Davault Travel

Major Starwood Preferred Guest Enhancements: Confirmed Suite Upgrades, Breakfast, Lifetime Status and More

2012-02-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Major Starwood Preferred Guest Enhancements: Confirmed Suite Upgrades, Breakfast, Lifetime Status and More

Free Museum Day

2011-08-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket...for free.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/#ixzz1WXdxOdMz

Fantastically free attractions around the world

2011-08-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

From BBC Travel:

Located in Casablanca, the Mosquée Hassan II is considered the world’s fifth largest.

Some cities like London and New York have enough exceptional free activities to easily fill a week. Other destinations want money from you for something as simple as peeking in the front door (Le Grand Casino in Monte Carlo), sitting down for a few minutes (Las Ramblas in Barcelona), or voiding your bladder (pretty much all of Norway).

Here are a few free attractions that are indisputably superior to others and, in many cases, completely outshine their un-free neighbours.

The Roof Gardens, London
Located one hundred feet above Kensington High Street, the 1.5-acreRoof Gardens are comprised of three different style: the Spanish Garden, Tudor Garden and English Woodland. Unfortunately, its popularity means this freebie is frequently closed for special events.

Street art, Buenos AiresThe Argentinean capital is full of streets known for outdoor artistic expression, including La Boca, Caminito and Calle Lanín. To find the bestoutdoor street art, follow one of the self-tour maps and itineraries from Buenos Aires’ official tourism site.

St Peter’s Basilica, Rome
In addition to being one of the world’s holiest Catholic sites, St Peter’s Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, capable of holding 60,000 people. It contains works by Michelangelo (notably the dome), Raphael and Bramante among many others.

Bahá’í House of Worship (aka Lotus Temple), Delhi
Completed in 1986, the Lotus Temple serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and is famous for its award-winning, flowerlike architectural design.

Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
The world’s largest museum and research complex includes 20 free attractions, like the Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum and the National Zoological Park.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris (aka Notre Dame), Paris
One of the world’s great landmarks, Notre Dame took more than 200 years to construct, including its (at the time) cutting-edge flying buttresses, three spectacular sections of stained glass windows and a 7,800 pipe organ. Incredibly detailed, free English language tours run on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 pm and Saturdays at 2:30 pm. Bonus freebie: if you are in the neighbourhood after 6 pm on Fridays, or on the first Sunday of the month, cross the river for free entry to the mammothLouvre Museum.

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
There are remarkable markets around the world, but few compare in historical significance and sheer size to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Opened in 1461, it is one of the largest covered markets in the world, comprised of more than 58 streets and more than 4,000 shops.

Mosquée Hassan II, Casablanca
Morocco’s largest mosque -- and the fifth largest in the world -- has a glass floor, the world’s tallest minaret and a retractable roof. Non-Muslims may only enter the building on guided tours, but everyone is free to wander the grounds.

Central-Mid-Levels escalator, Hong Kong
This 800-metre-long, outdoor covered escalator is the largest system of its kind in the world. Opened in 1993, it carries people up the 135m from the Central Business District to the Mid-Levels residential neighbourhood.

Gateway of India, Mumbai
Stand under the monumental arch that faces Mumbai Harbour and bask in the chaos of touts and laughing kids. It is a fitting start to a trip to India.

Great Airfare Prices to Hawaii with Classic Vacations

2011-06-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

Call me today for great Hawaii hotel and air packages.

503.798.5842

doug@davaulttravel.com

Expanding Hotel Loyalty Rewards

2011-06-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I love frequent flyer programs, American Express Membership Rewards, and hotel frequent traveler programs. Now you can earn rewards on stays at small independent hotels. The following is an article from the New York Times:

TRAVELERS who prefer boutique hotels to big cookie-cutter brands have long faced a trade-off. While often more charming and memorable than your typical chain hotel, most independent hotels don’t offer loyalty programs.

Not anymore. In an effort to compete head to head with chains, small hotel brands and individual boutiques have begun joining together to create their own loyalty programs with perks that reflect the personalized service and local flair that independent hotels tend to offer.

Full article on New York Times website

In Bora Bora right now.

2011-04-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

What a perfect place to relax!

Scheduled commercial air service returns to Salem Oregon

2011-04-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Salem City Council approved an agreement Monday night that will re-start commercial air service to its newly upgraded airport.

SeaPort Airlines will operate two flights a day from Salem to Seattle, with a stop in Portland. The morning and afternoon flights on nine-passenger aircraft will start April 27, one week after a grand opening of the airport’s newly expanded terminal. A recent airport upgrade featured a 4,000-square-foot addition to the terminal building and remodeling of 1,600 square foot of the existing terminal.

“We are excited to be entering into this partnership with the city,” said Rob McKinney, the president of SeaPort Airlines. “Salem can no longer be the answer to the trivia question of which state capital does not have air service.”

Delta Airlines check-in procedures

2011-04-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

It appears that Delta Airlines may be enforcing a seldom used rule for passengers checking in for flights. That is, Delta may require you to present the Credit Card used for the purchase of the airline ticket when checking in. There have been reports of passengers being denied boarding if they cannot produce the credit card and matching ID used for booking the flight.

Here is the specific rule:

Credit Card Presentation

To safeguard against credit card fraud, the purchaser may have to show us the credit card along with a valid photo ID. The time varies based on the billing address of the credit card or the country of travel. If the purchaser is not traveling, they can show us their credit card and ID at an airport ticket counter or another ticket office location, whichever is most convenient.

It has always been my recommendation to my clients that they travel with the credit card used to purchase the tickets, especially for international travel, this is just a reminder.

Think your airline ticket was a good deal?

2011-04-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

You may get a good ticket price, but don't forget to factor in the hidden costs, like checked baggage fee's. Here is a good posting from AirFareWatchDog.com:

Airline	First checked bag	Second checked bag	Additional bags	Overweight bags	Oversized bags
Airtran	$0 $15 ($20 effective Sept 1 2010)	$10 paid online, $20 at airport $25	$50	51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $29 $39 71 to 99 lbs: $69 $79	62-70 total linear inches: $29 $39; 71-80 inches $69 $79
Alaska	$15; $20	$0 $20	3rd, $20; 4th or more $50 each	51-100 lbs: $50	63-80 inches: $50; 81-115 inches: $75
Allegiant	At flight check in, $35; gate checked bag: $35; purchased online: $14.99-$29.99	At flight check in, $35; gate checked bag: $35; purchased online: $14.99-$29.99	"Subject to additional fees"	"Subject to additional fees"	"Subject to additional fees"
American	$25 ($15 $25 to/from Canada; free for travel to/from US to Caribbean, Europe and India)	$35 ($30 $35 to/from Canada; $30 to/from Caribbean; $50 $60 for travel to/from US and Europe and India)	Bags 3-5: $100; 6th or more: $200 $150	51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $50 $60; 71-100 lbs: $100 (bags over 70lbs not accepted on some international routes)	63 inches and over: $150 (to/from UK max size is 80 linear inches)
Continental	$23 ($2 more if not paid online)	$32 ($3 more if not paid online) $30 to/from Mexico, South America (exc. Brazil), $50 to/from Europe and India	3 or more bags each: $100 to/from US, Canada, Puerto Rico, US Virgins; $150 to/from Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America; $200 other routes.	51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $50 $100 to/from US, Canada and Puerto Rico; $200 other routes; Over 70 lbs not accepted.	63 inches and over: $100 $200
Delta	$23 ($2 more if not paid online)	$32 ($3 more if not paid online) $50 for European travel	For travel within the US and Canada: Third bag: $125; Bags 4 to 10 $200 each; For travel to/from Europe: no charge for first or second; $200 for 3-10 extra bags see Delta additional, overweight and oversized fees	51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $90 ($150 for travel outside US; bags over 70 lbs not allowed on some international routes)	63-80 total linear inches: $150 $175
Frontier	$0 $15 $20	$25 $30 $20	$50	51-100 lbs: $75	63-80 inches: $75
JetBlue	$0	$20 $30 $35	$75	51-70 lbs: $50; 71-99 lbs: $100	63-80 inches: $75
Spirit	Note: if you change planes, you may be charged for each leg for all these fees. Checked bags: $28 paid online ($38 if paid at airport); $5 international. Carry on bag $30 online, $40-45 at airport; $20 for $9 Club members (one "personal item" free)	$35 online or $45 at airport; $5 more for international	Bags 3-5: $95 at airport; $85 online; $5 for international flights.	41-50 lbs $25; 51-70 lbs $50; 71 to 99 lbs: $100	62-79 inches: $100; 80 inches and over: $150
Southwest	$0	$0	3-9: $50; 10 and more: $110	51 -100 lbs: $50	62-80 inches: $50
United	$25 ($2 discount if paid online)	$35 ($3 discount if paid online); to/from US and Canada or South/Central America $30 (effective Mar 9 2011)	Within and between US, Canada, Puerto Rico, US Virgins: $100 (effective Mar 9, 2011); 5th or more: $250	Within and between US, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgins: 51-70 lbs $100 each; 71-99.9 lbs $200 each; other routes: $400	Within and between US, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgins: more than 62 linear inches: $100; Other routes: $200
US Airways	$25 at airport, $23 online	$35 at airport, $32 online, $50, online, to Europe ($55 at airport)	Bags 3-9: $125	51-70 lbs (23-32kgs): $70 $90 71 to 99 lbs: $120 $175	62-80 total linear inches: $100 $175
USA 3000	$15 if bought online, $25 otherwise	$25	Extra bags "subject to availability"	Over 50 lbs $25 extra; Over 70 lbs. Not accepted
Virgin America	$25 (up to 70 pounds)	$25 (up to 50 lbs)	Bags 3-10 $25	51-70 lbs $50; 71-100 lbs $100	$50 (63-80 linear inches)

Apple Tech - What I have learned in the last year...

2011-03-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

The last 12 month's were big if you are an Apple fanatic like me.

