This vast landscape does not contain any roads or trails. Visitors discover intact ecosystems where people have lived with the land for thousands of years. Wild rivers meander through glacier-carved valleys, caribou migrate along age-old trails, endless summer light fades into aurora-lit night skies of winter. It remains virtually unchanged except by the forces of nature.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a U.S. National Park in Alaska. It is the northernmost national park in the U.S. (the entirety of the park lies north of the Arctic Circle) and the second largest at 13,238 miles, about the same size as Switzerland. The park consists primarily of portions of the Brooks Range of mountains. It was first protected as a U.S. National Monument on December 1, 1978, before becoming a national park and preserve two years later in 1980 upon passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. A large part of the park is protected in the Gates of the Arctic Wilderness which covers 7,167,192 acres. The wilderness area adjoins the Noatak Wilderness Area and together they form the largest contiguous wilderness in the United States.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a remote wilderness area located above the Arctic Circle and far from any roads. Most visitors access the Park and Preserve by bush plane, starting from local villages. Others hike in from the Dalton Highway or the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. Access to this park requires careful planning, but the experience that awaits those who enter is one of a kind and well worth the effort.
Gates of the Arctic is one of the last truly wild places on earth. Here you can take a journey of adventure, discovery and solitude through vast valleys and gaunt mountains of rugged beauty and experience nature on it own terms. Visitors to the park must have the knowledge and skills to be truly self sufficient in the remote location and demanding climate of the Brooks Range. Those who come will find that opportunities for recreation and for natural quiet, solitude and wilderness enjoyment abound.
At 8510 feet, Mount Igikpak, at the headwaters of the Noatak River, is the highest peak in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.
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
This month the little tree has turned a wee bit green to wish you "the luck of the Irish". It is all decked out in shamrocks and green lights.
Did you know Lá Fhéile Pádraig (the Day of the Festival of Patrick) or St. Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick, the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland.
Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early seventeenth century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church and Lutheran Church.
Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador and Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish descendents around the world; especially in Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Saint Patrick's feast day, as a kind of national day, was already being celebrated by the Irish in Europe in the ninth and tenth centuries. In 1903, Saint Patrick's Day became an official public holiday in Ireland.
In the United States celebrations occur in many cities. Chicago is known for its modern day miracle occuring each year as part of the St. Patricks Day Parade celebration when the Chicago River turns an incredible shade of Irish green. For over 40 years, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers turn the Chicago River green for the St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration.
One of the longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parades in North America occurs each year in Montreal, whose city flag includes a shamrock in its lower-right quadrant. The parades have been held continually since 1824.
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.
Happy St Patrick's Day!
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
Washington DC is a top destination for spring break, and for many families the spring school break coincides with the three weeks of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Festival commemorates the gift of thousands of cherry trees given to Washington by the city of Tokyo starting in the spring of 1912. The Festival has grown into a city-wide celebration with hundreds of special events and cultural performances. Dates for 2013 are from March 20 to April 14.
A highlight for families is the National Cherry Blossom Festival Family Day which precedes the Opening Ceremony at the National Building Museum. This free event showcases Japanese arts and includes performances and hands-on activities such as creating origami.
Another big event is the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. This is Washington's biggest annual spectator event, and tickets for grandstand seats go on sale as early as November. The 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is Saturday, April 13 from 10:00am to 12:00 noon, rain or shine. One of DC’s largest spectator events, the energy-filled Parade runs along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets, NW, and is televised live.
Families might also like the Blossom Kite Festival, which is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and which takes place on the National Mall. The Kite Festival is one of the most popular annual events in Washington, DC and features kite fliers from across the U.S. and the world. This year’s event features five areas to explore and enjoy: the Competition & Demonstration Field, Kite Club Display Area, Activity Tents, Family Field, and Public Field. March 30, 2013 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Washington DC is generally an affordable destination, and many hotels offer packages during the Festival weeks. Sightseeing options are many and include the free Smithsonian Museums such as the National Museum of Natural History, National Air & Space Museum, and more.
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
Discovery offers the ultimate cruise in the fabled backwaters of Kerala. The traditional hull of a rice barge is blended with contemporary tropical architecture, creating the space for an air-conditioned suite. The sun deck above becomes your grandstand as the fascinating life along the waterfront passes by.
