How Do They Celebrate New Year's Eve In Australia

How do they celebrate New Year's Eve in Australia? Huge crowds gather for New Year's Eve celebrations as famed Sydney Harbor Bridge is set to explode in color.  Early arrivals claim prime positions to watch fireworks in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Thousands of revellers gathered at first light along Sydney's harbor foreshore in advance of the city's New Year's Eve fireworks, while countries across the Asia Pacific region are planning some very different celebrations for the start of 2017.

The most sought-after vistas from peninsulas around Sydney's iconic Opera House are now ticketed, and hundreds slept out in queues overnight to get the best spots when gates opened on Saturday morning.

In other areas around the harbor, people started setting up tents on Friday, before dawn.

In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve (also known as Old Year's Day or Saint Sylvester's Day in many countries), the last day of the year, is on December 31 which is the seventh day of the Christmas season. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, drink alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the new year. Some people attend a watch night service. The celebrations generally go on past midnight into January 1st (New Year's Day).

Samoa, Tonga and Kiritimati (Christmas Island), part of Kiribati, are the first places to welcome the New Year while American Samoa and Baker Island in the United States of America are among the last.

In the United States, New Year's Eve is celebrated with formal parties, family-oriented activities, and other large public events.

One of the most prominent celebrations in the country is the "ball drop" held in New York City's Times Square. Inspired by the time balls that were formally used as a time signal, at 11:59 p.m. ET, an 11,875-pound 12-foot diameter Waterford crystal ball located on the roof of One Times Square is lowered down a pole that is 70 feet high, reaching the roof of the building 60 seconds later to signal the start of the New Year. The Ball Drop has been held since 1907, and in recent years has averaged around a million spectators annually. The popularity of the spectacle also inspired similar "drop" events outside of New York City, which often use objects that represent a region's culture, geography, or history—such as Atlanta's "Peach Drop", representing Georgia's identity as the "Peach State". Alongside the festivities in Times Square, New York's Central Park hosts a "Midnight Run" event organized by the New York Road Runners, which culminates in a fireworks show and a race around the park that begins at midnight.

Radio and television broadcasts from festivities in New York helped to ingrain aspects of them in American pop culture; beginning on the radio in 1928, and on CBS television from 1956 to 1976 with ball drop coverage, Guy Lombardo and his band, The Royal Canadians, presented an annual New Year's Eve broadcast from the ballroom of New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The broadcasts were best known for the Royal Canadians' signature performance of "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight, which made the standard synonymous with New Year's in the United States. Following Lombardo's death in 1977, ABC's competing program New Year's Rockin' Eve succeeded the Royal Canadians as the dominant New Year's Eve special on television. Its creator and host Dick Clark intended the program to be a modern and youthful alternative to Lombardo's big band music. Including ABC's special coverage of the year 2000, Clark would host New Year's Eve coverage on ABC for 33 straight years. After suffering a stroke, Clark ceded hosting duties in 2005 to talk show host Regis Philbin, and retired as full-time host in 2006 in favor of Ryan Seacrest due to a speech impediment caused by the stroke. Clark continued to make appearances from a studio on the program annually until his death in 2012.

Notable celebrations occur in other cities as well. On the Las Vegas Strip, the streets are closed to vehicle traffic on the evening of New Year's Eve, and a large fireworks show is held at midnight which spans across multiple resort buildings. Major theme parks may also hold New Year's celebrations; Disney theme parks, such as Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California, are traditionally the busiest during the days up to and including New Year's Eve. Los Angeles, a city long without a major public New Year celebration, held an inaugural gathering in Downtown's newly completed Grand Park to celebrate the beginning of 2014. The event included food trucks, art installations, and light shows, culminating with a projection mapping show on the side of Los Angeles City Hall near midnight. The inaugural event drew over 25,000 spectators and participants. In 2015, Chicago held Chi-Town Rising, the city's first ever outdoor New Year's Eve festival on the Magnificent Mile. The event was hosted by Mario Lopez with musical guests American Authors and Chicago. Nearly 100,000 people attended the inaugural event.

