Travel Planning

Category: Blog

  • Bora Bora and the Society Islands

     

    Bora Bora
    Bora Bora resorts

    Bora Bora and the Society Islands (French Polynesia) are commonly thought of as “Tahiti.” Are you thinking over water bungalows and lagoons? Then that’s likely Bora Bora. Tahiti is the location of the International airport in the Society Islands.  Read on for what many consider the most romantic island destination on our planet!

    Boro Bora is part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. The most commonly thought of island is Bora Bora.   Next is the island of Moorea; we’ll take a look at these idyllic islands in and highlight some of  the fabulous one-of-a-kind resorts.

     

     

     

    Another day in Bora Bora.
    Another day in Bora Bora.

     

    Quick Insider travel tips:

    • The island of Tahiti in the Society Island is where the int’l airport and cruise-port are located.  The airport is in Pappeete (PPT, but no, not “Powerpoint”).
    • Flights depart from Los Angeles (LAX) on Air Tahiti Nui (not to be confused with Air Tahiti, the local inter island air carrier.
    • Depending on your arrival time on Papeete, you may need a “day” room or one overnight stay prior to traveling to other islands or beginning a cruise.
    • Bora Bora is about a one hour flight from Tahiti (Papeete)
    • Moorea is about a 30 minute ferry ride from Papeete.
    • The movie “Couples Retreat” takes place on the St. Regis Resort on Bora Bora.

    While reviewing some resorts for a client, I had the privilege to work with Michael Cottam of Visual Itineraries who is an expert on French Polynesia/South Pacific.   Michael has some great insights into the  resort on Bora Bora and Moorea; you can read his insights below.

    CLICK NOW for a quick “visual vacation!

    The Bora Bora Intercontinental Thalaso and La Moana resorts are good choices for us.   Key question: does the higher price of the Thalaso make the experience that much better? What are the wow factors?

    The Thalasso is more luxurious, more modern-feeling, bigger restaurant space, bigger bungalows, and a technological masterpiece of a spa, plus the amazing A/C provided for the resort from cold seawater sucked into a pipe that goes 2 miles into the sea. It’s very impressive, but for me, it feels a little too cold/chic and not Polynesian enough for my personal tastes. Everything about it looks expensive; you’d feel uncomfortable going to dinner in the restaurant in a shirt that hadn’t been pressed. It feels to me like there’s too much glass and steel and marble in the resort for it to really be in French Polynesia. Having said that, it’s got tremendous appeal for many people. I’d say it feels like high-end NY chic/luxury, with views of French Polynesia.

    The Le Moana is more traditional and Polynesian in feel. I really liked it, but it’s a great basic Bora Bora resort without anything in particular to amaze you. Smaller feel, more personal, more authentic feeling.

    The Bora Bora Pearl is really my absolute favorite, in that you get the full Polynesia style, with absolutely amazing bungalows both overwater and garden, a super dramatic approach to the resort with the vaulted ceiling on the entrance on the dock, more impressive restaurants and grounds than the Le Moana Intercon. And in my opinion, the spa at the Pearl is much more stunning and spectacular, despite not having all the high-tech goodies that the Intercon Thalasso has.

    Bora Bora Lagoon Resort is like the Pearl, with a little less fancy spa, well-done grounds that make you think of an Asian garden.  I really like this property. Great Polynesian feel.

    The Sofitel property (Moorea) is really, really well done. I’d say it’s the rock star of Moorea, for sure. Great spa there too.

    How does this island stuff make YOU feel?  Did you look at the maps, photos, and videos? Finally, what’s on your bucket list?  Do tell so I can start long range planning for you!

  • Disney Cruise to Canada

    Disney Cruise Line: what’s it really like?

    Disney Magic cruise ship
    Disney Magic cruise ship (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Read on for my story of our cruise to Canada; I took my family on the Disney Magic from New York City to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick from September 2 – 7. This was a unique experience with some good and some bad.  We jumped on this cruise to Canada as Disney was offering a guaranteed verandah stateroom at an unheard of price. Our stateroom assignment could not have been much better as it was almost midship on Deck 6 – cabin 6548.

    We visited the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia (just $8.75/adult in high season).  It’s a compact  museum (easy walk from cruise terminal) that does a great job telling the story of some of the major events occurring in Halifax including Halifax’s role in the Titanic aftermath.

