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Contents
FEMALE TO SHARE A ROOM
SPRING TIME IN JAPAN
TOUR LEADERS -
AMBASSADORS & SO MUCH MORE!
SMALL SHIP INDEPENDENT
CRUISING
THE ABC'S OF CARRY-ONS
NORWAY - LAND OF
THE MIDNIGHT SUN
RAJASTHAN TOUR RETURNS
WITH A WINNER!
PHOTO CONTEST “GRAND
PRIZE” WINNERS
ICELAND – LAND OF ICE AND FIRE
ADVENTURE ON THE
DANUBE
NEW 'EXPERIENCE OUR
WORLD' BROCHURE
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RAJASTHAN TOUR RETURNS WITH A
WINNER!
Our Deserts
of Rajasthan tour has returned to Canada with a winner! Tour
members Mary Taylor and Lucy McLean competed in the turban tying
competition at the Jaisalmer Festival and came home as Runner-up and
Champion of the Foreigner Class! Our Champion received a trophy and a
cash prize which she donated to a local children's educational charity. Congratulations
ladies!
FEMALE TO SHARE A ROOM
HEART OF EUROPE
May 12-24
We have a female looking for
a room mate. Call us for details!
Tour info
HEART OF EUROPE
May 26-Jun 7
Only 2 single
rooms and 1 twin remain. Call today!
Tour info
PHOTO CONTEST “GRAND PRIZE” WINNERS
Congratulations to George Hayman of London, Ontario, the
Grand Prize Winner in our annual Photo Contest! Mr.
Hayman wins 25,000 CT Points (Value $500) towards his next group
tour or cruise! The winning photo is titled "Mekong Delta" and it may be
viewed on the photo contest page of our website.
Congratulations to
Runner-Up, Cherrill Walker of Guelph, Ontario! Cherrill has won 10,000
CT Points (Value $200) towards her next trip, for her photo
"Breakfast in Berenty".
Congratulations to our winners and thank
you to all who participated!
KEEP THOSE PHOTOS COMING!
Our second annual photo contest has begun. Join in the fun and win
valuable points! More info
NORWEGIAN
STAR PULLS OUT OF OLYMPICS
Less than two weeks before the Vancouver Olympic games begin,
Edmonton-based Newwest Special Projects has announced that slow sales
and higher than anticipated expenses has forced the company to drop
plans to use the Norwegian Star as a floating hotel in Vancouver
harbour. Newwest said it would be issuing refunds to guests who had
booked rooms on the ship and would assist others in finding alternate
accommodations.
The company also offered a pre-Olympic cruise from
Los Angeles to Vancouver that was scheduled to begin on Saturday.
When
it was cancelled, prices for a room on the Norwegian Star ranged from
$275 to $575 a night – considerably reduced from the original prices
advertised last fall. About 1,600 people have apparently been affected
by the cancellation.
NEW 'EXPERIENCE OUR WORLD'
BROCHURE
If you have not received our new, 52-page, full colour
"EXPERIENCE OUR WORLD" brochure, please let us know and we will be happy
to send you a copy. If you have friends who would like to receive a
copy, just let us know! If they book a tour or cruise with us, you will
receive valuable CT Points towards your next trip! It pays to REFER
A FRIEND!
CELTIC LANDS & NORWEGIAN FJORDS
Two fabulous back-to-back cruises this summer on Holland
America's luxurious ms Westerdam - take one or both for an
incredible cruise odyssey!
CELTIC LANDS
Aug 12 - 26
Discover
the Celtic Charms of the British Isles with an opportunity to take part
in the Edinburgh Festival and its fabulous tattoo.
NORWEGIAN
FJORDS
Aug 24 - Sep 7
The most scenic cold water cruising in
the world, journeying to the Arctic Circle and beyond!
EXCELLENT,
FULLY-INCLUSIVE GROUP PRICING! SAVE EVEN MORE WHEN YOU BOOK BOTH
CRUISES!
More
info
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OBERAMMERGAU
- THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING!
It
won't be long now before our first groups depart for Europe on one of
our
fabulous itineraries and of course, the much anticipated "Passion Play"
at Oberammergau!
We have VERY limited space on the
following departures –
some with only 1 or 2 seats available!
