CHINA • JAPAN • AUSTRALIA • NEW ZEALAND • MEXICO • • C

A Providing Professional and E I N

S Reliable Services for 24 years... T A R . A E

L ASIA . S A M • OOvveerr 1152 MMiilllliioonn CCoonnssoolliiddaattoorr NNeett FFaarrees s E A China Discovery Superbuy (11 days 9 nights) China Classics Superbuy (13 days 11 nights) R

C PPlluuss NNoonn--CCaappppeedd CCoommmmiissssiioonnss ffoorr I I

C includes airfare from LAX/SFO, fuel includes airfare from LAX/SFO, fuel R

FF,, CC && YY CCllaassss PPuubblliisshheedd FFaarreess WWoorrllddwwiiddee! ! A F surcharges, domestic flights, 4N Beijing, surcharges, domestic flights, 4N Beijing, A

• 2N Xi'an, 3N Shanghai, sightseeing, 2N Xi'an, 2N Guilin, 3N Shanghai, culture show, transfers, and meals specified sightseeing, culture show, transfers, S • MEXICO BEACHES NET AIRFARE SALE

O and meals specified

T DEPARTURE CUN CZM PVR SJD ZIH DEPARTURE CUN CZM PVR SJD ZIH U S

BOS $301 $381 $459 $430 $385 NYC $308 $388 $388 $396 $332 T A

CHI $317 $397 $348 $359 $331 SFO $396 $476 $339 $359 $366 H E

DTT $275 $355 $440 $389 $410 WAS $317 $397 $388 $396 $310 A E Thailand Classics (11 days 9 nights) These are weekday net airfares valid for travel from April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 M Yangtze River Expedition (17 days 15 nights) L E D includes airfare from LAX/SFO,

R includes airfare from LAX/SFO, fuel D CARIBBEAN NET AIRFARE SALE I fuel surcharges, domestic flights,

I surcharges, domestic flights, 3N Beijing, 2N

DEPARTURE MBJ PUJ SXM AUA SJU STT LIR BDA C M Shanghai, 2N Xi'an, 2N Guilin, 2N Hongkong, 4N Bangkok, 2N Chiang Mai, 3N Phuket, BOS $410 $412 $421 $470 $308 $308 $594 $288 A sightseeing, culture show, transfers, • 5D Yangtze River Cruise, sightseeing, culture CHI $330 $445 $549 $470 $284 $284 $488 $288 • show, transfers, and meal specified and meals specified

N DTT $360 $520 $549 $469 $260 $260 $609 $499 P A NYC $270 $440 $509 $358 $316 $316 $579 $288 T SFO $418 $689 $659 $549 $390 $390 $573 $448 U S E I WAS $620 $490 $509 $437 $268 $268 $619 $288 R K These are weekday, "Basic" season net airfares valid for travel between April 01 - Dec 15, 2008. Vietnam & Cambodia Treasures (15 days 13 nights)

T Japan Discovery (8 days 6 nights)

A The prices shown above do not include any applicable taxes, security fees or fuel surcharges. Net airfares are available from other cities but O

P will vary in price depending on the point of origin within the U.S. All fares are subject to change without notice. includes airfare from LAX/SFO, fuel includes airfare from LAX/SFO, fuel • R surcharges, 3N Tokyo, 1N Hakone, surcharges, 3N Saigon, 2N Hoi An, 3N

UP TO 7% NON-CAPPED COMMISSION I A C 2N Kyoto, sightseeing, transfers, Hanoi, 2N Siem Reap, 3N Bangkok, I FOR FIRST, BUSINESS & ECONOMY CLASS O and meals specified sightseeing, transfers, and meals specified D PUBLISHED AIRFARES INTO THESE SUN DESTINATIONS N • I

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R Integrity in Travel Email Group Requests to: [email protected] D U S Call toll free number: 1-888-288-7170 1609 W. Valley Blvd., #288, Alhambra, CA 91803 E WWW.GTTGLOBAL.COM [email protected] www.uv-asia.com VOL. 36, NO. 1 • JANUARY 2008 www.jaxfax.com Consolifare Password: israel FEATURES AND ARTICLES COVE R FEATUR E 12 ISRAEL 12 Way Beyond The Bible Belt It’s just past sunrise and together with a hundred other tourists I’m perched on the crest of the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. We’ve come to this panoramic point for the spectacular morning

O view that underscores why this small nation – which turns 60 in T N

L 2008 – draws religious travelers like none other. Buttery light illumi - E A R S

I nates the onion-shaped domes of the Russian Orthodox Church of…

PUBLISHER’S CORNER 6 Travel Week 2007 in Las Vegas

EDITOR’S DESK 8 It’s How You Spin The News

SNAP SHOTS 10 The Month in Review

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS 17 Offer Gat, CEO of EL AL in North America 48 Arvin Shah, Chairman, Sky Bird Travel and Tours

DESTINATION ARTICLES 18 MOROCCO ’s Vision blends Millions in Dollars & Visitors 28 20 ANGUILLA ‘s Winter Curtain Call 24 Traveling Mindfully in ECUADOR 28 HUNGARY: Budapest with Something to Celebrate 30 SPAIN M akes Beautiful Music and Modern History in 2008 32 ITALY : The Quiet Jewels of Western Sicily 38 MACAU: Steps Gingerly Beyond Gaming 40 CRUISES: Demand for Yangtze River Cruises $ 42 CALIFORNIA: San Francisco’s Classic Charms 1 Week from 999 Air & Land 44 SPECIAL INTEREST : Pint-Sized Diners Get Respect Rate per person in double occupancy and including air from Miami, subject to airport taxes O

T and September 11 Security Fees of $98 to $120 per person. Seasonal supplements apply. N

H 46 COLORADO SKI , Board and Learn in January ATTENTION TRAVEL AGENTS FOR FAM TRIPS TO PERU ADDED-VALUE FOR YOUR CLIENTS Various 8-day educational trips to Peru with bi-monthly All bookings made by March 31st to Peru qualify for free travel departures visit www.HotFamTrips.com insurance ($150 value per person). Special code: JXFX0803

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CONTENT • JANUARY 2008 TRAVEL MARKETING MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Jet Airtransport Exchange, Inc. (JAX) DEPARTMENTS 52 West Main Street, Milford, CT 06460 203-301-0255 • Fax: 203-301-0250 Audited Circulation

Douglas Cooke, CTC DESTINATION AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST 17 Publisher & Editorial Director, [email protected] Randi White NEWS • BEST BUYS 19 Vice Pres./Associate Publisher, [email protected] Maria Lisella DESTINATION CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA 20 Editor, [email protected] NEWS • BEST BUYS 21-23 Chantal Guillou-Brennan Art & Production Director, [email protected] DESTINATION CENTRAL & SO. AMERICA 24 Anne C. Powers NEWS • BEST BUYS 26-27 Marketing and PR Manager [email protected] Marjorie Vincent DESTINATION EUROPE 28 Business Manager, [email protected] NEWS • BEST BUYS 34-36, 37 Katie Hultgren Editorial Assistant, Listings and Circulation Manager DESTINATION ASIA & SOUTH PACIFIC 38 [email protected] Clifton N. Cooke, CTC. BEST BUYS • NEWS 39 Founding Publisher & Editor-at-Large, [email protected]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 40 Worldwide Correspondents Tom Bross: Austria & Germany CRUISE NEWS 41 Katharine Dyson, Denise Mattia: Special Interests Patricia Earnest: North America DESTINATION NORTH AMERICA & HAWAII 42 Danielle Hayes: Africa, South America Denise Mattia, Molly Tichy: Caribbean BEST BUYS • NEWS 43 Merrie Murray: Mediterannean J. Herbert Silverman: Britain SPECIAL INTERESTS 44 Jonathan Siskin: Cruise Editor BEST BUYS • NEWS 45 Contributing Editors SKI COLORADO 46 Steve Brown, Jeff Burdick, Beth D’Addono, Jad Davenport, Kathy Feeney, Theodore Folke, Chantal Guillou-Brennan, Patricia Harris, NEWS 47 Ted Heck, Jehda Honculada, Joan Jenkins, Mark Laiosa, Bob Levine, David Lyon, Barbara Rogers, Betty Rolston, Phyllis Cocroft Meras, FAM TRIPS & STUDY PROGRAMS 47 Maggie Zellers Advertising in publication and on www.jaxfax.com INDUSTRY NEWS 50-51 [email protected] Circulation & Subscriptions IN THE NEWS MESSAGE BOARD 52 [email protected]; 800-952-9329

NEW MARKET PLACE DIRECTORY 53 Member of: ASTA–American Society of Travel Agents; ATA–Africa Travel Assoc.; NTA–National Tour Association; ATME–Association of Travel Marketing Execu - LISTINGS AND DIRECTORIES tives.; CHA–Caribbean Hotel Assoc.; CTO–Caribbean Tourism Organization; PATA–Pacific Asia Travel Assoc.; USTOA–United States Tour Operators Assoc. LISTINGS BY DESTINATION L2-L41 “JAX FAX Travel Marketing Magazine” (ISSN 0279-7984) is published month - ly by Jet Airtransport Exchange Inc., 52 West Main Street, Milford, CT 06460. DIRECTORY OF SUPPLIERS L4-L5 Periodicals postage paid at Milford, CT, & additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to JAX FAX Travel Market - CALENDAR TRADE SHOW EVENTS L5 ing Magazine, 52 West Main St., Milford, CT 06460. COPYRIGHT 2007. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. No part of this publication may be reproduced in print or electronically without permission. Direct requests for permission to the Publisher, JAX FAX, 52 West Main St., Milford, CT FRONT COVER: Therapeutic mud baths. Israel Ministry of Tourism 06460 or via E-mail: [email protected]

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Travel Week 2007 in Las Vegas he week of December 2-6 was a Questex Media Group, provided the thousands of busy one in Las Vegas with sever - attending agents with 3 full days of motivational al industry events taking place. speakers, destination and supplier presentations and Whether you are a home-based two of the busiest tradeshows I have attended this agent, an agent selling luxury trav - year. Additionally, attending travel agents were el or an agent oTr supplier seeking educational oppor - offered a free ticket to their choice of one of Vegas’s tunities, there was a conference or tradeshow that hottest shows and were hosted by the LVCVA to a catered to your needs. The Las Vegas Convention “Wednesday Night Fever” party at Studio 54 in the and Visitors Authority rolled out the red carpet for this MGM Grand. second annual travel industry show and as an official Although not part of Travel Week, but taking place sponsor, hosted a variety of events and dinners just prior to it in Ft. Lauderdale, Travel Trade’s Annu - throughout the week for travel professionals. In all it al Leisure Travel Conference drew almost 1000 was estimated that over 10,000 travel professionals industry attendees to the magazine’s first show participated in Travel Week 2007. under the new ownership of Ian and Seth Gittilitz. In The week started off with NEST FEST 2007 , the addition to a warm and touching tribute to former annual conference of NEST (Network of Entrepre - publishers Joel and Lenore Abels, attendees also neurs Selling Travel). NEST, the first and only market - were the final group of agents to be addressed by ing group designed exclusively for home-based industry icon Bob Dickinson, who spoke on the his agents, supplied its 200+ delegates with 3 days of final day as President of Carnival Cruise Lines. dynamic speakers, a preferred supplier trade show Agents attending the LTC had the opportunity to par - and fabulous nighttime events. With over half of their ticipate in 16 ship inspections, attend various work - membership in attendance, the NEST team lived up shops and panel discussions and enjoy hosted dinner to its promise of providing members with the market - events each night of the conference culminating with ing tools, educational opportunities and technology “Las Vegas Night” at the Hard Rock Casino. Action Facts solutions today’s home-based agent needs to be suc - All of the above shows and conferences offered Serving Size: 5 Days/4 Nights cessful. agents and suppliers exceptional networking and Servings Per Vacation: Unlimited

Next on the schedule of this busy week was the educational opportunities. If you didn’t have the % Daily Value * Travel Institutes Annual Conference . Now con - opportunity to attend any of these outstanding Biking 10 0 % From screaming across the ocean on a windsurfer densed into a half-day program, the Travel Institute events, I would strongly suggest considering atten - Kayaking 10 0 % delivered the exceptional lineup of motivational dance at one or more in 2008. Each show organizer Moonlight Walks 10 0 % to a romantic stroll under the stars, to scaling a mini- Rock Wall Climbing 10 0 % speakers for which their conferences have become provides a comprehensive lineup of seminars and mountain , from sipping a frozen margarita to ice skating in the middle of known. tradeshow exhibitors on their websites. Take time to Surfing 10 0 % The backbone around which Travel Week 2007 was view these sites and see which show or conference Sailing 10 0 % the tropics, if it’s fun, it’s here. And it’s all included. Luxurious rooms and Tennis 10 0 % suites. An incredible array of land and water sports. Unlimited premium built, was the 9th Annual Luxury Travel Expo and best suits your needs. Trapeze Swinging 10 0 % the 2nd Annual Home-Based Travel Agent Expo Scuba Diving 10 0 % brand drinks. All meals in a variety of that ran concurrently. These two shows, organized by Doug Cooke, Publisher Water-Skiing 10 0 % Snorkeling 10 0 % dining options. All entertainment. Basketball 10 0 % And all on the best beaches Volleyball 10 0 % Golfing 10 0 % anywhere, everywhere. Jamaica. Swimming 10 0 % The Bahamas. Curaçao. And Brazil. All Night Dancing 10 0 % *Not all activities at all resorts. For more information on Air-Inclusive Designer Vacations by SuperClubs visit us at: www.superclubs.com or call your tour operator or 1-800-Go-Super (467-8737) . For Groups of 20 persons or more, call 1-800-Go-Super/Ext. 6632.

JAMAICA BAHAMAS BRAZIL CURAÇAO 6 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM Breezes Runaway Bay & Breezes Montego Bay • Breezes Bahamas • Breezes Costa do Sauípe • Breezes Curaçao 9983-2/07 EDITOR’S DESK It’s how you spin the news one of the 750 partici - the tour operator.” pants at the U.S. Tour According to surveys conducted for USTOA, both Operators Association brand and destination loyalty play important roles in Annual Conference and vacation decisions. More than half the subjects sur - Marketplace were totally veyed said they look at destinations before consider - mplify Your Demand in happy. Maybe that’s ing price. And nearly 20% said they travel where they because this year’s con - want, regardless of price. “Our survey also found ference delivered a mNixture of good news and bad that over 50% of people like repeating the same the European Market news, reflecting a prolonged descent of the dollar destination,” Tsakanikos added. abroad, especially felt in otherwise strong and popu - The number of Americans with passports -- as of Discover how you can sell European vacations that lar markets like Europe. May 31, the US State Department had issued more will exceed your clients’ expectations. Register for one low The good news is that travelers of all ages are learn - than 10 million passports, which represents a 33% price and receive many bene ts for your business: ing more about the nature of pre-packaged tours, increase over the same time in 2006 also presents • which is a credit to USTOA and its members which more opportunities for bookers of travel. By the end Become certifi ed to sell the culinary/wine, honeymoon, river have been engaged educating the public on this point of 2007, that number of new US passport holdwill barge/cruise, rail, and mature adult travel niches for the past 35 years. add up to 17 million potential customers. • Four full days of education featuring a comprehensive France In his keynote address, Nikos Tsakanikos, USTOA A new note: younger people, 18 to 34 year olds, are Destination Specialist course Chairman and President of Homeric Tours said, “With thinking about tours and vacation packages seeing • a weak dollar Americans will increasingly think about the wisdom of visiting unfamiliar places (with Defi nitive culinary events including winery tours, food tasting the savings, convenience and the economic power of experts), for convenience, to learn more about a and local dining buying packages and tours. That will be very good for place or a new skill like cooking or photography. • Premium pre and post tours of France, Spain, Italy, our industry. In fact, 2008 may well be the year of Maria Lisella, Editor Switzerland, Germany and Austria • Exclusive excursions around Lyon and the surrounding Rhône/ Alps region • Open-fl oor trade show with specialized European suppliers not found at U.S. shows

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International Destination Expo D Lyon, France D April 12-16, 2008 8 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM Snapshots THE MONTH IN REVIEW

ATS New Board of Directors and Strategic Plan At the American Tourism Society 2007 Annual Meeting and Conference held in the Lower Silesia region of Poland the ATS Board at the recommenda - tion of the Nominating Committee elected David Parry Chairman of the Board, and Phil Otterson as President. During the meeting, Phil Otterson dis - cussed ATS’s new Strategic Plan which features Pictured left to right Newly elected ATS Board of Directors from Left: Don membership development, new partnerships, educa - Reynolds, Knut Haenschke, Jan Rudomina, David Parry, Stephen Barneby (Deputy tion, marketing and media relations. Consul General, US Consulate, Krakow, Poland), Robert Whitley, Phil Otterson, Visit: www.americantourismsociety.org . David Spinelli. Missing Donna Flora and Helena Novak, Alex Harris, Michael Stolowitzky and H. E. Senator Akel Biltaji.

2007 USTOA Annual Conference The Annual USTOA Conference & Marketplace was held on December 2-4, 2007 at the Gran Meliá Cancún, in Cancún Mexico. This annual con - ference brings together USTOA member tour operators with suppliers from across the globe for 3 days of meetings and social events. Next year's conference will be held in Palm Desert, CA. December 3-5. Pictured standing from left iare Kevin Eaken, Treasurer, President, Travel Connection and Bronwyn Wil - son, Secretary, President, Australian Pacific Touring; seated (left to right) are John Stachnik, Vice-Chair - person, President, Mayflower Tours; Charlie Ball, Chairman, President, Princess Tours; Bob Whitley, President, USTOA.

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10 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM By Jad Davenport

CD B6II:G L=6I 8A6HH NDJÉG: ;AN>C< >C! ISt’sRjustApastEsunrLise a:ndWtogeatherywithBa huendryed oBnuttedry lightillhumineatesBthe oinbion-slheaped Bdomees ofltthe ISotRher tAourisEts I’mLpe:rchWed oan tyhe crBest oef thye oRusnsiandOrthtodohx CehurchBof Sit.bMarlyeMagBdaleneinltht e Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. We’ve foreground before melting through a Jewish cemetery come to this panoramic point for the spectacular below the Roman walls, and eventually creeping up the NDJÉAA 7: JEpilgrimage that takes in the Golden City, the legendary lands of the LZÉgZ egdjY id ^cigdYjXZ cZl hZVih! cZl ZciZgiV^cbZci VcY cZl bZVa dei^dch Galilee and the mystical ramparts of Masada. Why? dc djg WgVcY cZl hiViZ"d["i]Z"Vgi 7dZ^c\ ,,,h# Because I’ve discovered something innovative travel agents already know. There’s much more to Israel beyond the Bible Belt.

The Negev, Flower in the Desert Heading south from Tel Aviv a few days later, it’s obvi - ous there’s no escaping that this sliver of land wedged at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa is mostly desert. I’m bound for the Red Sea town of Eilat, about a four hour drive south, but first I must cross the Negev Desert (Hebrew for “parched”). Israel’s largest desert, it occupies more than 60 percent of the country from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the north to the resort town of Eilat on the Red Sea in the South. :A 6A ^h egdjY id VccdjcXZ ild cZl 7dZ^c\ ,,, V^gXgV[i dc djg JH6 id >hgVZa Beyond the dramatic landscape of Navajo-red stone gdjiZ# I]ZhZ hiViZ"d["i]Z"Vgi V^gXgV[i ZmZbea^[n djg Xdci^cjZY Xdbb^ibZci id towers and shaded canyons, the biggest draw are the Bedouin people. Beersheva, a Bedouin town of ^ccdkVi^dc VcY eVhhZc\Zg Xdb[dgi# ;ZVijg^c\ l^YZ! heVX^djh XVW^ch! eZghdcVa 200,000 just two hours south of Tel Aviv has colorful Y^\^iVa ZciZgiV^cbZci hnhiZbh Vi ZkZgn hZVi VcY ^begdkZY bZVa dei^dch! :A 6A ]Vh markets complete with camels and souvenir shop - je\gVYZY i]Z [an^c\ ZmeZg^ZcXZ ^c ZkZgn XaVhh d[ hZgk^XZ# ;dg bdgZ ^c[dgbVi^dc! XVaa ping opportunities. The markets, only held on Thurs - jh Vi -%%"''("+,%% dg k^h^i lll#ZaVa#Xdb day mornings, offer a fascinating glimpse into this mysterious culture and a people who have long sur - vived in a harsh land. There’s no market today, so I hook up with Adam Sela, owner of Challenging I=: BDHI CDCHIDE ;A><=IH ID I:A 6K>K ;GDB C:L NDG@ ?;@$C:L6G@ 6C9 I=: DCAN Experience (www.adamsela.com ), one of several CDCHIDEH ;GDB ADH 6C<:A:H 6C9 B>6B>! >C 699>I>DC ID CDCHIDE ;A><=IH ;GDB IDGDCID lll#ZaVa#Xdb dozen operators who offer Bedouin cultural tours.

