Take A Vacation in San Diego

Leave your home this weekend and discover that you don't have to go all the way to Europe to have a relaxing vacation. Some don't even know how much there actually is to do in San Diego. Unique Travel Concepts would be pleased to create you a wonderful weekend getaway in the beautiful city of San Diego. Book a hotel (have someone clean up after you), rent a car, (don't put those miles on your car) and even enjoy a few activities (Look over there!).
Why not visit Old Town? Filled with shops and restaurants based on San Diego's culture. Step into one of the various souvenir shops and discover a talking parrot on the second floor, but be warned that he is quite loud. If talking parrots are not your thing then try the yarn shop or maybe even the cigar shop.
"Sea" the Star of India!

Cross over the Coronado Bay Bridge into Coronado and see why the locals can't seem to get enough of the food and atmosphere.

Make your stay at the Hotel Del Coronado and see why even Marilyn Monroe couldn't resist the charm of the hotel. (Bonus: What movie did Marilyn Monroe star in that was filmed at the Hotel?)

Visit Seaport Village! Discover how much fun flying a kite actually is.

The San Diego Aquarium. See animals from a sea horse to a hammer head shark. Maybe if you are lucky you might spot a whale when looking through the whale watching telescopes.

Who could forget Sea World. See their newest show "Believe".

Maybe if you are looking for something more quiet try the museums at Balboa Park. The Museum of Photographic Art, Fine Art, Trains, Asian Art, and much more. Don't leave before going to the little Asian food restaurant, try the chicken bowl with extra teriyaki sauce.

The San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park may also be an option. Enjoy seeing animals in their natural habitats while they see you in yours.

Make San Diego your next vacation spot! Call Today (619) 464-6426

Carnival Splendor, Ship Inspection, August 8th 2010

The Carnival Cruise Ship Inspection

Here is another reason why you should use travel agent: we inspect and review our products to give you the best information with the best value. (Read from Left to right; Shelly Young (Unique Travel Concepts Vice President of Sales, Below her Kelly Wieboldt (Unique Travel Concepts President, and to the left Drew Santiago, BDM (our Carnival Cruise Partner).

Docked in Long Beach at the moment, the Carnival Splendor, cruises countless sailings to Mexico's Riviera from January to December. With luxury at every turn, helpful employees through out the entire cruise ship, Carnival Splendor provides the ultimate vacation experience. With 21,000 sq. ft. of fun, featuring a two level spa and gym facility, 5,000 sq. ft. childrens playroom and a mid-ship pool covered Sliding Dome, there is plenty of things to experience.

The "aft end" of the Carnival Splendor.

Excitment builds as passengers board the ship.
Hey Honey, what color was our luggage? No worries, Carnival delivers your luggage to your stateroom door while you enjoy a gourmet meal.

The Cruise Employees may treat you to a little table dancing on a special dinner night. Our Travel Partner Drew Santiago, BDM even gets in on the act. Go Drew!

Who would have thought that you could gamble on a cruise ship?

This is an interior quad, perfect for a family of four who is looking for a great deal.
If you enjoy treating yourself why not consider a luxury suite.
If the hot tub is over crowded why not unwind in your own whirlpool jacuzzi tub.

The end of a great day, sitting on a veranda chair watching the sunset and feeling the cool waters breeze.

Let us do all the work, give us a call at (619) 464-6426 or email me at (kelly@uniquetravelconcepts.com) and then count the days till you embark on your next Carnival Cruise Vacation.

Israel or in Hebrew "Medinat Yisrael"

Welcome to Tiberias

Located on the shores of Lake Kineret, Tiberias is Israel's lowest cities at 200 meters below sea level. From the Old City to the promenade, the central boardwalk stretches all the way to downtown. This is a lively commercial center teeming with varied restaurants, cafes, overflowing pubs, ice cream parlors, and souvenir shops. On the other side of the boardwalk is the fish market. Buy fresh fish, caught that morning, at the local market.

The Sea of Galilee

Known to Israelis as Lake Kinneret is only 13 miles by 7 miles. Although small the Sea of Galilee is one of the most visited bodies of water in the world. It lies on the ancient Via Maris, which linked Egypt to the northern empires. Much of the ministry and miracles of Jesus occurred on these very shores. Miracles such as the feeding of 5,000, the calming of the storm, and the walking on water.
This is an actual boat that dates as late as Jesus' time on earth.

A highlight to many of Israel's tourist "The Wailing Wall"

Church of the Nativity

One of the oldest operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the birthplace of Jesus.

