Top 10 Destinations – Italy

07/14/2011 By

 

Italy

Have you dreamt of seeing Italy? So have millions of others. Truffles, creamy, aromatic cheeses, crisp apples, barbera, nebbiolo, and barbaresco wines are the treasures of Italy’s Piedmont, the home of the “slow food” movement. Have you considered a bicycle tour of Italy? All of that pedaling will help to work off the culinary excesses of the previous day – just in time for another day of wine and food that’s so delicious it’s almost heaven!

Where to Stay

St. Regis – Florence

St. Regis – Florence

Luxury becomes redefined at The St. Regis Florence.  It’s location in the center of the city makes it a fabulous spot to enjoy all the city has to offer.  Local attractions such as the Bargello Museum, Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace.

Luxe Benefits

  • Upgrade on Arrival
  • Selection of Fine Chocolate Confections, Bottle of Vinsanto Dessert Wine and Cantucci Biscuits at Turndown on First Night
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Welcome Gift
  • 4PM Late Checkout
For more information contact Luxe Travel!
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Top 10 Destinations – Australia

07/12/2011 By

 

 

There’s something so seductive about the idea of Australia. It’s a huge country (a continent, actually) with a little bit of everything from kangaroos, dingoes, and wild pigs to the sandy, white beaches hosting luxurious seaside resorts on the ocean in front of the Great Barrier Reef. Then there are the galleries and wonderful Australian wines of Sydney and the famous outback. Australia is a land of contradictions and you’ll want to experience every single one.

Where to Stay

Southern Ocean Lodge

Southern Ocean Lodge

Located on Kangaroo Island in Southern Australia, Southern Ocean Lodge sits atop a rugged stretch of coast with a panoramic view of the Southern Ocean and the wilderness on Kangaroo Island.

Luxe Benefits

  • Upgrade on Arrival
  • Up to Two $50 AUD Spa Vouchers
  • Daily Breakfast
For more information contact Luxe Travel!
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12 Tips To Fly Cheap

06/22/2011 By

Everybody likes cheap air fare. Let’s face it – we’d all rather spend our money on the actual vacation, right? But how do you get cheap tickets without spending hour after hour, day after day, searching airline websites?

Well, there are tips and tricks. And even better, we’re going to share those tips and tricks!

Tip # 1: The Best Day to Fly Cheap is Wednesday

And, Tuesday and Saturday. At least it is for domestic travel. If you want to pay whopping fares, choose to fly on Friday or Sunday. When it comes to the best times to fly – choose flights that leave during or after lunch hour or during dinner hours. If you can stand it, red eyes are the cheapest of all.

Tip # 2: The Best Day to Buy Cheap is Tuesday.

Buy your tickets at 3pm (Eastern) on Tuesdays. No kidding. Those cheap flights disappear on Thursdays so and don’t wait until the weekend!

Tip # 3: Buy for one Passenger First and Save

If you buy for more than one person at a time, airline reservation systems are set to sell tickets at the same price, which will be a higher price, than the occasional cheap ticket they may have on the same flight. If the cheapest price has even one seat less than the next fare price up, everyone in your party will be bumped to the next price up. So even though one or more of your group could get the cheaper seat, you won’t be offered the cheaper seat.

To beat the system, first shop for one seat and then check out the quoted price for one seat against the quoted price for two or more seats. If the quote for one seat is less expensive, split your ticket purchase up.

To do this you can use two different browsers and get both deals to the place where you pay and then immediately click one sale right after the other. If, for some reason, you should get one seat and not the other, most airlines have a 24 hour cancellation policy. Hint: Check out this policy BEFORE you click.

Also, remember to choose your seat selections, if it’s important to you to sit next to someone in your group. It may be worth it to you to pay more to get adjoining seats – but maybe not.

And, of course, always check out a few websites to see which ones have the cheapest tickets at the time you’re prepared to buy.

Tip # 4: Learn How Airlines Price Their Tickets

How can you have paid so much more for your ticket than the guy sitting next to you on the same flight? After all, you’re both going to Chicago and eating the same teeny tiny bag of pretzels, right?

Airlines are looking to make big bucks on every seat they sell. That makes good sense – for the airlines. Prices are going to be higher when the most people want tickets.

The prices of the cheapest tickets depend on how much competition there is on that route, what the demand for seats is, the length of the route, how many available seats there are, and the price of fuel.  Then the airline divides the tickets between business tickets and leisure tickets, using the idea that business travelers are willing to pay more for tickets than those traveling for vacations and such.

