Morocco, Africa luxury adventure awaits, Marrakech the Sahara, Fes and Rabat are some of the magical cities to explore.  

On a winding road in the High Atlas Mountains between Ourzazate and Marrakech I realized I had to tell of my adventure in the Sahara.  These snowy mountains have watched over us since returning from the desert, and red colored foothills loom formidable, while delicate terraced fields glow green along the riverbanks.  The balance of life is more pronounced than anything I have ever seen.  Morocco is like a jewel lying between the sea and the Sahara.

Berber tradesmen once traveled along the routes between the Imperial cities of Fes, Rabat and Marrakech to Timbuktu. Now they are settled in towns that fringe the dunes and up into the mountains.  Herdsmen still roam with their goats, camels and black wool tents following the best grazing land. From atop the grand kasbah Ait Ben Haddou we watched a man and hundreds of goats scramble along the rocky terrain on their daily search for sustenance.

We met our drivers in the town of Erfoud, where we transferred to Range Rovers for an exhilarating hour long sunset ride.  Dust spewed out behind our wheels and the other vehicle’s lights glowed and danced around us like fireflies as we made our way to Merzouga.  The way is marked on the map as a “regional road track”, starting out roughly paved and turning into imperceptible sand covered tracks.  Our turbaned driver knew the way and laughed at our amazement.  Seeing that he had a tape deck, we asked if he would play some music.  He whipped out a worn cassette, whacked it a few times, blew out the dust and we were in business.  The exotic melodies of drums and horns were then interrupted by the ringing of our guide’s cell phone, keeping us in the present. 

A bonfire and drums greeted us at the camp.  The staff dressed in blue robes and turbans offered dates and goats milk from bronze trays.  Two rows of black tents for sleeping formed a courtyard where the fire burned before an area set with carpets, couches, poofs and low tables.  Everything sparkled as the full moon lit up the dunes as far as the eye could see.  Orion and his pals filled the sky as we dined and drank wine, danced and sang into the night.  Then we slept in our Berber tents, keeping warm under thick fleecy blankets, marveling at the shine of sequins reflected in the candlelight.

We awoke to the sound of a lone drum, then the mooing of camels and the calling of drivers.  The sun was not up yet, just a faint glow that made the sky a deep titian blue.  Warm clothes kept us warm in the chilly Saharan morning, as we sat atop our camels.  Mine was a sweet animal, with a beautifully thick curly brown coat, upon long light colored legs.  As we walked out into the sand my body found its balance in step with my majestic mode of ancient transportation.  The driver was a handsome brown weathery man in a grey chellabah. His pointed hood silhouetted by the sand, as he led us out to greet the sun.

We passed small dunes with sparse, course grasses growing in patches.  Deep valleys in the sand sheltered larger clumps of wonderful green desert plants that surprised me with their rare lushness.  In the distance a great dune stood over a hundred feet tall.  We road on and on enjoying the awe inspiring scenery, when at the foot of the great dune we stopped.  By now the movement of my camel seemed second nature, and I leaned back into a standing position as he sat upon the sand.  After settling on his great legs a moment I climbed off.

My unnamed guide held out his hand and led me on the steep climb up the gigantic dune.  It was a struggle straight up the side. At the point where I thought no way can I make it I looked up, we were so close I could not quit.  One more groaning effort, as the smiling desert man pulled my arm, losing his shoes in the shifting sand, and we were up.  He retrieved his shoes and we happily sat upon the crest to watch the sun rise.  I felt like we sat on the edge of the world, nothing but wind swept sand spread out to what could be infinity. The timelessness was accented as the sun peaked over a distant dune, its bright beams warming our faces and our hearts. 

Call the experts at James TravelPOINTS to plan your adventure 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.  
  

