If you are on an excursion with others while on vacation, can you relate to wishing it were your friends and family you're having these adventures with? It's easier than you may think!!
Topics: #travelwithfriends, #milestonebirthday, #girlstrip, #groupfun, #milestoneanniversary
Posted by Tammy Murphy
February 18, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Years ago, traveling in luxury meant little more than fancy transportation and expensive hotels. The travel concierges of yesteryear were tasked with relatively basic expectations when it came to putting together itineraries for the elite.
So little was expected, in fact, that their jobs were largely relinquished to online trip planning platforms. In fact, online travel sites became the norm for booking travel.
Topics: concierge services
Overwater Bungalows - Enjoy the drama and comfort and dreamy experience of the world's perfect hotel room while sleeping above soothing lagoons.
Cruising - Sail within the legendary South Pacific aboard luxurious cruise ships or super yachts that travel between Tahiti's most beautiful islands.
Sightseeing - Most visitors go to French Polynesia to play in its crystal clear lagoons, but don 't miss the islands themselves, a sightseeing extravaganza. The mountainous Society group, where Bora Bora and Moorea are two of the world's most beautiful islands. Tahiti, Huahine and Raiatea aren't far behind. Many islands are crowned with jagged peaks while others appear to barely float above the breaking waves. Regardless of the islands, their magical beauty often appears on postcards and travel posters as well as movie and TV screens.
Recreation - Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most popular recreational activities in French Polynesia, with well-established dive shops on all the main islands. Many of the scuba operators also will take nondivers out for snorkeling upon request. On Tahiti and Moorea July-October, there are many whale-watching tours available, and dolphin tours are available year-round.
Numerous opportunities for surfing exist in the Society Islands, usually on the north shores of the islands October-March and the south shores April-September. Tahiti's beach breaks are more suitable for beginners than the more distant reef pass breaks there and on Moorea and Huahine.
On Tahiti and Moorea, serious hiking trails travel up into the mountainous interiors. All the islands other than Tahiti offer excellent coastal walks. Some resort areas offer horseback riding, and Tahiti and Moorea have 18-hole golf courses. The yacht charter companies of Tahiti and Raiatea allow those with sufficient funds to enjoy sailing.
Topics: #overwaterbungalow, #islandparadise #, #sunandsand, Bora Bora, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Visit the delightful islands of Hawaiiwith personalized service and experiences. Our On Location partners understand the islands and have connections needed to create an unforgettable Hawaiian vacation.
Most important is we want to learn about your hobbies and interests so that we can help you choose the best island for you. Each island is unique and has its own particular sights and attractions. A quick recap:
On location partners can share facts and information from a local perspective rather than a guide book. We have access to extensive services, including:
Topics: hawaii
All of the 2016 Africa programs offer the exhilirating thrill of a classic safari with the luxury of an AmaWaterways river cruise--a truly life changing experience. Pair your 4-night wildlife cruise with one of four different, yet equally incredible land programs that take you to explore Africa's most amazing destinations.
Topics: river cruise
Topics: all inclusive vacation packages, all inclusive resort
It's another great way to make the most of your Hawaii vacation: Tee off at the world's number 2 golf destination. Hawaii has some exceptional courses open year-round featuring breathtaking sea and mountain views, lava formations, and surging water along rugged coastlines. Watch out for the native Nene Geese, frequent visitors to many of the greens! Not a golfer? You can still join a group and head out to enjoy the action and spectacular settings.
Topics: Golf
Posted by Tammy Murphy
December 11, 2015 at 2:00 PM
Making memories through vacation experiences with family and friends is priceless!!
You love the idea of exploring several countries on one visit, what better way than aboard a 5 star floating boutique hotel. Most of the ships accommodate only 120-200 passengers, which allows for an intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
River cruises provide a unique approach to the "vacation experience". Spend a few minutes explaining to your travel consultant what your hobbies and interest are and she can suggest the perfect river cruise vacation experience for you. What appeals to me most is that you can immerse yourself in local culture through exclusive limited edition tours, and its offers many group benefits with a individual travel feel. River cruises are great for groups, families, friends, special interest groups, church groups, etc.
