Rosenborg Castle

This was the royal residence until the 19th century, and is one of the city’s most popular museums, where you’ll see the Royal Crown Jewels, costumes, and other royal memorabilia.

Tivoli Gardens

Perhaps the best known of all Copenhagen’s attractions, Tivoli Gardens is the world-renowned amusement park located in the very heart of the city. Visitors are dazzled by the park’s fairyland lights, beautiful flowers, gift shops, rides, restaurants and strolling musicians.

Strøget

Copenhagen’s popular shopping district is made up of five streets reserved for pedestrian traffic only, and it features fine eateries, elegant stores and trendy boutiques filled with everything from luxury items to souvenirs.

Learn most about Scandinavia tours including Copenhagen

We welcome you to research European Travel Package by destination, or by clicking on our preferred travel partners. You’ll find a selection of tours, cruises, vacations and rail packages.

Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:

Atlas Cruises & Tours| Christmas Market Tours | England Tours | Escorted Family Vacations | France Tours | Greece Tours| Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | Luxury Tour |Oberammergau | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | Spain Tours

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

General Travel Tips

• Make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your date of travel. Some countries insist that your passport be valid for at least a six-month time period.
• Place an envelope in one of your checked bags containing copies of your passport, birth certificate and a back up form of photo I.D. in case your passport is lost or stolen.
• Place a copy of the detailed itinerary of your trip inside each piece of luggage. If your luggage is lost, this will help the airline locate you while you're traveling.
• If you are on Medicare and traveling outside the United States, be aware that Medicare does not cover any of your medical bills abroad. It's a good idea to get a travel protection policy that will cover these costs.
• Plan at least a day or two after your return home before scheduling any commitments; you may be tired after your journey.

Don't Forget

• Stow away some antibacterial wipes-they're a convenient way to clean up on the go.
• Bring a voltage converter with you, along with an adapter (to fit electrical plugs into foreign outlets). Note that some adapter kits don't include converters.
• Pack an extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts in case they are lost or broken.
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must. Never pack new shoes.
• Wrap a long strip of duct tape around a pencil and bring it along for the ride. Duct tape is the magic fix for everything from torn suitcases to a broken sandal strap.

Click here for over 50 posts with helpful travel tips and advice.

Örebro was founded in the late 1200s: the city's castle and St Nicolai church both date from that time. Today, the lively and charming city is the seventh largest in Sweden. The river Svartån (the Black River) that bisects the city has historically provided the town with its role as a travel and trading hub, and has been the subject of intense renovation and regeneration in recent years.

Örebro is an active cultural centre, with a wealth of exhibitions, theatre and music. Bicycle rental is cheap and easy, and it is a popular way of getting around.

Popular Sites:

Europe is a place of wonders, an intriguing past and timeless elegance.  Here, watch history come live as you explore the destinations of your choice.  Saver new foods and discover new passions.  Shop for exquisite fashion and wander bustling markets for the best bargains.  Let some of the most renowned theatres in the world excite and entertain you.  Discover lands where fairytale castles exist and real kings, queens and princess rule.  Europe is charming and positively magical, alluring, enchanting, enthralling and it's where Harry Potter, Shakespeare , Sherlock Holmes and "Angles & Demons" come to life.

Europe is defined in its thriving cities, breathtaking countryside, quaint pubs and the world's finest museums.  A day in Europe could be a day of sightseeing, romance or just a long afternoon sitting at a sidewalk cafe.

We welcome you to research your next European tour by destination, or by clicking on our preferred travel partners.

Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:
Atlas Cruises & Tours| Christmas Market Tours | England Tours | Escorted Family Vacations | France Tours | Greece Tours| Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | Luxury Tour |Oberammergau | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | Spain Tours

We also have specialty European Tour Operators sites:
Contiki Tours | Cosmos Tours | General Tours | Globus Tours | Insight Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours

New Cruise, New Ship Highlight Tauck’s 2010 Small Ship Offerings 

NORWALK, CT (September 16, 2009)  Tauck has unveiled its line-up of small ship ocean cruises for 2010 and the company’s offerings for the coming year are highlighted by a new 8-day voyage in Iceland aboard the all-new Le Boreal, a sleek 264-person yacht slated to launch next May. 

The new Iceland cruise, "Iceland: Land Of Fire And Ice" (from $5,790 per person, plus air), serves a destination that Tauck’s customers have expressed strong interest in visiting, said company CEO Dan Mahar.  "Our guests have been asking us for years to offer a program in Iceland, but until now we couldn’t do it – the country’s hotel infrastructure wouldn’t allow us to provide the level of quality, comfort and amenities that people have come to expect from Tauck," said Mahar.  "However, with the upcoming launch of Le Boreal, we’ll be able to bring the necessary infrastructure along with us." 

"And although this is a new ship and a new destination, our Iceland cruise will still reflect Tauck’s signature style of cruising," added Mahar, who explained that the most distinguishing characteristic of Tauck cruising is the company’s all-inclusive pricing policy.  Included in the price of the new Iceland cruise, for example, are all shore excursions (a $1,355 value, per person), all meals, all gratuities, wine with dinners, nightly cocktail hours, taxes, port charges and much more. 

