Flight Centre’s Wes Farrar is back to take us on another vacation adventure; this time he guides us through the mysteries of the Orient on a GAP Adventures tour. Let’s join Wes as he shows us how to make the most out of an action packed 9 day tour of Asia with our friends GAP Adventures. Hit it Wes!

For anyone who’s ever wanted to see the sights and wonders of South East Asia but thought they needed a month to do it, I have personally experienced a trip that fits everything into 9 days.

Starting on March 15, 2007, my girlfriend and I enjoyed an amazing GAP Adventures trip that started in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon to some), ended in Bangkok and took in all the amazing sights along the way.

Our adventure began by flying from Toronto to Vancouver on WestJet, an amazing airline! Leather seats, great service, amazing staff, and I’d bet I’m not the only one who loves watching SportsCentre during my flight or a hockey game if it’s on. We arrived in Vancouver and had a few hours to kill before beginning our long haul to Vietnam. I loved the Vancouver airport; Great restaurants, very easy to get from the domestic to the international terminals (short walk which is night and day compared to Pearson in Toronto), and overall a beautiful airport. After our brief stopover and lunch at 9:30am Vancouver time (we’d already had breakfast at 5am EST) we boarded our Singapore Airlines flight and was impressed right from the word go; there’s a reason they’re rated the #1 airline in the world. Now, I have had quite a few long international flights but this was by far the most enjoyable and memorable. The service is second to none, food was outstanding, and the seats were more then comfortable. I’m 5′10″ and have felt cramped in a number of airline seats, as I’m sure several people have, however, the room in economy class allows anyone to stretch out and relax making that 10-12 hour flight very comfortable. Not to mention their in flight movie & entertainment on demand system features over 80 movies to choose from, TV shows, documentaries, and games (on the flight home my girlfriend and I were playing Battleship against each other). Easily the best flight I have been on, they brought the drink cart out twice before the plane was leveled out!

It was my second time in Vietnam and my girlfriend’s first time in Asia and upon our arrival in Vietnam and traveling to Ho Chi Minh City everything came flooding back to me. The immediate culture shock was entertaining for me, to say the least. Bartering for taxis and hotels is mandatory should you ever venture out that way. We found out how much a taxi should cost from the Saigon airport to Da Tham Street (the main travelers area) from the currency exchange counter and ventured to the taxis. Good tip, if they try for more tell them to use the meter for the cab ride, you’ll get your price. After spending the first day wandering the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and taking in a day trip to the Cuchi tunnels, which were used during the Vietnam War, we met up with our GAP Adventures group. Our first bit of sightseeing with our group was a cycle tour through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City which was one of my highlights of the entire trip.

From Ho Chi Minh we went west towards Cambodia. After a one night stop in Chau Doc we took a boat ride up the Mekong River to the Kingdom of Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Pehn. For those who know Cambodia the recent history is less then a bright point, but does not reflect in the energy in this great city. This city is home to S21, which is the most famous of the prisons used by Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge from 1975-79. Also a short distance from Phnom Pehn you will find the killing fields. It was my second time visiting these sites and I can tell you that the second time is not any easier. A little forewarning that it gets very emotional and detailed into the dark past of both of these sites.

After two nights in the capital we flew to what was my most anticipated destination, Siem Reap, to see the amazing temples of Angkor Wat. These jewels just missed the cut to be in the new 7 wonders of the world but they got my vote. Again, this was my second time seeing these impressive man made wonders but it didn’t stop me from being just as in awe as the first time. We spent three days in the town of Siem Reap seeing the markets and temples. This town has amazing restaurants and bars and nothing beats sitting on a patio of one of the street side restaurants enjoying a $3 pitcher of beer!! Another quick tip, the street merchants can be tough so be ready to barter for souvenirs. Don’t be afraid to price shop, there’s tons of everything you see!

After our time in Siem Reap we experienced the only down part of this entire trip, the bus ride from Siem Reap to Bangkok. The ride from Siem Reap to the Thailand border is a 4.5 hour bus ride on an unfinished road with no chance for stops along the way. Stock up on snacks and hit the bathroom before the ride begins. The drive from the Thai border to Bangkok is amazing compared to the ride just experienced; Smooth roads are such a luxury!

Arriving in Bangkok, for me, was like coming home after a long time away. It’s an amazing city and anyone looking for anything should head straight to the Koh San Road. Our tour officially ended that night, so we enjoyed a night out with some great Thai food and Singha beer with our GAP leader and our group of new friends.

We decided to extend our time in Bangkok to enjoy some of the sights. Here is a list of some of the tourist highlights while in Bangkok: floating market, night of Thai boxing, day trip to the bridge over the river Kwai, the royal palace, of course the Koh San Road for souvenir shopping (and a degree in Astro Physics if you feel like buying it).

As I said at the top of this blog, this is a great 9 day GAP Adventures trip that lets you see a number of highlights in this area, all in a short amount of time. We never felt rushed and our tour leader Jarred was awesome! Plenty of free time to explore, amazing restaurants recommended, and most of all it was a great vacation experience and adventure for my girlfriend’s first trip to Asia.

