What’s New

Janauary 19, 2012

6 Island Escapes to Take Your Mind Off Winter

Conde Nast lists 6 islands that will take you out of the cold.  They are:  British Virgin Islands,  Cambodia, Fiji, Taha’a Island (French Polynesia),  Puerto Rico,  St. Lucia.  What can we about this line-up……. beautiful.

January 1, 2012

Sandals/Beaches is gearing up for 2012.  BFF Getaways; Family Reunions; Spa pampering; Golf vacations; just to name a few specials.  The Caribbean has great offers and Sandals/Beaches is just the resort to give you great memores.  Contact us for more information.

November 22, 2011

Royal Caribbean added three new ports to its line-up of departure cities:   New Orleans, Tampa, and Galveston.   Beginning in November,  Mariner of the Seas arrived in Galveston, Texas,  while Voyager of the Seas entered New Orleans and Jewel of the Seas entered Tampa.  The three ships will operate from the Gulf of Mexico ports seasonally through April.

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We just received information on a new supplier specializing in women traveling alone or with a group.  A Woman’s View, an Isramworld company, focuses on “unique travel encounters with the world.” with itineraries designed by women for women.  These tours are for singles, mothers and daughters, BFFs, grandmothers and dranddaughters, and all the women in your life.

Some of these itineraries include a woman’s view of Argentina, Peru, China, Central Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Isreal, Egypt, and Turkey.  New programs on the horizon are to Brazil, Iceland, India, Itraly, Greece, and Spain and Portugal.

So grab your adventurous girl friends for an amazing journey.   ###

Post-Irene Resorts

Hurricane Irene hit many Caribbean Islands including the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.  Although some resorts had considerable damage,
many others suffered only minor damage or none at all.

Beaches Turks and Caicos had slight damage and is closed to new bookings through September. Also Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island remains closed as landscaping debris is cleared and the resort prepares to reopen.  However, we are delighted to report that Sandals Grande Emerald Bay in Great Exumas, Bahamas came out unscathed and is open and accepting guests.

In Turks and Caicos, sunny skies returned over Providenciales and within 24 hours, the Regent Palms was up and running.  With no significant structural damage, everything was back to “business as usual.”

As with all resorts and cruise lines throughout the area, the comfort and safety of their guests is of primary importance; and all guests were very well taken care of.

 

8/22/11

Stormy Seas

Many  cruisers are concerned about sailing in the Caribbean during hurricane season.   May through November can  be a crazy time for weather, that’s for sure.  Rest assured, however, that all cruise lines and ships stay well away for any storm.  These ships have state-of-the-art weather forcasting equipment so are excellent in predicting weather patterns, wind speed, strength, and direction.    You may miss a port of call or two but you will never be put in harms way.  Persoanlly,  I have missed some ports due to hurricanes and other stroms, but I’d rather that than be caught in a storm.   In spite of these precautions, though, it is essential that you purchase trip protection insurance.  You could expect delays or outright cancellation, so insurance is a must.  In any case, you need not be apprehensive; you can be sure that safety of passengers is the prime concern of any cruise line.

 

Packing Tips

We are asked many times about how to pack for cruises and other vacations; so here are some tips that may help.  Of course, where you are traveling and the time of year make a huge difference in what you bring.  However, likely the most important point is to make a list so that you won’t forget anything

To help you with your list, divide your items among travel documents, clothes/accessories, medications/health  supplies, destination-specific items (beach, mountains, hiking, etc.), gadgets, personal items, etc. Create the master list to include everything then check off what you need for a particular trip.  We have a comprehensive list, so let us know if you want a copy or need help to categorize your items.

When packing clothes, we have found that rolling some items  minimizes or reduces wrinkles, but you may also want to layer or use tissue paper or plastic to help keep them neat in your case.  Color coordinating your outfits to mix and match reduces the amount you bring; thus, you pack less.

Another idea is to bring older items to leave behind at hospitals, orphanages, schools.   Donating to charity gives a warm, fuzzy feeling, or you could chuck the items.  Both lighten your load and make for a lighter suitcase on your return.

