Now that you’ve chosen your destination there’s no stopping you from day-dreaming your way through the work week about the imminent vacation bliss that is to be yours in just a few short months. But take note, before you go packing three bathing suits because you can’t pick just one, now is the time to talk about the not-so-fun stuff that could ruin your entire vacation – or stop it from happening altogether. In this article, I'll walk you through some passport requirements for international travel that you may not be aware of...
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Do you ever get the feeling that the property reviews on TripAdvisor or similar websites are a little shady? Like they might not be real or biased? If so, then keep reading because I’m going to share with you the truth about reviews for resorts and what you should consider before you book that trip... Unless you have an endless supply of wealth, odds are you won’t be able to travel the world full-time. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the world to you with travel decor and novelty items that remind you of the places you’ve been and the places you still want to go. Everywhere I go, I try to pick-up one piece of something, whether that be artwork, clothing, bowls (dining or storage), signs, trinkets, etc… Even if it’s just a special photo, I will get it printed on canvas to add around my house. Anything that reminds me of the experience and memories I’ve created during my travels. Such a simple way to wake up with a smile and start your day on a good note – what’s better than reliving all your carefree memories as you walk around your house! Check out a few of the below items I found recently when I went down the rabbit hole looking at some travel themed goodies... You’re probably aware that some travel agents/advisors claim that their services are completely free and that other travel agents charge fees. But how much do travel agents charge - and why do we charge at all? Travel agent fees vary from agency to agency, but to give you a quick idea, you can find a typical range between $100 to $1200 depending on the destination, length of stay and complexity of the itinerary. In keeping with my honesty and transparency, I feel it’s necessary to have an open discussion about travel agent fees, why Destinations HD charges fees and what you're actually paying for. In light of the current situation regarding COVID-19, this has been a hot topic and more travel professionals are introducing fees, so I wanted to take this opportunity to help you to understand the reasons why and the role of your travel agent as you begin to book travel in the future. This is quite lengthy, but there is so much to cover. Grab your cup of coffee - I hope you find this informative and enjoy a glimpse into the agent life... While this may not apply to you, I ask that you share it with those you know who could benefit, as so many couples and their families have been, and continue to be, impacted by the ever-fluid consequences of dealing with a global pandemic during their wedding planning. Weddings are supposed to be a time when families and friends come together to celebrate the love and union of two people and the bonding of two families. Since weddings are not only a joyous and emotional investment, but often a significant financial investment, I wanted to touch on some things to consider and the options out there for those who have been planning or are considering planning a destination wedding at an international location. As parts of the world begin their initial phases for re-opening during COVID-19, we are starting to see a glimmer of what hotel and resorts stays could look like as people move forward with vacation plans. As we touched on in a previous post about what to expect when you travel next, the new normal for accommodations will look a little different than what you’re used to. While certain factors will be similar across the board, each hotel – whether it’s state specific here in the United States, or abiding by country regulations that differ from place to place – will also have their own take on how they are choosing to incorporate safety and sanitation protocols in the future. With the above in mind, I wanted to give you a heads up about what you might expect in the near future. If you are anything like me, your travel bug is getting anxious to explore again! It's been great to see many destinations starting to re-open and accepting tourists again these past few weeks, and I'm looking forward to seeing even more this summer. As I have started planning new vacations again, there is one thing I noticed trending in regards to the immediate future of vacation planning... You must plan in advance and prepare more than you normally would. Let me take you on a quick imaginative journey of one of these exclusive experiences you must pre-plan, even earlier than before, to guarantee your spot! Imagine breathtaking views that are still largely untouched by commercialism and not overrun with tourists. Picture mountain views, canyons carved by rushing waters, and stunning landscapes. Now imagine being able to view it all from a world-class train that puts you up close with nature while transporting you in luxury. You can enjoy all this and more with one of the many Rocky Mountaineer luxury train tours. While this year is a no go for this adventure - there are already limited options for the 2021 season as everyone had to reschedule from their cancelled 2020 trip. They have a short season any how (from late April to October), so you should jump on pre-planning now or you may be stuck with waiting until 2022! Like so many of you, we here at Destinations HD have been rethinking (and rescheduling!) our vacation plans this summer. The world is re-opening, but as we talked about recently, travel is going to be a little different for a while. So what next? If you aren't comfortable to jet-off to far away destinations with multiple plane trips right now, what can you look to do instead? The answer that we are excited to share, is small group adventures right here in the USA! When you have grown up here, I think it’s easy to forget how special your own backyard is. (not literally. I think we are all sick to death of our own backyards at this point, am I right?!) It's a perfect time to get out there and see our beautiful and diverse country with your friends and loved ones, as well as, put some fervor and finance back into the country. Read on below, to learn a little more about what Destinations HD can offer in terms of travel in the United States... As the world begins to implement various reopening strategies, so too is the travel industry and we think it’s important to take a look at what travel in the foreseeable might look like. Although we all want to spring back into things and get back to celebrating, traveling and experience all that this amazing world has to offer, things are not going to be the “same” for a while. As we prepare each of our clients as best as we can for their adventures going forward, we also want to share with you some new expectations to keep in mind when for your future travel. Moving forward, travel is going to look a bit different – at this point vendors throughout the industry are beginning to release their new policies and procedures, and we can continue seeing changes as we proceed. Please read on for some things you will most likely expect when you travel next... With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I know that there are so many of us who won’t be able to celebrate our mother’s, mother figures, and the outstanding father’s who’ve played both Mom and Dad to us, in quite the same way this year. With travel restrictions slowly lifting however, we can give the Gift of Reconnection in the form of a future travel certificate – and start thinking about the kind of travel that we can safely embark on as we enter our new normal way of life. For those of us wanting to get back into the world and see new places or different scenery, but who are still wary of jumping right back into the fray of extensive multi-destination trips or mega-resorts, there are a number of smaller boutique and secluded style options available that are ideal to start. Let's explore a few of those today... |