My Vacation Lady Feature of the Month

Worst Airports for Connecting Flights

2010-08-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

When you are booking your airline tickets and have a connecting flight, you might not consider how large the airport is, how crowded it might be and how much time you have in between flights but My Vacation Lady will.

The Most Challenging Airports to Transfer In
All travelers come across a time in their travel planning when they need to schedule a transfer at a major airport. You glance at the arrival time of your inbound flight and all your connecting flight options. “Is 60 minutes enough time?” you ask yourself, suddenly wondering how far the gates will be from one another and if your flights will be on time.

As your travel counselor, we generally add in additional transfer time to your itinerary, giving you plenty of time to get your bags, go through customs (when necessary), change terminals, pass through additional security, navigate the vast airport and find your gate. While the extra time is not always needed, arriving a half-hour early at the gate is more enjoyable than missing your connection and scrambling to secure the next available flight.

Of course, we vary how much time we leave our clients to transfer based on several factors, such as the time of day your inbound flight is taking off and the airport you’re flying into. Simply put, some airports are easier to connect in than others.

The most challenging airports to arrange a transfer are typically the largest and busiest. Nothing ruins a successful transfer more than racing from one extremely long concourse to another, waiting for people-movers to load and unload, and dodging other travelers along the way.

Here’s a list of airports that often take the most time to make a transfer.

ATL: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, Georgia) – Hartsfield is the world’s busiest airport. Any airport dealing with such a large volume experiences frequent delays and persistently crowded concourses.

ORD: O'Hare International Airport (Chicago, Illinois) – O’Hare used to be the nation’s busiest until 2005, when the government stepped in to reduce the total number of flights in order to decrease delays. Unfortunately O'Hare still accounts for more than a sixth of the nation's total flight cancellations, which doesn’t bode well for travelers trying to catch their connecting flight.

LHR: London Heathrow Airport (London, United Kingdom) – For seven straight years, Heathrow has hosted the largest number of internationally-bound passengers annually, making it the mixing bowl of European airports. Passengers connecting on another airline may need to change terminals and go through immigration twice. Passengers coming from the US and switching to a domestic flight within Europe might need to go through immigration and then security again before reboarding their connecting flight. We'll also check that you are actually connecting to another flight at Heathrow and not at Gatwick or Stansted, which are a good distance from Heathrow airport.

HND: Tokyo International Airport (Tokyo, Japan) – Not only is HND (also known as Haneda Airport) one of the world's busiest domestic-only airports, but the local signage, printed predominantly in Japanese, is difficult to follow, making it an adventure for some travelers searching for a specific terminal.

JFK: John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York, New York) – With nine terminals, chances are you will need to board a bus or catch the light-rail train to transfer, which—depending on the crowds of inexperienced air passengers who are also trying to switch terminals—could be difficult.

You may be wondering which airports are the easiest to connect in. The top rated transfer airports include those in Denver (DEN), Detroit (DTW), Munich (MUC), Amsterdam (AMS) and Singapore (SIN).

The last thing you want to do is add stress to your travel plans so give yourself enough time to switch planes at any airport.

Should you book your cruise directly with the cruise line?

2010-07-05T05:17:00.001-07:00

In the last few years, many cruisers have been booking with the cruise lines directly rather than through a travel professional. Reasons could vary but, inevitably, many feel that they will get the best pricing and information directly from the cruise line.

One of my travel industry colleagues, a luxury travel consultant, decided to do some "mystery shopping" with a cruise line that has become very aggessive in marketing directly to to the consumer.

This is his report, as published in a well respected travel industry magazine:

"To find out, I played secret shopper and made a test call. I was "Rick," planning a cruise on the (Carnival) Magic out of Barcelona. I asked Carnival's vacation planner the kinds of questions that experience suggests my clients might have asked me. Here are her responses:

1) "It has been about 17 years since I've been to Europe, and that wasn't on a cruise."

OK, then how does she help guests plan? But let's give Carnival's vacation planner the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps she is well read and tutored on these ports.

2) "When the ship gets to Civitavecchia, Rome is right there."

Nope. Central Rome is actually a three-hour roundtrip, with bus transfer, from Civitavecchia, if traffic is light. There is, of course, a local train that connects Civitavecchia and central Rome, but my Carnival vacation planner didn't know anything about that.

3) When I asked about Livorno, Italy, the vacation consultant explained that it was "right next to Monaco."

This will come as news to residents of Monte Carlo.

4) The vacation planner volunteered that her "knowledge of ports is extremely limited."

It was kind of her to prove it. She was perfectly adept, however, at spewing forth the kind of misinformation that ruins an experience for folks who have been saving for a European vacation of a lifetime.

5) I changed the subject. Perhaps the vacation planner could advise me on the best insurance options for my situation?

"I don't know anything about any cancellation policies besides Carnival's," she explained. So, another crucial element of travel consultation was just not a part of Carnival's direct sales program. "Buy ours because we know nothing about insurance" is not a policy, and it could destroy someone's vacation experience.

We hadn't gone too far into our conversation when it became clear that I needed a real vacation consultant, not a headset pretending to be an agent. But she never once suggested that I consult a professional. She would have lost her commission.

So, yes, it's true that Carnival does have a clear policy about direct-sales contacts with a booked client. But that fact misses the point; this column could have been written about any of the major lines' direct-sales efforts. They all share the same sins.

They all justify their existence by asserting that a certain percentage of clients will not work with an agent. But does this mean that these consumers would rather speak with a sales rep in the home office who, lacking essential training and experience, cannot properly counsel them on matters of insurance options, pre- or post-travel, hotel options, air arrangements, privately arranged shore excursions, pros and cons of the various cruise lines, shore excursions, in-port dining recommendations? The list goes on and on.

The suppliers charge the direct guest for these services. Since it is built into the fare, the direct client is being charged commission for proper counseling but not actually getting any.

But you can't really blame suppliers that go direct. There are, after all, no legal or financial consequences for incompetent consultation practices, and the traveling consumer really has no clear advocate when it comes to misinformation or inadequate counsel."

The prices being charged by the cruise line's representative is no different than what a travel consultant can give the client since most cruise lines, including Carnival, have strong no discounting/rebating policies. With this mystery shopping experience in mind, why would you book directly with a cruise line? Do you see any advantages- I don't. .

My Vacation Lady is a Master Cruise Counselor, as certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association, Inc). We won't just sell you a cruise, we'll help you plan your cruise experience!

Helpful Vacation Tips

2010-06-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Whether you are traveling with children, with friends, as a couple or in a group, here are some useful tips to keep everyone happy and safe during your next vacation.

1. Travel Light- packing lightly makes travel so much less stressful. In addition to not having to pay excess airline luggage fees, it is just easier to keep track of your belongings if you don’t have that many to keep track of. Always take a mental inventory of what you are handing to a cab or shuttle driver and make sure all of the bags are put into the vehicle. If your driver is making multiple stops before you are getting off, make sure your bags are not given to the wrong passengers in error.

