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Melissa's Review of The Beaches Turks and Caicos

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Melissa's Review of The Beaches Turks and Caicos

Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos

The airport was nice, small and really close to the resort, about 15 minutes’ drive. The shuttle to the Beaches resort was seamless and easy. However, on the return, Beaches scheduled a departure that was, in my opinion, way too early — they say you have to be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure. We had to put our bags out by 8 am and then be on a shuttle at 9:30 am for a 12:30 pm flight. I would suggest travelers check to see if they can schedule a later shuttle if it is to their benefit. In our case, this was way too early to be at the airport — it took us less than 10 minutes to get through security so we had a long wait for our flight. And if your flight is delayed, as was the case for us, you have an even longer wait.

Italian Village

Italian Village, Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort

I was given a room in the Italian Village. This property is centrally located and close to the Pirates Island Water Park and the largest pool on property. It’s also very close to the beach.

The Family suite was spacious with a separate children’s bedroom furnished with two bunk beds, a trundle bed, a sink and mirror, and lots of closet space.

The adult bedroom was large and airy, with a great king bed and sliding door opening onto either a balcony or patio. There was also a sizeable, fully-stocked refrigerator, and you can call the concierge to ask for your special selections, such as diet pop, sauvignon Blanc, milk for children, etc. More closet space in here made it inviting to unpack and stay awhile.

I loved having a room on the ground floor because we could just walk out and be at the pool. It was also nice at night if you were at the bar/pub and just could return through the sliding glass door — super convenient. The patio was a nice, shaded spot to get out of the sun, but still be able to enjoy being outside.

The room was clean and spacious; however, I think a little more attention needs to be given to sliding glass doors, and shutters as far as cleanliness.

Caribbean village

Caribbean Village, Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort

This is the most popular village by far, it is also the closest to the beach. The décor is gorgeous and really goes great with the blue sky and blue waters. However, I felt it was noticeably more crowded. This area does have the perfect setting on the boardwalk for pictures. I also thought the public areas we visited weren’t as clean.

I asked for a window seat indoors at a restaurant and it had handprint smudges all over it. Same with a bar that I went in, I right away noticed the entry door was very greasy like it needed to be cleaned badly.

Seaside Village

Seaside Village Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort

This village is great for larger families that want a villa setting that’s very close to the beach. A beautiful property.

French Village

French Village Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort

This village is furthest away from the beach but close to the main stage for acts/entertainment and also closest to the spa/gym. The pool is large but quieter because there aren’t as many kids. I think all rooms may only have French balconies, at least as far as I could tell.

Key West Village

Key West Village, Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort

Love the pretty décor with the blue waters. One of my favorite outdoor restaurants, the Bayside Restaurant and Bar, is in this area. It has great views of the sunset! Seemed to have a more laid-back vibe going on with hammocks outside of the accommodation section.

Restaurants

There is definitely something for everyone at this resort — 89 choices! — including swim-up pool bars. Most of them serve breakfast and lunch buffet-style, but you can find an option of ordering off the menu. My favorite for breakfast was a small outdoor venue on the sand by the beach called barefoot by the beach. You could order off the menu, but they gave you HOT croissants to start and the waffles were amazing. The chef even came to our table to check on us, so to me, that is always a great sign of a good place to eat.

There are options galore for food choices, and lots of seafood, of course. My favorite, however, was the Mr. Mac Food Truck parked outside of the lazy river pool at the waterpark. The best fried Mac n/cheese balls ever! He served them every day (so when they say you will gain at least 20 pounds, they mean it!).

There is only ONE restaurant that you need reservations for – the Hibachi Grill called Kimonos. This restaurant is a must! I loved all of the variety — if you want fancy, you can find fancy, if you want pub food, you can find it, if you want ice cream you can find it, if you want seafood you could find it. Oh, and of course PIZZA! You can even order it take out and enjoy it back in your suite. Excellent hours so made for a great late-night snack.

We put a lot of thought into our restaurant choices at the very beginning of the trip (the first night) they do give you a nice restaurant guide and map of the property when you check in to the resort.

Activities/Entertainment

Beaches does a great job on this! Every night, at turn-down, you get a pamphlet of the events for the next day. There is always something going on. Lots of games like corn hole tournaments, dance-off, swim-off tournaments, scavenger hunts, tie-dye workshops, water polo, beach volleyball, and so on.

Evening entertainment was great as well – Reggae Night, Casino Night (super fun!), a Jungle Book Show, Fire Show, and more. These appear on the main stage or in various spots around the resort. Karaoke or a singer was usually at the pub later on. They even had a disco place that opened after 9:30 pm (didn’t seem to make it there) but I think you had to be 18 and over.

The entertainment TEAM at this resort did an amazing job every day and night. Very talented and funny. Then, there were the beach activities that were included – snorkeling trips, glass-bottom boat rides, sailing, aqua bikes, paddle boarding, kayaks, catamaran rides. These are super fun, but you need to book at least a day prior for some activities.

Beaches Resort Sea Life Tours

Beach

These beaches definitely do not disappoint — white lapped by turquoise waters — they’re beautiful! Turks and Caicos is home to one of the largest reefs in the world — an amazing place for snorkelers and divers.

For beachgoers, the turquoise water stretches for miles until it breaks from the reef. Beaches resort is on Grace Bay, one of the prettiest beaches in the world. They provide plenty of beach chairs, umbrellas, and canopies on a first-come, first-serve basis.

And a fun thing they had as well, were mesh rings tied down not too far from shore that you could swim to, and enjoy.

Turks and Caicos Island

Turks and Caicos Islands

We were lucky enough to go on a tour of the island — highly recommended! I don’t think anyone would be doing themselves justice if they did not go and explore this most beautiful island! Be sure to check out the visitor’s center, which provides a history of the area.

