Traveling in Style

Hawaii: No Ka Oi

2012-01-21T12:23:00.000-06:00

No Ka Oi means "Is the Best". And it remains so. In my 35 years in travel, I've constantly seen the trending go from one pace to another. But, in the long view, all roads lead back to the "Islands of Aloha". The reasons are many...

First and foremost, it's the people! No people on Earth are as friendly and accommodating as the Hawaiian people. But, it goes beyond "friendly"... the Hawaiian people (including those "mainlanders" who now make their homes in the Islands) are impeccably trained in hospitality. They know what you expect in terms of service efficiency - and they deliver!
Then, it's the climate! Unlike most other tropical sun destinations where summer weather is unbearable, Hawaii enjoys temperatures in the 80's with Trade Winds year-around.
Hawaii smells great! When you get off the plane, the aroma of Orchids and other flora treat your senses like few other places in the world. You know you have arrived in paradise!
The poverty and squalor found in most sun destinations is totally absent in Hawaii. you won't see junked out cars along the side of the road (the same burned out car you saw there on your last visit 3 years prior).
You won't get hustled by time-share sellers at the airport or by beach vendors. You don't need to haggle in the shops.
No passports, no currency exchange, no language barriers and no concerns over where it's safe to eat or what to drink.
Hawaii is a Golf Mecca. A round of golf on a world-class course is half the price of other sunbelt destinations. I can give you some specifics if you contact me.

As you can see, I'm passionate about Hawaii. At my travel agency, we are constantly sending clients off to Hawaii - while I get to sit here in snowy Minnesota. I am tormented!!!!

Aloha!

Dick

Happy (Travel) New Year!

2012-01-07T11:50:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year, all!
Just thought I would rattle off a few odd notes as we (hopefully) have spring in our distant sights...

Following up on the last post, River Cruise Vacation bookings are taking off at my travel agency, Gateway Express... it is clearly the "in thing" for 2012.

To all you morons in Minnesota who were willing to play golf on Christmas Day just to be able to tell your great grandkids 20 years from now that you did it: Get a life... and get on a plane for some real winter golf. You know, green turf, warm sunshine, one layer of outer wear, and cold beer on an outdoor patio after your round! Here are some ideas for you.

Speaking of winter golf, we leave in a few weeks for Cabo San Lucas with a corporate meeting group. As it is one of the world's remarkable golf destinations, I'm hoping to "sneak away" for couple afternoons. Golf aside, Cabo is my agency's #1 sun destination this year - replacing Riviera Maya for that distinction. It is a great spot for guaranteed hot sun and scenery... Mountain and Ocean panoramas all in one view.

The current "non-winter" here in Minnesota has impacted our winter vacation bookings - but not as much as I would have expected. The first Arctic Blast is predicted later this week... we know our phones will ring off the hook and our in-boxes will be very active. (Trying to understand why people don't know it's coming!!!!!)

Anyway, Happy New Year! I hope it's a helluva lot better than last year for you!

Cheers,

Dick

River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising

2011-12-03T11:07:00.001-06:00

Hi All!
We're "basking in the glow" of our river cruise as described in my last rambling. After a few weeks of reflection, here's my take on the differences between the two cruise modes. As I said earlier, one is not better than the other - they're just different. (The following relates to cruising in & around Europe.)

Strong Points for River Cruising:

Smaller ships carrying 100 to 140 passengers promotes a more intimate ambiance and a more personal interaction with crew.
Beautiful scenery while on the move. River ships are cruising during the day whereas ocean ships sail during the night.
River cruise stops are typically small towns and villages - and the ships dock right in the middle of town so you can walk to most of the attractions.

Strong Points for Ocean Cruising:

Larger ships provide more creature comforts and more options for lounging (cocktail hours and late evening lounging), dining, entertainment, spas & fitness, etc.
Full days in port and glorious days at sea. More like a floating resort.
Cruise ports are typically at large cities with greater variety of attractions and activities.

See what I mean about "different"?

In actuality, river cruising is better compared to driving through Europe or a Motorcoach Vacation. A terrific alternative to the hassles of driving or riding the highways of Europe vs sitting back and taking in the scenic wonders from rivers rather than highways. And, you are relieved of having to change hotels every couple days - and all the hassles that entails.

Bottom line is that there are two types of travelers to whom we strongly recommend river cruising:

People like us who have seen all there is to see of ocean ports.
People who ordinarily would wear themselves out with an arduous driving excursion through Europe. (Here's hint: Virtually all the big Tour Companies in Europe are opening up River Cruise product - either their own ships or in a marketing agreement with an existing cruise company.)

As with all forms of vacations, choosing the right line and the right itinerary are the make or break factors in having a memorable vacation. Find a Travel Professional that knows their stuff!

Cheers,

Dick

River Cruising in Europe - an Awesome Experience!

2011-11-02T11:52:00.000-05:00

Cochem, Germany

We're back from our first ever river cruise (as I described in my last post) and it was an awesome trip. As I said earlier, we were unsure as to how it would compare with our many luxury ocean cruises. Reflecting back, I would say that it generally exceeded our expectations. There were some things that clearly did not measure up to those ocean cruises and some things that were better. More on that in my next post.
We boarded our AMA Waterways ship, the Amadagio, in Amsterdam and enjoyed the first night in our floating hotel before sailing the next afternoon. That allowed us to see the city before moving on. Most of our itinerary, after sailing down a canal to the Rhine, was in Germany. We stopped at Cologne, Heidelberg and several small German towns that you have never heard of. After 3 days on the Rhine, we "took a right turn" onto the Mosel River. The scenery on the Rhine was spectacular - and, on the Mosel, it was even better. Absolutely stunning!!!! At a couple stops, we were able to take bikes on long rides to burn off some of the luscious food we were treated to. That helped!
On the seventh day, we ended the cruise in Luxembourg (a very aesthetic city) and took the TGV (bullet train) to Paris for a 3-day stay. In Luxembourg, we visited the American Cemetery and General Patton's grave. In Paris, we just enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere of one of the World's greatest (and most expensive) cities. While there we did make it out to Fountainbleu, the "hunting shack" of many Kings. More on Paris later.
One of the things making this a very easy trip was the joy of having no air connections... non-stop to Amsterdam and non-stop home from Paris.

Cheers,

Dick

River Cruising in Europe - On the Road Again!

2011-10-11T13:12:00.002-05:00

Well, after a nice summer dangling my feet off the end of the dock (when not working of course!) it's time again to break out the Tumi luggage and hit the road!

Those who know me or follow this blog know that we head for Europe this time each year. For 8 or 9 years, we have cruised the Mediterranean, Adriatic & Aegean Seas. This year we are following the hot trend toward river cruising with a 7 day trip on the Rhine and Mosel rivers from Amsterdam to Luxembourg followed by 3 days in Paris.

My travel company, Gateway Express Travel, has seen incredible growth in this type of vacation... and we seem to be the perfect client for river cruises - people who love the ease and pampering of life on a cruise ship - but who have run out of itineraries and need a change of pace.

We love ocean cruising and are wondering if we'll like the river cruises as much. I'll let you know along the way!

Cheers,

Dick

Good Deals on Cruises!

2011-09-07T10:44:00.002-05:00

Anyone concerned with "truth in advertising" should have a ball with the cruise industry.
My travel agency, Gateway Express, sells a lot of cruise vacations - and, I personally, "heart" cruising. BUT! Although the value of cruise vacations is awesome, the pricing policies are very dishonest.
Gateway Express gets "sale bulletins" almost hourly pitching the unbelievable deals. Just taking one example, I just saw a number of 7-night Caribbean sailings through the winter where the "advertised" price for an Oceanview cabin ranges from $699 to $749 per person. Good deal, eh?
Well, the whole industry conveniently excludes taxes and port usage costs from their advertised prices. Those items can add up to almost as much as the advertised price. So, your $749 cruise is really $1,294.
For comparison, suppose the airlines (who have their own set of issues) deducted all their airport usage costs and the myriad of taxes they must pay from the published fares. The $478 fare includes all this although the fine print on your ticket does break out the taxes. So you are well aware that the actual fare on that $478 was $392 and the rest was tax. But, suppose they excluded all their airport usage costs and advertised an airfare of $310.
So, if they advertised like the cruise industry does, you would see a fare of $310 when the actual price of your ticket will be $478. Totally dishonest.
Don't get me wrong... $1,294 for the afore-mentioned cruise is a terrific value. I just wish they could be honest about it!

Cheers,
Dick

Travel Writers are Dinks (part 4)

2011-08-12T09:42:00.003-05:00

Occasionally, I read one of those ubiquitous "Travel Tips" articles that pop up on a daily basis - just to get a few laughs.

Most of them belabor the obvious and seem to show that they think their readers are about 4 years old! Today's case in point: "Ten Tips for Smoother Trips" imparts such wisdom as:

Park with your car's nose out.
Don't pack urgent items in your checked luggage.
Have your hotel contact information with you.
If you travel to a given foreign country frequently, keep your leftover currency on hand for future visits.
Don't forget to tip Skycaps. They depend on tips to make their living.
Remember your flight number.

Think I'm making this up or embellishing it? Well, I'm not - sadly!

These people actually get paid for writing this crap!

Happy Traveling!

Dick

An Airline with a Sense of Humor...

2011-07-26T09:24:00.003-05:00

Kulula Airlines is a low-cost South-African airline that doesn't take itself too seriously. Here's a picture of one of their planes - named "Flying 101".

This is just one of several planes adorned with very creative - and fun - themes. One is "This Way Up" and another is named "Camoflage".

Here's a link to their website fleet photo gallery.

https://www.kulula.com/info/aircraft-pictures-kulula-fleet-photo-gallery.aspx

If that won't open, just go to www.kulula.com and enter the gallery from the home page.

Too bad Kulula doesn't fly in the U.S.!

Cheers,

Dick

Mexico: A Great Vacation Choice!

2011-07-07T10:03:00.003-05:00

At my travel agency, we have been alarmed by the number of clients who are telling us that they don't want to consider a Mexican vacation because of the reports of violence.

There are many valid personal reasons for a specific client to not care for Mexico, but concern over the reports of violence should not be one of them - unless you're thinking of those wonderful vacation spots such as Juarez or Tijuana. The drug wars along the U.S. border are thousands of miles from the popular beach resort areas of Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. It's sort of like avoiding Vail or Big Sky because of border violence around Tucson or El Paso!

My agency, Gateway Express Travel, doesn't particularly "push" Mexico, but it is a fine option for beach vacations. Our two most popular destinations in Mexico (by far) are Cabo and the Riviera Maya. Both are at the tips of thousand mile long peninsulas - far from the crossroads of Mexico and even further from the U.S. border. Both present dozens of great resorts with outstanding service and dining. And the values are terrific! Your vacation dollar goes further in Mexico than any place else.

Actually, my personal favorite is, and will always be, Hawaii. But I often recommend Mexico to certain people depending upon their interests for a specific outing... It's a great value and, with a lot of non-stop flight options, it's easy to get to.

Happy Traveling,

Dick

Note: The owner of another travel agency reported that she had a client cancel a Puerto Vallarta vacation because of a recent incident there. Where did they go instead? Phoenix... one of the most troubled cities in the country because of the drug violence. Go figure!!!!

Traveling Happy

2011-06-07T14:54:00.004-05:00

It's all about the "expectations"!

Those of you who know me are aware that we focus on quality experiences rather than numerous experiences. We don't travel very often, but when we do go, we go "in style".

As veterans of about 10 luxury cruises on Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas as well as numerous stays at Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton resorts & hotels one might say that we're horribly spoiled. And one might be right.

