Whenever and wherever you go, there are always things to consider and check into before you go.
These are a few of those things 🙂
Passports: Citizens traveling outside their home countries will need a valid passport. If you need to get a passport or renew your current one – check your official government services passport information online before you apply for a passport. Some countries have a protocol for passport issuance and you don’t want to mess around getting your official passport. Also right now many government passport offices are way behind in their processing times – what should take 4 weeks is taking 8 or more! So don’t wait to apply or renew.
Check the suggested guidelines for your trip – some countries require your passport to be valid for 3 months before you go and some require it to be valid for 6 months after your travel. Check that there are 2 or more empty pages available for stamps!
Vaccinations: The country you’re traveling to may require proof of vaccinations. Without proper vaccinations, you may be denied entry in the country. We recommend visiting: For Canadians – www.travel.gc.ca and www.otc-cta.gc.ca. For Americans – www.travel.state.gov and www.cdc.gov/travel to find information on health notices and recommended/required vaccinations for the countries you’ll be visiting.
Visas: Some countries require visas to enter. Without a valid visa, you may be denied entry into the country. You can find out if you need a visa by visiting the embassy website of the country you’ll be traveling to.
Children: Traveling with One Parent, or Someone Who is Not a Parent/Legal Guardian, or Children Traveling in a Group: Foreign border officials may require custody documents or written consent from the other parent/both parents. While the requirements may vary by country, here’s an example of what the US requires. A good place to start looking for any required documents/information is the embassy of the country the child is traveling to.
When it comes to traveling, there’s no shortage of options available! You could plan your own itinerary, book your own flights and hotels, and navigate your way around a new city all on your own.
But for those who want a stress-free, well-planned vacation, there’s really no substitute for an organized, done-for-you tour with a recognized tour operator.
Here are just a few reasons why a tour might be the best choice for your next vacation:
Expert planning: Tour operators are experts at putting together itineraries that showcase the best a destination has to offer. They know which sights are worth seeing, which neighborhoods are the most interesting, and which activities are the most fun.
Convenience: When you book a tour, you don’t have to worry about any of the logistics – your transportation, accommodations, and even some meals will be taken care of. This makes for a stress-free vacation that allows you to relax and enjoy yourself.
Safety & security: When you travel with a recognized tour operator, you can rest assured that your safety and security are a top priority. Your tour guide will be on hand to help you navigate unfamiliar surroundings, and you’ll be traveling with a group of like-minded individuals.
Local insights: Tour guides often have insider knowledge about a destination that you might not be able to find in a guidebook. They can provide valuable insights into local culture, history, and customs that will enrich your travel experience.
Overall, taking an organized, done-for-you tour with a recognized tour operator is a great way to ensure a stress-free, enjoyable vacation.
When planning your dream luxury vacation, it’s important to entrust your trip to a recognized and reputable tour operator. Not only do they have the expertise and resources to create a one-of-a-kind experience, but they also offer peace of mind knowing that your trip is in capable hands every step of the way. From personalized itineraries to top-notch accommodations and expert guides, a reputable tour operator will go above and beyond to ensure that your luxury tour exceeds your expectations and leaves you with unforgettable memories. Don’t settle for less, book with a recognized tour operator and let them handle the details of your luxury vacation.
International Destinations: There’s a whole lot of world out there-go see more of it.
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G Adventures Travel Deals – G Adventures has some really great ‘Classic Tours’ that may not be generally looked upon as ‘luxury’ but they are definitely a top notch unforgettable vacation experience!
Why Take a Cruise for Your Luxury Vacation?
Unmatched Comfort and Luxury
If you’re looking for a luxurious vacation that offers unmatched comfort and amenities, taking a cruise can be an excellent choice. Cruise ships are designed to offer the ultimate in comfort and luxury, with spacious staterooms, high-end furnishings, and top-of-the-line entertainment and dining options. Plus, with options for premium and ultra-luxury cruise lines, you can choose the level of luxury that best fits your preferences and budget.
