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Rick Cropp and Barbara Braidwood, Canwest News Service
Published in Victoria Times Colonist:  Saturday, September 27, 2008

We have been hearing more stories than usual about the frustrations of online travel engines’ customers lately.

In addition to horror stories we have read about, two people we know faced dropped bookings when they arrived at the airport.

One had booked a flight and the other a whole vacation package and both were told that there was no record of payment (even with a confirmation number) and they would have to pay for their trips again. So we were not especially surprised when we saw the report by eMarketer (they sell market research and trend analysis about Internet commerce) about the decline in the number of people booking online and the increase of people booking through travel agents.

An indication of how fed up people are with online booking engines is websites that will refer you to a vetted travel agent who can then help you book your trip.

Zicasso.com and Tripology both have generated good PR by taking business away from the online booking engines.

Their service is a cross between booking online and having a qualified travel agent help you.

After you fill out a form with the details of your trip, you receive a no-obligation quote in a short time.

Booking through a travel agent is some of the best insurance you can buy. When problems arise, you have someone to call. You can go and have a coffee while they sort out the problem. If they can’t fix it right then, you’ll at least know that when you return from your holiday, your travel agent will probably have fixed the snafu.

If you are interested in finding a travel agent, you’ve come to the right place.  You can visit our Contact Us page on our main website, enter your vacation and contact information, and we can send you competitive quotes for your next trip. 

If you are the do-it-yourself type, our website offers a consumer booking engine where you can search for hotels, flights, car rentals, and cruises, and book them yourself!  While there, you can also search vacation packages, last minute specials, short stays, river cruises, Vacation Vignettes (concierge hosted getaways).  If you find one you like, contact us for a quote.  Also, TripBlip is now available on our vacation search page!  TripBlip is a free, easy-to-use virtual vacation finder that delivers the best travel deals instantly to your computer desktop, letting us do more to help you quickly find your next perfect vacation.

According to Tony Ebanks, general manger of Sandals Golf & Country Club, Sandals has taken its golf programs to a new level with the addition of its new golf school, bringing in certified golf pros to do the training under the direction of Bryce Arsenault, Sandals head golf professional.

“We have a whole new teaching program with personal instruction along with digital lessons. We are taking the golf school a step up,” said Ebanks.

Lessons at the golf school will be offered for an extra charge at the all-inclusive Sandals Jamaica properties, though Sandals includes everything else for golfers: unlimited greens fees and transfers to the Sandals Golf & Country Club.

If the golfer’s companion isn’t as excited about the course, “you can play as much golf as you want and the golfer’s spouse can enjoy the resort,” said Ebanks, as the included greens fees, transfers and activities for the traveling companion “are the three big things for golfers.”

Sandals GCC also has cart, club and shoe rentals.  The club’s caddies, who are required (tips are not included), are excellent, according to Ebanks.

Ebanks said that Sandals aims to elevate its golf game with the new school and new amenities – like the midcourse jerk shack that offers the Jamaica<specialty jerk chicken to duffers amid game.  “It is very unique to have a golf course with a jerk shack in middle of it.”

Ebanks said the Sandals course is a lot of fun for the average golfer to play. “It is a mountainous course, but it is not very long and the greens are wide and open and fairly flat. So it will be a fun experience for the average player,” he said.  While it is a fun experience, the golf course is still challenging, said Ebanks, noting that that the greens are half the size of those on US courses and Sandals is a very hilly course – “That increases the degree of difficulty and that way will challenge your average golfer a little more.”

Sandals’ head golf professional Bryce Arsenault said that the school is a “full bore” instructional program offering one-, two-, three- and five-day schools along with corporate lessons and junior camps.  “We have a 10,000-square-foot facility in which students can hit balls in front of the coach out to the driving range,” Arsenault told Travel Trade.

The school also has a 1,000-square-yard short game area with two big practice greens and big practice bunkers and tees for instruction on all shots inside 100 yards – including chipping, pitching, putting, flop shots, fairway shots and bunkers.  “Every shot inside 100 yards will be taught and practiced there,” said Arsenault.

Prices range from $295 for the one-day school with five hours of instruction to $695 for the three-day school with 15 hours of instruction.

All golf schools include a maximum 4-to-1 student/coach ration; video analysis and take home DVD of the student’s golf swing with the coach’s voice over comments; take-home learning manual with the coach’s handwritten comments and prescriptions; transfers; a Sandals golf towel; and rental clubs.

To learn more about Sandals Resorts or to book your next Sandals Vacation, please contact us!

