Presentation is Everything!

Liz Hough on

 Do you have a favorite travel supplier?

 

Even before I became a travel consultant I had my favorite travel suppliers.  I would go to their websites first to check out itineraries and pricing.  If I didn’t find something that appealed to me, I would check out other suppliers.  I do the same thing for my clients.  The suppliers I use must pass a few criteria before I will use them:

 

1.  Customer Service – Let’s be honest, I believe customer service has to be held at a high standard because like any company you deal with if they don’t treat you right then they don’t get my business.

 

2.  Travel Industry Reviews – I do read reviews from various travel societies, associations, and forums.  I also take these reviews with a grain of salt.  I am constantly getting emails from suppliers begging me to vote for this title or that title because if they get the most votes then they will be whatever of the year.  I even get these emails from suppliers I have never even used!  So when a review is a title, I take it with a grain of salt.  When the review is a personal experience from the head of the association, I take it into consideration.

 

3.  Customer Reviews – The best review is a past customer.  People will be honest with you about their experiences with the supplier whether it was good or bad.  I have had a couple of clients tell me their stories about a supplier and after reading other reviews, I will either use them or steer clear of using them.

 

4.  Personal Experience – If I have personally used a supplier and really liked them I will use them over and over again.  I will still consider using them even if I get a negative complaint. The experience I had, was worth it, but some time could have passed and the company may have gone in a new direction.

 

I think that personal experience is the major reason why people use the same travel supplier over and over again.  You really get an all encompassing viewpoint of the company and if it works for you then why change it?  I hear over and over again how Disney Cruise line is one of the best cruises that they have ever taken.  I have clients hear the same from other people.  I have never heard or read a bad thing about the Disney Cruise line either.  Would I consider them one of my preferred suppliers, you bet I do!  I also like when suppliers bundle everything in a neat little package for my clients.  For instance, AmaWaterways sends little zippered travel bags with information books, vouchers, luggage tags, etc.  CIE tours sends backpacks with luggage tags and strap, a rain poncho, ticket wallet, maps, and a phone card.  When a supplier provides little packages like this it give me the impression that they want the customer have the best experience possible starting from the moment they receive the package.  After all the saying goes “Presentation is Everything!”

 

So why am I writing an article about preferred suppliers and presentation?  Well, I recently had some great clients of mine book a tour.  I have heard nothing but great things about this company, which will remain unnamed.  I personally had amazing customer service every time I had called and find their website easy to navigate.  I am really excited for their tour in a couple of months but when I got the supplier’s “neat little package” in the mail I literally said to myself, “Huh, this is it?”  I even called the company to ask if something got lost in the mail because I couldn’t believe that was all that they sent.  I went through my checklist: customer service – great, travel industry reviews – great, customer reviews – great, no personal experience.  Maybe my standards are too high or my expectations are too high?  After all, it is about the experience that they will have on the vacation and the memories of a lifetime that they will craft.  But why do I feel like this supplier fell flat with presenting my clients their vacation?

 

I have met a lot of other travel consultants throughout the years and I hear repeatedly that they only send their clients the final document about 2 to 3 weeks prior to the trip.  To me this is not customer service.  This is the same thing that their clients could do booking their trip on the computer.  On top of that they charge a $250 service for their time.  What time?  What service was provided?  And would you consider this service outstanding?

 

When I started my travel agency I wanted to make sure that everyone received exceptional quality and outstanding service each time they used us. This is the motto of our company and it is on my business cards and the first thing you see on our website.  But like I said earlier on in this article, if you don’t like your customer service experience you tend not to go back!  I didn’t have to take long to figure out what type of service our company would provide, it came rather easy to me.  I had to provide something I myself would use and want to use!  I want our company to make it easier and less stress-full to plan a vacation.  I want our company to do all the work planning and organizing so my clients have more time for stuff that they want to do.  I want our company to provide gadgets and gather final documents so that it makes it easier when my client travels.  Our company has done exactly what we set out to do and our clients love it.  So I guess I am just going to have to deal with the fact that not all travel suppliers hold their standards as high as I hold our company’s.  After all, if the client has a great vacation then that is what matters the most to me.

