Now don’t get me wrong…I too am enjoying this wonderful mild winter!  Now that the famous groundhog has “officially” declared another 6 weeks of winter, aka 60-70 degree of weather.   I know all of those ski bunnies are wondering what about us?

No need to worry!  Whistler is calling your name!!!

Don’t miss out on the true winter!  Call me today to discuss your ski options for Winter Season 2012!

]]> http://travel-rrific.com/2012/02/03/punxsutawney-phil-2012-more-winter-predicted/feed/ 0 laurenliebert 98coverlg http://travel-rrific.com/2011/05/23/you-can%e2%80%99t-overcome-all-objections/ http://travel-rrific.com/2011/05/23/you-can%e2%80%99t-overcome-all-objections/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 01:05:21 +0000 laurenliebert http://travel-rrific.com/?p=529 ]]>

My boss, Anita Pagliasso writes a monthly column for Agent@Home Magazine.  This month she chose to include an exchange I had with a client who was interested in taking a Thanksgiving cruise with her family, but had some…let’s say… ”concerns.”

Without a doubt, I will go that extra mile to make sure you have the vacation of your dreams!

Here’s the link for the article, it is a great & entertaining read (TRUST ME!) http://www.agentathome.com/Article.aspx?n=2654

Contact me today for all of your vacations needs or concerns!!! 

At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the Disney Fantasy, passengers ages 3 on up, can get makeovers to resemble their favorite Disney princesses and pirates.  Captain Mickey Mouse, Princess Minnie Mouse and First Mate Minnie Mouse and Under the Sea packages will also be offered.   After making their royal entrance, young princesses-to-be are greeted by their very own Fairy Godmother-in-training, who will transform them with the most magical makeovers you can imagine.

On pirate party nights aboard the Disney Fantasy, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will transform into the Pirate’s League, where boys, girls and grownups can get ready for the pirate life.   You will be prepared for a swashbuckling evening with beards and bandanas, swords and scars, earrings and eye patches and more.

The Fantasy will sail weeklong Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, with its maiden voyage scheduled for March 31, 2012.  The itineraries feature a mixture of stops at St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Disney’s private Bahamas island, Castaway Cay.

Your child’s “Fantasy” awaits!  Contact me today at (650) 906-6000 or lauren@aticket2travel.com

From New York…
Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 20 cruises from New York – with three unique and varied itineraries.

• Eight-night Bahamas cruises that include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and a stop at Port Canaveral, Florida, giving guests an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort.  As part of this itinerary, you’ll receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between the port and resort.
• Five-night cruises up the New England coast that will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. In these popular Canadian ports, you can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafés and charming shops and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market.
• Three two-night cruises (June 15, July 13 and August 10) that are perfect for families looking for a quick getaway and a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience with a day at sea over a weekend.

From Seattle…
Beginning May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will sail another season of Alaskan cruises including seven-night voyages from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia.

These cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience found on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Disney works closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive Port Adventures that allow you to enjoy Alaska’s natural beauty, rich history and abundant wildlife.

From Galveston…
Beginning September 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail seven-night cruises from Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel.

On this cruise, your family can enjoy a tropical getaway with world-class entertainment and impeccable guest service found only on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. You’ll have three magical days at sea to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Magic and three days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and snorkel in azure waters or to shop to your heart’s content in exotic marketplaces.

If you want to secure your spot on one of these exciting new itineraries, bookings for 2012 open April 8, 2011, by contacting me at (650) 906-6000 or lauren@aticket2travel.com

Which itinerary are you most excited for?

ARRIVAL IN JAMAICA

Upon arrival, you’ll proceed to the Sandals lounge, which is conveniently located at Sangster International Airport (MBJ), in Montego Bay. Your complimentary transfer to and from the resort will be arranged by Sandals.  Climb aboard your bus and enjoy your included roundtrip airport transfer from Montego Bay International Airport to Sandals Whitehouse. The journey takes a little over one hour, so sit back and enjoy the magnificent scenery along the way.

ISLAND INFORMATION

From the moment you arrive, you’ll find yourself immersed in the untouched beauty and warm hospitality of Jamaica’s stunning south coast.  Nestled within an uninhabited 500-acre nature reserve, Sandals Whitehouse is a tranquil haven located within reach of some of the island’s most spectacular sights. This is the real Jamaica — with endless sugar cane fields and cascading waterfalls.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Discover the undiscovered. Journey to a forgotten Jamaica where the natural beauty is simply unforgettable. Within a 500-acre wilderness preserve, blue mountains, lush palm groves, pristine coastlines and shimmering turquoise waters create an unbelievable backdrop for a monumental resort. Sandals Whitehouse Europe Village & Spa perfectly blends the exotic allure of the Caribbean with the refined elegance of Europe.

