Ko Samui, and Other Overlooked Thailand Destinations

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We just covered Bangkok, but there’s a lot more to Thailand than just the beautiful city of Bangkok with its many temples, palaces, and street festivals. Let’s talk about a little island called Ko Samui.

Samui, as it’s commonly called, is an island located around southern Thailand. It’s an island that’s a lot more laid back than people might expect, making it a great vacations pot if you’re not trying to really get into the bright lights and crazy nightlife of Bangkok.

Now, we call it a “little” place, but the truth is that Samui is actually pretty large. The places that you might want to check out first are Chaweng and Lamai, only because they are indeed the most commercialized. That means that if you’re really not someone that wants to “rough it”, then you’re going to be looking for somewhere decently luxurious, right? Right!

Other places of interest would be Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak, and even Choeng Mon. Those are the beaches that are going to be a lot less lively, giving you a real bit of peace and quiet.

If Bangkok is the center where nothing ever really sleeps, then Samui is definitely the opposite. Wild parties aren’t going to really happen here. Over 90% of the full time residents of Samui are Buddhist, and that means a lot of rest, relaxation, and meditation. We’re not saying that you can’t find a party or gathering on the island, but there’s not going to really be the same focus on wildin’ out and having a good time the way you might be used to. If that’s something that you need, you might want to stick to Bangkok.

This island rests in an archipelago of over 80 islands — together they form the Ang Thon National Marine Park.

Snorkeling is naturally one of the top activities, but generally speaking any outdoor adventure that you want to embark on, you can here. This is not a place where you have to sit in a hotel room when you’d rather be exploring the great open waters. It’s just a matter of trying to figure out what’s going on, what you want to do, and how you want to do it. Hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and even rock climbing can be accomplished while you’re staying on the island. Simple camping can be a pleasure in a foreign country, so don’t count that activity out either. Far too often we expect that everyone is going to want to stay in a hotel, but that’ might not be the case at all. Just make sure that you exercise a little bit of caution as you begin your explorations — you are in a foreign country, so things do work a little different.

If you want to get to Ko Samui, you’re going to need to fly into Bangkok first, then take another flight to Ko Samui. There is a private airport on the island that can handle your departures and arrivals with ease.

When it comes to getting around the island, you’re going to want to think about your budget as well as your comfort level. Some people are already good at moving around on a motorbike, and there’s nothing wrong with renting one. However, they are traditionally known no to carry insurance. That can make things very difficult if something does happen because you have no coverage. There are motorbike-taxis, but they offer some of the same risks — tread carefully.

If you have the money in your budget, we definitely recommend a car — while it’s expensive, you really have the convenience of being able to get around the island at your leisure without being tied down to anyone’s schedule.  You will need an international license, so make sure that you plan ahead for this as well.

There are numerous attractions in Ko Samui to see, including all of the beaches mentioned — Chaweng, Lamai, and Na Thon, just to name a few. There are also numerous waterfalls that you have to see in order to believe that they exist — especially the one at Namtok Hin Lat.

If you’re taking children along, you have to see the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo. It’s located at Ban Ham beach, and it’s got an amazing collection of tropical fish. The children will love it and they can even see real tigers — how incredible is that?

Feeling truly bold? You can have your picture taken with the tiger, if you really want. Nobody is going to make fun of you if you decide that you’d rather not get that close.

How can we talk about somewhere as great as Ko Samui without even touching on the food? If you’re looking for top notch coconuts, you are definitely going to enjoy your time in Samui. This is because Samui has fantastic young coconuts, which the locals do indeed use the entire coconut for various purposes. In addition, there are plenty of seafood options — after all, you will be staying on an island!

There’s a lot of different Malaysian, Indonesian, and Thai influences at play here, leaving something for everyone. If you can handle spicy food, you’ll love the selection in Samui. However, the rise of commercial development has brought in foods that are well outside the natural cultural ring. So you have even less reason to worry that you’re not going to be able to eat something.

