Apple Vacations Top Five Deals of the Week

Apple Vacations' top five deals of the week to Mexico and the Caribbean include a seven-night program to Puerta Vallarta's Riu Jalisco from $999.99 per person double, available in January for departures on Fridays from Cleveland;

a seven-night program to Cancun's all-inclusive Gran Bahia Principe Coba from $899.99, available Nov. 2-29 from Atlanta, Cincinnati, Columbus, Newark, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh via nonstop flights; a four-night program to Jamaica's all inclusive Riu Negril from $509, available Nov. 1-Dec. 22 from Newark on nonstop flights via Continental Airlines and Air Jamaica;

a seven-night program to Punta Cana's all inclusive Bavaro Princess All Suites Resort Spa & Casino starts at $699.99, available Oct. 30-Dec. 15 departing from Newark. Add $50-$100 for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh departures via nonstop flights.

A "6 Golden Apple Square Deal All-Inclusive" to Cancun's Riviera Maya is three nights from $549.99, available Oct. 26-Oct. 29. Add $50 for Nov. 2-16 departures with nonstop flights from Atlanta, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Get more information about Apple Vacations' Best Deals by visiting www.applevacations.com or log on to www.myappleonline.com.

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New Requirements for Travelers under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

The Goal of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

Timeline

In the proposed implementation plan, the requirements outlined above will be rolled out in the following phases:

On January 8, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).

The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.

DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Media Note - Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements

Other Relevant Links

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

GOGO Offers Bonus on Hawaii Bookings

GOGO Worldwide Vacations is paying agents between $10 and $60 per room bonus on stays of four nights or longer to Oahu's Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki (valid travel dates: Nov. 1 to Dec. 22 only in OFV room category and higher);

the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa (valid travel dates: Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 with black out dates between Nov. 18 to Nov. 24 and Dec. 8 to Dec. 11 and Dec. 27 and Jan. 7 (valid bookings include Sunshine on Sale & Hawaiian Island Hopper programs, Aloha, and net rate bookings, fall promotion.)

On Maui the program includes the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa (valid travel dates: Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. Black out dates: Nov. 18 to Nov. 23 and Dec. 20 to Jan. 3 (valid on Sunshine on Sale & Hawaiian Island Hopper programs, Aloha, and net rate bookings, fall promotion; not combinable with bonus commission promotion).

Maui will only support up to a $20 maximum payment for the travel dates of Nov. 24 to Dec. 22). On Kauai the program is valid at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa (valid travel dates: Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. Black out dates: Nov. 19 to Nov. 22 and Dec 26 to Jan. 7 and Jan. 13 to Jan. 18 (valid on Sunshine on Sale & Hawaiian Island Hopper programs, Aloha, and net rate bookings, fall promotion; restrictions: not combinable with bonus commission promotion).

Hawaii's Big Island the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel (valid travel dates: Nov. 1 to Dec. 22. Rules: Incentive applicable to the Prince Value rates only in OCV room category or higher. Not combined with any other promotion); The Fairmont Orchid -- (valid travel dates: Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. Black out dates: Dec. 21 to Jan. 13.

Rules: May be combined with fifth night free, applies to room category POV or higher. Restrictions: May not be combined with Bed & Breakfast or Twice as Nice Package; may not be offered on Fairmont Garden View Rooms. Check out the full list of rules and restrictions, individual travel dates and black-outs.

These programs must be booked by Dec. 31 for travel between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31. Call 800-229-4999 or visit www.gogowwv.com.

E&O Insurance & New Website oFfer

E & O Insurance
A1Travel-Vacation.com one of the nation's fastest growing Home Based Host Agency networks announced today it has a $2,000,000 E & O Professional Liability Insurance policy that can protect it's home based travel agents.

The high cost of E&O Insurance has been a major concern for all home based travel agents," stated Paul Davis, A1Tavel-Vacation.com CEO. He added, "Everyone makes mistakes. Without E & O insurance your at risk. Being covered under E & O professional liability insurance is like buying car insurance. You pray you never have to use it. But there is great peace of mind knowing you are covered, just in case." "We are very proud to be able to offer this important and valuable benefit to our home based travel agents.

NEW Private Label Website for our agents.
With this new private label website technology our agents will have a world-class presence on the Internet empowering you to successfully compete with the biggest online agencies. To see a sample of the new web site go to www.helpvets.joystar.com.

