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Talk of The Town Travel

Your Vacation Awaits

Fabulous Festivals in New Orleans After Mardi Gras

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Essence Fest by Zack Smith
Photo courtesy New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau

From the Jazz Festival to Mardi Gras, New Orleans is known for hosting over 130 different festivals each year, attracting millions of tourists. For many, it’s the first thing they think of, even ahead of the unique culture and architecture, delicious food and incredible music.  These festivals cover a wide array of subjects, making sure there is something for everyone to celebrate. One thing visitors can count on whenever they visit The Big Easy, is that something colourful is going on. Two such upcoming events are the Gay Easter Parade and Essence Festival of Culture.

The Gay Easter Parade takes place on Easter Sunday (this year falling on April 17) at 4:30 in the afternoon in the French Quarter. This annual event was started in 2000 as a way for the LGBT community to show off their wonderful sense of fashion and creativity. Ladies will be wearing their gowns or summer suits, and the gentlemen will be wearing their summer suits or tuxedos, both with fancy Easter hats, as they march the historical neighbourhood. Colourful floats, celebratory music and an overall sense of happiness are all on display. It’s a fantastic way to welcome the spring and say goodbye to the winter blahs. Pride is important to the city, and the Gay Easter Parade is one of the bigger ways they showcase it.

The Essence Festival of Culture runs this year from June 30 to July 3, and is their first year back after going virtual for the last two. It’s a multiday celebration held at the Caesars Superdome, and it has become the nation’s premier showcase for contemporary African American music and culture. It features not only musical performances, but has inspirational and provocative speakers, art vendors and so much more. Some of the big names who have headlined the event in the past include musical superstars Mary J. Blige, Puff Daddy, Beyonce and Mariah Carey, and motivational speakers such as Deepak Chopra, the Clark sisters and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Vendors set up around the Superdome as well, selling their fine arts and crafts, including clothing, jewelry, paintings and sculptures.

There’s more to New Orleans than meets the eye. Plan your trip now, and catch of glimpse of uniqueness that only the Crescent City can offer. Contact Talk of the Town Travel today at (416) 818-1423 to find out how they can help you book your flights, hotels, and plan your itinerary.

Winter Blues Got You Down? It’s Time To Plan A Trip To The Greek Islands!

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When it comes to winter everyone thinks of taking the route of the snowbirds and heading south. After all, the key ingredients for a winter vacation typically include sun, beaches and as much heat as you can handle. It’s time to get the preconceived notion of what a winter vacation is out of your head however and consider taking a trip to the Greek Islands. There you will find more than a few things you aren’t expecting, including views you won’t see during the summer, for less than a trip to Greece would normally cost.

Winter lasts from early November until late March in Greece, and like most countries that recognize the season the weather is getting colder. The temperature can vary from 5°C to 15°C, with most days sunny and a few days of rain.  You won’t see a lot of snow though, meaning hiking and cycling are great activities, even though it’s too cold for swimming.

Like any summer vacation destination, most of the tourists have left by the time winter rolls around, businesses focused on attracting tourists are closed and life for the locals has started to slow down. This mean you will get to see the people of Greece living their authentic lifestyle, instead of the one they show tourists. You’ll also find more home-cooked comfort food, which can be a real treat.  While the ferries between the islands may not run as often during the winter, they do still run to allow you to take daily tours to wherever you’d please.

Some of the large and popular islands you should consider include Crete, Corfu, Santorini and Rhodes. Many people permanently live there, including university students, and you will find many more things to do on them during the winter than some of the smaller islands. This includes hotels and restaurants that close down on the smaller islands once the tourists have left. Crete has four main cities, the archeological site of Knossos, and plenty of hiking and cycling opportunities. Santorini is a wonder when you have it all to yourself, without having to push your way through crowds of tourists, and you will fall in love with some of the best views in all of Greece. If you are a wine lover you will find some of the best options in the world, and the food is well beyond anything you dreamed of. There are also plenty of museums to explore if it rains, or is just a little too cold. And if you want to learn how to cook some of the food you’ve enjoyed, there are cooking tours available for that too.

Winter on the Greek islands isn’t what many people imagine when they think of a winter vacation, but they should. It’s an amazing experience that will stay with you and keep you coming back for more.

If you’re ready to travel to the Greece Island, Henry can help. Contact him today henry@talkofthetowntravel.com or (416) 818-1423 today to find out how he can help you book your flights, hotels, and plan your itinerary.

Now Open: Israel Welcomes Back Tourists

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While it may have taken more than eighteen months, Israel is now open to vaccinated individual and group travelers from the United States and Canada. This follows the successful pilot program the country launched back in May that allowed a few select tour groups to enter as tourists.

