4-1206-Niche Markets.qxp - Travel World News

SECTION FOUR DECEMBER 2006 

R A I L T R A V E L 

S P A S 

RAIL TRAVEL GAINS 

IN POPULARITY 

A F R I C A 

CHARM AND COMFORT IN TANZANIA AT 

MOIVARO LODGES AND TENTED CAMPS 

S K I I N G 

INDIA: PEACE OF MIND & BODY – 

WELLNESS TOURISM EXPANDS 

EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA 

–TWO TANTALIZING CHOICES 

THE PROFITABLE WORLD 

OF NICHE MARKETS

1270 Avenue of the Americas, 

Suite 1808, New York, NY 10020 

Tel: 1-800-953-9399•E-mail: ny@itonyc.com 

Or contact us at: 

www.incredibleindia.org 

What time weakens, 

Nature can strengthen. 

It can add years to life. It can ease 

the stress of modern living. And it 

can even improve immunity. 

It’s the ‘science of life’, and is as 

old as mankind. It uses selfknowledge 

and self-care to bring 

harmony to your mind, body and 

soul - with secrets gathered from 

leaves, flowers, roots oils and 

stones. 

Ayurveda will nourish you. 

Much like Incredible !ndia.

THE PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS 

India: Peace of Mind and Body 

India’s Ancient Arts impact Modern Lifestyles. Wellness Tourism Expands 

across the Sub-Continent. 

By Helen Kitti Smith 

SOUKYA 

Soukya, a residential holistic health and integrative medical center on a 30-acre organic farm in the tranquil, unpolluted countryside. 

India’s sages of yore, her ancient rishis, bestowed 

an extraordinary spiritual legacy on civilization 

some 5,000 years ago. Their wisdom was transmitted 

through oral teachings that, over millennia, 

were passed from teacher (guru) to disciple 

(sisya). Once finally codified, the legacy 

came to reside in four distinct volumes. These are the 

Vedas. They form the backbone of Hinduism. 

Ayurveda and Yoga are two highly-developed “sister” 

systems that derive from this legacy. Their goal is to 

guide the individual to rediscover the essential spirit 

within through balancing the vital energies that comprise 

all life forces. World-renowned Yoga Teacher (Yogacharya) 

B. K. S. Iyengar states: "It is through the body that you 

reach the realization of your being a spark of divinity. 

How can you neglect the body which is the temple of the 

spirit?” 

Today, these two systems thrive around the world. They 

underpin what our industry terms “wellness tourism.” It 

is almost redundant to state that destination spas and 

luxury boutique properties the world over offer ayurvedic 

modalities and yoga workshops. 

But for the real essence, there is no more unique undertaking, 

no more exclusive experience ever, than to engage 

in these both at their very source. This is where you, a 

savvy travel agent on wellness tourism, will knowingly 

suggest that your clients be booked shortly on “A Passage 

to India” with all due respect to E. M. Forster. 

Ayurveda 

Ayurveda is considered the world’s oldest and most 

comprehensive healthcare system. In Sanskrit “ayus” 

translates as “life” and “ved” as “knowledge.” A rare combination 

of philosophy and science, ayurveda is a brilliant 

tapestry that defines life in equilibrium. Its warp and 

weft focus on spiritual health. Its texture upholds the 

fundamentals necessary to sustain mental and physical 

health. 

The Atharva Veda, one of the four Vedas, is specifically 

about ayurveda. It contains references to anatomy, physiology, 

surgery, herbs, diseases and cures. The Rig Veda 

is concerned with the real nature of health and disease, 

and includes herbal treatments and natural remedies. It 

defines the use of specific spices, their medicinal and 

therapeutic values, and is the genesis for Indian cuisine’s 

spiciness. 

In Ayurveda, the five great elements of creation - fire, 

water, earth, air, space – comprise the macro-cosm. Their 

Sanskrit name is the “pancha-mahabhutas” or five great 

elements. These very same elements co-exist in the 

micro-cosm that is each human body. They comprise its 

cellular and physiological structure. Three other elements 

(called “tri-doshas”) reflect these same elements of 

creation. They govern an individual’s state of being. 

They are “pitta”, the fire element; “kapha”, the water and 

earth element; and “vata”, the air and space element. Tridoshas 

are influenced by three qualities or states of mat- 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 

DECEMBER 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 3


INDIA FROM PAGE 3 

ter (called “gunas”). The three gunas are “rajas”, the excitable, 

fiery, and spicy state; “tamas”, the sluggish, inert, 

and moribund state; and “sattva”, the enlightened, 

placid, and balanced state. 

Ayurveda is a balance between the pancha-mahabhutas 

and the doshas. For example, each individual’s constitution 

is a specific dominant dosha. Life’s experiences and 

emotions erode that constitution. This creates imbalances 

as the doshas shift into excess and shortage. At the 

same time, an individual is governed by being charged 

and intense (“rajasic”), or by being in the doldrums and 

sluggish (“tamasic”), or by being fully balanced and contented 

(“sattvic”). These gunas shift into excess and 

shortage as well, and impose more imbalances. 

The challenge for Ayurvedic doctors, then, is to 

determine the specific nature of these many overlays, 

and to prescribe a specific natural healing modality. It 

is through massage, exercise, oils, cleansing and 

nutrition that an individual can return to the balanced, 

sattvic state. 

Yoga 

Yoga is at once a philosophy, an art, a system for complete 

health in all its aspects, and a lifestyle. It is a brilliant 

spiritual system predicated on finding liberation 

from the mind’s trickery. Most succinctly, yoga is defined 

as stilling the mind’s chatter. Its holistic blueprint quiets 

the mind’s acrobatics and diffuses its ever-aggravating 

tricks. With a tranquil mind, one’s innate self-knowledge 

can become apparent. Spiritual growth and freedom 

can be attained. 

The sage Patanjali codified the Vedic knowledge (after 

several iterations through the centuries) into his eponymous 

and classical text, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. 

He provided the framework for yoga as we know it today, 

as an eight-limbed system. 

What has so enthralled adherents in the West about 

yoga is its third limb: asana. This practice of physical 

postures brings balance, strength and flexibility. Each 

asana has an underlying therapeutic benefit. Patanjali’s 

fourth limb is breath awareness, or pranayama. It is compelling 

with its calibrating effect on personal tranquility. 

Adapted as a physical exercise regime, yoga has grown to 

epic proportions. There are some 19 million practitioners 

in the U.S. alone - according to a 2005 survey undertaken 

by Yoga Journal magazine. 

But yoga is light years beyond mere physical exercise. 

The American Vedic scholar Dr. David Frawley tells us 

"Yoga is the practical side of the Vedic teachings while 

Ayurveda is the healing side." 

From Philosophy to Facts 

-According to the 2004 Spa Industry Study of the 

International Spa Association (ISPA), there are 12,100 

spas in the U.S., and 2,100 in Canada. The spa industry 

is the fourth largest U.S. leisure industry. The ISPA’s 

2700 members in 75 countries reflect a substantial 

global network of spa professionals, service providers and 

product manufacturers. 

-The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) – 

part of U.S. Department of Commerce’s International 

Trade Administration - recorded 28.8 million U.S. travelers 

who went abroad in 2005. This number reflects a 

5% increase over out-bound travelers in 2004. India experienced 

a 33% growth in U.S. visitation between 2004 

and 2005, also based on OTTI records. 

-The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) noted a 

13.5% increase in international in-bound visitor arrivals 

to India from January - August 2004 (2,454,352 arrivals), 

to January – August 2005, (2,785,328 arrivals). 

-In the just-released 2007 Fourth Annual Spa Trends 

Report, (from Spa Finders Inc.) “Ayurveda” was listed as 

a “Spa Buzz Word.” It states, “Spa guests are … welcoming 

education about local cultures and healing traditions 

and looking for holistic commitment…”. It also states, 

“Medical wellness and cosmetic med spas are doing 

booming business by filling certain critical gaps in the 

traditional health care system. In 2007 more people will 

travel to another city, state or country for medical spa experiences 

creating a new trend: medical tourism.” 

From Facts to You 

What does all this mean to you – the North American 

Travel Professional? 

First, it urges you to be a wellness/spa traveler yourself. 

Renew your sparkle. Have an ayurvedic massage. Practice 

yoga at dawn. You will experience what the French mean 

by “feeling good in your skin.” 

Second, book your clients in the land of ayurveda and 

yoga. Send them to India. Advise them confidently with 

the following overview of wellness and spa hotels. And 

one day soon, book yourself to India as well. You shall encounter 

the truth behind its moniker, “Incredible India.” 

Wellness Tourism in India 

Abundant facilities and reasonable fares await in India. 

Her offerings range from tasteful boutique urban properties 

to princely residences atop mountain-peaks; from 

therapeutic centers to hideaways framed by the Ganges; 

and coastal retreats lapped by the Arabian Sea, Indian 

Ocean and Bay of Bengal. 

For Travel World News, this writer covered two North 

Indian spas: Ananda in the Himalayas, in Uttaranchal 

state in March ’06, (named ‘2005 Best Destination Spa’ 

by Conde Nast Traveler); and The Oberoi Wildflower 

Hall perched at 8200 feet in the lofty Himalayas, in 

Himachal Pradesh state in April ’06, (received ‘2005 

4 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • DECEMBER 2006


London World Travel Mart Award’). The following two 

North Indian retreats are very worthy of note, as are the 

two in Southern India. All are diverse, as is India herself. 

The Punjab 

In the northwestern state of Punjab, not far from the 

stellar Sikh Golden Temple is WH Ranjit’s Svaasa, an intimate 

luxury boutique spa. Svaasa means both ‘inspiration’ 

and ‘breath of life.’ This inviting gem truly reflects 

its name. It is located on Amritsar’s prestigious Mall 

Road. 

Part of the WelcomHeritage Collection Group of 

palaces, forts, ancestral homes and resorts that reflect the 

architectural heritage of India, Svaasa is located in a 

haveli, Rai Bahadur Rattan Chand’s ancestral mansion. 

It dates back seven generations. Amritsar and this noted 

family are intertwined, and today, family trusts support 

a school for the blind, a cow-shed (with more than 200 

cows), a temple and a charitable clinic. WH Ranjit’s 

Svaasa is the elegant “home away from home” choice of 

diplomats, elites, and international travelers. 

But Ranjit’s focus extends beyond the inherent responsibilities 

of a recognized family. She is committed to 

Svaasa’s nurturing, non-smoking and organic environment. 

In the Svaasa Spa Pavillion, 15 ayurvedic therapies 

are offered, a large menu for a small facility. Solar 

panels heat water, and water-based, odorless paint covers 

walls. Fresh milk from the cow-shed arrives daily and 

complements her organic fare. 

