Latest trends in travel

by In Cruise, General Travel Information, Romance Leave a comment

Have you heard the saying, go big or go home? Last month we hit a big milestone, our 25th wedding anniversary! We always knew we would get there, and now we are looking forward to 50. Since it was our 25th, we decided to do something a bit more than our usual dinner, or 4-night getaway somewhere. We decided to hop on a plane, head to Europe for one of our favorite types of vacations, a river cruise. We started our adventure in Prague and ended in Budapest. We were also able to share this great experience with a group of friends and clients (who are now friends).
As a Travel Professional, I’m often asked about the newest or hottest trends in travel. One of the hottest trends in travel right now is river cruising. Many of Europe’s greatest cities are accessible by river, and river cruising is all about the destination. The river cruise ships are smaller than the ocean-going vessels providing a much more intimate environment and travel experience.
I for one thought that this was for the older generation, but I was completely wrong in more ways than one. This new way to cruise is for the adventurous. You are docked right into the heart of the city. You walk on cobblestones. You are eating pho, knockwurst and other traditional foods. You are there to really experience the cultures and sounds of the world. While there are slower paced options available, this is for the more active adults or the “Bucket List” crowd.
Although an increasingly popular and an amazing experience, river cruising is not for everyone. The river cruise ships are not designed with small children in mind; there are no children’s programs, activities or menus available. River cruising can also be a challenge for physically challenged guests as well; the ships are not designed with handicap accessibility for the most part. Many ships have no elevators, or if they do, they may not reach the lower decks on the ship. Cobblestone streets and many stairs throughout Europe can also present challenges.
River Cruising – The pros about going small:
For those only familiar with the rules of big ships, here are three reasons riverboat fanatics come back, time and again, for more.

Dinner

Forget buffet dining with 2,000 strangers. River cruises average 200 passengers or less per boat, so the waitstaff will likely know your name by the end of the first meal (and so will your fellow travelers). The food on river cruises always includes local specialties as well as traditional fare for the less adventurous. Most cruises have one dinner seating time, but you are open to sit wherever you please. Some of the newer ships are starting to introduce alternative dining options, and yes, still included in the cost.

Evening Entertainment

Instead of dance clubs, karaoke, and glitzy Vegas-style reviews, nightlife on river cruises trends toward string quartets, guest lectures on regional history, local entertainment, and staring out at actual scenery, not just a watery horizon. Because of extended port times, you are often also able to go into the town for a local experience. A few years ago, in Cologne we did a “pub crawl”, and this year in Vienna, we attended a Classical Concert.

Extra Costs

The dirty little secrets of ocean cruises? They always charge extra for excursions, and beer and wine costs are on par with pro sports arenas. River cruise lines opt for flat fees up front. Yes, your excursions are included, as are wine and beer with various meals. Each river cruise line has its own version of their inclusive plan. Some lines will include one excursion per port, others will include as many as you can schedule in your port day There are also all-inclusive river cruise lines.
River cruising continues to gain popularity among American travelers. With the wide variety of choices, it can be the perfect option for a first trip to Europe, or your 20th trip to Europe. As this has quickly become one of my favorite types of vacations, I’m sure you’ll hear more about the rivers from me in the future.

Happy Travels,

Honeymoons made easy

by In Honeymoon, Romance Leave a comment

It’s October, that means it’s our anniversary month! I can’t think of our wedding, without thinking of our honeymoon! Our honeymoon is still one of the most treasured memories of our marriage. After all of the wedding planning and stress, it was such a welcomed getaway for just the two of us! At the time, we chose a cruise for our honeymoon, and the love of cruising was born for Steve, and the passion for travel was ignited in me. We honeymooned well before smart phones and camera phones, so we don’t have a lot of pictures, but we have the memories we created.

Honeymoons often take a backseat to the arrangements and plans of the actual wedding, but you owe it to yourself to give honeymoon planning greater and more careful attention. After all, the wedding is mainly for your family and friends. The once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon that follows is a private getaway for you and your new spouse to celebrate your marriage. Though you may spend a portion of your vacation relaxing and reflecting on this major life change, the honeymoon is most of all an opportunity to enjoy being a newlywed, spending quality time with your new spouse, and experiencing a romantic and exciting getaway.

Honeymooners have endless options. Following months of wedding planning, couples often retreat to a luxurious resort that caters to their every need, while others trek to an adventurous escape from their day-to-day lives. Whether it is a beach vacation or a safari, the honeymoon should reflect your joint personality and wishes.

Keep in mind that perfect honeymoons don’t just happen, and planning requires thoughtfulness, patience, careful attention to details, and a lot of decision-making along the way. Working with the right travel concierge that specializes in romance travel can streamline the process, ensure no details are overlooked, and increase your value and experience dramatically.

