Best Time to Visit Ireland

You can take an Ireland tour year round, but the best weather is found May through October. Weather can always get chilly, so pack warm clothing for the evenings. If you don’t mind the cold weather, then in the winter there are far less crowds and prices are about 40% lower than traveling during peak season.

You can find great shopping in Ireland for hand-cut crystal, Irish Whiskey, jewelry, handmade sweaters and more.

For more information about our Ireland tours please click here: http://www.escortedirelandtours.com/

Norway Travel Information

About 2/3 of Norway is made up of mountains. There are approximately 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline. It has one of the longest coastlines in the world. 

The capital of Norway is Osldo. The currency used is the Norwegian Krone (Nkr). 

Climate and Clothing: 

Given the extreme northerly position, the mainland climate in Norway is surprisingly mild. This is mainly because of the trade winds and warm currents. Lightweight clothing generally suffices in summer, however evenings can get chilly, so it is always a good idea to take along a sweater or wrap. If you are here in winter, you will definitely need an overcoat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes/boots.

Food and Drink: 

High quality fish, meat and dairy products are easily available in Norway. Norwegian meals are often large with an emphasis on fish and seafood specialities. A typical specialty is a ‘smørgasbord’ meal, a vast selection of meat, fish, salad, hot dishes, puddings and cheese. Specialty dishes and ingredients include Lutefisk (a hot, highly flavoured cod fish), smoked salmon, cod, herring, sardine products and mackerel. Popular meats include reindeer, lamb and fowl. Liquor laws are very strict and in some parts of the country alcohol is not available at all. Where it is available it is very expensive. The water in Norway is safe to drink.

Best Buys:

Pottery, sports equipment, enamelled ware, sportswear, pewter, silver and knitwear. If you like the unusual, a hand painted troll is something to add to your collection. Tax-free is available for tourist from shops displaying a ‘Tax free for tourists’ sticker. Tourists save 11-18% of the price paid by residents. Refunds are paid in cash at airports, ferries, cruise ships and border crossings.

For more information about our Scandinavia tour please click here:  http://www.escortedscandinaviatours.com/

France Champagne and Burgundy Regions

Most of the vineyards in the Champagne region can be found in Epernay and Reims.  In Reims you will also find the amazing Louis XV Palace, the Roman Porta de Mars, and many museums dedicated to the art of making effervescent wine. The 13th century Reims Cathedral is a famous jewel of Gothic architecture. The cathedrall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was destroyed in World War I, but was restored with its stunning facade, interior and stained-glass windows. Try to make time to visit Moet Chandon and Taittinger vineyards.

Beaunne, is the wine capital of Burgundy, and an ideal base to explore the vineyards.  The burgundy region is known as the meeting place of civilizations. Located in the center of France, it is easily accessible via the high speed TGV trainand numerous highways winding throughout.

For more information about France tours please click here: http://www.escortedfrancetours.com/

France Tour Vacations

On August 7th, the movie Julie and Julia will open in theatres around the US. I was lucky enough to see a preview and in addition to Bon Appetit, all I can say is Viva La France! The movie is partly based on Julia Child’s book “My Life in France.”

There is no way to see this marvelously entertaining movie without wanting to see Paris. Whether it’s a first trip or a tenth, the movie is a love song to the City of Lights and makes one want to be there tomorrow. The Eiffel Tower, a cruise down the Seine, the Place de La Concorde, Montmartre, you name it…

Julia and her husband Paul dine in restaurants that are so French they couldn’t possibly be anywhere else. There is a charming scene about Julia’s very first meal in France and it’s Sole Meuniere. It was love at first taste and several years later, we all were in love with Julia and her French Chef series.

Please check out the low airfares to Paris so you, too, can taste the Sole, Boeuf Bourguignon, a freshly baked baguette, or chocolate dessert baked by a French chocolatier. My first meal in Paris was in a small local café and it was just chicken and French Fries. Yummmmm…one of the best meals ever!

There are many different types of tour vacations for France that include Paris only, or perhaps combined with a trip to the Normandy Beaches, the Chateaux in the Loire Valley, Provence or Monte Carlo & Nice in the South of France. If buses are not your style, you can travel by train or by riverboat as well.

 

 

Oberammergau Passion Play Tickets 2010

With every performance of the Passion Play selling out, the package inclusions can be confusing, particularly the type of accommodations & tickets
that are included.