Islanders drive on the left side of the road, and you can see the watercolor change depending on where you go on the island. There’s a tourist area, with shops and bars (drinks were expensive – they add on a pretty hefty tax)

The south shore had the prettiest beach I have ever seen in my Life! We went to the highest point on the island and could see the color changes in the water. There were also some amazing houses.

Our tour guide — from Paradise Scooters, https://paradisescooters.tc/ — was the best tour guide. We originally signed up for scooter rentals with a guide, but after we had a lesson, it was obvious that we were not going to make it on scooters (they’re a lot harder than they look!). Also, you have to drive on the left side of the road and figure out the turnabouts. Not for the faint at heart!

The scooters would have been fantastic if we had felt comfortable with them, but the company was very accommodating and scheduled a van tour for us. In the long run, this was the way to go. We learned so much from Ayanna — a local with a large family! She waved to so many people on our tour who are related to her. She is also the only female on the island who has the paperwork to ride a scooter. She was awesome and she is voted the best tour guide on the island.

We learned so much on this day – about the politics, the struggles, the locals, and got to try out the best beachfront restaurant called the Conch Shack and even got a demonstration of the conch being removed from its shell. Ayanna also let us have a shell and stopped at a local store for us to get bleach to clean the shell. It was awesome!

This island is a great choice for a wide variety of people. You do have to like the water, heat, and humidity because that is a given. You have to like meeting others from different parts of the world – Jamaica, Haiti, and the locals of course.

If you have a young family, I highly recommend Beaches, however, there is the rumor that they will be closing indefinably in January 2021. No one seemed to want to talk about this or really believe it will happen however and so I didn’t push the subject.

Hopefully, it won’t happen and something will take place as Beaches is a great choice for families that want to experience a tropical island but also have the many things to do and see while at a resort, and have the all-inclusive experience.

During our (long) wait at the airport, I overheard a few families talking about Beaches and both had the best things to say and loved their experience. They both brought large families with them and felt the accommodations couldn’t have been more perfect. It was nice to hear. However, I feel this island has much more to offer as I got the sense there are a lot of condos and villas. Also, the beach on the south shore, Long Bay, seems to be the upcoming spot. The Shore Club would be my choice of accommodation for a luxury resort experience if it were an adults-only vacation.

All in all, I really enjoyed my stay at the Beaches. The staff was nice and the grounds were immaculate. My only complaint would be the cleaning of walls, windows, things that go unnoticed until they are noticed. Hopefully, this resort will remain open otherwise they will be selling a lot of prime beachfront property to someone.

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travelcafemt-blog · 5 years

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Joy Through the World

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Joy Through the World

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travelcafemt-blog · 5 years

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Side-Splitting Travel Stories

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Side-Splitting Travel Stories

Sometimes “stuff” just happens when you travel. And isn’t it nice to know that you’re not the only one? Here are 9 great travel stories from Real Simple that’ll leave you laughing. Once you get a load of these, you just might decide you’re own travel mishaps aren’t so bad after all.

Here are a few of my favorites to get you started…

Two years ago, my husband and I booked a city bus tour in Athens, Greece. We were told to wait in the hotel lobby at 7 a.m. and hop onto the bus when it arrived, which we did. First red flag? Our guide spoke only Portuguese. Second red flag? The bus stopped at a port, and everyone was herded onto a boat. It turns out that we, two 69-year-olds, had boarded a 12-hour party-boat tour of the Aegean Islands with a Brazilian tour group! We had no IDs and very little money, so we decided to stay put (instead of getting off at one of the island stops), drink a few beers, and get some sun. Lesson learned: Speak up at the first red flag. Vestina Forkel Orangeburg, South Carolina

Upon arriving at a beach-house rental, I noticed that it was filthy and proceeded to scrub the toilets, floors, bathtubs, and kitchen cabinets. I was so upset that the house was not ready for guests! Later, my family and I discovered that we were supposed to be staying at the house next door. (The two rentals must have shared the same entry key code.) I had “white gloved” the wrong place. Tanya Leland Greenville, South Carolina

During a train ride in Italy, my new husband and I attempted to chat up an elderly couple with the help of our trusty Italian phrase book. I practiced the pronunciation for “We are on our honeymoon” quietly to myself so I could get it just right. Finally, with much confidence, I exclaimed, “Siamo allupato!” Both the man’s and the woman’s jaws dropped and the blood drained from their faces. I rechecked the book and realized I had accidentally told this lovely couple that we were horny! From then on, my husband held on to the book. Andrea Palumbo Fall River, Massachusetts

Read more here

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travelcafemt-blog · 5 years

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A Car-Free Vacation

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A Car-Free Vacation

Want to really get away from it all? Away from computers, away from the phone, and even away from… cars?

If you’re ready to say buh-bye to traffic jams, parking tickets, and high gasoline prices on your next trip, here are a dozen beautiful vacation spots where horses, bikes, golf carts or walking shoes are the transportation of choice.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

1. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Visitors to Mackinac island in the Straits of Mackinac (pronounced MACK-in-naw), between the Upper and Lower peninsulas about 285 mi/460 km north of Detroit, can step back in time. Autos may have made Michigan’s fortune, but they’re banned from this island—horse-drawn carriages, saddle horses, bicycles and walking are the only means of transportation.

Although many visitors see the island on a day trip, we recommend spending at least one night there. The lodging isn’t cheap (though you may find some bargains in early spring and late fall), but it’s worth it.

Once the throngs of day visitors depart, the island becomes even more like the 1800s: The streets are dark and largely empty, and the utter quiet is broken only by the occasional sound of clomping hooves. An overnight stay will also give you more time to see the island’s sights.

