Trip of a Lifetime

Temecula, California to Wellington, New Zealand September 18, 2009

We caught a taxi to the airport (my friends Morgen Vanheuckelom and Hannah Bradford accompany me on my journey).

$2083 5:43 pm Depart Ontario (ONT)
Arrive Wellington (WLG) 11:20 pm
+2 days Thu 24-Sep Duration: 34hr 37mn
Air Canada 4325 / 565 / 33 Air New Zealand 744
Connect in San Francisco (SFO), Vancouver (Vancouver Intl.), Sydney (Kingsford Smith Intl.)

September 21:

VISIT COLONIAL COTTAGE MUSEUM - Wellington
Visit central Wellington's oldest identified building, which was built by carpenter, William Wallis, in 1858. This was a time when candles were made from tallow and when the nails used to build the Cottage were imported.

Displays show the ways in which the first colonials blended their lives from their Victorian homeland with the dictates of a new country. Enjoy the garden, the remaining portion of an 1840 New Zealand Company Town Acre, on which the Cottage was built.

September 22:

VISIT MUSEUM OF WELLINGTON CITY AND SEA - Wellington
Located in the heritage Bond Store on

Queens Wharf, this museum has the intriguing stories of Wellington's social, cultural and maritime history. Exhibitions use precious objects and stunning technology. Highlights include The 'Wahine' maritime disaster and 'Telling Tales' of 101 stories of 20th century Wellington life.

Believe it or not, but all three of us
Wellington, New Zealand to Sydney, Australia

September 23:

Leave for Sydney, Australia on Pacific Blue, at 4:05 pm, arrive at 5:45 pm. Direct flight. Stay at the Shangri-La, “With stunning views of Sydney’s spectacular Harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous Opera House, the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney brings welcoming Shangri-La hospitality to the historic Rocks district in the heart of this dynamic city.”

September 24:

Visit the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous Opera House.
- Experience a sense of exhilaration and treat yourself to a fantastic view as you climb one of the iconic symbols of Australia, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Put on your walking shoes and climb up ladders and walk along catwalks to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 134 metres!
You can enjoy a panoramic 360 degree view of the city and other iconic symbols of Australia like the Opera House. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is an opportunity to have the world at your feet!
Sydney, Australia to Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Arrive in Hong Kong

25-Sep
0:45 am Depart Sydney (SYD)Arrive Hong Kong (HKG) 5:55 pm
Fri 25-SepDuration: 9hr 10mn
Qantas Airways 127
Nonstop flight

Useful tips about Hong Kong
Travelling around Hong Kong is simple using an electronic payment Octopus Card, which can be used on almost all public transport except taxis and at merchants wherever you see the sign.
Add money to it when you need to - any unspent value is refundable (minus $7 if you stay less than 3 months).
Harbourfront Show
Watch the spectacular A Symphony of Lights, the world's largest permanent light-and-sound show, held nightly at 8pm.
The Best of Chinese Cuisine
To enjoy Cantonese cuisine at its most succulent, visit one of the winners of the annual Best of the Best Culinary Awards or QTS-accredited restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui.
A Shopper's Paradise
Explore Harbour City, Hong Kong's largest shopping mall with hundreds of local and international stores, most open until 9pm
Head to Nathan Road's famous Golden Mile that bustles with shoppers day and night. It's renowned for its colourful neon-lit shops, restaurants and nightspots. Most shops stay open until 10pm
Take in the factory outlets along Granville Road, a must for bargain shoppers.
Harbourfront Show
From Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, walk right to waterfront.

Day 2 : Hong Kong Wetland Park
Hong Kong Wetland ParkHong Kong Wetland Park
The northern part of Hong Kong's New Territories contains protected wetlands, an important ecosystem providing habitats for a variety of plants, animals and particularly waterfowl.
The Wetland Park enables visitors to explore a 60-hectare wetland reserve without disturbing the environment.
A visitor centre features three major exhibition galleries on biodiversity, civilisation and conservation, as well as hands-on experiences to enthral young and old alike.
Traditional Hong Kong Delicacies
Try a Hong Kong-style teahouse and savour favourite local dishes.
Head to a Hong Kong-style teahouse to savour favourite local dishes such as won ton noodles, fried beef slices with noodles, cakes and desserts.
Try bor law yau, a steaming-hot sweet bun stuffed with melted butter, and daan tart, a tasty baked egg custard tart.
Hong Kong Wetland Park
MTR Tin Shui Wai Station Exit E, change to Light Rail (Route 705 or 706) and get off at Wetland Park Station.
Traditional Hong Kong Delicacies
Take Light Rail to Yuen Long Town.
Open Air Markets
Visit the Yau Ma Tei / Mongkok, the heart of Kowloon and discover the bustling excitement of urban Chinese lifestyle.
The neighbourhoods of Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are ideal for finding great value on souvenirs and electronic goods
Find bargain-priced trendy fashion and casual wear on Fa Yuen Street. Stores are open 11am-9:30pm daily.
Be spoilt for choice at Ladies' Market( #16), open noon-11:30pm daily.
For a guide to the area, pick up a free copy of Hong Kong Walks at the hotel or a HKTB Visitor Centre.
Open Air Markets
Alight at MTR Mong Kok Station from MTR Yuen Long Station.
Market MagicTemple Street Night Market
Hong Kong's most famous open-air market, a bustling array of stalls selling everything from watches and leatherwear to clothing and souvenirs
Apart from great bargains, other attractions include fortune-tellers and occasionally, Cantonese opera singers, as well as alfresco dining.
Opens at 2pm but really comes to life at dusk, closing at midnight

Days 3&4 : Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland
A must for the family and the young at heart.
Broadway-style shows, dazzling fireworks displays, thrilling rides and exciting parades all set against a host of signature Disney attractions and the four themes of Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. There's also a diverse range of shopping, dining and entertainment options throughout the park.
Disneyland Park tickets available at the park entrance, Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Express at MTR Hong Kong Station Tung Chung Line Concourse or online at hongkongdisneyland.com.
Park tickets can also be reserved when booking rooms in either of the two hotels through the Reservation Centre at 1-830-830
For an extended experience, stay at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Hollywood Hotel. Or join Hong Kong Disneyland Tour that includes one-way or round-trip transfer and admission tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland. Advance booking with Gray Line Tours of Hong Kong Ltd, +852 2368 7111 or email sales@grayline.com.hk.

Hong Kong Disneyland
MTR Disneyland Resort Station.
Enchanting Disneyland HotelHong Kong Disneyland Hotel
Enjoy a sumptuous 'Eat Your Heart Out' buffet at the Enchanted Garden Restaurant.
A team of chefs will prepare dishes before your eyes.
A highlight of every meal is the visit to your table by Disney characters.
Advance booking at the restaurant: +852 3510 6000.
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
From Disneyland Resort Public Transport Interchange, take free Resort Shuttle to Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.

Day 5 : Most popular attractions
Most Popular AttractionsRepulse Bay
Stroll along Hong Kong Island's most popular and scenic beach.
Check out the ornate Chinese pavilion with a pair of 10-metre-tall statues of traditional Chinese deities.
Above the beach is 'The Repulse Bay', part reconstructed old hotel featuring picturesque, early 20th-century colonial architecture, now an up-market shopping and dining complex.
Stanley
This popular seaside village is fun to explore - the restored 19th-century Murray House and a Tin Hau Temple dating from 1767, a modern shopping centre, and the famous Stanley Market where you can pick up bargain clothing, porcelain, rattan ware and handcrafted items.

Lunch

Seaside Dining: Choose from a selection of international cuisines available in the relaxed Mediterranean ambience of Main Street or in Murray House.

September 30:

Hong Kong to Beijing

Arrive in Beijing

8:00 am Depart Hong Kong (HKG)Arrive Beijing (PEK) 11:25 am
Wed 30-SepDuration: 3hr 25mn
Dragonair 900
Nonstop flight

SubwayAs an English speaker, the subway is a better bet for getting around. There are four lines: Line 1 runs from Pingguoyuan in west Beijing to Sihui East in east Beijing, serving 21 stops. Line 2 is a loop that runs under the interior 2nd Ring Rd. Line 13 runs from Dongzhimen to Xizhimen via Huilongguan, and the Batlong line/Line 1 Extension runs from Sihui to Tuqiao in eastern suburban Beijing. You'll be able to idenfity stations by a large blue "B" wrapped around a smaller "D". You'll be able to figure out where to go by the maps and English signs. Fare is 3 yuan. You'll need 4 yuan to transfer to the Batong line, while travel within the Batong line is only 2 RMB. Maps are widely available on the Internet.

Taxis there are three classes of Taxis in Beijing. The first and nastiest class charge 1.20 yuan per km, but are gradually being phased out and replaced with second-class Hyundai Sonata taxis, which are 1.60 yuan per km. There are also more luxurious 2.00 yuan per km taxis, still affordable on an average Western budget.Keep in mind that your driver probably will not speak English. Some phrases that are handy to know are "Qing da baio" (Run the meter, please), to make sure you are not overcharged, and you can get a receipt for complaining or reimbursement purposes by saying "Fa Piao."

What to See

Forbidden City - The best spot to learn about the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power. You'll want to get there when the gates open at 8:30am to escape the crowds, and there's actually a Starbucks in there, too.Tiananmen Square - the largest square in the world, and home to Mao's mausoleum. There's also a flag raising and lowering ceremony at dawn and dusk respectively.Summer Palace - gardens and palace ruins of the Qing emperors.Temple of Heaven - surrounded by a public park where you can observe the locals practicing tai chi in the mornings.Zoo - reportedly one of the worst in the world, but the aquarium is something to write home about.Great Wall - located about 1.5 hours out of the city, complete with ski lifts to take you up so you can walk on it. It's possible to rent a taxi to take you there. However, it gets rather windy, so you may want to bring a jacket.

Where to Shop

Xi Zhi Men - the clothing market where the Chinese themselves shop. It's located next to the Zoo.Silk Street - Reopened in March 2005 as a five-story air conditioned building, still infamously selling the counterfeit goods that popularized the original Silk Street. You probably won't be able to tell the difference between the intricately designed fakes and the real thing.The Malls at Oriental Plaza - East of Tiananmen Square, next to Wangfujing Street is an expensive shopping area where you can buy diamonds, CDs, food, and cheap DVDs.Wangfujing - Higher-end shops.Golden Resources Shopping Mall - Located by West Fourth Ring Road in Haidian District. At 680,000 square meters, it's the largest mall in Asia, offering countless shopping opportunities.SanLiTun YaShou Clothing Market - 58 Gong Ti Bei Lu. It's basically a cheaper version of Silk Street.

Where to Eat
Quanjude Roast Duck - offers the local speciality, Beijing roast duck, at expensive prices for tourists. It's located right at the Hepingmen subway stop. For the real thing, walk south from the subway until you see some restaurants on the left side of the street.
You'll also want to try the lamb meat steaks, available from vendors on the street at all hours of the day.

If you're not feeling adventurous, Beijing is home to many McDonald's and KFC restaurants. There's also a number of Pizza Huts, the newest of which is in Chaowai. You can also get English food at the John Bull Pub near the Jianguomen subway station.

Where to Stay

Cheap - try Qiao Yuan Fandian near Beijing South train station. There's a 200 yuan deposit, but you'll enjoy an air conditioned room with four beds for just 31 yuan per night. There's also a youth hostel directly across from Beijing Zahn train station.
Mid-range - The Xinxing Hotel is a short walk from the Gongzhufen subway stop on Line 1. Rooms are 180-320 yuan per night, staff will clean your room twice a day, and there's free Internet access if you ask for it.

High-end - Grand Hyatt Beijing is a five-star hotel; it's simply a Hyatt in Beijing. Rooms are $150 a night. The Beijing Hotel is owned by the state but cheaper; Swissotel Beijing is dirt cheap for an "expensive" hotel; and Great Wall Sheraton even has a rotating restaurant.