 

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.

Romantic Venice, Italy

Liz Hough on

Italy is one of those places in Europe that is a must see.  I know that a lot of people go to Italy for their first European adventure.  Why not, there are so many great cities to visit.  Venice is one of those great Italian cities and in this article I am going to tell you why.

Our hotel room in Venice

 

Venice is in northern Italy along the Adriatic sea.  Venice consists of the mainland and the historic city.  The historic city has the beautiful canals and endless bridges. If you decide to stay in the historic city you will pay more but it is worth the experience. There is nothing like walking out of your hotel in the morning and seeing the gondolas lined up in the water or seeing the vendors getting ready to open their shops.

 

Venice has been around for over a thousand years and some of the buildings date back to this time.  The hotels not so much and they are limited on space.  There is a picture of our hotel room and you can see our luggage is against the cabinet and almost touching the bed.  Also, make sure that you if you want your privacy that you book a hotel room with a bathroom en-suite.  Otherwise, you will really get to know your fellow travelers in ways you weren’t expecting!

Piazza San Marco

Our hotel was located just a few steps from Piazza San Marco or as some people call it Saint Mark’s Square.  This square has been famously shown in many movies including one of my favorites The Italian Job.  There are shops, cafes, and alleyways that lead to those beautiful canals all around the Piazza.  Early in the  morning there is nobody around, not even the pigeons.  By lunch time there are swarms of visitors feeding thousands of pigeons that seem to come from the water.  If you are afraid of birds, I would highly recommend staying away from this area from mid-morning to evening.

Also, part of this large Piazza is the astrological clock.  If you enter into the alleyway under the clock it takes you into a labyrinth of shops, markets, cafes, gelato stands, and restaurants.  It feels like it is never ending and one can easily get lost.  Just enjoy the treats that are offered to you along the way.  On of my husband’s favorite stories to tell is that even though we got lost, we always ended up finding the same gelato stand!  He didn’t really complain since he loved the tiramisu flavored gelato and I didn’t mind it too much either.

One of the most eye catching parts of the Piazza is Saint Mark’s Basilica and Saint Mark’s Campanile (the bell tower to Saint Mark’s Basilica).  The bell tower is an iconic symbol of the this historic city along with the winged lions that symbolize Saint Mark, see picture below.

Astrological Clock

Saint Mark’s Basilica is part of the Catholic church and is open for anyone to take a tour.  In the hot summer months when you may be wearing a sleeveless shirt the Basilica requests your shoulders and knees be covered.  If you don’t have something to cover with they will provide you with a cloth.  Once inside you are mesmerized by marble floors, bright mosaics, and a treasury that boosts one of the largest collections of preserved Byzantine objects.  This is a very popular site and lines can be long.  According to the Basilica’s website, the average wait is 45 minutes.  But they do offer reservations so plan in advance!

 

Bridge of Sighs

Right next to the Basilica is another well-known landmark, Doge’s Palace.  I didn’t know what a Doge was until I went to Venice but a Doge is an elected official.  Typically this was the eldest male in the city and the position was a life-long position.   If you were elected you and your family lived in the Doge’s Palace.  Now the Palace was both a home and work area for the elected official.  It also housed the jail from which the infamous Casanova resided until his escape.  Many prisoners walked over the Bridge of Sighs which was given its’ name because it was the prisoners last glimpse of the beautiful Venetian lagoon before going to jail.  For an amazing experience, ask about a private tour!  We had splurged and taken a VIP tour of the palace.  We went into the work chambers of the all the past Doge’s, which is not typically seen by any tour, and we took secret passage ways around the palace.  We even came out of a tour where a tour group was behind the red rope and thought we were famous people.  Very exciting!

