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... ​

I hope you have been having an amazing summer thus far! I head to Cancun, Mexico next week to do resort site inspections at 12 different luxury resorts, so be sure to follow me on facebook or instagram for some vacation inspiration! I have an amazing resort line up to see and can't wait to share my experiences.​

If you are thinking about putting together a group trip with your family or friends, I have a great idea below on putting that together...

When organizing a group getaway, there are many moving parts. Some of the things you'll have to think about include, but are not limited to:

• Where you will go?
• How long you'll be there?
• Will everyone stay the same amount of time or different dates? 
• What activities do you need during your vacation? Any special group tours, certain sights/activities available nearby, dinner or special event, etc...
• Where would guests be traveling from? 
• Which people on your guest list will actually be attending? 
  ​

One of the best ways to handle a group getaway to give everyone something to enjoy, is with an all-inclusive vacation staying at a resort, or going on a cruise.

All-inclusive means less hassle!

For group leaders trying to organize a vacation, hosting a trip such as this becomes remarkably easier when everything is included for one all-inclusive fee. With the exception of how people will get there, everything else is pretty much taken care of for you. The meals, the lodging, sometimes even alcohol - it’s all lumped into one sum so there are no surprises when it comes to budgeting.

Dining is just one example of complications you could endure while on a group getaway if you don’t go all-inclusive. Let’s say you go out together for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What happens when the bill comes? First, there’s the awkward moment where everyone tries to remember what they ordered. Next, comes the calculations related to who owes what. And, inevitably you will have at least one or two people who doesn't have enough cash, and they’ll ask if you can spot them and pay you back later. For the group organizer that means you might end up being stuck paying for more than you initially planned on.

With an all-inclusive vacation however, everyone's meals are already included in the upfront price. If they happen to add on additional items that did cost extra money, you'll never have to worry about that - it will be charged to their room/cabin, and you'll be none the wiser.

Another benefit of doing an all-inclusive vacation for your group getaway is that much of the entertainment and/or excursions will be managed for you as well. Sure, there may be optional fees for adding on activities related to these excursions, but all of the organization of things like transportation, timing, and other particulars will be handled for you.

Imagine being able to just send one or two emails to your entire group letting them know who your travel agent is and your dates of travel, and then being able to just show up at the resort or on the cruise ship and simply enjoy yourself! No running around trying to track arrivals/departures, managing payments or handling any special requests/needs, as the itinerary is set up already and your travel agent is coordinating the behind-the-scenes details. No hassling with opinions from friends/family on what they want to eat because everything they could possibly want to eat is most likely already on the resort property or the cruise ship.

Make your trip even easier by hiring Destinations HD

You likely now see why all-inclusive is the way to go for your group travel. Want to make things even easier on yourself? Hire Destinations HD to manage the rest. When you book a group with us, we handle everything related to your trip on your behalf. We help match you to the all-inclusive resorts or cruises that fit your expectations and needs to assist you with picking the perfect one to make your group vacation the most memorable!

All you have to do is give us the contact information for the people in your party, and we take care of the rest! Their flights, accommodations, transfers to/from the resort, special requests, group tour/excursions, and any additional help anyone may need along the way. I manage your entire vacation, so that you can just focus on relaxing and enjoying quality time together!

As an added benefit of you being the group organizer, you may qualify for complimentary nights or even a completely free stay. To learn more about what resorts and cruises offer the best complimentary accommodations for group organizers, call us at (913) 244-9195 today. I can't wait to help you create the perfect vacation for your group!

Experiences Await...

I am usually very prepared for Christmas and have all my shopping done by end of November.  However, there is always one or two people that I struggle with finding the perfect gift. My younger brother is normally one of those. He has recently caught the travel bug and always he keeps suggesting we take a trip together instead of gifts. 

​If you have a travel enthusiast in your family, the gift of travel is certainly better than anything you can buy on the shelf. However, how do you determine if this choice is right for your loved one(s) this holiday season?  Here are a few simple tips that may help you decide how to go about sending someone a vacation as a present...

1. Don't assume you know where they want to go! Just because you thought Hawaii was amazing doesn't mean that everyone wants to go to Hawaii. Shocking I know, but it's true!
   
   
2. Decide early on if you're paying for the whole trip, or just a portion of it. While a vacation is a nice gesture, it's no secret they can be expensive. If you're only purchasing a portion, you'll want to make sure you are buying a certificate that can be used for any destination. For example, Walmart may sell Southwest Airlines or Delta gift cards, but the problem with these types of gifts is they lock the recipient into an airline that they either may not like, or may not be able to use to visit their dream destination.
   
   
3. Refrain from choosing their travel dates. Unfortunately, we don't always know someone's work schedule or their restrictions for taking leave from work. Open-ended travel dates are much better for gifts.
   
