Are you a Smart Traveler ?

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When it comes to your vacation experiences, are you a Smart Traveler??

SMART TRAVELER

Smart Traveler, the official State Department app for U.S. travelers, invites you to see the world with easy access to frequently updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more.

With Smart Traveler, you can create personal itineraries, add notes, and organize your trips.

Smart Traveler also provides access to the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Free STEP enrollment enables the State Department to better assist you in emergencies such as natural disasters, unrest in foreign countries, or lost/stolen passports overseas. During your travels, STEP can help family and friends reach you in an emergency.

Smart Traveler also provides quick access to the Department’s Consular Affairs Facebook and Twitter pages. And for a bit of fun, you can shake your device to get information on a random country!

Application is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for iPhone and Android devices    (search term: Smart Traveler).

 

Link to create account on state.gov website =

https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/CreateAccountStart.aspx

I highly recommend that anyone traveling outside of the USA become a Smart Traveler!

Kelley

 

 

Which All-inclusive resort 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 Jamaica, Mexico, 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 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 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 +

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.
Kelley

Are you ready to escape the heat ??

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Are you ready to escape this heat and go somewhere cool down?  Have you decided that next year you are definitely going to escape the summer heat for a vacation?  There are several great destinations for a nice cool down in the summer; and it’s also a great time to start planning your winter getaways!
For summer travel, my hands down favorite destination to escape the heat is Alaska!!  There are just a few weeks left in this Alaska season; if you are ready to go now, it can be done.  Now and in the next couple of months is also the time to start planning your Alaska adventure for next year!  A great way to see Alaska is by the way of a cruise ship.  Alaska cruising is an experience like none other.  The beauty of Alaska is hard to put in to words or pictures; you have to see it to believe it.  An Alaska cruise gives you the option of cruising the inside passage and visiting the port cities of Alaska such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.

 

                   

If you want to visit more of the interior of Alaska and experience places such as Denali National Park and Mt McKinley, a cruise tour is the option for you.  Cruise Tours are the best of both worlds; you get the cruise plus a tour to the interior which is not accessible by cruise ship.  Did you know that Alaska is twice the size of Texas?  Yes, it’s true… just telling any of the guides you are from Texas brings out that comment very quickly.
http://www.colorado-springs-vacation.com/images/colorado-ski-resorts-runs2.jpgIs it too late to escape the heat this summer?  Start planning your winter getaway and just the wintery thoughts will help to cool you down.   The most popular idea for winter vacation experiences are ski trips.   Now is the time to start planning your winter ski trip.  Ski resorts offer so much more than just skiing these days!  Many of the larger resorts offer gourmet dining and full service spas onsite.

Everyone knows you can head to Colorado and ski many of the big, popular resorts such as Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge.  Did you know there are so many other ski destinations for your consideration?  New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada are a few more of the western US options; if you go east you can consider Vermont, New Hampshire, New York or Maine to name a few.  Are you looking for something even more exciting for your escape the heat vacation?  What about skiing in Europe, Canada, or even South America?
Another great idea to escape the heat is to plan now to visit some of the European Christmas markets?  There is still some last minute availability for Christmas Market river cruises this year.  Of course you don’t have to experience the markets via a river cruise; we can customize a trip for you to the destinations of our choice.  A couple of my personal favorites for Christmas markets are Germany (multiple destinations) Austria (Vienna and Salzburg), and Spain (Barcelona).  Of course there are Christmas markets in many other destinations as well.

                   

Hopefully the thoughts of these cooler weather vacation experiences have helped you escape the heat if only for a minute!
I’m here to help you plan your escape heat vacation experience when you are ready!

Kelley

Is Sandals for you ??

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Sandals Resorts are for Couples in Love.

