Kevin's Corner
Way To Go TRI Valley Travel!!!

Once again we have been named Best Travel Agency in the Valley. We have captured the award the last three years. To weather the changes in the industry and provide our clients with the best service is a great accomplishment. I feel we have the best staff in the area and this award shows it.

Congratulations to Kathy, Diana, and Cindy for all of their hard work and dedication.

Cindy has traveled to Hawaii since the last newsletter and she will provide an account of her experience. Call or email her today and let her show you how to plan an affordable Hawaiian vacation.

Diana has taken a few flights on the USA 3000 carrier. She will give you an update on this affordable Florida carrier.

My wife and I had the privilege in May of being guests on the inaugural voyage of the Empress of the Seas that departs from Cape Liberty in New Jersey. What a wonderful experience. The ship is small, but the atmosphere makes up for its size! Leaving from Cape Liberty is really easy. If you do not like to fly or want to save airfare costs this is an easy way to go on a cruise of a lifetime.

Also in August, my wife and I were guests of US Airways Vacations at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority dinner in Pittsburgh. We came home with plenty of news on Las Vegas and all the upcoming events for 2005. We will be planning a group trip in June 2005 and will be sending out postcards when the information is finalized. The staff continues to update our website. Remember-you can do one click to our site and have the links to almost every tour company.

Our group business has risen sharply in the last year. As part of our service we will design your flyers advertising your group and our staff will do your mailings saving your group the expense! We will get you the best prices and "extras" for your group travel. We will gladly offer the free service of accompanying our larger groups.

In our last newsletter we did a question and answer column. One of the questions addressed price comparisons between agencies. It is important when you see an advertisement for cruising that you read the fine print and realize the price you're seeing probably does not contain airfare, port charges, or the taxes. I advise my staff to quote all costs upfront. Most times we can match your internet or other agency prices and still have the backing of the best staff in the valley!

My wife and I will accompany a group on a Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas next month and I will let you know in the next newsletter about the newest ship in the water.

Remember to start thinking about 2005! Set your travel budgets and come see us! See Kathy, Diana, or Cindy for your group travel and get the extra perks when you bring your groups to TRI Valley Travel.

Happy Traveling!
Kevin

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New York Holiday Adventure

JOIN US FOR A HOLIDAY ADVENTURE TO NEW YORK CITY NOVEMBER 26-28, 2005
Package includes :
Roundtrip motorcoach transportation (pick up sites TBA)
2 nights at the Belvedere Hotel (in the heart of the theater district !!)
Orchestra seats for a Broadway show (TBA)
Orchestra seats to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular
Dinner at Carmine's with house wine & beer
Porterage service (one bag in/out hotel)
All applicable taxes
only $614 per person (based on quad)
($649 p/person based on triple)
($729 p/person based on double)
(single price is $1004)
$150.00 deposit PER PERSON due by FEBRUARY 1, 2005
($50 p/p cancel fee after deposit received)
DON'T MISS THE BUS !!
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY !!

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2005 Specials - Royal Caribbean

Save between $25 - $256 off per stateroom on selected sailings in 2005

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New Sandals Resort to Open

On February 10, 2005, Sandals will open its newest Caribbean resort on Jamaica's southern shore. Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa features three authentic European villages. Funjet vacations will offer a grand opening special of up to 50% off bookings for travel from March 10, 2005 and beyond (restrictions do apply). Call us today!

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Free Samsonite Luggage at Sandals
Valued at $300 - $375!!

Let us book your Funjet Vacations package at any Sandals Resort and receive a FREE three-piece set of Samsonite Luggage valued at $300. Or, stay at any Beaches Resort and receive a five-piece family set valued at $375!!

Must travel between 9/01 - 12/19/04 and book by 10/31/04

**valid on new air/hotel bookings only
**minimum 5 night stay required

Call today and Get Packin'!

Email our expert staff

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Cindy's Tour To Hawaii
By Cindy Martin

In early May, I had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii with Blue Sky Tours. Blue Sky Tours has been my preferred Hawaii vendor for many years, due to the fact that they have always offered the best prices, selection, and flexibility for all travel to Hawaii. During my tour, I had the chance to meet key personnel of Blue Sky, such as the area and regional sales representatives and the vice president.

My tour consisted of visits to both Oahu (Waikiki) and Maui. In five days, I visited over 28 hotels and condos and took LOTS of notes! We kept a very wiki-wiki (hurry up!) pace in order to see everything on our schedule. Even though the flight to Honolulu was over 10 hours, the excellent in-cabin service provided by Continental Airlines made the flight extremely pleasant.

The weather could not have been better-84 degrees with a gentile trade wind breeze-not a drop of rain! The beach area in Waikiki was gentle enough for even the most novice swimmer. Waikiki was bustling with activity-from shopping at top-name designer retailers to catching bargains at the International Market Place. Dining options ranged from gourmet to fast food-there was something for everyone. Our group enjoyed a fabulous dinner celebration at Aaron's, which is located at the top of the Ala Moana Hotel, complete with unbelievable views of the Honolulu glistening night skyline and beautiful Waikiki coastline.

