The Great American Steamboat

Great American Steamboat Company offers overnight cruises on the Mississippi River and its tributaries on board an authentic paddlewheel steamboat.  Each itinerary brings Mark Twain's America to life, from the vibrant cities of St. Louis and St. Paul to the southern charm of Natchez and Vicksburg.

The American Queen - a genteel, floating antebellum mansion - is your home while cruising the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.  The atmosphere on board is casual, and this well-appointed steamboat exudes Americana, with fresh flowers, antiques and lacy filigree adorning its halls and decks.  Each night, enjoy thrilling showboat-style entertainment or dance to swing, big band or Dixieland jazz music.

Shore excursions by "Steamcoach" explore the towns and cities along these fabled rivers.  All journeys feature daily lectures from an on board river historian, while special theme voyages dive into topics as varied as the Civil War, fall colors and the music of the 1950s and 1960s. 

Experience Morocco

Morocco has been a dream destination and for good reason.  Travelers admire the country's unique living history, its shimmering light and its extraordinary art.  Open-air markets throughout the country are piled high with rugs, woodwork, jewlery and leather - said to be the softest in the world.  Morocco's image is slowly shifting.  The old romantic notion of a conservative nation steeped in Islamic and feudal history now clang with a contemporary reality.

The medieval labyrinthine medias of Marrakesh are what Morocco is all about.  Marrakesh is an open oasis in southwestern Morocco at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, with rose-colored ramparts and a thousand year old palm grove.  Dating back from this period, Marrakesh has impressive monuments:  the Koutoubia Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors and gardens.  Other architectural jewels include the Bandia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs and Place Jamaa El Fna, an open-air theater.  Morocco is an easy hop from Europe and a perfect extension to any cruise sailing from Lisbon.  It is also a perfect add-on to August 23 Regent Mariner sailing from Lisbon.

Mandalay River Cruise

"On the road to Mandalay, Where the flyn' fish play, An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!" -R. Kipling

Several years back I had the opportunity to experience the 'Road to Mandalay' Orient Express River Boat in Myanmar (formerly Burma).  It was an absolutely amazing adventure, especially landed in Bahmo.  I had the opportunity, 50+ years later, to go see that landing sight, grown over but still there.

Andrew Harper (Hideaway Report) writes: 

The Orient-Express Road to Mandalay river cruises, which plies the upper Irrawaddy River       between the ancient capital Bagan and the former imperial seat of Mandalay, is a mandatory experience for lovers of Southeast Asia.  The serene and mirror-like Inle Lake and Ngapali Beach (along the Bay of Bengal) do not have any Harper-worthy properties yet, but there are perfectly suitable hotels at both, and they are recommended destinations for those eager to explore Burma before it turns into another Thailand.

Wet landings from the boat are common, but definitely add to the adventure that awaits.  Children and entire families race out to greet you at every stop.  For a country that is so impoverished and oppressed because of a communist military dictator, the people's warmth and charm is overwhelming.  The little towns are so quaint and inviting.  People will allow you to enter their homes, and the Burmese monks welcome you for prayer.  The temples are a sight to behold and abound.

I love this country and its innocence.  I am so happy that Aung San Suu Kyi is free and able to help her people.
 

Smart Traveler Program

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a service provided by the U.S. government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country.  STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad and receive updates so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency.

How to Apply:

• Travelers enter their itinerary, with hotel and contact information, using the STEP registration link. (information is subject to Privacy Act protections)
• The program sends out relevant "warden messages" - local email alerts for U.S. citizens abroad.  These are more detailed and timely than the travel advisories issued by the State Department.
• If email services are down a text message will be sent
• Can also help embassy officials track down travelers if there's a family emergency back home
• If you lose your passport this will assist the embassy because they already have your information
• This information is provided free to travelers who register

Reid Travel Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary!

The Reid Travel Team is celebrating 40 years of exceptional service.  Company president Lauren Jacob says, "Many of our clients have been with us for decades, as have our agents.  We have a passion for travel."

