Excellence Playa Mujeres in Cancun

This adults only resort is ideal for honeymooners and couples. If you are looking to experience the natural beauty of the Caribbean in a setting of all inclusive lunxury, then Excellence Playa Mujeres is perfect for you. It is situated among seven swimming pools on a powdery white sand beach. It just opened in November of 2007.

It is just 20 minutes north of Cancun. Playa Mujeres is the latest development destination in the region, removed from, but convenient to the activity of Cancun proper, a short cab ride away. You are 30 minutes from the Cancun airport.

The rooms are spacious, and all are junior suites. Each room has an L shaped sofa, 42 inch flat screen TV, marble double shower for two, double sinks, Each suite has a balcony or terrace, and there are swim up suites as well. Each room has a private round jacuzzi with indoor and outdoor access. 24 hour room service is offered. Each room has a "honeymoon door" which is a private "cabinet" that room service can be given, without disturbing you while you are in your room.

Some rooms have roof top terrace suites that offer privacy, a Hydro Spa pool and outdoor shower. You don't have to be in the club level to stay in a roof top suite. You can order room service from your roof top suite and it will be brought right to you, without leaving the Hydro Spa pool.




Staying in the club level gives you some extra benefits such as private check in and check out, concierge service, private lounges, free Internet, upgraded minibar and room service menu, 3 private pools, private beach area, complimentary beach bag and many more amenities.

The entertainment was excellent. The shows were better than the standard "all inclusive" resort. One day, the staff spent most of the day getting ready for a Caribbean beach party, complete with a band playing caribbean music, dancing, caribbean food and bar. One night was "romance night" where different entertainers sang romantic music and dancing with your partner under the stars was a treat!

The food was excellent and there were 8 restaurants on property and NO RESERVATIONS were needed! Great feature!

Here everything is taken care of and nothing is left out!




This article was written by Michele Daneker, Travel Consultant for Travel Concepts. If you'd like more information you can email her at michele@travelconceptsint.com or call her at 800-229-7228.

Punta Cana

From the moment you arrive here you are reminded you are in the Caribbean. The newly designed airport is integrated into the landscape with its thatched roofs and lush tropical plantings, you would hardly recognize it as an airport.



Travel to Punta Cana and be swept away into a secluded paradise, with forty miles of pearly beaches studded with palm trees, almost as pristine as when the island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The crystalline waters where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic swirl in the vivid hues of indigo, turquoise, and aquamarine that you've seen only in your dreams.

We stayed at the Riu Palace in Punta Cana, which is located only 19 miles from the airport. Opened in 2006, this is the very latest addition to Riu’s outstanding resorts in the Dominican Republic.


Located on a spectacular stretch of white sandy beach, this magnificent property has 612 junior suites. And, staying here entitles you to exchange privileges to the 4 sister properties, the Riu Palace Macao, Riu Taino, Riu Naiboa and ClubHotel Riu Bambu, in the resort. I must say I love the Riu family of hotels. My daughter and I were treated like royalty here. It could be because she (my daughter Jill) is something else in a bathing suit, but we did receive a lot of attention during that stay. The Riu line of all-inclusive resorts combines luxury with entertainment, relaxation and pampering. They have five restaurants, in this one property, to choose from eating and believe me when I say the food was great. Next to eating, I also enjoyed sitting in the pool. Like most newer resorts their pool has seats built into the water. You can sit in the sun, covered in water; with the pool bar near by and the staff making sure your glass was always full.



The beach is also wonderful, the surf calm, the recliners ample. If you are a gambler you’ll have access to the casino located at the Riu Macao in the resort complex. My idea of the perfect vacation!

Punta Cana is considered the major resort area in the Dominican Republic. Several professional golf courses have been built in the region.

The nightlife inside the resorts is very lively. For those who like to explore off site, several small plazas and discotheques allow tourists to interact with local residents. Other tourist attractions have also been installed in the area, among them Manatí Park (a waterpark), Plaza Bolera Punta Cana (a shopping mall and bowling center), a Marina, and the Palma Real Shopping Center in Bávaro, housing well known facilities such as Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas. Personally though when I pay for an all-inclusive resort I stay onsite and get the most for my money.

