VIP Travel Experience Blog | Luxury Vacation Ideas & more

London's Calling And You Should Go

December 1, 2020 at 10:54 AM

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Topics: travel tips, #girlstrip, #groupfun, #milestoneanniversary, #viptravelexperience, travel planner, different travel styles, passport passion, travel consultant, group travel, travel, experiencesnotthings

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Paris Is Always A Good Idea

Posted by Tammy Murphy

November 4, 2020 at 9:58 PM

Who's ready for a visit to Paris? Our book club read several books last year set in PARIS and now I'm trying to figure out how to get a girls trip to Paris or a couples trip to Paris/Normandy/Beaune on my travel calendar PRONTO!! If you love books about Paris and World War II, check these out! "Paris Time Capsule" and "The House by the Lake."

WARNING: You will have an urgent desire to visit Paris soon...and when you do, here are few tips for your next vacation to Paris. Keep reading if bespoke Paris speaks to you, making a Paris trip even more MAGICAL.

Top 8 MUSTS when in Paris:

1. Visit O Chateau for the absolute BEST wine experience! They offer so many options...ranging from a single glass of wine to a Champagne Cruise on the Seine to a full day small-group tour to the Champagne region of France! www.o-chateau.com/paris-wine-tasting.

2. Stop in to the L’Orangerie museum to get “up close and personal” with Monet’s incredible Water Lilies. This small museum is easy to get in and out of, usually with no crowds, and is a fantastic way to see some of the most amazing art in France – hassle free! CLOSED TUESDAYS

3. One of the best values in the Paris art scene is the Sculpture Garden at the Rodin Museum. For only 1 Euro per person, you can wander around and view some of Rodin’s most famous works, including “The Thinker”. There is also a quaint café in the gardens if you want to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine with your culture! CLOSED MONDAYS

4. Be sure to save a few hours to spend on the incredibly charming market street, Rue Cler (in the 7 th arr). This area is a favorite of travelers and you can find just about anything you might want to eat, drink, smell, see, hear or buy! If you are “munchy” try a freshly made crepe from the stand outside Ulysses restaurant...can't think of a better way to start your day with one every day (ha ha )! CLOSED MONDAYS

5. Buy the “fixings” for a great picnic at one of the many markets and eat “al fresco” for lunch! Where else can you enjoy such wonderful food in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame cathedral? A small bottle of slightly chilled French rose wine to share completes the experience!

6. It is hard to go too wrong with Parisian cafes and restaurants....look for places with locals who seem to be enjoying themselves....avoid the ones with big “WE SPEAK ENGLISH” signs and “TOURIST MENUS” advertised out front. Most all have English-translated menus if you ask. Remember that Parisian waiters are paid well...not like here in the US! Slow service is good service...you are basically in no rush...the meal IS the entertainment. (Unlike here where we grab a quick bite before a movie). You must ask politely for the check when you are ready to leave...a waiter will never bring your check spontaneously because they don’t want to seem to rush you...it is considered rude! Relax and enjoy the experience!

7. I know the Eiffel Tower is a “must” for many people, but there is really no reason to go all the way up to the top. The view is actually better from the 1st and 2nd levels since Paris is so flat. Reservations can (and should) be made at www.tour-eiffel.fr. On the 1st level, there is a nice restaurant for lunch and you can walk around the perimeter that is marked with signs explaining what you are viewing – and if you have a reservation for the restaurant, you can bypass the massive line for the elevator. It is a great way to get the layout of the whole city without the crushing crowds at the top.

8. The Louvre is one of those museums that irritates the fire out of many! It is absolutely HUGE, hot and crowded...but everyone feels like they need to go. You don’t, unless you are a serious artist or art-history buff. If you really are into art, be sure to purchase a Museum Pass that will act as your ticket to most of the major museums in Paris....AND the card lets you bypass most of the lines! CLOSED TUESDAYS

Since it is the mission of VIP Travel Experience to take you BEYOND the highlights for bespoke or unique EXPERIENCES, here are some of my favorite things to plan for my clients:

- Eating a fabulous Michelin starred 5 course dinner in the Eiffel tower with wine pairings.
- A private, personalized excursion with a local tour guide to take you to the most interesting sites of D-Day and Normandy Beaches to discover the battlefields you've always to see, or some you may not have heard of.
- An unforgettable, simply magical night at Mont Saint Michel.
- France has another city, Lyon. I dare you to go without a list of recommended eateries. There are literally hundreds of precious little cafes and restaurants in France's culinary /gastronomical capital, and it's also home to an amazing lights festival.
- Private driver through gorgeous Burgundy countryside to get to charming Beaune. You will absolutely LOVE it and feel like you stepped back in time.