The Passion Play Theatre has 4,720 total seats. All offer a good view of the stage from all seating categories, and the acoustics in the theatre are excellent, however many clients want to be closer to the stage.

The Tickets:

Tickets for the Passion Play 2010 are only available as part of an official package. The tickets are allocated together with the accommodation by the the tour companies, and Atlas has no control over the exact location of the seats, although we are pleased to announce that our approved tickets are all linked to excellent accommodation in Oberammergau & surrounding villages. 

The better quality hotels come with the better seats for the performance. The plan of the theatre below shows the seating layout & the corresponding ticket categories, so if you want the best tickets, make sure that you are booking a tour that offers Category 1A seating.

Please note, tickets are not given in advance. Your tickets will be issued to you upon arrival in Europe by your tour guide.

Ticket Categories:

 

Categories for accommodations are chosen after a thorough inspection of all rooms. They are based solely on the degree of space & furnishings provided & not by the stars assigned to it by the German Hotel Classifications. In some locations rooms may be assigned in different categories.

HC 2 – Superior First Class 4+-star Hotel with Category 1A Tickets
Superior Hotels with cozy furnishings and spacious rooms. Each room has its own private bathroom and a corner seating area. They are also outfitted with a minibar or wide variety of drinks, color T.V., radio, direct-dial telephone, Internet access, hair dryer, toiletries, and bathrobes on request.

HC 3 – First Class 4-star Hotel with Category 1 Tickets
Middle Class Hotels with a private bathroom in each room. They are also outfitted with a minibar or wide variety of drinks, color T.V., radio, direct-dial telephone, hair dryer, and toiletries.

HC 4 – Tourist Class 3-star Hotel with Category 2 Tickets
Middle Class Hotels with a private bathroom in each room. They are also outfitted with a T.V.

Please note: The accommodation categories for the Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 have been graded by the Passion Play Committee and are based on the size and furnishings of the rooms; they do not, however, comply with the star ratings allocated to the establishments by the official German hotel classification. Some accommodation establishments may also offer rooms of different categories.

For more on the Passion Play visit www.passionplaytours.com

Princess Cruises Oberammergau Passion Play

Posted:         July 17th, 2009
Author:         Princess Cruise Line
Category:     Cruise News | Oberammergau

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (July 17, 2009) — Princess has added a rare opportunity to its 2010 cruisetour lineup in Europe — a unique cruisetour designed to include the famed Oberammergau Passion Play, which is performed only once each decade in this small Bavarian village in Germany.

The new 18-day “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” tour features two nights in the southern German town of Oberammergau, and includes tickets to the event. Passengers will also visit a variety of other top German destinations during the eight-day land tour, including Frankfurt, the Black Forest, Munich Nuremberg and Berlin. In addition, the tour will connect seamlessly with a 10-day Scandinavia/Russia cruise aboard Star Princess. Two departures are offered on August 2 and August 12, 2010.

“This is such a unique opportunity, one that literally only comes around once every 10 years,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This new cruisetour makes it easy to enjoy this famous event, plus take in many of the other attractions for which Germany is famous, coupled with one of our wonderful cruises through the Baltic region. This is yet another example of our commitment to provide our passengers with fascinating experiences around the world.”

The Oberammergau Passion Play has been held every ten years since 1634 in thanksgiving for deliverance from the Black Death in 1633. The play is now performed in years ending with a zero (except 1984 which was the 350th anniversary), and involves more than 2000 actors, singers, instrumentalists and technicians, all of whom are residents of the village. All cast members have lived in the village at least 20 years and must be amateurs of high moral and ethical principles. Villagers also make all the costumes for the production and, as no wigs are used, participants must grow their hair and beards for several months prior to the performances.

The “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” cruisetour is one of Princess’ four Europe cruisetour options available next season. Travelers can also opt for the 18-day “Europe’s Imperial Treasures,” which features the cathedrals and castles of four capitals that have figured prominently in history — Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin — and includes a Star Princess Scandinavia and Russia sailing. The 17-day “Classic Italy” tour offers the charms of Florence and Rome, and can connect to a number of Princess’ Mediterranean sailings. The 16-day “Ring of Kerry” tour offers some of the Emerald Isle’s most inspiring landscapes with visits to Shannon, Killarney and Cork, plus a Crown Princess British Isles cruise.

