Travel Planning

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  • Travel Insurance – Ask these Ten Questions

    Ready to book your next trip?  Your travel planner, be they human or electronic, asks you about travel insurance or trip protection. Is travel insurance a wise purchase?  This week, we are asking questions for you to consider.  We’ll be back with more information in a future issue.  But first , let’s share some stories.

    My doctor, quite the photographer, left his camera in a cab  while on a trip in the Baltics and could not recover it.  Travel insurance reimbursed him for his loss.  More recently,  a husband and wife were packed and ready to leave for a ten day Birthday cruise leaving on the wife’s birthday; she woke up around 5am with a bloody nose that would not stop bleeding.  She had to cancel the trip and called me at 9:15 on a Sunday morning.  I immediately started the travel insurance claims process and the couple  were reimbursed in record time for the full amount of the money they lost from the cruise line.  These are just two of many stories of my travel guests’ using their travel insurance benefits.

    Ten Questions to ask:

    1) What does the travel insurance/trip protection cover?

    2) Is your trip subject to cancellation fees?  Will the fees reach 100% of the trip value? and when?

    2) Is your trip your deposit is refundable? (If not, I have some suggestions for you.)

    3) Do you have medical insurance if traveling outside of the country?

    4) Does your credit card provide  travel insurance for trip cancellation? Read that fine print very carefully…chance are incredibly high that the credit card  does not cover trip cancellation.

    5) How much will it cost to get back to the US on an emergency basis? And where will you go? The closest hospital to the US border? A hospital of your choosing near your home?

    6) What does it take to be admitted to a hospital in another country?  Do you need cash? credit card?

    7) Is your local/primary physician contacted if need be?

    8 ) Will your prescription medications be replaced if lost or stolen?

    9) Will the travel insurance cover continuing medical needs after you return (for a medical issue sustained during the trip)?

    10) Is cancel for work reasons coverage included in the travel insurance?

     

     

     

     

  • Interview with Daydream Excursions

    Why should I plan my trip with Daydream Excursions?

    While the industry standard may consist of immediately throwing quotes around, we work with you to survey and identify your unique vacation needs and  past “travel personality.”  Why? Your preferences are important to assist in planning a memorable vacation experience.  You will feel secure knowing we understand the purpose of your trip and the memories you want to bring home to replay again and again.

    Why do you call yourself a Travel Advisor or Travel Concierge?

    The Concierge concept applies understanding what you’d like to see and experience, and in what style.   We match these factors with your budget, schedule, and our knowledge and connections.  Concierge service helps you plan and experience the right vacation with attention to detail by offering to arrange comprehensive trip elements like air, transfers, sightseeing, insurance, restaurant recommendations, etc.  (As opposed to a  “Travel Agent” which implies “order taker” and certainly not a passionate provider of advice, care, and support!)

    How do you support your clients?

    • We ARE with you before, during and after your trip if need be.  We work with you as your advocate to support your unique needs for your trip.
    • We will help you process insurance claims and assist you with vendor issues as we are YOUR advocate.
    • We use our inside knowledge and connections to bring you extra amenities and services when available.
    • We seek a long-term relationship with you and WILL stick with you throughout the travel planning process.

    (“Long-Term” implies that the advice we give is in your best interest and NOT guided by the latest vendor promotions!)

    Why not just use an online booking engine?

    Ready to self-book online?  Daydream Excursions has questions for you:

    • Did you find the right resort, cruise line/ship, or tour company? The right accommodations?  Are you sure?
    • Whom will you contact for the inevitable questions that will arise?  Who cares about you and your trip?
    • How much will the trip cost, really cost, in TOTAL? Daydream Excursions focuses on your total cost to come home!
    • What will you do in your destination(s)?  Can you get in the “must-see” sites/experiences without long lines?
    • Will you have to pay for the whole trip upfront or just do a deposit?

    With online booking engines, expect to submit 100% of the cost right then and there.  If you have any issues with changes and/or cancellations, what would you do?  We may be able to offer options for a custom installment plan to meet YOUR needs and budget.  In addition, should you need to change or cancel your plans, we are in YOUR corner to advise you on all ramifications.

    Just Book your trip directly on a supplier website?

