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Activities & Tips for Hitting the Road This Memorial Day Weekend

It’s estimated that 34 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend, and most of them plan to get there via car! If you live near any of the destinations below and are up for road trip, read on for some great ideas as well as valuable tips to make the most out of your weekend getaway.

• New York City – The options are endless in NYC as there are an abundance of street fairs, free concerts, family festivals, and walking tours this weekend. Plus, since many New Yorkers will be traveling to the Hamptons this weekend, you’ll find the streets are less crowded, and thus, a more enjoyable experience for tourists. Shop for NYC Hotels

• Washington D.C. – There’s tons to do in Washington DC this weekend as the nation’s capital celebrates this special holiday. Perhaps most noteworthy is the National Memorial Day Parade taking place on Monday at 2pm. Marching bands and veterans from all across the US flock to the area to be part of the parade. There’s also a free concert on the West Lawn of the Capital on Sunday and features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra. Shop for DC Hotels

• Boston – Head to Boston if you’re in the mood for some fun, especially for those seeking a musical adventure! Boston has a full line up events over the course of the weekend including a concert by 20th century American composers featuring clarinetist Ray Lam and pianist Yelena Beriyeva, a Reggae concert, and even a four-day event that features multiple Blues, Celtic, and Country performers (Club Passim Campfire). Shop for Boston Hotels

• Phoenix – Phoenix hosts many festivities this weekend to celebrate the holiday. This weekend, the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps will debut their 2012 musical production “Left of Spring” as the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts hosts the Memorial Day Celebration at the Pera Club, in nearby Tempe. When visiting Phoenix, consider visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, there is no finer place to enjoy the desert beauty. The Garden is located in Papago Park in Central Phoenix. Shop for Phoenix Hotels

• Las Vegas – A road trip to Las Vegas never disappoints! You’ll find amazing restaurants, shops, and shows that’ll have you begging for more. This weekend, the 14th annual Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival heads to downtown Las Vegas, while there are countless special events taking place on the strip. Choose between a weekend-long patio party at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a Caribbean-inspired Memorial Day party at the Mirage, special concerts at Caesars Palace, and many more… Shop for Las Vegas Hotels

• Sonoma – For those interested in exploring California’s wine country, a road trip to Sonoma will surely delight! There’s a whole slew of events lined up for this weekend, including a food and wine festival on Sunday with seven amazing bands (Oysterpalooza), a Memorial Day Pig Roast where you bring your own side dishes (The Whole Hog), and the much-loved musical duo vocalist Patti Cathcart and guitarist Tuck Andress put on a performance at the Tuck Theater this Saturday. Shop for Sonoma Hotels

As you prepare for your road trip getaway and are gearing up for a weekend jam-packed with festivities, keep the following tips in mind. They’ll help you avoid any potential problems and ensure your travels are safe, fun and as stress-free as possible.

1. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the drive – Check all fluids, filters, belts, hoses and tires.  Be sure your spare tire is usable and easy to get to.  Since you will be in your car for a bit, make sure it is clean.
2. Pack your vehicle properly – Heavy items go in first! Be sure all loose items are secured and keep your rear view clear. Be sure not to go over the weight capacity of the vehicle.
3. Have plenty of entertainment options available – Keep everyone entertained, especially the kids.  Toys, books, DVDs, iPad, iPod, or CDs will keep everyone occupied.
4. Be prepared should an emergency arise - Be sure someone knows where you are going and how to reach you in case of an emergency.  Don’t forget your driver’s license, vehicle registration, as well as your auto and medical insurance cards. Bring your cell phone charger (consider buying an in-car charger), and prescriptions if necessary. Also, it doesn’t hurt to pack a first aid kit, just in case.
5. Know the parking situation of your destination – the city you’re visiting may have entirely different parking rules. Look them up in advance. Additionally, know how much parking at your hotel costs and plan accordingly.
6. And finally, have fun! – Since most peoples’ schedules are busy, it’s not so often that the whole family can get together, so remember to have fun and enjoy being together. You’ll create memories to last a lifetime and make sure to document these with plenty of pictures! Don’t forget your cameras and chargers!

