It received route approvals from the relevant governments under Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs).

Fastjet also said it was putting its plans to launch a domestic service in South Africa on hold.

“This is a monumental day in Fastjet’s history, and brings us closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s first pan-continental low-cost airline,” said Ed Winter, chief executive and chairman.

“We have expended huge effort over the past six months in obtaining these rights, and we can only thank the government and population of Tanzania, who have lobbied hard to allow us to gain access to the bilateral rights to operate to these countries.

“We will soon announce launch dates for flights to Johannesburg, Kigali and Lusaka from Dar es Salaam.”

The company is hoping to offer early bookers flights between Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam for around $100 (£64), one-way, excluding government taxes and charges.

Cleared for take-off

Separately, on Thursday, the company agreed to create a low-cost airline operating within Nigeria, jointly with Nigeria’s Red 1 Airways.

Fastjet was created following its acquisition of the African airline Fly540, and operates from four bases in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Angola.

As such, it already has 10 aircraft serving around 25 destinations within Africa.

Fastjet also announced it had secured financing of up to £15m ($23.5m) through an equity deal with Darwin, a subsidiary of fund managers Henderson Global Investors Volantis Capital.

Source: citifmonline.com

The Pamirs, “Baam-e-Dunya” Roof of the World

Most enticing for the mountaineer are the three giants of the Pamirs: Peak Somoni, Peak Lenin and Peak Korzhenevskaya. For alpine climbing, high level walking tours and lakeland scenery the Fann mountains, just across the border from Samarkand, are especially popular.

Tajik girls in their traditional dress at Navroze (Persian News Year) Festival celebrated on 21 March.

The populated valleys have a rich history. In former times, Tajikistan was at the crossroads of Asia and four major Silk Road routes passed through the Pamir and Fann mountains. There is evidence of the Sogdian (Zoroastrian) civilisation, as well as Buddhist, Hindu and Christian remains. More recently, the country’s Islamic history has produced some fine examples of Central Asian Islamic art and architecture. And of course the Soviet period of the 20th century has left its mark in architecture, art such as the huge statue of Lenin overlooking the city of Khujand, and engineering achievements like Nurek Hydroelectric Dam (the tallest artificial dam in the world).

Officially the Republic of Tajikistan, is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. It borders Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. Capital: Dushanbe Currency: Tajikistani somoni President: Emomalii Rahmon Population: 6.977 million (2011) Languages: Russian, Persian, Tajik Government: Presidential system, Semi-presidential system

Climate

Mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in the Pamir Mountains.

Terrain

The Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate Tajikistan’s landscape. The western Fergana Valley is in north, and the Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys are in the southwest.

The country’s lowest point is at Syr Darya (300 m), and its highest point is at Qullai Ismoili Somoni (7,495 m).

History

The region covering today’s Tajikistan was part the of Persian empires for much of its history. This region has been an important place for flourishing Persian culture and language.

In recent history, Tajikistan has experienced three changes in government and a five-year civil war since it gained independence from the USSR in 1991. A peace agreement among rival factions was signed in 1997 and implemented in 2000. The central government’s less than total control over some areas of the country has forced it to compromise and forge alliances among factions. Attention by the international community in the wake of the war in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development assistance, which could create jobs and increase stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace. In recent years, Unemployment has been fought by the government with a huge success, though the country has been unable to cope up with the problems left behind of the civil war. Today, most prospects of change are clearly being evident to help recover the country, though much of these measures are proving to be inefficient and unfulfilling.

Visas

Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia and Ukraine do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days.

Following the trends of other Central Asian countries, visas are increasingly easy to obtain, particularly for nationals of wealthy countries. This policy is designed to stimulate tourist activity in Tajikistan. The big change has been the abolition of OVIR registration for tourist visits under 30 days. Letters of invitation are no longer needed on arrival at Dushanbe airport, but are needed to prearrange a visa from the UK and US embassies.

Visas have to have applied for in advance at Tajik embassies or may be purchased upon arrival at Dushanbe airport. However due to a recent change in the law, these visas are now only available to citizens from countries with no Tajik embassy. To save time you can complete and print a form before arrival [2]. It is best to use the Tajik form, bring two passport photos, a handful of photocopies of your passport and cash. The process takes around 10 minutes. Tourist visa in Tajikistan costs $US25 in Dushanbe International Airport and in consular representatives abroad. A separate permit is required if you wish to travel to the GBAO region; it costs $US50 and is easily obtained when applying for a visa or in Dushanbe.

If crossing a land border then get a visa prior to arrival. The embassies in Vienna and London are the more professional. You may struggle to get a visa at some consulates who will simply say ‘get it at the airport’ (e.g. Kabul), which isn’t useful if you want to arrive by land.

By plane

National carrier Tajik Air and the new private airline Somon Air are the country’s two airlines. From Dushanbe, flights are available to numerous cities across Russia, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Sochi, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk, Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Orenburg, Irkutsk, Nizhnevartovsk, Surgut, Kazan, & Yekaterinburg. Destinations within Central Asia include Bishkek, Almaty, Urumqi, & Kabul.

Aside from Russia, the main international destinations to/from Tajikistan are:

Istanbul — Turkish Airlines, Somon Air

Dubai/Sharjah — Somon Air, Tajik Air

Frankfurt — Somon Air

Tehran — Somon Air, Iran Aseman Airlines

Somon Air plans to add services to China in the future.

