October 15- 22, 2012!

Barcelo Tucancun, Cancun, Mexico

With the recent US Government travel warning for Americans visiting Mexico, this map and chart gives clear, concise information regarding the current situation which can be helpful for those considering a vacation in Mexico at this time. The map was updated on Feb. 10, 2012.  Download Map

Coastal resort areas of Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Cozumel, Veracruz, along with interior resort areas of Guadlajara, Leon, Oaxaca, Puerto Excondido, San Miguel del Allende, San Cristobal del las Casas, and Merida are still considered safe for tourists at this time.

No matter where in the world people are traveling, visitors should always excercise due diligence in keeping aware of their surroundings, not venturing into isolated spots alone, staying in groups, and avoiding any displays of wealth as regards clothing, jewelry, accessories, and vehicles.

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A huge Bienvenue, Marhaban, Wilkommen, and Welcome to all of our newest newsletter subscribers and Facebook “like-ers”! I am so glad to have you onboard! Also, a huge note of thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth at the Savvy Bridal Fair last week at Oklahoma Christian University.

The recent year ended with a busy Fall season full of adventure, new places, new friends, and inspiring faith-filled journeys!

On our Land of Emmanuel pilgrimage to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan with Rev. Bill Pruett (St. James, OKC) and Rev. Don Wolf (St. Bernard, Shawnee, OK) our group of 26 pilgrims experienced many things, including dinners in the homes of local Christians, a meeting with

It was wonderful reuniting with many of the 41 pilgrims who travelled with us on Rev. Goin’s (St. Thomas More, Norman, OK) and Rev. Stansberry’s (Christ the King, OKC) Rome and Southern Italy Pilgrimage. Mass at St. Peter’s was a moving experience, and we had front-row seats to the driving corridor and were so close to Pope Benedict XVI as he drove by we could have touched him! Being blessed by Fr. Jim and Fr. Rick with St. Padre Pio’s glove in San Giovanni Rotundo was humbling, too.  And who can forget the beauty of Assisi, the Perugia landscape, Sorrento, the entire Amalfi coast, and more!

I know that I am hearing the weekly scripture readings at Mass from an entirely new perspective after visiting all of these places. How about you?

We ushered in the Christmas season with a Catholic group from St. John the Baptist (Edmond, OK) and others from area parishes for a fun-filled three-day trip to Branson, Mo! In addition to seeing three outstanding shows – Shanghai Circus, Brett Family Christmas Show, and the all new Hollywood Christmas Spectaular, we dined on specially-prepared gourmet fare at the Keeter Center for the Culinary Arts at the renowned College of the Ozarks, and toured the campus as well. Naturally, Christmas gift shopping in Old Town and the Branson Craft Mall was included and we even stopped for lunch at Lambert’s, home of the famous Tossed Rolls before enjoying the Christmas lights display in Sapulpa! What fun!

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We have three spectacular Catholic pilgrimages currently accepting registrations! Check them out and see why our client repeatedly book with us! We’d love to have you join us!

Catholic Ireland with Rev. Jim Goin June 18-28, 2012
Download Itinerary and Registration Form Here $300 pp deposit / Final Payment Due April 19th

“To Pray Where Jesus Prayed” Holy Land Retreat with Rev. Bill Pruett and Rev. Don Wolf Sept 6-17, 2012
Download Itinerary and Registration Form Here $500 pp deposit / Final Payment Due July 1

“Women of the Holy Land, Ancient & Modern“ with Rev. Price Oswalt and Rachel Fontanez Oct. 29-Nov. 9, 2012
Download Itinerary and Registration Form Here $500 pp deposit / Final Payment Due September 12

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Which is better: carrying the Original or a Copy when touring?

If something happens to you, you will need to be able to produce the original passport. Period. Taking a copy of a passport and not the actual passport will be of absolutely no help to you, whatsoever, if an emergency arises. If you are fairly close to the hotel or ship, someone has to go back there and retrieve your passport. If that is not possible, you will need to visit the nearest US Embassy, apply for an expedited passport at additional cost, and have new passport photos taken. Acquiring the new passport will not be accomplished in one day! In an emergency situation, time is usually of the essence. Plus, while you are waiting for your new passport, you will, of course, be out money for hotel nights, transfers, meals, etc.

Are passports needed on a “Closed Loop” cruise?

Isn’t a passport card sufficient? No! Ignore the so-called “experts” on fan websites. Even on a closed-loop cruise (one which begins and ends from a US port), if there are foreign ports of call, you must have a passport since you are under the foreign country’s rules once the ship has left US waters.  That country can refuse you entry on port calls, robbing you of your chance to explore all that the port town and its excursions have available. But, let’s assume you are deemed “in transit”, and  they do let you in. If you become seriously injured onshore, even in the case of an emergency your passport card will not be enough to fly you home to a medical facility. A passport card is good only for land border crossings between the US and Canada or the US and Mexico. If you are hurt or become sick, without a passport you can not be air evacuated to the nearest US based hospital. Instead, you would have to rent a vehicle, and drive. You might be hours away, precious moments being lost when urgent care is required.