 

Rialto Bridge

Venice is definitely known for it’s beautiful and plentiful canals but the main canal is the Grand Canal.  You can walk up and down the canal and enjoy the site of boats, gondoliers, shops, restaurants, and brightly colored buildings.  The Grand Canal is one of the wider canals that originally split Venice into San Marco and San Polo districts.  The bridge that connected these two was the Rialto Bridge.  Even though there are multiple bridges along the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge is the oldest.  Many visitors stop along the bridge to get their photo taken over the canal.  Now I really enjoyed see the Grand Canal but I preferred the more intimate canals through the rest of the city.  They had charm, and honestly were not as polluted as the Grand Canal.  I am not sure if it was the time of year, but there was a lot of food and bottles floating in the water.

 

When it comes to souvenirs in Venice purchasing one of the famous masquerade masks or Venetian masks is a must!  We were told to make sure you ask around which are the authentic shops.  There are a lot of stores that sell beautiful porcelain masks but the authentic ones are made from paper mache.  These stores will also ship them for you so you don’t have to worry about making sure your fragile purchase makes it home in one piece.

 

Whichever cities you choose to see on your trip to Italy make sure that you fit in Venice.  If you decide to take a gondola ride make sure that you have the Euros to pay for it.  They can be quite expensive but it is a great way to see the city.  There are a lot of cafes and restaurants so make sure to ask your concierge which ones they recommend.  Whatever you eat will be the best meal of your life but make sure that you save room for some gelato, preferably the tiramisu flavor.

 

 

Venice was my very first European city and I want to say thank you to this beautiful, well-preserved, and romantic city for helping me understand why Life is Better Traveling.

Sailing Away!!!!

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 Flying Stressful? 5 Simple Steps to Calming Your Nerves.

Liz Hough on

Most of us love that feeling of soaring above the clouds and seeing how beautiful the sun reflects off of white cotton balls of softness.

All of a sudden you hit some turbulence and you remember that you are sitting in a confined “sardine can.”  So what happens in your brain to allow you to go from feeling like you are at peace to feeling like, “Please Lord, today is not my day.”

 

I always loved to fly even as a little girl.  The idea of going places was so exciting to me.  Flying to me was no different than driving in the car.  Like most people who become nervous about flying, I too had a bad experience.  In 2001, my husband and I were flying back from a trip to Disney World and there were bad thunderstorm all along the east coast.  Well, when you are flying from Florida to North Carolina there was no way of getting around the storm.  We were on a small Midway plane with maybe 25 passengers and the poor flight attendant tried so hard to serve us drinks and pretzels.  About 30 minutes into the flight even she couldn’t stand up.  She took a seat in the back of the plane with arms stretched out holding herself in place.  The good news was we landed and as I took a second to sit at the terminal to catch my breath the pilots come off the plane.  I am assuming or keep telling myself that this was only pilot humor when the one pilot said, “Man, I didn’t think we were going to make it there for a second.”  Instant FEAR OF FLYING!  It took me 4 years before I could get on a plane again.

 

Now luckily for me I did get on a plane again, but that first time was very rough for me and for those who flew with me.  Now being a travel agent you must be thinking I am crazy.  How can she be a travel agent and not like to fly?  Well, we all have parts of our job we aren’t thrilled about but we put our minds to it and it gets done.  And that is exactly what I did, I PUT MY MIND TO IT!  One bad or poor experience and my brain rewired itself into thinking that I didn’t like to fly.  Well, I had to rewire it to think that I can fly and that I will fly.

Waiting for information on flights after bad weather canceled ours.

So how did I do this:

 

Step 1 I Think I Can!:  From the time I booked my flight until the plane landed at the destination, I told myself that I can fly and I will fly.  I have a personal pep talk I give myself but you should find one that works for you.  Convincing yourself from the beginning gives the mindset that YOU CAN!

 

Step 2 Educate Yourself!:  I started to read stuff on the Internet about how planes work.  I don’t fully understand how my car works and I drive that every day but I do have a basic understanding of it. Even though I am not personally flying the plane, it is good to know what is going on.  There are a lot of noises too so I was curious what they were from.  I also read that turbulence in an airplane is like hitting pot holes in a car.  The planes are built to move along with the wind and pockets of air.  As my questions were answered, I started to realize that planes are extremely sturdy and noisy.

