Fire & Ice!

Prepare to be blown away as you step into the ultra-cool Protea Hotel Fire & Ice!, the South African hotel that is so fun, its name requires an exclamation point.

This funky, boutique hotel, in the heart of the vibrant Mother City, offers style-conscious, adventure-seekers Cape Town accommodation with a difference. A home away from home for hipsters and trendsetters, this hotel is built and staffed for the young and modern. (Even the bathrooms are pieces of art!)

Fire & Ice! has something for everyone.

Dining at Fire & Ice! is stepping into a world of luxury. Everything oozes with elegance from the furnishings to the ever-changing “gourmet” menu featuring favorites such as ‘Build-a-Burger” and a milkshake list so long you might want to extend your stay just to try them all.

After dinner, relax with a specialty cocktail at the bar that is so HOT they had to fill it with ice just to try and cool it down! Or take relaxation to the next level and enjoy your beverage on the relaxation deck. They thought of everything at Fire & Ice! to make sure your stay is not only enjoyable, but unique.

The next stop inside of Fire & Ice! is a must-see for smokers and non-smokers alike. Fire & Ice has taken the “Smoking Section” to a whole new level. The Coughinroom is the place to light up and is good for a laugh; even this guy can’t help but make a stop while in town:

A stone’s throw from the best of Cape Town’s vibrant nightlife, cafes, restaurants and entertainment, Fire & Ice! offers a surprise around every corner!

If you would like to arrange your own trip to Cape Town; Boscov’s Travel Specialist, Susan Blum can plan the perfect trip for you! For information, call Susan at 610.223.4797 or  send her an email.

Bucket List Travel Ideas

Bucket lists seem to be all the rage these days. Everybody is asking, “What’s on your bucket list?”, or saying, “There is another item checked off my bucket list!”

If you don’t have a bucket list, maybe it’s time to create one! Here are some travel ideas to help get you started or add to your current wish list of travel fun.

United States

• Take a helicopter tour over the Big Island in Hawaii. (Get an overhead look into an active volcano!)
  
  
• Experience the magic and pixie dust of Walt Disney World. (It is the land of dreams, after all!)
  
  
•  Visit Denali National Park in Alaska. (Have your camera at the ready, the sights are spectacular!)
  
  
• Watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. (See a national landmark at its most beautiful.)
  
  
• See the Bellagio fountain light show in Las Vegas! (You’ll feel luckier just by watching!)
  

Europe

• Climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (See the City of Lights from above the lights.)
  
  
• Take a Gondola ride in Venice. (Enjoy the romance of the city the way it was meant to be seen.)
  
  
• Sail down the Danube River in Europe. (See the elegance of Europe from the inside.)
  
  
• Stroll the Champs Elysées in Paris. (You’ll feel fancy just being there.)
  
  
• Make a wish in the Trevi Fountain in Rome. (Close your eyes, toss your change, change your life!)
  
  
• Kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland. (Bend over backwards and gain the gift of eloquence.)
  
  

At Sea and Beyond

• Zip line above Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas. (What a thrill! And what a view!)
  
  
• Swim with the dolphins in the Caribbean Sea. (Can you really name a better swimming partner?)
  
  
• See the pyramids of Egypt. (Take a trip into the desert and see the wonders of the world.)
  
  
• Find the “big five” on a safari in Africa. (Elephants, rhinoceros, buffalos, lions, and leopards, Oh My!)
  
  Live the dream! For help checking items off of your bucket list and other great vacation ideas, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020. 

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9 Highlights Along the Nile River

While cruising along the longest river in the world, it can be very easy to become overwhelmed. Here is a short list of sights not to miss while you are there.

