Enjoy the sounds of Around the World as you peruse the "Balloon Fiesta" tour package.

Your Balloon Fiesta package offers: A personal travel escort to assist with your needs, air, transfers, porterage; 3 nights; and the Balloon Fiesta.

Itinerary DAY 1 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2000 Depart from Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport. Arriving in Albuquerque, New Mexico, transfers to the hotel will be provided. We will be staying at Sheraton Albuquerque Old Town Hotel which is located in Old Town, and it is located on the trolley route for your convenience in touring the Spanish-style Old Town plaza, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Museums, and the Albuquerque Biological Park. DAY 2 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2000 Crossing over into the "Land of Enchantment," we will find variety and diverse culture in our neighboring state as we begin our voyage to the Kodak International Balloon Festival. Marvel at the hundreds of colorful balloons, lighter than air, making their way skyward at the Balloon Ascension. This Balloon Festival is the largest balloon spectacle in the world. Experience the drama of an 11,000 square mile panoramic view of New Mexico from the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway which is the world's longest tramway. DAY 3 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2000 If you are the adventurous type, experience the "Ride of your Life" with World Balloon, the oldest and largest balloon company in New Mexico. World Balloon was founded in 1972. Tourists are encouraged to visit World Balloon and view the many balloon exhibits representing the past 28 years of ballooning in New Mexico. Come visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and see the richest resource for the study of America's first inhabitants in the Southwest and the traditional Indian dances. DAY 4 - MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2000 Depart to Dallas/Ft. Worth. We shall remember the beauty of our southwestern voyage long after our journey to the Balloon Fiesta is over. Policies To secure reservations, full payment is due at the time of booking. Cancellation - a $50 service charge will be assessed for cacellations. Cancellations are accepted for any reason up until September 1, 2000. If a client cancels after this date, or the client is a "no show," the full package price will be forfeited. Unused features cannot be refunded. All prices include tax. Prices are subject to change without notice. Associates Universal Travel, Voyages of Discovery, and Diana Arldt-Roberts' responsibility and liability does not extend to personal injury, property damage or acts of negligence or omission related to any vendore providing services on the offered package plan. Please note that this is a holiday season; therefore, there will be a limited supply, and the rates are not guaranteed until the time of booking. Albuquerque, New Mexico New Mexico has been called the UFO capital of the world. UFO sightings are almost as common as roadrunners, the state bird. Albuquerque lies in the Rio Grande valley between the Sandia Mountains and the volcanic cones of the western plateau country. The Pueblo Indians inhabited the region for centuries before Francisco Coronado invaded the territory in 1540. Albuquerque was founded in 1706 on the Rio Grande river and was named for the Duke of Alburquerque, the viceroy of New Spain. Albuquerque is located approximately one-mile above sea level in a "high desert" climate. Temperatures range from the low-teens to the mid-forties in the winter, and the mid-sixties to the low-nineties in the summer. Rainfall typically averages less than ten inches annually. Albuquerque gets lots of snow in the surrounding mountains but very little in town. How Albuquerque Got Its Name In 1706, the ambitious provisional governor of the territory, Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdez, petitioned the Spanish government for permission to establish the bosque as a formal villa. The Spanish required a minimum of 30 families in an area to establish a villa. Cuervo had only 18 in Bosque Grande. But Cuervo was a shrewd politician, and he came up with a plan he felt gave him a good chance of acceptance. The man responsible for preliminary approval of his application was Viceroy Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva, the Duke of Alburquerque. In his application, Cuervo declared that he wanted to establish the villa in the name of the Duke, and call it Alburquerque. The petition (on which Cuervo had also carefully claimed 35 families, believing that a perfect 30 would look too suspicious) was accepted, and thus was born the city of Alburquerque. (The first "r" in the original name was later dropped. Legend