Overall, there’s plenty to see, do, and experience in Ko Samui — and it’s all waiting for you! Why not check it out for yourself?

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New Year's Trip

Plan Your New Year’s Trip Now!

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There’s something powerful about being able to get away for New Year’s, but a lot of travelers try to avoid traveling during this busy time of year. We definitely don’t blame you in the slightest if you want to avoid it, but we definitely have to ask why? There is something nice about being able to usher in a New Year by being somewhere away from home. If you really want to welcome a new year in a different way, why not make sure that you have some fun? It’s hard to work in vacations these days, what with how busy we’ve become as a society. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry too terribly much as long as you have the details worked out ahead of time.

That’s right — it’s really never too early to start thinking about New Year’s vacations, because there are a lot of people that will be traveling at the same time you will be. This means that it’s not a good idea to try to do the last minute type of thing when there’s so much demand for all of the same services across the board. We recommend that you only try to do the last minute thing if you’ve had experience in planning that close to the trip, as well as a healthy bit of compromising nature. Can you make last minute substitutions and not feel bad? Because that’s what you’re going to need to do. Also, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve actually taken the time to really ensure that you’re not dealing with a small budget — New Year’s can get pretty costly, as hotels know that they’re going to basically be able to charge whatever they want and still get plenty of business. When you’re not from the area, you might want to make sure that you’ve got accommodations down pat.

If you really do want to save money, you might want to think about doing a vacation rental. Homeowners have started to realize that they can definitely make money by offering to let people spend the night at their homes. The accommodations definitely vary — some people will give you free rein of the house because they live elsewhere, and another time you might actually be living right with the family in sort of a homegrown bed and breakfast style of place. The prices are going to vary, but here are sites online that let you see the prices in advance. If you are going to stay for a lengthy amount of item after New Year’s, you might be able to negotiate a better deal than what everyone else is getting. After all, you will actually be doing the homeowner a favor by not letting the place just get empty.

You will also need to make sure that you’re thinking about your dining options. These days, people are getting more and more allergies to food than ever before. When you’re dealing with a high volume situation like New Year’s, you cannot expect the restaurant to serve its regular customers and really think about your food intolerances. So if you know ahead of time that you’re going to need help, you will definitely want to make sure that you actually pack food that’s acceptable for you. That’s even more of a recommendation to go with a vacation rental that gives you a full kitchen rather than forcing you to just deal with the food options available. Every destination is going to be different though, so just keep these things in mind.

If you’re traveling very far from home, you know ahead of item that you’re going to need transportation. Yes, there are destinations that already have mass transit. If you’re okay with being jammed into a bus or a train with other people all over you, then be our guest. But in terms of overall comfort, there’s nothing like being able to rent a car. If you book far in advance, you’re going to avoid having to pay higher than normal rates for the car in question. It just depends on how fast you actually think about planning.

When you really do want to go out for New Year’s, you will know it. That means that once you know, you need to start planning. Don’t make it a solo trip because that won’t be any fun — you’ll spend too much time envying everyone that has someone to spend New Year’s with. If you can’t take your special someone, at least try to go in on a New Year’s trip with your friends. Not only will you save a lot of money, you will also have a great time in the process!

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Agency Book Your Vacation

The High Ponts of Letting An Agency Book Your Vacation

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Thinking about letting an agency handle your dream vacation from start to finish? There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you know the pros and cons of such a thing. We’ll assume that you’ve already looked into planning your own vacation. We’re not going to go out on a limb like some other sites have done and just assume that you’re going to always want to do all of the heavy lifting yourself. If you find that planning at rip is way too stressful for you when combined with everything else on your plate, you should feel free to delegate this task. Any business person will tell you that it’s really all about delegating your tasks that you really don’t feel up to handling. This is how successful businesspeople get the real edge in life, so why should you feel that you have to do anything else differently? It’s just a matter of stopping and figuring out what you actually want to do with your time. Some people love planning their own vacations, and hey — we really do salute them. However, if you know that you have way too much on your plate, looking for a travel agency is definitely a good thing.