Monhegan Island, ME, Photography by Navin

2. Monhegan Island, Maine

Artists and urban-dwellers have been seeking refuge on Maine’s car-free Monhegan Island for years, drawn in by its rugged terrain and timeless solitude. Photographers will find Lobster Cove hard to resist, with its many flat rocks on which to set up shop and capture the surf and even a shipwreck. Anyone interested in learning about the history and culture of the area can head to the Monhegan Museum, set in what was once the home of the lighthouse keeper and showcasing the works of many local artists. In fact, an artists’ colony on the island has been in existence for more than 100 years, with several works available for purchase at the numerous artists’ studios – an artistic reminder of the island’s peace and tranquility is guaranteed to top the typical gift-shop coffee mug, hands down.

Catalina Island, Photography by Joyce Collins

3. Catalina Island, California

Catalina Island lies 22 mi/35 km off the Southern California coast, but it feels like a world away. Just the name conjures images of the quaint seaside village of Avalon, picture-perfect harbors and sandy beaches. Catalina is everything that Los Angeles is not—small-scale, nostalgic and slow-paced—and therein lies its charm.

Visitors often compare the island’s compact town of Avalon with Amalfi, Italy, or a resort town on France’s Cote d’Azur. Perhaps it’s those rocky palisades rising from the sea that suggest a Mediterranean locale. Or maybe it’s the tiled fountain, quaint storefronts, and the Moorish-style casino. Foreign visitors have been known to ask local shopkeepers whether they accept U.S. currency. In all, the island promises a delightful departure from urban inconveniences—the more so because Catalina, alone in Southern California, disdains the automobile.

Lake Erie Islands by David Fulmer

4. Lake Erie Islands, Ohio

Situated across from Cedar Point Amusement Park on Lake Erie, Put-In-Bay and Kelleys Island (part of Ohio’s collection of islands) do not require a rental car when visiting. While vehicles are permitted on the islands and can be transported via ferry, golf carts are actually the best way to get around. Since the carts can be used on actual roadways, a valid driver’s license is needed to drive one. Families will love carting around town to explore the caves, wineries, and lighthouse. Bikes and walking are also great ways to get around either town. And when it’s inevitably time to visit the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” you can ferry over to Cedar Point Marina with ease.

Bald Head Island, NC

5. Bald Head Island, North Carolina

Located at the tip of Cape Fear and accessible only by boat, Bald Head Island boasts a rich history — it played a part in two American wars and was once a pirate hideout for the likes of Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet.

Today the island is still the most secluded of the Brunswick Islands, offering a quiet, picturesque vacation destination. It’s only reachable by ferry and no cars are permitted. In fact, more than 80 percent of Bald Head is conservation land where visitors can enjoy nature hikes and view sea-turtle nesting areas, but the only way to get around is by foot, golf cart or bicycle.

San Juan Islands, Washington, Photography by Jeff Gunn

6. San Juan Islands, Washington

These 172 spectacular islands—lodged between the Olympic Peninsula, northern Puget Sound and Vancouver Island, approximately 70 mi/115 km northwest of Seattle—are a must-see for any visitor to Washington. Fishing villages dot the coves, embracing a simpler time, and many artists reside on the islands, drawn by the scenery and solitude. At the very least, take the four-hour ferry ride through the archipelago. The boats depart from Anacortes.

Bald eagles and orcas frequent the cool waters of Puget Sound near the islands, and the west coast of San Juan Island is one of the best whale-watching points in the U.S. Sightings are most common in summer when orcas hunt in groups (called “pods”). You can sometimes spot whales from the shore at Lime Kiln State Park.

Go bike riding (Lopez Island is the best) along the winding coastal roads, and go beachcombing after storms. Keep an eye out for eagles, deer, seals, porpoises, and otters.

San Juan Island National Historical Park documents an anticlimactic clash between U.S. and British forces in the mid-1800s. The “Pig War” started over a hog and ended with a standoff that redrew boundary lines. Another possibility is the Whale Museum (phone 360-378-4710; http://www.whale-museum.org) in the village of Friday Harbor.

Orcas Island is the most scenic of the four ferry stops, with rolling hills and the 2,400-ft/730-m Mount Constitution. The mountain is the centerpiece of Moran State Park, a place of hiking trails, forests, and waterfalls.

Sea kayaking is another great way to see this part of the state and allows for up-close observation of the wildlife. The Cascadia Marine Trail, a 150-mi/240-km route from Olympia to the border with Canada, runs through the San Juans.

South Padre Island Fire Walk

7. South Padre Island, Texas

This 1.8-square-mile barrier island along the Texas Gulf Coast may be best known for its bawdy spring break ritual, but the island equally boasts experiences for couples, families, and just about everyone in between – all within a compact stretch of surf and sand.

The Island offers thousands of hotel rooms, motel rooms and condominiums to rent and all the amenities and recreational activities you could want at a beach resort — boating, swimming, fishing, surfing, sailboarding, beachcombing on long white beaches, birding, camping, in-line skating, parasailing, bungee jumping and eating and drinking. You could even sign the kids up for a sandcastle-building contest.

Side trips include visits to Matamoros, Mexico (across from Brownsville), or the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, a 7,000-acre/2,800-hectare marshland that’s home to thousands of waterfowl, as well as coyotes, javelina, bobcats, and deer.

Nantucket Historic District, Photography by Daryl Grider

8. Nantucket Island, Massachusettes

Not designed with cars in mind, Nantucket’s narrow cobblestone streets are best explored on foot or by bike. Follow the island’s winding lanes past historic clapboard homes of sea captains and pre-Civil War buildings – many of which are now home to boutiques and galleries, as well as the island’s famous Whaling Museum (housed in an 1847 candle factory).

The island sits at the confluence of two bodies of water, 30 mi/48 km out from the mainland. The north side faces the gentler waters of Nantucket Sound, its main harbor nestled within the protection of a barrier beach. Facing south and up around to the northwest are the more temperamental waters of the wild Atlantic Ocean.

At Nantucket’s northwestern peak, Great Point is the long swath of sand and stunning beach that ends where the waters meet, tangling together in frothy, dangerous tumult. For years, the island’s position demanded a life dependent on the sea, a legacy that continues to shape its fortune.