But this is a story of a short 5 night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean Lines' Radiance of the Seas. We did this trip with friends on a bit of a lark back in March. I must admit that, although I was greatly looking forward to spending time traveling with people we enjoy, my expectations were fairly low. Traveling with 3,000 people didn't sound like our cup of tea. And, we knew that the food would be far below that to which we have been accustomed.

But, I'm happy to report that we came home with a fond memory of a great trip. Dollar for dollar, it could not have been better!

The key, of course, is to have realistic expectations. Even with the "high-end" products, you are well-guided to understand that perfection is not typically part of the world we live in. Bumps in the road are to be expected - and if that is your attitude you will rarely be disappointed with the experience. Travel Happy; Be Happy!

Cheers,

Dick

Random Rantings on Travel & Life

2011-05-18T19:12:00.004-05:00

Life can be a real riot! Here are a few experiences and observations that (mostly) give me a chuckle:

In choosing my next leased car, I'm looking to downsize slightly. The sales guy warned me that the shoulder space and leg room -especially in the back seat- is a little less... 1" to 2" to be exact. He laughed when I said, "Anyone that rides in my back seat is doing so for 15 minutes on average - and every one of them spends at least 10 hours per month in a cramped airline seat."

A person I had just met, not knowing that I own a travel agency, was bragging about the kick-ass air fare she and her mother found on line for a trip to Europe. She said that the fact that they had a quadruple connection (Minneapolis, Chicago, JFK, Madrid, Rome) didn't bother them because they were in no hurry and it would be a fun adventure. (To each their own, eh?) Knowing their exact routing and dates, I had someone in our office check fares. Well, they DID save money... we found Minneapolis/Atlanta/Rome but it was $144 higher per person, round trip.

A client who works in our building booked a trip to London for herself and an old college sorority sister. She called back a half hour later and said, "I don't know if this makes a difference, but Ann lives in Indianapolis."

If you insist upon booking your own vacations on-line look back to my March 9 post which offers some free advice to help you avoid the pitfalls.

Travel Well!

Dick

Vacation Tips: Why Won't They Listen?

2011-04-13T10:01:00.002-05:00

A good client of our agency just returned from Mexico and reported that, although there were a lot of good things, the experience was poor - and they won't go back to Mexico.

Turns out, they ignored almost everything we advised. First off, we urged them to book a resort that we have had great "happy traveler" results but they opted for a lesser (cheaper) property. Then, because they were staying during the very, very busy spring break period, we urged them to book the premium section of the resort which would allow them special privileges including better access to the specialty restaurants. They "passed". Then, they did not heed our advice about eating at restaurants away from the resorts, staying in the mid-day sun too long, etc.

It's quite sad... their $2,800 vacation was largely ruined... and they have a negative view of a very nice sun destination.

Why don't people listen to us?

Journey Well,

Dick

Where to Go on Vacation

2011-03-23T18:51:00.002-05:00

Just a quick follow-up to the last post...

Several people were surprised by my "where to go" thoughts. Many thought that knowing where they want to go is a no-brainer. But, it isn't!

Here's the problem: You see the TV ads; you see the beautiful beach depictions on the web sites. They leave one with the perception that tropical beach locations are just heavenly - and most are. But some are not. And, even with those that are wonderful, there are good areas and not-so-good areas. (TV ads can even make North Dakota look interesting!)

I remember several years back when a young couple asked specifically for a honeymoon on Waikiki Beach. They wanted a relaxing, romantic atmosphere. As you all know there is nothing relaxing or romantic about Waikiki Beach. We tried to talk them out of it.... to no avail.

Journey On!

Dick

Booking Your Vacation On-Line

2011-03-09T19:28:00.004-06:00

Here's some free advice for those who enjoy combing the websites for their vacation package...

There are many perils to on-line booking unless you absolutely know the destination and the resort from from personal RECENT experience. So, if you are going to shop for yourself, here are some things be mindful of:

First, do you know WHERE you want to go? We've seen so many instances of people going to an absolutely wrong destination for their personal interests and lifestyle.

Second, (assuming you have chosen the right destination) different resorts (or cruise lines) may "look" similar on the websites but there are distinct differences in their ambiance, their quality and their clientele. These can make or break your vacation experience!

Third, trusting the pictures and information found on web sites can be a fatal mistake. Photoshopped pictures, very old pictures, bogus testimonials on Trip Advisor and other such sites and deceptive pricing are the major areas of concern.

For more detail, here is a paper I wrote on this subject.

Go ahead and have fun searching... but then, why not enlist a travel professional to review your selection before you hit the "Buy" button. 99% of the time, they will be able to book the very same vacation for you at the same price - and no additional charges. Some agencies now provide a "Trip Validation Service". For a nominal Advisory Fee (my agency charges $75), they will "validate" that you have made a correct choice - and that the price shown is valid (no tricks or hidden charges). With a professional opinion supporting your selection, you can go ahead and "Buy" with confidence.

Cheers,

Dick

Riviera Maya - Know Before You Go!

2011-02-18T12:48:00.004-06:00

Sharing a Martini with a new acquaintance recently, the subject of vacations in Mexico came up. He had just come back from Mazatlan (not one of my favorites) and I asked if they had ever been to the Riviera Maya, south of Cancun.

He said they had been there once and didn't like it. "The Riv" is one of my travel company's most popular destinations so, needless to say, I was surprised!

They didn't like that they were in the middle of nowhere and couldn't do a thing without taking taxis. It turns out that they found a resort that "looked nice on-line" and booked it without giving any thought to details other than pictures, descriptions and prices.

We know the resort where they stayed - and it is a very nice resort that we have sent clients to for the 7 years since it was built. But, we would have never recommended it to these folks! They were interested in "seeing & doing". We would have recommended one of several great resorts within easy walking distance to downtown Playa del Carmen.

The place where they stayed is perfect for people (like us) who are going for "resort living"... to enjoy the pool, the beach, the spa, the fine dining and the cocktail lounges... and a couple books. But, it wasn't right for these people!

That's why a good travel counselor is worth their weight in gold! If you don't have one, find one! Dispelling the myth, a travel agent will usually save you money... and will always assure the right situation for you!

Cheers,

Dick

No Snow in the Sunny Virgin Islands!

2011-01-19T20:10:00.002-06:00

We just returned from managing a Corporate Incentive Meeting in sunny St. Thomas. (Nice duty, eh?)

The massive snowstorms that blew through Georgia and the Carolinas, then up through the Northeast on the day before the group (people coming from 24 states) was to fly caused quite a mess... and that is putting it mildly!

We needed to be on site at least one day before the group was to arrive. Since we were connecting in Charlotte, we thought we had better get out while we could. It took us 26 hours and two stops to get there, but we did get there. From then, it was up to our great travel staff back at the office to find ways to get the other 110 people there - a task that they accomplished in stunning fashion!

Arrivals ranged from being on-time to being 10 hours late - with multiple connections and geographic routes that would otherwise be ridiculous. Here's one: Portland to San Francisco to Dallas to San Juan to St. Thomas. Another: Boston to Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to Miami to St. Thomas.

To be honest, I don't know how our crew pulled it off! Kudos to them all!

Cheers,

Dick

Destination Weddings on the Riviera Maya

2010-12-29T10:28:00.003-06:00

Destination Weddings are the hottest trend in the country... and they now account for almost one fourth of all weddings! WOW!

My travel agency, Gateway Express Travel has almost accidentally become a leading resource for weddings on Mexico's Riviera Maya (among other beach destinations).

Here's a "free tip" for anyone planning such a project: NEVER go to a resort that doesn't specialize in weddings. Making everything run smoothly is not as easy as one might think. My further warning is that many resorts that CLAIM to be experts in weddings, are not!

If you know anyone so inclined, please warn them that this is not a do-it-yourself project! Find a good travel consultant (hopefully us!) that is experienced with this specialty. There are so many elements involved that even experienced travelers typically don't consider.

I will be happy to share more tips with anyone thinking of doing this... totally without any obligation to plan their event with my agency. Just email me: dick@gatewayexpress.com

Cheers,

Dick

Istanbul to Athens with Silversea Cruises

2010-12-03T09:32:00.004-06:00

Well, another wonderful Silversea Cruise is in the books... our 6th with Silversea. And what a journey it was! We repeated an Istanbul to Athens itinerary that we did with Seabourn Cruise Line in 2001... just 7 weeks after 9/11. Not knowing if our travel agency would survive the aftermath of 9/11, (Our 4th quarter sales that year was a 'negative'... we sold little and refunded much of what had been sold that summer.) this journey was not exactly comfortable for us... most of it became a blur very quickly. (To put our nervousness on that first trip in perspective, the bombing in Afghanistan began as we sat in the World Club lounge waiting to depart for Istanbul!)

So this "do-over" was almost like a first time! Actually, this itinerary included two very interesting new port stops for us... Haifa, Israel and Alexandria, Egypt.

Adding to the intrigue, we sailed to Haifa from Limosol, Cypress - the very route taken by that ship that the Israeli Security Force intercepted last summer... the supposed "relief supply" ship that turned out to be terrorists smuggling arms to Gaza!

Arriving Haifa, we experienced Israeli security measures as officials came aboard to interview every single passenger - even those who would not be disembarking - before allowing anyone off. Our day trip to Jerusalem was one of the most meaningful days we've ever spent. More on that next time.

Our next stop would be in Egypt and we learned that if one has an Israeli stamp in their Passport they will not be allowed into Egypt - ever, not just on that trip. As result, Israel stamps a separate, unattached page.

Sometimes, your travels are intriguing in that you learn how awful certain places in the world can be. Enter Egypt! I've been in some pretty scurvy places in my 40 years of traveling, but Alexandria, Egypt is the dirtiest city (3 million people crowded into a shoe box!) we've ever seen. Garbage lined the streets everywhere. Filth reined supreme!

Our long day trip through Cairo (not as disgusting as Alexandria, but close) to the Pyramids and The Sphinx was less than comfortable - but seeing those sites is a must... truly awesome! Each tour bus had an armed security guard on board. And the buses stayed together in caravan mode. We were on the bus for 4 hours without a rest stop because they don't dare stop and let tourists roam. The bus had a "restroom" but you wouldn't want to go in it until it would become an "emergency"!

After seeing the sights and riding camels, we stopped at a shop in Cairo. During the stop, the armed guards stood outside the bus with rifle in breach position... so comforting!!!

Our cruise ended in Athens which has, on previous visits, not been among our favorite cities. This time, after a day in Egypt, Athens seemed like a garden spot. We enjoyed Athens much more than ever before.

Despite these comments, I would heartily recommend this experience to anyone!

Cheers,

Dick

Gateway Express Travel of Minnesota

2010-11-26T11:52:00.002-06:00

Note: This post is an update of one posted about a year ago. The original post was among the most "liked" of any I've done.

My agency's most popular sun destination is Mexico's Riviera Maya. If you look at our web site (and I really hope that you do!) you'll see that we feature 3 or 4 different resort groups along this fabulous coast.

Every one of them is 4-Star or better; and every one of them is very high quality. So, why do we "specialize" more than one? The answer is simple: Every client has a little different set of interests.

For example, our personal favorite has the very best cuisine and a fabulous spa. And, we love fine dining as well as nice spa facilities and service. But, we are not beach people! We prefer being around the resort's pools. This particular resort does not have a particularly great beach. In getting to know our client, we learn that they love walking the beach and playing in the ocean. Further, they are not spa people. So, for them, our favorite is not right for them. We recommend another resort that does have a gorgeous beach.

