All or none package

How many times does one plan a trip and end up paying so much more because they did not purchase an all inclusive package?! I know this is true for a lot of the island resorts, particularly in Asia, but having said that, they are true for European holiday destinations such as Greece, Turkey and Spain as well. I am planning to take out this fully inclusive rate on my next trip, and that means including all meals, tours and airport transfers!

Cheap holidays are something everyone is watching out for nowadays. Last week there were a few offers from major hotel chains about promotions for stay the coming few months. However, there are other sites or some travel blog which give leads on such special travel deals and more. Once in a while I like spending on luxury things and being pampered with a massage or spa at some hotel. However, often times bargain holidays are the best way to maximise one’s earnings.

With the next long weekend coming up in April (Easter break), I am on the prowl for some special rates. I have stumbled upon this website that has a wide database and range of flights and holidays. I am not looking to travel to far, perhaps just around the city.

Saving Up for that trip

Especially during this trying time. One can only try to think up of ways to save. And be healthy!
Cut down on junk food and soft drinks.Not only would one get to save a about thirty dollars a month, but also lose a bit of tummy bulge to be able to get ready for that beach holiday.Approximate saving per month: $30.

Walk at least thirty minutes a day.If one lived within an easy walk to work, it is smart and healthy to get exercise. Walk either to work, or from work at least three times a week, or more if one is not pressed with time. A good way to cut transportation cost, save on petrol, and get that lazy bum to walk.Approximate saving per month: $40.

Drop your gym membership.One can easily save big bucks by getting into shape the economical way. One need not be a member of Fitness First, or Gold’s Gym or whatever. We’d only need to stick to our daily regimen of walking, jogging and we’d be keeping fit and losing weight in no time. Truly being healthy does not have to be expensive. It is better to use hard earned moolah towards a much deserved holiday.Approximate saving per month: $70.

Give your plastics a break. I know some people enjoy retail therapy so much, but revert to being stressed again once the credit card bill comes in. Really, one does not need a new pair of jeans, shirt, underwear, shoes every week. Perhaps indulge every other month or two, maybe. But not on a weekly basis.Approximate saving per month: $100.

Cook at home. Bring lunch to work. I don’t know anyone who does not appreciate home cooked meals. They are a lot cheaper to prepare, way healthier (without too much salt, or MSG, or other unhealthy ingredients that restaurants or fast food put into your meal). Aside from hubby appreciating your time spent cooking that delicious and healthy food, you get to save.Approximate saving per month: $250.

At the end of the month, if you’ve been good, imagine having an extra $500 to spend towards that dream holiday. I know not everyone may appreciate that weekend away over something material (eg, hotel and spa pampering versus new camera). However, if you are a travel buff like myself, you would think up ways to save up for that goal: holiday! Come to think of it, spending wisely leads to a healthy lifestyle as well. Now, it is just a matter of putting to action all these nice things!

Group booking

One recent group booking I organized was for a wedding party to fly from Australia to Mexico, particularly to Puerto Vallarta. Arranging all flights from different capital cities from Australia was a challenge, but the bigger challenge was to find Puerto Vallarta Rentals which could accommodate them all for about a week’s stay at least. Luckily, I have chanced upon this website that offered Puerto Vallarta Villas to be available on the couple’s wedding day, plus the dates immediately preceding and following their special day. Did you know how excitingly detailed it is to plan a destination wedding such as this?! So much to consider, down from guest accommodation, flowers, ceremony, wedding rites, legal documents, weather information, overall ambiance, tradition, music, etc. It's good that the hotel took care of most of these details. I had to make sure that everyone's passports were all valid, visas applied for (if required), meal requests, seat requests, group check in, baggages, and all those other things pertaining to air travel. Well, of course plus the bit about accommodation, room configurations, special meal requests. I know this may all be jargon to the ordinary traveller, but if one is so much into details it can be a pretty overwhelmingly nice experience to be a part of this event planning (considering I am only meant to be a travel agent!).

