Your partner in Travel around the world

Issue No. 9 August 2007

Hi There,

We are pleased to enclose the ninth issue of our Newsletter for you to view and hope that you are finding them both enjoyable and useful. 

As you will see, this newsletter is packed full of great specials, holiday ideas and of course, our useful travel tips.

Visit our site at http://www.a-ztours.com to view additional tours around the world.

Table of Contents

Special Offers – Save up to $300 per couple if you pay in full by August 24/07 on selected European Vacations.

Oberammergau in 2010 – Two Special Religious Vacations.

Featured Vacation – San Diego/Mexican Riviera Cruise 11 Days/10 Nights

Travel Tips – Italy

Our Personnel – Avril Betts, Khaled Azzam, Theresa Freeman, Carol Lomond and Nicole Corkum

SPECIAL OFFER

Winter Europe & Britain tours for 2007/08 have now been released! These popular tours represent great value at up to 25% off the cost of a summer tour.

Traveling to Europe in winter provides some unique opportunities, such as visiting famous attractions at a more relaxed pace when cities are not as crowded and witnessing centuries-old Christmas traditions. We also have tours that allow you to catch some winter sun in destinations such as Italy, Spain and Portugal. Winter tours run November 2007 - April 2008.

Winter in London (Ibis Earls Court) - 8 Days

Prices from $815 US per person based on double occupancy

London continues to enchant visitors with its traditions of pageantry and nobility. At this time of year, the city comes alive with fewer tourists, better theatre seats, plus more comfortable transport and sightseeing. And don't forget the great bargains in the January Sales! Enjoy an included London Sightseeing tour of some of the most notable landmarks, then London is yours to explore. Shopping possibilities abound! Stores line Oxford and Regent Streets. Harrods and Knightsbridge boutiques are a must, and why not hunt for hidden treasures in Portobello Road? The Tour Operator turns your break into an unforgettable week with a host of special bonuses from tickets for a famous West End show to free travel on Central London's buses and Underground for three days.

Highlights: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Museums, Galleries & Shops.

Real Ireland - 9 Days

Prices from $1099 US per person based on double occupancy

Kildare: Visit the Irish National Stud Farm

Kilkenny: Visit the medieval city

Waterford: Visit the crystal showroom (when open)

Cork: View St. Anne's Shandon Church

Blarney: Visit the Castle and the famous Blarney Stone

Killarney: Ring of Kerry excursion including the Lakes of Killarney

Adare: See the prettiest village in Ireland

Knock: See this place of pilgrimage

Drumcliff: See Yeats' grave

Belleek: Visit the Pottery factory (when open)

Donegal: Visit the picturesque town

Scenic drives: Coastal drive to Youghal, Into Derrynasaggart Mountains, Killarney Lake District and 'Ring of Kerry', Views of Galway Bay, Along Donegal Coast and Sligo Bay

London & Paris – 8 Days

Prices from $1275 US per person based on double occupancy

Windsor: Excursion.

Dover: See the White Cliffs.

Paris: Sightseeing includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower and views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe. An included visit to the Fragonard Perfumery and Museum.

Scenic drives: Through Kent the "garden of England" and across the World War I Battlefields.

Simply Italy - 8 Days

Prices from $1099 US per person based on double occupancy

Siena: Visit the medieval Tuscan city

Florence: Sightseeing tour with special audio system includes Signoria Square, Santa Croce Basilica, the Baptistry and views from Piazzale Michelangelo

Venice: Canal cruise by private launch. View St. Mark's Square, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a glass-blowing factory

Scenic drives: Through the Chianti vineyards of Tuscany, Across the fertile Po Valley and Over the Apennine Mountains

Terms and conditions:

Discount is only applicable to 2007/08 Winter Europe tours departing and arriving at any of the gateways stated above.

Subject to availability.

Once booked tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable.

Any changes made to the booking may result in loss of promotional air.

Promotion DOES NOT apply to the following tours:

• Highlights of Spain & Portugal

• Real Spain

• Spain, Morocco & Portugal

• Real Ireland

• Douro Valley

• Rhine Holiday Markets

• Danube Holiday Markets

• European Holiday Markets

• Rhine & Main Holiday Markets

Open jaws are allowed.

Blackout dates apply.

The applicable airlines are not to be advertised nor mentioned to sales accounts.

All land and air prices include airline fuel surcharges. Additional taxes and fees apply.

Additional restrictions apply.