 

Step 3 Draw Yourself a Picture!:  About a month before I got on the plane, I started to picture myself in my seat.  I prefer the window seat because I love looking at the land.  I picture myself sitting in my seat whiles other are boarding, making noise putting their suitcases above me, having the screaming kid sitting near me, which now a days they are sitting with me, staring at the person who looks more nervous than me to fly, etc.  There are many scenarios you can picture but picturing them in a safe environment makes you FEEL safe.  So once you get on that plane you have that same feeling.  Again, mindset.

 

Step 4 Meet New People!:  I love meeting new people.  So as soon as I get on the plane I like to say hello to the flight attendants.  Ask them how they are doing, where they have been, are they almost done for the day is one of my husband’s favorite questions, and sometime we even talk about their families.  This is a more recent conversation topic since I board with two little ones and people love to tell me about their experiences flying with their kids.  It is great as it keeps my mind from thinking of flying.  Maya Angelou said that “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   The flight attendants may not remember our conversation but every time I have flown they remember me and I get extra pretzels or even the can of soda with the drink.

 

Step 5 Rituals!:  So right before take-off I have a little ritual that my grandmother used to do every time she got into a car or a plane.  She would do her cross.  I find myself doing it not only to myself but to my husband and kids.  My husband and I also like to make sure that we kiss right before we take off, another ritual.  I have heard of a lot of amazing rituals that people do to make themselves feel better.  When they tell me they usually laugh like it may be a bit silly, but if it makes you feel good and helps calm your nerves then do it.  There are more people on that plane who have rituals then don’t.

 

I have come a long way since that flight in 2001.  I have rewired my brain and now the only time I get nervous is during turbulence, even if they are the pot holes of the skies.  Hopefully some of these tips will come in handy the next time you set foot a plane for your next journey.

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.

 

Disney World for All Ages

Liz Hough on

Typically when you think of Disney you think of little children running around to get pictures with Mickey Mouse or their favorite Princess.  It is one of the most fun places to take children and grandchildren but it can also be fun for adults.

 

Disney World has many resorts that will fit all types of budgets which are sure to bring out your Disney side.  Looking for a relaxing day at the adult only spa Senses or take a guided fishing trip where you are sure to catch some nice size bass.

There are fireworks cruises that are sure to amaze your senses as you are surrounded by fireworks above and the reflections below in the water.  What about a Behind the Scenes tour?  Ever wonder how they start the trains in the morning or maybe take a private tour to learn about the history and backstage secrets of Disney.

Consider Disney with your friends.  Here are some tips that are sure to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Tip #1:  Book early. Disney releases reservations for various restaurants and tours up to 180 day prior to arrival.  If you are looking to dine at one of their more high end restaurants or want to take an in demand tour, book on that 180th day!

Tip #2:  You don’t have to go to the parks.  There is a lot that Disney has to offer that is not in one of their parks.  Shopping and eating in Downtown Disney is a whole day event and you don’t have to pay to get in!  Check out MyDisneyExperience.com for all they have to offer.

Tip #3:  Did you know that you can make a dinner reservation at any of the resorts hotels, even if you aren’t staying at that hotel or on property.  Try a luau at the Polynesian Resort or try an intimate seven course dinner at Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian resort.

Tip #4:  The pool costs nothing!  There are several pools on property that are unique and relaxing.  Spend a day catching some sun and a Margarita or two!

Tip #5:  Is your husband a baseball fan?  Come during spring training and you can watch the Atlanta Braves spring training camp going on at the ESPN world wide of sports complex.

Tip #6:  Try something different.  Have you ever done archery or taken a horse drawn carriage ride while watching the fireworks.  Want more adventure?  Try the Wild Africa Trek where you will cross precarious rope bridges and enjoy up-close views of Nile hippos and crocodiles.

Tip #7:  Call your travel agent to help with setting up something special for you and your group.

The planning process should be fun and exciting but many times there are a lot of decisions to be made.  Just remember that plans can change but once you have made that final decision there is a sigh of relief that comes with knowing your vacation is just around the corner.  Also, don’t forget to invite friends and family so you can start making lasting memories.