We bring bubble wrap for breakable souvenirs or bottles and additional items you may purchase on your trip as well as plastic baggies for snacks and other food items for use at your resort.  These really come in handy for peanuts, cheese, crackers and fruit, just to name a few.

Whatever method you choose, remember you will likely bring more than you will use.  Have fun and don’t forget the list.

July 18, 2011
We were delighted to be invited to board Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas for lunch and to tour the ship on Friday July 15.  We took the train to Seattle on Thursday (what a great way to travel there) and enjoyed a relaxing evening at our hotel, Holiday Inn Express Seattle Center.  We met our Business Development Managers John and Vicky and the other travel agents on Friday morning at 10:30 at the new Pier 91.

After going through security, we boarded the ship and visited many of the staterooms on Deck 8 as well as a few on Deck 7.  What was most notable?   Deck 8, where you’ll find the many exceptionally large and extremely inviting balcony suites including the Royal Suite, and others named for composers:  Beethoven, Chopin, and Stravinsky just to list a few.  The Superior Ocean View cabins with balconies on Deck 7 are also very inviting.

The pool areas include a family pool and an adults-only Solarium along with two hot tubs and a spa area.   There is a card room, internet café, library, and for the more active passenger, there is a rock climbing wall, jogging track, and fitness center.  For families, the Rhapsody has Adventure Ocean and a teen center.  It goes without saying, there is a lot to do for all.

Following a delicious lunch, we hated to disembark the ship as we wished passengers a great cruise.

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July 12

As travel consultants, we are more than simply order takers when helping you plan a memorable vacation.  An on-line agency or travel website will book only what you tell it.   On the other hand, we give advice, suggestions, and travel tips.  Our knowledge of destinations and resorts is not dependent on the reviews of strangers, but from fellow agents, clients, and our own personal experiences.

When consulting with our clients, one of the questions we ask is, “What are you looking for in this vacation?”  The answer can speak volumes about what you–or anyone–want to get from your trip.   Another question is, “What is important to you?”   These and other questions help us to know your interests so that we may better
understand your travel habits and needs.   We always keep your best interests at heart.  Contact us for a free consultation for your next vacation.  We’re at your service.

June 21, 2011

Were you flying in 1930?   Back then, United Airlines was known as Boeing Air Transport, flights began carrying flight attendants, and the first Flight Service Manual was created.  Here are some of their instructions:

1.  Before each flight, clean the cabin.  Sweep the floor. Dust off the seats and window sills.

2.  Make sure all seats are securety fastened to the floor

3.  Warn passengers against throwing cigars and cigarettes out the window.

4.  Keep clock and altimeter wound up.

5.  Carry a railroad timetable in case the plane is grounded.

6.  Keep an eye on the passengers when they go to the lavatory to make sure they don’t accidentally go ut the emergency exit.

Flying today is much different, isn’t it? But it was more “glamorous.”

June 12, 2011

There are so mnay vacation options available and open to you.  Whether it’s a land package or a cruise, simply tell us what activities you enjoy doing.  Do you like Adventure?  Relaxing on a beach?  Horseback riding?  Other activities?

Whatever your hobby is, there is a cruise for almost any theme.  On the High Seas, you can bowl, enjoy scrapbooking, take a cooking class, dance to the music of big bands or the music ’50′s,  or any of a myriad of opportunities.  How about a Jazz cruise, or an Elvis cruise?

And what destinations have you always wanted to visit?   Europe, Asia, Latin America, Alaska, or the Caribbean.  What about something more exotic like the South Pacific, Australia, Machu Pachu, or Antarctica.  What’s on your bucket list?   You are limited only by your imagination.

Simply call us to book a fantastic vacation.  We’ll always keep your best interests at heart.

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Golf, Golf, and More Golf

According to Recommend magazine, the following are 10 amazing golf resorts in North America.  These resorts are luxury with 5-star
amenities.

