Which All-Inclusive is right for you ??

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We all know that when it comes to vacation travel, the All-Inclusive resorts remain a very popular choice.  All-Inclusive resorts offer some of the best value for your money; the choices are vast and there is a resort out there to suite any traveler interested.  The all-inclusive resorts of today cover a wide variety of styles, budget, and clientele.   When choosing your resort, it is important to understand the differences and options available.
All-Inclusive resorts are located in many of the sun-drenched islands and countries of the Caribbean and Mexico.  The largest concentrations of all-inclusive resorts are in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.  There are many others scattered throughout the Caribbean – such as St Lucia, Antigua, The Bahamas, and Costa Rica, to name a few.
There are 3 main types of All-Inclusive Resorts:
  • Couples Only
Cater to the romance and celebration clients – think honeymoon, destination weddings, and anniversaries.  Of course no special occasion is required to enjoy the adult only atmosphere.
Most often 4 star properties and above
  • Adults Only
Restricted to adults only, but not couples only.
Great for destination weddings, couples, groups of couples, girlfriend getaways, or the “guys trip / mancation”
Most often 4 star properties and above
  • Family Friendly
Large range of family friendly dining, entertainment, and activities
Many have adult only areas or sections
Great option for destination weddings if children are on the guest list
Many are great for couples, girlfriend getaways, or the “guy’s trip / mancation”.
Available in all budget ranges
Inclusions are as varied as the resorts themselves – some questions to consider:
  • How important is dining?  Do you prefer buffet or A’ la carte dining (think traditional sit down restaurant style dining with a menu)?  Are you willing to make reservations?
  • Is room service important to you?  Butler service?  Concierge service?
  • Do you prefer premium brands of alcohol or domestic brands (consider the country you will be in!)?
  • Are you a beach bum or a pool person?
  • What type of activities do you enjoy on vacation?  Do you like water sports?
  • Do you like a large mega-resort, smaller boutique resorts, or something in between?
  • Do you want to stay mostly on the resort or do you want to enjoy the area and local culture?
When it comes to budget, as a general rule, resorts fall in to the following categories:
  • Budget – usually 2-3 star properties, primarily buffet options for dining and reservations required for A’ la carte dining.  Availability of reservations can be dependent on your length of stay and room category.
  • Moderate – usually 3-4 star properties, good mix of buffet and A’ la carte dining.  Some will still require reservations for A’ la carte dining but with less restrictions than most budget resorts.
  • Luxury – usually 4.5 -5 start properties, primarily A’ la carte dining with generally only buffet option for breakfast or breakfast and lunch.
  • Exceptional Luxury – usually 5 star +, primarily A’ la carte dining with generally only buffet for breakfast, but A’ la carte options for breakfast as well.
As a Couples Travel Concierge and Travel Professional, I can help you sort out all of your options.  It is important to work with a travel professional that has been to and experienced the resorts they are recommending.  I work with you based on your personal preferences, not just some data you type in to a website.  Don’t hesitate to contact me when you are ready to book your All-Inclusive Resort Honeymoon, Destination Wedding, or vacation!

Happy Travels!

Do you know about these changes ??

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Travel is always changing and this summer is no exception!  There have been a few announcements recently about changes that are both interesting and “need to know”.  Here are just a few of the changes!

Carnival Cruise Lines has been busy with announcements this last week.  The announcement from Tuesday will have an impact on anyone cruising Carnival starting in July.    Effective July 9, Carnival is prohibiting passengers from bringing on bottled beverages.  According to Carnival they are implementing the bottled beverage ban for two main reasons. First, it slows down the boarding process due to security checks for contraband booze. Second, it can lead to behavioral problems caused by overconsumption.   Carnival will still allow one 750-milliliter bottle of unopened wine or champagne in carry-on baggage on embarkation day. If they choose to consume it in a restaurant or bar, they will be charged a $15 corkage fee. Carnival did clarify a policy regarding the ability to bring on soda or bottled water.   “We will continue to allow up to 12 unopened cans or cartons of water, sodas and non-alcoholic beverages per person to be brought on board during embarkation,” the line said. “Guests can now purchase a 12-pack of bottled water from Carnival at a price of $2.99 plus tax online prior to their cruise or $4.99 plus gratuities once on board. We sincerely apologize for any disappointment these changes may cause. However, we firmly believe these changes will ultimately benefit all guests.”