    In general, expect our prices to be the SAME (Really!) or sometimes even BETTER (SURPRISE!) or we may offer extra amenities in many instances.  And is booking your cruise, resort, etc, the whole thing?  More importantly, a specific cruise or resort supplier’s website will simply NOT offer options from different suppliers that may be better suited for you and/or a better value. You simply cannot evaluate multiple trip options once you are on a specific supplier’s website.

    Which cruise line, resort or tour company is the best for your trip?  WE will find the answer by working together and discovering the best trip for your needs and budget.

    Do you charge for your services?

    Each situation is different and upfront planning fees are sometimes charged.  (You will be happy!)  Further, you will not get surprise fees at time of booking.   We provide comprehensive quotes with taxes and things you may not have thought of like transfers.  I despise hidden charges just like you!

    Do you have industry certifications?

    • ARC Verified Travel Consultant (VTC)…what does this mean to you?  You are dealing with a thoroughly vetted professional travel planner not a hobbyist.
    • CLIA Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) Accreditation and multiple cruise line certifications
    • Licensed to sell travel insurance – How many travel agents or online websites have this…ASK!  I was fingerprinted and had to pass a criminal background check!
    • All-Inclusive Advisor training for El Dorado and Azul Resorts, Real, Palace along with Secrets and Dreams Resorts
    • Escorted Tour training from Globus/Cosmos, Trafalgar, and Insight
    • River cruise training from Avalon Waterways and Uniworld.

    CALL or email today to discuss your next dream trip!

     

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  • Questions to ask when planning Your Dream Trip

    Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) in Jena, Th...

    This week, I have a list of questions for you.

    Why and There?

    1. Where have you always wanted to go? and why?
    2. Where have you traveled in the past?  What did you like most and least?
    3. What do you enjoy most about traveling?
    4. What are your hobbies?
    5. Have you done any research into your dream trip?
    6. First time to the destination?  (For Italy, Rome, Florence and Venice are great for your first time.  While in China, Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai are great for your first time there.)

    Activity

    1. How active do you want to be?
    2. Do you prefer a fast pace with many things to do and see or a slower place to allow for more relaxation/spa time?
    3. What are the top three experiences you want guaranteed on your trip?
    4. Want to take in museums and highlights? Want to take your time with the culture and people of the destination(s)?
    5. Do you want private tours?  “Skip-the-line” tours? Reserved seats at shows?

    Groups large and small or not?

    1. Do you enjoy the camaraderie and shared experience of a group?
    2. Do you look for time to explore on your own?
    3. Want to travel in what size group? or privately with how many people?
    4. Do you want to dine with a group at highlight restaurants or wander around and make your own culinary discoveries? (NOTE: It is not necessary to choose.)

    Seasonality

    victoria falls
    1. When would you like to travel? Food for thought – October/November is a great time for China as sites are much less crowded but a very bad time for a Southern Africa Safari as October and November are among the hottest months of the year and Victoria Falls has much less water.
    2. Want to experience Alaska?  Peak travel months are July and August but there are advantages to visiting at other times during the brief tourist season of May to September.
    3. Want to go to Europe?  How about a Christmas markets tour in December?  Can you travel in March?  While you’ll need a jacket, the airfares are better and you won’t be there with the maximum crowds of peak tourist season

    Please contact me today to discuss your answers.

     

  • River Cruises: Did you know?

    We’ve looked at both cruising and touring in the Mediterranean.  Is there a way to combine the best of both?  River cruises combine the best of an ocean cruise with the best of a land tour. Further, river cruises especially apply to European trips as the original means of transportation were rivers like the Danube, Moselle, Rhine, and Main.  Do you want to visit Europe and see the sites, in comfort with plenty of time to explore?

    River Cruises Budapest, Parliament
    River Cruises Budapest

    Many people choose to visit Europe on a cruise for their first time but comment they don’t have enough time to see all of the sites.  While people on panoramic land tours have lots of sightseeing but travel time and multiple packing and unpacking may dampen the vacation “feel” of their trip.  What a dilemma!  River Cruises make it easy to really take in the sites of Europe in comfort and with more time to explore.

