal Chinese Room, and presidential East and Estate Rooms. Two board-style rooms, the Constitution and Independence, were added to meet demand for space where inaugural celebrations for every president from Coolidge to Reagan have taken place.
A complete renovation of two 2,200-square-foot Presidential Suites marries neo-classical design with posh accoutrements to serve the large number of dignitaries who are guests.
The Mayflower is at 1127 Connecticut Ave., NW. For more information or reservation, call 202-347-3000 or visit www.renaissancemayflower.com.

Ritz-Carlton Hotels/Caribbean Introduce 'Summer Escape' Group Package
The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of the Caribbean will offer a group value package for the first time for summer 2007. Combining special rates with exclusive upgrades and amenities, the new "Summer Escape" package allows groups to experience the Caribbean's finest accommodations and service at the following properties: The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica; The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino; and The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas.
The Summer Escape Package at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of the Caribbean includes:
room, tax, service charges and resort fee and more.
"Summer Escape" 2007 Rates*:
-- The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall:
Garden View Room: $229.00          Ocean View Room: $309.00
-- The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman:
Resort View Room: $269.00          Ocean Front Room: $399.00
-- The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino:
Standard Room: $269.00             Pool/Courtyard View Room: $339.00
-- The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas:
Run of House Room: $309.00         Run of Ocean Room: $379.00
Making it even more attractive to visit our Caribbean properties between now and October 30, 2007 is a new hurricane contingency arrangement offered by The Ritz-Carlton. In the unlikely event that your program is cancelled due to a hurricane, The Ritz-Carlton will endeavor to move your event to a comparable Ritz-Carlton property in the Caribbean, Mexico or the Southeast U.S., honoring the terms of the sales agreement. In addition, the property to which your event is moved will offer a five percent rebate on total room revenue to offset the costs of relocation. Web site: http://www.ritzcarlton.com
* Package based on 30 rooms or more per night, and based on availability. Package valid June 1-October 30, 2007. Includes all taxes, service charges and resort fees.

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Travel Destinations: Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada Offers Variety Of Vacation Options For Families
What are you and the kids doing this summer? Playing soldier in a 19th century fort or imagining Viking life 1000 years ago? How about seeing polar bears and humpback whales up close and personal or inspecting a glass beehive? What about geocaching with a GPS or building a boat in under four hours? There’s something to appeal to every member of the family in Atlantic Canada this summer. In New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, cottages cost as little as $750 a week for four and come equipped with all the latest conveniences. And with more daily non-stops than ever before from most New England and Mid-Atlantic gateways, so it’s easy and economical to get here.
The region boasts stunning natural scenery, fascinating history and a distinctive heritage—a mix of Scottish, Irish, English, Acadian (French), Inuit and Mi’Kmaq. With quaint ports, charming villages, covered bridges and numerous festivals, Atlantic Canada has plenty to interest vacationing families. A wealth of outdoor activities—hiking, cycling, kayaking, even surfing—and accessible wildlife watching options are big draws. A visit here is like a trip back to a gentler time of pancake breakfasts, lobster bakes and baked bean suppers. Friendly, welcoming people make it a natural place to bring children.
New Brunswick: Living History in One of Canada’s Oldest Settlements
In Fredericton’s historic Garrison district, young military buffs can live the life of a 19th century British soldier. For only $7.50, they can dress in regimental uniform, tour the Guard House and Soldier’s Barracks, try drill instruction and leave with a souvenir photo.
Down the road at the corner of Queen and Carleton streets, kids can listen to the tales of First Nation peoples while learning ancient craft making with beads, bones and leather taught by Wil “White Bear” Dedam ($7.50 per child.) Website: www.tourismfredericton.ca
A short drive from Fredericton, the Kings Landing Historical Settlement is a history museum depicting life in the 19th century. Children may join its Little Loyalist program, don authentic 19th-century garb and participate in many activities, including a village-wide scavenger hunt! In the Visiting Cousins program, children live in the village for five days as visiting “relatives” to Kings Landing’s families. They get to dress in period costumes and try their hands at butter-making, carpentry and blacksmithing. One-day family admission (two adults and two children) is $34 and the Little Loyalist program is an additional $9.40 per child. Visiting Cousins costs $330 per person, including food, lodging, costume rental and supervision. Website: www.kingslanding.nb.ca
Families can stay near Fredericton at the Sunset View Cottages right on the banks of the beautiful Saint John River and enjoy air-conditioned accommodations with swimming pool, satellite TV, wireless phone, fax and a laundromat. A two-bedroom cottage accommodating five costs as little as $108 per night, plus tax. Website: www.sn2000.nb.ca/comp/sunsetpark

