BARBRA STREISAND ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER CONCERTS IN ISRAEL, JUNE 2013

Toronto, Canada - April 10, 2013: Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award-winning legend Barbra Streisand will perform for the first time ever in Israel this summer, on June 20 and 22, 2013 at Tel Aviv's Bloomfield Stadium. Taking place during Israel's 65th anniversary year, Streisand's first concerts in Israel will be backed by a 60-piece orchestra and will feature duets with her son Jason Gould, sister Roslyn Kind and special guest trumpeter Chris Botti. The winner of eight Grammy Awards, five Emmy Awards and two Academy Awards, Streisand is one of the most commercially and critically successful entertainers of the past 50 years, with more than 140 million records sold worldwide. "We are thrilled to announce Barbra Streisand's first-ever concert in Israel," said Ami Allon, Consul for Tourism, Israel Government Tourist Office - Canada. "The concert will surely provide some additional excitement for music lovers and travelers arriving in Israel this summer." Streisand is also expected to appear for a private performance at the annual Presidential Conference in Jerusalem in honor of President Shimon Peres's 90th birthday two days prior to her concert.

Correction......our telephones are not working properly yet.  We were promised they would be up and running by Nov. 30th (a full two weeks away).  However, we had any calls forwarded so if you get a message that indicates "Bond Realty" it's us too.  Emails are working as is our website so stay tuned and certainly give us the opportunity of not only helping you with your vacation planning/needs but also anything else we can do to help you with any items/service related to these storms.

Hurricane Sandy

Everyone is aware that Hurricane Sandy hit the New York area with great devastation.  Our office is located on the main thoroughfare to the Rockaways where Breezy Point was the most severely hit.  We not only experienced severe water damage on the lower levels of the shopping center in which we are located, but are still experiencing power outage.  Telephone service appears to be working and we do have internet capability from our home locations.  So...anyone who needs to or wants to get in touch with us, please use either of these means.  We are in daily touch and can service you from home until our office is once again available to us.
For those in our New York/New Jersey area in need of ANY kind of assistance, please let us know and we will make every effort to help you and/or get in touch with anyone.  Our service and hearts remain open..........Janette Lee

Hurricane Sandy

Everyone is aware of Hurricane Sandy that has hit the East Coast area of the country with major devastation to the New York/New Jersey areas.  Magellan Travel is located on the major thoroughfare to the Rockaways where Breezy Point experienced severe flooding/fires/destruction.  We had water surging down the street that filled the basement areas of the shopping center in which we are located.  While we are located on an upper floor of the buildings and did not experience any physical damage, we still have no power.  Our telephones and internet appear to be functioning and we are in touch from our homes.  Should you need to contact us, continue to call or email and we can respond within hours.   We are open for business and if there is anything we can do to assist anyone in their hour of need, don't hesitate to contact us.  Our service and hearts are open to you all.............Janette Lee

New Non Stop Hawaii

Hawaiian Airlines is now providing non stop air service to/from JFK Airport.  No more waiting for connections, delays, inconvenient schedules.  Call for rates and numerous promotions.  A great addition to your travel choices...........

Great Summer Travel Savings...Royal Hideaway Playacar Resort is offering to the USA market only: 35% savings for travel up to 8/31/12, $50 spa credit/4 nights and $100 for 5 nights or more, 2 complimentary rounds of golf 4+ nights, PLUS $100 food and beverage credit 4+ nights. Valid for new bookings made now to 8/31/12 for travel by 10/31/12. Savings are based on hotel only rates and are per person, per night, double occupancy, in the least expensive room category. All subject to availability and change at any time..............

Caribbean sailing from Bayonne, NJ

New Group Space aboard Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas sailing Nov. 2, 2012 for 8 days departing Bayonne, New Jersey. Itinerary: Bayonne, 3 days at sea, St Kitts, St Maarten, Tortola, St Thomas, Puerto Rico. Return by air from Puerto Rico.
Great rates starting at $399 per person (double occupancy)......deposit required no later than July 15.

