The Elation of Vacation Preparation

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

It’s a miserable oxymoron, but planning to go on vacation involves a lot of work. Whether you’re traveling with a companion or part of a group travel experience, it’s true; for that much-needed vacation, one must spend a great deal of time to put their “regular” life on hold and put their “vacation” life in place. It’s important to properly prepare for your departure, arrival and ultimate return back home so that you can maximize your rest-ability without a total disruption of your home life. As a dude who is in the constant motion of traveling—leading our Jewish singles vacations, or sometimes just taking a vacation for myself—I’ve garnered some handy tips on how to lessen the burden of preparation, keep life at home ready for your return, and to have a carefree transition on both ends.

Call Your Credit Card Company

Many credit card companies have identity protection plans in place that help protect travelers from theft and fraud. If you’re traveling internationally, it’s a good idea to contact your credit card companies before traveling to ensure the card will work. Check the back of your credit card for customer service numbers

Place a “Hold” on Mail and Deliveries

Your nearest post office branch has a pretty yellow post card that you can fill out in about 30 seconds to request your mail to be held during the dates you are away. Keep a supply at home with you and mail it, free of charge, about a week before your departure. They will even deliver the whole mishpucha to you on the date you select for your return. (I don’t suggest using the online “hold mail” option as it doesn’t seem to be an effective communication source). I usually put the start date to be one day before my departure, just to make certain they actually have begun to hold my mail. Stop on all automatic deliveries like your daily newspaper by simply calling their circulation department and let them know you’ll be placing your delivery on hold.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Leave transit details and contact phone numbers with family and friends in case they need to reach you while you’re away. These include phone number of the hotels where you’re staying, flight numbers, contact info of airlines, cruise ship and your tour company…and for those who may be watching your pets or kids, phone numbers for doctors/veterinarians, if necessary

Set up Pet Care

If you have a furry family member, you may actually be inclined to provide more setup care for this loved one than you give attention to for yourself. We love our cats and dogs that much! If you are planning to leave Fluffy at a kennel (called “Pet Resorts” these days) be sure to make your reservation as far in advance as possible. Many “resorts” can sell out of their “deluxe accommodations” early, especially around holiday times. When you do drop off your little ball of love, be sure to leave the staff with your contact information as well as all medications, your vet’s phone numbers and a few familiar toys & treats so that s/he feels as at-home as much as possible.

Cash Out

Never leave town without some cash – domestic or foreign currency! If you’re traveling within the country, make sure to hit the bank before you leave so that you don’t end up paying ATM surcharge fees in another destination. If you’re traveling overseas, it’s a good idea to carry some of the local country’s currency with you. Take enough cash for cab fare or transfer fees so you don’t have to go in search of an exchange booth. Amazing Journeys’ website provides a link to Oanda currency converter (click our Resources button) to determine the best rate of exchange for your money.

Check the Weather

Before you zip up the suitcase and head to the airport, do one last check of the local weather in your destination and make any necessary adjustments to clothes and amenities.

Pack Your Essentials…properly

Before leaving the house ensure that you have all necessary essentials. Most importantly, LOOK AT YOUR PASSPORT! Seriously, open it up and look at the photo to make sure you have and the right one. I’ve seen it happen; you have a roommate, a spouse, a traveling companion…and you inadvertently slip the wrong passport into your pocket. Major problem if you present someone else’s passport at security! The following items should be kept on your person, not packed in your suitcase: Passport/identification…all medications….all your travel documents including airline ticket, cruise ticket, car/hotel reservation….cash/credit cards/travelers cheques….one change of clothes, just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive as planned.

Overpacking is a major issue on many fronts. Its hard on your back, it costs you money at the airports and it wastes time in transition as baggage handlers, motor coach drivers and hotel personnel have to haul and lug. Excess weight isn’t green for the environment either as it utilizes more fuel on planes, cars and busses and the aforementioned burden on physical stress. My simple rule of thumb is to simply pack for less. It’s actually okay to wear things twice (or thrice), to do some laundry (cheaper to send out a load at the hotel than to pay overweight fees at the airport) and to treat yourself to something new while on vacation.

