Celebrity Equinox October Transatlantic

Alan & Cathy recently led a group cruise on the Celebrity Equinox on a westbound transatlantic crossing from Rome to Ft Lauderdale. As is tradition, they always share their experiences with us.

Happy Thanksgiving! It is hard to believe it is already here…..time just continues to fly…before you know it the year will be over and we will be in 2011!

It has become a tradition that whenever I go on a trip I share my experience through these e-mail newsletters. This week, Cathy & I returned from leading a group on a 2 week Trans-Atlantic cruise on the Celebrity Equinox. We went with 60 of our clients on this cruise from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale.

Cathy and I have always been apprehensive about taking a Trans-Atlantic cruise. The thought of spending a week at sea without stepping on land seemed confining. We also were afraid we would drive each other crazy in a small cabin for that length of time. However, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised….we really did enjoy the Trans-Atlantic experience. Being on a magnificent vessel such as the Equinox, there was always something we could do, including just relaxing….I could definitely vacation like that!

The cruise left from outside of Rome. While we had some clients who sailed on the prior cruise to the Holy Land on the Equinox (making it a back-to-back cruise), and a few who went into Rome a couple of days early, most of us flew right in on the day we boarded the ship. Cathy and I flew with a bunch of the guests on Alitalia direct from Miami to Rome. It was my first time on Alitalia, and they lived up to their reputation of not being the best airline in the world. The crew was not very accommodating, and they ran out of wine before they even got to us. However, it was a direct flight, so worth the inconvenience.

If I were take a trip such as this again, I would probably fly in at least a day early. It was very hectic going straight to the ship. We were tired, and jumped right into touring the next morning. It would have been nice to have a day to recover from the flight and time change, especially since the cruise began with 5 straight port days full of touring.

Since many of our clients have been to the Med before, I am not
going to go into the details of every port. The itinerary for this cruise was as follows:

Day 1: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.

Day 2: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy

Day 3: Cannes/Monte Carlo, France

Day 4: Barcelona, Spain

Day 5: Cartagena, Spain

Day 6: Seville (Cadiz), Spain

Day 7: At Sea

Day 8: Tenerife, Canary Islands

Days 9-15: At Sea

Day 16: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Here are just a few unique highlights that I would like to share for you to consider if you are planning a trip to this area of the world:

Cathy and I have been to Barcelona a few times in the past, but never made the trip out to Montserrat. This was very worthwhile. It is a spiritual mountain location with a huge cathedral on top, and home of the Black Madonna. The views are magnificent, it is truly amazing to see what was built hundreds of years ago at such high altitudes.

Cathy and I joined one other couple in the group on a segway tour of the port city of Cartagena. It was a lot of fun riding the segways….a great way to see the city. The group in the tour was composed of mostly senior citizens, and by and large they had no problem in operating the segways, including up and down hills. There was one woman in the group who was a bit klutzy and fell off of her segway twice, but there is one in every crowd. (By the way, that one was my wife!)

Tenerife is the capital of the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Africa. It is a beautiful island, with mountains and volcanoes. We visited Loro Park, which is sort of a combination of a zoo and Sea World. They had amazing exhibits with penguins, apes and more, in addition to the Sea World type dolphin and orca shows. It was a fun day! After Tenerife, we began our crossing of the Atlantic.

Every morning I would work out, and then Cathy & I would take a walk on the jogging track every afternoon. Even with that consistent exercise, I still managed to gain 6 pounds on the cruise…..the food was too good! If you have not been on the Solstice class ships from Celebrity, you have been missing quite the culinary experience. The food in the main dining room was excellent. And if you get bored there, there are many alternatives on board. They have three specialty restaurants (Silk Harvest [Asian Fusion], Murano [French/Continental], and Tuscan Grill [Italian]. Charges do apply for these restaurants, but they are each unique, intimate dining experiences that are worth the cost. The ship also has “Bistro on Five” an eatery with crepes and Panini sandwiches. The ship charges $5 to eat there, which is again, well worth it!