Bangkok is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling Asia on a GAP Adventures vacation? Contact Wes Farrar, a Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Kitchener, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 581 7766.

Flight Centre’s Douglas Webber travels to Panama on a Nolitour and blogs about his great vacation adventures including visiting the Gamboa Rain Forest and Soberania National Park, checking out the beautiful beach of Playa Bonita, and checking out the Royal Decameron Resort. Let turn this over to Douglas –

I recently had an opportunity to spend a few nights in Panama with a group of travel agents thanks to the good people of Nolitours. It was a bit of a whirlwind but did get to see many different parts of the country. Flying in to Panama City at night was an experience. You could see a ton of skyscrapers along the waterfront but only a number of them were lit up. I thought this was strange. It wasn’t until morning when I could see all the tall construction cranes that I realized many of these towers were still being completed. So much construction, the place was booming!

We stayed at the Radisson Decapolis, a very chic and modern hotel in the heart of the city. Close to the Majestic Casino and shopping centre called Multicentro. There was a reception for us complete with appies, sushi, and chocolate fountain. A few of us found the 5th floor outdoor pool and lounge which offered great views of the city lights.

In the morning we jumped on the coach, toured the city for a bit and then headed into the Gamboa Rainforest. It was humid and lush. We toured the Soberania National Park and the Chagres River and kept a good distance from the riverbank though as it was chock-full of Crocodiles. Next we headed to the beach!

Playa Bonita as its name suggests is a beautiful stretch of beach. The Intercontinental is an impressive resort and has a very classy feeling. Daybeds lined the beach and gardens. While we were there Tommy Hilfiger was there with his leadership team. They were setting up a mock Olympic games which looked like it was going to be fun. The conference facilities were spacious and high tech. Their spa, Bonita del Mar, is a huge 10,000 square foot holistic heaven. I would have liked to have spent a couple nights there to enjoy the facilities but it was off to the Royal Decameron.

Bring some good walking shoes for the Royal Decameron as this property is massive: 820 rooms, 9 pools, 8 a la carte restaurants, and miles of beach. We stayed here for 2 nights. Disco and Casino on site and an 18 hole golf course attached. There was so much to do. This hotel is great for groups, families, couples, well pretty much anyone so long as you don’t have any mobility issues.

On our final day we went to see the Canal where ships pay upward of $250,000 to go through. There’s an observation deck and 3 floors of interactive displays relating to the construction, operation and statistics of the canal. This tour was very well done, fun, and informative.

The Panama Canal is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on traveling to Panama? Contact Douglas Webber, an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Courtenay, BC who can be reached at 1 866 629 3208.

Flight Centre’s Shannon Heibert travels to Peru on an Intrepid Travel tour and blogs her vacation adventures. Shannon goes sightseeing in Lima, boating on Lake Titicaca, wanders the ruins of Machu Picchu, admires Colca Canyon, and savours the foods of Peru. Let’s turn this over to Shannon -

Being a complete independent traveler, I initially had mixed feelings about joining an escorted tour for Peru; however, it was one of the most exciting, and amazing trips I have been on! I was on a 12 day Intrepid tour which far exceeded my expectations and gave me an experience that would last a lifetime.

One of the philosophies of Intrepid is to have “real life experiences” which is exactly what they gave. We visited small local towns like Chivay and distant islands like Taquile on Lake Titicaca that the average traveler might possibly miss. Our tour was met by our local Intrepid guide named Pepe who accompanied us for the duration of the tour. What was even better, we had additional guides in each destination who had specific knowledge of those sites! They were amazing and were bursting with lots of facts and information about the people and their culture.

After sightseeing for a day in Lima, hitting specifically the Church of San Francisco and its catacombs, we flew to the higher altitude of Arequipa. We spent a couple of days in the area mainly to become acclimatized to the high altitude which is located at approximately 3,400m. The must see sight is the Santa Catalina Nunnery – it is still a working nunnery today and it’s serenity and beauty is captivating. We also drove through the Colca Canyon admiring the perfectly manicured terraces to travel to the Andean Condor viewpoint. We were extremely fortunate to see one condor soaring just meters above our heads! It was here that we had an opportunity to visit and interact with a local family. They welcomed us into their home and allowed us to ask questions to gain insight into their daily lives. They were so sincere and genuinely interested in us too as travelers, it was sad to have our time pass so quickly.

We then traveled to Puno by bus. We made our way through the mountains and plains with scenic pit stops at road side markets. The wares commonly available were beautifully woven scarves, toques and mittens in every colour under the rainbow. They were often made from alpaca fibers and wool. The morning had us traveling by boat on Lake Titicaca to the Uros Floating Reed Islands and Taquile Island where we were treated to a local meal of amazing grilled trout, rice and homemade bread. YUM!!