The new upgraded website is powered with a collection of best-of-breed technology companies including Revelex, Amadeus and other leading content providers. Your prospects and clients will enjoy real time access and booking capabilities 24/7 from 20 cruise lines, 51,000 hotel properties, 45 car rental companies, 490 airlines as well as a database of over 80,000 special vacation offers.

Best of all is that A1Travel-Vacation.com is bundling the two programs together. Home based Agents will get both the E & O insurance and the new upgraded web site for only $30. per month.

As a Special bonus, agents that order the E & O insurance and new web site will also receive 80% of all commissions from sales booked on the there new website.

According to Mr. Davis "One booking on your 24/7 new web site could pay for a whole years fees." Agents will have two payment options. They can pay monthly by putting it on there charge account or they can per-pay one year and get one month FREE by paying a flat $330. yearly fee.

For further information call 1800-619-8646 and ask for Mr. Davis

PS
Berkley insurance sells E & O insurance policies for home based agents for $350 per year and Revlex sells the new web site for $550 per year. That's comes to $900 per year. We are offering both for only $330. That's a savings of $570. per year. This is a GREAT Deal..!!!!

Mexico Launches Home Based Travel Agent Education Program

The Mexico Tourism Board is re-establishing the Mexico travel industry training program. Home Based Travel Agents will now be able to access an interactive, content-rich on-line training campus at www.magicofmexico.com from the convenience of their home or computer.

The Mexico Tourism Board created the online teaching platform in order to train a larger number of travel agents, while offering them the option to learn the destinations they are most apt to sell based on their local market demand.

Each course, from Acapulco to Zihuatanejo, is complete with text, maps, photos, charts, active links, virtual tour photography, video and a full-resource Digital Library. Home Based Travel Agents will receive study guides, complete with color photographs, electronically.

The program, free of charge to learners, continues to offer detailed information on trip planning and tourism attractions throughout Mexico. Upon completion of a combination of required courses and destination-specific elective courses, agents will receive continuing education credits from The Travel Institute. They will be mailed a diploma to certify their expertise and an agency window decal endorsing them as Mexico specialists.

Graduates will also be eligible for exclusive benefits and a fully updated, "magic of Mexico" sales guide. For more information, visit www.mexico-seminars.com or www.visitmexico.com.

Top Reasons Agents Purchase Travel Guard

1. We're open 24 hours a day-our doors never close! Our World Service Center representatives are available 24/7 to answer any questions you or your clients may have.

2. Terrorist coverage is included-Our standard retail policies do not exclude terrorism as a reason for trip cancellation. This is part of Travel Guard's strong commitment to its travel partners who may have clients that are fearful an other terrorist event may force them to cancel their trip.

3.Broadest protection available-Travel Guard's policies include the broadest coverage you'll find in the industry.

4. Dedicated sales team-Travel Guard has the largest sales force in the travel insurance industry dedicated to helping agents increase their bottom line. We offer comprehensive sales and product training~everything an agency needs to help it increase its travel insurance sales.

5. We offer some of the highest commissions in the industry-Travel Guard's commissions are as high as, and in many cases, higher than, any other travel insurance company. Selling our products with the commissions we offer is a great way to increase your agency's revenues.

6. Online sales capabilities-You can immediately book and fulfill a client's travel insurance purchase via our web site (http://www.travelguard.com/). When you book a policy for a client, you'll instantly receive confirmation of purchase, plus have the ability to print the policy confirmation, certificate of insurance, Travel Guard's Bag Trak luggage tags, and ID cards. It's fast, easy, and convenient for you and your clients.

7. Livetravel-24hour emergency back-up service for your agency. Livetravel is the first company in the U.S. to offer travel agencies 24-hour sales and customer service for their business. When your agency's doors close, your calls can be seamlessly transferred to the Livetravel call center, where they'll provide full sales and service support to your customers-all on your behalf.

8. Superlative customer service-Agents who sell Travel Guard products feel confident knowing we provide the best customer service in the industry, Our services include: Zero tolerance for customer dissatisfaction, All calls answered within 30 seconds, Company-wide commitment to superior service, quality and integrity.

9. Increase your profits with our ezTIPS software!

Mary Cieslewicz
Account Development Manager

Mary.Cieslewicz@AIG.com
Phone: 800.826.7791 ext 13321
Fax: 800.826.0838

Travel Guard International
http://www.travelguard.com/

HOW TO SELL JAMAICA:

It takes awhile to learn Jamaica because there is so much to sell. Ocho Rios has the night life, but still has the beautiful natural settings. Negril has beautiful cliffs and miles of white sandy beaches while the capitol, Kingston, is the economic and social center. The tourism board says Montego Bay summons the “hedonist, gourmet and golfer” alike. It also summons travelers who like to be outdoors and bike or hike to a waterfall or take a plantation tour.

