Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

The trip is starting its third day and already it has featured several incredible moments.

One was watching the sun set over the Mediterranean on our first day in Tel Aviv. Saturday morning, it was waking up at 6 a.m. and watching the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee.

It's the Sabbath here in Israel, which means some things are closed, but it also means much less traffic.

We started the day just a mile or so from the hotel at the ancient hot springs bath and the ruins of one of the oldest synagogues in Israel, dating back to the 3rd-4th century AD.

After a brief visit, we drove past Migdhal (in Greek Magdala), the home of Mary Magdalene. From there, we continued to Tagbha where a Benedictine Monastery is located on the traditional site of Jesus multiplying the fish and the loaves. Under the altar of the simple monastery is a rock that is said to be "the" rock that the disciples used to cut the fish and the bread before distributing it to the crowd.

The monastery is on a site that has housed a church since at least the 5th century, and prior to that it was a Christian gathering spot.

Cana to the Sea of Galilee

We left Nazareth en route for Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Our drive took us past Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle when turned water into wine.

As we drove through the hilly and rocky terrain, I couldn't help but think of Jesus spending 30 days in the wilderness.

Our drive wound us around the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee descending further and further. The lake is located 200 m below sea level. The drive, which took less than an hour, would have been a full day trip on foot or by donkey for Jesus.

We arrived in Tiberias just after sunset, and were immediately in awe of the Sea of Galilee. It's 12 km wide and 23 km long and provides 1/3 of Israel's fresh water.

With darkness setting in, we checked in for the first of two nights in the Holiday Inn. The hotel is very nice, comparable or better to most of the Holiday Inns in the United States. The rooms are fairly spacious, featuring a couch, desk and refrigerator - and best of all, a balcony with a view of the lake.

The dinner buffet featured three amply-supplied stations of salads, pastas, meats, desserts and more.

There is also a spa here, fed by the local hot springs, however it closed at 5:00 and we weren't able to take advantage.

Our final trip for the day was a five-minute walk down to the shore. It was a clear, starry night, and it was easy to think of it as the place where Jesus called his disciples to be fishers of men, walked on water and did much of his teaching.

A Druze lunch

After visiting the monastery, we drove toward Haifa, stopping a small Druze town called Dalyat el Carmel for lunch.

The lunches have been fairly expensive to far - $25 - but this one was definitey worth it, because our guide was with us to help introduce us to authentic local food.

We started with a round of "salad" which included several small plates featuring olives, pickles, hummus, eggplant, something similar to salsa, tabuli, and falafel - a ball of fried chickpeas. It came with pita bread and another very thin bread - thinner than a tortilla.

I especially loved the falafel, tabuli and hummus.

Following the salad round, we had a choice of chicken kebabs or lamb kebabs. We tried both and both had favorable reviews.

Our lunch was topped off with small pieces of baklava - delicious.

Nazareth

Following our lunch, we continued east toward Haifa and had a beautiful panoramic view of the city and bay from the Mount Carmel mountain range before looping back east and heading to Nazareth. Most of the Mount Carmel range is recognized as a nature preserve. We saw lots of people on bicycles.

It took about 30-40 minutes to reach Nazareth, which in the last 50-60 years has grown into the largest Arab town in Israel with about 70,000 inhabitants. Compare that to Jesus' time when it's estimated that perhaps 100 families made up the village.

With all of the hustle and bustle in the town, it was difficult to get much of a spiritual connection, even as we visited the Church of the Annunciation. The church is built on a site where there has known to be a church since the fifth century. The center of the lower basilica sits above a cave, which is believed to be the home of Mary and the location where she was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told her she would give birth to the Christ child. Under the altar in the cave are inscribed the words "it happened here."

We were fortunate to witness a private communion service in the lower basilica. It gave us a brief opportunity to listen to their prayers and reflect.

Around the courtyard of the church and the inside of the lower basilica are large murals from many countries, donated by Catholic communities.

One interesting item that our guide pointed out to us as we looked at the bronze door at the entrance is that some scholars believe that Joseph's occupation has been mis-translated. They think that he was more likely a stone mason rather than a wood mason (carpenter) because the local topography is very rocky and features very few trees.

Mount Carmel

From Caesarea, we headed north and west to Mount Carmel. It's actually a range of mountains and not one specific peak. As we ascended, the transitioned from the sandy dunes along the coast through pines, firs and cypress trees - many of them planted during the last century.

As we drove, we also found it fairly easy to identify different communities. Jewish communities tend to be a bit more spread out, while the Muslim and Arab communities have houses "stacked" upon each other. The difference between those two is that the Muslim communities feature the minarets of the local mosques sticking above the "skyline."

There are also several Druze communities in the area. The Druze have been accepted into Israel because they are known to be loyal to whatever government they are living under.

Our stop in the Mount Carmel area was at the Carmelite monastery in Muhraka. It is the site that honors and Elijah and the story from I Kings 18. As you may recall, Elijah challenged the worshippers of Baal to build an altar and call upon their god to light it on fire. After several attempts, they failed.

Elijah, meanwhile, built and altar and ordered it soaked with water. He called out to God who made it burst into flame.

Our guide, and the statue in the garden, reminded us that Elijah then ordered the slaughter of the priests who had led the people to worship Baal.

From the top of the monastery, we could look out in every direction. To the east, we could see the Mediterranean. To the southeast, our guide said Tel Aviv can be seen on a clear day (about 90 km away), however it was too hazy for us to see. To the west was a fertile valley, and to the northwest was Haifa.

Caesarea

Our official tour of Israel began Friday morning around 8:30 when we were met by our guide Shalom. As he explained to us later in the day, he was born during a time of war. He was going to be named after his grandfather, but his mother chose the name Shalom instead in hopes of peace.

We drove north out of Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean coast. Much of the coast is lined with huge sand dunes although there were numerous orchards of fruits and vegetables. Israel is small, but it has several climates and many varieties of plants have been successfully domesticated here.

An hour north of Tel Aviv is Caesarea, an ancient port city with ruins from the time of Herod the Great. Shalom pointed out that to this day, the Romans are still regarded as the most prolific builders in Israeli history.

The ruins at Caesarea include an amphitheater, palace, hippodrome and more.


From a Christian point of view, it was interesting to learn that Paul was imprisoned here prior to being sent to Rome to plead his case as a Roman citizen. It was here that he encountered Cornelius, a commander in the Roman army, who became one of the first converts to Christianity (Acts 10).

Another interesting find on the site was a tablet with the inscription of Pontius Pilate, the ruler who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.

Israel - First impressions

I suppose our first impression was - this isn't how the U.S. media portrays it. No soldiers anywhere to be seen - even at the airport.

Beyond that, it has the feeling of Florida - palm trees, lots of blooming flowers. It was easily already 70 degrees when we got out of the airport around 9:30.

From the airport, which is on the southwest side of Tel Aviv, it took about 45 minutes to navigate traffic to the center of the city where our hotel, Prima Tel Aviv, was located at Frishman Beach on the coast of the Mediterranean. Several other major hotels, such as Dan and Sheraton, are also nearby. It's also about 2 blocks from a major shopping street - Ben Yehuda.

The city has a very European feel - narrow streets, family-owned shops at street level with owners that likely live upstairs, lots of little cafes and restaurants.

There is a long Promenade that runs along the beach, so we took a nice walk and had lunch at a cafe along the water. That was delightful. Our entrees included fish and chips, a polish kebab and St. Peter's fish. I had the St. Peter's fish which is similar to talapia. For those of you who have had fish in another country before - yes, I got the whole fish, head staring back at me and everything.



We took a walk, letting our feet get soothed by the cool water. After a full day of travel, it was nice to get the shoes off. There are a couple of break waters set up to keep the waves on the beach very calm.

Since we're closer to the equator here, the sun sets early. The sun dipped below the horizon by 5:00.

Getting to Israel

We had a pretty uneventful time getting to Israel. We anticipated some extra screening and scrutiny, but didn't experience anything too threatening. The only extra security came at the airport at Newark where the Tel Aviv flight was in a secure boarding area. To get into the area, they checked your boarding pass, "wanded" you and looked quickly through your carry-on bag.

The flight itself went well. It's about 10 1/2 hours from Newark to Tel Aviv. We flew on a Continental 777 that featured 3-3-3 seating. The best part was that every seat featured it's own entertainment system with access to more than 250 movies, 300 TV programs, music and games.

The movies and TV programs were of a variety of genres, suitable for every interest -new releases, movies from the '50s, comedy, action, sitcoms, HBO shows, etc.

We also were all pleasantly surprised when we landed in Tel Aviv. We expected a lot of scrutiny, but all we got were 3-4 questions about the purpose of our visit and where we would be going.

The Tel Aviv airport was also surprisingly not crowded. Also, there was no food court, just a couple of "fast" food type places and only a handful of shops.

From landing to leaving the airport, it only took about 45 minutes.

Fewer flights during holidays

USA Today reported recently that airlines will offer almost 3,000 fewer domestic flights a day during the Thanksgiving season, translating into fuller planes and higher fares.

According to the report, there will be 11% fewer flights — 2.6 million fewer seats — on non-stop domestic routes from Nov. 20, the Thursday before Thanksgiving, through Nov. 30, the Sunday afterward.

Travelers with plans to fly during that time period should book early. It’s also a good idea to make parking reservations in advance.