10 Travel Essentials

1. Travel Insurance...a must and make sure your coverage fits your needs.

2. Sunscreen.....even when traveling north.

3. Money belts....protect your currency and important document(s)

4. First Aid Kits....you may need something not readily available

5. Travelers checks/Credit card...emergency money and purchases

6. Vaccination ....if traveling to an area requiring special medical "assistance"

7. TSA locks......luggage cannot be locked with ordinary locks and security
officials must have access while securing against others

8. Insect repellent.....for all areas especially for foreign locations

9. Car rental insurance..Check with your insurer before traveling but don't rent without it

10. Travel wallet...containing all your necessary travel documents i.e vouchers, etc

Bermuda Sale

Bermuda on sale for 7 day Holland America cruise from New York to St. Georges and Hamilton departing Sunday September 4, 2011. $499 rate includes port charges with taxes and fees additional. Rate is subject to change and availability and is being offered for the lowest inside category cabin. Call immediately to reserve before offer expires.

Travel Advisory #2 - London, England

Advice for those traveling to London:
· Monitor local media for updates.
· Avoid travel to affected areas.
· Remain in a secure location if violence erupts nearby.
· Expect major transportation disruptions.
· Be cooperative and non-confrontational if stopped by police.
· Maintain a low profile by avoiding demonstration areas and
discussions of the issues at hand, and by dressing conservatively.

La Floriade April 2012

Come join the Magellan Group going to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris departing April 30, 2012.
Experience the Floriade "World Horticultural Expo" held only once every ten years in the Netherlands viewing exquisite horticultural exhibits in a 165 acre country setting along the German border.  The daily cultural program features musical shows, dances representing countries around the world, theatre and architectural designs never before seen.  Some of the trip's features are: a visit to historic Bruges, panoramic tour of Paris, a visit to Monet's Giverny gardens, and ending with a fabulous dinner in the Eiffel Tower.  Includes: 13 meals (breakfast and dinners), sightseeing, and book by October 31, 2011 and receive a $100 per person early booking discount..........

New Promotion Norwegian Cruiselines

CONSUMER OFFER:
Receive up to $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom and a Bottle of Wine! Caribbean, Mediterranean & Transatlantic. Balcony starting at $649

BOOKING WINDOW:
Book by July 20, 2011

APPLICABLE DEPARTURES:
7-Day Eastern Caribbean
Norwegian Epic • 12/10/11, 1/28/12, 2/18/12, 3/31/12, 4/7/12
Miami, FL; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; Miami, FL
Balcony starting at $799 (Based on 12/10/11 sailing)
Exclusive: $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom and a Bottle of Wine

13-Day Transatlantic
Norwegian Epic • 10/23/11
Barcelona, Spain; Ponta Delgada, Azores; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Miami, FL
Balcony starting at $1,029
Exclusive: $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom and a Bottle of Wine

7-Day Florida & The Bahamas
Norwegian Gem • 11/13/11, 11/27/11
New York, NY; Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas;
Nassau, Bahamas; New York, NY
Balcony starting at $649
Exclusive: $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom and a Bottle of Wine

7-Day Western Caribbean
Norwegian Pearl • 4/1/12
Miami, FL; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand
Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, FL
Balcony starting at $919
Exclusive: $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom and a Bottle of Wine

11-Day Mediterranean & The Holy Land
Norwegian Jade • 11/26/11
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Alanya, Turkey; Limassol, Cyprus; Haifa, Israel; Ashdod, Israel;
Port Said, Egypt; Alexandria, Egypt; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Balcony starting at $1,349
Exclusive: $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom and a Bottle of Wine

Disney sailing from New York in 2012

Disney Cruise Expands With New Homeports & Itineraries and will be sailing from three new ports in 2012 – New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas. New destinations for the line includes New England/Canada, Hawaii and the Pacific Coast. The Disney Magic will operate 20 New York departures, beginning May 25, including eight-night Bahamas and five-night New England/Canada sailings. The fare for the Bahamas itinerary includes a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transfers between the ship and Disney World. Beginning Sept. 12, the Disney Magic will then sail 12 seven-night cruises out of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. The Disney Wonder will sail 14 seven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle, beginning May 28. The line will also continue its sailings in Alaska, which it began this year.  From the West Coast will be a 15-night voyage from Los Angeles to Hawaii and seven-night Pacific Coast cruises aboard the Disney Wonder. The Disney Wonder will continue to sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises out of Los Angeles for most of the year. The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries out of Port Canaveral.
Call now to make your reservations for next year since this will fill up fast.