I felt that the buffet on the Equinox is one of the best on the sea. With multiple stations including carved meats, salad bars, grills, fresh made to order pasta, fresh made to order stir fry, pizza and a full ice cream bar, I cannot imagine a palate that would not be satisfied. This had to be the one of the most popular spots on the ship!

And there were even more food choices on board….there is a healthy eating snack bar in the Solarium and an outdoor hamburger/hot dog stand. One night, when we were tired we ordered dinner through room service, and it was also delicious and fast!

The ship had many activities during the crossing. Of course there was the typical nightly entertainment. There were lectures and courses on board including lectures on astronomy and major league baseball and computer classes. There were games available throughout the day, and we planned some game events just for our clients. By the way, I came in third place on the ship in one of the blackjack tournaments!

As for the seas, they were not bad. We were concerned about crossing the Atlantic, but today's ships are so large with the most advanced stabilizer systems that they do a great job in reducing the movement. The middle of the crossing was a bit rough with the ship rocking and rolling, but I did not meet anyone who got sick from the movement of the ship. (There were plenty of people who got sick on board, as something was going around…have to keep washing those hands when on board. We came home with colds.) Most of the trip was pretty smooth, with beautiful weather.

In summary, if you are looking for a way to see some sites in Europe and have plenty of time to relax and contemplate life, than a Trans-Atlantic cruise is for you. Other advantages include only having to fly one way and, when sailing west from Europe to the USA, there is an extra hour of sleep on most days of the crossing. And, because Trans-Atlantic cruises tend to be longer trips that are not conducive to working people, they are often excellent values.

But you do need to be in decent physical shape to make this trip. It is always tough flying, walking through the large European airports, and touring. Most tours include a good amount of walking, and the streets are often hilly and uneven. It was a bit much for some of our guests. I always recommend that if clients have walking issues that they should avoid major overseas trips, as those will be difficult.

I invite you to take a look at the pictures of our trip, which are posted on facebook. Whether or not you are a member of facebook, you should be able to view these pictures by just clicking this link.

Alan Rosen

President
Sand & C Travel

If you would like more information about Celebrity Cruises, the Celebrity Equinox, Europe cruises & tours, any of the ports mentioned, or trans-atlantic cruises, please don't hesitate to let us know!

Jewish Heritage in Denmark

If you're headed to Denmark & would like to experience a bit of Jewish heritage while you're there, Visit Denmark's Jewish-themed travel site is an amazing resource! Jam-packed with information on useful facts, historical background, and suggestions for places to go and things to see, your trip just became that much easier to plan- and that much more exciting. In addition, you can read about and then experience a fairly comprehensive history of Jews in this lovely Scandinavian country.
The oldest Jewish community in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland, & Denmark) resides in Denmark and dates back to the times of King Christian IV when he founed a city on the River Elbe called Gluckstadt near Hamburg, Germany (at the time, under Danish rule) in the 1600's. It was originally a safe haven for Sephardic Jewish merchants from many areas such as Spain, Portugal, & North Africa.
You can visit various sites on your own or join a tour specifically designed for travellers wishing to experience Danish Jewish hertiage first hand.

Sites that currently make the website's Top 5 points of interest are:

1. Danish Jewish Museum- this museum provides a great perspective on Jewish history in Denmark from the 17th century up until present day.
2. Jewish Copenhagen Walking Tour- This is the perfect combination of general points of interest around Copenhagen while also seeing & learning about Jewish history and culture.
3. The Museum of Danish Resistance 1940-1945 (Frihedsmuseet)- Opened in 1957 and inaugurated in 1995, this is a permanent exhibition aimed at telling the story of Danish resistance during Nazi occupation from 1940-1945.
4. The Great Synagogue of Copenhagen- This is the main synagogue of Jewish Danes in Copenhagen and boasts unique & beautiful architecture considered to be the masterwork of Gustav Friedrich.
5. The Rescue Route- While this may be seen through various modes of transportation, the most highly recommended is through a guided tour or specialized guide for the most engaging experience. On this route, originally travelled in 1943, you'll traverse through quaint and charming fishing villages.