Travel Tips

Beijing is a very safe city, but beware of scammers. A popular tactic is for "art students" to trick tourists into buying "art", or worse. Strange but true. When traveling to the Great Wall, make sure your driver actually drops you at the wall and not earlier, and only pay him after he has done this. Don't take tours advertised in Tiananmen Square.
Counterfeit money is rampant in China. If someone tries to give you a 100 yuan note in change by either lowering the price in your favor or another scam, reject it. Rejecting bills isn't considered rude. 50 and 100 yuan notes are the most commonly counterfeited. Inspect your money carefully.

Traffic - It's best to cross streets only when street signs permit. It isn't uncommon for wilder drivers to run red lights or drive generally recklessly.
Understand that sunken toilets are common in Beijing, which may pose a problem to some women. If you're not familiar with squat toilets, it's best to go in your hotel, and if you decide to go for it be extra careful to avoid accidents.

The Internet in China is heavily censored. BBC News and The New York Times news websites are generally unavailable, but Reuters is usually unblocked.
Beijing to Kathmandu

10/4

Beijing (PEK)Depart 9:00 pm Terminal 3
to
Hong Kong (HKG)Arrive 12:35 am +1 day Terminal 1

1,239 mi(1,994 km)Duration: 3hr 35mn
KA Flight: 997
Arrive in Kathmandu

Where to stay: Nestled in the Himalayas of Nepal, Soaltee Crowne Plaza is the leading five star deluxe hotel in Nepal offering a Resort atmosphere and is ideal for both business and leisure travel. Spread over 11 acres of lush green lawns, the hotel is located in the quiet green suburbs of the city with fabulous views of the mountain ranges.
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is the largest city in the country. Nepal capital city is in shape of Khukuri knife and its glorious history dates back to two thousand years. Located in the bowl shaped Kathmandu Valley, the city is the cultural hub of the country and probably the most sought after tourist destination. The home town of Newaras is the meeting point of various ethnic groups. Kathmandu city is the conjecture to the major routes within and outside the country. Most of the trekking expeditions and tours start from Kathmandu. The city itself is home to the historical monuments, cultural groups, architectural wonders and exotic tourist destinations. The famous durbar squares of Kathmandu are world famous and the Kathmandu valley is a Cultural World Heritage site listed by UNESCO in 1979.Tourist Attractions Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square)The square is the complex of palaces, courtyards and temples that are built between the 12th and the 18th centuries by the ancient Malla Kings of Nepal. It is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairab (God of Destruction), Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Big Drum and the Jagnnath Temple are some of the interesting things to see in this Square.Swayambhunath StupaAlso known as the monkey temple, the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath is situated on the top of a hill, west to Kathmandu. The temple is considered to be one of the most popular, holiest and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. Large tribes of monkeys can be seen inside and around the temple. The golden spire of Swayambhunath stupa crowns a wooded hillock and offers a commanding view of Kathmandu city. This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaityas.Boudhanath StupaThe biggest stupa in Nepal is situated 7 km east to Kathmandu. Boudhanath Stupa looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design. There are more than 45 Buddhist monasteries in the area. The Bouddhanath stupa is also known as Khasti Chitya and is considered as one of the oldest stupas in the country.Balaju Water GardenThe beautiful Balaju Water Garden is a famous tourist destination. It is situated below the Nagarjun Hill, about 5 km narthwest of akthmandu. The garden has an exotic bank with 22 stone waterspouts, carved in the shape of sea-dragons. The water garden also consists of religious shrines, fishponds and a replica of the statue of Budhanilkantha. The swimming pool inside the park attract a lot of tourists.BudhanilkanthaThis is one of the masterpieces of stone sculptures of Lichchhavi period. This 5th century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water. The Budhanilkantha temple consists of a pond in which lies a great stone figure of the Hindu god Vishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. The huge statue of sleeping Vishnu is believed to be carved from the single block of black stone of a type not found in the valley. It is believed that ages before the two hardworking farmers (husband and wife) discovered the statue when they were ploughing their field.Pashupatinath TemplePashupatinath Temple, with its astonishing architectural beauty, stands as a symbol of faith, religion, culture and tradition. Regarded as the most sacred temple of Hindu Lord Shiva in the world, Pashupatinath temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as the temple of living beings. The Pashupatinath Temple is the pride of Kathmandu.Changu Narayan TempleThe oldest temple in Kathmandu valley, Changu Narayan was built in 4th century. The temple is decorated by some of the best samples of stone, wood, and metal craft in the valley. The temple possess a Vishnu image with ten heads and ten arms that is a fine example of stone carving from the 5th century. The temple stands as a representative of culture, religion, history and faith.Kumari Ghar (Temple of Kumari)The temple or the residence of Living Goddess, Kumari, is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has beautifully carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari- the living Goddess acknowledges the greetings from her balcony window. Narayanhity DurbarIt was the Royal Palace of the Late King, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev of Nepal. The Shah kings moved to this palace from their old palace in the late 18th century. The new edifice was inaugurated in 1970 on the occasion of the wedding of His Majesty king Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev. The palace takes its name from the Narayanhiti, a famous historic waterspout situated at the southern corner of the Palace. The Palace compound is immense, surrounded by high walls and guarded by soldiers. Singha DurbarA grand imposing palace built on the neo-classical style. It was the private residence of Rana Prime Minister. Now it's the Secretariat of His Majesty's Government of Nepal.Machchhendrananth TempleThe temple of Sweta Machchhendra Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan. It is a Pagoda of considerable artistic beauty is also called as "Janmadyo" or "Machchhendra" deity.DakshinkaliThe temple of Dakshinkali is situated about two kilometers south of Shekha Narayan. Dakshinkali is regarded as one of the most important Hindu Goddesses. Pilgrims visit this temple to offer their prayer and animal sacrifices to the goddess. Besides, this place has been developed as a popular picnic spotArt And Culture Kathmandu is the cultural focal point of Nepal. Being the meeting point of major ethic groups and foreign nationalities, the city has a diverse and rich culture. The unique intermingling of traditional ethnic groups is a characteristic feature of Kathmandu. The popular art museums in Kathmandu are:National Museum Two and half kilometers west of Kathmandu, the National Museum has splendid collection of weapons, artifacts from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal. Its archaeological, historical and other heritage displays are worth seeing. Natural History Museum Situated 3-kms west of Kathmandu City behind the famous Swayambhunath hillock, this museum has a unique collection of butterflies, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants and a variety of fossils collected from within the country. Festivals In Kathmandu Although each day at Kathmandu Nepal is festive, joyous and ecstatic, there are certain days that are celebrated in high spirits throughout the capital. One doesn't have to be religious to enjoy these festivals as the people of Nepal, particularly Kathmandu are tolerant and open to other religions and stream of faith.Kathmandu's cycle of festivals is rooted in history, mythology and religion. Most festivals honor and propitiate the Valley's multitude of gods, control malicious spirits and celebrate mythological victories over evil. Some mark seasonal changes, celebrating the coming rains or the completed harvest. Others honor kinship ties. Many are socially approved opportunities to "let off steam" and have fun. Above all, a festival is a social occasion, and an affirmation of the Valley's ancient and strong bonds of religion and culture.
Kathmandu to Ankara, Turkey

10/6

8:10 am Depart Kathmandu (KTM)Arrive Ankara (ESB) 9:05 pm
Tue 6-OctDuration: 15hr 37mn
Royal Nepal Airlines 205
Emirates 511 / 121
Turkish Airlines 148
Connect in Delhi (DEL), Dubai (Dubai Intl.), Istanbul (Ataturk Intl.)

Arrive in Ankara

Where to stay: Ideally located on the most fashionable and lively Tunali Hilmi street in Ankara city centre, Gordion Hotel offers an elegant and deluxe setting you can appreciate by Turkish and Italian marbles, beautiful examples of Turkish woodwork, exclusive fabrics, silver

decorations and original antique engravings from 17th, 18th, 19th centuries.This welcoming and warm hotel in Ankara-Turkey, is the best choice both for business travellers, in search of deluxe accommodations and state-of-the-art meeting facilities, and tourists thanks to its excellent central location and outstanding facilities such as the health centre equipped with indoor swimming ppol, sauna and steam bath.Gordion Hotel facilities include also a free wireless Internet access, an excellent restaurant and a welcoming and smiling staff at your disposal for information and advises on the Turkey's capital and its surroundings.
Museum of Anatolian CivilisationThere is a strong argument in favour of visiting this collection of exhibits before traveling anywhere else in Turkey. If you find yourself in Ankara and you're in any way interested in the history of Asia Minor you should make your way here. The museum is housed in a charming building, a restored covered market dating from the 15th Century and is easily accessible from the centre of town. On foot you should get yourself to Ulus Meydane, easily identifiable by the large Ataturk equestrian statue on the corner. Turning right onto Hisarparki Caddesi you'll see the citadel rising up ahead of you. Turn right again when you reach Ipek Sokak and as you approach you'll see the tour buses lined up outside the museum gates above you and to your left.The collections place an unusual emphasis on the earlier of Anatolia's occupiers, starting with an interesting exhibit of finds from the Catal Huyuk site, often described as the earliest known human community in the world. Other highlights include a collection of tablets, the translations of which remind you how little some things in the world have changed over the millenia.
Open every day except Monday (8:45 - 5:15)
Museum of Ethnography
Between Ulus Meydani and the Sihhiye bridge you'll find the Museum of Ethnography perched above the busy highway in an attractive. It is one of the better of such museums in Turkey and the collection's highlights include the circumcision room, some nice woodwork and fine calligraphy.

Open everyday except Monday (8:30 - 12:30, 1:30 - 5:30)

Old Turkish House Museum

The Ankara citadel is a jumble of tiny streets and ramshackle houses and was the heart of many of Ankara's previous incarnations. One of these houses has been restored and opened as a museum and you'll find it just inside the Parmak Kapisi, the gate that you come to if you approach the citadel from Samanpazari.
Railway Museum
Part of the main railway station, the Railway Museum (Demiryollari - Iron Roads) will be of interest to those of you who like trains. You'll probably have to rustle up somebody with a key but as long as your within the museums stated opening hours (9-12, 1-5) this shouldn't be a problem.

Old Locomotive Museum

This one is a little more fun. It's basically a car park like area with scruffy looking trains scattered about, good for kids and anyone who likes old steam. Take a taxi to Achuk Hava Buharlu Lokomotif Muzesi from the Sihhiye bridge area.

Republic Museum

Really only of interest to those studying the birth of the Turkish Republic, this building, close to Ulus Meydani, was once the headquarters of the National Assembly. The exhibits document the early history of the republic's parliament, if you don't read Turkish you'll be restricted to looking at the photographs and sampling the atmosphere of the place.

War of Salvation Museum

This building was the first home of the National Assembly, before it's move to the now Republic Museum. The events and faces of the War of Independence are portrayed here, again, with captions only in Turkish. It's hard to avoid the feeling that something important happened here.
Museum of Painting and Sculpture

A major collection of modern Turkish painting, which may or may not be to your taste. The museum features the work of Osman Handi, Hikmet Onat, Turgut Zaim and Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu amongst others. Right next door to the Ethnography Museum. Similar opening hours and free admission.
Presidential Mansion
Set within landscaped parkland, Ataturk's one time country retreat is now well within the bounds of the present day city. Not many visitors (or even residents) make it here but you might enjoy the 1930's flavour of the place. Located at the southern end of Ataturk Bulvari, you'll have to ask one of the guards for the Cankaya Koshku and swap your passport for an ID badge. Only open on Sunday afternoons (1:30 - 5:30) and holidays (12:30 - 5:30).
Anit Kabir

Almost a decade in the building, Ataturk's Mausoleum really should be on the itinerary of any visitor to the country's capital. Visible from most highpoints within the city, the mausoleum grounds house a memorabilia museum and the sarcophagus of Ismet Inonu, a major figure in the Republic's history. The tomb itself is an impressive piece of work. Check it out yourself and don't forget to buy a certificate proving that you were there.From Kizilay, head west along Gazi Mustafa Kemal Bulvari, then a left onto Maltepe Sokak. This will bring you to Genclik Caddesi where you should turn right. A left into Akdeniz Caddesi will bring you the rear entrance to the park. Head around to the front to get in with the minimum of hassle (although you'd probably take a taxi if you wanted to avoid hassle).Open 9:00 - 12:30 and 1:30 to 5:00 or 4:00 (seasonal). Admission free.

