 From lush rainforests to erupting volcanoes, exploring the marvel of Hawai‘i’s natural world not only brings visitors closer to nature, but allows them to immerse themselves in Hawai‘i’s rich history. Below, visitors will find an array of recommendations for one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experiences, including volunteer opportunities, that aim to foster a new appreciation for Hawai‘i’s diverse ecosystem and form a deeper connection to the islands and its unique culture and traditions.
Kaua‘i Waimea Canyon is a geological wonder 14 miles long, a mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep. Waimea Canyon State Park offers sights everyone will find fascinating, from a scenic main road snaking alongside the canyon featuring several overlooks, to hikes for both beginning and advanced hikers. Just beyond Waimea Canyon State Park, 4,345-acre Kōkeʻe State Park rises to more than 4,200 feet above sea level, providing mesmerizing views of emerald Kalalau Valley and the Pacific from atop the Nāpali Coast. Both parks offer more than 45 miles of hiking trails and showcase a diversity of vegetation, native plants, forest birds and more. Kōke‘e State Park is also home to Kōkeʻe Natural History Museum, an ideal place for your clients to learn more about the park, its trails and volunteer opportunities. On Kaua‘i’s south shore, National Tropical Botanical Garden’s Allerton Garden is an 80-acre paradise of landscape design combining a multitude of tropical plants and works of garden art. Allerton Garden was named one of “50 Places of a Lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler and its grounds have been featured in several blockbuster movies, including “Jurassic Park” and “Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides.” O‘ahu A sacred historical and spiritual site, clients to Waimea Valley will experience Hawaiʻi’s culture, art and history in the heart of a traditional ahupuaʻa (uplands-to-sea land division). Learn the arts of lei making, lauhala weaving, poi pounding, and other practices from Hawai‘i artisans and cultural practitioners. Waimea Valley’s new Kaʻapuni o Waimea program allows clients to tour multiple valley sites, learning new perspectives on Hawaiian culture and the concept of ho‘okipa (hospitality). Lyon Arboretum is an astounding botanical garden managed by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Set on 200 acres, Lyon Arboretum is home to more than 6,000 tropical and sub-tropical plants. It features more than seven miles of hiking trails that will lead clients to a variety of themed and memorial gardens, landmarks, statues, and waterfalls. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Maui Located in Kīhei, the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wetland and sanctuary for many species that are native and endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Here, clients can observe the endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot). During the winter months, the wetlands are home to more than 30 species of waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory ducks not just from Hawaiʻi, but from as far away as Alaska, Canada, and even Asia. The Kipuka Olowalu Cultural Reserve is a 74-acre valley that seeks to preserve Native Hawaiian culture and ensure these beliefs and customs are passed down to future generations. For hundreds of years, the Olowalu Valley has been a refuge for those seeking sanctuary and protection and is home to a native ecosystem of plants, birds, fish, and mollusks. Kipuka Olowalu offers enriching volunteer opportunities for clients to mālama ‘āina (respect and care for the land), to work alongside cultural experts and conservationists, and learn about the valley’s history and unique biodiversity. Island of Hawai‘i The Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the most active volcanoes on Earth: Kīlauea and Maunaloa. At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, clients can get an up close look at the new land the volcanic eruptions create on Hawaiʻi Island. The park also provides clients the opportunity to pay their respects to Pele, the goddess of fire, and to view ancient Hawaiian structures, culture, life, and landscape. There are also volunteer opportunities such as removing invasive Himalayan Ginger from park trails. Set on 20 acres of tropical rainforest, the Hawai‘i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden is a natural greenhouse containing over 2,000 species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera. Clients walk along lush nature trails to see endangered tropical and subtropical plants from around the world. The nature preserve showcases waterfalls including Onomea Falls in the Garden, a three-tiered waterfall said to be the most beautiful in all of Hawai‘i.Click here to edit.
