Here’s a budget-friendly tip for families traveling to New Mexico this January…
KOAT TV-7 in cooperation with Ski New Mexico and nine (9) of its resorts ( Angel Fire Resort, Pajarito Mountain, Red River Ski Areas, Ski Santa Fe, Sandia Peak, Ski Apache, Sipapu Ski Resort, Taos Ski Valley, and Nordic areas- Enchanted Forest ) have joined the nationwide efforts of “Learn a winter sports month” this January 2009 .
For a price of $30.00 per day a youth 6-12 may contact any one of the eight cooperating alpine ski resorts and make a reservation for the program. The program starts on January 5, 2009 and runs through January 31, 2009. *Please note: The program is space available by reservation only.
For reservations - Alpine
Angel Fire Resort 575-377- 4383
Pajarito Mt.. 505-662-5725
Red River Ski Area: 575-754-2223
Sandia Peak: 505-242-9052
Sipapu Ski Resort: 800-587-2240 or 505-414-1550
Ski Apache: -575-464-3600
Ski Santa Fe: 505-992-5084
Taos Ski Valley: 575-776-2291
For reservations- Nordic:
Enchanted Forest: 800-966-9381
For nationwide information on discounts and promotions related to Learn a Snow Sport Month, visit www.winterfeelsgood.com
Source: Ski New Mexico
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
LOVE IS IN THE AIR AND ALL AROUND AT PAN PACIFIC HOTEL SEATTLE
Cupid draws back his bow with two romantic overnight package options this Valentine’s Day at the luxurious Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle. Treat your sweetheart to the Love is in the Air or the Take Your Love to New Heights packages, both include accommodations for two along with many other amenities sure to set hearts afire this February.
The Love is in the Air package includes overnight accommodations in a Premiere guestroom with rose petals strewn on the bed, a welcome amenity of a bottle of Champagne and the sumptuous Aphrodisiac Collection by Theo Chocolates, a couples massage in Vida Spa’s private room with a complimentary candle to take home as a keepsake, overnight valet parking and of course, breakfast in bed for two to end a blissful night of romance. Package rates begin at $399 and are based on availability.
The Take Your Love to New Heights package takes love to a new level as the couple is whisked off in a Kenmore Air plane from South Lake Union for a scenic tour of the city. The return to the hotel lands the couple in the ultimate Denny Suite with panoramic views of the city and the iconic Space Needle, a King-size bed strewn with rose petals, overnight valet parking and breakfast for two in bed the following morning. This ultimate package would not be complete without the definitive piece of jewelry that says “I love you,” from Cartier, the signature platinum Love® bracelet for her. Package rates begin at $5,599 and are based on availability.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
VaughanTown was the brainchild of Richard Vaughan, a business student from Texas who came to Spain to teach English in the 70’s. “After a quarter-century of language training and experience, I realized no matter how many times a person is drilled on irregular verbs, the only way to truly understand a language is to actively practice it,” says Richard.
This led to the creation of six-day immersion programs which include a cast of 15 Spaniards, 17 English-speakers from all over the world, a Master of Ceremonies to provide entertainment and a Program Director to enforce the only rule: No Spanish Allowed. All this for 15 hours a day, six days straight and no stopping except for your daily siesta. Throw in a mix of activities such as conversations, scenic walks, games, meals plus Spanish music and dancing, and somewhere along the way the Spaniards find themselves blabbing away in English without having to stop, think and translate.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Winter Blues Turn Turquoise in the Turks & Caicos 5th Night FREE on all room categories this winter
The Somerset on Grace Bay has long understood the importance of balancing great travel experiences with much-needed family time and cost. Therefore, starting January 3rd, a 5th Night Free promotion is being offered for the winter months, the time when a warm weather break is needed most. Now more than ever, value and pure together time have never been so priceless.
