Bora Bora

BORA BORA ~ Probably most famous for the musical South Pacific, Bora Bora was also home to more than 5,000 American G.I.s during World War II. Mount Otemanu rises out of the lagoon and is seen in the opening scene of the movie Couples' Retreat.

Bora Bora, Pearl of the Pacific: The island was once called Vavau. Some attribute its change in name (perhaps wrongly) to Captain James Cook, the first European visitor to the island in 1769. Because he often heard people use the word "apooraa" (assembly), he understood "borabora" and gave this name to Vavau. A more ancient legend gives a better account for the origin of the Tahitian word pora pora or popora: mai te po ra (emerge from the night, from the world of the gods).

This land was the first to rise from the oceans, before the creation of Raiatea. Thus, Bora Bora is the oldest of the islands. Bora Bora is located 167 miles northwest of Tahiti, 45 minutes by plane. With its volcano and lagoon circled by islets of white sand, it unites all the characteristics of a high Polynesian island.  Coral attached itself to the outer volcanic crown, creating an immense lagoon (48 sq. miles) enclosed by a very large barrier reef.

We took a boat from Taha'a to the airport for a flight to Bora Bora, then transferred by boat to the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa which is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. This was a lovely resort with 50 deluxe overwater bungalows which featured a lagoon viewing glass coffee table, 10 luxury beach suites featuring an indoor/outdoor bathroom and private garden with Jacuzzi and sundeck, and 20 deluxe garden pool suite bungalows.

The spa manager is an American from Arizona (her husband manages the spa at the Bora Bora Nui). They offer outdoor massages as well as the traditional indoor treatments. The spa has a very "green", very natural atmosphere.

Complimentary activities include snorkeling equipment, outrigger canoes, fresh water swimming pool, tennis, windsurfing, bocce, badminton, pareo show, coconut show, Tahitian dance show, billiards, games, movies, transfer to the main island and village, mini golf. I liked this resort and would recommend it.

Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa ~ Another boat ride and we arrived at the Hilton Bora Bora Nui. We spent one night at this resort which is very large and in need of some refurbishment. Our overwater bungalow was large. The shower was nice - you had the choice of rainfall or an adjustable showerhead. The shower door and door to the toilet are separate, but the toilet handle was broken. This was the largest bathroom we had with two sinks, all amenities, marble floor. The bedroom is separate from the living area. There is a sofabed and plasma tv in the living area as well as a tv in the bedroom. Cedar closets were a nice touch.

The deck from the bungalow where we were led down to deeper water than we had at any of the other resorts. There was quite a current which made it a bit harder to swim back, but we just went in closer to shore and walked most of the way back to our bungalow. The pool is nice and large. Breakfast and lunch are served at the beach restaurant while dinner was served upstairs. The food was good and the service was excellent.

This resort is a bit large for me. Depending on where you are located the walk to the beach, etc can be quite long. You are given a beach towel card and it must be returned upon check out or you will be charged for the towel. Same for a snorkel card. I can understand the card for snorkel equipment, but I think the card for towels is tacky. Along the bridge to the bungalows some of the boards were missing and some tiles were missing from the walkways. You can call for a ride to your bungalow if you wish. If you stay here, you would want to be in the rooms with the 200 numbers; these are closest to reception, the pool, restaurants, etc. We were in #307 which was a long walk for us. The Presidential and Royal bungalows were very nice and larger than my house!

On our way to our next resort, we made a visit to Bloody Mary's which is a restaurant and bar and pretty much the hot spot on Bora Bora.  The bar opens around 9:30 AM,

lunch is from 11.00AM- 3PM, and dinner is from 6:30PM- 9PM.  They also have great merchandise for sale to bring home as souvenirs. 

 

The next day we were on a boat to Vaitape, then transferred by bus to the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort.  There are 64 thatched-roof bungalows scattered in the tropical gardens, on the white sand beach and over the lagoon, each with air-conditioning, terrace, ceiling fan, direct-dial phone and mini-bar.  We had a short inspection of this resort then traveled across the water (by boat, of course!) to the  Sofitel Motu Bora Bora, which is on its own private motu, or islet.  The complimentary boat runs all day (10 am - 11 pm) between the resorts and guests can use the amenities at both properties.  This is an intimate property with only 20 overwater bungalows and 10 deluxe hillside bungalows.  The thatched-roof bungalows have air-conditioning, satellite television, video and mini-bar. A hilltop restaurant and lounge offers panoramic views of Bora Bora and its incredible lagoon.  I liked both resorts but if I had my choice, I would stay at the Motu Bora Bora over the Marara. 

 

Our next resort we visited was the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana and we had a lovely lunch while there.  We ate in the outdoor restaurant on a sand floor.  Beware - those who have the type of skin which attracts bugs, you might want to use some bug spray first.  And ask for a citronella candle if available.  I was fortunate and the bugs did not bite me, but it was a problem for some. 

 

Forty-eight over water bungalows have glass topped coffee tables in room (for lagoon viewing!), and 12 air-conditioned beach bungalows are nestled on the most beautiful beach in Tahiti. Activities include shark/ray feeding excursions, motu (islet) picnics, outrigger canoeing, snorkeling, windsurfing, engine-powered Hobie cat, jet skiing, 4x4 safariing, horseback riding, and deep-sea fishing.  On Tuesday evenings, the resort has a barbecue on the beach for guests' enjoyment.

 

This is a lovely, intimate resort with beautiful accommodations and I very highly recommend it.

We were then on our way (by private boat that goes between the two Intercontinental resorts) to the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa where we spent the night.  We had the afternoon to ourselves before meeting as a group for dinner.  The spa (absolutely wonderful!) had a two-for-one special so of course we took advantage of that.  If you have a spa treatment, you also have privileges to partake of the rest that the spa has to offer.  The spa has a Relaxing Pearl Rain Massage, Deep Sea Hydromassage Bath, Deep Chiller Walk, Jacuzzi, Steam Room, Arctic Plunge, and more.  The greatest thing about the massage --- while you are lying face down with your head in the opening of the table, there is a glass floor where you can watch the fish swim by!  How relaxing is that?  I actually started to fall asleep and tried my hardest to stay awake so I could savor the experience.  After my massage, the therapist suggested going in to the Steam Room for no more than 15 minutes and follow this with a dip in the Arctic Plunge (ice water!!!).  Well, we did just that and when you jump into the Arctic Plunge you actually lose your breath!  But it feels so good afterward.  We then used the Deep Sea Hydromassage and turned on all the forceful showers and jets.  What fun!!  Following this we took a walk in the Deep Chiller Walk where the jets hit your leg muscles.  This helps get the circulation going in your legs and helps tone the leg muscles.  Lastly we spent time in the Jacuzzi until the spa closed.  We were there for 3-1/2 hours!