This article was written by Diane Pajak, a Travel Consultant for Travel Concepts if you’d like more information or a quote for these fine resorts, call 800-229-7228.

A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog!

rgblog said...

For those who can't leave your pets behind here are some travel tips so visit your local pet supplies store:



• Make sure your pet's shots are up-to-date.

• Do not administer any medication or treatments without first discussing them with your veterinarian.

• Obtain documentation from your vet to show that your pet's vaccinations are current, and that your companion is healthy.

• If you are traveling to another country, check with that nation's embassy.

• Make sure your pets are wearing collars with current Identification tags.

• Pack any medications your pet may be taking.

• If you are traveling by automobile, think about the animal's safety as well as your own.

• Do not leave an animal unattended in a vehicle.

• Check with the Airline Carrier for specific requirements when traveling with your pet.

• Try to book a direct flight to your destination to eliminate additional stress by airline transfers.

• Call your hotel/motel ahead to confirm that pets are accepted and if any additional fees are required.



A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog!

July 14, 2008 6:39 PM

Going on a cruise?

The before-you-cruise checklist

So you booked a cruise. Can't wait to go? Great! You're likely have a wonderful time, given the cruise industry's high satisfaction rating among passengers. But are you really ready? Too often people wait until just before departure to do things that should have been done weeks earlier. Then in the rush to get it all done, they sometimes leave tickets, medicines or other essentials behind. After interviewing numerous travelers and travel agents, we've put together a checklist of "must do" advance tasks. These will help to assure your cruise planning and preparation goes as smoothly as possible.

To be done as Far Out as Possible

If you don't have a passport, if your existing passport expires soon, or if you don't have enough pages left in your passport, you'll need a new one. New passport regulations for American citizens traveling abroad will be fully enacted in June, 2009. The good news is that the state department has staffed up so passports are currently being processed and delivered in as little as a week. Don't expect this to last too long, however, as the final deadline gets closer the passport office will get busier. You can pay for expedited service to be sure you get your passport on time. Currently you can get a passport in as little as 24 hours, but in the future even VIP handling may take far longer than usual. Until June, 2009, if you don't have a passport, you can use a state issued ID plus an original birth certificate or certificated copy with a raised seal issued by an official government agency. For information, visit. Check with your travel agent about whether any visas are required for your cruise itinerary. Start this process very early on as well.

Six Weeks to Three Months Out

Shore Excursions: When you receive your cruise documents (your papers for boarding the ship), you usually will receive a shore excursion booklet describing the line's tour options in exotic ports of call. Don't set it aside: Read the booklet, make a decision, and book as soon as possible if you plan to take any of the line's shore trips. This is another thing your travel agent can take care of for you. The majority of cruise line shore trips are now booked in advance, and there are two good reasons.

First, booking in advance means your shore tickets will be waiting in your stateroom upon arrival. Or they might be delivered while you're at dinner that first night. So you'll avoid standing in a long line at the ship's shore excursion desk after you board.

Second, by pre-reserving shore trips, you'll have a good shot at getting the ones you want. This is particularly important for such popular activities as swimming with the dolphins in the Caribbean or going dog-sledding via a helicopter transfer in Alaska. These excursions have limited spots available. While the cruise lines say they save some spots for onboard bookers, travel agent will tell you it's risky to wait. Your chances improve with early pre-booking.

Spa and Salon Appointments:If you have the chance to book these in advance, and know what you want, then pre-reserve. Otherwise, you'll have to run to the ship's spa desk right after you board, and even then you might find yourself in a line. Try to pre-book your spa appointments on sea days, so you have time free in ports of call. Appointment slots fill up quickly. If you wait to book onboard, your only options may be port days or times during the dinner hour.

