~Travel Quote~

Must Sees ~ London Edition

As a travel agent I often deal with clients who are on a tight schedule. When it comes to international travel most people will plan to visit several places during a single trip. I totally get it! The airlines are raising their rates daily (this might be an exaggeration... sort of) so the idea of visiting multiple locations makes perfect sense.

The question I encounter most often is "what are the must sees in this city or country?" People want to see as much as they can in the time they have without getting completely run down. My husband and I operate on this same idea.

Today I want to cover the basic must sees for London. Keep in mind that there are a million things to do in the city so I am just highlighting some of my favorites.

1. Big Ben and Parliament

Almost everyone would recognize these places in photos. Big Ben is great as a simple photo stop. Parliament is a different story. Yes it makes for a great photo stop but a tour of the Houses of Parliament can prove to be a great experience if you have the time.

4. Westminster Abbey

Yes, you have to pay to get in but honestly it is SO worth it! It oozes history and beauty. This is one of my favorite places in London.

3. Thames River Cruise and The Tower Bridge

Cruising the Thames allows you to see London from a different vantage point. This cruise also allows for some great photos of the city and the Tower Bridge. Most people think that this is called the London Bridge but it is not.

4. The Tower of London

Although the Tower has dark history you will also find the history of the royals, an armory and a fortress behind its walls. You can also view the crown jewels and join a Beefeater tour where you will be told stories of bloody battles and the Tower's ravens.

5. The London Eye

So it's a giant ferris wheel BUT it offers amazing views of the city on clear days. If you find yourself in need of a break from all of the walking and want to take in some beautiful views hop on the Eye for a 30 minute ride.

6. Buckingham Palace and the Horse Guards

Both are must sees and both can easily be photo stops. If tours of the Palace are offered while you are in London then take the time to experience all that Buckingham has to offer.

7. Museums, Museums, Museums

London has amazing museums and they are FREE! Depending on your interests I'd suggest the Churchill Museum, The British Museum, The Museum of London, Tate Britian, Ect

8. Hampton Court Palace

If time allows and you need a break from the city take the 20 minute train ride to Hampton Court Palace. Once lived in by Henry VII, it now houses wonderful exhibits and is worth several hours of your time.
 

Beyond my list if you want a quick overview of the city opt for a double decker bus tour and don't forget to drop in to Harrods.

Happy Travels!

~Travel Quote~

~Christmas Traditions Around the World~

With Christmas only days away I thought we’d look at Christmas traditions from some of my favorite countries.

Austria

The feast of St Nicholas marks the beginning of Christmas in Austria. The saint accompanied by the devil asks children for a list of their good and bad deeds. Good children are given sweets, toys and nuts. Gifts that are placed under the tree are opened after dinner on Christmas Eve.

December 6 in Austria is when Heiliger Nikolaus or St. Nicholas, rewards good children with sweets, nuts and apples.

On December 24, the Christ Child brings presents and the Christmas tree for the children. The children wait until they hear a bell tinkling. Then they enter a special room where the Christmas tree is waiting all decorated with candles, ornaments and candies. The whole family sings Christmas carols and wishes each other.

In Austria baked carp is served for the traditional Christmas dinner.

FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!   

 Atlantic Canada

Christmas celebrations are quite similar in the variety to America.

In Canada the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.

In Labrador, turnips are saved from the summer harvest and are given to children, with a lighted candle pushed into a hollowed out hole.

In Nova Scotia, a country settled by Scottish highlanders, songs and carols brought from Britain two centuries ago are sung each Christmas morning.

Also in Nova Scotia, during the twelve days of Christmas small groups of belsnicklers, or masked mummers, appear in neighborhoods, ringing bells, making noise, seeking candy or other treats. The hosts may try to guess who the mummers are and if they guess right the mummer removes his or her disguise and stops making rude noises and actions. Children may be quizzed by the mummers on their behavior if they say they have been good they are rewarded with candy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!   

Great Britain

In Great Britain the hustle and bustle of the season begins well before Christmas and there is barely anytime for a break until the Twelfth night. There is preparation going on of foods, the sending of Christmas cards, the decorating of houses and churches, and the readying of gifts keep everyone busy.

On Christmas Eve youngsters hang up their stockings on the ends of the beds or by the chimney so that when Father Christmas comes he can leave them something.

On Christmas morning the family traditionally opens their presents and prepares for a big feast which typically is served just after midday. The table gleams with the best china and glassware, and at every place on the table there is a cracker. The meal begins with a toast, followed by the popping of the crackers. After the meal they sit down in front of the Television for the traditional Christmas speech of the British Monarch.

In Britain, children write their letters to Father Christmas and then throw them into the fireplace so they will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole. If the lists catch fire first, they have to rewrite them.

At Christmas dinner, a plum pudding is served with little treasures hidden inside that bring their finders good luck. Britain was the first country to hang up mistletoe.

                                                    

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!            

Germany

Christmas preparations often begin before December 1st. People set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Gingerbread houses and German pastry Christmas trees called Christbaumgeback are made.

