Thursday, July 29, 2010




The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Its time to book that exclusive vacation package for you and your families trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. Experience all the wonder and excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter now open! Four night vacation package starting at only $285 per person! Experience it with Early Park Admission, Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, Grand Opening Ticket, Hotel Accommodations, 3-Day Base Ticket to both theme parks, and much more! Call today!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Australia: Top 10 Things to Experience in Sydney
RiverCat from Circular Quay to Paramatta
Eleven historic properties and Australia's oldest public building, Old Government House, are there because this up-river city became Sydney's farming community shortly after its founding. Paramatta's Visitors' Centre has a fine museum with thoughtful permanent and temporary exhibits.
The Australian Museum
Not clustered with other sites, but worth it to hike across the enormous Hyde Park to explore. Australia's premier natural history museum it was established way back in 1827 by forward-looking emigrants who saw the need and value in preserving Australia's uniqueness.
Spit Walk
On the harbor north shore, the city of Manly has its own aquarium (Oceanworld), but thats no the reason why Manly made the top ten. That would be its own one way Spit Walk, a tough but rewarding 4 to 6 hour hike around coves, along beaches, and up to the stunning promontories.
The National Maritime Museum
This museum puts an emphasis on the special relationship that exists between Australia and the United States despite the vast ocean separting us. The Spirit of Australia, the worlds reportedly fastest boat, if here along with exhibits that include the mention of 2 million Europeans arriving in 1977 to escape World War II troubles.
Sydney Aquarium
With more than 12,000 indigenous aquatic animals including incredibly cute platypuses, which are smaller that anticipated, and much-feared slat water crocodile, which is, to put it midly, larger than expected. The Aquarium was purposefully built around the Seals natural environment.
Sydney Wildlife World
Darling's Harbor new attraction , offers up-close views of Australia's unusual flora and fauna. If you can't get to the Outback this is the next best place. Featuring nine different, recreated habitats like the remote Kimberely , visitors can watch koalas doze and view face-to-face incredibly poisonous snakes and reptiles behind glass.
Darling Harbor
An entertaiment/convention/cultural complex on Cockle Bay contains four of Sydney's Top Ten Attractions, like The Powerhouse. Said to be Australia's largest museum, it enchants visitors with 400,000 display objects ranging from a curious, elaborate Strasburg clock to a NASA space station.
The Rocks
Australia's oldest neighborhood. Adjacent to Circular Quay, Sydney's harbor/hub, The Rocks delights no matter how many times you visit its excellent Visitors' Centre, shops, restaurants, and historic buildings, like Cadman's Cottage.
The Opera House
A well known staple of Australia. At the minimum, visitors should take the frequently given hour long tours of Jorn Utzon's almost 40 year-young, gullwinged design that he never saw completed. At the maximum, they should see a play in one of the two theaters, hear a concert, or thrill to an opera!
Harbor Bridge
Nicknamed the Old Coathanger, is Sydney's number one attraction. Its Bridgeclimb has enchanted more than 2 million visitors since first being offered in 1998. Tethered together in groups of 12, participants slowly approach the span's 440 feet summit where, arms up-thrust, they celebrate one of life's golden moments. Completed in 1933 and 1,650 feet long.
Information from Jaxfax and article by Harold Harbaugh

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Turning Water into...WOW!
Disney's California Adventure debuts its first major nighttime show. Steven Davison who was the creator of the show spent close to four years on the production. To him, it was an opportunity to do something great. It debuts in Spirng, World of Color will make the biggest splash to date in the $1 billion-plus renovation currently under way at the park. World of Color will feature 1,200 fountains, each with its own LED and controls for lighting, color intensity, water angle, and height. Each one can be controlled separately, and all create water strems at least 30 feet high. There are several different kinds of water fountains; mist screens, fan nozzle, whips, dancers, blow pops. All of this is submerged in Paradise Pier lagoon during the day and only come up when its show time. Features movies from Alice in Wonderland and WALL-E.

Monday, July 26, 2010

It Is Time To Play Archaeologist In Mexico!
It might take a lifetime to explore all of Mexico's ruins and prehistoric sites, but what a lifetime that would be. For every Chichen Itze or Tulum, there are many places that are relatively unknown, not quite as famous but just as intriguing-and more that will surely be uncovered as years go by. Whether they are surrounded by jungle or seconds from a pretty beach, Mexico's archaeological sites are some of this hemisphere's most fascinating. Don't stay at home this Fall get up and go see the wonders that Mexico can provide you!

