Update: Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree

Our little tree is back in the Valley of the Sun, leaving behind the cold weather of New Hampshire. He is looking forward to celebrating St Patricks Day.

Did You Know?

One of the longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parades in North America occurs each year in Montreal, whose city flag includes a shamrock in its lower-right quadrant. The parades have been held continually since 1824.

Chicago is known for its modern day miracle occuring each year as part of the St. Patricks Day Parade celebration when the Chicago River turns an incredible shade of Irish green. For over 40 years, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers turn the Chicago River green for the St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration.

The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.

Over 100 US cities hold a parade every year. Some of the other biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades are in Chicago, Illinois and Savannah, Georgia.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, 110 million people will celebrate the day by wearing green, making an Irish-inspired meal, or going out to celebrate.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Make sure you stop by the the blog frequently as we will feature the tree every month. Better yet, stop by Rawhide Travel and Tours' office at 6008 West Bell Road and visit our tree in person and make sure you say hi to Ron, Diana and Debbie. You will be more than welcome.

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

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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In the news:Latest Airline Perk

From an Article by Scott Mayerowitz AP Airlines Writer

On flights from San Francisco to Hong Kong, first-class passengers can enjoy a Mesclun salad with king crab or a grilled USDA prime beef tenderloin, stretch out in a 3-foot-wide seat that converts to a bed and wash it all down with a pre-slumber Krug "Grande Cuvee" Brut Champagne.

Yet some of the most cherished new international first-class perks have nothing to do with meals, drinks or seats. Global airlines are increasingly rewarding wealthy fliers with something more intangible: physical distance between them and everyone else.

The idea is to provide an exclusive experience; inaccessible, even invisible, to the masses in coach. It's one way that a gap between the world's wealthiest 1 percent and everyone else has widened.

Many top-paying international passengers, having put down roughly $15,000 for a ticket, now check-in at secluded facilities and are driven in luxury cars directly to planes. Others can savor the same premier privileges by redeeming 125,000 or more frequent flier miles for a trip of a lifetime.

When Emirates Airline opened a new concourse at its home airport in Dubai last year, it made sure to keep coach passengers separate from those in business and first class. The top floor of the building is a lounge for premium passengers with direct boarding to the upstairs of Emirates' fleet of double-decker Airbus A380s. Those in coach wait one story below and board to the lower level of the plane.

London's Heathrow Airport took a private suite area designed for the royal family and heads of state and in July opened it to any passenger flying business or first class who's willing to pay an extra $2,500.

The front of the plane has always been plusher than the back. But in recent years airlines have put a greater focus on catering to the most affluent fliers' desire for new levels of privacy.

There's a lot of money on the line. At big carriers like American Airlines, about 70 percent of revenue comes from the top 20 percent of its customers.

The special treatment now starts at check-in. American and United Airlines have both developed private rooms, located in discrete corners of their terminals in New York, Chicago and elsewhere, that allow for a speedy check-in. Boarding passes in hand, travelers exit through hidden doors leading to the front of security lines.

Some foreign airlines have gone further.

Lufthansa offers first-class passengers a separate terminal in Frankfurt. There's a restaurant, cigar lounge and dedicated immigration officers. For those who choose to shower or take a bath, the private restrooms come with their own rubber ducky — an exclusive plastic souvenir for the international jet set. When it's time to board, passengers are driven across the tarmac to their plane in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Porsche Cayenne.

At Heathrow's private suites, designed for up to six people, fliers pass swiftly and privately through their own immigration and security screening. While they're waiting, hors d'oeuvres and Champagne are provided. Steak, sushi or other meals can be delivered from airport restaurants. When it comes time to actually fly, passengers are driven to their plane in a BMW 7 Series sedan and escorted to their seat.

U.S. airlines have copied a bit of that touch. United started in July and Delta Air Lines in 2011 driving their top customers who have tight connections at major airports from one gate to another in luxury cars. No need to enter the terminal, let alone fight the crowd on the moving walkway.

Want to board first? No problem. Want to be the last one seated, moments before the door closes? Sure. Airlines will even save room for your bags in the overhead bin.