Amtrak USA Rail Pass

Amtrak is making its USA Rail Pass available for purchase in the U.S. Previously, the pass could only be bought by travelers who lived outside the country.

The passes are available for 15, 30 and 45 days of travel. The 15-day pass offers eight segments of travel for $389. The 30-day pass offers 12 segments of travel for $579. The 45-day pass offers 18 segments of travel for $749.

Each time a passenger boards a train or connecting Amtrak Thruway bus counts as one segment.

The passes are priced the same regardless of when you travel, but you must begin your travel within 180 days of purchase. Passengers must also have a ticket and reservation for each train they board.

New terminal coming to Indianapolis International Airport

A new terminal will open at the Indianapolis International Airport in early November. I recently had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility.

Getting there/Parking

The new “midfield” terminal is located a few miles west of the current terminal. Passengers traveling from downtown Indianapolis need to continue past the current exit 75 to exit 68. This actually takes you about a mile past the new terminal before looping you back. As you enter, one of the first changes you’ll notice is a cell phone lot – a free lot with 49 spaces for drivers waiting for arriving passengers.

Continuing to the terminal are options for long-term parking, economy parking, a five-level parking garage and rental car return.

Opening rates for parking are:
Economy: $7/day
Long-term: $11/day
Garage: $16/day ($2 every 30 minutes)
Uncovered valet: $15/day
Covered valet: $18/day

We continue to have a strong relationship with Indy Park Ride & Fly, offering discounts and free days of parking for that company’s new location near the new terminal.

Ticketing Hall/Civic Plaza

Departing passengers will enter the new terminal in the Ticketing Hall, featuring four “islands” for purchasing tickets and checking in. From there, you can proceed into Civic Plaza, a circular open area between the two concourses. A number of shops and restaurants are available so families can remain together before passengers go through security and enter the concourses. Civic Plaza is bright and open with large windows that will allow people to see airplanes at the gates and even see downtown in the distance. Special lighting creates airplane shapes “flying” on the walls.

Restaurants in Civic Plaza include:
McDonald’s
Qdoba
Naked Tchopstix
500 Grill
Café Patachu
Pizzeria

Security Lines

The entry to both concourses feature seven security screening lanes. Not only is this an increase from the 3-4 lanes at most of the concourses in the current airport, but the security area is very large and open. There also will be special family lanes for passengers who want to move at their own pace and not feel rushed to get through the line.

The new terminal will feature the controversial Millimeter Wave screening equipment. The new technology creates a very intimate image of passengers in an effort to detect weapons concealed beneath clothing. The Millimeter Wave will be optional for passengers not comfortable with the technology, however, those who decline may be subject to pat-downs instead.

Concourse A

Concourse A features 16 gates and will serve Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines and Northwest Airlines.

I was impressed by two specific features of both concourses. First, there are recycle bins located at numerous locations for cans, bottles and newspapers. Second, there are an abundance of electrical outlets along the outside walls. One of the most frustrating parts about most airports is the lack of outlets in most gate areas. With so many people working on laptops these days, finding an empty outlet can be very challenging. The new terminal features outlets nearly every 8 to 10 feet.

Restaurants in Concourse A include:
Starbucks
Harry & Izzy’s
Fruits & Passion
Chocolate Café
96th Street Steakburger
Bananas/Green Leaf’s
TGI Friday’s
Cold Stone Creamery

Concourse B

One other change from the current airport – the concourses are connected, so once you go through security you can go into either concourse for shopping or eating.

Concourse B also features 16 gates and will serve AirTran Airways, Frontier, Southwest, United and US Airways.

The concourses are 1,300 feet long by 100 feet wide – nice and roomy – and feature moving sidewalks to help you cover the distance.

Restaurants in Concourse B include:
Champps Americana
Copper Moon World Coffees
Wolfgang Puck Express
Shapiro’s Delicatessen
King David Dogs
Starbucks
Natalie’s Candy Bar
Cold Stone Creamery
Camden Food Co.

Concourse B also houses En Route Serenity Spa offering several types of massages, as well as pedicures and manicures.

Baggage Claim

Baggage claim should run much more efficiently at the new terminal. Behind the scenes, the airport has put in a system that can handle 8,000 bags per hour. Currently the aiport averages 15-20,000 bags per day.

Baggage claim is on the lower level of the airport. Six carousels, much bigger than the ones at the old airport, are available. Each carousel features a digital screen showing which flight is located at that particular carousel.

Ground transportation

Signs at the exit of baggage claim offer two options. 1) Go straight out the doors for airport parking shuttles and taxis, or 2) go up one level for rental cars, off airport shuttles, buses and garage parking.

Like many other airports, Indianapolis will now house rental cars in one central location instead of riding a shuttle to individual businesses. Eight companies will be represented in the airport garage.

Happy Birthday from Disney

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts announced its marketing theme for 2009 will be “What Will You Celebrate?” encouraging guests to visit the parks for birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, honeymoons, weddings and other celebratory gatherings. As part of that campaign, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free.

At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can choose from more than 200 experiences ranging from such adventures as magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, and diving the depths with undersea creatures. Other unforgettable experiences include the popular character dining, pirate adventures and princess fantasies at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. At Disneyland Resort, there are more than 50 magical experiences for celebrants, including “My Disneyland Birthday,” Disneyland guided tours and Fantasmic! dessert packages.

At Walt Disney World Resort, birthday guests can sample an enormous sundae – scoops and scoops of ice cream smothered in many tasty toppings – served at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, one of more than 200 ideas for customization that guests can add on to their itinerary for a celebratory visit to Disney’s Vacation Kingdom in central Florida.

Holyland Journey - Trip Forming

Harmony Travel will be leading a group to Israel Oct. 29-Nov. 7. The 10-day, 8-night Holyland Journey includes daily breakfast and two dinners.

The pages of the Bible will come to life as we walk the paths that Jesus walked. We will visit the Mount of Beatitudes, Jordan River, Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. We will sail on the Sea of Galillee and walk the Via Dolorosa. Our 10-day stay concludes in Jerusalem where we’ll visit the Room of the Last Supper and the Garden Tomb.

There's much more of course. Call Harmony Travel today for more information (317-242-9545)

West Edmonton Mall

Wow! How else do you describe a mall with more than 800 stores, two hotels and the world's largest indoor waterpark. Oh, there's also a to-scale model of Christopher Columbus's Santa Maria ship, miniature golf and an ice hockey rink.

I made two visits to the mall. I'm not much of a shopper, so I got bored pretty quickly on my second visit. But for a shopper, this place has it all. Lots of clothing and shoe stores and everything else you typically find in a mall.

If I were to return, I would recommend staying at one of the hotels attached to the mall. You could literally spend every moment in the mall. Eat at one of the restaurants or food court (yes, there is a Tim Horton's here), and then play all day.

The waterpark would be my first stop. Covering 6,000 square feet, it has 12 slides for all levels of adventure - from beginner to extreme. There's a large wave pool, kids play area, hot tubs and more.

There's also Galaxyland amusement park. There are 26 rides for all ages, including a triple-loop roller coaster.

Don't forget - the sea lions perform daily at 2 and 4 p.m.

Shopping? Who has time to shop?

Dining in Edmonton

Edmonton is a very diverse city, so there are lots of dining options. The downtown area isn't loaded with high-end restaurants but there are several nice choices.

On my first night in town, I walked about a third of a mile from The Sutton Place hotel to a place called the Blue Plate Diner. Later, when I mentioned to two locals that I had eaten there, they both raved about it and suggested I return for brunch for the best eggs benedict I would ever have.

The dinner menu offered a very healthy fare - very vegan-friendly and lots of organic ingredients. I chose the baked tandoori chicken, which featured oven-roasted chicken thighs marinated in yogurt, garlic, ginger and tandoori spices. Very delicious. My two dining companions opted for a meatloaf made with lean ground beef, oats, fresh herbs, onions, carrots, celery and buttermilk and studded with dried cranberries and cheddar cheese, and a hamburger.

My second night featured a trip to West Edmonton Mall. The Bourbon Street area of the mall houses about a dozen restaurants ranging from family restaurants, pubs and sports bars to higher-end dining options. I chose a place called Earl's, which had a dining area and a lounge. We sat in the lounge on a comfortable, cushioned bench that curved around small round table. The menu offers a lot to choose from - chicken, pasta, steaks, ribs - in an elegant atmosphere.

I chose the spicy thai green curry with coconut cream curry with zucchini and sautéed shrimp on coconut jasmine rice, topped with roasted pineapple and crushed pistachios. The menu had two peppers next to it to indicate its spicyness, and it definitely had some kick. It was quite delicious.

Night three found me at Moxie's, which surprised me once I got there. There are several street-side location that give the look of any typical family restaurant or grill. I thought it could easily fall into the "Applebee's" category. Instead, Moxie's also offers a very wide-ranging menu. I had chicken enchiladas that were some of the best enchiladas I've eaten in recent memory.

One final dinner stop came at Hardware Grill located near the Shaw Convention Centre on Jasper Ave. It's a pricy place with entrees ranging from $35-$55. A companion chose an elk, spare ribs combo that was divine. I had beef tenderloin that was delicious. The "beef stew" potatoes that accompanied it tasted like they had been cooked with a roast all day. We topped off the meal with a dessert sampler that included 7-8 bite-sized desserts, including two chocolate truffles and some chocolate mousse.