Another element: A client matching the desires noted above may have been to XYZ Resort seven years ago, loved the beautiful beach and want to go back. What was a beautiful beach before the last hurricane is now gone. We know that... but do they? Will that resort honestly point out that their beach is gone?

Now, if you look them up on-line, the pictures and descriptions are lovely. The price for each is about the same. But these nuances are not contained in the information. That's why you need a professional!

We've been there. And, we get constant feedback from the clients we've sent. Rely upon a good travel agent!!! I would hope you choose Gateway Express Travel, but there are many good travel agencies out there!

(One final note: Many people think that reviews on TripAdvisor will guide them. But, it is becoming increasingly evident that many reviews are skewed. Resort owners and managers posing as past guests are making glowing comments AND people connected with competing resorts also posing... this time to unfairly criticize a resort. Beware!)

Cheers,

Dick

Silversea Cruises Rock!

2010-11-08T02:45:00.002-06:00

Our annual bicker-fest with 6 relatives is well-underway! (Just kidding... our party of 4 couples get along great on these European Cruises!!!)

I’ve sung the praises of Silversea Cruises many times in the past - and here I go again! This time it’s more Asia than Europe though with 3 days in Turkey, a day in Israel and 2 days in Egypt... along with some Greek Isles and Athens.

This one is about as exotic as we’ve done... Istanbul, Kusadasi (Ephasis), Jerusalem, Haifa, Alexandria, Cairo (and the Pyramids) and Cypress.

I can’t think of a possible way the Silversea staff could be any more perfect in anything they do. How easily we can get spoiled!

Talk to you later... it’s cocktail time!

Dick

Cruising through the Aegean Sea

2010-10-20T11:55:00.005-05:00

Well, we're 8 days from our luxury cruise from Istanbul to Athens aboard Silversea Cruise Line. Can't wait... in my business, we constantly see our clients off as they depart on their grand adventures while we just stay and work. Now, it's our turn!!!!!

We were puzzled over the State Department comments a couple weeks ago regarding increased terror threats in Europe. They really didn't warn Americans to rethink traveling abroad - they just said we should be more aware of our surroundings and be vigilant and careful.

Sounds like common sense to me... even if one is downtown Minneapolis at night after ball game, theater or dinner.

Cheers,

Dick

Cruising through Southern Europe

2010-09-15T19:24:00.004-05:00

Those of you who know me are aware that I'll do anything to stay off the road during Minnesota summers. But, as the leaves start to turn color it's time to start thinking about breaking out the Tumi.

Our annual Autumn sojourn to southern Europe is just 5 weeks away. Again aboard Silversea Cruise Line, this year we'll be starting in Istanbul and ending 11 days later in Athens. Shortly after 9/11 2001, we did a similar itinerary but with a fair level of anxiety given the times. This "do-over" will be considerably more relaxed - and we are making our first-ever visits to Israel and to Egypt.

We have been urging our clients at our travel agency to "move up to luxury cruising" because the bargains are truly ridiculous! (Check back to my blog post on this.)

Cheers,

Dick

Listen to your Travel Advisor!

2010-08-18T18:58:00.004-05:00

... and, if you don't have one, get one!

At Gateway Express Travel, we always advise cruise clients to get to the port city one day prior to sailing. Last week, a client embarking on an Athens departure declined our suggestion... after all, their KLM flight was arriving at 10:00 AM and the ship wasn't sailing until 6:00. What could go wrong, eh? Well, their 3:00 PM Delta flight to Amsterdam was two hours late departing Minneapolis meaning that they would miss their KLM connection.

Two of our agents worked well past our 5 o'clock closing time trying to get them to the ship in time. The best option, given the new arrival time in Amsterdam had them arriving Athens at 3:30 PM. The problem was that the cruise port is 2 hours from the airport - and there was the matter of waiting for luggage upon deplaning.

Without a Travel Agent, you're on your own!

Here is what we did for these poor souls:

Protected them on a new flight to Athens.
Notified the cruise line of the problem.
Rearranged the transfer with the transportation company.
Begged the cruise line to hold the ship (good luck).
In the event that they would not make it, we booked an Athens hotel and booked flights to the next port.

Because we made sure the cruise line knew exactly where our clients were, they were able to determine that holding the ship for 15 minutes would be enough - and that, they were willing to do.

Even though they made it, it probably took 3 days to relax and enjoy their cruise. Don't let this happen to you!!!!

Cheers,

Dick

Note #1: Even without the flight problem, having a day in Europe to rest away the jet lag is the way to go. Board your cruise ship refreshed!

Note #2: This is the second such horror story in two weeks. A nearly identical problem occurred with Alaska-bound cruise clients.

Follow Up to my last Post...

2010-06-27T12:50:00.002-05:00

I wanted to add updates on two topics in my last rambling... first, many have heeded my earlier urging to seize upon the value opportunity and visit Europe in 2010. My travel agency's Europe bookings this summer have exceeded those of any of our previous 24 years in business! Travel in October and November is very strong... in fact much is already sold out!

Secondly, I mentioned that we feel very safe in having cruise stops in Israel and Egypt in October. One of the great things about cruise vacations is that you can plan many months in advance and know that IF something "hits the fan" later on, the cruise line simply alters their itinerary to avoid civil disturbances or severe weather.

Go for it!!!!!!

Dick

Europe, Here We Come!

2010-06-03T11:07:00.004-05:00

Strike while the iron's hot! If you have putting off a trip to Europe in the last couple years because of our weak economy and the lousy exchange rates which make things very expensive for Americans, the dawn has come!

Sure, we have our issues here at home. And you have all had a steady diet of news about the problems with the Euro - mostly due to the economic troubles of Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. What you may not have surmised is that your buying power in Europe now is nearing all time highs.

We, at Gateway Express Travel, actually had a couple clients who had previously booked trips to Greece for late summer call us to cancel because of all the news of turmoil in Athens. We pointed out that this is absolutely the best time to see Greece because of the value. (Note: We are returning to Greece and Turkey in October so we are, in a sense, putting our money where our mouths are!) The other issue bothering people who see the constant clips of civil unrest on the network news is safety.

While a large portion of the Greek citizenry is upset over cuts to government goodies, the more terse agitation is the work of a small number of anarchists - the same ones that cause trouble whenever the G-8 meets... the same ones that caused trouble in St. Paul during the Republican Convention two years ago. These more violent demonstrations are localized around the capital building in Athens. But that's what the news industry loves... so that's what you see over and over!

Go for it! There are always reasons to hesitate: Volcanoes, Floods, Oil Spills, Hurricanes (the mere threat of), Economy, etc. Don't be dissuaded!

Cheers,

Dick

Another Note: I mentioned our October trip... included in our 10 day cruise are stops in Israel and Egypt. Despite all the news, we feel totally safe and are greatly looking forward to these visits! Of course, safe travels anywhere require a great deal of good old common sense! In 2001, we left for Istanbul on the very day the U.S. began bombing Afghanistan. Nothing bad happened to us.

On-Line Travel Booking is FUN!

2010-05-01T10:36:00.003-05:00

A speaker at an annual Travel Industry Conference in Las Vegas asked the room full of agency owners and managers why people book their trips on-line. We came up with several theories which all seemed to point back to a common theme: Because they think it's cheaper. We were all "close, but no cigar". At least according to this market research analyst.

He said their findings conclude that they do so because it's fun! Well, you could have heard a pin drop in the room! To travel professionals who spend 40 to 50 hours a week doing this for a living, it is anything but fun. I started to think through some of our experiences...

A close relative who buys everything on-line including meat and tropical fish called me a year ago as he was researching a cruise vacation for 2 couples. They settled upon a great deal on a given Princess sailing. We checked into it and found a price that was $172 per person lower for the very same cabins! In addition, through our affiliation with Vacation.com, each couple got a complimentary bottle of wine and two plush robes to take home.

Last week he emailed me again... this time because he had just discovered that airfares have risen considerably. Best he could find to Fort Myers or Tampa for a week at their timeshare in December was $537 per person. We found and booked them on an air & car package for $496 per person including a luxury class car for the week!

Maybe you can buy commodities such as tropical fish or DVD's cheaper online but travel is NOT cheaper on the net. The net is great for "kicking tires"... we all look around online. But, our mantra is "Look, but Don't Book"!!!!!!

Cheers,

Dick

Business Meetings and Incentive Trips

2010-04-13T08:57:00.002-05:00

We do a fair amount of meeting planning for corporate clients. I just read 4 trade articles on the subject. Four gasbag 'experts' pontificating while saying nothing new!

One was billed as a "futurist". His article was entitled, "Futurist Predicts Eight Meetings Trends". Well, always wanting to be cognizant of new trends, I thought this article might be useful to us. Think again! More of the same old blah, blah. One example: 14 paragraphs of word pollution equated to, "As virtual meetings gain in popularity and present huge cost savings, there still is a need to get your management team or your sales team together in person for personal interaction." GOSH... do ya think?

Take a look at the Meetings Page on our website!

Cheers,

Dick

Deluxe Cruise for $649? RIGHT!

2010-03-25T10:31:00.003-05:00

You all know that I have always been a big proponent of cruise vacations. They continue to be a very good value when compared with "land-based" touring.

But cruise lines' pricing has become a total joke. First Class lines like Royal Caribbean (just to name one) are showing us and you "special offer" prices like $649 for an ocean view cabin on a 7 night cruise. In reality, this cabin costs you almost double that figure... about $1,000 not including airfare. The simplified explanation is that all their costs of "parking" at the various stops are referred to as "taxes"... and the price you saw does not include taxes or fees.

This is more than deceptive! If you paid $70 to park your car at the airport (government parking facility) for 4 days, is it a "tax"? Port costs are a normal cost of operation the same as their payroll costs or provisioning costs. So why is that not included when they determine what they need to sell that cabin for in order to make a nominal profit?

I have always defended the cruise industry against moronic criticisms. Look at my post "Travel Writers are Dinks" from two years ago for a good example!

Cruises are wonderful... but a good 7 day cruise with airfare is going to cost you at least $1,400 per person even with the great specials that are out there now.

Cheers,

Dick

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Here's Why You Need a Travel Agent

2010-03-16T12:42:00.004-05:00

My agency's most popular Sun Destination is the Riviera Maya. If you look at our web site (and I really hope that you do!) you'll see that we claim to feature 3 or 4 different resort groups along this fabulous Mexican "sun coast".

We've been there. And, we get constant feedback from the clients we've sent. Rely upon a good travel agent!!! I would hope you choose us, but there are many good ones out there!

Cheers,

Dick

El Dorado Resorts in Mexico set a New Standard!

2010-02-24T09:50:00.004-06:00

Sometimes, at my travel agency, we just swerve into "a find". Our founding of Gateway Golf Vacations several years ago was unintended. A corporate traveler, knowing that one of our corporate agents was a golf fanatic, asked if she had any ideas for a golf trip for 4 guys. She did; they went; they loved it; within 6 weeks, he referred over a dozen other people to her. By the end of the winter season, she had booked over 60 people to this place.

It is the same scenario that led Gateway Express Travel to feature the three El Dorado Resorts on the Riviera Maya. We were aware of these resorts and decided to try one of them for our own winter escape. We were impressed well beyond our expectations and came back singing their praises to our clients. Just this season we have sent dozens of couples - including honeymooners - and a large destination wedding group. I won't bore you with all the reasons why our clients have loved these places and have referred others to us. If you do want to check this out, click the link above!

Do something REALLY special for your next sun vacation!

Cheers,

Dick

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Why I Love Hawaii...

