The Sterling Travel Times - March 2006
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Pristine Beauty Awaits on Kauai

Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its own special character, and the island of Kauai is an irresistible combination of independent spirit, pristine beauty and warm hospitality. The island, the northernmost and fourth largest of the major Hawaiian Islands, consistently ranks in the top ten in Carlson Wagonlit Travel's annual survey of preferred domestic travel destinations.

Known as the "Garden Isle," Kauai's mountainous interior - impenetrable in places - is ringed by golden sand beaches. You won't find high-rise hotels: no building on Kauai can be higher than a mature coconut tree. The spectacular mountains, not the buildings, dominate the skyline.

With its focus on natural beauty, Kauai lacks some of the lively nightlife and opulent shopping found on other islands. However, it's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. If you love golf, hiking, horseback riding or most any type of water sport, Kauai will accommodate you. On the other hand, if your ideal vacation involves doing nothing but a bit of sunbathing, Kauai is still a perfect destination.

Here are some highlights of this lush, tropical island:

Waimea Canyon is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Formed by centuries of lava flows, the canyon's deep reds, greens and browns rival the Grand Canyon of Arizona for sheer visual impact. The canyon is bordered by Koke'e State Park, where many hiking trails lead to spectacular views of the canyon.

Huleia National Wildlife Refuge is home to endangered water birds, including the Hawaiian stilt. Visitors can kayak along the winding Huleia River, which was featured in the opening scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Na Pali Coast State Park is a dramatic, 22-mile stretch of rugged volcanic cliffs, with high waterfalls, sea caves and small but perfect beaches. The only land access is by hiking trail, but the coast can also be seen via helicopter or boat.

Gay & Robinson sugar plantation provides a close-up look at the industry that sustained the Hawaiian economy for decades. This working plantation, the only one still operating on the island, offers fascinating tours and a free visitor center.

Na Aina Botanical Gardens is 240 acres with 13 gardens ranging from a hardwood plantation to a fern-draped canyon and a Hawaiian meadow. The gardens are dotted with more than 70 whimsical bronze statues. If you're traveling with kids, they won't be bored: a children's garden includes such delights as a gecko hedge maze, a tree house in a rubber tree and a kid-sized railroad.

You can enjoy Kauai as a destination in itself, or as part of a larger tour of the diverse Hawaiian Islands. Many cruises of the islands stop in Kauai as well. For more information, talk with one of our travel professionals.

Fly & Drive Offers Flexibility

Whether you call them "fly & drive" tours, "go-as-you-please" tours or "self drive" tours, more travelers are discovering the advantages of this style of vacation. While some elements of the vacation are pre-planned for your convenience, you have the flexibility of setting your own schedule each day.

Fly & drive tours usually include air transportation to and from your destination, a rental car and some or all lodging arrangements. However, you and your companions drive yourselves through your tour itinerary. This allows you to set the pace: you can travel as quickly or slowly as you like, taking extra time at sights along the way or arriving early to enjoy the amenities of your lodgings. Each morning, you can choose to sleep in or hit the road early, perhaps to make time for a leisurely lunch.

Fly & drive tours offer different levels of flexibility. For example, some tours book all lodgings in advance: others provide vouchers so you can choose where to stay each night based on your schedule and preferences. Depending on your destination, you may be able to choose among fine hotels, country manors and casual inns.

To provide travelers with the best fly & drive experience possible,we work with established tour operators, such as CIE Tours. CIE offers fly & drive vacations in Ireland and England: two destinations that warrant lots of stops for picture-taking, shopping and exploration of modern and historic sights.

To find out more about how fly & drive can provide a memorable vacation experience, talk with our travel professionals.

Flying with Fido

If you'd like to take a beloved pet on your next vacation, and that vacation will involve air travel, read on - there's a lot to know.

Many pets can successfully travel on airplanes, but there are restrictions and regulations that may make the trip challenging for you and your pet. For example, pets of about 20 pounds or less may be able to come into the cabin and be stowed in a carrier under the seat in front of you (the pet carrier counts as a carry-on bag on some airlines). To qualify as a cabin passenger, your pet must be at least eight weeks old, fully weaned and have a clean bill of health. Note that you won't be able to take your pet out of its carrier during the flight.

If your pet is too big to be carry-on luggage, he will have to travel as checked luggage or in cargo, which means he will be separated from you throughout the flight.

No matter which part of the plane your pet rides in, you must reserve space for him. Airlines set limits on the number of pets that can be carried on a plane, so reserve space for your pet when your own reservation is made.

Extreme heat or cold can be dangerous for pets, and some airlines will not carry them if the outside temperature is above 85 degrees or below 45 degrees. Some airlines have more stringent temperature restrictions for short-nosed dogs and cats: these breeds take shorter breaths and can have difficulty breathing at high altitudes.

The type of pet you have may also make a difference. Many airlines will carry cats, dogs and birds; some will take rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and even fish. Many won't take reptiles or other exotic animals. Some airlines won't carry pets of any kind.

If you do arrange to take Fido or Fluffy on a plane, here are some tips:

Book the most direct flight possible. If warm temperatures are a concern, book an early morning or evening flight; if you're likely to encounter cold weather; book a mid-day flight.

