Affordable Travel Center

Where in the world would you travel?

A few years ago, I bought the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die.

Slowly I've been marking off the sites I've seen and reading about the places I still long to see.  The world is so much smaller today for travelers, but my list is still vast.

Early this summer I returned to Nepal for a brief visit to friends and family in the Kathmandu Valley. I was astonished to see a proliferation of Western style shopping malls as consumerism bumps up against centuries old tradition.

Later this summer, I took a whirlwind trip - three days - to Los Angeles to pick up my son.  We crammed a little sightseeing in, checking out Los Angeles by night on a bus tour - a great way to cover a lot of ground, learn about a city and its inhabitants, in a very short period of time.  

In 2006, I spent two weeks in Italy, concentrating on Rome and Florence. I fell in love with the beauty that infuses all aspects of Italian life. From the country's language, its art and architecture to its food, design and fashion, Italians put joy and passion into the art of living well.

A highlight of our trip was a daytrip to Pompeii, an ancient landmark I'd dreamed of visiting since I read the novel, The Last Days of Pompeii, a classic story of the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the  destruction of the ancient city. That slim volume inspired me to see a world beyond the small Southern community where I grew up.

The story of Pompeii's destruction enthralled me as a child and fascinated me as an adult.  

My first trip outside the United States was to the Grand Bahamas.  A friend and I booked a long weekend to Nassau, staying at the beautiful Royal Bahamian with its gorgeous, sugar-fine, white sand private beaches.  I was hooked on travel.

Since that first trip, I've traveled throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.  My bucket list is long. I plan to travel until my legs and heart will no longer carry me.

I started writing about travel and later began selling travel online, serving as both a consultant and providing one-stop shopping at my website, Affordable Travel Center.  

Among my favorite things to do is read about the places I dream of seeing. I recommend my clients - and anyone who dreams of distant destinations - do the same.  There are many excellent books available to inspire and to plan for your future travels.  

I recommend these for dreaming and planning.

Barbados on sale; air travel rebates & villa deals

The Villa Experience by Travel Impressions launched a Fantastic Fall Sale for last-minute Barbados villa rentals which gives a $350 air credit on reservations that are a minimum of six nights plus reduced rates or a seventh night free of charge.

The sale is valid on reservations made by Sept. 8 for travel through Dec. 14. In addition to the air credit, clients will also receive either discounted rates (between 10 and 15 percent) or a seventh night free at participating properties (offers vary according to property selected).

Sample rates, quoted per night, and discounts offered at participating Barbados villas are as follows: Schooner Bay, Dreamweaver offers the $350 air credit plus a seventh night free for this two-bedroom villa. Rates are $500 per night.

Thespina provides the $350 air credit plus 10 percent savings on nightly rates at this four-bedroom villa. Rates are $800 per night (does not reflect the discount).

Calliagua at Sugar Hill is offering the $350 air credit plus a 15 percent discount at this five-bedroom villa. Rates are $1,500 per night (does not reflect the discount). Eden at Sugar Hill provides the $350 air credit plus a 15 percent discount at this five-bedroom property.

Rates are $2,200 per night (does not reflect the discount). Leigh House provides the $350 air credit plus a seventh night free at this six-bedroom villa.

Rates are $2,315 per night.

The Villa Experience by Travel Impressions offers 128 villas in Barbados which include one-bedroom to nine-bedroom options with rates ranging from $250 to $10,000 per night. 

Travel Impressions, founded in 1974, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express and one of the largest leisure tour operators in America. The company offers FIT vacations to more than 200 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Dubai, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Islands of Tahiti, Canada, Hawaii and the continental U.S., featuring more than 2,700 resorts, hotels and luxury villas.

Book your Barbados vacation  package today.

Winter Destinations on Sale Now with Apple Vacations

Book now and save big. Apple Vacations launhed a one-week sale on Aug. 12 with reductions on winter travel to some of its most popular hotels in its most popular destinations.

The company is offering seven all-inclusive nights at Sea Adventure Resort and Waterpark in Cancun start from $799.99 for select January travel dates. Prices include hotel transfers, all meals and drinks, the services of an in-resort Apple Representative, and nonstop, roundtrip air from Indianapolis.

Three all-inclusive nights in Riviera Maya start from $699.99 at the all-inclusive Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda, including roundtrip air.

Six nights on Hawaii’s Big Island at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa start from $759 per person including nonstop air from Seattle on Alaska Airlines for select travel dates January through March 2011.

Other resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Hawaii are also on sale.

Subsequent one-week sales will feature a specific hotel chain, discounted for winter travel.

Apple Vacations’ consumer research indicates that due to pent-up demand from years of cutting back, Americans are booking their winter vacations earlier than last year. Apple Vacations is reporting that its group business for 2012 is up significantly year over year and that pockets of flights from select destinations are already sold out.

In case the package price does go down closer to the departure date, Apple Vacations’ AVOK Plus with Best Price Guarantee offers a cancel-for-any-reason policy, and vacationers can claim the savings before departure if the price goes down.

Prices are per person double occupancy and include charter air, unless otherwise noted. A $2.50 per segment Sept. 11 Security fees and other taxes and fees up to $110 not included. Restrictions apply. Other departure cities are also available.

In business for more than 40 years, Apple Vacations offers vacation packages from the U.S. to vacation destinations throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, and top ski resorts in the U.S. Apple Vacations has delivered more passengers to Mexico and the Dominican Republic than any other North American tour operator.

For more information or to book directly with Apple, visit www.affordabletravelcenter.com

World's Most Beautuful Places: Top 20

This is a great video showcasing some of the world's most beautiful places.  

