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See the Great Cities of Europe on a Mediterranean Cruise

(NewsUSA) - See the Great Cities of Europe on a Mediterranean Cruise

The pandemic is over, COVID restrictions are gone and the cruise lines are back in business. So, there has never been a better time to book a Mediterranean cruise.

On a seven-day Mediterranean cruise you can visit Trevi Fountain in Rome, the lavender fields of Provence and Barcelona’s famous cathedrals, with side trips to the Italian riviera and a Spanish vineyard.

With the dollar nearly on par with the euro for the first time in decades and a new generation of cruise ships plying its waters, a Mediterranean cruise vacation has never been more attractive or affordable.

Convenient and Inclusive

On a cruise you unpack once — no lugging bags from hotel to hotel or bus to train. Plus, your meals, onboard activities and entertainment are included in the cruise fare.

A Different Country (Almost) Every Day

A typical seven-day Mediterranean cruise will stop at five or six ports in several countries. Costa Cruises offers shore excursions that immerse you in the culture and history of the most popular European destinations.

Amazing Value

With the euro and dollar nearly equal in value for the first time in 20 years, your vacation budget can go farther, giving you up to 20% more buying power.

Also, Costa Cruises makes it easy to recoup the value-added tax, or VAT, charged in European Union countries while you are on the ship, avoiding lines at the airport.

In terms of value, Costa Cruises’ offers in the Med are unparalleled. Savvy shoppers can find cruise fares of about $100 to $150 per person per day — some as low as $65 — often with deals where kids sail free or amenities and add-ons such as drink packages and onboard credits are included.

Costa Cruises has been sailing the Mediterranean for more than 70 years, and is the undisputed leader in the region, offering 195 cruises of three to 17 days through 2024. And Costa’s “Cruise Tours” and “Golf & Cruise” packages are easy to book online.

For an immersive, European experience of the Mediterranean on an Italian-style cruise, contact your travel professional, visit costacruises.com or call Costa Cruises North America at 1-800-GO-COSTA (800-462-6782).

Explore Vegan Fine Dining in the Caribbean

(NewsUSA) - Caribbean travel is back, and many favorite spots are expanding their offerings to meet a greater range of tastes and interests. If you or your travel companions are vegan, for example, you can find many more opportunities to relax and indulge.     

In particular, options for vegan dining have come into their own. The Calabash Cove Resort and Spa, one of the most popular all-inclusive, adults-only boutique hotels in Saint Lucia, now offers an all-vegan dinner option.     

Some examples from the menu: Yellow Split Pea Soup with Sweet Potato, Tempura Cauliflower Bites, Sesame Braised Eggplant, Pan Seared Tofu, Vegetable Stroganoff, and Grilled Cinnamon Pineapple. A vegan dinner at Calabash Cove also includes a bottle of Prosecco. The resort’s flagship Windsong Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the culinary team can accommodate any guest’s special dietary needs or personal requests. For example, the popular daily special lobster dish with roasted Cinderella pumpkin can be made with tofu. The eclectic menu is inspired by Asian cuisine and features fresh, local ingredients in every dish.     

The island of Saint Lucia offers visitors a glimpse of a rich culture and heritage influenced by different periods of history, when it had strategic importance in wars between England and France. The arrival of West Africans in the 18th and 19th centuries added Creole culture to the mix.     

Calabash Cove’s property features not only a private beach, but also a nearby coral reef, tropical gardens, and architecture designed to promote relaxation and enhance the sunset views.     

The resort is an elegant escape where adults can slow down to “island time,” and tradewinds keep the heat at bay. Calabash Cove accommodations include not only luxury suites with ocean views, but also unique Water’s Edge cottages, built for two, with their own plunge pools, outdoor rain showers, jacuzzis, and hammocks. The Swim-Up Suites place you a few strokes away from the swim-up bar at an oceanfront pool with a striking 40-foot infinity edge.     

A range of promotional packages make for even easier travel planning for vegans and nonvegans alike. The unconditional all-inclusive option provides not only fine dining, but also live music and top shelf liquors, along with the luxury accommodations in an intimate setting.     

