Location:  In the Colorado Rockies, North central Colorado, along 1-70, 3 hours west of Denver and east of Grand Junction. 

Size:  Vail is one of The Unites States Largest Ski Resorts, with only 5000 permanent residents, and more than 750,000 visitors each year.  
Climate:  Temperatures average 31 degrees in the winter.  The town of Vail receives an average of 200 inches of snowfall per season.  In summer, the thermometer can reach the 80s, but more often hovers around the low to mid-70s. Combined with brisk mountain breezes, this makes summers refreshing and cool.

Time Zone:  Vail is located in the mountain time zone

Language:  English  

Currency:  The US Dollar

Transportation:  A Greyhound bus station is located in Vail. There is no train service.  Eagle County Airport offers daily connections to Denver and, during summer, Dallas-Fort Worth (TX). Connections to other nationwide hubs can be made at either airport.
Drinking Age:  The legal age for drinking and gambling is 21

Electricity:  Voltage is 110v

To take the shiver out of your saturday, we thought a taste of the Islands might bring some warmth to your day!  This recipe is courtesy of Executive Chef Frank (Boeli) Booi, Jr,  from Le Petit Cafe at the Playa Linda Beach Resort in Aruba.

Chef Booi has been cooking at Le Petit Café since 1986, honing his cooking skills through his experience and learning from other chefs.

Serves 10 people

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 green pepper
1/4 onion
1 tbsp lobster base
12 fish bouillon cubes
12 cups boiling water
16 oz peeled tomatoes
8 cloves garlic
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Black pepper to taste
1/2 cup white wine
Mixed seafood  

DIRECTIONS:
1.  Saute green pepper and onion with lobster base in olive oil. 
2.  Add shrimp, mussels, scallops, squid and fish 
3.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  
4.  Take peeled tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, white wine, 12 cubes of fish bouillon and place in 12 cups of boiling water to prepare broth. 
5.  Combine tomato mixture with fish broth. 
6.  Simmer for 40-60 Minutes
7. When ready to serve soup, add 3 – 4 drops of Galliano (to add a touch of sweetness).

Location:  19 Miles North of Venezuela

Size:  Aruba is 19.6 Miles long and 6miles across for a total of 77 Square miles.

Climate:  Temperatures average 82 degrees year round, with an average water temperature of 78 degrees.  Trade winds keep the island out of the hurricane belt.  

Time Zone:  Aruba is located in Atlantic Standard Time Zone.  During Daylight Savings time, they are +1 hour from New York City.  During the rest of the year it is the same time as  New York City.

Language:  The official Languages of Aruba are dutch and the local language of Papiamento, although most natives speak no fewer than 4 languages, the two official ones, English and Spanish.  

Currency:  The Florins is the official currency of the island, however most places i also accept the us dollar, and the US $1 bill is extremely popular for tipping.  Tipping is customary on this island, as it is in the United States (+/-18%)   

Cellular Phones:  Cell phones will work on the island, however roaming charges will apple.  Check with your individual service provider for information prior to traveling.


Drinking Age:  The legal age for drinking and gambling is 18

Electricity:  Voltage is 110v

Religion:  The Island is Predominately Catholic

Entry Requirements:   A Valid U.S. Passport is required for entry 

Location:  800 Miles Southeast of Miami, FL on the Island of    Hispaniola


Size:  The Island of Hispaniola is 48,482 Square Miles, the second largest island in the Caribbean

Climate:  Temperatures average 77 degrees, with only a slight difference in temperature from season to season.  With "Hot" season averaging 87 degrees.  

Language:  The official Language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish, however, most people in the tourism and hospitality industry also speak English.  

Currency:  The Peso is the official currency, however most places in the republic also accept the us dollar, and the US $1 bill is extremely popular for tipping.  There is a law on the island that requires visitors to exchange at least $100 USD into pesos.  Although the law is rarely enforced, it can be, without notice, therefore it is very important to save your receipts from the currency exchange.   

Electricity:  Voltage is 110v

Today, there’s much debate over whether or not it’s worth working with a travel agency when planning a trip.  

When asked whether or not a client plans to use a travel agent to book their vacation, the answer usually depends on what type of vacation they’re looking to go on.  It is more typical for clients to book their once in a lifetime vacations using an agent, then it is for them to book the little weekend getaway.  

