Belize it or not...

Our trip to Belize

We had a very interesting trip recently to Belize.....and found it to be an extremely relaxed and comfortable place to visit, where the people were very friendly and welcoming, and the food was superb!

Belize has world class scuba diving with the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere - as well as sailing, fishing, hiking, and over 1,000 Mayan ruins scattered throughout to explore. There are also jungles, wildlife reserves, and the largest cave system in Central America. We took a small plane ride to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, where we stayed for a week at the beautiful "Victoria House" resort.

For those who have never been there...Belize is located in Central America - it is bordered to the North by Mexico, to the South & West by Guatemala, and the East by the Caribbean Sea. It is always warm, yet comfortable with trade winds blowing that keep you feeling cool. 

Formerly know as "British Honduras", Belize gained their full independence in 1981. Belize is diverse with various cultures & languages. English is the official language, but most of the native people are fully bilingual in both English and Spanish, and many people speak Creole as well. There are lots of expatriates living there from Canada, United States, and Europe.

Belize is easy to visit as nearly every place accepts USD currency as well as Belize dollars ($2 Belize is worth $1 USD). The main mode of transportation in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is golf carts and bicycles!

If you are interesting in taking a vacation to Belize yourself contact us for more information.

Alaska is NOT just for retirees!

One of our most memorable vacations was a multi-generational cruise that we did with our sons, my parents, and my brother and sister-in-law. When my parents suggested Alaska as a destination I must admit I was skeptical...after all, wasn't Alaska just for retired people? 

Well it turns out I was very WRONG! We all ended up having a blast - and there was certainly something to do for every age group. One of the things that worked so well with a cruise was that we could all "do our own thing", and then meet up for dinner each night to discuss all that we had seen and done that day.

There are of course plenty of cruise options, but on our particular cruise we departed from beautiful Vancouver, Canada....and cruised the inland passage for 7 nights. We visited Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and the spectacular Hubbard Glacier.

The scenery was spectacular, and there were plenty of opportunities to view wildlife, explore the historic towns, and take part in a variety of excursions. My brother and sister-in-law had an amazing time kayaking, and our eldest son decided that he would take a helicopter ride where he got to not only view incredible scenery, but he actually got to walk out on the glacier!

 
My parents enjoyed time on board the ship just relaxing and taking part in many of the activities that were available. 
Of course we all enjoyed the food - who wouldn't?

So would we go again? ABSOLUTELY - and next time I would like to do a cruise AND land tour as there is so much to see & do in beautiful Alaska. If you would like to know more about this amazing place, please CONTACT US for more information.

Jazz, Blues, and Rock 'N Roll - train travel comeback!

Not everyone is into flying...especially these days with flight delays & increased security...and a relaxing alternative is to travel by rail. Travelers like the comfortable seating with plenty of leg room - and the ability to move around the train - while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

We work with Amtrak Vacations who offer a bucket list experience with over 300 itineraries and 40 destinations throughout the US and Canada - which include city to city services and National Park tours (with a train you can travel right into the National Parks!). Their number one tour is Glacier National Park which is a seasonal destination that is perfect for families of all ages.Another popular family experience is the Grand Canyon.

There are of course independent rail journeys, as well as escorted rail journeys, and rail getaways. They have even partnered with cruise lines such as Celebrity and Norwegian for pre and post cruise packages called "Rail and Sail"!

City getaways are very popular and can be customized to combine a package inclusive of hotels, sightseeing, and entertainment.

There are city getaways to major cities such as NYC, Washington, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, & New Orleans.  



If you would like to learn more about Amtrak Vacations, please contact us

GETAWAY VACATION RENTALS...JUST A SHORT DRIVE AWAY!

Looking for a Vacation rental close to home?

I met a lady when we were out for dinner recently, who in conversation mentioned that they own four vacation rental homes in North Carolina. I was curious to learn more, and asked her to email me some details, as not everyone has the time or the inclination to travel far from home when they just want to get away for a few days to relax.  She kindly sent me the links to view their properties, and I was so impressed I just had to share!

She wrote “All are in NC, two in the Banner Elk/Valle Crucis area and two on Oak Island.  We love the business and feel like we offer a few extra ‘touches of home’ that some rentals don’t.   We are budget friendly and pet friendly.   The Island Hideaway is the one that we are just getting started so we don’t have any comments yet.  We have been very fortunate with great reviews, comments, and lots of returning guests at the others.  The reviews and comments are on the web pages.”

The Banner Elk/Valle Crucis area, for those not familiar with it, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina – just a couple of hours drive from both Greensboro and Charlotte. Boone and Blowing Rock are neighboring towns from here. You will find plenty to do in this beautiful scenic area – from hiking, bike riding, river rafting and rock climbing – to bird watching, or shopping in the quaint historic towns and visiting the galleries which feature local artists. Click on the links to view their gorgeous vacation properties Hilltop Hideaway which is perfect for family reunions as it sleeps 14, and High Country Fever Cabin which sleeps 6.

Now who doesn't love to go to the beach?  Oak Island offers beautiful sandy beaches with a small town, family-friendly environment. Of course you can enjoy walks on the beach, boating, fishing, kayaking, etc. – but there are also some good golf courses in this area. 

Check out their wonderful beach cottage properties…they look incredibly relaxing don’t they? Island Love Shack sleeps 4, and Island Hideaway sleeps 6.

All of these properties look cosy and comfortable - and most importantly they are affordable. If you have questions you can email the owner directly through the vacation rental links.

Stuart's Handy Travel Tips for Europe and Russia

Back by popular demand, Stuart's traveling tips, this time for Europe and Russia!