1. Kom Ombo
   Sailing north on the mighty Nile, the glimmering town of Kom Ombo beckons. Haggle for bargains in the local market before ascending to the bluff-top temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods.
2. Temple of Horus
   Built in the time of Cleopatra around 2,000 years ago, the Temple of Horus is the pristinely-preserved pride of the city of Edfu. With its sheer vertical façade, elaborate hieroglyphics and stunning black stone statues, the temple is quintessential Egypt.
3. Luxor and Karnak
   Follow the Nile River to Luxor and Karnak, the grandest cities of ancient Egypt, with a combined population of more than a million. To walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amon Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes is an experience to treasure for a lifetime.
4. Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens
   Nearby the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens on the west bank of the Nile, is the glorious final resting place for generations of pharaohs and royalty. Sixty-two royal tombs have been uncovered so far including the amazingly well-preserved visage of King Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922.
5. Cairo
   Heading north toward the lush Nile Delta, Cairo is the bustling capital of Egypt and Africa’s largest metropolis. Nicknamed “The City of a Thousand Minarets,” it’s filled with Islamic architecture and steeped in history.
6. Giza
   Nearby, Giza beckons with the iconic Sphinx, and the Great Pyramids, the oldest (and most intact) of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
7. Sakkara
   Travel on to Sakkara, with its extraordinary “Stairway to the Sky,” the oldest of all pyramids.
8. Memphis
   The archaeological playground of Memphis is next, boasting an immaculate 40-foot statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx.
9. Alexandria
   In the fertile Nile Delta, the seaside resort town of Alexandria is a delightful ending to any Nile exploration. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C., this Mediterranean port city soon became one of the major centers of commerce and science of the Hellenistic world.

For more information on exploring these rivers in person with  Avalon Waterways click here.

For more information on a Nile River Cruise or other great Avalon Waterways vacations, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

The Nile River – 4,100 Intriguing Miles

The Nile River is the longest river in the world. So it follows that it would be long on enchantment, mystery and antiquity’s most intriguing relics. The lifeline of Egyptian civilization, the Nile basin is a cultivated oasis of green vegetation in a country which would otherwise be entirely desert. Measuring more than 4,100 miles–roughly the distance between Orlando and Juneau–the Nile has plenty of time to sail past rainforests, mountains, savannas, swamps, deserts and more than 5,000 years of history. Ancient temples, pyramids and other archaeological treasures stand in mesmerizing contrast to the Nile’s bustling cities, colorful bazaars and lively hospitality.

The Nile has been the cradle of Egyptian civilizations since the Stone Age. The thin, cultivated swath of the Nile valley is what most of today’s population and yesterday’s antiquities call home. Since the creation of the Sahara desert at the end of the most recent ice age more than 5,000 years ago, the Nile has been Egypt’s sole source of water, agriculture, commerce and power. Perhaps this is why the Greek historian Herodotus wrote that “Egypt was the gift of the Nile.”

Over the course of time, as the Nile would flood, silt deposits made the surrounding land extremely fertile. Ancient Egyptians were able to cultivate wheat and other crops in an otherwise hostile agricultural environment. The Nile’s water also attracted game such as water buffalo, elephants, antelopes and gazelles. But more than a vital source of sustenance, the Nile was also a critical transportation and trade route. In fact, trade was what secured Egypt’s diplomatic relationship with other countries and contributed to its economic stability.

The Nile was an important part of the ancient Egyptian spiritual life. The deity Hapy was the god of the annual floods, and both he and the pharaoh were thought to control the ebb and flow of the mighty river. Ancient Egyptian hunters prayed to god and goddess images of the animals they sought to ensure their and success of the hunt.

Crucial to Egyptian life, the Nile was considered to be the pathway from life to death and the afterlife. The east was thought of as a place of birth and growth, and the west was considered the place of death. The god Ra, the Sun, underwent birth, death, and resurrection each day as he crossed the sky. That is why all tombs are located west of the Nile, because Egyptians believed that in order to enter the afterlife, they must be buried on the side that symbolized death.

The Nile was, and still is, used to transport goods and people along its lengthy path. Winter winds in this area blow up river, so ships could travel up river effortlessly by using a sail, and down river using the high flow of the river. While most Egyptians still live in the Nile valley, the construction of the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1970) ended the summer floods and their renewal of the fertile soil.

For more information on a Nile River Cruise or other great Avalon Waterways vacations, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

Exploring Africa: A Tanzanian Camping Safari Adventure

Special thanks to Journey’s Magazine for this great article on an African adventure.  “Let’s take a walk around the campsite,” suggested our guide Rose.

A couple of fellow travelers agreed, including my son Tyler.  They had barely taken a half-dozen steps into the darkness before Rose’s flashlight caught two distinct sets of eyes less than 50 feet away.  We had guests—a young male lion and his female companion.

