Family Friendly Vacations

Travel can be a hassle. Some find the cure on a distant tropical island, but some want more stimulation, urban centers as well as countryside.  For those who want the latter, Switzerland is the concentrated cure.  Efficient, friendly and very much on time, the Swiss make travel a breeze.  The trains run to the minute and lines are in very short supply.

I arrived in Zurich at 2:30 p.m. and within 65 minutes I had claimed my checked luggage, changed money, booked Swiss trains at the Swiss Rail office and arrived from the airport into downtown Zurich. 

Almost anywhere in the country can be reached from Zurich within a day.  I traveled to Lausanne where French is dominant and had lunch at the amazing Beau-Rivage Hotel right on Lake Geneva.  A new spa, immaculate grounds and exceptional service make this classic European hotel one of the best in Europe. 

When I arrived in Lausanne, I had gone to the Swiss Rail office and asked for an afternoon scenic schedule back to Zurich.  The agent's eyes lit up and she sure came through in the end. With my Swiss Pass, I went along the lake to Montreux. There on Track 5 was the Golden Pass Panoramic Scenic Train. A glassed-in front with a special 8-seat compartment beckoned, and when the group that had reserved it did not show up, the conductor gave me exclusive permission to sit there the entire 2 hours plus ride.  I felt I was in an IMAX Theater watching a National Geographic movie on the Swiss Alps.  In this case it was live and real.  I looked staight down the tracks and with the snow falling and us climbing past Chateau-d'Oex and Gstaad, I knew this was one of my "experiences of a lifetime".

We can build those travel vacation packages that make touring Europe including Switzerland an event, an experience of the best in European tours.  On your own or family friendly, Switzerland city and countryside can make your next vacation one of your best vacations.           

A family recently contacted us wanting ideas for a special trip in Britain.  So it got us thinking and we thought we’d share five with you... Are you in?

1. Experience the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Scotland is growing in popularity. This year is the 62nd Military Tattoo commemorating HM, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  The Military Tattoo is a great event. Who doesn't get excited by pageantry and bagpipes?  In addition to exploring  Edinburgh during the Tattoo, we can add a visit to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of HM, The Queen Mother, St Andrews and maybe Scotland's oldest distillery.
 
2. Harry Potter Tour of England. Explore London through Harry Potter's eyes before you travel on to Gloucester and Oxford where prime city locations were transformed in the films into Hogwarts School.  Your itinerary includes a tour of The Warner Bros. Studio London - The Making of Harry Potter, which showcases a huge array of sets, costumes and props.

3. Savor the Royal Scotsman Rail Journey and Scottish Island Experience. Explore Edinburgh before joining the The Royal Scotsman Orient-Express train for a unique and luxurious rail journey of a lifetime.  Follow it up with a fantastic island hopping adventure taking in the remote and windswept Outer Hebrides, the romantic isle of Skye, Mull and the historic islands of Iona and Staffa. Now honestly, have any of you done this one yet?
 
4. Smell the blooms at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. While the Floriade in Holland is the horticultural event of the decade, not everyone will clamor to get there, and the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most famous flower shows in the world.  Spend a week and  include visits to gardens like Highgrove, the private gardens of the Prince of Wales, Blenheim Palace, Hampton Court Palace, the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, RHS Wisley and Sissinghurst.  Oh, of course, having proper afternoon tea is a must!

5. An Exclusive Castle Celebration in the Scottish Mountains. Enjoy the exclusive use of a highland castle with friends.  No, it's not haunted as far we know... Spectacularly situated on the shores of Loch Ness, the castle sleeps up to 30 people.  Your experiences include a private cruise along Loch Ness, a trip on the famous Jacobite Steam Train, the opportunity to ascend a mountain in a private gondola, and a gala dinner in traditional Scottish dress as a finale.

Yes, there's more happening in England this year than the Olympics!

It's always a pleasure to hear from clients, and a joy to know they've had great experiences:
 
We are home from our beautiful trip you helped us plan. Thank you so much for all the arrangements you made for our family friendly vacation to The Big Island of Hawaii. Everything turned out perfect! The wine and food that was in our room when we arrived in Hawaii were delicious.