Maximum stay is 60 days.

Original booking must include names as they appear on passport. No name changes permitted.

Cannot be booked for groups of 8 or higher.

Cannot be booked online.

Promotion can be withdrawn at anytime.

Oberammergau in 2010

The quaint European village of Oberammergau is world famous for the spectacular Passion Play performed by its residents just once every decade. Keeping a pledge made nearly 400 years ago, this reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ preserves the health and well-being of its residents to this day.

You are invited to experience this legendary event on one of the special vacations being offered in 2010.

SPECIAL RELIGIOUS VACATONS

These two special Religious vacations combine the classic Passion Play event with the religious stories and traditions that surround the destinations and the Crucifixion itself.

Catholic Germany & Alps – 9 days from $2,169 US per person

Munich/Oberammergau, Lucerne, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Frankfurt

Grand Catholic Italy – 13 days from $2,169 US per person

Rome, S. Giovanni Rontondo, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Innsbruck, Munich/Oberammergau

Tours and pricing not guaranteed until Oberammergau tickets are confirmed in May 2008. Pricing and dates subject to change. Additional restrictions may apply.

Featured Vacation

San Diego/Mexican Riviera Cruise
11 Days/10 Nights
Tour Operates January 2-12, 2008 Inclusive

Prices start from $1299.00 US per person

Most people when taking a cruise fly in and out of the port city that the ship departs from and never get to see that port unless they plan ahead.  We have done the planning for you!  Our San Diego & Mexican Riviera Cruise package provides you with seeing San Diego prior to your cruise.  One day is just not enough.  You will be staying in San Diego for three nights in a one bedroom suite at the Embassy Suites Downtown with full breakfast daily.  Some of the scheduled activities in San Diego include:  whale watching cruise, south harbor cruise, hop on/off city tour, leisure time, and a dinner on the night before embarking the cruise.  Holland America’s MS Oosterdam departs for a seven night cruise to the Mexican Riviera.  Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, with three at sea days.

Three night’s hotel accommodations at the Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego

Breakfast Daily

3 ½ hour Whale and dolphin watching cruise from San Diego

1 hour South Bay Cruise of San Diego

San Diego hop on/off city tour (2 hour loop, trolleys operate every 30 minutes)

Farewell dinner

Hotel to Pier transportation

7 nights Mexican Riviera cruise on Holland America’s MS Oosterdam

Pier to San Diego airport transfer

All taxes and admission to included activities

ABOUT YOUR HOTEL

The Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego is the perfect location for our tour! You are just steps away from Seaport Village, USS Midway, Gaslamp District, and Cruise Port. Your suite consists of a private bedroom with either one king bed or two double beds, TV, and telephone. The separate living room area has a sofa bed couch, table, chairs, TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. Full American breakfast which includes made to order omelets and eggs as well as other hot and cold items including coffee and juice. Nightly managers’ cocktail and snack reception. The hotel also features a restaurant, laundry facilities, gift shop, fitness room, and swimming pool.

YOUR DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Wednesday – January 2, 2008 Los Angeles/San Diego, Sightseeing tour of San Juan Capistrano Mission, La Jolla (Breakfast, Lunch)

We will have scheduled departures from our Rose Parade Tour hotels after breakfast. Our first stop is the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. This was the seventh mission of a chain of 21 and was founded in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra. Our docent led tour will take us throughout the mission grounds and tell us of all the history, including the flight of the swallows. We continue along the coast as the roads allow us through oceanside towns with quaint shops, beautiful beaches, and cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean.  It’s possible we will see some die hard surfers enjoying the surf!  Some of the towns and places we will pass through on our way to La Jolla are: San Clemente, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Torrey Pines Golf Course.  We will stop for lunch in La Jolla and then have some free time to shop or view spectacular ocean views. Our day comes to an end with our arrival at the Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego.  There are plenty of restaurants nearby to choose from for dinner tonight.  The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Thursday - January 3, 2008 (Breakfast) Whale & Dolphin Watching cruise, South Harbor Cruise (Breakfast)

