Sandals Resorts // Over-the-Water Suites

Sandals Resorts are known as one of the most romantic destinations for couples. The resorts are adults only with the slogan "a paradise created for two people on love". And that is so very true. Couples visiting Sandals Resorts will experience an all inclusive luxury vacation with more quality inclusions than any other luxury beach resort. With gorgeous white - and sometimes pink - sand beaches, mouth-watering dining experiences, unlimited beverages, exciting water sports, and SO much more, it is no wonder why so many couples choose Sandals!

Sandals Resorts are constantly growing and enhancing their accommodations. In the second half of 2015, Sandals Resorts is debuting five over-the-water suites on the private island at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in Montego Bay. Each 1,400-square-foot villa will feature a glass floor, a soaking tub, a king-size bed, 65-inch flat screen TVs in both the living room and the bedroom areas, indoor and outdoor showers, outdoor dining space and a built-in hammock over the water.

Excuse me while I go ahead and book this!!

A little bit of trivia - these will be the only over-the-water bungalows other than in the South Pacific!

Call your local travel agent to get more information!

Travel Planners Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama would be thrilled to help! They are the leading Sandals Resort sellers in Alabama. Call them at 205-870-3031! 

Holiday Travel // 2014

It is that time of year again. The wind is blowing and the chill in the air makes you want to cozy up to a fire and sip hot chocolate. The holidays are fast approaching, but it is not too late to plan an exciting adventure.

 

I have compiled a list of five places to visit this holiday season.

 

Amsterdam

The legend of Santa Claus is strong in Amsterdam and the houses are strung with lights at the very beginning of December. During the colder months, Amsterdam is a great place to go ice skating! Fun activity for the kids! The Dutch really know how to make the most of the holiday season. From parades to good food and from markets to festive parties.

 

 

 

 

 

Finland

What is in Finland you ask? Well visiting during the winter is simply breathtaking. Take a trip out to the Urho Kekkonen National Park. It is an actual winter wonderland. You can cross the fresh snow on a reindeer pulled sleigh! Or go cross-country skiing! You can also stay in an igloo!

 

 

 

 

Munich

If you go for only one reason alone, it would to see the hundred-foot Christmas tree. The markets are also a wonderful part of Christmas in Germany. The squares are full off vendors selling mulled wine, gingerbread, and also live holiday music!

 

 

 

 

 

 Charleston

If traveling across seas is not in your budget, not to worry! South Carolina has a lot to offer! Bourbon spiced eggnog, roasted pecans, and choir singing! The streets are decorated with garlands and wreaths adorn all the houses. A prefect quaint Christmas! Not to mention the wonderful food found in Charleston!

 

 

 

 

 

 Boston

Boston is a natural choice for the holidays. The New-England charm is full of coziness! The cobblestone streets covered in snow are picturesque! Boston has so much to do from great bakeries and breweries to sports and shopping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course there are hundreds of other places to venture to during he holiday season. Skiing, the mountains, somewhere tropical. So if you are thinking of getting away this winter, do not hesitate to call Travel Planners at 205.870.3031. We can help you celebrate the holidays in style!

 

 Happy Holidays! Stay Safe!

Travel Tips // 2014

As we enter the last few months of 2014, we start making travel plans for 2015. Over the years as I have traveled I have heard "do this" or "avoid that". Working for a travel agency, I have been educated on the many do's and do not's of the travel world. I have compiled a list of some of the most valuable information when it comes to great travel tips. 

1.) Avoid chain hotels: By staying in a small boutique or family-run hotel, you will be saving more money than you think. You will also have a more unique experience in the area you are vising. 

2.) In countries rich in history and culture (Italy, France, Japan), go off the beaten path: You will avoid the usual crowds and higher prices and in return find better food, shopping, and so on! 

3.) Be wise when choosing flight days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the least-popular travel dates for domestic flights. 

4.) Take a layover tour: Many cities will offer a layover tour. So if you have a long layover, take advantage of the layover tours. Have a 5 hour layover in Paris? Go explore! 

