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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Free Dining Plan Offer at the Walt Disney World Resort


Now through December 13, 2012, buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way Base Package for  a minimum 3 nights at select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort for arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, and get the Disney Dining Plan FREE!*

Or, buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way Base Package for 6 nights and 7 days at select Disney Value Resorts for arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, and get a FREE Quick-Service Dining Plan.

Booking Window:   July 12 – December 13, 2012
Travel Window:     For arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012

Sample Pricing:     Buy this 6-night, 7-day package with FREE Disney Dining Plan for US $86 per person, per day, for a family of 4, at a Select Disney Moderate Resort in a Standard Room for stays most nights Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 24-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, for a total package price of US $2,421. That’s a savings of US $1,017!

Or, buy this 6-night, 7-day package with FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan for US $69 per person, per day, for a family of 4, at a Select Disney Value Resort in a Standard Room for stays most nights Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 24-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, for a total package price of US $1,922. That’s a savings of US $701!

*Prices based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required.

Offer excludes campsites and 3-bedroom villas and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard View Room.

Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from children’s menu if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.
Ask about packages in other Resort categories and for other lengths of stay.
Specials

New Seaworld packages including FREE dining!10 Jun

Book a SeaWorld Vacation Package and receive an All Day Dining Deal (a $29.99 retail value) FREE
Eat Free All-Day at SeaWorld! For a limited time only, book your SeaWorld vacation package with any of our hotel partners and receive an All-Day Dining Deal (a $29.99 retail value) FREE!
Add more parks for even more value!
  • Add Aquatica to your SeaWorld Vacation Package for just $24.95 per person and Eat FREE All Day there too!
  • Plus, by adding a 2nd park your admission tickets are automatically upgraded to allow unlimited visits to each park for the length of your stay!
Aquatica Free!
For a limited time, book your package with participating Partner Hotels, including Official Hotels of SeaWorld, and receive a FREE Aquatica ticket! Your SeaWorld and Aquatica ticket is valid only in Orlando, for unlimited admission to both parks for the length of your vacation!
  • SeaWorld Orlando admission included in package price
  • Admission not required for children under 3.

Enjoy More Value!
With any vacation package booked, buy four nights, get a 5th night free with any vacation package booked! Enjoy all SeaWorld has to     offer when you stay at any of our Official Hotel Partners.
Specials

FREE Dining is BACK!03 May

A Delicious Disney Offer: A FREE Dining Plan

You can purchase a Walt Disney World Resort non-discounted minimum 3-Night, 3-Day Magic Your Way package – with accommodations and Theme Park tickets included – at select Disney Resort hotels and get a FREE Disney Dining Plan from Aug. 26 – Sept. 15, 2012.
Free Dine
That’s only US $87* per person, per day for a family of 4 staying at a select Disney Moderate Resort in a standard room.
Book by Sept. 15, 2012.
* Price based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. The number of packages at this rate is limited. Tickets valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes suites and 3-bedroom villas. Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from children’s menu if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.
Specials

Last Chance to get $25 onboard credit for Disney Cruise Line sailings!01 May

US $25 Onboard Credit

Book your Disney cruise by May 31, 2012 and you will receive a US $25 onboard credit per stateroom toward a wide array of onboard activities, souvenirs, spa treatments or the finest in onboard dining at Palo.
This Disney Cruise Line special offer is combinable with other offers and is available on new bookings only. Available on all Disney Cruise Line itineraries and sail dates, this offer is non-refundable and non transferable.
Offer must be booked by May 31, 2012.
Specials

SeaWorld Orlando Canadian Exclusive Offer08 Apr

Buy your SeaWorld Orlando ticket for $87.49USD and get your choice of either a one day visit to Aquatica or Busch Gardens FREE*.
*Ticket valid for a one day admission to SeaWorld between November 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012. Ticket to your choice of either Aquatica or Busch Gardens must be redeemed within 7 days of SeaWorld visit. $87.49USD price includes tax. Tax will be added during checkout.
Contact us (Click HERE for your FREE Quote!) to learn more about our amazing vacation values, including:
AND, book any package option for 4 nights and get 1 additional night FREE!
Specials