A full American breakfast is included this morning. Today is our “water” day.  We are scheduled for our 3 ½ hour Whale and Dolphin cruise at 9:30am. The dock is a short 10 minute walk from the hotel. Bring warm clothes including a hat and gloves as it can be chilly out on the ocean. The boat has open as well as covered viewing areas. Don’t forget your camera and a pair of binoculars! This is prime time to view whales in San Diego as they head south on their migration from Alaska. We will also have a narration of the many highlights of the North San Diego Harbour. The ship has a snack bar with hot and cold drinks, snacks and sandwiches. Our return is scheduled for 1:00pm.  Our 1 hour South Harbour cruise is scheduled for 4:15pm. Some suggestions for the time between cruises would be either a nearby restaurant, a walk to Seaport Village, or a tour of the USS Midway aircraft carrier which has over 40 aircraft on board (admission additional). The USS Midway is a very short walk from where the sightseeing cruises depart from and they have a restaurant the “Fantail Café”. The 1 hour South Bay cruise highlights many of the military ships and stations as well as beautiful views of Coronado.

After the South Bay cruise the balance of the evening is free.

Friday – January 4, 2008 San Diego hop on/off tour (Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast, we will pick up the hop on/off trolley at Seaport Village, a 5 minute walk from the hotel. This tour is a continuous 2 hour loop to the major points of interest in San Diego: Seaport Village, Convention Center, Horton Plaza, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Old Town State Park, and the Cruise ship terminal. The Trolley’s will make a stop every 30 minutes at each of these locations. Stay as little or as long as you like at any of these stops. Old Town is a great place to have lunch if you like authentic Mexican Cuisine, there are many restaurants to choose from! Tonight we will have our farewell dinner.

Saturday – January 5, 2008  Holland America Mexican Riviera Cruise (Breakfast)

Breakfast is at leisure this morning. Your ship sets sail at 5:00pm today. The pier is only about 4 blocks from the hotel. A transfer will be provided to the pier. Welcome aboard! For the next 7 nights you will be calling Holland America’s MS Oosterdam home. All meals and entertainment aboard the ship are included.

Sunday – January 6, 2008 At Sea

Relax on board the ship as the crew pampers and keeps you entertained. Today is a perfect day to get acquainted with the ship.  Maybe reserve a spa treatment; read a good book on deck under the warm sun; try your luck in the casino; enjoy the pool or fitness center. There is never a lack of things to do. You can do as much or as little as you like.

Monday – January 7, 2008 Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the blue Pacific mingles with the Sea of Cortez in a whirl of watercolors. These waters are teeming with marlin, swordfish, tuna, sailfish, and other fighting fish. The black coral is exquisite; keep an eye open for grey whales as this is prime migration season. Check with the staff for exciting shore excursions.

Tuesday - January 8, 2008 Mazatlan

Mazatlan is home to the largest shrimp fleet in the world! This resort city tempts with every variation of this tasty crustacean; grilled, al mojo de ajo (garlic), or in the shell with a squeeze of lime. Mazatlan has miles of uninterrupted beaches, busy markets, and sleepy mining towns tucked into the Sierra Madre. Check with the staff for exciting shore excursions.

Wednesday – January 9, 2008 Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta still retains the essence of the quaint fishing village it once was despite no longer being a well-kept secret of the artists, writers, and Hollywood stars that first “discovered” it in the 1960’s. Here is Viejo Vallarta, the quaint Old Town, an enticing mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets, chic shops and bustling open markets.  Visit some highlights of the area: Mismaloya Beach, Gringo Gulch, and Conchas Chinas the Beverly Hills of Puerta Vallarta. Check with the staff for exciting shore excursions.

Thursday – January 10, 2008 At Sea

Your days at sea will have you relaxing by the pool or busy with the many activities on board the ship. 

Friday – January 11, 2008 At Sea

Your days at sea will have you relaxing by the pool or busy with the many activities on board the ship. 

Saturday – January 12, 2008 San Diego/Home

The ship docks into San Diego at 7:00am. A transfer to the San Diego Airport is included. We hope you have enjoyed your trip to San Diego and Mexico!

Italy Travel Tips

Climate/Clothing

Spring and Fall: 55 - 75°F; Summer: 70 - 85°F; Winter: 40 - 55°F. Bring comfortable shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather coat. On the cruises, informal dress is the general rule but there may be some occasions were formal dress is required. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts or sleeveless tops).

Language

Italian is the local language. Limited English is generally spoken as well.

Passports and Visas

Passport required. Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days.

Currency

Euro

Tipping

This is a matter of personal discretion. Tips are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places. Although restaurant bills often include a service charge, this amount is not typically for the waiters/staff. A typical tip is approximately 10%.

Electricity

The voltage used is 220 volts.

*Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances.

