The Sterling Travel Times - March 2006
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Top Vacation Destinations for 2006
Where will vacationers travel most often during 2006? Las Vegas, Nev., will be the most popular domestic travel destination, according to the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates' annual Travel Trends Survey. The survey asks Carlson Wagonlit travel experts throughout the U.S. to forecast the most popular domestic and international destinations, based on actual customer bookings.
Las Vegas, with its ever-changing array of resort hotels, casinos, restaurants, stage shows and other amusements, claimed top domestic travel honors for the fourth year in a row. Orlando, Fla., with its popular theme parks, repeated in second place.
Travelers also showed their liking for sand and surf, as three of the top 10 domestic destinations are in Hawaii. Maui and Honolulu occupy the third and fourth spots, respectively, for the second year in a row, while Kauai moved up one place to number eight. Fort Myers, Fla., also made the top ten.
Internationally, the fun and relaxation of Caribbean cruising continued as the top option for leisure travelers. However, Mexico dominated the top 10 international destinations with five vacation options, indicating that recent hurricanes along the Gulf Coast have not affected the country's popularity with vacationers. One Mexican destination, Puerto Vallarta, made an exciting leap to number five after placing 12th in 2005. European capitals were also represented in the top 10, with Rome, Italy, at number six and London, United Kingdom, at number seven.
Top 10 Domestic Destinations for Destinations: 2006
1.Las Vegas, Nev.
2.Orlando, Fla.
3.Maui, Hawaii
4.Honolulu. Hawaii
5.New York City, N.Y.
6.(tie) Anchorage, Alaska
7.(tie) Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz.
8.Kauai, Hawaii
9.Fort Myers, Fla.
10.San Francisco, Calif.
Top 10 International Destinations: 2006
1.Caribbean Cruising
2.Riviera Maya, Mexico
3.Cancun, Mexico
4.Jamaica
5.Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
6.Rome, Italy
7.London, United Kingdom
8.Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
9.Mexican Cruises
10.Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico
For more information on how you can enjoy a vacation to these or other exciting destinations during 2006, contact one of our travel professionals.
 Adventure Awaits in Kenya
If you're seeking a unique travel adventure, consider Kenya. This African nation lies along the equator, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east and Lake Victoria to the west. With a variety of beautiful landscapes, ranging from broad coastal plans to bustling cities, dry savannah to mountainous highlands, Kenya is home to a stunning variety of scenery and species. More than 40 ethnic groups, some of whom maintain traditional tribal lifestyles and dress, call Kenya home. English is one of the country's official languages, easing the way for American visitors.
Many travelers visit Kenya to experience a safari: a Swahili word that describes an overland trip. Historical figures such as Ernest Hemingway went on safari to hunt wild game; today, many visitors to Kenya go on safari simply to view wild animals in their natural habitats. Safaris are often conducted from customized vehicles designed to allow passengers to safely capture excellent photos.
Kenya has several major parks that vacationers can visit on safari. For example, residents of Amboseli Park include elephants, zebras, impalas and cheetahs. Masai Mara Game Reserve has 200 square miles of plains, woods and forest populated with wildebeests, crocodiles, lions, giraffes and gazelles. Many of these animals can also be spotted in the massive Tsavo East and West National Parks, where it's possible to see rhinoceros and hippopotamus as well.
Other points of interest in Kenya include:
Nairobi. This capital city, the largest between Cairo and Johannesburg, is considered the safari capital of the world. With two million residents, the city is modern and lively. Places to visit include the National Theater; the National Museum; the Parliament Buildings; and the City Market on Muindi Mbingu Street, a good place to find souvenirs.
·The Coast. Kenya's Indian Ocean coast is palm-fringed, with a spectacular coral reef that runs almost unbroken for nearly 300 miles.
·Mombasa. Kenya's oldest town dates from 500 B.C. and has the oldest fort in Africa, Fort Jesus, which is now a museum.
The Rift Valley. This valley runs through the entire country: it is relatively broad and shallow in the north, growing narrower and deeper in the south. The valley shelters lakes, game parks and extinct volcanoes, with breathtaking views.
Mount Kenya. Africa's second highest mountain at 17,058 feet, this extinct volcano's peaks feature permanent glaciers that are visible for miles around on a clear day. The area is popular with hikers and climbers who enjoy watching the vegetation change with the altitude.
To help ensure a smooth vacation experience in Kenya, work with one of our travel professionals.
 Exploring the Architecture of Frank Gehry
One of the pleasures of vacation travel is seeing things you can't see at home, including stunning architecture. One architect whose work you might wish to seek out on your travels is that of Frank Gehry. The award-winning architect has become known for his deconstructed style; his buildings often resemble collage-like compositions, with curving, sculptural lines.