2. Make sure you have all your proper documentation required for your destination. Check safety and health advisories from the state department and the CDC for your travel destination. These change frequently so check back often.

3. Forget about traveler’s checks. ATM’s are almost everywhere these days and you’ll get some of the best exchange rates by using an ATM card.

4. Carry small bills- whether you are traveling with local currency or US dollars, keep a good supply of small bills handy for tips, using a restroom and for small purchases. Nothing is a better target for pick pockets than to watch a tourist pay for a pack of gum with the equivalent of $100 bill.

5. Keep zippers in the front- Be careful to have back packs, waist pack and pocket book’s zippers out of sight to prevent easy access from pick pockets. This is especially true if you are visiting crowded public places. I would suggest keeping your wallet on your person (in front pockets or a money belt) rather than in a bag, back pack or pocketbook.

6. Know some key phrases in your destination’s local language. If in the unlikely event that you require assistance, you should be able to ask for police or medical assistance. Also knowing phrases like “How much” or “Where is the bathroom” always comes in handy.

7. Have fun. Travel is meant to enhance and enrich your lives. Have a great vacation!

Review of Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas

2010-05-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

I have been on many Royal Caribbean ships that are bigger, newer and perhaps better but the Serenade of the Seas is still a beautiful ship. The Centrum is the hub with the Bolero Bar, guest relations and a small internet café. What makes is spot so special is the gorgeous winding glass staircase and glass elevators that open to the Centrum. Each deck above the Centrum opens up to the center of the ship with glass railings over looking it and cozy areas to sit and relax while watching the action going on.

Not unlike the Promenade of the Voyager and Freedom class ships, the Centrum is where the 70’s party is held, as well as the art auctions and culinary demonstrations. It’s also a great place to relax, have a cocktail and listen or dance to the music played by some of the great bands featured on board.

Since the cruise sailed from San Juan, there were a large number of Spanish speaking guests from Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Caribbean, which is typical, but I was surprised at the large number of European guests on board. It was a mixed group of passengers, including a small number of honeymooners and families along with seniors and everything in between. The ship was full but rarely felt terribly overcrowded, except when you were looking for a lounge chair in the shade around the pool.

My Favorite Places:

The Solarium- this indoor, adult only pool retreat is completely enclosed by glass. With the peaceful sounds of birds chirping and the comfy lounges, it was a great place to relax by the pool but avoid the hot sun and humidity of the Caribbean.

The Schooner Bar- what a great nautical motif bar on deck 6! It is just outside Chops Grill and Portofinos and is a great place to relax and listen to the piano player.

Food- always a big thing on a cruise ship and the food did not disappoint. The dining room food was very good to excellent with a nice assortment of choices. Never once did I feel the need to order from the “always available” entrees. I especially enjoyed the chilled soups, the ‘savory bites’ rolls which are baked fresh daily. Even the desserts, which often had been only so-so were very good. The favorite main dishes at our table were duck, lamb and seafood. Chops Grill was outstanding. The filet mignon was fabulous and make sure to save room for dessert. The Chocolate Mud Pie was huge and to die for. Don’t miss the crepes served up fresh every afternoon at the Solarium café!

Entertainment:
I was on a travel agent seminar at sea, which meant that on both of the days at seas, I participated in training seminars. I really didn’t get a chance to sit and relax by the pool or take advantage of the sea day activities but those that did seemed to enjoy the spa, the fitness center, pool games and more. We did get to take a galley tour, led by executive chef, Andy from Britain. It seemed like the size of a small city with pans and bowls that were large enough to feed a small city. It was amazing!

One of the biggest disappointments on the ship was that the almost all of the shows scheduled for the late seating guests, started at 7pm. We only saw 2 since I prefer not rushing after a port day.

The cruise director, Dennis, was one of the best that I have seen. In addition to being funny, he is also a talented singer. Don’t miss the Love and Marriage game, the 70’s dance party and Quest that he hosted!

The casino was always ready to take your donations although it was a bit too smoky for me, even on the non smoking nights. My husband was still able to make his donations even with the smoke.

The itinerary was Curacao (a beautiful island), Aruba (where we toured a good number of hotels), Dominica (the last visit to this island for the season) and St Thomas (where we spent the day at the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort so that I could check it out for a client’s destination wedding). There were 2 full days at seas, which are always my favorite time on a cruise ship.

Cabins: adequate in size with the infamous Royal Caribbean showers- the joke is that you can soap up the walls, spin around and rinse off! We were assigned an inside cabin for this Seminar at Sea. I would have preferred a balcony but they weren’t available. Almost every night, we came back to a towel animal creation. Obviously missing were the chocolates on the pillows and bathroom amenities like lotions and conditioners.

Service: top notch from our wait staff and cabin steward. The ship was clean and showed no obvious signs of aging.

Would I sail on the Serenade of the Seas again- Absolutely! Would I recommend the ship to clients- without a doubt! In fact, 4 clients boarded the ship as we got off.

Royal Caribbean provides a consistently good product among all of its fleet and the Serenade of the Seas was no exception.

My only complaint- the cruise was too short.

Summer Vacations- Price Forecasts

2010-04-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

Although we can never predict how prices of travel will vary from year to year, most forecasts are predicting higher prices for the summer of 2010 than the summer of 2009.

According to a USA Today article , they are suggesting to buy your summer airfare now and not wait for a sale that may not come. Domestically, the merger of Delta and Northwest has cut competition. All domestic carriers have cut capacity- most recently Southwest announcing a 4% cut in capacity. Internationally, British Air has cut flights from the NY/NJ airports to London by 23% and the British government has increased airport fees- both causing spikes in the prices of airfare. There may be some countries where prices are lower but the average summer airfares to Europe will be in the $1000+ range.

It’s all a matter of supply and demand. If there is more demand for a product, the price goes up. In the days of old, an airline would add another flight if there was enough demand. Now, the price just goes up and when the flight is sold out- you are out of luck.

In March, I booked 3 swim up suites in the adults only section of an all inclusive property in Punta Cana for a group of friends taking a 7 night vacation in mid August. Another couple booked a slightly lower room category (a junior suite with direct pool access) for the same time frame with the same airfare, etc for $100 per person less than the swim up suites. There were 2 more guests who wanted to join the group of friends but weren’t going to be able to deposit the vacation until the beginning of April. The original group paid just under $1775 per person for the hotel, transfers, airfare and travel insurance for their swim up suites and just under $1675 per person for the junior suites. When the last 2 guests were ready to book, just 3 weeks later, the same swim up suite with the same airfare and the same insurance and transfers, was $2033 per person. I offered them the junior suite as an alternative but that price was still $50 more than the other couple paid 3 weeks ago. Why the difference in price in just 3 weeks? Again, supply and demand play a roll. There are many less swim up suites available and when a few of them book up, the hotel feels that they can raise the rates of the other available ones. All of these clients included insurance that include price protection, so if prices do come down prior to their departure, I can get them reduced but there are no guarantees that the prices will come down.

