Part I Part II
Ski Destinations & Offers
Travel Destination: Valencia, Spain
Travel Tours
Travel Alerts & Information
Ski Destinations & Offers
For latest snow conditions worldwide, click: http://www.snocountry.com/
Skiing In France Has Its Delights
The French ski resorts have made it a priority to uphold and prolong excellent conditions for vacationers visiting the mountains for winter sports and fun. The French alpine resorts are equipped with state of the art equipment for maintaining optimal conditions on the trails for skiing. More than 1,300 grooming machines go out each day on the slopes to comb the snow, benefiting from the best technology available.
The mountaineers and ski staff are ready to help adventurous vacationers enjoy their winter trips. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, they can propose a multitude of activities.
To know more about a ski vacation in France, visit www.skifrance.fr or www.france-montagnes.com and click the British flag or US flag symbol for an English version.
Life Is Snow: A White Winter In Torino+Piemonte
After the XXWinter Games last year, the image of Torino+Piemonte as a tourist destination is closely linked to the mountains and the snow, every year calling winter sports lovers from all over the world. Skiing here means choosing from among 53 ski stations with 300 lifts and more than 800 miles of runs, and experiencing untouched nature all day as well as under the stars at night. In this rich area, ideal for all seasons, the options are limitless for winter sports vacations.
The Olympic Slopes: The sites of the Torino 2006 games, with new lifts created for the event and modified competition slopes, are more modern and spectacular than ever (www.montagnedoc.it ): The international area of the Via Lattea made up of Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere as well as French Montgenèvre, and with more than 214 slopes, offers skiers of every level an ideal winter holiday (www.vialattea.it ).
Bardonecchia is a mountain paradise lined with fir and larch trees and more than 50 miles of ski slopes. With 21 ski lifts throughout the areas of Colomion, Les Arnauds, and Melezet, avid snowboard and freestyle fans will relish the Snow Park (www.bardonecchiasnow.com ), and the same half pipe where Shaun White and Hannah Teeter earned gold medals last February.
Other winter sports include Alpine and cross-country skiing, telemark, ice climbing, free riding, horse trekking, driving sledges pulled by Siberian huskies, paraskiing and heliskiing. And don't forget the taxi-bob service for beginners! In Cesana it is available both on skate and wheels and is guaranteed by the "taxi driver" experience.
The Lakes District offers ski sites like Alpe Severo, Domo Bianca, the Mottarone, the Pian di Sole, San Domenico, the Piana di Vigezzo, Formazza, and the biggest of all Macugnaga, at the foot of Monte Rosa, with slopes perfect for alpine skiing, snow shoe hiking, and cross country, all against the backdrop of ancient towns, century old fir trees and frozen waterfalls (www.distrettolaghi.it ).
Valli di Lanzo: offers the possibility to spend lovely weekends on the snow at reasonable prices, with ski stations like Pian Benot (Usseglio), a new snow park and a mini baby park or the enjoyable Ala di Stura, not far from Torino. (www.canavese-vallilanzo.it )
The areas surrounding Cuneo are open air gyms for winter sports lovers with places like Limone Piemonte (with 50 miles of slopes), and Mondolè Ski with Artesina and Prato Nevoso, for a total of 23 lifts and 56 miles of slopes. With a ski school, illuminated snowboard park, areas for cross country, ice skating, sledding, rock climbing, and indoor pools, there is something for everyone. (www.cuneoholiday.com )
Lesser known but certainly not lacking atmosphere are the destinations outside the usual winter getaways: the areas surrounding Biella like Bielmonte (with 12 miles of downhill slopes, and 10 ski lifts) Oropa (www.atl.biella.it ).
Near Vercelli, in Valsesia, where the peaks of Rimasco, Scopello (with great cross country paths) and above all Alagna, famous for freeride lovers. (www.turismovalsesiavercelli.it )
For more information or holiday packages in Italy visit www.torinopiemonte.com or www.piemontefeel.it.
Stowe Mountain Resort Offering Winternet Rental Specials* On Condos & Rooms
Stay in one of Stowe Mountain Resort's wide selection of slopeside condominiums and be as close as possible to the snow. Park your car when you arrive and you won't need it again until it's time to leave! The resort offes free village shuttle buses when you want to run to town!
-- Stay 3 / Ski 3 starting at $365 per person, double occupancy
-- Stay 5 / Ski 5 starting at $590 per person, double occupancy
OR
Stay at Stowe Mountain Resort's The Inn at the Mountain - The only slopeside, ski in/out accommodations in Stowe! Each room features fabulous mountainside lodging, balconies or deck, seating area, cable TV, air conditioning, refrigerator and daily maid service. Smoking rooms are available upon request.
*Requires 7 day advance purchase. Subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Rates based on stays Sunday night through Thursday night in an Inn Room. Stays over weekend nights, in suites, or in condominium units will incur additional fees. Rates subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. Number of nights and days of skiing can be adjusted, please call for details or to check rates and availability. Subject to availability. 3 night minimum stay required. Cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Valid through March 31, 2007. Other restrictions may apply.
No Passport, No Problem for US Skiers Coming to Canada
The line-ups at the passport offices are not the only line-ups that you'll see this winter. With record-breaking snowfall and price friendly accommodation-and-airfare packages, US citizens looking for the best skiing in the world are lining up to get to Canadian resorts this season. This is despite the fact that the air portion of the United States' Western Hemisphere Initiative went into effect on January 23, 2007, requiring that everyone flying to and from the United States, including Canadians, have a valid passport or NEXUS Air Card.
