Christmas in France

On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree.

In cathedral squares, the story of Christ's birth is re-enacted by both players and puppets.

Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or crèche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The crèche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints." In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters. The craftsmanship involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the seventeenth century. Throughout December the figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix.

The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon. Le reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras. Le Revellion may consist of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine.

In Southern France, a log is burned in people's homes from Christmas Eve until New Years Day. A long time ago, part of the log was used to make the wedge for the plough as good luck for the coming harvest.

The traditional Christmas is a chocolate log. Families once had a Three Kings Cake with a bean hidden in it. Whoever found the bean in their slice was made King, or Queen, for the day.  The children go out to look for the Kings, taking gifts of hay for the camels.

Another name for this day is Twelfth Day. It is the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which used to be one long holiday. It was the last night of the Feast of Fools before the Lord of Misrule had to give up his crown and become themselves once again.

It is a time for the whole family to come together at Christmas time to holiday and worship. On the eve of Christmas beautifully lit churches and cathedrals, ring out Christmas carols with the church bells.

Once dinner is over and the family has retired to bed, they leave a fire burning and food and drink on the table in case the Virgin Mary calls in. Children leave their shoes or wooden clogs called sabots in the hearth for the Christ Child or Pere Noel to fill. In the north of France, children are given gifts on December 6, which is St. Nicholas' Day, instead of Christmas Day. The adults give each others presents on New Year's Day.

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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793

Alaska Cruise

Alaska cruises have become one of the most popular ways to visit Alaska. Cruises feature glaciers, wildlife, great food, entertainment, interesting ports of call and fascinating tours along the way… and you only have to unpack once!  

Your days at sea can be packed with activities from morning till night or you can just spend time relaxing. You can relax at the full service spa, work out in the fitness center, go shopping, ice skating, climb the rock wall. There's plenty more too. A casino, pool games, tournaments, wine tastings, audience participation events, and Wi-Fi service, just to name a few or just hang out in your stateroom. You can make your vacation whatever you want!  When you arrive in each port, there are dozens of activities and Shore & Land Excursions for you to take advantage of.  

There are so many different dishes and enticing atmospheres to experience you won't know where to start. And the gourmet five-course meals in the main dining room are included in your ticket price! In addition, all of our cruise ships offer low-fat Vitality menu options, kids' menus, and, if you arrange in advance, kosher menus. For an additional cost, you can branch out to other restaurants and enjoy sophisticated dining options like Portofino and Chops, which have a more adult atmosphere, and family friendly options like Johnny Rockets.

So what are you waiting for? Most people wait a lifetime for their ship to come in. You only have to wait until August 22, 2012. Join us as we discover the land of the midnight sun, 100,000 glaciers, moose, whales, Gold Rush towns and soaring peaks on our 10 day grandeur journey through the "Last Frontier." Experience life without a ripcord and call Rawhide Travel and Tours today  (602) 843-5100.  

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

Travel Tips When Visiting India

Depending on your purpose of visit, you can get a tourist visa (six months), a business visa (6 months, one year or more, multiple entries) or a student visa (up to 5 years). A special 10-year visa (US$150, business and tourist) is available to US citizens only. An Indian visa is valid from the day it is issued, not the date of entry. For example, a 6-month visa issued on January 1 will expire on June 30, regardless of your date of entry. There is a minimum two month gap period between consecutive tourist visas. Tourist visa valid for 6 months can have maximum duration 90 days per visit, depending on citizenship. So make sure to check maximum duration per visit on your local embassy.

Clearing customs can be a bit of a hassle, though it has improved vastly over the the last decade. In general, avoid the touts who will offer to ease your baggage through customs. There are various rules regarding duty-free allowances — there are differing rules for Indian citizens, foreign "tourists", citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan, non-citizens of Indian origin and people moving to India. Cast a quick glance at the website of the Central Board of Excise and Customs [9] for information about what you can bring in.

India is big and there are lots of interesting ways to travel around it, most of which could not very well be described as efficient or punctual. Allow considerable buffer time for any journey with a fixed deadline (eg. your flight back), and try to remember that getting there should be half the fun.

One of the most delightful quirks of Indian English is the language's adherence to Pre-1950s British English which to speakers in North America and Britain will sound oddly formal. Another source of fascination and intrigue for travelers is the ubiquitous use of English for cute quips in random places. One relatively common traffic sign reads, "Speed thrills, but kills". On the back of trucks everywhere you'll find "use dipper at night" or "Sound Horn". However, only standard British English is considered correct. Interestingly, keyboards in India are based on the US-standard, so American spelling is also used.

Non-verbal communication is also important. Much has been made of the confusing Indian head nod for yes and no, but the only important thing to understand is that Indians have different nods for yes, ok and no.

If they are shaking their head back and forth, they mean yes.

If they are nodding their head in a tilting motion from right to left, they mean okay indicating acceptance. The movement is in a figure eight, and looks identical to the western nod for "Sort of".

If they shake their head from left to right twisting it about the vertical axis, they mean no.

