from your vacation? OK, I hate hearing this, “I found this vacation for $1399 for two.” Really? Please tell me all about it? (Hope I’m not offending anyone here! You may know who you are.) Turns out this property in question is NOT All-Inclusive so the amount spent for meals and drinks is not there.
Our focus is on YOURTOTAL COST TO COME HOME. I cranked out a simple but realistic analysis of a realistic vacation choice for a family of four. The bottom line of the chart below is a good estimate of the total cost to come home NOT the cost to book the trip.
So what’s better: a cruise or an All-Inclusive resort?
Do you agree with my assumptions? Let me know. Want to spend your vacation in one place (a resort) or take your resort (a ship) to different places? The answer is up to you, but I’ll help you understand the options along with your total cost to come home.
Are you a professional, retiree, or busy family who values personalized and high-touch service?
Is your life so busy, you don’t have time to plan your next vacation?
Do you know where you want to go AND want someone else to handle all of the details that make it a complete vacation?
You’re in the right place.
Imagine feeling totally confident and care-free about your upcoming trip. And, you did not have to lift a finger to plan your trip. You will enjoy a vacation with all of your details expertly planned out – just for you. Virtually, just pack and Go!
Just imagine YOU on YOUR next vacation. Whether you dream of:
a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower on a romantic getaway
taking your kids on a once-in-a-lifetime family tour in the Mediterranean
sinking your toes into the legendary sands of Bora Bora,
I can help you with all of your details, expertly planned out for you. When we work together, you will…
have a personally involved travel concierge before, during, and after your trip as your single point of contact to handle unexpected issues.
feel relaxed about the choices and details of your next trip because you know a professional is taking care of you.
have help to travel to the world’s most exclusive destinations and have the most amazing experiences.
P.S. Ready to get started? Just fill out your “What’s Your Travel Personality?” questionnaire now. We’ll address what you want to experience on your next trip, and see if we’re a fit to work together.
Say goodbye to travel planning worries, so you can say hello to customized trip planning that fits YOUR travel needs by working interactively for each component of your vacation.
Here’s what one of our guest had to say…
“You are the most professional we have ever dealt with. You listened to our requests and put them into effect. Our trip was totally stress free, everything was exactly as you said ; no surprises.” Gabe, FL
Can you experience Barcelona in two days? If you have only a few days to explore Barcelona, you’ll want to use your time wisely to make the most of your trip and see the best sites. Below, we’ve highlighted the top four places to see. Focusing on a few sites will give you time to truly take in each attraction without feeling rushed. It will also leave time to indulge in leisure meals. Many Barcelona hotels are in walking distance of the city’s top destinations, or you can rent a car, take a cab or try public transportation. If you are planning on seeing Barcelona in two days, start with these attractions:
Sagrada Familia
A large Roman Catholic church and a stunning Basilica, La Sagrada Familia is a must see for any visitor to Barcelona. Construction began in 1882 and continues even to this day, with the most recent additions expected to be complete in 30 years by some estimates. The church was largely designed by famed architect Antonia Gaudi. Although the church is a spectacular site to behold from the outside, it’s worth purchasing a ticket to tour this interior.
Las Ramblas
Stroll down this vibrant 1.2 kilometer street in the heart of Barcelona’s city center. The street is lined with various cafes, restaurants and shopping, making it ideal for a bite to eat or to find a souvenir for friends and family back home. You’ll also find the city’s opera house, museum of contemporary art, an aquarium, street performers and artists, kiosks, historic buildings and more. The area is usually crowded from day time until late into the night. Spend your time people watching or picking through the markets and stands.
Gothic Quarter Just east of Las Ramblas lies Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. This is the city’s original city center and is lined with narrow streets opening into squares. You’ll find beautifully designed buildings and cathedrals throughout the quarter as you walk along the cobblestone streets. The streets are closed to traffic so plan on walking to the various sites. Your best bet is to find a guided tour that will give an overview of the area’s history while showing you a few sites including Barcelona’s Cathedral, Les Quatre Gats, Santa Maria del Pi, Placa del Rei and the Jewish Quarter.
el Parc Güell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Parc Güell Originally created by Eusebi Guell as a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy, this city public park is full of unique statues, tiling and buildings. The entrance is a curved staircase with a dragon statue on the center – easily the most recognized symbol of the park. You also find the Gran Placa Circular here, a plaza connecting to Serpentine Bench, the world’s longest bench that wraps around the plaza. A visit to the park will expose you both to Guell’s architectural genius as well as breathtaking views of the city.