No longer an obscure way to see old Europe, travel by river is one of the best ways to venture out and take in the heart of the continent. This guide looks at the options available to travelers wishing to take a trip through Europe from a river’s perspective, easing through the countryside at a pace that permits all of the culture’s best possibilities to unfold. Travelers who return from river cruises carry memories of very intimate encounters with the countryside, local people, and fellow passengers. River cruise and barging travelers inevitably become true enthusiasts for the experience.

A traveler can journey Europe‘s waterways in a variety of ways. River cruising most often refers to river going cruise ships typically carrying fewer than 250 passengers. As such, river cruising ships are much smaller than mass-market, ocean-going vessels, but as river boats go, are on the larger end of the scale. Western and Central Europe have many river routes to offer the larger cruise boats. Popular itineraries include the Danube visiting Hungary, Austria and Germany and the Elbe River through Germany and the Czech Republic. In France, the Rhone and the Soane meander through Provence and Burgundy, while the Seine takes passengers through Paris and Giverny. In Northern Italy, the Po offers exciting opportunities with a variety of river cruise companies. Finally, the Volga, connecting St. Petersburg and Moscow provides a decidedly different way to port between these two magnificent cities. River cruises tend to be affairs of luxury, with an emphasis on informal, but upscale travel. Relaxation and intensive sightseeing are the main activities, as organized entertainment is somewhat limited on most river cruises, except for the occasional lecture or sing-along. Mostly, the crew allows passengers to enjoy their time as they see fit.

Cabins on larger river vessels vary in size from 90 square feet on older ships to over 200 square feet on newer. Most rooms are outside cabins, meaning they have windows for optimal sightseeing. The least expensive cabins are lower in the boat, while passengers pay more for higher rooms with better views. Cabins come with basic amenities, such as hair dryers and televisions, and are often very nicely furnished. The larger river cruise vessels have telephones and even Internet service.

Many first time river cruisers are delighted to discover that, unlike ocean cruising, there is very little boat motion. The mandated slow speeds and flat waters of the rivers ensure a quiet, placid voyage. It is often difficult when not on deck to even know the vessel is underway!

On longer trips, 10 days or more, the typical river cruise passenger is a well-traveled individual often over the age of 60. Shorter cruises typically attract a younger crowd. River cruises on the larger vessels do not always allow children under 12 as passengers, so make sure to check on any restrictions for families. The passenger manifest will be a mix of European and North American travelers, but most crews speak at least some English, and many are fluent. Individuals who require physical assistance when traveling should check with their travel consultant to determine the accessibility of any particular vessel for disabled passengers.

Meals have always been a special part of cruising, and river cruises have maintained that tradition. On river cruise vessels, food is a key part of the experience, prepared by a dedicated chef, the ship’s captain, or a restaurateur in a small village. Europeans take great pride in their culinary skills, and practically everyone who has ever cruised along the rivers and canals of Europe has at least one story about an unforgettable meal or food experience. Special dietary considerations can often be accommodated if requested early in the booking process. On self-drive barges, travelers can stock up on provisions from the villages and cook on board, or splurge at dining opportunities along the way.

Crewed barges with meal service and more amenities are sometimes referred to as “Hotel Barges”: smaller vessels with a passenger capacity of as few as six to as many as 50. Hotel barges tend to be much slower than river cruisers, and due to their smaller size, can enter more narrow waterways like canals, in addition to the larger rivers. Hotel barges range from Spartan accommodations to luxurious rooms with gourmet meals, fine wines, and bicycles for self-guided shore excursions. Cabins vary in size and most often have private baths with showers. Many barges have saunas and hot tubs on deck. Most are without telephones or Internet service, though, as such modernity is typically absent in the barge market.

Travelers can also book a “self-drive” barge and be their own crew. The smallest of the vessels, the “narrow boats” are often seen on the small canals of the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as Holland. These boats are very easy to handle and seldom are capable of exceeding 5 miles per hour. Without a crew, passengers are required to work with the canal lock systems on their own, a simple but time consuming task that consists of turning a crank manually or waiting while a lock attendant, if available, takes care of it. If self-drive is your choice, it’s worthwhile to discuss the number of locks along your itinerary with the boat owner/operator to ensure you are comfortable with the physical labor and time required to negotiate the lock systems.

Passengers on self-drive barges provision the galleys themselves and travel their own itinerary. Bathroom facilities are similar to those found on bareboat charters with chemical toilets and potable water. No special licensing is required to pilot a barge, and while it is a very simple exercise, most wise self-drive veterans purchase optional boat insurance to cover any accidental damage to the vessel.

