Greetings Savvy Travelers!
Winter is well underway here in Colorado. All this cold and snow can lead to the winter blues. Are you tired of stepping in slush and would rather feel the hot sand under your feet? Me too! Now is a perfect time to plan an escape to a tropical paradise. Take advantage of some last minute deals or get a head start on planning your spring break. Talk to me and let me know how I can help!
"It was the perfect honeymoon! Everything was amazing in Costa Rica, the resorts you picked for our customized itinerary were great!! We really appreciate you putting all the work to book everything for us. We had the best time and a great way to kick off our marriage!" - E.C.
GOOD TRAVEL CENT$ FOR SAVVY TRAVELERS
With the strong American dollar, the exchange rate for Europe is the lowest it has been in years. Now is a perfect time to travel to those destinations you have always dreamed about. If you are considering travel to Europe or other international locales and need to purchase your airline tickets, always check with ticket brokers. They may offer discounted rates that can be of substantial savings depending if it is an economy, business or first class ticket. There may be restrictions to obtaining the much lower rate; no frequent flyer miles or stiffer cancellation penalties. Check with the company you purchase your ticket from and make sure you know how the details before you purchase.
"We had a great time in Grenada at Sandals Resort! It was a wonderful choice for us. The food was excellent and the property did not seem to be overly crowded over Christmas. We were able to get a nice spot on the beach each day, if not at the pool. We would definitely recommend it. Thanks so much for your recommendation. We have passed your name to some friends looking for travel advice and hope they reach out to you soon. " - K.W.
THIS MONTH’S TRAVEL TIP
Traveling outside the United States? Call the customer service department of your credit card company before you travel to find out if there are any foreign-transaction fees. Some cards may waive that fee so it’s good to find out ahead of time. Those foreign-transaction fees (anywhere from 1-3% per transaction) can really add up over the course of a vacation. Check your credit card statement carefully upon your return and contact customer service right away to inquire about any charges you do not recognize. Do some research on International Credit Cards and you’ll reap the rewards of those that give you points or perks, cash back or bonuses. Airline credit cards often offer rewards for miles, free upgrades, free bags, and other perks. All these little perks add up and that’s even more savings for you!
"We loved St Lucia. The best part about Ladera Resort is the room. It is such a unique experience you don't want to leave the room. So after a hectic wedding month and wedding day, it is the perfect resort to just relax for a couple days and really recover. After that we were ready to party and do all kinds of activities, that's where Sandals Grande is perfect! In our opinion it is a great combo!" - S.T.
VIVA ITALIA!
Have you been to Italy? Did you just love it and want to move there? There is so much to see and do! I was only there for seven days and could have easily spent two weeks or more. Here are a few highlights:
1. Italy is famous for their food AND their wine! If you have been to the Wine Country in California and loved that - then make this a must-experience trip of a lifetime! Get a group of your friends together that enjoy wine and eating as much as you do then give me a call. I can recommend some fabulous restaurants and best places to sip wine.
2. Rome is filled with history. For those of you that like an educational, learning vacation – this is it! A few places I visited were: Vatican, Colosseum (see photo below), Roman Forum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Venezia.
3. Portofino is absolutely gorgeous and one of the most picturesque coastal cities in Italy. (see photo below) A highlight was the scenic hike between Portofino to Santa Margherita. This is a tree-lined paved trail about three miles long with amazing views of the sea and towns. I was wearing casual walking shoes and would rate this as a moderate hike.
"Our trip to Italy was phenomenal and you did an amazing job!" - D.N..
MESSAGE FROM MARGI
“I look my best when I'm totally free,
on holiday, walking on the beach."
~Rosamund Pike
This months quote hits the nail on the head. Not only do you look better on vacation, but you can feel better too! Indulge in some spa pampering, catch up on your reading or enjoy the nightlife. A vacation is the perfect prescription for what ails you!
Happy Travels!
Margi Arnold, CTC, Luxury Travel Advisor, President