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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 Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 
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The Famous New Year's Times Square Ball

The Times Square Ball is a time ball located in New York City's Times Square. Located on the roof of One Times Square, the ball is a prominent part of a New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square commonly referred to as the ball drop, where the ball descends 141 feet in 60 seconds down a specially designed flagpole, beginning at 11:59:00 p.m. Eastern Time and resting at midnight to signal the start of the new year. In recent years, the festivities have been preceded by live entertainment, including performances by musicians.

The event was first organized by Adolph Ochs, owner of The New York Times newspaper, as a successor to a series of New Year's Eve fireworks displays he held at the building to promote its status as the new headquarters of the Times, while the ball itself was designed by Artkraft Strauss. First held on December 31, 1907, to welcome 1908, the ball drop has been held annually since, except in 1942 and 1943 in observance of wartime blackouts.

The ball's design has also been updated over the years to reflect improvements in lighting technology; the original design was made from wood and iron and lit with 100 incandescent light bulbs, while its current incarnation features a computerized LED lighting system and an outer surface consisting of triangle-shaped crystal panels. Since 2009, the current ball has been displayed atop the building year-round, while the original, smaller version of the current ball that was used in 2008 is on display at Times Square's visitor center.

The event is organized by the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, a company led by Jeff Strauss, and is among the most notable New Year's celebrations internationally: it is attended by at least 2 million spectators yearly, and is nationally televised as part of New Year's Eve specials broadcast by a number of networks and cable channels. The prevalence of the Times Square ball drop has inspired similar "drops" at other local New Year's Eve events across the country; while some use balls, some instead drop objects that represent local culture or history.

Festivities

Erik Drost - https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrost88/6279767064/,
CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37798411

Festivities formally begin in the early evening with the raising of the ball at around 6:00 p.m. Party favors are also distributed to attendees, which have historically included large balloons, hats, and other items branded with the event's corporate sponsors. The hours before the drop are preceded by hourly countdowns for the arrival of the new year in other countries, along with live music performances by popular musicians. Some of these performances are organized by, and aired on New Year's Eve television specials which are broadcast from Times Square.

The drop itself occurs at 11:59 p.m.—the last minute of the year, and is ceremonially "activated" by a dignitary or celebrity joined on-stage by the current Mayor of New York City. The conclusion of the drop is followed by fireworks shot from the roof of One Times Square, along with the playing of "Auld Lang Syne" by Guy Lombardo, "Theme from New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra, "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, and "Over the Rainbow".


Since the 1996 New Year's Eve celebration, the current Mayor of New York City has been joined by a special guest, selected yearly to recognize their community involvement or significance, in ceremonially "activating" the ball drop by pressing a button, resembling a smaller version of the ball itself, at exactly one minute to midnight. The button itself does not actually trigger the drop; that is done from a control room, synchronized using a government time signal.

Plan to be there in person next year!

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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 
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What Are Your New Year's Traditions?

One thing travel teaches us is about the traditions of other counties. Tour these for now.

Auld Lang Syne

The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year's eve, "Auld Lang Syne" is an old Scottish song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. Burns transcribed it (and made some refinements to the lyrics) after he heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland, Burns's homeland.

It is often remarked that "Auld Lang Syne" is one of the most popular songs that nobody knows the lyrics to. "Auld Lang Syne" literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by." The song asks whether old friends and times will be forgotten and promises to remember people of the past with fondness, "For auld lang syne, we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet."

The lesser known verses continue this theme, lamenting how friends who once used to "run about the braes,/ And pou'd the gowans fine" (run about the hills and pulled up the daisies) and "paidl'd in the burn/Frae morning sun till dine" (paddled in the stream from morning to dusk) have become divided by time and distance—"seas between us braid hae roar'd" (broad seas have roared between us). Yet there is always time for old friends to get together—if not in person then in memory—and "tak a right guid-willie waught" (a good-will drink).