Wait, did we internet travel freaks really just mention “travel agent” in the same space as so many DIY guides on traveling? We sure did, and here’s why — it’s perfectly okay to not DIY everything. You’re not going to get a gold star just because you’ve never used a travel agent in your life. And contrary to popular belief, the travel agent doesn’t just treat you like a number — especially when they want to get more than just recommendation out of you, or even one trip. In other words, travel agents really will go the extra mile to make sure that you’re satisfied.

Can you save money with a travel agent? Well, yes and no — in some cases, you really can. It really just depends on the location that you’re trying to go to. The more high dollar the venue is, the harder it’s going to be to actually go out and get any savings.

The best way to find a good travel agency is the way you would look at any other product — online, through reviews! Being able to sit there and really look at the type of experience that real people had with a certain travel agency over another is definitely eye opening. You get to see the good, the bad, and the downright ugly — which is everything you need to see. We’re under no illusions that the travel agencies are completely perfect. You may run into bad service. You may run into travel agents that really don’t go the extra mile. You will have to speak up and make your desires known. The last thing that you really want to do is find yourself being unable to get anything done because you’re so scared that you’re going to have a bad experience. Yes, it can sour the rest of your trip but the truth is that it really doesn’t have to do that at all.

Once you read the reviews, you need to step back and ask yourself another round of questions — is this really the outfit that I want planning details that will effect exactly how much fun I have on my vacation? You might not think about this, but the truth is that travel agencies have a lot invested in the process. If you allow them to plan the trip and they don’t do a good job, then you will have to most likely spend money in order to earn back the experience that you should have received all along. See why it’s so frustrating?

Don’t stop for a moment to think that you can’t find a good travel agency. You can find a bunch online, and even read testimonials from people. If you’re allowed to contact any of the testimonial samplers individually, don’t forge to do that. Most sites are pretty reputable though, so you should be just fine.

The biggest benefit that you’re getting when you decide to go with a travel agent is experience, so that’s one of the first things that you should be looking for. You don’t want to go with someone that really isn’t trying to deliver the best experience possible for you — that would only lead to trouble in the worst possible way. It’s a lot smarter to make sure that you really take the time to really know your travel agent inside and out.

Keep in mind that if you really do have any questions at all during the planning process, you let your travel agent know. Far too often people tend to “fold” in the presence of experts, and that’s pretty much silly as well. Remember that you have the power over your own pocketbook, not the travel agent. Don’t be afraid to suggest something cheaper, or just remind them what’s actually in your budget and what’s not.

In addition, you shouldn’t think that you are only limited to solo travel when you decide to connect with a travel agent. It’s something that’s also suitable for group travel plans as well. The travel agent has the expertise to scale out accommodations as well as recommend places that would be better suited to groups. You will still have the same ability to customize and sculpt your trip. Think of the travel agent as simply a guide that can make life easier from start to finish.

It’s a great time to get a travel agent on your side — and there will always be travel agents. Just ask questions, let your desires be known, and then sit back and let the travel agent work their part — you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how easy everything fits together!

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Have You Unlocked the Mysteries of Bermuda Yet?

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You might have only heard of Bermuda through the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth checking out on its own merits. Sure, this is the area where it’s said that Amelia Earhart’s plane crashed and disappeared, but that’s never really been proven. If you allow popular opinion to sway your judgment on everything, then you will never see the world as it is meant to be seen. This is definitely true through all facets of life, but the travel industry definitely understands this sentiment. Many authorities will simply tell you a place isn’t a recommended travel area because they’re working off their own fear, uncertainty and doubt. Is that really how you want to live your life? After all, you really only live once, so you might as well make the most of it.

The truth is that the country of Bermuda is a safe, everyday Caribbean nation that has a little bit of something for everyone. The rumors about Bermuda do nothing but end up threatening the country’s tourism industry.

Let’s set the record straight on Bermuda, shall we?