12 JANUARY 2008 WWW.J AXFAX. COM Sela shakes his Israel boasts coastlines along four seas. View of Tel Aviv from Old Jaffa tour rappelling dive shops are also far more strin - Masada fortress a pleasant resort atmosphere with head when I down the sheer gent here than across the border. palm-lined streets, shopping malls, describe what I sides of the Snorkelers and divers will find easy and more than a dozen high-rise envision–robed crater rim. beach-access to almost all the dozen hotels many with prime sandy men sipping tea Sun, Salt, Sand marked dive sites between Eilat and beachfront on the sea. in goat-hair tents, and Seas the Egyptian border crossing. Locals and tourists flock to these tasseled camels Eilat is a pur - Together with The Dolphin Reef waters for their reputed healing pow - hitched to palm pose-built resort Eilat (www.dolphinreef.co.il ) dive ers. The brine supposedly draws out trees. “That’s Hol - town on Israel’s shop, I spend two days exploring impurities from the body and the lywood,” he five-mile slice of small bommies covered with soft high concentrations of bromine are laughs as we pull coastline on the corals and clouded with schools of supposed to ease anxiety and leave into a modern Red Sea. Israel fairy basslets. We even dive the the bather with a feeling of deep Bedouin commu - technically wreck of a Russian missile boat, one relaxation. Even King Herod and nity. The tents are prefabricated homes, the camels have boasts coastlines along four seas – The Galilee, and the of several accessible wrecks just offshore. Divers and Cleopatra are said to have soaked in the warm water. been swapped for Toyota Land Cruisers and the patriarch famous trio of the Dead, the Med (Mediterranean) and nondivers alike will enjoy a visit to the Underwater The Golden Tulip Inn an all-inclusive resort, is one of has traded his traditional black robe for jeans and a T- the Red. While the other three have their own charms, Observatory Marine Park (www.coralworld.com ), an the nicer properties in the area and has prime beach - shirt. We sip coffee made from beans pounded in an old for a taste of tropical water and sandy beaches, none can aquarium which looks straight out into the Red Sea from front. When I slip into the warm water, I’m surprised at howitzer shell casing while our host shares stories of the match the Red Sea. a subaquatic tower. how buoyant I am (the sea is 10 times saltier than the Bedouin’s culture and history. For a more photogenic – The hub of seaside tourism, the town of Eilat is a jum - Deep Diving ocean), able to float easily on my back with my hands and less genuine – experience, says Sela, visitors can bled affair of high-rise Las Vegas-inspired hotels and I dive even deeper at my next stop, the Dead Sea. At and feet out of the water. seek out special tourist camps where the Bedouin wear shopping malls. The deluxe Dan Eilat Hotel, is a quiet 1,300 feet below sea level, this is the lowest dry-land Doubles start at $198. Visit www.fattal-hotels- costumes, live in tents and camels are abundant. oasis with its own private beach access. Doubles start at point on the planet. It also happens to be one of the israel.com/golden_tulip.htm Around lunchtime we stop off at Sde Boker site of $298. Call 800-223-7773 ; www.danhotels.com country’s leading health retreats. Most of the resorts are Later that afternoon I head to the resort’s spa where David Ben-Gurion’s home and grave, now a museum While often overshadowed by the spectacular diving gathered around Ein Bokek near the southern arm of the Eastern European clinicians happily slather me up with which charts the birth of the modern state of Israel, and further south on the Sinai in Egypt, Israel’s diving in this sea and are only a 30-minute drive from Masada (or an dark chocolate mud and leave me to sweat out any drive down into Maktesh Ramon, a massive crater, section of the Red Sea – the Gulf of Aqaba – is mellower. hour and a half from Jerusalem). Built on the ruins of an impurities. The wrap is followed by a quick, chilly rinse where Sela takes me on a short geologic hike up a dry There are virtually no currents and every dive is just a ancient Roman fortress between the rugged Judean and then another warm soak in the Dead Sea. wadi. Far above, I can see tourists on an adventure day Frisbee toss from the beach. Safety standards at local Desert and the hazy blue of the Dead Sea, Ein Bokek has From April to October the weather can be scorching,

14 JANUARY 2008 WWW.J AXFAX. COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 15 so your clients will probably spend Western Galilee: Karmiel Dance Festival. sank from repeated earthquakes. On most of their time enjoying spa treat - my last morning there, I strap on a ments or cooling off in the sea. For pair of fins, don a mask and pop a more intrepid travelers hotels can snorkel in my mouth and set off to EL AL’s Premium Service arrange jeep trips to the nearby Flour visit this miniature Atlantis by follow - Cave (so called for the white dusting ing along shallow marked underwa - By Maria Lisella left on visitors). ter trails leading to piles of collapsed pore Airlines, for example.” AAdvantage miles on EL AL flights. The North Coast: Caesarea Roman columns, half-buried cobbled The decision affected other Under the proposed codeshare, Caesarea, a former Roman breakwaters and even ancient aspects of the carrier namely the American would place its AA des - colony and Crusader port roughly Phoenician anchors. level of service it would necessarily ignator code on EL AL flights to Tel halfway between Tel Aviv and That evening, I wander out along have to promise and deliver, the Aviv from New York John F. Haifa on the Mediterranean the breakwater where men are set - Offer Gat is a lucky man, a fact types of aircraft to acquire, the need Kennedy Airport (JFK), Los Ange - coast,has some of the finest – and ting up their fishing poles. Through that is not lost on him. Recently for a superior call center and on les, Miami and Newark, as well as least visited – archaeological ruins in the Middle East. the dark water I can barely make out the jumbled named CEO of EL AL in North board service such as the food and on EL AL fights to Tel Aviv from The only luxury hotel of note in the area is the Dan Roman pillars of the ancient sunken port I snorkeled ear - America, he realizes he has arrived beverage department have all been European gateways in London Caesarea it has the added benefit of an 18-hole golf lier in the day. Back toward shore a sweeping amphithe - at an opportune time. upgraded. With a large investment Heathrow, Paris, Madrid, Zurich course. Doubles start at $226. Call 800-223-7773 ; atre built by Herod the Great in 22 BC faces the sea. It’s “The past three years have been going into training and retraining, and Rome. www.danhotels.com not quite the stunning panorama that greeted me from an exciting time for us - we have Gat feels certain that privatization In turn, EL AL would place its LY I forego golf but spend a leisurely half day wander - the Mount of Olives – but it’s a glimpse of another side just accepted two new Boeing 777 raised morale in a way that enabled designator code on certain Ameri - ing the 13th-century Crusader city. Across a deep of Israel just as ancient and intriguing. And best of all, I aircraft into our fleet, and we entire - its 3,000-plus employees to renew can Airlines domestic flights out of moat, through a stone gatehouse and behind mas - have the view all to myself. ly renovated our First and Platinum their pride in the carrier’s image. EL AL's North American gateways sive fortress walls built by King Louis IX of France is a Getting There Business Class Lounges at JFK, we “We went from serviceable to -- JFK, Miami, Los Angeles, maze of narrow streets and markets punctuated by Delta began nonstop daily flights from Atlanta last created a state-of-the-art business extremely comfortable and the Newark and Toronto. El Al would keeps and towers. The ancient lives that once played year and will operate new nonstop daily service from center in tandem with Bank Leumi changes are not just in the front also codeshare on American's out here are brought to life for me later in the after - JFK in March, 2008. El Al has just announced a code - there as well,” he said. cabins --First and Business Class - flights between the U.S. and Lon - noon at the refurbished Time Tower on the main pier. share with American Airlines, Continental and Israir At presstime, EL AL announced es, but includes the comfort of the don Heathrow, Paris, Madrid, There, in a museum, hologram characters detail their For more information, contact the Israel Ministry of that it had applied to the Israeli passengers in the back of the Zurich and Rome. port’s history as part of an interactive display. Tourism , 888-774-7723 ; www.goisrael.com Ministry of Transportation for plane as well.” Additional Cities Hidden beneath the glassy green water of the harbor For consolidator airfares and tour packages to authorization to begin a codeshar - Among the newest services is the From North America, EL AL pas - are the ruins of Herod’s ancient port which collapsed and Israel see page L20-L21 of the Listings Section. ing agreement with American Air - door-to-door luggage and check-in sengers can fly nonstop to Israel lines , while American Airlines has service from travelers’ homes to the from five airports which are New simultaneously applied to the U.S. terminal, a service that is currently York (JFK/Newark), Los Angeles, IISSRRAAEELL NNEEWW SS Department of Transportation only available in Israel; “We plan to Miami and Toronto. With the new Skylink Holidays announces 2008 brochure U.S.-Israel Tourism Soars (DOT). EL AL’s codeshare with extend this service in the U.S. as codesharing agreement, EL AL Delta ended but the carrier main - well,” Gat said. and American Airlines passengers SKY LINK HOLIDAYS US is about to launch its new “About 40% more Americans visited Israel in July tains interline agreements with At this time, EL AL plans to retain will have the option to depart from 2008 brochure, GO ISRAEL USA , featuring the Best of 2007, and 60% more in August 2007, over the same United and Continental . its First Class cabin, although there 23 additional destinations through - Israel–a variety of exciting vacations. months of 2006”, says Arie Sommer, Israel's Prior to the announcement, EL AL is a trend among many carriers to out North America, making it According to recent studies, one of the growing Tourism Commissioner for North and South Ameri - reported that its revenues had retain two-class service. much easier to connect to their motivations to travel is faith, following roots of religion ca . “there is very real and solid progress in building increased by a record 27% in the Codeshare Advantages nonstop EL AL flight to/from and Heritage. Israel, according to these studies, is one tourism to Israel from the U.S.A.” he adds. third quarter of 2007, totaling about Upon approval of the codeshar - Israel. These additional codeshar - of the most desirable destinations world-wide. “We project the number of Americans visiting Israel $567 million compared to $447 mil - ing agreement EL AL and Ameri - ing cities include Atlanta, Boston, In Israel, history lies near modern, vibrant cities. Skylink in 2007 to be 525,000," says Sommer. lion in the same quarter last year. can Airlines passengers in North Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dal - programs include a variety of tours with different inter - This summer, the Ministry of Tourism started an $11 Further the carrier reported its net America will have many more las/Ft Worth, Denver, Honolulu, ests. They have “Classical” tours introducing Israel to million advertising campaign in the United States profit rose to $41.2 million this quar - options to fly to/from Israel, with Las Vegas, Memphis, Montreal, first timers. Other tours focus on new angles for return designed to tell Americans, “ You'll love Israel from ter, compared to a net profit of $1.4 added convenience and flexibility. Orlando, Pittsburg, Portland (Ore - travelers. Israel- has it all. It is the source for three the first ‘Shalom ’.” www.goisrael.com million in the third quarter of 2006. The codeshare is the most com - gon), Raleigh/Durham, San Diego, monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity & Islam). Go Impact of Privatization prehensive and broadest agree - San Francisco, San Jose (CA), Israel vacations can be based on different accommoda - Skiing in Israel Back in 2003, EL AL ventured on ment between EL AL and any Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Vancou - tions, offering luxurious five stars hotels, or beautiful, At the very northern tip of Israel, its mild Mediter - the road to privatization, a move that other carrier and the move further ver and Washington, D.C. centrally located first-class accommodations. All hotels ranean, desert and sub-tropical climates give way to was both controversial and neces - signifies just how important the The codeshare will also enable are included in the price, with Israeli breakfast daily, sight - Mount Hermon, with the snow coverage and the dry, sary to compete in the global mar - North American market is to the EL AL passengers to fly to or from seeing, touring by luxury coach, tour guide, airport trans - cold conditions that make an ideal ski resort. ketplace. On a strategic level, Gat carrier and to the destination. Israel nonstop, one way, and fers and services of a professional tour director. There At 6,000 feet high Mount Hermon, has nearly 28 explained, “It forced us to decide American and EL AL already have choose a stopover in one of the are options to add on more destinations, such as Jordan, miles of ski runs. Ski package deals including lodging what kind of airline we really wanted a frequent flyer program relation - many EL AL European gateway Egypt and Turkey. at bed-and-breakfast accommodations, passes and to be and we concluded: we want ship. American's AAdvantage cities in the other direction. Call 866-483-5702 or visit www.goisraelusa.com equipment rental. Visit www.skihermon.co.il to be a premium carrier like Singa - members may earn or redeem Call 800-223-6700 ; www.elal.com

16 JANUARY 2008 WWW.J AXFAX. COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 17 DESTINATION AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST DESTINATION AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

BEST BUYS IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS $ MOROCCO Air Mauritus Expands Gateway Service 239 9 Gutsy Women sells Magical Moroc - As of October 28, 2007 Air Mauritius operates sixteen Morocco’s Vision co. Participants explore Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Beni weekly flights from Terminal 2F of Paris' Roissy Charles Mellal, Ouirgane, and Marrakesh. Participants visit De Gaulle Airport. Nine flights are operated by Air Mauri - Blends Millions in Dollars & Visitors the souks; artisans in leather tanning and carpet tius and seven by our code-share partner Air France. by Beth D’Addono weaving shops; relax in hamman steam baths; dine Air Mauritius has interline ticketing with United Airlines at a gourmet restaurant run by a women's coopera - and Air Canada agreements to offer seamless and com - achid Maaninou has his work cut out for side resorts. In all, some $40 billion in investment is tive; participate in a henna ceremony. Air-inclusive petitive connections from N. America through its various him.The director of the Morocco National committed to Morocco over the next two decades. program departs New York, Feb. 1, 2008 with three European gateways. Regional destinations include Nairo - Tourist Office (MNTO), reopening (the office Luxury Coming on Line nights at the Kenzi Farah in Marrakesh; two nights bi, Seychelles, Antananarivo, Reunion, Rodrigues, Cape spent a few years in Florida) in New York this Also in the works are several resort complexes: each at the La Tour Hassan Meridien in Rabat and Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Dubai; in Asia: Mel - month, is concentrating his attention – and Kerzner International, the force behind Atlantis in the the Royal Mirage in Fez and one night at the Chems bourne, Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Rabout 10 percent of a $90 million budget – on wooing Bahamas and Dubai, is working on the first phase of Le Tazerkount in Beni Mellal. Priced from $2,399 per Kong; in India: New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. In American tourists from the Northeast to Morocco. After the Mazagan, an $830 million project in El Jadida, 25 person double including land and air from New York. Europe, non-stop service from Port Louis/Mauritius, seeing U.S. tourism plummet by half immediately fol - miles from Casablanca to open in 2009. Call 866-464-8879 ; www.gutsywomentravel.com include London, Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Munich, Frank - lowing 9-11, from 120,000 to 60,000, the country’s Located in the beach town of Essaouira, west of furt, Rome and Vienna. Madrid will be added in 2008. proactive tourism initiative is fighting back. Marrakech, Mogador Essaouira will offer golf, a spa, $ EGYPT Call Air Mauritius at 800-537-1182 or SITA World at With less than three years left in the Vision 2010 10 hotels and villas with 6,800 beds opening 491 9 An all-inclusive, 9-night “Legends of 212-279-6601; www.sita.com tourism expansion program, new development is pro - between 2009 and 2012. the Nile” tour package, offered by AHI International Corporation, hits all of the hot buttons. Included in ceeding at a breakneck pace. The numbers tell the Taghazout is a $2 billion complex near Agadir that Ramada Debuts in Dubai January, 2008 story – American visits to Morocco have increased to will include 18,000 beds, with the first hotel opening the price of $4,919 per person double departing from 100,000 as of 2006. And the MNTO hopes to double in July, 2009, and completion by 2016. Five-star New York or Newark is round-trip airfare, round-trip Malta-based Corinthia Hotels International signed a that figure by 2010 as part of its “10 million tourists brands include Four Seasons , Raffles and Fairmont . motorcoach transfers between the airport and hotels. long-term management agreement with Golden Sands by 2010” campaign. Royal Air Maroc will increase its Set in the Sahara dunes south of Agadir, Plage Included, too, are flights within Egypt. For detials call Hotel Co. LLC to operate the 371-all-suite Ramada Hotel nonstop JFK-Casablanca service to 10 flights weekly, Blanche plans 19,500 beds in four and five star 800-323-7373 or visit www.ahitravel.com & Suites Jumeirah Beach set to open this month. The with plans to fly twice daily in 2008. Visitors can also hotels, along with an 18-hole golf course, shopping, complex features restaurants and retail outlets close fly through any major European hub. spa. The first hotel will open in 2012. $ SOUTH AFRICA proximity to Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and “We’re concentrating our energies on targeting the South of Tangiers in the city of Larache, Lixus is 548 0 Animals are the focus in Grandtravel’s Emirates Golf Club. www.ramada.com sophisticated traveler,” said Maaninou. “We’re not named for a Phoenician archaeological site. Virgin “Safari in South Africa” including three nights at Kapama interested in the mass market, from Europe or the beaches, dunes and rolling hills set the stage for Private Game Reserve, two nights at Sabi Sands , with Biker Girls in South Africa U.S.” Although Western Europe is its primary audi - 12,000 upscale hotel rooms, a marina, an equestrian day and night safaris, and visiting with native youngsters Camp Jabulani, the deluxe lodge near Kruger National ence, Morocco is also targeting untapped populations center, the first hotel will open in 2009. at the Thulumahasha Children’s Home; deluxe accom - Park has teamed with Harley On Safari Rentals and in Scandinavia, Russia, China and Japan. The efforts Expanded Hotel Offerings modations with private bath, most meals, transportation, Tours to create the ultimate girlfriend getaway. Price, are paying off. Overall tourism numbers have risen Additionally, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and admission to all attractions and events, professional tour with a minimum of four persons, is $5,062 pp double from four million in 2002 to 6.6 million in 2006. boutique Fouquet’s Barrière will open in Marrakech manager, a Grandtravel Activity Director. Rates are per night including Harley-Davidson rental, transfers, By the Sea, By the Sea by 2008. The first of eight planned resorts across $6,995 double for all, $5,480 triple for children. Call 800- hotels and more. Visit www.campjabulani.com While cultural tourism has been Morocco’s main - Morocco by Cuban American Christian Rivadalla, 247-7651 ; www.grandtrvl.com stay, drawing visitors to the ancient medinas and Octagone Terra Resort and Spa features 52 luxury souks of Marrakech and Fez, the country’s sizeable suites located in 20 villa complexes, 17 starting at 2,200-mile coastline has remained undeveloped. about $400 a night. Luxury Riads, like the newly That’s changing, thanks to the MNTO’s Azur Plan, opened Riad Meriem in Marrakech, owned by Man - joint ventures with foreign developers that will deliver hattan designer, Thomas Hays, appeal to people look - six full-scale seaside resorts, and 130,000 hotel and ing for cultural authenticity. villa beds by 2010. More European than African, Morocco is historically The first to open in early 2009 is the Mediterrania one of the most diverse of Muslim nations. To most Saidia, with nine hotels, 30,000 beds, a 12-mile board - first time visitors, the cosmopolitan nature of the walk, spas and three golf courses. Less than 40 min - country will undoubtedly surprise. utes from the Angad Oujda airport, Mediterrania Saidia For more information, contact the Moroccan is a two-hour flight from most European capitals. Tourist Office , E-mail [email protected]; New highways and a proposed high-speed train www.visitmorocco.org between Tangier and Marrakech, will facilitate move - For consolidator airfares and tour packages to ment between Morocco’s major cities and the sea - Morocco see page L42 of the Listings Section

18 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 19 DESTINATION CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA DESTINATION CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA

BEST BUYS $ ANGUILLA tic Escape is priced at $5,200 and is based on double 304 0 Cap Juluca, the luxurious award-winning occupancy and subject to tax and service charge. Anguilla’s Winter hotel on Anguilla, is offering its four-night Quick Getaways The package is valid from January 7 thru January 27, for 2008. Beachfront accommodation range from $3,040- 2008. For stays from January 28 thru March 31, 2008 $7,375 per couple. Besides the beachfront accommoda - - there is a surcharge of $150 per night plus tax and Curtain Call tion, rates include four dinners for two at Pimms, Kemia service charge. If available, this escape can also be or George's restaurant or from room service; transfers to upgraded to a Hillside Cottage Suite from January 7 hether seeking the exclusivity of the stars or an Call 264-497-8888 ; E-mail, [email protected] ; and from the airport or ferry terminal in Anguilla; a half-day thru March 31, 2008. The Hillside Cottage Suite fea - affordable retreat, Anguilla’s stunning beaches, www.kokoonvillas.com snorkeling trip (Tuesdays or Thursdays); welcome platter tures a private infinity edge plunge pool and sun - scrumptious food and laidback luxury provide the New Luxury Accommodations on arrival; 10% government tax and 10% service charge. bathing deck for an additional charge of $150 per perfect getaway for winter travelers. Topaz Villa overlooking Road Bay is now open for short and From Jan. 4-March 31, 2008, Quick Getaway rates range night. Call 268-562-5500 ; E-mail W Save the Date for the 18th annual Moonsplash long-term guests. Inspired by the luxurious spa villas of Thai - from $5,115-$7,375 per couple, depending on type of [email protected] ; www.hermitagebay.com Reggae Festival set for March 27-30, 2008, hosted by land, this 3 bedroom 3.5-bath property features an exclusive accommodation; from April 1-30 and Nov. 16- Dec. 17, Anguilla’s own musical ambassador Bankie Banx at his 3rd level spa/sun deck, spacious entertainment lounge that 2008, $3,610-$4,640; and from May 1-Nov. 15, 2008, TOBAGO ultra-funky Dune Preserve beach club and concert venue on $ opens to deck and infinity edge pool with panoramic views. $3,040-$3,995. Other plans offered for 2008 include and The Palms Villa Resort offers guests a the shores of Rendezvous Bay. Reggae fans would be hard 450 MBR suite includes whirlpool tub and outdoor shower. Taste - four golf options with play at the 18-hole, par 72 Greg lavish oasis. Features include three oversized bed - pressed to find a better combination of talented artists and fully appointed with authentic Thai furniture and decorations unforgettable setting than this annual extravaganza, all Norman Temenos Golf Club, just minutes from Cap Julu - rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and throughout, Topaz Villa is perfect for holidays, corporate ca. Call 888-858-5822 ; [email protected] indoor/outdoor spaces including a dining area, living under the glorious light of an Anguillan full moon. The retreats, or long-term stays. Visit www.topazvilla.com . room and spacious kitchens. Set on a 10-acre estate, extraordinary lineup will soon be announced. Sand Castle at Limestone Bay --- A beachside 10,000 sq. ANTIGUA only minutes from palm-lined beaches and national Special Packages ft. 4 bedroom villa on the north shore with magnificent views $ Hermitage Bay is a new resort locat - parks. Rates begin at $450 per night for up to four “Sherotica” Package at the new Luxury Boutique Villa of the Atlantic Ocean. Grand Master bedroom with ensuite 520 0 Hotel, Sheriva at Sheriton Estates . Special week for lovers bathroom with a bathtub and private outdoor shower and a ed in Antigua and consists of 25 private, secluded guests. Valid Jan. 4, 2008 – Dec. 18, 2008. Visit includes: seven nights in a Grand Villa Pool Suite; Sensual large balcony overlooking the beach, and an ensuite fitness and spacious Cottage Suites. The Four Night Roman - www.thepalmstobago.com Sherotica welcome basket, daily continental breakfast, centre. Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and a large afternoon cocktails and canapés; two champagne dinners balcony overlooking the sea. There are large areas for out - for two; private picnic on a deserted beach; one-day car door entertaining around the infinity pool or the Gazebo with rental; a sunrise couples yoga or aquaerobics session; two its BBQ and beach views, and a television room with com - sunset couples massages; Sheriva Lovers Collection CD; puter area just off the Great Room. Nightly winter rates are photo memento; government tax and service charge. $1,900 - $2,750. www.sandcastleanguilla.com. earlier bird Priced at $7,200 per couple for the entire week. Call 011- Tequila Sunrise Villa at Dropsey Bay is a three-bedroom 264 498 9898 ; [email protected] ; www.sheriva.com villa on a secluded bay on the southern shore of Anguilla, CuisinArt Resort & Spa’s AAA Four Diamond Award Win - overlooking the Caribbean and the mountains of St. Martin. ning Santorini Restaurant launches a special “Chefs Table” Each master bedroom suite has an over-sized full bathroom earlier birdie for the winter season. Executive Chef Denise Carr will host ensuite, king size bed, large HD TV, air conditioning, private a Chefs Table in their restaurant’s Private Dining Room. The patio, and many spectacular amenities. The ultra-modern With two new American Eagle flights daily* exclusive experience will feature a six course menu that kitchen, dining room, and 22' ceiling Great Room with 45" HD from San Juan - landing at 3:10 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. - you could incorporates the freshest of ingredients from the resort’s Plasma TV, are designed with luxury and entertainment in be basking on one of our pristine beaches or playing our spectacular new own Hydroponic Farm and Organic gardens. All courses are mind. The large infinity swimming pool is surrounded on Greg Norman 18 hole championship golf course by 4:00 p.m. ! paired with specially selected wines from the resort’s cellar. three sides with lounging and relaxation areas, and on the $145 p.p. every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. fourth side by the beach and ocean with breathtaking views Last Spring, Venus Spa was expanded at a cost of $7 mil - of St. Martin, St, Barths. Winter rates: $1,450 - $2,000. Visit lion with a 19,000 square-foot addition which tripled the www.tequilasunrisevilla.com . facility. The new space includes an exclusively designed Villa Astoria, a new 3500 sq. ft. immaculately appointed Thalasso Pool for hydrotherapy, sixteen peaceful treatment three-bedroom villa in the Little Harbour area with magnifi - rooms, yoga and Pilates studios and state-of-the-art Techno - cent views of the Caribbean and St. Martin. Five minute walk Gym equipment. Call 800-943-3210 ; reserva - to a secluded beach. A master suite with bathroom overlook - Call American Eagle or The Anguilla Tourist Board at [email protected]; www.cuisinartresort.com ing the beautifully landscaped pool area, and two bedrooms 877 4 Anguilla or visit www.anguilla-vacation.com. Kamique Little Harbour is offering introductory rates at with kitchen. Rates range from $700-$1,500. Call 264-497- its three villas where a personal concierge is on call to 6049 ; [email protected] ; www.astoriavilla.com arrange for your clients’ every need -- catered dining on the Call the Anguilla Tourist Board , 877-4 ANGUILLA ; * Daily flights from San Juan to Anguilla leave at 2:00 p.m. & 8:55 p.m. Returning flights depart Anguilla at 8:15 a.m. & 3:40 p.m. American Eagle features ATR 72 turbo-prop beach; spa treatments on your private garden terrace; and www.anguilla-vacation.com aircraft with a capacity for 64 passengers. Flight times are subject to variation. Anguilla offers no specific guarantee for departure or arrival times. activities. Introductory rates are being offered for the four For consolidator airfares and tour packages to Anguilla and six-bedroom villas starting at under $12,000 per week. see page L24 of the Listings Section

20 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 21 DESTINATION CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA DESTINATION CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA

nesses (if needed) priced at $1,399 per couple, which is upon arrival; one manicure for the bride; one Couple’s Mas - Lovebird Strategies for Wedding Planning added on to the cost of the room. sage for the bride and groom; sunset cruise the day follow - Once “officially” hitched, newlyweds can honeymoon at ing the wedding; Best Man, Maid of Honor and witness; ith the advent of inexpensive air travel, and to have: passports, birth certificates and/or a dri - the resort with the Island Bliss Package. Starting at $3,725 fees for marriage license and priest or magistrate; Embassy the ease with which the internet allows ver’s license with photograph; if necessary, per couple, this seven-night package includes beachfront signing fees; and roundtrip transfers for signing documents. contact with a multitude of more exot - original Decree Absolute for parties who are accommodations with a view of the picturesque Caribbean Call 800-44-UTELL ; E-mail [email protected] ; ic venues, agents can access many divorced, Marriage and Death Certificates in Sea from the balcony; tropical flowers; chocolate-dipped www.spiceislandbeachresort.com variations on traditional weddings. In the case of a widow or widower, or certifi - fruit; a chilled bottle of champagne and two souvenir flutes Paradisus Resorts are located in some of the most spec - mWany cases, arrangements may be more cate of Deed Poll in the case of a name in-room upon arrival; full breakfast, lunch and dinner, with all tacular and sought-after beachfront destinations throughout relaxed and less stressful for the couple, change. A notarized affidavit of consent dining a la carte; unlimited drinks including premium brands the Caribbean and Mexico. The Chill-Out Chic - Designer and because the weddings may of necessi - signed by both parents is required for any - and house wine; $50 resort credit to be spent as the couple Wedding and Reception Package, which is for up to 20 ty be smaller, the wedding may also be less one under age 18,” says King. The 2008 wishes; his and her half-hour massages; and a three-course guests, features a symbolic ceremony with a non-denomi - expensive. Usually the destination wedding Dream Wedding Package starts at $699. A dinner for two, wine included, at the Lobster Grille are national minister, a bouquet for the bride and boutonnière location also becomes the honeymoon site, $10 fee for a wedding certificate is required by among the options. Call 800-524-4746; E-mail r eserva - for the groom, up to 8 bottles of sparkling wine for toast, further enhancing the profit potential of the wed - the Antiguan government, other restrictions [email protected] ; www.bolongobay.com basic ceremony set-up, in-room bottle of red, white or ding destination, honeymoon markets. apply. Wedding extras from digital photography or a Described as “ Uncomplicated, Unencumbered, Unfor - sparkling wine on the night of the ceremony for the couple, As destination weddings and honeymoons continue to DVD/video to a steel band can be arranged at additional gettable,” the intimate 76-room, all-inclusive Mango Bay 10% discount on spa services (not including products), late increase in popularity, hotels and resorts are embracing the cost. Couples can also reach Beverly King at the resort Barbados offers a host of romantic ingredients for the 4 p.m. check-out, romantic turn-down, 1/2 hour post-cere - trend by introducing packages, and in some cases, resorts (268-462-0061, fax: 268-562-2302) or a fill out the “Wed - soon-to-be-betrothed. Starting at $600 per couple, added on mony cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres and sparkling and invest in appointing full-time wedding planners to attend to ding Information Request Form” on the Jolly Beach web - to the price of a room, Mango Bay’s wedding package fea - still waters, buffet table, fruit juices spiked with vodka, coco details on site and further lay claim to their market share. site. Call 866-905-6559 ; www.jollybeachresort.com or tures the personalized services of a wedding coordinator; rum or rum, (3 drinks per person), square, white wedding Since so many resorts hire full time wedding organizers and www.caribbean-weddings-honeymoons.com clergyman, administration and marriage license fees; cake, adorned with chocolate pearls. Package price ranges planners, agents do not have to be specialists in this market Promising a Star roundtrip transfers to obtain the marriage license; decora - from $2,550-$6,100, depending on destination. Additional and the Caribbean is positioned as a perennial source of As Almond Resorts gets set to debut its latest property tion of a wedding arch; boutonniere for the groom and wed - guests pay from $60 to $150 per person. profits for travel agents. on Dec. 15 – the new 289-room Almond Casuarina Beach ding bouquet for the bride; one bottle of champagne; and a Call 800-33MELIA ; www.paradisusresorts.travel Traditional tropical honeymoons remain fashionable Resort set on Dover Beach on the south coast of the island, one-tier, 12” light sponge cake with icing. Photography, because picturesque beaches, swaying palm trees and close to St. Lawrence Gap, after undergoing a $30 million steel band musicians, video and other features can be painted sunsets never lose their panache. Keeping pace, expansion and a complete refurbishing of the existing prop - added for an extra cost. Call 800-44-UTELL ; E-mail: reser - POINT VILLAGE though, with today’s ‘new’ newlywed, honeymoons also erty, the resort group on Barbados and St. Lucia are literally [email protected] ; For couples and families. come in all shapes, sizes and locations to meet this discrim - promising the stars to wedding clients. www.mangobaybarbados.com. e’ he villag inating and diverse market. The giveaways and the deals Through the International Star Registry, Almond Resorts The ultra-elegant 64-suite Spice Island Beach Resort in ge within t are as startling as are the endless amenities such as the will have a star in the firmament named after them to mark Grenada set on Grand Anse Beach, re-defines storybook ‘villa gril! he ds of Ne naming of a star for the couple in a constellation above, giv - the start of their lives together. weddings. Priced at $1,300 based on doubles, which is T the San ing them another reason to remain starry eyed. On their return home after the wedding, newlyweds will added on to the cost of a hotel stay, the package includes a on Jamaica: Prime location Following is a selection of wedding and honeymoon pack - receive a deluxe certificate indicating the constellation and tropically-decorated wedding arch located either on the overlooking Negril’s seven miles beach, a great ambiance and ages as well as enhancements help plan weddings at vari - the exact location of their special star within it. For the rest beach or among the gardens; one-tier wedding cake and as much (or little) to do as you could imagine! ous resorts in the Caribbean. of their lives, a clear night’s sky will always evoke memories bottle of champagne; bridal bouquet, hair piece (for the All inclusive packages or accommodation only. The Jolly Beach 2008 Dream Wedding Package includes of that perfect, balmy Caribbean day and will know that bride) and boutonniere (for the groom); 36 color photos Accommodations are in charming studios, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments personal attention from the resort’s wedding coordinator there’s one shining star out there, that will bear their (including negatives); hors d’oeuvres platter for six people; For rates & special packages call: Beverly King and her staff, the marriage license and legal names. Almond Resorts are now offering wedding arrange - room upgrade subject to availability; fruit basket in room 877-764-6852 fees, round-trip transportation to the Ministry of Justice in ments totally free of cost for couples who book a stay of a Email: [email protected] St. John’s to have the license issued, the services of a mar - week or more. At the same time, customized wedding Visit: www.pointvillage.com riage officer and witnesses if needed. There’s a bouquet for packages are available at all hotels in the resort chain, IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS the bride and a buttonhole for the groom, wedding cake, a Almond Beach Village, Almond Beach Club & Spa, Almond Lovebirds in the Air tray of hors d’oeuvres, fruit juice and a bottle of sparkling Morgan Bay, Almond Smugglers Cove and soon, at Almond wine to toast the future. Dream Wedding couples can Casuarina Beach Resort. Contact Naomi Lyttle, Almond Caribbean airline Air Jamaica , affectionately known as choose to have their ceremony at any location on the 40- Resorts’ Wedding Director,and her team at weddingdirec - “The Lovebird,” has pledged its troth to the Barbados acre property including two wedding gazebos — one on a [email protected] Call 800-4ALMOND ; Tourism Authority and its new site -- mile-long Caribbean-kissed beach, the other overlooking the www.almondresorts.com www.IDoBarbados.com -- which shows prospective brides resort’s fantasy pool with views of the Sea. With King, who Getting married at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is easy and grooms how to satisfy their wedding or honeymoon has been planning weddings on Antigua for almost 20 and affordable with the resort’s Paradise Wedding package needs. The new site makes planning and navigating a fun years, and her support staff, a couple can rest assured that features the services of a wedding coordinator and clergy - yet relaxing process. Air Jamaica is currently offering con - their wedding day will be hassle free. man; the ceremony; decorated arch; services of a profes - firmed upgrades to its Executive Business cabin for the “There is no residency requirement to be married in sional photographer; wedding album with 72 photographs bride and groom when 20 or more of their wedding party Antigua, but we require one working day prior to the cere - (4 x 6) with negative ownership; bouquet and boutonniere; guests travel to Barbados on Air Jamaica. mony to process the necessary documents. Couples need a bottle of premium champagne with flute glasses; and wit - www.idobarbados.com/deals_jamaica.php

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the Quito Visitors’ Bureau. Quito has been called myths of saints and sinners Traveling Mindfully in Ecuador “The Florence of Latin America.” depicted in portraits at San A New Generation of Tour Operators Augustin to the rites of the Afro- By Maria Lisella Z E

The spirit behind Ecuador’s marketing line, La Vita Pura Andean cultures to the joy of N I T R

he winds of change have caught fire in Ecuador . A

or Life at its Purest, has spawned a new generation of being a weekend chagra. M Z O E G N

From taxi drivers to guides to hacienderos I A I T tour operators with a consciousness far beyond making This year, Gentian will also add T R N A A M [hacienda owners] to chagras [cowboys] to the S

O a profit. Gentian Trails is among those operators that visits to the Workshop School G A I

condors being rehabilitated at Hacienda Zuleta – T

N offer authentic visions of the culture by getting travelers of Quito, which is housed in the Old Maternity Hospital, A there is a common knowledge that this is a spe - S as close to the life of an Ecuadorian as is possible during where students between 16 to 23 years old learn tradi - Tcial place that demands to be protected. some familiarity – Spanish is the official language, a week-long visit. Staying often at Haciendas -- Zuleta, tional stone and wood carving (old colonial style), furni - What makes Ecuador rich is its mix of indigenous English is widely spoken, the U.S. dollar is its curren - Cusin and Pinsaqui among the most well known -- each ture making, artistic gardening, tailoring and embroidery. and European cultures, its vestiges of feudal, colonial cy. The dollar goes a long way here – long enough to of which plays a part in the Sustainable Tourism theater. On a recent visit, visitors rode horses to the Condor pasts juxtaposed with a passion and a commitment take visitors to lunch of shrimp ceviche and pernil at “For 2008, we are promoting art tours that include vis - Huasi Project at Hacienda Zuleta . The riders included to preserve what is, in the face of what is to come. the Hotel Plaza Grande for about $10-$15. its to the home and workshop of the best painter in the descendant of no less than two former Presidents of Split by the Andean Mountain range, with a piece of This year, Quito celebrates its 30th anniversary as the Ecuador, Osvaldo Viteri; our clients love the place, as Ecuador, against the backdrop of the paramo, high-alti - coastline dotted with the dazzling Galapagos Islands first World Heritage Site city. “Quito is the Latin Ameri - Viteri also owns one of the finest colonial art collections tude grasslands for a visit with semi-captive condors. A and their peculiar population of sweet sea lions and can city that invests the most in its cultural heritage – in Ecuador,” said Santiago Martinez, president of Gen - scuffle in the cage announced the arrival of five condors tortoises traveling with their prehistoric homes on $40 million in 2006. With the dramatic changes for the tian, who along with Eleanora Ortiz are tourism veterans with six-foot wide wing spans lifted by the breezes their backs, a colonial capital city that is three hours better we’ve seen in our historic center – the largest in who decided to deliver their own vision of what is most below. Once nearly extinct, today there are about 75 from a steamy landscape of snow-capped volcanoes the Americas – tourism infrastructure has grown in important in Ecuador and for now, that includes more Andean condors dipping and gliding in Ecuadorian skies. and thermal pools such as the Termas de Papallacta , leaps and bounds. There are great new boutique hotels, than the Galapagos. Call the Ecuador Tourist Board at 800-328-2367 or visit a week in Ecuador can enhance one’s life. restaurants for every budget, restored churches, fasci - Martinez’s knowledge trickles down to the smallest www.ecuadortouristboard.com As the dollar weakens in Europe, Latin America nating museums and intriguing street life, according to” detail as a recipe for quinoa soup or the differences For consolidator airfares and tour packages to stands as an incredible alternative. Ecuador bears Cris tina Guerrero de Miranda, Executive Director of among the potatoes at the Otavalo food market to the Ecuador see page L29 of the Listings Section

ARGENTINA ECUADOR Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Quito, Galapagos Islands, Otavalo Patagonia PERU BRAZIL Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Manu Rio de Janeiro, Salvador-Bahia. Reserve Amazon CHILE Santiago, Torres del Paine, Ataca - ma BOLIVIA La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Santa Cruz