View our guide to Scandinavia here!

Illustration of The Great Synagogue of Copenhagen from around 1899

Allure of the Seas

Over this past year, cruisers and agents alike have been talking about Royal Caribbean's latest ship, the Oasis of the Seas.. Now Royal Caribbean is getting ready to debut her sister ship, Allure of the Seas! She is due to arrive in her new home port of Port Everglades on Thursday November, 11, 2010.

Allure of the Seas video walkthrough from the STX Shipyard in Turku, Finland
(video credits to The Avid Cruiser)

Largest Cruise Liner Just Makes It Under Bridge
Allure passing under Denmark's Storebaelt Bridge (Great Belt Bridge) on it's 13 day transatlantic journey from the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland to Fort Lauderdale, Florida!
(video credits to msnbc.com)

Watch Allure's video logs-- find out about the new & exciting things Allure has to offer & track her progress as she leaves the shipyard in Turku, Finland to arrive in her new homeport of Port Everglades.


Ship Info:
Passengers (Double Occupancy): 5,400
Passengers (Max Occupancy): 6,300
Passenger Decks: 16
Number of Crew: 1,800

Staterooms:
Total in all Categories: 2,706
Suites with Balcony: 166
Oceanview with Balcony: 1,315
Oceanview with no Balcony: 176
Inside, Atrium View: 553
Inside Cabins: 496
Accessible Staterooms: 46

Entertainment:
Casino
Disco/Nightclub
Movies
Card Room/Game Room
Video Games/Arcade

Sports & Activities:
Outdoor Pool
Sports Court
Fitness Center/Gym
Rock Climbing
Jogging Track
2 Flowriders
Zip Line
Mini Golf

For more ship information, click here: CLIA Allure of the Seas

Phyllis' Russian River Cruise

Last week, Sand & C's own Phyllis Glaser returned from leading a small group of clients on an incredible river cruise through Russia. (I am jealous... this is a trip I would love to take!) I have asked Phyllis to write a summary of her trip, and I am delighted to share it with you below. You can also see pictures from the trip on Facebook by clicking here. I enjoyed reading about her experiences, and hope that you will too!

If after reading Phyllis' summary you would like more information on Viking River Cruises, Russia, and/or river cruising, feel free to contact us!

Alan Rosen

President

Sand & C Travel

A Summary of Phyllis Glaser's Russian River Cruise

I have just returned from my Russian - Waterways of the Czars cruise on Viking River Cruises as a tour escort and would love to share this memorable experience with you. We were a group of 8 from Boynton Beach and Delray Beach. I was the only one who knew these people, but by the time we landed in St. Petersburg we were a most congenial and cohesive group. Only one couple and myself had cruised the European rivers before, and the others are now avid river cruisers after the fabulous experience with Viking River Cruises.

Our monumental 13 day itinerary was an epic journey through Russia's rich history.

Days 1-4- St. Petersburg included the legendary Hermitage Museum where you just marvel at the vast collection of art, antiques, and sculputres in 600 rooms. Then we visited Catherine's Palace, which is the elegant and rococo 18th century summer residence of the Russian Czars. In the town of Pushkin, 20 miles away on the Baltic sea, is Peterhof Palace- known as the Versailles by the Sea. It was built in 1721 and is known for its Grand Cascade of 64 fountains, waterfalls, and 37 statues in its sculptured gardens.

On a free time afternoon, the shuttle bus dropped us off at their downtown shopping area- Nevsky Prospect- to explore on our own. Just seeing the display of clothing, jewelry, and gifts was indeed a far cry from the former Soviet Union. Then there was a private tour of the Choral Synagogue, built in 1869. A very imposing building, it is once again becoming the cultural center for the St. Petersburg Jewish community.

In the evenings, Viking had arranged a ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet at the famous Alexdrinksy Theatre, with its 19th century opulence. Another evening, after dinner we just walked along the pier to Viking River's own tent to see a traditional Cossack folkloric show.

