Adventure Sailing Vacation Has No Limits

 

Adventure sailing vacation has no limits when even the physically disabled are able to achieve such a feat. This is as long as there are charities and clubs around that allow people with mixed abilities to work side by side with an able crew on equal terms.

Currently, such groups can be booked for a sailing vacation that will last from 4 days or 4 weeks. Ships can be charted to go from one point in the US to another. Charters those across the Atlantic might sail south or the west to enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Tour groups that provide these cruises are suitable for beginners and veterans alike. First timers get learn the basics and at the end of the course get a certificate. To get more experience, they will have to head out to see regularly. Those who don’t have the time can take an online course because although it is not a substitute for certification, it is a good tool in preparation for your continuing sailing education.

But if you are just doing this for fun to spend time with friends, you don’t have to work. Given that charters already assign a trained crew, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ocean voyage.

Along the way, the ship will dock in different ports. This allows people to go inland and spend some time ashore. They can sleep there as well or go back to the ship to watch the harbor and the stars at night before it is time to set sail to their next destination.

At sea, the crew might encounter dolphins, seals and whales swimming alongside the ship. As they get closer to land, they will most likely encounter cormorants, guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins, shags, skuas and razorbills among other creatures.

Part of the package includes good quality fresh food so you don’t have to bring anything when you come aboard. Crews will do the cooking but you can assist if you want to get into the action. 

To make such tours accessible to those who are and are not physically challenged, companies make it a point that the meeting points are easily accessible by plane and at cheap rates. Booking can be made through your travel agent or you can make the reservation online. You can look at their itinerary for the year so you know where the ship is going on a certain date.

There are also sailing clubs for the disabled. Some will require you to pay a membership fee while others hand this out for free.

Perhaps the biggest achievement for those who are disabled is to compete against others that have similar disabilities. Established in 1998, the US Disabling Team competes in various races annually and the biggest one this year happens to be the 2008 Paralympic Games which will be held in Qingdao, China about 430 miles east of the Capital.

So whether it is just for fun or to race for the grand prize, adventure sailing vacation has no limits even to those with physical disabilities. This is because they can be trained to run the ship just as well as an able bodied person so they are able to set out to sea and return back to port.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

A Holiday on the 7 Seas

 

The problem with a lot of holiday trips is that resorts or theme parks are so predictable.  While we all go that route at first when the kids are little, it doesn’t take long even for the kids to see that these manufactured adventures are just that, pretend adventures and that it's far more exciting to get out there and have a real adventure and come home from holiday or vacation with a memory that will last a lifetime.

This is why yachting has become such a popular approach to enjoying some time off with the family and having an exotic vacation where the variety of things to do is virtually endless.  The yachting industry has come a long way to make the experience available to the wealthy and to people who are not looking for the most luxurious vacation ever as well.  Because you can pick the level of service you want or need, you can opt to have an entire crew on board of your yacht catering to your every need or scale down the size of your service personnel to just a captain or even to skipper the yacht yourself with a bareboat tour that is as close to "us against the world" as you are likely to get. 

The great thing about yachting in one of the exciting vacation spots around the world is you have a lot of freedom to move about easily.  Virtually while you nap, your captain can take you from a remote forest just off shore to gaze through binoculars at exotic beasts in their natural setting to a remote beach you would pay big money to enjoy in a luxury resort.  There is no experience as breath taking as sitting with your sweetheart and seeing the sun go down over the horizon at sea with no land in sight north, south, east or west.  This is the kind of change of pace that can take you out of the humdrum of life and really make you reflect on your life and on the world.  And that is always a healthy outcome of any get away.

The choice of destinations for a yachting holiday are vast and diverse because anywhere you might go to vacation in a land bound resort offers charter yachts so you can take in the entire experience from the deck of a boat that is yours to captain.  Feel free to stand with your hands on your hips and leg up like a pirate king or to stand on the point and shout "I'm the king of the world" to the open seas.  It's your yacht to get out there and enjoy it. 

The biggest problem you might have when planning your yachting vacation is picking what area of the world to enjoy in this very unique way.  Whether your yachting takes you to Greece, Turkey, the south of France, Bulgaria or the gulf coast of America, each location offers exotic cultures to explore, new food sensations to savor each night and shorelines that will all compete for you to crown them "best beaches in the world".  Then next year the competition will be even more intense for where to go or where to go back to.