The airport in Khujand has service to about a dozen Russian cities through 8 carriers plus a weekly China Southern Airlines flight to Urumqi.

By car

While relations with Uzbekistan are the worst among Tajikistan’s neighbors, it is the most crossed by travellers and the roads to these crossings are in much better condition than those leading to Kyrgyzstan or Afghanistan. The current situation (June 2010) is unknown, but in recent years Tajik vehicles have not been allowed into Uzbekistan and Uzbek vehicles needed to pay large tariffs to enter Tajikistan. So your trip may require taking one vehicle to the border and catching a ride on another after crossing the border. The journey from Tashkent to Khujand takes about two and a half hours and is frequently travelled by private cars and marshrutkas (minibuses) which will take you along for a small amount (under $US10). The short (60km) trip from Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Penjikent is also frequently travelled by private cars and marshrutkas. Currently (July 2012) border crossing near Penjikent is closed due to strained relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. If you want to go to Samarkand from Khujand, you have to cross border at Oybek post (250km from Samarkand). There are marshrutkas and taxis from Khujand to Oybek. Taxis cost from 50 to 100 somonis depending on time of a day.

In winter months, snow blocks the passes connecting Dushanbe with the north of Tajikistan. To travel to Dushanbe during these months, you need to head south and cross from Termez, which will take you around the west & south sides of the mountains and take you to Dushanbe.

From Kyrgyzstan, there are a couple of options, mostly from Osh and none make for a very smooth journey. The rugged, remote Pamir Highway (see next paragraph) is the slowest, but most popular. From the crossroads at Sary-Tash, a road leads west for 500km through the Karategin Valley to Dushanbe. A little rugged near the border, but not nearly so as the Pamir Highway. A third option is from the Batken region to Isfara, but it passes through several of the Uzbek enclaves within Kyrgyzstan, necessitating a multiple-entry Uzbek visa and plenty of time for border crossings; bypassing these enclaves is a pain and requires navigating lots of poor, local roads with little or no signage. Travelling through the Ferghana Valley, it also has the least interesting scenery and recent ethnic confrontations in the region make this a poor choice for travellers.

A scenic, albeit rough, journey into Tajikistan is via the Pamir Highway which runs from Osh to Khorog to Dushanbe. Just about the only highway in the GBAO region, this route ranges from smooth tarmac full of busses, trucks to a single-lane road carved into a cliff. The border crossing lies at 4280m and peaks at the Ak-Baital Pass at 4,655m. The journey takes 2-3 days from Osh-Khorog and three on the rougher stretch from Khorog to Dushanbe, longer if you want to stop and enjoy the scenery. Minivans travel the route from Osh to Murghab every few days for $US15; hitch hiking on Kamaz trucks and ZIL petrol tankers is also possible anywhere enroute for $US10. A 4 wheel drive is necessary and large portions of the highway are impassible in winter and frequently blocked by mudslides in spring.

The US has funded a couple of bridges connecting Tajikistan with Afghanistan. Roads from Qurghonteppa, Kulob, & Dushanbe lead to the main crossing at Nizhnii Panj. From there, a road leads south to Kunduz which unfortunately, as of 2010, is a stronghold of the Taliban in the north of Afghanistan. There is a bridge at Khorog leading to Feizabad, Afghanistan as well as a few mountainous roads elsewhere in the GBAO leading to Afghanistan.

A border crossing with China was opened in 2004. The crossing and connecting roads link the Pamir Highway with the the Karakorum Highway and provides a link to Kashgar (Kashi) to the north and Pakistan to the south. As of 2010, it remains closed to foreigners.

By boat

There is currently a ferry operating across the Pyanj river between Afghanistan and Tajikistan that costs roughly $US10 one way. However, the opening of the U.S. funding bridge over the Pyanj will likely end this service, which crosses roughly three times per day and does not run on Sundays.

By train

The train to Moscow is popular with migrant workers. It takes around five days and crosses through Uzbekistan (twice), Turkmenistan, & Kazakhstan; transit visas are required for all these countries.

Train 367 – 08:08 leaves Dushanbe (Mondays & Wednesdays). 14:04 Arrives Khujand next day. Final destination Kanibadam.

Train 335 – Khujand-Samarqand-Saratov is three times a week. 18:44 depart Khujand (Mon, Thur, Sat) 02:15 arrives Samarqand.

Train 336 – 06:10 departs Samarqand (Wed, Fri, Sunday) 14:27 arrives Khujand.

Getting around:

By minivan / shared taxi

Scheduled minivans run between the major cities but otherwise hiring a vehicle or sharing one with other passengers is the only way to travel around the country. Prices are generally per person, not for the vehicle, and divided by the number of passengers.

SUV’s can be hired and leave daily from Khujand’s large minibus terminal located just outside the city. Prices are negotiable but should be in the range 60 USD per person. Assure the vehicle is fit for long road travel, inspect spare tire.

By plane

As the country is broken into many isolated areas by mountain passes that are closed in winter, travel during this time is by air only, if the planes are flying. Tajik Air and Somon Air operate several daily flights to Khojand (between 35 and 70 minutes, depending on the plane) and Khorog, a thrilling plunge through mountain peaks. This flight does not go if it is windy. Ticket vendors next to the Green Market in Dushanbe can provide a reliable estimate of their timetable. Make sure you arrive early for your flight. Also, passports and visas will be checked on domestic flights, so bring them with you.