Gehry's work can be found in a number of major cities around the world. The next time a vacation takes you near one of these locations, take the time to check out a Gehry masterpiece:
Seattle, Wash.: Experience Music Project. This museum combines interactive and interpretive exhibits to tell the story of American popular music. The Gehry-designed building is as fascinating as its contents, with a shining, multi-colored metal "skin."
Bilbao, Spain: Guggenheim Museum. This museum of art is an excellent example of Gehry's curvaceous, free-form sculptural style. The famed building, which opened in 1997, has helped to revitalize the economy of the city, attracting tourists and architecture buffs who are as interested in the outside of the building as in its contents.
Los Angeles, Calif.: Walt Disney Concert Hall. Clad in stainless steel, this structure on Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles has been compared to a blooming flower and a sailing ship. Inside, curved walls of Douglas fir and cedar create excellent acoustics.
Prague, Czech Republic: Nationale-Nederlanden Building. Amid the ancient structures of central Prague, this building has a glass exterior and is topped by two cylindrical forms that evoke a dancing couple: city residents call it the "Fred and Ginger Building."
Talk with us about your interest in seeing noteworthy buildings on your travels. One of our experienced travel professionals can help you visit Gehry's works and other architectural wonders with ease.
Passing Time in International Airports
While no one wants to spend more time in an airport than is absolutely necessary, many airports offer surprising amenities for passengers who must wait for their next flight. In fact, some overseas airports have amazing features for the enjoyment of international travelers.
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is almost a city in itself, and the massive airport's central hall, Schiphol Plaza, houses dozens of shops. Visitors can buy groceries, electronics, cosmetics, clothing, chocolates and genuine Dutch tulip bulbs. If you're feeling lucky, the airport has a casino; if you need quiet time, visit the Silence Centre. Schiphol also has a large outdoor terrace from which visitors can view aircraft as they taxi, take off and land.
Heathrow Airport in London caters to international shoppers. A staff of personal shopping consultants provides travelers with free advice on special offers and gift ideas. Shoppers can browse the lingerie at Agent Provocateur and denim fashions at Harrods Way In, among others. If shopping doesn't interest you, stop at the Heathrow Airport Visitor Centre to enjoy the story of the airport's history and excellent views of the runways.
Narita Airport in Tokyo recently opened one of Japan's largest pet hotels, where pets are pampered while their owners travel. Human travelers can also pass the time with pampering treatments such as reflexology, massages and manicures inside the airport.
With amenities like these, a little extra time between flights could be a welcome travel development. Ask your travel professional about other international airports with innovative diversions for travelers.
Baltic Season
A choice of sailing dates in 2006 aboard Seven Seas Navigator and Voyager
Explore the Baltic aboard the all-suite 490-guest Seven Seas Navigator. The atmosphere is laid-back and relaxed; elegant yet unpretentious. Share the excitement of discovery on more personal terms due to the Navigator's intimate size. Enjoy spa treatments by the renowned Carita of Paris, a staff that treats you like an honored guest in their home, a choice of two open-seating restaurants - all the luxurious ingredients to complement your intriguing adventures ashore.
Cruise aboard the all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager. Enjoy the inspired cuisine and impeccable service that has earned Radisson Seven Seas Cruises award after award. Traveling with only 700 guests, you'll experience the ports you sail to in a far more personal, meaningful way and at a level of luxury no other small-ship cruise line can match.
Special 2-for-1 savings*
The Old World From a New Perspective discover Russia & the Baltic
You can browse through the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg. You can go biking through the medieval streets of Visby. You can even fly to Moscow if you choose. And at the end of the day, return to the warm hospitality and supreme luxury that await aboard the six-star ships of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises.With nothing but suites and a private balcony in almost every one, our ships are uniquely designed to embrace the beauty of the Baltic. Aboard the six-star Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator, just imagine enjoying breakfast en suite and al fresco as you soak in the splendor of these historic shores.
And at 2-for-1 savings on these exquisite Baltic voyages - it is irresistable! For One Week Only this is a limited time offer so, book now through February 22, 2006.
SPECIAL OFFER:
COPENHAGEN to STOCKHOLM on SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR
Featuring 2-for-1 Savings!
7 Nights - Departing July 22, 2006
Fares from ONLY $2,748 per person
COPENHAGEN to STOCKHOLM on SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER
Featuring 2-for-1 Savings!
7 Nights - Departing July 29, 2006
Fares from ONLY $3,298 per person
COPENHAGEN to STOCKHOLM on SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER
Featuring 2-for-1 Savings!
