12.08 The Travel Issue

The holidays are upon us ~ and depending on how you feel about this time of year, you either A) want to give your loved ones a really thoughtful gift, a trip to someplace exotic, or B) want to give yourself a really thoughtful gift, a trip away from your loved ones. And whether your idea of the ultimate getaway is escaping to the beach or a tiny village, flying the friendly skies or sailing the deep blue seas, experiencing a new culture or just a new kind of native drink, paying top dollar for fancy amenities or backpacking through the mountains, we’ve got you covered. There’s really no better way (until you actually going there yourself) to get an idea of what a destination is like than talking to someone who’s been there, and our globe-trotting Pulse writers were more than happy to share some of their personal travel experiences ~ so between their stories and some recommendations from travel professionals, we’re pretty sure you’ll be inspired to book a trip somewhere right away!

Gorgeous Greece
By Emily Kopec

With its Mediterranean seascapes, fresh cuisine, and majestic history, Greece promises the trip of a lifetime for anyone seeking vacation perfection. The weather is hot and dry. The people are passionate and friendly. The beaches are serene to the extreme. The party scene is uber-hip but there’s also an old-world charm. And last but not least, the souvlakis are out of this world! Make no mistake: if you haven’t had a souvlaki in Greece, you haven’t had a souvlaki.

No Greek vacation is complete without a little island-hopping ~ and the picturesque, windmill-laden island of Mykonos is the perfect place to start. Visitors enjoy strolling along the winding, whitewashed cobblestone walkways that seemingly keep going and going. (The cobblestone roads were made winding intentionally so the pirates wouldn’t be able to find their way around!) The numerous pricey shops lining the roads beckon customers in. You’ll see many stylish Euro-creatures, many of whom are Italians getting away for a holiday, enjoying the warm sun and laid-back yet refined atmosphere. It’s undeniably glamorous.

When approaching the island of Santorini by boat, you get a striking view of the Caldera. The rocky cliffs ~ which are the result of a volcano that occurred over 3500 year ago ~ soar high above the water. The island itself has hilly, windy streets and plenty of lush farmland, as well its signature black-sand beaches, another aftereffect of the volcano. Rent a motorbike and explore Santorini’s diverse landscape. You won’t believe the views that pass by you.

If you can tear yourself away from the islands, you may want to visit Athens. Home to the majestic Acropolis, Athens is a bustling, fast-paced city, complete with kiosks on every corner and buses running constantly. The recently refurbished Athens subway system has floors and walls made of beautiful marble (marble is used frequently in Greece because it’s naturally abundant in their mountains). In all fairness, Athens isn’t the cleanest city, but its grittiness is its pulse. Take it or leave it, Greek-style.

Greek food is like no other in the world, and Greek restaurants in America don’t do it justice. Did you know that a Greek salad has no lettuce? It consists of cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, green peppers, red onions, feta cheese, olive oil, and oregano. So much of Greek food is indigenous to Greece, so everything is extremely fresh and delectable. The feta cheese is mild and smooth. The olives are plump and bursting with flavor. The olive oil flows like liquid gold. Order a seafood dish and your plate will look something like a carefully arranged, colorful piece of art with lemons on the side. Greek tavernas prepare their dishes with great care and pride. Baked lamb is a staple of many Greek dishes. A few more popular items include saganaki (sinfully good fried cheese), moussaka (eggplant casserole), szadziki (yogurt and garlic dip), spanakopia (spinach pastry), and dolmathes (grape leaves). Don’t forget the baklava for dessert.

Greece vacationers are sure to come back with a great tan and a bottle of ouzo, as well as the knowledge that they’re spoiled for all other vacations forever. Opa!

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The Backpack, the Hostel, and the European High
A Travel Experience for the Broke
By Christina Collins

The Swiss Alps. The Eiffel Tower. The Colosseum. The Berlin Wall. You might think you’ll never see these things. I don’t have the money, you say. I’ll just settle for the Travel Channel.

This was me until last year, when I saw 10 countries in 32 days. I learned that a laughable bank account is no reason to settle for Samantha Brown’s Passport to Europe or those tacky travel movies starring the Olsen twins. When I studied abroad in Oxford, England, last year, I had a 5-week-long spring break and an itch to go places. So, thanks to 20-dollar flights, an InterRail Pass, and my own two feet, I went to Ireland, France, Italy, Greece, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and finally back to the UK. Craziest part? I still had money left in the end.