So depending on how much time you have and how far you want to stray from Paris, don't miss out on the many little hidden gems of France.

If you're to start planning your iconic Ireland adventure, let us know. I would love to explore the possibilities with you. Click here to get in touch with us.

Topics: travel tips, #travelwithfriends, #girlstrip, #viptravelexperience, reasons to use a travel consultant, Paris is Always a Good Idea, Anniversary Travel, luxurytravel

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Is Butler Service Worth It?

Posted by Tammy Murphy

October 30, 2020 at 12:00 AM

Just ask anyone that has had Personal Butler Service at Sandals...Once you have experienced vacation with a butler, it is really hard to imagine not having a butler on all your vacations.

Why do butlers make for the best travel experience? It's where luxury meets exceptional hospitality!

Many clients are interested, but may be a little skeptical at first. Some say "I don't need a butler, I'm not high maintenance." While this may be true, none of us really need a butler, but if there is any way I can help elevate my clients experience - the butler service is one that makes them so happy.

I too was apprehensive at first about having a butler. When we first made the decision to have a suite with butler service, I was almost too embarrassed to let Nicola (our first butler) do anything for me. Then I learned what an honor it is for the staff to become a Butler. They sincerely love their jobs and it's almost disrespectful to not them do their jobs. They strive to do any and everything in their power to make your stay as special and as perfect as possible.

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When clients contact me about planning their trip, I try to share my experiences with a butler to see if that is something they would enjoy. We determine what they are comfortable spending and if there is any way the budget will allow a butler, I highly recommend it.

Ten years ago we were planning our first visit to Sandals and we had dreamed of visiting St. Lucia for quite a while. However, after looking at what options fit our budget, we opted to visit Jamaica with a butler as opposed to St. Lucia without a butler. As much as I hated not seeing St. Lucia ten years ago, I still think its the best decision we ever made, never before then have I felt so pampered --It's not something most of us experience too many times (until we return to Sandals). While the Sandals website provides a short list of the butler perks, it is only a starting point and just barely scratches the surface. I can never fully explain how awesome the butler service can be, because they take the que from each client. Their goal is to anticipate your every need and then exceed it. As a Sandals specialist, it makes my job so much easier because I feel relieved once my clients are in the hands of the butler, I know everything will be just perfect. Almost every client that has selected a suite with personal butler service comes back from vacation bragging that "their butler was the best ever." In fact I typically hear more about the butler than the excursions. I have also noticed that clients that experienced butler service usually have their friends calling me within days of their return. I think really connecting with the local hospitality through the butlers, and island people fill our souls with gratitude and service.

Curious about how to get the most value of butler service at Sandals? Here are a few important things . . .

Work with a travel professional!
Your travel professional will communicate your preferences the butler prior to your arrival. When you arrive, your travel professional will have already double checked that your suite is confirmed and your butler will have double checked that it is prepared per your preferences: Club Sandals Lounge keys, His and Hers plush robes with bed slippers, 24 hour room service, In-suite bar stocked daily with Mondavi wines, spirits, sodas, juices, water, fine Egyptian cotton linens and pillow menu including feather down pillows, coffeemaker with Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and free wifi in room. Everything just to your liking!

The butler knows your expected time of arrival and will be waiting for you in the lobby with lemongrass-scented hand towels to refresh you from your flight.
Here are just a few ways a butler enhances your arrival:

Welcome cocktails and culinary treats
Escorts you to your suite for check-in in the privacy of your suite and coordinates your luggage handling
Provides you with resort and room orientation
Reviews your personal preferences communicated through your travel professional
Supplies a cell phone to reach him during your stay
Offers to unpack your luggage
Press your first night's clothes complimentary

During Your Stay

Butler makes your dinner reservations, cabana rentals, spa treatments and any other activities you have added to your stay.
Reserves your chair at the beach or pool and serves your favorite drinks while you relax
Serves your lunch at the beach or pool
Confirms your room is serviced while you are away and ensures it is kept in perfect order
Ensures your table is arranged at the restaurants of your choice and escorts you to your table with preferential seating, skipping all lines
Per your request, arranges a perfect romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your suite or patio. They can order from any resort restaurant menu for dining in-suite.
Shine/clean shoes for dinner
Tend to your wardrobe
Collect and return all laundry
Leaves amenities in your room between meals (per the preferences provided by your travel professional or things he hears you mention during your stay)
Ensures your bed is turned down and that you have anything you need for the night.