Being the ship was moored on the Neva River about 30 minutes from downtown, we got to see the new office and apartment buildings that have been built in the post Soviet years. They rival that of any USA city, except for one thing- no central air conditioning. In the office buildings, it is called 'air cooled' but in the apartments you could spot an occasional window air conditioner which was definitely needed in their hottest summer in 130 years.

Day 5-9 were spent cruising the 2 largest lakes in Europe- Lake Lodoga and Lake Onega to the Svir river stopping off at medieval villages that were walking tours:

Mandrogy- a model Russian community with all handmade crafts of the finest quality.

Kizhi- a UNESCO World Heritage Site- site of the Transfiguration Church, a fairy tale structure built in 1714 without a single nail.

Goritzy- arrived in this typical Russia village town after cruising along the Volga River, going through 7 of the locks on the way to Moscow. The tour of the Monastery included an Acapella concert by the monks.

Yarslavl- will be celebrating its Millennium Jubilee in September, it was founded in 1010 and is now a city of 500,000. We had a bus tour that included stopping off at an outdoor farmers market- a combination of The Boys and an outdoor Festival Flea market! It is perched on the river bank with a promenade 10 miles long.

Uglich- walking tour of this provincial village on a Sunday morning where we had another traditional choir performance.

Day 10-13 Moscow- scenic cruising along the Volga River, viewing the countryside, summer homes while sitting on the deck as if we were on a Caribbean cruise! Then all of the sudden there are the high rise apartment buildings coming into sight as we are moored on the Volga River in the suburbs of Moscow- 30 minutes from the Red Square and Kremlin. It was like being on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River viewing the New York skyline.

From here on out, it was non-stop bus and walking tours for 3 1/2 days. The first tour was experiencing a ride on the famous Metro. We rode for 4 stations that had paintings, sculptures, and not one item of graffiti. Then to the impressive Red Square. We had to pinch ourselves that we were really there! It's massive and highlighted by the GUM department store, and the 16th century St. Basil's Cathedral with its 21 onion shaped colorful domes. Viking arranged an early evening musical concert of young artists that was a delightful end to a busy day.

The Kremlin, which looks like a medieval fortress, is a category unto itself. It represents every era of Russian history for the past 700 years. Just going through security, seeing the former KGB building, and all of the other military items- cannons & bells- left us with an eery feeling, not believing that we were really witnessing modern Russian politics. The churches are all museums now. At 10:00pm, we all went on a Moscow by Night bus tour- it's most impressive from the GUM department store that looks like a lit up gingerbread castle to the crimson domes of St. Basil's Cathedral and the red stars on the Kremlin towers.

An optional private tour that I had arranged but was open to anyone, was a visit to the new Holocaust Museum with a synagogue that was just built in 1999. Located in Victory Park, it was an educational experience with our local guide translating from the curator. We viewed a war film and then saw displays of family artifacts that were centuries old. It was indeed a very moving experience. Then it was the final sightseeing trip- the Choral Synagogue of Moscow, a most impressive structure built in 1906.

In between all of this cultural sightseeing, onboard we had Russian language, history, and current affairs sessions. Not only was the brain fed, but Viking's chefs prepared gourmet meals with presentations that whet the palate at all times. All eight of us agree to that- so that is testimonial in and of itself.

Read our quick guide to Russia!

Celebrity Cruises & Apple technology

Celebrity Cruises is the first in the industry to offer self-guided art tours with iPads! These tours will be available starting August 15 on the Celebrity Solstice and August 21 on Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Equinox. Languages offered on these tours currently include English, and will include Spanish by the end of 2010, German & French in 2011.
Currently, their ships are equipped with MacBook workstations as well as an enrichment area where you can participate in courses offering usage tips led by certified staff. This area is called the Celebrity iLounge and has garnered a very positive response.

Frommer's Best Beaches & Ports for Cruisers

Check out Frommer's article on the Best Beaches & Ports for Cruisers around the world.

The Best Beaches and Ports for Cruisers

By the time your ship docks in port, you want to make a beeline for the beach. Don't know where to go? Here are the best beaches in some of the top cruise ports around the world.