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11 Reasons Travel Agents Add Value to Your Vacation

To celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week last week, we wanted to honor the thousands of Travel Agent professionals that tirelessly work to help travelers have fantastic vacations, by letting you know all the amazing things they do to add value to your trip. So if you thought you were saving by planning your own vacation online, think again. [Tips compiled by Travel Impressions' Barbie Groves]

1. Knowledge & Expertise. Researching travel deals, vacation tips, hotels, resorts, prices, reviews, etc. can be really time consuming for the average traveler. The beauty of working with a travel agent is that you’ll be able to tap into their existing knowledge and expertise on all of these subjects. Travel professionals have first hand knowledge on dozens of destinations, and often take special trips to learn about new offerings, properties, and amenities to offer you the best advice possible. A travel agent working closely with their preferred tour operator has access to a multitude of resources to ensure the best vacation experience possible.

 

2. The Human Touch. Agents will ensure you will have an amazing experience on your trip. Agents are excited and will show their enthusiasm in helping you, their clients, have the best vacation possible. Travel professionals are personally invested in seeing your trip become a success. This personal interaction with real, live agents trumps the often lackluster experience of doing it yourself online.

 

3. Personalization. Due to “The Human Touch” you receive with a live person helping you, travel agents are able to personalize your trip for your needs. Understanding your needs and wants, agents can make recommendations on vacations for families, adventure seekers, nightlife-lovers, honeymooners, foodies, sun bathers, and more. Knowing the differences and nuances of both the destinations and the wants and needs of their clients make their service invaluable.These days it’s all about ‘unique’ experiences – travel agents have access to their preferred tour operators portfolio of products, whether it be a villa, an all-inclusive hotel in the Caribbean, or a beginners guide to the great cities of Europe. Using a travel agent means there is no ‘one size fits all’.

 

4. Getting Resolutions. Unfortunately, as we all know, travel can either be a breeze or it can be a pain, and it’s often not in the travelers hands to change the situation. Travel agents to the rescue. Mix-up at the airport? Lost luggage? Making sure you arrive on-time, hassle-free, despite the flight cancellation? If a problem arises at the destination your travel agency will have the support of their preferred tour operator and the strength of their hotel relationships to make sure the issue is more than adequately remedied. These are all situations where your travel agent can help resolve the situation on your behalf. They are your advocate, and they have your back.

 

5. Planning Around Unforeseen Circumstances. Natural disasters, terrorism, and inclement weather are all facts of the world today, but that shouldn’t prevent you from planning an amazing trip! These are all issues that can disrupt your vacation and travel experience, and knowing that travel agents have the ability, and the right relationships, to work with your airline or resort and fight to get you credits for a future trip, will

 

6. Trust. Building that personal relationship gives you the confidence that you can trust your agent’s expertise, and that no matter the situation, they will be there to help you find a resolution.

 

7. Due Diligence. Agents make sure you have your preassigned seats (your usual aisle seat), your requested special meal, booking ahead of time your spa time, tee times at the resort’s best golf course, and other experiences. Why do it yourself when the travel agents do this for you happily?

 

8. Prepping You For Travel. Often, these multi-talented agents are able to help you in dealing with some of the “requirements” of travel including securing visas, rushing you passports, and other government related documentation domestic or foreign. Travel agents make it their business to know the various government rules and regulations for the places you want to visit most.

 

9. Saves You Time. Think about all the time you’ll be saving yourself: no need to scour the web for the best resorts, prices, packages, experiences, events, dealing with travel complications, and securing visas when your travel agent can do this all for you? If time = money, your travel agent just made you rich.

 

10. Great Pricing Options. Travel agents have access to the same rates you can find yourself on the web, but can often find sales and promotions only available to agents, not available to consumers online. Even more important, a travel agent, rather than just focusing on the lowest price, will be able to find the best value for YOUR particular needs and travel preferences.