    River Cruises are an ideal way to take in the sites:

    • Quintessential European destinations, like Budapest, Vienna, and Lyon are located right on the great rivers of Europe.
    • Sail historic waterways to experience an up close view of ever changing scenery, like castles, small villages, steep gorges, and vineyards as you sail by in your own quaint floating hotel.
    • River cruises often dock right in the heart of town close to charming squares, magnificent cathedrals, and bustling market places.

    River cruises provide unmatched comfort to experience multiple cities without the stress.

    • Unpack once with the comfort of knowing where you’ll spend each night with a familiar venue for dinner and plenty of time to explore ashore.
    • Intimate ships (most average well below 200 guests)
    • All cabins have a window at minimum. Virtually any ship in any line in Europe has three decks.  The two higher decks will have French balconies (you lean on the rail from inside the cabin) and some ships have “ocean ship” style balconies.  The bottom deck is partially underwater with windows.

    River Cruises give you more time to explore:

    • You’ll spend less time getting to the sites you want to explore and more time being there!  (Did you know that river cruises are the fastest growing segment in the travel industry?)
    • Enjoy breathtaking, constantly changing scenery with no “sea days” or “tendering” into port
    • Enjoy dinner ashore along with free time to explore after sundown on many itineraries
    • Many itineraries offer a first or last night aboard in ports like Amsterdam or Budapest to allow time for sightseeing in your “docked” hotel room.

    River cruises have a higher upfront cost than ocean cruises but offer a far more inclusive experience.  At Daydream Excursions we focus on the “cost to come home!”  River cruises include many land tours along with beer and wine at dinner and perhaps lunch.  When you add the price for an ocean cruise plus your shore excursions, tours, optional meals and drinks, the river cruise may be an intriguing option to literally cover much more ground at a very comfortable pace with lots of inclusions.

    Questions?  We’ve got answers – just an email or phone call away!

  • Mediterranean Travel: Cruise vs. tour throw-down Part 2.

    Map of Italian "Mare Nostrum" (Itali...
    Map of Italian “Mare Nostrum” (Italian Mediterranean),… Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Welcome to part 2 of  our cruise versus tour throw-down.  This week we’ll take a more in depth look at touring  Mediterranean countries as opposed to cruising.  Want more than a taste of a country?  Touring gets you on the ground in countries like Italy, Spain, France, or Greece, as opposed to just cruising to a port for six to twelve hours.

    Key experiences of a land tour in the Mediterranean:

    • plenty of time to explore as you wish during unscheduled free time
    • taste the local cuisine each day
    • INCLUDED visits to key tourist sites with minimal time waiting in lines
    • exposure to local culture
    • convenience of unpacking only once or twice on regional tours.

    Concerned about frequent unpacking and long coach rides?  That may be an issue in a multi-city tour of Italy.  For an easier pace, consider a  a regional tour  focused on Tuscany, the South of France, or southern Spain which will provide plenty of time to settle in to explore one or two destinations.

    Questions you need to ask:

    • Which costs more, the tour or the cruise?
    • Better question, What’s the total cost to come home from a European Vacation?
    • Best question, What would you like to experience?

    Answers, at first blush the cruise looks less expensive, but is that really the case?  The cruise gets you to from port to port, but then what?  Let’s look at what is normally included in most tours:

    • the per day cost of an escorted tour may be less than the price of individually booking just a hotel room
    • breakfast each day and some featured dinners – in local restaurants perhaps with a host and wine
    • all transportation from start to end of tour (airport transfers may be included)
    • many must-see sites are included AND you will have a guide/host to interpret these sites with minimal waiting
    • check-in/check-out of hotels and most baggage handling is also included..no lugging your bags from here to there!
    • TIME to linger at a side walk café and take it all in AFTER the sun goes down and the cruise people have left.

    In closing, some more considerations about the experience you may have on a tour:

    • English speaking and knowledgeable tour directors remove any language barriers to ensure you don’t miss any highlights of your tour
    • achieve your own personal growth from a destination’s traditions, customs, or historical significance that you share with others.
    • travel with like minded individuals to share in the local culture with the chance to make new friends.
    • simplified travel arrangements for you as the big pieces are already included and planned out for you (hotels, logistics, baggage handling, many meals, and key sightseeing.)

    This concludes our cruise versus tour throw-down.  What do you think?