There are differences in the way these signs are used in northern and southern India. The back to forth is yes and a vigorous left-right shift is no in North, though latter may be construed for yes in southern states like Tamilnadu. Look for verbal cues that accompany these sounds in south (like 'aaan' for yes ) in south to get the correct meaning.

In India, you are expected to negotiate the price with street hawkers but not in department stores and the like. If not, you risk overpaying many times, which can be okay if you think that it is cheaper than at home. In most of the big cities and even smaller towns retail chain stores are popping up where the shopping experience is essentially identical to similar stores in the West. There are also some government-run stores like the Cottage Emporium in New Delhi, where you can sample wares from all across the country in air-conditioned comfort. Although you will pay a little more at these stores, you can be sure that what you are getting is not a cheap knockoff. The harder you bargain, the more you save money. A few tries later, you will realise that it is fun.

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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

Best Ski Vacations: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Photo by Eigenes Werk

Packed with old-world Alpine architecture, it doesn't get any more Bavarian or charming than the twin towns of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The scenery, crowned by the mighty Zugspitze (2964m) which lies partly in Germany and partly in Austria, is inspirational.

Garmisch and Partenkirchen are spread out beneath a great horse-shoe of jagged peaks formed by the Wettersteingebrige and Ammergauer mountain ranges. The scenery is so spectacular that it does not matter that the skiing is not quite premier league, although there are some challenging slopes, particularly the infamous Kandahar downhill.

One of the drawbacks of the ski resort is that the various ski areas are fragmented.

There are three ways of reaching the Zugspitze slopes, from Garmisch itself there is a choice between cable car and cog railway. The railway with a short cable car ride at the end is more fun. The cable car takes you to the very top of the Zugspitze, but as it is unthinkable, to all but the most extreme skiers, to ski down to the Glacier, it is necessary to take another cable car down to the slopes on the Zugspitze Platt.

There are six resorts in the region: Garmisch-Partenkirchen own ski areas; the Zugspitze glacier plateau, Alpspitze-Kreuzeck-Hausberg and Wank-Eckbauer, plus the Austrian resorts of Seefield, Mittenwald and the Schneearena Tiroler Zugspitze, which includes Ehrwald and Lermoos.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help your plan you ski vacation.
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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

Helpful Tips for Visiting France: Part III

Driving in France can be an experience at first. You will have to navigate endless round a bouts, keep pace with the high speed limits and deal with aggressive drivers. Here are a few tips that will hopefully make your French driving experience less scary. The main roads are very good and the autoroutes are direct and well maintained.

When you are driving on the autoroute there are unspoken rules of etiquette. The speed limit on the autoroutes is 130km in most places. You will notice that many drivers exceed this speed limit when you are cruising along at the speed limit watch a steady stream of cars wiz past you. It is best to stick to the speed limit because if you get caught speeding you can be slapped with very high on the spot fines.

You should not travel in the left lanes unless you are using them to overtake another car. These are passing lanes and you will quickly have someone right on your back bumper if you are staying in the passing lanes and going the speed limit or lower. Overtake a car and go back to the right lane. Trucks travelling on the autoroutes are under speed restrictions and they almost always follow this rule. This will be refreshing for Americans who are used to tractor-trailers bearing down on them constantly. The large trucks also always stay in the far right lane unless they are overtaking another truck.

When you overtake another car is it common to leave your indicator on until you have fully passed the car you are overtaking. When you are overtaking keep an eye on your rear view mirror as it is common for an even faster car to appear there. If this is the case you will need to step it up a little and get out of their way as soon as it is safe to do so.

All autoroutes in France are toll roads and this can get expensive if you travel a lot by this method. However the roads are in very good condition and traffic is usually flowing. There are regular well-signed rest stops along the autoroute. If you need to use the toilet it is better to stop at a spot where there is a petrol station. Otherwise you will find yourself squatting over a hole in the ground in an old fashioned French toilet. Also if possible fill your tank before getting on the autoroute as petrol is more expensive at autoroute stops.

When you are getting on to the autoroute make sure to use your indicator, it is common for oncoming traffic to move to the left lanes when they see you to let you in. On secondary roads you will notice that French drivers drive quite fast and can be aggressive and get to close to your back bumper. Don't let this pressure you into driving dangerously and if someone is being particularly aggressive use your indicator and try to move aside if possible and let them past.

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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

Christmas in Holland

Photo by Gaby Kooiman

If you want to spend the Christmas holidays cozily and peacefully, Holland is a perfect place. It offers you a blend of rural environment and fashionable urban lifestyle. The beautiful countryside and the colorful tulips will definitely catch your imagination.

For most children in Holland, the most important day during the Christmas Celebrations is 5th December, when Sinterklass (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! St. Nicholas' day is on the 6th December, but in Holland, the major celebrations are held on the 5th December. The name Santa Claus comes from the name Sinterklass.