First came the iPad

and then the new MacBook Air

and then the new MacBook Pro's

and finally word of a new iPad

and don't forget the iPhone 4 at Verizon.

iPhone 4 - I love my iPhone 4, I have the GSM model from AT&T and I don't plan on switching to Verizon, why? Because the AT&T model operates on a GSM network I can use the phone outside of the USA in many of the places I travel. The CDMA version that Verizon sells is much more limited.

iPad vs MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air - I have a late 2008 model 17" MacBook Pro, and while I love the performance of the computer, it's just too heavy for me to travel with as much as I'm getting on and off airplanes. So I thought the iPad would be a great solution. No heavy laptop to carry, full email and web functionality, and fun to use.

My 3g/WiFi 64GB iPad was delivered on the first day they were available. And I have to say it's one the best pieces of technology I have ever owned. Light enough to keep with me wherever I am, easy to connect via WiFi and 3G so I always have access to email and the web. I though this was THE SOLUTION.

But my first "experiment" where I travelled to Europe without a laptop was a bit frustrating. It was easy enough to connect to WiFi, and to pick up a 3G SIM for local data service. But I did run into a few obstacles. One time the iPad would not authenticate into my hotels WiFi service, I think this was an issue with 3.0 IOS system, so the upgrade to 4.0 should have fixed the issue. The second problem was I couldn't access the configuration utility for an AirPort Express wireless router I travel with. I hope Apple addresses this issue and releases an App for that. And third was that I needed Windows and Internet Explorer to run a few work applications, so I had to hunt down a computer at my hotel to run those applications.

So while I was generally happy traveling with just the iPad it didn't quite meet all my needs.

And then along came the MacBook Air. The moment I held it in my hands I was in love. Light weight, yet still a fully powered laptop. I bought the 13" "fully loaded" model, added Windows 7 in Boot Camp and Parallels so I could run the Windows applications I needed for work, and I had the perfect machine.

What I love about the MacBook Air:

Lightweight
Fully functioning Mac OS X operating system & Windows 7
Great battery life
Lighting fast start ups and shut down due to a SSD drive instead of a conventional hard drive
It runs very cool because of the SSD, no heat from a hard drive
Great design

So now I have my travel line-up:

iPhone 4.0 AT&T - email, maps on the go, great camera, travel app's
iPad - games, email, movies on the plane, internet access, 3G data service
MacBook Air - fully functioning operating systems, Mac & Windows, light weight, very portable
AirPort Express - create my own secure network while traveling for all my devices to share

And it all fits nicely in this great travel bag from Tumi:

Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa, Peru - Someplace new

2011-03-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

The new Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa is an eco-friendly property built in glass and stone that sits beside the Vilcanota River in Peru's Urubamba Valley. The 128-room complex centers on a gorgeous two-pool spa, an ideal place to relax after hiking or cycling the quinoa-covered grounds or a day trip up to Machu Picchu on the recently opened Urubamba train line.

A Mystical Destination

Nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado stands as a contemporary doorway to the vast cultural, historical, and natural richness of this enchanted region—and signals the start of an inspired journey.

Unique Style

The only hotel in Urubamba with a private train station to Machu Picchu, we go to every length to ensure an indelible stay, offering refined dining, a therapeutic spa, and premier fitness center, along with an emerald lagoon and blooming riverside gardens.

One with Nature

In homage to the ancient legacy of the region, each of our 128 elegantly designed rooms including 12 suites harmonize with the rich beauty of the surrounding area and offer mesmerizing views of the Andes and the Vilcanota River from private balconies.

Consider Peru for a multi-destination vacation. Lima for culture, history, great restaurants and a true urban experience, Cuzco and Machu Picchu for out of this world scenery and history.

Keeping Venice from Sinking

2011-02-27T16:41:00.000-08:00

Slowly, gradually, Venice is sinking. In the last century, the marshy land that the city sits on has lowered by about 11 inches.

But the far greater threat is the rate at which the sea level is rising. In recent years, Venice's acqua alta, or high water, has resulted in an average of 100 floods a year. The increasing sea level is largely a consequence of climate change.

Since the Great Flood of 1966, which displaced 5,000 people from their homes and destroyed $6 billion worth of treasured artwork, Italy has been working on a plan to fight back the waters of the Adriatic Sea. That plan has become Italy's biggest public works project ever.

The MOSE Project, or Experimental Electromechanical Module Project, is scheduled to begin operating next year. MOSE, named after Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, is a system of floodgates seeking to protect the Venetian Lagoon from becoming inundated with water from the sea. When inactive, the gates will lay flat on the seafloor; when water levels rise, they will be pumped full of air and rise above the surface to block sea water.

This project is so controversial, though, that it took almost four decades of political fighting for construction to start. Eight years and several billion dollars later, experts are still unsure about MOSE's ability to save Venice.

Read the entire article at BBC News.

Pictures from my own trip to Venice in 2010, luckily it was dry. But clients that were in Venice later that year during a high tide/full moon experienced a flooded Venice.

What do China, Skiing and Club Med have in common?

2011-02-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

In December, Club Med launched its first village in the ski resort of Yabuli in China’s far north, barely 120 miles from Vladivostock.

Club Med has chosen to set up its first 4 Tridents village in the northern province of Heilongjiang exactly 110 miles from Harbin and just over 120 miles from Vladivostok (Russia). The famous holiday brand has set its sights on the ski-resort of Yabuli.

The Chinese Olympic team trains nearby, at Peak 2, as do the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army. Its ski school and its beginners’ training area (very wide to avoid accidents), its 18 slopes covering 20 miles, situated between 470 and 1000 metres altitude, and its Siberian temperatures make Yabuli one of the best equipped ski resorts in China. You can also go ice skating there or go tobogganing.

The company, directed by Henri Giscard d’Estaing, has acquired two attached hotels in the resort. The 284 rooms have been revamped by the Shanghai based interior designer Margaux Lhermitte (Naço architectures). The village has 27 suites, 22 deluxe rooms (52 m2) and 235 rooms of 36 m2. You can also enjoy facilities such as the Club Med Spa run by L'Occitane, a pool and a conference room.

In a country where skiing is an activity that is the preserve of the happy few, Club Med is targeting a wealthy clientele eager to discover the joys of skiing, a sport regarded by the Chinese as chic and fun.

Yabuli Ski Resort is located in the piedmont of the Daguohui Mountain of the Shangzhi City, 193km away from Harbin City in the west. It was the hunting ground of the royal family in Qing Dynasty and closed by the new government after the dynasty was overthrown. This resort has been now the biggest comprehensive ski resort in China since it was reopened to the public in 1980.

Travel Geek - New Boeing 747 model

2011-02-14T07:42:00.000-08:00

Boeing rolls out its 747-8 Intercontinental

Story link

This is one long plane!

Spain lodging options

2011-02-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

Looking for an interesting lodging option while traveling around Spain? Try a Parador.

The Spanish Paradores are hotels for luxury accommodation in Castles, Palaces, Fortresses, Convents, Monasteries and other historic buildings. There are also modern hotels, built in traditional style, in areas of outstanding beauty.

Paradores were founded by Alfonso XIII of Spain as a means to promote tourism in Spain, with the first opening in Gredos, Ávila, in 1928.

These hotels can be found from Galicia in the North West through Catalunya to Andalusia in the south of Spain, the Canary Islands and in the Spanish cities in North Africa.

The hotels in the Parador Group were set up by the state to use quality tourism to act as guardian of the national and artistic heritage of Spain and to assist regions with fewer economic resources.

Guests of the Paradors receive the high standards for which the group is renowned at prices which are very reasonable by international standards.

As you can see Parador's are located throughout Spain:

Parador's can be located in historic buildings:

The "Castell de Cardona", a typical Parador, situated in an old castle.

And modern buildings:

One of the modern Paradors, the "Aigua Blava" Parador, overlooking Aigua Blava Bay in the Costa Brava.

Contact me for more information.

Starwood Hawaii promotions

2011-02-07T12:06:00.000-08:00

From Classic Vacations

Classic Vacations Aruba

2011-02-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

Please contact me for more information about these special deals to Aruba!

Free Lonely Planet Apps

2011-02-02T16:23:00.000-08:00

With severe winter weather affecting much of the country, Lonely Planet has made 14 of its iPhone travel guides free through Friday, February 4.

Visit the iTunes store to download.

Baklava dessert at Moustache Cafe

2010-12-18T10:54:00.001-08:00

Yum!

Moustache Turkish restaurant upper East Side Manhattan

2010-12-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

Great space, friendly crew. Food pics soon.

Every restaurant in Manhattan is Zagat rated

2010-12-18T10:03:00.001-08:00

What's up with that?

My favorite cookies in Manhattan!

2010-12-16T10:27:00.000-08:00

La Maison du Macaron

132 W 23rd St

www.madeleinepatisserie.com

Awesome French Macaroon's with a lot of interesting flavors. I have been back twice on this trip!

Why you should use a Travel Professional....

2010-12-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

Kona Coffee

2010-10-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

I was back in Kona mid-October and had an opportunity to taste a great Kona Coffee from a small grower, Hula Daddy. If you are on the Big Island I would recommend stopping by their small shop off the Mamalahoa Hwy in Holualoa. You can take a small tour, taste some great coffee, see some spectacular views of Kona, and of course buy some awesome coffee to bring home.

From the Honolulu Magazine:

We all know Kona coffee is the best, but choosing a bag from the hundreds of farms on the Big Island can be challenging. So we asked the experts at Web site Coffee Review, which rates coffees on a 100-point scale-similar to the one used for wine-which is tastiest. The editors recommended Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, giving 97 points to the Kona Sweet roast and 92 points to the Mele roast.

Hula Daddy started in 2002 on an 11-acre cow pasture and has since grown to more than 30 acres in Holualoa. Owner Lee Patterson also offers tours of the farm and the coffee-tasting room, even baking cookies for guests. “I grew up on a farm and I like creating something that makes people happy.”

Great Travel Deals

2010-10-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a few current specials, time for some fun in the sun! Contact me for details.

Photos from our last trip have been uploaded!

2010-10-02T10:50:00.001-07:00

Scroll down and view the Flickr Photostream on the right side of the Blog.