For more information and the latest travel package options, visit www.calabashcove.com.

Escape to Aruba with Limited-Time Black Friday Deals

(NewsUSA) - As the post-pandemic travel surge continues, consumers are choosing to prioritize experiences over goods, according to a recent CNBC report.     

The travel industry is stepping up to the demand this season with exclusive savings, starting off with the one happy island, Aruba. With breathtaking beaches, diverse cuisine and award-winning hotels and resorts, Aruba is truly a must-see Caribbean destination.     

Experience all this oasis has to offer with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals at several hotels and resorts, including:     

- Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusives. Visitors can save up to 50% on all-inclusive rates with double the amenities across sister properties. Book between November 27- 29, 2022 for travel valid April 1 - December 31, 2023.     

- Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Save up to 30% when booking seven nights, with daily endless breakfast for two and resort credit. Book between November 25 - 28, 2022 for travel valid January 2 - April 29, 2023, using promotion code P4.     

- Brickell Bay Beach Club & Spa. Enjoy this property’s deluxe room for a five-night vacation for only $145 per night; Brickell Bay also offers a daily breakfast buffet, welcome drink upon arrival, frozen grapes at the pool, ocean-side lounges and huts on Palm Beach. Book between November 15 - 30, 2022 for travel valid November 15, 2022 - April 10, 2023.     

- Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino. Save up to 10% with seven-night stay, with a blend of comfort and top-tier experiences over the winter holidays and beyond. Book by November 30, 2022 for travel valid November 30, 2022 - April 30, 2023.     

- Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. Stay at least four nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and receive a $100 resort credit when using code ZX0. Book between November 23 - December 4, 2022, for travel valid March 12 - June 30, 2023.     

- Paradera Park. Use promo code SUN22 and receive a 20% discount on all rooms when booking a five-night stay at the Paradera Park this holiday season. Book between November 15 - 30, 2022 for travel valid November 15, 2022 - March 31, 2023.     

- The Mill Resort & Suites. Reserve two nights or more and receive a $50 food and beverage credit; book five nights or more and save 10% on your entire reservation.  Book between November 15 - 30, 2022 for travel valid November 15, 2022 - January 31, 2023.     

- Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba. Use promo code BOG and save up to 50% on reservations. Book between November 25 - 28, 2022 for travel valid November 30, 2022 - December 21, 2023. Extend the savings and lock in a special rate of $2,023 when you reserve your wedding date before December 31, 2022. Contact Renaissance’s wedding planners at [email protected] for more information.     

For exciting activities while in Aruba, check out De Palm Tours for the island’s most popular excursions like snorkeling to the Antilla Shipwreck and sailing on a catamaran cruise. Receive 25% off all tours and activities using code FRIDAY 25. Book between November 25 - 28, 2022.     

Escape the winter chill, and travel to the beautiful beaches of sunny Aruba to enjoy an average temperature of 82°F and 70 square miles of adventure and relaxation.    

The one happy island promises something for everyone.     

For more information, visit Aruba.com.     

This material is distributed by Zeno Group, Inc. on behalf of Aruba Tourism Authority. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Experience Delicious Wines and Olive Oils during Israel’s Harvest Season

(Israel) - Fall is the best time to explore Israel during its peak harvest season for both wine and olive oil.     

Olive oil and wine go back to the very dawn of the Jewish people in Israel and today they are the best expression of the Mediterranean diet and are symbols of the new quality Israeli cuisine. From wineries in the Negev desert to olive picking in Galilee, there are a variety of experiences which showcase the vast variety of Israeli wines and olive oils.

Wineries in the Negev Desert     

Israel’s Negev Desert covers over half of Israel’s total land area, and it is an area bristling with beauty.     

The reddish, gleaming desert terrain is characterized by many impressive geological rock formations, allowing visitors to enjoy a unique view of an untouched vastness -- both silent and majestic. Throughout the Negev, there are also traces of past civilizations, their agriculture as well as stunning archaeological sites. And today, it offers an unmistakable backdrop for encountering the Bedouin tribes, also known as people of the desert. The desert is perfect for creating wines as grapes mature and ripen faster in warmer conditions, leading to lower acidity and higher sugar levels.     

