Europe, Britain, & Eastern Mediterranean Tours

 

Tour Name	Promotion Codeˆ	Tour Duration	Departure Date	Brochure Price WAS Twin Share PP	Price NOW Twin Share PP	Savings per person
Grand Tour of Italy & Sicily	HOT147	16	21 May 2010	$4175	$3550	$625
Italian Escapade	HOT148	14	17 May 2010	$3650	$3099	$551
Italian Elegance	HOT149	13	27 May 2010	$3435	$3090	$345
Select France	HOT150	11	4 Jun 2010	$2399	$2150	$249
Country Roads of France	HOT151	17	4 Jun 2010	$4250	$3825	$425
European Grandeur	HOT152	31	5 Jun 2010	$7375	$6635	$740
Britain & Ireland Explorer	HOT153	17	3 Jun 2010	$3265	$2935	$330
Select Spain & Portugal	HOT154	14	2 Jun 2010	$2090	$1875	$215
The Bohemian	HOT155	10	11 Jun 2010	$2135	$1920	$215
Best of Morocco	HOT156	10	3 Jun 2010	$1625	$1460	$165
Euopean Spotlight	HOT157	14	25 Jun 2010	$3425	$3075	$350
Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria	HOT158	13	18 Jun 2010	$2925	$2630	$295

USA & Canada Tours

Tour Name	Promotion Codeˆ	Tour Duration	Departure Date	Brochure Price WAS Twin Share PP	Price NOW Twin Share PP	Savings per person
Capitals of Eastern Canada	WOW70	7	23 May 2010	$1525	$1370	$155
Enchanting Canyonlands	WOW71	7	26 Jun 2010	$1650	$1485	$165
Enchanting Canyonlands	WOW72	7	17 Jul 2010	$1650	$1485	$165
Wonders of the American West	WOW73	10	26 Jun 2010	$2325	$2090	$235

Europe, Britain, & Eastern Mediterranean Tours

Tour Name	Promotion Code	Departure Date	Brochure Price WAS Twin Share PP	Price NOW Twin Share PP	Savings per person
Best of Ireland & Scotland	HOT137	22 May 2010	$2695	$2665	$300
Select Spain & Portugal	HOT138	19 May 2010	$2090	$1875	$215
Select Imperial Capitals	HOT139	21 May 2010	$1625	$1460	$165
Grand Tour of Scandinavia	HOT140	22 May 2010	$5015	$4499	$516
Best of Spain & Portugal	HOT141	28 May 2010	$3199	$2875	$324
Grand Tour of Italy & Sicily	HOT142	21 May 2010	$4175	$3750	$425
Italian Escapade	HOT143	17 May 2010	$3650	$3285	$365
Best of Germany	HOT144	28 May 2010	$1935	$1740	$195
Highlights of Europe	HOT145	14 May 2010	$4225	$3799	$426
Oberammergau Passion Play Option - Over 10% OFF! Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria	HOT146	15 May 2010	$3899	$3799	$100

Europe, Britain, & Eastern Mediterranean Tours

Conditions:

• *Prices are per person, twin share, land only. Single supplements apply. Deposit required within 7 days of booking or if made within 45 days, full payment is required.
• Offer applies to new bookings made from 15 February – 28 February 2010 only, is subject to availability and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. 
• ^Please quote promotional code when booking with your favorite Travel Agent.
  

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

Marc Kazlauskas, President of Insight Vacations, said "I am so pleased to offer more and more touring options that are not just fun but also incredibly important. Currently we offer visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites but we hope to include additional sites in the future programs."

The World Heritage List includes 890 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. The following are examples of Insight Vacations tours that visit designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Wonders of the American West10 days touring Denver, Moab, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Las Vegas. Grand Canyon National Park. and Mesa Verde National Park are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Land only packages start from $2325 per person.

Treasures of Mexico11 days touring Mexico City, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Morelia, Patzcuaro, Taxo, Cholula, Puebla, and Mexico City. During this tour travelers will visit Xochicalco and the holy city of Teotihuacan which are both designated UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Land only package start from $2299 per person.

Italian Elegance 13 days touring Rome, Siena, Tuscany, Florence, Cinque Terre, Santa Margherita, Portofino, Italian Lakes, Verona, Cortina D’Ampezzo, Dolomites, and Venice. Cinque Terra which translates "Five Lands" is a hidden gem if the Italian Coast and is also a designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.  Land only packages start from $3399 per person.

Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily 14 days touring Rome, Alberobello, Matera & Castellaneta, Giardini Naxos, Taormina, Agrigento, Palermo, Pompeii, & Isle of Capri. The unusual conical dry stone Trulli buildings of Alberobello are designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Land only packages start from $3099 per person.

Insight guests enjoy more intimate groups, limited to just 40 passengers, the services of an experienced tour director and the assurance of staying in top quality hotels which are centrally or scenically located. Travel in style on Insight’s luxury reconfigured coaches with more legroom so the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Take advantage of the included sightseeing worth hundreds of dollars, ensuring your holiday budget goes further. With so many included meals, quality hotels and sightseeing experiences, you’ll be astounded at the value of an Insight Vacation. 

Insight Vacations has accumulated an international following by providing outstanding service and quality tour packages to the savvy traveler who seeks better accommodations, choices in dining, and smaller group sizes all while staying in the most desirable locations.  For over 30 years, Insight Vacations has been the leader in premium escorted tours and cruises to Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Canada and the United States.