Jamaica has a reputation similar to Las Vegas-it is a place you go to have a wickedly good time while on vacation. That is due in part to Negril’s Hedonism II and the Hedonism III in Runaway Bay. But there also is a quieter side to Jamaica. The least traveled area is the South Coast with its natural beauty. Port Antonio has a quiet charm with its famous 178-foot-deep Blue Lagoon.

Jamaica is always good for clients from spring breakers to honeymooners. It offers vacation themes in everything from adventure, beach, family, golf, heritage tours, villa vacations and spring break. A newer trend is learning how to cook local dishes, and shop for the ingredients, while staying in a villa. Swimming with dolphins is a popular sell in Ocho Rios at Dolphin Cove, which is near the world famous Dunn’s River Falls. Jazz lovers also will enjoy the annual jazz festival that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. For more information, visit www.visitjamaica.com. Groups & ConventionsPhone: 305-665-0557Toll Free: 800-294-7687Fax: 305-666-5536Email: groups@visitjamaica-usa.com

Super Saver Cruise Sale on MSC Cruise Line

Home Based Travel Agents can offer to there clients special "Super SuperSaver" rates with savings of up to 63% on MSC Cruises select 11-night Deep Caribbean and Panama itineraries in 2007.

The rates start at $695 per person, double occupancy for an interior stateroom; ocean-view staterooms are priced from $795. To qualify for the deal, non-refundable bookings must be made by Oct. 30 and paid in full within 24 hours.

This promotion applies to MSC Lirica roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale Jan. 31 through April 18 and MSC Opera roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale Feb. 5 through March 21. Deep Caribbean itineraries include calls at San Juan, St. Maarten, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Tortola and Samana.

The Lirica's Panama itineraries visit Ocho Rios, Cartagena, San Blas, Cristobal, Puerto Limon and Roatan Island. The MSC Opera's Panama itineraries include Costa Maya, Puerto Limon, Cristobal, Santa Marta, Curacao and Samana. For more information, visit http://www.msccruises.com/

The Wonders of Belize By Jennifer Michels

As I traveled to Belize International Airport last Friday from the island of San Pedro on a Tropic Air flight, I was trying to decide what I wanted to about Belize on my flight home to Washington, D.C.. There is so much to say about this other-worldly country with its howler monkeys roaring like lions, fruit bats flying and scorpions crossing the road (OK, I only saw one scorpion after six days, which was enough for me). It truly was the closest to nature I've felt since a South African safari three years ago.

We started out in Punta Gorda, a still undiscovered area in the south with rainforests, dirt roads and those howler monkeys. It is a place where conservation has become paramount, something much evident at the remote but comfortable Machaca Hill Lodge (formerly known as El Pescador, a retreat mostly for fly fishermen). Former poachers of manatees and turtles are now guides who take you on a ride in a 200-year-old dugout canoe at dusk on the Rio Grande River, pointing out flora and fauna along the way.

The lodge is currently closed until mid-December while renovations take place and new activities such as mountain biking, sea kayaking and horseback riding are added on its nearly seven miles of trails. Its new owners, Outpost International, also are conducting a complete retraining of the staff and bringing in a new chef, although I could find nothing to complain about the meals cooked by the old chef. For more information, visit www.machacahilllodge.com.

Not far down the road is another unique property, the Lodge at Big Falls, also on the Rio Grande in Toledo. The Lodge at Big Falls has only six cabanas while Machaca has 12 with plans to add two villas. The owners of Big Falls say they plan to add just a couple more to keep it intimate. For honeymooners, I recommend asking for one of the cabanas on the river's edge. The property sits on a well-manicured lawn with a new pool and outdoor bar. The rooms have an unusual shower with a wall of windows that gives it the feel of an outdoor shower. For more information, visit www.thelodgeatbigfalls.com.

Those are just two of the many rustic lodges we saw with thatched roofs, some with hammocks on their porches and other touches that give this region of Belize a "lost outpost" sort of a feeling. We also stayed farther north on the island of San Pedro, which is much more developed with resort hotels and villas. But there is something special about Punta Gorda that makes it the perfect spot for eco-tourists and adventure travelers. They can travel here in just three to four hours from many major U.S. gateways, but still feel like they are deep in the Amazon.

