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The Benefits of Non-Peak Travel

2/22/2023

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Many travelers look forward to their annual spring break trip, summer vacation, or holiday travels. With kids off from school, these times usually work well for families and those with busy schedules. That also means that these are among the busiest travel times of the year, or what we in the travel industry call peak season.  

Peak travel times can be the only option for some travelers, but those with more flexibility in their schedule should consider traveling during non-peak times to take advantage of these benefits!   
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LOWER COSTS

Most travelers have a vacation fund or a budget planned for their vacation. Travel agents strive to work within their clients’ budgets to plan their ideal trip and maximize their vacation value. This can be tricky during some peak season times of the year when flights are at their priciest and occupancy is nearly full.  

One of the benefits of traveling during non-peak travel times is that travel costs are usually lower. This means a traveler’s budget can go farther. Perhaps they will be able to add an extra night to their stay, upgrade their room or cabin, fly first-class or include some activities that they didn’t consider before.  ​
FEWER PEOPLE

Non-peak travel also means that there are smaller crowds. This can make a huge difference when you are waiting in line for a favorite ride, a world-renowned museum, or a table at a restaurant. Along with shorter wait times, fewer people at a theme park, monument, or destination can mean that visitors get a better view of the sites they’ve traveled to see. 

The fewer wait times also present travelers with two options for their vacation approach: doing more or taking it slow. Shorter wait times mean that travelers who are trying to fit as much into their day as possible can see and do more.  Alternatively, travelers who are searching for relaxation on vacation are less rushed to move along or get out of the way, giving them the option to stay and enjoy the moment or the scenery a little longer. And the photos they take will be able to focus on the person or the location which is the subject rather than crowds of people. ​
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LESS STRESS

Whenever there is more time, fewer people, and less financial concern, the result is less stress. For most people, taking a vacation is a chance to leave the demands of their daily lives at home and escape to somewhere that they can relax. The stress of busy airports and crowded destinations can make it hard to find that escape when travelers take a trip during peak times.  

But they can breathe a little easier and put their feet up with greater ease when they travel during non-peak times. Not only are the travelers happier, but their agents are happy to have booked a vacation that they know their clients will truly enjoy. ​
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WHEN ARE NON-PEAK TRAVEL TIMES?

Peak and non-peak travel times can vary from destination to destination and from year to year as holidays fall on different days. It’s important to know the local school calendars, when wedding season is in your area, and when holidays and three-day weekends will fall in the coming year. 

For travel from mid-January through February is slower, though three-day weekends can be a bit busier than other travel times during these months. Early May can also provide some great options for early summer travel without some of the peak travel prices.  

Most destinations are very busy from mid-May through mid-September, but things slow down once again for October and early November before holiday travel leads to busier destinations.  
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The Top 3 Reasons to Book a Fall Wine River Cruise

2/15/2023

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Matt attending the river cruise expo in Budapest - March 2022
A wine cruise offers the hospitality of traveling with a group of like-minded people with a variety of private events, dinners and tastings scheduled aboard the ship and on land. Keep reading to discover three of the best reasons to book a fall wine cruise!

1. See Europe’s breathtaking landscapes illuminated in vibrant autumn colors.
2. Visit renowned sites and wineries as the locals do, amid less crowds.
3. Save on airfare, as prices are typically reduced during fall.


Cruise through highly acclaimed European wine regions, from Austria’s UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Germany’s Rheingau and Moselle regions, to France’s celebrated Bordeaux region and beyond.

Expert Wine Hosts
You’ll be accompanied throughout your cruise by a dedicated Wine Host from a North American winery who will lead tastings and provide trips to private cellars and historic vineyards. You will also enjoy carefully curated food and wine pairing dinners.

Are you interested in booking a fall wine cruise? Click here to learn more about river cruising. Contact me today so we can get started planning the perfect wine cruise designed specifically for you! ​
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Turn Up The Romance

2/8/2023

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As professional travel advisors, we use our vast experience to help you explore, relax and reconnect on your vacations. For those looking to reconnect with the one they love, the hotels, resorts and tour operators listed here can help you do just that.

Set in some of the most dazzling destinations around the world, these properties from SELECT Hotels & Resorts — an exclusive program that includes the world’s finest hotels, resorts and villas — shower you with exclusive perks and privileges when you book them through Matt Travel.

AT SELECT HOTELS & RESORTS, YOU'LL RECEIVE ALL THESE BONUS AMENITIES AND MORE:
  • Exclusive VIP Amenities Valued at 100 USD
  • Complimentary Breakfast for Two Daily
  • Upgrade Upon Availability
  • Early Check-in and Late Check-out Upon Availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

COMBINE THESE BONUS AMENITIES WITH THESE SPECIAL OFFERS FROM THE FEATURED HOTEL PARTNERS:
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21c MUSEUM HOTEL CHICAGO
​Located just steps from the famous Magnificent Mile shopping district in River North Chicago, contemporary art surrounds and inspires you at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. Discover a new kind of cultural and travel experience in the Windy City with this multi-venue museum and 297-room boutique hotel featuring 106 suites. A welcoming sanctuary from the art and activity that fills the 21c galleries and downtown Chicago, the romantic rooms are the perfect place to rest, refresh and reconnect.

Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:
  • $100 resort credit
  • Complimentary buffet breakfast for two daily
  • Early check-in and late checkout upon availability
  • Property will offer upgrade at time of check-in — subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
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FAIRMONT KEA LANI, MAUI
Discover the essence of Maui at Fairmont Kea Lani, Hawaii's only all-suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort. Imagine an island oasis where blue skies, golden sand beaches and an abundance of tropical blooms create a vibrant retreat. With six dining venues featuring four bars, three swimming pools (including an adults-only tranquility pool), authentic Hawaiian cultural activities and comprehensive fitness and wellness programming, Fairmont Kea Lani is the ideal place to re-energize and reconnect with loved ones.

Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:​
  • $100 food & beverage credit per stay*
  • Daily breakfast buffet for two at Kea Lani Restaurant
  • Early check-in and late checkout upon availability
  • Property will offer upgrade at time of check-in — subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
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HYATT HOTELS & RESORTS
​From iconic cities of the world to sunny white-sand beaches and beyond, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts around the globe provide the perfect settings for your romantic getaway. Choose the excitement of Nashville or the legendary European cities of Amsterdam and Prague. For the ultimate escape, select destinations like Hawaii or Cambodia. Or enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe or the Pacific Coast. Wherever you set your course, you’ll be sure to share memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. 

Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:​
  • $100 resort credit
  • Complimentary buffet breakfast for two daily
  • Early check-in and late checkout upon availability
  • Property will offer upgrade at time of check-in — subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
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IHG HOTELS & RESORTS
Wherever your travels take you, elevate the experience. As one of the world’s largest luxury and lifestyle hotel brands, IHG offers unparalleled service and stay experiences in the world’s most premium destinations. With 17 brands across 6,000 destinations around the world, they have multiple properties to choose from no matter where you wish to spend your romantic getaway.

Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:
  • $100 resort credit
  • Complimentary buffet breakfast for two daily
  • Early check-in and late checkout upon availability
  • Property will offer upgrade at time of check-in — subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
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