World Travel - Fairytale Destinations

If you wish to escape the stresses of life, the bustle of the work week and the noise of traffic, these fanciful destinations will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a magical world. From an enchanting Alpine palace in Germany to an English landscape so beautiful it inspired Beatrix Potter and JRR Tolkien – these dreamy destinations are so magical, it’s hard to believe they’re real.

Holland's Tulip Fields 

The flowers were imported into Holland in the 16th Century and peaked in popularity in the 17th Century, during the Dutch Golden Age. More than three billion tulips are grown in Holland each year, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. It’s a modern pastime to circle the flower farms on foot, bike or via caravan, and the tulips have a rich, storied history. They grew so coveted in the past, that they created the world’s first economic bubble. The most popular fields are located in western Holland between the cities of Leiden and Den Helder. Others are situated near the city of Enkhuizen and in the nearby province of Flevoland. Tulip season spans from March until August, giving travelers plenty of time to view the vibrant display.

Lake District - England

This place is said to be JRR Tolkien's inspiration for the Shire as well as Beatrix Potter's inspiration for Peter Rabbit. Famous poets including William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey were also inspired by these rolling hills and glittering lakes. The perfect setting for a fairy tale setting. Each year, 16 million visitors come to the 885 square mile Cumbrian National Park for its lake cruises, mountain hikes and awe-inspiring sightseeing. It can seem like stepping into a storybook realm of undulating fells, whitewashed cottages and stonewalled fields where ponies roam.

Preikestolen - Norway
Also known as Preacher’s Pulpit or Pulpit Rock because it resembles a lectern, Preikestolen is a rocky 75 by 75 foot rocky plateau that towers 1,800 feet above the crystal-clear waters below. The steep cliff was formed during the Ice Age about 10,000 years ago, when the edges of a glacier bumped up against the surrounding mountains. Water from the glacier penetrated the crevices of the mountain and froze, eventually breaking off colossal portions. Left behind was the dramatic precipice of Preikestolen. Cracks in the plateau will eventually expand and fragment Pulpit Rock into a pile of rubble. Have no fear, according to geological investigations this will not happen in the foreseeable future.

Neuschwanstein Castle - Bavaria 

This magical palace has everything a fairy tale castle should: a romantic setting, a glowing limestone facade, fanciful turrets and an elaborate interior featuring shining suits of armor. In reality, the castle was originally commissioned as a personal retreat in 1869 by King Ludwig II, the reclusive ruler of Bavaria. Immediately after his death in 1886, it was opened to the public and today more than 1.3 million tourists visit each year. This enchanting Romanesque Revival fortress that rises majestically from the Alpine foothills of southwest Bavaria, is rumored to be the inspiration behind Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland and Cinderella’s Castle in Disneyworld.

Krzywy Domek - Poland
Poland’s fantastically topsy-turvy Krzywy Domek, or Crooked House has an undulating roofline and warped windows and doors. This 43,055 square foot building was inspired by the fairy tale illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancer and the work of artist Per Dahlberg. The vertigo-inducing building in the seaside resort town of Sopot houses a shopping center, restaurants and a radio station, and draws thousands of tourists each year to see the modern architectural marvel for themselves. 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel 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

Don't Think Black Friday - Think Beautiful Friday

The one rule on a cruise vacation is very simple: Anything is possible. From an endless array of dream-come-true destinations to the unforgettable adventure of the most innovative ships at sea, you're going to love every minute. We promise.

The world is waiting. Experience the vacation of a lifetime, only on Royal Caribbean International®.

Adventure Awaits 

Sail with Rawhide Travel and Tours and explore 240 incredible destinations in 72 countries.

Caribbean
Where Everyone Feels Like A Kid. Even The Kids: Welcome to the world's ultimate outdoor playground. Gorgeous coral reefs, swimming with dolphins and our private islands are only the beginning. Bring your sense for adventure and get ready to have fun. 

Bermuda
You'll Be Locals By The End Of Your Journey: Get up close and personal with the pink-sand beaches and pastel-painted houses of this enchanting island. Just 600 nautical miles off the coast, its charming culture and colorful cuisine make for the perfect getaway cruise.

Alaska
A Family Outing Of Glacial Proportions: Stunning wildlife. Awe-inspiring glaciers. Budding metropolises. Nothing compares to an expedition through the Northwest. It's easy to see why so many flock to this region every year.