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 Sofia – the exciting capital of Bulgaria Sofia is one of the oldest capitals in Europe. Here you will find modern shopping centers, fine parks, elegant boulevards, Byzantine churches and monuments from the communist era. Located at the foot of the Vitosha mountain massif  Bulgaria's beautiful capital, Sofia, is located at the foot of the Vitosha mountain range. The mountain has also given its name to the main street with rows of stylish shops and a leafy park at one end. In Vitosja you go skiing in the winter and walk in the forest in the summer. You can go up by funicular or chair lift. The city is distinguished by its architectural mix of modern and historic buildings. Older landmarks are Bojana Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the early Byzantine St. Sophia Church. More modern architecture can be seen at the Bulgarian National Opera, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the Rakovski Street Theater District, and the Natsionalen dvorets na kulturata (NDK), Southeast Europe's largest cultural convention center.  The city is small, in the center stands the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its large domes. In the crypt there is a large collection of icons spanning over a thousand years. Next to the cathedral is the church of Santa Sofia, which gave the city its name. Also, don't miss the Banya Bashi Mosque from 1576. The National Museum of History has over 650,000 objects and the National Art Gallery has art from the 19th and 20th centuries.  Shopping can be done in Bulgaria Mall, The Mall, Mall of Sofia, the other department stores or at the so-called Women's Market, Zhenski Pazar, a bustling bazaar that stretches over several blocks where clothes, food, carpets, shawls and much more are sold .There are many other small markets in the suburbs as well. Vodenitzata cooks good Bulgarian food and the staff serve in national costume. There are also vegetarian options, not always a matter of course in Bulgaria. Still, they have the best vegetables in Europe. Don't forget to try the good Bulgarian wine! The best time to go here is during the summer months, but there are fewer tourists in spring and autumn if you prefer. Or - if you want to go skiing, winter is of course the best.  You can stay well at affordable prices. In addition, the travel agency often has agreements with most hotels, so you get away even cheaper.
You can easily travel with local transport, which has a good network of subways, trams, cable buses and regular buses. If you choose to take a taxi, it is also incredibly cheap. Take out your calendar and plan your next weekend trip. Do you want to read a little about Bulgaria and its culture, etc Then open this link  Magical slopes and cheap shopping - the unknown skiing paradise of Andorra.  The small principality of Andorra is located in the Pyrenees mountain range, sandwiched between France and Spain. The fine skiing attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. Almost 300 kilometres of pistes and 300 sunny days are tempting enough! With an area of 468 square kilometres and approximately 85,000 inhabitants, the principality of Andorra is one of the world's smallest countries. Duty-free goods and fine ski slopes with slopes located at an altitude of over 2,500 meters attract roughly ten million tourists a year. It is sunny but still snow-proof, as moisture from the Mediterranean turns into precipitation in the form of snow over the Pyrenees and Andorra from December to April.  Shop duty free Known as a financial centre and something of a tax haven, Andorra is located in the Pyrenees mountain range, on the border between France and Spain. According to the constitution, the president of France and a Spanish bishop are formally the country's heads of state. However, legislative power lies with the General Council (Parliament).  Andorra can trace its history back to Charlemagne, who granted the country its freedom in 819 in exchange for the country's contribution in the wars against the Moors. In 1278, the Spanish bishop of Urgel and the French count of Foix were given shared leadership of Andorra. Later, the count was replaced by the French state, and for the next few centuries Andorra was divided between Spain and France. In 1993, the first referendum was held that led to a modern democracy. Andorra lacks its own defence force and currency (it has the euro), but is a member of both the United Nations and the Council of Europe.  Over 100 pistes – from black to blue In the past, two families each ruled their ski area, Soldeu and Pasa de la Casa. Should you travel throughout the area, two different ski passes were required, which was both expensive and complicated. In 2005, the two families decided to collaborate. Now a coherent area has been created, Grandvalira, on close to 200 kilometres of pistes or more than a hundred runs of varying difficulty with an emphasis on slightly easier ones. Grandvalira The largest ski area in the Pyrenees and Southern Europe, and consists of 210 kilometres of pistes and 112 different runs. There are both easy, wide and long and lovely off-piste runs for those who want deeper snow. The chances of sunshine are good, Grandvalira boasts 300 sunny days a year. The summit is at 2,640 meters and there are 18 black pistes, 42 red, 19 green and 49 blue pistes. Around 40 restaurants are located all around the slopes, and 68 lifts are ready to take you up and around. There is also the possibility of cross-country skiing. Vallnord The other ski area in Andorra is Vallnord. The summit is at 2,560 meters and a total piste length of around 60 kilometres. There are four black pistes, 17 red, 7 green and 16 blue pistes. There are plenty of restaurants and simpler eateries, as well as an amusement park and 31 lifts The nearest airport is Perpignan in France about 15 miles and Barcelona in Spain about 19 miles. The easiest way to get to Barcelona from Scandinavia is to combine skiing with a city break in Barcelona. Don't hesitate to contact us for booking.