When chiming in on the debate, there are quite a few myths out there:  People just aren't educated about how travel agents operate, and most people believe that the customized service costs more, “I think you’re more apt to find better prices when you don’t use a travel agency,” one client I questioned told me.  The Truth couldn't be more contrary.  Travel agents are able to find better price structures because they have the ability to search multiple providers, while the average consumer can't look as globally.   Agents are also able to get the upgrades that vacationers are looking for, because of their long standing relationships with the vendors.  

Another thing to remember is that Agents can almost always price match something that you find online.  This gives you the ability to research a vacation yourself, but still have the support and guidance of an Agent.  

Still even with that being said, the challenge for agencies in today’s economy, is when consumers are looking for vacations primarily on a price point, how can they be convinced to drop their self proclaimed expert status and use a travel agent?
There are plenty of reasons consumers should use A Travel Agent.

It is easy to plan your vacation on the internet, but do you want to?  will you get what you expect, do you have the time to shop around?  and most importantly, for the planner,  are you getting the lowest price?  The Answer to all of those questions is likely no, and here is why:

Agents can find consumers a better deal on their vacation because of their access to vendors and discounted prices offered exclusively through travel agencies.  In addition, relationships built with providers over the years give the agents the upper hand when it comes to getting amenities and upgrades, in other words the VIP treatment for their clients.  

Working with vendors also lets the travel agent find better values for customers.  What makes travel agencies’ services so unique is the customer service that they offer.  A Trip tailored to the needs of a client, and based on experience in the location.  Most agents take advantage of familiarization tours and specialist classed to become intimate with destinations, this gives Agents the ability to offer insights and advice that a consumer might not find on their own.

For example, lets say you are going to Thailand, if you book the ticket on line, the cheapest available flight lands at midnight local time.  having just been there, I can tell you the the latest public transportation from the airport is 11:30pm,  you likely wouldn't think to look up the public transportion schedule, or the price of a taxi, and it wouldn't be until you were already in a cab that you would realize you quadrupled the cost of your ticket, by paying for a cab at that time of the night.  Advice like that you just don't find on your own. 

If all of those reasons were not enough, The one last reason I have to use a Travel Agent is that they take care of  you.  If you need to change a flight or book a tour, or if you get stuck in an airport over night, a good travel agent will have a 24 hour access number for you to call.    They can book you a hotel, change your reservation or hopefully get you on the next flight out a cleveland, all without you dong a thing.  Its part of the Agent's Service to you as a customer, and the biggest reason consumers should use an agency to help plan a vacation.  

The truth is this is a great selling point for the good and the bad of vacations.   When the client does have a problem with their trip, the first person that they blame is often the Travel Agent.  While the agency technically sold the package, they are not responsible for the service that you received on the trip.  For that reason, Agents are typically the first to jump in and help, not only out of jam on the road, but if something really goes wrong with your trip and you need to make a complaint, the relationships an agent has with a vendor, will better the chances of your end result.  

So in the end the answer to the question "should I use a travel agent" is a simple YES, because if you don't like i said you are on your own.  

I thought everyone could use some travel humor today.   I recently found this list of questions that cruise passengers have asked.  It was published by Jenny Reed in march of 2010, but I smiled and I thought you might too!

These real questions have been collected by Cruise Directors various ships: 

Q. Does the crew sleep on board?
A. Of course not, late at night a water taxi picks them up and takes them home.

Q. Do these stairs go up OR down?
A. Yes! 

Q. Does the ship make it’s own electricity?
A. No, don’t you see the long extension cord trailing behind the ship?

Q. Which is the sunny side of the ship?
A. The captain spins the ship around daily so everyone gets an even tan.

Q. Which elevator takes me to the front of the ship?
A. Ask the elevator operator when you get on, he will take you anywhere you want to go.

Q. What do you do with the ice carvings after they melt?
A. We re-freeze the water and use it for frozen drinks.

Q. What time is the midnight buffet?
A. Usually around 11 PM or so. We tried doing it right after breakfast but most people weren’t real hungry.

Q. Is this island totally surrounded by water?
A. No, part of it is surrounded by sand, but it’s all clearly marked.

Happy Tuesday!  

I’m trying to settle the long standing debate with people who enjoy cruises.  Which is better the Port days or the Sea Days???

