Journeying to Devine Destinations Around the World

Drawing more than 16 million travelers, faith tourism – which includes religious pilgrimages and more esoteric spiritual destinations – is one of the top travel trends today.

In fact, each year, more and more travelers are interested in exploring sites with unique spiritual significance.  On these spiritual journeys, they are looking for a meaningful vacation experience: One where they can explore the roots of their faith by walking in the footsteps of religious leaders while also encountering a transformation or deepened sense of wisdom about the world.

And spiritual destinations are as diverse as the experiences they offer.  They could be the location where a religious teacher was born, a miracle occurred or a place that holds other sacred significance.  Below are some of the world’s most popular spiritual destinations and the Globus or Cosmos vacations offered in each region.

The Holy Land (Israel & Jordan):
Whether you’re interested in following the “Way of the Cross” in Jerusalem or floating on the Dead Sea, the “Holy Land” is arguably the most important spiritual destination in the world.

With more than two million tourists annually, Jerusalem is an important destination for Islam, Christianity and Judaism alike.  For Christians, Jerusalem is the site of the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. And it’s here that the Globus family of brands offers travelers the chance to see and experience some of the world’s most life-altering, divine discoveries thanks to two popular vacations: Globus’ 9-day Journey Through the Holy Land tour and Cosmos’ 9-day Holy Land Discovery vacation.

Italy:
More than four million people visit the Vatican in Rome every year.  An important destination for Catholics, it is home to monuments of the religion’s most important saints.  It is also said that it was here where St. Peter took his last breath.

Perhaps that’s why Italy has become a top-selling destination for Globus’ and Cosmos’ religious travelers (with Globus’ 11-day Grand Catholic Italy vacation and Cosmos’ 9-day Spiritual Highlights of Italy journey).

Greece & Turkey:
Famed Apostle Paul is known to have traveled through Greece & Turkey in the Bible’s New Testament. Thessalonika, for instance, was the center of Paul’s activities in northern Greece.  It is where he preached, founded a church and wrote two epistles: Acts 17: 1-9 and 1 and 2 Thessalonians.  On Globus’ 10-day Footsteps of Apostle Paul – one of the company’s most sought-after itineraries – travelers will walk in Paul’s footsteps while learning more about the foundations of their faith.

France:
Famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, with 7 million travelers annually, the southern French town of Lourdes is a popular catholic destination as is Lisbon, Fátima and Santarém.  Religious travelers can see these popular destinations, shrines and more on Globus’ 12-day Marian Shrines of Europe and Cosmos’ NEW 12-day Shrines of France & Lourdes.

For more information about the world’s most popular spiritual sites and the Globus and Cosmos vacation packages that take travelers to these destinations, click on Globus Tours

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Looking beautifully pregnant (now at 8 months,) the Duchess of Cambridge, kept the 1,000 year tradition of the naming of a ship, by cutting the ribbon that set the bottle in motion to break along the hull of the new Royal Princess cruise ship.  The spectacular ceremony upheld British ship-naming traditions including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards, as well as contemporary singer Natasha Bedingfield.

A godmother of a ship is symbolic patron that symbolizes the spirit of the vessel. Diana Princess of was the godmother for the first Royal Princess ship in 1984.  Other inspiring women who are godmothers to a Princess cruise ship include Audrey Hepburn (Star Princess), Sophia Loren (Crown Princess 1990), Margaret Thatcher (Regal Princess 1991) and Olivia de Havilland (Grand Princess 1998.)

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.

Royal Princess Inaugural Season Itineraries:

7-day Maiden Iberia Voyage – Southampton to Barcelona
Calls: Vigo (for Santiago de Compostela), Lisbon, Gibraltar and Malaga (June 16, 2013)

12-day Grand Mediterranean – Barcelona/Venice
Calls: Toulon (for Provence), Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples (for Capri and Pompeii), Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), and Athens (June 23 through Sept. 27, 2013)

18-day Venetian Passage – Venice to Fort Lauderdale
Calls: Messina (Sicily), Naples (for Capri and Pompeii), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Cannes (for Monte Carlo), Barcelona and Funchal (Madeira Island). (Oct. 9, 2013)

5-Day Maiden Caribbean Voyage – Ft. Lauderdale (RT)
Calls: Princess Cays, Grand Turk (Oct. 29)