Whether you have been recently married, married for 30 years, or just need time to reconnect and rejuvenate as a couple, Sandals may be just the perfect resort choice for you.  Sandals resorts are on islands throughout the Caribbean including Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua, Bahamas, and soon Grenada.  Sandals brands themselves as Luxury Included vacations with more quality inclusions than any other resorts on the planet.  Did you know that with your Sandals vacation experience both non-motorized and motorized water sports are included?  While it may vary slightly by resort, some of the watersports offered at the various Sandals resorts include Unlimited scuba diving for certified divers (lessons are available at an additional cost), unlimited snorkeling, glass bottom boats, kayaking, Hobie cat sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, stand-up paddle boards, and more.  If you aren’t a water bug, no need to worry, Sandals has plenty of land activities to keep you going as well!  Depending on your resort selection, some of the options include tennis, golf, rock climbing walls, beach volleyball, basketball, pool, indoor game rooms, state of the art fitness centers and more.   There are 2 Sandals resorts that even have their own private islands!

         

Every Sandals Resort has a Red Lane Spa that offers a wide variety of spa treatments for both couples and individuals.  While it is not part of the all-inclusive program, the spa is an indulgence I highly recommend based on personal experience!  Everyone can use a little pampered serenity from time to time!
Speaking of pampering, I highly recommend the Butler suites for your accommodations.  Sandals Resorts offer a wide variety of accommodations at each resort (some resorts have up to 26 room types!) with the Butler categories offering the best of the best.  Many people ask me, what would I use a butler for?  You’d be surprised at what all a butler will do for you!  Your personal butlers always provide an elevated level of service throughout your stay; you will have a special cell phone just to reach your butler.  Did you get down to the beach and forget your sunscreen or book?  Don’t go back to the room and get it, let the Butler bring that to you!  Packing and unpacking?  No longer your chore, the butler can help.  Would you like to arrange a private dinner on the beach, tours, spa treatments, reserve beach chairs or cabanas?  Ask your butler!  The list goes on…there is also no end to their creativity in making you feel special throughout your stay.

Do you want to experience more than just the resort while in the Caribbean?  No worries, Sandals Resorts have that covered for you as well!   Each Sandals resort has an Island Routes tour desk onsite.  While you can plan some of your adventures in advance, you will have the option of checking out the options once you are in your destination as well.  Tours will vary by resort and location, but some of the fun tours to check out are zip lining, swim with the dolphins, horseback riding, climbing waterfalls, ATV adventures, catamaran sails, rafting, and more.

                                         
This is just a short summary of Sandals Resorts and all they have to offer.  Let me know when you are ready to book your luxury included vacation experience!

Kelley

 

Is St.Lucia your Paradise ??

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St. Lucia has become a top favorite destination for couples travel with good reason!   St. Lucia has a year round average temperature range of 75° – 85° and non-stop activities to suit everyone.  The foremost attractions in St. Lucia are great beaches, friendly people, stunning mountain scenery, a steaming volcano, plantations, bird-watching, turtle-watching, all forms of watersports (including scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing and kite-sailing), hiking, tennis and good food.

 

St Lucia is accessible from several US Gateways including Miami, Atlanta, and New York.  United Airlines recently introduced new non-stop service from Newark.  St. Lucia has 2 airports Hewanorra Airport (UVF) handles most long-distance international flights and is located on the southern part of the island, and George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU),  is primarily for flights to other islands in the region and is located on the north side of the island.   Flights from the US will land at UVF, on the southern part of the island.  A passport is required for US Citizens, but no travel visas are required at this time.  The Eastern Caribbean (EC$) dollar is the official currency. However, U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Be aware that a business may take U.S. dollars but give change in EC dollars. Always ask specifically if prices quoted are in U.S. or EC dollars.  Currency exchange is available at banks, major hotels and the ship terminals. ATMs are widely available except in small villages. Most banks are open Monday-Thursday 8 am-3 pm and Friday 8 am-5 pm.  Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and businesses, especially in tourist areas. Gas stations and small businesses usually do not accept credit cards.
St. Lucia is one of the Windward Islands, located in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean chain. It has a terrain that combines towering mountains, volcanoes, forests, low-lying lands blanketed in luscious green, and beaches.  The breathtaking allure of swaying palm and banana trees, accented by powdery-soft, white-sugar beaches and shimmering, green-blue topaz waters stretching as far as the eye can see is not to be missed.
St. Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, and the topography is mountainous. The main coastal road is paved and in good condition, but it is narrow and winding, which makes travel slow.  St Lucia is stunning to see from the water; one of my favorite things to do in St Lucia is a sunset catamaran cruise.