Stuart has just recently got back from a business trip to Europe and Russia.  With every trip comes a learning opportunity, first and foremost is the new type of credit card with a security chip that requires a personal identity pin

Though new in our country, this system will be implemented by year end.  The United States is the only country still using magnetic strip cards.   

If you are planning a trip  contact your credit card company to inquire if you can get this new card before your trip.  All the trains now require this new credit card  or cash - they will not accept a credit card with a strip anymore. When dining in a restaurant with a business associate, the restaurant would not accept Stuart's credit card.  He actually thought he might have to wash dishes to pay for his meal! Be sure to ask the hostess before seating.

When exploring in cities in Europe, watch out for cyclists!  The Netherlands and Scandinavian countries have cyclists everywhere.  Cyclists  have the "right away" so be aware when you step off the curb.

Have travel adapters for all your cell phones, lap tops, and other electronic devices.   Most places in Europe and Russia require the " round two prong plug adapters".  In England, you would require a three prong plug as they are 220-230 voltage. Most hotels do have air dryers, even Russia, so one less device to pack.

The "hop-on, hop-off" buses are the best way to get a good overview of a new city. Spend the day exploring since bus fares are reasonable and the commentary is in multiple languages. Stuart suggests you purchase your bus tickets from a kiosk on the street rather than on the bus.  You are able to save money as the kiosk will give you multiple coupons for discounts and some free admissions to local attractions.

The bus system from Heathrow Airport to nearby hotels is very good and much cheaper than taxi service. (Recent fare was 4.50 pounds as opposed to the 15 pounds Stuart was quoted from a taxi driver, plus bus drops you at the front door). If you are traveling into the city, take the train.  Heathrow Express is the fastest way to connect with London from Heathrow.  If you do decide you need a taxi, go to the office within the terminal.  Don't hail  a taxi outside the airport as Stuart says "they will take you for a ride", translation-excessive charges!

When flying international or domestic, it's important to pack medications and valuables in your carry-on, since cancelled flights and lost luggage are the new normal these days. A good travel insurance policy will make replacing the new undies and a free hotel more bearable. 

Stuart found that it was not worth the extra cost on first-class air seats.  When on Lufthansa, he noticed no additional leg room, just a black leather seat versus a blue seat in "monkey class"....and they serve the same free drinks.

Stuart says that these days airports have digital check-ins throughout Europe and Russia, so you need to keep your airline booking locator number handy.   You will need to know the 3 letter airport code for the first leg or destination code on a non-stop, keep a "cheat sheet" in your pocket with all these details, and a pen on hand, for those countries which require you to fill out customs declaration forms.

Make sure you have your passport number written down somewhere safe just in case you are pick-pocketed! You need to have proof of identity when travelling in these countries.  You can be stopped and asked for identification at anytime!  The best advice is to be prepared so you can enjoy your excursion to the fullest!

If you are traveling soon and have questions, CONTACT STUART as he will be happy to share his expertise with you. 

What’s new in the Romance World? You may be surprised…..

Brides are looking for fun and stress free weddings – with a built in honeymoon! So it is no wonder that the trend for destination and shipboard weddings is exploding! 

 Family and friends love it because they get the opportunity to get to know each other in a fun, tropical setting.  Brides have so many choices (grooms too) – they can get married at a resort, or say their vows on a beautiful beach, garden,  or really any exotic location around the world!  

Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners offers two exclusive shore side wedding packages in over 20 beautiful destinations.  Don’t forget that we can customize any trip to make it perfect for that special day!  

So let’s cruise!  

Virtually every cruise line offers some sort of wedding, honeymoon, and renewal of vows packages. Symbolic ceremonies can be arranged at sea, or you can have a wedding in any of the great global destinations that the cruise ships go to.

But what about same-sex ceremonies? Well, what about it in this very progressive time and turning point in history?

 Same-sex couples are looking to declare their love for one other in special ways.  Cruise Planners can offer a “Sea of Love Cruise”, a seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage on Norwegian Getaway.  It includes a same-sex group commitment ceremony on a St. Thomas Beach. The departure date is September 27^th, visiting St. Maarten and Nassau too, with the commitment ceremony taking place on October 1^st.  After the ceremony, couples and guests will celebrate with a reception that includes a buffet, open bar, party costumes, champagne toast, steel pan band, and a photographer. 

t just doesn’t get much better than this folks!  Contact us to plan your ceremony!

Addictive River Cruising

Sail away on a river cruise….everyone’s talking about it.

1. riv·er

a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream.

2. Cruise

sail about in an area without a precise destination, esp. for pleasure

We’re not supposed to have favorites, but having been fortunate enough to have taken a few river cruises… I can’t wait to do another one sometime soon. We are passionate about river cruising!  Let me share some of my enthusiasm with you!  Close your eyes (really) imagine yourself meandering down a tranquil river with your own “floating hotel”.  You are totally immersed in the local culture.  Unpack your bag just once and let the sites come to you as you enjoy the ever changing scenery.  There are castles, vineyards, small quaint villages – and every day you can walk right off the ship at your leisure and into the center of town. Okay, open your eyes.  It seems like a dream, but that is the definition of river cruising.

There are no “at sea days” because river cruising is all about the destination, emphasizing culture and history. The ships are much more intimate with fewer passengers.  Superb meals from a friendly and welcoming staff, daily hosted shore excursions, complimentary wine and beer with meals, on board entertainment from local artists, all inclusive when you take that river cruise.  Now forgot about thinking it’s just for retirees, river cruising is so popular, there are sailings in Europe geared to families wanting something for everyone!

Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia, Egypt, Africa and even the Galapagos Islands are hot spots for river cruising   Talk to us about the various options and we’ll find a river cruise that is perfect for you. Be forewarned…because once you have experienced a river cruise you will want to repeat the experience again and again!