    Had to take this picture at an indoor pedestrian mall in Saint John, New Brunswick.
    Had to take this picture at an indoor pedestrian mall in Saint John, New Brunswick.

    The next day, we did a St John/Bay of Fundy by land and sea tour.  I had a hard time finding shore excursions via my preferred providers and wound up going with Disney Cruise Line as a last resort.  We saw a lot of sites in the cold rain on a tour bus and boat.  Then we had lunch in the old city market.  Yes, I went with the cruise line. Read this post as to why “official” cruise line shore excursions are NOT the way to go.  PS I overheard a lady at the shore excursions desk ask if the Grayline tour bus was “approved” by Disney.  Let’s face it, the cruise lines collect your cash with a nice profit and then hand you off to the local ground operator.  The cruise lines prefer to pack large buses with lots of profit…oops, people.

    I enjoy putting my guests on memorable excursions to experience their destination.  Read another story about a successful 3rd party shore excursion.

     

     

    Back to Disney Cruise Line

    PROS

    • The best kids club, by far, hands down…kids even get to put on a show in the main theater
    • Disney Verandah cabin is other cruise line’s mini/junior suite
    • “Split” Bathroom was fabulous (sink and toilet in one room and another sink and shower tub combo in another room)
    • 5 Day itinerary was perfect for a quick getaway: one sea day, 2 port days and another sea day

    CONS

    • More rules that this Master Cruise Counselor has ever experienced on any other cruise – dining policies are very rigid and seem dated compared with other cruise line flexibility.
    • Old ship and IMHO, there’s only so much they can do to make it presentable
    • Worst buffet ever IMHO and rarely open when we needed it…this may be different on the newer ships
    • You have to give your room number at the restaurants for breakfast and lunch so they can track everything – that’s a first
    • Security screening at ports of call occurs in the main lobby of the ship which just seems out of place – another first
    Related articles

  • Cancun and the Riviera Maya

    Cancun and the Riviera Maya are some of my favorite places to plan your trips!

    Here are the top 4 reasons to plan your visit to Riviera Maya

    1) Reasonably priced direct flights from Eastern and central US

    2) One of the best selections of modern, full featured resorts which means more value and selection for you

    3) Some of the word’s best beaches without the world’s highest prices  or longest flights!

    4) Fully plan a visit with fabulous nature and cultural activities

    Visit 2 properties recently visited by Daydream Excursions’ happy guests

    Map of Riviera Maya
    Map of Riviera Maya (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Cancun and the Riviera Maya have become a second home for North American travelers looking for great beaches, lots of sun and exciting nightlife. Mayan ruins sit next door to world-class accommodations and tourism facilities, with water sports and natural attractions close at hand. Only a couple of hours from many United States cities, Cancun is one of the most accessible international destinations available.

     

    • The Yucatán coast has been a staple of travelers from the United States for forty years or more. The rapid development in and around Cancun became a model for the best and the worst in the ways in which tourism could enrich a population. This area was largely isolated from the rest of Mexico until the Mexican government selected the region for development.

    • The Yucatán’s Caribbean coast is more than 236 miles and stretches from Cancún in the north all the way to Chetumal, on the border with the nation of Belize.

    • The northern half of the Yucatán’s coast is known as the “Maya Riviera “; to the south, the “Costa Maya.” Between the two is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

    • South of Cancun development along the Riviera Maya is on a smaller scale, with a greater understanding for the principles of sustainable tourism and a respect for native cultures.

    • The second longest reef system in the world runs much of the length of the coast. Playa del Carmen, Xpu-Ha, Tulum and the other magnificent beaches occur where there are gaps in the reef and the tidal action of the ocean’s waves pounds the reef into fine sand.

    • The reef provides great snorkeling and diving and the beaches are some of the world’s finest.

    • Ancient Mayan ruins dot the coast and are easily accessible from the resort communities along the coast.

    • Inland, vast caves are present and under ground rivers run where travelers can explore with experienced guides.

    • The choice of accommodations is large and varied from cabins to all inclusive resorts or boutique hotels.

    • The ancient Mayan cities of Uxmal and Chichen Itza remain some of the best examples of the mysterious cultures, the vestages of which exist to this day in the native populations.

    © Copyright 2011 Travmarket. LLC.

    Plan your visit today!


     

     

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  • 3 Ways to Prepare your Taxes Plus Travel Planning

    There are 3 ways to prepare your taxes.