Awesome inspiration for the wanderer lurking in your heart. Where do you want to go next?

Indulge.

It's never too early to start planning for Carnaval.

Love this video. Carnaval should be on everyone's bucket list!

Plan now for the winter doldrums. Experience Quebec's Hotel de Glace, only open from Jan to April. It's melted by this time of year!

Hotel de Glace - Even though it's built from snow and ice, Hotel de Glace in Quebec remains a red-hot place to stay. Completely rebuilt each winter, the hotel has 36 rooms and suites and is the only ice hotel in the Americas. It also boasts the famous Ice Bar, a perfect spot to warm up, where even the drink glasses are made from ice. More than 85,000 visitors take tours of the frozen accommodations each year, and 4,000 stay overnight. Guests get to choose from a wide array of winter activities including dog-sledding, snowshoeing, ice-skating and cross-country skiing. Our one piece of advice: bring gloves. (Via http://www.wheretogonext.com )

Photo: Cozi.com

Sacred Destinations: Swayambhu or Monkey Temple

My trip to Nepal was just before the rainy season, so we had some rain, but not torrents. Mornings were sunny and our day started early as the sun rose about 5 am.  

Since we were still on US of A time, it was like getting up from a really long afternoon nap. I had cloudy head - a lot.

Days seemed super long to me, but I think that was because everything slowed down immensely.  The best part of everything being enormously slow was that I was well rested in spite of myself.

Even though we were visiting family, going out shopping and to do a little sightseeing, I still had hours and hours to relax, read, and sleep. 

The last time I was in Kathmandu, my son was much younger and I was a sheltered bride - if you can imagine that.  What I mean to say is that as a married woman, I was accompanied everywhere by my in-laws or a member of the household.  For a very independent woman (and traveler), it was an interesting position to be in and a little stifling.

Now, I can appreciate the care my son's grandparents extended to me.  Though my son's father and I are no longer in a relationship, we have the bond of friendship and kinship, and they still like to fuss over me and, naturally, their grandson too. 

This trip I spent more time on my own exploring on foot the neighborhood my son's grandparents live in, Balaju. We also walked to Swayambhu or the Monkey Temple, which sits at the peak of a very steep hill. Swayambhu is popularly called the Monkey Temple because frisky primates scamper about the complex grabbing up fruit and food offerings left by pilgrims. As a precaution, don't feed the monkeys. They're brutes when it comes to bananas or sweets.

Pilgrims take the 365-step climb, or stairway to heaven, to worship and send prayers heavenward via prayer wheels and constantly illuminated butter lamps. You can light your own butter lamp for 20 Nepalese rupees, roughly equivalent to 30 cents USD.  Cost to enter the temple complex is 200 Nepalese rupees, or about US$2.90, if you're not Hindu or Nepalese.

The stupa, a spiritual monument containing holy Buddhist relics, dates to the 5th century.  According to Nepali history, the Kathmandu Valley was covered in water and at the center of this lake  was a perfectly formed lotus whose heart was a brilliant flame. The Bodhisattva of wisdom, Manjusri, drained the lake with a blow from his magical sword and the lotus ascended to the hilltop where it transformed into the great golden stupa whose wise, all-seeing eyes gaze sleepily in all directions.

The view from Swayambhu is stunning, even on a grey-purple, cloud filled day.  The stairs are not for sissies or the feeble.  It's an arduous climb and the stairway is daunting, a straight, vertiginous shot heavenward. 

The air is heavy with the scent of aromatic dhoop or incense sticks blended from centuries old recipes and despite the crowds, there's a serene energy flowing through you and around you. Walking into an enclosed room, you're struck by the heat and light of thousands of brilliantly flaming butter lamps, thought to represent the illumination of wisdom.  

One of the most popular destinations in Nepal, Swayambhu really shouldn't be missed. If anyone is interested in traveling to Nepal, I'd be happy to help plan your trip.  

 

Rush US Passport Application, No Expediter Necessary

Forgot to renew your US passport early?  Need a first US passport in a hurry?

It is possible to rush your US passport application - without using an expediter. Follow this information (via Travel.State.Gov) to get your passport faster.

• Cost, in addition to regular application fees, is $60 per application plusovernight delivery costs.

• Two-way overnight delivery is strongly suggested.

• If you submit Form DS-82 by mail - clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.

• We strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.

• Additionally, in order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, we encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.

• Anyone may request expedited service for any type of application (e.g., first-time applications, renewals, amendments of existing passports, etc.) 

How do I change my name on my passport?

How to add extra visa pages to my passport?

How do I apply to renew my passport?

•  Please note, passport applications sent together or at the same time do not necessarily remain together.

• Your passport book and/or your passport card may be mailed separately from your returned citizenship evidence.

 

 

Peek Into Barcelo Resorts on the Riviera Maya

Just a hop, skip and a jump from Cancun at only one hour and fifteen minutes south of the Cancun International Airport,  past Playa Del Carmen, is the Riviera Maya.  

Take a quick tour of the Barceló Maya Beach and Maya Caribe resorts with travel pro Mark Murphy.

With 1,000 rooms split between the properties, shared pools, restaurants, and spa retreat, these two Barceló resorts represent a couple of the best value options available on Mexico’s eastern shore.

Explore Turkey's Ancient Ephesus

 

Ephesus is a city of Ruins these days, but once upon a time it was a thriving city full people and all their secrets.

From a dual purpose ancient library to the last house of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus holds spiritual significance to many people.

To everyone else, it is still must see while traveling in Turkey.