I wouldn't say Edmonton is a hot bed of high-class dining, but for a visitor, there are certainly enough options for a brief stay.

Edmonton, Alberta

As a native of Indianapolis, a laid-back Midwestern city, my first visit to Edmonton has made me feel at home. The sixth-largest city in Canada is similar in size to Indy (a little over 1 million), and the people are very friendly.

It takes some effort to get to Edmonton - it's almost four hours north of Calgary - but a visit, especially in the summertime, is worth it.

I visited in late July when the city was buzzing was several of its biggest events of the year - although I'm not sure anything tops Oilers hockey in the winter in the mindset of Edmontonians.

Edmonton's CapitalEx, a 10-day "state fair", was in mid-swing. I didn't see any pigs or other livestock common to the Indiana State Fair, but there was a lively midway with games and rides, several concert areas and exhibition halls filled with various vendors. One of the most unique attractions was a butterfly exhibit, where visitors could walk in a large area covered by netting and mingle with thousands of exotic butterflies.

Another area drawing a large crowd at CapitalEx was Sip!, a wine and food-tasting experience. This area offered fair goers the chance to sample wines, beers, spirits and food from some of the areas restaurants and breweries. I two very interesting beers brewed by Amber's Brewing Company. The first was Australian Mountain Pepper Berry Lager. It was quite tasty, and it had just a hint of a pepper flavor. I also sampled the Sap Vampire Maple Lager, which was quite different from any beer I had tasted before due to its maple taste.

CapitalEx takes place at Northlands, which also houses the Oilers' arena and a horse track.

Another event taking place in Edmonton during my visit in July was Taste of Edmonton. Forty restaurants set up booths in Sir Winston Churchill Square, located downtown just a block from my hotel - Sutton Place. Visitors could sample nearly 80 menu items from the different restaurants.

Two major sporting events were also occuring in Edmonton during my visit, an Indy car race at the City Centre Airport and a rodeo. The city also has an independent minor league baseball team and a Canadian Football League team.

I didn't have time, but the city also offers numerous parks, hiking and biking trails to take advantage of on the long summer days. With its northern location, the sun rises around 5:30 a.m. and doesn't set until around 10:30 p.m. Bring sunscreen. The northern location makes the sun feel more intense. I noticed my skin starting to feel hot after only a limited amount of time outside.

Hickory Falls Wood-Fired Grill

I recently made a return visit to Hickory Falls Wood Fired Grill in Smyrna, Tennessee just outside of Nashville.

While I don't have strong memories good or bad from my visit about a year ago, this visit definitely left me disappointed. I started with a salad, which was very good. My entree, however, an 8 oz. sirloin had very little taste - other than a hint of smoky flavor from the grill. My companion gave the same report for the pork chops.

I was also disappointed by the service. It seemed rushed and insincere.

The best part of the meal was getting out of there in only 35 minutes.

Baltimore

My wife and two young children recently joined me for a day in Baltimore. It was the first visit to the city for all of us, and I must say Baltimore seems like a city easily worth 2-3 days of sightseeing.

As we researched some options before going to Baltimore, the kids overwhelmingly voted for the B&O Railroad Museum. This proved to be a great choice.

We spent about two hours at the museum located about 10 minutes from the Inner Harbor. A huge roundhouse houses engines and coaches from many eras, including several that have been used in films. Numerous volunteers are available to answer questions, provide historical insights and give tours. There's also the opportunity to board several of the trains. We went on a Tuesday which precluded us getting to ride on a train - the rides are offered Wednesday through Sunday.

After the B&O Museum, we drove down to the Inner Harbor. This is an area with many options.

The National Aquarium houses more than 5,000 creatures. The Science Center features three floors of exhibits, including a planetarium and an IMAX theater.

Four ships from different eras can me toured: a Coast Guard cutter that survived Pearl Harbor, a submarine from World War II, the USS Constellation from the Civil War and the Lightship Chesapeake, a floating navigational lighthouse.

Fort McHenry, which inspired the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, is also nearby.

Of course, a lot of the fun comes from just sitting and watching different boats come and go.

We rented a paddle boat and spent 30 minutes on the water.

We were also entertained by some street performers as we walked past numerous restaurants and bars.

The area is close to both Camden Yards and M&T Stadium, the homes to baseball's Baltimore Orioles and football's Baltimore Ravens. We took in a game at Camden Yards. It's a beautiful ballpark that seems to stick to baseball - not a lot of fancy gimmicks around the park or between innings. There is a street (Eutaw Street) located beyond the right field fence that features food vendors, restaurants and bars.

Comfort Restaurant - Richmond, Virginia

Need a little southern comfort food? The Comfort near the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia is the right place. Located at 200 W. Broad St., the simple restaurant features a menu with a handful of appetizers and entrees and a well-stocked bar.

Meatloaf, pulled pork, marinated venison and grilled trout are among the entree. I opted for the trout, filleted and wrapped in bacon. It was delicious. Each entree comes with either two or three sides. The cheesy grits were outstanding as was the fried okra.

The restaurant has been featured in Southern Living magazine and earned Best Downtown Restaurant honors in Richmond in 2007.

A second Comfort is located in Portsmouth, Va.

But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night

Until now, my frequent business travels had not included a stay at a Holiday Inn Express. That changed recently on a trip to the Des Moines, Iowa area. I stayed at a fairly new Holiday Inn Express in Ankeny - two exits north of I-80 on I-35.

I was checked in by the general manager, who joked that I was in the bridal suite with a heart-shaped bed. My hopes were dashed, however, when I got to my room and found a standard king-sized bed.

The room was large, featuring a work desk, chair, refrigerator and microwave. Two essentials for hotel stays were also free of charge - wireless internet access and breakfast.

A final surprise awaited me when I logged on to the internet service. After agreeing to the provider's terms, I was taken to a page offering free access to Major League Baseball game broadcasts. What a bonus! I enjoyed listening to several innings of my favorite team.

The Ankeny area is developing quickly. The area around the hotel features a business park and is across the street from Outback Steakhouse and Chip's. A couple of blocks away are a variety of restaurants and shops.

King's Fish House - Long Beach, California

If you're looking for a great restaurant serving fresh fish in the heart of Long Beach, King's Fish House is the place. The restaurant is within a few blocks walk of the World Trade Center, Convention Center and attractions such as the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Menus are printed daily, but the selection is large. I had coconut encrusted mahi mahi. It was mouth-watering.

Many of the entrees such as lobster and clams seem to be less than what "market price" seems to be at other fine dining locations.

Starwood introduces "Love Your Family"

Beginning this summer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which includes Sheraton, Westin and St. Regis brands, will unveil a new family-friendly program with signature services and curated experiences designed for kids and grownups alike. "Love Your Family" will launch in 29 resort locations first in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

The core elements of "Love Your Family" include three signature experiences -- Fireside Storytelling, Stargazing, and Dive-In Movies -- as well as other features that will be indigenous to each respective property. Additionally, "Love Your Family" includes services designed to appeal especially to parents, including connecting rooms, food and beverage discounts, and other unique packages and offers, all coordinated by the resort's newly appointed "Director of Fun." Each participating "Love Your Family" resort will feature a director of fun, a family ambassador of entertainment, who will make sure that all elements of a family hotel stay are in place to make the vacation a memorable one. In addition, the director of fun will oversee a "fun staff" responsible for coordinating activities and experiences throughout guests' stay.

Contact Harmony Travel today to book this unique package.

Another airline bankruptcy

ATA Airlines ceased all current and future flight operations in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 3. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late yesterday in Indianapolis.

This comes on the heels of the closing of Aloha Airlines.

Harmony Travel LLC advises to always consider purchasing the proper travel insurance to help protect yourself against many kinds of travel difficulties, including the bankruptcy of travel suppliers.

New NWA routes on sale

Northwest Airlines new routes between Indianapolis and Austin, Texas and San Antonio, Texas are now on sale. Sample fares are $89 each way to Austin and $113 each way to San Antonio for travel between May 2 and June 7.

The Watering Hole - Sebring, Florida

It's fascinating how sometimes the strangest places seem to thrive.

Sebring, Florida is a small town in central Florida about two hours south of Orlando. Located a few miles outside of town, and looking like a "hole in the wall" type of place is a restaurant called The Watering Hole - complete with sign promoting its live 14-foot gator.

I went on a Wednesday night, and the place was busy.

The first thing you notice when you walk in is an overpowering odor of garlic hanging in the air. Nearly every meal comes with garlic bread, and nearly every meal is served with garlic.

The food at The Watering Hole is good and the prices are reasonable.

For an appetizer, I had sauteed mushrooms while my dining companion had a bowl of clam stew. The bowl of mushrooms was large, and it was half full of mushrooms and half full of garlic. The clam stew was thin - more like a soup than a stew - but my friend said it was delicious.

There are a wide variety of entrees available - chicken, pasta, seafood and steaks. I saw a few filets at nearby tables, and they looked delicious. I opted for a Walleye filet, and it was very good. It came with a bowl of fruit and roasted red potatoes.

It may look like a hole in the wall, but The Watering Hole is definitely worth a visit.

Oh yeah, Bully, the 14-foot alligator, remained safely in his cage the entire time.