FLEXIBLE CABIN CONFIGURATIONS ABOARD  LE BOREAL

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 466-foot Le Boreal will have six decks and sail under a French flag with a crew of 140 following its launch next May.  Each of the ship’s suites and staterooms will be outward-facing, and 95% of all accommodations will have private balconies.  In addition, 40 of the ship’s staterooms can be reconfigured to yield 20 398-square-foot suites with private balconies. 

Amenities aboard Le Boreal include the 260-seat Le Theatre for entertainment and guest lecturers, as well as a swimming pool, fitness center, steam room, massage rooms, gift shop, hairdresser and slot machines.  Dining options include the flagship Le Restaurant Gastronomique, which serves 260 and specializes in upscale French and international cuisine, and Le Grill, which offers more casual indoor and outdoor dining to as many as 130 diners.  Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea, at the 2,745-square-foot Le Club, which also features live music, a dance floor, cocktail bar and outside terrace.  The 1,184-square-foot Le Panoramic Lounge features a library, internet desk, cocktail bar, and live entertainment on selected nights, while an open-air bar overlooks the pool deck and offers seating for 50.

Le Boreal will be featured on Tauck’s 10-day "Venice & The Dalmatian Coast" cruise (from $5,690 per person, double, plus air) and "St. Petersburg & The Baltic Sea" (12 days, from $6,590 per person, double, plus air), as well as the new "Iceland: Land Of Fire And Ice" itinerary. 

THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

Besides Le Boreal, the new cruise in Iceland is also notable for its varied itinerary, which will highlight small islands with just 100 residents, and the capital city of Reykjavik (population 117,898).  Guests will also experience ancient frozen glaciers and active fiery volcanoes, and they’ll view wildlife on the island of Grimsey and barren sulphur fields at Namaskard.  They’ll also journey north of the Arctic Circle, and sample the warm thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.  Finally, they’ll visit the site in 930 AD of the world’s first democratic parliament (Thingvellir National Park; a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and they’ll see the youngest island in the world, Surtsey Island, which was formed by volcanic action in the 1960s.

ABOUT TAUCK SMALL SHIP CRUISING

Tauck’s 2010 collection of all-inclusive, small ship ocean cruises is comprised of 12 itineraries in the Mediterranean, Aegean, Atlantic, Baltic and Black Seas, as well as Latin America.  Nine of Tauck’s cruises feature small ships owned and operated by Ponant Cruises of France:  Besides the three itineraries aboard the new Le Boreal, Tauck offers three cruises on the 330-foot, 90-passenger Le Levant, as well as three programs aboard the sail and motor-powered 60-passenger, 290-foot Le Ponant

Climate and Clothing: 

The currency used is the Danish Krone (DKK)

Over 20% of electricity is supplied by wind turbines across the country.

Denmark has a temperate climate. Cool summer days with an average temperature of 64 to 74 degrees. Summer nights can be chilly. A sweater or wrap is essential. A light overcoat or raincoat is also useful.

Food & drink:  Like its Nordic neighbours (Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden), Danish cuisine consists mainly of meat and fish. A specialty for lunch is ‘platte’, which is a selection of cold meats and salads or ‘smorrebrod’, a type of open sandwich with many fillings and pickled herring. A traditional food includes frikadeller (fried meatballs, often served with potatoes and various sorts of gravy) and marinated fish such as herring and plaice are also popular. Popular drinks include beer and acquavit, a local spirit distilled from potatoes or similar starch plants. Tap water in Denmark is safe to drink.

Best Buys:  Porcelain, pottery & glassware

Q.  I'm confused about luggage, specifically carry on. Is my purse considered a carry on item? How about my husband's camera case? My husband wants to bring his computer, it is slightly over the 12x11x6 Is this a problem?

A.  #1.  A purse or camera case is not considered a carry on. You can still have a separate carry-on bag.

#2.  As far as your husband's computer, carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation. If it is a very minimal difference, (1 inch,) then it should still fit in the overhead without a problem, but these measurements are given to ensure you will not have any issue while touring.

Services offered include services of 24/7 agent for any last minutes changes, pre-trip travel advice such as what vaccines are required, embassy contacts, weather and currency information.  They also offer assistance for last minute changes, such as cancelled or delayed flights, making hotel reservations or ground transportation reservations. Benefits include coverage in the event of cruise line, airline or tour operator default (financial default non applicable to all suppliers) Coverage for sickness, injury or death of immediate family member. Terrorist incident that results in loss of life or major damage to property, by any person

With a good policy, you receive 24 hours assistance replacing lost or stolen documents such as visas, passports or tickets. Cash advance for travel or medical emergencies. They can also help you locate English speaking medical specialists, facilities and assistance with medical evacuations anywhere in the world.

They will provide you with baggage and personal effects loss coverage, baggage delay coverage and luggage tracing services. They have a bilingual staff for telephone interpretation for medical or legal emergencies.

If you purchase your travel insurance within 15 days of making your initial deposit your coverage will include pre-existing conditions which applies to the first $25,000 of trip cost.

