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Category: Planning

the white house is still the white house

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On March 1, 2017

In Experience, Planning

Red Room

w.h. north side

The White house is open to the public again on March 7th, it had been closed since the change in administration. Since  we have a new president the west wing is still the same ,  a great place to go for history. This time is  ideal  since there will be more  Obama family  artifacts . There is probably  little change  made to what visitors have to see , since its all about historic artifacts and culture.

 

The different rooms in the white house (red, green,blue, dining room, oval office ,etc.) have historic artifacts that should not be removed no matter what president is in there. Any incoming president can make changes on their living quarters , which is not open to the public.  I loved the great experience.

Check out a post on  making this happen: 1600 Pennyslvania Ave

A good way to book Europe

By

On July 25, 2016

In Planning

In planning a major European trip , there are so many ways to book these days.    You can book direct on hotel & airline websites, and major discount travel booking sites like travelocity , expedia and  priceline.  There are also the comparison sites like trivago, and kayak that helps you compare every carrier, hotel prices on all sites.  These are all good if you are precise on where you going and usually a single destination. How about booking a multi-destination trip to Europe without a travel agent ? There is a some great websites to book that help you plan out your trip abroad, one that I found so helpful is European Destinations . This site helps you build out your itinerary with multiple cities.  You can explore your options with this website by choosing the numbers of days in each city, whether you need  airfare or not. This site will show you all options with reputable accommodations and will help you customize a package .

see European Destinations  

Cruising in the Meditteranean

By

On July 22, 2016

In Planning

 

Mediterranean

Thinking about European cruise? Ever think about doing Mediterranean islands by boat, but not sure you will see all ? There are so many options in going to Europe now, land& sea combinations is an efficient way to hit many countries in a  week or less.  Cruising in Europe is the same as cruising the Caribbean, you get off boat early in the day, and explore the destinations with excursions or own your own. Some say you don’t get  enough time at each port, but that has changed now since most cruises stay until 7pm or later , better then the 4 or 5 departure time. It’s a great option since you can get 3-5 or more days to hit the Greek Islands, Italy , Spain and other spots in the Mediterranean sea.

Best cruises

A friend was in Paris

By

On July 21, 2016

In Experience, Planning

So, I have people that just went to Paris recently,they traveled right before the Nice, France attack . I also had folks  who just went to Nice , France just  2 weeks the terrorist attack happened. They where all fortunate not to be in theses popular French cities when these acts of terror occurred, I don’t think they could have planned it better.  These things are so random, no one can predict such horrible acts of others.  There is a lot of  talk about fear about traveling to Europe but the truth is , there is  a very slim chance of being a victim of a terrorist. You are several times more likely to a victim of a traffic accident , then be in a traffic accident.  France remains the world’s number one tourist destination, and  it remains one of the safer places in the world to visit.  Check out : about France

Read more: Is it safe in France?

 

Arc De Triomphe

Arc De Triomphe

 

U.S. is now a travel advisory (black lives matter)

By

On July 20, 2016

In Planning

The United States is now listed as  “travel” with caution since the  incidents with  police , black lives matter protesters and tragic killings of police and black males.

Some  countries have advised their citizens to  “stay on guard” or use caution  when visiting U.S. cities.  These countries  recently advised  its citizens  to avoid  cities with   active protest or recent police . The Bahamas has issued to a travel warning because they are  also of African descent and might be mistake for young black males in the United States. They are advising Bahamian citizens  to be cooperative with police officers if confronted  across the United States.

See: Three countries

ABC ‘s outside of the hurricane belt

By

On July 18, 2016

In Planning

Eagle Beach in Aruba

Eagle Beach in Aruba

Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, A.K.A the ABC islands  is a great  destination that looks as good it sounds .   The ABC islands are the three western-most islands of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea that lies north of Venezuela.  What makes these island great is  that they are positioned in the Caribbean sea but outside of the hurricane belt . Being outside of the belt means that any time of the year is a great time to visit, since they are not subject to a lot hurricane weather restrictions. Aruba being a fabulous island, has THE most warmest water in the Caribbean , I think it really feels like you are taking a bath!   Lined between the southern Caribbean sea and the coast of Venezuela , Aruba waters are the most calmest waters you will experience  with fabulous powder sand  in the background .

Curacao

Curacao

There are multiple  languages spoken but  on all 3 islands  Papiemento ( creole with Spanish,English,Portuguese roots) was recently made the official language.  The  food has influences from all over the world since there are roots  from Africa, Latin Americas and the Netherlands.  Aruba is  the most popular  with famous beaches which are easy to get around but on one side of island is desert like.  Bonaire and Curacao are surrounded by reefs , which makes it fantastic for divers .  Look at :  ABC island’s

 

cuba

By

On July 17, 2016

In Planning

air force one over cuba

Air Force One over Cuba

Since President Obama lifted travel restrictions , you can get to Cuba where  a few US carriers have been approved to go  starting in August . A friend went to Cuba in recently by cruise (another way to go)  but now with direct access  tourism from U.S. is changed forever to this island . Tourism from other countries has been plentiful , so Cuba has still been a destination for the world . While in  Cuba you will absolutely see the old cars, immaculate churches , and beautiful landscape but there are so many other images that you have never seen.  The artwork is unprecedented and everywhere through out Cuba. From churches, small town galleries, even artwork being displayed on someone’s home is not unusual.

See: us flights to cuba

bermuda is only 90 minutes away

By

On July 10, 2016

In Planning

gorgeous pink sand in bermuda

The gorgeous pink sand in Bermuda

Only 90 minutes away from New York, Bermuda is an ultimate weekend away.  Whether you do extended weekend or full week cruise you can’t go wrong.  Only 90 minutes by flight from New York area , with many choices in accommodation types, Bermuda is sure to please anyone.

If you  cruise it will take a day but the ship is docked for 3 days in Bermuda when you take a cruise to this island .It’s great to go back and forth  from excursions while docked while being docked in Bermuda. Celebrity, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruise lines all go there from Baltimore, Boston, New Jersey and New York . Go to these cruise lines direct websites and sign up for their email list and get promotional  notifications.

Doing summer Fridays with a quick trip to Bermuda is the best 3 day weekend !  Delta, American , Jet Blue and United all have non-stops flights there. A quick land trip always make a fabulous time…….. See : Go to Bermuda!

 

oops ! passport expired

By

On July 6, 2016

In Planning

us-passport-photoSo a friend just recently took off for Europe last week  with a spanking new passport that he got on a 24 hour rush at the passport office.  We all know somebody that has been there,  they knew where the passport was when making travel plans but didn’t open (until the day they where packing ) to see it expired months ago or a over year ago! Oops! Normally you would have to start all over with citizenship verification(more than a year)and pay extra  fees  but that has now changed . Now, renew an expired U.S. passport up to 5 years after the 10 year expiration, if you have enough time. I have a friend in the visa/passport business who says  latent traveler’s are never thinking about their passport, especially if they mostly do domestic travel.  passport renewal

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