All-Inclusive Value
Another great benefit of taking a luxury cruise is the all-inclusive value that many cruise lines offer. With your cruise fare, you’ll get access to a range of amenities and services, including:
Accommodations: Your cabin or suite is included in your cruise fare, as well as housekeeping services and 24-hour room service.
Meals: Most cruise lines offer multiple dining options onboard, including casual restaurants, buffets, and specialty restaurants.
Beverages: Many luxury cruise lines include premium alcoholic beverages, such as fine wines and spirits, and specialty coffee and tea, in your cruise fare.
Entertainment: From Broadway-style shows to live music to high-end art collections, luxury cruise ships offer a range of entertainment options.
Activities: Luxury cruise ships often offer a range of onboard activities, such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and spa treatments, as well as shore excursions at your ports of call.
Unique Experiences
Taking a luxury cruise also offers the opportunity for unique and memorable experiences that you may not be able to get elsewhere. Whether it’s exploring exotic destinations, indulging in gourmet dining, or simply relaxing in a private cabana on the ship’s deck, luxury cruise lines are designed to offer experiences that are truly one-of-a-kind.
Convenience and Flexibility
Finally, taking a luxury cruise offers the convenience and flexibility of a “floating hotel.” With everything you need in one place, you won’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, navigating from one destination to another, or dealing with the logistics of travel. Plus, with a range of itineraries and cruise lengths to choose from, you can design a luxury cruise that is just exactly tailored to you!
Check out Cruise Critic’s “Top 15 Deals,” Ranked by the Cruise Critic Deal Score.
Online Exclusives – Find the Perfect Cruise
G Adventures has an excellent selection of small boat and adventure cruises – check them out!
Booking your own flight can be a great way to save money and have more control over your travel itinerary. However, it also means that you will need to take care of all the details yourself, including choosing between direct and connecting flights.
When booking your flights, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Direct flights: If time is of the essence, consider booking a direct flight. This can save you time and hassle by avoiding layovers altogether. While direct flights may be more expensive than connecting flights, they can be worth the extra cost for the convenience they offer.
Layovers: On the other hand, if you’re looking to save money, choosing a connecting flight with a layover may be your best bet. However, be sure to give yourself plenty of time for layovers to avoid any stress or missed connections. Choose layovers that give you ample time to transfer between flights, especially if you have to go through customs or security.
Airport distance: Sometimes, booking a cheaper flight may mean flying to or from an airport that is further from your home or destination. Be sure to factor in the time and cost of transportation to and from the airport when making your booking decision.
By taking these factors into consideration, you can find the best flights for your needs and budget.
Use the widgets below to search for flights:
So many choices here and everywhere – how do you choose? I know that I am looking for that perfect combination of location, size and character. I’d rather have a smaller comfy, chic or quirky place to stay than a big multinational chain kind of hotel. What about you?
One of the things I always do before I go is check out the things that are available to do in the city I’m going to. Are there any good concerts coming up? Plays? what other Events might be on? Or just check out what kinds of tours and walks etc. are available.
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Trusted Tours and Attractions provides discount tickets to top US sightseeing tours, world class attractions, museums and other amazing things to do while on vacation. Trusted Tours and Attractions‘ selection includes over 500 products in 23 top city destinations including New York City, Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Key West, Miami, Chicago, Washington DC and more! A sampling of Trusted Tours and Attractions‘ product mix includes:
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Everyone has seen the big double decker buses of BIG BUS TOURS!
I know my sister and I had a great time in Paris and London on these bus tours. Hop-on, Hop-off anywhere you want, see what you want. Available in day packages and really affordable fun tours.
Do you need to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP)? Maybe or maybe not 🙂 – but if you plan to rent a car and be driving – it would be best to look into the need to have an IDP. If you intend to get an IDP, you must do so in advance of your trip. To get an IDP, contact the motor vehicle department of the country that issued your driver’s license.
There are so many car rental companies – so hard to choose, but for sure one will have the right car and deal for you if you are wanting to drive yourself, just be sure to really check out the service and exactly what it is offering. Try to stay with a recognized rental company.