    Tax
    Tax (Photo credit: 401(K) 2012)

    If you have other techniques please share!  We’ll look at the pros and cons of each and perhaps answer what this has to do with Travel Planning. This topic has been on my mind for quite a while! Note: this article is for educational purposes only; none of the suggestions, etc. may be construed as tax advice.

    1) IRS Paper Forms – Fill out forms and schedules by hand, assemble all of your supporting documentation, and send in to the IRS and State taxing authority(s).  For wage earners or renters with minimal deductions and income from minimal sources

    Pros

    Cons

    • May miss deductions
    • May not properly calculate capital gains rates
    • No support for your own personalized situation
    • No one to call for help should your return be audited or questioned by the IRS

    2) Prepare on your own with Tax Software.  Use popular software like H&R Block at Home, Turbo Tax, or Tax Slayer, etc.  Follow interview driven question process and key in your data.  Best for those with mortgages, deductions, self-employment income, real estate and capital gains income, and itemized deductions

    Pros

    • Easy to follow interviews
    • Free to moderate cost
    • All calculations done for you
    • Schedule/Worksheet completion are all done via interviews

    Cons

    • No dedicated support contact – although most products do offer good support (just not personalized with someone who knows your situation)
    • No support for IRS questions and audits although better products now include audit support.
    • No understanding for your own personalized tax aspirations

    3) Tax professional. They will ask relevant questions, collect your data/documentation, and fully prepare your return for you.  Best for more complex situations.  However, many people prefer a tax professional for peace of mind.

    Pros

    • Tax Preparer is up on the current tax laws and knows how to maximize your refund or minimize your tax bill.
    • Representation with the IRS if you are subject to questions or an audit
    • Singe point of contact for any tax related questions all year long
    • Knows your personal situation and background should you use him or her again and again
    • Can save you tons of time as they know how to efficiently navigate through the process and what questions to ask you to optimize your personal tax situation

    Cons

    • Potentially more expensive than the other methods (subject to your determination of value)
    • You must select someone with whom you are comfortable
    • You may not get someone who will be there to rapidly respond to your questions
    Tax Preparation
    Tax Preparation (Photo credit: agrilifetoday)

     

    Summary: Whether you choose to prepare your taxes on paper, with software, or via a Tax professional, you will get your returns completed; all three ways to prepare your taxes get you to a finished 1040.  Which way is the best?  That depends upon your preferences and your own situation.

    Do you see any similarities with a travel planning professional? Hmm, let’s list a small list of similarities that come to mind:

    • Travel Planners are up on the current travel environment including products, trends, promotions, etc.
    • Representation with various travel product vendors to resolve potential issues
    • Singe point of contact for any travel related questions all year long (you know there will be questions).
    • Knows your personal situation and background should you use him or her again and again
    • Can save you tons of time as they know how to efficiently navigate through the process and what questions to ask you to optimize your personal travel situation

     

    Thanks for reading this post.  Please comment below.

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  • International Air Travel Tips and Advice

    Here are some international air travel tips and guidelines that can make the international air portion of your trip more enjoyable. Once again, thanks to Mr. Tom Ogg of the Travel Professional Community for the content of this article and his great contributions to our industry.

    Baggage claim
    Baggage claim (Photo credit: gorbould)

    Planning Your Trip:

    1. Always use a Travel Professional! If you run into problems such as a delayed or cancelled flight, overbooked hotels, medical emergency, or other situations, your travel professional can act as your backstop to make things right and get you back on track. This is just one of the reasons that using a travel professional is the way to plan international travel.
    2. Plan on arriving in your destination at least a day before you need to be there. Arriving the day you intend to begin a cruise, could get risky should your flight be delayed or cancelled.
    3. Reconfirm everything before you depart on your vacation. If you are traveling over the International Dateline, make sure that the arrival dates are correct. Ditto for overnight flights with connections.

    Packing For Your Trip:

    1. Be sure to carry your passport, medication, medical emergency data, contact information, and othercritical information with you at all times. Never pack your important documents and medication in your suitcase
    2. Pack your itinerary, travel professional’s contact information, and your contact information while traveling in each piece of luggage.  (If you have purchased Travel Guard Insurance, be sure to attach their “BAG TRACK” labels on your luggage.)
    3. Also, pack one carry-on bag with everything that is absolutely necessary to still enjoy your vacation should your luggage get delayed or lost. Pack items that are not readily available in stores at the destination and that you deem mandatory to the success of your trip.

