Savor the Flavors of Napa Valley

The distinctive bouquet of wine has hovered over Northern California's Napa Valley since the mid-1800s, when settlers discovered that the area's Mediterranean climate and rolling hills were ideal for growing grapes.  Local vintners made the leap from commercial to premium wine productions in the 1960s.  In 1976, a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley beat many fine French labels in a blind tasting in Paris, putting Napa Valley firmly on the map as a destination for serious lovers of wine.

The fabulous flavors of the valley are not limited to wine - Napa is also prized as a fine dinning destination.  Local chefs use fresh produce and seafood, rich artisanal cheeses, free-range meats and locally produced olive oil to create dishes that complement Napa's wines.

This year, the food and wine experiences of Napa Valley will be showcased in a new event, Flavor! Napa Valley, to be held November 17-20.  The weekend's events will include tastings with wine experts; culinary demonstrations by accomplished chefs; a dinner with local vintners and sommeliers; and a Sunday lunch where growers will introduce guests to the tastiest and freshest local foods.

Most events will take place at the valley's Silverado Resort and Spa and the Culinary Institute of America.  Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund at the institute.

While fall is harvest season and the wineries are in full production mode, Napa Valley is ready to welcome visitors all year long.  Summer is the busiest season, when visitors enjoy sunny skies and warm-to-hot weather tempered by breezes from the Pacific Ocean.  Spring is quieter and very lovely as the countryside comes into bloom.  Winter can be rainy, but the valley is still beautiful and a perfect location for a quiet sojourn - and some serious wine tasting.

Experience Napa so you can enjoy the excellent food and wine.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to Open in August

Washington D.C's newest monument, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, will be dedicated on August 28, the 48th anniversary of the historic March on Washington and Dr. King's stirring "I Have a Dream" speech in support of civil rights and peace for all.

Located on the Tidal Basin, the King Memorial joins other famous sites along the National Mall.  It is designed to convey four fundamental themes of King's life and work - democracy, justice, hope and love - through natural elements such as water, trees and stone.

For example, a 450-foot stone wall in engraved with more than a dozen of King's most eloquent quotes to remind current and future generations of his humanitarian vision.  in the middle of the memorial, the striking "Stone of Hope" features a 30-foot sculpture of King.  The seasonal changes of the memorials majestic trees - including oak, cherry, pine and magnolia - reflect King's belief in the positive power of change via non-violent means.  Small streams of water combine into a larger cascade that will bring to mind the cadence and thundering conclusions of King's sermons and speeches.

The King Memorial joins many wonderful attractions on the National Mall, from the U.S. Capitol to the Smithsonian Castle, the National Archives, the U.S. Holocaust Museum and memorials to the Vietnam and Korean Wars.  A walk up Pennsylvania Avenue will take you to the White House - with perhaps a brief detour to learn about espionage at the International Spy Museum.

If you would like to attend the official opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial on August 28, the dedication ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m.  While all tickets for seated and reserved standing areas have already been distributed through a lottery system, there will be public standing areas that do not require tickets.  After the official dedication, the King Memorial will be open to visitors for generations to come.

Walt Disney World Turns the Big 40

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla - 40 square miles of fantastic entertainment- is turning 40 years old this fall.  Sunny, warm weather all year long made central Florida a natural choice for this Disney attraction, which opened October 1, 1971.  Today, the resort includes four theme parks, two water adventure parks, 32 hotels, five golf courses, two full-service spas, a wedding pavilion, the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex and an entertainment-shopping-dinning complex called Downtown Disney.

Disney recently introduced a number of exciting new features at Walt Disney World, making this 40th anniversary year a perfect time to visit for first-timer's and repeat visitors alike.

Most recently, the Star Tours attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios re-opened after a complete refurbishment.  It's now one of the most popular rides at Disney World, and for good reason.  With assistance from 3D glasses, you'll rocket through famous scenes from both Star Wars movie trilogies, encountering characters such as Princess Leia, R2D2, Yoda and the feared Darth Vader.  Star Tours features more than 50 possible combinations of scenes and characters, making each ride unique.

Disney's Hollywood Studios also have a new parade, "Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun," featuring favorite characters from Pixar movies such as A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc. and Toy Story.  The parade is led by Mr. and Mrs. incredible and their crime-fighting friend, Frozone, from the Incredibles.

At Disney's Magic Kingdom, lovely Rapunzel and roguish Flynn Rider from the animated feature Tangled greet guests in new, interactive experience at the Fairytale Garden.  They join plenty of "old favorite" attractions, such as Space Mountain and It's a Small World.