2010-02-08T12:17:00.006-06:00

As you see from my comments on the recent sojourn to Puerto Rico, my first love will always be Hawaii. But I got to thinking about why I'm so partial. After all, many tropical spots have warmth and a lot of sun.

Stepping off the plane in Hawaii, you are greeted by the aroma of Orchids and other flora. You would think that would be true in the Caribbean as well... but it's not! At least not to the degree that you are immediately aware. In Hawaii - even Honolulu - the scents are striking!

But here's an element that I have always felt but hadn't really thought about... as you step off the plane and into the air terminal - again, even in Honolulu - the ambiance is one of relative peace and calm. The area around the carrousel might be momentarily busy but it's not frantic as it is in airports in San Juan or Cancun or Montego Bay. Leaving a Hawaiian airport, you never get hustled or hassled. And you will never feel like you're battling the crowd.

Lastly, as I have preached for years, there are no more hospitable people on Earth than the Hawaiians (including the "mainlanders" that now live and work in the islands). The Hawaiian people are simply the element that makes this land so special... at least in my book. The level of service and graciousness in Mexico and much of the Caribbean has risen dramatically over the last 10 years. Hats off to those we have come in contact with throughout our travels. BUT, as friendly and nice as they are, they just can't quite equal the Hawaiians.

Again, just my opinion!

Dick

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Puerto Rico Vacations... Nice, but not my Cup of Tea

2010-02-03T11:20:00.003-06:00

I just returned from San Juan where we managed a corporate incentive group... my first time there since about 1980.

While "the city" still stinks, resort development away from San Juan has grown considerably - and those areas are lovely! I played golf out at Dorado Beach on one day and found the people to be friendly and the ambiance to be very nice.

One of the new areas that is shaping up to be world-class is out toward the rain forest about 45 minutes east of the airport. The "anchor" is a Trump development that includes two very nice golf courses. My feeling is that this area is still a year from being a "go to" place, but you should put it on your list of future destinations!

As with so many tourist areas during this lean economic time, the people we came in contact with were gracious and eager to serve. They truly appreciated our presence.

Our client selected the Ritz-Carlton hotel near the airport. Though not my choice for location, the hotel was excellent! Service and accommodations were both top drawer!!! We were on the Concierge floor and spent much of our free time in the Club Room where the Champagne glass was bottomless... and the staff outstanding. What a treat!

Cheers,

Dick

More on The Big Easy... New Orleans

2009-12-17T09:10:00.005-06:00

Just a few added comments on our recent New Orleans Holiday... since none of you are going to concern yourselves with the non-tourist parts of the city. (We have some family history there, so are unusually interested in the city as a whole.) We stayed at the stately, ornate Omni Royal Orleans on Royal street - one block off Bourbon St. It is just as it has been in the past. The classic luxury hotel in the French Quarter is the Royal Sonesta but it is right on Bourbon Street - a negative! The difference in ambiance between two streets just one block apart is striking. Royale Street contains art shops and galleries as well as some awesome "proper" restaurants while Bourbon Street is... well, Bourbon Street.

Our four favorite restaurants are Arnaud's, Antione's, Gallatoire's, and Brennen's. The cigar lounge at Arnaud's was one of our favorite stops... Sign of the Times: Even 'sinful' New Orleans has imposed strict limits on cigars. Arnaud's opened a lounge next door to the restaurant to get around the ordinance.

The only one of these great venues that is right on Bourbon Street is Gallatoire's - our favorite. Imagine a restaurant that strictly requires jackets being amidst the trashiness of Bourbon Street! Imagine the finest restaurant you can think of - then place it in the middle of the carnival midway at the State Fair! Talk about culture shock as you exit this fine establishment after a gorgeous dinner... into the cesspool that bourbon Street has become!

Well, those are the things that make N.O. so unique! What a great city! If you are thinking of visiting, I hope you will enlist my travel agency - Gateway Express Travel - to guide you. But, whether or not you do, I am happy to give you some tips and recommendations.

Cheers,

Dick

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New Orleans, "The Big Easy"

2009-11-30T09:52:00.004-06:00

We just returned from Thanksgiving in New Orleans... over the years we have visited this great city many, many times but this was our first time since Katrina.

The French Quarter has recovered nicely but evidence of the storm remains out around Lake Pontchartrain. An area where the shrimp boats would dock that contained a number of fun, casual restaurants is just plain gone. A lot of houses out there remain boarded up and the foliage around the city - particularly in the Garden District - is not what it used to be. (Obviously, we did not venture into the "lower 9th Ward" where the devastation was the worst.)

But, back to the Quarter... all the high-end hotels and our favorite restaurants are back to normal and the Hurricanes at Pat O'Brian's are as potent as ever. (We can fully attest to that!) Unfortunately, the sleaze factor is also back to what it was but that can be avoided simply by staying off Bourbon Street.

The "Big Easy" is a great city... but, like Las Vegas, a couple days is enough.

Luxury Cruises: Which Line is Best for You?

2009-10-31T10:09:00.005-05:00

Unrelated to my last couple posts on our fabulous Silversea Cruise, there was news last week that caught my eye. (I really do try to vary my themes here but had to put these thoughts up before moving on.)

As my "vast following" knows, there are 4 cruise lines in the Luxury class. My travel agency has heartily endorsed three of them. But now one of the three, Regent Seven Seas, has announced that it is doing away with their evening dress code requiring jackets for gentlemen in the dining rooms. They claim that their passenger surveys have shown that people do not want to "dress up" for dinner any more.

I know that we live in a more casual society these days - and I realize that this is great news for some luxury cruisers - BUT, there are still a lot of us out there that really do enjoy spiffing up for their gourmet dinner in an elegant dining room. We like the "mix" provided by Seabourn and Silversea... on a 7 to 10 day cruise, we'll have a couple formal evenings (Tuxedos or dark suits), a few casual evenings (elegant resort wear) and the rest informal (jackets required; ties optional).

We have sailed on Regent twice in the past but will not in the future... but it's a personal choice. Regent's research and ultimate decision will likely be attractive to some competitor's guests while it pushes some of their clients to the other lines. The great thing about this is that everyone has choices - as long as they are informed choices!

That's where you need a knowledgeable travel advisor... one who will ask you a few lifestyle questions and steer you to the right cruise line or resort! Our agency will continue to sell all three... we just want to be sure we match the right client with the right line!

Cheers,

Dick

Mediterranean Cruising at it's Best!

2009-09-26T09:59:00.003-05:00

Another Mediterranean cruise is over but, as always, the memories will last forever... especially those fun little moments that are inevitable when traveling with seven relatives for 12 days!

Okay, I'm just kidding! Our family "eightsome" has done this seven times now and we couldn't enjoy one-another's company any more than we do! (Oh, I love those little opportunities to needle one particular member of the cast! But, it is all in fun!)

Well, since my last post (below) we re-visited all the naked guy statues of Florence, and spent three glorious days along the French Riviera - the Cote D'Azur - and ended our journey in Barcelona where we put our lives at risk with a bike tour of the city. Yikes! A band of about 14 bikers led through congested city traffic by a crazy guide! Actually, it wasn't that scary... we saw the whole city in 3 hours in a way not possible with any other mode of transportation. We know that because we saw it 4 years ago in a conventional way - sightseeing minibus.

Back to the French Riviera including Monaco, we visited the ports of Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo. Stunning!!!! Counting the multi-million dollar yacht's we saw in the harbors was a challenge... must have been over a hundred! And some at Monte Carlo (pictured above) were the size of small cruise ships! The coolest of the cool were the small, historic seaside or hillside villages in the area... Villefranche, St. Paul de Vence, and more. As with all of our travels, dining seems to be the center of activity (Of course, one needs to trudge through museums, galleries and ancient villages in order to work up an appetite!) and these areas offer so much. Whether it's a four course lunch or just a coffee on the harbor front, it doesn't get much better!

But, all good things come to an end. Now, it's back to work!

Cheers,

Dick

Silversea Cruises Rock!

2009-09-16T07:36:00.005-05:00

Hi from the Cigar Lounge aboard Silversea Cruises' magnificent Silver Wind en route from Sicily to Livorno (Florence). This is absolutely the way to travel!!!

Having sailed all three of the "luxury class" cruise lines over the years, Silversea is definitely our personal favorite. The newly renovated Silver Wind is gorgeous, the service is impeccable and the cuisine is exceptional!

Before sailing, we spent another (our 4th) evening at our favorite seafood restaurant in Rome. No pictures this time though... we arrived in a fierce rain storm and the closest the taxis can get to the restaurant is about 500 feet away, across a cobblestone square at the Parthenon. We were absolutely soaked! In fact we enjoyed wonderful seafood as if we had dived into their natural habitat!

I will give you all an update along the way... just to make you feel bad!

(Okay, we spend most of our lives sending clients off on these adventures while we just work - so everyone gets their time!)

The "tag line" of our travel agency is "Traveling in Style"and this is absolutely it.

Cheers,

Dick

All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico

2009-09-01T09:57:00.002-05:00

Before I get to the main topic here, it's time announce that the summer season at our lake place is giving way to a new travel season so "Break Out The Tumi Luggage" once again! Those of you who call Minnesota and Western Wisconsin home already know this: 2009 has been the year of the Lost Summer! The weather has been pathetic for sun worshipers and boaters. (Great for golfers and fisherman, however.) The hot, sunny summer days have few and far between so it is being easier to leave it for an Autumn of Travel... Boston this weekend to visit our son then off to Rome, Florence, the South of France, and Barcelona with Silversea Cruises. Can't wait!!!!!!

Okay, on to business: The Riviera Maya is peppered with outstanding all-inclusive resorts that are taking a big bite out of the cruise industry. It's interesting to follow the history of "all-inclusive" resorts. They first surfaced in the 80's as an answer to the burgeoning cruise industry that was literally killing the resort industry. As they started out, the food quality was semi-awful. But it got better and better through the years. But, still, until the El Dorado Resorts entered the scene with their Gourmet Included product about 10 years ago, the cruise lines still offered more 'bang for the buck' and more quality. Now, we send almost all of our clients to these resorts... no wrist bands; no buffets, no scrambling for reservations!

Note: El Dorado resorts are for adults only but their sister resorts, Azul Resorts, are family oriented and feature the same "Gourmet Included" service. For more observations, look back at my June 22 post.

Cheers,

Dick

Silversea Cruises, Here We Come Again!

2009-08-10T20:42:00.004-05:00

Those of you who regularly follow my blog know that I'll do anything to stay off the road during the summer. That summer 2009 has been less than stellar, weather wise, I may not have resisted a chance to break out the Tumi as hard as I normally would!

But our annual Autumn sojourn to southern Europe is just 5 weeks away. Again, we'll be starting in Rome which gives us yet another chance to enjoy Fortunata del Pantheon - our favorite seafood restaurant ANYWHERE!

This time we will be visiting more places in the South of France and Monaco. Can't wait!!!

We have been urging our clients at my travel agency to "move up to luxury cruising" because the bargains are truly ridiculous! (Check back to my blog post on this.)

Cheers,

Dick

El Dorado Resorts in Mexico set a New Standard!

2009-06-20T09:42:00.003-05:00

OK, so it was back in April when I said I would blog about the three El Dorado Resorts along the Riviera Maya. So, I've been busy since the golf courses opened. (Hope my wife doesn't see this!)

As I said in my April 22 post, we had stayed at the RIU Tropical Bay in Negril just 5 days before visiting the El Dorado Resorts. Our clients love RIU resorts for family vacations... but for romantic, adult-only escapes, we passionately beg our clients to try the El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Maroma or El Dorado Sunset. Imagine an all-inclusive resort with no buffets, no wrist bands and no need to fight for limited reservations in the themed restaurants! Imagine a place where all restaurants are Gourmet!

