Great New Year's Eve Celebrations

As the Christmas lights start to fade and the holiday season is coming to an end, there's still one final bash to send out 2013 and welcome 2014. From riotous street parties and fireworks extravaganzas, to marching bands and torchlight processions, here are some of the best New Year's Eve parties from around the world.

New York City
Few places rival the atmosphere of New Year's Eve in New York City, home to one of the night's most memorable events -- the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop. A custom dating back to 1907, the iconic ball, a 12-foot glittering sphere weighing 11,875 pounds, is dropped each year at the turn of midnight from a flagpole on top of One Times Square, as the square is blitzed with one ton of shimmering confetti.

One of the world's most electric New Year's Eve parties, Times Square draws in over a million revelers to countdown the seconds to the New Year, as well as being broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world.

Paris
Paris lives up to its "city of lights" nickname come New Year's Eve, with fireworks dazzling the city streets and thousands of party-goers hitting the streets, bars and clubs to see in the Nouvelle Anné. In the heart of the city, the Eiffel Tower forms the centerpiece for a spectacular lightshow and fireworks display, and the surrounding Champs-Elysees area comes alive with a massive street party. Expect handfuls of popping papillotes (chocolates that set off like firecrackers when opened), lots of obligatory cheek kissing and gallons of France's most popular export, Champagne.

London
One of the last capitals in Europe to see in the New Year, London pulls out all the stops for the biggest party of the year. Over 250,000 people cram along the boats and banks of the River Thames and its surrounding bars and restaurants for a prime view of the night's events. As the epic countdown begins and Big Ben strikes midnight, the city erupts in a dramatic 10-minute lightshow and firework display, set to a backdrop of the towering London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster.

Las Vegas
Nowhere on earth does nightlife like Las Vegas, and the biggest celebration of the year sees over 300,000 people descend on the party capital. The famed Las Vegas Strip is car-free and firework-friendly throughout the night, with live bands, pyrotechnic displays and laser-shows turning the area into a giant street party. Bars and nightclubs all over town will be turning up the volume (and the ticket prices) for some mammoth celebrations and famous music acts will be hitting the stage.  Whether you're gambling away the past year's savings, smooching beneath Bellagio's famous dancing fountains or partying into the early hours in a haze of champagne cocktails, Vegas does its hard-partying reputation proud over the New Year.

Sydney
One of the world's first cities to celebrate the New Year, Sydney's fantastical New Year's Eve lightshow is renowned around the globe. The towering Sydney Harbour Bridge is the centerpiece for celebrations with two fireworks displays set off from river barges and rooftops, and elaborate pyrotechnic displays setting Sydney Harbour and the iconic Opera House on fire. The evening of entertainment includes aerial acrobatics, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking ceremony (said to cleanse the evil spirits of the past year) and an Acknowledgement of Country presentation, culminating in the magnificent Harbour of Light ParadeTM, a mass flotilla of illuminated boats choreographed throughout the harbor.

No matter were you celebrate. We here at Rawhide Travel and Tours wish you a Happy New Year.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Cape Krusenstern National Monument Alaska

North of the Arctic Circle, the monument forms 70 miles of shoreline on the Chukchi Sea.  More than 114 beach ridges provide evidence of human use for 5,000 years.  The Inupiat continue to use the area today.  Vast wetlands provide habitat for shorebirds from as far away as South America.  Hikers and boaters can see carpets of wildflowers among shrubs containing wisps of qiviut from muskoxen.

Cape Krusenstern National Monument is a coastal plain dotted with sizable lagoons and backed by gently rolling limestone hills. Nearly 5000 years of prehistory are represented on the 114 well- preserved beach ridges located adjacent to Krusenstern Lagoon (Giddings and Anderson 1986). Sites on the bluff behind the beach ridges may date as early as 9,000 year before present.

Because the ridges accumulated over time, the earliest ridges lie inland, and the most recently formed ridges and bluffs near the shore. This unusual series of beach ridges present, in sequence, detailed evidence of an estimated 9,000 years of prehistoric human use of this coastline. Some archeological sites here are older than well-known remains of ancient Egyptian civilizations.

In summer, wildflowers color the beach ridges and nearby hills. Large numbers of migratory birds come from all over the world to Cape Krusenstern to nest. In fall, these migrating birds use the lagoons as feeding and staging areas. Shifting sea ice, ocean currents, and waves continue to form spits and lagoons possessing important scientific, cultural, and scenic values.

Along the outer beaches, Alaska Natives still hunt marine mammals. Local rural residents are allowed to hunt in the Monument. A road to the Red Dog mine crosses the northern boundary. Trucks haul lead and zinc from open pit mines to a tidewater port. TeckCominco Alaska operates the mine. It is owned by the NANA Regional Corp., a Native owned corporation based in Kotzebue.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Plan Your Next Vacation With Rawhide Travel and Tours

Rawhide Travel and Tours with combined total of “75 years of travel experience" provides amazing deals for your dream vacation with experienced, friendly travel experts.

