I recently completed attending TRENZ in Auckland, New Zealand and ATE in Adelaide, Australia - the showcase events for the tourism industry in both countries. Coming off a rather bleak 2009 season, the enthusiasm of moving forward in 2010 and beyond was clearly evident. As DUA attended the event on a rather big upswing (with business in forward months running close to all-time highs), we could at least for the time being forget about things like "double-dip recession" and plan ahead to a very exciting upcoming few months. The huge success we experienced with our Qantas-partnered "Aussie vs Kiwi" campaign will lead to even more successful campaigns upcoming, and for all of our travel agent partners we expect to have tremendous products to allow you to bring both New Zealand and Australia to the forefront of your clients' travel plans.
As I enjoy doing during these visits, I was able to enjoy some great new experiences. In New Zealand, I was able to tour the Canterbury region and had some very nice winter weather (short sleeves in June!). The Canterbury Museum in Christchurch had a fantastic Maori exhibition, and in a few hours I was able to delve into the fascinating history of the Maori, and see up close beautiful examples of the artwork and weaponry produced over several centuries. In Auckland, a cruise on the stunning ship Ipiriri made for a wonderful afternoon; the Ipiri plies the waters of the Bay of Islands and offers great overnight tours. In Australia, I toured the amazing Eyre Peninsula of South Australia with Goin' Off Safaris click here for more information, with the highlight being a chance to swim with playful sea lions in a remote cove. (And here's a bit of a hint - if you have anyone looking for an ideal place to go fishing, I can not think of any better spot anywhere than the Eyre Peninsula.) Easily accessible from Adelaide, you'll find great outdoor activities in a remote and gorgeous setting - highly recommended.
Look for details forthcoming on some exciting new offers, and we look forward to continuing to make New Zealand and Australia your favorite place to sell!
Good luck selling, and we'll be in touch next month.
Caesars Palace, Paris and Flamingo Offer Summer Wedding Packages
With the summer wedding season quickly approaching, Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, and Flamingo Las Vegas are offering a variety of romantic and distinctly Las Vegas wedding and vow renewal options. For an intimate and upscale outdoor event, the all-new Juno Garden at Caesars Palace debuts this year featuring ornate Roman-style architecture and seating for up to 120. For a truly one-of-a-kind wedding experience, couples can exchange vows high atop the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas with panoramic views from 460 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. Finally, Flamingo Las Vegas is home to five tropical chapels complete with exotic wildlife, palm trees and gardens.
For more information or to book call Tyus Tours & Travel at 866-547-5362.
Our Flexible Getaways make it easy for people to get together for a vacation. This program is ideal for small groups of 10 or more who want to vacation together at the same resort, yet need flexibility with their travel dates, flights, or length of stay, or who may even be traveling from different cities.
Flexible Getaways are available at participating resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Las Vegas, including RIU, Karisma, Barceló, Iberostar, Real Resorts, Palace Resorts, MGM/Mirage, and Sandals & Beaches.
Save up to $200 per booking when you take advantage of our Flexible Getaways offer, along with a $50 per booking rebate up to the total price of the lead booking. Plus, receive in-destination services such as welcome signage and special group considerations from our participating hotel partners.
For more information call our Sales Speicailist, Tyus Tours & Travel at 866-547-5362.
Hip Hop New York Step beyond tourist Manhattan and take a rapping tour of hip hop in Harlem says Michael Moran Ready to scratch at the Hip Hop Culture Centre in Harlem Michael Moran
The New York most tourists see is confined to a narrow rectangle of Manhattan centred on Times Square and Central Park.
Beyond the Sex and the City world of Manhattan matrons shopping for shoes and Brits stocking up on iPods there are innumerable other pleasures waiting to be discovered uptown, if only you can find a suitable guide.
From the moment you step on the chartered Harlem Hip Hop Tours bus, which has been equipped with a DJ mixing station and a rump-shakingly loud sound system, you know that you’re in for a memorable experience.
Charismatic and personable tour guide MC PJ works hard to strip self-conscious tourists of their inhibitions and promote a party mood. It doesn’t take long before the cynical Britons onboard are sporting impossibly loud baseball caps and rapping along to even louder music.
There’s also a more conventional rolling talk about the history and culture New York’s most colourful district.
With a focus on the early pioneering days of Hip Hop music it’s slanted to please those 40-year old b-boys with substantial disposable income rather than devotees of more threatening contemporary rap styles.
There are digressions too into Hip Hop’s jazz and soul antecedents with brief stops at The Cotton Club and the Harlem Apollo, both of which are far smaller and more modest than their international reputations might suggest.
Definitely highlight of the tour was a visit to Harlem’s Hip Hop Culture Centre. It would be inaccurate to suggest that the DJing skills workshop resulted in anything but a raucous cacophony of inexpert scratching, but most participants were having too much fun dreaming up fanciful DJ stage names for themselves to notice.