The differences between a river cruise experience on the one hand and a self-drive barge on the other are matters of personal taste and preference. The larger river cruise vessels and the luxury barges are akin to the best cruising experiences anywhere. Smaller crewed or self-drive barging is an outing, something more like a bareboat charter or renting a recreational vehicle on land – an adventurer’s way of crossing the terrain. In either instance, however, it is the close connectedness of the traveler to the landscape that’s key to the experience. The often ancient cities and villages that have grown up on the banks of the old rivers are artifacts in their own right. River travel affords the opportunity to savor history and culture as it was meant to be experienced: not as an observer, but as a participant.

The peak season for river cruising is much the same as European travel in general, late spring through mid-fall and early November. The shoulder season, a real value, ranges from early March through mid-May. The autumn months coincide with grape season, and several cruise lines are fully booked during this time by wine connoisseurs. Finally, April is tulip season and cruises in and around the Netherlands are particularly popular then.

As always, pack as lightly as possible, as space on the smaller barges can be at a premium. Your cruise operator will no doubt provide you with a list of recommended items to bring, but the usual recommendations of hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are often overlooked but very important, because so much of your time will be spent outdoors. The smaller barges and self-drive options require good deck shoes and weather gear.

Regarding travel budgets… amenities offered by the cruise and barge operators and the travel season determine costs. For high-end river cruises and hotel barges, $2,100 per person, double occupancy and cruise only, is a common brochure cost for a seven day cruise. 12 day cruises often range from $2,800 upwards, but discounts are usually available for most itineraries through your travel agent. Other cruises may be had for as little as $800.00 for a seven day itinerary. Costs typically include all meals, tour excursions, and accommodations. Tips and gratuities are expected, ranging from $10 – $35 dollars per day. Self-drive options cost approximately $700 – $1000 per week for the barge alone, with all provisioning, fuel and other charges as additional costs. Your travel consultant will have many resources on hand for finding the best possible values.

Europe and its waterways await you!  If you are interested in learning more about European River Cruising, contact me!

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued YourTravelBiz.com for operating a gigantic pyramid scheme that recruited tens of thousands of members with deceptive claims that members could earn huge sums of money through its online travel agencies.

The story was broken by none other than TRO’s John Frenaye on his blog MLM’s And Travel – a bad mix. Frenaye’s year-long crusade against the worst aspects of YTB has been relentless, earning him the scorn of literally thousands of YTB psuedo agents and the admiration of an equal number of traditional travel agents. “I am happy to see that some legal authority has now seen fit to begin to look into what was so obvious to me for a long time,” said Frenaye.

While this will no doubt encourage other state authorities to look into YTB’s practices, it is the opinion of TRO that the next permutation of MLM card mills is just around the corner. Until the travel industry defines for itself and the public a precise definition of who is and is not a travel agent, a legal way of defining who can call themselves a travel agent (think “Realtor“), the issue will crop up again and again.

When it does, I suspect John Frenaye will be there when it does to take a whack at the mole. 

Richard Earls
Publisher
Travel Research Online

Card Mill companies such as YTB have been delegitimizing credible travel agents for years, and we all get excited when something is done about one of them.  In July 2005, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) created a white paper to educate the public about the harm that travel industry card mills pose to the travel industry and the consumer, and published it on their consumer website.

The paper examines how holders of card mill IDs differ from legitimate travel agents and what credentials legitimate travel agents may have. It details the ways in which travel industry card mills harm consumers and the travel industry. To read more, go to:

http://www.travelsense.org/consumer/scams.cfm#cardmills.

Not only do card mills deceive those who wish to become legitimate travel agents, but they hurt consumers as well.  Those who purchase the card and call themselves travel agents muddle the definition and credibility of what a travel agent really is.  A travel agent is meant to be a professional, with training and credentials, who is serious about being active in the travel industry, and who acts as an advocate between their clients and the travel supplier.  A travel agent has the education and experience to help guide and advise his or her client, and has the supplier relationships to provide valuable travel services.  Though suppliers do offer some discounts to show appreciation for the work that travel agents do, a legitimate travel agent does not enter the industry seeking discounts for him/herself, but rather, enters the industry with the intention to be of service to clients.  A card that says “travel agent” and a website that forces the “client” to do the work themselves does not make a legitimate travel agent.

Kudos to California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr!

Update!  The following article was published August 8 by Don Langley and Dori Saltzman in Travel Trade online:

California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a $25 million lawsuit in Los Angeles against YourTravelBiz.com, aiming to shut down what he called a ‘gigantic pyramid scheme.’