The Reid staff boasts more than 300 years of combined experience in the travel industry.  Every agent has traveled the world over.  "Our travel consultants are equipped to guide their clients on seamless, one-of-a-kind trips.  As we like to say, 'It takes a lifetime of experience to provide an experience of a lifetime,'" says company co-owner Bill Jacob, who along with his wife, Pat, personally travels with several returning groups each year.

Since its founding in 1972 in Boca Raton on Palmetto Park Road, Reid experts have planned and managed luxury travel - every step - of the way - for clients from across the nation to more than 200 countries.

"Signature connections and long-term alliances allow us to provide unprecedented value on some of the world's top-notch luxury cruise ships," adds Pat.  Special value-added packages on luxury cruise lines, such as Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Crystal, among other are found on ReidTravel.com under "Cruise Search Engine."

Oceania Riviera announced the ships Godmother!

One of America's most generous, personable and ground-breaking chefs will step into the honored role as godmother to Oceania Cruises' newest ship, Riviera.  Chef Cat Cora will name the ship in Barcelona at a lavish, invitation-only christening ceremony on May 11, which will culminate with a 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar of champagne, custom-made by Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, commemoratively breaking against the hull of 1,250-guest ship.

Poised to take its place as another "game-changer" for the upper-premium segment, much like its sister ship Marina which debuted in February 2011, Riviera is the second new ship launched by Oceania Cruises in under 18 months.  Designed for epicureans, Riviera features 10 dining venues - six of which are gourmet restaurants, plus a Bon Appetit Culinary Center for hands-on learning and La Reserve by Wine Spectator, a professional facility for wine-tastings and wine-pairing dinners.

"Cat Cora's passion for fine cuisine and her focus on the dining experience captures the essence of what we do every day," stated Kunal S. Kamlani, Oceania Cruises' president.  "We are all excited to have her christen our newest ship and are proud to welcome her to the Oceania Cruises family."

Cora made television history as the first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's Iron Chef America, and this spring, steps into a role as co-host of Bravo's new television show "Around the World in 80 Plates"  with Curtis Stone debuting in May.  The show follows 12 chefs competing in a culinary race accross 10 countries in 44 days.  Many of the countries featured in the show include destinations her new ship, Riviera, will visit during its inaugural season.

In addition to her television credits, Chef Cora operates four restaurants:  Kouzzina in at Disney's Boardwalk Resort in Orlando, CCQ, in Partnership with Macy's in Costa Mesa, Calif and Cat Cora's Kitchen in San Francisco and Houston.  A third Cat Cora's Kitchen location will be opening in Salt Lake City later this month.  In addition to being a restaurateur, she also has her own branded olive oils, vinegars, sauces, tapenades and cookware, a collection of wines and is the author of three best-selling cook books and a children's book.

"It's an honor to have been asked to serve as the godmother for the beautiful Riviera," said Cora.  "Oceania Cruises has done an incredible job of developing ships custom-designed for food lovers, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it all."

Oceania Cruises chose Chef Cora as godmother to Riviera, a role revered for its historic and symbolic value also in recognition of her many philanthropic efforts to support emergency, educational and hunger-related causes.  Cora is the president and founder of Chefs for Humanity, which she started in response to the devastating Tsunami that hit Indonesia in 2004.  The organization is dedicated to reducing hunger worldwide by supporting humanitarian relief and promoting nutrition education.

After the Christening Cruise concludes in Venice, Riviera sets sail on May 16 on her maiden voyage, a 10-day cruise that includes an overnight in Venice before visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Crete, Santorini, Kusadasi (gateway to Ephesus), Delos, Mykonos and Athens.

By Signature Travel Network

It's Time to really SEE Alaska! by Reid Travel's Trish Timmerman

Alaska is the perfect destination for a family vacation!  Regent Seven Seas all inclusive ship, the Navigator is an amazing way to see it.  Regent Seven Seas smaller ship experience makes it possible to see Alaska the way it is meant to be seen.  They offer wonderful shore excursions, docking at every port allowing for detailed journeys throughout the highlights of Alaska.