Here's the trick, though... each of these properties presents a distinctly different style and ambience. (Which one will be right for you? You really need a good travel agent who has been there - and who knows your lifestyle and preferences... I can recommend one if you wish!)

We stayed at the El Dorado Royale, the largest of the three, about half way between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The ambiance was romantic but somewhat lively and the Spa was drop-dead fabulous. Even within this one resort, there were two distinct atmospheres. The junior suite section and the casita section are quite different in several ways. (Hint: The Royale is large enough to host smaller corporate meeting groups.) It was hard to decide which restaurant we liked best - they were all fabulous. We visited the other two resorts and had a hard time picking a favorite. We agreed that it all would come down to what we would be looking for in a specific outing... not only in terms of the elements of the properties but also with regard to location. If you want to know what I mean by that, send a comment or email me at dick@gatewayexpress.com.

These resorts take all-inclusives to a new level. Here's a link to more details of the El Dorado Resorts!

Cheers,

Dick

Wynn Resort in Las Vegas is Awesome!

2009-05-09T11:28:00.004-05:00

Hi from my annual Travel Agent Conference in Sin City! You might believe from media accounts that Las Vegas is "on it's back". Don't believe it!!!! Yeah, business is down a bit but, believe me, this place is still rocking! Vegas hotels enjoy the highest occupancy rate in the world... normally about 95%. Now it's down to around 91% - not bad, eh? Actually, it's good (for us) that the crowds are slightly smaller. Wait times for seating at the nicest restaurants are down to 30 to 45 minutes. For those that still take reservations, it's a bit easier to get one at the prime dining time. Tee Times and Greens Fees are easier and lower. Prices for the best shows are down 10% to 20% through discount coupons issued when you check in to your hotel.

This is my first experience with Wynn Las Vegas as well as the new Encore Tower and the complex is amazing! I would describe this place as "Elegant". Everything about it is tasteful... and to walk out the back door and be on the tee of a great golf course - well, how does it get any better? The folks at the Wynn are very saddened by the sudden death of Danny Gans. It is clear that he was not just a contracted entertainer - he was obviously truly loved by those around him at the resort. There were heartfelt "good-bye to a friend" postings all around the property. More on Wynn Las Vegas later... If you are thinking of visiting, I have some free tips for you. Email me: dick@gatewayexpress.com

This trip taught me a new reality... those of you who know me are aware of my increasing bald spot. (The golf cap I'm wearing in my profile picture is purposeful.) Well, I forgot my hair brush and have survived for 4 days without one... and nobody has noticed!

Cheers,

Dick

Taking All-Inclusive Resorts to a New Level.

2009-04-22T19:06:00.006-05:00

We've just completed an interesting few weeks having visited Jamaica for the first time in about 12 years then, just 5 days after returning from that trip, headed off for Mexico's Riviera Maya.

What a contrast! Both destinations and both of the all-inclusive resorts were absolutely great... in Negril we stayed at a family-oriented resort but in Mexico we chose an adult-only property.

At Gateway Express Travel we book hundreds of families at a variety of RIU Resorts throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Their top tier of resorts, referred to as "Palace Class" properties, present the very best in accommodations, service and food. RIU Palaces and their slightly more moderate standard class properties are perfect for family vacations. Over the years of sending clients to RIU's we have received just one complaint - and we didn't feel that one was a valid objection. (There are those that are just plain cranky, aren't there?)

Our stay at the RIU Tropical Bay was close to perfect - and we tip our hats to the employees who served us so well and made it clear that they appreciated our visit.

But here's where the contrast begins: The resort on the Riviera Maya took us to a new level. With no children present, the quiet was deafening and the ambiance was romantic without being boring. And the Spa was fabulous. If you have ever been to an all-inclusive you must paint a mind's-eye picture of a place with gourmet dining in 4 or 5 restaurants, no buffets and no wrist bands! And that's just for starters!

More on this experience next time. Stay aboard!

(If you are curious to know what resort I'm talking about, email me at dick@gatewayexpress.com)

Dick

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Luxury Cruises at Unbelievable Prices!

2009-04-01T19:14:00.006-05:00

If you have followed my rants on this blog over the last couple years you know how I sing the praises of the 3 luxury cruise lines.

Well, if you have EVER "thought about it", now is the time to jump! The luxury lines, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas are offering unbelievable incentives to book now for all of 2009 and through most of 2010! There are numerous examples of buying a $5,000 cruise for $2,100 to $2,300! When you consider that everything is included - gourmet dining (for which there is a surcharge on other lines), all cocktails, fine wines all gratuities and even some complimentary Shore Excursions - experiencing the best is really not all that much more expensive than a "premium class" cruise.

In an era of family travel, these three lines are truly adult-oriented experiences. On our first Seabourn cruise in 2000, we were in the 'taking a break from kids' mode... but now we are confirmed "Empty Nesters" and especially enjoy being in a refined, adult atmosphere. We recently enjoyed our 7th European sailing - 3 with Silversea, 3 with Seabourn and our most recent was with Regent Seven Seas.

Take a look at a comparative profile of these lines along with some current examples of the incentives at my agency, Gateway Express Travel.

Cheers,

Dick

There's NEVER Been a Better Time to Travel!

2009-03-04T19:40:00.003-06:00

The bargains are beyond anything I've EVER seen in my 34 years in the travel business!

My travel agency just booked a few clients to Las Vegas - Round Trip Northwest flights from Minneapolis and 3 nights at the magnificent Wynn Las Vegas for $371 per person INCLUDING taxes and bellman gratuities.

This package one year ago was about $700 per person.

Ya Gotta Go!!!!

Dick

Why You NEED a Travel Professional - part 3

2009-02-16T09:52:00.006-06:00

OK, I'm going to get off this theme, but every day we hear another story of woe from someone who has returned from a "blown vacation". Actually this title should be "Why you Need to Listen to your Travel Professional".

My travel agency has a few favorite resort groups... one that we like for families with teens; one for families with young children; one for couples looking for a peaceful, romantic escape where other people's children are not part of your vacation. In each case, our favored group is not the only quality group in that category - they are simply the ones with which we've had the most success over the years. (And, over the years, they change as some get stale and new groups emerge.)

A client who we have sent to various RIU Resorts in Mexico over the last 4 or 5 years decided to go for a change of pace (They really, like most of us these days, were trying to cut costs a bit.) They had heard of another resort group from friends. We actually send some clients to this company - but we're careful as to who we recommend it to. It was a no-brainer to us that, given their past experiences, they would find this to be disappointing. But, they insisted.

And we were right. They found the resort facilities to be excellent... "Beautiful Grounds; Great Rooms; very clean; nice uncrowded pool areas and great beach". Service and quality of food was quite a different matter... "Far less service than RIU's; Hotel staff was not interested in helping us; consistently at buffets, once they seated us, they disappeared. We had go find our own coffee refills; Bar service very poor. Understaffed... and the staff that was there was totally inattentive; specialty restaurants were very nice but food was just ok... service was a little better than described above but not great. Food quality at the buffets was poor."

Nuff said! If you are accustomed to 5-Star quality, 3-Star won't cut it! We all need to reduce our spending a bit, but this isn't the way to do it. We typically advise clients to shorten their trip rather than to go down in quality. You are always going to remember the experience (good or bad!) but you won't remember whether you were there 7 nights or 5 to 6 nights!

Cheers,

Dick

You NEED a Travel Professional - part 2

2009-01-17T11:01:00.004-06:00

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

2009-01-03T10:51:00.005-06:00

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

Home Again, Home Again!

2008-12-01T09:37:00.005-06:00

Well, another fabulous trip is, as they say in Hollywood, "in the can". And what a trip it was! Since I blogged from the ship enroute from Tunisia to Cartegena, Spain we 'ate our way' to Malaga, Spain for a day at the Alhambra Palace in Granada then on to Casablanca, Morocco before ending up in Funchal, Madiera.

Although I visited the Alhambra 5 or 6 times back in the 70's, it was still a fun day - I forgot a lot in those 30 years! (Isn't the aging process wonderful?) I also had a small corporate incentive group in Casablanca in the 80's and was astounded at how this exotic destination has modernized in the ensuing time. The contrasts between the modern "business centers" of the city and the "old" parts of the city are striking beyond description. Imagine time-warping between businessmen in suits and ties driving Mercedes and the old markets (Casbahs) where you feel like you're back in the 40's where Humphrey Bogart is likely to appear!

And, then, Madiera! This is Europe's best-kept secret!!! Very quaint and atmospheric. Almost 500 miles off the southern Moroccan coast, this 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. More on this later.

I've been preaching this for years, but anyone who likes cruise vacations (and who doesn't?) and enjoys cocktails and fine wines NEEDS to step up and treat themselves to a luxury cruise line. Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas are exquisite - service beyond anything anywhere, cuisine beyond anything anywhere, and all the finest in wines and spirits included. Take a look at a more detailed description of "Cruising in Style!"

All that said, It's good to be back home - just in time for Thanksgiving.

Cheers,

Dick

Hi from the Cigar Bar on the Regent Seven Seas Voyager

2008-11-26T20:05:00.005-06:00

After port stops in Palermo, Sicily and Tunis, Tunisia we're "at sea" today so thought I would take the opportunity to say Howdy! As with any of our trips that begin (or end) in Rome, we enjoyed our 'almost annual' dinner at Fortunato al Pantheon near the famous Pantheon (no kidding?) and the Trevi Fountain. Same table for 8; same waiters; same fun - as you see from the picture!

Most of you will agree that there are some places that you visit once and say, "It was a great experience, but one time is enough". (Athens comes to mind!) Rome is one of those places that I will never tire of. It's not only "our" restaurant; it's everything! One almost doesn't even need to "do" or "see" - just be there. Walk the streets, have a coffee or a wine at a sidewalk cafe when the feet get tired, browse the shops. (I feel the same about Paris and London!)

Well, we've been to Sicily a couple times before so this stop, although very pleasant, was pretty uneventful. Tunisia, on Africa's North Coast, was quite a different matter. A Muslim country on the African continent is always good for a "different feel". A wonderful experience, but it does fall into the "former" category defined above... once is enough. Among several interesting stops was a visit to the American Military Cemetery. (Patton's and Montgomery's forces pretty much began their WWII march to Berlin fighting Rommel's forces in the Sahara desert regions of Tunisia.) We, with the help of a remarkable American Serviceman, we found the grave of the brother of a friend... a meaningful day, indeed!

For those of you who may be worried, we're being well-fed (and "watered") on board this fabulous ship. The next two stops are in Spain then another exotic port - Casablanca, Morocco. Then, the end of the road is Funchal, Madiera - one of the most under-rated places in all of Europe! Talk to you again "down the road"!

Cheers,

Dick

Time to Break Out the Tumi

2008-10-11T10:58:00.007-05:00

It seems like such a short time ago that I announced that we had come to the end of the road and were parking our luggage in favor of the Lake Season. I looked back at that Blog Post of June 13th with amusement - and frustration with how fast summer zooms by!

Well, as we close up the cabin, it's time to prepare for our November Cruise from Rome to Funchal, Madiera. We ALWAYS recommend to our travel clients that they fly to the cruise departure point a day or two early. (Even for Caribbean cruising; but especially when cruising outside North America.)

Our trip, for the 4th time, will be with an extra day in Rome and dinner at our favorite Rome restaurant - Al Fortunata del Pantheon. This year's adventure will be aboard Regent Seven Seas cruise line and will take us to some "repeat ports" and some exciting new ones such as Malaga, Spain on the Costa del Sol and ports along the North Coast of Africa.