    At The Airport:

    1. Make sure to reconfirm your flight 24-hours in advance before going to the airport.
    2. Arrive at the airport with plenty of time to relax after checking in for your flight. Allow [up to 3 hours] prior to your departure time.
    3. Upon check-in for your flight you will need
      Boarding pass
      Boarding pass (Photo credit: Simon Aughton)

       

      • Your Passport and any Visas required for your final destination in your passport
      • All necessary documents for minors traveling with you (make sure that your travel professional has all of the details so that they can advise you of exactly what you need).
      • Your flight confirmation
      • Proof of immunization (if required by the country that you are visiting)
      • Personally check in each piece of luggage with the counter agent and confirm that they are checked through to their final destination or if you have to claim them along the way and recheck them. Do not allow anyone else to check them for you.
      • Present the necessary documents for your flight(s) and reconfirm the boarding passes with the counter agent making sure that you have received all  boarding passes for your flight.
      • If you are boarding in a country outside of the United States, you will need to clear immigrations on the way to the departure gates. You will need to present your passport and boarding passes. In some countries you may be required to go through an interview with immigration officials, or if you are singled out for a secondary inspection, as well.  This is just a precaution.
      • Once you have your luggage receipts and boarding passes returned by immigration, proceed to the security check point and be prepared to present your passport, and boarding pass to be processed through the security checkpoint. Again, you may be singled out for a secondary search that may include being manually searched and your carry-ons completely inspected.
      • NEVER act in a defensive or aggressive manner during any of the above processes. NEVER joke or give any of the people in charge of the processes a reason to single you out.

    Arriving At Your Destination:

    1. Once you arrive at your destination you will be get routed into Immigration. You will need to present your passport to enter the country.
    2. You will then proceed to luggage claim where you can then claim your luggage. Make sure that your luggage has not been tampered with and if you have placed anything of value in your luggage, be sure that it is still there.
    3. You will then be required to go through customs to exit the baggage claim area. You will be provided with a customs declaration form on your flight. You will be required to submit this form to the customs official.
    4. NEVER try to take undeclared items through customs. If you are singled out for a secondary search and they are found you may be deported right then and there, or worse.

    Staying Safe:

    1. Once you enter the main terminal at your destination, do not respond to people asking if you need a taxi, transfer, tour guide or any other service. If you are being met for a transfer to your hotel, follow the instruction on your transfer voucher/documents.  NEVER respond to someone offering you a service after approaching you.
    2. LEAVE Your Expensive JEWELRY at HOME! Unless you absolutely need your jewelry for some reason essential to your trip, leave it at home.
    3. Only carry what is absolutely necessary while traveling.  Your “travel wallet” should contain a copy of your passport and driver’s license, an ATM card, your insurance information, your contact information and some cash. Most important is to carry an “In Case of Emergency Contact” card with critical contact information on it.
    4. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and remember that as a tourist, you make the most desirable target for crime that there is. By not wearing or carrying anything valuable worth stealing, you have mitigated the risk.

    Important Links for International Travelers:

    http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/survival-guide.htm – Great information on staying healthy and safe while traveling internationally.

    http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html – Tips for Traveling Abroad is an excellent site for preparing for your vacation.

    http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html – This is the State Departments travel warnings site. Be sure to visit this site right before your vacation to see if anything has changed that might affect your trip.

    http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm – Center for Disease Control list of vaccinations needed by country.

    http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.htm – Detailed information regarding health and disease information by country for more than 200 countries. This will help you understand what you should prepare for.

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  • Airline Seats: 9.1 Ways to Get Them on Your Next Flight

    Obtaining airline seats is getting very tricky!

    English: New interior on Delta Air Lines' Boei...
    English: New interior on Delta Air Lines’ Boeing 737-800 fleet. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Just last month, I was trying to seat a family of four together on a United flight.  While the family had assigned seats, they were not all together which was not good for a family with children.  It took 3 calls including one by my client, to get the airline seats together.   Airlines are making it increasingly difficult to sit together and even choose your seats in advance.  Why are they doing this?

    Use Seatguru for all of their fabulous information like seat map details, seating configurations, and more.

    seatguru
    seatguru (Photo credit: Beth77)

    Here are the insiders tips to help you get your airline seats:

    1) Buy your tickets early when there are more seats available; this sounds obvious but try to plan and book early whenever possible.