By train

Train 368 – 16:34 leaves Khujand (Fridays & Sundays). 22:36 arrives Dushanbe the next day.

Tajik, mutually intelligible with Persian and often considered a dialect of it, is the primary and historical language of Tajikistan. However, due to Soviet promotion of Russian, almost all Tajiks also speak Russian, including most younger people, and in the cities people tend to be fluent. There are also ethnic Russians with Russian as their native language. Russian is widely used in government, which makes it widely spoken by government officials such as policemen. English, however is hardly spoken, and the only people likely to speak a word are youths, especially in the capital, but even to them Russian is often a stronger language since it is widely taught to them by their parents.

Whilst Tajikistan may not appear on most people’s priority destinations, its mountains are some of the most beautiful in the world and the terrain is wild and remote in many parts. The main attraction for tourists is the road trip on the ‘Pamir Highway’ (M41), journeying from the capital, Dushanbe, eastwards into the Pamir mountains and onwards to the north-eastern border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The route has become a singificant attraction for adventure travellers using various modes of transport and cyclists, motor-cyclists and 4×4 drivers all seek the challenge of this bone-crunching 2000Km switchback through the western arm of the Himalayas.

Recent tourism resource developments have seen responsible steps made in accommodating the increasing numbers of travellers and a balance is being achieved, maintaining the cultural and environmental heritage of the communities.

Tajikistan is a stunning place, and there is plenty to do, from the Silk Road mystique of places like Khujand and Istaravshan, to the stunning, untouched mountain scenery of the Pamirs and their accompanying allure of unclimbed peaks and virgin trekking routes. Fan Mountains could be a good alternative to the Pamirs. They are easy to reach and provide good trekking options.

Somoni (TJS, Tajik: cомонӣ) is the national currency. As of January, 2013, US$ 1 roughly equals to 4.77 somoni, while € 1 equals to 6.35 somoni.

Traditional Tajik padded coats. Comfortable and perfect for the colder weather in the mountains. The ensemble can be completed with a hat and sash.

Mercedes Benz (approx. $US 7,000) cars and Land Cruisers from Dushanbe’s Sunday Car Market. Also available: Russian cars, jeeps, minivans, and an assortment of other models.

Vodka. Ruski Standard is the best one by far.

Rugs and carpets. The good ones are imported from Afghanistan or Uzbekistan.

Food in Tajikistan is a cross between that of Central Asia and that of Afghanistan & Pakistan along with a bit of Russian influence. If you like Russian food, you will probably have a good culinary experience. If you find Russian food bland, you may have a rough time here.

Plov- The national dish is made with rice, beef or mutton, and carrots. All fried together in vegetable oil or mutton fat in a special qazan (a wok-shaped cauldron) over an open flame. The meat is cubed, the carrots are chopped finely into long strips, and the rice is colored yellow or orange by the frying carrots and the oil. The dish is eaten communally from a single large plate placed at the center of the table

A traditional dish that is still eaten with hands from a communal plate is qurutob, before serving the dish is topped with onions fried in oil until golden and other fried vegetables. No meat is added. Qurotob is considered the national dish.

Sambusa- (baked pastries)

Shashlik (shish-kebab)- Grilled-on-coal fish, liver, chicken, mutton and beef.

Tushbera soup- (like ravioli, or pasta with meat in it)

Ugro soup- (handmade spaghetti soup served with cheese cream and basilic)

Jiz-biz- (fired freshcut lamb or mutton on its own juice)

Dolma- (steamed rolls with grape leafs and meat inside, served with sour cream and red pepper)

Mantu -(steamed pasta with meat inside, served with sour cream and fried onions)

Shurbo- (fresh vegetable soup with lamb or beef, served with green onion and basilic)

Many types of bread like chappoti, kulcha, nan, fatir, qalama, etc.

Damlama- (like English stew, steamed lamb or beef with vegetables in its own juice)

Khash- (soup with sheeps’ legs and arms, joints and tendons)

Melons and watermelons are extremely popular among locals and are very cheap in local markets

Take care with street food and do NOT eat unwashed vegetables and fruits. It’s best to soak them in distilled water and cook thoroughly.

Now the situation is different. National cuisine is becoming more popular in Tajikistan, such as Shurpo, Oshi Palov, Mantu, Sambusa and etc.

Green tea. Tajiks customarily pour a small amount out three times and return it to the pot.

Compote. A distilled fruit punch.

Sleep

Sleeping options in Tajikistan include the following:

Hotels. In Dushanbe, there are a small number of large hotels. The Hyatt Regency just built recently and opens doors in March 2009. Another one of big hotels is “Tajikistan” (recently renovated), located in the central city. Most are ex-Soviet era and tend to be over priced and in poor condition. There are a couple of newly built hotels offering western standards of accommodation for around from $US70 to $US220 per room.

MSDSP Guesthouses

The Aga Khan’s Mountain Societies Development Support Programme has a network of guesthouses in places like Kalaikhum and Khorog, offering a good standard of accommodation. Full board is around $US40 per person

Formal Homestays.

