Not just another history museum

I made my first visit to downtown Indianapolis's Indiana Historical Society recently. While I do find history interesting, I wouldn't say I have a passion for it.

But this was anything but a typical "stale" history musuem. At the Indiana Historical Society, history really does come alive.

Several of the exhibits feature period actors who give a "firsthand" telling of history as it is happening.

My main reason for visiting was to see the "Kennedy Speaks" exhibit about Robert Kennedy's visit to Indianapolis the night that Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. A friend of mine had been in the crowd that night and told me about "holograms" and actors portraying characters. It had me intrigued.

I most certainly was not disappointed. As you enter the Kennedy Speaks exhibit, the empty bed of a pickup truck stands 15 feet in front of you. Two live "characters" are in the room, welcoming you, asking you if you've heard the news about King, things like that. They do a great job of recreating the atmosphere.

Suddenly a veil of smoke pours down over the bed of the pickup truck and out of nowhere, realistic 3D images of Kennedy and three others appear on the back of the truck. Kennedy then gives his brief speech, confirming the news that King has been shot and making an appeal for peace. For someone like me, who was born after the event happened (and for my young boys), it was a great way to get immersed in history and to get a sense of what it was really like.

Other exhibits we saw with period characters included Cole Porter singing in a lounge, a Prohibition exhibit that included one of Indy's first female police officers, a detainee and a woman from the Christian Temperance Society. There was also a 1950s exhibit featuring one of the first displaced Jewish families to arrive in the city following WWII.

Kids will enjoy a History Lab and some other hands-on exhibits on the second floor.

There's also a theater that runs a series of 3-4 minute movies about nine Indiana.

The fourth floor features an Indiana sports exhibit. Comprised mostly of photos from the archives of the Indianapolis Star, the exhibit covers auto racing, high school and professional basketball, football and more.

The Historical Society also features one of the premier libraries and archives of Indiana history, as well as a cafe.

It sits along the canal at the corner of New York and West streets and is easy to get to.

Super Bowl Comes To Indy

In case you live under a rock, the Super Bowl is Indianapolis. And it's not just a game, it's a two-week party for all ages.

I took my family downtown to the NFL Experience and Super Bowl Village over the weekend, and we had a great time.

NFL Experience: This is a huge exhibit that took over the entire convention center. We hit the kids area first, which featured hands-on activities like kicking field goals, long snapping, throwing passes, running an obstacle course, face painting, green screen photos and more. Colts WR Reggie Wayne also led a Q&A session.

All of these activities were included with the admission price: $25 for adults and $20 for kids.

Next we hit the adult area, which featured many of the same activities only on a bigger, real-life scale. There was punt, pass and kick; kick a field goal (I looked pretty bad on my 20-yard attempt), throwing and more.

There was also a "You Make The Call" area where you could call up any play from any game of the 2011 season and review it. A replay booth and more.

Wilson had an area where they showed how footballs are made. There was display of game balls from previous Super Bowls, a display of championship rings, and of course the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The kids signed up for a free 45-minute on-field clinic that included two Colts players. The kids were divided into four groups and got to practice pass catching, taking handoffs as a running back, defensive drills and more. They also played two flag football games.

Vendors such as Doritos and Pepsi had separate booths. There was an autograph area, memorabilia show and more.

I could go on and on, but needless to say, we spent about 6 hours there and had a great time.

We exited the Experience and walked through the Super Bowl Village, which has two stages with live bands, bars and other entertainment. We made our way to Monument Circle were IndyCars decaled with all 32 NFL teams are lined up in front of giant X-L-V-I numerals.

It's exciting for Indianapolis to host such a great event. If you live nearby, take advantage of what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and go experience some of the offerings. - Oh, I forgot to mention the 4 ziplines that run down Capitol Avenue. Wow. That looked like fun.

I have photos posted on the Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/HarmonyTravel) and a video on YouTube (www.youtube.com/harmonytravelindy).

Free Entrance to National Parks on Select Days

Once again, the National Park Service is waiving entry fees to more than 100 National Parks on select days.

In 2012, you can visit all National Parks free of charge on the following dates:

January 14-16 (Martin Luther King Jr. weekend)
April 21-29 (National Park Week)
June 9
Sept. 29
Nov. 10-12 (Veterans Day weekend)

I've already made my summer vacation plans to visit Arches NP and Canyonlands NP in Utah. I can't wait.

Holland America Sale

We've partnered with Holland America to offer an exclusive cruise sale from now through Jan. 11, 2012.