Embarkation Gifts:

If you're celebrating a special occasion on the cruise, like an anniversary or birthday, your cruise document package will often include information on how to book gifts or special packages. If not, ask your travel agent, this is another service they provide for their clients. It's a nice celebratory touch to pre-book champagne and hors d'ouevres for your stateroom on the day of embarkation. Or, you might pre-purchase "cruise line bucks" for your spouse or friend; that's basically a credit for onboard purchases such as spa treatments, photos or shopping. Most lines require that guests make arrangements for these "gifts" several weeks in advance, again something your travel agent can do for you.

Airline Tickets:
Travel agents often re-check their clients' air tickets (if purchased at the agency) to assure the tickets are correct. But if you bought your ticket directly through the cruise line or redeemed frequent traveler miles for a free ticket, you need to do this yourself. Is the flight schedule correct? Is your name correct? The airline might refuse to board you if the ticket name doesn't match what's on your ID. Are you ticketed to fly on the right dates and at the right times? It's not uncommon for tickets to be incorrect or for people to have mistakenly booked their flights on the wrong date or in the evening instead of morning. While you may incur a charge to correct the tickets, it's better to find out now rather than at the airport on your day of departure.

Also, check whether you have seat assignments. If not, try to book those directly with the airline. If they say they cannot assign a seat in advance, that means they're tight on space. Some seats are held for assignment on the flight departure day. If you cannot get a seat assignment in advance, check in early at the airport to assure you get a seat and are not bumped.

Credit Card Planning:

If your cruise documents have arrived, you're probably feeling great about having paid for the cruise in full. But start evaluating the credit you'll need on your trip. You'll need one credit card with a sufficient credit line, because the cruise line will ask for a credit card upon embarkation to cover the cost of your on-board expenses. At check-in, they'll run off a "credit card authorization" for a certain amount of money. Depending on the line's policy, length of cruise and type of journey (luxury, premium or contemporary), the line might get authorization for $50 to $200 in daily charges.

Why? Sometimes the cost of on-board incidentals might rival the price of the cruise itself. It's possible to run up over a thousand dollars in onboard charges for shore trips, alcoholic beverages, special onboard programs, casino play, spa treatments and onboard shopping. That doesn't mean you'll be billed on your credit card for more than you actually spend. If you spent only $80 for the week, that's what you'll pay when you get off the ship. But that preliminary credit authorization will apply to your card until it expires. For example, if you have a $2,500 credit card limit, the card already had a $1,500 balance prior to your cruise, and the line runs off $800 in "authorized" charges as a security deposit, you might be left with little usable credit on that card, at least temporarily.

If you rent a car or stay a few days in a hotel pre-cruise, those suppliers might also run off a credit card hold that could extend through the first day of your cruise. Translation? You might not have enough for the incidentals "hold" charge at check-in. So never go on a cruise with only $100 or $200 credit on a credit card. I've seen people incredulous at the purser's desk when their card is declined, saying, "but it had at least $200 on it." In reality, that isn't enough. Also, the "hold charges" placed on your credit card onboard might interfere with your ability to use that card for purchases ashore. Savvy cruisers take along two credit cards one for incidentals onboard, another for purchases ashore.

Arrange for a House Sitter:

If you want someone to house-sit for you while you're away, schedule it now. People's schedules fill up quickly, so start early.

Arrange for Child Care:

If you're not taking your children along on your cruise, arrange for child care. Would a relative let your kids to stay at their house while you're at sea? Would a grandparent consider staying at your home and handling cooking and supervisory tasks for your kids? Or will your children have to fly elsewhere to stay with a relative? All these issues should be dealt with well in advance.

Two to Four Weeks Out

Pre-Packing: Find a good spot in your home to open up the suitcase(s) you plan to take on the trip. Aim for one medium-size suitcase and one roomy carry-on bag. Travel agents say most cruisers tend to over-pack, and usually regret it later. Put everything you might possibly want to take along in piles next to the luggage. Over the next few weeks, evaluate what you have and start to take away this or that. Don't procrastinate and pack the night before your cruise, as you'll probably throw everything in "just in case."

