Are you a Freestyle Traveler ??

This weekend we depart on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Norwegian Getaway and will be cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

The thing that Norwegian Cruise Line is most well-known for is their FreeStyle cruising.  FreeStyle cruising is many things to many people.  With some of the newest ships in the industry, Norwegian Cruise Line currently boasts the youngest fleet among major North American cruise lines.  Norwegian continues the expansion and modernization of their fleet with the Norwegian Escape set to debut in 2015

FreeStyle cruising is a great choice for the independent folks who want to truly do it their way.  There are no set dining times, no set dining tables, and no formal nights!    FreeStyle dining is fantastic for those long port days on port intensive itineraries.  You no longer have to leave your destination early to get back in time for dining, or on nights when you are hungry early, you don’t have to “snack” before dinner.  Your vacation truly is whatever you want it to be.   Some of the dining options (which can vary by ship) include a wide variety of complimentary dining with up to 3 main dining rooms, a buffet, and 24 hour room service.  Specialty dining is also creative and varied throughout the fleet.  Experience the fine cuisine of Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. Indulge in succulent meats at Moderno Churrascaria or on Certified Angus Beef® at Cagney’s Steakhouse, exclusively on Norwegian. Dine on expertly prepared chicken, steak and shrimp at Teppanyaki. Or savor French cuisine at Le Bistro and go for Italian at La Cucina. They’re all on board – and they’re all delicious. Cover charges for the specialty dining venues range between $15 – $99 per guest; with $25 being the average.  Having experienced many of them, I can honestly say they are more than worth the coverage charge!

Norwegian also touts their FreeStyle entertainment and FreeStyle accommodations.

When it comes to entertainment and activities, they have truly raised the bar!  They have bowling alleys, Wii sports, multiple supervised recreational programs, and a golf program with Elite Golf.  The entertainment is first rate with options on some ships such as Blue Man Group, Second City Comedy, Howl at the Moon, amazing production shows, White Hot deck parties and more.  On the new ship, the Norwegian Getaway you will be able to see the musical Legally Blond or Wine Lovers, the musical.

With regards to the FreeStyle accommodations, the choices are vast!  There are the traditional interior, ocean view, balcony, and mini-suites for you.  Norwegian also caters to the solo travelers with their studio cabins.  The studio cabins are specifically designed for the solo traveler complete with their own social gathering area.  The suites are where they have really stepped up the FreeStyle accommodations.
They have recently introduced The Haven.  The Haven is a ship within a ship feel!  Hidden away at the top of the ship is an exclusive enclave with the most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, you’ll enjoy the personal service of a 24-hour butler and concierge throughout your entire stay.

This is only the tip of the iceberg of Freestyle cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines.  I’m happy to share any additional information if you have questions.  Be on the watch for an upcoming article dedicated to the new Norwegian Getaway.

Happy Travels!

Know before you go !!

 

Travel is always easier if you know before you go! The challenge of course is that we don’t know what we don’t know! I always try to provide a great deal of info to my clients when they travel, but sometimes there are things I consider so “routine”, that I may not mention if not asked. Let’s look at the basics of leaving the US and re-entering the US on flights.

 

 

jpegSomething to know before you go is that you will have to meet the entry/exit requirements of the destination. Some destinations have very stringent requirements when it comes to criminal history. Regardless of whether you have a passport or not, there are certain criminal histories such as felony (or even some misdemeanor) convictions that will deem you ineligible to enter their country. Being behind on child support is another issue in many destinations. Please, do yourself a favor and discuss this with your travel professional prior to booking or traveling. Trust me when I tell you it is an awful phone call when someone has been denied entry to another country.

 

Speaking of passports, your passport must be in relatively good shape. It cannot be damaged, separating, missing pages, or anything. These types of things can deem your passport invalid for travel.

 
Something else to know before you go is that on the flight to your destination, the flight attendants will pass out immigration and custom declaration forms for you to fill out. These forms must be filled out prior to passing though immigration and customs in your destination. The forms will require your passport information, address (or name of resort) in destination, and your departing flight information. It will serve you well to keep your itinerary and passport within reach during your flight, that way you aren’t scrambling to get the info or trying to fill out your forms while walking to the immigration line.