Also in the news late last week, Carnival announced a new brand of cruising specifically dedicated to volunteerism.  Carnival will be launching fathom in April 2017 with seven-day voyages from Miami aboard the Adonia.  The Adonia is a 710-passenger vessel redeployed from Carnival Corp.’s P&O Cruises. The first destination for this new concept will be the Dominican Republic.  According to Carnival the Dominic Republic was chosen as the first destination because the average household income is about US$6,000 a year and more than 2 million Dominicans do not have access to piped water.  Passengers will pay cruise fares starting at $1,540 per person for an outside cabin. On the initial sea days guests will attend onboard “readiness experiences,” such as an orientation to the Dominican Republic, conversational Spanish lessons, activity training, workshops, personal enrichment and more.  There will be on-shore social impact activities such as helping cultivate cacao plants and helping a women’s cooperative produce artisan chocolates; teaching English in schools or to adults; or helping build water filters using clay.  This is certainly going to be a unique and rewarding cruise experience!  Keep your eyes and ears open for more fathom details as they are released!

Frontier Airlines also made headlines this week.  Frontier Airlines is no longer going to put the actual departure time on their boarding passes!  Yes, it’s true.  They are now going to put the time that “boarding begins” and the time that the boarding “door closes,” which is 10 minutes prior to a flight’s scheduled departure time.   In an article for Today in the Sky As for Frontier, spokesman Jim Faulkner says the goal for the change is to keep flights on schedule.

“It’s part of our emphasis to ensure an on-time departure for our customers, if the door closes 10 minutes before scheduled departure, customers still have time to stow their bags, get their seat belts fastened and get settled in so that the plane can push back from the gate on time or before.”   While I don’t think this is a bad thing, it is worthy of noting the change.  If you are flying Frontier, please make sure to check your boarding passes!

Keep an eye out over the coming months for possible changes to carry-on size luggage.  Currently, there is no standard in the industry, each airline sets their own.   The industry trade association International Airline Transport Association (IATA) is recommending that all airlines standardize so consumers are no longer confused with the different airline allowances.  They are recommending a smaller size that will allow for all flying passengers to have room in the overhead or under the seat in front of them for their carry-on bags.  One of the goals is to stop the “fight for the bin” space and therefore expediting the boarding process.  The European carriers already (and always have) have smaller carry-on size allowances than the US carriers.  So far 8 international carriers have formally signed on and back the IATA recommendations and another 30 have expressed interest.  Currently, no US Airlines have formally supported the recommendation.  This will be an interesting story to follow and will certainly change the way we fly if all airlines adopt the recommendation.  For now, my recommendation is the same as always – check your airline website for their carry-on allowance prior to your travel.

Travel is constantly changing, and I will always do my best to keep you informed of any significant industry changes or announcements.   Since the changes may not be a topic of my newsletters each week, I do hope you will engage on social media with me so you can continue to be informed and probably entertained by some of my posts or photos.

Happy Travels!

      

Protect Yourself and be healthy !!

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I am often asked how people can protect themselves from getting sick when traveling.  My first concern is always for your safety and well-being.  I will never recommend areas or resorts that I feel are unsafe or that I would not travel to personally.  If you have any health concerns, please make sure to advise me when we are in the planning process, or prior to travel so you we can manage any situation!

