You'll now need a passport to fly just about anywhere outside the U.S., but even if you haven't gotten around to getting one, there are still ways to enjoy a sunny tropical island. You just have to be a little selective.

What's the trick? The passport requirement does not apply to U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Marianas. Tropical enough for you? And, they all take U.S. dollars.

The US Virgin Islands include a group of three islands offering a little bit of everything, from beaches for swimming and reefs for diving, to music and great food. DePrez Travel Group can offer great choices and details on places to stay, plus  scuba diving, nightlife and spas.

Puerto Rico is less than a three-hour flight from Miami and offers miles of white sandy beaches. Here you will find friendly, welcoming people, most of whom speak English (in addition to their native Spanish). Puerto Rico enjoys year around summer temperatures, averaging about 80 degrees. You may also wish to take time to explore historic Old San Juan and the city's huge Fort San Felipe del Morro, or take in the lush tropical greenery of El Yunque Rain Forest. A must see is the phosphorescent Mosquito Bay. This rare and remarkable phenomenon is caused by millions of luminescent dinoflagellates lighting up when disturbed by movement. This region is also famous for its fresh local seafood and romantic sunsets.

You might not have thought about the Northern Marianas - The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is a commonwealth in political union with the United States of America a strategic location in the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines. The diving is spectacular, with everything from coral reefs to World War II wrecks to explore. And if you don't dive, there are acres of sandy beach to relax on and golf courses.

At the southern end of the Marianas chain, Guam which is located near the equator. The island is  known for its turquoise and tranquil seas, white sandy beaches, and year-round tropical climate. Guam offers a wide variety of diving spots, including coral reefs and shipwrecks from both world wars.

Wait. Don't forget Hawaii - a whole state full of islands where you can do everything from watching whales and surfers to exploring volcanoes, lush jungles and fabulous beaches.

And if you want to stay a little closer to home, remember that the Florida Keys - are islands, too, with their own selection of diving, fishing, sailing and generally taking it easy. But, unlike these other islands, you can drive to the Keys.
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Keep your noisemakers handy in 2007
for these fab festivals!

1. Junkanoo-
Nassau, Bahamas-
Howl into a conch shell or ring a cowbell and take to the streets with half the island population. This New Year's celebration dates back to the 16th century, when plantation slaves were given a few days off to whoop it up. The excitement of extravagant costumes and colorful, mile-high headdresses is intensified by West African drumbeats and brass bands.

2. Carnival - Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Order your costume for Feb. 19 and 20 and join the steel bands and bikini-clad masqueraders marching in the streets. This joyful, rum-soaked celebration is the biggest in the Caribbean.

3. Las Fallas - Valencia, Spain.
This fiery festival, March 12-19, originated with the ancient tradition of carpenters welcoming spring by burning the wooden candelabras used to light their shops in winter. with firecrackers and bonfires and the fallas themselves - a fantastic spectacle.

4. São João Festival - Porto, Portugal.
This coastal city celebrates its saints' day (São João, or St. John, is the most important) each year on June 23. Fireworks, bonfires and roaming bands of hammer! Visit the lively Porto riverfront the next day and watch the regatta, a race of low wooden boats used to transport wine.

5. Queen's Day - Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Already known as a party paradise, this Dutch city has an all-nighter on the queen's birthday, April 30. Rowboats, barges and old fishing vessels crammed with people, crates of beer and sound systems pound their way around the canals.

6. Monaco Grand Prix - Principality of Monaco.
People-watching is as much fun as this May event that draws the world's elite. Raise a glass of bubbly with the high rollers at the Hotel de Paris bar.

7. Wine War - Haro, Spain.
Held annually at the end of June, it's a modern-day remnant of the feuds between rival towns of this wine-producing area in which everyone drenches everyone else in "Roja" wine with squirt guns. Later, steer that are released into the plaza take off for the bullring, adding a final touch of drama to the day.