Companies such as Intrawest ULC, owners of Canadian mountain destination resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb, Panorama Mountain Village, and Tremblant, have been pleasantly surprised by the increase in visits from the U.S. this season, explains Erik Austin - Vice-President of Intrawest Central Reservations. Weather conditions this year have produced record-setting snowfalls in Western Canada, headlined by a 9.5-metre or 31-foot snowfall at Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia. As well, a recent sharp turn in the favor of snowmaking conditions in Eastern Canada has benefited resorts such as Tremblant in Quebec, a resort that now boasts the most open terrain in Eastern North America.
Swoosh Down the Slopes with Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) boasts ski lodges and winter wonderlands to suit the whim of every ski enthusiast. And with SLH ski hotels located at some of the highest altitudes, it makes for ideal snow conditions this February and beyond.
This year the choice is wider than ever as the SLH collection has expanded to include an even more impressive selection of breathtaking ski resort hotels, both in Europe and America. And if you have already made your vacation plans for the coming months, don’t worry as SLH has a number of stunning ski resort hotels in the Southern Hemisphere providing guests year-round access to world-class skiing and winter fun.
Famous for its towering Alps, deep snow covered valleys, high altitude resort towns and endless choice of ski fields, Europe is undoubtedly a ski lover’s paradise. With more than ten of the best ski hotels located in some of the continent’s most stunning ski resorts, SLH provides both active and armchair skiers with unforgettable winter experiences ranging from Olympic level skiing on world class slopes in Austria and Italy to butler poured hot cider by private fireplaces in France or Switzerland.
Then of course there is America, which is undeniably home to some of the world’s most magnificent ski terrain. From the award-winning slopes of Whistler to horse-drawn sleigh rides in Wyoming, SLH has an exclusive selection of some of the finest and most unforgettable winter retreats hidden in a variety of snowy alpine settings.
However, your ski adventure doesn’t need to be confined to the Northern Hemisphere. In the dramatic setting of the Wakatipu Basin, you will find Queenstown, a small lakeside New Zealand town which has been recognized in Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine Gold List Awards as one of the top three Ski Resorts in the World and the best in the Southern Hemisphere. SLH is proud to have in its collection two of the most exclusive, luxury properties in this area that serve as perfect bases from which to explore the spectacular ski terrain.
Here is just a taste of some of the breathtaking worldwide ski resort hotels that SLH has to offer ski aficionados:
Kristiania Lech, Arlberg, Austria (www.slh.com/kristiania ) (All ski lifts running)
Over-looking the pretty ski resort village of Lech in the Austrian Alps, Kristiania Lech was opened in 1968 by the gold medallist slalom skier Othmar Schneider and his wife. Since then, the hotel, now run by Othmar’s daughter, has been dedicated to providing the perfect home-base for skiers and guarantees an intimate and personal luxury experience. With the slopes literally at your doorstep and the knowledgeable guidance of the Ski Butler on hand, you can plan you skiing from dawn until dusk. Here you can enjoy the quintessential delights of a true European ski resort. At the end of a busy day, retire to the hotel and enjoy pre-dinner drinks in one of the hotel’s bars - sample excellent Austrian Malts, port and Schnapps before a traditional meal complemented by fine local wines.
--The Caprice, Wengen, Switzerland (www.slh.com/caprice ) With panoramic views over the alpine town of Wengen, Hotel Caprice has an impressive location at the foot of the Jungfrau Massif. With easy access to the surrounding slopes the hotel is an excellent base from which to explore the area. The Wengen Valley is a skier’s paradise with a huge variety of trails both on and off piste. The hotel’s 18 rooms are spacious and warm with balconies overlooking the valley, while the blazing log fire in the bar and lounge creates a truly relaxing atmosphere after a day of exhilarating skiing. Afterwards, enjoy delicious local cuisine in the hotel’s restaurant before retiring to bed.
-- The Resort at Paws Up, Montana, USA (www.slh.com/pawsup ) (All ski lifts running)
More like a fairytale than reality, the setting of The Resort at Paws Up in wintertime is truly magical. Here, in addition to unrivalled downhill and cross country skiing you can enjoy an abundance of other enchanting winter excursions. From sleigh rides through the woods, dog sledding in the Blackfoot Valley to ATV snow adventures and ice-skating, this wilderness sanctuary delivers a traditional and truly unforgettable experience. The hotel’s tented Spa Town serves as a wonderful place to relax and unwind at the end of an invigorating day, while the restaurant promises a feast for the senses with delicious cuisine made from the freshest local produce.
-- Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, Wyoming, USA (www.slh.com/rustyparrot ) (All ski lifts running) In the heart of Jackson Town at the foot of the Grand Teton Mountain Ranges of Wyoming, Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa is ideally located for you to enjoy the atmosphere of an American Ski Resort while still offering a peaceful respite after a long day in the snow. This charming, rustic lodge indulges in spacious, sumptuous rooms with open fireplaces and decadent bathrooms. With three fantastic ski fields in close proximity you have a variety of different ski terrain to choose from. If you need a day’s rest from the slopes embark on a wildlife expedition, snow shoe tour or spend the day snowmobiling nearby. The hotel’s award winning Wild Sage Restaurant offers exceptional regional cuisine paired with your choice of wine from the hotel’s extensive cellar. To top off an unforgettable stay, relax in the outdoor hot tub under the stars or indulge in a reviving treatment at the highly acclaimed Body Sage Spa.