Ankara to Tehran, Iran

October 10/ 16

Turkish Airlines
Flight 151 / 1276
9:00pm
Ankara, Turkey (ESB)
3:10am - Sat, Oct 17
Next day arrivalTehran, Iran (IKA)
5hrs 40min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Istanbul, Turkey (IST)

Flight #151 on-time: 24 %
$484per person
Select

1-LALEH HOTEL

Rooms: 100%
Location: 100%
Quality of Food : 90%
Presentation: 90%
Decoration: 100%
Quality of Service: 100%

RATES:
Single: $130
Double: $145
Suite: $254
Royal suite:&717
Extra bed: $25
Address :Dr. Fatemi Ave, Tehran , Iran

Visit the Ali-Sadr

The world's largest water cave, Iran's Ali-Sadr, is a unique natural phenomenon, which attracts millions of visitors every year.The Ali-Sadr cave, which is located 75km to the northeast of the city of Hamedan, lies in the Subashi Mountains of Kaboudar-Ahang.Upon entering, visitors see a vast area that leads them through a wide path onto a wharf where they must take a boat to continue their tour.Visitors then move through a number of labyrinthine halls, ending in the 'Island', which is located 350 meters from the wharf.More than 11 kilometers of the cave's water canals have been discovered so far. Some routes are 10 to 11 kilometers long and all lead to the 'Island'.Icicle-shaped lime decorates the ceiling of the magnificent cave in some parts.The steady dripping of mineral-containing water has created beautiful red, purple, brown, green and blue lime pillars in the shape of cauliflowers, needles and umbrellas.Excavations and archeological studies of the cave have led to the discovery of ancient artworks, jugs and pitchers dating back to 12000 years ago.The animals, hunting scenes and bows and arrows depicted on the walls and passages of the exit section, suggest primitive man used the cave as their abode.The 70 million-year old cave which was first discovered by Iranian mountaineers in 1963, is visited by some 80,000 tourists annually.Hamedan Province, which was once one of the centers of the Persian civilization, is located in the mountainous part of western Iran. -- PressTV
10/17

Kataleh Khor Cave, one of the most beautiful in the world, is located 165 km southwest of Zanjan. The entrance to the cave is situated on the southern slopes of the 2,000-meter high Saghizloo Mountain. The cave has flat walls with high ceiling and archeologists estimate the age of the cave at 30 million years. The entrance to Kataleh Khor resembles a crevice at the beginning and culminates in a triangular arch. Archeologists have made the entrance bigger and it currently stands at 1.5 meter high. The first labyrinth is 400 meters from the entrance of the cave. It is expansive and has a high ceiling. After the labyrinth, the gallery, channels and passages have taken shape gradually becoming larger or smaller. The area of the labyrinth is 200-300 square meters. Chains of galleries are separated from each other. Some of them are open ended while others have narrow strip linking to other passages or labyrinths. Some of the strips have yet not been paved while others remain undiscovered. The floor of the labyrinths and channels are uneven and have formed through the ages with the dissolution of stones and shaping of new waterways. Sometimes the waterways are deep and wide in the labyrinths and passages and there are crystallized stalactites which are beautiful and have taken shape from top to the bottom. They are spectacular. Those who have been through the cave say that the visibility inside the cave extends to 700 meters. Some potteries dating back to 2000 BC have been found in the cave. The second type of potteries obtained from the cave is reddish to brown in color. They can be compared with those belonging to the third century AD. The third type of potteries obtained from the cave is modern and are of no historical value. At the end of one of channels of the first floor, there is a skeleton of four-legged animal which has turned into "Calcite" in the form of monster. In 1951, a veteran mountaineer from Zanjan, Asadollah Jamali discovered the mysterious cave and a team visited it the following year. Since 1993, structure have been constructed in the vicinity of the cave to host visitors. Special lights and projectors have been installed to help visitors to get a glimpse of the unknown world inside the cave.
10/18

In the east of Tehran, where you are on the Tehran-Firouzkouh road, after passing Damavand, you arrive to a bifurcation that is named "Seyed-Abad". From here, one road goes to Firouzkouh and another one after 6 km reaches Kalak Village. After passing this rural road, and traveling 11 km from Kalak, there stands a sign showing the direction toward Roodafshan Village. This is a graveled road between the river-bed and mountain. Finally after going 26 km from the Seid-Abad cross-section, you arrive at Roodafshan Village. GPS position: 35.6166667 ( latitude ), 52.483333 ( longitude ) Geographical Specifications The cave stands in the 50 km from S-E of township of Damavand, near the Roodafshan Village in a mountainous region. The distance between Roodafshan Village and the cave is about 1000 m. For climbing, it is important to have proper clothes and special equipment. First of all, you must go across a bridge and then upward in a serpentine road. The entrance of the cave is elliptic with a 40 m width and 12 m height, and from this perspective, it has the biggest natural entrance and it is very attractive to the all tourists and cavers. After passing this big entrance with a sloped surface and stony and rocky way, you reach to the second entrance, which is rather smaller than the first. Here, again the ground and the floor of the cave are smooth and a large portion of it receives light from the first entrance. How a Cave Is Formed? About 35,000 years ago, due to the Damavand's volcanic activities, the entrance of the cave that was hidden behind a big and huge rock, was cracked and little by little, it propagated. At the right hand-side of the cave, there is a strong wall, and at the left of it, there is another deep split. According to the opinion of archeologists the skeleton discovered here belonged to the Achaemenian or the Sassanid period.
Entrance of the Ghar-e Roodafshan
The cave has plentiful of stalactites and stalagmites. Although the cave is wet, you can’t see any running water. The depth of the cave is 700 or 800 m. At the end, there is an elevated passage to a small room. By using a ladder, we can climb into the small room. This room leads to the other sections of the cave through a narrow hallway. In this part of cave, the water is stagnant on some parts, but water current could be detected underneath. The average temperature inside the cave is 6 degrees centigrade and the length of the main road is about 550 m. The distance between two halls is 20 m. For the tourists it is better to go with a guide and have sufficient means of caving.

Cairo

10/20-27

Thanks to the luxurious ambience of the Steigenberger Nile Place you enjoy a feeling of wellbeing right from the start. Choose your accommodation from 304 rooms, thereof 29 superior rooms, 2 diplomat suites, 16 junior suites and 1 Presidential Suite.

A lavish domicile in classical style: on an area of 98 m² you enjoy views over the Nile, a king size bed, a separate lounge, separate seating, two television sets, minibar, individually adjustable air conditioning, digital safe, SAT TV, IDD cable-free telephone with three lines and personal voicemail, two bathrooms, slippers, hairdryer, ample storage space and a sweeping private terrace.

Day 1

Pick up from your hotel in Luxor or the airport/train station and transfer to your Nile cruise vessel. Enjoy an unforgettable day of sightseeing when you discover the East & West Bank of Luxor. We begin firstly with the East Bank to visit the Luxor Temple built by Amenophis III and the Karnak Temple. We then cross to the West Bank to explore the Necropolis of Thebes, Valley of the Kings, temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Stay overnight in Luxor. All meals are included whilst on board cruiser.

Day 2

Luxor - Esna - EdfuToday we make sail to Esna & cross the lock. Lunch on board. Sail to Edfu & overnight

Day 3

Edfu - Kom Ombo This morning our visits begins firstly with a visit to the Temple of Horus, a beautiful Egyptian temple distinguished by its huge splendid structure that blends Pharaonic and Greek architecture. Enjoy lunch on board whilst sailing to Kom Ombo. Overnight in Kom Ombo.

Day 4

Kom Ombo - AswanThis morning we set off to explore the temple shared by the two Gods, Sobek and Haroeris. We continue sailing through to Aswan. Upon our arrival in Aswan we tour the Philae Temple, dedicated to Goddess Isis and enjoy a felucca boat ride around Elephantine Island and the botanical gardens. Overnight in Aswan.

Day 5

AswanTake the opportunity today to visit one of the most intriguing monuments in Egypt. An optional excursion to Abu Simbel (by plane 260 USD per person, by bus 125 USD per person) will take you to possibly the most astounding peice of Pharoanic Egyptian architecture, 180km south of Aswan on the shores of Lake Nasser. Overnight on board in Aswan.

Day 6

Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - EsnaToday we being our return sail to Luxor via Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna. Overnight in Esna.

Day 7

Esna - LuxorWe arrive in Luxor. Take the optional excursion for the opportunity to visit the Luxor Museum (50 USD per person). Overnight on board in Luxor.

Day 8

LuxorAfter breakfast you will disembark from your Nile cruiser. Transfer to your hotel or to the airport in Luxor. End of our services.

Nov. 2 and 3

Niamey Niger
Modern Six-story Hotel located in business district flanking the Niger River, opposite Palais des Congres & National Museum.

Niamey, Niger (Petit and Grande Marche)

There are two main markets in Niamey, the Petit and Grande (big and little), but each has its special charms. The Grande Marche sells a lot of Western clothing and a lot of fabric for making func suits, boubous, comples, and pangnes. You can bargain for some great deals and have clothing custom made in Niger, if you've got the time. These were really the best souvenirs I could have purchased. (Pagne-spotting is great for passing the time. Think 'slugbug,' but with severed finger pagne, alka-seltzer pagne, spraypaint pagne, etc.) There are also loads of scarves for purchase, the kind that Nigerien women use to cover their heads. You can also buy all sorts of traditional Nigerien household items (loads of platic buckets and quanos... metal pots), if you really want them. The Petit Marche seemed less 'touristy', to the extent that anything in Niger is really all that touristy (which is not at all). It's smellier, darker, dirtier and much more atmospheric. I don't mean this in a bad way! There's more food here, so buy away if you're looking for butchered meat that's been sitting outside with flys on it all day! Or, just be prepared to hold your breath. You can also get all sorts of produce and seasoning herbs, as well as the ever-present Maggi cubes. Both markets are really fun to explore!
Morgen, Hannah, and I spent the second and third of November exploring the Petit and Grande Marche, which we all found interesting, and not just because everything is cheaper here. Enclosed is a small excerpt from Hannah’s log, in review of the Petit Marche and the next few days, in which we saw giraffes and the Musee Nationale du Niger.

“This place is wild!! I went here looking for clothes as my baggage was delayed. The smells and sights are overwhelming (especially near lunchtime - very stinky carcasses of animals in the heat), but there are bargains to be had. I got a boubou (skirt, shirt, and head wrap - traditional) for about $14US (10,000cfa) which is a deal by any measure.
If you are not African, be prepared for the ever-present 'Un Cadeau??' children looking for handouts (gifts). If you stop to look at a stall, you will likely not be able to leave without a purchase of some sort - unless you're willing to push the stallkeeper out of your way.
There are also stalls that sell fabric. I got about 12metres for approximately $24US - not a bad price at all - and it is a good quality wax print.
You can also pick up the mandatory souvenir items - might I suggest bronze animals (camels, giraffes, lions), leather items (boxes-$10US, mirrors-$4US, key chains-3 for $2US) and music cassettes ($2US each). The deals are out there!!
And remember, although it may seem like too little money for the same item you would purchase at home - the vendor would not sell it to you if he wasn't making some money on it.”