8. Naadam - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
This event (July 11-13) is less about participation, focused as it is on the national sports of archery, wrestling and horsemanship. Don't miss the song and dance shows at the Cultural Palace.

9. La Tomatina - Buñol, Spain.
On Aug. 29, truckloads of tomatoes are unloaded in the square, a rocket is fired and thousands of festive food-fighters reduce the fruit to a juicy explosion of seeds, skin and pulp.

10. Day of the Dead - Mexico.
Celebrated on the first two days of  November, this is both a time of remembrance for the dearly departed and a celebration of the eternal cycle of life. Favorite dishes are placed on flower-bedecked altars, and, come nightfall, graveyards resemble roadside restaurants, as picnic tables and chairs are arranged, tortillas are fried and tequila is consumed in memory of the deceased. _________________________________

Enjoy a 7-night escape to Club Med
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic TEENS STAY FREE!

Vast stretches of dazzling sand where turquoise water meets the clear blue sky, the beaches of Punta Cana are considered to be some of the finest in the world. Club Med resort flourishes beside a lagoon surrounded by a magnificent grove of coconut palms.

• World-Class Accommodations
• Inclusive Vacations
• Endless Sports Activities
• Pristine Beachfront Locations
• Gourmet Cuisine
• Open Bar
• Gratuities Included
• Nightly Entertainment

Available travel dates from 6/9/07 - 8/31/07.

Click Logo to Request More Information
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Flying in today's world of hyper-stringent security can wreak havoc for even the most unflappable of souls. Here are nine rules of airline etiquette that have been expanded upon by travel writer Barbara Correa. If we all just followed these, flying might be fun again!

1. Share armrest space. Two armrests for three seats is one too few, so we have to share.

2. Don't rearrange other people's luggage in the overhead space. There are only two people who should touch anything in the overhead bin: the owner of the object and the flight attendant.

3. Go to the bathroom before getting on the plane. If you follow Mom's time-honored advice, you might not have to pop up to use the onboard bathroom, making life more pleasant for you and your seatmates.

4. Don't intrude on airline seat space. You may not use it as an armrest, leg rest or pillow. And never wedge your head between the two seats.

5. Using your cell phone? Keep your voice down. If you must use your cell phone after boarding and immediately upon landing, use your indoor voice.

6. If you can't lift it into the overhead bins, check it.  If your suitcase is too heavy for you to lift into the overhead bin, don't bring it onboard.

7. Don't drink and fly. Even if you can handle your liquor without disturbing those around you, will you be in any shape to drive once you land?

8. Use only the space underneath your seat. Your laptop computer bag takes up most of the room under your seat.

9. If you're flying with kids, be prepared. The cabin pressure during takeoff and landing could hurt children's ears, making them cry. Do what you can in advance to make them comfortable. Also, be prepared with quiet toys, books, puzzles and even portable DVD players to keep them occupied.
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*** EXCLUSIVE GROUP ***
9 Night Crown Princess 9/6/07

We are excited to feature our group aboard the Crown Princess 9/6/07. This cruise departs New York City and we have secured deluxe roundtrip motorcoach from Rochester to the ship. With the airlines becoming an increasing hassle, this is the perfect opportunity to sit back and relax while you are driven from your home city to your cruise port in comfort.

Package INCLUDES roundtrip motorcoach from Rochester, all port charges and taxes!

Departing New York City to:

• Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos;
• San Juan, Puerto Rico;
• St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands;
• West End, Bermuda

Interior $1199 / Ocean View $1399 / Balcony $1499

1-888-461-BOAT
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The DePrez Group of Travel Companies
DePrez Travel Bureau
Just Cruises, Inc.
Wish Upon A Star Vacations
Charlie Cheap Seats
Precision Planning
DePrez Corporate Services Division
DePrez Certified Convention Management
HBC/DePrez International
• • •
145 Rue De Ville · Rochester, NY 14618
Tel: 585-442-8900 or 1-800-634-5642
www.depreztravel.com
www.justcruisesinc.com