What is a “Travel Package”?

“I don’t need a package.  I just want to go to ….” (you fill in the blank).

There are different kinds of “travel packages”.  A “package” is the bundling together various components and giving the client one seamless trip.  Without you having to find each piece separately, we do it for you.

For instance:  Start with your transportation.

• Air
• Car
• Rail
• Cruise ship
• Combination

Companies called “Wholesalers” go out into the market place and negotiate with all of the above for lower prices than the public can get.  This becomes one part of the package

The next part is accommodations:

• hotel
• villa
• cruise ship
• motel
• resort
• condo

Where will you stay when you arrive at your destination?  Or maybe you have many stops on this trip and need all kinds of accommodations.  Once again, these prices are negotiated and put into your “package”.

Do you need transfers to and from airports and hotels?  How about sightseeing tours?  All day or part of a day?  How about restaurants?  Do you need to add activities such as skiing, diving, snorkeling, biking, hiking, shopping, golf, or any other adventure?  How about visits to local sites and knowledge of the history of the places you will visit? 

All of these can be included in your package.  The advantage is that you don’t waste your precious holiday trying to figure out where you are and where you are going.  If a foreign language is involved, you might have a hard time finding someone you can talk to.  Map reading can be confusing.  Will you be standing looking at a building or a landscape and know nothing about what you are looking at?

Here are some package trips that give you an idea of what the above is about:

• Disney-Orlando, California or other countries, as well as their new tours
• Las Vegas or Reno or other gaming destinations
• Mexico or Caribbean
• Europe or other countries in the world
• City visits in the US and other countries
• Hawaii or other South Pacific Countries
• Visits to archeological ruins all over the world

The ALL INCLUSIVE vs. Non All Inclusive.  What does this mean?  Some resorts have packages that include all meals, all non-motorized water toys, golf, local alcholic drinks, kids clubs, teen clubs, weddings, honeymoon packages, and many other activities at the resort.  Some destintions have many resorts by the same company and offer you the chance to go from resort to resort for different experiences.  These All Inclusives have taken huge leaps in the last 3 or 4 years.  To name a few are

• Sandals
• Couples
• Beaches
• Swept Away
• Super Clubs
• Palace Hotels
• Any many many individual properties

All Inclusives used to be the exception, now they are the norm.

Talk to a Travel Professional who can give you proper advise, like myself.  Then get out there and “see the world before you leave it”!!

AAHHH!! FOR THE SPA!

Who doesn’t like to be pampered?  Enter the Spa Vacation…

There are 2 types of spa facilities:

1. The Destination Spa
2. The Hotel/Resort Spa

The concept of the Destination Spa is not new.  Some have been in business for decades and are doing very well.  This is a total immersion experience.  The serene and orderly world of heathy food, fitness activities, spa treatments, and many learning opportunities make this escape a total body, mind, and spirit experience.  Often the locations are out of the way which gives the guests time to unwind, refocus, and rejuvenate.

Many places in the United States, Canada and Mexico have Destination Spas to fit every need, budget and age.   So what will you find at these properties?

• Total body cleansing.  The food, clothing, bedding, and environment make for a full healing process.  Your body can rebuild itself if given the correct fuel to do that. 
• All the water fitness programs such as Ai Chi, Aqua Plus, Interval Power, Twinges and Hinges, Waterworks and Water Pilates.  A pool is a great place to build strength and endurance.
• Outdoor activities clear your mind and allow you to enjoy new sights, sounds and smells.  Bike riding, jogging, hiking/trekking, kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, horseback riding, tennis, golf, pools/saunas, and even just sitting on a rock and taking in the beauty of the landscape.
• Spa cuisine.  Many properties have their own organic gardens.    Take some cooking classes, taste some new award winning meals.
• Fitness centers and sports courts make up a large part of some of these properties.  Some have trainers on staff.
• Locations are varied.  Some are in the desert area, mountains, by lakes or oceans.  Pick a new place and go explore
• The spa services – massage, wraps, special therapys, facials, weight loss programs and total pampering

The Hotel/Resort Spa incorporates some of the above into their hotel properties.  Many of these include couples in all their programs and have added a romantic theme.  Even weddings and honeymoon can be included in the spa atmosphere making this a  very romantic get away. 

Now you can find hotels and resorts nearly all over the world.  Go to a warm and sunny place, if you live in a cold and dreary place.   The range of prices is endless. 

Besides the hotel/resort, you can include cruise ships.  Many are now increasing their spa and fitness centers.  You find whole areas of the ship dedicated to these facailites including spa cuisine on all the menus.  Some ships have a “spa” food area by itself for daytime meals.  They even have thassalotherapy pools.  Some ships are complimentary and some have a charge.  Most ships have fully staffed spas and trainers on board.

Just try one and make a difference in your health and productivity.

I’m Dreaming of a Wonderful Vacation, Part I

I HAVE A DREAM VACATION.  HOW DO I MAKE IT HAPPEN?  Part 1

 

Let’s try to make it a “dream”, not a “nightmare”.  No matter what your travel plans are, you need a travel professional.  In choosing one, make sure they have the proper certifications:  CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) and MCC or ECC (Master or Elite Cruise Counselor).  Ask how extensive the agent has traveled and are they constantly in training attending seminars and conventions.  There are many “agents” who are only selling memberships and have no concern in your travel experience.  A legitimate travel professional cares about you and constantly following up on all aspects of your travel.

 

First of all is the WHEN?

Next is the WHERE?

Last is the HOW?

 

WHEN??

 

Every place in the world has an idealic time to visit.  There can be spring, summer, winter, and fall seasons.  Places in the southern hemisphere the seasons are direct opposite from the northern hemisphere.  Tropical places have dry seasons and wet seasons.  Desert places have dry and humid seasons. Along the equator the seasons do not vary much.   For travel seasons there is:

 

      High season.  When tourism is at its peak.  Usually based on school and tourist holidays

      Low season.  Uusally based on the weather – the least desirable for the most tourists.

      Shoulder season.  In many places, shoulder seasons are idyllic seasons to travel.  Weather is mild, summer crowds are gone and winter weather has not yet become a problem.  Travel prices are lower in shoulder than in summer.

 

 Holidays need to be considered at your destination.  Sometimes it is a great time to visit a destination and other times it can be very expensive and hard to get accommodations.  For some people, holiday times are the only way they can travel.  PLAN AHEAD.  A professional can give you good advise.

 

Do you like active travel?  In this case you need the best weather conditions for your activity.  You may also need to take some equipment for your trip.  We can give you advise on how to prepare for packing.  There are many weight and size restructions, especially on airlines.