11/4

"We drove on partly paved, partly dirt road for 45 minutes. You know you are coming close to the giraffe location because people try to flag you down. Don't stop!!
There are road tolls to leave Niamey and get back in -- there are fees for enter the giraffe area, to hire a guide (mandatory), and to use a camera in the park -- and don't forget to tip your guide!!
The best times to see the giraffes are early in the morning, or just before sunset (we were told) - we arrived close to 4:30pm, hired a guide, and started driving through the fields. Every once in a while, the guide would say something in Hausa to our driver, who would stop and allow the guide to climb a tree or tower to try to find the giraffes.
We drove in search of the giraffes for 50 minutes and were just about to give up, when our guide saw someone in the field, herding his cattle home for the night. Apparently, giraffes had been seen in the not too far off.
We drive in the direction suggested until we see another herder, who points us back in the direction we came from -- we drove right by the spotted wonders!!
We were very sceptical by the time we got our first glimpse of these wonderful creatures!! It was heart-stopping. 5 giraffe in a field, eating papaya from the ground, just minding their own business!!
Since we were in Niger to film a documentary, the cameraman needed to be looked after before we could stand in awe and stare at them. Luckily, they were not spooked by us and stuck around for about 1/2 hour.
We slowly walked up to the herd. I focussed on one giraffe, who I fondly refer to as Millie (it could have been a Milton, for all I know). Millie would watch me watching her. She would fake going down for another papaya, only to stop half way to the ground and look at me - she was trying to figure out if I was going to do something she didn't want to be part of.
Anyway, I stood and looked at Millie, inching along every few minutes, taking photos, and not believing I could be so lucky to see what I was seeing -- the last herd of this breed of giraffe in the world.
When dark came, we were forced to leave, as there are no street lights, or marked roads in the bush.
This is a once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed.

Prices in October 2000: Road Tolls from Niamey: 3000cfa (each direction) Guide Fee for Park: 9000cfa for a car with 5 occupants Still Camera fee: 1000cfa per camera Professional Camera fee: $150US - we did not have to pay this, but just so you know, they really tried to charge this T-Shirts that fall apart after 1 washing: 2500cfa (don't bother with these)”

11/5

“This is not a museum in the traditional sense of the word - the artwork is being made by artisans while you watch & is available for purchase - there aren't pretty paintings on the walls (most of the museum is outdoors) - and you are bothered continuously to purchase a picture frame or bracelet while on your tour.This is a living museum - people actually live in houses (grass huts) on the museum property - and you watch them live!!There is the housing area - various types of housing including grass huts, mud housesThe artisan village - everything from brass camels to wooden masks to wedding rings can be purchased in the artisan village - and you can watch it being made - many of the artisans have spent some time in Canada, courtesy of University of Montreal & the very popular Polytechnique program (not to mention bursaries handed out by the Niger government in cooperation with the Canadian government), so if you know Montreal, you'll make many a buddy here.There's the zoo - native Niger animals (lions, hippos, monkeys) are on display in too small enclosures - if you have a good guide, they will bother the hippo so he'll open his mouth, or spray down the lions so you can see the babies). There's the historical displays on the uranium mines and dinosaur.But the hardest section to free yourself from is the front gate - you will be followed by at least 3 vendors who constantly beg you to purchase one of their wares - this becomes very annoying after 45 minutes - I broke down and yelled at an English speaking guide - IF I WANTED THE PICTURE FRAME I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT LEAVE ME ALONE!! Of course it was 50 degrees Celsius that day at it was tiring walking through the museum (especially when we could see the hotel that I longed to go to for a cooling swim)”

11/6

Rabat, morocco

Where to stay: Close to the city center, Mohamed V Museum and Hassan tower, this 5-star hotel is well known for the quality of its service and the high level of comfort. Label of excellence, Golden Tulip Farah Rabat is a space where luxury spread for an extreme comfort. Each detail is the subject of a detailed attention with aim of answering to all your needs. The 193 air-conditioned guest rooms are decorated in soft muted colours and include mini bars, satellite TV and have a view of the pool or river. You will appreciate the fitness club which includes an outdoor rooftop swimming pool, sauna, gym and massage rooms. Overlooking the river Bouregreg, the Golden Tulip Farah is ideally located to discover Rabat.
Golden Tulip Farah Rabat in Rabat has 193 rooms.

Please don’t tell Morgen, but I stole the next few pages for my log out of hers. If she were to find out, she would kill me, but this was the best way I could think of to show her view on the matter. So here it is.

Kasbah des Oudaias

“This is the old, vehicle-less part of town where the stone steps in the alleys are curved in the centre because of the thousands of footsteps trod on them over time. These alleys wend their way among the whitewashed houses with blue trim, with red geraniums, and crimson bougainvillea providing a colour contrast. Watch out for the Galerie d'Art Nouiga and its regularly changing exhibition while close by is a look out over the Bouregreg River and Sale on the other side. For a respite from the mad traffic, visit the Andulusian Gardens, a real oasis where plants thrive while surrounded by four thick earthen walls.”

11/7

“Today I visited the pottery shop, Terres des femmes (Women of the Earth) at Sale, just across the river from Rabat.This pottery shop sells traditional pottery, hand-made by village women in northern Morocco who have been encouraged to produce traditional pottery by a volunteer group behind the project. These same volunteers not only run the shop, but also drive to these often remote villages to collect the pottery.Using the available soil, the pottery has a natural feel and is usually decorated in brown and black geometric designs. Completely natural, these dyes come from ground up leaves and rocks and are painted onto the pots with a donkey hair that acts as a paint brush.Most of the pottery is sturdy and very cheap. Some needs to be treated before it can be used for the cooking of food, while some other pottery is simply decorative.Not only has this project aided in the survival of a traditional craft, but has also provided the women with money and independence. Even the young boys have started to get in on the act, making pottery animals to be sold. While some of the girls who don't want to make pots because it makes their hands large and ugly, are instead doing embroidery, which is also sold at the shop. The shop can be found on the Rabat side of the Sale Pottery Complex.

11/8

Anyway, Tour Hassan, or Tower of Hassan, is the 44-metre high uncompleted mosque minaret which begun in the late 1100s. Even though it is nearly 20 metres short of the desired height, the details of its intricate carving can still be clearly seen today, 800 years later. Good views over the Rabat medina and kasbah, the BouRegreg river, and the more traditional town of Sale, can be seen from the nearby viewpoints. The large courtyard in front of the minaret is dotted by the remains of the pillars from the unfinished mosque that was destroyed in 1755 by the earthquake that also destroyed Lisbon. Although home to pigeons today, the earthen walls still circle the complex, but are starting to show signs of wear and tear in places.At the opposite end of the courtyard to the minaret is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, in which the present king's father, Hassan II and grandfather, Mohammed V are buried. Located in one of the highest points in Rabat, the mausoleum is an example of exquisite craftsmanship both inside and out. Inside the walls are covered in geometric tiled mosaics (zellij) made of individual tiny tiles that fit together perfectly, intricately carved wood and more than a splash of gold. It is an awe-inspiring place in which one can't help but feel reverence. Surrounding it are more examples of the craftsmanship such as carved wooden doors and zellij fountains. Entry is free and don't forget your camera. To get there, just ask any taxi to take you to Tour Hassan.”

11/9

“In the madhouse that is sometimes Rabat, the Chellah provides a peaceful oasis, a quiet escape. Once an ancient Roman city, today it is a series of crumbling ruins, although the surrounding earthen walls are relatively intact. In between the rambling gardens and blocks of stone from Roman columns and buildings, are the remains of an Islamic complex - minaret from the mosque, tombs and some zellij (tiled mosaics). See students who come to study, couples who visit for a quiet chat, or families who come to see the eels, or women who come to feed them. The complex is also home to many storks who clacking beaks sometimes disturb the quiet as they sit atop nest on any high point. Watch out for the many cats that also call the Chellah home.Entry is 10 dirham and the Chellah is open from 9am to 5.30pm. Guides are available at the entrance for an extra fee (bargain hard).

11/10

“About a kilometer east of the central Rabat Ville train station, the grandiose ruins of the Hassan Mosque contrast with the equally grandiose completeness of the adjacent Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The largest and most significant element of the Hassan Mosque is the minaret tower, which was begun by Almohad sultan Yacoub al-Mansour in 1195. It is about 50 meters in height, and probably would have reached a monumental height between 60 to 80 meters upon its completion. The Hassan Mosque minaret has comparable and contemporary "twins" in Marrakech (Koutobia) and in Sevilla, Spain (Giralda). Each of the reddish brown facades has a slightly different pattern of decorative brickwork.
The minaret was atypically positioned in the center of the mosque complex (it is usually at the northern corner of the rear of a typical mosque). The original grand scale would have made the Hassan Mosque the second largest mosque in the world (behind one in Smarra, Iraq). Alas, the pace of construction on the mosque slowed considerably after the death of Yacoub al-Mansour in 1199. The hall and central columns of the mosque were eventually ruined because of the catastrophic earthquake in 1755 (which was centered in and destroyed Lisbon). Today, stubby column bases, some of which are merely reconstructions of the originals that had supported the hall, mark the body of the original mosque. Still, the field of columns leaves quite an impression of how large the mosque was in its heyday.
To the south of the minaret is a sunken plaza with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marked with a blank tombstone. We tried to descend for a closer look, but we were not permitted to do so by an ordinarily dressed guard.
You will probably run into a few locals selling jewelry or tour guide services, but you can shed them easily if you wish. The area is typically open to visitors from sunrise to sunset.”

11/11

“While the ruins of the Hassan Mosque are "old school", the appropriately gaudy Mausoleum of Mohammed V is "new school". The construction of the mausoleum was started after the death of King Mohammed V in 1961. He is revered as the person most responsible for the establishment of Morocco as an independent kingdom. Mohammed V was laid to rest here upon the building's completion in 1967. His two sons, King Hassan II (the father of the current king, Mohammed VI) and Moulay Abdellah, are also interred here.
Vo Toan, a Vietnamese architect, was credited with the design of the Mausoleum. Standing royal guards outfitted in textured red uniforms ring the inner pavilion, while tandems of guards mounted on horses flank the outer walls surrounding the complex. Climb the stairs and walk inside the royal pavilion, with a viewing platform that overlooks and encircles the three tombs below. Naturally, the white marble sarcophagus of Mohammed V is centrally placed and is more prominent than the two smaller tombs flanking it. An official-looking man was sitting next to the tomb with a large copy of the Koran. I was expecting him to read aloud, but he read silently to himself. If you look above and around the pavilion within, you will see fine interiors with ornate tiled walls, gold trim, swirling patterns, and a few star-like lights in the ceiling. The crenellated exterior of the pavilion features richly carved white marble walls, beautiful sliding entry doors and richly coffered ceilings. The star of Morocco, also depicted on the national flag, caps the top of the green pyramidal roof.
The Mosque, entered a few steps below the Mausoleum, is roofed with traditional green tiles. Unlike the Mausoleum, entrance to the Mosque is reserved for Muslims only. On the gray and rainy afternoon of our visit, steady streams of worshippers wander in and out of the mosque. Both the Mosque and the Mausoleum have a traditional look to them, with a grand scale that is neither too sternly overwhelming nor Disneyesque. There is no cost to visit the Mausoleum, and it is expected that visitors dress fairly conservatively. The complex is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset.”

Thank you Morgen, for that great insight on Morocco…if you find out that is…J

11/12

Morocco to Madrid, Spain

Over the next few days we’re going to be on a cruise, so I won’t be reporting in much so, I’ll just read you the brochure so you can see what it’s like.