Epcot Center's World Showcase has new options for a memorable lunch or leisurely dinner.  Via Napoli offers authentic Neapolitan pizza and other southern Italian specialties.  The popular San Angel Inn has expanded and can now serve traditional Mexican cuisine to more guests in open-air seating with a great view of the nightly fireworks.

To experience everything that Disney World has to offer during it's 40th anniversary year, talk with your travel professional.  With a wide variety of accommodations and discounted admission for multiple-day tickets that allow you to experience each park, your travel professional will help you plan a Disney World vacation that works with your schedule and budget.

Happy Travels!

Four Great Places to Celebrate the Fourth

As one of America's most beloved holidays, the Fourth of July is a reverential commemoration of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, during the Revolutionary War.  Today, the colonial cities that figured prominently in the war are fabulous places to celebrate the Fourth.

The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, where today's commemoration party starts early - on June 24, with the opening of the annual Taste of Philadelphia.  In the days leading up to the Fourth, you can attend "Go 4th and Learn About History," featuring historical story time, face panting, crafts and games; a block party in Philadelphia's Chinatown; and the Super Scooper Ice Cream Festival.  On the Fourth, patriotic ceremonies at Independence Hall - where Thomas Jefferson's declaration was signed - and a parade down Market Street are followed by concerts and fireworks, a tradition the Founding Fathers envisioned, into the night.

The National Mall in Washington, D.C., lined with iconic monuments and buildings, is a perfect setting for a Fourth of July celebration.  The Fourth begins with a parade along Constitution Avenue and ends with a display of fireworks that lights the sky over the Washington Monument.  In between, take in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, special family programming at the National Archives where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution are on display, or a tour of the White House Visitor Center.

Boston, site of the famous Tea Party that preceded the Revolutionary War, hosts Harborfest, a six-day celebration of the city's history.  Harborfest includes more than 200 events, such as reenactments, concerts, walking tours, sunset harbor cruises, sailboat races and musical performances.  There's also the 30th annual Chowderfest, where you can vote for the best New England-style clam chowder.

Many residents of New York City hit the beach on the Fourth or attend the annual hot dog eating contest on Coney Island.  You could also take a tour of Lower Manhattan locations related to the Revolutionary War, such as Fraunces Tavern, the grave of Alexander Hamilton and Federal Hall, site of George Washington 's first inauguration.  In the evening, fireworks burst over the Hudson River - you can find a spot to watch on land or hop on one of many riverboat dinner cruises, many of which sail beneath the stunning Statue of Liberty.

Just some quick and easy get-a-ways to help you celebrate a safe and fun Fourth of July.

Dream Destinations

If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?  When Travel Leaders/ The Travel Exchange recently asked consumers to name their ultimate international vacation, Australia was the top choice, followed by Italy, Ireland, New Zealand and cruising the Mediterranean.

Australia's gorgeous beaches perfectly symbolize the continent's laid-back, outdoorsy lifestyle that's so welcoming to visitors.  The vast interior is full of attractions as well, including the stunning natural features of the Red Center, such as Ulura (Ayer's Rock) and the Olgas.  Australia also has acclaimed wine making regions,mountain ranges that yield diamonds, and the coral wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef.

Australia's cosmopolitan cities reflect a wonderful mix of Aboriginal, European and Asian cultures in their museums, restaurants and sports. While in Australia, take in an Australian rules football match - a fast-moving game that's very different from American football.  The season runs from March through September (the last month of Australia's winter), and is played in stadiums in all of the major cities.

Keep in mind that Australia is such a large and diverse dream destination that it's difficult to see everything you want to see in one trip.  Your travel professional can help you plan a manageable itinerary.

Italy isn't as large as Australia, but also has so much to see that you may want to select a focus for your trip.  For example, you could concentrate on the incredible artistic and archaeological treasures of Rome or Florence; the historic buildings and ornate bridges along the Venetian canals; the relaxing and stunning Amalfi Coast and the nearby island of Capri; o the amazing fashion capital of Milan.

Ireland's scenic beauty ranges from ancient castles to smooth green pastureland to craggy mountains.  Picturesque villages, charming pubs and shops full of fine Irish linens and other keepsakes see to be everywhere.  The west coast is wonderful for sailing; on the east coast, you can enjoy a pint of beer in the Dublin pubs once frequented by legendary writers like James Joyce.