One thing to remember (and this is on every one of my confirmation invoices I provide) is that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the proper travel documentation (passports, visas, identification, vaccinations, etc.) in order to travel abroad.  Did you notice that word vaccinations?  Too often people always overlook this and think it doesn’t pertain to them or their destination.  In most cases you are right – it doesn’t.  However, the CDC is constantly updating their information with regards to required or recommended vaccinations for any destination you may travel to.  Please note there is a difference between a requirement and a recommendation.  For a requirement, it is just that – and you will have to show proof before being allowed to enter the country.  Recommendations are just that, general wide scope recommendations.  For any questions regarding the recommendations, you should consult with your physician to see if the recommendation applies to you in your health assessment.  Often times, the recommendations will not apply to you based on your overall health.

Many times people will get sick when traveling and assume they have food poisoning.  True food poisoning is actually quite rare in the more mainstream tourist destinations or on cruise ships.  Often times it is your body reacting to unfamiliar or excessive foods (especially when combined with alcohol), or different bacteria or pesticides.  It can also be an indicator there is something more serious going on.  There are ways you can protect yourself when traveling.  The two biggest ways you can protect yourself are through eating safe foods and personal hygiene.  The other way is by working with a travel professional that visits the resorts on a routine basis and knows the practices at each resort.  Did you know that most of the resorts I recommend use only bottled and treated water throughout the entire resort?

Eating safe foods such as those that are cooked and served hot is one recommendation.   If you don’t know the food source, you want to make sure your eggs are hard cooked or cooked thoroughly, and that you are consuming pasteurized dairy products.  If you are working with a good travel professional, they will have good insight for you on this type of thing.  (Did you know some resorts actually have their own greenhouses and grow their own produce?)  There are some general recommendations – but these will vary slightly based on the destination and health concerns.   If you are at a good quality resort (this is where value comes in to play and not necessarily just price!), or on a cruise ship, the recommendations will be slightly altered.  The recommendations below should definitely be followed if you are eating out side of your resort or in a port of call!

Some general recommendations of foods not to eat:

Food served at room temperature

Food from street vendors

Raw or soft-cooked (think runny) eggs

Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits or vegetables (if you want these – please make sure to wash them!)

Peelings from fruits or veggies

Condiments made from fresh ingredients if you don’t know or trust the food source

Salads

Unpasteurized dairy products

“Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)

Drinking safe beverages is also important.  While most of the better resorts only use bottled or filtered water, it is always best to ask about the water source!  I only recommend resorts that use bottled or filtered water, but believe it or not, some people choose not to take my recommendations!

Don’t forget about the ice!  Ice is water!  You need to know if the ice cubes are made from filtered water or tap water.  If tap water – stay away!  Personally, I don’t use ice at all when I am traveling, no matter where I am going.  The safe beverages are generally bottled water (that is sealed or opened in front of you), water that has been disinfected (boiled, filtered, treated), ice made with boiled or disinfected water, carbonated drinks, hot coffee or tea, and pasteurized milk.

Drinks to avoid include:

Tap or Well water (Don’t even brush your teeth with it if it is not treated!)

Ice made with tap or well water

Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juices or iced tea)

Open market drinks made with fresh fruit pulp

Flavored ice and popsicles

Unpasteurized milk

Personal hygiene cannot be understated here!  You hear it all of the time “wash your hands” – but do you do it?  You should wash your hands often and with soap whenever possible.  If soap is not available, make sure you clean your hands with sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unless your hands are clean.  Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.

One other hint – if you have ever been on a flight and they give you a hot / warm towel before you eat or land – Don’t use that to wipe your face!!  Those towels can be a breeding ground for bacteria!  Use those towels to wipe your hands (but don’t touch your face!), and clean the tray table you will be using.

If you have any questions regarding health concerns in the area you are visiting, I encourage you to visit with your doctor to determine if you need any vaccinations or if following a few simple precautions will be all you need.  Most of the time, just following simple precautions is all you need to have a safe and healthy vacation experience!

Happy Travels!