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BEST BUYS BEST BUYS IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS ECUADOR, PERU PERU $ SOUTH AMERICA $ $ Conrad Buenos Aires Debut in Argentina 295 0 Marnella Tours combines Ecuador’s 999 Sunny Land Tours’ 7 Days/6 Nights 899 5 Travcoa’s 16-day “Alluring South capital city of Quito and the Galapagos Islands with "Peru Express" tour is undoubtedly the most econom - America” Escorted Journey through Brazil, Argentina Hilton Hotels Corporation , G&D Developers and Peru’s city of Cusco and Machu Picchu in a 10-day ical tour offering to Peru in 2008. Including air from and Chile takes travelers from white sand beaches to Grupo Farallón signed on the Conrad Buenos Aires, tour priced at $2,950 per person double for land Miami and Economy hotels the tour visits Lima with thundering waterfalls and from cosmopolitan cities to the luxury brand’s first management agreement in arrangements only. Discount airfares are available a 2 nights' stay and Cusco with 4 nights hotel stay the rugged landscape of Patagonia. From $8,995 per South America. Located in Puerto Madero, this will with Marnella’s partner airlines. and provides all transfers; touring activities in Lima person, double, includes deluxe accommodations, all be the Hilton Family’s second property in the expand - The adventure begins in one of the oldest continu - and Cusco; daily breakfast and optional excursions to meals, excursions, the personal services of a profes - ing district and its fourth development in Argentina, ously inhabited cities in the western hemisphere. For Machu Picchu or Pisac Indian Market. sional Travel Director throughout the journey, airport and will include a hotel and residences. Construction the city of Cusco visit its major landmarks, the Cathe - Hotel upgrades to first class and Luxury hotels are transportation, luggage handling and gratuities. is planned to begin at the end of 2008 and comple - dral, Santo Domingo Church and the Plaza de Armas, available. Daily departure from Miami and other gate - Departs Feb. 13, 20 and 27; Oct. 1 and 22; Dec. 10, tion is scheduled for late 2010. The 196-guestroom but also the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-pucara, Tam - ways available with applicable airfare and seasonal 2008. Call 800-992-2005 ; www.travcoa.com Conrad Buenos Aires and 350-unit plus 5,411 resi - bomachay and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. supplements. New Peru 2008 brochure programs dences at the Conrad Buenos Aires will be a mixed- The program includes a train ride through the include: 8-Days "Taste Of Peru" visiting Lima, Cusco, $ MEXICO use complex. Hilton Hotels Corporation will operate Sacred Valley of Urubamba to Aguas Calientas and Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with several hotel 735 NWA WorldVacations features a line-up the hotel under the terms of a multi-year manage - the "Lost City” of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Visiting categories; Also less traveled routes in Peru visiting of optional tours in Riviera Nayarit so exceptional that ment agreement. Hilton Hotels Corporation currently the most remote and less visited excursion sites in Trujillo; Chan Chan; Chiclayo; Sipan with Cusco; it may be considered the best destination for nature manages the Hilton Buenos Aires in Puerto Madero. the Galapagos Islands, the tour concludes on board Machu Piccu and Lima. Other tour programs feature and adventure in all of Mexico and the Caribbean. The company will manage the Hilton Iguazu Resort the M/C Anahi, with the comfort of a stable, spa - the Bigham Luxury Hotels and Train; Nazca and Inca Round-trip airfare and four nights of all-inclusive scheduled to open in Iguazu Falls in late 2008, and cious, luxurious and fast catamaran built for Gala - Lines as well as Eco Lodges in the Amazonian Basin accommodations at Samba Vallarta, by Pueblo Boni - the Hilton Ushuaia in the southernmost city of the pagos travel. of Peru. Call 800-783-7839 or visit to start at $735. Or opt for another all-inclusive world, scheduled to open in 2009. Call 866-993-0033 ; E-mail i [email protected]; www.PeruHotDeals.com to view tour dates and option at Vallarta Palace and enjoy their Palace Pass - Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com www.marnellatours.com rates and to order brochures. port Promotion featuring select tours including horse - back riding, Sunset Cruise, Sea Life Park, and a city tour of neighboring Puerto Vallarta. When staying seven nights, guests receive complimentary swim with the dolphins. Call 800-800-1504 ; www.NWAWorldVacations.com

$ COLOMBIA 961 Tara Tours teams up to promote Barran - quilla, S. Marta and Cartagena with an 8 days-7 nights per person/double package from $961 Package includes: Round trip airfare from Miami to Barranquilla via American Airlines; 4 nights at Hotel Beach Resort Decameron Cartagena; 3 nights at Decameron Galeon; transfers on arrival & departure; transfer by car/van from Barranquilla-Santa Marta-Carta - gena-Barranquilla; city tour of Cartagena and city tour Santa Marta; all meals at any of the restaurants in both locations (breakfast & lunch are buffet style and a la carte dinners); unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic bev - erages; daily activities program; non motorized water sports (wind glider, kayaks, snorkeling and sailboats); beach towels, chairs volley; nightly entertainment; unlimited drinks at the discotheque; taxes & tips includ - ed. Not included: Insurance, airport departure taxes, fuel surcharges, security. Call for additional restictions. Pack - age is valid all year except from January 02 to Febru - ary 29 and from July 01 to August 20 for which dates there is an additional charge of $100 pp. Call 800-327-0080 or visit www.taratours.com

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Fishermen’s Bastion arcades. admire the one-mile stretch of Other carriers that touch down in Budapest Re-Emerges with Something to Celebrate By the Buda thoroughly urbane Andrássy Budapest via their own hubs For clients preferring Buda sur - Avenue, lined with mansions and include Lufthansa , Austrian Air - By Tom Bross roundings with much less touristic monumental public buildings, lines , Air France , British Airways , e all know that truly vernacular) determines loca - frenzy, you can confidently recom - restored to their 19th-century opu - CSA Czech Airlines and KLM and appealing, historic tion—either in flat Pest’s mend such four-star riverfront lence. Wrought-iron balustrades Swiss all have connections capital-city destina - commercial, cultural and properties as the Novotel Blue seen on this Parisian-style boule - through their European hubs, fly - tions are scattered government districts on the Danube (www.novotel-bud- vard frame stairways leading down ing from some 10 U.S. gateways. across Continental east side or over in hilly danube.hu ), the trendy-contempo - to stations on continental Europe’s Budapest’s gateway airport effi -

E rary German-conceived art’otel first subway line, operating since ciently handles an average of C EWurope. In many or perhaps I west-side Buda, dominated F F even most instances, our O by Hungary’s Royal Castle budapest (www.artotel.de) and— the millenium anniversary. 25,000 travelers daily. M S I for more traditional atmospherics Getting There Agents can rely on the R

thoughts tend to veer west - U and traversed by narrow O

T along with memorable Danube vis - Malev has suspended nonstop www.gotohungary.com website’s ward—to Paris and Brus - T streets laid out in the Middle S

E tas—the family-run, 27-room Hotel flights for the winter, in the mean - Budapest for an all-purpose travel- P

sels, for instance, also A Ages. D

Hungarian National Theater. U Victoria (www.victoria.hu ). time, its Oneworld partner Ameri - planning resource. Contents Madrid and Lisbon. Or mid - B While strolling around, I For Budapest at its cultural can Airlines services Budapest include sightseeing highlights, way, on a Berlin and Vien - officials announced a major tourism watched for still-remaining showiest, nothing beats each from New York via Zurich, and exchange rates, hotel rep listings, nese-Roman arc. Now, though, promotion called The Budapest Win - pockmarks left by bullets fired dur - year’s two-week Spring Festival, to/from Chicago ORD and Los online hotel reservations and let’s be timely by turning in an ter Invasion, which began December ing house-to-house combat—Dec. with #27 in the annual series com - Angeles LAX. Check-in facilities updated agents’ fam trips (for eastern direction, giving us an 1st and runs through March. The tar - 29th ‘44-Feb. 13th ’45—retreating ing March 14-30. For ticket and used by both airlines are in JFK’s arrangements, E-mail annew@ opportunity to focus on the attrac - get: boosting the city’s visitor total by German (and Hungarian) forces vs. schedule information, visit: Terminal 8. At the same time, famfacts.com ). tions of big, bountiful Budapest. 20,000 and increasing overnight the advancing Russian Red Army. www.festivalcity.hu. Crowds Delta continues to fly nonstop four For consolidator airfares and Timely? Of course. Hungary’s stays by 80,000. (Length of stays Then, for 18 days in autumn ’56, gather for art exhibitions, grand times/week during the winter. tour packages to Hungary see centuries-old metropolis has re- have averaged 2.7 nights in recent came the heroic Hungarian Revo - opera, ballet, National Philharmon - emerged from its four drab social - years, prompting an aim for higher lution—Budapest’s populace vs. ic orchestral and choral perform - ist decades in remarkably good numbers). Soviet troops and tanks. ances, chamber-music concerts, shape—thanks in no small part to Campaign organizers include the If the super-posh Four Seasons theatrical productions, folkloric extensive refurbishment, new con - Hungarian National Tourist Office proves too costly for their travel galas and jazz gigs in more than 50 struction, capitalist investments and national carrier Málev Airlines, budgets, visitors with five-star citywide venues. Those include— and noticeable expansion of visitor plus some four dozen properties tastes can pick centrally situated on the Pest side of the river—the amenities. affiliated with the Hotel Associa - alternatives in Pest. A 218-room Franz Lizst Academy of Music, In town for last summer’s cele - tion of Hungary. Involved, too, Le Meridien (www.lemeridien. 1884’s renowned Hungarian Opera brations marking yearly Hungarian with tie-in advertising on view in com ), splendidly converted from a House and the strikingly contem - National Day on August 20th, I its two expanded terminals: limestone police headquarters, porary Palace of Arts. eased into accommodations at the Budapest Ferihegy gateway air - opened for business in 2003, fol - Three UNESCO World Heritage riverview Four Seasons Gresham port. Visit lowed two years later by the mod - Palace (www.fourseasons.com ). www.budapestwinterinvasion.co ernistic Kempinski Corvinus Sites augment the capital’s prestige. A circa-1906 showpiece of fanciful m (www.kempinski-budapest.com ). Dominating a Buda promontory, Art Nouveau/Secessionist architec - Tell clients about the promotion’s A bit less central, in an upscale approached by an ornamental gate - ture and design, the war-damaged key element, whereby participat - neighborhood that’s walkably way, the castle complex includes the edifice underwent a four-year, ing hotels offer guests one addi - close to Heroe’s Square and vast Hungarian National Gallery and $130,000,000 restoration prior to tional free stay as a bonus for City Park, the Corinthia Grand evokes the old-time Austro-Hungari - reopening in 2004. every three they book. As expect - Hotel Royal an empire’s mightiness for sure-fire Winter Invasion ed, this cosmopolitan city contains (www.corinthiahotels.com ) dates World Heritage recognition. Hon - Coinciding with attention-getting an ample range of accommoda - from Hungary’s 1896 Magyar Mil - ored, too: spectacular Danube patriotic holiday festivities (concerts, tions in all rack-rate categories. In lenium and comes complete with panoramics—wooded slopes, illumi - parades, flag-raisings, fireworks the mix are 14 five-star properties luxurious spa amenities. nated-at -night castle and bridges, above statue-festooned 460- and 41 four-star choices. Overall, Buda’s skyline has been dominat - the clustered cityscape and Pest’s ft.Géllert Hill, zooming Danube fly - occupancy rates have increased at ed for the past 30 years by a lofty riverfront Parliament, a neo-Gothic overs highlighted by an acrobatic air a 50% clip during recent years. Hilton (www.budapest.hilton. behemoth completed in 1902. race between—and beneath—the Danube Determines Location com ), looming directly adjacent to To round out the UNESCO trio, Chain and Margaret bridges), travel The wide Danube (Duna in local Castle Hill’s much-photographed continue elsewhere in Pest to

28 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 29 SSppaaiinnMMaakkeessBBeeaauuttiiffuullMMuussiiccaannddMMooddeerrnnHHiissttoorryyiinn22000088 Zaragoza Hosts World Expo in 2008 This month Spain’s annual tourism trade fair, the Feria At presstime, Spain’s officials were expecting his forward-looking city in the parent Water Tower by Enrique de the city walls, the Forum and the Pub - Internacional de Turismo , or FITUR will take place Jan - 60 million visitors based on the first ten months of the Spanish region of Aragon will Teresa Trilla. A 296-acre Metropolitan lic Baths. Aljafería Palace is said to be uary 30 to February 3, 2008 at the Madrid Fairgrounds. year, when the country reported 52.7 million arrivals. host the 2008 World Expo Water Park will include Los Sotos the most important 11th century civil As FITUR celebrates its 28th annual expo, officials are American arrivals are up to 978,567, representing a under the theme: “Water National Park along the Ebro, a wet - construction in the Islamic West with expecting a huge turnout at the world’s second most 21.6 percent increase. and Sustainable Develop - lands area and a Botanical Garden. stunning patios and an impressive Tment.” From June 14 through Septem - In keeping with the Expo’s theme of Throne Room. Along the Ebro River important trade expo in the tourism industry. To ensure further growth, tourism officials in Spain have ber 14, 2008, Spain’s fifth largest city is sustainability, city officials intend to are three of the city’s emblematic Last year’s show attracted 170 country participants and announced the development of Plan del Turismo Hori - expected to draw six million visitors, increase green spaces by 20 percent, buildings including the grandiose 13,000 companies exhibiting. Nearly 250,000 attendees, zonte 2020 , Tourism Plan Horizon 2020 , a strategy to create 9,500 jobs and bring in over $1.2 expand renewable energy resources Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica, a billion in tourism revenues. The Expo and create a larger network of bicycle Baroque gem completed in 1711. including travel industry professionals and members of improve the quality of the country’s tourism product by will be structured around three themed lanes. The Zaragoza City Hall is plan - With its 11 brightly-colored tiled cupo - the public, learned about the latest developments in the the year 2020 by developing business models that are pavilions (the Bridge Pavilion, Water ning several major infrastructure proj - las it stands out among the other country’s 17 autonomous regions. environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable. Tower and River Aquarium), six ects including the Third Millennium impressive historic buildings off the Bridge which will connect both Plaza del Pilar. La Lonja Palace is the banks of the Ebro, a suburban region’s most important example of rail network and light railway. 16th century civil architecture. Visitors The Aragon Government will will find medieval art mixing with Ren - Classics in the Canaries participate in infrastructure proj - aissance and Baroque styles at San ot clients looking for perform on January 31 and February pelago’s most beautiful stretches of ects, such as the Goya Venue, Salvador Cathedral (“La Seo”), Brahms with some 2, and the world-renowned Italian beach – some five miles long. metropolitan and urban transport Aragon’s most significant monument. balmy weather? Look conductor Riccardo Muti will direct Tourists flock to the port of Las Pal - and the construction of a Confer - The exterior of the Parroquieta toward Spain’s Canaries the London Philarmonia Orchestra in mas for the duty-free shopping and ence Centre. Plans are under - Chapel, on one side of the Cathedral, this winter. Sonatas and four performances, February 25-28. the atmospheric Barrio Vegueta, way to reclaim the banks of represents the pinnacle of Zaragoza’s Gsymphonies will fill the air of eight Led by Sir Neville Marriner, the while hikers head for the rural interior rivers, adding gardens, landscap - Mudéjar architecture. The Museum of of the Canary Islands from January Orchestra of Cadaqués will perform with its steep highland reaching ing and beach areas. Leisure and Zaragoza’s collection ranges from 10 through March 1, 2008 when the on February 27 and 29 with the almost 6,500 feet. Least populated of sports facilities will include a archaeological finds from prehistory 24th Annual Music Festival of the Women’s Choir of the Philharmonic the islands, Fuerteventura has end - themed squares (Thirst; Water and the white water channel, rowing lanes, a and fine art through the Moorish peri - Canaries – one of Europe’s only Orchestra of Gran Canaria along less strands of white sand, towering City; Extreme Water; Oikos: Water and spa, an “open-air museum” with 25 od. Fans of Francisco de Goya – who classical music festivals in the win - with the well-known Spanish sopra - dunes and clear blue waters perfect Energy; Shared Water, and Aquatic works and art installations spread served his apprenticeship here – can ter – kicks off January 10. no Ainhoa Arteta. Top orchestras for windsurfing. The futuristic land - Inspirations) and eight large eco-geo - along nine miles of the Ebro, and the head to either the 16th century Ren - The first concert will take place at from several European countries scape of Lanzarote with its hardened graphical areas comprising the 65 par - Rivers Aquarium – the largest in the aissance Palace de los Pardos that the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Las –Hungary, Finland, the Netherlands - lava and dark dunes suggests a ticipating countries. More are expected world – taking visitors on a trip down now houses the Museo Ibercaja Palmas de Gran Canarias with a -will perform. scene from a science fiction movie. to sign up along with private compa - some of the planet’s great rivers: the Camón Aznar, the Patio de la Infanta program of Beethoven’s Concert About the Canaries The entire island is a UNESCO bios - nies and non-government organiza - Ebro, Nile, St. Lawrence, Amazon and Museo or the basilica, to see some of No. 3 for piano and orchestra, direct - Year round sunny weather with phere reserve and conservation and tions. Cirque du Soleil™ is lending its Mekong. In fact, 80 percent of the his works. Visit www.expo ed by Pedro Halffter and performed average temperatures in the 70’s controlled development make it an creative talents for “Archipelago of the Expo’s structures will remain after zaragoza2008.es/es/index by the Gran Canaria Philharmonic has been drawing visitors to the attractive vacation choice. Called the Desert,” the daily parade through the September 2008. For further information, call the Orchestra with the Children’s Choir Canary Islands since the 1960s. “Green Island,” La Palma attracts Expo’s grounds. Zaragoza still has vestiges of the Tourist Office of Spain at 212-265- of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Lying just 62 miles off the African visitors with its lush foliage, black Founded by the Romans at the con - Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Chris - 8822 in New York; 305-358-1992 in Gran Canaria (OFGC). The festival coast in the Atlantic, these volcanic sand beaches and the huge crater fluence of three main rivers: the Ebro, tian communities that once lived here. Miami; 312-642-1992 in Chicago; 323- will end on March 1 with the final islands offer beautiful beaches, and national park in its interior. The capi - Gállego and Huerva, Zaragoza looks The city’s Roman past can be seen in 658-7195 in Los Angeles or visit concert in Santa Cruz de Tenerife a variety of striking landscapes. tal, Santa Cruz is a preserved Spanish down over a fertile flood plain marked the Caesaraugusta Theatre Museum, www.spain.info featuring the Orchestra of Cadaqués The chain’s largest, Tenerife is colonial city with 16th century build - by the course of the Ebro, Spain’s with Sir Neville Marriner conducting crowned by the majestic dormant ings. La Gomera ‘s rugged mountains longest river. The region of Aragon New Access to Spain’s North and South has consistently struggled against Mozart’s Concerto No. 23 and his volcano of Mount Teide, Spain’s – its forest was declared a UNESCO This year, American Airlines will launch service from New York to desertification and the capital is home Symphony No. 38. highest peak at 12,195 feet. Santa World Heritage Site – attract hikers Barcelona, Spain. Beginning April 24, 2008, American will inaugurate to the first integral body of river man - During the eight-week festival, Cruz boasts many historic buildings who want to get away from it all. The nonstop daily flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in agement in the world, the Ebro Hydro - there will be 65 performances – 21 including a church dating from 1500, smallest and least visited, El Hierro New York and Barcelona International Airport (BCN). American Airlines graphic Office. each in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria archaeological and fine arts muse - also draws travelers of a solitary bent also offers service to Madrid from Boston, Miami and Chicago. Call 800- With an eye to attracting visitors long and Santa Cruz de Tenerife – and 22 ums and the bustling food mar - with deserted black sand beaches 433-7300 ; Visit www.aa.com after the world’s fair ends, officials performances on the smaller islands ket/bazaar Mercado de Nuesta and a quiet pine forest. Streets and Delta Air Lines will inaugurate nonstop service to Málaga in the have plans to beautify Zaragoza by of Lanzarote , La Palma , Fuerteven - Señora de África. In Puerto de la roads of unpaved sand mark La Gra - Andalusian region of southern Spain. Starting June 4, Delta will offer adding gardens, pools and waterfalls, tura , La Gomera and El Hierro . Even Cruz there is a wine museum, the ciosa – a tiny volcanic island about a three flights a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from John F. increasing green spaces and creating the tiny volcanic island of La Graciosa Orotava Botanical Garden and Loro mile north of Lanzarote. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to the Pablo Picasso leisure and sports areas on the river will host a concert, a performance of Parque, a subtropical garden with Visit www.festivaldecanarias.com . International Airport in Málaga (AGP.) Return flights from Málaga to JFK banks. Designed to evoke a drop of Beethoven’s Quartets on January 12. over 1,000 parrots and the world’s To book tickets, which range from will depart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Delta will increase water, the exhibition’s most emblem - Italian mezzo soprano Cecilia Bar - largest penguin zoo. about $18 to $140, visit service to five flights a week on July 8. Visit www.delta.com toli, a four-time Grammy winner, will Gran Canaria has one of the archi - www.generaltickets.com/cajacanaria atic feature will be the 196-foot trans -