Before your Departure

Provides you with check out details
Offers to pack for your departure
Ensures your bags are brought to the departure area
Escorts you to the butler lounge to process check out
Escorts you to your transportation and bids you farewell (i promise you will want to take them home with you, I know I did)

A few other tips your Sandals specialist can help you decide:

For the same price as an entry level butler suite at one resort, you can stay in one of the top butler suite at another
The higher the category of room, the bigger the room and better the view (usually)
Some rooms have a private plunge pool or tranquility outdoor tub

Loosen Up:

They will make it abundantly clear that they are at your beck and call, but who can wrap their head around that, right? Remember, this is his job and you are depriving him of what he loves to do. Making the most of your butler experience may include asking him for your favorite drink while you are on the beach, or saving your chair at beach or pool or reserving your table at your favorite restaurant, etc. The more you allow him to get to know you and learn about him and his life on the island, the more you will enjoy your stay. Imagine your surprise when you return from dinner to find this? He mentioned that he heard you mention your feet hurt.

What to Expect?

Ask your travel professional what to expect. Think about how much you hate to pack and unpack, take advantage of his offer. I usually recommend that you unpack a few personal items and leave the rest for him to unpack while you are exploring the resort. Or another idea would be to pack your personal items in a carry on which you unpack and ask the butler to unpack the other bags when they arrive. Here's a little hint, my butler unpacked and packed WAY better than I did.

Remember, the only way they know what you want is if you speak up.

Nothing makes you feel more special than a personal note on your pillow from your butlers reminding you "Love is All You Need".

True VIP Travel Experience is anything you want at the press of a button.

It's okay to say no. Butler service is not for everyone and we understand and respect that. For those that are not comfortable with the idea, the concierge service at Club Sandals may be the right fit for you. Club Sandals is a quiet lounge offering snacks and drinks and free wifi, televisions and even kindles to borrow.

As you know Sandals has a strict no tipping rule. However, butlers and spa attendants are the only Sandals employees that are able to accept tips from guests. If your butler does an outstanding job enhancing your stay, consider leaving them a tip to show your gratitude. If you aren't sure how to tip them, ask your travel professional.

So is butler service worth every penny? For me 100% yes, but you are the only one that can decide for yourself. The one thing I tell my clients is if you aren't afraid to use your butler service, it is worth every single penny and much, much more!! In my very humble opinion, once you try the butler service, it is almost impossible to go back!

Topics: #girlstrip, #bestvacation, #viptravelexperience, travel planner, planning the right trip, #reunion, travel concierge, travel consultant, #passportpassion, why use a travel agent, Best Vacation Value, group travel, paradiseescape

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What Is Your Travel Personality?

Posted by Tammy Murphy

October 20, 2020 at 2:30 PM

Travel heightens the experiences life gives us. It caters to the unique interests of each discerning wanderer. Taking ideal journeys for food and wine lovers, history buffs, families, the culturally curious and anyone who dreams of exploring this great wide world we live in.

Every person has a different travel personality. This can make it difficult in finding what should be top priority for the trip and it's our job as Travel Experts to figure out what type of traveler YOU are. This helps us customize your vacation to be exactly what you have dreamed and hoped it to be. There are many different personalities for travelers and none are mutually exclusive.

Here are just a few examples of some of travel styles we see most often.

What travel personality are you?

Escape Artist
For those choosing to escape for the holidays or escaping with the whole family and make it just a little more special, like Christmas in the Swiss Alps. These clients would probably prefer something cozy and more intimate to enjoy the company they're with as well as the scenery surrounding them. This client wants experiences to last a lifetime and add a little something extra to the festivities. Some activities may include dining or cooking class in home of local chef or in clients private villa renal, as opposed to cooking school.

