Spring Break: Jekyll Island, Georgia

Prefer to stay in the south this season? Make your way to Georgia to discover the treasures at Jekyll Island, a remote island that is famous for its rustic charm and relaxing setting. This is the Spring Break destination for anyone that wants to enjoy a paradise-like escape and avoid the buzzing nightlife scene. Spend your days picnicking on the beach, swimming in the calm waters and enjoying gorgeous sunsets night after night.

Jekyll Island is a barrier island on Georgia’s coast, midway between Jacksonville, Fla. and Savannah, Ga. Accessible by car just minutes from I-95, Jekyll Island offers a variety of amenities, including 10 miles of beach, four golf courses, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Summer Waves Water Park, tennis center, an array of lodging options including hotels, cottages and campgrounds. Owned by the State of Georgia, and managed by the Jekyll Island State Park Authority, Jekyll Island has had development limited to just 35 percent of its available land area. This unique aspect of Jekyll Island serves to preserve the critical barrier island ecosystem, and provide guests with a unique escape from the crowds and complications of other beach resort destinations.

Jekyll Island Club Historic District 
Jekyll Island Club HotelIn the midsection of the river side of the island is a 240-acre Historic District where most of the buildings from the Jekyll Island Club era still stand, most in remarkable preservation. The centerpiece of the grounds is the enormous Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a two-winged structure that contains numerous suites for rental, including a beautiful presidential suite that contains the three-story turret on the front of the building. Thirty-three buildings from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries surround the hotel, with many being mansion-sized cottages. Rooms in some of these cottages are for rent, while others exist as museums, art galleries, or bookstores. The hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The historic district itself has been listed as a National Historic Landmark District since 1978.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
Through sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education programs, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will increase awareness of habitat and wildlife conservation challenges, promote responsibility for ecosystem health and empower individuals to act locally, regionally, and globally to protect the environment. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a hospital for ill and injured sea turtles. We are the only hospital of its kind in the state of Georgia. The Center is open to the general public and offers an interactive Exhibit Gallery and Rehabilitation Pavilion with a number of viewable sea turtle patients.

Driftwood Beach
Located on the north end of Jekyll Island, Driftwood Beach continually amazes guests with its beautiful driftwood and ocean views. Often cited as a Gothic tree graveyard, this stretch of beach is, at once, haunting and mesmerizing.  Throughout the year, Driftwood Beach an ideal location for photography, as well as a popular site for gorgeous island weddings.

Glory Beach
Famed as a location for the popular Civil War film “Glory,” this portion of Jekyll beach is located next to our Jekyll Island Soccer Complex. Along the Glory Boardwalk once walked some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, including Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who all starred in the classic 1989 movie.

Looking for a place that will make spring break special this year? 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

Island of Palau, Western Pacific

The Republic of Palau, in Micronesia, is a spectacular 400-mile-long strand of volcanic islands & limestone coral islets strewn across the Pacific. Their bases, having been worn away by tidal action and grazing sea creatures, are narrower than their tops, causing some to compare them to giant mushrooms; others think they look like fuzzy green emeralds floating on a sapphire sea. Only 8 islands are inhabited, with the capital of Koror serving as the traveler's hub.

Most of Palau's hotels are on Koror (capital), which is connected to Babledaob, its larger sister island, by a bridge, so visitors have several well-appointed options, while the rest of the archipelago exists in a largely natural state. Stay at the Palau Pacific Resort, an all-inclusive wonder that has relaxed, rattan-filled suites with ocean views, a PADI dive center, kayaks, snorkel equipment and tennis courts. For a slightly quainter option, Carolines Resort has seven wooden bungalows and a hip boutique where you can grab a few trinkets to take home.

The more than 300 islets that make up the Rock Islands in Palau hold the promise of new discoveries in quiet outcroppings, lakes and snorkeling spots. Explore even more by taking an unusual tour around the Palau Mariculture Demonstration Center, which has a giant-clam hatchery. And make sure to visit the Airai Bai, a renovated ancient meeting house. Hikers can go to Palau's largest waterfall and highest peak, 713-foot-high Mount Ngerchelchuus, where you can see 70 species of orchids and a variety of wildlife. The adventure in Palau is not just limited to underwater activities, though. You can visit Dolphin Pacific in Koror, a research facility that is committed to studying the special intelligence possessed by dolphins. It provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn more about these enchanting sea creatures.

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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Tip For a Safe Trip Abroad

Safety begins when you pack. To help avoid becoming a target, do not dress in a way that could mark you as an affluent tourist. Expensive-looking jewelry, for instance, can draw the wrong attention.

