 You’ve spent months making arrangements for your upcoming vacation. The flights have been arranged, the transfers booked, and the excursions selected. You’ve strewn clothing around your bedroom making decisions about outfits, reserved your pet’s spot at the local animal care facility, and packed your carry-on bag with love and care. You have checked and re-checked your pre-travel to-do list, working with your travel agent to ensure you are prepared for your vacation. And now travel day is here, bringing with it a fresh wave of stress. Keep the preparedness momentum going with our tips to have the best first day of vacation possible. ORGANIZE, SO YOU DON’T NEED TO RUSH Complete as much packing and as many tasks as possible before departure day, especially if you have an early wake-up call. Set items you’ll need to access before departure near your luggage, use them, and then pack them right away after use. Referring to a thoughtfully organized packing list is also helpful for streamlining this process. For peace of mind, look through your documents and identification together with your travel companions so everyone sees that all important items are accounted for. PACK YOUR PATIENCE AND GO WITH THE FLOW Even with proper care and attention to detail, sometimes things go wrong. While this can be frustrating, go with the flow and contact your travel agent if there is a situation you don’t believe you can handle.  FOR RESORT VACATIONS Note your resort’s check-in time and compare it with your anticipated arrival time. If you’re early, your room might not be ready for you, but resorts usually have an area for you to change your clothes and freshen up, allowing you to enjoy the property right away. They’ll also stow your bags, so make sure you have items you might want with you in your carry-on or other easily accessible bag. This could include a change of clothing, swimsuits, and sunscreen, for example. Some resorts lead daily tours so guests can learn more about activities and see where everything is located on the property. If this isn’t offered or isn’t of interest to you, you can spend a little time exploring the resort to get a feel for its layout. Maps are usually available, and the front desk will gladly show you your room location and how to get there from the lobby. Find out which restaurants are open during your stay, and when. It’s not uncommon for restaurant availability to rotate, particularly during slower seasons. If you can’t do so in advance, make reservations for your dinners during the first day of vacation.  FOR CRUISE VACATIONS
Don’t make disembarkation day your first day of vacation. Arriving at your departure port city a day early is much less stressful than fretting about potentially missing your sailing because of flight delays or cancellations. Your stateroom won’t be ready for awhile once you have boarded the ship, and passengers will only have access to certain common areas until an announcement is made. This means you’ll be without your luggage for (potentially) several hours, so pack what you’ll need for the entire day in your carry-on. Find out which dining venues are available for lunch on embarkation day. The buffet could be teeming with travelers, many of whom will be rolling luggage around with them. If there is a smaller, quieter location for eating, you might be happier kicking off your vacation in this peaceful environment. Explore the ship and check out the day’s activities. A great first day (and cruise) starts with getting the lay of the land and making some fun plans for how to celebrate the start of vacation.  Each year, New England’s glorious fall colors beckon tourists to visit its quaint towns and scenic parks. But other regions of the United States also boast a beautiful autumn season. If you yearn for crisp air, crunchy leaves underfoot, and dazzling displays of nature at its best, plan your getaway to one of these 3 destinations for fall fun!  ASPEN, COLORADO Aspen draws skiers and snowboarders to its snowy peaks in the winter, but it’s also one of the USA’s most beautiful destinations for fall colors. With fewer tourists, reduced lodging rates, and awe-inspiring pops of color against the blue sky and snow-capped mountains, this mountain city is worthy of an autumn visit. Stay: Aspen is full of luxury hotels, so consider splurging on either The Little Nell or The St. Regis Aspen for a memorable five-star experience. For a more budget-friendly stay, nearby Snowmass has several options, from Pokolodi Lodge to Stonebridge Inn. See: Drive the scenic twelve miles of Castle Creek Road, stopping at its numerous lookout points to ooh and aah at the leaves. Hike along Hunter Creek Trail to a lovely meadow, spotting old miner cabins along the way. Get up close and personal with the fall foliage as you fly along the zipline or conquer the challenging ropes course at Lost Forest. Eat: Chefs Club, located in the St. Regis hotel, was named one of the nation’s 100 Best Restaurants by Time Magazine. It features a rotation of visiting chefs who take over the space for several months at a time and serve changing menus. For a more casual meal, The Stew Pot ladles out a variety of stews and soups alongside hearty salads and sandwiches—perfect after a long morning of hiking!  