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.
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You Don't Only Have 18 Summers!
“One day...we’re going to take the kids to Hawaii!”, “We really want to travel over to Europe, but we’re waiting until the kids are older”; “We really want to go out West and see the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, but our summers are just too busy”. Do any of those statements sound familiar to you? The average American family doesn’t think they spend enough time together (guilty). Between school, work, sports, and extracurricular activities it’s no surprise that we are all feeling disconnected and burned out. The best way to reconnect with your loved ones is to get away. No distractions and no excuses: just you and your kids (or Grandkids) spending “quality time”, enjoying each other’s company and maybe even experiencing an unfamiliar culture together. “Next Year, maybe” turns into the year after that...and so forth...until you “blink” and are sitting at their high school graduation wondering what the hell happened!
Travel is proven to be a wonderful learning tool for children. Seeing how people live in other countries can open their minds and hearts and expand their imagination exponentially. Here are a few things that travel can provide for your family:
1. It can create lasting relationships...both between your own family members and people you meet while on the road. These folks that you run into along the way give you a glimpse of what life is like outside your regular circle of friends and can give you a fresh perspective on how other cultures live.
2. You can learn another language...There is something very exciting about being able to throw around a few words of French, knowing how to say hello and thank you in Portuguese, or ordering off of a menu written totally in Italian and hoping you don’t end up with something inedible! And...knowing that if you do accidentally order goat’s testicles, that your whole family will still be laughing about it 20 years from now!
3. It gives you and your kids perspective...Meeting folks from other cultures will teach you that the way you look at the world (maybe through the distorted lens of our mass media) is not the way everybody does – and that you could be dead wrong about some things! We have had many meaningful conversations about why Europe is so far ahead of the U.S. in its transportation infrastructure, why people of Native Hawaiian descent still protest becoming a part of the US, and why so few French and Italian teenagers feel the deep temptation to drink alcohol to excess like ours do here in America.
Are you reading this and thinking “Boy...I’ve always wanted to see the Pacific Ocean with my kids”? If you want to do it now, you’ve probably always wanted to. You’ve imagined it, daydreamed about it, envisioned it. Guess what? Now’s the time to DO IT! I had several vacations this summer for folks just like you, who are wanting to finally take their 16 and 21 year olds to Europe before they are “gone”...or who are celebrating a high school graduation with a trip to Canada – the destination chosen by their daughter. Remember...you don't only have 18 summers!
Click here 
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First Time Tips to Italy,
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Paris is Always a Good Idea
While VIP Travel Experience does not advocate overthinking potential travel mishaps, we do like to prepare our clients with some simple travel tips IF circumstances may not happen according to plan.
1. Notify your bank and credit card company of your destination and dates of travel before you leave.
You can usually take care of this on-line, although I recommend posting this several weeks in advance of trip so there are no delays. If you don't think about it until the week of travel, you may be best advised to call and speak to a representative. Take this opportunity to ask about any security measures they may enforce while you are traveling abroad. One of the great things about security of our bank and credit cards could catch you off guard while trying to make a purchase on your vacation if you skip this tip, charges may be temporarily blocked if banks are unaware of your travel plans.
2. Take multiple cards with you.
Don't be surprised if American Express is not accepted abroad or in small mom and pop establishments. American Express charges high fees from the companies that accept it, and is therefore not as commonly accepted as Visa and MasterCard.
3. Make copies of your credit cards and "if lost phone numbers"
In the unfortunate event that your cards are lost or stolen, having copies of your cards and the contact phone numbers on the back of them stored in your hotel safe will allow you access to your bank's international contact numbers. Please note, this is different than the typical 1-800 number.
4. Cash on hand for emergencies
In the unfortunate event that internet is down, establishments may enforce "cash only" policy. In addition, I have happened upon an ATM machine that is not working appropriately, so it is nice to have a Plan B until you can locate another working ATM. US currency can be exchanged for local currency in times of emergency.
5. Best Conversion Rates
Generally, credit cards offer the best conversion rates, but please check with your bank before you leave. I generally get a small amount of destination currency before I leave from my local bank, and I will use ATM when I arrive for better rates, however, credit card purchases are my first preference. Note: Confirm that ATM machines are available in your destination prior to leaving.
6. Don't use public WIFI for banking purposes
If you do not have international ready cell phone or want to incur roaming charges, using public WIFI (internet cafe, airport, cafes, hotel, etc) is great. However, please do not use for banking or sensitive information as it is rarely secure.
