Hawaii:  With four islands to explore, exotic flora and fauna, and natural beauty that will captivate you, Hawaii is the perfect place for a romantic getaway (it is the #1 Honeymoon destination, after all), or a family vacation. setting

Las Vegas, Nevada:  What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, or so the billboards promise.  A veritable amusement park for adults, Vegas has something for everyone; from big name shows to casinos, to decadent spas to shopping, to golf; this is a brightly-lit vacation spot that beckons to many.

Florida: With great beaches lining the coast, warm weather while most of the US is shivering, and of course, all of Orlando's theme parks, Florida is an obvious pick for beach and amusement-park themed vacations. Miami's nightclubs also call, but to a slightly different crowd.

Yellowstone National Park:  Home to Old Faithful, a geyser you have to see to believe, Yellowstone captures a piece of the American West and allows a glimpse at the wildlife that was here long before we built our cities.


California:  This Pacific-bordering state is diverse in its offerings; from the hot, sunny beaches of San Diego, to the cooler, wet climates of Northern California.  San Francisco is an amazing city to visit, although a drive down the coast is also in order to get a better feel for this amazing state.  If you've ever wanted to visit Hollywood, California is calling your name.

Alaska:  Cruises to Alaska have been popular for years, and many people are beginning to explore more of this artistic landscape.  Train tours are also available, taking you through some of the interior of this remarkable and delicate countryside.  From the high mountain peaks and glaciers, to the smallest creatures living in this unique environment, it will be a visually stunning experience.


New York City:  The Big Apple, as some have called it, is a large American city with just about anything you'd like to experience.  If you're interested in the performing arts, Broadway plays and the New York City Ballet are just the beginnings of this city's offerings.  Shopping, museums, new culinary experiences, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty...NYC can keep you plenty busy.

Colonial Williamsburg:  Certainly the city of Williamsburg's largest attraction, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the world.  A 301-acre area of restored or reconstructed historic buildings, this township bustles with fully costumed and ever-in-character living history interpreters, who tell the stories of the colonials.  With representation varied across class line and race, you can see how the colonials lived their day-to-day lives.

North Carolina:  This is one state that truly has it all.  The coastal beaches are a popular destination, with the Outer Banks being a unique historical and geographical place to visit.  There are many historical places throughout the Piedmont and coastal regions, as well.  At the western end of the state are the Blue Ridge Mountains where you can experience the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian culture at its finest.
 
Colorado:  Here's a state that's great in all seasons!  For those who love the outdoors, this is a wonderful place to explore.  In winter, the Colorado Rockies have some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the United States.  The landscape is one that will captivate everyone, whether you enjoy seeing it from your car or while hiking it.

In today's economy, most of us are interested in saving a buck, but not at the cost of compromising our quality of life.  Travel is one luxury that we shouldn't give up. Not when the open road, adventures, new experiences, and time off to relax are what keep us interested and excited about life and the world we live in.  Instead, it is time to find more cost-efficient ways to travel.  If you're looking to save some money on your next trip, consider using the services of a travel agency.  

Many people make the mistake of thinking that because a travel agent charges a fee for their service, it will be more costly to use them.  It is true that you will pay a travel agent for their time, just as you would any professional whose services you contracted, but in the long run, you're likely to save more money as a result of their experience and expertise in booking travel.  The resources open to a travel agent in finding you great deals far exceed those that you can find at home.

Another reality of the travel agent's world is that certain venues of travel, such as cruises, will pay commission to a travel agent for bookings.  In many cases, an agent will not charge you for booking you on such a cruise, as their fees will already be taken care of.  One other thing that you might want to consider is whether your dream vacation might be found in another form.  If you let your agent know exactly what you desire to experience, they may well be able to find you a cheaper version of your dream vacation than your original idea.

It isn't too late to get in some great winter skiing -- you just need to know where to look!  Ski aficionados will tell you that there is no point in skiing unless you've got beautiful natural powder to do it on, so plan on doing a little bit of traveling--unless you already live in a prime skiing area.  Traveling to higher locations and colder climates means that you can take your ski vacation in March or April. Even as the snow melts around you, there will be plenty waiting for you in the mountains.

So, where to ski?  Your first consideration needs to be whether or not you're interested in leaving the country.  Combining your ski vacation with a European adventure is always a wonderful way to travel, and there are slopes in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany that are in their prime during the late winter/ early spring months.  If you don't want to go that far but are up for a little international experience, then head to British Columbia.  Whistler, the biggest ski resort around (and a skier's dreamland), is located not too far outside of Vancouver, a city that all travel enthusiasts will delight in visiting.  But if you're set on national travel, then it's time to head west.  There's no point skiing on the east coast in the spring months, so head out to the Colorado Rockies, where the real snow lies.  South Lake Tahoe is also a good ski option.

To find the ski deal of your dreams, you have several options.  You can look online for ski packages, especially discount travel packages, and see what you can find.  You can call up your favorite travel agent and have them book you a trip, or you can play the game of calling around to different venues to see what packages you can get directly.  Some people prefer to book a complete package and never have to worry about the details, while others delight in hunting for the best deal, so book according to what will make you the happiest.