“What was your favorite place?” People ask me this all the time. I hate it. I can never come up with one answer. “Well, there was the cable ride 7,317 feet up the Swiss Alps…that was crazy…and there was the Saint Paddy’s Day parade in Dublin…oh, but the gondola ride in Venice was unbelievable…and…” I struggle for an answer because the experience as a whole was my favorite.

THE BACKPACK

This part is painful. I tried cramming several weeks’ worth of stuff into a backpack light enough to carry. That meant I could forget about the hair dryer or my favorite teddy bear. No laptop for me. Besides a camera, I took the bare, travel-size essentials: shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc. One pair of sneakers. I packed three outfits, and alternated between them for the entire trip. The upside was that all of my travel mates reeked, so no one noticed my own stench.

THE HOSTEL EXPERIENCE

If you’ve seen the recent horror films Hostel and Hostel II, I know what you’re thinking. Torturers…murderers…But I survived hostels in 10 countries and didn’t come across any killers. In fact, I slept well, met interesting people, and saved a ton of money. My favorite was the Wombat’s youth hostel chain, where I crashed in Berlin, Munich, and Vienna. They provided free walking tours, city maps, internet access, and did I mention the karaoke nights at the hostel bar?

GETTING AROUND

You can fly almost anywhere in Europe for as little as 10 dollars. Yeah, you heard right. Ryanair is Europe’s largest and most popular low-cost airline, and a good friend to travelers on a budget. Another one is SkyEurope. Train rides, however, remain my favorite way of getting around (and not just because of the movie Before Sunset). But be warned: it’s easy to get addicted to the comfy window views of European countryside.

FOOD

I’m no glutton, but food is possibly the best part of the backpacking experience. Gnocci in Italy, moussaka in Greece, Swiss chocolate in Switzerland, boxty and Guinness in Ireland…it doesn’t come more authentic than that. If you’re short on money, limit your restaurant meals to one per country—enough to give you a taste of each cultural cuisine.

My final tip: Go wild with your camera, but not so wild that you forget to take in the sights with your own eyes. For more information on backpacking, check out travel guides like Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring.

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My Bermuda Cruise
By Annette Cinelli

This past October I went on a Norwegian Cruise to St. George’s, Bermuda, and it was one of the best vacations I’ve ever been on. It’s not too expensive, it’s fun, and it’s relaxing.

When you plan your cruise, I recommend picking one that leaves from Boston. It’s more convenient and allows you start your vacation hours earlier. Instead of leaving early to catch a flight and worrying about my shampoo being in the right sized container, I made a fabulous drink with Cruzan rum and raspberry ginger ale, waited for the limo, and relaxed the whole ride into the city. If there’s a group of you going, the cost of splitting a limo won’t be that bad, just be sure to get a car that’s big enough for you and your luggage. Once you arrive at the waterfront, you’ll have to wait in line to check in, but they will take your luggage and deliver it to your room, just be sure to write your room number on the tag.

The main thing that sets a cruise apart from other vacations is that almost everything is included. The cost covers your transportation, lodging, food, and entertainment! The big things not included are alcoholic drinks and land excursions.

If you stick to basic drinks (beer, sex on the beach, etc.) they won’t set you back much more than your local bar. It’s when you start ordering the fancy fruity frozen drinks that the price can get out of control. Just be aware of what you are drinking and how much it costs. Remember to save all of your receipts and check at the end of the week that there were no mistakes.

On my cruise, I didn’t go on any planned excursions. Instead, I bought a two day bus pass and went around myself. If you read up on where you want to go before hand and familiarize yourself with a map and bus route once you get there, you should be all set to visit the island yourself. It’s more cost effective and tons of fun!

The top three things I recommend seeing in Bermuda are Horseshoe Bay, a beautiful beach with pink sand and crystal clear turquoise waters, you will swear it’s not the same murky green ocean from home; The Crystal and Fantasy Caves, a natural wonder filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites; and the Bermuda Maritime Museum, 6 acres of maritime artifacts, traditions, and history and home to Dolphin Quest, where you can swim with the dolphins.

