The Best Holiday Travel Adivice: Book Early

There’s still plenty of time to get your holiday shopping done, unless you’re shopping for holiday-season travel. If you haven’t made travel arrangements for Thanksgiving or the end-of-year holidays yet, act fast. And, if you plan to travel for Spring Break 2013, make those reservations now.

Travel agency owners, managers and agents who responded to the Travel Leaders Group 2012 Fall Travel Trends Survey indicated that there’s little time left to find good value on Thanksgiving travel. When asked to compare 2012 Thanksgiving travel bookings to bookings at this time last year, 72.3 percent of survey respondents said their bookings are equal to or higher than last year.

When is the ideal time to make travel arrangements for Thanksgiving and other peak travel times? Six months in advance, according to a majority of Travel Leaders Group’s travel professionals.

When asked to compare end-of-year holiday travel bookings (the time immediately prior to Christmas through the New Year’s holiday) to 2011 bookings, 76.7 percent of the survey respondents said that 2012 bookings are equal to or higher than last year.

The key reasons for the urgency is that there are fewer domestic airlines than there were just a few years ago, thanks to mergers between many carriers. Additionally, because of continued economic uncertainty, airlines have reduced capacity on their remaining flights, meaning that there are less seats available. Since most of the agents who responded to the survey also indicated that their holiday travel bookings are up over a year ago, that means that the closer you get to the date of travel, the more difficult it could be to find the flight you want.

Looking ahead, the majority of the survey respondents advised that travelers who want to lock in the best airfares and resort pricing for Spring Break should make reservations now. Here are their top three reasons why travelers should not wait until the last minute to book Spring Break flights and accommodations:

·         Reduced airline seating capacity. Airlines continue to cut costs by cutting back on flights, and even cutting some routes completely.

·         Lock in airfare costs. Flights tend to get more expensive as the departure date draws closer; last-minute values are few.

·         Lock in hotel/resort pricing. Like the airlines, hotels and resorts tend to reward vacationers who book early.

However far in advance you make travel arrangements, here are the top ways to get the most value for your dollar, according to Travel Leaders Group travel agents:

·         Be as flexible as possible on your travel dates.

·         Be flexible on the time of day you travel.

·         Book your air travel as part of a tour or cruise package.

For more helpful advice and assistance with your holiday and vacation travel plans, talk with your travel professional.

Top U.S. Destinations for Fall 2012

The glamorous desert oasis of Las Vegas, the lush island beauty of Maui and the theme park capital of Orlando top the list of the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S. for fall 2012.

That’s according to the Travel Leaders Group 2012 Fall Travel Trends survey, which asked its U.S.-based agency owners, managers and agents about the vacations they are booking for clients for the remainder of this year.

 Ever-popular Las Vegas maintains its 2011 position at top of the list. It’s hard to beat this city’s combination of glittering hotels and casinos, shops and clubs, entertainment and dining. On the famed Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace just opened the 668-room Octavius Tower, which offers a luxurious hotel-within-a-hotel experience. Downtown, the brand-new Smith Center for the Performing Arts is presenting world–class musical, dance and theater performances near the popular casinos and overhead light show on Fremont Street.

Maui moved up from fifth to second in this year’s survey, overtaking Honolulu as the top destination in Hawaii. Maui’s beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and sunrises viewed from the 10,000-foot Haleakala volcano are timeless pleasures, but the island always offers something new. For example, Wailea’s first Wine and Food Festival will be held December 6-9, on the grounds of a lovely oceanfront resort complex.

Orlando is another perennial favorite: Walt Disney World Resort and a host of other attractions  ensure that there’s always something to do to in the Central Florida sunshine. Disney World recently opened The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction, to the delight of Pirates of the Caribbean fans. On December 6, more new attractions – such as Journey of the Little Mermaid and the Be Our Guest Restaurant – will open in the resort’s Fantasyland area.

The rest of the top ten domestic destinations are also terrific options for a fall vacation – you could accomplish some holiday shopping in these locations, too. They are:

4. New York, NY

5. Honolulu, HI

6. San Francisco, CA

7. Washington, DC

8. Chicago, IL

9. Los Angeles, CA

10. Fort Lauderdale, FL

For help planning your fall getaway, talk with your travel professional.

Celebrate Halloween Where it all Began: Ireland

If you’re past the appropriate age for trick-or-treat, consider giving yourself a treat this Halloween by traveling to the place where Halloween began: the Emerald Isle of Ireland.

Beginning in the fifth or sixth century, the Celtic harvest festival of Samhain marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter in what is now Ireland. As the seasons changed, the Celts believed that the dead were able to briefly return to the mortal world. They lit bonfires to ward off the cold and the darkness of the long nights, as well as the ghosts.