International first class has long been distinguished by gourmet meals, wide seats and giant TVs preloaded with hundreds of movies and TV shows. But in recent years, airlines also upgraded their international business class sections, ripping apart cabins to install chairs that convert into lay-flat beds. That left very little to differentiate first class from business class.

So some airlines scrapped the ultra-premium cabin. Others have cut the number of first-class seats in half, thereby creating a more intimate experience that commands the higher price. For instance, a roundtrip flight in July between New York and Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific costs $1,600 in coach, $7,600 in business class and $19,000 in first class. Other airlines charge similar price differences among their passenger classes.

Besides privacy, that extra cash provides an outsize seat, attentive service and superior wines and liquors. Austrian Airlines, Etihad Airways and Gulf Air are among the carriers to staff planes with their own first-class chefs. Instead of having flight attendants reheating meals cooked on the ground, these chefs prepare the meals at 35,000 feet.

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
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Off the Beaten Track: Kaieteur Falls in Guyana

One of the most powerful waterfalls, Kaieteur Falls in central Guyana is a must-see for those who want to witness a true wonder of the world. It's said that you can hear the thunderous sound of the falls long before you get a glimpse of them. Watch as 30,000 gallons of water per second shoot out over a 820 foot cliff into the middle of a misty jungle. For daredevils (or those not afraid of heights), you can actually stand on top of the falls and look down to the immense river below. 

Kaieteur Falls is located on the Potaro River in Kaieteur National Park, central Essequibo Territory, Guyana. It is 741 ft high when measured from its plunge over a sandstone and conglomerate cliff to the first break. It then flows over a series of steep cascades that, when included in the measurements, bring the 
total height to 822 ft. While many falls have greater height, few have the combination of height and water volume, and the falls are among the most powerful waterfalls in the world with an average flow rate of 23,400 cubic feet per second. 

Kaieteur Falls is about five times higher than the Niagara Falls, on the border between Canada and the United States and about twice the height of the Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa. It is a single drop waterfall and is the 123rd tallest in the world, according to the World Waterfall Database. The same website lists it as 19th largest waterfall in terms of volume, and in their estimation, Kaieteur is the 26th most scenic waterfall in the world.

Kaieteur Falls is a major tourist attraction in Guyana. Many people love the pristine rainforest that surrounds the falls. The falls is located in Kaieteur National Park and is in the center of Guyana's rainforest. There are frequent flights between the falls' airstrip and Ogle Airport and Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Georgetown.

Up river from the falls, the Potaro Plateau stretches out to the distant escarpment of the Pakaraima Mountains. The Potaro river empties in to the Essequibo River which is one the longest and widest rivers in South America.

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
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Culinary Travel: Russia

Although just 300 years old, St. Petersburg has a rich and exciting history, full of dramatic events and major historical figures. Founded as Peter the Great’s "window on the West", St. Petersburg enjoys a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere and some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe. For those interested in culture and history, St. Petersburg is the perfect holiday destination. Beautiful river channels

It is often referred to as the Venice of the North or the Paris of the East, but its beauty is really a brand all its own. From the White Nights festival during the mysterious summer twilight to top theater and ballet productions and concerts on magical winter evenings, the city offers a vibrant cultural life that is second to none.

Beef Stroganoff 

Beef stroganoff is a dish consisting of strips of lean beef sauteed and served in a sour-cream sauce with onions and mushrooms. The recipe, which is of Russian origin, has been known since the eighteenth century, but its name appears to come from County Paul Stroganoff, a nineteeth-century Russian diplomat. Legend has it that when he was stationed in deepest Siberia, his chef discovered that the beef was frozen so solid that it could only be coped with by cutting it into very thin strips.


Ingredients:
2 1/4 lb beef (boneless)
4 tbsp flour
4 tbsp ketchup
5 oz sour cream
2 c broth
1 tbsp flour pounded with butter
1 onion
salt to taste
pepper

Method:
Chop the meat long wise fibers and beat the pieces a little. After that cut the pieces into stripes 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. Season and roll them in flour. Fry chopped onion in the pan unti they are golden brown, add meat stripes. Fry on high until the meat is light brown. Make a sauce: fry 1 tb flour pounded with butter for few minutes, add sour cream, ketchup, salt. Pour the sauce over meat and stew on a low heat for 15-20 minutes. Don't let sauce boil, overwise the meat will be hard. Beef Stroganoff is served with fried potatoes.

