What can a travel consultant can do for you?

Liz Hough on

Is your travel consultant doing their best for you?

I have to start this week’s newsletter with saying that I absolutely have the best clients any travel consultant could ever ask for.  I love planning travel for all of my clients, so when I hear that something goes wrong, I have to find out why!  Last week I had an amazing group of people take a nice romantic weekend getaway to Jamaica.  The weekend was filled with great friends, good food, and fun.  Unfortunately, the return home didn’t go as smoothly as the rest of the weekend.  What should have been a 5-hour journey home turned into 15 hours of miscommunication, multiple flights, and several tired people who just wanted to get home to their families. 

 

Now waking up the next morning and reading their emails, I couldn’t believe that they had gone through this nightmare but I was on a mission to find out what I could do for them.  You see some travel consultants feel that once you have left for the vacation, their job is done.  I don’t feel that way.  Every one of my clients gets a document holder with all final documents including my business card to call even when they are on the trip.  Let’s be honest, things happen, and I have been on my own vacation where I had to call 5 different companies to get one answer while standing in the middle of a room while on vacation.  There are several hours of my vacation I am not going to get back!  So when one of my clients is going through the same thing, I want them to call me so I can take care of it and they can relax. 

 

So what are some of the things that a travel consultant should do for you?

1.Be available – When looking for a travel consultant ask them if they are available after hours or on the weekends.  Will they be there for your when you are on the vacation or even after the vacation?  Make sure that they are available to help you when you need the help.

 

2. Friendly – Make sure your travel consultant is friendly from the beginning.  It is tough to work with someone who isn’t excited for you to take this trip.  They also might not be willing to help you if something goes wrong during the trip. 

 

3.Knowledgeable – When a travel consultant has been there or done their research and they can make the travel planning easy for you, make sure you keep them for life.  You want to make sure that you have someone who knows how to weed through all the options and is helps you make the best choice for your vacation.

 

4.Provide all final documents through the mail – I have talked with many travel consultants who still refuse to mail final documents to their clients.  They tell me they are green so they just email everything to their clients.  Emails get lost, so I believe is printing everything out for my clients and mailing it in a nice, easy to use packet.  And if for some reason you need the documents later, I can always email them.

 

5. Follows-up – Whether you came back from an amazing vacation or a horrible vacation, your travel consultant should follow-up with you to see how everything went.  A follow-up should occur within the first two weeks of you returning.  Besides, you spent so much time together planning, why wouldn’t the travel consultant want to know how it went?

 

A travel consultant should be an advocate for you from the time you are planning your vacation with them until after you return home.  Make sure to use these tips in helping you find the best travel consultant for you.

Congratulations to Mary! 

She recently earned the distinguished Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation from the Travel Institute, the travel industry’s oldest education organization.  She completed a comprehensive exam-based training program that demonstrates extensive industry knowledge and experience, and she must continue to fulfill stringent education credit requirements each year. 

 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Do you have anxiety about going to Disney?

Liz Hough on

This past weekend I had a booth at fitness expo in Allentown, Pennsylvania showcasing Disney Destinations.  The expo was for the St. Luke’s Marathon on Sunday, so those who signed up to run would come in and get their race bibs and shirts.  One of my independent contractors and I set up our booth, put on our glowing Minnie Mouse ears, and were ready to talk about all things Disney, and oh boy, did we talk Disney!  We talked about everything from runDisney events to Disney cruises, but in our conversations with other moms, there still seems to be this hesitation or anxiety about taking the kids to Disney. 

 

 

Disney should not be a vacation where anyone in the family has anxiety about going.  It is known as the “Happiest Place on Earth” but for some people it can turn into the “Worst Time of Their Lives.”  A lot goes into planning a Disney vacation, much more than planning a trip to Williamsburg or a cruise, but I am always telling people, you don’t have to do it alone!  We are here to help!

 

I want to share some of the comments that I heard this weekend because it may be some of the same hesitation that you have or someone you know may have in taking their family to Disney, and what my response was to these anxious moms.

 

1.)    Comment – “Disney is too expensive to take the whole family” 

 

Response – “There are several resorts on Disney property that can be costly but did you know that Disney actually has three resort categories to try and fit all budgets?  Maybe the first time you go you can try out a value resort which still offers many great amenities including pools and onsite eating.  When promotions come out we can easily apply them to your reservation so you can even save more money!”

