LUV 2 GO: 2015

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

2017 Tour to Brazil, Argentina, and Iguazu Falls -- Itinerary

We are planning our next tour and it will be to Brazil and Argentina in South America! The 10-day tour is June 19-28, 2017.

Get ready for some fun and adventure on one of our most exciting tours yet! And marvel at one of the most fantastic waterfalls in the world…the majestic Iguazu Falls on the Brazil/Argentina border. Highlights of the tour include: the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, a tour of the famous Rio beaches, boat cruise on Rio’s Guanabara Bay, samba dance lessons, viewing the massive Iguazu Falls from two different countries, boat ride right up to the falls, jeep tour and hike the forests surrounding the falls and see capuchin monkeys and toucans in their natural habitat, and enjoy a Fiesta Gaucha at an Argentine ranch to enjoy gaucho competitions, traditional folk dances, and horseback riding.

Better yet…we will be traveling in South America’s winter…and that’s a wonderful 80 degrees! Rio de Janeiro will play host to the 2016 Summer Olympics…and that means the city will still be all spruced up when we arrive in 2017.

To get a closer look at what you will experience on the tour, then watch the slide show below that highlights these locations and many more. Simply click on this link, or click in the box below. (Note: I’ve found it works best when viewing with the Google Chrome browser.)

2017 Brazil and Argentina slide show

2017 Tour to Brazil, Argentina, and Iguazu Falls -- General Information

2017 South American tour

--We are traveling with EF Educational Tours.

--This is a 10-day private tour June 19-28, 2017 especially for our adult group. We will not be combined with any other groups. Note: EF now requires 4 days of flexibility on either side of our requested departure date in order to find the best available flights.

--The current all-inclusive tour price is $4,875 per adult. This includes the $95 enrollment fee, departure fees, program price, private bus, adult supplement, 7 overnight stays in double rooms with private baths, roundtrip airfare from DFW, internal flights, all breakfasts and dinners, lunches on days 3 and 9, samba lessons, 2 boat rides, jeep ride, fiesta gaucha excursion, horseback riding, entrances to sites per itinerary, guided sightseeing and walking tours, and full-time EF tour director.

--Those who have previously traveled with EF will receive an additional $100 discount. This will be reflected on your account when previous travel has been verified by EF.

--This tour offers two additional optional excursions. It is your individual choice whether you opt for either, both, or neither of these extras. The entire group does not have to enroll. 1) a Brazilian Evening ($120) a traditional Rio Carnival experience show, and 2) Take an Argentine tango lesson in Buenos Aires ($65)!

--EF continues to offer the EF Price Guarantee. Once you enroll on the tour, your price will never change due to increase in program price. In addition, there will be NO INCREASING DEPARTURE FEES after you enroll!

--The optional $155 All-Inclusive Insurance Plan covers medical and accident, baggage and property, flight delay, 24-hour emergency assistance, and tour cancellation and interruption. The insurance is not required, but I do recommend it as many U.S. insurance companies do not provide adequate insurance for travel abroad. I would recommend contacting your insurance company to make sure. If you do not want it, you can decline it during enrollment. You can, however, add the all-inclusive coverage plan up to 70 days prior to departure.

--This tour requires at least 30 participants for the private bus at this price. If there are fewer, the fee will increase slightly.

--Each participant must have a roommate or will be subject to a single supplement charge.

--The minimum amount required at the time of enrollment is $95.

--Enrollment options:

1. Internet: enroll online quickly and easily at http://www.eftours.com/enroll. Our tour number is 1800998ST.

2. Phone: call 1-877-205-9909.

4. Fax: complete the enrollment form and fax to 1-800-318-3732.

--Payment options:

1. Manual Payment Plan: pay $95 with enrollment and lock in the current price, required $500 due in 30 days, $500 due 90 days after enrollment, and the rest you may pay as you please as long as the balance is paid 110 days prior to departure (about March 1, 2017). There is a $50 to use your credit card.

2. Monthly Payment Plan: pay $95 with enrollment and lock in current price, then the balance is automatically divided into small, manageable monthly payments deducted monthly from your checking account as a bank draft or debit charge. With this plan you have 2 more months (until May 19, 2017) to make payments (30 days prior to departure) and you do not have to worry about late fees.