Before you contact a romance travel specialist, there are a few things you need to consider. Thinking about these key items will help the travel concierge make thoughtful and appropriate recommendations for creating your ideal honeymoon. You may not know the exact answers before contacting your romance travel specialist, but just thinking about them will get you ahead of the planning process. Here are 5 key questions you should ask yourself:

  1. What is your priority for this experience? Think about choosing up to 3 of the following: romance, quiet, activity, adventure, food / wine, culture, tropical beach, or exploring cities. Of course, you could have completely different ideas! Remember this is your honeymoon and your future memories!
  2. Do you have a specific destination in mind or are you looking for someone to help decide? If you do have a destination in mind, what attracts you to that specific destination?
  3. What are your preferred travel dates or window of time? Not everyone travels immediately after the wedding. I have worked with school teachers that postpone honeymoons until summer break, tax preparation personnel that plan around tax deadlines, and couples that have a specific destination but need to wait until that destination is “in season”.
  4. How long do you want to be gone? This can make a big difference on your destination options. For example, you won’t be visiting the south pacific nor doing an African Safari if you can only be gone 5 days.
  5. What is your budget for your honeymoon? While you may not know what “things cost” (I hear this all of the time), you certainly know what you can and / or will spend. A budget isn’t an exact dollar amount but a range. Knowing your budget range upfront can help set realistic expectations and eliminate a great deal of frustration during the planning process. This is usually the hardest part for most couples. A way to make this easier is to consider the following sample ranges: Less than $5,000, $5,000-$7,500, $7,500-$10,000, $10,000-$13,000, and over $13,000.

Once you have thought about these key elements, the real fun begins!! We can then move on to the types of honeymoons: all-inclusive resorts, multi-destination honeymoons, or cruises are just a few of the options! I’m often asked about the most popular honeymoon trends or destinations. Some couples want to be on the cutting edge and stay away from “what everyone else does” and some couples want to do what is “in the moment”. Which kind of couple are you?

Remember, your honeymoon is all about you! You will be starting your life together and creating your very first “married” memories!

Happy Travels,

Check out your possible signature

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Dining, Europe, Honeymoon, Jamaica, Luxury Travel, Romance, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

 

Did you know we are a Preferred Sandals Agency?  We are!   One of the signatures of my agency is our strength in industry and product knowledge.  I actually just returned from the Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialist Association conference.  (Proud to be a charter member of that organization specifically dedicated to honeymoons and destination weddings!)  We work hard to be “in the know” so we can offer you the best in service and value.  Some people who follow me on Social Media (are you??) would say that my “signature” is traveling!  LOL!!  What is your signature?

Celebrity Cruise Lines offers signature sailings.  These are sailings that are above and beyond your typical cruise experiences.  These are great options for honeymoons, anniversaries, bucket list travel, and those who enjoy themed travel.  The signature sailings are fun, unique sailings that have special touches included for you.  Let’s take a look at them and see which one interests you!

One of my favorites is the Mardi Gras & Caribbean Signature Sailing in March 2017!  The 11 night sailing is round trip Fort Lauderdale with visits to Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and of course New Orleans for Mardi Gras!  You’ll spend 3 nights in New Orleans with some special Mardi Gras events!  You can experience New Orleans’ famous annual Mardi Gras parade like you never imagined with exciting grandstand seating.  Join in on the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras as the extravagant floats and costumed entertainers pass you by!  On board you will hear jazz performers and speakers on board before you dock for Mardi Gras.

Are you a golf fan?  It’s not too late to experience the British Open on a 12 night British Isles & Open on a Celebrity Signature Sailing this July!  The sailing is round trip Amsterdam with visits to Belfast, Glasgow, Cork, The Channel Islands, Paris, and Liverpool for the British Open.  You will be able to attend the British Open as it returns to Royal Troon Golf Club escorted by PGA Professional Steve Parry and two other golf professionals. Be there when the winner raises the Claret Jug!  On Board the ship attend golf clinics and an exclusive cocktail party with Steve Parry and two other golf professionals as they share their pro golfer experiences.  The tournament will be broadcast on the ship and food and beverages will be served.

