Christmas Day Terrorist Attack Creates Safest Time to Travel

December 25th, 2009 created the safest environment so far for air travelers since 9/11 after Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab went through airport security with hidden explosives on his body in an unsuccessful terrorist attempt.

I recently heard someone say “the best time to eat at a restaurant is after it has been closed by the health board” It makes complete sense; after a big slip up, things get fixed.

After September 11th global air traveler security measures took a huge leap forward as new technologies and screening techniques were deployed.

The recent botched attempt just took the “terrorist to do list” and made it even smaller and harder to accomplish.

Every time vulnerability is discovered it makes it that much harder to try again; and eventually terrorists may not even look at airliners again as possible targets.

Terrorists know they can’t get anything in passengers’ luggage since the Lockerby attack; they know they can’t get in the cockpit since 9/11.

The latest failed attempt now takes “items hidden on the body” off the list. There’s not a whole lot left in the terrorist handbook in the chapter on airplanes which makes it that much safer for flyers like you and me.

Airports and airlines around the world have begun the most stringent security measures in airline history; making the future of air travel the safest so far.

Dutch airport authorities plan to make new, more sensitive passenger scanners mandatory and legislation is underway to place them in US airports as soon as possible.

The airline and security industries may look to countries like Israel for advice and to learn how the Israelis keep air travel safe into and out of their country. No flight out of Israel has ever been hijacked; which means no terrorist has ever gotten on a plane there.

Passengers boarding flights at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport go through a series of interviews before even reaching the ticket counter. This type of pre flight hassle has become the norm and has created the toughest security and safest flights anywhere.

While these measures may create a hassle for travelers, after the excitement is over a “new normal” will be created for the security line at the worlds airports. A small price to pay for knowing your safe while flying.

So before you reconsider that flight to Europe this summer take a moment and ask yourself “if I were a terrorist, would I try anything now?” … enjoy your flight.

Travel 4 Real Adopts The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET)

In an effort to support sustainable tourism and responsible industry standards; Travel 4 Real and its family of travel brands have adopted the United Nations Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

Travel 4 Real is practices the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism which sets a frame of reference for the responsible and sustainable development of world tourism. It draws inspiration from many similar declarations and industry codes that have come before and it adds new thinking that reflects our changing society at the beginning of the 21st century.

With international tourism forecast to reach 1.6 billion arrivals by 2020, members of the World Tourism Organization believe that the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is needed to help minimize the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and on cultural heritage while maximizing the benefits for residents of tourism destinations.

The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) is a comprehensive set of principles whose purpose is to guide stakeholders in tourism development: central and local governments, local communities, the tourism industry and its professionals, as well as visitors, both international and domestic.

The Code was called for in a resolution of the UNWTO General Assembly meeting in Istanbul in 1997. Over the following two years, a special committee for the preparation of the Global Code of Ethics was formed and a draft document was prepared by the Secretary-General and the legal adviser to UNWTO in consultation with UNWTO Business Council, UNWTO's Regional Commissions, and the UNWTO Executive Council.

The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development meeting in New York in April, 1999 endorsed the concept of the Code and requested UNWTO to seek further input from the private sector, non-governmental organizations and labor organizations. Written comments on the code were received from more than 70 UNWTO Member States and other entities. The resulting 10 point Global Code of Ethics for Tourism - the culmination of an extensive consultative process- was approved unanimously by the UNWTO General Assembly meeting in Santiago in October 1999.

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in its substantive session of July 2001, adopted a draft resolution on the Code of Ethics and called on the UN General Assembly to give recognition to the Code. The official recognition by the UN General Assembly to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism came on 21 December 2001, through its resolution A/RES/56/212, by which it further encouraged the World Tourism Organization to promote an effective follow-up of the Code.