Aloha Airlines files bankruptcy

Aloha Airlines, an inter-island carrier in Hawaii, has filed for Chapter 11bankruptcy protection. At this time, the airline plans to continue flying and honor future reservations. Harmony Travel customers can be assured that we will continue to monitor the situation.

Northwest adds Indy flights

Northwest Airlines will add service between Indianapolis and both Austin and San Antonio starting May 2. Call us today for special rates and promotions.

Bosphorous Istanbul Cafe - Indianapolis

In a country of chain restaurants, it can be challenging to find good, independent places to eat. I had the fortune of visiting a independently owned Turkish restaurant on the southeast side of downtown Indianapolis recently.

I learned about the Bosphorous Istanbul Cafe on the internet while searching for Döner Kebaps. I fell in love with Döner Kebaps when I lived in Germany in the early 90’s, and I happily renewed my acquaintance with them last fall in Portugal.

A marinated combination of beef and lamb is grilled on a rotisserie throughout the day. The meat is then shaved into a pita and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a yogurt-like sauce. It’s absolutely delicious.

My google search for Döner Kebaps in Indianapolis led me to the Bosphorous Cafe, tucked into an old house on S. East Street across from Eli Lilly. It opens for lunch and features a lunch and dinner menu.

Of course, I opted for the Döner Kebap with french fries, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The menu features a Bosphorous Special, which provides a sampling of several entrees with enough food for two.

U.S.-Australia open skies agreement

Officials in the United States and Australia have reached a new “open skies” aviation agreement that should eliminate restrictions on air travel between the two countries. U.S.- and Australian-based airlines will be able to set their own routes and destinations between the two countries with no flight limits, and they’ll have more leeway to cooperate on marketing (including codeshares).

Car rental companies offer carbon offsets

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car launched the car rental industry's largest customer carbon offset program. Designed to give customers a simple but meaningful way to address the environmental impact of renting a car, the program is the first consumer initiative to be launched under all three brands. Enterprise, National and Alamo are owned by the Taylor family of St. Louis. Collectively, the Taylor family owns and operates the world's largest automotive fleet, employing more than 1.1 million vehicles.

Under this new program, customers of all three rental car brands can benefit the environment by offsetting the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by the average car rental. When reserving a car through the company's call-in reservation centers or online, customers can opt in to pay $1.25 per rental (plus applicable taxes) to purchase a carbon offset. Under this new program, in partnership with TerraPass, a leading provider of carbon offsets, the funds will be used to purchase certified offset projects that work to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. According to TerraPass, for every 100,000 customers who choose to take part, this effort will offset more than 30 million pounds -- or 13,500 metric tons -- of CO2. In the pilot phase of the program, which began on Jan. 1, 2008, the company reported that across all three brands, approximately 1,000 customers per day agreed to buy carbon offsets when reserving a vehicle.

Rathskeller Restaurant - Indianapolis

The Rathskeller is located on the northeast side of downtown Indianapolis adjacent to a thriving arts district, across the street from the Murat Theater and in the same building as the American Cabaret Theater.

The menu boasts many hearty traditional German dishes as well as steaks, seafood and more. The Rathskeller features more than 60 beers from around the world as well as an extensive wine list.

In addition to the restaurant, there's a bar with live music and a biergarten for outdoor fun in the summer.

On a recent visit, my wife and I opted for two meals from the German section of the menu. We started with mushroom caps stuffed with cream cheese, bacon bits and chives topped with two melted cheeses. That was followed by two house salads, although we were left wondering if we were supposed to have bread served along with it. We both had bread plates, butter knives and butter, but we never got any bread.

No matter, there was more than enough food to satisfy us. For the main dish, I opted for one of my long-time favorites from the year I lived in Germany - Jaegerschnitzel. It's a pork tenderloin topped with mushrooms in a red wine sauce. For my two side dishes I chose the Bavarian Spaetzle noodles and a potato pancake. All were quite delicious.

My wife chose the Beef Roulladen, a rolls of tender beef stuffed with bacon, onions and mustard slowly cooked for tenderness. She enjoyed it immensely.

For dessert, we split a piece of Black Forest cake.

Most entrees run $25-30, so expect dinner for two to approach $100.

United adds baggage fee

As air travelers, we're gradually growing accustomed to receiving fewer services such as no more complimentary snacks on flights or extra charges for advance seat assignments.

United has taken another step and will begin charging customers who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets and who do not have status in Mileage Plus or Star Alliance a $25 service fee for checking more than one bag.

We'll keep you posted on further developments like these.

New cruise boarding guidelines set

New cruise boarding rules go into effect on Feb. 18. Starting that date, passengers must board at U.S. ports at least one hour prior to the ship’s scheduled departure. We recommend that you use any online check-in systems offered by cruise lines to submit your information as soon as possible before arriving at the departure port.

Another good idea is arriving at the departure port the night before the sailing date, to avoid any problems with flight delays on the date of departure. If passengers fail to make it to the ship by the hour-before-departure deadline, they may be denied boarding without any refund of their cruise payments.

For Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Azamara sailings, passengers must complete their online check-ins no later than three days prior to the cruise departure. If they don’t, they will be required to complete the process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. If passengers are not checked in and onboard the ship at least 90 minutes prior to that time, they will not be permitted to sail.

Travel Alert for Kenya

The U.S. State Department issued a Travel Alert to warn American citizens of the risks of travel to areas of Kenya following disputed elections in Kenya. On Jan. 30 the Department of State authorized non-emergency personnel and family members to relocate from Kisumu to Nairobi. The government warned U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the cities of Kisumu, Nakuru and Naivasha, and defer all non-essential travel to the remaining portions of Nyanza, Western, and Rift Valley provinces, asserting that the situation in Kenya is volatile and subject to change on short notice. U.S. citizens can monitor U.S. Embassy Nairobi's website at http://kenya.usembassy.gov for the latest security information. The Travel Alert updates the Jan. 11 Travel Alert, supplements the Oct. 18, 2007, Kenya Travel Warning, and expires Feb. 29.

Although widespread violence, demonstrations, and looting have subsided, a recent outbreak of protests in Nairobi and violent civil unrest in Kisumu, Nakuru, and Naivasha demonstrates the potential for spontaneous violence in the current political climate, the State Department said. Several official Americans have been temporarily relocated from Kisumu to Nairobi. Americans in Kenya should be prepared for a large police presence and potential outbreaks of hostile clashes between police and demonstrators, and between rival groups of demonstrators. International and domestic airports are operating normally, but this may change on short notice.

The Travel Alert warned that road travel in western Kenya remains unsafe. Sporadic illegal road blocks by gangs or criminal elements may make travel possible only with police escorted convoys, the State Department said. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become violent. Americans should therefore avoid all demonstrations, protests and large public gatherings. The State Department urged American citizens who travel to Kenya to register with the U.S. Embassy at https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to monitor the U.S. Embassy website at http://kenya.usembassy.gov for updates on this volatile situation. The department shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at www.travel.state.gov. Travelers may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or outside the U.S. and Canada at 202-501-4444.

Celebrity's Solstice features real grass

Celebrity Cruises unveiled another first in the cruise industry this week: real grass growing aboard a cruise ship. The new “Celebrity Solstice” (due in December) will feature a country-club-type area on its top deck called “The Lawn Club” – a half-acre setting with an actual lawn for bocce ball and croquet, golf putting, and picnics. Next to the lawn will be another first-time activity: a glass blowing center, with live demonstrations for passengers. The Lawn Club will also feature a patio, a club shop, and a bar.

Document rules take effect Jan. 31

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reminding travelers that beginning Jan. 31 border crossers will be asked to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. This change primarily affects United States and Canadian citizens, who have previously been permitted entry by oral declaration alone, and marks the transition toward standard and consistent documents for all travelers entering the country. It is also the start of a more robust and concerted public education campaign, intended to inform travelers of document requirements which will be implemented next year.

Beginning Jan. 31, travelers will be asked to present documentation from a specified list of acceptable documents when entering the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry. Examples include birth certificates and driver's licenses.
Travelers who do not present one of these documents may be delayed while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers attempt to verify their identity and citizenship. Children ages 18 and under will only need to present a birth certificate.

Costa Maya port ahead of schedule

The cruise port of Costa Maya in Mexico – damaged heavily last August by Hurricane Dean – will re-open three months earlier than scheduled. Its two existing cruise ship berths will be ready for business at some time this summer, while construction continues on a third berth. There’s no word yet on which cruise lines have decided to return to Costa Maya, but local tourism officials say they hope to announce names next month.

Online check-in for hotels

Much like airlines have done over the past few years, now hotels are starting to allow advance check-in online.

Hyatt unveiled a new online check-in, check-out system called “Web-In” and “Web-Out” recently. The program is available at more than 100 North American properties now. (Web-Out is brand new, while Web-In was previously reserved for Gold Passport members only.) You can go to www.hyatt.com and click the Check-In button to check in after 1 pm on your arrival date (picking up keys at a kiosk in the hotel lobby). Later, you can check out via the Internet and have a copy of your bill emailed to you. Later this year, Hyatt will introduce another function: allowing guests to choose their rooms via the Web.

Holiday Cruise

A three-generation family recently returned from a holiday cruise aboard Holland America's ms Veendam. The ship sailed from Tampa to Key West, Belize, Guatemala and Cozumel.