Have you ever heard of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo?  “Tattoo” is the traditional signal used to call British soldiers to return to their quarters. Edinburg Castle hosts the Military Tattoo which is now Scotland’s largest and most popular event.  Over time, the custom evolved to become one of the world’s most spectacular visual and musical celebrations.  Celebrity’s 14 night Edinburgh Military Tattoo Signature Sailing this August is round trip Amsterdam and visits The Channel Islands, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Lerwick/Shetland, Inverness/Loch Ness, Edinburgh, and Brussels.  In Edinburg you will watch Scotland’s extraordinary history come to life at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo from your exciting Front Stand seating.  Experience the beauty of the Edinburgh Castle; its romantic setting atop an extinct volcano sets the mood for this magnificent event.  Enjoy a masterful performance by an acclaimed international cast of military bands, pipe and drum corps, and dancers.  Feel the somber tones of the lone piper’s echo across the castle’s ramparts as he plays floodlit on the battlements, the most moving performance of the night.  On Board you will enjoy the music and dance of Scotland on board before joining the tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Would you like to experience New Years Fireworks in Dubai on a Celebrity Signature Sailing?  You can cruise the Arabian Sea and India this December and ring in the New Year afloat watching fireworks that light up downtown Dubai from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.  The 14 night sailing is round trip Abu Dhabi visiting Oman, India (4 great ports!), and Dubai.  Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style on a private yacht with personalized butler service or over a sumptuous dinner at the Four Seasons Dubai Mercury Lounge. Marvel at Dubai’s beautiful skyline and enjoy unparalleled views of the city’s world-renowned New Year’s fireworks displays.  Dubai broke the world record for fireworks by setting of 479,651 fireworks to bring in 2014; will they top that this year?  Both the Burj Kalifa and Downtown Dubai will be illuminated with fireworks.  Join the rich and famous in Dubai for New Years to view the fabulous fireworks from the comfort of your ship!

Have you always wanted to visit Carnival in Rio de Janeiro? Celebrity has a 10 night South America and Rio Carnival Signature Sailing in February 2017 that is sure to be fun and fantastic!  The round trip Buenos Aries cruise visits Argentina, Brazil (4 ports!), and 2 ports in Uruguay.  Samba down the Sambadrome of Rio during Carnival in an extravagant costume and makeup, and experience the iconic Samba Parade in the ultimate grandstand or VIP seating.  Onboard the ship you can take samba lessons by day, then dance all night at our Latin party, Sizzle, with music from South Beach to South America.

Happy Travels,
Kelley

My Top Apps for staying in touch

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Dining, Europe, General Travel Information, Honeymoon, Jamaica, Luxury Travel, Romance, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

With smartphones being a part of everyday life, having the right apps is essential to make your life easier during travel.  While travel is often meant for relaxation, rejuvenation, or celebration; sometimes it is important that we are accessible and have access to important information.  Lucky for us, the technology wizards of the world have developed some great mobile apps!  Everyone knows about Facebook and that is certainly one tool to use, but there are others that are great as well!  I’m going to give you my list of must-haves to keep in touch when you are gone.  The best part?  They are free to download and if used on Wi-Fi are free to use!  (You may have to pay for the Wi-Fi service wherever you are, but the use will be free once connected!)

If you have an iPhone, you can use FaceTime over Wi-Fi and no additional app is required.  FaceTime isn’t always quite as stable as some of the apps, so I never recommend relying on it alone.

If you absolutely must make calls, I highly recommend not using your cell service!  Use a Wi-Fi app!

SKYPE – Skype is not just for mobile devices, but has long been used on desktops and laptops as well.  Call your world from Skype – Talk to your heart’s content with free voice and video calls to all your friends and family on Skype.  Chat with anyone, anywhere – Skype’s available on smartphones, tablets, PCs, Macs, and even TVs; whatever device your friends or family use, Skype just works.

* Operator data charges may apply. We recommend using an unlimited data plan or Wi-Fi connection.

If you want to use the free version of Skype, whoever you call will need to have Skype on their device as well.  They do have a low cost paid plan so you can call anyone.  They also have Video Messaging, MMS, and SMS options as well.  I do not use those, I post pictures I want to share to Facebook, and as for texting, I have other apps I prefer for that.

 

If you have the need to text, there are apps for that too!  My three current favorite texting apps are Facebook Messenger, Viber, and WhatsApp.  Both Viber and WhatsApp require that whoever you are going to text, they must have the app as well so these do take some advanced planning.  I use both of them, but I really love WhatsApp right now for just texting and pictures!  Facebook Messenger works best if both parties have the app, but it isn’t actually required, as long as the person you are messaging has a Facebook account.

Facebook Messenger and Viber are both double duty apps; they can be used for calling and texting.

 

Facebook Messenger –

The Messenger App isn’t just for sending private messages; did you know that you can make calls with it as well?  Making phone calls via Messenger is easy and free as long as you have the app and are on wifi! The app supports text, images, and location sharing, and even Wi-Fi voice calls.

 

 

Viber –

Viber is a great app for free phone calls and texts; you can also send pictures and video.  Another great feature is that not only can you use it on Wi-Fi (certainly best international option), you can use it over 3G as well for free.  There is also a paid service, Viber Out, for calls to non-viber land lines, and mobile numbers.  The app syncs with your phone contact list and will automatically let you know which of your friends already has Viber.  You can also use Viber with groups of up to 100; could be great for your group of family or friends traveling together!

 

WhatsApp –

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. One of the really cool things about WhatsApp is the ability to do group messages and send pictures to a group.  Any pictures you receive via WhatsApp (group or individual) are automatically saved to your phone’s camera roll.