First and foremost, what makes Bermuda worth visiting truly is its location — Bermuda triangle aside. The water is incredibly blue and clear, the sand is very pink, and there are plenty of golf courses. It’s not all fun in the sun though — the island nation has a lot of historical significance as well. It has the oldest continuously populated town of English origin as far as the Western Hemisphere is concerned. In addition, you also have an island with a great and very strategic position in the Atlantic Ocean. Military leaders realized that from early on, and capitalized on it by building forts — and we do mean a lot of forts. It’s said that Bermuda actually has more forts per square mile than anywhere else on the planet! Wow!

If you’re going to plan a trip to Bermuda, it really starts with great accommodation. You need to make sure that any Bermuda hotels that you’re interested in are going to have everything you need to really have a great time. This means that if you’re traveling with pets, your hotel of choice should be able to accept pets with no problem. Now, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to just take your pets for free — you will most likely have some extra fees that need to be addressed. Still, if you want your family pet to enjoy those pink beaches right with you, then sometimes you have to work the extra costs into your budget!

You can find great Bermuda hotels in every price range easily and effortlessly by going online — there’s no need to try to make costly phone calls or run through a thousand travel agents all trying to offer you the same package at different prices and different terms. Those days are long gone, and we’re pretty glad to hear it.

Need some hotel choices and ideas? We had to highlight the Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa. As the name implies, it’s really the full package. While it is pricey, you get just about every amenity that you could want and then some! There are 66 rooms, as well as 25 suites and even 3 two-bedroom cottages. There are also three restaurants, several tennis courts, a gym as well as a spa, and a set of pools to enjoy.

Breakfast is also included, along with a lot of activities that you can check out without even leaving the resort property. The downside is that if you go with this option, it tends to be a lot harder to really see everything that the island has to offer. Not because you’re barred from doing so, but with everything right at your fingertips you might be a little lazier and not want to venture out as much.

If we cover the high side, then we definitely have to cover the budget side. Our favorite pick here is the Erith Guest House. Tourists that have stayed here weigh in simply — the rooms are nice and clean. Some of the rooms have a private kitchen, which makes it a little easier to travel if you or anyone in your travel group has dietary restrictions or food allergies. It can be tough traveling that way, but places like the Erith Guest House make it a little easier.

The downside is that you’re farther away from the beaches, which means that you’re going to have to get transportation to get to them. This might not be something that you want to do based on your budget. However, if money isn’t that tight, you might find this a really great value for the money.

Speaking of food, how can we skip over the great dining options waiting for you in Bermuda? The island nation is actually a British territory, which means that it’s not a truly independent country. For diners into British food, that means you’re actually in for a real treat. Dishes vary from salted codfish all the way up to cassava pies. A lot of dishes are simple fare, which can be good if you’re not looking to get really fancy while you’re staying on the island. Of course, it should be noted that just because the standard dishes aren’t very high end doesn’t mean that there aren’t luxury and gourmet things to choose from on the menu. It’s just that most “high end” dishes are going to be things that were created for tourism’s sake rather than something that really reflects the way Bermudians eat on the island.

Again, if you really want local specialties, here they are:

Cassava pie — a Christmastime delicacy, but it’s being made year round now due in part to tourist demand for it
Bay grape jelly — a very sweet jelly made from super-sweet grapes
Bermudian bananas — think a banana is a banana is a banana? Think again — there are a lot of great bananas out there, but the ones in Bermuda tend to be sweeter than the ones you might be used to. They’re served with codfish, creating an interesting flavor profile.
Fish — plenty of fish, given that we’re talking about an island nation. Tuna rules the roost, along with rockfish and wahoo.

If you’re looking for drinks, you’ll find plenty of rum. Rum is the island staple.

