Join us to CHINA

Hello World Travelers,

We are going to China in August 2007 and invite you to join Ja'Vonne and Gene and many of our favorite travelers. This is an Advantage Preferred Trip and will be a small group.

The China and Yangtze River Experience is a journey, which takes in China's highlighted sights. We discover the irresistible scenery China has to offer through the Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xian; the majestic Yangtze River, including the scenic Three Gorges; the Bund in Shanghai. We see the ancient as well as the modern aspects of China. You will enjoy enjoy all.

The package includes:

• Round trip economy class air transportation from LAX
  
• All intra-China air/land transportation
  
• 8 nights deluxe hotel accommodations

• 3 nights in outside cabin on board the deluxe Orient Royal Cruises includes all shore excursions.
  
• 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 8 dinners
  
• Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges
  
• Sightseeing tours, cultural entertainment and other performances as specified on the full itinerary.

Please see all details at http://www.advantage-intl.com/china_river_cruise.html or call our office at 1-877-238-6843.

See you on the plane.

Passport Problems

Well now, you got your passport and you are ready to go. Or are you. It is best to frequently look over your passport and to know the rules of the country you are going to. Many countries will require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your arrival. Many others that require visas, will have you have at least two clear pages before travel. Try not to allow the stamps be spread out all over your passport and give yourself enough time for renewals or to add new pages.

See you on the plane.

Staying Healthy on the Road

When you are always on the go, it is always Cold & Flu Season somewhere. That added to the strain of travel can take a toll on your health. There are little things you can do on the road and at home to stay healthy and enjoy the world.

1. Eat Yogurt: Yes, the same tip Ja'Vonne gives all our travelers; to have the yogurt each morning is true. Some studies have shown that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease.
2. Take a walk: Now you thought our walking tours were just to see the sights. Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood; and makes you sweat once your body heats up. These exercises help increase the body's natural virus-killing cells.
3. Eat a salad: Fresh vegetables (Properly washed and prepared by you, in the hotel or recommended restaurants) are the way to health. The natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. So put away the vitamin pill, and eat dark green, red, and yellow vegetables and fruits.
4. WASH YOU HANDS: Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Someone who has the flu sneezes onto their hand, and then touches something. The germs can live for hours -- only to be picked up by the next person who touches the object. Wash your hands often. No sink? Rub your hands together very hard for a minute or so with a hand sanitizer or even a moisturizer. That also helps break up cold germs. Also carry and use tissues.
5. Stay Hydrated: Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. How can you tell if you're getting enough liquid? If the color of your urine runs close to clear, you're getting enough.
6. Get up, get out and get some Fresh Air: A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. Also, during cold weather more people stay indoors, which means more germs are circulating in crowded, dry rooms.
7. Relax, Refresh, Simply...Mellow Out: If you can teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. There's evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins -- leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses -- increase in the bloodstream. Train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day. Visualize that next vacation or while on tour, the beauty all around you.

These are some excellent tips for home and away. Also remember to consume alcohol and tobacco in moderation if, at all. Both weaken your system. These and other tips are from AOL Health and Web MD. See you on the plane.