World Class Driving Tour for Car Enthusiasts

Lamborghini by blue sky


At Chateau Elan, about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta, Georgia, you can drive 5 of the hottest cars in the world for a half hour around the North Georgia Mountains. Yes, this is a traveler's delight ! Chateau Elan is a fabulous winery/resort and host of the Fast and Luxurious - Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche at your very fingertips for $1500.00. It's cloudy and there's a serious chance of rain but you can still drive if you reserved already. This event is now sold out. Next stop, Knoxville this Saturday.

For more information 1-877-597-6403

Love for Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon landscape by Francisco Ramos

Tejo River by Francisco Ramos

Lisbon is a fascinating city of old-fashioned and funky art, architecture and traditions. It's one of Europe's most enjoyable capitals with its relaxed atmosphere, cultural diversity, reasonable prices and charming architecture. Lisbon is set on seven low hills next to the Tejo (Tagus) river. The city's atmosphere is rich with wonderful old buildings, Europe's longest suspension bridge, and fascinating museums and monuments. Despite the city's muscle-aching hills, Lisbon is compact enough to explore on foot. If your legs get tired, Lisbon has very convenient, bus, tram and subway lines as well as funiculars to take you up the steeper hills. Taxis abound, and are perhaps the most reasonably priced in Europe.

Pavilhao Atlantic by Palo Perez

Mosaic Lisbon Street by Richard Gurgel

The capital of Portugal is currently in the middle of a building boom which began after it was chosen as the host city for Expo 98. Metro lines have been extended, mosaic sidewalks have been re-paved and 18th century facades have been restored. One of the most urgent works is the saving and restoration of the "Alfama", the old town.

Rui Lousao


A good way to orient yourself and enjoy a panoramic view is to climb one of the seven hills - Penha de Franca, Senhora do Monte, Graca, Sao Jorge, Sao Pedro Alcantara, Santa Catarina, Estrela. Sao Jorge is topped by a famous castle, Castelo de Sao Jorge, and has the most spectacular picturesque view - especially as the sun sets over the Tagus river. Generally speaking, you can spend an unlimited time discovering and re-discovering this charming city; however if you are on a tight schedule, don't miss exploring the Alfama District, Bairro Alto, and Belem. Lisbon is a wonderful place to explore, any time of the year.



Cabo Da Roka by Simon Shokry




Belem Tower by Bernard Mukarubibi




The city moves to pulsing new rhythms, as African music clubs are all the rage. Contrasting to this modern diversity, Portuguese fado songs continue to be heard, the soulful music (which originated here) is still hitting notes of passionate melancholy.





Lisbon at Night by Carlos Paes

Lisbon travel

Happy Earth Day

Earth by Rodolfo Clix


"EARTH DAY is the first holy day which transcends all national borders, yet preserves all geographical integrities, spans mountains and oceans and time belts, and yet brings people all over the world into one resonating accord, is devoted to the preservation of the harmony in nature and yet draws upon the triumphs of technology, the measurement of time, and instantaneous communication through space. EARTH DAY draws on astronomical phenomena in a new way – which is also the most ancient way – using the vernal Equinox, the time when the Sun crosses the equator making night and day of equal length in all parts of the Earth. To this point in the annual calendar, EARTH DAY attaches no local or divisive set of symbols, no statement of the truth or superiority of one way of life over another. But the selection of the March Equinox makes planetary observance of a shared event possible, and a flag which shows the Earth as seen from space appropriate."

Quote by Margaret Mead

The Galapagos Islands

Quito, Ecuador by Justin Phelan

Ecuador is small country in South America. It derives its name from the fact that it lies exactly on the Equator. Ecuador neighbors Peru and Colombia, and although these two are a lot bigger in size and economic power, as a tourist destination Ecuador is their equal. Ecuador offers beautiful old towns, such as the capital Quito, with its big and lively old town, filled with museums, churches, old mansions as well as shops and small restaurants. Then there is the highland of the Andes, with its many Indian villages with their colorful markets, that every photographer and shopper will find an absolute treat. High mountain tops and active volcanoes are never far away. The Amazon basin with its tropical forest offers wildlife and hiking possibilities as well as the chance to get to know the habits of the Indians that live in the Amazon region. Finally you might be able to visit the Galapagos islands . These are a must to all nature lovers. They offer many animals you will not find anywhere else in the world.