The Navigator is a 490 guest all-suite ship.  Prime 7 Steakhouse (reservation only is one of the three onboard restaurants that allow you to dine whenever and with whomever you choose at no additional cost. 

This all inclusive vacation with wonderful activities, beautiful wildlife & fabulous food is a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation opportunity.  Call us today to start creating memories of a lifetime.

It's (finally!) time for Floriade 2012 by Janet Pringle of Reid Travel

If you have a love of gardening, flowers and all things nature, then the Floriade 2012 you will not want to miss.  Gather your friends and family for this once every ten-year event.  What better way to share your love for all things nature by traveling together to one of the biggest horticultural events of the decade?

The Floriade 2012 is held in Venlo, in the Netherlands, April 5th to October 7th, 2012.  While the Netherlands is famous for their annual tulip season, this takes flower and garden appreciation to a whole new level.

The 2012 exhibit will feature five unique worlds - all with their own themes and connected by wooded areas.  It is a global event with dozens of different countries participating in the displays.  Each day will feature music, dance, literature, theater and visual art - as well as the beautiful park like surroundings.

There are a number of different ways you can visit this exhibit.  One of the best ways is to combine it with relaxing river cruise.  Several of the top river cruise companies are offering Floriade visits in their 2012 itineraries.  Sail from Amsterdam during "Tulip Time" on a 7-night voyage of the Netherlands and Belgium.  Or do a 14-night relaxing river cruise from Brussels to Prague.  These river cruises are on beautiful river boats and include all of your meals, shore excursions and hotel style-rooms.  River cruising is not your typical ocean cruising but a much more relaxed and intimate experience with like-minded travelers.  Call for various itineraries available for this picturesque experience!

The Hotel Guanahani Resort and Spa

The Hotel Guanahani Resort & Spa by Reid Travel's Trish Timmerman

This time of year as the weather chills, our thoughts turn to the warmth of the sun.  The Hotel Guanahani Resort & Spa in St. Barthelemy in the French West Indies is a wonderful destination with tropical climates almost year round.  In this tropical destination you will experience a world of tranquility, serenity, luxury, intimacy and quietness.  During your stay, the friendly staff will make you feel you are in a magical place far away from reality.

The three categories of cottages consist of Rooms & Suites, Prestige & Family Suites making it a wonderful destination for any size party.  Each cottage is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens and individually decorated with rare woods, pastel shades and cotton fabrics creating a colonial atmosphere.  There are also four lovely dining venues:  Bartolomeo, Indigo, Indigo on the Beach and Beach Bar.  If you feel like doing a little shopping in town then there are world class shops such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and much more amongst a wonderful night life with a French touch and plenty of supervised children's activities as well.  And for a relaxing treat you can book an appointment at the spa by Clarins, that will cater to all of your pampering needs.

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Wonderful Events up and coming in London

Wonderful Events up and coming in London

London is set and ready to go for a very exciting 2012!  New stadiums, public spaces and shopping centers are being built on the eastern edge of the city, along with the Waldorf Astoria opening a 400 acre estate near the Heathrow Airport with 137 rooms.  All this is in preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, with the opening ceremonies beginning on Friday July 27^th and the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Queen’s 60^th year on the throne on June 5^th.    

Those are not the only exciting events on the calendar for London.  The Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury reopened in November of last year just in time for the authors 200^th birthday celebration on February 7^th, 2012.  On the other side of town Warner Brothers Studio is opening The Making of Harry Potter on March 31^st, 2012.  Harry Potter lovers will have a chance to go behind the scenes and see things the camera never showed.  The tour will show all the details of the striking costumes, props and animatronics.  It is also the Rolling Stones 50^th anniversary and there have been rumors circulating of an anniversary tour with a finale show in London.  Robert Redford will inaugurate a London outpost of the Sundance Film festival at the O2 arena in April.  

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