Europe Trip 2010

2010-09-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from a great trip to Europe, with stops in Barcelona, Rome, Tuscany and Venice. Over the next week or so I'll be publishing a trip report with the highlights of the trip.

Trip Itinerary:

Sep 5 - Sunday	Day 1	Salem - Eugene - San Francisco - Frankfurt - Barcelona
Sep 6 - Monday	Day 2	Arrive in Barcelona
Sep 7 - Tuesday	Day 3	Barcelona
Sep 8 - Wednesday	Day 4	Barcelona
Sep 9 - Thursday	Day 5	Barcelona
Sep 10 - Friday	Day 6	Barcelona - Rome
Sep 11 - Saturday	Day 7	Rome
Sep 12 - Sunday	Day 8	Rome
Sep 13 - Monday	Day 9	Rome
Sep 14 - Tuesday	Day 10	Rome - Tuscany
Sep 15 - Wednesday	Day 11	Tuscany
Sep 16 - Thursday	Day 12	Tuscany
Sep 17 - Friday	Day 13	Tuscany
Sep 18 - Saturday	Day 14	Tuscany
Sep 19 - Sunday	Day 15	Tuscany - Venice
Sep 20 - Monday	Day 16	Venice - Frankfurt - San Francisco - Eugene - Salem

Europe Trip 2010 - Off to Spain

2010-09-23T16:18:00.001-07:00

This is day one of our trip to Europe. Barcelona Spain, Rome Italy, Tuscany, and finally Venice. I'm excited to be back in Barcelona, it's one of my favorite cities. This will be our first trip to Rome and Venice, even if we only have a few hours to spend in Venice.

We are flying over on United, this is the first time we have flown a US carrier to Europe. I'm doing this so we can check out United's new lay flat business seats. They have been getting good reviews and I love a seat that reclines to a flat bed!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My ad for the upcoming Basic Rights Oregon annual dinner.

2010-09-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

Basic Rights Oregon Dinner website

International Driving Permits

2010-08-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

International Driving Permits

“Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States. (See AAA’s application form for the list of countries). An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver’s license into ten foreign languages. These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid U.S. license. IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence.

Before departure, you can obtain an IDP from an automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs. Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949) authorizes the U.S. Department of State to empower certain organizations to issue IDPs to those who hold valid U.S. driver’s licenses. The Department designated the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club) as the only authorized distributors of IDPs.”

(http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html)

In many countries it is now the law that you must have an International Driving Permit to drive and pick-up a rental car, fine for non-compliance can be quite steep. Stop by your local AAA office and you can pick one up in about 30 minutes.

The countries shown in dark blue recognize the international driving permit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit

Foreign Travel Etiquette - Mexico

2010-08-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

Most tourists in Mexico come from the U.S. and Canada, and many parts of Mexico are very used to tourism. However, out of respect for Mexico and its people, read up a bit on their culture and etiquette. Below is a list of Mexican etiquette to help you out on your trip!

1. Dress Attire

DON'T wear shorts if you wish to blend in. Aside from beaches and northern areas, shorts are seldom worn by Mexicans.
DO dress nicely for business situations. A suit and tie is fine, and women may also wear conservative dresses. In very hot regions, it's acceptable to wear lighter clothing, but don't wear overly casual clothing, such as t-shirts or flip-flops.
DO dress casually for social occasions.
DO take off sunglasses and hats if entering a church.

2. Table Manners

DO rest your wrists on the edge of the table while dining.
DON'T sit until told where to sit.
DON'T begin eating until the host does.
DO understand that only men give toasts in Mexican culture.
DO indicate that you are finished eating by putting your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs going downwards and the handles facing right.
DO leave a little bit of food on your plate when you are done.

3. Tipping

DO tip in the same fashion that you are used to in the U.S. or Canada.

4. Gift Giving and Accepting Gifts

DON'T give red flowers or marigolds. However, white flowers make a nice gift.
DO open a gift upon receipt.

5. Greetings

DO shake hands upon meeting someone.
DO follow the lead of who you are greeting. Hugs are often shared among friends, as well as a light kiss on the cheek for women.

6. Visitors Etiquette

DO be fashionably late! Thirty minutes late is appropriate. Arriving early or even on time is considered rude.
DO bring flowers or sweets for your host.

7. Business Meeting

DO make an appointment at least two weeks in advance and confirm a week before. Confirm the meeting one last time upon arriving in Mexico.
DON'T be late! However, your Mexican business associates may be late. Mexicans have a very relaxed view of time, but as a foreigner, you should make the effort to be on time.
DO be patient. Negotiations may proceed slowly.
DO have written material translated to Spanish.
DO hire an interpreter.
DO pick your negotiating team carefully. Have someone on your negotiating team who is an executive but do not include a lawyer.
DO expect haggling and prepare accordingly.

8. Socializing and Conversation

DO understand that "estúpido" is considered a bad word in Mexico, and it means much worse than "stupid."
DO say "salud!" when someone sneezes. To not do so is considered rude.

The above list might seem a little intimidating, but don't let it make you nervous! Go with the flow, but be conservative in your behavior and you'll blend in just fine. Happy travels to Mexico!

Foreign Travel Etiquette - Japan

2010-08-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

In spite of the fact that Japan is becoming more Westernized, especially with younger people, it is still important to abide by their customs whenever possible. Remember to be polite and respect Japanese traditions.

1. Dress Attire

DO dress appropriately for business occasions. Casual attire in the workplace is not the norm in Japan. For a man, a suit and tie is appropriate and for a woman, a dress and pantyhose is fine.
DO dress conservatively if visiting a temple or shrine.

2. Table Manners

DO eat "family style." Many times at people's homes and at certain restaurants, you will share several dishes at the table instead of having your own individual dish.
DON'T take food from the serving plate with the ends of your chopsticks that you've eaten from. Instead, turn your chopsticks upside down and then pick the food up.
DON'T pour an alcoholic beverage into your own glass. Instead, serve your dining partners their drinks.
DON'T get noticeably drunk at a nice restaurant.
DON'T start drinking until everyone at the table is served and the glasses are raised to toast. The Japanese drinking salute is usually "Kampai!"
DON'T pour soy sauce over white, steamed rice.
DO drink miso soup out of the bowl and use your chopsticks to eat the solid pieces.
DO slurp noodles and soup.
DO keep the bowl close to your mouth when eating noodle soup. This will avoid a mess.
DON'T stick chopsticks into your food or spear your food with the chopsticks.
DO drink alcohol if you can. It is socially important in Japanese culture and you will probably be pressured to participate. If you cannot partake, be ready with an excuse and an explanation.
DO pay at a restaurant if you are initiated the invitation. Splitting the bill is not traditionally done in Japan.
DO make an attempt to pay at a restaurant, even if someone else invited you. They won't let you pay, but your effort, as insincere as it may have been, will make a good impression upon those you are dining with.
DO try to reciprocate by offering to pay for drinks or coffee after the meal. It's pretty common to extend the evening by going out for some drinks or to a coffee shop after dinner. But if you are paying for drinks, be aware that they can get very pricey!

3. Tipping

DON'T tip. It is not customary in Japan.

4. Gift giving and Accepting Gifts

DO give and receive gifts with both hands.
DO give a gift to thank somebody. Good gifts include cake, sweets, and sake.
DON'T open a wrapped gift until later.
DO avoid giving gifts that have to do with the number four. It is bad luck.

5. Body Gestures

DON'T use your chopsticks to point to something.

6. Greetings

DO bow when greeting someone. A bow can range from a small nod to a ninety degree full-body bow. If you are greeting someone with a higher social status, the bow should be more pronounced. For the most part, however, as a foreigner in Japan, you won't be expected to know the specific bowing etiquette.
DON'T say something to the effect of "I hope to see you again" when parting.

7. Bath Etiquette

DO be aware of the communal bathing culture in Japan. Japan has a long history of communal bathing and it can be traced back to the eighth century. There are public bathhouses called sento and hot springs called onsen. There are usually separate baths for men and women.
DO wash yourself outside the bath before getting in.
DO bring your own toiletries, such as towels, pumice stones, toothpaste, shaving supplies, etc.

8. Visitors Etiquette

DO take your shoes off when entering a Japanese person's home. Your host will likely provide you with a pair of slippers.
DO take slippers off when entering a room with a tatami floor. Tatami mats are associated with religious rites and tea ceremonies. Slippers can damage the mats, but you may walk on them either barefoot or in socks.
DO take your slippers off when entering a bathroom. There will be special toilet slippers there for you to put on.
DO bring a gift. It's rude to go to a Japanese person's home without one.
DON'T drain the water after taking a bath at someone's house. Everyone in the household uses the same bathwater. As a guest, you'll probably be able to use the bath first.

9. Business Meeting

DON'T sit until told where to sit. Usually there is a seating arrangement based on professional status.
DON'T stand once the meeting is finished until the person with the highest professional status stands.
DO bring a gift, such as a little souvenir from your native city.
DO show a lot of gratitude if given a gift by a business associate. Ask questions about the gift to show how interested you are.
DO take notes during a meeting and use a black or blue pen.

Even though Japan, especially in the major cities, is adapting more to Western influences, they are still maintaining many important Japanese traditions. Throughout your travels, keep some basic Japanese etiquette in mind to make a great impression!

Wedding in Paradise - Greece

2010-08-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

Thinking of getting married in Europe? Greece offers spectacular settings and a great infrastructure for your European wedding. Here is one example offered by one of my preferred suppliers in Greece.

Foreign Travel Etiquette - France

2010-08-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

1. Dress Attire
DO wear what you normally wear, but keep in mind that attire such as baseball caps, flip-flops, and white sneakers are not traditionally worn by French people. It is fine to wear it, but you will probably be labeled as a tourist.
DO feel welcome to wear your country's ethnic attire if necessary, such as kilts, saris, etc. People may stare at you in the more rural areas of France, but people will not be offended.