Services offered include booking domestic and international air travel, hotel and resort reservations, car rental and cruises for individuals, corporate, group and incentive travel. Also tour packages of every type from a weekend getaway, to San Diego or Disneyland to involved and detailed vacations worldwide.

Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Deep Discounts Predicted in 2014 for Some Great Destinations

Those looking to travel in the new year can save a bundle by booking to a handful of locations both domestic and abroad, say experts.

On Thursday, Travelzoo released its annual list of "2014 Wow Deal Destinations," with the Jersey Shore, Palm Springs, Europe's rivers, India and Ecuador named as the best places to stretch a buck.

Evaluating current travel and tourism trends, national events and consumer buzz, the experts expect these five destinations "to deliver savings of as much as 50 percent to savvy travelers next year."

Jersey Shore
After rebuilding from the 2012's storm, Governor Chris Christie stated that the region was ready for visitors this past summer, but tourism business was slow to return, said Saglie. As businesses continue to recover, experts predicts more deals will appear to win back travelers in coming months.

India
The rupee has plummeted in value by more than 20 percent within the past year against the dollar, causing experts to name it "one of the cheapest countries in the world for Americans to explore and enjoy."

"India is a far-flung, bucket-list destination," said an expert. "The airfare will be the big ticket item. But once you get on the ground, there is a huge amount of value," noting that major hotel chains, such as Accor, Carlson Rezidor, Hilton, Hyatt and the InterContinental Hotels Group, prepare to open more than 50 properties combined, which should lead to reduced room rates.

Europe's rivers
Twenty vessels are scheduled to debut in 2014, including ships from Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Tauck River Cruises and AmaWaterways. The expansions are what's giving the Travelzoo team cause to cheer, as more cabins to fill will likely lead to more deals.

Ecuador 
Experts predicts that Ecuador will work hard to reclaim some of the South American mindshare as travelers focus on neighboring Brazil and World Cup 2014. Already, recent airfare sales to Quito and Guayaquil have hovered around $399 roundtrip, which is less than the cost of some U.S. domestic flights.

The country just came off of investing a quarter million dollars on the rail system, making it easier to see a lot more areas in one trip."

Palm Springs
"Palm Springs is a destination in the midst of a rennaissance," said an expert. "There is a classic, cool vibe, but a lot of properties there are trying to infuse some hipper, younger energy as well with many reopening after renovations."

That, combined with the expansion of Coachella and a variety of different airlines flying to Palm Springs International Airport, means that prices will become more competitive.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Ron, Bonnie and Diana want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

This holiday photo is from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship with their Singers & Dancers bringing the holiday music to the passengers.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help “You Get Lost” and with all your travel needs and dreams. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:

Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc

6008 West Bell Rd # F105

Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793

(602) 843-5100

rawhidetravel.com

A Visit to Santa

Welcome to North Pole, Alaska – where the spirit of Christmas lives year ‘round!

North Pole is a growing community that captures the imaginations of visitors to Alaska.  Driving through North Pole in any season you will notice Christmas decorations, street names, and light poles that reflect their motto.  

No visit to North Pole would be complete without a stop at the Santa Claus House.  This world famous attraction houses unique gifts sure to please family and friends back home.  Their is also a variety of restaurants sure to satisfy any palate.

Prior to Christmas each year, the USPS post office in North Pole receives hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa Claus, and thousands more from people wanting the town's postmark on their Christmas greeting cards to their families. It advertises the ZIP code 99705 as the ZIP code of Santa.

Christmas-themed streets in North Pole include Santa Claus Lane, St. Nicholas Drive, Snowman Lane, and Kris Kringle Drive. Street lights in the city are decorated in a candy cane motif, and many local businesses have similar decorations. The city's firetrucks and ambulances are all red, while the police cars are green and white.

Christmas Eve. The sharp, pungent scent of pine. The reflection of twinkling, colored lights in every window and mirror. The scent of gingerbread. Stockings carefully hung. Milk and cookies left for Santa. The joyful anticipation of unknown treasures when morning finally arrived. The temptation to stay up into the wee hours of the night, to catch a glimpse of Santa’s cherry red coat or team of magical reindeer.

No one experiences the sheer, unadulterated joy of the Christmas spirit like a child. Unencumbered by adult concerns, children can feel the miracle of the holiday, absorbing traditions and memories that will last a lifetime.

And remember, Santa knows who’s been naughty or nice!

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Let Us Help You Get Lost

Choosing the right vacation is an important decision. Choosing the right agent is an even bigger decision. Don't leave your vacation to chance. Insist on the best, Rawhide Travel and Tours.