There is a beautiful little wedding chapel here with a great view of the mountain (pictured above)

The lounge area in the resort has more of a modern Asian decor. 

We had a large overwater bungalow which included a large living room with sliding doors to the deck.  There is also a door from the bedroom that opened on to the deck.  The bathroom was very large as well. 

Dinner was, once again, wonderful.  The only odd thing about the restaurant is that the chairs are very heavy.  They pulled out te chairs for us to sit, but forget trying to get up out of your chair.  They must weigh a couple hundred pounds each!  There was a small band that played from 5 pm until around 8 pm. 

Breakfast the next day was inside at the same restaurant and then we were on our way to the next resort.

This resort had the best spa by far!

We transferred by boat to the Le Meridien Bora Bora and arrived with plenty of time to view the turtle feeding at 10:15 am. 

Built on the southern point of "Motu Piti Aau", a 6-mile long islet on the coral reef, the hotel offers an unsurpassed view of the world renowned Mount Otemanu (have you seen the opening credits of "Couples Retreat"?). The hotel is 20 minutes by private launch from the airport and 5 minutes by boat from the main island of Bora Bora.

There are 17 air-conditioned, beachfront and 81 overwater bungalows (with glass lagoon-viewing floor area). A restaurant designed like a Tahitian village, beachside pool, spa, and a host of island activities, including the Turtle Care Sanctuary, make for a true Polynesian paradise.

When we went to our room, we were pleasantly surprised to see a bottle of champagne chilling on the table, along with snacks.  We brought the champagne to the beach that afternoon.  The beach was beautiful and the turtles were swimming with us in the water. 

We were in the very last premium overwater bungalow which had a large glass floor over which the room attendant placed a rug at night time.  This room had the best view of the fish below.  When you first turn on the tv in your room there is a message from the front desk welcoming you by name (although ours said "Welcome Mrs Jan and Mrs Mary Mauer Grath - but it gave us a laugh!).

The suites have a bedroom, living room large deck and graduated plunge pool.  Villas have 2 or more bedrooms.  For these, two beach bungalows were joined by a common living area.  The beachfront rooms were also very nice.  Also available are rooms for those who are physically handicapped.

Le Miki Miki bar is shaped like the prow of a ship pointing toward Mount Otemanu.


Free activities include snorkeling (masks, snorkels and fins), kayaks and Polynesian canoes. windsurfing, pedal boats, swim with the turtles in the interior lagoon and discover the turtle's sanctuary.  For a fee you can enjoy shark and ray feeding, scuba dive, Tupuna Mountain Safari by 4WD, Taxi Boat, Jet Ski,  Circle Island Tour, Boat Rentas,
Horseback riding, Deep Sea Fishing, Parasailing above the lagoon, Picnic, Lagoonarium: swim in the midst of turtles, sharks and tropical fish, Water-skiing (all levels), helicopter, Aquascope (glass bottom boat), Spa with massages and body treatments (for relaxation), Taxi (to/from Vaitape), Hobie cat 14' and 16'


Denis, the manager, was very nice and had a great sense of humor.  He really made us feel at home.  We had a wonderful dinner here and were treated to a Polynesian show afterward.


Best view of the fish from an overwater bungalow.  Loved this resort - highly recommend it!


We have now arrived at our last day in paradise.  We transferred by boat to the Four Seasons Bora Bora.  Although we were not staying overnight, we were all given rooms to use for the day.  We first had a tour of the resort followed by breakfast.  We were free to enjoy the resort before we had to leave for the airport at 4:30 pm. 


Some of the nice touches this resort has are sachets on hangers in the closet, a laundry basket and tote bag in the closet.  The bed was very comfortable.  They offer a canoe breakfast where the couple gets a short ride on the canoe while the wait staff sets the table for breakfast at their bungalow.  There are two small glass areas to see the fish. 


There is a marine biologist on site, Oliver, who can arrange for tours on and off the island.  There is a coral nursery and 100 types of fish in this area.  In the family villa there is a master bedroom with a king bed, large tub and a bidet, two closets, a rain shower, access to private beach, a kids room with two queen beds, indoor and outdoor showers, dining room, large pool and separate jacuzzi.  There are also four lounge chairs, as well as a table with four chairs.  There is a separate room service kitchen as well. 

The chapel has a beautiful view of the mountain and lagoon.  There are two changing rooms there as well.  The spa has 9 treatment rooms with a vitality pool and a relaxation area by the changing room.  Even if you are not having a massage you can still use the spa facility.  The fitness center is open 24 hours per day and has a Technogym (like Cybex), cardio machines, and all have TV.  In the kids area, the bathrooms are id sized.  It is open 8 am to 5:30 pm, and babysitting is available after hours. 


The resort provides transportation (for a fee) to town and to the airport, but the transfers are like having a tour of the island.  This resort opened in September of 2008.

There are 100 spacious overwater villas and 7 beachfront villas with private pools  spread over 70 acres of white sand beaches and private lagoons. Set at the edge of the lagoon, the spa offers five spa pavilions, an overwater treatment cabana, three secluded couple’s pavilions and a full service fitness centre with an overwater sunrise yoga platform. To accommodate both families and couples, the resort features the Kids for All Seasons club with a kids pool, and a separate teens’ island with a Young Adult Centre and separate beach area. The resort also includes an events pavilion, wedding chapel, black pearl boutique, tennis courts and of course, the highly personalized Four Seasons service standards.


Activities include:  Fitness center, Outdoor pools, Scuba diving, Spa, Steam Room, Tennis. 