On December 5th children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled with presents. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas's horse, they will be left some sweets. Children are told that Zwarte Piet keeps a record of all the things they have done in the past year in a book and that good children will get presents from Sinterklaas, but bad children will get chased by Zwarte Piet with a stick!! Dutch tradition says that he lives in Madrid, Spain and every year he chooses a different harbour to arrive in Holland, so as many children as possible get a chance to see him. Every town in Holland has a few Sinterklaas helpers, dressed the same as Sinter Klaas who help give the presents out.

If children are really lucky they might receive all their presents during the evening. This is called 'Sinterklaasavond' or 'Pakjesavond' (present evening). There might be a knock at the door and you might find a sack full of presents!

Sinterklaas parties are often held on St. Nicholas Eve (5th), where treasure hunt games are played with poems and riddles giving the clues. Children follow the clues to find little presents left by Sinterklaas. Special biscuits and sweets are also eaten at the party. One type of biscuit is called 'letter blanket' or letter cake, which is made from marzipan or pastry. The biscuits are made in the shapes of the first letter of the peoples names who are at the party. Another sweet biscuit that is eaten at the parties (and the favourite of a Dutch friend of mine!) are 'pepernoot' which are made with cinnamon and spices in the pastry biscuit mix.

Surprise presents are also given on St. Nicholas' Day. This is a custom at the Sinterklaas parties and often within classes at schools. The custom is that everyone's name in put into a hat and everyone picks another person's name - then they have to make a surprise present for that person. The presents are often things that the person would find useful with their favourite hobby.  The presents come with a poem inside that gives a clue to who might have sent the present, but it is all meant to be a mystery! This is a similar custom to a present sending one in Germany.

Christmas Day itself is a much quieter day in Holland, with a Church Service and family meal. Sometimes there is a special Christmas Day 'Sunday School' in the afternoon at the church, where the Christmas Story and other traditional stories are told. Gifts of books, oranges and biscuits are given. These are often the only presents children will get on Christmas Day because they have already received most of their presents on St. Nicholas Day.

On Christmas Eve night, Dutch Children believe that Santa Claus, (who is also call 'Christmas man' to avoid confusion with Sinterklass!) comes from Lapland in Finland to deliver more presents! Many people in The Netherlands also have a Christmas Tree in their houses. In Dutch Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Prettige Kerstfeest'.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

Rawhide Travel And Tours Featured Tour

Rawhide Travel And Tours                  presents it's famous.....    
 "KICK ICE ALASKAN GLACIER ROUTE SUPER CRUISE"    (and Anchorage sleepover)

 August 22-31, 2012

   $3499 per person based on double occupancy
(triple and quad staterooms also available at even a lower price)

Think you've seen Alaska before? Unless you've been with Rawhide Travel and Tours, better think again! If you're looking for that "different vacation" mixed with some of the worlds most stunning natural beauty, majestic scenery, spectacular wildlife along with relaxation and luxury, then this is your ticket to see and experience some of the most awesome sights in the world......ALASKA!

Join us as we discover the land of the midnight sun, 100,000 glaciers, moose, whales, Gold Rush towns and soaring peaks on our 10 day grandeur journey through the "Last Frontier." Enjoy a TWO NIGHT pre-cruise stay in awesome Anchorage for some free time and "Ron's Alaskan Surprise" the second day (shhhh......it's a surprise). Transfer from Anchorage to Seward "the ultimate Rawhide way" on the Alaska Railroad (no bus for us!) on board the Wilderness Express in double decked glass-domed rail cars with spectacular 360 degree views of the Alaskan outback bush! Then enjoy a SEVEN NIGHT Southbound cruise on Royal Caribbean's dazzling 90,000 ton Mega-Superliner, the M/S Radiance of the Seas sailing from Seward to Vancouver, British Columbia! During the cruise, savor HUBBARD GLACIER (one of the most active blue ice glaciers in North America), then visit the "rowdy Gold Rush towns" of JUNEAU (Alaska's capitol with tons of outdoor action), SKAGWAY  (over 20 excursions offered here including dog-sledding!), ICY STRAIGHT POINT (might only have a population of 900 but has the world's longest zipline at 5,330 feet in length.....eeeeha!), KETCHIKAN (get ready for 1,000 foot waterfalls and low-hanging mists) and finally, the world famous INSIDE PASSAGE (home to humpback whales and sea lions). Feast on scrumptious Alaskan salmon, crab and lobster! See verdant mountains, waterfalls, snowcapped mountains and fields of Alaskan summer wild flowers in full bloom! You'll see and do it all on our unforgettable and electrifying adventure! And, as if this dazzling adventure and all of the astonishing excitement and sights weren't enough, the price includes just about everything (but the kitchen sink).