Next on the agenda was Cusco and the increasing excitement of seeing Machu Picchu! We traveled throughout the Sacred Valley and stayed in Ollantaytambo and visited the Inca archaeological ruin there. It was a very short train ride from there to Aguas Calientes which is the village where you can catch a bus for a quick 15 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu. With the steepness of the mountain and the crazy switchbacks which the driver miraculously maneuvered, it’s not a ride for the faint of heart!! The reward is to wander the ruins of Machu Picchu – priceless. We had some energy reserved to hike the 1 hour trail up to the Sun Gate which is the last section of the Inca Trail.

Our tour ends with a flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado – the entrance to the Amazon forest! The weather was cooperating so we took a 3 hour river boat ride upstream to get to the Explorer’s Inn Lodge. With no electricity and just candle light, this was an excellent way to wind down our crazy itinerary to just chill and take in the sounds of the rainforest. The local guides and interpreters took us on treks both during the day and night to see what lives in the area. The highlight here was definitely going out on the river at night in the hunt for caimans – they were everywhere!

Peru was such an amazing country to visit and I was sad to only have a limited amount of time and no chance to explore the north. The people were so friendly and had smiles that would light up a room. The food of Peru exceeded my expectations the most. They had a unique mix of herbs and spices which made one meal different from the next. If you’re looking for a tour unlike no other and something off the beaten path with adventure, definitely an Intrepid tour is for you!

Lima, Peru is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on traveling to Peru? Contact Shannon Hiebert, a Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Coquitlam, BC who can be reached at 1 866 246 2553.

Flight Centre’s Wes Farrar invites us along to visit the Emerald Isle of Ireland as he treks off for a UK holiday adventure with our friends at Contiki. Wes travels to Dublin, Galway, Kilarney, Cork and Kilkenny chasing pots o’ gold and swilling tasty Guinness. Hey Wes, top o’ the morning to you laddie!

I just returned from my first Contiki Adventure on which we toured around Southern Ireland for nine days. The trip began in Dublin, headed westwards to Galway for two nights then down the coast to Kilarney. Next, we ventured eastwards to Cork, continuing to Kilkenny and eventually finished back in Dublin.

I was extremely happy with the information Contiki provided in their package about their optional side trips (which I highly recommend!) that definitely added flavour and excitement to the trip. Contiki even provided detailed information on how to make your own way to the first hotel. For me, arriving in a city I have been in before and making my own way around is all part of the thrill of travelling. They provided some great tips on what transport to take and how much it would cost.

If you have never been to Dublin I would suggest arriving one day early to take in the city on your own. At the end of the tour you do have a full day to see the city but nothing beats the thrill of seeing a new city for the first time when you just get there. Dublin is very traveller friendly. St Stephens Green is beautiful and Grafton Street is amazing. But for those looking for a little retail therapy however be warned as it is expensive. A McDonald’s combo in Canada is six Canadian and in Dublin it’s six Euros so the conversion is a bit steep.

If you are a history buff then you’re in the right place as there is no lack of history in Dublin. Take the hop on hop off bus to familiarize yourself with the locations of the major attractions, and if you enjoy the occasional cocktail then Temple Bar is the best spot to enjoy a few tasty Guinness’. Don’t forget to take a stroll along the river Liffey as well. There’s a lot to see and great mix of history and modern culture all throughout the city and don’t forget to pop into Trinity College to view the book of Kells.

As much as I loved Dublin, the west coast was what I’d gone to Ireland to enjoy. Galway is a beautiful city that you could easily spend six or more hours walking around, trust me I did. A little tip; there’s fantastic fish and chips in the main pedestrian area as well. Once again, as can often seem the theme in Ireland, there is no shortage of pubs. We had two days in Galway, a beautiful west coast former fishing town and it was worth every minute.

The Cliffs of Moher was one of the most scenic places I have ever visited. Make sure there’s lots of room on your digital camera as you will need it all. Combine that with the stone wall meadows seemingly everywhere on the west coast and the ring of Kerry and it’s a photo buffs dream.

The Sheppard’s pie I enjoyed just outside Kilarney was second to none (my wife would kill me if she read that… sorry but it’s true!).

I would recommend this trip to anyone that has ever wanted to enjoy the amazing wonders of Ireland but is short on time. Of course with it being a Contiki Holiday, it is only for those 18-35 but I can also add that those who are worried that it may be a bunch of young kids wanting to booze it up need not worry. I’m 30 and had a blast! There’s lots of free time to enjoy yourself the way you want to and take in the sights you went there to see. There is nothing in the itinerary that states you must make time for drinking, although since you are in Ireland and as the old saying goes: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Well, when in Ireland …SLAINTE! Which is Gaelic for Cheers!

Dublin, Ireland is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling to Ireland and enjoying the fun and camaraderie of a Contiki tour? Contact Wes Farrar, an International Travel Consultant and a UK & Ireland Specialist with Flight Centre based at 2960 Kingsway Drive Kitchener, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 581 7766.

