Vancouver Cruise Package

PAN PACIFIC VANCOUVER SAILS INTO PORT WITH ALASKA CRUISE PACKAGE

With its distinction as the most conveniently located property to Vancouver’s Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, Pan Pacific Vancouver has just introduced their 2008 Alaska Cruise Package, which starts at only CAD$379.

Valid through October 31, 2008, Pan Pacific Vancouver’s Alaska Cruise Package includes the following benefits:

-    One night luxury accommodation (additional nights may be added)
-    Breakfast buffet for two in Café Pacifica, which overlooks Vancouver’s waterfront and coastal mountains
-    Late check out (to 2:00 p.m.)
-    Complimentary transfer to or from Ballantyne Pier or Canada Place Pier
-    Direct elevator to Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal
-    (on site cruise ship parking available for an additional charge)

Package rates vary throughout the cruise season, apply to single or double occupancy and are subject to tax.  Call 877-324-4856 or visit panpacificwest.com for more information and to book reservations.

Anchoring Vancouver’s breathtaking waterfront, the Pan Pacific Vancouver is renowned for its gracious hospitality, service excellence and breathtaking views.  And with its ideal location, conveniently stowed atop the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, Pan Pacific Vancouver sets the stage for an exciting journey.

About Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts
Headquartered in Singapore, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts is a leading hotel management company in the Pacific Rim region and is part of the UOL Group, one of Singapore’s largest hotel and property companies. Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler magazine as one of the 25 hotel companies demonstrating social responsibility and has won highly esteemed accolades such as World Travel Awards, Best Business Hotel in Asia, Condé Nast Gold List and Readers Choice Awards. It has a portfolio of 11 hotels and resorts throughout Asia, the Pacific and North America and offices in San Francisco, London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance.  For more information, visit panpacific.com.

Source: Hook, Line & Thinker 

Travel Now and Learn for a Lifetime

Asia Transpacific Journeys Launches Lifelong Learning Journeys

Luxury Travel to Asia Enhanced by Hands-on Immersion, Educational Focus

Asia Transpacific Journeys announces a new Lifelong Learning Journeys series in which trips feature hands-on immersion in a specific theme through classes, discussion and participation with a guest tour leader who is an expert in the field.

For example, their new 17-day Cultures of Buddhist Asia is a sweeping examination of the three major schools of Buddhism practiced in Japan, Laos and Bhutan respectively. The journey will be led by a Buddhism expert from Naropa University, the premier Buddhist studies university in America. Meetings with monks, scholars and optional guidance in meditation will be featured.

“These journeys delve deep into a specific theme, with the world as your classroom,” says Marilyn Downing Staff, President and founder of Asia Transpacific Journeys, an Asia travel company specializing in the region for 21 years. “They are crafted in the spirit of discovery and appreciation, for the lifelong learner who delights in knowledge, not just for those with a background in the subject.”

Lifelong Learning Journeys feature:

• • A unique theme that acts as a focus for each trip
• • A guest tour leader who is an expert in that field
• • Hands-on immersion through classes, demonstrations, discussion, participation
• • Fellow travelers with a similar passion for subject
• • No need to have a background in the subject to join

The Cultures of Buddhist Asia is a Small Group Trip departing November 15, 2008. The per person, double, rate is $10,395 for land costs that includes upscale accommodations, nearly all meals, transfers, visa fees, tips, entrance fees, emergency and medical evacuation insurance, and a comprehensive pre-departure packet.

About Asia Transpacific Journeys
Asia Transpacific Journeys is an award-winning, Boulder, Colorado-based Asia travel company and Asia tour operator specializing in Custom Journeys and Small Group Trips for Asia vacation travel since 1987. Outstanding service, long-standing connections in Asia and deeply insightful cultural interpretation make them the operator of choice for discerning individuals, their families and friends. Asia Transpacific Journeys is the recipient of three “Top Travel Specialists” awards for 2007 from Condé Nast Traveler magazine.  In November 2007 Asia Transpacific Journeys was also honored as a “World’s Best Tour Operator” by National Geographic Adventure.  For more information, visit http://www.asiatranspacific.com or call 800 642 2742.

 

The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift: Pamper Mom with a Girls' Getaway to Ocean Club Resorts in Turks & Caicos

This Mother’s Day, those looking for an extra-special way to pamper mom can treat her to the ultimate escape at Ocean Club Resorts, situated on the stunning Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos.

 
Ocean Club guests can earn brownie points this year by hosting a four night sleep over for the most important lady in their life or for a couple of their closest girlfriends.
 

Package includes:

• Four nights – including taxes/service fees
• Three breakfast, three lunch, three dinner vouchers per person
• A $25 On Site Merchant Gift Certificate
• Rate starts at $699.00 per person (based on double occupancy)

Guests can indulge in spa treatments, sailing on a catamaran, horseback riding on the beach, snorkeling, diving, parasailing or hitting the golf links. Or of course, there is always the option of just relaxing under a pink beach umbrella with a good book. Either way, Mom will truly feel appreciated. To book this package, contact Ocean Club Resorts at 1.800.457.8787, visit www.oceanclubresorts.com or contact a travel professional. 

 

Too Many Heads at the Trailhead? Austin-Lehman Adventures Offers Top 10 Favorite, Least-Frequented Trails

Veteran Tour Operator Reveals Where to Avoid Crowds

This summer say no to too many heads at the trailhead. Hike the most popular national parks of the West with the experts of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) and escape the growing throngs.

National park visitation in 2007 showed a boost of over 3 million visitors above 2006 totals, thus countering several years of gradual decline. And according to the American Recreation Coalition, park visits are running ahead of last year and are forecasted to continue to increase for years to come partly due to domestic economic factors.

