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Already seen London, Paris and Rome? Have you stretched yourself to see Prague and Budapest and wonder what’s next? Try Tallinn, Estonia, USA Today calls it one of the 10 up and coming cities of Europe where there is still a deals to be had.

I traveled there and fell in love with the Old Town. Lastly occupied by Russia, is still has some of the Eastern feel and is just waking up form it’s communist past. The Old Town is a World Heritage Site due to the fact that it has been invaded numerous times but has never been bombed and the Old Town stands today much as it has for centuries, of course the city has built up around it and things are modernized but the old world charm can be felt as you enter the city gates and walk the cobbles streets winding their way past stone churches and private residences dating back to the 13th century. The walled city has something like 31 towers that are still fully intact, starting with at Margaret at one end and Tall Hermann at the other. Some house museums others are under repair simply from age.

Being part of the Soviet Union for many years left it’s influence on Tallinn, there are many Russian style churches with the onion top spires as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, you can visit Alexander the Greats cottage where he stayed until he built his palace or you can visit the cities infamous KGB headquarters. You still hear Russian spoken frequently, in fact they only gained independence from Russia in the 1990’s.

While dropping in for refreshment at a local bar we met a boy named Pritt, I believe he was about 10 years old but he spoke Estonian, Russian and Finnish as well as English. We bumped into him over and over in the old town and he finally took us to meet his father who owned a shop where he imported goods from all over the world. I am always amazed by young people in Europe who can speak so many languages and seem much older than their years.

If you’d like more information about traveling to Tallinn, call Jennefer the Europe Expert at Totem Travel, or shoot an email to jennefer@totemtravel.com.

Matangi

Yesterday Air Pacific dropped airfares to $860 roundtrip between LAX and Fiji and as of today the U.S. dollar is worth more than 2 Fijian dollars.  That adds up to incredible vacation for travelers headed to the South Pacific. In fact I put together an excellent 8 night 2 island honeymoon including a beachfront bure at a favorite resort, airfare and some meals for less than $4K total for two…. during high season.  That’s a deal!

Tahiti’s fares haven’t come down that far but there are excellent values in those islands as well.  Some of the best resorts are offering free nights or free meals, but even so a similar Tahiti honeymoon will still be $6-7K.  That’s largely because the cost of goods and services purchased in the islands is much less in Fiji.

Math isn’t everyone’s forte but most of my clients undertand it when I say our dollar is worth 3 times as much in Fiji than in Tahiti.  Let’s use a $100 bill as an example.  In Tahiti, that particular greenback is worth 75 EU (Euro), while in Fiji it’s worth 222 FJD (Fijian Dollars).  So if you’re sitting down to a restaurant meal, ordering a bottle of wine, shopping or headed for a snorkeling trip your money goes much further in Fiji.

Resort and hotel rates are also more affordable in Fiji and there are fantastic specials at some of my favorite resorts such as a 2 for 1 meal plan at Tokoriki, low season rates through high season at Qamea and free nights at Radisson Fiji.  So if you’re dreaming of a tropical honeymoon in the South Pacific please call or email linda@totemtravel.com and we’ll take a look at all the best vacation deals!

Yikes!  Gorgeous resorts, beautiful weather, snorkeling, lots to see and do but is it safe to vacation in Mexico?  Two weeks ago all we had to consider were overblown reports about border violence and it was our job to explain that Cancun was 2000 miles away from the nearest incident.  Now we have the swine flu…

A press release received from Mexico yesterday indicates there have been no documented cases in the state of Quintana Roo which contains the Yucatan peninsula, Cancun and the Mexican Riviera.  However U.S. reports hint that NY students that have contracted the flu were exposed while on spring vacation. 

For now all that can be said for certain is that the virus is in the U.S., Mexico and other countries and airlines are offering options to those that wish to change or cancel plans.  If you booked your trip through Totem Travel and would like to explore those options pleas call.  We are here to help!