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us us The Quiet Jewels of Western Sicily and hilly but not steep and every step of the way hikers is very little to do in this town but it is worth taking a are treated to panoramic views of marble and limestone look at it and it is well positioned for short forays along By Maria Lisella and Gil Fagiani Falcone and Antonio cliffs that drop precipitously to the sea in grottoes and the coast, hikes in Zingaro and is just a 40 minute drive car Borsellino’s anti- secludedccaroves of turquoise blue waters. to the airport in Palermo, going against traffic makes it a hen Am ericans visit Sicily, landing and departing Mafia crusade Do visit the two museums in the park, one is inside a very easy drive. from Palermo or Catania, they usually follow the known as the mani cave like structure and is devoted to the manna tree, a If you are ready for a snack or wellatl-developed tourist tracks to the predictable puliti, the power of tree that wlatas once cultivated here until the mid 1960s, it pranzo, step into La Crapraria for a O S yet never disappointing sights of Taormina, Sira - the mob has been O S

is the source of a sweet substance something like pae cunzatu, a sandwich that is O I O Z I E cusa, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina but miss curtailed. Both men Z R E brown sugar. The other museum is in a modern struc - more like an antipasto for two or P R

P L

A Wdelightful discoveries beyond the two gateways. have been lionized L S

A ture and gives an overview of the geography of this fas - three – filled with olive oil, egg - Ofteafr/medn overlooked is the westernmost portion of this for their courage S cinatinafr/medg place. plant, tomatoes, olives, anchovies and Sicilian delica - enigmatic and compelling island that takes visitors to and integrity as you will see a pillar with their names The beaches are open to the public and rather than climb cies in a special bread, for about 12 Euros. the saltpans of Trapani, the heights of Erice and the along the Autostrada on the way to Palermo in the to San Vito, many visitors stop in to the museums in the The most notable of all is Pensione Tranchina, which is coastline of Castellammare del Golfo. This summer, we area of Capaci, where they were assassinated. asia park aasiand head down the inclines to the beaches. Clients highly recommended in Karen Brown’s guidebooks. Its opted to fly Eurofly ’s new nonstop service between Tourists need not be frightened of Castellammare’s should expect to pay about 6 Euros to park their cars in proprietors are a cosmopolitan cultural mix of Chinese, New York and Palermo, but drove west rather than east reputation. It is a slightly gritty, hilly and energetic the lot, gain access to the park and beaches, but they can Panamanian and Sicilian. Mr. Tranchina, a Scopello for a taste of what this region has to offer. town built on the edge of Sicily’s northern coast. The drive away to Scopello for lunch and return for a dip with native, inherited his father’s little fishing shack. Today, Castseki/si/newsllammare del Golfo was our base for three residents are sophisticated, earthy and friendly to the sasmki/si/newse ticket. 30 years later, Pensione Tranchina boasts 10 rooms, nights and we stayed at the Affitacamera Francesca , tourists and its beaches are worth visiting. Depending on one’s point of reference, Scopello’s marble floors, views over the Sea, the village, the park a bed and breakfast within a 10-minute walk of the Staying on the edge of Castellammare is a good population varies from 425 to 430. Scopello is among beyond and a chef. Its proprietors are a couple — beach. For those with more time, they may want to bet for beachgoers as they can walk from their those rare little fishing villages, kissed by the influx of Marisin was born in Panama of Chinese parents. After extend this itinerary further south and west to visit B&B, take the train for a daytrip into Palermo rather cash from tourism, but still maintaining traces of its rich marrying, the couple lived in Chicago but he yearned for the Egadi Islands such as Favignana, but we stayed than drive (something to avoid at any cost) and take heritage. Still, the town square is very small and at least his hometown; they have been here ever since. Rooms in the province of Castellammare positioned to visit excursions to nearby places including Trapani, Erice three or four B&Bs face the square. To be honest, there cost 80 Euros a night, which might seem steep in this Trapani, Erice, and Scopello. Driving just a bit south - and the magical Scopello. east, as we ended our excursions to the west, we Affitacamere Francesca is a B&B, costing about 65 made time for a visit to the ancient ruins of Segesta Euros a night that boasts a wonderful local cook – where we also happened to find a wonderful agritur - Francesca herself will prepare full dinners for just 20 ismo restaurant – Pocoroba, which literally means Euros a person. The rooms are spacious, some with “little stuff”or whatever we have — with new, apart - balconies overlooking the sea. Call 011-39-0924-59- ment-like accommodations suitable for families who 77-39 ; Cell 011-39-338-136-5080 ; E-mail prefer the stay-put concept. On Sundays and many [email protected] or [email protected] other days, the restaurant serves Cucina Tipica Sicil - Gypsy Fishing Villages iana. Call 011-39-368-720-97-35 ; www.pocoroba.it Additionally, this zona, as the Italians call it, is home to Castellammare del Golfo has often showed up in a few old fishing villages as well as a phenomenal park the eyes of America as the place where the world’s reserve called Lo Zingaro or the Gypsy. Its trails are well Mafiosi have often been regaled and rewarded for maintained and well-marked, and are reasonably easy to their crimes. However, with the success of Giovanni trek on for average walkers. The trails are rocky in spots IITTAALLYY OONN SSAALLEE!! $ From 559999 AIIR && LANDD p..p.. dbll.. occ.. $ $ 6 DAYS /4 NIGHTS FROM 599 • 7 DAYS /5 NIGHTS FROM 699 FREQUENT FLYERS A TASTE OF ROME CLIENTS SPECIAL A TASTE OF FLORENCE Take advantage of our land only rate A TASTE OF VENICE at $399 pp, dbl. occ. A TASTE OF SORRENTO choose 4 or 5 nights . DEPARTURES are from Boston, New York, Newark. You can depart any day of the week (black out periods apply) packages can be extended up to 30 days with a USD 200 p.p. on air supplement plus applicable extra hotel nights. PACKAGES INCLUDE: Hotel accommodations for 4 or 5 nights in superior centrally located 3 stars properties. Daily buffet breakfast. Hotel taxes (departure taxes not included). PRICES are p.p. dbl. occ. Valid 11/1/07 - 3/15/08 800-225-6290 www.donnafranca.com [email protected] | 470 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

32 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 33

europe europe DESTINATION EUROPE DESTINATION EUROPE

corner of Sicily, but they know how to deliver service in us us an elegant and spacious setting, English is spoken flu - IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS ently and the couple have a passion and intimate knowl - British Heritage Tours Partners with dam, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum of Modern Director of Tourist Office of Spain. “Now, they will be edge of the region. Call 011-39-0924-541-099 ; E-mail Art. In The Hague, the Municipal Museum of The able to obtain the most comprehensive information [email protected] Discover Travel and Tours Hague acnard the Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery, in on Portugal and Spain, and they’ll have access to the As we headed back east towards Cefalu, we stopped Niche market specialist British Heritage Tours joined Utrecht, the Museum Catharijneconvent and Centraal best travel deals agents can sell them.” Both tourist at the abandoned city of Segesta, well-known among forces with the leading inbound tour operator Discov - Museum and in Rotterdam the Museum Boijmans office heads expect their own partnership to be fur - Europeanlsat but something of a secret to Americans. er Travel and Tours. The move brings together two Van Beunliatngen and the Kunsthal. ther buttressed with other tour operators expected to When purchasing your entrance ticket, do pay the extra long established and highly respected companies During this time, three Amsterdam museums will re- join the campaign in the next few months. few Euros for the bus trip to the amphitheater on Mount who will trade as Discover Travel and Tours. The open their doors after extensive renovations. Her - Portugalspainboth.com is the official US website for Barbara at about 1,200 feet up. From this height you can mitage Amsterdam, with exhibitions from the Spain and Portugal joint marketing campaigns to pro - afr/med British Heritage Tours name will be retained as the afr/med view the plains, the farms, the sea and the fabulous brand name for an enlarged range of pre and post extensive art collection of the Hermitage in St. mote tourism, the site promotes and markets Iberia Doric temple below that stands quizzically alone on a hill cruise products and special interest themed set Petersburg, is scheduled to open its doors in the as one destination to leisure visitors, and works below. The temple was never actually completed and departures for independent travellers and small spring of 2009 in a location that is 10 times larger closely with strategic partners. Visit archeasiaologists still argue as to whether this was deliber - groups. than asiaits current premises. The Stedelijk Museum, www.portugalspainboth.com ate or it was just never finished in 420 B.C. Said British Heritage Tours’ Paull Tickner “I am offering by far the best collection of modern art in Once you travel down to the temple, do sit beneath its delighted to be joining Discover Travel and Tours. Amsterdam, will exhibit a selection of art not shown CIE Offers Prague, Vienna, Budapest... frame, alongside its columns and listen to the gazza or They began business in 1977 and I started British since renovations started in 2003. Finally, the CIE Tours International has launched the new magpiseki/si/newss, the same wind once heard by the ancients, and Heritage Tours in 1976. Between us we bring togeth - Rijksmski/si/newsuseum is scheduled for the end of 2010 fol - Prague, Vienna and Budapest 11-day escorted tour, wonder why anyone would have left this enchanting er over 60 years of hard earned knowledge, experi - lowing an ambitious renovation so visitors can once with an introductory rate for January-March depar - place. Call 800-459-4980 ; www.euroflyvacations.com ence and a reputation for creative tour planning for again admire the largest museum of art and history in tures of $1,399 land-only or from $2,072 from New Call the Italian Government Tourist Board , 212-245- brick and mortar and home based travel agents.”“To Holland, best known for its collection of 17th-century York or Boston, or from $2,153 from Chicago. Higher 5618 ; 310-820-1898 ; www.italiantourism.com our large portfolio of niche market tours, we will be Dutch masters. Visit www.hollandartcities.com or rates, from $1,958 land-only, prevail from April 3rd For consolidator airfares and tour packages to able to add new products and services for independ - www.holland.com onward. Departures are scheduled for selected Italy see page L13-L15 of the Listings Section ent travellers and the burgeoning family market.” Thursdays, January 17 through October 30. “Our daily Quest e-newsletter will continue, as will Abreu, Auto Europe, Spain/Portugal Co-op The itinerary offers activities in Austria, Hungary our ‘Selling the Uniqueness of Britain’ conferences in It is no longer a secret that the tourist offices of Por - and the Czech Republic. The price includes hotel Stratford upon Avon with a day at the British Travel tugal and Spain – once rivals – now make up an accommodations with private bath for nine nights; Trade Fair (7-12 March) and to Norwich in October.” unbeatable tourism partnership, but the first tour nine buffet breakfasts and three dinners; entertain - “You will also see us at a number of 2008 trade operator, has stepped up to cooperate with them. ment and sightseeing including admissions to Royal shows as we fulfill our 100% commitment to helping Abreu Tours, the oldest and largest Portuguese travel Castle of Hradcany, St. Vitus Cathedral, Hofburg travel agents to develop new sources of business.” organization, will present its latest product line -- Por - Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Kunsthistorische Said Andrew Grieve, MD of Worcester based Discov - tugal? Spain? Both. – on a new online guide designed Museum, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church; er Travel and Tours “British Heritage Tours has a to help agents reach leisure consumers interested in sightseeing by luxury motorcoach with professional strong and growing client base of American travel traveling to both destinations. At presstime, Auto tour director; all local taxes, hotel service charges and agents which we look forward to serving with our Europe had also joined the campaign. porterage; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage broad product range of UK, Irish and European "There’s been a significant shift in how today’s clients tags and strap. tours”. make their travel purchases,” said Javier Piñanes, Call 800-CIE-TOUR , or visit www.cietours.com . Call 800-964 2819; E-mail [email protected]

Holland’s Art Cities In 2009 and 2010, the four largest cities in Holland will participate in a large-scale art and cultural event called ‘Holland Art Cities.’ As part of this event, the Smaller groups, unique hotel stays, and personal experiences... top 10 museums in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The with all the value and benefits of escorted tours! Hague and Utrecht will join forces to create an • Travel with only 16-24 passengers per trip unprecedented art spectacle. The Amsterdam muse - • Stay in “boutique hotels,” charming villas and historic resorts that venture off the beaten path ums -- the Hermitage Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum and • Enjoy truly unique experiences as you take culinary classes, interact with locals, take nature Stedelijk Museum --will also celebrate their opening hikes and explore the cultures of your destination (or reopening) during Holland Art Cities.The 10 partici - • Choose from an array of exotic programs that cover all 7 continents • Rely on Collette Vacations’ 90 years of experience and travel know-how pating museums guarantee a first-rate program for Holland Art Cities. In Amsterdam the museums For more information, call 1-800-611-3361 or visit www.collettevacations.com include the Van Gogh Museum, Hermitage Amster - AD725 34 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 35 europe europe DESTINATION EUROPE DESTINATION EUROPE

us us AAIIRR UUPPDDAATTEE BEST BUYS AZORES EXPRESS and SATA INTERNATIONAL AIR - expected to commence in Fall 2008. Call 800-598-2169 ; $ GERMANY $ ITALY LINES hcaarve announced a new Boston-Madeira service www. eosairlines.com 38c4ar Nordique Tours is offering a special 112 4 Visit Italy Tours has launched a that makes the "Pearl of the Atlantic" closer to New Eng - AER LINGUS launched nonstop flights between Dublin package in Bavaria Germany this winter, highlighting unique 8 day “Italy by Train” program that is well suit - land. The new flight leaves Boston with service to Fun - and San Francisco Airport Oct. 29 with four roundtrip the Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles, ed for the first time independent traveler to Italy. chal, Madlateira (via Ponta Delgada) every Friday night, flights per week. Introductory fares start at $288 each beginninglat at $384 per person, double occupancy. Offering daily departures the tour visits 3 of Italy’s with a returning flight the following Friday. SATA also way. On transatlantic flights, seating in Classic Economy The King Ludwig Winter Journey package includes most popular cities, with 3 nights in Rome, 2 in Flo - now offers a connecting service to the adjoining island Class features a two-four-two configuration, while all two nights of accommodations in Hohenschwangau, rence and 2 in Venice. Choice of 3 star tourist class of Porto Santo. The Boston-Funchal roundtrip is just Premier Business Class passengers have either a win - which is near Fussen, daily buffet breakfast, a bottle hotel or 4 star first class hotels. Transfer by private $574. afr/medCall 800-762-9995 ; www.Azores-Express.com. dow or aisle seat. Premier seats also feature universal of winafr/mede and two magnificent dinners— a Musiculinar - car in from airport to hotel in Rome. Travel between EOS AIR will begin flights between New York’s JFK and laptop power ports and personal video on demand, with ia five course and Bavarian four course—served at cities is by high-speed rail. A sightseeing tour is Paris, and Newark and London Stansted Airports in lie-flat versions being introduced via new aircraft and the Schlosshotel Lisl and Jägerhaus Hotels. The rates included in each city, featuring many of the high - 2008. With a recent infusion of $50 million in invest - retrofits. www.aerlingus.com are available through March 31, 2008. lights. Breakfast is included daily. An excellent pro - ment asiacapital, Eos also announced it will secure its sev - CONTINENTAL announced plans to start twice-daily non - Call asia800-995-7997 ; www.nordiquetours.com gram designed to explore on your own, shop, visit enth and eighth Boeing 757 aircraft in order to introduce stop service to Heathrow from its Houston and Newark museums or take other optional tours. Program can as many as four new routes in 2008. Eos will add flights hubs March 29, while continuing to offer nonstop service $ GREENLAND be modified to add additional nights or cities. Prices between Newark International Airport and Stansted Air - to London's Gatwick Airport from both cities (as well as ski/si/news 11ski/si/news0 0 Launched in May 2007, Air Green - start at $1,124 per person in double occupancy. port in Spring 2008. This new route acknowledges that seasonal Gatwick service from Cleveland). land’s non-stop service now travels every Thursday Call 800-255-3537 , fax 310-649-6880 ; E-mail New Jersey-based premium travelers and corporations DELTA AIR LINES will inaugurate two-class, nonstop serv - between Baltimore Washington International Airport [email protected] , or visit www.VisitItaly have been eager for Eos to add flights that depart from ice to Malaga in the Andalusian region of southern Spain on (BWI) and Greenland’s Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ). Tours.com Newark, and will expand on Eos’ schedule to 58 flights June 4. Three flights a week will depart New York's The quick five-hour trip and slight two-hour time dif - per week between the New York metropolitan area and Kennedy Airport Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays to the ference makes this exotic destination entirely acces - $ SCOTLAND London. Flights between New York and Paris are Pablo Picasso Airport. Return flights will depart Wednes - sible. The non-stop air service between Baltimore 123 9 This holiday season saw the premier days, Fridays and Sundays. Delta will increase the service to and Kangerlussuaq will be available once again July 8- of Sony Pictures feature film “The Water Horse: Leg - Experience Europe, with... five flights a week July 8. The airline also offers daily flights August. end of the Deep,"”starring Scotland's legendary Loch to Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, from New York and Atlanta. Flights will operate every Thursday; depending on Ness Monster. For intrigued viewers eager to validate Additionally, DELTA disclosed plans to enter the London demand, additional flights may become available in the Scottish myth Dooley Vacations has developed a Heathrow market from New York (Kennedy) and Atlanta, the summer of 2008; prices start at $1,100. Visit tour package to bring The Water Horse from the big using slots acquired from alliance partner Air France. www.airgreenland.com . Recommended accommo - screen to reality for optimistic Nessie-hunters. Avail - www.delta.com dations at Hotel Arctic, www.hotel-arctic.gl ; Hotel able from through February 2008 and starting at SWISS took residence in Terminal 4 at New York's John Icefiord, www.hotelicefiord.gl . $1,239 per person double, the package includes Y F. Kennedy International Airport last month to help ease L D roundtrip airfare, six-night bed and breakfast accom - N traffic congestion at one of the world's busiest airports. Y A A GREECE modation, a Historic Scotland pass (for entry to A IT L SWISS First and SWISS Business, and Miles & More $ E I E N R Now through January 31, 2008 save Urquhart Castle), rental car, a 3.5 hour tour aboard R A • E Y Senator passengers will be able to relax in a newly built 124 9 C T C Z E $250 per couple when you book any Homeric Jacobite Cruises and entry to the 3D Loch Ness E S N M IN T K . and designed SWISS Lounge in Terminal 4. The new E R I R Tours itinerary from their newly released 2008 Experience in Edinburgh. R U A E A K facility will offer comfortable private work spaces, and A R P W U . G F G S S T U public areas amidst a relaxing environment. SWISS First Greece brochure! Call 877-331-9301 ; www.dooleyvacations.com customers traveling without baggage will be able to With Greece packages starting from $1249.00 obtain their boarding card in the SWISS Lounge. Termi - including airfare and fuel surcharges from New York $ LONDON nal 4 also offers a separate security checkpoint for there is no reason to stay home. Whether it is a 136 4 USAIRWAYS will begin service SWISS Business and SWISS First travelers. SWISS flies Deluxe Honeymoon packages featuring some the between Philadelphia and London Heathrow March to 71 worldwide destinations. Other North American most luxurious hotels in the world, or cruising the 29 on A330 aircraft. To celebrate this new service, gateways include: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Greek Islands on a Mega-Yacht, Homeric Tours cov - United Vacations is offering a variety of feature vaca - Miami, Newark, and Montreal. Call 877-FLY SWISS ; ers the traveler’s entire needs when traveling to tion packages to London for travel in 2008. Sample FIT's • Groups • Car Rentals • Honeymoons www.swiss.com Greece and the Mediterranean. packages include roundtrip flight, four-night hotel stay Worldwide Hotel Accommodations • River Cruises UNITED AIRLINES will launch nonstop passenger and Nikos Tsakanikas stated “We are dedicated to pro - with breakfast: at the four-star Thistle Victoria, the Greek and Mediterranean Cruises • Rail Tickets and Passes. cargo service between Denver and London Heathrow viding value and quality customer service to our trav - price is $1,279 per person double; at the 4.5-star on March 30, 2008. With this new service, United's elers. That is why our Preferred Partners sell us with Royal Lancaster Hotel, $1,364 per person; and at the 800-882-3983 Denver hub will now serve as a gateway to Europe and confidence”. Homeric Tours offers many beautiful five-star Le Meridien Piccadilly $1,674 per person. info @europtours.com customers can now fly nonstop to London Heathrow destinations to explore and unique ways to discover The VAX VacationAccess technology via Amadeus from any of United's five hubs located across the U.S. them. This makes booking easy. AgentNet, Sabre Vacations, and Vacation.com Agent - www.europtours.com www.united.com Call: 800-223-5570 , visit www.HomericTours.com Net. www.vaxvacationaccess.com