Whether a child gets the flu, or a close family member has a medical emergency, travel protection has a plan that will protect you before or during your vacation. The right kind of insurance is essential. It will provide you with peace of mind, medical evacuation in case of an emergency, baggage coverage, flight delay and flight cancellation coverage.

In addition to these services some insurance policies also provide a concierge service which is available to assist you with restaurant reservations, event tickets, tee time reservations and floral services.

This is only a brief description of some of the benefits and travel services provided. All policies and coverage may vary, and may not be available in all states. There are also expanded coverage plans that offer business related covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption, and other that let you cancel for any reason.

At times it is best to purchase the insurance with the tour operator or cruise line as part of your package, where on other occasions you can save money and get better coverage medical and evacuation coverage. An experience agent can explain your options to that you can purchase the best policy for your individual needs.

Good travel insurance isn't always expensive. We have negotiated excellent policies exclusive to Atlas, where rather than paying by age, which can add up for seniors, everyone is charged a flat amount base on the cost of the trip.

These select departures are only available until 15 July, 2009. All are Definite Departures. Space is limited, so come and experience the history of Europe’s cites or North America's wide open spaces this summer, all with Trafalgar’s unbeatable services, tremendous value and now great savings.
 
Please note: To get these special rates, please reference the tour’s ‘PROMO CODE’ at the time of booking. If booking online enter the 'PROMO CODE' in the "Apply Promotions" section during the booking process.

Europe & Britain Tours
 

USA & Canada Tours

Contact 1-800-942-331

Conditions: For new bookings only. Book between July 1 and July 15, 2009. Subject to availability. Full payment due at time of booking (within 45 days of departure). This offer is combinable with all applicable Trafalgar discounts.

A GREAT VALUE FOR ALL SEASONS

• Fewer Crowds and Great Savings: Save up to 35% when compared to summer travel, plus Trafalgar always saves you up to 40% off the cost of traveling on your own.
• First Class Itineraries: Expertly designed, authentically local European vacations featuring exclusive Be My Guest dining highlights, special Family Experiences departures and the personal concierge services of Trafalgar's professional Tour Directors.

Book your Fall, Winter & Spring European vacation today!  Offer expires July 31, 2009!

We love small ship cruising, and the Tahitian Princess carries approximately 700 passengers. We chose this itinerary for the small ship and the ports. Russia has been on the top of my list for quite a while

24 May -arrived in Dublin - First thought- "even the airport is green!!!" - shuttle from airport to ship- so nice to have a smiling face to greet us at the airport. Boarded 4pm - the shower felt so good after an overnight flight - Did tour of ship and remembered our last cruise on the Azamara Quest, an identical ship

The dining room was open seating for the first night - discovered I can live on shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, and salmon, which is offered every evening along with many other choices - our welcome to Dublin was Irish Folklore entertainment

25 May - took advantage of the shuttle offered from the ship into the heart of the city - Sunny - No rain - Amazing for Ireland - Rode the Hop-on, Hop-Off bus around the city-wanted to visit the Guiness Brewery, but didn't have time. The ship was scheduled to depart at 230pm. We walked and found ourselves lost in Dublin, which I found out from others, is easy to do in Dublin. It was getting late, so we took a taxi back to the ship. Everyone is so friendly in Dublin. The taxi driver told us we walked right off the map, which was true. We didn't find any street signs matching the map. The sail away party had to move inside do to rain. Now…this is typical Irish weather!

The Tahitian Princess has quite a bit to offer for a small ship:

Complimentary wine tasting
Afternoon tea
Fitness center with aerobic classes
Internet Café

The comedian was really funny that evening and kept us laughing late enough to watch the ship go through the locks on the way to Barrow.

26 May - Barrow - Visited the Dock Museum and returned to ship. Much to my husband's joy, the market was closed on Tuesday. Weather turning cold and windy

We had dinner at one of the 2 alternative restaurants, The Grill, which is a wonderful steakhouse with fantastic service and only an additional $15 per person.

The ship rocked and rolled all night. I laid in bed listening to things crashing to the floor all around the ship while my husband snored like a baby. Our little ship took the rough seas amazingly well.

27 May - A Day at Sea - The seas calmed down and it was smooth sailing. There were so many activities offered that it was hard to decide which ones to partake in

28 May - Rosyth - Edinburgh, Scotland - We toured the Edinburgh Castle, housing Scotland's Crown Jewels and the Brittania (the Royal Families Yacht). Our wonderful tour guide greeted us in Kilts. Lunch was servedata Thistle Hotel. The Scotch serve boiled potatoes, just like the Irish!!

29 May - Another sea day - nice to relax after a full day of touring yesterday. I went to a "Fat Burning" seminar, not condusive to the wonderful meals I have been devoring on board. Lost of passengers were on deck. The day was cold but sunny and the hot tub was bubbling with bodies. This evening the dining room had an Italian Theme and then a 50's & 60's sock hop upstairs in the lounge.

30 May - Copenhagen - What a beautiful day! We left the ship and walked to the Canal Boat Cruise Dock for our narrated canal cruise. We took the shuttle back to the ship and after lunch took the shuttle back to the center of town to get our bearings. From there we walked to the Rosenborg Castle, more crown jewels,,WOW.