The classic cruise experience is all about glistening white ships heading for balmy, sun-drenched ports with great beaches, seaside cafes, and enticing shops. From the bands of sand in Grand Cayman to sexy St. Barts, we cover the best ports for sun-worshippers in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and more.

1. French Polynesia

The waters of French Polynesia are dotted with motus, tiny coral islets ringed with palm trees and covered in sugary sand At least one of these often nameless beaches are included on French Polynesia cruise itineraries. Cruise lines typically set up a barbeque-style buffet and arrange for local entertainment to set the mood on the powdery-sand stage. Grab a cold drink, lean up against a palm tree and pinch yourself -- you're really not dreaming. You'll be mesmerized by the way the teal water contrasts with the bright white sand and cloudless blue. You'll likely be equally entranced by how the traditional Polynesian dancers shake their grass skirts and coconut-shell bras in perfect time to the folk songs and ukuleles.

2. Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

One of the world's most beautiful cruising regions, the British Virgin Islands offer a glimpse of what the Caribbean was like 75 years ago. Laid-back, off-the-beaten track, and sun-drenched without the crowds or commercialization, the BVIs attract true-blue yachty types. All three islands --Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke -- have hidden coves and small bays dotted with sail boats. Mountainous Jost Van Dyke is the most remote and covers just four square miles, with the sands of White Bay as the best beach spot. Tortola is the largest and busiest of the three, (relatively speaking) and boasts crescents of white sand along its northern coast, including Cane Garden Bay and Smuggler's Cove. Virgin Gorda is famed for its giant boulder-strewn beach called the Baths, a photogenic spot for a swim.

3. Barbados

This quiet British isle harbors some of the Caribbean's best beaches, not to mention some of the friendliest locals. A drive around Barbados is worthwhile to explore the rolling hills and flatlands, but it's the coastline that deserves top billing. Grab a taxi and go beach hopping -- from the rough waves that meet the sand along the southeastern coastline (the highlight here is the cliff-framed Crane Beach) to the calm and sheltered waters in the southwest's Gold Coast, the preferred spot for swimming and playing. The best beaches here are Payne's Bay, and also Brighton Beach, Brandon's Beach, and Paradise Beach.

4. Mykonos, Greek Islands

On the sea approach to the port town of Hora, white-washed homes and chapels with their brightly painted doors come into view along with island's sandy coastline. The best beaches near Hora include Paradise (the island's original nude beach and a party scene), Kalafatis, and Aghios Stefanos beaches. Besides sunbathing, the best thing to do in Mykonos is stroll. Wend your way around the cobblestone streets to snap pictures of the blue-domed churches, windmills, and the ubiquitous outdoor cafes. Settle down at a table and let the ocean sounds and views set the scene for an excellent Greek meal of fresh seafood, juicy red tomatoes, feta cheese, eggplant, kalamata olives, phyllo pastries, and great local wines.

5. Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is quite possibly the most recognizable beach destination in Asia. It's also a port that promises a great beach day, plus some local culture. Patong Beach is where all the action is. Many megaships anchor just offshore, and restaurants, bars and shops line several streets behind the beach. Spread out your towel, sip the cool water from a freshly cut coconut, or order a chilled bottle of Singha beer from a local vendor. Try your hand at parasailing, or just chill out and relax. Kata and Nai Harn are other appealing beaches in Phuket, but they're about a 30-minute taxi ride from Patong. Definitely make time to check out the island's most noteworthy temple, the Wat Chalong monastery, with its gilded spires, golden buddhas, and other ornate details.

6. Cairns, Australia

When ships call in Cairns in northwestern Australia, there's really just one place to go: the Great Barrier Reef. Sign up for an all-day catamaran excursion and head for one of the world's richest marine habitats. Sit back on the deck and soak up the sun on the 90-minute ride out, then hop overboard and check out the marine life. You might see giant clams, seahorses, sea turtles, porpoises, humpback whales, or examples of more than 1,500 species of fish, from clownfish to coral trout. Diving here is thrilling too, but even the snorkeling is incredibly illuminating.