Europe
The Destination That Takes Your Family Places: Unpack once and experience all the richness and beauty of Europe. From cites where the history books come to life before your eyes to the breathtaking fjords of the North, there's something for everyone.


Your Adventure Starts Here
Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel 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

Hoping Your Thanksgiving Travels Were What You Expected

Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and at other times. The Thanksgiving holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.

In the English tradition, days of thanksgiving and special thanksgiving religious services became important during the English Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII and in reaction to the large number of religious holidays on the Catholic calendar. Before 1536 there were 95 Church holidays, plus 52 Sundays, when people were required to attend church and forego work and sometimes pay for expensive celebrations. The 1536 reforms reduced the number of Church holidays to 27, but some Puritans wished to completely eliminate all Church holidays, including Christmas and Easter. The holidays were to be replaced by specially called Days of Fasting or Days of Thanksgiving, in response to events that the Puritans viewed as acts of special providence. Unexpected disasters or threats of judgement from on high called for Days of Fasting. Special blessings, viewed as coming from God, called for Days of Thanksgiving. For example, Days of Fasting were called on account of drought in 1611, floods in 1613, and plagues in 1604 and 1622. Days of Thanksgiving were called following the victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 and following the deliverance of Queen Anne in 1705. 

Here in the US, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is commonly, but not universally, traced to a sparsely documented 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest. Pilgrims and Puritans who began emigrating from England in the 1620s and 1630s carried the tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to New England. Several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England history that have been identified as the "First Thanksgiving", including Pilgrim holidays in Plymouth in 1621 and 1623, and a Puritan holiday in Boston in 1631. According to historian Jeremy Bangs, director of the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, the Pilgrims may have been influenced by watching the annual services of Thanksgiving for the relief of the siege of Leiden in 1574, while they were staying in Leiden. Now called Oktober Feesten, Leiden's autumn thanksgiving celebration in 1617 was the occasion for sectarian disturbance that appears to have accelerated the pilgrims’ plans to emigrate to America. In later years, religious thanksgiving services were declared by civil leaders such as Governor Bradford, who planned the colony's thanksgiving celebration and fast in 1623. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.

Thanksgiving proclamations were made mostly by church leaders in New England up until 1682, and then by both state and church leaders until after the American Revolution. During the revolutionary period, political influences affected the issuance of Thanksgiving proclamations. Various proclamations were made by royal governors, John Hancock, General George Washington, and the Continental Congress, each giving thanks to God for events favorable to their causes. As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God".

In modern times the President of the United States, in addition to issuing a proclamation, will "pardon" a turkey, which spares the bird's life and ensures that it will spend the duration of its life roaming freely on farmland.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel 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

Off The Beaten Path - U.S. Midwest

We're always looking for new and off-the-beaten-path destinations and since it’s Thanksgiving week, look no further than your own backyard. These Midwestern finds feature great small towns, adventures and more.

Drives
These few suggestions can also be classified as adventures, but just sit back and enjoy the journey with no particular destination in mind.

Smoky Valley, Kansas A 60-mile scenic route winds through gentle, morning mist-veiled central Kansas hills.

Historic Hills, Iowa Follow the Des Moines River through sleepy onetime riverboat stops known as the Villages of Van Buren in southeast Iowa.

Land of the Cross-tipped Churches, Ohio See grand churches built by German and 
other settlers along a 38-mile western Ohio route. 

Outdoors

There is nothing to compare to the great outdoors.

Matthiessen State Park, Utica, Illinois Next to the ravines and waterfalls of Starved Rock State Park, the smaller Matthiessen has some of the same terrain but is less crowded.

Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area, Indiana Trails run through deep woods in Hoosier National Forest, 70 miles south of Indianapolis. 

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, Manistee, Michigan In this area, you could very easily have a Lake Michigan beach to yourself.

Adventures
Valentine, Nebraska You'll hear Smith Falls before you get a clear view through the foliage. If it's a summer day, you also might hear yelps as other adventurers step into the icy, 70-foot, spring-fed shower, a ritual of canoeing down north-central Nebraska's Niobrara River.

Overlooking the waterway nearly 300 miles northwest of Omaha, this ranch town (population: 3,000) serves as the base for any number of outdoor activities and spectacular landscape--the unspoiled river, its forested valley and the surrounding pine-studded Sandhills.