If you have a taste for culinary travel, let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you plan your next vacation and all of your other reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River or enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.

The initial Grand Teton National Park, set aside by an act of Congress in 1929, included only the Teton Range and six glacial lakes at the base of the mountains.

The Jackson Hole National Monument, decreed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt through presidential proclamation in 1943, combined Teton National Forest lands with other federal acres, plus Jackson Lake and a 35,000-acre donation by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The Rockefeller properties continued to be privately owned until December 16, 1949 when an impasse for inclusion into the initial national park was resolved. On September 14, 1950, the original 1929 Park and the 1943 National Monument (including Rockefeller's acreage) were united into a ‘new’ Grand Teton National Park, with its current, more expansive boundary.

There are many outdoor recreation activities to choose from at Grand Teton National Park. During the summer you can hike, walk, view wildlife, take photographs, backpack, camp, climb, fish, swim, boat, float, canoe and bike. In winter skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities.

Did you know that the black stripe, or dike, on the face of Mount Moran is 150 feet wide and extends six or seven miles westward? The black dike was once molten magma that squeezed into a crack when the rocks were deep underground, and has since been lifted skyward by movement on the Teton fault. 

Grand Teton National Park is home to the largest bird in North America? The Trumpeter Swan weighs 20-30 pounds and lives in the valley year-round in quiet open water. 

The pronghorns are the fastest mammals in the western hemisphere? They can run up to 70 mph, but do not like to jump fences! In the summer, pronghorn live along Antelope Flats Road, but in fall they migrate almost 200 miles to central Wyoming. 

Grand Teton National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year, but fall is especially magical for a number of reasons. Beautiful fall colors, wildlife, and smaller crowds make for a wonderful and relaxing time of year. In general, fall in the Tetons lasts from the beginning of September through mid-October. But like all natural events, fall depends on local climatic conditions. The amount of rainfall and the nighttime temperatures both play important roles in determining fall colors. While no one can accurately predict exact "peaks" of fall colors, in the Tetons, the third week in September has historically been about the peak for fall colors. And of course, some years are better than others! No matter when you come in the fall, the park holds many wonders to explore.

The Teton Range has large stands of deciduous trees whose leaves blaze mostly yellow and orange (and occasionally red) shades in the fall. Cottonwoods line the banks of the Snake River and other creeks in the area. Aspens are found on hillsides and scattered throughout the park's moist areas. Numerous species of willows, as well as other shrubs, transform lake and canyon trails into yellow and red carpets in the fall.

Fall is also an important time for the deer species, whose annual rut (breeding season) takes place during this time. Male elk actively bugle to signal their dominance and attract females, an eerie sound that pierces early evenings. You may even witness a sparring match between two dominant male elk - an incredible sight to behold.

The bull moose in the park are also actively searching for females and may at times spar for dominance too. Bears are actively searching for the berries and any other food source they can find, as they only have a few short weeks left to gain the additional fat they will need to survive hibernation. Since so much wildlife is active (and often aggressive) in the fall, please remain a safe distance. Whether you are on foot or in your vehicle stay 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other large animals.

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

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
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Let Us Help You Get Lost

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: Cruise Ships That are Sure to Please Kids

Cruise lines cater to more than 1.5 million kid vacationers a year. It's no wonder cruise ships are such a draw for families, there's alot for the younger set to do. While the kids are occupied in organized activities programs, adults get to enjoy some downtime. When the whole family is ready for some togetherness, waterslides and other fun play areas provide places for creating memories.

But some ships are more kid-focused than others. Here are the cruise ships that have the most kid appeal.

Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy: Disney nostalgia starts even before you board these 4,000-passenger ships, you'll spot familiar characters from shore. Once onboard, high tech wizardry causes delight, including on the ships' 765-foot AquaDuck watercoaster. Kids' playrooms are themed spaces with fun programming. From the Mickey ear ice cream pops at dinner to kid-friendly shore excursions, the younger set gets pampered along with the adults. (While the larger Disney ships have more stuff, the 2,700-passenger Disney Magic gains props for its new AquaDunk waterslide and Marvel's Avengers Academy, as does Disney Wonder for its kids-focused Alaska sailings.)

Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway: These 4,000-passenger ships have the largest kids' facilities in the fleet, including a two-story Splash Academy for younger kids, the Entourage lounge for teens and a Kids Aqua Park. That's in addition to the largest water park at sea with five waterslides, the largest ropes course at sea, a deal with Nintendo that means Wii video games onboard and a tie-in with Nickelodeon TV, which means character appearances and family activities involving SpongeBob SquarePants and his pals. 

MSC Divina: Smurfs can be spotted on this Italian-style ship, sailing year-round from Miami. The 3,500-passenger ship hosts Smurf-themed family disco parties featuring songs from The Smurfs 2 soundtrack, a Smurfs parade and Smurf-themed cooking classes, among other activities. The blue characters are even part of the Mini and Junior club decor. The ship also has a kids' waterslide and 4-D theater older kids will enjoy. Parents will like the kids (11 and under) sail free promotions.

Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas: The world's largest ships thrill kids, and some adults too, with appearances by DreamWorks characters such as Shrek and Kung Fu Panda (also appearing on some of the other Royal Caribbean ships) in parades and other events. For older kids, get-active options on these 5,400-passenger floating cities include rock climbing, simulated surfing, inline skating and ziplining. Each ship even has an ice-skating rink and merry-go-round. A Barbie program keeps doll lovers happy. The ships also have an award-winning kids' activities program. The upcoming Quantum of the Seas, debuting next fall, brings new activities including the first at-sea bumper cars.

Carnival Breeze, Carnival Sunshine: On the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze and 3,006-passenger Carnival Sunshine, the massive waterpark and Skycourse ropes course keep families happily active. Family fun also includes a game show with larger than life versions of Hasbro games. Activities in the kids' programming abound. Soon The Cat in the Hat and other characters will be part of the fun as part of a fleetwide deal with Dr. Seuss.

Royal Princess: Expansive indoor/outdoor play areas on the Royal Princess and soon to debut sister ship Regal Princess include a teen club, with its own sunning loungers and wading pool, and a separate outdoor living room-like lounge for the age 8 to 12 set. Tots get to ride around a designated space on a fleet of tricycles. Outdoor areas also include an open-air playground complete with spinners and a slide. The creative activities program includes Junior Chef classes, science experiments and a youth-focused yoga program.

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:
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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Off the Beaten Track: Gdansk, Poland

One of Poland’s most beautiful cities, Gdansk, on the Baltic Sea, has played major roles in history, especially in the 20th-century. It was the 1939 flash point of World War II, and then in 1980, the birthplace of the Solidarnosc labor movement, ushering the end of Communist domination in Eastern Europe. Gdansk’s Old Town, painstakingly reconstructed to its Hanseatic League glory after being leveled in World War II, is a highlight. The 14th-century Town Hall houses the city’s historical museum.

Like a mini-state all to itself, Gdańsk has a unique feel that sets it aside from all other cities in Poland. Centuries of maritime ebb and flow as a port city; streets of distinctively un-Polish architecture influenced by a united nations of wealthy merchants who shaped the city’s past.

Here are a few great places to visit.

Royal Way
Lined by the city’s grandest facades, the Royal Way was the route along which the Polish kings traditionally paraded during their periodic visits. Of the three Royal Ways in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków and Gdańsk), the Gdańsk one is the shortest but it’s architecturally perhaps the most refined.

Długi Targ
Długi Targ (Long Market) was once the main city market and is now the major focus for visitors. Sadly it’s all got a bit tacky in recent years and is now hemmed with tourist-class eateries, dubious amber stalls, quick-tongued touts and sun-shades keeping overpriced beer and their drinkers out of the sun.

According to local legend, the Neptune Fountain (Fontana Neptuna), next to the Town Hall, once gushed forth with the trademark Gdańsk liqueur, Goldwasser. As the story goes, it spurted out of the trident one merry night and Neptune found himself endangered by crowds of drunken locals who couldn’t believe their luck. Perhaps that’s why, in 1634, the fountain was fenced off with a wrought-iron barrier. The bronze statue itself was the work of another Flemish artist, Peter Husen; made between 1606 and 1613, it is the oldest secular monument in Poland. A menagerie of stone sea creatures was added in the 1750s during the restoration of the fountain.