The Fairmont Orchid is a lovely place and we were pampered all the way. My granddaughter loved the pool and cried when we had to leave. We love the Fairmont and I am so glad we stayed on the Gold Floor -- thank you for arranging for us to have a suite. We had never had one before so we were spoiled.

We enjoyed the beach and swimming pool with the whole family.
We all enjoyed seeing the different animals on the Island. Several times we saw goats on the side of the road (between the airport and Fairmont), sheep, and beautiful assortment of birds along with the fish, cats, turtles, and mongoose on the grounds. We drove into Kona and Hilo and saw a couple waterfalls through the mist. The Luau "Gathering of the Kings" was nice and we did try some interesting foods.

We will definitely remember you for our next trip. I also will recommend you to anyone I know traveling. Thanks again and we will never forget this wonderful trip.

God bless, Denise S. & Family from Tampa, FL 

Based on the huge volume of vacation bookings we’re seeing, 2011 is shaping up to be a great year for travel. One of the most common questions our expert vacation planners are being asked is what we are recommending this year as great vacation destinations. So we went directly to our experts for their recommendations and we’re sharing them with you.

1. Australia – This destination is both exotic and cosmopolitan, offering something for everyone including adventure, lots of attractions, good food, friendly people and fun! From the vineyards of Western Australia, to the vast Outback or the iconic Great Barrier Reef, there is no destination quite like Australia. Following in the footsteps of Oprah’s visit here last year, we have some amazing once-in-a-lifetime deals available right now.

2. Africa – Spurred in part by the recent World Cup, Southern or Eastern Africa is always one of the world’s top destinations to visit, and we’re seeing renewed demand. There’s nowhere else on the planet that offers the type of wildlife on view here, and an African safari is not only exciting, but also enriching and fulfilling. Africa offers unbelievable luxuries and comforts at some fabulous resorts and camps, and it’s quite impossible to convey the wonder and thrill of sitting within yards of big game like lion or elephant, in their own backyard, in an open-air vehicle.

3. China – Always increasing in interest, China remains a top vacation destination. A little tip – the most unique and enriching experiences in this fabulous country are found off the beaten path, not on the lower-priced mass-market tours. You will find it a much better value and be rewarded with a much better experience by allowing an expert to plan a more customized and unique itinerary for your visit. Given the sheer size of the country and the enormous diversity of culture and sights, China lends itself to repeat visits.

4. South America –South America is becoming increasingly popular. As its largest country and site of both the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2014 World Cup, Brazil is rising fast on people’s “must visit” barometer. Argentina remains hugely popular, and a good value for the dollar. Peru is a fascinating destination as well, rich in culture and archeological treasures. Each of these countries is a source for some very unique itineraries, especially for the adventurous traveler.

5. Hawaii – Hawaii in general has always been a very popular destination, but Maui in particular is a top family vacation, wedding and honeymoon destination. There is easy access from the west coast and great proximity to Lanai and Molokai, which both offer unique activities such as rodeos and trail rides in addition to the beautiful sightseeing on Maui itself, including Hana, Haleakala and the Iao Valley. New this year for Hawaii is the introduction of an all-inclusive option for groups at the Sheraton Maui. Though not yet available for individual travelers, the long awaited all-inclusive concept is something that will be very popular for family reunion and destination wedding groups in particular. Also opening this summer on the island of Oahu is Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, which promises to incorporate several new and innovative experiences for its guests. There are so many exciting things to do in Hawaii outside of being at a beach resort. And don’t miss out on a zip line adventure!

Of course, just listing five top vacation destinations doesn’t do the planet justice. There are so many destinations that warrant our time and interest. For many of our customers, Europe is still a top destination, with Italy always ranking on top. In sheer volume, certainly Europe remains a key destination in 2011. However, we’ve sought to profile a few other top picks where we’re seeing growing demand. It is worth mentioning, however, that we are offering a fabulous air-inclusive Europe Vacation in our current sweepstakes, so please feel free to enter!

Do you have a favorite Hawaiian island? For those of us living on the west coast, Hawaii vacations have always been the perfect getaway for many of us. Exquisite beaches, great resorts, fabulous cuisine, superb golf, outdoor adventures, kid-friendly, and let’s not forget aloha hospitality. What more can one ask for?

