LONDON, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Travel SiteMomondoand Sensation Travel join forces to unite dance-lovers around the world

Momondo (http://www.momondo.co.uk), one of the fastest growing travel websites in Europe, is proud to announce its unique collaboration with Sensation Travel, offering travel arrangements to Sensation events around the globe. The collaboration marks Momondo's biggest partnership agreement with an international organisation since the travel site launched in 2006.

Since 2000, when the first Sensation event was organised, the event has grown into a constantly sold out event with 40,000 visitors in the Amsterdam Arena, including approximately 25% international visitors. Momondo is thrilled to join forces with Sensation Travel and offer dance lovers unique experiences not only in Amsterdam but all over the world. Sensation has expanded beyond Amsterdam, with shows in countries across Europe including Germany, Belgium, Russia and Spain and also abroad in Brazil, Chill, Australia. Sensation will visit this year 18 countries in 4 continents.

"Sensation has become one of the leading dance events with visitors from all over the world, which fits well with our ambition to be a global travel brand. Momondo has a unique platform for travelers and we are very excited to roll out this unique collaboration with Sensation Travel", says Martin Lumbye, Partner at Momondo.

"Momondo fits perfectly with the look and feel of the 'Sensation experience'. Both brands focus on an audience that has high expectations for a total experience. Momondo is free to use and offers the best travel search tool online, which enables us to reach a large international audience for our events", says Marjorie Verlaan, Sensation Travel.

The start of Sensation Travel is a logical consequence of this expansion.

The secret of Sensation's success is the 'full experience' that it is offering to its fans. This 'full experience' has been noticed abroad, why Sensation continues to expand. This year, Sensation is excited to announce the premiere in New York on 26th & 27th of October. Sensation Travel offers all-inclusive packages for Sensation events globally and is a logical consequence of this expansion.

For more information on Sensation and Momondo Travel go to travel.sensation.com or Momondo.co.uk.

High res images on request

Continued here:

Momondo Official Partner of Sensation Travel

We invited you to share pictures from your travels with us on Rediff ZaraBol. Here is a fresh batch of pictures that you posted.

From Haridwar to Andaman to Mt Kilimanjaro and beyond, readers responded to our invite and posted their travel pictures on Rediff ZaraBol in

Sourav Chattaraj shares this picture of the Bholagiri Ashram in Haridwar.

Click here to upload your travel pictures on Rediff ZaraBol! Post a description of your photo (eg where it was taken, when etc) in less than 140 characters and we will publish your pictures right here on Rediff.com and India Abroad.

Disclaimer: The photographs featured in this series are, to the best of our knowledge, original entries submitted by readers. Rediff.com does not assume any responsibility for their originality.

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TOP 10: Readers' travel pics from across the world!

Jetset plans job cuts after it missed profit goals.

Jetset Travelworld, the travel group partly owned by Qantas, will axe about 110 jobs - more than half of which will be from its travel management business - and report a smaller annual profit.

The travel retailer, whose brands include Harvey World Travel and Qantas Business Travel, warned today that its pre-tax profit this financial year will be less than the $30.7 million it reported in 2010-11 because of one-off restructuring and impairment charges.

The tightly held stock was unchanged at 35 cents early today, leaving its market value at just half of what it was at the start of the year.

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Qantas is the largest shareholder in Jetset with a 29 per cent stake, while CVC Asia Pacific and UBS have holdings of 27 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

The brunt of the changes announced today will be felt by its travel management division, which will lose about 66 of the 110 jobs to be cut across Jetset's businesses.

The majority of the other jobs to be axed will be from its wholesale travel division.

Jetset began a review of its businesses in late April when it warned of a softening in demand for travel in March and April, which are among what is traditionally its busiest trading period.