Download a copy of the Tourism Global Code of Ethics

Download in PDF format the text of the Code translated into national/local languages by the following countries/regions or territories

ENGLISH

ITALIAN

FRENCH

GREEK

CHINESE

JAPANESE

PORTUGUESE

The Code includes nine articles outlining the "rules of the game" for destinations, governments, tour operators, developers, travel agents, workers and travellers themselves. The tenth article involves the redress of grievances and marks the first time that a code of this type will have a mechanism for enforcement.

ARTICLE 1
Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies

ARTICLE 2
Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment

ARTICLE 3
Tourism, a factor of sustainable development

ARTICLE 4
Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its enhancement

ARTICLE 5
Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities

ARTICLE 6
Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development

ARTICLE 7
Right to tourism

ARTICLE 8
Liberty of tourist movements

ARTICLE 9
Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry

ARTICLE 10
Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Trust your travel services with Travel 4 Real; a company that supports sustainable and responsible tourism practices for its clients and its destinations.

Visit all of the Travel 4 Real travel brands now:

http://www.italy4real.com

http://www.greece4real.com

http://www.france4real.com

http://www.brazil4real.com

http://www.travel4real.com

Boycott Italy for Amanda Knox, NO WAY

The intensive trial of Amanda Knox in Perugia, Italy has been a long and complicated process that on December 5th, 2009 resulted in a 26 year sentence in prison for the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher.

Since the sentencing there has been a small movement to boycott Italy as a protest to the trial result. Twitter, Facebook members and famous figures such as Donald Trump have taken on the cause of the boycott.

While boycotting may be a traditional method of getting your voice heard; in this particular case it is the most ridiculous and absurd way to support Amanda Knox or get the attention of the powers that be in Italy.

  1. Italy is the #1 tourist destination in the world and the impact of an Amanda Knox boycott would only produce a ripple in the sea of tourists who flock to Italy from all over the world.
  2. Italians don’t boycott and don’t respond to boycotting. Boycotts only work in societies that recognize them. Italians respond to face to face negotiation and have for centuries.
  3. An Italy boycott will hurt Americans more than it will anyone else. So what does “boycott Italy” mean? Stop going to Olive Garden? Stop buying olive oil and pasta at the supermarket? Stop traveling to Italy? Return all of your Italian shoes to the store? All these options hurt business owners, employees and organizations here in America.
  4. A lovely young person; Meredith Kercher was brutally murdered and Amanda Knox was her roommate. In American courts the saying “beyond a reasonable doubt” is the gauge used to determine innocence or guilt. No matter if you think Amanda is innocent there was a murder and her involvement is foggy at best.

Historically boycotts surround cut and dry issues such as African Americans during the US civil rights movement (notably the Montgomery Bus Boycott) the movement that advocated "disinvestment" in South Africa during the 1980s in opposition to that country's apartheid regime. When a person is murdered in cold blood there may or may not be extenuating circumstances that lead to a result; it is far from cut and dry, right or wrong and in the Knox case we don’t know enough to boycott an entire country.

The Italian justice system may be a factor in the verdict, but boycotting Italy is not a way to be heard. Italians are strong and proud people who stick by their decisions no matter if they are right or wrong. The way to get an Italian to change their mind is to speak to them on an eye to eye level; threatening them will only result in a deadlock.

Those that propose a boycott of Italy are ignorant and if they took the time to understand how Italians work they can put their energy and intentions to good use.

Here are some useful ways of protesting the Amanda Knox sentence in a way that Italians will hear.

  1. Travel to Italy and submit your protest in person. Don’t go over in a WTO sit in the street until the police drag you away method, but go to the courthouse and submit a letter in person of your protest. Local authorities who realize that someone came across the world to give a letter of protest in a respectful way will be heard much louder than a few less tourists in town.
  2. If you can’t afford to go in person then write letters, post video commentaries and write blog posts but BE RESPECTFUL and don’t use threatening verbiage. Imagine you are a hostage, would you go to your captures and say “listen if you don’t let me go, I’m going to (put your favorite threat here) compared to “I see why you are doing this but here are my reasons why you might let me go. See the difference?