Last
chance to book on May departures!
For all the latest information
Click
here
ALPINE WONDERLAND May 25, Jun 15
HEART OF GERMANY
Jun 4, Aug 6, Sep 17
HEART OF EUROPE May 26, Jun 23, Aug 4
WONDERS
OF ITALY May 2, Sep 5, Sep 12
CROATIAN ADVENTURE Jun 25
EAST
EUROPE ADVENTURE May 14, Sep 3
MUSICAL INTERLUDE Sep 25
FRANCE
& SWITZERLAND May 5, Jun 2, Sep 8
EUROPEAN SOJOURN Sep 3
ALPINE
HIGHLIGHTS Jul 4
Independent travellers who will be
touring Europe on their own
this season, may purchase 2-night
Oberammergau
Passion Play packages.
For information on available dates,
prices and package inclusions, Click here
FOR THE LATEST NEWS, INFORMATION and INTERESTING TIDBITS
FROM OBERAMMERGAU Click here
ICELAND – LAND OF ICE AND
FIRE
Iceland is not only
closer than you think, but far different than you ever imagined. Here
you can witness such marvels of Mother Nature as a tremendous icecap and
several glaciers, spouting geysers and steaming solfataras, volcanoes
(hopefully dormant), raging rivers and magnificent waterfalls, a
multitude of birds, cavorting whales just offshore and many other
surprises. Summers are surprisingly warm and winters not as cold as one
might expect. Regardless of when you visit, you may be assured that the
warmth shown by Icelanders and their desire to share their culture and
make your stay as pleasant as possible will, like the spectacular
landscape, provide memories to last a lifetime.More
Info
ADVENTURE ON THE DANUBE
Visiting
inland countries in Europe is impossible on an ocean cruise and it's
one of the reasons why river cruising has become so attractive. To
experience the beautiful rural areas in countries such as Austria,
Romania, Hungary, Croatia and Germany, a river cruise is the perfect way
to go. There are over 2,000 miles of the Danube to be explored! How
fabulous to see picturesque villages as you slowly pass by. With a ship
capacity of approximately 150 passengers, there is the opportunity to
get to know your fellow passengers and enjoy a more relaxed, casual
onboard experience.
Accommodations on today's ships are luxurious in
every sense, from stateroom accommodation, to public rooms to dining and
all of the onboard services. Many staterooms have large picture
windows; others have french doors which you may open to enjoy the views
close up. Activities onboard include spas, steam rooms, fitness centers,
cinemas and sports and entertainment activities.
Best of all, ships
sail right into the heart of the towns and cities you will visit,
making for convenient, relaxed, leisurely days as you explore the sites.
And unlike ocean cruises, river cruises generally include shore
excursions in each of the ports visited. No wonder river cruising has
become one of the most popular ways to travel!
For information on
our Danube Adventure May 14 – 25,
click here
SPRING TIME IN JAPAN
Sakura
(cherry blossom) is a symbolic flower of Japan. Sakura viewing (hanami)
has been a Japanese custom since the 7th century when the aristocrats
enjoyed viewing beautiful sakura and writing poems. Sakura trees are
planted all over Japan and the country is filled with beautiful cherry
blossoms in spring, though the viewing period is short. Visitors
worldwide come to Japan during cherry blossom time; not only to
experience the fascinating sites and culture of this unique country, but
to enjoy the beauty of the sakura.
For information on our spring
tour to JAPAN May 6 – 19
Click here
TOUR LEADERS - AMBASSADORS
& SO MUCH MORE!
Recently,
we held our Tour Leader seminar, an annual event whereby our tour
leaders come together to learn, share and hear the latest information on
a host of topics relating to travelling with groups and managing the
many different situations that may occur while on tour. With the world
of travel changing as rapidly as it does, our leaders must be up to the
task of making sure their groups run smoothly and efficiently from the
time they meet group members at the airport to the time they return. So
what, exactly, are the responsibilities of a Tour Leader?
First,
they are ambassadors who are there to provide a service to group
members. And the service really, can be many things. Our leaders try
to ensure that each group member gets the most out of their travel
experience with us. Their mandate is to be approachable, attentive,
aware, responsive, flexible, positive and supportive. They are
organizers, which might mean doing head counts to ensure that no one is
missing, finding a doctor or pharmacy for someone who is ill, arranging
for evening social events such as a game of cards, assisting with hotel
check-ins, leading the way through airports, listening to group member
concerns firsthand and doing their best to find a solution.