New Zealand is a terrific destination for outdoor enthusiasts - you can indulge a passion for hiking, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping or parasailing.  If you're not an extreme athlete, don't worry.  New Zealand offers plenty of laid-back activities, too, such as wine tasting, beach combing, learning about native Maori culture and browsing through art galleries.

Finally, the great advantage of a Mediterranean cruise is that you don't have to pick just one country to visit.  Depending on your available time and budget, you could visit Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Greece, all while enjoying the many comforts of a modern cruise ship.

While these are the international destinations most Americans want to visit, you may have something quite different in mind.  Whatever and wherever your dream vacation may be, your travel professional can help you get there.

Tips for Summer Flights

Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer travel season, which is traditionally the busiest time of the year for travel.  Families and students who can take some time off from the routines of school and work stream into airports, bound for their summer vacations.

Unfortunately, the warm temperatures of summer can lead to hot tempers- not to mention thunderstorms – and frustration when air travel doesn’t proceed as planned.  The good news is that you can take some practical steps to minimize stress and maximize your enjoyment of summer air travel.

The most important thing to do is to book your air travel as far in advance as you can.  Recent airline mergers have reduced the number of flights or even the size of aircraft available to some destinations, so the sooner you can make your reservations the more likely you are to get the best flights and prices.  If your travel dates are flexible, you may be able tot find some good values closer to the time you want to go.  However, if you’re locked into specific vacation dates, it’s essential to book as early as possible.  Early booking may also protect you from higher ticket prices that can result from rising fuel prices.

Be sure to secure a seat assignment at the time of booking, or as soon thereafter as possible.  When a flight is overbooked, passengers without seat assignments are more likely to be bumped off the flight.

Also, check in for your flight as early as possible.  Many airlines allow on-line check-in starting 24 hours before departure.  You can confirm your seat assignment at that time, too, or perhaps even find a better seat that’s opened up at that time.

To minimize luggage, pack light – no one at your destination is likely to care or even notice if you wear the same outfit more than once.  And, remember that Travel Security Administration rules still limit liquids or gels (shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, lipstick, etc.) in your carry-on luggage to containers of three ounces or less- and, all of these containers must fit comfortably in a single quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag.

Be aware that some common “summertime” items, such as fireworks; sports equipment (baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, golf clubs) and camping equipment (tent stakes, jackknives) are not permitted in carry-on baggage.  (Fireworks, of course, are not permitted in checked baggage, either.)

In addition to assisting you with your travel planning, your travel professional can give you more tips that will help your summer air travel proceed smoothly, helping to ensure an enjoyable, relaxing vacation.

The Perfect Solution to Your Summer Gift Needs

The Perfect Solution to Your Summer Gift Needs

Before winter holidays, people put a lot of thought into their gift giving.  The summer gift-giving season, however, tends to sneak up on us.  Suddenly, you may be faced with the dilemma of what to get your loved ones for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – not to mention summer graduations, weddings, and wedding anniversaries and birthdays that are sure to bring party invitations your way.

                Fortunately, there’s a wonderful gift that’s great for all of these occasions, and always fits perfectly: TRAVEL.  There are many ways to give travel, and this flexibility means that you can find a travel gift that’s within your budget for just about anyone on your list.

                1^st Option is to give an airline gift certificate, which allows the recipient to choose a destination.  If you’re a traveler with a supply of frequent flyer miles, you may be able to convert some of your miles into a gift certificate.  Certificates are available in denominations as small as $10 or $25 dollars and can be as large as your budget allows.  One caution: make sure that you don’t create a dilemma by presenting a certificate that covers part of the cost of an airline ticket if the recipient can’t afford the rest.  If that’s the case, consider teaming up with family and friend to give enough certificates to purchase a round-trip ticket.

                2^nd Option is to provide a gift certificate for a hotel, resort or bed-and-breakfast that you know the recipient enjoys.  Again, make sure the recipient can afford to get there – or, ask another friend or family member to provide a gift of air, rail or ground transportation.

                3^rd Option if the recipient has already booked a trip, do some investigating to find out how you can add to it.  Once you know the destination, a gift certificate to a restaurant, spa or attraction there would make a great gift.

                4^th Option if you can afford to give a loved one a complete travel experience – perhaps a cruise, a tour of France or a stay at a tropical resort – your gift will be fabulous indeed. 

 Most local agencies have gift certificates to purchase and can be used on any of the options above.  And it is always good to sit down with an agent to get ideas of what they can use their certificate for.  When giving travel, as with other gifts, remember that the thought will count for more than the cost, especially when the memories you’ve helped to create will last a lifetime.                                                                                                                                                  Give the Gift of Travel!!