Variety Cruises, the world’s largest small-ship cruise company, is spicing up their 2009 calendar, announcing new tours of the Greek islands and the launch of its Share-A-Sail charter yacht program. These additions further compliment Variety Cruises’ vast range of packages, letting guests choose a life of luxury at sea or a more affordable cruise experience on its intimate ships and charter vessels. Discerning travelers seeking exquisite facilities, personalized service and explorations of unspoiled destinations rich in history find options to fit every budget with Variety Cruises.
NEW 2009 PROGRAMS:
AEGEAN ODYSSEY: Departing from Marina Zea in Athens, guests will enjoy seven nights in the Cycladic Islands before reaching sites of Kusadasi, Ephessus and the lesser known islands of Patmos and Samos. Sailing dates are April 10 through October 16, 2009, on the Mega yacht Harmony G or Harmony V. Rates begin at $1,832 per person.
JEWELS OF THE CYCLADES: This itinerary departing from Athens and heads southeast of mainland Greece on the M/S Galileo through a collection of islands, including Poros, Kimolos, Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, Kea and Sounion. Sailing dates are April 24 through October 23, 2009. Rates begin at $1,160 per person.
SHARE A SAIL: A new concept in yachting! Nautical travelers don’t have to charter a sailing yacht or be an experienced sailor to sail in the Greek Islands. Guests book a cabin and enjoy an amazing eight-day sailing holiday with a maximum of three other couples and a crew. Itinerary includes Kea, Paros, Adiparos, Poliegos, Serifos, Poros and Marina Zea. The 50-foot yachts offer four cabins and are crewed with one experienced skipper plus one host/hostess. Sailing dates are May 2 through October 17, 2009. Rates begin at $1,190 per person.
In addition to the new 2009 routes, Variety Cruises continues to provide the following Greek island cruise:
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".
Is there any good news about the economy? Every time you turn around you hear about another segment of the economy that has been affected. Will the current economic problems effect your travel arrangements? It might.
Most travel suppliers are small businesses; the very ones who are being squeezed by the credit crunch. This increases your risk of a travel supplier default. How can you minimize your financial risk? Here are several steps that you can take:
1. Always use a credit card for the payment of your ticket or trip. In the event of a default you might be able to dispute your charge and have the credit card company remove it from your billing. This is fine if it happens prior to your trip but doesn’t help much if you are traveling at the time of the default. If that happens, other airlines might offer you an alternative flight on a standby basis but it can still result in delays and additional expenses that would be covered by many travel insurance policies.
2. Buy travel insurance from an independent source rather than from the travel provider. Travel Insurance policies offered by tour operators, cruise lines, or airlines either don’t cover their own financial default or they exclude the financial default of the company from whom you purchase your coverage.
3. Check the insurance plan to see if they have a list of airlines or travel companies that they either will or will not cover. Two companies, Access America and Elvia, provide a list of companies they will cover while two other companies, AIG Travel Guard and Travelex, provide a list of companies they will not cover.
4. Buy travel insurance very soon after they make a deposit. Most plans that offer default protection if you purchase your travel insurance within 10 to 21 days of your initial deposit. The time period varies with each company and plan so our advice is to do it within 10 days to ensure that you have the maximum flexibility.
5. Review the coverage carefully. Some plans will have a “waiting period” after the coverage is purchased before the default coverage goes into effect. In some cases this is 14 days after you buy the insurance. Another reason to buy coverage early.
6. Buy your trip or airline ticket through a travel agent. Some insurance plans exclude coverage if you have purchase your trip directly with the travel company. Most travel insurance plans will not, however, to have the maximum flexibility you should purchase your trip through a travel agent, whether locally or online, rather than buying direct.
You can never eliminate all risks but you can take prudent measures to minimize them before you travel.
Source: QuoteWright.com
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".
For the first time, in summer 2009, Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) brings its sought-after active family vacation programs to Europe with four family-friendly cycling trips exploring France, Holland, Germany and Austria.
“Routes have been carefully assessed both for cycling ease and inclusion of those sites and scenes that will be of most interest to children as well as their parents,” says director Dan Austin.
As a point of distinction that sets ALA apart from other cycle tour operators, Austin explains, “Instead of focusing on the most prestigious lodgings with paths that get us there, we first choose the best pedaling paths, most scenic routes and least trafficked byways and then target the most charming, authentic lodgings to serve as our way stations along our family-friendly routes.”
