Travel Horizons: Christmas

Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

12.16.2019

dreaming of warm, sunny weather?

It's that time of the year again. Days are growing shorter. The sun is low in the sky. And it's COLD, currently 35º in New York, 29º in Chicago, and 26º in Minneapolis. I'm very much looking forward to my trip next week to Fort Lauderdale, Florida — where it's 81º right now — to visit my sister over Christmas!

If you're anything like me, COLD weather makes you long for warm, sunny places like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. While it's late in the game to make plans for the week between Christmas and New Years ... limited space is available. Contact Team@OurismanTravel.com, and we'll work with our tropical specialists to find someplace warm and wonderful for you and your loved ones.

Let's start thinking about January, February, and March! The best time to make those plans is now. You'll have the best selection of rooms, suites, and villas at the best luxury resorts ... and prices will only go up from here as rooms sell out. Pro tip: book through a Virtuoso travel advisor. Sure, you can find availability on the internet, but for the same price, your Virtuoso travel advisor can get you complimentary daily breakfasts for two, a $100 resort credit, and hopefully an upgrade to a room with an even better view of the ocean.

Or try out the Virtuoso booking tool for beach vacation with exclusive amenities in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

11.29.2018

4BR residence in the Maldives for after Christmas

Gili Lankanfushi is my favorite sand-between-your-toes resort in the Maldives, an easy speedboat ride from the international airport in Male (so you can arrive at any hour). On boarding their boat, you're handed a bag in which to store you shoes ... and the logo on the bag says, "No News, No Shoes." Truly a place to relax and enjoy the crystalline waters of the Maldives.

Their 4BR Private Residence has just become available for December 27 - January 5. If you've been meaning to make plans for a family vacation but haven't gotten around to it yet, you will love Gili Lankanfushi. Perfect for families, your children will enjoy the waterslide while you can all enjoy at this elegant yet casual resort.

This availability won't last, so contact Team Ourisman right away if you'd like to grab this...

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

3.20.2018

Dorado Beach to reopen October 1st

Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, has announced that it will reopen on October 1, 2018. This is good news, although the overall repair and restoration efforts on Puerto Rico have been depressingly slow, especially in rural parts of the island.

Tourism is one of the best ways to support the Puerto Rico's recovering economy, so I bring this to my readers' attention. Dorado Beach is one of the very top beach resorts I have ever visited. It boasts a great beach and large, luxurious rooms that can comfortably accommodate your family beach vacation.

If you're looking for a place to vacation this Festive Season (December 23 through December 31), Dorado Beach has availability. There's just an 8-night minimum for stays arriving on December 24 or later. December 23 arrivals have a 9-night minimum. By booking with us, or through any Virtuoso travel advisor, you'll receive added the following added-value amenities worth hundreds of dollars over your Christmas or New Years vacation.

Daily full breakfast for up to two in-room guests in Mi Casa
$150 resort credit toward incidental expenses
Upgrade on arrival if available
Early check-in and late check-out if available
Complimentary Wi-Fi

12.14.2016

holiday travel | how do you choose your flights?

It's getting cold out there! Today's forecast high in Chicago is only 20º, while vacationers in Maui will enjoy sun, sand, and 80º highs ... and travelers to Puerto Rico will have it even warmer with a high of 85º.

You want to go, but how will you get there? A recent survey asked holiday travelers how they made their decision on which flight to book. Their answers were not unexpected. 38% chose the cheapest price. 26% considered the most convenient times to depart and arrive. 17% chose the flight fewest number of stops. 10% booked their favorite airline. 5% were able to use miles for their flights.

Another way of looking at these data — 62% of travelers realized that price is not the most important consideration. The logic of internet shopping is that cheapest is best, but that's frequently not the case. Consider the following scenarios:

What if saving $20 per ticket meant you'd arrive late at night instead of midday? Isn't it worth $20 to spend your first afternoon on the beach ... instead of the plane?

