Green’s Travel Tips

April, 2007

 

As I See It…

Many of us are addicted to travel.  I suppose all that slows us down is how we choose to spend our discretionary dollars.   If you are not ready for an exotic vacation, it is still great to know about the many places to go and like me---dream a little.

 

USA.  Yes, we have exotic areas right here in the United States.  The parks of the west certainly qualify!  You can enjoy Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley or Mesa Verde with their prehistoric cliff dweller homes.  An escorted tour with Globus, Trafalgar or Tauck would be great.  They offer many beautiful exotic sights.

 

Small Ships.   I just read an email from Cruise West where they offer unique nature and animal opportunities in a 20 day September cruise from Anchorage along the Aleutian Islands, over to the Bearing Straights, Russian Islands, into the Kuril Islands and ending in Japan. Cruise West can also get you into the out of the way bays along the Alaska Coast, the Galapagos Islands and even a tour around Japan docking at many of their interesting communities.

 

Princess and Holland America also offer smaller ships for more intimate cruises.  One advantage is the ability of small ships to stop at many less visited ports.

 

Antarctica.  It doesn’t take long to chalk up 6 continents if you travel a few years.  Most of us end up having only Antarctica left to visit.  In the past few years that has become a new cruising opportunity.  Holland America, Orient and Princess, as well as other small ships all offer the 7th continent experience.   Since it is a controlled area for visitors you should consider making reservation well in advance to be sure you add it to your travels.  Smaller ships can offer stops on the continent, but even the larger ships take you up close where you and the animals get on a first name basis.  Remember January is summer in the southern hemisphere so book early.

 

Africa.  We have been to Morocco in Africa.  It was unique, but I think more of Tanzania, Kenya and Egypt as the exotic parts of Africa.  The appeal of the safaris is traveling into the remote animal regions of the continent.  Many providers realize that although we want to go to remote areas, we are not ready to give up our comfort.  As a result, tour companies offer modern facilities and gourmet meals as well as comfortable transportation.

 

My desire is to see the wonders of Egypt while it is still available and without too much more development.  Companies like Globus, Uniworld and Tauck offer the Egyptian experience.  You will visit all the attractions including a cruise on the world’s longest river, the Nile.  We will be going in late summer this year.

 

South America.   Highlights of South America are many and varied.  I consider three to be especially exotic.  The first would be the Galapagos Islands with its unique species who live without predators.  You can visit there with the large cruise lines as well as small ships.  Don’t forget the land cruise companies.  They get you up close to the land and the people.  Globus, Trafalgar and Tauck provide excellent trips throughout the continent.

 

 My next exotic area is the Amazon.  My friend Amy and her dad went Piranha fishing as they enjoyed the beautiful tropical forests.  She tells me their guide pointed out 74 species of birds, opening up a new interest for her. Holland America and Princess Cruise Line’s smaller ships also visit the Amazon.

 

The third exotic I think of is Machu Picchu.  The historic Lost City of the Incas sits high in the mountains.  When you visit you cannot help but wonder how they ever managed to build such a unique, beautiful city way up on the mountain.  Remember they did it without the help of mechanical vehicles to transport those huge stone blocks.  As you walk along trying to catch your breath a native woman will pass you carrying children and supplies and having no breathing problems at all.

 

China.  Certainly China is, in my opinion, an exotic trip.  I believe it is one of the best destinations for you to break into the exotic market.  We enjoyed the experience and marveled at the many sights we had heard about all our lives.  It was so wonderful, the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors and just the friendly people and their customs.   We enjoyed the food, stayed in 5 star hotels and experienced a whole different culture.  To tell the truth, the Chinese people are now more like us than you can imagine.

 

And -- maybe Australia, New Zealand, India, Iceland, Norway Fjords and many more places await.  Don’t forget to consider repositioning cruises; they are a bargain and offer new places to visit as they follow the seasons to another part of the world. How fortunate we are to be able to even consider places our parents only experienced in books!

 

More room…Someone recently commented that they want more room when they vacation.  They were concerned about being cramped since they have a spacious home.  Wish I could remember who that was.  I just found a Royal Villa at the St. Regis Resort  Bora Bora.  It has 13,000 square feet. (Kieth Urban and Nicole Kiddman used that Villa)

 

A thought…

In the 60’s a person took LSD to make the world weird.  Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it seem normal.

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Member Bob Green

480/664-7354