The Dead Sea Scrolls on show in Toronto.

There is still time to see a very important aspect of the Israeli and Jewish culture dating back thousands of years.

“The words that changed the world”, that’s what the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) calls them

Widely considered among the greatest archaeological finds of the past century, the Dead Sea Scrolls include the earliest written sources for the Hebrew Bible, dating back to approximately 250 BCE.

They are on display at the Toronto museum until Jan. 3, apparently the Scrolls have been a huge hit in Toronto; since its debut in June, 208,000 people have seen the exhibit and another 100,000 are estimated to visit by January 2010.

The Israel Government Tourist Office in Canada (IGTO) is hoping that interest in the Dead Sea Scrolls will encourage more people to visit Israel, and in particular the historic site of Qumran where the Scrolls were found.

So here is a chance to view a piece of history on your doorstep in North America.

Flights to Toronto from Vancouver start at only $179.00* each way

* Taxes and fees extra

Alaska Airlines Seat Sale!

Alaska Airlines Seat Sale!

Alaska Airlines have just announced a “Seat Sale” as they are the proud sponsor of decorated speed skater Apolo Ohno, and to celebrate his quest for gold, they are putting some really hot deals on ice.

You can head to Seattle for some outdoor adventure and culture or just get away from it all at one of their other exciting destinations. No matter what you choose, grab this chance to follow your adventurous spirit for as little as $100. This sale ends December 7, 2009, so don’t wait because these hot deals are thawing out quicker than you can say: Go Apolo!

Old Queen May Be Sold

QE2 May Be Sold To Help Pay Dubai’s Debts

Only a year after leaving the Cunard fleet for a new life as a luxury hotel in Dubai, the QE2 may have to be sold.

The ship was bought for $100 million in 2007 by Nakheel, a specialist property subsidiary of state-run Dubai World, and has been berthed in Dubai since arriving there in November 2008.

But Dubai World has run into trouble. Shares on international markets have plummeted worldwide today as the company, crippled by its $59 billion debt, has asked lenders for a six-month period of grace on repayment of loans.

Although neighbouring Abu Dhabi has come up with a partial rescue package, a restructuring team from Deloitte has been called in and is likely, according to both The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph newspapers, to recommend that some of Dubai World’s high-profile assets, which include the QE2 and Scotland’s Turnberry golf course, are sold off.

Over the course of the year, little of the planned work has been carried out on QE2 to convert the vessel to a luxury hotel. The ship has been re-flagged and has spent some time in dry dock for work on the hull but there is no evidence that refurbishment has started on the interiors, which, according to announcements made a year ago by Nakheel, were due to be converted into luxury suites and fine dining outlets.

The ship was supposed to sail for South Africa next year — for the FIFA World Cup — but plans have not been confirmed by Nakheel and no statement about the ship’s future was available from the company at the time of writing.

An ill wind always has a silver lining.

Great offers to Dubai are already in the market and Emirates fares have become more competitive in recent weeks. It’s all good news for you as Dubai is such a great product.

VANCOUVER 2010 PREPARATIONS.

YVR 2010 Olympic Preparations

Well, how much better can it be living accross the road from the YVR 2010 Olympic Village with The British Columbia Mountains in the background and Vancouver’s version of Disney’s Golf Ball at Epcot-Florida. I took this picture this morning on the way to my travel agency office.

Who says the sun never shines in British Columbia.

It’s not too late to come to our wonderful city of Vancouver and experience the Olympic fever that is all over the city.

Preparations are nearly complete and there is still accommodation to be had, from hotel rooms on a cruise ship in port, to the traditional land based hotel.

Treat yourself to the experience of a lifetime, TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO THE OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY FROM ONLY $1545.00 CAD each, but hurry they won’t be around forever!

2 for 1 Special Tour, Grand Canal & Temples of China.

