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As the years have passed the world has become much smaller. I remember the days when people dressed to go on an airliner, and it had propellers on the engines. To fly over the ocean was incredible, that was the domain of he liners, the United States, the France, the QE II. Remnants of a long forgotten age. The France became the Norway and is currently being cut up into scrap on a beach in the Indian Ocean. The United States is rusting in Philadelphia, I once saw her berthed in Tidewater. The QE II, the last remaining liner is about to become a hotel in Dubai.
There are two successors to this lineage, both Cunard Liners, the Queen Mary II and the Queen Victoria. Both of these have purpose built hulls to cross the North Atlantic, even in rough weather. This is in contrast to cruise ships that are built to ply gentle seas. These cities at sea can carry 1,000s of passengers to exotic ports around the world.
Unlike residents of other countries, United State residents usually do not have a valid passport. Crossing the border to Canada, Mexico or flying to the Caribbean until recently did not require one. Over the past few years, since September 11th, the rules have gradually changed, starting with air passengers requiring passports and slowly adding remaining with all people traveling will need a passport starting this summer. I have actually had a passport for aver 30 years.
With the economy in upheaval as the result of the housing bubble and credit crunch, there are a lot of empty airline seats and vacant hotel rooms. Air carriers are offering discounts to fill seats and hotels are slashing rates. The dollar has gained against the euro since a low from last summer. Maybe now is the time to hit the airport and see the land of your ancestors?
I have been to Italy three times where my maternal relations hail, and would move there if I could. la dulce vita. WOOF! to all those humpy Italian men. I have only been to England once which is the closest to my paternal family, they are from England, Ireland, and Scotland. Hopefully soon I will find out what they really wear under those kilts.
Damron Vacations can help with your travel plans. Whether a cruise close to home, or a European vacation, the agents can assist in making memories to last a lifetime. So, if you do not have a passport, now is the time to get one, and start the process before the summer rush.

Deals on a Budget

With small glimmers of hope in the economy starting to appear, maybe it has reached bottom. Car sales were down, but not as much as forecasted, factory orders increased, all signs of a recovery. Jobs are still being lost, but not at the record rate in months past. Let's all keep out fingers crossed and the worst is over.
But even with a little ray of economic good news, going overboard is not a smart idea. A loosening of the purse strings might be in order though. Maybe a treat out to dinner, one of the first luxuries that gets cut in a downturn. There are many options to find bargains. One is the site Restaurant.com, it offers discounted gift certificates at many local eateries. Just enter your zip code and press go. My local newspaper has the same deal on Friday morning's online edition. Many popular eateries have promotions that can be purchased, but quantities are limited. To me it is a good incentive to try a new place, $25 worth of food for $10 is hard to beat.
Many hotels are offering discounts too. Having a person pay a reduced rate is better than an empty room. Many establishments are trying to keep valuable employees, this may mean reduced hours for everyone, as opposed to reduced number of staff.
These great deals are also available on Damron Vacations. Many high end hotels are offering reduced rates, spa credits, food & beverage credits to name a few of the perks offered. Combining these with a reduced flight cost could make a quick trip easy, convenient and affordable. With tourism down worldwide, hotel rates in Europe have dropped and flight deals abound. The dollar has also rallied against the euro, so once there, prices are affordable. Too many months of frugality can lead to an over abundance of stress, so break out the debit card and treat yourself to a nice meal of maybe a trip, so call Damron Vacations or check out the webiste for your travel needs.

The 'Good Old Days' of Travel

I remember traveling as a child. Back in the 1960s middle America would load up the station wagon and drive off to vacation. Ours was a green 1963 Chevrolet Belair with green interior, luggage rack, AM radio, and NO seat belts. Living in New Jersey, summer vacations were spent in a rented apartment or house in Seaside Heights, NJ.
My parents would go shopping for supplies, mom would make tomato sauce and a lasagna, 'Grandma' Poplopski across the street would make us stuffed cabbage to take, and off we would go. I think mom traded another lasagna for the cabbage. The next week or two would be spent going to the beach during the day and the boardwalk at night. Amazing how much fun a child could have with $2 in those days.
I had never been to and airport until August 1968. My father had a business trip to Los Angeles and my mother could go too. We dropped her off a few days before hand so she could spend some time with her brother who lived there. I remember mom got dressed up to fly, heels, hose, and dress. At the end of the gateway, we were mesmerized as we watched her and similarly attired individuals boarding the flight. WOW!!
My first flight was in 1973 from San Francisco to Charlotte. It was at the end of a cross country trip when the family explored the West. Mom, my little brother and I flew home while dad and two older brothers drove home. We got dressed with ironed shirts and khakis, since we were on vacation, we had no ties to wear. We obeyed mom's directions and sat quietly in our seats. Even though it was a VERY long flight we never acted up, we knew the consequences.
Flash forward 30 years. Air travel is no longer for only the wealthy. With discount prices, more people have taken to the skies. Though with the discounting also comes a cheapening of the experience. People no longer look at a plane flight as anything special. No more getting dressed up, I've seen people in outfits I wouldn't sit around the house in. Children are not controlled by parents, guess the figure the flight attendants are baby sitters. Last year a family was removed off a flight because the children were too unruly and the mother was not controlling them.
Of course many groups chimed in that it was unfair. But then, what about the other passengers on the plane? Should they be subjected to loud children playing in the aisles? Besides being annoying, they are a safety hazard. A responsible parent would bring enough things to keep their children occupied during a flight.
Maybe this is why I have taken to cruises. I usually sail on Celebrity, which is mostly an older crowd. On the last cruise there were less than 20 children on a ship of 2,000, not bad odds. And on most cruise lines, dressing for dinner is the norm. Whether khakis and a nice shirt, or a tuxedo, it hearkens back to an era when travel was a special treat, not a routine event.
If the return to glamorous vacations interests you, Damron Vacations can book First or Business Class airfare, and many high end hotels. Maybe a room overlooking the Eiffel Tower to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or just because. Life is too short to fly coach!

