• GOLFING - Hit the links on some of the world’s most amazing golf courses with some even built around the ancient Mayan ruins. One of the more popular courses is the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. This 18-hole, 72-par championship course provides gorgeous views of the area. Some holes are also lined with natural vegetation and wetlands of the area.
• MAYAN RUINS – El Meco is found just north of Cancun. From here, you can see a breathtaking view of the Chacmochuc Lagoon. Ruinas El Ray is located in Cancun’s hotel zone. This area is famous for the hundreds of iguanas that make their home in these ruins. If you go at the right time, you can see the park rangers feeding these lizards. 
• SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS – Instead of just viewing them through the aquarium glass, slip into the water with these majestic animals. You can choose the type of interaction you want, from petting the dolphins to being pulled through the water by one. There are several companies you can go through to set up this excursion. Most of these companies use facilities on the island of Isla Mujeres, which is about a 30-minute ferry ride from Cancun.
• ADVENTURE TOURS – Choose your adventure! Swim with the fastest fish in the ocean (the sailfish) or with the enormous but harmless Whale Shark. If water isn’t your thing, hike through the jungle to see ancient Mayan ruins or take a bird watching tour. Most tours will pick you up right at your hotel’s front door for a day of fun.

No matter what you choose to do with your time in Cancun, you will leave feeling refreshed and relaxed! We would love to hear your favorite activity in Cancun! Post in the comments section below.

San Diego Zoo
Take a full day to explore this world-famous zoo, which includes a 4,000 bird sanctuary. Explore the zoo on the three-mile guided bus tour or hop on the Skyfari Tram and get a bird’s eye view. The children’s petting zoo lets you get up close and personal with animals such as sheep and goats. And you can even feed a giraffe if you visit on a Saturday or Sunday!

San Diego Wineries
One of the best kept secrets of San Diego – the wineries! Most of these wineries are located only about 45 minutes to an hour away from downtown. Enjoy the spectacular views from the vineyards while you take a guided tour. And then unwind as you sample the different varieties of wine offered. You can even schedule transportation to and from the wineries so you don’t have to worry about driving! A few of the more popular wineries include the Bernardo Winery, Falkner Winery, and Fallbrook Winery.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The park began more than 20 years ago as a breeding facility for the San Diego Zoo’s large animals. Today, the 2100-acre sanctuary is open for visitors to view the large animals roaming in settings similar to their natural habitats. Tour the African plains or Asian Savanna by way of trams, carts, segways and even zip lines!

USS Midway Museum
Step aboard the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century and explore a city at sea. The USS Midway Museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family. Put on your headphones and take the family audio tour, which will guide you through more than 30 locations on the carrier. For the brave souls, the museum features three types of optional flight simulators for all ages.

Balboa Park
You can’t leave San Diego without visiting Balboa Park! As you walk through the park, stop to take a ride on the carousel or hop on the miniature train for a 3 minute, ½ mile scenic trip. Pick up a souvenir from the United Nations Building, which is used for educational and administrative purposes. And the San Diego Zoo is located in the northern part of the park so you can cross these two sites off your sightseeing list in one day!

La Jolla Kayak
For the adventurous adults, La Jolla Kayak offers fantastic opportunities to kayak or snorkel around the sea cliffs, the Seven Caves, and the Underwater Park in La Jolla. Certified tour guides will help you explore the beautiful Southern California coastline.

LEGOLAND®
Geared toward children ages 2-12, LEGOLAND® is built for fun!  With more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions, kids will be entertained for the entire day. Dig for fossils or climb inside the Megga-Egga-Saurus on Dino Island. In Fun Town, children can explore a town scaled down to their size. Join a hilarious race to hose down a burning building at the Fun Town Fire Academy.  For the young inventor, visit Imagination Zone where you can create your own vehicle out of legos and race it against others. LEGOLAND® also has its own water park. Plus, there are action-packed live shows and great restaurants all throughout the park. Join in on the fun!

Sea Life Aquarium
Located next door to LEGOLAND®, the Sea Life Aquarium presents a view of the underwater world easy for a child to understand. In the newly opened Octopus Garden, you can view several different types of these amazing creatures. Kids can also enjoy play zones, fun facts and quiz trails throughout the aquarium.

We’ll take care of all of the details surrounding your bowl experience – from the moment your trip kicks off to your return.