"We liked it a lot, even though we missed a complete day due to bad weather in Belize. The sea was too rough for us to tender into the port, but Holland America refunded our port charges and offered everyone a complimentary glass of champagne at dinner."

"We really liked the smaller ship compared to Princess. It didn't feel as crowded. We didn't have to wait in lines at the buffet, theater or pool. We ate very well. The food was wonderful. Our room steward and the wait staff at dinner were terrific."

"In Guatemala, we found a wonderful tour guide right on the dock. He took us to the markets and all around. Key West was more of just a big tourist trap."

"New Year's Eve was fine. It was a bit subdued compared to the one we experienced previously on Princess, but it was alright."

Stress-free travel tip no. 12

Be patient. Most travelers are stressed, just like you, and want to reach their destination on time. Be patient. After all, getting upset will not get you there faster.

Stress-free travel tip no. 11

Charge your cell phone. Before you leave home, make sure your cell phone is completely charged, and don't forget to pack your charger in your carry-on bag. Make sure to write down all important phone numbers, too, especially contact information for your airline, hotel and family.

Stress-free travel tip no. 10

Check-in before you leave home. Many airlines now allow travelers to check-in for their flights from home. Often times, you can check in up to 24 hours before your flight, select your seats in advance and indicate how much baggage you'll be checking. This new feature allows you to print your boarding pass at home, and skip the long check-in lines at the airport. Check with your airline to see if they offer this time-saving option.

Stress-free travel tip no. 9

Try the suburbs. If you need to book a hotel room, hotels located in central areas tend to have very high prices during the holidays. Look for less pricy hotels on the outskirts of the downtown core, or the suburbs.

Stress-free travel tip no. 8

Check the weather and traffic reports. The weather and traffic conditions can be unpredictable at times. Plan ahead to avoid any delays.

Stress-free travel tip no. 7

Bring any essentials, valuables and medication with you. Should your luggage get lost, or if your flight gets delayed or cancelled, leaving you stranded in the airport for hours, you won't have access to these important items. Pack them in your carry-on bag, for easier accessibility.

Stress-free travel tip no. 6

Pack accordingly. Airport security is tight! Items not permitted in your carry-on luggage could cause long delays, which could result in missing your flight. Remember, wrapped gifts could also be checked by security, so if you must pack them in your carry-on, leave them unwrapped, or put them in gift bags to make for easier inspection.

Stress-free travel tip no. 5

Arrive early. On your departure date, arrive at the airport early to allow plenty of time to check-in, go through the security check-point and get to your gate. Plus, you could avoid long, last-minute lines.

Stress-free travel tip no. 4

Get up at the crack of dawn. If you can help it, aim for early morning flights. Should your flight get cancelled, there's a greater probability that you could still get to your destination on a later flight that day.

Stress-free travel tip no. 3

Avoid peak travel times. If you can help it, travel on less busy days. During the holidays, every day is a busy day, but Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve are amongst the busiest.

Stress-free travel tip no. 2

Reserve your airport parking in advance. Spots are limited at the airport and some dates are already blacked out. Some lots are not even accepting reservations anymore! Avoid circling for a spot at the last minute, and book your parking in advance.

Stress-free travel tip no. 1

Book your flights early. Holiday flights get sold out quickly, so don't miss out on seeing your loved ones this holiday season. Plus, the later you book, the pricier your ticket might be.

Buttermilk Falls - Ithaca, NY

Buttermilk Falls State park is located on the outskirts of Ithaca along Highway 13. A series of 10 waterfalls drops the Buttermilk Creek more than 600 feet with the water eventually finding its way to Cayuga Lake. Between the waterfalls, pools are formed. At the entrance to the park, swimming is allowed in the pool at the bottom of the falls.

There are several trails to hike. We took most of the Gorge Trail, which is a ½-mile trail with some steep climbing. It stays alongside the river past several falls and pools - very nice and peaceful.

This a great place to stop for 3-4 hours to enjoy a picnic and some hiking.

Hawaii cruise

Client report following seven-day cruise on NCL's Pride of America

Cruising is the way to do Hawaii. You get to see all of the islands, and we spent about as much time off of the ship as on the ship.

I would compare sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America with our best cruise ever, the Golden Princess. It’s just a notch below. The ship was a bit smaller, but had about the same number of passengers, so it seemed a bit busier. It also seemed to be much more of an adult cruise – fewer kids, fewer pools, lots of drinking.

The other thing I noticed, since it was an American-registered ship and had more Americans as staff, they didn’t seem to hustle as much as the staffs of other ships we’ve been on before.

We applied for five shore excursions before we left and got three. Two of them were sold out. I think on our next cruise we won’t pre-book the excursions. It’s kind of hard to know exactly what they are and exactly what you want to do so far in advance. Also, some of the excursions seem to be overpriced. The excursion to Pearl Harbor was $70 per person, yet admission to that area is free. We did that one on our own.

We rented a car on our own one day, spent a lot of time shopping, eating at restaurants and seeing a lot of sites. It was a great trip.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is enjoying a resurgence and a renewal (even though a drive down its streets seems like a step back in time as you pass the "Monopoly" streets of Ventnor Ave, Pacific, Atlantic, Boardwalk, etc).

I flew into Philadelphia, which is just a one-hour drive from Atlantic City. The city is also within two hours of New York City and three hours of the Washington, D.C. area.

In the past few years, many of the major casinos have undergone renovations and expansions, including not only additional rooms and gaming opportunities, but also upscale dining and shopping opportunities.

The city is marketing much more than the gaming, including golf, the boardwalk, spas and first class shows.

I attended a convention at the Trump Taj Mahal located on the Boardwalk. The Taj features 1,250 rooms, but is building an additional tower that will have an additional 800 rooms. The Taj Mahal also features 10 restaurants, five bars/nightclubs and more than 400 slot machines and 200 gaming tables. It has an arena and showroom and more than 150,000 square feet of meeting space.

The boardwalk itself is undergoing a $100 million facelift to its facade.

Other areas of note are The Walk - a walking district featuring more than 100 stores, including high-profile outlets and the Pier Shops at Caesar's, featuring high-end shops, dining and entertainment.

Riu Palace Mexico (Playa del Carmen)

Several clients just returned from an all-inclusive vacation getaway to the Riu Palace Mexico in Cancun. The resort feature 434 rooms and is perfect for a romantic getaway or for families. The resort has kids activities throughout the day.

As my clients said, “It was kind of like being on a cruise.” There were activities throughout the day, certificates for the winners, and a nightly show.

The resort is located on the beach and is adjacent to several other Riu properties, allowing guests to sample several resorts at once. There are five restaurants on the property. Advance reservations are needed for dinner.

The rooms themselves were very nice, featuring a sleeping area with two double beds put next to each other. A separate living room with a couch and television was two steps down and a private balcony was attached. The in-room mini-bars are also complimentary.

A free scuba diving training session was included, and other non-motorized watersports such as snorkeling were also free of charge.

There are two pools and a spa, plus a separate children’s pool.

One thing to note: the guests were very international and some sunbathers were topless.

Splash Harbor Indoor Water Park (Bellville, Ohio)

The Comfort Inn & Suites at exit 165 on I-71 in central Ohio is home to the Splash Harbor Indoor Water Park. The hotel features a 6,000 square foot atrium indoor water park with a 49’ looping water slide, shooting water geysers, pool with basketball goals, toddler pool area, two hot tubs and a snack and arcade area.

The hotel also offers bike rentals for a 21-mile paved bike path adjacent to the property. Also next to the hotel are a golf course, Amish restaurant and miniature golf course.

The hotel itself is comfortable – a bit dated, but adequate. There’s free internet access and continental breakfast.

Cabo da Roca, Portugal

From Sintra, take Bus 403 on a 40-minute journey to Cabo da Roca, continental Europe's westernmost point. A lighthouse and monument sit atop a cliff with a sheer drop to the Atlantic hundreds of feet below.

Reboard the 403 bus to continue to the coastal town of Cascais. A regional train runs along the coast past the popular beaches and resort areas of Cascais and Estoril and back into Lisbon.

Sintra, Portugal

One of our best experiences came in a side trip to Sintra, which is about 20 miles northwest of Lisbon. The city itself is charming with quaint little streets dotted with shops. The city is in the mountains, so the streets rise and fall.

Bus 434 picks you up right outside of the train station and a makes a round trip stopping at downtown Sintra, the Moorish Castle and the Pena Palace. We bypassed the Moorish Castle, although from Pena we had an excellent view of the walls of the castle that was built in the ninth century.

Pena Palace is a beautiful castle with turrets and domesin pastel colors. The walk around the top of the wall affords breathtaking views of the countryside in one direction, the Atlantic Ocean in another, and all the way to Lisbon in another.

The palace was built from 1840-1885 and was the home to Portugal's king as late as 1910. A tour of the interior features glimpses into various rooms showing how the kings and queens lived. It's also interesting to contrast it to Queluz which was used a century earlier. The differences in styles and amenities in very noticeable.

The palace also features a very large park with numerous trails. Hike to the Queen's Throne lookout for a fantastic view of the palace from a distance. Among the trees on the grounds are sequoias, western red cedars and tree ferns. Hike down along the Lakes of the Gates toward the exit to see ponds with beautiful swans (white, black and mixed), ducks and cranes.

