Here’s why: They leave to these new and exciting destinations and want to cram as much as they can into their getaway. The fear of missing out takes over and before they know it, they have an itinerary so packed that sleep is lost because rest takes a backseat to the “thrill” of seeing something new. With that in mind, here are some things to consider so you can enjoy your vacation fully, and come home refreshed:

1. Be cautious of the tourist traps
Not everything that a destination offers is right for you. In fact, you might find that doing some of them is boring, or even uninteresting to you. For example, if everyone swears you have to visit the museums of a city, but you loathe museums, why put yourself through the torture?

Don’t do every activity available at the traps either. For example, if you want to go the popular beaches, that’s all well and good. But, but do you really need to plan every activity possible while there? Instead of jet skiing, and an evening cruise, and snorkeling, and intro to scuba diving, and all the other things you could schedule, why not pick one or two and leave the rest of your itinerary open?

2. Don’t try to see every city in a 20-mile radius
Just because you are visiting one city in a country, doesn’t mean you need to try and do excursions to all the cities that are surrounding it. Even a visitor to Disney World couldn’t see the whole park and get the “full Disney experience” in a day or two. Therefore, trying to see all of an entire city in one day, and then another the next, and another the next will leave you tired and missing most of the best aspects of each destination.

Give yourself time in one destination to check out the cool coffee shop that all the locals visit. Or delve further away from the tourist spots and tap into the true flavor of the space, rather than the “expected” hot spots.

Besides, it’s important to keep in mind that all the traveling from city to city is going to take up precious vacation time. So stop stressing about trying to cross off more destinations from your bucket list, and give yourself a chance to truly enjoy the surroundings and culture.

3. If you want to destination hop, make it a faster trip, or a better one
For example, if you simply can’t stand the thought of only seeing one country on your trip, in lieu of driving or taking a train, take a flight. Flying to Paris from Rome is 2 hours, but driving will take 14 hours or more. And, a train isn’t that much shorter at 11 hours. Then again, if you insist on a train ride from one destination to the next, at least get one that will be scenic, and relaxing. In other words, instead of taking a train ride at night, take one during the day with a window seat so you can see all the sights along the route.

4. Don’t plan an activity for every hour of the day
Leave several empty spaces in your schedule to avoid stress and overwhelm. Avoid trying to see every landmark too. A better choice is to pick between one and three hot spots you really want to see and leave wiggle room for the rest.

Besides, travel never goes exactly as we plan for it too. Long lines at tourist spots, and transportation between places that takes more time than you thought it would - these are two things alone that can cause many people to begin panicking that they are going over the time they have allotted for the experiences on their itinerary.

Don’t forget the time you lose if you get lost trying to find your way around. I have personally been lost in many major cities trying to find my way - which can end up as one of the best and most fun travel memories! Therefore, give yourself time for those unexpected detours that may lead you to something more enjoyable.


Bottom line - the more free time you give yourself on your trip, the more you will enjoy yourself.

Remember, the whole point of a vacation is to calm down, and take things slow. Recharge your batteries, don’t burn them out.  Don't try to squeeze too much into your trip.  If you’re going to hustle to the point of exhaustion, you could have stayed home and gone to work instead. 

When you are ready to plan your next adventure - call Destinations HD (913) 244-9195! Let us handle the logistics so you can just enjoy yourself and explore the world! 

​Experiences Await...

​We are getting closer to the holiday season, which is a popular time to travel. Unfortunately, not every destination in the world is as safe as others, including the United States. With that in mind, we wanted to discuss safety while traveling, and give you some tips and information to consider when you plan your next getaway.

Know before you go:
One of the best ways to be safe while traveling is to do some research before visiting your destination of choice (or better yet, talk to your travel agent that specializes in that destination). Just a few things you may want to look into include:

• Crime rates of the city you will be visiting (including incidents involving pickpockets, other theft, fraud, assault, crime against tourists, etc…
  
  
• Advisories for the city you will be in. Some areas issue advisories that you need to be aware of. For example, if you are in an area that does not permit juveniles to be out after dark, you need to adhere to that rule to avoid issues with local authorities. Also keep in mind, that some countries are quite large, and advisories can span several hundred or several thousand miles. The more research you can do into a place you will be visiting, the better. This is especially true if you’re going somewhere off the beaten path, exotic, or dangerous.
  
  
• Where your embassy is in the country you’re visiting? You never know what could happen, so being prepared is your best defense.
  