But it was bandleader Guy Lombardo, and not Robert Burns, who popularized the song and turned it into a New Year's tradition. Lombardo first heard "Auld Lang Syne" in his hometown of London, Ontario, where it was sung by Scottish immigrants. When he and his brothers formed the famous dance band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, the song became one of their standards. Lombardo played the song at midnight at a New Year's eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City in 1929, and a tradition was born. After that, Lombardo's version of the song was played every New Year's eve from the 1930s until 1976 at the Waldorf Astoria. In the first years it was broadcast on radio, and then on television. The song became such a New Year's tradition that "Life magazine wrote that if Lombardo failed to play 'Auld Lang Syne,' the American public would not believe that the new year had really arrived."

Hogmanay (Scotland)

The birthplace of "Auld Lang Syne" is also the home of Hogmanay (hog-mah-NAY), the rousing Scottish New Year's celebration (the origins of the name are obscure). One of the traditions is "first-footing." Shortly after midnight on New Year's eve, neighbors pay visits to each other and impart New Year's wishes. Traditionally, First foots used to bring along a gift of coal for the fire, or shortbread. It is considered especially lucky if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your house after the new year is rung in. The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration is the largest in the country, and consists of an all-night street party (visit their Hagmanay website here).

Oshogatsu (Japan)

The new year is the most important holiday in Japan, and is a symbol of renewal. In December, various Bonenkai or "forget-the-year parties" are held to bid farewell to the problems and concerns of the past year and prepare for a new beginning. Misunderstandings and grudges are forgiven and houses are scrubbed. At midnight on Dec. 31, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times, in a effort to expel 108 types of human weakness. New Year's day itself is a day of joy and no work is to be done. Children receive otoshidamas, small gifts with money inside. Sending New Year's cards is a popular tradition—if postmarked by a certain date, the Japanese post office guarantees delivery of all New Year's cards on Jan. 1st.

Spain

The Spanish ritual on New Year's eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

The Netherlands

The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new.
Greece

In Greece, New Year's day is also the Festival of St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. One of the traditional foods served is Vassilopitta, or St Basil's cake. A silver or gold coin is baked inside the cake. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be especially lucky during the coming year.

United States

Probably the most famous tradition in the United States is the dropping of the New Year ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. Thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at midnight. The tradition first began in 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070 pounds, and is six feet in diameter.

A traditional southern New Year's dish is Hoppin' John—black eyed peas and ham hocks. An old saying goes, "Eat peas on New Year's day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year."

Another American tradition is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Tournament of Roses parade that precedes the football game on New Year's day is made up of elaborate and inventive floats. The first parade was held in 1886.
Widely Observed New Year Symbols and Traditions

Resolutions

It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year's resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. The early Christians believed the first day of the new year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the new year.

Fireworks

Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year's eve is believed to have originated in ancient times, when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. The Chinese are credited with inventing fireworks and use them to spectacular effect in their New Year's celebrations.

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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 

Santa Uses A Travel Agent!

The Internet is flooded with websites that let travelers serve as their own travel agents. But many travelers say they'd rather have someone guide them through the process, especially when they're on work trips that take up a lot of time and energy.

Now at least one travel booking site is acknowledging the need for more of a human touch. Several have announced a new service that assigns each customer to an in-house travel adviser to help with reservations, itinerary changes, travel mishaps and more.

Why are we so sure Santa use a travel agent. First hist flying is so complicated it can not be left to some online computer. He must make sure everything is on time. Who else but a travel agent  could make it happen?

Here are 5 reasons to use a travel agent.

They Are Educated and Have Personal Experience

Simply put, they know more than you. They can give you insider tips and advice, using their education and personal experience to guide your vacation decisions in a way that provides you with the best vacation possible for you and your hard-earned investment.  They have access to the personal feedback from hundreds of clients, and their own personal travel agent network, to provide insights you can’t get on TripAdvisor or other social media sites. 

