Magnolia Travel and Cruise

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Winter Newsletter 2006

Warm greetings to our family of clients who travel the world, both near and far. We wish you the best of the season and a prosperous and fulfilling 2007. We are appreciative of your loyalty and support and pledge to continue providing you with the best possible travel planning services. We treasure our relationship with you, and look forward to continuing serving our valued clients. Our best wishes,

Susan, Bill, Laura, Cathy & Maria

Join Us!
December 19th from 4 - 6pm for our annual Holiday Open House.

This is our "Thank You" event for our loyal clients. We look forward to seeing you here for home baked treats, travel talk and some holiday cheer!

Hope to see you all on the 19th!

Newsletter Offer!!
Bring this newsletter in, or mention it on the phone or in an email, and receive a $25 discount on any 7-day package, cruise or tour booked by December 31, 2006.

This is our way of saying "Thank You" to our loyal clients.

We appreciate you very much!!

Time To Travel in 2007

Here are some great recommendations from our staff of professionals who know a good deal when they come across special offers from our best travel companies. We hope you will consider one of these destinations or be inspired to ask about another.

Europe, The Continent, British Isles & More

SAVE up to $400 per couple for select travel dates! BOOK & Pay in Full by 12-27-06 & SAVE up to an additional $592 per couple Trafalgar Tours offers the best in touring Europe…something to please everyone. Put Europe on your list for 2007...you will be happy you did.

China, "Imperial Jewels of China"

If you have thought of cruising the Yangtze, enjoying vibrant Shanghai, viewing the Terra Cotta warriors in Xian & visiting historic Beijing, here is a great opportunity for you! Viking River Cruises offers a 9 or 10 night cruise tour, fully inclusive of accommodations, internal airfare, guided tours & entertainment, transfers, & most meals. AND $199 airfare from the West Coast!! Cruise tour prices start at $2879 per person. Book by Dec 31st, 2006

Hawaiian Sunshine Time

We all need a sunshine getaway from our gray winter days, so here is something tempting! A visit to dynamic and changing Oahu….see the details below. Lei Greeting/Transfers/Welcome Breakfast/5Nts Outrigger Regency on Beachwalk Condo/1Bedroom City View $588 per person/Airfare additional, based on travel dates

Tips for Travelers

Passports Required

By January 23, 2007, all air travelers between the US, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, & Bermuda will need to carry a passport.
As of now, on June 1, 2009, all travelers crossing borders between the US, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean & Mexico will be required to carry a passport.
Air travel security updates include the reminder of limited carry on items. Limit 3oz of fluid, liquids, gels carried in a quart sized zip lock bag. One per passenger.
Remember that shoe screening is mandatory, all jackets and coats removed.
Our suggestion is to pack all items in checked bags, carrying only absolutely essential items on board. Leave all valuables at home or carry on your person

If you need to apply for a 1st time passport or renewal, our office has the forms you need, can take your passport photos, and direct you to the appropriate offices for processing. We also have a referral for processing your visas to countries requiring them. If you are visiting Australia, Susan, as an Aussie Specialist, can do them for you.

From The Desk of Susan …

Here are some recommendations for Great Trips! The best of my own travels in 2006, and I am happy to share some highlights with you.

ALASKA CRUISING BY SMALL SHIP….CRUISE WEST DOES IT FABULOUSLY!

Cruise West - Small ship cruising

Alaska in the spring was a marvelous experience aboard the Sheltered Seas vessel owned by Cruise West. A meandering journey over 6 days, from Ketchikan to Juneau, included visits to Misty Fjord, Wrangell, Petersburg, all communities along the Inland Passage in Alaska. With guided narratives provided by Park Service guides, local guides to share the heritage, and my personal friend who revisited her hometown in Petersburg, I learned about the flora, fauna and local history of each community. I also participated in the Norway Day celebration in the town of Petersburg, a fishing community with nearly 100% Norwegian heritage. Sad to say, the Sheltered Seas experience of sailing during the day and staying ashore each night has been retired at the end of this year. Cruise West will continue its wonderful itineraries with small vessels sailing up close to the whales, bears, seals and beautiful landscapes, but accommodations & most meals will be aboard the vessel. This is still a fantastic way to see Southeast Alaska. Missed will be the exposure to the local community atmosphere, including finding dinner at the local restaurant or meeting up at the local Elks Club!

EASTERN EUROPE WITH TRAFALGAR TOURS…….