Select Imperial Capitals –10 days from $1625 per person, twin share, land only. Leave the tour in Vienna on Day 7 and save up to $190 per person off the twin-share price. Discover the grandeur of spectacular Imperial Cities such as Heroes’ Square and Citadel of bohemian Budapest; the sights of Ring Road in regal Vienna and the cobbled streets of picturesque Prague with visits to charming villages such as Szentendre and Cesky Krumlov included on traveling days. In the Imperial cities themselves choose between independent exploration or Select Experiences such as an in-depth tours, drives and guided walks. Clients can arrive into Budapest on day one or two or can skip Budapest and arrive into Vienna on day three. They can also elect to depart from Vienna or Prague on any of the days they are in those cities.

Insight has long been the first choice for experiencing Europe in style. With Select, independent-minded travelers can now enjoy hassle-free holidays of comfort and quality with ultimate flexibility to tailor journey from how to spend their day to the duration of their stay. For each step along the way, Insight’s knowledgeable tour directors are on hand to act as a ‘personal concierge’, ensuring first class service all the way.

Europe is a place of wonders, an intriguing past and timeless elegance.  Here, watch history come live as you explore the destinations of your choice.  Saver new foods and discover new passions.  Shop for exquisite fashion and wander bustling markets for the best bargains.  Let some of the most renowned theatres in the world excite and entertain you.  Discover lands where fairytale castles exist and real kings, queens and princess rule.  Europe is charming and positively magical, alluring, enchanting, enthralling and it's where Harry Potter, Shakespeare , Sherlock Holmes and "Angles & Demons" come to life.

Europe is defined in its thriving cities, breathtaking countryside, quaint pubs and the world's finest museums.  A day in Europe could be a day of sightseeing, romance or just a long afternoon sitting at a sidewalk cafe.

We welcome you to research your next European tour by destination, or by clicking on our preferred travel partners.

Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:
Atlas Cruises & Tours| Christmas Market Tours | England Tours | Escorted Family Vacations | France Tours | Greece Tours| Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | Luxury Tour |Oberammergau | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | Spain Tours

We also have specialty European Tour Operators sites:
Contiki Tours | Cosmos Tours | General Tours | Globus Tours | Insight Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours

Collette Vacations’ Europe Christmas Markets, presents the ultimate Christmas markets experience, visiting no less than three cities famed for their markets such as Strasbourg, Bern and Innsbruck. In between bargain-hunting, travellers will also get the chance to revel in the region’s spectacular, snow-laced scenery.

Some of the many highlights include:

• Visit the spectacular Christmas markets at Strasbourg, Bern & Innsbruck
• Travel through the spectacular Bavarian Alps
• Explore the city of Munich
• Explore La Petite France in Strasbourg
• See the famous Neuschwanstein Castle 

The exceptional quality, unrivalled value and impeccable service provided by Collette Vacations will create holiday memories that last a lifetime.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Europe, Britain, & Eastern Mediterranean Tours

Tour Name	Promotion Code	Departure Date	Brochure Price WAS Twin Share PP	Price NOW Twin Share PP	Savings per couple
Mediterranean Fables A Grade	HOT57	20 Oct	$2450	$2199	$502
Mediterranean Fables B Grade	HOT58	20 Oct	$2150	$1935	$430
Mediterranean Fables C Grade	HOT59	20 Oct	$1899	$1699	$400
Winter Explorer	HOT60	29 Oct	$2699	$2425	$548
Amazing Morocco	HOT61	31 Oct	$1250	$1125	$250
Easy Pace France	HOT62	02 Oct	$3199	$2875	$648
Italian Escapade	HOT63	06 Oct	$3799	$3415	$768
Wonders of Turkey	HOT64	29 Oct	$1350	$1215	$270
Elegance of the Nile	HOT65	08 Oct	$4350	$3915	$870
Italian Intermezzo	HOT66	02 Oct	$2335	$2099	$472

Planning a last minute trip to enjoy the Fall weather & changing of the leaves?

Here are a list of tours that still have a few seats available on select departures. 

We recommend you look at the first class tours, as they are priced close to the budget vacations and include more sightseeing and meals.

Budget vacations:

New England Charm
New England Traditions
New England & Summer Fall Colors

First class vacations:

Fall Foliage Getaway
Classic Fall Foliage
Islands of New England
Cruise the Bays & Railways of New England
New England Backroads
Colors of New England
Coastal New England & Canada's Maritimes
New England & Cape Cod Autumn Fall Foliage
New England's Spectacular Fall Foliage 

Deluxe tours:

Prince Edward Island & Nova Scotia
Canadian Maritimes plus Bar Habor
Grand Autumn New England

USA, CANADA & MEXICO TOURS

Tour Name	Promotion Code ^	Departure Date	Brochure Price WAS Twin Share PP	Price NOW Twin Share PP	Savings per couple
American Parks Trail	WOW51	18 Sep	$2199	$1979	$440
America’s Magnificent National Parks	WOW52	12 Sep	$3699	$3329	$740
Best of California	WOW53	9 Oct	$2299	$2049	$500
Enchanting Canyonlands	WOW54	12 Sep	$1650	$1479	$342
Enchanting Canyonlands	WOW55	20 Oct	$1620	$1459	$322
Great Western American Adventure	WOW56	2 Oct	$3765	$3385	$760
Wonders of the American West	WOW57	26 Sep	$2420	$2175	$490
Best of Eastern USA & Canada	WOW58	11 Oct	$3750	$3375	$750
New England's Spectacular Fall Foliage	WOW59	05 Oct	$2170	$1960	$420
New England's Spectacular Fall Foliage	WOW60	14 Oct	$2170	$1960	$420

We invite you to experience the traditional magic of Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean in the months of November through April. This is the perfect time of year to vsit. The climate is surprisingly often mild and the cities are less crowded than in the summer months, and prices are 30 to 40% lower than traveling during peak season.