There are many more apps out there that allow you to keep in touch while traveling; these are just my current favorites.  What do you use?  If you have a different app you use and recommend, I’d love to hear about it!  I’m always open to new suggestions.

Happy Travels,
Kelley

Travel made easy

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Dining, Europe, General Travel Information, Honeymoon, Jamaica, Luxury Travel, Romance, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
It’s funny, when people find out that I own a travel agency, the topic of travel planning inevitably comes up.   The one thing I have learned is that many people have no idea how to work with a travel professional.  As a travel concierge, I specialize in creating travel experiences that are tailor made for you!  Keep in mind that perfect vacation experiences don’t just happen; planning requires thoughtfulness, patience, careful attention to details, and a lot of decision-making along the way.  Working with the right travel professional can streamline the process, insure no details are overlooked, and increase your value and experience dramatically.
Before you contact a travel professional, there are a few things you need to consider.  Thinking about these key items will help the travel concierge make thoughtful and appropriate recommendations for creating your ideal honeymoon.  You may not know the exact answers before contacting your travel professional, but just thinking about them will get you ahead of the planning process.  Here are 5 key questions you should ask yourself:
1. What is your priority for this experience?   Think about choosing up to 3 of the following:  romance, quiet, activity, adventure, food / wine, culture, tropical beach, or exploring cities.  Of course you could have completely different ideas!  Remember this is your vacation and your future memories!  Close your eyes for a minute and picture exactly what you want!
2. Do you have a specific destination in mind or are you looking for someone to help decide?  If you do have a destination in mind, what attracts you to that particular destination?  If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, the answers to question 1 will help your travel professional guide you.
3. What are your preferred travel dates or window of time?    Believe it or not, saying “I can travel anytime” isn’t actually helpful to your travel professional, and if you really think about it, it’s not actually true!  There’s always that “1 thing” you forgot about.  You really need to narrow it down as much as possible.  If you can’t give a 2 week time frame, give a month or at the most 2 months.
4. How long do you want to be gone?   This can make a big difference on your destination options.  For example, you won’t be visiting the south pacific nor doing an African Safari if you can only be gone 5 days.
5. What is your budget for your vacation experience?  While you may not know what “things cost” (I hear this all of the time), you certainly know what you can and / or will spend.  A budget isn’t an exact dollar amount but a range.   Knowing your budget range upfront can help set realistic expectations and eliminate a great deal of frustration during the planning process.  This is usually the hardest part for everyone.  A way to make this easier is to consider the following sample ranges:  Less than $5,000, $5,000-$7,500, $7,500-$10,000, $10,000-$13,000, $13,000 – $15,000, and over $15,000.
Remember – budget has nothing to do with “price” – budget is what we use to create your experience and provide you with value for your dollars!  Price is what you pay, Value is what you get!
Once you have thought about these key elements, the real fun begins!!  Then we move on to the types of vacation experiences:  all-inclusive resorts, multi-destination, river cruises, escorted tours, or cruises are just a few of the options!
Remember, your vacation experience is all about you!  Let’s spend your hard-earned money in a way that provides the most value and creates ever lasting memories!
Happy Travels
Kelley

Time for some romance !!

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Dining, General Travel Information, Honeymoon, Jamaica, Luxury Travel, Romance, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
In the spirit of Valentines, I thought I’d share some ways to make travel more of an experience.  Whether it be your honeymoon, anniversary, destination wedding, bucket list, or any other reason, there are always way to make your travel a bit more special.  It is so easy to incorporate love and romance in to your travel!  There are some small touches that can really make a big impact on your vacation!   It doesn’t matter if you are at an all-inclusive resort, or on a cruise, there are always options to touch the heart of someone you love!
If you are at an all-inclusive resort, whether it is your honeymoon or you are just looking to add a bit of romance, here are just a few great ideas for you:
• Romantic dinner on the beach at or after sunset
• Fresh flower delivery to your room or to the restaurant on your special occasion evening
• Iced down champagne waiting for you in your room, at your beach cabana, or at dinner
• Couples massage
• Butler Service – there is nothing like being waited on hand and foot!  Having a butler draw a bath tub filled with flower petals…priceless!
Believe it not, adding romance to your cruise experience is much easier than you think!  Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking about romance on your cruise:
• Upgrade to a balcony cabin or a suite – yes, just the cabin itself gives you a nice balcony, a private escape for just the 2 of you.  Your balcony is a great place for a private breakfast or dinner!
• Champagne and fresh flowers on the balcony or in your stateroom with chocolate covered strawberries
• Spa day or couples massage
• Dinner in a specialty restaurant  on your special occasion evening
• Private photo session with the ship photographer to capture the memories
I hope you have a fabulous Valentine’s Day weekend!
Happy Travels
      

Kelley