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North American Cruising is Complete: Canada Reopens, Intra-Island Hawaiian Cruises Resume

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn Elmhirst)

The return of cruise travel has looked like a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. Piece by piece, cruise lines have worked out how to resurrect itineraries within the Caribbean, from the U.S. to the Caribbean, between the U.S. and Mexico… you can see the picture.

Now at last, with the final two pieces, the puzzle – or rather, the cruise map of North America - is complete.

Travellers can now book cruises to the entire continent.

Holland America Line’s Konigsdam 1st Ship Back to Canada After 905 Days

After a long two seasons, cruising to Canada is back.

On April 9^th, 2022, Holland America Line’s Konigsdam ship made its maiden call to Victoria on Vancouver Island (pictured, above.)

The following day, April 10^th, the Konigsdam called at the Port of Vancouver on the mainland (pictured below), another maiden call for the ship that’s spending its first season sailing Alaska itineraries.

The Konigsdam’s first calls to the British Columbia ports also symbolically reopened cruising to Canada.

From this point, Konigsdam is homeported in Vancouver for the summer Alaska cruise season. The Pacific Northwest coast will soon be busy with more ships from other cruise lines, from small luxury ships, expedition ships, to mega ships, all traveling up and down the Inside Passage from Canadian or U.S. ports like Seattle to restore cruising to Alaska.

It’s not just reopening West Coast cruises in Canada.

Cruises in Eastern Canada, from Montreal or Quebec City, along the St. Lawrence Seaway for Canada & New England cruises are now able to return, too. They too begin within weeks.

That means both of Canada’s coasts – and in fact, Arctic cruising along Canada’s northern-most coasts – has returned.

'We are thrilled to be the first cruise line back into Canada after such a long absence, and we look forward to celebrating a great moment for everyone who loves to travel and for those in Canada and Alaska whose livelihoods depend on tourism,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. Port celebrations marked the arrival of the Konigsdam and the corresponding return of cruising on all of Canada’s coasts.

In total for 2022, Holland America Line operates 141 cruises on eight ships in Canada.''Holland America Line has a robust schedule of cruises that explore Canadian ports on both coasts with Alaska, Hawaii, transatlantic and Canada and New England itineraries.”

Speaking of Hawaii…

Aloha! Now You Can Cruise From Hawaii

In a final piece to complete the entire map of North American cruising, inter-island (that is, Hawaii – Hawaii) cruising has also returned.

Ships have been permitted to depart from the West Coast and sail to or call in Hawaii.

But on April 11^th, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America returned to service. As a rare, U.S.-flagged ship, it’s the only large ship allowed to sail roundtrip within the Hawaiian islands.

Norwegian’s Pride of America has been dedicated to sailing exclusively Hawaii-Hawaii itineraries year round, and it’s now resumed sailing weekly, seven-day roundtrip voyages from Honolulu.

The unique itinerary gives guests on board nearly a hundred hours of time in port to explore four Hawaiian islands over the course of the week. The ship overnights in Maui and Kauai to allow guests time to be more immersed in experiences on shore, as well as the spectacular sights of the Napali Coast.

'Being the only cruise line to sail year-round from Hawai’i, we’re thrilled to be back at last,' said Norwegian Cruise Line President and Chief Executive Officer Harry Sommer on the cruise ship’s return.

'Pride of America will once again offer thoroughly immersive itineraries and deeply authentic experiences that support business and tourism in Hawai’i, while providing travelers with everything they seek from a vacation in paradise.'

Between the Konigsdam’s arrival in B.C. and Pride of America’s resumption of intra-island Hawaiian itineraries, cruise travelers can look to any of North America’s close-to-home, but wildly diverse cruise destinations for their next dream cruise vacation.

Start your Cruise Trip!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, Producer/ Host and Cruise Expert, BestTrip TV

Images of the Konigsdam in Victoria and Vancouver courtesy of Holland America Line.

Images of Pride of America and cruise guests in Hawaii courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

5 Places to Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn Elmhirst)

Whether or not you loved studying Shakespeare in school, chances are, to this day you regularly hear - and use – lines from his 154 sonnets and 39 plays that are still continuously being staged in theaters around the world, more than any other playwright in any language. That’s not a bad linguistic legacy for someone who was born nearly 500 years ago.

Recognize any of these pearls of wisdom? All the words of Shakespeare, who was born April 26, 1564.

“To be or not to be, that is the question.”
“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”
“To thine own self be true.”
“All the world’s a stage.”
“All that glitters is not gold.”
And even:
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

Well, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”

Because while Shakespeare was born, lived, worked, and died in Elizabethan England, his life and works are a travel bucket list even today.

Stratford-Upon-Avon, England

Shakespeare was born and raised – and died - in this picturesque town in Warwickshire. Visitors today can visit the ‘Bard of Avon’s’ birthplace and burial site for an immersion into Shakespearean life.

In Stratford-Upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s birthplace and childhood home explores his continued influence on the modern world through an enormous collection of artifacts.

At the former home of his wife-to-be, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (pictured top), visitors can relive his own real-life love story and see much of the original building, which remains as it was 500 years ago.

Above and Top Image: VisitBritain/LeeBeel

Don’t leave Stratford without experiencing Shakespeare’s immortal words in an authentic performance. The Royal Shakespeare Company regularly brings the works of the Bard to life showcased at the 1,000-seat, classified historic Royal Shakespeare Theatre on the banks of the River Avon (pictured above). You can find out which plays are being staged in the current season on the RSC’s website www.rsc.org.uk

Stratford, Canada

There’s another Stratford on another Avon River, and they’re in Canada, a couple of hours southwest of Toronto. Both were named after their English counterparts by British settlers in the area in the 19^th century.