“Head on out of Madrid and spend four days exploring Andalucia's most popular cities: Seville, Cordoba and Granada. You'll visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Alhambra and discover the rich history of this beautiful Spanish region.
Departing Madrid, you'll travel through the legendary country of Don Quixote to reach Cordoba. Your city tour of Cordoba's mosque/cathedral and Jewish quarter will reveal a beautiful network of streets, alleys, squares and whitewashed courtyards, reflecting the importance of the city in the medieval period.Next, it's on to Seville to take a tour of the beautiful city's many highlights, including the cathedral, gardens and Santa Cruz quarter. Built on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, lively Seville has a rich Arab legacy and colorful local districts such as Triana and La Macarena.After some free time in Seville, your tour continues to Granada to see the amazing Arab architecture of the Alhambra, last stronghold of the Moorish kingdoms until 1492 and one of Andalucia's special highlights.Your tour also includes a visit to the World Heritage city of Toledo before returning to Madrid. You'll discover a glorious city filled with amazing medieval architecture, and take a walk into the past along its cobblestone alleyways.”
Cool, huh? Well, I’ve got to go; apparently, Morgen wants to go out to eat tonight, at 10:00 PM. Can’t she call in room service…?

11/17

Madrid to Paris, France

Lufthansa
Flight 1801 / 1772
9:35am
Madrid, Spain (MAD)
2:10pm
Paris, France (CDG)
4hrs 35min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Milan Malpensa, Italy (MXP)

Flight #1801 on-time: 91 %
$134per person

Book your stay atFour Seasons George V Paris
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Steps from couture: Embody Parisian chic as you dine on a terrace with Eiffel Tower views.
Finest spa: Awake your inner royalty with a Stroll to Versailles therapy. Enrobe yourself in chocolate. Feel Four Seasons transcendence.
Pool oasis: De-stress in the whirlpool. Dip in the pool, wrapped in trompe l'oeil gardens.
Starred dining: Marvel at the cuisine in Le Cinq. People-watch in the garden courtyard or amongst the Flemish tapestries in La Galerie.
11/18

“Enjoy a night out in Paris and combine dinner at the Eiffel Tower and a Seine River cruise with an exotic show at the Moulin Rouge. You'll enjoy dinner at the Eiffel Tower's 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant followed by a one-hour river cruise on the Seine. Complete your night at the home of the Cancan, the famous Moulin Rouge in bohemian Montmartre.
The specially designed, airship-style 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant is on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. The "tourist style" restaurant is 95 meters (311 feet) above ground level, with scenic views over the Seine to the Trocadero from its large picture windows.
After dinner, take a one-hour evening cruise on the Seine River and tour Paris' floodlit monuments at night before arriving in the heart of Paris' nightlife, Montmartre, and the Moulin Rouge! You'll experience the Moulin Rouge's new "Feerie" review and the essence of Parisian cabaret. A troupe of 100 artists, including 60 legendary Doriss dancers, will entertain you dressed in exotic costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins. The sumptuous sets and vibrant light show of "Feerie" provide a colorful backdrop for brilliantly choreographed performances on moving staircases, in a gigantic aquarium, on swings and in garden settings.”
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Well Hannah, Morgen, and I got to do just that, although the dinner conversation made me want to puke, and the cruise’s peacefulness was ruined by their loud and annoying jokes. Oh well, if I invited them, I should have expected this.

11/19

Discover the joy of unlimited sightseeing with the Paris Pass, which gives you free entry to the best attractions Paris has to offer. Save time as you skip the queues with fast track entry at many attractions, including the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay, and take advantage of special offers at various Paris restaurants and shops.
Save time as you skip the long queues, and save money with free entry to over 60 Paris sights and attractions. With your Paris Pass, there is no need to use cash, simply show your pass for fast entry. Choose from a two, four or six day pass.
With The Paris Pass you will receive:
A free map of Paris
Free entry to over 60 sights and attractions (see 'View Map' below for full list)
Additional special offers and benefits at selected restaurants and shops
Free use of public transport within Paris Zones 1 - 3 (Metro and public buses) for the validity of your pass
Skip the queues with fast-track entry at many of the major sights, including the Louvre, Pantheon, Arc de Triomphe, Musee d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou and many more!

11/20

Discover Paris at your leisure with a two-day ticket on the Paris City Hop-on Hop-off Tour. Create your own itinerary as you see the most popular sights of Paris, keeping to your own personal timetable and not others!
Get a bird's eye view of the cobbled streets of the Left Bank and the Napoleonic splendor of the Ecole Militaire. See the Eiffel Tower, Paris' most famous landmark. Stop off at the Arc de Triomphe and walk down the stylish Champs-Elysees. Become acquainted with some of the world's most famous artworks at the Louvre including the mysterious Mona Lisa.The Paris City Hop-on Hop-off Tour is the easiest way to get around town. you can hop-on and hop-off at any of the nine stops as often as you like over a two day period. The open-top double-decker bus provides fantastic views from the top floor. Buses depart every 10 minutes in summer and every 20 minutes in winter, every day of the year. Recorded commentary is available onboard in French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Chinese. You will receive headphones for the commentary the first time you use your ticket.

11/21

Paris to Rome, Italy

3:15pm
Paris, France (ORY)
5:10pm
Rome, Italy (FCO)
1hr 55min - Nonstop
Flight #5720 on-time: No data available
$75per person

Radisson SAS Hotel Rome
Hotel with rooftop pool in central Rome
Star Rating
Book online or call 1-800-551-2409
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Close to station
Located in the heart of downtown Rome, and adjacent to Termini Train Station, this hotel is within minutes of Fiumicino Airport, and four stops from the Spanish steps on the underground. See this hotel on a map
Pool and health spa
Radisson SAS Hotel Rome has a top-floor health and beauty spa which offers massage and body treatments, a wellness center with a seasonal rooftop swimming pool, and a poolside bar popular with the locals for its apertifs and sophisticated ambiance.
Complimentary Wi-Fi
One wall in most of the 235 guestrooms is completely glazed and fitted with remote-control blinds; tubs or showers are installed directly behind the beds; all rooms provide complimentary wireless Internet access.

11/22

Castel St. Angelo. Two thousand years of Roman history are contained in this fortress/castle, originally the tomb of the Emperor Hadrian. The circular corridor inside and the 360 degree view of the city are pleasantly disorienting. Admission fee. Lungotevere Castello.

11/23

The Pantheon. The most intact building from antiquity in the world, an architectural wonder set right on the heart of the centro storico, the historical center. Try to go in when it's raining -- you'll be amazed. Piazza della Rotonda.

11/24

The Vatican -- St. Peter's Basilica and the Museums. Visit the Sistine Chapel, the Michelangelo masterpiece that many consider to be the greatest work of art ever created. Feast your eyes in the map room, the Raphael rooms, the Nicolina chapel, and Bernini's altar in the Basilica. Museum: admission fee, Viale Vaticano; Basilica: Piazza San Pietro.

11/25

Palatine Hill. An irresistibly tranquil setting. Not only are you at the very source of the Eternal City, walking on the same ground as Romulus walked, you feel -- amid the grass, trees, gardens, open spaces, views, and incomparable ruins -- as if you were in the open country. Admission fee. Via di San Gregorio.

11/26

Church of San Clemente. Step back into the many layers of Roman history -- the first evidence of the Italian language, an altar of the secret cult of Mithras, an actual ancient alley of the city. Via San Giovanni in Laterano.

11/27-30
Rome to Venice
Austrian Airlines
Flight 506 / Flight 529 operated by Tyrolean Airways
10:25am
Rome, Italy (FCO)
6:55pm
Venice, Italy (VCE)
8hrs 30min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Vienna, Austria (VIE)

Flight #506 on-time: 80 %
$580per person
1 seat left
at this price

Luxury Hotels Venice
Searching for an unforgettable stay? Select one of our Luxury hotels Venice and grant yourself a memorable experience. Whether you are looking for a classic hotel or a modern and full-equipped property, we offer you the possibility to choose among the most renowned and prestigious 5 star hotels in Venice. All our properties all located in the historical centre of the city and offer every kind of facilities to their customers. Historic palaces, elegant buildings, residences unique for their artistic value and boutique hotels in Venice will make your stay in this magic city a prefect one.

In this city, even the ambulances are waterborne. The addresses are numbered in an erratic fashion - to put it diplomatically - and often times the city appears to be nothing more than a confluence of boats and gondolas lugging confused looking visitors to parts unknown. Many Venetians have fled the city, looking for a break from tourists and the city's overwhelming prices. The history of Venice Italy is unclear. The city was first formed by refugees escaping from barbarian hordes, weary evacuees who gave up their land for the possibility of freedom upon the nearby islands deemed uninhabitable by many at the time. Like their ancestors, the Venetians are running again.
Every year, the city's water levels rise. The muggy summer air cooks the canals and scrapes the paint and enamel from the city's finest pieces of art. Faithful to its origins, everything in Venice seems to be in peril. This has - logically - spiked tourism in Venice, which for years has been the sole means of support for the historic city, so at least you can rest assured that the high prices you"ll encounter will be funneled into programs to renovate the city. Because, despite its continual decay and a layout so confounding it makes your eyes spasm, the city is still one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
Tourism in Venice reaches its peak during Carnavale, the annual celebration before lent, where millions of visitors come from around the globe to take part in festivities. Other attractions include St. Mark's Basilica, also known as "The Church Of Gold". The cathedral takes its names because it houses a golden altar measuring 40 square feet and set with thousands upon thousands of jewels. Hundreds of other treasures culled from centuries of wealth and privilege also remain inside.
The gondola is the primary mode of transportation throughout the canals, not to mention the enduring symbol of tourism in Venice. Though speedboats have become more commonplace nowadays, they are unable to drown out the traditional songs of the gondoliers, with most of these ballads reciting tales of true love or the magnificent history of Venice Italy itself.
And a storied history it is. Like Genoa, Venice used its waterways to develop into a powerful city, a hub for trade and commercial exploits, until it dominated a large portion of the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and hundreds of vital trade routes. The city thrived for centuries, becoming a center of the arts that made all others pale in comparison. Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto and Longhi all called Venice home at some point, and their works live on in the many galleries and museums spread throughout the city's maze of canals. The Academy Gallery is surely the most famous, where many of the city's masterpieces are displayed. Take a gondola ride down the famous Grand Canal and it will lead you to Ca' Rezzonico and Ca' d'Oro, the former famous for its ornate ballrooms and aristocratic balconies, the latter for providing shelter for the great works of Titian, Mantegna and Carpaccio.

Venice to Athens, Greece
12/1-8

Austrian Airlines
Flight 528 operated by Tyrolean Airways / Flight 801
8:10am
Venice, Italy (VCE)
1:45pm
Athens, Greece (ATH)
4hrs 35min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Vienna, Austria (VIE)

Flight #528 on-time: 90 %
$580per person
1 seat left
at this price

Royal Olympic Hotel
Athens luxury property near Acropolis
Star Rating
Book online or call 1-800-551-2409
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In the historical district
Centrally located in Athens, this property is near Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Another attraction in the area is Zappeion Hall. See this hotel on a map
Swimming pool
Royal Olympic Hotel provides a restaurant, an outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and a bar/lounge.
Premium bedding
Guestrooms have premium bedding, satellite television, and minibars; bathrooms include shower/tub combinations, designer toiletries, and bathroom phones.

ZEUS PROGRAM
Athens - Mykonos - Kusadasi/Ephesus (Turkey) - Patmos - Rhodes - Crete - Santorini - Athens8 DAYS

Day 1
Arrival AthensUpon your arrival to Athens airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Stay overnight in Athens.

Day 2
Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour Pick up from your hotel and depart for Temple of Olympian Zeus (visit). Proceed to Panathinaiko Stadium cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime's Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colourful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall), National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St. Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman's House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, Acropolis (visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Museum of the Acropolis). Transfer back to your hotel. Stay overnight in Athens.

Day 3
AthensFree day in Athens to explore this fascinating city. Stay overnight in Athens. Optional Excursion – Full day Delphi Tour We pass by Olympic Stadium to see the Athens 2004 Olympics main venue. We continue through Thebes, Levadia (short stop) and Arachova for Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by Castalia Springs, visit the archaeological site, the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle and the Museum of Delphi with it’s spectacular finds, including the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the Statue of Antinoos. After lunch return to Athens via the picturesque mountain village of Arachova, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as it’s wine and cheese (short stop).