-- Eichardt’s Private Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand (www.slh.com/eichardts )
Located in a historical, iconic building overlooking the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this five suite boutique hotel, epitomizes elegance and luxury. Its setting is unbeatable, on the lakeside promenade in the heart of the town, making it easily accessible to the five commercial ski fields nearby. The closest, Coronet Peak is a mere 20 minutes drive and offers a diverse selection of trails to cater for all levels. It also offers the unique chance to enjoy the slopes at night! With a dedicated concierge who can organize your in-room massage to help sooth those tired limbs after a day of hard skiing, you couldn’t ask for a better place to “come home” to.
-- Blanket Bay, Glenorchy, New Zealand (www.slh.com/blanketbay )
A scenic, 15-minute helicopter flight up the lake from Queenstown, Blanket Bay lies in a sheltered inlet surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps. Commanding spectacular views of the lake and rugged countryside this lodge enjoys a private, unrivalled lakeside location. From here you can experience the Southern Alps in all their glory, skiing completely untouched snow on mountain terrain never before explored. With exclusive use of a helicopter, join a guide and spend a day on the powder scaling the spectacular mountainsides and enjoy lunch in a picnic spot of your choice. At the end of an action-packed day return for cocktails on the balcony and a delicious candlelit dinner beside a crackling log fire.
Reservations can be made at any Small Luxury Hotel of the World by calling toll-free 800 525 4800 or via the Internet at www.slh.com . Travel agents can use the GDS code LX for LuXury.
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Travel Destination: Valencia, Spain
Valencia Welcomes The America’s Cup In June 2007
To welcome the competitors for the America’s Cup next year, Valencia is opening itself to the sea. For the first time in more than 150 years–from June 23 to July 7, 2007—Europe will host sailing’s most prestigious event. Some 6 million visitors are expected to watch the world’s best yachtsmen from ten countries battle it out as the Swiss Alinghi team defends its title against 11 other teams.
In 1851 Queen Victoria watched the last competition in Europe as the yacht America representing the New York Yacht Club beat 15 British vessels racing around the Isle of Wight. Since then, America’s Cup races have only been held in Britain, the US, Australia and New Zealand. Reliable wind conditions, year-round temperate weather and the promise of a race that will bring spectators closer to the sailing action were key factors in convincing officials that Valencia would be the best venue.
Preceding the America’s Cup April 3 to 7 is the Louis Vuitton Act 13 Fleet Race and the Louis Vuitton Cup, April 16 to June 12. The winner of the final Act goes up against the Alinghi team.
Valencia has spent $637.5 million revitalizing the waterfront alone, and by next year the inner harbor and commercial port will be transformed into a state-of-the-art marina – or several of them. In the center of the inner harbor will be the mega yacht marina for vessels larger than 98 feet. A 1,968-foot channel has been opened to allow the racers and their boats direct access from their bases to the sea. A new breakwater provides marinas on either side of the channel with mooring for 700 sailing vessels.
At the entrance to the canal sits the emblematic Sails and Winds building, the Foredeck & Owner’s Club designed by David Chipperfield and Fermín Vázquez. Offering panoramic views of the inner harbor, the $45.9 million building will have six restaurants, 20 clubs, bars and other entertainment venues – all providing privileged bird’s eye views of the races. Lying alongside the channel is the 34-acre America’s Cup Park, where 600,000 sailing enthusiasts will follow the competition on giant TV screens. Here, more restaurants and entertainment venues will be joined to the lower seafront promenade by ramps leading down to Malvarrosa Beach and the mile-long, palm-lined Paseo Maritimo. By the start of the America’s Cup, the city will have a new metro line connecting the port with the airport. About $58 million is being spent on the airport including a new terminal and an extension of the runway. The new Central Station will eventually accommodate the AVE, the high-speed train connecting Valencia to all the major cities in Spain. Part of the city’s two main arteries that lead to the station are being buried underground while above, a 74-acre park – the largest green area in the city – is being created. Cabecera Park will have: a Mediterranean river forest with a huge five-acre lake; Bioparc, a zoological park, and an amusement park with a botanical theme.
The old sector: In its old quarter, Valencia’s first “golden age” of the 14th and 15th centuries is reflected in the beautiful late Gothic Silk Exchange, the Gothic-Romanesque-Baroque cathedral and the 15th century Gothic palace, that now houses the regional government. Other architectural gems include: the 18th century Baroque mansion of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, fancifully decorated with ceramic fruits and vegetables and home to the Ceramics Museum, a 17th century seminary, now home to the Fine Arts Museum, the Museo de Bellas Artes containing some 2,000 paintings and sculptures and the Mercado Central, one of Europe’s largest food markets, located in a huge Art Nouveau building of iron, glass and tile.
These architectural gems complement some of the city’s stunning contemporary structures. After disastrous floods in 1957, the Turia River bed was transformed into a six-mile ribbon of green parks and gardens. In the late 1990s the city began expanding out along the river banks. There, in 1998 native son Santiago Calatrava began creating his futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. www.cac.es. Measuring 1,000 feet long and 60 feet high, the dramatic white Umbracle serves as the entrance and shields a promenade of tropical plants and palm trees. Opened in 1998, the Hemispheric is a dramatic eye-shaped planetarium and IMAX theatre surrounded by a huge rectangle of turquoise water.
The Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe (Prince Felipe Museum of the Sciences) debuted in 2000 and features interactive displays and exhibits of Life and the Genome and Towards the Cosmos.
In 2003, Europe’s largest aquarium – virtually an underwater city – the Oceanographic, was unveiled. A series of parabolic buildings by Spanish architect Félix Candela provide a hi-tech tour of the marine habitats of the world’s oceans. A striking subterranean restaurant – the walls are floor-to-ceiling aquariums – serves fresh fish and the region’s signature dish, paella.
Last October, Calatrava’s spectacular Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts) opened with venues for opera, theatre and dance. Zubin Mehta, the president of the Festival of the Mediterranean and the Palau’s music director Lorin Maazel kicked off their inaugural season last month. Down the river bank and closer to the old quarter, the Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM) houses the world’s largest collection of works by acclaimed sculptor Julio González. Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA are designing the expansion for IVAM, enclosing the contemporary art museum in a large white shell.
To meet increased demand for accommodations, new hotels have been opening since 2004 including the eye-catching 157-room Puerta Valencia by native son, Javier Mariscal near the City of Arts & Sciences www.hoteles-silken.com; the 48-room South Beach-style Hotel Neptuno on Malvarrosa Beach www.hotelneptunovalencia.com; the 66-room boutique property Palau de la Mar that joined two 19th century palaces in the city center www.epoquehotels.com and the luxurious, five-star 254-room Hotel Balneario Las Arenas www.hotel-lasarenas.com that has become the centerpiece of Valencia’s increasingly sophisticated seafront. In 2006, three more five-star properties debuted: the 306-room Valencia Hilton www.hilton.com, the 271-room Hotel Sorolla Palace and the 136-room Westin Alameda, a new luxury hotel carved out of a 1917 wool factory with a distinctive Modernist facade www.starwoodhotels.com/westin . A four-star boutique hotel, the 100-room Vincci Lys opened on a quiet pedestrian street in the old quarter. www.vinccihoteles.com.
For information about Valencia http://www.turisvalencia.es/index.aspx?idioma=EN. For information about the America’s Cup go to www.americascup.com/en. To learn more about Spain, visit www.spain.info. In the US, you may phone the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7188.
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Travel Tours
Let AMNH Museum Be Your Guide to Unique Family Trips Full of Discovery
Fly a kite in Tiananmen Square. Snorkel with playful Galápagos sea lions. Enjoy a scavenger hunt in the ancient Athenian Agora. These are just a few of the adventures awaiting you and your entire family with American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Expeditions!
Members and friends of the Museum have been exploring the world on AMNH Expeditions for more than 50 years in the company of AMNH scientists and guest lecturers. The diverse lineup of family programs is designed to engage, enrich, and delight all generations. Participants of every age learn firsthand about the world's great wildlife areas, archaeological sites, and cultural treasures in the destinations we visit around the globe.
For more information on any of our upcoming AMNH Expeditions, visit http://www.amnhexpeditions.org.
The American Museum of Natural History is located at Central Park West and 79th Street in New York.
To Paris And Back By Land
The Australian travel agency Intrepid Travel is offering an overland 130-day trip from Singapore to Paris called To the End of the Earth and Back to avoid. Although travelers will have to fly to Singapore to embark on the trip, they will journey by bus, boat, rickshaw, train and perhaps elephants through Asia and then take the Trans Mongolian Express from Beijing to Moscow and then on to Paris. Travelers can spend one night in a Mongolian ger, a form of tent, and all other nights in hotels or with local families.
This epic and low-carbon adventure combines the following Intrepid trips:
Trail of the Gecko - 22 days Singapore to Bangkok
Trail of the Dragon - 29 days Bangkok to Hong Kong
Essence of China Northbound - 21 days Hong Kong to Beijing
Trans Mongolian Express Westbound - 21 days Beijing to St Petersburg
Baltic Experience - 12 days Helsinki to Warsaw
Bohemia and Beyond - 11 days Prague to Venice
Umbrian Escapade - 8 days Venice to Rome
The Heart of Europe - 21 days Rome to Paris
Departure Dates: 25 Feb, 4 Mar, 18 Mar, 25 Mar, 1 Apr, 8 Apr, 15 Apr, 22 Apr, 29 Apr, 6 May, 13 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 17 Jun
Price: From US$12,410 plus US$1300 & €800 in local payments. Travelers should also allow US$500 for miscellaneous accommodation/transfers between trips listed below...
More information at www.intrepidtravel.com/endearth
Abercrombie & Kent Journeys to the World’s Last Great Places
Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) and The Nature Conservancy, a leading conservation organization, have announced an innovative partnership to create conservation adventures in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring places. The partnership is an extension of The Nature Conservancy’s commitment to increase people’s awareness of the last great places on earth through travel, education and outreach.
For 2007, The Nature Conservancy and Abercrombie & Kent journeys include Brazil’s Pantanal (May 14-26); the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea (June 17-29); Mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands (August 11-21); Southern Africa (September 23-October 4); and the tropical rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon (October 19-November 1). A portion of the proceeds from each trip benefits The Nature Conservancy programs in that region. Program participants automatically receive a one-year membership to The Nature Conservancy and subscription to the organization’s award-winning magazine.