To complete the connection to the birthplace of Shakespeare, the town was gifted a pair of Mute Swans in the early 1900’s that started a colony that lives on to this day. Swans were often referred to by Shakespeare and the Swan of Avon was even one of his nicknames.

Since the 1950’s, Canada's The Stratford Festival has faithfully staged the works of the Bard of Avon in an annual summer Shakespeare theater festival.

It’s one of the first, and remains one of the most prominent arts festivals in Canada. Drawing a million Shakespeare and theater lovers, it’s recognized worldwide as one of the most prominent Shakespeare festivals. Seasons often feature famous Canadian actors returning from Hollywood for the summer.

Denmark

Shakespeare isn’t believed to have visited Denmark, but Elsinore castle - the setting of the dark drama Hamlet – is only part fiction.

There is indeed a castle at Helsingor, Denmark, which read in English is Elsinore. Kronborg Castle has existed at Helsingor since 1420 and was a key Danish coastal toll point for ships en route to the Baltic Sea.

Once one of the most important towns in Europe, it would have been a well-known name to Shakespeare, and the rocky, wind-swept, weathered coasts of Denmark are key mood-makers in Hamlet.

You can still visit “Elsinore” castle on an easy day trip from Copenhagen (pictured above) . Don’t miss the mighty stone statue of Holger the Dane in the castle’s catacombs. The legendary figure in Danish culture is said to be ready to awaken from his rock throne under Elsinore to defend Denmark if the country is ever in trouble.

So-called “Hamlet’s Castle” also holds live performances of Shakespeare’s plays at its summer Shakespeare Festival. Danish and international companies, including Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company, perform.

Italy

Over a dozen of Shakespeare’s plays are set in Italy – although it’s not clear if the Bard ever traveled there.

You can, though. And while many travellers know the attractions of Venice, site of The Merchant of Venice, fewer people have Verona on their travel list.

This northern Italian city, not far from Venice, is the setting for Shakespeare’s most popular, most performed and imitated play, Romeo and Juliet. You probably know that even West Side Story is a ‘modern,’ American reboot of Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers.

Shakespeare’s ‘fair Verona’ in the 1300’s is a rather vague setting for the fictional villas and characters of Romeo and Juliet’s feuding families.

In today's real-life Verona, with its Roman monuments, including an ancient amphitheater and an Arena, as well as a remarkable core of Romanesque architecture, the ancient Roman Arena is the magnificent home of Verona’s opera season, and the city is renowned, if not for Shakespeare, then for its Italian artistic and cultural heritage.

One very tangible connection to the play exists for visitors, though. A real 13th century building - dubbed 'Juliet's Balcony' in Verona - is happy to lay claim to the Shakespearean romance. The balcony (picture above) on the house once owned by the Cappello family - similar to the Italian version, Capelletti, of Juliet's surname 'Capulet' - draws crowds of fans. You'll find a statue of Juliet in the courtyard below 'her' balcony, and a museum inside with Elizabethan-era costumes plus the actual bed used in the 1968 film adaptation.

Scotland

While Shakespeare lived in England – on the same island as Scotland - it’s not believed the playwright ever ventured that far from Stratford or London.

Nonetheless, the well-known lore and sites of the Scottish Highlands to the north gave him the basis for the evergreen, mad-with-power cautionary tale of Macbeth.

(Glamis Castle, Inverness, Scotland. Photo: BestTrip TV)

“The Scottish Play” as it’s often called, was mainly set in real Scottish castles you can visit today, including Inverness, Dunsinane, Cawdor, and Glamis Castle (which also has the distinction of being the childhood home of the 20^th century Queen Mother).

There was actually once a real Scottish king named Macbeth, and although Shakespeare’s tragedy is set in Scotland in ancient times, the events – including the supernatural elements of the Three Witches and a moving forest, are pure fiction.

But the mystique and the drama of the Scottish Highlands remains for today’s travellers to experience.

Start your Trip!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, Producer/ Host, BestTrip TV

You’ll Love This New Generation of Private Island Resorts

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn Elmhirst)

There’s a new generation of private islands. One that creates an environment for guests to vacation their way to becoming their best selves.

Scratch any impressions you have of private islands inhabited by music moguls jet-skiing with nude models, royalty sneaking around with other people’s spouses, or tech billionaires popping magnums of champagne.

The new private island experience isn’t just about seclusion away from prying eyes.

It’s about the ultimate spirit of togetherness with a group of people you value most in the world – having the uplifting and inspiring shared experience of a customized vacation that provides all the means for you to leave better than when you arrived.

Imagine having an entire island all to yourself for a family gathering, the ultimate destination wedding, vow renewal, reunion, or team-building exercise.

The new type of private island is exclusive, but at the same time also more easily sourced and booked than ever before. Your trusted travel advisor can help you craft an end-to-end private island retreat that will transform your idea of a tropical vacation.

Here’s one of our favorite examples of private islands that’s breaking the mould and redefining what a private island vacation can mean.

The Aerial BVI

This 43-acre private island destination in the British Virgin Islands is nestled among fourteen surrounding islands, with both stunning sunrises and sunsets.

The new approach to the private island experience comes from its most recent owner, a self-made young woman entrepreneur. Her vision is to “provide guests with the space to find their center again, eat healing food, reconnect to nature and loved ones, and discover what matters most.”

Like the best of private island experiences, guests enjoy the services of a full staff of chefs, hosts, activities managers, housekeeping and watersports teams, boat captains, island concierge and everything needed to fulfil your every need – whether you know you need it or not.

Spectacular Tropical Island Home Away From Home

The Aerial welcomes 26 guests in five residences with names that channel the owner’s aspirations for those coming to the island: Unity House, Faith House, Serenity House, and the Love and Grace Villas.