Charming Italian piazzas and fountains are surrounded by gardens resplendent with fragrant foliage, while three European-inspired villages – Italian, French and Dutch – are home to luxuriously-appointed, all oceanfront rooms and suites. Each one offers magnificent views overlooking the two-mile long beach, and top tier suites come with Sandals’ legendary Butler Service. Seven restaurants serve mouthwatering gourmet cuisine from around the world, and entertainment ranges from a sophisticated piano bar to bonfire beach parties and a chic nightclub. This resort is truly a world unto itself, where time is all but forgotten and the only moment is now.

• The resort is spread over 50 acres. A tranquil tropical paradise, which sits along side a two mile beach.
• All of the rooms and suites are oceanfront
• Three distinctive architectural features. Including authentic Italian, Dutch and French villages
• 360 Oceanview rooms and suites in 15 categories.
• 7 Restaurants and 6 Bars ore on this property.
• Full Room Service to 32 One Bedroom Butler-Serviced Suites
• A beautiful Red Lane ® Signature Spa is located at this resort (spa services are at an additional cost)
•  Over 14,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, including a 3- level Theatre.

MORE QUALITY INCLUSIONS THAN ANY OTHER RESORT ON THE PLANET 

Restaurants and Bars

 Luxurious Accommodations

Private Offshore Islands

Free Martha Stewart Wedding

Unlimited Scuba

Motorized Watersports

Top Golf Courses

Fitness Centers

Land Sports

Stay at 1, Play at All Sandals

Top-Shelf Drinks

Entertainment

Beringer Wines

Airport Transfers

Tips, Gratuities, Hotels Taxes

Caribbean’s Best Beaches

Super Bowl XLV to Star on Princess Cruises “Ultimate Big Screen”
Poolside Parties Offer Top-Deck Tailgating Combined with Dramatic Viewing Experience on Giant “Movies Under the Stars” Screens

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 3, 2011) — Football fans aboard all Princess Cruises ships around the world will have the opportunity to enjoy a super tailgate party at sea this Sunday February 6, with prime viewing of the match-up between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. The “Big Game” will be broadcast fleetwide to passengers, including viewing on the ships’ 300-square-foot super-size “Movies Under the Stars” screens.

Passengers will be able to follow the action between the AFC and NFC Champions, plus see the halftime show with a performance by the Black Eyed Peas. Fans can enjoy the game with an array of tailgate treats including specially prepared chicken wings, pizza, pigs-in-a-blanket and other game day “munchies,” plus beer specials.

“The Super Bowl has become one of the favorite special events we show on our Movies Under the Stars screens each year,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ executive vice president. “Passengers can also enjoy the exciting halftime show, so we expect a festive party around our poolside big screens.”

Super Bowl broadcasts are planned for all ships in the Princess fleet, subject to satellite availability.

The Super Bowl is one of several special events shown on the Movies Under the Stars screens, which will also broadcast the Academy Awards on February 27. The giant LED screens are more than 300 square feet in size with a 69,000-watt sound system and have sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed — offering cruise passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater. In addition to regular movie showings, other special programs presented on the giant screens include sporting events such as the college football Bowl Championship Series, video game contests, a variety of event concerts, and even midnight showings of cult films such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

So contact me today, to book your next Superbowl Party!

So here’s to 2011!   Stay tuned for more destination and sales information…

Lauren

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 6,500 times in 2010. That’s about 16 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 19 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 55 posts. There were 70 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 21mb. That’s about 1 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was January 7th with 97 views. The most popular post that day was Contact Me.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, WordPress Dashboard, content.onlineagency.com, search.aol.com, and en.wordpress.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for greece, mariner of the seas, bibbidi bobbidi boutique hairstyles, oasis of the seas, and sea princess.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Contact Me July 2009
5 comments

Princess Cruises-Sea Princess Ship Inspection, Port of San Francisco July 2009

Mariner of the Seas July 2009

Athens, Mykonos & Santorini July 2009

Current or Former Criminal? Canada may not be for you… March 2010
1 comment

There isn’t anything more romantic than saying, “I do” on a white-sand beach beside a tranquil blue lagoon in Bora Bora!!!   Tahiti has FINALLY legalized destination-wedding ceremonies for U.S. and Canadian couples (in fact, for any overseas visitors over the age of 18 who are not French citizens).  So here’s the scoop:

Requirements: If you want to wed legally in Tahiti you will need to start the process at least six months in advance (you can also marry stateside and enjoy ceremonial-only vows in Tahiti with far less paperwork).  There are about six detailed documents that need to be translated and filed, including a “Marriage of Foreign Citizens in French Polynesia” document; a letter signed and dated by both spouses and addressed to the mayor of the commune where the wedding will take place; proof of identities (copies of both spouses passports); a certified copy of both spouses’ birth certificates issued less than six months prior to the wedding date, authenticated with an “Apostile,” translated into French by an approved translator and legalized by the French Consulate; a “Certificate of Non-Marital Status” signed by a lawyer, translated into French and legalized by the French Consulate; and proof of residency for both spouses (such as utility bills).

