Your Government at Work!

Don't tell me that the government isn't out of control:

Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering a new consumer rule that would require travel agents to disclose airline commissions...

"The DOT’s rulemaking, its third major aviation consumer protection rulemaking under the Obama Administration, was submitted to the Office of the Transportation Secretary on July 17. The new rules would also make travel agents and tour operators “adopt minimum customer service standards when they sell air transportation".

Someone should tell Obama, the guy who last winter said, "Nobody uses travel agents anymore", that airlines haven't paid commission for 8 years!

Good Lord!!!!!!!!!!

Dick

(Here's the news article just to validate my source.)

Amusing Travel Stuff (I hope!)

Sometimes it's just fun to pass along some interesting travel stories, quips and tidbits. Several news clips have been piling up on my desk - some amusing, some informative. From my favorite Cigar Lounge, I hope you find these interesting... 




Pampered Pooch Program. The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay (near San Jose) invites guests to bring their dogs in June for complimentary treats. The resort’s Pampered Pooch Program provides the same luxuries that human guests experience. 


America's Rudest City: Travel + Leisure magazine has anointed Los Angeles as America's Rudest City beating out New York and Philadelphia. Want the whole "Rude 20"? Just ask me. 


Traveling in Style! The Rocco Forte Savoy Hotel in Florence wants guests to enjoy a one way private transfer in a Mercedes E Class from/to Florence airport or Florence main train stations. 


Best City for Walking: The Best City in the World for walking is Hong Kong. Budapest is #2, Paris is #3. Venice, Prague and Boston are high on the "strolling list" as well. 


Best Place in the World for Fine Dining: The French Riviera has so many Michelin-starred restaurants that the company's guidebook now includes an inset map of the region .


Trip Advisor: Don't put all your faith in Trip Advisor and other similar forums. Many glowing reports are submitted by owners and managers of that resort - and poor reports are oftentimes posted by competing resorts.


Happy Traveling!


Dick

Where is the Prettiest Place You Have Ever Visited?

That is the question of the day on the chalkboard of the coffee shop where I start most days. There were some very good responses such as the Amalfi Coast, Denali National Park and Tuscany. 
But this one really has me puzzled: Mayan Ruins... a bunch of old stone relics in the middle of a hot, stinking desert... Pretty? Really?
(How about the 2 hour ride in a dirty van with no air conditioning to get to the ruins?)
Sure makes a guy wonder, eh?
Cheers,
Dick

I Love Mexico; I Hate Mexico

Proving again that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we received post-trip comments from two people who were part of the same spring break group to the Riu Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas.

• One had nothing good to say about the resort or the trip - nothing!
• The other loved it and is already planning to go back there next winter.

Not much more that I need to say!


Cheers,
Dick

Trust Your Travel Advisor!!!!

It happens very infrequently, but once in awhile a client of our agency returns from their vacation trip "less-than-thrilled". Yesterday, a good client returned from Cabo San Lucas and reported that, although there were a lot of good things, the experience was poor - and they won't go back to Mexico.

It 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 going during the very busy "high season" 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 $2,500 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
P.S. Don't put all your faith in Trip Advisor and other similar forums. Many glowing reports are submitted by owners and managers of that resort - and poor reports are oftentimes posted by competing resorts in the area. When your travel advisor makes recommendations, they are based upon their own personal experience or those of the clients they have sent there previously.

Cabo San Lucas is Hot...

... in so many ways!
There are 3 "hot", sun destinations going these days.... Costa Rica, Punta Cana and Cabo San Lucas. (More on the first two another day.) We just returned from our 3rd trek to Cabo and enjoyed it even more than on previous visits. This place rocks!

Those of you who know me are aware that I'm not that big a Mexico fan. (Hawaii is my first love, second love and third love!) But, man cannot live on Hawaii alone!

Each time we go to Cabo, we find something new. This time it was the new Capella Resort which is situated "through" the mountain from downtown. Yup, I said through! The only access to this incredibly upscale resort is through a 1/4 mile tunnel that was drilled through the mountain that separates the town from the Pacific Coast.

Literally built into the beach-side of this very large rock, the Capella Resort gives you seclusion only 1/3 of a mile from nightlife of downtown - Cabo Wabo and such!

If you can't afford to stay at Capella, you at least should dine there- and be sure your credit card accounts have plenty of available credit. (But, a word of warning.... you won't get past the front gate without being on the resort or restaurant reservation list.)

I'm exaggerating a bit... it IS pricy, but well worth the splurge!

Cheers,

Dick

Travel Tips

I read one of the many "Travel Tips" articles that pop up on a daily basis - just to get a few laughs. Here's one I ran accross this morning...

"The days when travelers would call a travel agent, book a trip, hang up the phone and be done with it are long gone. Now, the Internet is a hodgepodge of hundreds of competing travel provider sites, all of whom are touting the "best deals" and "lowest prices". No single travel site will assure you the lowest rates, but a thorough search of all the major airlines and at least 10 travel provider sites will usually yield the best rates." 

Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it?

Happy Hunting - or, call a Travel Professional.... contrary to popular beliefs, they will save you money!

Cheers,

Dick

Cabo San Lucas, here we come!

It's time once again to "break out the Tumi" as we head for this very unique sun destination. Even though the 2012 version of Minnesota Winters has been a cake walk, it will be good to get to some REAL warm sunshine...  Basking by the Pool, Dining on a Veranda at sunset, Whale Watching and World Class Golf have me giddy!
If you want to come along, let me know!


Cheers,
Dick

Hawaii: No Ka Oi

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...

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. No passports, no currency exchange, no language barriers and no concerns over where it's safe to eat or what to drink.
7. 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!

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