7-Day Eastern Caribbean – Ft. Lauderdale (RT)
Calls: Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten (November 13, 2013 through April 27, 2014)

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HIGHLIGHTS OF TOP TAUCK USA/CANADA TRIPS

AMERICA’S CANYONLANDS- 7 NIGHTS- filmed highlights by Ken Burns

1. 17 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners) – 4 dinners are ala carte and 1 private dinner cruise in Lake Powell
2. Inside the park stays in Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion
3. Lake Powell sightseeing
4. Antelope Canyon 4 wheel jeep tour
5. Glen Canyon 4 wheel jeep tour

YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKS- 9 NIGHTS- filmed highlights by Ken Burns

1. 21 meals (9 breakfast, 4 lunches, 8 dinners) -1 lunch ala carte and 5 ala carte dinners
2. Inside the park stays at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
3. Pioneer lunch at National Oregon/California Trail Center
4. Rafting on Snake River, private lecture on ecology of Great Salt Lake
5. Visit to Crazy Horse Memorial with lunch at Crazy Horse
6. Wild West Rodeo or Dan Miller Music Review in Cody (choice depends upon month of trip)
7. Visit Mount Rushmore
8. Opportunity to join Tauck’s volunteer project in Grand Teton National Park

YOSEMITE & SEQUOIA: JOHN MUIR’S CALIFORNIA- 7 NIGHTS-filmed highlights by Ken Burns

1. 17 meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners) 1 lunch ala carte, 3 ala carte dinners including a lunch at the Presidio Club
2. Inside the park stays at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia and The Ahwahnee in Yosemite
3. Fairmont and Westin Hotel stays in San Francisco
4. Hear personal stories of a Buffalo Soldier as a park ranger relates the forgotten role of the African-American cavalrymen in the history of the parks
5. Epicurean tasting tour at the Ferry terminal in San Francisco with local culinary expert
6. Travel by rail between San Francisco and Fresno through California’s scenic Central Valley
7. Private guided tour to see world’s largest tree
8. Private tour inside John Muir’s Giant Forest
9. Private guided tour of Yosemite Valley

CALIFORNIA’S GOLD COAST- 10 NIGHTS- filmed highlights by Ken Burns

1. 22 meals (10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners) 1 lunch ala carte, 5 ala carte dinners with 1 lunch at Wawona Lodge in Yosemite and 1 lunch at the national Hotel in Jamestown
2. 2 nights at the Ahwahnee, 1 night Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
3. Westin in San Francisco 2 nights, Four Seasons in Santa Barbara , Intercontinental in Monterey and the Langham in Pasadena
4. Visits to Santa Barbara’s 1929 Courthouse and the Spanish Missions
5. Los Angeles sightseeing
6. J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center
7. Hearst Castle Tour
8. Private walk with naturalist in Yosemite
9. Local vineyard in Sonoma with tasting

CHARLESTON AND SAVANNAH- 7 NIGHTS- filmed highlights by Ken Burns

1. 15 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners) 1 lunch ala carte, 4 ala carte dinners including one dine around dinner in Charleston
2. Traditional Madeira evening at Savannah’s Davenport House Museum
3. Guided tram tour of Jekyll Island Historical District
4. Private tour to Juliette Gordon Low Museum (Girl Scouts founder)
5. Visit to Sea Museum in Savannah
6. Special evening in Hilton Head with Aunt Pearlie Sue, master storyteller
7. Private cruise in Charleston Harbor
8. Private guided visits to Historic Drayton Hall and Middleton Place in Charleston

MOST HALLOWED GROUND: THE CIVIL WAR- 10 NIGHTS-filmed highlights by Ken Burns

1. 23 meals (10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners) 1 ala carte lunch and 6 ala carte dinners
2. Early admission and behind the scenes experience at National Archives with private talk
3. DC city tour and DC by night tour
4. Private presentation by a noted historian in Washington about events leading up to Civil War
5. Private narrated visit to Arlington National Cemetery
6. Private guided visit of National Museum of Civil War Medicine
7. Guided visit of Antietam National Battlefield
8. Guided exploration of Gettysburg with Gettysburg expert
9. Shuttle to Harper’s Ferry historic sites
10. Visit James Madison’s Montpelier
11. Explore University of Virginia’s rotunda and grounds
12. Guided visit of Monticello
13. Visit Charlottesville and learn about life on a plantation with an expert on slavery
14. Visit Mclean Farm where Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen U.S. Grand met and agreed to terms
15. Guided visit to Virginia Capitol building
16. Explore historic Tredegar Iron Works and meet historian who speaks about role in Civil War
17. Visit Petersburg battlefield and experience life at interactive journey at Museum of Civil War