December 6 is Nikolaustag, St. Claus day, you leave out a shoe or boot outside the door Dec.5 and the next morning you find presents (if you were a good kid) or a rod (if you were bad)

In parts of Germany, people believe that the Christ Child sends a messenger in Christmas Eve. He appears as an angel in a white robe and crown, bearing gifts. The angel is called Christkind. Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind who then distributes gifts. There is also a Christmas Eve figure calledWeihnachtsmann or Christmas Man, he looks like Santa Claus and also brings gifts.

Some homes in Germany have several Christmas trees, and in all towns across Germany, they can be seen glittering and glowing.

FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!      

Ireland

Christmas in Ireland lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, which is referred to as Little Christmas. Ireland's Christmas is more religious than a time of fun.

Lighted candles are placed in windows on Christmas Eve, as a guide that Joseph and Mary might be looking for shelter.

Irish women bake a seed cake for each person in the house. They also make three puddings, one for each day of the Epiphany such as Christmas, New Year's Day and the Twelfth Night.

It is tradition to leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness out as a snack for Santa and children often put out Christmas sacks instead of stockings.

After the Christmas evening meal, bread and milk are left out and the door unlatched as a symbol of hospitality.

NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT!                

Japan

Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas.

They enjoy giving each other gifts, and this is the part they celebrate.

They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.

Among the Christian Japanese Christmas is not a day for the family. They do not have turkey or plum pudding, rather than that the day is spent doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.

MERIKURISUMASU!                

Russia

In Russia the religious festival of Christmas is being replaced by the Festival of Winter but there are some traditions that are still kept up in some parts of the country.

In the traditional Russian Christmas special prayers are said and people fast until Christmas Eve, when the first evening star in appears in the sky. Then begins a twelve course supper in honor of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much more.

Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that she declined to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. However, she regretted not going and set off to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children.

On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in churches which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and colored lights.

Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and suckling pig are favorites.

SCHASTLIVOGO ROZHDESTVA!     

No matter where you are celebrating this year.... I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

~Vietnam and Cambodia~

	Cross this must-see destination off your travel wish list with a river cruise along the fabled Mekong River Fares from $1149 per person!
	Book Now to Save up to $1,500 per Stateroom fares from $1,799 $1,149 per person!
	Don't miss this great opportunity to visit: Hanoi | Ha Long Bay (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Angkor Wat (UNESCO World Heritage Site) | Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) | And other exotic places! While at port, included tours immerse you in rich, centuries-old culture. Ride trishaws and ox-carts, visit floating markets and historic pagodas and explore the legendary temples of Angkor Wat. While aboard, enjoy western-style cuisine as well as locally-inspired dishes, air conditioning, interior corridors, a panoramic lounge, and amenities such as a swimming pool, spa, salon, and fitness room. For reservations please call DooTravel at 704-458-7493

Happy Travels!

~Luxury Crystal Cruises~

There are are only 4 weeks left to save on Crystal Cruises! Unlike other large cruise lines Crystal Cruise prices are all inclusive. Book now for the best available fares on 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 voyages! Contact us today to take advantage of the lowest available prices! Cruise-only fares begin at just $1,215 per person.

~Travel Quote~

~Barcelona at Dusk~

~Give Thanks~

Happy Thanksgiving from DooTravel!

~Last Minute Holiday Cruises on Celebrity~

Last minute travel can mean BIG savings! Celebrity Cruise Lines has several last minute sales worth considering.


~14 Night TransAtlantic Veranda Rooms at $799 + Tax

~14 Night Exotic Southern Caribbean Christmas or New Years Cruise 
starting at $1149 for an ocean view room and $1849 for a Veranda

~12 Night New Zealand cruise Veranda Rooms at $1099+Tax

~7 Night Southern Caribbean Ocean view Rooms at $579+Tax

Call me to plan your last minute Holiday cruise!

~Happy Halloween~

~SALE~

Viking River Cruise Sale!

Early booking 2014 for ALL Viking River Cruises. 2-for-1 cruise pricing, 2-for-1 roundtrip International Air! 

This is a great deal..... ESPECIALLY the Air! Call me to book your 2014 river cruise before this sale ends. 

Offer ends Oct 31

~The Swiss Alps~

~The World's Haunted Hotels~

In the spirit of October and Halloween I thought I’d blog about some of the World’s most haunted hotels. 

My husband always threatens (jokingly of course… I think) that he is going to buy a K2 and conduct an EVP session in every old castle hotel that we stay in. He hasn’t done it yet but I’m sure that he will someday.

Without further ado, ten of the World’s most haunted hotels….

10 Hotel Chelsea , NYC

Although currently closed for renovations, this hotel built in the mid-1880’s is a bohemian landmark. Some guests claim that they have seen ghosts while others report a variety of paranormal activity including cold spots, phantom footsteps and lights going on and off by themselves.

9 Talbot Hotel, Oundle England

This hotel was once a private castle that was built in 1100. The hotel is best known for being the place where Mary Queen of Scots was tried and beheaded. Guests today swear that they have spotted her walking down the hotels main staircase. Other incidences include furniture being moved and a portrait of Mary often falling from the wall.

