Airline Fare Drop Refund Policies

What happens when you buy an airfare and then discover that sometime before take off the fare has dropped in price?

Here's a handy chart created by airfarewatchdog.com 

Speaking of Provence

We have a wonderful small group tour "The Colors of Provence" for next September, but meanwhile, I found this article and topic very charming.

Delightful figurines both sacred and secular grace Christmas crèches
throughout the south of France.

The Santons of Provence

In Provence the holiday season belongs to the colorful world of santons—santous or santoùos in Provençal, “little saints” to the rest of us. A wrinkle, the shining dot of an eye, a graceful pose, the tilting of a hat, a lace bonnet, a weary back stooped by toil and age, a smile of contentment, an ample fold in a garment—since these clay figurines are often no bigger than Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina, you will not be surprised that 85% of the cost goes to labor, a far cry from the modern mass-production Christmas industry. The making of a santon is a labor of love.

Read the article at FranceToday.com

Luxury Cruising with The Great American Steamboat

The Great American Steamboat Company’s inaugural voyages this spring will be filled with surprise and delight.

There is no better time to reserve space aboard an authentic American icon and to be among the first lucky travelers to make history, as the grand American Queen returns to the waterways of America’s Heartland. 

A few of their scheduled trips:

Roundtrip New Orleans - 6 nights

April 13 - 19, 2012

Visit: New Orleans, Oak Alley, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Houmas House

New Orleans to Memphis - 8 nights

April 19 - 27, 2012

Visit: New Orleans, Oak Alley, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Helena, Memphis

Memphis to Cincinnati - 7 nights

April 27- May 4, 2012

Visit: Memphis, Henderson, Louisville, Madison, Cincinnati, plus leisurely Mississippi River cruising

Contact Sara Jane with Near & Far Journeys today to reserve your spot!
913.677.6336
nearandfarjourneys@gmail.com

Travel advent calendar: 24 Christmas travel ideas

Ice Sculptures in Harbin, China

For the hardcore travel lover in all of us, CNNgo pulls together a full 24 days of globe-trotting holiday fun.

Some of my personal favorites from their list: 

Snowmobile safari, Finland
Great Christmas Pudding Race in London, England
Winter swimming in Berlin, Germany
Watch 'The Nutcracker,' St. Petersburg, Russia
Bobsledding in Lillehammer, Norway
Penguin watching at Isla Magdalena, Chile
Hot smoke sauna in Otepaa, Estonia
Ice sculptures in Harbin, China

View photos and read the entire article here

Airlines Cut Back, Hotels Step In

YOU don’t have to fly first-class to get V.I.P. treatment at the airport — if you stay at the right hotel. As more and more guests show up harried after airline delays, baggage issues and other travel hassles, hotels are stepping in with new services designed to make the airport experience less stressful. From wardrobe storage to airport concierges, here’s a rundown of some of the options being offered.

Read the whole article at the New York Times

10 Ways to Be a Less Annoying Travel Companion

from The Independent Traveler website

"Traveling with other folks is like a crucible; without careful monitoring of pressure and temperature, things can very quickly get hot enough to melt someone at some point. Having a battery of tactics toward being a good traveling companion can keep your trip (and your friendship) from going up in flames."


Here's their top Ten Ways to Be Less Annoying



1. Disappear now and then
2. Have a good time when you're apart, and share when you return.
3. Adjust to your companion's traveling style.
4. When it is time to move, move. 
5. Have an opinion.
6. Do what you are best at. 
7. Don't nick the other person's stuff without asking. 
8. Pay your fair share, but don't overreact about money.
9. Roll with it.
10. Don't judge.

Read the full article   


Here's a few tips that I would add:


11. Don't empty out your suitcase/make-up bag/ backpack/shopping bags all over the room, especially if we're moving on to another hotel room in a day or two. 
12. When using the toilet for what should be personal reasons, shut the darn door!  Ewwwww.
13. Related to #12, if there is a fan option in the toilet, please use it. 
14. We didn't travel 8000 miles across the globe to watch MTV or The Andy Griffith Show, damnit. News shows and weather forecasts are okay, however. And watching anything in the native language can be fun and instructive, so that's okay in moderation.
15. Remember that your roommate is not your mother. 


