Travelogue…… with Bob Nicolaides

 

 

Get a Quote from Swan Hellenic and Sail the Seven Seas

 

The MV Minerva

 

 

Are you looking for a Swan Hellenic cruise at an unbelievable low price? If yes, this is the right place for it! Since the Cruise ompany was launched in 1984, it has helped more than three million travelers save hundreds of million dollars on sailings worldwide. Swan Hellenic's ship, the MV Minerva, visits popular and exotic destinations throughout the world, including ports in Asia, the Black Sea, the British Isles, the Caribbean, the Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and South America. Their itineraries range between 11 and 28 nights aboard the ship, during which you will be transported with all comforts to breathtaking ports such as Venice, Italy, Motril, Spain, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Muscat, Oman, Cochin, India, Mykonos, Greece, in all, 178 wonderful spots around the globe that will fascinate you and afford you the most memorable trip of a lifetime.

Moreover, Swan Hellenic's prices fluctuate frequently, affording you the opportunity to search and find the lowest prices desirable for your trip.

Are you ready to sail? Call 800-338-4962 or e-mail customerservice@swanhellenic.com for a quote or reservation. Swan's MV Minerva brings a rare touch of comfortable, informal refinement to travel. Here, the glow of fine burnished woods, gleaming brass and handsome works of original art create an atmosphere that is both elegant and stylish yet unpretencious. Listen in on some of the fascinating lectures by the onboard team of eminent naturalists, geologists, zoologists, historians and ornithologists. At the end of the day, curl-up with one of 5,000 volumes in the wood-paneled library or sip a glass of wine while listening to the concert pianist in one of the cozy lounges. 

Hellenic's specialists are ready to help you plan a fantastic vacation.

 

  

Breathtaking Resort, Lagging Restaurants



The Romanos, Navarino Dunes

 John Behrakis, a frequent traveler, reviewed for Trip-Advisor Romanos Resort in Navarino Dunes, Messinia, Costa Navarino in Greece. He says it is a fantastic hotel but seriously, they need to do something with their restaurants! The Flame restaurant by far the best along with the Inbi (but both over priced)! The Taverna...”well I just had a nice plate with an overdose of salt-no reaction from the restaurant when complained! The Da Luigi... just ok but the service is pitiful! It’s my third year and it gets more and more expensive and the food situation still medium-bad for one of the best hotels in Mediterranean.”

 

The Tritoxo Guesthouse in Epirus

 

To Tritixon

In the beautiful village of Koukouli in Zagori is where Eleftheria Dimou’s guesthouse, To Tritoxo is located, offering you unique hospitality, friendly family environment and excellent service. This family business meets the standards of the Hellenic Tourism Organization and offers the visitor warm hospitality in a family atmosphere. It is housed in a renovated traditional stone structure built in 1822 in the center of graphic Koukouli village.
To Tritoxo is open year-round and its seven rooms are equipped with refrigerators, television, central heating and is charmingly decorated. Wake-up in one of its rooms with the aromas of the flowers around you and enjoy nature in its glory.  

Abraham's Lost City in Turkey's Kilis?

Archaologists recently announced the discovery ofthat  a lost city in Kilis bearing evidence that ancient patriarch Abraham once dwelled there. The Province's Oylum tumulus also yielded coins from the era of Alexander the Great. Researchers in the area have discovered have discovered what they term as

Ullis excavated in Kilis

 a 'lost city,' as per the head of the excavation team, Gumhuriet University Archaelogy Department Associate professor Atilla Engin.


"According to a papyrus document from the Iron Age the lost city we have found is where Abraham lived. We have also found 134 silver coins form Alexander the Great's treasure," Engin said. He added that the Oylum tumulus where the artifacts were found was one of the largest in the region, shedding light on that area's history. He also said that Ullis, the lost city, was thought to be in the eastern mediterranean region, but the new discoveries show that the Oylum tumulus was the site instead. "The name Ullis is mentioned in ancient Akat documents and matches with the name mentioned in Hittite documents. The papyrus documents place Abraham in the Ullis plain where there is a center that relates to the name Abraham. We have stumbled upon important information here," the academician concluded.
With the pieces unearthed so far, the Kilis Museum has been established and the hope is that as new pieces come to light, those as well will be displayed in the museum.

Emirates Palace to Host World Luxury Expo



The Palace at Abu Dhabi

The third edition of  the World Luxury Expo, Abu Dhabi, will take place at the Emirates Palace between the 27th and 29th of September. The event will showcase a selection of luxury brands to an 'invitation-only' group of high net worth clients from across the GCC. Categories include fine art, jewelry and fashion, hand-crafter time pieces, designer fur
niture and table settings, automobiles fine dining, private aviation and luxury travel.
Some of the participating firms are Porsche, Gold & Co London which will be showcasing a 24-carat gold-plated Arabian stallion, the House of Sillage and Al Barari Luxury Villas.
Following the Abu Dhabi edition, World Luxury Expo will be held next in Doha November 14 to 16, 2013.

A Visit by Sea to the Holy Land.

Louis Cruises ships have sailed the oceans of the world and pioneered innovative itineraries for over 20 years. Their Greek officers and European crew profess gracious hospitality and nautical tradition and bet on offering you an unforgettable experience on the m/v Orient Queen. Sailing destinations only in July and August of every year, Louis Cruises offer a wide variety of cruises in the range of 3 to 10 days.


