Six years down and only a double digit number of days left before South Africa welcomes the world to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We here at Great Atlantic Travel can’t wait until the first kick-off and our more than pleased with the amount of terric clients we have set up to go as we have surpassed that number from Germany 2006. If you haven’t gotten your ticket, airfare, hotel, or packages dont wait any longer as availability is getting down to the bare minimum. Even though the World Cup will be awesome to watch on ESPN HD, that will be nothing compared to the spectacle of being there live at the world’s best and most popular sporting event. After an amazing Olympics where the US hockey team had all of the country’s support and attention, its only fitting that the US Soccer team does the same on a much larger scale. It is setting up to be such an amazing time with numerous storylines taking shape such as the US being put in same group as England. The Americans have released their World Cup jerseys and they are going old school with the same threads they wore in the 1950 World Cup - the same World Cup they beat England 1-0, an event the Brits have still not gotten over. Then you have the host country South Africa in same group as France and Mexico as they are trying not to become the first host nation to fail advance to the second round. If you need anymore reasons or pushing I would look over this article from Goal.com. We look forward to setting up a lifetime experience for you!

With less than 188 days left until the 2010 FIFA World Cup gets kicked off, all 32 teams and their devoted fans found out today who their teams are grouped with and when/where they play. Soem teasm such as Mexico and Netherlands have to like their chances of moving past the First Round while other teams like top seeds Brazil and Germany may have been dealt very difficlut groups.

Group A                       Group B                   Group C              Group D
South Africa                 Argentina                 England              Germany  
Mexico                          Nigeria                     USA                      Australia
Uruguay                       South Korea            Algeria                 Serbia
France                          Greece                     Slovenia              Ghana

Group E                       Group F                    Group G                Group H
Netherlands                Italy                            Brazil                     Spain
Denmark                      Paraguay                 North Korea         Switzerland
Japan                           New Zealand           Ivory Coast           Honduras
Cameroon                   Slovakia                    Portugal               Chile

A few observations that should jump out and get attention:
Group A offers South Africa who is as host country is slated as a top seed. No host country has ever failed making it out of the first round. Uruguay will offer stiff competition as well as favorite Mexico and 2006 runner up France who neaded a handball against Ireland to make this World Cup.

Group B features Argentina who had a tough time qualifying behind their player turned coach Maradona as well as the 2004 Euro Cup Champions Greece, South Korea, and a speedy and possible dark horse in Nigeria.

Group C had everyone talking today as top qualifiers England were put in the group against the United States. That alone has intrigue going back as far as the 1950 World Cup when the US stunned all of the soccer world by beating England 1-0 which still has all of the England faithful upset to this day. Although paired with talented teams of Algeria and Slovenia, both the USA and England are relieved to not be in the “Group of Death” as the Us were in 2006.

Group D offers 4 very well supported countries in the likes of speedy Ghana, improving Australia, young Serbia, and 2008 Euro Cup runner up and one of the favorites - Germany. This may be one of the toughest groups to get out of.

Group E is rather interesting as they have the Netherlands who compete well every tournament but have a tough time in the final rounds with 3 teams who have been on a steady course of improving in soccer over the past 8 years in Cameroon, Denmark, and Japan.

Group F puts the reigning 2006 World Cup Champions Italy in a group with evenly matched Paraguay and Slovakia as well as New Zeland who makes their first World Cup in 28 years.

Group G is widely considered the toughest group as it features the consistent powerhouse Brazil along with Cristiando Renaldo’s Portugal. North Korea and Ivory Coastrounds out the group. The Ivory Coast is a very talented team who many believe will make it deep in this tournament and may be the kryptonite to Brazil based on their speed and defense.

The final Group H has FIFA ranked #1 and 2008 Euro Cup Champions Spain against the likes of an improving Switzerland and very well supported Honduras who is makingg their first trip to the World Cup in 28 years. Chile rounds out this group as this is their first World Cup since 1998.