     

     

  • Mediterranean Travel: Cruise vs.Tour Throwdown Part 1

    Mediterranean Travel: Cruise vs.Tour Throwdown Part 1

    First time visitor to the Mediterranean?  Past Cruiser?  Well, then cruising wins…maybe!  Read on to understand why.

    Sagrada Família church, Gaudi's masterpiece
    Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Image via Wikipedia

    If you’ve always wanted to visit the Mediterranean Sea (actually means “Inner Sea”), experience the comfort
    and familiar surroundings and conveniences of a cruise ship:

    • familiar accommodations and creature comforts
    • familiar cuisine
    • same staff each day
    • no language barriers
    • convenience of unpacking only once

    A great first time itinerary is a round trip from Barcelona for a “Western” Mediterranean itinerary (focus on Spain and Italy).  Port calls can include:  Villefranche for Nice or Monte Carlo, Monaco,  Civitavecchia for Italy, Livorno for Pisa and Florence, and perhaps Naples.  Some considerations for a cruise:

    • your time ashore to explore these great destinations is limited (OK for your first time in the Med.)
    • you may not get a chance to experience life in the evenings like the locals (also OK for your first visit)
    • pace and duration of the excursions may be long as Rome and Florence are far from ports
    • limited exposure to culture and local dining

    Note: there are many round trip itineraries from different lines, and many voyages begin and end in different cities to provide the opportunity to visit even more ports.  Also note that some lines include either evening or overnight port stays to take in the cities like the locals do as the sun sets.

    Plan to maximize your time ashore.  There are some longer port calls!  Civitavecchia, port call for Rome is normally 12 hours.  What will you do in those twelve hours?  The city is about 1’15” from port.  If you take the tours offered by the cruise line, you may be crowded on a long caravan of buses.   You will “see” many sights for sure…breeze by photo ops.  Will you have time to leisurely tour the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum?

    English: Trevi Fountain Panoramic
    Trevi Fountain Image via Wikipedia

    More considerations for your shore excursions:

    • Is there a better way to spend your twelve hours in port (maybe 8 hours for touring)?
    • There are other tour operators that offer a more in-depth tour with far fewer people featuring less time waiting.
    • May even be less costly to to get the most out of your limited time

    Another question, why are you in Europe?  Consider staying a night or two either before or after to experience a wonderful city that offers so much – Barcelona in this example voyage!

    Some experiences to take in during a pre/post stay in Barcelona include:

     

    Have questions?  We’ve got answers! dave@daydreamex.com

    Next time, we’ll explore Mediterranean touring.

     

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  • Affordable and Convenient Tour of Tuscany

    Map of Italy showing the Tuscany region in red
    Tuscany featured on map of Italy

    Daydream Excursions presents…Discover Tuscany Webinar on April 4 at 7pm EDT.

    Join Us for this 30 minute event!

    Daydream Excursions invites you to join us from the comfort of your own computer to view this live online presentation. All you need is an Internet connection to participate in this presentation. You will be able to see wonderful pictures showing highlights of the tour, learn more about the places we will visit and have the opportunity to ask questions about our tour to Italy

    Discover Tuscany: November 27th – December 6th, 2012

    Rolling landscapes savor wines, delicious food, and stunning architecture…this can only be Tuscany. On this special journey you will enjoy walking tours in Italy’s most charming towns, visit magnificent historic monuments and sample mouth-watering cuisine and wines.

    For more information or to register for this tour please contact Dave Rosenthal at Daydream Excursions by phone at (732) 530-6682 or click here.

    Palazzo Aldobrandeschi a Grosseto, Tuscany (Italy)
    Palazzo Aldobrandeschi (Grosseto) (Image via Wikipedia)

     

     

  • Is Mexico Safe?

    Question: Are people from the US still visiting Mexico and is it safe?

    Mexico remains the most popular international destination for U.S. tourists.

    MEXICO CITY, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — SECTUR, The Mexican Ministry of Tourism revealed that 2011 was a record breaking year for tourism. 22.67 million international travelers visited Mexico in 2011; this represents an increase of 2 percent on 2010, a 5.7 percent increase on 2009, and a 0.2 percent increase on 2008 – historically Mexico’s best year for international tourism.