What if you could save $20 per ticket, but that meant connecting in two different cities and changing planes twice? Not only would this introduce the possibility of missed connections due to bad weather, it also increases the chances of lost or delayed luggage. Any of these pitfalls would ruin your first day.

Or, considering the latest trend, what if you booked the very cheapest fare, only to find out that you'd have to pay extra to put your bag in the overhead compartment on the airplane? Yes, I'm talking about you — Spirit Airlines and United "Basic".

Still want to get away this winter to someplace warm and sunny? There are so many beautiful possibilities! And if you've waited this long to plan a vacation between Christmas and New Years ... good news! There's still space available at two of my favorite resorts, Dorado Beach (Puerto Rico) and Four Seasons Oahu (Hawaii) — and we can get you value-added amenities including complimentary breakfast for two daily and a resort credit at either resort!

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

12.22.2015

travel is the best gift | five reasons why

Still wondering what to give a loved one for Christmas?... You should consider the gift of travel. Here are my five best reasons why travel is the best gift.

1. We already have too much stuff. Do you need to buy more things to clutter up your life? Travel takes up zero shelf space, collects no dust, and will neither be returned nor re-gifted.

2. Life-changing experiences — travel provides encounters with scenic natural beauty; diverse cultures; and unique sights, tastes, and sounds.

3. Bridges of understanding — in a world with so much misunderstanding and division, travel is the best form of diplomacy. It's a small world after all!

4. Lifelong dividends in the form of memories you'll always cherish: the bustle of vibrant cities, snow-capped mountain vistas, walks through serene green forests, unforgettable culinary adventures, face-to-face encounters with classic works of art, and the experience of being a guest in world's most legendary hotels.

5. Quality family time. Families who travel together create strong and lasting bonds across the generations. Multi-generational travel creates precious together time.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

12.18.2012

New York Christmas decorations

Mandarin Oriental New York is located on Columbus Circle at the southwest corner of Central Park, high atop the Time Warner Center. The ground floor of the building contains an upscale shopping mall with some festive holiday decorations. A client has shared this video and given me permission to post it on Travel Horizons.

With a contemporary Asian style, Mandarin Oriental New York is a good choice if business takes you to the West Side, if Lincoln Center is in your plans, or if you just want a killer view of Central Park from the lobby bar.

Virtuoso amenities include an upgrade at the time of booking (which really works out to be a nice discount on your room), daily continental breakfast for two, and a $100 spa credit for 2013. And when there are third night free promotions, the Virtuoso amenities also apply. Don't book online, as these value-added perks are available only through a Virtuoso travel consultant.

Mandarin Oriental New York (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

11.15.2012

6BR Villa at Jumby Bay | available over Christmas

private pool, overlooking the Caribbean

If you're trying to book a Caribbean vacation right now over Christmas and New Year's, you've probably had a frustrating time of it — especially if you've got a large family and want to bring everyone along. I just got word that Jumby Bay has Festive Season availability in two estate homes.

Sandpiper is a 5BR home with private pool and staff — $21,000 + tax per night, with all meals included.

Harbour Heights is a 6BR home with private pool with staff — $21,000 + tax per night, with all meals included

An all-inclusive resort, all Jumby Bay guests receive daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, beverages, cocktails, and house wine by the glass. Also complimentary is a daily children's program. Meals for estate home guests are available either in your residence (prepared by your private chef) or in the resort's restaurants and bars. A 10-night minimum is required for these homes between December 20, 2012 and January 6, 2013.

If you book Jumby Bay through a Virtuoso travel consultant, you'll also receive an upgrade if available upon check-in and a $100 spa credit.

Jumby Bay (search here on Google)

9.02.2011

don't be a last-minute travel planner

It's probably too late if you want to make any BIG plans for Labor Day weekend (although I did make one last-minute booking last night for a client who will be spending the weekend at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas). However, if you'd like to be vacationing somewhere during the Christmas and New Year season — and you don't already have reservations — now is the time to do some serious dreaming...