 

Upon arrival in your destination, have your passport and forms handy. You will need to provide them to the immigration offer. They will sometimes ask you a couple of questions, most often they ask what is your purpose for the visit and how long are you staying. They do this while they are checking for any “flags” on your passport. (This is where my advice above about past history can come up) Some destinations will provide you with a tourist “card”, often just a piece of paper, upon entering the country. Do NOT lose this….

Once you have passed through immigration, you will proceed to the baggage claim area. You will need to pick up your luggage at the conveyor belt and then head to the customs lines. Your baggage is often screened by an x-ray scanner and / or hand inspection by officials. Once you have cleared customs, you are on your way to the vacation you have been waiting for! Just a note – in many countries, time share sales are very aggressive in the airport. In Cancun for example, I tell people once you have your bags, head for the double doors as quickly as possible. Do not make eye contact or engage in conversation! The time share people will have very enticing offers to get you to listen. Do yourself a favor and don’t. Head to your pre-arranged transportation and start your vacation!
Sadly, all vacations come to an end.

If you are in a country that gave you a tourist “card” upon entry, you will need to present that when exiting the country. Do not lose this; you would not believe the headaches involved for losing a 2 x 2 inch piece of paper in some countries! Some countries also require an exit “tax” to be paid. It often has to be paid in local currency and cash only.

 

Customs Declaration   Customs Declaration Back

 

On your flight back to the US, you will be given customs forms to fill out to re-enter the US. Again, you will globalneed your passport and flight information, so keep your passports handy on the flight. Once you land, you will proceed to immigration. Many airports in the US now have kiosks which have really helped to speed up the process. Of course I always recommend Global Entry! Global Entry takes all of the hassle away.

 

If your first airport arrival in the US is your home airport, after customs you retrieve your bags, proceed through customs, and head home. If your first airport is a connecting city for you, you will retrieve your bags, proceed through customs, re-check your bags, proceed back through airport security, and on to your gate. As a note, if you purchased any beverages or liquids in one of the duty-free shops over the carry-on allowance, you will not be able to take it through security. You will need to pack it in your checked bag before re-checking your bag.

I hope this has been helpful! Remember, we don’t know, what we don’t know, and it’s helpful to know before you go!

 

Happy Travels!

Kelley

 

Is it too good to be true ??

 

Is it too good to be true?travel-scams

Recently, there has been a trend of “it’s too good to be true” scams. You have probably received the emails from someone telling you their “uncle”, “father”, whomever, has left them a large sum or money and they need your help to access the funds. Or perhaps you’ve been called by someone saying you have “won” a “free” government grant and they’ll deposit the money in your account if you give them your routing and account numbers. The list of scams like this goes on… Sadly, there are several scams out there related to travel as well.

Just this week there was an article about several local college students that were victims of a travel scam. They contacted a “travel agency” they found online through a website much like Craig’s List regarding airline tickets back to India over the holiday break. This agency gave them a price that was several hundred dollars less than any other ticket prices they had seen online or by calling other agencies. These young students thought they really had found a great deal… until they found out the airline tickets were not real. The agency had purchased tickets with their money, and then cancelled the tickets.

There are also other types of travel related concerns. I hesitate to call them scams, because in many of these cases, you do actually get “something”, but it certainly isn’t what you think you’re getting. Many time share programs are now called “Vacation Clubs” and they entice you to their presentations under the premise of a free “trip” or “cruise”. Make no mistake, it isn’t free, the costs are not fully disclosed, and it is high pressure sales once you are there. Too many people find themselves owning a time share that they will never get their money’s worth out of. Then there are travel deals found on Craig’s List or Groupon. While Groupon and Craig’s List can be great for many things, travel isn’t usually one of them. Nearly every investigative news program out there has done an expose on “Groupon gone bad” vacations. I personally have had to try and help people that contacted me from another country when their Groupon “deal” turned out to be a very expensive vacation. Is every Groupon travel deal bad? Probably not, but how will you know?

