travel | hotel

Cheap Family Fun Vacation Destinations in the USA – Unique and Affordable Ideas

November 15, 2018

| travel, vacation

Cedar Breaks National Monument, located in Dixie National Forest in south western Utah, is a great spot for camping with family without breaking the family vacation budget. The place is very beautiful and inexpensive also. This region is popular for valleys, mesas, rivers, and cliffs. In summer, the lush green alpine meadows and beautiful wildflower shows attract everyone. This natural landmark offers many facilities like fishing, boating, hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, or discovering the place with your camera. The Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau can guide to plan your tour making it kids-friendly and economical.

Another idea to make your family vacation a fun in an economical way is to use the facilities provided by the RV Industry Association. One can hire a motor from El Monte RV to travel with children. You can take with you everything required during the trip, as the company’s motor is lust like a huge home-on-wheels. You can stop where you want to. This gives a sense of adventure. There is no need to pay airfare, stay at shabby motels and costly hotels. You can make your meals and enjoy it on board, and avoid spending on expensive food items.

Fort Collins, located in northern Colorado with the beautiful Colorado Mountains in the background, is a wonderful and quite reasonable family vacation spot. Fort Collins has hundreds of miles of bike tracks and nature trails ideal for biking and picnicking. There are many family-friendly activities to do in northern Colorado. Poudre Canyon is known for picnic, hiking, and biking. Besides, there are Westville Zoo; Gardens on Spring Creek; Greenway Paths; and Bee Family Centennial Farm, an interactive museum where one can know about farming in the past and present.

Fort Collins has many parks covering more than 800 acres of devoted park area, plus the easily reachable playground at the new Spring Canyon Park. Other attractions include Science by-way – Cache La Poudre/North Park Scenic Byway, Old Town Square live music concerts, Fort Collins Museum, and Environmental Learning Center where one can watch rehabilitated birds, stroll on the nature paths, or take part in current educational activities. All these unique ideas can make your family vacation fun-filled and inexpensive.…

Las Vegas – The Best Way to Enjoy a Las Vegas Vacation is When it is Free

November 12, 2018

| hotel, vacation

Yes, I said a free Vacation to Las Vegas, and no I have not had a few too many free cocktails at my favorite Las Vegas casino. Over the last few years I have made many trips to Las Vegas and a couple of them have been free. The trips included airfare and hotel. With those two major expenses taken care of, I had more money to see shows, eat in fancy restaurants, and gamble.

You have to remember that finding a free vacation will take a little effort on your part, so if your willing to exchange a little time for an airline ticket and a free hotel room this information is for you.

The first way to acquire a free vacation is not for people who can not end a lousy sales person talking to you for one to two hours. If you can constantly say no, then taking advantage of the companies selling timeshares may be for you. Simply go to your favorite online search engine and type in timeshares and you will be seeing a lot of companies offering vacations and other gifts, if your interested simply contact them and sign up. If you can not take a two-hour presentation, or you can be talked into buying things you do not need avoid this method at all cost.

I went through one timeshare company and three hours and saying about a hundred times, I finally left with my vacation package. I had to pay the taxes and wait about sixty days before I could actually go because of date restrictions, but finally with a little persistence I enjoyed my free, three-day vacation in Las Vegas.

The second way I won a vacation was by entering a sweepstakes on the Internet. Well, actually I entered about twenty! I remember my girlfriend telling me there was no way I could win. So when I did win and it included three nights at the Bellagio I made her apologize before I took her with me!

The third way is to search all your local charity raffles. I can usually find several a year that offer inexpensive tickets with a chance to win a free Las Vegas Vacation. I always buy these tickets and if I do not win at least the money goes to a good cause. Sometimes you can find these raffles on the Internet locally or all across the country with your favorite search engine.

Always remember that even if you win a free Las Vegas vacation you will have to pay the taxes. So if you are willing to invest a little time and effort a free vacation can be yours.…

Swing Away During Newquay Holidays

November 10, 2018

You can splurge your dog-friendly holidays in Newquay with a plethora of thrilling activities you can explore along the coastline, with Mother Nature, or indoors. Your dog-friendly Newquay holidays will be most memorable if you take time to visit all the local attractions. Beach bums will love to get a good tan or just hang out at pristine beach resorts. For compulsive shoppers, enjoy some retail therapy. Pub lovers will not be disappointed with the traditional pubs offering great food and drinks as well as warm hospitality. For water sports adventurers, you can engage in swimming, diving, jet-skiing, water-skiing, kayaking, sailing or boating. For those who wish to have a gastronomic journey, you can head out to fine dining establishments. If you are a golf enthusiast, swing away in one of the awesome golf course around Newquay.

Cape Cornwall Golf Course

Your Newquay holidays will be most satisfying if you can visit this golf area. Play to your heart’s content in its premiere location. It will be a worthy endeavor during your holidays in Newquay because you can get to explore the fascinating fairways, cliff drops, and lush vegetation in the course way. The surroundings are ideal settings to a peaceful game of golf with your buddies and other visitors. Relax frayed nerves and ease anxiety and tension while swinging away the best you can. You can be sure of the many benefits that your game of golf can bring, like improved resistance, stronger muscles, a slimmer body, and a healthier and improved immune system. If you visit Newquay frequently, you can also avail of memberships in the Cape Cornwall Golf Area. The friendly golf members would welcome you openly.

Bowood Park Hotel Golf Course

This magnificent golf course is set on 230 acres of excellent golfing area. During your Newquay holidays , visit Bowood Park Hotel Golf Course and be revitalized by its charm and beauty. The beautiful hills, verdant trees, and complete amenities are luxuries you deserve during your dog-friendly holidays in Newquay. Take advantage of the challenging golf games as much as you can. You can meet many businessmen and holidaymakers here. Swinging away in its lush greereries is a therapeutic session. The exciting golf manoeuvres executed in this golf area are similar to that of world-renovated golf courses around the world. You will be treated to a picturesque view while playing golf. Concentrating on your next move is not hard to do especially if you are surrounded with the beautiful and serene landscape. Tee time at Bowood Park Hotel Golf Course is a fun and inspiring activity for family and friends. Golfing is a good exercise for physically active people who would like entertainment and healthy routines at the same time.…

An All Inclusive Vacation in the Beautiful Caribbean Islands

November 7, 2017

| travel, vacation

There are many all inclusive Caribbean vacation packages that are available to tourists worldwide. The typical cost of an all-inclusive Caribbean vacation can range between $ 700 and $ 1000 per person for a four-day trip. There are many options that are offered by travel agents and you should browse your options thoroughly before making a decision.

All inclusive Caribbean vacation packages

Travel agents often perform many promotional activities in order to further their business, especially during holiday season when competition is highest, and it is this time that you can find the best deals for all inclusive Caribbean vacation packages. Since these packages are typically announced close to the holiday and fall seasons you really need to be careful with your planning so that you can get your tickets booked and everything mapped out in order to cover as many places as you can visit in the short duration of your all inclusive Caribbean vacation package.

Depending on the type of package that you opt for, there will be different kinds of concessions and facilities offered to you. For example, some packages may include sailing, kayaking, and tennis at the place where you stay. Some other packages would go a different way and offer more options for kids. Yet others would offer casinos, spas, health clubs, temporary golf memberships, and so on. And there are always the extra offers at an additional cost that might include water-sports, fitness centers, piano bars, and so forth. It should be clear that the greater the options provided within and all inclusive Caribbean vacation package, the higher will be its cost.

Fine Print

Most people just look at the broad details of all inclusive Caribbean vacation packages but that is a very bad idea, you should look at everything in detail, especially the fine print (or items that are followed by a *), because these are the hidden costs that no one will tell you about until you get the bill. You are going on a vacation for a pleasant time, so do not let something as silly as a hidden cost spoil your fun. Most packages will include the air fare and accommodation costs but you should read to be sure whether the meals are included or not and how much, if anything, you will have to pay for the local activities once you are on vacation.

Resort choices

Do not select an all inclusive Caribbean vacation package solely on the merit of cost and features. Check out all the facilities that will be available at the resort you will be staying and whether it measures up to your requirements. Different people have different needs. Some need fitness centers, beauty shops, sports activities. Families with children have different kinds of requirements so you should be sure that you will be comfortable where you are going.…

Best All Inclusive Cruise – Get Away on a Great Vacation Cruise

November 22, 2016

| travel, vacation

If you are looking to taking a cruise vacation and you may want to choose an all-inclusive option. Many of us dream of getting away on a vacation cruise and now with many of the cruise companies lower their prices it can be a reality for you. There are many advantages to taking an all inclusive type of vacation. The largest advantaged you will have is a have is your entire vacation will only cost you one price.this can be important because when you take a regular vacation you never know what it is going to cost you for food and other activities. With an all-inclusive cruise your room, food, and activities are all paid for in one price.