Day 4
Cruise Embarkation & MykonosYou will be transferred from your hotel in Athens to the port for embarkation. Cruise ship departs at 11am for Mykonos. Between 18.00 & 22.00 visit the island of Mykonos, one of the most beautiful islands known all over the world as the Greek St Tropez.

Day 5

Kusadasi & PatmosAt 7.00 arrive in Kusadasi (Turkey) where you will have the chance to visit Ephesus, an ancient Greek city founded in the 8th Century BC and one of the best preserved archeological sites in the world (optional excursion). At 12:00 the ship sails for Patmos. Between 16:00 & 21:00 enjoy the sacred island of Patmos, an island with an austere physiognomy. This is where St John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse.

Day 6

RhodesFrom 7:00 to 18:00 we enjoy our day in Rhodes, the legendary home of the sun god Apollo. Visit Lindos famous for its Acropolis and the old town of Rhodes, the Grand Master's Palace and the Street of the Knights (optional excursion).

Day 7

Crete & SantoriniFrom 7:00 to 11:30 we arrive in the main city of Heraklion on the island of Crete. Here you will be able to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos (optional excursion). At 16:30 we alight in Santorini. Go ashore and take a donkey ride or the cable car up to the town of Fira. Santorini is an exceptionally beautiful island of white washed houses set into the steep cliffs shaped by the volcano. Be sure not to miss the dazzling sunset from one of Santorini’s many charming villages. We set sail for Athens at 21:00.

Day 8

Disembarkation & DepartureReturn to Pireaus port around 07.00, disembarkation after breakfast, meet with the transfer man and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of our services.

12/9

Greece to Warsaw, Poland

Tarom Romanian
Flight 274 / Flight 9221 operated by Lot Polish Airlines
7:25am
Athens, Greece(ATH)
3:25pm
Warsaw, Poland(WAW)
9hrs - 1 Stop
Change planes in Otopeni Bucharest, Romania (OTP)
Flight #274 on-time: No data available
$670per person

Hotels: The InterContinental Warszawa is the most exclusive five star hotel in Warsaw. It is perfectly located in the heart of the city, opposite the legendary Palace of Culture & Science, within easy walking distance from the Old Town, famous museums, in the heart of financial district and the most fashionable stores and boutiques, only 200 m to main railway station (the links to the European cities), 500 m to nearest metro station and 8 km from the international Fryderyk Chopin airport. InterContinental Warszawa offers 326 guest rooms, including a Presidential suite, 75 Residence Suites - luxury apartments with kitchenette, suitable for longer stays and underground car parking for 175 cars. All rooms have air-conditioning, in-room safes for laptops, double phone lines, high speed internet connections, voicemail, interactive TV with Pay TV, iron and ironing board, tea & coffee making facilities. One of the most spectacular features of the hotel is the RiverView Wellness Centre with swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath and beauty centre on the 43rd and gym with aerobic room on 44th floor, where you will relax and enjoy the spectacular views of Warsaw. The InterContinental offers a selection of bars and restaurants, 11 fully equipped meeting rooms of more than 1100 sqm, all with natural daylight, the perfect setting for your event!

Tourist Attractions
If you make a flying visit to Warsaw, an obligatory place to see is the Old Town - a cultural lounge of the capital. During the tourist season, it becomes a stage for concerts in the open air, drama performances and art galleries. Romantic backstreets sloping down to the river and stylish cafés oozing background music are perfect places for a break from sightseeing. The Old Town is also a place of interest for the enthusiasts of sacred art. After having suffered a heavy war damage, the quarter was reconstructed with the fidelity that assured it a place in the list of UNESCO. The next stage included in your itinerary should be a walk along the Royal Route – the most representative thoroughfare in the city, linking the Royal Castle with palaces in Łazienki and Wilanów. The route, shaped by ages of history, captivates with the atmosphere of palaces, churches, bourgeois tenements and seats of government. Although a walk along the Royal Route takes only an hour, it is a journey through centuries, and a lesson in the history of this unusual city. An interesting point on the route is Wilanów and King Jan Sobieski III’s summer residence with lavishly embellished interiors. It is also worth taking a walk along its alleys of a historic park. The Powązki Cemetery was founded in 1790, according to the project of D. Merlini – the court architect of king Stanislaw August Poniatowski. In catacombs are the burial place for persons from the environment of the king and his family. Also numerous historic tombs of artistic value have been preserved. At the back of the catacombs is the Avenue of Merit, where most prominent Poles lie. Before World War II, Warsaw was the second in Europe and fourth in the world a city as far as the number of Jewish inhabitants is concerned. About 400 000 Jews lived here, which amounted nearly to 30% of the total population of the city. After the Germans had devastated the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto, this world ceased to exist. The traces commemorating it are, among others, Jewish Cemetery, Nożyk Synagogue and Umschlagplatz memorializing the martyrdom of Jews – the site from where the Germans transported about 300 000 Jewish citizens to Treblinka Extermination Camp. The image of quarters built after the World War II makes a different impression. The period 1949-1956 imposed on Polish architects a new style – “Socialist in terms of contents and national in terms of form”, i.e., socialist realism, which called for the conformity of the world’s image with Marxist ideas, comprehensibility of the form, optimism, giving priority to subject matters like manual labour, class struggle and working class movement. For example, Marszałkowska Housing District (MDM) and Palace of Culture and Science constructed in 1952.

12/13

Warsaw to Helsinki, Finland

Air Baltic Corp
Flight 462 / 325
2:25pm
Warsaw, Poland (WAW)
7:15pm
Helsinki, Finland (HEL)
3hrs 50min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Riga Spilve, Latvia (RIX)
Flight #462 on-time: No data available
$670per person

Where to stay: Crowne Plaza Helsinki is located conveniently next to the main street of Helsinki and Hesperia Park, only 200 metres from the Finnish National Opera, and offers extensive food and beverage services. At the entrance floor there is an elegant Mediterranean style dining restaurant, which also serves breakfast and lunch. The hotel also has a gastro-pub and a lobby bar. The concierge at the lobby will help you to find the most exiting events and happenings in Helsinki and provide you with some interesting insider's tips. The hotel also features a business centre, a banqueting room, a fitness centre, a wellness centre and other comforts to make your stay a truly unforgettable experience.

Welcome to Helsinki!

Helsinki, the capital of the Republic of Finland, is a modern city with over half a million residents and is situated on the Baltic Sea. In 2000 Helsinki was an official European City of Culture while celebrating its 450th anniversary.
Helsinki together with the neighbouring cities of Espoo,Kauniainen and Vantaa forms the Helsinki metropolitan area with more than a million inhabitants.
Capital where Eastern and Western cultures meet
Helsinki is unique among Northern European cities. The lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and activities in the form of hundreds of events and friendly people. Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West. The archipelago that surrounds Helsinki with hundreds of tiny islands creates an idyllic environment for cruises, for example. Over 450 years of history, several architectural layers and the impact of different periods can be clearly seen in Helsinki. Finnish design has also made the country’s capital city world famous. The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly together with high-tech achievements, while old traditions mix with the latest contemporary trends. The city centre has many beautiful parks, and the nearby forests offer an ideal setting for peaceful and quiet walks. Helsinki’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of both the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs. Everything is nearby – Helsinki is a pocket-sized metropolis that is ideal for visitors!

12/17

SAS
Flight 6673 operated by Blue 1
11:25am
Helsinki, Finland (HEL)
11:25am
Stockholm, Sweden (ARN)
1hr - Nonstop
Flight #6673 on-time: No data available
$74per person

Helsinki to Stockholm, Sweden

Hotels: Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel
Contemporary Stockholm hotel in Drottninggatan
Star Rating
Book online or call 1-800-551-2409
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By Central Station
This contemporary red-brick hotel is located adjacent to Central Station, within 100 metres of Drottninggatan, Stockholm’s main shopping thoroughfare, and 200 metres from the waterfront. See this hotel on a map
Health club
The health club features a full range of fitness equipment, alongside a sauna, a hot tub, and a pool grotto; the contemporary ninth-storey bar affords panoramic views over Stockholm.
Satellite television
Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel’s air-conditioned guestrooms feature modern decor with oak furnishings carved with Viking motifs; all offer city or atrium views, and satellite television.

If you’d like to discover the Sweden of today, knowing something about its past is a good place to start. And what a past it is.
You can start by getting to know the Vikings at the many historical sites dotted around Sweden. You can discover that Sweden was a major power in Europe in the 17th century by visiting the many beautifully castles, palaces and manor houses from the period? Or that 3,000 years ago the people of Tanum, now a World Heritage site, carved depictions of their lives and customs onto rocks, perhaps so that we would discover them.
Luckily, the Sweden of yesteryear is extremely well preserved in the historical sites, museums, castles, palaces and manor houses in and around the major cities of Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö and further a field.
Worth checking out is the amazing Vasa Museum in Stockholm which is a museum built around the Vasa Ship; the world’s only surviving 17th century battleship which sunk on its maiden voyage in Stockholm. The museum building, the presentation of the ship and its artefacts have to be seen to be believed – unmissable.
The Mine Museum in Falun, central Sweden, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, an honour it shares with the town of Falun and homesteader estates. It sits on the edge of the Great Pit, the site of a giant cave-in in 1687. The museum tells the story of the mine and the company that ran it and it has received the highest ranking from the Michelin Guide. And they should know.
Kalmar Castle in eastern Sweden, sits on a headland jutting out into Kalmar Strait . It dates from the 14th century and was rebuilt in the 16th century. The castle was built around a harbour and soon became “The Key to the Kingdom” and a significant defensive fortification on the then Danish border. Nearby lies the “Ölandbron” a bridge that takes to island of Öland, as famous for its sunny micro-climate, as it is for being holiday destination for Swedes and for its unique flora and fauna. It is also famous for its amazingly well preserved pre-Viking and Viking historical sites.
All around Sweden there are fascinating historic sites. Get to know Sweden today and Sweden of the past.

12/19

The Millenium tour

Stieg Larsson, writer, worked as a journalist for 25 years with a small but influential left-wing magazine in Stockholm.
When he died in 2004 of a heart attack at the age of 50, rumours spread around Sweden that he had died in suspicious circumstances because he was investigating and writing about far rightwing and racist movements in Sweden. Of course the local media had a field day with this but the rumours were completely unfounded.
The twist in all of this, as his fans will know, is that shortly before his death Stieg Larsson got a publishing deal in Sweden for his Millenium series of books. This was originally intended as a series of ten books, but due to his untimely death, this turned out to be just three, and a fourth framework for a book.
The books; ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’, ‘The Girl Who Played with Fire’ and ‘The Girl who Kicked over the Hornet’s Nest’ became mega-hits in Sweden and the English, French and German language translations of the first two sold millions of copies.
Södermalm, where most of the intrigue in the Millenium series takes place, used to be a blue-collar area of Stockholm and is one of fourteen islands that make up the capital city. Over the past couple of decades the area has been spruced up, for good or for bad, and is the setting for much of the action in his books – and of the Millenium tour, run by the Stockholm City Museum.
This 90-minute walking tour is in English and French and its highlights include Götgatan, where Mikael Blomkvist’s, the trilogy’s main character, office is; the view over Riddarfjärden from his apartment and ‘Kvarnen’, a legendary drinking hall on Södermalm frequented by Lisbeth Salander, another main character in the books.
If we tell you any more it won’t be worth taking the tour, so go to Stockholm City Museum web site for more details.
12/20
Castles
Castles, palaces, fortresses, estates, manor houses, country houses, mansions and other dwellings of bygone days. Sweden has all of them aplenty the length and breadth of the country, in all their various forms, functions and purposes.
What they have in common is that they are old; ranging from the 12th to 19th centuries and those built in the 17th century stand as testimony to the “Swedish Empire” when the country was a major power in Europe.
Sweden has a great many castles and country estates spread throughout the country. From medieval citadels to castles constructed at the end of the 19th century under a variety of ownership forms including private, royal, state and foundation.
Today the castles are used as both private and official residences, museums, conference centres and simply as tourist attractions. In Skåne you will find as many as 350 castles and country estates, including Trolleholm Castle, a real fairy-tale castle that was restored in early Renaissance style in the 19th century. The Lake Mälaren region is home to some 40 castles that are open to the public. Several private castles are open for sightseeing in the summer, and the Stockholm region has ten royal castles of which Drottningholm Palace and Kina slott (Chinese Pavilion) have been designated as World Heritage sights.
The West Coast has the Bohus Fortress with its mighty walls and murky dungeons while on the East Coast you should visit Borgholm Castle, a majestically impressive building that bears witness to the grandeur of bygone times.
The medieval Glimmingehus in Skåne, Skokloster Castle by Lake Mälaren with well-preserved surroundings and collections from the 17th century, the royal out-of-town residence Tullgarn from the 18th century in Sörmland and Tjolöholm Manor House in Halland built at the end of the 19th century are just some of the castles and manor houses open to the public.
A visit to a castle or a country estate provides a good picture of the international influences that have characterised architecture, furnishings, and art through the centuries in Sweden, and shows what skilful craftsmen and artists we have had in this country. A castle tour also provides an insight into Swedish history. Visiting castle grounds is a must. Refreshments and a museum shop are often available at most castles.

