Welcome to the June issue of The Traveler!

Starting our 5th year of publication!

What do we have to say for ourselves after four full years of publishing The Traveler? A big, heart-felt thank you!

Thanks to our worldwide team of writers that have consistently provided The Traveler with new and exciting stories, thanks to all our merchant partners that bring fun and adventure to each issue, and thanks to our special joint-venture partners at the American Writers & Artists Institute making available one of the best travel writing courses available.

But, most of all, a great big thanks to you, our readers. You are the reason we do this, and we've had a heck of a good time bringing you each issue these past four years. We look forward to continuing to bring you The Traveler for many years to come. Are you curious what our fist issue looked like? Check it out here! (We all hope you think we've improved a bit over the past four years...)

To help celebrate our anniversary, we've started The Traveler Blog, which will enable you to stay in touch with The Traveler between regular newsletter issues. It's free, of course, and you can avoid the hassles of email while still enjoying The Traveler Blog. Find out all about it here.

Of course, we have our regular monthly feature articles from our network of top-notch travel writers. This month we get a close look at the 2005 season of Ashland Shakespeare Festival, watch as four Bodacious Blondes corrupt Mexican checkpoint soldiers, visit the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, and finally to the charming and multi-cultural town of Lecce, tucked away in the "heel" of the Italian "boot".

Next we have guest reviewer Michael McCarthy, a working travel writer based in Marin County California, for our Travel Writing Pick-of-the-Month.

Last but not least is our usual lineup of Travel Ideas, Resources, and Bargains so you can get out there and see the world!

As Always - Enjoy!

Feature Articles

Ashland Shakespeare Festival
An informed look at the 2005 season

Bodacious Blondes Corrupt Mexican Checkpoint Soldiers
Four Blonds and a Blender...

Lecce: Jewel of the South
A Crossroads of Culture

Lions and Tigers and Bears... I expected
Expect that and more at the San Diego Wild Animal Park

Stay in touch with The Traveler Blog

During our last four years of publishing The Traveler, we've often wanted to stay in closer touch with our readers and keep them up to date with last minute travel deals, new resources we think are useful, offer even more top-quality travel writing, and just generally spout off about whatever is on The Traveler's mind. But we've shied away from publishing The Traveler more than once a month, and for good reason. First, you get enough email as it is. We know that. We aren't interested in flooding your email inbox and giving you "inbox anxiety". Let the other guys do that, we'd prefer to stay out of your face. Second, well, it takes us time to produce a full, quality issue of The Traveler. We don't want to rush it.

On the other hand, we wouldn't mind staying in touch with you throughout the month with little tidbits, travel deals, ideas, interesting travel sites, last minute travel getaways, a cool photo, or news of a great new book.

And we think we've come up with the perfect solution: The Traveler Blog!

You've probably seen these little orange buttons on websites. Maybe you're already RSS savvy and have your list of feeds all set up in your favorite RSS reader. If so, why not add us to your list to stay in touch with The Traveler between issues.

If you're new to the world of RSS and Blogs, you'll enjoy this new method of information delivery. By subscribing to The Traveler Blog RSS feed, you'll have periodic updates from The Traveler to keep you informed of the latest travel news, stories, and travel insight. Go ahead and take a look at The Traveler Blog to see what we mean.

Travel Writing Pick-Of-The-Month

Our pick and review this month is by Michael McCarthy of Intentional Traveler.com:

Everyone once in a while I run into a travel writer or traveler who hasn’t read this book, or hasn’t even heard of it. How can this be? This book ought to be mandatory reading for everyone over the age of 10. William Least Heat Moon paints a portrait of America on the printed page in the same way that Norman Rockwell put it on canvas. It’s a classic.

Of course, as with any classic, it’s all in the writing. Moon reveals himself as a lyrical stylist with a good memory for conversation and a keen eye for details. Consider this description of North Dakota : “There was something stretched about the landscape as if all dimension but length had been pulled from it. It seemed incapable of hiding anything. The buffy western soil was now the color of hazelnuts, and I knew I was nearly across the prairie.”

Who doesn’t long just to pack it all in one day, and just head out with “no direction home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone”? If there is such a thing as a guidebook into the soul of America , this is it. Blue Highways : A Journey into America

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!

Last Minute Deals Still Available for This Weekend -
Celebrate! 4th of July Last Minute Deals from $199 

The Design Capital of Europe -
Barcelona lays claim to this vaguely pretentious moniker. But perhaps with some justification. New hotels like the Hotel Omm - a study in cutting-edge, Zen-like cool - have sprung up in Barcelona. The website reflects this ultra-hip, slightly pretentious, and very cool city. Check it out the Hotel Omm website.

Experience Easter Island -
Lanvacations presents a tremendous travel deal to the beautiful Easter Island and Santiago, Chile. With the 5-night "Santiago and Easter Island Special" you will visit one of the most elegant and vibrant cities in the Spanish speaking world, Santiago de Chile, a city surrounded by hundreds of miles of nature, wilderness and the mighty Andes Mountains. From Santiago your journey continues to Easter Island or Rapa Nui as it is anciently known. Easter Island is one of the most isolated places on earth. The Island will leave you in awe of its beauty and in wonderment of the gigantic stones placed in unique positions.
The "Santiago and Easter Island Special" includes roundtrip air on LAN Airlines, 2-nights hotel in Santiago de Chile, 3-nights hotel on Easter Island, tours, transfers and meals as specified in the itinerary and more. Package price starts from $1949. Find out all the details and book your trip at the Lanvacations website .

Visit Antarctica this Summer -
Of course, it's winter now in Antarctica, so when summer rolls around, those looking for a real adventure may enjoy Wilderness Travel Adventure's newest tour to The Falkland Islands & South Georgia. The Traveler personally recommends the tours offered by Wilderness Travel (though we haven't been to Antarctica - yet). If Antarctica isn't you bag, you are sure to find an adventure to suit your tastes at the Wilderness Travel Adventure website.

Custom Vacation Packages -
Expedia is offering vacation packages that can be custom tailored to your interests. Check out expedia.com to find out how to Customize Your Trip  

Weekly Travel Specials -
From Russia to Costa Rica, you'll find great Weekly Specials from One Travel  

Trinidad & Tobago Gourmet Jazz Festival -
When Tobago plays host to The First Annual Trinidad and Tobago Gourmet Jazz Festival from August 12 –14, 2005, the island will be hoppin’ to music from mega-artists such as Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Toni  Braxton, Chaka Khan, Lucky Dube, and Shaggy. Jazz enthusiasts should check out The Palms Villa Resort, Tobago, where seven nights for the price of six from August 4-18 will save them more than the price of a ticket.
Get all the facts at the First Annual Trinidad and Tobago Gourmet Jazz Festival website

Travel Deals to Croatia and Central Europe -
Gate One Travel has numerous packages available for travel to croatia and central Europe. Visit Gate One Travel to get the latest deals.

Get the Spirit of Aloha -
Aloha airlines offers trans-Pacific flights from $199 and inter-island flights from $74.
Book your Vacation to Hawaii with Aloha Today!

What's New at TouristTravel.com

New Pages! Take a look at our Travel Tips, Top Ten Travel Deals, and Today's Travel Deals Pages!

Make sure to check out The Traveler Blog!

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

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