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.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
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. Its 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: ALAs 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 ALAs 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
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
MedjetAssist, the nation’s premier emergency medical evacuation program, has launched a new, expanded version of its PLUS program, offering members added peace of mind while traveling.
In addition to the standard MedjetAssist guarantee to repatriate members who are hospitalized more than 150 miles from home, the new PLUS program offers:
- MedFlash, which allows a member to store medical and personal information online and on a handy flash device that will work on any PC with a USB port, for immediate access in any emergency situation. Think of it as the next generation of emergency medical bracelets and IDs.
- Free international cell phone rental, equipping members traveling internationally with a phone that works in 170 countries and includes voicemail, text messaging and free incoming calls. All daily rental charges are waived. Member just pays airtime and shipping.
- Satellite phone rental, which allows members access to a satellite phone at discounted rates and free incoming calls, while traveling to areas not serviced by cellular providers.
- Up-to-the-minute trip intelligence, including news updates in more than 260 cities and 180 countries.
- Cash advance of up to $50,000 for medical emergencies in advance of treatment, should it be necessary.
- Plus Member Discounts — a variety of rewards and member-only privileges, from GPS discounts to travel products.
“The PLUS program takes the freedom to travel, stay healthy and remain in control of one’s own medical care to a whole new level,” says Roy Berger, President and CEO of MedjetAssist, “and that’s what MedjetAssist is all about.”
For more information, visit www.medjet.com.
ABOUT MEDJETASSIST
MedjetAssist is the premier emergency medical evacuation membership program for travelers. If a member is hospitalized more than 150 miles from home-virtually anywhere in the world-MedjetAssist reviews his or her condition both with the attending medical staff and the member’s own physicians, and provides a medically equipped and staffed aircraft to fly the member free of charge to the hospital of his choice. MedjetAssist has its corporate headquarters in Birmingham, AL, and in 2008, was named the exclusive provider of worldwide air ambulance and medical repatriation services for AARP.
Source: Geoffrey Weill Associates
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Imagine traveling anywhere in the world without the hassles of flight cancellations, inconvenient layovers or long delays.
Enter JetCombo.com, a new online booking service that overlays existing commercial airline schedules with charter and private aircraft availability in order to create the optimal travel experience.
Mining a database of aircrafts and operators, including thousands of small jets and hundreds of small props capable of serving rural areas with small airports, JetCombo.com opens the skies for travelers, combining private and first-class commercial jet service in a single itinerary. Users simply enter the city name of their true departure and destination points, and Jetcombo.com delivers the most efficient route.
Go ahead, check it out. You might be surprised by its affordability. I was!
Source: The Rosen Group
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
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.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
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
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".