Currently planning your next trip to Tokyo? Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and is still known as one of the world’s greatest cities to visit. Tokyo offers visitors the chance to explore its interesting cultural history, making it a great place to visit for those who enjoy cultural-based trips. It’s also a place that’s seen as a leader in things like fashion and technology, making it a city that offers both historical and modern things to see and do.
Currently planning your next trip to the Holy Land? Jerusalem is full of rich history, and offers a wide variety of museums, artifacts, and spectacularly designed architectural buildings for travelers to explore and enjoy.
Jerusalem’s Old City
This part of Jerusalem is considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s surrounded by ancient walls and home to a variety of historic sites that are considered to be holy, of which many are dated back to BC. Travelers are encouraged to check out any recent event postings that allow them to further explore the fascination culture that exists here.
Thinking about planning your next trip to Germany? Berlin is the capital of Germany and is a must see when vacationing in the country of Germany. Countries that border Germany include Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, making it so many travelers who visit Germany will also choose to visit one or more of these other western European countries.
Thinking about taking your next vacation in Europe? Visiting the beautiful country of Austria is a definite must! The exceptionally gorgeous mountains, the outdoor adventure opportunities, the small and charming villages, the friendly people, and the cuisine are just a few of the top reasons why everyone should visit Austria at least once in their lifetime.
1. You don’t know if you don’t ask!
Many hotels will accommodate requests for items and special things to be in your room when you arrive. You can always go with the classic champagne and chocolates, but things like rose petals and special notes are well within most hotels abilities. While some hotels won’t be able to make these things happen, many of them will, and you won’t know what your hotel is willing to do if you don’t ask – the worst thing they can do is say no! In a similar vein, many restaurants will allow you to make special requests such as a particular table, but keep in mind that they may not be able to work things out, especially on a busy day like Valentine’s Day. Once again, however, it doesn’t hurt to ask!
2. Make the whole trip about your Valentine!
Many times the “Valentine’s Day” part of the trip is confined to the hotel and the restaurant, but with a little effort the travel can be part of the experience as well! Taking a road trip with your partner and stopping along the way can be a great way to turn the boring part of a Valentine’s Day trip into part of the whole shebang.
3. Look for hotels with private pools.
The other week, we ran a piece about hotels and resorts that offered private pools, meaning that they are exclusive to your room and you won’t have to worry about running into anyone else while you’re enjoying them. These private pools can be incredibly romantic and can add an entire other layer to your Valentine’s Day trip.
4. When all else fails, splurge big on an AirBnB.
We can’t all afford a night in an expensive hotel with a private pool, but AirBnB can be a great resource to shake things up. Picking on that is close to you cuts down on travel costs, and the novelty of staying in a different house and sleeping in a different bed can really make Valentine’s Day special. Often, the cost of an upscale AirBnB is comparable (if not less) than a much smaller hotel room. Go wild!
Valentine’s Day Travel Tips
When I should I leave if I’m driving for Christmas? Well, Travel Makers is here today to fill you in on the best times to leave if you’re driving somewhere for Christmas 😊 It’s bound to be a difficult travel season, but if you follow these tips, it might just be a little more bearable!
Traveling internationally is one of the most rewarding experiences that a traveler can enjoy, and immersing yourself in a different country or culture can open your eyes to new and fantastic perspectives. That said, traveling internationally comes with its own set of challenges. Luckily, Travel Makers has some international travel tips that will help you out – lets jump right in!
Any travel agent worth their salt will tell you that most countries won’t let you through customs unless your passport is valid for three months after you are scheduled to leave their country. While this is for security, it can be an unfortunate barrier for some wishing to travel abroad. Additionally, make copies of your passport in the event it is lost or stolen, as copies make its easier to work with the U.S. Embassy to help you get home.
Some places are relatively safe, but bad things can happen anywhere. In the event that something happens to you, letting the Embassy know your travel plans can help them help you should something go wrong. Use the Embassy! They’re there to help!
Nothing could be worse than sitting down at a beautiful seaside restaurant in Greece and realizing that you can’t take any pictures. Europe uses a different electrical system than we do here in the states, and you’ll need special adapters to charge all of your electronics. These can easily be found online, and its worth picking up a set if you plan on traveling abroad. That said, most large hotels overseas sell them in the snack area, but you’ll pay a hefty markup.
Airport currency exchanges are convenient, sure, but they’re going to charge a huge fee to switch out your money. Most U.S. banks allow you to exchange currency while you’re still inside the U.S., and require you to order the currency ahead of time before you pick it up. International ATMs are another option, but watch out for the ATM fees!
Finally, there joy of traveling internationally is that you get to meet new people, see new places, and try new things. Don’t be afraid to sample and exotic dish or learn a few words in a different language. The best part of travel is being to open yourself up to new experiences, so get out there and explore!
Travel Makers
International Travel Tips from Travel Makers
Need some business travel tips? Maybe you’ve just gotten your first job, or maybe you’ve been traveling for years; either way, everyone can benefit from these business travel tips! Let’s jump right in!
Sign up for frequent flyer programs
While most will already have this taken care of, frequent flyer programs are the easiest way to turn your time spent flying into rewards. Most airlines have programs that allow you to accrue miles every time you fly and turn them into free airfare, discounted or free upgrades, access to lounges, and many more. Keep in mind all airlines distribute points differently, so make sure you know how many miles you’re getting for your flight!