Whether business or pleasure, Rawhide Travel and Tours delivers. Internet Travel sites list hotels and destinations, but offer little else. Our years of experience in the industry will help you design the perfect traveling experience. From romantic getaways to large events, our experienced agents will handle all the details. Traveling does not need to be stressful. You can count on us for great value and dependable service.

We arrange travel air, land and sea. We can arrange the perfect destination package including, resorts, conference rooms and meeting locations, special events, and attractions.

Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
 rawhidetravel.com

In the News: "We have the watch."

For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) has tracked Santa’s flight.

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.

NORAD is charged with the missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America. Aerospace warning includes the monitoring of man-made objects in space, and the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands.

Aerospace control includes ensuring air sovereignty and air defense of the airspace of Canada and the United States. The renewal of the NORAD Agreement in May 2006 added a maritime warning mission, which entails a shared awareness and understanding of the activities conducted in U.S. and Canadian maritime approaches, maritime areas and internal waterways.

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, NORAD's mission has evolved over the years to meet the changing threat. Through outstanding bi-national cooperation, NORAD has proven itself effective in its roles of watching, warning, and responding. The events of September 11, 2001 demonstrated NORAD’s continued relevance to North American security. Today, NORAD provides civil authorities with a potent military response capability to counter domestic airspace threats should all other methods fail.

The men and women of NORAD are constantly watching the skies and waterways of the United States and Canada to keep us safe.
 http://www.noradsanta.org/

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Unique Holiday Destinations: Santa Claus, Indiana

With a city like Santa Claus, Indiana, the name really does say it all. This small Midwestern destination fancies itself "America's Christmas Hometown," and offers three weekends of Santa Claus celebrations throughout the month of December that are perfect for Christmas lovers of all ages. 

Travelers can journey into Santa's Candy Castle and enjoy 25 different gourmet chocolates, chat with online elves and check to see if their name is on the naughty or nice list. Santa's visitors can also enjoy other holiday attractions such as the amazing lights down Mistletoe Drive, a wooden rollercoaster, a Santa Claus museum and even a Christmas-themed miniature golf course.

The town has the world's only post office to bear the name of Santa Claus. Because of this popular name, the post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world each year. A group of volunteers known as Santa's Elves ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus; this tradition has been in existence since at least 1914. Every year, the post office also creates a special Christmas hand-cancellation pictorial postmark for use during December, which also attracts mail from all over the world. The pictorial postmark is chosen each year from submissions from art students at the local high school, Heritage Hills High School.

Santa Claus is the home to numerous themed attractions including: Santa's Candy Castle, Santa Claus Museum, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Frosty's Fun Center, Christmas Lake Golf Course, and Santa's Stables. It is also home to Santa's Lodge and Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:

Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc

6008 West Bell Rd # F105

Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793

(602) 843-5100

rawhidetravel.com

Travel Tips: Winter Driving

When it comes to driving during winter, there is really only one concern you need have: safety. It's not miles of rubber on the road that you should be concern about; it's what gets between the rubber and the road that causes most of the problems. Here are some tips to get ready for winter driving conditions, and how to handle them once you're in the thick of a winter storm.

Put some extra clothing and emergency items in your vehicle; these will come in handy if you break down in very cold weather.  Assemble a basic kit including a pair of gloves, weather-resistant pants and/or coat, maybe an old pair of boots, a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight with some extra batteries,  a windshield scraper, matches and some flares and you should be in good shape. You might also toss a few nutrition bars in as well; those things won't spoil until the next millennium, are packed with calories and can bail you out in a pinch. Don't forget a few bottles of water.

Make sure your car is checked over for winter weather readiness. In particular, you or a mechanic should check your tires before the first big winter storm.

Once your vehicle is inspected and equipped, follow this advice: "See and be seen. Keep your headlights and taillights clean, especially in stormy weather. Keep windows clean and make sure defrosters work well. If snow has built up on your vehicle overnight or after a break from driving, clear it away so it doesn't blow off and obscure your windows."

Slow down. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends slowing down by about 50 percent in very bad weather; additionally, leave extra space between you and the car in front of you. You'll want to use your best judgment, but the slow tend to survive this race.

Remember that not all stretches of road are created alike. For example, many recently built small bridges and overpasses have been designed to blend into the surroundings, with a gradual or nonexistent change in elevation. These bridges nonetheless remain susceptible to icing over much more rapidly than regular blacktop. Look out and look ahead for these short stretches of road when temperatures near or drop below freezing. 

Some features of modern automobiles may actually serve you poorly in bad conditions. In some SUV's and four-wheel-drive vehicles, for example, you may have better traction when the vehicle is underway, but the four-wheel drive won't help you stop any faster. Also, skip the cruise control; your cruise control feature may accelerate when you least want it to, such as when you are climbing an icy bridge. As the DOT says, "Don't let your car make a bad decision for you."