Well the groups are set and now the only thing left to do is reserve your package through Great Atlantic Travel if you havent done so already. There is nothing like being at the worlds biggest sporting event where all politics and differences are put aside for a month in the name of the beautiful game. Great Atlantic Travel is the most expierenced and customer driven sports tour operators in the world and we are looking forward to providing packages to our 5th World Cup, the only operator to be credited as official by FIFA on 4 different occasions. Whether you are looking for Follow Team Packages, Team USA Specials, Semi-finals and Final Packages, Custom Packages,or Exclusive Emirates World Cup Packages we have your ticket to the biggest event in the world - the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Yahooooooooo   The 2010 FIFA World Cup is right around the corner!!!  The largest single-sport event in the world kicks off in South Africa on June 11, 2010. Nine FIFA World Cup Cities will host 64 Matches. One team will prevail as the 2010 FIFA World Cup Champions. Be there to Experience the drama, thrills, and adventure in South Africa!

Great Atlantic Travel is an official package provider for the World Cup.  Weather you want to follow team USA, Follow your favorite team, go see the Finals, Quarterfinals, or semifinals, or just plain create your own Custom Travel Package.  Check out all the travel packages including South Africa Youth Tournament 2010.  Or plan your trip with Soccer Legend Marcelo Balboa at the helm leading your trip and customizing which World Cup Matches you would like to see. See the 2010 FIFA World Cup match Schedule and pick out what team you would like to see (the draw will be on december 4th)  Pick your favorite matches for the World Cup and go explore South Africa in your downtime with safaris and other add ons.

The NFL has released the 2008 NFL schedule, and all Redskins games are available at this time. Ticket only prices will be available by the end of the week. Tickets and packages are on sale for Washington Redskins home games against the New Orleans Saints on September 14, Arizona Cardinals on September 21, St. Louis Rams on October 12, Cleveland Browns on October 19, Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 3, archrival Dallas Cowboys on November 16, Super Bowl Champion New York Giants on November 30, and division rival Philadelphia Eagles on December 21.

The Redskins have an excellent schedule for fans as it offers a great choice of games throughout the year. If you are not into the cold weather then you can see early games such as the home opener against the New Orleans Saints or a rematch of one of last years close games against the Cardinals. October is great since the weather is not too hot or too cold. See the Redskins take on the St. Louis Rams or Cleveland Browns as the fall season arrives. November will bring 3 of the NFL’s toughest and most popular teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers who are making their first regular season appearence in DC since 1988, reigning NFC East champion and hated rivals the Dallas Cowboys a nationaly televised game on Sunday night, as well as the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. November will certainly be a defining moment for the Washington Redskins 2008 season. The Redskins will play at FedEx Field once in December and that will be on December 21st against the Philadelphia Eagles which would make an excellent early Christmas gift. 

These games as well as Redskins Hall of Fame Game and preseason games are now available. Also, tickets and packages will soon be available for the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles,  Pittsburgh Steelers, and all other NFL teams. Please check back or call for information. All rates are subject to change and based on availability so early reservations are strongly suggested.

As eluded to yesterday, Great Atlantic Travel has added advanced Washington Redskins travel packages for the 2008 regular season. Limited amount of packages for the NFL’s first preseason game between the Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on August 3rd, 2008. The 2008 NFL Schedule is not expected to be announced until early to mid April, however call and book now to get best price and seating available. Day Trip (Start at $170 per person), Overnight UDrive (start at $195 per person), and Overnight with Bus Packages (start at $235 per person) available for all Washington Redskins games at FedEx Field. The Redskins will host two AFC North powerhouses the Super Bowl XL Champions  Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns coming off a 10-6 record in 2007. Also coming to the loudest, and biggest stadium in the league in 2008 is the Arizona Cardinals, who lost in a thrilling game at FedEx Field last year, powerful running back Stephen Jackson and his St. Louis Rams, as well as Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and their New Orleans Saints. Of course the Redskins will also host their rivals in the NFL’s toughest division year in and year out - the NFC East. Donovan McNabb will bring his motivated Philadelphia Eagles into town as they are coming off being the only NFC East team to miss the 2007 playoffs. The most popular game every year and one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports, the Washington Redskins will welcome back Tony Romo, T.O. and the Dallas Cowboys who suffered a bad defeat to the Redskins in the last regular season game of 2007 where the Redskins impressively made it to the Playoffs with the convincing win. The other NFC East rival are the Eli Manning led Super Bowl XLII Champion New York Giants, who always have a physical and thrilling game against the Redskins. Quite an impressive group of teams to come to FedEx Field in 2008. Don’t delay - reserve now as prices are based on availability and subject to change. $75 deposits can be made to reserve the game of your choice at the starting price. Exact dates will be released by the NFL in early to mid April.