Highlights of the trip include:
• Pre-game bowl party with the Husker Band
• Capital One Bowl Game tickets located in the Nebraska section.
• Choose from two hotels –   Peabody Hotel (Nebraska’s Team Hotel) or the Rosen Plaza Hotel

Depart:  December 31st
Return:  January 3^rd
Game Day: January 2

Peabody Hotel (Nebraska’s Team Hotel): $1689* per person

Rosen Plaza Hotel: $1579* per person

*based on double occupancy

Capital One Bowl package includes:

• Round trip flight from Lincoln or Omaha to Orlando (chartered aircraft)
• 3 nights hotel accommodations
• Luggage handling in Orlando
• Refreshments at hotel upon arrival
• Round-trip airport transfers
• Round-trip game day transfers
• Entry to Official Capital One Bowl game with pre-game party with the Husker Band
• Optional on-site tours
• Souvenir luggage tags
• Lanyard and ticket protector
• All taxes and gratuities

Reserve your spot right away by calling AurTravel at 800-304-1452!

Go Big Red!

French Quarter

After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the people of New Orleans continue to rebuild it into the amazing city it was before. No other city can top New Orleans with its uniqueness.  You can hit Bourbon Street for a fun night on the town, stroll through the French Quarter, or sample some tasty beignets at the world-famous Café Du Monde.  However, there are so many more things to do and see in New Orleans.

• Frenchmen Street– Located just a short distance from the French Quarter, this entertainment district provides live entertainment almost every night of the week.  Listen to the amazing sounds of New Orleans musicians.
  

  Garden District

• Audubon Zoo – Lions, tigers, giraffes, and more! Take a safari through Asia, Africa, the Australian Outback and the Louisiana Swamp to view more than 1,500 animal species. Children and adults alike will love this zoo.
• The Garden District – Take a walking tour through this historic neighborhood to see some of the most elegant homes with beautiful landscaped gardens. Most of these homes were built over a century ago!
• Mardi Gras World – Even if you can’t make it for Mardi Gras, you can still experience the excitement surrounding it! Take a tour through this magical land where the astounding Mardi Gras mega-floats are created.
• St. Charles Streetcar- St. Charles Avenue has been described as “The Jewel of America’s Grand Avenues.” For a small fee, you can hop on the St. Charles Streetcar
  

  St. Charles Streetcar

  to see for yourself some of the most superb mansions in the South. Built in the 19^th century, they still possess the grandeur of current times.

• Jackson Square – A favorite site for all visitors, this area is filled with artists, street performers, museums, and galleries to keep you busy. It’s located right in the heart of the French Quarter.

San Antonio’s annual Fiesta de las Luminarias begins at dusk the first weekend in December (Friday – Sunday nights) until just before Christmas Day.  The River Walk is illuminated with luminarias, sand-filled white sacks and a votive candle. View the Holiday lights and luminarias by strolling on foot or hop on a barge for a guided tour. 

SeaWorld San Antonio also gets into the holiday spirit. Holiday lights throughout the park turn it into a holiday wonderland. Shamu even puts on his Santa hat and performs a show, complete with holiday music and lighting.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas hosts an extravaganza with holiday-themed shows, caroling and breathtaking light displays.

Start your New Year off with a bang at San Antonio’s biggest New Year’s Eve party downtown, Celebrate San Antonio. Music on four stages as well as a children’s area add to the excitement of the night. Join 250,000 other revelers counting down to 2012!

Below are just a few of the ideas for your Maui vacation:

Seven Sacred Pools – Located in the Haleakala National Park, this area is known for its hiking trails, pool swimming and cliff jumping. The Pipiwai Trail is a 4-mile (round trip) hike with beautiful waterfalls along the route. The final stop on the hike is Waimoku Falls. Along the trail, take a dip in the Infinity Pool, a secluded pool with a row of thick rocks that prevent you from plunging over the 200-foot waterfall.

Wall of Tears

Wall of Tears – Take in the splendor of the Wall of Tears in a helicopter tour – a one hour roundtrip ride from Maui. This landmark is the largest concentration of waterfalls -17 total – in Hawaii. Little known fact: this “wall” served as the entrance to Jurassic Park!

Submarine tours – Enjoy a spectacular adventure while exploring the undersea world. See for yourself the natural beauty of the coral reefs and marine life.