Always try to travel light. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.

Carry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to put them each in a different place rather than all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer. One of the safest places to carry valuables is in a pouch or money belt worn under your clothing.

If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Pack them and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage.

To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country before you travel.

Bring travelers’ checks and one or two major credit cards instead of cash.

Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen.

Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. If possible, lock your luggage.

Don't bring anything you would hate to lose. Leave at home:

Valuable or expensive-looking jewelry
Irreplaceable family objects
All unnecessary credit cards
Your Social Security card, library card, and similar items you may routinely carry in your wallet.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.

Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of this data with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry the originals.

Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers' checks with a friend or relative at home. Carry your copy with you in a separate place and, as you cash the checks, cross them off the list.

Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. Also, check on whether your health insurance covers you abroad. Medicare and Medicaid do not provide payment for medical care outside the United States. Even if your health insurance will reimburse you for medical care that you pay for abroad, health insurance usually does not pay for medical evacuation from a remote area or from a country where medical facilities are inadequate. Consider purchasing a policy designed for travelers, and covering short-term health and emergency assistance, as well as medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness.

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 

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia

A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past.  Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike the trails and battlefields. Spend a day or a weekend.  There is something for everyone, so come and discover Harpers Ferry!

Harpers Ferry offers a variety of things to do. Join a guided ranger tour, visit the exhibits and museums, hike the many trails, buy a book at the Historical Association's bookshop or just explore on your own. A short walk takes you into the town of Harpers Ferry where you will find restaurants and shops.

 The history of Harpers Ferry has few parallels in the American drama. It is more than one event, one date, or one individual. It is multi-layered - involving a diverse number of people and events that influenced the course of our nation's history. Harpers Ferry witnessed the first successful application of interchangeable manufacture, the arrival of the first successful American railroad, John Brown's attack on slavery, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of former slaves in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States.

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

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

Ocean’s 13 Caribbean Super Cruise

“Ocean’s 13 Caribbean Super Cruise and San Juan Sleepover”

October 3-12, 2013

Only $2499 per person (based on double occupancy)

Think you've seen the Caribbean before? Unless you've been with Rawhide Travel and Tours, better think again! If you're looking for that "different vacation" mixed with warm turquoise lagoons, exotic tropical scenery, breathtaking beauty along with relaxation and luxury, then this is your ticket to see and experience some of the most sought after destinations in the Caribbean! 

Join us as we discover the grandeur of the sizzling Caribbean on Royal Caribbean's 90,000 ton superstar - the M/S Jewel of the Seas! This spectacular "floating resort" has the entire cruise industry talking. Sailing from San Juan, you'll first visit Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands, the Duty Free Shopping Capitol Of The Caribbean! 

Here you'll experience magnificent sun drenched beaches with emerald colored lagoons, secluded coves, pristine coral reefs, untouched rain forests and spectacular world renowned shopping! 

Next, Saint Kitts, located in the West Indies, a tropical paradise set amidst unspoiled secluded white sand beaches, aqua lagoons and intoxicating natural beauty making it one of the most seductive spots in the entire Caribbean with its British influence. 

Next stop - Aruba! If the palm fringed white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons don't get your heart pounding, the dazzling casinos and magnificent architecture will. This "Dutch paradise" is located in the Netherland Antilles, and its brightly painted buildings are as neat and trim as any on the canals of Amsterdam. Last stop  - Curacao! This yummy exotic destination, also located in the Netherland Antilles, leaves nothing to the imagination.

 It's truly a "secluded slice of paradise" with its exquisite and vibrant colored colonial buildings. From national parks to water sports, and from old pirate forts to the underwater sea life, this is one tropical paradise you'll never forget. 

And, as if this magnificent luxury cruise weren't enough, the price includes everything but the kitchen sink! A spacious category El Balconied Stateroom including seven meals per day, nightly "Las Vegas style" entertainment, round trip air from Phoenix to San Juan (air also available from 171 other U.S. cities including Honolulu, Anchorage and 18 Canadian towns but air price may vary depending on your actual departure city other than Phoenix), all foreign and U.S. taxes, all security, government and airport fees, all port taxes, all transfers, resort overnight stay in San Juan including all hotel taxes and services fees, several gala parties during the cruise, even cancellation insurance and ship tips! 

So what are you waiting for? Some people wait a lifetime for their ship to come in , you only have to wait until October 03, 2013.  

WARNING: This cruise may cause thrill-related injuries. Eyes in the back of your head recommended. Experience life without a ripcord and call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100! Limited space. 

