Madeira Island, Portugal                                           The Pearl of the Atlantic 9 Days 7 Nights using one 5 star hotel with ocean view rooms Presidents Week: Feb. 19-27 2011 Optional 4 Night Lisbon Extension Feb.27-March 3rd 2011 $1,999pp double occupancy Single Supplement $395 Lisbon Extension 5 star hotel $549pp db. occ. - Single Supplement $325 The TE is offering a trip to Madeira Island, Portugal using one hotel during President’s week 2011. The cost of the trip includes R/T air, 7 Nights in the 5 star Pestana Grand Resort hotel with ocean view rooms and balcony, 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner. Tours and excursions as indicated. Tips for drivers and guides, and all taxes and fuel surcharges at the time of printing. An optional 4 night Lisbon extension will be available using a 5 star hotel with 4 breakfasts and a city tour included. Called “The Pearl of the Atlantic,” Madeira is a lush and mountainous paradise and the jewel in the Madeira Islands crown. Formed by volcanic eruptions long ago, the island offers adventure options galore. The blue water is so deep that whales sometimes swim near land. Funchal, the capital, is home to 100,000 people, a unique culture and attractions like the 15th century Sé (Cathedral) and Museu da Quinta das Cruzes. Madeira Island is one of Europe's most beautiful travel locations with many thousands of tourists returning year after year. Madeira offers not only an all year round spring climate and wonderful fauna and flora - Madeira is also virtually crime free and one of the safest holiday destinations in the world! Our optional extension to Lisbon will offer a city tour with a local guide. Trip Advisor states that “Lisbon can be summed up in one word: variety. From the 12th-century Se cathedral to the modern bridges spanning the Tagus River, from the 18th-century Aguas Livres aqueduct to the futuristic Oriental Station, Lisbon traverses the ages. The city's many neighborhoods include Moorish Alfama, home of the city's tallest hill, and 17th-century Bairro Alto, with its hopping nightlife. Museums, castles, open-air markets, funiculars, Fado music - Lisbon's pleasures include these and much more.” Croatia & Slovenia                                                   Jewels of the Adriatic & Dalmatian Coast 14 days 12 nights Nights March 26 - April 8, 2011 $3,249 pp. double occupancy single supplement $625 Are you looking to travel somewhere new in Europe? How about Croatia and Slovenia? Germans, Italians, Austrians and Hungarians have been aware of Croatia’s charms for more than a century and formed the bulk of its visitors, but not anymore. Travelers from around the world now flock to Croatia and its miles of coastline, ancient ruins, medieval hilltop castles and abundant natural beauty. Along the eastern shore of the Adriatic, Croatia is Eastern and Central Europe’s prime seaside destination. While the capital Zagreb, lies inland, all other main attractions are found along the coast from Istria in the north to Dalmatia in the south. In addition to Croatia, neighboring Slovenia is becoming a very fashionable destination among travelers. It is often compared to Switzerland but only one-half its size and much less expensive. Like Switzerland, Slovenia basks in the natural beauty of its mountains, turquoise rivers, silver lakes and its historic medieval castles. The Rhine in Flames                                                   France, Germany & Switzerland 13 days 11 nights April 27th –May 9th 2011 $ 2,999 per person double occupancy, single supplement $549 Each year in early May Germany holds a spectacular festival on the Rhine to kick off the Summer season. On Saturday May 7, 2011 The TE has reserved a limited number of tickets for the “Rhine in Flames” boat parade. Over 2000 Bengal red lights will guide over 60 illuminated boats, downstream to see 5 spectacular fireworks displays on seven mountains. The 26km stretch is an experience not to be missed. The evening ends with a giant fireworks display in Bonn. On the boat we have included a dinner and you can purchase the local beer and wine at reasonable prices. There will be a band with music and dancing. This is one of the most popular events in Germany; over a half a million people camp out along the Rhine. Tickets for the boats are difficult to get, they sell out fast and must be reserved about a year in advance. Act fast to secure your place on this trip. We have reserved only a limited number of spaces. South Africa Adventure September 2011. The TE is planning a trip to South Africa during September 2011. Included will be A Safari, Whale Watching in Cape Town and much more. Information will be available during the late fall. If you thing you might be interested fill in the order form and we will send you details as soon as they become available. GOT – A – GROUP? Contact the Travel Experience if you have a family group or a group of friends of 10 or more and would like us to design a specialized trip for that group. It might be that your family, after talking about it for years at family events, would like to return to the country of their ancestors. Perhaps a group of your neighbors, friends, or your dining, theater or religious group has been trying to plan a trip together. Get in touch with Wes or Al and let us help you customize your trip and realize your dream vacation. Within the last few years, the Travel Experiene Club has had the pleasure of planning and escorting a church group to Ireland and a family group to Switzerland. While both groups chose to visit some of the standard sights, they also, due to the nature of their trip, asked us to include some sights or places, which we would not ordinarily visit, that had some special significance to their respective groups. Some of their choices helped us to enjoy areas we never would have seen.