ALA is one of the most trusted names in all-inclusive, active and culturally rewarding vacations, widely recognized for their unique family travel programs.
The four new European itineraries for 2009 include:
France Family: La Loire Valley of the Kings
July 11-18 and Aug. 15-22; 8 days / 7 nights at $3,498 per adult double ($565 single supplement); $3,148 first child, $2,798 additional child. Includes a stop at Le Clos Lucé in Amboise, to explore the countless inventions at this last residence of Leonardo da Vinci plus kayaking on the Vienne River.
Holland Family: Bike Paths, Windmills & Pancakes
July 19-26 and Aug. 9-16; 8 days / 7 nights at $2,998 per adult double ($510 single supplement); $2,698 first child, $2,398 additional child. Itinerary includes exploration of a 17th century working windmill in Schermer and a breeding center for giant storks.
Germany Family: Mosel Magic
July 11-17 and Aug. 8-14; 6 days / 5 nights at $2,498 per adult double ($480 single supplement); $2,248 first child, $1,998 additional child. Itinerary includes a forest hike to fairytale Berg Eltz Castle and a visit to the doll museum in Neef.
Austria Family: Fun in the Alps
June 27-July 4 and Aug. 8-15; 8 days / 7 nights at $3,298 per adult double ($780 single supplement); $2,968 first child, $2,638 additional child. Itinerary includes a toboggan ride in the hills of Hochkönig, scenic ride on a cable car, optional tandem paraglide or an afternoon of glacier skiing and a swoosh down the giant slide at the entrance to the Hallein salt mines.
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".
Don’t stress out - learn to enjoy your holiday with these
10 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Travel from TripAtlas.com.
- Book early for Christmas + New Years holidays
- Worst times/dates to avoid this winter holiday season
- Best times to travel this holiday season and how you can save money
- Check-in online, print your boarding passes and check for delays before leaving home
- Get to the airport early to avoid lines, delays and getting bumped
- Packing doesn’t have to be stressful or cause problems at the airport!
- Bring gifts in your luggage on your holidays
- Steer clear from connecting flights & snowy destinations
- Choose your destination wisely
- Be flexible and have fun
To read the full article, click here.
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".
From April 11-18 and April 18-25, 2009, a select group of ten skiers on each tour will explore the pristine Bugaboos range of the Canadian Rockies the way Canadian Mountain Holidays founder Hans Gmoser did almost a half century ago. With two guides per trip, guests on the Ski Touring expedition will head out by helicopter to remote spots in the Bugaboos range, where they’ll be dropped off for a thrilling downhill run on fresh tracks — but instead of hopping back in the chopper for a ride back up, skiers will strap on their skins, release their heels, take off a layer and start the rhythmic ascent towards another great run.
“Ski touring allows us to experience the mountains in a way that’s very different from Heli-Skiing,” says Rob Rohn, CMH Director of Mountain Operations. “Your body gets into an almost Zen-like rhythm as you patiently climb towards a new vista at every corner. The quiet is deafening.”
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".
RELAX, REJUVENATE, DANCE…
Forget about your busy and hectic life for one week in sunny Oaxaca, Mexico from January 10-17, 2009 for a relaxing and rejuvenating Salsa dance and yoga retreat.
Regardless if you are new to yoga or have practiced for many years, enjoy our yoga classes lead by yoga instructor extraordinaire, dancer and aerial artist Jennifer Hill. Experience the surge of inner peace, love, and energy that results from connecting with yourself during your yoga practice, dancing will become the perfect way to connect with others. Whether you are an experienced Salsa dancer or simply want to try something new - you can take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to learn from the experienced instructors and well-known performers from Academia Tumbao.
Escape from the dullness of winter with an energizing vacation that offers an in-depth cultural experience, a physical workout that will bring a smile to your face, and some well-deserved time to relax.
Information:
Web: www.salsaretreat.com; info@salsaretreat.com; Phone: 206.234.3720; Fax: 866.613.8979
NOTE: THE AIRFARES TO OAXACA HAVE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY RECENTLY. CALL OR EMAIL TODAY TO CHECK AVAILABILITY.
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".