Hawaii has all the ingredients of the perfect vacation, whether for romance, family vacations, or  whether you want to get away from it all, or find where the action is. But over the years Hawaii, which lacks any all-inclusive vacation resorts like those found mostly in Mexico and the Caribbean, has become a costlier destination. (Even though it’s worth every penny.)

We’ve commented before that the early bird gets the worm. Those who have already booked their 2011 vacations, or doing so now, will get the best deals and selection. And our “Head over Heels for Hawaii” promotion, with savings up to $900, is a great fit for most of you!  When you book a 5-night stay at a number of participating hotels, we’ll take $500 off the airfare. Need a car? We’ll take $100 off the car rental, plus give you up to a triple upgrade (a $200 savings). And the savings keep adding up with the special offers available at select participating hotels. So how cool is that? What’s the catch? You need to book your 2011 Hawaii vacation package by February 28th.  (Not to worry — you can travel anytime this year up to December 17th. Interested? Just contact our travel specialists. (And then you can do a couple of flips to celebrate.) Read more about Hawaii vacation packages.

Last April we were ready for an escape. We were ready to go anywhere if it was at the right price. This time Sardinia was it. So a week later we packed our bags and off we went to Alghero, and later Castelsardo, with nothing planned, no idea of what to do on the island, but with an image of it’s blue-green waters and low rolling hills in our minds.

Our first night there, we happened into a local restaurant where we met a local, a kind old man with dancing eyes and purpose in his step. By the time we’d finished a glass of wine we were fast friends. For the rest of the week, we’d meet in the mornings to see the most beautiful places on the island, and he’d take us to the best restaurants. Everywhere we went everyone treated us to our meals and our drinks! All for being friends with this man! Finally, our last day there, which just happened to be the most important holiday of the year in the small town, we went to a gathering, a picnic, featuring farmer-singers from the north. It was a tradition that went back hundreds of years, but now had become well known! In attendance were the governor of the island, famous musicians, the ministers of art and culture, even famous footballers. And there we were with this old man. As we ate our way through lasagna-laden plates, a reporter interviewed us, asking how it was that we were allowed to come to the picnic, did we have any family there? The little old man appeared at that moment, put his hands on our shoulders and said, “I am their family here.” And he was not wrong! He became a kind of godfather to us and will now be coming to our wedding in September! You never know what can happen when you travel with an open mind and an open heart. Sometimes you have to be prepared to just sit back and let the winds of possiblity carry you where they will.

sent in to us by Laura M.
More on Italy vacations.

We are getting more requests for families and small groups of friends looking for a villa or home rental  for their vacation. Renting a villa in Italy is certainly popular, and we arrange these frequently. But one doesn’t need to go so far afield, and Costa Rica is slowly gaining the spotlight.

I recently returned from inspecting the ultra-modern architectural Villa Braheem near the Four Seasons on Costa Rica’s Papagayo peninsula, featuring an amazing golf-course view overlooking the 16th hole of the spectacular Arnold Palmer course. 

Located on a hilltop near the ocean, its infinity pool and deck are spacious and private with a comfortable adjacent outdoor dining area and all the necessary barbeque amenities.  Its large and well-equipped kitchen, with breakfast bar and a formal dining room, are perfect for families or several couples.  The bedrooms have loads of closet space and great ensuite bathrooms,  and there’s a washer and dryer on premises.  The stunning living room boasts state-of-the-art electronics.   

There’s also a detached guest house suite that’s perfect for stashing teenagers, in-laws or noisy guests.   This home features all the space and amenities you need to enjoy a fabulous, relaxing vacation.  The house is also a short ride to the beach and fitness club, where there is also an excellent restaurant.  In fact, you can arrange for one of its chefs to come over and cook up a fabulous private dinner party!  There are other places to dine in the yacht marina.  The golf club is also nearby with another nice restaurant.  Plus, you are close to the entire Four Seasons Resort complex with its restaurants and other amenities.  

We enjoyed ziplining at nearby Witches’ Rock.   All in all, a delightful place to escape!   One caveat: This house may not be suitable for toddlers due to the open staircase and fences or guests with disabilities.