The days of dressing up in formal attire every night are over. Usually no more than two nights on a one-week cruise are classified as formal. Resort casual has become much more the norm these days. Even on formal nights, some cruisers leave their gowns and tuxedos at home and simply order room service or head for the buffet restaurant. If you like to dress up, by all means take a gown or tuxedo, but don't take two or three different ones.

Packing efficiently can improve the quality of your cruise. Remember, if overstuffed checked bags are hand-searched by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the airport, items may fall out, get lost or not fit back in the bag, causing a luggage delay. By packing efficiently, you also won't waste time in your stateroom unpacking unnecessary items and cramming them into closets. You'll also have room in your suitcase to bring souvenirs home without having to pay fees for excess baggage at the airport. If you're on a luxury cruise, inquire about fee-based luggage services that many lines offer. A company will pick bags up at your home and the next time you see your luggage, it will be in your cruise cabin.

Medicines and Toiletries:

Many people take prescription medications. If you do, don't wait until it's time to depart to discover you need refills. Take care of this at least two weeks out. If you need a new prescription, there's time to handle the situation with your doctor. And take along plenty of medicine. A good rule of thumb is one week's extra supply, just in case there's a flight delay, winter storm or some reason why you can't get home on time.

If you get seasick or carsick easily, talk to your physician about remedies or use of "the patch." Also, you might want to buy sea bands -- small, elasticized bands that cover both wrists and have proven helpful in preventing nausea. You'll find these in most drugstores.

Many cruisers want to pack toiletries or over-the-counter medications as well. If you plan to carry on these items, TSA says all liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon-size bags or bags that are not zip-top (such as fold-over sandwich bags) are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag, and each container must be three ounces or less. Visit for more information.

So put non-essential stuff in checked luggage, using zip bags to avoid any problems if a bottle accidentally breaks. Yes, you could just buy toiletries and over-the-counter medicines (like Pepto Bismol or cold medication) on the ship or in ports of call, but prices can be higher. Also, it might not be that convenient to spend vacation time searching for what you need.

Medical Records:
If you have significant medical problems, take along a copy of your records and tests. These could be extremely helpful if you need a doctor onboard. Do this at least two weeks prior to cruising, three if you can. It may take a week or so for your doctor or other medical groups to provide this information to you.

Pets:

At least two to three weeks before departure, arrange for pet care, whether in your home or by boarding your animals. Put any instructions in writing and include pet care insurance documents and vaccination certificates for the caregiver. Contact your veterinarian and make sure he or she understands that you have designated a particular person to act on your behalf while you're gone. If necessary, draw up a power of attorney so that person can legally make decisions about the pet on your behalf.

Arrange for Airport Transfers:

On a long cruise, you may want to book an airport shuttle transfer (leave plenty of time if you are booked with others it could take an extra 60-90 minutes if the shuttle stops to pick up multiple people) or a limo ride. If you're booking a car pick-up with a local limo company be sure you have your travel agent do so at least two weeks in advance. Book even further out if your required transport falls during a major event period like prom season, Mardi Gras or Super Bowl. One suggestion is to book a hotel at the airport your are departing from. Travel Agents sell packages for these hotels that will include the shuttle to and from the airport as well as free parking for the time you are away.

