Holiday Travel-Already?

Have you made a list? You know, the list of everyone you must buy gifts for even though you don't want to but they always give you one so you have to reciprocate. I hope nobody on my list is reading this.

I'm more of a wait-till-the-last-minute kind of shopper. Last year the tree didn't make it out of the basement until the day BEFORE Christmas. Should be easier this year since we put it away with all lights and decorations intact. Do you suppose there's a support group for folks like me?

I spied the first holiday advertisement of the year just today. "Celebrate 2009 Holiday in Antigua". If I book right now I can save 40%. Choose from the finest All-Inclusive award-winning resorts in the Caribbean. Starting from as low as $189 per person, per night. Sounds like a deal to me.

Knowing that the holidays are probably the most expensive time to travel, I did some research. Stay at Beaches in Turks and Caicos from 12/26/09 for five nights in a cheapy room and you'll pay about $4,000 per person. That same room for five nights beginning on September 26 and the price goes down by half.

Here's another example: Stay at The Royal in Playa del Carmen; same five nights beginning on September 26th. You'll pay about $1,170 per person. Wait until December 26th and you'll pay-oh wait a minute. You can't go to the Royal then because it's SOLD OUT, every room category. But if you'd gotten there sooner, you would have paid around $2,100 per person and that included a savings of 25%.

I can see the writing on the wall. Folks like me, I believe we're called procrastinators, are out of luck. My family will be spending the holidays at home like we always do. But please don't call me for a lengthy chat because I'll be scurrying around purchasing those last-minute gifts and of course, the tree has to make an appearance sometime.

It doesn't have to be this way for your family. There's help for procrastinators. Make that phone call, join that group. You needn't suffer alone. And then, when you're finally ready to book your holiday travel, contact me. But don't wait too long. With prices as low as $189 per person, per night, per room, they can't last long.

All prices used MCI as a starting point.

Until next time,

Luvs2travel

www.liberty-travelstore.com

Even David Letterman Knows You Need a Travel Agent

Marcia has been kind of frustrated lately. You know how I know? When she's particularly agitated about something, she starts cleaning. Yesterday it was two closets and then a vicious attack on several week's worth of dust. This morning I heard her mumbling something about the family room and let me tell you, it was not pleasant. You're probably wondering what could make a sort-of sane woman abandon her computer and pick up a sponge. Here it is in a nutshell.

The Problem

What makes normally nice, intelligent people contact her, or any other travel agent, searching for travel advice and then after sucking every last bit of information they can possibly get, go book travel on their own? I've watched her working. She'll spend hours, if you don't count the time spent playing games but don't tell her I said that. Like I said, hours researching the perfect resort or cruise only to have some schmuck (sorry, have to tell it like it is) say he/she booked it on their own but thank you very much. Are people really that insensitive or maybe they don't understand how the game is played.

GAME RULES:
1) Would-be traveler thinks to himself, "I'd really like to go to some pleasant island somewhere in the Caribbean where I can sit all day in the sand drinking strong margaritas while the kids amuse themselves elsewhere".

2) Would-be traveler, still thinking to himself says, "Too bad I don't know where to go or how much it's going to cost or if we need those passport thingys I hear everyone talking about. Maybe I better call someone."

3) Would-be traveler calls a travel agent with his long wish list and believe me, those things can get pretty detailed.

4) Travel agent calls back a few days later with choices and prices.

5) Would-be traveler then chooses or asks questions or whatever but eventually a choice is made.

6) Then here is the crucial step that many just don't seem to get. You let the travel agent make the reservation for you and said travel agent will eventually get paid for the many hours of work already devoted to this trip of yours.

You see folks, that's how it's done. You let the travel agent do her job, which incidentally doesn't end there. Let's say you get to your hotel and for some gosh darn reason, they've lost your reservation. Oh man, they think they've got you now, but little do they know you have a secret weapon and that's your travel agent. Call her up, get her on the phone, let her talk some sense into that hotel manager. This is just one example of why it's a good thing to have a travel agent up your sleeve.

I did mention something about David Letterman earlier. David Letterman's #1 reason for using a travel agent, and this is good. "I have people to book travel for me. Having people is good! Besides, there are many other things I want to do!" So you see folks, having a travel agent is smart. Let her do what she does best and you go off and do whatever the heck it is that you do. And that is how the game is played.

Until next time,
luvs2travel

www.liberty-travelstore.com

Travel Deals, Vacations, Cruises, More...

Summer days are quickly flying by and it won't be long before we'll all be carving pumpkins. If you don't believe me, step inside any craft store. You can definitely tell a change is coming. But don't worry if you didn't get a chance to travel this summer because there are still some great vacation deals to be had. What's on sale you ask? How about, what isn't on sale?

Las Vegas-

• Book a package with Southwest Vacations and every second person flies free.If you stay at MGM Mirage properties they'll even throw in round trip airport transportation.
• You have to book by 6:00 pm CST on July 30th for travel 8/17/09-1/7/10

Walt Disney World-

• Purchase a Southwest package that includes flight and accommodations at a Disney resort hotel and Magic Your Way theme park tickets.
• Every second person flies and plays for free.
• Must book by 6:00 pm CST on August 6th for travel 7/15/09-12/15/09.

Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos

Save up to 60% and get up to 2 nights free at an all-inclusive resort that caters to kids.

• Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street
• Certified nanies and a nursery
• Book by 8/27/09 for travel now through 12/17/10.

This is just a tiny tip of an iceberg of savings available right now to you. Mexico represents an incredible value for your vacation dollars with specials such as:

• Save more than $1,200 on packages to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.
• Free scuba diving.
• Fly free with air credit specials.

If just looking at all the specials available overwhelms you, contact a travel consultant (could be me) and we can look at all the options and choose the best one for you or your family. Great vacations don't just happen ya know.

Until next time,
luvs2travel

http://www.liberty-travelstore.com/

Wave Season Cruise Deals-in July?

Wave Season is the businest cruise-booking time of the year. Most people know that if you want to cruise cheap, then the month of March is the time to book. But if you've been paying attention to travel ads, you might have noticed more than the usual number of cruise deals just waiting for some lucky person to come along and snap one up. Could be you!

• Extra savings with FREE AIR!
• Up to $240 cash back
• FREE balcony upgrade

Do you think these savings are for real? Well, as a matter of fact they are.

Carnival-You have until July 31st to take advantage of their "Cash Back" offer. When booking a 3-4 day cruise, up to $50 will be added onto your Sail & Sign card. 5 day cruisers could find an extra $75 on their cards and up to $120 per guest on cruises that last from 6-8 days. The extra cash can be used anywhere onboard and if somehow you manage to NOT spend it all, Carnival will give it to you. This is not a "use it or lose it" deal. Carnival has added a new ship to their family. Take a virtual tour.

Disney-Book select 3-7 night sailings through September 2009 and children 12 and younger sail for half price. This offer is only valid on new bookings.

Norwegian Cruise Line-Enjoy a six category upgrade when you book any 2010 or 2011 sailing. AND, the third and fourth guests sharing a stateroom pay only $99 each. You only have until August 2, 2009 to snag this bargain.

Royal Caribbean-Not only can you sail for as little as $80 per day on one of their eleven ships, you can also receive between $35 and $100 onboard credit per person.

So what do you think? Do these sound too good to be true or are they just what you've been waiting for? I wouldn't wait too long to snap up one of these great cruise deals for yourself.

Until next time,
Luvs2travel

http://www.liberty-travelstore.com/

All-Inclusive "Real Resorts" in Mexico

The Real Resort family has much to offer for those looking for an all-inclusive resort. With two Real resorts in Cancun and three in Playa del Carmen, you have several vacation options. Whether you're searching for a family getaway or an experience geared for adults only, the Real Resorts are prepared to deliver.

The Royal in Cancun is the latest addition to its "Royal" brand of luxury resort hotels. It's adults only, all-suite, all-inclusive, combining outstanding facilities with exceptional amenities. You'll be able to see the ocean in all 285 suites, but that's not all. At the Royal you can take advantage of Cancun's only Beachfront Swim-up Master Suites, the perfect choice for a honeymoon.

If it's time to take the family on a vacation, then the Gran Caribe Real Resort & Spa in Cancun is a great choice. This popular beachfront resort has a variety of accommodations including junior suites, family junior suites and presidential suites with private terraces. This beautiful resort stretches along a quarter mile of white sandy beach.

Travel just a bit south of Cancun to Playa del Carmen. The Royal in Playa delivers adults only luxury and casual elegance just steps away from Playa del Carmen's famed Fifth Avenue. The extra spacious suites, many of which are ocean view or ocean front, should satisfy anyone.

Discover why the Gran Porto Real has become one of Mexico's favorite and most popular choices for value-packed, fun-filled and exceptional vacation experiences. The all-inclusive Gran Porto offers a wide array of activities for guests of all ages, including a supervised children's program. If you're a family of 5, stay in one of their family junior suites with bunk and trundle beds-maximum occupancy up to 5 people.

Tucked away right in the heart of Playa is the Real Playa del Carmen Hotel & Beach Club, located within a tropical village-style resort. Here you can enjoy a variety of accommodations including a standard room; one bedroom master suite; upgraded one bedroom master suite.

Regardless of which "Real" you choose to stay, you're sure to enjoy a relaxing, all-inclusive, beachfront vacation. All Real resorts have access to online check-in within 48 hours of arrival. This technology allows guests to preview suites before your arrival. If you've been thinking of a destination wedding, you can't go wrong at any one of the Real resorts. Whether a formal, grand event or barefoot on the beach, you're promised a worry-free experience.

I have to confess that my family recently returned from the Gran Porto Real in Playa del Carmen and we had an awesome vacation. Everyone, from the folks at the front desk to the maid who cleaned our room, was friendly and eager to please. We enjoyed the pool, the beach, the food, the drinks, but especially the chance to hang out together as a family and just enjoy each other's company. We can't wait to go back!

Until next time,

Luvs2travel