Shop in the glittering Christmas Markets and Bazaars. Explore and soak up the atmosphere of Old World Charm. Our tours are priced much lower than during the summer season and the airlines are advertising some of the lowest airfares of the year. Now is the time to make your reservations.

Italy is still the leader of destinations and Spain is not far behind, but don’t discount Egypt. Egypt is an awesome destination for the winter season. Temperatures are more bearable than the hot, hot summer season. For Christmas Markets, Vienna Prague and Budapest are still most popular. Wherever you choose, you will not be disappointed in our winter seasons magical tour destinations.

Written by: C. Kennedy
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com

Tour Name	Promotion Code	Departure Date	Brochure Price WAS Twin Share PP	Price NOW Twin Share PP	Savings per couple
Focus on Britain	HOT41	26 Sep	$1999	$1799	$400
Focus on Ireland	HOT42	20 Sep	$1650	$1485	$330
Easy Pace Italy	HOT43	25 Sep	$3535	$3180	$710
Easy Pace France	HOT44	3 Oct	$3075	$2765	$620
Country Roads of Italy	HOT45	3 Oct	$4075	$3665	$820
Country Roads of Switzerland	HOT46	28 Sep	$3160	$2840	$640
Best of Germany	HOT47	26 Sep	$2025	$1820	$410
Essential Europe	HOT48	27 Sep	$1525	$1370	$310
The Golden Explorer	HOT49	27 Sep	$3265	$2935	$660
Italian Intermezzo	HOT50	3 Oct	$2199	$1975	$448

Conditions:

• *Prices are per person, twin share, land only. Single supplements apply. Deposit required within 7 days of booking or if made within 45 days, full payment is required.
• Offer applies to new bookings made from 1 August – 15 August 2009 only, is subject to availability and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice.
• †Discounts featured in our brochure are subject to conditions. Please refer to Insight Vacations 2009 Premium Europe and Britain brochure or www.insightvacations.com for further details.
• ^Please quote promotional code when booking with your favourite Travel Agent.

** This itinerary is part of Insight Vacations 2009 European Essentials program.

Q.  I'm confused about luggage, specifically carry on. Is my purse considered a carry on item? How about my husband's camera case? My husband wants to bring his computer, it is slightly over the 12x11x6 Is this a problem?

A.  #1.  A purse or camera case is not considered a carry on. You can still have a separate carry-on bag.

#2.  As far as your husband's computer, carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation. If it is a very minimal difference, (1 inch,) then it should still fit in the overhead without a problem, but these measurements are given to ensure you will not have any issue while touring.

Are you still dreaming of a European holiday this year? We have some fantastic savings to be made, but only if you are quick!

Insight Vacations has a few spare seats on selected DEFINITE 2009 DEPARTURES and are now offering them at reduced prices.

There’s no doubt about it, if you haven’t made a decision to travel this year, now is the best time for great value European holidays. To make the most of your budget, please check out the deals below for a range of exciting itineraries offering fantastic savings.

Further Brochure Discounts apply† But HURRY! this Offer Expires 31 July 2009

Tour Name                               Promo Code    Date    Price was     Price NOW

Grand Tour of Italy & Sicily        HOT31          9/12     $4,850          $4,365
Best of Italy                                HOT32          9/12     $3,325          $2,990
Rome to London                      HOT33          9/12     $3,425           $3,080
Highlights of Europe                HOT34          9/14      $4,599          $4,135
Sicily & Malta in Depth             HOT35           9/11     $3,599          $3,235
Italian Escapade                       HOT36           9/16     $4,375          $3,935
The Bohemian                           HOT37          9/12     $2,575          $2,315
Bohemian Rhapsody               HOT38           9/5      $1,775          $1,595
Elegance of Great Britain        HOT39           9/10     $3,099          $2,785
Gems of Britain                         HOT40           8/31     $1,025           $920

Conditions:

• *Prices are per person, twin share, land only. Single supplements apply. Deposit required within 7 days of booking or if made within 45 days, full payment is required.
• Offer applies to new bookings made from 15 July – 31 July 2009 only, is subject to availability and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice.
• †Discounts featured in our brochure are subject to conditions. Please refer to Insight Vacations 2009 Premium Europe and Britain brochure or www.insightvacations.com.au for further details.
• ^Please quote promotional code when booking with your favourite Travel Agent.
• ** This itinerary is part of Insight Vacations 2009 European Essentials program.

Services offered include services of 24/7 agent for any last minutes changes, pre-trip travel advice such as what vaccines are required, embassy contacts, weather and currency information.  They also offer assistance for last minute changes, such as cancelled or delayed flights, making hotel reservations or ground transportation reservations. Benefits include coverage in the event of cruise line, airline or tour operator default (financial default non applicable to all suppliers) Coverage for sickness, injury or death of immediate family member. Terrorist incident that results in loss of life or major damage to property, by any person

With a good policy, you receive 24 hours assistance replacing lost or stolen documents such as visas, passports or tickets. Cash advance for travel or medical emergencies. They can also help you locate English speaking medical specialists, facilities and assistance with medical evacuations anywhere in the world.

They will provide you with baggage and personal effects loss coverage, baggage delay coverage and luggage tracing services. They have a bilingual staff for telephone interpretation for medical or legal emergencies.

If you purchase your travel insurance within 15 days of making your initial deposit your coverage will include pre-existing conditions which applies to the first $25,000 of trip cost.

Whether a child gets the flu, or a close family member has a medical emergency, travel protection has a plan that will protect you before or during your vacation. The right kind of insurance is essential. It will provide you with peace of mind, medical evacuation in case of an emergency, baggage coverage, flight delay and flight cancellation coverage.