Exerts of article taken from ETurboNews

Top 10 Tips for Family Vacations

Top 10 Tips for a Perfect Family Vacation

Remember back when…you were just a child, and mom and dad whisked you and your siblings away on that much-anticipated family vacation every year? Now, it’s your turn to do the planning and lead the way. Your next family vacation can be a time to de-stress and unwind…to expand your horizons and experience something new…and most importantly, to bond with family members. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your precious vacation time together – and make wonderful memories that last a lifetime:
1. Involve all family members in the planning and decision-making process. That way, everyone will feel that it’s their vacation, too, and all will be more likely to do their best to make it a success.
2. Look for resorts and destinations that are kid-friendly, with plenty of activities, a kids’ program and a kids’ menu. All-inclusive resorts and cruises simplify planning and offer activities that appeal to the whole family.
3. Get the advice of your local travel agent. Whether your trip is across the state or around the world, there will be someone at your hometown travel agency who can offer personal experiences and suggestions that will make your trip more enjoyable for everyone. And while away, keep the phone number of your travel agent handy, just in case an unexpected situation arises that you need help with.
4. When staying in a hotel, request “connecting” rather than “adjoining” rooms. Adjoining rooms are side-by-side, but do not always have a door that connects the rooms to each other.
5. Book flights well in advance so that you can get the best prices and most convenient arrangements. When possible, opt for non-stop flights even if it costs more. The stress of regrouping a family after members run to the bathroom, visit gift shops and food stands is rarely worth the few dollars you might save
6. Create a “buddy system” so that no one will get lost or left behind. If possible, supply each family member with a cell phone or pager
7. Pack just a few favorite toys and books along with plenty of snacks. Don’t forget a familiar blanket for the little ones. Freeze juice boxes if you’ll be taking a long flight or walking around all day.
8. Encourage teens to pack books, snacks and CDs or cassette headsets in carry-on luggage. If possible, let them bring a friend along.
9. Factor in some downtime so that individuals have the opportunity to pursue their own interests. Don’t attempt to do everything together. Giving everyone their own space can go a long way toward promoting group harmony
10. Remember that no matter how meticulously you plan, you can’t please everyone all the time. Just enjoy your time with each other, and remember to bring along your sense of humor.



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Carnival Announce Year Round Cruises From Baltimore

Carnival says it'll begin year-round cruising out of the port of Baltimore in September, 2009 on the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride, the first from any line
to be based year-round in the city.



The 88,500-ton vessel, will sail two different week-long itineraries departing on Sundays:

-- An Eastern Caribbean itinerary that will include calls at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, the Bahamas. And, a Bahamas/Florida itinerary that will include calls at Port Canaveral, Fla.; and Nassau and Freeport, the Bahamas.

Baltimore will become the 11th port where Carnival operates year-round, joining such cities as Miami, New Orleans and San Diego. But the deployment marks the first time the line has ventured north of Florida with a ship year-round. Until now, the furthest north Carnival had placed a ship year-round was Jacksonville, Fla.

Carnival and other major lines have been moving aggressively in recent years to position ships in a larger variety of cities so that a more customers can reach them by car instead of airplane. “Today’s consumers are more value-conscious than ever," Carnival president and CEO Gerry Cahill says in a statement. "Considering that Baltimore is within a day’s drive for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents, these new seven-day voyages provide a convenient and affordable vacation option."The line notes that 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore.

Interested in booking? Contact us today at 800-229-7228 or visit our website for their itineraries

The United Kingdom 101

The UK is made up of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland, and is one of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) although it is not on the Euro but the Pound Sterling. The Capital cities are London – England, Edinburgh – Scotland, Cardiff – Wales, Belfast – Northern Ireland. The population of The UK is approximately 60.6 million, broken down to be England 50,714,000; Wales 2,977,000; Scotland 5,108,000; Northern Ireland 1,733,000.


The two official languages in Britain are English and Welsh, English being the most widely spoken. Scottish Gaelic is also spoken in some parts of Scotland. And in some parts of Scotland it would seem they are speaking a different language all together, but it is English. The People are just wonderful. The United Kingdom is a very diverse but tolerant nation, with a strong culture of racial integration and unity and a very gay friendly desitnation. Although fish and chips is widely associated as a typical UK meal, Curry is their number one meal. Most people are Christian (71%), although all other including Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism are freely practiced. About 23% of Britain follow no particular religion. The UK is a constitutional that is a representative democracy, where Queen Elizabeth II is recognized as the head of state, and the elected Prime Minister – Gordon Brown – is the head of. The UK is a leading trading power and a financial centre. Agriculture is an important industry and highly efficient. Primary energy, like coal and oil, are major contributors to the economy, but services like banking and insurance are the greatest contributors. Their pound is very strong against the U.S. Dollar and now isn’t a very good time to visit the UK, although it would be a great time to come to the United States from Great Britain. You could come with empty suitcases and make out on the deal!