We have just added new options to our website for the best rivalry in football, Redskins vs. Cowboys. Just click on one of our numerous packages between day trip, overnight u drives, or Overnight with bus. Don’t delay on booking this package because it will go very fast, not to mention the price will increase over time and based on availability. We also have new upgrade features such as adding sideline lower level tickets. Check them out and give us a call or fill them out online and we will give you a call.

Just finished publishing the new home page layout at www.Greatatlantictravel.com. 

The new layout allows us to advertise more upcoming featured events that we offer to our international clientel including Kentucky Derby Tickets and Kentucky Derby and Oaks Packages, as well as The Masters Golf Tournament, Euro 2008 tickets and packages, and of course the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

We have also pushed up new domestic travel packages to the fore-front including Crown Royal 400 Packages and Tickets, as well as Washington Redskins Travel Packages for the upcoming 2008-2009 NFL Season.  As of yesterday, visitors to GreatAtlanticTravel.com, can now book their Travel Packages for the Crown Royal 400 NASCAR race in Richmond as well.  We will have the same feature, online travel package booking, for our Washington Redskins Packages as soon as the schedule is released in early April.  For the moment, we’re thinking that will be April 2nd or 3rd.

 Check back soon for new Sports Travel Packages offered by GAT.

This is always one of the most exciting times on the sports calender as the Conference Tournaments are in full swing this week on the way to Selection Sunday. Great Atlantic Travel has terrific lower level seats for any and all tournaments whether you are interested in a certain session or enjoying the whole tournament. Great tickets still availble for the SEC Tournament at the Gergia Dome in Atlanta, extremely popular ACC Tournament March 13-16 in Charlotte, Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden March 12-15, 2008, as well as the First and Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at Raleigh March 20-23. These are just some of the most exciting games that we have, however Great Atlantic Travel has tickets available to each and every game from the conference tournaments to the Final Four in San Antonio. Don’t miss out on some of the best basketball of the year!

Like the PGA, the tennis season majors are just around the corner. Great Atlantic Travel offers tickets for all stages of the very poupular French Open at Roland Garros Stadium. Tickets are availble for this grand slam event from May 26 to June 8 as it takes place in one of the world’s greatest cities - Paris. Year in and year out the French Open captivates all tennis lovers attention as there is excitement from point  to point and serve to serve in every match. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy Paris, sit at the historic Roland Garros Stadium and watch the world’s best mens and womens tennis players fight for the chance to be crowned 2008 French Open Champion. Not only can you witness great singles play but there is also mens doubles, womens doubles, and mixed doubles. Last year Rafeal Nadal made history by winning his third straight French Open title after an amazing match against his biggest rival and world #1 player Roger Federer. On the womens side Justine Henine defeated Ana Ivanovic in straight sets making her the second woman to win the French Open three consecutive times. Be there in person and see if the King (Nadal) and Queen (Henine) of the Clay court can repeat or will it be someone else who takes the crown at one of the world’s most prestigious tennis events!

As we hit the last days of winter, exciting spring sporting events are just around the corner. Great Atlantic Travel and Tour offers packages such as the PGA Masters at Augusta Tickets, Crown Royal 400 Tickets at Richmond, and Kentucky Derby Tickets. The phones have been ringing off the hook for all of these events and more.

Great Atlantic Travel has added 2 new Kentucky Derby Packages to the most exciting two minutes in sports. The new packages are the Millionaires Row Ticket Package and the Turf Club Ticket Package. Both Derby and Oaks packages have the same inclusions all of the other such as 3 nights hotel accommodations at a terrfic property with a great location a mile from downtown, Derby mementos, and reserved parking within 150 yards from Churchill Downs. However what sets these two apart is that they include food and beverages and are some of the most demanding seats in all of sports. The Millionaires Row Tableseats you at an eight seat fourth row table with an excellant view of the whole track while you watch them race to the finish line which is conveniently positioned directly in front of you. Our Turf Club Package and tickets is the way to go if you decide to do the Derby right and go all out. Located indoors on the third floor just above the very popular 317 section, the Turf Club offers just about anything you can imagine while at the track such as food, beverage, personal betting machine, and as good of view as possible as the horses race down the stretch to the finish line directly in front of you. There is also a area within that is called the Turf Terrace where several celebrities make their way to. You may find yourself sipping a drink next to some of America’s most famous and wealthiest stars. With either of these packages and tickets you can experience the Kentucky Derby the way very few have.