Blow rock and Redcliff Crab by Eva Schuster

Galapagos is the nature lover's paradise. Sea birds, sea lions, iguanas, finches, none fear man, and for a short time the tourist can live in harmony and peace with this wonderous environment. The Galapagos Islands are located on the equator about 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador. The Galapagos archipelgao is made up of 13 main islands, six smaller islands, tiny islets, and named and unnamed rocks. They are of volcanic origin and cover a land area of 3,090 square miles.




Iguana and Juvenile Boobie by Eva Schuster

Galapagos boast some of the most unusual and rare fauna in the world, many are endemic to Galapagos and found nowhere else in the world. Endemic fauna include: Giant tortoise, Lava lizard, Land Iguana, Marine Iguana, Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos penguin, Waved albatross, Flightless cormorant, Swallow-tailed gull, Lava gull, Lava heron, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos rail, Galapagos flycatcher, Galapagos martin, Galapagos dove,Charles mockingbird, Cactus ground finch and Vegetarian finch.

Ecuador travel

13 Ways to Handle Airport Delays

Airplane aproaching Heraklion International Airport-"Nikos Kazantzakis" by R.K.



With all the bankrupties, merges and cancellations, Traveler's most common complaint is with the Airlines. I found a really helpful article with 12 Tips that can save you some time and anguish at the airport. Tip #13 should be - Stay on a friendly basis with your Travel Agent. Let's face it - we have no control over the delay, but its comforting to know that if something does happen, you have someone that can make calls to other airlines or hotels on your behalf. This is especially helpful if you're stuck at the airport for a few hours or overnight. You have enought to worry about.

Bret Michaels loves Mexico

Cancun by Enyeto Rucker

I really enjoyed watching the season finale of VHI's "Rock of Love". Bret Michaels takes his final two, Amber and Daisy to the ME Cancun in Mexico. The views of Cancun were breathtaking! I especially liked Amber's date. They start off with a Mayan Jungle Experience at the Xcaret and later take a short boat ride to a beautiful cave where massage tables are set up in the water. I was thinking to myself, Amber is going to win this! You could hear the relaxing sounds of the water and nature while they were enjoying a truly magical massage at the opening of the cave. A Traveler's Delight! Later in the evening, they enjoy a sunset dinner surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico. And as if he were reading my mind, Bret says that what he loves about travel is - you find out what you like and don't like. Travel is enlightening in that way. If you really want to test that relationship, just take a trip and see what happens.

Poison: Live Raw & Uncut Summer Tour 2008

Cancun by Enyeto Rucker

Travel Wish List - Cancun, Mexico


The city is actually split into two main areas, the Zona Hotelera, which is a 18 Km long island facing the Caribbean on one side along a long sunny beach strip with many large fancy hotels. The other back side is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon called Laguna Nichupte. The second part of the city is called Ciudad Cancun, which is in the mainland. This is where most of the Cancun local people live, and also where tourists can find more budget accommodations. Ciudad Cancun and Zona Hotelera are joined by this long causeway/bridge. They are literally two different worlds. Ciudad Cancun has some nice restaurants and bars along Avenida Yaxchitlan, and a more Mexico feel to it. The Zona Hotelera has the opulence of Las Vegas, Nevada with a beautiful beach, nice malls, fancy bars and no casinos.