Some people say that they enjoy the time in ports exploring, I do, but I don’t think the days are long enough to really experience all that the islands have to offer.   Which is why I have to cast my vote for the Sea Days!

The ship offers so much to its passengers, and the sea day is really the only time you have to take advantage of the fabulous programming.  Still other people disagree and say that the sea days are boring and offer nothing  to do, I beg to differ, If your sea day Is boring you, you may be on the wrong cruise line, or perhaps a cruise vacation just isn’t for you.  

Rock Climbing wall:

Rock walls have become increasingly popular, and all of the royal Caribbean Ships are now outfitted with a wall on the backside of their funnel, where Guests are welcome to work on their climbing skills with an experienced instructor.  First timer or experienced climber, all of the equipment is included, and there are challenges for every level.  If you prefer a one on one beginners lesson, those are also available, free of charge, by appointment.  

Dance Lessons:

I am not sure this is on my list of things to do so much as I wanted to tell everyone it is available.  Royal Caribbean, offers a variety of dance classes where Guests have the opportunity to take salsa, swing and hip-hop lessons, line dancing, as well as elegant waltz and tango lessons. The lessons are designed for all experience levels, so anyone can participate. Once you have the moves down, every bar and lounge offers different nightly themed entertainment where you can practice.  

The Casino:

I have to admit I have a new found love for casinos, I recently learned to play Blackjack and have so much fun doing it now, so while I was never interested in the casino on a ship before, I am excite to sit down and play this time.  Its also nice to know there are instructors on board to help me learn a new game or review the rules with me.   Tournaments are scheduled though out each cruise, so if you have an interest, check the cruise compass for details. 

Cooking Classes and Tastings

I love cooking and eating and tasting, and I love to know why wines are pair with food and the logic behind those pairings.  The recent Addition of Chef’s table dinners and wine tastings to the Royal Caribbean Programming line up has me really excited to cruise as well as to learn about new dishes and wines. 

BINGO!

It’s self explanatory, and everyone wants to play – so it’s definitely on my list.  As a Bonus, they gave out some great prizes last time I cruised, including another cruise! 

Fitness Programs:


With so much food and so many food related activities, I also am very excited to take advantage of the new ship shape gym and spa onboard. 

A cruise ship is just the kind of place where a body can pile on the pounds – Fortunately, Voyager, is equipped with fully functional state of the art gym.   There are even personal trainers on board so I might be able to pick up a few tips while on board. Voyager also has a running circuits marked out around the upper deck. Through out the day there are also several fitness classes, with an instructor, such as Pilates,  yoga and spin, that you can participate in. 

With so much to do on the ship, I know I will be overwhelmed, but I have the feeling, I’m just going to dive right in, and when I get tired there is always the stand by, cocktail at the pool to relax.

So which is... Port Day, or Sea Day?  And What is your favorite thing to do on the ship?  We'd love to know!

25 Days and Counting!  

Caribbean cruises make for an amazing vacation, especially if you haven't had the opportunity to see many of the islands first hand.  Cruises give you the ability to explore, and if you don't like it, in a few short hours you'll be off to another destination.  

The more cruises I have the opportunity to book the more the question arises...what should I pack?  If you are anything like me, over packing is probable, but my word of advice is this, no matter what cabin you find yourself in, it is likely a MUCH smaller space than you are used to.  While I believe over packing is a must, I suggest that if you lay out all the things you will think you’ll need, then cut them in half. 

I do have a few must haves on my cruise packing list, and here they are:

• An over the door holder:  I am sure this sounds quite strange when you read it, but I will tell you it saved my sanity on the last cruise I was on.  Ships bathrooms are tiny and the shelf and counter space is even less then you would expect.  I however, am your typical girl, so I travel with perfume, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, baby oil, shower gel, sunscreen, chap-stick, a hair dryer, a curling iron, a flat iron, my toothbrush and about 40 other bottles and items that I NEED! There is no room to put any of this in the bathroom, or the cabin for that matter, so In an attempt to create more storage, I turned to the trusty over the door shoe holder, the cheapest I could find, which I hung on the back of the bathroom door, all of our bottles and stuff found their home in this organizer, it kept things off the tiny counter and at our fingertips when we needed it.  Don’t leave for your cruise without one.