Nova Scotia: Exploration and Festivities on Canada’s Seacoast

Following the 210-mile Lighthouse Route along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, families will pass beautiful seascapes and charming historic towns. There’s the iconic fishing village of Peggy’s Cove, the colorful waterfront of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and more than 20 lighthouses dotting the coast from Halifax to Yarmouth. Every August, the town of Mahone Bay hosts the Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival, celebrating the province’s marine heritage with a parade, fireworks and live entertainment. There are plenty of classic schooners and hand-made wooden dories on view. The town’s narrow streets are lined with craftsmen’s studios and art galleries. For a hands-on experience, the rousing "Fast & Furious Boat Building" competition allows children just four hours to build a boat, and then test its seaworthiness. Website: www.mahoneclassicboatfestival.org
Nestled in the woods ten minutes from Mahone Bay, Mader’s Cove Cottage has a large wraparound deck for enjoying the magnificent sea views. A two-bedroom cottage sleeps four and costs only $847 a week, plus tax. Website: www.stayinnovascotia.com/properties
Also nearby, the Oak Island Resort & Spa offers a Family Frolic Package that includes daily breakfast, a snack for children and a pirate loot bag. Families will enjoy the indoor/outdoor pool, mini-golf, playground, volleyball court, and there’s even a weekly treasure hunt. Sea-kayaking and sailing lessons are available. For a family of four, the package is $280, plus tax. Website: www.oakislandresortandspa.com

Prince Edward Island: Gentle Seascapes and a Children’s Classic Come to Life
Visitors to this tranquil island are drawn to Green Gables, the inspiration for L. M. Montgomery's beloved tale of a red-haired orphan girl which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2008. Every year some 350,000 visitors come to the distinctive white and green clapboard house and wander through its rooms and garden. The Haunted Wood and Balsam Hollow offer pleasant and easy walking trails. Nearby at Avonlea Village, visitors will find charming heritage buildings, the lovely Avonlea Gardens, an ice cream shop and a concert hall. Children will enjoy the lively barnyard with baby pigs and sheep and the horse-and-wagon and pony rides. As for evening entertainment, Anne of Green Gables - The Musical TM – now appearing for its 43rd year – runs through September 29 at the Charlottetown Festival. Tickets start at $36. Website: www.gentleisland.com/anne
For hikers, cyclists and runners, the island-long Confederation Trail provides a beautiful 180-mile route through quaint towns and small farming communities and along stunning stretches of beach and scenic coastline.
Geocaching is a perfect adventure for the whole family. Equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and a bit of instruction, visitors are sent off to locate a cache—a hidden container or landmark. The prize might be a package of local products or even directions to another cache. Website: www.geocachingpei.com/geocaching
Located next door to Green Gables, the cottages at Kindred Spirits have verandahs, decks, full kitchens and barbecues. Their Family Vacation or Anne of Green Gables packages, ranging from three to seven nights, include accommodations and passes to island sights. Cottages for two adults and two children cost from $198-$320 per day, and $1313-$2127 per week, plus tax. Website: http://www.kindredspirits.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador: Glacier-carved Landscapes and Viking History
Families can take the Viking Trail that leads to L’Anse aux Meadows, the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America, established some 1,000 years ago. The same trail also leads to Gros Morne National Park and both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. At Western Brook Pond, the largest lake in the Park, boats transport families past spectacular glacier-carved land-locked fjords and billion-year-old mountain peaks as waterfalls cascade down two thousand feet. Polar bears prowl while humpback whales and icebergs float by. A two-hour tour for a family of four (two adults and two children) costs $74. Website: www.bontours.ca
Located on 25-acres next to the Humber River, the Newfoundland Insectarium celebrates and teaches about one of the most fascinating and least understood groups of animals on earth. Step inside the tranquil indoor garden to join the live tropical butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion or observe the life cycle of the honeybee family through a glass-enclosed beehive. Other exhibits—both live and mounted—feature dragonflies, beetles, and other insects from throughout the world. Admission is about $9.40 for adult and about $6 for children, ages 5-14. Website: http://www.nfinsectarium.com
Just off the Viking Trail in Rocky Harbour, the two bedroom cottages at Cozy Corner Cottages accommodate four people with cable television, a kitchen and a private outdoor picnic table for only $93 per night, plus tax. Website: www.cozycornercottages.com
The Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) is a nine member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four departments responsible for tourism for the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Go to www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca (1-800-561-0123), www.novascotia.com (1-800-565-0000), www.newfoundlandlabrador.com (1-800-563-NFLD) and for Prince Edward Island, go to www.gentleisland.com (1-800-463-4PEI).