There are definitely some red flags that you should be aware of when planning or booking your travel with online agencies, or someone who calls you with the deal of the day.

  • A request for a wire transfer or “money gram” directly to the travel agent or agency – Reputable travel agencies will rarely (almost never!) do business this way. If a wire or electronic transfer of funds is required, it is usually by the actual travel supplier (cruise line, airline, etc.), not the agency.

  • Cash Payments Required – This is an easy way to lose your money. Most reputable travel suppliers now work with credit cards or electronic transfers. While paying cash is admirable and keeps your finances in checks, it is very hard to recover in the event of theft or misappropriation of funds.

  • Invoices that only reflect the travel agency information and make no mention of the actual travel supplier being used for your travel

  • Pricing that is significantly out of line compared to other prices for the same airline ticket or vacation package. Many travel suppliers have “no-discounting” policies. This makes it a level playing field for all agencies. That is not to say everyone will have the exact same price on a package (because there can be variables with air, transfers, insurance, etc.), but if the difference is more than 25%, you should question it. For example, Disney and Sandals do not allow any discounting. Agencies that do this are in violation of the operating terms and conditions. While there can be differences in other components, the pricing for the actual resorts are the same. Do you really want to work with an agency that is willing to “break the rules”? If they are willing to break the rules with their travel supplier, what other boundaries are they willing to cross?

    If you are going to spend your hard earned money on a vacation experience, please, work with a travel professional so you know what you are getting and get what you are paying for!

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Kelley

 

How do you choose ??

There are all-inclusive resorts suitable for everyone, how do you choose the right one for you? 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. The proper resort choice will definitely make or break your vacation experience.

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 Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. There are 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 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
Many are great for destination weddings, 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? 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

Moderate – usually 3-4 star properties

Luxury – usually 4.5 -5 start properties

Exceptional Luxury – usually 5 star +

It can’t be overstated – choosing the right resort is the most crucial part of your vacation experience. Make sure your choice suits your lifestyle and expectations. Remember, price is what you pay, value is what you get. If you choose based on price alone, it may not be the value you think it is. The reverse is also true; you can certainly overspend on your vacation without getting any extra value.

As a Couples Travel Concierge and Travel Professional, I can help you sort out all of your options. Don’t hesitate to contact me when you are ready to book your All-Inclusive Resort vacation experience.
Happy Travels

Do you want in on some Secrets?

 

I’m not talking about gossip or confidential information; I’m referring the Secrets resorts! Secrets Resorts are upscale adults only all-inclusive resorts. Secrets Resorts features “Unlimited Luxury”, a new and better way for adults to have it all. At Secrets resorts there are no wristbands or reservations for dining, an extra measure of romance, 24 hour room service, gourmet a la carte dining options, top shelf spirits, daily refreshed in room minibars, pool and beach wait service and more! They do a great job at combining an active lifestyle with relaxation and privacy. Secrets also offer their Preferred Club category of rooms that come with additional amenities and privileges.

There are 10 Secrets resorts located throughout Mexico, 2 resorts in Jamaica, and 1 in the Dominican Republic. Recently I was in Cancun, Cozumel, and the Riviera Maya and toured 6 of their resorts. There was not a bad one in the bunch, but all had distinctly different personalities!

Secrets Playa Mujeres will be their newest resort in Mexico; opening in November 2014. This resort reminds me of Costa Rica meets Mexico. It is lush and beautiful! We were there during construction (hard hats required for our tour!)

Secrets the Vine was my host hotel for 3 nights; I love this hotel! It is a very hip, happening resort. Do you like wine? This is the resort for you! They have daily wine tastings and one of the largest wine menus I have ever seen. Premium hotel zone location offers convenience to the airport and to Cancun and the beach is amazing.

Secrets Maroma Beach is a 5 diamond AAA resort located on one of the top ten beaches in the world and certainly the best beach in Mexico. If you are all about the beach, this is the resort for you! This is definitely a great option for couples or couples traveling together.