Turn off your water, turn on your timers, and unplug your appliances

If your home will be vacant for a period time, you should absolutely turn off your main water valve and drain all the faucets. If a pipe were to burst, the water would just flow endlessly until you got home. Even if you live in a cold weather environment, a frozen pipe is better than a busted flowing pipe. Contrary to popular belief, letting your water drip does not prevent freezing. When you return home, turn the valve and all faucets on gradually to avoid a massive rush of water. Also, unplug all unnecessary appliances like the toaster, your hair dryer and even your computer. With electricity still flowing, you’ll burn unnecessary units and assume wasted costs. Plus, you’ll save the life of these items should there be a power surge in your absence. Finally, get yourself a timer for a lamp so that it comes on and off at varying intervals. A light turning on and off is a deterrent for a would-be burglar.

Tags: Group Travel, Jewish Singles, passport, Travel Tips, Vacation
Posted in Blog, General, Travel Tips | Comments Off on The Elation of Vacation Preparation

Perhaps the very first Amazing Journey

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the most incendiary book in the history of science, and coincidentally, the 200th birthday of the mild mannered Englishman who wrote it. Charles Darwin did not invent the idea of evolution, any more than Abe Lincoln–who happens to share his birthday on Feburary 12–invented the idea of freedom. What Darwin provided in The Origin of Species was a powerful theory for how evolution could occur through purely natural forces, liberating scientists to explore the glorious complexity of life, rather than merely accept it as an impenetrable mystery.

Contrary to popular belief, Darwin did not visit only Galapagos. He actually only visited these islands just once in his lifetime. As indicated from his journal, he visited and researched his evolutionary theories in many parts of the world:

“The day has past delightfully. Delight itself, however, is a weak term to experess the feelings of a naturalist who, for the first time, has wandered by himself into a Brazilian forest” – Darwin: February 29, 1832

“It is scarcely possible to imagine any thing more beautiful than the beryl-like blue of these (Tierra del Feugo, Chile) glaciers, and especially as contrasted with the dead white of the upper expanse of snow” – Darwin : January 29, 1893

Geneticist Theo Dobzhansky wrote 37 years ago that “nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution.” That light, which began as a glimmer in the mind of a young naturalist aboard H.M.S. Beagle, today casts a beam so bright we can read the very text of life by it. Darwin would be overjoyed to see how much he did not know, and how much we have yet to learn.

Tags: Brazil, Charles Darwin, Galapagos, H.M.S. Beagle, The Origin of Species, Tierra del Fuego
Posted in Blog, General, Interesting Things about Interesting Places, South America | Comments Off on Perhaps the very first Amazing Journey

The State of the Travel Industry

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Malori and Stacey just returned from World Travel Market in London and are happy to report that all is good in the travel industry! We met with tour operators and vendors from over 250 countries around the world as we planned and got ideas for future Amazing Journeys in 2012. In addition, we attended lectures given by travel insiders from around the globe as they presented the state of the travel industry.

“Green” travel options were a big topic. Vendors from every corner of the globe are stepping up to the plate to offer sustainable tourism, becoming more aware of water shortages, carbon footprints and taking a stand to keep the world from being overused. Along those lines, we attended lectures on keeping religious sites truly sacred by limiting the amount of tourists at any one place at a given time. It’s a responsibility we must all embrace if we are to have a world to share with the next generation.

Trends in growth for travel include Asia, leading the recovery from the 2009 economic downturn with more people visiting countries within Asia, as well as the “new middle class” within China who are beginning to travel within their own country and abroad. Latin America is offering more adventure and sporting event opportunities with Brazil being the favorite destination. Africa is getting ahead of the pack with “Space Travel” opportunities, offering travelers in-room telescopes to look at the night sky, night-vision safaris, Astro tourism, clear night skies in Africa and wants to actually take up traveling in space to compete with the US. Adventure travel is appealing to more individuals than ever before and 85% of those polled worldwide, list adventure travel as a priority when making plans to travel. And finally, there are the beginnings of interest in Iraq as a growing area for tourists (think Vietnam).

While in London, Stacey and I selected hotels in London for our upcoming British Isles trip. You’ll love what we found and we can’t wait to share it with you in the coming weeks!