Most cities have their local public transportation and sometimes that experience is one to not be missed – like London’s Tube or Paris’ Metro.
Many of the big cities also have those great hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses. The one we did in Paris had four different routes thru the city and we got to see everything – just hop off and get back on for the next thing! My favorite in Paris was the batobus! I’m not sure how many other cities have a hop-on hop-off boat, but many have harbour cruises or like in Victoria and Vancouver BC they have adorable water taxis!
In many places taking the train can be a relaxing and stress-free experience that shows you the country in style. Eurorail, Rocky Mountaineer and similar companies offer some amazing travel opportunities!
Be sure to check out Trainline, Europe’s leading official retailer for train and bus tickets, they have an excellent website with a massive amount of information about the trains available in Europe. They work with 270 rail and coach companies to offer their customers travel to thousands of destinations in and across 45 countries in Europe. Trainline‘s platform is the perfect fit for anyone looking to take advantage of Europe’s vast network of rail and coach services to get around countries or visit popular attractions and cities. Routes, Fares, How and exactly What to book, Everything! Their guide is not to be missed if you are thinking about taking a train or a bus on your European adventure. And you can purchase your tickets right on their site! Trainline even has an app so you can take all their info with you! Look up and book trains and buses on the go!
There are so many cities where you just don’t need your own car to get around and get to see everything you want. You just need to get from the airport or train station to your hotel or resort. This can be accomplished with a transfer service, taxi, or a private car/driver service.
Many of the private car/driver service companies also offer daily or weekly driver services – offering private tours and getting you to any reservations or attractions.
Two options that many travellers overlook are yacht charters and adventure/experience tour operators.
A yacht charter can actually be more affordable than you might think if you choose a smaller boat, with a small crew. Some yacht charters even allow you to self-captain if you are qualified to do so!
There are many adventure or experience tour companies that will take you on safety conscious hiking, biking, trekking, horseback riding, ziplining, bungee jumping, skydiving…ohh the list is endless! You name it, you will be able to find it.
How do you choose the best baggage? I’ve invested in Hays hard-sided spinners, they are awesome – lightweight and easy to maneuver. One of their drawbacks though is they don’t offer much organization so I’ll be looking for a travel pouch set soon.
What do you do with your luggage in-between arrival and check-in or more usually between check-out and your flight leaving time? Most hotels will hold your luggage behind the front desk, but if they are too busy they might not be able to hold your bags.
There are some local luggage storage companies that have secure storage facilities in convenient locations like downtown in large cities or near major attractions.
Also many of airports, train or bus depts/terminals have luggage lockers available for short term rent. Just give a quick google search and you’ll find a great safe secure location to store your bags while out sightseeing and waiting for your flight or hotel to be ready.
Two major types of insurance to consider:
Travel medical covers you for any medical emergencies you might have while on vacation. This is one of those things people never think they need, but it’s a cheap purchase and is a real protection when you need it! Medical expenses in a different country can easily cost you multiple thousands.
Trip insurance covers things like cancellations, missed connections, lost baggage, lost reservations, etc. etc. Again, this is a small expense to pay in order to have peace of mind if something goes awry.
Trip insurance is also one of those things that really varies from policy to policy – so check out the offers and options that are available to you.
It’s so frustrating to go on holiday and have issues staying connected to friends and family. Nobody wants to be unavailable if there’s an emergency and someone desperately needs you.
Paying huge roaming rates, getting sketchy service, or being tethered to whatever open wi-fi you can find is also unacceptable.
It is so easy now to go online and find a universal or electronic SIM. Some plans are for data only, where you are not able to make phone calls unless on wi-fi calling. While some also include a cellular plan for calls. Just make sure that your phone is capable of having an additional SIM – then check out which service is easiest for you to manage and you can drastically reduce the amount you will be paying to take your cell phone with you when you travel.
Most tours or packages are timed for the best seasons, but the weather can still fluctuate month by month. Who wants to go to Florida in hurricane season anyways? Check into the weather before you book. It’s super easy to do online.
Answer will be here once we know what the question is 🙂