Karen Good Satzman
karen.gs@travelstoreusa.com

I used to think Manzanillo was the poor step sister to Puerto Vallarta and Zihuatanejo – that was before I visited.   It is much smaller than the aforementioned resort towns, not having as many resorts and hotels.  And much smaller beaches being made up of a lot of crescent bays.  The two major hotels in Manzanillo are the Barcelo Karmina Palace, a nice 4-star property where we stayed.    The other is the infamous Las Hadas, made famous and putting Manzanillo on the map when the movie “10” was filmed there. (Suite 420 at Las Hadas is the “Bolero” suite, costing approximately $1,100.00 per night. )

Karmina Palace is a lush, well kept, u-shaped resort with every accommodation a large suite.  Most of the suites have some kind of water view and all suites have terraces. There were 2 flat screen televisons; one in the bedroom and one in the sitting area. The housekeeping service was impeccable.  

A Premium Club option gives you WIFI in the room (at a cost), upgraded amenities by Bulgari, a stocked mini bar, private check-in and check-out area, and unlimited dining in the alternative restaurants.  Even though the WIFI has a cost, if you don’t use it in your room you can only get it in the lobby area.  Only Premium Club suites offer the option of in-room WIFI.   

DINING: This is an all-inclusive property, offering the usual buffet (great breakfast choices), a beautiful Mexican palapa restaurant built over a rocky bluff at one end of the property and an Italian restaurant.   Before Christmas they will open their Japanese restaurant. We experienced the Mexican restaurant and the lobster crepes were awesome. They offer a lot of fresh seafood. 

SPA: They have a small spa offering a range of services. I opted for a one-hour deep tissue/sports massage.  My therapist, Lucy, did a wonderful treatment. Since it’s a small area, they have no relaxation area nor comfy waiting area.  They offer wall benches in the locker room and come and get you there. They have a nice steam room. 

BEACH AND POOLS: This resort caters to families, providing Club Barcy for the little ones. There is a wonderful waterslide that has a Mayan temple built around the stairway to the top of the slide. There are two pools that are adults only catering to couples. There are waterfalls and an area under the falls with lounges.  The grounds around the pools are terraced and if you’re at an adult pool you can’t hear the sounds from the family pool as the adult pools are the farthest away and closest to the lobby.

ENTERTAINMENT:  At 11PM, the Mexican restaurant becomes a night club open until 2AM.  Problem with that is from any room you hear the music. They also perform stage shows and while I was there, they had a ballet company that performed songs and dances from Disney movies – in Spanish ;0)  They also had a bizarre short children’s show with strange Disney characters, Donald Duck being the scariest. 

Las Hadas, in my opinion, is still living on it’s laurels from “10”. Having been finished in 1974 after ten years of building, Las Hadas (the faeries) was opened to 300 guests, friends of the owners. Since it’s opening, it has had refurbishments, but not in the way of larger bathrooms or bigger rooms. Some of the rooms we inspected were very small and the bathrooms tiny.  The entire Moorish-style resort is made up of cobblestone streets, paths, lots of bougainvilla, birds of paradise, palms and other beautiful vegetation. They have a central “street” that offers a travel agency, a couple of shops, car rental.  There are many towers and turrets and the place itself seems magical. Their beach is better than Karmina Palace’s, but still is not a big beach. They also offer a marina for visiting yachts, tennis courts and a golf course.   The 18th hole of the golf course is in front of Karmina Palace, right at the ocean. (Guests of Karmina Palace get reduced rates at the Las Hadas course.)  Karmina Palace and Las Hadas are neighbors.  Las Hadas is European plan, but they offer an optional meal plan.  

The only other two resorts in this area is Club Maeva, which caters to Mexican clientele and a Tesoro property that is a high rise building – a rare sight in this area.   I really can’t recommend either of these places to discerning travelers. 

CITY OF MANZANILLO – There is not much here, a few shopping streets and it’s not as picturesque as P.V. or Zihuatanejo. Their city symbol is a huge sail fish, about 125-feet high in the main square.  There is some of the best big game fishing on the Pacific in this area.  Manzanillo is the largest Mexican seaport on the Pacific, receiving cargo daily from Asia and Australia. Its power plant also supplies power not only to the state of Colima, but also two or three of the surrounding states.   With this industry in Manzanillo, they have a thriving economy.  The seaport employs 12,000 workers just by itself.  They are also building a new cruise port right in the town of old Manzanillo to be separate from where the cargo ships dock.

