Tragedy at Sea - Louis Majesty

On February 12th, I boarded the Louis Majesty to set sail for the ship's inaugural cruise of the Western Mediterranean. We sailed from Genoa to Marseille, Barcelona, Alicante, Gibraltar Tangier, Casablanca, Malaga and Almeria before returning to Genoa on February 20th.
The ship was lovely, the crew, friendly and helpful, and though the weather in Europe was wintry and rainy, the ports were interesting (more on the cruise in an article to be posted later). The sea was occasionally rough enough to warrant an occasional Dramamine; in fact, it prevented our docking in Gibraltar. Not unusual for that time of year.
After having left Italy with a treasure trove of good memories, I was shocked and sad to hear of the tragedy that struck the ship the day before yesterday, on March 3rd—when abnormally high waves hit the Majesty, smashing windows in a public area on deck 5, killing two passengers and injuring 14 others.
The last news I had was that the ship was returning to Barcelona. There are no words appropriate for such a tragedy, perhaps rather, a moment of silence.

New York Pass Offers Presidents' Day Family Excursion

With Presidents' Day weekend and winter breaks fast approaching, New York area families need to look no further than The New York Pass to satisfy all their vacation entertainment! The New York Pass opens doors to more than 55 of the city's top attractions and is the perfect way to spend the time off from school and work this winter season.
"There's no better time for families to get out and explore some the best the city has to offer-all in their own backyard," said Ken Barrows, Vice President of New York Pass. "We offer single and multi-day passes, which will come in handy for parents looking for a way to entertain the kids during their time off-all at a fantastic value. Experiencing the Big Apple with the New York Pass is enjoyable, and don't tell the kids, but it's educational too!"
The $75 New York Pass day pass ($55 for children) gets holders into the city's top attractions all across New York City for a single price, many with exclusive "fast-track" entry privileges, allowing card holders to whiz past long lines. Attractions include: Top of the Rock; The Met; The Guggenheim; The Whitney; The Museum of Natural History; the Museum of Sex; the Museum of Television and Radio; Bodies...the Exhibition, and MOMA. Behind-the-scenes tours at Madison Square Garden; NBC studios; Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. Free entry to zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens, and places of interest like Madam Tussaud's; The Empire State Building Observation Deck; New York Skyride, the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island ferry. The New York Pass also includes shopping discounts at stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's-it even includes discounts on New York City helicopter rides! (A complete list of attractions is available here.)
New York Pass also offers two-day passes, $120 for adults, $100 for children; three-day passes, $150 for adults, $130 for children; and seven-day passes, $190 for adults and $150 for children.

FLO USA’S ‘TURKISH DELIGHTS’ TOUR REVEALS CAPTIVATING MODERN TURKEY

Departing March 17, 15-day tour is priced at $1,299 (C$1,391), representing a 50% discount

Marking its 20th year as one of the world’s premier boutique tour operators, FLO USA returns to Turkey for Turkish Delights, a 15-day all-inclusive itinerary delving deeply into the country’s rich history and cultural traditions. The de facto experts on Turkey, FLO USA is widely known among discerning travelers who appreciate its finely detailed historical references and commitment to the preservation of local traditions. Nowhere is this expertise more apparent than in Turkey, one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in the world and site of the company’s earliest expert-led cultural tours.
One of FLO USA’s 11 escorted tours in Turkey, the Turkish Delights tour departs Istanbul on March 17 and is priced $1,299 (C$1,391) per person -- 50% off the regular $2,600 (C$2,785) per person rate. The rate includes all accommodations, most meals, entrance fees to museums and other attractions, land transportation, and travel insurance. Gratuities are additional.
FLO USA is well known for its in-depth itineraries paired with authentic dining experiences (including such multicultural culinary delicacies as grilled lamb kebabs, roasted pureed eggplant and bulgar pilaf) and unique accommodations. On the Turkish Delights tour, guests will overnight in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale and beach hotels in Antalya and Kusadasi, among other well-chosen accommodations.
“We believe that luxury travelers will always look to experts to provide “insider” connections and experiences,” said Cengiz Aras, President of FLO USA. To that end, the company’s 24 tours in 2010 are led by “experienced travelers, learned historians and culture buffs whose expertise, humor and sense of adventure set them apart.”
Highlights of the tour include visits to the ancient Roman cities of Ephesus (considered one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world), Troy and Pergaumum, as well as the painted cave-churches of Cappadocia and the capital city of Ankara.
Turkey’s unique geographical location at the intersection of Asia and Europe influences various aspects of the itinerary, which begins in Istanbul’s Old City with visits to Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans, and the ancient Hippodrome. Turkey’s diverse architecture affords visitors the opportunity to experience a rare blend of culture and traditions – ranging from Anatolian to Ottoman, Greco-Roman to Islamic – that have influenced the region for thousands of years. Highlights include the Blue Mosque, Library of Celsus, Anýtkabir (the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic.) Visits to the Museum of the Anatolian Civilizations, the Mevlana Museum and the Antalya Regional Archaeological Museum are among the museum stops.
For reservations and more information, call 888-435-6872 or visit www.flo-usa.com.