The French NGO ACTED is establishing a network of Homestays in the Pamir region, around Murghab, For around $US10 per person per night you get a comfortable bed in a family home. The facilities are basic, i.e. no running water and an outside toilet, but guests can expect comfortable clean rooms, good local food, and a very warm welcome.

Independent Guesthouses

In Dushanbe, Khorog, and Murghab there are a small but growing number of independent guesthouses. These are similar in standard and price to the ACTED homestays.

Online Accommodation

Many cities of Tajikistan offer free accommodation in homestays through the couchsurfing.com

Work

At embassies, NGOs [3], some hotels. A few hundred expatriates live in Dushanbe. Several ads each week in the electronic newsletter WhatsOnInDushanbe. For investors, cf. [4] and similar publications.

Habitat for Humanity-Tajikistan, [5], constructs homes for needy, low-income families in addition to completing many unfinished Soviet-era homes and apartment blocks, provides seismic retrofits, works to provide sanitary water, and more. Once or twice a year, volunteer trips (through HFH “Global Village” program, [6] ) are offered, entailing 2 weeks of building houses combined with a few days of sightseeing.

Stay safe

Tajikistan is a safe country, though some factional fighting spilling over from nearby Afghanistan (as well as local warlordism) still occurs in Tajikistan. Visitors should keep abreast of the security situation and not take any unnecessary risks. After sunset, it is not advisable to walk around outside alone; and generally do not travel unaccompanied to rural areas. Any concern you should have during your stay in Tajikistan, please write about as soon as possible it to the local embassy of your country.

Of significant concern is the inability of Tajikistan’s law enforcement entities to provide adequate and immediate assistance. Lack of manpower, low salaries, and inadequate training all contribute to a lack of professionalism among law enforcement entities. If you are the victim of a crime, consult to your embassy. Your embassy may be able to help you locate stolen items or to renew your passport.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal, but you may be breaking local law too.

In some places it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Tajikistan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

The number of items that can be exported may be limited. It is illegal to export or possess unprocessed stones and metals and jewelry without a hallmark (mark of authenticity). Even if travelers have a receipt confirming legal purchase of such items at a store in Tajikistan, the items must be declared upon departure.

Stay healthy

The health care system in Tajikistan is significantly underdeveloped below western standards, with severe shortages of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics. Elderly people are at great risk. Most medical personnel are not qualified, adding on a significant concern.

DO NOT drink tap water. There is no working purification system, and outbreaks of typhoid and cholera (rarely) are common. Other preventable endemic illnesses are hepatitis A, rabies, poliomyelitis and tick-borne encephalitis. The occasional anthrax case comes in, but it’s rare nowadays. There are, during the hot season, a few pockets where malaria can occur. HIV is a growing health threat in Tajikistan. There is now an English-speaking comprehensive primary care clinic in operation by the name of Prospekt Medical [7], right behind the Embassy of China. In the Pamir mountains, the risk of altitude sickness is substantial – one may read up on this here: [8] (in English) or [9] (in German). In case of ANY accident, call your embassy. Health insurance and medical evacuation insurance are recommended.

Longer stays may consider the hiring of private drivers and home security guards. Rent out secure known owners places.

Respect

Tajikistan is a somewhat conservative society. Women should be fairly modest in public, but head coverings and burkahs are exceptions and not the norm. Although some Tajiks can be extremely friendly, it is not uncommon for people to be equally rude. While this is a Persian-speaking country, do not expect the red carpet treatment that tourists receive in Iran and Afghanistan.

Zambezi Traveller

So, is big better? I think both have their place. Big boats are good because they have proper toilets; passengers can walk around and chat to different groups of people instead of being stuck with one or two companions for the whole trip. Big boats too are taller therefore giving a better view. Small boats, though, can sneak into the gullies between islands finding wildlife, especially birds. And, for those who want to fish or have a more personal experience small is better.

Visitors can book their hotel stay at visitphilly.com, where they’ll find great rates and packages. The Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, one of the site’s most popular offerings, includes a two-night hotel stay and free hotel parking.

Pre-Fourth of July Festivities:

Movie buffs can gather in beautiful Rittenhouse Square to watch Jenkintown native Bradley Cooper in the award-winning Philadelphia-based film Silver Linings Playbook. It’s the first screening of 2013 for the Philly @ the Movies series, bringing cinematic classics to the big screen in the open air. July 1, 9:00 p.m. 18th & Walnut Streets

Those in the know know to come hungry to Wawa Hoagie Day on the Independence Visitor Center lawn. It’s free hoagies for all on the lawn, where the Liberty Belles entertain the sandwich-eating crowds. Then, participants can eat up a mouthwatering exhibition on the history of the hoagie at the National Constitution Center, where admission is free all day. July 2, 12:00 noon-2:00 p.m. 525 Arch Street; Independence Visitor Center, Market Street between 5th & 6th Streets; National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street

The renowned Philadelphia Orchestra takes the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing for a free Neighborhood Concert, followed by a small-but-dazzling fireworks salute. July 2, 8:05 p.m. 301 S. Columbus Boulevard