7. Know your ATM daily limits
Check with your bank before you leave to know your daily limits of withdrawals per person and per account. Having access to several accounts is recommended in case someone's card is lost or stolen.
I'm sure that everything will be great for your next international trip, however, heeding these simple tips may save you a world of stress IF things go awry.
Click here for more inspiration and ideas for a travel inspired life.
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Topics:
#girlstrip,
#bestvacation,
#viptravelexperience,
travel planner,
planning the right trip,
Italy,
#reunion,
travel concierge,
travel consultant,
#passportpassion,
why use a travel agent,
Best Vacation Value,
First Time Tips to Italy,
LOVEITALY,
group travel,
paradiseescape,
Paris is Always a Good Idea
While VIP Travel Experience does not advocate overthinking potential travel mishaps, we do like to prepare our clients with some simple travel tips IF circumstances may not happen according to plan.
1. Notify your bank and credit card company of your destination and dates of travel before you leave.
You can usually take care of this on-line, although I recommend posting this several weeks in advance of trip so there are no delays. If you don't think about it until the week of travel, you may be best advised to call and speak to a representative. Take this opportunity to ask about any security measures they may enforce while you are traveling abroad. One of the great things about security of our bank and credit cards could catch you off guard while trying to make a purchase on your vacation if you skip this tip, charges may be temporarily blocked if banks are unaware of your travel plans.
2. Take multiple cards with you.
Don't be surprised if American Express is not accepted abroad or in small mom and pop establishments. American Express charges high fees from the companies that accept it, and is therefore not as commonly accepted as Visa and MasterCard.
3. Make copies of your credit cards and "if lost phone numbers"
In the unfortunate event that your cards are lost or stolen, having copies of your cards and the contact phone numbers on the back of them stored in your hotel safe will allow you access to your bank's international contact numbers. Please note, this is different than the typical 1-800 number.
4. Cash on hand for emergencies
In the unfortunate event that internet is down, establishments may enforce "cash only" policy. In addition, I have happened upon an ATM machine that is not working appropriately, so it is nice to have a Plan B until you can locate another working ATM. US currency can be exchanged for local currency in times of emergency.
5. Best Conversion Rates
Generally, credit cards offer the best conversion rates, but please check with your bank before you leave. I generally get a small amount of destination currency before I leave from my local bank, and I will use ATM when I arrive for better rates, however, credit card purchases are my first preference. Note: Confirm that ATM machines are available in your destination prior to leaving.
6. Don't use public WIFI for banking purposes
If you do not have international ready cell phone or want to incur roaming charges, using public WIFI (internet cafe, airport, cafes, hotel, etc) is great. However, please do not use for banking or sensitive information as it is rarely secure.
7. Know your ATM daily limits
Check with your bank before you leave to know your daily limits of withdrawals per person and per account. Having access to several accounts is recommended in case someone's card is lost or stolen.
I'm sure that everything will be great for your next international trip, however, heeding these simple tips may save you a world of stress IF things go awry.
Click here for more inspiration and ideas for a travel inspired life.
Read more
Topics:
#girlstrip,
#bestvacation,
#viptravelexperience,
travel planner,
planning the right trip,
Italy,
#reunion,
travel concierge,
travel consultant,
#passportpassion,
why use a travel agent,
Best Vacation Value,
First Time Tips to Italy,
LOVEITALY,
group travel,
paradiseescape,
Paris is Always a Good Idea
A trip to Bora Bora and the Tahiti Islands is your first class ticket into discovering and exploring a new and colorful world of its own. Plush green mountains crystal clear lagoons will be waiting for in this picture perfect paradise. Tahiti and Bora Bora are reknowned as a honeymooners' and lovers' heaven on Earth. Every island in French Polynesia offers a multitude of activities and endless possibilities: a dive in Rangiroa, a hike in Moorea, an unbelievable encounter with manta rays in Bora Bora, swim in Tahiti's cascades, or even a chance to enjoy the authentic Polynesian culture in Raiatea. A vacation to Bora Bora and Tahiti is a one of kind experience, a unique discovery which you can only understand while there.
For being such quaint places Bora Bora and Tahiti offers endless adventures abound:
- Underwater cycling on aqua bikes. Perched on a white seat, you descend slowly as the hydraulic platform of the pontoon boat you ride out to the spot lowers us into the waves – the warm, tropical waters gradually creeping up to your bikini tops. Once in the water, spot the coral gardens looming ahead – tree-like elk horn corals and cauliflower corals, dappled by shafts of sunlight piercing through the blue. Your guides, point out a starfish 30 centimeters (1 foot) in diameter, a parrot fish hovering over an undulating welcome mat of hot-pink anemone, and what looks suspiciously like a shark shooting out from under a craggy outcrop and disappearing into the murk.