   
4. Consider the time they will be traveling. Some trips are more or less expensive depending on the time of year you go. Then again, there is often a reason for slow seasons of travel, so do your research ahead of time.
   
   
5. Work with a reputable travel agent like Destinations HD for the best results. Purchasing a gift certificate through Destinations HD will help you give the amazing gift of travel without locking your recipient into anything they don't want. By purchasing with us, we can apply your gift to any trip your recipient may want to go on. 
   
   

  To learn more, just give me a call at (913) 244-9195. ​ Experiences Await...

1. Is the getaway celebrating a romantic occasion? It somewhat goes without saying that if you're going away for a honeymoon, a special anniversary, or a milestone birthday, that romance may be more important than making memories as a family. And, let's face it, it's rather difficult to be romantic with kids in tow.
   
   
2. Is the destination family-friendly?  For example, some resorts do not allow children on property. Others may not have anything available for kids to do... and we all know a bored child makes for a stressful experience and not the vacation you probably envisioned!
   
   There are also several cruise ships that do not allow children under the age of three (and most don't have children programs for under three, so you won't get a break of your own unless you hire a babysitter, which then adds to your trip cost. Some River Cruises don't allow children at all or just don't offer any kid-friendly options onboard so they can keep the vibe and experience more exclusive for adults).
   
   
3. What are the plans for activities while on the trip?  If you hope to have several nights out at the nightclubs or casinos of the destination that you have in mind, bringing children along might not be the best of ideas. The same may hold true if you'll be doing a lot of hiking or adventure activities that may be harder for young children to do with you.
   
   
4. What will the financial ramifications of bringing your children along be? Each child you bring with you could add significantly to transportation, meals and attraction costs. For some parents this can make a family vacation simply too expensive. Especially when flights are involved - airfare can add up quickly.
   
   
5. How old are your children? Teenagers can typically take care of themselves, and enjoy attractions that younger children might not be able to.
   
   
6. Can your kids handle time away from you? If you have never gone away without your kids, it might be harder to take a vacation without them. You could try a weekend away as a test before a full week long getaway.
   
   
7. Can you handle time away from them? This might sound silly, but some parents have just as much attachment anxiety as children do. Again, a test weekend away may be a good idea here too.
   
   

In the event you decide to make your vacation a family affair, keep the following in mind:

• you'll want to arrive everywhere earlier than you need to
• make sure there's snacks and activities for the children
• remember that everything takes longer than you think it will when bringing children along
• travel can interfere with nap time, dinner time and bedtime, so plan accordingly
• travel can give children memories that will last a lifetime, help them grow as individuals and teach them things they simply won’t learn in school.
  
  

Whether you want to make your next escape a family vacation, or a romantic getaway we’d love to help you create the trip of your dreams! Call us today at (913) 244-9195

Intend to travel. The first step in making your travel dreams a reality is to set an intention to go on your vacation. There is a saying that a wish without a plan is just a dream. By setting an intention, you can lay the groundwork for planning your trip and actually make it happen.

Determine your dream destinations and the costs for visiting them. Think about where you would like to go, and then create a cost analysis for a week’s vacation there. Actually write all of these numbers down.

Don’t skimp here. Think about what you actually want. Sure, a Penthouse suite may be out of the question depending on your current budget. What I mean by not skimping is don’t consider 2-star or less hotels and red-eye only flights. Instead, consider your best case desires without being unrealistic.

Then, write down the average costs associated with a week long getaway there including flights, hotels, a daily budget for food and attractions, etc… You may find that one of your dream trips is actually less expensive than you initially imagined. Pick one of the destinations and proceed to the next step.

Set a date that you would like to go on this trip by.  Plan a date six months to one year away. Then, call Destinations HD at (913) 244-9195, and we can give you the actual details and costs related to your trip. From there, you’ll want to put a monthly deposit towards your trip. The earlier you make your reservation; the smaller payments will be. Keep in mind that most packages will require full payment around 45 days in advance.

Look for ways to make a little extra income to boost your vacation fund.  Here are some ideas we found from personal experience and other money saving websites online:

• Sell DVDs, CDs and electronics you’re not using anymore to Gamestop, Best Buy, Amazon trade-in or on eBay (among many other sales avenues)
• Have a garage sale
• Ask for money towards your trip in lieu of presents for birthdays and holidays
• Use cash back reward credit cards (note: Be careful not to go into debt while using credit cards. The best option is to always pay your monthly balance in full)
• Work a few additional hours at your day job
• Consider a side-hustle to earn additional income
• Sell broken jewelry to gold brokers

When you set a date, and have a goal to strive towards, it’s amazing the creativity that will be stirred up to get you on your way. It may not always be easy to go on a dream vacation, but vacations are good for your body, mind and heart. The trip may cost some money, but the experiences you have while traveling are priceless. Life is short! You deserve to have that priceless getaway from time to time.