In an SEC filing, YTB vigorously defended itself saying it has been in discussions with the California AG over the issues the lawsuit contends.

The California action drew praise from the principals of Host agencies and lots of discussion on agent blogs.

The suit came almost on the eve of YTB’s national convention in St. Louis last week where, the attorney general’s office said, thousands of members were ‘to learn new techniques to recruit more victims into the illegal pyramid scheme.’ Last year at least 10,000 people attended a similar national conference.

Brown said, ‘YourTravelBiz.com operates a gigantic pyramid scheme that is immensely profitable to a few individuals on top and a complete rip-off for most everyone else.’ The lawsuit, he said, ‘seeks to shut down the company’s unlawful operation before more people are exploited by the scam.’

In the YTB plan, members benefit only if and when they find enough new members to join. Once enrolled, members earn compensation for each new person they enlist, regardless of whether they sell any travel.

According to company records, cited in the California action, more than 200,000 members in 2007 typically paid more than $1,000 per year – $449.95 to set up an ‘online travel agency’ with a monthly fee of $49.95. In 2007, only 38% percent of the company¿s members made any travel commissions.

For the minority of members who made any travel commission in 2007, the median income was $39, less than one month’s cost to keep the Web site. There are at least 139,000 of the company’s travel Web sites, all virtually identical, according to the Attorney General.

YTB’s marketing materials include videos of people driving Porsches and other luxury cars, holding $10,000 checks and claiming to be raking in millions of dollars in profits.

Brown charges the company, its affiliates, and the company’s founders J. Lloyd Tomer, J. Scott Tomer, J. Kim Sorensen and Andrew Cauthen with operating an ‘endless chain scheme,’ an unlawful pyramid. He also charged the company with unfair business practices and false advertising practice, and for operating without filing legally mandated documents with the Attorney General and the Department of Corporations.

Under California’s unfair business practices statute, the company is liable for $2,500 per violation of law. Brown is asking for a court order that bars the company from making false or misleading statements and assesses a civil penalty of at least $15 million and at least $10 million in restitution for Californians who were ripped off.

A spokesman for the California Attorney General’s office told Travel Trade, ‘It was impossible to miss them on the Internet and they advertise widely. They came to us and presented information about their business model. We said it was a pyramid scheme.’ The Attorney General’s office doesn’t know why YTB approached it.

And despite the huge numbers of people and the visibility of YTB, the spokesman said that the company never registered under the California Seller of Travel law, which the AG’s office enforces.

As for other MLM travel operations, naturally he said his office can neither confirm nor deny whether there are other investigations.

‘This thing is starting to blow up I think,’ said John Frenaye, a Maryland travel agent who owns the blog ‘MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix,’ noting that California is one of YTB’s tops states for members.

He said that other states are already starting to pay attention to the California suit. Two days after the California lawsuit was announced, the Illinois attorney general’s office opened an investigation into the company’s practices and impact in Illinois, according to Frenaye who added that Maryland assigned an assistant attorney general to look into the issue as well.

 

Heated Discussions on Blogs

News of the suit was reported on Frenaye’s blog ‘MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix’ and responses posted on the blog have been mixed, and often passionate. As with any discussion of YTB, posters on both sides of the issue often resorted to personal attacks, name calling and defensive posturing.

However, several posters maintain a professional demeanor and discussed the issue in a manner worthy of a presidential debate.

Steve Mencik, of The Vacation Stop in Maryland, pointed out that the suit does not seem to differentiate between the two YTB businesses, that of selling memberships and that of selling travel.

‘The suit does not really distinguish between the REP and RTA. I’m sure that one of the defenses will be that they are separate ventures,’ Mencik wrote.

‘The reps pay no money, but can make money by selling RTA Web sites. The RTA’s can make money selling travel. Where YTB may get into trouble is where they blurred the line by providing overrides to REPs based on the RTA’s travel sales.’

Another poster, simply identified as Josh, made a similar comment, ‘Could be a dark cloud but…politics aside, this seems like a strange ‘fishing’ expedition by the CA AG.

‘I read the lawsuit. I read Brown’s quotes in the LA Times. I don’t get it. He is claiming the same junk that many TTA [traditional travel agents] claim. Problem is that the claims made are basically about a few REPS not YTB itself, many [REPS] post ads on craigslist. Nowhere does YTB participate in or condone the misleading marketing. In fact in the REP terms and conditions, as some of you are aware of now, it flat out says you CAN’T do any of it. I am no legal expert but based on that this lawsuit will be tossed.’