Are you drawn to the beach, to the mountains, to a romantic countryside inn, or to a vibrant city? Do you want to stay close to home - or fly to a far-off destination? Many resorts have minimum stay requirements over Festive Season, and many of the best properties are wait-list only at this point ... but the longer you wait, the more limited your options will be! The holidays are not friendly to last minute travel planning.

Summer is already over! What's on your bucket list for this fall and winter?

last minute travel (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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10.17.2008

Christmas in Ireland?

Looking for a unique destination to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas vacation? Why not consider Christmas in Ireland? Stay in Dublin with its theater, culture, shopping, and vibrant nightlife — or explore the idyllic Irish countryside. You will treasure the fond memories of this family holiday forever.

The soft economy has led to some amazing luxury travel bargains. Joe Brancatelli's excellent travel website (subscribe at JoeSentMe.com) alerted me to some great Aer Lingus business class fares to Dublin — $1430 from JFK, BOS, or IAD; $1538 from ORD; and $1598 from SFO. These round-trip Holiday Fares before tax are available within two travel windows, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 30-Jan. 2.

Where to stay in Ireland? Here are two great choices.

The Merrion Hotel is a traditional five star hotel in the center of Dublin. Created from four Georgian Townhouses (with a contemporary Garden Wing), you should book a room in the traditional wing to get the full experience of this traditional property. With a magical Christmas tree in The Front Hall, The Merrion has special plans for Christmas, including a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve with a gift for every child and a glass of champagne for Mum and Dad.

Mount Juliet is a Georgian Mansion on a 1500 acre country estate overlooking the River Nore. Christmas Day is something special with a visit from Santa and a traditional Christmas lunch. There is a superb Virtuoso package including full breakfast daily and a complimentary lunch for two once during your stay — all at the best available rate.

Make your plans early as there is a 30-day advance booking requirement for the Aer Lingus business class sale ... and limited space at the Merrion and Mount Juliet. Contact your Virtuoso luxury travel consultant for more information.

Christmas in Ireland (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2008 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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12.04.2007

last minute Christmas vacation travel

So, you've procrastinated! The cold, wet, nasty winter weather is starting to spread across the country, and you'd like to go away to some warm, sunny beach in the Caribbean for the holidays.

It's the worst time of the year to plan last minute Christmas vacation travel, but it's not impossible (and it won't come cheap). Good travel consultants work through distributors who handle the Caribbean and other warm destinations, and if there's space to be found, their contacts are the ones who can find your mid-winter vacation getaway spot. It's time-consuming work, and your travel consultant will likely charge you a fee for her or his time, but this is the answer to your last-minute Christmas vacation.

So if the thought of a white Christmas isn't what's thrilling you as you deal with the cold, wet, wintry December weather, start dreaming of a white sand beach, balmy breezes, rum drinks with little umbrellas, and a carefree week in the tropics.

last minute Christmas vacation travel (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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7.24.2007

Christmas Space | Four Seasons Nevis

If you've waited until now to book space for your family over Christmas vacation, you probably thought you were out of luck. The most highly sought Caribbean resorts have long been completely booked.

However... the Four Seasons Nevis has two (2) luxury four-bedroom villas available for a ten night stay over Christmas to include Dec. 25th. The rate is $6,250. Per night. If you're quick, you can reserve a villa at the Four Seasons Nevis for an unforgettable family holiday over Christmas and New Years on the beautiful Caribbean island of Nevis.

copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you would like to book one of these villas, click here or visit my website.
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5.05.2007

travel planning | order or spontaneity?

How many times have you seen this kind of question asked by someone planning travel?

We are going to Italy this summer.
Should we book our rooms now?
Or should we just wait until we get there to get a room?

While I have some very definite personal preferences about planning my own travel, I also recognize that people are different and value different kinds of experiences.

