Archive for the ‘BLOG’ Category
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 | BLOG | No Comments
Recently, on CNN Money there was an article announcing that Google has launched a new feature; ‘Destinations on Google’, which is a travel search engine. You simply type ‘vacation’ or ‘destination’ after a state, country, or continent on Google on our phone, to which they respond by giving you summarized options of hotel prices and flight costs. You can then have them customize your search results according to specifications you may have, so this feature is about to take the market by storm.
Is this good news or bad news for the travel industry? In truth, I will always stand by the fact that working with travel agents and real people is the better way to book your travel. This is not just because I am a travel agent either. This is because if I was booking a trip I would want a real person on the other end of the transaction working on my behalf so that my plans go off without a hitch. But, in the interest of playing devil’s advocate, let’s take an honest look at the pros and cons of using this new Google service.
Pros
1. Efficient – Who would not like the idea of booking travel at any place, time, or location? Although, if we’re being honest here, most good travel agents are available to you any time, day or night.
2. Flexible – You can keep changing up the details of your travels as many times as you would like before you book. Again, agents will work with you here too and probably be able to offer you suggestions that a bot wouldn’t have thought of. But, I digress….
3. Fast – You get an instant response about a variety of locations.
4. Cheap – You might get cheaper accommodations and transportation. MAYBE! (CHEAP being the key word here)
Cons
1. Isolation – In the event that things go wrong as they sometimes do, you are left stranded and without anyone who can advise you on what to do next.
2. Logistical Failures – If the internet connection ceases while you are trying to pay for your trip you might be left in limbo.
3. Data Safety – As with all online transactions, you risk losing some vital information or having it intercepted.
4. No Follow-Up – A robot doesn’t care if you arrived at your destination on time and/or if you had a good trip.
5. No personal connection – Goes with the no follow-up con, but wouldn’t you rather work with a small business than a big corporation that honestly doesn’t care about you?
Hopefully, you have seen why you should keep working with real people and caring agents instead of yet another online travel agent wannabe.
TRAVEL 101
Is it necessary to have a passport to travel outside the USA? Yes, unless you are traveling to one of the US territories. This would include Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix or Guam. It is not necessary to travel with a passport when going on an ocean cruise if you arrive back into the same port as your departure, however, it is advisable as you would not be able to return to the US without a passport should the need arise during your travel. If you are planning to travel outside the US, your passport must be current until 6 months from your return date.
- To obtain a passport, you can either print an application form online at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports.html or go to your post office. You will need an original copy or certified copy of your birth certificate and one passport photo. Be sure to meet all requirements before submitting your application. Send these along with a check in the amount of $140 plus a $25 execution fee. Remember, a passport card is not good for travel outside the USA.
Be a savvy traveler and know before you go. This will make your travel easier and keep a lot of other travelers from wanting to punch you out right in the line at TSA. If you are not a pre-check traveler, remove your shoes, belts, jewelry and jackets and place them in a bin. Put your quart size zip-lock baggie of liquids, gels and aerosols in the bin too. Familiar yourself with the 311 rule and other important information at http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information. Put your computer in a bin by itself. PLEASE don’t wait until you are next in line to get your things ready, be a good scout and be prepared.