‘Josh’ also added, ‘Interesting to note, however, in doing a search for ‘travel’ on the CA AG Web site, a ton of stories about unscrupulous travel agents comes up.’

Travel agents also weighed in on the issue, including an agent identified as ‘Jack.’

‘As a retail travel agent that handles $4 million annually personally, I am elated that someone is finally investigating YTB,’ he wrote. ‘Too many people think they can just ‘be’ a travel agent without any knowledge, and so many think that our job is just that a job.

‘I was even approached by one of the ‘zombies’ that tried to recruit me. When I started asking questions’ she became very defensive and told me I didn’t know anything about travel. Strange, since I have been in the business for 29 years!! In any case, I went to their Web site – no phone contact, no nothing. It is a blatant scam and they MUST be shut down, not only for consumers that might try to purchase travel though these people, but also for the unsuspecting people just coming up with fool’s gold!’

 

YTB Convention Goers Unflapped

A second blog, Just Picture It Now, operated by two YTB Reps and RTAs, reported on the mood at the YTB conference in St. Louis last week, two days after the lawsuit was filed. ‘The buzz here at the Convention, after reading the wording of the suit, is the State’s claims are misleading and unfair, not ours.’

Regardless of which side blog posters were on, one post on the MLMs and Travel blog, got straight to the heart of the issue: YTB and the Attorney General’s office have been in talks for 18 months, enough time to come to an understanding, if such an understanding were possible.

The poster also pointed out the language used by the Attorney General is particularly harsh. ‘AG Brown obviously is holding nothing back, and attacks on point after point after point…The negotiations or ‘talks’ obviously did not produce any results…I would say that the gap between the parties is as wide as the Grand Canyon at this point,’ he said.

Such a gulf also exists between those who support YTB and those who do not.

Below are the details of the company that booked a reservation with Fare Buzz and sent them a fake Citibank Official Check.  Advise all clients and vendors to be careful and not to deal with this company.

Company Name:   Rugerp Travel Inc
Agent Name:        Lino Versace
Address:               3503 Furey St
                             Dallas, TX  75212
Phone:                  775-248-7301
Other Phones:       214-390-4920
                             972-201-8713
Email of Agent:     linoversace36@yahoo.com
City Pairs:             ACC-PAR-ACC
Passenger Name:  Allen/Asia

Upon verification with Citibank it was found that the check was a fake Official Check. It was sent to Farebuzz from Atlanta Georgia. Tickets were asked to be sent to Texas. A self addressed UPS envelope to be used for ticket delivery was sent to them from 1375 Peachtree, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Amalfi Coast 

The rugged southern shore dividing the Bay of Naples from the Gulf of Salerno is a restful and picturesque area. Miniature towns shelter in precipitous coastal ravines and tranquil seas calmly lap the shores of quiet pebbled beaches. The Amalfi Coast is a great relaxation spot from which to enjoy coastal Italian culture.Stretching between the towns of Postiano and Vietri sul Mare, near Salerno, the area is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and towering mountain cliffs that plunge into the Mediterranean Sea. Precariously perched and threatening to tipple into the sea, the small town of Positano is a great attraction for tourists with its cluster of multi-coloured houses and remarkable setting. A cliffside stairway provides the perfect vantage point from which to admire its glorious sea vistas.Four miles (6km) down the coast is the quaint town of Praiano framed by caves, castles and sharp cliffs. A stroll from here towards Amalfi will take one to a ramp leading to Marina di Praia, a 400-year-old fishing village nestled in the embrace of a tiny ravine. Another notable stop between Praiano and Amalfi is the Grotto dello Smeraldo. The busy seaside town of Amalfi basks in the glory of its longevity as the first Sea Republic of Italy and as the hometown of Flavio Gioja, the inventor of the compass. It is referred to as the ‘pearl of the coast’ and has a bit of everything for the weary traveller. A pebble’s throw away from here is the quiet village of Atrani. Its tranquil beach rests languidly on the water’s edge against a superb backdrop of mountains. Further down the coast is Minori, notable for its lemon exports and a gentle place with villas and beaches to explore. The quiet town of Ravello retains the charm prized by Bocaccio who dedicated part of his famous work, the Decameron, to the town.The coastal road that twists its way between the rocks affords glimpses of the small villages, bays and inlets, and a journey along this southern route will take travellers to towns of worldwide fame as well as to lesser known spots of equal enchanting beauty.