As much as I hate accepting the passing of summer, we're looking forward to this adventure.

Cheers,

Dick

Don't Make a Vacation Decision based on Web Pictures!

2008-09-05T09:37:00.015-05:00

I played golf yesterday with a guy who had just returned from a 25th Anniversary trip in Hawaii. (Wailea, Maui to be exact.) He and his wife were very disappointed with their gorgeous 5-Star resort hotel. (You may ask how anyone could be "disappointed" with a 5-Star hotel?) The place was beautiful, the service was great... and it was crawling with families with small children!

Your first thought might be that this mainly impacted their time at the pool or on the beach but it affected the entire experience. They knew immediately that they were in trouble - upon settling into their room and changing into tropical clothing they went to the lobby bar for an "Aloha Cocktail". There were a number of preschool-age kids running around the lobby area just 30 feet from them. One was yelling at a sibling; the sibling was crying. How's that for romantic?

This fellow, whom I had just met on the first tee, related that the restaurants were very nice and the food was excellent but, again, they were far from relaxing or romantic. He added that the menus reflected the nature of their clientele.

As it happens, there is another 5-Star resort hotel right next door and I have stayed at both over the years. The ambiance of the two could not possibly be more opposite. Years ago, both were elegant... now one remains so with an adult clientele while the other began marketing to family vacations a few years ago.

If you look at the websites of both, you will not be able to distinguish between them. Both look fabulously classy with pictures that could possibly be interchanged. The only hint, if you have a trained eye, is a water slide in the distant background of one pool picture. A good travel consultant (like my agency - Gateway Express Travel) would have known the difference and saved this fellow's trip!

Cheers,

Dick

Mid-Summer Report from the Easy Chair at the Lake!

2008-07-16T19:21:00.004-05:00

As reported last month, the Tumi luggage is parked for the season and, as much as I enjoy the travel scene, it's sure nice to be "temporarily divorced" from TSA inspectors & molesters! I didn't think I would ever say this, but I truly feel sorry for the airlines. If they just parked their birds and said the hell with it, I don't know if I would blame them.

Actually, business at our travel agency (gatewayexpress.com) has been very good this summer. Given that this is typically the "dog days" for travel in the the Midwest market (we're not the only ones who cherish staying close to the BBQ grill this time of year), things haven't been bad. An increasingly big part of our leisure business over the past several years has been family spring break trips mostly to Mexico. Bookings for next April have begun earlier than I can ever recall.

Oh well, these days at our lake place on Woman Lake near Longville, MN are what life is all about this time of year. But, I must admit that I'm starting to think about that Mediterranean Cruise that we're taking in November. We'll start in Rome (our fourth visit to Rome... which means another dinner at Al Fortunata del Pantheon - our favorite restaurant in the world!) and will end up in Funchal, Madeira, A new port for us. The travel bug lives!

I hope you all are enjoying Mosquito Season!!!!!

Dick
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Whew! I've come to the End of the Road...

2008-06-13T09:37:00.006-05:00

... for a while, at least! Since mid-April I've had 5 trips - Tucson, Boston, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Alaska - but have come to the end of the road for awhile! Whew! Now it's time for summer weekends at our lake place in northern Minnesota and to catch up on the golf game! For those of you fellow Minnesotans (and Wisconsinites), you know that there is no greater place to be during the summer than home!!!

So until our next trip to Europe (a Regent Seven Seas Cruise from Rome to Funchal, Madeira) in November our Tumi luggage resides in deep storage!

Speaking of Cruises in Europe, we are seeing the biggest season ever for selling European Cruises at our travel agency. There are more ships in Europe than ever before - and they are largely sold out already. The cruise lines have already opened booking for 2009 - the earliest that the industry has ever come out with future sailings. If you are interested in explanations for this phenomenon, go to Cruise News at www.gatewayexpress.com.

Cheers,

Dick

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Alaska Cruise: All's Well That Ends Well!

2008-06-07T09:45:00.007-05:00

Well, we're back in Minnesota looking for the sun! It has rained constantly since we returned - feels like Seattle albeit a bit warmer. In a way, it's hard to believe that it took me 63 years to get to Alaska since our travel agency (www.gatewayexpress.com) has sent hundreds of clients there over the years... but in another way, it's no shock - we hate to leave Minnesota in summer leaving our limited travel time & funds for winter escapes! Our Princess Cruise aboard the Island Princess was spectacular! (At Gateway Express Travel, we feature Princess Cruises and Holland America Line for family travel and Silversea Cruises for upscale, adult-only trips.)

When I last posted we were in Juneau about to head out for an evening of whale-watching. For me, that was the highlight of the whole trip... being able to get within 200 feet of the magnificent beasts! At one point we came up to a mother and baby cavorting playfully together. The youngster was just learning the "moves" and it was fun to watch.

Then it was off to Skagway where we went out for some King Salmon fishing. Although we got skunked, it was a gorgeous day on the water. We saw Black Bears along the shore, Sea Lions and a lot of Bald Eagles. The cruise ended with two days of sailing through Glacier Bay and College Fjord. In the latter, we saw numerous Seals perched on large chunks of ice that had broken off the glaciers. On one of these mini-icebergs we saw a new-born seal with its mother. There was some blood on the ice indicating that the baby had been born within the last couple days. After a very scenic 2-hour rail trip from Whittier to Anchorage aboard the Princess Express that continues on the their Wilderness Lodges in the interior, our day in Anchorage was pretty uneventful. We disembarked about 7:00AM and had a 9:30PM red eye flight home. We intentionally gave ourselves the day to explore Anchorage... that is the one thing we would change. There's not a lot to do or see in Anchorage. We were ready to get home to our 2-year old Cockapoo, Hat Trick! The 1:00PM flight would have been perfect!

Cheers,

Dick

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Alaska Cruising... another vista explored!

2008-05-21T19:27:00.005-05:00

Here's more proof of my infinite wisdom... after enduring 6 months of Minnesota winter, I and my family had to find more snow & ice! This post comes from Ketchikan, Alaska - the first stop on our family's 7-Day Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruise Line.

As much as I crave the 70 to 80 degree Minnesota weather we have waited so long for, I must admit that this place is gorgeous! Another favorite routine of mine while vacationing - getting up at 5:30 in the morning and dressing with 6 layers of clothing to avoid hypothermia while Halibut fishing and crabbing. Again, I have to admit that it was a memorable experience even though we only caught two Snappers and two crabs amongst the four of us. The highlight of the day, breath-taking scenery aside, was having 6 Eagles fly right down to within 100 feet of our skiff. The guide whistled and threw out the remains of one of our Snappers and the Eagles came flying. Truly awesome!!!

Well it's back to "work"... I'll talk to you from Skagway, Alaska in a couple days.

UPDATE: Friday, May 23 - After a spectacular day in Juneau, Alaska we are now in Skagway. Yesterday will be hard to top... our boys flew by helicopter to a distant glacier for a glacial trek. While they were gone, we hiked the trails alongside the Mendenhall Glacier (pictured here)... not an easy walk in the park but absolutely stunning!!! That evening we went on a whale-watching excursion that , for us, was the show-stopper! I'll be anxious to share more on that when I get back to WARM Minnesota. (Thought those two words would never be used together!!!)

Cheers,

Dick

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Quiet Las Vegas? I'm not kidding!

2008-04-30T18:56:00.004-05:00

If you love to party... but want to be able to "turn it off" at times, there is more to Vegas than the circus-like atmosphere of The Strip. As I wrote about a year ago in my Quieter Side of Las Vegas blog post, there are hotels or sections of hotel complexes where you don't need to wade through throngs of gamblers in a cavernous casinos to get to the elevator to your room. A good example is the new Palazzo Towers at the Venetian. It features a private off-Strip entrance and quiet elegance - still you are just a 5-minute walk to the main attractions of the Venetian. Link back to that post for descriptions of such meccas as THE hotel at Mandalay Bay or the Signature Towers adjacent to the MGM Grand.

On my visit last week, I ventured out to Lake Las Vegas and the incomparable Ritz-Carlton Resort Hotel. This place is magnificent! (What else would you expect from Ritz-Carlton?) The casino is not actually in the hotel, but is adjacent as part of the Italian Village with numerous restaurants and shops. So, you can have the excitement that most go to Las Vegas for - when you want it! And, for a night on The Strip for a major show or just to go for the whole enchilada, you only have a 25 minute drive. I stopped at the Ritz-Carlton for breakfast before playing the incredible Reflection Bay Golf Club. All through my stay in the dining room everybody - even the bus boys - addressed me by name. OK, so that's just very good training. Right? Here 's where they go way beyond training... I walked around the property and the Village including the lakeside stage where Andrea Bochelli performed a couple years ago. Almost an hour later, I came back through the restaurant and again was greeted by name by the hostess. That's cool!

The other Resort Hotel at "the Lake" is Loew's. It's not a bad place but, with the R-C just down the road, don't bother. Very confining since the Reflection Bay golf course wraps around it. There is no comparison! Whatever the price, the Ritz-Carlton is well worth it!

Cheers,

Dick

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Hello from Las Vegas!

2008-04-26T13:32:00.004-05:00

This place is ridiculous! My annual sojourn for a technology conference is underway and, as usual, the landscape changes from my last visit are absurd. In just one year, the Wynn Las Vegas has opened a second tower called "Encore", the Trump Hotel & Casino is open, The Venetian has opened a new tower called Palazzo, the second tower at Bellagio is now open as is the 3rd new tower at Caesar's Palace, the massive City Center project (almost 8,000 new rooms) which was just a (huge) hole in the ground 12 months ago is almost half way completed, and the Stardust and Frontier hotels have been bulldozed.

The construction cranes - too numerous to count - have been dubbed Nevada's State Bird!

The ridiculously upscale shops at Caesar's, The Venetian, Planet Hollywood and Bellagio have all been expanded and more are coming. I walked through several of them and, unlike the malls at home, did not spot one single vacancy.

For anybody that worries about our economy, come here for a few days! The place is full with a 94% rooms occupancy - the highest rate in the entire world!

Cheers,

Dick

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...more on our Spa Resort stay:

2008-02-27T11:30:00.003-06:00

As I said in the last post, I'm not ordinarily known for an ability to lay around and do nothing. But, this place just soothed the beast! For 3 days my golf clubs sat in the corner... and those who know me would be shocked to hear that it didn't bother me a bit! We did spa treatments each afternoon (I didn't go in for any of the exotic treatments - just some great massages) just before getting dressed for cocktails and wonderful dinners. After dinner, we would go to the wine bar off the outdoor section of the lobby and just sit overlooking the grounds and the ocean. What a way to end a perfect day!

OK; so what's so great about a massage? We all have had them at our local health clubs or day spas, right? Apart from the fact that spas in these 5-Star Resorts are something special, the total environment is one of relaxation. They are so quiet and peaceful that you generally will feel as if you are the only client in the spa.

And here's the real difference: When I go on a golf trip with the guys, the thing that makes it so special is that we are away from all the normal commitments. Nobody is late to the course because of a business tie up. Nobody has run off after golf because of a kid's game or concert. Nobody is pressured to be home in time for dinner. After golf on these trips, all we need to worry about is how much time we have for the pool or hot tub before getting ready to go to dinner! Same thing here: You have enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, taken a walk on the beach and relaxed in the sun at the pool before going to the spa. After your massage, you have as much time as you want to relax in the spa's lounge or whirlpool. Cocktails and dinner are on your terms.