The 5th Night Free is valid for consecutive night stays in all room categories through February 28, 2009, making it ideal for a post-holiday getaway, Valentine’s Day weekend or school vacation with the family. Winter rates start at $600 double occupancy per night for a Standard Gardenview Room and go to $4,000 double occupancy per night in a five bedroom penthouse ocean view suite.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Variety Cruises, the world’s largest small-ship cruise company, is spicing up their 2009 calendar, announcing new tours of the Greek islands and the launch of its Share-A-Sail charter yacht program. These additions further compliment Variety Cruises’ vast range of packages, letting guests choose a life of luxury at sea or a more affordable cruise experience on its intimate ships and charter vessels. Discerning travelers seeking exquisite facilities, personalized service and explorations of unspoiled destinations rich in history find options to fit every budget with Variety Cruises.
NEW 2009 PROGRAMS:
AEGEAN ODYSSEY: Departing from Marina Zea in Athens, guests will enjoy seven nights in the Cycladic Islands before reaching sites of Kusadasi, Ephessus and the lesser known islands of Patmos and Samos. Sailing dates are April 10 through October 16, 2009, on the Mega yacht Harmony G or Harmony V. Rates begin at $1,832 per person.
JEWELS OF THE CYCLADES: This itinerary departing from Athens and heads southeast of mainland Greece on the M/S Galileo through a collection of islands, including Poros, Kimolos, Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, Kea and Sounion. Sailing dates are April 24 through October 23, 2009. Rates begin at $1,160 per person.
SHARE A SAIL: A new concept in yachting! Nautical travelers don’t have to charter a sailing yacht or be an experienced sailor to sail in the Greek Islands. Guests book a cabin and enjoy an amazing eight-day sailing holiday with a maximum of three other couples and a crew. Itinerary includes Kea, Paros, Adiparos, Poliegos, Serifos, Poros and Marina Zea. The 50-foot yachts offer four cabins and are crewed with one experienced skipper plus one host/hostess. Sailing dates are May 2 through October 17, 2009. Rates begin at $1,190 per person.
In addition to the new 2009 routes, Variety Cruises continues to provide the following Greek island cruise:
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Is there any good news about the economy? Every time you turn around you hear about another segment of the economy that has been affected. Will the current economic problems effect your travel arrangements? It might.
Most travel suppliers are small businesses; the very ones who are being squeezed by the credit crunch. This increases your risk of a travel supplier default. How can you minimize your financial risk? Here are several steps that you can take:
1. Always use a credit card for the payment of your ticket or trip. In the event of a default you might be able to dispute your charge and have the credit card company remove it from your billing. This is fine if it happens prior to your trip but doesn’t help much if you are traveling at the time of the default. If that happens, other airlines might offer you an alternative flight on a standby basis but it can still result in delays and additional expenses that would be covered by many travel insurance policies.
2. Buy travel insurance from an independent source rather than from the travel provider. Travel Insurance policies offered by tour operators, cruise lines, or airlines either don’t cover their own financial default or they exclude the financial default of the company from whom you purchase your coverage.
3. Check the insurance plan to see if they have a list of airlines or travel companies that they either will or will not cover. Two companies, Access America and Elvia, provide a list of companies they will cover while two other companies, AIG Travel Guard and Travelex, provide a list of companies they will not cover.
4. Buy travel insurance very soon after they make a deposit. Most plans that offer default protection if you purchase your travel insurance within 10 to 21 days of your initial deposit. The time period varies with each company and plan so our advice is to do it within 10 days to ensure that you have the maximum flexibility.
5. Review the coverage carefully. Some plans will have a “waiting period” after the coverage is purchased before the default coverage goes into effect. In some cases this is 14 days after you buy the insurance. Another reason to buy coverage early.
6. Buy your trip or airline ticket through a travel agent. Some insurance plans exclude coverage if you have purchase your trip directly with the travel company. Most travel insurance plans will not, however, to have the maximum flexibility you should purchase your trip through a travel agent, whether locally or online, rather than buying direct.
You can never eliminate all risks but you can take prudent measures to minimize them before you travel.
Source: QuoteWright.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".