• Boca Raton Resort & Club, a Waldorf-Astoria Resort, is just one of the several outstanding places in Florida.
• Another gem is Innisbrook in Tampa featuring four championship courses including the famed Copperhead Course.
• Located off the coast of Georgia is Sea Island which features the Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, the Cloister at Sea Island, and Cottages on Sea Island.
• Pinehurst in North Carolina is pure golf with a choice of eight championship courses designed by Tom Fazio and Peter Jones among others, and is home to the US Open, both men’s and women’s
• The legendary Broadmoor in Colorado Springs…. Well, what can we say about the Broadmoor.  It is a member of the Historic Hotels of America, when the original course was designed in 1918.
• Scottsdale, Arizona is home to two amazing courses.  The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa comes complete with authentic Scottish kilts and bagpipes.
• The second amazing course uses famed Camelback Mountain as a backdrop for the course the Phoenician.
• Within 20 miles of LAX is Rancho Palos Verdes’ Terranean Resort which features magnificent views of the Pacific and Mediterranean architecture.
• Maui, Hawaii hosts the Kapalua Villas, now part of the Outrigger family of resorts. The fairways are certified Audobon sanctuaries.
• Fairmont in Banff Springs rounds out this list of amazing golf courses in North America. This AAA four-diamond resort is a UESCO World Heritage site.

Contact us for more information about any of these fabulous golf resorts.

 

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Caribbean is definitely one of our favorite places.  Sun, sand, and relaxation….you can’t beat it.  We spent a week in Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, a group of islands just south of the Bahamas.  Provo is a small beautiful island with sugar white sand beaches and wonderful resorts.

We actually visited 7 of these resort, all located on the world -renowned Grace Bay.   Many are all-suite resorts with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom suites; some even have beach front cottages or villas.   These resorts offer a variety of styles from Caribbean architecture to British Colonial and all present a unique haven for relaxation.  The resorts also have children’s programs and many offer “kids stay free” when sharing with parents.

The many amenities offered at these resorts include water sports, kayaking, spa services, diving, fitness center, pools, restaurants, and tennis courts. Most are included in your resort package.   If golf is your favorite pastime, it is just a few miles away.

Vacationing in Provo is truly a rejuvenating experience, laid back and relaxing.

LUXURY RESORTS 

We’ve recently blogged about some of the many aspects and joys of cruising–such as family cruises and theme cruises.  But a land vacation has great appeal also giving you an opportunity to explore and have an in-depth look at a destination.  The world-class resorts at these destinations offer you the chance to discover all the wonders of world, while providing luxury, relaxation, recreation, entertainment, fun, and so much more.

The all-inclusive resort companies such as Couples, Sandals, AMResorts, Iberostar, Karisma, Palace and others continue the Caribbean and Mexican themes, allowing the Mayan, Aztec, Caribe, and African cultures to shine through.

The major resorts of Hawaii such as Aqua, Aston, and Outrigger beautifully showcase the islands’ Polynesian traditions and customs.

The fabulous luxury resorts of India and Asia, such as Oberoi, Banyan, Shangri-la, Mandarin, and Taj, just to name a few, offer the very best accommodations to allow you to explore and discover all the culture and history possible.

So, travel.   As Mark Twain quipped, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the tradewinds. Explore.   Dream.  Discover.”

April 3, 2011

Theme Cruises

Do you have a hobby?  Scrapbooking?  Photography?  Cooking?  Wine tasting?  Do you enjoy big band music, country, Elvis, or perhaps jazz?  Do you play Bridge? Mah Jongg?  Chess?  How about ballroom dancing?  What about a murder mystery at sea?  You can also meet some baseball “greats” at sea.

Whatever you like to do is likely available as a theme cruise, or even a land-based vacation.  Oceania’s new ship the “Marina” has a Bon Appetit Culinary Center on board where you can have hands-on culinary classes at sea.  MSC offers a baseball cruise on which there are several baseball stars sharing tips and pointers for you fans.  Royal Caribbean is having a murder mystery at sea.  Holland America is host to a Smooth Jazz cruise with some of the biggest names in jazz.   There are also cruises with an Elvis theme, Sock Hop theme, big band music, country and the rest.