7 Nights - Departing August 12, 2006
Fares from ONLY $3,298 per person
Contact one of our travel professionals for more information.
*Limited Time Offer 2-for-1 savings for one week only and is capacity controlled. Fares are based on double occupancy, cruise only. Port, handling and security charges and fuel surcharge additional. This offer is not combinable with any other discount or promotional program. Pricing and promotional offers are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply.
 Alaska - The Last Frontier
Join Hugh Hewitt and Professor David Allen White and see this rugged and wild coast aboard the Seven Seas Mariner
This is what the Earth must have looked like at the dawn of Early Man. More wilderness than can be charted. More wildlife than can be counted: bears, bald eagles, moose, deer, whales, spawning salmon. Its immensity overwhelms. Glaciers advance and retreat forming ridge after ridge of mountain peaks receding into the distance. In spring, swift streams somersault over 1,000-foot precipices in a headlong rush to the sea. Dense, dark green primordial forests stretch as far as the eye can see. Everything seems larger than life. But it's not just the size; it's how you fit into its gigantic proportions that is the soul-searing beauty of Alaska. With activities that range from the mild to the wild, and everyone succumbs to the wonder. No wonder they say that once you've been to Alaska, you never really come all the way back.
To cruise to Alaska is to journey back in time - to an Earth yet unspoiled - a vast wilderness where sunlight comes to spend the day and lingers in the dusky midnight sky. This pristine frontier is as big and beautiful as anyone's dreams - the mountains, the glaciers, the fjords and the wildlife - the magnificent wildlife. And once encountered, you will shiver... not from the cold, but from the realization that there may be a greater hand at work than you might have imagined.
Seven Seas Mariner is the world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship, as well as the first to offer dining by the famed Le Cordon Bleu® of Paris in Signatures, one of four single, open-seating restaurants. Catering to only 700 guests, she is one of the most spacious cruise ships afloat, and, her staff to guest ratio of 1 to 1.6 provides the highest level of personal service in the six-star tradition of Radisson Seven Seas.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises 6-star distinctions
«700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner « Open seating dining and alternative restaurants«Lavish spa by the renowned Carita of Paris« Shipboard gratuities included «Complimentary in-suite bar setup « Complimentary soda, juices and bottled water throughout your cruise « Complimentary fine wines with dinner
Treat yourself by enhancing your Alaska cruise experience by sailing with nationally syndicated radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt and Naval academy Professor David Allen White on the August 9, 2006 ms Mariner sailing from Whittier to Vancouver. These two talented and interesting men will inspire and entertain you at private receptions and events and you'll receive $100 per person in shipboard credit to use during the cruise.
Call us at 800-777-6540, to reserve your space. If you're considering a cruise vacation in 2006, want a 6 star luxury experience and want the most cruise for your money then you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this opportunity.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We're looking forward to hearing from you.
Business Travel
How to Avoid a "Bumpy" Travel Experience
A full flight on a business trip can mean a bit of discomfort in your seat, or a hunt for space to stow your carry-on bag; inconveniences, but minor ones. An overbooked airplane, however, presents a more serious concern: that you may be involuntarily "bumped" from the flight. If you can't reach your next business meeting or family commitment on time, this can be a major inconvenience.
To avoid the frustration that can come with being bumped, take these steps:
Whenever you book a flight, be sure to request a seat assignment.
On the day you fly, take advantage of on-line check-in programs to confirm your seat assignment before you leave for the airport. Arrive at the airport at least an hour ahead of flight time and confirm your seat assignment again when you check in.
Fly as early in the day as possible. That way, if you do get bumped, you may have multiple options for reaching your destination. As soon as you know you need to rebook your flight, contact your travel professional for assistance.
However, being bumped from a flight can bring unexpected benefits. If you have a flexible schedule and you're in an exciting or scenic location, another day away from the office might feel like a bit of a vacation. Plus, airlines usually compensate passengers who are involuntarily bumped.
However, be sure to ask airline staff for the details of your compensation. Typically, compensation consists of a free flight in addition to rebooking. However, the airline may not agree to pay for your hotel or meals while you wait for your rebooked flight. In that case, your expenses may exceed the value of your free flight.
In addition, the airline may not provide any compensation if it can arrange for alternate transportation that will reach your destination within an hour of your original arrival time. Note that compensation is not available when a flight is cancelled due to weather conditions or mechanical difficulties.
So, it's usually best for business travelers to take the recommended steps to avoid being bumped - at the very least, you'll improve the odds of retaining your seat. And, here's one more tip: be sure to join airlines' frequent flyer or elite membership clubs to help ensure priority treatment.
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