Visitors to Nantucket are drawn by the island’s rich and storied history and its distinct culture, shaped and beautifully preserved by its isolated location at sea. The entire island is a National Historic District because of its wealth of architecture dating back to the 18th century. There are more than 800 buildings on Nantucket that predate the Civil War, a distinction that even historic Boston can’t surpass.

Halibut Cove, Alaska, Photography by Andrew E. Russell

9. Halibut Cove, Alaska

Located in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay State Park, Halibut Cove is nestled among mountains, glaciers, and forests and is accessible only by boat. It’s home to just 38 people, according to the 2010 Census, and one of the only floating U.S. post offices is located here, along with a popular floating coffee shop. The cove is lined with stores, cabins and art galleries, which are also accessible only by boat, and you’re likely to see a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, and humpback whales.

Tangier Island Virginia Photography by J. Albert Bowden II

10. Tangier Island, Virginia

There are few cars — but plenty of golf carts — on this 3-mile-long island in the Chesapeake Bay. Boating, biking, crabbing, and kayaking are popular activities. Tangier Island truly feels like a world unto itself because of its isolated locale and its history. British forces used it as a staging ground during the War of 1812, and the island’s residents speak with a distinctive Cockney accent.

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

11. Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

Without a bridge to the mainland and only a few paved roads, Daufuskie Island harkens back to a simpler time. This small wooded isle is located between Hilton Head, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., and is accessible only by boat. Golf carts and bicycles are the only forms of transportation on the island, but what makes Daufuskie truly unique is its Gullah population. Gullah are descendants of freed slaves, and the inhabitants’ culture is evident in the island’s food, music, and local art.

Although the island is mostly undeveloped, it does have a resort, two golf courses, and a local art gallery. White sand beaches, ancient oaks, Spanish moss and historical landmarks all lend a deep country feel, while the eclectic arts scene keeps the spirit of the island alive and thriving.

Smith Island Pelicans

12. Smith Island, Maryland

Smith Island is Maryland’s only inhabited offshore island in the Chesapeake Bay, but it’s actually composed of several islands. In the last 50 years, the island has lost more than 3,000 acres of wetlands due to erosion, and restoration efforts are underway to restore the island and prevent further erosion.

Smith Island is a good place to bicycle, listen to the gulls, watch sunsets and learn about the work of the Chesapeake Bay watermen. Residents have been harvesting seafood from the bay for generations (settlement began in 1657, and a bit of the original settlers’ English accent can still be heard in the voices of some of the 400 residents). There are no supermarkets, no police and little worry about crime.

An active fishing community that boasts some of the nation’s best crab cakes, the island is also the birthplace of the Smith Island Cake, which was declared Maryland’s state dessert in 2008. The famous dish features six-15 thin layers of cake filled with frosting — but locals say it’s the cooked chocolate icing that really makes the dessert unique.

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Ski Way Down South This Winter

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Ski Way Down South This Winter

San Carlos de Bariloche (commonly known as Bariloche), is a town in Argentina’s Patagonia region. Bariloche is an all-season destination for all kinds of travelers, offering great skiing during the winter months as well as trekking, climbing, etc. in the summer.

This Andean village looks like it belongs in Switzerland, even though it’s 830 mi/1,335 km southwest of Buenos Aires. Like a Swiss ski resort, Bariloche can be quite crowded—and expensive—in high season (though it’s a bit run-down in comparison with its European counterparts). Its popularity with Brazilian tourists has earned it the nickname “Braziloche.”

It’s easy to see why so many people go: The area, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, in the midst of Nahuel Huapi National Park, is unbelievably beautiful. Bariloche is surrounded by dense forests, alpine lakes and 12,000-ft/3,660-m mountains that are snowcapped most of the year.

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Bariloche itself is filled with Swiss chalet-type hotels and has a number of sights worth seeing, including a small museum with displays about the area’s founder, Francisco Moreno (Museo de la Patagonia; http://www.museodelapatagonia.nahuelhuapi.gov.ar); it also has information about the indigenous population and the early settlements. But our favorite activities (and everyone else’s) can be found on the main street and the slopes—shopping and skiing. Skiing sometimes starts in June at Cerro Catedral, 12 mi/20 km from town and named for its cathedral-like spires, but the best time to hit the slopes is July-October.

Shopping is a year-round activity. You can sample some of the many varieties of jellies and jams made from native fruits found nowhere else in the world—each day you’re there, stop in a different chocolate shop or see whose version of the local specialty, papas de Bariloche, you like best.

During the warm months, you can fish for salmon in clear mountain streams, take a boat ride to pretty Isla Victoria (to see pudu deer) or take in a great view from atop Otto Hill (reached by aerial gondolas). Other impressive sights are towering Mount Tronador (a great climb in summer) and the nearby black glacier field.

A trip to Bariloche can be combined with an excursion to Chile. If traveling by car, try to take a tour that overnights along the way—a nonstop trip to Puerto Montt, Chile, is complicated and tiring (although feasible). Alternatively, a trip from Bariloche to Puerto Blest can be made by boat (past waterfalls), by bus, by boat again, then by bus again through some of the most beautiful, peaceful scenery in South America, including dormant volcanoes and milky green water. It’s not to be missed. We especially enjoyed the all-day boat and bus trip across Lago Nahuel Huapi. (Keep your eyes open for condors carrying food to their nests in the cliffs overhead.)

Other ski resorts in the Argentine Andes include Mendoza, Villavicencio and Las Lenas. Villavicencio has very good facilities, is in a beautiful setting and is near some interesting ruins. Valle de Las Lenas is a world-class resort with excellent powder skiing.