Florence

Italian Alps 

The scenic Italian Alps comprise lush valleys and pine forests set against the backdrop of jagged white peaks stretching through the clouds. Towns nestle in the valleys and ski chalets nuzzle into the crevices offered by the generous mountains. Access to the area is provided along train or bus routes snaking through the Alps but the international cable car connection over the mountains from Chamonix is by far the most spectacular way to enter the region. Tourists flock to these parts and the largely French influence is extended to the street names. The Gran Paradiso National Park is a sublime experience of waterfalls, cliffs and lush vegetation. Hiking is a big attraction along the scenic mountain trails that stretch for miles and are paused in parts by mountain huts and refuges. Favourable months for walking are July, August and September when most of the snow has melted into the thirsty soil. Italy’s best ski resorts are in the Valle d’Aosta, within the shadows of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Courmayer and Brevil Cervinia are both world class resorts and the skiing is augmented by the Italian love of life and matchless cuisine and wines.

Milan

First, let’s consider a few geographic terms. The “United Kingdom” typically refers to the four “home nations” of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the small islands surrounding the main bodies of land such as the Channel Islands and the Hebrides. “Ireland” is the Republic of Ireland, that portion of the island south of Northern Ireland. Each area is proudly independent and their individual histories are largely the story of their strong assertion of that independence. Each of the respective regions are broken up into smaller sub-regions that contain quaint villages, industrial towns and cosmopolitan cities, all reflecting centuries of history.

From the east coast of North America, most destinations are a relatively easy seven to nine hour airplane flight to a major airport. Logistics are relatively simple: time is typically 5 or 6 hours later than Eastern time, depending on the time of year, and most flights arrive at their destination in the morning hours, allowing travelers to rest overnight on the plane and take full advantage of their first day.

The currency of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland is the British pound, although the Euro can also be used in most instances. The Euro is the official currency of Ireland. Money is easily exchanged at any of the numerous banks and ATM machines that typically provide better exchange rates than hotels.

The cities of the United Kingdom and Ireland are easily navigated by foot, taxi or bus, and many exciting and truly excellent walking tours are available in practically every city and hamlet. Driving in the United Kingdom and Ireland is simple enough for those up to the challenge. Cars drive on the left hand side of the road and most are fitted with right hand steerage. The infrastructure is excellent in and about the main cities, but many of the highways in the countryside are narrow and winding and often not lit at night. Travelers should allow for a bit of practice and concentration to make the transition to driving on the opposite side. Likewise, be vigilant about crossing the street, as many North American pedestrians have the natural tendency to step off of a curb and first look left rather than right, with potentially dangerous results!

Those not inclined to drive will be happy to know that the rail system in the United Kingdom is excellent and serves as a terrific way of visiting many parts of Britian quickly and comfortably. Several cities between Scotland and England have excellent train routes between them. Between Edinburgh and Glasgow it is only a 60 minute trip via the ScotRail Shuttle.

In Ireland, self-drive is the most time efficient way to travel if not taking an escorted tour bus. If using scheduled public transportation in Ireland, remember that the further from Dublin and Belfast you travel, the less frequent and dependable the trains and buses may be. A “Rambler” pass will serve well for unlimited rail and bus travel in Ireland, and your Eurailpass is valid there, but not in Northern Ireland or the rest of the United Kingdom. For the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, a Britrail pass is available that also will cover ferries. By the way, you can ferry from England to Ireland by taking the train to Holyhead and then the ferry to Dun Laoghaire. The train from there will take you on into Dublin.

One of the most interesting and rewarding experiences about visiting the United Kingdom and Ireland is the opportunity to meet the locals on a personal level. These are a warm and friendly people with a generous curiosity about Canadians and United States citizens. The people of the United Kingdom and Ireland are in the thick of world events. Their geography and integration into the rest of Europe allows for neither a distance nor an indifference of opinion on world events, and visitors find that nearly all who they encounter are well versed in current affairs and have a keen interest in the point of view of travelers from other regions.

Whether in the cities or in the countryside, one thing is certain – you cannot rush a visit. There is simply too much to take in, too many amazing sites and opportunities. In every corner of these countries is truly breath-taking scenery, manor houses, thatch-roofed cottages, and castles both stately and crumbling. Churches and cathedrals dot the landscape and are a study all to themselves. It would take many, many trips to even begin to become familiar with the complexity of the land and its landmarks.