Secrets Silversands is a hip, modern, chic resort. This resort combines style with sexiness and sophistication. I would definitely categorize this as a fun resort for couples or a group of adults traveling together. The resort is one of 8’s – 8 pools, 8 bars, and 8 restaurants.

Secrets Riviera Capri is situated in a gorgeous tropical yet ocean front setting. This resort is unique in that the entire resort is Preferred Club with regards to room categories and amenities. The drive in to this resort is gorgeous, and the resort does not disappoint. Beautiful, nice sized rooms, great pools, and of course a great beach.

Secrets Aura Cozumel sits on one of the best beaches on all of Cozumel. Cozumel is a water enthusiast’s paradise and this resort has full service onsite dive operator. The resort all has the largest resort spa on the island. This is the perfect resort to do it all, or do nothing at all.

Each Secrets definitely has its own personality and its own vibe. While all of them are adult only, some are more of a couple’s environment and some are great for all adult guests. Working with a travel professional who takes the time to become educated and visit the properties helps to insure the right resort selection for you.

If you would like to see pictures of these resorts and some of the other Secrets resorts, check out my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CouplesTravelConciere

Safe Travels,

 

Do you have dreams in your future ??

Do you have Dreams in your future?  jpeg
Dreams Resorts & Spas are located throughout Mexico (7), Dominican Republic (3), and soon Costa Rica & St. Thomas.  Dreams Resorts & Spas provide luxury in fabulous tropical settings with a great value proposition for your vacation experience.  There are no wristbands required and no dinner reservations required.  Dreams Resorts & Spas are managed by AMResorts; a North American company catering to the North American clientele.  You will find familiar brands throughout the resort, not just in beverages, but in food as well.  All resorts feature 24 hour room service, world class spas, specialty themed restaurants, top shelf spirits, fun-filled daytime activities, Explorers Club for kids, activities for teens (some resorts now have the Core Zone specifically for teens), themed night-time activities, and entertainment.  Each resort has its own personality which is something I love.  They are not cookie cutter!

Dreams Sands Cancun just opened on September 1, 2014.  It is in the heart of the Cancun Hotel Zone and very convenient to the airport.  Personally, I think the beach is small, but it is a very nice beach!  The view as you walk in to the resort lobby is amazing!

Dreams Riviera Cancun is about 30 minutes from the airport and is ideally situation for both Cancun and Playa del Carmen.  This is a great resort for everyone!  The resort features unique octagonal shaped rooms and suites, and most of the ground floor suites have private plunge pools!  Fabulous resort for Destination Weddings, group travel, families, couples, and singles!

Dreams Tulum is one of my favorite resorts!  Apparently I am not alone because this is where they filmed Bachelor in Paradise!  This resort has 44 acres of lush gardens and a beautiful stretch of beach.  There isn’t another resort for miles so you virtually have a private beach!  This resort features a new adult only section making this a great option for honeymoons and romance travel!  This resort has something for everyone; singles, couples, families and groups!

Dreams Puerto Aventuras is situated in the charming village of Puerto Aventuras.  The drive in to the resort is fabulous with all of the marina homes and yachts along the canal.  This resort has an onsite dolphinarium with dolphins and manatees.  There is also a PADI Gold Palm certified dive center on premises.  This resort is great for everyone!  The wedding gazebo is so cool at this resort!  This resort is ideal for Destination Weddings or family vacations.

Dreams Huatulco is on the Pacific coast of Mexico, down in the southwest corner of the country.  Hualtuco has 34 pristine beaches and 9 bays!  This luxurious resort, located on Tangolunda Bay is ideal for families, couples and friends. The resort is minutes away from waterfalls, lagoons, lush tropical jungle, and traditional Mexican towns.

Dreams Los Cabos is an all-suite AAA 4 diamond resort on the Sea of Cortez.  It is located 15 minutes from Cabo San Lucas & San Jose Del Cabo.  This resort embraces the elegance of traditional Mexican design!  All suites have a view of the Sea of Cortez and are generously sized.  This resort is also ideal for golfers as it located near 8 championship courses.

Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta is an all-suite resort outside of Puerto Vallarta with specatular views of Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre Mountains.  This resort has exterior jacuzzi’s on every terrace; imagine sitting in your Jacuzzi watching the fabulous view of the bay or mountains in the evening.

Dreams Punta Cana  is in a secluded lush tropical paradise about 40 minutes from the airport on Uvero Beach.  This resort has one of the largest free-form swimming pools in the Dominican Republic.  The pool starts at the lobby and stretches all of the way to the beach, complete with waterfalls, a swim-up bar and venues throughout.  This resort is on a beautiful beach and offers a wide array of activities.

Dreams Palm Beach is conveniently located about 12 miles from the Punta Cana airport. This resort is located on the amazing Bavaro Beach!  This resort is somewhat spread out so bring your walking shoes and don’t be afraid to indulge in desserts!  This resort is great for families and couples.

Dreams La Romana is located on the Southeast coast of the Dominican Republic outside of La Romana.  This resort is great for singles, couples, and families.  Plenty of daytime activities for all age ranges, casino onsite, golf nearby, and 10 restaurants to choose from.

Dreams La Mareas Costa Rica is coming in November 2014!  Located on sugar-white sand and surrounded by lush green mountains and jungles in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, guests of all ages enjoy an action–packed vacation featuring watersports, land activities, and swimming pools while sunbathing or laying under a thatched palapa.  This resort will be geared to families, couples, and friends.

Dreams Sugar Bay is scheduled to open on December 25, 2014; Merry Christmas St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands!  This will be an excellent option for those needing or wanting to travel to a US Virgin island without a passport!  This will be a great resort for singles, couples, families, and groups.

I hope this brief overview gives you a glimpse in to your future Dreams!

Happy Travels,

Are you ready to live the Palace life ??

Are you ready to live the Palace life?

Palace Resorts are way more than just a hotel at the beach; they are a resort experience. Palace Resorts are all-inclusive resorts that feature luxurious accommodations, fine dining, top shelf drinks, non-motorized water sports, and more at each resort.

The list of amenities and activities at each resort it too lengthy to mention here!  Some of the hallmark amenities at each resort include free Wi-Fi (throughout the resort and in your room), free calls from your room back to the US and Canada, unlimited food and beverage, 24 hour room service, a liquor dispenser and minibar in your guest room, and nightly entertainment.

One thing Palace is well known for is their up to $1500 resort crLeBlanc Pooledit! The amount of your resort credit is based on your length of stay at the resort. The current $1500 promotion is based on a 5-8 night stay; if your stay is less than 5 nights, the offer changes. This resort credit can go a long way in customizing your vacation experience to make it uniquely yours. On top of the all-inclusive luxury amenities and service, this resort credit can be used on spa and beauty salon treatments, golf outings, tours, romantic dinners, upgraded wine list and select Palace Resorts Wedding Collections.Palace Room Collage

 

Another great option with Palace resorts is their exchange privileges with the sister resorts. If you stay at one, you can visit others to enjoy their amenities, restaurants, pools, and beach.

 

 

Palace Resorts has 7 resorts in the Cancun-Riviera Maya area, including 1 on Cozumel.

 

 

Sun Palace – a couples-only resort set in Cancun. It has been a top award winner for romance ressun palaceorts and is ideal for  those who want a quiet, romantic getaway with an opportunity to experience Mexican culture through tours and activities, shopping and other experiences that only Cancun can offer.

Playacar Palace – situated on turquoise waters and powdery white sands of Playa del Carmen, a destination known for its laid back charm. This resort is also convenient to the ferry over to Cozumel so you can enjoy all the island has to offer as well. Playacar Palace is ideal for families, couples and social groups who seek culture, shopping and Mexican hospitality at its finest.

 

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Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort – perfect for a range of travelers including families, groups, and couples on the outskirts of Cancun, only about 10 minutes from the airport. There are endless activities and it is more like 3 resorts in one with the Sunrise, Nizuc, and Moon Grand. This resort is huge and has activities to suit nearly everyone.