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7 Tips to Stay Safe on Spring Break

New Post has been published on https://www.montanastravelagency.com/safe-spring-break/

7 Tips to Stay Safe on Spring Break

Spring break can be a fantastic time to leave winter work and school doldrums behind for a few days of sun, freedom, and excitement. But it can also be chaotic and even dangerous — especially in crowded destinations. Whether you’re heading to a popular spring break destination, or elsewhere, here are some travel safety tips that apply any time and any place.

1. Avoid ground floor hotel rooms

First-floor rooms are more accessible to the public, and thus easier to break into. When reserving your hotel room, don’t leave the room choice up to the facility. Request a room on the 2nd floor or above.

2. Be wise about ATMs

Try to avoid outdoor ATMs. If at all possible, use ATMs inside banks or other retail locations. If you must use an outdoor ATM only go during daylight hours and take friends with you. Don’t go alone.

3. Pre-arrange transportation

This is especially important if you’re going out on the town with friends. Arrange ahead of time for a taxi or Uber to drop you off and a place and time for them to pick you up afterward. While it might be tempting to take your own vehicle, so you can go where you please, driving after you’ve had a few (or many) isn’t worth the risk.

4. Take a personal safety kit

Include a small bag in your check-in luggage for personal safety items, such as self-defense spray and a personal safety alarm that you’ll take with you when you’re out and about. Also, bring a portable door alarm and door stoppers to wedge under your door at night.

5. Take Friends

Travel with at least one friend and let others know where you’ll be and when you’ll be returning to the hotel. Load safety apps, such as Bluelight, Bsafe, and SaferVPN onto your phone and use them.

6. Buy Travel Insurance

Stuff can happen when you’re traveling: illness, accidents and even emergencies back home. Travel insurance will help reimburse you for travel costs if you suddenly need to return home, or if for some reason, you have to cancel the trip before you leave. Travel insurance policies vary widely, so check with a travel professional to help set you up with the best policy for your trip.

7. Trust Your Instincts

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate. Leave. Don’t question that feeling, just act on it. Don’t put yourself in a risky situation because you thought you were “just being silly.” You’re the best judge of yourself and you should do only what you are comfortable doing. On the flip side, you may be comfortable wearing your new jewelry or clothes out on the town, but we strongly advise you to leave them at home. Don’t wear clothing or accessories that stand out and can make you a mark.

With just a few precautions, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable spring break.

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Rules for Flying as a Couple

New Post has been published on https://www.montanastravelagency.com/rules-for-flying-as-a-couple/

Rules for Flying as a Couple

Here’s a chuckle for today! Check out this fun article from CNN Travel on what to do and what NOT to do when flying with your significant other.

There are few things lonelier — yet strangely more glamorous — than sitting on a plane by yourself, gazing out at the beautiful, messed-up world beneath, with only metal, avionics, and the luggage that will get lost en route to baggage reclaim separating you. Better, then, to fly as a duo, to share the magic and, speaking practically, have an extra pair of eyes tracking the cabin crew’s progress with the refreshments.

But you can’t have fun without rules. And if you’re traveling as a pair — or more if you’ve been blessed with a couple of little passengers of your own — you need to make sure you’re doing it right.

EMBARKING:

Be on time! A lone passenger holding up a flight can be forgiven, or pitied, for lacking a nagging partner to hurry them along. A chattering couple breezing onboard like they’re combing the aisles of Whole Foods for coconut pressé, however, will be vilified the entire flight. And rightly so. Take your seats as quickly as possible before your fellow passengers start throwing hand luggage at you.

WARDROBE:

Apparently, you should always wear something comfortable for a flight, especially long haul. If you’re a couple, why not wear something matching? Velour tracksuits are always good, or a cartoon character onesie. No particular reason for this, really; it just breaks up the day for the cabin crew.

SEATING:

Never underestimate the sadism of your fellow passengers; they might move so you can sit together, they might not. Best not argue with them because, hello, you’re stuck on this tin can together for at least an hour or two. Be irritating enough during the flight — leaning over passengers to give your other half the contents of their carry-on one item at a time, for example — and someone will give in.

Check out the rest of the list here. Too FUNNY!

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Best Family Spring Break Ideas

New Post has been published on https://www.montanastravelagency.com/best-family-spring-break-ideas/

Best Family Spring Break Ideas

If the words “spring break” conjure up images of college student hordes and 24/7 chaos for a week, you’re in for a treat. Here are some of the top spring break destinations that families will love.

The Disneys

Of course, this may seem like an obvious choice, but don’t pass over it too quickly. Even if you’ve been to one or both of the Disney destinations in the past, they are opening new attractions so fast, that it can be a whole new adventure for your family.

Washington DC

From mid-March to Mid-April the cherry blossoms take center stage in the Capital City. Fill your day with fascinating museums that are packed with history, as well as inspiring national monuments that commemorate fallen soldiers, presidents and political figures. Bordering the states of Maryland and Virginia, D.C. is also home to eclectic neighborhoods, a crave-worthy food scene, historic hotels and more.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

If you’re an outdoorsy family, Hilton Head will be a great spring break location. Start your trip by exploring the island via bike on one of the many trails. How about a zipline ride through South Carolina’s Lowcountry? Or a jolly cruise aboard a pirate ship? You won’t run out of fun here!

Riviera Maya, Mexico

While college kids crowd the beaches of Cancun, just 60 miles south, you can relax and enjoy a family-oriented spring break on the sunny beaches of Riviera Maya. Explore Mayan ruins, cool off in underground caves and crystal clear cenotes in quiet relaxation. Several resorts in the area offer great activities for kids and parents alike.

How About a Cruise?

Here’s a spring-break choice where you’re sure to be in the company of other families.There’s no need to worry about where you’re going to eat or how you’re going to get from one attraction to the next: everything is all taken care of for you. Most ships have kid and teen programs that offer plenty of activities and excursions to keep your children busy while you enjoy some R&R.

The opportunities for a spring break sans college chaos abound inside and outside of the country. Give us a call for help to plan yours now, while prices are still low and availability is high.