Sign up for TSA Pre-Check
If you fly often, as business travels often do, you’ll probably find yourself waiting in line for security. A lot. But, with TSA Pre-check, you get access to a dedicated line that is often much, much faster than the ordinary security line. You won’t have to remove your shoes, belt, jacket, or anything from your carry-on bags, making the whole airport experience much more tolerable. While the TSA Pre-check process is slightly involved (you can find out more about it here), we think it’s totally worth it. Plus, if you’re already a Global Entry or NEXUS member (which you should be if you frequently travel internationally), TSA Pre-check is included, meaning there’s only one interview to sit through. Check out our Global Entry Travel Tips here for more information.
Keep It Light
While you most likely have to have some nice clothes with you for your presentation or meeting, cutting down on the number of bags you have with you means less time waiting to pick them up. Less time waiting to pick them up means more time to explore the city you’re in (or snag a drink at the hotel bar, we’ve been there.) Try traveling in your business attire or carrying it on, allowing you skip the checked bag all together. The airline can’t lose your bag if you’ve got it with you. As a side note, traveling in business attire can also spur gate agents into action when something goes wrong, as airlines will often prioritize their frequent (read: important) travelers before Aunt Edna and her sixtieth trip to Florida.
Get a Power Bank
We’ve all been there – you’re running late for a meeting in the middle of an unfamiliar city and your phone dies. Goodbye GPS, goodbye meeting! Repeat after me: “This has never to happen.” Get yourself a small power bank like this one from Anker, and never fear the battery every again.
Travel Makers
Planning a trip is stressful enough whether you’re planning it for just for you and for your spouse and your family. There are itineraries to create, budgets to stick to, airplane tickets to organize, hotel arrangements to be made and the list goes on and on.
Now imagine planning a trip for a group of 10, 20, 30 or more people all traveling to the same destination and that immense to-do list becomes a bit overwhelming. So why do it?
Here are five reasons why you should leave the organization of your group travel to an experienced travel agent:
Money: When it comes to group travel, there is a lot of money that has to change hands. An agent can help you to collect deposits from the group members and keep payment schedules until the trip is over.
Negotiation: Travel agents can also negotiate group rates with airlines and hotels if 10 or more people are traveling. Imagine how much money you can save when a travel agent uses their expert negotiation skills.
Organization: Remember those itineraries, budgets, airplane tickets, hotel arrangements, as well as the airport and ground transportations, travel documents, excursions, dining reservations, tours and more that need to be taken care of before your trip? All of that needs to be organized and an experienced travel agent can take care of that for you and your group.
Specialization: Many travel agencies have their own specializations, so if you have a group that wants to visit Disney or if they want to visit Italy, you can find a travel agent who has first-hand knowledge of the area. They’ll know the best places to eat or where you should stay, because they visit these areas often.
Emergency assistance: What do you do if a member of your group loses their passport? Or you’re stranded in an area because of a weather issue and you need to change your flight? That might be easy for one person, but try changing travel arrangements for 30 people. An experienced travel agent knows how. They aren’t just there to book your trip. They are there to help you get through the entire trip and home safely.
If you’re interested in using an experienced travel agent to plan your group trip, ask them what group travel they have done and for recommendations. Find someone you’re comfortable with and who understands your group’s needs.
Travel Makers MD
Are you an adrenaline junkie and can’t get enough of those amusement park rollercoasters? Looking forward to a new season of rides and water parks? Here are three of the top amusement parks in the United States that should be on every park lovers must-visit list:
Cedar Point – Ohio: It’s fitting that the “Roller Coaster Capital of the world” would be on a list of top amusement parks. Considered by many to be the best amusement park in the world, it features a total of 17 coasters, one of which is the highest in the world. It also includes rides that have 80 degree drops and some with speeds of 120 miles per hour, perfect for thrill seekers. There’s also a water park, kids park, and race track for the non-coaster fans, or those who just can’t get enough. There’s also dining and entertainment, as well as five different locations for lodging. The park is open from May to October, starting this year on May 6th, and the water park (Cedar Shores) is open from late May to early September.
Hershey Park – Pennsylvania: If you’re taking a trip to Pennsylvania any time soon, you have to make a stop at Hershey Park. The famous chocolate company has a theme park and surrounding attractions that’s perfect for all ages. The park itself includes 13 roller coasters, but that’s not where the fun ends. Surrounding Hershey Park is a zoo, a garden, and a falconry! There’s also The Hershey Story, which describes the story of Milton S. Hershey and provides interactive elements, such as the Chocolate Lab. And, of course, there’s Hershey’s Chocolate World, where you can eat sweets till your heart’s content. The theme park opens in April while The Hershey Story and Chocolate World are open all year long.
Knott’s Berry Farm – California: Knott’s Berry Farm has something for everyone. More than just roller coasters, this unique park offers over 165 rides, ranging from coasters to a water park to kids’ rides. There’s an arcade, a marketplace, and tons of food to eat, including their famous Boysenberry Pie. During the day, children can enjoy Camp Snoopy, which includes kids’ rides and toys. There’s also experiences such as Ghost Town, the Mystery Lodge, and even panning for gold. The park is open all year long, making it a perfect vacation destination.
Travel Makers MD