Historic Cities of Germany

Germany’s Historic Cities Announce Summer And Fall Package Specials
Historic Highlights of Germany consists of the cities of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lübeck, Münster, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg. Each city has a unique character and profile; all have a rich historic and cultural heritage.
Seven of Germany’s historic cities, members of Historic Highlights of Germany, announced a wide range of summer and fall package specials. Whatever the fancy of the visitor, the cities are sure to surpass expectations: a weekend in Germany’s most romantic city of Heidelberg, following in the footsteps of Martin Luther in Erfurt, strolling through the UNESCO Old Town of Lübeck with its 1,300 historic buildings, exploring the many castles and gardens in Potsdam, bicycling amidst the gardens of Münster, or tasting the wines of Trier’s Mosel Valley or Würzburg’s Franconian wine region. Most of the one- to three-day packages vary include accommodations, breakfast, guided city tour, free admission at many sights, and public transportation. Here’s a sampling:
-- The former East German city of Erfurt is where Martin Luther studied, prayed, walked and even slept. But there is far more here than Luther. Almost every major sight of interest is within a five-minute walk of the historic Town Hall in the Old Town including the 14th-century Cathedral and 13th-century St. Severus. Two two-night packages, available year-round, are being offered: First Taste of Erfurt includes breakfasts, a Thuringian-style dinner at a traditional restaurant and a guided tour of the city at rates from €123 ($169) per person, double; “Happy Weekend” includes a tour of Petersberg Fortress’s underground maze of passageways, free admission to the museums, free travel on trams and buses, and a stop for coffee and Erfurt cake at rates starting at €119 ($163). Further information: www.erfurt-tourist-info.d e or e-mail info@erfurt-tourist-info.de.
-- Romance is in the air in Germany’s most romantic city, Heidelberg. Packages of one to three nights through October allow guests to soak up the city’s history, wander through its many museums and castles or visit the 700-year-old University. Rates per person, double, start at €70 ($96) for one night, €110 (151) for two and €150 ($206) or three nights and include lodging with breakfast, a guided walking tour of the city, a Neckar River excursion, unlimited travel on the funicular railway, entrance into the Castle, a Castle tour and admission to no less than a dozen of the city’s museums. Further information: www.cvb-heidelberg.de   or e-mail info@cvb-heidelberg.de.
-- UNESCO designated Lübeck’s entire Old Town and its 1,300 historic buildings as a World Heritage site. The three-day package offers enough time to get a sense of this beautiful Baltic Sea city and its rich 850-year history of trade and culture. Its seven churches gave it the nickname, “City of Seven Spires,” the first being built in 1160, and the wide range of activities including golf, fishing, bicycling, horseback riding and sailing serve as a way to work off some of the wonderful meals. The package includes lodging with breakfast, three days’ public transportation, and sightseeing admissions and discounts. Prices are €105 to €159 ($144-$218) per person, double, through December 20 except during October and November - €95 to €149 ($130-$204). Further information: www.luebeck-tourism.de   or e-mail marketing-hl@luebeck-tourismus.de.
-- Visitors to Münster, Germany’s Bicycle City, encounter a town filled with 1,000 gardens and a ring of car-free promenades. The city is a treasure trove of architecture, from the Gothic City Hall to the so-called “Baroque Island” with a wealth of historic structures and no less than 31 museums – from the Picasso Museum to Westphalian Railroad Museum. Münster is also the gateway to Münsterland, a lush region dotted with lakes and moated castles. The “Münster a la carte” package includes two nights’ lodging with breakfast, a bus ticket or bike for one day, guided tour of Old Town, and a visit to the city museum. Rates start at €99 ($136) per person, double. Further information: www.tourismus.muenster.de or e-mail tourismus@stadt-muenster.de
-- Trier’s Romans and Wine package initiates guests to the noble vintages of the Mosel Valley, where 2,000 years of viticulture has helped shape Germany’s oldest town. The two-night package, available through 2007, includes accommodations with breakfast, city walking tour, wine tasting at a local winery, a vintner’s supper, a city guidebook, and choice of a four-course wine-tasting dinner or Roman-themed wine dinner according to ancient recipes. Rates range from €165 to €205 ($226-$281) per person, double, through Nov. 4, and €152 to €191 ($208-$262) between Nov. 5 and Dec. 31. Further information: www.trier.de   or e-mail hotel@tit.de
-- The cosmopolitan Bavarian city of Würzburg is filled with architectural and artistic treasures – and exquisite Franconian wine. Guests to the city sitting on both sides of the Main River have a choice of strolling through huge parks, sipping wine at a riverfront café, visiting the museums or churches, and cycling along some of the 600 miles of bicycle paths. The Schlosshotel Steinburg is offering Wine and the City, 25 percent off regular rates through 2007. €226 ($310) per person, double, includes two-nights lodging with breakfast buffet, picnic lunch including a bottle of Franconian sparkling wine, admission to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Würzburg Residenz palace, guided tour through the famous wine cellar beneath the palace (weekends only), ship ride to Veitshöchheim and a visit the famous rococo gardens and castle (April to November), and a five-course gourmet meal with wine tasting and wine diploma in the hotel’s castle restaurant. Further information: www.steinburg.com/english   or e-mail Hotel@Steinburg.com .
-- The 1,000-year-old city of Potsdam, home to kings and artists for nearly as long, is offering three nights for the price of two at several of its hotels in July and August and on weekends in September, November and December. The possibilities seem endless in this rich cultural setting - UNESCO heritage sites including the Sans Souci Palace and Gardens, the Neues Palais, the Cecilienhof Palace and the Babelsberg Palace and Gardens; the lush landscape of Lenné Gardens, Friendship Island and the Pleasure Garden; and the Baroque inner city with its Dutch Quarter, Old Guard House and Royal Stables. There’s also a lively downtown area with shops, theater and restaurants. Further information: www.potsdam-tourism.com or e-mail tourismus-service@potsdam.de.
Additional information and city links can be found at www.historicgermany.com.

