Atlantis Paradise Island in Bahamas is a destination for everyone

Adult Travelers - Think Vegas but in Paradise with miles of white sand beaches

Couples The Active Honeymoon  - We've got more activities than you can fit in a day

Young at Heart - Never too old for adventure

Discerning, well-traveled  - They've got high expectations; we can meet them

Special Needs - Incredible, memorable accessible

Multi-generational families - No one has to sacrifice

Families with little ones - less whining = more fun

Families with teens - a vacation that earns them the ultimate bragging rights.

Want to learn more about this beautiful destination in the Bahamas?  Call us today at (603)228-1625 or email linda@travlbudi.com

 

Guadeloupe Islands what to see and do

1. Hit the beach at Ste-Anne but while you are there you can go shopping, eat and have a drink at great bars.
2. Visit a Volcano
3. Catch a waterfall
4. Join the Route du Rhum Celebration.  This sailboat race from France to Pointe-a-Pitre, the capital of Grande-Terre, only occurs every four years.
5. Command a fort -  Fort Louis Delgres, on the southwest coast of Basse-Terre and Fort Napolean in Terre-de-Haut still look as much they did back in colonial days.
6. Dance, dance, dance  - Zouk was born here but the locals also love salsa, soca, calypso, reggae, and American and European dance music.
7. Savor French Creole Cuisine 
8. Swim with the Fishes -  Jacques Cousteau called the Pigeons Islands, just off Basse-Terre's west coast one of the worlds top 10 dive sites.
9. Take a ferry to paradise -  A bridge connects Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre but visitors can also visit Guadeloupe's other islands.
10. Buy yourself a present - Market vendors feature madras headwraps and dolls, hand-woven items of straw, species and then local stores sell French perfume and clothes.

 

Costa Rica a destination of many activities

Not sure if Costa Rica is the right destination for you?  Here are some of the great activities you can do while visiting Costa Rica:

• Ballooning
• Mountain Biking
• Bungee jumping
• Zip lining
• Deep sea fishing
• Diving
• Freshwater fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Paragliding
• River rafting
• Sea kayaking
• Ocean and wind surfing
• Bird watching
• Butterfly farms
• Coffee tours
• Spas and hot springs
• Museums

Costa Rica is a paradise for destination weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, family vacations, reunions, corporate meetings and incentives, culinary tours, yoga and meditation retreats and plenty of eco-adventure.

Call us today to learn more about this destination and too book at (603)228-1625 or email: linda@travlbudi.com

 

River Cruise Perks for Singles

Are you single and looking to do a river cruise?  Here are some great reasons why you should.

• Solo Cabins, while limited in number, give singles their own space.

• River cruising is highly inclusive; its great value for the money.

• Like-minded passengers have similar interests (wine, art, bicycling, history, hiking and much more).

• Singles can book a double occupancy cabin by paying a reduced or sometime waived fee.

• Onboard cruise directors will introduce solo travelers to fellow guests and assist in getting involved in activities.

• Ships typically dock in city centers, conducive to independent exploring.

• Open-seat dining allows flexibility to sit with other guests on each night.

Call today to ask about pricing and brochures on River Cruising at (603)228-1625

Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, located in beautiful Labrelotte Bay on the island of Saint Lucia, is the perfect place to get away for an all-inclusive Caribbean vacation. Balancing culture, entertainment, romance and adventure, Windjammer Landing provides guests with everything they need to create a memorable experience that is uniquely Saint Lucia.

From our friendly and approachable staff, to the white sand along the Caribbean Sea, to the hillside Villas offering stunning views of the ocean. Windjammer Landing is ideal for a romantic escape or a relaxing family vacation. An independent, one-of-a-kind resort, once you experience the personal touch at Windjammer Landing, you’ll never want to leave.

 

One beautiful island and 3 great Sandals resorts to stay at in St. Lucia

Sandals Regency La Toc - A posh elegance and unmatched level of privacy with cliff-side setting surrounded by lush tropical gardens.  The all-suite, butler-service Sunset Ocean Bluff presents an exclusive resort within an resort and it is perched 3 stories above sea.

This resort offers 331 rooms and suites on over 220 acres and is only 10 minutes from the airport.  This resort also has its own golf course, Red Lane Spa and amazing restaurants.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian - offers 301 rooms and suites on over 17 acres and only 20 minutes from the airport.  This resort is located on its own peninsula often described as the closest vacation to a picture-perfect postcard.  The resort boasts the famous rondoval suites with private pools and is on a beautiful stretch of beach.

Sandals Halcyon is the true garden of eden resort by the sea.  This resort boast 169 rooms on over 22 acres and 10 minutes from the airport.  This resort is excellent for physically challenged and has a unique over the water restaurant.  The resort is built by design into the environment with classic island architecture in soft pastels and ginger-bread detailed cottages that blend into the lush beachside landscape.  There is on building taller than a palm tree.

So whether you are staying at 1 resort such as Halcyon you have exchange privileges with the 2 other Sandals resorts which gives you a total of 22 restaurants to choose from. 

 

Sandals Royal Bahamian

The Bahamas Most Elegant Resort is now in Nassau and is called "Sandals Royal Bahamian".  This refined resort is filled with European sophistication and extravagant details including Roman colonnaded pools, towering arches and majestic statues, hidden garden pools and a chic off shore island beach club with secluded beachfront lounging areas where you can feel along on your own island.

This resort offers 404 rooms and suites on 15 acres and is only 10 minutes from Nassau airport.  It has 10 gourmet restaurants, Red Lane Spa and fire pits.

 

Sandals Emerald Bay

Sandals Emerald Bay is located in beautiful Great Exuma in the Bahamas.  This resort offers turquoise waters on a blissful 1 1/2 mile powder sand beach, Greg Norman designed golf course, Red Lane Spa, heated pool, 24-hour room service, afternoon tea, stadium tennis, beach butler service and a world class marina.

The resort just added 5 new fire pits, new concierge lounge and a two-mile jogging trail around the golf course.

 

Sandals Grand Antigua

Sandals Grand Antigua is situated on one of Antigua best beaches.  This resort is lined with blooming hibiscus and bougainvillea linking two mesmerizing worlds. The tranquility of the tropical Caribbean Grove and the grandeur of the amazing crystal blue waters.

This resort offers 373 rooms and suites on over 27 acres and it is only 15 minutes from the airport.

 

Great tours on some of my favorite Caribbean Islands

Having trouble choosing an island here are some helpful tips of tours in some of my favorite islands: 

Saint Lucia - Soufriere Adventure Cruise, Island Buggies, Rainforest Canopy Adventure (zip line), Soufriere Jeep Discovery and Waterfall Revelation

Jamaica - Catamaran Cruises, Dolphin swims, deep sea fishing, bamboo rafting, horse back ride and swim, zip line canopy

Turks and Caicos - kitty katt catamaran cruise, provo adventure cruise, undersea explorer, golfing, champagne half day cruise, scuba diving

Antigua - extreme circumnavigation, rainforest canopy adventure, adventure Antigua eco-tour, sunset cruise

Exuma - Thuderball 007 - pigs swim, exuma cays ocean safari, bone fishing, castaway getaway and taste of the island.

Grand Cayman  - dolphin swim and stingray feeding, amphibious bus adventure, horse back ride and swim, island tour and turtle farm and kayaking.

Let me help you find the Caribbean that has something for everyone to enjoy besides their beautiful beaches, tasty cuisine and friendly people.  Call (603)228-1625

How using a travel agent benefits - YOU!

 

BENEFITS OF USING AN EXPERIENCE TRAVEL AGENT!

There are a host of compelling reasons to use a travel agent: Travel agents are out to find the consumer the best rate available. Convenient one-stop shopping. Agents are there to save you money as well as time.

Customer advocacy: If you have a problem with a particular part of your travel experience, the agent is there to act on your behalf to see that restitution is made. 

Expert guidance: Travel agents, unlike instructions on a Web page, are experts in understanding and deciphering the myriad of travel information and codes out there. It's what they've been trained to do and they do it every day.

Personalized service: Instead of an impersonal voice thousand of miles away, travel agents are you neighbors. They know what you want and what you value in your travel experience.

Professional advice: Travel agents are there to make sure you get where you want to go, when you want to go and for the lowest price.

Time: Instead of checking a long list of travel Web pages, which only provide rates and fares for the companies that have contracted with them, why not go straight to the source? A travel agent has all the information at their fingertips, saving you a few hours in front of a computer screen.

Unbiased information: Agents work for their clients, not for a travel supplier. It makes sense that a happy customer will be a repeat customer.

Helpful tips for the upcoming traveling holidays season

Call travLBudi, LLC today book everything from flights, car rentals to hotels!

Avoid peak travel dates
Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Fridays this year, which means that the same advice for Thanksgiving will apply to both of these holidays -- fly on the holiday itself if possible, and avoid Sunday evening at the end of the long weekend.

Book early
Haven't booked your holiday travel yet?  It's time to stop waiting and call your local travel agent today to start booking.   For the Christmas holiday; book sooner rather than later, particularly if you require very specific travel dates or times. With the current state of the airline industry, it is never too early to book your holiday travel flights.  While many of the best deals are probably already gone, be prepared to be flexible with dates and flight times.  When having your travel agent book your flights make sure they have planned enough layover time in case of inclement weather and delays. 

Leave early.
During peak travel times, much of the trouble you'll face lies on this side of the security check-in, from traffic jams and full parking lots to absent shuttles and long lines. Rather than striving to "arrive at the airport early," you may want to try to "leave for the airport early" to anticipate all the peripheral delays you may encounter.
 

Pack wisely.
In the past, you may have been able to fit everything into your carry-on without having to check any baggage -- a strategy we still recommend. However, the TSA rules about liquids and gels make this a trickier proposition. For the record, you may bring liquids and gels in three-ounce or smaller containers, packed within a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. You're also allowed to bring any liquids (such as coffee or water) or gels purchased after you go through a security checkpoint onto your plane with you. If you want to bring more than the three-ounce amounts, you'll have to pack the items in your checked luggage.

When packing, keep in mind that most airlines are now charging travelers a fee all bags that are being checked varying in pricing from $20 and up.

Whenever possible, print your boarding passes at home or use check-in kiosks. These services are no longer restricted to the airport, and can be found in hotels and other places in increasing numbers.  Think about doing your holiday shopping online and having your gifts shipped to your destination. This will cut down on luggage and the risk of them getting lost.

Travel early or late in the day.
As a rule, airports are least congested at times when normal human beings would rather be at home or even asleep. Delays are far less likely for morning flights, and airports usually unclog as the afternoon and evening peak passes.

A couple of caveats: Staffing can be spotty for really early flights, so although your flight is highly likely to be ready to leave on time, check-in may take a while, along with other personnel-dependent steps like riding shuttle buses.

Consider package deals.
Listen to the package deals that your travel agent can offer you during peak travel periods can be the best time to buy even for folks who would never buy one, as the bundled pricing offered by packages can be very competitive, even (or especially) at times of high demand.

Some More Tips

Be prepared for more than the usual slowdowns at security. Even though the TSA's liquid and gel rules have been around for a few years now, infrequent fliers may still be caught off guard.
Gas up the night before you travel; no one leaves enough time for buying gas on the way to the airport.

Bring diversions. Take along work, books, magazines, a CD player, some healthy snacks -- whatever you need to get through delays. This goes double when traveling with kids.

Keep your cool. Airline employees have considerable power over your well-being. Unfortunately many enjoy wielding it against you, and few respond well to anger.

 Have phone numbers for everything: your travel agency, hotel, car rental, airline, friends at your destination.

Check flight status repeatedly. Know your airline's 800 number as well as your flight numbers and exact times.  When traveling on an E-ticket, carry a printout of your itinerary from your airline or booking site.

With airlines continuing to cut back on service, it's more important than ever to confirm your flight several days before you leave -- that way you'll have a little leeway to make alternate plans if necessary.

If you know you'll need long-term airport parking while you're away, be sure to have your travel agent reserve you a spot ahead of time at an off-airport lot so you're guaranteed a space.
 Don't over pack even checked luggage; overstuffed bags that must be opened for a security check are much harder to repack.

Do not wrap gifts, especially if you intend to carry them on the plane. Even in checked baggage, there is a strong chance they will be unwrapped for inspection by security personnel. Consider gift bags instead of wrapping paper this holiday season -- you can easily remove the items from their bags if required and you don't have to do a last-minute wrapping job at your destination.

If you're leaving pets at home and you haven't made kennel reservations, do so right away kennels fill up quickly around the holidays.

Luggage Packing issues to avoid

Packing Problem #1: Airport Security Confiscates Your Prized Possession
if you plan correctly and make sure everything you're packing in your carry-on bag is permitted on an airplane by the TSA, you shouldn't have any problem getting your luggage through the airport security checkpoint. But if you're a procrastinator who carelessly throws a bag together as the airport van is waiting in the driveway (or if, like Ashley, you simply forgot about the rules), you may have some trouble getting through security. So when an officer finds your four-ounce bottle of designer perfume and permanently removes it from your carry-on bag, is it lost forever? Not necessarily.

If you're certain you has plenty of time before your flight takes off, you can go back to your airline's check-in counter and either check your carry-on bag or ask to have the prohibited item placed in your checked luggage. Keep in mind that you will have to wait in line at the check-in counter and at the security checkpoint all over again, so you may need an extra hour or two before your flight is scheduled to depart. There is no guarantee that the airline staff will be able to help you out, so don't return to the check-in counter unless you have time to spare; otherwise, you may risk missing your flight for nothing.

If you haven't checked a bag and you drove to the airport, take your item to the parking lot and place it in your car. Again, be very aware of how much time you have, especially if you've parked in a lot that is a lengthy walk or ride away from the airport. You will have to wait in the security line all over again.

Did someone drop you off at the airport? If he or she is a very good friend (or someone who owes you a favor), give that person a call and ask him or her to turn the car around. Promise to bring your helpful friend a souvenir from your trip.

Packing Problem #2: Too Many Souvenirs
You could always just pack less and leave room in the bag for some extra souvenirs. But who really wants to do that? After all, in the current context of expensive baggage fees, empty space in your suitcase is valuable real estate. And if you only brought a carry-on bag, some souvenirs you might purchase, like liquid-filled snow globes, may be prohibited past the airport security checkpoint. With no room in your bag for anything larger than a postcard of Tuscany and only a carry-on in which to cart two weeks' worth of clothing, how do you get those bottles of pricey Italian merlot back to the States? 

Many travelers’ ship souvenirs back home -- especially large or fragile things like handmade Moroccan rugs or Waterford crystal. A reputable shop that caters largely to tourists (and sells big and expensive items like furniture) will likely ship your goods back home right from the store. However, without shipping insurance or a tracking number, you have little control over the fate of your purchase.

A second option is to mail the item yourself. We recommend using major international shipping companies like UPS and FedEx as opposed to a local post office because overseas postal services (especially in developing areas) may be unreliable. Check out the major international shipping companies' Web sites before you leave to see if there's a location near where you will be traveling; if so, write down the address and phone number and stick it in your wallet. Also look up restrictions, shipping costs and shipping times. And make sure to get your shipment insured and write down a tracking number!

Your third, probably cheapest option is to pack a squashy, foldable bag that takes up little room in your suitcase. A soft duffel or zippered tote bag will work. If you end up with a mass of bulky souvenirs, you can unfold the extra bag and check it at the airport. Although you may end up paying a checked-bag fee for an extra piece of luggage, this might be a more economical way to cart your souvenirs home than paying for international shipping, which is not cheap. Wrap some T-shirts or sweaters around any breakable items.

 

Packing Problem #3: You Left (Insert Essential Item) at Home
As you are pulling up to the airport, it hits you like a ton of bricks: you've forgotten your cell phone charger, raincoat, guidebook, wallet or some other item that you need or want to use on your trip. Don't panic. Have you forgotten an item of clothing or an electronic device? It's time to think positive and maybe even treat yourself to something new at an airport shop if you're feeling upset. Or be brave and go on without your favorite possession. (You may even be better off finally breaking your BlackBerry addiction!)

We probably don't need to tell you to turn the car around the second you realize that you don't have your passport. But if you've arrived at the airport with only a few hours before your flight, not enough time to get home and back, and without proper identification, you're going to miss your flight. If you're traveling to any international destination, including Canada and Mexico, there is no way you're getting on a plane without a passport.

So now you've missed your flight. You still have a chance to save your vacation. Stop crying -- everyone is staring. First, go to your airline's check-in desk and try to get on the next flight. If you're already on your way home, pull over the car and call your airline. Airlines' policies on missed or canceled flights vary, so you may find a sympathetic ear or you may end up paying full price for a new ticket.