The people of Bermuda are incredibly friendly, and tourists are often surprised at how easy going everyone really is. Bermuda gets very hot during the day, and you will usually find plenty of people offering water and other hospitalities. As long as you are respectful at all times, you should be just fine. There tends to be a lot of emphasis on respect — this goes back to the island’s British roots. Proper manners are considered incredibly important, more so than other countries. English is spoken throughout the whole island, so you shouldn’t have any problems. Aside from English, Portuguese is the second language spoken on the island, which gives it an interesting touch.

Since we started with safety, we might as well end with safety. You should understand that when it comes to safety on the travel, you’re actually quite safe. There is a trend that crime is on the rise, but it’s nowhere near the crime rate that other destinations in the region have. As long as you use common sense there’s really no reason why you should worry about crime.

Health care on the other hand should be a concern. Even though no one really wants to think about getting hurt on vacation, travel insurance is still recommended. You definitely don’t want to end up getting hurt and not being able to pay for it! Although your emergency will get treated, you will not be a beneficiary of the same system the British enjoy. The National Health Service is something that is done only in the UK proper, not in Bermuda. While the standard for health care is high, the costs are pretty high as well. Make sure that you know your travel insurance policy inside and out before you even book your trip.

So, are you thinking about Bermuda in a different way? We certainly hope so — now it’s time to get started planning your trip. Good luck!

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Ski Holidays

It’s a Great Time to Start Thinking About Ski Holidays – Really!

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We know what you’re thinking: there’s no snow on the ground yet, so why would you ever want to think about a ski holiday, let alone winter period? That’s usually the time of the year where we relax and spend time with our families. However, more and more people are realizing that booking winter holidays now will save them a lot of money. The farther in advance that you can reasonably book everything, the more money that you’re going to save.

Of course, if you’re tired of the same old destinations, why not try something different? Enter the world of Borovets ski holidays. If you’re not recalling secondary education memories of geography class, don’t worry — we have you covered.

Borovets is in Bulgaria, which is actually a hidden treasure in the travel world. People have been coming to Bulgaria for a long time, which is why it’s so well developed now. The prices tend to be lower when you compare them to other ski destinations like Aspen and just about anything in Switzerland. So if you really want to get away and still hit the slopes, Borovets is really where it’s at.

This resort has more than just slopes for the hardcore skier, of course. You can rent ski-doos that are designed to seat two people. This is a fast way to explore the winter paradise around you. Some people like to use them to explore and take moving video and fast photos as they get from place to place. If you’re into learning how to ski, you’ll find that the ski instruction here is some of the best in the world.

The social aspect found at Borovets can’t be ignored either. What pulls people in about Borovets ski holidays is that there are so many people around you at once. This means that you really do get to make new friends from all around the world — something that a lot of travelers look forward to. If English is your primary language, don’t worry — you will definitely find someone that speaks English on the property!

Again, booking in advance is definitely the best way to unlock this winter paradise for yourself without having to spend a lot of money — why not check it out today for yourself? When you first step into this amazing resort and see everything that’s waiting for you, you’re definitely going to be glad you did!

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Luxury holiday Items

Luxury Items Most Likely to be packed for a Holiday

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Although most of us go on holiday to escape the stresses of our working week there are still a large number who can’t let go and insist on cramming their cases with home from home luxuries. There’s nothing wrong with this, of course, as listening to your favourite band or artist as you lay by a sun soaked pool is a perfect way to unwind, however it does mean you need to make sure you purchase travel insurance before you go away so you can be certain that all luxuries you take with you will be covered in the event of anything going wrong with them. Even the cheapest holiday insurance policies should provide an efficient amount of cover for a majority of items taken away so there isn’t really an excuse not to be covered.

What are the biggest luxuries we just love to take on holiday?

Laptop

A favourite amongst business travellers in order to keep up with office on goings, there is an increasing number of those travelling for leisure who are taking them too. Often used as a way of staying in touch while on holiday, you need to be really careful to make sure an unfortunate incident doesn’t occur. As well as being damaged by sand or water when using by the beach/pool, laptops have become a desirable item of choice for thieves and so you may wish to use some deterrents. You are now able to download a tracking app to your desktop, for instance, or writing your postcode on it with a UV pen in case it does get stolen.

iPad/iPod

As popularity increases and Apple devices continue their quest for domination, it’s no surprise that many people choose to take their iPad or iPod on holiday with them. Once again, as a high end electronic good, they are a popular target for opportunist thieves so care needs to be taken when using outside the comfort of your room.

