Europe / Italy

Overtourism in Italy

• by Jodi H
Photo by Oscar Nord on Unsplash

Overtourism in Italy has brought on a new set of rules in Rome & Venice.  Recently (last month) in Italy, Rome has banned sitting on the Spanish Steps.  It’s such a beautiful attraction, I usually recommend a hotel nearby that’s a short walk for my travelers.  There’s so much to see in that one area. The Trevi Fountain is another landmark that has new ordinances, no eating near it but you can still throw coins into it.  You can read more about both of these at Skift.

Last week the Italian government announced it’ll be rerouting cruise ships weighing 1000 tons or more away from Venice’s canals.  In this article from Cruise Trade News, “…these large cruise ships will dock at Fusina and Lombardia terminals away from the centre of Venice, but still inside the city’s lagoon. By next year, a third of cruise ships will be rerouted.”

Last year the city of Venice decided to implement a ‘day-tripper fee’ which varies between 2.50 euros and 10 euros.  There are exemptions for students and locals.  Overnight visitors are also exempt, they’re charged a small nightly tax by the hotel.  More about this at Skift.

Are you interested in visiting Italy off the beaten path?  Call me to talk about what you have in mind…food and wine?  Exploring the coastlines, an island hop to Sicily?  There’s soooo much to see in this beautiful country and while ancient Roman architecture is probably the biggest attraction, there’s a whole ‘Old World’ that exists too. –Jodi

 

Photo Credits by Oscar Nord & La So on Unsplash

Central America / Costa Rica

Pura Vida! – W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal

• by Jodi H

Here I sit in another cold front in the Carolina’s & it’s a steamy 93 degrees in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.  The W Costa Rica just recently opened on a beautiful stretch of beach where the ocean is swimmable.  Two pools are on the property if you’re more of a poolside person that likes to look at the ocean.

Off property nearby is the 2300-acre Reserva Conchal, a nature reserve where you can explore the mangroves & observe wild monkeys.  Any bird lovers like me out there??  I’m sure you can spot some Toucans here too.  Also off property, the surfing scene in Tamarindo is only 20 minutes away.

Of course, one of my preferred tour companies, Island Destinations, has an incredible offer.  This is a land only package so naturally, air prices will vary depending on where you’re flying from.  Happy packing!!  –Jodi

ID’s Vacation Package Includes:

• Exclusive ID Extra!;Guaranteed upgrade at time of booking from Wonderful Escape to Fabulous Escape
• Daily Breakfast at a three-meal restaurant
• Roundtrip Private airport transfer
• 25% off spa treatments of 50 minutes or longer
• USD100 Resort Credit per accommodation, per stay to be used in Spa or B&F
• Late check out at 4pm

Price: 4 nights in a Fabulous Escape from $1,833
Travel Dates: Now through December 22, 2019
Book By: Now through April 30, 2019

Terms: Listed date of travel based on 9/1-10/31/19. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. Rate is exclusive of taxes and service. Rate is subject to change.

 

Caribbean / Cruising / Florida

Last Minute Caribbean Cruise – Celebrity Equinox

• by Jodi H

The Atlantic looks clear for the time being and we hope it stays that way.  If your kids are at summer camp and you need/want something fun to do for yourself, Celebrity Cruises has limited space available on two cruises.  There’s a 7- Day Eastern Caribbean on July 28 and a 7-Day Western Caribbean on August 4, 2018.

WESTERN CARIBBEAN

Sailing Date: Jul 28, 2018
Through: Aug 04, 2018
Book By: Jul 23 2018 11:00PM
# of Nights: 7
Ship: Celebrity Equinox
Line: Celebrity Cruises
from  $749.00  (USD) Per Person
                Category Balcony stateroom
Other Categories Starting At:
Inside Outside Balcony Suite
N/A N/A $749.00
Cat: X		 N/A
Day Port Arrive Depart
1 Miami, Florida 3:30 PM
2 Key West, Florida 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
3 At Sea
4 George Town, Grand Cayman 7:00 AM 3:30 PM
5 Cozumel, Mexico 9:30 AM 7:00 PM
6 Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
7 At Sea
8 Miami, Florida 7:00 AM

 


EASTERN CARIBBEAN

Sailing Date: Aug 04, 2018
Through: Aug 11, 2018
Book By: Jul 23 2018 11:00PM
# of Nights: 7
Ship: Celebrity Equinox
Line: Celebrity Cruises
from  $749.00  (USD) Per Person
Category Balcony stateroom
Other Categories Starting At:
Inside Outside Balcony Suite
N/A N/A $749.00
Cat: X		 N/A
Day Port Arrive Depart
1 Miami, Florida 3:30 PM
2 At Sea
3 San Juan, Puerto Rico 3:30 PM 11:00 PM
4 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
5 Philipsburg, St. Maarten 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
6 At Sea
7 At Sea
8 Miami, Florida 7:00 AM

To book or for more information, call or use the ‘Request a Trip‘ form.  Offers expire July 23, 2018.