Children ages 4-12 have complimentary access to the Kids For All Seasons program. Run by trained staff, activities include: radio-controlled boat races, swimming, kite-surfing, snorkeling with a Marine biologist, and treasure hunts, plus many more.


Older children aged from 13-18 have complimentary access to the Young Adult Center and private beach. They can do everything from beach volleyball to windsurfing competitions. There is also a unique program of beach and lagoon activities inspired by ancestral Polynesian sports and cultural traditions.


This is the best resort for kids' activities
 
We left by boat for the airport in Bora Bora and then flew to Pape'ete, Tahiti, for our return flight on Air Tahiti Nui.  We waited 70 minutes for the customs agent to come and stamp our purchases at the airport.  Keep in mind the airports are not air conditioned, so wear appropriate clothing!  I wore my shorts, etc, and when I landed in LA, I changed to the clothes I wanted to wear home. 
 
This was the most amazing place to visit.  The people, scenery, and the resorts are all so authentic.  I would definitely recommend French Polynesia to anyone who is going on their honeymoon, to those who want a romantic vacation, and to those who want to do something different, especially if you enjoy water sports.

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Icelandair Update

Icelandair Revised Flight Schedule

Flight disruptions due to the recent volcanic eruption near
Eyjafjallajökull (A-ya-fyat-la-yo-coolt) in Iceland continue and in
addition to some other European airports Keflavík International airport is
temporarily closed.

All flights from the U.S. will still operate today however, to accommodate
travelers, Icelandair will be re-routing U.S. originating Trans-Atlantic
passengers to their final destination via Glasgow. Icelandair will operate
a direct flight between Glasgow to Copenhagen and Oslo.

Trans-Atlantic Icelandair passengers originating in Europe will be
re-routed to their final destination via Glasgow. Icelandair will operate
direct flights between Glasgow to Boston and New York.

Passengers traveling to and from Iceland will have the option of being
re-routed through Glasgow to/from Akureyri airport, which is located within
4 hours driving distance from Reykjavik. Icelandair will arrange for
complimentary bus transportation between Akureyri airport and Reykjavik Bus
Terminal.

Busses will operate between Reykjavik and Akureyri.
Busses from Reykjavik to Akureyri will be leaving the BSI Bus Terminal (
http://www.re.is/bsimap)
Busses from Akureyri to Reykjavik will be leaving Akureyri Airport 40
minutes after the flights arrive.
All busses will make a stop at Staðarskáli (
http://www.stadarskali.is/english/) on their routes between Reykjavik and
Akureyri.

For a comprehensive bus schedule between Reykjavik and Akureyri please
visit www.flybus.is

We continue to monitor the situation along with aviation safety guidelines
and will not operate flights unless cleared by Air Traffic Authorities.

The Icelandair Group has set up a link for the most up-to-date information
on the current status of the volcanic activity and its affects on air
travel at the following link http://www.icelandairgroup.is/volcano/.

Please be advised that passengers wishing to accept travel arrangements to
an alternate destination will be responsible for all costs and personal
travel arrangements associated with getting to their final destination
beyond that point.

Affected passengers should contact their travel agent, or for direct
bookings only, call our customer line +354 5050100 or 1-800-223-5500.

It is Icelandair's intention to carry passengers to their destination at
the earliest opportunity when our regular flight schedule has fully
resumed.

The following alternative options are therefore also available to
passengers scheduled to travel through April 25, 2010:

A full refund of unused flights, If travel has not commenced. Passengers
requesting a refund may do so online at:
http://www.icelandair.us/specials/pages/global/ticket-refund/

Due to the circumstances, once you have notified the airport of your
intention not to use your ticket, you may request your refund at a later
date.

Re-book to a later date. Take an Icelandair flight to your destination at a
later date convenient to you, subject to availability in the same service
class/cabin. Re-booking must be made within 2 weeks of original flight.
Travel must commence within one month from original travel date.

Re-book on an Icelandair flight to/from another destination than originally
booked. Re-booking is subject to availability in the same booking class.
Any additional fare cost will be charged. Re-booking must be made within 2
weeks of original flight.

General Conditions
• Travel must commence within one month from original travel date.
• The return flight, if applicable, can be re-booked at the same time.
• Passengers on through tickets involving other carriers must notify us
before travel commences. Passengers with connecting flights issued on
separate tickets must make their own arrangements with the other carrier
including the payment of any additional costs and amendment fees.
• Passengers on package holidays must refer to their tour operators who
may not operate the same policy. Passengers should also be aware that any
applicable refund would only relate to the airfare portion of the inclusive
package and not the whole cost of the holiday.
Passengers on Icelandair Holidays package holidays will be offered a full
refund with no penalty.
Please contact 1-800-223-5500.

We apologize for the inconvenience this situation has caused and will
continue to update our websites as more information becomes available.
Please visit www.icelandair.us or www.icelandair.ca for the most up-to-date
information.

Best regards,
Your Icelandair Team

Virgin Atlantic Flight Update

From Virgin Atlantic 4/22/10:

Travel Disruptions Update
New Bookings on flights prior to May 1st

Due to the exceptional circumstances arising from the closure of UK airspace, Virgin Atlantic took the decision earlier this week to put a hold on any new bookings on travel prior to May 1st, in order to accommodate stranded passengers. As our flying program is now gradually returning to schedule, and a significant number of our passengers have now been repatriated, we will be lifting this embargo as of 12pm today.

Bookings cancelled between 6:00am on April 20th and 12:00pm on April 22 will not be reinstated.

To protect the integrity of our bookings during this period of high demand, we will be enforcing a 24hr Ticketing Time Limit on all new bookings for travel prior to May 1st.

While we will make every effort to accommodate all of your customer needs, availability may be limited on outbound flights to the UK over the next few days, as our top priority is the repatriation of any stranded passengers.