Elder statesman (and arguably originator) of Hip Hop Kool Herc was on hand at the centre to say a few words and good naturedly pose for photographs with starstruck ageing Home Counties b-boys. Other rap luminaries are promised for future tours.
The tour ended with a lunch at Sylvia’s soul food restaurant. Few could finish the vast plates of delicious cornbread, fried chicken and ribs but it wasn’t for lack of desire.
Hip Hop tours offer a mix-and-match selection of authentic Harlem experiences, including club nights, Hip Hop dance lessons and even a recording studio visit. For those of us that grew up listening to the fat beats from across the Atlantic one of their tours really is an essential part of any New York visit.
For more information on Hip Hop Tours call 866-547-5362
A hip-hop tour of New York's Harlem Ginny Dougary and teenage sons take a guided tour of Harlem and the Bronx to find the roots of hip-hop Ginny Dougary
So there I am with my solid crew, two teenage sons and me in Kangol berets, dripping in bling, on loan from our hosts Grandmaster Caz and Reggie Reg, the grandaddies of hip-hop, manoeuvring our way through Harlem and the Bronx in a tour bus rapping to “It’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under”.
What a great way to start a family holiday in New York. Caz (short for Casanova) is an A* teacher; no slacking permitted as he fires out questions, checks whether his pupils have been listening, points out places of interest — where such and such a gangsta rapper was shot dead (“We always pause here to pay a little love . . . a little respect”) — and lists the four cornerstones of hip-hop culture: the DJ, the MC, breakdancing and graffiti. And then there’s the clothes.
“What’s the difference between fashion and style?” Headmaster Caz asks. To my astonishment, son No 2 puts up his hand: “Style isn’t what you wear, it’s how you wear it.” “Excellent answer,” Caz replies.
Our first stop is the playground of an empty school in Harlem, walls ablaze with cartoon figures and slogans, which has been dubbed the Graffiti Wall of Fame. Caz, who does most of the talking, finds it amazing that what was once considered an “outlaw” activity has been transformed into Art — depending on who’s doing it and where it’s displayed.
Hip Hop New York Step beyond tourist Manhattan and take a rapping tour of hip hop in Harlem says Michael Moran
New York's new cultural quarter
The High Line: New York's newest park Central Park, your time is up - The High Line will be a thin strip of calm running through the city
10 best skyline views in New York Background The best places to eat in New York The bloggers' travel guide to... New York A New York hotel for under-21s The underground bars of New York City Staying in New York's Guggenheim Museum Related Links The High Line: New York's newest park We learn how hip-hop started on August 11, 1973, when Kool Herc (whose father was a DJ in Jamaica and taught his son that James Brown was god) decided that his Party Must Go On.
After several nights of booming music that could be heard three blocks away, “it started getting out of hand”, Caz says, and the party moved from a tiny living room to nearby Cedar Park, which is where things became creative.
He leads us to what looks like a lamppost and says: “We needed electricity so you open this up and inside is a ‘thingummyjig’. You go to a hardware store and get a ‘thingummybob’ and you plug the thingummybob into the thingummyjig and you’re away. So the authoriteee of New York Citeee unwittingleee kickstarted hip-hop.”
Soon hip-hop parties were taking place all over the boroughs, from its birthplace in the Bronx to Brooklyn and Harlem — the boom box became known as “the Harlem briefcase” — while the Manhattanites remained in thrall to square old disco.
The first hip-hop single to enter the Top 40 was the Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight in 1979, and the original words were written by none other than our tour leader who performs the number for us on the bus, urging us to sing along to his “signature” line: “I’m the C-A-S-A, the N-O-V-A, the rest is F-L-Y”. Grandmaster Caz fought successfully to get a writer’s credit but has never received a cent in royalties; all the more reason to book a ride on his illuminating, and massively fun, tour.
After we are deposited, now sadly bling and beret-less, the boys (boyz?) and I walk down the streets of Harlem, all the way to our serviced appartment near Times Square. This is something of a nostalgia-fest since the last time I spent any time in Harlem was back in 1981 when the boys’ father, Bruce, and I were in New York as part of an extended honeymoon.
He ended up working on 125th street, the main vein of Harlem, selling fruit and vegetables from a stall with Gillie who — a quarter of a century later — is the photographer for this trip.
Harlem, then, was considered something of a no-go area for many native New Yorkers. Bruce would always take the subway to work from our studio sublet in Greenwich Village, since most yellow cab drivers simply refused the fare.
Our Harlem circle of friends and acquaintances tended to be in a less respectable line of work than our downtown gang, and their recreational habits were more self-destructive. Manchu, the fruit-and-vege boss, was an engaging figure who lived on a diet of Thunderbird wine and various heavy-duty drugs which, sadly, did for him in the end.