Flight Centre’s Miriam Cloutier travels on a Trafalgar Tour of Italy and blogs about her incredible vacation. In this post Miriam travels to Rome, visits Vatican City, explores Pompeii, relaxes on the Isle of Capri, gondola rides through Venice, and takes in Michelangelo’s David in Florence before finishing her tour back in Rome. Let’s turn this over to Miriam –

This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with my mom. We took Trafalgar’s 14 day Best of Italy tour and I chose Trafalgar Tours for the itinerary and location of the hotels. The best part of the trip, aside from the country, was how stress-free Trafalgar made our vacation; their motto is dream, pack, and leave the rest to us.

When we arrived at the Rome airport our transfers were waiting and we were off to our hotel which was right in the city centre; a stone’s throw from some great sight-seeing. Our hotel was in a safe neighborhood and our tour guide was there to greet us as we arrived, took care of our bags, answered any questions we had, and showed us some local sites we could walk to and explore on our own. I chose to go for a quick nap as by this time we had been traveling for 36 hours.

On the first arrival day they have a get-together with all your traveling companions where you meet each other and have a few drinks. That night it was off to see Rome by night; we tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain, admired the Pantheon, saw Vatican City at dusk, and went to St. Peter in Chains Cathedral where we saw Michelangelo’s Moses.

A couple days later we visited St Marks Square and happened to be there when the Pope gave his weekly blessing. I must say I am not a catholic but I was that day. We went into St Peters Basilica (an amazing cathedral) saw Michelangelo’s most famous Pieta (now behind glass because of vandalism), and touched the feet of Bernini’s St Peter.

After Vatican City we crossed the Tiber River into ancient Rome and visited the mighty Colosseum. The thing about the Colosseum is you know it’s big but when you are standing there and looking at it you realize it is massive. When we entered the Colosseum this feeling came over me where all I could think about was all the violence and blood that was shed in this building. There is a big cross at the entrance way in remembrance of those who died on its ground.

Day four took us to Rome, Sorrento and Pompeii. In the morning we went to the Vatican Museums and saw the Sistine Chapel. On our way to the Bay of Naples we visited the Abbey of Monte Cassino and as we drove the sky started to get hazy; the hazy was coming from Mt. Vesuvius which was an eerie thing to see. We went to Pompeii to see the town that was frozen in time back in AD 79. This was a very neat place to visit, the ruins are amazing, and to see people still excavating the ruins was really cool. That afternoon we traveled along the Amalfi Coast and went to Positano; a cute town built on the side of a mountain. That evening we arrived in Sorrento and had dinner at a local lemon farm.

The next day found us on the Isle of Capri which is famous for its’ 100% stress-free lifestyle. We traveled to the top of Capri to another town called Anacapri which had beautiful gardens and views. The following morning we went to an inlaid wood factory before starting our way north to Assisi. On our way to Assisi we drove through the province of Umbria with its fields of sunflowers. Arriving in Assisi we visited the Basilica of St Francis and spent one night in Assisi overlooking the Umbria landscape.

On day seven we left Assisi and headed to Venice for a two night stay. On our way to Venice we drove through the Apennine Mountains to the town of Ravenna which is known for its ancient mosaics. Upon arriving in Venice we rode gondolas down the Grand Canal to have our first look at St. Marks Square. The next day we explored Venice where we went to the Murano glass blowing factory and took a trip to the island of Burano, known for its lace. After Venice we headed to Verona where we saw Juliet’s Balcony and further explored the town. We arrived in Milan (the fashion mecca of Italy) and explored the Gothic Duomo of Milan and saw Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper. This was an amazing thing.

After Milan we headed towards the lake districts spending two nights at Lake Maggiore before heading to Lake Como and Lake Lugano Switzerland. After the Lakes area we started heading south again and our journeys took us to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and, of course, into Florence. In Florence we went to the Academia, saw Michelangelo’s David, visited Santa Croce Basilica, and even got some shopping in. After Florence we visited the medieval town of San Giminago before heading to Sienna for lunch.

Our travels ended with two days back in my favourite city, Rome, and I booked a 48 hour hop on hop off bus tour which took me everywhere I needed to go and to everything I wanted to see.

I am already planning my next trip with Trafalgar Tours.

Rome, Italy is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on Italy or Trafalgar Tours? Contact Miriam Cloutier, an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Victoria, British Columbia who can be reached at 1 866 552 4050.

Flight Centre’s Jennie Stewart blogs today about her incredible travels to the Western US on a Contiki Tour. On this amazing vacation Jennie tours to Disneyland and San Diego, through the Sonoran Desert, enjoys a quick hot air balloon ride, experiences hot-hot-hot Sedona, takes a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon, and if that wasn’t enough, hits Las Vegas to take in a little Sin City. Let’s throw it over to Jennie –

Flights to Los Angeles on West Jet were fantastic; check-in and in-flight crew were so friendly and helpful all the way through the flight; leather seats, personal TV’s and on board purchase snacks were delicious.