• Sde Boker Winery - The first winery to open in the Negev was the Sde Boker Winery, begun 15 years ago as an experiment led by Zvi Remek, a member of the Sde Boker kibbutz who studied agronomy in California before returning to his home. Having previously worked in the grape vines of the kibbutz, opening the winery was the start of a transition from simply growing produce in the Negev, to creating a high-value product from it. Slowly, the Sde Boker Winery expanded, and today is still modestly housed in the old communal laundry facility of the kibbutz. Combine a visit to Sde Boker and visit the home of Ben Gurion.     

• The Boker Valley Vineyard - The Boker Valley Vineyard not only grows its own vines, but also offers visitors the opportunity to taste many of the other wines produced in the Negev Wine Route -- making it totally unique. Run by a couple of diverse origins --  Moshe is from Eilat and Hilda from the Netherlands, as well as the wines, they also sell local olive oil, wine and olives, and offer beautiful accommodations in the heart of the desert.     

• The Negev Wine Route -  The Negev Wine Route has 25 isolated farms engaging in agriculture and tourism. The farms welcome visitors to stop, taste and enjoy the unique Negev Friendly Desert route. The vineyards create some highly respectable and well received wines and offer a very unusual experience for tourists exploring the desert.

Olive Oil in Galilee     

Arguably one of the most beautiful regions of Israel, the Galilee is situated in the north of the country, and it is characterized by its beautiful, lush landscape full of vegetation, amazing natural landforms, historic sites and quaint rural communities.     

The Galilee makes up much of the north of Israel and is divided into three areas: the Lower Galilee, Upper Galilee and Western Galilee and within are the famous Sea of Galilee and River Jordan. Stunning agricultural villages sit alongside ancient ruins, and amazing hills and valleys are mentioned throughout history as the location of famous battles and events. All the varieties of olives are grown and harvested here in the Galilee and nurtured by the waters of the Jordan River, making Galilee the perfect place for olives.     

• Avtalion Oil Press - Looking out onto breathtaking views of the Galilee is the Avtalion Oil Press. Inside lies the huge oil press. Here olives picked from nearby vineyards are crushed and the pips and flesh removed. High-quality olive oil is then produced and delivered to the local residents. During the pressing season (October - January), visitors can watch this process in action. They can either bring with them their own olives or pick them from the nearby fields. Throughout the rest of the year, the place is still open for visitors to see the equipment, watch demonstrations, attend lectures about the olive oil industry and its history in the Galilee and enjoy a tasting workshop sampling the different local products.     

• Hananya Farms - Hananya Farms, located in the Western Galilee, is the perfect place to spend a day enjoying a nature walk, a picnic lunch and, of course, olive picking. It also offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the various cultures of people living in Israel today.     

• Gailiean Olive Oil Festival - The Galilean Olive Oil Festival takes place across Northern Israel’s Galilee region every November. Due to the many qualities that the olive tree has to offer, it has become a recent tradition for the start of the olive harvest period to be celebrated. 

Road Trip! Summer Means Hitting The Open Highway

Ah, the familiar refrain that has stood the test of time and one that sends most parents cringing while taking a family road trip.

As the summer of 2018 kicks off, consider this: 68 percent of Americans are likely to go on vacation, and 85 percent of them will travel by car, based on data from a recent online survey of approximately 1,500 adults.

While aspects of a road trip may be daunting, a majority of these travelers acknowledge that getting there is half the fun: 24 percent strongly agree, and 45 percent somewhat agree that getting to a vacation spot is often as enjoyable as being there.

If you've ever wondered what goes on inside the car during a road trip, read on.

A survey conducted by NACS, a trade association representing the convenience-store industry, reveals that most passengers want to be social: just over 60 percent report that they enjoy talking with fellow passengers and almost 80 percent cite listening together to music, podcasts, or audio books as favorite activities.

However, when it's time to take a break, disagreements can arise, especially when it comes to meals and snacks. A convenience-store stop can be a simple solution.

