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| Vol 4 , Issue 4 |
April 2010 |
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Greetings!
Looks like Spring is here! That's makes me a very happy girl!
I would like to let you know that there is now a newsletter archive on the Great Latitudes website so if you missed one, or want to look something up, they are available for you.
Hope the Easter Bunny was good to everyone!
Enjoy... |
| CITC Certified... That's Me! | |
 I am pleased to announce that, after three years of hard work, exams, and professional evaluation, I have received the Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) designation from the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors!
"The Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) advances the professional development of travel counsellors and managers, promotes the national industry designations: CTC (Certified Travel Counsellor) and CTM (Certified Travel Manager)"
"CITC Full Members have achieved industry certification and display the designation CTC (Certified Travel Counsellor) or CTM (Certified Travel Manager), the highest level of their profession." |
| Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival | |
September 3rd & 4th, 2010
The first edition of the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival takes place on September 3rd and 4th 2010.
 During the two festival days a wide range of international artists will be performing at the festival site.
In the week preceding the festival the island will be immersed in the atmosphere of jazz, soul, latin with a Caribbean touch.
Headliners include Simply Red, Natalie Cole & Raul Midon. Other artists featured at the festival include Lionel Richie, John Legend, Sergio Mendes and many more...
For more information, please visit the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival website. |
|
Tourists Flocking to Iceland to view Lava Flows | |
By Christine Theodorou, CNN
Despite the Eyjafjallajokull volcano's remote location, beneath a glacier to be exact, the area surrounding it has been teeming with tourists in search of spectacular views of its lava flows and volcanic plumes.
 The volcano, which last erupted in 1821, continues to be active since it came back to life March 20. Two additional fissures erupted Thursday, directing new lava flow toward the northeast.
"It's amazing to see the volcano because of the season," says Vidir Reynisson, Iceland's Civil Protection Services Department Manager. "There's a lot of snow, and it's quite spectacular to see the contrast" with the burning lava.
Click here to read the full story
And for those who can't make it to Iceland, a live still photo of the volcano is updated every eight seconds on www.vodafone.is/eldgos |
| New Credit Card Scam | | |
Scammers targeting hotel guests
This was sent by someone who has been duped .... and is still clearing up the mess.
You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your room). You get to your room and settle in.
Someone calls the front desk and asks for (example) Room 620 (which happens to be your room). Your phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following, "This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card."
Not thinking anything, you might give this person your information since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk. They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address information. Sounding so professional that you think you are talking to the front desk.
If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that you will be down at the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information acting like a front desk employee. |
| Top 10 Reasons to Cruise | |
From Cruise Critic editors & members
Travelers who haven't yet tried a cruise tell Cruise Critic that popular cruising myths like "I'll get seasick" and "I'll feel claustrophobic on a ship" are among the reasons they've not yet crossed the gangway.  At the same time, compelling lures, like commercials you see on TV of families sliding down onboard waterslides or of couples gazing out to sea from their private balcony are tempting. Even more tantalizing: friends who have cruised and who come home from vacation just raving. If you're among those who's considering a first cruise -- but who hasn't yet taken the leap, Cruise Critic editors and members highlight what they love most in the Top 10 Reasons to Cruise slideshow. Among the reasons are "great value", "family friendly" and "exotic destinations".
View the slideshow by clicking here. |
| Canada New England Fall Colours | |
Roundtrip from Quebec City!
 Finally... A more convenient cruise port for Ontario and Quebec. OK, even New Brunswick!
Norwegian Cruise Lines and MSC Cruises have 2 week Canada New England fall itineraries roundtrip from Quebec City, or using back to back cruises we can even create one!
What a great way to enjoy the fall colours; amidst the charm and history of Eastern Canada and the US. Ports of call, depending on the cruise line, include Sydney NS, Bar Harbor ME, Boston MA, Newport RI, Halifax NS, Charlottetown PEI, Sept-Iles QC, Portland ME, Saint John NB, and Cornerbrook NL.
The historic district of Quebec City is the only fortified city in North America and is now a UNESCO site.
Cruise the magnificent St. Lawrence River to eastern Canada.
Sydney NS gives you access to the Highlands National Park and a visit to Charlottetown PEI would not be complete without a visit to the Anne of Green Gables House!
And let's not forget Peggy's cove which is accessible from Halifax.
Newport RI offers three vineyards that are open to the public and Lady Liberty will welcome you to New York City where Central Park boasts fabulous urban fall colours!
For more information on Canada New England fall cruises, feel free to visit:
Or contact me anytime. |
| Questions & Answers | |  Q - "Is it better to wait until last minute to book for the best pricing?" A - The best answer I can give here is sometimes! It largely depends on what you'd like to do. Let me explain... For all-inclusive packages, if you don't really care where you go then there are great last minute deals. However, if you have a particular destination or property in mind, this can definitely back-fire on you if your preferred hotel sells out. Consequently, if you want a particular hotel, you are likely better off to take advantage of early booking bonuses. In the long run, you may pay a little more if the hotel goes into sell-off, but at least you are guaranteed to be where you want to be. Remember that the most popular and best hotels do not sell-off, they sell out! As far as cruises go, you are definitely better off booking well in advance. Now that the economy is recovering and cruise prices are on the rise, generally the best pricing is in advance. As the ship nears capacity, the pricing goes up. The laws of supply and demand are definitely at work in the cruise industry. Please note that the balcony cabins usually sell out first, followed by the inside cabins. Hope this helps... Send your questions to Janna. |
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