31 May - A Day at Sea - Took the galley tour and a culinary demonstration - our days at sea are never boring. The ship presented a 5K Walk to benefit breast cancer. We had 12 participants. What a good feeling upon completion!

01 June - Up at 5am for our Tallin, Estonia walking tour, a quaint litte town with many churches and cobblestone streets. The highlight of our tour was a concert at a monastery and walking through the market, with wonderful hand made goods

02 June - Finally ……Russia……The first day of our 2 day tour, we visited the Peterhof palace and had lunch serenaded by Russian singers and dancers. Pinch me, am I really here? The eveing's entertainment was a Russian folklore show with more singing and dancing. The Russians serve vodka and champagne with their meals. The vodka tasted like cough syrup, but the champagne was excellent.

03 June - The 2nd day of our St. Petersburg tour took us to the Hermitage. I wished we could have had more time there. I don't think you can get through this wonderful museum in one day's time…so much to see. It rained and turned much colder the 2nd day, but we were lucky to have many good days in this part of the world.

04 June- Helsinki, Finland - Did you know hello in Finnish is "hey" and goodbye is "hey hey"??? I love Helsinki. This fabulous city is so clean.

You can send your college bound students to University in Helsinki without tuition. You just pay for books and meals. They start with English speaking classes and once they master Finnish or Swedish, they can go on to classes I the local languages. We booked a walking tour and it poured. Our tour guide had written on the back of her raincoat "sorry it's raining", so I guess this is normal weather for Helsinki. We walked for 2 hours and stoppedata pastry shop to get wam and dry. The hot tea was a treat and the pastry so light and flaky. I wished I could have brought some home.

05 June - Stockholm - We didn't get to see much of Stockholm due to our flight leaving at 1pm, but what we did see was beautiful rolling hills and farmland with horses and cows. It was too bad we couldn't have stayed overnight,

Now we have fond memories of our trip and loads of pictures.

Until the next one………..

Written by:  C Kennedy
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com

Before You Go

• Secure Your Home: Cancel all newspapers, pay bills and consider what to do about the mail. You can ask your Post Office to hold it while you’re away, or get someone to look after your house.  Put some lights and a radio or TV on a timer. If applicable, park a car in your driveway.
• Be prepared:  Bring an emergency contact list, including the telephone numbers of your insurance people, credit card issuers, and home numbers of close relatives or friends, in case of an emergency.
• Back up important information: Copy or scan your travel documents – passport, travelers, identity and vaccination card and credit cards – front and back. Make two sets of copies, leave one at home or with a trusted person, and store the second in a secret place in your suitcase. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you will have all the information and phone numbers you need. If you choose to scan your documents, send them to your email address. In case of a problem, you can access them from any business center or cybercafe in the world.
• If you have a black or blue suitcase, you may want to wrap brightly colored electrical tape or ribbons around the handles of check luggage to make it easy to identify, OR use colored luggage tags.
• Just in case your luggage is lost, make sure you have your name, address and phone number on each piece, so that the airline can contact you. We suggest using a work address rathern than home whenever possible.
• Medications: Remember, all medications and vitamins must be in their original containers when traveling. You can ask your pharmacist to label small bottles with just enough medication in for your trip. Always carry these in your carry-on. Also, take a few days extra supply, in case you are delayed coming back.

Useful Items When Traveling

• Sun glasses
• Pen & small notepad
• Small retractable umbrella
• Sun block
• Chapstick
• Package of wipes or bottle of hand sanitzer
• Plastic bags. Take various size zip-lock bags – the heavier duty the better. They are great for packing things that might leak, like shampoo and lotions, and come in handy again for dirty clothes, the beach, etc.
• Camera with extra film or memory cards
• Chargers for any electronics you may be bringing (such as Ipod, camera, cell phone, labtops, etc.)
• Small bag packed into your suitcase. This can be used to carry souvenirs.
• Book or magazine
  

Many clients wonder what the differences are when traveling with a budget, first class or deluxe tour operator. As we have discussed in previous posts, a lot has to do with the type of accommodations used, the location of the hotels, the number of people on the tour and how much is included in the price (i.e. sightseeing, meals, etc.)

Today our focus is to explain the difference in meals.  In most cases, on a budget tour you will receive continental breakfast. This is a basic breakfast of usually consisting of cereals, pastries, juice and coffee. Once you take a first class tour and above, breakfast is normally buffet. This offers the widest choices, quickest service and as much or as little food as you desire.

Budget tours rarely include dinners, and when they do, it is normally in the hotel. First class tour operators offer a combination of both hotel dinners and some dining at local restaurants. However, there is usually a limited menu. It includes 3 to 5 courses with a more limited choice of appetizer, entrees and desserts. We are not suggesting the food is bad, on the contrary, frequently the limited menu includes the chef's freshest market specials of the day and takes less time to serve.

Dining is a delightful and integral part of the travel experience when traveling abroad. Deluxe and luxury operators select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit, and offer full choice of menu to include a starter course (hot & cold appetizer, soup or salad,) main course, dessert and beverage. You’ll savor a delectable assortment of classic dishes and regional specialties. Many meals include wine with dinner and at times entertainment.