Your Pure Maine Vacation Experience Awaits You
Enjoy a treasure hunt with a pirate or a round of golf with the family. Take a harbor side cruise on the good ship Ruth or venture out on your own in a kayak or canoe. Bowling, hiking along our seaside mountain, and kicking back by the largest saltwater pool in Maine are just some of the fun activities guests enjoy at Sebasco only three hours from Boston and an hour outside of Portland. Rates from $199 per room, per night. Cottages and Lighthouse rooms still available. Click www.sebasco.com or email Info@Sebasco.com for details, packages and reservations.

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Travel Tours

GO IRELAND INTRODUCES FIVE SCENIC WALKS FOR FALL 2007
Go Ireland has announced an attractive, feature- and value-filled portfolio of tours for exploring Ireland on foot this year. Always very attuned to the needs of single travelers, this organization offers single rooms at a supplement on all tours, plus the option of twin-room shares for members of the same sex, thereby eliminating the single-supplement cost.
-- Yoga and Walking Holiday—The new Yoga Week tour combines gentle walking in Ireland’s scenic Lakeland region with daily two-hour yoga sessions taught by an experienced yoga instructor. Relaxation, flexibility, concentration and mental calmness are achieved through yoga techniques that cover postures (asanas) and breathing (pranayama) in a program suitable for both beginners and experienced yoga students.
Five afternoons of walking take an easy pace of 4 to 5 miles daily through Killarney National Park, where the spectacular landscape features lakes, oak forests, waterfalls and boglands, and is home to the native Irish red deer. Highlights include a visit to Muckross House, a stunning 1840’s mansion with elegant gardens; the 15th-century Muckross Friary; the 4,500-year-old copper mines on Ross Island; a boat trip to Inishfallen Island with its sixth-century Abbey; and the wonderful traditional music and dance of Killarney. A packed lunch is provided for walks, which are followed each afternoon by yoga. Guests enjoy the company, knowledge and instruction of an expert Go Ireland walking guide who runs a thriving yoga school throughout other seasons of the year.
A free day provides opportunity to explore Kerry, with its neo-Gothic cathedral, myriad shops, restaurants and pubs. More attractive options include a visit to the historic Ring of Kerry, or a swim with Fungi the Dolphin in Dingle. Accommodations are in a charming three-star hotel, beautifully situated within the park.
Offered Sept 1, the seven-night Yoga Week Tour is priced in Euros at €990 per person, double occupancy. Included are:
Seven nights’ accommodations at a three-star hotel (Irish Tourist Board approved)
Full Irish breakfast daily
Four-course dinner each evening
Packed lunch on the five walking days
Boat trip to Inishfallen Island
Expertise of a superb yoga/walking guide throughout the itinerary
Transfers to and from Shannon airport on Saturdays (see Go Ireland timetable)
-- A Celtic Heritage Experience—With the eight-day Celtic Kerry Footsteps tour, easy walking in the region known as the Kingdom of Kerry offers an informative introduction to ancient and modern Ireland. Based in the National Park town of Killarney and the friendly market town of Caherciveen, walkers will enjoy the stunning lake, mountain and Atlantic-coast scenery of the southwest of Ireland. The itinerary covers just 3 to 6 miles of flat ground each day, with coastal and inland walks through sub-tropical flora. Physical activity is planned for a maximum of four hours, leaving the remainder of the day open for cultural adventures. Guests may learn about the ancient art of water divining, and take a lesson in playing the bodhran, a traditional Irish drum. Interesting visits include Killarney, a vibrant town in the heart of the Killarney National Park; 15th-century Ross Castle; and 19th-century Muckross House, with its beautifully landscaped gardens, traditional farms and historic abbey. An Irish whiskey tasting, a jaunting car ride in Killarney, horseback riding and a maze trail by the Atlantic Ocean add to the excitement. There’s also a guided cycle tour of Valentia Island, known as The Treasure Island, fascinating for its unique folkloric experience and distinctive archaeological features. Pub visits set a lively scene for getting to know the locals.