Some people cannot relax unless every possible variable has been anticipated and planned for. Their trips are scheduled on a spreadsheet with every detail accounted for. Hotel reservations are printed out on a meticulous itinerary. Sightseeing has been scheduled to-the-minute with maps and commentary reproduced from guidebooks. Dinner reservations have been made and show tickets booked.

This would drive other people crazy. They want to be spontaneous. They want to relax and enjoy themselves. They want to wake up in the morning, leave their hotel, and just go wherever their whims take them. When they come to a metaphorical fork in the road, they want to make that decision in the moment. Sometimes the road less taken leads to serendipitous discoveries, and sometimes it just goes to the city dump. No matter... this is how they do things!

Using the language of the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator, I am describing Judgers (who like things to be orderly and predictable) and Perceivers (who appreciate spontaneity). If you're curious about your own personality type, try this online test .

My perspective? Sometimes a little bit of structure can maximize your freedom.

You don't want to get off your trans-Atlantic flight, jet-lagged and disoriented, and have to spend the next four hours figuring out where to leave your bags. This doesn't make the first day of your vacation especially enjoyable.

You don't want to arrive in a popular tourist destination in high season without reservations, having to settle for what's left (either the least desirable hotel that nobody else wanted or some exorbitantly expensive suite that was cancelled at the last minute).

And you don't want to wait until the last minute to plan a trip for the week after Christmas or Easter. Any remaining plane tickets will be expensive (if there are empty seats at all), and the resorts you really want to stay in may be fully booked. In fact, it may already be too late (and we're only in the first week of May) to make some kinds of bookings for Christmas week.

So should you book your rooms in advance or when you arrive? There is no right or wrong answer. The important thing is to know what kind of traveler you are ... and plan accordingly.

If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

12.24.2006

the gift of christmas

How does an airport-closing snowstorm in Colorado affect me when I live in California and have no plans to travel east for the holidays? Well, I'm a travel consultant (actually quite new in the industry ... just seven months now), and I have clients whose travel plans included Denver.

The phone call came at 7 p.m. Thursday night. I hadn't even eaten dinner yet! One client was already at the family's condo near the ski slopes. Her tree was trimmed and the home was decorated for the holidays, awaiting the rest of the family. Her husband and daughters had managed to change their canceled flights to Saturday. But United had just canceled the next-day flights for her two sons who were scheduled to fly in from the east coast.

This mother called with a plea that anyone can understand. All she wanted for Christmas was for her whole family to be together. She couldn't get through to United on the phone. Nothing seemed to be working. Could I help?

Let me pause the story with a true confession. I really don't do air, and I'm not alone. Sabre is a beast of a program, and it's very easy to make a simple but expensive mistake booking with Sabre, so I don't even try. I book air travel for my clients, when they need me to do it, the same way you do ... through the airlines' web sites.

However, I know enough Sabre to punch in the codes to see what flights are available and how many seats are open in what classes of service. Armed with that information, I went to Continental's website and secured two reservations (they had different return dates) for her sons. The first reservation went through without a hitch. The second reservation ... well, apparently someone had bought the same seat just moments before I clicked the button.

That's what was happening Thursday night. Flights to Denver were being bought quicker than the computers could keep up with the itinerary. Option after option failed to produce an itinerary that I could book. Finally I entered a one-way search for WAS-DEN on orbitz, and after a few misses, scored a nonstop flight for the second son! (He'll be happy; the only remaining seat was in first class).

How can I explain this seat suddenly appearing? Probably passengers were holding multiple reservations, and someone released this seat when something less expensive became available for them.

So after a couple of hours of really stressful work, I had saved Christmas! My client's whole family would be together. And what did I charge for my services? It was my gift. (My general manager will shudder to read this!) It was my pleasure to be able to give my clients ... the gift of Christmas.

travel agent consultant airline airport closing United Continental Denver snowstorm Christmas gift family together Sabre orbitz ski slopes tree

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