The Fix Is Available

In addition to getting you more on any particular trip, they can step in and fix things when your trip goes awry.  The average consumer books one or two trips per year, typically with different travel suppliers, so they have little or no leverage when things go wrong. The travel agent is constantly selling a particular supplier and has the leverage to fix things, even when the supplier isn’t directly at fault.  Travel suppliers value the travel agent’s business much more than any individual traveler.  They will step up to make things right or simply to make sure that traveler, and their travel agent, are happy. 

Instead of searching blindly on the Internet for hours, days, or even weeks – depending on the complexity of the travel plans – you can have an expert do the research for you, with your personal needs in mind.  They do it for every component of the trip and very often do it at no cost to you.

On the Cutting Edge

They are on the cutting edge of what's new: Travel agents are the first to know about a new resort, cruise ship or tour.  They have relationships with their best travel partners who keep them informed as to the latest and greatest offerings they have. So if you want to travel on the latest and greatest, agents are the way to go!

You Get Matched Right

If you call a cruise line directly, they won’t tell you that their competitor is a better fit for you and your travel needs.  Since travel agents sell everything, they focus on you’re your particular needs, making sure you are matched up with the right.

An Ongoing Mutually Beneficial Relationship


A good agent is like a good mechanic. Once you find them, you’ll never want to give them up. Travel could be your biggest discretionary spend in any given year, along with your limited time, so you want to make sure it’s done right.  When they make that happen, you’ll want them in your inner circle moving forward. 

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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

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Off the Beaten Path: Traditional Cuckoo Clocks

A time honored Christmas gift has been handcrafted and ornate German or Bavarian Cuckoo Clocks. The Black Forest is the place to visit to see the craftsmen responsible for their creation.

Believe it or not, Germany is a country steeped in historic traditions with the German Tourist Board to German Tradition and discover just how many interesting and time-honored customs still take place in our modern day world.

Cuckoo clocks from the Black forest are world-renowned and coveted by many, from politicians to the rich and famous. A great place to learn about their history and making is through a tour of Rombach and Haas, maker of the Specialized Black Forest Clocks since 1894. Such a wonderful find off-the-beaten path.

Germany is full of beautiful cities, such as Berlin, with its cosmopolitan flair and bustling art scene; Leipzig with its architectural diversity and inspiring revolutionary spirit; and Frankfurt, otherwise known as Mainhattan, for its incredible museums and breathtaking parks.

The cuckoo clock has a long tradition in the Black forest and the Rombach and Haas clocks has a history going back to 1894. Handmade from beginning to end, and in their fourth generation of clock makers, the design of these timepieces range from antique to contemporary. Walk into the shop and meet the clockmakers to learn the history of these world-celebrated Black Forest Clocks.

A visit to Reinertonishof, a family-owned farm house built in 1616, is like a step back in time.


Enjoy a typical Black Forest meal at their restaurant, rides from ponies in the farm, and other outdoor activities like snowshoeing and skiing in the surrounding grounds. The farmer’s wife is usually the one to greet you, and though her English is limited, her smile is contagious and her welcome, warm.

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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
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Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

I don't know about you but that Christmas Carol "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire" is one that gives a real Christmas feeling and spririt. It has been sung by many artists over the years. But i might add that Nat King Cole is one of the very best.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like  Eskimos”

What is the way to make these delicious morsels for your celebrations at home.

Chestnuts Roasted on an Open Fire, in the Oven, in the Microwave, Steamed, or Boiled

Warm fresh chestnuts are soft, fleshy, sensuous, creamy, and sweet. They are best served peeled with a glass of port or a mug of hot grog and, on a bearskin rug, in front of the fireplace, with Nat King Cole playing in the background.

https://youtu.be/dhzxQCTCI3E  Try this song.

Raw chestnuts are harvested in spiny pods, shown above in the Campo di Fiori market in Rome.

They are roasted and sold by street vendors in Rome and around the world.

For a sinful treat, dip them in melted butter and sprinkle a little salt on them. Chestnuts are also fine in cooking. They make great soups, stews, stuffings, candies, and desserts.