Have you ever come home from a vacation and thought—I need a vacation to recover from my vacation! Well, you won’t have that feeling with a cruise, because once you leave your destination, you have a few days at sea to unwind and relax. I spent my last two days sitting in the hot tub, reading books, and watching season 1 of Gossip Girl on my friend’s portable DVD player.

A cruise is a great vacation if you are looking to relax. It’s fun to go with a significant other, your family, or a group of friends. If you are looking to meet new people, it may not be the right vacation for you. It’s possible that in the spring or summer the crowd is different, but my cruise consisted mostly of retired people with a few families and honeymooning couples. I didn’t meet any other 20 somethings, but that was fine, because I wasn’t looking to. I enjoyed visiting Bermuda, hanging out in the coffee bar, gambling at the casino, and drinking gin and tonics in the hot tub laughing and gossiping with the friends I came with.

If you are interested in booking a cruise, check out www.NCL.com or other popular cruise lines.

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Italy
By Alison Zawadski

In 2007 I had the tremendous opportunity to spend five months in Italy ~ and I can honestly say that all of the things people say about The David in Florence and the Coliseum in Rome are true. All of the majestic sites that have been so well catalogued in pop culture are exactly as breathtaking as everyone says they are, and worth a trip in and of themselves.

I spent most of my time in the tiny medieval city of Urbino, located in the hills of the Marche region, east of Florence. Urbino is the quintessential Italian city equipped with walls to keep it safe and a castle to house the Duke. Urbino is everything a college town should be, with more students than permanent residents and a great nightlife.

Everyday life there is slow and the residents relish the simple pleasures. In Urbino it’s not unusual to see college students gathered in the city’s main piazza, Piazza della Repubblica, drinking beer, kicking around a palla di calico (soccer ball) and socializing all times of the day. The piazza is the center of Italian life and is the perfect resting spot for any people-watcher.

Key attractions in Urbino include La Casa Natale di Raffaello, the birthplace of the famous Renaissance artist Rafael on Via Raffaello, Il Palazzo Ducato, the city’s castle and museum, and the Fortezza. The Fortezza, Italian for fortress, is located above the city at the top of Via Raffaello (be prepared for buns of steel after hiking up this street). The Fortezza is the closest thing Urbino has to a park, equipped with beautiful cherry trees. As soon as the weather starts to warm up the Fortezza fills with students studying and playing soccer, families playing on the playground and couples taking walks and swooning over the incredible view of the city.

My favorite bar in town is El Piquero, across from Palazzo Ducato. Head downstairs to this rock club and say, “Hi” to owners Lorenzo and Simone. Their English is minimal at best, so if you can’t speak Italian you’ll be limited to a “birra” or “uno shot,” and even then, it’s never quite clear what you might get. But what they lack in English, they make up for in charm, so smile, tip and ask for the day’s special and they will take care of you.

For the best sandwich in town, head down to L’Aquilone for a piadina. The owners, Silvia and Giacomo, know even less English than the guys at Piquero, but by pointing to what you want, you’re guaranteed a delicious sandwich.

Urbino is bursting at its seams with great people, beautiful architecture, exciting nightlife and authentic food, painting the perfect picture of Italian life.

Other places to visit:

Art Café offers a chill atmosphere where you can sit down and share a drink with friends or a handsome Urbinite.

Daunbilo is the local jazz bar and is located down the street from The Monk Pub, a quirky bar where the bartenders dress up like monks and serve a wide range of flavored imported beers.

Il Buco is home to the town’s best pizza and can be found below St. Francis Church off the Piazza della Repubblica.

Makkia is for those hoping to dance until the wee hours of the morning. Open until 4 a.m. and located outside city walls, this is the better of the city’s two discothèques.