Can’t I be treated in an emergency onboard?

Most cruise ship clinics are for minor incidents and temporary illnesses. They are not equipped for major surgeries or other pressing medical care needs. In case of serious illness or injury, you would need to be transported. That means either back to the US or to the nearest foreign facility, by air. That requires a passport.

And, if you neglected to take out travel insurance with medical coverage, be aware that most US medical insurance only covers you on US soil. Unlike our own military seafaring vessels, the majority of cruise ships are not “US soil”, even if the cruise line itself is a US operator; the ships are registered in places like the Bahamas, Singapore, Malta, etc. . So, again, serious treatment means being flown somewhere. All border crossings by air into any country require a passport. Period.

So, do make copies of your passport to include in each piece of checked luggage, to leave with a family member at home, and to exchange with your travel partner. Take a photograph of the passport number with your cell phone. These measures help with identification of misplaced luggage and other inconveniences, but are no substitute for the original document in an emergency.

Instead, go ahead and spend the money for the passport. It is good for ten years, and worth much more than its price in peace of mind.

Photo: Sam Mugraby www.photos8.com

When traveling overseas, three questions frequently asked are:
– Do I need to exchange money before I leave the US?
–If, so, how much should I exchange? and
–Where can I exchange money?

As it happens, American Dollars are accepted in many places. However, the change you receive back when spending them will always be in the country’s own currency. Sometimes, you may not receive any change back at all when using US Dollars. At least, such has been my experience.

Travelers checks are losing popularity, since they are so easy to forge many businesses – especially small ones -  have stopped accepting them. So, while they are a good thing to have available, they are not spendable everywhere.

Banks, hotels, and airport exchange counters typically charge high fees. ATM machines are often the traveler’s best friend in that they are fairly accessible worldwide, and give the best exhange rate. Talk to your financial provider to see what kind of surcharges, if any, you may be charged by the provider when using the ATM.

Large purchases should be made by credit card. Check with your credit card company about foreign conversion fees. Some companies charge as much as 3%; others do not. Do let your card company know the date you will leave the US , which countries you will be visiting, and the day you will return. That way, when a charge is processed abroad, the card company knows it really is you using the card, and your account won’t be frozen while they investigate, leaving you cut off without funds in the meantime.

I typically exchange $100 in foreign currency before leaving the US just to make it easier for purchasing incidentals upon arrival (cup of coffee, a soda, snacks, a sandwich). After that, I use the ATM for advances or purchase with a credit card.

I like working with my local bank. It takes my bank about 5 business days to procure the foreign currency for me. I pay for the order up front. The bank will buy back the unused currency upon my return, but it will be at the current rate of exchange which may or may not be the same as I paid for it in the beginning. So far, I always manage to spend most of the foreign currency and the little bit I bring back I consider “souvenirs”, and I never have that much left to worry about.

Another option is to order foreign currency from online exchange services. One of those is www.eZforex.com .  They do offer a Buy Back Protection policy. You might check them out. I have no association with eZforex.com, but mention them as an option.

www.eZforex.com advertises:

Avoid the new 3% SURCHARGE when using credit cards overseas
Buy “Currency Price Protection” before you go – return any amount at the same exchange rate as originally purchased.
Foreign Currency — Add Price Protection for More Great Savings

Again, I am simply mentioning them as one option. Other online exchange services are available. I am not compensated in any way from mentioning www.eZforex.com.

Currency Exchange

My favorite currency exchange website is the XE-Currency Exchange.  Knowing the current exchange rate when shopping is handy.

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We’ve all seen the ads from airlines and car rental agencies offering a percentage off of our next car rental if by entering a particular promotional code. Sometimes, the offer carries with it the added incentive of “free air miles”. Another ploy is to tantalize you with incredibly discounted weekly rentals. But are these offers truly in your favor? Best to read the fine print to be sure.

Many times, that percentage discount is based on the highest rental rate the car rental agency can charge. The agency is paying the airlines for those bonus miles and passing along the costs to you. This adds to both the airlines and the car rental agency’s sales volume and profits. Uncle Sam also benefits from additional revenue through its taxes and fees on each rental.

In the case of a discounted weekly rental, is there anything in the fine print disclosing the fact that if the car is returned before the seventh day that the discounted rate you agreed to will revert to the regular weekly rate? It happens. Better check to be sure. Get out a magnifying glass and read every word in the disclaimer which must be presented somewhere in the contract.