Discovery is moored for privacy at sanctuary bay, situated on the shores of Lake Vembanad, at the height of Thaneermukkom, Chertala in Kerala with a Panoramic view of Kumarakom.
Discovery is 65 ft long, 16ft wide and 18ft high. It is the first boat on the backwaters to be completely eco-friendly and pollutant free. The house boat is the ultimate way to cruise the backwaters trough this green fascinating area. discovery is highly designed, retaining the feel of a typical Kerala rice barge and blending it with contemporary tropical architecture.
Discovery comprises one double bedroom and an identically sized living room, both air-conditioned and a spacious dressing room & bathroom. The living room can be converted into a twin bedroom. On the upper deck is a large covered sitting & dining area and a sun deck with pool beds.
Discovery comes with its own chef, who will prepare delicious meals, based on the recipes of The Malabar House. Local Indian and Mediterranean cuisine is available. Meals are taken either in the privacy of your A/C living dinning room or upstairs on the deck overlooking the lake. Meals are included in the cruise package.
Children: Being on a boat, vigilance is required if children cannot swim. Life jackets are available for all passengers and crew. Discovery accepts children of all ages. Children may be accommodated in their parent’s bedroom or in the adjoining room.
Cruise along the palm-fringed water ways of Kerala in a luxury house boat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India.
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
Cruise vacations are becoming a popular way to travel. It may not be as expensive as you may think it would be. Along with looking for deals, it is also important to do research to find the right cruise for you. Choosing the right cruise can be daunting, given the many variables involved. Following are some tips to find the perfect cruise for you.
Destination
It wasn't long ago that most cruises took place in the Caribbean. But these days, even the most mainstream lines offer sailings around the globe. Still, some cruise lines specialize in certain locations. In Alaska, for instance, two lines, Princess and Holland America, dominate with seven ships apiece. Carnival, on the other hand, always has been a leader in the Caribbean, with more voyages there from more home ports than any other line.
Length
This can have a huge influence on which line and ship you choose. Some lines, such as Carnival, specialize in shorter cruises of three to seven nights. Others, such as Oceania, rarely offer a voyage of fewer than 10 nights. On the far end of the spectrum, a few lines such as Cunard and Holland America operate annual around-the-world cruises of 100 nights or more.
Budget
Like hotels, cruises come in a wide variety of price points with features to match. Mass-market lines such as Carnival offer voyages for as little as $399 per person, per week. Luxury lines such as Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas can charge as much as $1,000 per person, per day. Rates can swing significantly depending on the season. And the lead-in price you see in ads often is for a small, "inside" cabin without windows onto the sea. You might pay hundreds of dollars more for an outward-facing cabin with a balcony.
Also, be warned: The upfront cost of a cruise is only part of the expense, particularly for the less expensive, mass-market lines. While companies such as Royal Caribbean and Princess include most onboard entertainment, activities and meals in main restaurants in the base cost, passengers pay extra for "alternative" specialty restaurants and drinks. Most mass-market lines also add a gratuity for the staff that can be as much as $12 per person, per day, and there are additional charges for everything from onboard Internet use to shore excursions. The exception is at the high end, where much more is included in the base fare and extra charges are relatively rare. Luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas include the cost of specialty restaurants, drinks, gratuities and even some shore excursions in their upfront costs.
Ship Personality
Every line has its own personality and appeals to a different type of person. Carnival, for instance, is known for a gregarious, fun-loving crowd. Celebrity, by contrast, draws a quieter, more style-conscious customer. The two lines operate ships of similar sizes, and often on similar routes and at similar prices, but a regular Carnival customer would likely be miserable on a Celebrity ship and vice versa.
Bringing the kids
Some lines are much more focused on families than others. In addition to Disney Cruise Line, which has staked its business on families, mass-market lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival are leaders in family-friendly cruising, with extensive onboard children's areas, deck-top water parks, family pool areas and other kid-friendly amenities. In general, the biggest mass-market ships also tend to be the best for families, given the wide range of deck-top activities.
Crowds
Cruise ships are getting bigger, with more passengers on board than ever. Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas can carry more than 6,000 people, nearly twice as many as the largest ships a decade ago. Still, you don't have to be with a crowd if you don't want to be. There are plenty of smaller vessels sailing to destinations around the globe. New Alaska-focused line InnerSea Discoveries offers voyages to remote wilderness areas of the state on vessels that carry fewer than 80 passengers, and even big-ship lines such as Princess have smaller ships, including several with room for just 680.