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Costa Rica
Come Share Our Tropical Paradise
By Keith Toney

Interested in an affordable tropical vacation with an endless amount of sunshine, warm waters, jungles, volcanic national parks and amazing wildlife? With over 30 different climates plus waters home to some of the most diverse marine life in the world, Costa Rica is a must-see! After traveling the country for seven years, we finally invested in this tropical paradise in the remote beach town of Playa Junquillal (Hoon-kee-yall), located on the northern Pacific coast. Playa Junquillal is remote enough to get you away from it all, yet is surrounded by everything you can imagine enjoying in a tropical paradise. The area is popular with surfers and has one of the largest and most beautiful beaches in the country. Our property, “Casa De Mañana,” conveniently located one hour from the Liberia International Airport, is a brand new 2-bedroom, 1-bath home located within a few minutes’ walk to the beach. The sunsets are outstanding and make cocktail hour the highlight of the day.

Greenback and Ridley turtles feed off shore here every day. You can snorkel with them, or sit on shore and watch them pop up in the surf. In the town of Playa Flamingo, less than an hour north, you’ll find scuba diving or deep sea fishing trips, sunset cruises, shops and restaurants. Two hours north is the Rincon National Park with volcanic craters, boiling mud pools, tropical forests and an abundance of wildlife from Toucans to White-faced and Howler Monkeys. There are zip-line tours that send you sailing through the jungle, river rafting trips and hiking trails from novice to more experienced. About 2 1/2 hours inland will bring you to the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

If you’re looking for more night life, Tamorindo, home to shops, restaurants and bars, is popular with the college crowd, and is only a 45 minute drive north. If you’re Spring Break bound, you might want to investigate Jaco, on the southern Pacific Coast where you will find a more lush tropical scenery due to the more humid climate. Jaco is very popular with the college crowd and has the high rise hotels along the coast to accommodate everyone.

If you haven’t been to Costa Rica yet, it’s truly a must! And possibly the best part, you CAN drink the water, so no worries about warm cocktails with no ice!

Visit our website, www.CasaDeManana.net, for more information about the country and for reservations at Casa De Mañana.

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Prague, Czech Republic:
The Perfect Combination of Culture, Beauty and Activity
By Rachel Shuster

“Vítejte na Praha,” meaning “Welcome to Prague,” is exactly how you will feel as soon as you set foot in this gorgeous city ~ welcome. The city of Prague, located in the heart of the Czech Republic, dates all the way back to 6000 BC, and since then, has continued to grow and thrive. Its rich history and deep cultural roots make this city a vastly popular place to visit. Not only that, Prague also offers exciting and unique experiences that you can only find there, experiences that are nothing short of once-in-a- lifetime. My first ever “big” trip back in 2005, Prague was the ideal destination. Exposed to a perfect blend of history, culture, sightseeing and nightlife, I can honestly say that that one of my most memorable and life changing experiences was in Prague.

First of all, you can’t talk about Prague and not mention the breathtaking architecture. Prague has some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. The incredibly detailed buildings fill the city with a beauty that posseses a gothic yet warm, historical aura. One of my favorite pieces of architecture in Prague is the Astronomical Clock, which over time has become very dear in the hearts of the community. The clock has many unique features, but my favorite is that at the top of each hour, the clock puts on a show! On the right side of the clock, a skeleton representing Death turns over an hourglass he holds in one hand. With the other hand, he pulls a rope and the doors over the main clock face open to reveal a procession of mechanical apostles led by Saint Paul. A rooster crows and the figure of a Turk (representing Lust), a figure representing Vanity, and a moneylender (representing Greed) come to life. It was incredible to see how many people actually crowd around the clock each hour to see this show ~ hundreds and hundreds, and of all ages! It has been a tradition for many, many years.

The most famous landmark in Prague, and one I fell in love with, is the Charles Bridge; it has been transporting people across the river for hundreds of years. In 1357, it was commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV to replace the old Judith Bridge which was destroyed by a flood in the same year. When the bridge was completed, it was an engineering phenomenon, as it was wide enough for four carriages to pass at the same time. Today, it is heaven for pedestrians and tourists as they take their time to stroll across the beautiful bridge. The sandstone arches from one side to the other gracefully blend in with the gothic statues which line each side. The bridge has been victim to environmental damage and everyday wear and tear, but still possesses its original beauty.

Strolling along the bridge is a wonderfully relaxing activity, and floating around under it is as well! A fun thing to do “when in Prague” is to take a paddle boat (which seats two) and paddle your way under the famous bridge. I guarantee you a memorable time, whether you’re with your significant other, a friend, or family member ~ it’s fun for everyone!