Back to the Beginning

Our eight-day “Tanzanian Adventure” safari actually started a couple of days earlier when my son, Tyler, and I flew into Nairobi, Kenya one day early in order to acclimate ourselves.  There we visited a few local sights such as the Nairobi National Museum and the Karen Blixen museum—Blixen’s story was portrayed in the 1985 film Out of Africa, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

Our accommodations were at the Hill Park Hotel, conveniently located in the Upper Hill area, only minutes from the city and airport.  The evening before our safari departure, we met up with our tour guide, Rose, and for of our six fellow travelers.  Rose collected our vital information and gave an overview of the upcoming week.  With a fairly long ride ahead of us in the morning, an early start was needed so we could arrive on time at a coffee plantation in Tanzania.

Heading to Tanzania

Following breakfast the next morning, we headed to our meeting point on the hotel’s gated grounds.  Our two missing travelers had arrived and Tyler quickly bonded with them.

Leaving Nairobi in a spacious 12-passenger overland truck, the people and buildings became further apart.  We stopped for lunch at a rest area which offered a tremendous selection of souvenirs.  We ventured through the Kenya border and completed an exit form.  Our visas were stamped and we exchanged U.S. currency for Tanzanian dollars.  Three hours later we arrived at the coffee plantation where we would spend the night.  The community was called Tengeru and out home stay hosts were Mama Grace, along with Joshua and Noel.

After some shopping at a nearby market and a wonderful traditional dinner, we sat by a campfire and heard about the Tengeru Cultural Program which gives tourists the opportunity to sample local Meru culture.  Program options include visits to local farms owned and managed by members of the Patandi Women’s Group, a guided tour to the Chief’s compound to see his handicrafts and artifacts, ending with a hiking tour up Mt. Meru.  Income from the tourist visits are used to educate AIDS orphans and to develop the Mavinuni Primary School.

After retiring for the night we were soon bid an early good morning by crowing roosters and mooing cows.  When we finished breakfast we were given a coffee roasting demonstration and enjoyed fresh cups of java.  We also learned about the bio-gas plant (thank you cows!) that supplied the energy that cooked our meal from the previous evening.  We arranged to return later in the week to purchase whole bean coffee.

Exotic Destination Travel with Susan Blum

The painted elephants of Amber Fort, India.

Hello Boscov’s Travelers! Today we have a special treat, a blog post by our Exotic Destination Travel Specialist Susan Blum. Read on to learn about Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Peru, and why you should consider an adventurous romp to a foreign land for your next vacation! Thanks Susan!

For more than 30 years, I have traveled to exotic destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, researching hotels, resorts, tented camps, and itineraries that provide an experience expected by the most discriminating traveler. Some clients prefer to travel with a small, escorted group on a Tauk Tour; others a romantic custom holiday for two with the renowned Abercrombie & Kent. Families can choose from numerous Disney Adventure vacations designed for grandparents, children, and grandchildren.  Whether you are traveling alone or with family and friends, there are endless opportunities to have the trip of a lifetime when going somewhere exotic.  From the Americas to Europe, Asia, Africa, or any destination you choose, a memorable journey awaits. My goal is to have you take the leap beyond London, Paris and Rome to discover a new world that you may have imagined, but never dared to experience. Some of my favorite exotic destinations are detailed below.

Africa

Plains zebras and their baby.

Africa moves at a slow and gentle pace. There are no appointments to keep, just stunning scenery, beautiful people and an astounding variety of wildlife. In 1999 I joined an Abercrombie & Kent tour to East Africa, and since that visit, I have returned to explore the wonders of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

One brave wildebeest with a low IQ leaps into water filled with crocodiles and thousands follow. Similar to lemmings!

To see the migration of the wildebeest and their struggle to cross the Mara River, plan a safari to Kenya or Tanzania, or both! For wine and whales, visit Cape Town in South Africa, head north to Kruger National Park to spot the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and cape buffalo)  and then fly on to Zambia to walk along Victoria Falls.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Luxury lodges, amazing tented camps, excellent guides and the unique experience of being on safari are everything and more than you can possibly imagine. No matter which country you choose, a trip to Africa is a life altering experience with endless opportunities for adventure, discovery and relaxation. Throw away your watch, plan your safari, and begin dreaming of Africa!

Vietnam and Cambodia

Traditional farming in Vietnam.