To get the cheapest tickets:

  • Buy your tickets at least two weeks prior to the date of your trip.
  • Plan to stay at least two nights (sometimes one of those nights is a Saturday night.)
  • Plan to leave or return (Tip # 1) on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday during or right after lunch hour or during dinner hour.
  • Beware of surcharges – for fuel, or because you plan to travel during peak travel time.
  • Check baggage fees. These can significantly increase ticket prices

Tip # 5: Look into Low Cost Airlines

Some of them don’t allow their ticket prices to be quoted on comparison ticket websites. Make sure to make the effort to go to the airlines site and check prices there. They don’t always have the cheapest prices so be sure to compare.

Tip # 6: Would You Like to Fly First Class?

One of any airlines biggest secrets is the “Y-UP” (say it “Why Up.”) Sometimes airlines can’t sell all of their first class seats. After all, they’re expensive. If you get a Y-Up, it will probably cost more than a really great coach sale, but it might be worth it. Speak to a travel agent about finding a Y-Up or find a website that will find one for you. Looking for one on the average travel website can be very frustrating.

Keep in mind that Y-Ups are usually one-way tickets, can often be refunded and always be exchanged, are available at peak times and days (even if there’s nothing in Coach), accumulate bonus Frequent Flier Miles, and usually don’t require advance purchase.

If you miss your flight, always ask about a Y-Up when attempting to book a flight at the ticket agent, ask about a Y-up if you’re traveling last minute or for an emergency, and ask for one for special occasion trips like honeymoons. And make sure that the airplane on the flight actually has a first class cabin before you pay for a Y-Up. The airline can sell you a Y-Up, even if there’s no first class!

Tip # 7: Be Flexible

Try to be flexible as to what day and time you can fly and even where you’re willing to go. If one destination is too expensive, try another!

Tip # 8: Avoid Peak Travel Surcharges

If you’re flying when there aren’t many seats available, make sure that you’re not paying “Peak Travel Surcharges.”

Tip # 9: Don’t Look for Tickets too Late – or Too Early

Most airlines don’t release cheaper seats until three to four months before the flight departs for domestic travel and four to five months for international travel. So booking six months ahead may cost you!

Tip # 10: Sign up for Price Drop Alerts

Many airfare comparison websites offer Price Drop Alerts. Take advantage of this tool!

Tip # 11: Fly from Hubs

Flying from smaller, commuter airports usually costs more than flying directly from a hub. If you can, drive to the hub and save the extra fare. Be sure to factor in fuel costs and the cost of parking and make sure that you’re saving.

Tip # 12: In Case of Emergency….

If you must travel at a certain time due to an emergency, ask about bereavement rates, try to use miles or points, look for last minute deals, and check out air plus hotel packages.

Good luck finding that cheap ticket! Use the tips above and we bet you’ll find a great deal!

 

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Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know

06/17/2011 By

Travel insurance is one of those things you think you’re never going to need. Why spend the extra money? What could go wrong? You’re probably like me, once you pay for transportation and a fabulous resort, your thoughts are more on some adorable new sandals or a few cute outfits than on travel insurance.

The truth is that there is a lot that can go wrong. Have you ever thought how much all new clothing for a trip costs after the airline loses your luggage? And most people have other people to think about. Illness or death among family and friends can certainly cause anyone to miss a flight, or an entire vacation. And you don’t want to travel with the flu yourself, do you? Flights are canceled, people get hurt while on vacation – lots of unfortunate things can happen. You may very be saving money by buying travel insurance.

My reluctance to buy travel insurance was tested a few years ago on a flight to Florida where I was planning on joining friends on a cruise. Because of work I had cut times pretty close. I was only going to be in Florida a few hours before the ship left port.

I was fine, my tickets were fine, and I had all of my necessary paperwork. Life was good. As we were flying somewhere over North Carolina, there was a surprise announcement over the plane’s loudspeaker. Was there a doctor on the plane?

I had seen flight attendants going back and forth to a passenger’s seat a few rows up but hadn’t thought much of it. It turned out that the passenger was having a heart attack.

Luckily, there did happen to be a doctor on board and we had an emergency landing in South Carolina. An medical crew came quickly, the poor man was hurried off the plane, and from what we heard, was rushed to a hospital and did well. End of story, right? Not so fast.

By the time the flight got permission to land, and the ill gentleman was taken from the plane, and then the plane was given permission to take off again…that delay was just long enough to get me to Florida a short while after my ship had sailed. And with my ship sailed the non-refundable money that I had spent on the trip. Do I wish I had had travel insurance? You can be sure that I buy it every time I travel now.