Rooms in each residence are unique, and as you might expect, they flow into their island surroundings allowing guests to feel part of the natural environment, with island and ocean views dominating sightlines.

Rooms are outfitted in different ways to feed different guest needs ranging from relaxation to reflection, to romance to writing to simply engaging with the outdoors: relaxing daybeds, serene “focus spaces” with writer’s desks for those who want to journal their journeys, private, cliffside balconies, chair swings, outdoor showers or soaking tubs, romantic stargazing decks, and balconies overlooking the infinity pool, to name a few.

Healing Cuisine

The Aerial challenges its guests to think outside the box of private chefs and indulgent dishes.

Its dining, while delicious and satisfying, is about providing “healing,” cuisine that helps guests to “think their best, feel their best, create at their best and connect to the planet in a beautiful and sustainable way.”

The private island resort sources ingredients from local providers in the British Virgin Islands in what it says is a true producer-to-table experience. Food that can’t be bought locally is sustainably sourced. There’s still comfort and fun at the table, though – the resort even has a wood burning pizza oven.

Private Island, Private Beach… and Beyond

On a private island, the world – or at least the island- is your oyster. The white sand beach is reserved for you and your private party. But The Aerial, in keeping with its personal, physical and spiritual growth mission, has its own distinct twist on private island activities.

Of course you expect the luxuries of a spa and healing center on the beach, an infinity pool, multiple bars including a beach bar, ping-pong, a yacht, Hobie Cats and a full complement of watersports, and even a recording studio. A wood burning fire pit on the beach? Check.

Those in search of self-improvement and relaxation can participate in yoga in inspired places, guided meditation and writing. Get your blood pumping hiking miles of island-wide trails. Reflect on our place in the universe stargazing.

There’s memory-making fun for families and adults trying to rediscover their inner child. A fleet of pastel-colored, electric Mini Mokes. On the beach: a tribal gym set, giant Jenga and giant Connect 4 and movies and bonfires on the beach.

And beyond your wildest dreams! “Indy’s Redemption Ranch” on the island is home to rescued former race horses, miniature ponies, and even a handful of zebras. Riding on the beach and hand feeding the herd is just the beginning. Swimming with the ponies and guided equine therapy take ranch-on-the-beach to a whole different level.

The Aerial replaces traditional concepts of private island resorts with conscious travel that reconnects you and your select group of guests with the wonders of Nature, and gives you the inspired spaces, seclusion, and activities to discover your very best life.

Start Your Private Island Trip!

The Very First National Park Turns 150

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn Elmhirst)

It’s not just the first national park in the U.S. It’s the first national park in the world. In March, 1872, American president Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the establishment of Yellowstone National Park to preserve and protect some of the country’s most emblematic scenery and wildlife for future generations.

That first national park represented the start of the entire U.S. National Park system. Today, the National Park Service manages 85 million acres of land, comprising 63 National Parks and over 400 National Park sites.

But Yellowstone’s 2 million-plus acres remain a standout among America’s most spectacular natural and historic treasures even 150 years later.

Yellowstone National Park is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, said to be one of the last – and largest – and nearly intact - ecosystems in the world.

The park has the most active and intact collections of “geothermal features” on the planet. It’s comprised of 10,000 hydrothermal sites plus half of the active geysers in the entire world, including the famous geyser Old Faithful. While not the tallest geyser in Yellowstone or even the one that erupts the longest, it has the distinction of being the most predictable, erupting every 44 minutes to two hours.

The geysers alone make Yellowstone incredible. But the park also has two dozen entries on the National Register of Historic Places. And other majestic natural features, plus a very famous and note-worthy inhabitant.

Early techniques of park management involved eliminating nearly all natural predator animals in Yellowstone, permitted hunting bison to the extent that less than two dozen of the massive, essential herbivores remained, and introduced non-local fish species that decimated native fish.

Better knowledge and practices mean that today, the Park is, according to the National Park Service, “the healthiest it has been in over a century.” Yellowstone has seen the return of predators like wolves, grizzly bears, and native fish.

But the bison may be Yellowstone’s most symbolic success story.

Although near extinction at the turn of the 20^th century, the largest land animal in North America is now over 5000 strong in the park. After the US Army beefed up its protection of bison from poaching a century ago, and bison from private herds were sourced to help boost the herd in Yellowstone, the park has become the only place in mainland USA to have a continuous, free-ranging bison herd since prehistoric times.

Many of Yellowstone’s greatest features and successes have connections to Native American Tribes. Before any human of European heritage set eyes on its wonders, let alone designated it a U.S. National Park, Native Americans lived, used the thermal waters for faith and medicinal practices, hunted, fished, gathered plant life, and even quarried obsidian stone for 10,000 years in the parklands.

Over two dozen tribes have connections to the millions of acres of Yellowstone, as it’s located where the Great Plains, Great Basin and Columbia Plateau meet on lands straddling what are now the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

And for its 150^th anniversary, America’s largest national park will commemorate and share the land’s Indigenous history and values.

In the summer of 2022, Yellowstone Old Faithful Lodge will host Native American public art installations, a Marketplace featuring work from tribal artists, and the “Historic Yellow Bus” will tour the Old Faithful district.

Tribes are also planning a gathering in celebration on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming in June, and in August, Teepee Village will be erected by several tribes near Roosevelt Arch.

Park superintendent Cam Sholly says the Village and other 150^th anniversary commemorations, “will be an opportunity for multiple tribal nations to be here on the landscape in the park, directly interfacing with visitors and talking about and educating visitors about their culture and their heritage.”

Additional park anniversary activities include horse club rides and parades, groundbreaking ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, inter‐tribal bimonthly virtual video series gatherings, family‐friendly Old Faithful sponsored experiments, and social media events that will engage travelers both near and far.