Yours in Travel and Adventure,

Q&A: Getting seats on a plane ... together

Don't you just hate it when you spend a fortune on airline seats only to find that you and your travel partner are seated miles apart? The Overhead Bin blog shares these tips. You can read the full article here.

Here are some other tips for getting the seats you want on an airplane:

• If a seat chart is not available when you book your flight online, call the airline or the ticketing agent as soon as possible to request seating.
• If you don’t get a seating assignment — or don’t get the seats you’d like — call back again a week or two before your flight.
• As the day of the flight gets closer, check the online seating charts or call the airline to see if other seats have become available.
• Check in online as soon as you can. Some seats, especially exit and bulkhead row seats, are not released until the day of the flight.
• Get to the airport early and check the seating chart at the check-in kiosk or ask the gate agent if any better seats are available. Some airlines will offer discounted upgrades or first-class seats at good discounts at the check-in kiosks.
• And, yes, once onboard you may find another passenger willing to swap seats to allow two people to sit together. But don’t count on it.

Egypt - I Would Go Back In A Flash

The Crowds at Karnak are Temporarily Gone

Near & Far travelers explored Egypt together in October of 2010, just a few months before the revolution. It was a great trip with the only flaw being the huge crowds at special places like the temple at Karnak and the Sphinx.

Truth be told, if I had the time and the means, I would go back to Egypt right now. The tourism industry has been hit hard and they really want your business. Great deals are aplenty. This time I would personally spend more time in Luxor and also explore Alexandria. I would hire one of the many credible on-site tour companies and a private driver.

If you would like to do the same, contact me and I'll get you set up in style and comfort, without breaking your budget.

As with all Near & Far Journeys you will enjoy extra educational materials and in-depth pre-tour travel advice.

Read this recent article in the NY Times about traveling to Egypt now.

Yours in Travel and Adventure,

Sara Jane Crane
913-677-6336
nearandfarjourneys@gmail.com
nearandfarjourneys.com

Best cities to travel to in 2012

Stockholm

Lonely Planet names a surprising list of next year's up-and-coming tourist destinations.

Forget what you know about these unusual choices for best city. Their standings on this Lonely Planet list don't go without merit.

New stadiums, global events, pop culture, festivals, and a little bit of fresh paint have all made these cities the next stand out stars of 2012.

Read more: Lonely Planet: Best cities to travel in 2012 | CNNGo.com 

More Reasons to Travel: The World's Best Foods

The world has voted and we now know the name and origin of the world's most delicious food. But have you eaten it?

Read more: World's 50 most delicious foods: Readers' picks #3 | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/eat/readers-choice-worlds-50-most-delicious-foods-012321?page=0,2#ixzz1bcvxwv9i

Did you know that Pho is pronounced "fuh"? I had no idea. But, I do love it.

How to Avoid Flights That May Get Cancelled

Anyone who says it's about the journey, not just the destination, has never stood at an airport gate and learned that their flight is canceled. Last month, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report about whether airlines are canceling more flights now than before. The answer: Yes.
http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/18/8385631-how-to-avoid-flights-that-may-get-canceled
(Tip from Sara: This is just another reason to let a tour company handle your flights. Let them deal with the rebooking !)

Is it Coincidence or is Venice Really Calling?

Near & Far travelers Mike and Laurie (Peru 2007) are currently off on the "Toast to Tuscany" tour. While preparing materials for their trip, I found myself falling deeply in love with all things Venice. Since that time, it seems that several times a day I run across something Venetian related. Is the Universe pointing me towards "The City of Light"? Perhaps. But meanwhile, allow me to share this really cool video and website.

Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?
Venice is not just a stage set. It is also a city with a resident population, which has productive activities, transportation and services. But how does the “Venice system” work? How do the tides in the lagoon behave? How are the canals formed? And the embankments? What’s under the buildings?
Directed by Nicolò Scibilia (teodolinda.it). Motion graphics: pholpo. Produced by Insula spa, operational division of Venice Municipality.

venicebackstage.org

Don't Let Media Hype and Fear Mongering Stop Your Travels

Afar Magazine Co-Founder shares his experience of recent travel to Cairo:

"According to the Egyptian government, 2.2 million people visited Egypt in the second quarter, and none were attacked. That doesn't make headlines.