has it that a sign painter for the railroad omitted it either accidentally or because he didn't have enough room for the whole name. Another theory is the Latin translation of Alburquerque, which means white oak. Alburquerque Spain has a large number of white oak trees and thus was given the appropriate name. However, it is likely the "r" fell out of use casually and over a long period, probably due to its near-inaudibility when spoken.) In 1846, the US claimed the territory for its own. The Civil War touched the city briefly when confederate troops occupied Albuquerque and installed eight defensive cannons (four of them are still on display in Old Town). Once the war had passed, Anglo settlers, who had been slow to move in before, began showing a much greater interest and began arriving in force-mostly merchants, tradesmen, artisans, doctors, and lawyers. Sheraton Albuquerque Old Town Hotel Step into 300 years of history and culture at Sheraton Albuquerque Old Town Hotel. This charming Southwestern-style hotel is highlighted by guest rooms furnished in hand-made New Mexico style furniture. Albuquerque's historic Old Town is within walking distance. There you will find 200-plus specialty shops, restaurants, art galleries, the Albuquerque Museum and New Mexico Museum of Natural History. The hotel is located on the trolley and bus route for your convenience in touring the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Museums, and the Albuquerque Biological Park. Explore the rich culture and history of the great Southwest! Local Attraction Information from hotel:: Historic Old Town - Step out your door Southwestern Art Galleries - Step out your door New Mexico Museum of Natural History - One block Albuquerque Museum - One half block Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - 1 mile Albuquerque Aquarium - 1 mile Albuquerque Botanical Garden - 1 mile Rio Grande Nature Center - 2 miles Rio Grande Zoological Park - 3 miles National Atomic Museum - 10 miles Indian Petroglyph Park - 10 miles Indian Pueblos - 10 to 30 mile radius of hotel University of New Mexico - 5 minutes Albuquerque International Airport - 15 minutes Sandia Peak Tram - 30 minutes Sandia Crest - 1 hour by car Historic Santa Fe - 60 miles Horse Racing at the Downs (seasonal) - 5 miles Services available on property: : Joseph's Day Spa Hazelwood Gifts and Newstand The Heart Shoppe Explora Science Center & Children's Museum of Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Fiesta is the Spanish word for party. In Albuquerque during October, it may also mean the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest, most photographed balloon party in the world. This is your chance to get up, up, and away as more than 600 balloons take to the air in one of the most colorful airborne spectacles on earth. The world's largest hot-air ballooning event covers two weekends during its nine days. Experience the symphony of colors at sunrise and sunset with spectacular mass ascents on Saturdays and Sundays. Highlights include the special shapes competition, with huge Harleys, polar bears, a cow, a dinosaur, and even Noah's ark complete with with 28 animals. Thrill-seeking festival-goers have the chance to ride the skies, while on the ground there's live music and a parade. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds show up to dodge lighter-than-air craft, and the U.S. Navy sends its Leapfrogs parachute team. An awards ceremony and a gala grand ball crown the event. Other Attractions Visit more than 150 shops and galleries in Albuqerque's Historic Old Town, tour one of the state's 19 Native American Pueblos, ride the world's longest single-span tramway to the top of the 10, 678 foot Sandia Peak and take advantage of local monuments museums, and of couse, hot-air ballooning. Ballooning ... "On a clear day, you can see forever" - never more true than from a hot air balloon. Ballooning is a world filled with beauty, excitement, and adventure. World Balloon Experience the "Ride of your Life" with World Balloon, the oldest and largest balloon company in New Mexico. World Balloon was founded in 1972. Tourists are encouraged to visit World Balloon and view the many balloon exhibits representing the past 28 years of ballooning in New Mexico. Prices: $135 weekday/$145 weekend per person plus tax for a one hour flight. Braden's Balloons Aloft, Inc. Specializing in the more-personal flight with only 2 to 4 passengers in the basket! Reservations are required. Castle Dawn Ballooning, Ltd. View the expansive vistas of the Southwest from a totally new perspective! Hawk Watch International Educational tours to observe and photograph hawk and eagle migrations in Sandias or Manzanos. Rainbow Ryders Balloon rides, sunrise and sunset ... continental breakfast, champagne and