 

There is a large variety of accommodations including luxury pampering at its majestic resorts including all-inclusive resorts as well as the traditional European plan resorts.  There are beach front resorts, cliff side resorts, and everything in between; there is truly a perfect resort for every couple.  The uncompromising beauty of St Lucia attracts couples, honeymooners, and those who desire to retreat, relax, rejuvenate, explore, and revel in all that this awe-inspiring island has to offer.

Kelley

 

No- You don’t need a Passport !!

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Did you know that there is no passport required for the US Virgin Islands?  You can visit the beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix without a passport.  Each island is beautiful and unique in its own special way.   Each island can be an independent destination, or you can combine them for a true Caribbean sampler.  Generally speaking, the best time to visit the US Virgin Islands, and of course peak travel season for the islands, is December – April, but it is a great year round destination.   The average annual temperature on the islands is 75°- 84°F.  Hurricane Season is June – November with peak season being mid-August through mid-October.  December – February fall to the cooler side and are slightly windier.   Since the islands are a US Territory, the unit of currency is the US Dollar.  While there is a wide range of accommodations throughout the islands, all-inclusive resorts are not commonplace.

      
St. Thomas is your island for bustling beaches, nightlife and shopping.  St Thomas offers a wide variety of attractions, beaches and activities such as watersports, golf, tennis, sightseeing, restaurants and nightlife. The capital city, Charlotte Amalie, is a major port of call for duty-free shopping.   St Thomas is a heavily developed island with a definite North American atmosphere and lacks a bit of Caribbean distinction.  Despite this, and largely thanks to the many cruise ship passengers, this island is high-volume tourism (among the highest in all of the Caribbean).  St Thomas is the most visited island of the 3 US Virgin Islands.
       

 

St. John is just about the opposite of St Thomas.   St. John is tailor-made for nature lovers with unspoiled scenery and quiet surroundings with much of the island being a National Park.  St John is just off the coast of St Thomas and is an easy ferry ride away.  This makes for a great day trip, or a combination vacation of the 2 islands.  St John is also a great island to get away from it all and truly relax and rejuvenate.  With plenty of water activities, beaches, and nature trails, there is certainly enough activity to provide the right balance for your vacation.  St John is also the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands.
   

 

St. Croix is the largest of the Virgin Islands and retains an unhurried island atmosphere.   St. Croix is most typical of other Caribbean islands.  It has a great balance of attractions and shopping, yet a very relaxed atmosphere and great historic architecture.  St Croix is divided basically in to 4 areas:  Christiansted, the North Shore, the East End, and Frederiksted. The varied terrain includes arid rockiness as well as a verdant rainforest, mango, mahogany, and tree ferns that dot the landscape, while beautifully secluded beaches entice water lovers.   One fun fact, Point Udall on St Croix is the easternmost tip of the United States.

 

   

 

I hope you have enjoyed your brief introduction to the US Virgin Islands and will consider 1 or more of them for your next vacation experience.

Kelley

 

What’s to eat ??

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Kelley’s Travel Times 

 

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

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

 

                           

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

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

Kelley

 

Are you spending too much or not enough ???

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

Kelley’s Travel Times #9

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

              
Upgraded Transfers:

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

Private Shore Excursions for cruise ports:

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

Upgraded Room category or cabin category on a ship:

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

     

 

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

Kelley Austin, ACC

Couples Travel Concierge

936-825-7001   or   1-800-676-8196

kaustin@cruiseplanners.com

www.facebook.com/CruiseVacationsAndMore

www.cruisevacationsandmore.com

www.couplestravelconcierge.com

 

 

Are You ready for an ADVENTURE ???

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

Kelley’s Travel Times #8

 

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

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

               

 

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

Kelley

 

Kelley Austin, ACC

Couples Travel Concierge

936-825-7001   or   1-800-676-8196

kaustin@cruiseplanners.com

www.facebook.com/CruiseVacationsAndMore

www.cruisevacationsandmore.com

www.couplestravelconcierge.com