Universal Studios Orlando Specials08 Apr

1. The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM – Exclusive Vacation Package

Venture into a world where magic is real… and excitement knows no bounds at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure®theme park.
4 Night Vacations
Starting from only $899* per family of 4!
This EXCLUSIVE vacation package includes:
  • Early Park Admission◊ to experience The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
  • Breakfast at the Three BroomsticksTM- one per person
  • Hotel Accommodationsat a Universal Partner Hotel
  • 3-Day Base Ticket^ to both Universal Orlando theme parks- one theme park, per day
  • Access to live entertainment◊◊ at Universal CityWalk®

2. 4th Night and 4th Day FREE!

Book this exclusive vacation offer for stays at a nearby Universal Partner Hotel and you’ll receive a 4th Night & 4th Day FREE!
Vacation Packages for a family of four start as low as $829* tax inclusive!
That’s less than $52*, per person, per day!
Hurry, must purchase by 4/30/12.
Experience it all with:
  • 4th Night FREE* accommodationsat a nearby Universal Partner Hotel
  • 4-Day Base Ticket** for the price of a 3-Day Base Ticket– one theme park per day
  • Early Park Admission^ to Universal’s Islands of Adventure®before the rest of the general public
  • Access to live entertainment^^ at Universal CityWalk®
Specials

Walt Disney World Summer Offer02 Apr

Walt Disney World Summer Offer

     
You can enjoy a 6-night/7-day stay at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort including Theme Park tickets for as low as US $67 per person, per day (based on a family of 4) for stays most nights June 15 – Aug. 14, 2012.Now is the perfect time for you to plan a summer vacation their family will cherish forever. You can take advantage of all the fun and excitement of the Walt Disney World Resort with a 6-Night/7-Day Magic Your Way package at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, for stays most nights 6/15-8/14/12.
Whether you are being dazzled by an incredible nighttime fireworks spectacular, or kicking back with a relaxing dip in the pool, you’ll live the dream 24 hours a day.
Book through August 14, 2012.
Booking and Travel Window:
  • Book April 2 – August 14, 2012, for stays most nights June 15 – Aug. 14, 2012
Specials

Disneyland March-April 2012 Room-Only Offer08 Mar

Disneyland March-April 2012 Room-Only Offer

Now, you can save up to 25%* on most Sunday-Thursday night stays at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, for arrivals March 1-29, 2012. Plus, for arrivals most nights March 30 – April 14, 2012, you can save 25%* on a stay only at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Offer Details:
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
  • March 1-10, 2012, save 20% off a room-only reservation most Friday-Saturday nights, or save 25% off a room-only reservation most Sunday-Thursday nights.
  • March 11-29, 2012, save 25%* off a room-only reservation most Sunday-Thursday nights.
  • March 30 – April 14, 2012, save 25%* off a room-only reservation most nights.
Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
  • March 1-10, 2012, save 15% off a room-only reservation most Friday-Saturday nights, or save 20% off a room-only reservation most Sunday-Thursday nights.
  • March 11-29, 2012, save 20%* off a room-only reservation most Sunday-Thursday nights.
Booking & Travel Windows:
Book this offer Jan. 17 – March 11, 2012 for arrivals March 1 – April 14, 2012. Travel on this offer must be completed by April 15, 2012.
*Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the applicable hotel on the indicated dates. Offer valid for arrivals most nights from March 1, 2012 through April 14, 2012. Offer is valid when booked between January 17, 2012 and March 11, 2012. Travel must be completed by April 15, 2012. Applies only to standard and concierge level rooms and not valid with previously booked rooms. Excludes applicable taxes and fees. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people maximum per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
Specials

Get the 6th Night & Breakfast Free at Aulani09 Feb

Don’t Forget! Get the 6th Night Free* and Enjoy Complimentary Breakfast at Aulani

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is more than just a destination – it’s a portal to Oahu. And, with so much to see and experience, you will want to stay an extra night on us.
Book by Feb. 29 and you will receive your 6th night free* when booking a 6-night or longer stay at Aulani. Plus, each Guest in your party ages 3 or older is entitled to receive a complimentary continental breakfast at The ‘Ōlelo Room each day of your stay.