A cruise on the reliably floatable Niobrara, a National Scenic River, is the centerpiece of most treks here. But lots of outdoorsy types come for fishing, cycling and camping, too. Hikers with binoculars stroll the trails of Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for some 260 bird species. 

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Missouri South of St. Louis, the state's highest point has a network of hiking trails leading to scenery as dramatic as the better-known southwestern Missouri Ozarks. 

Gypsum Hills, Kansas Mountain biking along a scenic byway reveals beautiful red-rock buttes and canyons in the southwest part of the state. 

Small Towns
Arrow Rock and Blackwater, Missouri 
Two-lane highways wind through woods and past farms and you might feel as though you've traveled back in time. Spend some time in Arrow Rock and Blackwater and you'll find a great blend of past and present. The dining room in the restored Iron Horse Hotel, serves some skillful dishes and the historic schoolhouse holds a gift shop. A Gothic Revival church has become the Lyceum Theater, staging Broadway-style productions.

Come enjoy a way of life that's disappeared everywhere else. 

Paxico, Kansas No one really knows how this remnant of pioneer days survived 30 miles west of Topeka, just north of I-70. However, there are some buildings from the 1800s that now hold antiques and specialty shops. 

US-12 towns, Michigan Three Oaks, Coldwater, Jonesville and other pretty, historic towns with shops, inns and even a drive-in theater dot the original Chicago-Detroit road. 

Brownville, Nebraska  located 75 miles south of Omaha on the Missouri River, this village boasts an old-time paddle wheeler that you can cruise the Missouri River. It also has art galleries and a theater. 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel 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

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes With Bacon

Thanksgiving Is this Thursday, we all know about the main dishes, but what about the sides? here is an easy one and it is quick too. Pop this sweet potato mixture into your slow cooker on Thanksgiving morning. It will be ready to serve as soon as everyone sits down to dinner. This sweet-and-salty side could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning. Best part? It's made in the slow cooker, so you're saving valuable stovetop space. Enjoy!

Ingredients

4 pounds slender sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
4 tablespoons butter, melted 
3 tablespoons light brown sugar 
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons cornstarch 
1 tablespoon cold water 
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon orange zest 
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cooked bacon slices, crumbled 

Directions

Place sweet potatoes in a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker. Stir together orange juice concentrate and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over sweet potatoes, tossing to coat.

Cover and cook on low for 5 1/2 to 6 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Transfer potatoes to a serving dish, using a slotted spoon. Increase slow cooker to HIGH. Whisk together cornstarch and 1 Tablespoon cold water until smooth. Whisk cornstarch mixture into cooking liquid in slow cooker. Cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. Spoon sauce over potatoes.

Stir together parsley, orange zest, and garlic. Sprinkle potatoes with parsley mixture and crumbled bacon.

Makes: 8 servings
Total time: 6 Hours

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving! 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel 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

Holiday Travel Tips - Surviving The Holiday Airport

Thanksgiving is upon us and statistically it is the busiest travel time of the year. So many people clamoring to make it home to family and back again on Sunday. The day before Thanksgiving is a busy day indeed for airlines, and with the holiday travel season here, we wanted to provide some invaluable tips for making airline travel less stressful.

If you’ve got a flight this week and specifically Wednesday, you’re joining a bit less than 3.6 million people taking to the skies. A bit more than 3.6 million will fly Sunday. All told, airlines expect to fly more people this Thanksgiving season than they did during the same period last year. But if that number scares you, be happy you're not driving. Approximately 42 million people will be driving.

To make matters worse winter storms often cause delays, canceled flights and bad tempers.

According to travel experts, the best day to travel for Thanksgiving is actually the day of. If you can’t get a jump start on your vacation, consider leaving the morning of Thanksgiving, when most have already reached their final destination and most airlines offer reduced fare options.

All airlines suggest customers arrive hours before their scheduled boarding time during regular travel periods in order to allow an adequate amount of time to get through security. While the normal time frame, a minimum of two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, will usually ensure you don’t miss your flight, it is recommended adding extra time to allow for the expanded number of passengers traveling around the Thanksgiving holiday.

Not only will carrying on your luggage save you time at the airport, it will also ensure that you have the essentials handy in the case of an emergency. During the holiday season (especially during a winter storm watch) it isn’t uncommon for flights to be canceled or heavily delayed. Having your basics such as a change of clothes, medications and toiletries handy (remember: only liquids and gels in 3.4-ounce containers or smaller allowed), will make airport delays all the more bearable.