The Apollo Theatre, Cotton Club and Lenox Lounge, whose heyday was in the 1930s, are still in operation and thrive under the new tourism, as does Sylvia’s famous soul food restaurant.
The Body Shop, The Gap and other international brands have long since moved in, along with Bill Clinton’s headquarters, and the magnificent brownstone terraced houses that were once derelict and used as shooting galleries for junkies (Manchu once offered me a look around, but I declined) are restored and selling for millions.
On Sunday we returned to Harlem on a gospel tour. On our way to church we stopped to admire a number of striking historical buildings which, rather shamefully, I wasn’t even aware of as a twentysomething. Sylvan Terrace is a double row of wooden two-storey houses, very quaint with their ivy-green shutters, built in 1882 across a cobblestoned street.
This was the carriage drive for a substantial Georgian mansion, Mount Morris, built in 1765 for Colonel Roger Morris, a Royalist, and his Dutch wife. George Washington used it as his headquarters during the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776. In 1810 the wealthy French-Caribbean wine merchant Stephen Jumel and his wife, Eliza Bowen, restored it.
Jumel died in mysterious circumstances, according to our guide, and his widow — who had become the richest person in New York — went on to marry Aaron Burr, Vice-President to Thomas Jefferson, in the front parlour.
The church service, itself, was a bit of a letdown and too long for our unGodbothering tastes. I loved the way the congregation dressed up and the warm, sprawling family atmosphere. But the gospel singing was distinctly tame (its members, we were told, are recovering addicts) and not a patch on the choir I saw at a gospel brunch in Jimmy’s, a celebrity hangout in Harlem in the late Nineties. The singers were ultra-lively and rejoiced in such bonkers lyrics as “My Lord is a washing machine”.
The rest of our week was packed with all the enjoyable New York clichés: the free entertainment of opera-singing, rollerblading show-offs in Central Park; carb-filled breakfasts in the Empire Diner; oysters in Grand Central station; the Rockettes in Radio City Hall; jazz in the West Village; Polish food in the East Village; ice- skating at the Rockefeller Centre.
After a break in Philadelphia we returned for a last night at the Mandarin hotel in a suite of Madame Jumel-like luxury. The boys were thrilled with their eyrie views of Central Park. The staff, with the minimum of fuss, converted the sofas into beds while we were dining downstairs and both sons pronounced the hamburgers “excellent” and the female diners “fit”.
Earlier, I had a half-a-day in the company of a personal shopper, Deanna, who picked me up in a white stretch limo. We were, alas, a mismatch; she being a willowy Sex and the City girl, while I am more Rosemary and Thyme (not Felicity Kendal, the other one).
Deanna was frank: my look “definitely needed updating”. Thus I found myself, in slight panic mode, buying absurdly feminine shoes, a white coat and Prada boots, most of which have remained in the wardrobe. I should have listened more carefully to the hip-hop headmaster or, indeed, my son: “It’s not what you wear, it’s the way that you wear it.”
Bang that, shoppers, to the boogie, boogie beat.
For more information on Hip Hop tours call 866-547-5362
The TCA Travel Club of Detroit, MI is offering this unique experience.
A unique and unforgettable overnight getaway awaits you in Downtown Detroit.. Come learn how to make the perfect martini in our University's interacitve Martini class where you will make your own Martinis to taste. For those who do not drink , we have an interactive non alcoholic drink mixing class where you will learn the ABC'S mixing great tasting drinks.
Later in the evening you will be served a full course dinner and beginning at 12 midnight our Old School Pajama Mixer with P-Tyme playing hustle music plus giving lessons, card games and for even more fun , the Dating Game.
The next morning you can get an early morning swim in the hotel's pool or workout in the fitness room. Then enjoy a breakfast buffet before checking out.
Space is limited so register today and do not miss out on what promises to be a fun overnight getaway.
For more information visit www.tyustours.com or call 866-547-5362 or 614-583-9144.
As summer draws nearer, the excitement continues to build for the St. Kitts Music Festival, which will take place from June 25 - 27 this year. In addition to a thrilling line-up of performers that includes T-Pain and Regina Belle, the 13th Annual event marks the first time the Festival will have a celebrity guest host - none other than the Emmy Award winning actor and vocalist Keith David!
Tickets to the 13th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival are US $50.00 per person, per night and are available for purchase on www.tyustours.com.
St. Kitts Music Festival Line up
Thursday June 25th · Nu Vybes Band International
· The Grand Masters Band
· King Konris
· Lord Nelson
· Lejah Band featuring BiggieIrie
· Edwin Yearwood · Mavado
Friday June 26th
· Odisi Band
· Burning Spear
*
Saturday June 27th
· KC5 & Shakki
· Regina Belle
· T-Pain
Vacation Packages are available priced from $829 per person includes airfare and 3 nights Hotel For more information call 1-866-547-5362.