Aulani
Booking Window:
Book from Jan. 16 – Feb. 29, 2012

Travel Window:
This offer is available for most stays taking place between March 1-17 and April 15 – May 31, 2012. *The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes Resort fees and taxes. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or offers. Offer excludes suites and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. Additional per adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room. Offer applied once per reservation and not valid for previously booked rooms. Check for offers for other lengths of stay. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and subject to room occupancy limitations. Breakfast entitlements expire upon check out. Children under the age of three are not entitled to the complimentary breakfast. Advance reservations required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.


Specials

Disney Cruise Line Unveils New Itineraries, Ports for 201324 Jan

Disney Cruise Line Unveils New Itineraries, Ports for 2013

In 2013, Disney Cruise Line® will offer new itineraries, including an expanded portfolio of European cruises with new destinations such as Venice, Italy, and the Greek Isles. In addition, Disney Cruise Line will utilize a second homeport in Florida, with Caribbean sailings departing from the Port of Miami for the first time. Plus, there are new 2012 options, including a 14-night Panama Canal cruise and holiday sailings from Miami.
Bookings open for Gold and Platinum Castaway Club Members on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Bookings open to all Guests on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 .DCL Mickey Greece
Mediterranean from Barcelona
Beginning June 1, 2013, the Disney Magic® returns to Europe with plenty of new twists to the Mediterranean itineraries, including a 4-night option and special 12-night sailings in addition to 7-night itineraries that treat guests to the best of Europe. The 12-night sailings visit destinations such as Venice, Italy, and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast on one itinerary; Ephesus, Turkey and the Greek Isles including Athens on another itinerary.

Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Miami
Disney Cruise Line will sail from Miami for the first time on Dec. 23, 2012. The 6- and 7-night Caribbean sailings aboard the Disney Wonder® will set the stage for a schedule of 4- and 5-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean between Jan. 5 and May 2, 2013. Ports of call may include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West; Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s Castaway Cay.

Western Caribbean from Galveston
The Disney Magic will continue to sail from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean through May 2013.
Alaska from VancouverBeginning May 27, 2013, the Disney Wonder will sail 7-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska. Working closely with Alaskan tour operators, Disney Cruise Line has created exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history.

New for 2012 – Panama Canal
New Disney Wonder itineraries will make the holidays even more exciting in 2012. You can choose from a 14-night Panama Canal repositioning cruise, or a 6- or 7-night Caribbean cruise sailing from the Port of Miami.
The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Fla.
 Click HERE for your FREE quote!
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Friday, February 10, 2012

This is a great article that I found that many of you may be interested inreading

