You NEED a Travel Professional - part 2

If you flash back to my post of September 5, you'll see how easy it is to make a bad choice even in Paradise. We hear horror stories at our travel agency nearly every day. Here's the latest...

A young woman returned from her honeymoon in Naples, Italy in tears... booked a hotel on the internet and it was a dirty pit. We hear this again & again: "It looked really cute and the price was really good." (Ever hear of PhotoShop?) Not only would a GOOD travel counselor never put a client in such a hotel; they would have warned clients not to go to Naples which is one of the dirtiest cities in all of Europe. Amazingly, one of the most beautiful places in Europe is Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast - just 30 miles south of Naples!

Honestly, kids... I'm not shilling for my travel agency - in fact, I won't even reference my company here! My point is that you need a good agency. If you don't have one, check with the American Association of Travel Agents . There is no guarantee that every ASTA member agency is excellent but your odds are extremely good.

Cheers,

Dick

P.S. - If there ever was a time to travel now is it! The incentives being offered by resorts, cruise lines and vacation packagers are phenomenal. We just booked a client on a luxury European cruise in June for $2,798 per person. The same itinerary in 2008 - even with discounts at that time was $4,119. Brochure price is $4,876. 

A brand new 5-Star all-inclusive resort at Puerto Vallarta is now $1,279 including airfare, ground transportation, taxes, fees, etc! last year we were selling identical "sister properties" in Los Cabos and Playa del Carmen for around $1,600.

Happy New Year from Madiera

Well, not exactly! As I reported back in December, we sailed into Funchal, Madiera - Europe's best-kept secret - ending our fabulous 8-day cruise just before Thanksgiving.

 

Almost 500 miles off the southern Moroccan coast, this very quaint and atmospheric Portuguese island is quite off the beaten path - and thusly ignored by North American tourism. But, it is well worth the effort - a 2-hour flight from Lisbon.

Our favorite cocktail lounge on the gorgeous Seven Seas Voyager looks over the bow of the ship and, all week long, was almost like our private lounge since we are late diners. Typically, we were enjoying our cocktail hour while most passengers are in the various dining venues. But, on this night, we were sailing into port just after dark and the word had been spread that, with Funchal's Christmas illuminations in place place and on, the view was not to be missed.

Well, we discovered upon arrival at the Observation Lounge, that not only was there no place to sit - there was no place to stand! Our turf had been invaded! 

Nobody on-board was disappointed! The view was enchanting! The town expands up into the hills from the waterfront downtown area and the sky behind was a deep purple since it was not yet totally dark. The town itself is extremely charming but the addition of the Christmas lights made the scene all that more captivating. Matching the town's charm are a couple hotels that overlook the town and the harbor. Elegant and charming, indeed!

If you want to be "different" and visit European places that your friends haven't, Ya Gotta Go!!!

Cheers,

Dick