Fares for the 18-day Oberammergau cruisetour begin at $5,319 per person, based on double occupancy. Capacity is limited on these special tours, and could fill quickly. Call for details.

Collette Tour Review : Croatia

Croatia is increasing in popularity. Cruise lines & tour operators have all increased offerings for Croatia in 2009.

Below is a daily account of a recent trip to Croatia with Collette Vacations. 

For more details on the itinerary, click here:

Day 1

Overnight Flights from Various Gateways

 

Day 2 – Zagreb

Currency: Croatian Kuna (currently about 6 – 1)

Guests typically connect through either Frankfurt or Munich & arrive into Zagreb airport – which is quite small and very easy to navigate.  Money Exchange & ATM’s are available right inside the terminal at the very competitive rates which is quite convenient.

Transfer to the Westin Hotel Zagreb – the hotel is quite unremarkable from the outside, but lives up to the Westin name on the inside very nice rooms and the heavenly beds. The location is terrific just an easy stroll from the old town & shopping areas. Time is free the first afternoon before a welcome dinner which consisted of a very nice buffett at the hotel.

 

 

Day 3 – Zagreb – Bled, Slovenia

Currency: In Slovenia the currency if Euro so be sure to inform you clients.

The next morning we do a city tour of Zagreb – which is the capital of Croatia the highlight being, the old town, Cathedral & Dolac markets which are sprawling open air markets selling all sorts of fruits, vegetables, flowers & local goods… It was raining quite hard our first day so we where limited as to what we could see of the markets. The general impression is the city is rather large and industrial (what one might expect from a former eastern block country) with the hightlights being the old town & markets.

We leave town after lunch for the drive to Bled, Slovenia about 2.5 hours away through some lovely farm couuntry.  The border crossing is quite simple – we do have to depart the coach but it went quickly and everyone was pleasd to get another stamp in their paqssport.  At first glance one would wonder why on earth we would drive North out of Croatia into another country but once you arrive in Bled it all becomes very clear.  Bled is a spectacular little Alpine Village and the Hotel Golf is right in the heart of town on a hill over looking Lake Bled with the castle & Julian Alps as a backdrop and the island with the Catherdral in the center…

 

Most guests had a view of the lake from their rooms and all rooms have a nice balcony.  The hotel has a very nice pool area and spa (clothing is optional so tell clients to beware!) the pool is free but the spa charges admission.  The evening we had a buffet dinner at the hotel which was fine.

 

 

Day 4 – Bled, Slovenia, Opatija, Croatia

In the morning we walk down to the lakefront from the hotel (about 200 steps) and take a Pletna boat ride out to the island to visit St. Mary’s Church & the wishing bell.  Once on the island it is a steep climb up to the church either on stone steps or a gravel walking path.  The tiny church is spectacular and people really enjoyed taking a pull at the wishing bell (legend has it that if you get it to ring on your frist three pulls you will receive a wish – I did and I will keep you posted…)

We take the Pletna boats back to the hotel and the cleints walk back up the steps to the hotel…  We headed out to Opatija but the tour typically spends two (2) nights in Bled.

We drive toward the coast stopping off for a wine tasting & winery tour.  This was a big hit with the everyone – the facility is very nice and the wines were quite inexpensive.

Along the way we begin to get glimpses of the specatcular coastline for the first time. Our next stop is the seaside town of Opatija.  Our Hotel in Opatija is The Hotel Agava – which is a great property right on the main street and only a few blocks from all of the action.  Opatija is very reminicent of the beautiful seaside hamlets on the French & Italian Riviera’s – outdoor café’s, great little shops and restaurants, a great seaside promenade which is 8 miles long – where everyone goes for a stroll in the evenings this is all only a few easy blocks from the hotel.   

Again, we only spent one night here but the normal tour spends two.

Dinner was again the buffett in the hotel which was fine.