THINGS TO DO HERE: Sea kayaking, snorkeling/diving, big game fishing, ATV off road jungle/beach excursions, ruins and tombs of Tampumacchay.

COLIMA CITY - This is a beautiful colonial city with a verdant and large central square and the Church of the Ave Maria.  We visited the Governor’s Palace and the city hall. Both equally charming. The city of Colima is one hour’s drive from Manzanillo on good roads and definitely worth the trip.  Colima sits near an active volcano with a twin that’s not active. 

ISLA NAVIDAD -  This beautiful location is also about an hour from Manzanillo.  All of Isla Navidad is owned by a wealthy family from Guadalajara.  (Guadalajara is only a 3-hour drive and makes a nice combo with this beach area).  Isla Navidad sits both on the ocean as well as a large lagoon.   The area is fabulously beautiful. Located in this bucolic setting is:

WYNDHAM GRAND BAY RESORT -  Though Wyndham runs the management, it’s still owned by the family from Guadalajara.  This is a 5-star property – no doubt.   It’s immaculate, grand – as it’s name implies – and a destination in itself.  It has a meandering, lush 27-hole championship golf course.   We had a delicious lunch and a tour of the property.  Their Presidential Suite is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen anywhere.  There is no bad view from the rooms, even those with little or no water view looked out at the jungled hillsides or the gardens.  They offer a beach that isn’t on the ocean but on a lagoon.  It’s palm lined with Bali beds, lounges and umbrellas and extremely beautiful.  The property is built up a hillside. I would go back to the Grand Bay to stay in a heartbeat. The nearby small peninsula, Barra Navidad, is approached only by launch from Grand Bay and offers restaurants, shops and bars.  Grand Bay also has a very impressive marina and we saw luxury yachts there from Juneau, the BVI’s and Bahamas.  They also has a lovely spa, offering a large spa menu and they famous Four Hand massage.  This is a place of beauty, peace, tranquility and a true getaway feeling. More on Mexico vacations.

Linda Lewis
linda.le@travelstoreusa.com

It’s no secret the economy has made us tighten our belts and feel we cannot afford a family vacation.  The good news is you can plan an affordable family vacation – you simply need to know your options!  

If you follow these basic tips, you can enjoy a wonderful and exciting yet budget-friendly vacation:

Start Planning Now – You have a better chance of finding a special offer that provides you with an affordable vacation package.   Also, if you plan to use frequent flier miles – act now!  Seats are getting more difficult to secure, especially if you need more than two.

Choose a Non-Peak Period – A vacation in May or September can be a lot less expensive than during peak periods.  If, however, like most families, you must adhere to school holiday times, book at least 6-9 months ahead to get the best price and availability.

Be Flexible about the Location – Travel agents run special promotions for certain vacation spots which include cheaper airplane tickets.  Always check with an experienced travel agent who is familiar with pricing to your chosen destination!

Consider an All-Inclusive Vacation – Rates quoted include just about everything: food, accommodations, kids programs, taxes and some even include drinks, gratuities and airport transfers.  A family resort in Mexico or the Caribbean are great options; as well as a family-fun cruise anywhere.  

Choose Something Close to Your Home – Choose a destination close to home to eliminate airfare, such as a cruise to the Mexican Riviera which departs from San Pedro. 

Now that you have some ideas, you will need to decide on how much you can afford and on what locations you would like to travel to.  Remember – your vacation doesn’t have to be expensive to be a special time with your family.

Gail Woloz, Family Vacation & Cruise Specialist
gw.travel@verizon.net.

I returned from a super vacation at the Club Med at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  For those not familiar with Club Med, they are all-inclusive resorts around the world.  When started right after World War II, they were quite basic—many in tents without running water or electricity, nor keys to lock your door. They have come a long way, and now have most modern amenities, like telephone, TV [even CNN and a French channel], air conditioning, spas, all sorts of alcoholic beverages, internet and an international ambience with clients from all over the globe. The rooms here are suites with balconies and are nicely decorated, and recently renovated.

The club, or village as it is called, is very well organized, nicely landscaped, the beach is beautiful and full of palm trees that provide shade, and one can walk along it to the Punta Golf Course [where you can play] and onwards. The water is very warm and crystal clear and calm. 