From Hanoi to Saigon, stay in deluxe hotels, experience fine “French” dining, photograph shimmering paddy fields to French-fusion architecture and walk on unspoiled sugar white beaches.  Vietnam continues to change rapidly and dramatically. If you want to enjoy its traditional culture, I suggest that you travel to this destination soon. A natural extension is a tour of Cambodia.  The World Heritage ruins at Angkor are truly one of the most remarkable destinations on earth. In Cambodia you can explore areas newly opened to travelers, enjoy the fascinating capital of Phnom Penh, once known as the “Paris of the East” and meet a gracious and hospitable people.

A boy flashing a piece sign in Vietnam.

India

Ranakpur Jain Temple in India.

The history, architecture and diverse cultures of this continent fulfilled my dream of exploring the Far East. India has an array of cultures and religions that have thrived for ages, each expressing its beliefs and traditions in magnificent artistic and architectural achievements. Although a challenging destination, those who travel to India discover the treasures of one of the world’s great civilizations. If you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then India is a destination for you.

Peru

Looking for an adventure closer to home? Consider a trip to Peru where you can discover the secret of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. On lake Titicaca, visit a nearly extinct society, living like their ancestors on floating reed islands. A fabulous destination that does not disappoint.

Want to plan an exotic vacation? You can call Susan Blum at 610-223-4797 or shoot her an email.

All photos © Susan Blum. All rights reserved.

Adventures by Disney

When you hear the name “Disney” it is easy to slip into thoughts of Mickey ears, Space Mountain, and dancing broomsticks, but what you don’t necessarily think about is what would happen if the geniuses behind Disney started planning World Wide adventure vacations for the whole family.  Well they’re doing it, and their tour packages are truly unique, exotic, hands-on, and they reach far beyond the norms of vacation travel.

Tour highlights include:

• A Disney Adventure Guide, who is an expert on the place you are visiting, and functions as more of a “story teller” then a guide.
• Activities at all destinations for every member of the family, with specific activities for kids, teens, parents, and grandparents.
• VIP access to unique attractions ranging from “reserved entry and access to Michelangelo’s David” to “an exclusive feast after hours at the Vienna Zoo in Austria”.
• Local Experts who will teach you unique skills or trades in a hands on manner.
• Storytelling from costumed locals dressed as significant people in history.
• Disney Movie nights so parents can have some alone time.

They also offer other options for travelers with different wants for their vacation. The Gateway Collection was created for the person who wants more independent free time to explore new locales. Adult-Exclusive Departures are a fantastic option, because the whole trip is tailored to be enjoyable for guests 18 and over. They even have special trips tailored around holiday travel.

With options for tours pretty much anywhere in the world, you are bound to find a trip that caters to all people going on the vacation. Below I have picked a few unique destinations, and highlighted what makes them cooler than other tours to the same places. They still have all the standard things you would find (walking, biking, and cruising tours, demonstrations, unique dining experiences, and landmark visits) on a normal tour, but they make it so that you get to be a part of the experience instead of just observing it.

Australia –The tour includes snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef on a glass bottom boat with a marine biologist to answer questions, a “hands-on animal encounter” and private breakfast at the Taronga Zoo, boomerang and spear throwing lessons with Tjapukai tribe members, and an Aussie BBQ where you can hang out with crocodiles.

South Africa – This tour includes a three day safari, dinner with elephants at Knysna Elephant Park, a beach walk with African Penguins, an Afrikaans Pastry cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Arts, a three-course meal in a 17^th century castle complete with a traditional Minstrel Show, an interactive drumming class, traditional face painting at Moyo, time to learn “traditional and modern beading techniques from a local weaver”, and archery lessons from a local expert.

Alaska – This tour includes a behind the scenes look at the Iditarod where you get to meet the racing dogs, a lesson in wolf tracking by radio telemetry with a private guide from the Murie Science and Learning Center, a raft ride on Placer River where you will navigate between icebergs, a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, panning for gold at a remote trapper’s camp, a hands-on experience with touch tanks at the SeaLife Center and a pizza party in their underwater-viewing area,  and a picnic in Denali National Park.

Costa Rica – This tour includes an aerial tour of the rainforest, a Sarapiqui white water rafting adventure, zip lining in Costa Rica, and craft workshops from local artists.