ALA, the 23-year-old, multi-sport travel company that specializes in immersive travel experiences, has just revealed its Top 10 List of favorite National Park trails in the West, where you can enjoy nature void of the crowds.

ALA Director Dan Austin says: “While it is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of national park visitors venture more than a mile from their vehicle, many popular trails still resemble a freeway at rush hour. Never-the-less, we are willing to take the risk of revealing our favorite, least-frequented trails used on our backcountry excursions.”

• #10    Grand Canyon NP - South Kaibab Trail: Avoid the more crowded Bright Angel Trail; hike the South Kaibab Trail, the only trail in the park that so dramatically holds true to a ridgeline descent thus offering the best views.
• #9    Yosemite NP - Pohono Trail (Taft Point): This trail leads to the top of Sentinel Dome for a scramble up to enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls.
• #8    Yellowstone NP – Bunsen Peak Trail: A gradual 1,300-foot climb up Bunsen Peak provides a panoramic view of the Blacktail Plateau, Swan Lake Flats, Gallatin Mountain Range, and the Yellowstone River Valley.
• #7    Bryce Canyon NP - Fairyland Loop Trail: This great, less-crowded trail takes you through spectacular hoodoos and scenery along the rim and into the canyon. It’s a challenging 8-mile route with many elevation changes.
• #6    Zion NP – Kolob Canyon - Taylor Creek Trail: Kolob Canyon, in the isolated northwestern section of Zion, offers a pleasant 5-mile RT hike up an enchanting “finger” canyon that ends at the dramatic Double Arch Alcove.
• #5    Yellowstone NP – Wapiti Lake Trail to South Rim Trail: This trail follows Lily Pad and Clear Lake Trails to the spectacular South Rim Trail traversing a remote thermal area before emerging onto the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and a breathtaking view of 308-foot Lower Falls.
• #4    Grand Teton NP – Death Canyon: Death Canyon is a magnificent vertical-walled canyon with some of the oldest rock in the Teton Range. Hike to the patrol cabin for a wonderful 7.5 mile RT streamside jaunt.
• #3    Crater Lake NP – Mount Scott Trail: According to Trails.com, “If Crater Lake is the scenic highlight of Oregon; the Mount Scott Trail is the ultimate hike in Crater Lake National Park.”
• #2    North Cascades NP – Easy Pass Trail: ALA thinks that the Easy Pass area is one of the most superb places in the North Cascades, dominated by extensive meadows with rare larch trees, crowned by glacial peaks.
• #1    Kenai Fjords NP – Harding Ice Field Trail: ALA’s favorite hike! Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breathtaking view of an endless expanse of glaciers and ice.

About Austin Lehman Adventures:
ALA manages all of the arrangements in its selected destinations. Small groups are held at 12 guests. Rates include first-class accommodations, most meals, expert guides, entry fees, multisport activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding and more, ground transportation and luggage service. Not included is round trip air to the host city.

To get a copy of the 2008 catalog as well as information on ALA’s 40 unique luxury, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries please call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.austinlehman.com. 

Source: Widness & Wiggins

What Will Your Favorite Superheroes Be Doing This Summer?

Join Horizon & Co this summer, fall or winter for the experience of a lifetime, and help put all of that excess superhero energy to good use on a fun-filled family adventure trip!

“The concept of our Family Adventures is simple: take our renowned itineraries around the world; weave in enriched activities, unique events, and learning opportunities for kids and adults; and make them available on a private trip basis for families of four or more.” says Jennifer Deacon, Horizon’s Senior Trip Planner. “Whether it’s the grandparents taking three generations to Africa on the ultimate mobile safari or a quick March-break getaway to the jungles of Belize for mom, dad and the kids, there’s something for everyone.”

“If educating your children about certain inconvenient truths is your top priority, then a WWF-Canada Wildlife & Wilderness trip is the answer.” says Norman Howe, Owner & Creative Director, “The combination of WWF site visits, extraordinary landscapes, magnificent wildlife, sophisticated travel choices and impassioned conservation workers combines to create an experience deeper and more meaningful for your family than you could ever imagine. “
In terms of what makes us different, we’d be happy to go one about all the delightful aspects of our family trips, but we’d rather let one of our travellers speak on our behalf: “For my daughter, the highlight of our trip was meeting Tonya Wimmer. Tonya is passionate about whales, deeply committed to her work at WWF, and a true believer in the power of each of us making a difference. What a model for my kids. And a unique opportunity for the whole family” Traveller, 2007 Quebec Whale Watching

About Horizon & Co. 

HORIZON & CO. (founded in 1963), is a boutique travel company focused on providing upscale special interest travel for individuals and small groups. In addition to offering over 75 independent and escorted trips on 7 continents, travelers can choose from tailor-make  trips for small groups of friends, family and colleagues. Radical Sabbaticals, a corporate program, provides creative solutions for corporate hospitality, incentive trips and executive retreats.
 

WANTED KEEN CYCLISTS for freewheeling in Peru

Join World Expeditions in Peru this June for a specially devised cycling itinerary to appreciate the best of Andean culture at handlebar level. This Cycle the Andes tour comes complete with backup vehicle, full support staff, comfortable hotels but unfortunately there are no yellow jerseys awarded at the end of the day.

After testing your cycling legs in Cusco, the tour heads to the Chinchero Plateau (gaining spectacular views of the Andes) before freewheeling over 1000m downhill to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then, swap your bikes for boots and complete a one-day trek on the last stage of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Back in the saddle, the tour then travels to the shores of Lake Titicaca and cycle around the shoreline before moving onto the spectacular Colca Canyon.

CLICK HERE to view more details online.

SOURCE: World Expeditions