12/21

Sweden to Oslo, Norway

Air Baltic Corp
Flight 328 / 101
5:20am
Helsinki, Finland(HEL)
7:10am
Stockholm, Sweden(ARN)
2hrs 50min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Riga Spilve, Latvia (RIX)
Flight #328 on-time: No data available
$670per person
Select

GRAND HOTEL OSLO
Historic hotel opposite Parliament building
Star Rating
Book online or call 1-800-551-2409
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On Karl Johans Gate
Opulent 19th century hotel built in Louis XVI revival style, situated on Oslo’s Karl Johans Gate opposite the Parliament building. See this hotel on a map
Indoor pool
The wellness centre offers specialist treatments including aromatherapy and massage, as well as an indoor pool and sauna.
Wireless Internet
Guestrooms of Grand Hotel Oslo are individually designed in classical style and feature wireless Internet, slippers and bathrobes.

12/22

The Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset)

The Viking Ship Museum presents great Viking-ship discoveries from Gokstad, Oseberg and Tune as well as other finds from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord. The world's two best-preserved wooden Viking ships built in the 9th century. Small boats, sledges, cart with exceptional ornamentation. Implements, tools, harness, textiles and household utensils.Closed every year: 1 Jan., Good Friday, Easter Eve, Easter Sunday, 24-26 Dec. and 31 Dec. Free entrance with the Oslo Pass.The University Museum of Cultural Heritage comprises the Viking Ship Museum and the Historical Museum.
Address:
Huk Aveny 35
Postal code:
0287 Oslo
· Contact
Tel:
22 13 52 80
Fax:
22 13 52 81
info@khm.uio.no
Opening hours
Date
Days
Time
02.01.2009- 30.04.2009
Mon - Sun
10:00- 16:00
01.05.2009- 30.09.2009
Mon - Sun
09:00- 18:00
01.10.2009- 31.12.2009
Mon - Sun
10:00- 16:00
Note: Other hours may apply on public and school holidays.
Prices
Adults
Admission
50 kr
Children
Admission
30 kr
(7-16)
Senior citizens
Admission
35 kr
Groups min. 10 pers.
Per person
35 kr
Family ticket
Admission
125 kr
(2+2)
Children under 7 years
Free entrance
Student
Admission
35 kr

12/23

Akershus Fortress (Akershus festning)
The building of Akershus Castle and Fortress was commenced in 1299 under king Håkon V. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 1300s, had a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. King Christian IV (1588-1648) had the castle modernised and converted into a Renaisssance castle and royal residence. During the 17th and 18th century the castle fell into decay, and restoration work only started in 1899. Guided tours of the fortress are available. Changing of the guards (HM The King's Guards) every day at 1.30 pm.

12/24

National Gallery (Nasjonalgalleriet)
The National Gallery has Norway's largest collection of Norwegian, Nordic and international art from the beginning of the 19th century up until today. The main exhibition displays Norwegian and international paintings and sculptures from the 19th century up until today, including many of Edvard Munch's major works. Changing exhibitions. Shop and café.CLOSED: Mondays, 1 January, 1 May, 17 May, 24-25 and 31 December.The National Gallery is part of the National Museum of art, architecture and design.

12/25

Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisk museum)
The Natural History Museum includes several museums, the Botanical Garden and the greenhouses. The Zoological Museum shows animals from all over the world, and the Mineralogical-Geological Museum building includes the Paleontological Museum and Norway's only dinosaur museum. The botanical variety and diversity in the Botanical Garden makes it an ideal place to relax from the stress of city life. Most of the area is designed as an Arboretum. Entrance to the garden is free. The Botanical Garden opens at 7 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends and public holidays. The gates close at 5 pm on 1 October-14 March and 8 pm on 15 March-30 September. Free entry.The museums and the greenhouses are closed on Mondays, 1 January, 17 May, 23-26 and 31 December. The opening hours and prices below apply to the greenhouses and the museums. Free entry with the Oslo Pass.

12/26

The Kon-Tiki Museum
The Kon-Tiki Museum houses a range of boats and artefacts from Thor Heyerdahl's expeditions. Here you can see the original Kon-Tiki raft (1947) with a 30 foot whale shark underneath, statues and a secret family cave from Easter Island (1956), the papyrus boat Ra II (1970), and an exciting collection of archaeological finds from Easter Island, East Polynesia, Galapagos and Peru. And, why not try out the interactive touch screen with CD-ROM facilities? Or visit the cinema with its non-stop showings?The Kon-Tiki Museum can arrange birthday parties for children outside the museum's opening hours. It is also possible to host events (evenings) for groups up to 300 inside the museum and up to 500 outside. CLOSED: 1 January, 17 May, 24-25 and 31 December. Free entrance with the Oslo Pass.

12/27

The Norwegian Opera & Ballet (Den Norske Opera & Ballett)
The Norwegian National Opera and the Norwegian National Ballet - Norway's biggest culture and stage institution.Oslo's new Opera House opened on 12 April 2008 and is now the home of the Norwegian Opera and Ballet. The spectacular building has a fabulous location by the seaside and was designed by renowned Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta. The Norwegian Opera & Ballet presents a rich and varied programme from three stages: The main theatre (1369 seats), Scene 2 (400 seats) and the Rehearsal theatre (200 seats).

12/28

TusenFryd Amusement Park
One park - a thousand opportunities! Bring your family to an unforgettable day at TusenFryd. Here you will find attractions for all ages, as well as games, shops and places to eat. This year's big new ride is SpinSpider, which "throws" you 44 meters (144 feet) up in the air at speeds of up to 115 km/h (72 mph). Tusenfryd features dozens of spectacular rides, including SpeedMonster, which takes you from 0-90 km/h (56 mph) in 2 seconds, the SuperSplash, with the world's highest and steepest drop to the water, and the ThunderCoaster, one of the world's best wooden rollercoasters. The park also features Barnas Fryd, an area especially made for the youngest children. In summer, guests can enjoy BadeFryd, a waterpark with a swimming pool, a swimming river, a triple slide and beach volleyball.20% discount with Oslo Pass.Approx. 6% discount online and at the Tourist Information Centres in Oslo.The TusenFryd bus: Departure from Oslo Bus Terminal every 30 minutes from 9.30 am on all ordinary park opening days.The TusenFryd Package on visitoslo.com: Hotel package with entrance tickets to TusenFryd.

12/29

Oslo to London, England

SAS
Flight 805
10:40am
Oslo, Norway (OSL)
9:08pm
London, ON Canada (YXU)
16hrs 28min - 2 Stops
Change planes in London, Great Britain (LHR) Change planes in Chicago, IL (ORD)

Flight #805 on-time: 87 %
American Airlines
Flight 47
United
Flight 5786 operated by UNITED EXPRESS/SKYWEST AIRLINES

12/30

About Victoria and Albert Museum
Where can you see ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings? Where else but the V&A, the greatest museum of art and design, and home to 3000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world's richest cultures. Highlights include the breathtaking Cast Courts, the national collection of paintings by Constable, the largest collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside Italy and the stunning British Galleries, illustrating the history of Britain through the country's art and design.
Admission to the general collections at the V&A is free. There are charges for some of the special exhibitions and events. Click on the events tab or green book now button to find out what's on.
Facilities
Opening Times
Opening times 10.00-17.00 daily, Friday 10.00-22.00 Closed 24, 25 & 26 December.
Booking and payment details
Free
Victoria and Albert Museum Address
Address:
South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London
London
SW7 2RL
Telephone:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Fax:
+44 (0)20 7942 2092
Email:
vanda@vam.ac.uk
Website:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/resources/corporate/

12/31

About National Gallery
London's National Galley displays Western European painting from about 1250-1900. You'll love seeing work by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh. There are special exhibitions, lectures, video and audio-visual programmes, guided tours and holiday events for children and adults.
Facilities
Opening Times
Daily 10:00am-6:00pm. Friday 10:00am-9:00pm Closing commences 5 minutes before time stated. Free admission to the collection and some special exhibitions. Charge for major loan exhibitions.
Booking and payment details
Free National Gallery Address
Address: Trafalgar Square, London
London WC2N 5DN
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7747 2885
Fax: +44 (0)20 7747 2423
Email: information@ng-london.org.uk
Website: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

12/31

The world renowned Madame Tussauds has been developed with you, the event organiser, in mind. Continued investment in the venue and its production facilities ensures Madame Tussauds remains the best in the industry and guarantees your next event is the only one of its kind. Five fully immersive and interactive themed areas are completely adaptable for formal and informal events depending on your exact requirements, with integrated lighting and sound throughout. Areas include: the spectacular Spirit of London ride, which offers the perfect curtain raiser to your event, the cool reception room, A-List Party, together with the Hollywood-inspired Premiere Night and the magnificent World Stage Ballroom. At the end of the evening the infamous Chamber of Horrors provides a spine chilling finale. Madame Tussauds can accommodate up to 1,000 for parties and networking events and 350 for dinner dances or awards ceremonies. Click here to download the Madame Tussauds awards ceremony package.

1/1(Happy New Year!)

London to Dublin, Ireland

Northwest Airlines
Flight 3061 operated by Mesaba Aviation / Flight 7186
1:00pm
London, ON Canada (YXU)
5:20am - Fri, Jan 1
Next day arrivalDublin, Ireland (DUB)
11hrs 20min - 2 Stops
Change planes in Detroit, MI (DTW) Change planes in Boston, MA (BOS)
Dublin Tour Hop On - Hop Off

Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel Dublin. In the city’s most exclusive enclave, discover the perfect balance of convenience and calm. Just a short stroll from the heart of vibrant shopping and business, here you escape into a peaceful retreat, immersed in greenery. Handsome architecture evokes Irish tradition and contemporary chic. With authentic local character and unrivalled care, Four Seasons has become the favoured destination of both international travellers and Ireland’s own.

The Dublin Tour has been carefully designed to give you the freedom to explore and experience the history and culture of Dublin at your leisure. We visit all the main Dublin attractions along our route and these include Dublin Zoo and Trinity College (home of the Book of Kells). Our entertaining Dublin tour guides, who are all accredited by Failte Ireland, will show you the city as only a native can. Your 24-hour ticket allows you to hop on and off as often as you wish. The tour operates daily from 9.30am and can be joined at any of 23 stops, each conveniently located near one of the most popular Dublin attractions. For example, you can join outside Trinity College, leave at the Guinness Storehouse (and sample the product!) and then re-join later. You could even start your Dublin tour in the afternoon and come back to see more the following morning. To enhance your enjoyment we have arranged discounts for you at a selection of the most popular attractions en route.Click here to book this Dublin tour. The live English commentary and pre recorded multilingual commentary in 10 languages operates daily from 9.30am and can be joined at any of 23 stops, each conveniently located near one of the most popular Dublin attractions.