After I checked my e-mail at a poolside bar in Playa del Carmen last week, I checked the news, and read about Sheila Nabb's terrible injuries in Mazatlan.
Nabb, a 37-year-old Calgary office worker, was attacked in an elevator at her five-star resort in the small hours of the morning. Every bone in her face was broken and she faces a long, painful recovery.
On my flight back to snowy Ottawa, I watched a TV story about another Canadian attacked in Mazatlan.
Scott Giddy, of Fergus, Ont., was beaten over the head near the same resort last spring.
The TV networks have been playing these stories in heavy rotation, asking whether Canadians should feel safe travelling to Mexico.
These are compelling stories, the kind of news that keeps you from clicking your remote, and it is easy for producers to justify this sensationalism because the TV stations are making Canadians aware of the risks of travel-ling to Mexico, which are real.
But there are risks, also, with a day on the nearest ski hill, with the drive to the ski hill, with taking a cruise in Italy, or even staying locked in your own residence in Canada, where you might slip in the tub and crack your head.
As we become safer and richer, our culture becomes ever more risk-averse, and stories like Nabb's and Giddy's loom too large in our thoughts.
It would be unwise, to be sure, to take a holiday in Ciudad Juarez, on the Rio Grande, where ruthless and well-financed drug cartels are engaged in an unbelievably grim war for control of the choke point of the multibillion-dollar cocaine pipeline that runs from the jungles of Colombia to the noses of your neighbours.
They find bodies all over the place in that unhappy city - of-ten headless, disfigured bodies. Police officers quit their jobs out of mortal terror, and the morgue sometimes runs out of space. It's so bad that hundreds of thou-sands of locals have fled to safer cities.
But Mexico is not a place. It is a bunch of places, and some of them are safer than places in Canada.
I had a great time in Yucatan state last week, inland from Playa del Carmen. We rented a car and drove to Chichen Itza, which is stunning, and spent a happy night at a fiesta among the welcoming people of the colonial city of Vallodilid, watching proud young people dancing in beautiful, hand-embroidered clothes.
The murder rate in Yucatan is two per 100,000. Thunder Bay's murder rate is 4.2 per 100,000.
In 2011, six Canadians were murdered in Mexico, which is six tragedies, but 1.6 million Canadians went there - enough to fill the Air Canada Centre 80 times.
In 2010, according to crime statistics compiled by the Department of Foreign Affairs, four Canadians were killed in Mexico, two in the Dominican Republic, one in Costa Rica, five in the United States and none in Cuba or Costa Rica.
When you divide the number of murders by the number of tourists, you get one death per 8.5 million in the United States, one per 400,000 in Mexico and the Dominican Republic and one per 150,000 in Costa Rica.
But I'm not sure there's even any point to giving it that much thought, because all the numbers are so low. In Mexico in 2010, 21 Canadians died in accidents and 76 died of natural causes, many among the 60,000 retirees who live there.
And last week many people were bashed on the head here in Canada.
The expatriates I spoke to in the lovely beachside bars of Tulum, down the coast from Cancun, are more worried about potholes than being murdered.
In Canada, we have nine road fatalities per year per 100,000 inhabitants. Compare that number to the number of Canadians murdered in Mexico, and you have to come to the conclusion that crime in Mexico is not worth thinking about very much.
That doesn't mean you can't find trouble. You can find trouble in Thunder Bay if you go looking for it.
Don't go to Ciudad Juarez. Wherever you go, don't get hammered and wander around with your wallet bulging in your back pocket. Get your hotel to call you a taxi. Don't drive at night. Don't bring a prostitute back to your hotel room. Don't buy drugs. If you go out at night, stay on busy, well-lit streets.
Keep your eyes open, but don't think about it too much. Obsessing about the tragic stories of the small number of people who get attacked or murdered in Mexico distorts our risk calculations and makes us needlessly fearful.
Mexico is amazing. The chances of anything bad happening to you there are small.
Do you want to live your life obsessing about tiny risks or do you want to enjoy the fiesta?
Stephen Maher is a Postmedia News columnist. He appears regularly in the Herald.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
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Friday, January 20, 2012

100 Places to see before I die

 This is a  article  I found   that is  really good . You know  how many times have you thought to your self and wondered  man  have I seen and done  all the  things  I want to do   when I leave this  earth ? well the answer to that  question for many of us is NO.  And  for many of us  we are lucky to do one or two of them  but the important thing is  to make sure we  do what we can. You know recently I have had many friends either die or  that have been diagnosed with some type of disease  or they have unexpectably left our  world  with no warning.  I know for me I want to know I lived my life to the fullest  and  got every thing out of it that I could. this is why I  put this article in here   to give you ideas  of what is really out there  and that it  may  help you  discover the  places and the  things you want to do with your life to make it that much more  fulfilling  our lord has put so many things on this earth for us to enjoy  to see and do. so I hope you enjoy  looking and reading this article   and   get some of your own ideas 
100 places to see before you die
By Carrie Kitzmiller
Info Guru, Catalogs.com
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You won't want to miss these fantastic destinations.

We've all seen those 100 things... lists. It seems like there's a new one every week or so: 100 places to see before you die, 100 books to read, movies to see, paintings to see, buildings to visit – it goes on and on. I am not what you would call a well-traveled person, but I have collected my own list of places I'd like to visit, starting with places here in the United States.

United States


New England States

  • Boston National Historical Park – Boston, Massachusetts. This park connects eight different historical sites that show Boston's role in the American Revolution, including the Paul Revere House and the Bunker Hill Monument.
  • Portland Head Lighthouse – Portland, Maine. Visited by hundreds of thousands of people a year, this lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine is considered the most photographed lighthouse in North America.
  • Gettysburg Battlefield – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battlefield is now the home of Gettysburg National Military Park and Gettysburg National Cemetery.
  • Newport Cliff Walk – Newport, Rhode Island. The Cliff Walk is a designated National Recreation
    Trail. It consists of 3.5 miles of walking trails that follow the beautiful shoreline.
  • Independence Hall – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Independence Hall is the historic building where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed. It featured prominently in the movie National Treasure.