--When registering, you MUST put your name on the application EXACTLY as it is on your passport or birth certificate. This is the same name that will be put on your airplane tickets (and passport if you don’t have one yet) and the names MUST match. Married women use your married name. EF requires you to include a middle name (or maiden name if that is on your passport) for enrollment.

--You will need a passport to travel abroad. If you have one, make sure it will be valid at least six months after our return in 2017. Adult passports are good for 10 years; children’s passports are good for five years. If you do not have a passport, then wait until about 6 months prior to departure to apply. You will also need a tourist visa to enter Brazil, which we will obtain prior to departure.

--Once we have organized our traveling group, I will keep you informed of everything you need to know. I will have a meeting a month prior to departure. Until then I will keep you informed on sites we will see, what to expect, what to pack, how to obtain currency, where to shop, how to get passports, inform you of airline flights and hotels…everything you need to know through my travel blog at http://luv2go.blogspot.com.

Right now you just need to decide if you want to join us…and we hope you do!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

St. Patrick's Cathedral -- Dublin

St. Patrick's Cathedral and Park

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest church in Ireland and believed to be the earliest Christian site in Ireland where St. Patrick baptized converts. Interestingly, Dublin has two cathedrals that belong to the Church of Ireland and they act as co-cathedrals for the city. The Archbishop of Dublin has his official seat in the other one, Christ Church Cathedral Dublin.

Christ Church is the official Cathedral of the Dublin Diocese, while St. Patrick’s is considered the National Cathedral.

St. Patrick’s has had a church on this site since the fifth century. A wooden building stood here until 1191 when the church was granted collegiate status. It reached official cathedral status in 1224. The present building was built between 1191 and 1270.

During the 1860s, the building was believed to be in danger of collapsing and a major rebuilding project by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness resulted in the Gothic Revival building we see today. Unfortunately, failure to preserve records during this time means that it is difficult to discern which parts of the building are actually medieval and which is part of the Victorian remodeling.

Nave of St. Patrick's Cathedral

On June 6-7, 2015, the cathedral celebrates the 150-year anniversary of the Benjamin Lee Guinness restoration.

Currently, it is also the location for the celebration of Remembrance Day in November hosted by the Royal British Legion and attended by the President of Ireland.

The building has served as both a Roman Catholic and an Anglican church (its current status). Worship services are still held daily.

Download the free app St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin before touring the site. Visit here for a beautiful 360-degree tour of the nave.

Interesting Historical Notes

Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, served as Dean (head) of the cathedral from 1713 to 1745. His grave can be seen on floor of the cathedral located almost immediately to your right as you enter the cathedral from the southwest porch.

Jonathan Swift's grave

Here you find not only Swift’s grave but that of his long-time companion, Esther Johnson, aka Stella. On the wall nearby, you will find Swift’s Latin epitaph to the two of them and a bust of Swift.

The first ever performance of Handel’s Messiah was performed here in 1742. The composition is on display in a glass case in the cathedral.

As a show of disrespect, Oliver Cromwell stabled his army’s horses in the nave of the cathedral during his stay in Dublin in 1649.

Before the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1871, the installation ceremony for the Knights of St. Patrick had been held in the cathedral since 1783. Although the ceremony was moved to St. Patrick’s Hall in Dublin Castle, the heraldic banners of the knights at the time of the move still hang above the choir stalls.

St. Patrick's Cathedral and Park

St. Patrick’s Park, the expanse of green beside the cathedral, was a crowded slum until it was cleared and its residents ejected in the early 20^th century. A stone in the park marks the spot of the “holy well” where tradition says St. Patrick baptized his converts. A Celtic cross on display in the cathedral and uncovered in the garden next door is believed to have covered this well.

Also note the door with a hole, the Door of Reconciliation. It is through this hole that Lord Kildare chanced his arm in an attempt to shake hands with his enemy Lord Ormonde.

The elaborate Boyle Monument was erected in 1632 by Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork, as a tribute to his family. The kneeling five-year-old boy is his son Robert Boyle, who grew up to become the famous scientist for whom Boyle’s Law is named relating to the pressure and volume of gases.

The St. Patrick’s Choir School was established in 1432 and is an all-male choir that still recruits young men. The choir itself actually dates to 1220.

The Organ of St. Patrick’s Cathedral has over 4,000 pipes and parts of it date to 1695.