10645237_575175052592692_7509697437647026473_nLeBlanc Spa Resort – located in Cancun’s Hotel Zone the coveted and highly acclaimed LeBlanc isperfect for those seeking to indulge in Cancun’s tranquil shores. A high-end playground for adults only, Le Blanc offers a world class spa, butler service, and fine international dining. It is also located near Cancun’s finest shops and nightlife.

Isla Mujeres Palace – a small, intimate, couples-only resort located in Isla Mujeres. This resort is ideal for travelers seeking a getaway that’s off the beaten path. Isla Mujeres Palace, boasts 62 luxurious rooms with the finest amenities, including a complimentary yacht ride for guests arriving from Cancun. Now that’s a great way to make an entrance!

Cozumel Palace – set directly on the amazing water of Cozumel, this resort is an ideal destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Cozumel Palace is one of Cozumel’s top rated all-inclusive resorts and is perfect for family, couples, and adventure travelers.

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Beach Palace – minutes away from Cancun’s trendy nightlife and upscale shopping, this destination caters to those seeking a warm escape with traditional Mexican hospitality. Beach Palace is a top rated resort for families and couples set on a white sandy beach in Cancun.

 

Coming Soon, Palace will have their first resort outside of Mexico! The new Moon Palace Jamaica Grande is coming to Ocho Rios Jamaica in early 2015! It will be the fabulous Jamaican spirit combined with the warmth of Mexican friendship. The family friendly resort will boast 705 rooms; most with ocean views! The resort will feature 5 restaurants, 6 bars, 4 pools, a kid’s pool, and all of the hallmark amenities that Palace has throughout the brand.
This is exciting news!

Now, are you ready to live the Palace Life?

 

Happy Travels

Kelley

5 reasons you need an All-Inclusive Group Getaway!

All-Inclusive resorts are great options for your group getaways!

Whether, it is your Destination Wedding, your bachelor or bachelorette party, anniversary, mancation, girlfriend’s getaway, or a family vacation, an all-inclusive resort may be just what you and your guests need! Group vacations can be very fun, but they can also be very stressful when it comes to dealing with everyone’s budgets, travel schedules, and vacation expectations. Let’s look at 5 reasons why you will be the hero for suggesting the all-inclusive resort option for your next group getaway.

 

  1. Better Value

With any type of vacation, you have to balance price and value. All-Inclusive resorts are a great value proposition in a variety of ways. There are a variety of accommodation levels at the resorts, some of the guests can be in the entry level resort view rooms, while others may be in their butler suites with private plunge pools; yet they can all enjoy the vacation together.
There will always be guests, who don’t take full advantage of the resorts’ offerings, but they pay for it anyway; there will always be guests who use some of the amenities, then there are the guests who will make sure they use everything and anything available to them at the resort. Again, it’s about the group being together, yet each couple or family having exactly their style of vacation. My favorite quote by Warren Buffet is “Price is what you pay, Value is what you get”. This certainly rings true at an all-inclusive resort.

  1. Eat and drink like royalty
    Admit it, when we are on vacation, our eating habits change and we tend to indulge in everything! It is our responsibility to make sure we know what is we might be missing out on! C’mon, I know it’s not just me!! I’m not just talking your run-of-the-mill buffets, bland cafes, or fast food grills. The new face of all-inclusive resorts are in-house Michelin chefs, gastronomic dining programs (a la El Dorado Royale) and cocktail menus that are significantly fancier than that hipster dive bar down the street from you that was just on Bar Rescue. Did you know that at Sandals resorts, the various themed restaurant chefs are actually trained by chefs from the authentic regions? In short, it’s a foodies’ paradise these days at many of the all-inclusive resorts.

