NEW..Diominican Republic Tourist Card On Line Procedures

10/18/2012 3:53:55 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

 All tourists visiting the Dominican Republic must purchase a tourist card once they arrive in the destination. The cost of the tourist card of $10.00 per person can now be purchased online through the country's Internal Revenue Service English site...
 
http://www.dgii.gov.do/tarjetaTuristica/EN/about/Paginas/default.aspx

The World's 10 Best Rivers for Cruising

6/26/2012 11:21:25 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

A river cruise is frequently the easiest and most enjoyable way to explore the cities and towns that lie along inland waterways. Passengers sail aboard small, well-appointed ships and dine on gourmet food, and daily sightseeing excursions capture the highlights of each port city.

Moore Travel offers the widest variety of itineraries along every major river in the world, plus every discount, deal and special promotion available. Below are brief summaries of the top 10 rivers - in no particular order.

Rhine River -- View vineyards and castles from the deck of your ship on the Rhine, among the most popular European river cruising destinations. Many itineraries visit Basel, Switzerland's second largest city, which has a museum displaying works by Picasso, Dali and Mondrian. At the heart of Germany's Rhine wine region lies Rudesheim, where terraced rows of vines climb the banks. In Cologne, Germany, you'll visit the spectacular, 13th-century Gothic cathedral with twin spires. German and French cultures meet in Strasbourg in France's Alsace region; the district known as La Petite France is a nice place for exploration on foot.

Danube River -- Flowing from Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea, the Danube offers a chance to explore Old World cities like Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. In the Austrian town of Melk, most visitors head to the 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey that overlooks the town, while in Germany's Regensburg, your guide is likely to point out the well-preserved medieval architecture and the old Roman gate. During a visit to Passau, Germany, you may hear a concert on the 17,774-pipe organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral.

Volga River -- Russia's most famous cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, can be visited on these vacations. The immense Red Square and onion-domed St. Basil's Cathedral are featured on sightseeing tours of Moscow, while the Peter and Paul Fortress and stunning Hermitage Museum are the don't-miss sights of St. Petersburg. Your riverboat will likely call at Yaroslavl, one of Russia's oldest cities, and Uglich, best known for the blue-domed church built on the spot where Prince Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591.

Seine River -- These trips typically start in Paris, where sightseeing allows for photo ops at the Eiffel Tower, the Arch of Triumph, Notre Dame and the Champs-Elysees. Elsewhere on a Seine River route, highlights include Monet's home and beautiful gardens at Giverny; Chateau Gaillard, Richard the Lionheart's stronghold in Les Andelys; and Le Havre, where passengers typically set out for D-Day landing sites along the beaches of Normandy.

Saone and Rhone rivers -- River cruises in southern France usually combine these two rivers in a single itinerary. During the Saone portion of the sailing, the ship meanders through the Burgundy region, where you'll learn about the local wine industry and sample vintages in towns like Beaune. The Rhone River runs south through the Provence region to the Mediterranean coast. Among stops are Lyon, best known as France's gastronomic capital; Arles, one of Van Gogh's favorite places; and Avignon, a walled city with a 14th-century papal palace.

Yangtze River -- Yangtze River cruises often are part of longer tours in China that also incorporate hotel stays. You'll travel between Beijing and Shanghai and see some of the country's most popular sights, like a well-preserved section of the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian. Highlights of the Yangtze sailing include the 18th-century Shibaozhai Temple, a 12-story red pagoda that clings to the side of a cliff, and the magnificent peaks and waterfalls of the Three Gorges. Passengers disembark to visit the Three Gorges Dam, a jaw-dropping sight that spans nearly a mile and a half and stands 600 feet tall.

Mississippi River -- These sailings explore one of America's true historic treasures: a 2,320-mile waterway that flows through 10 states, from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Itineraries stop at cities that flourished on the river and its tributaries, like St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans. Civil War battlefields, restored plantation homes and picturesque towns perched on bluffs also are featured. The origins of blues and jazz can be traced to this region, and it's celebrated in literature, too, most memorably by Mark Twain, who grew up in the port town of Hannibal, MO, and once worked as a riverboat pilot.

Amazon River -- There are two ways to explore this South American river: aboard an expedition ship that has a shallow draft and can travel the Lower Amazon in Brazil or the Upper Amazon tributaries in Peru, or on an oceangoing cruise ship that enters the mouth of the river on the Atlantic Ocean and navigates the Lower Amazon as far as Manaus. See the flora and fauna of this verdant basin, like orchids, giant lilies and forests carpeted in ferns, and caimans, rare frogs, monkeys, sloths and toucans. Often there are opportunities to learn about the traditions of the region's communities and purchase locally made crafts.