When to visit? The weather during the late spring and summer months is excellent. As this is the “high” season for Ireland and the United Kingdom, there are more travelers in general, and prices are somewhat higher. In the fall and early spring, the weather is often excellent, and the prices are right! Shopkeepers and others in the travel trade can provide clients with special attention during off-peak seasons. Finally, the holidays are a very special time to visit, and the famous pub culture at its peak during the colder winter months.

It would be difficult to overstate the beauty of the coastline and rural countryside of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Pictures barely convey the beauty of the rugged cliffs, the green valleys, the stone-walled fields of Ireland or the lakes and lochs of England and Scotland. Visitors often come for the cities, but they return for the countryside. One of the best arguments for a self-drive tour through any of the home nations is the opportunity to leisurely view the landscape at eye level and take in the sights that have inspired generations of poets.

For complete Destination Guides or to begin planning your vacation to the United Kingdom and Ireland, please visit my website to contact me.

Most do not realize that Hawaii’s islands span more than 1,500 miles, creating the longest chain of islands in the world. In total, Hawaii is actually 130 separate islands if you include the atolls and coral reefs above sea level. However, the eight of these islands that cover 99% of the land area receive all of the attention, and of those, only six offer tourism opportunities (Niihau is privately owned and Kahoolawe was once a test range for the US Navy). The six major islands are Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s Big Island. Each island has its own identity, ambiance, climate and geological features that make it unique.

The Hawaiian Islands are volcanic, the products of millions of years of undersea eruptions; today, however, the only active volcano is on Hawaii’s Big Island. Hawaii’s climate is an amazing phenomenon, as well. Climatologists will tell you that the earth has 13 types of climatic conditions, and of those, 11 are represented on Hawaii – the only missing conditions are Arctic and Saharan. At sea level, summer temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit and in winter, a balmy 75 degrees. Year round, the average water temperature is 74 degrees.

Getting around on the islands is a cinch. A ferry runs between Maui and Lanai and Maui and Molokai, and inter-island flights on both Aloha and Hawaiian Air offer multi-island passes at a discount. Another small commercial carrier, Island Air, flies between the smaller airports on the islands. Most visitors relish self-drive adventures, touring the winding roads along the beaches or into the interior of the islands at their own pace. Rental options range from scooters to Ferraris, but for a classic experience, try renting a Jeep.

What’s truly unique about Hawaii, though, is the sheer number of activities available in such an amazingly beautiful setting – the scenery is unmatched and unlike anything in the world. Mountains and beaches, tropical rainforests and snow. Pineapple plantations and volcanoes. Sit and do nothing, or try just a few of the built-in diversions that nature has given a home here: water sports like surfing, windsurfing, boating, sailing, snorkeling, diving, fishing and kayaking; or try golf, tennis, world-class bicycling, hiking and camping. The islands are also home to an entire health industry, with internationally recognized spas, yoga and holistic centers throughout the state. And Hawaii takes the precious gifts that nature has bestowed very seriously, so ecotourism is practiced with a particular zeal here, and many tour and local guide companies offer programs designed around the islands’ flora and fauna.

Geologists say that Kauai is the oldest island of the six tourist islands. The rugged coast boasts more miles of beach and hiking trails than all the other islands. This is the island serving as a backdrop to many films, including Jurassic Park. Its primitive, tropical beauty evokes the Garden of Eden – it is an island of mountains and valleys, waterfalls and beautiful beaches. On the Northwest side of the island, 3,000 foot cliffs line the Na Pali Coast, much of it inaccessible except by boat or hikes on foot. The island is circular in shape, offering five areas developed for tourism. This well-rounded destination appeals to commercial shoppers, fine diners, and eco-tourists alike.

Oahu is the most commercial of the islands, and home to Waikiki and Honolulu. But do not let that fool you: Oahu mesmerizes visitors with rainforests, mountains, valleys, and spectacular ocean waves. A great suggestion for any island newcomer is to rent a car (an open top is ideal) and drive the perimeter of the island – you may well be awed by how undeveloped and quaint much of the island remains. Honolulu, on the southern tip of Oahu and bordered by both mountains and ocean, is actually one of the largest cities in the United States and home to near 80% of the Hawaiian population. Waikiki is famous the world over, where urban culture and the distinct Polynesian flavor of Hawaii co-exist in perfect harmony. Diamond Head, a mountainous volcanic crater, is a famous and easily recognizable landmark.