36 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 37 DESTINATION ASIA & THE SOUTH PACIFIC DESTINATION ASIA & THE SOUTH PACIFIC

BEST BUYS Macau Steps Gingerly Beyond Gaming $ JAPAN $ NEW ZEALAND $ MALDIVES 189 8 Travel Oriented Inc . 53 When we think of the little 376 2 The Beach House By Patricia Earnest is selling a seven-day Golden Route things we can do to shrink our car - at Manafaru , the most exclusive that follows the path of the old Tokai - bon footprint, Hotel SO beats us all sanctuary for savvy travelers cele - acau is fast becoming one of Asia’s hottest places do Trail, traveling from the high tech to the punch – from low energy fluo - brate its opening. The resort has to visit. Now under the control of China, as a Spe - metropolis of Tokyo to the serenity of rescent to an energy-saving system announced significantly discounted cial Administration Region of the People’s Repub - Zen gardens in Japan’s ancient capi - that turns lights and air conditioning rates: from $3,762 per person double lic of China, the former Portuguese colony is fast tal of Kyoto with a stop in the Hakone off when not in use. With rates from for a minimum of seven nights’ re-inventing itself and visitors are flocking in. Casi - National Park, Mt. Fuji 5th station and $53 per person, Hotel SO debuts its accommodation in a Beach Villa cate - Mnos are springing up like mushrooms, low-level seas Bullet Train experience, the perfect smart, modern digs in Christchurch gory or an average of $610 per night. around the islands are being filled in to create more real introductory taste of Japan. this month – complete with ensuite, The rate includes breakfast daily. estate and travel to Macau has never been easier for the Other tours include destinations such pod-style bathrooms, wireless Inter - Call 011-960-320705 or E-mail North American visitor. as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, Mt net and flat-screen TVs. book - [email protected] ; Macau was once a sleepy set of three islands, less Museum with five houses showcasing Macanese archi - Fuji, Hokkaido, Hiroshima, Kyushu, [email protected] . www.BeachHouseCollection.com than an hour south by ferry from booming Hong Kong. tectural styles; and the Pawnshop Museum in a restored and Hokkaido. Call 800-241-3553 ; The three islands of Macau are Macau, the largest and 100-year-old house built to withstand “fire, flood and rob - www.japandeluxetour.com commercial center, connected by bridges to Taipa, which bers” with granite walls and barred windows. Tired of now connects with a reclaimed land bridge (Cotai) to being inside, then consider visiting the Macau Tower to Colonal. Off Taipa, to the east and connected with anoth - get your adrenaline pumping. If you venture to the edge NNEEWWSS er bridge, is the new airport, also on reclaimed land. of the enclosed deck you walk on thick glass. Not for Indus Flexible-Fams Macau sits at the mouth of the Pearl River, downstream the faint-hearted is a walk around the outside of the Indus Travels has announced a spe - from the former Canton, now Guangzhou. The name tower on the Skywalk (approx. $27.50 on weekdays, $15 cial offer on fam trips to India, Egypt, comes from the words A Ma Gao in honor of A-Ma, the on weekends and holidays). Even more of a thrill is the Turkey, Morocco, Dubai, Jordan, Viet - Goddess of Seafarers. The Portuguese kept this name jump—from the outer ring, with suitable gear of course. nam, Thailand and Peru. The flexi-fam which became modified to Macau. A statue to this god - Let the Games Continue offer gives agents the power to dess stands on Avenue Dr. Sun Yat Sen and her temple The newest addition to the gaming field is the just- choose exactly when they take-off on on Barra Square consists of four temples representing opened, Venetian www.venetianmacao.com . In a fam trip, instead of tying them Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and folk beliefs. addition to the gaming areas, visitors can stroll down down to specific schedules and iron - Beyond Casino Culture elegant halls, stay overnight in the Venetian Macao clad agendas. Going a step further, Certainly with 26 casinos and last year’s revenues Resort Hotel, can watch the Clock Tower striking the Indus Travels has made fam trips exceeding those of Las Vegas, Macau has earned this hour and see the Bridge of Sighs. practically free. To avail this offer, reputation for gaming, but there is much more to do. The 600-room Wynn Macau , which opened two agents need to put down a deposit Visitors can easily get over and back from Hong Kong years ago, is a 20-story, curved building facing the water with views of Taipa and glistening fountains in for a group of 10 or more to the in one day and many visitors do just this, but to see its entryway. Visit www.wynnmacau.com selected destinations. They can then everything, to really get the feel of the place, a visit of Touted as the tallest building on Taipa Island and pick their own dates for a fam trip, three to four days would be advised. Visitors find in first opened in 2007, the Crown Macau offers gam - and will be repaid the fam costs upon Macau a calmer experience, much like Hong Kong in the ing tables and machines, a 38-story hotel with 256 group departure. Call 866-978-2997 ; old days. The delightful mix of Cantonese Chinese and rooms and restaurants. www.crown-macau.com www.industravels.ca Portuguese offers restaurants, sights and accommoda - The Rocks Hotel is located minutes from the high tions reflecting this mix of cultures. speed ferry landing from Hong Kong and heliport. It’s The mix of European and Asian cultures produced both a luxury Victorian-style boutique hotel with 72 rooms Macau as a Base to Asia temples and churches representing the diverse faiths of and suites and all amenities, such as broadband Inter - Air Macau has been playing a vital the former inhabitants. A must-see in addition to the A- net access, and business center. Room rates range and significantly important role in Ma temple is the ruins of St. Paul’s in the heart of the old $235-$832.Visit www.rockshotel.com.mo the air transportation of passengers city. St. Paul’s are the ruins of the first Jesuit church and From the U.S., visitors can take Cathay Pacific Air - across the Taiwan Strait. Typical college in China. Steps in front of the façade lead down lines , Singapore Airlines or Thai Airlines from New fares from Shanghai to Macau in into the old city with fine antique, souvenir and boutique- York’s and Los Angeles International to Hong Kong. business start at $305 and in econ - type stores on narrow cobble-stoned and tiled streets. From there, take the high speed ferry to Macau. omy from $245. Air Macau’s fleet Among the outstanding museums are the Maritime Call Macau Government Tourist Office, 310-545- includes Airbus A321, A320, A319, Museum on the Inner Harbor, which documents the 3464 ; 646-227-0690 ; www.macautourism.gov.mo A300-600R. Call 866-606-2228 ; E- links between Portugal and China; the Macau Museum For consolidator airfares and tour packages to mail [email protected] ; showing early history and daily life; the Taipa Houses Asia, see pages L31-L39 of the Listings Section. www.airmacau.com.mo

38 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 39 WORLDWIDE CRUISES WORLDWIDE CRUISES

senger “Yangtze Explorer” on April 20, 2008. Guests can book one of the 24 spacious suites or IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS 38 deluxe cabins, all with private balconies. Dining FAM Trip by Elegant Cruises will be first rate with a selection of Chinese and Western dishes overseen by an onboard executive Elegant Cruises & Tours, Inc. offers a 12 days/11 chef. There will also be shipboard programs and inno - nights FAM trip from April 6 – 17, 2008. Price for vative shore excursions throughout the cruise that qualified agents is $1,650 p.p., based on double occu - will educate passengers about China’s “River of pancy. Companions are welcome. Departing from Las Heaven” and enhance their understanding of Chinese Palmas to Valletta and visiting the Canary Islands, history and customs. Morocco, Spain, Sicily & Malta agent can experience Amenities include a spa, fitness center and hair - the rich history and cultural mix of the varied islands dresser while a business center will provide internet of the Mediterranean Sea aboard the 105-passenger, access throughout the cruise. The Yangtze Explorer M/S. Andrea. This is a designated “President’s Summer Olympics Drive Demand for Yangtze River Cruises will also adhere to the highest standard of sustainabil - Cruise” providing an excellent opportunity to learn ity with the most up-to-date sewage disposal sys - about the ship, the ports and the company from the By Jonathan Siskin, cruise editor. tems and recycling facilities. president and founder of Elegant Cruises, Captain Four night upstream sailings on the Yangtze Explor - Mato Stanovic. Rate includes, shipboard accommoda - ith the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing Winter specials include the “Three Gorges High - tions, all meals, wine with lunch and dinner plus focusing the international spotlight on China, a lights” itineraries: Chongqing-Yichang (four er depart Yichang on Sundays and arrive in Chongqing on Thursdays while three night down - shore excursions, as listed in the brochure. Rate record number of Americans are expected to days/three nights downstream) and Yichang- does not include airfare, transfers, gratuities or items travel here this year. Statistics compiled by the Chongqing(five days/four nights upstream); and the stream sailings leave Chongqing on Thursday and arrive in Yichang on Sunday. Call 800-554-7094 or of a personal nature. Call Elegant Cruises & Tours, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) reveal roundtrip “Three Gorges Explorer” itinerary: Inc. , 800-683-6767 . or visit www.elegantcruises.com Wthat the number of U.S. visitors to China has been ris - Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing (eight days/seven visit www.abercrombiekent.com ing at an annual rate of 12.5% from 1.6 million in nights). Register for Cruise3Sixty 2008 2005 to an estimated 2.5 million in 2009. Many Highlights include sailing through the spectacular UNIWORLD and PACIFIC DELIGHT feature clients planning China visits will want to include a Three Gorges section of the river and a tour of the Yangtze River Cruises in various tour packages One of the most popular industry events, Cruise Yangtze River cruise on their itineraries, and there are Three Gorges Dam site. There are also excursions to throughout the year. Uniworld partners with Victoria Lines International Association 's (CLIA) several quality river ships and tour packages featuring some of the oldest cities along the river as well as to Cruises on its selection of 2008 Grand River China cruise3sixty , is expecting a record turnout for the Yangtze cruises to choose from in 2008. new cities built to accommodate those people who Cruises offering a choice of 10 itineraries from seven 2008 event. With more than 1,100 travel profession - had to relocate because of the rising Yangtze waters. to 20 days. als already registered for the March 7-9 conference VICTORIA EXPANDS FLEET Since launching its Call 800-348-8084, 212-818-1680 or visit Cruises begin the first week in February and contin - and trade show to be held at the Greater Fort Laud - first ship on the Yangtze in 1994, Victoria Cruises has www.victoriacruises.com ue through the Fall. Grand River Cruises include high - erdale/Broward County Convention Center, seminars gradually expanded its fleet to seven ships sailing on lights of the Yangtze, the mysteries of Tibet, and ship inspections are filling at a rapid pace. itineraries from four to nine days including its best VIKING RIVER CRUISES offers an annual series of Mongolia and Siberia, the gardens of Suzhou and Registration rates will increase by $50 on January 1, selling “Three Gorges Highlights” “Three Gorges Yangtze cruises aboard its deluxe sister ships Viking green mountains of Guilin. 2008. Those travel agents who have not yet regis - Explorer” and “Grand Yangtze Discovery” cruises. Century Sun and Viking Century Sky. Both five deck Uniworld currently offers more than 30 itineraries tered are well advised to do so immediately in order Victoria recently announced it will be adding an vessels consist of 153 staterooms with a maximum on 12 rivers in 20 countries across four continents: to capitalize on its educational and networking oppor - eighth vessel, the Victoria Jenna, which will set sail capacity of 306 passengers. Each has an observation China, Europe, Russia and Egypt. Call 800-733-7820 tunities. on April 26, 2009. With a passenger capacity of 418, bar & lounge, coffee bar, sun deck, sauna, gym, busi - or visit www.uniworld.com "We are pleased that cruise3sixty has become the the Jenna will be the largest and most luxurious ship ness center, internet station, beauty salon and mas - Pacific Delight Tours also partners with Victoria hottest ticket in town," said Terry L. Dale, CLIA's on the river with a total of 209 cabins—186 standard sage services. Yangtze Cruises are included in the Cruises on 13 China tour packages in 2008 that fea - president and CEO. "The 2008 program will be our accommodations, 19 junior suites, two deluxe suites following Viking Cruise tours: Imperial Jewels of ture three to six night Yangtze River Cruises. Pack - most ambitious, informative and interesting presenta - and two Shangra-la suites. China (12 days): China’s Cultural Delights (16 days); ages also include tours and overnight stays of one to tion to date." Each comes with private balcony, bathroom with Roof of the World (16 days) and Silk Road Adventure four nights in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and The 2008 cruise3sixty conference is highlighted by shower/tub and television with CNN and HBO broad - (17 days). Call 877-688-4546 or visit Xi’an. Details of all China tours are available in Pacific a dynamic trade show representing cruise lines, ports casts. There are two dining rooms (a single main www.vikingrivercruise.com Delight’s new 116 page “China and Asia Tourbook”. and destinations, workshops, 12 CLIA training semi - seating dining room and an a la carte restaurant) Pacific Delight Tours, celebrating 38 years in the nars, distinguished keynote speakers and special along with a fitness room, library/reading room and A & K LAUNCHES NEW SHIP Abercrombie & business in 2008, specializes in escorted and inde - events, CLIA Institute Track training, a Technology theatre style night club. Kent , which pioneered upscale travel to China with pendent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Center for hands-on learning, and an "Executive Victoria is currently offering a variety of winter spe - the opening of its first office in Hong Kong in 1983, is Asia and also offers packages to India, South Africa, Series" of training courses for agency owners. cials with savings of over 40% off regular season bringing a new standard of luxury and comfort to Australia and New Zealand. Call 800-221-7179 or 212- For registration visit the cruise3sixty website at rates on select sailings through mid March, 2008. Yangtze River cruising with the debut of the 124 pas - 818-1781 and visit www.PacificDelightTours.com www.cruise3sixty.com or www.cruising.org .

40 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 41 DESTINATION NORTH AMERICA • HAWAII DESTINATION NORTH AMERICA • HAWAII

Exploring San Francisco’s Classic Charm BEST BUYS IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS $ HAWAII hether agents are looking Opened in May 2007, the new Inns & Villas Attract Agents with 130 Bike Volcano , on the Big Island, has Slow Food, Wine, Commissions for group rates and availabil - Nick’s Cove & Cottages, 23240 added a Kilauea Volcano & Wine Tasting Tour. The ity in San Francisco’s Hwy. 1 in Marshall, feature luxury downhill, summit-to-sea ride includes time exploring Unique Inns includes approximately 40 member hotels, transportation serv - cottages located on or over the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, followed by a visit to properties located in British Columbia, Washington, ices and sightseeing water, a 400-foot pier with docking Volcano Winery. The tour includes all equipment, Oregon and California. Many of the innkeepers that Woptions for tours, or suggestions for local fishermen, an artful array lunch, an interpretive guide and van support. The tour are part of Unique Inns are involved with the global for cultural attractions and events, of antique boating memorabilia and is commissionable at $130 per cyclist and $100 per Slow Food movement, an organization of more than the Tourism Division of the San the fully restored 130-seat, van rider. Call 888-934-9199 ; www.bikevolcano.com . 80,000 individuals in 45 countries who are passionate Francisco Convention & Visitors indoor/outdoor Nick’s Cove restau - Guests of Four Seasons Resorts Maui at Wailea about adding flavor to their lives. Slow Food, a non- Bureau is the Travel Profession - rant with its spectacular views of profit, member-supported organization, was founded

B can now stay an extra day to experience and explore al's one-stop resource for the V Tomales Bay, long celebrated as C

F in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life. best San Francisco has to offer. S one of the California coast’s most the splendor of the newly renovated resort with a 6th “Food is an integral part of the Unique Inns experi - The SFCVB encourages travel agents to visit the city on pristine settings. Call 866-63-NICKS (6-4257); Night Free promotion, valid through February 14, ence,” said Rose Allen, executive director of Unique familiarization programs so that agency staffs can experi - www.nickscove.com 2008, with nightly room rates beginning at $620. Inns. “Whether an innkeeper offers a gourmet break - ence the charm that is uniquely San Francisco. The Classic San Francisco Complimentary night offers must be used in conjunc - fast, picnic lunch, or multi-course dinner, the meal is Tourism division provides welcome packets designed When your clients want to see all of The City's world- tion with initial stay of consecutive paid nights, specifically for travel professionals to become better famous sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge, China - advance reservations are required. prepared with care and attention that has the ability acquainted with all that the city has to offer. town, Fisherman's Wharf, Mission Dolores and Golden Call 800-332-3442 ; www.fourseasons.com/maui . to bond through the sharing and serving of good This Year’s Big Events Gate Park, you can't beat a regularly scheduled city tour. The legend lives on at The Kahala Hotel & Resort food. In accordance with Slow Food, we believe that Plans are afoot to mark the 75th anniversary of Coit A half-day motorcoach or van tour, an overview of with The Kahala 2008 Legendary Days Promotion, in seeking a good life, it is important to consume Tower, the 210-foot-structure that dominates San Fran - neighborhoods by motorized cable car, or a self-guided offering additional options for three-and five-night food created from fresh, quality ingredients, pro - cisco’s Telegraph Hill. While it has had its detractors — tour by car following the 49-Mile Scenic Drive. stays through June 30, 2008. Book three nights or duced in a manner that does not degrade species or Gladys Hansen in her book, San Francisco Almanac, An up-close-and-personal look at San Francisco's more in a courtyard category room or higher and resources,” she added. includes this quote from H.A. Haskell, M.D.: “I consider unique architecture, colorful history and ethnic neighbor - receive a daily breakfast buffet for two (per room) at The Lodge at Suttle Lake in Sisters , Ore., will have it (Coit Tower) a blemish, without the remotest artistic hoods on a walking tour. the Plumeria Beach House. Book a two-bedroom winter events (snowshoeing, cigars/cognac, etc.), significance; a defacement of a natural formation that One of the most popular destinations in The City, your suite and receive a daily breakfast buffet for four. Get throughout the winter months, the Carter House in ever delighted the eye of those approaching the city by clients can stroll along Fisherman's Wharf and the a fifth night free when booking a minimum of five Eureka, Calif., runs specials continuously, and the water.” — it also has a legion of admirers and has been waterfront area or take a pedicab tour. nights in a mountain (no lanai) category room or high - Willows Inn on Lummi Island in Washington offers a chosen in various SF Weekly reader polls as the city’s The Wharf is also one of the places to begin a ride on er and receive a daily breakfast buffet for two (per Winter Gourmet Special Thursdays and Sundays “Best Place to Forget the Other 49 States.” a cable car, America's only moving national historic land - room) at the Plumeria Beach House. Book a two-bed - through May 1, 2008 when guests enjoy dinner for Named for Lilllie Hitchcock Coit, an honorary member of mark. A free, self-guided tour of the Cable Car Museum room suite and receive a daily breakfast buffet for two, overnight accommodations in the main lodge for Knickerbocker Number Five Fire Company and a lifelong shows visitors firsthand how the cable cars operate. four. Call 800-367-2525 ; www.kahalaresort.com $99. www.uniqueinns.com/innlight/specials.html firefighting buff, the tower was built in 1933 using a If your clients enjoy outdoor activities, Golden Gate Tropical Villas Seek Agents $125,000 bequest from Coit for the purpose of “adding to Park is a terrific place to be. They can golf, jog, hike, BOSTON Maui-based Tropical Villa Vacations , specializes in the beauty of the City which I have always loved.” Coit lawn bowl, play tennis, hire paddle boats on Stow Lake, $ Whether it’s for a fun weekend jaunt or luxury vacation rentals and personal concierge serv - Tower was designed by Henry Howard of the firm of Arthur rent roller skates or bicycles and ride all the way to the 149 for college-bound guests visiting Boston to scope out ice, has introduced a new program to partner with Brown, Jr., whose credits also include San Francisco’s City beach. The main road through the park is closed to Hall and War Memorial Opera House. Frescoed murals by motor traffic on Sundays and holidays year-round. Or, a the numerous area universities, the new 471-room travel agents that pays up to 15% commission and 26 different artists ringing the central section of the struc - helicopter ride over The City or a kayak across the Bay Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel is an ideal web-based support in selling to the luxury market. ture depict “Aspects of Life in California, 1934” and were might appeal to your clients. base. The 21-story sleek building is set on the South Established in 1995, Tropical Villa Vacations serves as funded by the Public Works of Art Project, 1933-34. Free Run in one of San Francisco's annual foot races: Hill Boston Waterfront with outstanding water and city professional property manager and/or rental agent for tours of Coit Tower are offered by City Guides, every Satur - Stride, The San Francisco Marathon or The City's most views, state-of-the-art technology including 37” high- an extraordinary selection of luxury vacation homes day at 11 am; for details, visit www.sfcityguides.org. famous, the Bay to Breakers, which attracts more than definition flat panel TVs and plug-in and listen MP3 and villas in Hawaii, with a few selected properties in Anniversary plans will be announced at a later date. 100,000 costumed runners every May. docks, a fitness center with lap pool, spa treatment Mexico and Canada, as well. The company repre - Hotel News Take a 15-minute ferry ride to Angel Island (departures rooms, as well as a restaurant under the direction of sents about 60 hand-picked luxury properties, includ - Nick’s Cove & Cottages Opens at Tomales Bay on from Fisherman's Wharf) and hike, bicycle or picnic acclaimed chef and restaurateur Michael Schlow. ing beachfront estates, secluded retreats, romantic Marin Coast. Lined with its beloved cabins and restau - along paths with views of The City and San Francisco The hotel is near the new Institute of Contemporary hideaways, and resort villas, ranging from $3,500 to rant that have delighted Highway One travelers with Bay. Walk or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge fol - Art, Boston’s Children Museum, Boston Design Cen - $70,000 per week. Agencies interested in working funky quarters, BBQ oysters, and the freshest seafood lowed by a ferry ride back, the ultimate Only-in-San- ter, New England Aquarium, Harpoons Brewery and with Tropical Villa Vacations can qualify to earn up to hauled in by local fishermen until 1999, Nick’s Cove & Francisco adventure. Logan International Airport. The opening rate is avail - 15% commission. Call 888-875-2818 ext. 205 ; E-mail Cottages has been lovingly brought back to life by Pat Visit www.sfcvb.org ; clients may want to browse, able for Feb. 15- March 22, 2008. info@TropicalVillaVaca Kuleto, in partnership with acclaimed chef Mark Franz. www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com www.renaissanceboston.com tions.com ;www.TropicalVillaVacations.com