Each of the 17 rooms features unique colors with patios 

or balconies, oriented to capture the essential energies of 

Indian ‘energy flow practice’ known as “vaastu.” WH 

Ranjit’s Svaasa is an oasis of quiet amidst the city’s roar. 

It is a small place with a big soul. (10-20% commissions 

on room tariff only). 

Along The Ganges River 

Snuggled below the Devprayag Road and banked by the 

revered Ganges River, the Himalayan Hideaway resides 

quietly. Its lush countryside embraces a handful of stone 

buildings that gently cascade across the property. They 

house the resort’s public areas and eight of its nine private 

rooms. Mine is the ninth, nestled in its own stone 

cottage closer to the Ganges. 

All is peaceful here. Nature’s acoustics resound: ‘gurgles’ 

from the Ganges, insect conversations at night, 

high-pitched alarm of an Asian barking deer. (Their 

antlers and stature are smaller than North American 

deer.) 

Spacious bathrooms, tasteful furnishings, in-room 

heaters, and constant how water flow co-exist with the 

mellow, rustic design at Himalayan Hideaway. In Outlook 

Traveler Survey 2005, Himalayan Hideaway is noted on 

its “List of Worthies”, in the “Small Hotel” category. 

Svaasa’s beautiful north entrance courtyard. 

Stone-lined paths lead to a ‘sit-out’ near an open-pit fire 

that blazes now for winter warmth. Conversation, climate 

and laughter turn strangers into friends. These 

paths lead to the region’s first “eco-garden” - a plant collection 

of flora and fauna unique to the north-west 

Himalayas, and turns towards the Chakra Abode, a twostory 

cottage where simple ayurvedic massage reigns. 

Therapists are called from town. No rush, they arrive. All 

is in order. Everything is peaceful. Rural so refreshes, 

urban often depresses. 

“Environmentalist” is Himalayan Hideaway’s motto: 

“Take Nothing but Photos. Leave Nothing but 

Footprints.” A few days and I am ready to live here. But 

I do borrow a Ganges river rock until I return. 

Should I need to do anything else, kayaking, rafting, 

walking, climbing, bird watching, angling, rappelling, 

and hiking are offered. Their sister camp is the legendary 

Himalayan River Runners, India’s first rafting company. 

I can partake of these activities, but I don’t. I opt for this 

lovely quiet. Himalayan Hideaway is an organic abode of 

tranquility. (10% agent’s commission) 

Hi-Tech to Holistic Outside Bangalore 

Soukya is a residential holistic health and integrative 

medical center situated on a 30-acre organic farm in the 

tranquil, unpolluted countryside. It is sufficiently outside 

the urban high-tech mecca into which the pretty city 

of Bangalore has evolved (some 13 miles away). Its name 

means “wellness”. That is exactly what Soukya offers. In 

October this year Soukya was rated “Best Place for 

Natural Cure” by India Today, the Time magazine of 

India. 

The Chairman, Medical and Managing Director is 

Dr. Isaac Mathai, a renowned holistic physician and 


SOUKYA 



INDIA FROM PAGE 5 

health consultant. Dr. Mathai studied Chinese Pulse 

Diagnosis and Acupuncture at the W.H.O. Institute of 

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Nanking, China, and 

received training at Harvard Medical School’s Mind- 

Body Medicine Program. His experience derives from 20 

years of holistic medical practice, and a 10,000+ patient 

network from 40 countries. Dr Mathai specializes in integrating 

medical systems and complementary therapies. 

Mrs. Suja Issac is Soukya’s nutritionist, (M.Sc., M.Phil 

in Foods and Nutrition), Executive Director, and Dr. 

Mathai’s wife. 

With its focus on health promotion and early intervention, 

Soukya offers highly-individualised treatments. 

The roster of medical and healing-related services - 7 

Integrated Medicine specialties; 21Complementary 

Therapies; 9 Medical Programs and Full Wellness 

Regimes - is extensive. Its full range of ayurvedic treatments 

is the “real deal.” So no wonder that the Duchess 

of York Sarah Ferguson and Reverend Desmond Tutu 

have experienced this center. 

Situated on lush grounds, organic farming reigns: orchards 

and vegetable gardens furnish the restaurant, organic 

fodder for cows and ducks produce milk and eggs. 

South Indian inner courtyards, thatched roofs, use of 

local granite, handcrafted tiles and decorative Gujarati 

mirror craft are framed by traditional Indian architecture. 

Sixteen very spacious guest rooms - 12 deluxe and 

4 suites - have open air showers and private gardens. Ecofriendly 

structures (solar panels, rain water harvesting, 

drip irrigation) underpin the infrastructure. 

The Soukya Foundation runs two charity homeopathic 

clinics. Above all, Dr. Mathai and Mrs. Isaac foster a 

great love for their guests through their commitment to 

better health. In addition, Dr. Deepak Chopra’s endorsement 

speaks volumes: “Dr. Mathai is one of the most 

competent and brilliant holistic doctors in the world 

today.” (10% agent’s commission) 

Portuguese India – GOA 

The Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre in Saligao, 

Caligute, Goa, operates two resort facilities as well as its 

fully-equipped ayurvedic hospital center, The Ayur 

Centre. Headed by Dr. Sunita, the Ayurvedic Natural 

Health Centre boasts a knowledgeable staff. 

Two of its goals truly reflect the caring approach that 

has brought acclaim to this facility: to make every individual 

understand the laws of nature and introduce the 

laws of nature in oneself to maintain perfect health, and 

to make the treatment accessible to every individual at 

the most reasonable price. 

Prainha Beach Resort overlooks the Zuari River, and in 

the distance, the Arabian Sea. It started as a small white 

cottage by the sea in 1963, situated over a private, secluded 

beach. Encircled by enormous palm trees and lush 

coastal vegetation, today, Prainha Beach Resort boasts 45 

rooms, framed in indigenous wood cottages, four of which 

are situated some 30 feet off the beach. These are the 

Madeira Cottages. The facility is a tranquil retreat where 

antique wooden furniture recalls the Portuguese culture 

in this part of India. 

Prainha is Portuguese for “little beach”. This little 

beach and its professional staff offer solid and caring 

ayurveda treatments, as directed through the Ayurvedic 

Natural Health Centre. (10% agent’s commission) 

WH Ranjit’s Svaasa, spa@svaasa.com, www.svaasa.com; 

Himalayan Hideaway and Himalayan River Runners, 

riverrun@airtelbroadband.in, www.hhindia.com, www. 

hrrindia.com; Soukya, info@soukya.com, www.soukya. 

com; Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre, info@healthand 

ayurveda.com, www.healthandayurveda.com 

TRAVEL, DISCOVER AND LEARN WITH BHARAT 

TRAVELS IN INDIA 

Bharat Travel Service Private Ltd. is a learning travel organization functioning 

from the historic city of Chennai in southern India. Started in 

1946, this is one of the oldest travel companies in this part of the world. 

Each of their theme-based travel learning programs is the product of 

several years of intensive library and field research combined to create a 

comfortable, enjoyable and memorable experience. Every program provides 

ample opportunities to observe and study specific facets of Indian 

culture, society, and economy, and also to interact with a cross-section of 

India’s friendly people. 

Each program is a mix of talks by experts, field visits and discussions 

with locals. Many of their programs include visits to rare and interesting 

places that are normally out-of-bounds for general visitors.While they 

offer the unknown and the offbeat,they certainly do not ignore the wellknown 

and the famous. 

Their Roman Trails in South India program provides glimpses of the 

Roman and St.Thomas the Apostle’s presence in South India and the influence 

of this presence on South Indian art, culture and society.Starting 

from the Kerala backwaters where the Romans first landed in India, the 

program includes visits to villages which once housed a huge population 

of Romans, Roman archaeological sites and harbors, ancient industrial 

sites where iron and steel were processed for export to Rome, and 

the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Brhadishvara Temple, Tanjavur, the 

monuments of Mahabalipuram and finally, Chennai’s Santhome Basilica 

where St.Thomas was originally buried. 

In addition to Archaeology and History Tours, they also offer Art 

Appreciation tours to North and South India and the Festivals of Kerala; 

Anthropology Tours including the Pathway to Divinity, Sikkim Heritage, 

Tribal Heritage of South India, and Culture of God’s Own Country; and 

Natural History Tours such as Wildlife Trails, Brahmaputra River Cruise, 

and a Tsunami Services Program. Besides the regular programs offered, 

they can also put together custom programs suited to specific needs, aspirations, 

time and budget. 

Bharat Travels, suresh@bharattravels.com, mahesh@bharattravels. 

com 



WALTZ INTO THE NEW YEAR ON THE 

MAJESTIC IMPERATOR LUXURY TRAIN FROM 

TRAIN CHARTERING 

Spend the last hours of 2006 and the first of 2007 dining and dancing 

on board the Majestic Imperator Luxury Train in Vienna.The Train is 

based on the Imperial Train of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was inaugurated 

by Archduchess Maria Christina von Habsburg-Lothringen, 

descendent of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth. 

The philosophy of today’s Majestic Imperator Luxury Train is best reflected 

in the words of the Honourable Claudius von Klaudy, his 

Majesty’s Engineer at the end of the 19th century: "to provide the 

guests with an experience, which will forever remain a highlight in 

their travel memories." 

On December 31, the Majestic Imperator will travel through and 

around Vienna by night, allowing guests to enjoy the view while being 

pampered with fine dining at a black tie formal dinner, followed by 

dancing onboard at the New Year's Ball. 

At midnight, the Majestic Imperator will stop on a bridge on the 

Danube, thus allowing an excellent view of Vienna’s magnificent firework 

display. Guests will then be invited to dance a midnight waltz 

high above the Danube to the most famous Strauss waltz ‘The Blue 

Danube.’ 

In the New Year, there will be live music in the piano bar, and 

continued dancing. Later, guests will be served goulash soup 

and Sacherwürstel, a traditional Austrian sausage. From 2 am, the Train 

will call at various Viennese stations before arriving back at Wien-Süd 

at 4 am. 

The Imperial New Year's Express costs approximately $357 per person. 

Rail ticket, dinner, drinks (Champagne, fine wines, beer, mineral 

water and soft drinks) and the most romantic evening in Europe are all 

included in the price. 

Train Chartering, www.trainchartering.com 

WANDERLUST’S CLASSIC STREAMLINER TRAIN 

RETURNS TO YOSEMITE 

Wanderlust, a travel and special events company, has announced an 

exclusive program for 2007 that offers, for the first time in over 35 years, 

comfortable and classic Streamliner train travel to Yosemite National 

Park. Not since the Santa Fe Railway’s famed San Francisco Chief made 

its last run in April 1971 have travelers been able to journey to this great 

national park in evocative ‘Streamliner Style’ with an elegant and comfortable 

atmosphere, attentive service and first class dining. 

