What’s to eat ??

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Kelley’s Travel Times 

 

When it comes to planning your vacation, food can be an important consideration! Can you imagine going to a destination, or taking a cruise, and being hungry the whole time you are gone? Okay, so that has never actually happened to me…but there are destinations, cruise lines, and resorts that are perfect the foodie in all of us.

An important part of your vacation planning should be letting me know your food tastes and styles. If you are a very casual person or have very simple tastes, my recommendations will be slightly different than if you like formal dining or haut cuisine

 

                           

When it comes to cruising, most cruise lines have such a variety of restaurants that there is truly something for everyone.  There are a couple of lines that place more of an emphasis on their cuisine such as Holland America and Oceania.  Holland America has demonstration kitchens and offers a variety of cooking lessons.  Oceania has the legendary master chef Jacques Pépin as their executive culinary director.  Norwegian has partnered with Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakaran and Cake Boss; while Carnival has partnered with Guy Fieri.  These are just a few of the samples.
       
When it comes to resorts, there are some resorts that really excel in the world of culinary arts.  Karisma Resorts uses the tag line Gourmet Inclusive.  Azul is their family brand and they really know how to keep the food interesting for kids of all ages.  El Dorado is their adult only brand and the food choices are amazing at these resorts.  The Gourmet Inclusive tag line lives up to expectations; truly something for everyone and all high quality.
                
As for destinations, there are many for the foodie in all of us.   Italy and France come to top of mind.  You can do entire culinary oriented tours in both countries!  These are two of my favorite countries for food, but the list is too long to list.

Hopefully I’ve given you one more thing to consider for your vacation planning.  Now that I’ve made myself (and hopefully you) hungry, it’s time to go find my next culinary adventure!

Kelley

 

Do you need a break ??

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Cruise Planners
 Do you need a Break  ??Date: April  2013                       Issue #: 10

Kelley’s Travel Times 

 

Do you need a break   ??
Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending a long weekend with girlfriends.   Every year I am fortunate enough that one of my friends invites me (and 3 or 4 more of us) to a weekend getaway at a nearby camp.  Now don’t start thinking that I’m pitching a tent – we camp in a 3 bedroom log cabin with a back porch that overlooks a beautiful lake.   While our trips are not long vacations, they do help to refresh, relax and rejuvenate each one of us.
As you are busy in your everyday life, do you ever feel like you need to just take a break and get away?  There are some great destinations that will allow you to do just this!   All you need is a long weekend (3 or 4 nights), a non-stop flight, and the perfect hotel or resort. A couple of my suggestions may just surprise you!
Las Vegas, yes, you read correctly, Las Vegas.  It is the perfect escape for a girl’s trip, or a couple’s trip.  I personally love Las Vegas but not for the reason you may think.  I do not gamble, I have not donated 1 penny to any of the casinos in years.  What do I love about Las Vegas?  Let’s start with some great luxury hotels, pampering spas, world class shopping, amazing dining options, and the fabulous entertainment options.

 

                        

 

Arizona is another great place for the shorter getaway. With a flight in to Phoenix, Scottsdale and Sedona are easy options.  While Phoenix itself is a great destination, I prefer Scottsdale or Sedona. World class golf, shopping, spas and dining are all available to you.  Arizona also is a great place for active relaxation.  There is nothing like a great hike to help clear the mind.    For couples, the guys can golf and the gals can shop and spa – sounds like a perfect trip to me!!

 

 

San Antonio, TX is another great option for that shorter getaway.  I’m not talking about the hustle and bustle of the River Walk and other tourist attractions.  The JW Marriott Hill Country Resort is a fantastic getaway.  They have a great pool area, a lazy river, fantastic spa, a tequila tasting bar, great foods and service standard that is sure to make you feel pampered.  You are also close enough to go in to San Antonio and enjoy the attractions and activities, but just enough outside of town to be away from it all.

 

Sometimes that shorter vacation is just exactly what you need.
It sure worked for me last weekend!  Thank you Debbie, Stacey, Pam, and Tracey!

Kelley

 

Kelley Austin, ACC

Couples Travel Concierge

936-825-7001   or   1-800-676-8196

kaustin@cruiseplanners.com

www.facebook.com/CruiseVacationsAndMore

www.cruisevacationsandmore.com

www.couplestravelconcierge.com

 

 

Are you spending too much or not enough ???

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Cruise Planners
 Are You spending too much or not enough ??Date: April  2013                       Issue #: 9

Kelley’s Travel Times #9

 

Are you spending too much or not enough ??
Dear [fname]

It’s hard to believe we are nearly mid-way through the month of April!  Where does the time go?        

Next Monday is the 15th; we all know what that day means… it’s the deadline for filing your income taxes!