It’s time for fresh thinking. It’s time to negotiate. Americans, business owners and the travel industry have been bludgeoned almost to death with the economy, war and uncertainty; let’s not throw a boycott boomerang that will just come back to hit us while we are down.

Small Group Trip to Greece April 2010

Introduction to Athens



Big Fat Greek Trip
(8 days/7 nights)

April 22 - 30, 2010

Download Reservation Form NOW

1. Download the reservation form
2. Send in reservation form with your deposit
3. Get ready for a great trip!

Place your deposit now

Send your name or questions to: customerservice@travel4real.com

Call: 1-800-554-5170 for information and to place your deposit.
Deposits are $350 Per Person, non refundable. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. We will be happy to assist you with locating low cost airfare, just ask when placing your deposit.

  • Day 0 - Depart USA

  • Day 1 – Arrival to Athens Airport. Transfer from airport to Athens hotel with Private Bus & English Speaking assistant. Overnight at Hotel in Athens .

  • Day 2 – Breakfast at Hotel. Organized (collective) Half Day Panoramic Athens City Tour including visit to the NEW Acropolis museum. Overnight at Hotel in Athens.

  • Day 3 – Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to Athens Port with Private Bus & English speaking assistant. Embarkation on Hydro (fast) ship to Santorini. Arrival at Santorini & transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

  • Day 4 – Breakfast at Hotel. Organized (collective) Half Day Santorini Bus Oia Sunset & villages tour (visit Episkipi Church – Mesa Gonia – Pyrgos – Imerovigli- Oia). Overnight at Hotel.

  • Day 5 – Breakfast at Hotel. Organized (collective) Half Day Santorini Bus Tour (This tour is an introduction to Santorini's traditional villages, countryside and most beautiful black sandy beach of the island, such as Kamari or Perissa or Perivolos. Pass by Megalohori, Pyrgos with short stop to stroll around, visit a local winery for a tour and introduction to the local wines followed by a wine tasting & screening of informative film. Head up to Profitis Ilias for a short photo stop and then drive to one of the famous black sandy beaches of the island with some free time on own before return back to the hotel.) Overnight at Hotel.

  • Day 6 – Breakfast at Hotel. Free day. Overnight at Hotel.

  • Day 7 – Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer from Hotel to Santorini Airport with private Bus & English speaking Assistant. Flight from Santorini to Athens, transfer from airport to SAME hotel in Athens for overnight.

  • Day 8 – Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to Athens airport for departure flight with Private Bus & English speaking assistant.

INCLUDED SERVICES:

7 nights hotel with private bath and breakfast.

In/ Out Transfer in Athens portion (Apt/ath – hotel, hotel – port/pir, port/pir-htl, htl-apt/ath) with Private Bus & English speaking assistant

Organized Half Day Panoramic Athens City Tour including visit to the NEW Acropolis museum

In /Out Transfer in Santorini portion (port/jtr – hotel, hotel – apt/jtr) with Private Bus & English speaking assistant

Organized (collective) Half Day Santorini Bus Oia Sunset & villages tour (visit Episkipi Church – Mesa Gonia – Pyrgos – Imerovigli- Oia)

Organized (collective Half Day Santorini Bus Tour (visit: Kamari or Perivolos or Perissa – Megalohori – Winery)

P/P Boat Ticket for the Route Piraeus – Santorini on Economy Seat

Flight from Santorini to Athens


Prices per person
Single Double Triple
$2,300.00 $1,999.00 $1,799.00

Italy 4 Real now rents Ferrari's by the hour in Tuscany, Italy

Want to drive a $320,000 dollar super car? Well now you can. Only Italy 4 Real can offer Ferrari rentals by the hour in Tuscany. A great and thrilling addition to any trip. Get behind the wheel of a Ferrari F430 F1 for one hour as you twist and turn through the Tuscan countryside. insurance included, valid drivers license required. 3 hour also available. More info here: http://www.italy4real.com/index.php?mainpage=products_info&pID=115












See a video of a drive around the Ferrari Factory in Maranello, Italy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vKSQt3GOPg