 Round trip air from Phoenix (air is also available from 171 other U.S. cities including San Juan, Honolulu and 18 Canadian towns but price may vary if departing from a city other than Phoenix), all U.S. and foreign airport taxes, all security, government and departure fees, all ship port taxes, all transfers throughout (including "the ultimate Rawhide way" Alaska Railroad Wilderness Express transfer), a seven night luxury cruise in a category E1 DELUXE OUTSIDE PRIVATE BALCONY STATEROOM including SEVEN MEALS per day (meals on your own during the Anchorage sleepover), nightly "Las Vegas style" entertainment, several gala parties during the cruise, deluxe hotel accommodations in Anchorage including all hotel taxes and service fees, Ron's Alaskan Surprise on August 23......even cancellation insurance and ship tips! So what are waiting for? Most people wait a lifetime for their ship to come in. You only have to wait until August 22, 2012. WARNING: eyes in the back of your head recommended for this thrill-related adventure. Experience life without a ripcord and call RAWHIDE TRAVEL and TOURS TODAY  (602) 843-5100.  Happy "Kick Ice" sailing trails to you......

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793

Helpful Tips for Visiting France: Part II

Photo by Rita Molnár

France has no shortage of major supermarkets that sell pretty much anything you could need. The larger chains even sell household items, toys and more. One of the best chains is Auchan. If you can get past their super large busy stores you will find that they have excellent prices. They also have good quality meats and tons and tons of choice. Another good chain is LeClerc. They also have high quality foods but their prices are a little higher than Auchan. Other common chains are Intermarche and Super U. These are both smaller chains but will have everything you need. However these stores can be hit and miss, it all depends on the management and local competition.  When they are good they are just as good as the Auchan and LeClerc, but a little pricier. Large supermarkets generally are open all day until around 8 or 9pm, including lunchtime with the stores almost always being closed on Sundays. French supermarkets follow environmental laws that require you to bring your own bags to carry your shopping. If you don't have any you can buy reusable bags at the check out counter.

In France they take long lunches. During lunchtime you will find that most local shops will close for at least two hours beginning around 12:30pm. Major shopping areas and large supermarkets are usually open through lunch. In fact around lunchtime you will find places and roads very quiet. This is the best time to go to the supermarket. There will be hardly any traffic on the roads and hardly any people in the shop so very short or no lines. It is important to be aware of these long lunch times when visiting France so you can make sure you have anything you need before the shops shut up for two to three hours each day.

Another point to make about shopping or anything that requires waiting in line like going to the bank is that it takes longer. This can be annoying if it is not what you are used to. But instead of letting it stress you out. relax and enjoy this slower pace of life. You will find that lines in shops move slower while customers have conversations with the cashier. It is also common practice for a cashier to wait until you have packed up all of your shopping before serving the next customer. This is a pleasant courtesy even though it slows things down. Also don't forget to say hello, thank you and goodbye to the cashier, they will do the same.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

Autumn in New England, United States

No autumn travel destination list would be complete without a mention of New England.  New England region of the United States are famous around the world for the brilliance of their "fall foliage".  New England with its easy-on-the eye natural scenery and endless woodlands makes one of the most beautiful travel destinations to see the foliage change colour. Although you don’t have to just watch the leaves, there are also plenty of other things to do including trekking, mountain trail walks and biking.

One wat to see the fall colors is to get off the highway, and view autumn-hued leaves against the backdrop of the Housatonic River as you enjoy one of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum's narrated fall foliage train excursions. You'll climb aboard a 1920s-era passenger car for a trip down memory lane as the train travels between Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on weekends and holidays through mid October. Book early for special Peanuts Great Pumpkin Patch Express train trips the last two weekends in October.

Fall is New England's very busiest tourism season, so planning ahead can be your ticket to ensuring a picture-perfect, memorable stay. Want to plan a visit to New England during the spectacular fall foliage season? At a bit of a loss as to where to start? Help is here! Call Rawhide Travel and Tours (602) 843-5100.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

Helpful Tips for Visiting France: Part I

Photo by Tristan Nitot

If you are visiting France for a vacation or extended holiday there are a few things that you probably don't know or will not be told about everyday life in France. The following information about visiting France is meant to be helpful tips for anyone visiting the country and give you those little tidbits that you don't get in the guidebooks.

There is a common misconception about the French being rude. Yes there are rude people everywhere and you are more likely to bump into them in places like Paris, but a lot of it stems from visitors to France not educating themselves on some basic ways of communication in France.

Before you visit France make sure to learn some basic French. You should at least be able to say hello, goodbye, thank you and that you do not speak French.  People complain about the French being rude after they have stated they have walked up to them and asked questions in English without even saying hello in French and then getting upset when the French person is not so cooperative or cannot understand them.

Learn to say hello in French, be polite and you get a totally different response. In fact if you follow this simple etiquette you will find that most French people are extremely helpful and will go out of their way to help you. Of course this will not always be the case but it will be the majority of the time and resulting in your visit to France being much more enjoyable.

So the point being is make sure to learn some basic French. Always say hello, thank you and goodbye. It is everyday etiquette in France and you will probably be seen as rude and not treated as politely is you don't do it. Many French will not mind that you cannot speak French but they will appreciate that you have shown some respect by at least attempting to say a couple of words.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

Christmas in England

Photo by David Iliff

Christmas was celebrated in England for the first time in 596 AD. This was the time when St Augustine set foot on shore with other monks with the aim of introducing Christianity among Anglo Saxons.