In addition to these services some insurance policies also provide a concierge service which is available to assist you with restaurant reservations, event tickets, tee time reservations and floral services.

This is only a brief description of some of the benefits and travel services provided. All policies and coverage may vary, and may not be available in all states. There are also expanded coverage plans that offer business related covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption, and other that let you cancel for any reason.

At times it is best to purchase the insurance with the tour operator or cruise line as part of your package, where on other occasions you can save money and get better coverage medical and evacuation coverage. An experience agent can explain your options to that you can purchase the best policy for your individual needs.

Good travel insurance isn't always expensive. We have negotiated excellent policies exclusive to Atlas, where rather than paying by age, which can add up for seniors, everyone is charged a flat amount base on the cost of the trip.

INSIGHT VACATIONS ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE OBERAMMERGAU DEPARTURES

 Europe’s Leading Premium Tour Operator Designates Many Popular Passion Play Tours As Definite

RYE, NY – Insight Vacations is pleased to announce they now have "Definite Departures" for 2010 Oberammergau. These departures have been designated as "DEF" or better known as "Definite Departures." These tours are 100% certain to depart. Marc Kazlauskas, President of Insight Vacations stated, "We are pleased to offer definite Oberammergau departures. We understand that is incredible event only happens once every decade. It is very important for travelers to know that their dream of witnessing The Passion Play will not be altered in any way."

The following itineraries offer Oberammergau as part of their program:

Best of Germany- 9 days visiting Germany.

European Spotlight -14 days visiting England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, & France.

Road to Rome-15 days visiting England, France, Switzerland, Austria, & Italy.

Highlights of Europe -17 days visiting England, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, & France.

European Explorer-23 days visiting England, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Monaco, France, & Switzerland.

Country Roads of Bavaria & Switzerland -13 days visiting Switzerland, Germany, Austria, & Italy.

Insight guests enjoy more intimate groups, limited to just 40 passengers, the services of an experienced tour director and the assurance of staying in top quality hotels which are centrally or scenically located. Travel in style on Insight’s luxury reconfigured coaches with more legroom so the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Take advantage of the included sightseeing worth hundreds of dollars, ensuring your holiday budget goes further. With so many included meals, quality hotels and sightseeing experiences, you’ll be astounded at the value of an Insight Vacation.

Insight Vacations has accumulated an international following by providing outstanding service and quality tour packages to the savvy traveler who seeks better accommodations, choices in dining, and smaller group sizes all while staying in the most desirable locations.  For 30 years, Insight Vacations has been the leader in premium escorted tours and cruises to Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Canada and the United States.

Hurry this offer expires June 29, 2009. For detailed day by day itineraries, highlights and inclusions call Atlas at 1-800-942-3301 and visit http://www.atlastravelweb.com/insighttours.shtml

Terms and Conditions

• *Prices are in US$ per person, twin share, land only. Single supplements apply.
• Deposit required within 7 days of booking or if made within 45 days, full payment is required.
• Offer applies to new bookings made from 15 – 29 June 2009 only, is subject to availability and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. Combinable with all applicable standard brochure discounts.

This has been an international favorite. The performers come from over 40 countries and around 35% of the 217,000 audience each year are from overseas.  If you can’t make it no worries! Its televised in 30 countries. An annual television audience of 100 million watches the coverage worldwide.

Several operators include tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on select itineraries:

Globus Britain Sampler
Globus Essential Britain
Globus Bonnie Scotland
Globus London to the Highlights of Scotland
Cosmos Scottish Highlights
Cosmos British Panorama
Cosmos England, Scotland & Wales
Trafalgar Best of Scotland
Trafalgar Amazing Britain
Trafalgar Britian & Ireland Highlights
Insight Focus on Britain
Insight Highlights of Britain
Insight Britain & Ireland Discovery

Before You Go

• Secure Your Home: Cancel all newspapers, pay bills and consider what to do about the mail. You can ask your Post Office to hold it while you’re away, or get someone to look after your house.  Put some lights and a radio or TV on a timer. If applicable, park a car in your driveway.
• Be prepared:  Bring an emergency contact list, including the telephone numbers of your insurance people, credit card issuers, and home numbers of close relatives or friends, in case of an emergency.
• Back up important information: Copy or scan your travel documents – passport, travelers, identity and vaccination card and credit cards – front and back. Make two sets of copies, leave one at home or with a trusted person, and store the second in a secret place in your suitcase. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you will have all the information and phone numbers you need. If you choose to scan your documents, send them to your email address. In case of a problem, you can access them from any business center or cybercafe in the world.
• If you have a black or blue suitcase, you may want to wrap brightly colored electrical tape or ribbons around the handles of check luggage to make it easy to identify, OR use colored luggage tags.
• Just in case your luggage is lost, make sure you have your name, address and phone number on each piece, so that the airline can contact you. We suggest using a work address rathern than home whenever possible.
• Medications: Remember, all medications and vitamins must be in their original containers when traveling. You can ask your pharmacist to label small bottles with just enough medication in for your trip. Always carry these in your carry-on. Also, take a few days extra supply, in case you are delayed coming back.

Useful Items When Traveling

• Sun glasses
• Pen & small notepad
• Small retractable umbrella
• Sun block
• Chapstick
• Package of wipes or bottle of hand sanitzer
• Plastic bags. Take various size zip-lock bags – the heavier duty the better. They are great for packing things that might leak, like shampoo and lotions, and come in handy again for dirty clothes, the beach, etc.
• Camera with extra film or memory cards
• Chargers for any electronics you may be bringing (such as Ipod, camera, cell phone, labtops, etc.)
• Small bag packed into your suitcase. This can be used to carry souvenirs.
• Book or magazine
  

Many clients wonder what the differences are when traveling with a budget, first class or deluxe tour operator. As we have discussed in previous posts, a lot has to do with the type of accommodations used, the location of the hotels, the number of people on the tour and how much is included in the price (i.e. sightseeing, meals, etc.)

