Journal

Hawaii is such a unique and diverse vacation destination and US travelers are rushing to plan their trips there during this time when domestic travel feels “safer”. After all, Hawaii can actually feel like an exotic, international vacation without ever leaving the good ole USA. There is so much to do in the Hawaiian Islands – a wide range of activities and experiences – however I always like to share my top things NOT to do when visiting my favorite vacation destination. Here

Cruising the Galapagos Islands is an experience that appears on many bucket lists(Including mine). It is an amazing experience and the only place in the world where the wildlife shows no fear of humans, meaning you can observe it from just a few feet away. Before or after a Galapagos cruise many clients request to add on Machu Picchu. Although this is quite popular I would recommend against it because it does involve quite a bit of flying. I would recommend visiting Machu

The Allure of Upcountry Maui Ahhh...Maui! Almost everybody’s favorite island! It always lands at the top of travel polls in magazines like Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast. The beaches are amazing, the restaurants world-class and some of the most luxurious resorts in the world are located there. While I will be the first person to take you up on an invitation to lounge poolside at the Four Seasons or dine at Mama’s Fish house, my favorite way to spend the day on Maui has nothi

Packing Light – especially on an itinerary where you will be moving and changing locations a good bit – cannot be underestimated. In fact, it can be the difference between an enjoyable vacation and a miserable one! You will never meet anyone who says “I wish I had packed heavier” when they return from a journey. Rick Steves, the Public TV European travel guru, only allows the members of his escorted tours to bring 1 carry-on size piece of luggage per person...even when the t

Hawaii’s tropical island paradise isn’t really the fountain of youth, but it’s close. Hawaiians not only live longer, but they’re also less stressed and happier than residents of any other state. According to the Centers for Disease Control research, the average life expectancy for people living in Hawaii is 81.2 years, versus 75.6 years in, for example, Mississippi. And in addition to living longer lives, Hawaiians are getting happier as time goes on. For the past four years

Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is one of the most popular islands to visit. World-famous beaches, migrating humpback whales, sustainable cuisine and beautiful family-friendly resorts are what the island is most known for. 1. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa Set right on Ka’anapali Beach, once named one of America’s best beaches, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa offers a luxury Hawaiian experience. Eight onsite restaurants cover any type of cuisine you w

Too Many Americans Skip their VacationWhat? You’re thinking of skipping your vacation again this year? After such a tough year? Americans are among the hardest working people in the world...and receive the fewest vacation days from our employers. So why is it that every year Americans throw away an estimated 415 million vacation days by skipping their vacation! If you are in a leadership role at your place of work, not taking time off from work can prove to be more harmful t

Ahhh....the images we have in our head of the stuffy, usually British, Butler – almost always named Jeeves! But let’s be honest...most of us have no real reference other than a few TV sitcoms like “Benson”, “Family Affair” and “The Fresh Prince of Belair”. Or maybe “Downton Abbey”. In the real world, Butler Service is becoming a much sought-after perk at many All-Inclusive resorts and on some Cruises. It sounds romantic having someone at your beck-and-call ready to serve you

In my 10+ years as a travel professional, I’ve been asked lots of questions about passports. Personally, I think that every US Citizen should be required to have a passport. It just makes sense to me, and I have seen too many people have to miss out on an amazing last-minute travel opportunity because they aren’t prepared. If you are over 16, the passport books are good for 10 years, so the pro-rated cost is about $15 per year. Certainly a great value! Yes, it can be a little

I'm not a huge resolution-maker, but I have learned from some extremely smart mentors to sit down each year to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Here are just a couple of suggestions for YOU to think over before another year gets away from us: 1. Historically, the busiest month of the year for travel professionals is January because families and friends get together over the holidays and discuss their travel dreams for the upcoming year. Have you thought about it

Have you ever considered taking it on the road over the holidays? No? Why not??? Here are Five great reasons why a holiday AWAY makes perfect sense: 1. Use Fewer Vacation Days Extending a holiday that most people already have off minimizes the amount of time needed off from work. More bang for your buck! Save those vacation days for later! 2. Step Away from The Hustle Bustle Holidays can be a source of major stress for families (especially moms) as they juggle preparations,

Surviving Holiday Travel It has always struck me as "crazy" when I see the insane TSA security lines and hear stories about the airport traffic and lack of parking around the busiest flying time of the year, but I also realize that some people have no choice but to brave the elements to make it home for the Holidays. If you do have to travel during the "season of crazies", here are some tips to help you retain a little bit of your sanity: 1. Plan Ahead and Do Your Research! M

Italy is, by far, the most popular European Country requested by my clients....in fact, over 46 million tourists visit this amazing country every year. They come from all over the world, for many different reasons, and many will return again and again for that magic that only Italy can deliver. Italians are very kind, outgoing, family-centric and extremely patient (unless they are driving!). The Italians realize how blessed they are to be the safe keepers of some of history’s

1. Visit O Chateau for the absolute BEST wine experience! They offer so many options...ranging from a single glass of wine to a Champagne Cruise on the Seine to a full day small-group tour to the Champagne region of France! www.o-chateau.com/paris-wine-tasting 2. Stop in to the L’Orangerie museum to get “up close and personal” with Monet’s incredible Water Lilies. This small museum is easy to get in and out of, usually with no crowds, and is a fantastic way to see some of t