Looking ahead to Travel in 2011

 March/April, 2011. Spring Break.  Take a look at the Ritz Carlton Resort Montego Bay, an all-inclusive property with nonstop flights from several getaways.  With a selected beach, warm sand, gleaming waters and lush, green mountains as your backdrop, this golf & spa mecca is the perfect answer for a family looking for a Spring Break destination.  Signature amenities are available.

May, 2011.  River Cruise.  What better way to see the world than sitting on the outdoor deck of your "floating hotel", a relaxing way to get to each port of call.  You have many opportunities to take photos of ancient castles, pretty countryside, charming villages or awe-inspiring monuments.  Modern ships, gourmet meals, knowledgeable local guides are just a few reasons to add river cruising to your 2011 plans.  We suggest AMA Waterways where Signature amenities include enhanced shipboard credit on several departures.

June/July, 2011.  Central Europe.  These are good months to be in this area.  There are excellent tour companies that offer a variety of itineraries that include the magnificent cities of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest.  Or enjoy an alpine adventure in Switzerland.  We are always pleased that our clients express satisfaction with Tauck Tours; however, if you prefer to travel independently, Reid Travel has excellent Destination Specialists in this area who can customize the ideal itinerary for you or your group.

August, 2011. Alaska Cruises.  This is the perfect month to experience the "call of the wild" in the Great Land.  The choices are varied: large ships, Celebrity and Holland America; and  small ships Silversea and Regent Seven Seas.  Oceania Cruises will enjoy its inaugural season in Alaska, and Crystal Cruises is returning after a 2-year absence.  There are combinations of land and sea to meet all your expectations.

September 9, 2011.  New York and the whole world will mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11/01 tragedy with the opening of the WTC Memorial and Museum.  Reid Travel and Signature offer over 20 hotels in the city with varying  prices and locations...all with Signature amenities including breakfast and other perks.  It is not too early to reserve your spot at this significant event.

October/November, 2011.  These are ideal months to visit exotic destinations with tropical climes.  India is on many lists as a "must see".  Or the culture of Indochina comes alive as you visit Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.  Join an organized tour with A&K or let Cox & Kings design a tour to your specifications.

 December, 2011.  Now is the time to treat yourself to the ultimate gift--Africa, truly a life-altering experience.  If this is your first venture into the Dark Continent, we suggest East Africa with Micato Safaris.  For a new adventure, try South Africa & Botswana on an exclusive itinerary with Africa Travels.

Wherever you travel and whatever you do, we wish you a healthy & prosperous New Year!  
 

• Las Vegas, Disneyworld, and New York City are billed as three of the top New Year's Eve destinations.
• About 75% of American New Year's Eve parties involve 20 people or less.
• The tradition of a ball drop to signal the passage of time began at England's Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833.
• Made of iron and wood and adorned with one hundred  25-watt light bulbs, the first New Year's Eve ball was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds.
• Introduced on November 11, 2008, a new Times Square New Year's Eve ball weighs 11,875 pounds.  The 12-foot geodesic sphere is covered in 2,668 Waterford crystals.
• Eating for good luck is a popular tradition in cultures around the world.  Try 12 grapes at midnight (Spain), donuts (Holland) or black eyed peas (United States).
• The tradition of a baby to signify the New Year was started by ancient Greeks around 600 BC. Carrying a baby around in a basket honored Dionysus, the God of Fertility, and symbolized his annual rebirth.
• In Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico, families stuff a life-size male doll with things that have bad memories or sadness associated with them. Then they dress it up in old clothes from each family member. At the stroke of midnight, this 'Mr. Old Year' is set on fire.
• The people in China believe there are evil spirits that roam the earth.  So on the New Year they burn crackers to scare the evil spirits.  The doors and windows of every home can be seen sealed with paper.  This is to keep the evil demons out.
• Late on the evening of December 31, people of Japan would eat a bowl of buckwheat noodles called "toshikoshi soba" ("year-crossing noodles") and listen for the sound of the Buddhist temple bells, which were rung 108 times at midnight.  The sound of these bells is said to purify the listeners of the 108 sins or evil passions that plague every human being.


Travel Suggestions

From the desk of Trish Timmerman...

Trish's Bucket List Continued...

Trans Siberian Rail Journey:  Beijing to Moscow September 12-27, 2011/16 days

Track the footsteps of Genghis Khan by train from Beijing to Erenhot in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia where you join National Geographic Expeditions aboard the  Tsar's Gold, a private train for a magical 16-day journey with remarkable, beautiful scenery.

Highlights include views around Lake Baikal, a World Heritage site by UNESCO.  Lake Baikal holds nearly 20 percent of the world's unfrozen fresh water.  The train continues through Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg and Kazan, ending in Moscow.

Venture through several Siberian outposts where noblemen were exiled since 1652. Visit museums of Wooden Architecture, stay in unique Soviet era hotels, and sometimes on the train.

The Tsar's Gold train accommodates 200 people.  It has four dining cars featuring traditional Russian cuisine.  One of the dining cars converts to a bar in the evenings after dinner.  The deluxe and platinum class cars have private facilities.  The standard and nostalgic class have shared.

The trip ends in Moscow.  I would enjoy an additional three-night stopover in St. Petersburg after exploring Moscow.

 
 Accompanying you is George Munro, a Professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University.  I would suggest reserving space in deluxe or platinum cars to ensure private facilities - and to top off an unusual trip add a day or so to see more of Moscow.  

Family Travel Ideas

From the desk of Janet Pringle...

If you are looking for the perfect family vacation, look no further than the new Waldorf Astoria in Park City, Utah.  Located at the base of top rated mountains for skiing & snowboarding in the USA, the hotel is the perfect ski destination offering the best ski-in/ski-out convenience.  Guests receive complimentary scheduled transportation to area locations, including Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort.  Accomodations at the Waldorf Astoria Park City are spacious and offer living and dining areas in their suites.  Designed with all the comforts of home, the dark woods and rich decor are sure to please the most discerning traveler.  After a day of skiing, soothe your tired muscles with treatments at their world class Golden Door Spa, and afterwards savor an exquisite culinary meal at the award winning Spruce Restaurant.  And guests receive complimentary scheduled transportation to area locations inculding Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort.

Summer in Park City brings outdoor concerts, festivals, fresh air markets and activities for any age or fitness level, whether it be hiking, biking,  fishing or just strolling. Activities are as varied as the mountains themselves.  On Sundays attend a unique outdoor festival, the Park Silly Market. Enjoy weekly complimentary concerts at the Canyons amphitheater or attend one of the many special events:  Park City Food & Wine Festival and Park City Arts Festival.

Waldorf Astoria Park City heralds a higher standard of service and enticing surroundings among Park City luxury hotels.