Want to know more? Watch for our next Ups and Downs of Travel Blog at www.ia-travel.com/blogs
Friday, September 5th, 2014 | BLOG | No Comments
Airline Passenger “Recline Rage” It seems like wh
ining about reclining seats is the newest American fad. Did you know that 3 flights in the last 2 weeks were diverted when due to passenger “recline rage”? I have personally experienced recline rage when I reclined my seat the short couple of inches that it will recline on a regional jet. I looked behind me before reclining my seat and the gentleman there was about my height. The seat in front of me was reclined and I found it to be no problem, however I would definitely be more comfortable with my seat reclined as well. I very slowly reclined my seat back even though the man behind me did not have his table down and was leaning back in his seat apparently sleeping. I didn’t notice if his seat was reclined. I fell asleep and then was suddenly rudely awakened as I was catapulted forward by the man sitting beside the person behind me. He took his fist and shoved my seat back forward and started yelling that I was crushing his knees. I told him he was not behind me; therefore I could not possibly crush his knees. I slowly reclined my seat back again, turned around and looked to prove my point. He started yelling again and slammed me forward again, almost causing my nose to make contact with the back of the seat in front of me. I called the flight attendant, which I hated to do, being a former flight attendant myself. She was young and embarrassed, but I suggested that she move the man to another seat. The small regional jet had no first class, however, there was no one in the front row and I knew that. She took my suggestion and moved him and the man behind me, who turned out to be his very embarrassed son. I promptly went back to sleep. This turned out to be an easy solution, but what if there had been no empty seats? He was making a connection but I think someone should have taken him aside before he boarded his next flight and had a very serious talk with him concerning each person’s space on the plane and his attitude. He was average height and had no reason at all to behave in this manner. He did not request a seat with more leg room and should have done so if he felt it was needed. No one promised that it would be the most comfortable flight on a small jet, but then it was a short 30 minute flight at a very early hour in the morning. I wondered what made this man so special that he had to disrupt the entire flight. My husband was in the seat in front of him and his seat was not reclined, neither was the seat in front of him. Should we make the whole incident a domino effect and make everyone leave their seat backs upright to please one passenger? I don’t think so. In my opinion, the man should have been banned from flying unless he could control his temper. Air Travel Etiquette The combined results of our poll and speaking with travelers revealed this basic consensus about air travel etiquette. *Do look behind your seat before reclining and assess your fellow passenger’s needs. Are they very tall? Are they using a laptop? *Don’t put your seat back during meal time. *Always keep your cool. What do you think about reclining an airline seat?
Tags: airline seats, airlines, recline rage
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014 | BLOG | No Comments
Why It Pays to Book with a Travel Agent
Booking a trip often proves to be an extremely stressful, grueling undertaking. You can spend hours online searching for deals on flights and hotels, bouncing from one website to another in pursuit of the perfect price. This kind of process is o ften headache-inducing: According to a recent survey by the I.B.M. Institute for Business Value, approximately 20 percent of more than 2,000 travelers worldwide said it took them more than five hours to search and book travel online. Faced with countless choices for flights, hotels, car rental, and tours, some consumers are dumping the DIY approach. To quote James Shillinglaw, editor-in-chief of Travalliancemedia, “There are simply too many travel products in the market today for individuals to decipher on their own. You need a guide to help you cut through all the different things out there that are available.” There’s a difference between price and value. Here are six reasons to consider booking your next vacation with a travel agent:
- Save time
- Save money
- Learn what you want
- Connections
- Authenticity
- Knowledge
- Troubleshooting
Taken from: http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/04/30/why-it-pays-to-book-with-a-travel-agent
Do you remember the days when it wasn’t a faceless online search engine that helped you find the best deals on flights, but real live people called travel agents? One source says she scours the Web for deals but says her agent beats the prices she finds. Plus, the agency alerts her to local customs abroad and tosses in perks, such as setting up tours at popular sites so she doesn’t have to wait in lines. “We’ve outsmarted ourselves by not taking advantage of the knowledge that travel agents have.” In some cases, travel agents don’t charge their clients—for example, an agent who books a cruise may earn a 10% commission from the cruise line. Others impose booking fees—say, $35 for an airline ticket—or require a deposit that they’ll keep if you cancel. The more complex or luxurious the trip, the more useful an agent can be. Agents have an inside track on deals and upgrades, and they can quickly solve problems or change plans while you’re on a trip. Let’s take a scenario such as the passengers on the stranded cruise ships faced when they finally reached port and their cruise was terminated early. If you had a travel agent, you could already have a nice air-conditioned hotel room waiting for your arrival or your airline tickets could already be rebooked so you just have to head back home instead of waiting hours on end for someone to help you find a place to sleep. Maybe you would even like to just stay at the beach a few days. All arranged for you while you wait to get back to dry land. Taken from: http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S002-travel-agents-vs-do-it-yourself-online-travel-book.html#h4kumdxu8DpDDJUG.99
Even for budget travelers, the overall experience can offer better value, was found in a recent test of agents versus online search engines. This survey showed “Agents won nearly every time, on both price and service. In other words, the agents suggested alternate routes, gave advice on visas and just generally acted, well, more human than their computer counterparts”. Taken from: http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/is-the-best-travel-search-engine-around-the-corner/
Sustainable Tourism & Rural Community Tourism
Take the Challenge
Experience the Real Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its outstanding natural beauty. This jewel of Central America has a flourishing culture discovering only experiencing it.
