More ideas in today's travel market

We might need to re-plan our holidays this year, today gas hit another all time high, nearly 140.00 per barrel. What are we going to do, well as in previous blogs, we must in fact get smarter then our leaders and get in touch with a local travel agent!

Let's do some brain storming to combat the airlines and high cost of driving our vehicles. I think it would be nice to find an alternative way to get to one place or the other.

Today I received a brochure from Amtrak Vacations, your travel agent can book these. Amtrak packages might seem pricey compared to the amount of time it would be just to fly, but isn't that the reason we are looking at alternatives, to avoid flying?

Here are some itineraries that I have been on and are spectacular:

1). Northern Border and Pacific Northwest
2). West Coast Spectacular
3). Jazz, Blues and Rock 'n Roll
4). French Connection
5). Peaks to Pacific
6). Grand Canyon, Midwest

Others are available, and one thing to consider when looking at the pricing of these rail journeys is not to forget you are getting a "tour" type of travel, not a point to point. Sleepers include all your meals in the dining car, that is a big savings - if you travel coach and decide not to pack your meals for the journey it isn't out of the norm for a group of 4 people to spend over 85.00 for dinner, like wise 49.00 for lunch. Adding this up on a four day, three night trip you might find that the sleepers are more cost effective then coach.

How about Canada, the Canadian Rockies are an marvel of nature that you should not miss, you will see wild life, beautiful streams, rivers loads of bears and other animals that you might not want to reach out and pet. I have personally seen a black bear come up against our parked rail car and check us out from the outside, thank goodness. Via rail, the Canadian Rail Service is a little like our trains. There are also private lines, and tour operators that use these trains.

Have you heard of Trek Tours? I have, contact us if you are interested in a walking tour or trekking tour across America or in a specific region.

I even have another idea, Duvine - biking and hiking? Sounds healthy, green and what a great way to share a trip with new found friends.

I was once told by a tour operator, it isn't the product or idea - everyone does everything and you can't think of something that has not been done, so when you do a tour yourself or design one, it is an experience not just a tour or something to do.

I just came up with a new one! How about a mentoring vacation with the Y or your church youth group, combining your family vacation with a youth group there reducing travel costs and combining allot of the expenses. There is also the feel good aspect of taking a group camping, fishing or even kayaking along the coast to get up close and personal with the sea life.

Thanks for reading!