 

  1. Never be bored
    Activities at all-inclusive resorts are as varied as your group may be. There is literally something for everyone! Most resorts have opportunities for daily sports activities (think beach volleyball, basketball, tennis etc.!), non-motorized water sports, nightclubs, weekly themed beach parties, technology centers (think Xbox!), cooking and dancing classes, or even an
    on-site casino in some locations. (Did you know Sandals even includes diving as one of their luxury included activities?) Of course there is also the activity of picking the perfect beach chair or cabana and listening to the sounds of the waves or catching up on your favorite book that has been on the bed stand for months waiting to be read. Let’s not forget the spas…

 

  1. No wallets!
    Okay, not literally. Someone is going to pay for something at some point, but you know what I mean. One of the beauties of an all-inclusive resort is you pretty much know your vacation cost right up front. At many of the all-inclusive resorts even the tips are included in the vacation cost! At an all-inclusive, there’s no lugging that hefty purse or wallet with you to the swim-up bar, the beach, dinner, snorkeling excursion, or anywhere else resort related! Please do bring it with you back home with most of the cash that you came with!

 

  1. Your guests will love you.
    This is partially because guests love reason #4. But furthermore, it also eliminates that awkward moment at a group event where everyone is scrambling/head-scratching over who is going to pick up the tab. Your guests will also love #1 (who doesn’t like a good value for their dollar?), #2 (we all love being royalty on our vacations!), and #3 (Remember, there is a difference between “bored” and “relaxed”!). Indeed, you get to look like the hero for suggesting this vacation option for your next group getaway.

 

Hopefully this gives you a brief insight as to why all-inclusive resorts are a great option for your next group getaway!

 

Happy Travels,

Did you insure ???

This time of year brings a close to many of the summer activities, but in my world, it also brings the potential for storms that affect travel.  We are now in well in to hurricane season with the highest potential yet to come.   I always encourage everyone to get travel insurance because you just never know what is going to happen.  This week there are 2 hurricanes headed for the Hawaiian Islands, these are just not things you can anticipate!
The whole purpose of travel insurance is the same as any other insurance you may purchase, to protect you from unforeseeable events.   Unforeseeable events range from storms to medical emergencies.   Without discussing specific travel insurance policies, let’s take a look at some of the events that may affect your travel plans.
Storms:
Once a storm is named you cannot purchase insurance that will cover problems with your trip due to the storm. I hate it when I hear stories of vacations ruined due to a storm and people were traveling without insurance. If you’re going on the vacation you’ve always dreamed of, why would you risk all of your hard earned money by traveling without insurance?

Medical Emergency prior to travel:
It’s not just your medical emergency to consider, it could be someone else’s in your immediate family.  Do you have aging parents or grandparents?  Do you have children?  Do you have siblings?   My own personal story is that my dad became very ill and 5 days before a 3 week trip we had scheduled to Europe.  We were advised by physicians not to travel.  Had we not had travel insurance, it would have been a forfeit of all of our funds.  Just last week I had a client have to cancel due to a sudden unexpected death of a grandparent.  I had a groom have to reschedule a honeymoon due to a motorcycle accident.

Health insurance may not go the distance:
The majority of health insurance (including Medicare), worker’s compensation insurance, third-party and personal liability policies don’t cover international travel. Many employer based policies only provide medical coverage internationally when traveling on business, not personal travel.  If your insurance pays based on networks, there are very few international health care facilities that are considered “in network”.  In fact, a closer look at the inside of your passport will reveal that the government recommends travel insurance when traveling outside the United States.  (Check the “Important Information” page, #3)
Emergency medical evacuation may not be covered under traditional healthcare policies; if it is covered it may be at a very low limit.  $10,000 may sound like a lot of coverage, but the average medical evacuation is well over $30,000.
Trip Delay or Interruption:
Flights get delayed, flights cancel and luggage gets lost.  The airlines do not always provide compensation when you get stranded somewhere or if they “mishandle”.  Travel Insurance can be a real saver when it comes to the extra expenses incurred.  With proper documentation you can get reimbursed for hotel nights, meals, lost luggage, or even clothes to get you through until the luggage arrives.  It often takes 5 days for luggage to get reunited with its owner, if you are only on a 5 or 7 day vacation, this can be problematic.