Foodie
They seem to enjoy the culture and culinary experience from many different destinations and may be more interested in wine tastings, and authentic cooking classes over the typical sights and landmarks.

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Active adventurer - All adventurers are not alike!
Testing their limits is what this traveler is all about. Clients that want action and adventure are usually going to want more secluded destinations that have kayaking, rock climbing, zip lining, hot air ballooning. Anything to get that adrenaline flowing. Yet the wanderer can be anywhere enjoying the exploration and immersing themselves in the culture maybe taking leisurely hikes or what about biking through wine country.

Sightseers
Laid back, calm, happy-go-lucky, and typically the type of person who is up and ready to go so you can start soaking up anything and everything possible to fully take in your destination. These clients might have a specific destination in mind and ready to check places off that bucket list.

History Buffs
These clients love history, museums, and the arts. The client will be more prone to traveling to older, historically rich destinations. The want to see and hear about everything. They thirst for knowledge and are anxiously observing all the sights and sounds around them. Gearing the vacation to landmarks and museums, or maybe even the occasional castle. These clients may enjoy after-hours tour of museums and other tours along these lines.

If you're wanting more travel inspiration and ideas for a travel inspired life click here.

Topics: #girlstrip, #bestvacation, #viptravelexperience, travel planner, planning the right trip, Italy, #reunion, travel concierge, travel consultant, why use a travel agent, Best Vacation Value, First Time Tips to Italy, group travel, paradiseescape

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Venice - The Travel Experience of a Lifetime

Posted by Tammy Murphy

August 20, 2019 at 2:42 PM

Venezia, a city unlike any other! Not just in Italy, but NO OTHER. Show me a bucket list of travel destinations and I will be SHOCKED if Venice is not on it.

City on Water

I will NEVER forget the MAGICAL moment stepping into the water taxi and watching the city come to life. Typically you will arrive in the morning and as your water taxi motors you to your hotel, you watch in amazement . . . supplies arriving from the mainland and just the idea that there are NO CARS. It is fabulous . . . the Grand Canal, the quiet hidden canals, narrow bridges!! Travel CAN change your life and it sure did that for me!

DON'T

Relax, breathe, slow breathing now, you're in the greatest travel destination I can think of!! It's Italy and its slow and easy here. Don't expect FAST service, enjoy the slow eats and slow living. It's part of the Venice charm!! Don't attempt to see all the sights I include on your itinerary . . . This is just plan B, C, & D depending on area you are in. Don't miss the Bellini or Proseco!

No stress way to enjoy your Venice vacation

Book early so that we can get you a quaint hotel in a great location with back access (you really don't want to pull your luggage on cobblestone streets).
When is the best time to go to vacation in Venice? ANYTIME!! I like April/May, it's always busy, but LESS busy and the weather is great.
Take a locally guided tour of the HOT SPOTS and see them properly. Sometimes if you don't know the story behind things, you can't fully appreciate the beauty and significance of it. How many times have you looked at something iconic and wonder "what's so great about that?"
Hire assistants to transfer you at the airport, to the train station (and sometimes to your gondola ha ha-you can and WE DID get lost-we could see it but with the alleys that just end, we just couldn't get there). I do believe in no-stress traveling.
Hire drivers that will be waiting for you at the end of the train tracks.
Take a walking guided tour with reputable, Italian based company. Don't you want to hear unique stories of locals that were born and raised in Venice. Oh the stories, they are amazing! Skip the ques and get access to the sights, guides have pre-ordered priority access (included in tour) and you will make your way straight up to the mezzanine. Get a close up view of the gold mosaic St. Mark's Basilica with marble inlays (this time I happened upon the Basilica right in time for mass-it was so beautiful). Soak up all of the history, guides will take you a step back in time to the city's glorious past!! As you walk along the corridors of Doge's Palace, your guide will share fascinating history of the Republic of Venice. Truly, don't skip the guide for St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. Oh and Cross the Bridge of Sighs and imagine for a moment the sadness of the prisoners taking their last look at beautiful Venice. Ask about the most famous prisoner.
Pick a couple of must-see spots, enjoy them, take it ALL IN!!
Private, serenade Gondola Ride (most people think they all include serenade, not so). Definitely a highlight for me, the sweetest and most passionate serenade you can imagine--feels like you are the only people in Italy.
Because everything in Italy revolves around food, take a Cicchetti Crawl. Enjoy appetizers while sipping wine in a typical bacari and wander from the Cannaregio District to Strada Nuova and to the Rialo area. With private tours, the owners will have your tapas and wines ready and waiting as you arrive.