42 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 43 SPECIAL INTERESTS SPECIAL INTERESTS

BEST BUYS Pint-Sized Diners $ CALIFORNIA Seasonal Ale and game day souvenirs. Onyx Hotel’s “Get 195 Redwood Parks Lodge Company Your Green On” package includes: One night accommo - Get Respect They Deserve announced that its guided tours division, Redwood dation, green socks, green and white M&Ms at turn - Adventure Tours, is now offering fresh water fishing, down, Boston “Home Court” tour map designed by the spawning observation and culinary instruction tour pack - hotel concierge, choice of one of the Big 3 cocktails at the istorically there was never any such thing

B ages. Professional fishing guides lead visiting anglers out Ruby Room , choice of Boston newspapers with Sports U

as kids’ food until marketing mavens cre - L C on one of several regional rivers to fish for Chinook (King) page on top plus a Celtics Game Day Kit: two Celtics t- N

ated a need for salty, sweet and fatty A E

C Salmon, Coho (Silver) Salmon, Steelhead trout and Cut - shirts, poster , six-pack of Sam Adams Seasonal beer, and snacks. It seems the food industry has O Y L throat trout. Celtics Game Day souvenirs to assist with cheering. N

finally been convinced that good food is O &

E While anglers are required to have their own current fish - Rates start at $309 per night, based on double occupan - N

Hjust as profitable as junk food. Enter 11 big food com - O ing license and permits, the tour includes a professional cy; valid through April 16, 2008. Call 866-906-9090 ; ask panies, including McDonald’s, Campbell Soup and Developed by State, the six-course menu, inclusive fishing guide, boat and all the necessary tackle and bait for rate code PGY G PepsiCo, all of whom have agreed to stop advertising of a beverage (non-alcoholic, of course), is priced at for the day. Redwood Adventures Tours' fresh water fish - products that do not meet certain nutritional stan - $21.00 and includes: crisp vegetable crudités with ing tours, spawning observation tours and culinary dards to children under 12. Some of the companies, dipping sauces; demitasse of Today’s Lovely Soup; instruction (for visitors who want to learn the best ways like Coca-Cola, have already withdrawn all such com - IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS silver dollar-sized flatbread with smoked salmon, to prepare local fish) start at $195 per person for a full-day mercials or are in the process of doing so. Others, lemon crème fraiche and sieved eggs; hearts of tour. Fishing tours are available year round and are $250 Singles Sail High Seas in 2008 like General Mills, said they would withdraw them romaine lettuce with green goddess dressing, focac - per person per day. The best months for fresh water fish - over the next year or so, while a handful agreed to Singles Travel International announced two cruises in cia croutons, and aged parmesan; tempura-style fish ing are October-March. The spawn observation tour is expand their self-imposed bans to radio, print and 2008 on the newest of the Cunard fleet, the elegant and chips with tartar sauce and malt vinegar or grilled available September-March. Tours can be scheduled for Internet advertising. The same impulse is showing up Queen Victoria. From May 20 through 27, Singles Travel petite filet of beef with whipped potatoes, snap peas half or full day; start at $125 per person. Call 866-733- in hotel and resort kitchens where some chefs are International will depart from Southampton, England to and sauce foyot; or rice cereal and marshmallow 9637 ; www.redwoodadventures.com taking another look at those chicken fingers and turn - “sushi roll” with fruit wrapper and Swedish fish cruise the Norwegian Fjords. Then, November 5 – 17, sin - ing them into something even an adult might order. “nigir.” Children still have the option to order chicken gle travelers will discover Ancient Wonders of the NEW HAMPSHIRE Since keeping kids happy will inevitably make for a fingers if they like. www.ilovethejw.com $ Mediterranean including the ancient ruins of Ephesus in Rosewood Country Inn’ s Stay and Ski more enjoyable family dining experience, youngsters Exotic Locales 293 Turkey and the Great Pyramids. Packages include three nights’ accommodations, a are now being offered more than fast-food dishes One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives already has Kids’ The Queen Victoria features elegance and style through - hearty country breakfast each morning, two full days such as “chicken fingers or hamburgers” at some of menus and Kids’ Clubs but it has taken all of that one out the ship, from its three-tier Grand Lobby to its White of skiing at Mt. Sunapee and evening hors d’oeuvres the U.S. top resorts and vacation areas. As the num - step further in the creation of a Culinary Curriculum Star Service. Warmly reminiscent of a more gracious era, valid through Feb. 18 to 22, 2008. Rates for all three ber of children traveling with their parents on both for Child Chefs. modern technology combines seamlessly with her classic nights start at $293.50 per person with double occu - business and leisure is increasing, service expecta - Offered three times a week in different locations yet contemporary interior. This ship was crafted to exude pancy. Built in 1850, The Rosewood Country Inn fea - tions are climbing for jetsetters of all ages. throughout the resort, the new culinary curriculum is elegance with intricate mosaics, gleaming chandeliers tures 11 rooms with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, sunlit Six.one.six, the signature restaurant in the new 337- available to all KidsOnly participants aged between 4 and luxuriant marbles. Travelers will enjoy gourmet cui - porches and inviting common rooms, the Rose - room J W Marriott Grand Rapids , recently added a and 11 at no charge. After each class the children, sine created by Celebrity Chef Daniel Boulud in the Britan - wood’s country elegance is enjoyed in an atmos - children’s tasting menu, developed to educate and outfitted in mini chef hats and aprons, are awarded a nia Dining Room or Todd English's Mediterranean phere of warmth and relaxation. The Rosewood expand the palates and cultural horizons of young certificate of participation signed by the chef, along Restaurant. The Cunard Royal Spa and Fitness Centre Country Inn occupies 12 hilltop acres in the town of guests. Six.one.six is inspired by the theme “eat with the recipes to take home and replicate. The and ballroom dancing lessons keep passengers fit. The Bradford in the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee region of local, feel global.” This new haven for fresh fare cooking curriculum is a new addition to the activities Royal Court Theater features brilliantly staged musical New Hampshire, about 90 minutes from Boston. Call offers a unique combination of globally influenced already available for children through the KidsOnly productions and theater performances by actors of the 800-938-5273 ; www.rosewoodcountryinn.com tastes and regional favorites created from local, program at both One&Only Reethi Rah and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. home-grown produce. One&Only Ocean Club. The Norwegian Fjord Cruise departs Southampton, Eng - This six-course menu is designed for parents with a Among the specialties kids will be acquiring at One $ BOSTON land on May 20 and cruises the North Sea to Norway, penchant for fine dining who want to share their & Only are Sushi Rolling on Mondays, Moroccan Cui - 309 On yx Hotel’s “Get Your Green On” pack - including stops in Bergen, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Aalesund, sophisticated taste with their family while on the sine on Wednesdays and sweet tooth kids can be age offers visiting Celtics fans a “no foul for traveling” and Stavenger and returning to Southampton a week road, and expose kids to foods that are normally found in the Reethi pastry kitchen learning the experience designed to make them feel right at home as later, on May 27 Prices start at $1,839. reserved for adults. secrets of the fine art behind cookies and cakes. they cheer the hometown boys to victory and enjoy one The Ancient Wonders Mediterranean Cruise departs “The value of a children’s menu should never be The KidsOnly clubhouse is open for 12 hours a day of the most exciting sports teams in history. Basketball Rome, Italy on November 5 and sails to Naples, Messina overlooked or treated as an afterthought,” said John from 9am-9pm with its own dining area, playroom season is tipping-off and the Onyx Hotel is offering (Sicily), Valletta (Malta), Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza), Port State, executive chef. “Kids can appreciate and enjoy and playground, swimming pool, arts and crafts area, Celtics fans a Slam Dunk of a package. With Onyx’s “Get Said, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Istanbul, Dikili, Volos and sophisticated flavors just as much as their parents sporting facilities, stage area and access to the Your Green On” package guests will enjoy their very own Athens for 13 days of cruising. Prices start at $2,399. Call can; their taste shouldn’t be underestimated.” beach. Visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com game-day kit complete with Celtics t-shirts, Sam Adams 877-765-6874 ; www.singlestravelintl.com

44 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 45 SPECIAL INTERESTS SKI SPECIAL INTERESTS SKI

Call 970-268-5170 ; www.powderhorn.com Early Season Deals in Durango. Ski and ride Purga - IINN TTHHEE NNEEWWSS tory at Durango Mountain Resort and take advan - Winter Fantasies tage of its early season deals. Call 800-982-6103 ; Resort Property Management , offers a large selec - Colorado: www.durangomountainresort.com tion of luxurious vacation homes available for rent in Big Lodging and Lifts Deal in Telluride. Telluride Moun - Sky's Meadow Village and on Lone Peak Mountain. tain is offering a Lodging Plus Lift Ticket deal starting Their 2008 Winter Fantasy Package includes world-class at $99.50 per day per person double occupancy. Call Ski, Board and skiing at Big Sky or Moonlight Basin, a Dinner Sleigh 800-778-8581 ; www.tellurideskiresort.com Ride at Lone Mountain Ranch located nearby, and a For more information on Colorado, call 800-COL - SnoCoach Tour of Yellowstone National Park. Package is ORADO ; www.COLORADO.com ; for more deals visit priced from $540 per person for a 4-night stay, and Learn in January www.ski.com includes lodging in any house or condo within Resort Property Management. www.rpmbigsky.com . hether your clients have always wanted to Soaring is Durango, and the only way to get to the learn to ski or ride, or just want to brush up on attraction is the Durango Silverton Narrow-Gauge their downhill skill January in Colorado is Learn Railroad (www.durangotrain.com ). FFAAMM TTRRIIPPSS to Ski and Learn to Ride Month. Skiing and But for those families who want to schuss down IRELAND snowboarding are great exercise, a fantastic the slopes together the following is a sampling of a wWay to get outside during the winter months, and the few deals worth considering. Become An Ireland & Scotland Specialist mountains are nearly in your backyard. If clients have Kids Fly Free on United Airlines and American Air - Six-day air-inclusive to Ireland for $675 net pp on select Aer Lingus depar - tures from New York, Boston and Chicago. Four nights hotel accommoda - already tried skiing or boarding, take a lesson from a lines . Children ages 2-12 fly free through February tions, sightseeing in Galway and Dublin via a motorcoach. Departure pro and get better quicker and then visit the other 15, 2008 into Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport Air - dates including: Dec. 6 & 13, 2007; Jan. 24 & 31, 2008 and Feb. 7, 2008. 99.9% of our terrain. port with paid adults 18 years or older. Call 800-587- Must provide a valid IATA or CLIA number at booking. Companions wel - For safety tips, do visit www.coloradoski.com 4560 ; www.snow.com/info/specials7.asp come. Sceptre Tours at 800-221-0924 or visit www.SceptreTours.com With snow already falling in the high country, Col - Fly In, Ski Free at Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek's Fly orado is gearing up for another great ski and snow - In/Ski Free promotion offers travelers a free day of ITALY board season. To help your clients do the same, skiing when flying non-stop into Vail/Eagle County Colorado's 26 member resorts are offering seasonal Regional Airport (EGE) starting November 16, 2007. Fare: $99 for agent; $199 for 1 companion. Travel must be completed by Mar 14, 2008. Maximum Stay: 14 days. Payment must be made by travel deals from discounts on lift tickets and ski-and-stay Visitors who present a boarding pass and Beaver agency check with a copy of IATA list / card. Restrictions apply. packages to free skiing. Creek lodging confirmation to any ticket window will Eurofly Vacations: 800-459-4980 or www.euroflyvacations.com Colorado is a four-season destination offering world- receive a complimentary same-day lift ticket. Various class adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving airlines offer direct flights to EGE via Atlanta, Chica - ITALY arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, go, Cincinnati, Dallas/ Ft. Worth and Denver. Perugia, Gubbio, Arezzo, Chiusi, Rome, Tuscany & Umbria and 26 renowned ski resort areas. The state's breath - Call 888-830-SNOW ; www.beavercreek.com One limited departure: Departs Jan 11, 2008, returns Jan 18, 2008. taking natural landscape boasts natural hot springs, Ski Free, Stay Free in Breckenridge . Breckenridge 8 Day FAM from $1099* Air & Land (Companions Welcome). thousands of lakes and rivers, 10 national parks and is offering its popular Ski Free, Stay Free promotion. Includes: Roundtrip Non-Stop Air JFK To Rome on Alitalia. All transfers throughout by group motorcoach. 1 night in Perugia at the Relais Dell'Ol - monuments, and 54 peaks that top 14,000 feet. Skiers and snowboarders that stay and ski or ride for mo, including breakfast and dinner. 1 night in Gubbio at the Relais Ducale, Home to several unusual recreational sports and three nights will receive a free fourth night of lodging including breakfast. 1 night in Arezzo at the Badia Di Pomaio, including experiences that can only be found in Colorado, the and lift tickets. Guests can save up to 25 percent breakfast and dinner. 1 night in Chiusi at the Villa Il Patriarca, including breakfast. 2 nights in Rome at the Quirinale Hotel, including breakfast. latest craze is “sledging,” a sport that was imported with packages starting as low as $301 per person, Farewell Dinner in Rome. Wine Tasting in Arezzo. Rome City Tour. Motor - from New Zealand and combines surfing, rafting and based on double occupancy. coach available for excursions and hotel inspections in Tuscany & Umbria swimming in Aspen ( www.aspenseals.com ). In Call 800-GO-BRECK ; www.breckenridge.com (to be determined by group majority). Airline Fuel Surcharges. Aspen/Snowmass ( www.stayaspensnowmass.com ), Free Skiing at Copper Mountain . Skiers and riders Foreign Independent Tours Inc: 800-248-3487; www.fittours.com travelers can check out “zorbing,” another recreation - who purchase lift tickets and three or more nights of TURKEY al sport from New Zealand, which involves strapping lodging starting at $76 per person, per night, quad oneself into a specially-designed, inflatable transpar - occupancy will receive a fourth night free and a day Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Ephesus and more ent ball and rolling down hills at speeds of up to 25 of Beeline Lift Tickets. Kids 12 and younger ski for Departure: March 20 to April 1, 2008 from $895. 13 days /11 nights, Land only. Land+air from JFK: $1,395. Includes: All transfers per itinerary. First miles per hour. free. Call 866-841-2481 ; www.coppercolorado.com class hotel accommodations. Buffet breakfasts daily and 11 dinners. In Durango, try Soaring Half-Price Skiing at Powderhorn. The Inn at Wilde - Sightseeing as specified in itinerary posted online. Service of an English (www.soaringtreetopadventures.com ), where trav - wood , located at the Powderhorn Resort, is offering speaking tour guide who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism, elers can zip from platform to platform, high above a special rate all season long starting at just $89 per and an expert in Turkey’s history, art, and culture. Local transportation by deluxe A/C motor coach depending on group size. Baggage handling and aspens and ponderosa pines on stainless steel night with no blackout periods. Guests will also portage per program itinerary. All admission fees and service charges. cables. The only place in the U.S. to experience receive half price lift tickets for each night's stay. Travel documents kit.