Today our focus is to explain the difference in meals.  In most cases, on a budget tour you will receive continental breakfast. This is a basic breakfast of usually consisting of cereals, pastries, juice and coffee. Once you take a first class tour and above, breakfast is normally buffet. This offers the widest choices, quickest service and as much or as little food as you desire.

Budget tours rarely include dinners, and when they do, it is normally in the hotel. First class tour operators offer a combination of both hotel dinners and some dining at local restaurants. However, there is usually a limited menu. It includes 3 to 5 courses with a more limited choice of appetizer, entrees and desserts. We are not suggesting the food is bad, on the contrary, frequently the limited menu includes the chef's freshest market specials of the day and takes less time to serve.

Dining is a delightful and integral part of the travel experience when traveling abroad. Deluxe and luxury operators select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit, and offer full choice of menu to include a starter course (hot & cold appetizer, soup or salad,) main course, dessert and beverage. You’ll savor a delectable assortment of classic dishes and regional specialties. Many meals include wine with dinner and at times entertainment.

Regardless of which tour you book, gratuities to the wait staff are included. For lunches and evenings that meals are not included, the knowledgeable tour directors can assist you in finding dining options based on your the type of food you want to have and your budget.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site that holds a list of outstanding cultural or natural universal value such as, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It could be a monument, building, mountain, forest, lake, desert, complex or city.

So how is a site selected?

Only countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention, pledging to protect their natural & cultural heritage can submit nominations for properties on their territory to be considered for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

A nominated property is independently evaluated by several Advisory Boards. Once a site has been nominated & evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision. One per year, the Committee meets to decide which sites will be inscribed on the World Heritage list.

The program aims to catalogue & preserve sites of outstanding importance, either cultural or natural, to the common heritage of humankind.

There are currently 878 World Heritage Sites in 145 countries. These include 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties.

You may have visited a place in the U.S. already, not realizing it was a UNESCO site such as the Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Yellowstone or Olympic National Park.

Click here for a full list of site.

I have seen 20 sites in 9 countries, so only 858 to go, but I have to say that certain countries do not interest me AT ALL, so my goal would be to see at least half of the UNESCO sites while traveling the world.

How many UNESCO sites have you visited?

In Germanic cities, towns and villages you will find all kinds of Christmas merchandise and gifts, whilst in France's Alsace region villages are glittering with Christmas lights and timbered fairy-tale buildings decked for the season.

Smell the air filled with aromas of roasting chestnuts, exotic warm spices of mulled wine, freshly baked mince pies and warm continental bread. Savour hot espresso coffee as you welcome the day. The crisp fresh air of winter makes every smell a memory.

Escape the festive madness at home and enjoy shopping for traditional gifts at the markets of Europe, at the same time giving you the ultimate Christmas gift - an Insight Winter Vacation.

• Click here for Swine Flu talking points
• Click here for U.S. Travel's statement.
• Click here for the CDC website with more information on Swine Flu.

For all travelers, CDC recommends the following steps to help you stay healthy:

• Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including a seasonal influenza vaccine. The seasonal vaccine is not expected to offer protection against swine flu viruses, but it can protect against seasonal influenza viruses which may still be circulating in Mexico and the Southern Hemisphere.
• Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies. See Pack Smart in Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel for a list of what to include in your travel health kit.
• Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
• Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad.  Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.  For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
• Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or to give medications, vaccines or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of swine flu

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.  This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
  • Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (with at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. (Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.)
• It is important to follow the advice of local health and government authorities.  You may be asked to restrict your movement and stay in your home to contain the spread of swine flu.

If you have specific questions about the swine influenza cases see http://www.cdc.gov/contact/  or call 1-800-232-4636, which is 1-800-CDC-INFO.

To learn more about travel health, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

More information will be provided as the situation develops. Please continue to check our website on a regular basis for updates.

Planning to travel in a group?

•  Four color tri-fold brochures or Four color flyers which can be used as 
   hand-outs or mail-outs to prospective participants
•  Power Point Presentations for group level meetings to explain the
   program to possible participants
•  Presentation by a member of our group department to local South
    Florida organizations

Should you bring a laptop while traveling?

This is a personal question that really depends on many things. What you’ll be doing, where you are going and how long will you be traveling?

I would like to share some guidelines that may help with your decision.

Reasons you should bring a laptop:

You can email your family and friends. Having your laptop, you can email your loved ones back home. This is something you could do at most internet cafes, which is a much nicer atmosphere than your hotel room. Most cafes around the world do offer free Wifi when you order something. Not all cafes have free Wifi; some do have a small charge. Newer cruise ships also offer Wifi, but make sure and purchase a package, as usage rates can be high.

You can download all your photos. You can download your digital photo right to your laptop. This will keep your camera’s memory stick free everyday. This will allow you to capture that favorite photo. If your memory stick is full, you would lose that favorite photo moment.

Keeping a journal of the cities you visited. Sometimes we see so much on our vacation that we tend to forget something. Keeping a journal along the way will allow you to never forget. It also allows you to post your travel blogs in writing.

Calling home for free (or very cheap) with Skype. For mere cents per minute you can make calls to landlines and cell phones from all over the world with Skype. It allows you to call from any web-enabled laptop. It’s a great way to keep in touch over the phone.

