Onboard dining

For those who have never cruised, and who resist trying it, one of the main reasons given is the fear of gaining weight while on board.

Now, I don’t want to validate that fear, since it’s certainly possible to counteract a little overindulgence by using the fitness facilities and taking the stairs instead of the elevators, but I will say that the dining experience is one of the big draws for many cruisers — myself included!  So it’s interesting to see how shipboard dining is evolving these days.

A recent article in the Miami Herald does a good job of summarizing some of the changes and explaining the new options available — including standard dining, “My Time dining”, in-cabin dining, specialty restaurants, and more. Suffice it to say that today’s cruise ships offer something for everyone, from the traditionalist who likes a set time and table with white glove service…..to a free spirit who wants to eat pizza at 3 a.m.

My advice? Talk to a travel professional who can match you with the right cruise line, with the right dining options to meet your “tastes”.  And skip those elevators rather than skipping dessert!

Adventure travel “demystified”

Have you always wondered what “adventure travel” is, and whether it’s something you would enjoy? You’re not alone.  Active, experiential travel is the fastest growing leisure travel segment in the U.S., but there is still a lot of confusion out there as to what, exactly, adventure travel means.

 Costa Rica 7

The short answer is that adventure, like beauty,  is in the eye of the beholder.  It can be hard adventure like rock climbing and white water rafting . . . soft adventure like snorkeling or hiking . . . or something in between that we’ll call, for lack of a better word, “mildly adventurous” — that would encompass things like kayaking, zip-lining, or hot-air ballooning. 

For a better description than that, and the inside scoop on what you need to consider if you’re interested in planning an adventurous vacation of your own, tune in to my webinar at 7 p.m. on September 23rd.

I’m teaming up with Lori Carr, president of Tomgirl Tours, to present a free informational webinar called “Adventure Travel 101”. We’ll explain the adventure travel phenomenon, address your fears, answer your questions, and provide some great resources for additional  information.

If you’re interested in attending, send me a quick email at annp@AnniesEscapes.com. The webinar signup link is not yet active, but I’ll put you on my email list and let you know as soon as you can register.

One more reason to travel

As if you really need ONE MORE reason to travel,  just check out this article from Conde Nast Traveler about how your next vacation could literally save your life!

I agree completely. We Americans work too hard, take too little time off, and need to re-adjust our priorities. We need to spend more time relaxing with family and friends, trying new activities, and exploring other cultures. Coincidentally, that’s exactly the kind of vacation I plan for my clients.

What better way to rejuvenate yourself than a shared adventure with people you love!

Mexico is on the rebound

After the one-two punch that Mexico suffered this year (the drug violence and the swine flu scare) their tourism business was really hurting, so it’s nice to see some good news in the media:

The Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau recently reported that hotel occupancy for July was at 81%.

I guess the word is getting out that Mexico is still a great vacation destination, and there are some amazing deals to be had this year as hoteliers try to lure travelers back to Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and west coast destinations like Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.

I know I’ve been seeing rates at less than $1,000 per person (including air) for a one week stay in a nice all-inclusive in the Riviera Maya. How can you not jump at that?

You provided excellent guidance for us. I appreciated that you really had us think about what was most important to us when we were selecting the right cruise – and not to totally focus on what other people had to say. THANK YOU for helping to make this a memorable trip for our family! It really was a trip of a lifetime!

Clare and Mark (family cruise to Alaska)

The level of service we experienced was out of this world (and we did NOT make it easy on Ann). We weren’t quite sure where we wanted to go, when we would be able to go, or what “vibe” we were going for. After asking us some key questions (what we liked, didn’t like, why, etc.) Ann helped us narrow down our trip details and planned the honeymoon of our dreams. She helped book some of our excursions, answered some emergency questions while abroad and was always available/willing to help. I think it’s safe to say we won’t be using anyone else for future travel planning – Ann is a rockstar!

Carli (Italy and Spain)