Christmas in England is wet, cold, and foggy. People keep themselves warm by lighting the Yule log. Homes are decorated with streamers, flowers, paper flowers, bells, and lights. Most of the houses hang “mistletoe” in the front door.

Christmas Eve is a special occasion when people gear up for the next day celebrations. Christmas recipes are prepared, gifts are wrapped, and stockings are placed at the fireplaces. 

Family members assemble around the Christmas tree and listen to Christmas stories and carols. In keeping up with the Christmas traditions in England, children write letters to Father Christmas asking for gifts. These letters are thrown into the fire so their wishes can reach Santa through the smoke that emanates from the chimney.

Father Christmas is the one who brings presents. Children find these gifts at the base of the Christmas tree. However, they unwrap these presents in the following day, mostly in the afternoon.

Although it is called dinner but it is a midday meal and is enjoyed on December 25th. Frumenty is the only thing that people eat on Christmas Eve. It is a type of porridge that is made of corn. However, these days you will find other ingredients added to Frumenty too. These may include spice, eggs, dried plums, and meat lumps. For Christmas dinner the menu comprises sauces, turkey, and vegetables followed by dessert that includes brandy sauce, fruity pudding, mince pies, dried fruit, and pastries. Other dishes enjoyed for Christmas dinner are – chestnut stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, currants, and roast beef.

After enjoying Christmas dinner during daytime, people get glued to their television sets to hear the Queen’s message. One of the Christmas traditions in England is the Queen’s Christmas message to the people. The Queen’s message is broadcast on television and radio in entire British Commonwealth. The Queen’s afternoon speech is delivered at 3’o clock. The first time the Queen delivered speech was in the year 1957.

Mummering is one of the Christmas traditions in England. People wear masks and enact Christmas plays and scenes from Nativity. These plays take place in most of the towns, villages and countryside of England.

Boxing Day is celebrated a day after Christmas. Boys carrying clay boxes visit houses in the neighborhood to collect money. The boys break open the boxes once they are full. This is in keeping up with the customs followed in yester years when the donation boxes at the churches were opened following Christmas. The money was usually distributed among the needy.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

The Inside Passage - Southeast Alaska

The Southeast region, the seat of Alaska's government and timber industry, is a 500-mile-long vacation paradise of forests, wildlife, rock and water long famous as the Inside Passage. About half of the tourists who come to Alaska arrive or depart on cruise ships that make their way through the islands of the Inside Passage to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and other destinations.

The Tongass National Forest, America's northernmost rain forest, is the dominant feature, bringing under federal control much of the region's mainland and islands. The Tongass, while logged in places, protects wilderness and is used for recreation. Two parts of the forest are preserved as national monuments: Misty Fjords and Admiralty Island; land in those areas and elsewhere is designated wilderness.

Southeast has two big national parks, Glacier Bay and Yakutat-area Wrangell-St. Elias (which is so big that it spreads into the Southcentral region). These parks, at the uppermost part of Southeast, join with Canada's Kluane National Park to form a World Heritage Site. There are also two smaller national historical parks in Southeast Alaska: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway and Sitka National Historical Park in Alaska's first capital city.

Wildlife viewing, kayaking, glacier watching, hiking and birding can all be part of any trip to Southeast Alaska.

The Inside Passage is one of the planned stops on Rawhide Travel and Tours' "Kick Ice Alaskan Glacier Route Super Cruise".  Join us  August 22-31, 2012. Call (602) 843-5100 for more information. 

Tornado Warning: Travel Safety Tips

Think Outside the Zone
A traveler doesn’t need to be in “Tornado Alley” (an area defined typically as north Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, east Colorado and Iowa) to wind up on the wrong side of a twister. In 2010, Minnesota actually led the nation for the first time with more than 100 tornadoes, while Wisconsin saw 46. Tornadoes don’t just hit rural areas either; cities such as Nashville, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, even New York City, in September 2010, in which one person was killed, have been hit. They’ve also occurred on every continent except Antarctica.

Know When It’s Tornado Season
To best prepare for a possible tornado, know when a storm is most likely to strike. Tornadoes frequently occur east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer (they’re rare on the West Coast). In the southern states, it’s March through May. And in the northern states, it’s late spring through early summer. Tornadoes can occur at other times as well. November, which is known as “second tornado season,” typically affects “Dixie Alley,” an area along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Georgia and South Carolina, and sometimes all the way north to the Ohio Valley.

Recognize the Danger Signs
If the wind dies down and the air becomes still, a tornado may be on its way. Additional signs include a dark, typically greenish sky; large hail; a large, dark, low-lying, often-rotating cloud; and a loud roar like a freight train -- the last signifying a forward wind speed of 30 miles per hour and up to 70 miles per hour or more. Also, while it can happen at any time, a tornado is most likely to strike between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Tune In to Local News
Even when traveling in an unfamiliar area, tune in to the local news.  Also, pay attention to television monitors with tornado updates at rest areas near highway turnpikes in such Midwest states as Kansas where tornadoes are prevalent. In states where tornadoes are a probable threat, sign up for local weather (SMS) alerts from The Weather Channel. Rely on tornado-tracking apps at your own discretion, because getting a good signal can be an issue.