Queluz, Portugal

Just northwest of Lisbon is a beautiful area called Sintra. Trains run from the Jardim Zoologicolo metro station / Sete Rios train station every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15-20 minutes on weekends.

Halfway to Sintra is the small town of Queluz which features the National Palace. The palace is about a 1/2-mile walk from the train station and is modeled after Versailles.

Our first impression on our Sunday morning visit was a bit disappointing. From the front, this is no Versailles. It looked really run down, and by the complete lack of people around we wondered if it was still open. Fortunately, it was, and it was one of many museums in Portugal that is free of charge on Sundays.

The inside of the palace is nice - again not quite like Versailles, but it is similar. A walking tour leads through various halls that are mostly decorated with original artifacts from the 18th century.

The gardens are very well taken care of, although during our visit a good portion were blocked off. Allow about an hour for a visit.

The Docas - Lisbon

Dinner tonight was at the Docas (docks) - an upscale collection of 20+ restaurants and clubs along the Tagus River and almost directly underneath the Ponte 25 Abril bridge - a replica of the Golden Gate bridge.


The restaurants featured two levels of seating indoors as well as riverside seating under umbrellas. We enjoyed the outdoor dining atmosphere gazing at the hundreds of boats in the marina as well as schools of large fish that occasionally received a morsel tossed from above.


An Irish pub was packed with the TV turned to a live World Cup rugby contest. Other restaurants were Italian, Spanish and Portuguese among others.

Castelo de Sao Jorge - Lisbon

A beautiful Saturday was spent exploring Lisbon on foot. We spent nearly two hours at the Castelo de Sao Jorge built upon the highest hill in Lisbon.

Ruins found on the grounds date back to the sixth century B.C., although the castle itself was built in the 10th and 11th centuries by the Moors. From along the walls and the many towers, you can look out over all of Lisbon. There's also a multimedia show that offers a real-time 360-degree view of Lisbon thanks to an optical system invented by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century.

The walk from the castle back to Rossio Square is all downhill through charming streets and alleyways featuring cafes and souvenir shops at ground level and apartment balconies with their full clotheslines up above.

Beware of pickpockets! The same boy - about 10-12 years old - was caught trying to pick pockets on two different trams we were on during the day. There are a lot of tourists hers, and that also translates into plenty of beggars and other "shady" characters. One man discreetly opened a shopping bag while walking past us and offered to sell us a very nice camera (wonder who he had stolen that from), while another man opened his hand with a fist full of drugs saying it was the best stuff around.

Lisbon city tour

Day 4 was a busy yet very worthwhile day. We got an early start from Porto and five hours later were checked into the Vila Gale Opera in Lisbon located between the Alcantara and Belem quarters beneath the Ponte 25 Abril bridge. The bridge is a replica of the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco and connects Lisbon with Almada across the Tagus River.


The hotel is very nice, but is a bit further away from the city center than most of the tourist hotels. It is however, adjacent to the Congress Center and the Docas - an area of restaurants and night clubs along the river.


While Porto was a small, condensed city, Lisbon immediately gives an impression of being much more metropolitan.


We acclimated ourselves to the city with a 3 1/2-hour tour with CityRama. Our bus of 30 was diverse, and our guide did an incredible job of narrating in four languages. A city tour like this gives a good opportunity to familiarize oneself with a city. You drive by many of the sites, stopping at a few, and you get detailed history and background of everything you see.


Most of our time was spent in Belem, Portuguese for Bethlehem. Our first stop was Monasteiro dos Jeronimos - a monastery began in 1502 and financed by Portugal's explorations and trade with Africa, Asia and South America. Famous explorer Vasco da Gama is entombed there.


Lucky for us, our visit coincided with a national holiday and we were treated to a parade of bands and soldiers on horseback in front of the pink presidential palace right next door.


We continued past the palace to the Museum of Coaches, which houses a collection of 57 coaches more beautiful than Cinderella's. The oldest coach is from the 16th century while others that carried gifts to the Vatican are covered in gold.


Nearby, the Torre de Belem served as a lookout point into the Atlantic to defend the port entrance.


Also in Belem is the Monument of the Discoveries erected in 1960 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. Both sides feature seven explorers, each 21 feet high, looking forward over the bow of a boat.


Next we drove to the Alfama quarter, one of the oldest parts of the city especially known for its narrow alleyways and streets. The Moors of the 8th century heavily influenced the layout of the area.


The tour ended at Rossio Square, the city's main square since the middle ages. Lots of people were enjoying a beautiful evening at the many cafes, and the teenagers were skateboarding around the Dom Pedro IV statue.

Douro River cruise

We capped off our visit to Porto with a one-hour river cruise to see the city's six bridges - of which they are very proud.


Starting at the Praca da Ribeira, we sailed inland first under the Ponte Luis I, a double-decked bridge completed in 1886. The upper level is strictly for the metro, although there is room enough to walk too (barely), while the lower level is for vehicles and pedestrians connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia.


Further up river is the Maria Pia bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. It was completed in 1877 and was the first to connect both sides of the river.


Two other bridges feature some of the longest arches in the world. The Arrabida bridge's 270-meter arch was surpassed in 2002 with the completion of the Infante D. Henrique bridge and its 285-foot arch. The views of the cities on both sides was very nice. The cruise, accompanied by sunshine for the first time in two days, was a perfect way to end our stay in Porto.


Following the cruise, we did some souvenir shopping and had lunch in the port area. There are numerous options for both.

Afternoon in Porto

After a short rest, we set about on a two-hour walk around Porto to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the city. Shops, cafes and bakeries are set along narrow sidewalks with traffic hustling past just inches away. We stopped in at a couple of cathedrals, walked onto a bridge high above the Douro River and then headed back to the hotel as a light rain began to fall. By 5 p.m., we needed a bit of down time.

We headed to dinner at about 6:45 and discovered that many restaurants in Portugal don't re-open for dinner until 7:00 or later. A restuarant across teh street from the hotel, Trinufante, came with good reviews for excellent food at very reasonable prices. That proved to be true. A dinner of soup, two entrees (turkey with tomato rice and curry chicken with rice), two desserts and two drinks came to 16.65.

Full day in Porto

Day 2 in Porto, the first full day, started with a complimentary breakfast buffet at the hotel, which offered a selection of cereals, fruits, cold meats, breads and hot dishes.

At 9:00, we were picked up in a minivan for a half-day city tour. We first drove to some parts of the city outside the city center, which has UNESCO World Heritage status. We saw the new diamond-shaped Casa Musica, which was designed by a renowned Dutch architect and features several acoustically-tuned theaters.


The 5 m Avenida Boa Vista is the longest continual street in the city and features million dollar villas alongside the major businesses. The Avenida leads to the Atlantic Ocean where there are several nice beaches and some new clubs and restaurants in development. The beaches are all lower than street level to help you feel that you have escaped the city.


We followed the coast for a few minutes until we hit the mouth of the Douro River, which led us back to the city center. Once parked, we visited the Igreja dos Carmelitas, two adjoining churches. The one on the left was built in the 17th century in Baroque style while the right half was built in the 18th century in Rococco style.


Next we headed to Torre dos Clerigos, which features the highest tower in Portugal, rising 76 meters in the air. We paid 2 Euros each for the privilege of climbing the 225 steps to the top. Although still cloudy, the views were very nice.


Our next stop was the city's main Cathedral located on the hill overlooking the river - an excellent place, of course, to look out for invading armies. The inside of this cathedral was fairly plain.


Our final tour stop was across the Douro in Gaia where the port-making companies moved their warehouses centuries ago to avoid paying taxes to the Porto bishop. Grapes harvested in the Douro Valley are brought here to be turned in to port wines. After a tour of Graham's, established in 1820, we were afforded the opportunity to taste four of the company's ports - two whites, a late-bottled vintage, and a 20-year port. All had very unique characteristics and boasted an alcohol content of 20%.


That was the end of our city tour, however, we stayed in Porto's city center and strolled down Rua de Santa Catarina - a pedestrian only shopping area. In the midst of all these small shops, one door opened to a three-story mall.


Our day also included a quick metro ride to Dragon Stadium - home to Porto's soccer team. The stadium opened in 2003 and is very state-of-the-art. Unfortunately, they wanted 7 Euros per person for a tour and another 5 Euros to take a picture. We didn't want to see it that badly.


Dinner was at Majestic Cafe back on Rua de Santa Catarina. This was my opportunity for cod fish (bacalhau), a favorite of Portugal. Mine was served with thinly sliced onions atop eggs and potatoes. Dinner for two came to 37.25.

Vila Gale Porto

We stayed at the Vila Gale Porto near the Campo 24 Agosto square metro station for the first three nights of our trip. The hotel is the city's largest, and our suite on the 18th floor gave us a view of the Atlantic Ocean, Douro River and the city. We had a large room with entryway, king-size bed, leather couch and work desk. The bathroom featured a dual vanity and a shower/tub that was literally a small swimming pool.

We checked into the hotel by about 1:30 and learned the hotel restaurant served a buffet lunch until 2:30. We knew this would be an expensive option, but after 18 1/2 hours of travel by plane, train, bus and subway, we needed something easy.