46 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 47 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW INDUSTRY NEWS

Sky Vacations’ Indian Dream Youth Travel Pivots on Strong Educational Component n years past, backpacking ly sophisticated clientele.” ast spring, India travel spe - reach to the Indian sub-continent through Europe was a rite of Another Australian tour operator, cialist and consolidator, Sky in addition to Africa and South passage for young people, but Educational World Travel (EWT), Bird Travel and Tours America. Regarding India, Sky today, visiting Asia, Australia, has been a member of SYTA for launched Sky Vacations with Vacations in-house team has Europe, and other foreign desti - two and a half years. The compa - an eight-night/nine-day tour extensive destination experience Inations is becoming an essential ny is based in Melbourne, with Lfrom Delhi to Rajasthan, visiting making our India programs a won - part of a student’s education. offices in China and the United Udaipur, Jodphur, Jaipur, Fatehpur derful experience for potential According to the Student and Youth States. It has been sending Aus - Sikri, Agra and Sikandra; seven- travelers. This new product today Vacations is working to attract Travel Association (SYTA), interna - tralian students into the United night/eight-day “Classical South helps our retailers offer added 2nd and 3rd generations of Ameri - tional travel is on the rise among States for more than 16 years and India” tour from Chennai visiting value to their existing client base, cans with Indian ethnicity to walk students, contributing to a $10 bil - recently began working with Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, offering excellence in service with through time and experience their lion industry composed of 12-18 American schools to provide a Madurai, Periyar Wildlife Sanctu - both our air and land products. origins first hand. We plan to year old travelers. similar exchange program for their ary, Kumarakom and Cochin; and JF: Are you adding new hotels or expand the awareness of India rich A recent study by the Student and students. EWT participates in the six-night/seven-day “North India, options or new destinations to cultural heritage home to a cross Youth Travel Research Institute annual SYTA Summits and recent - Golden Triangle” tour from Delhi your tours for 2008-09? section of American society (SYTR-I) at Michigan State University revealed that ly presented on a panel addressing international to Jaipur, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. SV : We are adding certain select through a variety of outlets in the most popular foreign destinations among student youth travel. JF interviewed Arvin Shah , programs for high-end clientele in order to expand the market . and youth travelers include: Europe (39.1%), Australia “The student travel market has been overlooked in Chairman, Sky Vacations to follow our 2008-09 product-line. This will JF: What portion of your business (26.1%), and Asia (14.5%). general, but it is now coming to the fore as an impor - up on why his company entered be announced shortly. comes via agents? Michael Palmer, SYTA’s Executive Director tant area of the industry,” said Shannan Carter, inter - the India land tour market. Sky Vacations is developing pro - SV : Virtually 100% of our Sky observed, “With all of today’s modern technology, national events manager for EWT. “It is part of JAX FAX : Any new trends you see grams in a number of new mar - Vacations business comes to us students can reach out to their counterparts in other Australia’s cultural heritage for students to travel the among travelers? kets and destinations. We do not through our Travel Agent partners. countries within seconds, so naturally the next step world before taking any further and major steps in SV : I see a renewed interest today launch a new destination unless It is through this strong relation - is going there. This generation of young people is no their ‘life’ directions. SYTA is essential to helping us with clients wanting to explore we are comfortable with the quali - ship that we have continued to longer intimidated by going to places like Asia, expand our services and ensure our young clients India as a Destination. The initial ty of service and product we can grow our business to where we Europe, or Central America.” gain maximum education benefits from their trips. hesitation to travel to a long haul offer our esteemed clientele. In are today. We look forward to that For SYTA, whose active members are top tour oper - We are now working with North American-based destination is fading away and US addition to India and Europe, Sky continuing that relationship in the ators in the U.S. and Canada, the growing, interna - schools to provide comparable opportunities for their originating leisure travelers are Vacations will soon be announcing future. tional “face” of youth travel is reflected in the students overseas.” venturing to check out new desti - our new product offerings to JF: Have you discovered any new increasing number of tour operators from around the “Today’s youth traveler is eager to visit countries nations world-wide. What was South America and South Africa avenues to raise your profile world that are exploring membership opportunities in that no longer seem so far away or out of reach for once considered off the beaten for 2008. among new agents? the association. These tour operators are coming to them. By the time they graduate, some are already path is now just another exotic, if JF: Special interests: any new one SV : Sky Bird Travel has continued North America to participate in the association’s seasoned international travelers,” Palmer observed. not ordinary trip we might not predict or know to make our presence felt through annual conferences, where they gain greater insights “Recognizing this surge in interest, SYTA has JF : What made you decide to do about-food and wine: art, etc. Travel Media outlets such as JAX into the issues and challenges of the student and stepped up its effort to expand its membership and land arrangements as well as air SV : India is a treasure trove for FAX as well as various Travel youth travel industries. branch out internationally.” consolidation? clients looking for an exotic travel Shows, Seminars and Confer - Australia-based Odyssey Travel recently became an The Student & Youth Travel Association is a non- SV : Sky Bird Travel & Tours is experience. India as a destination ences. We have been active par - International Affiliate member at SYTA. “Cross cultur - profit, professional trade association formed in 1997. known as one of the top quality can offer multiple special interest ticipants in a number of panel al activities are important to educators who wish to Members of SYTA include tour operators, attractions, driven consolidators in US Travel options for clients be it a spritual discussions as well. broaden the outlook of their students,” said Russell convention & visitor bureaus, state/provincial offices circles for over 30 years. We offer awakening, a travel through an JF: Is your company a member of Windebank, business development manager for of tourism, hotels/hostels, restaurants, theaters, almost 70 Airline contracts to all ancient past, a taste of it's delec - any consortia? Odyssey Travel. “But as students travel farther from transportation and other organizations involved in stu - markets of the world, facilitating table cuisine or an Ayurveda SV : Sky Bird is partcicpant in a num - home and to less familiar environments, security also dent and youth travel in North America. Current travel both in business & coach for Retreat. ber of Travel organizations including becomes an important issue. Our relationship with active tour operator members of SYTA accounted for approximately 10,000 retailers JF: How are you expanding your ASTA, CLIA, Vacation.com, PATA to SYTA’s North American members helps us ensure almost $1.55 billion US in student and youth travel, across the US. Thanks to our suc - clientele ...to attract new genera - name a few. that we can challenge young people intellectually providing trips for over 2.2 million participants each cess in the last few years with tions? Call 877-666-3113; E-mail: while also providing a safe and secure environment. year. land operations in Europe, we SV : We will be conducting a [email protected] ; Through SYTA, we seek to develop stronger student For more information, contact SYTA 800-509-7982 decided to extend our operational series of road shows in 2008. Sky www.skyvacations.net. travel programs that meet the needs of an increasing - or visit them on-line at www.syta.org .

48 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 49 INDUSTRY NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS

Vacation.com Welcomes Sita World Tours as New Preferred Supplier Vacation.com , North America’s leading travel serv - Africa; Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific; 2008 Arrives with Agent Online Incentives ices marketing organization, has added SITA World Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Korea, Tours as a new preferred supplier, providing member Japan, Malaysia, Indochina; India, Nepal and Bhutan; Agents in Alaska Lloyd Cruises in a relaxing and stress-free environ - agents access to exclusive vacation packages and and South America including Brazil, Chile, Peru, ment. The best ambassador for our product is an Carolyn Helwig, travel consultant with Odyssey enhanced commissions to increase profitability. The Ecuador and Argentina. European and Russian River educated travel agent.” Travel in San Rafael, Calif. (415-455-0921 or new agreement is effective for travel beginning Jan. cruises are also available. Call 877-445-7447 ; www.hl-cruises.com www.odysseytvl.com ), and Elke Neumann with 1, 2008, with bookings currently being accepted. SITA World Tours has been offering unparalleled Cruise-Campus is very easy to use and free of Dimensions in Travel in San Rafael, Calif. (415-897- “Vacation.com constantly seeks out relationships quality service at the most competitive prices since charge. Travel agents log onto www.cruise-cam - 1479 or www.dimensionsintravel.com ), were the with the industry’s top suppliers to expand offerings for 1933 for the deluxe and luxury market. Celebrating its pus.com, click on “New Registration,” fill in the nec - winners of the Alaska Certified Expert (ACE) contest our members,” said Steve Tracas , president and CEO, 75th anniversary in 2008, SITA is one of the longest essary contact information. Once a valid email held earlier this year. Helwig and Neumann won the Vacation.com. “The new agreement with SITA will pro - established tour operators within North America and address is provided, the access data information will contest by successfully completing the four modules vide a wide variety of travel products with enhanced is a proud member of the United States Tour Opera - be emailed and the registration is complete. When and becoming an ACE by May 31. Helwig and Neu - commissions for member agents,” he added. tor Association (USTOA). SITA was recently awarded travel agents complete all four courses and score a mann visited Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage “SITA sought out to partner with Vacation.com due ‘Top Tour Operator to India from the Americas’ by the minimum of 58 points (maximum 77 points) they will and Seward as part of their prize. Since its inception to the consortium’s well-known strength in both inno - Ministry of Tourism, India as well as named ‘One Of receive a certificate for their office accrediting them last fall, 268 travel agents have graduated from the pro - vation and agency memberships,” said Laudie Five Top Tour Operators to China’ by National Geo - as a Hapag-Lloyd Cruise expert. If travel agents have gram.The ACE program was designed to help travel Hanou , vice president, SITA World Tours. “We look graphic Traveler magazine, in their 20th anniversary any trouble accessing the courses, they can contact agents become more familiar with all Alaska has to forward to the season ahead,” she added. edition. the help desk at [email protected] offer and to provide the resources and expertise to Through this agreement, Vacation.com member Call SITA at 800-421-5643 , email sita - assist clients in creating the Alaska trip of their dreams. agents will have access to customized, programs for [email protected] or visit www.sitatours.com “We had a great time in Alaska. Everyone was so From Austria Airlines exotic destinations such as: Africa and the Middle To become a Vacation.com member, visit nice and everything was perfect,” said Helwig. “I Austrian Airlines has rolled out a new function on East including Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Jordan, South www.JoinVacation.com . found the ACE program very helpful in terms of learn - our website just for travel agents. AgentNet is for ing logistics and I look forward to implementing this agents only and contains all the information you need knowledge in booking Alaska vacations for my to know, including: Agent Offers, Prepaid Ticket Infor - clients.” mation, Austrian News, Ticket Deadline Control, Serv - The web-based ACE training offers everything from ices for You, CRS Entries, Your Austrian Contacts. product and region information to a certification quiz. Visit www.aua.com/us/eng/agentnet ; Password 257. It is deigned to provide tips for selling Alaska and explain the logistics of travel to and within the state. U.S. Travel Reports Modest Gains Upon completion of this course, agents are given a The U.S. travel industry is expected to post moder - special Alaska ACE logo to let clients know they spe - ate gains in nearly all sectors again in 2008, according cialize in Alaska. www.TravelAlaska.com/trade to the annual Travel Industry Association (TIA) fore - cast. Travel spending by domestic and international Hapag-Lloyd’s Cruise-Campus Online visitors in 2008 is forecast to increase 5.2 percent, to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, in conjunction with Cruise- $778.2 billion, up from projected full-year 2007 travel Campus, an independent online training program is spending of $740 billion, which would be a 5.7 per - happy to announce the launch of Hapag-Lloyd Cruis - cent increase over 2006. es’ online travel agent training program. Hapag-Lloyd Domestic leisure trips are expected to continue an Cruises is proud to be the first partner to open the upward trend of modest growth in 2008, climbing 2 international version of the training program and to percent to 1.6 billion trips. Domestic leisure trips are provide information in four educational courses expected to finish 2007 up 2.5 percent over last year. revolving around general and specific knowledge of Travel for business in 2008 is expected to remain Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. stable, increasing by 0.4 percent, registering nearly Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag- 502 million trips. This slight increase will offset a pro - Lloyd Cruises, “With so many different cruise options jected decline of 1.7 percent in business travel for in the market place, consulting is necessary to edu - 2007, compared with a year ago. cate travel agents on the different products offered. International travel (including visitors from Canada Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers a supreme product with and Mexico) to the United States is expected to rise even more need for consultation. This online course 3.7 percent in 2008 to 55.6 million visitors, following is an ideal way for travel agents to learn about Hapag- a projected 5.1 percent increase for 2007.

50 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 51 INDUSTRY NEWS MESSAGE BOARD Market Place TO CREATE YOUR OWN CATEGORY IN THIS DIRECTORY CALL KATIE AT 203-301-0255. Trafalgar Appoints Wiseman as President AIR CHARTER BROKERS SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS Trafalgar Tours to Trafalgar Australia; he was Gen - Paul is married with one son, Adventure Tours Honeymoons, Weddings, Exotic IR ROKERAGE NTERNATIONAL announced the eral Manager for Contiki Holidays; Sam, who is 15 years old. He and A B I Peru, Guatemala, Bolivia, Belize, Costa Rica, Brazil Seychelles, Africa 800-494-7886 • www.airbrokerage.com appointment of and before that was Australian his wife Karen (who was born in SOUTH STAR TOURS INTERNATIONAL VENTURES LTD Aircraft charter and leasing service for travel agents, Paul Wiseman as National Travel Agency Sales Man - Los Angeles) are keen travelers 800-654-4468 • www.southstartours.com 800-727-5475 • www.internationalventures.com tour operators, special interest/affinity groups, exec - President . With ager for Avis rent-a-car. His entry and together they have traveled utive charters, cruise lines, government agencies 310-937-1001, F: 310-937-0191, [email protected] 203-761-1110, FAX: 203-762-2104, Att: Heidi or Margaret, more than 20 years experience, into the industry was as a Leisure extensively throughout Europe, and air carriers worldwide. Hikes, Rafting, Cycling, Archeology, Exploration jambo65 @aol.com, 65B Old Ridgefield Rd, Wilton, CT 06897 Paul comes to us with a very Travel Agent. Great Britain, North America, Asia Contact Steve Berger: [email protected] impressive career across all sec - He holds a Masters Degree in and the Middle East. 7947 Racoon Hollow Court, Pleasanton, CA 94588; Customized F.I.T.S & Group Tours: Worldwide Safaris: Africa tors of the travel industry including Tourism Management from the Paul has expressed excitement FAX: 925-417-1341 BRAGA TRAVEL CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL VENTURES , L TD . retail, wholesale, and international University of Technology, Sydney, at taking up this new challenge 888-828-8747 • www.chinalife.com 800-727-5475 • www.internationalventures.com BLUE STAR JETS LLC . and domestic airline operations. and recently graduated from the and looks forward to joining Trafal - 866-438-9868 • www.luxurydivision.com 305-606-9894, Fax: 305-382-4294, [email protected], 65B Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897; 203-761-1110 Paul is leaving Australia where Senior Manager Development Pro - gar North America - a feeling 6500 Kendale Lakes Drive, Ste 107, Miami, FL 33183 FAX: 203-762-2104,Heidi or Margaret, jambo65 @aol.com Luxury pivate jet service provider. Only four hours he has been Managing Director of gram at the Australian Graduate shared by the team here. Visit notice needed to access a wide selection of jets Enjoy Great Activities from Asia (China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, India, Nepal, Tibet, that country's Trafalgar Tours. Prior School of Management. www.trafalgar.com from light to jumbo. All related services including RENTALS & TOURS transfers and in flight meal service. Mongolia…) to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru). Live the Adventure with Sports Tours and Eco-tourism (Brazil). Count on the best Motorcycles, ATV, Watercraft, Tours Worldwide, USA, Mexico, Spain, France 805 Third Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022; airfares and connections. Stay in Fine Places worldwide. Take the Fax: 212-888-1758 Leisurely Route of Cruises. Experience Study tours including Traditional EAGLERIDER MOTORCYCLE RENTALS & T OURS Chinese Medicine. Incentive Travel. Customized bi-lingual tours in Span - 310-536-6777 • www.eaglerider.com Nigel Osborne Heads Sales and Marketing at Key Tours AIRLINES OFFERING CHARTER SERVICES ish or Portuguese and English with guaranteed departures to China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand. The best of Brazil from Fax: 310-536-6770, [email protected], Key Tours, a Osborne's experience in the retail Europe, the package division of NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES the Amazon to Iguassu - cruises, package tours, eco-tourism, adventure. 11860 S. La cienega Boulevard Hawthorne CA 90250-3461 European and channel, he said, Key Tours will be Auto Europe. 718-656-2650 • www.northamair.com Customized F.I.T.S & Group Tours Mediterranean able to accelerate the product Early Days SITA; JFKSSNA; 2B757-200ER ETOPS 211 seats, Italy WOMEN ONLY TRAVEL convertible to 24 Business 179 Economy; 2 B737- tour operator, offerings along with the technolo - Previously, he was president of 800NG ETOPS 163 seats. Worldwide operating EUROPEAN INCOMING SERVICES Cotswolds, York, Lincoln and Bath, appointed Nigel gy to help agents grow their prof - Insight Vacations, where he exe - authority. 800-443-1644 • www.eistoeurope.com BRITISH HERITAGE TOURS Contact: Bill Grobasky, Deidre Stiehm; Osborne as executive vice presi - its and business. cuted successful turnaround 617-227-2910, Fax: 617-227-7251 [email protected] marketing@ northamair.com; FAX: 718-995-3372 TOLL FREE TO THE UK: 800-964-2819 dent effective November 26. Experience in International Tours strategies that included tripling Building 75, North Hangar Rd, JFK Airport Jamaica, NY 11430 42 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA 02111 Osborne is responsible for sales Osborne has served as execu - annual revenues, reducing Email: [email protected] • www.bhtours.co.uk Sheer indulgence at the Thermae Bath and marketing and the retail chan - tive vice president and chief expenses, and improving the Customized F.I.T.S & Group Tours A W ORLDWIDE CHARTER Spa, a chocolate experience, antiquing nel distribution for the company. business development officer for bottom line by more than $1 mil - Italy 800-501-4263 • www.worldwidecharters.com in the Cotswolds, Christmas Markets in Key Tours Koray Edemen said the Dynamic Leisure Group since lion over a four-year period. He VISIT ITALY TOURS York, Lincoln and Bath, 'Fly to China' Full service international air charter services. Pro - 800-255-3537 • www.VisitItalyTours.com the breakable kind at Wedgwood, company is well positioned as an Oct. 1, 2005. Prior to joining started his career with Trafalgar viding all aircraft types, ground handling, catering FIT and group operator for partner Dynamic Leisure Corporation, he Tours. and fueling. From individual charters to dedicated 310-649-9080, Fax 310-649-6880, [email protected] Spode and Portmeirion. Richmond Place, 125 Boughton, Chester CH3 5BH, UK travel agent growth in 2008. With was president of Destination Visit www.keytours.com aircraft. Specialists in customizing charter pro - 9841 Airport Blvd. Suite 1424, Los Angeles, CA 90045 grams for professional associates, sport teams, Fax: 01144 (0)1244 320072 athletic events, university games, special events, Visit Italy Tours is Italy’s finest Tour Operator specializing in F.I.T.S and sub-service, military and wholesale. Quotes online. custom designed tours to Italy. No one does Italy like us from the cul - tural capitals of Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Milan and Palermo 905-684-1100; FAX: 877-877-6288; or the minor art cities of Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi, Cortona, and Travel Bound Appoints Bray as Regional Rep After Hours: 905-687-1225: sales@ worldwidecharterscom; Taormina. Choose from our vast selection of hotels, car rentals, Market Place 81 Welland Ave., St. Catharines, ON L2R 2N2 Canada; 8710 chauffeur driven services, rail, gourmet food and wine itineraries, Travel Bound Vacations/Certified Vacations Manager of Travel Bound. Hillsborough Ave., Ste 326, Tampa, FL 33615 romantic escapades, pre and post cruise programs. Our expert staff NEW EASY FORMAT caters to both individuals and group travel. appointed Debra where she was Regional Sales Selling exclusively through travel AIR CHARTER ESCROW DEPOSITORY BANKS Any content your heart desires Bray as business Manager for the Southwest. agents, Travel Bound is a leading NATIONAL CITY BANK Cruise & Customized F.I.T.S & Group Tours for as little as $50 per insertion* development Previously, she worked with Carl - wholesale FIT and group tour oper - Arabian Peninsula & Central Asia Contact: David Valpredo: 248-729-8375 manager for son Wagonlit Travel Place . Bray ator, offering more than 90,000 www.nationalcity.com/corporate UNIVERSAL TRAVEL SYSTEM Text…Images…Logo… Texas, New Mexico and Oklaho - has also served as director of train - hotel rooms every night in 110 Leading depository escrow bank for public air char - 800-255-4338 • www.uts-travel.com Background tints or images ma. She joins Travel Bound’s team ing for a large cruise-only agency, countries worldwide. A member of ters, private charters, special purpose depository 310-393-0261, Fax: 310-395-9511, [email protected], Your imagination is the limit! of 13 other business development a marketing manager, and also an GTA (Gullivers Travel Associates), escrow agreements, surety trust agreements, stand - by letters of credit, Travel Funds Protection Plan managers who provide agents executive travel manager. Travel Bound maintains a global (TFPP) and more. Our clients include: charter oper - Escorted Tours One Simple Price ators, air carriers, charter brokers, travel agents, Costa Rica, Mexico, Copper Canyon, Guatemala, *up to 5 inch of data at $50 per inch with in-house product training and “Debra’s extensive background in network of 31 offices. The compa - Galapagos, USA, Canada assistance. the travel industry will make her a ny is an active member of ASTA cruise lines, wholesale tour operators and partici - pating ground vendors. Domestic and international CARAVAN TOURS With 15 years experience in the great addition to our sales team TOP and USTOA consumer pro - coverage. For details call 800-227-2826 • www.caravantours.com travel industry, Bray was most and a valuable resource for tection programs. Call 800-808- Katie or Chantal Fax: 248-729-8803. [email protected] Fax: 312-321-9845, info@caravan tours.com recently with Continental Airlines agents,” said Nico Zenner, General 9541 or visit www.booktravel 755 West Big Beaver, Suite 1400, Troy, MI 48084 at 800-952-9329

52 JANUARY 2008 WWW. JAXFAX .COM WWW .JAXFAX .COM JANUARY 2008 53