In the eighth century, Christians declared All Saints’ Day/All Hallows’ Day to be November 1 and the Celts began to celebrate Samhain each October 31. The festival became known as All Hallows’ Eve, a name that evolved to Halloween.

As in the U.S., modern Halloween in Ireland is celebrated with costumes, decorations, parties and trick-or-treating. Some parties are city-wide events: the Northern Ireland city of Derry is noted for its Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival. As many as 30,000 people congregate inside the historic district’s medieval walls for a grand carnival with live music and fireworks.

Dublin hosts a huge Halloween parade along O’Connell Street. After the parade, travel a few miles north of the city to tour Malahide Castle. The castle was recently refurbished, but according to legend, it is still “home” to five ghosts said to have haunted the historic structure for centuries.

In Dublin or the city of Belfast, you can take a Halloween Ghost Bus Tour, a very comfortable yet awesomely scary ride. You’ll hear gruesomely fascinating tales of jilted brides, prisoners, executioners, plague victims and other unsettled spirits believed to occupy haunted places in the city.

If you’re offered a slice of Bambrack Cake, look at it carefully before you take a bite. According to custom, there is a piece of rag, a coin and a ring in each of these traditional fruitcakes. If your piece has the rag, you might worry a little bit about your financial future. The coin is a sign of a prosperous year to come, and the ring signals a new romance, or continued happiness in your current romance.

Many other cities and towns throughout Ireland hold special Halloween events. To find out more about how you can be part of the fun, talk with your travel professional.

Enjoying the History and Beauty of New Zealand

New Zealand, with its relative isolation in the South Pacific, was settled by humans much later than other lands. Polynesians arrived in New Zealand around 1250 and developed the indigenous Māori culture; the first Europeans – explorer Abel Tasman and his crew – to reach New Zealand arrived in 1642, and James Cook mapped the coastline in 1769.

By 1840, New Zealand became a British colony for protection against other European nations that wanted to claim land there. The Constitution Act of 1852 established New Zealand as a largely-self-governing colony. In 1907, New Zealand became a completely self-governing dominion of the British Empire; and in 1947, 65 years ago, New Zealand became a sovereign state in the Commonwealth of Nations that honor Queen Elizabeth II as their constitutional monarch.

While New Zealand’s governance status has changed through the years, its status as one of the world’s most scenic places has not. The nation’s two main islands, North Island and South Island, offer vistas that are distinctively different and equally worth your time.

The North Island has forests of kauri trees, wonderful beaches and harbors, volcanic landscapes, geothermal features and the center of Māori culture.

The city of Auckland is home to nearly one-third of New Zealand’s population. This multicultural city is united by a love of sailing, evidenced by the approximately 135,000 yachts and launches in its marinas. Another must-see is the city of Rotorua, a center of Māori traditions that is also dotted with geothermal features such as geysers, bubbling mud pools and hot springs. The North Island also has eight major volcanoes, the most beautiful of which is the symmetrical cone of Taranaki.

The South Island is larger, less populated and more mountainous that the North Island. Much of the scenery is dominated by the beautiful Southern Alps, which stretch the length of the island.

Christchurch is the island’s urban center, but some of its major structures were badly damaged in recent earthquakes. Still, there is a lot to do and see in this British-influenced city, including lovely gardens, a variety of museums and art galleries, and striking Gothic Revival architecture.

The South Island also has New Zealand’s largest wine region, Marlborough, where you can sample fabulous Sauvignon Blanc. Visit the Kaikoura Peninsula for excellent whale- and dolphin-watching opportunities. Hiking trails lead up to panoramic views of the town from the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains.

Beaches, ski areas, adventure sports, deep sea fishing – not to mention excellent shopping and dining – are all ready to be enjoyed in New Zealand. To plan your trip, talk with your travel professional.

Treasures of the Vatican

Beginning in 1508, Michelangelo took his paintbrush to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, located in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Michelangelo’s beautiful frescoes, considered to be among his finest achievements in painting, were first displayed to the public on November 1, 1512. Now, 500 years later, the ceiling is still awe-inspiring.

The chapel ceiling is just one of many wonders in Vatican City, the Papal state and center of Catholicism located inside the city of Rome. Vatican City has a perimeter of just than two miles around, but this tiny state – considered to be one of the world’s smallest countries – is packed with historical, artistic and architectural treasures.

Much of the Vatican is not open to tourists, but the buildings and museums that are open are spectacular. These include St. Peter’s Basilica: the magnificent dome is the tallest in the world. The vast interior of the church is exquisitely detailed and almost overwhelming in its scale and beauty.

Inside the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican Museums are filled with priceless paintings and sculptures. Some of the best-known are Raphael’s The Transfiguration; da Vinci’s St. Jerome in the Wilderness; and Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ.  The Vatican’s collection of modern religious art is located in the Borgia Apartment, a beautifully restored series of rooms.