Call Destinations HD at (913) 244-9195 today, and let’s get you one step closer to your travel dreams coming true!  Experiences Await...

As summer living is in full swing, I am getting a lot of vacation requests - not sure if this is due to kids driving parents crazy now OR it's just the season :)  I'm receiving many inquiries for upcoming milestone anniversary and celebrations and the most common destination inquiry for these events is the dreamy islands of Tahiti.  I thought I would take this time to discuss other options for Tahiti for those that want to see many islands, but don't necessarily have the time or budget to island hop.
 
Tahiti is one of those utopia destinations that is incredibly popular, not only because year-round warm weather, but also the gorgeous surroundings, spectacular beaches, and the friendliest people you will ever meet!  The average year-round temperature is just 79 degrees. Couple that with the water temperature average of 79 in the winter and 84 in the summer, and you've got practically perfect vacation conditions. You will be embraced by Mana, the life force that connects all things in Tahiti, as soon as you arrive.  With 118 islands and atolls spread over five archipelagos, there is something new to experience at every turn. Each island offers a verity of activities and accommodation experiences, so if you're looking to explore the islands, and want to do it in a unique way, you might want to consider a Tahiti cruise!

On a Tahitian cruise, you'll get to see multiple destinations, and you'll travel aboard what is essentially a moving hotel – unpack once and explore the beauty around you!  Doesn't that sound just amazing?

Let's take a quick peek at some of the options for cruising Tahiti:
 
High-End Cruising Aboard a Luxury Liner
There's cruising, and then there is luxury cruising. When you're on a luxury liner you're treated like the VIP that you are. Once you step aboard, all of your meals and lodging are included, and some cruise lines offer extra perks like alcoholic beverages, a personal butler and/or private excursions. Just imagine visiting French Polynesia by day, and being waited on like the rich and fabulous by night!
 
One thing to note though, on some luxury liners, you will find these are more extended vacations that combine stops at several of the Tahitian islands, but starts or ends in destinations like New Zealand or Australia. If you have the time to spare, these are great cruises to see so much more than just a beach paradise. However, if you don’t have that much time to explore, there are dedicated cruise lines that only focus on the French Polynesia and some offer all-inclusive pricing with meals, drinks and entertainment all included!
 
Yachting from Island to Island
The difference between a large high-end cruise line and a yacht? The level of intimacy and the number of your fellow boating mates. Some of the larger lines can host as many as 3,000 guests, where as smaller yachts could be limited to 350 people, or even as little as two guests (some with a personal cook).
Smaller cruise boat options like yachts can also get into areas the larger boats can't, and this will give you the opportunity to do things like snorkeling in secluded spots, paddle boarding or kayaking in picturesque settings, or relaxing with little to no noise and slipping completely into vacation mode.
 
Low Key or Extreme Adventure
Regardless of whether you choose to go with a large liner or a small, intimate cruise, your Tahitian cruise can be what you want it to be. The options are truly limitless. You can choose casual, calm excursions intent on helping you relax. However, if you prefer a more extreme cruise experience, there are excursions such as swimming with sharks and sting rays, or intense rides on a 4X4 amidst sheer cliffs that get you up close to a volcano!
 
Your Cruise is What You Make It
Believe it or not, we've barely scratched the surface of the options available to you for cruising Tahiti. If you would like to learn more about the perfect cruise that fits your needs, call Destinations HD at (913) 244-9195. However you choose to island hop, we'll make sure your trip fulfills as many of your vacation dreams as possible.  Experiences Await...

With all this rain and gloomy days around most of the states these past few weeks, it's a great time to think about warmth and blue skies. What better way than to learn about the new hottest trend... Cuba!

In 2016 the first cruise to Cuba was planned to set sail via Fathom Cruise Line. After a dispute as to whether or not a Cuban born person that became an American citizen could travel to Cuba, the Cuban government ultimately agreed to allow travel via a cruise ship to their country. Then, in May 2016 the inaugural cruise voyage to Cuba on Fathom set sail.

Finally, in December 2016, several other cruise ship companies — Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Azamara Club Cruises, Oceana Cruises, Regent Seven Cruises, and Pearl Sea Cruises—announced that they too would be offering cruises to Cuba from the United States in 2017.*  This has made cruising to Cuba the hottest travel trend for 2017. If you too are considering a cruise to Cuba this year, below is what you need to know right now.