Travel Advisory #1 - Crisis

Recent events in various parts of the world dictate an understanding of how travel has changed.  Weather conditions, world events, wars, etc. require a more diligent approach to being prepared in emergencies.

Funds...in the past, one need only carry a credit/atm card to make purchases or use in emergencies.  However, if computers are down, cash facilities unavailable, you will need to have enough cash with you to get you to a safer place.
Communications...Cell phones may not work, nor texting, nor computers.  Take a phone card with you and it should be a worldwide reliable prepaid card such as AT & T.
Book with a Tour Operator/Travel Agent...If you book online, do you have someone to contact 24/7?
This has become more critical than ever before.  And, of course, never leave home without Travel Insurance, to ensure 24/7 contacts to assist you especially in foreign destinations.
State Department Registration...Register online with the U.S. Department of State whenever traveling outside the U. S.  This will help you in the event of a crisis.
Airlines...If air is affected and you cannot leave on your scheduled air, you will not be able to enter the airport without a valid ticket.  The State Dept. might be able to help you but this is where your tour operator/agent is invaluable.  Your insurance company might also be of assistance.  You will need cash to purchase new tickets/get you to a safe place. 

Bottom line:  Understand your coverage in all areas of your travel arrangements.  While no one can predict exactly what can and might happen, be prepared by having as many resources at your fingertips.  Emergency contacts, phone numbers, travel arrangements left with someone at home and as much information as necessary to help you through any crisis.

Visiting Tahiti (French Polynesia)

The Islands of French Polynesia (March 2010)

I never had an express desire to go to Tahiti/ French Polynesia.  The Caribbean was much closer and a beach is a beach featuring many beautiful resorts.  I decided to go in order to broaden my travel background.  The plane travel from New York to Los Angelos was uneventful.  Once I transferred to Air Tahiti Nui, I was able to first take part in the Polynesian experience and the spirit of the Polynesian people.  Imagine being given a MENU for the two meals served during the flight.  Service with a smile and good food with a selection of beverages and first run movies....wow!  And at no additional charges!  And this was just the beginning.

An overnight stay in Papeete is required before moving on to the other islands.   I took small planes on Air Tahiti Nui as we transferred daily to Raiata, Tikehau, Moorea, Taha'a, and Bora Bora.  Our accommodations were overwater bungalows, with one more beautiful than the other.  Can you imagine standards featuring beautiful wood walls, flooring with glass openings to watch and feed the multicolored sea life, large rain showers, Jacuzzis, and decks with ladders that go directly into the sea.  Amenities generally included irons, ironing boards, safes, all types of toiletries, robes, slippers, ponchos, coffeemakers, and tea.  In short, everything you need.  One need only bring a carry-on with a bathing suit, sunglassses, sun lotion, beach slippers, and casual dress. 

The main feature is the view.  This is where earth began and Paradise existed.  It is very romantic.  You can leave your bungalow and walk a long ways out into the clearest, varying shades of azure water in the most peaceful setting one could imagine.  Coming from New York, it was hard to imagine a place so quiet and serene.

Food is mainly French based and quite delicious.  Meal plans are available in many resorts.  Activities include mostly water sports, diving, and snorkeling.  The staff are wonderfully charming and polite.  And for the shoppers, this is the place to buy your black pearls

Overall, I highly recommend any of the islands of French Polynesia as a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of our stress-filled lives.  The cost can be contained to fit many budgets by dividing the time between the islands and accommodations.   

P.S I was particularly happy to learn that Ferdinand Magellan discovered these islands.

Welcome Aboard

Welcome to the weblog of  Magellan Travel.

We have provided quality service to the community for over 10 years and have over 20 years of experience in the travel business.

Our planners have traveled extensively throughout the world and can provide you expertise in a tailormade vacation experiences.

Magellan Travel Ltd. is insured and certified with cruiselines, resorts, and worldwide destinations. 

On this blog we will profile some of the adventures we have taken and arranged for our clients.