New Zealand can be best alternative for people to spend nice summer here. There will be many spots that people can visit to have many outdoor activities including having exotic summer festivals. When people arrange vacation for the next February, it might be worth for them to South Island Canterbury because Christchurch has astonishing festival which too precious to be left such as food show festival, Waipara wine and food celebration and a lot of more. To reach those things, people should prepare for NZ accommodation.

This will be easy to do with the presence of Jasons.co.nz where everything can be booked from this site. It becomes nice opportunity to plan the journey from the expert where people also can gain important information. It is including destination guides, travel articles and also some maps. This is great way for people to explore New Zealand.

One of the largest expenses associated with a trek to Europe is the flight. Flying across the Atlantic is notoriously expensive, however, there are ways to find cheap flights to Europe.

1. Get flexible. This is perhaps the single most important rule to follow when looking for cheap flights to Europe. Unless travelers need to be in a certain European locale on a specific date they should be open to traveling at any time of year. This may mean traveling in the off season which, for much of Europe, translates to traveling in the winter. Though most people envision their European holiday occurring at the height of the summer season the winter can actually be an enjoyable and festive time to see the sights. It also tends to be less crowded and allows for discounted hotel rates.

2. Utilize gateway cities. Travelers whose ultimate destination is in eastern Europe will find this one especially helpful, but all travelers may nonetheless benefit from this piece of advice. London is perhaps the best known gateway city and one of the cheapest. From London’s airports travelers can get flights to anywhere in Europe, usually for bargain rates. Plus, fares from Canada to London are also typically quite inexpensive. Also consider using one of the smaller airports available near large city centers. Most London flights come in to Heathrow, but others terminate 65 miles distant at Stansted. Making use of this smaller airport may mean huge savings.

3. Purchase a package. Sometimes bundling many of the major components of a European odyssey can help save huge amounts of money. Travelers who book flight, hotel, attraction and other reservations through one transaction may find that they get a cheaper flight than would be possible if they purchased each component separately.

4. Weekday flying. Changing preferred flight days by just one day, such as a Monday instead of a Sunday, can mean huge savings. Be flexible enough to search for flight deals by moving flight dates around the calendar and it may mean the difference between having a luxurious getaway and having to economize.

Cheap flights to Europe can be found at almost any time of year. By staying flexible, flying to gateway cities, purchasing packages and flying on weekdays travelers can book a flight that won’t make too much of a dent in their wallet.

While many may think that B&Bs are the preserve of the British countryside, it is possible to find suitable accommodation in any major population centre around the world, from a Bed&Breakfast in Istanbul to hosted holiday apartments in Hong Kong if you take the time to browse private holiday letting companies on the internet. By sourcing accommodation this way, you can be sure that the places you will be staying at have the level of comfort and mod-cons that you need, while avoiding places that will be overrun with hormonal teenagers.

When in a foreign country, little things like knowing there is a bed waiting for you in a safe and secure residence can often make the difference between a relaxing and enjoyable time or one wrought with worry and uncertainty. With a clear itinerary of where you need to be and at what time set out before you leave, you can ensure that the rest of your time in the country you are travelling to can be spent learning about the local customs and culture, sightseeing, or just soaking up the rays on a sandy beach.

Some people may consider that a high level of preparedness would take the fun and adventure out of going backpacking. To prevent falling afoul of local laws or customs, it is always recommended that you research your destination to make sure that you are aware of any cultural differences before you leave, so you know how to act as soon as you get there.

It’s easy to see why learning a foreign language is becoming more and more popular, as students of foreign languages have so many fantastic opportunities. They can live and work abroad, appreciate different cultures and get ahead in the workplace.

There are several ways to learn languages, from study abroad programmes to online courses and local language classes. This guide explores the benefits of studying a language and how students can get the most out of learning a language.