Throw away the map

Then throw the map away and wander, wander the Jewish Ghetto, hidden alleys, campo, piazza, cross the bridges. Enjoy the fact, that you are walking in a maze. Allow yourself to be surprised by venice in every turn. Enjoy getting lost in Venice.

Use all of your senses, not only see all of the beauty, but take time to hear the beautiful Italian conversations, the chiming church bells, the serenades. Smell the wonderful fragrant, fresh fruit stands, or the earthy scent of truffles or pastries, spices as you pass the restaurants and salt water in the canals.

When you feel like it's a dream come true, it just keeps getting better!

The most important thing is to enjoy your Italy vacation. Be a traveler, not a tourist. Sharpen your photography skills so you can capture "a snapshot in time" to remember the experience and preserve the memories forever as you explore Venice, the city on water. Looking at my photos BRINGS ME BACK and its always such a beautiful memory! Justin Murphy shares some cool photo tips in this previous blog article.

I truly hope you get to go to Venice, call me, I would LOVE to help you plan the perfect Trip of a Lifetime! Please tag us when you show off your Venice Travel Adventure @VIPTravelExperience! (P.S. don't get too caught up in the photos that you MISS the moment)

Topics: #girlstrip, #bestvacation, #viptravelexperience, travel planner, planning the right trip, travel concierge, travel consultant, #passportpassion, why use a travel agent, Best Vacation Value, group travel, Italy Vacation, Italy Travel, Italy Photographer, Italy Travel Tips, Anniversary Travel, Honeymoon

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Hiring a Professional Chauffeur: "Let Us Handle It"

Posted by Justin Murphy

August 7, 2017 at 5:45 PM

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Whether you’re catching a flight for a business trip or splurging for that dream vacation of a lifetime. Trying to keep a schedule while taking in every little experience you can get your hands on from event to event, hiring the elite, skilled, professional help of a chauffeur service is the always the way to go. Chauffeuring is an extremely handy, affordable, view finding means of transportation that provides exorbitant benefits, and no one knows those benefits better than our on the ground, experience based, knowledgeable company’s drivers. Having served satisfied customers of the all over Europe.

“ I cannot express to you enough, how much this trip meant to all of us!!"

-Tom

"We saw wonderful places and the views were so much better and I know we would not have been able to see as much as we did, if we had tried to drive ourselves or small group!!"

-Sara

"Our favorite part of the whole trip were the drivers! They were all awesome!! Especially in Ireland our driver searched for 3 days to get the perfect authentic shillelagh”

-Linda

"Thank you for suggesting the private driver in St. Thomas/St. John." We saw so much more than we imagined AND hearing the stories and suggestions of local, good eats--great value!"

-Lynn

Having a driver serves multiple benefits from punctuality to the ability to seamlessly handle rough weather with a drivers’ years of experience, hiring a professional chauffeur service for your next trip could change the way you feel about transportation to the airport, make a country side tour much more insightful, an exploration into hidden gems only the locals know about, and with that one on one experience that lets you decide what you want to do and where you want to go offering wide range of other locations off the beaten path waiting to be explored.

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Highest Trained Professional, Personable Drivers:

All of our suppliers’ professional chauffeurs are held to the best of safety standards that make other transportation services pale in comparison. Any destination, anytime, you can be stress free that no matter what comes your way your driver has been trained and is ready for it.

Our Drivers are On Time, Every Time:

These highly trained professionals are always on time. Our suppliers can solemnly swear that they do everything in their power to ensure they are present and awaiting your arrival and you waiting in line somewhere trying to rent a car, or standing on side of the road in the rain waiting to catch a cab (believe me, it happens).

Luggage Support:

Our entire registry of suppliers offer the most personable of drivers that take care of every one of your travel needs. While their drivers can’t go in and meet our clients at the baggage claim, our friendly greeters are more than happy to assist in gathering, carrying, and transporting any luggage you may no matter how big or small.