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All About Cabo

New Post has been published on https://www.montanastravelagency.com/all-about-cabo/

All About Cabo

Cabo San Lucas Beach

In a land known for its inexpensive travel destinations, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is one of the priciest—and one of the most popular—as travelers are willing to pay handsomely for what the area has to offer: fine beaches, world-class restaurants, sumptuous resorts, excellent golf courses, lively nightlife and some of the best sportfishing in the world.

Los Cabos, the name Mexican tourism officials bestowed upon two once-remote Baja California communities—Cabo San Lucas and nearby San Jose del Cabo—are connected by a stretch of coast, known as the Corredor Turistico (Tourist Corridor), that saw rapid development beginning in the 1990s. The high-tone resorts it contains are sought out by Hollywood’s A-listers. John Travolta, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, and Britney Spears are among its visitors, celebrating birthdays at its reclusive and exclusive hideaways.

Visitors from abroad often find Cabo San Lucas—and the whole Los Cabos area—one of the most Americanized resorts in Mexico with English as common as Spanish, many expatriates running businesses, and prices on restaurant menus, in shops and in bars given in dollars instead of Mexican pesos. The Baja port also receives several cruise liners a week, which has spurred the building of the strip malls and eateries around the marina.

Highlights:

Sights—Romantic sunsets over Land’s End and El Arco; driving the Eastern Cape Road to Todos Santos in a rental car and finding isolated beaches; the shops along Calle Zaragoza and Boulevard Mijares.

Memorable Meals—Traditional Mexican fare and creative tequila drinks at the colorful Mi Casa in the heart of Cabo San Lucas; incredible lobster at Lorenzillo’s; an epic meal in a spectacular setting at El Farallon.

Late Night—Dancing the night away at frenetic El Squid Roe or The Giggling Marlin; shaking to the rhythms at Passion Nightclub or Pink Kitty Cabo; chilling out at Barometro; catching a glimpse of rock’s elite at Cabo Wabo.

Walks—Strolling the marina or Playa Medano; picnicking at Playa del Amor after exploring the trails; vestiges of Old Mexico in downtown San Jose del Cabo; traversing horseshoe-shaped Bahia Santa Maria.

Especially for Kids—Whale-watching, swimming with dolphins, riding glass-bottomed boats, snorkeling and other activities organized by child-friendly resorts.

Geography:

Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, as well as a 20-mi/32-km stretch of shoreline, called the Corredor Turistico (Tourist Corridor) that connects these two towns, combine to make the Los Cabos region.

The four-lane highway traversing the Corridor parallels the coast and is lined with upscale resort developments and golf courses. Los Cabos lies at the southern end of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula in the state of Baja California Sur. The dramatic juxtaposition of desert against the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez is striking.

The Baja Peninsula is bounded to the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the Sea of Cortez, which is also sometimes called the Gulf of California. Los Cabos’ most distinctive geographic feature is El Arco, a wave-cut arch, and headland jutting out into the sea at Land’s End, the tip of the Baja Peninsula.

Note: Some businesses in Los Cabos are located on unnumbered streets and labeled as “s/n,” or sin numero (without number). Most taxi drivers are able to recognize places by their names.

History:

Seafarers have long been attracted to the shores of what is now Los Cabos. In the late-16th and early-17th centuries, legend has it that notorious English seafarers such as Sir Francis Drake and Thomas Cavendish concealed themselves in the bays and coves along the southern coast of the Baja Peninsula, slipping out to ambush passing Spanish galleons. Later, Spanish missionaries attempted to convert the Guaycura and Pericu natives, but by the early 1800s, European diseases had decimated the indigenous population.

After the missionaries moved on, the rocky spires and arches that characterize the southern tip of Baja went pretty much unnoticed until after World War II. That’s when private planes began flying in celebrities—Bing Crosby and John Wayne among them—to go deep-sea fishing. Because the area was remote and difficult to reach, it remained the private hideaway of a few well-heeled travelers until the 1970s, when the Mexican government completed the Transpeninsular Highway.

The highway gave Californians a straight, 1,060-mi-/1,705-km-long shot to the tip of Baja. This improved access and the area’s beautiful setting made it a natural pick when the Mexican government went scouting for resort sites, and construction has been going on in earnest since 1976.

Today, Cabo San Lucas and the Los Cabos areas are internationally renowned tourist destinations that attract more than a million visitors each year. All this development has brought prosperity to the region, as well as crowding and environmental concerns.

Things to Do & See:

Cabo San Lucas’s main attractions are its beaches, golf courses, and lively bars and nightclubs.

Several of the luxury hotels, especially those along the Corridor, were designed by well-known Mexican architects and are worth visiting for their innovative and spectacular designs.

The area’s biggest natural draws are the gray whales that arrive each winter from their Arctic feeding grounds. Tour operators in Cabo San Lucas offer a variety of options for getting up close and personal with these giant marine mammals.

Those wishing to explore the Baja’s history and culture can do so at the Cultural Pavilion in Cabo San Lucas. Near the marina, it has a museum, library, shops, restaurants, an open-air theater with 1,130 seats, a main theater with 740 seats, administration offices and, eventually, a hotel. It hosts international exhibitions and large performances. Otherwise, visitors can make side trips to towns such as San Jose del Cabo, Todos Santos, and La Paz, which have historic areas, museums, and a more authentically Mexican atmosphere.

For a look at what Cabo San Lucas was like before the development, drive northeast of San Jose, past the Puerto Los Cabos complex and up the Eastern Cape Road. You’ll soon leave modernity behind and discover tiny, paradisiac beaches and little towns such as Los Frailes, Los Barriles, Cabo Pulmo and, after 60 mi/97 km, the town of La Ribera. Much of the road is dirt, but it’s passable for passenger vehicles except after heavy rains.

Historic Sites:

Iglesia de San Lucas

This landmark church was built in 1730 by Spanish missionaries. The inside is pretty Spartan, with a few statues and Stations of the Cross, but if you’re lucky enough to attend a Mass, you can see how it springs to life. The picturesque courtyard that surrounds the church is also worth checking out—it’s filled with vendors selling food, art, and souvenirs.

A bilingual Mass is held on Sunday at noon.

Zoos & Wildlife:

Whale-watching in Baja California is some of the world’s best. Blue, sperm and especially humpback and gray whales winter off Cabo San Lucas late December-March. The California gray whale migrates from the Bering Strait to breeding grounds in secluded lagoons on the Pacific side of Baja, and some continue on to the Sea of Cortez.

Most party or sunset cruises offer two- to three-hour whale-watching tours in the winter (usually mid-December to March).

If you’re really serious about whale-watching, charter a sportfishing boat and ask the captain to take you to the hideouts of these and other cetaceans, several of which are just off the coast. You needn’t necessarily go out on the sea to spot whales, although your chances of spotting the magnificent creatures do improve out on the water.

When the whale migration is at its peak (usually in February), you can easily spot whale spouts from any clifftop in the Corridor or from the beach in front of the Solmar Suites hotel.

Bird-watching is available in the San Jose del Cabo estuary. It has hundreds of birds, but no organized bird-watching excursion; however, there is a path around it that you can easily walk on your own.

Cabo Expeditions:

This well-established whale-watching outfit uses small Zodiac boats that lie flat in the water and can motor close to the migrating creatures. Certified by the U.S. Coast Guard because of their safety, the Zodiacs carry no more than 15 passengers including a marine biologist as a guide. Private charters are also available. Snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and sea-trekking are additional programs.

Cabo Dolphins:

This state-of-the-art dolphin center, designed by noted architect Enrique Norten, is at the Marina Cabo San Lucas. This interactive experience allows you to swim and play with Pacific bottlenose dolphins and learn about their physiology and environment.

Daily from 9 am. Hourly dolphin programs begin at 9 am Monday-Friday, 10 am Saturday and Sunday. The last program is at 4 pm Monday-Friday and at 1 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Recreation:

Water and land activities include beaches, boating, and sailing, fishing, golf, health clubs, hiking and walking, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, and swimming.

Spa treatments have gained much favor, particularly at Corridor resorts…

Get the full scoop in our comprehensive All About Cabo Report including:

Lots more to see & do

All kind of delicious dining places

Exciting events

Tips on safety, dos & don’ts, tipping, weather, what to wear, etc.

Tons of Hotel info

Fantastic excursions

More!

Click here for the report.

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Fun Cities for Bleisure Travelers

New Post has been published on https://www.montanastravelagency.com/fun-cities-for-bleisure-travelers/

Fun Cities for Bleisure Travelers

Denver, Colorado

While the actual label “bleisure travel” might not be top of mind for business travelers, the concept of combining business and leisure time in one trip is becoming an increasingly popular idea. In fact, in its 2018 Bleisure Trends Report, the travel management company Egencia noted that 68 percent of travelers mix business with pleasure between one and three times a year. That study also reports that a whopping 74 percent of North American business travelers are either planning or considering a bleisure trip in the next six months.

To that end, here are some of the best cities to enjoy a bleisure trip:

Chicago, Illinois:

Chicago-style: The adjective seems to attach itself to everything in Chicago—from the vibrant downtown, stunning architecture and political machines to deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, the arts and blues music. Chicago residents do things with their own distinctive flair, creating innovations that resound far beyond the city’s borders.

The result is a world-class city with an internationally acclaimed symphony, champion sports teams such as the Bears and Cubs, a host of renowned museums such as the Field Museum, great hotels and miles/kilometers of gorgeous beaches and lakefront paths that many use for bicycling, rollerblading and jogging. Most first-time visitors are surprised by the city’s cleanliness and the profusion of plants and flowers.

Dallas, Texas

With Dallas’ concentration of technology companies, corporate headquarters, and wholesale trade markets, the nation’s ninth-largest city is a Texas metropolis devoted to business. Residents of Dallas, Texas, seem to enjoy spending money with the same passion with which they earn it. The result is a mercantile mecca that appeals to visitors: The metropolitan area of Dallas affords shopping opportunities that rival those in New York City.

Dallas is also known for the arts; spanning 19 city blocks in the heart of downtown, the Dallas Arts District is the largest urban cultural district in the country. The AT&T Performing Arts Center, a multi-venue center for music, opera, theater, and dance, is the most significant performing arts complex built since the Lincoln Center in New York.

Denver, Colorado

Denver, Colorado, is often associated with the Old West, but the New West has left a more visible mark. Modern Denver is the financial, business, administrative and transportation center of the Rocky Mountain region. The Denver area is a major livestock market and headquarters to mining companies. Denver’s leading manufacturers produce aeronautic, telecommunication, electronic and other high-technology products.

Thanks to its wealth of nearby ski and mountain resorts, national parks and frontier historical sites, Denver is also an important tourist center. Denver attractions draw numerous visitors every year. Sports fans also flock to Denver to watch its many professional teams.

A skyline of gleaming glass graces downtown, and even the historic areas shine with fresh varnish. Nowhere is this clearer than in LoDo—Denver’s Lower Downtown District—where run-down warehouses have been renovated into classy Denver attractions such as jazz clubs, bookstores, restaurants and art galleries. High-rises offer chic downtown living alongside historic buildings that have been transformed into lofts. It all takes place against the glorious backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia, is a bustling, world-class city, with a skyline full of impressive architectural designs that complement rolling hills and abundant foliage. Atlanta is consistently ranked as one of the best places to do business in the U.S., and more than 750 of Fortune’s Top 1,000 businesses have offices there. The Atlanta airport (Hartsfield-Jackson) is usually ranked as the world’s busiest, and its airport code, ATL, has become the city’s nickname among locals.