From Only CA$3,199* for 2 persons from Vancouver, March 8 – 18 2010

 

 Tour Highlights:

• Tour East offices in Beijing and Shanghai provide 24 hour support
• Private Hutong tour in Beijing by pedicab
• Visit Nanjing, the ancient capital of China, Scenic journeys from Nanjing to Wuxi, Suzhou and Shanghai.

Package includes:

Return economy class airfare, Internal flight and Train tickets, Return airport transfers by air-conditioned coach, Hotel accommodations as mentioned above (double occupancy), Meals as specified, Sightseeing with admissions as specified, Air-conditioned vehicle with guide as specified.  and Gratuities to drivers, guides and tour director.

·                     Package does not include*

·                     Meals and services not specified

·                     Excess baggage fees levied by airlines & taxes

·                     Tips and Gratuities to drivers, guides and tour director

 

1st Canadian Airline offer Wi-Fi at 30,000ft!

Air Canada Wi Fi

Air Canada has become the first Canadian carrier to offer inflight internet service to its customers. Trial service has begun on the Toronto-Los Angeles and Montreal-Los Angeles routes. The test period will run until January 29, 2010, after which Air Canada will analyze usage and customer feedback to determine whether it will introduce the service on other routes.

The Gogo Inflight internet service allows travellers to access the service using their own standard, Wi-Fi equipped laptop at a cost of US $9.95 per flight or Personal Electronic Device (PED) at a cost of US $7.95 per flight. In order to make Air Canada’s rollout fast, economical and simple, initially, the Gogo system will be powered by Aircell’s existing network which is only available in the continental US.

The system is expected to rollout on other routes in North America with the deployment of the Canadian Air-To-Ground (ATG) network. Aircell plans to collaborate with the Canadian ATG licensee in supporting the establishment of a Canadian ATG network and in facilitating the fleet-wide deployment of Air Canada’s onboard connectivity service.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

6 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling

1. Drink Tea Early and Often

The saboteur: A weakened immune system

Working long hours pre-vacation can destroy your sleep, and a study from Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that poor sleep before a stressful event reduces immune-system function.

Save your vacation: Starting a week before you leave, drink about 20 ounces of black tea daily. A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that this causes the body to secrete two to four times more interferon, a key element of your body’s infection-protection arsenal.

2. Hit the Pharmacy

The saboteur: Acute mountain sickness

At 8,000-plus feet in elevation, reduced air pressure and lower oxygen levels can induce headaches, nausea, dizziness, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).

Save your vacation: Before you leave, ask your doc for acetazolamide, a drug that helps your body metabolize more oxygen. In a study, people who took 250 milligrams twice a day after traveling from sea level to 12,000 feet relieved all symptoms. Take it a day or two before departure and continue until 48 hours after you arrive.

3. Sip Water During a Flight

The saboteur: GI trouble

Time-zone changes and poor eating can alter your normally clocklike bowel movements. “We often leave our healthy diets behind, which stresses our digestion,” says Mark Wise, M.D., author of The Travel Doctor.

Save your vacation: Hydration is the key. Limit alcohol, caffeine, and other diuretics, and be sure to drink 64 to 80 ounces of water a day during your trip. You can help combat diarrhea, gas, and bloating with a probiotic that fights harmful bacteria. Try BioBeads by Natrol. ($15 for 30 beads, natrol.com)

4. Eat Preflight Protein

The saboteur: Nausea

If your body’s motion detectors sense movement differently (e.g., your view of the cabin stays the same but your inner ear senses a drop), motion sickness is likely to ensue, according to the American Academy of Neurology.

Save your vacation: Have a burger. The right preflight meal can soothe your stomach. A Pennsylvania State University study found that subjects felt up to 26 percent less nauseated when they ate a protein-packed meal, compared with a carb-loaded meal or no food at all.

5. Moisturize Mucous Membranes

The saboteur: Arid air

A jet’s cabin air can be as dry as the Sahara—as low as 5 percent humidity, according to aircraft manufacturer Boeing. This can lead to excessive nasal dryness, which can trigger tearing of mucous membranes and facilitate infection. (If you experience frequent nosebleeds, you may be especially sensitive to dry air.)