We Offer Suppliers All Over the World:

Be proffessionally Chauffeured is perfect for almost any occasion. It just adds that little extra touch of luxury to any type of destination for any motive including business meetings, bachelorette or bachelor parties, themed trips, medical appointments, or just a fun night out.

Bad Weather, No Worries:

The extremely trained professional drivers of a chauffeur service are qualified in handling any type of inclement weather, reassuring any worries of staying on schedule. We make sure you’ll make it to your destination safely and on time.

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As I hope you can see by now, hiring a professional, vetted chauffeur has many diverse benefits that insuring the decision of hiring the service a no-brainer. These are just the few reasons we want to help your next experience in a new land something that you’ll always remember and to adventure somewhere you’ll never forget. So call VIP Travel Experience the next time you need a reliable ride.

Topics: #girlstrip, #bestvacation, #viptravelexperience, travel planner, planning the right trip, #passportpassion, why use a travel agent, Best Vacation Value, Italy Vacation, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Tips, Anniversary Travel, Honeymoon

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Venice, Italy - The Trip of a Lifetime

Posted by Tammy Murphy

August 1, 2017 at 7:30 AM

Venezia, a city unlike any other! Not just in Italy, but NO OTHER. Show me a bucket list of travel destinations and I will be SHOCKED if Venice is not on it.

City on Water

DON'T

No stress way to enjoy your Venice vacation

Book early so that we can get you a quaint hotel in a great location with back access (you really don't want to pull your luggage on cobblestone streets).
When is the best time to go to vacation in Venice? ANYTIME!! I like April/May, it's always busy, but LESS busy and the weather is great.
Take a locally guided tour of the HOT SPOTS and see them properly. Sometimes if you don't know the story behind things, you can't fully appreciate the beauty and significance of it. How many times have you looked at something iconic and wonder "what's so great about that?"
Hire assistants to transfer you at the airport, to the train station (and sometimes to your gondola ha ha-you can and WE DID get lost-we could see it but with the alleys that just end, we just couldn't get there). I do believe in no-stress traveling.
Hire drivers that will be waiting for you at the end of the train tracks.
Take a walking guided tour with reputable, Italian based company. Don't you want to hear unique stories of locals that were born and raised in Venice. Oh the stories, they are amazing! Skip the ques and get access to the sights, guides have pre-ordered priority access (included in tour) and you will make your way straight up to the mezzanine. Get a close up view of the gold mosaic St. Mark's Basilica with marble inlays (this time I happened upon the Basilica right in time for mass-it was so beautiful). Soak up all of the history, guides will take you a step back in time to the city's glorious past!! As you walk along the corridors of Doge's Palace, your guide will share fascinating history of the Republic of Venice. Truly, don't skip the guide for St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. Oh and Cross the Bridge of Sighs and imagine for a moment the sadness of the prisoners taking their last look at beautiful Venice. Ask about the most famous prisoner.
Pick a couple of must-see spots, enjoy them, take it ALL IN!!
Private, serenade Gondola Ride (most people think they all include serenade, not so). Definitely a highlight for me, the sweetest and most passionate serenade you can imagine--feels like you are the only people in Italy.
Because everything in Italy revolves around food, take a Cicchetti Crawl. Enjoy appetizers while sipping wine in a typical bacari and wander from the Cannaregio District to Strada Nuova and to the Rialo area. With private tours, the owners will have your tapas and wines ready and waiting as you arrive.

Throw away the map

Then throw the map away and wander, wander the Jewish Ghetto, hidden alleys, campo, piazza, cross the bridges. Enjoy the fact, that you are walking in a maze. Allow yourself to be surprised by venice in every turn. Enjoy getting lost in Venice.

Use all of your senses, not only see all of the beauty, but take time to hear the beautiful Italian conversations, the chiming church bells, the serenades. Smell the wonderful fragrant, fresh fruit stands, or the earthy scent of truffles or pastries, spices as you pass the restaurants and salt water in the canals.

When you feel like it's a dream come true, it just keeps getting better!

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Professionally Pack Your Suitcase Make Sure You Never Leave Something at Home Again!

