2009 Media Press Releases

11/12/09 - TRAVEL TO LEAVENWORTH’S TOWN LIGHTING FESTIVAL WITH CLIPPER GETAWAYS
10/15/09 - OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY TO BEGIN IN VICTORIA, B.C.
10/15/09 - CLIPPER VACATIONS OFFERS RELAXING VANCOUVER GETAWAY VIA AMTRAK CASCADES WITH UNBEATABLE PRICES
10/07/09 - AMTRAK CASCADES’ NEW SCHEDULE MAKES A PERFECT SEATTLE GETAWAY
10/07/09 - A HAUNTED WEEKEND IN VICTORIA, B.C.
10/05/09 - TWILIGHT TOUR” WINNER VISITS WASHINGTON STATE
08/28/09 - HOT SAVINGS ON COOL GETAWAYS TO SEATTLE, WA FROM VANCOUVER, BC
08/28/09 - HOT SAVINGS ON COOL GETAWAYS TO SEATTLE, WA
08/28/09 - HOT SAVINGS ON COOL GETAWAYS TO VICTORIA, B.C

TRAVEL TO LEAVENWORTH’S TOWN LIGHTING FESTIVAL WITH CLIPPER GETAWAYS

November 19, 2009

Be a part of Leavenworth’s Annual Town and Tree Lighting Festival on December 5, 6, 12, 13 or 19. Each year, visitors to this Bavarian Village eagerly await the magical transformation from darkness to a magical wonderland of lights.

Food booths and the aroma of roasting chestnuts fill the air, while holiday music creates a festive atmosphere for all. The plentiful and unique shops are open for holiday shopping, or take time to visit with St. Nick and Father Christmas as they stroll down the decorated streets. At dusk, everyone gathers to sing “Silent Night” and witnesses the dramatic lighting of the entire village.

Clipper Vacations is providing an opportunity for everyone to be a part of this event. Travel will be via deluxe motor coach, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy a complimentary breakfast and breathtaking scenery en route. The cost is an affordable $59 for adults and $46 for children 1 – 11 (including tax).

Motor coaches will pick-up at several area locations and will arrive in Leavenworth at approximately 11:00am. Coaches will depart Leavenworth following the lighting ceremony, arriving back in Seattle about 8:30pm.

For more information or to make a reservation, please call 206-448-5000 or 800-888-2535 or visit www.clippervacations.com.

OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY TO BEGIN IN VICTORIA, B.C.

October 15, 2009

On Friday October 30, the 106 day cross-country torch relay will begin in Victoria, B.C. and end with the opening of the 2010 Games on February 12. After being lit by rays of sun in Olympia, Greece, the torch will travel to Victoria in a lamp, then arrive in Victoria to light an Olympic Torch. The 45,000 kilometer, 106 day journey will allow the torch to visit over 1,000 communities across Canada, beginning with the communities surrounding Victoria.

Jeneece Edroff, a 15 year old girl with neurofibromatosis will have the honor of lighting the Cauldron at the legislature building. Despite her illness, Janeece has dedicated herself to raising money for charity and has already raised more than $1 Million.

The evening celebration is open to the public and will be held in front of the Legislative Building. It will include a state-of-the-art light show with massive projections of West Coast Art and images, music, dance and theatre performances. More than 10 local musicians will be performing, as well as the Victoria Symphony, BC Fiddle Orchestra and hundreds of First Nation drummers.
Clipper Vacations is offering overnight packages from $121 per person/dbl, including round trip from Seattle on the Victoria Clipper, overnight accommodations and all taxes. A variety of hotel options are available, as well as extra nights.

For more information, visit www.clippervacations.com or call 800-888-2535.

CLIPPER VACATIONS OFFERS RELAXING VANCOUVER GETAWAY VIA
AMTRAK CASCADES WITH UNBEATABLE PRICE

October 15, 2009

Vancouver, B.C. is completing the finishing touches for hosting the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics Games in February. The excitement in this cosmopolitan city is palpable, but room rates are still low. It is the perfect time to visit, see what’s new, join a public skate in the brand new Richmond Olympic Oval, or take a tram ride up Grouse Mountain, site of snowboard events. You can even do a day trip or overnight to Whistler Mountain. It is easy to get around the city with Sky Train and other new transportation options.

Clipper Vacations is offering some unique, all inclusive package that are stress free, economically priced and require no driving or border waits. One call will take care of your reservation for the scenic Amtrak Cascades train trip and one or more nights in Vancouver, B.C.

Package prices for train and hotel start at $109 pp/dbl at the Ramada and include all taxes. Upgrade to the Four Seasons or Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or Waterfront with packages from $146 pp/dbl. Many other hotel options and extra nights are available.

Get a jump on holiday shopping at a favorable exchange rate, relax with friends, plan a romantic getaway or just enjoy the fine dining and outstanding nightlife. Trains depart two times per day now from Vancouver, B.C. and from Seattle. The city is less than a four hour train ride from Seattle, but it will feel like a full-fledged vacation as you relax and enjoy Vancouver, B.C. and the hassle free experience.

Call 800-888-2535 for reservations, or book online at www.clippervacations.com.

