Magnolia Travel and Cruise

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Summer Newsletter 2007

As we move into the best time of the year here in Seattle, we hope that you are enjoying all the great outdoor experiences at our doorstep. We wish you great times here in Seattle, on your summer travel plans, and hope that you are planning ahead for the fall, winter and holiday seasons ahead when we need to have sunshine getaways. We love planning your trips and look forward to fulfilling all your travel wishes this year and into 2008. You are our treasured clients and we can't thank you enough!

Calendar of Events

Welcome to Summer Open House June 21st, 4-6PM

July 4th Holiday, Office closed

August 2nd-3rd Magnolia Summer Festival Sidewalk Sale, 9AM-6Pm

August 4th Summer Festival Parade 10AMЕ.Watch for our entry!

September 3rd Holiday, Office closed

October 31st, Magnolia Village Trick or Treat

November 16th, Magnolia Village Open House 6-9PM

December 21st, Welcome to Winter Open House, Magnolia Travel, 4-6PM

Newsletter Offer!!
Bring this newsletter in, or mention it on the phone or in an email, and receive $25 off any 7 day package, cruise or tour booked by September 1st, 2007. Our way of saying thanks to our very special clients!

Tips for Travelers

Get a Passport As Soon As You Can!

See Us for Passport Photos & Applications

Don't Be Left BehindЕЕ.apply or renew for your passport today!

Air Travel Etiquette in 2007

This is adapted from Peter Greenberg, Today Show Travel Editor A bit of fun and humor, but a few noteworthy suggestions!

1. Be prepared. Plan your packing to exclude all items such as knives, clubs, chain saws & ANYTHING that is a potential weapon. Also, keep in mind, that they REALLY mean one quart size Ziploc bag to hold all your 3-ounce or less containers of liquids, gels or lotions. It truly will make security screening a breeze.

2. Don't Be a Pack Rat. Consider the absolute necessary items you require while traveling & check the rest! You will free yourself of trying to squeeze your luggage into small and scarce places. You will be thanked by fellow passengers that you are not blocking the aisles while you find a place to stow your gear, and your aircraft will likely have an on time departure.

3. Be Kind, Don't Recline. In today's cozy aircraft configurations, it's a very small space between your seat and the one forward from you. Unless everyone reclines, such as on an overnight flight, it is most considerate to leave your seatback upright so the passenger behind you doesn't have it in their lap.

4. Share the Small Space. Once aboard your aircraft, here's a few tips for staying happy in the small personal space that is yours for the duration of the flight. Share the arm rests and only use one as the other belongs to your seatmate. If you get up out of your seat and need something to assist you, don't make it the back of the seat in front of you; just use the armrests or your own seat back. Like in school, keep your feet to yourself, and don't knee or kick the seat back in front of you. I suspect it's just children who kick the seat but I have had the experience of an adult pushing into my seat back with the knees.

5. Lavatory Behavior. Just like your mom, could you please clean up after yourself? That just means that you flush, dispose of towels, wipe out the sink, and leave the place in order for the next guest! Also, don't overstay your time!

6. Control Your Kids. Not a commentary on today's child raising practices, but a simple reminder for parents to plan well for the family's flights. Provide games, activities, and snacks to entertain and engage your children for the duration of the flight. Chewing gum for children and bottles or pacifiers for infants will alleviate ear pain when taking off or landing.

From The Desk of Susan Е

Here's what I have been booking since January of this year. I hope it is a gauge for you, and what you might be interested in for your travels this year and next.

Europe

Europe: France, Italy, Greece, Turkey. Cruises & cruise tours with Windstar, Viking River Cruises for customized travel itineraries at package pricing. Also, some great land arrangements with Travel Bound for European hotels, transfers and tours.

Australia & the South Pacific: Custom itineraries for travelers who want to visit these wonderful countries their way. Our travel partner, Abel Tasman, provides great pricing and service for our clients who want the best value for their trips.

China: Best value is with Viking River Cruises for their cruise/tour packages. Experience the highlights of China including Beijing, Xian, Yangtze River, Shanghai & extensions to Hong Kong, Guilan & more. With the Olympics coming to Beijing, it is more timely than ever to take this journey.