Rural community tourism is an opportunity allowing you to experience firsthand how Costa Ricans live and how they strive to conserve the environment. Rural community tourism implements the community associations. The communities own private ecological reserves or are located near areas of ecological and cultural. All offer visitors a mixture of cultural and environmental adventures in addition to the usual tourist services such as accommodation, tours and crafts. People who visit have the opportunity to discover the real Costa Rica, explore more than just the popular tourist trails and meet people committed to preserving the rural area.
- Stay in villages located in beautiful rural surroundings and get to know local people and their customs.
- Explore magnificent forests, fascinating mangroves, and observe the rich diversity of wildlife with experienced local guides.
- Spend time with women fishers on the Island of Chira and learn about their way of life.
- Pick your own vegetables from an organic garden.
- And much more!
You will have the opportunity to listen to stories about rural life and share your own experiences in conservation. See the authentic Costa Rica, off the beaten path, in rural areas where you can learn from the people about their efforts to preserve the environment. Activities
- Bird watching
- Canopy exploration
- Eco / nature / wildlife
- Educational / research / volunteering
- Fishing
- Guided tours
- Horseback riding
- River rafting / kayaking
- Scuba diving / snorkeling
- Visits to conservation projects
- Volunteers accept
- Walking / hiking
Interests
- Hiking
- Honeymoon
- Families
- Birdwatching
- Volunteerism
- Gastronomy
Be a Sustainable Traveler! Why choose to travel sustainability? Because your travel choices make a difference. By choosing sustainable businesses you will support businesses that conserve natural resources, protect plants and wildlife, and contribute to the well-being of local communities. You will also help to ensure that these treasures will also be there for future generations to enjoy.
What is Sustainable Tourism? Sustainable tourism businesses are those that are profitable while conserving natural resources and benefiting local communities. Examples of best management practices include conserving water and energy, supporting community conservation projects, preserving, recycling and treating wastes, and sourcing locally-produced products in restaurants and gift shops. Sustainable businesses also hire employees from neighboring towns, pay them just wages, and offer them additional training.
What is Rural Tourism?Rural tourism means that local residents can be entrepreneurs on their own land rather than being pressured sell it. People who previously would have only been gardeners or maids in an ecolodge now are the owners of their own tourism destinations, providing visitors with memorable experiences of nature and local culture.
How Do I Know if a Business is Sustainable? Many tourism businesses claim to be “green” or “eco-friendly” – but what does that really mean? How can you know if these businesses are really environmentally and socially responsible? Many hotels, tour operators, and other businesses have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability by participating in a sustainable tourism verification program. This means that they have been audited by an independent, third-party program and have met a vigorous set of environmental, social, and economic criteria. CST, Certification for Sustainable Tourism, is a product of the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). The CST was designed to differentiate businesses of the tourism sector, based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural and social resource management. CST is regulated by the Costa Rican National Accreditation Commission and consists of a scale of 5 “levels” of sustainable tourism achievement. SustainableTrip.org has strict guidelines for participation – all of the hotels, tour operators, and other businesses listed on their site must be verified by the Rainforest Alliance. The sustainability claim of each business is confirmed by their staff before it is included on the site, so you can be assured that all of the businesses on SustainableTrip.org are taking concrete actions to conserve natural resources and support local communities.