2. Table Manners
DON'T eat with your fingers! You should always use your eating utensils, even at a fast food restaurant.
DON'T eat on the street. It can be seen as unsophisticated.
DON'T start eating immediately after being served. Wait for your host to put their napkin on their lap, and then follow suit. After drinks have been served, join in on the toast. You may start dining after the host invites you to begin eating.
DON'T take a bite from a whole piece of bread. Instead, tear your bread into a bite-sized piece and then eat it.
DO expect a glass of wine with dinner. Wine glasses are filled only three-quarters of the way.
DON'T put your arms on your lap during dinner. Put them above the table.

3. Tipping
DO round up when paying a bill at a bar or restaurant, unless the service was really bad. Bars and restaurants are legally required to include a service fee in their bill, but customarily people will either round up or pay a small 5% tip.
DO tip taxi drivers and hairdressers 10%.
DO tip chambermaids about Euro 1.50 if you stay more than two or three nights at a hotel, or more if they do any pressing or laundry for you. If the concierge was helpful, it is customary to leave a tip of Euro 8 - Euro 16, depending on the level of service and the hotel itself.
DO tip train and airport porters on a per bag basis. They usually receive a fixed sum of Euro 0.90 - Euro 1.50 per bag. After a guided tour, museum guides should get Euro 1.50 - Euro 3. It is also a standard practice to tip bus drivers Euro 1.50 after an trip.

4. Gift giving and Accepting Gifts
DO give a gift that shows that you are intellectual, such a gift of books or music.
DO bring a gift for the hostess if invited to a French person's house. Good host gift ideas include flowers and wine. Bear in mind that France is known for its wine, so do your research and bring a nice bottle of wine! If you are invited to dinner, a dessert or cheese previously decided on also makes a nice gift.
DON'T give an even number of flowers as a gift. Flowers should always be given in odd numbers, except for thirteen, as that is an unlucky number.
DO be very careful when picking out flowers as a gift. There are a few taboos when it comes to giving a French person flowers. White flowers are typically only used during weddings, white lilies and chrysanthemums are flowers for funerals, and red carnations stand for bad will.

5. Body Gestures
DO maintain eye contact because it shows you are interested in the conversation.

6. Greetings
DO shake hands upon meeting someone, as well as when you are leaving. French handshakes are not as firm as American handshakes.
DO greet people with "bonjour" (good day) or "bonsoir" (good evening), and when leaving say "au revoir", which means good-bye.
DO address people with the titles "Monsieur" (Mister) and "Madame" (Mrs.) when meeting someone for the first time, or in a business meeting. Use "Mademoiselle" when greeting a young, unmarried woman or girl. Older, unmarried women can still be referred to as "Madame."

7. Language Etiquette
DO address people with the titles "Monsieur" (Mister) and "Madame" (Mrs.) when meeting someone for the first time, or in a business meeting. Use "Mademoiselle" when greeting a young, unmarried woman or girl. Older, unmarried women can still be referred to as "Madame."
DO apologize for your lack of knowledge if you do not speak French.

8. Visitors Etiquette
DO give your host a gift. As a tourist from another country, a gift from your native country is appreciated.

9. Business Meeting
DO maintain eye contact when talking with clients. This shows them that your full attention is with them.
DON'T expect the people you are meeting with to be on time. Punctuality is treated very casually in France.
DON'T show any impatience or a confrontational attitude, as it can be seen as a sign of being unprofessional.
DO wear business outfits such as tailored suits, pants, and skirts.

10. Beach Etiquette
DON'T take your top off at a swimming pool or beaches that are part of a hotel unless you don't mind people staring. It won't necessarily cause a scene, but some people may ogle.
DO put a shirt on once leaving the beach.
DON'T worry about small children running around the beach without clothes on. People won't be offended.

Foreign Travel Etiquette

2010-08-11T01:45:00.000-07:00

I am constantly asked questions about how to act when traveling to a foreign country, what the local customs are, how to interact with locals, and how not to look like the ugly American tourist. Americans tend to be more casual with their interactions, which can be frowned upon in other countries. Things like tipping, socializing, drinking, eating, driving and even shopping can be very different from country to country. Over the next couple weeks I am going to post some very good tips from the Vayama.com and Travel Etiquette websites along with a few personal observations for the countries I have visited. I hope you enjoy the postings.

Fee Free Days at National Parks

2010-08-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this year with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees*.

Mark your calendar for fee-free days this year:

April 17-25, 2010
(National Park Week)
June 5-6, 2010
August 14-15, 2010
September 25, 2010
(Public Lands Day)
November 11, 2010
(Veterans Day)

And to make the fun even more affordable, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service in welcoming visitors on this summer’s fee free weekends with the their own special offers.

Here’s a tip – many of your 392 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit!

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Oregon
Crater Lake National Park
Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

Washington
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Lewis & Clark National Historical Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park
Whitman Mission National Historic Site

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Trip Report

2010-08-01T11:14:00.001-07:00

I recently visited the Big Island and stayed at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was first opened in 1965, it was one of the first resorts on the Big Island and is located along the Kohala Coast about 28 miles north of the Kona Airport. It's the last big resort you pass as you drive north from the airport giving the resort a more secluded feeling. The hotel was closed after the 2006 earthquake and given a $150 million dollar renovation. I was excited to see the changes as I had stayed there right before the earthquake and the hotel was showing its age.

Most of the renovation was done to the guest rooms and the shopping areas, including a complete rebuild of the top (8th) floor, which sustained major damage. There are two sections to the hotel, the main building which you see displayed in the photo, and the Plumeria Wing, just off to the right and barely visible above the tree tops. Most of the major design changes occurred in the main building, while the Plumeria Wing was refreshed, they left many of the designs in place to please some of the longstanding clients who did not want to see major changes to the hotel.

I stayed in a deluxe ocean view room on the 6th floor, the 4th floor is really the 1st floor, as you go down to the Plumeria Wing and up to the main building. These rooms are completely new. The hotel took 3 old rooms and made them into 2, giving you a much larger space and a huge bathroom.

Here are a couple of pictures:

The main room has a very nice walk-in closet, a small foyer and the sleeping space. There is a nice new entertainment area with flat panel TV with a a sliding door to hide it. The room is 615 square feet and includes 2 lanai's totaling 265 square feet. One is off the bedroom and one is off the bathroom. The bathroom is very nice, a large double vanity, a separate wet room with shower and tub. The shower is open with a great ocean view. In my opinion they did an excellent job renovating and creating these rooms.

Other observations about the hotel:

We had breakfast every morning at Manta, they had a very nice buffet and the view over the small bay is wonderful, most mornings we saw Manta's swimming in the bay.

Dinner at Manta and Monettes was typical resort cuisine, expensive and not very inspiring.

The Clambake is very popular, and all you can eat seafood buffet. If you want quantity over quality this is your place.

Staff were very friendly and accommodating.

Make sure to specify your bedding request, the hotel has a number of rooms with 2 double beds instead of kings.

Highlights off the property:

Merrimans in Waimea for dinner, very fresh and local.

La Bourgogne French Restaurant in Kona, a very small French restaurant with excellent food. Not the best location but great food. I was surprised that food portions seemed to have gotten larger since my last visit, very un-French.

Monstera at the Shops at Mauna Lani, great Sushi and very reasonable prices.

The Saddle road drive to Hilo. The road has had many improvements recently and there are only a few bad spots at each end of the road now, a great drive.

The Big Island is one of my favorite destinations, please contact me if you have questions.

Aloha!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Escorted vs Self guided tours

2010-07-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

Thinking about a trip to Europe, Australia or New Zealand? These are prime destinations to take advantage of a prearranged tour package. Most of us think of tour packages and we think of bus trips with a group of other travelers. But most tour companies also offer prearranged self guided tours. No buses, no groups, and you get to travel at your pace. You take advantage of the tour company's contacts and buying power while still being able to travel independently.

Passport Fees Increasing July 13

2010-07-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking of getting a passport or need a current passport renewed now is the time to do it before increased fees kick in on the 13th.

The new passport prices take effect next week, on July 13. So you’ll save money by applying or renewing this week. How much? Here are some comparisons:

Adult passport: New fee: $135. Old fee: $100
Adult passport renewal: New fee: $110. Old fee: $75
Minor passport (under age 16): New fee: $105. Old fee; $85
Adult passport card (allows border crossings by land): New fee: $55. Old fee: $45
Minor passport card: New fee: $40. Old fee: $35
Extra visa pages: New fee: $82. Old fee: It was free of charge

To learn how to apply for a passport or renew one, go to the State Department’s website for travelers.

Free Travel Guides

2010-07-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

I happened across the Spanair website today and noticed they have a great selection of free travel guides for over 300 destinations. Most of them are in Europe, but there is a good selection from around the globe.

Spanair website for travel guides link

Page one example for Rome (there are 15 pages in the guide):

I hope you enjoy this resource.

Travel Tip

2010-07-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Now is a great time to visit Vancouver BC and South Africa. Why you might ask? Both destinations were the site of a major event, the Winter Olympics for Vancouver BC and the World Cup in South Africa. 100's of millions of dollars were spent on improving infrastructure and building new tourist facilities. So now is a great time to take advantage of the improvements made for the big events before they begin to show their age.

Flying tip

2010-06-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a great flying tip, you don't have to fly into and out of the same airport. This is a great option if your are planning on driving when you get to your destination. As an example, say you are flying to France and plan on spending some time in Paris, then renting a car and driving to Provence where you will end your vacation. Instead of driving back to Paris you could choose an airport closer to where you end your vacation, in this example Marseille would be a great option.

Some things to consider:

Always check the pricing, it typically will not add much to your ticket price to have an "open jaw" itinerary.
Make sure your car rental agency is not charging you a one-way drop-off fee.

The Five Best Airports for Filling Up on Fancy Fast Food || Jaunted

2010-06-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

With in-flight food options worse than ever, many of us are subjected to whatever fried foods are available within the terminal. Thankfully some airports bring a little local love through TSA, and make city favorites available to folks like us. We took a look around and found the Five Best Airports across the country to get your Fast Food Fix. Here’s what we think:

The Five Best Airports for Filling Up on Fancy Fast Food || Jaunted

European Auto Deliver Program

2010-05-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

Thinking of buying a new European Automobile? Several European manufacturers offer a delivery program where you travel to Europe, take delivery of your new vehicle, drive it in Europe for your vacation, and then drop it off at a designated shipping port. And then in a few short weeks your new car will be delivered to the dealer closest to your home where you can then take delivery.

Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo all offer a European delivery program. Saab is in transition and may continue offering the program, still to be determined.

About.com Budget Travel has an excellent article on the European delivery program, as does each manufacturer, here is a quick summary:

About.com article link

How It Works

Each automaker has its own procedure for taking factory deliveries in Europe, but here's a general synopsis:

1. You arrange to purchase an eligible model at your home dealership.

2. Purchase and travel arrangements are completed.

3. You travel to the factory with the necessary documents, take delivery and travel the highways of Europe.

4. Your trip ends either back at the factory or some other drop-off point in Europe.

5. The car is shipped to your home dealership and arrives a number of weeks later, where you take final delivery.

Audi - Based in Ingolstadt, Germany, Audi is among the newest companies to offer European Delivery. One of the most popular features of the program is Audi allows you to end your European trip in one of 14 cities and there is no drop-off fee for any location.

BMW - As the name of the company implies, Bavarian Motor Works always starts its European Delivery program in Munich. But there is an array of geographic options for drop-off and shipment: 19 locations in six European nations with Italian locations involving an additional fee.

Mercedes-Benz - Mercedes offers two packages: the Standard Package, and the Black Forest-Alps Rally. Both include lodging at selected hotels, 15 days of zero-deductible comprehensive insurance, ground transportation to/from drop-off points, and ocean shipping.

Porsche - From its factory near Stuttgart, Porsche offers 18 drop-off locations throughout Europe. Porsche also offers a Travel Club that schedules road tours throughout Europe. There are also Porsche Weekends that feature scenic or challenging drives.

Volvo - Volvo offers free round trip airfare to Sweden for two via SAS and one night in a Gothenburg hotel. Keep in mind this is a popular program, and its availability often is limited. You may only use the airfares when your car is ready for delivery.

Davault Travel can assist you in planning your European road trip, airline tickets, hotels and tours.

European travel a bargain in 2010?

2010-05-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

The Euro has dropped significantly in value against the US Dollar this year. While it still isn't as low as it was when it was first launched the current exchange rate of 1.25 is still a four year low. When added to the price reductions many 3,4 and 5 star hotels have made over the last year now is a great time to visit the Europe.

Deal of the day

2010-04-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas - Mandalay Bay Resort

Please contact me for more details.

Where Daily - Halong Bay Vietnam

2010-04-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

A cruise through the karsts of Halong Bay near Haiphong Harbor in Vietnam is an eerie one indeed. Strange rock formations crop up through the fog and haze, ghosts really, of some dismal times recalling French Navy boats that patrolled the waters in the earlier parts of the last century looking for subversives and smugglers among the fishing junks. And then later, of U.S. Navy vessels trawling the deserted coves in search of guerrilla activity and or just a reason to be there.

But these calm waters have always been a place of ghosts - mostly of the ancestors of farming village residents in these parts who have lived here for hundreds of years.

A cruise on the Emeraude from Halong City on an overnight venture through the mystical outcroppings easily puts the visitor back a century. Time melts on this carefully reconstructed 1910 paddle steamer, and then stops altogether. The ship silently slips around a forest of limestone islands and rock formations - there are more than 1000 of them in this sleepy bay in northern Vietnam - as mesmerizing in their spectral presence as they are historic.

As a passenger, the lazy overnight journey requires a cocktail on the top deck lounge before reading on a chaise, perhaps The Lover by Marguerite Duras, and whiling the afternoon away in dreams.

Emeraude Entertainment

But the boat is not without its bustle of activities. A tender takes brings passengers who want to go ashore to Sung Sot Caves (Cave of Surprises) on an out island by a small village. There are options for kayaking and swimming near Hang Trong. Vietnamese cuisine demonstrations reveal the secrets of really good pho and a night at the movies watchingIndochine under the stars upon the Emeraude sun deck simply sizzles. The trip ends the next morning with early t'ai chi and tea before a packed buffet.

Affordable Spa Treats

Pampering has a place here, too, and for a fraction of what it costs elsewhere. The recent onboard opening of the Hanoi-based Santal Spa adds another layer of relaxation to the dazzling views with massages, facials and body scrubs. Santal is best known for its signature massage: the "four hand" treatment performed by two therapists using a blend of Shiatsu, Thai, Swedish, Balinese and Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi techniques. Other available treatments include traditional Vietnamese massage, warm stone treatments, reflexology and foot massages as well as body wraps and scrubs and a range of facials, all using quality cosmetics from France and Germany. An hour-long Swedish massage here might cost $30, rather than up to $200 paid on luxury cruise ships.

Onboard Details

The ship's 39 air-conditioned cabins come in deluxe and superior classes (including three suites) and keep the style of simpler times with wooden floors, modest wood and rattan furnishings and a small bathroom and shower. Buffet meals offer an array of Vietnamese and Continental dishes, along with fresh caught seafood, to suit the preferences of the 74 passengers it can carry.

The Deal

Rates for the two-day, one night cruise experience run $308-$557 for one and $350 to $624 for two. Transfers from Hanoi hotels (Halong Bay is about three hours by car from the city) run $45 pp for a shared van or $125 for up to two people in a private car ($135 for 3-5 persons).

Please contact me for more details.

iPhone users - Free Lonely Planet Guides

2010-04-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

Lonely Planet is giving away 13 of their European City Guides through Thursday the 22nd.

Lonely Planet Blog Posting

Stranded by a volcano?

In response to the widespread chaos caused by the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, Lonely Planet is offering 13 of its European iPhone guides free.

‘Travellers stuck in unfamiliar places need access to practical information as well as suggestions on what to do whilst stranded’, said Tom Hall, Lonely Planet Travel Editor. ‘That’s why we’re giving away iPhone city guides to major affected destinations.’

The 13 guides will be free until Thursday, 22 April from the iTunes app store. You can access them via the links below.

The cities included are:

* Amsterdam
* Barcelona
* Berlin
* Budapest
* Copenhagen
* Istanbul
* London
* Moscow
* Munich
* Paris
* Rome
* Stockholm
* Vienna

Travel Specials - Deal of the Day

2010-04-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Mexico specials are really plentiful right now.

Please contact me for more details.

Travel Specials - Deal of the Day

2010-04-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Mexico specials just keep coming in!

Travel Specials - Deal of the Day

2010-04-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

I receive quite a few special offers each day from my preferred suppliers. I'm going to start posting what I feel is the best of the best here each day. These offers are usually limited to just a few days and then they are gone, so be sure to check back often for updates. Please contact me for more details or to book your trip.

Mexico and the Caribbean today:

Travel Specials - Deal of the Day

2010-04-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-04-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #10
Don't…

Buy Into Stereotypes

Yes, we've all heard plenty about Parisians' legendary rudeness: The waiters are surly, the salespeople unhelpful, and everyone else is snobby and standoffish. It's true that Parisians are more reserved than most Americans and less apt to break into wide, toothy grins every time they meet someone new. Theirs is not a culture of instant BFFs and "Hi, how can I help you today?" extroversion. But you won't be doing yourself any favors by assuming that the locals don't like you—and then being rude in return.

Instead…
Be Mindful Of Your Manners

Try to understand (and imitate) the local customs and you'll no doubt be amply rewarded for your efforts. Do learn a few French words and phrases. Even if it's just a crash course on the flight over, and your delivery is less than perfect, the fact that you're trying will win points. Salespeople in smaller boutiques greet customers and expect to be greeted in return: A simple "Bonjour, Madame" upon entering a shop will do wonders for your status there. And note that French people tend to talk softly—their voices never carry in the streets, on the Métro, or even when they're sitting at the next table. Keep your voice low, too, and some of your neighbors might even venture a smile.

My thoughts - I can't stress how important it is to learn at least a few words of your host country's language. You may be butchering the language but the goodwill you will receive just for trying goes a long way. If you dress more like a European than an American, speak a little of the language, relax and go with the flow, remember you aren't in the USA and they do things differently, especially in Paris, you will have a great time.

Free Museum Admission & National Park Week

2010-04-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

Free Museums for Bank of America Customers: Today, Bank of America cardholders get free admission to participating museums and zoos nationwide. See museums.bankofamerica.com for details, dates, and participating museums. Valid dates are the first full weekends of each month, through September. Included on the list is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

Also, National Park Week is April 17-25, all 392 national parks are free.

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-04-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #9

Don't…

Fill Up On Croissants

We all swoon over those flaky golden crescents, and we wouldn't want to deprive you of them. But it would be a big mistake to limit yourself to Paris's best-known pastries and miss out on deluxe confections that aren't as well known, or as easily accessible, across the pond.

Instead…
Munch On Macaroons

Unlike the dense coconut cookies of the same name in the United States, French macaroons—dainty gems that come in a rainbow of colors and increasingly exotic flavors—consist of two meringuelike cookies bound together by a delicious ganache. A few patisseries, Ladurée in particular (pictured), have been carrying macaroons for ages, but recently these have become the hottest sweet in town, and several top bakers are making their names with novel flavors like cherry amaretto, violet, and white truffle. Debate rages among Parisians over which are the city's best; to decide for yourself, sample rose at Pierre Hermé, caramel with sea salt at Ladurée, and orange-ginger at Gérard Mulot.

My thoughts - why not do both?! But seriously, the macaroons we had in Paris were fabulous. The hotel we stayed at, the Le Meurice left some in our room as a welcome gift. They were so tasty we had to go buy some at the bakery the next day. I especially liked the espresso and caramel with sea salt. We found little shops all over Paris selling macaroons, it was the perfect little pick me up while out on a long walk. Enjoy!

Part 10 on Monday.

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-04-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #8

Don't…

Book The Cheapest Hotel

Finding a decent Paris hotel for a reasonable price can bring even the savviest travelers to the brink of despair. The city's hotels are breathtakingly expensive, and with the current conversion rates, they are truly stupefying. You might find a screaming deal at a big chain hotel and think you've got it made, but once you're sitting in a beige I-could-be-anywhere cube on the outskirts of town, you'll realize that you're missing out on the Parisian atmosphere in the city center.