Words most often associated with the island of Molokai are peace and tranquility. Molokai is home to many of the ecological and adventure-oriented activities found in Hawaii. The eastern side of the island is very green and tropical, and the western side, in contrast, offers dry grasslands and beaches. To the north, tall sea cliffs rising more than 3,500 feet above sea level look out over the ocean and create Hawaii’s tallest waterfall. The Kalaupapa Peninsula is considered one of the state’s most beautiful areas and is ironically the former home of the island’s famous leper colony, bordered by high, sheltering cliffs on one side. The main “urban” area is Kaunakakai, a town with no traffic lights.

Lanai is a largely rural island, sheltered from the leeward winds by Maui, some nine miles away. There are only 32 miles of pavement on the island, and much of it is given over to luxury resorts, golfing, and activities for adventurous personalities, and it is oft-considered the Hawaii’s best snorkeling and scuba diving spot. Lanai was at one time a giant pineapple plantation and is home to some of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, such as Hulopoe Bay. The only town on the island is Lanai City, a quaint town filled with small shops and artist studios. Lanai entertains many visitors with large luxury resorts and their attendant championship golf properties.

The island of Maui has something for everyone. The dormant Haleakala volcano (though officially classified as “active”) and Kahalawai volcano watch over Hawaii’s second largest island and shape the island’s mountains, valleys and waterfalls. Visitors to Maui are surprised by how undeveloped most of the island feels, and yet how much it offers in terms of dining, resorts and nightlife. Maui is also the whale watching center for the islands (the humpback whale is the state animal). Driving to the top of Haleakala to watch the sunrise is a Maui visitor ritual (many opt to bike back down from the top), as is a drive around the island’s perimeter on the 50 mile Hana Highway. Another attraction is the small village of Lahaina, full of great shops and restaurants.

The Big Island is the home to the Kilauea volcano: the still active, currently erupting volcano is the most active volcano in the world, with a continual lava flow pouring into the ocean since 1983, creating approximately 40 new acres of island every year. The Big Island is as large as all of the other islands combined, with more than 260 miles of coast. During the winter, it can actually snow on the island’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, and you can snow ski on its 13,796 foot altitudes, weather permitting. The Kona-Kohala Coast on the Big Island hosts several luxury resorts and golf facilities along with its white-sand beaches. Here, too, is the town of Hilo, displaying its tropical, quintessential Hawaiian culture.

Again, this overview is just a start at describing the amazing destination of Hawaii. Its cultural and environmental significance can only be fully understood through a visit in person – to see is to believe. Once you are there, consider leaving the beaten path to explore the lush outdoors of America’s 50th state.

For complete Destination Guides or to begin planning your vacation to Hawaii, please visit my website to contact me.

It doesn’t take a presidential election to make the economy a hot topic this year; clearly consumers are watching their budgets. Will they continue to travel? The experts tell us that for more and more people, leisure travel is considered an essential line item in the family budget; less a discretionary expense than an expected lifestyle cost.

So the simple answer is, yes, Americans will continue to travel. But, in choosing how and where to travel, there is no doubt in my mind that they will demand maximum value; when the budget is tight every penny counts. And, travel agents have an important role to play in steering their loyal clients toward that value.

There are many ways of finding added-value travel opportunities, but those of us in my industry would like to suggest that [you] need look no further than cruising. In all sincerity, I can say that the cruise line members of CLIA offer outstanding value across all price categories of cruises, and there are many reasons why.

Inclusive pricing – accommodations, meals, entertainment, use of most ship’s facilities, transportation from destination to destination and, in some cases, complimentary wines and spirits and shore excursions – means the consumer is already off to a great start in realizing value for money spent. But there’s more.

The variety of cruises available – in every possible price category, length, size and type of ship – means consumers can easily pick a vacation at sea that matches their budget.

In addition, CLIA member lines offer cruises in all parts of the world. This means travelers can find value by picking off-season destinations or take advantage of the weak dollar to cruise in many foreign destinations, notably Europe, without the added cost of paying in stronger foreign currencies.

And, with CLIA member lines sailing from more than 30 domestic ports, consumers can pick a cruise to drive to and save the cost of increasingly expensive airfare.

It’s also worth noting that, in most cases, the price of a cruise is based on choice of accommodations. It’s easy for vacationers to save by booking a less expensive stateroom and still take advantage of everything else the ship has to offer.

And, cruises are hugely popular with families, extended families and groups of friends traveling together. [Consider putting] together a group and save.

Obviously, these are somewhat uncertain times economically, but the cruise industry, because of this very strong value message, is optimistic.

CLIA is growing in number and size of ships as well as type of cruise vacations offered. We are expanding throughout the world and will continue to do so.

If you are interested in learning more about cruises, please visit my website to contact me.