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Newsletter Archives
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Where in the World...
Have We Been?
Featured Article |
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Dan's Inagural Cruise Aboard Celebrity's New Solstice:
Cruising is one of my favorite forms of travel. I enjoy being able to pack and unpack one time, relax at the pool or on the beach, take in 5 star dining and live Broadway shows in the evening; things we don't get to do in our normal daily routine. I was invited on a private inaugural sailing with Celebrity Cruises, welcoming their newest ship, The Solstice. The ship offers 13 passenger decks, 1425 staterooms of which 90% are ocean view and 85% with private veranda, and carries 2850 passengers. This new luxury ship is currently sailing the Caribbean and in the spring will sale to the Mediterranean. The Celebrity Solstice is a destination in itself and offers something for everyone. Relax in the Solarium, this adult's only sanctuary, the Library, or enjoy the sun and fun by the main pool. If you need to work on your golf, there is The Lawn Club. The first in the industry to offer this at sea, The Solstice has an expanse of carefully manicured grass where you can practice your putting. Everyone will enjoy the Shops on the Boulevard & Galleria Boutiques. Evenings are filled with multiple dining options, the Solstice Theatre, Fortunes Casino or perhaps just relax at Michael's Club listening to jazz or the live pianist.
I recommend cruising for any traveler, whether it be for the beach bum, the mountain person, or the history buff, there is a cruise just for you. |
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-Dan
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Next Month
Watch for articles from Jodi regarding her cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. |
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January and February are WAVE months within the cruise industry and this year the cruise lines have drastically lowered prices. It appears that 2009 will be the year of the "travel deal". If you have ever thought of taking a cruise OR booking a verandah cabin then this is your year. I invite you to our cruise event February 7, come let the staff help you find the perfect cruise for your next vacation.
( Read on for more details regarding our cruise event.)
Marcie
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Latest News...
Continental and US Airways announce stricter carry on allowances....
You're allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Personal items include a purse, briefcase or laptop bag. Carry-on baggage must be stowed in carry-on compartments of the aircraft, under a seat, or in an overhead compartment.
Size requirements*
Beginning February 1, 2009, up to 45 in (14 x 9 x 22 in ) and
up to 40 lbs. |
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News You can Use ....
10 Most Popular Destinations in North America
What makes a destination "hot"? It's a combination of ingredients,
sometimes its new hotels opening, a museum opening, new golf courses, new theater productions or perhaps a new restaurant with a spectacular wine list. Whatever the reasons the following are hot destinations in North America for 2009.
1. New York City
2. Riviera Maya
3. Miami
4. San Francisco
5. Las Vegas
6. Baja California
7. Maui
8. Napa & Sonoma
9. Los Angeles
10. Chicago
Call our office and speak to one of our travel counselors if you are thinking of visiting one of these "hot" destinations. |
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Thinking of a Cruise?
Join the staff on February 7 for our cruise event to learn more
about cruising and the special booking incentives we have for
future cruises. This open house will be at our office from
11 am to 3 pm.
RSVP at 303 791 2311
Our cruise sale continues for a whole week Feb 07-14, if you can't attend our cruise event but are thinking of a cruise, call our office. |
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Many times when I am out in the community I hear comments like "I didn't know there where still travel agents." I smile and respond that yes there are still travel agents and we provide valuable services for our clients. My entire staff travel the world, they each carry destination specialist in various parts of the world. We research our providers and have a good idea on the financial stability of all our vendors. We are a part of our community and will be here to help in times of need.
The best compliment you can pay us is a referral.
Sincerely,
Marcie Lauritsen-Mann, CTC, DS, President
Highlands Ranch Travel
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Where in the World...
Have We Been?
Featured Article |
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CYPRUS. A Place to Discover |
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The beginning of November I had one of those wonderful and rare opportunities to experience a new destination, the island of Cyprus. Where is Cyprus? It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Turkey and to the North of Egypt. The northern part of this culturally rich country has been under Turkish occupation since 1974. The southern part of the island is an open air museum where I visited prehistoric settlements, classical Greek temples, Roman theaters and villas, early Christian basilicas, Byzantine churches and monasteries, Crusader castles, Gothic cathedrals, Venetian fortifications and the sparking blue Mediterranean Sea.