refreshments. Celebrating 17 years of flight. Reservations are required. Wineries ... Anderson Valley Vineyards, located at 4920 Rio Grand Blvd. NW. Tours on the hour beginning at 1pm with the last tour beginning at 4pm. The tasting room and gift shop are open Tue-Sat, 12-5:30pm. Gruet Winery, located at 8400 Pan American Frwy NE, is one of the best sparkling wine producers in the nation. Tasting room, tours and retail. Open Mon-Sat, 10am to 5pm, and noon to 5pm on Sunday. Sandia Shadows Vineyard and Winery, located at 11704 Coronado NE - just 2 miles south of Sandia Peak Tram. This boutique winery and gift shop is set in the middle of a beautiful vineyard. Complimentary wine tasting and tours. Museusms ... Indian Pueblo Cultural Center 2401 12th Street NW See traditional Indian dances and craft demonstrations. In the museum, see the richest resource for the study of America's first inhabitants in the Southwest. Albuquerque Museum of Art and History 2000 Mountain Road NW, Old Town Admission is free. Open Tue-Sun, 9am to 5pm; closed Monday. Traditional and contemporary art of New Mexico - includes a sculpture garden, children's exhibits, and 400 years of Rio Grand Valley history. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science 1801 Mountain Road NW Journey through time. If you like dinosaurs and fossils, you'll love the museum. The museum provides snapshots of what New Mexico was like many years ago. In FossilWorks, visitors can watch volunteers separate fossil materials from the rocks that have encased them for years. The Dynamax Theater provides close views of nature in a way you'll never see in real life. See the LodeStar Astronomy Center and Star Theater which opened in January 2000! Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque 800 Rio Grande, Suite 19 Open Tue-Fri, 9am to 4pm; Sat, 9am to 5pm; and Sun, noon to 5pm. Admission: 2 & under are free; 2-12, $2; 12 & up, $4; Seniors, $2 New Mexico's innovative, interactive learning center. Hands-on exhibits and activities encouraging growth in science, art, and the world's cultures. Petroglyph National Monument Open daily from 8am to 5pm Admission: $1 per vehicle on weekdays; $2 per vehicle on weekends The worlds's largest accessible collection of prehistoric rock art. Prehistoric rock etchings are a dramatic sight. Over thousands of years, hunting parties chipped an estimated 17,000 petroglyphs into a dramatic lava rock escarpment. Three walking trails wind through the petroglyphs. Casinos ... Nestled in the beautiful foothills of northern New Mexico, the Casinos stand like an oasis in the high desert. The brightly lit exterior is a real standout during the evening hours with its multitude of neon lights beckoning travelers to stop in and spend some time. Casino Sandia I-25 and Tramway Road, Albuquerque, NM Isleta Gaming Palace 11000 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM San Felipe's Casino Hollywood Located on Interstate 25 exit 252, right between Albuquerque (25 miles north) and Santa Fe (30 miles south). Opened in November 1995. 25 Hagan Rd, Algodones, NM Santa Ana Star Casino Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Bernalillo, NM Horseback Riding ... River Horse Ranch Horse Rentals Jarales, NM 87023 Enjoy endless miles of Shady Trails along the Rio Grande River. Guided or unguided; healthy, gentle family horses; year round riding. $15 per hour per person. Turkey Track Stables, Inc. 1306 US 66 East, 15 miles east of Albuquerque off I-40 Scenic trails in Manzano foothills; 40 saddle horses; excellent condition; fine equipment; riding lessons; indoor arena; year round riding. More Attractions ... Sandia Peak Tramway Experience the drama of an 11,000 square mile panoramic view of New Mexico from the World's Longest Tramway. From the base to the top of 10,378 foot Sandia Peak, time and terrain seem to move in harmony as passengers lift from the desert floor, above canyons and lush forests, to the mountain top - 2.7 miles of sky-view travel and discovery of New Mexico's varied landscape and life zones. Sensational views and dining. Directions: FROM I-40, Exit 167: Tramway Blvd., take Tramway Blvd. North approximately 9 miles to the Sandia Peak Tramway. FROM I-25, Exit 234: Exit 234 Tramway Road. Follow Tramway Road, East to the Sandia Peak Tramway. Hours during the Balloon Fiesta are from 9am - 10pm. Historic Old Town "The Heart of Albuquerque" where Albuquerque began. Founded in 1706. A bronze statue at the corner of Rio Grande and Mountain honors Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes, Albuquerque's founder. More than 130 shops and galleries, housed in historic adobe buildings, are hidden among the patios and romantic, winding paths that are both Southwest and Old World. Enjoy a wide variety of foods in the cafes and