The program can begin in many Bay Area cities including San 

Francisco/Oakland, Emeryville, Richmond, Martinez or Antioch where 

guests board the ‘Yosemite Limited’ for the scenic trip south over the 

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to Merced.This is a scenic journey 

along San Francisco Bay, the Delta, through the orchards of the Central 

Valley and across the Merced River. All meals, wines and spirits onboard 

the train is included and an attentive staff looks after guests as they 

enjoy a nostalgic ambiance complete with comfortable club chairs and 

sofas, large picture windows, fresh flowers, souvenir maps and convivial 

company. 

Upon arrival at Merced,guests have a short but scenic ride over historic 

Highway 49 via the Gold Rush town of Mariposa to El Portal and 

Yosemite. Once in the park, there is a complete sightseeing tour including 

Half dome, El Capital, Bridal Veil Falls, and more. This program offers 

four distinct hotel choices, and there is plenty of time for guests to enjoy 

this setting at their own pace. On the return trip to the Bay Area, travel 

south to Fresno through Oakhurst and board the ‘Yosemite Limited’for a 

late afternoon departure and a farewell cocktail party. 

The train, together with the park hotels, offers a wide variety of meeting 

facilities, accommodations, dining and recreational activities, making 

it a perfect destination for family experiences, corporation and association 

meetings as well as a very attractive fund raising venue. The 

‘Yosemite Limited’ can travel to the park during any season. Dates in 

December fill up quickly so early confirmations are encouraged. 

Complete fares for this three-day ‘Explorer’ holiday begins at $495 per 

person, which includes round-trip travel aboard the ‘Yosemite Limited,’ 

accommodations for two nights, a guided valley tram-tour, all transfers, 

a professional travel host and special select amenities.They also offer an 

‘Ahwanhnee Adventure’ package from $995 per person featuring the 

finest of Yosemite’s most celebrated hotels. 

And, for those with less time to travel they can off a one-day ‘Getaway’ 

trip from the Bay Area priced at $295 per person including 

all the amenities of the Explorer package but without the need for 

hotels. Itinerary and pricing does vary depending on tour selections 

and amenities. 

Wanderlust Travel & Events, 877-625-1717, www.wanderlust 

events.com 

23nd YEAR 

2007 RAILROAD TOURS 

WINTER STEAM I & II / Feb 19, 22 - 23 – Durango, Colorado and East Ely, Nevada 

SNOWFLAKE EXPRESS / Feb 18 - 20 – Private dome cars SF Bay Area to Reno RT 

MINING STEAM OF CHINA / Mar 25 - Apr 7 – Last of the Industrial steam in China 

STEAM IN POLAND “100 YEARS” CELEBRATION / May 13 - 28 – Lots of steam 

WHITE PASS RAIL SPECTACULAR / June 13 - 18 – Skagway charters on the WP&Y 

GREAT SOUTHWEST TRAIN SPECTACULAR / July 1- 8 – Las Vegas “G” convention 

DOMES TO FEATHER RIVER RR DAYS FESTIVAL / Aug 24 - 26 – Portola festival 

RAILROADS OF EQUADOR / Sept 8 - 16 – Charter steam-diesel-railcars in the Andes 

GEORGETOWN LOOP RAILFAN DAY / Sept 21 – Steam charters with many run-bys 

RIO GRANDE DURANGO RAIL ADVENTURE / Sept 26 - 29 – Charters-all RG lettering 

RIO GRANDE LE VETA PASS RAIL ADVENTURE / Sept 23 - 24 – Starts in Alamosa 

MODOC RAIL ADVENTURE / Oct 5 - 8 – Former SP Modoc Line and Lake County RR’s 

NEW ENGLAND FALL COLORS RAIL SPECTACULAR / Oct 6 - 14 – MA-VT-NH-ME 

BLACK HILLS CENTRAL RAILFAN DAY / Oct 8 – Three steam locomotives-run-bys 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS / Oct 13 - 18 – Private rail cars SF Bay Area-Denver RT 

GREAT ARGENTINIAN RAIL ADVENTURE / Oct 26 - Nov 10– Four countries visited 

MEXICAN COPPER CANYON RAIL ADVENTURE / Nov 8 - 15 – Starts in Tucson, AZ 

RUSSIAN TRAIN TOURS / Former USSR-China-Hong Kong-Tibet-Pakistan-India-Canada 

Please ask for our 2007 all-color brochure 

TOLL-FREE: 1-800-359-4870 USA . 1-800-752-1836 CANADA 

PHONE: 530-836-1745 . FAX: 530-836-1748 

1105 TERMINAL WAY . SUITE 111 . RENO, NEVADA 89502 USA 

EMAIL: tut@PSLN.com 

visit our website: www.trainsunlimitedtours.com 



TRAINS UNLIMITED, TOURS ANNOUNCES 

2007 RAILROAD ADVENTURES 

Trains Unlimited,Tours of Reno,Nevada has released their 2007 railroad 

tour adventures which include the United States, Mexico, Argentina, 

Chile,Paraguay,Uruguay,Ecuador,Poland,Germany,and China.Also,they 

have teamed up with GW Travel Limited of the UK to offer even more rail 

adventures in Canada,Tibet,Mongolia,Hong Kong,Ukraine,Russia,India, 

Pakistan, and other former USSR countries including the very popular 

Trans-Siberian Express. 

Trains Unlimited, Tours caters to folks that are hooked on trains, railroads 

and rail travel and they have been offering these rail adventures 

since 1985. They have now operated over 1,000 charter trains and private 

rail cars for the rail buff in 46 countries. Selling to rail buffs and folks 

that are into trains and rail travel has become big business. 

Year after year they have worked very closely with railroad clubs, museums, 

and historical groups to help promote train travel and preserve 

the rich history, rare documents and priceless equipment of railroad heritage 

around the world. 

One big growing market in the United States is rail travel onboard private 

luxury railroad cars that are coupled to the rear of Amtrak passenger 

trains. Private luxury railroad cars now give clients the chance to step 

back in time and recapture the romantic era of train travel that Amtrak 

cannot provide. Passengers are pampered by an onboard staff with unmatched 

personnel service. They enjoy cocktails and hors d' oeuvres in a 

first class setting. That, together with favorite music playing and the 

ever-changing scenery outside, makes for a very pleasant experience. 

Their award winning chef prepares fresh gourmet meals that are served 

in the dome car with custom marked china, crystal, crisp linens and cut 

flowers. Everything is first class with every detail included. 

Several private rail car excursions in the western states are being offered 

in 2007. 

Trains Unlimited, Tours, 800-359-4870, tut@PSLN.com, www.trains 

unlimitedtours. com 

GET A FREE EXTRA TRAVEL DAY IN EUROPE 

BY EURAIL 

The EURAIL GROUP G.I.E. is offering an extra day of rail travel on all six- 

, eight- or 10- day Eurail Selectpasses. This pass must be purchased by 

December 31, 2006.The first day of travel must occur within six months 

of purchase. 

“The Eurail Selectpass allows unlimited travel in three, four, or five 

European destinations out of 22 countries or country combinations.The 

added value to the traveler is being able to book Eurail Selectpass during 

the coming three months, and then plan the trip to Europe at 

leisure,” says Ana Dias e Seixas, International Marketing Manager of 

Eurail Group G.I.E.“Eurail Pass is the only one train pass that gives the 

traveler the freedom to travel, to experience, to enjoy Europe in comfort 

and style.” 

This offer applies to adult and child passes, to youth (those under 26) 

and saver (for two or more people traveling together) versions. Once the 

buyer has selected the favorite rail destinations and days of travel he is 

ready to go. 

The 22 countries or country combinations from which three, four, or 

five can be selected are: Austria (including Liechtenstein), 

Bulgaria/Serbia & Montenegro, Benelux (Belgium, The Netherlands, 

Luxembourg), Denmark, Finland, France (including Monaco), Germany, 

Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, 

Slovenia/Croatia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. 

The EURAIL Group comprises 27 railways and shipping lines, as well as 

several bonus partners. 

Eurail, www.Eurail.com 

GOWAY GROUPSONLY DIVISION THE SPECIALIST 

FOR LONG HAUL DESTINATIONS 

Goway Travel is the oldest and largest travel company in North America 

specializing in long-haul group travel to the South Pacific, Asia (including 

China and India), to all parts of Africa and to their newest destinations 

in Central and South America including Antarctica.The company’s 

exclusive GROUPSOnly division specializes in both affinity and special interest 

group travel as well as business travel including meetings/conferences 

and incentives. Goway’s GROUPSOnly are also very successful in 

handling large passenger movements for major world events and are 

currently handling all North American bookings for such diverse events 

as the World Police and Fire Games in Adelaide in March 2007, the 

International Dragonboat Competition in Sydney in September 2007 

and the Breast Cancer Survivor Dragonboat Competition in Caloundra in 

September 2007. Goway’s GROUPSOnly will also be handling bookings 

for World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008. 

The GROUPSOnly division also provides competitive pricing,innovative 

itineraries, assistance with promotions and advertising. Barbara Norton 

is the General Manager of GROUPSOnly and runs a team of 12 who are 

all experienced,travel planning experts that have traveled extensively to 

all of Goway’s destinations. Each year, senior Group Coordinators attend 

the important trade shows in the South Pacific, Asia and South Africa to 

keep updated on new product and new destinations.The GROUPSOnly 

team works closely with agents to ensure that from the initial planning 

stages to the group’s return their GROUPSOnly experience is stress free 

and profitable. 

All Goway GROUPSOnly proposals include a detailed itinerary and 

competitive land and air quotes in net U.S.dollars,and,depending on the 

size of the group, tour directors can travel free. Sample group movements 

by Goway’s GROUPSOnly over the past six months include 

pre/post cruise groups in Asia and the South Pacific, Dragonboat teams 

to Singapore, cultural interest groups to China, a general interest group 

to Vietnam, college study groups to Australia, African safari groups, a 

walking club to New Zealand and a business conference in Malaysia. 

GOWAY Travel Inc., 800-838-0618, www.groupsonly.com 


INDIA – VIVADA INTRODUCES LUXURY CRUISE 

TO SUNDERBANS 

Vivada Cruises, a Kolkatta based company, is introducing a luxury 

cruise from Kolkatta to Sunderbans. Nestled between the Ganga, the 

Brahmaputra and the Meghna Rivers, Sunderbans is the largest delta 

and the largest estuarine National Park in the World. This cruise combines 

the charm and allure of the jungle coupled with the comfort and 

amenities of urban city life. This cruise offers a journey to explore the 

wildlife, the culture, and traditions of rural Bengal. On board the cruiser 

vessel, MV Paramahamasa, guests will stay in either 20 twin sharing luxury 

rooms or 12 family rooms.The eco-friendly ship will offer Western, 

Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisines. Guests can also participate in Yoga, 

enjoy a massage,work out in the gym,or browse the gift shop which features 

local arts and crafts.During the cruise,the vessel will stop at a number 

of places of beauty and interest. See crocodiles and rare Olive Ridley 

turtles at the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project.Kalas Beach is another stop, 

followed by Bonnie Eco-Tourism Camp and a visit to the Sajnekhali 

Forest Range and Bali Community Centre. At Burirdabri, take a canopy 

walk inside the forest, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. 