Annual savings

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Jetset to jettison jobs as profit falls short

This Aug. 7, 2011 photo shows old tools and antlers on display at Polebridge Mercantile, the general store in Polebridge, Mont., a mile from the northwestern entrance to Glacier National Park. The Polebridge Mercantile, known for its bakery goods made daily, is where park visitors go to pick up food and other supplies for their trips into the parks North Fork. (AP Photo/Ron Zellar) (Ron Zellar)

POLEBRIDGE, Mont. - The Blackfeet Tribe named the greater Glacier National Park ecosystem "the backbone of the world." Use the park's remote northwestern entrance and the bumpy access road will have you feeling like you drove over each vertebra.

But you'll be grateful you made the trip.

For an out-of-the-mainstream take on the country's 10th national park, go to its northwestern expanse, the North Fork. It invites "a more self-reliant visitor," the National Park Service says in its Glacier literature.

The North Fork doesn't have the grand old lodges like those near Glacier's principal gateways, but this piece of paradise isn't without comforts.

Rustic, tasty and memorable, they are in Polebridge, a mile from the park's northwestern entrance. This off-the-grid community increasingly reliant on solar power is the hub for an area where the summer population numbers maybe a few hundred, up from five to 10 in the winter.

Get a cabin, stay in a hostel or overnight in a teepee. At the Northern Lights Saloon, bite into burgers - choose beef or elk - or try specials such as trout with dill sauce. Next door at the Polebridge Mercantile, bakers daily turn out bread, cookies, brownies and cinnamon rolls that would draw customers anywhere, but seem doubly delicious in an outpost like this.

People find their way to the North Fork for hikes in the spectacular wilds of the Northern Rockies, to recreate on water and to camp.

"Glacier park is world- renowned as a wilderness park, and the wildest part of Glacier is the North Fork," says Will Hammerquist, Glacier program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. "You can feel the wilderness around you. That's a big part of why people go there."

Camping in the backcountry requires permits from the National Park Service. The places for car camping are next to alpine lakes. Guides take rafters through the relatively mild rapids of the North Fork of the Flathead River, and the hiking trails cross miles of rugged land. Like trails elsewhere in Glacier, they are in grizzly bear habitat. The Park Service's recommended precautions include not hiking alone.

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Travel: North Fork offers wilder side of Glacier Park

New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) This 27-year-old Egyptian wants to travel to every country in the world.

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World is without borders, says Egyptian globetrotter

"If I was in business -- which I am, for the state of Mississippi -- I couldn't justify (keeping the state jet). I sold it ... For me to compete with the (Louisiana Gov.) Bobby Jindals of the world, I do have to hustle, and go meet with some international partners. But the best way I can think to put it is that if you're going to go have a vacation and make it look like work, that just doesn't work any more. Whenever I travel, I assure you I come back exhausted ... Sure, we want to be involved in international business, particularly areas like Japan, but we have to make sure we're not wasting taxpayers' dollars on travel. That's the bottom line."

-- Gov. Phil Bryant

"All travel is not bad travel. There are times when state officials need to be traveling and by most accounts (former) Gov. Barbour traveled a lot, but he had a lot of results to show for it ... Of those 300 employees who did travel out of the country, were each and every one of those trips justified for the benefit of the state and its taxpayers? That's a question that needs to be answered ... Those are the kind of hard questions I think you will see this Joint Legislative Budget Committee asking."

-- Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves

"I can certainly understand the need for some (out-of-country) travel. Case in point: Gov. Barbour and MDA going to Japan to recruit Toyota or Nissan. This amount of travel really raises a red flag in my mind, especially in tough economic times ... With this amount of volume, I'm curious about the locations and the type of conferences and events."

-- State Auditor Stacey Pickering

"It certainly seems excessive. I can't imagine a justification for that much travel out of the country when the technology we have now should allow for video conferencing and other ways to participate in meetings or training. Businesses and families have had to cut back on their travel."

-- Forest Thigpen, Mississippi Center for Public Policy

"Why would all these agencies need to go out of the country? They could be down here at the Convention Center in Biloxi ... Every penny counts. Every dollar counts and we need to continue to curtail spending. I think our chairman will be having us look at all of this and I know he also wants to look into the amount agencies are spending on advertising."