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Did you know Puerto Rico, the all-star island, is an amazing Caribbean destination with much to offer for your honeymoon or destination wedding and no passports are required? Puerto Rico is a US Commonwealth and with a unique blend of Spanish culture, natural beauty, and contemporary lifestyle Puerto Rico has something for everyone.
Puerto Rico is referred to as the all-star island by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and with good reason. While Puerto Rico is a great year ‘round destination, December – April are the best months to visit. The temperatures are in the 70s-80s F during the day and in the 70s at night. You will want to take a sweater for the evenings, especially in the mountain areas or to wear inside in air-conditioned areas. Hurricane season is June-November, when it can be cloudy, more humid and rainy. It seems to rain at least every other day year-round, but most of the rain comes in brief torrents and doesn’t ruin a whole day.

Since Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the U.S., Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar; just don’t be surprised when locals often refer to as a peso. All major credit cards are widely accepted, however, some smaller shops may not accept American Express or Discover. Also, both Spanish and English are the official languages on the island. Since most Puerto Ricans speak English (in the bigger cities and tourist areas) it makes it very easy to communicate and do business.
Activities and attractions abound in Puerto Rico adding to your all-star vacation experience! Puerto Rico’s main attractions include deep-sea fishing, gambling, historical attractions, horse racing, culture, nightlife, beaches, rain forests, shopping, golf, tennis, caves, hiking, horseback riding, world-class surfing and watersports (including snorkeling and scuba diving). Canopy Tours (also known as zip lining) are also a fun way to enjoy the lush tropical environment of Puerto Rico. Toro Verde features one of the longest Zip Lines on Earth, La Bestia. It uses a specially designed harness to soar through the air across 4,745 feet of terrain. You can visit old forts (San Felippe del Morro and San Cristobel are two not-to-be-missed forts), enjoy the shopping and Spanish colonial architecture of Old San Juan, tour the Bacardi Rum Distillery, or try your luck at one of the islands many casinos. Puerto Rico is also home to 3 bioluminescence bays; a kayak or boat-ride away from shore,they must be seen to be appreciated.

While San Juan is definitely the heart of Puerto Rico, there are other great areas to explore as well. Ponce is a historic city on the southern coast of the island features attractions such as the Serralles Castle and the Parque de Bombas (old firehouse). Another great option is to visit the off shore islands of Vieques and Culebra is great for some off-beat adventure. Culebra has a wildlife refuge and coral reefs, and Vieques attracts snorkelers and boasts some of the best beaches.

A few fun facts about Puerto Rico:

  • Puerto Ricans measure distance in kilometers but speed limits in miles per hour.
  • The Caribbean National Forest, dubbed El Yunque in Spanish, is the only tropical forest in the U.S. Forest Service system, and the smallest as well.
  • Did you know 70% of the rum sold in the US comes from Puerto Rico? Puerto Rico purports to be the largest rum producer in the world.
  • In San Juan, at midnight on St. John the Baptist Day (23 June), people walk backward into the sea (or the nearest body of water) three times. This ritual is performed to wash away the year’s sins and ensure good luck for the following year.
  • The island’s local beer is the award-winning Medalla Light. It’s sold in 7- to 10-ounce sizes to ensure that the beverage can be consumed before it warms.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this short introduction to the island of Puerto Rico!

 

Kelley

Is your’s on the list ??

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Bucket list destinations, we all have them! Some of us dream of faraway exotic lands and others dream of destinations that provide adventure and activity they have always dreamed of doing. Every year it seems there are some new “hot” bucket list destinations, but there are also some destinations that are on the bucket list for many people year in and year out.

Japan is one of newest destinations to be “hot” in the bucket list travel market! We are seeing an increased interest in tourism to Japan. So much so that even some of the cruise lines have increased their Asia cruise options and now have Japan as a stand-alone category in their itineraries. Japan has also been named one of the top 10 places to travel by CNN. Princess Cruise Lines is now in their 3rd year in Japan and they see the demand growing each year. If you love the idea of an exotic location, but want the comfort of “familiar”, a cruise can be the perfect way to experience Japan!