Traveling and seeking well-being is the new travel trend. Organic SPA media selects the best wellness facilities in the world every year. Below you will see those who have been named the best for 2023. If you feel like visiting one of these or somewhere else, contact us and we will make sure that you will feel good.          Feel free to comment which one is your favorite. It might as well be somewhere else,for example in Bulgaria
 What does ‘Protected transfers’, ‘Non-protected transfers’ or ‘Self-transfer flight’ mean? We want to help you have the best travel experience possible. And we know that saving money on flights is one way to make a happy traveller. For that reason, when you search for flights, we’ll show you lots of different options to help you get the most value possible. BUT. And it’s a big BUT – which is why we made it big. Some of these cheaper options come with risks. That’s why they cost less. So before you book, we want to help you understand what you’re signing up to. Some of this may seem a little complicated, but we’re going to do our best to explain.
Here are some of those tricky things: Let’s look at Stockholm to Gran Canaria, via London, again. As we said, if the Stockholm flight is delayed, you will have less time to catch the flight from London. So the more time you have between the flight from Stockholm landing, and the flight to Gran Canaria taking off, the better. When you landed in London, you will have to pick up your checked luggage at the baggage carousel, and then check in again for the flight to Gran Canaria. This could mean waiting a long time for your baggage, followed by a big line at check-in, and then who-knows-how-long going through security screening. Normally, you have to pass the passport control for the country you arrived in before to catch the carousel. So you must know if you need visa to enter the country or if there is any special requirements like PCR test to enter the country. Not only that, but the flight to Gran Canaria might be from a different terminal. Depending on the airport, this could mean having to wait for a shuttle to that other terminal. In rare cases, the next flight could even be from a completely different London airport. London’s airports are very far apart; you might be looking at more than two hours to get from one to another. In some countries, even though you won’t be leaving the airport, you will need a visa or a transit visa. That might mean you need to organize a visa well in advance, before you board any of the planes. Or it might mean joining yet another line once at that country’s airport, in order to get a transit stamp. Also: airlines have different baggage rules. You’ll need to make sure your hand luggage and your checked luggage comply with both airlines. Now, here is the REALLY IMPORTANT part. Because the transfer is not protected, it's a good idea to find out all this information yourself. The airlines don’t have an alliance this time, so they won’t be able to help. We want you to have the best time possible, so it's a good idea to look into the extra information about the flights, transfers or airports before you book. Try researching the airports, their terminals, and how to get between them. We’d also recommend going to the airports’ websites, and researching things like public transportation and taxi costs. You’ll also need to think about how long you’ll need to get from one flight to the other. The best way is to plan for a worst-case scenario (i.e., build in lots of time for waiting and lines). Don’t forget to research the baggage rules of all the airlines you’re flying with and do some research on the visa situation. Hopefully this will help you balance the risks, plan properly to reduce those risks, and point you in the right direction! HERE’S A QUICK RECAP: Protected transfers One booking reference Friendly airline alliance Anything goes wrong, the airlines help at no extra cost Non-protected transfers Each flight has its own booking reference The airlines do not have a friendly alliance Anything goes wrong, you’ll have to pay for one or more new tickets Self-transfer flights Each flight has its own booking reference The airlines do not have a friendly alliance A travel agent will assist you if anything goes wrong HOWEVER, different travel agents offer different levels of assistance on different trips If anything isn't clear, please give us a shout through the little “Contact Us” button down there, and we'll be happy to explain these points in more detail. Happy travels! If you're travelling with luggage, there are some things to consider. With protected transfer, you only pay for the luggage on time and the luggage is checked to your final destination. With the 2 other transfers you have to buy and pay luggage for each flight and it only checked to the destination in the ticket. And if you compare the prices, it is not always the best way to buy the cheapest ticket. If the flight is not a direct flight it will take longer time, and you take a risk. An airline ticket is a contract that they should take you from point A to point B. So if the flight is cancelled they offer you a new flight, but it can be next day , and the airline provide you hotel without extra cost. So its very important to have a good travel insurance if something happens that destroy you plans. We can provide you with the best insurances . And when you book you can also buy different levels of support help. Here is a real example that show that it can be better to always contact a travel consultant or adviser. ' This information of the prices is real but the prices is from 14th of January so the prices can be different now.