Mobile phone

An everyday item for a vast majority of people these days, mobile phones are really useful to have whilst travelling as they allow you to stay in touch pretty much wherever you are. This is great for personal security as it allows you to make sure someone always knows where you are – especially important if you’re travelling alone.

Kindle

E-readers are also an extremely popular device and they’re great for those of us who like to go away with a whole library worth of books, as it means we now don’t have to take an extra suitcase in order to do it – A particularly useful gadget for long term travellers. Kindles and other e-readers are great to have, but they’re also something else you need to keep an eye on while you’re travelling to make sure they stay with you at all times.

Hair straighteners

Finally, we come to hair straighteners……and hair curlers…..and other electrical hair-related devices. It seems that no matter how humid the weather is on holiday, we’re still intent on trying to tame our tresses into something approaching normality. Vanity products such as these certainly warrant a place on the ‘luxury holiday items’ list.

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Ski Trip

Why You Should Think About Going on a Ski Trip (Even if You Don’t Ski!)

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If you’re planning a vacation right now, chances are good that you might be getting a little bored with the standard menu of options. A lot of people choose to go to summer-time style resorts, even if it means that they have to travel internationally. There is still time to enjoy the best that winter has to offer. Yes, we said it — winter can offer a lot of amazing opportunities that you just don’t have in the summertime. Instead of giving that up, you should definitely look into times where you’re going to be able to have a good time in the winter.

The answer: a ski trip. Of course, we know what you’re thinking even as you read the words. You don’t ski. You don’t know anyone that skis, and you don’t think that you could handle being on skis. You’ve seen too many bad accidents on TV for your liking. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the things that you can and can’t do. However, you should really think twice before you skip over skiing completely.

The truth of the matter is that a ski trip is more than just going to a ski resort to ski. You’re actually going to be doing your part to create an amazing experience that you’ll remember for a long time to come. When people build the perfect ski resort vacation, they are doing more than just skiing. For example, you can rent a big bobsled for your ski vacation, making it easy to enjoy the fresh snow and a wild ride to the bottom of the slope!

If you want to learn to ski, doing so at a ski resort is great. You will be able to have a trained instructor and ski enthusiast teach you what’s important to know. No, you wont’ be Olympic quality on your first day, but you can learn to move around on those skis!

There are other attractions that today’s modern ski resort. If you want to pamper yourself, you can always book a massage or even a spa visit where you can have wraps and other services done on you. Don’t worry about the cold — you’ll be inside where it’s nice and warm. Some ski resorts even have outdoor heated baths for the more adventurous. What’s it like to rest back in geothermal-powered hot water? It’s an experience that has to be enjoyed firsthand to find out!

If you really want to add something special to a ski trip, you might want to think about turning it into a group trip. This does meant hat there will be extra planning on your part, but you’ll be creating an interesting experience that other people can take and run with. It’s better to think about things from all angles than to just think about the usual standard menu of vacation options.

Can you handle going to a ski resort? Definitely. There is something for everyone to do, even if hitting the slopes really isn’t your thing. With the great deals waiting for you, there’s no time like the present to check things out!

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Christmas Cruise

It’s Time To Plan Your Christmas Cruise!

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We love the idea of traveling during Christmas time, even though some people are pretty much dead set against it. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to go ahead and have a good time at Christmas, even though a lot of people assume that the time you have is sacred and off limits. Why is that? Christmas should be a time where you spend it however you want, with whoever you want. There’s nothing like being able to rest and enjoy yourself.