Nestled in the Hawaiian Island Chain, is the tiny island of Lana’i.  Remote, untouched and dramatically beautiful, this 16,000-acre island holds the mystery of old Hawaii. There are only 2,800 residents, and two world-class resorts on this beautiful island,  top quality recreation is never crowded, and always convenient.  And speaking of sports they’ve got it all–hunting, Sporting Clays, fishing, golf, tennis, horseback riding and hiking or of course everyone’s favorite sport–relaxation.  This sleepy little island is also home to a cultural arts program that surpasses those offered in many metropolitan cities; the visiting arts program brings authors, chefs, filmmakers and other fine artists together with you in a personal, living room setting.

Here you will find miles of sand with no footprints on both the northern and eastern shores, pristine hideaways just as they were thousands of years ago.  Experience incredible snorkeling at the Marine Preserve at Hulopo’e Bay and Manele Day with abundant tropical fish.  Don’t be alarmed if the spinner dolphins break the stillness when they cruise past you in the blue waters, and leap playfully into the air.  The clarity of the water, the fantastic lava tubes, and the underwater cathedrals provide the most dramatic diving in Hawaii.

A must see is Kanepu’u, where the Garden of the Gods is located.  Described as eerie, beautiful, serene, and spiritual, these badlands were sculpted by the raging forces of nature.

Hiking throughout Lana’i is superb.  The Munro Trail winds up from Koele though mountain grasslands, where rain forest of ohia lehua, pine, ironwood, and eucalyptus line the mountain’s backbone ridge to the summit of Lana’ihale.  Lean about the ancient Hawaiians and hike around Kaunolu in southwest Lana’i.  This area is the location of a deserted pre-contract Hawaiian village, which was once a fishing community.

Visitors can horseback ride around the uplands or take a horseback tour of the island’s many off-road trails.  Keep your eyes open for wild game such as the axis deer, mouflon sheep and an abundance of game birds-pheasant, quail, chukar partridge, and wild turkey.

The Lana’i Pine Sporting Clays is the only resort course in Hawaii. The rustic 14-station course is situated within a 200-acre pine-wooded valley overlooking Molokai.  There are different levels of play, challenging enough for the experienced and easy enough for those new to the sport.

If it’s time you got back to nature yet spent your nights in luxury it’s time you experienced the island of Lana’i, give the experts at James TravelPOINTS a call we will get you on your way 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada is 193 square miles of pure, blue water surrounded by 10,00 foot peaks.  It sits magically 6,225 feet above sea level.   James TravelPOINTS can help you plan the perfect weekend getaway or meeting and incentive groups 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com 

Here you can play at 28 world-class alpine and Nordic ski resorts.  Hike and mountain bike on endless trails throughout the Sierra Nevada.  Golf on some of the most incredible courses in the country.  Take advantage of 24-hour casino action, top comedians and musicians.  And enjoy it all amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Jaipur, India, in South Asia is known at the Pink City offers palaces, forts, festivals and bazaars, one of India’s most vibrant and exotic destinations.  The James TravelPOINTS experts would like to let you in on our secret The Oberoi Rajvilas.  You will feel like royalty at The Oberoi Rajvilas a unique way to experience Jaipur, a luxury resort with its own distinctive character, it revives the gracious lifestyles of India’s legendary Rajput princes.

Go ahead.  Speak it, and see if you don’t feel like going there. “Jaipur.”  A word that stirs the senses, representing that vibrant part of India that glows with exotic pageantry, where the daily culture itself is the country’s principal wealth. Intoxicating, particularly if one is well kept, as in the case of Oberoi Hotel’s fantastic new resort, Rajvilas.

Built as an oasis of elegance an luxury, worthy of a new Maharajah if ever that were to be India’s way again, Rajvilas spreads itself with regal grace over thirty acres of beautiful gardens, pools and fountains, in the peaceful countryside just outside the Pink City of Jaipur.