The buffet was decent - a selection of salads, cold vegetables, fruits and cheeses; several hot entrees including pork, salmon, tortellini, potatoes and rice; soup and rolls; and several desserts. It did set us back 32.00 Euros.

Arrival in Lisbon; train to Porto

Arrival in Lisbon was at 8:15 a.m. Unfortunately, heavy cloud cover prevented much of a view. There was a long line at customs, but with eight officials working we were through the line in about 25 minutes. By that point, our bag was already on the carousel.

We checked in at a tourist information booth to verify which bus we should take to the Oriente train station then we exchanged some money. Ouch! The dollar is at its weakest point ever with the Euro. Perhaps next time we will just use our ATM card to get the best rate possible.


We got on a bus right outside the airport for 1.30 each, and seven stops later we were at the train station.


I had pre-purchased our train tickets as well, doing so conservatively for the train at 11:39. Since we were at the station before 10:00, we decided to change our ticket for the 10:09 train. This saved us two hours in time since the earlier train was the faster Alfa Pendular instead of an InterCity.



The coaches were comfortable and quiet as we cruised across the countryside at speeds up to 220 km/h (136 mph). We got into Porto, the country's second largest city with 235,000 people, at 12:45. The ride was actually kind of boring. I had hoped for some interesting scenery and changing landscapes, but it was mainly hilly farmland with a lot of poor-looking towns. The houses were white, but some were a pastel yellow or green. All featured tile roofs. A lot of them had laundry hanging from the balconies.


From the Porto Campanha train station, we walked a block to the metro and for 2.20 took the three-minute ride to the station near our hotel.

Travel to Portugal

I wouldn't necessarily recommend this strategy, but it seemed like a pretty low-risk gamble. I booked our flight to Lisbon with just a one-hour connection time in Newark. Any delay would make it difficult to make our flight. The deciding factor, however, was the fact that Continental has two evening flights to Lisbon. If we had missed our connection for the 8:15 flight, we probably could have gotten seats on the 10:15 flight - not necessarily a good back-up plan for other destinations with flights that might be more full.

As it turned out, we landed early and were off the plane and at our gate a full hour early. The view coming into the Newark airport was fantastic - the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

New air routes to China

China has become one of the hottest travel destinations for Americans. The upcoming Olympic games in the country have only fueled the demand. Travel to China just got easier as several U.S. airlines received approval to fly new routes to the country.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines received the go-ahead from U.S. regulators to begin new routes to China . By the end of March 2008, Delta will fly nonstop between Atlanta and Shanghai , and United will fly nonstop between San Francisco and Beijing . Meanwhile, four other carriers have received tentative approval for new China service in 2009, pending further regulatory reviews and public comment periods: American (Chicago/O’Hare-Beijing), Continental (Newark-Shanghai), Northwest (Detroit-Shanghai), and US Airways (Philadelphia-Beijing).

More Portugal preparations

Thank goodness for Google maps. I spent a few minutes online today and was able to locate the airport in Lisbon and its proximity to the train station (about 2 miles). Once we land in Lisbon, we need to get to the train station for a 3-hour ride to Porto where we'll spend our first three nights.



In Porto, the station is only about 1 mile from our hotel - either very walkable or a short, inexpensive taxi ride.



When we get back to Lisbon, our hotel is about 8 miles from the train station - and it's right on the river, should be pretty. It's also only about 8 miles from the airport - good to know for the morning of our departure back to the States.

Portugal preparations

I have to admit I started a travel business because I love to travel and I love to research the way to make a trip the best it can be. Of course, I also have to admit that it's a bit more fun when you're planning a trip for yourself - but that also serves as a good reminder of all of the little details that need to be taken care of for any vacation.

My wife and I are heading to Portugal in a few weeks, so the planning and preparing has started in earnest. The airline tickets were booked a few weeks ago - one for cash and one with frequent flyer miles. (BTW, Continental's website is very easy to use to check on the availability of award seats). The hotel has also been arranged.

Now onto some of the other details. First, I called my bank and credit card providers to let them know that we'll be out of the country. This way they won't be surprised when we try to charge something over there and decline it. Second, I called to inquire about the fees they charge for foreign transactions. Our bank charges $1.50 per transaction at ATM machines, so we'll plan to take some cash with us to exchange when we get there, and then we'll try to use our ATM card for more cash only once if necessary.

I also called our credit card companies. One of them charges a 3% conversion fee while the other only charges 2%. Guess which one we'll be using.

Brookfield Suites Hotel and Convention Center

This is a very nice hotel located about 20 minutes from downtown Milwaukee and the Milwaukee airport. It used to be an Embassy Suites and is laid out as such.

The 200 guest rooms are all two-room suites. A living room features a large TV, table with chairs, cushioned chair and a sleeper sofa. The main bedroom features a small desk and TV. The rooms also have a refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker.

The hotel features a five-story atrium, fitness room with new equipment and a pool. There is a complimentary cocktail reception in the evenings and a cooked-to-order breakfast in the mornings.

High-speed wireless internet access is also free.

Village West (Kansas City, Kansas) - Lodging

(This entry continues a series on the Village West area in Kansas City, Kansas)

I already mentioned the Great Wolf Lodge in a recent posting. That would have to be the number one option for families in this area.

Of course, the Kansas City area has dozens of hotels within a short drive of Village West, but if you’re looking specifically at this area, there are four to choose from.

In addition to Great Wolf, there’s a Holiday Inn Express, a Hampton Inn and Chateau Avalon, featuring 62 luxury suites styled after a French chateau.
I stayed at the Hampton Inn with a large king room featuring a spacious bathroom, free internet and a complimentary breakfast.

Village West (Kansas City, Kansas) Dining

(This entry continues a series on the Village West area in Kansas City, Kansas)

Well, I already mentioned Ted’s Montana Grill a few days ago, but when it comes to dining, this area is loaded with options.

There are some national chains – like Applebee’s, Hooters and Outback, but you’ll be much better off sampling a variety of other options.

For barbecue, there’s Famous Dave’s and Arthur Bryant’s. You can check out the Louisiana Jazz Kitchen or the Saddle Ranch Chop House. Sushi or hibachi, covered at Stix. Other options include Dave & Buster’s, Cheeseburger in Paradise, T-Rex Café, Caliente Cuban Restaurant.

Village West (Kansas City, Kansas) Entertainment

(This entry continues a series on the Village West area in Kansas City, Kansas)

What do you want to do this weekend? If you’re at Village West, the options are numerous. Pick the right weekend and you can head to Kansas Speedway, home to NASCAR Truck, Busch and Cup races as well as Indy Cars and more. The track also offers several driving schools where you can take your own high-speed laps around the 1.5-mile oval.

From June-September, the Kansas City T-Bones, an independent professional baseball team, play here. Tickets are just $10 and parking is free at the 4,300-seat stadium.

The open-air mall includes a 14-screen theater, T-Rex restaurant where kids can dig for dinosaur bones, and much more.

Covering both the entertainment and lodging category is the Great Wolf Lodge, one of about a dozen around the country. In addition to upscale accommodations in a northwoods-themed retreat, the lodge features a 49,000-square foot indoor entertainment area, including a 2000,000 gallon waterpark.

Wyandotte County, Kansas (Overview & Shopping)

(This entry continues a series on the Village West area in Kansas City, Kansas)

Visit this county that includes Kansas City, and you won’t feel like you’re in Kansas anymore.
Wyandotte County is thriving, and home to quite a few attractions. Village West, located at I-70 and I-435 encompasses 400 acres of shopping, dining and entertainment options.

In today’s blog, I’ll take a look at the shopping option with more to come on some of the other area attractions in the coming days.

The shopping at Village West entails just about anything you could imagine. The two biggest stores, attractions in their own right, are Cabela’s and Nebraska Furniture Mart. Cabela’s has 180,000 square feet of outdoor gear while Nebraska Furniture Mart sells furniture, electronics, flooring, appliances and more on an 80-acre site. The Legends at Village West, complete with fountains and open-air corridors for strolling, has 90 stores and restaurants. You’ll find Cavendar’s, a large Western store, among the many specialty shops. I did my shopping at Sports Nutz, where they have gear and memorabilia from many professional and college teams.

Ted's Montana Grill

Ted’s Montana Grill is a relatively new restaurant chain owned by Ted Turner. There are about 50 locations in 18 states. I ate at the one in Kansas City, Kansas.

Ted’s boasts about two things – fresh ingredients and eco-friendly. Our waitress informed us that there are no microwaves at Ted’s and no freezers (except for the ice cream). Everything is freshly prepared. The restaurant also uses recycled paper for its menus and no plastic – not even the straws.

There are basically three meats to choose from at Ted’s – beef, chicken and bison. They also have a couple of fish entrees. You can choose from almost 20 ways to get a burger – beef or bison – and about 15 ways to get a chicken sandwich. They also offer bison and beef steaks.

As an appetizer, I opted for the chili fries. Homemade fries covered with bison chili, cheese and dried jalapenos. They were very tasty and also very filling.

Because of the filling appetizer, I was tempted to opt for just a soup and salad for dinner, but my eyes got the better of me and convinced me to order the 7 oz. fillet. It was very tender and flavorful and came with a vegetable and potato. I opted for squash casserole, which I did not care for, and a sweet potato.

I was too stuffed for desert, although the waitress tempted me with strawberry shortcake.