Mid-Atlantic States

  • Smithsonian Institution – Washington, DC. The Smithsonian Institution is a complex of museums related to American history, including the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, and many, many more.
  • Lincoln Memorial – Washington, DC. This memorial was built on the National Mall to honor President Abraham Lincoln. The memorial includes a large sculpture of Lincoln, and has been the location of many speeches, including Martin Luther King. Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
  • The White House – Washington, DC. The White House home of the president and the seat of the Executive Branch of the United States Government. It's many historic rooms are filled with presidential memorabilia.
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial – Washington, DC. Simply known as "The Wall," the Vietnam Veterans Memorial contains the names of the 58,256 veterans who were either killed in action or were still unaccounted for at the end of the Vietnam War.
  • The Boardwalk – Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Boardwalk in Atlantic City was built as a way of keeping visitors from tracking sand into hotel lobbies. It is currently the world's longest boardwalk.
  • The Statue of Liberty – New York City, New York. The Statue of Liberty is located in New York Harbor, and is one of the most enduring symbols of the United States.
  • Empire State Building – New York City, New York. Built in 1931, the Empire State Building is currently the tallest building in New York City, since the World Trade Center was destroyed in 2001.
  • Hershey's Chocolate World – Hershey, Pennsylvania. Who could pass up touring a world of chocolate?

Southern States

  • Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church&Parsonage – Montgomery, Alabama. This is the church where Martin Luther King, Jr. started his ministry and his work as the leader of the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Bathhouse Row – Hot Springs, Arkansas. At Bathhouse Row, you can bathe in the natural mineral hotsprings in the Buckstaff Baths, which is the only historical bathhouse still currently in use and open to tourists.
  • John F. Kennedy Space Center – Cape Canaveral, Florida. It's always been a dream of mine to watch an actual shuttle launch.
  • Landmark District – Savannah, Georgia. This area is full of historic sites that evoke a feeling of the Old South.
  • The French Quarter – New Orleans, Louisiana. The French Quarter is the oldest and most historic neighborhood in New Orleans, and a great place to find delicious cajun or creole food.
  • The Belle of Louisville Steamboat – Louisville, Kentucky. This steamboat was originally built in 1914, and has been completely restored to her old-style glory.
  • The Grand Ole Opry House – Nashville, Tennessee. This is the home of the oldest continuous radio program in the USA, and a great place to hear terrific country music.
  • Shenandoah Valley – Virginia. Located between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountain ranges, the Shenandoah Valley was mentioned in John Denver's famous song, "Country Roads."

Midwest States

  • Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls, New York. Niagara Falls used to be the destination for honeymooners. The sheer majesty of the falls will astound you.
  • The Gateway Arch – St. Louis, Missouri. This arch and park complex were designed to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase, and comprise the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

Great Plains States

  • Mt. Rushmore – Keystone, South Dakota. Mt. Rushmore is American history carved into a mountainside. It displays the heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Mountain States

  • Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado. For breathtaking mountain views and terrific hiking trails, the Rocky Mountain National Park can't be beat.
  • Glacier National Park – Montana. You can take a tour of this park on a 1930s red tourist bus, called a "jammer."
  • Monument Valley – southern border of Utah. Any lover of Western movies will recognize the glorious and majestic buttes in Monument Valley.
  • Frontier Days – Cheyenne, Wyoming. Visit one of the largest and best-known rodeos in the United States.
  • Devils Tower National Monument – northeastern Wyoming. Have you seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind? Then you will recognize this distinctly-shaped rock formation.