There are so many other activities to do in Prague, it’s hard to fit them all in! Besides visiting the beautiful churches, buildings, temples and shops, be sure to check out the countless music events. There are musical festivals almost monthly, showcasing indigenous as well as international music. Prague is known for its musical history and culture. My trip to Prague, to perform with the Worcester State College Chorale, allowed me to really learn about how much music plays a part in the Czech culture. Another one of my most memorable musical times in Prague was seeing “Swan Lake” in one of the several beautiful opera houses. These opera houses present everything from ballets to operas throughout the year ~ so when you visit, make sure to check what is on the schedule!

More options that will allow you to truly get a feel for the beauty and diversity of Prague include touring the Aircraft Museum, The Charles University Botanical Gardens, the Prague Zoo, and another one of my favorites, the Prague Castle. The Castle is, by far, one of the most beautiful works of architecture I have ever seen ~ and within its walls there is so much history to be learned, so many photos to be taken. The experience of being inside the Castle really will take your breath away.

Amidst all the wonder of the gorgeous sightseeing, what about the shopping?! Well, Prague isn’t lacking. Not only will you find stores known internationally, but also many that sell items you can only buy in Prague. Lace making is still practiced today in the city and authentic wooden toys like dolls and marionette puppets are great gift ideas for people back at home. If you’re in Prague during the spring, look for hand painted eggs or braided birch switches boys use to whip girls’ legs at Easter (a pagan fertility ritual). Ouch!

In the mood for a little bling? The Czech Republic is known for many garnet mines and the stones are used in making all kinds jewelry. Garnets are usually a deep red color but the ones from the Czech Republic are known to have a brighter pinkish tone. Another jewelry item easily found is amber. Both amber and garnets can be found in many shops throughout the city.

Alright, so after a full day of sightseeing, eating, shopping and activity, isn’t it time for a little nightlife? Well, Prague has it ~ everything from bars to casinos…and great dance clubs! My favorite was a dance club made up of five stories with different music, lighting and atmospheres on each floor. Hookah Bars are a very important part of Prague nightlife, too; they’re great to visit if you’re looking to sit (or even lie down), relax, and sample some flavored tobacco. The Hookah Bar I went to was a room full of pillows to lounge on ~ so comfortable! If you’re looking for something else, how about indulging in Prague’s variety of cuisines, which include Czech and many others that may compete on an international level: French, Thai, Korean, Afghan, Lebanese, Brazilian, Australian or Kenyan. So whether you’re looking for a nice dinner, a night out dancing, a cocktail bar, or a nice, chill spot, Prague definitely won’t let you down when the sun goes down.

So after a jam packed day of sightseeing, indulging in Czech history and food, and living up the nightlife, make sure you get a good night’s sleep…because tomorrow is another day full of brand new sights to see and things to do in the beautiful city. There is never a dull moment in Prague.

If you can, put Prague on the top of your International Places to Visit [soon] List, because if your trip is anything like mine, you’ll return home with an incredible appreciation for Czech culture, history, customs, architecture, and food ~ and you may just learn some things about yourself in the process!
Photo: Rachel standing in front of Prague Castle on the Charles River Bridge

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Turks & Caicos Islands
Vacation Like a Rock Star

By Stephanie Williams

Those of us addicted to E! Television, “VH-1’s The Fabulous Life,” or any of the hundreds of other guilty pleasure shows that call “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” “Daddy” know (duh!) that Turks & Caisos (technically, Turks and Caicos Islands ~ 40 of them, to be exact, although only 8 are inhabited) is THE tropical haven destination if you and your Louis Vuitton luggage are looking to jet off for some pampering, relaxation, and just plain old shameless decadence. So ~ What’s waiting for you as you arrive (there are three daily 90-minute direct flights from Miami, a US Airways direct flight from Charlotte, twice weekly flights from New York and weekly flights from Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Toronto) in the luxurious Caribbean climes of Providenciales, known to the cool folk as “Provo?” Start with award-winning beaches (pure white sand and translucent turquoise water), world-class resorts, SCUBA diving (the Islands are surrounded by one of the most extensive coral reef systems worldwide and are consistently ranked as one of the best diving locations in the world ~ see the sidebar on this page for some of the best dive locations) spas, exotic body treatments, the world’s only conch farm (hey, some people might like that kind of thing), four star dining, tennis, golf, and horsebackriding. And maybe best of all, as soon as it starts turning cold here, the weather in Turks & Caicos turns even more deliciously balmy.