Prepare for Shelter
For some it’s tempting to chase a tornado, but resist the urge. You don’t want to get caught on the road. Get to the lowest floor of an interior room of a building,  You want to put as many walls between you and the tornado as you can. If a traveler is on the road, look for the nearest fast food restaurant. Most have walk-in coolers. If a traveler is stuck outside and can’t get to a building, get as far away from trees and cars as possible. Lay face down on low ground in a ditch or ravine, for example, and cover your head with your arms.

Stay Tuned In
Buy an emergency weather radio.  Look for Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology that limits false alarms.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

Xihai Grand Canyon, China

Recently open to the public is this area of outstanding natural beauty in China makes a great autumn break. Craggy, surreal and highly photogenic the canyon was one of China’s best kept secrets. Often surrounded by an atmospheric mist it’s known for its mysterious landscapes. The ancient pine trees, steep mountains and unusual rock formations have earned it the nickname “the Magic Scenic Area”. Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit as the temperature begins to cool and the leaves will begin to change – giving you even more great photo opportunities.

 Xihai Grand Canyon is a new scenic area that was not opened until the first of May, 2001.  The highlights of Xihai Area (Western part of Huangshan Scenic Area), it starts at Cloud-dispelling Pavilion, linking White Cloud Area at Buxian Bridge, and creating a great circular sightseeing route. Within its 25 square kilometers, there are many unique rock formations, such as Upside-down Boot, Lady Playing Piano, Dog Watching Sky, Man Walking on Stilt, and fantastic peaks; Archway Peak, Nine-dragon Peak, Double Bamboo Shoot Peak, Stone-bed Peak, Stone-pillar Peak and Pine Forest Peak, to name a few. Lush pines abound in the area and the large historic ones have names. You become immersed in your surroundings and find yourself in an amazing painting. Scenery keeps changing as you walk on steep steps usually clinging to precipices. Every step reveals a breath-taking view so you can just point your camera and take a perfect photo almost everywhere on the way. No wonder it’s called Magic Scenic Area. A 4.5 km downhill walk will take you deeper and deeper in the ravine, with cliffs and peaks becoming higher and higher, arriving at Buxian Bridge. In front of you from Buxian Bridge the 3 km long steps will lead you through the White Cloud Area to the Tianhai Area. It's really a difficult climb but you will be rewarded with an impressive view. To complete this circular trip, you will climb up another 0.7 km to Bright Summit. Then continue down 1 km to an “erratic” (known as Feilai Stone, Fly-Over Stone, or A Stone Flew From Afar), and finally 1.5 km further down will take you back to the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion. This spectacular circular route is a good option for the energetic physically fit tourist. A better option for those who are not used to strenuous activity would be walking a small section of it rather than missing it altogether. This very secluded and fantastic scenic area is a must see destination.

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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

Tips when Visiting Rome Part II

The most popular tourist months in Rome are between May and October, although August is usually a very quiet time. The heat is usually such that most Romans leave the city for a beach vacation and the city is far less busy and crowded. Several events still take place in August, but if you're looking to travel with a smaller crowd, this may be the right time for you. Otherwise, the early spring to late fall months are less crowded than May and June. Winters are also mild and the build-up for Christmas is usually a great time to visit Rome.

No trip to Rome is complete without visiting the Vatican. This small country located within Rome is the home of the Catholic Church and a large number of historic buildings, churches, basilicas, monuments, and famous art pieces. Whatever your reasons for visiting the Vatican, keep this tip in mind. There is a dress code to the Vatican that is strictly enforced by guards outside St. Peter's Square. For men, shorts are not allowed, nor are sleeveless tops. Slacks and t-shirts are acceptable. For women, no bare shoulders are permitted, no low-cut blouses, and slacks and skirts must cover the knees. Refrain from wearing attire that may have offensive or vulgar pictures or words. If your attire is not acceptable, you will not be permitted to enter.

The Vatican Post office offers an alternative to the Italian Post which many Romans have discovered is too slow and lax in its services. While the Vatican postage costs the same and the Italian, the service is usually much faster. If you're looking to send postcards home, try this post instead. You can also tell your addressee that they're receiving a stamp which was blessed by the Pope!

In order to see Rome properly try to follow Roman traditions. For example, an early morning excursion, leading to lunch, a lengthy afternoon nap, and an evening excursion will fit well with Rome's schedule. Many shops and eateries close in the afternoon hours for their own afternoon naps, reopening later in the day for the dinner hours. Tourists are in the street, battling large crowds by 10am, so the earlier you go to some things, the better. This practice is especially observed in the hotter summer months when a break from the heat is needed. Plan your days to include an early morning, a late night, and a long nap in the afternoon.

