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Tourist Guide Booking Tool

Explore Egypt with a tourist guide

Hailed as “the travel service innovation of 2008″ by the Irish Times

OurExplorer facilitates with ease the on-line booking of professional tourist guides from all over the world. Save time and money while you explore your next destination with the wisdom and guidance of a local.

Have you ever thought whilst visiting a new destination, “I wonder where the locals eat, drink, fish, ski, shop or party?” OurExplorer suggests its time for us all to stop simply sight-seeing but rather start exploring with the local wisdom and knowledge of a professional tourist guide.

OurExplorer has launched a new travel concept in BETA, a user-rated tourist guide booking tool created exclusively for your personal travel needs.

As the global financial crisis still looms, OurExplorer can save travellers hassle and money by getting the maximum out of their overseas adventure with a private tourist guide.

Enjoy the insight of the best shopping and value for money dining experiences in a city, directly from a native. Some tourist guides are currently offering special discounted rates and free tour hours on OurExplorer.

OurExplorer promote professional tourist guides only. Pre booking, the traveller can view their experience, license, past client testimonials or even chat with the tourist guide.

OurExplorer launched in July 2008 with now over 400 private tourist guides covering more than 80 countries worldwide — making it the biggest professional tourist guide directory in the world and growing all the time!

Make your trip overseas unique and full of adventure.
You book your flight and accommodation on-line, why not your tourist guide?
Get a tourist guide for land (city guide, mountain guide) or sea (diving guide).

Purpose of OurExplorer:

1. To help tourist guides increase their income thereby benefiting the local community - especially those in poor countries e.g. Kenya, Mexico and Cambodia.

2. Increase cross cultural awareness and acceptance via direct connection with locals e.g. people in USA get the chance to understand those in Pakistan and Israel

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry but it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

“Less than 9.7% of overseas travelers interact in meaningful discussion with a local,” according to the Tourism 2020 Vision reported by WTO.

The IMF concluded in March 2007 that “direct support of independent local businesses when you travel has the most positive results on local economy”.

“Rather than just donating money, OurExplorer is a sustainable long term solution to help low income families globally,” said David Cunningham (Chief Exploring Officer).

Silversea 2009 Silver Sailings Savings

Ultra luxury Silversea Cruises has launched its Silver Sailings Savings programme for 2009, offering special savings of up to 50 per cent for a limited time on selected 7-18 day all-inclusive voyages including some sailings during Prince Albert II’s inaugural season in Polynesia.. From South America, Alaska, the South Pacific and the Caribbean to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Far East, sailings onboard Silversea’s intimate, all-suite vessels offer the very best in ocean travel.

Cruise in pampered Silversea luxury aboard Silver Shadow on an 18 day voyage departing 11 April 2009 from Sydney to Singapore via Hayman Island, Komodo Island, Bali, Semarang and Karimunjawa Archipelago, enjoying a saving of 30 per cent. All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from US$$10,496* per person, double occupancy.

Be one of the first to experience a South Pacific sailing onboard world-class expedition ship Prince Albert II. Savings of up to 40 per cent are available across all accommodation categories on a series of 10-15 day Polynesian voyages between March and September 2009. All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from US$3537* per person, double occupancy, for ten day Papeete to Papeete sailings departing 31 March, 5 May, 3 August, 7 and 28 September, via Raiatea, Maupihaa and Huahine in the Society Islands and Tikihau, Rangiroa, Apataki, Arutua and Fakarava in the Tuamotu Archipelago.

Experience the best of the Mediterranean by taking advantage of a 50 per cent saving on a 7 day cruise on Silver Whisper departing Rome on 6 June 2009 for Monte Carlo, with calls in Portovenere, Barcelona and Cannes. All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from US$$3,247* per person, double occupancy. Alternatively combine three consecutive 7 days voyages departing from Barcelona to Athens on 20 June and enjoy a spectacular 21 day voyage through the Mediterranean US$13,339* per person, double occupancy.

On 1 March 2009, sail in a luxurious Vista Suite aboard Silver Cloud for 15 days from Rio de Janeiro to Barbados via Grenada and French Guiana and enjoy a saving of 50 per cent. All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from US$$5,497* per person, double occupancy.

Kick off 2009 in style with a 10 day cruise between Port Louis and Cape Town via Madagascar departing 3 January 2009 on Silver Wind. All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from US$$4,917* per person, double occupancy – a saving of 40 per cent.

The Silversea fleet offers the luxury and elegance of a private yacht and the services of a five-star hotel, with distinctive European styling and a convivial atmosphere amongst well-travelled, international guests. Fares are all inclusive with all ocean-view suite accommodation, complimentary wines, champagnes and spirits, and guests can dine at their leisure in a choice of four gourmet restaurants. The friendly Silversea service is renowned and all gratuities are included.

*Port charges, government fees and taxes are additional. All costs are based on per person, double occupancy. Subject to availability. Savings are available for a limited time only.

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of all inclusive conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II in 2008, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.

Silversea Cruises has announced major dry-dock refurbishments are planned for its 296-guest sister ships Silver Cloud and Silver Wind to bring their interiors in line with the style of its newest ship, the 540-guest Silver Spirit (scheduled for delivery in December 2009). For Silver Wind , the month-long refurbishment will take place this November and Silver Cloud’s in May 2009.