Today's convenience stores offer more than just gas and restrooms. Many serve a range of hot-meal options such as pizza and burgers, as well as customizable sandwiches, coffee, drinks, and smoothies, so passengers and drivers of every age and taste can find something to satisfy them.

The NACS survey results show that the top three reasons for breaks during summer road trips are to:

* Use the bathroom (96 percent).

* Get gas (95 percent).

* Buy food or drinks (91 percent).

"There's only one place that can satisfy all three of the top reasons for stopping during a road trip: a convenience store," says Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives.

"From restrooms and fuel pumps to indulgent snacks and healthy options, you can stop once and make everyone happy. And that can certainly make a road trip more fun."

However, regular breaks are an important part of road trips for safety as well as for practical reasons.

Drivers need a quick and easy place to stand up and stretch, or to allow someone else to take the wheel. Kids get antsy and need to stretch, too - according to the NACS survey, approximately 45 percent of the in-car disagreements during road trips center on children fidgeting or arguing.

Convenience stores provide all the services needed for long or short road-trip breaks in a safe, predictable environment.

Many convenience stores offer easy access from major roads, so there's no struggle or lost time navigating to an unknown spot without any sense of the services available. Convenience stores offer clean, well-lit rest stops for single drivers, groups of friends, older adults, and families with children.

Visit convenience.org/ more for additional information about what convenience stores offer and how they can help make summer road trips smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

 

Road Trippin’! Summer Travel Means Hitting The Open Highway

As the summer of 2018 kicks off, consider this: 68 percent of Americans are likely to go on vacation, and 85 percent of them will travel by car, based on data from a recent online survey of approximately 1,500 adults.

While aspects of a road trip may be daunting, a majority of these travelers acknowledge that getting there is half the fun: 24 percent strongly agree, and 45 percent somewhat agree that getting to a vacation spot is often as enjoyable as being there.

If you've ever wondered what goes on inside the car during a road trip, read on.

A survey conducted by NACS, a trade association representing the convenience-store industry, reveals that most passengers want to be social: just over 60 percent report that they enjoy talking with fellow passengers and almost 80 percent cite listening together to music, podcasts, or audio books as favorite activities.

However, when it's time to take a break, disagreements can arise, especially when it comes to meals and snacks. A convenience-store stop can be a simple solution.

Today's convenience stores offer more than just gas and restrooms. Many serve a range of hot-meal options such as pizza and burgers, as well as customizable sandwiches, coffee, drinks, and smoothies, so passengers and drivers of every age and taste can find something to satisfy them.

The NACS survey results show that the top three reasons for breaks during summer road trips are to:

* Use the bathroom (96 percent).

* Get gas (95 percent).

* Buy food or drinks (91 percent).

"There's only one place that can satisfy all three of the top reasons for stopping during a road trip: a convenience store," says Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives.

"From restrooms and fuel pumps to indulgent snacks and healthy options, you can stop once and make everyone happy. And that can certainly make a road trip more fun."

However, regular breaks are an important part of road trips for safety as well as for practical reasons.

Drivers need a quick and easy place to stand up and stretch, or to allow someone else to take the wheel. Kids get antsy and need to stretch, too - according to the NACS survey, approximately 45 percent of the in-car disagreements during road trips center on children fidgeting or arguing.

Convenience stores provide all the services needed for long or short road-trip breaks in a safe, predictable environment.

Many convenience stores offer easy access from major roads, so there's no struggle or lost time navigating to an unknown spot without any sense of the services available. Convenience stores offer clean, well-lit rest stops for single drivers, groups of friends, older adults, and families with children.

Visit convenience.org/more for additional information about what convenience stores offer and how they can help make summer road trips smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

 

From Fantasy to Free-falling: Orlando’s New Summer Attractions

While it's true that families tend to flock to these familiar venues, (the city has been named one of Travelocity's "Coolest Places to Go in 2018 for Families" and AAA's "Top Domestic Summer Destination"), it is also so much more than the sum of these two theme parks.