My beverage of choice throughout the meal was freshly squeezed lemonade. Delicious.

Overall, pretty good food, but in my opinion nothing that really separates it from other steakhouses.

2007 Corvette

Taking a page from the most recent issue of Conde Nast, where they included a review of a Cadillac in conjunction with a story about a driving tour through the Alps , I’ll add my insights into the 2007 Corvette, which I had the privilege of driving for about 90 minutes recently.

Opting for a more scenic drive from the Cincinnati area to Indianapolis versus an all interstate route, gave me the opportunity to put the car through some paces on some narrow two-lane highways. The car has power. Of course it does, it’s a Corvette. What it also has is a lot of grip. I put the car through some 30-35 mph curves at 65-70 mph, and the car hardly felt bothered by it one bit. It sailed through the turns with ease. The unobtrusive heads-up display on the windshield allowed me to monitor both my speed and the number of g’s (never much above 0.2) while keeping my eye on the road.

Of course, you don’t get into a Corvette expecting to have the roominess of a sedan, but there’s really no extra room at all. If it won’t fit in the center console, it needs to go in the small trunk. My one “complaint” if you will. The Corvette seemed fairly noisy, especially on the highway – granted it was a convertible, but it still seemed a bit too loud.

All in all, it was a great drive, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

St. Petersburg, Florida

I've made three trips to St. Petersburg recently on business and have decided I'm definitely going back on vacation. In late March/early April, the sun always seems to be shining in St. Pete. Temps have been in the 70s, and the humidity hasn't been as unbearable as later in the year. The St. Pete area has several of the states top-rated beaches, and it's less than two hours from Disney World.

My hotel stays have always been at the Radisson on Roosevelt Boulevard. While it's not really within walking distance of anything, it's less than a five-minute drive to several restaurants, and it's about 20 minutes from downtown St. Pete. The Radisson features large rooms with two sets of doors to increase the feeling of privacy. During my last stay, I was right next to a reception hall with a wedding reception. The front desk staff graciously helped me move to a room on a higher floor.

Palm Beach, Florida

I've made several trips to Florida, however, this was my first trip to the Palm Beach area, one of the most expensive areas in the state. Palm Beach has its own international airport, however, due to fewer flights I opted to fly into Ft. Lauderdale and drive the 50 miles north.I had always heard good things about the Ft. Lauderdale airport - smaller, clean, quick access to luggage and rental cars - and I found all of those things to be true.

The weather, of course, was gorgeous. I drove down Okechobee past the Convention Center to City Place. City Place is an outdoor mall stretching over an area approximately 10 city blocks by 3 city blocks. It's loaded with upscale boutiques and restaurants.

From there, I continued east on Okechobee over the Intercoastal waterway with its $1 million yachts tied to their docks and out to Ocean Drive. There's plenty of metered parking along the street, so you can park and walk along the wide, sandy beach. Nearby is Worth Avenue, a half-mile or so stretch of more than 250 upscale shops that include Saks and Nieman Marcus.

Taking the A1A highway north, one passes one of the several championship golf courses in the area before arriving at Singer Island. While high-rise hotels and condos block the view of the ocean, their are many places to stay. John D MacArthur State Park is also located here. The park protects more than 400 acres of various habitats and features bike trails and hiking trails as well as water activities.

Further north on the A1A is Juno Beach. For $1, you can walk out over the Atlantic on a 300-yard pier. In addition to numerous fisherman, I encountered two pelicans perched on the rail paying no attention to the visitors studying them from just feet away.

All in all, Palm Beach County has something for everyone. Plenty of outdoor activities in the sunshine as well as upscale shopping and dining.

Miami Beach - Joe's Stone Crab

Talk about an upscale restaurant with atmosphere. This restaurant in the heart of Miami Beach opened as a lunch counter restaurant in 1913. Now it's well known for its stone crabs as well as many other items on the menu. My party of four got there on a Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. and was told to expect a 2 1/2 hour wait.

Lucky for us, some inside connections got us to a table within 30 minutes. Waiters and hosts were all dressed in tuxedos, and the service was first class. This is a tablecloth and fine china type of place.

I started with a hearty bowl of Manhattan Clam Chowder to go along with the basket of bread they brought out. This was followed by an order of "Jumbo" stone crabs. Wow! Were they ever big and good - served with butter and a creamy sauce for dipping. We also ordered hash browns, creamy spinach and sauteed mushrooms. We topped off the meal with some very tart Key Lime pie.

Buyer beware - the tab for this dinner of four came to more than $400.

But, the menu is extensive and there were several entrees available for less than $10.

Philadelphia

I've never had a burning desire to spend much time in any of the major cities on the East coast, however, a trip a couple of years ago to Boston and a recent trip to Philadelphia have me changing my mind. The area is full of U.S. history.

I only had about an hour to kill on a recent Saturday morning in Philadelphia so I decided I would go downtown and see the Liberty Bell. As I pulled into the area, I noticed that security was very tight. There were 2-3 police officers standing on every corner and a police car parked at every traffic light.

I turned into a parking garage underneath the Independence Hall Visitor Center and ventured toward the Liberty Bell. Much to my chagrin it was cordoned off and closed.

Turns out my short visit to Philadelphia coincided with a visit from Prince Charles. All the sights were closed until after his visit. I was able to see the Liberty Bell through the large glass windows from the street corner, and I took a few minutes to walk over to the courtyard behind Independence Hall. After that I returned to the Visitor Center where I spent 30-45 minutes. The short visit whetted my appetite for a chance to come back and spend more time in the area where our country's forefathers forged our nation.

Note: Most of the attractions around Independence Hall are part of a national park, and there is no charge for admission. The only cost I had was for my parking.

Ecuador

Submitted by RW

After our week-long cruise in the Galapagos and several days of scuba diving, we returned to mainland Ecuador. Our first stop was a small organic cacao farm just outside of Puerto Quito, near the Choco rainforest. Well, I say ¨first stop¨, but getting there was an adventure in itself.

We had always planned on making some chocolate as part of our honeymoon, but when we arrived in Ecuador we discovered that the farm recommended in our guidebook was no longer operating. Going by word of mouth, we were told to take the bus to Puerto Quito, hop off at the pharmacy and ask for Yamile. What we had thought would be a 2-hour bus ride turned into 5 hours. We accidentally passed Puerto Quito, had to hop off at the next town, return on the bus in the opposite direction, get off at the correct location, find a pharmacy, ask for Yamile, find the OTHER pharmacy, ask again, be assured that every taxi in town knows Yamile, flag a taxi, flag a taxi that worked (the other one just got pushed down the street for about a quarter mile and never started), figure out that we didn´t know where we were going, return to the pharmacy for directions, drive about 20 minutes down a dirt road, and show up at a completely dark house at night. Hmm.

But the taxi driver honked and hollered until people at the house heard us, and Yamile, the owner of the cacao farm, came and gave us a warm welcome even though we had shown up with no notice. We stayed for several days and were able to toast and grind cacao beans, then press the paste into bars which we were able to take with us. While there we also ate a lot of fantastic food, went swimming in the river, and took a tour of a local shade-grown cacao farm with over 40 types of fruit trees and a tour of the local cacao cooperative´s processing plant in town. We had a fabulous time and were sorry that we had to leave so soon, but we had already booked a trip to the Amazon.

After 8 hours on an overnight bus, 2 hours by truck, and 5 hours by motorized canoe, we arrived at our camp in the Cuyabeno National Park. For the next four days we spent our time hiking, motoring, and paddling through tropical rainforest, and we were very pleased by all of the animals that we saw. Some of the highlights include two species of river dolphin (the pink dolphin, which looks like a prehistoric beast with a bump on its forehead and a keeled back, and the gray dolphin, which is just like a miniature bottlenose - cute!!!), six species of primates, a tiny juvenile poison dart frog, and best of all, two river otters (not the giant species, but a smaller species) that we were able to view for several minutes swimming around and catching fish and squeaking. We left feeling that we had seen as much as we could reasonably expect, although one always hopes for the best (We really wanted to see a sloth, which apparently we only missed by a couple of days, and the same happened with an anaconda that had been regularly sighted in the area). Now we have a lot of good memories and hopefully no malaria, despite the weight loss incurred due to our inadvertent blood donations to the mosquitoes!

The days have been flying by, and with a month of travel under our belts, we decided we better get ourselves to Peru ASAP. We flew from Quito all the way to Cuzco (overnighting in the airport in Lima).

Galapagos Islands

Submitted by RW

Galapagos - what a great place both for wildlife and scuba!We saw lots of great things, and about all of them up close and usually avoiding stepping on them including but not limited to sea lions, giant land tortoises, land and marine iguanas, magnificent frigate birds, albatrosses, masked and blue-footed boobies, a Galapagos hawk, many-a-Darwin finch and some other stuff. Scuba diving we saw green and hawk's-bill sea turtles, spotted eagle and sting rays, white-tipped reef, Galapagos and hammerhead sharks, sea horses, moray eels, scorpion fish, frog fish, tuna, pipefish, barracuda, and more!!

Passports

If you don't already have one (and only 27% of U.S. citizens do), it's time to get a passport. Beginning January 23, passports will be required for all air travelers returning to the U.S. from Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Land and cruise passengers will face the same requirements within the next two years. Visit travel.state.gov for information on applying for or renewing a passport.