 

We have helped HUNDREDS of family make their Disney vacations amazing so let us help you too. Fill out the form below to get started planning your next Disney Vacation.

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.

 

Planning Ahead….

Liz Hough on

It is 2018 but not too early to start planning for your 2019 vacation.

 

There are several steps you take when planning a vacation and you may not even realize you are going through them.  Here are some of the initial travel planning steps…..

 

Step 1 “The Thought”:  Do we want to take a big vacation or do we want to do something low key?  This step gets you started thinking about whether or not this year will be the year you take that big overseas trip or do you just want to take a 7 night cruise.

 

Step 2 “Where do we want to go?”:  Now that you have in mind what kind of trip you want to take it is time to decide where you want to take it.  This can be one of the most difficult steps in the process.  There are so many places you want to go but then there are so many places you have been and would like to go back.  How do you decide?  You make a list of just 5 places you want to travel to.  Why 5?  Because you don’t want to make the list too long.  Write some reasons why you want to go each place.  The place that has the most reasons why you want to travel there should be the place you choose to go!

 

Step 3 “How do we want to get around?”:  By step 3 you are moving full steam ahead in the planning of your trip!  Depending on where you are considering going there are several means to get around: cruise, rail, motor coach, or air.  Sometimes you don’t have a choice.  But if you do, consider trying a means of transportation that you haven’t tried before, i.e. a river cruise or the rail system.

 

Step 4 “Call your travel agent”:  This is the easiest step by far.  At this point you have some great ideas that you can’t wait to share with your travel agent.  This is where your travel agent is able to get together some information for you regarding pricing, tours, and time frames so you don’t have to spend precious time searching on the internet.

 

The planning process should be fun and exciting but there are a lot of decisions to be made.  Just remember that plans can change but once you have made that final decision there is a sigh of relief that comes with knowing your vacation is just around the corner.  Also, don’t forget to invite friends and family so you can start making lasting memories.

 

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.

Which Disney Resort is Right for Your Family?

Liz Hough on

Choosing a Walt Disney World resort is like car shopping.  There are over 20 various resorts to choose from in three different budget-class categories. What this leaves you with is a stressful decision that leaves you covering your eyes and randomly picking a resort.  I am here to tell you the secret of choosing the right resort for you and your family. 

First I want to tell you why you should stay at a Walt Disney World resort.  Convenience, amenities, dining, and your sanity.  Let’s start off with convenience, which includes saving time too.  It starts as soon as you land since you have access to Magical Express, Disney’s shuttle bus to and from the Orlando International airport.  You don’t have to worry about renting a car, an added expense, and you don’t have to worry about your checked luggage.  Special luggage tags provided by Disney are simply placed onto your checked luggage by you before you leave for Orlando.  Once in Orlando, the luggage is taken by Disney employees and it is delivered to your room later that day.  Once you and your family have deplaned, you simply follow the signs for the Magical Express, swipe your Magicband at one of their kiosks and get the bus which goes to your resort. Another convenience is that resorts are in close proximity to the parks and some resorts are even within walking distance to the parks.  This saves you time and money on a rental car and parking.  Friendly staff!  This one sounds a bit strange, but personal experience has taught me that I always encounter the friendliest staff when I stay at a Disney resort, even at eleven o’clock at night when I just returned to the hotel and starving!  Early bird FastPasses.  Did you know that when you stay on property you can reserve your FastPasses 60 days prior to your check-in date?  This helps you get ahead of the game and reserve FastPasses for some of those hard to get FastPasses such as the Meet and Greet with Elsa and Anna or Toy Story Mania!  When you stay off property you have to wait until 30 days prior to arrival to make your FastPass selections.

Resort amenities in Disney are like no other.  Did you know that three of Disney’s resorts have themed rooms?  Caribbean Beach has pirate themed rooms where the beds are shaped like pirate ships, and the Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort has Royal Guest rooms where the back boards display fireworks at the push of a button.  Art of Animation has four different themed rooms, three of which are suites sleeping up to six adults.  Each resort has at least one themed pool with some of the most elaborate water slides I have ever seen.  Complimentary Wi-Fi, extended theme park hours, and laundry service are just a few other benefits of staying at one of the Disney properties.