Alaska always remains a favorite when people talk about their bucket list destinations. Alaska is a very popular and easily accessible (with regards to logistics!) bucket list destination. The Alaska season is generally mid-May through mid-September, with June, July and August being the peak months. Alaska is a huge state, to give you some perspective, it is approximately 2 ½ times the size of Texas! A great way and one of the most popular ways to visit Alaska is on a cruise. There are also land based tour and vacation options as well. Due to the vast size of the state, one of the best ways to see the state is with a CruiseTour. A CruiseTour is a combination of a cruise and a land tour, really the best of both worlds! Your choice of “how” you visit Alaska will really be determined by “why” you are going to Alaska. If you are interested in an Alaska cruise, it’s not too late to take advantage of the 2015 cruise season!

Tahiti – Bora Bora is one of my most requested destinations for the bucket list honeymoon or milestone anniversary. 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.
Having said that, one important thing to remember, it is the tropics and the weather is not on a schedule! I have people that have been in the dry season and it rained most every day; I have people that travel during the humid season (often rates are very attractive!) and not one drop of rain.
There are both cruising and resort vacation options for you to visit French Polynesia.

Cambodia and Vietnam tourism is another destination on the rise in bucket list travel. In Cambodia, the sprawling Cambodian temple complex of Angkor Wat is a source of national pride and international renown because of the distinctive sandstone spires, intricate artistry and massive moat that encloses the grounds in a three-and-a-half-mile perimeter. Vietnam is certainly exotic and you will be in sensory overload throughout your journey! Gazing over a surreal seascape of limestone islands or exploring the world’s most spectacular cave systems in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park are just two of the many experiences awaiting you in Vietnam. River Cruising and Cruising in general are great options to explore this exotic location.

Hawaii is another favorite bucket list destination for many people. Hawaii is certainly a way to visit paradise without a passport! The most commonly visited Hawaiian Islands are Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii (The Big Island). Lanai and Molakai are less visited, but certainly spectacular options if they are what you are looking for. Each island has its own distinctive personality and provides a very different vacation experience.

Australia and New Zealand are also very popular bucket list destinations. There are many ways to experience these great destinations! You can take a cruise that will visit some of the major cities in both Australia and New Zealand or there are cruises that concentrate more on one or the other of the countries. You also have the option of escorted tours, or putting together a fully independent trip for your adventure!
Australia and New Zealand are in the southern hemisphere and the seasons run opposite of ours. Mild spring weather lasts from September to November and summer spans December through February. Summer features longer daylight hours with warm to hot conditions depending on where you are. March through May constitutes autumn, leading into the cooler winter period of June to August. The climate changes significantly as you head north in Australia near places like Darwin and Cairns. This region lies within the monsoon belt and has just two seasons. Hot and wet conditions prevail from October to March, while blazing arid weather kicks in from April to September.
This is just a short sample of a bucket list, what is on your bucket list? Let’s start checking off some of the destinations on your list!

Happy Travels

Kelley

Don’t waste your money !!!

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As a Couples Travel Concierge I am often asked “why should I use a travel agent?” Although I could give a list of 100 reasons off the top of my head, it all boils down to this – don’t waste your time or money!

The famous Warren Buffet quote “Price is what you pay, Value is what you get”. As a professional travel concierge, my goal is to help you find the best value for your vacation dollar. Price and value are not always (and sometimes not at all) the same! We all know what price is… it is the amount you pay for a given item, service, or in this case, vacation. Value is another matter entirely. You might say that as your travel concierge I act as your value interpreter.
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’m often asked “are you more expensive than the internet?” That depends, are you talking about price, or value? Most often my clients will find my prices are very competitive; however, admittedly, sometimes my prices may not be less than “the internet” – but the value I bring is considerably more than that.
Do you have the time to research the endless options for your vacation? Do you have the time to deal with things if something goes awry? How convenient is it for you when there is a schedule change and you are notified? How convenient is it for you if you don’t know the documentation requirements and you show up without the correct documents?
Some people think booking on the internet is the way to book travel. If you decide to book “on the internet”, wouldn’t it be interesting to find out if the internet has ever been to where you want to go? Does the internet answer the phone on the weekends or at night if you have a travel emergency? Perhaps you decide to book with an online agency that has a call center. Often times the call center employees (note: they are usually not travel agents) have never traveled to your destination and only knows what “the internet” tells them. Not to mention, have you ever tried to reach an “online agency” from another country? Rarely do they have international phone support and it can be quite difficult to email the help desk if you are in the midst of a storm with no power.
Obviously, the choice is yours. When it’s my money, I opt for value over price every day.