If you are stranded and have to stay in your car, you can run the engine for heat, but make sure the exhaust pipe is not obstructed by snow or mud. If you prefer not to have the engine running the whole time, close the windows to keep heat in, and run the car for perhaps 10 minutes every hour, opening a front window a crack when you do so.

If you anticipate bad traffic or driving weather and do not have access to the Internet or television, dial 5-1-1 for traffic updates. The menu-based system can be slow and cumbersome to navigate, but the time you spend might save you even more time creeping along an interstate surrounded by big snowflakes and bigger trucks.

 If you are parking at your hotel or near attractions in bad weather, opt for a spot in an indoor parking garage when available. 

We hope these tips help you, and stay safe.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument includes federal submerged lands within the 3 mile belt off the island of St. John. These waters support a diverse and complex system of coral reefs, and other ecosystems such as shoreline mangrove forests and segrass beds that contribute to their health and survival.

Coral colonies grow very slowly, sometimes only a few millimeters every year. They require specific conditions to remain healthy. Water that is too warm can cause a phenomenon known as coral bleaching; this is when corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae and turn white. Corals cannot survive long without their partners, and in their weakened condition, become more susceptible to disease. A growing percentage of the worlds corals are dying from coral bleaching and disease.

Corals also suffer from more direct human impacts. Stepping on or even touching corals can kill them. Some of the corals in the Virgin Islands have lived for hundreds of years. They have survived hurricanes, anchor damage, coral bleaching, smothering sediment, pollution and disease. Please remember to stand only on sand; give the corals a chance to survive.

Virgin Islands National Park, renowned throughout the world for its breathtaking beauty, covers approximately half of St. John, as well as nearly all of Hassel Island in the Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas. All the visitor facilities are on St. John. There are none on Hassel Island.

Within this protected paradise are sub-tropical forests, semi-arid scrublands, and swamps along the coastal areas. Some 800 species of plants inhabit these varied climates, including one native palm tree – the Teyer palm, along with bay rum trees and tropical orchids. More than 50 species of tropical birds breed on St. John, including the Bananaquit and three species of Caribbean hummingbirds. Other migrant species spend the winter in the park’s dense forests.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Rawhide Travel and Tours' "Locks of Fun" Panama Canal Super Cruise

Rawhide Travel and Tours 

presents 

"Locks of Fun" 

 Panama Canal Super Cruise

November 04-19, 2014

$3949 per person based on double occupancy

Gone down lately? If you haven't, you can come with us if you join our 16 day "Locks of Fun" Panama Canal Super Cruise down South America way, and rumba 'til the cows come home on Celebrity Cruise Lines awesome 91,000 ton luxury Superliner, the M/S Infinity stopping at six of the most sought after ports in the world not too mention "passing through" the legendary Panama Canal itself!

 Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA you'll first visit dazzling Cartagena, Colombia (South America) where the world's supply of stunning emeralds can be found! Don't miss the Gold Museum where Samuel Bolivar lived while enjoying Latin history, culture and world renowned shopping!

Next stop, Colon, Panama (Central America)! Colon’s greatest claim to fame, and the main reason visitors come here, is the Colón Free Zone, a massive shopping showroom where retailers, wholesalers and the general public shop. And don't forget to take a ride on the restored Panama Canal Railway.

Next, the Panama Canal (Central America), what this adventure-filled super cruise is centered around. Here, you'll see the Three Colossal Locks ("Locks of Fun") while transiting through one of the greatest engineering wonders of the modern world for twelve hours of non-stop heart-pounding excitement with "once in a lifetime" spectacular photo opportunities as you cross from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean!

Next stop, enchanting Puntarenas, Costa Rica (Central America) where you can climb a real volcano, see Two Oceans at the same time, savor blooming orchids, see wild jaguars and ocelots in rain forests that dot this small fascinating country.

Next port is the quaint town of Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala (Central America) where visiting the best preserved ruins in the world in the ancient city of Tikal is a must. But visiting La Antigua, Guatemala's colonial capital is also must! Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Continuing to the Mexican Riviera, our first stop will be at world famous Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! From Yelapa Bay, where Night of The Iguana was filmed, to the majestic Sierre Padre Mountains that surround this sizzling resort town, you'll discover everything from jungle tours to shopping, and from fabulous sights to exotic dining. This is one lush port you'll long remember.