St Mary’s Church
Dominating the heart of the Main Town, St Mary’s Church is often cited as the largest old brick church in the world. Some 105m long and 66m wide at the transept, its massive squat tower climbs 78m high into the Gdańsk cityscape. About 25,000 people can fit easily into its 16,500 square feet interior. Even from afar, this awe-inspiring colossus looms sinisterly in a million red bricks, dwarfing the houses at its oversize Gothic feet.

Begun in 1343, St Mary’s didn’t reach its present gigantic proportions until 1502. It served as the parish church for the Catholic congregation until the Reformation blew into town. It passed to the Protestants in 1572, to be used by them until WWII.

Old Town Hall
Behind the Great Mill, across a small park, the Old Town Hall was once the seat of the Old Town council. A well-proportioned Renaissance building crowned with a high central tower typical of its Flemish provenance, it was designed at the end of the 16th century by Antonius van Opbergen, the architect later responsible for the Great Arsenal. The brick structure is delicately ornamented in stone, including the central doorway and a frieze with the shields of Poland, Prussia and Gdańsk.

The Old Town Hall now houses the Baltic Sea Culture Centre and an exhibition hall. Go upstairs to see the foyer, notable for its rich decoration, which was partly assembled from old burghers’ houses. Note the arcaded stone wall (1560) with three Roman gods in bas-relief. This composition, older than the town hall itself, was moved here from one of the houses in the Main Town. One of the doors leads to the Great Hall, which can also be visited. Concerts are held here – check the program for details.

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!

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

Both Norwegian churches "stavkirke" and wooden churches of the south Poland are the oldest complex of temples in Europe. Some of the churches situated in Małopolska and Podkarpacie regions were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2003. Sacral structures are built in different styles - from gothic to baroque. The oldest one - medieval church in Haczów - dates back to the 14th century. 

Pierogi are probably the only Polish dish that has its own patron saint. "Swiety Jacek z pierogami!", (St. Hyacinth and his pierogi!) is an old expression of surprise, roughly equivalent to the American "good grief" or "holy smokes!". The origin of this expression is unknown. 

Pierogi

Dough
Ingredients:
3 cups of wheat flour (all-purpose)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup of boiling water
1/4 cup of cold water
1/2 teaspoon of oil

takes 30-40 min - makes30 pierogi

Instructions:
Pour 3 cups of wheat flour into the bowl. Pour the flour through a sieve to separate any lumps and in order to aerate the flour. Thanks to the latter, your pierogi dough will be softer and more delicate in flavor. Then add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Pour 3/4 cup of boiling water into the bowl, while vigorously stirring the mixture with a fork or wooden spoon. At this stage, it is normal that lumps of flour will form and surface – crumble them down with the fork. Cover the bowl with a cotton cloth and set aside for about 5 minutes.

After 5 min, add a 1/4 cup of cold water, stir, and crumble down the lumps (if any). Once again cover the pierogi dough with a cotton cloth, but this time set is aside for 15 minutes.

After 15 min, add 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil (canola, sunflower or olive oil). Knead the pierogi dough until it becomes a smooth and uniform mass. In general, it takes 5 to 10 minutes. When finished, the pierogi dough should be homogeneous, stretchy and a bit adhesive.

Now, the dough is ready to prepare pierogi. Flour the pastry board. Roll out the dough until you reach the thickness of about one-tenth of an inch (2-3 millimeters). Remember that one side of the dough should remain clean. You want it to cling on to itself while folding pierogi.

Cut circles out of the pierogi dough by using a cup. Place the filling in the middle of every circle and fold it to form pierogi.

Collect scraps of pierogi dough, knead again, roll out and repeat steps 5-7.

Meat Filling 
Ingredients:
1/2 pound of boneless beef
3 carrots
1 parsley
1 leek
half stalk of celery
1 onion
butter or oil for frying
1 roll
parsley leaves
two eggs
salt & pepper
pierogi dough
crackling or fried onion

takes 1 1/2 hours

Instructions:
Wash 0.5 kg of beef without the bone. Put in salted water. Cook, until the meat softens.

Prepare vegetables: peel and cut into small stripes three carrots, one parsley, one leek and half stalk of celery. Throw this vegetables into stock with meat and leave gently cooking on half an hour. 