Speaking of weather-related delays, checking and double-checking your airline reservations will only ensure a more stress-free holiday travel experience. Checking in online 24 hours before your flight, and reconfirming your seat reservation, is a smart plan of actions if you’re planning to get out of town for Thanksgiving Day.

Not only will preparing for the security screening process, such as remembering to place liquids in plastic baggies, taking off your shoes and jackets, and placing metal and other objects in bins help, but utilizing the TSA’s pre screening process can also add less time to your travel time. Passengers 12 years of age and under and 75 and older, known travelers or active duty service members are allowed to apply for the TSA Pre check process to potentially avoid the pat-down process.

All of us hope you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel 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

Are You Thinking Holiday Cruise?

Are you stuck looking for that perfect Holiday Gift.  Give that special someone something they will treasure for all time. A wonderful Royal Caribbean® Holiday Cruise.

Having the best time at the best time of the year is at the top of everyone’s holiday wish list.
And that’s just what you get when you book a Royal Caribbean® holiday cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean. We take care of everything and all you have to do is relax and cherish the holiday memories with your family. Start a new holiday tradition this year. Only on Royal Caribbean.

HANNUKAH & CHRISTMAS SAILINGS

Allure of the Seas®
7-NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN
December 6, 2015
FROM $1,149* USD PER PERSON
Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $110.67 per person are additional.

Anthem of the Seas®
8-NIGHT BAHAMAS HOLIDAY
December 19, 2015
FROM $1,499* USD PER PERSON
Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $148.04 per person are additional.

Adventure of the Seas®
7-NIGHT SOUTH CARIBBEAN
CHRISTMAS CRUISE
December 19, 2015
FROM $1,065* USD PER PERSON
Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $63.46 per person are additional.

Liberty of the Seas®
7-NIGHT WESTERN
CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY
December 20, 2015
FROM $1,142* USD PER PERSON
Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $83.62 per person.

NEW YEAR’S SAILINGS

Freedom of the Seas®
7-NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN
December 27, 2015
FROM $1,824* USD PER PERSON
Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $108.22 per person are additional.

Anthem of the Seas®
8-NIGHT BAHAMAS HOLIDAY
December 27, 2015
FROM $2,044* USD PER PERSON
Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $148.04 per person are additional.

Allure of the Seas®
8-NIGHT BAHAMAS HOLIDAY
December 27, 2015
FROM $2,789* USD PER PERSON
Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $117.12 per person are additional.

*Prices are per person, cruise only, double occupancy and in US Dollars. All itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. ©2015 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel 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 

Help Arizona Family and Pet Rescue

This very timely Holiday story is brought to you courtesy of Rawhide Travel and Tours.

It is about that time of year again. We gather with friends and family, thankful for all the blessings and good fortune in our lives, we gather to feast and watch parades and football games. Some of us even take the time out of our busy holiday schedules to remember those less fortunate and drop non-perishable food items off at our local food kitchens. Unfortunately being hungry and homeless tends to be more of an annual predicament, not just a seasonal one.

For many who see the homeless, labels spring to mind, drug users, alcoholics, and mentally ill. Rarely do you stop to think Veteran or lost job. In a society where many families have to survive paycheck to paycheck, the loss of a job or a sudden illness can mean the loss of their home and life on the streets. And do we ever stop to consider, what happens to the fur kids when the humans lose their homes. The four legged family members are a staple of American life, but shelters don't take animals in along with their families. Many people choose to remain on the streets or live in their cars to keep all of their family intact, including the furry ones. Anyone who has lost an animal or had to surrender one due to unforeseeable circumstances knows the depression and pain that comes with it. The loss of a pet can ultimately be detrimental to the recovery of a family. That is where Kyle Lugenbeal comes in.

With shelters closing and laws forbidding people to feed the homeless, Kyle Lugenbeal is all too familiar with the reality that faces many of our people stranded on the streets. In an answer, he has started a resource known as AZ family and Pet Rescue. The resource not only attempts to find shelter for families and individuals who need assistance, but also seeks to partner theses families with foster families for their dogs and cats. These volunteer foster families allow those struggling to concentrate on getting their feet under them and back into a stable situation.

AZ Family and Pet Rescue is only a few months old, but despite the infancy of this resource it is already being bombarded with requests from those who need assistance.