Vivada offers four tour itineraries. Option one is Friday to Sunday 

(three-days/two-nights) from Kolkata to Kolkata.Prices are $350 (Luxury 

Rooms) and $450 (Family Rooms). Option Two is three-days/two-nights 

Kolkata to Dhamakhali. Prices are $280 and $405. Option three is twodays/one-night, 

Wednesday to Thursday, from Dhamakhali to Kolkata. 

Price is $224 and $324. Option four is Monday to Thursday, Kolkata to 

Kolkata, four-days/three-nights. Price is $350 and $450. Rates are per 

person twin sharing and are inclusive of full board meals, sight seeing 

and entry fees in the National Park. 

Vivada Cruises, waterways@vivada.com, vivadakolkata@yahoo. 

co.in, www.sunderbanscruises.com 

FIRST-CLASS SHIPS. 

WORLD-CLASS 

DESTINATIONS. 

Introducing weekly 7-day cruises 

from Istanbul & Athens to 

the fabled Greek Isles 

1-800-881-2377 

3- and 4-day cruises also available 

350 East 54th Street, Suite 5F; 

New York NY 10022 

Ships are of EU registry. 

MSC CRUISES EXPANDS ‘KIDS SAIL FREE’ 

EUROPE SAILINGS 

MSC Cruises’ “Kids Sail Free” offer has proven so popular in the 

Caribbean that the line is extending it to its 2007 European sailings. 

Youngsters ages 17 and under sail free (except for government fees and 

taxes) on all of the line’s Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries 

when sharing a stateroom with two paying guests. Cruise-only rates, 

which are dependent on stateroom category and sailing, begin at $795 

ppdo. MSC Cruises’ European itineraries allow families to savor the subtle 

pleasures of European life, history and culture while visiting magnificent 

destinations. Onboard, guests enjoy the ship’s elegant design, exceptional 

service, delicious cuisine, Kids’ Club activities, and 

European-style entertainment suitable for the entire family. 

MSC Cruises currently has a fleet of eight ships: MSC Musica operative 

since July 1,2006, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC 

Melody, MSC Rhapsody and MSC Monterey, offering itineraries in the 

Mediterranean all year round, as well as routes in North Europe, the 

Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, South America and South Africa.The MSC 

Cruises fleet is to increase to 12 ships by 2009: MSC Orchestra will be 

launched in 2007, MSC Poesia and MSC Fantasia in 2008 and MSC 

Serenata in 2009. MSC Cruises will be co-sponsoring Alinghi in the 32nd 

America’s Cup, to be disputed in Valencia in June 2007. 

MSC Cruises, www.msccruises.com 



FREE AIR, EXTRA 10% SAVINGS 

AND 2-FOR-1 OFFERS FROM 

DISCOVERY WORLD 

During Winter 2007-2008, Discovery World 

Cruises will once again offer the opportunity to 

cruise to fascinating destinations: Antarctica, 

the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon River and 

enigmatic Easter Island. Combined with exciting 

South and Central American cities, 

Discovery’s choice of 21 cruisetours,from 11- to 

40 -days including hotel nights and overnight 

stays in exciting ports, offers something to fulfill 

every dream. 

To launch the new season, Discovery World is 

offering an additional 10 percent off all winter 

2007-2008 cruises, for a limited time only. In 

addition, they are offering free air on all 

Amazon cruises and two-for-one fares on select 

sailings. 

Discovery World Cruises, 866-623-2689, 

info@mvdiscovery.com, www.discovery 

worldcruises.com 

AMERICAN DREAM VACATIONS 

OFFERS SPECIAL HEART OF 

BURGUNDY CRUISE 

Travel agents have the opportunity to make 

slightly more than 30 percent or pass savings 

onto their clients as a special promotion with 

American Dream Vacations. This is a package 

for two persons that includes one night hotel in 

Paris pre cruise, and one night post cruise plus 

an all inclusive cruise on the Burgundy Barge 

Litote with gourmet meals, wine with lunch 

and dinner, daily shore excursions, and admissions. 

The only thing not included on the cruise 

is bar drinks and tips. 

The rack rate value of the hotel portion is 

$720 for the two nights Paris hotel. The barge 

portion sells for $3,580 per dbl/twin cabin low 

season and $3,980 per dbl twin cabin normal 

season. Package value is $4,300 low season 

and $4,700 normal season for two persons. 

Agents set the selling price. 

Pay $2,985 net package price low season and 

$3,285 net normal season. Book before 

December 31 and receive an additional five 

percent. Low season cruise dates are April 14. 

Normal season cruise dates are May 5, 19; June 

2, 16; September 1, 15, 29; and October 6. Dates 

listed are cruise departure dates. Pre cruise 

hotel is one day earlier. 

Clients can take an optional First Class transfer 

from Paris to the barge side pick up point in 

Dijon. Cost is $200 non commissionable. 

The hotel used is the Duminy Vendome, a 

three-star plus hotel with a published rack rate 

of $360 per night for a double/twin room with 

full buffet breakfast included. Cruise details are 

available at www.frenchbargelitote.com/ 

afindex.htm. 

Cabins used on these dates are Canal & 

Company timeshare investor cabins that the 

investor will not use this year. They are taken 

from the general availability. 

American Dream Vacations, info@americandreamvacation.com, 

www.canalandco.com 

ATHENS-BASED MONARCH 

CLASSIC CRUISES OPENS NEW 

YORK OFFICE 

Specializing in premium, destination-rich 

itineraries in the Aegean, Monarch Classic 

Cruises, headquartered in Athens, Greece, has 

opened an office in New York to support U.S. 

travel agent and tour operator sales. 

The line’s new collection of 2007 cruises, 

ranging from three to seven days, will sail 

round-trip from Athens or Istanbul every week, 

March – November. Monarch Classic’s two intimate 

ships, the 484-guest Blue Monarch and 

the 462-guest Ocean Monarch, are strategically 

positioned to afford a more personal, first-class 

cruise product catering to the U.S. market. 

An ideal centerpiece to vacations packaged 

with land tours and hotel stays, port-intensive 

three- and four-day cruises from Athens 

aboard the Ocean Monarch are the perfect introduction 

to the Greek Isles and Turkey. 

The three-day Aegean Discovery cruise sails 

from Athens (Piraeus) every Friday and features 

five ports of call—Mykonos, Kusadasi 

(Ephesus), Patmos, Crete and Santorini—before 

returning to Athens on Monday. 

The four-day Aegean Classic, which then sails 

from Athens each Monday and returns on 

Friday, also includes a full-day port call to the 

legendary island of Rhodes. 

For a classical seven-day cruise visiting the 

Aegean’s most fabled sights, the Blue Monarch 

sails round-trip from Athens every Friday. 

Highlights of her Golden Fleece itinerary include 

Istanbul with an overnight call, Mykonos, 

Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion and 

Santorini. 

Guests in Turkey may embark the Blue 

Monarch on Saturdays in Istanbul and enjoy an 

overnight stay onboard in this former capital of 

the Ottoman Empire. The ship then sails to 

Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion, 

Santorini and Athens before returning to 

Istanbul the following Saturday.Alternatively, 

as a special six-day option for Turkey tour packages 

which already include a stay in Istanbul, 

guests can embark the Blue Monarch on 

Sunday and sail from Istanbul that day, returning 

to Istanbul as scheduled on Saturday. 

With Greece as its home, Monarch Classic will 

feature an authentic Mediterranean flavor with 

an expertise for travelers wishing to immerse 

themselves in the culture of this region. The 

line was formed specifically to offer a dedicated 

Aegean deployment with a more personal, 

higher quality cruise experience than is 

currently available on a regular weekly basis. 

The ships’ intimate size evokes a spirit of hospitality, 

while staterooms are spacious and 

mostly outside with an ocean view. The continental 

cuisine is highlighted by homemade 

Greek specialties and entertainment includes a 

“Greek Night” celebration punctuated by folkloric 

music and dances. 

Monarch Classic Cruises, 800-881-2377 



Ski North America or Europe – 

Two Tantalizing Choices 

By Evelyn Kanter 

SWISS NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE 

Blue skies and powdery white snow in St. Moritz, Switzerland. 

FEEL LIKE A CHAMPION AT 

THESE OLYMPIC WINTER 

DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE 

The two legacies of hosting Olympic Games 

are the world-wide reputation a city receives 

and the additional infrastructure – new 

sports stadiums and other facilities, new hotels 

and restaurants, and upgraded transporation – that 

offer agents headline value long after the athletes have 

gone home.. 

Turin, Italy – 2006 

Although it is one of Italy’s first modern ski resorts, 

built by Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli in 1934, 

Sestriere was relatively unknown outside Europe until 

two billion eyeballs on worldwide television broadcasts 

earlier this year made this resort close to the border 

with France the place to book clients. It sits in a snowbelt 

near the border with France, providing reliable 

depth and powder and more steeper, challenging terrain 

than its neighbors in the sunny Valle di Susa. 

With its easy access to Turin, skiers have the choice of 

staying in the charming and historic Piedmont city and 

commuting to the slopes, or enjoying the après ski and 

nightlife opportunities at the resort. 

It is several hours by car or rail, but just a few mountain 

passes as the crow flies to the Dolomites 

(Dolomiti), an extensive mountain range in the northeast 

corner of Italy, dotted with one dozen resorts linked 

together to form the 'Dolomiti Superski' network. The 

two best-known resorts here are the popular Madonna 

di Campiglio and Cortina d'Ampezzo, site of the 1956 

Games. In between are picturesque small mountain villages, 

including Moena and Pinzolo, with small familyowned 

hotels. 

Italian Government Tourist Office, www.italiantourism. 

com 

St. Moritz, Switzerland – 1948 and 1928 

This sophisticated destination celebrates the golden 

jubilee of the international horse races on its frozen lake 

as well as the 35th Bobsled World Championships this 

winter season, on the St. Moritz/Celerina course that is 

the only remaining run in the world fully made of natural 

ice. Home to some of the finest intermediate skiing 

in the Alps, with long, sun-drenched groomed trails, 

there also is enough advanced terrain to challenge the 

most accomplished downhill enthusiasts, Experts also 

head to Diavalezza, a separate resort a few miles down 

the valley. Its translated name – Little Devil – is a good 

description of the terrain. 