All new individual or group reservations will receive an Onboard Value Booklet with more than $450 worth of savings. In addition, deposits are reduced to as little as $100 per person. And of course, you'll get the lowest fares available.

If you're thinking about a cruise in 2012, now is the time to put down your no-risk deposit and hold space at a great rate as well as get some extra perks.

Contact us now or visit our web page for more information.

Gospel Trail opens in Israel

A new trail across northern Israel offers travelers the chance to walk — or trot — through New Testament sites in the footsteps of Jesus.

The newly opened Gospel Trail winds for 39 miles, heading south from Nazareth, across gentle green hills, through Jewish and Arab towns and down to Capernaum, the fishing town where Jesus is said to have established his home base. The Tourism Ministry believes the new trail may attract up to 200,000 Christian pilgrims to northern Israel over the coming year.

On the Gospel Trail, tourists can ride toward the Sea of Galilee on horseback, accompanied by escorts from a nearby ranch wearing jeans, big belt buckles and embroidered cowboy boots with spurs. The scene feels more Texas than Gospel, especially because according to the New Testament, Jesus' mount of choice was a donkey. Horses were considered vehicles of war.

But as the horses canter to Capernaum, past the occasional grazing cow in a grassy pasture, with the sun setting over the distant hills of the Golan Heights, visitors can imagine for a moment that they have returned to the Holy Land of two millennia past.

The new Gospel Trail is a government project. It heads south out of Nazareth, beginning at Mount Precipice, where a mob nearly threw Jesus off a cliff after a sermon he made in a local synagogue. The summit provides sweeping views across the Galilee, from ancient Nazareth and down through the Jezreel Valley, today considered Israel's agricultural heartland. From there, the path goes to Mount Tabor, said to be the site of the Transfiguration, when Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah and became radiant, and God called him his son. Today, priests celebrate Mass in a Franciscan church with soaring ceilings and pristine white marble floors.

From there, the trail winds north, passing, in springtime, through a carpet of anemones and cyclamens. A side path, also marked, heads to Kfar Kana, where Jesus is said to have turned water into wine. Then the Gospel Trail passes double extinct volcanos known as the Horns of Hattin — famous as the site where Saladin's Muslim army defeated the Crusaders in 1187. Today a lone mosque stands as one of the few remainders of an abandoned Arab village on the site.

Nearby is the town of Migdal, named for the ancient town of Magdala, said to be home to Mary Magdalene. Farther north, at Tabgha, the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes commemorates when Jesus fed a multitude with only a handful of food. And finally, travelers pass by the Mount of Beatitudes before heading to Capernaum, where a charming pink-domed white church gives a European look to the lush green surroundings.

The Gospel Trail includes suggestions to take a boat across the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is said to have walked on water. The boats run between Capernaum and Kibbutz Ginosar, where marine archaeologists found and preserved a 2,000-year-old ancient fishing boat. Another boat route runs to Tiberias, a town dating back to 20 A.D.

All along the way, gas stations, quiet farming towns and luxurious guest houses offer places to recharge. The trail wends through picturesque Biblical landscapes and long stretches of neatly planted vegetables.

A variety of options already exist for travelers, from the Fauzi Azar Inn tucked into Nazareth's Old City, to the luxurious Scots Hotel in Tiberias. There are also country cottages outside Jewish towns, simple beds on farms and homestays in Arab villages. Camping is also easy in the many parks along the trail.

Cruise the Caribbean with Ken Griffey and other Baseball Greats

Baseball fans can escape the cold of winter and get ready for Spring Training with this fun-filled 7-night cruise to the Caribbean.

Baseball greats Ken Griffey Sr., Jim Fregosi, Darold Knowles and Stan Bahnsen will be the hosts onboard the MSC Poesia for activities that include:

- Interactive question-and-answer session with the players
- Player-hosted trivia games
- A lively story-telling session in which the players share candid revelations about some of the "characters" of the game
- Pitching, hitting, and defense strategy clinics
- A lively passenger pitching contest
- COMPLIMENTARY AUTOGRAPH session

In between baseball events, enjoy stops in Key West; Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Harmony Travel has put together a special package that includes a pre-night stay at an all-suites hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, a special on board party, welcome gift and more.

For more information about the players and cruise activities, visit www.HarmonyTravelAgency.com.

Summer Vacation Planning

As a travel consultant, you would think that planning my own summer vacation would be easy, that things should just fall into place. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and that’s why I’ve procrastinated until just a few weeks before leaving to really start planning.

Choosing where to go was the easy part. Several months ago my wife and I opted for Niagara Falls with a few days in Cleveland on the way. That was the easy part. Putting all of the details together – that’s the challenge.