Chestnuts are grown on trees, harvested in September and October, and they keep a few weeks if refrigerated. Problem is, most grocers do not refrigerate them. So they get moldy, especially in December and beyond. Problem is, you usually cannot see the mold until you peel them. If you buy chestnuts in late December or January, you run the risk of 1/3 or more being inedible. If you can, toss them in a bucket of water before you buy. Good nuts will usually sink, and moldy ones will usually float. Problem is you can't very well do this in a store. One thing you can do is select those that are not cracked. Cracked nuts won't get moldy, but they will get hard as rocks.

If the nuts are very fresh, you need to only prepare exactly what you need. If they are getting a bit old, or if your grocer has not kept them chilled, prepare about 50% more knowing that several will be moldy. Do not eat moldy nuts.

The solution is to buy chestnuts early in the season and refrigerate them. Otherwise, buy them frozen or dried. If you buy them dried you need to rehydrate them by soaking in water. Do not use chestnuts in brandy or syrup in this recipe.

There are several ways to prepare chestnuts. All methods start by rinsing and scoring them. Rinsing gets off any dirt and residue that can get on your hands when you peel and eat. It also will moisten and soften the shell slightly. Then sit them on a counter flat side down, and make a long cut or an X in the shell on the round side by placing a serrated knife on the shell and drawing it towards you. This is necessary so they don't explode from steam buildup. You can then choose your cooking method from those below. I prefer roasting, grilling, or broiling for the best flavor. Microwaving is fastest. Boil them if they are old and hard.

Roasting chestnuts over an open fire . Rinse and score the shells, then put the nuts in a cast iron frying pan flat side down. If you have a fireplace or campfire going, move things around so there is a bed of glowing coals upon which the pan can rest. Place the pan on the coals for about 5 minutes. With a potholder remove the pan, roll the nuts over, and back they go for another 5 minutes or so. The exact time will depend on how hot things are.

Grilling chestnuts. Rinse and score the shells. Fire up your grill in a 2-zone setup. Get the direct zone to medium high. Put the nuts on the grates on the direct side cut side down and close the lid. Roast until the shell peels back and begins to scorch and the meat starts to turn golden, perhaps 10 minutes. If they burn before they are done, move them to the indirect side.

Broiling chestnuts in an oven. This is the indoor method I use most often. Rinse and score the shells. Turn the oven on broil and put a rack on the highest level. Put the nuts in a pan cut side up on the top rack. Cook for about 10 minutes, depending on how close they are to the heat, until the shell curls and scorches and the meat begins to turn golden. Don't let the meat burn.

Roasting chestnuts in the oven. Rinse and score the shells. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Roast on a center shelf until the meats are tender and easily pierced by a knife or toothpick, about 25-30 minutes.

Boiling chestnuts. Rinse and score the shells. Start a pot of water boiling. Drop in the nuts and boil for about 15 minutes. Boiled chestnuts can be hard to peel.

Steaming chestnuts. Rinse and score the shells. Start the steamer and after the water is boiling put the nuts in the steamer compartment. Steam for 15 minutes. They come out nice and soft and moist but they they are a bit harder to peel, and the flavor is not as rich as the dry heat methods.

Microwaving chestnuts. Rinse and score the shells. Set your microwave on 100% power, place them on a plate and nuke them for a measly 1 minute or until tender. The exact time may vary from microwave to microwave and depending on how many nuts you are cooking.

Chestnuts are easiest to peel when they are warm. As soon as you can handle them, peel off the shell and the papery cuticle that is underneath. Some of this skin may get wedged into the cracks, and if necessary you may have to break the nutmeat in half to pull it out. A toothpick helps. Discard any if there are black spots after you peel them. The black is likely mold.

I like serving warm chestnuts with a hot drink, especially glogg, hot buttered rum, or herb tea. They also go well with port, sherry, and other fortified wines as well as a good brandy such as Cognac. 

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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
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Think Christmas Get-A-Way, Yes, We Can Help

The key to your Christmas getaway this week may turn out to be a bit of last minute fine-tuning in your preparations. Christmas Eve on local highways is going to be a mix of desperate holiday shoppers and determined getaway drivers with little flexibility. Christmas Day will be a great day to travel. Unlike Thanksgiving, when the big family events are generally in the afternoon and evening, many people who celebrate Christmas want to be with friends and family by the morning.