 

Happy Travels

 

Kelley

When Irish eyes are smiling !!!

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Can you believe that it is March ????!!!! The year is absolutely flying. We celebrate St.Patrick’s day in March and in honor of that, I wanted to do a newsletter about The Emerald Isle !!!! My Colleague Emer, who incidentally is from Ireland traveled there in the Fall and I asked her to share some of the highlights and insights from her trip. So here’s some information from Ireland direct from the source !!!!
Thanks Kelley, Last year I had the opportunity to visit Ireland as a tourist with some friends. Returning as a tourist gave me a fresh new perspective and I was very impressed.

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 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!

Our first stop when we arrived, was Bunratty Castle in County Clare which is just a few miles from Shannon Airport. We stayed at the Bunratty Castle Hotel on the same grounds as the original castle, a folk park and the famous “Durty Nellys” Pub which is well known Worldwide for fun, food, live music and they boast the best Irish Coffee around.

food              IMG_3486

BUNRATTY CASTLE CO. CLARE                

The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Join the Earl of Thomond for a glorious banquet at this majestic 15th century Bunratty Castle. The Earl’s Butler welcomes guests from the four corners of the world toasting an era of great Irish taste with excellent food, fine wine and honey mead. When you visit Bunratty Folk Park you experience a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland of over a century ago. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting.

Blarney   blarney     Adare
BLARNEY CASTLE                                       ADARE MANOR

Some of the cultural highlights from the first leg of our trip were Blarney Castle – where we did actually kiss the Blarney stone!. We also traveled to Adare Manor and Golf resort in Limerick which is astoundingly beautiful. (seen above)

We were driving ourselves and so we decided to go west, south and then back accross to the east coast and last stop in Dublin. The towns and attractions we visited were as follows: The Dingle Peninsula on the Coast of Kerry which was breathtakingly beautiful and quaint. We stayed in the Dingle Skellig Hotel which boasted the most wonderful views and delicous food.

dingle       Coastline     Dingle        

DINGLE   PENINSULA                         WEST COAST VIEWS

We then traveled to Kinsale Harbor in County Cork, and again were overwhelmed by the beauty of this little harbor town. The fresh fish and seafood there was out of this world. There was a “bohemian” feel to this area with many different types of food and entertainment. We also went and visited the “Irish Redhead convention” in Crosshaven, County Cork.
Kinsale1                  Crosshaven

KINSALE HARBOR                          CROSSHAVEN CO. CORK        

In addition to the beautiful scenery, we also experienced many cultural events and delicous traditional food. Our last stop was Dublin city which is the bustling capitol and also where I am originally from. We stayed right in the heart of the city in the St.Stephen’s Green/Grafton Street area. This area also boasts Trinity College and many other landmarks. There are wonderful stores to shop in and it is a treat to walk down Grafton street, listen to some street performers and shop to your heart’s delight.
Ireland is famous for Waterford Crystal, traditional Irish wool sweaters and many other treats and delicacies. We visited Bewleys coffee house on Grafton Street, which is a landmark and was estblished in 1840. We toured famous St.Patrick’s Cathedral, had an Irish coffee in “The Brazen Head” which is officially Ireland’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198. We also did the tour of the Guinness Brewery which is truly a treat and I would recommend to anyone.

Grafton Street                   Guinness.

​GRAFTON STREET-DUBLIN                     GUINNESS BREWERY TOUR

The only regret I had was that we didn’t have enough time to see all that Ireland has to offer.   So now I’ll say Slan Leat (Goodbye) and Slainte (to your good health!)