    Source: MAGIC OF MEXICO TRAVEL NEWS

    Note well:  This article is based on tourism and travel media, US State Department data, and my own opinions and experience.  While I can’t claim any destination as 100% safe, I will certainly NOT recommended a destination if I was not comfortable planning my own trip there.  Mexico is a large country (rivaling the size of Western Europe), but today we will focus on the tourist region south of Cancun, referred to as Rivera Maya.  I especially enjoy advising, planning, and servicing trips to the Riviera Maya for several reasons:

    1) High availability of flights which results in good pricingMap of Riviera Maya

    2) One of the best selections of All-Inclusive resorts – again good pricing and more importantly, good value for your money
    3) Cultural/nature/adventure activities near resorts
    4) Second largest reef system in the world for diving and snorkeling
    5) Famous Mexican hospitality
    6) Mayan Ruins
    7) Maroma – One of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the word.

    Question: when  the news media reports about violence in Mexico, why do they show Cancun?

    Most media reports of violence in Mexico fail to mention nearly all of these incidents take place along the border and far away from popular resort areas frequented by U.S. tourists.

    Reality – Please read for yourself…Official US State Department Warning February 8, 2012 U.S. State Department/Mexico

    “Quintana Roo: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum are the major cities/travel destinations in Quintana Roo –see map (PDF, 286 kb) to identify their exact locations: No advisory is in effect.”

    Read this list to bring things into perspective:

    • The distance between the U.S./Mexico border, where much of the
      violence takes place, and Cancun is over 1,400 miles.
    • Those individuals trying to lump Acapulco into the list of top Mexico destinations
      U.S. travelers visit are misinformed. It has been decades since it was a hot
      tourist destination – today it is more of a destination for Mexican nationals rather
      than U.S. tourists.
    • USA Today provided some statistical comparisons in the fall of 2010 between Mexico and the U.S.
      Yucatán, the Gulf of Mexico state known for its beaches and Mayan
      ruins, had a murder rate of 2 per 100,000 which is comparable to
      Wyoming and Montana.
    • Washington, D.C.’s murder rate is nearly quadruple to that of the Mexican
      capital, Mexico City. Washington’s murder rate was 31.4 per 100,000
      people in 2008; Mexico City’s rate in 2009 was 8.
    • Cancun, Los Cabos and Acapulco are at least a two-hour flight away from the main areas impacted by drug related violence. For example, the distance from Cancun to Ciudad Juarez is 1,312 miles – approximately the same distance between New York and Miami (1,290 miles), Chicago and Laredo, Texas (1,395 miles), or Los Angeles and Oklahoma City (1,328 miles).

     

     

     

     

  • Getting around Barcelona: The tips

    I welcome this guest post with tips and hints to get from the Barcelona airport (airport code BCN) to hotels, cruise ships, and around the city.

    Barcelona is a beautiful city but it is a good idea to research travel[…] options and [hotel] transfers before arriving. Barcelona Airport is situated just 14km away from the centre of the city and is the main airport.

    Airport to Hotel Transport

    Bus
    There are two bus services which run from Barcelona Airport to the centre of Barcelona. The first is the Aerobus, which is the fastest service and will take passengers from the airport to Plaça de Catalunya. This is a great option if the hotel is not far from this area or one of the places it stops at along the way. The other bus available at the airport takes slightly longer than the Aerobus but is cheaper.

    Train
    There is a train station at Terminal 2 of Barcelona Airport and there is a shuttle bus which will take passengers to it from Terminal 1. The trains run every half hour, Monday to Sunday and travel to Sants then through Passeig de Gracia, ending up in Barcelona-Sant Andreu Comtal. There are connections to bus and metro lines if the train does not stop near your hotel.

    Taxi or Car Hire
    There is also a taxi service available at the airport, which takes about 20 minutes into the city. This can cost 30 Euros plus but it will take you straight to your hotel, making it more convenient if you have a lot of luggage. The cabs are yellow and black and available at every terminal. There is also the option of car hire and there are plenty of companies to choose from at the airport.