Our
leaders are not guides. In each destination, we hire professional
guides who travel with our groups from arrival to departure. Our
leaders work in conjunction with these professional guides to ensure the
smooth operation of the tour.
We send tour leaders with you so
that you may enjoy a completely stress-free vacation, letting someone
else look after all the details.
THE ABC'S OF CARRY-ONS
Airline
rules change constantly, but for now, here's what you need to know:
According
to CATSA regulations, the size of bag permitted through security must
be limited to 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (rounding up slightly, this is
equivalent to 22 in x 16 in x 9 in). It is suggested we think in terms
of a small gym bag. This can be a small suitcase OR a briefcase, not
both.
Air Canada, whose website also restricts carry on bags to 55 cm
x 40 cm x 23 cm, rounds down the imperial equivalent to 21.5 in x 15.5
in x 9 in. They also specify that wheels and handles are included in
this measurement. Wheels and handles can take up at least a half inch,
which can reduce the allowable bag size by one inch.
US carriers
have, up until now at least, allowed what is called by luggage
manufacturers a standard 22 inch bag – which is 22 inches in length. The
width and height vary slightly by manufacturer.
It is important
to check the website of the airline you will be travelling with as
airlines have the right to make their restrictions even tighter.
While
a purse, laptop, or camera bag are permitted in addition to the one
carry on, it is clearly stated that no more than one of these is allowed
as an added item. And, if your laptop bag is the expandable type with
many compartments – it will count as your one allowable carry on piece.
Other
allowable items in addition to the one carry on are items which are
necessary for medical reasons (i.e. cane, oxygen tank), baby items, a
musical instrument and your duty free purchases.
How Big Is A
Purse?
Thankfully there is now a definition for a small purse
which is much clearer than what surely must have been a male driven
decision, to originally qualify it as "no larger than a football". The
defined size is a maximum of 24 cm x 30 cm x 14 cm (10 in x 12 in x 5.5
in).
NORWAY - LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
HERE'S WHAT
VISITORS TO THIS MAGICAL LAND HAVE TO SAY
Once arrived, the sun
never sets. Capture this magnificent experience on a midnight sun cruise
or safari before the darkness of winter arrives.
Yesterday I
played golf at 11:30 pm, and the day before I went for a long walk at 2
am. It doesn't matter what time it is, and I need less sleep.
The
midnight sun is a natural phenomenon which means that the sun does not
set during the summer months. In other words, given fair weather, you
can see the sun for a continuous 24 hours.
Watch nature's own
theatre unfold above you as the most spectacular light installation
takes the stage: The northern lights - with you in the front row!
Sometimes
the northern lights come all together, dancing across the sky, orange,
purple, green and sunset red. Other times they are simply curtains of
computer-screen green or a twister of wispy light. The northern lights
are never the same twice.
Reality, if not as poetic, is equally
impressive. The sun is the father of the auroras. During large
explosions and flares, huge quantities of particles are thrown out of
the sun and into deep space. These clouds travel through space with
speeds varying from 300 to 1,000 kilometres per second. When the
particles collide with the gases in the earth's atmosphere they glow,
producing a fantastic array of colour.
For information on Norway –
Land of the Midnight Sun, May 27 – June 11
Click here
SMALL SHIP INDEPENDENT CRUISING
Small
ship cruising is a new opportunity which we are offering to travellers
who wish to travel on their own with a choice of departure dates and a
unique cruising experience.
We have chosen to offer cruise lines
which represent the finest when it comes to the small cruise ship
experience. There's everything from barging on the French canals to
yachting on a private yacht to sailing on the world's finest tall-ship
vessels.
Many of the itineraries are off-the-beaten-track and
offer exceptional opportunities for exploration and adventure, often
visiting ports of call which the larger ships cannot navigate.
Many
of the ships include complimentary shore excursions, top lecturers,
celebrated guest speakers and an enhanced learning experience.
Be
sure to visit the SMALL SHIP CRUISING page on our website for further
information and to view some current offers.
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