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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100   

Christmas Celebrations in Australia

It is time to thing about your holiday vacation plans. We thought it would be fun to do a holiday world tour.

Christmas celebrations in Australia are similar to the celebrations that take place across the globe. It has all the glitter, frills, and fancies. However, there is one major difference. It is the weather. Australian Christmas is celebrated every year without snow. It is summer time here. Most of the schools and colleges remain closed for the summer holidays. These holidays incidentally coincide with Christmas. 

The fact that Australia is in the Southern hemisphere makes all the difference. The birth of Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated with great pomp and show.  Since it is summertime in Australia during Christmas, the weather to a great extent influences the manner in which Christmas is celebrated in the southern hemisphere. The temperature rises up to 30 degree Celsius during this period.

If you travel to Australia during this season, you will find a lot of activity everywhere. People flock to the beaches. Tourists as well as locals swim and sun bathe on the beaches. The Bondi Beach has as any as 40, 000 visitors, both local and international during Christmas.

People decorate their houses. In fact all this excitement starts a week before Christmas finally arrives. Greetings cards are sent to friends and loved ones. Christmas trees are decorated in the shopping malls, offices, schools, and homes.

You will find carol singers on the streets. Join them if you want. Songs related to the birth of Christ, snowmen, and Christmas flowers are also sung.

Christmas celebrations in Australia are incomplete without some good food. Since people belonging to different cultures reside in this part of the globe, food habits may differ. However, Christmas recipes mainly revolve around Hams, Plum Pudding, and Turkeys. The recipes are cooked in advance and are usually served cold.

A typical meal on Christmas will include cold chicken, seafood, cold deli meats, glazed ham, salads, pasta, fruit salad, ice-creams, mince pies, shortbread, fruit cake, chocolates, and pavlovas.

Carols by Candlelight is one of the Australian Christmas traditions. It started way back in the year 1937 for the first time in Melbourne. Australians hardly celebrate Christmas Eve. Instead, Carols by Candlelight is celebrated on Christmas Eve. In this, people assemble at a central park and sing and listen to carols. There are food stalls and eateries. You can also buy stuff from here. 

Boxing Day – December 26th is known as Boxing Day. On this day, people laze around, watch television, and enjoy Boxing Day Test Match. The Yacht Race from Sydney to Hobart takes place almost every year on December 26th. The race starts in Sydney and ends in Tasmania after 5 days.

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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

Skagway, Alaska

Skagway Alaska is the northernmost stop on the Alaska Marine Highway's Inside Passage. It is also the home of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. The Skagway-Carcross Highway is open year-round and was completed in 1978. It connects Skagway with the Yukon and Alaska Highway systems.

Skagway's history and spectacular natural setting combine to create unparalleled sightseeing and recreation opportunities. Poke around on your own, or select from a variety of commercial tours. Either way, you will be amply rewarded with the sights and activities in and around Skagway.

In its heyday, Skagway was the boomtown gateway to the Trail of '98 and the  Klondike gold fields. The population has dwindled from 20,000 feverish gold seekers to about 800 stalwart year round citizens. Streets once choked with gold-crazed  stampeders clamouring to get on to the Klondike and strike it rich, are now  just as busy with the thousands of tourists that visit annually.

North Peace Museum At the Museum the visitor can journey through history from native settlement,  trading forts to the pioneer homesteads and the construction of the Alaska  Highway in 1942. The Museum houses over 4,000 artifacts which have been carefully  restored.

 Take the unforgettable journey aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World" and travel 20 miles from tidewater to the summit of the White Pass, 2,865 foot elevation. Ride in vintage rail cars as they retrace the original route to the White Pass summit. This tour features panoramas of mountains, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. See the original Klondike Trail of '98 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls that passed this route in seek of fortune. 

There are helicopter rides away from civilization to the Chilkat Glacier system, where frozen rivers of ice surge between high mountain peaks. Experience dog sledding or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design and blow your own glass art. Whatever you want to enjoy do it with Rawhide Travel and Tours' "KICK ICE ALASKAN GLACIER ROUTE SUPER CRUISE" August 22-31, 2012.  For More information call Rawhide Travel and Tours Today  (602) 843-5100.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

Tips when Visiting Rome Part I

Photo by David Iliff

Rome is one of Europe's top tourist destinations and with over 3.8 million residents, there are a few things that you should know before arriving.

There are two airports that service Rome. The major one is Leonardo da Vinci, also commonly known as Fiumicino. The secondary airport is the one most commonly serviced by charter flights and the average discount flight that many airlines offer from various European cities. Ciampino is the secondary airport and though it's less serviced by major transit, it's easy to take a CORTAL bus to the Metropolitana station which connects with a train that ends at Stazione Termini. This train leaves from Fiumicino every hour. The station is located in the heart of old Rome and is the main hub for all trains, subways, and buses in Rome. It's also surrounded by the cheapest hotels in the city.