 

11. Relationships –> Exclusives. Due to their relationships with the resorts, large travel companies, networks, and travel consortia, travel professionals are able to request exclusives for you, their clients. These exclusives can include: price reductions, seat or resort upgrades, early/late checkout times, and other value-added amenities. A travel agent working with a strong tour operator partner cannot be beaten when it comes to providing the best value vacation.

 

With travel agents bringing you all this value, won’t you contact your local agent before planning your next vacation?

Barbie Groves
Vice President, Global Sales at Travel Impressions

AMResorts Offer Luxury Vacations for Every Traveler

AMResorts has been providing guests with luxury getaways in 28 gorgeous locations for over ten years. Featuring Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets, Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts and Spas, they have something for every age and interest. Experience Endless Privileges®, Unlimited-Luxury®, or Unlimited-Fun® in picturesque settings, where everything is included: Limitless meals, snacks and premium beverages in gourmet restaurants and stylish bars, 24-hour room and concierge services, mini-bars refreshed daily, and endless day and evening activities to amuse you. Experience the ultimate in relaxation and pampering in world-class spas, or tee off at nearby championship golf courses – many offering complimentary greens fees.

Book AMResorts online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: Log on to Quest to book
Travelers: To book, search our locator to find a Travel Agency.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with 15 Unique Mexican Experiences

With Cinco de Mayo just a few hours away, we saw it fitting to share with you 15 amazing activities and tours in Mexico to create an unique experience you’ll never forget. [compiled by Elyse Elkin, Travel Impressions]

Cancun Tours

 

1. Chichen Itza - The majestic city of Chichen Itza awaits you; Capitol of the ancient Maya, visit the Castle, and see the stairs of which end in two large serpents heads. Tour the Temple of the Warriors, the Ceremonial Ball courts, the Observatory, and the Sacred Well (Cenote Sagrado) were archaeologists have found ceramic offerings, and objects made of precious stones and metals.
2. Xcaret- Enjoy the Caribbean Sea swimming on the beach, lagoons, ponds, canals and sacrificial wells. Snorkel among colorful fish and explore archeological sites. Visit the Botanical Garden and the Nursery, Butterfly Pavilion, Tropical Aquarium as well as the wild bird hatchery and the Maya town.
3. Swiming with the Dolphins at Isla Mujeres – Guests will enjoy the thrill of gently rubbing the dolphins’ skin as they swim next to these creatures. Experience “free time” to interact more spontaneously with the dolphins allowing everyone a very personal contact.
4. Tulum/Xel-Ha – Visit the beachside Mayan ruins of Tulum and its Temple of the Frescoes, The Castle, the Temple of the Descending God, Casa del Halach Uinic, the House of the Columns and Temple of the Wind. Also explore Xel-Ha, a protected habitat for regional marine life.
5. Xplor – Step into a unique underground world, and discover a hidden universe below the Earth’s surface. Experience the feat of scouting the 4 elements through adventure activities with the safest, most modern equipment. This amazing experience offers: Stalactites River: Swim through the most spectacular mysterious routes, surrounded by amazing stalactites and stalagmites, and discover the secrets of the underground world. Amphibious: Feel the adventure of conquering all terrains, and daunting the borders between jungle, water, rocks and grottos, on mighty two seated amphibious vehicle. Underground Rafts: Set sail on a raft, and paddle with your hands over crystal clear waters among age old rocky formations, which lead to discover the deepest boundaries of our planet. Zip Lines: Gaze at the ground, trees and caves from heights far above, and be amazed by them, surrender to freedom and cross over 2 miles of airborne adventure.