So there you have it. We have toured the globe in only three days at World Travel Market. Where do you want to go in 2012? Now is the time to let us know as the planning has begun!

Tags: Africa, Asia, Brazil, China, Latin America, New destinations, Space Travel, Sustainable tourism, Vacation
Posted in Africa, Asia, Blog, General, Interesting Things about Interesting Places, South America | Comments Off on The State of the Travel Industry

Ala Carte Pricing Coming to Cruises?

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Over the past several years, cruise lines have been slowly adding in ala carte pricing for even the most basic items. First, the cruise lines added charges for sodas in the dining room, once considered to be part of the cruise’s “all-inclusive” pricing. Then they added upscale dining options at specialty restaurants with fees of $10 – $35. Next there were ice cream and coffee bars with more and better tasting choices, charges for freshly squeezed orange juice and fees for after hours room service deliveries. The all-inclusive pricing structure of a cruise are nearly gone. Don’t get me wrong, the value associated with cruise ship travel still gives you “the most bang for your buck” however, it is clearly not an “all-inclusive” price anymore.

Carnival Cruise Lines last week announced its most recent addition to the cost of a cruise. They are “testing” the concept charging an extra $18 for steak or lobster entrees in the regular dining rooms on three of its big cruise ships. Royal Caribbean began charging for upgraded steak selections in their main dining rooms several months ago. This is a trend that has begun and I suspect will be picked up by every major mass-market cruise line, as always happens when one segment of the industry finds a way to make additional income.

According to Ed Perkins in his article, “Ala Carte Pricing Coming to Cruises,” he says, For most of their modern existence, cruise lines have touted “inclusive” pricing as a major advantage over most vacation alternatives. With the exception of tipping—and usually alcoholic beverages—once you bought into the cruise, you really didn’t have to spend anything extra for the duration. Of course, you paid extra for port excursions and some specialty recreation activities, but those were strictly options. Meals, snacks, regular beverages, entertainment, and most onboard activities were “free” once you got onboard.

What’s changing? Basically, the way you buy cruises is changing. An executive at a travel company was recently quoted as saying that, with the giant online travel agencies, the travel industry has created a business model “specifically designed to bring our prices down” as much as possible. Those various agencies and their search engines permit instant price comparisons among essentially all the suppliers in any given marketplace. They don’t just facilitate, they emphasize searches for the “lowest” price or fare.

The big airlines recognized this new marketing reality a few years ago: That showing up as the “lowest” option in any search is a huge competitive advantage. In response, most have started to charge extra for many of the facilities and services that were once bundled into the fare, primarily so they could keep that base fare figure as low as possible. In fact, their behavior clearly shows that, absent diligent government oversight, they would engage in wholesale price-splitting: Carving out an arbitrary portion of the real fare, giving it a plausible label—think “fuel surcharge” here—and excluding it from the base fare display. This “lowest fare” focus is especially important with airlines, because you, the consumers, have shown that low fares easily trump any minor product differences.

My take is that the mass-market cruise lines are facing the same sort of problem. With the advent of modern megaships, product differentiation is decreasing. More and more, you will buy a cruise on the basis of an online search, for example, for the line and ship with the best price for a balcony cabin from South Florida to the Caribbean in March. Like the coach/economy airline seat, the mass-market cruise cabin will become a commodity.

Clearly, if I’m right, cruise lines will chip away at their total service packages by adding extra charges for food, beverages, and activities. How fast they will chip depends on market response. But the ability to come out “lowest” in any sort of price comparison is far too important for any mass-market line to ignore. If the only way to show lowest in a search is to charge extra for what used to be “free,” they’ll charge extra.

What are your thoughts on a la carte pricing coming to cruises? Will you continue to cruise? Do you still think it offers value for your vacation dollar above land-based vacations? Share your thoughts by adding a comment below.

Tags: Cruise, travel pricing
Posted in Blog, General, Travel Tips | Comments Off on Ala Carte Pricing Coming to Cruises?

What’s in your wallet??

Monday, September 20th, 2010

The state of credit card security is a continuing battle between card issuers and criminals who steal account numbers, with consumers caught in the fray. Whether travelers are more likely to become victims of credit card fraud is debatable, but we’re certainly more likely to get tripped up by efforts to combat fraud, especially overseas.