Music Venues

In September a music venue was organized to assist AZ Family and Pet Rescue. 100% of the donations went to homeless families and their pets.  Specifically, two families were placed in hotels as well as 3 pets were able to be fostered, due to the generosity of the people who attended the concert. Like AZ Family and Pet Rescue on Facebook to keep up to date with any future music venues.  http://www.facebook.com/AZFamilyRescue

Help Needed

Mr. Lugenbeal cannot do this on his own. It is only through continued community support that these families and their pets can attain a stable and safe living environment. Unfortunately due to current laws prohibiting the feeding of homeless individuals, AZ Family and Pet rescue cannot accept human food donations. However, foster families are sorely needed. If your household is able to provide a temporary, safe and loving environment for a pet in need, please contact AZ Family and Pet Rescue via their Facebook page. Money donations are always accepted, but items such as socks, bottled water and pet food can go a long way in helping those who are without shelter. 

As Mr. Lugenbeal says "These people need a hand up, not a hand out."

If you need helpf with your travel give us a call and we will help you enjoy travel to remember. 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 Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Off The Beaten Path - France

Let me start by saying these places do receive visitors. In fact, some of them are quite popular with French and/or European tourists. But American tourists? Not so much. I'm not quite sure what kind of force field is keeping people in Paris and its immediate neighbors for two whole weeks, but there is so much more to explore. 

I know what you're thinking, France is the most visited country on the planet – what’s there that’s left to discover? Throw a dart at a map, honestly, you can’t go wrong. You have no idea how jam-packed France is with the most unbelievable things to see and do and everyone is missing it! 

Clermont-Ferrand 
The Teoz train gets you here in about 3.5 hours. See the volcanoes and the panoramic views. The hiking here is also superb. And don't forget the Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral, which may quite possibly be the most imposing black granite church ever.  

Sète 
Here you can experience water jousting, an unusual junk museum and best of all, fresh oysters. Leave Paris first thing in the morning, and be sitting on the canal with a coquillages plate in front of you by lunch. 

Ushant / Ouessant 
It doesn’t get any more off the beaten path than the western-most point of France, off the coast of Brittany. In fact, it’s not even on the mainland – it’s an island. And seeing as how you have to go through all of Brittany to get there, there are about a hundred more non-touristy places to visit nearby. 

Aigues-Mortes 
A fortified city that’s more fun to visit than Carcassonne. Unlike the fortified part of Carcassonne, it doesn't have the museum feel to it. It’s also on the salt flats, which means you can stock up on a whole lot of sea salt. 

Conques 
Conques is an ideal side trip, because it’s completely different from Paris. First of all, there are no cars allowed in the town. And second, whatever tourists may come through leave by afternoon, so you’ve got the place to yourself. It’s about halfway between Clermont-Ferrand and Montpellier, so if you’re taking a trip down south it’s the perfect pit stop. 

Châlons-en-Champagne 

A beautiful town surrounded by vineyards and it’s an hour and a half on the train from Paris, so you have absolutely no excuse. If you are unfamiliar with this town's name, you may know this by its former name, Châlons-sur-Marne. 

It has been mentioned by Eddie Izzard in one of his bits years ago, and it appears in Snoopy’s Red Baron story in It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. 

The East Coast of Corsica 
Seeing as how the east coast is closer to Italy, you’d think it’d be more visited, with many ports for ferries. This area has a multitude of breathtaking villages tucked into valleys. But the most popular places to visit on Corsica are anywhere but; the main cities are at the north and south and along the west coast, and hikers love the interior mountains. Nobody goes to the east coast. This is a travesty you need to fix! 

Need more information? Give us a call and we will help you enjoy travel to remember. 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 Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Culinary Travel: Madeleines – France

That little French butter cake that most (non-French) people think of more as a cookie. These are perfect by themselves or with a nice cup of tea. This is an easy recipe, but you will however need 2 Madeleine pans.

Ingredients

1 stick, plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 
2/3 cup white sugar
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon, all purpose flour, divided
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

Melt the butter. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. If you feel you can get it slightly toasty brown, go right ahead and do so by leaving it to bubble in the pan until it smells toasty and starts to color. Just remember that the butter will turn very quickly from toasty to burnt and that it will continue to color after it is off the heat unless you pour it into a new container. Spoon 3 tablespoons of butter into a small bowl or cup and set aside. Let the rest of the butter cool slightly.