Communicate with more people

The National Centre for Languages (CILT) encourages people living in the UK to learn foreign languages. Their figures show that 75% of the world’s population does not speak any English. By learning another language, you will be able to interact with many more people. Just think of all the new and interesting friends you could make if you were able to speak French, Russian or Mandarin!

Live and work abroad

With international travel so affordable, it’s easy to get to loads of different countries. Working visas mean experiencing a different way of life is within reach of those who need to earn a living as well as those who have the funds to go travelling.

Once you’ve learnt a foreign language you’ll find it much easier to live abroad, and getting a job in another country will be a viable option. The locals will be more welcoming if you can communicate with them in their own language, and you’ll have a more rewarding experience because you‘ll be able to understand so much more.

Improve your employability

The job market is seriously competitive at the moment, so getting an edge on other candidates is of upmost importance. Research from the National Centre for Languages showed that UK employers consider language skills to be highly desirable in job seekers (only IT skills rank higher on their list).

You will stand out from other candidates if you can list proficiency in another language amongst your skills. Most industries appreciate employees who can speak a foreign language, so it’s a hugely useful skill even if you’re not planning on becoming an interpreter or translator. Many graduates with language skills are also applying for jobs overseas as an alternative to the tough UK job market.

Where to study foreign languages

When it comes to learning another language, the world is your oyster! You might want to immerse yourself in the culture and enrol in a study abroad programme. You can also sign up for an online course or attend a class locally.

For example, if you’re interested in French courses Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford and many other cities offer such classes. The combination of languages and cities is endless. Perhaps when you think of Spanish courses Bristol might not immediately spring to mind, but you can learn Español in the South West! There are language schools across the UK offering a whole range of courses.

Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo

Beginning your trip at Mission San José will help orient you to the wonder of the missions and give you time to unwind from the Alamo. View a 23-minute film, take a ranger guided tour, and visit a restored Spanish Colonial flour mill, powered by gravity and water.  You are just a short drive south of downtown, but it is like another place and time.  Step into the church and light a candle.  Close your eyes and you can almost hear the 1000s of prayers echoing down through the years.

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña

This mission, built in East Texas in 1716 and transferred to the San Antonio River area in 1731, is.named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Juan de Acuña, Viceroy of New Spain. Built on bedrock, the structural integrity of the mission protected the interior, where today you may view frescoes  painted over 200 years ago.

Mission San Francisco de la Espada

Originally established near Weches, Texas in 1690. Mission Espada is the oldest mission in Texas.



Acequia at Mission Espada

Espada Aqueduct is the only functioning aqueduct from the Spanish Colonial Period in the United States. Explore this age old method of irrigation that has survived 300 years.



Mission San Juan Capistrano

In 1716, Mission San José de los Nazonis was established to serve the Nazonis Indians in the woods of East Texas. This mission, like all the missions in East Texas, was not successful. On March 5, 1731, the mission was reestablished on the east bank of the San Antonio River and renamed San Juan Capistrano.  The 1/3 mile Yanaguana Trail at Mission San Juan takes you to a small section of the San Antonio River in its natural state. The trail is is accessible.

Links to Brochures (PDF) For Each Mission
Mission Concepción | Mission San José | Mission San Juan | Mission Espada

Guided Tours
Tours last 45-60 minutes. Meet at the visitor center or information center of the mission you wish to tour.

Tour Rancho de las Cabras, the grazing lands of the missions, on the first Saturday of the month at 10 am, weather permitting. Call 210.932.1001 for more information.

Scheduled Events in December at the Missions
Hubbell Trading Post NHP Navajo Rug & Jewelry Show & Sale
Visitor Center at Mission San José
Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2011
9 am-5 pm daily

Annual Los Pastores Play
Mission San José
Sunday, December 17, 2011
7 pm (Gates open at 6 pm)
Venue is outside so bring warm clothing and something to sit upon.