8 Hotel Castello Della Castelluccia, Rome Italy

This hotel is a renovated  11^th century castle and is described as “fairytale like”. It is said to be haunted by three ghosts who are spotted wandering the gardens at night.

7 The Queen Mary, California

The Queens Mary, now docked as a hotel, has quite a history. It sailed carrying celebrities and dignitaries

alike. Dozens of people have died aboard the ship throughout its history and according to guests it is evident in the paranormal activity that is experienced on the ship. A woman in a 1930’s bathing suit is spotted by the pool often, telephones ring with no one on the other line and children are heard crying throughout the night.

6 Langham Hotel, London England

This hotel, built in 1865, was the first luxury property in the city. It was bombed in the 1940’s and sat in ruins for 50 years. Hilton International purchased and renovated the structure, bringing it back to its original state. It is once again a lavish hotel, but now it houses guests and ghosts. People report seeing lights that morph into spectral beings and ghosts in Victorian clothing wandering the halls.

5 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Canada

This beautiful hotel is located high in the Canadian Rockies. While hotel management denies being haunted the numerous guest reports would seem to disagree. Many guests report seeing a distressed bride who is said to have been killed on the grounds right before walking down the aisle. Others swear they have spotted a bellhop named Sam who even after death continues to work at the hotel.

Can we just focus on how INSANELY gorgeous this hotel is!?!

4 Russell Hotel, Sydney Australia

This hotel served as a hospital during the bubonic plague and later served as a hostel for sailors. Guests report that one sailor might have never checked out. Those who stay in room 8 swear that they wake up in

the night to find a sailor standing over them. Others claim to see period dressed prostitutes roaming the halls. Recent renovations are thought to have increased the activity.

3 Grand Hyatt Hotel, Taipei Taiwan

This hotel is rumored to have been built over land that was once an execution ground and prison camp during

WWII. Today paranormal experiences abound in this modern hotel, so much so that the locals don’t come near it. Encountering ghosts is a daily experience at the Grand Hyatt. Management has hired specialist to attempt to rid the hotel of all spirits.

2 Ballygally Castle Hotel, Larne Northern Ireland

Ballygally Castle was built in 1625 in Northern Ireland and has changed hands a few times over the centuries. One owner, Lady Isobel, was imprisoned on the property by her husband and is said to have thrown herself out of a window securing her death. Today it is believed that Lady Isobel still wanders the castle halls. Guests also hear children laughing throughout the castle halls.

1 Le Pavillon Hotel, New Orleans

Le Pavillon was built in 1907 and still retains the magic of a bygone era. Guests can embrace the beauty of

the past but they might also have to embrace the hotels 5 ghosts. Adda is one of the most spotted ghosts on the grounds. People say she is dressed in 1800’s garb, predating the actual hotel, and she asks for help before disappearing. Other spirits seen include an old woman dressed in black, a couple holding hands and the hotel’s resident hippie, a man who runs through the halls before disappearing. This man is also blamed for hiding objects and ripping blankets off of sleeping guests. Guests and staff alike also report smelling cigar smoke when no one is smoking nearby.

Want to visit a haunted hotel? Call me and let’s talk. Maybe you can take my husband with you and conduct an EVP together.

~Travel On~

~Christmas Vacation Offers~

So you haven’t planned a Christmas Vacation yet? Have no fear…. There are TONS of sales that you can take advantage of!

AMA Waterways is offering up to 40% off of all of their Holiday Cruises. This means cruising the Rhine or the Danube while being immersed in Europe’s best Christmas Markets! At a savings of up to $3700 per cabin…. Cruises start at $1379!

If you prefer the tropics Celebrity Cruise Lines allows kids to sail for FREE during the holidays in select room categories! If you are traveling as a family this means huge savings!

Uniworld is offering a savings of $300 per couple on select Christmas cruises.

These are only a few examples of some amazing offers that you should take advantage of. If you haven’t booked your Christmas getaway call me and lets plan a memorable vacation!

~Why you SHOULD use a Travel Agent~

Why Use Us?

• Personalized service:

At DooTravel we take the time to listen to what you want and what you value in your travel experience. We are willing to go the extra mile for you, catering to your specific requests and giving you options to choose from. We make sure our customer service always leaves our clients satisfied and within budget.

• Professional advice: 

We make sure you get where you want to go, when you want to go and for the lowest price. If we haven’t already been to your destination ourselves, we know someone who has -- and we will share this valuable first-hand knowledge with you.

•  Time: 

Instead of checking a long list of travel Web pages, why not go straight to the source? As your travel agent, we have all the information at our fingertips, saving you several hours in front of a computer screen.

• Unbiased information: 

At DooTravel, our travel agents work for YOU, not for a travel supplier. Our main concern is always you and your unique needs. It makes sense that a happy customer will be a repeat customer.  

• Customer advocacy:  

If you have a problem with a particular part of your travel experience, we are here to act on your behalf to help see that restitution is made.

                                                    

                                                    PLUS, we do it all for                                                                 FREE!


If you would like to speak with a travel specialist regarding your dream vacation, please call us at (704) 458-7493