    2) If you are able to select a seat, do it even if the choice is not optimal as you can try to change seats later.

    3) If you do not get a seat assignment at time of booking, plug your confirmation number directly into the airline’s website and try to select/change your seat(s).

    4) Can’t get ANY seat assignment? Call the airline directly or contact your travel planner if they booked your flight.

    5) Look out for code share flights! If you booked a flight on United but the operator is actually Lufthansa, you may need to go directly to Lufthansa for a seat assignment.  (This happened on flights I recently booked!)

    6) Keep checking on your assignment as the type of aircraft may occasionally change which may result in the loss of your originally assigned seats.  (While this situation is rare, aircraft can change.)

    7) Check in 24 hours prior to boarding as airlines may have released other seats for your selection, and you may save time checking-in at the airport.

    8) You may also pay an additional charge for a “premium economy seat or just a preassigned seat on some airline like British Airways.

    9) Want a really useful tip: use a travel professional to research, plan, book, and service  your air reservations.

    10) Please consider buying air tickets as early as possible…Oh, I already said that but it’s just that important.

    Would you like to add anything about your own tricks with seat assignments?  Please share!

  • Europe in the Fall/Winter: 6 Reasons to Love Late Season

    If a summer getaway to Europe isn’t in the cards, read on for the advantages of a trip to Europe in the late season for a local experience at a lower price. The months of November to April are some of the best times to visit Europe.   What will you experience in Europe in the Fall or Winter?  Think shopping in Rome, snowboarding in the Austrian Alps, sipping hot mulled wine in Vienna’s Christmas markets, or ringing in the New Year in Amsterdam!

    English: Christmas Markets in Prague
    English: Christmas Markets in Prague (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    1) More Affordable

    Starting in October, airfare and hotel prices begin to drop, as well as guided tour prices. Relax in comfort as you experience the Autumn colors, festive markets and blossoming cities of the continent, and with savings on summer prices.

    2) Less Touristy

    Enjoy your vacation sans the summer tourist crowds. Enjoy shorter lines, easier access to popular sightseeing spots, and a more local experience.   Refer to one of our past featured posts on  European touring.

    3) Cooler Weather

    Hotter cities like Rome and Athens cool off by October, making it more enjoyable for sightseeing. Italians actually prefer to vacation in Rome after summer, when the tourist crowds and hot weather have simmered down.

    4) Skiing and Boarding trips

    Stay in Hopfgarten, a village in the heart of the Austrian Alps, and spend  time skiing and boarding!  Mix it up with sleigh rides, ice skating, paragliding, aprés ski, and day trips to nearby cities Salzburg and Innsbruck. Start your tour in London or Hopfgarten. An unforgettable rail journey through the snow-covered Alps on Switzerland’s Glacier Express.

    5) Festival & Holidays

    Experience the Christmas markets in Germany and Austria with hot mulled wine and gingerbread, or a visit to Germany’s famous Christmas markets for festive shopping and traditional fare. In February, experience the world famous Carnival in Venice or celebrate St. Patty’s Day in Dublin.

    6) New Year’s Eve

    Ring in the New Year somewhere unforgettable! How about Paris or Amsterdam New Year trips? Plan a winter trip with a  departure over New Year’s – spend it in Venice, Berlin, Prague, Barcelona, and other great cities.

     

    What do you think about Europe in the “off” season?  Doesn’t sound off to me!

    PS, An email from Contiki inspired this post.

  • Small Ship vs. Large Ship Cruising

    Here is a list of the Top 10 Differences of Small Ship vs. Large Ship cruising according to webinar presented by Variety Cruises covering accommodations, dining, entertainment, itineraries, excursions, and more.  We’re going to focus on the small ship difference as big ship cruising get most of the press!

    While the demand for big cruise ships continues to increase, there’s also an increased momentum for the intimacy of small ship cruising.   (Refer to our River Cruise article.)  Similar to the difference between a boutique hotel and a sprawling all-inclusive resort, large ship offerings innately differ from small ships, and the choice is based on YOUR preferences.

    Variety Cruises M/Y Harmony G
    Variety Cruises M/Y Harmony G

    1) Accommodations Beautifully appointed boutique-style accommodations all have large windows or portholes and many river ships offer balconies.