Britain has a fairly temperate and is sometimes overcast. The weather can vary greatly from day to day, but generally summer (June-August) is a warm 25 to 87 °F, and winter (December-February) is a cool 34-45 °F. Winter is the best time to visit for travel deals but it's rather dismal during the winter months in many locations of the United Kingdom, particularly London but in others you can see a range of temps much higher than the norm (SouthWest England).


My husband and I are Brit Agents with Travel Concepts International. We’ve been to London over a dozen times and have driven through and a great deal of England, Scotland and Ireland and visited many of their cities.
Although it’s London we keep returning to, it’s Scotland’s Isle of Skye that we absolutely love. Because of It’s mystical quality, I believe that if there is an Avalon, it’s certainly on Skye. If you are interested in a Scotland or United Kingdom holiday, you can contact us at Travel Concepts.


Post submitted by Diane Pajak

Lake Tahoe and Yosemite Adventure

Hello my name is Elizabeth and I am anxious to share with everyone my
wonderful Lake Tahoe and Yosemite adventure this past August. This is a
must do trip for anyone who loves the outdoors.

My adventure began with my hassle free flight to Reno on a muggy Saturday morning from Baltimore. What a relief as you step off the plane and feel NO
HUMIDITY. Sunshine abounds in Reno this time of year (the same for
Tahoe and Yosemite.) A quick stop at the Budget rental car station (on
site) and we are off to Tahoe, only 39 miles to paradise. Driving into
Tahoe the views are breathtaking. The lake is the color of the
Caribbean ocean and is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the
temperature is 73 degrees!! This lake has 72 miles of shoreline and is
dotted with a landscape of beautiful cabins nestled. For this trip to
Tahoe we opted for South Lake Tahoe which boasts abundant activities
and a night life (the North area is less congested and more laid back).

There are Casinos, specialty shops, and plenty of casual and fine dining options.
In downtown South Lake Tahoe we stayed one week at a Sunterra property
right on the lake. This property is very nice and is geared to pretty
much anyone who wants the convenience of walking to restaurants, the beach,
or enjoying the beautiful bike trail that encircles the lake for miles.
The property has a pool, hot tub, fitness center, and loads of activities
for the family. If your looking for peace and quiet however, you need to
stay outside of South Lake Tahoe, which I have done on several other
occasions. While in Tahoe we went biking, hiking on the many numerous
trails in the mountains (some require wilderness passes) and we kayaked
the lake. The best time ever was kayaking in Emerald Bay, if you want a
preview of this check it out on the internet, it is pure heaven. I never
wanted to leave this place. One of the hikes we did was above the
Emerald Bay which led to several alpine lakes that were
nestled in the wilderness.

Quite an extensive hike and well worth every minute of it. Don't worry though, if you just want to take in the views without hiking simply hanging out over the bay is really nice and its accessible to all. There are numerous places to go in and around Tahoe but one of my favorites was the small town of Truckee. This place really takes you back in time. It has that old western town feeling. We took
some fly fishing lessons on the Truckee river, they have wonderful
fishing guides. There are a few historical sites on the lake that are
worth visiting as well, they have big beautiful lodges that were once
owned by the rich or famous and they are available to tour. One evening
we participated in a "Murder Mystery" at one of the old lodges, quite
unique.