-- State Rep. Carolyn Crawford, R-Pass Christian, vice chair of the House Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee

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What people are saying about Mississippi travel

Contemporary theater

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- The Contemporary American Theater begins its 22nd season in historic Shepherdstown July 6 with five new plays that will rotate through July 29.

The plays are: "Gidion's Knot," by Johnna Adams; "The Exceptionals," by Bob Clyman; "In a Forest Dark and Deep," by Neil LaBute; "Captors," by Evan M. Wiener; and "Barcelona," by Bess Whol.

Single tickets range from $30 to $55. For more information on shows, prices and to order tickets, visit http://www.catf.org or call toll-free 800-999-2283.

TripAdvisor notes Stonewall

WESTON, W.Va. -- Lewis County's Stonewall Resort recently was presented the 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award by TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel website.

Mike Hager, general manager of Stonewall Resort, said, "The award is based on true guest experiences and their personal reviews of their visit to Stonewall Resort. We work hard every day to assure each guest enjoys their stay."

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, said its travelers consistently commend the resort with the highest praise.

For more information or reservations, contact Stonewall Resort at 888-278-8150 or visit http://www.stonewallresort.com.

Camden Park kids' festival

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Travel Notes: June 17, 2012

Europeans are often blamed for their lack of global leadership. Aviation and global warming are different. The world has been dragging its feet for over a decade when it comes to carbon emissions and pollution from flying.

Originally posted here:

Air Travel and Global Warming: The EU Is Leading

Paddle Out for the Whales at Hervey Bay - pets optional. Picture: Supplied Source: National Features

ANGELA Saurine looks at what's going on in the world of travel including a special paddle out to the whales event in mecca Hervey Bay and a new funky hotel for Sydney.

1 See KI from a high

VISITORS to Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia will be able to take part in helicopter flights from September.

Heli Experiences will become the first permanent helicopter touring operation on the island, offering flights from Hanson Bay.

Each flight will showcase different aspects of the region's spectacular views, including Cape Borda Lighthouse, Admirals Arch, Snelling Beach and Vivonne Bay.

Ph 8582 6500 or see heliexperiences.com

2. Make sweet music with a range of holiday packages

VIRGIN Australia's holiday program Blue Holidays has introduced a range of cultural and musical event packages so travellers can book airfares, accommodation and show tickets in one hit.

It will include tickets to theatre events such as Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap and Legally Blonde and the 18th Biennale of Sydney.

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Happenings in the travel world

A comparison of travel insurance providers has revealed dramatic differences. Picture: Supplied Source: The Advertiser

AUSTRALIAN travellers are paying up to four times too much for their travel insurance by buying it through airlines and travel agents instead of shopping around, new research shows.

Independent financial comparison site Mozo.com.au went mystery price shopping for three different holidays: a family trip to the US, a couple visiting Europe, and a backpacker heading to Thailand and Europe.

Quotes from Qantas, Virgin Australia, Flight Centre, Jetset Travel and Harvey World Travel were stacked up against other travel insurance providers.

Director Kirsty Lamont said the price differences were staggering.

"Quotes for travel insurance for a family of four travelling to the US for 15 days ranged from a whopping $756 from Qantas to $177 from travel insurance specialist Fast Cover," she said.

"One of the reasons is the huge commission airlines can earn - Qantas gets up to 53 per cent commission on the travel insurance policies it sells, according to the fine print on its own website."

Travel insurance for a 21-year-old backpacker travelling to Thailand and Europe for 2 months was $495 with Jetset Travel and $246 with DU Insure.

The research also found travellers who pick up insurance as an afterthought may not be getting sufficient coverage.

"Insurers have different definitions, different exclusions and different levels of cover, so it's vital to compare options to find a policy that offers the best price as well as the best fit with your needs," Ms Lamont said.

Link:

Most expensive travel insurance providers revealed

The International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with 23 leading global hospitality companies, are today launching a methodology to calculate and communicate the carbon footprint of hotel stays and meetings in a consistent and transparent way. ...