5.) Buy insurance: I can't say it enough. BUY INSURANCE! Yes, it costs a little extra, but you will thank yourself in the long run. What if a family member gets sick? Canceling the trip would cause you to lose everything! Not if you had purchased trip insurance. When asked if you want to add it, don't hesitate. Say YES! 

6.) Scan important documents before you leave: In the event of theft or misplacement, you will be glad you scanned your passport, cards, etc. 

7.) Use a travel agent: I know, coming from someone who works at a travel agency, this comes off as biased. But now that I know how much easier traveling is after using an agent, I will never travel internationally without one! Plus using a travel agency is FREE! So, why not?

Tip from Hayden: As a treat to yourself, send yourself a postcard from each day of your travels. It will be a nice treat to come home to and make the transition to reality easier! 

Diving // The World's Best Dive Sites

I have never been diving but I hear it is a life changing experience. Although, I am not sure I would be able to get over my fear of sharks! All over the world, there are numerous locations known for their amazing diving spots. Take a look at some of the following!

Costa Rica - Cocos Island

The journey is far, but it promises beauty. The island is said to have inspired Jurassic Park. The waters are filled with hammerheads and white-tip reef sharks and are usually frequented by experienced divers.  The island is beautiful and only stretches four miles!

Australia - Magnetic Island

About five miles offshore from Townsville in Queensland, Australia, Magnetic Island offers wide range of diving options. There is plenty of amazing marine wildlife to see and even dive to the world-famous S.S. Yongala wreck. A fantastic dive to see marine and coral life!

Belize - Ambergris

The water here is teeming with life and is home to the famous "Blue Hole" which is a 350ft deep circular hole in the ocean where you can dive down. The water is full of rays and hammerheads. You will see hard corals, sea fans, shellfish of amazing variety, and even may spot a manta ray! 

Micronesia - Truk Lagoon

In the early 1940's, an entire Japanese fleet sunk in the Truk Lagoon and remains there as an underwater museum. The wrecks can be seen by snorkelers, but best explored by scuba. Definitely a must see for those who love diving and seeing new things! 

Scotland - Arran

The Island of Arran, which is twelve miles off the coast of Ayrshire in the Firth of Clyde offers breathtaking scenery and even more superb dive sites. It is teeming with seals and dolphins. You may also see Orcas and a wide variety of shellfish! 

There are dozens of other great dive sites around the world, these are just a handful of the beauty diving  offers!

Tourists Scams // How to Avoid

When traveling you MUST be careful and observant of your surroundings, because you may fall victim to one of the many tourist scams.

Fake Police: A street merchant may put something on your wrist or around your neck, then when you try to give it back, they complain that you are trying to steal it. A uniform policeman-- who is fake–happens to be passing and threatens to arrest you if you do not pay. Be very careful when shopping on the streets of foreign countries, because this happens more than you would think!

Fake Valuables: A vendor may try to sell you a "designer purse" or a "diamond necklace" at a fraction of the going price. These are all scams. While many people will travel JUST to buy the knock-off products, just be careful.

Distraction Theft: Someone may distract you (ask you for directions, help with map...) while an accomplice picks your pocket or goes through your bags. There are dozens of variations of this so be cautious.

Taxi Tricks: When you jump in a cab and ask to go to a specific location, the driver tells you that it is "closed" but offers to take you to a "better" one. At best, the new place is a long trip and will cost you more money.

The Fake "Gift": A street musician hands you what appears to be a "free" CD, asking yo to listen to their music, and after you have it in your hands and are walking away, demands payments even after you try to return it.

Photo Finagling: Someone will offer to take a picture of you and your family with YOUR camera. They then run off with your camera. Be very careful with people walking up and offering to do this!

Fake Friends: You meet a group of friendly locals at a bar or cafe and join them. After a while they leave to use restroom or make a phone call and never return. You are stuck with their bill.


While there are many people who could actually be wanting to help you take a picture and there may be that street musician who wants to give out free music for FREE with no strings attached. But you have to be careful no matter where you travel!

Summer 2014 // Travel Destinations to Consider

Where do you want to travel this summer? While I can't choose your vacation for you, I can certainly narrow down your choice of destinations. And I can guarantee you will have the time of your life at any of these six locations!

