FANTASY GIFTS FROM NEIMAN MARCUS TO PUT ON YOUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST...

SOME INSIGHTFUL NEWS 

TO TRAVEL AGENT OR NOT TO TRAVEL AGENT...THAT IS THE QUESTION
Well something that is near and dear to my heart is when you use a travel agent.  Believe it or not TA(Travel Agents) can make your life a little easier when planning vacations for the whole family.  Of course, there are many websites that you can go and do it yourself.  But do you have all that time to research the different locations, the prices, the possible discounts or specials that are out there.  And of course you always run into the infamous of who wants to go where and what everyone wants to do, so now you are looking for a resort that has everything.  Well here is a tip...contact a travel agent.  They are bombarded daily from vendors offering all sorts of fun places, great prices and much much more.  They can make your job easier by boiling down some of the better offers.  Freeing you up to do what you need to do.  Know something else,  they can even find special excursions, cruises, land tours, train trips, Europe, Africa, Australia and many more vacations.  So sit back relax and enjoy the trip.

HERE IS AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION...IS MEXICO SAFE TO VISIT?
Well first things first....Millions are still traveling to Mexico without incident.  Mexico is a vibrant Country filled with wonderful people, great food and fabulous locations.  Now about safety and what Mexico is doing about safety of their tourists.  Cancun is taking proactive measures to ensure tourist areas remain safe.  The have military police base has been established just north of Cancun in Isla Mujeres.   

Look at this place...its Gorgeous


The U.S State Department issued updated travel advisory as recently as this past  summer and it indicated that there are no travel restrictions in place for Americans visiting Mexico's major tourist destinations...such as Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum and the Riviera Maya...and of course you know our very own Jerry Nordun has his plans underway to move to Mexico on his retirement.  (I am sure he will give us reports. )  Now if you are looking at some locations in the U.S. for murder per capita.  the murder rate in Baltimore was more than,  Cancun and 50 percent more in Detroit and a lot more in Chicago.  So...remember...when traveling...anywhere our country or away...don't flash your money or your wealth.  Be wary of where you are and keep your wits about you, like any major city.  When in the hotels, use the safes for valuables...and then enjoy yourself.

NEIMAN MARCUS FANTASY GIFT...DREAM ON
Well did you make out your Christmas wish list yet?  Here are a few things that you may want to scribble on it.  Neiman Marcus is about to launch its Annual Christmas Book....with all of those unbelievable specialty items such as $850.00 Dolce & Gabbana toaster with hand painted designs by Sicilian Artist...so you can burn your toast in style.  

Anyway, we are going to look at a few of the over the top luxury gifts.  So better break out your pocket change for this one...a 1.5 million dollar private rose gold plane and for a little added bonus a $60,000. spa treatment in Paris.  I complain about spending $200.00!   So you say you don't like to fly and love to cruise...how about your own Serenity Solar Yacht...only 7 million....but you have to hire your own crew.  Love tennis...well Neiman Marcus has the ultimate in trip to all four tennis majors with the 2017 US open winner Sloane Stephens.  Do you have a sweet tooth and want to go to the Italian Riviera.  Well a trip for four to the Italian Riviera can be topped off with a customized gift.  A Sugarfina candy bar will be installed in your home and restocked for three years with approximately one million gummy, chocolate, and caramel candies.  You can actually buy all these items right from the catalog.  But just to let you know that you are also doing your part for charity when purchasing from Neiman Marcus because 5 percent of your purchase goes to support youth art education.  

DESTINATION OF THE WEEK
ANTWERP
Antwerp is the principal city of Belgium’s Flemish region. It’s an often overlooked gem in Europe, yet it presents numerous rewards for the visitor. While the city is commonly known for its favorite son, Flemish master Pieter Paul Rubens, and for its fame as one of the world’s principal diamond dealing and cutting centers, there’s much more in store. Historically, the city was known as a major port, and today it’s still the world’s fourth-largest.

If you take the train to Antwerp, make note of the Central Station where you’ll be arriving. It was completed in 1905 and has two baroque façades, a 200-ft. high metal and glass dome and a marble interior.  Begin your exploration of Antwerp in the Grote Markt, Antwerp’s central square. It’s anchored by the  Stadhuis (town hall).  Next up is the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kathedraal), the largest gothic cathedral in Belgium; it’s noted for its spire and its four works by Rubens.

Art lovers must continue on to the Museum voor Schone Kunsten, the city’s best fine arts collection, for its work by Rubens and van Dyck; the Modern Art exhibit includes Belgian Rene Magritte.

You don’t have to be an art aficionado to enjoy a visit to the Rubenshuis: the master’s home and studio for the last 30 years of his life, 1610-1640.

For a change of pace, Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest and largest in Europe, housing as many as 6,000 animals. And of course, any visit to the city should include at least a casual browsing for diamonds.

As with most destinations in this region, Antwerp has many opportunities for day trips. Places like Brugge, Ghent and Ieper (Ypres) make for easy side trips by car or train. Other destinations in the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) region are also easily accessible by rail or car from Antwerp.

 Antwerp is a cosmopolitan city that’s home to many “name brand” hotels, including Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Radisson Blu, Ramada, Novotel, Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, Tulip and Ibis.

Direct flights from the U.S. into Brussels are provided by United, Delta, US Airways, Jet Airways, Brussels Airlines, Air Canada and American. It’s 60 minutes by train to Antwerp.  Bus and tram service are the best ways around the city, however, most of the city’s main sights are within walking distance of the Grote Markt.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK
CHEWY CARAMELS

Ingredients

40 min 32 servings 174 cals

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 pound light brown sugar

• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions   Prep  10 m  Cook 30 m  Ready In 40 m

1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Cook for 2 minutes at that temperature. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.

2. Meanwhile, butter a 9x13 inch baking pan. When the caramel is ready, pour into the buttered pan. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Remove from the pan and cut into squares using scissors. Wrap individual pieces in waxed paper or cellophane

Well I sure hope you are tuning into my podcast.  You can subscribe to it for free.  You can find it real easy on I-tunes/Stitcher/Buzzsprout.  You can also visit my website atwww.zeemichaelsontravel.com and you can let your imagination run wild.  If you want to visit any of these places that we talk about or something you see on my website, give me a call and I will help you Make Your Travel Dreams Come True.