The quickest and cheapest way to get around Rome is by bus. ATAC is the main bus company servicing Rome, and two routes go directly through the historical district and the cultural center of Rome. If you're looking to get into the historical center of Rome and the entrance to the Vatican, you'll have to go by bus, taxi, or on foot. While Rome has a subway, called Metro, it doesn't service the oldest parts of the city.

Small fountains found along the streets of Rome, along with larger more decorative fountains are all flowing with cold, fresh water that flows down the mountain springs in the outer areas of the city. These fountains are safe to drink from unless they have a sign posted that reads "acqua non potabile" in which case the water is not safe for drinking. Although drinking is allowed from the fountains, bathing and swimming never is, so don't dip in no matter how hot it is or how inviting the water is, unless you're hoping to be arrested and charged.

Since transit tickets can be used on the bus and the train your pass simply needs to be activated. There are metro ticket machines, however these only take exact change and are known to eat money and produce no tickets. Instead of using the machines, purchase your tickets at the station, from a newsstand, or a nearby tobacconist.

Street scammers, beggars, and thieves run abundant in the Eternal City, so make sure you're prepared ahead of time. Always wear a money belt or secure money pouch under your clothing. Bags should have a secure zipper and if possible, a Velcro flap over the zipper as well. Never leave bags on the ground or walk away from your belongings. If you turn your head for even a moment, you may lose your belongings. Also be aware of scammers who present themselves as police and demand to know the pin numbers of your credit and debit cards. They scan your cards into a machine and then demand to know your personal identification number. These are not really police, the police would never demand your pin. As soon as possible, call your bank and report this activity to the real police. Any case of robbery should be reported immediately.

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Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100  

Autumn in Virginia

Picture Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

Fall is the perfect time to visit this US state. There’s a more comfortable climate for starters and of course you’ll get the chance to see the famous foliage change colour. Virginia has many things going for it including great beaches, thick forests and some of the oldest towns in North America.

In Virginia's woods, trees are not the only species changing color. Shrubs and vines also splash the forest understory with color. Look for the bright red leaves of sumacs along woodland edges. Poison ivy colors early, usually showing deep red leaves clinging to tree trunks. Virginia creeper's 5-parted leaves turn a bright, clear red. The native wild grape usually sports yellow leaves, and the invasive Oriental bittersweet turns a bright golden yellow.

The oldest and biggest Oktoberfest in Virginia occurs in Richmond. This year the party roars October 21-22 at The Showplace. You’ll have your chance to polka and waltz, watch the folk dancing of Hirschjäger Bavarian Dancers, and fill yourself with food and drink.

Vibrant colors explode across Virginia each fall, one of the most scenic times of the year. Such beauty calls for outdoor recreation, photography, leaf-peeping drives, and times of reflection.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

Car Travel Tips

Do's and Don'ts of Traveling by Car
Beat the "are we there yets?" with these easy car travel tips.

Do's

Decide do your kids do better in the early morning or evening hours for traveling? Which ever it is plan your travel to match.

Stock your car with:
Favorite pre-bagged snacks for everyone even parents.
A cooler with lots of water and favorite drinks.

Colored pencils, crayons, a few coloring books, sticker books, travel games, travel journal for older kids

Take along Gameboys & games, personal CD/cassette players, and you can get books on tape from the library.

Do consider a portable DVD player, this makes 5 or 6 hour a day seem like 2 hours. It also cuts a lot of the unnecessary stops as the kids are involved in the movie playing.

To avoid the difficulty of hauling in a suitcase for every person into a hotel for the 1 night stops. Pack a 3 day bag into which each person contributes 3 days worth of clothes. This way you take one suitcase of clothes in every three days.

Do pack a lightweight table cloth for outdoor lunch stops along the way.

Do get postcards from every major destination along the way

Don'ts

All kids are different but in general don't drive as far as the adults can go in one day, try to keep car travel to a 6 to 8 hour range of time.

Don't fill the inside of the car to the brim causing less space for the kids, instead consider a car topper for safe keeping of your belongings.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100

Nottingham Goose Fair, Nottingham England

Probably to late to go to the Goose Fair this year but something interesting to plan for next year.

From Wednesday 5 October to Sunday 9 October, visitors to this 717th fair will have an extra day to enjoy more than 500 attractions - from the latest white knuckle rides for thrill seekers to the ever-popular family, children's and old-time rides. Once again the world famous Goose Fair will run for five days - the additional day is a Sunday and with its relaxed atmosphere it has proved to be very popular with families.

Goose Fair is one of Europe's largest travelling fairs with a history that dates back more than 700 years. Amongst the array of Roller Coasters, Water Rides, Giant Wheels, Bombers, Dodgems, Twists, Waltzers and Miamis familiar to Goose Fair there will be a number of new attractions that have not visited Nottingham before.

Along with the traditional Goose Fair food of mushy peas and mint sauce, candy floss and brandy snaps, visitors can eat their way around the world with chestnuts and doughnuts to food from the Caribbean, Chinese noodles, Indian kebabs, Spanish churros, paella and French crepes.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel & Tours Inc
6008 W Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, AZ 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100