7. Grenada

Unlike much of the Caribbean, there's an old-time Caribbean feel to Grenada that's very appealing. Ships dock or anchor off the capital town of St. George's, set around a tiny horseshoe-shape harbor filled with colorful skiffs. The two-mile long Grand Anse Beach set just a few miles from the docks is an idyllic broad arch of white sand that meets the calm seas. A few bars and restaurants along the beach make it the perfect place to spend the entire day. Save time to head up to Fort George for 360-degree views of the harbor area, and make sure to walk around historic St. George's before heading back to the ship.

8. Monaco

Glamorous Monaco is built into a rocky promontory jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea just a few miles down the coast from the French Riviera towns of Cannes, Nice, Villefranche, and St. Tropez. The tiny Principality of Monaco is a perfect place for strolling and people-watching. Take in views of the yacht-filled harbor, the frilly Beaux-Arts architecture of Monte Carlo Casino and sumptuously ornate Hotel de Paris, the flower gardens, the hilltop Prince's Palace, and all those beautiful people -- there really are playboys zipping around in million-dollar red sports cars. Sip a drink at an outdoor cafe or do some sunbathing at Larvotto Beach. But remember, it's not the sand you come here for -- the beaches are narrow and pebbly for the most part. You're here for the scene and sheer beauty of the place that has inspired painters for centuries.

9. Miami

Iconic Miami Beach is America's answer to Acapulco, Rio, and Monte Carlo, and it's a great town to spend a day or two in before or after your cruise. The South Beach strip of hip Art Deco hold-outs, fancy schmancy new hotels, a happening art scene, and hot nightclubs all conspire to create a definite buzz in Miami. There's no better place to imbibe it all than along the expanse of sand stretching for about 10 miles along South Beach and beyond. Lay your towel in the powdery sand or stroll the wooden boardwalk that runs between 21st to 46th streets. For the best people-watching and model-spotting, head to Lummus Park Beach in the center of the Art Deco District around 10th Street. Family-friendly South Pointe Park is also a fine place for watching the cruise ships come and go.

10. Cruise Line Private Islands

Last but not least, the big cruise lines have private beaches or whole islands in the Bahamas or Caribbean dedicated to fun in the sun. Water sports are offered, lunch is provided, and bars dispense plenty of cold beers and frosty cocktails. Most offer massage services, activities for kids, and beach chairs to call your own for the day. Some of the best beaches include Disney's Castaway Cay, a Bahamian paradise with its own dock, bike rentals, a hair-braiding shop, parasailing, and a 12-acre snorkeling route. There's a teen beach with volleyball and soccer; a drop-off area for kids (ages 3-12) with an excavation site for an archaeological dig; and an adult beach called Serenity Bay, with seaside massage cabanas. Holland America's Half Moon Cay also earns top honors for its kiddy water park, the air-conditioned, beachfront cabanas for rent, horseback riding on the beach, and swimming with tame stingrays. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity's CocoCay gets big points for its kiddy aqua park and battery-operated mini race cars for young cruisers as well.

Read the full article here: Best Beaches

Why Buy Travel Insurance?!

You've likely heard plenty about travel insurance before and you may or may not have opted to purchase it. If you have, you know and appreciate the benefits and security it provides for your vacation. If you haven't, why not? One great example of travel plans gone wrong are when travelers were interrupted by the volcanic eruption in Iceland, resulting in cancelled flights among other issues. Compiled by AMA Waterways, here's a few examples of common issues travelers often face that travel insurance would take care of.

1. It's 10p.m. and you and your immediate family arrive at the airport for a connecting flight, only to find that your flight has been cancelled. Who can assist you with finding new flights to catch you up with your cruise?
2. Your bag was lost with your insulin inside. You need help to locate your bag as soon as possible and have your emergency prescription filled. Who do you call?
3. Your first river cruise in Russia, your passport and wallet are stolen. Where do you turn for emergency cash, and how will you get your passport replaced?
4. Your sister-in-law becomes seriously ill and you must cancel your cruise, what happens to your non-refundable deposits or pre-payments?
5. You arrive in Prague for your Danube cruise and your luggage doesn't. If it's lost, who will help you find it? If it's delayed, who will pay for your necessities? If it's stolen, who will pay to replace it?
6. You're walking down a street in Amsterdam and twist your ankle. Who can help you find an English-speaking physician?