While the meat is being cooked with vegetables peel onion and cut it into cubes.

Fry onion on the frying pan with the addition of butter, until it lightly browns.

Take the meat out of stock and tear into smaller pieces.

Put one roll into the bowl and fill with stock. Wait a while, as far as the roll will become soaked. Then take it out of the bowl, drain and add to the meat. Add  fried onion and precisely mix everything.

Grind the blend of onion, meat and roll in a meat mincer.

Chop parsley and add to stuffing.

Break two raw eggs into a meat mixture.

Add salt and black pepper. Mix. Season to taste.

If your stuffing is too dry add some stock.

Now arrange this stuffing with teaspoon on pierogi dough circles and carefully glue the dough, forming pierogi.

Cook pierogi in salted water. After floating to the surface cook until they become soft. Then take out of water.

Pan-fry the cooked pierogi. Use butter or sunflower oil. Fry pierogi from both sides - from time to time turning from side to side. Fry pierogi, until become browned from both sides.

Lay pierogi on plates. To make the dish more tasty sprinkle pierogi with crackling prepared in the meantime, or use  fried onion. Many people like to eat meat filled pierogi with ketchup, mustard or other nice sauces. You can try it, but it is worthwhile knowing that such a way of eating isn't truly traditional.

If you have a taste for culinary travel, let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you plan your next vacation and all of your other 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
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Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

America's Best Idea - the national parks - is even better when it's free!

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free* dates in 2014:

January 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 15-17
Presidents Day weekend

April 19-20
opening weekend of National Park Week

August 25
National Park Service Birthday

September 27
National Public Lands Day

November 11
Veterans Day

Only 133 of our country's 401 national parks usually charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit! If you're planning a trip that includes multiple national parks, you might consider the $80 annual pass that provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other Federal lands-more than 2,000 in all. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is offered free to all active duty military members and their dependents. Information on these and other pass options is available online.

A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. A pass covers entrance and standard amenity fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

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

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
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Experience Full Service

Need to travel on business or leisure, Rawhide Travel and Tours will make it happen. We will arrange your flights, rail, hotel and car rentals. Let us assist you in planning your upcoming business trip. We're also available to help you plan that exciting vacation.

Want a small hotel or a luxury resort? Let Rawhide Travel and Tours customize the perfect spot just for you! We have many choices.  Let Us Help You Get Lost.

Call us at (602) 843-5100. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.

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Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
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In the News: Flight cancellations near 12,000

Thursday turned out to be the most brutal day yet for air travelers during a week in which more than 10,000 flights have been canceled.

More than 6,030 flights had been grounded nationwide as of 12:30 p.m. ET, according to FlightAware. That figure was likely to grow as a major winter storm continued its trek across some of the nation's busiest airports.

That same storm brought flights to a virtual standstill yesterday at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International, the world's busiest airport, and snarled airline schedules at airports across Southeast. By Thursday, the storm shifted north, taking aim at least one major hub for all five of the nation's biggest airlines.

By 12:30 p.m. ET, moderate to extreme flight disruptions were being reported at most commercial airports from Maine to Georgia.

That included the region's busiest hubs in New York, Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charlotte and Boston. At least a quarter of Thursday's schedule had been grounded at airports in those cities, with nearly two-thirds of the day's flights canceled as of 12:30 p.m. ET at Washington Dulles, Philadelphia, Washington Reagan National, Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), and Charlotte.

Snow removal crews work to clear the terminal and gate areas so planes will be able to taxi to/from the gates.

Even as far away as Florida and California, airports were counting flight delays by the dozens, in part from the ripple effect of the problems in the East. More than 60 departures had been grounded at Orlando and more than three dozen at Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. To the west, more than 50 arrivals and about 20 departures had been axed Thursday at Los Angeles. At sunny San Diego, about 24 cancellations were being reported as of 12:30 p.m. ET.

In Washington, both Reagan National and Dulles International airports had suspended all flight operations early Thursday morning.

Washington Dulles officials said it had finally reopened one runway for aircraft arrivals and departures as of 12:37 p.m. ET, though it was unclear if flights would resume immediately. Several inbound flights from Europe are already in the air, and this would appear allow for them to land at Dulles. Other international Dulles-bound fights had diverted to Pittsburgh and other cities in the region.