Accommodations in Killarney and Caherciveen are in excellent family-run guesthouses with charmingly appointed rooms, each with private bath, TV, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Offered August 11, September 1, and September 22, the Celtic Kerry Footsteps tour is priced at €955 per person, double occupancy, which includes:
Seven nights’ accommodations in Irish Tourist Board approved guesthouse
Full Irish breakfast daily; vegetarian menu also offered
Packed lunch on five days
Dinner on six evenings (four at guesthouse / two in local restaurants)
All itinerant visits and activities, including bike hire (horseback riding is €15 extra per person)
Round-trip ferry crossing for Valentia Island visit
Transfers to and from walks each day
Experienced local guide throughout itinerary
Transfers to and from Shannon or Kerry airport (as per Go Ireland schedule)
-- A Trio of Walking Options with Go Ireland—The Kerry Gems tour is based in Glenbeigh, County Kerry, and explores the southwest of Ireland. Four legs of the Kerry Way, featuring ancient coach and butter roads, lead from the Atlantic Ocean along the shores of Dingle Bay and through the wild valleys of Mid Kerry to the Killarney National Park. Moderate walking covers seven to 11 miles per day with gradual ascents of up to 1,300 feet. Priced at just €750 per person, double occupancy, this seven-night guided walking vacation includes accommodations in a walking lodge, breakfast and dinner daily, five packed lunches, and more. Many departure dates are offered through October 13, 2007.
-- Exclusive Solo Weeks are designed for single travelers, with availability on tours beginning August 25 and September 22, 2007. As an added bonus, the first six people to book on solo dates will each have a room to themselves without having to pay the single supplement. Additional solo travelers may choose to be paired off on a twin-share basis with members of the same sex. Details are available at http://www.govisitireland.com/solo.html.
-- A tour of Connemara, Burren and Aran Islands in the west of Ireland features accommodations at hotels and guesthouses in locations that provide the maximum variety of geology, scenery and walking conditions. The Burren is a remarkable area of more than 100 square miles of limestone landscape, where a diversity of flora flourishes in cracks and crevices. Arial views of Ireland’s west coast are dramatic on a featured round-trip flight to the Aran Islands, where Gaelic is still spoken and the many archaeological sites include the pre-historic fort of Dun Aonghasa. Early pilgrimage sites and flowered boglands define the landscape of Connemara. Moderate walks take in six to12 miles per day, with gradual ascents of up to 900 feet.
-- This seven-night guided tour is offered September 8; and October 6, 2007. The rate is €1,025 per person, double occupancy. The tour includes breakfast and dinner daily, six packed lunches, all luggage transfers between hotels, and more.
Majestic Kerry is a luxurious, multi-center guided walk on The Dingle and Kerry Ways, with accommodations at a selection of elegant manor houses, hotels and guesthouses in villages throughout Kerry. Washed by the Gulf Stream, the southwest of Ireland enjoys a mild climate that promotes rich vegetation, with wild flowers and hedgerows providing lush counterpoint to the rugged, craggy coastline and inland mountains and lakes. This tour gives an opportunity to explore the spectacular landscape, history and archaeology of an area that forms two fingers of land projecting into the Atlantic Oceanthe Dingle and Iveragh Peninsulas in Kerryusing legs of two long-distance walking routes, The Dingle Way and The Kerry Way. Two boat trips explore the Lakes of Killarney and Great Skellig Island, home in the eighth century to Irish monks and now a World Heritage site. Easy walking covers 3 to 6 miles daily, with gradual ascents of up to 825 feet.
This seven-night tour is offered July 21; and August 25, 2007, priced at €1,695 per person, double occupancy. Included are luxury accommodations, full breakfast daily, seven four-course dinners, six packed lunches, luggage transfers between hotels, expert local guide throughout, notes and maps of the region, and more.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Killorglin, in County Kerry, Go Ireland is an innovative tour company specializing in walking, hiking and cycling vacations. Group, independent and custom tours are designed for in-depth insight into the traditions, history, myths and people of Ireland.