“To say we are excited that Israel is reopening to travelers is an understatement,” said Eyal Carlin, Tourism Commissioner for North America. “Israel has taken incredible steps to protect its people and visitors and we pride ourselves on ensuring a COVID-safe and unforgettable trip to those who will be entering our beautiful country. With leading vaccination rates and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, we are eager to welcome visitors back with open arms — of course, at a safe social distance.”

As of November 1st restrictions were lifted, but that doesn’t mean that COVID-19 isn’t being monitored closely to avoid another outbreak. They developed a plan that would allow international travelers to visit and explore the country, so you can enjoy their rich culture, historical sites, stunning landscapes and more.

All visitors must take a PCR test 72 hours before catching their outbound flight, and take a PCR test upon arrival in Israel. They will then need to quarantine in a hotel until either the results are returned or 24 hours pass. Other rules are as follows:

  • Each visitors needs to have been vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 14 days before arrival. If it has been six months since the second dose you will have to get a booster shot before arriving. At least 14 days will have needed to pass since the booster shot as well.
  • If you have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you will need to have had it at least 14 days before arrival. A booster shot will need to be administered if it has been six months since your dose.
  • Visitors that have had COVID-19 need to be fully recovered, with a proof of the results of a positive NAAT test at least 11 days before arrival.
  • Visitors that have had COVID-19 will also have had to have received at least one dose of a WHO-approved vaccine.

You can find a complete list of the requirements on the Israel Ministry of health website.

If you’re ready to travel to Israel, Henry can help. Contact him today henry@talkofthetowntravel.com or (416) 818-1423 today to find out how he can help you book your flights, hotels, and help you plan your itinerary.

You Won’t Want To Miss The World’s Tallest Ferris Wheel In Dubai

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When George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. invented the Ferris wheel for the 1893 World’s Expo in Chicago he probably didn’t think it would ever get bigger than the 80.4 metres (264 feet) metal beast he’d created. After all, he had to deal with all sorts of technical problems to even get his working. Throughout the years engineers have continuously trumped Ferris’ creation however, with the latest triumph coming from the Ferris wheel at Expo 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

At a height of 250 meters (820 feet), the new record holder for the world’s tallest Ferris wheel is a site to behold. It broke the previous record held by the High Roller in Las Vegas, Nevada which opened in 2014.  It takes 38 minutes to make one rotation around in the state-of-the-art cabins, which gives an absolutely beautiful view of the Dubai skyline. Even those watching it from the ground can’t help but be mesmerized by the light show given off by the attraction, especially at night.

Not only is the Ain Dubai the record holder for sheer size, but it also needed 11,200 tons of steel to build, and can accommodate 1,750 passengers at the same time. Each of the cabins can accommodate 40 riders at a time too, which is also a record. Don’t worry; you can bring your food and beverages onboard, in case you find yourself a little hungry or thirsty.

Construction of the Ferris wheel began in 2013, and like most of the Expo 2020 Dubai facilities, it was ready to debut last year. The pandemic however had other plans and delayed the opening until recently. Now it’s the centerpiece of the event.

When George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. invented the Ferris wheel he was planning on rivalling the Eiffel Tower from the 1889 Paris Expo. While he didn’t even come close to doing so, he would have surely been happy the ride bearing his name continues to grow in size and will most likely one day be taller. There is after all only another 74 meters to go.

Expo 2020 Dubai is an event you won’t want to miss. Contact Henry Wiseberg henry@talkofthetowntravel.com or (416) 818-1423 today to find out how he can help you book your flights and hotels, and get tickets to the event.

Explore The World With These Vacations Of A Lifetime!

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The time is now!

We’ve been patient, eagerly waiting for the time to arrive when we could board a plane, ship, bus or train and head off on our next big adventure. We’ve had over a year to find new places to explore and to plan our strategy for when we get there. Soon always seemed to be on the tips of our tongues, but the word now was never formed with our lips. That is no longer the the case. The time for travel is here once more. We can take the trip of a lifetime, explore our breathtaking waterways, hike through our world renowned parks or relax on beautiful beaches. The time is now to make it all happen.

To make travel happen, a lot has had to change. No matter where you go you will see people wearing masks, even on board planes and boats, and you will be asked to prove your vaccine status, take a test, or perhaps both. Your local travel professional will be able to keep you up to date on the locations you want to visit, ensuring your getaway is safe, healthy and happy. It’s more important than ever to have a travel pro helping you every step of the way, because entry requirements can change, flights can be rescheduled, and many other things can affect your trip. You’ve waited too long to take chances, and your local travel pro will make sure you don’t have to.

No matter where or when you want to go, or how you want to get there, your local travel professional will make sure you have the most incredible journey of your life. From expert advice and intuitive services, they can help you put a stop to your endless search for the best deal online, because they can direct you right to it.

Get yourself ready, the time is now. We’ll see you at the airport soon.

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