Croatia

While Croatia as a whole is gorgeous, I urge you to visit the city of Dubrovnik. The walled city is a genuine medieval location. It is one of the most picturesque places in the world and is certainly the main draw in Croatia. Dubrovnik is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea which provides sizable beaches that are close to the city center. The weather is usually mild, making for wonderful weather to explore the city!

France

Any place in France is unbelievable. I mean it is FRANCE! But the place I suggest visiting is Normandy. There is so much history to be found there. It will blow you away. This year is the best summer to visit because it is the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and there will be many events scheduled from June-August. A must see for this summer. It will be something you will never forget. 

Scotland

Scotland is home to natural beauty. This year is the year of the Scottish Homecoming, so there will be dozens of events, festivals and activities planned. The perfect time to visit! There will be delicious food and music as well! Scotland has so much to do from going on a hike in the national forest to taking a tour of the historic castles. 

Sweden

Sweden is one of those places you don't automatically think to travel to. But it should be. Most people do not know that Sweden is home to wonderful music. Mostly punk and heavy metal, but it is so unique and special to Sweden. Also, for a design lover, Stockholm is a great place to experience the culture and design of the city. Really absorb the beauty of European design. 

Germany

The city I urge you to visit is Hamburg. This is mainly for those Beatles fans since there are so many landmarks from their early years as a band in Hamburg. Such as local pubs they played in, sculptures representing the group and even a plaza named after them. Hamburg is a great place to see local music as well and there is so much to see while visiting. It is the second largest city in Germany with an ample amount of museums, city cruises and old churches to tour.

Japan

Since the announcement of the 2020 Summer Olympics being held in Tokyo, the city has been even more bustling with new attractions. Tokyo is no stranger to large crowds, so be prepared for many tourists and by many I mean thousands. With that beings said, Tokyo has so much to offer such as unlimited shopping, entertainment and dining options. 

Happy Travels!

Travel Insurance // Why Do We Need It?

When booking a trip, a travel agent will always ask you if you are interested in purchasing travel insurance. It is almost like a "Do you want fries with that" of the travel world. Most people see that as an extra cost and decide to opt out. Whether it is your trip, your possessions, your luggage, or your health, travel insurance has become an essential for smart travelers. At Travel Planners, we urge you to consider it.  Why you ask? Let me explain. 

You may need it. If you are taking a long and expensive trip, travel insurance could be a very smart choice. If a natural disaster, sudden illness or family issues arise, will you be losing a great deal of money? Are your plane tickets nonrefundable? Have you been saving for this for years? If you answered yes to any of these, you may need to devise an insurance plan. 

How much is travel insurance? If can range anywhere from five to fifteen percent of the trip, depending on age of traveler and trip details. If this fits your budget, I would strongly suggest purchasing. Would give you a great peace of mind. Call your local travel agent for the details!

Trip-cancellation insurance is a great coverage option when you have paid a substantial amount of money for this getaway. If things end up not working you, you at least get your nonrefundable, prepaid travel costs back. However, trip-cancellation insurance only covers very specific reasons for why your trip was canceled. These include sickness, natural disasters and theft. Make sure to read the fine print when deciding to purchase this insurance. But if traveling to a place where natural disasters are very common, this is a IDEAL coverage option. 

Generally, travel insurance is sold in packages, combining various categories of coverage. Go through them and determine what you need and what you don't. 

Top reasons to purchase travel insurance:

Reasons to buy travel insurance 

                                                       1.) Your flight has been cancelled. 

2.) Your bags are lost and your medication is in it. You need to have an emergency prescription filled.

 3.) Your passport and wallet are stolen, and you need emergency cash and a replacement passport. 

4.)You're involved in an accident and adequate medical treatment is not available. You need medical evacuation. 

5.) You need to cancel your trip due to illness. 

6.) Your cruise line, airline or tour operator goes bankrupt. You need your non-refundable expenses covered and to get to your destination. 

7.) You have a medical emergency in a foreign country. 

8.) A terrorist incident occurs in the city where you’re planning to visit and you want to cancel your trip. 

9.) A hurricane forces you to evacuate your resort, hotel or cruise.