GRAND CANADIAN ROCKIES-9 NIGHTS

1. 19 meals (9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners) 2 ala carte lunches, 6 ala carte dinners
2. 2 nights Victoria Grand Pacific, 1 night Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver, 2 nights Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, 2 nights Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, 1 night Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Lake view rooms)
3. Floatplane sightseeing over Gulf Islands from Victoria to Vancouver
4. Overnight rail journey from Vancouver to Canada’s Rocky Mountains
5. Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria
6. Visits to Butchart Gardens and the Renowned Royal BC Museum
7. Ice Explorer on Athabasca Glacier
8. Gentle float on Bow River
9. Heritage Passport to Banff’s Whyte Museum and Banff Park Museum

BEST OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES- 7 NIGHTS

1. 17 means (7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners) 5 ala carte dinners
2. 2 nights Chateau Louise (Lake view rooms), 2 nights Banff Springs Hotel, 2 nights Jasper Park Lodge- all Fairmont properties, 1 night Delta Lodge at Kananaskis
3. Wild west welcome reception with dinner and entertainment at local ranch
4. Helicopter flightseeing over Three Sisters Peaks
5. Guided Naturalist walk at Moraine Lake
6. “Jasper Your Way” offering a choice of included guided adventures in Jasper National Park
7. A ride aboard the Ice Explorer on Athabasca Glacier
8. Visit Emerald Lake and Spiral Tunnels

BRIDGES RED ROCKS AND PAINTED CANYONS-7 NIGHTS-filmed highlights by Ken Burns

1. 18 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners) 1 ala carte lunch, 5 ala carte dinners
2. Stay in popular National Park hotels- Kachina Lodge, Bryce Canyon Lodge and Zion Lodge
3. Guided walk at Grand Canyon with instructor from Grand Canyon Field Institute
4. Flightseeing trip over Rainbow Bridge and Lake Powell
5. Antelope Canyon 4 wheel drive adventure or boat ride on Lake Powell
6. Horseback trail ride in Bryce Canyon National Park
7. Colorado raft trip in Glen Canyon on pontoon raft
8. Visit to Kanab, Utah- home to western movies

BRIDGES COWBOY COUNTRY- 7 NIGHTS-filmed highlight by Ken Burns

1. 17 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners) 2 ala carte lunches, 3 ala carte dinners
2. Stay in popular National Park hotels- Old Faithful Inn, Jackson Lake Lodge, and also stay at the Ranch at UCross
3. A taste of Wyoming ranch life- horseback riding and a chance to meet a real cowboy with an evening campfire and more
4. A rodeo
5. Visit to buffalo Bill Historical Center, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mount Rushmore
6. A full day Yellowstone Park exploration with a wilderness expert
7. Scenic float trip on the Snake River with a guide
8. Voluntary participation in Tauck’s Presidential Award-wining National Park volunteer program

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• Dine About Town. This celebration of San Francisco restaurants takes place between June 1-15. Visitors to the city during the first half of June can be assured of getting a good meal at a reasonable price during their stay. Participating restaurants will offer two or three course lunches for $18.95 and three course dinners for $36.95. More than 100 restaurants participate in Dine About Town, and all kinds of cuisines are available: French, Indian, Japanese, American, and Californian are just a few of the options available.

• San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. This event will take place across four weekends in June. Each weekend, dance companies from around the world will perform in San Francisco. Tickets range in price from less than $20 to about $60 and can be purchased online. There will be several free performances throughout the festival, including the opening day performances of dance companies from Mexico and Brazil that will take place at City Hall on June 7.

• The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair. This one-day fair is scheduled to take place on June 9. The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair includes a wide variety of vendors in booths and Children’s Alley, where kids can do crafts and compete in the annual Children’s Alley poster contest. The winners of the Haight-Ashbury Battle of the Bands will be playing at the street fair.

• San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. This event takes place on June 29 and 30 and advertises itself as the largest LGBT gathering in the nation. The Main Stage events include acts such as jazz musician Raquel Rodriguez, singer and dancer Gypsy Love, and CHEER San Francisco, a volunteer stunt and dance group. The famous Pride parade will take place on Sunday, June 30, beginning at 10:30 am at Market and Beale. This year’s parade theme is “Embrace, Encourage, Empower”.