Punta Cana is a family club with petit and mini clubs for kids, with their own building, playground and pools.  They’ll keep the kids all day, if you wish, or for any part of the day. The whole thing is very well-organized, with an excellent staff-kid ratio. 

These all-inclusive villages are perfect spots to meet friends and/or family and relax hassle-free.  All you have to decide is what time to take your meals and which activities to participate in. There are many water sports, land sports, dance classes, gym, pool, etc.  Of course, you can just sit and   do nothing. And those of you who would like to combine vacation and business, they are easy venues for small meetings (unless one wants to rent out the entire club).

Suzanne Allswang
suzanne.a@travelstoreusa.com

An ancient civilization has risen from the sea….. Invigorate your imagination.  Be inspired.  Ignite your soul… this is the most lavish resort in the Caribbean. Located on Paradise Island, Bahamas near Nassau.  Atlantis offers experiences to suit all ages – pools, beaches, waterslides, dining, marine habitats, a casino,  world-class shops and a spa! 

From world-class luxury accommodations to moderately-priced comfort, Atlantis Resort gives you a range of choice that will accommodate families from 2-8 people.  The Atlantis grounds have 34-acres filled with waterfalls, streams, lagoons and underwater viewing areas.  11 exhibit lagoons and 11 million gallons of water with sea turtles; stingrays and sharks. The resort claims it has the “largest marine habitat in the world”.

Kids will be especially interested in the Atlantis waterslides. The steepest rides take off from a five-story Mayan Temple: a 60-ft. vertical drop ends in a clear tunnel inside a shark-filled lagoon. There’s also a pair of Challenger slides where you can race your friends. For the little ones, there are smaller slides.

Atlantis features include a giant casino, 35 restaurants, Mandara Spa, and The Dig – a maze of tunnels and chambers with ruins and underwater views of ancient Atlantis and sea creatures.

What’s special about the Atlantis Resort for families?
• Atlantis’ “waterscape” is famed and one-of-a-kind
• water fun includes the pools and waterslides noted above; a rope suspension bridge; water tricycles; the quarter-mile Lazy River Ride; the Goombay Baths and Slides saltwater pools; an Adventure Water Walk with geysers and fountains.
• two kids’ pools have mini water-slides and fountains
• the beach has snorkeling, paddle- boating, kayaking, banana boats, more.
• at the Atlantis’ Discovery Channel Camp (for ages 4 to 12) kids might: explore Base Camp — a replica of a sunken Spanish Galleon– or a technology lab; arts and crafts; expeditions around the “waterscape”.
• Club Rush has a dance floor, movies, videogames and is open early evening for kids 7 to 13, and later for kids 13 and up.

Whether guests choose golf and tennis, a once in a lifetime swim with dolphins or a tour through historic Nassau, there is never a loss for excitement, adventure and exploration. 

Gail Woloz
gail.w@travelstoreusa.com

A family safari in Africa will be one of the most rewarding and exciting vacations you’ll ever take with your children!

The best place to go on a family safari with young children is South Africa.  South Africa, rests at the bottom of the enormous African Continent, it is a land of great diversity and beauty: tropical coastlines and arid deserts; “Big Five” safaris and a first-class infrastructure.

South Africa has plenty of smaller private reserves where you can see a lot of animals in a short amount of time. Private game parks have comfortable accommodations with swimming pools and buffet meals. Some even cater specifically to children! The Garden Route and Eastern Cape in South Africa is filled with beaches and game parks in close-proximity, a winning combination with children.  Finally, South Africa is home to several malaria-free game parks, so the children don’t have to take malaria pills and you don’t have to worry every time a mosquito comes along. The country also boasts some of the best medical care.

On safari, you will share the sense of awe watching a lioness and her cubs strolling through the savannah, a troop of baboons frolicking in the trees or a group of hippos lounging on a riverbank.  Beyond the wildlife experience, visit animal sanctuaries to learn about the care and rehabilitation of injured and abandoned animals and walk hand in trunk with a rescued elephant. 

Imagine family dining where the background is the bubbling sound of frogs, broken by the guffaw of a hippo, a trumpet call of an elephant or the roar of a lion!  After all – this is Africa!

There is a lot to consider when planning an African safari, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced travel agent. 

Gail Woloz
gail.w@travelstoreusa.com