Happy "Caribbean sailing" trails to you......

To find out more about this once in a lifetime Cruise or help with any other travel needs, call Rawhide Travel and Tours at 602-843-5100 or 888-222-7594 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We will be happy to guide you through all your vacation planning.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 
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Time to Start Thinking About Spring Break

Georgia and the Carolinas have some hot spots for families for spring break, but without the hot temperatures of summertime. For example, Sea Island, a barrier island off southern Georgia, has pleasant average temperatures of about 70° in March and 75° in April. Of course days vary, and in early March highs can swing from 65 to 81°. Water temperature, meanwhile, averages 66° in spring.

Sea Island Georgia
This legendary upscale resort is the kind of place where families return for generations. Four resorts share 10,000 acres of forest, lawn, and marshland, five miles of private beachfront, and many outdoor and indoor activities for the whole family. Kids' programs are typically offered during spring break.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
This popular destination has average highs in the 70s in March and April, and a range of lodgings, from upscale gated resort communities to vacation home rentals, with a lot in between including a Disney resort. Kids' programs in this area are mainly summer-only, but some are offered during spring break too.

Myrtle Beach, SC:
South Carolina is the #2 state for tourism after Florida, and Myrtle Beach draws a lot of these visitors. Myrtle Beach is 98 miles north of Charleston and has a sixty-mile stretch of beaches called the "Grand Strand".  Myrtle Beach also has amusement parks that kids will enjoy. Note, however, that Myrtle Beach is a mecca for college spring break! Families may want to visit other times of the year, or at least check a hotel or resort carefully to make sure they won't be surrounded by springer breakers.

Looking for a place that will make spring break special this year? 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

Dog Bark Park Inn, Cottonwood, Idaho

Dog lovers will feel at home in this two-room, dog-shaped bed-and-breakfast in Cottonwood, Idaho. That’s right, the entire building is shaped like a giant dog. Even the toilets are disguised as a fire hydrant. While staying at the Dog Bark Park Inn, guests can visit the onsite gift shop featuring the chainsaw artwork of owners, Dennis and Francis Sullivan. 

Dog Bark Park Inn is a bed & breakfast guesthouse inside the World's Biggest Beagle. Guests enter the body of the beagle from a private 2nd story deck. Some of the dog's decorative furnishings are carvings by Dog Bark Park chainsaw artists Dennis & Frances. Inside and up another level to the head of the dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle. 

Dog Bark Park Inn offers an expansive continental self-serve breakfast featuring our family's secret recipe for The Prairie's Best Fruited Granola. Breakfast also includes a variety of teas, coffees, juices, fresh fruits, boxed cereals, milk, yogurts, cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, bagels, home-baked pastries. 

Sleeps four: Queen bed & two twin foldout side-by-side futon mattresses in loft.

Dog Bark Park is located in north central Idaho on US Hwy 95 at Cottonwood, Idaho.

Named a Best of America by Reader's Digest, July 2009.

Area Activities 
Once at Dog Bark Park you may want to explore around a bit, here are a few suggestions: 

Explore Lewis & Clark country - Cottonwood is not far from the Lewis and Clark Trail. In fact, on the return trip in 1806 three members of the expedition may have walked under the legs of Dog Bark Park Inn on their way to the Salmon & Snake Rivers for fish! Dog Bark Park Inn has numerous books on Lewis & Clark. 

The Monastery of St. Gertrude & Historical Museum 3 mile scenic drive from town.

Winchester Lake State Park & Wolf Educ.& Research Center, Winchester, Idaho, 26 miles north of Cottonwood. 

Bicentennial Historical Museum - Grangeville, Idaho. 15 miles south of Cottonwood. 

Hells Canyon Jet Boat Tours – Take a thrilling daylong ride the entire length of the canyon. Tours launch from nearby White Bird, Idaho. 

Whitewater rafting: lots of opportunities for folks of all ages. 

Drive-In Movie - take in an outdoor picture show at Grangeville's Sunset Auto View, one of the few drive-in theatres still in operation. 

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

Tips for Flying With A Lap Child

Passengers under two can fly free as a lap child, but many parents deplane wondering if the savings is really worth it. For families who want to take advantage of their baby's bargain traveler status, here are a few tips.

Be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate for age verification

Gate check your car seat. Yes, it's a hassle hauling a car seat through the airport, but in the event that there are empty seats, the crew may be willing to move people around so that your child can have a seat. You'll be kicking yourself if you miss out on that opportunity because you checked your seat at the counter.