Traveling abroad? You have a passport, right? Will you need a Visa? Read on for super easy help in some of the most commonly visited countries that require a Visa for US Passport holders. We will also hit on some of the highlights of these great Visa requiring countries.
In general, here is what you need to get a VISA which normally appears as an endorsement (fancy talk for a stamp) in your passport book:
Your Passport which must remain valid for 6 months AFTER your trip
Specific Country Visa Application
Recent, additional passport photograph
Travel Itinerary/Invoice with Itinerary
Visa for Turkey
Are you visiting Turkey as a port of call on a cruise? The ship will help you get your Visa prior to getting off in Turkey. Larger ships normally call in Kusadasi and smaller ships in Izmir. It is not critical to get a Visa in advance. Both of these ports provide access to Ephesus where you can visit the Roman Ruins, visit the both the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Church of Saint John. Flying into Turkey for a land trip? Pre-cruise stay? You can just get one in the airport as this is the standard procedure.
Visa for China
You must determine if you need a single, double, or multiple entry Visa. This depends upon your itinerary. The documentation required for a China Visa are very straightforward. Most US passport holder arrive in China in one of two ways:
1) Hong Kong for a cruise
2) Beijing or Shanghai for a land tour (with a potential Yangtze river cruise.)
Beijing is the city where you can walk on a section of the Great Wall; while, Shanghai is a modern city where East meets West. Xian is home to the Terra Cotta Warriors.
Visa for Brazil
Brazil is a little tricky in that they require the most information from US passport holders. Plus requirements are different based upon your State. Note: if you are staying in someone’s home or attending a trade show/conference, then there are additional requirements.
Proof of Funds – complete bank statements for three months showing transactions (for Florida residents)
Proof of present address
Yellow Fever International Certificate of Vaccination record – IF you have been to certain countries and/or you will visit certain parts of Brazil
Where are you going in Brazil? Land tour? Cruise? You can experience the sites of Rio and ascend Sugar loaf Mountain, visit the Iguacu Falls, or take a trip on the Amazon River.
Visa for Russia
Arriving in St. Petersburg, Russia on a Baltic Sea Cruise? Please inquire if you have questions about obtaining a Visa for
Sample Russian Visa Documents (Photo credit: hollaBackpackers)
Russia for arrival by air. There is so much to see that most cruise lines offer an overnight/two-day port call when calling on St Petersburg, Russia.
Have you heard the rumor, “This ship won’t let me go ashore if I didn’t book the tour with them.” Really, they have no right to keep you aboard as long as you have your blanket visa (more on that later.)
St. Petersburg, Russia is different from other port calls in that you need to:
1) be escorted by a state sanctioned tour guide, and
2) need to have a tourist visa. The solution to getting a great tour with great value is not complicated.
You will have your blanket Visa with all suggested third party tours…more later ( I already said that but I’m making you wait just one more time.)
To depart your ship in St. Petersburg, every cruise passenger is expected to present these four (4) documents:
Your valid Passport. Your identity will be checked, it will be stamped usually on the last page, and then returned to you.
Russian Migration Card. A Russian Migration Card is a 2-part document provided by the transportation company bringing the passenger to Russia. In your case it is your cruise line, but it could also be an airline or train. Please fill in both parts, sign them before disembarking.
Shore Excursions Provider’s Tour Ticket – proof of having a prepaid, confirmed space in a guided shore excursions program. This tour ticket will have the local operator’s name and will serve as your blanket Visa.
A photocopy of the photo and signature page of your passport. This is just a precautionary measure. In case there is a power failure at the port terminal the Immigration Department and computers may not work. In other words this copy may, or may not, be required, so do not present it until asked.)
Catherine’s Palace The grand Baroque style palace was built for the wife of Peter The Great. It exceeds all the other palaces with its gigantic size, the stunning facade of the palace extends for almost 1000 feet.
Peter and Paul Fortress Built in 1703, by Peter the Great to protect his new capital, it never saw battle and became a prison for politically harmful people.
Hermitage The former residential Winter Palace of the Romanov rulers, today houses one of the world’s most prestigious museums where the rooms rival the art within them.
Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood It sports a fantastic ornate “Russian-style” exterior of traditional colorful onion domes, ceramic tiles and colored glazed bricks.
Canal Cruise St. Petersburg is also called “the Venice of the North.”
Metro Ride Visit the magnificent “palaces of the People” as the Metro used to be called during the Soviet Union years.
Lunches – would included lunches with Champagne and Vodka be good?
Ballet – A great option in the evening of your overnight in port
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