Landed in LAX to get the transfer provided which was really easy; transferred to our hotel in Anaheim at the Best Western Stovall’s Inn. Hotel was directly across from the entrance to Disneyland. This hotel was excellent. Rooms were spacious with all the amenities you could need, mini fridge, coffee maker, double beds and plenty of space for a family. Connecting rooms are available for larger families. The breakfast room was well set up with a nice variety of food, and the staff were very friendly.

Next morning took the bus to San Diego. Bus was extremely clean and comfortable. Along the way our tour guide gave us good information regarding California, the cities we drove through, and also what we were going to see for our next destination. I would never get this kind of information on a self drive trip; having the tour manager was extremely advantageous.

San Diego was beautiful. We took a driving tour of the city, and learned a lot from the tour manager. On this tour you have the choice of spending the afternoon at the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld. I chose the Zoo, which was wonderful, and had lots of different options for viewing the animals. I would recommend taking the lift over the zoo for a great aerial view. The most viewed animals are the pandas. Their enclosure is kept very organized, having to line up single file to walk past the new baby Panda and her mother. That evening we went for dinner and drinks in the historic “Gaslamp Quarter”.

Next day we drove from San Diego to Phoenix through the Sonoran Desert. The long drive was broken up nicely with a morning, lunch and afternoon break so patrons will not feel trapped or restless on the bus. The tour manager also keeps everyone busy by playing optional games and quizzes throughout the ride. Movies, music and entertainment are available to the patrons on the bus as well if they prefer that.

Arrived in Scottsdale and checked into our hotel, The Courtyard Scottsdale Old Town. This hotel was excellent, superior rooms (some with a balcony), access to the internet on main lobby computers and Wi-Fi throughout the property. This city is gorgeous and the cleanest city I have ever visited. Streets were spotless, shop and street front stores were exceptional. Had a very early morning (4am) to go Hot Air Ballooning. I would tell everyone visiting this city to do this excursion despite the early wake up. Crew at the Hot Air Balloon Company were well organized, friendly and very accommodating. Served half of us breakfast before we went up, and half afterwards. Breakfast was way above my expectations! Pilot in the balloon was knowledgeable, and kept us relaxed with funny stories of his flights ie. Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn’s flight!

After our flight we started the drive to Sedona, “Red Rock” country. Sedona is a beautiful city, hot-hot-hot but very beautiful. We did the optional Jeep tour through the countryside. The guides were traditional cowboys and most were born and raised in Sedona. The tour was great for information from someone who has lived there all his life; the tales and stories really made it a wonderful tour. I would recommend this excursion to anyone doing the Contiki tour.

We then went on to the Grand Canyon and we stayed at the Maswik Lodge. The usual block of rooms that Contiki uses are literally a five minute walk from the ridge of the canyon! Very nice property and rooms are rustic. There are many different options to see the Canyon and they are available right from the lodge. If you do nothing else, I would recommend the helicopter tour over the Canyon. It is about a 30 minute drive from the lodge and is very professional and well organized. The helicopter itself was amazing. The pilot let us ask questions and talk as much as we wanted! Views were absolutely stunning. There really are no words!

We were then on to Las Vegas. We stayed at the America’s Best Value Inn. This property is very basic but is great for the value. Rooms are cozy however there are no amenities like coffee makers or hair dryers. That said, the hotel does have laundry facilities and vending machines. The pool area is quite nice, and very quiet. The hotel is only about a 7 minute walk from the main strip, and right across the street from the MGM which has the new monorail – it’s a very nice location and a great value for clients. In Las Vegas I would recommend the Vegas City Tour because the tour guide will give you insight on the “old days” and the “new Las Vegas”, which you will not get from just walking the strip yourself.

To finish my Contiki trip I took the Air Canada red eye home. Service was great, seats were great and flight itself was excellent. Great flight to finish off the best trip EVER!!!!

Sedona, Arizona is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map

Looking for more information on traveling to the US West and Contiki tours? Contact Jennie Stewart, a Team Leader with Flight Centre based in Mississauga, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 581 7757.

Flight Centre’s Erin Davie returns to finish off her great travel blog series from Egypt. Erin snorkels in Dahab before leaving for Cairo to explore the back alleys and markets and take in the Egyptian Museum.

The next day it was back into town with Danniell for a huge lunch followed by some shopping. The longer I spent eating and drinking and strolling through Dahab, the more I wanted to stay, permanently. It was sad to think this was the last day. In the afternoon, I went snorkeling on the reef in front of the hotel, the corals were amazing and the fish were comparable to what I’ve seen on the Great Barrier Reef! I could see why this is some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, it was amazing to see so much only a few feet from the shore. The last night in town we had dinner under a full moon while the salty sea air blew through the open air restaurant. I enjoyed my last meal and an after dinner shisha, wishing that I would never have to leave.