No matter if you are staying on property or down the street, when you visit the parks you inevitably end up eating.  Only those who are staying on property have the option to include one of the Disney Dining plans to their reservation.  I have written a whole article on whether or not the dining plan is worth the money, and it is!  Also, your dining plan is automatically linked to your Magicbands.  No credit cards needed.

Now some of you may be thinking that I should include Disney’s Magicbands as a perk for staying on property.  Well, the truth is that you don’t need to stay on property to have a Magicband.  There are specialty Magicbands that can be purchased and linked to your My Disney Experience account.  When you stay on property, part of your reservation is getting NEW Magicbands from the array of colors available.

So now that you have all the AMAZING reasons why you should stay on property, here is the secret of knowing which resort is perfect for you and your family: BUDGET.  It really does come down to what you and family have budgeted for the trip.  There is a resort for every budge,t so make sure that you stay within that budget.  When a client comes to me and tells me their budget, my first follow-up question is does that budget include meals, souvenirs, and extras?  If you have set a budget and that is the maximum amount you can spend, then you need to consider these extra costs.  Estimate these costs then subtract them from your budget and this is the resort category where you and your family can stay.  Now you have now narrowed it down to a category.  Take a look at the resorts in your category and see what amenities each resort has and how it will benefit your family.

For example, for me and my family the room is just a place for us to sleep and get cleaned, so I am not worried if it is close to the pool or has a river view.  I am concerned with how large the resort is because the larger resorts have more bus stops which means buses get crowded during peak times to get to the parks.  I also like to have table service available at the resort in case the first night or last night we don’t want to stay in the park, we can still enjoy a sit down meal together.  These are just some of my personal preferences, but if you have not stayed at a Walt Disney World resort before then these are some questions you may not know to ask.  If you talk with a Disney Travel Consultant, like myself or any of my independent contractors, these are some questions that we will be sure to ask you.

So if you are thinking about taking a Walt Disney World vacation in 2018 or 2019, now you know how to choose the right resort for you but if you still need some help, don’t hesitate to call us.

Click Here to check out the Life is Better Traveling Team!

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.

The Top 3 motivators for purchasing Travel Protection, which one do you say?

Liz Hough on

In my last newsletter I discussed the importance of making sure to give your friends, family, or neighbors a printed copy of your itinerary in case something were to go wrong on your vacation.  It is great that they have this, but what do YOU have to protect yourself and your family when something goes wrong?  Who are YOU supposed to call when you have to go to the local hospital or medical express station?  Who do YOU call when you missed your connecting flight which also caused you to miss boarding your cruise?

Your travel agent should be there to help with you some of those concerns, but we don’t always know the nearest hospital or medical facility that will ensure your best well-being.  When you have travel protection, the travel protection company is who you call!

Before 2001 only 10% of leisure travelers purchased travel protection.  Since 2001, each year the amount of leisure travelers who have purchased travel protection has exponential grown.  At Life is Better Traveling, 95% of our clients who book their vacation with us also purchase travel protection.  Why do they book travel protection?  There are three main reasons why someone purchases travel protection:

1)     I want to cover my hard-earned money because the trip was expensive and/or I had to pre-pay a large amount.

2)     My medical coverage does not exist outside of the United States and I want to make sure that I am covered.

3)     I am nervous about unforeseen events occurring and I know that travel protection will give me the peace of mind I need.

I bring up three good points that most people will ask or say to themselves right before or right after they have purchased their vacation.  I am sure even you have asked yourself one or more of these three things.  With so many online travel agencies, airlines, and other suppliers making it so easy for you to purchase travel protection for your vacation purchase.  They tell you all the reasons you should purchase it and it sounds so appealing to purchase it, but do you know what you are ACTUALLY getting when you press the shiny “Purchase Travel Protection” button?