Award-winning cuisine crafted by expert chefs and served in a variety of stylish dining venues--including the Chef's Table specialty restaurant. In fact, you can find the chef in the local markets because the ingredients are farm to table in the area that you are visiting. You may eat in the main dining room which accommodates all guests, but there are smaller alternative restaurants for a more casual experience.
Most everything is included (varies by cruise line), but typically beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner. Some cruise lines also include excursions.
On a river cruise, you enjoy the unique small towns within the countries you visit. You won't need a tender or bus because the ship docks right where you want to be. You can choose from optional small group tours with local tour guides or you can explore on your own. Some cruise lines offer a self-guided GPS walking or biking tour. There are also optional special activities that are planned at your destinations and local entertainment is brought on board to perform for the guests in the evenings. Between all of the exciting tours, guests can indulge in outstanding onboard amenities like massages services and a fitness room. Or sip on a glass of wine in the pool with a swim-up bar on the sun deck. Imagine lounging in your bathing suits and cruising by centuries-old castles.
River cruising is a relaxed and easy way to visit beautiful countries with family and friends. The ease of getting from one city or country to another taking in riverside scenery from a spacious balcony stateroom is a rare treat any guests would love. Enjoy luxurious accommodations , delicious food, and unique experiences and you only had to unpack once! The hardest decision is which entree to try next because the staff is dedicated to exceeding expectations. They want you to feel like part of the family. It's so much more than a vacation, its a unique experience regardless how many times you cruise.
Please share if you know anyone that is ready to try river cruising. As a travel consultant, I enjoy making your travel experience, as well as the planning, as easy as possible.
Topics: foodie travel, wine tasting, river cruise, #viptravelexperience, #VIPRiverCruise, #RiverCruise
Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery, "Chianti in the Carolinas" was a pleasant surprise.
While taking a time-out from a working weekend in Charlotte, I managed to find a little "unique experience" nearby.
Honestly, they had me at Buon Giorno!! We were welcomed as old friends before we even reached the door of the Tuscan style villa. The Raffaldini family and their staff take great pride in their vineyard and we enjoyed their enthusiasm more than I can say. The belief that family, food and wine are an integral part of their daily life had me suddenly wishing I was strolling through the piazzas of Italy again. Well, that's not entirely truthful, it wasn't suddenly, I'm always wishing I was in Italy :)
The Raffaldini family has celebrated family dinners with homemade Italian wine for more than 650 years. Lucky for us, they decided to share their family heritage in the United States, or more specifically Swan Creek area of Yadkin Valley. I did as they promised "closed my eyes and was transported to Italy . . .
Denise was our gracious wine expert for our wine tasting. Her knowledge and love of wine was captivating. I enjoyed each and every wine tasted, from the dry, apple 2014 Pinot Grigio to the 2013 Montepulciano Riserva with its dark cherry finish. We were amazed with Denise's teaching of the soil and winemaking in the United States East Coast vs. the West Coast vs. Italy.
The view was beautiful of the Blue Ridge and Brushy Mountains from the tasting room, but even better to soak it up outside in the piazza. I only wished I had more time to relax and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, listening to chatter and laughter of friends and family while the children played nearby. As an added bonus, we enjoyed a wood-fired pizza catered by a mobile oven and catering company, Giannos. Along with the delicious smells of the pizza and wine, you could smell the nearby vines.
If you ever find yourself in North Carolina, take a short one and one-half drive from Charlotte, NC to visit Raffaldini Vineyard. I think you will be pleasantly surprised what's hiding in the mountains. For more details, visit their website www.raffaldini.com.
Topics: wine tasting
Prairieville LA 70769 • 888.992.8478 • info@viptravelexperience.com