St. Moritz boasts several of the world’s most famous 

luxury hotels, including Badrutt’s Palace, Kulm and 

Suvretta, a glittering nightlife and top designer boutiques, 

many of which are clustered around the pedestrian 

plaza in the center of town. Your clients with 

more limited budgets can still enjoy the celebrity ambiance 

of St. Moritz by overnighting in Pontressina, a 

charming village filled with traditional houses, some 

dating to the 1600s, decorated with Romansch murals. 

Swiss National Tourist Office, www.myswitzerland.com 




SKI FROM PAGE 11 

Innsbruck, Austria – 1976 and 1964 

The single most popular winter destination in Austria 

for Americans, in part for its easy access from Munich, 

one hour away, and for its seemingly unlimited choices 

of slopes and accommodations. Innsbruck is not a ski 

resort, but a cosmopolitan city with a rich history that 

includes a Hapsburg royal palace, a major university, 

museums and a zoo. 

The skiing is in the quieter villages surrounding the 

town. Igls, Tulfes, Mutters and Axamer Lizum, where 

the most famous Olympic slopes are situated, are connected 

to the city by tram and free ski bus. It is also 

easy for your clients to spend a day or more in the 

equally famous Tyrolean resorts of St. Anton and 

Kitzbuhel, and the lesser-known Kufstein. 

Another interesting daytrip side-trip is to nearby 

Wattens to the Swarovski World of Crystals, a combination 

museum and performance space of walk-through 

kaleidoscopes and exhibits of all things crystal, in the 

company’s headquarters town. 

Insbruck Tourism, www.insbruck.info 

Lillehammer, Norway – 1994 

The downhill slopes and extensive cross-country terrain 

of Kvitfjell, Hafjell, Skeikampen and Gala are accessible 

on a single skipass. Nordic, or cross-country, 

skiing is a family affair in Norway, and many groomed 

trails around Lillehammer feature picnic areas for allday 

excursions. This is the country’s premiere winter 

resort area, with a combination of long-standing snowsport 

traditions and a long season of dependable snow. 

New this season is a skier-cross course at Kvitfjell, 

where four skiers or snowboarders at a time race one another 

(this event made its first Olympic appearance at 

Turin this year as a snowboarder-cross). Off-slope activities 

include a ‘romperaciade’, racing downhill on 

old-fashioned wooden sleds, ice climbing lessons on a 

frozen waterfall, and dog sledding. 

Lillehammer long has been a favorite of British skiers, 

and has widened its appeal with Americans and 

Canadians since the Games a decade ago. Norway had 

such a good time hosting the festivities that they want 

to do it again. Your clients will be interested to know 

that Oslo and Lillehammer are is bidding for an 

Olympic return in 2018. 

Norwegian Tourist Board, www.visitnorway.com 

RESORTS WITH OLYMPIC 

CONNECTIONS: NORTH AMERICA 

It is likely that this year’s Winter Olympic 

Games in Turin, Italy, will keep interest 

in all things snow peaking this season 

for the U.S. and Canadian resorts where 

competitions have been held in past years. 

Salt Lake City – 2002 

Events were at resorts within a 30-minute drive of 

Salt Lake City, which capitalizes on its unmatched 

proximity to an international airport by offering free 

skiing to guests on day of arrival. Most skiers head to 

Park City, where there are three resorts, each with a different 

ambiance and an immense network of lifts. 

Park City Mountain Resort includes one lift from the 

town’s Main Street. Improvements this year include an 

expanded terrain park for snowboarders and improved 

snowmaking which will reduce both water and power 

consumption. Deer Valley, best known for its impeccable 

grooming and gourmet dining, has expanded its 

gladed terrain, through a forested area. There is also a 

new chairlift accessing intermediate terrain. Privately 

owned Deer Valley does not permit snowboarders. 

The third resort in Park City is The Canyons, which 

did not host events, although it garnered prominence 

and publicity as the location from where the NBC 

“Today” Show broadcast its coverage. 

Snowbasin, just north of SLC, had been a little-known 

favorite of locals for more than 60 years until it burst 

onto the national scene as the site of the men’s and 

women’s downhill races, with modern high-speed lifts 

that skiers love. Snowbasin has the same owner as Sun 

Valley, with similar spacious and elegant mid-mountain 

log lodges decorated with Venetian glass chandeliers and 

bronze animal sculptures. The town of Park City is 

lined with restored 1880s buildings, vestiges from its 

heyday as a gold and silver mining capital, although, 

today, most of the buildings contain boutiques or 

restaurants. This is where the Sundance Film Festival 

is held every January, started by Robert Redford, whose 

Sundance Resort is nearby, when the celebrities take 

over town, although not the slopes. 

Competitors train for future games at Olympic Park, 

where amateurs can take a ski-jumping lesson or take 

an adrenalin-charged 60-second ride on the bobsled 

run. The Soldier Hollow cross-country facility also is 

open to the public. 

Ski Utah, www.skiutah.com 

Calgary, Alberta – 1988 

Calgary gained international stature from hosting 

Canada’s first winter games, and is sure to pass on 

its experience to Vancouver, where the next event is 

being held in 2010. Downhill events were 

held in Banff, a pristine area within the Banff 

National Park, neighboring Lake Louise, where 

World Cup events continue to be held, and Mount 

Norquay, smallest of the three. The trio now 

markets itself as SkiBig3, with an interchangeable 



lift ticket that also includes Sunshine Village. 

Lake Louise is Canada’s largest single ski area 

(Vancouver’s Whistler-Blackcomb is two separate 

mountains whose sprawling base area and marketing 

have merged), with staggering views of the glacier and 

glacial lake for which it is named, and surrounding 

mountains. Most visitors stay in the lakeside Chateau 

Lake Louise. Fairmont also dominates the accommodations 

in Banff, with its Banff Springs Hotel, another 

historic property. The Olympic Oval, where hockey 

shares the ice with figure skaters, is in Calgary, less than 

one hour away, a cosmopolitan city with excellent museums, 

restaurants and entertainmnent. 

Ski Big Three, www.skibig3.com 

Lake Placid, New York – 1980 and 1932 

Surrounded by thousands of acres of Adirondak forest, 

Whiteface Mountain has the longest vertical in the 

East, with a plenty of steep and challenging Alpine runs 

and a gentler side with old-fashioned winding trails 

sheltered from the wind by thick stands of tall evergreens, 

also open for glade skiing. The resort averages 

168 inches of snow per season, one of the deepest snowfall 

totals in the east, so there’s reliable coverage for 

skiers and snowboarders. 

There are ample non-slope activities, as well. The 

Winter Olympic Museum, showcases historic uniforms 

and equipment, including from the memorable 1980 

“Miracle on Ice” hockey game between the USA and the 

Soviet Union. Visitors can take a few laps around the 

Olympic Speed Skating Oval and watch future 

Olympians train on the mile-long, 20-turn high speed 

track. Lake Placid has become an international luge 

center, and has just been awarded the 2009 World 

Championships. 

Olympic Regional Development Authority, www.orda.org 

Squaw Valley, California – 1960 

There was a 12 foot dump of snow days before the 

Games, and local military troops were called in to bootpack 

the slopes. Much of the terrain here is wide-open 

bowls and slopes, with few marked trails, and the heady 

freedom and challenge of finding your own way down is 

what this skiing and snowboarding is really about. The 

view of Lake Tahoe, sparkling a deep cobalt blue in the 

sunlight, enhances the experience. 

Novices will find plenty of terrain at the High Camp 

area, named for a spectacular mid-mountain facility 

that includes an ice skating rink. The Resort at Squaw 

Creek has direct access to the slopes via its own chairlift; 

the similarly upscale Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe 

has a shuttle bus. 

Squaw Valley is at the north end of the lake, but the 

action is at South Lake Tahoe and Reno, each just about 

Taking time to relax on Utah’s slopes. 

30 minutes away, with slot machines, gaming tables 

and Vegas-style revues at the casino hotels. Or, take a 

sunset dinner cruise aboard one of the old-fashioned 

paddle-wheelers that ply the lake. 

Squaw Valley USA, www.squaw.com 

ResortQuest, with more than 3,000 condo units and 

rental homes in Utah, Colorado, Idaho and British 

Columbia, has a policy new this season allowing guests 

to relocate accommodations to another resort if snow 

conditions do not meet their expectations. 

ResortQuest, www.resortquest.com 

MADURO DIVE FANTA-SEAS 

The Innovative Leader for Dive & Adventure Travel 

WANTS YOU TO PROFIT 

and Maintain Happy Clients 

• Fully Commissionable Products 

• Dive & Adventure Packages to 26 Countries 

• All Pricing is “Fair Traded” 

(no one has a different price) 

• Member of ASTA since 1975 

1.800.327.6709 

(305) 981-9113 

E-mail: info@maduro.com 

www.MaduroDive.com 

DAN CAMPBELL 



Charm and Comfort in Tanzania at 

Moivaro Lodges and Tented Camps 

Distinctive properties and exciting itineraries make for an unforgettable stay in 

East Africa. 

By Jennifer M. Lane 

The Moivaro Lodges and 

Tented Camps, in 

Tanzania, East Africa offer 

a variety of properties 

where guests will find a 

charming atmosphere together 

with every comfort, creating an ideal 

spot to enjoy the impressive flora and fauna 

of East Africa. Their properties include 

Moivaro Lodge in Arusha, Kia Lodge in 

Kilimanjaro, Fumba Beach Lodge, Lake 

Manyara Tented Camp, Serengeti Tented 

Camp, and Lake Natron Tented Camp. 

At Moivaro Lodge, guests are looked after 

in a unique, friendly and peaceful environment. 

These picturesque garden cottages 

each boast their own veranda and all modern 

comforts. Facilities include a swimmingpool, 

children's play ground, nature trail, 

massage room, internet facilities and room service. 

Guests can share the local experience of the Moivaro 

Village Tour which includes the great local banana beer 

brewery, locally operated biogas, the culture of the Maasai 

living in the village, a beautiful view of Namasi Hill, the 

Ngurumansi Crater, and the school and local shops. 

“Your Door to Tanzania” 

KIA Lodge in Kilimanjaro is located in the heart of savannah 

scenery typical of East Africa. Centrally placed 

between the northern towns of Moshi and Arusha, KIA 

Lodge is ideally situated for any journey, be it climbing 

the world's highest free standing mountain or starting a 

safari into the Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro 

Crater. 

KIA Lodge has 40 en-suite air conditioned rooms. 

Designed to compliment the setting, each cottage is built 

in traditional style using thatch and Tanzanian arts and 

crafts, such as Tinga tinga paintings and Makunde carvings, 

giving it a distinctly African feeling. 

The swimming pool is located on top of a hill affording 

a breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Kilimanjaro, 

Mount Meru, the Maasai steppe and the blue mountains. 