Elsewhere, flight schedules took a hit at just about every airport — big and small — from Georgia and the Southeast north into Maine and New England.

Most big airlines waived change fees and relaxed rebooking rules for customers ticketed to fly through stormy airports, though the precise details varied by airline.

Thursday's air travel mess comes just a day after the winter storm responsible for the chaos grounded nearly the entire flight schedule at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International.

Only about 300 of the normal 2,500 daily flights operated there, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That forced hometown Delta to ax nearly half of its nationwide flight schedule in a move that sent delays and cancellations to all corners of the nation. Atlanta's No. 2 airline — Southwest and subsidiary AirTran — canceled its entire flight schedule there Wednesday, saying it hoped to restart flights by early afternoon.

Wednesday also was a rough day in Charlotte — a major hub for US Airways — where more than 50% of the day's schedule was grounded.

Both Atlanta and Charlotte were having a mixed recovery Thursday, with more than 852 Thursday flights preemptively canceled in Atlanta and more than 1,000 in Charlotte. That represented nearly a third of the entire day's schedule at Atlanta and about 70% of Charlotte's, according to FlightAware.

That would make Thursday the most brutal day for air travel in a week that's seen more than 10,000 canceled flights since Monday.

With so many affected passengers, it could take until next week before airlines are able to clear the backlog of fliers knocked off schedule by this round of disruptions.

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!

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
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Off the Beaten Track: Dominica

The self-proclaimed “Nature Island” of the Caribbean, Dominica's tourism industry has little in common with the resort-oriented landscapes on neighboring isles. This land of boiling lakes, towering waterfalls, dense jungle and winding mountain trails is the perfect Caribbean destination for those who want to avoid the mainstream tourism scene that dominates this region. Sure, many islands have untouched interior forests and a handful of eco-tourism attractions, but on Dominica, nature is all-encompassing. Morne Trois Pitons National Park, as well as major forest preserves, provide trails that crisscross the island, making it possible to literally explore for days without once seeing the inside of a resort.

Whether you’re looking for the best diving in the Caribbean, a hiking trip through the rain forest, or simply to soak up the sun and breathe in the fresh rainforest air, Dominica welcomes you! The Nature Island has everything from extreme sports to eco tours, from spas to whale watching – plus the Morne Trois Pitons National Park – the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Caribbean. No matter what you choose to do, Dominica offers an authentic adventure amid the unforgettable magic of nature unspoiled.

If you dive to experience thrill, wonder and beauty, Dominica is for you. The underwater topography of Dominica mirrors the beautiful landscape above, with canyons and cliffs plunging to depths equal to the soaring mountain peaks above. Massive underwater boulder fields and volcanic craters accompany steep walls and pinnacles, setting the stage for some of the best diving in the Caribbean, and indeed the most breathtaking diving to be found anywhere.

Dominica is home to the Caribbean’s first long distance trail, the Waitukubuli National Trail, which passes through the Carib (Kalinago) Territory (home to indigenous peoples and the UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Morne Trois Pitons National Park that encompasses the world’s second largest Boiling Lake. The trail highlights island history, culture and community life, biological diversity, natural beauty, watersheds, and forest conservation, and continues to serve as a ‘living classroom’ for educational purposes and a form of wellness for both residents and visitors to the destination.

Dominica hosts major festivals throughout the year that provide a series of exciting activities. The year begins with the Carnival celebrations, dubbed "the Real Mas" for its originality, spontaneity and strong traditions of masquerade costumes.

When you spend the day on Dominica, you quickly realize that it's unlike any other island in the Caribbean. Whether you're up for an eco-adventure into the rainforest or taking in the vibrant culture of the city of Roseau, Dominica will make a lasting impression upon you. It's nature unspoiled. Authentic and friendly people.

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!

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Culinary Travel: Grison region of Switzerland

Quaint alpine villages and great skiing entice travelers to the Grisons. The sparsely populated region of eastern Switzerland contains the source of the Rhine and Inn rivers, 140 square miles of glaciers and dense pine forests. Join the ski action at the resorts of St. Moritz, Davos and Arosa or stake a lofty claim with a visit to Juf, which boasts the highest altitude of any inhabited village in the Alps. In summer, take a hike through the Engadine Valley in the unspoiled beauty of Swiss National Park.