Whether you swap, rent or rent out, it pays to be safe and crystal clear
By Harriet Baskas
Travel writer
msnbc.com contributor
updated 4:07 p.m. ET,Thurs., Nov. 6, 2008
Harriet Baskas
Travel writer
Airfare costs and the unsteady economy is forcing would-be travelers to get more creative. And chummier.
Some are befriending — or suddenly reconnecting with — folks who own second homes in hopes of securing a weekend invitation. Others are trying to stretch their travel dollars by renting a condo or apartment instead of a hotel room. And then there are the increasing numbers of travel tightwads who spend no money on lodging and instead swap their homes with other travelers.
Does renting, borrowing, or swapping work? It often depends on your comfort zone and your luck, but this is an area where an open mind, research skills and a good set of travel manners really matter.
My family’s recent trip to Lisbon, Portugal, for example, was only affordable once we abandoned the hotel search and rented a small apartment.
The cash deposit was hefty. The directions for finding the place were somewhat mysterious. The house rules we agreed to were extremely explicit. I fretted about what we’d find when we showed up, but the bright, spotless rooms, as-promised view, goodie-filled welcome basket, and owner’s tour of the neighborhood reassured me that we lucked out.
Others haven’t been so fortunate. Although Suzanne Robitaille of New York scrubbed and scoured her apartment before swapping homes with an e-mail buddy from London, she arrived to find a sink filled with dirty dishes, no hot water and a swarm of flies, which, incidentally, management conceded might have something to do with a dead body across the hall.
Folks who rent or loan out their homes have their own horror stories. Carol Irvine owns Pacific Idyll, a large ocean-view home in the upscale beach village of Seabrook, Wash. Despite a rental agreement that clearly states parties are not allowed, one man hosted a huge bash, trashed the house, and wore just his underwear to greet the manager who showed up to confront him the next morning. Another guest was burning candles in the shower stall and set the custom-made fabric shower curtain on fire.
When Patricia Lorenz rented out her family’s Florida condo, she discovered that while her guests did wash the sheets and towels before leaving, they’d hurriedly squished sixteen still-wet towels back into the linen closet. “Had I not checked we'd have had very messy, smelly, black [mildewed] towels for sure! Next time I'll check before they leave!”
Make yourself at home — just not too much Renting, loaning or swapping a home works best if house rules are spelled out long before any keys or cash is exchanged.
Anna Post, an author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute, offered a few tips. For example, make sure your expectations are clear. “You might say: ‘Before you arrive, I’ll be doing this and this. Will you be doing the same?’ Anyone short of a complete blockhead will understand that they need to reciprocate the same preparations.”
Post also urges everyone to be respectful of their host’s private space. Looking through hospital bills and diaries is a no-no, she says, even if the host has left them out. “It’s something you pretend you didn’t see in the first place and don’t dig into. It all comes down to appreciation and being respectful.”
It’s also a good idea to think twice or ask for more details when someone urges you to “just make yourself at home.” Post warns that while it may be OK to adopt a relaxed, flip-flop-wearing beach attitude when renting a beach house, it’s not OK to “try on your host’s clothing or use their beauty products. That would be too much!”
And don’t think you won’t get caught. “You’re borrowing a home, not a lifestyle,” says Tony Abrams of Four Hundred, an invitation-only, lifestyle management/concierge service. “Leave their car, clothes and any valued possessions in their rightful and undisturbed location.” Otherwise, he cautions, you may end up like the guest who took his host’s boat out for a joyride only to discover that he couldn’t figure out how to get the boat back into the slip. “He ended up sleeping on the boat for the night until he could call someone to dock the boat.”
Get down to the nitty-gritty If you’re the one renting a home or swapping with another person, don’t be shy about requesting and checking references, researching the neighborhood and making sure you understand exactly what items in the home are available for use. Are you welcome to use the pool, the pool table or the computer? Will those items be tantalizingly off-limits? Can you live with that, or will you just be too tempted?
And if you’re the one renting, loaning or swapping your home, keep some tips from Kelli Grant in mind. The senior consumer reporter for Smart Money Magazine reminds us that while it’s great to be generous with your home, you must also be savvy:
Lock the filing cabinet. Grant discovered that “a family member, friend or coworker is the perpetrator in about 16 percent of identity theft cases.” So she suggests locking up medical records, credit card statements, birth certificates and any other personal or financial documents.
Check your coverage. While homeowners’ insurance usually covers guests when you’re not at home, Grant says the lines can blur when you’ve received cash and are renting your space.
Write up a contract. Everyone I spoke with agrees with Grant on this one. A contract needn’t be too formal or require a notarized signature, but it should outline the financial responsibility of the guests and mention the quirks of your home.