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 next or bucket list destination.

 

Kelley

Did you think of this ??

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, Europe, General Travel Information, Luxury Travel, Uncategorized, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

It’s hardjpeg to think of everything when you are packing for a vacation. I always seem to get there and think “I wish I had thought to bring ….” It’s not that we “forget” to pack things, sometimes we just don’t think of things. Sometimes it isn’t “packing” it’s just “things” related to travel you may not think about – until you need or want it of course! I thought it would be fun this week to do a “Did you think of this?” list for you. Did you think of this for packing?

Rolling your clothes – Rolling clothes before putting them in your suitcase will help prevent wrinkles and it will also take up less space. I have rolled my clothes for years and you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. If you just can’t bear the thought of rolling all of your clothes, or you really love to iron during your vacation, at least roll 1 outfit and put it in your carry-on with you! This way you won’ t have to go to dinner when you arrive in your destination in wrinkled clothes, or to dinner the first night of a cruise in wrinkled clothes because you did not have time to iron before the early seating.
Downey Wrinkle Release – Do you see a pattern here? I hate to iron anytime, but especially on vacation! You can buy a travel size bottle of this in the trial section of your local drug store or Walmart. Not only does it help with wrinkles, it can help with keeping your clothes smelling fresh after you unpack them, especially if your suitcase was left in the rain on the tarmac at the airport. Yes, that has happened to me.
Dryer Sheets – I know there are some of you that will insist on folding and ironing. That’s okay… put a dryer sheet in each suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh.
Ziploc Bags – Bringing a few Ziploc bags on vacation takes up no space and will serve you well. If you are on a cruise you can use them when going on shore excursions so you can keep water and sand away from your phone, camera, cash, passport etc. If you are staying at a beach resort you can use them at the beach to keep sand and water at bay. A gallon Ziploc bag comes in handy for throwing your flip flops or water shoes in to keep any residual sand out of your suitcase. You can also use Ziploc bags for make-shift vacuum packing. Place clothing items in the bag (works especially well with swim suits, underwear, socks, and workout clothes), compress the bag (I have been known to sit on it!), and Ziploc the bag. Presto! Compressed packing equals more room in the suitcase. I always carry quart and gallon size bags.
Pill Containers aren’t just for pills. You can use them to organize earrings or smaller rings. They are also great for keeping fine chains untangled if you don’t want to bring your jewelry boxes or pouches.
Surge Protectors with USB outlets, or Multi Chargers with USB outlets – I have never seen a resort room with enough outlets and in a cruise ship cabin – you are lucky if there is more than one even accessible to you! Who doesn’t travel with more than just one electronic that needs to be charged or plugged in these days? There are some very simple ones and some very fancy ones that have plugs that rotate 360 degrees. All that really matters is that they are small, compact, and will be extremely useful!
Portable USB Chargers will charge your phone just when you need it. Remember, phones aren’t just for calling anymore; they are cameras, photo albums, or gaming centers for some people. For example, when you are sitting in the airport waiting on that delayed flight, or waiting for embarkation or disembarkation of your cruise ship, on that boring transfer ride to your resort while you stop at 3 others if you didn’t take my advice to upgrade your transfers, you can power up your device and have at it!
Travel Size Hand Sanitizer comes in very handy when you are out exploring your destination or on a cruise ship excursion. Let’s face it, not all people have the same idea of personal hygiene that we do! It’s also likely you could be at a crowded resort or attraction and there is no convenient place to wash your hands, or there is no soap available. I’m not suggesting this take the place of good ole fashioned hand washing, but simply suggesting it in a pinch.
Hopefully a couple of these ideas will be helpful on your future vacation experiences!