Let’s talk a bit about cruises. Last month, I booked Barry and Judy on a 7 night cruise to Bermuda on the Celebrity Summit sailing from Bayonne on June 27. There was an unheard of New Jersey resident rate and their upgraded balcony cabin came in just over $3100 with taxes and fees. That same exact cabin is now $500 more, just 3 weeks later since Celebrity removed the NJ resident rate. It was such a hit, that Celebrity filled the number of cabins they wanted to at the reduced rate and now felt that they are able to sell the cabins for a higher fare. Will they end up with available cabins at the end and have to lower prices? It is likely but that last minute sale may very well come out as a balcony guarantee special where you can book a balcony cabin but not know your cabin # until the day of embarkation. You could end up with the cabin way forward (not a pleasant location for a Bermuda sailing) or you could end up with a great mid ship cabin. It’s a gamble but you could save some money.

In February, Ms. D. booked an interior cabin on the Norwegian Jewel for herself and her son sailing from NYC on June 26 to Florida and the Bahamas. Her friend was also sailing with her 2 sons and I was able to lock in 2 interior cabins close by each other- a double cabin for Ms. D and a triple cabin for Ms. F. Ms D. was paying just over $2000 for the 2 of them. Ms. F. was paying just over $2850 for her cabin for 3 guests. Just yesterday, Ms. D. called to ask if she can switch her cabin to hold 3 guests since her other son didn’t get the job he hoped for and now wanted to come on the cruise. Unfortunately, there were no interior or ocean view cabins for 3 guests left available so she had to go into a balcony cabin at an additional cost of $2000. Again, supply and demand was in effect. On April 2, NCL implemented a 7% price increase on their cruises since sales had picked up enormously since the beginning of the year. Ms. D. could have told her son that he couldn’t join them on the cruise at this time but NCL was betting that more guests will opt to go for the higher priced cabin to accommodate them, and in this case, they were right.

On the opposite note, last month, I was able to reduce prices for some clients on the June 23 and July 2 sailings of the Caribbean Princess sailing from New York. Those prices were limited to past guests and select categories of cabins but I was able to save my clients up to $500 per cabin.
Are there vacation bargains out there? Yes, and I can certainly help you find them but don’t think you’ll be able to take a 12 night Alaska cruise tour this summer for $1200 for an ocean view cabin. The distress sales of 2009 are on their way out!

If you haven’t booked your summer vacation yet- what are you waiting for? Give us a call or send us an email so we can help you plan your next vacation!

Looking forward to sending you away very soon!

Bad weather and Travel Insurance

2010-03-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

The winter of 2009-2010 will be known as one of the worst and snowiest that we, in the north east, have ever seen. Washington DC got more snow than Buffalo, NY. Philadelphia got blasted with one blizzard after another. New York and New Jersey recorded near record snowfalls. In other words, the weather played havoc with traveler’s plans.

One of my colleagues called me after a horrendous storm that affected her clients to the point that 2 out of 3 couples missed their cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas set to sail from Fort Lauderdale on Feb 27, 2010. The third couple drove down to Florida from NJ and left early enough to miss the storm. They were able to embark on the cruise as planned- but without their friends.

I decided to devote my March Feature of the Month to the topic of how travel insurance can play an important role in bad weather. I used my colleague’s client’s example as my basis for the questions that I posed to 3 of the travel insurance companies that I offer to my clients. Only 2 of the three responded to the scenario and questions. The policies that were compared were Travel Insured’s World Wide Travel Protection and Travel Guard’s Gold Plan (Protect and Assist). Access America did not answer since their communications department was working on a special project.

Here was the scenarios and questions posed:

Couple #1 and Couple #2 were flying down on Continental. Due to the storm that hit Newark on Thursday Feb 25 into Friday Feb 26, thousands of flights on Continental were cancelled. To the best of my knowledge, the airport was NOT officially closed. Since they were flying out on the day of the cruise, they scheduled the first flight out of the day. None took insurance, which I always recommend to my clients.

On Friday Feb 26, they were told that their flight was cancelled for Saturday 2/27 and that they could NOT be re accommodated on ANY flight that would get them to the ship in time for embarkation. They checked multiple airlines flying from all of the major NY/NJ airports as well as Philadelphia.

Question #1- could they have cancelled their cruise at this point had they taken out your insurance policy?

Next, scenario: the agent was able to get them flights to St Thomas (the first port of call). The flight is on Monday 3/1. The ship gets into St Thomas on Tues. 3/2. The clients were required to pay a fee to change the tickets to St Thomas (since they were originally set to fly to Fort Lauderdale). The change fee was $250 per person. They are now staying in a hotel for 1 night in St Thomas prior to embarking on the cruise. The hotel cost is $250 per room. With this change, they are still missing 2 full days of the cruise which cost $1400 per person, with all taxes and fees.

Question # 2: What can the clients claim on their policy for reimbursement for these out of pocket expenses? Again, which category does this fall under?

Question #3: What does your insurance company offer to the client to assist with making all of these changes?

These were the responses from my sales managers at Travel Insured (TI) and Travel Guard (TG):

Question #1: Could the clients have cancelled the vacation since their flight was cancelled and they would miss the cruise.
TI- Based on the info provided it appears that they would have coverage under Trip Cancellation and would be able to claim for the entire cost of their cruise. The time frame for weather delays/cancellations is as follows (details of each will be answered in the remaining questions):
3 hour+ delay – eligible for missed connection coverage
6+ hour delay – eligible for trip delay
24 consecutive hour delay – eligible for trip cancellation
The key for trip cancellation is not being able to be rebooked within 24 hours of the original scheduled departure time. In this example, they would not have been eligible for trip cancellation had Continental been able to get them on a flight later that same afternoon, even if it meant missing the cruise departure. Clients need to be conscious of time frames and flight schedules; just because the gate agent tells them they will be covered by insurance does not mean they will be. The key thing to remember with weather events is that they cannot be accommodated within 24 hours of their originally scheduled departure time.
TG- Travel Guard’s Gold plan covers for cancellation of travel arrangements due to severe weather conditions. So in this particular situation, the insureds would have been covered for cancellation of their cruise since their air transportation was cancelled due to inclement weather. There is no requirement that the airport be shut down for a determined amount of time such as 12 or 24 hours before benefits would be payable.