This may be the perfect year to acquaint or reacquaint yourself and your family with the groundbreaking Park or any national park in this historic year. Escorted tours, epic trains, historic lodges and outdoor experiences are all part of National Park travel.

Start Your National Park Trip!

Entertainment

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Do You Want Access to the Coolest Events While Traveling?

When you travel do you ever wonder how other people get tickets to private places, local sporting events and activities? Next time you are on vacation immerse yourself in the local culture. Your travel professional has access to the world’s largest inventory of exclusive; private sightseeing opportunities, sporting events, concerts, theater tickets and other types of events.

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See How We Can Make a Group Getaway for You

Traveling with friends, family or a group of like-minded people can be extremely fun – but planning it can be very stressful and cause tension. Anyone who has tried to organize a group knows the task can be daunting. While there is no way to totally eliminate the stress, we can certainly help with the travel details!

There are so many ways to experience the world. Is your group looking for adventure, history, exploration, water activities or epicurean and wine delights? Are you interested in a land tour or a cruise? Traveling as a group offers the opportunity to take advantage of group discounts, complimentary rooms, upgrades and other amenities.

Spend less time organizing your trip. We’re ready to customize your day-to-day itinerary, whether your group is a social club, school, religious organization or just friends and family who like to travel together. We will prepare recommendations based on your group’s interests including specials and promotions from select suppliers.

Fill out the form below to start planning your next trip.

A 3-Hour Flight Home Turned Into 3 Days…Why You REALLY Need A Travel Advisor

cvincent@travelsavers.com (Christine Vincent)

Full disclosure – I have been touting the benefits of working with travel advisors for the past 20 years – their advice, hands-on support, expertise and travel perks. You might think I’m a bit jaded, but my recent travel experience only solidifies the point.

On my return from a cruise conference in Fort Lauderdale I awoke Saturday morning to find Delta had cancelled my return flight to NY and rebooked me Sunday morning. No way was I staying an extra day, so I ran to the airport to try to get on earlier flight. Little did I know major storms were brewing in the southeast US which wreaked havoc on flights. In addition, Royal Caribbean had just disembarked thousands of passengers who were flying home.

At a packed airport, it was senseless to cue up to rebook, so I called my travel helpline (which provides after hours support for my company). They booked me a JetBlue flight Saturday evening, so I checked in and waited out the day. Several flights were delayed or cancelled due to weather, lack of flight crew, and equipment issues. My 5:20pm departure was ultimately cancelled at 1:30am. We were instructed to go to the Jetblue counter to be rebooked. While waiting in line for 2 hours, I again called my helpline and before I reached the front of the line, I was rebooked on a flight later Sunday.

Another cancelled flight and I was put on standby (Jetblue said I was #1 on the list!) but when I checked in, they said the flight crew had taken the seats. In addition, they were offering clients $2K in vouchers to give up their seats. My luggage made it to LaGuardia, but I did not.

Bleary eyed with fatigue, I called the travel helpline Sunday evening (they know me by first name now!) who booked me a reasonably priced hotel close to the airport. I had heard that rooms were scarce and very high priced due to the situation, so I was relieved to get something so quickly.

After a shower and a good night sleep, I returned to the airport to get a morning flight. You guessed it - again cancelled, so my corporate travel agent rebooked me for that evening (thank goodness for Netflix to pass the time). I was still anxious seeing more delays, so I called my corporate travel agent again, who was searching for any seat to any NY airport and once again saved the day by getting me one departing within the hour. I did make it to JFK that evening.

Lessons learned: without the help of a travel counselor, you are on your own. They have access to the GDS – Global Distribution System airline reservations system and can pull up all the airlines’ seat availability and pricing. An app can’t do that for you. Try calling an OTA in the middle of the night!

And remember the airline staff is trying their hardest as this situation is out of their control as well. Unruly passengers are not tolerated and will be removed from the flight, so don’t be the one who ruins it for the rest of us. While the weather is out of our control, we can still control how we react.

I was grateful for many things during that weekend – that I wasn’t traveling with elderly family members, babies or toddlers. I met some nice people along the way. I had a credit card/cash to handle the extra costs (many vacationers would find this a financial burden). Most importantly, I had the support of a travel professional who helped with air and lodging - someone who was by my side during this ordeal who ultimately got me home.

Tips to survive airport delays:

Check out the weather around the area you are traveling and to/from your destination.
Carry medicine, toothbrush, toothpaste, make-up, moisturizer in your carry-on bag.
Download all the apps that you need along with passwords, logins. Have all your important phone numbers loaded in your contacts.
Explore the airport, walk around and find a quiet place to sit away from the crowds, if possible – restaurants, bars or any place that has outlets to charge your phone (or better yet bring a pre-charged battery pack).
Be flexible – I had 3-4 different airports to select to get out of town. While a slight inconvenience, at least I got to NY.
Layer your clothes – I’m always cold on planes but you are also colder when you are tired or are trying to nap.
Keep all your vitals in one place, e.g., wallet, phone, documents, glasses. When you are tired you tend to get flustered.
With a long wait, don’t watch the clock. Pace yourself with activities: take a walk, eat a meal, browse magazines in the gift shop, get a coffee, watch a video, play a game or call a loved one.
Pack patience, empathy, self-control and kindness.

Travel Personality Quiz

cvincent@travelsavers.com (Christine's Travel;)

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Why Book With a Consultant

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Expert Guidance - We know the ins and outs of the travel industry, providing you the variety of vacation options to help you find one that's right for you.

Personalized service - We are avid travelers who take joy in providing one-on-one service and unbiased information. Rather than dealing with a faceless corporation, we work for you.