Transportation
The public transportation system in San Antonio is VIA. Bus 42 from downtown will bring you to Mission San José and within two blocks of Mission Concepción. There are no buses to Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

By automobile, drive south on South St. Mary’s Street. Approximately one mile south of downtown, after passing beneath railroad tracks, South St. Mary’s becomes Roosevelt Ave. Continue on Roosevelt for 4 miles. You will see Mission San José on your left. At the first stop light past the mission turn left onto New Napier Ave. Follow signs to parking for Mission San José.

More Information

Visit the National Park Services website for more information and to help you plan your visit.

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Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish visitors and subscribers to this blog the best in 2012. My health has taken a turn for the worse, so I do not know if I will be able to update this blog as often as I would like. It has been big fun sharing Texas with you and your families. I hope to see you in 2012!

Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

CyberCelt

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1) It is always helpful to carry along a smart phone that you can use in the event of an emergency and require Internet access. Because you will be travelling outside of the United States, you might want to look into either purchasing a SIM card before your trip or in Aruba. To make sure you have can have cell phone service overseas, it is always helpful to contact your local smart phone carrier. You might be able to simply pay for overseas coverage instead of inserting a new SIM card, especially if your cell phone doesn’t have that feature. In some cases you might also want to consider just buying a prepaid cell phone that you can use and not risk the chance of piling up enormous fees from your smart phone carrier.

2) There are plenty of great travel apps you can use for your iPhone or iPad and among the best and most widely used travel apps are Travel Tracker and the more sophisticated Travel Tracker Pro, Trip Assist by Expedia, and Trip Advisor. The Travel Tracker Pro is a little pricey for some consumers but this handy app can store plenty of information for your trip such as flight status, car rentals, and lodging.

If you use Expedia, you can use Expedia’s free Trip Assist to view your itinerary and makes changes if you need to. Trip Advisor is useful even before you go on your trip. You can read reviews on hotels, restaurants and attractions and many others to determine where you would like to go and where to dine.

3) Another app you might want to consider is a translator since the official language of Aruba is Dutch and Spanish is also frequently used, given its proximity to South America. There are a number of free translating apps you can find on the Apple App Store. If your Dutch and/or Spanish requires a little help, translating apps like Translator with Speech, Translator or iHandy Translator might prove useful during your stay.

Billie Frank and Steve Collins combined to become The Santa Fe Traveler, which provides trip planning and destination management services to independent travelers and groups visiting Santa Fe and

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Article Content:

Santa Fe Experts Billie Frank & Steve Collins
Talk about their Business and Lives


Billie Frank and Steve Collins combined to become The Santa Fe Traveler, which provides trip planning and destination management services to independent travelers and groups visiting Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.

Billie and Steve bring wide-ranging experience to their business.

Billie Frank worked as concierge at two Four-Diamond properties in Santa Fe and formerly wrote about Santa Fe travel for Examiner.com. Both Billie and Steve are among the foremost experts on what to do in Santa Fe and the surrounding area.

Steve Collins performed concierge services at a Relaix and Chateux hotel in Santa Fe, a former Conde Nast Traveler Gold List winner and one of its “100 Best New Hotels in the World.”

A former executive chef who loves southwestern food, Steve has written several cookbooks, including “Grilling and Smoking with The Home Chef,” winner of a National Barbecue Association Award of Excellence. He writes a monthly grilling column for National Barbecue News.

I met Billie and Steve on Twitter and immediately bonded. During a regional food tour of New Mexico, I got to meet them in person. That was a wonderful experience.

Above: Pasquel’s just off the Santa Fe Plaza, which Billie, Steve, and I love.

Q & A with Billie Frank and Steve Collins


Don: When we met, you demonstrated so much affection for each other. How do work together in a business in a way that does not interfere with your personal relationship?

Billie: Like any couple we have our ups and down and we both have red-head tempers (yes Santa was a red-head). We try to respect each other’s boundaries and when we don’t . . ..

Steve: Thank you for noticing that we have affection for each other. We are both strongly committed to our relationship.