Terms and Disclaimers
Prices, additional fees, itineraries, and availability of this product are subject to change at any time. Please contact us for more information.

If your client wishes to book an offer, please click on the “Book It!” icon next to one of the prices in the price table. You will find booking information from the supplier, and in many cases a link to an online booking engine. If you wish to inform your clients of the availability of an offer, please click the “Email It!” icon next to one of the prices in the price table.
Celebrity Cruises Inc. reserves the right to change, whether via an increase or decrease, any published rates, including cruise rates and airfare charges, without prior notice. We reserve the right to impose on any existing booking or new bookings (whether paid in full or not) a supplement for fuel or other matters without prior notice as provided in our Passenger Ticket Contract. In addition, we reserve the right to pass through any third party imposed fuel or other surcharges, also without prior notice, The guest will remain liable for any applicable taxes, fees or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental or quasi-governmental agencies.
Florida / Miami

All-Inclusive Vacation – Eden Roc Miami Beach

• by Jodi H

There are very few all-inclusive options in the United States, even fewer on a coastline.  My family and I love Florida, we visit often (probably more me than them) for various reasons.  Like most visitors to Miami, Florida, we go for clear blue waters and warm (hot, humid) weather but also for incredible food.

Not everyone likes to get out and be adventurous in their foodie finds like us though.  The amount of traffic in Miami is enough to make you not want to leave the resort you’re staying in too.  Several prayers have been answered…Now you can experience the gourmet food trends of South Florida at Eden Roc Miami Beach with their new all-inclusive plan.  Yes, at a beach front resort surrounded by coconut palms and a chic vibe 🙂

Here are some of highlights of Eden Roc’s all-inclusive plan:

Caribbean / St. Lucia

First Responders Stay Free in St. Lucia

• by Jodi H
St. James Morgan Bay, St. Lucia

St. James Morgan Bay in St. Lucia is offering an incredibly generous promotion to First Responders.  This all-inclusive invitation is available to active and retired firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) traveling with friends and family age 12+.

StJamesClubMorganBay_ExploreStLucia_St-Lucia-Fishing-Village

The “First Responders Stay Free” invitation is based on a three-night minimum stay, with first responders staying on a complimentary basis when traveling with a guest. This invitation includes accommodations, all meals, snacks, beverages by the glass, activities, non-motorized water sports, taxes and fees. All-Inclusive rates for accompanying guests start at $200 per night. Children ages 2-11 are at an All-Inclusive rate of $72 per night, while children under age 2 stay free. There is a limit of one free first responder per room.

Offer ends December 20, 2018

Call us at 843-361-5877 or use the ‘Request a Trip‘ form for more information or to book.  –Jodi

Photos: Elite Island Resorts

Caribbean / St. Lucia

Happy November!

• by Jodi H

The weather here in the south sure doesn’t feel like fall, at least not this week.  Thankfully I missed the cold front that swooped through over the weekend.  I think the forecast was what really pushed me into flying down to Key West for Fantasy Fest at the very last minute.  Speaking of last minute travel…we’re approaching the official ‘holiday season’ and that means a lot of families will start thinking of their last minute plans in the next couple of weeks.

If you’re thinking about taking the family somewhere tropical, St. James Club Morgan Bay in St. Lucia has added new hillside 2-bedroom suites each with private baths.  The adjoining living room has a pull-out sofa bed, and two private terraces or balconies spanning the entire width of the suite.

All-inclusive fall rates start at $150/per person, per night.  The resort features a beautiful beach plus:

  • 4 Pools (2 are adults only!)
  • 5 bars, 5 restaurants
  • Kids club & teen activities
  • FREE watersports – hobies, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, & water skiing

Y’all won’t starve, go thirsty, or be bored.  The Kids Club offers so many activities for ages 2 to 11 like sand and flower crafts, jewelry making, tie-dying, crab hunting.  There’s a huge list to keep them busy from 9am to 6:30pm (subject to change).  Drop them off and you can have some ‘me time’ to relax.  Babysitting is also available in the evenings at an additional cost.

