Page 6 S L N N N WS New Featured Vendors Hurtigruten Hurtigruten operates a fleet of 12 custom built, hybrid vessels combining the attributes of a small cruise ship with the daily duties of transportation for locals and freight. This combination creates a unique blend of travel experiences woven into the rhythms of daily Norwegian coastal life. All 12 ships depart from Bergen, in the South, on a daily schedule and make the full roundtrip up to Kirkenes, in the North, and back again in 11 nights/12 days. Guests can book The Voyage North for 6 nights/7 days, The Voyage South for 5 nights/6 days, The Norwegian Discovery for 10 nights/11 days or The Roundtrip Voyage for 11 nights/12 days. While some stops to the 34 ports are short for loading and unloading vehicles, freight and locals, other visits allow for unique seasonal shore excursions and sightseeing for travelers. Norwegian chefs use locally sourced and seasonal meats, fish, cheeses and produce supplied along the route. Guests may book accommodations ranging from Inside to Suite category cabins. Each Hurtigruten ship has something unique to offer. Despite their differences, they all provide the same intimate travel experience, with their own informal atmosphere. Comfortable lounges and ample deck space afford perfect views as you glide through some of the world's most beautiful and untouched coastal scenery. i n / n hme r e i e a e seas n r n e s e e e n e e i n v es e s a i ns n e en n he v y es he v es w e l e h e he ve els n e e h e e e n e e n n is n h l n h y y r nce n ar he e ha s n a s re a at n an ett n a ay m he c erc a e terta ment h ch is s e n en r e r i en' a e e ue e vi nmen s n a e e expe e e e p en e Norway and the Northern Lights is one of the most sought after itineraries. A winter expedition cruise along the coast of Norway is an extraordinarily beautiful experience. The landscape is covered in pure white snow; the air is fresh, pure and crisp and the Northern Lights dance across the sky. In writing this article I starting looking for spring 2018 dates and prices...believe it or not, many categories were already sold out! So, this is definitely a cruise you need to plan ahead for. M h 2 11 N h y rct c Su r r s d a n 78 Northern Lights SWAIN DESTINATIONS Swain Destinations has been our down under tour operator of choice for several years. We like the diversity of being able to choose a preset tour for our clients or a completely custom vacation. I have selected one tour to give you ideas, but trust me the options are endless and with a country the size of Australia, one trip down under is probably not enough! The three most well known and desired places to see in Australia are usually Sydney, Ayres Rock and the Great Barrier Reef, so that is my focus on this chosen tour. 3 nights accommodations at Travelodge Sydney; 2 nights at Desert Gardens, Uluru; 4 nights at Cairns Colonial Club; 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner; Sydney city tour; Uluru Sunset tour; Kata Tjuta Sunrise tour; Sounds of Silence dinner; Great Barrier Reef tour; Daintree Rainforest tour; roundtrip airport transfers. Sydney, Ayres Rock and the Great Barrier Reef is the ideal embodiment of Australia's most unique and spectacular sights. The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge highlight this internationally agreed upon premier city. Next, journey into the Outback to find Uluru (Ayres Rock) - the sacred monolith of the local Aboriginals, rich in geological and cultural significance for this desert land. If you're feeling a little parched, water is on the way! Cairns, your final destination, is an aquatic heaven and home to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. 0 ( ) Ayres Rock

1 S L N N N WS ALEXANDER + ROBERTS Africa - Your Way It seems everyone has a different perspective of what an African Safari should be. Many want to be as close to nature as possible in tented camps while others want full on luxury in one of the top rated resorts in the world. Fortunately with Alexander + Roberts, we can book the trip your way. It is amazing the diversity of accommodation choices throughout Africa. In our three trips to Africa, we have stayed in a variety of lodges including the 6-star Singita Ebony Lodge in Kruger National Park. There were 12 individual suites, each with its own private plunge pool and elegant bath including outdoor shower. It was certainly one of the most luxurious places we have ever stayed. We have also stayed in less opulent accommodations throughout Africa, but the one thing we noticed is that where you sleep pales in lieu of the animals you see and obviously that is what you are there for. If you have not been to Africa we need to talk! Do you want to see the Gorillas? The migration? The big five? Go ballooning? See Victoria Falls? There are so many options and so much to see the decisions can be hard to make. Fortunately we can help you with that! Doug is certainly our resident expert on Africa what he hasn t seen he has studied extensively! We can book private Africa, custom Africa or group tours, so, when you are ready for that African Safari, we are here for you and look forward to helping you with an experience you will never forget. e Bi ve i en Alexander + Robert s 8 night package begins and ends in Nairobi and includes a complete range of game drives and wilderness adventures with expert safari guides. The package includes 23 meals, house wines, cocktails and beverages at the camps and 8 nights lodging; 3 safari transfer flights with breathtaking aerial views over wildlife and scenery and airport transfers. Rates begin at and with their Family + Friends promotion, if you travel with 3 or more save $50-$200 per person! ri lls This 11 night package begins in Victoria Falls and hits all of the most thrilling view points on both the Zambia and Zimbabwe sides of Victoria Falls! Track the Big 5 in open-top jeeps and venture into the waters at the tip of Africa to discover the marine life at the Grootbos Nature Reserve. The tour ends in Cape Town where you will visit Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula. s m One of the Big 5 ALEXANDER + ROBERTS Kingdom of Jordan With never more than 16 guests (or Private), exploring the amazing sites of antiquity including Jerash, Byszntine Madaba, the medieval castle at Ajloun and of course Petra, this is a highly popular tour. Flying into and out of Amman, staying at Kempinski & Movenpick Hotels, while touring these ancient sites, makes for a lifetime of memories. Petra has been on our must see list for quite sometime. We are finally visiting there in November and I can t wait! But, this tour offers so much more as you explore Al Beidha, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. 8 Ni h s fr Petra ALEXANDER + ROBERTS Adventures Across Iceland Alexander + Roberts summer and winter itineraries are designed to showcase Iceland s natural wonders at their seasonal best! With much of the filming for Game of Thrones done in Iceland, it has become an extremely popular destination! Geysers, waterfalls and the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon make an Iceland vacation one of beauty and wonder. 7 s fr m Genuine Icelandic Hobbit Hole