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New Name, But Business as Usual! |
Along with the other 500+ Carlson Wagonlit Travel franchised locations across the country, we are changing our name from Carlson Wagonlit Travel to Travel Leaders. Our day-to-day business operations will remain the same. This is simply a name change as Carlson sold all of its leisure travel business earlier this year to the management team that has been leading our company for more than ten years. We are very excited about our new name, as it states exactly who we are: The leaders in travel.
And in recognition of this name change, we are excited to announce that our Employee Vacation Benefit Program, which brings great vacation travel to corporate travelers, also has a new name: Travel Leaders Vacation Club. As a member of this Vacation Club, you can expect the same great service and value you have come to expect from us! Let us help you plan your next great vacation. |
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Girls Just Want to Have Fun: BFF Getaways |
Great memories are made with your best friends. Perhaps that's why BFF getaways have become increasingly popular among singles, football and hunting widows, and in fact, women in all walks and stages of life. These trips, whether a relaxing weekend at the shore or an adventurous trek to Machu Picchu, are a great way to make great memories while reconnecting with the feminine you and with those female friends who add so much to your life. (And guys, just imagine how appreciative the woman in your life will be that you supported her choice!)
Among our top choices for a BFF Getaway is Beaches Resorts, which is rolling out the red carpet for you and your friends to kick back, relax, and enjoy Caribbean-style fun at the Beaches Friends Forever Girls Getaways at several of its premier resorts. Exclusive Beaches BFF activities include welcome cocktail receptions, "Spice it Up" Caribbean cooking, island dance lessons, beach bonfire pajama parties, and seaside Pilates and yoga classes.
Another popular option for a BFF Getaway is Gutsy Women Travel, which offers distinctive tours created "to celebrate the indomitable spirit within every woman to experience the world!" Among some of its unique offerings:
- Adventure and Nature tours to Sedona & the Grand Canyon, Costa Rica, and mystical Peru
- Holiday getaways exploring European Christmas markets, New York City, and Thailand
- Shopping trips to magical Morocco, Venice, and India
- Gourmet dining, wine, and cooking excursions to Quebec City, Provence, Budapest, and Prague
Of course, there are many other options for best friends traveling together. Any cruise, land tour, or resort package can become a great BFF getaway. All it takes is you and your BFFs! |
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Destination of the Month:
Beijing, China |
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China has always been something of a mystery to Westerners, but the recent Olympics there did much to open a window into this ancient yet modern civilization. Amidst competing athletes and hordes of foreign tourists, the real China of 2008 was able to emerge, still mysterious and exotic yet intriguing and inviting. And nowhere is this more evident than in China's capital city Beijing. Progress, and all it entails, is changing Beijing at an incredibly rapid pace: streets no longer clogged by millions of bicyclists are now jammed with foreign and Chinese-made automobiles; cell phones are omnipresent; and high rises dominate the skyline. This is truly a modern city where visitors can feel comfortably at ease.
Yet just beneath the surface, old Beijing lurks ready to transport that visitor back in time. The Forbidden City, Beijing's centerpiece; Tiananmen Square; ancient lacquered temples; quaint restaurants serving Peking Duck and other local delicacies; shops dating back to 1840 selling bolts of silk and traditional jadeite bracelets - all evoke an earlier, more historic, and, to most travelers, more interesting place and time. It is not at all difficult to find old Beijing just beneath the surface of the modern city. |
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Great EVBP Specials |
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Spring Break Cruise
April 5 - 11, 2009
6 Days aboard the Carnival Pride
Miami - Key West - Grand Cayman - - Ocho Rios - 2 Days At Sea - Miami
From $678 per person, double occupancy, cruise only |
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Inside Passage Alaska Cruise
June 14 - 21, 2009
7 Days aboard Holland America's Statendam
Anchorage - Haines- Juneau - Ketchikan - 3 Days Scenic Cruising - Vancouver
From $1063 per person, double occupancy, cruise only |
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STAYING HEALTHY:
BEFORE YOU GO
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Nothing spoils a vacation faster than an injury or travel "bug." But there are several steps you can take, both before departure and during your trip, to minimize the likelihood or the effects of such a trip spoiler. This month, we highlight steps to take before you leave home.
Seriously consider travel insurance, especially if you have any underlying condition which might prevent or interrupt your trip. For a nominal fee, this insurance will protect you in the case of a cancellation due to health concerns or, in an emergency en route, get you to the nearest medical center or, if necessary, back home. Equally important: Most medical insurance, including Medicare, does not cover expenses incurred outside the US.
Shots and other prophylactic measures are important pre-trip considerations. Requirements and recommendations are available from the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/travell) and most local health departments. They can also recommend other measures for your protection, such as effective anti-malarial regimens and insect repellents based on your destination.
Know where to get help. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers at www.iamat.org is a great resource. Check it out before you leave home.