A friend of mine took a trip to the Greek Island of Rhodes a couple of years ago. I was excited for her. It was a dream vacation. She went off-season to save a little money. She also refused to buy travel insurance for the same reason. In accordance with “Murphy’s Law” the airline lost all of her luggage. She didn’t even have a toothbrush. It was the off season for travel in Rhodes. It was evening and dark out. There weren’t many people around who spoke English and she spoke no Greek. No stores were open.  She didn’t even have a toothbrush. It was a traveler’s nightmare. Then she had to buy an entire new wardrobe for her trip. Do you think she saved money by NOT buying travel insurance? You can be sure that she has routinely bought travel insurance ever since.

Travel insurance covers a lot of things that may not sound like calamities but are when it comes to making a flight or spending your entire vacation at your vacation destination. Perhaps the best thing about travel insurance is that it eliminates so many little worries that are totally unforeseeable. Buying insurance takes a lot of the worry out of travel and allows you to enjoy the time leading up to your vacation as well as your vacation itself.

There are different levels of travel insurance, from basic travel insurance that covers everything from illness to jury duty. (Really, have you ever thought what you’d do if you couldn’t get excused from jury duty that popped up a couple of weeks before your planned trip?) to more deluxe travel insurance which even covers dental and medical emergencies while you’re away. In fact, it covers the possibility that you might become separated or divorced between the time that you make your vacation plans and the time of the vacation! And, of course, there’s mid-level coverage. It all depends on your vacation and what you can afford.

I just remembered the time my ex-husband and I planned to fly to Ireland on a Sunday for our anniversary….and he had our passports….in the safe deposit box…..at the bank….on a Sunday. No, it’s not why we’re divorced. But I’m going to look into whether travel insurance covers instances like that right now!

 

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Travel Checklist

05/23/2011 By

Even seasoned travelers may become frazzled before a trip. There’s always so much to do and so little time in which to do it. There’s one’s job to tidy up prior to leaving and knowing what to take and what paperwork you’ll need and figuring out with whom you’ll need to leave contact information. If you’re taking your children, that demands extra preparation – and if you have children but aren’t taking them – well, that also demands preparation. Sometimes the most obvious things become sticking points. Have you ever attempted to retrieve a passport from a bank vault on a Sunday? (I have.) So how is a traveler to beat the pre-travel blues? Make a checklist, check it often, and stick to it. Here’s our checklist of important things that MUST be done before you leave.

Long before your scheduled trip, check on the following:

  • Have you done your homework? Make yourself familiar with the area to which you’re traveling. If it’s a foreign country, you should be aware of important customs and traditions. Even if your destination is only a few hours away, learn about things to do in the area. It saves a lot of time during your precious vacation and gives you a chance to check out reviews of restaurants and local attractions beforehand so you don’t get caught up in tourist traps.
  • Do you have the documentation that you need? You may need a passport, or a passport and a visa. Make sure that your paperwork is up-to-date. You don’t want to find out that your passport is outdated on the morning of your flight. Are there any special vaccinations that you need and documentation of these vaccinations? Look into it. Are you going to be able to take medications out of the country without documentation from your doctor?
  • Check into airport security so that you’re not throwing out your full-sized toiletries prior to boarding.

The week before your trip:

  • Print and take all information about your flights, hotel reservations, and any tours you have booked.
  • If you’re using a babysitter, or dog/cat caretaker, or someone to water your plants make sure that you have everything covered with the caretaker.
  • Make sure that your luggage is well tagged and tie something colorful to your luggage (which will look like every other piece of luggage on the carousel after landing if you don’t.)
  • Print out a list of emergency numbers to have just in case you lose your cell phone or it loses service.
  • Buy a power adaptor if you’re traveling internationally.
  • Make sure that you have an ample supply of any medication that you may routinely take and that it’s in the bottles in which it’s supplied by the pharmacy.
  • Ask the post office and the newspaper to hold your mail and newspapers until you return home. There’s nothing like a pile of letters and newspapers to let burglars know that your home is empty.

The night before your trip:

  • Do you know where your car keys, house keys, medication, vitamins, extra contact lenses, reading glasses, cell phone and cell phone charger are? Put them next to something you can’t forget – like your luggage – and pack them as soon as you can.
  • Have your luggage packed.
  • Make sure that you have a carry-on bag with a quick change of clothing in case your luggage is lost, medications, cash,  driver’s license, passport and other documentation, airplane tickets, credit card/s, and traveler’s checks. Add some snacks.
  • Toss out anything in the refrigerator that you won’t want to come home to – i.e. once fresh fish, old leftovers.

Right before you leave:

  • Put everything in your luggage and carry on that you left out for use before you left.
  • Turn down the heat and unplug the coffee pot, iron, curling iron, and other small appliances.
  • Check this list ten or twelve times.
  • Lock the front door and you’re on vacation!

 

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Top tips for planning destination weddings brought to you by our luxury travel agency.

10/12/2010 By

Wedding Destination

Destination weddings.