These are just a few of the events taking place in San Francisco this June. While you’re there, you can also check out the Union Street Festival, the San Francisco Free Folk Festival, and San Francisco Juneteenth. Start planning your visit to San Francisco now.

The post Things to Do in San Francisco This June appeared first on Atlas Cruises and Tours Travel Blog.

Starting this month, Downtown Disney will be going through a three-year transformation, the end result of which will be Disney Springs, a place that will celebrate the small lakeside towns that cropped up all around central Florida at the turn of the 20th century. According to the Disney Parks blog, the goal of the transformation “is to create a welcoming, comfortable space where families can enjoy time together and instantaneously feel right at home.” Knowing how well the engineers and designers at Disney can create magic for guests aged 2 to 102, they’re sure to be successful in their mission!

Right now, the specifics are still vague; Disney is apparently keeping many of the plans under wraps for now. Here’s what is known so far, though:

• There will be four connected sections, each comprising one “neighborhood.” These will include the Town Center, a commercial district called “The Landing, a “Marketplace” that will be family-friendly, and the “West Side,” which will provide different types of entertainment.

• A two-level parking garage is planned in order to accommodate more visitors. Will parking still be free? This is a question that doesn’t seem to have an answer at this point.

• The grand entry will showcase a water tower, and each section of the Springs will be centered around springs and a lakefront. In short, water will be a big part of Disney Springs, which is apt, given the new moniker!

Disney won’t disappoint when it comes to the new place to be in the downtown area. Until 2016, when construction should be complete, the area will still be known as Downtown Disney. Stay tuned for more information and sneak peeks as they become available!

The post Introducing Disney Springs appeared first on Atlas Cruises and Tours Travel Blog.

• Make Traveling Easier. Does Dad spend a lot of time traveling in the car? In that case, a GPS system might be the way to go. The START Vehicle GPS system from TomTom starts at around $85, and increases in price depending on what options you want to add. If Dad is a frequent flyer, as opposed to a road tripper, you could consider purchasing an airport lounge pass in one of the cities that he frequently visits. Airports are rarely fun places to spend time in, but this will give him the chance to relax in comfort when he goes through that airport.

• Adjust to Foreign Countries. If Dad frequently spends time overseas, there are a couple of practical gifts that might help him out when he’s away from home. A travel adapter and converter, for example, will make it easy for dad to use his electronic devices in whatever country he happen to be in. These start at around $40. If you know that dad has a trip coming up to a new place, consider purchasing a guidebook for that area. Fodor’s offers an excellent selection of guidebooks in paperback or ebook form. If Dad will be spending time in China, check out Parrot Learning’s Chinese Talking Travel Guidebook – China Edition. This guidebook helps English speakers trying to learn Mandarin while walking them through travel related scenarios. You can find it at the globallearningstore.com for around $100.

• Give the Gift of Travel. If you have a larger budget and you want to send dad off on a great vacation, look into Saddle Creek Resort’s Two-Day, One-Night Stay-and-Play Golf Package. This California resort offers Dad the chance to play on one of the state’s top ten golf courses. Accommodations include unlimited use of the resort’s pool, jacuzzi, and gym. If Dad is more of a fisherman than a golfer, then consider a vacation rental on Bass Lake, California.

Shopping for Father’s Day gifts doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect, especially if Dad travels often for business or pleasure. There are no end of travel related gifts, gadgets, and packages out there, and you should be able to find something to fit any interest and any budget.

The post Father’s Day Gifts For the Traveling Dad appeared first on Atlas Cruises and Tours Travel Blog.

• Piscataquis Heritage Hot Air Balloon Festival, May 31 to June 2.  Held at the Charles A Chase Junior Memorial Field in Dover-Foxcroft, this hot air balloon festival is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. In addition to seeing hot air balloons, festival-goers will be able to enjoy live music, a movie night, arts and crafts, educational demonstrations, children’s activities and agricultural displays. If you want to take a full flight ride in a hot air balloon, the fee is $250 per person; prices for tethered rides will be announced.

• Kennebunkport Festival 2013, June 4 to June 9.  Enjoy the food, wine and works of art at this upscale festival celebrating the finer things in life. Savor cocktails and appetizers, full dinners prepared by excellent chefs, view works of art and enjoy live music throughout the week. Tickets are limited and should be purchased in advance. They range in price from $35 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to $150 to $200 for private dinners.

• Back at the Beach Corvette Weekend, June 7 to June 9. Held at Old Orchard Beach, this year’s is the 10th annual Corvette Weekend. If you love seeing great cars, you’ll enjoy the Corvettes parked up and down the streets of Old Orchard Beach. If you’re in the area, this will be a fun addition to your weekend.

• Maine Blues Festival, June 14 to June 16.  Since 2006, Naples, Maine has been home to the Maine Blues Festival. There will be vendors, artisans and children’s activities taking place throughout the weekend, along with a variety of blues artists. This is a family-friendly festival, with a lot of things to see and do. Kids’ admission is free, and for those age 13 and up, tickets are $12 if purchased in advance, or $16 if purchased at the festival.

• Art in the Park, June 22 to June 23. Over three dozen artists, painters and photographers will display and sell their work on the Village Green in Bar Harbor. This attracts a good gathering, as 2013 marks the 63rd annual Art in the Park celebration. Admission is free and it will take place rain or shine.

If you are headed to Maine, you will undoubtedly find plenty to keep you amused. If you’re in one of these cities during their respective festivals, add the fun to your itinerary and enjoy some New England fun! Do you know of other festivals in Maine that would make a wonderful addition to anyone’s weekend away? Let us know about them in the comments section below.

The post Things to Do in Maine in June appeared first on Atlas Cruises and Tours Travel Blog.

Terms and Conditions: The 50% reduced deposit can also be applied via any automated booking tool (Cruisematch®, Sabre, Amadeus, Galileo or Wordspan). However, the booking confirmation will not reflect the reduced deposit amount due. The WOW Sale Onboard Credit and 50% Reduced Deposit offer are applicable to all Royal Caribbean International® cruises that depart between September 1, 2013 – August 31, 2014 including Cruisetours. Offer applies to new FIT bookings with required deposit only and is not applicable to groups. Offer applies to all categories available. All bookings must be made and the required deposit must be paid by June 12, 2013, by 11:59 pm Local Time to qualify for the promotion. Bookings made on June 10, 11, or 12, 2013, without required deposit will not qualify for this offer. Offer is combinable with LAF and restricted rates (Seniors, Residents, Military). Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Interline, Travel Agent, Net Rates, Sales Event, Crown & Anchor Discounts, Shareholder Benefits or Next Cruise offers, promotions,  or benefits. Offer is valid for Cruisetour packages but not combinable with other Cruisetours Onboard Credits. Bookings with a Cruisetour package will receive an OBC based on the combined length of the cruise and Cruisetour package. Onboard credit is in U.S. dollars, has no cash value, is not redeemable for cash, is not transferable and will expire if not used by 10:00 pm on the last evening of the cruise. In the event that a guest has more than one applicable offer for the same sailing, guest can choose the offer he or she wishes to apply. Offer is available in the United States and Canada. Any existing booking that is cancelled between June 4-12, 2013 and is rebooked for the same sailing on June 10, 11, or 12, 2013, will not be eligible to receive the offer. Any eligible reservation that is cancelled and is reinstated or changes the ship or sail date after June 12, 2013 will not be eligible to receive the offer. Onboard Credit will be applied to qualified bookings by Royal Caribbean International® within 4 weeks of the Sale. The 50% reduced deposit and onboard credit offer is applicable to on-line bookings; however, the on-line booking confirmation will not reflect this reduced deposit or onboard credit. Subject to availability. Prices are per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy and in US dollars. Certain restrictions may apply. Government taxes and fees are additional. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. ©2013 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships registry: The Bahamas. Brilliance of the Seas is operated by RCL (UK) Ltd. Subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 13034449 • 5/30/2013

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• The Segovia Aquaduct  This architectural wonder dates back to the end of the 1st century and is the symbol of the city. The piece consists of 166 stone arches that were built without the use of mortar. It was originally built to transport water from the Fuenfria Spring, located about 17 kilometers from the city of Segovia. Local legend was that the devil built the aquaduct one night in order to win the heart of a young lady, but that he failed because it was not complete when the sun rose. For this reason, it is sometimes called Puente de Diablo, or Devil’s Bridge.

