Sea Spaces – Art Show in Plano

A new exhibit opening at the 14th Street Gallery in Plano, TX Saturday, January 10, 2009.

Opening runs 6:30-9:00 pm with artist in attendance.

S e a S p a c e s
A visual exploration of cruise ships by Dallas Photographer Don Tremain

This is our first show featuring the photographs of Dallas commercial photographer Don Tremain. The photos are of isolated areas (spaces) on board today’s modern cruise ships. Mr. Tremain’s perspective is graphic and at times almost mysterious, with most of the photos devoid of human activity. It seems obvious he loves taking cruises but his visual fascination is with the physicality of the boats more than with his fellow travelers.

Mr. Tremain has worked on these personal photos off and on during the last ten years. Several of the images have been accepted in juried art shows in Oregon, Colorado and Texas during this period. The 14th Street Gallery is pleased to be the first venue where all of his finished images on this project will be exhibited. Mr. Tremain used HDR technology on many of the images creating an effect one art critic in Portland, Oregon called a “shimmering hot palette of colors that creates an image that looks more illustrative than photographic”. These vivid colors mark an abrupt shift from most of Mr. Tremain’s earlier personal work which was almost always done in classic B&W.

The images, in total, present a show that is quite stunning and genuinely unique in its treatment of this unusual subject matter. We’re excited about this show and hope you will share our enthusiasm at the opening on the evening of January 10.

New Customs Rules in Mexico

The Mexican Customs Office has issued a policy change concerning checked baggage, which will now include the baggage belonging to in-transit and connecting passengers landing in any international airport in Mexico.

Published in the Official Daily Gazette, the measure specifies that “International passengers who arrive in the country by air on a flight that will connect to their final destination within Mexico or abroad, must have their luggage checked by the customs authorities in the first airport where they land.” It goes on to explain that the decision also applies to “in-transit” passengers, those who continue their trip on the same airplane.

Travellers may still check their baggage to their final destination, but airlines must now deliver all luggage to the owners so they may go through the customs check at their first port of entry. To expedite the process, it is important for all passengers to have already filled out the Customs Declaration Form. Once the customs check has been completed, passengers will leave their luggage in the connecting-flight conveyor belt area (in Mexico City) or at the check-in counter.

This decision went into effect this past November for passengers arriving from the Caribbean, Central and South America. It will go into effect this coming Feb. 1st for flights arrving from Canada, Europe and Asia and on Sept. 1, 2009 for flights from the USA.

The Fez Bus – Hop-on, Hop-off way to see Turkey

Interliners are familiar with Hop-on and Hop-off buses in cities like New York City, London and Washington DC but how about a Hop-on, Hop-off bus as a way to see a country?

This Fez bus is forinterliners who want to see Turkey on a shoestring. Step back in time and wander roads where Trojan, Greek, Roman and Anatolia warriors once trod. Marvel at the dramatic beauty of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Absorb the landscape and watch villagers drying fruit on their rooftops, baking bread or riding donkeys through the main town. Live out every kid’s dream and sleep in a tree house on the hillside of Zeus. Marvel at the mythical natural wonders or go underground and sleep in caves. You can do all this and more on the Fez Bus!

Fez Travel’s hop-on hop-off bus (the Fez Bus) is Turkey”’’s only hop-on hop-off bus network. It’s a popular service pitched at independent budget travellers and backpackers, departing every destination every 2nd day in an anti-clockwise direction from Istanbul. All departure points and times are listed in the timetable on our ‘how it works’ page and departure dates can be viewed at Fez Bus Travel Planner

Your pass is valid all season (1 June – 23 October) and is designed to cater for those wishing to see a little or a lot of Turkey, with great additional options along the way, so you’re not on a bus all day!

If you need to travel a little earlier than this, make sure you check out our Fez Bus budget tours. They travel to the same places, do all the same things, stay in the same accommodation points and have all tours and activities offered on an optional basis, so that you can choose to do as much or as little as you want. The only difference is that your accommodation is included and the tours have a set itinerary (which is pretty much what most Fez Bus travellers want to do anyway) Shoestring Turkey is available throughout April and May andthey have a range of budget options available for 2009 ANZAC Day.

One of the great things about the hop-on hop-off pass is that you don’t have to start in Istanbul. You can start anywhere you like around the circuit. Just let us know where you want to commence your travel and we””ll be there to pick you up (as long as it coincides with our schedule). You need at least 2 weeks to really enjoy your trip, however, we suggest three weeks or more!

It is possible to complete the full circuit in 9 days, however if you plan on cruising the Mediterranean on a Gulet (traditional handmade Turkish yacht), make sure you include time for this in your itinerary (we have already done this for those on Fez Bus tours). You may need to spend an extra day in a town where the gulet departs from or finishes. Check out our ‘how it works’ page for an example.

There are 3 different types of Fez Bus Hop-on Hop-off passes available:

• Turkish Delight pass
  The Turkish Delight pass allows you to do a full loop (usually from Istanbul to Istanbul but start anywhere and finish where you started).
• Silk Trail pass
  The Silk Trail pass is a great option if you are coming to Turkey from the Greek Islands, as it starts in Kusadasi/Selcuk and continues around the circuit back to Istanbul.
• Turkey Express pass
  If you only have a short time in Turkey then the Turkey Express pass covers the Aegean coastline and also the magnificent wonders of Pamukkale, Egirdir and Cappadocia before returning to Istanbul.

If you are interested in booking one of these bus passes for Turkey or are looking for a tour to Turkey contact InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911 or in the DFW Area call metro 817 481-8631 or go online to www.interlinetravel.com.

Chicago Winter Wonderland – The Morton Arboretum

Just a short drive from downtown Chicago, The Morton Arboretum is a 1,700-acre winter wonderland you can explore by car, foot, snowshoes, or cross-country skis. Hike the 16 miles of trails that wind through the woodlands, or go off trail and wander through a landscape defined by one million trees culled from 40 different countries. Don”t miss the Husky Heroes event in late January, where you can watch Siberian husky sled-pulling demonstrations and play with these legendary canines. Some of these huskies need a good home, so if you have a soft spot for pups, you might just leave the Morton Arboretum with a new best friend.

During the spring, summer and fall the Morton Arboretum you can explore nearly 2,000 acres of exceptional gardens, trees and landscapes. The arboretum features more than 1,000 plants and 3,600 different species. There are 12 miles of foot trails for the hiker and 11 miles for drivers. Ride the Acorn Express, an open air train during summer months. Other amenities include the Plant Clinic, Sterling Morton Library, Gift Shop, Coffee Shop, Ginkgo Restaurant, and picnic area for bag lunches (no grilling).

If you need a hotel or rental car for your trip to Chicago go online to www.interlinetravel.com.