Last stop, Cabo San Lucas!  Located on the tip of Baja California on the Sea of Cortez, it's a favorite for many celebrities. Here, turquoise and azure blue waters, rugged cliffs, quiet coves teeming with abundant marine life, desert vistas and mountains all come together with a wash of vibrant colors. Awesome. And, as if all of these sights and thrills weren't enough, you'll also be enjoying a Deluxe Balconied Stateroom on  this magnificent luxury cruise including All Meals, nightly "Las Vegas style" entertainment, round trip air from Phoenix (air is also available from 171 other U.S. cities but price may vary depending on your actual departure city other than Phoenix), all foreign and US. taxes, all security, government and airport fees, all fuel surcharges, all transfers, several gala parties and events during the cruise..even cancellation insurance and ship tips! Oops! forgot the kitchen sink! So what are you waiting for? Some people wait a lifetime for their ship to come in. You only have to wait until November 04, 2014. Eyes in the back of your head recommended for this adventure. Experience life without a ripcord and call Rawhide Travel and Tours today! Limited space. Happy "sailing" trails to you!

Looking for that perfect beach vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Avoid Being an Ugly American

We've all seen the embarrassing U.S. traveler abroad: The person wearing shorts and a stupid t-shirt, the big shot flashing a wallet full of euros in a Public place, or the family that insists on chowing down on American fast food in Rome. How not to be the ugly American? Well, here are the stupidest things Americans do while overseas:

Dressing and acting like a tourist
Traveling is one time when it's actually cool to be a poseur. Try your best to fit in with a country's style of dress and customs by ditching the fanny packs, visors, dark socks with sandals, and Hawaiian shirts and not using your outdoor voice. The golden rule of travel is that blending in and conformity are a form of flattery. Most countries will not expect you to be an expert on the nuances of their culture, but they will appreciate a show of interest in matters of importance to them. Taking your usual gregarious behavior down a notch is a good idea too. People of other nationalities are more reserved than we are, so it's important not to come across as the ugly American: overbearing, overly familiar and loud. 

Flashing money around
Peeling bills off of wads of cash won't endear you to the locals nor does it curry much favor here in the USA but showing the contents of your wallet and taking copious amounts of money out of foreign ATMs in full view of everyone will make you popular with pickpockets. The cash machine itself could be a thief in disguise too. Look closely at an ATM before using it, as criminals have been known to place 'skimmers' on the machines, especially in areas frequented by tourists.

Assuming everyone's there to wait on them
Just like money doesn't buy taste or love, having vacation savings to burn doesn't guarantee the royal treatment everywhere you go. There are two keys to not being an American jerk: Being a little bit patient and not assuming that everybody here is here to clamor over your tourist dollars. We Americans have swarmed over the face of the world, taking it for granted that the earth's surface belongs to us because we can pay for it. Try to buck those stereotypes. 

Ordering American food abroad
Don't be that person who orders French fries in the middle of Italy. The absolute worst thing you can do is to ignore the local food in favor of what's familiar to you. Not sampling exotic food means you'll miss a large chunk of the area's culture that will enrich your travel experience. That said, everyone has heard at least one horror story about getting food poisoning abroad. Wash your hands a lot and be smart about the basic things: avoid tap water and ice and unpeeled fruits and vegetables and you can eat plenty of local food.

Not bothering to learn basic foreign phrases
English is indeed widely spoken all over the world, but not making any effort will just make everyone hate you. If at all possible, at least say a greeting in the other person's language, and then say, 'Do you speak English?' right after that. One thing that grates is to just start speaking English in a foreign county. It's likely that a lot of people, especially in touristy spots, will speak English, but the presumption that they do is really obnoxious. No need to bust out an entire language dictionary either. Learning how to say hello, thank you, and please, will be enough to show people you respect there language and culture.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

Unique Holiday Destinations: San Antonio, Texas

Things to do in San Antonio span the gamut from a hodgepodge of children's activities to plenty of adult festivities. Christmas events at the River Walk, the AT&T Center and many more events within the city also provide plenty of local activities and entertainment during this time. Whether you want to shop, view holiday arts and crafts, or discover something new, this city is the place for all things Christmas.

The always-festive River Walk - festooned with more than 122,000 colored lights and 6,000 luminarias at Christmastime, glitters with art installations like over sized fiberglass fish suspended over the river. A river barge is a scenic way to experience the River Walk, which seems to add more shops, restaurant, and other attractions each year. Shop for colorful folk art and crafts in La Villita, the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, and outstanding museums like the McNay, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Museo Alameda, a Smithsonian-affiliate Hispanic museum.

Joyous caroling fills the evening air along the San Antonio River Walk as more than 185 school, church, company, and civic choral groups ring in the holidays by singing traditional carols on cruising boats.

Experience the Holiday serenity of the River Walk as you stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 6,000 Luminarias. Warmly glowing candles in sand-filled bags line the walkways to symbolically mark the "lighting of the way" for the Holy Family. This century’s old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday & Sunday only.