It is always better when you take a vacation if you can have everything included in one price. This is the advantage you get in taking an all-inclusive cruise vacation. Make sure that when you talk to your travel agent you ask them to look for a cruise where everything is included. it is important that you make sure that before you book you know about all the fees that you’re going to pay so there are no surprises in the end. If you are planning a vacation usually consider a cruise to a destination that you have always wanted to go to.

Remember that taking an all-inclusive cruise is your best option for an affordable vacation. Many people are taking advantage of paying one prize for their food, room, and all activities. In a traditional vacation you usually pay for the room but there are many other costs involved such as food and activities.…

Alaska Ski Vacations – Is Alaska The Best Skiing Spot In The World?

November 13, 2016

| hotel, vacation

The word Alaska brings to mind a sense of wealth and sheer open spaces, while being recognizing as a natural source of awe and mystery – plus being one of the best skiing spots in the world. Considered by some as one of the finest four season resorts, the Alyeska Prince Hotel and Ski Resort – located 35 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska – has a top elevation of 2,751 feet with a 2,501 vertical drop. Alaska has some of the best skiing in the world, yet at the Alyeska Resort we do not find overly crowded slopes with long lift lines. To accommodate the large number of skiers, there are nine lifts, which includes six chair lifts, two surface lifts, and one cable car line. There are 68 trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts, with the major of the trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Nighttime skiing is allowed, which helps to make the ski experience more adventurous and thrilling. Exciting views such as the snow-capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and of course, the famous Northern Lights can be seen during this time. Skiing Magazine rankings this resort number nine of the top 25 killer ski trips. Every year, this skiing winter wonderland receives about 631 inches of snow, warm the hearts of the world’s skiers who enjoy traveling to Alaska. Once a person stays at the Alyeska Prince Hotel, there never will be a doubt this is the place to stay for the utmost Alaska ski vacations!

The ultimate enjoyment of their elegant rooms and exquisite dining, combined with popular nightly entertainment, shows the Alaska ski resorts are the perfect places to vacation, where you can not only ski but also enjoy the last of our country’s great frontiers. At the Alyeska Resort, the perfect winter vacation can be experienced when spirited outdoor skiers brave the elements, then return to the Alyeska Hotel for some old-fashioned, home-style pampering. Get a taste of what Alaska is really about and what serious skiing is! There are enjoyable activities for the entire family, from grandma and grandpa on down to tiny toots, with many area sights and attractions to be seen. If you decide to “go out on the town” while touring the area, several nightlife spots are just as fun and enjoyable, but are not associated with the Alyeska Price Hotel.

Mid-November is when the skiing season begins at the Alyeska Resort, running until mid-April. This area encompasses the longest daytime hours in the United States, having sixteen hours of daylight each day in the month of April. During December, however, there is only seven hours of daylight, which means there is more time for night skiing. If skiing is something that does not interest you, then tubing may. The Glacier Tubing Park features two lanes of terrain, with a surface lift – everyone in the family will enjoy spending time here. Also is the Alyeska Terrain Park, an absolute must for snowboarding enthusiasts.

Other winter activities that can be enjoyed in …

Famous Sites in Sweden

June 20, 2019

Sweden is probably commonly used as the country from the midnight sun, the birthplace of ABBA, the Volvo and also the Saab, and one or more of the world's most peaceful nations (it has not engaged in war in 200 years). With this sort of a reputation, Sweden is difficult to beat as a traveller magnet.

The capital city, Stockholm, is with out a doubt one or more of the world's finest and most beautiful. Tourists flock towards town for its shops, nightclubs, waterways, museums and parks. It can be interesting to note that whilst Stockholm is definitely modern and first-world, among its attractions is an old town with medieval, cobblestone streets. This is Gamla Stan, a charming, labyrinthine complex of souvenir stores and ice-cream parlors that are every single visitor's delight.

A different must-see in Stockholm is Skansen, an outdoor museum charmingly situated upon a hilltop. Initial opened in 1891, it now has on display 150 conventional conventional homes that reflect Swedish living in previous generations. These houses have inmates appropriately attired in period costumes, making for a spectacular scene severely discovered elsewhere internationally.

Stockholm, as is all of Sweden in the main, is ideal for outdoor activities. The most common spare time activities are skiing, canoeing, hiking and cycling. Berry picking, when the season permits, is much less acknowledged but also counts as another favorite activity. Although cycling or hiking, a single may pass across fields of stone graves or possibly even trod more than an historic king's burial mound. These are evidence of Sweden's more warlike past, when Vikings pillaged whole villages a incredibly far cry from the present peaceful and neutral stance adopted by the region.

The optimum time to travel to Sweden is some June to September, when the weather conditions are at its finest. It is significant to note that daylight varies very throughout Sweden. In Stockholm in December, the sun generally sets as soon as 3 pm.

Swedish is the national language, but almost all Swedes speak good English. Several Swedes are thoughts to be heavy coffee drinkers who in addition have a fondness for vodka. The world-famous Absolut Vodka originates in Sweden.

On the downside, the cost of everyday living in Sweden is rather high. Even so, cheaper choices are available if 1 looks for them. …

Travel Nursing Options

June 19, 2019

Do you think you want to live in a different state or part of the country without making a final commitment? If so, travel nursing may be for you. These are only a couple of reasons to consider being a travel nurse.

There are many other benefits of travel nursing. You can use your travel allowance to rent a room, apartment, house or maybe even a RV. You don’t even have to pay taxes on it. The hourly rate of pay is substantially higher than a fulltime permanent staff member at the same hospital. This could enable you to work fewer hours and spend a lot of time sightseeing or with your family. Choose to work forty hours a week and set aside the salary above what you would receive if you had a regular nursing job. With the increase in salary per hour and your rent paid for you could save a sizable down payment towards the future home of your dreams. Already have the home of your dreams, the travel allowance will pay your rent and you can continue to make payments on the house you already own.

The employer offers health insurance that is comprehensive and immediate including medical, dental and vision. Many times the above insurance plus life, accidental death, professional liability insurance are available to you free of charge. Another perk is free continuing education and licensure renewal. Usually you can participate immediately in a 401K plan with employer matching and receive referral bonuses for anyone you refer after they complete a three to four month assignment.

Due to the extreme shortage of nurses, the odds are significantly in your favor that a nursing job in your specialty is available in the area in which you wish to work or visit. If you were looking to move into management, the opportunity to be exposed to many different management styles would be to your benefit.

As a travel nurse you must be able to go into a foreign hospital and work independently. The company that you do travel nursing for will assist you in obtaining the necessary credentials and education.

Now that you know about all the benefits, how do you get started? You must have a least one year of current acute care experience to be considered. Go to the company’s website and fill out an application. It will consist of registration where you get an ID and password. Complete all sections including the personal information, professional information, work history, legal questions and the appropriate skills checklist. Once they have completed verification of the information you provided and you have passed the necessary background checks you are on your way to your first job as a travel nurse. They will assign you a recruiter who will provide guidance from this point. At last you have taken control of your future and decide where, when and how long you work in each location.…

Comments: Arizona Golf Package – Scottsdale Vacation

June 17, 2019

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Laugh Your Way Through Your Family Vacation

June 16, 2019

It's vacation time. Two days from now you have about 1 w weeks off work. You, your spouse and two teens are heading off on a camping road trip. You find yourself working like crazy to get ready – there are so many details to think of and organize – and you find yourself wondering why you ever agreed to this type of family vacation .

By the time you leave no one is relaxed. In your exhaustion, you fret about what you may have forgotten. Your spouse worked to the last minute to be able to get away and plans to make a couple of last-minute phone calls at the first rest stop. The adult stress has spilled over and the kids are cranky.

Typical? Unfortunately, the bigger problem is not the preparation itself, but the fact that it may take you the better part of a week before all of you are relaxed enough to really feel like you're on vacation.

Then, as you finally are able to enjoy the vacation, it's time to head for home. Were you really on vacation, or were you the butt of a family-style cosmic joke?

Is it possible to minimize this laughable situation and get psychologically into your "vacation mode" close to the beginning of your vacation? I believe it is, and the key word is "laughter."

Laugh and joke about the ridiculous number of details you have to look after on both the work and the home fronts before you can leave. Laugh about the fact you're inevitably going to forget something. Laugh about the previous times you've missed a connection. Laugh about the fact that you might not be able to find a camping site or a motel and have to drive into the night. Laugh with your kids about the hardship of being away from their friends.

Laugh at what stresses you. Laughter reduces the release of stress hormones, thereby inhibiting the fight or flight response. Laughter creates bonding, and after all, is not re-bonding part of why you would take a family vacation? Laughter helps to control the emotional climate and lowers the risk of confrontation. Laughter harmlessly and subconscious releases stored negative emotions. And laughter is contagious.

So start laughing early in the vacation cycle and everyone will have a better time.

Take a supply of CDs that you will all laugh at, and make sure the kids pack their funniest DVDs.

Mishaps make the best stories, so tell the stories of previous vacation mishaps. And every time there is a mishap or misstep on the trip, laugh about the fun you'll have back home telling the story. …

The Vacation Experience Of A Lifetime – Hershey Park In Pennsylvania

June 16, 2019

| hotel, travel, vacation

If you are heading up towards Amish country in Pennsylvania you need to make sure you make time for Hershey Park. This city that is great for year round vacations offers all sorts of activities for families that are just a lot of fun. When you are in Hershey, Pennsylvania, you will be able to enjoy it all no matter what your age.

Hersheypark is the best family amusement park, or so voters say. The rides, attractions, and games are a lot of fun and designed specifically for families. This theme park has more than 60 rides from roller coasters to family rides and kid rides to water rides. Hersheypark opens for a few days in May and September and is open full time in June, July and August. The price for Hersheypark also includes ZooAmerica entrance, so keep that in mind. Fun times to visit the park include October for Halloween thrills and December for the Christmas Candylane.

Other fun activities in Chocolate Town USA include the Hotel Hershey where anyone will enjoy the spa and kids have their own club. Zoo America is close by and is a decent sized zoo that can be easily walked through and enjoyed. The Hershey's Chocolate World is also a cool place to visit and kids can even pack their very own Hershey's kisses. Seeing how the chocolate is made and packaged is really a lot of fun and educational.

The best time of year to visit depends on what you want to do. If you want to visit Hersheypark then visiting May-September is the best plan, unless you want to be there for the Halloween or Christmas festivals. Remember that the summer months have more tourists and the park is more crowded, but the weather is generally nice. May and September are often better times to visit if you want to avoid the heat and the crowds. Your budget may affect when you travel as well and if you are trying to save money then the earlier and later months are generally cheaper as far as lodging is concerned.

It is a good idea to book your vacation in advance to ensure you stay at the hotel of your choice and to lock in rates. If you wait until the last minute you might not get the exact vacation you were looking for. Also, booking online will regularly save you money. These tips can really help you plan your Hershey, Pennsylvania, vacation. …

Staycation – The Next Best Thing To Vacation

June 15, 2019

| recreation, travel, vacation

What made me think about a Staycation is the cost of fuel. Prices are getting so high that many have to stay home. I love having a vacation at home, but sadly, this summer is already getting crazy busy with plans and travel. I have company through out the summer, a trip up north (to the Northwest Territories) to see family and friends, a trip down south for a family reunion, camping, and then my sister is coming home from Kenya Africa for a visit – so I will be spending as much time with her as I can. When it gets this busy, I honestly shake my head as to why I bothered planting a garden or flowers …. I will not get to enjoy them. Oh well.

Back on to Staycation. If you are planning on enjoying a lovely summer at home, there is one problem I encountered … and that is to "walk away from work!" It is a hard thing to do, but that is what I wanted to remind you to do, I give you permission to leave your laundry, your dishes in the sink, your floors unwashed on those gorgeous hot days when you should be outside enjoying them . If you do not – the next thing you know summer will be over and all you did was your normal routine. You will not have enjoyed any "recreation," you will be lacking sufficient rest and rejuvenation. After all, the root word of recreation is "recreate" or to make new again.

Make A List

The first thing I suggest is to start a list of the activities you would like to do this summer. Much like goals, if you do not write them down, they are really just a wish list, and you have nothing concrete to plan or work towards. You do not want this to be another summer of regrets. Get your family to write down the activities they would like to enjoy too.

Make A Tentative Schedule

I do not like to have a schedule when I am on vacation. As a matter of fact, the reason we loved one Resort in Mexico so much was we did not have to make dinner reservations. The last trip there they kept calling us to find out where and when we wanted to dine. I was really annoyed. I soon changed my attitude when they forgot to phone me for my reservation one night. We went to dinner and had to wait in line for 1 1/2 hours to eat. They did not phone me after that …. I was phoning them.

So I am not suggesting you make a schedule, but what I want you to do is start penciling an activity each week on your calendar for two reasons:

So you actually plan on doing it

To make sure your list is realistically possible. You may realize it is not possible to do everything on your list, so you may need …

Six Best Ways to Save On Hotels

June 13, 2019

| hotel, travel, vacation

It is common to forget your budget and overspend when you travel for a vacation. Money may the last thing to worry about when taking a break from the real world. However, it is prudent to consider what would happen when you go back home from a vacation with an empty pocket. To avoid such, you need to save money during your vacation and accommodation. Here are six tips on how to save on hotels during your vacation.

Stick to Your Budget

As mentioned, sometimes you may forget the budget and overspend on the hotel, so stick to your budget. To do this, first decide how much you wish to spend. Second, decide what conveniences, comforts, and other variables you need from your accommodation. Such consideration will help you plan your budget and stick to it.

Be Flexible

If your schedule can allow it, travel for your vacation during off-seasons. During such time, the hotel prices are reduced. You will not only save money, but you will also avoid the competitive crowds. You can also book a hotel on weekdays rather than weekends.

Bundle It

You will save money on hotels by bundling travel essentials when you go on vacation. Using websites such as Expedia, you can acquire a hotel reservation, cheap airfare, and a rental car in a package, helping you save much money. Include the reward program information on your website profile.

Consider a Hotel Credit Card Offer

Most chain hotels have free rewards programs. You accumulate points if you shop with the hotel's partner company or book hotel rooms. You can use the points for a free hotel stay, therefore, saving money.

Look out for Deals and Coupon s

An online search for coupons can help you save money. Such coupons carry deals and discounts. Sign up for money-saving sites such as Living Social and Groupon that allow you to see the city page you are planning to tour. Look for reduced prices for resort and hotels packages on a daily basis. You may find coupons at train or bus stations, airports, tourist attractions and rental car companies.

Consider a Hotel Credit Card Offer

Some hotels have credit cards associated with hotel rewards programs that you should check out. You receive points when you charge purchases to the card, and you can earn a free hotel stay. You may earn double points if you use your credit card at the affiliated hotel.

Final word

It may seem a challenge, but planning for your accommodation in advance pays off. Choosing the best time to travel, researching to discover the fees, amenities and hotel site helps you save money. You should also look out for coupons and reward programs. …

Best and Worst Times to Travel to Europe

June 12, 2019

| hotel, travel, vacation

When planning your European trip, check your arrival and departures dates and see if they take into account peak, off-peak and shoulder travel periods.

Peak periods are the times when majority of travelers fly in and out of countries and these periods usually coincide with school holidays, Christmas, Easter and New Year. The country you are flying into will also have peak periods unique to that country, so expect flights and accommodation to be heavily booked and tickets to be more expensive. This peak period generally covers late December to January (because of the Christmas season) and late June to the end of August (summer break). Travel during the Christmas holidays can be difficult as plane ticket prices soar and ski resorts start overcharging. Public transport is also reduced in most areas since only a few trains will leave on Christmas day. The “shoulder period” is in spring and autumn and the low or “off-peak” periods are usually in the remaining months and in the winter.

If you have only a limited time to see Europe, your best bet is to fly in and out during a shoulder period. Prices are almost at their lowest and travel conditions are great because you can avoid the crowds and the overpricing. If you have a lot of time to spare in Europe, try flying in the low season when fares are cheapest so you have more money to spread over your stay. It’s always a good idea to start checking airfares 3-4 months before you leave. Airlines are starting to discount in order to reward early bookers and there’s a lot time to wait if you think they’re too high. The cheapest ticket prices might turn up on the net or at your ticket office at anytime. And while you’re at it, make sure you’ve already reserved your accommodation 6 weeks to 2 months before you leave. It’s a good idea to reserve a hotel for your arrival and departure days. The rest can be reserved afterwards. Also, remember to check for travel dangers and updates. Your government and insurance company might draw the line if you visit a certain territory they’ve warned you about. Be informed about the dangers and uprisings in the country you are visiting and do last-minute updates to check conditions right before you leave.

For most seasoned travelers, the best time to see Europe is from April to June and September to October when the weather is still warm, the holiday crowds have left and accommodation and transport are regularly priced.

In contrast, the single worst time to visit most parts of Europe (especially the western and southern countries) is the month of August. This is when many Europeans leave and take their holidays in nearby countries as well. The cities can be deserted and as a result, accommodation prices shoot up and finding a bed can be very difficult. Buses and trains will often be packed and it can be a struggle to get a seat …

The Six Principles of Service Excellence

June 11, 2019

Creating a culture of service, performance, and operational excellence does not happen by chance. It takes a sound, systematic process, implemented throughout the organization, to create sustainable change.