• Highlighter pens:  Since you are on vacation, it is hard to imagine a need for a highlighter, but I suggest you pack one color for each person traveling.  Cruises are packed with activities and not to be missed programming, everyone will have something each day that they want to do, so when the cruise compass (daily guide) gets delivered to your room, you can each highlight your activities in the corresponding color, so during the day the things you don’t want to miss will jump off the page for you

• Post-it notes:  your cabin steward is your best friend on the ship, aside from servicing your room three times a day, and leaving the famous towel animals on your bed, he or she will replace towels and other items, bring your ice or anything else you need, pick up laundry if you have it done…they are your lifeline and the fist place you go when you need help.  I find that post-its are a great way to communicate with the stewards.  You can leave your not to be missed notes on the bathroom mirror, and they are sure to get them.  Post-its are also good for communicating to others in your party, where to meet, what you are up to.  My suggestion is decide on a memo area, where you will leave notes for one another when you first get into your room, this way they will never be missed

• Bungee Cords:  These are great for keeping the doors open in your cabin.  Balcony doors are designed to close automatically, and since it is nice to be able to sleep with the door open so you can hear the ocean around you, a bungee cord will come in handy.  This also is handy if you want to keep the bathroom or closet doors open as well. 
•  Clothes Pins:  Since a lot of time is spent at the pool and the beautiful beached of the Caribbean, and balconies are often used to dry items, but with the wind created by the ships movement, it is easy to lose items at sea.  Clothespins will keep your stuff stuck to the balcony.  

• Duct Tape:  I have also come to learn that there is the possibility for rough seas on a ship, and when this happens the latches on drawers don’t always stand up to the test.  A SMALL roll of duct tape will allow you to tape the drawers closed.  In addition, you can also use it to hang decorations on the outside of your door, or if your suit case breaks from over stuffing it with everything you buy in the islands.  

There you have it, my most unique items to bring on a cruise list.  Do you have something you can’t live without???  If so I would love to know what it is, maybe I need it too.

Now that the holidays are upon us, the time has come for me to start counting down the days to my next adventure. 

With 30-days before we sail, I figured now would not only be a good time to start blogging about the trip, but also to start resolve, to provide our friends and clients with a more consistent stream of information, ideas, photos and spotlights on destinations.  

With that said, On December 24th, 2011, I will be sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.  Leaving from New Orleans, LA ~ with ports of call in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica

Voyager of the seas is considered a mega ship, the likes of which I have sailed on before, however this time I am excited to be taking a first time cruiser with me.  (I am sure he will share his perspective of the whole trip in a later blog).  But for those of you that have not cruised before, or are thinking about a cruise on a mega ship,  here is a little information on Voyager of the Seas.

Completed in 1999, she is one the namesake of the voyager class of ships.  Accommodating 3114,  she weighs in at 137,276 gross tons and is 1,020 feet long with a beam of 156 Ft.  

The ships boosts 2 major pool areas, an adult solarium with a retracting roof, and the main pool deck, both equipped with bars and cocktail service, to satisfy thirst.    There are several dining options onboard, including a buffet, sushi bar, and pizza and sandwich shop.  Portofino, the sociality restaurant is available with reservations and a small service fee, but the main dining room boasts two traditional seatings, where Guests are assigned a meal time, a wait staff and a table.  Each meal is 5 expertly served courses, usually with a themed menu such as Italian, Caribbean or seafood. 

Commonly referred to as a floating hotel, voyager has a rock climbing wall, casino and an ice skating rink listed as some of her many amenities.  Voyager also boasts it’s awarding winning Royal Promenade, which features world class lounges, bars and light dining options, as well as shops and entertainment.  
With all of the traditions of crusings, such as the midnight buffet, the opulent theather shows and the outstanding drinks, programming and entertainment, I wonder what the holidays will bring to the ship.  The addition of Christmas dinner and a New Years Party, I am sure will be something to talk about.

I am really excited to be able to share the trip with you – in hopes that it will evoke some new ideas for your future vacations

The Pearl Harbor Memorial is also a popular tourist attraction. The USS Arizona is a 184-foot-long Memorial structure spanning the mid-portion of the sunken battleship consists of three main sections: the entry and assembly rooms; a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room, where the names of those killed on the Arizona are engraved on the marble wall. You will hear stories, visit the new visitor's center and much more when visiting Pearl Harbor.