Best Value - We can get you the best value for your vacation dollars, providing you with information on the latest deals and special promotions so you can make an informed decision.

Years of solid relations - We have years of long standing relationships with preferred suppliers. As a result, we can share the best inside deals available, saving you money.

One-stop shopping - Because we handle every aspect of your trip, you inevitably save precious time.

Consumer advocate - We don't stop working for you, even after you've booked your trip. In the event of an unfortunate mishap, we will act on your behalf to see that restitution is made.

Guaranteed satisfaction - We strive to achieve customer satisfaction so you return the next time you're planning a trip. We want you to be happy, long term customers!

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Groups

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Join Our Group Getaways!

The best parts about traveling with a group are the experiences, new network of friends you create along the way and the memories you take home long after your vacation is over.

Joining a group allows you to take advantage of reduced hotel prices, restaurants you may not have access to and attractions with additional extras. We can pass these savings and value added benefits on to you. Planning a trip can be stressful but we can help! Let us plan each detail of your trip while you sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation! We can offer you multiple travel packages that meet or exceed your expectations.

Travel Insurance

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Stress-Free Journey

You deserve to feel secure knowing that you are covered if something goes wrong after planning and paying for your trip.

Travel insurance should always be included in your budget if you are thinking about taking any kind of trip. Consider travel insurance as protecting your travel investment!

Life, as we all know, is full of unforeseen events. Whether you are looking for coverage to pay the cost of hotel reservations, missed flights, inclement weather, or if you need medical attention before you leave or while you are away, a travel insurance policy can help protect your wallet.

There are many different levels of coverage. There is sure to be one that fits your needs.

Make sure you are covered! Contact us today to compare plans and make the right choice based on your needs.

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Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

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Score tickets for the best seats in the house at the hottest events of the year.

Click below to start perusing tickets to exhilarating events around the world. From LA to Paris, from Broadway to Fenway, and from Opera to Rugby, the world is your oyster when you get into the most exciting event of the year.

Find the tickets you like best, and let us worry about the rest! Our 100% ticket guarantee means that on the day of the show you’ll be sitting in the seats you chose, or better; no ifs ands or buts about it!

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You're Invited!

Go beyond the brochure! You are invited to join any one of the events listed below so that you can learn about featured destinations, exclusive offers and special promotions.

Delta Vacations Terms and Conditions

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Terms and Conditions

Once a destination wedding has been purchased from Delta Vacations, a Delta Vacations specialist will give the wedding couple a promotional code to be used for the above offer.

Purchase a Delta Vacations flight and hotel package, or hotel and ground transportation package, from any Delta Vacations origin in the U.S. and Canada to Delta Vacations destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii or Las Vegas, where the wedding will occur.
Travel must begin between the dates specified when wedding is purchased.
Guest departure dates must be set within seven days of the wedding date; guests can return home any time they want.
At time of reservation, you must refer to the promotional code provided by a Delta Vacations specialist.
Discount is intended for recipients of this promotional code. If these terms and conditions are not complied with, the promotional code discount will be removed from the booking and the full amount of the booking will be collected.
Offer is valid on reservations that include a minimum of one flight on Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, Bahamasair, Aeromexico, Virgin Australia International, Virgin Atlantic, China Southern, WestJet and/or their codeshare partners; reservations that include only flights on other airlines do not qualify.
The hotel discount is based on the standard room charges of each of the participating hotels.
Minimum 3-night hotel stay required.
Discount is $25 on bookings of $699-$999; $50 on bookings of $1,000-$2,499; $100 on bookings of $2,500-$4,999; and $225 on bookings of $5,000 or more.
Minimum package purchase of $699 per booking is required. Package purchase includes flight and hotel; flight, hotel and car rental; or hotel and ground transportation, plus any optional activities.
Maximum discount is $225 per booking; discount is a percentage of each eligible land component.
Rebate is $25 per booking for Las Vegas bookings.
Rebate is $50 per booking for weddings in Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii.
A rebate of up to $100 per booking will be sent to the wedding couple in the form of a check 8-10 weeks after travel is complete, up to the total cost of the booking. If payment was made using a travel agency credit card or agency check, it is the travel agency’s responsibility to forward the rebate to the wedding couple.
$100 rebate is valid at the following hotels: Aruba: Barceló Aruba, Riu Palace Antillas and Riu Palace Aruba. The Bahamas: Nassau — Riu Palace Paradise Island. Dominican Republic: Punta Cana — Barceló Bavaro Beach – Adults Only, Barceló Bavaro Palace, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, Riu Bachata, Riu Bambu, Riu Palace Macao, Riu Merengue, Riu Naiboa, Riu Palace Bavaro, Riu Palace Macao, Riu Palace Punta Cana and Riu Republica. Santo Domingo — Barceló Santo Domingo. Jamaica: Montego Bay — Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace Jamaica and Riu Reggae. Negril — Riu Negril and Riu Palace Tropical Bay. Ocho Rios — Riu Ocho Rios. Mexico: Cancun —Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Hyatt Zilara Cancun, Hyatt Ziva Cancun, Occidental Costa Cancun, Occidental Tucancun, Panama Jack Resorts Gran Caribe Cancun, Riu Cancun, Riu Caribe, Riu Palace Las Americas, Riu Palace Mexico, Riu Palace Peninsula and Riu Palace Riviera Maya. Los Cabos — Barceló Gran Faro Los Cabos, Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas and Riu Santa Fe. Puerto Vallarta — Barceló Puerto Vallarta, Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta and Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. Riviera Maya — Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya, By Karisma; Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Mexico, by Karisma; Azul Beach The Fives Playa Del Carmen, by Karisma; Barceló Maya Grand Resort; Barceló Maya Palace; El Dorado Casitas Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Maroma, a Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites, a Spa Resort by Karisma; Generations Rivera Maya, a Spa Resort by Karisma; Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya; Occidental at Xcaret Destination; Panama Jack Resorts Gran Porto Playa del Carmen; Riu Palace Mexico; Riu Palace Riviera Maya; Riu Playacar; Riu Yucatan; Royal Hideaway Playacar – Adults Only; and Hilton Playa Del Carmen Resort - Adults Only. Riviera Nayarit — Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, Marival Residences Nuevo Vallarta, Marival Resort & Suites Nuevo Vallarta, Riu Jalisco, Riu Palace Pacifico and Riu Vallarta.
$50 rebate is valid at all other hotels in Mexico, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic offered through Delta Vacations.
Additional baggage charges for checked luggage may apply, as well as any applicable hotel/resort fees or departure taxes collected by hotel/resort/airport at destination.
Discount is not applicable to airfare; Ski, Dive, Globus family of brands including Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon; for groups of 10 or more and is not retroactive.
Must be purchased through Delta Vacations.
Discount applies to qualified passengers only. Children staying free in room do not qualify for discount.
Discount will recalculate if modifications are made to the booking.
No refunds will be issued toward offer. Offer has no cash value. Offer void if qualifying booking is canceled.
If the wedding couple and their family and friends earn any complimentary credits from the hotel, they will forfeit the rebate portion of this offer.
If the group earns any complimentary credits from the hotel, they will forfeit the rebate portion of this offer.
Group inclusions and amenities can change at any time and are at the resort’s discretion. Any complimentary stays or upgrades will be applied to the trip leader’s or wedding couple’s reservation unless otherwise noted by the group leader.
Any eligible group inclusions must adhere to the conditions set by the hotel such as minimum passenger requirements, valid booking/travel dates and any applicable blackout dates, etc. and are subject to the hotel’s discretion. The hotel reserves the right to modify or cancel group inclusions at any time.A
ny changes to the group may impact the group inclusions.
All resort complimentary credits are assessed approximately three days prior to travel and are refunded to the designated reservation via the original form of payment. Hotel complimentary credits are typically based on the most common hotel room category booked and the most common length of stay booked. Hotel’s complimentary credit value is at the hotel’s discretion. Only rooms booked through Delta Vacations will count toward the complimentary credit eligibility.
Complimentary credits are not commissionable.
Programs and availability may vary. Delta Vacations air reservations may be made up to 331 days in advance of flight departure.
Delta Vacations must issue all airline tickets.
Standard Terms and Conditions apply and are outlined during the booking process; other restrictions may apply.
Delta Vacations is the final authority on the interpretation of these rules and reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions without prior notice.
All SkyMiles Program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/member guide opens in a new window. Delta Vacations airfares will earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs – U.S.-based members only) based on fare class and distance flown. Bonus miles do not count toward Medallion Status or Million Miler™ Status. Offers void where prohibited by law. Offers subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