You can get lots of local information. Many laptops today have maps, directions, schedules and must-see sites for key cities. Maybe you would like get tickets to a play or need to get those directions to a restaurant. You can get all the information you need right from your laptop. Usually it’s much better than carrying around big guidebooks.

You can work. Even though we are on vacation, sometimes we still have our work on our minds. Maybe you have an on-line business and need to be kept informed. Having your laptop with you allows you to still work.  

Reasons you should keep your laptop home:

It could get lost, stolen or damaged. Where you are traveling really depends on the risks, which could range from mild to extreme. Getting your laptop insured by home or travel insurance is really not likely. Most insurance companies won’t cover you unless you pay a very high premium.

It’s extra weight to carry. If weight is an issue then you may want to keep it home. Depending on where you are traveling, you would need to bring your power adapter and any plug in devices to operate your laptop.

Surfing the internet. As we all know, the internet can be addicting. You could spend hours surfing the web, when we should be enjoying the experience of the city that you paid to see.

Checking in at the airport.  Our new airport regulations require us to open our carry bags to get through security. When you are traveling with your laptop, you will have to remove your laptop from the carry case for security inspection, so allow extra time for check-in.

You need to base your decision on where you are going. The more remote destinations you are traveling to, the less likely you will find a Wifi connection. Some remote islands will probably only have a dial up connection, which would probably be very slow.

The biggest consideration is whether you feel you actually need a laptop. Some people absolutely need to stay connected. If you decide to bring it, I would recommend a soft case to protect it. I would use a water-resistant case. Remember to never stow your computer in your luggage.

Contributed by: A Sternberg
angie@atlastravelweb.com

The story had a nice ending, as Mr. Elliott was able to get the client a full refund, but not all stories end this way, and clients lose thousands of dollars for not asking the right questions prior to making a reservation.

Be aware of penalties! At Atlas, when we book reservations for our clients, not only do we provide them with a confirmation, but also the Terms and Conditions for each supplier, as cancellation penalties vary for each company. At times, there are 3 to 5 pages of "conditions" for the client to read over, but all of this is done prior to booking the reservation, so you have no surprises down the road.

Furthermore as the article mentions, if there is any chance you may have to cancel your trip, a consolidator is not the way to go when booking airline tickets, as their penalties are usually higher than booking with the airline or suppliers directly.

Final thoughts...no one can anticipate or predict the future. Be prepared and have piece of mind, by purchasing travel insurance for every trip! Suppliers such as Travel Guard & Access America offer add-ons to several of their plans that allow you to cancel for work reasons or even cancel for any reason, and receive up to 75% of your penalties back. Many cruise lines and tour operators offer their own version of cancel for any reason policies, but in some cases rather than money, you receive vouchers for future travel.

It can all be a bit confusing, so make sure to consult a travel professional to help you select the best coverage to protect your investment.

Click here to read the article published on CNN.

For more information on the pros & cons of booking airfare separately from a vacation, click here.

Thinking of visiting Spain this year?

Here is our list of our most popular selling 8 to 10 day packages:

Spanish Experience:  (Value tour)
Beginning in Madrid and visiting Seville, Granada, Valencia & Barcelona

The beauty of Spain is in the details: the eye-catching architecture of the Gran Via, El Greco's paintings, the colorful brickwork and mosaics of Maria Luisa Park, the arabesques of Alhambra Palace, and every inch of Guadi's 'Sagrada Familia'.

Spanish Fantasy: (Value tour)
Round trip Madrid visiting Barcelona, Seville, Valencia & Granada

Spectacular Spain (First Class Tour)
Round trip Madrid, visiting Granada, Torremolinos & Seville

On this vacation, two-night stays in Madrid, Torremolinos, and Seville allow time to truly experience Spain. Your trip begins in Madrid, Spain’s capital. Your included sightseeing tours feature important highlights like Madrid’s Prado Museum, Toledo’s Church of Santo Tomé with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings, Granada’s Alhambra complex and Water Gardens of the Generalife, and Seville’s cathedral with Columbus’ Tomb

Spain Classics (First Class Tour)
Begins in Madrid and visiting Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia & Barcelona
Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives. Explore the priceless treasures in Madrid's Prado Museum. Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra palace, resplendent with Moorish regal flair. Feel the passion of the Flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville. Explore Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba and Toledo

Spanish Wonder: (First Class tour)
Same itinerary as the Spanish Experience with better hotels & more inclusions

Barcelona, Madrid, Granada and Seville! What more could you ask for - The medieval town of Toledo and Seville with its mosque and synagogues. Follow the trail of Don Quixote in Puerto Lapice. Marvel at Gaudi's famous buildings and architecture in Barcelona.

Barcelona & Madrid: (First Class)
3 night in each city with rail in-between

Spend a week in the two largest cities of Spain, Barcelona and Madrid. Your vacation includes: choice of centrally located hotels, services of a Local Host in both cities, and sightseeing in both cities with a Local Guide.

Before You Go:

Research:  Do your homework and find out what each area is known for and decide what items you'll look for. Find out what similar items sell for. If you are considering pictures or other items to decorate your home with your travel finds, take measurements, then pop your tape measure into your travel bag. Bring a fabric swatch if needed as well. If you plan on having garments custom-made in the Orient for example, pack a favorite item to copy. Also research customs, GST and VAT tax refunds, shipping large items, and other important rules. Thailand and China, for example, are known for antiques, but you'll need appropriate paperwork to bring them home. In Europe when you make a purchase you must fill out the tax refund form supplied by the ship. You pay the full price, but when you leave Europe there is usually an area in all major airports called 'VAT Refund' after you have cleared security. You take the tax forms to be stamped and drop them in a box. In one to two billing cycles you should see the tax refunded back onto your credit card. If you are traveling on an escorted tour, your tour manager can give you tips on the best places to shop. On a cruise, they normally hold presentations and replay them on the ship channel in the cabin, with shopping tips on each port as well.