We get along just fine as long as I remember Billie is the boss. LOL! Seriously, we do function from two completely different perspectives. The most important thing is to remember that when things work best we each maintain our sense of who we are. We share many passions, including a love of music, good food and travel.

Above: Photo provided by Billie Frank and Steve Collins

Don: How did you meet? Were you traveling?

Billie: This is a blog post in itself. The short story is we met at a house that my former boyfriend shared with a friend of Steve’s. We remet months later by sheer kismet.

Steve: Yes, we met at the home of her ex-boyfriend. They were no longer an item but I guess he didn’t believe she was serious because thereafter he treated me like I stole her. All I can say is she ended up with the better man.

At the time, I would spend my time between New York (City, Hudson Valley and Catskills) and west coast (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California) and between (including Mexico). For me travel has been a way to experience new things, exotic cultures and just generally keep things fresh. Billie prefers luxe travel (never camps).

Don: What brought you both to Santa Fe? What keeps you there, instead of for example along the California coast, which I know you love?

Billie: We spontaneously decided one day in the mid-80’s we wanted to live in the Southwest. Took us 20 years to get there and another eight to get here. I was sitting on top of Puye Cliffs one day and felt like I’d come home. I’ve written about this experience on our blog. I have earthquake issues, so California is not an option.

Steve: I first came to Santa Fe when I was 12. My father is buried in the National Cemetery. I was intrigued by the exotic character of the city and continued to be from then on.

We each have our own answers about what keeps us here. For me, the intermingling of the cultures and histories of the people who have lived here, along with the geology and archaeology are strong interests that continue to resonate. In addition, the cultural stimulation of galleries and museums with all of the different genres is fabulous. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there are excellent restaurants to enjoy.

We love the entire coast of California, coastal Oregon, and Washington State but more as places to visit.



Above: Dining room wall at Epazote in Santa Fe, where Billie, Steve, and I dined upon their recommendation. Chef Fernando and his family provided one of the top dining experiences of my life, absolutely exquisite food and service.



Above: At Epazote, you sample various moles and then choose the most appropriate fish or meat to accompany your choice.

Don: What brings so many excellent chefs to Santa Fe? Surely, they would be making a lot more money in a big city. Why does New Mexico as a whole attract so many serious foodies?

Steve: I can only speculate about why Santa Fe has so many excellent chefs.

Because Santa Fe is such a desirable place to live, many like to be here. I don’t know what the median salaries are for chefs in Santa Fe or how they compare to San Francisco, LA, New York, Chicago, etc., but good chefs are appreciated here and there is good access to quality ingredients (especially fresh and local) and besides money those are two motivating factors.

New Mexico attracts serious foodies because there continues to be strong interest in food that has a strong regional character and identity. Although the process of homogenization impacts us here just as in the rest of the U.S., northern New Mexico continues to follow old culinary traditions. Also there are heirloom varieties of fruits, vegetables, and livestock that can still be found here.

There is also the interest in foods of the peoples who were here before Europeans. All of these factors come together to make it interesting to foodies.

Don: Usually, towns with an influx of wealthy new residents profoundly change, but Santa Fe retains its special character. What could Santa Fe teach other cities about preserving their identity?

Billie: Natives and long-term locals would not agree. Until the mid-80s Santa Fe had normal stores downtown that served the local population. Today, it is all tourist-oriented shops, galleries and restaurants.

What has kept the character is the strict zoning. We have a historical board and any change to a building or piece of land within the designated historic area has to be approved. And, buildings in outlying areas have to meet certain zoning standards. We are one of the few cities in the U.S. with an adobe McDonalds.

Don: Yet when I travel to Santa Barbara I love that a myriad of strict zoning laws keep it essentially looking the same, but do not find the almost primal respect for the founding cultures that exists in Santa Fe. In your city, the newcomers almost seem to have become the old in the way they go about their lives.