One thing I have learned in this exercise was there were heaps of villas Puerto Vallarta could offer. There were different categories, areas, price range, packages and inclusions that made up the whole gorgeous atmosphere that this Mexican city could offer. Really, at the end of the day, it did not matter whether it was a big group that one was organizing (such as weddings, conferences, incentives and others), or an intimate honeymoon for two. The key is to know what your clients want out of their trip. I think I am a little bit more confident in selling Puerto Vallarta as a destination, having gone through all that research for my client!

Mauritius as a luxury destination

With all the hype about traveling and seeing the world, a truly discerning traveler would pick only the most interesting and special country which could offer everything and anything. From excitement packed adventures such as water sports, mountain activities, diving, to deep tissue relaxing activities such as pool lounging, beach combing, spa loving treatments. Likewise, while enjoying the array of cultural festivities, food frenzies, people interaction, couple- quality bonding or nature tripping. Possibly with the much pampering from the hospitable locals, or just indulge in the very private and secluded villa. All these and more is what a truly luxury holiday in Mauritius is all about. One can afford to expect a lot from this holiday as the French speaking nation is known to deliver quality personal service above and beyond what is usual.

Being an island visitor to this gorgeous paradise, I have experienced first hand the magic that can be so very captivating and inspiring. Five star luxury resorts such as Le Saint Geran and Le Touessrok offer packages that can include everything from meals, accommodation and activities or plain and simple accommodation. Really, there is a package available for anyone and everyone at this welcoming island. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all have the chance to take a bite from this heaven.

Stunning Mustique

Who could resist an ocean front suite, in a private island, off in a somewhat tropical paradise?

What more if this island is the exclusive spot to rub elbows, hangout on the same beach, listen to the same band overlooking the sea... with celebrities, billionaires, and the like?

Well, there is no other place on this planet which has exclusive access to this paradise. With just one hotel on the island, Hotel Cotton House has this privilege of being the only one on the island of Mustique (on the Caribbean). Lovely, luxurious and breathtaking. These are only a few superlatives that comes to my mind while viewing this pretty property.

Let's not talk about this too much, otherwise it will no longer be the secret hideaway of us pretty people!

There’s nowhere else prettier during Christmas time than New York City. With all those dancing fairy lights, amazing crystal balls, ornament adorned trees and other holiday inspired decors, how can one not feel the Christmas spirit?

So many things to do and see during this time of the year in the city that never sleeps, one can now plan their visit to New york at winter, through the website Christmas Time in New York. Imagine a one stop site which features the five boroughs of NYC and all the events and venues happening this season. It even has updates on traffic situation, weather, and contact information of everything related to the city we love to love.

If you are one who loves to plan before a much awaited New York city visit, then this website would have achieved it’s goal. Be a source of information for discerning tourists (and locals).

Pororoca Phenomenon

Whether or not you are a Surf enthusiast, this amazing view will surely leave you breathless. I have come across this Pororoca Wave just last October when I was in Canberra, watching Discovery Channel. It was a sight to behold, and til then I never knew something of its kind existed. Call me ignorant!

I have tried to search for photos to show, none would justify it’s grandeur, but I will try. Let me just tell you a few amazing facts about this.

POROROCA-It is an Amazonian wave (or a tidal bore, when it happens elsewhere)

-The incoming tide forms a wave that travels against the direction of the current.
-Can go as high as 4 metres, travelling up to 13 kilometres upstream the Amazon River.
-It comes from the indigenous Tupi Language, which translates to ‘great destructive noise’, but for some they just refer to it as ‘the monster’.
-It is very popular with Surfers, and there even is a world competition to ride this amazing wave! Picuruta Salazar, holds this record as of the moment…(click link to see photo of Pocoroca)
-This phenomenon happens once a day, once a night, for three days in February/March, when the rain and full moon raises high tide where the Amazon river empties onto the Atlantic.
Here’s a little bit of a glimpse of what it actually is like, from a youtube video.