Posted by Justin Murphy

July 27, 2017 at 8:30 AM

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So I think what most of us, travellers, stress and dread the most about our vacation is the packing, or at least for me it is. Trying to figure out how many bags to brings, how many outfits, pairs of shoes, jackets, etc. Well I'll give you one tip to right off the back: GET ORGANIZED BEFORE YOU PACK! This usually includes making a check list of everything you will need.

Here is a link for an example of a packing checklist: Packing List

Narrow it Down. Gather all of your clothes that you need to bring, want to bring, and think you mightneed. Now cut your choices in half, and then separate what you'll definitely need from things you want to bring. Now put together different outfits and lay them out on your bed, spare bedroom, or couch, etc. Now time for the tough part, you need to make choices. Choose which outfit goes with each day. A plan saves you time later so you dont have to decide each day what you want to wear. Contrary to what you might think you don't need 3 outfits for 1 day. Now that you've narrowed down all your outfits take what you didn't choose as an outfit and put that back in your closet. (Travel Tip: Pack clothing that be used for multiple things, ex. yoga pants can double as pajama pants or a sarong can double as a swimsuit coverup, or scarf)
Drape longer pieces like pants. Fold pants in half (leg over leg) and lay flat at bottom of suitcase and line up waist lines with center of suitcase (ex. 2-3 per side) with the pant leg draped over the sides hanging out of the suitcase. (After you have put all of your rolled clothing on top of the pants inside the suitcase wrap the legs over the top of the rolled clothes to keep it tightly packed all together.)
Roll don't Fold. Tighly rolling your softer, wrinkle-resistant garments, like T-shirts and cotton pants, and place them along the base of the bag. Jeans should be rolled, too. Also if your suitcase has separate pocket/storage for undergarments those should be rolled as well.
Fill In With Smaller Items. Look for nooks and crannies to fill with smaller items, like bras and socks. (Travel Tip: Stuff the cups of your bras with rolled-up socks to maintain bra shape and snake belts around the perimeter of the bag.) Then cover the whole pile with a dry-cleaning bag that can double as a dirty clothes hamper while you're on vacation plus thanks to the bag’s slippery surface, clothes won’t stay in one place long enough for creases to set.
Choose Shoes Wisely: As a general rule pick three pairs of shoes, like a casual sandal or loafer, sneakers, and an evening shoe –go for styles that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Wear the heaviest pair en route and pack the others along the sides of your suitcase in resealable bags. (Travel Tip: If shoes are dirty you can put in gallon ziplock bags or strech a shower cap around the bottoms to keep them together and protect them from dirtying your clothes.
Pack Your Jewelry: Are you tired of spending tons of time untangling bracelets, necklaces, and earrings from one another after you unpack? Stow inexpensive jewelry in a seven-day plastic pillbox or a 35-millimeter film canister. Wear any fine jewelry en route to ensure it won’t get lost or stolen.
Last But Certainly Not Least, Cross Pack! If traveling with another person try to cross pack between each other's suitcase putting at least 2 outfits in the other's suitcase. Also if checking bags make sure to have at least a clean pair of underwear, 1 outfit, and a swimsuit in your carry on just incase your luggage doesnt make it the same time you do to your destination.

Bonus!

Airplane Tote Packing Tips!

Laptop. A laptop computer is always a good idea to bring especially if traveling for business, just be sure you'll have a safe place to store it in your room when you get to your destination. Access to the internet in this day and age is crucial.
Small Pouch for Toiletries/Essentials: small pill case with allergy medicine, travel Advil, Chapstick, travel lotion, travel tissues, floss, etc. Just remember if bringing any liquids on board they must be less than 3 fl. oz. I carry this pouch with these contents daily. While traveling I make sure to have lotion and chapstick with me because my hands and lips get dry on long haul flights. I also MUST have headache medicine. I once had a migraine in flight and no one around me had medicine. It was absolutely AWFUL.
Reading Material. All that time strapped in your seat on a flight I often like to take the opportunity to journal, read my bible, book, or magazine (Travel Tip: This time is also great to look over your printed out itinerary from VIP.) Otherwise, I'm working on my computer on the flight. If driving I don't carry these things in my tote and opt to pack them in my suitcase instead.
Small wallet. My daily wallet is much bigger, but when you travel you should always try to bring less. A little pouch is all I need to hold cash and essential credit cards.
Headphones & iPhone Charger. These are two essentials to all of my travels, and they MUST be in my carry-on. I've been stuck on long layovers one too many times with low battery and no charger to have learned my lesson. Also, in case I had to check luggage and it gets lost, I don't want to be without a charged phone. (Travel Tip: An old glasses case that is not being used is great for storage for earphones and chargers it also makes them easier to find and not get all tangled.)
Sunglasses with a little pouch or case. Sunglasses are a must for me on any vacation, but I strongly reccomend them for all my caribbean travelers. Also bring something to clean them with.
Water bottle & Snacks. Make sure it is empty until through customs and security. A water bottle is an absolute must, and it also helps to have something insulated to keep cool longer. A good example is a stainless steel and insulated, keeping water cold (if you put ice in it) for up to 24 hours and hot up to 6 hours, and snacks because traveling hangry is bad for everyone involved.
Light Layers. A Light cardigan. I get cold on flights, so I always bring an extra layer. (Travel Tip: I've noticed window seats are colder than aisles.) I try not to bring a super thick layer because I don't like carrying heavy or bulky stuff through the airport. The extra layer needs to fit nicely in the tote, along with everything else, without taking up the entire tote.