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Major international hotel companies launch standardised approach to carbon measurement

Benicia, CA (PRWEB) June 13, 2012

Bye Bye Birdees Consulting Services,LLC , based in Benicia, CA , announced today that it has become a part of NEST (Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel), a travel organization that includes the most knowledgeable travel consultants and top travel suppliers in the world today.

The dedicated consultants at Bye Bye Birdees arrange travel experiences for both vacationers and business travelers that best fit their needs and budgets. They have strong relationships with the crme de la crme of travel suppliers, the companies that consumers most know and trust -- including cruise lines, tour operators, hotels, airlines and car rentals. And, they make personal recommendations drawing on their own travels.

Because Bye Bye Birdees belongs to the NEST group (and is affiliated with its international parent company American Marketing Group, Inc.), they have access to the finest vacation products around the world that are among the lowest prices in the marketplace. In addition, the agency can tap into a network of partners on virtually every continent that provides local travel knowledge, insights and in-country personal assistance.

Bye Bye Birdees is also perfectly positioned to help corporations better manage their global travel spend while providing them with unparalleled personal service in key markets worldwide. The agency offers business clientele a global preferred rate hotel program featuring over 96,000 negotiated hotel rates in 124 countries; a policy-compliant corporate self-booking tool; and a travel data consolidation tool to help control travel expenditures.

Juliet Vercelli of Bye Bye Birdees commented about why they chose to join NEST and the benefits to their customers: "At Bye Bye Birdees, we confidently meet the varied needs of all types of travelers, in part because our affiliation with NEST provides us with the relationships, resources, technology and opportunities that we, in turn, pass along to our clientele. Wherever in the world our clients want to go, we can get them there at price points that deliver great value. There are tremendous travel values available right now. So, the most important question is: where do you want to go next?"

Bye Bye Birdees Consulting Services, LLC was established February 4, 2010 featuring a small team of travel professionals. The company specializes in group travel specifically destination weddings, reunions and any major milestone in a destination. All members are tenured in world wide travel keeping abreast of the latest hotspot destinations. Education and Certifications are important to include up to date information on tour operators, destinations and upcoming travel interests such as Space Tourism, Honeymoons and Destination Weddings, and Sustainable Tourism.

"We're pleased to welcome Bye Bye Birdees Consulting Services, LLC to NEST," said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, President of NEST. "We're very selective in our process of identifying and inviting travel advisors to become part of our organization. They are among the very best travel consultants available today, and they are standing by ready to serve travelers with the personal touch that they expect and deserve. We encourage travelers to call the agency and take advantage of the incredible deals and unforgettable experiences they offer."

Contact: Juliet Vercelli 707-313-3113 Juliet(at)byebyebirdees(dot)com

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Bye Bye Birdees Consulting Services, LLC Becomes Part of the Global Travel Organization

NEWTON, Mass., June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site*, today announced TripIndex 2012 a cost comparison of accommodations and an evening out on the town for two people in popular tourist cities across the United States and throughout the world.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/49269-tripadvisor-tripindex-top-global-and-domestic-steals-and-splurges

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120613/MM22781)

(Logo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO)

The TripAdvisor TripIndex is based on the combined costs for two of a one-night stay in a four-star hotel, one cocktail per person, a two-course dinner with a bottle of wine, and round-trip taxi transportation (two journeys of two miles).

The costs listed apply to the upcoming summer months (June 1 August 31, 2012).

Global Travel Steals

Expensive Escapes

Southern Hospitality

For the second year, TripIndex reveals the Southern U.S. as the top region for travelers looking for domestic deals. The South features four of the top 10 most affordable U.S. destinations on the TripIndex: Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta and Orlando, all with total prices between $283 and $309.

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Budapest, Hungary The Top European Bargain This Summer; London Crowned The Costliest For American Travelers

BELLEVUE, WA--(Marketwire -06/13/12)- Passports with Purpose (PwP) today announced that Expedia.com, the world's leading online travel agency, will join thousands of travel enthusiasts in the annual travel bloggers community fundraiser as the platinum sponsor. In its fifth year, Passports with Purpose co-founders Beth Whitman, Pam Mandel, Michelle Duffy and Debbie Dubrow will announce the 2012 beneficiary at the Expedia Summer Shindig party at the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) in Colorado on June 16 at 7:00 pm (MDT).

Each year Passports with Purpose has surpassed its fundraising goal through the support of sponsors, and a network of travel bloggers and individual donors, leading to the creation of two libraries in Zambia, a school in Cambodia and a village in India. The 2012 philanthropic effort will begin November 27, 2012 and end December 11, 2012 on http://www.PassportswithPurpose.org.

Expedia.com also supported Passports with Purpose as its official travel sponsor for co-founders Beth Whitman, Debbie Dubrow and Michelle Duffy for their visit to one of the two Room to Read libraries in Zambia.

"The bloggers behind Passports with Purpose are a perfect example of how travel can inspire us to find our passions and our purpose," said Joe Megibow, Vice President and General Manager, Expedia.com. "We're thrilled to be partnering with these bloggers to change another pocket of the world this year."

"We're delighted to have Expedia support Passports with Purpose this year. We feel that together, we can create strong momentum to make the 2012 fundraiser the most successful and broad-reaching effort to date," said Beth Whitman.

"This year, our relationship with Expedia allows us to expand our reach in ways we never thought we'd be able. Their global support gives us the opportunity to grow our audience in ways we couldn't have done on our own," said Pam Mandel. "A bigger audience means more participation, and more participation means that, working with causes we believe in, we can make an even bigger difference in the world. Passports with Purpose and Expedia share in the vision that travel has the power to change the world."

During the fundraiser, participating bloggers procure a prize, post about Passports with Purpose and the prize on their blog, and promote the fundraiser in social media and among their network of contacts. Past prizes included vacation packages, electronics and gear and amazing travel experiences. The Passports with Purpose website hosts a list of all the available prizes and donors make a tax-deductible donation. For each $10 donated, eligible donors will be entered to win a prize of their choice. After the fundraiser ends, a winner is randomly selected for each prize. All of the funds raised go to the chosen beneficiary.

About Passports with PurposeIn 2008, Debbie Dubrow, Michelle Duffy, Pam Mandel and Beth Whitman, the bloggers behind Delicious Baby, WanderMom, Nerd's Eye View and Wanderlust and Lipstick, respectively, began a travel-inspired initiative to raise money online. Passports with Purpose also filled the need to do long-lasting good for people in the places travelers visit by uniting an online community and leveraging the social media platforms of more than 100 travel bloggers around the world. PwP initiatives benefited Heifer International; the Passports School with American Assistance for Cambodia and a village in Tamil Nadu, India for 25 Dalit families with Land for Tillers' Freedom. In 2011, funds were raised to build two libraries in Zambia with Room to Read. For more information about Passports with Purpose visit, http://www.PassportswithPurpose.org, http://www.Facebook.com/PassportswithPurpose or http://www.Twitter.com/PassportPurpose.

About Expedia.comExpedia.com is the world's leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/ 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, resorts, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel.

2012 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Expedia, Expedia.com and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. CST # 2029030-50

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Passports with Purpose Partners With Expedia.com for Annual Travel Bloggers Fundraiser

Artist Peter Hurd knew the excitement and danger of fighting for freedom.

During World War II, the New Mexico native worked as a correspondent for Life Magazine, where he had the opportunity to travel the world.

My father did many paintings that were featured in Life and Time Magazine, and some are hanging in the offices of the Pentagon, Michael Hurd said.

In 1942, Peter was stationed with the Eighth Air Force in England, where he painted out of airplanes sometimes in dangerous territory.

The quality of the pieces, many of which are beautifully done, happened during air raids and while they were being bombed, Michael said. Its like trying to perform brain surgery while bombs are going off in the hospital. It says a lot about how he was able to calm his nerves enough to create such beautiful paintings and drawings.