    2) Dining Think intimate, casual meals including delicious local recipes.  Smaller ships may restock the pantries on a daily basis from local markets with fresh goods. Many Variety Cruises itineraries are half board—breakfast and one meal—depending on the schedule, encouraging guests to explore the culinary offerings ashore. Why rush back to the ship for a free meal and miss out on the local cuisine and culture?

    3) Service & Crew With a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1-to-2, service is about as personalized as it can get. By the first day you’ll find yourself on a first-name basis with the captain and the crew. On the ground, local reps are your personal ambassadors to every region.

    4) Services & Amenities Small ships and mega-yachts have inside and outside dining areas, a spacious sundeck, a swimming platform, lounge areas, a bar and multiple observation decks. Some have a spa and fitness center. While there is on board entertainment, your vacation is all about what you experience on shore. The ships aren’t the destination—they’re only the best way to get there.

    5) Itineraries Small ships take you to smaller, more authentic ports. The combination of famous with off-the-beaten-track is key, and it’s made possible because of the small ship size (i.e., well known Mykonos paired with Folegandros, also known as the “Secret Santorini”.)  Fewer countries are visited allowing a more in-depth experience of the cultures, the communities and the cuisine.

    6) Swimming

    Compare the sea to a large ship pool! A quick swim stop in the Aegean Sea for guests aboard the Galileo.
    Compare this to a large ship pool! A quick swim stop in the Aegean Sea for guests aboard the Galileo.

    Your captain will drop anchor next to beautiful secluded beaches

    or coves (weather permitting), where you can dive right off the yacht

    from our modern swimming platforms.  Hint: our pool is actually the Aegean Sea!
     

     

    7) On Board Entertainment  Vegas stays in Vegas: Variety Cruises offers a fancy Captain’s dinner, local cuisine night with local dances, daily lectures, a library room, free Internet, delightful daily swim stops, ample sun deck space and more  for an enjoyable on board stay.  Onshore, naturalists and on board experts help you explore the region through lectures and discussions.

    Big ship cruising is great for families with younger kids.  There’s never a dull moment between the casino, the Vegas style shows, the arcades, the entertainment teams, the fitness classes, the rock climbing,  and much more.

    8) Excursions Shore excursions are composed of small intimate groups—no waiting in line. Guests have ample leisure time at each of the ports and are encouraged to explore on their own, with the cruise director’s full help and guidance. Major cruise ships are usually too massive to dock directly in most ports. Time-consuming tenders are employed daily to help hundreds (or thousands) of guests get to shore…and back again.

    9) Embarkation/Disembarkation Our yachts usually dock right in the village ports,where guests can walk on and off the ship at their own pace. No massive cruise ports; we opt for private yacht ports all the way.  Thanks to their size, large ships are only affected by very extreme weather conditions.

    10) Weather High winds may impact scheduled itineraries; some might think this is a down side of small ship cruising. However, our Captains are experts at redirecting the itineraries when necessary in the best and safest way possible, often allowing guests to discover secluded, secret destinations. Variety Cruises, essentially sails with the wind, just like private yachts and sailboats.

    Want to more information about Variety Cruises, river cruises, or something else?  Start planning your next trip today and complete our travel planning survey below.

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  • Barcelona and Exactly where to Dine

    I just can’t write enough about Barcelona; let’s with start some quick information about the city then we can dine!

    Rambla de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain
    Rambla de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain

     

     

    Casa Milà at dusk in Barcelona, Spain. The bui...
    Casa Milà at dusk in Barcelona, Spain. The building is known either as ‘Casa Milà’ (the owner’s name) and popular called ‘La Pedrera’ because of its look. Taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Barcelona (Catalonia) is the largest cruise port in Europe and the Mediterranean and the fourth largest worldwide.  Barcelona is the perfect destination to start or end your cruise vacation with an opportunity to spend a few days on land.  Boasting a unique blend of modern, cosmopolitan attitude and a rich architectural and historic legacy, Barcelona will amaze you with its contrasts and diversity. Take a stroll through the old part of the city, the busy Rambla Avenue, the lively port area, and the Gothic Quarter with its medieval atmosphere. Discover Barcelona’s Modernist heritage, where the work of Gaudí stands out with places such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Casa Batlló House and Güell Park, the UNESCO-designated World Heritage site. Architects will enjoy Barcelona’s award winning design aesthetic as it is the only city to ever win a RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture. Foodies will marvel at the gastronomic wonders of Catalonia, the land of master chef Ferran Adria. The province lists 53 Michelin Star restaurants, with 20 of those located in Barcelona.