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British Airways
Flight 5972 operated by Aer Lingus / Flight 504
3:30pm
Dublin, Ireland (DUB)
7:20am - Sun, Jan 3
Next day arrivalRio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG)
17hrs 50min - 2 Stops
Change planes in London, Great Britain (LHR) Change planes in Lisbon, Portugal (LIS)

Flight #5972 on-time: 86 %
$1,008

Affordable Rio
Make the luxurious Copacabana Palace your home as you explore the delights of the fascinating city of Rio de Janeiro.Sun yourself on the golden sands of Copacabana or Ipanema beach or dip a toe into the cool ocean. Visit Corcovado or Sugar Loaf Mountain and marvel at the beauty of Rio nestled in the series of bays below you.Relax knowing that the end of the day brings style and luxury found only at the Copacabana Palace, hideout of the rich and famous. Package includes:
Accommodation in the chosen room or suite category
Daily buffet breakfast in the Pérgula Restaurant

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Corcovado - The Statue of Christ
This is one of the main beauty spots in the city, standing 2,330 feet above sea level and providing a sweeping panoramic view of sea and mountain, a world famous vista. The mountain is crowned with the statue of Christ, 98 feet high with a 26 foot pedestal containing a chapel that can hold 150 people. The top of the Corcovado can be reached by electric train or by car.

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Pão de Açúcar - Sugar Loaf

This natural symbol of Rio de Janeiro can be seen at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. There are two stages in the cable-car trip to the top of the rock. The first is from the station at Praia Vermelha to Urca Hill, which rises 705 feet above the bay, and the second links Urca Hill to the top of Sugar Loaf, 1,300 feet high. Each stage lasts three minutes. For tourists seeing Rio from the air, there is now a Tourist Heliport located on the top of Urca Hill. Address: Cable Car Station - Av. Pasteur, 520 - Praia Vermelha - Phone: (55 21) 2546-8400 Visiting hours: Daily, 8am - 10pm

1/5

Arcos da Lapa e Santa Tereza - Lapa Arches and Santa Tereza
Located in the Largo da Lapa Square,the center of RSee the Videoio’s turn-of-the-century nightlife, the Lapa Arches hold their place in history as the most monumental work undertaken in colonial Rio. This magnificent structure contains 42 arches in two tiers. Originally built as an aqueduct to supply the city with water, today they carry another outstanding attraction: the scenic tramlines linking the Carioca Station downtown to the picturesque Santa Teresa district, a vibrant artistic community, with a great range of bars, restaurants, museums, cultural centers and artist’s studios.

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Teatro Municipal - Municipal Theatre
Designed and built by A. Guilbert and Francisco de Oliveira Passos, the theatre was inaugurated on July 14, 1909. The main murals are by Eliseu Visconti - the ceiling and back drop - by Rodolfo Amoedo. Mosaics are by Henrique Bernadelli.

1/7

4:15pm
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG)
6:10am - Fri, Jan 8
Next day arrivalPunta Arenas, Chile (PUQ)
14hrs 55min - 2 Stops
Stop in Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU) Change planes in Santiago, Chile (SCL)
Flight #8028 on-time: No data available
$565per person

Antarctica Travel, Fly to Antarctica & Tour aboard a Cruiser
Fly to Antarctica in 2 hours which saves you 6 days crossing the rough Drake Sea. Cruise for 6 days (Equivalent of 12 days cruising using only a boat)! We will additionally give you a 10% discount on the normal costs.
Fly to Antarctica, have a wonderful voyage for 5, 7 or 8 days and fly back!
We invite you to join us on the most fascinating Antarctic Tour where You will arrive to the frozen continent by air and then take a cruise calmly aboard an ice strengthened vessel.
In less than 2 hours of flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island, the largest Island of the South Shetland Archipielago, you will be at the gates of the white continent.
From King George Island we will navigate the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting the most wonderful places and enjoying the best wildlife sites of Antarctica.

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Punte Arenas, Chile to Santiago, Chile

LAN Airlines
Flight 290 operated by LANEXPRESS
2:20am Punta Arenas, Chile (PUQ) 5:45am Santiago, Chile (SCL) 3hrs 25min - Nonstop Flight #290 on-time: No data available $418

Modern Conveniences at the Radisson Plaza Santiago HotelConveniently located in the heart of Santiago's business and financial district, the Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel, with its superb service and state-of-the-art technology, is the preferred hotel in Santiago for business and leisure travelers alike. This hotel in Las Condes not only provides guests a full service Health Club and on-site dining options, but also features modern decor and conveniences to match the atmosphere of Latin America's most modern metropolitan area.

Rooms >
Spacious Santiago Hotel Rooms and SuitesThe spacious rooms and suites at the Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel are comfortably appointed and feature a wealth of convenient amenities to ensure that guests have relaxing stay. Our accommodations in Santiago include wireless Internet access, turndown service, spacious work desks, dual-line telephones, coffee makers, hair dryers, safes, mini-bars and irons/ironing boards. Radisson Plaza deluxe hotel rooms in Santiago also feature 24-hour room service.

Services >
Santiago, Chile Hotel with Internet Access and PoolOur lodging in Santiago offers a variety of services designed to help guests unwind. When it is time to relax, guests at our Santiago, Chile hotel can enjoy complimentary access to a full-service Health Club with an indoor swimming pool, sauna and Fitness Center. Other conveniences at our hotel in Santiago, Chile include high-speed Internet access, concierge service, an on-site car rental agency, full-service Business Center, beauty salon and executive transport. From business to leisure, our Santiago accommodations are sure to meet all your travel needs.

Groups & Meetings >
Versatile Meeting and Event Space in Santiago, Chile Looking for meeting space in Santiago? The Radisson Plaza offers five versatile Santiago meeting rooms, each equipped with the latest meeting technology. For added convenience, our meeting rooms in Santiago also feature a full-service event and catering staff to assist in planning your meeting or event. Our Santiago event space is the ideal setting for conferences and events of up to 200 people. With our versatile meeting rooms and the assistance of our professional staff, your event will be a complete success.

Dining >
On-site Santiago Dining at the Radisson PlazaGuests at the Radisson Plaza can enjoy the best dining in Santiago without leaving the hotel. Our Santiago hotel offers international cuisine and traditional Chilean dishes served in fine style at Brick Restaurant, our on-site Santiago restaurant. Guests can also relax and sip a Chilean Pisco Sour at the Trader's Bar or try a variety of local wines and snacks at Cocktail Lounge. With our unique atmosphere and delicious cuisine, dining at the Radisson Plaza will be memorable.

Local Area >
Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel Near AttractionsCentrally located in Santiago's business district, the Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel is within walking distance of exciting Santiago shopping, dining and nightlife. Our Santiago hotel is also in close proximity to great golfing, skiing and vineyard tours, as well as an array of other attractions. Nearby Santiago attractions include Museo de Bellas Artes, Patio Bellavista and Teatro Municipal.

The museum opened its gates a little more than two decades ago. The neo-classical building used to be the Royal Customs Palace. The hectic sidewalks crowded with people coming and going makes it seem to go unnoticed, but the truth is that inside its venue, objects come to life and tell visitors about the myths, the beliefs, the rituals and the customs of the first settlers in America. That is the Chilean Pre-Columbian Art Museum: a pioneer undertaking that shelters, studies and spreads the artistic heritage of Latin American Pre-Columbian peoples, without taking into consideration the political borders separating countries today. After paying for the admission ticket, we resolved to observe each of the museum rooms. They would take us on an imaginary journey back in time and around the various nooks of the whimsical geography of the “new continent”. Every object displayed in the glass cabinets gave us a brief account of what life used to be like in America those days.
The display covers a period ranging from the beginnings of ceramics and textile art in America until the arrival of the European conquerors. It aims at representing the diversity of Pre-Columbian peoples. The collection includes pieces made in ceramics, metal, textile fibers, feathers, rock and wood, using the most varied techniques and styles. For a better understanding, the collection pieces and the Pre-Columbian cultures have been grouped by cultural areas: Mesoamerica, Caribbean, Intermediate, Amazon, Central Andes and Southern Andes. Crossing the various rooms, we managed to observe the evolution of the native cultures through time and space, their influence on one another and their differences. Among the most attractive objects, a mummy that, according to studies, is over 5,000 years old caught our attention. As well, we saw pots, petroglyphs, rock and wood carvings of large sizes and elaborate fiber works.
During our visit, we managed to appreciate the American lifestyle in that period. We understood that a very important part of ourselves is descended directly from these ancient peoples. And what is even more important, we learnt that it is only by understanding our past that we can live without fear of the present, but above all, we can learn to project ourselves into a future that may keep the unique identity that bonds all Latin American peoples.

Set in the heart of the bustling Financial center, minutes from shopping, cultural attractions and nightlife, The Bristol is a rare jewel where luxurious accommodations and sumptuous dining are blended to create uncompromising quality. It Offers A Residential-Style Atmosphere Reminiscent Of A Private Mansion In Panama's Exclusive Bella Vista Neighborhood. Guests Can Choose From 56 Well-appointed Rooms And Suites. All Are Thoughtfully Furnished With Every Convenience For Both Work And Relaxation. Hotel Facilities Include A 24-hour Modern Fitness Center, Fine Gourmet Dining, Meeting And Banquet Rooms, 24-hour Business Center, An Executive Floor And Specially-equipped Women's Guestrooms.

1/19

Santiago to Panama

American Airlines
Flight 7700 operated by LAN Airlines / Flight 993
10:25pm
Santiago, Chile (SCL)
1:10pm - Wed, Jan 20
Next day arrivalPanama City, Panama (PTY)
16hrs 45min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Miami, FL (MIA)

Flight #7700 on-time: 85 %
$531

Grand Panama Canal
For a Panama Canal cruise that offers a full crossing of the canal, sail between San Juan and Acapulco on the 10-day Panama Canal Explorer. Or extend the experience on a 15- to 18-day Grand Panama Canal cruise, which travels between the West Coast ports of Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco or Los Angeles, and the East Coast ports of Ft. Lauderdale or San Juan Puerto Rico.When it comes to Panama Canal cruises, Princess Cruises is the Latin-American expert.

2/7

Panama to Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico

Aeromexico Flight 9547 operated by Copa Airlines
9:51am Panama City, Panama (PTY) 12:41pm Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) 3hrs 50min - Nonstop Flight #9547 on-time: 87 % $454per person

Stay at:
HOTEL HOLIDAY INN CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, PLAZA DALÍ
VIADUCTO RÍO DE LA PIEDAD 260
COL. MAGDALENA MIXIHUCA
C.P. 15860 DELEGACION VENUSTIANO CARRANZA

2/8

Where to go:

ALFONSO L. HERRERA ZOO. Its construction began in 1923 from a model inspired in the Zoo from Rome, Italy. It houses more than 200 species, and it has approximately 2,000 animals. It has several endemic species (that only exist in Mexico), species that had reproductive programs developed, and unique studies all over the world. It also has a varied collection of worldwide endangered species, such as the giant panda bear, the beringei gorilas, and the spectacled bear. The zoo’s four main objectives are: recreation, education, research and preservation of wild species. The current zoo dates from the period of the former President Porfirio Díaz, and since then it has acquired new samples. The Alfonso Herrera zoo has recently celebrated its eightieth anniversary.

2/9

Continental Airlines
Flight 2078 operated by EXPRESSJET AIRLINES INC DBA CO EXPRESS / Flight 150
1:55pm
Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
7:46pm
Ontario, CA (ONT)
7hrs 51min - 1 Stop
Change planes in Houston, TX (IAH)

Flight #2078 on-time: 95 %
$187

So, I've just completed a trip around the world, what am I going to do now?

I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!

Trip of a Lifetime

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Thursday, September 24, 2009

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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