Before you jump on the promotional offer, check with your employer for company discounts. Tell the car rental agent which associations you belong to (AARP, AAA, Sam’s Club, Costco, etc). As a card-carrying member, you may be entitled to significant savings already paid for with your membership. Even your credit union or hometown bank may offer you, its client, discounts on car rentals and bonus miles especially if you have credit or debit card accounts issued through them. These discounts may be substantial without the baggage of hidden clauses, fees, and penalties.

While good value offers do surface from time to time, always do your homework to make sure you are really getting what you are signing up to receive.

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For example, Holland America has rolled out a new sustainable seafood program, adopting environmentally responsible purchasing practices and showcasing sustainable seafood on its menus. Each seafood item is evaluated for its abundance, how well the fishery is managed and what damage is done to the surrounding marine ecosystem through catching or farming of the seafood. Holland America will begin the sustainability program with its 2011 Alaska and Europe cruises, and plans to extend the program worldwide to all ships over the next year.

In Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Sandals Resorts has inaugurated the first of its Marine Santuaries Projects designed to restore the beautiful and necessary coral reefs in our water back to health and that that, in turn, will bring back a thriving community of fish, which will benefit fishermen and local economies. The company is also very active in neo-natal care support and its Give-A-Child-A-Smile program provides free dental checkups and teeth cleaning to elementary school children in its Caribbean locations.

Venice, Italy (Photo courtesy Trafalgar Tours)

Trafalgar Tours created the Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation, a not-for-profit organization supporting sustainable tourism to protect culturally and ecologically sensitive areas around the world. The joint initiative includes in its membership roster  AAT Kings, Brendan Worldwide Vacations, Busabout, Contiki Holidays, Eastern Trekker, Evan Evans Tours, Grand European Tours, Haggis Adventures, Insight Vacations, Milestones, Shamrocker Adventures, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. The Foundation’s projects have helped  Conservation International to protect three million hectares of Atlantic Forest in Brazil, and funded research and restoration in Venice to help protect the city from degradation, among many other initiatives.

How important is Eco-Tourism to you? Does a company’s interest in preserving resources through low-impact measures influence your travel dollars? Let me know what you think!

For roughly the same per person cost for a week’s typical all-inclusive resort or cruise on your private yacht charter, you can enjoy gourmet meals prepared by your own chef to your own preferences, visit a new island or anchorage every day to shop, party, or explore hiking, horseback riding, or four-wheeling; receive personalized instruction in sailing, diving, snorkeling; go jet-skiing, windsurfing, fishing; relax on deck in the caressing breeze with your favorite beverage in hand and your favorite music playing; spend quality time with friends and family, sleep in air-conditioned comfort, dress the way you want to dress, and even try your hand at “skippering”.

Why sit on the resort and watch the boats sail by when you can lounge on the boat and watch the resorts slip by? Your yacht is your own private 5* resort with an ever-changing view.

The McGregor

I welcome the opportunity to show you just how easily and affordably you can revel in luxury, privacy, and service. Treat yourself to the ultimate all-inclusive cruise vacation of your dreams aboard your own private chartered yacht! You’re sure to be amazed.

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A tour manager can help you discover authentic local experiences

Tour participants visiting with local artisan

I read a recent article in Agent@Home about the current trends in the area of escorted tours. The days of strictly regimented motorcoach tours of your grandparents’ day are going the way of the dinosaurs. It stated that the average age of travellers chooosing an escorted tour has dropped considerably. People in their late 40′s have discovered the many advantages of an escorted group tour over “doing it on one’s own.” Today’s tour operators are building in more downtime time in the destinations visited. Besides half- and full- days at your leisure for your own shopping and personal explorations, evenings are free for you to get out and experience the nighttime pulse of the area – a time when places often really come alive. Tour managers are a great asset as language liasions, history experts, and local experts on just where you can best experience authentic local cuisine, shops, and sights apart from the highly touted tourist draws. An escorted tour also frees you from the stress of logistics: car rentals, parking, reading maps and non-English road signs, navigating bus and rail systems, booking lodgings, and more. Today’s escorted tours come in all sizes, from small groups of 6-8 people to larger groups of 15-35, and serve up real cultural experience where you can meet local chefs, vintners, artisans and historians. Visit and dine with local residents in their homes, enjoy cooking classes, go behind-the-scenes of museums, or attend a concert.

I can attest to the truth of all the points mentioned in the article, having both sold and experienced escorted tours, myself. You aren’t stuck with the same people throughout the tour. Traveling companions are younger, sometimes including grandparents with grandchildren and parents with children. You have time to “do your own thing”. The friendships I have made on these tours are lasting and worthwhile. And, if visiting a locale for the first time, I would choose an escorted group tour hands down, everytime. The trick to deciding if an escorted tour is right for you is to jot down what it is you hope to experience in the destination(s) and then visit with your travel agent. Whether you wish an intimate, extremely personalized program, a total one-culture immersion or a destination sampler, your agent has the resources to match you with the right tour.

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