Atlanta’s fast-paced, ready-for-the-future attitude is evident in its booming convention business. Other Atlanta attractions include pulsing nightlife, showplace museums, sophisticated fine-arts facilities, and painstakingly restored historical landmarks.

Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida, has always billed itself as a travel destination. Warm weather, sandy beaches and bright sunshine were selling points more than 100 years ago, just as they are today. But Miami’s allure extends beyond its shores. People from all over the Caribbean and Latin America have settled in Miami, giving the city its distinctive, lively international character.

The warm-weather fun is still a big attraction, but the biggest draw is the cosmopolitan flavor coupled with all the great restaurants, sports teams (Dolphins, Heat, Hurricanes and Marlins) and upscale sheen—plus a long list of TV shows that have “Miami” in their titles.

South Beach, with its cheerful, sherbet-colored art-deco buildings and palm-tree-lined avenues, is the center of Miami’s trendy dining and nightlife scene. Other corners of Miami, including Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, offer their own versions of fine living and colorful happenings.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Old City, a hip neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is today much as it was when Benjamin Franklin walked its streets. One of the most progressive citizens of his time, city-father Franklin would surely approve of the many art galleries, trendy shops and vibrant restaurants that dot the downtown Philadelphia landscape.

Philadelphia’s rich history is still visible today in the superb Historic District: That is where you’ll find Independence Hall, where the nation’s Constitution was hotly debated, and the Liberty Bell, which became a symbol of the new government. The city’s museums—more than a dozen, including the excellent Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art—are world-class institutions that mix old and new in surprising ways.

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona, is a truly modern city—it didn’t really boom until after World War II. Nonetheless, mixed among Phoenix’s office towers and the abundance of resorts, spas and restaurants are museums dedicated to pre-Columbian, Native American and pioneer history. Though Phoenix proper is just one of several cities in the Valley of the Sun, it’s the largest by far and serves as the center of the metropolitan area. The explosive, sprawling growth of the Phoenix metropolitan area—which includes Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Peoria and Tempe—is due in part to its attractive desert location (cacti and mountains are never far from view) and in part to the city’s refusal to respect the limitations a desert imposes.

San Diego, California

San Diego, California, is sunny and mild—not just in weather, but in personality, as well. This is a place where the people are friendly and the sun shines more than 300 days a year. To top it off, San Diego is blessed with considerable natural beauty: broad, gorgeous beaches on its west side, creviced canyons in the east, and sweet-smelling tropical flowers everywhere.

A quintessential U.S. Navy town, San Diego has also boomed in recent years. The trendy downtown and Gaslamp Quarter, plus such nearby attractions as Balboa Park, continue to pull in locals and tourists alike.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts, is inundated with visitors every year and for good reason: It’s partly a walkable historic park (especially the Freedom Trail) and partly a modern waterfront metropolis (the “Hub of New England”) with no lack of things to do once darkness descends. Fenway Park—one of the nation’s most hallowed baseball stadiums—is a destination in itself.

Although the city has never stopped reaching for the future and now welcomes leading-edge financial services and high-tech companies, it has lovingly preserved the treasures of its past. Boston cherishes its patriotic connections with the Boston Tea Party and Bunker Hill. It is a living symbol of the melting pot early residents fought to create, including lively ethnic neighborhoods, sophisticated centers of academia and sedate sanctuaries of old wealth. Each seems a world unto itself, yet each is an integral part of Boston’s urban identity.

Seattle, Washington

The combination of water, hills and lush greenery in a mountain setting on the shores of Puget Sound make Seattle, Washington, one of the most beautiful urban areas in the U.S. With its efficient bus system and compact downtown district, Seattle is also user-friendly.

Seattleites have plenty to brag about: There’s the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, plus the Mariners, Seahawks and Sounders FC sports teams. There are fine restaurants, good museums and a vigorous arts scene.

Even Seattle’s infamous rainy winter weather has a good side. All that rain helps make Seattle the evergreen “Emerald City” and produces wonderful flowers. And Seattle is where Starbucks got its start, in 1971, at Pike Place Market

New York, New York

New York City has always been a city of superlatives: largest, tallest, trendiest, best. It’s also one of the world’s most dynamic places. The skyline seems to be ever-changing, and exciting new restaurants and shops continue to pop up in unexpected neighborhoods. First-time visitors and natives alike will experience variety at every turn.

New York offers more to see and do than you can manage in one visit. You’ll find the finest selection of entertainment, museums and restaurants in the world. Some stunning new attractions have opened, and some old favorites have been rebuilt and refurbished like an old Broadway musical. But the New York City skyline is still the awe-inspiring star. Two amazing icons are still mourned, but the new Freedom Tower has already taken its place among the city’s other world-famous landmarks: the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Lincoln Center, the Flatiron Building and the bridges—Brooklyn, Queensboro, Verrazano—to name just a few. Most reassuring of all: The Statue of Liberty is still there, waiting to say hello.

While these are some the most popular bleisure destinations, most cities offer attractions that business travelers can enjoy. On your next business trip, why not take a little extra time to take advantage of your time there for some R&R too?

Check out our travel guides for the 25 most popular US destinations to learn all of the activities you can tack onto your next business trip.

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travelcafemt-blog · 5 years

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Employment Application Form

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Employment Application Form

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travelcafemt-blog · 5 years

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The Swim Meet That Started Spring Break

New Post has been published on https://www.montanastravelagency.com/the-swim-meet-that-started-spring-break/

The Swim Meet That Started Spring Break

The Story Behind Spring Break

Though the tradition itself is relatively new, spring break is a common feature of college life for many American students, and some consider it to be one of the highlights of the collegiate experience. Many students use their week-long March vacation to relax and recharge, while others use the opportunity to travel to exotic locations and engage in behavior that is often perceived as risky. Although spring break traditions sometimes vary from school to school and region to region, the experience itself has become a symbol of modern American college life.

Get the story behind spring break in this article from online schools.