Maui Ocean Center – This is one of the top attractions in Hawaii! Open every single day of the year, you can see marine life, including tropical reef fish, octopus, moray eels, green sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, and sea jellies, up close without stepping foot in the water.

Sunset Luau – Several resorts offer sunset luaus right on the beach – it’s a must do! Enjoy a variety of different cultural activities, including songs and dances, while feasting on local delicacies. But be ready – sometimes you get to join in on the action!

Surfing Lessons – Grab your friends and hit the water! Surf lessons are designed for all levels – beginner to intermediate. Learn to surf on some of the best waves around! Some clinics also offer professional photographers so you can take proof of your surfing prowess back to the states!

Visit Lahaina – Explore this historic whaling village that is now a Maui hot spot. This area was made famous in the 1800s when as many as 1,500 sailors from over 400 ships took leave in the area. One of the sailors included Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick. Set sail from the harbor for an unforgettable whale watching tour.

Ulalena – Take in the fabulous musical “Ulalena”, a story about Hawaii’s people. This family-friendly show guides you from the island’s creation to its early explorers. You’ll be mesmerized by acrobatic feats!

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey – This is where many of the British Monarchs have taken their vows and where Prince William and Kate will take theirs. It’s also the burial place for royalty and other national figures.

Horse Guards Parade – A large parade ground where the annual Trooping of the Color ceremony is held to commemorate the official birthday of the monarch, typically on the second Saturday in June.

Clarence House – The official residence of Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, and Princes William and Harry.

The Houses of Parliament - The meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom – the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Big Ben - The nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Houses of Parliament.

Big Ben

The Green Park – One of the Royal Parks of London. It has no lakes, no buildings and few monuments. The park consists entirely of wooded meadows.

St. Paul’s Cathedral - Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married here in 1981.

St. James’s Park – The oldest royal park in London. It’s known for its views of Buckingham Palace, as well as its pelicans, whose progenitors were a gift from a Russian ambassador in 1664.

Buckingham Palace – The London home and primary residence of the British monarch . It’s also where the wedding reception will be held after Prince William and Kate’s ceremony.

Everyone deserves a trip that is fit for a king (or queen, prince and princess). Let AurTravel help you book yours!

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) recently published a survey that named the most popular summer vacation locations for Americans in 2011.  Topping the list are London, Rome, Paris and Cancun. These have been the top four choices for the last eight years.

Other cities included in the top 10 are Punta Cana, Dublin, Barcelona, Venice, Sydney, and Instanbul. This is the first time Sydney and Instanbul have been included in the top 10.

ASTA also asked survey participants to pick which country or regions tops their travel list. Italy was the most popular with the United Kingdom and Mexico coming in second and third respectively.

Are any of these locales on your Travel Bucket list? Let AurTravel help plan the vacation of your dreams this summer!

• Let the AurTravel agents research the best hotel deals in or around your city. They can also tell you which hotels have the best amenities. Relax, enjoy room service, and pamper yourself at the hotel spa!
• Be a tourist in your own town. Put together a list of the places you would like to visit around the area. These include restaurants, zoos, golf courses, and more that you pass by on your way to work everyday and always say, “Someday, I’d like to go there.” Now is the time! Research those locations to see if they are offering any deals or planning any special events during your vacation time. If necessary, purchase admission tickets ahead of time.
• Leave the laptop at home and keep your time on the cell phone to a minimum. This is a mini vacation – treat it as such.
• Bring your camera. Candid shots are the best! And they’ll remind you of all the fun you had right there in your own town.

Happy Staycationing!

Below are some questions to consider when booking an all-inclusive trip:

• What are your favorite activities? The resort you choose should have those activities available.
• Are all meals included?  Some packages are just for breakfast and dinner, while others include lunch.  Snacks may or may not be included as well.
• Are all beverages included?  Resorts may include all non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages all day long. Other beverage options may include only non-alcoholic beverages, wine and beer only.  
• Are all on-site activities included?  Beach resorts may only include non-motorized water activities. Ski Resorts may/may not include other activities like tubing and skating on a limited or unlimited basis.
• Is evening entertainment included or are optional evening activities offered and the cost involved. 
• Do you need to tip or is that included in the price?
• What offsite activities are offered and how do you make reservations for them?