Backpacking, caving, biking, mountaineering, canyoneering, paddling… the list of adventures where you need to keep your gear dry goes on and on. The Exped Torrent 50 backpack keeps water away from your precious gear so it stays dry and you stay carefree. Take on wet conditions with this waterproof pack that offers welded seams and waterproof closures. If you find yourself battling wet conditions, this should be your go-to pack.
Sandals - will end its lease with the owners of the Beaches Sandy Bay resort in Negril, Jamaica, effective Aug. 31. Sandals said in a statement that the property no longer fits within its long-term plans. Guests booked at the resort after Aug. 31 may transfer their reservations without penalty to Beaches Boscobel (near Ocho Rios) or Beaches Negril. Meanwhile, the resort’s owners will close the property for the month of September, but the resort will re-open under their management afterwards.
Hilton - will welcome the 207-room Hilton Lima Miraflores in Peru at the end of this year. The property will offer a full-service restaurant, a lobby bar, a sky terrace with a heated outdoor pool, an executive lounge, a spa, and a fitness center.
The famed 181-room Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan re-opened this week after being shuttered since late last year for a major overhaul, including remodeled guestrooms and upgrades to its Round Table Restaurant and the Blue Bar (opening again next month).
The 345-room Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit is now open in Thailand with three restaurants, a main lounge, and a Le Spa facility.
Good morning all:
The Destination of the day is Greece:
If you go to the link:
http://echevarriatravel.com/destinations/europe/greece.html
There is a great video as well.
Say Greece and you conjure images of classical monuments and white-washed fishing villages bathed by that magical Greek light and set against a backdrop of azure seas. Located at the nexus of three continents, it’s been part of many empires. Often considered the birthplace of Western civilization, its politics, philosophers, culture and art formed the foundation of modern thoughts and political structures.
Its history spans four millennia and that’s one reason you want to see Greece. There’s Athens, crowned by the Acropolis; Delphi, where men could speak to the god Apollo through the Oracle, the priestess through whom Apollo spoke to humans, and Olympia, site of the original Olympics. Be sure to see a play at the ancient theater of Epidaurus, a fairly easy drive from Athens.
But Greece isn’t just about culture and history. Its Mediterranean languor, benign climate and balmy seas have a special allure. While Greece has made huge commercial and technological strides–what had been a mainly agrarian nation famed for things like its legendary olive groves, beaches and political coups–it is now a sophisticated society where cell phones outnumber land lines and Wi-Fi hotspots seem universally available. But it’s still a must-visit destination for the easy-going traveler.
The mountainous Greek peninsula is surrounded by 6,000 islands, which extend into the Mediterranean and the southernmost reaches of Europe. The sea is intrinsic to Greece; you’re usually never more than 30 miles from the sea and even in northern Greece, the sea is generally never more than 60 miles away. Most of Greece’s islands are grouped in clusters that constitute the Greek archipelago. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, the Dodecanese and the Cyclades are some of the famous and popular islands and island clusters in Greece.
Greek food is one aspect of its culture: the Greeks are social diners, food is fresh–Greeks expect it. Your best bet: go where the Greeks go. Those classic Greek tavernas can be fashionable or a very basic beachfront restaurant under a reed canopy. Typical fare is mezédhes (hors d’oeuvres) or orektiká (appetizers) and tís óras (meat and fish, fried or grilled to order).
When it comes to getting around on land, your choice is bus or car; there are few trains, except for the excellent Athens-Pátra and Athens–Thessaloníki lines. Ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils shuttle visitors to the islands, but an internal flight between, say, Rhodes and Athens can cut a 28-hour ferry trip down to a two-hour flight
Mid-July to the end of August is peak season, with soaring temperatures and crowds. June and September are good times to visit–the weather is warm, especially in the islands. Mid-October can be stormy, but most of that month is Greece’s summer and it’s an especially lovely time of year in Crete and the southern Dodecanese. Autumn in general is a beautiful time to be in Greece; the weather remains lovely and there are fewer crowds. One caveat, some islands and parts of Greece are open only during summer months.
Some of my destination special rates from my suppliers can be found here.
http://echevarriatravel.com/tours/classical-greece-2012.html
Bermuda is a self-governing British overseas territory located in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean. The island offers a unique blend of colonial history and island heritage, which has given birth to colorful local legends and rich traditions. Bermuda is Britain’s oldest colony, and the English influence is apparent in Bermuda’s government, educational and legal institutions. More subtle but no less significant are the island’s Afro-influences–found in Bermuda’s cuisine, dance and music, including calypso and the rhythm of the Gombeys.