-- Brazil—May 14-26, 2007
Explore the Atlantic Forest from a lodge located within a nature reserve and learn about the Conservancy’s efforts to combat climate change through innovative work on the ground. Travel through the Pantanal, South America’s Everglades and the world’s largest wetlands. The diversity of life is remarkable: giant river otters, jaguars, marsh deer, tapirs and 650 bird species including cormorants, egrets, herons, hyacinthine macaws, ibis, jabiru storks and roseate spoonbills. Hosted by Luciana Honigman, a zoologist and former Director of Conservation Science for the Conservancy’s Brazil program in Brasília.
-- Papua New Guinea—June 18 - 29, 2007
Papua New Guinea’s raw essence draws intrepid travelers the world over; its remarkably pristine environment and distinct local communities inhabit a world unlike any other. Explore this unique place with the Conservancy’s Paul Lokani, a Pacific Islands expert on coastal fisheries, who directs the Conservancy’s work in the area. Visit local villages and learn about the indigenous people and their traditions, explore high-mountain jungles full of roaring waterfalls and towering trees and snorkel or scuba dive in one of the world’s premier coral reefs.
-- Mainland Ecuador & The Galapagos—August 11 - 21, 2007
As the living laboratory where Darwin conceived the theory of evolution, it’s difficult to overstate the importance of the Galapagos for conservation and biological diversity. Explore one of the world’s natural wonders in the context of the conservation efforts that protect this remote archipelago. Begin in Quito, with a “behind the scenes” visit to one of the finest private collections of colonial art in all of South America, before boarding ‘Beluga,’ a 110-foot yacht that will take you around the islands in style and comfort. After returning to the mainland, explore the Andean cloud forest, relax in natural volcanic hot spring waters, and tour the Condor Bioreserve, a unique sanctuary for the planet’s largest flying bird.
-- Southern Africa—September 23 - October 4, 2007
Southern Africa is a region of incredible diversity: in landscape, wildlife and culture. Visit the “cradle of humankind,” a globally significant anthropological site with caves containing hominid fossils. Travel to Victoria Falls, an awe-inspiring natural treasure nearly a mile wide, before beginning your luxury safari in the pristine South Luangwa Valley and the lush Okavango Delta. M.A. Sanjayan, a Conservancy lead scientist who has appeared in BBC and National Geographic documentaries, will accompany you in the bush. Includes wildlife-viewing by dugout canoe, guided walks and 4x4 vehicles.
--Peru—October 19 - November 1, 2007
Peru’s multicultural ancestry, breathtaking geography and cultural treasures make it a destination for travelers the world over. After exploring Lima and its colonial charm, take to the waters of the Amazon for seven nights aboard ‘La Turquesa.’ Traveling down the river with Conservancy experts, you have unparalleled access to the abundant wildlife and unique ecosystems that make the Amazon Basin such an important place. Returning to land, hike the ruins of Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Conservancy’s former Peru Country Program Director, Bill Ulfelder, will share his insights into the natural and human histories of the region and his experience with innovative conservation strategies such as “debt-for-nature” swaps.
For reservations or additional information, contact your travel professional or call (888) 785-5379. Download day-by-day itineraries at www.abercrombiekent.com/tnc .
Three Kingdoms of the Himalaya: Nepal, Bhutan & Tibet Trip
On this memorable 19-day introduction to the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, Snow Lion adventure travel group is offering a trip that visits all three Himalayan kingdoms. The expedition begins on the pastoral back roads of Bhutan—The Land of the Thunder Dragon—that provides a gentle entrance into a mysterious world and prepares the tour group for the higher altitudes to come. Then it is on to Kathmandu, Nepal’s robust capital. Although it has plunged headlong into the 21st century, Kathmandu still retains its unique character, defined by the Kathmandu Valley’s astounding cultural diversity. The trip then goes to Lhasa, the ancient capital of Tibet to explore monasteries, farms and villages. The generosity of the Tibetan people and the cultural changes they’ve endured over the past 50 years leave a lasting impression.
The trip is scheduled May 10 to 28, 2007 and then again October 4 to 22. Rates start at $4,795. For more information call 1-800-525-8735 (US) or visit http://www.snowlion.com/trip/130.
Austin-Lehman Adventures Creates Custom Itineraries for Families / Friends
Hike and bike Alaska. Fly fish Montana’s legendary rivers. Paddle the Peruvian jungle. Then dine in style surrounded by family or friends. Create all this and more designed around your desires and schedule - without having to spend any of your time beyond an initial phone call or email. Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) offers planning and setting up a private, custom, bespoke adventure vacation in the Americas.
A sampling of ALA’s past private itineraries include:
Montana Cutthroats & Cowboys Custom—For a private family reunion at an exclusive Montana ranch, guests arrived by private jet into Bozeman where they were met and immediately outfitted with fly fishing gear for fishing lessons with private guides. Two full days of cutthroat and brown trout fishing was followed up by mountain horseback riding and wildlife viewing with an expert on wolves deep inside Yellowstone Park. The birthday celebration was an old fashioned campfire BBQ with cowboy musicians and a ‘colorful’ cowboy poet/story teller.
-- The Ultimate Baja Beach Escape—The Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) arranged a deluxe custom beach adventure in Cabo San Lucas for 10 members. Around brief meetings the group participated in whale watching, sport fishing, surfing, biking, and rock climbing. It was based out of an exclusive multi-million dollar beach house – completely furnished with gourmet provisions, drink and a private chef. One highlight was a special tequila tasting event put on by a local expert in the varieties and differences of Mexico’s national drink.
An ALA custom trip consultant can be reached at 1-800-575-1540; or you may submit an online Custom Trip Request Form, found at www.austinlehman.com/custom.htm. For a copy of the 2007 catalog as well as information on ALA’s 29 unique luxury, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries please call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com . To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.austinlehman.com .