Mosque of the Prophet & Wall (Bottom)

With their affiliate, Salamis Cruises of Cyprus you can also take advantage of a 3-day/2 night cruise from Limassol in Cyprus to the Holy Land (Haifa, Israel,) and back to LImassol, a Wednesday through Friday sailings on October 2 and 14, 2013, affording you the opportunity to take in the church of the Nativity and the grotto which was built over the place Jesus was born, the church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Golgotha in Jerusalem, as well as the famous Wailing Wall, the panoramic view of the Garden of Gethsemane and the church of All Nations. The sailings are on Salamis' Filoxenia and Glory.
 It must be noted that the weather around October in the holy Land is warm enough for a swim in the Mediterranean waters, as well as in the many resorts on the Dead Sea which can be reached within hours. Bear in mind that there's ample time for all those sights to be seen since the ship remains in Haifa from the time it arrives at 6 am until sailing time which isn't due until as late as 8 pm.
Furthermore you can enjoy a 4-day/3-night cruise to Patmos and Kastelorizo, leaving Limassol on October 4 and retyurning on the 7. Another option is to visit Samos, Mytilini, Chios and Sumi from Limassol on October 7 returning to LImassol on the 14.

Yet another choice is the 4-day/3-night sailing to Kos with an overnight visit to Rhodes, which sails from Limassol on Friday, October 11, returning Monday, October 14.
 

Uganda: A National Park Among Best 

Kidepo National Park-third Best

Kidepo Valley National Park has been voted the third best tourist attraction on the African continent by CNN Travel. Because of the achievement, the National Park has become one of the most sought after attractions in Uganda. :In five years we expect to triple the number of visitors from 2,700 to about 7,000," said the area conservation manager, Johnson Masereka, while launching a new product called The Ik On Moru Engole nature walk. "The revenue will double last year's collection."  There are investment opportunities for the private sector within the park, which are three hotel sites waiting for developmentand needs transport services as well as aggressive tour operators. The UWA marketing officer, Ingrid Nyankabwa said the park has 120 lions. She advised tour operators to include the National Park when marketing gorilla tracking,  nature walks and bird watching. "The game drive treats you to a wide variety of attractions from giraffes, elephants, zebras, water bucks and ostriches," she added.
The packaged tours offer a nature walk, 460 birds, traditional dances, butterflies and interesting communities.
 



Russian Transaero working With Virgin America

Transaero Airlines, Russia's second largest carrier, announced the launch of its Interline Agreement and Special Pro-Rate Agreement (SPA) with US carrier Virgin America. The interline agreement will provide opportunities for TRansaero's passengers to acquire e-tickets for travel between Moscow and the extensive route network of Virgin America in the US via the connecting cities of Los Angeles and New York. On the other hand, US travelers can now start their journey with VIrgin America's flight to LA or NYC and continue their journey to Moscow onboard Transaero's flights.



A deal between carriers



The special pro-rate agreement allows passengers to buy tickets at special, competitive prices. Special fares are available on the routes bewteen moscow with a connection in Los Angeles to such US cities as Washngton, DC, Boston, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas, Seattle, Portland, San Jose, San Francisco and Las Vegas. Moreover, the through fares are also offered  on routes between Moscow and San Francisco or Las Vegas via New York.

 

 

 

 

Spain is Winner of 1st Half of 2013 Tourism

 

Spain recorded its highest visitor numbers todate in the first half of 2013.

Over 34 million international tourists visited the region-the highest figure on record, according to statistics. This July was also a banner month with 7.9 million international tourists heading for Spain, representing a 2.9% year-on-year increase. The UK saw a 3.4 annual increase in visitors to Spain on July 2013 and this period accounted for almost a quarter (23.3%) of all international visitors.

During July, Catalonia was the most popular tourist Spanish destination, welcoming more than 2.1 million tourists (up 3.1%,) and capturing more than a quarter (26.7%) of all international tourists to spain in that period. The Balearics followed closely registering over 2 mil multi-ethnic tourists (up 1.7%) with Germany, the UK, the  Nordic countries and Russia, all contributing positively to this growth. 

Andalucia saw the largest year-to-year rise in international tourist visits, welcoming almost  one million foreign tourists (up 8.5%) in July, with Scandinavians and the UK accounting for the majority of this groth. The Canary Islands saw in excess of 840,000 visitors (up 2.7%,) with the UK and Scandinavia registering the majority of visitors.

 

You Too Can Win a Hospitality Award

 

If one intends to participate in the Worldwide Hospitality Award competition this is the last call. Registration deadline is September 29. The Awards return for their 14th edition with a prestigious ceremony taking place November 12, 2013 at the breathtaking InterContinental Paris le Grande.

Hospitality Awards in Paris

Hotel groups, independent hotels, hotel chains as well as hospitality schools of the world get a chance to compete with  their featured projects that move the Industry. It's your chance to showcase your innovations and projects extraordinaire, evaluate the work of your team, turn the spotlight on your institution for this remarkable event and thus celebrate Hospitality!Categories of the Worldwide Hospitality Awards to be won are:

• Best Communication
• Best Marketing
• Best Initiative in Social Responsibility
• Best Innovation, Room Area
• Best Innovation, Public Area
• Best 'People & Talent' Management Program
• Best General Manager, Luxury Hotel
• Best General Manager, Upscale Hotel
• Best General Manager, Economic/Midscale