The new trend in ecotourism is getting to know the locals and finding ways to feel as though you are part of the eco-experience. Your customers can get that in Punta Gorda, which has many ways to package excursions, such as a walk to a Mayan temple with a cultural explanation by a local guide, or a hike through the jungle to a cave swim that is just difficult enough to feel like you have accomplished your eco-activity for the day.

As with any Eden, however, there are some snares to be aware of. If you're sending your clients to Punta Gorda for a "Mayan experience," you need to know that having lunch with a host family won't necessarily be up to the level of comfort many travelers expect. Some may be squeamish about the water quality because this is not a controlled environment to any great degree -- you are eating in someone's home out in the country, which is likely to mean dirt floors and outhouses. On the other hand, there are many wonderful components that can be packaged together to get a true experience with local Mayan people.

The Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA) is still somewhat new at this, but it is making improvements to its cultural program, which brings needed dollars to these remote communities and helps pay for schools and other necessary programs. The association has set up five guesthouses good for backpackers who want to stay in an area extremely cheaply -- less than $20 per night. The full-day packages pay 10-20 percent commission and include cultural enrichment, such as craft classes and demonstrations by music teachers. For more information, visit www.ecoclub.com.

One last but very important piece of advice you should relay to your clients is to make them aware of Belize's $36.25 departure tax. This cannot be paid in Belizean dollars if you are an American citizen, so advise them to tuck that money away lest they risk missing their flight if they have to exchange currency at the airport.

Of course, no column on Belize would be complete without mentioning the fabulous snorkeling and diving that can be found in so many areas of the country. Swimming with nurse sharks and sting rays and giant grouper is quite an experience in itself. For clients who have already "been there, done that" on Grand Cayman or Bonaire or Curacao, I highly recommend stays along the Rio Grande in the rain forest where the last thought on your mind as you drift off to sleep listening to a thunderous downpour and those howler monkeys is, "I wonder what I'm going to see tomorrow."
Jennifer Michels is a News Editor Modern Agent

Spanish Heritage Unveils Fall & Winter Tours

Spanish Heritage Tours introduced its new fall/winter lineup of packages to Spain and Portugal. The program features the tour operator's independent "Getaway Packages" to the Costa del Sol, Canary Islands, Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Madrid/Barcelona and Lisbon/Algarve combinations -- all with departures from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Included is a hosted tour, Today's Spain: Tapas, Art, & Wine, highlighting classic and contemporary Spanish culture. Departures for "Today's Spain" are available in November 2006, as well as in February, April and May 2007.

Travel agent commission is 12 percent on all land/air packages. The eight-day/six-night Getaway Packages include roundtrip airfare from New York City, transfers, accommodation in three-, four- or five-star hotels, buffet breakfast daily, a half-day city sightseeing tour (except in Lisbon), and hotel taxes and service charges. Flights between Madrid & Barcelona and Lisbon and the Algarve are also included in the combo packages. Prices start at $779 for a Costa del Sol Getaway.

Home based travel agents can increase their commissions by booking sightseeing tours, excursions and other available optional arrangements along with the basic package. The 10-day hosted tour, "Today's Spain: Tapas, Art, & Wine", features a lesson in making tapas (the popular pre-dinner snacks), a sampling of Basque cuisine, wine tasting, and a tour of the spectacular Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

The tour price starts at $2,399, including roundtrip airfare from New York City, flights between cities, four-star hotels throughout, breakfast daily plus other meals, and the services of local hosts. All Getaway Package and Hosted Tour prices are per person double and are based on departures from New York. Add-on fares are available from other major U.S. cities. Departure taxes, airport fees and security charges, and applicable fuel surcharge are not included.

Spanish Heritage Tours can customize any of their packages or design a completely personalized itinerary. Call 800-456-5050 or visit www.shtours.com

A&K Adds Villas in France, Italy and Spain

Abercrombie & Kent has expanded its collection of European Villas. In 2007 the company will have a full complement of full-service Concierge Villas in Italy and France.

A&K is expanding its Sanctuary Villas collection to include France's Provence and Côte d'Azur regions. New Villas for 2007 in Italy include the Villa Puccini, Lucca, Tuscany, the Villa Rosa, Lucca, the Villa Piana, Lucca, the La Principessa, Lucca, the Villa La Tenuta, Lucca, the Villa La Veduta, Lucca, Il Rosselino, Florence, Il Geranio, Florence, the Villa Belvedere, San Gimignano, the Casa Tordela, Chianti, the Villa Bianca, Chianti and the Casa del Lago, Umbria.