Visit here for an in-depth view of the cathedral’s history via a timeline, a video gallery, and cathedral tales.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Travel Smart—Miscellaneous Tips

Group Travel

Be flexible

Be positive (it’s contagious!)

Be courteous

Be on time

Be on the bus when it leaves

Be attentive…listen to the Tour Director!

Airlines and Flights

Most likely we will be issued electronic tickets. All the necessary information will be listed on the EF Tour Center and you will be notified to check through email.

Due to the special group rates EF secures for flights, airlines will not allow you toaccrue frequent flyer miles or upgrade seats.

Check baggage allowances prior to leaving for the airport. Any checked bag exceeding the limit will be charged a fee. If checking a bag, be sure to check your bag all the way to your final destination and make sure that the tag attached by the airline has that city name on it.

Arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure and check in. Meet the group at the departure gate. Sometimes there is a last minute gate change, so you will need plenty of time to be at the new assigned gate.

EF is unable to designate specific seats. The airline will confirm your seat assignments at check-in. When you board the plane, sit in your assigned seat. You may change seats after the announcement that they are shutting the airplane door.

Wear something with preferably deep pockets on the plane—it’ll prevent you from having to dig through your bag for your phone, wallet, and boarding pass every five minutes.

If the back of your plane seat doesn’t have TVs, put your phone in a plastic bag and hook it to the back of the tray table.

Before leaving home, google your airline name and flight number to check the status of your flight.

Take a photograph of the contents of your luggage before the trip and email it to yourself. If the airline loses your luggage, you'll want this to prove its value.

Time Zones

The United Kingdom (Scotland and Northern Ireland) and Ireland are six hours ahead of Central Daily Savings Time. Check it out with this Time Zone Converter.

Traveling with Electronics

WiFi

Try to avoid using phones and tablets for Internet access unless you are in a wi-fi zone. Many cafes, bars, and hotels offer free access but you may need to ask for a code.

Cell Phones

Please check with your cell phone company prior to international travel regarding voice and data charges and then make a wise decision whether you need to purchase an international voice and data plan. Always have your phone on “airplane mode” to avoid roaming charges which can be very expensive.

Our EF tour consultant recommends a great FREE app for smart phones called Viber that allows you to text internationally for free! You AND your family at home would both need to download the app to their phones. While you are abroad, and as long as you’re connected to wifi, you can text home via the Viber app. For more information, please check out their website: http://viber.com/

Laptop or iPad?

While a laptop is more powerful with a larger storage capacity, no one can argue the simplicity of the iPad or tablet. With fewer and fewer Internet cafes and more wi-fi hotspots, staying connected is getting easier, especially with smart phones. For our purposes, I recommend leaving the laptop at home for convenience sake. It is a more expensive piece to have to keep up with, and the weight and bulk make it less convenient. Remember…you are your own porter.

Tablets (and smart phones) can double for Internet connections and email communication, downloaded movies for in-flight entertainment, and be used as a camera. Also you can take screen shots of maps, diagrams, information etc. from the Internet while at home and access that information via your photograph collection while on tour.

Digital Cameras

Make sure you know the functions of your camera before departing on the trip. On tour is no time to try and figure it out. You don’t want the Scottish Highlands to pass you by while you are trying to get the settings right. Practice, practice, practice at home.

Also pack plenty of batteries—rechargeable, and regular in case your charger does not work properly. Do not assume you can buy your type of battery at any stop…and it will probably cost a lot more as these are tourist stops. In addition, bring additional memory cards, and keep them in a safe place on tour.

If you are in the market for a new digital camera, this previous blog post provides you with some tips to consider while making the purchase.

In consideration of other travelers on our bus, learn to turn off your camera’s beeping and clicking sounds before the tour.

Be cognizant of sites that request no photography. Sometimes their signs or instructions simply say no flash photography, while other sites request no photography at all. When in doubt, ask to avoid embarrassment.

Chargers

Don’t forget to pack them! And remember the adaptor/electric voltage converter.

Itinerary

Print off individual pages from the LUV2GO travel blog and carry the appropriate pages with you each day on tour. Use bus time reading to brush up on what to expect at each site. Make notes on the pages and add to your journal or scrapbook later for photo ID.

Keep an eye out for notices of events happening locally as these are often spontaneous and free.