Indulge Your Senses in Zanzibar 

Nestled in the southwest of the exquisite island of 

Zanzibar, Fumba Beach Lodge is a 30 minute drive from 

The swimming pool is located on top of a hill affording a breathtaking panoramic view of 

Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, the Maasai steppe and the blue mountains 

Zanzibar's International airport in Stone Town. 

Whitewashed Zanzibari style en-suite bungalows with 

their own verandahs are scattered along the beach ensuring 

private views of the ocean. 

Three naturally formed coves protect the beaches 

around the lodge and provide seclusion and tranquility. 

In the open air restaurant, enjoy fresh seafood along with 

an array of international and local dishes. For day time 

excitement, there is scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming 

with the dolphins, a sunset cruise, Stone Town tour and 

more. 

Tanzania’s Water Wonderland 

Lying in a shallow depression of the Great East African 

Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park spreads out 

across the valley, the alkaline lake dominating a vast 

landscape. Often called Tanzania's water wonderland due 

to the large number of birds and animals the lake supports, 

Lake Manyara is also famous for its tree-climbing 

lions often to be found dozing in the shade up in the 

branch of a tree - a unique phenomenon to the area. 

Lake Manyara Tented camp is a short drive from the 

park entrance through Migunguni Village. The camp is 

nestled away in a quiet corner of acacia forest, and A- 

frame style tents are placed around a central glade, offering 

privacy but still only a short walk to the restaurant 

and bar. 

MOIVARO LODGES AND TENTED CAMPS 



For a slightly more active stay, there are a range of activities 

available. Night Game Drives offer a chance to see 

nocturnal creatures such as porcupines, bush babies, 

bush buck, hippos, mongoose, civets and a number of 

nocturnal birds. Also at night, the famous 'tree climbing 

lions' will actually be on the ground, a much better way 

to view them. The guide will also call up frogs, teach 

guests more about the African night skies and point out 

night sounds in the forest. 

Guests can also enjoy Lake Manyara from the air 

(1,500 feet up) with a once in a lifetime experience Micro 

lighting across the Rift Valley. Mountain Biking and 

guided village walks or forest walks are also available. 

Comfort at a Bush Camp 

Set in the midst of a vista of savannah and skies, and 

sheltered in a grove of acacia trees is Serengeti Tented 

Camp. Ideally located along the path of the migrating 

wildebeest between Kenya and Tanzania, the camp is situated 

at the border of the world-renowned Serengeti 

National Park. Here is one of the best game drives in the 

area - along the western corridor of the park, taking in 

Kirawira and the Grumeti River - home to the infamous 

wildebeest-eating giant crocodiles. There is no better 

place to take in one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles. 

Comfort is the key to a relaxing and enjoyable safari 

- even in a bush camp. Each tent has its own en-suite 

bathroom, modern furnishings and private verandah. 

The central restaurant and bar area boast a large fireplace 

- an ideal spot to unwind after a long day. 

As the Camp is located just outside the national park 

boundary it is possible to do night drives and guided 

game walks. The night drives are a unique opportunity 

to see some of the nocturnal animals that one usually 

only hears about, such as leopard, aardvark and bat-eared 

foxes. A game walk with a ranger is an incredibly exciting 

and safe way to experience the bush and its inhabitants 

at close range. Choose an early morning walk followed 

by breakfast in the bush or sundowners at the close 

of the day. 

a cold drink and good food at the end of an arduous 

climb, or long days walking. 

Activities at Lake Natron Tented Camp include climbing 

L'Engai with an experienced guide. If a slightly less 

demanding walk would suit, they can arrange for a walk 

followed by either a picnic breakfast or sundowners by the 

lake. There is a nearby freshwater waterfall to swim, cool 

off and relax. 

Suggested Itineraries 

In addition to their distinctive properties, Moivaro offers 

exciting itineraries in the surrounding areas. 

Suggested seven-day programs could include: Day 1 arrival 

from the U.S. with an overnight at Kia Lodge. Day 

2: Arusha with an overnight at Moivara Lodge. Day 3: 

Safari in Tarangire National Park or Manyara National 

Park with an overnight at Lake Manyara Tented Camps. 

Day 4: Safari, with an overnight at Lake Natron Tented 

Camp. Day 5: A Serengeti Safari, with an overnight at 

Serengeti Tented Camps. Day 6: Safari to the Serengeti. 

Day 7: Return to Arusha and depart for home. There is 

also opportunity for an optional extension to Zanzibar 

with a stay at the Stone Town Hotel and Fumba Beach 

Lodge. 

Moivaro Lodges and Tented Camps, www.moivaro.com 

Nature at its Purest 

Wild and remote Lake Natron lies in the northeast of 

Tanzania in between the Ngorongoro Highlands and 

Serengeti Plains. It is situated at the base of Africa's only 

active volcano Oldonyo L'Engai (Mountain of God). 

Home to millions of tiny crustaceans, the lake is a haven 

for thousands of lesser flamingo's and it is one of the most 

important flamingo breeding grounds on earth. 

Unique in its setting, Lake Natron Camp is set back in 

a grove of trees slightly removed from the dusty terrain 

of the lake. Modern and clean A-framed safari tents offer 

showers, comfortable beds and a verandah with a private 

view. A fully stocked bar and restaurant ensure you have 



ATA Gearing up for 32nd International 

Congress and Marketing Congress in 

Ethiopia in May 2007 

An interview with ATA executive director Edward J. Bergman. 

It may be only December, but it’s not too early 

to start thinking about Ethiopia next May. 

Ethiopia? May 2007? Yes. That’s where and 

when Africa Travel Association (ATA) will be 

holding its 32nd international congress and 

marketing congress. What’s ATA? An international 

travel industry association that’s been promoting 

tourism to the African continent and intra-Africa travel 

and partnerships since 1975. Its annual congress is held 

in a different country each year to spotlight the continent’s 

tourism as a catalyst of economic growth, and an 

instrument for sustainable development. In 2007, 

Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa will be the venue 

for the event. Travel World News met recently with 

Edward Bergman, ATA’s new executive director, for a preview 

of the congress. 

Travel World News: Why is ATA’s annual congress important 

to mark on our calendars? 

K I A L O D G E 

K I L I M A N J A R O 

I N T E R N A T I O N A L A I R P O R T 

L A K E M A N Y A R A 

e m a i l : 

r e s e r v a t i o n s @ m o i v a r o . c o m 

w w w . m o i v a r o . c o m 

M O I V A R O C O F F E E 

P L A N T A T I O N & L O D G E 

A R U S H A 

S E R E N G E T I 

F U M B A B E A C H 

Z A N Z I B A R 

L A K E N A T R O N & 

O L D O N Y O L E N G A I 

Edward Bergman: Well, one 

of our primary goals is to retain 

and expand our membership 

both here and in Africa. 

For those who’ve attended 

previous congresses in other 

parts of the continent, 

Ethiopia’s another very attractive 

African destination 

to learn about. And for tour 

operators and travel agents 

who haven’t attended yet, the 

congress is a great “on-site” 

way to experience how we 

EDWARD J. BERGMAN 

showcase ATA as the premier 

African tourism marketing organization. Plus, we’ve 

timed it around the same time as INDABA (in South 

Africa), to make it easy to take in both events. We’ve been 

working closely with our new ATA president, Ghana’s 

minister of tourism, the Hon. Jake Obestebi-Lamptey, 

along with Hon. Tadelech Dalacho, Ethiopia’s state minister 

of culture and tourism, to make our 2007 congress 

a “must” for travel professionals. 

TWN: 2007 will mark ATA’s 32nd annual congress, and 

your first as director – how will this upcoming one differ? 

EB: ATA is only US-based tourism association to hold 

annual congresses in Africa, and the 2007 congress in 

Ethiopia presents an extraordinary opportunity to draw 

from our association’s rich history and grow even 

stronger. Not only do we have US delegates attending our 

congresses, we draw African suppliers and tour operators 

from around the continent — it’s a perfect weeklong opportunity 

for serious — and actionable —networking! 

Plus, the timing of it — during Ethiopia’s Millennium 

celebration — adds to the excitement. 

TWN: Can you provide logistics – dates, venue for the congress? 

EB:The dates are May 6–10, 2007. Final program and 

lodging details are still being worked out, but I can tell 

you the program will involve rotating venues to showcase 

Addis Ababa’s world-class meeting and conference centers. 

Addis is headquarters to both the Organization of 

African Unity and the United Nations Economic 

Commission for Africa, which means a selection of excellent 

meeting facilities. 

TWN: How about getting there? Air access? 




ATA Gearing up for 32nd International 

Congress and Marketing Congress in 

Ethiopia in May 2007 

An interview with ATA executive director Edward J. Bergman. 

It may be only December, but it’s not too early 

to start thinking about Ethiopia next May. 

Ethiopia? May 2007? Yes. That’s where and 

when Africa Travel Association (ATA) will be 

holding its 32nd international congress and 

marketing congress. What’s ATA? An international 

travel industry association that’s been promoting 

tourism to the African continent and intra-Africa travel 

and partnerships since 1975. Its annual congress is held 

in a different country each year to spotlight the continent’s 

tourism as a catalyst of economic growth, and an 

instrument for sustainable development. In 2007, 

Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa will be the venue 

for the event. Travel World News met recently with 

Edward Bergman, ATA’s new executive director, for a preview 

of the congress. 

Travel World News: Why is ATA’s annual congress important 

to mark on our calendars? 

K I A L O D G E 

K I L I M A N J A R O 

I N T E R N A T I O N A L A I R P O R T 

L A K E M A N Y A R A 

e m a i l : 

r e s e r v a t i o n s @ m o i v a r o . c o m 

w w w . m o i v a r o . c o m 

M O I V A R O C O F F E E 

P L A N T A T I O N & L O D G E 

A R U S H A 

S E R E N G E T I 

F U M B A B E A C H 

Z A N Z I B A R 

L A K E N A T R O N & 

O L D O N Y O L E N G A I 

Edward Bergman: Well, one 

of our primary goals is to retain 

and expand our membership 

both here and in Africa. 

For those who’ve attended 

previous congresses in other 

parts of the continent, 

Ethiopia’s another very attractive 

African destination 

to learn about. And for tour 

operators and travel agents 

who haven’t attended yet, the 

congress is a great “on-site” 

way to experience how we 

EDWARD J. BERGMAN 

showcase ATA as the premier 

African tourism marketing organization. Plus, we’ve 

timed it around the same time as INDABA (in South 

Africa), to make it easy to take in both events. We’ve been 

working closely with our new ATA president, Ghana’s 

minister of tourism, the Hon. Jake Obestebi-Lamptey, 

along with Hon. Tadelech Dalacho, Ethiopia’s state minister 

of culture and tourism, to make our 2007 congress 

a “must” for travel professionals. 

TWN: 2007 will mark ATA’s 32nd annual congress, and 

your first as director – how will this upcoming one differ? 