Yet do you really want to do the hotel shuffle again? That can get a little old. If you really want to do something fun, it’s time to think about a Christmas cruise. OK, you might be reading this and thinking that there are still several months before Christmas, so how can we even start talking about a cruise? The truth of the matter is that cruises matter all the time, and the longer you schedule your cruise in advance, the more streamlined it will really be. When it comes to something like traveling during the holidays, you really don’t want to wait till the last minute. All that will cause is for you to end up paying a lot more than you really should, and who really wants to do that?

That’s what we thought.

There are a lot of different Christmas time cruises to choose from, and the one you want will depend on…well, your actual wants and desires. Do you want to have more of a freeform experience, or do you really need something that’s more regimented and scheduled in order to have a good time? Do you want a ship that has a lot of amenities, or can you deal with more of a barebones experience that just lets you enjoy time out at sea with a good book? The prices are going to range a bit, but you’ll save money by traveling with a friend. This is because you will avoid having to pay single occupancy rates, or dealing with having a random roommate assigned to you. There’s nothing worse than having to deal with that, so make sure that you really do plan ahead of time to get things done.

Keep in mind that the inclusive rates you see on cruises often don’t include all of the airfare. Even if they do, it’s only the airfare to actually fly to the destination itself — if you live in an area where you’d have to make two flights, you can bet that you’re going to pay for at least one of them.

Now is the perfect time to think about planning your Christmas cruise — why not get started today?

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Christmas cruise

Is It Too Early to Start Thinking About Christmas?

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Vacation planners, unite! You’re definitely in good company. Yes, we know that now there is a trend going around where you just drop everything and take a vacation, but that’s really not our style. In the case of holiday vacations, you really can’t just drop everything and go. For starters, you’re going to end up paying a lot more money at the last minute traveling like this, and you’re going to be fighting a lot more people for the same services across the board. This is a nightmare that you don’t really want to live, trust us. We’ve waited till the last minute to travel during a major holiday and it’s backfired in so many terrible ways.

So when one of our travel leaders asked about whether or not it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas, we had to laugh. Folks, it’s never too late to think about Christmas travel. Heck, some people plan their next Christmas vacation right after they get home from the previous one. We’re not that extreme, but planning a few months in advance isn’t as crazy as you might think.

If you’re going to go on a Christmas cruise, it’s downright necessary. You’re going to have to turn in your deposit and other fees early so that the trip planner knows how many people are actually going. Sure, there are chances to do a last minute cruise here and there, but we can’t vouch on the quality aspect. We think that cruises and vacations in general are better when you actually can take time in advance to plan things out. We’re not fans at all of this new revolution where everyone just drops things and travels at the last minute. It’s hard to get things under your control in this case and really, we like having things under control as much as possible.

So, where do you really begin? Like any other trip, Christmas vacation is going to have some common themes. You’re going to want to think about how to get there, where to stay, how much to spend, what to do, and who to take with you. Yes, we assume that you’re going to take at least one person. Even though we’re fans of solo travel, Christmas is a time to connect with people. You have the rest of the year to think about solo travel. To get your social interactions on, you should try to take at least one person. This can be your significant other or even a coworker from work — we’re not picky here. Just make sure that you’re not going to be alone. The reason why we say that is because a lot of our friends traveled solo for Christmas, and they hated being reminded that they didn’t have anyone with them.

The money is going to be the next issue. If you’re traveling during the Christmas season, there are a lot of things that are going to be demanding money from you — and a lot more money than other points of the year. Don’t like it? Travel at another time of the year. The major venue operators around the world know that if you won’t pay the rate, another person will. That’s called supply and demand, the laws o f economics are actually not on your side at all. There are deals to be had though, but they’re going to go to the people that actually take time to sniff out the deals. If you’re just going to laze about on this topic, you’re better off either paying the asked-for price, or traveling at another time of the year.

Now, we don’t mean to be downers here — there’s a lot of fun to be had at Christmastime, especially if you’re going to travel somewhere that actually has a warm climate during a time where most places are going to expect snow. Just make sure that you plan ahead, budget smart, and keep a wide list of things to do — you’ll be just fine!