Here are some things to watch out for if you plan on paying with plastic, which isn’t quite as widely accepted as the ad campaigns for credit cards would have you believe.

Avoiding a Freeze on Your Account – Be sure to call your credit card company before a trip to a foreign country, so your purchases in Bangkok or Barcelona don’t trigger a freeze on your account. Banks rely on antifraud software that monitors customers’ spending patterns, which means that any time you stray from your usual habits — like buying groceries in another state instead of at a store in your home ZIP code — your bank might become concerned. Overseas, it can be a hassle to unfreeze a card, especially if you don’t have a cellphone with international service.

Rejection of Cards Abroad – For globe-trotting travelers, another issue is that many countries in Europe, as well as Japan, Canada, Mexico and other nations, have adopted a type of credit card that has a chip and requires customers to enter a PIN instead of the ones with a magnetic stripe on the back that we still use in the United States. Merchants that accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express are supposed to let customers pay with either type of card, but employees at some retailers outside the United States don’t always know what to do with the magnetic version.

There are also automated kiosks that accept only the “chip and PIN” cards, particularly in European train stations, parking garages, gas stations and some tollbooths. In those cases, Americans with magnetic stripe cards usually have to wait in line to pay with cash or have a clerk swipe their cards. Travelers say those lines can be long, which is especially frustrating if you’re trying to catch a train. And at unattended tollbooths, you may get stuck if you don’t have coins you can pay with instead.

So how common is this problem? Research found that nearly half of American cardholders who have traveled abroad in the past few years have had some problem using a debit or credit card.

Chip Cards in the United States? The cost of issuing new cards is a hurdle, especially given the banking industry’s other financial challenges, so don’t expect to see a lot of movement before the end of 2011.”

There is one financial institution that is moving more quickly, however: the United Nations Federal Credit Union, which plans to offer its members credit cards with both a magnetic stripe and a chip beginning in October. With Canada and Mexico now embracing chip and PIN cards, along with Europe and many other parts of the world, it was time to make the switch. Another motivation is that the chip and PIN cards are more secure because there is a unique key encrypted in every card, whereas magnetic stripe cards are relatively easy to clone — that is, to steal the data and copy it onto another card.

The trend seems to be that more fraud is coming to the U.S. because we’re the one last holdout in magnetic stripe cards, however despite that concern, the major credit card companies do not have imminent plans to offer chip and PIN cards to their American customers, even though they provide them to cardholders abroad.

American Express said that while the company doesn’t plan to add the chip technology to cards issued in the United States customers should be able to use their magnetic stripe cards abroad, even if a clerk tells them they cannot. Your best advice here is that you should insist that they swipe the card.

Of course, communicating with store employees who may not speak English isn’t always easy, which is why carrying plenty of cash is a good backup, especially in rural areas and developing countries.

Tags: chip and PIN, credit card, freeze, traveling abroad
Posted in Blog, General, Travel Tips | Comments Off on What’s in your wallet??

Friends

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

One of the greatest things about Amazing Journeys is, well..the journeys themselves. Traveling to Alaska, Costa Rica, Australia, Europe or South America are destinations that fulfill lifelong dreams and help make us all more worldly and appreciative of other walks of life.

But a journey can be an incomplete experience if you have no one with whom to share it. Like a tree in the forest needs other trees to grow, prosper and evolve…so do we humans need others to share in such landmark experiences as seeing life & history in another land. From here, friends are made. A team of players share the thrills of competition, a couple share the birth of a child, a committee helps steer the future of a community center — these are all examples of the attachments we have to needing and desiring the company of others. These are also examples of how friends are made.

Through Amazing Journeys, friends are made by sharing a common experience together; that of visiting another land. Taking pictures, going on a hike, sitting with a new acqaintance on a bus ride, sharing a meal, sitting in the jacuzzi or just chatting with someone while strolling through the streets are some of the most meaningful shared life experiences, and friend-making opportunities while on a tour. We know this premise very well as we instruct all our tour guides to not be offended if there’s chatter going on while a tour is in progress. Our groups love to chat!