The itinerary is packed with exciting things to do and see. When we leave the hotel each morning, we will be on the go all day…either at a site or riding the bus to it. There will be lots of walking, so broken-in, comfortable shoes are an absolute must. Do not bring new shoes on the tour.

Hotels

Hotels are safe, clean, and comfortable with private bathrooms. They may be located outside of city centre and usually have smaller rooms than typical North American hotels. They also may not have air conditioning or elevators.

Everyone will be assigned a room with two single beds. Two nights each are scheduled at hotels in four different cities.

Foods

Breakfasts typically are European style—cereal, bread or rolls, jam, coffee, tea, and juice. However, we have been blessed with very full breakfasts with a wide variety of choices. Be prepared for both.

Dinners are included in the tour either at the hotel or a local restaurant. All members of the group are served the same menu (no choices) unless a special diet has been requested. These meals will be a mix of local specialties and familiar dishes. You will be expected to pay for any beverage other than table water.

Lunches are on your own and offer you an opportunity to taste the local cuisine…be it a hearty Irish stew or the traditional haggis in the Scottish Highlands. Take advantage of local markets where you can purchase picnic lunch items and enjoy a slow-paced meal along a flowing river or overlooking a beautiful valley…so much more memorable than waiting in line at a cafeteria.

Language

English is the primary spoken language in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. However, according to the Irish constitution, Gaelic or Gaeilge (commonly referred to as Irish) is the official first language, while English is the official second language.

Even though Gaeilge is a required subject in school, very few speak the language on a daily basis. Try Google Translate to practice a few basic phrases such as “thank you,” “hello,” and “please.” Choose “Irish” as the translation language.

Money

The Euro is used in Ireland, while the British pound is used in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Travelers checks are no longer accepted in Ireland. Banks in Ireland do not accept $100 U.S. bills. The largest they seem to accept are $50 bills. ATMs are the most convenient way to get cash in a country’s currency.

Use a credit card for main purchases and a debit card for ATM cash withdrawals. Be sure to contact your bank and credit card company prior to departure to tell them the dates of your purchases abroad.

Carry a small amount of cash with you daily for snacks, drinks, and admission tickets to events not provided on tour activities.

You will need extra money for any optional excursions not included on the itinerary, lunches, beverages at meals other than water, daily bottled water (or bring a refillable or collapsible water bottle), transportation to free-time activities, and souvenirs. Plan on $60 per day.

Prepaid Visa/Credit Cards do work in Ireland but they do NOT dispense cash. They can only be used for purchases in stores.

To keep tabs on the current exchange rates, check with XE Currency Converter.

It is a wise idea to get at least $60 for each of the countries visited (euros and pounds) prior to departure so that when you arrive you are able to buy lunch or water before an ATM is located.

Customary gratuities (tips) for the Tour Director, bus driver and local guides should be brought along on the tour and collected at the appropriate time. The recommended tips are $6 per day for the Tour Director, $3 per day for the bus driver, and 1 euro/pound for any local professional guide.

Tips are not expected at group tour included dinners. However if you think you received exceptional service at lunch, then 5% to 12% is acceptable. Be sure to ask the Tour Director. Taxi drivers are normally tipped 5% to 10%.

Weather

Expect cooler temperatures in Scotland and Ireland than a typical U.S. summer. Projected average June 2015 temperatures for Fort William, Belfast, and Dublin are 55 to 68 degrees. You will need this Celsius to Fahrenheit converter.

Check the Weather Channel for any updates. You can save locations to speed your searches. Use these city names:

Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom

Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Fort William, Highland, United Kingdom

Is it going to rain…count on it at least sometime during the trip so come prepared with a waterproof rain jacket and/or umbrella. Scotchgard your shoes (inside and outside), backpack/daybag, etc. for added protection.

Weather wise come prepared, you could get all four seasons thrown at you in a day… and no, it doesn't rain all the time.

More Travel Hacks

If you plan to be bring back a lot of souvenirs (remember…you are toting your own luggage!) then you might want to “nest” your suitcases (a smaller one inside a larger one) therefore going with one suitcase of clothes and returning with two suitcases…one of clothes and the other of souvenirs.

However you still need to remember the weight limit for checking a bag with no additional fee. And, of course, you will probably be charged fees for checking two bags on your return flight.