  
• For your health safety, it’s also a good idea to research if there are any shots or tests you should take before you go. Some countries require immunizations to be up to date, and others advise you to take shots for various diseases you could be at risk for.
  
  

Keep important information on your person:

Things to keep on your person include:

• The information for your hotel you will be staying at (address, phone number, and bonus points if you can include cross streets). Note: this information should be kept in a small notebook in case your phone battery dies.
  
  
• A COPY of your passport (depending on the country, you may be required to have your original passport or visa on you, but most do not and I highly recommend keeping your original in your hotel safe to not risk theft or losing it).
  
  
• Travel insurance information, and yes, you NEED travel insurance overseas (in the event you need a hospital or other emergency services).
  
  

A quick note about keeping important information on you - Don’t keep it in your wallet or purse. In the event you are the victim of a pickpocket, it could be stolen. Instead, keep it in a money belt that you wear under your shirt. And, leave copies of important documents in your hotel safe. It’s also a good idea to leave copies of these documents with family back home in case you need copies faxed/emailed should everything get lost or stolen in transit.

We’re not invincible on vacation, but we can travel smarter:

Unfortunately, things can happen on vacation that we don’t want to have happen. Here are a few additional things you can do to protect yourself:
​

• Use caution when drinking alcohol while in foreign areas. Sadly, inebriated and even just barely inebriated tourists are a prime target for petty theft (even in your own city - so use caution and be aware of surroundings). Never accept a drink from someone you don't know unless you saw it being made or opened. 
  
  
• Walk in groups, or at a minimum in pairs. The buddy system is your friend as you’re less likely to be targeted than someone who is alone.
  
  
• Avoid walking down dimly lit streets, don’t take shopkeepers up on offers for visiting back rooms for “a great deal,” and basically, avoid anything if you’re uncomfortable with it.
  
  
• Never give money to beggars on the street or sign a petition to help a "local cause". When you pull out money, they can easily grab everything and run; have another person waiting around the corner knowing you have money in your wallet OR even just take anything they can from your bag as you are distracted talking with them or signing their clipboard. 
  ​

The odds are slim you'll have issues with safety while traveling. However, a cautious traveler is less likely to have a negative experience. Keep your wits about you, stay alert, and use good judgement when exploring any new area. Be prepared and don't let fear rule your ability to explore the wonders of the world, otherwise, you'll be stuck inside forever with all the uncertainty these days.

If you have travel questions or concerns, we are happy to discuss them and help plan your ultimate vacation. Call us at (913) 244-9195, and we’ll create the perfect itinerary for you.

Experiences Await...

I can't believe it's August already! This summer flew by, don't you agree?! I've been seeing countdowns popping up online and in stores for the upcoming fall/winter holidays. It's got me daydreaming about a white Christmas... a sandy white one that is! Imagine playing in the sand of an all-inclusive beach resort, instead of shoveling snow this winter. This can be your reality, and I can help you make it so!​

Embrace the dream of a sunny white winter...

It’s no secret that come winter, everyone including the birds, wants to travel south. It’s warmer there, and it beats bundling up every morning to brave the elements!
​
If you too want to head south for the winter, it’s time to plan and book as soon as possible. You might be thinking, “What’s the rush?” - Here’s why you need to book now if you hope to escape the cold:
  

• Rooms are already selling out! Warm climates are hot commodities in those frigid months and hotels can book as early as a year or more ahead of time. You also find lots of early booking savings promotions too, if you plan ahead.
  
  
• The room you want may already be taken. If you are hoping for a standard room, it could still be available if you wait a bit longer. However, if you want a nicer room such as a swim-out category, roof top terrace plunge pool, family-connecting rooms, ocean front views or a honeymoon suite type of accommodation, those are the first to go, so could already be gone if you wait. Or worse, your dream hotel could already be sold out!
  
  
• Resorts want to be completely booked for the winter, so they might offer discounts and deals to people who act fast. Waiting can drive up the prices as the resorts fill up, they know people will pay to get out of dodge when it's cold outside. The law of "supply and demand" factors in with increased prices when availability becomes limited. No snow and a great deal now? Sounds pretty hot to us!
  
  
• Transportation is booking up quickly too. You’ll need to book your flights soon if you hope to get a decent seat without having to take a red eye flight or multiple-stop connections to your preferred destination.
  