Question #2: What can the clients claim on their policy for reimbursement for these out of pocket expenses?
TI- The clients would have Missed Connection, Travel Delay and Trip Interruption available to them. First, Missed Connection (after 3 hour delay) would reimburse the change fees and additional fare up to $500/person to help the client reach the first port of call. It is important to note that there is a maximum limit on this coverage so the client may not receive the entire additional cost. The maximum on Worldwide Trip Protector is $500 per person.
Trip Delay (after 6 hours) would provide reimbursement for hotel expenses, meals, etc up to $200/day/person maxing out at $1,000/person.
Lastly, they would have trip interruption available to cover the unused days of the cruise. Assuming the cruise is 7 days, and they missed 2 days cruising, they would receive $200/day for the missed days on the ship. This is determined by taking the total per person cost of the trip and dividing by the number of days traveling. In this case, $1,400/person divided by 7 days is $200/day.
TG- The insureds would be covered for the air ticket change fees under their Trip Cancellation/Interruption benefit. The two “lost” days of the cruise would also be covered under Trip Cancellation/Interruption. Travel Guard would pro-rate the daily cost of the total cruise to come up with the per-day amount. The hotel charge for the night in St. Thomas would be covered under the Trip Delay benefit of $150 per person/per day up to 5 days.

Question #3- What does your insurance company offer to the client to assist with making all of these changes?
TI- We always recommend the clients contact their travel agent to help them make arrangements but our 24 hour assistance that is included in the policy will help them rebook the flights, book hotels and any other related services that they would need help with.
TG- Travel Guard’s GOLD plan includes 24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance Services at no additional charge. Travel Guard’s assistance reps will make emergency or last-minute travel changes such as rebooking flights, hotel reservations or ground transportation, as well as tracking lost luggage. In addition all policyholders receive a full menu of concierge services, emergency medical assistance, pre-trip advice, email and telephone message relay, assistance for replacing lost travel documents, obtaining cash advances, or language translation.

I want to thank both of my sales managers for the responses and their assistance in helping me to post this blog. It is important to remember that with both policies, these clients would have been able to cancel their cruise OR get reimbursed for the out of pocket expenses that they incurred (some limits do apply).

In this case, since the clients did not have insurance, they lost a considerable amount of money (over $1500 in lost days on the cruise, change fees plus hotel in St Thomas). In both cases, for these clients who are 65 years old with a trip valued at $1700 per person, the insurance would have cost less than $260 per couple. Prices are much less for younger travelers since travel insurance is based on the age of the traveler and the price of the trip.

The morale of the story- both couples now swear that they will take out travel insurance the next time they book a vacation.

Please realize that bad weather is not only for hurricanes and blizzards. Many times, flights will be cancelled due to very high winds or very heavy rain.
What do you think- would you rather lose $1500+ or spend $260 to begin with?

How cheap does a bad vacation have to be before it becomes OK?

2010-02-03T05:53:00.000-08:00

This is a question that was posed by a wonderful speaker and motivational travel agent trainer, Nolan Burris, at one of his seminars a while back but I think it is the time to bring it up again.

With all of the options in booking travel, why should you work with a travel professional? Isn’t it just easier and cheaper to do the research online and just book it all yourself? Yes, you could do that if you just want the cheapest trip out there and aren’t looking for the assistance, guidance and expertise that a travel professional can offer.

Let me give you an example:

Did you hear about the honeymoon couple that booked their Greek Island honeymoon through one of the big online agencies that starts with an E? They were traveling in November. That would bring up a red flag in any good travel professional’s eyes. Honeymoon couple gets to Santorini and finds a cab to take them to their hotel which is closed for the season. Unfortunately, they booked it online so there was no one to advise them that the season in Santorini is May-September and most hotels are closed down in October for the winter. What did the honeymoon couple do? Obviously, they didn’t get the honeymoon of their dreams. They did, I believe, get their money back from the big online agency for that part of their trip.

If a honeymoon couple insists on visiting the Greek Islands in November, I might have suggested a Mediterranean cruise that instead. A couple of cruise ships still stop at numerous Greek Islands in November as Meredith and Matt did aboard the Celebrity Solstice this past November.

Let me give you another example:

You want to go to Maui for a vacation and you do all of your research online. How hard could Maui be to book? It’s part of the US and they use US$ and they speak English.
So you find a great deal at a great property in Maui that is right on the beach and you book it with airfare. The price is too good to be true and they are giving you a 3rd night free and breakfast, too. Also, the reviews on all the consumer websites were really good. Perfect- you put down your credit card # and you start to pack.

OK, the flights weren’t ideal. The lay over in LAX was a bit longer than you expected but you’re on vacation, so you can deal with it. You finally arrive in Maui and it is almost dark there. You get to the airport and figure you’ll just hop a cab to the hotel in the Ka’anapali Beach area. Shouldn’t be too far and, anyway, you don’t need a car in Maui, right? Fifty five minutes and $100 later, you arrive at your gorgeous hotel. The lobby is everything you read about. It looks like you are in a tropical rain forest. You forget about your $100 cab ride and put it behind you. Your bell hop takes you to your terrace view room. That sounds so great- terrace view. Too bad it’s dark by now and you won’t be able to see the view until tomorrow morning.

The room is nice- great bathroom, comfy bed, big TV. You put down your bags and go get a bite to eat and wander around the hotel just a bit before going back to your room to unpack and go to bed. It’s a long flight to Maui from the East Coast.

Every few minutes you are hearing a weird noise. Beep, Beep. Sounds like the noise when you are locking your car door. You just ignore it thinking that you must just be tired. You settle into your wonderfully comfortable bed and then hear a car alarm go off.
Now you aren’t imagining it and you go to sliding glass doors and step onto your lanai to realize that your terrace view is actually of the parking lot. This might be happening all week long (:

Had you called a good travel professional, especially one who has been to Maui, they would have recommended you rent a car – probably for less money than a round trip cab ride to the airport and they would have been able to get you that same deal but would have recommended the mountain view room instead.

Again, how cheap does a bad vacation have to be, before it becomes OK?

If you are ok with a vacation like the 2 described above, by all means, please book your vacation online. If you are looking for an experience, please contact me at mindy@myvacationlady.com

Tipping Around the World

2010-01-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

Knowing what and when to tip, is always a question, especially when you are out of the country. Different parts of the world have different customs which can affect the type of tip you might be expected to offer for services rendered.

Don’t tip in Japan- it is considered an insult. In Vietnam, it is illegal. In many parts of South and Central America, service charges are already added in to a restaurant bill so tipping is not expected. In New Zealand, tipping is not expected at all.

I’ve included some common tipping practices that may help you out a bit.

Waiters

In the US and Canada, 15-20% of the pre tax bill is expected
In Mexico, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, it might be 10-15% (check first because it may already be included in the Caribbean)
In South America, a service fee is typically included in Brazil and Costa Rica. 10% in most other countries
In Europe, the tip is usually included but if not, a customary tip is only 5-15%
In Australia, a tip for top notch service should be between 5-10%, otherwise a tip is not expected.