Another option is pack an empty shoebox. This gives you the extra space to pack souvenirs on the return flight home…but you also have to pack very light clothes-wise in the space you have left.

This option is probably most practical: Pack one lightweight rolling bag of clothes to check and pack essentials in a smaller carry-on bag that sits atop the other bag so you are actually rolling one unit of luggage and have a free hand.

Pack a lightweight backpack/roll-away bag in your luggage that then can be used during the day for necessities and double as the second carry-on bag on the return flight. Fill it with your souvenirs.

For more travel ideas, see these web sites:

DIY Travel Hacks

EF What to Bring Packing List

Travel Smart—Safety on Tour

Be pro-active with your personal safety—leave expensive clothes and jewelry at home, always travel in a group, choose well-lit streets, and be aware your surroundings and other people at all times.

Keep all your possessions in a safe place. Never leave valuables behind in a hotel (unless locked in a hotel safe) or in a bus seat (they should be stored by the driver in the locked luggage compartment under the bus). Personal belongings should always be kept within sight.

The bulk of your money, credit cards, and passport should be worn in a waistband or neck travel pouch under your clothes. Only put a small amount of spending money in your pocketbook for daily expenses. Popular areas attract pickpockets, so keep your money and cell phone safe.

Know all important contact numbers. Travel with the contact information of each hotel in your possession. At each hotel, pick up a hotel card containing its name, address, and phone number. If in the event you get lost, hop in a cab and hand the card to the taxi driver to return you to your hotel.

Carry a copy of the EF emergency calling instructions card with you at all times. It provides instructions on how to dial emergency numbers in the countries you are visiting (equivalent to local 911 numbers). In the UK (Scotland and Northern Ireland), that number is 999. In Ireland, that number is 999 or 112.

The card also provides an emergency number to reach an EF representative in the U.S. 24/7. For travelers in Europe, that number is 001-617-619-2913. It is a good idea to program that number into the phone you will use while traveling. For those at home who have an emergency and need to reach you through EF, that number is 1-800-637-8222.

Hotel Safety

Each person in a hotel room may not have an individual room key. It is a good idea to leave that key at the reception desk when not in the room or leaving the hotel. Hotel rooms should remain locked when inside the room and when you leave the room.

European hotels may have different construction standards than U.S. hotels based on location or age of the building. Be sure to read the fire safety instructions in the room and know where the nearest fire exits are located.

Traffic Safety

Be aware that drivers in Scotland and Ireland drive on the left-hand side of the road. That means that, even though you are accustomed to looking both ways before crossing traffic, you must be even more diligent to watch for cars driving in the opposite direction. Pay special attention at intersections, use pedestrian crosswalks whenever possible, and always wear seat belts on tour buses if available.

Also people tend to follow the person in front when walking in a group. Even if the person in front of you is crossing the street, don’t assume traffic is still clear when it is your turn to cross. Be pro-active and pay attention.

Historical note: Why do they drive on the left-hand side of the road? According to travel guru Rick Steves, it was originally so you could drive defensively—with your “sword hand” on the inside to protect you from oncoming traffic.

Health and Medical Safety

If you are covered by the EF All-Inclusive Coverage Plan, be aware of its policies. The Global Travel Protection Benefits Guide details are available here. Just a note: The All-Inclusive Coverage Plan does not cover activities that are not sanctioned by EF.

You may also be covered by your own personal health insurance. Be aware of its coverage when traveling in foreign countries. All policies are not alike. Medicare does not typically cover medical expenses outside the U.S. and its territories.

Make sure your group leader is aware of any medical needs you might have, such as dietary restrictions, food allergies, carrying an Epi Pen, medical issues, etc. EF can accommodate special dietary needs on tour, but cannot make special meal requests with the airlines. Contact your group leader so that we can notify the airline directly a few days before the flight.

Prescriptions should be filled, up-to-date, and in the original packaging. ALL medications should be in your carry-on bag with copies of the prescription paperwork. In case of loss, prescriptions can be filled more quickly and efficiently. Ask your physician or pharmacist for generic equivalent names for medications.

To avoid carrying so many full-size prescription bottles, ask your pharmacist for labels only for your prescriptions and place the labels on zip-lock bags with your medicines inside. This will take up much less space in your carry on bag.