Hyatt Specials in Hawaii

Please click the link below to view the offers available from Hyatt

Package includes:
5 Days Alamo Mid Size rental car for the price at Economy Prices

5 Nights hotel accommodations
1000 Gold Passport Points per night
50% off Valet or Self Parking only on Waikiki (please memo for discounted parking rate)

Five (5) Hyatt Gold Passport Points for every eligible US dollar spend for eligible incidental charges.
*Last day to book is 4/30/10. Additional categories are available. Resort fees not included in Maui and Kauai packages.

http://www.allabouthawaii.com/aat-h.br?gid=21176&t=specials&m=land&l=http://www.allabouthawaii.com/specials/10hyatt/10hyatt10.htm

Mexico Travel Warning Update

Mexico Travel Warning Update posted today by Cruise Line Industry Association
February 23rd, 2010

Overview:
The US Department of State has extended a travel alert to Mexico. The text of the alert has remained virtually unchanged, with a few additional border areas being added to the list of those where extra caution is recommended.

The travel alert expresses no concern whatsoever regarding Mexican beach resorts and key tourist and business destinations. Tourist areas are safe to travel to, which means that the vast majority of U.S. citizens visiting Mexico should not have any hesitation in doing so.

Mexico’s tourist destinations and resort properties remain fun, safe, affordable and popular vacation destinations. Indeed, Mexico remains the number one international destination for U.S. tourists.

Regarding the alert renewal, here are a few points that we consider is important to know, in case your costumers or partners ask about it:
This is not a new alert. It is an extension of an alert already in place.

What has been extended is a travel alert, not a warning. Travel warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable, and/or when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.

A travel alert, on the other hand, disseminates information about short-term conditions of which U.S. citizens abroad should be aware to maximize their safety.

The alert for Mexico does not discourage U.S. citizens from traveling to the country’s tourist destinations.

The main tourist destinations for U.S. citizens are geographically far from the very specific areas included in the alert. For example, Cancun and Acapulco are at least a two-hour flight away from the main areas identified in the alert. The distance from Cancun to Ciudad Juarez is 1,312 miles – approximately the same distance between New York and Miami (1,290 miles), Chicago and Laredo, Texas (1,395 miles), or Los Angeles to Oklahoma City (1,328 miles).

More than 21.5 million international tourists visited Mexico in 2009. Air arrivals from the U.S. in December 2009 were up approximately 6.2% from December 2008, demonstrating that U.S. travelers view Mexico’s unique vacation destinations and attractions as safe and violence in northern Mexico as unrelated to Mexico’s principal tourist destinations.
More than one million Americans reside in Mexico.

Please feel free to contact the Mexico Tourism Board if you have any questions or doubts.

Kayak teams up with Yapta to let you track fare changes

Kayak teams up with Yapta to let you track fare changes

A Word on Trip Insurance

You're going on a long-awaited family vacation! You've got your airfare booked, your resort booked, and many excursions are already booked as well. Your trip can add up to quite a lot of money, sometimes as much as buying a car! If it were a car, what would you do if you drove that car out of the lot but didn't have insurance on it yet? (although the car dealer would make sure you did have insurance) And suppose your car was hit as you pulled out, totalling the car! Let's hope this doesn't happen, but it could.

Well, the same goes for your vacation. You've invested a lot of your hard-earned money in your vacation. Now what happens if you are in a car accident on your way to the airport, or your mother is very ill and admitted to the hospital the day before your trip. Or perhaps your flight is cancelled because of a blizzard (we've seen that happen a lot this winter!)and the next flight out is two days later. What happens to your vacation? If you are not insured, you may lose all of your money, or end up spending more money just to get to your vacation spot while having lost two nights' worth of your prepaid room.

Many people think this won't happen to them. Or they'll say they'll never cancel their trip so they don't need insurance. Or many will say their credit card will cover them. Do you know that for sure? Will they cover you for the canceling your trip because of an illness of a family member not traveling with you? And what about medical expenses, especially while out of the country? Medicare will not cover these expenses. And while your health insurance company may say they will cover the expenses, most times you have to pay out of pocket first, then submit the bills to the insurance company. How expensive is it to be flown home to the U.S. to get your medical care at home? Your medical insurance may not pay this at all.

There was an excellent article in USA Today's Travel section by Linda Burbank. The article is titled "Traveler's Aide: Why you should always buy trip insurance for a cruise". Click here to read it.

Travelers' Reviews: Let the Reader Beware!

I have always told my customers to beware of online travelers' reviews, such as those in the widely-read online site, TripAdvisor. I do admit I check the site as well just so I can see what my clients will be reading. If every review is negative, or positive, I will go with it and assume, hopefully correctly, that the reviews are true.

But this is why I say to beware of the reviews.
1. People like to complain. How many times will someone call or write to complain vs the number of times people call or write to compliment? It is refreshing to receive a compliment. The times I have called a travel supplier with a compliment either from myself or one that I pass along from a satisfied customer, the person on the receiving end is pleasantly surprised. So put that same philosophy into reading the reviews. Take what you read with a grain of salt. Maybe take a look at the other reviews the particular reviewer has also written. Are they all negative?

2. There are reviews out there that have been planted. Planted either positively by the hotel itself or negatively by one hotel having someone write a bad review about one of their nearby competitors. TripAdvisor knows about this and has taken action to correct it but these reviews are still out there. Case in point: I was recently approached by a company asking me to put hotel reviews on my website for which I would be paid per review. This is another way these fraudulent reviews are being put online. Did I do it - absolutely not! I did not even reply to their request. I will not put anything on my site from an unknown and, most likely unreliable, source.

3. It's better to get a more professional review than that of an occasional traveler. For example, the occasional American traveler who takes a trip to Rome may complain that the hotels are old and the rooms are small. European hotel rooms are usually small and the hotels are much older than the ones to which we are accustomed in the United States. This adds to the appeal of being in another country and experiencing another culture. Take the time to learn about the places you will be visiting. I provide information to my customers about the country they will be visiting so they know what to expect. If I don't have information about a particular hotel, I will contact other travel consultants and suppliers who do have first-hand knowledge so I can pass that information on to my customers. I like to use suppliers who have their employees personally visit the hotels and resorts they sell so they can pass on that knowledge.

This is a good reason why you should contact a travel agent for your vacation. It's fine to research and find a place you would like to visit, but then give your agent a call and discuss with them what you would like to do, where you would like to go, what type of accommodations you are interested in, and so on. You will develop a personal relationship with your agent and your agent will be able use your preferences to find the hotel or resort that will be the best match.