The Ford Holiday Lighting Ceremony and River Parade is a one-hour event for Christmas fun! You and your children can watch lighted Christmas floats, decadent costumes and hear San Antonio music bands. You will also get to see famous celebrities and much more.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Travel Tips: Winter Air Travel

Successful winter travel is all about successful navigation of winter weather. We want all our readers to get to and from their destinations with minimum trouble and maximum enjoyment and, most importantly, to always arrive safe and sound, no matter what sort of snow, ice, sleet or freezing rain you may encounter. To that end, here are some tips, tactics and ideas to help you avoid spending your winter stuck in airports.

Excessive delays and cancellations, passenger strandings, and airport woes can happen anywhere. Although there are now federal regulations to prevent delays in excess of three hours, we are essentially still at the mercy of the airlines when snow and storms strike. Below are some tips to help you avoid some of the worst weather-related air travel problems.

The biggest, meanest problems for travelers frequently occur at connecting airports. If your first outbound flight is canceled and you end up returning to your own home from your local airport, that's one thing; if you are stuck in your vacation hotel hoping to get a flight home, that's a bit worse. But when you're stuck in a connecting airport calling hotels and praying for a place to stay, you're in what is call your worst-case scenario.

For this reason, you should fly nonstop whenever possible. To find nonstop flights, do all your initial flight searches with the "Nonstop Flights Only" button checked or better yet have your travel agent get you the best connections possible.

If you absolutely must fly with a connection, watch your layover times carefully. If a weather delay causes you to miss your connection, you might be out of luck, as the airline is not necessarily obligated to find you a seat on the next flight, and often cannot logistically do so if flights are full or unavailable. If you have a really tight connection time and your flight is running late, let your flight attendant know, and he or she may be able to make arrangements to hold your next flight, or at least get you off your first flight quickly.

Again, if you must fly with a connection, check weather at your connecting cities as well as at your departure and destination airports. We all want to know what the weather is like for the departure and arrival airports (particularly if we're traveling on vacation), but for the same reasons stated above you'll want to know what is going on at your connecting airport as well. If the weather looks very bad, you may want to contact your airline to see if it can reroute you; it may be in its best interest to do so.

If it does look like you will need rerouting, your chances of getting on a different flight will be greatly enhanced if you've already done the research yourself to determine which alternate flights might work best. Don't count on a gate agent to know about or search the schedules of other airlines it isn't likely to happen.

Try to book your connection through a southern city where weather shouldn't be an issue. There are no guarantees here, as northern airports tend to be better equipped to deal with winter conditions, and a snowstorm can almost wholly shut down an airport that more often suffers from too much sun. However, your odds are better in places that rarely see ice or snow.

Choose a morning flight, for two reasons: First, you are far less likely to have your flight affected by problems at other airports. Second, if your flight is canceled or badly delayed, your options for alternate flights are greatly increased, improving your odds for getting on a different flight by the end of the day.

Get ahead of the game at security. Before you even get in line, put all your gear and pocket change in a sleeve of your carry-on bag. With so much valuable stuff getting dumped into plastic buckets all day, every day, it's inevitable that some of that stuff gets left behind, dropped, damaged, broken or even stolen. If you take 15 seconds to stow everything, you'll make the time up twice over on either side of the security gate, and won't risk losing cell phones, wallets, keys and the like.

Finally, avoid peak travel dates as best you can, particularly holiday weekends.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Hawaii

Just as the luster of a pearl seems to change with the shifting light of day, so has Pearl Harbor changed in the shifting light of history. This remarkable port, home to the great US Pacific Fleet, has been called "majestic," one of the greatest harbors in the Pacific. In fact, it's long been the envy of every nation that has tried to control it. The sheltered blue-green oasis glitters with scenic, historic and strategic importance -- importance that predates the attack that drew the United States into World War II. Long before the morning of December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor had been captivating people with its dramatic beauty and provocative history.

The ancient Hawaiians called this area Wai Momi, or "Waters of Pearl," for the wealth of pearl-producing oysters that once rested on the bed of the peaceful bay. The sweeping shoreline that caressed the pristine bay also boasted the most fishponds of any area in the islands. This natural abundance made Wai Momi a prime location for fishing and diving. According to legend, a benevolent shark goddess watched over this precious natural resource and protected the area. Just as the Hawaiian people treasured Wai Momi in the old days, the United States honors and values Pearl Harbor today.

Throughout its history, Pearl Harbor has been revered as a place of great value. In the beginning, it physically yielded sustenance for the Hawaiian people. Later, it empowered America to conquer her enemies. Today, Pearl Harbor embodies the lessons of our past and our vision of the future. Its legacy is the assurance we will never forget the sacrifice that drives our hope for the future.

The USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day of 1962 to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor and the men who died defending it. In 1989, the USS Arizona was designated a national historic landmark. Since 1980, the National Park Service has operated the Memorial and the Visitor Center to ensure the preservation and interpretation of the tangible historical resources associated with the attack — including the rich and vivid memories of its survivors. Veterans have always played a key part in maintaining this historic site. In fact, funding for the USS Arizona Memorial is provided in part by Pacific Historic Parks, who coordinates their philanthropic efforts with an active group of Pearl Harbor survivors and others interested in preserving this important legacy.