The Philly @ the Movies series continues with a viewing of the Oscar-winning film Rockyon the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Before or after the show, movie-goers can snap a picture in front of the bronze statue of the boxer that sits at the bottom right of the steps—a not-to-be-missed photo opp. July 2, 9:00 p.m.26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops return for the Pops! on Independence concert in front of Independence Hall. Show-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and picnic foods to enjoy the always patriotic performance. July 3, 8:00 p.m. 6th & Market Streets

The Fabulous Fourth:

The Celebration of Freedom Ceremony pays tribute to the document that started it all: the Declaration of Independence. Taking place in front of Independence Hall, the event features music, speeches and readings derived from the Declaration, and this year’s ceremony honors two more weighty birthdays: the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement. July 4, 10:00-11:00 a.m. 6th & Chestnut Streets

Stepping off from Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Independence Day Parade features more than 5,000 participants from states across the nation, including marching bands, floats and military groups. The parade winds through the country’s most historic square mile as part of the most diverse Independence Day parade in the U.S. July 4, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 6th & Chestnut Streets

Philly’s historic district isn’t the only happening ’hood on the Fourth. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway’s Party on the Parkway features musical entertainment on the Global Music and Questlove stages, interactive games, arts and crafts and plenty of food. July 4, 12:00noon-7:00 p.m. Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 20th Street to Eakins Oval

Hometown musical heroes The Roots host the Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks, featuring some of music’s hottest acts: John Mayer, Demi Lovato, Jill Scott, Ne-Yo, Grace Potter and J. Cole, among others. Philadelphia comedian Kevin Hart hosts the evening’s festivities, which ends with a spectacular fireworks display above the Philadelphia Museum of Art. July 4, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 20th Street to Eakins Oval

The Independence After-Party:

A smorgasbord of culinary delights satisfy attendees at Taste of Philadelphia, a three-day food sampling celebration at Penn’s Landing, filled with reps from some of the city’s favorite restaurants and food trucks. Also on the menu: live music performed on two stages: the RiverStage at Penn’s Landing and the Old City Stage at Front and Chestnut Streets. Entertainment and admission to Penn’s Landing are free; the bite-sized dishes are offered at a few dollars apiece. On Saturday, Taste ends with a bang as the Adventure Aquarium Waterfront Fireworks Spectacular illuminates the sky over the Delaware River. July 5, 12:00noon-10:00 p.m., July 6, 12:00 noon-10:00 p.m.;and July 7, 12:00noon-3:00 p.m. 301 S. Columbus Boulevard

Bonus:

For Philly guys The Roots, one day of celebrating is just not enough. So, they added a full day and night of music to the calendar—and it’s free. The day before the Fourth of July Jam, The City transforms The Piazza at Schmidts into a mini-Philly, with neighborhoods represented throughout the space. The diverse lineup of music includes GoGo Morrow, Cody Wise and Modern Inventors, and runway shows between acts show off the apparel and accessories of national designers. Not enough? After the show, music lovers can head to the TLA for the ticketed Brothers in Arms, starring Questlove and D’Angelo. July 3, 2:00-9:00 p.m. 2nd Street & Germantown Avenue; July 3, 10:30 p.m. 334 South Street

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Credit: Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

Travelers who purchase the First Class 8 Days Swiss Pass Summer Promotion will receive a free one-way Fast Baggage voucher good for one bag per person, as well as a free Swisscom WiFi Pocket Connect device, one per booking, good for 8 days in Switzerland.

Fast Baggage service provides same-day luggage delivery within Switzerland between 46 cities and holiday destinations. In addition to a luggage-free ride, travelers will have access to free mobile internet anywhere within Switzerland through the Swisscom Pocket Connect which will never include roaming or WiFi charges.

Travelers who purchase the First Class 8 Days Swiss Pass Summer Promotion will also be able to enjoy unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System including trains with scenic routes such as the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line or Wilhelm Tell Express, public transportation in 41 Swiss cities, a 50% price reduction off most mountain railways, and free admission to more than 400 museums in Switzerland. Children under the age of 16 traveling with a parent can travel for free with request of a Swiss Family Card, free of charge at the time of purchase.

Prices begin at $679 USD** for the First Class 8 Days Swiss Pass Summer Promotion. All bookings can be made by visiting Rail Europe’s website at RailEurope.com or by calling Rail Europe’s Contact Center.

Also notable for 2013 is the opening of the Bond World 007 exhibit celebrating the making of the Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service at the Schilthorn mountain top. Consider purchasing the Schilthorn/Piz Gloria Mountain Top excursion to enjoy while traveling with your First Class 8 Days Swiss Pass Summer Promotion. Available through Rail Europe.

*Offer is subject to change or extension without notice. No other discounts (other than qualified free shipping) can be combined. Valid for bookings made from June 13 through 5:59 PM ET on July 30, 2013.

The Fast Baggage voucher is good for one bag per person equal to the number of travelers in the booking of the corresponding First Class 8 Days Swiss Pass Summer Promotion. The free Fast Baggage offer is valid with the presentation of the Fast Baggage voucher. The Fast Baggage voucher must be used by December 31, 2013. Offer is not valid for children traveling for free with the free Swiss Family Card.