Happy Travels,

Where can you go ??

by In Brides, Cruise, Destinations, General Travel Information, Luxury Travel, Uncategorized, Wedding Tagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment
A couple of weeks ago I participated in a bridal show; one question that came up frequently throughout the day is where can I go for my honeymoon if we don’t have passports?  I also get this question quite often from other travelers as well.  Not everyone wants or can get a passport; some people just don’t plan their travel far enough ahead to get a passport or consider their passport expiration dates (you know who you are!).
The good news is there are some really great destinations outside of the mainland US that you can visit without passports!  There can be a slight downside to this as well – all-inclusive resorts will not be prevalent in these destinations, they will be very few if any.  This is not a bad thing, but something to consider when doing your budget for your vacation experience.  Let’s take a look at your options!
Hawaii is always a fantastic vacation destination!  Each island has its own distinct personality so we can really customize your vacation to the type of experience you are looking for.  You can visit one island or multiple; if you have longer than 5 days, I highly recommend visiting at least 2 islands to really get a great experience.  One thing to remember, the flights home are very often over night flights, you will need to keep this in mind when planning your travel dates.
Puerto Rico is another great option that does not require a passport.  Puerto Rico is the perfect blend of colonial Spanish culture, amazing natural beauty and contemporary lifestyles. You can visit historic Old San Juan, awe-inspiring rainforests, coffee plantations and rum distilleries to explore as well.  Explore endless stretches of beautiful beaches where you can snorkel, sail, fish and surf.
The US Virgin Islands offer a tropical vacation option for you with no passport required.  The US Virgin Islands consist of St Thomas, St John, and St Croix.  St. Thomas offers a variety of attractions, beaches and activities.  Water sports, tennis, restaurants and nightlife are very popular.  The capital city, Charlotte Amalie, is a major port of call for duty-free shopping.  St John is just off shore from St Thomas and is a nature lover’s paradise since much of the island is a national park.  Most guests fly in and out of St Thomas and take the ferry over to St. John.  St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin islands, but in many ways the most unspoiled of them all.  You can explore the beaches, the Old Danish Towns or check out the national parks. I would be remiss if I did not caution you about traveling to the US Virgin Islands without a passport.  Please remember, many of the neighboring islands are considered foreign nations so you will not be able to visit them without passports.
While traveling the world and getting your passport booked stamped until it is full is always a great plan, traveling without a passport can be an awesome experience as well!
Happy Travels,

Kelley

 

The rivers keep growing !

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Have you considered a river cruise?
River cruising is still a growing trend and is experiencing some of the most rapid growth in the travel industry, and no doubt the most growth in the cruise market.  In the past 10 years, the number of passengers taking river cruises has grown by more than 15 percent; the ocean cruising segment has seen about 5.4 percent growth. The industry has experienced 10 percent annual growth for five years running.  River cruising is done predominantly in Europe and other exotic areas of the world, but it is becoming increasingly popular in the United States as well.  This is destination immersion at its finest!  Some of the world’s greatest cities are accessible only by river – not by the ocean.  You visit a different city each day and have the entire day and often the evening to enjoy the local area and culture.  Cruising the world’s rivers from Europe to Russia, Asia and beyond is truly a special experience.
I for one thought river cruising was for the older generation but I was completely wrong in more ways than one. This is a great way to cruise is for the adventurous.  You are often 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.   Some think this is for the “Bucket List” crowd, but let’s not forget about the romance of it all!  European culture and experiences can be very romantic!
River cruising is such a fast-growing trend that over, 175 new ships have been built since 2000.  Having said that, supply does still not keep up with demand!  It is not uncommon for ships to sell out a year or more in advance!  For example, Viking River Cruises is already 80% sold out for all of 2016!  Advanced planning is definitely a must for river cruising!
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 on the majority of the ships and itineraries.  Some of the river cruise lines offer specific family itineraries during the summer months, but most report less than 2% of their passengers are under the age of 18.  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.  Even in the US, the ships and destinations can be challenging, but they are certainly more accessible than the global options.
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 approximately 200 passengers per ship, so the wait staff will likely know your name by the end of the first meal (and so will your fellow travelers).
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.
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)
When will you be ready to experience the world’s great rivers for yourself?
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