- Aqua safari via helmet dive. This enterprise involves donning a cubed yellow-and-white helmet that keeps your head completely dry as you descend a ladder to the sandy ocean floor. Feet clad in rubbery boots, walk in slow motion through craggy outcrops of coral and lengths of seaweed fluttering in the currents, feeling like a puppet as you carefully lift one foot and then the other, hands buoyed and bobbing at waist level.
- Snorkeling in Bora Bora’s coral reefs. Bora Bora’s famed coral reef, which encircles the island and is accessible within 15 minutes by speedboat, has some of the best snorkeling in the world. Home to approximately 700 species of tropical fish, Coral Garden is our first stop, followed by a few other choice locations known to the crew. Slipping into the water, our guide coaxes curious moray eels from their hiding places and points out the distinctive diamond shapes of manta and eagle rays gliding through the blue. You won't believe the feel of the manta rays and how exciting it is to swim with them.
- Island cruises and fresh seafood. Learn that Bora Bora’s outer ring of reef and motu (small reef islets) makes its calm lagoon waters ideal for exploration by kayak or paddle board, and private boat tours abound. You can book a 23-foot Jeanneau Cap Camarat motorboat, a trimaran, a catamaran, a pontoon boat or an aluminum Quintrex boat perfect for a small group, and most excursions include a picnic on a private beach. This was definitely my favorite!!! We chartered a small yacht and were treated to the most relaxing day I could ever imagine, ate barbequed fish fresh from the side of the boat, and our hosts sang the sweetest tunes while dancing to show their gratitude to us for visiting.
- Swimming with sharks. Saving the biggest thrill for last. Adventurous streak notwithstanding, you get the willies at the idea of being a few meters away from sharks in a feeding frenzy, then you can opt for a purely observational excursion. Even so, there’s something about dipping into cooler, deeper water and being surrounded by dozens of these sleek, mysterious animals that makes your breath catch in your throat. When you immediately spot a large lemon shark below striped continuously by the black and gray bodies of reef sharks cruising above it. As I take a deep breath and dive down, I see another, and another. You are enmeshed within a sliding grid of curving, muscular bodies. Exhilarating right? This absolutely FREAKED me out, but I did it-conquer your fears right? I was definitely making sure I saw the black tipped tail.
For those not looking for a boost of adrenaline, but instead a stress relieving and relaxing sun bath on the deck of your over water bungalow Bora Bora and Tahiti are still perfect for you! Call me, let's get you there!
Click here for more inspiration and ideas for a travel inspired life.
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Paris is Always a Good Idea
Italy has as many variables as a calculus equation. The vast differences between each region and landscape is majestic, yet breathtaking. You’ve roamed Rome. You’ve feasted in Florence. You’ve ventured to Venice. You've been taken to Tuscany.
What’s left to see in Italy? Moltissimo (so much), my friend! From snow-capped Alps to the sumptuous shores of Lake Garda, Italy brims with astounding escapes. Italy is one of those destinations that you can return to again and again and never grow tired.
There’s just so much… to see… to do… to EAT!
This year, I toured the Veneto region with one of my trusted Italian travel partners.
We walked Venice's winding back streets. 
We cruised canals, drifting past Renaissance villas.
We sipped fizzy wine in the ancient cellars of Prosecco.
Traveling with a local expert makes all the difference! You see the main sights, of course, but you’ll also discover the secret spots tour books never mention – the ristorante run by a grandma or the family-run vineyards that are closed to the public. You don't feel like a tourist... you feel part of someone else's world.
For me, the city of Verona is one of these secret local gems. Just an hour from Venice by train, Verona has a romantic charm all its own. In its historic center, you'll see the Ancient Roman arena. Like the Colosseum in Rome, this stone arena housed tens of thousands of spectators in ancient times. During the summer months, you can even enjoy opera outside at this ancient site!
On a hidden medieval alley, you clamber over cobblestone to arrive at Verona's most romantic place: Juliet's balcony. Yes, ::the:: Juliet from Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. A coat of arms located in the courtyard indicates that the home once belonged to the "Dal Cappello" or "Cappelletti" family. Don't be surprised if you see young lovers proposing to each other as you stand on Juliet's famed perch.