Each year, the USS Arizona Memorial welcomes more than 1.4 million visitors from around the world. To accommodate its international and out-of-state visitors, the site has brochures written in over 30 different languages including English, as well as an audio program which is currently offered in seven different languages.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree: Wishing You A Happy Holiday

This month the tree is all shiny red and green as it prepares for Christmas. Minnie has gotten all wrap up in the Christmas Spirit.

The little holiday tree is a year old. We have had fun with it during a year of holidays, stay tuned to find out what the holiday tree has up it sleeve for this next year of holidays.

Did you know?

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Victorian England. Earlier, some adults had written Christmas letters. But letters took time to write; and people wanting to share season's greetings with many others had a daunting task.

In 1843, British businessman Sir Henry Cole asked artist John Calcott Horsley to print some Christmas cards. One thousand cards were printed in black and white and then colored by hand. The cards, which depicted a happy family raising a toast to the recipient, were criticized for promoting drunkenness. In 1851 Richard Pease, a variety store owner, commissioned the first printed Christmas card in the U.S.

London printers Charles Goodall & Sons became the first to mass-produce Christmas cards. In 1862 they created cards saying “A Merry Christmas.” Later, they designed cards with various designs, including robins, holly, mangers, snowmen, and even Little Red Riding Hood.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

In the News: 'Hobbit' Dragon Plane

An Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300 aircraft shows the mythical dragon Smaug in the second installment of Sir Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" movie trilogy, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug."

New Zealand's national airline unveiled a giant image Monday of the dragon Smaug on one of its planes to celebrate the premiere of the second movie in the "Hobbit" trilogy.

Air New Zealand showed the 177-foot image that's featured on both sides of a Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The plane is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles in time for the premiere of "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," which screens Monday at the Dolby Theatre.

It was the first time fans got a chance to see director Peter Jackson's interpretation of Smaug. In the first movie, the director revealed only the dragon's eye.

The Hobbit trilogy, based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, was filmed in New Zealand.

The movie opens in theaters in mid-December.

The image is a decal, or giant sticker, produced by special effects studio Weta Digital, which also worked on the movie.

Air New Zealand spokesman Andrew Aitken said it intends to keep the decal on the plane for at least a year, until the opening of the third Hobbit movie. The airline also used a decal to celebrate the opening of the first movie.

New Zealand has sought to use the popularity of the movies as a way to market itself and boost tourism.

"An airline brand comes to life when it can bring a feel of the destination it's flying to, onboard," said Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, an airline marketing and consulting firm. "Air New Zealand has often done this through special liveries, like the latest 'Hobbit'-themed one. Even before boarding, passengers get a feel of their destination — in fact, anyone who sees the plane is likely to think about flying on it."

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793

(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Unique Holiday Destinations: National Christmas Center, Paradise, Pennsylvania

The National Christmas Center is the only Christmas museum in the entire world. Owner Jim Morrison unwrapped the museum in 1998 with just 3 exhibits. Today the museum overflows with hundreds of thousands of Christmas items, some more than 200 years old.

Be entertained, educated and mesmerized as you travel around the globe and through the centuries in fifteen galleries and 20,000 square feet of life-sized, indoor exhibits that showcase both the secular and the sacred aspects of the holiday. Visitors can meander through a life-size retelling of the The Christmas Story, followed by Tudor Towne, a whimsical village full of cuddly Christmas creatures. Make sure to stop at the North Pole for a dazzling display of Santa's workshop filled with animatronics.

Christmas season is also shopping season, and the National Christmas Center pays homage to the ghost of Christmas-shopping past with a Woolworth exhibit. This re-creation of a 1940’s – 1950’s-era five and dime showcases vintage Christmas toys and merchandise displayed in a realistic store setting. The shelves are stocked floor to ceiling with such treasures as the Red Ryder BB gun, Yakity Yak chattering wind-up teeth, tin soldiers on horseback, and 5 cent phonograph records.

The elves are busy in this toy-making wonderland! Animated reindeer nod from their stalls as bears and elves craft toys, wrap packages and sew dolly dresses. Santa presides over all the activity in this life-sized exhibit.

Realistic scenery and lifelike, life-sized characters take you on a journey from "Nazareth" to "Bethlehem". Hear latin and Aramaic being spoken and music from that time period. Walk among palm trees and through a valley in this total environmental experience. At the end, step into the stone grotto and behold the Birth of Christ.

There is an exhibit showcases a ¾ life-sized hand-carved wooden Nativity, nearly 100 years old. Twenty-two figures include the Holy Family and 3 camels which stand nearly 6 feet tall.   
 