Unfortunately, we did have to leave… at 5am! The 7 hour bus ride solidified the fact that I really did not want to go, but Cairo, the Egyptian museum, and the Khan el-Khalili market were awaiting our arrival. I slept for most of the ride, however I did wake up for our washroom break in the worst washroom I have ever been in, and that says a lot…that toilet will forever haunt my nightmares. From the bus ride, we went directly to the market which was in the heart of Cairo in a large bustling square. The narrow streets lined with tiny shops sold anything and everything. Most offered identical touristy souvenirs but there were a few hidden gems… carved statues, shishas, silver jewelry, silk scarves, and painted papyrus adorned dusty shelves.

Dan and I decided to walk a bit further afield, beyond the tourist trap confines of the market and into the surrounding streets. We walked by mosques and local shops, we walked by freshly fried and fragrant falafel. We saw children playing in the back alleys, we saw a bit of what day to day life in Cairo was like. We saw a small, maybe 9 year old, soot covered boy on his lunch break sitting in front of the charcoal shop he obviously worked in. The only clean thing about him was his perfectly white teeth as he smiled at us. I could have spent weeks wandering through those streets, every window, and alleyway, every crack in a wall offered a look into something so different to home. Cairo is a city to get lost in.

After the market it was on to the Egyptian Museum. This museum is amazing, so many treasures in one place. The most impressive of which was the contents of the tomb of King Tutankhamen. It is mind boggling to think that all of this was found in one tomb, it takes up much of the top floor of this massive museum. The highlight for me was the solid gold funeral mask of the young king. I stood in front of it, staring in awe. I was actually seeing it in real life after a lifetime of seeing it in print, it gave me chills. Another interesting room was that of the animal mummies; crocodiles, cats, birds, spiders, monkeys, and many other strange creatures were mummified. One of my favorite items was a tiny coffin for a scarab beetle. After the museum we went to the Oasis Hotel to get ready for our farewell dinner.

That night we boarded the bus and drove back into the heart of Cairo to a restaurant call Sequoia on the banks of the Nile, the lights of the city shimmered on the gentle ripples of the famous river. This restaurant is world renowned as it is under a huge white tent and the modern décor made for a very interesting contrast to our surroundings from the previous week. It was bright and crisp and the wind off the Nile blew through the tent. The food was wonderful. It was a great dinner but the thought of having to go home was distracting from the experience. On the Go presented everyone on the tour with beautiful gifts of painted papyrus of our names as well as engraved silver pendants with our names in hieroglyphics. It was once again a magical night. Some of our group was leaving that night, so at the end of dinner the goodbyes began. It was sad to part ways, everyone had become friends and I don’t think anyone was ready to go.

The last day was again a day of sad farewells, piece by piece the number of Canadians dwindled, and in the afternoon we bid farewell to all of the Brits at once as they left for their flight home. Once they left there were only a few of us remaining and there was an overwhelming feeling that the awesome experience of Egypt was almost over and I was incredibly sad for that.

Later that afternoon, the remaining Canadians hired taxis to take us into Giza to do some shopping. The taxi drivers drove us from tiny shop to tiny shop all of which were their friends, and none of which had anything that any of us wanted. After about an hour of being patient with the drivers we insisted that they take us to the market. We looked in a few different shops and then I sat at a dusty sidewalk cafe and had a licorice shisha and a Turkish coffee, a thick and sludgy eye opening beverage. We then all piled back into the cabs and went back for our last night Egypt. We said our goodbyes over a few quiet beers and some dinner at the hotel. My transfer to the airport was at 2 am so I packed that night while I recalled all of the wonderful memories from the trip.

This trip rekindled something inside me. As if the rich history of this country gave me new hope for my own future. Egypt is pure magic, it has so much to offer and I am fully aware that we just barely scratched the surface. I will go back, and when I do, perhaps I will not come home.

Cairo, Egypt is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information about On the Go Tours and Egypt? Contact Erin Davie, an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Toronto, Ontario at the Holt Renfrew store and can be reached at 1 866 662 6289.

Flight Centre’s Richard Holme travels west on Contiki Holidays’ Western Highlights tour and blogs about his incredible vacation experiences in Disneyland, San Diego, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas.

I recently had the great opportunity to embark on a Contiki Holidays Western Highlights tour in early May of this year. It was a quick 6 day tour but took in some absolutely amazing sights and visited some fantastic spots that I never expected to be as great as they were.

We arrived into Los Angeles and my flight landed early, which gave me the opportunity to visit Disneyland. After seeing Disneyworld in Florida numerous times I really wanted to see the original Disneyland. Going on favourite rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Run and Mister Toads Wild Ride (which makes no sense, but makes me laugh every time) you quickly lose yourself in the fun and magic of Disney. That evening we joined up with the rest of the group we would be travelling with and had dinner out at Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory. Themed after the movie Forrest Gump, the food that evening was great and it was such a fun restaurant to dine at.

We found ourselves off to San Diego, California in our spacious coach bus. Along the way our tour manager Jordan gave us tons of history about the city and pointed out some interesting sights for us along the way. A quick stop to tour to see some beautiful gardens, fountains, and buildings near the Gaslamp quarter of San Diego, and then we were off to the San Diego Zoo. With the afternoon to wander through the Zoo at our leisure it was really amazing to be able to see such a wide variety of animals, some of which I had never had the chance to see before.