This is the real Italy. This is why you travel. I’m here to make it happen.
Ciao, ciao from Italy!
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travel consultant,
#passportpassion,
why use a travel agent,
Best Vacation Value,
First Time Tips to Italy,
LOVEITALY,
group travel,
paradiseescape,
Paris is Always a Good Idea
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ITALY is ALWAYS a DELICOUS Idea
Who's ready for a visit to ITALY? It's always a great time to go to Italy!!
WARNING: You will have an urgent desire to visit ITALY soon . . . and when you do, we would LOVE to plan every detail for you (including free time, of course). Keep reading if bespoke ITALY speaks to you, making an ITALY trip even more MAGICAL.
Earlier this month, I was delighted to travel through Italy's #Veneto region. The Veneto is the region that houses Venice--brimming with delizioso dishes. Renaissance villas, undiscovered lakes and Alpine views . . .
If you mention FOOD to Italians, they'll wax poetically about grandma's Sunday suppers. Sooner or later, they'll also tell you "Visit Veneto". They're right. From pumpkin risotto to hand-carved cheese wheels. I was treated to a bounty of flavors here.
The Veneto is a land of slow food, famous for dishes that took centuries to perfect:
-
Cheese, aged up to 20 months!
- Prosciutto cured for up to 2 years
- Bubbly prosecco grown on green hills
- Red wine, made like the Romans did
- Risotto with local cheese and slow broth
During my tour, I went behind-the-scenes (and you can too) where they make these foods the old-fashioned way. I tasted time-tested recipes, listening as locals explained the artistry behind their products. Outside of Venice --often overlooked by tourists - lies the Valpolicella wine region (my fav). Green hills, ancient vineyards and millennia of wine know-how fuse in this one place.
In Valpolicella, you can taste amarone wine -- a varietal first perfected by the Ancient Romans. That's right, this wine has been in production for century after century . . . not just a generation or two. The grapes are left on the vine long after others have been plucked. In fact, the wine is only made once the grapes are well on their way to becoming raisins. The result? A wine that is rich and robust.
Once you've toured the Veneto's wine region, you can head to the nearby Lake Garda for an unforgettable lunch. The water here -- let me tell you --lies somewhere between blue and green, a shimmering gem crowned in Renaissance villas. From the shores of Garda,you can board a private boat. With your local captain, you'll explore local towns and hidden coves -- experiencing Italy, not as a tourist, but as an Italian might.
This was one stunning area. Why be a tourist when you can explore the ITALY you didn't even know existed?
Since it is the mission of VIP Travel Experience to take you BEYOND the highlights for bespoke or unique EXPERIENCES, stay tuned for more little secrets of Italy.
I can't wait to share more of Veneto with you, it was an honor to explore this gorgeous region of Italy and find more little secrets to share with you!
- Sneak into to see a private art collection (not open to the public)
- A private, personalized excursion with a local tour guide to take you to the most interesting sites of Veneto to discover the mom and pop restaurants and Renaissance areas you've always to see, or some you may not have heard of.
- An unforgettable, simply magical night in a Castle.
- A Michelin dinner that reminded me of the waltz
- Private driver through gorgeous Veneto countryside. 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 Venice, Rome, Florence . . . don't miss out on the many little hidden gems of Italy.
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Click here for more inspiration and ideas for a travel inspired life.
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#girlstrip,
#bestvacation,
#viptravelexperience,
travel planner,
planning the right trip,
Italy,
#reunion,
travel concierge,
travel consultant,
#passportpassion,
why use a travel agent,
Best Vacation Value,
First Time Tips to Italy,
LOVEITALY,
group travel,
paradiseescape,
Paris is Always a Good Idea
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Paris is ALWAYS a Good Idea
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.
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 TUESDAY
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 MONDAY
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 MONDAY
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 n
eed to go. You don’t, unless you are a serious artist or art-history buff. If you r
eally are in to art, be sure to purchase a Museum Pass that will act as your ti
cket to most of the major museums in Paris....AND the card lets you bypass most of the lines! CLOSED TUESDAY
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.
-
Click here for more inspiration and ideas for a travel inspired life.
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Topics:
#girlstrip,
#bestvacation,
#viptravelexperience,
travel planner,
planning the right trip,
Italy,
#reunion,
travel concierge,
travel consultant,
#passportpassion,
why use a travel agent,
Best Vacation Value,
First Time Tips to Italy,
LOVEITALY,
group travel,
paradiseescape,
Paris is Always a Good Idea