The Swisscom Pocket Connect device offer is good for one device per booking. The free Swisscom Pocket Connect device is valid with the presentation of the Swisscom Pocket Connect voucher and the First Class 8 Days Swiss Pass Summer Promotion purchased from Rail Europe or a Rail Europe, Inc. affiliated agency in North America from June 13 to July 30, 2013 (as mentioned above). Once the voucher has been exchanged the Pocket Connect device is valid for 8 days use. Swisscom Pocket Connect is limited to the first 500 bookings to redeem their voucher and requires a one-time deposit of 129 Swiss Francs to be refunded once the device is returned. Additional rental days for the Pocket Connect are available at an extra 4 Swiss Francs per day. The Swisscom Pocket Connect must be used by December 31, 2013.

**Prices are subject to change.

About Rail Europe Inc.

Rail Europe represents more than 50 European train companies and is a one-stop shop for European rail travel planning and booking. Rail Europe Inc. is the largest distributor of European rail products in North America, offering a wide range of passes and train tickets to North American travelers. An essential part of the vacation planning process, the company’s Web site offers a user-friendly booking engine, knowledgeable experts, online rail pass finder, virtual tours, interactive maps and much more. Rail Europe provides a worry-free, cost and time-effective and seamless travel experience by enabling customers to purchase tickets and plan travel details in advance. Customers can also book new trips and access their travel information on the go with the company’s mobile site (http://m.raileurope.com) and Rail Europe App for the iPhone and iPod touch.

WISCONSIN’S “NATURAL” WATER PARKS

Man-made water parks like the ones in the Dells sure are fun, but this summer, try a natural one. Rent tubes and float your way down the Lower Wisconsin River at Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring Green. The resort will drop you off one, two or three miles up stream where you can drift your way back to camp. Riverside Resort also offers canoe and kayak rentals. More tubing fun can be had on the Apple River in Somerset. Several outfitters include Apple River Hideaway and Apple River Family Campground.

Family Tubing on the Apple  River - Photo Courtesy of Brian Malloy

You can also explore Wisconsin’s most massive river on a boat cruise down the mighty Mississippi. In La Crosse and Prairie du Chien board the Mississippi Explorer for a family-friendly boating adventure. Cruises give riders an up-close-and-personal view of water and wildlife centered around the ecology of the Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Or, board a traditional paddle wheeler like the La Crosse Queen, a modern-day replica boat from the late 19th century.

JOIN THE CIRCUS

Step right up and see the greatest circus museum on earth (we may be biased). Circus World Museum in Baraboo is a National Landmark site with original buildings of the Ringling Bros. From big top circus performances complete with elephants and trapeze artists, to magic shows, the summer is the ideal time to visit. Don’t miss the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show July 27-28, which features a rodeo, sharp shooting Annie Oakley and a host of other Western characters.

For a dazzling display of horses, tricks, and equestrian artistry, visit the Dancing Horses show in Delavan. Prior to these spectacular dinner (or lunch) theater performances, your kids will have a blast at the Animal Gardens and Petting Zoo next door. At this 40-acre venue, you can visit the baby animal barn, wildlife exhibit with native Wisconsin animals, a deer park, and the interactive petting zoo. You also can’t leave without meeting Echo the singing parrot, featured on the show “America’s Got Talent.”

BE A NATURALIST FOR A DAY

Now that your kids are out of the classroom, experience science and nature in the field at a Wisconsin nature center. The Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee is an outdoor oasis of environmental fun. With three locations in the Milwaukee area, the center is open to the public for ecological learning through classes, activities and daily visits. On Saturdays, your kids will love the reptile feeding hour, or the 40-foot climbing wall. Purchase a membership and get unlimited access to kayaks, bikes and camping equipment.

The Myrick Hixon EcoPark in La Crosse is surrounded by the La Crosse River Marsh, making it an ideal location to explore the hundreds of miles of hiking and biking nearby. This environmental park also features a variety of “playscapes.” Wild Water is the place to cool off on a hot summer day, where kids control the flow of water by experimenting with locks and dams. Forest Scramble is a vertical playground of canopy walkways, tree houses and netting structures.

The Wisconsin State Park system also offers a program for kids. Ask for a Wisconsin Explorer Program booklet at a state park and you’ll find nature activities, scavenger hunts, games and hikes to try. Complete the tasks and earn your very own collectible patch from the DNR. You can also view a list of events and nature programs happening every day at parks all around the state.

BE INSPIRED BY ARTS & CULTURE

Chalkfest in Eau Claire

Photo Courtesy of Volume One and

Andrea Paulseth

Summer means chalk drawing on your driveway, but watch chalk art reach new heights at a chalk festival. Artists of all ages and abilities will transform entire streets, downtown areas and parks this summer in Wausau (July 13-14), Eau Claire (Aug. 3) and Glendale (Aug. 17). Gaze in astonishment as a two-dimensional chalk drawing takes the form of a three-dimensional cliff, your favorite superhero character or a famous painting. At Wausau’s Chalkfest, kid friendly chalk drawing takes place from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. for kids to explore their artistic side.

Culture is best appreciated when it can be experienced. Bring your family to an authentic Native American pow-wow this summer. Eleven sovereign tribal nations reside in Wisconsin. The state’s largest American Indian cultural event is the Indian Summer Festival in Milwaukee. Held Sept. 6-8, the event includes a competitive pow-wow, music on five stages, dance troupes, craft demonstrations and a marketplace. Also check out the Lac Courte Orielles Ojibwe Nation annual Honor the Earth Pow-Wow in Hayward July 19-31.