Will one of the large online agencies do that for you? More on that to come...

Airline News

Air France has extended its special fares to Europe for passengers who are looking to plan a quick trip this winter or getaway for the spring. Travelers have until February 11 to take advantage of these prices, with the option of flying from 15 Air France U.S. gateways to over 20 European destinations.

AirTran Airlines will begin new nonstop service between Baltimore-Washington International(BWI)in Baltimore and Jacksonville International Airport in Jacksonville, Fla. The airline will offer two daily nonstop flights between the two cities beginning May 4th.

American Airlines has installed a new Pet Relief Area at the JFK Airport in New York. Passengers with pets can give their traveling pets a final chance to relieve themselves before packing them away in their kennels for the flight.

Delta Air Lines announced new non-stop service from JFK to the Cayman Islands. Effective June 12, 2010, flights will operate once a week on Saturdays.

Beaches BFF Girls' Getaway

NEW Beaches BFF Girls' Getaways

Whether single, married, or simply looking to get away with the girls, the BFF Girls Getaway will be sure to deliver fun, sun and the ultimate girls bonding experience!

Details as follows:

Beaches Turks & Caicos Spring BFF Girls Getaway

Must book by April 27, 2010 for 2010 travel dates(travel between April 29 - May 3, 2010) and by May 10, 2011 for 2011 travel dates (travel between May 12 - May 16, 2011)

From $1199 per person, based on double occupancy (single rate $1649)

Beaches Turks & Caicos Fall BFF Girls Getaway
Must book by October 12, 2010 (for travel between October 14 18, 2010) and by October 11, 2011 (for travel between October 13 - 17,2011)

From $1199 per person, based on double occupancy

Included in this offer:
Cocktail Party, Sunset Catamaran sail-away, beach yoga, skincare classes, island dance classes, Confessions PJ Bonfire Party much, more!

Also as an added value we are tossing in a slew of goodies and welcome gifts: a 10% discount at the gift shop, a free 5 X 7 photograph, plus a $200 Red Lane® Spa voucher.

Subject to availability at the time of booking, so don't wait!

HAITI EARTHQUAKE- STATEMENT BY THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (DR) MINISTRY OF TOURISM

SANTO DOMINGO, Jan. 13, 2010 -- The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its neighboring country. The Dominican government is providing a relief staging area at some of the international airports located on the Island.

The DR experienced no damage from the earthquake and all transportation systems, communication systems, tourism businesses and medical facilities are operating smoothly, making the country available to offer support to the relief effort in any way needed.

“The DR is making available its medical facilities for earthquake victims and is providing international relief organizations access to Haiti through the airport and seaports. Our transportation systems, communications systems, hotels, resorts, beaches and natural environment suffered no damage here. We are grateful and with deep concern open our hearts to our neighbors and will continue to do everything we can to help them and reassure global travelers that the DR is receiving visitors.”

The DR shares the eastern third of the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Punta Cana, the major global tourism destination in the DR is located approximately 400 miles (633 kilometers) east of Haiti’s capital, or a 10-12 hour drive, with numerous mountain ranges separating the two countries.
DR Tourism Update: All of the DR’s eight international airports are open and receiving flights. All of the DR’s cruise terminals and seaports are open and receiving ships. All of the DR’s beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business operations. At this time, no flights or group tours to the DR have been cancelled.

For more information, please visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or www.DomincanToday.com. To learn how you can help Haiti, visit: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/.

Why Not?

Why Not?

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Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.

It's the Year to Volunteer!
Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.

This year, you can celebrate the spirit of helping others! Disney Parks wants to inspire one million people to perform a day of volunteer service for a participating organization in their community by giving them a free, one-day admission ticket to a Theme Park at the Disneyland® Resort or the Walt Disney World® Resort. Restrictions apply so call me at 732-747-8187 today to find out more!

Watch what happens when taking the stairs becomes an exercise in fun

Important Travel Tips from the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State

Brought to you by the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State
December 18, 2009

Whether you are packing your bags for the sunny beaches of the Caribbean or headed to the snowy slopes of Switzerland, we hope you will read the following tips to help make your holiday travels safe, smooth and stress-free:

Sign up so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency:
Record your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov . This will help us contact you if there is a family emergency in the United States, or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. You'll also receive updated travel information for countries you plan to visit. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.

Sign your passport, and fill in the emergency information:
Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport. Most passports are valid for ten years. Write the contact information in pencil so you can change it as needed over time.

Leave copies of itinerary, passport data page, and credit card:
What happens if there's an emergency back home? Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Leave a copy of your credit card too; in an emergency, the credit card company can help your family locate you.

Check your overseas medical insurance coverage:
Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance. Medical treatment and evacuations can cost thousands of dollars - some countries won't allow you in through customs unless you can show proof of medical insurance!

Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws:
While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The State Department web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.

Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime:
To avoid being a target of crime, practice the same safety tips you would in any place you aren't familiar with: do not wear clothing or jewelry that would attract attention and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

Contact us in an emergency:
We are here to help you. Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the United States are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, or you can call the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747 (if calling from the U.S. or Canada), or 202-501-4444 (if calling from overseas).

Universal Orlando Special

Buy 3 Nights, Enjoy 2 More Nights FREE!

With this special offer when you purchase a 3 night Universal Orlando® vacation package, you'll enjoy 2 MORE nights FREE! You'll also receive 2-Park Unlimited Admission tickets for everyone in your vacation booking. Enjoy hotel accommodations PLUS admission to Orlando's most exciting thrills and entertainment, all for one low price!


5-NIGHT GETAWAYS STARTING FROM $217* PER ADULT
5-Night accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel
Park-to-park unlimited admission to both Universal Studios® AND Universal's Islands of Adventure® theme parks
Access to live entertainment at Universal CityWalk®
Complimentary scheduled transportation between hotel and Universal Orlando®

5-NIGHT ON-SITE GETAWAYS STARTING FROM $477† PER ADULT
That's 5 Nights for the Price of 3 at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel®, Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
Receive the inclusions outlined above plus:
As an on-site hotel guest you'll SKIP THE REGULAR LINES†† in both Universal Orlando® theme parks at participating rides and attractions – A FREE BENEFIT WORTH AT LEAST $70** PER PERSON, PER DAY!
Also, enjoy complimentary resort-wide transportation via water taxi and shuttle bus and more exclusive on-site guest benefits!