Nothing beats Cyprus for a beach holiday. With a wealth of beaches to choose from, you are bound to find one that suits your taste. There are fine white sandy beaches with shallow turquoise waters or deep water bays with rocky outcrops perfect for snorkeling or diving. From the quiet backwaters of the western peninsula, to the lively resorts in the east, the island has something for everyone.
Restaurants feature both local and international cuisine. Eating at the Taverna brought a special experience in dining. Their traditional form of dining called MEZZA is actually a feeding frenzy. Mezza means appetizer and when served in Cyprus your dinner will consist of no less than 20 items served continuously. I never went hungry! In the evenings we listened to the latest sounds and joined in on traditional Greek sirtaki dance.
Cyprus is the birthplace of Aphrodite and emits peace and quiet in harmony with nature and sea. I recommend Cyprus for those who love antiquities, nature, mountains, and the sea. Call me if you think you may be interested in a vacation to Cyprus.
Marcie |
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Next Month
Watch for articles from Dan regarding his Hawaii fam trip and his inaugural cruise aboard Celebrity's Solstice. |
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I am delighted to introduce our first newsletter. I hope you find it useful in keeping you up to date with different travel developments and happenings around our office. Each newsletter will give you a snapshot of a special destination as well as information to help make your travels as smooth as possible.
Marcie
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Latest News....
Full Names & Birthdates Required for Travel in 2009
ARLINGTON, Va. - Airline passengers starting next year will be barred from boarding planes if they refuse to provide their full name and birth date. Airlines must collect the new information starting in July for flights originating or ending in the USA. The requirement also applies to any flight traveling over the country, such as from Canada to Mexico. Some airlines may start in January. So don't be surprised if our agents ask for your date of birth. The good news is we should only have to ask once since we will store your information in our secure database.
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News You can Use ....
How to plan for travel this season
Before you go
Know your fees for checking bags. Some airliens will give a discount for checking bags online.
Pack light. Don't wrap gifts or lock your checked bags; they may need to be inspected by airport personnel without a TSA approved lock. Need one? Let us know as we have TSA approved locks in stock.
Skip the line. Web Check-in is available 24 hours prior to your departure time. And you can also print your boarding pass. Go to your airline website to check in from home or office. Arrive early (two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours prior for international flights).
Get a ride, take a cab or schedule a shuttle to the airport to save time and avoid crowded airport parking lots.
Planning to carry on ?
You're allowed one piece of luggage and one personal item (such as a purse or briefcase). Your luggage must fit in the overhead bin and your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
Do carry-on essential items like medicines, batteries, keys and important documents.
Don't carry on liquids in containers over 3.4 ounces. Only liquids in containers of 3.4 ounces or less, sealed in a one-quart plastic bag, are allowed. This restriction applies to things like jam, liquid soaps and snow globes, as well as toiletries including toothpaste, creams and hair products. If in doubt, check it.
Checking in your bags
Traveling with skis or a snowboard, or have a lot of gifts in your sack? If you're checking in bags for your trip, you could be assessed baggage fees at the airport. Call our office or check with your airline for the latest checked baggage fees.
Some airports stop accepting checked bags 45 minutes before your scheduled departure.
At the gate and onboard
Get to the gate early with your boarding pass and keep an eye on the gate display screens and listen closely for announcements at the gate.
Have a wonderful flight.
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Thinking of Hawaii?
Now you can take up to $500.00 off your airfare. Book by December 31, 2008 and travel through February 28, 2009. This offer includes hotels on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Lanai. You must purchase change and cancellation waiver insurance, offer is based on availability. There are many 4 & 5 star resorts offered. Call our office today for more details! 303 791 2311 |
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At the Holiday Season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progess possible.
It is in this spirit we say.....
THANK YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Sincerely,
Marcie Lauritsen-Mann, CTC, DS, President
Highlands Ranch Travel
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