 

2.)    Comment – “My kids are too young and they won’t remember it”

 

Response – “That is the best time to go!  If you have kids under the age of three their admission to the park is free and they don’t have to be on a dining plan!  If your kids watch Disney Junior and know who Sofia the First, Jake, or even the characters from Mickey Mouse’s clubhouse then they are going to have a blast.  The first time I took my youngest was at 18 months and her face was so excited every time she met any of the characters, but mostly Sofia the First.  There are plenty of rides that have no height restrictions, and adding Memory Maker to your package allows you to get hundreds of pictures taken that when your child gets older they can see their toddler self with their favorite characters.”

 

 

3.)    Comment – “Too much to pack like car seats and strollers.”

 

Response – “Well let’s make sure you stay at one of the Disney resorts then so you can take advantage of the Magical Express where in the state of Florida on all buses and motorcoaches you don’t need car seats, so then you don’t have to bring them with you.  You don’t want to rent a stroller from Disney as it will cost you as much as a park ticket for the entire weeks, but we have two stroller rental companies that we recommend in Orlando who deliver the stroller right to the resort so when you check-in they bring it out to you and when you check-out you just give it back to the front desk so the company can pick it up at the resort.  No lugging strollers through the airport or packing in the car. 

 

4.)    Comment – “Food is expensive at Disney and so are the dining plans”

 

Response – “If your kids and you have specific snacks that you like I always recommend shipping them to the resort ahead of time.  Go to the post office and get a medium flat rate box that will cost you around $18 to ship.  Stuff the box with juices, snacks, Horizon individual milk containers, sun screen, etc.  My last trip I sent down two boxes of food, one was 20 pounds which would have cost me $45 to ship by regular mail but was $17.45 in a flat rate box.  I sent two boxes for under $40 and that left more room in my suitcase for clothes and shoes.  Now this may make me sound like a bad travel consultant, but I am not going to sell a dining plan to someone if they aren’t going to get their money’s worth!  If you plan on doing a lot of characters’ meals, and what I mean by a lot is around every other day, then the dining plan pays for itself.  At that point it is like you are paying for the table service and getting a quick service and snack for free every day.  And their quick service meals are a large amount of food!”

 

5.)    Comment – “I don’t know the best time of year to go”

 

Response – “That is why you call me!  There is a lot of historical data to show some of the best weeks to go to the parks without a large crowd of people, but let’s talk about how old your children are and when they are in and out of school.”

 

 

 

 

Disney is a great place to take the kids at any age.  Whether they are toddlers and are in love with Disney junior characters or are teenagers looking for something thrilling, Disney does have something for all ages.  So if you are on the fence about taking the kids on a Disney vacation, give me a call and we can talk about all the options that are available for you and your family.

 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

 

A Great Place for kids.

Liz Hough on

Lancaster County is a great place to take the kids.

 

A few weeks ago we spent an entire week at my parent’s house in Reading, PA.  When my husband has business out of town and it is easier for him to fly out of the Philadelphia airport, we pack up the family and head to Reading.  For those of you who don’t know where Reading is, it is located about an hour north west of Philadelphia and an hour south of Allentown, PA.  It is a large city with a fast growing restaurant and micro-brew scene, but other than that not much to do with the kids.  So we pack up the kids and head 30 minutes south to Lancaster County. 

 

Yes, Lancaster is very well-known for Amish people, sprawling farmlands, and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, but it is also full of great restaurants, historic sites, and nice resorts.  Not only are there a lot of great activities for adults, but there many places for the kids to have fun also. These are some of my favorite places to visit:

 

1. Dutch Wonderland – Dutch Wonderland has been around for 60 plus years and even though they have kept some of the same exhibits that I played with when I was a little kid, they have added so many rides for those aged 6 months to 6 years.  They have interactive shows, a train ride through a gem mine, and my kids’ favorite: the good old fashion log flume.  They have some of the best amusement park food that I have ever tasted, and it is easily located right off of Route 30.  They also have their own campground, so if you want to pitch a tent or bring the RV, you can park there overnight. 

 

2.  Hands-On House Children’s Museum– The Hands-On House Children’s Museum is not same as the Please Touch Museum which is located in Philadelphia.  This is a different museum where children can learn about bugs, making music with household items, face painting, and playing postman.  They have their own little grocery store to teach children how to shop and then they can play check out with real machines that add up their order.  They also have events throughout the week the kids can attend but it is best to check their schedule online. 