How Can You Make A Difference?
- At the hotel: Ask about environmental policies and practices. Does the hotel support community development or conservation projects?
- Language: Learn a few words of the local language and use them.
- Dress: Learn about local conventions and dress appropriately. In many countries, modest dress is important.
- Behavior: Be respectful of local citizens’ privacy. Ask permission before entering sacred places, homes, or private lands
- Photographs: Be sensitive to when and where you take photos/video of people. Always ask first.
- Environment: Respect the natural environment. Never touch or harass wildlife. Always follow designated trails. Support conservation by paying entrance fees to parks and protected sites or making a donation.
- Wildlife or forest products: Never purchase crafts, clothing, furniture, or other products that are derived from protected or endangered wildlife or plant species. In many countries it is illegal to bring these goods back home.
- Pay a fair price: Don’t engage in overly aggressive bargaining for souvenirs. Don’t short-change on tips for services.
- Buy local: Choose locally-owned lodges and hotels. Use local buses, car rental agencies, and airlines. Eat in local restaurants, shop in local markets, and attend local events.
- Hire local guides: Enrich your experience and support the local economy. Ask guides if they are licensed and live nearby. Be sure they are recommended by tour operators?
- The Rainforest Alliance, an international conservation organization, helps the tourism industry protect the environment and provide sustainable livelihoods, builds travelers demand for sustainable tourism and enables them to travel responsibly, and promotes sound international standards for sustainable tourism.
Our Mission is to promote environmental sustainability, social, cultural and economic initiatives and Rural Community Tourism of our partners, through the living natural environment by strengthening self-governed independence and transmitting an authentic experience to our customers. For our Sustainability Tours, we work only with tourist operations that are environmentally responsible and that comply with quality and sustainability criteria when selecting our suppliers, products and services we offer.
Tags: #costarica, #greentourism, #sutaianabletourism
Sandals Royal Caribbean Spa Resort & Offshore Island guests are in for a treat! In 2015 they will now have five over-the-water suites at this Montego Bay paradise. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy the splendor of an alluring hideaway nestled directly above the sparkling Jamaican seascape. Additionally, 14 existing rooms of the resort will be renovated to become the über luxurious Grand Luxury Butler Suites with tranquility soaking tubs! Leave it to Sandals Resorts to keep up to date and beyond in ultra luxury.
Book now and they’ll get up to 65% off,
1 free night, and $150 spa bonus
Stay tuned for more updates.
Tags: Caribbean, Jamaica, overwater bungalows, Royal Caribbean, Sandals
Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 | BLOG | No Comments
Are you like most people and think that renting a private home or villa for vacation is only for the rich and famous? Actually, it can be less than a hotel plus you have all the amenities of a private home. It’s the best way to take your family on a very special vacation, have other family members or friends join you, or plan your family reunion without all the headaches and allow time to spend with family members. You can even add a chef, nanny and many other concierge services to make your vacation perfect. If you are staying by the water, some places even include boats, but if they don’t, you can rent one for a day or your entire stay. You can rent a car or, if you’d rather not always be the driver, hire a personal driver so you can enjoy all the scenery while discovering the highlights of your destination.
Maybe you just want to go on vacation with your friends. Believe me, a vacation villa is absolutely the best it gets. Have the villa pre-stocked with all your special food and beverages and be greeted by your personal chef and housekeeper. They can take care of all the cooking for you or just be there for special events, like a bonfire dinner on the beach.
If your company is in need of a place for a conference or corporate retreat, consider renting a private villa. It can be mush more productive than a stodgy hotel with a conference room and meals in the local restaurant. All the equipment you need for your meetings can be supplied for you and you can have each meal catered or prepared on site. Any other needs that you may have can be taken care of through the concierge services. After the work is done for the day, you can relax and recharge to be more productive when you return to work.