Friday, July 23, 2010




Make your next trip to The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park Unique!
The San Diego is renowned as one of the best zoos in the world. With more than 4,000 rare animals, including giant pandas, orangutans, gorillas, tigers, polar bears, hippos, and koalas, the lively atmosphere makes the San Diego Zoo a great place for family fun. Thier newest exhibit, The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, takes you on a journey back in time to discover what animals lived in Southern California 12,000 years ago and see today's Asian elephants, California condors, jaguars, lions, and more.
Set foot inside the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park and you will be transported to one of the most exotic places on Earth. Unlike any other zoo, this amazing safari adventure oark is home to thousands of animals roaming together on the vast open plains of Africa and Asia. Here, you can discover an African trading post at Nairobi Village and get face-to-face with the big cats at Lion Camp.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Disney & Hawai'i?
Get ready to book Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai'i. Bookings open the first week in August 2010 for Disneys new family resort on the beautiful shores of O'ahu.
Aulani connects you to all that's magical about Hawai'i through storytelling and amazing cultural experiences as only Disney can deliver.
Premiering in Fall 2011, Aluani, opens the door for wonder for each member of the family. The living spaces are purpose built for families and there is plenty of activates to get involved in. You can snorkel in a dedicated lagoon, gather around a fire pit and hear ancient Hawai'ian stories and songs, launch down lava tube slides, or float down a beautiful landscaped waterway.
Adults can enjoy blissful retreats at the 18,00 sq. ft. spa along with quiet whirlpools and private cabana's. Connect to each other through the unique activities only Disney can provide you. Just far enough away from the crowds but close enough to still enjoy all that O'ahu has to give.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010



Coming December 2010
The Allure of the Seas will
Debut THE DREAMWORKS EXPERIENCE!

Dreamworks Animation Parade
Character Meet-and-Greet
Character Meals

Carnival Adds Third SoCal Ship
Carnival will return to Los Angeles for the first time in eight years when the, 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit launches a series of five- and nine-day Mexican Riviera cruises from September 2011 to January 2012. In addition, the Carnival Spirit will offer two 15-day Hawaii sailings departing roundtrip from Los Angeles and San Diego in 2011 and 2012 for the first time.
Carnival also operates two ships year-round from nearby Long Beach, Calif.: the 2,2052-passenger Carnival Paradise, sailing three- and four-day Baja cruises, and the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor, sailing seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises.
!Avalon Goes Panoramic!
In May 2011, Avalon Waterways will launch a new design for its river cruise ships with the introduction of the Avalon Panorama. In addition to the lower deck's 17 stateroom's, measuring 172 sq. ft. each, the newbuild will have 64 Panorama Suites featuring 200 sq. ft. of space. The suites have large seating areas adjacent to a floor-to-ceiling window wall that is nearly 11 seet wide by 7 feet tall, laking the enitre suite feel like a balcony. All accommodations will have flatscreen tv's, large closets, minibars, and safes. The Avalon Panorama will sail the 14-night Magnificent Europe itinerary for most of 2011, as well as the Christmas markets itineraries.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Our Tahiti Vacation and Cruise

This sunset was taken from our over-the-water bungalows
This is a picture of the Hotel InterContinental while walking on the grounds

I just had to take this picture of the swim up bar!



Monday, July 12, 2010

The Escabedo and Chamber's Vacation to Maui


Hello Unique Travel... from Oscar, Cathy, Diane and Guy....

We had a wonderful time... The weather was great. No problems with the flight and rental car. As a bonus, we rec'd a free upgrade on the rental :)


Thanks for all you did for us. First rate service...



Oscar and Cathy Hanging Loose in Maui

Kahakuloa- Best Banana Bread on Maui




Friday, July 9, 2010

The Vavra Trip to Peru and the Amazon

We had a FANTASTIC time visiting, first the Amazon and seeing the wildlife and indigenous people there. Flying to Cuzco (11,000 ft.) was amazing especially reaching Machu Picchu in the Andes.

Down Below is Machu Picchu, we hiked 1 1/2 miles up the Inca Trail to the "Sun Gate" (Where the sun first appears in the morning).