Who can you call? It’s also important to leave a list of emergency contact numbers so guests can find a plumber or other service provider in an emergency.
When in doubt, spell it out — again The number of a good locksmith might have been useful to the group of men Deb Kleber at VisitingPortugal.com once rented to. Although she and her husband do a pretty thorough check of their renters and turn down anyone they don't feel comfortable with, some ill-mannered travelers get through. This was discovered one morning at 2 a.m. when one of the “executives” who had rented an apartment called asking for someone to come open the door. “[My husband] let the guest in and explained to him — and his prostitute friend — that she couldn't stay because non-guests are prohibited in the rental agreement. The next day we gave them a good but slightly awkward talking-to about appropriate neighborhood behavior — and another copy of the rental agreement.”
Harriet Baskas writes msnbc.com's popular weekly column, The Well-Mannered Traveler. She is the author of the “Stuck at the Airport” blog, a contributor to National Public Radio and a columnist for USATODAY.com.
Hawai’i - Six Islands of Paradise: An Introduction
If you are like most who have never been to Hawaii, the state’s islands blend into a mass of unpronounceable vowels and indistinct images of a tropical paradise. The geography of the islands is not difficult, however, and all it takes is one trip to make visitors long to become experts. So if you have never been, or if you have only been to one island, this introduction should whet your appetite and familiarize you with the islands and their most important characteristics. Perhaps the most amazing fact you’ll find is how close and reasonably priced Hawaii really is. Long thought of as a distant playground for the wealthy, Hawaii is less than 6 hours from the west coast and terrifically, wonderfully affordable.
Most do not realize that Hawaii’s islands span more than 1,500 miles, creating the longest chain of islands in the world. In total, Hawaii is actually 130 separate islands if you include the atolls and coral reefs above sea level. However, the eight of these islands that cover 99% of the land area receive all of the attention, and of those, only six offer tourism opportunities (Niihau is privately owned and Kahoolawe was once a test range for the US Navy). The six major islands are Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s Big Island. Each island has its own identity, ambiance, climate and geological features that make it unique.
The Hawaiian Islands are volcanic, the products of millions of years of undersea eruptions; today, however, the only active volcano is on Hawaii’s Big Island. Hawaii’s climate is an amazing phenomenon, as well. Climatologists will tell you that the earth has 13 types of climatic conditions, and of those, 11 are represented on Hawaii - the only missing conditions are Arctic and Saharan. At sea level, summer temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit and in winter, a balmy 75 degrees. Year round, the average water temperature is 74 degrees.
Getting around on the islands is a cinch. A ferry runs between Maui and Lanai and Maui and Molokai, and inter-island flights offer multi-island passes at a discount. Another small commercial carrier, Island Air, flies between the smaller airports on the islands. Most visitors relish self-drive adventures, touring the winding roads along the beaches or into the interior of the islands at their own pace. Rental options range from scooters to Ferraris, but for a classic experience, try renting a Jeep.
What’s truly unique about Hawaii, though, is the sheer number of activities available in such an amazingly beautiful setting - the scenery is unmatched and unlike anything in the world. Mountains and beaches, tropical rainforests and snow. Pineapple plantations and volcanoes. Sit and do nothing, or try just a few of the built-in diversions that nature has given a home here: water sports like surfing, windsurfing, boating, sailing, snorkeling, diving, fishing and kayaking; or try golf, tennis, world-class bicycling, hiking and camping. The islands are also home to an entire health industry, with internationally recognized spas, yoga and holistic centers throughout the state. And Hawaii takes the precious gifts that nature has bestowed very seriously, so ecotourism is practiced with a particular zeal here, and many tour and local guide companies offer programs designed around the islands’ flora and fauna.
Geologists say that Kauai is the oldest island of the six tourist islands. The rugged coast boasts more miles of beach and hiking trails than all the other islands. This is the island serving as a backdrop to many films, including Jurassic Park. Its primitive, tropical beauty evokes the Garden of Eden - it is an island of mountains and valleys, waterfalls and beautiful beaches. On the Northwest side of the island, 3,000 foot cliffs line the Na Pali Coast, much of it inaccessible except by boat or hikes on foot. The island is circular in shape, offering five areas developed for tourism. This well-rounded destination appeals to commercial shoppers, fine diners, and eco-tourists alike.
Oahu is the most commercial of the islands, and home to Waikiki and Honolulu. But do not let that fool you: Oahu mesmerizes visitors with rainforests, mountains, valleys, and spectacular ocean waves. A great suggestion for any island newcomer is to rent a car (an open top is ideal) and drive the perimeter of the island - you may well be awed by how undeveloped and quaint much of the island remains. Honolulu, on the southern tip of Oahu and bordered by both mountains and ocean, is actually one of the largest cities in the United States and home to near 80% of the Hawaiian population. Waikiki is famous the world over, where urban culture and the distinct Polynesian flavor of Hawaii co-exist in perfect harmony. Diamond Head, a mountainous volcanic crater, is a famous and easily recognizable landmark.