Many visitors also want to see Pope Benedict XVI, who often delivers a blessing from the window of his apartment above St. Peter’s Square at noon on Sundays. When in residence, he also holds Papal audiences on Wednesdays. You might catch sight of the Popemobile traveling across St. Peter’s Square at about 10 a.m., but you’ll need to secure a ticket to actually attend a Papal audience. Tickets can be obtained in advance from the Swiss Guards at their station in St. Peter’s Square.

Whether or not you plan to attend a Papal audience, when you visit the Vatican you must dress appropriately. The dress code for visitors specifies no bare shoulders, no shorts, and no skirts above the knee. This dress code is strictly enforced: visitors who don’t meet it are denied entrance and are directed to nearby shops where they can purchase appropriate clothing.

For more information about visiting Vatican City, as well as the city of Rome, talk with your travel professional.

Riding Up the Jungfraubahn

Railway enthusiasts already know that 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the Jungfraubahn, the world’s highest railway. Located in Switzerland’s stunning Bernese Alps, near the town of Interlaken, the 1,000 mm railway chugs nine kilometers from the Kleine Scheidegg station to Europe’s highest railway station on Jungfrau mountain.

Most of the trip takes place in a tunnel dug through the massive mountains of Eiger and Mönch. The train stops at two stations, where large windows carved out of the mountainside frame fantastic views. At the Eigerwand station, you’ll see panoramic views of Eiger’s north face and the lovely ski resort town of Grindelwald. At the Eismeer station, you’ll marvel at views of a massive glacier. At the final station, Jungfraujoch, view the frozen summit of Jungfrau from the Sphinx Observation Platform; walk through the Ice Palace, decorated with beautiful ice carvings; and enjoy a hot drink in the station complex.

While the Bernese Alps are a major skiing and snowboarding destination, there’s much more to do there – not only in winter, but all year long. The town of Interlaken lies between two mountain lakes, Thunersee and Brienzersee, that get warm enough for swimming in the summer. You can also explore the hiking and mountain biking trails and try out adventure sports like bungee jumping, river rafting, paragliding and skydiving.

In the winter, recreational opportunities abound. In addition to Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding, visitors can go sledding (the longest sledding run in Europe is on Faulhorn mountain) and ice skating.

In any season, visitors enjoy the ubiquitous fondue restaurants, cozy taverns and souvenir shops along Interlaken’s main street. Be sure to browse the Swiss-made watches, knives, music boxes and chocolates. Brienz, a town at the other end of Brienzersee, is known for its top-class woodcarvers.

If you’re able to visit before October 21, you can purchase a special Jungfrau Centenary Pass. In addition to a trip up to Jungfraujoch station, the pass provides three days of travel on the Jungfrau Railways network, which includes links between Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg. Talk with your travel professional to find out about air travel and lodging options in and around Interlaken.

Discovering Creative Scotland

This summer, all eyes have been on London for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, followed by the thrilling Summer Olympic Games. However, plenty has been going on in the rest of Britain, including the Year of Creative Scotland. This year-long program of festivals, performances and other events, ranging from writers’ workshops to major multimedia exhibitions, showcases the nation’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.

Year of Creative Scotland events are taking place all over the country, including the major cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. While you’re there to discover Scotland’s creative side, be sure to enjoy some of the historic sights, too.

Edinburgh offers a fantastic collection of historic buildings, including the must-see Edinburgh Castle. Constructed and altered over several centuries, the castle includes the 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel; the Royal Palace where Mary, Queen of Scots, held court; and the National War Museum of Scotland.  In contrast, Craigmillar Castle, just south of the city, is essentially a shell – there are no preserved structures or furnishings inside these castle walls, but the atmosphere and views are wonderful.

To see the possible location of Camelot, climb the extinct volcano called Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park. While you’re unlikely to come across Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, it’s worth the climb to see the panoramic views of Edinburgh.

About 50 miles west of Edinburgh lies Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Spend some time browsing through “The Barras” – a nickname for the expansive Glasgow Barrowland Market. There are stalls full of everything from fruits and vegetables to kilts and hiking boots. Stay until evening, and you can dance at the Barrowland Ballroom.

Glasgow Green is the city’s oldest park, with beautiful landmarks like the McLennan Arch at the northwest entrance, and the People’s Palace museum, which has the Doulton Fountain in front and an elegant conservatory at the back. The Riverside Museum displays Scotland’s history of transport: the masts of an 18th-century ship near the sculpted metal waves over the museum’s entrance are a good indication of its blend of old and new. Also, don’t miss the famed architecture that can be found by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

For more ideas about things to see and do throughout Scotland, talk with your travel professional.