September 10th, 2009 at 4:41 pm

   Jane, I just wanted to say "thank you" for making our trip to China an excellent adventure.  The transportation arrangements went smoothly, the hotels were outstanding, specially the Tibet Hotel.  I also have to specifically compliment our guide in Chengdu.  Fay, she is interesting, knowledgeable, flexible and fun.  She took us to visit the Panda Preserve.  We will never forget cuddling real Pandas! 

 

   We enjoyed spending the day and evening with Fay.  She took us on an evening visit to a Tea House, where we saw a Puppet Show which was amazing.  We had never experienced anything like it.  My daughter is still talking about the puppets and dancer.

 

   Many thanks!

 

   Suzane Hubert

 

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December 16th, 2008 at 12:09 am

Below is the continuing account of Bob Bennett, a client of Travel International Group, Inc.  He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. A Project Manager for a mechanical contractor involved with installation and service of computerized energy management systems for commercial buildings. Mr. Bennett now 49yrs old has been diving since he was 15. He is a serious amateur underwater photographer as well. He wrote: 

 

Prior to my trips to the Philippines I mainly dove in the Caribbean.  I find that even though the cost to fly from the central USA to the Philippines is higher than to fly to the Caribbean, the overall cost is very much worth it and comparable when you factor in lodging, food and diving. 

 

I have gone scuba diving in Batangas, Boracay, Malapascua, Bohol, Puerto Galera & Mactan Island.  When done diving I checked out the beaches which are spectacular, especially those in Bohol and Boracay.

 

I have never been on a "live aboard" dive boat although many prefer this scenario.  I sometimes locate a dive center on the web. If there are many in given area like Boracay or Bohol, I choose one.  Sometimes I just dive from shore if there is reef or underwater wall structure close to the beach or dock. 

 

Boracay, Bohol & Mactan Island were good for shore diving.  Other places like Subic or Coron Palawan required hiring a boat to get to the reef or wrecks. It has never been a problem for me to locate a dive center wiling to take me out for the morning or afternoon & most also offer night diving.

 

One advantage for a photographer like me is the small groups of divers on each dive.  Typically there are fewer than six divers & often there are just a few.  Many times I have been alone with just the dive master as my personal guide.  This is a major advantage for photographing macro subjects as they can find them as fast as I can shoot.  The diversity of marine life in the over 7100 islands of the Philippines is great.  The dive crews are friendly and accommodating. 

 

I have no trouble communicating with people when in the Philippines since most everyone there speaks English quite well.  I have been introduced to many delicious foods such as Lapu-Lapu, Bicol Express, Buko Salad, Bananacue & Leche Flan. 

 

Travel International has done a great deal in making my holidays go off without trouble.  They have helped me with my reservations in high rise hotels in Manila and Cebu City as well as simple accommodations in remote areas.  They have also helped me get from one place to another when travelling with a large amount of luggage whether by land, sea or air. I hope to return soon to the island nation of the Philippines.

 

If you have questions regarding the materials published here, call us at Travel International, (310)327-5143

  

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December 16th, 2008 at 12:03 am

A client of Travel International Group, Inc. Bob Bennett has written us about his experience in the Philippines, which I would like to publish here to encourage others, especially our “kababayans” who have not been back to the Philippines for years, to come and visit.  Below is Bennett’s account.

 

I have made five trips to the Philippines in the past few years. I travelled there to scuba dive, tour the country’s interesting spots and shoot photos above and underwater. I have enjoyed touring World War II sites in Corregidor Island, and the shipwrecks of Coron, Palawan and Subic Bay. 

 

Corregidor Island, also called “The Rock” is about 48 kilometers west of Manila, with its entrance at the Manila Bay. Because of its strategic position in the bay, Corregidor served as a focal point for the naval defences of the capital city of Manila. During World War II, Corregidor was the site of several battles and fell to the Japanese forces in 1941. Although the American forces recaptured it in 1945, Corregidor Island was abandoned to the elements until the 1980’s when the Philippine government converted it into a historical tourist destination.