The Museum of Texas Tech will feature a display of the artists sketches during his time abroad. The Peter Hurd World War II Sketches and World War II Galleries Exhibits will begin Saturday with a reception honoring veterans from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Kay Davis, organizer of the event, said Hurd created many small World War II sketches that are being loaned by his family for the exhibit. More than 100 of these sketches are being used as part of a summer collaboration between the Museum of Texas Tech, the Silent Wings Museum and the Science Spectrum, called Celebrating Our Heroes.

This all started when the Texas Tech Museum had already scheduled for the World War II Associated Press exhibit to come to Lubbock for the summer, so we chose to do our gala which is a fundraising project for museums around the World War II theme, Davis said. The whole summer then was kind of built around what was going on at Silent Wings, as well as the Science Spectrum and Texas Tech, to honor our veterans. It was a great way to kind of bring our whole community together and celebrate our heroes for a summer.

Michael Hurd said he thinks the theme is a great way to celebrate American life as depicted by his father. His father had a great sense of humor and was a great storyteller, Michael said, which allowed him to find a balance when painting the atrocities of war.

Davis said the Hurd exhibit will feature mostly small works, some of which include notes by the artist.

Excerpt from:

World War II exhibit of Peter Hurd sketches opening at Museum of Texas Tech

LOS GATOS, CA--(Marketwire -06/12/12)- TripInsurance.com (www.TripInsurance.com), the most trusted online resource to help travelers find the trip coverage they need, is partnering with Travel by Design (www.travelbydesigninc.com), a leading provider of custom travel services that cater to travelers who have a desire for epicurean, sports, adventure, and cultural experiences, to create a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience for the winner of TripInsurance.com's "Conquer the World" sweepstakes.

The #ConquertheWorld sweepstakes runs through June 25, 2012, and the winner receives a cash prize of $5,000 to use toward a vacation trip or anything they like. As part of the prize, the winner can choose to have Travel by Design create a custom travel experience worth up to the value of the grand prize. Travel by Design specializes in creating unforgettable custom travel experiences such as unique culinary, special destination, sports packages, adventure packages, and special-interest experiences. For example, Travel By Design has created unique travel experiences for previous clients, including an eight-day Food & Wine Tour of the Amalfi Coast with Chef Shaun Doty; a four-day art excursion to New York City with the Sperlman College of Fine Arts; a 15-day Journey for Food Lovers to India with Chef Suvir Saran; and a nine-day culinary tour of Mexico with Chef Ivy Stark.

"When we created the #ConquertheWorld sweepstakes, our idea was to make it possible to give someone the kind of trip they would never dream of taking as a routine vacation," said Dan Skilken, CEO and founder of TripInsurance.com. "We want to inspire people to travel, and partnering with Trip by Design allows us to offer some awesome travel experiences that you will never find anywhere else."

"We are delighted to be asked to work with TripInsurance.com to support their #ConquertheWorld sweepstakes," said Tammy Zacks, founder of Travel by Design. "Travel should be a unique experience for everyone, which is why we create one-of-a-kind travel experiences. And just as travel needs to be a unique experience, we know that individual travel insurance needs are unique as well, which makes this sweepstakes alliance a great partnership."

TripInsurance.com's #ConquertheWorld sweepstakes runs through June 25, 2012, and there is no fee or obligation to enter. Contestants simply visit the sweepstakes link on the TripInsurance.com home page, or visit TripInsurance.com on Facebook, click on the sweepstakes tab, and accept the Sweepstakes Application. The winner will be drawn at random and will receive a grand prize of $5,000 in cash to use on a dream trip to anywhere they choose. The winner will pay a minor booking fee of $500 for Travel by Design to develop their ideal vacation to fit their budget and time schedule. TripInsurance.com will also give away the ultimate travel duffle, a travel bag made of water-resistant heavy-duty "ballistic" nylon worth $50 each, to 50 winners as second prizes. To be eligible, participants must be 18 years of age or older and legal residents or citizens of the United States.

For more information about TripInsurance.com and the #ConquerTheWorld sweepstakes, visit http://www.tripinsurance.com, http://www.facebook.com/TripInsurancecom/app_370986476280216 or http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/225792.