Garden of Gethsemane

The Dead Sea

Also known as the Sea of Salt, borders both Jordan and Israel. This is the lowest elevation on the surface of the Earth on dry land.

The Pool of Bethesda

"The Way of the Cross"

In Latin "Via Crucis" or also known as the "Via Dolorosa" or Way of Sorrows. The stations are as follows:

1. Jesus is condemned to death

2. Jesus is given his cross

3. Jesus falls the first time

4. Jesus meets his mother

5. Simon and Cyrene carries the cross

6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

7. Jesus falls the second time

8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem

9. Jesus falls the third time

10. Jesus is stripped of his garments

11. Jesus is nailed to the cross

12. Jesus dies on the cross

13. Jesus' body is removed from the cross

14. Joseph carries Jesus to the tomb and wraps him in linens.

The Footsteps of Moses

The Citadel

Dedicated to the Church of St Luke Holyland Group - LUXOR

Holy Land (Information about Luxor)

Here is your Luxor itinerary: Depart from your hotel and transfer to Cairo airport fro your flight to Luxor. On arrival in Luxor you will be met by your guide and depart to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings. En route stop to view the Colossi of Memnon - 2 massive statues of the Pharaoh Amnhotep III seated facing the Nile. The Valley of the Kings is the famous burial grounds of the Pharaoh and favored nobles. Tombs can be visited depending on which are open. Afterwards visit the great mortuary Temple of Queen Hapshepsut - one of the very few female rulers of Egypt. After you visit transfer with your guide to the East Bank and enjoy a visit to Luxor and Karnak Temples. Karnak is the largest ancient religious site in the world and the second most visited after the Pyramids. Both Temples were built between 1390-1400 BC. After you visit is concluded transfer back to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. Scroll down for more information about each stop.
Amnhotep III built a mortuary Temple in Thebes that was guarded by gigantic statues at the front gates. All that remains of that ancient structure are two 23 meter high, 1,000 ton statues of Amnhotep III. Locals refer to the statues as "el-Colossat" or "es-Salamat". The statues are made from carved blocks of quartzite quarried either at Giza or Gebel es-Silsila. The northern statue depicts Amnhotep III with his mother, Mutemwia, while the southern is of Amnhotep III with his wife, Tiy and one of his daughters.
Above is Amnhoteps Tomb. A Pharaoh from the 18th dynasty (1382-1344BC) who was a prolific builder and a relatively benevolent ruler. His reign lasted almost 40 years and was both stable and prosperous. He took the throne of Egypt at the age of 12.

One of the most beautiful of all the royal mortuary temples. This Temple was built by Queen Hapshepsut, stepmother of Pharaoh Thutmose III. As the first known female monarch, she ruled for about 2 decades, thus delaying the kingship of Thutmose III. It is unknown how she died. Many of her portraits were destroyed after her death from orders by Thutmose III. Most of her portraits appear to be male, sometimes even with false beards. To inscriptions she was male.

They are the largest Temples in the World! Within the Temple there are different Temple groups such as the Great Temple of Amon Ra, The Temple of Khonso, The Ipt Temple, The Temple of Ptah, The Temple of Montho and the temple of the Egyptian God Oriris.

Thank you very much for taking the time to inform yourself about Luxor. Hope this trip is everything you want it to be, good luck!

Want to Cruise the Nile?

Start with a visit to Abu Simbel. Here is where two of the greatest Temples are seen, The Great Temple of Abu Simbel and The Temple of Hathor. Many tourists can fathom the enormous strength and power it took to build the Temples out of the mountains. Both of those temples sat about 60 meters below what they are today. They were part of a massive UNESCO operation to save Egypt's greatest Temples. Now lets visit Edfu, a well preserved Egyptian Temple. Much newer that some of the other Temples but it helped fill some of Egypt's historical gaps. The sanctuary of Horus contains the granite shrine that once housed the gold cult statue of Horus.

Finally lets visit Luxor. Here and there among the palace halls and gardens and on the facades of 19th century buildings with corbelled balconies there is a glimpse of the past and of a time of British colonials and Egyptian monarchs.

Quotes about Travel

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."-St. Augustine

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."-Susan Heller

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway Systemes, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."-Charles Kuralt

"The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people. of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him."-Daniel J. Boorstin

"I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them."-Mark Twain

"In America there are two types of classes-first class, and with children."-Robert Benchley

"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment."-Hilaire Belloc

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!

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