Southwestern States

  • Grand Canyon – Arizona. You can hike to viewing points, or take a helicopter ride in order to view the Grand Canyon in all its glory.
  • Las Vegas Strip – Las Vegas, Nevada. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right? Whether you want to gamble, see a show, or just stay in a world-class hotel, Vegas is the right destination.
  • Carlsbad Caverns National Park – Carlsbad, New Mexico. If spelunking (cave exploring) is your thing, then these huge natural caves with uniquely shaped stalactites and stalagmites are a must-see.
  • Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument – southern New Mexico. These dwellings were carved out of the cliffs by people of the Mogollon culture in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
  • The Alamo - San Antonio, Texas. The site of a decisive battle in Texas's war for independence from Mexico, the most famous Alamo defenders were Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett.
  • The Live Music Capitol of the World – Austin, Texas. Austin is known for its many nightclubs featuring live music: blues, country, jazz, swing, and just about every genre you can think of.

Pacific States

  • Hollywood Boulevard – Hollywood, California. Along this boulevard are many famous landmarks: Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Fame (with the stars of the stars!), Bob Hope Square, and the Kodak Theatre.
  • Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, California. This suspension bridge spans the opening of San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean.
  • USS Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This memorial was built to commemorate the Americans killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
  • Powell's City of Books – Portland, Oregon. Powell's is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world, and if you're a book-lover like I am, it's a must-see.
  • The Space Needle – Seattle, Washington. The Space Needle is the ultimate symbol of Seattle, and the surrounding area includes the Pacific Science Center and many other attractions.
  • Pike Place Market – Seattle, Washington. I'm a Washingtonian, and so Seattle is a favorite place to visit. Along with the Space Needle, you have to see the fish-sellers throwing their wares at Pike Place.
  • Deception Pass – Whidbey Island, Washington. Located in the beautiful San Juan Islands, Deception Pass is a strait that connects Skagit Bay with the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Puget Sound.

Canada


  • Charlottetown Festival – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Anyone who has read Anne of Green Gables (or seen the film version) will recognize Charlottetown. This musical theater festival runs from May to October.
  • Christ Church Cathedral – Victoria, British Columbia. Christ Church is a beautiful Anglican cathedral in Victoria, BC.

Mexico


  • Chichen Itza – Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. This is a huge archeological site containing many Mayan artifacts and Mayan pyramids.
  • The Beach – Cancun, Mexico. For picture postcard beautiful beaches and some great nightlife, try Cancun.

South America


  • Festival of Flowers – Medellin, Colombia. Every August, Medellin hosts the Festival of Flowers. The area is known for its orchids.
  • Christ the Redeemer – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This beautiful statue was recently voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Carnivale – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On the other end of the spectrum from the Christ the Redeemer statue is this wild and unbelievable carnival celebrated around the same time as Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
  • Incan Ruins – Macchu Picchu, Peru. Macchu Picchu was an ancient city of the Inca Empire.
  • World's Southernmmost City – Ushuaia, Argentina. In Ushuaia, you can see penguins without visiting Antarctica.
  • Angel Falls – Canaima National Park, Venezuela. This is the world's highest free-falling, freshwater waterfall.