*All prices, package inclusions&options; subject to change without notice and additional restrictions may apply.
Please contact The Travel Bug Vacation Planners at 732-747-8187 for more details.

British Airways Cabin Crew Strike - Called Off

Update on December 17, 2009

British Airways has succeeded in winning an injunction to prevent a strike from going ahead over the Christmas and New Year period.

We are delighted for our customers that the court has lifted the threat of a Christmas strike. It is a decision that will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of families in the UK and around the world.

Star Clippers ~ Mega-Yacht Sailing Experience

• Authentic sailing adventure.
• Just 170 or 227 pampered guests.
• All the modern amenities of a private Mega-Yacht.
• International cuisine complimented by fine wines.
• Dine with whomever and whenever you want.
• Casual, relaxed ambience - no need to dress up.
• Visit special ports that larger cruise ships can't.
• Full range of water sports.
• Sail in full harmony with the environment.
• No crowds or long lines.


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Caribbean - Set sail this winter for Star Clippers Caribbean and save up to 50% OFF brochure rates on 7-night sailings. You will sail on our flagship, Royal Clipper, and enjoy all the amenities and activities that you would expect on a private yacht and with only 227 guests, you won't be part of a crowd on your vacation. Reserve early for best cabins.
50% Off STAR CLIPPERS
Caribbean Sailings
Nov. 2009 through
Apr. 2010

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Far East - As Asia popularity as a tourist destination continues to rise, so does the popularity of Star Clippers Far East cruises. Guests flying to the Orient often look to enhance their cruise vacation with a post-cruise land excursion, and Star Clippers has answered the demand by offering a special 11-night package that combines a seven-night cruise aboard Star Clipper with four-night post-cruise land tour and discounted round-trip airfare from Los Angeles.
Far East Cruise Tour!
FREE 4-nights Land Tour & $395 Air From
Los Angeles.

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Ocean Crossing For 2010 - Aboard Star Clippers' ships, you can know the thrill of traversing a great ocean under sail, without any skills or effort on your part. Make this your year for the ultimate in sailing: A Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal or Indian Ocean crossing aboard Star Clippers.
Ocean Crossings
From Only
$87 Per day!
Save up to 20% Off!


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We've Got The Mediterranean Covered - It's been a while since our three tall ships were together in the Mediterranean, and for the summer 2010 sailing season we are reuniting them with an extraordinary variety of cruise lengths and itineraries throughout the region. Whichever Mediterranean sailing you select, you will be pampered on board with our Mega-Yacht Sailing Experience and all of the activities and amenities you would expect to find on a private yacht. Don't forget to book early to take advantage of our excellent Advance Purchase Discounts and to reserve the cabin of your choice.
8 Different Mediterranean Sailing Adventures!
Save up to 35% Off!

From Star Clippers Promotions

News from Delta Airlines

Delta Goes Cashless on North American Flights Starting Dec. 1

(November 10, 2009) - Delta Air Lines is switching to “plastic only” to expedite our onboard payment process. Beginning December 1, 2009, Delta will only accept credit cards – no cash – on Delta and Northwest flights in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Customers may swipe their cards to purchase selections from our EATS menu, a refreshing signature cocktail, premium Delta on Demand entertainment and other in-flight amenities.

Delta will continue to accept cash and credit on all trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and South American flights as well as for all duty-free items.

DisneyWorld and Disney Magic Review, Part III, Beach Club Villas

On our return from the cruise, we took the Disney shuttle back to DisneyWorld and stayed for two nights in a one bedroom villa at the Beach Club. The Beach Club shares a pool with the Yacht Club and this is, by far, the best pool on Disney property. There is sand all around giving the illusion of being on a beach, there is a lazy river in the pool, and the whole feeling is that you are at some sort of tropical beach.



The villa was a bit of a disappointment. We have stayed there in the past, but this time the sleeper sofa in the living room was stained and worn. The whole villa needed new furniture, a paint job, and a good dusting. Certainly not up to Disney standards. We had leftover no expiration park hoppers so we headed off the Epcot and enjoyed ourselves there.

Polynesian Resort and Luau Cove

We had dinner at the Polynesian luau on the first night and enjoyed that. Our seats were good and close to the stage but there was a pole that blocked our view just a little bit. It is all you can eat, but they bring so much out the first time that I don't know how people could eat any more than that. The second night we ate at the Captain's Grille at our resort, but to be honest, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant.

A great amenity offered by Disney is their Magical Express transportation to and from Orlando airport. As long as you are staying on Disney property you are offered this at no cost. It is so convenient and certainly a cost savings.

Would I stay at the Beach Club again? Yes, without a doubt, but I might ask to have one of the villas that has been refurbished. I hope the one we were in is being refurbished as I write this!

DisneyWorld and Disney Magic Review, Part II, Disney Magic

Our cruise on the Disney Magic took us to St Thomas, Tortola, and Castaway Cay, which is Disney's private island in the Bahamas. We stayed in an oceanview cabin with a navigator's veranda. The navigator's veranda is a balcony that is not fully open-air because there is a porthole on top of the balcony railing. We weren't sure if we would like this, but we were very pleased with this and it had more of a private feeling to the balcony.







Check in at the port was very smooth and when you check in you receive a number. They board the ship by group numbers which makes for an easy boarding experience. We had made reservations for Palo, which is the adult only restaurant onboard, but decided to cancel the reservation since our dining room staff was so great and the food was the best of all the Disney cruises we had taken. A word about the pre-reservations - you can book these in advance and even by going on to the site the day we could start booking, the brunch at Palo was sold out as was the afternoon tea.