Shopping Strategies:

Local markets offer a rich travel experience, and a treasure trove of shopping options. Here are some bargaining tips to make that a more rewarding experience:

Get the Lay of the Land - Be Strategic:  Stroll around, take in the colors and the smells of the market while checking around prices on similar items. Watch how merchants interact with their customers. In Italian markets you'll encounter a hard sell; merchants in Arab markets often bargain after you've shared a cup of tea.

The Art of the Deal: Start by offering half the quoted price. Your merchant will tout the value of his handicrafts and bring the price back to almost the original. Split the difference. By the 3rd round your price will likely be about 75% of the original. Instead of haggling again, count out your cash until you reach slightly less than his price. You should have a deal. If the merchant is aggressive, step away. Likewise there is no need to be rude to the merchants, as they are only try to make a living.

Consider Shipping Your Items Back Home: The most difficult part is waiting a few weeks for your items to arrive if you are overseas, but with airlines charging for additional baggage weight, shipping can save you money. Just make sure to insure the package if it is breakable.

In the end, the important thing is that you enjoy the experience and keep in mind, more important than the exact cost will be priceless travel memories derived from your new-found treasures.

We'd love to hear about some of your shopping strategies?

Contributed by: S Brage

TRIP TO ITALY

My experience in Italy was well worth ever penny it cost me. From the travel agency: Atlas Travel and our agent Cheryl Kennedy, she was so patient with me and answered every question that concerned me. I would definitely use Cheryl again as our travel agent and I can speak for my son Michael and my daughter Jill as well who traveled with me to Italy.

Our tour director: Francis Touscheck’s knowledge of the history of Italy was amazing. Every detail of every city and village that we traveled to was even more interesting because of Francis’ expertise. Not only was he a great tour guide, but also a very nice, friendly man. He was very funny at times and serious when he had to be. He went out of his way to take us to places that were not on the tour. If we had time, he would have our driver take us to other sites and let us get out of the bus to have a “Kodak moment.” He did that in every city that we were in. The unexpected was always a nice surprise.

When we were on our own, Francis always took the time to help and guide us in the right direction, so we wouldn’t get lost; although, he often did say we should get lost and take in as many sites as we could on our own. He left all of us his mobile phone number so we could find him at any time. As we departed Roma at 6:30am, Francis bought breakfast for me and my son and daughter and two other people from our tour as we sadly headed home. Those were the little perks that Francis did for us.

Thank you sooooooo much Francis. As I remember our trip to Italy, I will remember you, Francis made it so much more than I could have ever expected. I¹m ready to go back, because I left my heart in Italy. “Grazie

Pino, our bus driver was much more than a bus driver, He was such a caring and helpful man. He always helped us out of the bus; God knows I needed some help now and then.

Pino was able to maneuver his bus in the smallest spaces and often-times we gave him applause…Pino, you were the “greatest,” your expertise in driving through the countryside through rain and fog never made me nervous. I trusted you 100%. “Grazie”

I will never forget either of you, hopefully, one day, we will meet again.

Contributed by:  J. Abatemarco

Insight vacations offers premier escorted vacations in Europe and North America.  Their Easy Pace vacations are quite popular as they offer longer stays in all the major cities. Click here for more information on Insight trips.

Trafalgar tours has a promotion with British Airways where airfare is up to 56% off. Price from New York to Rome as low as $454 pp plus tax; LAX to Rome from $617 pp plus tax.

Insight Vacations also partnered with British Airways to offer buy one ticket and the 2nd person travels for just $199 plus tax.

Globus Journeys is offering $400 off per couple on air inclusive vacation packages. This applies to most major airlines.

There are some restrictions, so call for details. Offers can be combined with other discount available including early payment discounts as well as AARP.

Our agents are here to provide you the best rates, without compromising on your vacation experience. To make sure you are getting the most from your investment, speak to one or our travel professionals.

The safety of tourists is a main concern of the Egyptian authorities. It is mandatory for each tour group to proceed throughout Egypt with an armed security guard along on the motor coaches and visiting the attractions. An Egyptologist is assigned to each group and travels with the group from attraction to attraction. They are so knowledgeable and many of them have participated in digs before becoming licensed Egyptologists.

The Nile Cruise was a highlight of our trip. The river boats are luxurious, with comfortable cabins and serving gourmet food. I was so pampered, I felt like Cleopatra floating down the Nile. Not only are the river boats luxurious, but most of the hotels are, as well.

Every attraction we went to was awesome. The Egyptian Museum is huge. There are 120,000 items on display and more in storage, not yet restored. It is so amazing when you realize you are looking at things thousands of years old. The temples are overwhelming and once again you wonder how they could possibly build these structures thousands of years ago with the primitive tools they had to work with. Abu Simbel is the southernmost spot on the tour. These cliff-built temples were moved stone by stone to higher ground as the project to erect the Aswan Dam would submerge them under Lake Nasser. Depending on which tour you decide on, if Abu Simbel is offered as an option, it is a must see.

You should choose one Light and Sound Show. The one offered at Luxor Temple, right in the heart of the city is the best with it’s great views.

Egypt is awesome! 2010 is a great year to go as there are great promotional offers. http://www.escortedafricatours.com

Feel free to email or call me with any questions about travel to Egypt.
 
Contributed by CKennedy
866-503-6423
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com

When to Go

Documents: American travelers require a Visa which can be obtained when you arrive for $15 USD. Many tour operators & cruise lines include the Visa as part of their package.