But that’s the process…and the meaning behind traveling with a group. Traveling with others brings a world of perspective, adventure and the unexpected. It brings a potential for new friends that no other venue can offer. The experiences that AJ-made friends share together are life changing and special. And sometimes even matrimonial–over 100 individuals have found their soulmates on a previous Amazing Journey.

As Amazing Journeys embarks on our Reunion Weekend this Friday, we relish in the thousands of friendships that have been made over the years along our travels. We’ve made friends, yes, but the essense of our joy is witnessing the endless array of friendship and courtship that comes with being a travel member on an Amazing Journey. As our new friend Arlene stated in an email to us upon returning home from our recent Alaska cruise/tour: “Hopefully this will be only the beginning of our friendship. You said this trip would create wonderful new memories and friendships that would last a lifetime and already I see this coming to fruition.After I returned home, following my incredible two week trip, I felt “Alive”, busting with pure joy, exhilaration and happiness. Thank you for an incredible and outstanding trip and experience!!”

Whatever you garner while traveling, the memories will last a lifetime…but the friendships will change your life, over time.

There’s great meaning to the phrase “that’s what friends are for”

Tags: Alaska, Australia / Pacific, Costa Rica, Friends, Friendship, lifetime memories
Posted in Blog, General | Comments Off on Friends

The Coolest Pools-some real jewels

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Want to make a splash? With the oppressive heat that’s hit our nation these past few weeks, a little dip’l dooya right fine. Sure there are the public watering holes, and there are the fine private clubs with nice pools and resort “Club Cabanas”…even apartment and housing complexes with swimming facilities. But if you’re a pool snob looking to make a swim more of a vacation experience than just a cool-down, have I got a few tasty treats for you. Check out these three most amazing one-of-a-kind swimming experiences that will definitely make the biggest waves this summer.

Ultimate Luxury – This deliciously decadent pool can be found at the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat, in Muttrah, Oman. Pool butlers roam round a 164-foot-long infinity pool set between two colonnades of towering palms, seeming to disappear into the Gulf beyond. Catering to your every need, whether your towels require fluffing or your spritzer could use a re-spritzing, the roving butlers keep an impeccably serviced eye on proceedings.

A Totally Wired Pool- The watery wonder at the Four Seasons in Wailea, Hawaii is not about switching off on vacation. In fact, the Serenity Pool is quite the opposite. This switched-on, technologically superior swimming scene is for people who want to lounge poolside, but don’t want to miss a beat. With an underwater music system, wireless Internet access, and six cabanas with flat screen HDTVs with wireless headsets, the Serenity Pool is something of a misnomer.

Highest Pool- The highest, most precarious-looking pool of them all is the infinity pool on top of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Resort. The edgy SkyPark pool brims 55 stories above the city. It stretches 500 feet (3 times the length of an Olympic pool) across the span of the three towers and seems to spill waterfall-like down to the streets 200 feet below. The hotel’s incredible rooftop park is also home to restaurants, lounges, and hundreds of trees and plants. Day passes are available if you want to check out the observation deck, but if you want to take a dip in the pool it’s strictly guests only.

Tags: Hawaii, Singapore, Swimming, Vacation
Posted in Asia, Blog, General, Interesting Things about Interesting Places | Comments Off on The Coolest Pools-some real jewels

Important Travel Insurance Information Regarding Iceland Volcano

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

NOTICE OF EXPANDED COVERAGEIn addition to the benefit statement below, travelers will also be eligible for coverage with Travelex policies purchased on or after April 24, 2010 if their trip departs May 6, 2010 or thereafter and the resulting cancellation occurs after May 6, 2010.

This expanded coverage only applies to plans underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies and United States Fire Insurance Company.

Explanation of Benefits Update

Coverage for plans underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies or United States Fire Insurance Company

Ash clouds from the volcanic eruption in Iceland have caused flight delays in major European airports and beyond. While most airports have recovered from the event and are maintaining normal flight schedules, Travelex Insurance Services is pleased to provide our travelers with coverage should they experience an upcoming travel disruption.