Bartenders
In the US and Canada, leave $1-2 per drink or 10-15% of the bar tab
In the Caribbean and the Bahamas, 10-15% is fine but 10% in Mexico is typical
In South and Central America, $1 per drink or 10% of the bar tab, if a service fee is not already included
In Europe, 5-10% is fine.
In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is not expected

Concierge
In the US and Canada, the tip should be based on the complexity of the services rendered- usually between $5 and $20
$2-5 in Mexico and between 5-10% of the bill in the Caribbean
In South and Central America, 2-5% of the bill
In Europe, $5-$30 depending on the complexity of the services

Porters
$1-2 per bag in most parts of the world is acceptable.

Maids and Housekeeping
In the US and Canada, $3-5 per day
In Mexico and the Caribbean- $2-5 per day
In South and Central America, $2-3 per day
In Europe, it varies by region from nothing to $5 per day

Taxi Drivers
In many parts of the world, like Europe and South and Central America, just round up the fare. In Mexico, just give the driver some spare change. In The US and Canada, 15-20% is customary while 10-15% is typical in the Caribbean.

Again, these are strictly guidelines. Each country might have its own norm so before embarking on your vacation, please check with me for the customary tipping at your destination.

Tips on Overcoming Jet Lag

2009-12-01T10:06:00.000-08:00

Jet lag is an actual physical reaction to a rapid change in time zones. It affects many travelers, even the most seasoned fliers like flight attendants and pilots. Common symptoms can include disorientation, irritability, fatigue, swollen limbs and eyes, headaches, cold-like symptoms, and irregular bowels.

Flying long distances can be debilitating. Dehydration, unfamiliar foods, cramped spaces, recycled air, lack of sleep, uncomfortable clothes, continual low-level noise, connections that disrupt sleep, and other factors all add to the misery of flying and jet lag.

Flying within the same time zone (ie: Seattle to Cabo San Lucas) won't produce jet lag in the true sense but the effects of the long flight might feel quite a bit like classic jet lag. In most cases, you're just tired from the flight, and a good night's sleep and perhaps some exercise will set things right.

On long flights -- especially red-eye flights -- you can lose several hours of sleep time, which can really effect your body, even without the jarring time change. If you live by a regular schedule (ie: up at 6 a.m., in bed by 11 p.m. every night), watch out. Jet lag can hit you the hardest. Luckily, if you are traveling with kids, they are nearly immune to jet lag.

A general rule of thumb to keep in mind before any long trip is the 1:1 ratio: allow yourself one day to recover for every hour time difference you experience. So for Californians visiting the New Jersey, give yourself at least three days to fully adjust to the new time zone. If you are returning from Hawaii to New York, it could take you almost a week to recover- and believe me, that is true.

Before You Go
Treat your body well before you fly. Exercise, sleep well, stay hydrated and don't drink alcohol. The last thing you want to do is get on a long-haul flight with a hangover.

Some like to exercise before they go to the airport which can actually help you sleep better on the plane. Try to walk and move around at the airport before you board your plane. Don't just park yourself at the gate and read a book.

Try to adjust your habits before you leave. If you are traveling from the East to West, and you will have a three-hour time change, try to adjust your internal clock. Three or four days before you leave, start to stay up a little later than usual, and sleep in a little longer. If you become accustomed to falling asleep at 1 a.m. and waking up at 9 a.m. on the East Coast, it will be the same as falling asleep at 10 p.m. and waking up at 6 a.m. on the West Coast. Do the reverse if you are traveling from west to east.

Interesting idea:
Wearing two watches, one set to the current time, and one to the time at your destination, can help you prepare yourself mentally for the coming time change. Many business travelers also use this tactic to stay in touch with what's happening back at the office.

During the Flight
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids. Don't be afraid to ask your flight attendant for extra water. I will typically bring an empty 16 ounce water bottle with me and ask the flight attendants to fill it up for me. I'll have it for a couple of hours and not have to bother them too much during the flight.

If you can, get up out of your seat at regular intervals to walk and stretch. You can also do exercises like toe raises, isometric exercises, stomach crunches and shoulder shrugs right in your seat. On a flight to Tokyo a number of years ago, the Japanese business men were all doing an exercise routine during the flight. We thought it was odd back then, but they were probably feeling the best of all of the passengers.

Other ideas: Get up to wash your face, brush your teeth or just stand up for several minutes. Wear loose-fitting clothing that will be comfortable during the flight. Bring a neck pillow, blanket blindfold or ear plugs -- these are invaluable on red-eye flights. Also, avoid any snug footwear since it is likely that your feet will swell during the flight. If you are wearing shoes with laces, open up the laces to give your feet a bit more space.

Medications and Vitamins
Melatonin is a chemical in the body that helps regulate sleep cycles. It can be taken in pill form, and many travelers swear by it for fighting jet lag. However, as popular as melatonin is, it's controversial. I have not used this and can't vouch for it's effectiveness. What I have tried instead, is a prescription sleep aid that will give me about 4-5 hours sleep when taking a red eye.

A bag of dried cherries is another natural remedy that some travelers use. In 2007, The New York Times reported that dried cherries may help alleviate jet lag. Some travelers use antihistamines (like benedryl or tylenol PM) and motion sickness pills to induce sleep on planes, at hotels, in airports and on layovers. While they work for some, they may not work as well for you, so try them before your trip.

Dietary Tactics
The so-called "jet lag diet," an alternation of feasting and fasting for three days leading up to a long-haul flight, was very popular a few years back. The military tested the diet, concluding, basically, that it is bunk. Nonetheless, Ronald and Nancy Reagan used it during their White House days, and some travelers still do. Again, I haven't tried this so please use caution when trying anything new before a long flight.

Try to restrict your diet to foods that are easily digested, like those that are relatively high in fiber but not too rich. Fats tend to keep you awake, while carbs usually put you to sleep. If you need to stay awake to help you get on local time, eat peanuts, eggs, meats and other high-protein or fatty foods. If you need to fall asleep, eat carbohydrates like pasta or bread.

Caffeine is also useful if you need to stay awake, but don't go overboard. While it might seem tempting to guzzle several cups of coffee when your eyelids begin to droop, you could end up wide awake at 1 a.m. Be sure to implement all dietary changes in moderation.

Overall, if you have to take a long flight, try to take care of your body before your flight as best as possible. If you are run down before you leave, breathing recycled air for 8 hours might make you sicker than before you left. These days, with so many viruses going around, please don't get on a plane sick, since you will likely infect the entire plane.

Ocean Vs. River Cruising

2009-11-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ocean vs. River Cruises - Which One's Best for You?

When you hear the phrase “cruise vacation,” your mind usually goes to the sea, picturing a large ocean liner visiting exotic islands in the Caribbean or plying the fabled waters of the Mediterranean. However, river cruises through Europe, China or Africa are gaining in popularity, making some passengers to wonder which one provides the better vacation experience.