 

Tourists are shuttled around on the tranvias to the island’s many relics and memorials, beginning with the Japanese War Memorial, then to the Batteries Way,  named in honor of the Coast Artillery Corps of the U.S. Army, which was a mainstay of the Corregidor Garrison during the Japanese invasion.

 

There were 23 batteries installed on Corregidor, consisting of 56 Coastal guns and mortars.  In addition Corregidor has 13 anti-aircraft artillery batteries with 76 guns and Sperry searchlights. Those big guns of Corregidor are now silent, but they tell a very sad story of a war that has claimed so many lives.

 

Among the ruins that tell of Corregidor’s glorious past is the Mile-Long barrack.  It is a three-story concrete building constructed to be hurricane-proof. It was used for the billeting of American officers and enlisted personnel detailed at the garrison. The headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur was located in the building.

 

The Malinta tunnel had been dug through solid rock and offered complete protection from artillery or air attack. Command communications and medical units were housed in the tunnel, as well as the headquarters of USAFFE where men and women lived and worked during the siege of Corregidor.

 

The Pacific War Memorial honors the Filipino and American servicemen who participated in the Pacific War. It also houses a museum which serves as the repository of relics and memorabilia of Corregidor’s glorious past.

 

For those who want to explore more of Corregidor, there is a hotel in the island where tourists can stay overnight or even longer.  There is a light and sound show every night at the Malinta Tunnel. 

 

In our succeeding columns, we shall bring you Mr. Bennett’s scuba diving experience in the Philippines. He is back in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota and contemplating on returning to the Philippines.

 

For questions on published articles and other inquiries, call Travel International. (310)327-5143

 

 

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August 15th, 2008 at 12:58 am

To make it easier and more convenient for our valued clients and future travelers looking for places to go, we have launched our new user-friendly website, www.travelinternational.net .

 

The website designs cater to today's better informed, more demanding and sophisticated travelers.  It responds to the need of business as well as leisure travelers in this age of super highway information technology, providing them with direct access and endless travel information.

 

While also providing traditional packages, Travel International distinguishes itself from most other tour operators with its "designer-like" approach to building itineraries for both, groups and individuals.

 

Unlike many of the mass market tour companies, Travel International is committed to delivering the specific expectation of each traveler that it handles. It has only the best, most qualified and knowledgeable Destination Specialists to handle each and every tour package they assemble.

 

Whether it is a brief or basic stay in the Philippines or it is the most complex eco or cultural and historical adventure anywhere else in the world, travelers are assured of unmatched attention to details that will meet their expectations in the destinations of their choice.  

 

This new phenomena introduced a myriad of challenges for professionals providing tour products. However, Travel International believes that while people may gather their own information on potential travel plans, they still require expert direction and guidance to ensure that the programs selected will deliver their expectation.  Destination Specialists of Travel International will be on hand to provide these services.

 

Travelers who are sure of where to go, what they want to see and what they want to do in their selected destinations may purchase their tickets and tour packages from the website.

 

Travelers can also purchase from the website travel insurance, which is highly recommended nowadays, when many airlines are going out of business, not to mention the fact that air traffic is getting heavier all the time.  Buying travel insurance is one important aspect of one’s travel and which is oftentimes overlooked and never considered.

 

Travel insurance prices, which generally cost 4 to 7 percent of the price of pre-paid ticket, vary widely. Seniors may have to pay more. Buyers should always read the fine print, but Travel International staff will guide you in your purchase. 

 

With travel insurance, travelers may receive higher compensation for cancelled flights to cover expenses for better hotel rooms and other flights, lost luggage, and other unexpected inconveniences during turbulent times.

 

If you have any questions, call us at Travel International, (310) 327-5143. While we have our user-friendly website, we are still on hand to answer all your calls and inquiries.

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