Prepare the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients in separate bowls. In a medium bowl, whisk together one cup of the flour and the sugar, and set aside. In another medium bowl, whisk the two eggs with the vanilla, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the eggs are frothy.

Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Add the eggs to the flour. Using a spatula, stir until just combined. Add the 4 ounces of melted butter and continue to stir. It may take a minute for the butter to blend into the mixture but do not over mix.

Rest the batter. Cover the bowl with a plate (or plastic wrap) and place in the refrigerator to rest at least one hour and up to overnight.

Prepare the pans. Add the remaining one tablespoon of flour to the 3 tablespoons reserved butter and stir to combine. Using a pastry brush, brush the interiors of the shells with the butter-flour mixture so that they are well coated. Place the pans in the freezer for at least an hour.

Preheat the oven and fill pans. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit Remove the batter from the refrigerator and one pan from the freezer. Fill each well in the Madeleine pan with 1 tablespoon of the batter. Remove the other pan and fill in the same way.

Bake the madeleines. Place both pans on a baking sheet for easy handling and place in the oven. Check after 8 minutes and rotate plans. Check again 5 minutes later. The madeleines should be browning around the edges and puffed up a little in the middle. Using your forefinger, press lightly on the center hump -- when the madeleines are finished baking, it should spring back at your touch.

Cool and dust with sugar. Remove the madeleines from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Using a fork, gently loosen the madeleines from their molds and then tip the whole pan out onto a cooling wrack or tea towel. Once cool, dust lightly with powdered sugar and serve. If you are freezing or storing the madeleines, do not dust with the sugar until you are about to serve.

To store. Store cooled madeleines in an airtight container for a few days or freeze them in a double wrapping of plastic wrap for several months. Let the cakes defrost before dusting with sugar.

Should Make 24 Madeleines

For your up-to-date travel information give us a call and we will help you have a holiday to remember. 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

Paris - Tragedy and Travel

Friday night the western world watched in horror as one of the world's greatest cities was turned from the city of light to one of chaos and death. This was not just an attack against the French, but an attack on all the free people of the world and the aftermath of this tragedy will have global consequences.

Tourism is obviously affected by terrorist attacks, travelers become wary when they are unsure of the security of the area they are traveling to. What you may not have seen after the events that unfolded Friday night, is the wonderful response from the Parisian community. The community came out en masse to not only show their support for their fallen loved ones, but to tell the world that they were not afraid. We as a global community must show our solidarity with our French allies and continue to live and travel unaffected by these monstrous attacks.

Secure Travel

It is important to note that whether it is a terrorist attack, a natural catastrophe or even an illness, travel insurance is a sound investment for anyone traveling local or abroad. Terrorist attacks cause heightened awareness and tighter security. Despite Fridays events, Paris is still a safe place to visit. The people are as always warm and welcoming and the city a wonderful adventure to experience. It is important for our people as a whole that we do not let fear dictate how we choose to live our lives. We are a free people and will remain so only by living our lives as we have prior to these atrocities.

The Beauty Found In A Tragedy

Finding Beauty in Tragedy may seem to be a strange thought, but I can assure you it is there. Beyond the blood spilled, beyond the tears and fear, There were beautiful people doing beautiful deeds. Strangers opened their doors to those who needed shelter, people ignored their own safety to assist the injured or comfort the dying, and even the President of France stepped out to be among his people. The world over created different works of art to express a wide variety of emotions and thoughts about what France was facing. Famous landmarks lit up in red, white and blue to show support for France. It might seem odd to say this, but visiting Paris at this time maybe one of the most inspiring experiences you may ever have. There is nothing more powerful than a community rallied together.

As with the world our thoughts and hearts remain with Paris, with all of France, and to all those who were affected by this Friday's events. Thank you and as always Happy Travels.

Need more information? Give us a call and we will help you enjoy travel to remember. 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 Road # F105

Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793

(602) 843-5100

rawhidetravel.com

Where Do You Call To Plan Your Holiday Travel

Rawhide Travel and Tours with combined total of “75 years of travel experience" provides amazing deals for your business travel or once in a lifetime 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 special holiday vacations worldwide.

Plan your next great vacation using our experience... 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 Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

In the News - Erfurt

The state capital of Thuringia, Germany can trace its existence back more than 1270 years of history and has a rough population of 200,000 inhabitants. Visit Erfurt and discover one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in the country. This City has attractive patrician town houses and lovingly reconstructed half-timbered buildings.

