Wanted to put my two cents worth in on this: On Dec 2 the husband and I are flying to Buenos Aires staying two days, then flying to Ushuaia to board a ship and cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula then up through the Chilean Fjords to Santiago where we will stay for four days before flying home to FL. We are very excited about this trip - been trying to get to this for several years. If any of you have suggestions of tour or not to miss in BA and Santiago while we are there for a short time, please let me know.

For Lucy re New Orleans: I just returned two weeks ago from escorting a group from my high school (yes a few of us are still alive :-) ) on a 7 nt cruise on the new Carnival CONQUEST plus some extra days in New Orleans, one of my favorite places on the planet!!

Three places we enjoyed eating - The Gumbo Shop at 630 St Peter (wonderful Creole food and the praline sundae is a must) just a couple of blocks from St Louis Cathedral, Napoleon House at 500 Chartres with an interesting history and a tasty vegetarian muffeletta, and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Cafe located at the beginning of the French Market 1104 Decatur. Fun atmosphere and good food (super key lime pie) and Jimmy's music. Try the Abita Beer (Golden or Amber) that is brewed near New Orleans. Slurp!!! And I am not even much of a beer drinker. Of course, you don't want to miss Cafe du Monde on Jackson Square for cafe au lait and beignets - don't wear black! I understand that Emeril's on Tchoupitoulas St is an event as well, but it is much more expensive and my group wanted to keep it casual.

You can check out tours at www.graylineneworleans.com

I prebooked a city tour for my group and they really enjoyed it. About two hours and they really saw a lot. One told me that he almost felt od'd on New Orleans, but loved the tour. The guides are very funny and informative. They also do some nice plantation tours.

Ireland: The most beautiful island on earth! I visited last Fall for the second time and loved every minute. Wasn't ready to come home. Was on a Globus tour - 14 day Scenic Ireland - that started in Shannon and went North and continued all the way around on the coast. We stayed in the supposedly haunted hotel at Ballygally and made a half day stop in Belfast. We were allowed, encouraged in fact, to park the bus right in the middle of town at the City Hall. Would certainly like to see more of the town. I can assure you that we all felt perfectly safe - no shooting, no burning, etc. Everyone very friendly and helpful. The drive from Belfast to Dublin is beautiful, Antrim Coast, and I am sure you will have time to see lots of it. I loved Dublin. We were told that the average age in Dublin is 28, and you can really feel the energy. Grafton St. the pedestrian street was fun. You will probably be able to see the famous Jury's Irish Caberet at the Jury's Ballsbridge Hotel while you are there - it is supposed to be the best. I missed it because they had already left on tour. Wherever you are in Ireland, try to get Banoffi Pie for dessert. Many different versions, all yummy!

Can hardly wait for your trip reports!

Ruth Kuehn North Fort Myers FL