Welcome to the January 2005 issue of The Traveler!

Our first issue of the New Year starts on both an exciting and sad note. We are always excited to plan our travel adventures for the upcoming year and eagerly anticipate reading about the exploits of our worldwide network of writers.

But we can't let our discussion of the new year pass without expressing our heartfelt sadness for the destruction and loss of life from the enormous convulsion of our planet that not only created a devastating tsunami, but actually shifted by one inch the axis and hastened the earth's rotation ever so slightly - we've all wobbled and the days are shorter. While these effects are imperceptible to all but the most exacting measurements, the effects of the enormous wave that washed over South Asia are most certainly not.

That it hit areas that attract people from around the world for it's relatively benign climate reminds us of the fragility we all ultimately share. We come together to share the earth's bounty and beauty. And we come together to help those most in need when the calm and beauty is shattered by this sudden catastrophic event. It seems that there is a lesson in there, perhaps several, if we care to find them.

The Traveler has writers that will soon be on the ground in the most effected areas to report on the conditions there. Look for their submissions in upcoming issues of The Traveler.

For those concerned about travel to South Asia, we have some information on how travelers can help the region, as well as the latest information on conditions for those planning on traveling to the region. We have also provided a special link from Google.com that lists several sources of general information about the tsunami and some of the best charities that are grateful for your support.

We've got some great feature articles for your enjoyment this month; find out what your tour guide really means when he says "Go ahead, give it a try..."
Then we'll come along as a northern girl discovers her very own "Sweet Home, Alabama."
Finally, we'll learn how Singapore isn't what it used to be, and why that's just fine.

If you're looking for a chuckle or two, you'll find it in our Travel Writing Pick-of-the-Month, a new anthology of humorous travel essays from the folks that bring you Traveler's Tales.

And in our Travel Ideas, Resources, and Bargains section, we'll give you plenty of ways for you and your special someone to spend a romantic Valentine's Day weekend as well some other resources for your adventurous spirit.

Well, enough pontificating - let's get on to business...

Enjoy!

Feature Articles

Guiding Around Europe
Learning the true meaning of common tour guide phrases is a good thing

Rafts and Alligators
A Northerner's first experience of the land where the skies really are so blue.

Once Around the Island
Singapore has lost some of what it was known for, and that's perfectly okay

Travel Writing Pick-Of-The-Month

When you are a stranger in a strange land, a sense of humor is often the best diplomat - and the best defense. With an introduction by Tim Cahill, this Traveler's Tales anthology is a mostly light-hearted and very fun examination of the various ways we can all make a fool of ourselves across the globe; presented here by some very funny (and very foolish) travel and adventure writers. - Hyenas Laughed at Me and Now I Know Why: The Best of Travel Humor and Misadventure (Travelers' Tales Guides.)

Travel Ideas, Resources, and Bargains
 

Tsunami Recovery Travel Facts -
Media Kitty, a travel journalism newswire and information portal, has put together a special page in association with the Pacific Asia Travel Association with travel information and ways that travelers can help the recovery of the region devastated by the recent natural disaster. Please take the time to check out this special webpage.

Learn About the Recent Tragedy in the Indian Ocean and Contribute to the Relief Effort -
Visit a special Tsunami Information and Relief page from Google.com

Romantic Rail Travel Through Europe -
See Europe like European do. Rail Europe is the premier online source of Eurail Pass, Selectpass, Explorer and many other rail travel products. Imagine April in Paris. And then Provence, Switzerland, Germany, Italy... Click to: Travel Europe the way Europeans do

Travelers Offset Climate Change Impacts -
Sustainable Travel International (STI), a Colorado-based non-profit organization, released results from the first six months of testing a new service called I Care for MyClimate. Promoting sustainable travel, STI is offering a service to offset climate impacts from travel. To find out more about this encouraging new program visit the Sustainable Travel International Website.

British Airways Offering Two Nights in London for Free -
Hurry up on this one! Now through February 3rd, purchase one of BA's airfares to London, or one of 40 other European destinations, and get two nights’ hotel accommodation, along with a stopover, in London, for FREE. Great airfares and free hotel rooms are available until October 27, 2005. Conditions apply, so make sure to check this and the many other great deals at British Airways

Last Minute Travel Packages -
Site59.com is the premier online source for last minute travel. Check out their site for great deals on Weekend Travel Packages 

iLoveInns.com Names 11th Annual Top 10 Most Romantic Inns in the Country for 2005 -
iLoveInns.com and American Historic Inns Names 2005 Top 10 Most Romantic Bed and Breakfast and Country Inns American Historic Inns, Inc., publisher of more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guidebooks and companion website iLoveInns.com have announced the “2005 Top 10 Most Romantic Inns.” Get the list and find out more about these romantic inns at the iLove Inns website.

Valentine's Day is For Lovers
February 14th is just around the corner, but there is still time to book a romantic getaway package for just you and your special someone. But don't wait too long! Our friends at Expedia have some great deals on Romantic Getaway Packages

Gulliver's Travel Services Discount Hotels - GTA.com offers great discounts on hotels andother travel services in Asia, Europe, North America, and all over the world. Check out the their website for World-Wide Discounted Hotels Reservations. 

Discover Yosemite in Winter -
Discover the fun and magic of Yosemite Winters with this special, limited time offer. Stay at The Ahwhanee for just $229 per night or at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls for a mere $79 per night. Make sure to mention offer code VUCALL when booking this great deal. Restrictions apply; get all the information and book online at the Yosemite Park.com website

Secret Waterfalls of Marin: A TouristTravel Exclusive -
TouristTravel.com is proud to produce and feature a brand new ebook by travel writer Michael McCarthy for locals and visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco and you'll be in the most beautiful county in America - Marin. Right now with during the rainy season is the best time to explore the region and discover the secret waterfalls of Marin. To find out more about the ebook (which sells for only $5.99) visit Michael's site, Intentional-Traveler.com

All Your Travel Needs In One Place -
Find a flight, rental car, winter vacation, weekend getaway, or the adventure of a lifetime! You'll find everything you need from airline tickets to vacation packages to travel insurance, foreign currency exchange, and passport processing. It's all at TouristTravel.com!

TouristTravel has a new look! With the help of webby award winning web designer Kate Kilbourne, we're rolling out our updated look just in time for the new year. We've done away with some of our clutter and spruced up our site navigation to make TouristTravel.com even more fun, enjoyable, and informative. Make sure to check it out today - and often!

We're always adding new resources and features for your travel and adventure. Make sure to check out the latest by visiting our Home Page.

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Have a comment or suggestion about a great travel destination, or a particular good (or bad) travel experience? Let us know! Email us your tip or comment and we may include it in a future issue of The Traveler!