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With over 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s no wonder the Chelan Valley is one of Washington’s top tourist attractions.

At the Cascade Mountains only 3 hours northeast of Seattle, Lake Chelan provides the perfect outdoor experience: a gorgeous lake, endless water activities, an up-and-coming wine industry, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, photography opportunities and golfing galore. 

Add to this great restaurants and shopping, and you’ve got the perfect staycation destination for couples and families alike.

So what are you waiting for?  Order your FREE Lake Chelan Visitors Packet or your FREE 2009 official Washington State Travel Planner today.  Or, if you don’t want to wait, download the Lake Chelan summer guidebook here.

On Wednesday morning, on a flight enroute from Istanbul, Turkey, to Amsterdam, Holland, a Turkish Airlines (TK) flight crashed shortly before landing killing only 9 of the 134 passengers and crew members onboard.

Only moments before landing, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft hit the ground about 2 miles short of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.  The aircraft split into 3 pieces and there was no fire; this is being labeled as the key factor in the miraculous escape to safety by almost all passengers onboard.

Officials are investigating but preliminary reports have suggested the misty weather conditions surrounding the airport, the plane ran out of fuel, or that perhaps, there was a problem with the landing gear.

TripAdvisor recently released its list of Travelers Choice Awards which includes the Top Inns and B&Bs in the U.S.A.  Over 10 million members share their opinions through the TripAdvisor travel website every day where you will find unbiased views and travel advice.

The Top 10 Inns and B&Bs in the United States according to TripAdvisor are:

1. Canyon Villa Bed and Breakfast Inn of Sedona, Sedona, Arizona
2. Boots and Saddles, Sedona, Arizona
3. Canyon Wren Cabins, Sedona, Arizona
4. The 1895 Inn, Savannah, Georgia
5. Piney Hill Bed & Breakfast, Luray, Virginia
6. Annabelle Bed & Breakfast, Sandwich, Massachusetts
7. Foxfield Inn, Charlottesville, Virginia
8. Wildwood Manor Bed and Breakfast, Friday Harbor, Washington
9. Americus Garden Inn Bed & Breakfast, Americus, Georgia
10. The Inn at Vaucluse Spring, Stephens City, Virginia

It’s carnival time once again in New Orleans, LA, and the King of the Carnival, Rex, is inviting ‘all of his subjects to gather, from far and near,’ to join him in the celebrations of Mardi Gras.

With one million people expected to attend the 12-day event, Mardi Gras is a giant party promoting the city of New Orleans through its unique culture.  Streets will be rampant with parade goers, parties, and music.  The sights and sounds will be unforgettable.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau has some interesting Mardi Gras facts:

• 500,000 king cakes are sold each year
• Over 30,000 hotel rooms are usually 95% full
• Mardi Gras generates an estimated $840 million into the economy each year
• In 1991, a Mardi Gras supply house sold over 41 million pairs of beads
• The Fat Tuesday parade consists of over 350 flat bed trailers with more than 15,000 costumed participants

Check out the 2009 Fat Tuesday parade route schedule - laissez les bon ton roulette!

Due to its success in January, the Queen Mary has announced they will extend the offer of free admission to California residents, with proof of residency, from March 1 to 15, 2009. 

California residents are invited to visit as often as they like during this period.  The free admission ticket includes a self-guided tour of the Queen Mary. 

When you’re there, enter for your chance to win a free round-trip ticket on JetBlue Airways from Long Beach to your destination of choice: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Portland or Seattle.  Visitors can enter at the Queen Mary box office.

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary, guests are invited to further explore the ship in search of ghosts and legends, enjoy a classic burlesque show at the Vamp Lounge or a cabaret style show at Tibbies’.  Or you can relax and stay at the 307-room Art Deco Hotel onboard the ocean liner, comprised of original staterooms on 3 decks.

With a passenger capacity of almost 2,000, the Queen Mary sailed the transatlantic from 1936 - 1939.  She served in World War II from 1940 – 1946, resumed passenger service in 1947 and permanently docked in Long Beach, California, in 1967.

For more information, check out the Queen Mary.

Vacationing on a European cruise is one of the most luxurious ways to see some of the most spectacular places in the world.

The western Mediterranean, Greece, Spain, Monaco and Italy, offers shore excursions to incredible sites like the Colosseum, the Sisten Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain. 

Architecture, art, history is the theme while your cruise provides everything else that you need: accommodation, fantastic food, endless entertainment, and even informative lectures on attractions.  All in one convenient price so you won’t have to worry about a thing.

There are so many cruise lines to choose from.  Here are some links to check out: Princess Cruise Lines, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines.

Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizens who enter the U.S. by land and sea borders, will be required to have a passport as proof of identification.   

However, if a U.S. citizen travels as a cruise ship passenger on a round-trip voyage from the same U.S. city, passports are not required; proof of identification and citizenship is adequate.  For more information, check out the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. 

Since 2007, air passengers have already adapted to this new process of needing a valid passport.  Here’s information on how to obtain a first time passport in the U.S., how to renew your passport, and the current fees involved.  Another great resource for travel documentation requirements is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website. 

Today on a Northwest Airlines flight from Manila, Philippines, to Tokyo, Japan, over 30 people were injured when the flight experienced severe turbulence just before landing.

The Boeing 747-400 had over 400 passengers and crew onboard and apparently the passengers who were injured did not have their seatbelts fastened at the time.  The pilot had just turned on the ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign and passengers were trying to return to their seats when the turbulence hit quicker than expected.

Several passengers were seen to be ‘flying’ about the aircraft, hitting their heads on the bulk head and ceiling of the plane.  Upon landing the injured were taken to hospital. 

Just over 3 hours ago near Santiago, Chile, the Chaiten volcano erupted sending volcanic material down the mountain threatening 150 people who live at the bottom of the slope.

Last year, Chaiten erupted and completely destroyed the small town.  Officials report that residents that returned to the town in hopes of re-establishing their lives have now been forced to evacuate once again. 

Earlier this week, in south Colombia, the Galeras volcano erupted forcing the evacuation of 7,000 people; Galeras last erupted just over a year ago.  On Monday, near Tokyo, Japan, Mount Asama erupted sending ash and smoke high into the sky.

After weeks of rumbling and grumbling, scientists in Alaska are still waiting for the expected imminent eruption of Mount Redoubt.

Holland America Line (HAL) has just released special fares for Canadian residents starting from only $599 CAD for a 7-day Alaska cruise.

This is part of Holland America’s “Vacation Stimulus Plan” where HAL has promised potential cruisers “more cruise, less cash” by offering unprecedented low fares, the suspension of the fuel surcharge, reduced deposits and cancellation protection savings.

If you’re not an Canadian citizen, HAL is still offering great priced on Alaskan cruises, especially for early spring or late fall.  If you’d like to learn more, check out HAL on Facebook, or the HAL blog, or the HAL website.

HAL offers cruises to Alaska, Canada, New England, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Europe, Panama Canal, South America and the Caribbean.