So if you're considering a trip to Orlando, read on about how to score the best deals and some sights to see with the fam that you may not have known even existed. 

Attraction Tips & Deals 

The destination's only official visitor center, operated by Visit Orlando, offers deals, discounted tickets, unbiased expert advice and Insta-worthy photo ops for guests. 

Movies & Fantasy Worlds Come to Life 

Universal Studios Florida will put guests right in the middle of the action with the new Fast & Furious - Supercharged ride, based on the popular film franchise, where an after-race party turns into a high-speed race to escape a criminal cartel.

Disney's Hollywood Studios opens Toy Story Land on June 30, featuring two new attractions. The rides, Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Sauchers, will take visitors right into Andy's imagination as they join beloved characters on their adventures.

Madame Tussauds Orlando's "Justice League: A Call for Heroes," will give guests the "sidekick" experience to Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, and Ben Affleck's Batman.

Legoland Florida Resort found its niche when it debuted "The Great Lego Race," on March 23.

This thrill ride is the first virtual reality roller coaster experience designed for kids and features Lego minifigures, a rocket-powered surfboard, and an espresso-fueled scooter. 

Outdoor Adventures and Record-Setting Thrills 

SeaWorld Orlando debuts Infinity Falls this summer, a whitewater rapid-adventure raft ride through a lost jungle. The journey will send guests through fountains and waterfalls before dropping 40 feet - a world record for a river raft ride - into churning whitewater.

The Orlando Starflyer is the world's tallest swing ride, and opens on June 1. At 450-feet tall, the ride offers open-air views of the city for up to 24 guests at once, swinging them through the air at up to 60 miles an hour.

Just in time for their 20th Anniversary, Fun Spot America opened HeadRush 360, a spinning and swinging new attraction that takes riders 40 feet in the air - upside down.

And Orlando Watersports Complex is home to Central Florida's first Aquapark, which features a modular series of inflatable, interlocking climbing obstacles, pathways and slides for hours of fun.

For more information, visit VisitOrlando.com.

Bed and Breakfasts Give Travel a Personal Touch

B&Bs "are more intimate, with much more personal attention," says Sharon Scruggs, who operates the Fife and Drum Inn with her husband, Billy. Both are lifetime residents of Williamsburg, Virginia, and provide a unique and in-depth perspective on the history of the area for their guests.

The bed-and-breakfast experience offers many other benefits beyond what travelers find in a chain- hotel setting.

- Location. Many bed and breakfasts are historic properties, often located in the center of scenic areas.

The Fife and Drum Inn has been part of Sharon's family for generations. The building was constructed in 1933 by her grandfather as a combination of stores with apartments above, and is a short walk to the sights and sounds of Colonial Williamsburg, including the holiday Grand Illumination fireworks display.

- Character. Part of the charm of a bed and breakfast is the uniqueness; art, décor, and food are integrated to create a complete experience. For example, the Fife and Drum retains the colonial feel of the area in all its guest rooms. Special features include antique furnishings, elegant four poster beds in some guest rooms, as well folk art and artifacts from the restoration period of the historic area available for guests to enjoy.

- Food. Bed and breakfasts don't shirk the breakfast half of the equation, and the best of them reflect the local cuisine. The Fife and Drum features daily breakfast casseroles based on family recipes to reflect the southern cooking of the area; other items include fresh biscuits, Virginia ham, fruit, and a unique blend of granola to fuel a day of sightseeing.

- Customization. Not only do visitors to a bed and breakfast get a unique perspective on the place they are visiting, they have options for special packages not available in other hotel settings. Bed and breakfasts can partner easily with local businesses for a smoothly organized and highly personalized vacation experience.

The Fife and Drum Inn offers options such as the Historic Triangle Package that includes three nights at the Inn, breakfasts, and admissions to historic Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Bed and breakfasts also lend themselves to romance. Helpful hosts can design guest packages built around proposals, anniversaries, or just a special getaway.

Visit fifeanddruminn.com for more details about how a bed and breakfast makes for a memorable travel experience.