Words most often associated with the island of Molokai are peace and tranquility. Molokai is home to many of the ecological and adventure-oriented activities found in Hawaii. The eastern side of the island is very green and tropical, and the western side, in contrast, offers dry grasslands and beaches. To the north, tall sea cliffs rising more than 3,500 feet above sea level look out over the ocean and create Hawaii’s tallest waterfall. The Kalaupapa Peninsula is considered one of the state’s most beautiful areas and is ironically the former home of the island’s famous leper colony, bordered by high, sheltering cliffs on one side. The main “urban” area is Kaunakakai, a town with no traffic lights.
Lanai is a largely rural island, sheltered from the leeward winds by Maui, some nine miles away. There are only 32 miles of pavement on the island, and much of it is given over to luxury resorts, golfing, and activities for adventurous personalities, and it is oft-considered the Hawaii’s best snorkeling and scuba diving spot. Lanai was at one time a giant pineapple plantation and is home to some of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, such as Hulopoe Bay. The only town on the island is Lanai City, a quaint town filled with small shops and artist studios. Lanai entertains many visitors with large luxury resorts and their attendant championship golf properties.
The island of Maui has something for everyone. The dormant Haleakala volcano (though officially classified as “active”) and Kahalawai volcano watch over Hawaii’s second largest island and shape the island’s mountains, valleys and waterfalls. Visitors to Maui are surprised by how undeveloped most of the island feels, and yet how much it offers in terms of dining, resorts and nightlife. Maui is also the whale watching center for the islands (the humpback whale is the state animal). Driving to the top of Haleakala to watch the sunrise is a Maui visitor ritual (many opt to bike back down from the top), as is a drive around the island’s perimeter on the 50 mile Hana Highway. Another attraction is the small village of Lahaina, full of great shops and restaurants.
The Big Island is the home to the Kilauea volcano: the still active, currently erupting volcano is the most active volcano in the world, with a continual lava flow pouring into the ocean since 1983, creating approximately 40 new acres of island every year. The Big Island is as large as all of the other islands combined, with more than 260 miles of coast. During the winter, it can actually snow on the island’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, and you can snow ski on its 13,796 foot altitudes, weather permitting. The Kona-Kohala Coast on the Big Island hosts several luxury resorts and golf facilities along with its white-sand beaches. Here, too, is the town of Hilo, displaying its tropical, quintessential Hawaiian culture.
Again, this overview is just a start at describing the amazing destination of Hawaii. Its cultural and environmental significance can only be fully understood through a visit in person - to see is to believe. Once you are there, consider leaving the beaten path to explore the lush outdoors of America’s 50th state.
Early 2009 will be a particularly adventageous time to visit. Prices in Hawaii are the lowest in some time, and it is possible to travel to the Islands of Aloha now for even less than 2007 prices!
This article is one of TRO’s Voyager series and is available for Travel Agent use in your newsletters and websites by registering with TRO and following this license agreement.
Your use of this article is sponsored and made possible by Blue Sky Tours, with more air contracts to Hawaii than any other wholesaler. Click on the banner below to see 2008 pricing that are less than 2007 pricing!
enter and win “Two Tickets to Paradise” from USA3000 Airlines and the legendary ’Tween Waters Inn Island Resort.
Wherever you’re flying today, you could find yourself on cloud nine if you enter and win “Two Tickets to Paradise” from USA3000 Airlines and the legendary ’Tween Waters Inn Island Resort. That’s because you can win two round-trip tickets from any USA3000 service city to Southwest Florida International Airport, where you’ll enjoy the beauty of Captiva Island and ‘Tween Waters Inn’s Seaplane Adventure — four days and three nights in a beautiful, historic seaside cottage, a seaplane flight over Sanibel and Captiva Islands, gourmet dinner for two, sunset picnic basket and more. So get your head out of the clouds and enter before December 31, 2008
VACATION EXPRESS ANNOUNCES RETURN OF CHARLOTTE - CANCUN SUMMER CHARTER
Vacation Express announced today that plans are being finalized for a return to the Charlotte market with a summer 2009 Cancun charter.
Vacation Express will continue its long-established partnership with AeroMexico for 2009, which includes charter programs to Cancun from Atlanta, Cincinnati, Nashville and New Orleans. Passengers will enjoy a complimentary open bar, complimentary seat assignments and meal service. An upgrade to Express Class is also available.