If the customer had called to me, this is what I had offered.
 Belgium is a country worth visiting all year round. You will find that Belgium is more are mussels, french fries and Manneken Pis. At the beginning of the year with, for example, Valentine's Day to experience romantic Brussels. Spring, with its many holidays and long weekends, is a perfect time to visit Europe's many, fascinating cities. Summer during the holiday season or just to experience the Landeyt. Do you want to experience experiencing something different in the Belgian region of Flanders. Then it becomes e.g. Bryge, which is world heritage classified by UNESCO, or the world city of Antwerp, where modern architecture meets the traditional. In the autumn it can be hot days, so you can experience the country and get a good memory with you. In December, you have all the Christmas markets around the country you can visit. 
Magic and romance in Bruge A visit to Bruge is like travelling to another world and time. The city is oozed with history and there is a veil of magic over the old medieval city, its cobbled streets, narrow alleys and 700 -year -old buildings. Bruge is incredibly photogenic and charming, the wow moments are many when walking through the city.
Is there any word in the world of travel that can banish the winter blues quicker than "island"? We've all daydreamed about a getaway on one of the world's most beautiful islands, but since there are so many of them, how do you even know where to start? With so many islands in the world, some are bound to slip under the radar, so the following list is made up exclusively of underrated island destinations that are a little lesser known than some of their neighbours. On the following islands, you'll find a blissful trip you're probably dreaming of but with slightly fewer past appearances on your social media feed and a little more intrigue. Here you can read about some of them that we missed in part1.
I have worked as a travel advisor for over 45 years and still learn new things every day. But some things have not changed over the years, just the technology how to book. It has become both easier and more difficult for travellers to book their travels. Very easier as there are a number of booking channels online. But harder than, you can't control what you really buy. Maybe I'm a little one-eyed, but the fact is that you always benefit from booking with a travel agency or personal travel advisor. Here are some of the benefits.  How can you access secret prices for flights and hotels or other means of transport? Today, many try to find the cheapest prices on flights, trains, hotels, rental cars and transfers themselves. It is believed that the lowest prices you have found are the best. Unfortunately, in most cases, you pay more than necessary. How come?  Flights. The airlines have many prices, and you choose to show only the prices you want to sell yourself on their website. The airlines have agreements with travel agencies that can sell many of these tickets cheaper, are directly with the airlines. Package prices are only available at the travel agency or tour operator, and you will not know what the price is then the prices are with restrictions that they must be sold together with hotels, rental car, train or other travel product. You can book your tickets with Sky-Tours with confidence as they have trained travel advisers that you can talk to if you can't find what you are looking for online Prices can be 20-30% cheaper than the corresponding ticket on the airline's website The agreement also states that travel agencies must not advertise with prices lower than the airline themselves. The large online agencies have these prices in their system that come up automatically if you are looking for flights and hotels at the same time. There are also tickets that the On-Line agencies cannot handle, e.g. Lufthansa from Luleå. Skellefteå or other airports with connection Arlanda You can buy those tickets even if you spend the night in Stockholm on the road. For example, the last flight in the evening that connects with a morning plan to your destination. Then you also get a discount on the overnight at Arlanda There are volume prices or net prices that many call the price. Volume prices are usually lower than the prices of the airlines, but at these prices, the travel agencies put on a higher surcharge if the customer only buys an airline ticket. Volume prices have only travel agencies that have large volumes access to. Special prices such as seaman's ticket, connection flight, sports ticket, event ticket you can get from the airline if you contact them on the phone or a physical travel agency. These tickets apply under certain conditions and have other rules.  