Next question is do you want to stay warm or do you want a taste of winter to feel more in the Christmas holidays. This later either is possible. Depending on how flexible your travel plans can be flying may be out but we can still help with hotels and other parts of your winter get-a-way.

Whether you are in search of a fairytale white Christmas or you are looking to find a place to defrost from the cold December chill, we firmly believe that the South is by far the best place to spend the Holiday season. If you want authentic Southern Holiday decorations, decadent Christmas food, rich family traditions, and mild, bearable weather, the South simply can’t be beat. 

The best Christmas vacations are in the South. Folks in San Antonio, Atlanta, Louisville, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. know how to spice up the holidays with just the right mix of tradition and surprise. What better way to spend you Christmas vacation than roaming the San Antonio River Walk alongside canopies of colorful Christmas lights? Or gliding down a 400-foot hillside of snow at Snow Mountain Park in Atlanta?

Find a classic Christmas musical tradition, A Christmas Carol, in the bustling and cozy town of Louisville, KY – and you might even encounter some snow. For a warmer celebration, take a Christmas vacation to the place where dreams come true, yearlong – Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. And for a classic and patriotic Christmas celebration, the historical beauty of Washington, D.C. is unbeatable. Forgo the skis, and fly south this winter to celebrate Christmas with tradition and surprise. Here, our picks for what to see, do, and buy in our favorite Southern cities at Christmastime.

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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
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In The News: Carnival Announces Another Vista Class Vessel

Carnival Cruise Line to welcome third Vista vessel to their fleet in 2019. The march to bigger and better seems to have no end in sight. To illustrate this we need to look only at today's news from Carnival Cruise Lines as they welcome a third Vista class vessel to fleet in about 3 years.

A new 133,500-ton cruise ship, which will be the third vessel in the company’s Vista class series, will join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in late 2019. The ship, under contract with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, was originally designated for the P&O Cruises Australia brand. In conjunction with this change, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Splendor will be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in late 2019.

The ship will offer many of Carnival’s most popular guest features, a wide range of accommodation types and a number of new innovations unique to this vessel. The ship’s name, homeport and itinerary details will be announced at a later date.

“We are truly thrilled to have another Vista class ship joining our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Consumer, travel agent and media reaction to the Vista class design has been extraordinary and we are elated to have two additional ships in this spectacular series now joining our fleet – Carnival Horizon, which is scheduled to be delivered in March 2018, and now a third in 2019.”

Duffy added that the introduction of these ships to the Carnival fleet provides the opportunity to offer the Vista class experience from a variety of homeports in addition to creating exciting new itinerary options across the balance of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet as this additional capacity is integrated into the deployment mix. 

The first ship in Carnival's Vista class series, the Carnival Vista debuted this past May, becoming the largest ship in the cruise line's fleet by gross tonnage. Boasting a plethora of unique features, including the first-ever IMAX theater at sea, Carnival Vista quickly won over guests in 2016 and likely has cruise passengers excited for future sailings aboard the Carnival Horizon and now a third ship poised to debut before the end of the decade.

People from all over need to call Rawhide Travel and Tours to access this property 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
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Vacation In A Hotel Made Of Ice

The the Polar Vortex affecting nuch of the country we thought we would talk about one of the Ice Hotels for those who wish to experience a very cold holiday.

An ice hotel is usually a temporary hotel made up of snow and sculpted blocks of ice. They could be visited by adventurous travelers that are comfortable with the outdoors. Ice hotels are dependent on sub-freezing temperatures. They are constructed from ice and snow and typically have to be rebuilt every year. Ice hotels exist in several countries, and they have varying construction styles, services and amenities, the latter of which may include ice bars, restaurants, chapels, saunas and hot tubs.