Instead…
Book A Furnished Apartment

Furnished apartments can be found to suit absolutely every budget and taste. You'll be amazed at how much living space you get for your money—especially if you plan to stay for more than a couple of days—and you don't have to eat out for every meal. The real estate mantra "location, location, location" definitely applies. When in doubt, opt for an apartment in a single-digit arrondissement and check how close the nearest Métro station is. And if the price seems too good to be true, try to find out what they may be hiding. Do-it-yourself services abound (Craigslist, VRBO), but if you want to leave it to the experts, try a rental agency (Paris Perfect, Guest Apartment Services, and Haven in Paris are reputable options). Once you're in your private pied-à-terre, glass of wine in hand, listening to the sounds of the neighborhood through the open windows, you'll feel like you've truly arrived.

My thoughts - It can certainly be more economical to rent a furnished apartment. Buenos Aires in Argentina (the Paris of South America) is one great example of where you will find a huge inventory of very stylish and affordable apartments to rent for a short stay. The downside is that you almost always lose the amenities of a hotel, like daily maid service, room service, an onsite restaurant, Spa and health club and concierge services. If you can do with out those things you are a great candidate for a furnished apartment.

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-03-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #7

Don't…

Waste Time At The Eiffel Tower

In 2009, 6.6 million people visited the Eiffel Tower and, like lemmings, embarked on the laborious task of reaching the top. After trudging through one labyrinthine line for tickets and re-queuing for the cattle car–like elevators, you'll start to lose faith in the whole endeavor. And just when you think the ordeal is over, there are the lines to get back to terra firma. All that, only to realize that if you're experiencing a view from the tower, you can't actually enjoy the view of it—which is too bad, since it's the defining feature of the Paris skyline.

Instead…
Enjoy Dinner And A View

An infinitely more civilized approach to the whole Eiffel Tower business is to book a table at Les Ombres , the rooftop restaurant of the Musée du Quai Branly. The restaurant's glass latticework ceiling (like a dragonfly's wing) makes the most of its tall neighbor by enabling diners to feast their eyes on the tower in its gorgeous entirety while dining on French classics such as foie gras, oysters, and grilled steak. The view is at its most magical at night, when the tower glows ethereally and bursts into manic sparkling every hour. At dinner, main courses start at $40, but there are excellent deals to be had at lunchtime ($34–$52 for two to three courses). Or you can just head to the adjoining salon de thé to toast your savvy tourist skills with an alfresco flute of Champagne.

My thoughts - I rarely stand in line for any tourist attraction. I would prefer to have lunch (it's cheaper) at a nice restaurant with a view of the tower than stand in line for an hour just so I can be crammed onto an observation deck with 100 other tourists.

Number 8 on Thursday

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-03-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #6

Don't…

Seek Out Bohemian Ambience On The Left Bank

Sartre and de Beauvoir may have loved Les Deux Magots on the Boulevard St. Germain, but these days, this onetime hangout of intellectuals has all the authenticity of Times Square. You're far more likely to find yourself cheek by jowl with your tourist brethren than eavesdropping on any famous philosophers. You may, however, find yourself delivering a tirade on the immorality of charging $16 for buttered toast and orange juice. Does gouging tourists for the privilege of sitting on a sidewalk mark the decline of civilization? Yes, indeed.

Instead…
Find The "Real" Paris On The Canal St. Martin

Bobo (short for bourgeois bohemian) hipsters have laid claim to the area around the Canal St. Martin, a once-derelict part of the tenth arrondissement that now buzzes with cafés and hip boutiques, particularly along the Rue Beaurepaire. Settle at a sidewalk table at Chez Prune, the see-and-be-seen ground zero for this trendy Right Bank 'hood (36 Rue Beaurepaire; 33-1-42-41-30-47), sip your café crème, eavesdrop on the locals, and enjoy the views of the picturesque canal—and bask in the smug knowledge that you've found a corner of real Paris, far from the touristy hordes.

My thoughts - explore all of Paris' neighborhoods. The Left Bank is still an important part of Paris history so be sure to not miss it, but spend time exploring some of the up and coming areas, they tend to be a little edgier and more economical.

#7 on Wednesday

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-03-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #5

Don't…
Get Around Town In A Cab

Paris most definitely isn't New York: Taxis can be hard to come by and can't be flagged down on the street (you need to call ahead for one or find a taxi stand). Cabbing around town also leaves you vulnerable to Paris's famously snarled traffic: Careening to a halt on a narrow one-way street, then watching the meter tick ever upward while you're trapped behind a double-parked car, is a definite buzzkill.

Instead…
Take To Heart The French Word Flâner

While flâner technically means "to stroll," it more generally suggests "to walk the city in order to experience it"—words to live by in the City of Light. The center of Paris is only a couple of miles wide, maps are ubiquitous, and the rewards for taking to the streets on foot include world-class window shopping, observing flirtatious exchanges taking place in sidewalk cafés, and walking off that extra croissant. Worried about dog droppings? Fear not, the city has cleaned up its act. When going longer distances, hop on the Métro. From any given spot in Paris, you're never more than 500 yards from the nearest station; it's cheaper than a cab and often faster, too. So there's really no excuse—unless you've stayed out late (the Métro closes at 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights and 1 am the rest of the week). We wish we could recommend Paris's inexpensive Vélib' bikes (the gray models you see lined up on the street), but the rental program is off-limits to most visitors since a smart chip–enabled credit card is required to access the system.

My thoughts - I don't think I stepped foot in a cab during my last trip to Paris. The city is best explored on foot and the metro system was very easy to navigate. And after seeing the gridlock on the roads I was glad we weren't trapped in a cab. Another great way to see the city is by Segway, I highly recommend these tours.

Number 6 on Tuesday.

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-03-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #4

Don't…
Commit A Fashion Faux Pas

For starters, don't ever, even in the sweltering dog days of summer, think about wearing a pair of shorts in Paris unless you really wantto be treated like a hapless tourist. As the French would say, ça ne se fait pas (it simply isn't done). And while you're at it, leave those gleaming white running shoes at home, too. As a general rule, Parisians avoid dressing like they're going to climb Mount Everest, and while you're in their town, so should you. On the other end of the spectrum, don't overdo it just because you're headed to the world's fashion capital.

Instead…
Take A Crash Course In French Style

Parisian style isn't really about dressing to the nines; the French are quite casual these days—they've just mastered the art of the clean, coordinated look. Here are a few tips to keep your attire simple, tidy, and thoughtfully assembled: Black is always a good bet (or gray, if you really want to go nuts); accessorize with a single bold scarf, hat, or jewel (but, please, not all three at once); and make sure things fit the way they should (no sagging or squeezing). Complete your outfit with a fitted jacket and the best shoes in your closet. The final effect should look utterly effortless.

Enough said!

Number 5 on Friday.

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-03-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #3

Don't…

Spend All Day At The Louvre Or Musée D'Orsay

The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay are Paris's most celebrated museums, and yes, they do house some famous works of art. But don't for a second think that they're your only—or, indeed, even your best—options. The lines to get in can be harrowing in high season, the crowds are exhausting, and the sheer quantity of art on display is overwhelming. If the prospect of beating back the hordes seems like it will detract from the experience (and, really, how could it not?), don't despair.

Instead…
Get To Know Paris's Lesser-Known Museums

Many of Paris's smaller museums contain equally important and beautiful art—and are often more pleasant, since you won't be elbowed out of the way by a photo-snapping swarm. You'll find Monet's famousNymphéas (water lily) murals in the Musée de l'Orangerie, at the far end of the Tuileries Gardens. The Musée Marmottan is home to the world's largest collection of Monets. And the Musée Rodin, housed in a luminous villa with a lovely garden, is one of the most romantic museums in all of Paris. Not in the mood for an art lesson? There are plenty of museums in Paris that focus on lighter and frothier fare, including fashion, wine, and money. Once you've discovered the pleasures of these intimate galleries, you might be hard-pressed to bother with the Louvre at all (although, if you insist, check out our tips for making the most of your time there).

My thoughts - I think every traveler has experienced culture overload, that point where you try to see and do everything in just one trip. Paris is one of those cities where it is near impossible to experience everything in one trip. My advice is to try and see just a couple major sights and then spend time experiencing all the other things a city has to offer. Smaller museums, independent art galleries, architecture, cafe life, all the things you end up foregoing if you are spending all your time waiting in lines to see the major sights.

Number 4 on Thursday

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-03-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris - #2

Don't…
Get Starstruck At Mealtimes

Home to 66 Michelin-starred restaurants, Paris is a gourmet's paradise. But a lot of pomp and circumstance—not to mention sky-high prices—accompany most of these traditional fine-dining establishments. (The prix fixe dinner at three-star L'Arpège, for example, will set you back a staggering $480. And that's before wine!) Does the idea of half a dozen waiters hovering buzzardlike around your table sound appealing? Or how about spending as much on dinner as you did on your plane ticket? No, we didn't think so.

Instead…
Have Your Dinner À La Mode

Recently, several Michelin-starred chefs have abandoned the rigid confines of haute-cuisine restaurants to open convivial bistros that serve up simpler (yet still outstanding) meals. And the locals are just crazy about them. Yves Camdeborde's pioneering Le Comptoir du Relais, in the sixth arrondissement, is so popular that it can be hard to get a table. But once you're tucking into Camdeborde's famous foie gras terrine for a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere (the weekday dinner prix fixe is about $68), you'll understand why the place is booked months in advance. If you can't get in at dinner, try arriving by 11:45 am for lunch (reservations are not accepted, so it's first come, first serve). Christian Constant's charming Café Constant, in the seventh, is another popular option that serves impeccably prepared favorites, such as roast chicken, for a mere $20. Still hell-bent on a Michelin-star meal? Try booking at lunchtime, when many restaurants offer excellent-value prix fixe menus.