Discover Culinary Secrets From Around The World
Gutsy Women Travel, one of the leading tour operators for women, is inviting ladies who love to cook the opportunity to collect culinary secrets from around the world. Whether it is discovering the artistry of Belgian chocolates or learning the finer points of Hungarian, French or Italian cooking, ladies can bring home not only enchanting memories, but also delicious recipes.
The following culinary tours are currently being offered at Gutsy Women Travel:
-- 8-Day Beauty of Central Europe: Budapest & Prague
Discover the finer points of Hungarian cooking at one of Budapest's most famous restaurants, the Gundel. Priced from $2,279. Departure dates are September 23, October 28, and November 18.
-- -Day Paradise in Provence
Ladies can enjoy a private cooking class that highlights the delicate flavors of Southern France, followed by lunch (drinks included). Priced from $3,389. Departure date is September 17.
-- -Day Amalfi Coast Discovery
Ladies have the chance to discover typical Neapolitan cooking at the Sorrento Cooking School. Chefs will learn local Italian flair as they prepare a tasty pasta lunch under the direction of an accredited chef, and then enjoy the fruits of their labor with a glass of select wine. Priced from $3,369. Departure dates are August 24, September 21, October 5 and 19.
-- Ten-Day Grecian Odyssey
In Mykonos, ladies will join the chef at their hotel for a private cooking class, where they will learn the savory secrets of Grecian cuisine. Priced from $3,299. Departure dates are September 6 and October 11.
-- Eight-Day Napa Valley & California Coast
Visiting the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), along with an in-house cooking demonstration will delight all visitors on this tour. Featuring a wide variety of innovative culinary programs, the CIA's teaching kitchens at Greystone are among the finest professional educational facilities in the world. The private cooking demonstration includes video presentation, recipes, and tastings of the dishes, as prepared by one of the Institute's accredited chefs. Priced from $2,999. Departure date is September 1.
-- Six-Day Jasper Prelude to Christmas.
This tour amazes all as they participate in a 2.5-day seminar in holiday cooking and decorating. Ladies enjoy holiday cuisine, as presented by celebrated chefs, learn about a variety of wines and how to pair them with fine foods, and collect some of the chefs' own recipes for future use! Priced from $1,799. Departure date is November 11.
-- Twelve 12-Day Exotic Thai Escape.
Ladies visit the local wet market to hand-pick fresh ingredients for their private Thai cooking lesson. The Thai chef will introduce the subtleties and exotic ingredients, which make Thai cooking unique, as well as demonstrate methods for preparing their own Thai meal. As an added highlight to this unique culinary experience, a cookbook will be presented to all ladies as a gift. Priced from $2,649. Departure dates are September 20 and November 15.
Gutsy Women Travel, a division of Gate 1 Travel, offers a fabulous array of domestic and international tours designed specifically by women for women and their unique interests. For further information, please email info@gutsywomentravel.com . For reservations, call (866) IMGUTSY.

Art Lovers Immerse Themselves In Santa Fe Art
AmericanStyle magazine for art enthusiasts, collectors and travelers, is sponsoring a five-day, four- night art extravaganza of museums, galleries, private art collections and artist studios, running from October 3 to 7, 2007.
Highlights of the tour include:
-- Studio 98B, the art compound of raku ceramicists Barbara Harnack & Michael Lancaster
-- Georgia O'Keeffe and International Folk Art Museums
-- Bronze pour at Shidoni Foundry & Sculpture Garden
-- Hot cast glass demonstration by artist Charles Miner
-- Canyon Road Gallery hop
The tour also includes a trip to Old Town Albuquerque and the Mariposa Gallery. Tour participants will be accompanied by AmericanStyle Editor-in- Chief Hope Daniels.
A complete itinerary can be found online at http://www.americanstyle.com. Reservations can be booked through Professional Travel, Inc., at 800-459-2706 or by e-mailing alw@protrav.com .
AmericanStyle Art Tours is a partnership between AmericanStyle magazine and Professional Travel, Inc. AmericanStyle Art Tours are designed as tour packages to introduce art lovers to innovative artists, spectacular galleries, must-see museum exhibitions and other like-minded fellow travelers.