     

     

     

    La Boqueria is a really nice place to visit and there are plenty of nice tapas place inside (Pinotxo, El Quim)

    Bild:ForbysBoqueria.jpg Beschreibung: Mercat d...
    La Boqueria

    Here is a list of where to dine (courtesy of Sandrine Velia from Grand Hotel Central – six very happy guests stayed there last year) :

     For traditional Catalan restaurants

    For Tapas

    • Lonja de Tapas: Very good tapas. It is 10 minutes walking distance to the hotel. Average price 35 euro per person. http://www.lonjadetapas.com/
    • Tapas Locas: Good variety of tapas and paellas of all kind. It is located on the olimpic Harbour. Average price 25 € per person.
    • Bar del Pla:
    • Tapas 24:

    For Fish and Sea Food restaurants

     

    For Mediterranean and fresh food from the market restaurants. Cool atmosphere

     

    For meat restaurants

    • Patagonia: For a good meat, this is an Argentinean restaurant. Located at 12 minutes walking distance to the hotel.  http://www.patagoniabw.com/ Average price 50 euro.
    • Asador de Aranda: For a good meat, this is a typical Spanish restaurant. Located at 10 minutes distance to the hotel. http://asadordearanda.com/

     

    For fashionable

    For fashionable restaurant & Club

    • CDLC (Carpe Diem Lounge Club): Just in front of the sea side, on the beach. Exclusive, craze and cool. Average price for dinner 40 euro. Free access and queue-jump to the club only if you ask for the card at reception. http://www.cdlcbarcelona.com/#00_home
    • Shoko:

    For more expensive restaurants you have the ones with Michelin’s star:

     

    Want to plan a trip built around Barcelona? Interested in a complimentary Barcelona tourist card?

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  • Google For Ideas, Plan with a Pro

    What can planning your vacation with Daydream Excursions give you that  you can’t get from Google and the Internet?

    Intelligent buying decisions.

    Google or “the Internet” is great for ideas, but planning with a real Travel Professional provides:

    1) Sense of the flood of travel information for you to select the RIGHT travel products to create your optimal vacation experience.  Is that travel promo on the Internet what you really want?  Will the Internet tell you if it’s the right trip for you? A “good deal” on a horrible vacation is NOT a good deal at all.

    Travel Ad
    Travel Ad

    2) All of the components that make up your entire vacation experience  (booking a cruise, tour, or resort is merely the beginning of the process).  For instance, if you’re going to Rome, will the Internet tell you how to visit the Vatican without waiting in a three-mile line?  Perhaps, but Daydream Excursions makes it EASY for you by taking care of all those behind-the-scenes details.  I strive to understand what kind of experience you’d like to enjoy on your trip and then make it happen for you.

    STORY ONE:  Someone told me that he is booking his own trip to Atlantis, Paradise Island, for under $2,000 for the entire trip.  Really?  Try eating in Atlantis with OR without a meal plan and see what happens to my frequently-mentioned, “total cost to come home!”

    3) A single point of contact, travel concierge, or “vacation guardian” across ALL of  your trip elements.  Who are you going to contact with ALL of your questions or last minute changes??  ME!  Is the Internet running your vacation through a series of quality checks and making sure that everything is OK before you leave?

    STORY TWO:  A honeymoon couple traveling to Hawaii for an Island-hopping custom honeymoon wanted to do a shark cage dive off of the North Coast of Oahu.  Right before departure, the tour operator informed me it was best to change the time to decrease the chance of the tour being canceled due to rough seas.  I was able to advise my clients one day prior to leaving and make the changes with their approval- and they did not miss their dive!

    4) Time for you to evaluate your options in an interactive and relaxed manner.  Online, you are presented with “click to buy now!”  When working with Daydream Excursions, you can book individual travel elements when YOU are ready.  (If  any travel components need to get booked right away, I’ll courteously let you know.)   Are you asked to pay the full cost upfront for a vacation that may be months away?   I can usually just take a reasonable deposit on your trip.  (No high pressure sales tactics here!)

    DON’T click now!  I’d love to have a conversation with you first…
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