“Fall is an excellent time to visit Provo and experience the Islands’ lifestyle, whether vacationing solo, as a couple, or with your family,” says Honorable Wayne Garland, executive chairman of the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board. “Travelers can participate in the Turks & Caicos’ plentiful water activities, relax in more than a dozen world-class spas, and enjoy gourmet cuisine.

But with the economy in the state it’s in, can any of us possibly afford all this luxury? Continues Garland, “It’s easier than ever to experience luxury with all of the impressive resort promotions currently available.”

Nikheel Advani, Chief Operating Officer and Principal of Grace Bay Resorts, the company responsible for the fabulous 11 acres Grace Bay Club, the first luxury, all-suite hotel in Turks & Caicos (and still considered the “grand dame” of all hotels on the islands), agreed: “While we have not seen a drop in bookings this year, we understand our guests are combating some financial stress at home and want to help provide some relief so they can take that much deserved vacation.” Advani continued, “We have a very close relationship with our clientele and are therefore able to listen to their concerns and provide an immediate solution. Today their concerns are about value, so we created these particular packages to ensure they get the very most out of their vacation and leave feeling fulfilled and rested.”

Below are just a few of the upcoming Fall Promotion Specials from Grace Bay Club:

Oct. 1, 2008 – Dec. 16th, 2008 ~ Fall Promotion: 4th night free. Grace Bay Club rewards fall guests with a fourth night free for any three night booking.

Jan. 4, 2009 – Feb. 12th, 2009 ~ Winter Promotion: Stay three nights or longer, receive a $500 resort credit. Grace Bay Club rewards winter guests booking a three night stay or longer with a $500 resort credit that can be used for anything from spa treatments to dinner.

Jan. 4, 2009 – Feb.12th, 2009 ~ Penthouse Exclusive: Experience more at Grace Bay Club. Stay four nights or longer in a Penthouse Suite and receive a $2,000 resort credit for use in the spa, restaurant and sport facilities.

Jan. 4, 2009 – Feb.12th, 2009 ~ Winter Promotion: 5th night free.Grace Bay Club rewards winter guests that book four nights with a fifth night for free.

For more on Grace Bay Club and all the amenities guests will enjoy, please visit www.gracebayclub.com.

For more on travel, visit the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board website at www.turksandcaicostourism.com or call (800) 241-0824.

Dive Right In!

Endymion, sunk 10 miles south of Salt Cay in Turks & Caicos, was an 18th century British war ship. All that’s left of this vessel now is the 140 foot hull and massive anchor, but divers can explore the antique masterpiece to see some of the most striking fish that now call this ship home. To find out more about guided tours of Endymion, visit www.southcaicosdiver.com/index.html.

Other popular dive locations throughout the Islands include:

Providenciales

Princess Alexandra National Park
Providenciales

Northwest Point
West Caicos
French Cay
Pine Cay
North Caicos
Middle Caicos
Grand Turk

Many thanks to Teri Wray and Melody Demel of Formula PR for their help!

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Never Mind Calgon
TNT Vacations, Take Me Away!

By Stephanie Williams

TNT Vacations is known for its insanely affordable getaway packages to some of the most tropical destination you could ever want to visit. They offer over 24 destinations on all major airlines for as short or as long of a stay as your heart desires. I signed up for their Top Ten Deals of the Week email and it’s torture to see all the vacations I’m missing out on…This week it was Puerto Plata, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Thomas, and more taunting me from my Inbox. But anyway, I digress…As one of the most popular travel sites around, they’re experts on all sorts of current travel trends ~ and we asked them a few questions so that we could report back to you on some of the most popular destinations this travel season.