Regardless of which tour you book, gratuities to the wait staff are included. For lunches and evenings that meals are not included, the knowledgeable tour directors can assist you in finding dining options based on your the type of food you want to have and your budget.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site that holds a list of outstanding cultural or natural universal value such as, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It could be a monument, building, mountain, forest, lake, desert, complex or city.

So how is a site selected?

Only countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention, pledging to protect their natural & cultural heritage can submit nominations for properties on their territory to be considered for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

A nominated property is independently evaluated by several Advisory Boards. Once a site has been nominated & evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision. One per year, the Committee meets to decide which sites will be inscribed on the World Heritage list.

The program aims to catalogue & preserve sites of outstanding importance, either cultural or natural, to the common heritage of humankind.

There are currently 878 World Heritage Sites in 145 countries. These include 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties.

You may have visited a place in the U.S. already, not realizing it was a UNESCO site such as the Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Yellowstone or Olympic National Park.

Click here for a full list of site.

I have seen 20 sites in 9 countries, so only 858 to go, but I have to say that certain countries do not interest me AT ALL, so my goal would be to see at least half of the UNESCO sites while traveling the world.

How many UNESCO sites have you visited?

• Click here for Swine Flu talking points
• Click here for U.S. Travel's statement.
• Click here for the CDC website with more information on Swine Flu.

For all travelers, CDC recommends the following steps to help you stay healthy:

• Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including a seasonal influenza vaccine. The seasonal vaccine is not expected to offer protection against swine flu viruses, but it can protect against seasonal influenza viruses which may still be circulating in Mexico and the Southern Hemisphere.
• Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies. See Pack Smart in Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel for a list of what to include in your travel health kit.
• Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
• Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad.  Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.  For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
• Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or to give medications, vaccines or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of swine flu

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.  This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
  • Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (with at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. (Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.)
• It is important to follow the advice of local health and government authorities.  You may be asked to restrict your movement and stay in your home to contain the spread of swine flu.

If you have specific questions about the swine influenza cases see http://www.cdc.gov/contact/  or call 1-800-232-4636, which is 1-800-CDC-INFO.

To learn more about travel health, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

More information will be provided as the situation develops. Please continue to check our website on a regular basis for updates.

Planning to travel in a group?

•  Four color tri-fold brochures or Four color flyers which can be used as 
   hand-outs or mail-outs to prospective participants
•  Power Point Presentations for group level meetings to explain the
   program to possible participants
•  Presentation by a member of our group department to local South
    Florida organizations

Should you bring a laptop while traveling?

This is a personal question that really depends on many things. What you’ll be doing, where you are going and how long will you be traveling?

I would like to share some guidelines that may help with your decision.

Reasons you should bring a laptop:

You can email your family and friends. Having your laptop, you can email your loved ones back home. This is something you could do at most internet cafes, which is a much nicer atmosphere than your hotel room. Most cafes around the world do offer free Wifi when you order something. Not all cafes have free Wifi; some do have a small charge. Newer cruise ships also offer Wifi, but make sure and purchase a package, as usage rates can be high.

You can download all your photos. You can download your digital photo right to your laptop. This will keep your camera’s memory stick free everyday. This will allow you to capture that favorite photo. If your memory stick is full, you would lose that favorite photo moment.

Keeping a journal of the cities you visited. Sometimes we see so much on our vacation that we tend to forget something. Keeping a journal along the way will allow you to never forget. It also allows you to post your travel blogs in writing.

Calling home for free (or very cheap) with Skype. For mere cents per minute you can make calls to landlines and cell phones from all over the world with Skype. It allows you to call from any web-enabled laptop. It’s a great way to keep in touch over the phone.

You can get lots of local information. Many laptops today have maps, directions, schedules and must-see sites for key cities. Maybe you would like get tickets to a play or need to get those directions to a restaurant. You can get all the information you need right from your laptop. Usually it’s much better than carrying around big guidebooks.

You can work. Even though we are on vacation, sometimes we still have our work on our minds. Maybe you have an on-line business and need to be kept informed. Having your laptop with you allows you to still work.  

Reasons you should keep your laptop home:

It could get lost, stolen or damaged. Where you are traveling really depends on the risks, which could range from mild to extreme. Getting your laptop insured by home or travel insurance is really not likely. Most insurance companies won’t cover you unless you pay a very high premium.

It’s extra weight to carry. If weight is an issue then you may want to keep it home. Depending on where you are traveling, you would need to bring your power adapter and any plug in devices to operate your laptop.

Surfing the internet. As we all know, the internet can be addicting. You could spend hours surfing the web, when we should be enjoying the experience of the city that you paid to see.

Checking in at the airport.  Our new airport regulations require us to open our carry bags to get through security. When you are traveling with your laptop, you will have to remove your laptop from the carry case for security inspection, so allow extra time for check-in.

You need to base your decision on where you are going. The more remote destinations you are traveling to, the less likely you will find a Wifi connection. Some remote islands will probably only have a dial up connection, which would probably be very slow.