How Solo Travelers Can Explore With Trafalgar Is Changing

cvincent@travelsavers.com (Christine Vincent)

As the world starts to open up after the pandemic, travel demand continues to rise. More and more people are dusting off their bucket lists and planning to get out there and explore the world. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge and jetting off on a solo trip, there’s no better time to do it. Trafalgar is making it easier for solo travelers to return to travel with our new solo traveler offerings like reduced and free single supplements. Want to learn more? Read on to find out why more people are travelling solo and all the improvements you can look forward to when you take your next solo trip with Trafalgar.

Who is traveling solo?
If you’ve ever traveled solo or dreamed about taking a trip for one, you’re not alone. The 2021 Solo Traveler Reader Survey found that 25% of all travelers are thinking of taking a solo trip and 15% of people surveyed have already taken a trip alone.

If you’re a woman thinking about solo travel, this is your time to shine! A whopping 84% of solo travelers are women, while 72% of surveyed women in the US have taken a solo trip. The ladies are loving solo travel so much that 59% of female solo travelers would travel alone again in the next 12 months.

Solo travel isn’t just a young person’s game either. While 25% of millennials in the US plan to take a solo trip in the next 12 months, the survey found that solo travelers over 55 shared the same sentiments as those aged under 55. The main difference was how they like to travel solo, with 65% of people aged 55+ preferring to travel in a group and 43% of people aged under 55 preferring group tours for their solo trips.

Why are people traveling solo?
So why does everyone want to travel solo? The survey found that 66% of people traveled solo because they wanted to see the world and didn’t want to wait for others, 56% of people said they like to do what they want when they want, and 48% of people said they like the feeling of freedom and independence.
Does that sound like you? If you’re ready to embrace our freedom and dive into a solo trip with the support of a group tour, Trafalgar’s new solo traveler offerings are perfect for you.

Trafalgar’s new and improved options for solo travelers
Trafalgar has always had great options for solo travelers. Our solo vacation packages and guided tours have the perfect balance of enriching experiences and time to explore on your own, all with the support of a dedicated Travel Director and like-minded travelers. Now, we’re turning things up a notch and leading the industry with our amazing enhancements to our solo traveller offerings. If you’re travelling alone on a Trafalgar trip, you’ll now benefit from these options:

Twin Room Share
If you’re traveling alone but you’d still like to save money and get social by rooming with a like-minded traveler, we’re offering our twin room share option. All you have to do is book your trip and you’ll get matched with a same-sex traveler. So you’ll save more money for the fun stuff and maybe even make a lifelong friend while you’re at it.

Significantly Reduced Single Supplement
If you’ve ever looked at traveling solo on a group tour, you’ve probably baulked at the more expensive single supplement to have your own private room. But after a long day out exploring and having fun, sometimes you just want to come back to your own private room and chill out. And in a post-pandemic world, it makes sense to have your own space.