Europe


  • The Grand Canal - Venice, Italy. What could be more romantic than a gondola ride?
  • The Colosseum – Rome, Italy. The Colosseum was the site of many gladiator battles.
  • St. Peter's Basilica – Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Traditionally the burial site of Saint Peter, this is the most famous church in Rome.
  • The Acropolis – Athens, Greece. Home of the Parthenon and other Greek temples.
  • Mount Olympus – Greece. According to myth, Mount Olympus was the home of the gods.
  • Copenhagen, Denmark. See the statue of the original Little Mermaid, a tribute to Hans Christian Anderson.
  • Stonehenge – Wiltshire County, England. Archaeologists believe this prehistoric monument was built around 2200 BC.
  • Tower of London – London, England. Throughout history, this tower has been used as a prison, a place of execution, a treasury, and the Royal Mint. It is the current home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.
  • Big Ben – Westminster, England. The Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster has become known as Big Ben, although technically that is the name of the bell inside the Clock Tower.
  • Westminster Abbey – Westminster, England. This gothic cathedral is still in use for worship services today.
  • Edinburgh Castle – Edinburgh, Scotland. This castle dates back to the Middle Ages.
  • Blarney Castle – Blarney, Ireland. This is where you go to kiss the Blarney Stone.
  • The Louvre – Paris, France. The Louvre is the most famous art museum in the world.
  • Notre Dame Cathedral – Paris, France. Notre Dame is a gothic cathedral located on The Ile de la Cite, one of the natural islands located in the Seine River in Paris.
  • Champs Elysee – Paris, France. This is one of the most beautiful and historic streets in the world.
  • Arc de Triomphe – Paris, France. This arch honors those who fought for France in the Napoleonic Wars.
  • Eiffel Tower – Paris, France. This French landmark is the tallest building in France, and was built for the World's Fair in 1889.
  • Monte Carlo Casino – Monaco. This historic casino is the epitome of gambling establishments.
  • The Cathedral of Seville – Seville, Spain. Visit in the spring to attend the Seville Fair and see some amazing flamenco dancing.
  • The Rock of Gibraltar – located in Gibraltar, Spain, but property of the United Kingdom.
  • The Running of the Bulls – Pamplona, Spain. This custom takes place during the Festival of San Fermin, and involves extremely crazy people running in front of bulls let loose in the city.
  • Belem Tower – Lisbon, Portugal. This gothic tower was built in the early 16th century.
  • Neuschwanstein Castle – Bavaria, Germany. This castle was built by King Ludwig II as an homage to the composer Richard Wagner, and looks like something right out of a Disney fairy tale.
  • Salzburg, Austria – All the beautiful scenery in The Sound of Music can be found in and around Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.
  • Vienna, Austria – This city is full of beautiful, historic buildings and is located on the Blue Danube River.
  • The Alps – Switzerland. The mountains are glorious, and the Alpine meadows in spring are breathtaking.
  • Prague Castle – Prague, Czech Republic. This is the largest ancient castle in the world, located in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
  • Parliament Building – Budapest, Hungary. When these historic buildings are lit up at night on the banks of the Danube, it is a breathtaking sight.
  • Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia – Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in Europe, and is so clear that you can see to a depth of 65 feet. Also, stop and see the St. Naum Monastery, which dates back to 905 AD.
  • Optimisticeskaja (Optimists' Cave) – Ternopil District, Ukraine. This is the third longest cave system in the world, and contains 230 kilometers of mapped passageways.
  • St. Basil's Cathedral – Moscow, Russia. The colorful 'onion domes' of this cathedral on the Red Square in Moscow make this building look like something out of a fairy tale.
  • Kazan Cathedral – St. Petersburg, Russia. Located on Nevsky Prospekt, the most famous street in Russia.
  • Hagia Sofia – Istanbul, Turkey. Once a Christian cathedral, then a Muslim mosque, this building is now a museum in the city formerly known as Constantinople.

The Middle East


  • Western (or 'Wailing') Wall – Jerusalem, Israel. This is a Jewish historic site located in the Old City in Jerusalem.
  • The Dome of the Rock – Jerusalem, Israel. This Islamic shrine is located on the Temple Mount, the historic location of the Jewish Temple.
  • Petra archaeological site – Southwestern Jordan. This site is a city carved in stone.
  • Cedars of God Forest – Lebanon. This is the last of the forests of Lebanese cedars that thrived in Bible times – King Solomon built the first Jewish temple using Lebanese cedar.

Asia
  • Taj Mahal – Agra, India. This mausoleum combines architectural styles from Persia, Turkey, the Islamic Empire, and India.
  • Great Wall – China. This wall stretches over 4,000 miles, and took centuries to build.
  • Imperial Palace – Beijing, China. The Imperial Palace is now a museum that houses art and artifacts of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
  • Sapporo Snow Festival – Sapporo, Japan. The sculptures of ice and snow at this festival are mind-boggling.

Africa


  • Pyramids of Giza – Cairo, Egypt. This complex of pyramids includes the Great Pyramid, the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Great Sphinx.
  • Victoria Falls National Park – northwestern Zimbabwe. This national park houses Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the world. It is also the home of a variety of exotic plant and animal species in the rainforest below the falls.
  • Serengeti National Park – Tanzania. If you tour this park, you can see lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, gazelles, and other native African wildlife.
  • Table Mountain National Park – Cape Town, South Africa. You can hike, go caving, or take a cable car to get the best views of Table Mountain and the surrounding area.