    Hotel to Cruise Ship Transport

    Bus
    If you are traveling to a cruise ship, the Blue Bus runs from each of the cruise port terminals to the Christopher Columbus monument (in Barcelona city centre) and back. It runs in coordination with the arrival and departure of the cruise ships and has no set timetable. Some of the terminals are within walking distance of the city centre, but this is probably not advisable in the hot weather with luggage.

    Taxi
    Taxis can be easily caught on the street but can also be hired from any hotel. They take around 10 minutes to the cruise ship terminals and only cost around 8 Euros.

    Other Options

    There are plenty of transport options for getting around the city and visiting the attractions. Barcelona has a great metro system which runs regularly and punctually. It is especially useful for short journeys when the weather is just too hot to walk around in. This is the cheapest transport option for short journeys, although taxis are relatively inexpensive at 10 Euros for a 15 minute journey.

    If you are interested in car rental Barcelona Airport has a range of car-hire companies to choose from, including Europcar, Avis and Hertz. This is a good option if you want to get from place to place without the need for public transport

    EMID – EM-CL1

    Managed by www.contentnow.co.uk

     

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  • Alaska – Three ways to visit

    Do you dream of visiting Alaska?

    Mendenhall Glacier and frozen Mendenhall Lake ...
    Mendenhall Glacier

    What stories do you want to bring home?  Is it better to go by cruise, land tour, or cruise-tour?

    Some quick facts about the “Great Land:”

    • Home of 19 of the 20 tallest mountains in the US
    • 4x the size of California
    • Contains one-half of all US natural parkland
    • Highest concentration of bear and bald eagles on earth and more caribou than people

    Alaska Cruises start at 7 Days Round trip or Northbound and Southbound one-way itineraries with available land-tours to combine the best of land and sea.

    There are three basic ways to “do” Alaska:

    1) Round trip cruise from Seattle or Vancouver (limited  cruises from San Francisco):

    Experience the scenic inside passage – Alaska cruise ports may include:

    Juneau – the Capital city featuring featuring Mendenhall Glacier and majestic mountains.

    Skagway – the gateway to the Klondike; Klondike National Historical Park commemorates the place where the prospectors first arrived.

    Ketchikan – the salmon capital of the world; venture outside town to see a forest of hand-carved totem poles.

    Other ports include Sitka, with its totem pole lined paths, and Icy Strait Point which is prime for whale watching.  Various itineraries also may include Glacier viewing days featuring Glacier Bay National Park (with the 40 story high Margerie Glacier), the five mile long Hubbard Glacier, and College Fjord – 16 dramatic Glaciers named after Ivy League Colleges.

    One my favorite parts for planning an Alaska trip is suggesting shore excursions.  Shore excursions related to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau include flying, heli-sightseeing, walking, dog sledding, or kayaking along the base.

    2) North-bound Alaska Cruise ending  in Whittier or Seward followed by land tour

    You will depart from Seattle or Vancouver and continue North bound through the inside passage.  North or south bound one-way cruises may afford you the opportunity to visit Hubbard Glacier.  Then transfer to luxury rail for a land tour of Denali National Park, Mt McKinley, and perhaps Talkeetna. You also  have the option to continue on to Fairbanks.  The North bound options is less expensive than option (3).  With this option, you will fly home from Anchorage or Fairbanks. Further, flights are generally at off hours and make for a long flight home.

    3) Tour from Anchorage or Fairbanks followed by a South-bound Alaska cruise.

    Fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks to begin your land tour first as in (2), then cruise and fly home from Seattle or Vancouver (More $$ than (2), but a more convenient flight home).  My commentary about flying to Anchorage or Fairbanks first:

    • Enjoy a better “operational tempo” – get the long flights done first
    • Go on your active land tour
    • Relax on your South Bound Alaska cruise
    • Enjoy a more convenient flight home.

    Visiting Alaska is an authentic travel experience which cannot be duplicated.  Being in Alaska affords you the privilege of viewing nature as it was thousands of years ago.   Cruising and touring Alaska between the months of May and September gives you the opportunity to experience this state’s  pristine beauty at its finest.  Some glaciers are best experienced from sea; while, sites like Denali, with its unique flora and fauna must be visited by land.  Thus, the optimal way to visit Alaska is by taking a cruise combined with a scenic rail tour.

    Questions? comments?

     

     

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