 






Puerto Vallarta Tours

6. Caletas by Day Tour - Only accessible by sea, Las Caletas stands out against a steep, jungle clad backdrop of green canopies. One hour’s sea cruise to paradise ensures that you witness some of the most dramatic coastal scenery Vallarta has to offer! Once you arrive at Las Caletas, you can choose between pure relaxation, or gentle exploration of our exclusive tropical beach hideaway. The Las Caletas tour includes: buffet lunch, all beverages, guided snorkeling and kayaking tours, parrot and deer encounters, nature walks, yoga, and cooking lessons.
7. Canopy Tour Zip Lines – Our Canopy tour gives you the chance to see this amazing world. Guests traverse from tree to tree, platform to platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables, as they sail through the treetops of the forest canopy. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey.
8. City Tour – The city tour takes you to some of the most beautiful historical places such as the boardwalk and the main Church. You will also visit the city hall, flea market, Los Arcos, a tequila factory and its downtown for shopping in romantic or old Vallarta.
9. Marietas Islands – The first-class catamarans carry you out to the shelter of the Marietas Islands, whose waters offer an ideal ecosystem for a prolific diversity of sea life. Explore the rocky caverns and archways by kayak or by snorkeling or scuba diving. Keep an eye out for the giant manta rays, sea turtles, and an abundance of multi-colored fish. Our professional guides are always on hand to help, advise, and above all to ensure that you have fun. After you explore to your heart’s content, a relaxing afternoon siesta gives you the opportunity to kick back and relax on the white sands of a beautiful, secluded beach. This tour offers a wonderful opportunity to combine sun and fun while discovering the wonders of the natural world that our Bay has to offer. Humpback whales are regularly sighted in the Bay from November to April and dolphin encounters are a regular, year-round occurrence.
10. Rhythms of the Night Cruise - A scenic sunset cruise across Banderas Bay takes you to the isolated cove of Las Caletas, where flickering torches, gently lapping seas and swaying palms set the mood for a mesmerizing Aztec mystic ceremony deep within the tropical forest that will captivate your heart and leave you breathless. The enticing aroma of grilled steak, chicken and fish lure you towards secluded beachside tables bathed in the soft glow of candles where you can also enjoy freshly prepared vegetables, salads, handmade tortillas and their home grown coffee! You will savor every moment of this unique dining experience as the ocean laps at your feet, palms sway overhead and your waiter caters to your every whim. Highly recommended for couples.

 






Los Cabos Tours

11. ATV Tour – Try something unique in Los Cabos as you ride the spectacular outback dirt roads located in the Cabo Real area on the back of an ATV. Along the way a unique little waterfall in the middle of the desert, and a cool breeze in your face, will charm you as you ride all the way to the beach.
12. Land’s End Boat & Panaromic Tour- Visit a blown glass factory before boarding a glass-bottom boat for a scenic cruise to the tip of the peninsula. You’ll see incredible rock formations, the beautiful Arch, a sea lion colony and abundant marine life. After, you’ll have the option of enjoying a swim at Medano Beach or shopping in downtown San Lucas.
13. City Tour - Enjoy a driving tour that combines Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo. In San Jose Del Cabo, visit the bird estuary, hotel zone and main town square. Then you’ll arrive in Cabo San Lucas where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the famous Arch, plus tour the town center, main marina, restaurants, stores and open-air market.
14. Snorkeling-Sail Fiesta - Board a double-decker snorkeling boat at the marina in Cabo San Lucas and sail past a sea lion colony and the Arch. You’ll arrive at spectacular Santa Maria Bay, a beautiful and unspoiled area that houses over 200 species of exotic fish. Unwind in this secluded tropical cove of brilliant white sand where you can snorkel and swim.
15. Sunset Dinner Cruise - Enjoy all of Land’s End impressive beauty as you take in the spectacular Arch, frolicking sea lions and an enchanting sunset. An open bar and Mexican buffet are included.

Click here for great offers on MEXICAN RESORTS that’ll have you saving BIG!

Elyse Elkin, VP of Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Latin America Product
Lived in Mexico for 4 years, and has visited dozens of times!

Book Mexico online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: log on to Quest for Agents
Travelers: Search our locator to find a Travel Agency http://www.travimp.com/bookonline