If you are traveling on a larger plane look into a bassinet option and consider booking over the phone. 747s and other big planes are equipped with bassinets at each bulkhead. By booking on the phone you can confirm bassinet availability and secure the corresponding seats, which tend to go very quickly. Just be sure that your child falls within the airline's weight and length limits. 


Make sure that feedings are easy. Even the most seasoned nursing moms will find that it's easiest to breastfeed on a plane in a nursing top or tank. For kids on formula and/or solids, pack a small bag with everything you may need and stash it under the seat for easy access. 


Bring a soft carrier. They don't take up a ton of space in your bag, and your child is much more likely to sleep if they are accustomed to being worn. The carrier may make the experience much more bearable and comfortable, and it was easier to doze with the confidence that your child is secured to your body. 

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 

Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail Alabama

On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which extended equal voting rights for African-Americans.  As both White and Black non-violent supporters led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the right to vote in Central Alabama, today, you can trace their march toward freedom on the 54-mile trail and connect with their stories at the Interpretive Centers. 

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail was established by Congress in 1996, to commemorate the events, people, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. The March route is a component of the National Trails System, and is administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The route is also designated as a National Scenic Byway/All-American Road, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Additionally, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a key partner in interpreting and protecting this historic route; with the majority of project funding provided through the Scenic Byways Program.

SEMO is the shortest of the 23 historic and scenic trails in the National Trails System. The National Trails System Act institutes a national system of recreation, scenic, and historic trails. Historic trails are extended routes that follow nationally-significant, original routes of travel as closely as possible.

The 54-mile trail follows the historic voting rights march by beginning at the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma, and crossing the Edmond Pettus Bridge. On March 7, 1965, as non-violent marchers crossed the bridge, they were tear- gassed, beaten, and their processional stopped by law enforcement officers. This display of violence, heaped upon non-violent protesters was captured by the news media and broadcasted worldwide. This event came to be known as “Bloody Sunday.” Outraged protesters from across the country joined the marchers for a subsequent five-day march that began in Selma on March 21, 1965, this time with state and federal law enforcement protection.

The marchers traveled along U.S. Highway 80 in Dallas County, continued through Lowndes County and Montgomery County, and ended the five day trek at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. The Southern Christian leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organized the logistics for the march—providing food, water, sanitation, and other services for the marchers, who camped out along the way. Twenty-five thousand marchers concluded the historic march in Montgomery on March 25th with many notable speakers who addressed the crowd at a concluding rally near the capitol building. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered one of his most notable speeches at the rally. As a result of this historic event, the Voting Rights Act was passed on May 26, 1965.

Historians view the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March as one of the last great grassroot campaigns for human rights and the summit of the modern civil rights movement that originated in the 1950s. The March and complimentary events brought the issues associated with voting rights to the forefront of the United States political agenda and raised the nation’s consciousness about the struggle of African-Americans for equal rights.

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

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

Update: Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree

This month the little tree is all dress up for New Years to wish everyone the best that the New Year has to offer.

Did you know that New Years is celebrated on many different day in many cultures. January 1 is New Years  Day on the Gregorian Calandar but Chinese New Year normally falls between January 20th and February 20th (The first day of the Lunar Calander) . Veitnam New Year (Tet) also fall between January 20th and February 20th.

In Sri Lankan, the New Year marks the end of harvest season between April 13 and 14. Many cultures such as northern/central India celebrate the New Year around the Spring Equinox. Others such as Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab and Tamil Nadu celebrate when the Sun enters Aries on the Hindu Calendar normally on the 14th or 15th of April.

Ethiopian New Year called Enqutatash. It is celebrated on September 11 or September 12 based on the leap year.

The date of the Jewish new year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah no matter where the location. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im ("Days of Awe") which usually occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere.

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 Bonnie. 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

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

Brazil’s Carnival

Brazilians know how to throw a party on a mammoth scale. Here are some of the hottest carnivals in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro
One of the world’s largest parties. Carnaval in all its colorful, hedonistic bacchanalia it is virtually synonymous with Rio. Held over five days of revelry before lent, from the Friday to the Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday, residents of Rio begin the partying months in advance. Parades featuring elaborate floats flanked by thousands of pounding drummers and twirling dancers, is the culmination of the festivities, though the real action is at the wild parties about town.

Visitors are welcome to join the mayhem. There are free live concerts happening all over the city, while those seeking a bit of decadence can head to the various balls about town. Whatever you do, prepare yourself for sleepless nights, an ample dose of caipirinhas (the unofficial Brazilian national drink: cachaça with crushed lime, sugar and ice), samba and  joyful crowds.