What would you consider the most romantic destination? It’s a toss-up ~ Jamaica, Los Cabos, St. John, Bermuda

And how about if someone wanted a really outdoorsy, rugged kind of vacation this winter? Costa Rica

“Best kept secret” destination, US or international? Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Grand Bahama, Bahamas

“Best splurge?” Turks and Caicos

Best shopping (US and international)? Aruba; Nassau, Bahamas and St. Martin/St. Maarten

“Greenest”/Most environmentally conscious destination? Costa Rica

Most popular? Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Riviera Maya/Cancun, Mexico

Many thanks to Holly Williams, Megan Velez, and Tom Diffily of TNT for their help.

Please visit www.tntvacations.com or call 888-468-6846 for more information!

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Voyageur Educational Tours

By Stephanie Williams

When Voyageur’s catalogue proclaims, “ We go everywhere,” they’re not kidding: Spain, France, England, Italy, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Africa, Japan, Australia, Russia…and more! Since 1992, they’ve been committed exclusively to creating and assisting with well-planned travel itineraries for student and adult groups. What does that mean for you? It means that they’re with you every step of the way ~ from pre-trip planning to on-trip services and support ~ and have the knowledge and experience to suggest the best itineraries so you get the most out of the new culture you’re about to experience.

So what’s the hottest ticket this season at for the travel planners who have the world at their fingertips? It’s their Thrift Seeker Tours, 7 day packages for groups of 15 or more (hence the perfect fit for college students) at huge savings. What’s included? Round-trip airfare, airport transfers, hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts, and city orientation tours. Where will the Thrift Seeker packages take you? On single destination tours, you can hit Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Nice, Rome, Athens, London, Prague, or Venice; on double destination tours, you get to see Rome and Athens, Madrid and Paris, or Barcelona and Paris. What does your itinerary look like?
Let’s take two places I’ve always wanted to visit: Rome and Athens.

Your first two days are filled by an overnight flight and then settling into you hotel room. On Day 3, you are treated to a guided tour of the Colosseum, St. Peter in Chins, the Pantheon, and Circus Maximus, plus you get to take an inside visit to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. Spectacular! The next day, your guide makes suggestions as to activities/landmarks you should experience on this “free day:” Capitoline Museum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Roman Forum. On Day 5, you leave Rome for Athens; after your flight lands, you settle into your new hotel room. The next day, a local guide shows you the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Agora, Olympic Stadium, and more. Then, on Day 7, it’s time to head to the airport and board your flight home. But what an amazing experience, to be in the presence of these sights (with guides who can provide expert narrative) that are such a beautiful, integral part of not just their home country’s history, but of our human history ~ social, political, religious, artistic…

Voyageur’s catalogue is to lovers of travel, culture, and history what the Victoria’s Secret catalogue is to lovers of lingerie ~ there is something ~ or rather, somewhere ~ that’s going to catch your eye and hold it no matter what your taste is.

Many thanks to Managing Director Joseph Cancelmo for all his help. Check out everything that Voyageur Educational Tours has to offer by visiting www.voyageurtours.com or by calling either 508-752-4486 or toll free 800-767-7667. Voyageur is located at 120 Stafford Street in Worcester.

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Cool Travel Products
Don’t Leave Home Without Them
By Rick Garner

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL USB POWER ADAPTOR

It’s pretty much a given that when we travel these days, our personal electronics ~ iPods, iPhones, mobile devices, Smart Phones, PDAs, laptops, cameras, etc. ~ are coming with us. So what happens when we’re overseas and our little (but oh-so-important) travel companions need recharging? It’s not always easy to find compatible power sources. Enter Amzer International Travel USB Power Adaptor. Now all it takes to recharge your electronic devices is plugging the adaptor into the wall and connecting with a USB cable ~ doesn’t get much easier than that!

The international travel USB power adaptor comes with four plugs for the USA, UK, Europe and Australia, and an automatic AC voltage of 110v-240v 5V/1A. Each interchangeable plug is paired with the USB power adaptor, which supports automatic power-switching from AC to DC power supply unit. The portable device is small, super-durable, and easy to store. So if you’re getting ready to head overseas, first head to www.fommy.com to check out this and other cool wireless (and affordable!) gadgets!