Ice hotels are dependent upon sub-freezing temperatures colder than 32 ° Fahrenheit during construction and operation. This imposes time constraints on construction and makes the hotel's season short. Construction typically begins between November and March when snow can be compacted and thick levels of ice form. Although constructing an ice hotel is more labor-intensive than a regular building, building materials are cheaper Ice hotels have to be reconstructed every year. This is not entirely detrimental to the operators; if an ice hotel does not meet its financial goals, the owner can simply let the building melt in the spring and is left with no building to permanently upkeep.


The walls, fixtures, and fittings are made entirely of ice or compacted snow, and are held together using a substance known as snice, which takes the place of mortar in a traditional brick-built hotel. Sometimes steel framing is used in their construction.

Ice Hotel Sweden

For your adventure consider this one. Icehotel 365 will offer visitors a long-awaited alternative to the classic wintertime Icehotel: a way of combining their ice experience with dogsledding, the northern lights or a boat trip on the river, beneath the midnight sun.

“We’ll simply be better positioned to meet market demand for both the midnight sun and the northern lights, so we can attract visitors to summer and winter activities north of the Arctic Circle,” says Yngve Bergqvist, founder and creator of Icehotel and Icehotel 365.

For years the company has nurtured the idea of creating a permanent ice experience, but not until now has it identified a technical solution that is sustainable and eco-friendly. Further, the company has recently gained three new major shareholders: Fort Knox, Krister Olsson and a group of investors, ‘Friends of Icehotel’, who will help achieve the dream of a year-round ice experience.

Cooled By The Midnight Sun

The 2,100 square metre facility will be filled with ice and snow from the Torne River. With the arrival of winter, it will become a permanent ice experience, and part of the classic Icehotel.

Icehotel 365 will include 9 luxury suites, each with sauna and bathroom, and 11 art suites, all sculptured by selected artists. As well as a large ice bar that serves champagne, and an ice gallery. The elegant design of the new building combines Icehotel’s iconic arched architecture with traditional building methods, ensuring its exterior blends in well with the surroundings.

Call us so we can help you start planning your cool 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

Culinary Travels: Traditional Irish Christmas Goose

Goose was always the number one festive food for celebrations such as Weddings and Michaelmas which were held between September and Christmas. Stuffed with herbs and fruit, it used to be boiled but by the 19th century roasting was preferred and stuffed with onions, bacon and potatoes, or with apples and potatoes. Turkey didn't become a popular choice of Irish Christmas recipes until the 20th century.

Ingredients

One 12-pound goose, neck and giblets reserved, visible fat removed

Apple and Potato Stuffing

2 pound potatoes
1 pounds cooking apples, peeled and chopped
1 pound roughly chopped onions
2 ounces butter
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped or grated lemon rind
salt and pepper to taste

Making The Stuffing

Boil the potatoes in salted water. When cooked, mash without using milk or butter. Melt the butter into a pan and, over a low heat, fry the onions for five minutes, do not allow them to brown. Add your apples and cook until they are nicely softened. Stir in the mashed potatoes, parsley and lemon. Season. 

Allow to cool before stuffing the goose  

Allow at least 1 pound uncooked weight per diner. Assuming the goose is already gutted, you just need to wash and dry it and cut away any excess fat around the neck cavity. Pierce the skin all over and rub it with lemon and seasoning. Season the main cavity with salt and freshly ground pepper and fill it with the cooled stuffing.

Cooking The Goose

Place the goose in a roasting pan and roast in a very hot oven 475 degrees Fahrenheit, for ten minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 2-21/2 hours but remove the bird from the oven three of four times to pour off excess fat. If you don't do this, your goose will taste very greasy. To test if fully cooked, pierce the bird at the thickest part of the breast. When the juices run clear, your Christmas dinner is ready to eat.

Call us so we can help you start planning your special vacation or event today. 
602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Consider joining our Irish Tour August 02 to 15, 2017

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

Where Do You Book Your Travel?

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

Delta Tests Meals In Transcontinental Coach Flights

In the not too distant past free (ok, included) drinks, snacks and meals were an expected part of your flying experience. And yes, the quality, taste and temperature were often the talk among the flying public. Soon free anything and airline brands were words that just didn’t go together.  Don’t even think about legroom. For the most part the travelers accepted the changes with almost no complaints.