Carry with you more than just the allotted medication for the days of the trip. You never know when there will be plane delays due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you wear glasses, carry an extra pair.

If you suffer from motion sickness, you might try these suggestions. Try not to travel on an empty stomach and avoid eating anything greasy or fatty. Snack every couple of hours.

Some remedies include pressure point wrist bands, a prescription behind the ear patch, and over-the-counter Dramamine or Bonine, both which could make you sleepy (and that could be a good thing on a long flight!)

To help prevent ears from popping on flights earplugs are recommended, and chewing gum may also help.

Some may suffer from swollen feet on long flights because of lack of blood circulation in the feet and legs. Wearing compression socks and loose-fitting clothes may help. Also take short walks every couple of hours up and down the aisles.

In between, try ankle exercises by flexing ankles and knees while seated, regularly shift your position, and avoid crossing your legs as it cuts off circulation. Massage your feet if possible, and prop your feet on the bar in front of your seat, as this is better than no elevation at all.

In addition, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol or caffeine.

Flying Safely

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airlines prohibit certain items on flights for the safety of its passengers. Some items are allowed in checked bags and not carry-on bags. For a complete list of prohibited items, refer to the FAA web site.

Passengers are allowed to bring one small bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, or pastes in your carry-on bag provided they follow the 3-1-1 rule—no more than 3.4 ounces in each container, in a 1-quart clear zippered bag, and no more than 1 bag per person.

Be prepared to have this bag readily available to place in the inspection bin outside your carry-on bag to speed up inspection.

Common Sense and Safety

Keep a low profile. As proud as we all are to be Americans, terrorism is a reality. And although our destinations are relatively safe, there is no need in causing undue attention to our group and marking us as targets.

Avoid wearing clothing that displays the American flag or other prominent American slogans, do not walk through crowds singing the national anthem, and do not publicly ridicule any other cultural groups.

As in any crowded tourist attraction, be mindful of pickpockets. Backpacks or day bags should be worn across the chest to make it harder to grab and run. Nothing of value should be stored in outer pockets.

Smoking is not allowed on buses, during meals, in hotel rooms, or any other shared enclosed space. Drinking alcoholic beverages is not allowed on the bus. Public intoxication is prohibited.

Payment for damage done to hotel rooms or to buses is your responsibility. If you notice any damage upon arrival at a hotel, you should notify the Tour Director immediately. Any other incidental personal expenses incurred at hotels is payable the evening before departure at each hotel.

Luggage and Safety

Never leave your luggage or any other personal item unattended in an airport, hotel reception area, the bus, a restaurant, or a tourist attraction. Do NOT agree to watch or carry any item for someone you do not know; and do NOT ask a stranger to watch your bags.

All our luggage will be identified with matching ribbon. You will be given 2 strips of ribbon, one for your checked bag and one for your carry-on bag. Knot-tie them to a handle so they cannot be easily removed and so they can be readily recognized by all members of our group.

Make sure all checked and carry-on luggage has an outside luggage tag with your name and phone number. Avoid putting your home address on the outside label. If it is misplaced they can reach you by phone and arrange a pickup or delivery. If possible, use a tag with a flap to cover information from casual eyes.

Place a second tag inside your luggage that is visible when you open the bag in case the external tag is lost and you can be contacted if the bag is misplaced.

Document Safekeeping

Keep your passport on your person, preferably in a concealed pouch under your clothes, at all times. Be sure to sign your passport before use and have at least three blank pages. Each morning on the bus before we leave the hotel, everyone will show their passports.

Avoid flashing large amounts of money in public. Keep that in the concealed pouch also and only have on you what you might need for the day.

Make two copies of your travel documents in case of emergency and in case they are lost or stolen. Leave one copy with a friend or relative at home. Carry the other copy with you and separate from the originals. You can also email them to yourself for easy access. Items to copy:

*Passport ID page

*Itinerary

*Hotel information

*Airline ticket information

*Driver’s license (for additional ID purposes, if needed)

*Credit cards/ATM cards brought on the trip (notify banks and credit card companies prior to departure with dates to expect international charges)

Use the same precaution abroad using ATM machines as you would in the U.S. Safeguard your PIN information. Avoid temporary looking machines. Be aware of others around you and try to use a machine while members of our group are surrounding you and not strangers.