My thoughts - I agree. My rule when traveling in Europe is that if a restaurant has a menu posted outside in English or they advertise an "American" menu they are expecting tourists and I usually move on. I especially like dining at ethnic restaurants while in Europe. One positive influence from the old colonial days is that you can usually find the cuisine of the colonies in the country you are visiting. England = Indian, The Netherlands = Indonesian, France = Moroccan, Italy = Ethiopian are some good examples.

Number 3 on Wednesday.

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

2010-03-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

10 Things Not to Do in Paris

from Concierge.com

Number 1:

Don't…

Shop On The Champs-Elysées

The Champs-Elysées may once have been the most beautiful avenue in the world, but its fortunes have risen and fallen many times over the years, and it's currently overrun with global chain stores, auto dealerships, and movie multiplexes. Aside from the über-glam Vuitton flagship, which draws label addicts in droves, you'll find yourself dodging throngs of teens as you trudge past McD's and Sephora, wondering what in God's name all the fuss is about. And whatever you do, don't succumb to hunger on this strip: The cafés prey on tourists, and a local wouldn't be caught dead in one.

Instead…
Follow In The Well-Heeled Footsteps Of Locals

Die-hard fashionistas should head straight to the designer shops of the Rue des Francs-Bourgeois in the chic Marais, while haute-couturistas should point their stilettos in the direction of the Avenue Montaigne, for the likes of Chanel, or the Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré, home of trendsetting concept shop Colette (pictured). For an old-fashioned ambience, look to Paris's covered passages. Dating back to the 19th century, these were the city's first malls, and beneath their vaulted ceilings of glass and wrought iron, you'll find more unusual wares: French designers, but also antiquarian book dealers, art galleries, quirky toy shops, and more.Galerie Vivienne, just north of the Palais Royal, in the second arrondissement, is the most elegant of the lot.

My thoughts - I couldn't agree more. And luckily in Paris there is great shopping around every corner. So avoid the main tourist zones, get off the main streets, and look for the one unique item to bring that will always remind you of your trip to Paris.

Number 2 on Tuesday.

WhereDaily - at home Hawaii style

2010-02-23T17:42:00.000-08:00

WWW.WHEREDAILY.COM
February 22, 2010

Specialty Lodging has been part and parcel of the Hawaii resort landscape since the start of the condo craze in the 1980s. As high-rises went up around Waikiki and the value of beachfront property in this island state skyrocketed developers quickly found a market for efficient residential towers selling along side fancy hotel spreads. With Outrigger came the popularizing of these condominium quarters as leisure vacation spots that could be rented with the same ease as hotel rooms, and indeed, a new vacation genre was born.

"We have found our condominiums to be especially popular with families," notes Nancy Daniels, spokesman for Outrigger Enterprises. "Cooking 'at home' can mean savings of up to $100 a stay for a family of four, and those savings can be put toward other island activities. Also, keeping snacks in the fridge for after the beach or pool, packing picnic lunches to take on daylong excursions, or cooking dinner and eating on the lanai are all great ways to stretch a family's dining budget."

The company also promotes the condo inventory for girlfriend getaways and bachelorette parties and has found a good marketing angle for those who want to pack light and avoid extra baggage fees. In-suite washers and dryers can become another money-saving amenity.

Condominium options are to be found throughout the Hawaiian archipelago in all manners of configuration and cost. Companies such as ResortQuest specialize in offering owned vacation residences to travelers of all kinds, be they families, business travelers or honeymooners. Destination Hotels and Resorts also brings a variety of vacation options to travelers and has been seeing much interest in its top-tier Wailea Beach Villas on Maui where sumptuous homes come with dedicated butler service. Rates and packages all around remain significantly lower than in previous years.

High-style Luxury Living

Wailea Beach Villas brings 98 penthouses and villas ranging in size from 1,900 to 3,100 square feet with two and three bedrooms, large lanais with built-in barbecues and ocean or garden views. Villas have private plunge pools and outdoor showers and personal butler, personal au pair and in-room spa treatments can be had for the asking. Rates start at $975 per night for a two bedroom garden penthouse. (866) 901-5207.www.waileabeachvillas.com.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua

This Maui classic comes with 445 remodeled guestrooms and the addition of one and two bedroom Residential Suites, all with new furnishings and amenities, including dark wood floors, flat-screen televisions, new marble bathrooms, Hawaiian inspired artwork and spacious lanais. Count plush robes, Bulgari bath products and high-speed wireless Internet into the amenities. Kapalua, Maui. Residential one-bedroom villas start at $545 per night. (808) 669-6200, www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui.

Trump Waikiki

The $700 million Trump Waikiki, opened last year as the newest property to grace the crowded Waikiki beachfront bringing 464 units ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouses that originally sold for $400,000 to $9 million. Units have kitchens with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances but 24-hour room service and concierge is also available. The property touts a full-service spa, an elegant two-story lobby, signature restaurants, glass elevators, infinity pools with cabanas and lavish waterfalls in a building soaring 38 stories above the Pacific. Rates start at $425 per night.

(888) 877-8693, www.trumpwaikikihotel.com.

Ho'olei at Grand Wailea

The legendary Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on the Wailea coast of Maui opened a residential gated community known as Ho'olei adjacent to the Grand Wailea Resort. This is the first opportunity for guests to stay in a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath townhouse and enjoy access to all the amenities of the Grand Wailea Resort, including the Canyon Activity Pool, Spa Grande, myriad fine dining options, Camp Grande, and Wailea Golf Club. Guest quarters range from 3,200 to 4,000 square feet, and each two-story town home features a private interior elevator, attached garage and an oversized Great Room with vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and sliding glass doors that open onto a spacious, covered lanai with views of the Pacific or Wailea Blue Golf Course. Rates start at about $1,000 per night. (877) 3-HOOLEI, www.hooleiatgrandwailea.com.

Family Freedom in the Islands

ResortQuest might be considered the king of condohotel operations in Hawaii. The company has 26 properties throughout the island state (many are former Aston properties), each with its own personality. They can be as diverse as the Waikiki Beach Hotel with its beachfront tower, complimentary "breakfast on the beach" picnic program and its bright floral room décor; or the ResortQuest at the Executive Center in downtown Honolulu, where each suite has floor to ceiling pans of the southern sweep of Oahu and amenities perfect for an extended business stay. They can be economical beachfront mini-condos in Kapaa, Kauai at the Islander on the Beach (rates starting at $87 per night) or as exclusive as the Waimea Plantation Cottages, an exclusive oceanfront spread in western Kauai favored by honeymooners and celebrities solitude, privacy and authentically preserved, early century Hawaii sensibilities. (Cottages - studio with kitchenette to three-bedroom, two-bath oceanfront stays --range from $195 to $395 per night). (877) 997-6667,www.resortquesthawaii.com.

Outrigger Hotels has a separate Condominium Collection that is added to its booking inventory in 14 resorts throughout the islands. The Kanaloa at Kona, or instance, perched atop an outcropping of lava rock overlooking Keauhou Bay, presents a gated oceanfront resort with 86 one- and two-bedroom units on 17 acres. Each comes with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and large lanai. The site offers tennis, golf, three swimming pools, oceanfront lodging, complimentary wireless Internet access in public areas and a convenient location near shopping and snorkeling spots. Rates start at $145 per night with a two-night minimum. (800) OUTRIGGER (688-7444), www.outrigger.com.

Destination Hotels and Resorts brings its specialty lodging collection to Maui in the form of eight choices, each with its own benefits, price points and location. Nightly rates run the gamut, from $180 to $2,300 and offer fully equipped and spacious living quarters with access to tennis, golf and ocean. Several packages can be booked with these accommodations, including the Wailea Springs Savings package (stay between April 12 and June 24, 2010 and receive a comped luxury car rental plus 30% off the best available rate). Other specials in place include a Winter 35% Discount through March at participating properties; Fifth Night Free; and the Maui Mystery Package that starts at $180 per night and comes with an upgrade. (866) 384-1365, www.drhmaui.com.

Passport Tips

2010-02-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

Traveling outside the US soon? Here are a few tips to make your journey run smoothly:

Check your passport expiration date. Some countries and airlines will not let you travel if the expiration date is within 6 month's of your RETURN date. And don't expect the airlines to help you out if you get to your destination and the officials will not let you enter the country. You could end up buying a very expensive one way ticket home.
Always travel with a copy of your passport data page in a secure location, it could help if you lose your passport.
Register your trip with the US State Department before you leave. If you do lose your passport it can shave days off of the time needed to get a replacement.

https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

Whenever possible leave your passport securely locked in your hotel safe.
When entering some countries or registering at hotels, you may be asked to fill out a police card listing your name, passport number, destination, local address, and reason for traveling. You may be required to leave your passport at the hotel reception desk overnight so it may be checked by local police officials. These are normal procedures required by local laws. If your passport is not returned the following morning, immediately report the impoundment to local police authorities and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
As more and more people need a passport for travel expect long lead times, as much as 4 to 6 months. If you do get into a bind and need a passport in a hurry use a service to expedite receiving your passport like A Briggs.
If you are going to need a travel visa stamp from the country you are visiting be sure to verify the requirements. Some countries will allow you to get a visa stamp at the airport, like Turkey, but some countries require that you have the entry visa stamp before you travel.
Make sure you have enough space/empty pages in your passport for your trip. If you need extra pages this can be done through the US Department of State or a passport service.
Rules and laws are always changing so be sure to visit the US Department of State Passport page to review all the current requirements.

How do I travel? I always have a paper copy of my passport, ID, and credit cards, front and back in case I lose them and need to contact the bank or State Department for a replacement. I always register with the State Department if I am traveling outside the US and I make a note of where the closest US Embassy or consulate is located. Once you create a profile updating it is easy. I keep scanned copies of all my documents in a secure online storage site so I can access them anywhere I travel. I always notify my credit card companies and cell phone provider that I will be traveling so they do not put a hold on my credit cards or stop my cell service.

Visiting Cuba (legally)

2010-02-12T09:42:00.000-08:00

Americans may be surprised to learn that you can travel to Cuba legally, and that Europeans and Canadians have been doing so for years. This is a great article take from the Matador Abroad website.