Hotels. Today you can search hotels in many different ways on hotel booking sites such as Booking.com, use price comparison sites such as trivago.com, book directly on the hotel's website, Contact the hotel directly or contact a travel agency/personal travel adviser. The hotel booking sites show the hotels that give the most commission first. Booking.com apparently has a rule that the hotel is not allowed to sell the room cheaper to the end customer than the price that is on their side. The hotels can have combinations, e.g. book 3 nights so .... And it is a set by this. There are package prices that in some cases can be 40% below the normal price, but they can only be sold through a travel agency and in connection with transport. (Flight, rental car, train, boat or other means of transport) The same thing here as with the flight, you must not advertise about the hotel price only but only in connection with packages. There are also volume prices such as travel agencies, but especially tour operators have. You get these prices if you book hotels with the travel agency. Online sites that are also a tour operator gives you as a customer access to these prices. For example. Sky-tours, that also have trained travel agents, which has many years of experience that you can talk to if you can't find what you are looking for online. If you always live in the same hotel you can sometimes get a better price for direct contact, but if you book through travel advisers and give that information, they also monitor your extra discount as well. In addition, there are usually 2 prices when you book it, one is not refundable and cheaper and the other is cancellable (with some restrictions sometimes). See some example here.
Keep in mind that a cancellation insurance costs 7% so that the discount is larger is 7% you can book non-refundable,
So you have insured if you get sick and can't go. When it comes to trains, rental car, transfers, cruises etc., the picture is the same travel agency or your personal travel adviser has prices you cannot find online. But since the volume of these is not so great, you have to ask your travel agency. When it comes to groups, there are also always prices, and then you have no alternative but to contact your travel agency or your personal travel adviser. If you do not have a personal travel adviser, you are happy to contact and get to know me. Is there any word in the world of travel that can banish the winter blues quicker than "island"? We've all daydreamed about a getaway on one of the world's most beautiful islands, but since there are so many of them, how do you even know where to start? With so many islands in the world, some are bound to slip under the radar, so the following list is made up exclusively of underrated island destinations that are a little lesser known than some of their neighbors. On the following islands, you'll find a blissful trip you're probably dreaming of but with slightly fewer past appearances on your social media feed and a little more intrigue. Here you can read about some of them.  Anguilla Home to both soft landscapes and dramatic cliffs, Anguilla is an amazing all-around Caribbean destination. Spend your time simply lounging on the spectacular strips of sand, head out to watch a local boat race or just take in some of the island’s famous bird life: it’s up to you.
Just a small taste of some of the fantastic islands you can visit. Do you have any other favourite, please make a comment here under. If you want help to book your dream island holiday, please don't hesitate to contact us.
In the last hours of the year, almost everyone thinking: how is 2023 going to be?  I do not know if you are planning to travel during 2023, but many will travel during the year.
Every year, things happen around the world that sometimes have to revise your travel plans. Earthquakes or other natural disasters, war, epidemics or other things that lie beyond one's own control .. Two important things to keep in mind when planning your trip. 1. Make sure you take the necessary insurance. Don't you really know for sure what insurance you should take, Contact your travel advisor so you get a proper information. 2. Make sure you have enough information about what is required to travel to destination. There may be entry restrictions Which requires you to have an entry visa or other documents to get where you are going. Contact your travel advisor so you get proper information about what is required. What does a travel advisor do? The most important thing to travel adviser is to inform you about what is needed to complete your trip. The travel adviser can also find the best The roads to book your tickets, as they have access to suppliers that have completely different prices than the On-line travel agencies. With the immense range, it is impossible for a layman to find where to book and which pages are reliable. Thanks to my many years in the industry, I have built up a knowledge both of the destinations and what suppliers you can book with. For my part, I am convinced that the suppliers I work with continue to be a leader for the industry. A tour operator I work with has now been purchased by a Chinese tour operator that means that volume prices you have will beat everyone else. |
AuthorPer-Åke Nådén. 
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May 2023
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