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Saturday, July 31, 2010

C’mon y’all, let’s go!

Invite your friends to get in on "inspired" FUN & SUN as Ensemble Inspired Journeys presents a Paula Deen Cruise: Western Caribbean Party-at-Sea!

Sail seven days roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale – January 30-February 6, 2011 – aboard Holland America Line’s brand-new ms Nieuw Amsterdam from $1,529 per person.

Paula Deen and Family are setting sail for an exciting and delectable winter-busting cruise. And we’ve got lots of surprises in store! Everything from a cooking critique to private parties (including a barbecue and the first ever Deen Beach Olympics on Half Moon Cay, Holland America's very own private island paradise) from games to photo sessions and optional hosted excursions.

Paula will be joined by husband Michael and other members of her family. Come share their enthusiasm for great cuisine, good living and good fun.

Private Events & Highlights

Optional pre-cruise welcome party in Ft. Lauderdale

*Check back to this site for details about onshore excursions that are being planned with Paula and members of her family. 



Aboard the Stunning New ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam is the perfect ship for this culinary adventure. It's spanking new (inaugural voyage - July 2010), bright and spacious, beautifully decorated, and has fabulous entertainment and multiple dining options. The ms Nieuw Amsterdam expands the Holland America Line premium brand with new concepts such as the innovative pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. The ship also features the family-style Canaletto's Italian restaurant.

Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a premium wine-tasting lounge, an elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured The Showroom at Sea, and a new photographic and imaging center. The ship will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Explorations Cafe - a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, and the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line.

Thursday, July 01, 2010

The legacy of Greece spans lifetimes, centuries and even entire epochs in the history of humanity. A visit to this spectacular country is a voyage through a land that showcases the remnants of empires and heroes under a resplendent sun amid surroundings of incomparable beauty. But beyond its cultural and historic legacy lies a stunning paradise of rolling hills dotted with olive trees, whitewashed villages, brilliant blue skies and turquoise seas. Once home to Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, Greece has also retained its love of festivities and partying.

Transat Holidays, one of our largest travel partners, can help you explore this land of plenty thanks to its numerous vacations designed to thrill and awe you.

Athens
Named after the goddess Athena, the capital of Greece is a fascinating blend of old and new. Known as the birthplace of democracy, this ancient city with its historic monuments and magnificent sights blends seamlessly into a thriving metropolis that is home to bustling cafés, restaurants and bars.

What to see and do
Acropolis: An inimitable monument situated on a hill that is home to the Parthenon, a museum, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erectheion. Plaka: The old Turkish quarter, packed with countless shops, tavernas, restaurants, discos and bars. Faliro, Vouliagmeni and Loutraki: Elegant seaside suburbs with fantastic beaches, great entertainment and an exciting nightlife.

Mykonos
This quintessential Greek island features traditional cube-shaped houses with stark white facades broken only by the intense blues and greens of doors and shutters and surrounded by brilliant blue seas.

What to see and do
Mykonos Town: One of the most picturesque places in Greece.
Nightlife: It is undeniably the party paradise of the Greek Islands.
Delos & Apollo Sanctuary: The legendary birthplace of Apollo and his twin sister Artemis.

Santorini
This beautiful island is what most of us envisage when we dream of Greece, and for once the reality far surpasses the fantasy. Few sights are more memorable than the dazzling whitewashed buildings that sit perched on the rim of black volcanic cliffs.

What to see and do
Fira: Built atop an extinct volcano, the picturesque main town of Fira is a kaleidoscope of eye-catching colours and experiences.
Beaches: The island features unique beaches with white, red and black sand. Akrotiri: An ancient city rumoured to be the Lost City of Atlantis.

Crete
This island paradise is a world of wonder with translucent seas, magnificent beaches, palaces and a scintillating nightlife. You'll find coastal towns with unique histories filled with lively tavernas, open-air cafés and many shops.

What to see and do
Knossos, Phaistos and Mallia: The ruins of three ancient cities that demonstrate the incredible wealth and sophistication enjoyed by the Minoan civilization. Rhymnon: The commercial centre of Crete, incorporating a blend of Venetian, Asian and Greek historical elements. Samaria Gorge: The longest gorge in Europe, surrounded by dramatic and rugged scenery.

Rhodes
This magical island combines the very best of Greece, both past and present. Explore the modern harbour of Mandraki, with its bustling energy and lively sidewalk cafés, or visit the mammoth gate and fortified walls of the medieval town.

What to see and do
Symi: A small picturesque island, which is a lively tourist haven.
Lindos: A bright gem of a village with an impressive beach.
Faliraki & Ixia: Popular beach areas on Rhodes with beautiful natural beaches and a lively nightlife.

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

We all “feel” better getting away on vacation. Did you know it really is not just your imagination? Science and statistics show it is true.  Vacations can reduce risk of heart disease, depression and even slow down the aging process. How about this statistic… Two vacations can cut your risk of heart attack by 50%.

Vacations help reduce stress, which will always help your health. 

Here are some other  tips to reduce stress during travel.

• Get away long enough time to let go of your daily grind.  A week is recommended.
• Watch your time zones – too many time zones actually increase your stress on your body’s natural rhythms.
• Don’t over schedule your trip – Make sure you have quiet time each day.
• Be social – making new acquaintances has a restorative power.
• Enjoy physical activity – moderate exercise like swimming and walking are great energy boosters.

How sad that a third or us do not use all our vacation days!  Hopefully this will inspire you to take some time to better your health with travel.