Australia


  • Sydney Opera House – Sydney. This beautiful building is an example of Expressionist Architecture, and is one of the most famous symbols of Australia.
  • Great Barrier Reef – Queensland. This is the world's largest coral reef system, and a popular destination for scuba divers.

Oceania


  • Moai (Easter Island Statues) – Easter Island, Polynesia. Easter Island is the home of the Easter Island statues, huge stone structures of human figures.

There you have it – my travel wish list. If you're looking for a list of 100 places to see before you die, feel free to borrow mine – or, better yet, create your own! Bon voyage.
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Introduction

My name is Angela Vadnais and I am a travel consultant  for  a Travel Agency in Lethbridge Alberta. I am making this blog in hopes to  drum up some business  for  my office  and I hope this will help any of you  make the decisions you  choose to make  during a time. that is  very challenging and hard to justify  going on any big vacations. I find the thing  that makes a vacation is not  how much you spend on your vacation.Of course  going on those  nice luxurious  vacations  are very  nice every once and a while  but you can have some of the best vacations  you have ever had  if you just really think of the needs of the people in your party. This includes  thinking about the kids and not always  about what we may want as parents to do. I mean lets face it  if the kids aren't happy neither is Mommy . And a Mad Mommy  is a bad thing so. I am asked this question lots  what are the benefits of using a  Travel Agent  well here is  Why you should let me help you  plan your vacation. As planning a trip today can be confusing and time consuming. A travel agent not only arranges the various modes of transportation, but a travel agent also may be able to save you money with early booking discounts, special fares, hotel deals and travel advisories. Don't take my  word for it. See what the president of Crystal Cruises has to say about it:

Benefits of Using a Travel Agent

Save Money! - Strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest in computer reservations technology enable travel agents to access the most up-to-date information on how to get you the best value.

Traveler Advocates - Your best interests are the priority. ASTA (The American Society of Travel Agents) has a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights and ASTA member travel agents are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.

Convenience - The ASTA membership includes travel agents across the country and throughout the world, most of which offer one-stop shopping for all travel arrangements.

Service - ASTA member travel agents are knowledgeable and active in the industry. The Society provides education, training and resource materials to its members to equip them with the tools to offer the highest quality of service.

Agents Will Go the Extra Mile - Agents work for you and will do everything they can to meet your travel needs. Some agents literally go that extra mile to help their clients. One ASTA-member agent even went to Ethiopia to escort two adopted orphans to the US.
With the advent of low-price travel booking websites such as Orbitz and Travelocity, it seems that flesh and blood travel agents may soon be run out of business. However, there are benefits to using a live travel agent to book your trip. Here are some of the reasons why you should book your next vacation with a travel agent.
Related Searches:

  1. Save Time

    • Simply give your travel agent your desired itinerary and budget, and let them do all the tedious searching. Your agent will take care of everything, including flights, hotels and even event tickets, which gives you less to stress about. Working with an agent will save you hours of time, allowing you to relax.

    Travel Agent Discounts

    • Travel agents often have access to deals, upgrades, discounts, and "full" packages that the average person cannot purchase. Their connections with other people in the travel industry can allow them access the casual traveler doesn't have.

    Look for an ASTA agent

    • A travel agent who is a member of ASTA (the American Society of Travel Agents) will have access to constant education and professional development, ensuring that he is trained in the most up-to-date policies and practices.

    Your Agent Never Stops Working For You

    • Your agent will be able to help you in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If something goes wrong along the way, you can contact your travel agent, and she will problem solve. For example, if your flight is canceled or delayed due to foul weather, your agent can book you a hotel wherever you have been stranded, and can even arrange for a taxi or limo to transport you from the airport to the hotel.

    Personalized Service

    • Because a travel agent wants your return business, she will do everything in her power to make your trip unforgettable. She will often provide small perks to make your vacation more pleasant. This might include a free birthday cake delivered on your birthday, or a bottle of chilled champagne waiting for you in your hotel room.
As you can see  there are many  reasons to  use a travel agent  just remember  just because it says it is cheaper on line  it will probably be a lot more expensive then  you may thinks as many online companies do not disclose  the actually price of  the trip so don't be fooled.

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