Navigator's Veranda

We purchased a week pass for the Rainforest Room, which used to be $75 per person but was not $90 per person. The Rainforest Room is a thermal suite with an Arabian theme. Inside are two steam rooms, one which incorporates aromatherapy; a sauna; tropical rain showers; and the best part of all, heated tile lounge chairs. There is a fountain in the center of the room and spa music plays softly in the background. We have always loved this part of our cruise experience but this time we were disappointed. It seems as though there are people using this room without paying. There is no one to check on this. You are supposed to leave your room key at the front desk but you end up waiting a long time to do so. We finally gave up on doing this. The spa area was short staffed and it showed. The one sauna was not hot at all and we, along with others, asked all week about it being repaired, but it never was. The music was not playing and the aroma shower had no "aroma". I had made a reservation for Tommy to have a massage the first day we were on the ship.
As Disney Vacation Club members we received more lanyards (these were a bit nicer), more pins, and a really nice Captain’s Log scrapbook. We also had a Castaway Club reception as well as a DVC member reception during the week.

Also located at the Vista Spa is the fitness center. The fitness center has been enlarged, but it is still small compared to other cruise lines.

Dining: There are three early dining times (5:30, 5:45, and 6:00) and three late dining times (8:00, 8:15, and 8:30) and three restaurants through which you rotate during the week. We started at Lumiere’s restaurant which would be considered the fanciest of the three. On Monday we went on to Animator’s Palate and Tuesday we were at Parrot Cay, my favorite of the three. Animator’s Palate starts out in black and white and by the end of your dining time, the room is in full color. Color is “magically” added to the walls and to the waiter’s vests. There are tv screens on the walls and they first show the old black and white cartoons then the color cartoons. Parrot Cay has a colorful tropical theme to it. Your wait staff also follows you to the various restaurants throughout your week. The food was very good to excellent, especially when you ordered one of the waiter’s suggestions. There were various themes, such as Pirate’s night and International night. The lobster tail dinner at the Captain’s dinner was great. Pirate's night has gotten extremely popular! Our tablemates, as well as many of the guests, went all-out with their pirate costumes, to the point of having a Mickey and Pooh dressed as pirates as well.

There are not a lot of late night things to do even though the one bar stays open late. It seems that most people leave around midnight. The staff does a good job of getting people involved and dancing and just having a good time. One thing I miss is the casino. Disney does not have one onboard, even though they do have bingo. Who knows, maybe they will add them to their new ships they are building. It would also be nice to have some things like miniature golf onboard as well.

As for our ports of call, we grabbed a taxi and headed to Magen's Bay in St Thomas. This is our favorite thing to do and is quite economical compared to booking this through the cruise line. In Tortola, we took an excursion to a beach club and enjoyed our time there. The island is the most mountainous I have been on and it made for an exciting ride. And of course, Castaway Cay is the best. We were off the ship bright and early and headed off to the adult only beach. It started raining, then lightning started so we had to move off the beach and take cover. This only lasted about 20 minutes and the rest of the day was great. We had our buffet lunch right there at the beach and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

Overall, the Disney Magic is a great ship and I would recommend it to any age group.

DisneyWorld and Disney Magic Review, Part I, Kidani Village

We took a cruise on the Disney Magic the end of July. We flew down a day early and stayed at the new Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Villas, part of the Disney Vacation Club Villas, then followed our cruise with a two night stay at the Beach Club Villas.

Kidani Village

We chose to stay in a Savanna View one bedroom villa. The village opened May 1, 2009 and was such a great place to be that we only wished we were going to be there a few more nights. A map of the Animal Kingdom Lodge is below. The rooms are larger in the Kidani Village than in the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

One bedroom villa


The one bedroom villa (807 square feet) has two balconies, one from the living room and the other is from the bedroom. The bedroom has a king bed and a flat screen tv. The bathroom has a very comfortable jacuzzi tub with shutters that open up to the bedroom to watch tv if you are so inclined. There is also a separate shower which is quite large and a separate toilet area (the lighting was on the dark side here, mostly because they have energy-saving lightbulbs in use).

There is a stackable washer/dryer combo, and you are provided with one box of detergent. More detergent is available for purchase. The kitchen is fully stocked with dishes, etc, although the wine corkscrew was missing as was the dishwasher detergent. There is a table and chairs in the living/dining area as well as another flat screen tv. There is a queen sleeper sofa as well as a sleeper chair. Being new, it was extremely clean and comfortable.

The most wonderful part of the location was the view from our balcony. We saw zebras, giraffes, Ankole Cattle, Roan Antelope, Okapi, Nyala, Thompson's Gazelle, White-Bearded Wildebeest, Cranes, Flamingos, Ostriches, Vultures. We looked out at 11 pm and saw zebra laying down on the ground, sound asleep, and an hour later they were up again, eating and playing.

We ate at Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where they serve traditional African specialties along with other choices for the less adventurous. The entire Animal Kingdom area is beautifully decorated. The lobby in the Lodge showcases hand-made crafts from various tribes throughout Africa.

This is definitely a place we will visit again.

Disney Specials BOGO and New Experiences

Disney is now offering free nights and tickets with purchase.

Buy a 4-night vacation package at a MODERATE, DELUXE or DELUXE VILLA resort, get a 7-night.

Buy a 5-night vacation package at a VALUE resort, get a 7-night package.

Both packages include tickets in to the parks.

This vacation package offer is valid for stays November 1 - December 24, 2009 and January 3 March 27, 2010.

On Sept. 12, 2009, Disney announced detailed plans for these future attractions and adventures:

• First, a new 3-D version of the tremendously popular "Star Tours" attraction will debut in 2011 at both Disneyland® Park at the Disneyland® Resort and Disney's Hollywood Studios™ at the Walt Disney World® Resort. The attraction will include new immersive and interactive elements that will take guests to familiar places in the Star Wars galaxy.
  
• Plans were announced for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom® Park at the Walt Disney World® Resort, nearly doubling the size of the Fantasyland® Area by 2013. Guests soon will be able to:
  
• Visit their favorite Disney princess in her castle, cottage or chateau to share a dance with Cinderella
  
• Celebrate Sleeping Beauty's birthday with the Good Fairies
  
• Join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast's castle library.
  
• "Be Our Guest" and dine in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast's castle.
  
• Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.
  
• Journey under the sea with Ariel (from Disney’s "The Little Mermaid") in her very own attraction.
  
• Meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.
  