restaurants set in a casual atmosphere. Route 66 Famous for its placement as a transportation hub, the city that began as a way station for Coronado and later became a major stop on the Spanish Camino Real from Mexico City to Santa Fe, occupied a central position on a more modern thoroughfare, Route 66. Designated in 1926, it was a road of song and myth, connecting the country from Chicago to Los Angeles. Cliff's Amusement Park 4800 Osuna Road NE Cliff’s has been a tradition in New Mexico for over 40 years and is dedicated to providing fun and entertainment for the whole family with more than 23 rides; games of skill, arcade & redemption; a scrumptious variety of foods; gifts & much more! Albuquerque Biological Park Albuquerque Aquarium This aquarium in the desert introduces you to rarely seen aquatic species and habitats as the Aquarim story line follows a drop of water downriver from the headwaters of the Rio Grande to the Gulf of Mexico 1,185 miles away. Major exhibits feature the Gulf Coast with esturaine species and authentic shrimp boat, an artificial coral reef teeming with life, the exciting walk-through moray eel tunnel, a combined ray and shorebird exhibit, and the spectacular 285,000 gallon shark tank. A stop at the San Esteban restaurant and the Aquarium gift shop will satisfy shopping and dining needs. Rio Grande Botanic Garden Tour formal walled gardens that illustrate traditional Spanish-Moorish and English landscape design in tile, ironwork, plantings and water features. Contemporary glass conservatories showcase plants of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of North America in one wing and plants from the world's Mediterranean climates in the other. The garden's gift shop stocks disposable cameras, film and botanical goods. Located just across the plaza from the Aquarium. Rio Grand Zoo Exhibits include giraffes, emus, Komodo dragons, white rhinos, koalas, elephants (and many more) in species-specific habitats. New projects include an award-winning 350,000 gallon Sea Lion exhibit; the newly-opened Koala Creek, showcasing wildlife from Australia; the Southwestern Cottonwood Cafe; and the beautiful Conservation Gift Shop. Admission: Adults, $4.25; Children/Seniors, $2.25 Wildlife West Nature Park 122 acre, hands-on environmental education center. It features plants and animals indigenous to the Southwest as well as their habitats. It is also a renewable energy project incorporating recycled building materials in its buildings and habitat constructions. Carley's Adventure Studios Grizz Carley's wilderness trips and art workshops. Sandia Peak Mountain Biking Mountain bike trail system of 15+ miles; full service rental shop; bike/chair lift; scenic rides and outdoor grill; helmets madatory. Sandia Peak Ski Area 13,350 ft. elevation. Ski in the morning ... golf in the afternoon. Shady Lakes Nestled among cottonwoods, acres of blooming water lilies and recreational fishing - rainbow trout, black bass, channel catfish and bluegill. Restaurants High Finance Restaurant Located at the top of Sandia Peak, only the High Finance Restaurant and Tavern offers the chance to enjoy both the breathtaking beauty of the Land of Enchantment and top notch cuisine. After traveling 2.7 miles above the Cibola National Forest aboard the world's longest tramway, marvel at panoramic views of a splendid sunset or the magnificence of the great Southwest. The High Finance Restaurant will satisfy your appetite in a variety of ways. Slow roasted Prime Rib or skillet roasted Ahi Tuna are both Culinary delights, as well as the crowd-pleasing, flame searing Beef Flambé. Enjoy the spectacular city lights of Albuquerque with one of the award winning handcrafted microbrewed ales, or sip the essence from any of the flavorful wines from an extensive and quality selection. If the great outdoors is appealing, take time off from the slopes, from hiking, or mountain biking to enjoy the savory burgers and sandwiches offered at lunch. For reservations: 505-243-9742. 66 Diner The diner is dedicated to perserving the spirit of the 50's roadside diner. Come try the delicious homestyle recipes just like Mom makes. Located on historic Route 66. Mystery Cafe Help the characters solve a mystery comedy as you eat a 4-course meal. Dinner Friday and Saturday. The Terrace Restaurant (Crowne Plaza Pyramid) Enjoy dining in the tropical atrium with a tranquil 5-story waterfall. To make reservations, please contact Voyages of Discovery: voyages@vvm.com PO Box 4141, Temple, TX 76505-4141 Office: (254) 760-9145 or (800) 635-6651 / Fax: (254) 778-8962 Home | Group Tours | Disney Travel | Specials | Honeymoon Registry | Treasure Chest | Texas Traditions | America the Beautiful | Land of Enchantment © Copyright 2000 by Voyages of Discovey. All rights reserved. Web Site Designed by: