Beths Travel Tips - Vacmart.com

Hello again,

2010-10-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a long time since I blogged. SO much has been going on that I've wanted to share with you, but I do not even recognize my life before I became a Mother.

My son started school and decided “you don't like me Mommy, or you wouldn't make me go to this school". My 18 month old daughter started her terrible two's 6 months early with complete temper tantrums where she throws herself on the floor.

And just to make sure I was paying attention, my bathroom and garage flooded when a pipe broke underneath the house!
Yet, I am happier than I have ever been. I have been vacationing with my family, and it makes me forget everything else.
I used to get mad at clients who spent money I knew they didn't have to go away on a trip, but I get it now. Vacations are necessary even if you have to eat "the chef" or cancel some premium channels you don't have time to watch anyhow.
Taking a vacation is not a luxury, it is mandatory. Employees would not give you paid vacations if it wasn't necessary. Schools would never close for 3 months if they didn't want you to travel.

When I last wrote I also thought it didn't matter where you went "as long as the family was together". On second thought, I was wrong again. It does matter where you go and how you get there. I was so blindly in love with my kids that I assumed they would be happy on every airplane and during every car ride. I thought just going somewhere warm and sunny would keep them stimulated.

Since the last time I wrote, I have taken my children to Disney World in July, Jamaica in August, and Philadelphia in September. My 3 year old thinks that Mickey Mouse and Elmo lives in every hotel that we go to since that was the case for 2 out of 3 hotels. When we got to my nephew's Bar Mitzvah in Philadelphia he was looking everywhere for Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

This is my new philosophy regarding vacations (with or without children): Do not settle when taking a vacation. If you are used to nice resorts but because the kids are now in college or you aren't making the money you were making 3 years ago, don't go to a 3 star hotel because it is cheaper. Do not compromise on your trips. No matter where you go it is going to cost a significant amount of money. I know it is great to go Christmas week or after Hurricane Season. I also know that flying nonstop is really convenient, but what is most important to you?

For me it is getting a great deal on a GOOD place. I used to be all about getting a good deal on a GREAT place, but a great place for me might mean there is a water slide or not a long ride from the airport. I don't even look at how many stars the resort has anymore. I look at the amenities, the services, and I listen to what my friends and clients tell me.
I have been in this business almost 20 years and I am good at my job because I listen to my clients. I want to know which resorts have enough beach chairs in the shade. I want to know if it is hard to get dinner reservations at the good places. I want to know if there is a bee problem or if the people working there are nice. I want to know how deep the pool is, what the temperature of the ocean is and whether or not long pants are required for men.
Now don't call me tomorrow and ask me what the weather is going to be like 7 weeks from now, or how much the spa charges for a massage, because I don't know the answers to those questions, and even though I am here to serve you, if you ask me a question you can find the answer to on your own, I may just tell you want you want to hear (which may be less than factual).

What you can do is tell me what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend for a few days of paradise. I will find you the prefect place for your specific needs. I know we can help you, now will someone help me with the terrible 2s?

I will write again sooner rather than later.

Beth

Why I love selling travel.

2010-03-16T08:04:00.001-07:00

Why I love selling travel.

I usually fill this blog with antidotes of the silly questions my clients ask, or complaints about the airlines charging for pillows and blankets, but today I am going to tell you why I love what I do.
Obviously I am not here in an attempt to get rich, because after I pay my nanny, it is really a “wash”. Even though I LOVE the people I work with and work for, working with them is not enough of a reason to take me away from my children.
I love what I do because yesterday I came to work and found a box of cookies delivered to me from one of my clients who wanted to thank me for her vacation and finding her a less expensive rate for a future trip.
I love what I do because last week one of my clients called me to see how “motherhood was treating me”.
My clients have invited me to their weddings and children’s birthday parties. They sent me sympathy cards when I lost my grandma, cards of encouragements when I was struggling with bringing my son home from Russia.
I talk to some of my clients more often than I do some of my relatives.
I love that my clients call me after their trip to say they had a great time. I love it less when they call to tell me they got sunburn or lost their camera.
I love helping a nervous fiancé plan a surprise engagement in the Caribbean, or planning a family reunion.
I love that I can help people create memories that will last a lifetime and help make their dreams come true.
My boss is working really hard at making our website user friendly and easier to navigate. He keeps asking me to help him with it, but I don’t have the heart to tell him that all you really want is the best price possible and good service. He works really hard at negotiating the best prices possible at the hotels, but if you ever find a better deal, please call us. If there is anything else we can do for you (within reason) let us know. Making you happy is really what keeps me going. Thanks for everything and I look forward to planning your next great vacation.

Beth

Welcome to a better year

2010-01-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to Everyone

I don't know about you, but I am super happy to welcome 2010. It was the best year of my life because I finally became a Mother, but 2009 was really tough for most everyone.

I am sorry I have not been updating this blog, but it took every once of energy I had (plus a full time nanny) to figure out this Motherhood job. I have been a terrible blogger and not such a good travel agent. Anyhow, I am back. My kids are amazing, beautiful, smart and awe inspiring, but I am sure they will be happy to know I am getting back to work, even if it is just a couple of hours a day.

So this is my travel advice for everyone. Take the time for yourselves, your significant others, and your children of all ages. I have never seen such joy and happiness in my children's faces as when we spent a week together on vacation. I know it helped that we went to Beaches in Turks and caicos where the Sesame Street characters entertained them daily, but nothing at home can compete with a vacation away from home. My neice asked me if "we can live at the hotel" and every day my 7 year old nephew insisted it was "the best day of his life". If I have learned anything so far about being a parent, it is that what children really want from us is our time. I don't know about any of you, but when I am home there are so many distractions (work, laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping to name a few) but once you are away, you really have the time and energy to spend with the ones you love.

That is why everyone's after New Year's resolution should be to take a vacation with someone you love or even take one by yourself if you need the alone time. I know money is tight, but like my father always says, "you cannot take it with you".
Vacations are like pizza, even a bad one is better than nothing. If you book with us, you will not have a bad vacation.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but even a cheap vacation is better than nothing. In my former life (before having children and being broke all the time) I thought it was better to stay home than go away to a place if the sheets did not have at least 500 thread count or my room didn't directly face the ocean. I even remember telling people that wanted to keep their vacation under $500 to go camping or save their money until they had enough for a real vacation. I was really wrong. I know now that a vacation is what you make of it. Obviously if you spend $500 a night instead of $100 a night you may get more amenities, but it doesn't mean you will have more fun. I no onger think that if an all-inclusive does not serve eggs benedict or smoked salman for breakfast that there is nothing to eat. My 2 1/2 year old son ate chocolate muffins for breakfast 7 days straight and cheered every morning. We swam every day until our fingers were like prunes and went to shows every night. If you would have told me a year ago I would be going to Elmo's birthday party and liking it, I would have thought you were crazy. My point is, vacations are about doing things you wouldn't necessarily have the time to do at home. Vacations are also about trying new things and making the most out of each day.

In 2009 I learned that life is really short and unpredictable. I always said that "life is not a dress rehearsal" but it wasn't until this year that I actually started living my life that way. Right now you probably have 100 good reasons not to take a vacation, but take one anyhow. Take the time for your family and for yourself. I'll be back to you really soon with some great vacation specials, but call us in the meantime, and start planning this year's vacation.

Beth

Life is Good...Take a vacation

2009-06-24T08:44:00.001-07:00

Every day my boss asks me, “did you write your blog yet?” and every day I tell him tomorrow, because TODAY, like yesterday, I am obsessed with being a Mother. I love my job at Vacation Travel Mart, and before I became a parent, I didn’t think I would ever like anything as much as I liked working. For me, to be able to send someone on a Caribbean vacation is really fulfilling. I love that my clients are now my friends. I love the people I work with. I can honestly say I do not work for the money, but for the satisfaction I get by giving someone a “deal”. Would I work for free? Probably not.
Anyhow, so work was my life…then I won the lottery (figuratively speaking) and now have 2 children. I have a 2 month old baby girl, Kasey Caryl and a 2 year old toddler, Blake Fox. I have it all, even the white picket fence! Every day is so fulfilling and gratifying that I cannot seem to wipe the smile off my face. Don’t get me wrong, every day is not a picnic. I haven’t slept more than 5 hours in a row in over 3 months, one of my best friend’s has lung cancer, the economy still sucks and is affecting all of us, I haven’t worked out in 3 months, and the swine flu came and left us all a little scared to travel.
So I am writing with a purpose, and believe me, if I didn’t have anything good to say, I wouldn’t waste my time or your time. Take a vacation. I just took one and am ready for another one. Right now the airlines and resorts are trying to re-coup the money they lost last year when fuel prices were so high and before people cancelled their vacations in fear of catching a flu that actually started in the US and has nothing to do with poor Mexico.

My boss, Jacques, in addition to bothering me, also decided to drop our already small profit margin in order to increase sales. So, go to Mexico, or Jamaica, or even Aruba and the Bahamas. There are deals everywhere. I am telling you, I have been doing this for 18 years and I never saw an all-inclusive hotel in Cancun for $35 a night (at least not one without roaches). The Oasis Viva and Palm Beach are offering deals that cheap, and while they are not 5 star hotels, they are not dumps either. The Catelonia resorts are 5 star (on a scale of 6) and have rates as low as $50 per person, per night. There is no flu in Mexico, I promise you. It is safe and cleaner than before.

Jamaica is another place that just added about a billion new hotel rooms and is offering some exceptional vacation deals. It is not as cheap as Mexico or the Dominican Republic, but if you want to try someplace new try Jamaica. They just added zip line tours, and even a Jamaican bobsled ride.

I would write more but I would rather stare at my beautiful children. Call us, or visit our website. I know times are tough, but if you have a job you love, or a partner that makes you happy most of the time, or are blessed with the honor of being a parent (even if your kids act rotten sometimes), take a minute to smile. Better yet, take a vacation!
.

New exciting destinations

2009-04-12T03:04:00.001-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since I have written, but believe me it will be worth your wait.In case you have not noticed, we have revamped our web site! We have lowered prices and added destinations. As you know, we really specialized in Mexico and the Caribbean. My boss has a great philosophy: "if you can't do it right, don't do it at all". Our customers are used to bargains and great service. Before this recession, there was no such thing as a great bargain to Hawaii, or a family trip to Disney, or even a European Vacation. Now, my friends, we do it all!This is what we did: we didn't create the wheel, but we spent 5 months researching the best wholesale companies for each of our new destinations so you have the lowest priced vacations to everywhere without having to search 20 web sites. We did all the work for you. If you find something that we offer cheaper, we will match the price and give you $50 off your next vacation. If we are going to launch this program, we might as well do it right. I have been selling the Caribbean for over 18 years, and it is my first love. The prices are excellent, the sun is shining, and who doesn't like the Caribbean? Who doesn't like getting a deal?With this economy, if it is not on sale, I am not buying it. It is too hard to make money these days to spend it recklessly. Our web site is literally ON SALE- some places are even on the "clearance aisle" with specials up to 70% off. Now is the time to book your Summer vacation.Taking your family to Europe or Hawaii used to be for the super rich (or super in debt), but the sluggish economy have forced these normally expensive destinations to lower their prices or close their doors. The car companies could have taken a few lessons from the travel industry. Supply and demand. The airlines and resorts throughout the world are finally realizing that if they want to stay in business, they better make it affordable.So, that is very exciting stuff. We are thrilled to be able to offer you so much more at the same low prices you expect and deserve. You cant go to Europe for the same price as Cancun, but if you have always dreamed of an Italian holiday, now is the time.The other new and exciting thing is my husband and I were granted custody of Blake- our son from Russia. We go back in 10 days when his paperwork is completed to bring him home. Life is wonderful. Thank you everyone for your prayers and positive wishes. I owe you one- and I will be here for you for your next vacation travel mart vacation.Love, Beth

Our Own Stimulus Package

2009-02-03T10:25:00.000-08:00

We know times are tough right now .

If you have never booked with us or have never sent us a friend, it is still a perfect time to book with us. Read the testimonials from our clients and you will see that they all rave about our low prices compare to our competition. Considering the state of the economy we just contacted all of our suppliers and pleaded with them to lower their prices. Some resorts did it automatically. They know the state of the economy here and overseas, so if they want their rooms to be full, they have to work with us. If they don’t give us good rates, we are taking them off our program. In addition, my boss just lowered all of our mark-ups and told us to match anyone who had a lower rate.

Refer your friends to us and you can travel for less or even free.

Tons of our clients refer their friends, co-workers, and relatives to us, and we really appreciate it. Then they call us the next time they are ready to book their vacation and they say, “By the way, my cousin Ana said she booked 4 people with you. Is there anything you can do for me?”
Yes for every client you send us we will give you $25 Off your next package.
Most client have never asked for anything in return except that we take good care of them and the people they recommend. This is rare. I truly think that they are just nice people, and I have never met them, but I consider them my friends.

A couple of days ago a very nice client called (also a referral) and said he only wanted a 5 star resort, first class air, and wanted to spend less than $6,000. I gave him some excellent prices, but he wanted to go for 10 nights and the best deal I would find him came out to $7,400. He really was doing an excellent job negotiating the prices, even bringing up today’s economy and unemployment and how tough things are (all valid points). I agreed with everything he said, and then he said, “Beth, I am ready to give you $6,000 right now if you can make this trip happen”. Sure I can make it happen. You’ll now be sitting in row 12 instead of row 2, and you’ll be staying 7 nights instead of 10, but I can make it happen. He didn’t like my idea, but I didn’t like his idea either.

So this is the deal. Send us a client, even an annoying client, and if they book and pay for any of our vacation packages, you get $25 off your next trip. They have to tell us they heard about us from you, and if they do, we will email you a $25 voucher. You can collect as many $25 vouchers as you have friends, so get to work.

The bottom line is: take a vacation now prices have never been so low in the middle of the winter. If you can’t go yourself right now, send us someone else and start collecting your vouchers. It is our own little “stimulus” package.

On a personal note, I think things are going to work out for my family after all, but I don’t want to jinx it, so look for some exciting news in the next few days.

Happy new Year

2009-01-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I, for one, am glad to be rid of 2008. It was a tough year, and I am sure I am not alone in hoping that 2009 is a better year for all of us.

So far, I have not broken any of my New Year’s resolutions, which is incredible, though I sort of cheated and made realistic resolutions this year. I remember last year I was crazy enough to promise to be nice to my husband. That same night at 1:00am he was snoring so loud I put a pillow over his head and almost suffocated him. This year I resolved to “try to be more understanding and patient”. Since I was on vacation until today, it has been pretty easy.
Now, let’s see how I do today when I answer all of the emails from clients asking for $500 holidays during Easter and President’s Week.

I am not going out on a limb by saying that prices for vacations are going to be cheaper in 2009 then they were in 2008. I mean, fuel is half as expensive. However, since the airlines have cut almost 30% of their flights to the Caribbean and Mexico, it is still hard to get great deals during the holiday weeks unless you are flexible with your dates. The hotels still have the same number of rooms, so the prices are really great at most Caribbean and Mexican resorts.

I just got back from my “family vacation” which everyone knows is an oxymoron. When you are traveling with 40 family members, it should not be called a vacation. Needless to say, I need a vacation. Mom and Dad, if you are reading this, you know I love you, but I think you would have to agree with me on this one.

I think that everyone should try to take a vacation in 2009. Now, if you are not working, we may want to refer to it as something other than a vacation, but go ahead and treat yourself to a little fun. Times are tough and I always recommend paying your rent or mortgage before taking a trip, but assuming you are not planning your trip with your kid’s college funds, do not feel guilty about a little relaxation.

Go someplace where your cell phone doesn’t work and there is no internet access in your room. Learn to scuba dive or practice your lessons from High School Spanish. Try surfing or eating an exotic food that “tastes like chicken”. Last year I honestly felt bad about doing my job. Prices were so high and the future looked so uncertain. Don’t tell my boss, but I had to talk a few people out of traveling. One poor guy asked me if I could put $50 on 6 different credit cards. I could have, but I said no. Another woman told me that she wasn’t working, but she needed to “rest” before going out there and finding work. I told her to rest on the weekends, and treat herself to a massage or a matinee rather than take her severance money to Jamaica and blow it all in a 5 day span. That was last year. This year I feel completely different. This year I give you my “blessing” to take some time and money for yourself. Ask for a deal though, because you deserve one.

I want to travel too, but before I take advantage of one of our excellent deals, I have got to get my son out of Russia. It seems that the judge was not confident that the biological Mother relinquished her rights (she deserted him at the hospital and gave a fake address) to our son, so we have to wait 6 months. Keep your prayers and thoughts coming, without them we could not gotten through this tough time. So, here’s to 2009, to your health, happiness, and great vacations.

A little vacation never hurt anyone.

2008-11-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

A little vacation never hurt anyone.
It has been a long time since I have written any travel advice. My Mom always told me, "If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything."
It would have been rude of me to give travel advice when most of us are trying to figure out how to keep our homes out of foreclosure or how to keep our jobs. I have never seen such a bad economy in my lifetime, and I would have felt too guilty telling you to take a trip. It just cost too much to even drive to the airport.
Now, thankfully, fuel prices are coming way down, and the airlines are finally reducing their prices. The number of flights is still very limited though, so you have to be flexible with your dates if you want to get a deal. If you stay away from peak travel days like November 26, December 26, February 14, March 21, and the middle of April, you can really get a bargain. Just don’t fall for anything that sounds too good to be true (like I did).
My husband and I are trying to save our money, especially since we have to go back to Moscow to pick up our son next month (finally!) We have packing our lunches and eating all of our dinners at home. Last weekend we saw that one of our favorite restaurants was offering 50% off dinners even on weekends. A bargain, right? It is if you don’t mind getting 50% less food.
We left the restaurant starving, but at least we weren’t broke.
I didn’t think it was fair recommending a vacation when things were so chaotic. My clients expect and deserve more from me. Even the people rich enough to afford vacations, felt "uneasy" about taking one.
A very nice elderly gentleman recently called to reserve a vacation to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary. He told me quite honestly that his savings was worth almost ½ the amount it was worth 6 months ago. I told him that maybe he should just go out for a nice dinner or wait and celebrate 51 years next year. He insisted on going this year, and asked me rightfully, "don’t you think I deserve a little vacation? Don’t you think I earned it? I worked hard my whole life and now I want to enjoy myself and my lovely bride. I need a vacation."
He was absolutely right. I was wrong and I admitted it. Times are tough, but everyone deserves a little vacation. Don’t cash in your retirement fund, but DO take advantage of the really great deals for 2009. Every day the major hotel chains are sending specials because quite frankly, they need to.
Iberostar, Riu, and Occidental are just a few of the resorts that just dropped their rates (some up to 50%).
Maybe this year you can only take 1 family vacation instead of 2, or you compromise and take a connecting flight instead of nonstop, or even go away for 5 nights instead of an entire week.
We are doing everything we can to help you. We even just added "cancel for any reason" travel protection. Hopefully, you’ll be able to take a trip. I know I need one. I need to go to Moscow and get my son. The international adoption process, like life, is a roller coaster. Sometimes you just have to hold on tight and enjoy the ride!

Happy Days Are Here Again

2008-08-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Days Are Here Again

Well, after months and months of price increases, flight cancellations and outrageous new fees, I finally have a little good news for you.
Booking Mexico travel with us just got a whole lot cheaper. Most of our all inclusive resorts in Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel are on sale at the lowest prices of the Season.
I don’t want to sound like a used car salesman (no offense), but honestly, if you are looking for the best prices vacation packages to Mexico, now is the time to buy from the Vacation Travel Mart.
We can’t do anything about the fuel surcharges or the lack of convenient flights, but what we can do is simply lower our prices to the best resorts throughout Mexico and offer you the Absolute Lowest priced packages.

There are still plenty of flights to great resort destinations throughout Mexico, so getting there is relatively painless. Now, with the lower prices at some of the best resorts, you really have no excuse not to take advantage of some of these travel deals.

Personally, I love the Palace resorts with their stay at one and play at 5, and their complimentary sightseeing tours (I’m like you, I love anything FREE). Also on sale are the Iberostar Resorts, the Riu Resorts, and the Valentin Imperial. These are all luxury resorts that have been made affordable for your traveling pleasure. They are not cheap, but if you are taking the time and spending the money, you may as well get a great resort. My dad always says if he dies with money in the bank he “miscalculated”. What he’s really saying is, “I better spend it before my kid’s do”.

If you prefer a vacation package that doesn’t empty out your account but still allows you to have an amazing time at a great beach, try the Golden Parnassus (adults only), one of the Oasis Resorts or Occidental. We have great family vacations, honeymoon trips, and vacations that cater to the wild and crazy.

Our “red light special” this week is the Ocean Coral and Turquesa in the Mayan Rivieria. It is a 5 star resort on one of the best snorkeling beaches in Mexico. Right now, we have a ridiculously low price AND an upgrade to the Royal service jr. suite with a Jacuzzi on the balcony. I would go myself, except that I am going to Moscow tomorrow.

That’s right my friends. My husband and I got the call on Tuesday to be in Moscow on Sunday to meet our baby boy, Blake Kingsley Fox Ruben. As many of you know, we have been trying to adopt a baby girl from China (3 years) and a baby boy from Russia (1 year). We cannot bring him home with us this trip, but we will go back in about a month to bring him home. He is already in my heart, and I cannot wait to post his pictures as soon as I get them.

So, it is a great day for everyone. You get a great trip to Mexico, and I get to meet my son for the first time.

Fondly, Beth

What will they think of next

2008-08-06T08:41:00.001-07:00

What will they think of next
I can only imagine what they will think of next.

When I was in college a boyfriend invited me to Key West with him for a weekend to meet his family. That in itself is a nerve racking experience, but to make matters much worse, we had to fly from Tallahassee to Miami and then take a really small plane from Miami to Key West. The plane only held 6 people and it looked like a model airplane.
Before the trip, he had asked me if I was afraid of small planes, and I assured him I was not. So, as we were waiting to check in to “Sunshine Express”, I was trying to figure out where they put the bathroom (there wasn’t one) and how the flight attendant was going to serve our drinks (there wasn’t one) when I heard the agent behind the counter ask me, “Ms. Miller, how much do you weigh?”
“I’m not telling” I answered as my boyfriend looked on.
The agent told me that they needed to know so they knew how to fuel the plane and even out the weight for the flight.
So I thought about it. My choices were to let my boyfriend know how much I weighed or take a chance of crashing into the ocean.
“128”.
Now I hadn’t weighed 128 since middle school, but so what?
Luckily when the agent asked my 180 pound boyfriend how much he weighed he quickly answered “300 pounds”.

Pretty soon I expect the airlines to charge a premium if we weigh over 150 pounds. Why not? The airlines need to find ways to pass on these outrageous fuel charges. I can already see what it is going to be like in the very near future. When we check-in for our flights, instead of putting our luggage on the scale, they put US on the scale with our suitcases. I don’t know about you, but if that’s the case I’m bringing an empty suitcase.
Included in the cost of our tickets will be middle seats next to the bathrooms. If we want a seat with a tray table or legroom it will be $1.00 more. It will cost 50 cents each for that little overhead light, and $1.50 for the “call button”. The big expenses will be for life vests and oxygen masks. How many times have you used them anyhow?
We are already paying to check-in suitcases, for food and water, for seat assignments, and now for blankets and pillows. Are you kidding me?
The next time I take a red-eye I am filling my carry on bag with pillows and blankets to sell for $5.00 a piece. I need to make some money too.

I do have some good news though. I think the resorts in the Caribbean have realized that the air rates are too high, and many of them have lowered their rates for new reservations for the Fall and Winter.
We now have some quality all-inclusive resorts with some really great prices. If you have never booked an all-inclusive, now is the time to try it. Now that you are essentially flying “a la carte” it is nice to get to your destination and not have to pay for another thing.
Book your holiday travel early since in addition to the airlines adding on these outrageous fees, they are cutting their flights as well.
Oh, and one more thing, might as well start your diet now, you never know what they will think of next.

2008-06-30T12:08:00.001-07:00

Are you a picky person

I didn’t think was either, until I heard from more than one person that I was “high maintenance”. Initially I was offended, but if it walks like a rat, talks like a rat, chances are it’s a rat.

When my husband and I first got engaged, we went to Elkart, Indiana to meet his brother and his family. Typically when I go on vacation I buy a book on the destination or research it online to plan our fun. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Elkart is the home of the RV Hall of Fame! When we pulled up to the motel, I told my soon-to-be-husband, “Wow, I’ve never stayed at a place where you drive up to your room”. He had no idea what I was talking about. At the time I thought all hotels had indoor elevators and lobbies. Just so you know, I love my husband, his entire family and Elkart, Indiana.

My point is that I thought I was easy going when it came to vacations. I was wrong. A lot of my clients are wrong too. I always hear, “I’m not picky” or “I’m really flexible”. I’m sure many of you are, but I designed a little test. Get a pen and a piece of paper and let’s get started:

1. My idea of “roughing it” is
A. Staying in a suite at a 5 star resort with only 1 bathroom.
B. Staying in a 4 star hotel.
C. Staying at a “pension” or youth hostel.
D. A tent, a canteen, and some matches.

2. My flying preference is
A. Private planes
B. First or business class.
C. Any airline as long as it is nonstop.
D. The cheapest way possible, even if I have to stop 3 times.

3. To me, staying on the beach, or being oceanfront, means
A. I open my balcony and step directly onto the sand and ocean.
B. My room overlooks the water
C. If I stand on my balcony and look over the side I may see the ocean
D. The resort is on the water.

4. When it comes to dining at an all-inclusive resort
A. I will only eat in whatever gourmet restaurant the concierge recommends.
B. I would prefer not to eat buffets for every meal
C. As long as there are plenty of choices, I do not need gourmet food.
D. If I don’t get sick, I’m pretty happy.

5. When deciding on where to go on vacation I
A. See where Prince Charles went on his vacation and book the same trip.
B. Call American Express Centurion travel department
C. Look for a great deal to a place I would like to go
D. Pick the very cheapest place possible.

6. My hotel bathroom must contain these amenities:
A. A wide range of L’Occitane products, Turkish towels, a separate shower and bath.
B. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, cream , and a bath tub.
C. Soap, shampoo, a wash cloth, and hot and cold water in the shower.
D. A bar of soap and a working toilet.

7. When I am on vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico, the room should have:
A. Satellite flat screen plasma television with on demand movies and at least 10 English speaking channels.
B. Satellite television with at least 3 English speaking channels
C. A television
D. An alarm clock to get me up for the beach.

Score: 5 points for every A
3 points for every B
2 points for every C
1 point for every D

30-35 points: You are picky and unless you are prepared to pay big bucks for your trip, you are going to be really disappointed.
21-29 points: You have great taste, and realistic expectations.
14-21 points: You are not a picky person. You know that if you book something cheap you aren’t going to get anything fancy or out of the ordinary.
7-14 points: My kind of client! You are not picky at all.

The truth of the matter is even if you are not “high maintenance” and even if you don’t spend a fortune on your vacation, you deserve a clean room, edible food and drinks, and a wide variety of activities and amenities.

Here is an email I received from one of my clients:

“Beth,
We are really looking forward to our trip, but I have just a few questions:
Do you happen to know what kind of sheets the hotel uses? My husband is allergic to certain sheets. Also, can you find out the brand of exercise equipment they use in the gym, and if the rooms have blow dryers and flat irons? My hair gets really hard to manage with the humidity and the heat. I know I have more questions, but that is it for now.

I bet she would have scored even higher than I did.
Have a great 4th of July holiday, and save your money. Vacations are not getting cheaper, but we all deserve one.

Fondly, Beth

Good advice is hard to come by……….

2008-05-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

Good advice is hard to come by……….

Last Sunday night we all went out for dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day. It was me, my husband, my in-laws and my 93 year old grandmother (and you think you had it rough). My grandmother ordered a double Jack Daniels Manhattan for dinner. My Mother-in-law (who does not have the internet by the way) asked our waitress, “What should I order?” The waitress who was totally in the weeds, kindly replied, “Everything is great”. Then my Mother in-law asked, “What would you order if you were me?”
Does she really think she has the same taste buds as our 18 year old waitress with 20 piercings and pink hair?

I ask for advice also. Last week I tested the sales woman at Macy’s. I squeezed into a pair of jeans that were obviously too tight (but the size I wanted to buy). I asked her if they fit right, and without hesitation she said, “That is the way these jeans are supposed to fit”. I literally could not breathe, and I had an indentation on my finger forcing the zipper up, but if the trained sales woman says to buy them. Then I should buy them, right?

I do have a point here and that is, be careful what you ask, and more importantly, who you ask, especially when planning a vacation. It is ok that my mother-in-law ordered salmon because our waitress doesn’t eat meat, and the fact that I wasted another $40 on clothes that were too small, is just another day in my life. However, if you are spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a vacation, please ask the right questions to the right people.

I noticed lately that our competition has added a banner that offers “expert travel advice” from one of their “agents”. First of all, they are there to sell you a trip, so if you ask if the hotel is nice, what do you think they are going to say?
Second, they are reading from a script. The script that was written by, guess who? Somebody who wants to sell you a trip.
The third thing is, that in order to keep their costs down and profits up, these online booking engines, outsource their customer service to 3rd world countries. What kind of travel advice do you really think you are going to get?

Every day someone asks me, “Where would you go if you were me?” Great question! The only problem is that I am not you. We are all so different!
If you need advice, Vacation Travel Mart is your best bet. Not only are our prices the lowest, but we do know all of our destinations and resorts (mostly from first-hand experience and many years in the business).

My advice to you is very simple: Help us help you make the most of your vacation. A man called on Friday and I asked him where he wanted to go. He said, “you’re the travel expert, you tell me where I should go!”.
I asked, “When do you want to go?”
Him: Anytime.
Me:Any place in particular
Him: Nope, just someplace really nice, all-inclusive, oceanfront, and inexpensive.
Me: For how long?
Him: I don’t care…5 nights, a week. How long should I go?
Me: Well, do you have a budget.
Him: (proudly) We can go up to $1,000…for both of us.
My advice: Get a nice tent and visit the local KOA.
What I actually said was: “I’m sorry but I don’t have anything for you”.
Him: “I thought you said you were an expert?”
Me: “An expert, but not a magician”.

Family Vacation

2008-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Price of a family vacation………$2,500 make that $3,000
Price of fuel surcharge……outrageous.
Swimming lessons for the kids…….$500
Buying a flattering bathing suit……..Impossible.
Joining Weight watchers before your trip……$200
Watching your children play in the ocean………PRICELESS.

I know prices are high this year. I also know that the economy is lousy. I also understand your hesitation regarding traveling this summer. I get it, but I’m not 4 years old. Do you think little Mikey understands that gas is $4.00 a gallon this year instead of $2.00?
Starting kindergarten is traumatic enough without having poor Emmy arrive at show-and-tell without any sea-shells or pictures from her family vacation!

My favorite childhood memories are my summer vacations (before my parents started shipping me off to sleep-away camp) with the entire family. I don’t think we were rich when I was little, but I sure felt loved, pampered and spoiled when we took these trips.

Vacation Travel Mart can find you a family vacation, tailored to your specific needs and desires….unless of course you are clients like these:
“I want to go on a family vacation where there is a kid’s camp from 8am until midnight”.
I thought it was possible until I asked how old the children were. “18 months, 3, and 5”.
Most resorts we work with in the Caribbean only allow children to participate if they are 4 years old or “potty trained”. There are exceptions, but that is the general rule. The resorts can however, provide baby sitting at an additional fee.

“Please book me any resort where the children are free. My kids are 8 and 10, so I would prefer adjoining rooms but as long as they are close by, it should be alright”. First, children are ONLY FREE if they are sharing a room with adults. Second, are you kidding me?

“Can you please request a King bed? I know we are traveling with our 6 year old and 10 year old, but they get scared when they are in a strange place”.
I didn’t want to put them in a “strange place”, just the other bed 2 feet away.

“I don’t want to have to pay for 2 rooms. I know there are 5 of us, but isn’t there a way you can get the cost down?”
In tongue and cheek I told her that the only way to cut costs was leaving one of the kids at home, and without missing a beat she asked me, very seriously, “well, which one?” Are you kidding me? She wasn’t kidding.

There are so many family friendly resorts, and depending on your budget, we will find one that fits your needs. Things to look for:
*Children’s pool and activity center (most resorts).
*Calm ocean (Negril, Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos, Aruba, parts of Mayan Riviera)
*Free or reduced price for children under 12 (some Riu resorts, some Iberostar, all Oasis resorts, Holiday Inn Sunspree, Beaches, Princess resorts)
*All-inclusive or kitchen facilities
*Easy connections or nonstop flights, ideally not more than 5 hours away.
*Water park and/or structured activities catering to children by specific ages (Dreams, Beaches, Iberostar, Barcelo, Occidental.

Next week I will recommend great resorts for families with teenagers. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me anytime at beth@vacmart.com and I will be happy to give you my recommendation. You just have to remember, it is free advice, so you get no money back, if you don’t agree with my answers.

Listen, if there is no way for you to take a family vacation this year, start saving for next year, but spend some quality time with your family. One of my clients told me today that even though this year’s trip cost more than she wanted to spend, she would find a way to go as long “as my children still want to go”.

I am 45, and my parents have been taking us away every year since I was a little girl. It is what my Dad calls a “command performance”. Little does he know, it is my favorite week of the year, and I wouldn’t trade these vacations for anything in the world!!!!

Vacations without the special sauce

2008-04-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

I woke up Sunday morning to the Today show telling me and the rest of America that there is “more bad news for the travel industry” and that summer travel is looking “bleak”. What a way to start my day. How about some good news? In my next life, I am going to start a morning news program with just good news. There will be no traffic reports, no murders, definitely no stories about animal cruelty or dead children. I won’t even show a snow storm or a tornado. Nobody is going to mention the price of gas, or the fact that people are losing their homes. Don’t get me wrong: I like to watch a “train wreck” like Brittany Spears too, but there should be a law against bad news on a weekend morning. I am watching the Spanish networks. I have just had enough!
Then I come to work and everyone wants a “deal”. I don’t blame you. I want you to get a deal, just not the deal that includes the “special sauce”. You are all familiar with the special sauce if you’ve ever returned your food or been nasty to a waiter or waitress. I am certain that my mother-in-law has never eaten out without getting the “special sauce”.

We all like a bargain, and with the economy like it is today, we deserve a good deal. There is nothing wrong with buying generic or eating the complimentary food at Cosco. However, there is a difference between a good deal and the “special sauce deal”.
My husband loves to shop on ebay and buy “genuine designer clothes and shoes for 75% less than department store prices. However, if you look real close, one leg is a little bit shorter, the polo emblems are not exactly in the right place, and the stain from the genuine leather shoes sometimes seeps through his stocks and discolors his feet. That is my husband. God Bless Him. He would also buy the travel deal that offers $599 per COUPLE for a week vacation, and have to sit through a 4 hour time-share presentation. He would go to Alaska in the winter and Europe in August to save some money.

We don’t have those deals here. Our vacations do not come with the “special sauce”. If you want those vacations, there are plenty of places to buy them.
Vacation Travel Mart is more like a Marshall’s or TJ Max. We offer the real deal, with real discounts.

The airfares are super high right now, and I do not see them going down because the prices of fuel keeps rising and the airlines are decreasing their flights to lower costs. So, the bad news is, this years trip is probably going to cost you more than it did last year.
The good news is: despite the fact that are prices are higher than last year, they are still lower than our legitimate competitors. Recently one of my old clients called and asked if I could match a price they found from an agency he found online. I could not figure out how they got the price until I looked at the air itinerary. To save $70 per person he was willing to fly from New York to Cancun via Los Angeles California. Not only was he flying 5 hours out of his way, but he was missing his whole day at the all-inclusive he was paying for.

Aside from “deals” people want to know if the picture above my blog is me. It is not me, it is a creation from our web designer. I don’t know why it is placed so close to my blog, but who cares. I feel like most of you who read my blog already know me. I truly feel like I am friends with so many of you. For those who don’t know me, I am 40 something years old, originally from Chicago and live and love my home in Hollywood, Florida. I went TO FSU where I majored in English, but never had the patience to teach. I got married 5 years ago to a man I met on Jdate (see you can get some good deals online), and am still waiting to adopt a baby in China and or Russia sometime this Summer. I love my job even when I cannot give you the “good news” you expect and deserve. I will continue to work hard to find you the best deal possible, but I will not lie to you. If you ask me if the hotel is nice and I don’t think so, I will tell you, but remember it is just my opinion. And I will promise you will NEVER get the special sauce!.

Do you need a vacation like I do ???

2008-03-17T12:56:00.001-07:00

Did you ever have one of those bad days, when nothing seems to go right? Well, I had one of those “days” for the 9 days! I won’t bore you with all the gory details, but trust me when I tell you, I could really use a vacation!
Anyone else need a vacation?
This is the deal. There are no deals right now for March or the middle of April. If this is the only time you can travel, then be prepared to pay. Fuel prices are just outrageous, and Easter is too early (so it coincides with college Spring Break), so I don’t have any “bargains”.
We always have the lowest prices, and if it is freezing where you are, or just really need to get away, we will find you a place to go.
So, let me give you the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The good: Anywhere Spirit or Jet Blue flies to/from are still priced really low. All the other airlines match their prices, so if you are lucky enough to live near a city where they fly, we can still get you to the Caribbean or Mexico cheap.
Now is the time to book Cancun and the Mayan Riviera, Cabo, and the always cheap Dominican Republic for April, May, and June. Iberostar is on sale, as well as Barcelo, Riu, and Princess Hotels.
Aruba and Jamaica are also on sale and Aruba is especially cheap if you don’t need an all-inclusive.

The bad: finding nonstop flights, and finding resorts that offer free children. On Thursday this very polite gentlemen told me wanted to take all his 6 of children on holiday. Of course he was looking for a deal that included a reduced price for children since he was paying for all his “kids”. I asked him how old his children were and he said 32, 28, 23, 21, and 18 year old twins! I explained that all of his children were adults, and he started to argue that “they were all still his children”, and the 18 year olds didn’t even drink. While that would be lucky for him, regardless, full price applies!
There are a few hotels that offer a “junior rate” for kids 12-17, but if your kids are 12 or over, you probably have to pay. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that includes small 13 and 14 year olds as well.
I’ve been doing a trip for one family from Philadelphia since 2001 when their children were 9 and 5. Last year I finally had to ask her when the older child was going to turn 13?

Doesn’t anyone believe in karma other than me?

The ugly: Fuel, fuel, fuel. I only live 6 miles from my office, but it still costs me over $60 a week for gas. The airlines are raising their prices while we speak. Not only are the airlines charging more for seats, they are charging for luggage, and some even charge for water.
I usually tell my clients to wait to book their Summer vacation at the end of March or the beginning of April when the hotels usually offer sales. This year, I recommend booking now. There are less nonstop flights, and I am afraid if you wait for the sale, you’ll end up missing out.

Also on the ugly list: my poor clients that work at Bear Stearns. My military clients who have to postpone their vacation since they are still deployed in Iraq.
I’m also going to include on the “ugly” list the unreasonable requests I received in the last 10 days:

“I see you have a special for the Grand Princess from May 1-June 30th. Can I go on March 20th for the same price?”

“ I would like to book the $399 special to Puerto Plata from Miami, but I would prefer to leave from Wichita, Kansas. Is it the same price?”

“I am going by myself, why do I have to pay more? I am not going to use both beds”.

“Can you get me upgraded at the resort? I haven’t had a vacation in 10 years and I would really like a suite.”

“How come I am paying more for my trip this year than last year?”

“I know you said the price is $1299 per person, but if you will take $900 and guarantee a king bed, I’ll buy it right now”.

“You sound so nice. Do you want to come with me on my trip?”

“I read on-line that children stay free. Do they have to pay for their air?”

“I know it says that Holiday travel is more expensive, but what if I leave December 26th instead of Christmas day?”

I answer all questions that you are willing to ask. I just may not have the answer you want to hear.
Maybe after I take my vacation I will come back refreshed and less blunt…but I doubt it.

A gorgeous new Adult Only Resort in Cancun Riviera Maya

2008-02-12T16:18:00.000-08:00

I am writing to you so soon, because I miss you and because I have an excellent deal for you.
You know how I always say, “you get what you pay for”? I was just laughing at this sweet young lady who wanted to know if her 2 star hotel at $60 per night was as nice as the 5 star hotel at $400 per night. She was serious, so I seriously asked her, “what do you think?” She didn’t know, so I proceeded to ask her if a KIA was as nice as a BMW. So Missy from Detroit, if by chance you are reading this, please call me so we can book your honeymoon at a 5 star resort for a 3 star price.
Now, the resort is the Valentin Imperial Maya just south of Cancun. It is still not cheap but honestly affordable, and for those of you with champagne tastes on beer budgets, please take advantage of this introductory sale the resort is having. I am not getting any money from the hotel, and I really have nothing to gain by passing this on to you, except that you will be our clients for life if you go to this resort.
My boss went a month ago but he is not objective, so when he came back raving about the Valentin, I didn’t take him seriously. Then he booked his son’s honeymoon there and I started to think that maybe it was nice. So I sent a friend. She just got back and I am telling you she and her husband are not easy. In fact, they are totally impossible. I didn’t even want to book their vacation, but I explained to them that the place was new and it might have a few kinks.
It did have a few kinks, but it was still nicer than any place they had ever gone in the Caribbean or Mexico.
The hotel is adults only and super nice. It is not that outrageously expensive, but worth every penny. By this time next year they will be charging double the price and it will be full of European’s with their strong Euros.
This is a perfect place for a honeymoon, a special occasion, a Valentine’s present (how poetic would that be), an “I’m sorry I was such a jerk” weekend, or a perfect place to spend your tax rebate on.
After you go, call me, and I’ll give you my address where you send me a big thank-you note. I’ll be waiting………..
Fondly, Beth

Honeymoons and Romantic Vacations

2008-02-05T16:09:00.000-08:00

Honeymoons and Romantic Vacations

We are in the midst of doing Bridal shows in South Florida, and it really amazes me how many people are getting married! Congratulations to all you brides and grooms, and trust me from experience, you are going to really need a honeymoon after getting married! A wedding is a lot of work (less work if you do a destination wedding and even less work if you elope) but also a wonderful celebration of life and love. At the Bridal Show I would say ½ the brides wanted to go to Tahiti or Hawaii, but had no clue as to how far away they were and how much those destinations cost. One young lady asked me when the best time would be for her to go to Fiji and I told her, “either in 2010 or when you get your braces off”. Ladies, what is the rush to the altar? Take your time. Marriage is a huge commitment and so much work. Make sure this is really what you want to do. Our trip cancellation insurance does not include changing your mind about getting married (though I think there should be an insurance brides and grooms can buy to get refunds for their wedding in case of a runaway situation).

Assuming you do get married, enjoy your honeymoon. Go someplace special, but not that special that it takes you 2 days to get there and you spend ½ the money you received as gifts.One time a groom called to book his honeymoon to St. Lucia and it was over $5,000. He asked if he could have another month to pay for it because he was cashing in his 401K. I just couldn’t take his reservation. I am sure he ended up booking his honeymoon somewhere else, but at least I slept well that night.I have some great tips to save some money for your honeymoon- skipping your morning Starbucks is just not enough.Forget the gym membership- you’ll join and never go because you are so busy getting ready for your wedding.Don’t buy any fancy creams and lotions to get rid of wrinkles and spots. The cheap ones work just as well (which is not very well).Turn down the heat or air and use more or less blankets.Sneak your snacks into the movies if you insist on going to the movies.Stop buying things on sale just because they are on sale.Carpool to work or take public transportation.Stop buying wedding magazines and self-help books. Go to the bookstore, and read them there. If they didn’t want you to do that, they wouldn’t supply such comfortable couches and chairs.Sell all your junk (and your significant other’s junk) on ebay. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
Now that you can afford a honeymoon call Maritza at extention 102 or email her at msavoy@yourtripinformation.info and let her plan the perfect trip for you.For me personally, I think any all-inclusive that serves alcohol 24 hours a day, is the perfect honeymoon destination (that’s why you should call Maritza).I also think that if you love the person you are with you will have a great time wherever you go.

Happiness is what you make of life, not a destination.

The time to reserve your vacation is now!

2008-01-15T16:51:00.000-08:00

The time to reserve your vacation is now!

It is time for a vacation, right?
Some things you have to know before you reserve your trip:
In a perfect world you would know where you want to go, when you want to go, and how much you want to pay. In that case, just visit our website, book your trip, and pay. It is so simple in theory, however, you and I both know that never happens.
The reality is, you probably don’t know where you want to go. You don’t even know when you want to go (except that you probably want to go when everyone else wants to, during holidays), or who you want to go with.
I love when clients call, make a reservation, and when I get to the part when I ask the second person’s name, they tell me “to be announced”. That may work for T.V. guide when promoting a sporting event, but American Airlines will not accept TBA. They need a name, the same name that is on the person’s passport. They don’t want to see “girlfriend”, “boyfriend”, ex-wife, maiden names, or nicknames.
You may only know your significant other as Bubba or Bambi, but chances are those names do not appear on their official papers!
Now let’s say you have the right name, and you’re all set to go, but you get home from work early and unannounced and catch your traveling partner doing something unthinkable….a week before your getaway is scheduled (true story), or they get a huge promotion at work and cannot go (better story), and so you simply want to change the name on the ticket and be on your merry way. I wish it were that easy.
It isn’t. There is a penalty and it could cost you hundreds of dollars.
While I am offering free advice, I will remind you to make sure you have a valid passport.
If you are going to do research and check the internet for reviews of hotels, do it before you book the trip and pay for it. I have clients that specifically ask for a resort, only to come back to me a week before their trip to tell me that they read that “the room service took 2 hours, no beach chairs in the shade, the rooms smell like mildew, there were no washcloths in the bathroom, or the swim-up bar closed too early.
At this point, what do you want me to do? First, you cannot believe every review you read and second, the hotel will charge a penalty for canceling.
If you are too lazy to do your homework, ask us here. We do not mind answering whatever questions you might have BEFORE YOU BOOK, but after you book, once again, you are out of luck. I just had one of my favorite clients call to try to change hotels in Cancun because she just found out that they do not offer room service, and why didn’t I tell her. I thought she was joking, but she wasn’t, and now she is no longer one of my favorite clients. I am good at my job, but how was I supposed to know that room service was a requirement?
Speaking of bad luck, stop going back to our website checking the prices to see if they have changed (after you paid). Most of the time, the price will go up (as the seats sell out), but sometimes they the rates drop, and you feel ripped off. I don’t blame you, but it isn’t our fault, and there is nothing we can do. Every hotel that goes on sale specifically states “for new reservations only”. I’ve tried to cancel the room and rebook it a few days later (thought I was tricky) only to scolded.
If the air goes down, we cannot refund you the difference. Call the airline directly and try with them. I’ll give you their number. I wish we could help you, believe me.
I recently lost some weight, and bought this beautiful dress. It cost double what I wanted to spend, but it was so pretty and I bought it.
Ten days later, the dress was 75% off! I was furious. It even happened to me recently with my tickets to Aruba for Christmas. I knew holiday travel would fill up fast, so I ran my tickets 3 months in advance. A week before my trip, the air was $200 cheaper per person. It barely ever happens like that, and I do not advice you to wait until the last minute. It sucks when you find the same thing cheaper after you pay, but one thing I can assure you, our rates are always the lowest. Hopefully, you paid the lowest price.

My boss is coming back from a sales conference in the Bahamas today, where he met with all the hoteliers in the Caribbean and Mexico, so stay tuned for some really great prices to all of our destinations. Get ready to have some fun and save some money!

Until next time, I remain your friend and agent,
Beth

Happy New year to all our friends and valued customers

2008-01-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year my friends.

I just got back from a week in Aruba. I know I went during the holidays which is the worst time to travel (crowded and expensive), but that is how I knew it was so bad.
Actually we went to Aruba, to the Occidental Grand. It was much better than I expected, and quite enjoyable. Yes, you had to get up at 6am to get a good shady spot by the beach, and yes you had to fight to get into the best restaurants and the best times, but overall, it was a great place.
Aruba is not cheap. My Mom describes Aruba as “civilized”. Everyone who works at the resort speaks a minimum of 4 languages and even when it rained, it cleared up quickly. The beaches are fantastic and if money is no object, go to Aruba with confidence. I guarantee a good time!
While we are on the subject of upscale destinations, there are a few other really nice Islands for you to check out. Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Jamaica (in that order) are still going to give you the most for your money, but maybe you already went to those places. Maybe you know you are going to get a huge tax refund this year, or a distant relative you never even knew left you a boatload of money. Have I got some places for you!
Aruba is great. There are some real five star hotels, like the Hyatt and the Radisson. If you get the Royal Service at the Occidental, it is also a 5 star resort.

My pick of the day is Turks and Caicos. What an unspoiled paradise. There are no big resorts except Beaches (the best family all-inclusive in the Caribbean if you ask me) and an adults only Club Med (just average if you ask me). Turks and Caicos has great condo/hotels and are perfect for honeymooners, couples, and families. It is not a Spring Break destination which also makes it great. It is easy to get to and really low key.
The Royal West Indies resort, the Sands at Grace Bay, The Tuscany, the Regent Palms, are all fantastic and not overpriced. If you want a new place, not all-inclusive, give us a call for a quote. I have a feeling in the next year or two, Americans are going to discover these Islands in a big way which will cause the prices to rise and it may lose some of its charm.

My other hot tip for the New Year is to check the internet, do all your comparison shopping, and then call us before you book. The internet is a great tool, but there are some things the computer just cannot do. Sometimes we have unadvertised specials that are limited in inventory so not put online. The other benefit is that we know the destinations and the resorts. For example, certain resorts have renovated wings or vaulted ceilings on higher floors. We also know which resorts are offering real deals and discounts. Travel Companies have deals and “partnerships” with certain resorts and they may promote those resorts more than others. If you call, we will give you the real deal, and then some.

Last tip for the week: Start planning your Summer vacation now. At least get an idea of what it will cost inclusive of those nasty taxes.

This is not a tip, but a strong suggestion. Enjoy life everyone. Life is so short and unpredictable. My New Years Resolution (one of many) is to work hard and play hard. Life can be really good if you just take time to appreciate it.

Fondly, Beth

Mexico Vacation

2007-12-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

Mexico Vacations
I cannot believe that this year is almost over!
I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. I also want to wish you all peace, prosperity, and plenty of vacations.
I used to joke that “family vacation” was an oxymoron since no trip with my family qualified as vacation. Now, that I have matured at the ripe old age of forty- something, I treasure the times I spend with my family, especially vacations. While my family and holidays can still be stressful, when all is said and done, little else matters.

Mexico matters though. Let’s talk about Mexico, and why you should go there. For me, it is all about value and beaches. When I was 18 it was all about drinking and clubbing, but really Mexico offers so much more.
Let’s start with Cancun and the Mayan Riviera (Playa del Carmen, Tulum). Both have crystal clear blue water and white soft powder beaches. Cancun reminds me of South Beach (Florida). If you like familiarity (McDonalds, TGIF), shopping, nightclubs, and nice beaches, go to Cancun with confidence. There are enough options for hotels in Cancun that everyone should be happy. There are big hotels, small hotels, all-inclusive resorts, 5 star Ritz Carlton caliber resorts, and tourist class hotels for people on a budget or just need a place to sleep. We have them all, and we will find a perfect one for you. Just be careful in March, May, and June, when High School and College Spring Break students discover alcohol for the first time and decide to cram 4 people in a room. Some of the more upscale hotels do not accept Spring Break students, so ask, and we will let you know. There are also great family resorts in Cancun, and plenty to do and see for kids of all ages.
Mayan Riviera (just South of Cancun) is the Cancun of 20 years ago. It is quiet, though there is a town for those looking for shopping and nightlife, peaceful, and serene. Almost all the resorts are big, and almost all only offer all-inclusive, but I personally prefer this area. This is a great place to have a destination wedding or honeymoon, but is also great for those looking for something other than a beach. Mexico has so much history. Everyone who goes has to take that horrible ride to Chichen-Itza and see one of the great Wonders of The World. It is truly amazing. Also in the area are golf courses, great snorkeling and diving, as well as the Dolphin Swim encounter. If you do not like big resorts, make sure you check with us.
Acapulco is dated in my opinion, but it starting to come around again. It is still popular with college kids and honeymooners, but it is not my favorite part of Mexico.
I loved both Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. The weather, the sunsets, the stars!. I went in December and there is was humidity, warm days and cool nights. I understand January and February can be cold, so once again ask about the weather. If you’ve never been, go now before it catches on with the Europeans (like Punta Cana and Jamaica) and it is no longer affordable.
Puerto Vallarta has a charming town that bustles at night, great all-inclusive resorts and some wonderful condo/hotels that are perfect for families.
Cabo San Lucas and the surrounding areas is my new favorite place. I hated the flights from the East Coast, but once I was there I felt like a celebrity myself. There are villas, time-shares (my one complaint, the timeshare people are overwhelming), little hotels, and big resorts. If you like the ocean, make sure the resort allows you to swim in the water (some places the water is too rough).

My advise- Try Mexico. Don’t drink the water, just drink Tequila!
Until next year………..Beth

Holiday Travel

2007-11-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays! I cannot even believe 2007 is almost behind us. I have to admit that this is my favorite time of the year. I wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season.

Before I get started on destinations, I want to tell you that for some reason this year, there is still space available for Christmas and New Years. We don’t have any bargains, since neither the airlines nor the hotels need the help during this time of year, but we do have space at most of our warm destinations.
If you still want to take a trip during this holiday season, give us a call. We will find you something, but be realistic with your budget. If you are looking for a deal, try to travel in January. I travel every holiday season, and every year I wish I could wait until after New Years to go. I hate paying double the money, having to get up at 6am to get a chair at the beach or pool, and don’t like to wait in line to eat. Anyhow, that is just me. It is still nice to be with family and friends during the holidays, so I should not complain.

So, where do you want to go on your next vacation?

How about Jamaica? I love Jamaica. I love the food, the people, and the mountains.
Do I feel safe there? I honestly do. If there is one negative for me it would have to be the haggling with the locals. Staying at an all-inclusive would avoid all of this, but I love to explore and see the sights. It is fun to bargain at the flea markets, but sometimes you have to be stern and say “no” more than once. Other than that, Jamaica is fantastic. It is not as inexpensive as the Dominican Republic or Mexico, but it is worth every penny.

Who should go to Jamaica and where should you stay?

There is a place for everyone. That is part of the beauty of Jamaica. It is a perfect place for a destination wedding and honeymoon, perfect for families with children of all ages, and perfect for “hedonists”.
Jamaica has perfected the all-inclusive concept. They have been doing it the longest, and offer the most inclusions. SuperCLubs, Sandals, and Couples are all fantastic and offer great added values with golf and scuba diving included. You just can’t beat it. Be careful when choosing one of the Super Clubs resorts, because they are all so different and cater to distinct clienteles.
When I first stated selling travel, a nice young man was taking his Grandma on vacation and heard that Hedonism II was the best place to go. What did I know? The price was right and off they went. Wow! These poor people were born-again Christians and I think they are still praying for salvation for all those people. They moved hotels after 24 hours, but I learned a lesson. The next month, a minister and his wife called and asked for a price for Hedonism II, and I told them this story and recommended some other great resorts. Nope. They only wanted Hedonism II- it would be there third trip there and they even asked to be on the nude beach!
Call us and we’ll guide you to the right all-inclusive. Some are better than others, and the prices reflect those that are truly 5 star.
If you don’t want all-inclusive, “no problem”. There are plenty of hotels, from Ritz Carlton to Legends.
So, now we know Jamaica is great for honeymooners, families, and college kids (Montego Bay and Negril in March) but it is also a great destination for golf enthusiasts, and scuba divers. Am I leaving anyone out?

Now that we know Jamaica is great for everyone, you probably want to know which part of Jamaica to go to. Good question. Montego Bay is the closest to the airport, so for 3 or 4 night trips, I highly recommend Montego Bay. There is a “down town”, great golf courses, good beaches, and plenty of resorts to chose from. When choosing a hotel in Montego Bay, ask if the resort is on the beach and if so, is it a private beach.
If you want peace and quiet, do not go there in March or April because it is filled with college kids.
Negril is 1 hour from the airport, and the ride is an adventure in itself. Jamaican’s drive on the other side of the road, but I do not think there is a speed limit, and the roads are sometimes tricky. Negril is most famous for its 7 mile beach and it is spectacular. In addition to great resorts on the beach, there is the West End where you will see the most beautiful sunsets in the world. When booking hotels on the west end, be aware that there is no sand (just cliffs and ocean) and most resorts do not have air conditioning. Negril is also home to the world famous Hedonism II…F.Y.I.
Runaway Bay has a couple of great all-inclusives, is only an hour from the airport, 30 minutes from the world famous Dunns River Falls, and home to great horseback riding and golf courses.
Ocho Rios has everything; beach, golf, shopping, night clubs, a 2 hour bus ride. It is home of Dunn’s River Falls, and many 5 star all-inclusive resorts. The beaches are not as nice as Negril, but there is more “action” if you are looking to leave the resort.

What else do you want to know? The weather is warm year round, the people are friendly (sometimes too friendly), the food is outstanding, and the rum is from Jamaica so it is cheap and plentiful. It is not the least expensive Island, but it is worth the price. The most common misconception that people have is that it is dangerous and that drugs are legal. Drugs are not legal, and you do have to use good sense when leaving the resorts, but tourism is the number 1 source of income and they try extremely hard to keep us safe and happy.
Go with confidence and be safe and happy during this holiday season and always.
Beth

Message from the President

2007-11-14T08:53:00.000-08:00

Thank you for visiting Vacation Travel Mart's blog.

I started this company about 18 years ago with one goal in mind : to offer vacationers the Absolute Lowest Prices and the Highest level of customer service. We have succeeded... The repeat business represents close to 50% of our total business, we get new clients every day and our existing clients recommend their friends and family. We serve over 25000 happy clients every year and the number is growing.

I invite you to read our testimonial section, we get complimentary feedback every week and we are proud to post them on our web site.

We are a proud American Airlines preferred partner ( a few dozens in the entire US )which means that we get preferred airfares to the Caribbean. We pass along these exceptional savings to you , along with well negotiated hotel deals from our preferred hotel partners. We even have a person in our office whose soly job is to make sure that our prices are the Absolute best. We also have special airfare with Delta, Us Airways as well as with Spirit.

We are proud to announce that we just launched our new "On Line Booking Web site". You have the choice to book and pay Online or you can put your reservation onhold for 24 hours, so you have a chance to discuss your travel plans with your family and friends before confirming. Just remember that airfares are final once payment is made . We dont lose sight that you are spending hard earned money on your vacation and you want the Absolute best at the Absolute lowest prices and you want to talk to an experience agent for advice, we are here to help.

So the next time you need to travel to the Caribbean or Mexico please make sure that you check with us at www.vacmart.com before you buy anywhere. You will thrilled with both the savings and with our service. Look at our web site often as we update specials every day.

Thank you .

Jacques Abitan
President

Tips from Beth

2007-11-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce our team,

Beth is what I would call a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the Caribbean and Mexico. She knows every destination, every hotel ( or most) , she even remembers the color of the carpet in some hotels. Beth will help you find the right hotel, for the right occasion and at the price you can afford or the price you want to pay. Visit her blog often and read her Caribbean tips. You'll love it.

Maritza middle name should be " sweet and patience". You have a group, you getting married and need someone to help you set up your honeymoon talk to Maritza, she will guide you , help you and your friends ( even the difficult ones !!!) prepare a memorable trip.

Clara is from the Dominican Republic and knows her country from an insider's perspective in addition of course to all of other Caribbean and Mexican vacation Spots.

Ana , Francine and the rest of our well experience team are here to make your vacation and your experience with our company a memorable one.

Jacques

Which destination is best for us (and our budget)?

2007-11-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

I have been working in this industry for 18 years. I could write an entire book on the funny things people say and do. I’ll share just a couple of my favorites.

I was booking a vacation for a young couple for their honeymoon. They were just starting out and had a very small budget $500 per person including air out of the South. The air portion was $350 and the trip was for 7 nights to Cancun. You can do the math and recognize that they did not book the Ritz Carlton. The bride called the day before they left and asked hopefully, “was there a Jacuzzi in their room?”. I answered honestly that there was no Jacuzzi in their $40 a night room and that they would be lucky if their toilet flushed!

Another couple booked a gorgeous 5 star resort in Punta Cana (one that I highly recommended). I received a collect call from them from the resort asking to be moved immediately because “the housekeeper has no idea what I am talking about, and barely anyone around here speaks English”. I tried to comfort them with the fact that I live in Miami and my housekeeper doesn’t speak English. He did not care, and he insisted on leaving his honeymoon early.

What’s the point?

The point is: choose a destination that is right for you. We’ll be happy to help you, but you have to be clear in what you want and don’t want. A very nice woman asked me where she could go for 7 nights during the Christmas holiday for under $700 (all-inclusive as a single), and I told her camping. I’ll give you better advise:

Who should go to the Dominican Republic? If so, which part?

Anyone who is looking for a lot of destination for a little price should consider the Domincan Republic. It is a poor country, so the prices are low. The local people speak Spanish. The guests are divided between Europeans, South Americans and North Americans almost evenly, so there is always a diverse crowd. There are some topless sunbathers, but overall great for families. In the Summer time it is very hot and humid and the restaurants are mostly open-air. If you do not like the heat, ask which hotels offer indoor dining before you reserve. You do have to be careful what you eat and drink, but that is true almost everywhere. I think people get sick more for the quantity than the quality of the food and drinks. If you have a sensitive stomach, ask your doctor or take some preventive medicine just in case. You do not need shots, just good common sense. If something looks or smells “iffy” please avoid it. Eating outside the confines of the resorts can also be risky. If you are looking for premium liquor or gourmet food, you have to stay at one of the top hotels
The beaches are fantastic, especially on the Caribbean side (La Romana and Punta Cana). If you are looking for shopping and lots of culture, this is not the destination for you. If you want gorgeous blue water, white sand, great prices, and fun- go with confidence. There is also golf, casinos, scuba diving, and great spas available (for a price). Puerto Plata is the Atlantic ocean, so the beaches are not as wide or white, but it is an excellent destination if you like to explore and not be stuck at your hotel. You get more of the feel of the Dominican in Puerto Plata. Puerto Plata does not have the best beaches in the Caribbean, but they are good enough. The water is blue and calm (except in Sosua) and the sand is still soft and smooth. Puerto Plata offers a true Island experience. There are places to visit, discos, shopping areas, and lots of history. There is also a great park, Ocean World, where you can swim with the Dolphins. We send many young single people to this side of the D.R., because it is not just “families and honeymooners”.

To me, the Dominican Republic is for everyone and anyone who wants a great vacation at an affordable price.

Next week I’ll fill you in on Jamaica and Mexico…..stay tuned

Price of Oil and how it affect prices of vacation packages

2007-11-08T10:38:00.001-08:00

I know my next entry was supposed to be about other destinations, but I had to push that one back to write about the rising costs of fuel and whether or not that will affect the cost of your vacation. In a word, YES.I think that with fuel costs skyrocketing, airlines are going to be forced to increase their rates. I don’t know for sure, but if the past is any indicator, I would say rates are not going down.When people call me a year in advance for their vacation, I often tell them to wait until a sale happens to save them money (I’m sure my boss would hate to hear that). I want the business, but I also want happy clients. Happy clients are easier to work with, tell their friends about us, and book again. I am proud to call so many of my clients “friends”, After 8 years of working together, I have developed some great relationships, and I feel honored to know so many of you.Now, it is back to business. If you haven’t used all your vacation money to fill your gas tanks or heat your houses, now is the time to reserve. We have a Winter Sale going on now through November 17th, and these prices are really good. The prices are not as low as they were during rainy season, but they are lower than you’ll find anywhere else.Don’t have the money? Do what I do and charge it! I know a vacation is considered a “luxury” item for many of us, but if you are like me and work really hard, you deserve a break. What you don’t deserve is to overpay. Check out our rates on our website, but also feel free to call any one of us and ask for our help. Give us your budget and your travel dates and we will find you the best rates we can. If you are not traveling until next Summer, and are flexible with your dates and your destination, it is ok to wait until January, but if you are traveling before May 1, reserve now. Pay for your flights and a deposit on your hotel if you cannot pay for your entire trip. For me, a vacation is not a ”bonus”, it is what keeps me sane. I work really hard. I need to vacation. I love the Caribbean, and Mexico, but I also like a “deal”. I normally go to all-inclusive resorts even though I don’t like the feeling of being “stuck” somewhere. I don’t even drink alcohol, but it still saves me money.Some other quick tips:If you are looking for bargains, avoid school holidays. Teachers are smart enough to book their vacations way in advance and they take all the cheap seats.Fly during the week instead of weekends.Ask us about our charters with FunJet and Apple Vacations- we include complimentary insurance in all of their packages so we save you BIG BUCKS.Prices you see on our website are exclusive of departure taxes (about $150 per person) so figure that when making your budget.Let us know if you find something cheaper somewhere else, so we can match or beat the price.Most important is to have a great trip. For me, I know that I cannot sweat the small stuff. As much of a snob as I can be I know that if I am staying at a moderate hotel, the thread count of the sheets is going to be low and I’ll be lucky to have a wash cloth. Don’t lower your expectations, just widen your tolerance level. Call us. We are here for you.I promise more destinations next week……….your friend, Beth

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Caribbean Tips from Beth

2007-10-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Today is a very exciting day for all of us। It is the first day of my blog and your first day of truly understanding how to make the most of your Caribbean Vacation. If you really want the inside scoop on booking your vacation, this is a must read. Each week, I will give you vacation tips, answer your questions, and separate the facts from fiction. I have been in the business for almost 20 years. I have been to the places we sell, researched the ones I missed or refused to go to, and most importantly, always have your best interests at heart. I may not tell you what you want to hear, but I will tell you what you need to know! This blog will save you both time and money, so take a few minutes and enjoy. Beth

Just a little bit about me। I have been working at vacmart for over 11 years (with a 3 year break when I thought I knew it all). I love my job. As much as you are going to love your vacation, that is how much I love working here (believe me it is not for the money, even though I get paid very well).

We all love working here। It is like a family, and we don’t always agree on everything all the time, but we all respect one another and work together really well.

Now, the important stuff. Vacations should be really enjoyable. You are paying a lot (or even a little) of money for a trip, and you want it to go well. We are here to make sure that happens. Here are today’s special hints about things I hear every दय:
“I want something nice and cheap”। There is no such thing. You get what you pay for. If you pay $500 for an all-inclusive with air from NY, you will get a clean room, food that is good not great, activities that are fun but not thrilling. We will not sell a hotel that we have not personally seen, but your expectations have to be reasonable. There is always a reason one hotel charges more than another hotel.

“I’ll go anywhere at anytime”। I hear that all the time and then I say, “OK, how about Jamaica?” and then you say, “except Jamaica”। We find a place and I pick the date and then you say, “except that weekend I have a wedding in Florida”. You get the hint. The more information you give us, the better it is. We love helping you find a vacation that fits your specific needs, so have a budget in mind and let us know what it is you expect from your vacation. Do you want a health club? Golf? Children’s program? We want you to have a great trip, but we cannot read your minds!

“I found it cheaper somewhere else”। I doubt it. It happens about once a year that we cannot match or beat any of our competitor’s prices. If in fact you do see a price too good to be true, it probably is in fact not true. There is always a catch. We offer the lowest prices by keeping our costs down and volume up. We also include trip cancellation insurance. We will match almost any price from anyone (using the same air and hotel), but you have to be careful of taxes, service fees and other charges.

“What is the weather going to be like?” We are not mind readers, nor are we meteorologists, but we can give you some hints। Low season is from April until the middle of December. It is sometimes referred to as “rainy season”, but I prefer to call it low season. The prices are better, but it is hot and humid in the Caribbean during those months, so you can expect it to be warm and probably a little humid. During Hurricane Season (June to December) it is more likely to rain, but we never know for sure. Even the weather people don’t seem to know for sure. Typically, August and September are the rainiest months, but honestly, your guess is as good as mine. If by some horrible chance you book and pay for a trip and the planes don’t fly for weather issues, you get a credit for future travel or your money back (depending on insurance). During “high season” (December 15th- through Easter) the weather is beautiful- less rain, less humidity, but more money.

“Can I get an oceanfront room?” You can if you pay for it। That is the only way we can promise you that. Anyone who guarantees you something you haven’t paid for not being completely honest. We can always make special requests for you. The nicer you are, the harder we try. We can request bed type (double or king), smoking preference, and location of room. Rooms are assigned by the hotel when you get there. Even if we make the requests, we do not know if they honor them until you go. I have found personally that by bringing a box of chocolate or being extremely nice (something that does not come easy for me) brings the best results. If you are traveling for a special occasion, let us know. Some hotels offer complimentary features for special occasions.

“If I wait until the last minute will the prices go down?” Once again, no way to really predict the future। However, we work with some charter companies and hotels that do offer some last minute deals, but they are never available during holidays or when kids are out of school. If you have to go on vacation during school vacation times, please book early. The price will probably not drop, and if it does, it is unlikely to be available during the specific days you want to travel. If you are just looking for a deal and you are truly flexible, you can wait. I never do though, because I do not like to take a chance.

“How come it is so expensive? I paid so much less 3 years ago”। I paid less 3 years ago too….Not just for travel, for clothes, for gas, for my electric bill. Having said that, there are ways for you to pay less. It is not as expensive to fly during the week, during off season. Ask us which airlines and hotels are offering sales.

“Is that the best price you can offer?” Yes। I know that if you were buying a car or a house, the price is negotiable. The price we offer is the bottom line price. However, it does not hurt to ask if there are any promotions that apply, or if you have a large group, if we can work something out. Let us know if you are a repeat client or saw a “coupon” for a discount. Sometimes we can get you a lower price if you change the date by one day or agree to take a different flight.

“Do I really need the trip insurance?” If you didn’t have it, you would surely need it। We pay for almost all of it and it gives you peace of mind.

“I read a bad review about that resort are you sure it is nice?” The internet is a wonderful thing, but also can be dangerous and confusing. People can write anything they want about anything, so do your research. When I read reviews about hotels, I disregard the best ones and the worst ones. I will be honest with you though. I would rather lose a sale than to send you to a place that you don’t like. If you do not want to spend the money but still want the quality you are accustomed to, I might recommend going for less nights or waiting until I know there is a sale.

That’s all you get from me today। I hope I didn’t offend anyone who may have asked any of these questions. I am never offended when I hear them asked. My goal is to make you happy so that you tell your friends and co-workers about our company. I want you to have a great vacation and I don’t want you to overpay or be disappointed in any aspect of your trip. No matter how much or how little you pay, you deserve a great vacation and an honest and trustworthy agency to help you.

Like always for some of the best deals around and a rock solid lowest price guarantee, check out vacmart for the best cancun all inclusive deals and caribbean packages.

Until next time,

Beth