About Travel by Design

Based in Atlanta, Travel by Design (TBD) was founded by Tammy Zacks, who applies her more than 15 years of experience designing corporate travel events to create hand-crafted, dream journeys for clients. Tammy understands that experiential travel needs to appeal to individual tastes and desires, and using her extensive contacts in the travel industry, Tammy is able to create authentic travel experiences that connect clients to a destination and its people.

For more information, visit them on the web at http://www.travelbydesigninc.com.

About TripInsurance.com

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TripInsurance.com Partners With Travel by Design to Create the Vacation of a Lifetime for Facebook Sweepstakes Winner

EDINBURGH, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Skyscanner complies 10 of the best quotes about travel, travelling, holidays and foreign lands to inspire you to see the world.

1. Travel, which had once charmed him, seemed, at length, unendurable, a business of colour without substance, a phantom chase after his own dream's shadow.

- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned

2. Writing and travel broaden your ass if not your mind and I like to write standing up.

- Ernest Hemingway

3. The ideal is to feel at home anywhere, everywhere

- Geoff Dyer, Paris Trance

4. I needed no better reason for the journey than to be exactly where I was, knowing what I knew. Those were the times when I felt full of natural wisdom, scratching at heaven's very door.

- Ted Simon, Jupiters Travels

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Skyscanner: Top 10 Best Travel Quotes Ever

After months of searching for the nation's best talent??behind the bar, local Santa Fe mixologist, Alexander Velez,??has been selected to compete??against 19 of his peers in the USBG??and Diageo World Class U.S. Finale. On June 19th, Alex??will travel to New York City where his??culinary??creativity and mixology craftsmanship will be put to the test in four??challenges ...

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Local Santa Fe Bartender Competes in World's Largest Cocktail Program

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cruise.com, a subsidiary of Omega World Travel, Inc. and one of the Internets leading cruise sellers, announces the move and expansion of the South Florida headquarters to 255 East Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania, FL. Cruise.coms move is a part of their strategic plan to give customers the experience of visiting its convenient location and spending time with expert consultants who will create a personal and superior vacation experience.

The move to the Dania Beach location now provides the local community with the opportunity to sit down and speak with friendly, highly trained and experienced travel consultants in a traditional agency environment. Cruise.com has long been recognized for its unmatched expertise, excellent customer service and exceptional value for both cruise vacations and tours. The new locations upcoming programs promise to introduce more people to the world of cruising including excellent value, destinations that dreams are made of, beautiful accommodations, and incredible onboard amenities such as onboard spas, chic restaurants, dazzling nightlife and high-tech innovations.

We want the community to come in and be comfortable, as one of our highly trained professionals assists them with all their travel arrangements, said Anthony Hamawy, President of Cruise.com. With an expert and personable staff, our hope is that we become the come to place in South Florida for all our neighbors cruise and travel needs.

One of our goals is to offer a wide variety of special travel related functions. Ongoing programs will include unique Lunch and Learn presentations covering a variety of cruise related seminars, consumer travel presentations and other exciting events. We want to introduce the excitement, fun and affordability of cruising to the community in a different way, said Cruise.coms Senior Vice-President, Jeanne Wyndrum.

Cruise.coms new headquarters, offering ample parking, is centrally located to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Interstate 95 and 595, the Port of Miami and Port Everglades, making it easily accessible to customers.

About Cruise.com

Established in 1998, Cruise.com is one of the Internets largest cruise specialists. Cruise.com offers comprehensive itineraries and ship details for more than 70 cruise lines worldwide at the most competitive prices and is one of the top sellers of cruises on the Internet. Cruise.com was recently named Travel Agency of the Year by Vacation.com. Cruise.com is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Omega World Travel, Inc. Travelers interested in booking their cruise can contact Cruise.com at 866-401-0895 or visit their website at http://www.cruise.com. In addition to cruises, Cruise.coms full-service team offers a wide menu of other services including a variety of land packages and tours, shore excursions, vacation homes and villas through both Cruise.com and their other websites, http://www.LuxuryTravelTeam.com and http://www.HomesandVillas.com.