We get it. And we believe that traveling solo shouldn’t mean having to pay more. That’s why we’ve significantly reduced our single supplement. Now you can enjoy the privacy and peace of having your own room on your Trafalgar tour – and you won’t have to burn a hole through your travel budget to get it.

Free Single Supplement
It gets even better. Trafalgar is even now waiving the single supplement on a number of trips. So you can get your own private room without paying anything extra. Our free and reduced single supplements can be found on all our tours across all seven continents… You’ll be spoiled for choice!

Trafalgar is so excited to be able to help solo travelers get back out there doing what they love. Whether you’re an experienced solo traveler or you’re doing it alone for the first time, you’ll love the ease, freedom and fun you always get when traveling with Trafalgar – and now without extra solo travel costs.

It's all in the Details! Princess Cruises NEW Royal Class ships – Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess

cvincent@travelsavers.com (Christine Vincent)

Welcome to Discovery Princess℠
Princess Cruises®

With Discovery Princess℠, there’s no limit to the ways you can relax, dine and be entertained. And to get the most out of your vacation, Enchanted Princess℠ is the second Royal Class ship built from the ground up with Princess® MedallionClassTM , which makes cruising even easier and more enjoyable so you can focus on what’s important – connecting with family, friends and world-famous destinations.

The biggest news is the Sky Suite, and it’s easy to see why. It features 270-degree panoramic views, the largest balcony at sea at 1,000 square feet, room for five, a dedicated Suite Experience Manager, private Movies Under the Stars® viewings and other VIP amenities.

When hunger calls, Discovery Princess℠ answers with over 25 restaurants and bars, including signature Princess favorites like Crown Grill℠ and Bistro Sur La Mer. There are also casual eateries and the Salty Dog Gastro Pub, featuring the Ernesto, named “Best Burger at Sea” by Cruise Critic. Or a grab of Neapolitan-style pizza on deck that earned “Best Pizza at Sea” from USA TODAY.

Let Discovery Princess℠ entertain you with spectacular Broadway-style shows, including the signature Stephen Swartz productions, and Take Five, the only jazz theater at sea. Take your pick of culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, bingo, art auctions and of course, shopping. Unwind in the Lotus Spa® and The Sanctuary, a tranquil retreat just for adults. Discovery at SEA brings hit shows from DiscoveryTM and Animal PlanetTM to life as well as unique experiences, such as the Phantom Bridge, an industry-first escape room driven by a powerful gaming engine that boasts more than 700 different outcomes.

Princess Cruises® brings families together like no one else. The younger ones will love Games Under the Stars, part of the MedallionClass experience, and playing digital games on portals around the ship. Older kids can discover new interests and making new friends in Camp Discovery youth and teen centers. Kids of all ages will enjoy Stargazing on the top deck, solving a cruise-long mystery with High Seas Heist or taking the Can You Survive challenge.

Once aboard, you’ll have service-on-demand at your fingertips, thanks to Princess MedallionClass and the quarter-sized OceanMedallion you wear. Order drinks, snacks and more and have them delivered anywhere on the ship. Find your way – and even your travel companions! – on board by using your smart phone or touch screens around the ship. Enjoy casino gaming, plan your day’s events and make contactless purchases easily. And when you arrive at your stateroom, your door unlocks automatically and offers a friendly welcome on its digital screen.

Discovery Princess℠ has arrived and with it an even better way to vacation. Experience it now on an adventure at sea with your favorite people sailing from the West Coast to Mexico, California Coastals and roundtrip Seattle on the Inside Passage in 2022. Sail aboard the Enchanted Princess to the Caribbean and Europe in 2022. The third purpose built MedallionClass ship, Sky Princess will also sail to Europe and the Caribbean in 2022. Where will your next Princess cruise take you?

Adventure And Fun Await In Paradise!

cvincent@travelsavers.com (Christine Vincent)

If unforgettable is what you're seeking, then Puerto Rico is your destination! There is no better place to experience mesmerizing sights, unique flavors, vibrant culture, and thrilling adventures than Puerto Rico. The heart and soul of the Caribbean is packed with sun-kissed and full of life experiences from urban spots to rainforest getaways and – of course, hundreds of beaches to explore. And the best part? Accessibility to the Island has never been easier, with direct flights from domestic locations and few travel restrictions.

A place where the old world intertwines with the new and it all blends with nature as the backdrop, you're bound to find one-of-a-kind experiences everywhere you turn. From its rich history to astonishing views and everything else in between, Puerto Rico is just the sun-kissed destination you need.

Stay in dreamy, luxurious places like beachfront resorts, magical historic inns, small family-owned paradores, or glamping sites immersed in nature. The choice is yours. Are you ready to live life by a compass and let paradise guide you? Let Puerto Rico be first to say wepa and give you a joyful welcome.

Feel the culture

Vibrant! That's one word that encompasses the feeling and energy of visiting Puerto Rico and being around its people. There's dance, music, art, history… it's everywhere. Whether moving to the beats of a bomba drum in Loíza, the panderos of a traditional plena song in Old San Juan or swinging your hips away at the mecca of reggatetón at a nightclub, a contagious dance is bound to inspire and set the rhythm while you discover the Island. Celebrate life in a culture that radiates color and joy.

In Puerto Rico, culture doesn't stop with music. It carries across to high-end art galleries and towering historical museums that present the story of the Island through different mediums. Places like the iconic Parque de Bombas in Ponce and the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo in San Juan showcase the people's experiences in Puerto Rico through time and different mediums.