Billie: I can only speak for myself, but I find the culture very compelling and that includes the traditional art. There is a definite energy here that I don’t find in many other places. I think New Mexican food is something that we newcomers eat occasionally, but that the people of Hispanic descent still eat as a way of life. We do enjoy the bounty of local foods and love chiles, which are probably the New Mexico state vegetable. I know biscochittos are the New Mexico State cookie.

I think the vibe of the first people remains; they lived on the land and a lot of them are still here, spirit-wise and their descendants are here. This is really a difficult question to answer, as there is a lot of conjecture involved.

Steve: It’s paradoxical that Santa Fe retains its special character in the midst of centuries of change. Santa Fe has drawn artists for many years. This is a core of Santa Fe’s appeal.

I think people are drawn to the aura of creative energy that surrounds a vibrant art community. The special character of Santa Fe is the mingling of cultures and histories along with the community of artists.

Don: Explain what you do, how you help travelers.

Billie: The short answer is, we do anything they need to make their trip memorable. From booking the best lodging for them, to recommending the dining spots that meet their criteria, to planning day trips, to securing concert tickets, even grocery shopping and dropping clothes at the cleaners.

If you need it we do it. We have just added guided tours to our services. Steve, our guide, is a member of the Santa Fe Guides Association.

Steve: We love to make personal connections and learning what interests visitors so that we can work with them to create a customized experience, so that they can cut to the chase and get to the things that they love.

Don: How does being destination concierges differ from when you helped travelers staying at hotels?

Steve: There are many similarities to what I did as a concierge for a luxury destination hotel. The best differences we offer as private concierges have to do with being able to plan more detailed and specialized itineraries.

Billie: We do more for our clients than anyone can reasonably expect from a busy hotel concierge. We are our client’s advocates before and during their trip. We take the time to discover what they really want for their trip.

As we are not dealing with a hotel full of guests needing assistance, we have the luxury to create really individualized itineraries. We also spend a lot of time visiting sites in the area so we know exactly where we’re sending folks and what their experience is apt to be once they get there.

Don: What ethical standards are critical to your profession? I know you care deeply about this.

Billie: We work on walking our talk. If you haven’t figured it out, I’m a very demanding customer. That works well for our clients as I strive to provide the service that I expect as the client.

Steve: The most important ethical standards in this profession have to do with accurately representing your expertise, disclosing instances of complimentary meals, lodging or activities. Whenever one is offering travel services, guests must always feel that their interests are the first priority. Anything that compromises this is detrimental to all, whether it’s a babysitter recommendation, restaurant review or recommended activity.



Above: Roques Carnitas cart on the Santa Fe Plaza, a beloved Santa Fe institution. In Santa Fe, even food carts garner national reviews.

Don: What are some of the most unusual requests you have received? What were some of the most difficult to fulfill?

Billie: The most difficult in a way was a woman who wanted to find the person she bought a handcrafted switch-plate from about 10 years before. She thought that the person was in Albuquerque. I found them and not on the Internet. That’s the great thing about cultivating a network.

The most challenging was choreographing transportation for a business group from Europe who wanted to go to the Lightening Fields. Because of really crazy logistics, it was like military maneuver. The woman at the Lightening Fields, a non-profit art installation, did not think I’d pull it off.

Don: Concierge conjures up images of helping celebrities and other wealthy people book last-minute tables at the French Laundry and tickets to sold-out Yankee games. How accessible are your services to people who have less money?

Billie: We are accessible to all and no Yankees and French Laundries to worry about. We get some great pricing and pass the benefits on to our clients. If you book our basic service and do a lot of stuff, we can pay for ourselves.

Steve: We offer a basic service that is accessible to any budget. The key is having enough advance notice. We try to honor any request no matter how difficult.

Opening night opera tickets can be quite difficult but not impossible. We make it clear in advance if the request is difficult. It’s important to maintain good relationships with concierges, service providers, etc. so that we can provide the best service to all.

Don: How are you paid?