TAOS, NEW MEXICO An artist’s haven in northern New Mexico, Taos welcomes visitors with its thriving music scene, delicious local cuisine, and world-class skiing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Stay: For a boutique experience, book a stay at Dreamcatcher Bed and Breakfast or Blue Sky Retreat at San Geronimo. A quaint, cozy stay pairs perfectly with the charm of the town. See: Hop in the car and explore one of two famous routes for stunning scenery, The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway or The High Road to Taos from Santa Fe. If you prefer for someone else to do the driving, The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad chugs through canyons and desert, snaking between the borders of Colorado and New Mexico. In town, festival season draws visitors who want to take in the art scene or nosh on delicious food. Eat: Small local eateries are where it’s at when visiting Taos. La Cueva Café dishes up tasty Mexican dishes, including huevos rancheros and enchiladas. A hearty, homestyle platter of eggs, potatoes, and meats pairs nicely with a cup of steaming coffee at the Farmhouse Café. For a unique combination of Latin-French cuisine, Gutiz offers crepes, tartines, and croque madames alongside New Mexican staples topped with a variety of chile sauces.  CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
Cape May has long been associated with the bustle of summer tourism, but when crowds return home and the temperature cools, fall provides a delightful backdrop for a new season of fun. See: Guided trolley tours give visitors a glimpse into the maritime and cultural history of Cape May, known as America’s first seaside resort. Spend a relaxing, romantic weekend exploring the grounds of local wineries or breweries, sipping wine or beer, and nibbling on cheese and fruit with your sweetheart. For a bit of spooky fun, ghost and mystery tours help get tourists into the spirit of fall and Halloween. Stay: Victorian bed-and-breakfasts are abundant in Cape May, and guests at properties like The Mason Cottage or The Harrison are immersed in the décor and history of the town. Quaint hotel accommodations like those at Heritage Inn or Carroll Villa Hotel provide traditional hotel amenities while preserving the feel of historic Cape May. Eat: Serving up seafood caught from its own fleet of fishing boats, The Lobster House serves lunch and dinner to hungry patrons in five dining rooms overlooking Cape May Harbor. For creative farm-to-table cuisine, reservations at the swanky Ebbitt House restaurant in The Virginia Hotel are a must. Stuffed sandwiches, boardwalk fries, salads, and mac and cheese are served at Cape May’s surfer beachside café, The Rusty Nail, affectionately nicknamed “The Nail” by locals. While New England has deservedly earned its status as the premier fall destination for leaf-peeping, these 3 destinations for fun also offer travelers a special seasonal experience. Your clients should book their fall retreat as soon as possible for best availability and rates.  What if I told you there’s a way you could travel for free, and it doesn't involve credit cards or tracking rewards points? Plus, you get to travel with your friends! There's a little secret to traveling for free I’ve discovered as a travel advisor, and I'd like to share it with you: all you have to do is get a small group of friends together and your costs are covered.
Work with me to come up with your ideal itinerary. Let's say it's a cruise. You get nine friends to go on the same cruise, and you'll go for FREE! If you get 10 couples in your group, you'll get a FREE CABIN for you and your guest. This is just one example. Requirements and rewards vary. Contact me to put together a travel plan that suits you! There will always be some costs such as taxes and flights, but overall, this is the cheapest way you'll find to travel. Contact me now to let me plan your group trip! Let’s get traveling! |
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(408) 718-4872
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Click here to schedule a free consultation about your next trip!
(408) 718-4872
[email protected]
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California Seller of Travel Registration # 2089491-50. Registration as a seller of travel in California does not constitute the state's approval. Agent is not a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. Florida Seller of Travel Registration # ST37113. Hawaii Seller of Travel License # TAR 7231. Washington Seller of Travel UBI # 602 775122.
California Seller of Travel Registration # 2089491-50. Registration as a seller of travel in California does not constitute the state's approval. Agent is not a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. Florida Seller of Travel Registration # ST37113. Hawaii Seller of Travel License # TAR 7231. Washington Seller of Travel UBI # 602 775122.
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