 

3. Strasburg Railroad – This is more than just a train ride, this is an adventure!  The station has activities for kids including hand pedaling their own train car, a kids train, or they can even operate an old pump car.  They also have some fun stores where you can pick up some Thomas the Train toys are grab a bite to eat before your ride.  So don’t worry if you just missed the train, there is plenty to do.  You can also add admission to the Train Museum across the road to your train ticket.  You will see the history of trains and some very old and interesting engines.  Make sure to check their website for when Thomas the Train and his friends are there.  This is a fun time but tickets sell out fast. 

 

4. Toy Train Museum and Red Caboose Inn – The Toy Train Museum is very close to the Strasburg Railroad and houses hundreds of toy trains that were played with by many for hundreds of years.  Some of the trains date back to the 1800’s and some are old time favorites with pictures of your favorite characters you used to watch on TV.  They have a few working models which make the kids laugh and play as they wait for the trains to come out of the model sized mountain and whiz past the tiny town.  Once you step out the toys of the Toy Train Museum you will see old train cars parked in a lot.  If you take a closer look you will actually find out that it is the Red Caboose Motel, which has converted old train cars into hotel rooms.  Each car is its own room equipped with bed and private bathroom.  There is also a restaurant onsite with an amazing gift store of all things Lancaster county. 

 

5. Kitchen Kettle Village – Kitchen Kettle Village is a great place for all generations as there are 40 shops and restaurants where you can purchase quality Lancaster county products and foods, and fun trinkets from all over the world.  Want to try Pennsylvania Dutch relish, well head over to the The Jam and Relish Kitchen where you can taste all types of jams, relishes, and salsas – all homemade.  Maybe the kids aren’t into shopping but the grandparents want to buy some more great finds, well take the kids on a horse-drawn carriage ride through Amish country and to see various farms.  They can decorate a Gingerbread man to look like Yummie, the mascot for Kitchen Kettle Village, or get up close and personal with some farm animals at the barnyard. 

 

There are so many things to do and see in Lancaster County Pennsylvania so the next time you are in the area it is worth a stop.  Make sure to stock up on some Shoo-fly pie or whoopie pies.

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

 

Is 3 hours enough for a connecting flight?

Liz Hough on

Now a days with the variety of flights you can choose from to get you to your destination and the variability in prices, people have been opting for the less expensive flights with a layover.  Flying on domestic flights US based airlines make it really easy to choose your departure airport and destination airport and will give you options of layover cities.  Thanks to code sharing between airlines, we don’t have to book with multiple airlines and pay the taxes and fees twice, you can book with one airline but you may be traveling on two or three different airlines.  Even though you are dealing with multiple airlines, the original airline that you booked the flights with is responsible to get you to your final destination no matter what.

 

When you are traveling internationally this code sharing between airlines doesn’t always occur, especially if you are looking to fly a particular airline or into specific destinations.  I recently had two clients fly to Italy and they wanted to fly on a certain airline out of a specific airport.  Unfortunately, that airline no longer flew to the city in Italy that they were visiting.  I had to get them into Rome on one airline and then booked them on another airline to their final destination.  That is right, two bookings on two separate airlines.  If you miss the connecting flight, unfortunately it is on you.  So how do you know how much time to leave for connecting flights when you have booked with two separate airlines?

 

The rule of thumb is that you leave AT LEAST 3 hours from arrival to departure for international flights and 1.5 hours for domestic.  You still have to get your bags, clear customs, re-check your bags and then go through security for your next flight.  All of this can take a couple of hours. Also, there is always mother nature we have to worry about too.  She can delay your flight which will delay your arrival.  

 

Now if you are flying internationally, flights back to the United States only have one or two departure times per day.  You don’t want to miss that last 4pm flight back home because if you do then the next flight is the next day.  

If you do decide to be on the safe side and take the flight itinerary with the longer layover, you may want to mill around for a couple of hours in the airport.  Go shopping, eat something, have some coffee, or wear yourself down so you can get some rest.  Consider purchasing the airline’s lounge pass.  They have areas where you can get some rest, and recharge your cell phone and other smart devices.  This can really be well worth the money, especially if you were unable to sleep on that overnight flight and your connecting flight is another couple of hours.  Drinks, food, and a nice chair or couch to spread out on for a few hours can really recharge you. 

 Remember with connecting flights, you may think that you can make it to the next flight no problem, and you may just be able to do it.  But throw in some obstacles like slow people deplaning, long security lines, concourse changes, customs, and security and you will miss your flight.  Be on the safe side and give yourself extra time.  Life is Better Traveling when we are relaxed and on-time.