WISH UPON A STAR

Gaze into the night sky while camping in Wisconsin this summer and you’ll see thousands of stars. But how did they get here? Which ones are planets? Learn the answers to these questions and more with a family trip to a Wisconsin planetarium.

The Barlow Planetarium in Menasha features 3D shows throughout the summer on the lifestyles of the stars. Family shows are Tuesdays and Thursdays with a monthly Family Astronomy Night held the Saturday evening on or after the first quarter moon (June 22 for this month). Family night offers three fascinating shows, concluding with a view of the actual night sky through the telescopes of the Barlow astronomers. In July you should be able to see Mercury, Venus and Saturn.

In Lake Geneva, the Yerkes Observatory is home to the 40-inch refractor, the largest lens-type telescope in the world. On Saturdays, the observatory offers free tours that take you into the 90-foot dome. This summer also features evening sessions for families with telescope viewing of the Milky Way, constellations and stars. This takes star gazing to a whole new level.

And we can’t forget to mention the world’s largest rolling mechanical globe planetarium at the Kovac Planetarium in Rhinelander. It took 10 years for amateur astronomer Frank Kovac to build his planetarium, hand-painting over 5,000 stars with luminous paint. It’s open seven days a week, but call ahead for reservations.

EXPLORE WISCONSIN’S SECRET CAVERNS

Thousands of years ago, before cheeseheads existed, caves were forming deep underground in Wisconsin. Today they make for the most fascinating family day trip, especially on a hot summer day (caves stay a cool 50 degrees inside).

Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds is a designated “National Natural Landmark” and is home to dozens of formations, a gigantic underground cavern with rooms, galleries and nooks and crannies to explore. Don’t miss the cave’s 74th birthday celebration Aug. 2-4, with re-creations of the cave’s accidental discovery, tours, gem and fossil digging, and dozens of family activities. The cave is open seven days a week and offers a free family program tour on Fridays at 11 a.m.

More than 70 feet below the ground in Spring Valley, you’ll find Crystal Cave, Wisconsin’s longest cave at almost one mile in length. An hour-long tour will take you through the rooms of stalactites and stalagmites. Crystal Cave also offers family adventures above ground, including panning for gems and a nature trail.

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME

Turn your car into a time machine and drive your kids to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle. The recreated farmsteads and settlements show visitors what life was like back in the late 19th century, when European immigrants were beginning to settle in the Midwest. Kids will earn a greater appreciation for their own school with a visit to the one room schoolhouse. Don’t miss the “World of Little House” every weekend in July. With activities, look-alike contests, threshing events and games of the time of Laura Ingalls Wilder, it’s an entire 1800s experience wrapped into one day.

Turn back the time machine to 1943 and visit the USS Cobia at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc. It’s the oldest World War II submarine in the nation with the oldest working radar in the world. What’s more, you can even spend the night aboard the submarine during any of the three family overnights at the museum on July 20, Aug. 2 and Aug. 10. Be sure to visit the new hands-on “Bells & Whistles, Flags & Flashes” exhibit at the museum to explore the various methods used by mariners to communicate with other sailors and vessels.

TAKE A TASTE OF WISCONSIN

Strawberry Picking at Blaser’s Acres

Photo Courtesy of Glenn Sanderson

Wisconsin is ripe for the picking, fruit picking that is. Visit a pick-your-own farm this summer for a delicious day outside with the family. At Blue Vista Farms in Bayfield you can pick apples, blueberries and raspberries throughout the summer into the fall. The farm is open June 28 through October 31. Strawberries are ripe around mid-June, so visit a farm with pick-your-own strawberries, like Carandale Farm near Madison or Blaser’s Acres in Suamico. We won’t tell if you sample some while picking.

A taste of Wisconsin isn’t complete without our claim to fame – cheese. Feed your epicurious minds with a trip to a Wisconsin cheese factory. Learn the process of making cheese, and meet the master cheese makers themselves. At Widmer’s Cheese Cellars in Theresa and Carr Valley Cheese in La Valle, free factory tours show you how cheese curds are made. At the end, you can sample some of the delicious squeaky cheese yourself.

Travelers looking for year-round Wisconsin getaway ideas, travel planning, events and free guides can discover their own fun at TravelWisconsin.com. You can also choose to “Like” us at Facebook.com/TravelWisconsin, follow along on Twitter at Twitter.com/TravelWI and find us on Pinterest.com/TravelWisconsin. And don’t forget to bring all the fun Wisconsin has to offer right to your fingertips by downloading the free Travel Wisconsin™ iPhone or Android app.

To that end, the cruise experts at CruiseCompete have compiled a list of the best cruise line children’s programs and detailed their highlights. For a comprehensive listing of the lines and their full children’s program information, including the minimum ages accepted by each line please click here. http://allthingscruise.com/cruise-planning/cruise-lines-childrens-programs/

(Please note: Cruise line children’s program information is direct from the lines and is subject to change, so please confirm details when you book your cruise. The age parameters may vary by line so be sure to check each one individually.)

The cruise lines do not offer a children’s program, per se, for older teens (organized children’s programs generally stop at age 17) and college-aged children; however, they do offer many activities and amenities for this age group. Please click here for tips and tricks on traveling with young adult children.