The water in Tahoe as I said is very blue, it is also very clear. We
went for a sunset cruise on a catamaran and laid on the beach at
different spots each day. When it was time to leave I would have been
very bummed out unless I had another awesome adventure just ahead. Upon
checking out in Tahoe we headed 4 and one hours to Yosemite. On the way
we stopped in Bodie, a real western ghost town. This was very
interesting and a recommended stop for any history buff. After Bodie we
continued on and entered Yosemite via the east entrance (approx. $20.00
for a one week pass) from there the views just got better and better.
This is the Tioga Pass, we stopped several times on our way to our Hotel
for some unforgettable vistas and amazing pictures. For our trip to
Yosemite we opted to stay at the Wawona Hotel. This place is really
quaint and very much an atmosphere that reminds you of the old days. It
is surrounded by beautiful pine trees, has an 8 hole golf course and
its in the park. The rooms are sort of Victorian style, simple but nice
(about $200 per night/must book well in advance as space fills quickly).
Wawona offers elegant dining and they have a piano lounge. Pictures of
Wawoona Hotel can be accessed via internet. While in Yosemite we visited
the all the popular sites. Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias, Sentinel
Dome, and various waterfalls (observing a waterfall is best in spring,
however, if your lucky they will be running in August). We trekked upon a
bear with a cub and got some great pictures. We celebrated our
Anniversary at the Ahwanna Hotel. This is the best hotel in Yosemite in
my opinion, the place is nestled among giant rock cliff walls and has
elaborate log ceilings with massive fireplaces. It has a gift shop, the
BEST resturant you could imagine with impeccable service. This place is
pricy but well worth every penny. Rooms are around $500 a night.
Everyday in Yosemite is beautiful, we had no rain and the
temperatures are very warm with low humidity. The hikes are good with
levels for all. Yosemite Village offers cafes and grills, shops,
camping, informative movies, and transportation shuttles around the park.
This is really a must do trip as Yosemite is one of the most beautiful
destinations in the US, the park works hard to keep its rugged nature
while providing as many convinces as possible without polluting the
area.

In leaving Yosemite we drove back to Reno and stayed overnight at
Harrah's ($66), great hotel with great service, I played the penny slots
and hit for $120 immediately, I then stopped and enjoyed my night dining
out and relaxing in my beautiful room. This place is cheap for what you
get and Reno is a very interesting town. Every August it is the host of
Hot August Nights in which car restoration buffs come to the town to
show off their cherry vehicles. They close off one of the main streets
and parade their antique cars, and rev their engines. Car enthusiasts
will love this one.

WEATHER RATING FOR RENO/YOSEMITE/TAHOE - Sunny Sunny Sunny!!!! LOW LOW
HUMIDITY, every day is great!!!!

By the way I did not let the early summer fires discourage me. The
areas that were damaged by the fires did not affect the majority of the
area.

BEARS- Oh yes there are plenty, the Lake area is having a bear problem,
to me this makes the trip even more exciting.

TIPS: Book early for summer trips, these places fill fast!!!

Well there is so much to tell, and not enough time. Email me at crossingjordanministries@verizon.net if you want more info and I'll be happy to tell you what I know.

Cruising on the Caribbean Princess

A cruise on the Caribbean Princess is perfect for persons that are looking for an experience in quality cruising. The ship's hotel serves 3100 guests in interiors, ocean view, ocean view with balconies, junior suites, and suites cabins. It is a five star ship that allows the guests to enjoy an elegant casual atmosphere in all public areas. The décor is subtle and the colors and artwork throughout the ship can be enjoyed by persons of all tastes. Dining options are available in open seating, early or late seating in main dining or buffet. The menu changes every day giving everyone many choices. If music and dancing is your favorite, this is the ship. Lounges with all kinds of music, country, rock, oldies 60's and 70's that is open to the wee hours. The casino was very active and I heard where one person actually won $2500. The entertainment at the theatre was enjoyed by all and on the evening the Beatlemaniacs appeared, there was no standing room. The dancers with their colorful wardrobes lit up the stage and the orchestra was fabulous.

We thought we would try the traditional tea service in our cabin. The sandwiches, cake, scones, and assortment of teas were served with white glove service and should be experienced at least once. We had a bowl with choice fruits that was replenished each day in the evening. We requested this to be done when we requested our coffee, juice, and tea to be delivered to our cabin for the first thing in the morning. The room service delivered our request exactly on time every morning.