Effective Monday May 25 through August 3, 2009, Vacation Express will offer one non-stop flight weekly from Charlotte operating on Monday with a return on Sunday. Vacationers enjoy optimal flight times, allowing for maximum beach time, with convenient morning departures and afternoon returns. This 6-night program has proven to be very successful in many of Vacation Express' other charter markets, because it still provides a week's vacation but with the added benefit of a one night hotel savings - something very appealing these days to budget-conscious vacationers.
According to Mr. Rene Jongmans, President of Vacation Express, "For a very long time, the Charlotte market was one of the company's primary territories. Unfortunately, the general decrease in airline pricing didn't warrant the continuation of charters in that market. Now that scheduled airfares are significantly higher again, there is a renewed benefit in bringing back the charter for the summer."familiar with. These benefits include cash booking bonuses, hotel nights as part of the Freebies program and the option to earn 15% commission on each booking through its Prestige Package Upgrade program.
Vacation Express has been in existence for 19 years and has sold well over 2 million vacation packages. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Vacation Express offers over 25 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica and recently launched The Concierge Collection, its luxury hotel brand. Vacation Express is a privately held company with a focus on client and agent satisfaction.
Throughout the years, Vacation Express has kept all of the travel agent incentive programs in place, which most agents are still quite
Says Sharon Barnett, Sales Manager for Palace Resorts and former Sales Manager for Vacation Express, "I am very excited to have the Vacation Express charter back for the summer. With the reductions in airlift and increased airfare, the market can certainly benefit from the more value priced charter option. Palace Resorts has been a strong supporter of Vacation Express for almost two decades now. As an added value for booking Palace Resorts with Vacation Express, agents are entitled to double bonuses as part of the VE cash incentive program. Plus, clients will receive non-stop transfers to any Palace Resort or LeBlanc at no extra premium. A win-win for all!"
VACATION EXPRESS ANNOUNCES NASHVILLE-CANCUN SUMMER CHARTER SCHEDULE
Please be advised that due to the significant increase of fuel cost, all non ticketed itineraries may be subject to fuel surcharges imposed by the airlines without advance notice.
Please advise clients that it is best to have their tickets issued at time of booking to guarantee quoted fare and avoid additional costs. Fares are not guaranteed until ticketed.
VACATION EXPRESS ANNOUNCES 2009 CINCINNATI-CANCUN CHARTER SCHEDULE
Vacation Express announced today that plans have been finalized for a new and improved charter schedule from its popular Cincinnati gateway to Cancun starting in February 2009. After a review of 2008 vacation patterns, it was determined that fewer passengers are opting for short stay durations, with a stronger demand for the longer stays. The 2009 charter program will be available for sale at some point during the week of July 28.
Effective February 14 through August 9, 2009, Vacation Express will offer two flights weekly from Cincinnati operating on Saturdays and Sundays with returns on Fridays and Saturdays. The resulting charter patterns will be: Saturdays: 6nts and 7nts; Sundays: 5nts and 6nts. Vacation Express will continue its long-established partnership with AeroMexico for its 2009 charter program.
Passengers will enjoy complimentary open bar, meal service and complimentary seat assignments on all flights. An upgrade to Express Class is also available. In addition, vacationers enjoy optimal flight times, allowing for maximum beach time, with convenient 9:30am departures and 3:40pm returns.
According to Mr. Rene Jongmans, President of Vacation Express, "Rising fuel costs have necessitated an increase in package prices plus have made it necessary to re-evaluate the number of flights (and rotations) we offer each week on our charter program. The longer stays (proven to be the most popular) are less affected by the cost increase than the short stays." As a result of the company's travel trend and cost analyses, the decision was made to offer 5, 6 and 7 night charter rotations and eliminate the shorter 3 and 4 night stays. Mr. Jongmans further explained, "We know that 7 night stays have always been popular in this market, and that Saturday departures in particular are in very high demand. More recent trends are showing that many vacationers prefer the 6 night option which still provides a week's vacation but with the added benefit of a one night hotel savings - something very appealing these days to budget-conscious vacationers. In addition, honeymooners will find the Sunday departures a perfect choice with both 5 and 6 night stays available."
Vacation Express has been in existence for 19 years and has sold well over 2 million vacation packages. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Vacation Express offers over 25 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica and recently launched The Concierge Collection, its luxury hotel brand. Vacation Express is a privately held company with a focus on client and agent satisfaction.
Many airlines are now assessing a fee for checked luggage. These fees are payable directly to the airline, and are therefore not included in your Worry-Free Vacations package price. The various airline policies are listed below and are current as of the last update.