Africa: An astounding value for a safari trip with our preferred company, Wildlife Safari. November departure dates for 8 nights in Kenya at $1995 per person for land only. Fantastic experience and wonderful service for anyone who has always wanted to go "on safari"

EXCLUSIVES FROM MAGNOLIA

Ionian Inspiration
April 13th, 2008, Rome to Venice
12 Nights
Ports of Call: Rome, Corsica, Portofino, La Spezia, Florence, Amalfi, Sorrento, Taormina Sicily, Corfu, Kotor Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Venice

2 For 1 Pricing, includes airfare out of Seattle

Prices from $3996 per person, outside stateroom, Category C2 Credits for prepaid gratuities, $100 spa or shipboard credit

Penthouse Suites Available, $5299 per person

3 Great Departures in 2008

Southern Charm, March 7th, 8 days
Visit Atlanta, historic Charleston, Boone Hall Plantation, Beaufort, Savannah, Factors Walk, Jekyll Island, St Simon's Island

$1899 per person, Includes airfare out of Seattle

Islands of New England
June 20th, 8 days
Visit Providence, Newport, Cape Cod, Cranberry Bog, Plymouth Rock, Plimoth Plantation, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Hyannis, Provincetown

$1949 per person, Includes airfare out of Seattle

Mexico Copper Canyon Adventure
October 16th, 9 days
Visit Tucson, San Carlos, El Fuerte, Chihuahua, Creel, El Paso

Travel via train through the stunning scenery of Mexico's Copper Canyon with time to experience the local culture of this region

$2049 per person, Includes airfare out of Seattle

All tour & cruise prices based on double occupancy. Land/cruise only prices are available.

Complete Exclusives List

Opportunities for incredible visits round the world keep staying affordable and so enticing, I hope to talk to you soon about how I can help you plan your great trip!

From the desk of Laura Cochran:

Would you like something different in a trip to Mexico?

Recently I booked a wonderful trip for a young couple to Puerto Vallarta. They wanted something special, where they could do a little cooking (both are chefs) and the accommodations had a special Mexican feel. I researched villas in Puerto Vallarta and found many great places. From luxury to moderate villas are available. We settled on a small villa on the Conchas Chinas Beach, which is filled with antiques and has only 7 units. Some of the villas in Puerto Vallarta hold up to 12 persons with your own chef. Next time you are interested in a romantic getaway or a larger gathering of family or friends, let me know and I will see what I can find for you!

Do you enjoy traveling and sharing experiences with friends? I have also booked several groups of friends and families on cruises. One group is ladies that work together at Boeing sailing on a Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean. With cabins next to each other they will be able to open their balcony dividers so that they are all connected. That way they can visit each other without going into the hallway. It lends itself to a "happy group" for the whole trip. For privacy they can always close and lock their balcony divider.

From The Desk of Bill:

Las Vegas continues to hum as a great vacation destination in the US.

As a Las Vegas Specialist, I offer you some great ideas for accommodations off the Strip.

So how about old Las Vegas? Downtown is still humming with the Golden Nugget as its Grand Dame. While many of the downtown hotels are in need of a facelift, the Golden Nugget has been continually updated over the years with new additions currently underway and rivals anything you might find on the strip. Another longtime downtown hotel, The Four Queens, was also recently renovated. This hotel does not offer the big spas and over the top amenities of the Strip Hotels but does offer good clean rooms for moderate prices. Downtown has the added bonus of the Fremont Experience with its huge light and sound show canopy over Fremont Street and the nearby shops and restaurants of Chinatown. Yes, Las Vegas has a Chinatown.

Other hotels just off south end of The Strip are The Hard Rock, The Rio with its Brazilian theme including the Mardi Gras in the sky parade, The Palms with its new Playboy Club and famous Ghostbar, and the moderately priced Gold Coast and Orleans Hotels. If you are looking for a non-gaming hotel try Paradise and Harmon Roads which run parallel with the strip and have many of the "brand hotels such as Residence Inn, Best Western, La Quinta, Hampton Inn, Doubletree Suites and the like.

South of the strip on Las Vegas Blvd is the new South Point Hotel and Casino, great with the horse and rodeo crowd with its top notch equestrian center. Samstown on Boulder Highway is popular with the country western crowd with its Western Theme, complete with a performing arts center which often features top Country Music acts. Both the South Point and Samstown have enormous bowling centers and are home to several Bowling Championships.

Two more properties north of the strip in Summerlin are The Sun Coast Hotel and the upscale JW Marriott. Both hotels offer golf with the Sun Coast also offering bowling. The JW Marriott offers Spa Packages as well as a large convention facility for those groups who want to be away from the strip. Finally for the sportsman try the Silverton Hotel and Casino just south of the strip. The Silverton is styled after a large Adirondack Lodge and has one of the largest Sportsmans Stores in the world. So large in fact you can actually fish for trout in their indoor lake and river. Have fun exploring the off strip Hotels and Casinos of Las Vegas!

Check in with me for great specials, or if you have a group for this destination. I look forward to making your Vegas trip the best you have ever had.

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