As the main planner, most of the stress falls on me. I’ve got to balance everyone’s interests not to mention keeping control of the costs.

I’m a go-go-go type of person when I’m on vacation. This may be my only visit to a certain place so I want to see everything and do everything. If I’m sitting around at the hotel resting, I’m “wasting” my vacation.

My wife has helped me find a new perspective. Taking a vacation can mean relaxing and slowing down – not just going non-stop.

Taking those perspectives into account, not to mention that our kids are 8, 6 and 8 months, I set about to finally pull together the details of our upcoming vacation, trying to weave in flexibility, free time and fun.

Day 1 – We’ll drive to Cleveland. Columbus, Ohio is 3 hours from Indianapolis, so it makes a perfect stop for lunch. The headquarters for Graeter’s Ice Cream is located in Columbus and offers a free 30-minute tour to watch how ice cream is made. Close to Graeter’s are two city parks that each have picnic tables and playgrounds. It should make a nice stop for a couple of hours to break up the drive. Once we get to the Cleveland area, everyone can relax in the hotel pool.

Day 2 – Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just 20 minutes from our hotel. This park offers free admission and features numerous trails and other outdoor activities. Depending on how much we do in the park, we’ll still have plenty of time for more swimming at the hotel.

Day 3 – Our family loves baseball, and we’ve been fortunate to get to at least one major league game each of the last few summers. We’ve never been to Cleveland, so we’ll take in an Indians game.

Day 4 – It’s been a year or two since we’ve been to a zoo, so we’ll use most of the day to visit the Cleveland Zoo. Searching the zoo’s web site, I found that there are discount tickets available at a local drug store. I also learned that the zoo has free parking and allows coolers with picnic lunches.

After our trip to the zoo, we’ll make a trip to the lakeshore to spend some time on the beach.

Day 5 – On our way out of Cleveland, we’ll make a stop at the USS Cod, a World War II submarine. Next we’ll drive a couple of hours to Pesque Isle State Park in Erie, Penn., where there are trails, beaches and two lighthouses. Again, it will make a nice stopping point for lunch.

We’ll continue to Niagara Falls in the afternoon. That evening we’ll walk across the Rainbow Bridge to view the falls from the Canadian side, especially as it’s lit up.

Day 6 – We’ll spend the day at Niagara Falls, doing some of the attractions such as the Maid of the Mist ride.

The final two days of the trip are still a bit unplanned. We’ll be driving back to Indianapolis, but haven’t decided what we’ll do or where we’ll stop. Some of that will probably depend on our sweet 8-month-old; when she sleeps, when she eats and when she can’t stand to be trapped in her car seat any longer.

Planning a vacation is hard work. It’s also a good reminder of the expectations that clients have when they call. I hope you enjoy your summer vacation as much as we’ll enjoy ours.

2012 Faith-Based Itineraries Unveiled

Globus, one of the first tour operators to feature faith-based tours, unveiled its 2012 lineup with eight itineraries throughout Europe and the Middle East.

Two new offerings include "The European Reformation" and "Grand Catholic Italy." The Reformation itinerary includes 11 days in Germany with visits to Wittenberg, where Luther posted his 95 theses; Wartburg Castle, where he translated the Bible into German; and the Gutenberg Museum, where original copies of the Bible are on display. The trip also includes stops in Berlin and Munich as well as a day cruise on the Rhine River.

Globus continues the popular "Footsteps of the Apostle Paul" tour, which includes stops in Greece and Turkey, as well as the 10-day "Journey Through the Holy Land," where travelers literally walk where Jesus walked.

As a special incentive, Globus and Harmony Travel are offering 10% off 2012 bookings that are paid in full by Sept. 27.

Indiana Dunes State Park

After a long winter of being cooped up at home, Memorial Day weekend presented an excellent opportunity for a quick getaway.

Indiana Dunes State Park is just over three hours north of Indianapolis on the south shore of Lake Michigan.

I hadn't been to the Dunes since high school, so I had only vague memories of climbing around on mountains of sand. All other memories had faded away.

I was quite surprised then when we pulled up to the entrance gate in the middle of a forest. Turns out the Dunes aren't just sand and beach. There are actually more than 16 miles of trails that go through landscape that includes lots of trees, ferns and a marsh.

Since we had left around 9 in the morning and arrived just after noon, our first stop was the picnic area to enjoy our sandwiches.

We then drove over to the Nature Center, which gave us a chance to see exhibits about the types of wildlife in the area, a birdwatching area (I was fascinated by the red-bellied woodpeckers), and even the ruins of a shipwreck that had been retrieved.