Pack a travel survival kit with:
- drugs you require on a regular basis, along with their written prescriptions; always keep essential medications in your carry-on
- medications for pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and allergies
- steroid ointments and cream
- bandaids and cotton swabs
- ask your doctor about a broad-spectrum antibiotic for acute respiratory, urinary, or intestinal infections |
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TRIPBLIP
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Would you like to get the hottest vacation deals sent directly to your desktop - updated daily so you never miss out? It's easy now with TripBlip. And it takes just moments to enroll and create one or more Trip Profiles. In your profile, tell us where, when, and how you want to travel, and you'll be among the first to hear about vacation specials and discounts offered by our favorite cruise, tour, and package providers. It's easy, it's convenient, it'll save you time and money. And it's free! |
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GIVE THE GIFT OF TRAVEL
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He already has everything? She won't even give you a hint? When you don't know what to buy - or when you just want to give something truly memorable - the gift of travel can be the perfect answer to your gift-giving dilemmas. Best of all, you can tailor your choice to meet the preferences of your recipients, and you can even join them as they enjoy your gift. Whether it's a weekend in the Big Apple, a family cruise to escape winter's wrath, an escorted tour of Ireland, or a romantic getaway in Hawaii, there is a trip that will please the most hard-to-please members of your family.
This will certainly be one gift they'll never forget! |
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TRICK OF THE TRADE
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If your hotel room ever leaves you feeling a bit exposed, there's a simple solution. Stash an old-fashioned clothes pin in your suitcase; then, when the curtains don't close tightly (or keep creeping open), just clip them together. The wood clothes pin won't leave holes (as a large safety pin might do) and prevents prying eyes, bright parking lot lights, and early morning sunrises from disturbing your stay. |
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BEST BETS FOR FALL
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Some like it HOT. And some just want to be COOL! Average temperatures in November: |
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Athens, Greece |
59° |
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Beijing, China |
41° |
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Caracas, Venezuela |
74° |
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Cairns, Australia |
80° |
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Johannesburg, S. Africa |
66° |
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LaRomana, Dominican Rep |
81° |
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Malaga, Spain |
60° |
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Miami |
74° |
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Nassau, The Bahamas |
77° |
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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
77° |
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San Diego |
62° |
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Singapore |
81° |
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LORY?
We're on the go...to keep up with what's going on. In fact, Lory's just back from her latest excursion - making sure we can provide our clients the most complete and up-to-date travel advice possible.
Tell us where Lory is (be specific now; we need more than just the country) for your chance to win a $25 TGI Friday's Gift Card.*
Click here to enter.
*Winner will be drawn from all correct entries. |
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New Atlantis Dining Plans |
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One of the surest ways to stick to your travel budget is the prepaid meal plan offered at many resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. When you book an All-Inclusive, you know the total cost before you ever leave home and won't be surprised mid-trip by budget-busting extras.
However, some premier resort destinations, such as Atlantis in the Bahamas, have not offered pre-paid meal options -- until now, that is. Perhaps recognizing the popularity of these plans, Atlantis now allows its guests to enjoy all the wonders of a truly fantastic resort along with a choice of three great dining plans. While not a traditional All-Inclusive , the Atlantis plans offer guests more flexibility: the choice of three options including breakfast and dinner each day. For lunch, guests are on their own to enjoy any of the resort's many eateries or venture out to explore the surrounding area and its local cuisine.
Atlantis' Casual Dining Plan includes a full American breakfast at Water's Edge or Marketplace and dinner daily at Marketplace, Cafe at the Great Hall of Waters, Water's Edge, or Bimini Road, for $59 per day for adults and $30 for children 7 -11 years old (children 6 and under dine free with parents who are participating in a dining plan). The Gourmet and Cove Gourmet Dining Plans include additional restaurants and cafes at an additional charge.
Other Mexican, Caribbean, and international resorts, as well as some in the US, are adding All-Inclusive or pre-paid dining options. Your travel consultant can help you choose the resort that best meets your dining - and budgetary - needs. |
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Christmas Markets
For Christmas shopping that's as special as Christmas itself - or just for a great holiday getaway - plan a trip to one of Europe's historic markets. Increasingly popular, these markets dot the continent and draw crowds hoping to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of a more traditional and less hectic Christmas. Originating in northern Europe, these markets are especially popular in Germany and central Europe (but can be found in Sweden, Spain, and other European countries as well) and now mark the beginning of Advent at the end of November.
Among the most popular Christmas markets are:
Starsbourg, France, Nov. 29 - Dec. 24 -- Among the oldest, dating back to the late 1500s. The city's picturesque setting, with fairy-tale timber buildings and a stunning cathedral, is the perfect setting.
Vienna, Austria, Nov. 22 - Dec. 26 -- More than 3 million visitors indulge their senses amidst stunningly decorated trees and the swirling aroma of cinnamon, while choirs perform Christmas carols on Advent weekends.
Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 7 - 20 -- Head north for authenticity at St. Thomas Christmas Market, which features 120 stalls of furs, Nordic food, vodka-fortified mulled wine, and lots of great Christmas gifts.
Munich, Germany, Nov. 28 - Dec. 24 -- This Christkindlmarkt is the grandaddy of them all. Not just a Christmas market, it is an entire ethnic festival, certain to bring the holiday spirit to all who attend.
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