Both cruising styles offer great value, allowing you to experience a parade wonderfully prepared meals and many to choose from, nightly entertainment and onboard activities. The key to choosing the one that’s best suited to your vacation needs is to understand each style’s unique benefits, which are listed below.

Benefits of Ocean Cruising

Bigger Ships=More Variety
The large ocean-going cruise ships—getting bigger every year—now offer an unbelievable variety of restaurants, cabins, entertainment, pools, nightclubs, casinos, activities and adventures at sea plus complete fitness centers and spa treatments. In essence, the ship is the destination itself, a destination you can enjoy on days at sea or before and after port explorations.

Travel Further
Ocean cruising itineraries tend to cover more ground than river cruises, exposing you to a wider variety of cultures across countries and continents. For instance, an eastern Mediterranean voyage can stop in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, and perhaps, Egypt in just 12 days.

Transcendent Ocean
Civilizations were born on rivers, but the oceans always held man’s heart. Staring out at the endless ocean—a view that’s forever moving but never changes—has a calming influence that can only be described as transcendent.

The Allure of Islands
In the eyes of many, paradise is found on the islands. From the tropical wonders of Hawaii to the white-sand masterpieces of the Caribbean, the call of the islands is powerful and can best be satiated by an island-hopping ocean cruise.

Benefits of River Cruising

Smaller, Boutique Ports
While the allure of islands is strong to some, the serene and historic beauty of a centuries-old riverside village is more appealing to others. River cruises visit both bustling cities and scenic villages during the same voyage, letting you easily disembark right into the heart of the destination without having to navigate a boisterous and crowded dock.

Leisurely Exploration
On a river cruise, you often awaken with the vessel already docked at the day’s port of call and don’t set sail again until midnight. This gives you all day to explore the destination and culture in depth, using your ship as a home base to jump on and off of as needed.

An Ever-Changing View
You’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery from just about everywhere on the ship, where panoramic views can be found in the restaurant, on the sun deck or from the privacy of your stateroom.

Included Shore Excursions
Many river cruise companies include daily shore excursions at each port for free, allowing you to enjoy a tour of the port city’s highlights before venturing off on your own.

Intimate Camaraderie
On a river cruise filled with no more than 300 guests, you will see the same people day in and day out, giving you a prime opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers and form long-lasting friendships. By contrast, ocean-going vessels hold up to 5,400 passengers.

Which sounds the best to you?
Whichever it is, My Vacation Lady can help make your cruise dreams become reality!
Contact us to help you plan your next vacation!

Flying with Toddlers

2009-10-01T04:59:00.000-07:00

You can only ask relatives and friends to get on a plane to visit you so often. One day you’ll have to return the favor or you will want to take the family on vacation, which means you have to perform an act so frightening, so terrifying, that the mere suggestion of it sends shivers down the spine of all parents: flying with your toddler.

Cramped seats, squirming kids and angry neighbors can turn even the shortest flight into the longest day of your life. But fear not! With some careful planning and a little in-flight ingenuity, your flight can turn into a fun, family adventure. Just keep these tips in mind.

Sleepy Time
The best-case scenario is for your child to sleep during the flight. If possible, schedule your flight during his usual nap time. Before you board the plane, give your child a protein-packed meal with little or no sugar—everyone sleeps better with a full belly. Seat her next to the window, and pull the shade down after take-off. Once airborne, before the aisles are filled with drink carts and wandering passengers, go through your child’s bedtime routine to encourage the nap. Whatever you do, do not give cold medicine to knock him out, a practice condemned by pediatricians.

Pre-Boarding Play Time
Tire him out as much as possible before you board your plane. If an airport has a play area, spend every second you can there. Let her run around empty gates, or simply take long walks up and down the concourse. Let him waddle around while you’re in line (use a tether to make sure he doesn’t get too far away in the crowded airport). The more energy expended outside the plane the better.

A Seat of Their Own
Kids under two may fly for free, but do you really want a heavy, squiggly baby on your lap for three hours? Buy your child his own seat on the plane—it’s the best mental investment you’ll ever make. Bring a child restraint system or booster/car seat or else she may be bouncing all around the seat.

Get Allies Early
Be extra nice to the people around you when you board. Introduce your child and encourage her to play cute baby games like peek-a-boo with nearby passengers so that they’ll be more understanding in the event that your child becomes noisy.

The Rule of Plane Snacking
There’s only one rule on what to give your toddler to snack on during the flight: no sugar. It’s a hard rule to follow considering how sugary snacks are perfectly packaged for travel. Come prepared by bringing grapes, carrots, goldfish crackers, snap peas or raisins.

Keep them Occupied
Pack plenty of activities, like coloring books or travel-sized drawing pads such as an AquaDoodle. Pack new books and toys they have never seen. Bring each item out one at a time, putting the last one away before introducing the next. You may consider wrapping a few toys, which will add to the wonder and take more time to play with.

Just some common sense suggestions:
• Keep the flight short is possible
• Don’t get your toddler excited about where they are going (ie: Disney or visiting grandma) because the more excited they are, the harder it will be to get them to calm down and relax on the plane.
• Try to surround your toddler with family members if possible. If the seating arrangement is 3 seats, have family or friends in all 3 of the seats.
• Board early so that you can get your child settled before the rest of the plane boards.
• Take a sweat shirt or jacket in case it is chilly on board.
• Bring their favorite blanket and naptime toy.

Enjoy your trip with your toddler. They are only young once!

Sept 2009 Feature of the Month- What to Pack in a Carry On Bag

2009-09-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

What to pack in a carry on:

I have never been known as the queen of packing light. Quite the opposite is true. I tend to over pack to the extreme. Since in my travels, my luggage has visited cities that I have never been to (Minneapolis and Brussels) or cities that were not on my itinerary, I also have learned the art of packing (and over packing) a carry on piece of luggage.

Know the Rules:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the final word on what’s allowed in your carry-ons, so be sure you know the rules before planning what to bring. This includes following the 3-1-1 rule, which stipulates you can only carry liquids, aerosols and gels (such as toothpaste and shampoo) in nothing larger than three-ounce containers, which should be safely kept inside a one-quart, plastic zip-top bag. Each passenger can bring one, one-quart bag. Check www.tsa.gov for the full list of rules.

The size (usually 45 cubic inches) and number of carry-ons allowed varies by airline, so visit your airline’s Web site. If you plan to pack everything into your carry-on bags, you may consider buying the maximum-sized bag to take advantage of each allowable inch.