EB: ATA is only US-based tourism association to hold 

annual congresses in Africa, and the 2007 congress in 

Ethiopia presents an extraordinary opportunity to draw 

from our association’s rich history and grow even 

stronger. Not only do we have US delegates attending our 

congresses, we draw African suppliers and tour operators 

from around the continent — it’s a perfect weeklong opportunity 

for serious — and actionable —networking! 

Plus, the timing of it — during Ethiopia’s Millennium 

celebration — adds to the excitement. 

TWN: Can you provide logistics – dates, venue for the congress? 

EB:The dates are May 6–10, 2007. Final program and 

lodging details are still being worked out, but I can tell 

you the program will involve rotating venues to showcase 

Addis Ababa’s world-class meeting and conference centers. 

Addis is headquarters to both the Organization of 

African Unity and the United Nations Economic 

Commission for Africa, which means a selection of excellent 

meeting facilities. 

TWN: How about getting there? Air access? 




ATA FROM PAGE 16 

EB: We’re working with the national 

carrier – Ethiopian Airlines – 

to provide attractive air transport. 

More details to follow. 

TWN: What’s the average turnout for 

ATA congresses? 

EB: It’s been averaging around 

300, and we’re trying to increase attendance. 

TWN: What would you like buyers here 

to especially know about the congress? 

EB: While the congress is important 

for tourism across the continent, 

buyers and agents should know that 

there’ll be many Ethiopian suppliers 

and government representatives in 

attendance. ATA has already hosted 

two pre-congress events in Addis to 

attract attention and build excitement 

about the congress, and had 

large turnout from the travel community…we 

all recognize how the 

congress can be an important tool in 

helping tourism become an increasingly 

important source of job creation 

and revenue for Ethiopia. 

TWN: Who should attend the congress? 

EB: Since we’re a tourism-centric 

association, our membership includes 

anyone involved in selling or 

promoting the African continent as a 

destination…as the industry continues 

to grow and transform, we want 

to welcome an increasingly diverse 

group of attendees, including:Tour 

operators interested in or already 

selling Ethiopia/Africa; Individuals 

who lead tour groups (NGOs, religious 

groups, educational institutions, 

research groups, etc); 

Government agencies and leaders 

with an interest in expanding travel 

trade to their respective countries; 

Young people who have interest in 

working in tourism industry; 

Diasporans looking to reconnect 

with their homeland through building 

links with Ethiopia and a continent-wide 

gathering of representatives; 

Anyone with an open mind 

toward exploring a culturally rich 

destination. 

TWN: Can you describe the program of 

events? 

EB: Details are still being worked 

out…we’re committed to ensuring 

that all sessions will be not only interesting, 

but actionable…plans are 

to make this congress interactive, 

and combine general interest sessions 

with practical workshops to encourage 

real give-and-take participation 

among delegates. Session titles? 

Not finalized yet, but to give a general 

idea, previous congresses have 

included “Doing Business Together,” 

wherein African and North American 

tour operators, organizers and local 

ground operators tackled issues/obstacles 

to realizing the dream of a 

prosperous, tourism-based economy; 

“Open Skies & African Tourism 

Challenges,” featuring presentations 

by a continent-wide panel of airline 

executives; and “Marketing 

Africa”— a roundtable with US 

travel agents and tour operators, and 

African ground operators. 

TWN: Anything being planned that’s 

The Zambian Safari Company is a Travel Agent, Tour Operator and 

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A One-Stop Shop with many years experience creating quality holidays 

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for all ones needs, concerns and travel arrangements throughout the selected areas. 

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU IN AFRICA SOON! 

Shop No.3 • Central Park • Cairo Road • Lusaka • Tel: 231450/222941 

e-mail: reservations@zamsaf.co.zm • website: www.zambiansafari.com 

totally new? 

EB: ATA’s congresses offer something 

unique — we’re always attended 

by a fair number of African 

tourism ministers from our member 

countries. We’re organizing roundtables 

with the ministers, which will 

allow buyers and suppliers to have 

actual one-on-one interaction with 

one another in a relatively informal 

setting. What a great way to get firsthand 

information and forge practical 

professional relationships! Also on 

the meeting “menu,” we’re exploring 

the possibility of having one day of 

the program devoted to concurrent 

sessions focused on different attending 

countries, again, providing real 

opportunities for up-close-and personal, 

results-oriented networking. 

TWN: Past congresses have included a 

“Host Country Day.” Will this be part 

of the 2007 program? 

EB: Of course — it’s the best way 

to give delegates a taste of 

Ethiopia…they’ll be shown some of 

the highlights in and around Addis 

Ababa. We’re also encouraging people 

to spend some time exploring this 

fascinating country before or after 

the congress on one of pre- and posttours 

that’ll be offered…. remember, 

this is the land of the Queen of Sheba 

and the source of the Blue Nile! 

TWN: So, what’s the goal of this next – 

your first as director – congress in 

Ethiopia? 

EB: Beginning in December, we’ll 

be intensifying marketing efforts to 

promote the congress. Besides wanting 

everyone who attends to feel the 

magic of the country — and continent 

—, our plans for the congress 

are right in line with our goal of making 

ATA truly a global organization 

that fosters public/private partnerships, 

along with strong government 

partnerships and growing public participation, 

as well as the premier 

African tourism marketing organization. 

Hope to see you there! 

Africa Travel Association, info@ 

africatravelassociation, www.africa 

travelassociation.org 


TANZANIA 

N A T I O N A L P A R K S 

www.tanzaniaparks.com


CORINTHIA ATLANTIC HOTEL 

OFFERS THE EXPERIENCE OF A 

LIFETIME IN THE GAMBIA 

Recently refurbished and set in extensive 

gardens on The Gambia's coastline and a 10- 

minute walk away from the centre of the 

Country's capital Banjul, the four-star Corinthia 

Atlantic Hotel is one of the longest established 

and best renowned hotels in The Gambia. 

The hotel is located 20 minutes away from 

the International airport and provides opportunities 

for both a relaxing and a more adventurous 

holiday. 

The hotel's 204 well-appointed and air-conditioned 

bedrooms and suites, all with en-suite 

bathrooms,offer comfort and panoramic views 

of the great River Gambia, or of the surrounding 

tropical gardens. 

Amazing arrays of facilities in the hotel combine 

to offer a holiday experience of a lifetime. 

These include: a choice of two restaurants; waterfront 

pizza terrace & grill; pool and beach 

bars; freshwater swimming pool; children's 

pool; tennis, volleyball and squash courts; hairdressing 

salon; gift shop; laundry and drycleaning; 

baby-sitting service; safety deposit 

boxes; in-house entertainment; animation 

team; excursion programs; Crazy Golf; watersports; 

and 24-hour room service. 

An exciting trip up the river, a boat safari taking 

in traditional African villages, an excursion 

to nearby Senegal, bird watching in the hotel's 

own bird sanctuary, guided ornithological expeditions, 

beach-casting from a nearby beach - 

- all these options and more are readily available 

from the base at the Corinthia Atlantic 

Hotel. 

Guests wanting a more relaxed holiday can 

take a leisurely stroll round the hotel's six acres 

of landscaped grounds, enjoy a quiet swim in 

the pool, play a game of tennis in the hotel's 

court or a round of golf at the Fajara Golf 

course, which is 15 minutes away. Or guests 

may simply want to bask in the suns on the adjoining 

beach - a favorite pastime of many. 

The Hotel's ambience of tranquility has been 

achieved through many years' experience of 

serving visitors from all over the world. 

Corinthia Hotels, www.corinthiahotels.com 

CUSTOMIZED BLACK HISTORY 

TOURS AND EVENTS WITH 

SONQUA SOLUTIONS 

Sonqua Solutions is a black owned event 

management and tourism company based in 

Cape Town, South Africa. The company organizes 

and manages customized black history 

tours and events which promote the rich history,culture 

and traditions of the Black and indigenous 

people of the country. 

“We provide clients with an authentic and 

interactive Black South African experience,” 

says Marlene Bossett, CEO of Sonqua 

Solutions.“Our tours seek to highlight the reality 

of Black South Africans, and provides 

clients with the opportunity of learning about 

the South African slave trade and its similarities 

with the North American slave trade,” 

adds Marlene. 

Phill Bossett, an African American who has 

lived in South Africa for the past 12 years, coowns 

Sonqua, and is a registered South 

African tour guide. “Our tours also highlight 

the similarities between the African American 

experience and that of Black South Africans 

under apartheid,” says Phill.“All our services 

are individually tailored to cater for clients’ 

unique needs.” 

Sonqua also secures historical, political and 

cultural venues for weddings and renewal of 

vows, book launches and promotions, birthdays 

and parties, corporate functions, conferences, 

workshops and think tanks, and turns 

them into authentic, unique and unforgettable 

African experiences. Sonqua’s product 

offering includes: all aspects of organizing 

and managing the event, Slave and Black history 

tours, authentic interaction with locals, 

Diversity Management workshops, Malaria 

free indigenous safaris, Black wine tours, an 

indigenous culinary tour, and accommodation 

and secure child care facilities. 

Sonqua, www.sonqua.com 



ZAMBIAN SAFARI COMPANY 

IS ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR 

ZAMBIA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 

The Zambian Safari Company is a one stop 

shop for all travel to Zambia and Southern 

Africa. They can provide hotel/lodge reservations, 

conducted tours, incentive travel, package 

tours, fly-in safaris, budget and student 

travel, local and international travel, cultural 

travel, and specific/personal tour requirements. 

They are an IATA accredited travel 

agency and have been a leading Zambian Tour 

Operator since 1997. The company is fully 

Zambian owned and run, and licensed and 

sanctioned by The Zambia National Tourist 

Board. 

Mr. Nickson Chilangwa – AHCIMA, the CEO, is 

fully trained with 18 years of working experience 

in various aspect aspects of tourism industry, 

such as hotel management, tour operations,and 

travel agencies,and he has served on 

the examination panel for the Examination 

Council of Zambia for the last five years. 

The beginning of 2006 saw the launch of 

tourist coaches by ZAMSAF Coaches, part of 

their touring division between Lusaka and 

Livingstone (The Victoria Falls); Lusaka and 

Kawambwa (the least known tourist route of 

Zambia taking people to Chief mwata 

Kazembe’s area and the waterfalls of Northen 

Zambia); and coming soon will be a coach service 

between Lusaka and Mfuwe (The South 

Luangwa National Park). 