Salvador
Carnaval in Salvador happens on the streets in late February to early March, where music and spontaneity rule and trios elétricos (electrically amplified bands playing atop speaker-laden trucks) work two million revellers into a frenzy. For an entire week they dance, drink and kiss until they drop, get up the next day and start again. Each year the city designates a theme for Carnaval, and decorates the city accordingly.

Paraty
Paraty loves to put on a good festival, starting with has its own odd version of  Easter Carnaval. Hundreds of young revelers dance through the cobblestone streets and during Holy Week beautiful torchlit processions take place. 

Paraty is an old colonial town, all stone streets and one-storey splendour. But for carnival everyone goes a bit nuts. One reason is that they brew some of the finest cachaça in Brazil. Make sure to catch the Bloco da Lama on the 13th, when everyone goes down to the river, covers themselves in mud, and then runs around the streets

Recife
The pounding rhythms of maracatu (slow, heavy Afro-Brazilian drumbeats) played during Recife’s festival aren’t for wallflowers. It is a participatory event held over Easter, with an infectious euphoria and fabulous dancing: people don’t sit and watch here, they join in. The months leading up to Carnaval are filled with parties and public rehearsals that are almost as much fun as the actual event, especially the week before.

To book that once in a lifetime vacations or help with any other travel needs, call Rawhide Travel and Tours at 602-843-5100 or 888-222-7594 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We will be happy to guide you through all your vacation planning.

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

Kingdom of Bhutan

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is no ordinary place. This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, where the rice is red and where chillies aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish. It’s also a deeply Buddhist land, where men wear a tunic to work, where giant protective penises are painted on the walls of most houses, and where Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than Gross National Product. Tourism in Bhutan is also unique. Visitors famously have to pay a minimum of US$200 per day, making it one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit, but this fee is all-inclusive, you don’t have to travel in a group and you can arrange your own itinerary. What you won’t find in Bhutan is backpacker-style independent travel. This is Nepal for the jet set.

It is also a country of surprises. This is not just a nation of saintly, other-worldly hermits. Bhutan is straddling the ancient and modern world and these days you’ll find monks transcribing ancient Buddhist texts into computers as traditionally dressed noblemen chat on their mobile phones.

If you do visit Bhutan, you will become one of the few who have experienced the charm and magic of one of the world’s most enigmatic countries – the ‘last Shangri La’ – and you’ll be playing your part in this medieval kingdom’s efforts to join the modern world, while steadfastly maintaining its distinct and amazing cultural identity. So why spend all your money to come here? Because most of all, Bhutan offers an opportunity to glimpse another way of living, an alternative vision of what is truly important in life.

The remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is well known for it's untouched wilderness, rich Buddhist culture and a history steeped in mystique and legend. Our cultural journey encompasses all that Bhutan has to offer taking in the 'must see' highlights of both western and central Bhutan. Our tour begins in the picturesque Paro Valley, home to the Tigers Nest (Takstang) monastery. Here we attend the famous Paro Tsechu before we drive across the dramatic Dochu La into central Bhutan, to Bumthang. It is widely regarded that Bhutanese Bhuddism first took hold here and the legacies are the many ancient and magnificent monasteries in and around the area.

Highlights
Visit the famous Tiger’s Nest (Taktshang) monastery, near Paro.

Immersion in Bhutanese culture at Paro’s National Museum

Visit the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu.

Ancient dzongs (fort-monasteries) and monasteries in Thimphu

Views of Chomolhari, Bhutan’s most sacred mountain, and the Bhutanese Himalayas

A day in Bumthang in Central Bhutan – the cultural heart of Bhutan and home to some of the country’s most significant Buddhist sites

A chance to experience the colorful Paro Tsechu

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

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

Travel News: Cash-only for visitors to the Vatican

A word of advice to Vatican visitors: bring cash.

Earlier in January, Italian authorities banned electronic payments, including credit and debit cards, as well as most ATM withdrawals in Vatican City.

According to news reports, the Italian central bank, Banca d’Italia, suspended electronic payments at the start of January because the Vatican has not yet complied with European Union (EU) regulations to combat money laundering. Italian banks, including the Vatican’s main operator, Deutsche Bank’s Italian unit, are not authorized to transact in Vatican City.

The move has left thousands of Vatican visitors and pilgrims scrambling to find alternate ways to pay for popular sites, including Vatican Museums, as well as souvenirs, gifts and meals. Besides investments and donations, memorabilia and ticket sales are the main source of revenue for the Vatican; museums and shops in Vatican City typically enjoy yearly sales of more than 76.6 million euros, and Vatican museums accounted for another 91 million euros in sales in 2011, according to the Holy See.