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Friday, April 30, 2010

Asia mesmerizes visitors with its ancient alleyways, bustling colors and magnificent relics from a culture that dates over 6,000 years. This ancient past has not been overtaken by modern buildings, but rather many cities offer both. See skyscrapers and modern architecture, and not far away, visit amazing shrines, monasteries and temples. Walk the Great Wall of China. Walk through a Zen garden. Shop in a modern mall, or visit local markets. Participate in time honored traditions such as a tea ceremony or dance the night away at a modern nightclub. Eat at a stylish five start restaurant, or join the locals for exotic food cooked with Thai, Malaysian or Indian spices. Need transportation? Depending on what Asian city you are visiting, you may see cars, bicycles, rickshaws, a high speed bullet train or even an elephant.

Popular cities to visit in China include Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Some of the popular tourist sites include the Forbidden City in Beijing, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, and the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian.

Popular cities in Japan include Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. Visit highlights such as the Golden Pavilion Temple, Mt. Fuji and Todaiji Temple, which is home to the largest bronze Buddha in Japan.

Singapore and Thailand have also become popular destinations for those traveling to Asia.

Traveling on a land tour is the best way to cover various cities in Asia. Tour operators offer packages as short as eight days which would visit just two cities such ash Beijing combined with Shanghai or Hong Kong. These packages are more basic and include just hotel accommodations, transfers and some sightseeing, with a lot of free time. Tour operators also offer more comprehensive tours of two weeks or more that cover at least four major cities in Asia with more inclusions, but still plenty of time to explore on your own.

If you feel that touring is not right for you, then you may want to consider a Yangtze River cruise or a cruise of Asian countries onboard a mainstream cruise line such as Princess, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America or Royal Caribbean.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Travelling the Eastern Mediterranean is a life changing event as you explore the cradle of civilization. The ancient Pyramids, the Acropolis, the ruins of Ephesus and the Blue Mosque are just some of the significant historical sights you can see in the region. There are many other pleasures too like excellent beaches, fabulous food and wine, stunning scenery and some unique shopping experiences. Take a look at this roundup of the fascinating Eastern Mediterranean for ideas on your next vacation.

The Greek Isles

• One of the world's top destinations for all types of travelers, the Greek Isles offer everything you could want in a vacation: Sun, sand, scenery, history, excellent nightlife and glowing sunsets.
• Cruising is the perfect way to experience these magical isles. Viewing them from the sea, as they were by ancient mariners, is a dream experience, then go ashore and explore at a leisurely, Mediterranean pace. Discover such magical places as Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.

Greece

• Mainland Greece will captivate you with its mix of archaeological sights and museums. How could you not be moved by experiences like standing at the top of the Acropolis in Athens, looking across the city where modern democracy was founded?
• There's a wonderful culinary heritage here as well. Food and wine is meant to be enjoyed with friends leading to some very lively tavernas wherever you go. You'll see fresh sea food hanging to dry on nets along the waterfronts. This could be your next meal!
• From the mountains of the north to the southern Peloponessos, often called the real Greece, there are many intriguing regions to visit. The mountaintop monasteries of Meteora; the spiritual center of Delphi and ancient Olympia where the Olympic Games began are just a few of the important sights to see.

Turkey

• Turkey is filled with highlights for travelers. From the therapeutic pools of Pamukkale, one of the natural wonders of the world, to the rock cut churches of the Cappadocia Region, there is much of interest for visitors.
• Straddling Europe and Asia is the city of Istanbul. It sits on the Bosphorus River, with Europe on the west side and Asia on the east. Here you'll enjoy the majesty of the Topkapi Palace, the famous Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia, now a museum of Christian and Islamic art. The Grand Bazaar is more like a small town than a market. Home to 4,000 shops, along the miles of passageways you'll come across mosques, police stations, banks and restaurants.
• Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. Dating back to the 12th Century BC, this thriving city had a population of 250,000 in Roman times. Notable sights include the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the well preserved Celsius Library, a favorite with visitors.

The Near East

• At its most easterly, the Mediterranean borders the countries of Israel, Lebanon and Syria, countries off the beaten tourist track yet rich in history with much to offer visitors.
• Israel draws pilgrims to the holy land to visit biblical destinations like Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea and more.
• Israel's Tel Aviv is a very popular resort destination right on the coast. In this cosmopolitan city English is widely spoken and the people are known for their friendliness. The fabulous beaches have warm, clear water and no rocks so swimming is comfortable. Cuisine is Mediterranean and delicious accompanied by local wines which are surprisingly good, both red and white.

Egypt

• This is a place of legend. The Pyramids, Great Sphinx of Giza, Temple of Karnak, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings famous for the discovery of the tomb of Tutankamun conjure images of Egypt's spellbinding history.
• Modern Cairo is a bustling city with many museums and street markets of interest while coastlines from the Mediterranean to the coral reefs of the Red Sea offer some outstanding beach resort locations.
• Cruising the Nile River is a great way to see the interior of the country. Uniworld offers 9 and 13-day Nile sailings which they tell us are "like watching 5,000 years of culture unfold before your eyes. Marvel at the contrasts as you sail past simple villages surrounded by luxuriant palm groves, fertile plantations, romantic desert hills, lush oases, modern cities and ancient colonnaded temples and pyramids."

The Eastern Mediterranean is one of the richest areas in the world for discovering ancient history. In this extraordinary region you're sure to enjoy some of the most enriching and powerful experiences possible.