Asia Transpacific Journeys’ Quintessential Japan Delves into Rituals & Ceremony
The pace of modern life would seem to afford precious little time for contemplative ceremonies or stylized rituals. In Japan, however, many aspects of ancient life permeate an otherwise hectic society. Whether participating in a three-hour tea ceremony, lodging at a ryokan (classical guest house in the Zen tradition) or indulging in the cleansing effects of an onsen (natural hot springs), in order to fully absorb Japan one must experience the elaborate rituals and stylized ceremonies that manifest their philosophies and define the culture.
Asia Transpacific Journeys knows that delving into these traditions is intrinsic to a rich travel experience and to understanding the culture as a whole. They offer a 13-day Small Group (up to 16 travelers) trip called Quintessential Japan that features an in-depth survey of the arts and traditions that defined ancient Japan, and that continue to be practiced today.
Through extensive connections nurtured for the past two decades, travelers will enjoy private meetings with the priests, dancers and craftspeople practicing the ancient arts. Zen gardens, Shinto architecture, a geisha dance performance and a tea ceremony will illuminate this hyper-modern country’s connection to its revered past.

Quintessential Japan departs on October 27, 2007, and April 8 and October 25, 2008. For those who can’t travel on these days, Custom Journeys can be arranged through Asia Transpacific Journeys. The featured destinations include Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Takayama and/or Koya-San, Kyoto and Nara.
Included in the per-person (double) land costs of $7,395 ($1,200 single supplement) are high-end accommodations, most meals, transfers, visa fees, tips, entrance fees, medical and emergency insurance and a comprehensive pre-departure packet. Asia Transpacific Journeys can also arrange international air through its in-house air department.
For more information please see www.asiatranspacific.com or call toll free
800-642-2742.

Smithsonian Journeys http://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/

Meandering Down The Mekong River In Laos
The Mekong River is known throughout its six nation course as Kong. A shared word in six languages, it means “Mother of Waters.” Kong is the source of life to 85 million people as it courses its way through Southeast Asia. In October, Mick O’Shea—the first person to descend the 2,600 mile river from Tibet to the South China Sea—will lead Snow Lion’s signature journey through Laos.
Meandering Down the Mekong — Laos From North to South—October 22 to November 4—is a comprehensive overview of the river as it flows through Laos—one of Southeast Asia’s largest and its least habited nations. Mick will bring his affable Aussie character to the trip where we explore Luang Prabang, Vang Viang and Vientiane in the north and Pakse and the Four Thousand Islands in the south.
Mick made his first-ever descent of the Mekong in 2004. His four-month expedition was documented in an award-winning film titled Exploring the Mother of Waters which won at both the Banff and Telluride mountain film festivals. An account of his journey, In the Naga’s Wake, was published by Allen & Unwin in 2006. More information at www.snowlion.com

Trike Tours Scotland is a Unique and Hip Way to See Scotland
One of the most exciting young tourism companies in Scotland is offering a unique and hip way of touring Scotland this summer, courtesy of a chauffeur-driven trike tour. Established in 2006, Trike Tours Scotland is tipped to be a great draw for overseas visitors, looking for a different experience and the fantastic Scottish scenery at the same time. With the tourist experience at heart, Trike Tours offer a unique personalized experience.
Visitors can choose the area that suits them best with premium chauffeur driven Trike Tours within Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perthshire, Stirling and the Trossachs, Loch Lomond, St. Andrews, Ayr, Inverness and the Isle of Mull.
All equipment is provided including helmets with hygienic liners, leather jackets, gloves and waterproof clothing if required. All of the helmets supplied have an integrated head set communication system installed. This will allows travelers to talk to each other on tour or alternatively listen to the theme tune from Braveheart.