  
• Shopping! Now is the BEST time to grab deals on beach/summer wear that will be great for your resort vacation. You won't find much if you wait until Fall/Winter, so plan now, so you can get the best deals for a few new resort outfits.
  
  

​Ditch the snowsuits for swimsuits!

A beach vacation might be just what you need to prevent the winter blues from coming on. Which would you prefer - cold and icy roads, or a cold and icy tropical drink in your hand and toes in the sand? I’m betting you chose the latter ;)

This year skip all those pesky temperature drops and let us whisk you away to a better place. Destinations HD can help you design the perfect vacation for your needs. We’ve also got the inside scoop on the best resorts, as well as, any other information you might need to plan your ultimate snowy escape. Call us at (913) 244-9195, today!

Experiences Await...

How to Travel More
The first thing people think of when it comes to traveling, is money. With that in mind, here are some money saving tips you can use to travel more:

• Start a travel fund
  Go to your bank and see if they offer vacation accounts. By starting a travel fund you can more easily save enough money for your dream destination. Every time you receive your paycheck, put a small portion of it in your travel fund. Do the same with rebates, tax refunds, bonuses, and surprise money. Out of sight, out of mind. And, in most cases you won’t even miss it.
  
  
• Begin with local escapes
  Instead of using a lot of money and time to travel somewhere that’s far away, opt for local vacations. Not only are they cheaper, but they will often hold you over until you can get to the bigger, flashier, popular destinations.
  
  
• Consider house swapping
  If you are travelling to a location where you have friends and relatives, do a house swap with them. This not only means you’ll get free accommodation, but you’ll likely be able to save money on eating at restaurants too by cooking in their kitchen.
  
  
• Travel in the off seasons and book as early as possible 
  It’s generally cheaper to travel in the off seasons, as travel vendors offer lower rates to attract tourists. And, because they want to book every room and opening as quickly as possible, travel vendors will often give discounts if you book in advance.
  
  

How to Travel More With Time Constraints
With our daily careers and work life, some people find it very difficult to set time aside for travelling. However, you can still travel more by:

• Mixing business with pleasure
  If you are going away for a business trip, ask to take a couple of days before or after to explore the destination you’re heading to. Volunteer to go on any and all business trips that are available. Not only do these often come with airfare and hotel included, some companies will even give you an expense account for eating and entertainment in your off hours.
  
  
• Find creative ways of traveling within your job
  If your job doesn’t involve much in the way of travel, you can still find ways to travel for work. For example, if you want a new place to explore and your company has offices in different locations, ask for a transfer. Or, if there are industry-related training and conferences, request to attend them so you can travel to new places. This could show your boss you’re trying to enhance your skills at work. The travel is a bonus!
  
  
• Switch to part-time hours or a four-day work week
  Having less hours, or less days you are expected to be at the office could be just what you need to get more travel time.
  
  
• Make a career of travel
  One of the reasons I become a travel agent. I love to travel and share the world with everyone. You might be good at being an agent too. Additional careers related to travel include travel writing, landscape photography, and influencer marketing.
  
  

Once you start opening your mind to new ways to travel, the possibilities are endless. Isn’t it time you stopped wondering about all the places you want to travel? Let Destinations HD help you start wandering instead! Call us at (913) 244-9195, and we’ll create the perfect itinerary for you.

Experiences Await...

UNICO 20°87° isn’t just a destination, it’s a journey! From locally-inspired gourmet dishes to exhilarating tours of ancient ruins, you will find more than your typical all-inclusive resort, you will enjoy the rich, warm culture of Modern Mexico!

This adults-only resort was everything I dreamed it would be and more! If you prefer unstructured schedules, natural elegant decor, quality food, premium drinks, fun, yet laid-back energy and romance - this resort might be for you!​

This upscale resort is set on a natural eco-reserve along a beautiful white sand beach with dreamy views of the Caribbean Sea. Upon arrival, you are instantly embraced with the most enchanting aroma in the lobby. As you check-in, you are asked to personalize the scent of your own room, then your personal host ("butler") will escort you to your room and provide a personal tour. Here, you won't find entertainment staff asking you every hour to join them for archery, salsa classes, etc... Instead, you will enjoy pop-up activities, music and scheduled classes that you can leisurely join if interested or just relax and not be bothered. 