Continental Journeys Introduces Peru Culinary And Shopping Tour
Continental Journeys has introduced an eight-day culinary and shopping tour of Peru by private car combining Lima, the capital; Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire; the mysterious Inca ruins at Machu Picchu; and the Sacred Urubamba Valley. Departures are daily through December 31.
Shoppers can buy Peruvian handcrafts -- pottery, weavings, alpaca sweaters, silver and gold jewelry, wood carvings -- during tours of the workshops and boutiques of Cuzco's leading craftsmen in the colorful San Blas quarter; the Cuzco Center for Traditional Textiles to preserve Inca weaving; the Seminario Ceramics studio and gallery, showcasing designs from ancient Peruvian cultures, in the Urubamba Valley; upscale Lima boutiques like Dedalo (decorative arts and home accessories), Alpaca 111 (sweaters, clothes and weavings) and Ilaria (gold and silver jewelry.
Sightseeing takes in Inca masterpieces in the Andes such as the lost city of Machu Picchu, Koricancha Palace (Temple of the Sun) and Sacsayhuaman Fortress; the Spanish colonial old city and pre-Columbian gold and silver in Lima; and Spanish colonial architecture amid Inca ruins in Cuzco.
Lunches and dinners at acclaimed restaurants include renowned contemporary Criollo-French-Mediterranean cuisine at Astrid & Gaston, fish and shellfish specialties at Kapallaq, and reinterpreted Peruvian dishes at Huaca Pucllana, set in archaeological ruins, in Lima; and cozy La Cicciolina, known for Mediterranean dishes, and the sophisticated and modern MAP Café in the Museo del Arte Precolombino in Cuzco. Increasingly popular, Peruvian cuisine blends fresh local ingredients like seafood, potatoes, hot peppers and fruits with the traditional flavors of immigrant groups ranging from Spanish to Japanese.
Tour prices of $2,219 per person, double occupancy, in first-class, $2,559 for deluxe and $3,369 with superior deluxe hotels, cover seven nights in hotel category selected, breakfast daily, four lunches, three dinners, round-trip flights between Lima and Cuzco, extensive sightseeing with private driver, VistaDome train between Cuzco and Machu Picchu, transfers, hotel taxes and service charges. Continental Journeys can arrange roundtrip air between the US and Lima. The minimum number of participants is two. The first-class and deluxe package uses a group tour in Machu Picchu.
Continental Journeys is at tel. (800) 601-4343 or (818) 995-8643; fax (818) 995-8673; e-mail info@continentaljourneys.com. Website www.continentaljourneys.com
The Wayfarers Announces Its 2007 Vienna-Prague Walk
Now in its 24th year, The Wayfarers is widely considered a major purveyor of walking adventure vacations. Committed to crafting experiences that allow travelers to connect more meaningfully with their destination-of-choice, the Wayfarers has earned a reputation for awe-inspiring experiential vacations – in 37 destinations across the globe – that capture the unique history, culture, cuisine and people who make a region worthy of a Wayfarers-led walk.
This year, The Wayfarers’ Vienna to Prague itinerary explores the spirited “new nation” of Czech Republic. For centuries a cultural crossroads, this new land offers an authentic view of Old Europe. The spellbinding itinerary takes in sleepy Austrian hamlets tucked in shallow valleys, vineyards, charming central squares, lakes and pine forests. Highlights include a tour of Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world; wine tasting in the heart of Moravia’s wine region; and an overnight in the five-star Hotel Ruze, once a 16th-century Jesuit monastery.
The ten-day, nine-night walk is priced $3,695, inclusive of accommodations, meals, all transfers, admissions, gratuities and more. Walk covers an average of eight to ten miles perday of moderate walking. Singles are welcome.
Five Vienna to Prague itineraries are scheduled, May 12-21, June 16 – 25, with others in August, September and October. A sweet deal: travelers receive a free hotel night and pastries gift in Vienna with booking of the May 12 – 21, 2007 date. Website: www.thewayfarers.com/
Asia Transpacific Journeys To Indulge in 14-Day Journey To Southern India
Schedule a plunge into a world of lush natural beauty and vast cultural wealth with a visit to India’s resplendent south, as interpreted by Asia Transpacific Journeys. A sensory overload—and a profoundly telling piece of the human puzzle—awaits the traveler willing to suspend for a while long-held assumptions on the nature of the material and spiritual world, to discover the greatness that is India. Says Marilyn Downing Staff, Asia Transpacific Journeys' CEO: “Southern India is home to some of the most progressive, well-educated, cleanest and prosperous states in India—the country’s highest female literacy rates and lowest infant mortality. A journey here offers fascinating insights into the impact of good governance on society.”
The per person (double) land cost is $5,495 (single supplement $1,500) for five-star and boutique hotels, expert tour leadership, most meals (gourmet cuisine) including local beer, and medical and evacuation insurance. All airfare is additional. Departure date is February 18-March 2, 2008.
The journey begins in frenetic Mumbai (Bombay) with the world renowned Taj Mahal Mumbai Hotel as your base. See all its famous sites, then get an insider’s view of the city’s workings with stops at its outdoor laundry site and train station at commuting hour. The next stop is Madurai, an ancient holy city, to explore the Meenakshi Temple. Famed for its many carved and painted halls, this massive 16th century temple is a classic of the Dravidian architectural form, a complex housing 12 towers, the Temple Art Museum, and a 1,000 pillared Grand Hall.