In recent years the Vatican has come under scrutiny for tax evasion and money laundering , prompting the inquiry that resulted in this ban. The privately-held Vatican bank, Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), located inside Vatican City, has been at the centre of several financial scandals in recent years, and has been under investigation since 2010 for allegedly omitting data in wire transfers from an Italian account.  As a result of the investigation, Italian authorities have pressured the Vatican to enforce EU financial regulations and boost transparency. EU officials have said the Vatican is making progress, but until Vatican City is compliant with European financial regulations, Italian authorities have instituted the electronic payment ban.

Vatican authorities are working to lift the suspension as soon as possible, but until they do, tourists, many of whom are travelling with limited cash, are being left in the lurch. What options do travellers have in light of the credit card ban?

• Purchase tickets online now. Tourists can buy tickets for Vatican museums, including Pinacoteca Vaticana, Museo Pio-Clementino and Museo Chiaramonti, online using a credit card until 15 January.  Officials aren’t saying yet what happens after that – if the ban is not lifted, they may extend the online ticket purchase period or it may simply be that visitors have to pay in cash in person.

• Until further measures are taken to lift the ban, cash is king in the Vatican. Bring cash, but for safety reasons, divide large amounts of cash between family members and stow in safe areas, like money belts and inside pockets.

• Though ATM withdrawals from most banks are impossible under the current ban, cash withdrawals from machines operated by the independent Vatican bank IOR are not affected. The Vatican operates three IOR ATMs, the most convenient of which is located outside the main post office in St Peter’s Square. Keep in mind instructions for all ATMs in Vatican City are in Latin.

• Keep track of updates on the ban. Visitors can refer to major news outlets, including Vatican News  and the Vatican Information Service,  for updates.

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 

Catoctin Mountain Park Maryland

President Franklin D. Roosevelt created programs to give people a chance to rebuild their lives from the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps gave this land a second opportunity and through re-growth, a new role as a recreation area.

Catoctin's diverse cultural resources provide several vignettes of our nation's history in one small location. Native Americans quarried rhyolite for the production of lithic tools. A charcoal and iron industry is still visible today, along with smaller industries including farms, sawmills, and an old moonshine still. Historic structures and products of the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps, along with the site of our nation's first Job Corps Center, are tangible reminders of the capability of vigorous youth programs to strengthen the nation's economic and social fabric. The totality of resources found in Catoctin Mountain Park reflects much of the early fabric of our country.

With 25 miles of trails winding through Catoctin Mountain Park a variety of experiences are available ranging from easy to strenuous, many leading to outstanding scenic vistas. The roads of Catoctin Mountain Park offer scenic driving all year; but, portions of Park Central Road and Manahan Road are closed in winter. Camping, picnicking, wildlife viewing, fly-fishing, cross country skiing are all available at Catoctin Mountain Park. 

Catoctin Mountain Park has cultural treasures to explore too. The Whiskey Still, Sawmill, and the Charcoal and Iron industries are all featured along trails with wayside exhibit. 

Camp Hi-Catoctin, a camp for federal employees was adapted by President Franklin Roosevelt for his Presidential retreat during WWII and named Shangri-La. President Eisenhower renamed the retreat to Camp David. The retreat is not open to the public. 

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

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

Let Us Help You Get Lost

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

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

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

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

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

Mardi Gras 2013 is Tuesday, February 12

The Phunny Phorty Phellows proclaim the start of Carnival with a loud, colorful streetcar ride up and down St. Charles Avenue, while the Joan of Arc Project sends a calmer krewe of costumed celebrants parading through the French Quarter in honor of New Orleans' unofficial patron saint.

Mardi Gras History and Traditions
Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, excitement...and one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold, and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. They sit on the ground throwing balls, playing music, having a picnic, and watching the crowds walk by between parades.

During Mardi Gras, all of the businesses and roads are practically shut down--people walk everywhere and meeting new friends. People are dressed in crazy costumes, kids are everywhere, and they love it! How did it all begin, and have the traditions changed? Take the links below for more information on Mardi Gras in New Orleans!

King Cakes are a vibrant part of the Mardi Gras tradition in New Orleans.

As part of New Orleans' Christian faith, the coming of the wise men bearing gifts to the Christ Child is celebrated twelve days after Christmas. We refer to this as the Feast of the Epiphany, or Little Christmas on the Twelfth Night. This is a time of celebration, exchanging gifts and feasting. Today, the tradition continues as people all over the world gather for festive Twelfth Night celebrations. A popular custom was and still is the baking of a special cake in honor of the three kings, called "A King's Cake."