Enjoy the sunshine

Puerto Rico has sunshine to spare, and you'll soon notice that the colors pop all around, just like the sun rays shine through the year, with perfect summer-like weather through all the seasons. The Island is a paradise for nature lovers seeking to reconnect with the great outdoors. Find the only rainforest in the national U.S. Forest System and one of the world's most extensive dry forests, with hundreds of underground caves and more. Ride the waves in a renowned surfing reserve or lounge by a pristine, unspoiled beach part of the nearly 300 miles of coastline. Hike up the mountains to find lakes, rivers, waterfalls, or kayaks and swim around three of the world's five bioluminescent bays. You can also soar like a bird through a canopy of lush trees at the second-largest zip line in the world. The possibilities in nature are endless, just like the memories you'll make.

Savor the flavors

Puerto Rico aims to comfort even the pickiest eaters, and the food on the Island is like no other. Dubbed a "foodie" paradise because of the explosion of flavors mixed with state-of-the-art techniques, local cuisine will make you want to try something new each time. With farm-to-table and sea-to-table movements across the Island, the dishes are as diverse and complex as they are familiar. From dive bars called chinchorros to fine dining award-winning restaurants, you can snack on alcapurrias or bacalaítos (local fritters) or indulge in hearty dishes like mofongo or arroz mamposteao. You really can taste the love through food here.

And the cocktail and rum scene in Puerto Rico is like no other. Not only is the Island the rum capital of the world, exporting over 70% of the rum consumed in the continental U.S alone, but it is the birthplace of the iconic piña colada. You'll find that a creative approach to refreshing drinks continues to this day.

The Most Expensive Airline Ticket in History Breaks New Ground for Travel

lynn.elmhirst@gmail.com (Lynn Elmhirst)

A Spanish airline has become the first carrier to have a plane ticket ‘minted’ on the blockchain. When that first ‘NFTicket’ was auctioned off, it broke a record for the most valuable airline ticket ever sold in the history of commercial aviation – to the tune of over a million dollars!

TravelX, a company building the travel world’s first blockchain-based travel distribution system, partnered with Spain-based airline Air Europa to pioneer a new way of issuing travel tickets – and smashing into the stratosphere of ticket prices in the process.

On April 25, 2022, the two companies’ world-first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Flight Ticket – or ‘NFTicket’ closed at auction with a value of USD $1,002,000.

At a VIP event at the Eiffel Tower, the final bid for the first-ever NFTicket was revealed (image via TravelX’ Instagram.)

“We see this as a bet on the future, allowing us to apply a layer of service experience that transforms our customer offering,' explained Valentín Lago, CEO of Air Europa on the history-changing occasion.

TravelX is using new technology to reimagine how travel is distributed to travel consumers. Its work in developing the first NFTicket is a step towards using blockchain technology to help “travelers to have a more frictionless experience,” said Juan Pablo Lafosse, co-founder at TravelX.

The companies actually minted 10 NFTickets. The remaining nine will be auctioned off over the coming weeks.

More Than Just a Plane Ticket

TravelX explains what makes an NFTicket so special – beyond the price tag. According to the company, “The NFTicket is the perfect fusion of Art, Travel & Technology.”

Technology

An NFTicket is a non-fungible token (NFT) ticket that handles every travel record as an NFT. An NFT is a unique and uncopy-able piece of digital content tied to the blockchain. Blockchain refers to a shared list of encrypted digital records or a ledger that flawlessly and securely tracks transactions.

The blockchain gives security, authenticity, and unchangeability to the ticket. That allows for owners of NFTickets to trade and manage them as verifiable assets.

TravelX worked on a fully carbon-negative blockchain infrastructure to mint the world’s first NFTickets, allaying frequent concerns about the enormous amount of energy often consumed by blockchain technology.

Art

In the case of the Air Europa flight NFTickets, each is also designed by a renowned artist. That brings “meaning and art into what was once a simple flight ticket.”

'We are honored to work with amazing artists, like Carlos Betancourt, to make these first 10 NFTickets even more special and eternally collectible,” said TravelX’ LaFosse.

NFT’s and these NFTickets are compared to digital baseball cards. They have value and collectability beyond their ‘face value’ / purpose. And they can be ‘traded.’ All ‘trades’ or transactions are recorded safely and securely on the blockchain.

Travel

When the NFTicket owner is ready to travel, they can present the NFT and a matching ticket is issued in the traditional way.

Each of the first 10 NFTickets contains a digital work of art, flight ticket access to a trip on November 29, 2022 from Madrid to Miami in an exclusive Air Europa business cabin, and the key to unlocking access to a series of unique and exclusive events during MIAMI ART WEEK for its owners.

“But, we know that the excitement and value generated with this first ever NFTicket is also recognition and validation of a real-world application for NFTs. We believe this could become the new standard for the travel industry.'

Another NFT 'First' in Travel

That may have been the first NFTicket, but it's not the first time travel-related NFT's have been auctioned.

(Titled “Norwegian Prima Hull Art,” this NFT reflects the captivating and innovative design created for Norwegian Prima’s stunning hull art. The art piece was designed to be visible from any vantage point, highlighting fluid shapes, with unperceivable beginning and ends, like an ocean. On Norwegian Prima, blue swirls are depicted as freely moving all over the hull, mimicking the undulating movement of water.)

Earlier in April, Norwegian Cruise Line's industry-first NFT art collection sold out in just twenty minutes. The cruise line launched its new, NFT Marketplace, which you can see here at https://nft.ncl.com. Its debut collection was created by the Italian artist who designed the hull art on the cruise line's upcoming new, first-of-its-new-class of ships Norwegian Prima.

(Renderings of the first two, Prima-class ships for Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Prima and Viva)

All proceeds from the NFT auction and primary sales are being donated to Teach for America, and the winner of the auction was also awarded a place on the Norwegian Prima's inaugural U.S. voyage.

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