Bad things happen everywhere, and there are no guarantees. According to the New York Times, 67 people were shot in various incidents in New York over Labor Day weekend; 13 died. When I traveled to New York, nobody emailed me to make sure I was OK. But when things happen in a foreign land—and let's be honest, particularly in the Middle East—people are more likely to assume an isolated incident is indicative of much more."


Read the article: http://www.afar.com/posts/in-egypt-getting-beyond-otherness

Sometimes Credit Cards are Good

CNN.com recently posted this article "Five credit cards every traveler should consider". Personally, I prefer a pre-loaded debit (sometimes called "gift") card for each trip. I set my budget for each trip and load that onto a debit card. This allows me to easily track my spending and keeps me from returning from the trip with a huge balance on my credit card. However, if you are traveling to a country without multiple ATM access points, you must be sure to get cash before moving on to your next destination.  I have learned this lesson many times, unfortunately.


Here's some links to finding ATMs worldwide:

MasterCard/Cirrus/Maestro ATM Locator

Visa/PLUS ATM Locator

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

A Toast to Tuscany, October 13 - 24, 2011

You deserve this trip. Read about it here. 

And view more incredibly beautiful photos of "la Toscana fra mura e paesaggio" by Andrea Bonfonti here. 

It's over 100' in Kansas and I'm dreaming of Christmas in Europe. You?

Truly one of my very favorite travel memories was a charming Christmas time cruise along the Danube. Myself and a small group of public radio listeners happily floated along the historic Danube in 2007. Nothing in the USA can compare to the old world holiday traditions and winter scenery of Europe. Each port along the way soothed our souls with real holiday spirit. Beautiful displays, children's  choruses, warming Glühwein, roasting chestnuts (really!), and friendly people filled our days and nights.  


Every year at Christmas I am reminded of the wonderful Christmas Markets when I unpack my collection of mugs from the Nuremberg, Wurzberg, Vienna and Regensberg Glühwein stalls. Visits to historic sites and ancient churches and even a little time for shopping for those very special European gifts rounded out our trip. 

I'd love for you to experience an old-world Christmas too. Ama Waterways, widely regarded as one of the very best River Cruise companies, has just announced a special deal which can make this dream trip a reality for many of you. Click on through to learn more.


Watch videos about the Ama Waterways experience. 


If you'd like to find yourself on one of these relaxing, luxurious, and yet affordable Christmastime river cruises,  please let me help you make this dream come true.  Contact me at nearandfarjourneys@gmail.com or call me direct at 913-677-6336. 


Yours in Travel and Adventure,


Sara Jane Crane
Near & Far Journeys

Important Notes: 

Airfare from KC: The price for air (utilizing free air for a companion) from Kansas City, is around $620 pp (including taxes and fees). 


**Must be booked by August 31st and is subject to availability.

12 new sites on UNESCO World Heritage List

From a Western Australian coastline to the deserts of the Middle East to the coffee plantations of Colombia, here are 12 more places to add to your must-go list. FULL STORY

Get to Amsterdam! Quick!

Many people of a certain generation were upset to learn about the Dutch government's new plan to stop tourists from purchasing and smoking cannabis in the infamous coffee houses of Amsterdam. I met with a nice woman last week who was eager to plan her trip to Amsterdam as quickly as possible. Along with her sister, she plans to "relive the 70's one more time" this coming August. Her wish was for a small boutique hotel as near to the coffeehouse area as possible. After just a bit of research, I learned that many of the historical boutique hotels in Amsterdam do not have lifts, so unless you are happy lugging your suitcases up and down several flights of stairs, you would do well to stay at one of these lovely and historic hotels.