Inside every cake is a tiny baby (generally plastic now, but sometimes this baby might be made of porcelain or even gold). The tradition of having King Cake Parties has evolved through time, and the person who receives the slice of cake with the baby is asked to continue the festivities by hosting the next King Cake party.

Originally, King Cakes were a simple ring of dough with a small amount of decoration. Today's King Cakes are much more festive. After the rich Danish dough is braided and baked, the "baby" is inserted. The top of the ring or oval cake is then covered with delicious sugar toppings in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold.

Mardi Gras Attractions
While on your visit to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, be sure to visit the other carnival-related attractions that the city has to offer! Not only can you experience the extravagant parades firsthand, but you can also visit certain restaurants and museums that are built upon the history of Mardi Gras.

Louisiana State Museum: Carnival
Discover Mardi Gras through five major themes--History, Masking, Parades, Balls and the Courir du Mardi Gras--at the Louisiana State Museum!

Rivertown Mardi Gras Museum
Over 100 years of Mardi Gras history, from New Orleans to Acadia, can be discovered at the Treasure Chest Mardi Gras Museum. Board a float and take pictures at the Mardi Gras Museum!

The Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum
Free and open to the public, this museum features a collection of Mardi Gras Carnival court gowns, costumes and other memorabilia made in France.

Fat Tuesday is in 32 days. Now is the time to make those last minute reservations. To book that once in a lifetime vacations or help with any other travel needs, call Rawhide Travel and Tours at 602-843-5100 or 888-222-7594 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We will be happy to guide you through all your vacation planning.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100 
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Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge Costa Rica

Playa Nicuesa’s location is amazingly unique: Pristine, Private, Beautiful! It is a perfect example of why Costa Rica is world renowned for adventure and ecotourism travel. Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is a 165-acre private preserve located within the Golfo Dulce/Osa Peninsula region which has been called one of the most biologically diverse places on the earth. This area contains Central America’s largest remaining Pacific Coast rainforest. Playa Nicuesa is a roadless mecca for nature lovers and adventure sports enthusiasts of all levels.

Reachable by boat only!
This owner-operated preserve is nestled within the beautiful blue-green waters of the Golfo Dulce/Pacific Coast, the lush rainforest of the 54 square miles Piedras Blancas National Park, and unspoiled remote beaches on the Golfo Dulce and Osa Peninsula. These types of neighbors ensure privacy and nature at its best and most pristine. Journey to a place where many local people still get about by hand carved wooden boats, fish for their dinner with handlines, and always take the time to smile and greet friends and visitors with the customary “Pura Vida” (life is good)!

Adventure and nature activities are unlimited. The Front Door leads to the Golfo Dulce’s 80 degree blue green waters. Kayak the Golfo Dulce (sweet gulf) right off ther beach front. Jump in! The water is calm and perfect for swimming. Spend a relaxing hour or a challenging day kayaking and exploring along the coastline and through nearby mangroves. Stop and snorkel along the way! In-shore and off-shore fishing guarantee a fresh fish dinner. And, from the Golfo Dulce we can also access several rivers and the Pacific Ocean leading to a variety of marine environments that make this area so unique.

The Back Door of the 165-acre preserve is surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine tropical rainforest, full of fruit trees and tropical flowering plants. Explore the jungle by hiking the labyrinth of trails that wind through the rainforest canopy, up the mountainside, and connect through the National Park. Listen to the howler monkeys, watch and hear the calls of any one of the 250 species of birds, and end up at a waterfall. or, just relax in a hammock under the almond tree by the sea and take in the ocean and mountain views while listening to the rhythmic waves.

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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Etiquette for Cruises

Cruising offers vacationers the opportunity to unwind and have fun without the pressures of driving unfamiliar roads, deciding where to eat or negotiating public transportation. Today’s cruises are generally laid-back and relaxed, but with upwards of 2,000 passengers on the average ship, following a few basic etiquette rules can make the journey more pleasant for everyone.

Dress Codes
Very few cruise lines today impose strict dress codes, but basic guidelines are provided. During the day, virtually anything goes. Make sure that you are completely dried off when entering indoor areas from the pool, and put on a shirt and a pair of shoes. Swimsuit dining is permitted at the poolside fast-food stands and bars. Most cruise lines provide a newsletter in your cabin each evening. Check the newsletter to find out the dress code for the following evening. On a typical seven-night cruise, the first and last nights are casual, two nights in the middle are formal, and the remaining nights are informal. Most lines ask that you adhere to the evening dress code when dining in the main dining rooms or seeing a show in the main lounge after 6 p.m. You are welcome to dress more casually when visiting other parts of the ship. It is inconsiderate to ignore the guidelines and do as you please.