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Is convenience always better?

Liz Hough on

When you travel you always try to make it convenient for yourself.  Some of the things that I have purchased over the years to make travel convenient include a blow up neck pillow, a blow up cushioned seat, smart tablets, versatile clothing, RFID blocking purse, belt with hidden compartment for money and credit cards, foldable shoes, various pieces of luggage and bags, etc.  Some of these items were amazing and others were a complete waste of money.   Now that I have two little kids to travel with, traveling seems like a huge task!  Anything I can do to make it more convenient on myself and my husband, I will pay for it!

 

If you have or had little ones, you remember how getting through an airport, an amusement park, or even getting on a bus at Disney was a difficult task but the one thing that you bring for convenience is a stroller.  Nowadays, there are some many strollers on the market and when you find that one you like, you take it everywhere with you including anywhere you travel.  The problem with most strollers are that they are beasts!  Even folded over they are bulky and weigh over 20 pounds.  Now, if you have ever been to Disney then you know that the buses to take you to and from your resort are crowded with people, but most of the space taken up is by strollers.  Those people with older children are the envy of the bus, and those of us with our beast of a stroller just give each other the sympathy nod.  Same holds true when you are folding the beast at the end of the runway before getting on a plane. 

 

Well, lucky for us we are at that stage with our kids where they don’t really need a stroller, but it is still a good idea to bring one along, especially for the toddler who likes to run away from us in the busy airport.  With so many trips coming up this year I didn’t want to buy another stroller, but our umbrella stroller broke on our last trip.  Out to the baby store we went, looking to pick up another umbrella stroller but instead we were intrigued by a new stroller on the market.  Weighing in at 9 pounds and folding up to the size of large book, how could I not resist checking out this stroller. I had a huge smile on face at the thought of how this would make my life so convenient on our upcoming trips!

 

The lady at the store, Kathy who needs to be mentioned for having such patience, got out the box from the storage area in the back.  Excited to see the product first hand as she had only seen the video of how to use, she came down the aisle with a huge smile on her face.  The box for the stroller was the same size of the box that my laptop computer came in.  All excited, we started to gather a crowd of employees who also wanted to see the world’s smallest folded stroller.  Kathy opens the box that says no assembly required, and takes it out of the bag.  As she says watch this, she tries to open it as she had seen in the video, nothing happens.  She tries again, and nothing.  Another employee takes the stroller and tries to open it, nothing.  At this point, we have about 8 employees and 3 customers all around this book size, folded up stroller and none of us can figure out how to open it.  My excitement for a stroller with such convenience has turned into frustration and concern about whether I would be able to figure out how to fold this stroller quickly.  After losing several employees, the original Kathy, myself, my husband, and two other employees had figured it out after 25 minutes!  Even though we watched the video several times, it took us 25 minutes to figure it out.  After getting it open, I was disappointed by the lack of a sun screen/visor to protect a child and the stability of the stroller.  I also did not like that the seat did not recline for the child.    If you are interested in finding out which stroller I am talking about I have conveniently hyperlinked the video.  You will be impressed, just like I was. Click Here for Video

 

I am impressed by this stroller company in general.  They have several one touch foldable, light-weight strollers.  We did purchase the stroller called the Qbit and it folds up small enough to go into bag that is provided by the company, and is around 15 pounds.  Both kids have found it very comfortable to be in and me and my husband have found it very easy and convenient for all of our travel needs.  I look forward to using it in a few weeks on our next trip.  In the meantime, I am definitely going to be using it around town to check out the stability. 

 

 

 

So next time you go to purchase that travel gadget that you will think will make your life so much more convenient, weigh the options, definitely try it out, and check for durability.  If it breaks during your trip, then it won’t be so convenient.

 

 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

A amazing article I had to share.

Liz Hough on

When you find something that resonates with you, you just have to share it!

 

Find out why I had to share this article….

 

My heart goes out to the small country of Belgium where their trusting and easy going nature, was taken advantage during the attack back in 2016.  When we had an attack on our own country almost 18 years ago, we were probably in the same place, trusting and easy going.  We have adapted to understanding that even though the world is a large place, we must now be suspicious and ask questions of all activities that make us uneasy.  However, it doesn’t stop us from traveling!  Taking the children to Disney World, driving to Colonial Williamsburg, shopping in Manhattan for a long weekend, or even taking that Caribbean cruise.  We have learned that if we want to do or see anything, we have to adapt and turn that fear into confidence that if something were to happen, you would be able to stand up against it. 