Save your vacation: For your nostrils, pack an over-the-counter saline gel, like Ayr. To keep your skin hydrated, drink 20 ounces of water while you’re in flight, says travel-medicine specialist Terri Rock, M.D. Make sure it’s bottled, and buy it after you pass security.

6. Pack Your Own Purifier

The saboteur: Bad water

The United Nations estimates that 36 percent of drinking water in Africa doesn’t meet quality standards. (It’s 22 percent in Asia and 18 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean.) And the EPA found that 15 percent of water samples taken from 327 planes probably contained harmful pathogens.

Save your vacation: Skip the in-flight coffee and tea, which may be made with water from the jet’s tanks, and don’t brush your teeth in the lavatories. Bring your own water filter on your trip. We like the Katadyn Exstream personal water bottle purifier. ($50, katadyn.us)

 

New International Airport in Mexico Unveiled.

New International Airport in Mexico Unveiled.

 

It’s not every day that a new international airport is constructed, especially in these economic times, but Puerto Penasco, one of Mexico’s most remote locations, opened its first international airport on Thursday, making commercial access to the region that much easier.

Now travelers have access to the Sea of Cortez beaches, wildlife and recreation that once required a drive across desert and mountain terrain to get to.

The Mar de Cortes International Airport, launched by Grupo Vidanta, makes the destination less than an hour from Phoenix and less than two hours from Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Albuquerque. With its opening will come hotels, resorts, golf courses, homes and infrastructure.

So be one of the first to explore this exciting new region from budget hotel’s to five star properties.

 

WALT DISNEY TO LAND IN SHANGHAI.

WALT DISNEY TO LAND IN SHANGHAI.

 

The Chinese government approved the Walt Disney Co.’s deal to open a theme park in Shanghai. The new park is planned for the Pudong new district of China’s financial capital. Disney will be hoping the Shanghai park, with an estimated price tag of US$3.6-billion, will fare better than its Hong Kong property, which has struggled with lower-than-expected attendance and financial losses since it opened in 2005.
US $400 Savings Offer

Make their season bright.

There’s never been a better time to share the joy and wonder of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, beginning November 13. That’s because right now, can save US $400 on an unforgettable 4-day/4-night vacation to the Merriest place on Earth.

Offer Details:
Now through Dec. 19, 2009, you can save US $400* when they buy a 4-day/4-night Disneyland Resort vacation package.

Booking and Travel Window:
Booking Window: Until Dec. 19, 2009
Travel Window: Until Nov. 24  2009 & Nov.29 – Dec. 24, 2009 &

Each Package Includes:

4-Night accommodations at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
4-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper bonus ticket
Plus, These Special Benefits:

Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness** – An extra hour in Mickey’s Toontown with everyone’s favorite Disney Characters
Preferred Seating – Available at select attractions in Disney’s California Adventure Park
EXCLUSIVE! Collectible pin, lanyard and luggage tag (one per person)
Disney Character Calls – Get a complimentary phone call from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy. (This is an extra benefit for online bookings only)
Plus More!

Conditions apply.

 

HOW MANY PASSENGERS!

Did I hear 840?

That’s one hell of a big airplane: Air Austral have ordered the first single class Airbus A380 double-decker super jumbos. These are so big they should require capitals – SUPER JUMBOS.

The capacity – a massive 840 passengers. Air Austral have ordered two. Based in La Réunion in the Indian Ocean, the carrier will operate the aircraft on the high-density route from La Réunion to Paris.

The A380 normally seats 525 passengers in a three-class configuration, but this one will have eight hundred and forty passengers on one aircraft. With its spacious and extremely quiet cabins, we will be entering a new era in terms of economic air travel, BUT

 Do we even want to think about how long the line up’s will be for the washroom and don’t even think about how long you have to wait for your checked bag?