Billie: We are paid by our clients. There is a perception out there that concierges, travel agents and other travel pros refer to places that give them commissions. I wanted to remove that perception from the equation. We do not receive commissions from any of the businesses we book our clients with.

Don: How can people best use your services? What should travelers think about before contacting you?

Billie: We are great for everything from finding a great place for the client to stay, a place that meets their specific needs, to matching them with restaurants and activities that work for them. A hotel can be fabulous, but not for you. We have to listen and sometimes read between the lines. We’re both good at doing that.

If they want a unique trip that goes smoothly, they want to use our services.

Sometimes guidebooks are not up-to-date and people who make recommendations to friends do it based on what they did, not necessarily on what’s out there and may interest the individual more.

Don: Steve, I was very impressed by your knowledge of New Mexico history. What triggered your interest in this? What would you and Billie recommend visitors read or watch about New Mexico before their trips?

Steve: History and culture have always resonated with me. Santa Fe is a treasure trove of information that interweaves those threads. A couple of books that would be great to help people get a feel of this area are Willa Cather’s Death Comes for the Archbishop, a fictional account of Archbishop Lamy who came to Santa Fe in the late 1850’s to create the new diocese.

Another excellent book is Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides. This is a fascinating book because it goes into detail about Kit Carson. Because of who he was and the time in history it gives a great sense of the part the New Mexico played in settling the Western U.S.–Polk, Fremont, manifest destiny–essentially the creation of a coast-to-coast nation.

Books by Frank Waters offer excellent, easily accessible info about Pueblo Indian culture.

On a lighter note there have been some excellent pieces on the Travel Channel–Samantha Brown for example, and Food Network has done pieces on Santa Fe restaurants.

Billie: Read our blog, SantaFeTravelers.com. It’s an ever-growing guide to the area.

Don: I love the plaza in Santa Fe, but discovered Cathedral Park on my last visit, which I enjoyed even more. What other little gems do you both recommend, which many visitors miss?

Steve: There are some great little gems. Nedra Mattucci’s gallery (Paseo de Peralta at Acequia Madre) has an amazing sculpture garden; exploring the Acequia Madre neighborhood, and Cross of the Martyrs for fabulous sunsets to name a few.

Billie: Cross of the Martyrs, San Miguel Mission, the oldest house–the list goes on and on. The three walking tours on the blog can help with this. Also, if they like depression-era art, there are some WPA murals around town.

Don: At the minimum, how much time should someone plan for a first-time visit?

Billie: Four full days would be great.

Steve: If possible, a first visit should be at least four days, ideally a week or more. People frequently say that they wish they had known that they needed more time. Besides things to do in Santa Fe, there are fabulous day trips.

Don: What are some of those absolute must-see destinations in New Mexico and southern Colorado that take a day or longer from Santa Fe, which are often overlooked by visitors?

Steve: The Four Corners region is absolutely a must see. It’s too far to do as day trip from Santa Fe, but to really understand the Native American presence in New Mexico, visit Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde and the remains of all their outlying settlements.

Ojo Caliente Hot Springs shouldn’t be missed–it’s easily under two hours north of Santa Fe. Visitors could include a stay. The accommodations are nice and some were recently renovated.

Taos is well known as a destination and worthy of several days in its own right, especially for those interested in the historic Taos and Taos Modern art scenes and to explore Taos Pueblo (one of two, with Acoma, which continue the Pueblo traditions.)

Billie: Puye Cliffs on the Santa Clara Pueblo, Bandelier National Monument, Fort Union northeast of Santa Fe off I-25.

We love Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Also Great Sand Dunes National Monument in the San Luis Valley in Colorado and we love the picturesque town of Salida. We almost bought a house there when we first came west, but that’s another story.

Don: How should travelers contact you when they want to arrange their visits?

Billie: They can reach us through the contact form on TheSantaFeTraveler.com or or call us at 1-505-474-4155.

Don: Thank you very much.

Note: Although we are good friends, neither I nor BidOnTravel has a business connection with Billie Frank or Steve Collins.



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