During my 17 year career with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how creating a clear and simple service culture and holding everyone accountable for embracing it could create global, long-term recognition and success. After I left The Ritz-Carlton, I made it my mission to study other world-class organizations in hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. In doing so, I found that there were many other organizations that also enjoyed sustainable success and recognition for driving excellence through employee engagement, customer loyalty, and ultimately profit dominance. During six months of in-depth benchmarking and research, I found six common principles that all of these organizations shared which attributed to their long-term success.

Thus, I created the customer service business model popularly known as The Six Principles of Service Excellence.

* Principle 1 – Vision & Mission – World-class organizations that are able to create and sustain a culture of service excellence have a sound vision and mission that is known, owned, and energized by every employee. In such cases, their vision statements clarify what they aspire to be in the future; while their mission statements articulate their purpose, what they stand for.

* Principle 2 – Business Objectives – World-class organizations that are able to create and sustain a culture of service excellence have clear, simple, quantifiable organizational goals and objectives that every employee is aware of. They don’t confuse employees with a multitude of objectives, but select 3-4 that employees not only know, but also understand how the work they do contributes to the successful achievement of them. Along with objectives that focus on growth and profitability, world-class organizations also have service-oriented objectives that focus on customer loyalty, employee engagement, and some form of quality improvement.

* Principle 3 – Service Standards – The purpose of service standards are to clarify for employees exactly what actions and behaviors are expected of them in driving excellence everyday, and creating customer loyalty. World-class organizations that are able to create and sustain a culture of service excellence create and regularly communicate the standards of excellence (key touch points) that are necessary in bringing their vision, mission, and business objectives to life. They do not leave this to chance.

* Principle 4 – Intervention & Learning Strategy – Just as they have a sound strategy in place to ensure financial success, world-class organizations have systems and processes in place to ensure their service philosophy (vision, mission, business objectives, and service standards) is interwoven into every aspect of the organizational culture. When it comes to employee recruitment and selection, new employee orientation, training and development, performance management, reward and recognition, incentive programs, and so on – the service philosophy is integrated each step of the way.

* Principle 5 – Organizational Alignment – World-class organizations that are able to create and sustain a …

Three Ways to Travel Without Traveling

June 10, 2019

| travel, vacation

What do you love most about travel? I love the feeling of freedom from my day-to-day routine, freedom from pressures, and mostly freedom from stress! Plus, the adventure of seeing new sights, meeting new people, and immersing myself in another culture.

So how do you get that without actually traveling? My favorite way is to read a great book. It can be an old favorite, or a new adventure, but it has to pull me right in and keep me there so snuggly that I can’t even think about anything else! My whole body says, “Aaahh.” Then I get excited about what’s going to happen next. The atmosphere and adventure of another time and place can work its magic to make me feel I’ve left my own home and flown off to some great new experience.

My most recent favorite book for that type of “travel without travel” is Adventures of a World-Traveling Scientist by Stanley Randolf. Imagine discovering secrets of unusual cultures, weird animal species, new perspectives (like “following your Soul Voice”), and scary moments just around the corner! From China to Rarotonga, I felt very-well-traveled, like an aristocrat from earlier lore.

Then there is foreign film with subtitles in your first language. You may find yourself thinking differently about life after watching something that takes place in another land. But I still prefer the books!

Another way to travel without traveling is through finding new cultures right at home! Or nearby, if you can get to a larger city. Most towns have at least one ethnic restaurant that will not only serve new-to-you food, but will delight you with a unique atmosphere or artwork and music, and possibly even entertainment native to the owner’s original culture.

Still, books are the best to me, because I don’t have to eat the unfamiliar cuisine if it sounds really awful, but I can pretend I’m still open to it. And with a good imagination, books can make you fly away to lands unknown with a joyful freedom of heart and soul!

Imagine yourself where you want to be. The beach in Hawaii? The Taj Majal? The Great Pyramids in Egypt? No matter where you long to go, if you read about it, you will have a greater feeling of being there than with video, though that may help. Simply think about not just how it would look to you, but how it would smell, sound, feel emotionally, and even feel physically when your feet hit the sand, or your hand touches a very old stone. It can become very real and truly turn into a “mini-vacation.”…

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