Be mindful of scams at ATM machines. Do not be distracted by scammers who wait for you to enter your PIN then distract you by offering you a free newspaper or urging you to look at money on the ground. They will take your money and leave. If you are distracted, cancel the transaction immediately.

On-Tour Guidance

Our group will have the services of a full-time Tour Director who is responsible for the logistics of the tour and ensure a smooth travel experience. He will meet us at the airport and remain with us for the duration of the tour.

He is professionally trained and will coordinate bus transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, site-seeing, and any special excursions we opt to participate in. He will be available to the group 24/7 and is trained to handle any emergencies.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Guinness Storehouse -- Dublin, Ireland

Barrels of Guinness Beer

One simply cannot think of Dublin without envisioning a traditional Irish pub…and a dark pint of Guinness that inevitable is associated with it. All that bubbly brew is produced right in the heart of Dublin at the St. James’s Gate Brewery…one of the largest (and most famous) breweries in the world.

The Guinness Storehouse is the seven-story building located at the center of the brewery that has been remodeled inside to resemble a giant pint of Guinness where all floors are designed around a central glass atrium mirroring the shape of the famous pint. If full the ‘atrium’ pint would hold 14.3 million glasses of the black brew.

The storehouse was once the fermentation plant, but today entertains visitors by acquainting them with every aspect of the famous stout’s production; from making the beer barrels in the cooperage to the creation of the world famous brand. It is a rich history indeed.

One will even learn how to properly pour a beer. (A ‘perfect’ pour of Guinness should take 199.5 seconds at a 45-degree angle.) Watch this video to see how a master brewer pours a pint—How to Pour a Perfect Pint of Guinness (2:22)

Guinness's signature dark brew

Guinness stout is made from four natural ingredients—water, barley, hops and yeast. The interactive self-guided experience allows visitors to view the brewing process first-hand, smell the hops, touch the barley, hear the waterfalls, and learn every aspect of the brewing process from recipe to marketing. Inside the Guinness Storehouse – Ingredients and Waterfall (0:30)

The highlight of the tour for many is the opportunity at the end of the tour to partake in a freshly-brewed pint of world-renowned Guinness beer at the Gravity Bar and the 360-degree panoramic views across Dublin from the top floor. Inside the Guinness Storehouse – The Gravity Bar (0:35)

Founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness, the operation has expanded over the years down to the River Liffey and across both sides of the street and at one point had its own railway. A giant gate once stretched across James Street…hence the name of the brewery.

Guinness was originally called Porter and then Stout Porter, before its name changed in the 18th century. In the 1930s, Guinness employed over 5,000 workers. With industrialization of the process, the company employs about 600 people, but still produces 2.5 million pints of stout every day.

Join National Geographic as they explore Guinness Beer (45:33) in this documentary.

What to Expect

Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar

Upon entering the pint glass-shaped building, visitors find themselves in the Atrium on the ground floor. Here they find the extensive retail store and the beginning of the interactive exhibit, including the company’s 9,000 year lease.

After getting familiar with the main ingredients in Guinness, people are directed to the next level to learn about the brewing process and the different variations of Guinness that are on the market. Floors 2 through 6 take visitors on an interesting journey back in time to discover the history behind Arthur Guinness, the company and the Guinness Storehouse itself.

By the time visitors reach the 7th and final floor, they will be caught back up to the present and ready to enjoy their pint of the legendary brew in the Gravity Bar.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Dublin Castle -- Dublin, Ireland

Round Tower at Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle, currently a working Irish government building, has served as a prison, the treasury, a military fortress, and court of law over the last 700 years. In addition it served as the seat of administration of the English government in Ireland until the formation of the Republic of Ireland in 1921.

Today the sprawling complex of historic buildings is used for important state receptions and Presidential Inaugurations every seven years. Every ten years, the castle serves as the central base as Ireland hosts the European Presidency. On occasions, Dublin Castle may close on very short notice for state business.

Located in the heart of historic Dublin, it was built in the 13^th century on a site originally settled by Vikings and has been remodeled numerous times over the centuries. It includes the State Apartments (built as the residential quarters of the Viceregal court), Undercroft (where portions of the Viking fortress and the 13^th century castle are on view), Chapel Royal, the Chester Beatty Library, the Revenue Museum, Craft Shop, Heritage Centre, and restaurant.