Some of Erfurt's most famous landmarks are St Mary's Cathedral, Church of St Severus, as well as the Merchants' Bridge (Krämerbrücke). The bridge is 131 yards long and with 32 houses along its course, it is the longest inhabited bridge in Europe. Above Cathedral Square on Petersberg Hill towers the only extensively preserved Baroque city fortress in the whole of Central Europe, which can be visited on a guided tour.

As the center of Thuringia's economic, intellectual, cultural and political life, the city has always attracted great personalities, such as Luther, Goethe, Schiller, Bach and Liszt. Buildings in Erfurt still commemorate them today, like the Augustinian Monastery and the Imperial Hall

Erfurt is a member of the Working Group for "Barrier-Free Travel Destinations in Germany", an association of cities and tourist regions dedicated to barrier-free tourism in Germany. If you are like me and just hearing about "barrier-free tourism", it is a program specifically designed for travelers with disabilities or limited mobility (this also includes families traveling with small children). The city offers a wide range of barrier-free programs which have been tested extensively for their suitability for guests with limited mobility or disabilities.

You can enjoy your stay in Erfurt in first-class hotels, country-style holiday flats or pensions. Enjoy your adventures in Erfurt! 

Need more information? Give us a call and we will help you have a holiday to remember.
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

Off The Beaten Path - Budapest, Hungary

Explore Budapest off the beaten path and experience the true culture of the city by doing some of your own discovering outside of the traditional tourist routes. From the suggestions of locals, we've got the down low on hidden gems when it comes to the best cultural experience in Budapest – info you won't find in a typical guidebook.

District 8

District 8 was a neighborhood that tourists were advised to stay away from for many years. Today it is an up-and-coming neighborhood in Budapest. Neglected throughout the communist era, densely populated parts of District 8, with a high proportion of Roma families, became some of the poorest areas in Budapest. Poverty brought along high crime rates and District 8's bad reputation. Bullet holes from World War II and the revolution in 1956 are still visible on buildings yet to be renovated. However, District 8 is a district of diversity, art, music and architecture, full of hidden gems. The core of District 8 is the Palace Neighborhood, where aristocratic families of the Austro-Hungarian Empire built more than 30 palaces and mansions between 1867 and World War I.  Most of these grandiose palaces have been restored to their former glory and today they are home to institutions, universities, libraries and hotels. The best way to discover District 8 is to take a walking tour starting at the National Museum and exploring the surrounding areas, as most of the buildings located here are former palaces. Good examples are the Hungarian Radio (the former Eszterházy Palace, at Pollack Mihály tér 4), the Italian Cultural Institute (the former parliament building, at Bródy Sándor utca 8), the German-Language University (the former Festetics palace, at Pollack Mihály tér 3) and the Hotel Palazzo Zichy (the former residence of an aristocrat, at Lőrinc Pap tér 2).

One of the district's most charming squares is Mikszáth tér, with some outdoor restaurants and cafés ideal for lunch, dinner or laid-back cocktails.

Batthyány Square
Named after Lajos Batthyány, the first Prime Minister of Hungary, Batthyány Square (Batthyány tér) offers some of the best views of Budapest's Parliament building. This small square, located in the heart of Watertown (Víziváros), the area between Castle Hill and the Danube, is a busy transit hub on weekdays.

The square's most beautiful building is the Church of St. Anna, built between 1740 and 1762. The church is also one of Budapest's finest Baroque style buildings. Also keep your eye out for the 'White Cross Inn' (Batthyány tér 4), which was built in 1766 when two older buildings were rebuilt in Rococo style. Habsburg king Joseph II stayed here twice when visiting in 1783 and 1784.

Memories of Hungary
If you love shopping for souvenirs, this is the place. Memories of Hungary is a gift shop that is not your run-of-the-mill souvenir shop. This place isn't filled with a collection of mass-produced key chains and t-shirts. The arts and crafts carried by Memories of Hungary are all handmade by a select group of contemporary artists. They are traditional yet modern, unique and creative. Folk art from the different regions in Hungary, embroidery, ceramics, textiles and porcelain comes in both traditional and modern forms. Matyodesign, Local Wear and Folk Fashion, known for combining old folk traditions with contemporary fashion, are also sold here, as are vintage wines, pálinka brandies, hand-made chocolates and original Hungarian inventions, like the Rubik's Cube. 

There is so much more to explore in Budapest, just ask the locals. 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