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A Hawaiian Resort The Kids Will Love – That’s Disney’s Goal!

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Even if you haven’t been a parent that long, the realization that kid-friendly venues can be difficult to find is probably not wasted on you. Indeed, a lot of people are realizing that kid-friendly venues can be hit or miss. Even the ones that are advertised as something that the kids will enjoy can be truly sparse on entertainment options. It’s all about what the event planner can create. The best thing that you can do is just keep your eyes peeled for interesting travel spots that’ll not only keep the kids occupied, but also provide something for the adults to enjoy.

One of the best companies around when it comes to kid-friendly venues is Disney, so it’s no surprise that they’ve created quite a buzz already over their new Hawaiian resort. It’s called Aulani, but if you were hoping that everything is going to be all things Disney, you might be in for a shock.

You see with this resort, Disney wants to focus on the natural beauty and wonder of Hawaii. However, there are still nods to the characters that most identify with Disney, such as Mickey Mouse and his friends. Hawaiian culture is really what you’re going to get with this resort, and it’s definitely not something that’s being marketed as a cheap getaway. We have no problem with this, from a travel perspective. In order for the market to truly be interesting, there has to be a wide variety of different services. Some will be priced inexpensively, while some will truly be luxurious portals of paradise. We think that when it’s done right, luxury is definitely worth paying for.

This is actually a good strategy move for Disney, because they need to remind the public at large that they really can do luxury well, while still making something that the whole family can enjoy.

Aulani is located in Kapolei on the west side of Oahu, which is only a mere hour’s drive from Waikiki. The resort features 840 units, which are a mix of regular hotel rooms as well as Disney Vacation Club time shares.

So, what about the kid-friendliness factor? Well, you’re going to see Mickey Mouse and his friends, sure, but the truth is that this is a perfect getaway for a family with kids that really want to get out and explore things. This is a great time to get in a history lesson without making the kids feel like they’re in a classroom. This is also a perfect time for new learning experiences in the language department, since the entire staff is also fluent in Hawaiian. Yes, you’ll still be able to speak English but you’ll also be able to pick up what it truly means to be Hawaiian — a rare experience that might be just what your family is into. If you are already learning a language at home, this is a great cultural experience that will leave memories behind you’ll cherish forever.

While this isn’t a traditional wonderland scenario for your children, it will give them the opposite to experience a little bit of luxury, have a little fun, eat well and feel like they’re being just like the adults. We have nothing against the traditional theme parks, but sometimes kids have to realize that not everything will be perfectly tailored to their needs.

There is a very good kid’s club available of course called Aunty’s Beach House. It is designed from the ground up to look like a traditional Hawaiian home, even though there are modern day touches as well. The kids can watch movies (Disney movies, naturally — and there’s quite a selection), play dress-up or even play video games. The older kids can surf the Internet in their own separate area.

Before we go on to the other kid-friendly stuff in Aulani, let’s not forget the pool. If there’s one thing that Disney’s really good at, it’s definitely being able to design a great pool. They have an 8,200 square ft pool that is sure to impress the whole family. On top of that there’s a 950 ft long lazy river where the kids can go tubing down the river and look at forests and caverns. There’s also a saltwater lagoon, a rock formation with lava tube slides, and there’s even an aquatic jungle gym. Yes, we said it — an aquatic jungle gym. Who said that Disney doesn’t know how to go over the top isn’t looking close enough.

The price tag might surprise you, but it makes sense given that Disney’s attempting to go luxury here. Even the smallest 420 sq ft room is going to be $399 a night, and the top suite is going to be 2,449 a night. The middle of the road ocean view room is going to be 549 a night. For mainland hotels, that could be seen as a bit much. However, for Hawaii this isn’t too far out of range. So you’re not going to really find “bargain” being presented here.

However, Disney is giving you a luxurious all-inclusive resort that every member of the family can enjoy and appreciate. We think that’s definitely worth it, but we’re willing to hear what you think. Would you go to Aulani?

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