If you are like me, it is this time of year I often look at what I make vs. what I spend.

It can be very enlightening!  Some years in a good way, others … well… you have to wonder…

The one thing I never wonder about is the value I add to my personal vacations and the value I bring to my clients when planning their destination weddings, honeymoons, or vacations. One of my very favorite quotes is by Warren Buffet:

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.”   Value, what is it to you?

 

For some people, value is time and time is money.  For some people value is convenience.  For some people value is knowledge and expertise.  As a professional travel concierge I work with only the best vacation providers to insure that you have a seamless and flawless vacation experience from start to finish thus providing you with time, convenience, my knowledge and expertise.   I constantly attend meetings and educational events to increase my knowledge and expertise.  When planning your vacation experience and spending your hard earned dollars, the focus should always be on the value you are receiving, not the price you are paying.  That does not necessarily mean that the more expensive things are the better value; price and value are not always equal players.   Aside from the value you receive when working with me, let’s look at some ways to add value items to your vacation experience.

              
Upgraded Transfers:

Do they cost more?  Of course they do, but they can bring considerable value to you.  If you are on a shorter vacation, it can add a couple of hours or more to your vacation if you opt for non-stop or private transfers to your resort.   Also, if you are in a country you are not familiar with, you have an immediate point of contact upon arrival and you aren’t left to wonder, where is that shuttle bus?  Private transfers are also much more relaxing than group bus transfers, after the chaos of the airport it is a nice way to decompress and start your vacation already relaxed!  Are you vacationing in a bustling city?  Private transfers can be a life saver for making that return flight on time!  Are you traveling the day after your wedding and very long wedding reception?  Are you even awake enough to negotiate the airports and seek out the right bus?  Heaven forbid you need to negotiate a cab in a foreign country if you are an inexperienced traveler working on little or no sleep!

Private Shore Excursions for cruise ports:

Do they cost more?  Surprisingly, often they do not!  The independent companies that I recommend provide for a more enhanced in-destination experience.  There are often less people on the tour; therefore the tour can operate more efficiently.   If you choose a private tour, then you can absolutely customize the tour to what you want it to be, not what the cruise line or the rest of the group thinks it should be.  Let’s take Whale watching in Alaska – would you rather be crammed in to a boat with 100 passengers, or have a great day on a smaller boat with only 6 – 15 passengers?  Personally, at only 5’1” tall, I’m going for the 6 – 15 person boat so I can actually see a whale instead of just the back of someone in front of me.

Upgraded Room category or cabin category on a ship:

Yes, of course they cost more.  However, often it is not that much more and you can have a great view of the beach or ocean as opposed to the building next to you.  On a cruise ship it can be the difference of deck and location on the deck.  (very important for first time cruisers!)  Also, if you are mobility challenged, often the better room and cabin categories are more centrally located resulting in less difficulty getting to the activities or venues you want to experience.  Another thing to consider for your resort vacations – room service!  The entry level room categories often do not include the ability to have room service.  This can be a great value if you are having a lazy (or romantic) day and would love to have breakfast or lunch delivered to your room.

     

 

Hopefully this helps you to understand that sometimes, price and value are not equivalent.  It’s the value that will enhance your vacation experience.
Kelley

Kelley Austin, ACC

Couples Travel Concierge

936-825-7001   or   1-800-676-8196

kaustin@cruiseplanners.com

www.facebook.com/CruiseVacationsAndMore

www.cruisevacationsandmore.com

www.couplestravelconcierge.com

 

 

Are You ready for an ADVENTURE ???

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Cruise Planners
 Are You Ready For An ADVENTURE ??Date: April  2013                       Issue #: 8

Kelley’s Travel Times #8

 

Are You Ready For An Adventure ??
It’s hard to believe that Easter has come and gone already this year!  I hope you had a great Easter weekend and you were able to celebrate with family and friends.  Steve and I had a nice (and much needed!) quiet Easter weekend and spent part of Easter day with my mom.  Mom is loving being in Texas for the winter months; she now understands why I left Ohio so many years ago.  I have to admit, while it was nice to spend some of the day with mom, my favorite times are the times I spend with Steve.
As a travel concierge who specializes in couples travel, I follow the news and trends in this niche closely.  Couples travel can be any form of travel such as cruises, resorts, escorted tours, independent touring, and more.  Couples travel can involve 1 couple traveling for romance or to celebrate a lifetime milestone; it can also be a group of couples traveling together for a special occasion or to experience new cultures.
              

One of the trends in couples travel is the more adventurous luxury travel for the romantic celebrations.  Because the average age for marriage is getting older, these couples are often established and have a desire for longer or more sophisticated honeymoons.   For many adults that are marrying for a second time, those couples no longer dream of the back packing trip through Europe.  African safaris are becoming very trendy for honeymooners as well as milestone anniversaries and other life celebrations.  This combines the best of both worlds!  Imagine yourself on your African Game Safari during the day, and in the evening your private romantic sunset dinner with breathtaking views.