This is a true gem of a town and everyone loved it…

Day 5 – Opatija – Plitvice Lakes

 

The next morning we head inland toward Plitvice Lake National Park – in short – they are nothing short of spectacular…  We arrived in the early afternoon and did a quick check into our rooms – The Jezero Hotel is 3 star but completely fine and the location inside the park more than makes up for any shortcomings.  While none of the rooms have views of the lakes they all come with a balcony & which offers a view of the surrounding forest (or parking lot with forest in the background) but the rooms are fine.  We take the coach about 2 miles down the road to entrance one at this point the clients can decide whether of not they want to make the hike around the lake – the short version is about a 1.5 hour stroll on some uneven ground and the longer version can be up to 4 hours.  At the end of the walk & boat ride the clients need to walk 400 stairs back up to the hotel….  The good news is from entrance # 1 all clients get paid admission to the park and get to hear the rangers presentation (Mariana was our guide & she was great) from there it is a very easy walk to a lookout over the largest and most spectacular of all of the waterfalls.  At this point three (3) people decided to head back to the hotel with the coach driver & the rest soldiered on… The walk is not too difficult but the ground & boardwalks are uneven and there are few rails.  Everyone did fine – slow & steady – then we reach the boats which take us back to the hotel – here we had to climb the stairs back up but they have all the time in the world so it was not a problem. There is also a longer version of the hike but due to time constraints we could not complete it before dark.

It is interesting to note that on this drive from Opatija into Plitvice, we pass through the Lika region of Croatia – this held a large Serbian population before the war and was bombed extensively – we learned a great deal about this terrible war and saw first hand, homes with bullet & mortar holes, burned out churches & heard an intirguing & frightening history from Jovanka.  It is incredible that this war was less than twenty years ago…

Day 6 – Plitvice – Dubrovnik

 

We left early the next morning for the long trek down to Dubrovnik.  This day started on the new highway that is being completed – it is very impressive and offers some incredible views of the mountains & glimpses of the sea as well as some engineering feats of the road itself… We arrived in Split in the late morning and had a very interesting tour of the Diocleatian Palace – great photo opportunities and an interesting and animated local guide names Ivan.  The normal tour spends the night in Split but we continued on to Dubrovnik which is another 3 hours down the road….

This drive was incredible as we left the highway (it has not yet been completed this far south) and drove along the Dalmaltian Coast. Note: This tour actually visits three countries as we drive along the coast we pass through a few miles of Bosnia/Hercegovina – complete with border crossing etc. – but there is no passport stamp.

We arrive into Dubrovnik in the late afternoon just in time for an incredible sunset over the Adriatic – The Hotel President is a bit outside of town but the #6 bus stops directly in front of the hotel & for 8 Kuna (about $1.65 US) you can be at the gate of Old Dubrovnik in about 15 mintutes…  The hotel is terrific ALL rooms are oceanfront with a balcony overlooking the seas & islands – it is truly a spectacular property. 

This evening was free and Jovanka brought most of the group into town on the city bus and showed them around the old city – which is incredible especially at night.  I have been to dozens of “old town’s” around the world and I must say this is one of the most impressive I have ever witnessed.

Day 7 Dubrovnik – Korcula – Dubrovnik

Today we took a day trip out to the Island of Korcula – it is about a 2 hour coach ride north through some lovely vineyards and small villages and then a 15 minute boat ride out to this perfect little island – wonderful old city and beautiful views of the sea.  This is the legendary birthplace of Marco Polo. 

Note: This tour is typically done on the drive from Split to Dubrovnik so there the 2 hour drive north is not required.  Due to being before season a lot of shops etc on the island were closed but when our clients go it will be boooming.

Tonight dinner was on our own and the coach dropped us off in town & had one pick up time… many clients deccided to stay later and took the city bus home.

 

Day 8 – Dubrovnik

This morning we had a city tour of the old city and its incredible history by a LOVELY local guide named Ivana.  After that some free time to walk the city walls or just expore on our own.  We later departed for our farewell dinner.  We drive about 45 minutes South of the city offering us a completely new view of the the old city from the road overlooking the city at night.  Dinner is in a family run farmhouse that has been very nicely renovated – the grounds are beautiful & we were greeted with wine by two gentlemen dressed in period cosumes singing and playing the guitar & madolin – dinner was nice and the everyone really enjoyed the local music even singing along and dancing – it was a great end to the tour.

Day 9 Dubrovnik – Depart for Home

In closing, Croatia greatly exceeded my expectationa – the accomodations are very nice, it is clean, everyone we came in contact with spoke English (this is not an issue at all.) There is a good deal of walking on this tour but it is all worth it. There is incredible history, both natural & architectural beauty – it really does have it all… once you see Dubrovnik you will understand why everyone has been fighting for this land for thousands of years.

All in all it is a fantastic destination – You will love it!