Loving couples romantically entwined around menus and brochures about luxury resorts and hotels may forget the fundamentals when they plan their destination weddings says luxury travel agency experts.

Here are some of the most important things to do (and not to do) when planning something as important as destination weddings and honeymoons.

Plan Ahead: Great destination weddings have top standards and high occupancy rates and you do not want to be disappointed. Start planning and making bookings as early as you can. You could always renegotiate your luxury accommodation if the date must change.

Be Practical: Have a budget, and stick to it. Think about how you and your guests will get to your all inclusive resort, and what it will cost too. Do not forget to check your guests’ diaries as you firm up on your dates, and ask them to pencil in the day. Remember, it can take time for guests to update passports, arrange time off from work and shuffle diaries.

Think about the Weather: It may sound crazy, but there have been couples who booked Caribbean weddings on luxury cruises at the height of hurricane season. Choosing where to exchange wedding rings is a matrix of luxury destination weddings, let our experts help you at
Luxe Travel Deals so you dont end up in being swept away by a  hurricane.

Take a moment to check out our blog on the Top Ten destination weddings resorts and hotels that our experts have chosen.

Do not Make Assumptions: Investigate your preferred wedding destination thoroughly, and do not ignore negative reports by other travelers. Check with the staff at the resort that the pictures on their website are still valid. Make sure that there are no hidden costs, and be sure to obtain a written quote.

Manage Numbers Carefully: Do not assume that everybody that you invite will be able to come to your wedding at the luxury resort you choose. Some may say yes, and have to change their minds. Others may say no, and then decide to turn up at the last minute. Avoid conflict – monitor guests on a weekly basis so you are crystal clear about what is happening.

Our Luxury Travel Agency  has been in the weddings business for ages and can help you choose from a variety of options. Live Well, Travel More with us, and be true Stars in your own version of destination weddings. Contact us at concierge@luxetraveldeals.com for more details.

 Destination Weddings

 

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Our luxury travel agency brings you the top 10 exotic places for your destination weddings

10/12/2010 By

Destination Weddings

Couples deserve special treatment at their own destination weddings.

In this luxury travel agency, we believe that loving couples should travel well, and live well while they do. 

These are our favorite romantic interludes for destination weddings.

They all specialize in providing the most exceptional treatment that romantic partners both deserve.

Destination Weddings1. Romance is never far away at Wakaya Club & Spa in the exotic Fiji Islands. Lovers have gathered here for destination weddings and intimate honeymoons for years. Celebrate your relationship on this privately owned island that is at peace with nature too.

2. The legendary One&Only Palmilla on the tip of the Baja Peninsula across the Sea of Cortez from Mexico provides a perfect place to pledge undying love for ever under gently swaying palms.

3. Elegant tradition lives on at Mystique on Greece’s classic Santorini Island. Brides and grooms often both wear white as they pledge their love to each other on a stunning terrace overlooking the deep blue Aegean Sea. Memories of stunningly romantic moments like these last forever.

4. In the Caribbean Sea, Caneel Bay, St John offers vibrantly exciting spots in which to exchange wedding rings. Later, bridal couples often stroll along endless sandy beaches while they treasure the precious moments of special times together in their beautiful destination weddings.

Destinations Weddings5. Halekulani means house befitting heaven, and you will find your piece of heaven on Waikiki Beach, Honolulu too. Top architects spared no expense when they designed their wedding chapel. When ready, you could retire from the wedding reception to a luxury suite truly built for stars.

6. On exclusively private Necker Island nestling in the British Virgin Isles you could honeymoon forever in turquoise waters edged by coral reefs.

7. Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita on Riviera Maya offers perfectly pampered wedding moments in the context of a genuinely luxury resort. Honeymoon suites have outdoor showers and private plunge pools for those destination weddings special moments.

8. At Florida Keys, Little Palm Island Resort waits to pleasure you in an intimate island atmosphere. You could spend all day and night in the comfort of your thatched luxury bungalow, go kayaking in calm waters, or just soak up the sun in twin floating lounge chairs together.

Destination Weddings9. Marival Residences at Riviera Nayarit Mexico is perfect for romantic couples who want a slice of the action too. After a hectic day exploring and a spell of late night partying, you could relax a while together at their amazing World Spa.

10. Zoetry Agua Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is a quintessential desert-island hideaway complete with al-fresco wedding places, generous suites and a full-service luxury spa as well. You could also wander off barefoot along a sandy, palm-fringed beach building memories of true love that last forever.

Live well, travel more with the very best luxury travel agency. We are here to make sure that all our clients receive the best star treatment throughout their romantic interlude in their very own destination weddings.  You can reach us at concierge@luxetraveldeals.com.

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