Silversea has for the past four consecutive years been named Best Cruise Line by readers of Australia’s Luxury Travel and Style magazine. For nine consecutive years, Silversea has been named “Number One Small Ship Line” in the Readers’ Choice survey conducted by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in the USA and in 2007 was the only cruise line named in the UK edition of Condé Nast Traveller’s “Top 100 Luxury Travel Experiences” at the same time topping the Small Cruise Line award for the eighth time. Silversea has been selected as “World’s Best Small Ship Line” in the US Travel + Leisure readers’ poll for the past eight years, and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” twice in the TravelWeekly Asia Industry Awards, 2007 and 2008.

Crystal 2009 Value Collection Cruises

Crystal Cruises announced its 2009 Value Collection sailings that offer savings of up to 50 percent off regular cruise fares. With the launch of each year’s new itineraries and fares, the line identifies cruises that can benefit from pricing incentives in all stateroom categories. While typically offered on shoulder season dates and repositioning cruises, for 2009, Crystal is expanding its Value Collection to more than a dozen sailings of seven to 17 days through the Panama Canal, South America, the Mediterranean, Western Europe, New England and Canada, Caribbean and the Amazon, as well as Atlantic and Pacific Ocean crossings.

“With Value Collection, travelers can enjoy Crystal’s superb service and luxurious amenities at significant savings,” said Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “This offers a great opportunity to experience Crystal Cruises and understand why we’ve been voted World’s Best by travelers more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort.”

Itineraries offering savings of up to 50 percent in 2009 follow. Panama Canal/Caribbean/Amazon, Feb. 16, Miami to Los Angeles, 14 days, from $3,595 on Crystal Symphony; May 7, Los Angeles to Miami, 16 days, from $4,995 on Crystal Serenity; Nov. 22, round-trip Miami, seven days, from $2,480 on Crystal Serenity; Nov. 22, Miami to Manaus, 13 days, from $3,990 on Crystal Symphony; Nov. 29, Miami to Caldera, 11 days, from $3,775 on Crystal Serenity; and Dec. 10, Caldera to Miami, 11 days, from $3,775 on Crystal Serenity.

In the Mediterranean and Western Europe, eligible cruises are: June 2, Lisbon to Venice, 12 days, from $5,070 on Crystal Serenity; and June 7, Rome to London, 12 days, from $4,360 on Crystal Symphony.

New England and Canada voyages offered in the Value Collection are: Oct. 1, Boston to Montréal, seven days, from $2,575 on Crystal Symphony; and Oct. 30, Montréal to New York, 11 days, from $3,835 on Crystal Symphony.

Specially priced ocean crossings are: March 9, Los Angeles to Hong Kong, 17 days, from $3,690 on Crystal Symphony; May 23, Miami to Lisbon, 10 days, from $3,540 on Crystal Serenity; and Nov. 12, Lisbon to Miami, 10 days, from $3,540 on Crystal Serenity. Fares quoted are based on per person, double occupancy accommodations.

Windstar Cruises Kicks Off Signature Host Series

Windstar Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to travel with artist Jody Hewgill on a Barbados roundtrip sailing aboard Wind Surf, departing Feb. 15.

Windstar’s Signature Collection Host Series features guests and lecturers throughout the 2009 season, beginning with Hewgill, who will host an art exhibit, create sketches and talk to guests about her artistic process and techniques.

Hewgill is an artist and illustrator whose clients include Rolling Stone magazine, Mondavi Wines and Time magazine.

Her work has also appeared in previous Windstar Cruises’ Sailing Atlases.

Hewgill’s paintings are included in the Library of Congress’ Permanent Poster Collection and the Centennial Olympic Games Museum in Atlanta.

Wind Surf’s seven-day Barbados roundtrip visits St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes and St. Lucia.

Cruise rates start at $2,499 per person, based on double occupancy.

Playboy Jazz Cruise Features Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller

Jazz Cruises LLC announced the lineup for the inaugural sailing of the Playboy Jazz Cruise. This full-ship charter is hosted by jazz great Marcus Miller, with special guest Herbie Hancock.

While “Playboy” is in the name, the cruise is “all about the music, musicians and jazz heritage that Playboy has fostered for nearly 50 years.”

Performers will not walk on stage, perform a set and disappear; there will be genuine involvement with the artists, from late-night jam sessions, dinners together, conversation, autograph sessions, and the performances. Joining Miller and Hancock on the week-long cruise will be vocalist Dianne Reeves, blues guitarist and singer songwriter Keb’ Mo’, and jazz storyteller Poncho Sanchez.

Master saxophonist James Moody will also perform, as will trumpeter Roy Hargrove, saxophone virtuoso James Carter, and young jazz pianist Eldar. Rounding out the lineup is vocalist Roberta Gambarini and the New Birth Brass Band hailing from New Orleans.

This jazz cruise will set sail Jan. 25 from Fort Lauderdale on Holland America’s Westerdam.

The cruise will visit San Juan, St. Barts, Nevis, and the private island of Half Moon Cay.

For more information, call 866-923-7269 or visit www.playboyjazzcruise.com

Travelex Global Rewards Card

Foreign exchange specialist Travelex announced the launch of its Global Rewards Card, to reward customers making a repeat purchase at Travelex shops around the world.

Customers who exchange currency pre-trip at Travelex will be given a free Global Rewards Card, which entitles them to a discount at their destination.

The Global Rewards Card gives customers a discount on the exchange rate or commission if they choose to purchase foreign currency from Travelex again in another country.

The card will be valid in over 20 countries and more than 700 Travelex shops worldwide.

Inevitably, the majority of travelers — as much as 70 percent according to global research commissioned by Travelex — find that they do indeed require more foreign currency at some point during their trip.

The Global Rewards Card ensures that they will get the best deal possible in the country in which they are traveling.

 It also helps travelers avoid the additional fees that may come with relying on their credit and debit cards.

For more information, visit www.travelex.com