Orlando Screams: 78 Days of Halloween

Starting as early as Aug. 17 and running through Nov. 3, there's something for everyone, from mild and family-friendly to wild and terrifying.

This year's lineup includes a host of All-Hallows events and attractions; themed hotel packages; and the return of the largest horror convention in the nation. 

Theme Park Frights 

This year, visitors can expect Universal Orlando Resort's Halloween Horror Nights to pay an homage to the '80s , with a haunted house in the theme of Netflix's "Stranger Things," as well as nine other haunted houses, for a total of 10 - the most ever in the event's 28-year history.

For a more family-friendly experience, the Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom Park comes alive with jack-o-lanterns and special characters for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Visitors can trick-or-treat throughout the park, masquerade with costumed characters at the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, sing along at the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, and end the night with a "Boo-tacular" fireworks show.

SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular has an ocean of Halloween fun planned.

During this daytime event, families are immersed in an underwater "fantasea" including trick-or-treating, not-so-spooky live shows, and the chance to mingle with everyone's favorite Sesame Street friends including Elmo, The Count, Cookie Monster and more. 

Boo Beyond the Parks 

The largest horror convention in the nation, Spooky Empire, returns to Orlando Oct. 26-29 at the Caribe Royale Orlando. Celebrity guests this year includes David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson of X-files fame, with more to be announced.

Other thrills and chills include a, costume contest, zombie walk, and film festival.

A Petrified Forest features two outdoor scare trails for small groups to venture through a haunted forest at night. Live actors stalk guests through the dark, and uniquely themed areas make for a truly thrilling, chilling experience. The event runs select nights, Oct. 5 - Nov. 3 

Haunting Hotel Happenings 

Three Hyatt properties are offering a "No Tricks, Just Treats" package, Sept.1 - Nov. 4, to get guests into the Halloween spirit.

The package includes two complimentary "spooky" drinks or beverages of choice per stay as well as a special-themed treat placed in their room upon arrival, available at Hyatt Place across from Universal Orlando Resort, Hyatt House across from Universal Orlando Resort, and Hyatt Place Orlando Convention Center.

Hilton Orlando is offering "A ROOM WITH A BOO" package, which includes daily breakfast, premium Wi-Fi and late checkout at 2:00 p.m.; perfect sleeping-in time for those "creatures of the night." Use this link for booking.

For more information, visit VisitOrlando.com.

 

Black Friday Deals Abound for Orlando

Visit Orlando, the official association and travel planning expert for Orlando, offers an additional 10 percent discount on all purchases made at OrlandoTickets.com starting on November 20 to celebrate the start of the holiday shopping season.

To access the promotion, visit OrlandoTickets.com between November 20 and 29 and use the promotional code, "GIFT."

Shoppers will find exclusive deals and discounts to more than 40 world-famous theme parks, attractions and dinner shows. Most are valid through one year from purchase, so they make great gifts for anniversaries, family vacations, or other special events throughout the year.

The Black Friday 10-percent-off offer is in addition to some notable savings opportunities at popular Orlando-area theme parks, including:

- Walt Disney World Resort:

Savings start at $30 per ticket on Flexible Date Disney tickets.

Guests who purchase a 5-day or longer Flexible Date ticket also receive a free commemorative Toy Story towel with each order while supplies last.

- Universal Orlando Resort:

Guests who purchase a 3-Park, 2 Day Park-To-Park ticket receive an additional two free days of unlimited admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal's Volcano Bay for a total savings of $65 per ticket.

- SeaWorld Orlando: Guests receive 2 days for the price of 1 with a 2-Day, 2-Park ticket that can be used at SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens Tampa for a savings of $75 per ticket.

- LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Guests receive a second day of free admission with the purchase of a single day admission for a savings of $35 per ticket.

The Orlando area offers more than 450 hotels not only convenient to theme parks and family activities, but also offering a mix of vacation experiences including water parks, entertainment venues, unique and diverse dining experiences, sports, and nightlife, to appeal to all ages and interests.

For more information on how to save money on next year's vacation, or give the perfect gift experience, check out OrlandoTickets.com starting November 20.

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