I have cruised on six different cruise lines. I find Princess Cruise Lines to be very accommodating. A large cruise line with a small cruise lines impeccable service. There are no surprises. You definitely receive what you pay for and more.

This article was written by John Mayne, a travel agent with Travel Concepts. For more information on cruising, you can contact him at 1-800-229-7228

In the summer of 2010 the locals of the quaint Bavarian village of Oberammergau, Germany will again perform their famous Passion Play. Beginning May 15, 2010 and running till October 3, 2010, the town becomes vibrant as it’s packed with pilgrims from around the world to witness what is surely the longest running play in the world.

Facing the devastating plague called the 'Black Death' that had decimated large parts of Europe, in the middle of the Thirty Years War, the Oberammergauers swore an oath that they would perform the "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ if their town would be spared from further casualties. At Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time on a stage they put up in the cemetery above the fresh graves of the plague victims. The town's chronicles relate, "From this day on, there were no further victims of the plague”.

As it has been from the beginning, all the actors in the play are local townspeople with the whole production being community-based. On Ash Wednesday 2009, the village will issue their "Hair Decree” which states: “from this date on all the men in Oberammergau taking part in the play are requested to let the hair on their heads and faces grow” to ensure that the characters in the play look as realistic as possible. Rehearsals will also begin at this time. More than 2,000 Oberammergauers, actors, singers, instrumentalists and stage technicians bring to the stage those events Christianity regards as its central source of life and hope in approximately six hours of playing time And, as can be imagined, the competition for the roles of Jesus and Mary can be fierce.

A visit to Oberammergau is ideal at any time, even without the performance of the passion play. The town is in a wide valley surrounded by forests, green meadows, and mountains. It offers first-class hotels as well as cozy inns.

Being the village of woodcarvers made Oberammergau world famous before the Passion Play as carving has been carried on in in the village for over 500 years. Today the village is home to approximately 120 wood carvers actively carving and selling a large variety of wooden artifacts, from figures of saints to household goods including coo coo clocks of all sizes, shapes and sounds. Furthermore, a Carvers School in town offers courses providing specialist training for wood carvers. It’s best to wait till you reach this village before you make any purchases of wooden products, as the prices are very reasonable if not up to 50% less than found anywhere else she visited in Bavaria.

You’ll also find Fairy tale houses in Oberammergau. For more than 200 years those people who could afford to have their houses painted by local artists had them done with colorful pictures on pretty facades called "Lüftlmalerei”. These frescoes include traditional Bavarian themes, fairy tales, or religious scenes and are now found on many homes and buildings in Bavaria.

Oberammergau also offers opportunities for tennis buffs, mini-golf players, cyclists, swimmers, hang-gliding enthusiasts, and canoeists. Numerous hiking trails lead through the nearby mountains to hikers' inns. The surrounding Ammer Valley is a treasure trove for explorers. Oberammergau is often used as a base for visiting Linderhof Castle, the Benedictine monastery at Ettal, or the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.

If you are interested in visiting Oberammergau and attending the Passion Play in
2010, it is wise to book your package now. It may seem too early to be planning a vacation for 2010, but tours that include tickets went on sale beginning 2008 and sell out rather quickly. Travel Concepts has three different tours departing in 2010 that include tickets to the Passion Play. These are a 15 Day Heart of Europe Tour departing May 21, 2010 and a 13 day Treasures of Italy, departing September 10, 2010 that both include 2 nights in Oberammergau and a 10 day Scenic Alpine Tour departing July 23, 2010 with 1 night in Oberammergau. A fully refundable deposit of only $200 per person can hold a reservation for any of these departures and the next payment isn’t due till 2009. For more information please call 1-800-229-7228.

This article was written by Diane Pajak a travel agent with Travel Concepts since 1999. She has traveled to over 17 countries including Germany, which included a visit to the town of Oberammergau.