If you are one who THINKS you are not a "spa resort type", think again!!!!!

Cheers,

Dick

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"Our Cabo Stay Got Even Better..."

2008-02-09T11:02:00.004-06:00

... the meeting that we were managing in Los Cabos broke up Sunday morning and we headed for a few days of personal time on the Pacific side of Cabo. And, what a treat we were in store for! We drove down through the town center of Cabo San Lucas and up the hills (almost mountains) and down the other side (a winding road for sure!) to the Pacific coast and our new home, the beach side Pueblo Bonito Pacifica - a quiet adults-only holistic spa resort.

The resort is the only structure of any kind on a mile and a half long beach (the picture in my previous post gives you some idea of how expansive and "private" the beach is). So, now, I am a good 30 minutes from the nearest golf course and I wondered how I would exist for 3 days without playing. It was no problem!!! This place was the most relaxing and regenerative place I've ever experienced. Being one that has a hard time sitting still for very long, I had some reservations about this stay. It didn't take long for me to know that I didn't care a hoot about leaving this oasis - much less beat myself up on a golf course.

Passing through, not one - but two security guard stations before arriving at the front door, we walked into the lobby which exuded the soothing spa aroma of lavender that immediately relaxed us. The first thing we did was to go to the spa to reconfirm our treatment reservations. The eucalyptus aromas in the spa practically put us to sleep!

Our suite overlooked the pool, grounds (the picture above and that with the last post were taken from our veranda) and ocean. We were welcomed to our room by soothing "spa music" which was playing from the television. And a candle diffuser that was emitting more lavender aromas.

No children! OK, we all love kids, right? But, who doesn't look forward to a break? This place was soooo peaceful - without being boring! The atmosphere there just breeds "quiet relaxation". Even those of us that aren't exactly known for being quiet and docile just fall into this state of quiet. People all around were visiting but everyone seemed to converse in low volume - almost at a whisper.

Whale watching from our veranda! What a show we were treated to! Because the ocean gets very deep very fast, we saw whales surfacing "up close & personal". A few times we saw 5 at a time and once, while walking the beach, a whale surfaced so close I could hear the exhalation (the water spout). From our veranda one morning, we saw a whale jump completely out of water (as in those Pacific Life Insurance commercials). WOW!

Gotta go... I'll add more to this later.

Dick

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Greetings from Cabo San Lucas!

2008-02-06T20:15:00.005-06:00

(Note: This post was created last week from Mexico but, because of a cyber road block, I couldn't upload it until I got home...)

Greetings from Cabo San Lucas! If you look back to my post of mid-December, you'll see that I have developed a new view of Mexico in the last couple years. Nothing could have demonstrated how far Mexico has come than this "return to Cabo". This is my first time back here since 1999 and the changes were astonishing! The "aeropuerto", (still very small) has a new terminal building; the number of private jets parked throughout the airport grounds was particularly eye-catching; a new highway from the airport to "resort row" and the town is now open. And, the new resorts and villas... Our magnificent 5-Star Resort, The Marquis, didn't even exist back then. In fact, there are about 20 high-end resort hotels that are new since then! Finally, a major sign of the "new" Mexico went almost unnoticed - At least if you are staying at an upscale resort or hotel, the old "don't drink the water" mantra is a thing of the past. (All bets are off if you venture into eateries away from the resorts!)

If you are at all familiar with the "Leading Hotels of the World" group of which the Marquis is a member, you know that's all you need to know of a hotel's quality! The service was friendly & efficient and the food was wonderful. If you're a golfer, Cabo is THE place in Mexico for you. And the Marquis is just across the highway from my favorite among the many great courses here - Cabo Real. (For more on the golf, go to my Golf Blog.) The Marquis is a relatively small property that has you feeling quite well-attended. you don't get lost in the crowd - and you don't need to wait for a table or fight for a poolside lounge chair. The best way I could describe the Marquis would be "understated elegance". If you want over-the-top splashiness, I would recommend the Palmilla Resort or Las Ventanas.

It gets even better! We were at The Marquis managing a corporate incentive group (and this place is great for meetings of 50 to 150 people) but when that group disbursed on Sunday morning, we headed to the Pacific side and spent 3 glorious days at quiet adults-only holistic spa resort - the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (pictured above). Those of you who know me have just fallen off your chairs!

More on that experience in the next couple days.

Dick

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Mexico has Come of Age!

2007-12-12T20:24:00.000-06:00

Most of you know that I have not always been too wild about Mexico as a tropical winter sun destination. But, as I reported in a blog post last spring, I have been impressed with the remarkable improvement in the quality of the higher-end resorts in the last several years. They were pushed by the cruise boom 15 to 20 years ago and it took them awhile to figure why they were losing their clients to the cruises. And, so began the birth of the "All-Inclusive Resorts". Early on, the food was awful and the service - well, it was spotty at best! But, they certainly have figured it out and now can rightfully boast that their resorts are a worthy match... particularly in the areas of food quality and personal service. By far, the best of the All-Inclusive Resorts center around Playa del Carmen and Riviera Nayarit - the new resort area just a couple miles north of Puerto Vallarta. There are All-Inclusives throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, but these two areas offer the most choices.

The earlier post that I referred to focused upon our favorite - the Riu Palace Riviera Maya at Playa del Carmen. (For more on that great 5-Star resort, refer back to my post of last May. Scroll down this page and click "older posts".) Now, we can heartily recommend the newest Riu Resort - the Riu Vallarta at Riviera Nayarit.

My travel agency has featured Riu Resorts all over the world for about 6 years now simply because they send our clients home happy... and, on our end of the table, they are delightful to work with. Tell your travel agent to send you to a 4-Star or 5-Star Riu Resort!

Cheers,

Dick

Why do they do this?

2007-12-05T20:37:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday, I was sitting in a coffee house updating a few of our web pages (new specials). At the next table is a middle-aged couple - each with a laptop open. They are searching for flights to & from Tampa. About every two minutes, one of them announces to the other that they have hit on something. Honestly, I wasn't meaning to eavesdrop but, being in the travel business, I couldn't help picking up some of their chatter.

Among the things they "found" was a double connection - first O'Hare, then Dallas. Another "find" was cooler: Just one connection on the way down (Atlanta) but the return was from Tampa to Phoenix (honest!) and a flight home from there. Then there was the one that was Minneapolis - Newark (I wouldn't wish that one an enemy!) - Tampa. They weren't done yet! They found two non-stops: The only problem was that their return was from Orlando so they talked about renting their car in one city and returning it in the other. Undaunted, they trudged on finding single connections each way... but the return entailed a four hour lay-over getting them home at 11:30 that night.

But they were saving a ton of money, right? The only audible references to fares seemed to indicate that they were looking $290 to $390. Starting to develop saddle sores, I packed up and left. They had been at this for over an hour when I exited - they might still be there! Although I couldn't hear the dates that they were looking at, it was a pre-holiday trip. On Monday I had one of our agents take a look at Minneapolis - Tampa round trips on Northwest non-stops only. We came up with fares - you guessed it - around $280 and on one set of dates we found availability at $240.

So the question is: Why do they do this?
There is an answer... tune in tomorrow and I'll solve the mystery!

Dick

2007-11-14T20:21:00.000-06:00

Wendy Perrin is Back!

My posts back in August and September declared Conde Nast Traveler writer Wendy Perrin to be a "dink'. Well, she's back with another "Travel Advice" column that reaffirms how deserved she is of this label.

Her "Best Travel Secrets" column in the September issue (I'm a little behind in my reading) advised, "If you want to make an overnight train trip (in Europe) as pleasant as possible, rent all four berths in the compartment so that you have it all to yourself.

A travel agent in New Hyde Park, NY did some fare research on three routes... each had similar results. EG: Each berth on a Paris to Berlin train was $123 for a total of $492 for the whole 4-berth compartment that had no in-compartment facilities. A single-berth compartment in first class was $417 and included a wash basin.

Great advise, isn't it?
If you want a few laughs, go back and read those earlier posts.

Cheers,

Dick
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2007-11-03T12:17:00.000-05:00

Cruising through Italy & Greece (part 2)
After our brief stay in Rome, we boarded the Seabourn Spirit. Amazingly, even though it was 6 years since we sailed on this intimate 200 passenger ship, we were reunited with one of our waiters from 2001! Even more amazingly, he remembered us. Such is the personal rapport that can be developed on a small ship of this service level. (As with our experiences at that restaurant in Rome, it is entirely possible that we were remembered for reasons that might not be entirely flattering!!!!)
I could blather on about the ports we visited, but I would rather blather on about the "Seabourn Experience". With a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1-to-1, it is easy to see how the personal service that we experience on these trips is possible. Assembling in our favorite lounge for cocktails on the second night, the waiter asks if we want the same cocktails as last night... on the 3rd night, if we said yes the night before, he just brings our drinks. (Of course, we learned long ago that if we do want to change our beverage order, we need to head the waiter off quickly!) In the dining room, if you ask for a deviation, such as a "side" of french fries, you may get french fries on the side every night!
I had the pure joy of receiving my luggage on the 4th day of our trip. Having informed the Purser as we boarded, they swung into action (as did the Bell Captain at our hotel in Rome - unsuccessfully). The Purser contacted the cruise lines' representative at the airport and gave me updates every time I walked by the ships rotunda, where the Purser's office is located. The housekeeping manager knocked on our cabin door within 5 minutes of our arrival offering help with jackets, ties, tuxedos and whatever else they could find for me. The clothes I traveled in went immediately to the ship's laundry and was back in our cabin within a couple hours. There was no charge for the laundry and dry cleaning . The bag was finally located while we were on a shore excursion so the Purser ordered a special delivery by taxi in order to assure it's arrival by sailing time. The cost would be about $120 and the Purser offered to "cover" that cost since I couldn't be reached to accept the charge. Of course, I insisted that they not bear the charge. With a little luck, I'll get reimbursed by Northwest's "Sky Partner", Alitalia! We'll see!
Enough blathering! you get the idea... we kind of like this luxury cruising thing! It's pricy, but well worth it! Remember, if you can afford to go first class, and don't... your heirs will!

Dick
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2007-10-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

The Pure Joy of the Mediterranean!
That we have just experienced our 5th Med Cruise in 7 years probably gives you the impression that we, sort of, like it! We returned to Seabourn Cruise Line's Seabourn Spirit (pictured here in port at Navplion, Greece) after 3 trips aboard Silversea's Silver Cloud. Having sailed on the Spirit in 2001, we were anxious to compare Seabourn with Silversea. Talk about a no-lose situation! In our opinion, these are the two finest luxury lines afloat. And our experience reaffirmed those feelings. To say one is the slightest bit better than the other is indeed splitting hairs. To be sure, there are subtle differences - none that are either good or bad... just slightly different. If you are considering an upscale cruise - and you should - contact me for our reflections.

On this outing, we cruised from Rome to Athens, spending a little extra time at both ends of the cruise. Having been to both cities before, we have started feeling at home in those cities - particularly Rome. A required staple of any visit is dinner at our favorite restaurant, Al Fortunata del Pantheon. Largely because we need a table for 8, we have dined at the same table on each visit. The fact that waiters remember us from previous visits does make me wonder if it's because we're so nice or if we make spectacles of ourselves! (We DO have a good time and, I think, make it fun for waiters!) When in the Med, one MUST focus on the incredible seafood. And, when in Italy, the fabulously delicious pastas are 'required'! Having toured the attractions of the city on previous visits, we opted to head to the countryside with Miguel, our long-standing guide in Rome. We visited the mountain lakes area where, among other things, the Pope's summer residence is.
(to be continued)

Cheers,

Dick
To comment, please click the "comments" link below, type in your comments then, under “Select an Identity”, select “Other” if you want to leave a name (your name or a ‘blog handle’) or just leave it blank. OR, you can select ‘Anonymous’. I would love to hear from you!