By Benjamin Earwicker - Garrison Photography




By Michel Meynsbrughen




Nearby are many Maya sites that are easy to explore. They offer a unique insight in the Chiprecolombian civilization of Mexico. Many tourists get packages to visit the Chichen Itza, a good 2-3 hrs away by car. But, if a tourist takes local buses, or even better, rents a car...there are many wonderful places to be seen. Some of the closer ones to Cancun are Coba and Tulum, which are near Playa del Carmen, which is also another tourist ocean area on the so called Ruta Maya, within an hour from Cancun. Tulum ruins are near the water, so it is a scenic place, Coba is about 45 mins inland from Tulum....very wonderful place. Renting a bike in the premises is recommended to be able to visit the whole site, as it is very large. There is also a nice tall pyramid to climb with an awesome view of the surrounding jungle....




Pyramid in Tulum by Alejandro Gonzalez



Beach in Tulum by Sergio Penaloza



Near Chichen Itza, just north of the city of Valladolid, there are the recent excavations in a place called Ek Balam. The place is very well preserved, and it is worth a visit...and you'll miss most of the crowds that go to Chichen Itza. If you are into Mayan Ruins, it is recommended that you visit the surroundings near the city of Merida (on the west side of Yucatan, 4 hrs by car from Cancun) and do the Ruta Puuc. This route is best enjoyed in a couple days, but if you are in a rush, you can do it all in one day if you have an early start. The most impressive one is a place called Uxmal...it is well preserved and very large. There are several other ones...about 5-6 of them, among them Sayil and Labna. They are all great, well kept, and uncrowded. From there, after Ruta Puuc, you can drive to Chichen Itza...visiting some small Yucatecan small towns and villages on the way, such as the town of Oxcutzcab, famous for their citrus industry and see their main downtown square, church and market.




Chichen Itza by Mike L.

The other main attraction of Cancun consists of the possibilities to see the world under the waves. Snorkeling and diving in Cancun and nearby Cozumel are among the best of the world. There are these other things around Ruta Maya, they are these waterholes near mangrove area, sort of like sinkholes filled with clean fresh water. These are called Cenotes, and you can swim in them. There are tons around this area and they are worth checking out. To do Cancun on a budget, try Ciudad Cancun for lodging, the hotels are a lot more reasonable there, and there are even a few hostels. You can always catch a bus to the beach area. Cancun is a wonderful destination. For beachcombers who do not want to leave the sun, they can just do that. But for those who want to get some culture and explore the richness of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, the opportunities are endless. This is a very unique area, very different from Mainland Mexico.




Mexican Sunset by Marina Nisi

Mexico travel

King Tut Exhibit in Atlanta

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo by Tamlyn Rhodes

The Boy King by Paul Porteous


For the first time in 30 years, King Tut is going on vacation ! If you've always wanted to visit Egypt, here's your chance to see over 130 of the Cairo Museum's most prized possessions. In November 2008, Emory University's Carlos Museum will host the Tutankhamun Exhibit at The Atlanta Civic Center. Already on Exhibit in London, Tut will travel to Dallas and then to Atlanta this November. If you would like to book a King Tut Package with VIP Tickets for your group contact Tara Travel Agency.

Pharoe Tout Ankh Amoun Golden Face at

Egyptian Musuem near pyramids by M.A. Makky

Pyramids in Giza by Piotr Lapinski

Travel Wish List - Egypt

Egypt does not need an introduction. It was the introduction to human civilization itself, and has all the evidence to show for it. Tour Egypt from the lively Nile Valley, to the solitary deserts, the diversity of the Sinai desert, the lush oasis, the exotic underwater life of the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean beaches.


"Now, let me talk more of Egypt for it has a lot of admirable things and what one sees there is superior to any other country." - Herodotus, 500 BCE

"St. Anthony's monastery in Egypt's Eastern desert,

complete with the friendliest monk imaginable!" by Photographer Pete Shelley

Cairo, the capital is the place to start. It has the Pyramids, the Sphinxs, the Egyptian Museum, many more sights and more than ten million cairenes to share the experience. Alexandria , the second city of the country has its fair share of historicsights as well and with its location on the Mediterranean it is an ideal spot for yourholidays. The south of Egypt has many impressive temples and graves from Pharaonic times. Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel should all be on your to do list. The Red Sea has great scuba diving : Hurghada is world famous for its under water world.

Red Sea Reef by Damien King

Egypt travel