The biggest consideration is whether you feel you actually need a laptop. Some people absolutely need to stay connected. If you decide to bring it, I would recommend a soft case to protect it. I would use a water-resistant case. Remember to never stow your computer in your luggage.

Contributed by: A Sternberg
angie@atlastravelweb.com

The story had a nice ending, as Mr. Elliott was able to get the client a full refund, but not all stories end this way, and clients lose thousands of dollars for not asking the right questions prior to making a reservation.

Be aware of penalties! At Atlas, when we book reservations for our clients, not only do we provide them with a confirmation, but also the Terms and Conditions for each supplier, as cancellation penalties vary for each company. At times, there are 3 to 5 pages of "conditions" for the client to read over, but all of this is done prior to booking the reservation, so you have no surprises down the road.

Furthermore as the article mentions, if there is any chance you may have to cancel your trip, a consolidator is not the way to go when booking airline tickets, as their penalties are usually higher than booking with the airline or suppliers directly.

Final thoughts...no one can anticipate or predict the future. Be prepared and have piece of mind, by purchasing travel insurance for every trip! Suppliers such as Travel Guard & Access America offer add-ons to several of their plans that allow you to cancel for work reasons or even cancel for any reason, and receive up to 75% of your penalties back. Many cruise lines and tour operators offer their own version of cancel for any reason policies, but in some cases rather than money, you receive vouchers for future travel.

It can all be a bit confusing, so make sure to consult a travel professional to help you select the best coverage to protect your investment.

Click here to read the article published on CNN.

For more information on the pros & cons of booking airfare separately from a vacation, click here.

You can tour Sweden only, or combine a vacation with other Sandinavian countries.

Globus Tours

The time has never been better to book a Globus tour to Europe. Globus gives you 3 ways to save.  Take advantage of one of their special promotions.  

1.  Introducing Special Europe airfare: For a limited time, the Globus family of brands & British Airways are offering special roundtrip airfare to Europe.* This could mean savings of more than 50% off regular fares .** Availability is limited, so act now.

2.  Air-inclusive discounts for all European vacations: On other air carriers, Globus is also offering a $200 per person discount on any air-inclusive Europe vacation booked before March 3, 2009.***

3.  Guaranteed Air:  As always, an aid deposit guarantees the air price. So no matter what may happen to fares from that point, you are covered.

Some restrictions apply, visit www.escortedglobustours.com for full details, and to browse Gobus' amazing selection of Europe vacations.

Don't forget to check the list of Globus tours at 10% off the land rate to combine the savings with this air promotion.

Experience the cities, culture, and beautiful unspoiled landscapes of Scandinavia on this remarkable vacation. Begin your trip with two overnights in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. Stop in Odense, Hans Christian Andersen’s home, and continue through the Jutland peninsula to reach Frederikshavn. From here, cross the Kattegat channel by ferry to Gothenburg, Sweden, and continue by motorcoach into Norway for an overnight in Oslo. An included sightseeing tour of Oslo, Norway’s capital, features the City Hall, National Theatre, Royal Palace, and Gustav Vigeland’s sculpture park. Next, on to the scenic Telemark region. A spectacular journey takes you to the Vemork Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum, a tribute to recent history’s heroes. The views become more and more stunning as you cross the Hardangerfjord by ferry before arriving in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city and home of composer Grieg. After two overnights in this fascinating city, continue the journey with a cruise on the amazing Sognefjord, one of Norway’s most mighty fjords where the mountains meet the sea. Next up: Fagernes, then Olympic Lillehammer and through fairytale landscapes to Karlstad in Sweden. Stop at Gripsholm Castle, one of Sweden’s finest castles, before reaching Stockholm, the fascinating Swedish capital set on 14 islands with its intersecting canals, palaces, castles, and parks. A guided sightseeing tour shows you the highlights—the perfect ending to this comprehensive Scandinavian vacation!

This tour operates April through October, 2009. For a limited time, April & May departures currently have a 10% discount bringing the price down from $2,059 pp to $1,853 per person, based on double occupancy.

We also realize that these are tough economic times,  so to show our appreciation for our success over the years, we are offering 10% off popular 2009 tour itineraries.

You still get all the benefits of booking with Atlas including working with 1 person throughout your entire reservation, access to discounted airfare, great rates and coverage on travel insurance (rates are non-age based), assistance with special needs, airline seating arrangements and more. 

You can book with confidence. Our knowledgeable agents are not “order takers.”  Our average employee has been with us for over 10 years, is certified and has been in the travel industry for over 17 years.

Atlas also offers destination specific web sites to make your vacation planning a more pleasant experience. Travel tips, reviews, photos and more are easily accessible.

We invite you to experience the Atlas Difference!

Before You Go:

Research:  Do your homework and find out what each area is known for and decide what items you'll look for. Find out what similar items sell for. If you are considering pictures or other items to decorate your home with your travel finds, take measurements, then pop your tape measure into your travel bag. Bring a fabric swatch if needed as well. If you plan on having garments custom-made in the Orient for example, pack a favorite item to copy. Also research customs, GST and VAT tax refunds, shipping large items, and other important rules. Thailand and China, for example, are known for antiques, but you'll need appropriate paperwork to bring them home. In Europe when you make a purchase you must fill out the tax refund form supplied by the ship. You pay the full price, but when you leave Europe there is usually an area in all major airports called 'VAT Refund' after you have cleared security. You take the tax forms to be stamped and drop them in a box. In one to two billing cycles you should see the tax refunded back onto your credit card. If you are traveling on an escorted tour, your tour manager can give you tips on the best places to shop. On a cruise, they normally hold presentations and replay them on the ship channel in the cabin, with shopping tips on each port as well.