On the way from San Diego to Phoenix, Arizona, we stopped in Scottsdale, Arizona for dinner at a fantastic restaurant with a Mexican flair before heading out for the evening and some cocktails on one of the many patios.

It was an early morning start which was well worth it as we found ourselves on the way out to the desert to take a hot air balloon ride followed by a breakfast when we landed. Then it was off to Sedona to take in the spectacular Red Rock Mountains and a jeep ride through the mountains with our cowboy guides. After some lunch at the base we were off to the Grand Canyon.

We arrived in time to take in the sun setting over the Grand Canyon, which is definitely a sight that has to be seen in person. Even after taking a ton of photos it still doesn’t do it justice. Another early morning so we could make it down to watch the sunrise from the back of the Canyon. After some breakfast we were off to enjoy a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, which is a must when visiting the Canyon. The ride not only gives you some of the history but, more importantly, the most spectacular views of the Canyon.

Then it was off to Las Vegas! We arrived by late afternoon and after checking in to the hotel it was off to take in the night life, visiting old Vegas on Freemont Street, some casinos, and some other surprises along the way. We had the next day to ourselves and it was the perfect time to wander the strip stopping at various hotels to take a peek inside and taking in the fountain show at the Bellagio. That evening we took in a hilarious and entertaining variety show at Planet Hollywood before heading off to the Palms Casino to have a few last cocktails with the entire group at Ghostbar; located 55 stories up and an outdoor patio which offers amazing views of the entire Las Vegas strip. It was the perfect way to end our amazing journey through the Western US.

After breakfast we bid our group farewell and were off to travel back home. All in all, it was one of the most amazing and fun trips I have ever been on. It gave me the opportunity to see and do so many things for the first time. I will definitely be travelling back to some of the destinations I was able to visit.

The fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada are highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Interested in knowing more about this Contiki Tour? Contact Richard Holme, International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in Cambridge, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 569 9616.

Flight Centre’s Meg Smith blogs about her recent travels to Egypt while on On the Go Tour’s Egypt Unplugged. In this, post, her first of many, Meg arrives in Egypt and visits Cairo and the Great Pyramids.

As travel agents we are afforded quite a few luxuries when traveling but none have even come close to my latest experiences in Egypt. I recently had the opportunity to travel throughout this remarkable country with On the Go tours, a UK based tour operator, which has totally mastered this area of the world. They literally take care of every detail for you, from the moment your feet hit the ground at the Cairo airport until you, somewhat tearfully, board your flight back to your home country. So, all you need to do, as our tour director Sherif frequently reminded us, is “get ready, get excited and enjoy the time you’ve been waiting for all of your lives.”

I find myself at a loss for words when I attempt to explain what a truly magical place Egypt is. There is an incredibly surreal element to many of the places we visited and there’s definitely something more powerful than you can ever comprehend going on in this gorgeous Middle Eastern country. There is something for every type of traveller in Egypt; whether you are seeking an underwater adventure, wish to climb to new heights, want to witness some of what remains of one of the birthplaces of civilization, or just wish to relax in the sun with a cold drink in hand. All of these possibilities (and several others!) are at your fingertips when you visit Egypt and On the Go will make sure that you get to experience them all in style during your time with them.

Our trip was a variation on a 10 day tour called “Egypt Unplugged” which allowed us to see two very different, and equally amazing sides, of the country that spans two continents. Our tour officially started when we met up with our UK counterparts as we were boarding our flight to Cairo from Heathrow airport in London. After just a few hours, and an impromptu picnic in the bulkhead, we’d become acquainted with our new travel companions and were landing in our home for the next week and a half and it was HOT! The feeling was a wonderful combination of awe, excitement, acceptance, comfort and an overwhelming sense of homecoming. This sensation would definitely follow me throughout the rest of my time there and left me forever altered upon my return to Canada. I can guarantee Egypt will touch your heart in a similar way. We quickly got our visas sorted, picked up our stuff, and were ushered off by private transfer to meet the rest of the Canadians who were already waiting at our hotel.

After a quick shower, and my first sheesha by the pool, we were off to an open air dinner overlooking the Great Pyramids. No matter how many photos or videos you’ve seen, or stories you’ve heard nothing can prepare you for this moment; it really is the time you’ve been waiting for all of your life, whether you know it or not! That is, until we arrive at our next destination and Sherif once more announces “Ladies and gentleman get ready, get excited, it’s the time you’ve been waiting for all of your life! We’re now arriving at: the temple of Karnak, the Sphinx, the Red Sea, the grocery store, or wherever else it was that we happen to be”. You think to yourself, “Ok, now this time this really is the most incredible thing I’ve experienced in my entire life. There is NO way that anything else can possibly trump this! It’s just not possible”. Then the next day comes and that same awestruck feeling overwhelms you again. It is no wonder that Egypt is known as the gift of the Nile!