Of course one option to try at least once is simply to "disappear at sea".  While you would not literally vanish, with a yacht at your disposal, you can get away from humanity to where it is just you and the sea and stay there for a day or a week if it suits you.  The gentle movement of the saves will create an entirely new balance in you and sooth you like nothing on hard ground can do.  It might seem like you would get bored but if you have ample provisions, simple acts like fishing, taking a swim in the deep with the creatures of the sea or just watching the birds dive for their suppers can be wonderfully entertaining and give you hours of time to reflect and recuperate from a busy life at home.

That kind of relaxation may be only possible with a complete retreat environment such as a yacht can provide.  And once you enjoy the deep refreshing that being at sea with complete isolation, complete freedom but also the luxury your yacht affords, you will get hooked and be planning a new yacht holiday next year and for many years to come.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

5 Tips for RV Renters

Are you in the process of planning a cross-country trip to see the United States firsthand?  Or, are you in the process of planning a long distance road trip to visit friends and family?  If you are, you will want to consider traveling by RV.  There are a number of benefits to traveling long distances in a motor home.  These benefits include luxury, comfort, and having many home-like features.

As nice as it is to hear that traveling by RV is a great way to travel long distances and with large families, many are unsure about doing so.  One of the biggest concerns is the cost of buying an RV.  If you are interested in traveling by RV, but cannot afford the cost of owning one, you still have options.  RV rentals are an affordable way to gain access to a motor home.  With that being said, RV rentals can get expensive if you are not careful.  For that reason, five helpful tips for RV renters are highlighted below.

1 – Know All Of Your Options

Knowing all of your options is the best way to see success when renting a motor home.  First, examine all of your options in terms of local RV rental companies.  Many have multiple companies to choose from. 

Next, examine the types of motor homes available for rent.  For comfort, as well as safety, rent a motor home that is able to accommodate you and your traveling party.  For example, a group of six travelers should not try and squeeze into a motor home built for five.  Also examine features, such as number of electrical outlets, onboard television, movie players, and so forth.

2 – Compare Rental Prices

As previously stated, most individuals have multiple RV rental companies to do business with.  To limit the cost of your next RV trip, compare prices.  In addition to comparing the average rental price for different companies, also examine the different motor homes.  As previously stated, size is not something that you will want to be short on, but by limiting additional features, you may be able to save money.

3 – Read All Fine Print

When renting an RV, you will be required to sign a contract.  This contract is similar to one that you would sign if you were renting a car.  With that being said, never assume that all rental contracts are the same.  Always fully read an RV rental contract, including the fine print.  Never sign anything that looks too suspicious.  When in doubt, ask to take the contract home and review it first.

In keeping with reading all fine print, it is important to know all RV rental rules and restrictions upfront.  Many times, these rules and restrictions are highlighted on a rental contract, but there is no harm in asking for additional information.  Be on the lookout for any rules that may limit the number of guests allowed on board, age requirements for children, and so froth.

4 – Be Careful With Use

Being cautious is an important component of renting an RV.  If you are not careful, you may be financially responsible for any damage that occurs.  That is why you should always use caution.  Some tips involve keeping all food and drinks properly covered or put up while on the road, don’t prepare foods while driving that can cause harmful stains, and so forth.  Also, if you have children, be sure to set some ground rules.

5 – Return Your Rental On Time

Returning your RV rental on time is important for keeping your rental costs low and affordable.  Late rentals may incur late fees.  These late fees, should they exist, should be outlined on the RV rental contract.  If you know you are running behind schedule and will be late, be sure to contact your RV rental company to inform them of your delay as soon as possible.

As a recap, RV renters are encouraged to examine all of their rental options, compare prices, thoroughly read through rental contracts, use caution, and return their RV rentals on time.  These steps, when properly implemented, can not only help to improve the overall quality of your next RV trip, but they can also help to keep the costs associated with that trip reasonable. 

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Are you ready to Travel for the Holidays?

 

Going to another country for the holidays is a great way to learn about a new culture. In some instances the travel is to visit family that is located there instead of just for a vacation. Regardless of the reason why you are traveling to another country during the holidays, you need to make sure you are prepared for the trip.