Airline
Destination
1st Bag Fee per direction
(maximum weight 50 lbs /
62 linear inches)
2nd Bag per direction
Effective Date on or after Ticketing
& Travel Date
AeroMexico
Mexico
Free
Free
Travel Date -
May 24, 2008
Allegiant
Mexico
Free
Free
Travel Date -
June 1, 2008
Ryan International
Mexico and Caribbean
Free
Free
Travel Date -
Feb 3, 2008
Sun Country
Caribbean
Free
Free
Travel Date -
May 23, 2008
USA3000
Mexico
Free
$25
Ticketing Date -
Mar 20, 2008
Northwest Airlines
U.S.A, Canada, Mexico & the Caribbean
$15
$25
3 or more, $100 per bag
Ticketing Date -
July 10, 2008
Travel Date -
August 28, 2008
Effective 7/10/2008
Please note:
All luggage rules and fees are subject to change at anytime without notice.
Standard luggage size allowance by carrier is 0-50 lbs and a maximum of 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Oversize luggage charges apply for luggage that exceeds these or airline specified weights and dimensions.
Sporting equipment such as skis or golf clubs is considered a checked bag, subject to excess luggage fees, and must meet size and weight requirements.
Please see the specific luggage rules for each carrier for more details.
For 3 days only, June 4-6, 2008, kids 2-16 years of age can receive FREE airfare to Florida with a paying adult. To qualify, your clients can purchase their NWA WorldVacations® air, hotel, and car rental vacation package to any exciting destination in the sunny state of Florida.
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2nd Aruba Veterans Tennis Invitational priced from $1050 per person! La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club, 11/3-11/7/2010 The time is here to invite you to the 4th Aruba Veterans Tennis Invitational
We will again inaugurate this Special Tournament with our usual "Champagne Night" with Live entertainment.
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Specials for week of 07/27/2010;
Air, & 2 nights to Las Vegas priced from $186. Air & 2 nights to Orlando, Fl.
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Tyus tours & travel is an Independent Travel Agent for Kenley Konnection Travel, 5773 Emporium Square, Columbus, Ohio 43231, 614-898-9505. A signed agreement is on file for your inspection.
As I enjoy doing during these visits, I was able to enjoy some great new experiences. In New Zealand, I was able to tour the Canterbury region and had some very nice winter weather (short sleeves in June!). The Canterbury Museum in Christchurch had a fantastic Maori exhibition, and in a few hours I was able to delve into the fascinating history of the Maori, and see up close beautiful examples of the artwork and weaponry produced over several centuries. In Auckland, a cruise on the stunning ship Ipiriri made for a wonderful afternoon; the Ipiri plies the waters of the Bay of Islands and offers great overnight tours. In Australia, I toured the amazing Eyre Peninsula of South Australia with Goin' Off Safaris 
From Times OnlineMarch 6, 2008
From The Times
should whet your appetite and familiarize you with the islands and their most important characteristics. Perhaps the most amazing fact you’ll find is how close and reasonably priced Hawaii really is. Long thought of as a distant playground for the wealthy, Hawaii is less than 6 hours from the west coast and terrifically, wonderfully affordable.
beautiful setting - the scenery is unmatched and unlike anything in the world. Mountains and beaches, tropical rainforests and snow. Pineapple plantations and volcanoes. Sit and do nothing, or try just a few of the built-in diversions that nature has given a home here: water sports like surfing, windsurfing, boating, sailing, snorkeling, diving, fishing and kayaking; or try golf, tennis, world-class bicycling, hiking and camping. The islands are also home to an entire health industry, with internationally recognized spas, yoga and holistic centers throughout the state. And Hawaii takes the precious gifts that nature has bestowed very seriously, so ecotourism is practiced with a particular zeal here, and many tour and local guide companies offer programs designed around the islands’ flora and fauna.
you: Oahu mesmerizes visitors with rainforests, mountains, valleys, and spectacular ocean waves. A great suggestion for any island newcomer is to rent a car (an open top is ideal) and drive the perimeter of the island - you may well be awed by how undeveloped and quaint much of the island remains. Honolulu, on the southern tip of Oahu and bordered by both mountains and ocean, is actually one of the largest cities in the United States and home to near 80% of the Hawaiian population. Waikiki is famous the world over, where urban culture and the distinct Polynesian flavor of Hawaii co-exist in perfect harmony. Diamond Head, a mountainous volcanic crater, is a famous and easily recognizable landmark.
sea cliffs rising more than 3,500 feet above sea level look out over the ocean and create Hawaii’s tallest waterfall. The Kalaupapa Peninsula is considered one of the state’s most beautiful areas and is ironically the former home of the island’s famous leper colony, bordered by high, sheltering cliffs on one side. The main “urban” area is Kaunakakai, a town with no traffic lights.
For 3 days only, June 4-6, 2008, kids 2-16 years of age can receive FREE airfare to Florida with a paying adult. To qualify, your clients can purchase their NWA WorldVacations® air, hotel, and car rental vacation package to any exciting destination in the sunny state of Florida.