If you don't have one already, get a hard-sided carrier for your pet. Make sure the door closes securely. Familiarize your pet with the carrier and do what you can to make him comfortable in it.

Have your pet examined by a veterinarian no more than 10 days before the trip to ensure he is in good health. Ask the veterinarian for a signed health certificate.

Call the airline a few days before you leave to make sure they are expecting your pet and that you have all the documents you will need.

Make sure your pet has a comfortable collar that won't slip off and has up-to-date identification tags.

Unless your veterinarian advises otherwise, feed your pet lightly and exercise him before the flight so he will be more relaxed in his carrier.

Label the carrier with the words "LIVE ANIMAL" on the top and at least one side in 1-inch letters. Use arrows to show which side of the carrier goes up.

For longer trips, attach a bag of food to the top of the carrier with feeding instructions. The night before your trip, fill a water tray and freeze it: the frozen water won't spill during boarding and will thaw so your pet can have a drink during the flight.

Unless your veterinarian advises otherwise, do not give your pet a tranquilizer before the flight. Tranquilizers may interfere with your pet's ability to breathe and cool himself.

Some pets are better suited to air travel than others: consider the temperament and hardiness of your pet. For more advice about flying with a pet, as well as specific rules and requirements for the airline you plan to fly, talk with us.

Catch the End of the Cruise Wave

January through March is Wave Season for the cruise industry: the time of year when cruise lines experience their largest "wave" of passenger bookings. Some cruise lines entice passengers by making special pricing and cabin upgrades available during Wave Season.

If you're thinking about booking a 2006 cruise, you can still catch the end of the wave, but don't delay - the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) reports that ships are filling up fast.

"In the end, it's all about the early bird catching the worm," said Terry Dale, president and chief executive officer of CLIA. "Those travelers who want to choose from the very best itineraries and reserve the best staterooms should book as soon as possible."

So, if you're dreaming of a relaxing and/or invigorating cruise - perhaps to Alaska, Europe, South America, the Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera - don't wait another day. Callus nowto catch the cruise wave!

Crystal Cruises

2006 Golf Theme Cruise - save up to 2-for-1.

Castles and Kilts 
Round-trip London
Crystal Serenity
Departs May 25, 2006 - 10 days

Book now for special 2-for-1 savings on Category C on our round-trip London Golf Theme Cruise!

Explore the majesty of the British Isles from the medieval castles of Scotland to the rolling countrysides of Ireland. Plus, enjoy a fantastic opportunity to join in our exclusive golf program featuring six spectacular courses, private golf clinics hosted by renowned Golf professionals and a hole-in-one competition with a chance to win a free Crystal cruise!

Call us to learn more about this fabulous opportunity!

Alaska - The Last Frontier

Join Hugh Hewitt and Professor David Allen White and see this rugged and wild coast aboard the Seven Seas Mariner

his 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

The Business of Tipping While Traveling

A tip is a small thing: perhaps 15 percent of a restaurant bill or a few dollars for a cab driver.  So, why is such a small thing capable of providing such big headaches for business travelers?

It can be difficult to remember the details of tipping etiquette: who to tip, when and how much.  Forgetting to tip can be embarrassing, especially if it happens in front of business colleagues.

There's also the danger of tipping too much or too little, because tipping standards change with time.  Several years ago, 15 percent of the bill was a generous tip for a restaurant server: now, 15 percent is considered standard and not enough to reward fine, attentive service.

To make your next business travel experience a bit smoother, here are some tipping guidelines:

 Porters and bell staff: $1 per bag; more if your bags are very heavy.

 Drivers: 10 to 15 percent of the fare for taxi and limousine drivers; $1 to $2 for shuttle drivers.

 Valet Parking Attendants: $1 to $2 each time they bring you your car.

 Concierge: $5 to $10 for services such as making dinner reservations or securing theater tickets; you can tip when the service is provided, or at the end of your stay.

 Room Service: 15 percent of the bill, unless the hotel has already added a gratuity.

 Housekeeping: $1 to $2 per day, usually at the end of your stay.  If you ask for an item to be delivered to your room, tip $1 per item.

 Restaurant Servers: 15 percent of the bill is standard; 20 percent is appropriate for excellent service.  If you dine with a large party, the restaurant may automatically add a gratuity to the bill: in this case, you are not expected to tip more, but you may if the service was outstanding.  In a buffet-style restaurant where a server delivers beverages and special requests, 10 percent of the bill is appropriate.

 Restaurant Maitre d': $5 to $10 for a good table; more if the restaurant is crowded and you don't have a reservation.

 Wine Steward: 10 percent of the wine bill.

 Bartenders: 20 percent of the bar bill.

 Coat Check: $1 per garment.

 Restroom Attendants: $1 per visit.

It's great to tip with style: confidently and discreetly, winning the admiration of your colleagues and the gratitude of the recipient.

Developing a smooth tipping technique takes time, though.  The important things are to be prepared (have lots of small bills in your wallet throughout your trip); to tip when appropriate; and not to be intimidated by or anxious about tipping.  The rules get easier to remember with practice, and service staff always appreciates the effort.