Here's another great source of information-- on The Today Show Matt Lauer and Peter Greenburg did a piece on travel insurance explaining why one would purchase insurance and the different types available.

9 Reasons to Buy Travel Insurance

1. Your flight has been cancelled
2. Your bags are lost and your medication is in it. You need to have an emergency prescription filled.
3. Your passport and wallet are stolen, and you need emergency cash and a replacement passport.
4. You need to cancel your trip due to illness.
5. Your cruise line, airline, or tour operator goes bankrupt. You need your non-refundable expenses covered and to get to your destination.
6. You have a medical emergency in a foreign country.
7. A terrorist incident occurs in the city where you're planning to visit and you want to cancel your trip.
8. A hurricane forces you to evacuate your resort, hotel, or cruise.

Basic Types of Insurance

• Flight Insurance
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
• Health Care Insurance
• Baggage Insurance
  

Read the full article & listen to the video clip here: 9 Reasons to Buy Travel Insurance

Here at Sand & C Travel, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your vacation because you never know what could happen- between natural disasters and operator issues- it's better to be safe than sorry!

10 Weirdest Sites to See in America

Here's an article from the Huffington Post detailing the 10 Weirdest Sites to See in America, from albino squirrels to gravity vortexes! Click the link to read the full article, complete with photo captions. Would you visit any of these places or have you?

"America the beautiful, sure, but America the strange? You bet. Hit the road this summer and seek out the curious and entertaining oddities sprinkled across the nation (many are conveniently located off major highways). Set out to scratch your travel itch, but count on scratching your head, too."

Albino Squirrels. Olney, Illinois










Carhenge.
Alliance, Nebraska










Corn Palace. Mitchell, South
Dakota









Desert of Maine. Freeport, Maine









House on the Rock. Spring Green,
Wisconsin









Lucy the Elephant. Margate, New
Jersey









Marfa Lights. Mitchell Flats just outside
Marfa, Texas









Oregon Vortex. Gold Hill,
Oregon









Petrified Wood Park. Lemmon, South
Dakota









Twine Ball. Darwin
Minnesota









Coral Castle. Homestead,
Florida









World's Largest Catsup Bottle. Collinsville,
Illinois

Monograms: Travel Made Easy

Don't you wish you could travel without lifting so much as a finger on logistics AND have someone available at your beck & call to help throughout? It's possible. And affordable. Here's how it works:

When & Where

You choose a destination and date. Are your travels taking you to Europe, North America, South America, Asia, or the South Pacific?

Where to Stay

In each location, at least one hotel has been preselected to ensure that the level of quality is up to par and the location is near where you need to be. You may choose from the list provided or opt for one not listed.

Getting There & Getting Around

Transportation- be it from a dock, airport, or rail service- is taken care of. You'll never have to worry about how you're going to get from point A to point B. Based on when you intend to travel, all flights will be booked to perfectly coordinate with your travel plans. You'll benefit from Monograms' partnership with airlines and receive low airfares.

Things to Do

In conjunction with your destination, a variety of activities, attractions, and tours can be chosen. This selection includes the must-see sights of the city as well as other interesting things to do and see.

Chow Down

A full buffet breakfast, the most important meal of the day, is provided. For lunch and dinner, enjoy exploring a little and get a taste of the local culture.

Personal Service

From the moment you decide to travel until the moment you return home, you'll have access to a knowledgeable and helpful travel expert or local host to help with any questions or concerns. Prior to traveling, a travel expert will help you to understand and personalize your trip. Once you arrive, you'll have access to a local host who is able to provide information about the city, helpful hints and recommendations, and ensure you have what you need to make the most of your holiday. You'll have a 24-hour Service On Call phone number should you need anything.

