Travel close to home

"People are continuing to plan vacations despite the economic downturn, but they are searching for deals and staying a bit closer to home, according to travel agents in Arizona. "People are a little tighter to the pocket right now," said Brian Korgel, AAA Arizona international travel agent. "They're still planning on traveling, but they're waiting a little while before they make their reservations. One other trend is people are really looking at value when it comes to travel right now." East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)" So as you can see, there is no real reason to not take some time to get away for that much needed break. Take a brief respite from daily life on a long weekend close to home, no matter where that may be. If you're snowed in, find a wonderful little lodge with a fireplace and all services taken care of for you so you can enjoy the snow instead of dread it. If you're tired of the dry air and heat in South Florida , take a few hours drive to the west coast and enjoy a fishing village with all the fresh seafood that implies. There are so many ways to sneak off for a bit and not destroy your budget. don't forget to bring the kids, they could use a change too. Just make sure they bring their homework!

Valentine's Day Travel

It's Friday, again, and the end of January already. Valentines Day is just around the corner, and no matter the economy, there is always somewhere romantic to travel. The continental US has wonderful lodges, spas and resorts to take a long weekend break. If you're in the Southeast US check out Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, Little Palm Island or Amelia Island in Florida, or Sea Island/The Cloisters, on the Georgia coast. If you're a bit more adventurous, or a lot more adventurous, here is a short list of exotic destinations: the Aman Resorts in Bali, the Royal Hideaway in Playacar, Mexico, Pazula Hotel & Spa in South Africa, Soneva Gili in the Maldives, Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam, or Amansara Resort in Siem Reap Cambodia. If these are budget busters, find a local bed & breakfast, and hide away together for a day or two. Google is a great way to find places you never knew existed. If you want to plan one of the more exotic trips, call one of our travel advisors. You'll need help with multiple flights, special amenities, and other important items that will make your Valentine's Day extra special. www.posthastetravel.com 800-881-7690. Don't forget the flowers!

Value and Trust

According to Travel Trade the most important thing to travelers right now is getting value for their money and trust in their travel provider. Using a qualified travel consultant not only provides you with the expertise and knowledge to get the best values, but you are certain to have someone to contact with any changes, problems, and questions.
"....But value is what is important to baby boomers right now, so travel agents and suppliers need to emphasize the value for money when selling to boomers.
Marc Kazlauskas, president of Insight Vacations, agreed that the baby boomer market is still strong, but he also emphasized the importance of... past customers.
"Right now, its about loyalty and trust," Kazlauskas said. In today's economic climate, people are more leery about trusting you with their money if they haven't worked with you before. Agents and suppliers don't want to be prospecting now, he said. Instead, companies should be reconnecting with past customers.
Joanne D. Smith, senior vice president of in-flight services and global product development for Delta Air Lines, also said past passengers are of utmost importance. Smith told the audience of travel executives, marketers and press that Delta is targeting much of its marketing to its frequent fliers."
Families are stressed out right now and need to reconnect away from the pressures of everyday life, so no matter what type of family mix you have, being able to get away for a few days or a few weeks will be healthy and relaxing. If you have family members that are ill, or have physical challenges, there are many vendors that can accomodate them. You can also buy insurance for the trip even if someone has a pre-existing condition that may cause the trip to be cancelled. There are really no excuses for not taking a much needed break from all the craziness going on in the world today. There are vacations available in all price ranges, with many resorts and cruises offering extra days, better amenities, and lower prices. Take advantage while you can!

Monday and time is passing quickly

It's already Monday afternoon and I feel like today is flying by. Speaking of flying, many of the cruiselines have free or reduced rate airfares to their cruises, so on top of the great deals available, you can also get to your ship for next to nothing, comparatively speaking. Take the opportunity to cruise to destinations you wouldn't have thought of before. Fly to Europe, or South America to start your cruise to exotic destinations such as Croatia, or Chile and Peru. Try the Galapagos Islands. Or Antarctica. You need a little more time than a Caribbean cruise, but you're worth it. The Return on Life you get from a real once in a lifetime experience lasts forever. If you can find time for members of your family to join you, you can have a multi generational experience that can only brighten lifelong memories. And cruising is so easy for a group. Unpack once, dine together or separately, play, swim, sun, read, together or alone. And the shore excursions can be amazing. It's time to start planning for a summer trip. Actually, it's time to start planning for next winter too. Remember the seasons are opposite south of the equator, and families usually have time off during the winter holiday season. Check out our website for ideas. Call us if you need more information. Until tomorrow.....

Friday and its time for a break

It's Friday and I haven't written in my blog all week. That's because we have been very busy at work, which is a good thing. People are starting to book vacations again. Many tours right now, to Europe, and the US West and Alaska. Tours are a great way to get alot of bang for your buck. Seeing so much of many places in a reasonable amount of time, usually 2 weeks. Being able to taste the local foods, meet the local people and see the famous sights up close with plenty of time to visit is very rewarding. The slow pace of some tours allows you to get enough rest and relaxation, withought the hurry up of doing one port every day that cruises require. And you can take the whole family to any part of the world for a wonderful experience. An Africa safari with the whole family creates a lifetime of memories. Adventures by Disney has great tours to many parts of the world. Both Tauck and Travcoa have various types of tours available for spring and summer. I would like to do a pub crawl and garden route tour in Ireland in the Spring. Or maybe a river cruise for the Tulips in Holland. River cruises are a type of tour that you don't have to unpack every day. The boat is your hotel and you still get to see the small towns and mingle with the local people. Consider your mental health and make time for a tour of this country or others. It will add to your Return on Life.

Thursday and its cold

For South Florida, 60 degrees is a little chilly. Especially when the wind is blowing. It seems to be cold everywhere around the country now. This is a good time to be thinking about that ski trip you've been wanting to take for years now. Whether in the US West or North, or in Europe, a ski trip can be a long weekend or a longer week or two. If you can get away from your busy life for a bit, a break from what seemed like the longest holiday season, would be great for your health and well being. Or if cold weather isn't your thing, there are so many fabulous cruises available on short notice right now it's silly not to try to get away. Either way, new experiences that add to your Return on Life are available for every budget. A quick getaway to the islands in the Caribbean, a glorious, peaceful hotel stay where you can be pampered for a few days, even a quick trip to DisneyWorld...find some time for yourself and family. Or plan for that fast arriving summer vacation. Make time for yourself. Don't forget, you work to support your off time!

What do you want to see?

Just a quick note...what do you want to see or learn from a travel websote and blog? Are you interested in destinations? Prices? Itineraries? Exotic locales? New hotels? New hotspots? Is there information you are not getting from all the noise on the web? Let me know what's important to you and I will do my best to get that information out there. Everything in the world of travel is available at all price points and for all imaginations. Have you a dream vacation that you want to put together? Or a family reunion on a cruise ship? What do you want from your Return on Life? Let me know.