Bermuda is divided into nine parishes, with nearly all offering some tourism attractions. St. George’s Parish encompasses the area around the historic town of St. George. Hamilton Parish features Crystal Caves and the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo. Smith’s Parish is home to the Spittle Pond Nature Preserve and the Devil’s Hole Aquarium.
Pembroke Parish includes the capital city of Hamilton, while Paget Parish offers numerous resorts, plus Elbow Beach and the Bermuda Botanical Gardens. Vacationers will find golf, horseback riding and the island’s best cliffs in Warwick Parish. Bermuda’s best beaches and the historic Gibbs Hill Lighthouse are found in Southampton Parish, while Sandys Parish features the Royal Naval Dockyard fortress and shops, Gilbert Nature Reserve and several fine beaches
One of the attractions is a must see in Bermuda is Crystal and Fantasy Caves:
The crystal and fantasy caves all at the same place: You need non-slip Rubber-soled shoes are suggested, but there are plank floors, so you are not walking over the rocks, but I would suggest to be careful when walking. Tickets are $27 for combined caves, and you can touch and smell here, yes it would be nice to see the cave with our eyes, but this is something we shouldn’t miss. There is also a gift shop, and a place to get something to eat and relax before we move on to something else, and the explanation of it as we are experience it, it with a guided tour guide.
In 1905, two young teenagers named Carl Gibbons and Edgar Hollis were engaged in a spirited game of cricket. One of the lads struck the ball with ferocity and it disappeared into a hole several yards away. This ball was a prized possession and no effort was spared at attempting to retrieve it. As one of the boys crawled down deeper and deeper, it became apparent that this was not your ordinary hole. What the boys had discovered was, in fact, the entrance to a spectacular natural wonder.
When the Wilkinson family, owners of the property since 1884, were told of this discovery, they wasted no time in setting off to explore the entrance and to find out how deep it went. Bernard Wilkinson, the fourteen-year-old son of Mr. Julian Wilkinson, was lowered into the hole by his father using a strong rope tied to a tree. Bernard descended 140 feet with a lamp from a bicycle to light his way.
What he found was beyond his or the Wilkinson family’s wildest dreams. It was an underground world of delicate splendor with magnificent crystal formations of every size and shape surrounding a clear lake 55 feet deep.
Today, the caves have become Bermuda’s favorite attraction for thousands of visitors every year. Much has been done through the decades to upgrade the accessibility and the comfort level for our visitors. But nothing can enhance this exquisite fantasy world that Mother Nature began over 30 million years ago. When they enter the caves, every visitor still feels the same sense of awe experienced that day over a century ago.
$27.00 fee for both caves
Also they have a gift shop, as well as, as a cafe to get something to drink or a light snack.
Here is our latest podcast, we hope you will enjoy
May 12, 2012 Echevarria Travel Show | Spreaker Online Radio.
Delta to expand Caribbean service from New York
By Gay Nagle Myers
Delta will expand its service from New York (LaGuardia and JFK) to 10 destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Florida, effective later this year and early 2013.
New from LaGuardia is a daily flight to Bermuda, effective April 8, 2013, and a daily flight from JFK to St. Maarten, Dec. 15.
Seasonal service will expand to a daily flight to Dec. 15 from LaGuardia to Nassau, JFK to Montego Bay and JFK to Aruba.
On Feb. 14, daily service from JFK to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, goes into effect.
Effective Dec. 15, Delta will offer two daily flights from LaGuardia to Sarasota, Fla., and a new daily flight JFK to Fort Myers, Fla.
The carrier will add a fourth daily flight from LaGuardia to Fort Myers, a fifth daily flight La Guardia to Miami, a fifth daily flight from LaGuardia to Tampa and a second daily flight from JFK to Tampa, also on Dec. 15.
Delta is adding 100 new flights to 26 new destinations this summer out of LaGuardia and investing $160 million to modernize two terminals at the airport and construct a new walkway connecting the facilities.
Currently under way at JFK is a $1.2 billion program to expand Terminal 4, where Delta will add nine new gates. The facility is slated to open next spring.