 

I recently read an article by a travel journalist named Wendy Perrin who wrote about why we shouldn’t fear traveling after an attack and the likelihood of becoming a statistic of a terrorist attack.  She called it 7 Keys to Traveling Without Fear Despite Terrorist Attacks.  I wanted to share this article because it was so well written and empowering that I hope it makes you feel the way I did after reading it, ready to TRAVEL. 

 

Here is an intro to Wendy Perrin’s article:

 

1. Grasp how minuscule the statistical probability is of getting caught in a terrorist attack abroad.

 

According to the U.S. State Department, the number of U.S. citizens killed overseas by incidents of terrorism from 2001 to 2013 was 350.  If you’re thinking home is safer, compare that number with the 3,030 killed in the U.S. by terrorism during the same period.  More recently, of the 132 lives lost in the Paris attacks, only one was an American; and of the 15 people killed by attacks in Istanbul this year, two were of dual U.S.-Israeli nationality. In terms of street crime and gun violence, most of the U.S. cities we live in are statistically more dangerous than the places we visit abroad.  Your risk of being killed in a car crash (one in 19,000), drowning in your bathtub (one in 800,000), or being struck by lightning (one in 5.5 million) far exceed your risk of dying from terrorism (one in 20 million).

 

2. Don’t confuse the probability of a terrorist attack with the probability of becoming the victim of a terrorist attack.

 

Is it virtually certain that there will be another terrorist attack in Europe in the next 12 months? Yes. Does that translate into a high degree of risk for the individual traveler to Europe? No.

 

 

Click here to read the entire article

 

 

NOTE:  I am not endorsing Ms. Wendy Perrin, nor am I taking any credit for her article.  She is a travel journalist who wrote an amazing article that I wanted to share with all of my friends on my Newsletter.

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

Oh No, I can’t go! Now what…

Liz Hough on

Is it worth it?

You plan all year for this vacation, sometimes even two years of planning went into that big trip.  You have been saving for years and right before you are supposed to go on this amazing journey something happens.  You can’t go!  What are you going to do?  You read through all the cancellation policies and most of them say “100% non-refundable 6 days prior.”  Oh no, you are within that time frame.  No refund!  All those hard earned dollars down the drain. 

 

Most of us are lucky that this scenario does not happen to us.  However, life has a way of throwing curve balls so you want to make sure that when that curve ball comes your way you know exactly where to hit it, with insurance.

 

There are many insurance companies out there selling travel insurance.  The question now becomes, Which one works best for you?  Your travel agent is the best guide as to which company will provide the most coverage for your needs.  You don’t need to purchase the “Platinum Plan” to get good coverage.  Most times their basic plans, or gold plans will cover up to 100% of your non-refundable costs and give you very good health coverage too. 

 

Some things you want to make sure you do when buying travel insurance:

 

Tip #1:  Buy travel insurance within 15 to 21 days of your initial deposit to ensure coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. 

 

Tip #2:  Only buy “Cancel for Any Reason Coverage” if you really are on the fence about going on the trip.  Most medical issues, for both travelers and immediate family members, are covered under their reasons for cancellation.  The Cancel for Any Reason is an added cost that you may not need to pay.

 

Tip #3:  Check what your medical insurance covers for out of country visits.  Don’t buy additional medical coverage if you already have good medical coverage.

 

Tip #4:  Renting a car?  Check what your credit cards and car insurance coverage for any damage to vehicle overseas.  Consider buying additional coverage if you already have high premiums here in the states or you don’t have enough coverage. 

 

Tip #5:  Make sure to get a comprehensive copy of your purchased policy from your travel agent.  Each state has different policies so make sure you have received the correct one for the state you live in. 

 

Tip #6:  READ OVER YOUR POLICY!!!  The more you know before you go the better.  If you have any questions about the policy call the insurance company for a full explanation.

 

Make sure to cover your hard earned dollars by purchasing travel insurance.  It really will give you Peace of Mind!

 

Remember our agency has the ONE Phone Call Guarantee!  If something were to go wrong and you need to cancel your vacation, you make one phone call to our agency.  We take care of the rest!  On average, if you book your vacation on your own, you will call 5 different suppliers to cancel your vacation plans!  We save you the time and the hassle with one call!

 

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation.  Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs. 

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

Please understand we get several requests per day for European vacations. We provide experiences for our clients that provide a lot of value. If you are looking for a budget vacation, that is NOT us.

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