Starting in Frankfurt on to Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, & Prague on Trafalgar's motor coach, our tour covered 7 cities in 2 weeks. Guided by Monika, a Pole who now resides in England and driven by Mammett, the Turkish Delight driver, both provided excellent service, knowledge, skill and expertise whenever and wherever it was needed. For anyone seeking the history, culture, architecture, and beauty of each of these cities and the countryside surrounding this is a most worthwhile trip. We followed the threads of history from early times on the European continent to today's circumstances, only 17 years out of Communist regimes. World War II history is most prominent as evidenced in Frankfurt, Berlin, Warsaw, Auschwitz, & Nuremberg, which provided sobering memories for everyone on our tour. Each country has followed its own evolution into its current political and economical circumstances and provided some interesting contrasts. Best & friendliest folks found in Hungary & south Poland, especially Krakow, my favorite city on the tour.

EXCLUSIVES FROM MAGNOLIA

"See and Experience Alaska Up Close"

On Holland America's Cruise Tour #10 Anchorage to Vancouver, June 4th departure, 2007. Group pricing from $2940, large ocean view cabin

Oceania Cruise "Ottoman Empires"

July 2-14, 2007 Visit beautiful Santorini, Ephesus, Istanbul, Valta, Soche, Sevatopol, Odessa, Constanta, Nessebur on the beautiful Nautica, with less than 700 guests. Special Group Prices from $2999 per person---Air & Gratuities Included!

"Scandinavian Splendors"

August 25-September 8, 2007- A quintessential voyage crossing the North & Baltic Seas. Marvel at visits to Tallin, Estonia; Gdansk, Poland; Berlin, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands & Bruges, Belgium. Special Group Prices, including Airfare from $4099 per person

Complete Exclusives List

From The Desk of cathy

Some warm winter news to share with my friends. I recently returned from a great little get-a-way in Spokane, yes I said Spokane! Who knew that Spokane has so many wonderful things to see and do?

A select number of agents from around the West Coast, were invited to stay and tour the historical hotel, The Davenport! Never having stayed there before, I was in for a wonderful surprise! This hotel is "truly" a one of a kind hotel. The restoration work is superb, the service unparalleled and the rooms, exquisite! We were also given a behind the scenes tour of the brand new tower addition being built, and I've learned that the Davenport will be hosting the up-coming U.S. figure skating championship competitors in January 2007.

The Pacific Northwest is often overlooked when hunting for a great get-away, so please put this on your list of places to visit. You won't be disappointed!

I would be very pleased to help with any other destinations you might want to visit this winter, including Italy, the beauty of Spain and the always warm and welcoming Hawaii!

Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Cathy

From The Desk of Laura …

As an ASTA Certified Family Travel Specialist, I have many recommendations for trips with your children or grandchildren. My "Top Ten" favorite companies for family vacations are:

Disney Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Holland America Cruise Line
Princess Cruise Line
Disneyland Resorts in California
Universal Studios in California and Florida
Disneyworld Resort in Florida
Hyatt Resorts
Sheraton Resorts

Come visit me and we can plan a terrific family vacation you all will enjoy!

FROM THE DESK OF BILL --

Las Vegas- Off the Strip

Las Vegas Station Casinos

When most of us are thinking of a place to stay in Las Vegas we immediately think of the resorts that line Las Vegas Blvd otherwise known as The Strip, but you don't necessarily need to stay on the strip to have a great stay in Las Vegas. There are a number of properties through out the Las Vegas area particularly in the bedroom communities of Henderson and Summerlin. They range from moderate to luxury and often offer a great value compared to The Strip.

A favorite local chain of mine is the Station Hotels and Casinos. There are seven Station Hotel Casinos. The closest to the strip is the Palace Station, with Boulder Station and Sunset Station in the Henderson area and the Santa Fe and Texas Stations in North Las Vegas. These are moderate properties which along with the usual casino hotel amenities offer multiple restaurants, a food court, multi screen cinemas and Kidsquest-a child care center. The Station Casinos have two upscale properties Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock. The Green Valley Ranch in the upscale area of Green Valley, has a Tuscan theme complete with Italian Tapestries and wrought iron fixtures and has been featured in the TV Series Casino. Red Rock located in Summerlin is very post modern chic including red glass on the entry doors, red leather sofas and deep purple carpets.

If you want a really upscale getaway and want to feel away from it all, try The Ritz-Carlton or Loews Hotels at Lake Las Vegas. These 2 properties are about half an hour from The Strip, just east of Henderson. The Ritz Carlton sits next to the Italian inspired Monte Lago Shops and features a copy of the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge of Florence as part of the hotel. The Loews Hotel (formerly the Hyatt) feels like a great Mexican Hacienda with towering palms lining the entrance and a cascading tiled stair step fountain in the lobby. Although these hotels each have small casinos they are better known for their spa and golf facilities. Both sit on Lake Las Vegas which flows into Lake Mead. Water sports are available at both Lake Las Vegas and larger Lake Mead areas. You can be sure you will be pampered at these 2 resorts.

**Be sure to look for more of Bill's insiders tips on Las Vegas in future Newsletters**

Past Newsletters - Click Here