Celebrity Cruise Deals

Imagine taking a breathtaking cruise to Alaska, Europe or the Panama Canal, now made even more spectacular with the Celebrity Starring You Promise – if the price of a selected cruise lowers, we’ll honor the lower rate.

Alaska Cruises Starting from $64

Starting from $64 per person, per day
Family of four starting from $1,499

• Celebrity Millennium: 7-night Northbound/Southbound Alaska
  Departure dates: 7/17/09, 8/28/09, 9/4/09, 9/11/09

Cruisetours starting from $99 per person, per day

• Celebrity Millennium
  Departure dates:
  8/21/09   Tour #5
  8/28/09   Tour #3
  9/04/09   Tour #8
  9/11/09   Tour #20

Under $93 per person, per day
                                                    Family of four starting from $2,099

• Celebrity Infinity: 7-Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier
  Departure dates: 7/3/09, 8/14/09, 8/21/09, 8/28/09, 9/4/09
• Celebrity Millennium: 10-Night Ultimate Alaska
  Departure date: 7/31/09
• Celebrity Mercury: 7-Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier
  Departure date: 7/12/09

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Europe Starting from $85

Starting from $85 per person, per day
                                                  Family of four starting from $1,599

• Celebrity Century: 7-Night Western Mediterranean
  Departure dates: 10/31/09, 11/7/09, 11/14/09, 11/21/09

$90-$99 per person, per day
                                                 Family of four starting from $1,859

• Celebrity Century: 13-Night Best of Europe
  Departure date: 9/6/09
• Celebrity Century: 7-Night Western Mediterranean
  Departure dates: 10/17/09, 10/24/09

$100+ per person, per day
                                                 Family of four starting from $1,959

• Celebrity Century: 7-Night Western Mediterranean
  Departure dates: 9/19/09, 9/26/09, 10/3/09, 10/10/09

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Panama Canal Starting from $69

Starting from $69 per person, per day
                                                  Family of four starting from $3,499

• Celebrity Infinity: 14-Night Westbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 10/11/09
• Celebrity Infinity: 14-Night Eastbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 10/25/09
• Celebrity Mercury: 17-Night Eastbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 10/23/09
• Celebrity Constellation: 14-Night Eastbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 12/6/09

$70-$99 per person, per day
                                                 Family of four starting from $3,996

• Celebrity Constellation: 14-Night Westbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 11/22/09
• Celebrity Mercury: 16-Night Westbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 4/19/10
• Celebrity Millennium: 14-Night Westbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 4/16/10
• Celebrity Infinity: 14-Night Westbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 11/8/09
• Celebrity Infinity: 13-Night Eastbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 11/22/09

$100+ per person, per day
                                                 Family of four starting from $4,299

• Celebrity Infinity: 14-Night Westbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 3/28/10
• Celebrity Infinity: 14-Night Eastbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 4/11/10
• Celebrity Constellation: 14-Night Eastbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 3/28/10
• Celebrity Constellation: 13-Night Westbound Panama Canal
  Departure date: 2/28/10 

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Edinburgh Military Tattoo will take place from August 7-29, 2009.  The 2009  Edinburg Military Tattoo will celelbrate its 60^th season, while paying tribute to the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national bar, Robert Burns, set against the world famous backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. 

This has been an international favorite. The performers come from over 40 countries and around 35% of the 217,000 audience each year are from overseas.  If you can’t make it no worries! Its televised in 30 countries. An annual television audience of 100 million watches the coverage worldwide.

Several opertors include tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on select itineraries:

Globus Britain Sampler (August 5 – 26th)
Globus Essential Britain (August 2nd – 23rd)
Globus Bonnie Scotland (August 2nd – 23rd)
Globus London to the Highlights of Scotland (Aug 8, 15 & 22nd)
Cosmos Scottish Highlights
Cosmos British Panorama
Cosmos England, Scotland & Wales
Trafalgar Best of Scotland
Trafalgar Amazing Britain
Trafalgar Britian & Ireland Highlights
Insight Focus on Britain
Insight Highlights of Britain
Insight Britain & Ireland Discovery
Collette Discover Scotland
Collete Scotland & Ireland

Madrid and Barcelona Vacation

Spain’s cultural capitals, Madrid & Barcelona are replete with new museums, hotels and restaurants, plus new air and train service are making the two cities easier to reach than ever before.  See this recent article featured in Travel Trade for more details.

Visit our web site dedicated to Spain travel for a great selection of vacations to Madrid and Barcelona.