Inside you’ll find deluxe rooms with four-poster beds and sunken marble baths; and the grounds, romantic Rajasthani-style “tents” (air-conditioned, permanent guestrooms with teak floors, exquisite furnishings, luxury baths and incredible suspended ceilings).  Rajvilas is so appealing that Architectural Digest did a spectacular piece on the hotel (August 1998).

James TravelPOINTS destination experts will help you with the process of planning a unique journey thru India that includes this magical destination, 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.
 

India, officially the Republic of India located in South Asia is home of the Taj Mahal and the Bengal tiger a country of culture, history and beauty.

For the Photo Enthusiast:  Ever harder to spot, the Bengal tiger hides in northern India at the foot of the Himalayas.  The regal beast’s population has stabilized in Bandhavgarh, formerly the Maharaja’s personal hunting grounds and now a national park.  Targeting is limited to aiming one’s lens and click–bagging a photo as a trophy.

Commanding yet balletic, richly coated and magnificently striped, with luminous, calculating eyes and Richter-level jolts of strength, the Bengal tiger simply won’t move off the “must see” list of photographers, whether amateur or professional.

And so, everyone wants three things when traveling to see him.  One, a very high quality guide who will find the right locations to increase your chances of spotting the elusive beast” two, perfect comfort and convenience way out there, so far from home; and three, as long as one has come so fare, a chance to see a bit of surrounding India.

We have the perfect “Jungle Odyssey” from Delhi to Rathambore (for game drives by Jeep); Bharatpur (excellent bird watching); Agra (Taj Mahal); Khajuraho (temples rich in Kama Sutra carvings–holy to Easterners, naughty to Westerners); Bandhavgarh (home of the tiger); and back to Delhi.  It’s culture and nature in undiluted.  Call the experts at James TravelPOINTS for more details 1-800-274-0436, www.travelpoints.com.

Here’s a rare opportunity to combine two wonderful, but entirely different, Eastern Canada vacation experiences in one unforgettable adventure. Ideal for couples, families or anyone who prefers to travel independently.  Featuring the four-star resort Fairmont Chateau Montebello and the Fairmont Kenauk wildlife reserve in a rustic cabin on a private lake.

At the luxurious log-and-stone Chateau Montebello (located midway between Montreal and Ottawa), you can enjoy horseback riding, biking and a beautiful spa.  

One of North America’s largest and longest-established private fish and game reserves, Kenauk has more than 70 lakes and 100 square miles of carefully protected wildlife habitat, truly a sportsman’s paradise.  A comfortable home away from home; a charming cabin on a private lake.  We can arrange, a nature guide for a half-day wildlife walk.  Canoeing and private tours of the Kenauk Hatchery can also be arranged.

Contact James TravelPOINTS for more details on this unique Eastern Canada adventure 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

The island of Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island, is the youngest and the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.  Five massive volcanoes built the Big Island and in the fires of creation formed an island twice as large as all the other islands combined.  The Big Island continues to grow as Kilauea Volcano, the worlds most active volcano is constantly adding acres of lava to the island’s shoreline.  Geographically it’s the most diverse island with deserts, rainforests, volcanoes and surprisingly, snow-capped mountains.  The mountain create a huge barrier that block the northeasterly trade winds and makes the leeward, western side of the island the driest region.  This coast has the best beaches and water conditions.  The windward, eastern coast is predominately rugged, with pounding surf, plenty of rain, tropical rainforests, deep ravines and majestic waterfalls.  Kona, Waikoloa and Hilo are the main centers for accommodation and restaurants.

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is hands down the most unique park in the US National Parks system.  The park represents life and growth and creation of the most natural, basic kind.  This exceptionally large park encompasses two active volcanoes, a still-steaming sunken crater and geologically awesome landscape of cinder cones, pumice pillars and hardened rivers of lava.  Its terrain ranges from tropical beaches to the subartic summit of Mauna Loa, and includes lovely rainforests and fern groves.  It is a fascinating, exciting place to visit.  Plan to spend at least two days in the area, exploring the hiking trails, the unusual attractions and the scenic points. 