• The Cathedral of Segovia  Constructed over a long period of time between 1525 and 1768, the Cathedral of Segovia was built on the highest point of the city. The cathedral was the last one built in the Gothic style in the region. The altar is made of jasper, marble and bronze, and contains a 12th century statue of the Virgen de la Paz. You’ll be able to see several chapels, the museum room, a salon and a beautiful garden. The artwork and architecture is amazing and worth the trip!

• Calle Real  If you want to take a walk through several monuments, then start your journey on the Calle Real. From here, you’ll be able to see 15th and 16th-century buildings such as Palacio de los Torreagero, Casa de los Picos, Iglesia de San Martín and Palacio de los del Río.

• Alcazar  This castle is rumored to be the inspiration for the castle in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. From your entrance through the pristinely kept gardens over the guarded moat, you will feel as though you have truly stepped back into medieval times. The rooms are impressive, with lots of weaponry and and suits of armor displayed. The castle is visitor-friendly while very authentic.

• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Segovia  This contemporary art museum is a must-see if you’re in the city. The architecture is Rennaisance-style, and you’ll be able to see works from various artists, including a permanent display of the works of Esteban Vicente.

While you are in Segovia, you’ll want to stop for lunch or dinner. Some recommended restaurants include Mesón de Cándido, Mesón José María, Cocina de Segovia and Meson Duque. If you are visiting the city for more than one day, there are several hotels in town to choose from. Another option is to stay in nearby Madrid and simply take one or two day trips to the historic city of Segovia.

The post The Historic City of Segovia, Spain appeared first on Atlas Cruises and Tours Travel Blog.

Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) is taking “power naps” to a new level.  The airport celebrated the grand opening of the first Minute Suites which is an around the clock nap center for passengers.  You can rent a private suite by the hour. Each suite will have a daybed sofa with fresh pillows and blankets, a high def television with direct tv, internet, a sound masking system to keep the noise out and some type of NAP26 audio program that helps you feel like you slept the equivalent of 3 hours in only 26 minutes.  Prices start at $34 for the first out and $8.50 every 15 minutes after that.  You can also rent a suite for the night for $125.  You can also find these suites in the Atlanta (ATL) and Philadelphia (PHL) airports.

LOT Polish Airlines’ first nonstop flight from Warsaw, on a new 787 Dreamliner landed today in Chicago. The first flight was supposed to take place earlier in the year on January 16th, but the flight was aborted a few hours before departure.  The dreamliner has 18 Elite Club/Business class suites, 21 Premium Economy and 213 economy class seats.

Tom Bergeron will return as the host of A Capitol Fourth airing live on PBS Thursday, July 4th from 8 to 9:30 p.m.  The show will star Barry Manilow and feature performances by American Idol winners Candice Glover and Scotty McCreery, musical prodigy Jacke Evancho, Broadway and TV star, Megan Hilty and the National Symphony Orchestra. You can find more info at pbs.org/capitolfourth

Our latest giveaway is an Air Inclusive Fiji vacation for two.  All you have to do is register for out emails and you are entered to win.  If you already receive our email offers, then all you have to do is log in and register.  http://tinyurl.com/k9o6d2m

Crystal Cruises added two dozen shore excursions in Europe with a focus on local gastronomy including wine, spirits, tea and other traditional drinks.  Examples of these tasting and crafting excursions include Arctic beer tasting at the oldest pub in Tromso, 16th century Benedictine herbal liqueur at a palace near Honfluer, fresh cider and apple brandy from the centuries old Orchard of Norway near Eidfjord, rum and honey ponchas in Madeira, limoncello in Sorrento and soumada in Mykonos.

Avalon Waterways river cruises 2014 itineraries are now available.  Avalon will be launching 3 new ships in 2014, the Avalon Impression, Avalon Illumination and the Avalon Poetry II.  All three ships feature the wall to wall panoramic windows, which transform into a unique open air balcony.  Book early and save up to $1,000 per couple on select Avalon Europe sailings.  With more suites, these cutting edge ships will grace the waters of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.  New itineraries include the 8 day Burgundy and Provence, 8 day Legendary Danube and the 8 day Romantic Rhine, as well as the 15 day Magnificent Europe.  Outside of Europe, there is a new 11 day From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon aboard the MV Aria.  Avalon is also offering the American Queen combines with an 11 day Fall Foliage Spectacular from the Windy City to the Twin Cities and the 12 day America’s Heartland, from Music City to the Big Easy.

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