How To Travel to Cuba Legally As An American

Traveling to Cuba legally as an American is possible, if slightly complicated. Here are some ways you can make it work.

While it’s still challenging to travel legally, President Obama has eased some of the restrictions and opened up some opportunities. Having just returned from the island, I can attest that the process involves months of planning, tons of paperwork, and plenty of waiting around. But it’s a worthy process for those who are concerned about traveling illegally through a third country and facing the possibility of a hefty fine upon return.

The first thing to know about legal travel to Cuba is that there are two licenses: a general license and a specific license. Traveling under general license is the easiest because you don’t have to ask the government for permission, but you can be asked for documented proof from your trip that shows you traveled under that category.

An extensive list of travel categories is available on the Marazul, Global Exchange or the Center For Cuban Studies.

El Nicho Falls

Some of the categories for legal travel to Cuba are:

Family Visits: This falls under general license.

Professional Research or Attendance at a Conference: This is a general license available to full time professionals provided they spend the majority of their time in Cuba conducting research. This can involve site visits, attending lectures, and other academic endeavors.

The majority of group travel opportunities fall under this category. Some examples of current opportunities are “Reality Tours” that explore everything from alternative healing to music offered by Global Exchange, and a teacher’s delegation being put together through the Center for Cuban Studies.

Journalists: Full-time journalists that work for a news gathering organization can travel to Cuba under general license. Freelancers writing articles on Cuba can obtain a specific license provided they have a publication history.

Study Abroad: Specific Licenses are granted for undergraduate and graduate study abroad programs lasting longer than ten weeks. There are a multitude of American universities currently offering programs in Cuba. Presbyterian College’s program is available to students from any university.

Humanitarian Projects:Under a specific license, groups can take donations and engage in humanitarian trips. Most of these trips are carried out by religious groups such as the Cuba-America Jewish Mission, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, and several others. The Cuba AIDS Project also takes small groups interested in HIV/AIDS outreach.

It’s unfortunate that a decades long political battle deters Americans from visiting Cuba, because there is so much to be learned on both sides from an interaction between Americans and Cubans. Jumping the hoops to travel legally might be worth it for interaction with a place most Americans see only through the media.

Hawaii - Classic Vacation & Starwood Sale

2010-02-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

Classic Vacations, a preferred tour supplier to Hawaii is having a special sale. Please call or email for more details.

doug@davaulttravel.com

503.798.5842

WhereDaily - Calistoga, Napa's Wonderland

2010-02-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

Calistoga: Napa's Neverland

WWW.WHEREDAILY.COM
February 8, 2010

People head to Calistoga for its waters - hot and mineral-heavy straight from the roiling pulp beneath the mighty San Andreas. But people head to Calistoga Ranch Resort for the high-ticket R&R.

While the town of Calistoga is locked into the turn of the (last) century - easy streets, original Victorian domiciles and a mish mash of small town stores and funky '60s-style motels, each featuring is own signature of mineral pools and baths - Calistoga Ranch Resort is an assortment of suites, villas and some kind of California magic that would be bedded comfortably in the pages of Sunset Magazine, if not Travel & Leisure. The resort sits about five miles outside of town (and four miles from post St. Helena) in its own canyon in the Mayacama Mountains on the upper edge of Napa. A visitor can take in all of it - the platinum pampering and award-winning dining of the resort, the wine sampling from wineries along the Silverado Trail, the quiet tone of the town, the mineral mud and hot pool soaks offered by vintage motels on nearly every corner, and even a two-room town museum attached to an original residence.

The resort wedges into a mountain crevice on 157 acres shaded by oak trees, fed by mountain waters and surrounded by hiking trails. Its 48 rooms feature such amenities as outdoor deck showers, private wooden Jacuzzi tubs on hidden patios, outdoor fireplace, platters of fruits and cheeses paired with wine, French Press coffee and a plumped up bedroom set that belongs in Province.

The Spa scene compliments the layout with a waterfall hot tub overlooking the creek, treatment rooms with private spas, private wooded balconies to soak in the setting, and a menu of organic healing treatments. Stargazing into unblighted skies is an unexpected extra.

Naturally, romancing couples find much to love here and Calistoga Ranch Resort is kindling it all with ... well, a package. A Rest & Renew Valentine's Day package is a simple affair: Arrive between February 12 and February 16 for a complimentary upgrade to Spa Lodge accommodations as well as dinner for two en suite or at the Lakehouse Restaurant, or a $200 spa credit and complimentary soak in a private mineral pool. The two-night package runs about $1,760 per couple.

In addition, the resort runs an on-going escape package Sunday through Thursday starting at $635 per night (through March) with confirmed accommodations upgrade and breakfast for two each morning.

Please contact me for more information.

WhereDaily - Top 10 2010 Travel Scams

2010-02-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Travel Scams for 2010
WWW.WHEREDAILY.COM
January 29, 2010



The top ten travel scams for 2010 are the same top ten travel scams of 2009. There is nothing new under the sun in the travel fraud department - only new players, new places and new ways of playing. Whether the advice comes from the wisdom of trained perps, jaded police or overly concerned parents it has teeth. And it is simply this:

* Do your research, know your prices.
* Keep your valuables on you and safe inside a sealed pocket or inside pouch
* Know the currency and carry a lot of small bills in US denominations.
* Do not step into un-metered or unofficial taxis; do not accept involved unsolicited help; do not act too open, bored or friendly.
* If a gypsy tosses a baby at you, put your hands in your pockets and scat.

Unless, of course, you have nothing to lose. Wandering unfettered through foreign cities has its virtues. The Escape Diva here evaded many scams in her youth as she simply did not have any thing to steal. Even the charming snake handler at Jama-al-Fna Square in Marrakech had been out-scammed when the boa constrictor he placed around her neck -- and would not remove unless paid his ransom --had to chase after this unlikely victim - who refused to pay him anything and started to run off with the snake around her head.

According to such experts as Kevin Coffey,  a former police detective and scam expert as well as others with expert input into the game, the following acts of conartistry contend for the Oscars of travel fraud.

1)    The $500 Travel Agent. This scam has been around since the mid 1990s and offers would-be travelers travel agent credentials for the price of about $500. The credentials are supposed to bring incredible hotel and cruise discounts and a host freebies just for being a part of this bogus "agency." But the days of the agent comps are as gone as brick-sized cell phones and the only benefits here might be the jazzy sales motivation talks and the monthly newsletter.

2)    The Free Trip. Whether you have won a trip to some island in the Bahamas or a gate pass to Disneyland just for picking up your mail or clicking a pop-up box, chances are you will be asked to fork over $100 for an "admin" fee for a trip that does not exist.

3)    The Up Front Cashout. This really did happen - to the Los Angeles Times Travel Editor Catharine Hamm. The editor had wedding plans set for a spot on the island of Oahu. However, a few weeks before the wedding she had to change venues and found the perfect place nearby through research on the Internet. She contacted the leasing agency and the agent asked her to quickly wire the funds - nearly $5,000 - to the "owner's" bank account in Texas, as time was short. After wiring the money, Hamm requested the accompanying papers - which never came.

4)    The Discount Travel Club. Unless this is a club of like-minded pals who want to ski or beach together, the discounted travel promised for the price of admission is likely too good to be true or something you could gain for yourself. Use a travel agent and pay with a credit card. Even if an agent can't cinch that extra $25 off the trip you want, as seen on some fleeting site in the middle of the night, he or she can offer assurances that the room you get is the room you want - on the ocean, not ten blocks away. And should anything go wrong, you're covered. Peace of mind? $25 please.

5)    The Lady with the Baby. This happens in Europe a lot: a gypsy woman carrying a baby in a blanket walks toward you and suddenly tosses the child into your arms. Nearby partners in crime grab your purse, wallet, camera, whatever can be snatched in the confusion and run away, leaving you to care for the doll or log you just caught.

6)    The Newspaper in Your Face. Kids, usually Gypsy children, pass you in a chaos of laughter, conversations and newspapers. While waving the newspapers in your face to block your vision and disorient you, the cagey youths run through your pockets and grab your bag-and everything else they can grab.
.
7)    Five for Fifty. This bait and switch is common in Turkey where the denominations in questions look similar, but it is certainly duplicated to perfection in other destinations as well - including the cash register at your local 7-11. You get into a cab, get a estimate for a fare, pay the fare when you get there with a 50 note, which the driver drops and exchanges for a 5 and exclaims that you gave him a 5 not a 50.

8)   The English Student. One of the most rewarding experiences of travel is spontaneous interaction and adventures with local residents. Indeed, Escape Diva has discovered hidden dumpling houses in Shanghai, friendly hookah dens in Sanaa, even bohemian coffee houses in Addis Abeba with the help of friendly locals - often students - who want to practice their English. But chances are you will be paying for dinner for your host and several of his friends in the transaction, and even buying his family a few bags of groceries while you are at it.

9)   Waiting for the Bus. Whether your adversaries are on bicycle, running through a crowd or offering a friendly dose of help in a bustling bus station, it's your bags they want - not your smiling face. A common scene has travelers waiting for their ride on a street in Barcelona as thieves on bicycles grab a purse from a woman nearby. She screams. The travelers drop their bags and run after the purse-snatchers while cohorts in the shadows run for the bags. Similarly, you are struggling with your luggage at a train or bus terminal. A nice guy insistently offers a hand to help and helps himself to your belongings.

10)   The Cut and Roll. This classic comes from Detective Kevin Coffey who had made a post-department career in lecturing about travel scams and fraud to travel groups and meeting planners. You are on line at the security gate at an airport. Suddenly, one or two people cut in line and get through the scanner ahead of you. They go through your things while you are stuck in place and disappear into the terminal - and out - with your cell phone and your wallet.

Extra Credit - In Paris look out for the "lost ring" scam. A woman will approach you, bend over and pick up a ring and ask you if you just lost it. She expects you to say yes, take the ring, and then give her a reward. This happened to me in Paris by the Eiffel Tower last year. It was almost comical how text book the scam was. And no I didn't fall for it!

Safe Travels!

-Doug