Featured Destination: Morocco
Morocco, whose full name is Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah, meaning "The Western Kingdom", is a historical and cultural spot of interest for many.  Located in northwest Africa on both the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas, Morocco is the third most populous Arab country in the world where one can hear both Arabic and French being spoken here.  A large number of cultures have left their mark on Morocco; making this area a very culturally rich and diverse place to explore.  Moroccan cuisine is known for being especially diverse, characterized by its extensive use of spices.

When visiting Morocco, the cities that should be on your list should certainly include Marrakesh and Fez.  Other cities that may be of interest include Casablanca, which is the largest city, and Tangier.  There are a number of fishing villages, such as Dakhla, that can provide a wonderful seaside experience, and of course, swimming beaches, such as Plage Quemada and Lalla Fatma, will make a coastal visit complete.  There are many natural wonders located in Morocco, such as the Sahara Desert, for which you will certainly want a qualified guide to visit.  The numerous mountain ranges, including the High Atlas, also provide adventure travel for those who love the outdoors and enjoy skiing, climbing, and hiking.

To explore the culture more; visitors may need to pick and choose, unless they are staying for the full three months allowed without a visa.  There are innumerable mosques, palaces, historical sites, ruins, museums, and works of art that are worthy of attention. There are national parks displaying some of the amazing landscape of this country, while others might prefer to enjoy traditional Moroccan theater performances.   While traveling in Morocco, you will likely have the option of staying in large hotels, but should also consider Riads, which are traditional homes that have been converted to guesthouses and hotels.  Many Riads are located in the culturally-rich older areas of Morocco, rather than in the built-up tourist areas-- providing a much better immersion into this fascinating culture.


Contact Information
Your Name


800-123-4567
In This Issue

News from Our Office
Your Name


800-123-4567


Your updates go here. You can change this every month or leave this information static. Your updates go here. You can change this every month or leave this information static. Your updates go here. You can change this every month or leave this information static.


Featured Destination: Santorini, Greece

If black sand beaches with deep blue water, cliff side villages, and a submerged caldera with amazing views in every direction sounds like your image of an ideal vacation spot, then Santorini, Greece is calling your name.  The island's current geography is the result of a large volcanic eruption that transformed a single island into what it is today.  The volcanic basin is visible in the thirty-two square mile basin of water that was created by the eruption.  Villages scale the cliff sides, giving visitors an eyeful of traditional Cycladic architecture, as well as providing a scenic setting for the amazing views of the ocean, the volcano, and on clear days, Crete.

The most popular villages to visit in Santorini are Oia, Fira, Firostefani, and Immerovigli.  The most popular beaches, which are located on the east side of the island, are Kamari, Monolithos, and Perissa.  The Red Beach is located a bit further from the tourist spots in east Santorini, but is easily the most popular beach in the area, and is located near Akrotiri.  During summer, the sunny season lasting from April to August, the population of Santorini rises to about 11,000 and is one of Europe's vacation hot spots, both for the breathtaking natural beauty and the lively nightlife.



Cruises: Not Just for the Caribbean
If you've long wondered what a cruise would be like that was a little different than the stereotypical cruise to the Caribbean, you might want to explore some of the other options.  You can take a cruise just about anywhere there is water, so now is the time to really break out your adventurous side.  A cruise is the perfect way to visit exotic locations, without the stress of travel in those locales.  After a day's adventure into a foreign city, you can return to your comfortable and familiar cruise ship, which will escort you to each of your exotic destinations.

Wondering where you might want to go on a cruise?  Well, where in the world would you like to explore?  With only a simple flight to the port city where your cruise is departing from, you can explore South America, the Antarctic, or Alaska.  A transatlantic trip can bring you to exotic locales such as a Mediterranean trip to Africa and Europe, or a view of Northern Europe's fjords and frozen climates.  Inside Europe, you might enjoy a cruise down the Rhine River.  If it's the Orient that calls to you, there are also a number of cruises that will give you a veritable tour of Asia.  Regardless of where you go, a cruise is the best way to travel in comfort- its relaxation and adventure all in one great package.






Packing Lightly
Packing lightly is one of the biggest favors you can do yourself when traveling, whether you're off for a weekend, or spending multiple weeks abroad.  Among the benefits of packing lightly are: increased mobility, fewer hassles at security checkpoints, decreased costs (baggage check-fees, porters), and more flexibility.  The trick to packing lightly?  Have a packing list that you can consult each time you travel.  This list will not be specific to each individual trip, but will include everything you might need to carry with you.  The trick is never putting anything into your bag that isn't on the list, because you've already covered everything you will need.

Tricks for packing lightly include bringing matching outfits, so you can mix and match from the pieces you have to create several different outfits.  This saves you room in your suitcase and ensures that you've thought out your clothing options in advance.  Choosing a few colors to work with enables you to worry less about what will and will not match, but avoid the color green or any military style clothing.  Plan on accommodating temperature shifts through the use of layers, rather than with bulky items, and try to pack clothing that will dry quickly indoors, should you need to wash them.

JBA Network • 311 Montford Ave • Asheville • NC • 28801

Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Preferences | Send to a Friend | Report Spam
 del.icio.us    Digg    reddit    Facebook