The Zambian Safari Company launched 

Mushroom Presidential House and Lodge at 

the 2006 WTM in London. Coming up in 2007, 

the company plans to launch of a coach safari 

to cover three countries, namely South Africa, 

Botswana and Zambia. It will be a joint venture 

between High Point Travel and Tours of South 

Africa and the Zambian Safari Company. They 

will also launch Lusaka – South Luangwa 

tourist coach service to cater for individual 

budget travelers, student travelers, group travelers 

and others.The launch of this service will 

reduce the cost of travel between Lusaka and 

Zambia’s premier Safari Park approximately 15 

percent of the current cost of air travel (about 

$316). They will also launch a Mutomboko 

Cultural Ceremony Tour from July 27-29, 2007, 

with options of other add-ons such as a tour to 

South Luangwa and Victoria Falls. 

The Zambian Safari Company, reservations 

@zamsaf.co.zm, www.zambiansafari.com 

EXPERIENCE NAMIBIA BY TRAIN 

WITH ABENTEUER AFRIKA SAFARI 

Until a few months ago, Namibia, which borders 

the Atlantic Ocean in Southern Africa, has 

been a well-kept secret to all but the most seasoned 

travelers. 

Now, it is sought by the cognoscenti – and 

adventure travelers – as word spreads of its 

captivating natural beauty, warm and hospitable 

people, and never-ending list of things 

to see and do. 

The ideal introduction to Namibia is with 

Abenteuer Afrika Safari’s four-day/three-night 

weekend tour that begins with an overnight on 

the Desert Express, which enables guests to experience 

the wide open spaces and sunrises 

and sunsets that manifest this destination as 

you traverse the country. 

Rates for this journey include transfers to the 

train, overnight on train with meals, accommodation 

in Swakopmund Hotel with bed and 

breakfast, and transfers back to airport. 

Depending on the time of year, rates start at 

$510 ppdo 

Abenteuer Afrika Safari, dorban@abenteuerafrika.com, 

www.abenteuerafrika.com 



GREAT MIGRATION IN TANZANIA 

NAMED NEW SEVENTH WONDER 

OF THE WORLD 

In a joint project undertaken by USA TODAY 

and ABC-TV’s Good Morning America, a multidisciplined 

panel has named the “Site of the 

Great Migration,” which includes Tanzania’s 

Serengeti National Park, as the Seventh New 

Wonder of the World. 

The announcement broke simultaneously on 

Good Morning America, with over 13 million 

viewers, and in the pages of USA TODAY, which 

has a daily readership of over 2,000,000. 

Author Bruce Feiler (Walking in the Bible), 

one of the panelists who selected the Seven 

New Wonders, notes in USA TODAY that “the 

An extraordinary Safari Experience. 

Operators of: 

• Kigoma Hiltop Hotel, 

Kigoma Town 

• Nkungwe Tented Camp, 

Mahale National Park 

• Gombe Tented Camp, 

Gombe National Park 

• Katuma Katavi Tented Camp, 

Katavi National Park 

Specialists in 

Safaris to 

Gombe, 

Mahale 

and Katavi 

National Parks 

KIGOMA HILTOP HOTEL 

AND CHIMPANZEE SAFARIS 

Email: info@chimpanzeesafaris.com 

Website: www.chimpanzeesafaris.com 

THOMSON SAFARIS/ANDY BIGGS 

Serengeti is not only a natural wonder that 

takes your breath away, but it symbolizes years 

of human endeavor to conserve the natural 

world.” He continues: “it transplants you to a 

time when humans were secondary on earth.” 

The annual Great Migration of one million 

wildebeest and 200,000 zebras is one of the 

most fascinating aspects of life on the 

Serengeti. Gerald Bigurube, Director General, 

Tanzania National Parks, notes that “the animals 

spend most of their time in the Serengeti, 

8-9 months a year,because of the availability of 

ample food resources. 

It is also in the Serengeti that they ensure 

their species’ survival by calving and nurturing 

their young.” The Great Migration begins from 

the northern hills to the southern plains every 

October and November, then moves west and 

north after the long rains in April, May and 

June. 

Tour Operators often prefer taking their 

clients to Tanzania for the best Great Migration 

experience. 

Tanzania, www.tanzaniatouristboard.com; 

Serengeti, www.tanzaniaparks.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE THE AWARD 

WINNING SERVICES OF GREEN 

LAND TOURS IN ETHIOPIA 

Multi-award-winning Green Land Tours of 

Ethiopia was established in 1997 and is staffed 

with experienced tour operators, guides, driver-guides 

and cooks, who have traveled 

widely throughout Ethiopia and beyond its 

borders. Their well equipped transportation 

fleet includes 4x4 Land Cruisers and 4WD 

buses in excellent condition, suitable for 

Ethiopia's climate and road conditions both 

within and across Ethiopia's boundaries.Their 

cooks,experienced professionals trained in certified 

colleges throughout the country, are able 

to prepare delicious local and international 

meals. In addition to running a tour and travel 

company, Green Land Tours manages several 

resorts,hotels,eco-lodges and campsites in different 

parts of the country. These include 

Swaynes Hotel (Arba Minch), Evangadi Lodge 

(Turmi), Wenney Eco-lodge (Langano Lake) 

and Yemereha Hotel (Lalibela). 

They are members of the Eco-tourism 

Association of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Hotels 

Association, the Ethiopian Tour Operators 

Association, the African Travel Association, the 

Association for the Promotion of Tourism to 

Africa and the International Ecotourism 

Society. Their award winning services include 

leisure tours, business travel, educational tours, 

car rentals, hotel reservations, flight tickets, excursions, 

safaris, mountain and desert trekking, 

horse riding and camel safaris, bird-watching, 

fishing, and honeymoon vacations. Other services 

are also available upon request. 

Green Land Tours, booking@greenland 

ethiopia.com, angela@greenlandethiopia. 

com, acfairbank@shaw.ca, www.greenland 

ethiopia.com, www.acfairbankconsulting. 

ca/glt.htm 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE 

50 Washington Street • South Norwalk, CT 06854-2710 

Voice: 203-853-4955 • Fax: 203-866-1153 

www.travelworldnews.com 

Charles Gatt, Jr., Publisher 

charlie@travelworldnews.com 

Peter C. Gatt, Associate Publisher 

pgatt@travelworldnews.com 

Jennifer M. Lane, Editor 

editor@travelworldnews.com 

Linda Rogers, Design Production Manager 

production@travelworldnews.com 

For Online Subscription, Renewal or Change of Address: 

www.travelworldnews.com/subscribe 

COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Trains Unlimited, Tours; Moivaro Lodges and 

Tented Camps; Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre; Lee Cohen, Ski Utah. 


PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS 

resource directory 

ACCESSIBLE/DISABILITY 

SATH 

800-513-1125 

www.sath.org 

ADVENTURE 

Amazon Explorama Lodges 

800-707-5275 

amazon@explorama.com 

www.explorama.com 

Crillon Tours 

www.titicaca.com 

Dubai 

www.dubaitourism.ae 

India Government Tourist Office 

800-953-9399 

ny@itonyc.com 


Inka Natura Travel 

postmaster@inkanatura.com.pe 

www.inkanatura.com 

Prom Peru 

866-661-PERU 

www.peru.info 

AFRICA CULTURAL/SAFARIS 

Africa Travel Association 

212-447-1357 

info@africantravelassociation.org 

www.africantravelassociation.org 

Association for the 

Promotion of Africa 

info@apta.biz 

www.apta.biz 

Chimpanzee Safaris 

info@chimpanzeesafaris.com 

www.chimpanzeesafaris.com 

Congo Travel & Hotels (CTH) 

cthcongo travel@yahoo.fr 

www.travel-congo.com 

Ethiopian Tourism Commission 

info@tourismethiopia.org 

www.tourismethiopia.org 

Gambia Tourism Authority 

info@gta.gm 

www.visitthegambia.com 

Goway 

800-387-8850 

www.goway.com 

Green Land Tours 

info@greenlandethiopia.com 

www.greenlandethiopia.com 

Hatari Lodge 

marlies@theafricanembassy.com 

www.hatarilodge.com 

Moivaro Coffee Plantation 

Lodges & Tented Camps 

reservations@moivaro.com 

www.moivaro.com 

AFRICA CULTURAL/SAFARIS 

Ngorongoro Conservation 

Area Authority 

www.ngorongoro-crater-africa.org 

Tanzania National Parks 

www.tanzaniaparks.com 

Tanzania Tourist Board 

safari@ud.co.tz 

www.tanzaniatouristboard.com 

The Zambian Safari Company 

reservations@zamsaf.co.zm 

www.zambiansafari.com 

CRUISES 

Cruceros Australis 

877-678-3772 

australis@bellsouth.net 

www.australis.com 

Discovery World Cruises 

866-623-2689 

www.discoveryworldcruises.com 

Louis Cruise Lines 

www.louiscruises.com 

Monarch Classic Cruises 

800 881 2377 

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises 

800 327 2601 

info@windjammer.com 

www.windjammer.com 

DIVE 

Maduro Dive Fanta-Seas 

800 327 6709 

info@maduro.com 

www.maduro.com 

Sunbreeze Hotel 

800-688-0191 

www.sunbreeze.net 

Turneffe Flats 

888-512-8812 

tflats@rapidnet.com 

www.tflats.com 

FISHING 

Turneffe Flats 

888-512-8812 

tflats@rapidnet.com 

www.tflats.com 

ECOTOURISM 

Amazon Explorama Lodges 

800-707-5275 

amazon@explorama.com 

www.explorama.com 

Inka Natura Travel 

postmaster@inkanatura.com.pe 

www.inkanatura.com 

Prom Peru 

866-661-PERU 

www.peru.info.com 

GOLF 

Dubai 

www.dubaitourism.ae 

LUXURY 

Marbella Options 

800-293-9709 

marbella@marbellaoptions.com 

www.marbellaoptions.com 

Riviera Maya Tourism 

Promotion Board 

info@rivieramaya.com 

www.rivieramaya.com 

RAIL 

ACP Rail International 

866-9E-URAIL 

www.eurail-acprail.com 

DER 

800 782 2424 

www.der.com 

Eurail Group 

www.eurail.com 

Flight Centre 

www.flightcentre.com 

Gullivers Travel Associates 

www.gta-travel.com 


800-953-9399 

ny@itonyc.com 


Rail Europe 

800 4EURAIL 

www.raileurope.com 

Trains Unlimited Tours 

800-359-4870 

530-836-1745 

tut@psln.com 

www.trainsunlimitedtours.com 

SPA 

The Alexandra 

800-704-9424 

info@alexandraresort.com 

www.alexandraresort.com 

Ceiba Del Mar Spa Resort 

877-545-6221 

info@ceibadelmar.com 

www.ceibadelmar.com 

Hacienda Vista Real Destination Spa 

info@hvr.com.mx 

www.hvr.com.mx 

Hotel Parador 

info@hotelparador.com 

www.hotelparador.com 


800-953-9399 

ny@itonyc.com 


For additional listings please visit the online resource directory: www.travelworldnews.com/agent 


The best way to see Europe

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