Are you a member of a special interest group? Then this is the best way to arrange a group trip where you can enjoy your special interest together and also have an enjoyable relaxing vacation at the same time. Tours and guides are always available for your group. It’s an ideal way to bring together your group for any interest. Perhaps it’s photography, quilting, birding, hiking, scuba or other water sports, yoga and meditation or wellness. It also great for personal coaches to plan a retreat. The possibilities are endless. recharge for a more productive group when you return to work.each. If you prefer to do the cooking yourself, then you can either pre-order everything or perhaps just have a few things for your arrival, then head to the local market and do your shopping. The concierge service can make arrangements for tours and activities just for you and your friends. Enjoy your destination by seeing it with a personal guide and discover places that most tourist never see.
A vacation villa is the perfect venue for a destination wedding. You can rent a villa as small or as large as your heart desires. Make it affordable for your family and friends to join you for this special occasion. Concierge service can make all the arrangements for you, including arranging for necessary documents. Have the destination wedding of your dreams and share it with all those who are special to you. Maybe you just want a small private cottage for the two of you for your honeymoon. Think about renting a one or two bedroom cottage with private pool and have your own personal chef and housekeeper during the day, then they quietly disappear after dinner to leave you in your own personal paradise.
Vacation villas and homes are available in every part of the world, so stay somewhere not too far away or go totally exotic. It’s your choice for a perfect vacation, wedding, honeymoon, corporate retreat, special occasion and much more.
Renting a vacation villa or house will insure that you have a really relaxing and fun vacation without the crowds but with all the fun that you want for your vacation and it’s more affordable than you think.
Tags: corporate retreats, destination wedding, family vacation, honeymoon, special interest groups, Vacation Rentals
10 Best Reasons to Take a River Cruise
River cruising is the in-vogue travel trend, so popular that more than two-dozen new river ships will debut in 2014. I have personally seen the growth having spent a lot of time in the Rhine River area during the past 15 + years. Explore such cities as Paris, Vienna and Budapest. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine continue to be the most popular, but that’s just the beginning of where you can go. France is getting new attention with Bordeaux in addition to the Seine and Rhone. Even Italy is getting attention with the Po River and Portugal’s Douro Valley in the wine region. Other popular destinations include Russia’s Volga, China’s Yangtze, the Mekong. One of the newest is cruising in Myanmar. And be sure not to overlook the 
beautiful springtime tulip cruises and the ever popular Christmas Market cruises. The popularity of river cruising started in Europe, but we now have many river cruises closer to home. In addition to the Mississippi, we have a new sternwheeler on the Columbia & Snake Rivers in the Northwest.
| 1. River cruises get you to inland Bucket List places. |
| 2. Experience is leisurely |
| 3. Ships are intimate |
| 4. Time to explore |
| 5. Better cabins |
| 6. Nicer ships |
| 7. Local tastes & culture |
| 8. Not a lot of extra charges |
| 9. Casual dress code |
| 10. It’s for grownups |
I can’t go into detail here on the 10 best reasons to take a river cruise, but I’ll be happy to talk to you in person or you can email me for a complete list and even more reasons to take a river cruise.
Tags: castles, China, Christmas markets, Europe, France, Germany, river cruises, wine
Thursday, October 10th, 2013 | BLOG | No Comments
Necker Island is Sir Richard Branson’s home and favorite hideaway. Located in the British Virgin Islands, you can hire this little slice of paradise exclusively for up to 28 guests, or share the island with others during selected ‘Celebration Weeks’.
During our 2014 Celebration Weeks, it is possible to book one of the Great House rooms, without hiring the entire Island.
The Great House is the place where people come together
and has an expansive outdoor terrace with hammocks and sofas and a large dining table for everyone to gather round to enjoy their meal.