               

 

Did you know you can do wine tours and river cruising while on your African safari vacation?  Exotic travel is also a hot trend.  Travel to Asia, Cambodia, and Vietnam is very popular.  Nearly all of the river cruise lines now offer these exotic itineraries.  I expect these destinations in particular to become more and more popular.  I expect within the next year, the Africa and Asia itineraries will sell out as quickly as some of the more popular Europe itineraries.  We are already seeing a variety of tour operators and river cruise companies increase the number of sailings or adventures to these destinations.
Some of the best advice I can give to my adventure minded couples is plan early and plan well.  Work with an experienced and professional travel consultant so all of your details are handled appropriately.  You wouldn’t want to get to your far away exotic destination only to be turned away because you don’t have the proper documentation.

Kelley

 

Kelley Austin, ACC

Couples Travel Concierge

936-825-7001   or   1-800-676-8196

kaustin@cruiseplanners.com

www.facebook.com/CruiseVacationsAndMore

www.cruisevacationsandmore.com

www.couplestravelconcierge.com

 

 

New York – New York

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Kelley’s Travel Times                              

New York – New York !!

It’s been a very busy week!! I have been in New York City all week attending a Cruise Planners regional meeting and attending the inaugural event for the new Norwegian Breakaway.

Next week I will update you on the new ship and all it has to offer for your vacation experience.

In the meantime, enjoy a few pictures from my Adventure this week.  New York is fun vibrant and non-stop and has something for everyone.

 

     

 

Lady Liberty                                                                   Times Square at night

 

What an entertaining week – we went to see a show “Kinky Boots” If anyone comes to NYC, you MUST see the musical Kinky Boots! It is amazing !!! They are nominated for multiple Tony Awards and they deserve every one of them!   We saw Whoopie, Rosie, and Cindy Lauper after the show!

Ellens Stardust Diner – Times Square, Midtown Manhattan NYC – home to Broadway theatres and the biggest New Years Eve party in the world, is also home to the future stars of stage & screen at Ellen’s Stardust Diner – THE home of the singing waiters, and some of the best diner food in town!

 

                   

 

Ooooh and look who I ran into at the Cruise Planners Regional conference:  Andrew McCarthy was an entertaining and engaging speaker! Can’t wait to read his new book – The Longest Way Home

Have a great week everyone – can’t wait to fill you in on the exciting new Norwegian Breakaway.
Kelley

 

Kelley Austin, ACC

Couples Travel Concierge

936-825-7001   or   1-800-676-8196

kaustin@cruiseplanners.com

www.facebook.com/CruiseVacationsAndMore

www.cruisevacationsandmore.com

www.couplestravelconcierge.com

 

 

The Island of Romance

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The Island of Romance

Last week I attended a training conference with a group of travel agents.  While I certainly had a great time and we shared many laughs and meals, I quickly realized that I have completely different expectations when I travel with Steve than when I am with a group of travel industry colleagues.  Sometimes Steve and I are about the romance and beauty of a destination, other times we are about the culture or adventure of a destination.  I would venture to say that Steve and I are never about the meeting schedule or facilities of a destination!  Those of you that know Steve know this to be very true!

This week, I have booked several romance vacations so let’s take a look at one of my favorite romance and couples destinations, Bora Bora.  Bora Bora is often referred to and considered to be the most romantic island in the world.  Bora Bora is a very popular honeymoon destination and also a bucket list destination for many couples.

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of Society Islands of French Polynesia.  Bora Bora is surrounded by a lagoon and barrier reef.   In the center of the island, rising high above the ground are 2 extinct volcanoes, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemaru.  The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora and its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef, The surrounding islets include: Motu Tapu, Motu Ahuna, Tevairoa, Motu Tane, Motu Mute, Motu Tufari, Motu Pitiaau, Sofitel Motu, Motu Toopua and Toopuaiti.

French Polynesia basically has 2 seasons, the dry season and the humid season.
•The dry season -also called Austral winter- taking place between April and October brings an expected coolness, July and August being the coolest months of the year due to southeast trade winds called maraamu. As a consequence a cotton sweater will often be enjoyable in the evening (or early in the morning).
•The humid season -also called Rainy season- starts in November and ends in March. It brings mugginess, humidity as well as heavier and more frequent rains than in the dry season.
Bora-Bora has some micro-climates within these seasons due to the varying landscape and elevations on the island.

 


Bora Bora is less than a 1 hour flight from Tahiti.  Air Tahiti flies out of LAX and in to Tahiti, you then connect to Bora Bora.  Often this is an overnight process, remember – you have to get to LAX from your home airport.  I always advise that people plan on 2 days travel to get there, and 2 days to get home.