Is a recent Delta experiment a sign of things to come? 

Delta Air Lines Inc. passengers flying coach between New York City and California may get a treat rarely seen on U.S. flights since 2010: free meals.

The airline is testing the complimentary food on flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles and San Francisco, which are some of the industry's most competitive and most profitable routes. The Atlanta-based company will decide on a plan after evaluating the results, spokeswoman Catherine Sirna said in an e-mail Wednesday.

"I think Delta's just trying to see if that helps distinguish the airline, but also if it justifies in the customer's mind paying slightly higher fares," said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group. Delta often tries to command a higher fare than competitors by offering better service, he said.

Airlines have been adding back some perks coach passengers used to expect in decades past. Continental Airlines was the last of the biggest U.S. carriers to serve free meals in the main cabin, stopping six years ago.

With fierce competition for lucrative transcontinental and international travelers, Delta and American earlier this year restored complimentary meals in coach on their longest routes to Hawaii. Those carriers already had free meals on long-haul international routes.

Coach passengers on the Delta flights will have the option of a honey maple breakfast sandwich or breakfast medley, while afternoon fliers will choose between a mesquite smoked turkey combo or whole grain veggie wrap.

Free meals won’t return until the competitors in the market place are shown that the flying public will choose one carrier over another just to get the meals perks. Travelers on short-distance U.S. routes are unlikely to see free meals in coach. Delta is upgrading its free snacks on flights and switching to yogurt bars, honey roasted peanuts and brand-name pretzels.

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 Rd # F105

Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793

(602) 843-5100

rawhidetravel.com

Culinary Travel: Hawaiian Orange Chicken Recipe

One part of travel adventure is new foods you come across and then want to bring back and share ith friends. h343 is one that atrip to Hawaiiis sure to open up. Are you looking for something healthy and delicious for your family this weekend? This Hawaiian style orange chicken is sure to please.

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 
Not as healthy but more tender and tasty you can substitute chicken thighs.

1 (10 ounce) jar sweet and sour sauce

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

4 tablespoons white wine

1/4 cup butter, melted

Option: add a small can (non sweetened) of drained pineapple chunks.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees C).
    
In a bowl, combine sweet and sour sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, white wine, and melted butter or margarine. Mix well.

Place chicken in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, and pour sweet and sour sauce mixture over chicken.

Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until the sauce has reduced to a thick glaze.

Add pineapple chunks now if you choose to.

Tip
Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up a whole lot easier.

Option: Serve over a bed of white rice.

4 servings 540 calories

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes - Ready In 1 hour

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 Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 

rawhidetravel.com

We Remember Pearl Harbor

On a clear beautiful tropical morning 75 years ago, December 7th 1941, the Japanese Imperial fleet surprised the U.S. military in a raid of unprecedented size and for the next 2 hours wave after wave of planes pounded the ships and bases in and around Pearl Harbor.

Japan intended the attack as a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan planned in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States. Over the next seven hours there were coordinated Japanese attacks on the U.S.-held Philippines, Guam and Wake Island and on the British Empire in Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day, December 8, the United States declared war on Japan. Domestic support for non-interventionism, which had been fading since the Fall of France in 1940, disappeared. Clandestine support of the United Kingdom (e.g., the Neutrality Patrol) was replaced by active alliance. Subsequent operations by the U.S. prompted Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy to declare war on the U.S. on December 11, which was reciprocated by the U.S. the same day.

The attack commenced at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time. The base was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four sunk. All but the USS Arizona (BB-39) were later raised, and six were returned to service and went on to fight in the war. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Important base installations such as the power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not attacked. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 64 servicemen killed. One Japanese sailor, Kazuo Sakamaki, was captured.

The 75-minute program for the USS Arizona Memorial begins at Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater. It includes a brief introduction, a 23-minute documentary film, a Navy-operated shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, and time to experience the Memorial itself.

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 Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 
rawhidetravel.com

Are Ready For A Warm Winter Vacation

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