Dublin Castle Drawing Room

The castle features amazing architecture, as well as intriguing exhibits, artifacts, and state treasures. Places of note inside the State Apartments are the State Corridor, the State Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery or State Dining Room, the Bedford Tower, and the beautiful St. Patrick’s Hall, the grandest room in the State Apartments used for presidential inaugurations.

The castle stands on the rim of a strategic site at the junction of the River Liffey and its now underground tributary, the River Poddle, where an original fortification may have been an early Gaelic ring fort. The Great Courtyard today corresponds with these early fortifications and with the Record Tower as the last intact medieval tower in Dublin.

The city gets its name from Gaelic ‘Dubh Linn,’meaning Black Pool or Black Water, which was on the site of the present Castle garden. Of note, the Irish crown jewels were stolen from the castle in 1907 and have never been recovered.

Dublin Castle Throne Room

Dublin Castle has appeared in numerous films including Barry Lyndon, Michael Collins, Becoming Jane and The Medallion, as well as the television series The Tudors, where it doubled as the Vatican in the pilot.

Roll your mouse over this interactive map of Dublin Castle to learn more about its various buildings. Click on the links to the left on this site to learn more about specific areas. Read Dublin Castle’s complete history.

Watch these videos to get an overview of the Dublin Castle complex:

A Dublin Castle for the Irish Knights (2:36)

Travel Dublin, Ireland—Dublin Castle (0:56)

Irish National Anthem at Presidential Inauguration—Dublin Castle (1:14) 'Amhrán na bhFiann' played out in St. Patrick's Hall at Dublin Castle as Michael D. Higgins is inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland in 2011.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Book of Kells--Dublin, Ireland

The Book of Kells -- Christ Enthroned

The Book of Kells is Ireland’s most treasured medieval artifact. It is recognized as possibly the finest illustrated manuscript from medieval Europe.

It is generally accepted that the document was produced in the scriptorium of a monastery on the Isle of Iona, Scotland, to honor Saint Columba in the early 8^th century. It was later moved to Kells, Ireland, by the Columban monks after a Viking raid in 806 AD. It is possible the monks may have worked on the manuscript at both locations.

The document was then stolen in the 11^th century and the cover, which likely was covered in gold and precious jewels, was torn off and the manuscript thrown into a ditch. Although the book suffered some water damage it is still in remarkable condition. The cover has never been found.

In 1541, at the height of the English Reformation, the book was taken by the Roman Catholic Church for safekeeping, but was returned to Ireland in the 17^th century. It was in the collection of Archbishop James Ussher when he died and given to Trinity College by his nephew Henry Jones where it remains today in the Old Library on campus.

Since 1953, the manuscript has been bound in four volumes. On any given day, Trinity College Library will display two of the volumes, one opened to a fully illuminated folio while the other is opened to typical text pages.

The Book of Kells on display at Trinity College, Dublin

The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript which contains the four Gospels in Latin according to the Vulgate text which St. Jerome completed in 384 AD, intermixed with readings from the earlier Old Latin translation.

The Gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including “canon tables,” or concordances of Gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists; summaries of the gospel narratives (Breves causae); and prefaces characterizing the evangelists or authors (Argumenta)—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The book is written on vellum (prepared calfskin) in a bold and expert version of the script known as “insular majuscule.” It contains 340 folios (680 individual pages), now measuring approximately 330 x 250 mm. Over the years the pages have been severely trimmed, and their edges gilded, in the course of rebinding in the 19^th century.

Ten different colors were used in the illumination using Celtic motifs and Christian symbolism, some of which cover entire pages while other pages have illuminated characters. Only two of the pages have no illumination at all.

Some of the colors are rare and had to be imported from the continent, and some of the workmanship is so fine that it can only clearly be seen with a magnifying glass.

To learn more about the Book of Kells, watch this 7-part documentary.

Part 1 (9:56)

Part 2 (9:57)

Part 3 (9:56)

Part 4 (9:57)

Part 5 (9:57)

Part 6 (9:51)

Part 7 (8:25)

Trinity College Library Dublin has made the Book of Kells free to view online in its entirety through its Digital Collection.

In 2009, an animated feature, The Secret of Kells, was released depicting a mystical tale of the making of the book. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Old Library at Trinity College