For most countries you are going to need a passport with a photo ID. This will allow you to remain in the country for a specified amount of time. Generally, this time frame is from 30 days to 90 days. You can take your passport photo at any post office, but it is going to take several weeks to get it back. There is an expedited option and it is very expensive. If you wait until the holiday time to obtain your passport it is going to take much longer, even for the expedited option.

Make sure you keep your passport and other pertinent travel documents in a safe place. You don’t want them to get lost or stolen as this can delay your travel plans. Make sure you arrive early for your flight so that you can get through all of the necessary inspections and verifications in plenty of time.

There may be vaccinations that you are required to get and others that you are encouraged to get before you can travel to certain countries for the holidays. Plan ahead and find out what these vaccinations are and then schedule appointments with your doctor. Some of the required vaccinations have to be given in a series with a specific amount of time between each shot in the series to be administered. Therefore you don’t want to wait until close to your time of travel to take care of this matter.

Depending on where you are traveling, you may have to deal with a different type of currency. You can get your money exchanged at your local bank before you leave. This will save you time trying to take care of it when you arrive in the other country for the holidays. There may be language differences as well that you need to take into consideration.

Be careful what you pack when you travel for the holidays. Most modes of transportation have strict guidelines on the size of your luggage, how many bags each person can have, and the weight guidelines. They will be enforcing these restrictions during the holidays because of the volume of people traveling. You don’t want to have to get rid of some of your items or purchase more bags at the gift shop.

Make sure you are aware of how much luggage you have for your return trip as well. While it can be fun to purchase items while you are there, think about how you will get them back. It may be a good idea to pack an extra bag in your luggage when you go so you can fill it up for the trip back. Another idea is to have items shipped but that can be quite expensive.

While traveling to another country for the holidays can be exciting, you need to remember that their customs may be significantly different than your own. Be respectful of such differences to avoid any conflicts while you are in that country. It is a good idea to read about the various customs that will be in place so you won’t reach them by accident.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

AA Travel Insurance for Your Insurance Needs

 

There are several major search engines that you can count on if you want to search for information regarding travel insurance. You can go to Google, Yahoo, MSN, and many others. Simply type the words 'travel insurance' and you will be provided with a plethora of enriching information that you can use in your search for the right insurance provider. While you're still hunting for that one insurance provider who can meet all your insurance needs, check out AA Travel Insurance first.

AA insurance is among the leading providers of travel insurance around the world. In fact, AA is also included in the results of your search and maybe you skipped it. AA is a name that you can trust. Don’t hesitate to visit their site because it is open to public.

There are several reasons why you need to choose AA as your insurance provider. If you become a member of AA, you get to enjoy a variety of benefits. It can include roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown, member rates and discounts, and the rewards program to name a few.

It's not that hard to join AA. Once you've joined AA and became a member, you can still renew your membership since the membership is valid for only twelve months. AA will send you a notice if your membership is near expiration and will invite you to renew your membership. Aside from that, AA also allows the upgrade of the membership. If you want to understand all their policies, rules, and regulations, you can visit their online site on the net. There you can find all the valuable information about AA and their insurance plans.

Just like any other insurance provider these days, AA has an official website. This makes it easier for them to deal with clients in distant places where they have no physical office locations. In short, the company is open to the different parts of the globe as long as there is an internet connection. Online transactions are entertained and they have an excellent customer service ready to answer all your questions.

By logging into a comparison website and providing some information about yourself and your insurance needs, you will be provided with travel insurance quotes that answers your needs. See if AA is one of them. If it is, then you can check them out thoroughly. You see, insurance providers offer different types of insurance policies.

They differ in terms of coverage, exclusions, deductibles, etc. You must know what you want to be covered and if in case, you can't find all your desired coverage, you must choose the policy that covers most of your needs. After doing this, you can already check out the price of the policy. If you can't afford it, look for other alternative plans. Perhaps you can still find one that is closest to your desired insurance policy.

It would be best to talk to someone with a great knowledge about travel insurance so that he or she can help you in the selection process. An agent can be of great help to you. See if AA has a qualified agent that you can talk to about your insurance needs.  After careful consideration of the different factors in selecting the right travel insurance provider, you can arrive at a decision. You can also tell now if AA has the right travel insurance plan for you.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Booking Your Summer Vacation: What Are Your Options

This year a large number of couples and families intend to take a summer vacation.  Summer vacations are popular.  In fact, they are so popular that it is likely that you are interested in taking one.  When it comes to booking a summer vacation, there are a number of ways that you can make your reservations. 