From here travelers experience a local train before a drive to Munnar’s rolling hills of tea gardens in the state of Kerala, known as “God’s own country” for its great natural beauty. There's a stop at a spice plantation in Kodamangalam, where 33 varieties of herbs and spices grow in an undulating jungle: a walk through the grounds with the hospitable owners will reveal the spices, fruit and rubber trees that grow in this fabulously lush land.
Then join local revelers at the little-known, authentic Wadakkancherry Festival. This festival displays processions of lavishly decorated, caparisoned elephants in headwear of plated gold. Riders carrying white silken parasols parade to traditional music, and local crowds gather to watch ritual folk art performances. Surrounding villages vie to outperform the others and dazzle the crowd.
On the famed Kerala Backwaters is a region where 43 rivers drain into the Arabian Sea, creating a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes, canals and estuaries. Stay at the Coconut Lagoon, a resort accessible only by boat with cottages in the traditional thatched-roof style of Kerala's wooden houses. Embodying an ethos of complete sustainability within the fragile estuary environment, the resort practices composting, recycling and waste management. The water treatment plant at the resort is perhaps not as fetching as the gorgeous tharavad bungalows, but it emerges from the same philosophy of respect for the environment and local culture. Explore the Backwaters aboard a traditional kettuvallam boat, a classic of the traveler’s genre.
The last stop is India's biggest shipping port, Kochi (Cochin), a hub of trade since the days of Marco Polo. Even today it exports one-third of the world's pepper. Portuguese, Dutch and British influence is evidenced in the abundant Indo-European architecture. Dinner one night is at Koder House, formerly the home of one of Kochi’s most illustrious Jewish families.
For more information please see www.asiatranspacific.com or call toll free 800-642-2742.
TourCrafters’ April/May Rome Packages from $749
The best time to visit Rome—when colorful azaleas covering the Spanish Steps make it look like the tourist brochures—is springtime. And TourCrafters has some unbeatable packages for April and May that offer a choice of hotel and length of stay.
The basic $749 package includes round-trip air from New York on Eurofly, four nights accommodation in the three-star Hotel Brasile, arrival transfer, daily buffet breakfast, half-day city tour, a five euro discount for additional city tours, service charges and taxes.
However, the basic package can be stretched to five nights ($836), six nights ($926), or even seven nights ($1,016). And the hotel can be upgraded to 4-star hotels like the Imperiale and even 5-star hotels like the Parco dei Principi and Regina Baglioni.
New York departures are on specific dates: April 21, April 26, April 28, May 3 and May 5. Departures from other cities can be any weekday, but cost more: $135 from Boston and Philadelphia, $159 from Washington and Baltimore, $220 from Chicago and Miami, and $325 from Los Angeles/SanJose/San Francisco. Extensions to country inns in Tuscany and resort hotels on the Amalfi Coast are also additional.
All prices are per person double occupancy, are subject to availability and do not include airport taxes or fuel surcharges. Reservations must be paid for within 72 hours. For more information about TourCrafters’ unbeatable Rome packages, visit www.tourcrafters.com . For reservations, call 800-482-5995.
A Winter Vacation Alternative: The Azores
As winter covers the landscape with snow and ice, many yearn for the pleasures of open spaces and ocean breezes. A mild climate and green mountains are just a four-hour flight away from Boston this winter, in the Azores Islands.
The archipelago of the Azores is the closest point in Europe to New England, just 2,000 nautical miles due east. The nine islands of this Portuguese archipelago were created by dramatic volcanic activity hundreds of millions of years ago, building a landscape that is both unexpected and varied. From the 7,700-foot peak of Pico island, to the blue and green lakes at Sete Cidades on São Miguel, the Azores offers a lush and sculptured landscape that is reminiscent of many places: The green fields and gentle hills resemble Ireland. The baroque cities are like those of the northern Portugal. The mountains and valleys resemble northern California. The geysers and craters remind one of Iceland. Enveloped by the sea, the Azores enjoys a mild climate year-round (between 57°F and 71°F) and is lightly populated with 240,000 inhabitants in 868 square miles.
From seacoasts to valleys, from gardens to forests, the Azores offers a wide range of landscapes to explore on foot. Country hedgerow lanes and open fields lead to extinct volcanic craters. The Azores are best appreciated slowly and on foot, and most islands have designated hiking areas, with maps offered at the local tourism office.
Easy Rider Tours of Newburyport, Mass., offers guided week-long cycling and walking tours of São Miguel Island as a way to experience the Azores. Tours offer hikers have the opportunity to climb Pico de Vara, the highest point on the island at 3,640 feet. A dirt road traces the rim of a volcanic caldeira to the Vista do Rei (King's View), overlooking the blue and green crater lakes of Sete Cidades. Other routes explore the rugged interior, passing through forests of Japanese cedars, big-leaf hydrangea, and wild ginger. On the sunny slopes of the north coast, the group will tour Europe's only tea plantation, dating from 1883.
Azores Express offers two direct flights a week from Boston to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago, with connecting service to Lisbon and Madeira. All Azores Express flights conveniently connect with inter-island flights in the Azores.
Azores Express has connected New England with the Azores and mainland Portugal for more than 20 years. The carrier is part of the SATA Group, which connects the Azores with the world. For more information and reservations, contact your travel agent, or Azores Express at 800-762-9995, or visit www.azores-express.com.