Passports are required for travel to St. Lucia so make sure yours is up to date & doesn’t expire for 6 months beyond your travel dates.  Little ones will need one too 🙂

 

Call us at 843-361-5877 or use the ‘Request a Trip‘ form for more information or to book.  –Jodi

Photos: Elite Island Resorts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caribbean / St. Lucia

St. Lucia Windjammer Landing

• by Jodi H

We found an incredible package to St. Lucia at Windjammer Landing from Myrtle Beach, SC.  What we love about this Mediterranean inspired village is the villas.  Especially the ones with a private plunge pool overlooking the Caribbean.

While researching a honeymoon with flexible dates, we found this for November 25-December 2, 2017:

Air: Myrtle Beach to St. Lucia on American Airlines
Room: 1 Bedroom Villa w/Private Plunge Pool
Dining: All-Inclusive with Alcoholic Beverages
Price: $4705 per couple

Note: Flight times, pricing, availability subject to change at any time.  Contact us via web or call to book.

Photos: Windjammer Landing website.

–JH

Caribbean / Cruising / New Orleans / USA

Mardi Gras Cruise

• by Jodi H
http://www.celebritycruises.com/media/en_US/images/cel_fleet/ship/cel_equinox/CEL_EQ_Equinox_992x744.jpg

http://www.celebritycruises.com/media/en_US/images/cel_fleet/ship/cel_equinox/CEL_EQ_Equinox_992x744.jpgWhen you think of Mardi Gras, you think ‘party in New Orleans’!  Thoughts run through your mind, ‘when is it?’, ‘how do I get there?’, ‘where do I stay?’, ‘how MUCH is it gonna cost?’.

If you want to do something entirely different & save yourself some time finding a hotel in the ideal location near Bourbon St., check out this combo 11-night Mardi Gras-Caribbean cruise from Celebrity Cruises.

This Mardi Gras-Caribbean cruise is one of Celebrity Cruises ‘Signature Event Sailings’.  It has an ideal itinerary with 3 days of island hopping in the Caribbean, a day to rest from sun & salt water before getting crazy in the French Quarter.  We love that the last day in port ends on Fat Tuesday & you can spend the last 2 days at sea recuperating in the Canyon Ranch Spa onboard the ship.

  • DAY 1 FEB 20, 2017
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida

    DAY 2 FEB 21, 2017
    At Sea

    DAY 3 FEB 22, 2017
    George Town, Grand Cayman

    DAY 4 FEB 23, 2017
    Costa Maya, Mexico

    DAY 5 FEB 24, 2017
    Cozumel, Mexico

    DAY 6 FEB 25, 2017
    At Sea

    DAY 7 FEB 26, 2017
    New Orleans, Louisiana

    DAY 8 FEB 27, 2017
    New Orleans, Louisiana

    DAY 9 FEB 28, 2017
    New Orleans, Louisiana

    DAY 10 MAR 1, 2017
    At Sea

    DAY 11 MAR 2, 2017
    At Sea

    DAY 12 MAR 3, 2017
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Staterooms start at $1209/PP++.  Beverage packages are available for purchase, from classic and premium packages to wine packages, soda packages & water packages.
Call us or fill out our ‘Request a Trip‘ form for more information or to book this unique cruise vacation.

 

Caribbean / Cruising

Island Time All the Time with Celebrity Cruises

• by Jodi H

We only post the most exciting cruise specials when we get them.  Just in…Celebrity Cruise’s newest November promotion, Island Time All the Time.  We believe in that lifestyle.

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Highlights of this promo include:

Book an ocean view stateroom or higher, the first two guests each choose one free perk:*
Classic Beverage Package • Unlimited High-Speed Internet • Prepaid Tips • $150 to spend on board

Upgrade to a suite, and the first two guests each save $400 on their cruise fare and get four free perks.*

Family and friends get perks, too. Each guest beyond the first two in a stateroom gets a Classic Non-alcoholic Beverage Package and a 40-minute High-Speed Internet Package.*

Booking Window is November 1 — 30, 2016
*Sailing Range is December 2016 — April 2018

Plus, when you book a summer sailing by November 14 with this offer, you’ll get an additional free perk. So there’s no better time to plan your summer getaway.*

Booking Window is November 2 — 14, 2016
*Sailing Range is June – August 2017

Download the full promotional flyer here.  Call for more information.  843.361.5877