Deck Chairs
Some cruise passengers try to “reserve” deck chairs by piling books, sunglasses, flip flops or other items on the chairs. This is officially prohibited by all major cruise lines. While it is certainly acceptable to stack a few things in a chair that you plan to come right back to after a dip in the pool or a run to the buffet, the chairs are not your personal property. If you will be gone for longer than 30 minutes, take your things with you, and select a new chair when you return. Also try not to move the chairs around. Passengers in wheelchairs or scooters need a clear path to navigate the ship.

Turn Down the Sound
Portable electronics are wonderful gadgets, but not everyone has the same taste in music. In public areas, devices with sound should be used with headphones. In cabins and on balconies, the volume should be kept at a reasonable level. The same goes for televisions, especially late at night. The party runs until the wee hours on most cruise ships, but some passengers must get up early for a paid shore excursion. Noise is generally allowed, and on some ships actively encouraged, on the open decks and in nightclubs and lounges. When you return to your cabin, however, try to be as quiet as possible. Cabin walls are thin, and noise easily transfers between staterooms and from the hallways.

Lifeboat Drill
The lifeboat drill is a mandatory Coast Guard requirement for all cruise ships. Shortly before the ship sails, all passengers must gather at their designated muster stations for a short review of emergency procedures. You are expected to wear or carry your life jacket from your cabin to your muster station. If everyone participates voluntarily, the drill is short and the cruise can commence. When passengers do not cooperate, it takes longer for everyone. Listening cuts down the need to ask questions and can insure your safety in case of an emergency. Pick up your life jacket 10 to 15 minutes before the drill and begin making your way to the muster station. After the drill, allow disabled and elderly passengers to access the elevators. There are simply not enough elevators to move everyone in a timely manner. If you are able to walk, take the stairs to return your life jacket, and move on to your next destination. The elevators should clear within an hour or so.


Going Ashore
At some ports, the ship must anchor in open water. Passengers are shuttled to shore on small boats known as tenders. Those who are booked on early morning excursions receive priority tender boarding, followed by those with elite past guest status. Everyone else must take a number. Tender ticket distribution is handled differently on each ship, but the process is clearly explained. Pay attention to instructions and wait until your designated time to approach the gangway. Do Not Complain While You Wait, no one cares to listen to grumbling and whining. It's a vacation so lighten up and go with the flow. Instead of complaining, try to strike up a conversation with someone in line. You can meet interesting people while you wait to book a tour or cash a traveler's check.

Don't Forget the Three "C's" at Sea
Let Consideration, Courtesy & Civility be your guideposts. And don't forget to bring along
A pleasant attitude
Your sunniest smile
Good manners

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 

Gettysburg National Military Park Pennsylvania

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address".

The National Park Service Museum and Visitor Center is the place to begin your visit to Gettysburg National Military Park. Here visitors will find information on how to visit the park and what to see around Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War, with 22,000 square feet of exhibit space, features relics of the Battle of Gettysburg and personalities who served in the Civil War, inter-active exhibits, and multi-media presentations that cover the conflict from beginning to end as well as describe the Battle of Gettysburg and its terrible aftermath. The center also hosts the film, "A New Birth of Freedom", narrated by award winning actor Morgan Freeman and the restored Gettysburg Cyclorama, which depicts the final fury of Gettysburg- "Pickett's Charge".

For visitors interested in looking for additional resources on individuals who served in the war or further information on our exhibits, the Resource Room at the end of the museum galleries offers a bank of computers to use for further research and to help answer questions about the soldiers who served at Gettysburg and elsewhere. The Museum Bookstore is filled with books and other items related to Gettysburg and the Refreshment Saloon offers drinks and sandwiches in the atmosphere of a Civil War Soldier's Rest. 

The David Wills House
The home of Gettysburg attorney David Wills was the center of the immense clean-up process after the Battle of Gettysburg and where President Lincoln put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg Address, the speech that transformed Gettysburg from a place of death and devastation to the symbol of our nation's "new birth of freedom."

Within walking distance of the Visitor Center is the Soldiers' National Cemetery where Union dead from the Battle of Gettysburg were buried and today is the resting place for veterans and their families from all wars. It is also the place where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. Park visitors usually make the cemetery a must-see stopping point during their visit.

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

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