Because of the lengthy travel (it can be 4 days of travel alone!), I rarely recommend anything less than 7 – 10 nights for your vacation to Bora Bora.   A 7 night vacation really only means 3 or 4 at the resort; that is a long way to go for a short stay.  Can it be done?  Certainly!  I just don’t recommend it if you are looking for a relaxing vacation.

 

Bora Bora is home of the famous over-water bungalows.  Those private overwater bungalows that over-look the turquoise colored lagoon just scream romance!  Imagine having your breakfast brought to your overwater bungalow private balcony by an outrigger canoe decorated with flowers everywhere.

How does a private sunset catamaran sail with a 4 course dinner sound?  I can just hear the Polynesian music now…
There is also much more to Bora Bora than romance.  Of course water activities are abundant, snorkeling, glass bottom boats, sailing, and jet skis just to name a few. There are also activities for the land lovers among us, 4×4’s are a popular way to tour the interior of the “main land proper” of Bora Bora.  There are guided hikes to Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, as well as exploring the ancient Marae temples along the coast, horseback riding, and discovering WW2 relics.

 

 

Hopefully I’ve sparked your curiosity about this fabulous romance destination.
Kelley

 

Ireland – 5 things you don’t know

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In honor of my office assistant Emer, and last weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day holiday; I’d love to introduce you to Ireland.    Let’s take a look at what this fabulous country has to offer as a destination! Ireland is a unique and fun-filled country with breathtaking scenery, charming people, and attractions that are legendary.  The Irish are widely considered to be some of the friendliest folks in all of Europe.   Upon your arrival, you will soon understand why Ireland has been such an inspiration for poetry, theatre, music, arts, and of course – adult beverages!

Ireland Map

Ireland is an island Northwest of Continental Europe.  Ireland is separated from the larger island of Great Britain by the Irish Sea.  A bit of trivia for you, Ireland is the 3rd largest Island in Europe!  Politically, Ireland is divided in to The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  The Republic of Ireland covers approximately 5/6th of the island is largely where most of the tourists visit.  Northern Ireland is located on the northeast of the island.  The total population of Ireland according to recent statistics is approximately 4.5 million.
Ireland is an easy area to visit and tour; Ireland is easily accessible via most major air carriers from the US.   You can be on a guided tour or travel independently; both will provide you with an excellent experience in Ireland.  The accommodations range from bed and breakfasts to castles!  Ashford Castle, Castle Leslie, and Dromoland Castle are just a few of the castles that have been turned in to hotels.

Because of the mild climate and frequent rain that provides the lush vegetation in the country,  Ireland is often referred to as the Emerald Isle.  There are 3 World Heritage Sites in Ireland:  the Brú na Boinne, Skellig Michael and the Giant’s Causeway.  Some of the most visited sites in Ireland include Bunratty Castle, the Rock of Cashel, the Cliffs of Moher, Holy Cross Abbey and Blarney Castle.  The West Coast of Ireland has the most breathtaking views and coastline.  Dublin receives the most tourists and is home to the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse, several other popular attractions, and of course, Irish Pubs.World Heritage Site

About those 5 things I promised you ……

Did you know that according to recent statistics, nearly 50% of the Dublin population is under the age of 27?  This certainly explains why Dublin has the reputation of “party central” where the Guinness never stops!
Did you know there are no snakes in Ireland?  That’s right, none!  

Until the 1970’s, Ireland was dry on St Patrick’s day; no pubs were allowed to open on March 17th. The only place where a person could legally acquire alcohol was on a train, or at the annual dog show in Dublin’s RDS stadium.

The official first language of the Republic of Ireland is not English, it’s Irish (sometimes called Gaelic).  One of Irish’s many curiosities compared to English is the absence of words that directly translate into “yes” or “no.”  When asked if someone is “Going to the pub?,” the answer might be “I am,” as opposed to “yes.”

Dalkey, a suburb of Dublin, is Ireland’s “Beverly Hills”, home to a number of Irish celebrities.  Among them are the authors Maeve Binchy, Roddy Doyle and Hugh Leonard as well as the film directors Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan.   Several international music figures, including U2 members Bono and The Edge, Enya, Chris de Burgh and Van Morrison also call Dalkey home. Among former residents were James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw.

oh and …… The Irish consume in average 131.1 liters of beer per year – the 2nd highest per-capita consumption after the Czech Republic.   SLAINTE !!! (Cheers to your good health)

Lovely Day for a Guinness

Lovely Day for a Guinness

 

Ireland has so much more to offer than what I can possibly cover in this small space.  I encourage you to seriously consider Ireland for your destination.