The true luxury of this boutique resort begins with unlimited inclusions, such as unlimited golf, scuba diving experiences, spa treatments, local tours and beauty salon & barber services... that's right ladies, I said UNLIMITED SPA TREATMENTS!! Here you can find a variety of select tours and spa/salon services that are included with your stay! You just pay a 20% service fee for each service used (plus gratuity).​

For example, if want to do the Xtreme Mayan Jungle Tour - which combines ziplining, rappelling into a freshwater underground river, and swimming through a series of underground caverns - you would normally pay $99 per person for this tour, but at UNICO 20°87° you only pay $19.80 for this incredible experience! 

During my stay, I was fortunate to enjoy two spa treatments. The first one was their signature massage with FOUR hands, where I had two massage therapists working at the same time, melting my stresses away! OMG! This was incredible!! It felt like a synchronized dance with hands from head to toe. Each moment I continued to fade deeper into a blissful state with a permanent smile on my face. An experience I will dream about until I return and enjoy my next one :)

My other spa treatment was a relaxing Shaman Body Wrap with a gentle exfoliation treatment and cocoa wrap. This was my first body wrap experience and it was like three mini massages as each layer was applied. My skin was so hydrated and smooth after PLUS I smelled like chocolate :) There are a variety of spa treatment options that are included under the unlimited inclusion program, but they also have many others for an additional cost. 

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE...

Other included experiences worth mentioning are their redefined cultural tours. They created a few one-of-a-kind excursions (only available through this resort), which include unique and memorable adventures that will make your vacation truly one to flaunt! Their included tours range from a Wine Sunset Sailing, Snorkeling, Zip-Lining, Mayan Ruins, and so much more! You just pay the 20% service fee of the cost as I mentioned earlier. I had the pleasure to join their Sunset Sail with Vino tour... We had a lovely catamaran with around 30 guests from the resort and sailed down the coast enjoying wine, drinks and music before docking at a shallow lagoon for a perfect sunset photo opportunity, where we listened to music, and snacked on cheese and fruits before returning to the resort. 

This resort is also located on the beach where many sea turtles come to lay their eggs. I was fortunate to be there during this season and stayed up late to tag along with the Turtle Conservation Team and was lucky enough to witness three different turtles nesting and watch them return to the sea. It was a remarkable experience to be a part of! 

Also worth mentioning is their stunning wedding creations at this resort. If you are looking to elevate your destination wedding or vow renewal and offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience filled with personalized touches, locally-sourced dishes and artisanal cocktails PLUS a dreamy backdrop of the turquoise sea - look no further! They have gorgeous wedding options to make the ultimate event. This upscale resort will impress your guests and your wedding will be one that no one will ever forget!

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...

Travel Is Better Than Stuff
Travel is memorable and gives pleasure that simply can’t be created from commercial goods. The truth is most people can’t remember gifts that were given to them for any given occasion, regardless of how much money you spent on them. But, ask them about trips they have been on, and they will likely be able to tell you with unbelievable accuracy the details of that trip!

Stuff comes and goes, memories are there forever. Traveling gives us stories to tell, and inspires new dreams within us. Travel helps us to share experiences in a way objects cannot.

Travel Yields Deeper Bonds
Consider for a moment what happens when you give the gift of an object. You hand it to the recipient. They may or may not light up with joy in the moment, but then it’s over. You have nothing further to discuss other than a comment if they wear it or use it from time to time.

Now consider what happens when you go on a trip... You can plan it together. You can visit the various sites together. You share the views, the culture, the food, etc... You’re experiencing the trip together. Then, when you get back you have memories to call upon together. It’s not a one-sided experience anymore. It’s something you can truly bond over.

As we travel and interact with new things, we are mentally stimulated. We ask more questions. We feel more engaged. We feel present in the moment, and more excited to be with those we’re experiencing the trip with.

Now, I know what you may be thinking - what if you give the gift of travel to someone, and you’re not going on the trip with them? You’ll still enjoy many benefits that you wouldn’t get to have with gifts of objects. For example:

• When the recipient returns you can share the pictures from their trip
• You can talk all about what they saw while they were away, and almost feel like you were there too
• They’ll have a deeper appreciation for you because you made their exciting experience possible.
  
  

Bottom line - you can’t take your stuff with you, but no one can take your memories. Fill up your mind with all the travel memories you can. You’ll find you’re more cultured and that you’re healthier mentally and emotionally too. How many people can say that about a necklace or board game?

Would you like help creating the perfect travel gift? Just call Destinations HD at (913) 244-9195 today and see how we can. We even offer travel gift certificates!

Experiences Await...