The lush, coastal Waipio Valley is the largest and most spectacular of the series of valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains.  It is enclosed by near-vertical 2000-feet-high cliffs and is accessible only by a narrow, excessively steep 4WD track, making hiking in the best option.  The valley is a fertile tangle of jungle, flowering plants, taro patches and waterfalls; this is a magical place to experience the spirit of the “old” Hawaii.

Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park encompasses ancient temples, royal grounds, burial sites and a place of refuge. Take time to check out the carved-wood representations of ancient gods; the stone board for playing konane, an ancient form of checkers played with black lava and white coral; and the wonderful snorkeling found off the natural lava steps just north of the place of refuge.  The beautiful stretch of white sand at Hapuna Beach is the island’s most popular beach.  It has good snorkeling, swimming, diving and bodysurfing.  Avoid the winter surf, which can pound the shoreline and get unsuspecting swimmers in trouble.

The Big Island is a perfect adventure for everyone; there are accommodations for every price range, great adventures, great beaches, and amazing scenery.  Give the experts at James TravelPOINTS a call and we’ll take care of the rest, 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

Guatemala rich in culture and history, Chichicastenango market, Tikal, Lake Atitlan and Antigua are just a few of what this Central America country has to offer. 

Guatemala, Central America is know as “the land of the eternal spring” is a nation rich in history.  Most archaeologists agree that ancient Guatemala was the culture center of the New World and the famed Maya civilization. It’s many Mayan ruins and colonial buildings are its most impressive architectural attributes.  This much we know: Beautiful lakes, towering volcanoes, rugged mountains, and exotic flora and fauna all make Guatemala an exceptional place to vacation.

Chichicastenango must be visited on Sunday, the day of the famous open-air market where traditionally dressed Indians offer their wares in open stalls.  The cofradias (religious brotherhoods) often hold processions on this day.  The locals have combined traditional Mayan religious rites with Catholicism; the best places to witness these old rites are around the church of  Santo Tomas and the shrine of Pascual Abaj, which honors the Mayan earth god  Incense, food and drink are offered to ancestors and to ensure the continued fertility of the earth.  This is a magical and misty highland town is surrounded by valleys and overshadowed by looming mountains.

Tikal, in the heart of the Guatemalan jungle.  Tikal Park is not only a refuge for most of Guatemala’s mammals, but one of the places where they can easily be observed.
Towering pyramids rise above the jungle’s green canopy, while down below spider and howler monkeys swing nosily through the branches of ancient and trees, colorful parrots squawk and tree frogs fill in the auditory gaps.   With some luck you may even spot coatis, raccoons or white tailed deer.  More than 300 species of birds have been recorded within the park, from hummingbirds to great birds of prey.  Tikal was one of the most important, if not the most important, urban centers of the Maya area, as proven by the more than 3,000 buildings spread over 16 kilometers, including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, residences, plazas, causeways and steam baths.  Here you will also find more than 200 stone altars, hundreds of graves and ritual sites, hear is an uninterrupted history of at least one thousand years.  You can almost feel the presence of this ancient society.

Lake Atitlan and its eternal blue sky here you will have a magnificent view of several volcanoes.  Though this area does not prompt instant name recognition among travelers its beauty easily trumps more famous lakes.  The tiny villages along the 50-square-mile lake are still inhabited by modern-day Mayans wearing traditional dress, kaleidoscopic garments shimmering with purple, orange and crimson threads.  A highlight will certainly be the boat tour to the village of Santiago de Atitlan.

Antigua Guatemala set amid three magnificent volcanoes, with superb colonial buildings.  And of course time in Guatemala City where you have the opportunity to visit several important museums, housing beautiful Mayan and Spanish colonial art.

If you’re looking for something exciting and adventurous, this could be the one. Give the experts at James TravelPOINTS a call and we’ll send you on your way, 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com