• In addition, Disney has a multi-year expansion of Disney's California Adventure® Park. Projects include The Little Mermaid attraction scheduled to open in 2011; the new "World of Color" show slated to open in the spring of 2010, and the addition of the 12-acre Cars Land scheduled to open in 2012, where Guests will literally step into the town of Radiator Springs and its six acres of hand-carved rockwork.
  
  Call Mary at 732-747-8187 for details

Carnival Fantasy to Sail from Charleston in 2010

Starting on May 18, 2010, the Carnival Fantasy will sail year-round cruise from Charleston, S.C. Carnival Fantasy will operate from the Passenger Terminal in historic downtown Charleston. Charleston's centralized location within the southeastern U.S., as well as the city's strong appeal as a tourist destination, were key factors in the decision to launch year-round service. The Carnival Fantasy is expected to carry more than 140,000 passengers annually from the port.

Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages on a variety of different departure days. Five-day voyages departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will call at Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. Six-day voyages departing Saturdays will visit Freeport, Nassau and Key West, Fla. Seven-day voyages depart Saturdays and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.Replacing the Carnival Fantasy in Mobile will be her sister ship, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation, which will reposition from San Diego to launch year-round service from that port May 15, 2010.

Carnival Introduces Laser Show at Sea

Carnival Cruise Line will have a laser show at sea on the new Carnival Dream which debuts September 21. The show lasts 15 minutes and will project blue, red, and green lasers in to the sky at night time. The show will be choreagraphed to rock music by Styx, Rush, Van Halen, Boston, and Pink Floyd.

The lasers will be situated on the top of the Lido deck and the "Seaside Theatre" screen will display graphics and the artists' music videos during the show.

The Dream will be sailing in the Mediterranean before coming to New York in November to debut in North America. The 3,646 passenger ship will then be sailing the Caribbean round-trip from Port Canaveral beginning in December.

Yoga Tour to India with Devin Morgan

14 Day Itinerary:

Nov 12 Thu: Los Angeles-Singapore-Delhi by SQ Depart the west coast this evening on board Singapore Airlines

Nov 13 Fri: Across International Dateline

Nov 14 Sat: Arrive Singapore Arrive Singapore and connect with your flight to Delhi. Early morning arrive India's capital city of Delhi You are greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to the TAJ PALACE HOTEL (Superior Rooms). Overnight at the hotel.

Nov 15 Sun: Delhi This morning, a Yoga session could be arranged at a local Public park in Delhi (at no extra charge). Enjoy a full day tour of Old and New Delhi today. Among your stops are the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Ashoka Pillar and the mile-long Chandni Chowk bazaar. Afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. (BD)

Nov 16 Mon: Delhi This morning, a Yoga session could be arranged at a local Public park in Delhi (at no extra charge). This morning drive along Rajpath to view the Parliament House, the President's House and India Gate. Visit the Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar and Birla Temple. Afternoon at leisure for shopping etc. Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Nov 17 Tue: Delhi / Varanasi by flight Today fly to Varanasi (India's holiest city), located on the sacred Ganges River. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to TAJ GATEWAY HOTEL (Superior Rooms). In the afternoon visit the stupas, ruins and museum at Sarnath, scene of Buddha's first sermon.

Nov 18 Wed: VaranasiEarly morning enjoy, the sunrise on the Ganges River with a boat ride. After the boat ride, you may wish to attend a Yoga session at the hotel (gardens at no extra charge). Later, enjoy a city tour and in the evening you will meet with a Numerologist. (B)

Nov 19 Thu: Varanasi / Khajuraho Morning you may wish to attend your Yoga session at the hotel (gardens at no extra charge). Later in the day enjoy a walking tour of the old city. Afternoon fly to Khajuraho, capital of the 9th to 13th century Chandela Dynasty. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to TAJ CHANDELA HOTEL (Superior Rooms). Visit the Western group of temples containing the largest and loveliest temples, including Kandariya Mahadev (representing Chandela art at its best). (B)

Nov 20 Fri: Khajuraho / Agra This morning visit the principal Eastern group of temples, modest and less ornate than the Western Group. These temples reflect the simplicity inherent in Jainism. Later, drive to Jhansi to board the train to Agra, en route visiting Orcha, a medieval city frozen in time and space, existing to this day as it must have in the 17th century. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to TAJ GATEWAY HOTEL (Superior Rooms). (B) TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS FOR PUBLIC.

Nov 21 Sat: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri After breakfast proceed on an excursion to Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Emperor Akbar during the 16th century, this city is perfectly preserved although it was abandoned due to a lack of water. Later this afternoon enjoy a city tour of Agra visiting the Fort and the Taj Mahal. (B)

Nov 22 Sun: Agra / Jaipur drive This morning you have the option to visit the magnificent Taj Mahal for a sunrise view. After breakfast depart for Jaipur. Check in upon arrival at TAJ JAI MAHAL PALACE HOTEL (Luxury Rooms). The afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Nov 23 Mon: Amber Fort Excursion & Jaipur Sightseeing Morning you will visit the mountain fortress of Amber, riding royally atop regally painted and decorated elephants. Later, enjoy a tour of Jaipur City, visiting Hawa Mahal or the "Palace of Winds," City Palace and the ancient observatory. (B)

Nov 24 Tue: Jaipur/Delhi drive / Delhi - Singapore by SQMorning at leisure. Afternoon drive to Delhi's international airport for flight to Singapore. (B)

Nov 25 Wed: Singapore - Los Angeles by SQ Arrive Home

If interested, please contact Mary McGrath at 732-747-8187 or email Mary@thetravelbugonline.com

Royal Caribbean Improves Customer's Air Choices

Now you have a new "choice" in booking air with Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises. ChoiceAir is the cruise company's new way for guests to purchase air transportation to and from their cruise. The service allows guests to enjoy greater peace of mind; be able to select preferred airlines and a specific itinerary; and shop for the best prices among published fares and exclusive ChoiceAir specials. Guests will also be able to know their airline itinerary as soon as they are ready to choose it. ChoiceAir will be available to guests from the U.S. and Canada beginning August 3.

A cost of $15 per person for domestic and $25 per person for international air travel will apply to ChoiceAir bookings, and will include access to the ChoiceAir support desk, aid in cases of flight delays, and assistance in making alternative flight arrangements in the event of missed embarkation.