Stayed tuned for next week’s newsletter about knowing what you get when you purchase travel protection.  Also, if you know someone who is about to take a vacation and haven’t purchased travel protection, please forward this to them and tell them to sign-up for my HIGH CONTENT newsletters about travel at LifeisBetterTraveling.com.

 

 

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.

 

Why you should visit the Vatican Museum

Mary Yohannan on

The Vatican Museum! 

Rome has so many amazing sites to visit but one of the most asked for tours when booking an Italian vacation with Life is Better Traveling is the Vatican Museum.  The Vatican museum has an incredible collection showcasing painting, sculpture, frescoes, tapestries and classical antiquities including Roman, Greek and Egyptian.  This huge complex consists of multiple galleries and museums.  The museums contain roughly 70,000 works, of which 20,000 are on display.

Vatican Museum

Picture: Pixabay

 

The popes were among the very first royalty to open their vast art collections to public viewing. Pope Julius II (1443 – 1513) began collecting sculpture during the Renaissance, early 16th century, and, ever since, most popes have taken an active interest in art and in commissioning the best artists of their time.  A vast collection of accumulated collections of religious art, papal portraits and, carriages and automobiles.

Two of the most popular exhibits that you will see when walking through the Vatican museum are The Sistine Chapel, with its ceiling decorated by Michelangelo and the Stanze di Raffaello decorated by Raphael.  Roughly six millions visitors a year walk through the museum and take in the beauty of what this amazing museum has to offer. 

Vatican Museum

Picture: Pixabay

 

 

If you are thinking of taking a European vacation, make sure to include Rome in your itinerary so you can experience the magnificent of this museum.  Simply fill out the form below to start planning.  

Remember, a Life is Better Traveling Travel Agent is here to help make your next European vacation amazing!

 

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.

 

Flying with kids can be stressful!

Mary Yohannan on

Flying with kids can be stressful!

Here are 5 tips on how to keep your sanity when taking kids on a plane trip

Having two little ones myself I find that my anxiety for flying increases a few days before the flight.  It is not because I am afraid to fly but how will my kids be on the flight.  I always notice the “God, please don’t seat them near me” glances our way when we walk on a plane with two little ones.  I even had one older lady tell her husband that she hoped those kids would be good on this flight while we were sitting down behind her.  She kept glancing our way with disapproval the whole flight.  The best part was after we landed and she was getting up she told us they were perfect on the flight. 

Now my husband and I always wait until everyone is off the plane so we don’t have to rush to gather up all our stuff.  As people pass us in the aisle they compliment us on how well behaved our children were.  We always thank them for the compliment but it makes me feel good that I am doing something right to keep my kids occupied the whole flight.  I am going to share with you what we do so you too can have a peaceful and enjoyable flight with your kids or grandkids.

Tip #1:  Bring food and drinks!  I know that you can’t get more than 3 ounces of fluid through security but between the newsstand and Starbucks you can buy milk, water, or juice.  Make sure to bring their favorite container to drink out of so it is like they are drinking the same thing at home.  Also, bring their favorite snack.  It always seems that as soon as they sit in their seat they are hunger.  Having that snack handy keeps from your child having a fit even before the door on the plane is closed. 

Tip #2:  If your child is still using a binky or pacifiers make sure you bring plenty along.  This helps to keep them calm and it will also help with their ears for altitude changes.  I find that my children fall asleep with having their binky and the gentle sway of the airplane.  This makes me happy because now I have time to relax and take in a movie too.

Tip #3:  Bring their favorite toy.  The way to keep your child from kicking the seat in front of them is by putting their favorite toy in the pocket in front of them.  They will think you are being silly by putting it there but I find that telling my child that her toy needs to be secured in a seat also and the toy seat is this pocket, I don’t get any questions.  No kicking and no angry older lady glaring at you during the flight, hopefully. 

