Holiday Travels

Before you leave to catch your flight (and you should leave early), It's worth remembering, that there are several steps you can take to minimize delays and stress at the airport.

Program important numbers on your phone as well as have a list written down in another place in case you loose your phone. This way, when a foot of snow is dumped on your holiday travel plans, you can react immediately and find an alternative. Also, pack your gifts wisely, and remember that wrapped gifts in your carry-on will likely be unwrapped by TSA officials (you can even ship your gifts directly to the recipiant). Be creative with other difficult to pack items (like skis) and weigh the cost of baggage fees versus shipping costs. And last but certainly not least, don't feel bad about shopping last minute at the airport.

It has been predicted there will be a slight drop in overall travel this Christmas. Only 8.1 million travelers out of 63.9 million are flying, that means a lot of people are driving—some 52 million people, to be exact.
For all the road warriors out there here are some tips for a safe drive.

• Getting caught in a storm is a nightmare, but you can feel safer by preparing a winter emergency kit for your car, which includes a sandbag, shovel, blanket, first-aid kit, flares, flashlight, waterproof matches, chains, food, and water.
  
• Be sure that your car is equipped with a spare tire and jumper cables.

• It's important that your vehicle is in tip-top shape before you hit the (possibly icy) roads. Make sure to get the oil changed, add snow tires, and have a complete run-through of brakes, ignition, and battery systems.
  
• Check the interstate weather forecast to avoid any possibly dangerous storms on your travel route.
  
• Check with your car insurance to see if you have roadside assistance for emergencies, and program the number into your cell phone. This way if you do require towing or a jumpstart, you have somewhere to turn.
  
• Slow down and be alert. Make sure that you are well rested and that you keep a steady pace, so you arrive at grandmother's house in one piece.

Stay safe and
Happy Holiday Travels!

Barbados Cruise

Mike and Carolyn Royce went on a Princess cruise starting from Barbados. Some of the stops included, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts, Tortola, Montego Bay, Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada.

They loved renting a scooter and traveling around Tortola on their own.

They said they had a great time.

Mike's tip:
If you go to Grenada bring back spices for your loved ones.
They brought back spice necklaces.

They also said they loved Aruba and Bonaire.
They learned an important lesson on this trip, and I think they would agree with me when I say, Travel insurance is very important.Thank you for sharing your memories with us!

Best places to ring in the New Year

It's every city's favorite excuse for a party. Here are a few spectacular ways to ring in 2009.

1. Bangkok-

If Times Square's light show doesn't cut it for you, head to the capital of Thailand, where a 52-foot-high Greeting Ball Tower signals the arrival of midnight.
Outside of the giant CentralWorld shopping mall, about 500,000 revelers join hands to count down to the New Year.
Earlier in the evening, events include seven concert performances by Thai stars.

2. Berlin-

Despite temperatures of around the freezing point, Berliners host an open-air New Year's Eve bash, and the city claims that it is the largest such party in the world.
Roughly one million merrymakers pack the nearly mile-and-a-quarter-long stretch between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate. Colorful lasers illuminate the sky while music, mostly pop and dance, blares from giant speakers.

3. Edinburgh-

The Scottish capital toasts every New Year with a four-day festival called Hogmanay (pronounced hog-muh-NAY).
On the Monday before New Years 2009, a torchlight procession along Princes Street whisks a giant wicker lion to Calton Hill, where it's torched.
Then on New Year's Eve, indie rockers like Glasvegas blast away in the streets, while more mainstream rockers like Paolo Nutini perform at the Princes Street Gardens.
Nearby, there's a ceilidh, a traditional Scottish party where locals dance gigs and reels to a piper's beat.

4. Las Vegas

Vegas lives up to its rep as a party town on December 31, with lunatic stunts, a massive light display, and performances by well known entertainers.
The Strip hosts the free portion of America's Party, an extravaganza with a fireworks display launching from various spots.
On Fremont Street, folks pay $20 a head to see Tribute-Palooza, a set of eight bands that imitate major acts like U2, Kiss, and Elton John.

5. New Orleans

As in years past, New Orleans puts its own twist on New York City's ball drop.
Its spotlit gumbo pot drops from the Jax Brewery at midnight. Its fall prompts a nightlong bar crawl in the historic French Quarter.
This year, is the 75th anniversary of the Sugar Bowl, and the football matchup takes place on January 2.
Expect a football theme for most of the weekend's events. For example, in Jackson Square after the gumbo pot drop, a light-and-sound display will synchronize the fight song of each team playing in the Bowl this year with the appearance of each team's colors in the sky.

6. Sydney

Because of its location, the Aussie capital is among the first major cities to greet the new year.
The city will synch up its pyrotechnics with colorful lighting effects on the arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Revelers gear up earlier in the day. Waterfront events attract crowds of Sydney siders in T-shirts and shorts.

Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., aircraft will run hourly flyovers above Sydney Harbour Bridge.
After 9 p.m., 55 illuminated ships circuit Sydney Harbour, foreshadowing the barrage of light and sound to come.

Mental Vacation

Let's just pretend that this little post is a real vacation...
Now close your eyes, Take a break from your hot cocoa, Ignore the snow outside your window, Imagine 8O degrees of warm sunshine and oh, don't forget your sunscreen!

On your little vacation, you will fly to Riviera Maya, Mexico

Upon arriving, there will be plenty of hammocks and white sand beaches.

Go ahead and relax here for a moment.

Now check in, put your luggage down, and put your feet up.

This is your view from your room.
Go sit on the Cabana, put your feet up, sip on your Mojito, and watch the waves crash over and over.
Spend some time reading a book by the pool.
Next up, Tulum.
Go ahead and jump in the water once your done checking out the ruins.
Now it's time to get adventurous and get on a Jet ski. I will race you to the coral!
After all the excitement of the wave runner, I think its time to go to Xel-Ha and float down a relaxing river while fish swim by our feet.
Instead of just floating past them...Why don't we join them and go snorkeling!
Since were still in Xel-Ha, (remember your not looking outside just yet) I think we should take advantage of a once in a life time excursion and swim with the Dolphins.
Okay that was a lot of activities for one day, I will meet you at the spa.
Once your spa treatment is finished, I want you to join me on the beach for a private dinner.
After dinner, We need to wait the recommended 15 minutes before swimming...
Lets just enjoy the sunset.

Ok- I feel more rested. What about you?
Do you have a dreamy place that you like to escape the daily hum-drum, please share with us.

Nobody loves a vacation like we do, even if it is just an imaginary one.
NEED A REAL VACATION?

Call us today.

We can tell you all the hot spots and where to go to get the most of your vacation.

Happy travels!