Following are highlights of what is offered by each line. An asterisk (*) indicates that a complete children’s program is available for toddlers to teenagers. (Please click here for full information for each line.)

Carnival Cruises’ Children’s Programs: Camp Carnival designs its children’s activities for three age groups: 2-5 years, 6-8 years and 9-11 years. Our counselors, each with education or childcare experience, make sure everyone has fun. At mealtime, kids get their own menus, with faves like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets and more. Camp Carnival Night Owls (fees apply) enable kids to stay up late having fun while their parents also enjoy themselves well into the night. (*)

Celebrity Cruises’ Children’s Programs: The Fun Factory, available 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, has the latest gaming technology and kids can participate in various sports, crafts, music, karaoke, treasure hunts, theme parties and movies. (*)

Crystal Cruises’ Children’s Program: Space dedicated to children is rare on luxury lines, yet Crystal has designed its ships to accommodate multiple generations. They offer spacious staterooms in a range of categories as well as suites, third berths and connecting staterooms, child-friendly cuisine, activity programs on select sailings for ages 3-17, a Fantasia playroom and a video arcade for teens.

Cunard’s Children’s Programs: Cunard offers something for all ages and the program is broken down into 3 categories; the Play Zone (ages 1-7) the Kids Zone (ages 8-12) and the Teen Zone (ages 13-17). The line also features a Night Nursery, which is available to children aged 12-23 months and is open from 6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. (*)

Disney Cruise Line’s Children’s Programs: Disney is all about family cruising and its programs are probably the best offered; accordingly, their prices tend to be higher than other lines. They offer excellent daycare centers for ages 3 months to 3 years. The Oceaneer Club offers four distinct play areas for older children. Special needs children are welcome. Edge is a “tweens” club and Vibe is for teenagers 14-17. (*)

Holland America Line’s Children’s programs: Tweens aged 8-12 can take part in Club HAL’s video game tournaments, scavenger hunts and karaoke disco parties. They also have the option of taking part in Holland’s National Park Service Jr. Ranger Program on Alaska cruises. (*)

MSC Cruises’ Children’s Programs: MSC offers two clubs for younger children (Mini Club 3 to 6 years; Junior’s Club 7 to 11 years) and focuses on offering age-appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, sports tournaments, parties, talent contests and onboard adventures. Teens ages 13 to 17 can meet up at the teen club and participate in planned activities and parties. The line also has dedicated areas for teens like the Graffiti teen disco, where events include MTV competitions, the teens hit list and a variety of other themed evenings.

Princess Cruises’ Children’s Programs: Passengers ages 13-17 can enjoy all of the coolest amenities in Princess’s teen lounges. The teen lounges feature all of the latest tech, like PS2/PS3 and Wii games, movies and music. Teens can also participate in activities such as Casino Night, hip hop dance lessons, sports tournaments, teen makeovers and more. (*)

Royal Caribbean International’s Children’s Programs: The minimum age to sail is 6-months’ old, with a 12-month age requirement for some cruises. Royal Caribbean has a dedicated nursery for children aged 6-36 months that holds interactive playgroup sessions. Daytime and evening drop-off is available for $8 an hour. (*)

To read more in-depth information about the various cruise line’s children’s programs, please click here.

To book a cruise on one of these family-friendly lines, please visit www.CruiseCompete.com

CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ offers monthly stats for an inside look at consumer trends and what consumers want in cruise vacations.

CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” (September 2012) with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as “Best Cruise Travel Site,” The New York Times says, “… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal,” and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger’s and The Washington Post. The Street says, “Score luxury cruises at bargain prices.”

For more information, please visit http://www.cruisecompete.com/ or http://www.cruisecompetegroups.com/

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HERE’S HOW TO GET TO THE NEW SWITZERLAND APP

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A portion of Ayub Bridge was carried away by the strong currents of River Swat, cutting off the land links of Matta and Kabal with Mingora city. The local people demanded the government to immediately kick-start the relief activities.

KE 074 will depart Toronto/Pearson every day at 12:15 p.m., arriving in Seoul/Incheon at 2:55 p.m. the next day. KE 073 will leave Seoul/Incheon daily at 10 a.m., returning to Toronto/Pearson at 10:15 a.m. the same day. The flight is on a Boeing 777-200 featuring Korean Air’s award-winning meals and service, and cutting-edge inflight entertainment.

KE 072 will depart Vancouver daily at 2:35 p.m. arriving in Seoul/Incheon at 5:50 p.m. the next day. KE 071 will leave Seoul/Incheon at 6:50 p.m., arriving in Vancouver at 12:35 p.m. the same day. The flight is on a Boeing 747-400, featuring an all-Prestige Class upstairs, and Korean Air’s award-winning meals and inflight entertainment.

Korean Air has been serving Canada for more than 20 years and has expanded its Canadian presence with its code sharing agreement with WestJet.

“Canada is an important market for Korean Air and we are looking forward to offering these new daily flights,” said John Jackson, Korean Air’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Americas. “Our Asian travelers are keen to visit Canada, especially during the summer. And we provide an enormous route network throughout Asia for our Canadian travelers, with speedy connections to dozens of cities in China, Japan, Southeast Asia and others throughout the region.”

Korean Air is North America’s largest Asian airline, flying from more cities in the Americas to more cities in Asia than any other airline in the world.