One of the favorite displays for me and my two young boys was a place to measure your "wing span." Placing your palm against the glass, you stretched your arms as far as they could go. The display let you know how your wingspan compared to some of the birds in the area - from hawks to herons to the bald eagle.

The Nature Center makes for a good base camp during a visit. Trails 7, 8, 9 and 10 all can be accessed. We started with Trail 7, a 1.1-mile, moderate trail that provides the most direct route to the beach.

It got off to a sandy start but then transformed into firmer ground. The trail ends on a sandy dune hill about 40-50 feet above Lake Michigan. We wandered down to the wide beach to play by the water.

It's a good thing kids aren't fazed much by extreme temperatures. The water temp in late May was only 47 degrees. By Labor Day, the lake warms up into the 70s. The boys splashed around for a while and found some great rocks for skipping.

On our way back to the Nature Center, we ventured off on to parts of Trails 8 and 4 that led us to the highest point in the park - Mt. Tom with an elevation of 192 feet above the lake.

Trail 4 led us to the campground, which was full of holiday revelers. It is adjacent to the Nature Center.

After a short snack, we decided we had enough energy for one more hike. We started off on Trail 10. The entire trail makes a 5.5-mile loop. Our goal was simply to go the first mile to the bird observation tower that looks over the marsh.

We made it to the tower, but unfortunately heavy rains in the days and weeks prior to our visit left the stairwell unaccessible.

By the time we made it back to the Nature Center one final time, we had been at the park for 4 hours. A steady rain had started to fall and we sensed it was time to leave.

There's more to explore during our next visit.

Kids play and stay free at Walt Disney World

Kids ages 3-9 stay and play FREE at the Walt Disney World Resort in 2011.

The offer is valid for 4-night, 4-day Magic Your Way vacation packages at select Disney Value Resorts for stays most nights Feb. 17 – April 16, April 28 – June 14, 2011 or Aug. 14 – Oct. 1, 2011.

Offer Details:
This Walt Disney Travel Company package includes accommodations at a select Disney Value Resort and a Magic Your Way Base theme park ticket.

Booking and Travel Windows:

•Book: Jan. 3 – Feb. 13, 2011
•Travel: For stays most nights Feb. 17 – April 16, 2011

•Book: Jan. 3 – March 27, 2011
•Travel: For stays most nights April 28 – June 14, 2011 and Aug. 14 – Oct. 1, 2011

Collette launches Family Vacations division

Collette Vacations is launching Collette Family Vacations - nine new, specially-crafted itineraries that bring travelers of all ages together to experience destinations ranging from U.S. National Parks to Kenya and Canada and even the Galapagos.

Launching Collette Family Vacations is a natural extension of what the company is all about. Collette is in its third generation of Sullivan family ownership.

Kid friendly
Collette's foray into the multigenerational travel market has been carefully planned and based on trends including an increased focus on family. These 9 highly inclusive, value-packed vacations combine more that 90 years of Collette experience with a fresh approach to family travel. Some brand promises include:
Substantially discounted rates for children (14 and under).
Child rates apply even with only one accompanying adult in each room.
Family friendly hotels and activities.
Itineraries designed to keep all generations engaged.

While Family Vacations is its own distinct brand within the Collette family of brands, the great advantage is that travelers can utilize such shared services as:
Complimentary roundtrip home to airport transfer service on all air-inclusive tours
Industry-leading No Worries Cancellation Waiver
Guaranteed departure dates

From the cultural treasures of London and Paris to the plains of Africa, on constant remains - spending time together as a family. It is the most important gift we can give.

Discover the ruins of Caesarea

Just north of Tel Aviv, the ancient Roman ruins of Caesarea are one of the top things to see outside of Jerusalem. Paul was imprisoned here before being sent to Rome for trial. Watch the video here.

First Jerusalem Marathon Slated for March 2011

After hosting an annual half marathon for nearly twenty years, Jerusalem is finally hosting its own full marathon next year, scheduled to take place March 25, 2011.

The Jerusalem International Marathon will offer both amateur and professional runners the unique experience of running through a landscape rich in history and heritage, with breathtaking views and inspirational scenery.


Participants will be able to choose between three marathon routes - a full, half or quarter marathon - starting at the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) Building and finishing at Sacher Park. All the routes take the runners through downtown Jerusalem and the Old City, passing by the Sultan's Pool, Jaffa Gate and Zion's Gate, the Jerusalem Theater, the President's Residence and stunning views of the
Old and New City from the Sherover Promenade. Those running the full marathon will also run past Ammunition Hill, Mount Scopus and Augustus Victoria.