2007-09-05T19:54:00.000-05:00

OK; so the travel writer is cheap!

Many friends and clients have commented on the preceding post and agree that this woman is a moron. But many cruise lines have created their own monsters by getting caught up in "commodity pricing". Take one of our favorite lines, Holland America, for example. Holland America is a "premium" line that has maintained a tradition of excellence over the years. So why do they feel that they need to advertise a 7-day premium cruise "from" (that ubiquitous term!) $699? That only attracts people like the afore-mentioned that expect all-inclusive luxury for $40 per person/per day. The real price of that $699 cruise (that's a minimum inside cabin) with taxes and port fees is going to be more like $950. And when you upgrade to an Oceanview Cabin - and you know you will - you are at $1,299 and up. And that's a bargain! OK; now you're going to pay extra for the things listed in the previous post. But, it's still a bargain! Do the math and anyone can see that the end price for what you receive is quite low.

Our agency has cost comparisons between a premium cruise and a similar all-inclusive land vacation that proves the value of a cruise. (And, by the way, we don't really care whether we sell you a $1,500 beach vacation or a $1,500 cruise. We do care that we led you to the right choice!)

My message to premium lines like Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity: Don't try to compete with standard class lines on price. Hold your heads high and announce that your product is worth more than the standard class lines - and quit charging extra for soft drinks!

Dick

2007-08-10T09:29:00.000-05:00

More Proof that Travel & Leisure Writers are Dinks!
Conde Nast Traveler writer Wendy Perrin takes a poke at the cruise industry and their alleged 'deceptive' pricing in her July article, "Sticker Shock at Sea", claiming that her family's Celebrity cruise ( a family of four) cost 54% more than the base fare. In her critique, she listed a number of extra charges that they incurred... charges for things that I would not exactly call 'typical'. She complained that she and her husband paid $220 for dinner for two including wine and tip in the ship's alternative gourmet restaurant. I looked it up and found that the surcharge for that gourmet dinner is $30 per person - far less than a similar meal in a comparable land-based restaurant. How she and her hubby could spend an extra $160 is a bit perplexing - either it was a very special bottle (or bottles) of wine or they are BIG tippers! Either way, it was their choice!

She whined about the $6 per hour they spent on child care. I checked into that and found that Celebrity's children's program is free of charge. She complained that they spent over $800 on 10 shore excursions. Again, their choice - and I don't know of any vacation package that includes side trips. She complained about their $228 bar bill. Again, their choice... and it is common knowledge that wine and cocktails on ships are well below prices at land-based lounges and restaurants. She even took offense at the $5 per day charge for unlimited soft drinks and complained about the 'endless' fliers promoting the shops and spa services. Apparently, she was unaware that use of the waste basket in their cabin IS complimentary!!!!

A good travel agent could tell her that the luxury lines typically DO include all those things for which the contemporary lines provide as optional services. (You would think that a professional writer would be familiar with the term, "Optional".) Of course the base price is much higher. I guess she wants Lexus features at a Kia price!

Cheers,
Dick

2007-06-20T19:18:00.000-05:00

Luxury Cruises...
Hop on the "Upward Curve" for your next Cruise Vacation!
If you are in the middle of your child-raising years and are looking for a family vacation ignore this post! But, if you are looking for a break from those responsibilities -OR- have moved past that phase of your life, chances are pretty good that you don't want to board a ship that is loaded with families with young children.
Family travel (including family reunions) is huge these days... and that means kids everywhere - even during times of the year when you might think they are in school and even on premium lines such as Holland America and Princess.
There is an escape! The luxury lines are, by virtue of their "price point", true adult-oriented experiences. My wife and I will become "Empty Nesters" in September and are looking forward to a luxury cruise with Seabourn Cruise Line in October! On our first Seabourn cruise in 2000, we were in the 'taking a break' mode and we are looking forward to returning to the Seabourn Spirit as members of the second group that I identified above. Seabourn is one of four luxury lines from which you can choose. Along with Silversea, Crystal and Regent Seven Seas the fares on the "Elegant Four" seem quite "dear" but when you avail yourself of the many discount offerings and when you consider that everything is included - gourmet dining (for which there is a surcharge on other lines), all cocktails, fine wines and all gratuities - experiencing the best is really not all that much more expensive than a "premium class" cruise... with all those families on board!
Note: There is a new cruise line that positions itself between the premium class (Princess, Holland America, etc.) and the luxury lines. Oceania Cruise Line is what we refer to as "premium plus" in that you still pay for beverages and the gratuities are not included but the level of the cuisine and service is slightly better - and Oceania "does nothing to encourage children".

If you would like my recommendations on the right line for you, send me an email!

Cheers,

Dick

2007-05-23T19:31:00.000-05:00

Playa del Carmen:
Riu Palace Riviera Maya gives me a fresh, new view of Mexico.
My wife and I recently spent a week at the brand new Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen and loved it! I was as surprised as anyone since I haven't been especially fond of Mexico in the past. The place was elegant and the service truly the equal of first-class cruise lines - something I thought to be impossible. The food quality and presentation was far beyond that of any all-inclusive resort we have ever visited. In a seven night stay, we dined in a different restaurant each night. And, every one of them was perfect. The cocktail lounge in the main lobby was our favorite nightly spot before dinner. Live piano music and palatial atmosphere made it a perfect relaxing cocktail hour after a day in the sun. For golfers, the newly renovated Playacar Golf Club is directly across the street.
Our travel agency, Gateway Express Travel features Riu Resorts all over the world, so we thought we should try this area out since they have 5 resorts just in Playa del Carmen alone. I can heartily recommend it to anyone who wants the best. Tell your travel agent to check it out for you - especially if you haven't been a big fan of Mexico (as we weren't) before now!

2007-05-16T18:50:00.000-05:00

Las Vegas Vacations...
THE QUIETER, ELEGANT SIDE OF LAS VEGAS
My closest "friend" hates Las Vegas. It seems that her biggest objection is having to plow one's way through the crowded casino to get to her room after a lovely dinner or a great show. Well, there is a cure! My post of a few weeks ago spoke of the trend toward upscale everything - the elegant shops at Bellagio, The Venitian, Caesar's Palace and others; the Celebrity Chef Restaurants, and so on. Add to the list of elegance, some new hotels (with no casinos) that provide private entrances, private pool and spa areas and all the elegance of the finest upscale hotels in Manhattan. THE hotel at Mandalay Bay, the Skylofts at the MGM Grand are just a couple options and more are being built as I write this. (Hint: Trump is coming to Las Vegas soon.)

The other alternative destination within a destination is Lake Las Vegas. Two elegant lakeside resorts, two world-class golf clubs and relatively 'sane' casinos are yours here... and you are only 20 minutes from The Strip for those great shows and other attractions.
On your next adventure, fly First Class to Las Vegas, ride to your hotel in a private executive car, check in at the Invited Guests desk, and get 'front of the line' status at the popular Celebrity Chef Restaurants (and for the 30-something crowd - the hot nightclubs!) at a price well-below what you might expect. If you love the excitement of The Strip but want it in small doses with a quick escape route to quiet, elegant surroundings this is for you!
I would be happy to give you some additional tips. Send a comment to this blog post OR just email me.

Cheers,

Dick

2007-04-23T10:07:00.000-05:00

Las Vegas Trips:
Vegas keeps getting Better... and Busier!
Although Las Vegas is not my favorite 'cup of tea', I always look forward my annual visit for a travel industry technology conference. It is truly the most exciting place on Earth. And, despite the unbelievable pace and the tremendous crowds, the friendliness of the great majority of people you come in contact with is beyond impressive. My hat is off to all the service personnel of Las Vegas. I don't know how they can do what they do day-after-day!!! For those of you that appreciate great marketing, the Las Vegas Visitors Bureau is the quintessential case study. The city adds thousands of new rooms each year - and they keep filling them. Hotel occupancy is 87.6% which beats every other vacation destination in the entire world. Here are a few observations & tips that I had from my most recent visit last week: 1. The growth is clearly in the upscale segment of the market. Every time I visit, another few "cheap, old casino/hotels" have been bulldozed to make room for new 5-Star properties. The day of the 99 cent shrimp cocktail is gone! 2. For the '30-something' crowd, the hot nightclubs are springing up everywhere - and getting into one without a VIP pass is a low-percentage proposition! For those of us that are 'more seasoned', the Celebrity Chef restaurants are exploding. And, likewise, don't go to Las Vegas without an advance (3 or 4 months in advance) reservation! 3. The shows just keep getting bigger and better! (You may catch on to a recurring theme here...) If you want to see a major show, you had better get your tickets well in advance of your visit. The hot tickets are Celine Dion, Elton John and Danny Gans. It seems as though Cirque du Soleil will soon engulf the entire city! The newest edition, LOVE by Cirque du Soleil which celebrates the Beatles, is the hottest ticket in town!

If you are going to go, I urge you -strongly- to ask your travel agent to arrange VIP passes, dinner reservations and show tickets in advance!

Cheers,

Dick

2007-03-28T19:15:00.000-05:00

Maui Vacations...
The Grand Wailea Maui might surprise you!
As I shared in my last post, my wife and I absolutely adore Hawaii and get a chance to visit every few years - not nearly enough! But with the distractions of running our business and managing two teenagers and a puppy, that's all we have seemed to manage in recent years. Having stayed at the Grand Hyatt Wailea in it's first year of existence 14 years earlier, we were looking forward to a "return engagement". It indeed was a little like coming home. Although it is longer affiliated with Hyatt we found it to be everything we remembered... and more. Among the "more" were some things that were not to our liking. Among the things we expected was the cordial service, the fabulous Spa and the gorgeous grounds. And in those areas we were not disappointed. But there were a few things that surprised us as well. Unbeknown to us, this resort has heavily marketed itself to families with young children. Because of the many water slides throughout the pool areas the place was crawling with kids! Along with that shift in focus, we discovered that fine dining was no longer a part of the Grand Wailea Resort. For instance, the main restaurant overlooking the grounds from just off the lobby area - one that we fondly remembered - no longer is open for dinner. Thankfully, the Four Seasons Resort just next door and the Fairmont Kea Lani just down the beach provided us numerous options for fine dining with an adult atmosphere!
Despite all this the Grand Wailea is still a wonderful place although it is definitely showing its age. I would recommend it heartily - to families with young children!!!

2007-02-14T20:20:00.000-06:00

Wailea Maui gets better and better!
In my early days of travel, I visited Hawaii numerous times. In fact, I thought of it as a home away from home! But having had limited experience with other tropical destinations, what did I know? Well folks, after years of extensive travel, I can tell you that Hawaii is No Ka Oi. (is the best.) I constantly hear people say that the long flights discourage them from Hawaii in favor of Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. But, in my view, some things are well worth the effort - and Hawaii is! Except for Waikiki, Hawaii is a relaxed and atmospheric place that is always hard to leave. The Hawaiian people are the most gracious on Earth - and that goes for the "Mainlanders" that now call Hawaii home. From the moment you step off the plane, the aroma of orchids and other tropical flora make it clear that you have just arrived at a very special place! On our recent visit to Maui, we returned to a Wailea Beach resort where we stayed over 18 years earlier. It indeed was like coming home. On my next post I'll share the experience - some things we expected and a few things that we weren't prepared for.

Happy Landings,

Dick