And of course we have our Wine Tasting cruise in October that will call at Provence and Nice, France; and Livorno, Rome and Naples, Italy.  Round tirp Barcelona, this has a fantastic itinerary and a great price.

Just give us a call us to find a perfect cruise for you.

March 26, 2011

The Best Cruise Ships for Families

According to the Telegraph (one of London’s most renowned newspapers),  the following ships have been deemed the best for families due to their children’s facilities, services and on-board programs.

The large resort ships (those weighing more than 100,000 gross tons) usually have the best children’s facilities, and are marked here in bold.

The exceptions include Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Conquest, Destiny, Dream, Freedom, Glory, Legend, Liberty, Pride, Spirit, Splendor, Triumph, Valor, Victory

Celebrity Cruises

Constellation, Eclipse, Equinox, Infinity, Millennium, Solstice, Summit

Costa Cruises

Atlantica, Concordia, Deliziosa, Fortuna, Luminosa, Magica, Mediterranea, Pacifica, Serena

Cunard Line

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria

MSC-Cruises

Fantasia, Magnifica, Musica, Opera, Orchestra, Poesia, Splendida

Disney Cruise Lines

Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wonder

Norwegian Cruise Line

Dawn, Epic, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Spirit, Star, Sun

Royal Caribbean International

Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas

Princess Cruises

Crown, Diamond, Emerald, Golden, Grand, Ruby, Sapphire, Star

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/8390531/Cruises-the-best-luxury-ships.html

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March 13, 2011

As you read above, we do travel for fulfillment.  We may save for many months or years for that really special dream vacation.  As your travel agent, we can help you by matching your wants and desires to that once-in-a-lifetime cruise or vacation.  We take the stress out of research and planning by giving you options and choices.  With our knowledge of destiantions and resorts and cruise lines, we provide value for your vacation experience.

So whether it’s a dream vacation or an annual get-away, we can get you there.  We promise to get you where you want to go in the most comfortable and convenient way  possible.

March 1, 2011 — Spring is Coming !

We’ve been having some cooler-than-normal temperatures lately, and certainly much below our usual 50 degrees.  And what about that surprise snow fall this monring!?  Just another significant indication of climate change.  Wouldn’t we all like to go to a tropical island to relax and play in the sun?  We have some terrific offerings right now to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii.

Palace Resorts is offering $1,500 credit at many of their resorts in Mexico.  There are special 3- and 4- nights specials in St. Lucia, as well as Punta Cana, Jamaica, Cancun, and  Antigua, just to name a few.  call for details.

February 20, 2011

We just returned from a travel conference in Las Vegas where we had many meetings and seminars, getting the most up to date information.  We stayed at the beautiful new Aria Resort and Casino which is part of the recently opened City Center complex on the Strip.   The Aria features 4,000 state-of-the-art guest rooms and a Cirque du Soleil show that brings Elvis back to Las Vegas.

Our seminars focused on social media and on-line marketing strategies, small ship cruising,Sandals and other all-inclusives, escorted and guided tours, and planned packaged vacations, just to name a fiew.  We are excited to be in the travel industry today, and the opportunities for great vacation experiences are amazing.

Whether you want an ocean cruise, small ship experience, or a land vacation , we can help you create memories.

Mazatlan, Mexico – January 27, 2011

The curise lines have resumed calling at Mazatlan, Mexico to the delight of the entire tourism industry.  Mazatlan has so much to offer visitors, it was shame that cruisers were denied that opporutnity to share in its culturre and history.  We are very glad that this was short-lived and the cruise lines are again clling there.

Besides great beaches, this colonial city offers musems, historial district, theatres, sidewake cafes and restuarants.  The city hosts year-round performing companies as well as music, sculpture, and dance.   Their Carnival is always a great celebration.   Mazatlan is the lagest shrimp producer in Latin America, and a favorite dish of locals and visitors alike.

Fishing for the “big ones” in the Sea of Cortes is a great activity for the sports fisherman or woman.

Of course, there are beaches.  Over 12 miles of uninterrupted warm calm waters — so inviting for Mazatlan travelers.  The many resorts are waiting for you.