Tip #4:  Bring the electronic tablet for your little ones.  Not everyone believes in letting their kids watch TV or movies, but I am not one of those parents.  My kids love Disney movies and Nick Jr. educational shows.  Sesame Street is another household favorite.  Download or buy your kids favorite shows on the tablet that you are going to take.  When I say favorite shows or movies, I mean the ones that they watch at home already and ask for by name.  It doesn’t work out well if you decide to buy something new thinking they will like it on the plane.  Don’t risk it, play it safe with something they already know and keeps them calm. (*NOTE: make sure you download the movie to the tablet so that you aren’t required to use the wi-fi on the plane!)

Tip #5:  Bring along your own small pillow and blanket.  Please don’t use the pillows and blankets from the plane on your children.  They get reused and many people use the pillow to prop their feet up after they have taken off their shoes, YUCK!  Having their own blanket that smells like home is relaxing.

Tip #6:  This always happens to me, as soon as we sit down my child says she has to go potty!  Going potty on a plane by yourself is difficult in such a confined space let alone fitting an adult and a toddler in there.  Now we know, go before you get on the plane.  Also, change that diaper right before you board also.  Yes, people change their baby’s diaper right on the snack tray but luckily my husband and I have it down where we can easily change them on our lap in 10 seconds flat! (BTW…wipe down the snack tray before putting your drink or snack on it!)

I don’t think there are any guarantees that your child won’t have a fit at some point on a flight you take with them but I truly believe that I can do everything in my power to minimize the probability.  This has worked very well for us and the proof is from all the compliments that we receive.

Are you ready to take that next family vacation?  Simply fill out the quote below and we will be in touch!

What is the third letter of the alphabet?

Why NOT to arrive on-time for your next cruise…

Mary Yohannan on

Don’t get on your cruise too early you might run into this…

When it comes to traveling we try our best to get to the airport, the port of embarkation, or the car rental place before our scheduled time.  Now when it comes to your flights I always suggest you be there on-time. In fact, most airlines require that you must be checked in 90 minutes prior to the flight.

Cruising is a whole other ball game.  If you get to the port of embarkation at the time the cruise line suggests (usually 1 pm), you end up getting there when everybody else does.  The lines to check-in can become horrendous!  This is especially true of those very large ships that can accommodate up to 3,500  passengers.  Nobody wants to be in line with 3,500 other people for check-in and then upon embarking waiting in the “let’s start your cruise off with a picture” line.

If you embark early you will be able to beat the some of the crowds.  You may still encounter some lines at check-in but these are the early morning travelers who have just flown into town.  But don’t go too early because you won’t be allowed onto the ship until after all of the previous passengers have gotten off.  So there is no need to be there at the crack of dawn!  If you do embark early then you can enjoy the welcome buffet or explore the ship.

Some of these ocean mega-liners seem to take days to explore so you could get a head start on finding all of the amazing features of your ship.

 

 There is one caveat about embarking early, you won’t be able to access your room until a certain time.  This is to ensure that the crew has had plenty of time to change out everything from the previous cruise.

The best time to check in is after the cruise line suggested time frame.  Now if you decide you are going to embark at the last minute you must be pre-registered with the cruise line.  Each cruise line has to submit their passenger lists to the law enforcement authorities prior to departure.  If you pre-register on-line they will already have your information.  If you haven’t pre-registered on-line then you must check in at the port of embarkation before the cruise line submits the passenger list.  

If you miss this time frame you will be unable to board your cruise.  The are some perks if you check-in later. You will most likely be able to access your room immediately, still enjoy the welcome buffet, and have only little time in port so you can start winning your millions at the casino as soon as you hit the open water.  Well, I am not quite sure if anybody won a million dollars at sea, but whose to say that it couldn’t happen.

Just remember that you don’t want to be too late that you miss your cruise all together, and you don’t want to arrive on-time to stand with the masses at check-in.  Try to time it right because if you start off your vacation on the right foot it makes Life Better Traveling.

Call us today to book your next cruise vacation.  Did you know that our travel agency is able to get you extra amenities like FREE excursions, food tours, and beverages, and extra onboard credits?  You won’t get these if you book through the cruise company or with an online travel agency?  Call us today to find out more.

What is the third letter of the alphabet?

 

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