Why?

You're likely wondering 'What's the point of using this? I could figure this all out on my own.' Well, yes, you could. But why would you when instead of spending days and multiple resources finding the same information you can take 10 minutes to choose, personalize, and book your entire trip. With a site such as Expedia, it may be slightly less expensive (likely about 5%), but you won't have access to the local host, transfers from the airport to your hotel or hotel to train station, etc. Also, you can avoid an experience like this! (After booking her entire trip & receiving all confirmations, upon arrival at the airport she was told her tickets were nonexistent.)
Additionally, more hotels, activities, & excursions have been added and prices are lower. This service is ideal for first time travelers, baby boomers, honeymooners, girlfriend getaways, families, and cruisers.

Are you green?

The troubles caused by BP's malfunctioning oil well (among other issues) have reminded us lately of the ever popular 'Green Movement'. Fifteen to twenty years ago, being called a tree hugger was insulting but now everyone from students to multinational corporations to governments around the world are falling in line with this trendy movement. This got us thinking about how this movement might cross paths with your world travels. Here's a nod to all things green.
Would you take a green vacation? (This would include where you stay, transportation, activities, etc) Let us know in the comments or contact us today!





Sailing the open ocean
Many cruise lines are also following suit on this initiative. Often they have their own set of guidelines, in addition to government and environmental agency regulations. Some of these efforts include not dumping untreated waste water, donating cooking grease, using cooking oil as biodiesel, finding ways to save fuel while sailing (tweaking docking times, altering speeds), installing eco-friendly lighting & energy-efficient appliances, using special tinting to help keep the ship cooler & reduce its dependence on air conditioning, incinerating & processing waste on board, and recycling to name just a few. Currently, cruise ships meet or surpass all US and international environmental laws.


Resorts gone green
Resorts are also joining in on the effort by making buildings more efficient and emitting less harmful waste into the environment. The following are the top 1o eco-resorts worldwide.

1. The Lodge at Sun Ranch. Montana, USA
2. Southern Ocean Lodge. Kangaroo Island, Australia
3. Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat. Broome, Australia
4. Hotel Punta Islita. Guanacaste, Costa Rica
5. Spice Island Beach Resort. St. George, Grenada
6. Shergarh Tented Camp. Kanha Tiger Reserve, India
7. Nihiwatu. Southwest Sumba, Indonesia
8. Tenuta di Spannocchia. Siena, Italy
9. Angsana Resort & Spa Ihuru. Ihuru, Maldives
10. Hotelito Desconocido. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

More accessible hotel chains such as Marriot and Starwood are making it easier to travel green as well. Courtyard by Marriott has achieved volume pre-certification for green buildings although it merely provides the option and does not require builders to follow the guidelines. Starwood's new Element brand not only has received volume pre-certification, it also requires that all buildings meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status. Click here for further information on Starwood's Element brand and here for locations!

"The 2010 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks 163 countries on 25 performance indicators tracked across ten policy categories covering both environmental public health and ecosystem vitality. These indicators provide a gauge at a national government scale of how close countries are to established environmental policy goals. The EPI's proximity-to-target methodology facilitates cross-country comparisons as well as analysis of how the global community is doing collectively on each particular policy issue."

1. Iceland 93.5
2. Switzerland 89.1
3. Costa Rica 86.4
4. Sweden 86.0
5. Norway 81.1
6. Mauritius 80.6
7. France 78.2
8. Austria 78.1
9. Cuba 78.1
10. Colombia 76.8

*The US ranked at #61 with a score of 63.5

Quick Recap: What does it mean to go green & how does one do such a thing?
Ultimately, going green is an attempt to mitigate the destructive aspects in our everyday lives. As globalization makes the world a smaller place, our actions are increasingly effecting lives in other parts of the world. (Think: Danish children playing with toys made in China, etc) These steps can start with something small & easy like recycling and using reusable grocery bags. By helping out our environment, we're ultimately helping pad our bank accounts, staying healthier, and improving our overall quality of life.