In France the new villas include Mas du Sorgue, Vaucluse, the Bastide Bellevue, Luberon, the Villa Barbet, Luberon, the Moriere, Cote d'Azur, the Villa Eden, Cannes, the Villa Falaise, Cote d'Azur and the Villa du Loup, Tourettes Sur Loup. In Spain the new villas are the Villa Moana, Costa del Sol and the Ca L'Almiral, Costa Brava. Call 800-554-7016 or 630-954-2944 or visit www.abercrombiekent.com.

E.E.I. Offers Thanksgiving Bargins to Europe

E.E.I. Travel's new Thanksgiving Packages to London, Paris, and Rome, departing Nov. 22, are priced from $549. The three-night packages all include roundtrip flight and airline fuel surcharges, hotels, continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges. The London Thanksgiving Getaway is priced from $549; the Paris Thanksgiving Getaway from $599; and the Rome Thanksgiving Getaway from $699. The packages must be purchased by Oct. 17. Call 800-927-3876 or visit www.eeitravel.com.

MSC Cruies Offers 60 Percent Savings on Suites

MSC Cruises is offering savings of 60 percent or more on balcony suites on select Caribbean cruises on the MSC Lirica. The special is available on new bookings made by Oct. 30.

Cruise-only prices begin at $1,195 per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are extra. Each Category 11 suite boasts a balcony, larger common space, a king-sized bed, a sofa bed, and a bathroom with tub. The MSC Lirica sails 11-night Deep Caribbean and Panama itineraries roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

The "Suite Deal" is available on the Deep Caribbean sailings departing Nov. 15, Jan. 20, Feb. 11, March 5, March 27 and April 18 and the Panama itineraries departing Nov. 26, Dec. 18, Jan. 9, Jan. 31, Feb. 22, March 16 and April 7.

The Deep Caribbean itineraries call at San Juan, St. Maarten, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Tortola, and Samana, Dominican Republic. Panama itineraries visit Ocho Rios, Cartagena, San Blas, Cristobal, Puerto Limon and Roatan Island. Each itinerary includes several days at sea.

The Nov. 26 and April 18 sailings are also "Baseball Greats" theme cruises, with former Yankees Graig Nettles, Frank Howard and Stan Bahnsen, Hall-of-Famer Bob Feller and slugger Ken Griffey on the Nov. 26 sailing and Vida Blue, Earl Weaver, Stan Bahnsen, Randy Hundley, and Cito Gaston on the April 18 sailing. Each baseball theme cruise includes free interactive passenger/player activities and a free autograph session at the end of the cruise. For more information, visit www.msccruises.com.
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Asian Tourism - Travel Agent Seminars

Seven Asian tourism organizations -- including China National Tourist Office, Hong Kong Tourism Board, India Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization, Macau Government Tourist Office, Singapore Tourism Board, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand -- have come together in an effort to host a first five-city road show designed to bring awareness to the entire region of Asia.

The road show consists of a series of workshops during which home based travel agents will have an opportunity to meet and network with a group of approximately 15 suppliers to Asia, including airlines, hotel groups, cruise companies and tour operators and wholesalers as well as tourism officials.

During the dinner to follow each workshop session, partners will unveil the Asia Now Challenge, an interactive game presentation designed to educate travel professionals and test their destination knowledge of Asia.

Participating agents will be eligible to win a prize. The seminars will take place: Oct. 24 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.; Oct. 25 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago; Oct. 26 at the Sheraton Bal Harbour in Miami; Nov. 8 at the Talaris Conference Center in Seattle; and Nov. 9 at the Marina Village Conference Center in San Diego.

Workshops will be held from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Travel professionals interested in attending must register by no later than Oct. 13, 2006. Registration is free and can be obtained by contacting Amy Andrieux at 212-633-2047 or amy@latitudepr.com.
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Globus Unveils New Religious Tour Program

Globus offer travelers the chance to learn about Christian author C.S. Lewis in a personal way, touring his haunts in Oxford and Cambridge where he wrote such works as the Chronicles of Narnia. This Lewis-focused vacation is one of the new packages introduced with Globus' 2007 religious vacations.