Your stay includes Balinese-style accommodation, all your meals and drinks (even fine champagne!), plus a team of 60 fabulous staff. Each of the eight guest rooms has a balcony, and all come with king-size beds and spacious en-suite bathrooms.
Inspired by the beautiful features and Balinese style of the original structure, the new Great House offers breath-taking panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Atlantic and neighboring islands. Sir Richard Branson’s island can be exclusively yours for up to 30 adults plus six children at a nightly rate of USD $60,000.
Queen Elizabeth’s Maiden Call to Boston Celebrates Historic Relationship between Cunard and the Port City
Queen Elizabeth Press Information
23 September 2011 – Continuing on her maiden New England & Canadian Adventure voyage, Cunard Line’s newest ship,
Queen Elizabeth, made her first visit to Boston, Massachusetts yesterday. Welcoming Queen Elizabeth to the historic port were David Mackey, Interim CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), along with local dignitaries, and port and local tourism officials. As part of the traditional maiden call plaque ceremony, Mackey and Captain Christopher Wells, Master of Queen Elizabeth, presented plaques to each other to commemorate the special day.
“The Port of Boston is honored to welcome Queen Elizabeth. The cruising industry continues to generate significant economic impact for our region, with more than 7,000 jobs and $429 million in income for Massachusetts in 2010,” said David Mackey. “Cunard Line’s historic ties with the Port of Boston have certainly contributed to these activities, and we look forward to welcoming Queen Elizabeth again on her future voyages.”
The city of Boston also holds great historical significance for Cunard Line, being the first U.S. city that the company’s first passenger ship, Britannia, called on at the conclusion of her maiden voyage from Liverpool, England in 1840.
Joining the celebration to welcome Cunard’s newest ocean liner was Nancy Haas of Shreve, Crump & Low, America’s oldest and finest jeweler, who presented an exclusive Boston Harbor Bowl to Captain Wells in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s maiden visit. The jeweler’s historic ties with Cunard date back to 1840 when Shreve, Crump & Low created a 2.5 foot silver cup that was to be presented to Sir Samuel Cunard. The “Boston Cup” went missing and was found in 1967 in an antique store in Maryland. Cunard purchased the cup and later displayed it on board Queen Elizabeth 2, and it now resides on board the line’s flagship Queen Mary 2.
“We are pleased to celebrate our relationship and strong longtime Boston ties with valued port officials, the Coast Guard, the British Consulate and Shreve, Crump & Low, as well as other Bostonians here today. We appreciate their passion about our history and also our future as the youngest fleet at sea,” said Captain Christopher Wells, Master of Queen Elizabeth.
Bostonians share an affinity for Cunard’s hallmark of dressing up. A recent online survey commissioned by Cunard measuring the attitudes of 1,500 U.S. residents revealed that more than half of them enjoy dressing up five times or more each year. Bostonians enjoy the elegance and glamour of getting decked out more than residents of Washington, DC and San Francisco. In addition, respondents said they preferred to dress up on a cruise vacation, rather than during a land-based holiday.
Prior to her maiden call to Boston, Queen Elizabeth visited New York for a rare overnight call to Manhattan. She continues her maiden New England & Canadian Adventure voyage up the eastern seaboard through Maine to the Canadian ports of Halifax, Nova Scotia and Québec City, Québec.
Debuting in October 2010, Queen Elizabeth captured the world’s stage with her Royal Naming Ceremony by Her Majesty The Queen, in Southampton, England. Art Deco features throughout the ship pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, reflecting The New Golden Age of Ocean Travel. On board, guests savor the sense of occasion by dressing up for glamorous evenings at Royal Nights themed balls, and enjoy countless offerings and amenities from Champagne Afternoon Tea in the Garden Lounge to an extraordinary dining experience in The Verandah, a French restaurant that pays tribute to the legendary Verandah Grills aboard the original Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.
For more information about Queen Elizabeth or to book a voyage, consult your travel consultant
International Accents Travel 865-577-3137
Tags: Cruises, Queen Elizabeth, World Cruises
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