Costa del Sol

The southern coast of Spain fronting the Mediterranean is referred to the Costa del Sol, the Sun Coast. It stretches east from Gibraltar towards the coast turn to the north and heads towards France. Beaches line the coast provided sun worshippers ample space. It is a favorite destination of Northern Europeans and the British. Being a short plane ride from the frigid north, the warm winters attract the European version of Snowbirds.
The largest city in the area is Malaga. Originally settle approximately 3000 years ago by the Phoenicians, its control has passed to all the major players in the Mediterranean. The Romans were the first major empire to control the area, then came the Moors, with the unification of Spain at the end of the 15th Century, the area was once again under Spanish control.
With each conqueror, archaeological evidence can be found. There is a 1st Century BC Roman theater. It was only discovered by accident in the early 1950s. The main hill in the city is covered by rebuilt Moorish fortifications. Originally built in the 11th Century and rebuilt in the 13th and 14th. It dominates the hilltop with its encircling walls. The grounds are open and are filled with gardens and information on the history of the area. It has become a major tourist attraction for the area and offers spectacular views of the harbor and the surrounding countryside.
In the lower city, there is the Governor's Palace, many gardens and the required bullring. In the harbor is a ship from the famed Spanish Armada, which is open for tours and also as a venue for functions. Also in the modern area of town is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. Fronting one of the main squares it has been turned into a museum of the famed artist's life. Another fantastic piece of artwork from Malaga is Antonio Banderas. Saw the Picasso house, but the search for Antonio was a bust.
The main shopping area for Malaga is alongside the waterfront. It is a series of streets closed to vehicular traffic which allows for casual strolling and lots of people watching from the many sidewalk cafes. Leather goods predominate the local goods. During the time I was in Malaga, these shopping streets were the backdrop for sculptures by Auguste Rodin. There were many works by the acclaimed French sculptor with identifying plaques. His masterpiece The Thinker was placed at the south entrance welcoming shoppers to buy.
Part of the Spanish cuisine is tapas. Not a specific food item, it is a collection of appetizers. Small plates that offer a bite or two of a food item. They range from marinated and grilled vegetables to beef, or seafood. With its proximity to the coast, Malaga has a fantastic array of fresh seafood. Sardines and anchovies are popular in tapas. Spending an afternoon with friends sitting and enjoying wine and tapas is a popular passtime in Spain, and with Malaga's near perfect weather, it is a year round activity.
So if the search for the roots of Picasso, or Antonio Banderas awakens your wanderlust. Try Malaga on Spain's Costa del Sol. It offers architecture, history, fantastic seafood, and is a good base for exploring southern Spain. It is just a short drive from Seville and Torremolinos, and we have all heard stories about there. The agents at Damron Vacations can help plans your Iberian Escape and maybe you will be luckier than me and find Antonio B.

Valencia, not just aonther orange

Yes, most of the population has seen the old commercial touting juice from Valencia Oranges. So what is a Valencia Orange anyway? Actually it was developed in California but named after a region in Spain known for its oranges. But they are not even native to the area, trees were brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Moorish invaders.
Originally settled by the Romans around 150 B.C., those Romans were EVERYWHERE!!!, it was a small settlement that did not develop until the Moors invaded in the 8th Century. It became a major port for the shipment of leather, glass, silk and silver. Possession of the city was traded back and forth with the Moors generally in control until the end of the 15th Century when Ferdinand and Isabella united Spain and drove out the Moors.
In modern times the city remains an import port on the Mediterranean and is Spain's 3rd largest city. Having been founded at the mouth of the Turia River, which provided the great port, it also suffered from occasional flooding. The most severe of which occurred in 1957, with up to 16 feet of water in some areas. It was decided to change the course of the river to the west and south of the city to prevent future disasters. The drained riverbed became a park bisecting the city. Bridges span the open space allowing traffic to continue with out interrupting strollers, rollerbladers or cyclists.
Also along this prime real estate, the City of Arts & Sciences was built. This series of building encompass and opera house, IMAX theater, Exhibition Hall and aquarium. The striking architecture blends well with the surrounding offices and apartments. This is a definite stop on a city tour.
Not too far away is the old city with remains of the original city wall to fend off attackers. Medieval buildings line narrow streets that open into large squares with the prerequisite church and fountain. With its blending of cultures and religions over the centuries, there are some unusual combinations, like the stained glass window of a church in the shape of the Star of David.
As with all cities in Europe, Valencia is easily accessed by flights or by train. And for the brave, you can always rent a car can drive from Madrid or Barcelona, just brush up on your Spanish to ask directions. Valencia is also a popular port for the major cruise lines.
With all the options available on how to visit Valencia, why not contact Damrom Vacations and plan your trip. Whether as a port of call on a cruise ship, or a stopover on rail exploration of Iberia, the trained agents will help you with making the arrangements.

Like a Rock.....

And no, I'm not referring to a singer, an insurance company or a ....... Though the insurance company does use it as a symbol. The Rock of Gibraltar, lonely English outpost on the southern tip of Spain. Across the Straits from Morocco and its own Atlas Mountains.
The Rock has belonged to many countries, but the English have rights to it until the famed monkeys no longer reside there. The are actually the only monkeys that live on the European continent. While on the cute side, they can get mean and are very good at stealing. Shining objects, camera and food are favorites. Most seem oblivious the to hordes of tourists taking their pictures.
To reach the top of the pinnacle, there is a cable car that makes for an easy ascent, though people afraid of heights might want to close their eyes. The line at the bottom can be very daunting, especially since almost shore excursion offered included the ride. Our guide gave us the choice of waiting in line for an hour, or reverse the order of the tour, we opted for #2.
After a ride along the lower ramparts of the monolith, we exited the tour bus and entered the St Michael's Caves. These natural formations are breathtaking. Limestone formations hang from the ceiling and reach up from the floor, impressive columns are formed when they meet. Colored lights add a spectral quality, with the sound of dripping water breaking the silence. Deep inside the mountain is a large cavern that has been converted to theater where concerts and plays are performed.
After another short bus ride, we entered the Rock on the western flank. Tunneled into the granite itself was a fortification built by the British in the 18th century. The gun positions inside the mountain were protected from enemy fire, as opposed to the former installations that were outside on ledges. Recreated scenes illustrated life during the siege of the fortress.
After exploring the inside of Gibraltar, we took the cable car to the peak. The area was the home for a few more monkeys, had a great terrace for viewing and a gift shop/cafe. Though afraid of heights, I did venture to peer of the railing and get a few pictures. With a shortage of land, the runway was bisected with a road. Traffic lights and barriers controlled ground traffic for airplane arrivals and departures. The view below was of ships entering and leaving the Mediterranean. The port of Gibraltar is known as one of the busiest gas stations on the world. Ships arriving from across the Atlantic, refill their tanks, while those heading out top off theirs since it its 1000s of mile to the next stop.
Taking a cruise is a great way to see the Rock of Gibraltar, or a stop on an Iberian Peninsula trip. It is an easy drive from Malaga and a bit farther from Madrid or Lisbon in Portugal. Let the experienced agents at Damron Vacations help you explore this southern most point in Europe, and one of Britain's few remaining outposts.

The Catalan Capital

Though Spain is one country, it is composed of many regions with individual personalities and customs. Most were independent kingdoms until the unification of Spain in the 15th Century by Ferdinand and Isabella(yes the Columbus couple).
The region in the northeast corner, bordered by France to the north and the Mediterranean to the east is Catalonia. With topography ranging from sun splashed beaches to snowy peaks in the Pyrenees, it encompasses varied climates. Along the Mediterranean coast is Barcelona.
With an area population of over three million inhabitants, it is Spain's second largest city and has one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. It's international airport is second to Madrid's in passenger traffic. With roots in the Roman Empire, its personality is a blend of old and new.
The Gothic Quarter is filled with medieval architecture and narrow winding streets. Large tree lined boulevards fill the newer sections with tall gleaming glass office towers. Modernism architecture is exemplified with numerous works by Antoni Guadi and his contemporaries. The Sangrada Familia is still under construction almost 130 years after it was started. Las Ramblas is the main pedestrian area with shops, cafes, street vendors and performers making it quite the spectacle on a nice afternoon.
The beach is right off of downtown to the north. This was the area for the Olympic sailing events, to the south is the cruise port along with fright. The top of Montjuic is the Olympic Stadium, offering a spectacular view of the city and surrounding countryside.
Barcelona, like any major city, does offer a number plenty of options for alternative lifestyles. There are numerous cafes that are gay friendly and a variety of bars to quench your thirst after a strenuous day of sightseeing and shopping. the popular resort town of Stiges is a short drive to the south, so do not forget your Damron Guide to find the best spots to keep you entertained. And contact an agent at Damron Vacations to plan your trip. Damron Vacation's offerings in Barcelona all include a breakfast which makes for an easy start to the day. So if traveling to Barcelona to explore teh city and its environs, or catching a cruise of the Mediterranean, Damron Vacations can help make all the plans.