Our first full day in Cairo began quite early the following morning, a little sleepy eyed, but excited. The early start was necessary so that we were able to see as much as possible before boarding our overnight train to Luxor that night. It also meant we could avoid the sweltering heat during the middle part of a typical desert day. After a quick buffet breakfast at the hotel we got back on our bus to head to the step pyramid of King Zosar, the oldest pyramid in Saqqara and our first experience with an Egyptian wonder in the daylight. One word: WOW! Next stop was one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Great Pyramids. We started off at the pyramid of Cheops, the oldest and largest one. The second we stepped off the bus, it started to rain! Egypt is a country that only gets around an inch of precipitation in an average year and we were lucky it was the day that we were there! It was really hot and the lack of sleep the night before was starting to kick in, so this was actually quite refreshing, and very much another unforgettable Egyptian experience. After climbing around here for awhile, since we weren’t able to go inside this pyramid, we headed on to the second pyramid. Here we actually got to go inside to the burial chamber by climbing down a very narrow passageway, on hands and knees. When we arrived at the seemingly end of this endless shaft there was a small room waiting for us where we were finally able to stand up to full height and absorb the atmosphere. Although a thrilling experience, after a near sleepless night and a lot of heat, my mind got the best of me and I started thinking about how long this building had been standing, and the insane amount of work involved to get it there, my surroundings quickly became a bit cramped for my liking so we headed back out into the fresh air of the desert to enjoy the last few hours of our time in Cairo.

Cairo was a blur of so many sights and some of the oldest, and most intact, ruins in the world that it literally left me speechless at points but it was time to move on to our next destination: Luxor. As we boarded our overnight train and settled into our home for the next 9 hours we were presented with dinner in the privacy of our own cabin. After the intensity of the day this, coupled with a duty free beverage or two, was the perfect way to end the perfect first day in Egypt. After dinner there were a few more beverages in the comfort of the bar car and when I eventually did turn in for the night the gentle rocking of the train lulled me into a slumber full of wonderful Egyptian dreams.

Cairo, Egypt is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Meg Smith is an Travel and Administrative Consultant with Flight Centre based in Toronto, Ontario and can be reached at  866-581-7751.

Flight Centre’s Amanda Blake took a Back-Roads Tour through Tuscany, Italy and blogs about her amazing vacation experience leaving Florence and, quite literally, taking the back-roads. Take it away Amanda -

And What a Treat It Was… delicious and delightful are two words that instantly come to mind when reflecting on my travels through Tuscany with Back-Roads Touring Co. A true culinary pleasure, you’re sure to be craving the tastes of Italy for a long time after.

This 9 day tour perfectly blends the diverse Tuscan landscape of countryside and coastal regions, while stopping and staying in rustic, quaint villages along the way. City seekers will enjoy starting the tour in Florence, experiencing the life of a very fashionable and passionate culture. Love birds can be spotted everywhere and it easy to see why Florence is such a romantic city, especially at sunset. The romance will continue to follow you throughout the tour, as Tuscany just has that affect on you. With that in mind, this tour would be the ideal setting for honeymooners and couples, young and golden. The very flexible, laid-back itinerary provides just enough guided insight to help you get your bearings in each place you visit before you are free to explore on your own, which is a bulk of the time. And, living up to the company’s name and promise, you’ll be fascinated as you watch the layers of Tuscany beautifully unravel while traveling along the winding back roads in your small, yet very comfortable Mercedes mini-van. Group sizes are very small and intimate, only 6 or 7 will share the journey with you, but it’s just enough to keep you entertained with interesting dinner conversations, keeping the experience personal and unique. You’ll happily get to know one another over many glasses of local wines and dinners fit for a king.

Aside from the amazing food, wine, company and sights, another bonus was that all of the accommodation exceeded my every expectation. The view from our spacious hotel room in Florence was great, and the bathroom was enormous with a giant soaker tub, prefect for relaxing in after a long flight. The charmingly decorated roof top patio made you feel as though you were staying at a luxury B&B rather than a city hotel. Thinking it couldn’t get any better, our favourite hotel would come in Lucca, much to our surprise. Our upper floor room had a walkout terrace decorated with elegant, colorful flower boxes. I felt like royalty waking up in the morning and walking on to our own private terrace looking out into the quiet, cobblestone street. I thought I was dreaming.

Unfortunately the dream had to come to an end on the 9th day. Slowly winding along the back roads once again, through the fields of sunflowers and grape vines, we made a few worthy stops along the way at some non touristy places before saying our final farewells back in Florence. And like all good things coming to an end, I bet you’ll be sad to say goodbye to your little Tuscan group, swapping emails and insisting you keep in touch, just as we were. I also bet you will leave this picture perfect region dreaming of your very own Tuscan Villa one day.

Lucca, Italy is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

More of Amanda’s great photos can be seen on here the Flight Centre Flickr feed.