By contrast, the island of Maui offered a quieter, secluded atmosphere. The scenic drive from the airport to our resort offered breathtaking views on one side of the ocean (complete with distant views of Molokai and Lanai), to the majestic views of mountain and sugar cane fields. A visit to Maui would not be complete without a visit to Old Lahaina Town, complete with shopping and great dining. We had such a great dining experience at Bubba Gump's Restaurant (made famous by the movie Forrest Gump). Yes, you really can have your shrimp fried, boiled, grilled, etc...

The Hawaiian people are eager to share their proud heritage and history with anyone and everyone. Instead of the popular catch phrase "no problem", the saying is "no worries".

A vacation to Hawaii can be affordable enough for any budget. Call today and let me make your Hawaiian vacation dream come true.

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Grilled Hawaiians

• 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine
• 8 slices of bread
• 4 slices of Swiss cheese
• 8 slices thinly sliced cooked ham
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple-drained

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread butter onto one side of each slice of bread. Place up to four slices of bread butter side down in the skillet. Top each piece with one slice of cheese, two slices of ham, and about 2 tablespoons of crushed pineapple. Place the remaining slices of bread on top with the butter side up. When the bottom of the sandwich is golden brown, flip sandwiches, and cook until browned on the other side (about one minute).

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USA 3000 - One Friendly Airline
By Diana Bartolomeo

Having used USA 3000 flights to Florida in the last few months, I found their service to be excellent. They are on time, offer free headsets with movies or music, and also meal service. Check in is quick and hassle free.

They offer flights to St. Pete/Tampa, Ft. Myers, and Ft. Lauderdale at great prices. Also, they are Apple Vacations Official Airline to their Caribbean and Mexico destinations. Call today and schedule your flight or vacation package.

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US Airways Vacations

We wanted to clarify the concern our clients have had on booking with US Airways Vacations. US Airways Vacations is operated by the Mark Travel Corporation, not US Airways. Mark Travel is the same company that operates Southwest Airlines Vacations, United Vacations, Funjet Vacations and twelve other tour companies. They have been in business for over 30 years and move about 2.6 million people a year. They have air contracts with every major airline. In the event something happens to US Airways they will accommodate our clients on other carriers.

US Airways Vacations' trip cancellation waiver is one of the best in the industry. You may cancel for any reason up to two hours before departure. There is a number to cancel in your documents and you must follow their cancellation procedure. US Airways will continue to use US Airways as their major carrier in Pittsburgh and the airlines continue to expand their service in the Caribbean and Latin America markets.

Kathy Toy is a member of the US Airways Vacations advisory board committee and feels the Mark Travel Corporation is one of the best companies in the tour industry.

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Ski Ski Ski!!!!!!!!!!

US Airways Vacations has early booking specials for 2005 ski destinations on select hotels in Reno/Lake Tahoe, Salt Lake City, Vail, and Denver. Packages must be booked by 11/30/04. Call TRI Valley Today!

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Spend the Holidays on the "Holiday"

• December 25-30, 2004
• Western Caribbean 5 Day Cruise
• From $489.00 per Person
  (based on double)
  (cruise and tax-airfare is additional)

Freemont Street Experience

Downtown Las Vegas recently saw a $16.5 million facelift to its popular Freemont Street Experience. The four block canopy has approximately a million lights and is one of the largest virtual LED screens in the world. The canopy is named Viva Vision and is a must see for anyone visiting Las Vegas. Staying downtown is also a wonderful experience. Enjoy the downtown area and have a short cab ride to the hustle and bustle of the strip!
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Las Vegas Deal
November 2-5, 2004

Includes: Roundtrip non-stop air from Pittsburgh, 3 nts hotel and tax- Lady Luck (downtown), roundtrip transfers from only $267.20 per person. Other dates/hotels/longer stays available-Call Today!

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Happy 100th Birthday Las Vegas!!!

In 2005 Las Vegas will celebrate its 100th birthday. The kickoff will take place on the New Year's eve and continue with festivities throughout the 2005 year. There is not a better year to visit Las Vegas.

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Monorail Opens

In July, the expansion of the monorail system in Las Vegas was completed. The system is expected to carry 19 million visitors its first year. The $650 million project runs on the east side of the strip and stretches from the MGM Grand to Bally/Paris, the Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Harrah's, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Vegas Hilton, and the Sahara. This will be a great way to get around the strip.

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Watch Your Mail!!!

Come with us to celebrate Las Vegas' 100th birthday! We are putting together plans to attend the 2005 birthday party in June of 2005. Once we finalize all the details, you will be getting a birthday invitation to join us for the celebration! It should be a great time and if you have not been to Las Vegas, this is the year to join us!

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