*Source

Most people that know me already know I'm a huge fan of European River Cruises. Well, the travel gods have smiled on the world because the next big thing in river cruising is themed river cruising. Why is this so spectacular you ask? Because not only can we travel to several destinations with only one ticket and mode of transportation, but now we can do it with like minded people who like the same things we do!

What better way to explore your favorite hobby than to take a trip with folks who enjoy it just as much, if not more, than you?  Today, I'm going to share with you just two of the themed cruises that are available, and if you would like to learn about other themed cruises give me a call.

Wine Themed Cruises
Let the wine flow! Wine enthusiasts and foodies will adore a wine themed cruise. On a typical wine cruise you'll explore the places the wines are made, learn about the acclaimed wine regions of the world, and enjoy talks from experts all the while sipping on this delicious fermented grape juice. An added benefit is that many of them include food pairings that teach you which foods are best with the various types of wine.

Get historic and get cultured in all things wine cellars and vineyards. Learn the centuries old traditions of wine and take solace in the fact that you'll never be without a designated driver on this adventure.

Each wine themed river cruise will typically have excursions that fit in with the theme as well. From actually visiting wineries and witnessing the process from grape to glass to simply tasting a variety of wines you will know everything you wanted to and more about what it took to make the perfect vino you love so much. You might even get to go grape stomping depending on the cruise you take! Talk about an unforgettable experience!

Art River Cruise
Though the word art can mean many things to many people, an art themed river cruise is guaranteed to give you an experience unlike any other you've had to date. Depending on the one you take you could visit museums and learn about how the sculptures and paintings were created, you might enjoy lectures of the great artists of the past or you could even make art while you drift from port to port.

Each of the destinations you will see are sure to inspire and you'll walk away with at least a few tools in your knowledge tool belt! Some of the most exciting art themed cruises feature step-by-step painting classes as well as easy to understand art lectures. There's no telling what you could create or at least learn about on one of these fun cruises.

Other Themes
Just a few of the additional cruise themes we've heard of include Christmas market cruises, culinary adventure tours and heritage cruises. There are so many cruises to explore and I'd love to share them with you. Call me today at (913) 244-9195 and I'll help you discover the best theme for your next getaway on the water.

Many European countries are found on the bucket lists of travelers worldwide. However, for some people the idea of visiting many countries in one trip seems like a dream that would be too expensive and confusing to ever become a reality. Besides, the amount of time that a person would need to visit each spot just for traveling between each destination could zap a week's vacation faster than you can say Champs Élysées. Enter the European cruise. Today, I'll walk you through why your first trip to Europe should be a cruise and I'm confident by the time you get to the end, you'll agree with me.

Access to the top European Sites and Destinations
Regardless of which European cruise you take (ocean or rivers), many well-known destinations will be included in your itinerary. You'll get to learn which places you want to visit again for an extended stay, and you'll get to quickly leave the places that didn't tickle your fancy. All the planning will be handled for you too allowing you to simply focus on each destination you visit, take in the sites, and relax.

It's Efficient
When you book a European cruise you'll get to stop in several countries in one trip. Most cruise boats and ships arrive in their next port of call quite early in morning after sailing at night, thus allowing travelers a full day to sight-see. Cruise ships also typically offer guided tours or some type of guided excursion eliminating the guesswork of navigation, hunting for transportation and more.

It's Economical
For just the cost of your food and lodging you will be transported to several countries. You will have a large designated driver should you opt to drink at lunch and dinner (how very European of you we might add). You'll not have to stress over the costs of various hotels because all lodging is in one moving hotel. You won't need to fuss as much with local currencies because most of your purchases will be on board the ship anyway. And, most if not all of your meals, entertainment, activities and more will be covered with your cruise fare. Again, let's not forget your transportation between countries is covered. Train and taxi prices can kill a budget quickly, but you shouldn't have to worry with any of that on your cruise.

It's Comfortable
Unlike train trips or driving on your own, you only have to un-pack once on your European cruise. You'll be able to stay comfortable in lieu of packing up daily, waiting around for your ride and then unpacking again after hours of travel to the next stop. Remember, you're traveling between destinations while you sleep and each morning when you wake up you will be in a new spot. The best part? That sleep you'll be enjoying will be in the comforts of a bed rather than perched against a car door, or worse, a stranger!

Finding an English Speaking Person Should be a Breeze
Of course, most European countries speak English, but some people fear visiting places where there is the potential for a language barrier. The good news is that unlike traveling on your own, most of your cruise ship operators and staff members should speak English in the event you're visiting a non-English speaking country. But, they will still be able to assist you with local information at each port. Anything you need will be available and you won't have to hunt for a translator to get it!

So, what do you think? Do you agree with me that your first trip to Europe should be a cruise? If so, call me today and let's get started booking your European getaway! 913-244-9195