Shopping Strategies:

Local markets offer a rich travel experience, and a treasure trove of shopping options. Here are some bargaining tips to make that a more rewarding experience:

Get the Lay of the Land - Be Strategic:  Stroll around, take in the colors and the smells of the market while checking around prices on similar items. Watch how merchants interact with their customers. In Italian markets you'll encounter a hard sell; merchants in Arab markets often bargain after you've shared a cup of tea.

The Art of the Deal: Start by offering half the quoted price. Your merchant will tout the value of his handicrafts and bring the price back to almost the original. Split the difference. By the 3rd round your price will likely be about 75% of the original. Instead of haggling again, count out your cash until you reach slightly less than his price. You should have a deal. If the merchant is aggressive, step away. Likewise there is no need to be rude to the merchants, as they are only try to make a living.

Consider Shipping Your Items Back Home: The most difficult part is waiting a few weeks for your items to arrive if you are overseas, but with airlines charging for additional baggage weight, shipping can save you money. Just make sure to insure the package if it is breakable.

In the end, the important thing is that you enjoy the experience and keep in mind, more important than the exact cost will be priceless travel memories derived from your new-found treasures.

We'd love to hear about some of your shopping strategies?

Contributed by: S Brage

Most people visit Europe to see the famous sights they’ve always heard about. But an equally important part of any travel experience is to savor the real flavor of a city or country. Stay where the Europeans stay, eat where the Europeans eat, and share the European view of Europe.

Book a 2009 Cosmos vacation between January 2, 2009 and March 3, 2009, and you will save $100 per person on the land only price.*

$100 per person discount applies to Cosmos Europe, United States & Canada trips.

*Book a 2009 Cosmos vacation and receive $100 off per person on the land only price. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between January 2, 2009 and March 3, 2009 for travel through December 31, 2009. Offers not valid with one-another or with any other offer except Journeys Club. Applies to new 2009 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Have more questions?  SkyMiles members can contact the Delta SkyMiles Center at 1-800-323-2323 or the number on the back of their membership cards. WorldPerks members should continue contacting the WorldPerks Service Center at 1-800-44-PERKS (or the number on the back of their membership cards).

Scandinavia Splendors
Stockholm to London - 14 day Voyage aboard Regatta
2009 Sale dates: June 1, 15 & 29; July 25; Aug 8 & 22;  September 5

Classic voyages such as this garner praise year after year. It's no wonder. The destinations are predominately a blend of capital cities, beginning with striking, Stockholm, where you will spend an enchanted evening, followed by Estonia's historic Tallinn. Still, the highlight is 3 days & 2 nights in St. Petersburg, a treasure-trove of priceless art in museums like the Hermitage and architectural gems that include St.  Nicholas Cathedral and Yusupov Palace, where Rasputian was killed. You will also enjoy the delightful capitals of Helsinki, beautiful Copenhagen and Amsterdam, with its surprisingly rich Jewish heritage on display in the Anne Frank House and Portuguese Synagogue. In Zeebrugge, be sure to sample the sensational Belgian chocolates, much of it hand-sculpted.

Early Booking Fares from $4,599 per guest with free airfare*

*Offer expires March 31, 2009. Fares listed are cruise online in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Government fees and taxes of up to $8 per guest per day are additional.  All fare offers are subject to availability and may not be combinable with other offers and may be withdrawn at any time. 2 for 1 fares are based on published full brochure fares.  Air promotion applies to economy, round trip flights from select US gateways and does not include ground transfers, air tax and air fuel surcharges. Air ticketing fee will apply. Other restrictions may apply.

Globus Tours

The time has never been better to book a Globus tour to Europe. Globus gives you 3 ways to save.  Take advantage of one of their special promotions.  

1.  Introducing Special Europe airfare: For a limited time, the Globus family of brands & British Airways are offering special roundtrip airfare to Europe.* This could mean savings of more than 50% off regular fares .** Availability is limited, so act now.

2.  Air-inclusive discounts for all European vacations: On other air carriers, Globus is also offering a $200 per person discount on any air-inclusive Europe vacation booked before March 3, 2009.***

3.  Guaranteed Air:  As always, an aid deposit guarantees the air price. So no matter what may happen to fares from that point, you are covered.

Some restrictions apply, visit www.escortedglobustours.com for full details, and to browse Gobus' amazing selection of Europe vacations.

Why Cosmos tours?