Before making summer vacation reservations, you will have to select a summer vacation destination.  Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make reservations.  When selecting a summer vacation destination, it is important that you consider a number of factors. These factors should include whether you are traveling with children, the age of your children, and the cost of travel.  Keeping these factors in mind will enable you to select the summer vacation destination that will best fit your needs.

After you have selected a summer vacation destination, you can begin to make reservations.  A large number of amusement parks, campgrounds, and hotels in the United States do not require reservations.  Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, it is still advised that you make them.  Popular summer vacation “hotspots,” quickly fill up with vacationing tourists.  Without the proper reservations, you may be left without the necessary accommodations. 

When it comes to booking a summer vacation, a large number of travelers use the assistance of a travel agent.  Travel agents are individuals who specialize in researching and arranging vacations for their clients.  Travel agents are popular because they allow clients to spend more time completing their daily activities, instead of having to research and plan a summer vacation. 

If given the opportunity most families would prefer to use the services of a travel agent.  Unfortunately, services of a travel agent do not come free.  If you are interested in planning a summer vacation, on a budget, you may want to consider making your own reservations.  In a few simple minutes, you could easily make reservations online or over the phone.  Not only should your reservations include hotel accommodations, but travel accommodations as well.

Aside from car travel, air travel is one of the most preferred methods of travel for arriving at summer vacation destinations.  If you are interested in booking your airline reservations online, you need to find the online website of the airline you wish to fly with.  Popular airlines include, but are not limited to, Delta, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.  Each of these airlines has an online website that should allow the online booking of reservations.

Unless you are camping outdoors, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room.  Unless you plan on staying at smaller resort, you should be able to make online reservations.  Most of the well known hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, Hampton Inns, Super 8, and Motel 6, have online websites.  Specialty resorts that are located in popular summer vacation destinations, including California or Florida, are likely to also allow online booking.

When it comes to overnight stays, most individuals would prefer to stay at a hotel, but not everyone.  A large number of families enjoy vacations that are centered on the outdoors.  These vacations often involve camping outdoors.  Even if you plan on vacationing at a state park or a public campground, you are still urged to make a reservation.  Public campgrounds and state parks are often limited on the amount of camping space they have.  Making a reservation will ensure that you are guaranteed a place to set up your tent or park your RV trailer.

To book a popular vacation destination, but at a discount, you may want to looking the services offered by online travel websites.  These websites tend to offer discounts on popular hotels, airlines, and restaurants all around the world.  The only downside to using the services offered by an online discount travel website is that they tend to focus only on popular summer vacation destinations.  If you are looking to vacation at an unknown resort, you may be unable to use the services of a discount travel website.

Whether you choose to use the services of a discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or you intend you make your own vacation reservations, you are encouraged to take the appropriate steps.  Anticipating room at the hottest summer vacation destinations is a costly mistake that could possibly ruin your vacation.  Don’t make that mistake; book your reservations ahead of time. 

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations  

School Is Out – Keeping the Kids Busy

 

It’s the end of June, school is out and the kids are ecstatic.  You may be a bit overwhelmed not knowing how you are going to entertain you children for the entire summer.  They are used to being in school for the majority of their days and now they are free and clear to do as they please and it is up to you that they stay busy.  Or is it?

Yes, children need activities to learn and have fun but it is also just important for them to have some free play time too.  So while you are planning all of the activities and outings for them to participate in remember that they need some free play time too.  Depending on the age of your children and their level of independence the free play time may take different forms.  For younger children independent time will have to be supervised but for older children it can be a nice break for both of you to let them play alone in their room or outside in the yard. 

Let your kids have a say in what goes on too.  Have a couple of options ready; let them help plan how you will spend the day. Letting your kids plan what goes on in the day is a sure way to get their buy-in and participation.  Just be sure that if there isn’t any wiggle room in what you have planned for the day you make it clear from the beginning.  When there are choices (limit them to two to three) ask and when there isn’t a choice simply tell them what is planned for the day.

A good balance between planned activities and free play or independent time will make for a fun-filled summer for the kids and for you too.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations