Having a spirit of adventure will enhance your travel experience. However, protecting yourself and your family from some of the costly and often unpredictable challenges of traveling is a wise investment.

Travel insurance is designed to cover the costs of those aspects of your trip that you cannot control such as illness, weather and other emergencies. Hurricanes, earthquakes or political unrest could cause you to change your plans. There are many options from which to choose. Read the rest of this entry »

May 3, 2011
Enjoy one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences in the world with a once in a lifetime visit to the mountain gorillas of Africa with Travel Associates. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer wonder of seeing full grown silverback gorillas and their young as they eat, play and relax in their natural habitat while remaining peaceful and tolerant of human visitors.

Prices start at $3,150 for the five night journey which includes return transfers from Entebbe airport, meet and greet services, accommodation in top quality hotels and lodges and one gorilla permit. Park entry fees, meals on safari, services of driver and guide and activities on the itinerary are also included as well as an excursion to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island by boat.

Both six and eight day scheduled trips are available for gorilla tracking and may occur in either Uganda or Rwanda subject to permit availability. Read the rest of this entry »

I arrived in Brisbane in late summer 2009 with several friends for a week long vacation. Our goal was to experience Australian culture and the city of Brisbane. We came for the nightlife, beaches and scuba diving. We were not disappointed.

We stayed at the Brisbane Backpacker Hostel and couldn’t have been happier with the accommodations. The hostel’s modern, friendly and spacious resort is uniquely positioned to make your visit to Brisbane a memorable, relaxing and fun time. The service was excellent and the staff was very friendly.

There were dozens of bars, cafes and restaurants within short walking distance and plenty of parks and gardens nearby. The hostel is also located on the South Bank of the Central Business District, just a few minutes from the multi-cultural and cosmopolitan West End district.

We found getting around Brisbane to be relatively easy. The city is extremely flat so walking is always an option; plus bicycles could be rented from the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. There seemed to be a well designed public transport system although we didn’t really get much use out of it.

There is plenty to do in Brisbane. A visit to the Alma Park Zoo is a necessity. There is a train that runs from the city center to the zoo which is located about thirty minutes north. Kangaroo Point makes for a nice day trip with its breathtaking cityscape views. There was a place to rent kayaks and barbecue there as well. Brisbane is home to an incredible selection of international cuisine and you’ll have no problem finding something that fits your tastes. We visited an incredible Middle Eastern restaurant which was one of the highlights of our trip. The nightlife is nothing short of fantastic and you’ll find the Australians to be a very friendly group.

Australians are actually some of the most traveled people in the world, chances are they’ve been to your country and want to show you around theirs. If you’re planning a trip to Brisbane make sure you do your research as it is an expensive city. We had a fantastic time and would surely return for a second visit. Read the rest of this entry »

For many, a trip to Egypt is an experience of a lifetime. Ancient art and architecture continue to enthrall people around the world as it is surrounded by mystery and wonder to this day. Egypt offers a glimpse into the ancient past through many tour options.

See the Three Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, Valley Temple, and the Step Pyramids of Zoser in one fantastic tour of Cairo and Giza. Cairo is situated on the banks of the famous Nile River which some say is the longest river in the world, though there is argument that the Amazon may be longer.

Most of Ancient Egypt’s cultural and historical sites are located along the banks of the Nile. Taking a tour on the Nile River is a popular and relaxing way to see many of them and to visit a number of antiquities along the way. Visitors can enjoy the luxury of a hotel on the water as they move along seamlessly from one site to the next.

Luxor is another popular tourist destination for its Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, and the nearby Temples of Karnak. To the west of Luxor, across the Nile, sit archeological sites such as Tutankhamun’s Tomb in what is called the Valley of Kings and the tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of Queens.

Before visiting Egypt it is important to be prepared. It is highly recommended to get a Hepatitis A shot and for visits over three months, the Hepatitis B shot. Though Egypt is relatively safe, petty theft is common, so be sure to secure belongings to avoid being a victim.

Egypt is a wondrous place of beauty, mystery, and enchantment. It is one of the world’s treasures that beckons to be seen, enjoyed, and appreciated. The memories will last a lifetime. Read the rest of this entry »

Europe is filled with wonderful sights, all within reasonable distances from each other.Travel between many of the countries is relatively hassle-free. An automobile may be rented, or rail passes can free a traveler to add a cruise or other transportation mode to a tour. So what are the sights that shouldn’t be missed on a European vacation?

For some people, planning a trip around personal interests, such as beaches, skiing, history, art, or some other activity is most important. Yet, to sample the best of the destinations in each country will give a better sense of the continent.

Amsterdam info – Amsterdam hotels, hostels and city guide Amsterdam hotels, hostels, tours, info, tips and articles.

In France, Paris is filled with such renowned sites as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and Louvre. Spain is known for Moorish architecture and the Alhambra palace at Granada may be the most spectacular example.

Germany’s Rhine River cruises offer views of fantastic castles. In Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall are reminders of European history, and several memorials at concentration camp sites lie throughout the countryside. In Austria, Vienna is not to be missed. Visit the museums, hear great music, and see the Lipizzaner stallions perform.

To the south, the Swiss Alps are without equal, and in Italy, Rome and Vatican City are the greatest attractions. Landmarks of the ancient Romans compete for a tourist’s time with fountains and museums. Don’t forget the Mediterranean beaches of the Riviera!

Smaller countries should not be discounted. Holland is renowned for tulips, and is the home of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The city of Brussels in Belgium is a melting-pot of northern European cultures. Portugal and Andorra offer stunning hiking and trekking opportunities, while Lichtenstein’s mountains are popular for viewing. Croatia, hidden gem of Europe, where central European, eastern European, and Mediterranean way of life meets and gives unique and peculiar cultural flavor. Read the rest of this entry »