• Great value: complete travel packages including hotel, transportation, sightseeing, and a professional Tour Director for as low as $75 a day.
• Visits to major and must-see sights included in the vacation price.
• Expert Tour Directors share their unique stories and knowledge of destinations.
• Well chosen, pre-selected hotels so you can relax in a comfortable, clean, and attractive environment.
• Optional excursions at an unbeatable value—diverse enough for unique interests, and all reasonably priced.
• A dynamic blend of transportation including first-class motorcoach, rail, air, and cruise—we make getting there part of the fun.
• Many meals included in the package price for a great value, plus the freedom to experience the local fare as you wish.
• Plenty of leisure time to explore on your own or sit back and take it all in.
• More than 45 years experience showing people the world.
• Portage included—not handling your own bag really makes you feel like you are on vacation.
• Cosmos vacations are recommended by Budget Travel from renowned travel expert Arthur Frommer.
• Cosmos budget travel packages receive a 93 percent satisfaction rating on our customers’ post-vacation surveys.

Here is a wonderful blog and review from one of our clients who recently experienced a Cosmos tour.

Trafalgar tours has a promotion with British Airways where airfare is up to 56% off. Price from New York to Rome as low as $454 pp plus tax; LAX to Rome from $617 pp plus tax.

Insight Vacations also partnered with British Airways to offer buy one ticket and the 2nd person travels for just $199 plus tax.

Globus Journeys is offering $400 off per couple on air inclusive vacation packages. This applies to most major airlines.

There are some restrictions, so call for details. Offers can be combined with other discount available including early payment discounts as well as AARP.

Our agents are here to provide you the best rates, without compromising on your vacation experience. To make sure you are getting the most from your investment, speak to one or our travel professionals.

In order to be a good travel agent, you need education so that you can pass the information on to your clients. The Travel Institute has certifications that take about 6 years to complete, as you are not eligible to participate unless you have been in the business for a certain amount of time. Cruise Lines International has a 3 step certification process up to a ECC (Elite Cruise Counselor) You have to be in the business a minimum of 10 years to participate in the program as well as conducting various ship inspections. There are also various destination & product specialists programs, seminars, conventions & trade shows throughout the year.  Our office has speakers from various preferred partners come in at least twice a month, to ensure we are up to date with new products or changes.

So the next time you book your vacation, keep in mind that travel agents are trained professionals with your best interest in mind, and there is no additional cost to you to book through an agent. In fact, agents will always save you time (& time is money!) and also in many cases, get you a better price or added amenities.

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Disney Cruise Line just opened for reservations this week for

The Disney Magic will offer 12 day cruises to Scandinavia, Germany & Russia, as well as Med cruises. Do you think Russia is a child friendly destination? The ship will stay overnight in St. Petersburg. Children will be able to dress up as princes & princesses and attend balls at a real castle. Would parents be willing to do separate excursions from that of their children, or miss out on all that St. Petersburg has to offer?

Common question asked by clients

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.

There are exceptions, especially with adventure trips or luxury travel, where preliminary documents are sent, as well as personal registration forms to be filled out.

You will of course always receive written confirmations from us for your records.

Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is "always" the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 - this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.

Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.

With US and Canada tours, day 1 is the day your tour begins.

With other exotic destinations such as South America, Asia and Australia, please check with you agent, as there could be as many as 1 to 2 days for the flight over.

In most cases, booking your own airfare is fine, but I want to remind you to keep a few things in mind.

When you book airfare with the cruise or tour operator, transfers are included to & from the airport. When calculating how much money you are saving, make sure & factor in the additional cost for transfers.

Tours can cancel due to lack of participation. If you book your own air, we suggest booking a tour that is "guaranteed" to operate. Many suppliers have added hundreds of guaranteed departures on their popular tours.

If you experience a problem with your flight being cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, when you book your airfare along with your travel packages, you will have assistance in booking the next available flight to meet up with your trip. If you book your flights online, how difficult will it be to get someone on the phone to assist you in rebooking another flight?

Insurance is another consideration. If you book your own air, normally the cruise or tour operators insurance will not cover the value of your flights. Make sure to speak to an agent about outside insurance coverage so that your entire purchase is protected.

Book early & save. Many suppliers offer air promotions for bookings made well in advance.

On many occasions we do advise our clients to buy airfare separately, but make sure to take the time to discuss your options with an agent to ensure you are receiving the best value.

I told her they would be delivered by UPS to her home address on Monday.

This is 8 days prior to her departure.

She was satisfied with this and we ended the call.

She called back about 10 minutes later and asked where the documents were being mailed to. I told her they were on their way to her address in Chicago. She said, “But I’m in Rhode Island”.

I asked why she did not advise me of this and she said, “We always spend our summers in Rhode Island”

Okay, so now I need a crystal ball with all of the other hats I wear! I was supposed to know this??

I told her I would see what I could do and called the supplier to ask if another set of documents could be generated and mailed out.

This reservation was made with a Luxury Tour supplier and they agreed to send the documents directly to her Rhode Island address.

If this were a supplier other than a Luxury Tour operator, a duplicate set of documents would have a fee to generate and the overnight mail would have to be paid for by the client.

Please think of your travel agent as one of your circle of family and friends. Keep us in mind to notify us of any changes in your life. Give us your airline schedule if you make your own airline reservations; give us all contact numbers and dates when you’ll be at another location. Don’t think you’re bothering us with trivia. Our job is to give you the best customer service we can, but to do this we need your help.