Travelers are eligible for coverage with any future travel issues that occur due to the volcanic eruption over glacier Eyjafjallajokull. This will protect a traveler for any new eruptions to the same volcano or neighboring volcano, as well as any travel disruptions due to the current ash cloud produced by the volcano.

Travelers who purchased a Travelex policy according to these dates will be eligible for coverage:

On or before April 14, 2010 or
On or after May 5, 2010

Resulting volcanic ash clouds will be considered a covered reason due to weather and a loss due to the physical eruption of a volcano will be considered a covered reason under natural disaster. Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the policy and applies in the following areas:

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Coverage

Weather that causes complete cessation of services of the common carrier for at least 24 consecutive hours.*
Delayed arrival due to a covered reason (defined under Trip Delay) causing 50% or more of the covered trip to be missed. (Does not apply to Travel Select for residents of NY or WA or Travel Basic).
Natural disaster at the site of your destination that renders the destination accommodations uninhabitable.

Trip Delay Coverage

Delay while en route to or from final destination for at least 5 hours or more due to a covered reason, such as delay of common carrier or due to a natural disaster.*

Extended Coverage

Common carrier delay causes the covered trip to be prolonged beyond the scheduled return date.

24 Hour Travel Assistance Services

Travelers stranded abroad can receive assistance ranging from emergency travel arrangements and money transfers to message relay services. Simply call the travel assistance phone number listed on your Confirmation of Coverage.

Travelers who purchased a Travelex policy on and between April 15, 2010 and April 23, 2010 are not eligible for coverage for known events due to the volcanic eruption and the resulting ash cloud.

For additional information please visit:

http://www.travelexinsurance.com/index.aspx?LOCATION=38-6099&go=bp

or call 800-228-9792

Tags: Iceland Volcano, Travel Insurance
Posted in Blog, General | Comments Off on Important Travel Insurance Information Regarding Iceland Volcano

(Un)Spirit Airlines introduces a new word to the vocabulary of travel:

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

The word is pre-reclined.

Pre-reclined. Say it yourself.

Preeeee….Klind.

This is what the budget carrier Spirit Airlines is calling the seats on two of its new aircraft and soon-to-be more aircraft. Now, pre-clined may sound like a comfortable way to fly, but in reality these are seats that do not recline at all.

No recline! Zip. Zilch. Nada. Zero. Can you say “right angle“? Better yet, can you sit it? For hours at a time?

That’s right. You can fly with some Spirit…but you can’t fly with any reeecline.

What the heck are pre-reclined seats? Simply put, they are fixed upright seats as illustrated above. Why, you ask, would Spirit insist on no recline? One would think there’s a revenue-making opportunity to squeeze out of this, and one would be right. But, its not to charge a quarter for the opportunity to recline. Not that simple.

Pre-clined (we shall hereforth refer to it with my own branded word no-cline) seats will allow Spirit to squeeze in more seats on their planes, and thus more passengers. Plus, the airline can and save on costs because no-cline seats are cheaper to manufacture and install. They have no moving parts which means less maintenance – all of which leads to lower fares.

>>insert sarcastic remark here<<

Spirit Airlines, recently introduced fees for carry-on bags which took the concept of no frills to new heights and caused havoc with the regular joes who have any travel sense. The theme of no-cline over several hours of flying time for the reasons mentioned above is beyond ludicrous. If it wasn’t for immense discomfort, it’d be laughable. Pre-reclining seats; that’s like saying your airborne plane is pre-landed. Imagine how embarassed you’d be if you went outside with no clothes on because you “pre-dressed”. Or, how hungry you’d be when you went without dinner because you “pre-ate”. Hey Boss, you should have received the report you wanted from me; I pre-worked today!

I wish I could present you with some good news with regard to the airlines, but in terms of comfortability and getting back any of the small pleasures once included in with the experience, there’s nothing to report. However, and most importantly, airline travel continues to be–statistically–the safest mode of travel. So…as a means to an end, we should be grateful and appeased that Spirt and American and Delta, etc all ultimately get us where we need to be. Safely.

I, for one, am thankful for that. You should be too.

Tags: Airline Travel, Spirit Airlines
Posted in Blog, General | Comments Off on (Un)Spirit Airlines introduces a new word to the vocabulary of travel: