You can remember when there was NO internet, and that it was supposed to put travel agents out of business. If I could transport this blog post back in time to the mid 90s (when the internet was just starting to become disruptive), it would have been considered heresy in travel agent circles. With that anecdote as a backdrop, here are some websites and travel APPs that I use (and how I use them).
Let’s talk about the Google ones first:
Google Translate – remember when you’d take a phrase book on vacation? This APP is reliable (although not perfect), and you can use your camera for instant translation of a sign or document, OR you can speak into it, and it will do instant translation.
Google Flights – travel agents have fancy booking engines they can use to look at air options across various carriers. I use Google Flights for my personal flight research – it has just about all the functionality that those proprietary systems travel agents use.
Google Maps – you undoubtedly use this already. When you’re travelling, to save bandwidth (and potential roaming charges), you may want to download maps of the area you’re visiting before you leave home.
Virtuoso Destinations – this one comes from the consortium we belong to, and the site is designed to help travel agents sell travel (in the interest of full disclosure). However, there are tons of great short articles, as well as links to hotels and tours. Here’s the link: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/bobbrad77410/travel/destinations
Seat Guru (www.seatguru.com). This provides seat maps for air carriers that I have found to be far easier to use, and with much better information than the airlines’ websites. There are also reviews of individual seat locations by travellers that have been on that specific plane.
Trip Advisor & Cruise Critic. These wiki sites can be valuable, but it’s a bit like panning for gold. The overwhelming majority of the information and feedback on both sites is junk. Eliminate ALL the 5-star and 1-star reviews, then go looking for specific and thoughtful feedback. There won’t be much remaining, but the few thoughtful reviews that navigate the shades of gray (as opposed to the black and white reviews that are encouraged on both sites) are really helpful.
Costco Travel. Nobody can beat Costco for rental cars, and sometimes hotels.
E-Sim APPS. These are APPs you can download to your phone to enable better and cheaper connectivity when you’re travelling abroad. I’ve experimented with a few of them, and when I find one I think is really good, I’ll share that with you.
Airline APPs. Some are certainly better than others, but I always download the APP for the carrier with whom I am flying. You’ll get instant notification of flight changes and delays – something that is very helpful.
Travel Insurance APP. Likewise if your insurance carrier has an APP you can download to your phone, you should do so. Trying to find an emergency phone number or your policy number DURING a crisis never goes well.
E-books & Podcasts. I load my iPad up with both prior to leaving on a trip – particularly if there’s a long flight involved.
Uber. In most places abroad, the Uber APP will work just as well as it does at home, and in many cases is a far better option than a local taxi.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
SEABOURN
Seabourn is like travelling on friend’s yacht – although a bit bigger. Seabourn ships hold between 450 and 600 guests, and are fully inclusive. Here’s a couple trips that caught my eye:
Turkey & Greece departing October 27, 2024 for one week
- Visit Istanbul, Canakkale (for Troy), Izmir, Patmos, Rhodes, Spetses, Athens.
- As a gift from our agency, get a private wine tour in Rhodes.
- Veranda rooms from $3999
Portugal, Morocco & Spain departing November 2, 2024 for 14-days
- Visit Barcelona, Malaga, Tangier, Casablanca (overnight), 4 stops in the Canary Islands with an overnight in Tenerife, Madeira, Lisbon
- As a gift from our agency, get a private car & driver in Casablanca.
- This cruise is on Seabourn Sojourn. See our ship tour video here: https://youtu.be/RJT7BVFpoqo?si=r337iyX3FMalm-P-
- Fares start at $7499 on this all-suite vessel.
CRUISING WITH TAUCK
You may know Tauck as the luxury land-tour operator. Time to check out their river cruises, and small ship ocean adventures.
Portugal & Spain on the Douro River for one-week on their 84-guest vessel:
- Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
- See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
- 2024 is sold out, but travel April to November 2025 from $5890
Great Lakes between Chicago and Toronto for 12-days:
- 2-nights in Chicago, the board the ship (Le Bellot – 184 guests) to visit Muskegon and Holland (Michigan), Mackinac Island, Detroit (for the Henry Ford Museum), Cleveland (for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, and 2-nights in Cosmopolitan Toronto.
- 2025: Departures in August & September for $10,790. There are a handful of spots left in August/September 2024 – inquire.
MOROCCO ADVENTURE WITH INTREPID PREMIUM
This land-cruise is a 4-star exploration of this incredibly interesting and diverse country in Northern Africa. Part European, part African, and completely engaging. This is a great pre or post adventure for a Mediterranean cruise:
Casablanca to Marrakech for 12-days:
- Visit Casablanca, Meknes/Fez, Erfoud, Sahara Desert, Skoura, Ait Benhaddou, Imlil, Marrakech.
- Experience the urban culture in Casablanca and Marrakech; be escorted through the twisting streets of the medinas; see Roman ruins, have lunch with a local family in the High Atlas Mountains, do a Sahara Desert “Camp” and camel ride. Stay at a desert oasis town, see the Todra Gorge, visit a Kasbah owned by the same family for 300 years. Stay at Ait Benhaddou – a popular spot for film production (Lawrence of Arabia, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Game of Thrones, Gladiator).
- Weekly departures July through December from $3715 pp. Includes transfers, accommodation, most meals.
CANADIAN ROCKIES and GLACIER NP with COLLETTE
Calgary round-trip for 7-days
- Visit Banff, Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, Waterton Lakes, Athabasca Glacier, Glacier NP, Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump.
- Weekly departures May through September from $3299.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS WITH HX
- 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights. Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.
- $6539 for departures in November & December of 2024. Fare also available in Jan/Feb/Mar of 2025.
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