The Alps – This tour includes rope course and zip lining in the Alps, a pasta making class at the Villa Mirabella, a bike ride along Lake Lucerne, story time at Husky Camp with an expert dog trainer, a mini boat cruise of Isola Bella Island, an exclusive wine tasting with a sommelier, pony rides for kids, and a traditional cheese fondue lunch.

Again, these are just a few highlights of these trips, and the activities listed barely scratch the surface. Other destinations include China, Ecudaor, Peru, Galapagos Islands, England & France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mediterranean Cruise, American Southwest, Hollywood, Mid Atlantic US, and Yellowstone.  For more info on any of the specific destinations contact a Boscov’s Travel Specialist near you!

Or if you are in the Neshaminy, PA area, join Boscov’s Travel and representative Jack Sharp from Adventures by Disney for an informative presentation on the many family tours available through Adventures by Disney Vacations. The event is free and will be held at My Gym, Newtown Summit Square Shopping Center, Langhorne, PA.  Friday, April 01,2011 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Please call, visit, or email to reserve your seat. Boscov’s Travel, Neshaminy Mall, 215-355-3737 or bostravneshaminy@boscovs.com

Susan’s first trip to Africa

Our African safari expert, Susan Blum, joined an Abercrombie & Kent tour to East Africa in 1999 and has returned many times since to explore all this great continent has to offer. A trip to Africa is a life-altering experience with endless opportunities for adventure, discovery and relaxation. What follows is Susan’s retelling of her first visit to Africa, where she fell in love with the “ellies”.

From Kariba; my travel companion, Mary Frances, and I were on separate flights to Ruckomechi. Arriving first, the porter carried my way-too-heavy bags to our luxury tent and I began to unpack. With experience, I have learned you can live for two weeks with less than 30 pounds of luggage, including camera equipment! The tent was beautifully designed with large screened walls that offered access to a lovely veranda behind the tent, bamboo doors to a dressing area and another to the en-suite shower and toilet. It was certainly a huge surprise when I entered the bathroom, looked out the nearly floor to ceiling window and came face-to-face with a huge elephant eye! My first instinct was to bolt from the room and slam the bamboo door behind me. Leaning with my back against that door, it was clear that if the elephant wanted to be in the tent, the door was not going to stop him! I moved slowly to peak around the wall for a view of the veranda. Guess who was peaking around the outside wall at me? Truly a standoff, but, fortunately, the ellie decided I was not that interesting.

This was a wonderful story to tell Mary Frances and, of course, she was disappointed not to have had the experience until we opened the door to leave for dinner. Guess who was just a few feet from our front door? The teenager was showing his stuff by swinging his trunk and head and making threatening noises, his mother in the background watching her son practicing how to be tough. Of course, we knew he was tough! Fortunately, if you don’t show up for dinner, someone comes looking for you. Our guide arrived, rifle in hand, shooed away the precocious teenager and escorted us to the dining tent where we enjoyed an elegant candlelit dinner. The only visitor was a young hippo that emerged from the nearby river, curious and wanting a handout!

It was in Hwange National Park that I lost my heart to the elephants. Our very young, yet experienced, guide Owen “Squack” Evans drove us several hours from Giraffe Springs camp to observe the ellies in a rare setting. The land was very dry, parched white sand with some scrub grass and numerous large holes that in some areas were nearly craters. We parked, opened the back of the vehicle to prepare sundowners and Owen immediately spotted a herd of elephants approaching the water hole area. From a distance of more than 10 miles, we could see the dust and as the elephants drew closer, we heard the sounds of the lead females trumpeting their arrival. New to remote safari experiences, the elephants mesmerized me as they dove head first into the holes, sucking water into their trunks from underground springs to drink and spray on their backs. Mothers allowed babies to drink first, gently pushing them aside as each member of the herd took a turn at quenching their desert-like thirst. The teenagers were not so polite and would often push and noisily demand their own space. Within a short time, in the distance another family of elephants headed to the water holes. When this herd was clearly visible and the trumpeting audible, the original elephants began to move away in the opposite direction. From mid-afternoon until nearly sundown, we observed numerous herds politely sharing the scarce resource necessary for their survival. My thought was, “If only humans could be so civil”.

Contact Susan Blum, African Safari Expert for Boscov’s Travel.
Email: sblum@boscovs.com
Phone: (610) 779-8640 or (800) 755-8020