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Venice, Italy and All of Its Charm

Posted by Tammy Murphy

July 25, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Venezia, a city unlike any other! Not just in Italy, but NO OTHER. Show me a bucket list of travel destinations and I will be SHOCKED if Venice is not on it.

City on Water

DON'T

No stress way to enjoy your Venice vacation

Book early so that we can get you a quaint hotel in a great location with back access (you really don't want to pull your luggage on cobblestone streets).
When is the best time to go to vacation in Venice? ANYTIME!! I like April/May, it's always busy, but LESS busy and the weather is great.
Take a locally guided tour of the HOT SPOTS and see them properly. Sometimes if you don't know the story behind things, you can't fully appreciate the beauty and significance of it. How many times have you looked at something iconic and wonder "what's so great about that?"
Hire assistants to transfer you at the airport, to the train station (and sometimes to your gondola ha ha-you can and WE DID get lost-we could see it but with the alleys that just end, we just couldn't get there). I do believe in no-stress traveling.
Hire drivers that will be waiting for you at the end of the train tracks.
Take a walking guided tour with reputable, Italian based company. Don't you want to hear unique stories of locals that were born and raised in Venice. Oh the stories, they are amazing! Skip the ques and get access to the sights, guides have pre-ordered priority access (included in tour) and you will make your way straight up to the mezzanine. Get a close up view of the gold mosaic St. Mark's Basilica with marble inlays (this time I happened upon the Basilica right in time for mass-it was so beautiful). Soak up all of the history, guides will take you a step back in time to the city's glorious past!! As you walk along the corridors of Doge's Palace, your guide will share fascinating history of the Republic of Venice. Truly, don't skip the guide for St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. Oh and Cross the Bridge of Sighs and imagine for a moment the sadness of the prisoners taking their last look at beautiful Venice. Ask about the most famous prisoner.
Pick a couple of must-see spots, enjoy them, take it ALL IN!!
Private, serenade Gondola Ride (most people think they all include serenade, not so). Definitely a highlight for me, the sweetest and most passionate serenade you can imagine--feels like you are the only people in Italy.
Because everything in Italy revolves around food, take a Cicchetti Crawl. Enjoy appetizers while sipping wine in a typical bacari and wander from the Cannaregio District to Strada Nuova and to the Rialo area. With private tours, the owners will have your tapas and wines ready and waiting as you arrive.

Throw away the map

Then throw the map away and wander, wander the Jewish Ghetto, hidden alleys, campo, piazza, cross the bridges. Enjoy the fact, that you are walking in a maze. Allow yourself to be surprised by venice in every turn. Enjoy getting lost in Venice.

Use all of your senses, not only see all of the beauty, but take time to hear the beautiful Italian conversations, the chiming church bells, the serenades. Smell the wonderful fragrant, fresh fruit stands, or the earthy scent of truffles or pastries, spices as you pass the restaurants and salt water in the canals.

When you feel like it's a dream come true, it just keeps getting better!

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Venice, Italy and All of Its Charm

City on Water

DON'T

No stress way to enjoy your Venice vacation

Throw away the map

When you feel like it's a dream come true, it just keeps getting better!

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