What Goes in First? Everything You Can’t Live Without
Just in case you checked bag is lost, it’s imperative to pack all essential items into your carry-on, including a color copy of your passport, travel insurance, clearly-labeled medications, list of emergency contacts, address and phone number of your hotel, your travel agent’s contact information, emergency phone #’s for your bank and credit card companies (in case you lose your wallet), an extra change of clothes, small bag of toiletries, glasses or spare contact lenses, cell phone and chargers.

Carry-On Only? Be Ready to Sacrifice
If your goal is to take carry-ons only, then you will need to change the way you think about packing. Forget those extra pieces of clothing or that second pair of black shoes that were included just in case you go dancing. You should take as few, maximum-use items as possible, focusing on those pieces of clothes that mix-and-match well and can possibly transform from day to evening wear. Pick one basic, neutral palate, such as brown or black, and base your entire wardrobe around it. Toss aside any item you planned to bring that can only be worn one way. Yes, you may end up wearing the same outfits twice, but you’re on vacation, not on a fashion show runway. Just bring your most comfortable favorites, relax and have a great time.

Knowing that I am the queen of overpacking, here is my list of the top 10 items you will find in my carry on:

1. A complete change of clothes- just in case my luggage is lost or delayed and that will include 2 pair of underwear and socks, 2 shirts and something to wear to bed. You also never know when the plane might bounce and the coffee or orange juice ends up on your shirt instead of in your mouth.
2. All of my medication and vitamins for the entire trip. If my luggage is lost, I would prefer not having to contact my travel insurance company to try to replace my prescriptions.
3. Extra pair of eye glasses and contact lenses. I actually broke my glasses on a cruise and had to walk around with a band aid on my glasses until I found a optician in Bermuda who could repair them.
4. Travel size toiletries, including a tooth brush and tooth paste. Should be self explanatory-especially on those overnight flights
5. Make up bag- again, for a woman, this is something that goes without saying.
6. Gum, mints or hard candy to keep your ears from popping during take off or landing.
7. Disinfecting wipes or purell. Never know how well the plane was cleaned and I don’t want to get sick on my vacation due to someone else’s germs that were left behind.
8. My camera, cell phone and lap top and their chargers. I will not pack any of those since the TSA can now open any piece of luggage in their possession. Same goes for any jewelry that you are not wearing.
9. A light jacket or sweater.
10. Snacks or something to eat since most flights don’t feed you anymore.

Packing For Your Vacation

2009-08-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have a type A personality and need to be organized. Yes, I was one of those kids who finished school papers before they were due. Yes, I am like the boy scouts- always prepared.

I am also one of those people who is finished packing days before my trip.
Why-because I’m always afraid I’ll forget something.
How- by using a list and checking off each item as it goes in the suit case.

I’ve been doing this for years- as soon as I learned how to use Excel- and I just update my list as needed. I have 2 lists- one for clothing and the other for non clothing items, like toiletries, medications, cameras, beach towels and more.

I took a brief survey of my social networking contacts to see if I was strange or if there were other people in the world who used the list and packed way in advance.

Survey says:
52% of all those who responded were the last minute packers (pretty evenly split between male and female)
24% were like me- use a list and packs in advance (more than twice as many females vs. males use lists)
24% were the” pack slowly, gathering all they need in advance so there is no stress” type. Almost all were females (and I would imagine that most were packing for the entire family!)

Be prepared with a toiletries kit
I wish I could say that I am offered vacations on a moment’s notice but, the truth is, I have a toiletries kit ready to go simply because it is easier to keep my travel toiletries in one place. I use a hanging toiletries bag (easy to hook onto the back of a bathroom door) filled with all of the things that I would use daily and just leave them in the bag so it is ready for the next trip. This way I know that if the toothpaste is running low after a trip, I just put a new one in and I’ll be ready for the next vacation.

Megan M. from NJ offered this tip: keep a shoe box filled with travel sized toiletries handy so when you are traveling they will be all in one spot and easy to pack.

Les S. from California is one of the most organized gentlemen I have come across. He offered these tips:

1. Keep your toiletry bag packed and stored for quick retrieval, (most manufacturers have travel-sizes of their products, compact and enough product for 1-2 weeks)
2. Have a small sheet of paper inside the toiletry bag that lists all the stuff that goes inside the toiletry bag

He also went so far to include these tips:

3. Have a list inside the suitcase that lists the minimum amount of stuff needed in the suitcase. Takes 60 seconds to verify the contents of the toiletry bag, and 5 minutes or less to pack the minimums for the suitcase. Another 10 minutes, or so, to pack the remainder of items specific to this trip, and Bam, you're ready to go.

Also, never pack for more than 8 days. Chances are, if you are going to be away for more than 8 days, you will be stationary long enough to wash laundry.

Love it- leave it to a man to be able to pack like this. One day, I may get to that point but in the mean time:

Start off with a list of basics
Regardless of the type of vacation, you will still need the basics in clothing (underwear, socks, shirts, pants and shoes) and the basic toiletries (toothbrush and toothpaste, make up, hair items, medications, etc).

I use an Excel table to list the items and the names of the travelers in columns. I will check off each item as I put them aside for each traveler. This always came in handy when we were traveling with the kids and I still use it when it is just the 2 of us. I have plenty of room on the bottom and sides of the spread sheet to add things as I need them but I always use the same basic list.

Plan your days
Depending on what type of vacation you are taking, your clothing needs will vary. Something I find that helps enormously is to plan out your clothing needs per day.

Just a for instance:
You are going on a 7 night cruise and there will be 2 dressy dinners and 5 casual dinners. Since we cruise frequently, I already have a space on my clothing list for the # of nights that will require dressy clothes and casual clothes. I’ll handwrite in the outfit for the evening plus shoes, plus jewelry, plus accessories so that way, I have something planned out for each dinner and I can pack everything together.

I am a bit less organized for the daytime attire since it can be a combo of shorts or pants, tops or bathing suits and cover ups. Knowing a rough idea of what you need on a daily basis will help you organize your clothes and pack accordingly. If you are planning to go horseback riding, you will know to pack long pants. If you are planning to go hiking, you will know to pack appropriate shoes. If you are just planning on relaxing at the beach for the entire vacation, you will know that you need x # of bathing suits and cover ups and your favorite flip flops. Planning out your days will make packing a bit easier.

Split your clothes into 2 different suit cases
This is probably my most important tip. If you are traveling with someone and you can split your clothes into 2 suitcases, instead of packing all of yours in one and all of theirs in another, you will have clothes to wear if one of the suitcases is lost or delayed. I can’t tell you how many times this came in handy!

Pack a complete change of clothes in a carry on
Sounds pretty self explanatory, right? If you luggage is lost, at least you will have clean clothes to wear the next day, while you are waiting for the luggage to be found. This is so important when you have connecting flights, where the chance of lost luggage increases.

Use zippered plastic bags
I don’t know about you, but if my luggage is being searched, I don’t want the TSA people touching my undies, so I pack them in zip lock bags. They can see what is inside and they don’t need to touch them. I know, I’m strange but this also makes it easier to unpack. I can just take the whole bag and put it in the drawer. I do the same for socks.