AMTRAK CASCADES’ NEW SCHEDULE MAKES A PERFECT SEATTLE GETAWAY

October 7, 2009

Amtrak Cascades has doubled their departures between Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle, WA. In addition to the evening departure that has been operating for many years, there is now a morning train allowing a day trip to Seattle, or a nice overnight with two full days to see the city before returning on the second evening.

Clipper Vacations is offering some unique, all inclusive package that are stress free, economically priced and require no driving or border waits. One call will take care of your round trip Amtrak fare and one or more nights in Seattle. Prices include all taxes and cannot be beat.

One night packages with train, overnight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and all taxes start at $118 USD pp/dbl, 2 night packages from $176 pp/dbl. For a special occasion, upgrade to the AAA Four Diamond Hotel Vintage Park at a total cost of $164 pp/dbl for one night packages and $226pp/dbl for two nights. Many other hotel options are available.

Seattle has extraordinary shopping, theatre, dining and sightseeing opportunities. Some special events coming up are: U.S. Thanksgiving Black Friday sale November 27 to help you get started on your holiday shopping, The Rockettes in December, Billy Joel and Elton John in November, Seahawks through end of December and a variety of other events. It’s only a four hour train ride from Vancouver, but it will feel like a full-fledged vacation as you relax and enjoy Seattle and the hassle free experience.

Call 800-888-2535 for reservations, or book online at www.clippervacations.com.

A HAUNTED WEEKEND IN VICTORIA, B.C.

October 7, 2009

Clipper Vacations is again offering the popular Haunted Getaway to Victoria, B.C., complete with a nocturnal narrated Ghost Tour. Victoria is Canada’s most haunted city. The cemeteries and narrow alleys are overflowing with eerie and mesmerizing stories of ghosts and paranormal encounters and this is the perfect opportunity for a unique, seasonal experience for the whole family.

The “Haunted Victoria” weekend package is available for the nights of Oct. 23, 24, 30 or 31. Rates start at $160 pp for adults and $19 for children under 12. The one night package includes: roundtrip between Seattle and Victoria on the Victoria Clipper, overnight accommodations at your choice of hotel, a 2 hour evening “Ghost Tour”, admission to the Royal London Wax Museum including the Chamber of Horrors and all taxes. Rates vary by hotel, extra nights are available and some hotels are offering a 3rd night free.

Fall is the perfect time to visit Victoria and to enjoy the ever changing color on the foliage around the Inner Harbour or on a tour out to the famous Butchart Gardens.
To find out more details or to make a reservation, call 800-888-2535 or visit www.clippervacations.com.

“TWILIGHT TOUR” WINNER VISITS WASHINGTON STATE

October 5, 2009

The “Twilight” book series has a huge following throughout the world, including the UK. Recently, Clipper Vacations was approached to offer the popular “Twilight” tour in a contest sponsored by OK Magazine. The prize package also included roundtrip transportation via British Airways to Seattle.

A Birmingham student, Megan Evans, was announced as the winner so she and her parents will be embarking on a dream vacation beginning when they arrive at Sea-Tac on October 10th. Upon hearing the news, the Twilight fan and a student said, “I could not stop screaming, my bedroom wall is covered with Twilight posters….this is my dream holiday”.

The family will walk in the footsteps of Edward and Bella as they visit Seattle, Port Angeles, Quileute, Lake Quinault and Mt. Rainier. During the experience, Megan will blog about her travels. Her blogs can be found on Clipper Vacations Twitter and Facebook pages.

Clipper Vacations began offering the Twilight Self-Drive package about one year ago. Details about the Olympic Peninsula Tour and others are available at www.clippervacations.com or by calling 800-888-2535.

“HOT SAVINGS ON COOL GETAWAYS” TO SEATTLE FROM VANCOUVER

September 1, 2009

Clipper Vacations is offering a limited time opportunity to plan now for travel later, taking advantage of low package rates.

Working closely with their Hotel Partners in Seattle, Clipper Vacations is able to offer “ Hot Savings on Cool Getaways”. The concept is simple: book by 13 September, for travel to Seattle anytime between October 1st and the end of the year and enjoy limited time prices on Two Night Seattle Packages including round trip on Amtrak Cascades from Vancouver, BC.

With the addition of the daily evening train from Vancouver, BC and a choice of morning or evening departures from Seattle, visitors can now optimize their time in the Emerald City. The trip is smooth, relaxing and does not require a wait at the border.

With the exchange rate at about $.93 USD for $ 1.00 Cdn, Seattle is an ideal destination for Canadians to shop, enjoy sporting events, concerts and many wonderful dining options. These packages provide an economical getaway for the whole family.

In addition to the scheduled sporting events, some of the upcoming offerings this Fall and into the Winter include: Elton John and Billy Joel concerts in November, Radio City Rockettes Spectacular at the Paramount in December, PNW Ballet’s Nutcracker in December and a Michelangelo Exhibit at Seattle Art Museum October – January.

When booked by 13 September, the Two Night Packages start at $188 USD pp/dbl and includes: Accommodations at a downtown Seattle Hotel (Coast Paramount, Warwick, Springhill Suites or Edgewater), roundtrip from Vancouver, BC on Amtrak Cascades and all taxes. Children’s rates are available.

More details are available at www.ClipperVacations.com or by calling 800-888-2535.

HOT SAVINGS ON COOL GETAWAYS” TO SEATTLE

HOT SAVINGS ON COOL GETAWAYS” TO VICTORIA, B.C.