Carmel Market in Tel Aviv

I didn't make it to this market, but I did get to the market in Jerusalem during my trip to Israel. What a great authentic experience.

Jaffa

The video series continues with a visit to the port city of Jaffa, which has been incorporated into Tel Aviv.

Dead Sea Video

Our friends at Performance Media Group have put together a series of videos about Israel that we'll post over the next few days. Here's video number one from the Dead Sea - yeah, we were there ourselves two years ago.

Faith-Based Travel

Globus was one of the first travel suppliers to offer tours specifically designed for faith-based travelers. We talked with Julie Petschler about their most popular tours and what's new for 2011.

Jungle Island

Ever wonder what happened to those bright pink flamingos that were part of the opening of “Miami Vice?” Those and many other exotic creatures can be found at Jungle Island, just a five-minute drive from Miami Beach or from the Port of Miami.

Not just a zoo, Jungle Island offers an interactive experience with the chance to touch, hold and feed many of the animals. Dozens of colorful birds, many of which are happy to repeat phrases for you, line the walkways. For 25 cents, you can get a handful of food and let them eat right out of your hand.

Strolling staffers carry pythons, lemurs and other animals. The display housing the 900-lb liger (cross between a lion and a tiger) was under construction so I didn’t get the chance to see one of the site’s main attractions, but I was very entertained by the high-flying and very loud white-handed gibbons.

Jungle Island offers three shows that both entertain and educate. Winged Wonders features many birds of the air, including an Andean Condor, the largest flying bird on earth. Tale of the Tiger highlights the world’s rarest cats. The show I saw featured lemurs, a giant turtle and South African penguins among others.

The kid-friendly attraction has a playground and a private beach with waterslides and swim zone.

Jungle Island offers a free shuttle to hotels in Miami Beach, making it a perfect excursion for beachgoers. Its close proximity to the port also makes it easy to visit either before or after a cruise.

Downtown Miami to South Beach - 30 mins., $2

Want to save yourself the cost of a cab ride to Miami Beach or South Beach? Don’t be afraid to take advantage of Miami’s public transportation options.

From the Hyatt Regency, I made it to Miami Beach in about 30 minutes for just $2.

The first thing to take advantage of is the Metromover – an elevated rail service that serves downtown Miami from Omni to Brickell at no charge. I hopped on at the Knight Center and got off at the Omni Center, which is a transfer point for the bus and rail system.

At least three bus lines (C, M, S) go from Omni Center over the MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach. The cost of a one-way fare is just $2. From hotel door to the bus stop one block from the sandy beach took just 30 minutes.

I went during the day. If you’re going for the South Beach nightlife, double-check the hours of operation.

Norwegian Epic

Traveling with family….flying solo – don’t worry the Norwegian Epic has something for everyone.

Since lots of ships are family friendly, let’s start with what the Epic offers for single travelers. Unlike most ships or tours that require a single supplement, the Epic features 128 studio suites designed specifically for those traveling by themselves – or as we found during our tour – mother/daughter, friends, anyone who might want a room to themselves.

The rooms are just 100 square feet, but feature a double bed, sliding door closets and bathroom. All of the studios are “inside” cabins, but they feature a large window that looks out into the hallway, so you don’t feel claustrophobic. Ninety of these cabins are connecting cabins allowing mother/daughter type travelers to be together while maintaining separate sleeping quarters.

Another advantage of the single studios – access to an exclusive lounge area stocked with snacks and games.

The Epic staff boasted that the ship has the largest suites and villas complex at sea. These larger rooms come with butler service and access to a special pool area and fitness room.

When it comes to family fun, the Epic has three waterslides, several pools and its kids area. Kids are divided into three age groups and given appropriate activities. There’s also a bowling alley, rock-climbing and rappelling walls and billiard tables.

When you get hungry from all of the onboard activities – and I haven’t even mentioned the Blue Man Group performances in the theater – there are dozens of dining options. Eleven are included in the base fare, including the Manhattan Room where I had the opportunity to enjoy lobster bisque and a steak for lunch.

Ten specialty restaurants are available for $10-25 extra.

The Epic is currently sailing in the Caribbean, alternating 7-day Eastern and Western itineraries that can be combined into a 14-day sailing. From May-October 2011, the ship will reposition to the Mediterranean for 7-day sailings out of Barcelona.

While experienced cruisers should enjoy this ship, the Epic is a great option for first timers looking to experience the fun and excitement at sea.