Options: Without exception, the actual legal marriage will take place at the City Hall on the island where the couple will wed. This can be immediately followed by a beach, chapel, or hilltop ceremony featuring any combination of traditional Tahitian vows (presided over by a priest in plumed headdress and ceremonial garb with both couples dressed in white pareus and adorned with crowns and garlands of flowers and then wrapped together in the vibrant “Tifaifai” or wedding quilt) or Western ceremony (presided over by a justice or minister with the couple in a wedding gown and suit).  Depending on the locale, brides or grooms can arrive via dugout canoe, electric cart, or on foot to backdrops as varied as a glass-floored overwater chapel, a private motu (small island), or a catamaran sailing Bora Bora’s lagoon as the sun dips behind Mt. Otemanu.

Locations: Almost every major resort on Tahiti’s three main islands – Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora – has wedding packages in place.

Moorea Pearl Resort – This Tahitian-owned property offers colorful, flower-infused weddings in two wonderful locations: a convenient beachfront at the resort with the bride’s arrival by canoe to her awaiting groom (about $800-$2,000 depending on extras such as musicians, dancers, and dinner), and a day-long celebration on a more private motu, reachable via a 20-minute boat ride (starting at about $2,000).  All ceremony packages include musicians, floral leis and crowns, and traditional pareus for the bride and groom, plus a beautiful bed of flowers and Champagne in the couple’s bungalow. Rates from $271.

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa – The jagged green peaks of Moorea create a stunning, altar-like backdrop as couples in white pareus and a coconut-shell top (for her) stand barefoot in soft white sand next to the brilliant pale blue lagoon and exchange vows at sunset in a vibrant and enjoyable music and dance-filled Polynesian ceremony. Here, the groom arrives by outrigger canoe and the resort offers the option of a “Mini” Ceremony (accompanied by 8-10 musicians and dancers for about $1,300) or a longer “Grand” Ceremony (15-20 musicians and dancers for about $2,000). The couple returns to their flower-decorated bungalow for canapés and Champagne, followed by a private or group dinner at extra cost. Rates from $287/night.

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – Lapped by Bora Bora’s legendary lagoon, with iconic Mt. Otemanu in direct view, this five-year-old luxury resort mixing distinctly contemporary décor with traditional Tahitian ambience is a truly memorable spot to exchange “I Do’s.” In fact, there are several locations for weddings, ranging from an air-conditioned, glass-floored overwater chapel (from $2,050 and shown at left, courtesy of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts) to a sun-dappled beach (from $1,900) – both with mesmerizing Mt. Otemanu views. The resort’s concierge/wedding planning team aims to personalize each marriage with the couple’s preferred mix of Polynesian and Western elements and post-ceremony cocktails and dining (tip: the fire dancers are a must!). Rates from $900/night (most accommodations are overwater bungalows, with a few two-bedroom family suites from $800/night).

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Couples can choose from seven wedding venues at this two-year-old five-star property – including a brand new catamaran, the Four Seasons Navigator, during a scenic two-hour sunset sail. After welcome Champagne and canapés, the couple and a maximum of 12-16 guests head up to the Navigator’s top deck for an intimate and breathtaking traditional Polynesian ceremony presided over by a Tahitian priest and accompanied by two musicians (from $2,150). As the lagoon shimmers and the passing scenery captivates, everyone revels in this very private and enchanting setting (shown at right). Other venues include the resort’s beach, its tiny offshore Sunset Motu or its open-air wedding chapel. Afterward, dining and entertainment options range from a beach barbecue (again, reserve the fire dancer!) to a fine-dining gala for up to 100. Rates from $900/night.

Celebrity Cruises has announced big changes yesterday in its two new Solstice-class ships: the “Celebrity Silhouette” (debuting late next year) and the “Celebrity Reflection” (arriving in 2012). 

The “Reflection” will actually grow in size by a meter in width and 4,000 more gross tons to make room for more cabins, a larger theater, and expanded restaurant space.  In the Lawn Club area on both ships, the Corning Class Museum and the glass-blowing demonstrations will be replaced by two new dining venues (the Lawn Club Grill specialty restaurant [$30 per person] and the Porch) and eight cabana alcoves (available for rent), plus hammocks and Adirondack chairs. 

Meanwhile, the popular Michael’s Club area will become a craft beer bar, and the Team Earth interactive exhibit will be replaced by The Hideaway (a quiet lounge area).

Without a doubt these are going to be spectacular ships, especially Reflection!

Don’t hesitate!!!  Contact me today to discuss your next cruising adventure.

THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! 

The Mountain View Chamber of Commerce is sponsering a 10-Day trip to Tuscany in March 2011, for only $2,749 per person!!!  A deposit of $250 is all you need to reserve your spot to travel one of the most beautiful regions in the world.  Please click on the link below and make sure to contact me today to book this trip of a lifetime!

10-Days in Tuscany

Pricing expires on October 15, 2010.  Don’t hesitate, contact me today at (650) 906-6000 or lauren@aticket2travel.com