Shopping

Shops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., with some variations in Northern Italy, where the lunch break is shorter and shops close earlier. Prices are reasonable and the quality of goods is very high. Department stores such as La Rinascente, Coin, Upim, and Standa are found in many Italian cities and towns.

Things to buy: Clothes for men & women (dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, shirts); lacework, jewelry, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster; woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware. It is advisable to carry merchandise purchased with you in order to avoid any inconvenience. All major credit cards are honored in Italy. A proof of purchase (receipt) must be kept.

Health Precautions

No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Italy from the U.S. but you should consult with your health care provider before traveling. To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. *For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov

Conservation/Code of Conduct

The social structure is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic church and, generally speaking, family ties are stronger than in most other countries in Western Europe. Normal social courtesies should be observed. Dress is casual in most places, though beachwear should be confined to the beach. Conservative clothes are expected when visiting religious buildings and smaller, traditional communities. Formal wear is usually indicated on invitations. Smoking is prohibited in some public buildings, transport and cinemas. Visitors are warned to take precautions against theft, particularly in the major cities.

Local Emergency Phone #

Ambulance/medical: 118

Fire/disasters: 115

Police & general emergency: 112

Driving

Traffic drives on the right. There are more than 185,500 miles of roads in Italy, including over 3700 miles of motorway (autostrada) which link all parts of the country. Tolls are charged at varying distances and scales, except for the Salerno–Reggio Calabria, Palermo–Catania and Palermo–Mazara Del Vallo stretches which are toll-free. Secondary roads are also excellent and require no tolls. Road signs are international. Many petrol stations are closed 12 -3 p.m. Visitors are advised to check locally about exact opening times.

Car Regulations

Driving licenses and other traffic documents valid in other countries are recognized in Italy. Distances are indicated in kilometer (1 km = 0.621 miles). An international insurance certificate is required for citizens from non-EC countries. The wearing of seat belts in front and rear seats is obligatory. An appropriate harness system is obligatory for children from 2 to 12 years of age.

Papal Audiences, Vatican City

General audiences with His Holiness are usually held once a week (Wednesdays at 11 a.m.) in Vatican City. They may be held inside the Basilica itself or in the hall of the Papal Audiences (Aula Paolo VI, Seating 7000), and in summer in Saint Peter's Square or in the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.

A-Z TOURS INTERNATIONAL – personal travel services – http://www.a-ztravel.com

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OUR PERSONNEL:

Khaled Azzam – Owner/Partner is a Civil Engineer an Egyptologist and an Archaeologist, and is a licensed guide when in Egypt. Khaled brings his expertise to A-Z Tours, specializing in customized, personalized tours to Egypt. Khaled has worked on protecting monuments in Egypt and has designed many of the Company websites. Khaled is currently working on several building projects in Egypt to add to their Tour Assets including Vacation Rental Villas in Cairo for use as short and long term stays for our clients. Khaled and Avril own A-Z Tours International and Euro World Travel and Azzam Properties jointly in partnership. Khaled@a-ztours.com

Khaled Azzam, Eng.

Theresa Freeman is originally from England and worked for 13 years with a Travel Agent in the UK before moving to Nova Scotia, Canada. Theresa joined the A-Z Tours International team as Travel Consultant in 2001. She now specializes in International and USA Destinations and can service clients from anywhere in the World for both escorted group and independent programs. Please don't hesitate to contact Theresa; she looks forward to assisting you with all of your International Travel plans theresa@a-ztours.com

Carol Lomond Hirtle originally from Port-Aux-Basques, Newfoundland. Carol now lives in Nova Scotia and has worked in the hospitality industry since 1979. Carol joined the A-Z Tours International team as a Travel Consultant in 2001 and now specializes in custom programs to Egypt and Jordan as well as other North African and Middle Eastern destinations. A-Z Tours has become renowned as specialists and experts in Egypt and Carol looks forward to helping you plan and book your custom program to Egypt, which for many is a trip of a lifetime. Please contact Carol at carol@a-ztours.com

Nicole Corkum originally from Newfoundland, now lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. Nicole joined the A-Z Tours International team as a Travel Consultant in 2003 and now specializes in Programs to Canada, Cruises and Hot Spots. She offers a unique, customized, Vacation Planning Service to Canada in addition to the normal escorted tours. Nicole looks forward to working with you on your trip to Canada, your winter getaway or a Cruise - please don't hesitate to contact her at nicole@a-ztours.com