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Adventures For Singles Newsletter

December 2008
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Dear Suzy,

If the spirit of political correctness; Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Winter Solstice to you all.  Hard to believe '08 comes to an end.  I'm grateful for another successful year at AFS as I reflect on the diverse journeys with 550 travelers to Alpine Rail Switzerland & Italy, Brazil Nuts Amazon, Dubai & Cairo, Africa, Australia & Fiji, Tuscan grape Stomp, Elephants & Tigers of Asia and Gorillas in the Mist.  Thank you for your patronage and trusting us to serve you.  You have travel dreams, we strive to fulfill them.  This makes both our lives more meaningful.

Best Trip Award ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since my first group to Jordan in 1990, I've led hundreds of trips since.  This week over dinner, my friend Norma asked which trip was my favorite.  I believe our November Thailand and Cambodia was certainly one of the best as it had every element of the successful adventure I always strive for.  With exceptional activities, it was a blast.  We received dozens of appreciation letters on it. 

I was too busy to write a journal, but one client summarized it best to her mother by phone during the trip.  "Mom, I petted tigers in a canyon of a monastery, rode an elephant bareback, had silk suits custom made, saw where Tomb Raiders was shot at Angkor Wat, camped in luxury in a lush jungle, stayed in a deluxe boutique hotel in Bangkok, entered dozens of golden temples, bought rubies and sapphires for next to nothing, visited a floating village of refugees, toured the Bridge On River Kwai, dined at Cabbage and Condoms and rode tuk-tuks (a 3 wheeled taxi motorbike) in an AFS parade that was escorted by police through the city to Pat Pong!" 

We had 55 very happy campers, a big group split in two and it went seamless due to our expert guides.  Personally for me now in traveling, it's less about the destination, as I've been just about everyplace and more about who I surround myself with.  This was a group of bright, seasoned vagabonds who had a flexible spirit and genuinely liked each other.  The trip was $1297 land.  Financial guru Dave Ramsey says, "The definition of value is getting more than what you paid for."  This is my goal for all my trips and this one certainly delivered. 

  

To see more photos http://afsthailandcambodia2008.shutterfly.com/

Travel Trends

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In our last Nov '08 newsletter, I wrote about a paradigm shift where we are entering a new period of societal correction that will bring us back to traditional values which are ultimately more satisfying than material possessions.  This month's Entrepreneur Magazine article Trends 2009 (pg 67), validates this.  For the travel category, it asserts that "boomers are entering a new lifestyle.  they have enough stuff, so they are now seeking meaningful experiences - the kind one gets from traveling to exotic locals."  Check it out.

So many people I know say they'll travel when they retire.  may I suggest you go now while your body and brain are full functioning.  You may be young at heart, but if you can't walk, you'll only remain an armchair traveler.

Suzy's Travel Babble

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Baggage Bolgna -  Delta now charges $15 to check a bag plus $25 for a second.  Just read UAL may raise this to $50!  Be thankful you're a single traveler, imagine packing for a family of five.  They may soon start charging for a purse.  "Dear Airlines, these ala cart fees are infuriating.  Please build them into the ticket cost!" 

 Note it's always cheaper now to check a second bag than to exceed 50lbs on your first bag.  On 2 trips this years, several clients were forced to pay $150+ for excess weight. 

  My greatest pet peeve? - Continued fuel surcharges from airlines now that fuel has plummeted.  As of Jan. 1 cruiselines will eliminate fuel surcharges on all sailings!  We need to unite and write the Aviation Consumer Protection Division  http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm

 Airlines blast UK for tax hike plan - On all USA to UK flights, the British government proposes to raise a passenger ticket tax to $69 in 2009 and $92 in 2010.

 European carriers merging -  Since DL merged with NW, other carriers abroad will soon follow.  In merger talks now, British Airways may acquire Quantus and Iberia AL (Spain).  Lufthansa with Alitalia and Austria AL.  Ryanair with Aer Lingus.  Also Delta will introduce ATL to Sydney route next spring.

 Headlines from the satirical newspaper The Onion...

1. "Long Standing Conflict Ends as Israel Returns Lawn Mower to Palestine."

2.  "American Airlines Charging Fees to Non-Passengers.  Cash-strapped American Airlines announced a new series of fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying, scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial carrier.

The fees, the latest introduced by American Airlines in a continuing effort to combat its financial woes, will take effect on Monday. According to company officials, these charges will include a $25 tax on citizens traveling with any other airline, as well as a mandatory $30 surcharge for passengers who decide to just stay home for the holidays instead....some additional charges would also apply, including a $15 fee for every piece of luggage customers have inside their bedroom closet, and a one-time payment of $40 for any American whose name is Greg....

 "American Airlines charged me for cleaning out my attic," said 74-year-old Samantha Pratt, a New Jersey resident who has not left the state since 2005. "Sure, I didn't have to wait in any long lines, or go through invasive security searches, and I got to clean out my attic, which is something I've been wanting to do for weeks, but come on now."

In response to American's move, other airlines have begun offering more competitive rates. United this week unveiled a new $99 "spend the weekend quietly reading indoors" offer, while Southwest is introducing a $125 round-trip fare for those walking to their corner store for some groceries."

2009 Trip Status & Misc. Stuff

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A.  Some people believe we repeat the same trips every year (Please note, we do not.)  Book now if you have a destination desire. 

B.  Several tour companies copy our destinations and itineraries once they are posted on our website. If you see such, please carefully compare apples to apples with pricing and all that's included!  Our philosophy is to consistently present the best package at the best possible value and price.  

 WAITLISTED TRIPS:  Taj & Tigers India, Crossing Jordan & Israel, Luxury in Bali, Mt Kili Climb and Classic Kenya.  Antarctica was waitlisted but we just added 2 rooms.  With the economy, we anticipate more cancellations this year, so do not hesitate to waitlist for a trip.  Your odds may be good to participate. 

 TRIP OPENINGS: 

"AFS Easter Cruise to Turkey & Greek Islands"   April  from $1395 land

"Prague & Poland - Affordable Europe", June $1398 land (4 spaces)

"Fertile Turtle Safari, a New Costa Rica"  July $1297 land (6 spaces).  This is an action packed eco-adventure!  1.9 million tourists visited Costa Rica last year, a historic record.  This tiny country is the leader in sustainable tourism.  It covers .01% of the earth's surface, but contains 4% of the world's biodiversity.  A whole new world is just a few hours away.

"Weiner World - Austrian Alps & Germany's Oktoberfest"  October $1298 (9 spaces)  People, this is a steal of a bargain with such European splendor and knee-slapping fun.  It'll be too late to book this last minute.

"Enchanting Egypt Nile Cruise" Nov. $1395 land.  (7 spaces).  We were just upgraded to Presidential Cruiseline with outside Junior Suites for all.  Most companies use buses or the old Cairo train for internal transfers.  We use domestic air.

Finally, our intrepid gorilla trekkers made it safely home last week with awesome photos to be included in our next newsletter.  I'm home for the next 8 weeks.  It was joyful to put my toothbrush in it's proper bathroom holder.  Phone me if you want to chat 770-432-8225.

Have a blessed holiday season,