Entertainment
Some lines, such as Disney, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, really know how to put on a show, with their ships offering large theaters that stage Broadway-worthy productions. In fact, some offer shows that are fresh off Broadway (and/or Las Vegas), such as the musical Chicago and the Blue Man Group. Other lines focus less on onboard entertainment, and its variety and quality even can vary within a line from ship to ship. In general, larger ships offer more elaborate and diverse options than smaller ships, which have less room for large theaters. Some of the smallest ships have no entertainment at all, other than the occasional onboard lecture or port talk.
Food
Dining always has been a big part of the cruise experience, and all of the lines pride themselves on their selection of restaurants. Some cruise lines place far more emphasis on food than others. Lines such as Oceania, Cunard and Crystal have brought in big-name chefs (Jacques Pepin, Todd English and Nobu Matsuhisa, respectively) to design eateries. And diversity also varies widely, with some lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian offering more than a dozen eateries on some ships.
Dress Code
Overall, cruise ships have become a lot less formal in recent years. The days of black-tie nights are virtually gone. But the dress code at sea still varies from line to line. Want to keep it super casual? You might want to go with Norwegian, where the "freestyle" philosophy extends to the dress code (even bluejeans are OK at dinner). By contrast, on U.K.-based Cunard, formal nights (black tie for men, evening wear for ladies) still take place several times a week, and passengers wear jackets even on casual nights.
Seasickness
Modern cruise ships are built for stability, with new technologies such as stabilizers that make for smoother sailing than the vessels of a couple decades ago. Weather prediction also has improved, so the captain can know bad weather is ahead and cruise around it. However, the ocean is still unpredictable, so go with a bigger, smoother-riding ship that sails in calmer waters (such as the Caribbean rather than the North Atlantic) if you are prone to seasickness.
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
Within sight of downtown Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Here too is evidence of 10,000 years of human history, from pirates and shipwrecks to pineapple farmers and presidents. Outdoors enthusiasts can boat, snorkel, camp, watch wildlife or simply relax in a rocking chair gazing out over the bay.
Glass bottom boat trips, island excursions, snorkeling adventures, canoe trips, Ranger talks, Family Fun Fest, underwater videos, displays and art exhibits, Biscayne National Park offers a variety of ways to help you get to know and enjoy the natural and cultural wonders of your national park.
The best way to see and experience Biscayne National Park is to get out on, or better yet, in the water. With 172,000 acres, there are lots of places to go in Biscayne National Park. Visitors with boats have full access to most of the park, although the shallow nature of the bay and reefs can preclude larger vessels. Those without a boat of their own will find many activities available at Convoy Point, including offices of the Biscayne National Underwater Park, Inc., the park's sole authorized concessioner. This is the place to make arrangements to take a guided snorkeling or glass bottom boat trip, an excursion to one of the park's islands, or to rent a canoe or kayak to explore the park's shoreline. Guided Canoe and Kayak Trips are available from January through April.
Boca Chita Key
The park's most popular island provides visitors with a variety of facilities. There is a campground with picnic tables and barbecue grills. The island's crowning glory, and Biscayne National Park's de facto symbol, is the 65-foot ornamental lighthouse built by Mark Honeywell, one of the island's former owners, in the 1930s. The lighthouse is open intermittently whenever park staff or volunteers are on the island. The observation deck provides a fantastic view of the islands, bay, ocean, and the Miami, Key Biscayne, and Miami Beach skylines.
Elliott Key
The park's largest island was once a thriving community of pioneers engaged in pineapple farming, sponging, wrecking and other pursuits. Today the island offers camping, picnicking, swimming, wildlife watching and the park's only hiking trail.
Adams Key
Adams Key lies on the north side of swift-moving Caesar Creek. Once home to the famed Cocolobo Club, a retreat for people like Carl Fisher, Gar Wood, and Presidents Harding, Hoover, Johnson and Nixon, Adams Key is now a day-use area open from dawn until dusk. A short trail leads through the hardwood hammock, and a picnic pavilion. There are also two park ranger families living on the island.
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
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