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PAUL KOH’S SILICONE CARRY-ON TRAVEL BOTTLES

Yup, these travel bottles look like light bulbs ~ but they’re actually soft and squishy (kind of fun to play with, truth be told). Their 2 ounce size means that they are considered a small liquid container by the Transportation Security Administration and therefore permitted inside the airplane cabin. They’re also leak proof and come with identifier dots so that you can distinguish the contents. Available at www.pkohnyc.com/tb_home.html.

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ezGEAR’S POWER BULLET

Alright, you’ve decided to stay within the contiguous United States and embark upon that most sacred of American traditions ~ the road trip. Thanks to technology, the “road” portion of these once barebones vehicular adventures has become much less dangerous ~ and much more entertaining. We’ve got iPods, iPhones, laptops, portable DVD players, PSPs to help us stay connected and while away the hours. But all these gadgets depend on recharging ~ both on the road and once we’ve reached our destination(s). Enter ezGear’s PowerBullet. This clever little device can charge 2 iPhones, 2iPods, one of each, or a host of other electronics two at a time with its dual USB ports. It’s super compact and features an LED power indicator, a fuse-protected car charger, and a wall-charger with fold-out plug. No more fighting over who gets to recharge first. So before you head out on the open road, head to www.ezgear.com.

EZVIEW LEATHER CASE

Speaking of all those devices that we like to keep handy, ezGear also manufactures a line of cozy leather cases to fit your iPod, Zune, iPhone, Zen VM and more. Each high-quality leather features a flip top cover (which still allows access to all controls and ports), a stylish table stand, credit card slots, Velcro latch, hidden magnetic closure Two no-skid rubber “feet” keep your device securely in place ~ even on a dashboard. And all this fits into a slim profile. The exView Leather Case is also available at www.ezGear.com.

SOLIO SOLAR CHARGER

Is a camping vacation more your style? Like to pass on the cushiness of hotels and get back to nature? Don’t worry, you can still brag to your friends that you’re man enough to “rough it” even if you bring your phone and iPod with you (but bring your PSP and, well, just don’t). But if you do go “techno-camping,” you’re going to need a way to recharge while on those long hikes (that we know will get longer with each re-telling of the story). Thank goodness for the Solio Solar Charger and its three different “blades,” surfaces that fold out to catch the sun’s rays and store them as energy (and note that Solio generates free and clean energy immediately ~ perfect for the green-conscious, which we should all be). A fully charged Solio will recharge the average phone up to two times, or give you up to 15 hours of MP3 music. Solio’s intelligent internal circuitry and adapter tip system lets you charge devices at about the same rate as their dedicated wall chargers. Pack the tent and hike over to store.solio.com for more specs and ordering info.

XXD’s Load-Ding Device Organizer

OK, now that you know how you’re going to recharge your devices, how about giving them a nice little nest instead of putting them on the cold, har floor? The Load-Ding Device Organizer keeps them protected ~ fold the plastic, plug in the electrical plug through the openings, and there y’go. www.aplusrstore.com

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Planning a Major Ski Trip? Check out these Sites!

www.skiresortguide.com/ ~ Want to get your snow on in the US or Canada? Then this is the ski, snowboard, and mountain resort guide for you!

www.skiresorts.com ~ Choose from North Americas, European, South American, Australasian, Asian and African destinations ~ and read up on new resort openings, ski-related news, and the Editor’s picks

www.goski.com/ ~ Featuring listings for US and global resorts, links to weather channels and gear providers, and several forums, this site also has a great “Crash of the Day” video for adrenaline junkies.

www.j2ski.com/american_ski_resorts/ ~ covering destinations as diverse as Canada, the US, Chile, and Argentina, and with links to ski resorts from A to W (as in Afton Alps to Wentworth, and an alphabet’s worth in between), this resource has one of the most complete listings of international “ski-adjacent” airports, lodgings, even ski properties for sale anywhere. J2ski.com is definitely for the high-end skier who can really splurge on time and money.

And of course if you’ve just got time for a few hours on the slopes, head to local fave Wachusett Mountain (www.wachusett.com/) no matter your ski or snoboarding level!

Pics (top to bottom): Costa Rica; Greece; Swiss Alps; Bermuda; Italy, view of Urbino from the Fortezza; Rachel Shuster in front of the Prague Castle next to the Charles River Bridge; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the Colosseum;