A new year begins at The Traveler!

Whoa! 2006? The first decade of a new millennium and new century already half over? At the risk of starting the new year with a cliche - time flies.

We're excited to start a new year, and in celebrating of new starts, we're instituting a slightly more organized look for our travel resources, bargains and deals section. Let us know what you think!

We've got a bit of a theme going for our feature articles this month. Can you guess what it is? But theme or no, you'll enjoy a walk through the charming village of Bratislava, a cruise along the Elbe in an historic steamer, and a look at human resilience in the long aftermath of war. All testaments, perhaps, to the human spirit. And all from our most treasured resource here at The Traveler: Our crack team of writers!

Our Travel Writing Pick-of-the-Month we offer our traditional New Year offering with the Best of American Travel Writing for 2005.

Last but not least, we've got the latest in travel resources, ideas, and bargains (with our spiffy new organization) to start a new year of travel and adventure off right.

Enjoy!

Feature Articles

A View over Sarajevo
Exploring a City Devastated by War, but on the Road to Recovery

The Krippen - Still Steaming Proudly
Born in 1892 and still chugging...

April in Bratislava
A quaint city's charm finally overcomes a traveler's funk

Travel Writing Pick-Of-The-Month

We love to start every new year by featuring some of the best American travel writing for the previous year. 2006 is no different; with the 2005 edition we have essays from Tom Bissell, John McPhee, Pam Houston, Ian Frazier, William Least Heat-Moon, and more.

Through the eyes of this expert observers and story-tellers, we see a clear picture of the world we inhabit. The Best American Travel Writing 2005 (The Best American Series (TM))

Travel Ideas, Resources, and Bargains

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!

Airfare Deals:
Fly First Class to Hawaii

Priceline Last-Minute Airfare Deals!

Domestic Getaways for Next Weekend
Okay folks, there isn't much time left. So you've got to hurry to catch this deal! These Weekend Getaway Fares from American Airlines offer Economy Class discounted fares valid for travel next weekend, and are available on AA.com. Fares must be ticketed no later than 11:59 p.m. (CT), Friday, January 27, 2006.

Hotel Deals:
World-Wide Discounted Hotels Reservations

Expedia.com - Check in with us!  

Vacation Rentals:
Find your dream vacation rental property

Save up to 70% on your next vacation rental 

Interesting Stuff:
Central Park - The Next Best Thing to Being There
Can't make it to New York right now? You can still visit Central Park! A world-class urban park deserves a world-class website, and that's what you'll find at CentralPark.com

Top Travel Ideas! - Air/Hotel/Packages 
Visit our good friends at Sherman's Travel and sign up for their free newsletter. Every week you'll get the top 25 travel deals sent right to your inbox.

Experience the Magic of Romance at River Dance Lodge
A wise little bear named Pooh once said that by watching a river slip slowly away, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.  If such a place exists outside of Pooh’s realm, it’s River Dance Lodge, located on the banks of Idaho’s Clearwater River and just minutes away from the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness Area.

Romance
That's right, romance. You've made your plans for Valentine's Day - haven't you? Don't worry, we've got last minute getaways available that are sure to make this a Valentine's Day to remember.

Join Rescue Ship on Tall Ship Activity Sailing Holidays Around the Caribbean Islands
Sail on the tall ship Stavros S Niarchos, which rescued American trans-Atlantic rowers Sarah Kessans and Emily Kohl last week, on activity sailing holidays around the islands of the Caribbean. US citizens can find out what it is like to sail a modern-day tall ship on a series of 10-night sails operating during February and March on board Stavros S Niarchos, with the first departing Barbados on Tuesday 31 January 2006.

Do You Enjoy America's National Parks?
Then it is important to be aware of proposed policy changes in the management of these magnificent resources. Find out more about this and other issues concerning American National Parks, explore and discover at the National Park Conservation Association Website.

What's New at TouristTravel.com

Have you seen our latest blog entry? Check it out here! We've got new stories posted on our website, make sure to check them out! Look at past web features articles (not shown here in The Traveler) out our monthly feature article index page.

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

But if you'd like to show your appreciation for The Traveler bringing you original content from both new and established writers every month - here is your opportunity! Unlike many other web sites and ezines, we actually pay our writers. Five dollars will help our writers continue to bring you the world!

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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!