"Here's a taste of Switzerland. This robust beef stew, from the mountainous Grison region, is perfect to keep out winter chills and to satisfy even the hungriest skier."

Grison Beef Stew

Prep Time: 15 Minutes  Cook Time: 2 Hours 15 Minutes  Servings: 6 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds beef brisket
1 large head cabbage
1 tablespoon margarine
8 ounces bacon, cooked and cubed
1/2 cup sliced onion
3 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 cup red wine
1 cup beef stock

Directions:
Cut out the main stem of the cabbage and discard the thick stems of the outer leaves. Wash well and boil for 5 minutes in salted water. Drain and reserve.

Heat the butter in a heavy ovenproof casserole dish and fry the bacon and onions for 2 to 3 minutes. Add bay leaves, salt, pepper and a pinch of Nutmeg.

Cut meat into thick slices and place on the bacon and onion mixture. Add wine and beef stock, bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour. Now add a layer of cabbage Leaves, cover tightly and simmer very gently for another hour.

If you have a taste for culinary travel, let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you plan your next vacation and all of your other 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 

Capitol Reef National Park Utah

Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.

The area of Capitol Reef has been a homeland to people for thousands of years. Archaic hunters and gatherers migrated through the canyons. Fremont Culture solidified around 500 CE, from food foraging groups, to farmers of corn, beans and squash. Petroglyphs etched in rock walls and painted pictographs remain as sacred remnants of the ancient Indians' saga. Explorers, Mormon pioneers and others arrived in the 1800s, settling in what is now the Fruita Rural Historic District. They planted and nurtured orchards of apples, pears, and peaches.

Visitors to Capitol Reef National park are often curious about the fruit trees that lie within a mile or two of the Visitor Center. These trees, apple, pear, peach, cherry, apricot, mulberry, even Potowatomee Plum, are the most obvious reminder of the pioneer community that once prospered in the narrow valley of the Fremont River. Other places of interest include the Fruita Schoolhouse and the Gifford Homestead.

Gifford Homestead: The Gifford farm lies in the heart of the Fruita valley, a desert oasis described by Wallace Stegner as "...a sudden, intensely green little valley among the cliffs of the Waterpocket Fold, opulent with cherries, peaches, and apples in season, inhabited by a few families who were about equally good Mormons and good frontiersmen and good farmers."¹ The 200 acre Fruita Rural Historical District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fruita Schoolhouse: Classes had been conducted for two years before the Fruita Schoolhouse was built, when Elijah Cutler Behunin donated land for a school building in 1896. He and other early Junction settlers constructed the building. Even though only eight families lived in Junction, these farmers had large families. The Behunins raised thirteen children themselves, one of which, Nettie, became the first schoolteacher at age 
twelve. She taught children in the Behunin home before the schoolhouse was built. Nettie's first class had 22 students, three of whom were her siblings.

Hiking, backpacking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and walking through the orchards are favorite activities at Capitol Reef National Park.

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

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Let Us Help You Get Lost

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: World's Largest Cruise Ship Will be Heading to Europe

In yet another sign of shifting demand in the cruise industry, the world's largest passenger ship will spend the summer of 2015 in the Mediterranean instead of the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean today announced that the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas will redeploy from its home port of Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona in May 2015 and sail from the Spanish port through October 2015.

The redeployment will mark the first time the 225,000-ton vessel has left its Florida home since its debut in 2010 and the first time a ship its size has sailed in Europe for an extended period.

Allure of the Seas and slightly older sister Oasis of the Seas are nearly 50% larger than the next largest cruise vessels at sea and have been deployed year-round in the Caribbean since their debut. Allure is billed as the bigger of the two Oasis Class ships with a length just two inches longer.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is scheduled to offer a handful of Europe cruises later this year as it briefly deploys to the region to undergo routine maintenance. But Allure's 2015 deployment will be the first time an Oasis Class ship has spent an entire season in the region.

Allure will operate seven-night cruises from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseilles, France; and La Spezia, Civitavecchia (near Rome) and Naples, Italy. Passengers can join the ship either in Barcelona or Civitavecchia.

Members of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program will have first shot at booking one of Allure's Europe sailings starting on Feb. 12. General bookings open on Feb. 18.

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