We all experience tough economic times.
The loss of a job or other income might mean a trip planned in advance may have to wait. Travel insurance can help ease this burden.

I could go on and on with reasons and sad stories, but I won’t.  The bottom line is that life is unpredictable, things happen.  Peace of mind is priceless.  Please protect yourself and your vacation investment.  Not only will it give you peace of mind, it will give me peace of mind as well.  Trust me, you don’t want your travel concierge being cranky and worried about you!

Happy Travels!

Are you packed ??

Are you packed?

Are you getting ready to go on a trip and wondering what to pack?   How do I make all that stuff fit in my suitcase and not go over 50 pounds?   What do I take to make my vacation easier and stress free?
Obviously, I have many tips of my own as I have traveled extensively for the last 18 years.  I also spoke with Angela Kubacek, owner of Haute Couture Boutiques in Navasota and Bryan, TX.
Between the two of us, we came up with some great ideas for you to think about.  Angela just recently returned from a mission trip to Honduras and some of her recommendations are based on her first hand experiences.

First, Angela recommends you carry a small over the shoulder or cross body purse that will hold the basics such as your passport (or ID if domestic travel), and money.  Keep your passport handy because when you are at the airport you will need it many times.  My recommendation here is a small cross-body bag that can be put inside your bigger carry-on tote so as not to exceed carry-on allowances.  Also, a cross-body bag will leave your hands free, which is always a plus not only in the airport but when touring in destination.


Next, Angela recommends you take basic tops and pants and dress them up.  A basic top can bedressed up with a scarf and the scarf can also be used as a shawl.  Try to pack with colors that will go together; two pair of pants and three shirts can all be changed around to make a different look.  Personally, I stick with solid color tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched.  I also recommend taking a jacket that can be used with everything you take.  I usually pick 2 or 3 core colors for the trip (you know me, one is always black!); this also helps cut down on the number of shoes you take.  Shoes take up space and add weight.  The fewer shoes you take, the more clothes you can take!  For example, all of my evening clothes revolve around the core color of black so only 1 pair of shoes required for the evenings.  One of my favorite color schemes for a week on the road is black, khaki, and red.  Here is an example of what I packed on a recent 8 day trip I took a pair of black pants, black Capri’s, khaki Capri’s, black and khaki shorts, and a khaki skort.  Those bottoms got me through days and evenings for an 8 day trip.

I wore the pants on the flight down and flight home; I alternated the Capri’s each evening, and the shorts or skort each day.  I did not take 16 tops!  I only took a few – all solid colors that were worn “plain” during the day, and dressed up in the evening with scarves or the jacket.  Tip – if you buy better fabrics (think wrinkle free, light weight) , as long as you don’t spill your red wine, you usually get more than 1 day wear out of your tops, especially tank tops or sleeveless shirts.  When it comes to shoes, try for no more than 3 pair!  Yes, you read that right, no more than 3 pair.  For me, that is my workout shoes, a casual pair that goes with everything and a dressy/casual pair that also goes with everything.  Remember your goal on vacation is to relax and enjoy, not be a fashionista!

Last, Angela says “Don’t forget the all-important Poo-Pourri!”   Have you heard of this fabulous product? Poo-Pourri is a blend of essential oils that virtually eliminates bathroom odors.   Poo-Pourri is not a chemical cover up; the formulas are based on aromatherapy principles.  A few squirts in to the bowl will prevent the odors from ever showing up in the first place.  I know, this sounds funny and many will say they don’t need it but trust me, if you are going on a trip with your new husband or a group of friends you will need your Poo-Pourri.

You can check out Angela’s stores in downtown Navasota, TX and downtown Bryan, TX.  Stop in to take advantage of grand opening specials this weekend!
Angela also has a Facebook page for each of her stores –
Navasota:   https://www.facebook.com/hautecoutureboutiquenavasota
Bryan:   https://www.facebook.com/hautecoutureboutique.
Check out the website at http://www.hautecoutureboutique.com.
Happy Travels,
Kelley