About Omega World Travel

Omega World Travel is a woman-owned, diversity supplier, and the fourth largest travel management company in the U.S. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., Omega World Travel services corporate, government, meeting, and leisure clients throughout the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Omega World Travel also owns Cruise.com, one of the largest sellers of cruises on the Internet, and TravTech, a software development company. For additional information about Omega World Travel please visit: OmegaTravel.com

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

On the heels of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia, The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts announces plans to continue its growth momentum globally with the debut of ten hotels and resorts in vibrant gateway cities and exotic resort destinations including Shanghai and Sanya in China, Jaipur and Chennai in India, the Blue Mountains in Australia as well as Koh Samui, Thailand and Jakarta, Indonesia. With this milestone, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (HOT) continues to stand out as the worlds leader in luxury hospitality, with more hotels in more markets than any competitor in the luxury segment, offering guests exceptional service levels and luxury experiences in a wide range of destinations across the globe.

The Luxury Collection is an ensemble of more than 80 of the worlds finest hotels and resorts in 30 countries around the world with new construction and conversion properties that span China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia. Offering the brands signature Luxury Collection Concierge service, luxury amenities and indigenous cultural experiences, these spectacular new hotels join the brands distinguished portfolio as portals for guests to discover each destination.

This is a milestone for The Luxury Collection as we open ten new hotels and resorts the most of any year in the brands history, says Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. As a new generation of global affluent travelers emerge, we are strategically growing our portfolio beyond the traditional luxury grid and in diverse destinations, like Chinas Hainan Island and Indias Chennai, that have become important hubs for business and leisure.

The Luxury Collection Expands its Portfolio in China

The Royal Begonia, a Luxury Collection Resort, Sanya will debut in August 2012 as the brands first resort in China, situated on the idyllic and intimate beachfront of Hainan Island. Surrounded by tropical gardens and lush forested hills on the South China Sea, The Royal Begonia will offer authentic and exceptional experiences that promise to exceed the most savvy global travelers expectations. All 142 guest rooms in the seaside retreat blend European elegance with local inspiration and open onto a large balcony, offering unobstructed views of the oceanfront or tropical gardens. Eighteen luxury villas each will feature a private pool, courtyard gardens, sophisticated interiors and high-tech amenities.

In September 2012, Twelve at Hengshan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai will open in one of the most historic and romantic areas of Shanghai. The 171-room residential-style hotel is situated on the tree-lined Hengshan Road, drawing inspiration from the areas rich heritage, updated with contemporary designer flourishes. The exquisite interior design was created by renowned-design duo Yabu Pushelberg, offering an ambiance of distinguished opulence. Italy-based Mario Botta, known for the iconic San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Seouls Samsung Museum of Art, led the architecture and design of the exteriors.

The Royal Begonia in Sanya and Twelve at Hengshan in Shanghai will join The Hongta Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai, which became part of the portfolio earlier this year. The hotel, formerly The St. Regis Shanghai, will undergo a meticulous renovation of $20 million to be completed in phases over the next two years, reaffirming the hotels position as Shanghais premier luxury destination. Previously named among the top hotels on Conde Nast Travelers Gold List and one of the top business hotels in Travel + Leisure, the hotel is celebrated for its unique ability to marry tradition and modernity through its authentic architecture and high standards of refined service. The hotel will continue to feature the 328 sumptuously appointed guest rooms and suites, the award winning Danielis Restaurant and a luxurious spa with customized treatments with local ingredients and therapies.

Looking ahead, The Castle, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dalian set in a striking castle design overlooking Xinghai Bay, Northern Chinas financial and tourism capital, is scheduled to open in 2014. The 1958, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Suzhou will debut in July 2015.

The Luxury Collection Opens its Tenth Hotel in India

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The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Continues Remarkable Global Growth Illustrative of New Luxury Travel Trends