Considered Italy’s dark-horse destination, Sicily may be the victim of stereotypes from those who have never visited, but all that melts away once you step onto the shores of this rugged and beautiful island. As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is an intoxicating mix of internationally influenced architecture, world-class monuments and intriguing history.
Located along the northern coast of the island, Palermo is Sicily’s throbbing capital. The entire city, though parts are impoverished, is a treasure trove of Arabo-Norman buildings, museums and outdoor markets, such as the raucous Vucciria where full-color palates of fruit, vegetables and edible sea creatures are readily accessible. The main attractions within the city include the Palermo Cathedral, Palazzo dei Normanni, Teatro Massimo and the Museo Archeologico Regionale. For unique and spectacular panoramic views of the city, hike up to nearby Monte Pellegrino and take in the sights of the cityscape set against a backdrop of mountains and sea.
Being the Mediterranean island that it is, Sicily has some of the area’s nicest beaches. A few of the local favorites include Mondello, where residents of Palermo go to escape the heat; Mortelle, which is notorious for having the softest sands in northeast Sicily; Spiaggia Sabbie Nere, where black volcanic sand replaces the white; and Lido Mazzaro, a 15-minute cable car ride down from the town of Taormina. Mt. Etna is one of the world’s major active volcanoes and visitors to this Sicilian natural wonder can trek up the giant lava dunes and gaze down at the moon-like craters. For a true living archive of Sicily’s island history, the Duomo in Siragusa showcases its excavations dating back to the 5th century BC, and includes a Greek-built temple, columns and walls with an added 17th century baroque façade.
Sicilian cuisine is typically Mediterranean based, but also has strong hints of Spanish and Arabic flavors. Instead of using cream and butter for the base of many dishes, like areas of Northern Italy, Sicily substitutes tomatoes and olive oil. Featuring seafood heavy and full of spices, such as mint, rosemary, basil and jasmine, the island is full of authentic and incredible restaurants serving up the freshest of ingredients.
Sicily has major airports in Palermo (PMO) and Catania (CTA). There are also large cruising ferries that link Palermo with mainland cities, like Naples, Genoa and Livorno, as well as with Sardinia. The public transportation, called SAIS, runs frequently between many of the large cities, though is not as reliable as the many air-conditioned coaches that connect most areas of the island. There are also ferries that will transport passengers to Sicily’s smaller islands, including the Aeolian and Egadi islands.
Sicily has a Mediterranean climate, with extremely hot, dry summers, and warm and occasionally wet winters. The average high temperature in the warmest month of August tends to reach 100° F (38° C). January’s low temperatures can get as mild as the low 50°s, and the most precipitation comes in the months from October through March. The best time to visit Sicily is during spring and autumn, when temperatures tend to remain in the low-mid 70°s and weather is perfect for both sightseeing and laying out on the beach.
Sicily
Perillo Tours is offering a new tour of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Perillo’s Splendid Sicily is a nine-day, all-inclusive tour designed to present a fusion of Greek and Asian influences in Sicily’s history, architecture and cuisine. The itinerary includes stays in Palermo and Taormina and opportunities to visit Monreale, Marsala, Selinunte, Piazza Armerina, Siracusa and Noto. The program is offered in 10 departures between May 5 and Oct. 13 and is priced from $2,690 per person double occupancy, including first-class accommodations, airport transfers, most meals and wine tastings.
A: An other boring day in the military camp.
A: Every day we smell …
A: …and smell the same spots.
A:WOW What is this?It looks like a tree bone!They say that it has a secret power.
A: I have to hide it before sergeant Robert finds it out and takes it from me.
B: Soldier!!!What are you doing here?And what is that smell in your mouth?What did you find?
A: An other boring day in the military camp.
A: Every day we smell …
A: …and smell the same spots.
A:WOW What is this?It looks like a tree bone!They say that it has a secret power.
A: I have to hide it before sergeant Robert finds it out and takes it from me.
B: Soldier!!!What are you doing here?And what is that smell in your mouth?What did you find?
I was never much of a pecan eater. I am a fan of pecan pie, but let’s face it, that is mostly sugar. Peanuts, macadamia nuts, and almonds crowd out the top three on my list. By themselves, pecans have never really done much for me, however, I like to cook with them. They keep their crunch and they bring flavor to accent a variety of dishes.