Just a few of my packing tips.
I hope you found a couple useful. You can find more travel tips on my website,
www.myvacationlady.com
Click on Travel Resources

Good travels!

The Scoop on All Inclusive Resorts

2009-07-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Back in 1950, a Belgium water polo champion opened the first Club Med in Mallorca, Spain and launched the beginning of all inclusive resorts. Although the first accommodations were unlit straw huts on the beach with communal facilities, all inclusive resorts have come a long way in the 50 years since they were introduced.
Resorts now range from 5 star deluxe properties with gorgeous suites, marble baths, in room Jacuzzis, multiple choices in dining and more or they can be basic properties with standard rooms offering dining in a limited number of restaurants.
All-inclusive resorts are becoming increasingly popular with vacationers worldwide. The term ALL INCLUSIVE is often used at a resort where you pay a fixed price to include many of the following:
• Meals and Snacks
• Beverages, both alcoholic and non alcoholic
• Water sports available at resort
• Other resorts entertainment facilities
• All taxes and tips
Your upfront cost is set and your out of pocket expenses are limited which makes this a great option for vacationers. Some of the all inclusive resorts might include discounts on spa treatments and golf. Others may include more in terms of water sports and day time activities. Some resorts may include only domestic liquor with an additional charge for certain wines and premium liquor and some may have limits on dining in certain restaurants. I can certainly help you figure out which resort offers what you are looking for in your vacation.
The vast majority of all inclusive resorts are in the Caribbean and Mexico. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have the most all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Cancun and the Riviera Maya have the most all inclusive resorts on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas have more and more all inclusive resorts opening due to the popularity of these types of vacations.
How can you pick the right property with all the choices out there? That is where I can help. In the last 5 years, we have taken 5 all inclusive resort vacations in the Dominican Republic and the Riviera Maya. While we were there, we visited dozens of different resorts so that I could give my clients the right advice on which resort would be the right one for their vacation.
In order to recommend the best property for you, I will ask you a number of questions.
1. Who will you be traveling with?
2. Are you looking for an adults only property?
3. Are you looking for a moderate property or more deluxe property?
4. Do you want a beach front or ocean view room or are you ok with the room being a short walk to the beach?
5. Do you prefer to have a sit down (a la carte) dinner or do you prefer to eat buffet style?
6. How far from the airport do you want to be?
7. Are you more of a beach person or a pool person?
8. How important is a casino, or a spa, or golf?
9. Would you prefer a large property with lots of pools and lots to do during the day or do you prefer a smaller, more intimate property?
10. What kind of atmosphere do you want- active, quiet, fun, romantic?
11. Do you have a budget in mind?

With the answers to questions like these and many more, I can help recommend resorts that might work for you and help your dream vacation become reality.
Just some examples of adults only all inclusive properties:
• Sandals resorts
• Couples resorts
• Secrets resorts
• Excellence resorts
• Iberostar Grand resorts
• El Dorado resorts
• Grand Lido/Breezes/Hedonism resorts
Some of the all inclusive resorts that are family friendly include:
• Iberostar resorts
• Dreams resorts
• Azul resorts
• Riu resorts
• Beaches resorts
• Occidental resorts
• Barcelo resorts
• Gran Bahia resorts
• Sunset resorts
• Palace resorts
Are you confused yet? Most people can be so using a professional travel agent is so important to help you sort through all the options.
Don’t leave your vacation to chance.
Book with a Vacation, Cruise and Honeymoon Specialist!

Mindy Gilbert, MCC
Vacation, Cruise and Honeymoon Specialist
My Vacation Lady Travel
www.myvacationlady.com

My Vacation Lady Packing Tips

2009-06-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

Bermuda Destination Guide

2009-05-22T04:32:00.000-07:00

Less than a 2 hour flight from the NYC region and you are in PARADISE! Bermuda makes the perfect year round getaway for people who want to escape from the stress of everyday life. This was my fifth trip to Bermuda and what never ceases to amaze me is the gorgeous aqua blue waters that surround the island, the kind and friendly Bermudian people, the cleanliness of the island, the lush gardens and foliage, the wonderful weather and, of course, their phenomenal beaches.

I was invited to Bermuda by the Bermuda Tourism Department as a thank you for completing their Destination Specialist Program. Although, I visited in mid March, part of Golf and Spa Season, the pools were open and in use. The weather was 70 degrees during the day, compared to the 40’s that I left in NJ. It was a bit cooler in the evening- nothing more a light jacket or sweater was needed.

Bermuda is a British colony but their currency is based on the US $ which means greater value for American tourists. You can find British china and linens at very good prices and since there is no sales tax, even French perfume and make up that you would find back home is a relative bargain.

Bermuda has the reputation of being expensive but the average price of a dinner runs about the same as dinner in a good New York City restaurant, which is pretty comparable to most Caribbean islands. With over 150 restaurants on the island, and not one fast food restaurant, Bermuda is a true culinary treat. Seafood is a definite specialty, including fish chowder, fish cakes and Bermudian lobster. From the restaurants on Front Street in downtown Hamilton to the meals at the hotels, I thoroughly enjoyed the food.

Bermuda has some of the most wonderful beaches in the world but Horseshoe Bay is my favorite. Although the sand is only sprinkled with pink flecks and isn’t truly pink, it is soft and powdery under your feet. Church Bay, Tobacco Bay and Warwick Long Bay are less crowded but equally as fabulous. In addition to relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, scuba and snuba are available. Each of the beachfront hotels has their own water sports hut offering kayaks, wind surfers and paddleboats. Sailing is a popular sport because of the mild weather and challenging and unpredictable winds. The dolphins are back, just at a new location- at the Royal Dock Yard on the western tip of the island. If you are visiting in the summer when the cruise ships are due in, it is best to make your reservations in advance.

Golf is one of the more popular pastimes in Bermuda with 8 courses on the island. Mid Ocean is considered by many to be the best of the courses with killer holes overlooking the water and with lush rolling hills. Although Port Royal is closed for renovation, when my husband played there he was mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the location. This public course is a bit less expensive than some of the private ones. Most of the hotels can arrange for tee times in advance for many of the island’s courses.

Bermuda is fast becoming a mecca for fabulous spas. Three resorts that I visited have sensational spas- Cambridge Beaches, Elbow Beach and the Fairmont Southampton. These deluxe spas offer every treatment you can think of including couples treatments, for the ultimate in romance.

Whether you are looking to relax on pink sand beaches, golf at world class courses, rejuvenate your body and soul with spa treatments, shop ‘til you drop, dine in great restaurants or just want a fast getaway to a gorgeous destination, Bermuda may fit the bill. For questions, please email me at mindy@myvacationlady.com.