Trike Tours include the use of an iPod and complimentary beverage (tea / coffee, miniature whiskey or liqueur to take away), plus some Scottish shortbread. Website:
http://www.triketoursscotland.com

Natural Habitat Adventures Takes Antarctic Travel Carbon Neutral
Travel to the White Continent just got greener thanks to ecotour company Natural Habitat Adventures, which in February 2008 offers the first carbon neutral trip to Antarctica. Natural Habitat Adventures' Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia voyage, February 3 - 22, 2008, will allow up to 49 travelers an unusually intimate experience of the remote beauty and rich array of wildlife inhabiting the icy expanses of the earth's last great wilderness as well as the chance to explore climate change firsthand with an on-board climate expert from global conservation organization World Wildlife Fund.
"All our trips incorporate meaningful nature encounters and conservation learning opportunities -- and in fact all of our trips are carbon neutral," says Ben Bressler, Natural Habitat Adventures founder and director. "But this first carbon neutral expedition to Antarctica seemed the perfect opportunity to allow guests to really go to another level with learning about climate change. We're lucky to have a special relationship with World Wildlife Fund as its Conservation Travel Provider, and they were able to make one of their top climate change experts available for this adventure."
Guests on Natural Habitat Adventures' 20-day expedition can visit legendary explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave, swim in Pendulum Cove's thermal springs on Elephant Island, and experience shore landings on Antarctica's otherworldly landscape, while enjoying the region's prodigious birdlife, including numerous penguin species—most notably millions of South Georgia king penguins—as well as a variety of dolphins, seals and whales. Accommodations include comfortable cabins and suites on the ice-strengthened Finnish research vessel Professor Multanovskiywith rates starting at $12,995 per person for a non-private twin cabin based on double occupancy. Group limit is 49 travelers and the trip arrives and departs from Ushuaia, Argentina. For additional information or reservations, visit http://www.nathab.com or call 800-543-8917
Founded by Ben Bressler in 1985, Natural Habitat Adventures provides rare small-group encounters with wildlife in more than 30 countries.

WineSpring Debuts Luxury Photo Safaris in South Africa
WineSpring, a fine wines and luxury lifestyle company (http://www.winespring.com ), is offering two 13-day group tours to South Africa for November 2007. In "South Africa in Luxury," the first of several WineSpring tours, upscale travelers will taste the finest of South African wines in opulent surroundings, and also connect with the awe-inspiring reality of nature on the African veld. WineSpring,- together with Cape Town-based luxury tour company Southern Destinations, has designed an itinerary with an exclusive feature: Graphis award-winning wildlife photographer Alex Bernasconi (http://www.alexbernasconi.com) will assist guests in capturing the exotic and timeless quality of the African wilderness.
Bernasconi joins the group on their six safari days during both tour dates (November 4-16 and November 16-28). The group, which is limited to eight guests, will take advantage of the rare opportunity to see a master photographer in action. Guests will learn invaluable tips from Bernasconi's mentoring, especially from viewing his ability to create a gentle sense of camaraderie with his animal subjects.
In addition to safaris, the group will experience other moments of direct contact with nature: observing an African penguin colony, interacting with baboons, and even petting a cheetah. Other unforgettable activities include ocean kayaking past whales, high tea at the colonial Mount Nelson Hotel, diamond viewing, and a tour into the spirit of the Cape Jazz music scene.
And of course the Napa-based WineSpring would not overlook South Africa's wines. Guests will indulge in gourmet cuisine ranging from French-Mediterranean to Western-influenced African. The five-star accommodations, such as the Cape Grace, Sabi Sabi Lodge, Londolozi camps, and Singita Ebony Lodge, boast reputations as some of the finest in the world.
WineSpring CEO and Founder William Rosenberger stated, "We look forward to bringing the WineSpring signature touch to the very best in fine wine and luxury travel. Catering to the top tier of travelers worldwide, our bespoke trips will deliver superior experiences to both serious wine connoisseurs and the more casual wine lover." WineSpring will soon announce a luxury tour in Portugal with Port and Madeira expert Roy Hersh. The PDF brochures for South Africa in Luxury are available at http://www.winespring.com.

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Travel Alerts & Information

Passports: Please refer to Note on Passports at the end of this section for the latest developments in passport requirements.

Travel Health Warnings can be obtained from the US Government Printing Office Health Information for International Travel by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which gives a global rundown of disease and immunization advice and other health guidance, including risks in particular countries. The CDC maintains the international travelers hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), an automated faxback service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299) and a website at http://www.cdc.gov. CDC’s Traveler’s Letter is at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.
For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad as well as medical inoculations, as well as other travel-health information, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en.

NOTE ON PASSPORTS
The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced June 8, 2007 that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government-issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.
Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. US citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.
This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.
Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.
As early as January 2008, the departments will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.
Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.
If you would like to request the status of your application by email, please go to the National Passport Information Center - Passport Status Inquiry.

A new website, www.GetAPassportNow.com was established by the travel industry to inform travelers about new passport requirements and to help them get passports.