Must See:  Petra - Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 & is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Dead Sea Resthouse; Jarash (Roman ruins); Mount Nebo; Dead Sea 

Best Value Packages:  6 day Jordan Experience from $1,035 pp, 8-day Ancient Pathways to Petra from $1,349 pp  or the 11 day Jordan & Egypt in the Bible from $1,769 pp

One of the highlights of the trip in St Petersburg was our visit to the Hermitage Museum located in the Winter Palace. The Winter Palace was the residence of the Russian Czars & was built during the span of 1754 to 1762. The array of artwork by the masters was mind boggling; with over 3 million pieces of work from the Stone Age to the 20 Century. Peter the Great’s summer residence at Petrodvorets, with its fabulous gardens, is also not to be missed.

Moscow exceeded my expectations. Red Square & the Kremlin were wonderful. Gum’s Shopping Center at Red Sq was amazing; built in 1893 brings you back to the time of the Czars. Another thing that wowed me there were the subways. It is hard to believe that a subway could impress anyone, but in all of my travels & there have been lots, I have never seen anything like what I saw there. The station at Red Sq built by Stalin has bronze sculptures throughout. You would think that you were in a museum, rather than a subway station. The other stations also had fabulous art work.

I also found the food to be quite good. Breakfasts were huge buffets with a vast array of choices. Typical Russian dinners were borsht (a hot beet soup) & beef stroganoff (Created by the Duke of Stroganoff because he had no teeth & needed something soft to eat). Salads & desserts are also included. Lots of vodka toasts occur, as well, at dinner time.

Shopping is great with the dollar getting a great exchange rate against the ruble. Picking up a matrioshka (stacking doll) is a must. I brought 2 home.

Russia should definitely be one of the places on your list to see. If you want to have a fantastic time, make sure you experience it with Insight Vacations.

Contributed by Elaine Post
Elaine is the Director of Sales East, Insight Vacations & has traveled the world.

In order to be a good travel agent, you need education so that you can pass the information on to your clients. The Travel Institute has certifications that take about 6 years to complete, as you are not eligible to participate unless you have been in the business for a certain amount of time. Cruise Lines International has a 3 step certification process up to a ECC (Elite Cruise Counselor) You have to be in the business a minimum of 10 years to participate in the program as well as conducting various ship inspections. There are also various destination & product specialists programs, seminars, conventions & trade shows throughout the year.  Our office has speakers from various preferred partners come in at least twice a month, to ensure we are up to date with new products or changes.

So the next time you book your vacation, keep in mind that travel agents are trained professionals with your best interest in mind, and there is no additional cost to you to book through an agent. In fact, agents will always save you time (& time is money!) and also in many cases, get you a better price or added amenities.

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Tapas is a tradition that is believed to have begun in the 19th century in Andalusia, where single slices of cheese or ham were used to "cover" glasses of sherry to deter flies (Spanish verb Tapar means to cover). After finishing their drink people would eat the ham or cheese. Tapas are so much a part of the culture & social scene in Spain, that they invented the verb tapear which means to go & eat tapas!

Want to experience authentic tapas in Spain? You can travel to Barcelona & Madrid

Common question asked by clients

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.

There are exceptions, especially with adventure trips or luxury travel, where preliminary documents are sent, as well as personal registration forms to be filled out.

You will of course always receive written confirmations from us for your records.

Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is "always" the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 - this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.

Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.

With US and Canada tours, day 1 is the day your tour begins.

With other exotic destinations such as South America, Asia and Australia, please check with you agent, as there could be as many as 1 to 2 days for the flight over.

In most cases, booking your own airfare is fine, but I want to remind you to keep a few things in mind.

When you book airfare with the cruise or tour operator, transfers are included to & from the airport. When calculating how much money you are saving, make sure & factor in the additional cost for transfers.

Tours can cancel due to lack of participation. If you book your own air, we suggest booking a tour that is "guaranteed" to operate. Many suppliers have added hundreds of guaranteed departures on their popular tours.

If you experience a problem with your flight being cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, when you book your airfare along with your travel packages, you will have assistance in booking the next available flight to meet up with your trip. If you book your flights online, how difficult will it be to get someone on the phone to assist you in rebooking another flight?

Insurance is another consideration. If you book your own air, normally the cruise or tour operators insurance will not cover the value of your flights. Make sure to speak to an agent about outside insurance coverage so that your entire purchase is protected.

Book early & save. Many suppliers offer air promotions for bookings made well in advance.

On many occasions we do advise our clients to buy airfare separately, but make sure to take the time to discuss your options with an agent to ensure you are receiving the best value.

I told her they would be delivered by UPS to her home address on Monday.

This is 8 days prior to her departure.

She was satisfied with this and we ended the call.

She called back about 10 minutes later and asked where the documents were being mailed to. I told her they were on their way to her address in Chicago. She said, “But I’m in Rhode Island”.

I asked why she did not advise me of this and she said, “We always spend our summers in Rhode Island”

Okay, so now I need a crystal ball with all of the other hats I wear! I was supposed to know this??

I told her I would see what I could do and called the supplier to ask if another set of documents could be generated and mailed out.

This reservation was made with a Luxury Tour supplier and they agreed to send the documents directly to her Rhode Island address.

If this were a supplier other than a Luxury Tour operator, a duplicate set of documents would have a fee to generate and the overnight mail would have to be paid for by the client.

Please think of your travel agent as one of your circle of family and friends. Keep us in mind to notify us of any changes in your life. Give us your airline schedule if you make your own airline reservations; give us all contact numbers and dates when you’ll be at another location. Don’t think you’re bothering us with trivia. Our job is to give you the best customer service we can, but to do this we need your help.