Trafalgar Offering Array Of Family Experience Tours In 2007
British tour operator Trafalgar has introduced a lineup of Family Experience tours for 2007, including a six-night English Christmas itinerary. Centered in London, the tour also includes day trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon and Stonehenge and is priced from $935 per person, land only. Trafalgar's Young Traveler program offers parents or grandparents of children age 5 to 17 an additional 10 percent discount. Personalized tours also are available, as are Travel With Friends programs for groups of at least five friends or family members. For information, visit www.trafalgar.com.
Ritz Tours Announces 13-Night China Panorama Tour
Ritz Tours has launched a 13-night Majestic China Panorama tour, offering what the company calls the "best of China's sites, culture and scenery." The new tour is part of Ritz's Premier Series itineraries that include a destination's top hotels, restaurants and a maximum of 24 people in each group. The tour visits Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Tours are priced from $3,399 per person, double, including roundtrip air from Los Angeles or San Francisco, air within China, accommodations in five-star hotels, sightseeing excursions with guides and meals. Departure dates are available from late March through early November. For information or reservations, call (800) 900-2446 or visit www.ritztours.com.
Gutsy Women Travel Introduces Nine-Day Celtic Tour
Ireland is new on the menu this year for Gutsy Women Travel as it introduces its nine-day Celtic Charm tour for 2007 with three departure dates: May 26, September 15, and October 13.
Irish eyes are definitely smiling on the ladies who take this incredible nine-day journey. Ireland is a warm, friendly country that welcomes travelers with open arms. There are so many highlights to this tour that it’s impossible to list them all. Participants will stay in an authentic Irish castle; visit Galway, Killarney, Waterford, Dublin, and many picturesque towns in between; see a traditional Irish woolen mill; tour the Ring of Kerry; take a horse and carriage ride; visit the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory; stop at the Irish National Stud Farm; and so much more.
The 9-day escorted Celtic Charm tour includes:
• Flights NYC to Shannon, Dublin to NYC (other departure cities available at a different price)
• 2 nights at the Radisson SAS in Galway
• 2 nights at the Randles Court in Killarney
• 1 night at the Granville Hotel in Waterford
• 2 nights at the Clontarf Castle in Dublin
• 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 1 reception
• Tour Director throughout
• All tours and activities as noted in the day-by-day program.
The tour is priced from$3,239 per person, based on double occupancy including land and economy class airfare from New York and varies according to departure date. Not included: airport taxes, fees, and September 11th Security Fee, and tips to Tour Manager
For further information, please email info@gutsywomentravel.com. For reservations, call (866) IMGUTSY. Website: http://www.gutsywomentravel.com
Transpacific Journeys Offers Aircruising Within Australia and New Zealand
Asia Transpacific Journeys has created a way to conquer the difficult logistics that time and distance can impose on the want-to-see-it-all traveler. Dubbed aircruising, it’s a way to experience diverse landscapes that under most circumstances can take weeks or even months to traverse.
Spectacular views from the low-flying aircraft are complimented by mounted cameras that transmit the images to on-board flat-screen TVs. On the ground clients are afforded more time to discover each destination close-up through leisurely cruises, revealing ground excursions and contact with local people.
In addition to five unique itineraries within Australia, Asia Transpacific Journeys is also offering an aircruise program for New Zealand.
-- The 12-day Great Australian Aircruise ranges from the rugged beauty of the Bungle Bungle’s in north Western Australia to Australia’s most famed icon, Ayers Rock in Central Australia. Destinations include Longreach, Katherine Gorge, Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, Darwin, The Kimberley, Buccaneer Archipelago, Broome, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Alice Springs, MacDonnell Ranges and Birdsville. The per person rate is $9,792 (based on double occupancy).
-- A 12-day Classic New Zealand Aircruise with March and November departures includes Auckland, Waiheke Island, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Te Anau, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, Dunedin and Christchurch. The per person rate is $7,259 (based on double occupancy).
Rates include beyond-the-ordinary lodging, nearly all meals, transport, private guides, transfers, visa fees, tips, entrance fees, medical and emergency insurance and a comprehensive pre-departure packet.
Asia Transpacific Journeys, the definitive expert in travel to Asia and the Pacific Rim, also conducts 18 different itineraries throughout this greater region for Small Groups (maximum 16 travelers) that showcase in-depth cultural explorations of the region. Custom Journeys are also a company specialty. For 2007, Asia Transpacific Journeys includes expanding itineraries of Small Group Trips and Custom Journeys to over 20 countries in North Asia, South Asia, SE Asia and the Pacific. Some trips also support global conservation and cultural preservation. Asia Transpacific Journeys' own non-profit Asia Transpacific Foundation, established in 1998, works with rural Asian communities to provide clean drinking water through locally made ceramic water filters.
For more information visit www.asiatranspacific.com.
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Travel Alerts & Information
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://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
-- The State Department issues Public Announcements to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions that pose significant risks or disruptions to Americans. The current Public Announcements are listed at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.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/home.asp
For more information on security measures implemented at airports and other travel venues, visit www.tsa.gov.org or specifically http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.
Travel Health Warnings can be obtained from 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, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. The WHO also provides travel health information at http://www.who.int/ith.
NOTE ON PASSPORTS: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all air travelers to the US to have a passport or other secure document by January 23, including Americans returning from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. In addition, all travelers by land and sea must meet this requirement by an unspecified deadline not later than 1 June, 2009. 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.
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