Mekong River -- Busy cities, rural villages, temples and floating markets are part of Mekong River trips through Cambodia and Vietnam. In Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, sightseeing excursions take in the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. In Ho Chi Minh City, you'll visit sites linked to the Vietnam War, like the War Remnants Museum and the underground tunnels used as hideouts by the Viet Cong. Angkor Wat is a top attraction; the large complex of ornate stone structures dates to the early 12th century.

Nile River -- Cruises along the Nile provide a terrific way to delve into the vast history of Egypt. Ancient sights are prominently featured, like the Pyramids of Giza, the 60-foot statues of Ramses II at the Abu Simbel temple and the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs rest, including young king Tutankhamun. Guests will see the objects excavated from his tomb at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Tours of the Aswan High Dam and a sunset cruise in a traditional sailboat, called a felucca, also are part of Nile River itineraries.  

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Our Favorite All-Inclusive Kid-Free Retreats

11/9/2011 1:26:05 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Are you looking for a kid-free beach vacation? Some of the finest resorts in  Mexico and the Caribbean are restricted to adult guests, and today, We would like to give you a brief overview of our favorites. 

Here, in no particular order, are some of our most popular kid-free retreats.

Excellence Punta Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic -- Excellence Punta Cana is a favorite among active couples looking for an engaging getaway. The 5.5-star retreat offers horseback riding, dance lessons, snorkeling tours and yoga classes in its all-inclusive vacation package. Other amenities include two pools, eight a la carte restaurants, 10 bars, a spa and cardio-conditioning facility.

The Royal Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen, Mexico -- At this elegant, 5-star property, guests can relax on canopied beach beds, visit the Mayan-inspired spa, participate in wine and tequila tastings led by the sommelier, attend nightly shows or try any of the nine dining options -- perhaps the Spanish tapas place, Caribbean seafood spot or Mexican-French fusion restaurant. The Royal is all-inclusive and within walking distance of Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue, a pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants.

Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica -- Rooms at this 4.5-star, all-inclusive resort feature flat-screen TVs with DVD players, iPod docking stations, marble bathrooms with his-and-hers vanities and fully stocked minibars that can be customized to guests' preferences. There are six bars, including a swim-up bar and a cigar bar, and five restaurants. The property's artistic design gives it a boutique-like feel.

Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic -- Iberostar calls this 5-star property its finest all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. Mingle at the music bar, which is housed in a replica of a Spanish galleon, or treat yourself to a massage in the two-story oceanfront spa. There are five restaurants, some with al fresco dining, plus a snack bar, and five bars here. There's also an onsite, 18-hole championship golf course designed by P.B. Dye.

El Dorado Royale, Playa del Carmen, Mexico -- This 5-star retreat is noted for its gourmet all-inclusive program, with specialty restaurants, "gourmet corners" and 24-hour room service. Those looking for a truly relaxing getaway might opt for a swim-up suite that fronts a "lazy river" pool system, so you can step off your patio right into a cool current. More than a dozen other swimming pools are scattered around the resort. Kayaking trips, scuba clinics and complimentary use of paddleboats and snorkeling gear are offered.

Couples Swept Away Negril, Negril, Jamaica -- Situated on seven miles of white-sand beaches, Couples Swept Away is an intimate retreat designed exclusively for couples. This all-inclusive, 5-star resort features all-suite accommodations housed in two-story villas spread throughout acres of palm trees, tropical flowers and beautiful beaches. Couples can stay active with a vast array of land and water sports including tennis, golf, parasailing and snorkeling, or experience the ultimate in relaxation at the spa or in a hammock on the beach.

Golden Parnassus All-Inclusive Resort & Spa Cancun, Cancun, Mexico -- This 4-star, all-inclusive resort is about 25 minutes from the airport. A large, inviting swimming pool faces the blue Caribbean, and daily activities include Spanish language lessons, cooking classes, water aerobics and beach soccer. For dinner, try the seafood dishes at Pier 12, gourmet a la carte selections at Shangri-la or Japanese fare at Sumo. There are also buffet options and several bars.

Secrets St. James Montego Bay, Montego Bay, Jamaica -- This 5-star, all-inclusive resort is situated on a half-mile stretch of private beach about 20 minutes away from the airport. Featuring all-suite accommodations, Secrets St. James has a British colonial ambience with rich, dark woods. This property shares a common area known as The Promenade with its sister resort -- Secrets Wild Orchid. The Promenade has seven restaurants as well as bars and lounges. Activities and amenities include aerobics and yoga classes, tennis and basketball courts, Hobie cats, a gaming lounge and nightly entertainment.