With all these Christmas memories, it's no wonder more than 40,000 people visit this museum every year. Put a smile on your family's face, and make a stop at the country's most Christmasy museum during this year's 12 days of Christmas.
 
Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Survival Tips for Holiday Travel

Wherever you're heading, if you're traveling during the holiday season, you need to realize that everyone else in the world is, too. But don't let invasive security scanners, terrible drivers and long lines at airports get you down. Here's some tips to help you survive the holiday travel season without a meltdown.

Do your research.
Plan alternative directions if traffic makes your way home too overwhelming. Is there a scenic drive that might be longer but have less traffic? Break up a long drive by finding a few places to stop that will get the kids more excited than a truck rest stop. When flying, make sure you check the airline’s restrictions ahead of time on carry-on luggage and fees for checked bags.

Stay connected.
Stock up on the latest travel apps before you leave home. Flight Status gives you real-time updates on delays, baggage numbers and more, and GateGuru gives you approximate times you’ll spend in security. Heading out on the road? Find the cheapest gas and cleanest bathrooms on the road with GasBuddy and SitOrSquat.

Pack light.
Avoid checking bags altogether if you can. You won’t have to wait for your luggage on the conveyor belt, and you won’t have to worry about your mom’s Christmas present getting lost in the airport. If you do check luggage, make sure you have all your medications and important documents and a change of clothes in your carry-on in case your luggage gets lost.

Pack earplugs.
Short of doing yoga in the airport, the best way to mentally escape your stressful surroundings is to turn the volume down. And the easiest way to do that is with earplugs. Crying baby next seat over on the plane? Earplugs. Sister’s music in the car driving you mad? Earplugs. And if you really want to check out for a bit? Bring an eye mask (as long as you aren’t driving).

Eat Up.
When your hungry, your mind can’t think straight, and you could unknowingly get in the wrong line, take the wrong turn, or worse, upset an innocent flight attendant. Pack snacks and drinks, so you and your family will be fueled up for a road trip. If you’re flying, definitely get some grub before you board the plane, so you won’t have to rely on airline food if you’re sitting on the tarmac for hours.

Ship gifts or give gift cards.
TSA suggests to ship wrapped gifts or wait until you reach your destination to wrap them, as they might have to unwrap a present to inspect it. Ship gifts ahead of time or bring the gift that can’t go wrong: gift cards to their favorite store.

Travel on off-peak days.
A better option is to leave early on the holiday day and avoid the record traffic the night before. Same goes with flying: if you fly on the actual holiday itself you’ll be avoiding the long lines and hoards of travelers.

Travel early or late in the day.
Flight statistics show that planes traveling earlier in the day have a better on-time performance. And if your flight is cancelled, you will have the option of taking a flight later in the day. Also, there will be fewer lines at security. Best time to hit the road? When every one else is asleep, early morning or late at night. You can always take a nap when you arrive at your destination or on the ride there (if you aren’t the driver, of course).

Have a Plan B.
Have only a half hour before connecting to another flight? Traveling during snow season? Think ahead and plan accordingly. Leave extra time before flights to deal with security, extra time between connections and, for road trips, pack tire chains for snowy conditions, flashlights, and of course, a few band-aids never hurt either.

Breath.
The overly friendly person next to you on the plane, the cancelled flights, the luggage that fell off in the middle of the highway? All of it will make for great stories over dinner when you finally make it to your destination. After all, holiday travel stress is just as much of a tradition as pumpkin pie.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100rawhidetravel.com  

Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve Alaska

 

Given its remote location and notoriously bad weather, Aniakchak is one of the least visited units of the National Park System. A vibrant reminder of Alaska's location in the volcanically active "Ring of Fire," the monument is home to an impressive six-mile wide, 2,500 feet. deep caldera formed during a massive eruption 3,500 years ago.

Are you contemplating running the Aniakchak River from its caldera headwaters through treeless tundra to the sea? A commercial guidebook says: "The weather on Aniakchak is severe; life-threatening conditions can develop rapidly. Extremely violent winds in the caldera, particularly near 'The Gates,' can shred tents and prevent air rescue." A hefty budget and pre-tested skills and gear are absolutely necessary.

When Father Hubbard first climbed into Aniakchak Caldera in 1930, his first dramatic experience, after the scenery, was with a female brown bear and her cub. Brown bears remain numerous throughout this area because of good forage conditions and seasonal availability of ample dietary protein in the form of salmon.

Aniakchak is truly a wild and unpredictable place. For the prepared visitor however, these very characteristics can make for the adventure of a lifetime.

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve encompasses 586,000 acres of pristine Alaska wilderness. While rafting the Aniakchak River, hiking the caldera floor, and sport fishing are among the most common activities pursued, the possibilities for adventure are limitless for those visitors determined and prepared enough to experience Aniakchak on its own terms.
 
Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com