The Convent Hotel Amsterdam is a 4-star hotel with a unique history that makes it the perfect place to stay. Its location in the center of Amsterdam is ideal for visiting the city. It is a five-minute walk from Centraal Station, Dam Square and the Royal Palace. The hotel building previously housed 2 monasteries from the 13th & 14th centuries, plus a printing house and now has 148 rooms, including 11 Junior Suites, each with their own history and character.

Opened in 1896, Hotel De L’Europe is often referred to as the other “Royal Palace of Amsterdam”.  The hotel’s impactful décor sets it apart, surrounding its visitors with original Dutch Masters paintings from the private collection of Alfred “Freddy” Heineken. Plush furnishings, discreetly anticipatory service, and contemporary comforts create a sophisticated luxe guest experience. Located on the Amstel River in Amsterdam’s center and five minutes from several of the world’s most heralded museums and attractions, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the city and river to its visitors.

Overlooking two of the city's most picturesque canals, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht, Hotel Pulitzer is ideally located in the middle of the old city center of Amsterdam, is comprised of 25 restored 17th and 18th century canal houses. Each of the 230 distinctive guest rooms represents a small piece of Dutch history and culture.

There is much more to explore in Amsterdam than just the coffeehouses. Be sure to take several boat trips along the canals, and visit the Anne Frank House, the Heineken Brewery, the wonderful Flower Market, the Rijksmuseum and of course, the Van Gogh Museum!

Finally, here are a few free tips from your trusty travel advisor, Sara Jane Crane

1. To book your stay in any of these hotels, be sure to call me so that you can partake in the very worthwhile Virtuoso amenities available. These usually include complimentary upgrades, free full breakfasts, late check out times and much more.

2. Hard soled walking shoes are very important when exploring Amsterdam. The cobblestone or brick streets and sidewalks will raise havoc with your ankle and calf muscles at the end of the day if you don't have good shoes. (Trust me on this! I was brought to tears with pain after my first day of exploring Amsterdam in sandals)

3. Here's a handy map of the coffeehouses in Amsterdam.  Don't get lost or you might end up in the nearby Red Light District. (wink wink nudge nudge)

Call or write me if you'd like help in planning your trip to Amsterdam.
nearandfarjourneys@gmail.com
913-677-6336

Ken Burn's Civil War 150th Anniversary Tour

Dear Travelers,

Knowing that many members of our group are big fans of PBS and Ken Burns, I was excited to run across this exciting tour celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Civil War. Additionally, I am sure that many of you are very interested in Civil War history and this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience it through the expert lens of Ken Burns.

Ken Burns, award-winning documentary filmmaker and creator of The Civil War, one of American public television’s highest-rated series, brings personal stories, insightful interpretations and behind-the-scenes perspectives to Most Hallowed Ground, a Civil War tour crafted by Tauck Tours and Ken Burns.

This 11-day trip masterfully chronicles some of the most pivotal events and venues of the Civil War, highlighted by: guided visits, living history reenactments and unique access to some of the war’s most significant sites; private presentations and talks by experts in their various fields, from history to music and more; a behind-the-scenes experience at the National Archives with an archives expert; and an interactive experience during which guests assume the identity of an actual Confederate or Union soldier. A Tauck Exclusive on this tour– film vignettes by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Throughout your extraordinary journey through the Civil War’s “most hallowed ground,” Ken Burns offers his unique perspectives on the terrible conflict and its pivotal role in shaping the nation we live in today. Sharing fresh insights to accompany images from his documentary, The Civil War, Ken’s vignettes enliven your travels in Washington, Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Charlottesville, Appomattox and Richmond. (Note: Ken Burns does not accompany this tour)

11 Days from $3,890 plus airfare

(10 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 7 Dinners)

Begins in Washington, DC with departures on Oct 3, 10, 14, 21. (There are also some September departure dates but they are almost full)

Tauck Tours is an excellent luxury tour operator. The hotels will all be 4 -5 star quality.

If you would like more information on this tour, I'd be happy to discuss it with you. This is not a KCUR tour, but if enough people are seriously interested, I would be glad to block a group date for it.

Sara Jane Crane
Near & Far Journeys/ Great Getaways
913-677-6336
nearandfarjourneys@gmail.com
http://www.nearandfarjourneys.com/