Other new vacations include a Journey through the Bible: Egypt and Jordan, the Grand Catholic Italy vacation and a tour of the Lourdes and Shrines of France, all offering personal, in-depth visits to the most famous religious sites in the world. In addition to these new vacation options, Globus also reintroduced past itineraries.

Globus' religious travel department is led by Kevin Wright, a religious travel author, and visitor to more than 150 pilgrimage sites. Globus also customizes for faith-based organizations. Globus offers many resources to teach travel agents, churches, faith-based groups and other travel professionals about religious travel through its regional Religious Travel Symposiums and Faith-Based Travel Showcases.

Globus provides education and sales tips for travel agents interested in offering religious vacations to their clients. Globus' religious travel experts also speak at travel industry luncheons and conferences and host Web seminars for further education and insight. The Globus Faith Website acts as a resource for agents selling faith-based travel or people interested in learning more about the world's great religious sites.

Among Globus' religious packages are the 10-day Footsteps of Apostle Paul which visits sites where Paul delivered sermons and conducted personal pilgrimages. The trip visits Greece and Turkey, stopping in cities such as Corinth and Philippi, famed for the letters and teachings that Paul addressed to them. In addition to these religious sites, travelers will also sightsee in Athens and on the island of Rhodes. This vacation is priced from $1,569 (land-only price).

The new 11-day Journey through the Bible: Egypt and Jordan begins in Cairo with sightseeing at the Great Pyramids and Giza's Sphinx, accompanied by a personal Egyptologist. Afterwards, travelers will continue on to Mt. Sinai – where Moses received the Ten Commandments – and the Dead Sea, among other biblical sites. This vacation is priced from $1,699 (land-only price).

The new nine-day Christian England and the World of C.S. Lewis visits London and its many cathedrals before heading to Canterbury and Oxford. This stay in Oxford allows travelers a glimpse into Lewis' past with visits to his colleges and favorite pubs. The trip concludes with a stop in Cambridge where Lewis also resided and taught. This vacation is priced from $1,929 (land-only price).

The nine-day Classic Shrines of Italy is a grand tour of Italian religious sites such as Rome with visits to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums, as well as a tour of the Coliseum, a site of Christian martyrdom. Travelers will sightsee in various Italian villages en route to Assisi. This vacation is priced from $1,649 (land-only price).

The new 10-day Grand Catholic Italy offers all of the religious sightseeing included in the Classic Shrines of Italy package, as well as time spent in Florence and Venice. Travelers will see Michelangelo's David and the Cathedral in Florence as well as a private boat tour in Venice. This vacation is priced from $1,849 (land-only price).

The new 10-day Lourdes & Shrines of France visits the country's top religious sites. Beginning in Paris, travelers will see architectural and religious sites including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Basilica of Sacre Coeur. From Paris, travelers will spend the remainder of their time in Lourdes, Avignon and Nevers. The trip nears an end with a visit to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paray-le-Monial, before returning to Paris. This vacation is priced from $1,799 (land-only price).

The seven-day Footsteps of Pope John Paul II and Poland Heritage offers travelers a look into the life of the last pope by visiting his hometown and his birthplace. Other highlights of this tour include visits to Warsaw, Czestochowa and Krakow. This trip also includes a visit to Auschwitz with a stop at the remains the former concentration camp and a martyrdom museum. This vacation is priced from $1,199 (land-only price). Call 800-221-0090 or visit www.globusjourneys.com/agents.

Walt Disney Offers Dreams Discounts

Clients eager to experience the Year of a Million Dreams celebration at Walt Disney World Resort can take advantage of a special Walt Disney Travel Company package offer and a discounted room rate. Through Oct. 31, 2006, clients booked on Walt Disney Travel Company's Magic Your Way Package can enjoy a five-night package starting at $369 per adult, $217 per junior and $176 per child, based on adult double occupancy at a select Disney Value Resort standard room for travel most nights between Nov.1 and Dec. 23, 2006. This specially-priced package includes accommodations and theme park tickets.

Home BasedTravel Agents can ask for booking code ZDF. Furthermore, clients also have the option of a special room-only offer. Room rates at Disney value resorts start as low as $89 per night plus tax most nights for travel Oct. 30 to Nov. 18, 2006 and as low as $69 per night plus tax most nights for travel between Nov. 26 and Dec. 23, 2006. Other resorts are available during this same time period at varying rates. This room-only offer must be booked by Oct. 29, 2006. Travel agents can ask for booking code BRY. For more information, call 800-327-2996 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com.