Bentley Travel Services

11/08/2024

National Cappuccino Day!

Before the Cappuccino
In Europe, coffee drinking was originally based on the traditional Ottoman style of preparation. Water and coffee beans were brought to a boil, and sometimes sugar was added. This is similar to modern-day Turkish coffee preparation.

By the late 1700s, the British and French had started filtering coffee beans from their coffee. Gradually, filtered and brewed coffee became more popular than boiled coffee. It was around this time that the term 'cappuccino' originated (though it was not used to describe the drink as we know it).

The Invention of the Cappuccino
Although the name 'Kapuziner' was used in Vienna, the actual cappuccino was invented in Italy, and the name was adapted to become 'Cappuccino.' It was first made in the early 1900a, shortly after the popularization of the espresso machine in 1901. The first record of the cappuccino we have found was in the 1930s.

'Cappuccini' (as they are known in Italy) gradually became popular in cafes and restaurants across the country. At this time, espresso machines were complicated and bulky, so they were limited to specialized cafes and were operated solely by baristi. Italian coffee culture involved sitting around in these specialized cafes for hours, enjoying espresso, cappuccinos, cafe lattes, and other drinks over conversation and reading. Photos from the era indicate that cappuccinos were served in the "Viennese" style, which is to say that they were topped with whipped cream and cinnamon or chocolate shavings.

11/03/2024

Wherever you visit we encourage you to get off the resort and explore.

In Los Cabos, you can immerse yourself in a laid-back destination with endless sunshine and boundless adventures on land and in the water. With miles of pristine beaches, world-renowned golf courses, award-winning dining, tequila tasting, and a vibrant art scene, there's always something new to explore.

Happy clients = Happy travel advisors

Photos by BTS Clients - JLH Maryland

11/02/2024

At Paradisus Los Cabos, a AAA Four Diamond Award and Leading Hotels of the World member, you can Embrace Your Moments with private experiences. BTS clients celebrate with a private romantic birthday dinner on the beach and breakfast in bed the next morning. What a way to elevate your experience!

Happy Clients = Happy Travel Advisors

Photos by BTS Clients - JLH Maryland

11/01/2024

Day of the Dead, or Día de los Mu***os, is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated November 1- 2. On this day, it is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit their living family members. Many people celebrate this day by visiting the graves of deceased loved ones and setting up altars with their favorite foods, drink, and photos.

History of Day of the Dead
The ancient indigenous people of Mexico have practiced rituals celebrating the lives of past ancestors for around 3,000 years. The celebration that is now known as Day of the Dead originally landed on the ninth month of the Aztec calendar and was observed for the entire month. In the 20th century, the month long festivities were condensed to three days called The Days of the Dead: Halloween on October 31, Day of the Innocents on November 1, and Day of the Dead on November 2.

La Catrina is one of the most recognizable figures of Day of the Dead, a towering female skeleton with vibrant make up and a flamboyant feathery hat. The Lady of Death worshipped by the Aztecs protected their departed loved ones, guiding them through their final stages of the life and death cycles. La Catrina that we know today came to be in the early 1900s by controversial and political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada. Artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, included José’s La Catrina in one of his murals which depicted 400 years of Mexican history. His mural, “Dreams of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park”, includes himself and a young child holding hands with La Catrina, who is dressed in sophisticated garb and a fancy feathered hat.

Plans for Day of the Dead are made throughout the year. Toys are offered to dead children and bottles of alcohol or jars of alote (grilled corn) get offered to dead adults. Most families decorate their loved ones’ graves with ofrendas, which often includes marigolds. It’s said that these specific flowers attract the souls of the dead to the offerings, and the bright petals and strong scent guides the souls from the cemetery to their family’s home.

Since the 1960s, when the Mexican government declared it a public holiday based on educational policy initiatives, Dia de Mu***os has been observed throughout Mexico. The tradition was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.

11/01/2024

MGM to bring W Las Vegas to the legendary Las Vegas Strip

With the addition of W Las Vegas, MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy will encompass 12 destinations on the Las Vegas Strip, including Bellagio, a Luxury Collection Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, Autograph Collection, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection, and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, MGM Collection, among others.

MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy officially launched in March 2024.

10/29/2024

With this recipe from Paul Chung, discover how to make Jamaican jerk chicken that's fragrant, fiery hot, and smoky all at once.

10/27/2024

Sometimes you need a quick getaway.

Daily stress can take its toll on your mind and body, which is why sometimes you just need to get completely out of your element to really relax. A peaceful getaway can not only rejuvenate your body but also clear your mind so you're totally refreshed when it's finally time to get back to the real world. And isn't that the point of taking a vacation in the first place?

Bentley Travel Services recently enjoyed a trip to the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico with a stay at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan. Located on a 17-acre private peninsula just minutes from historic Old San Juan, with lush tropical gardens, pools, and breathtaking ocean views. This iconic hotel is famous for being the birthplace of the piña colada.

Our room had a view of San Gerónimo de Boquerón a small fort located at the mouth of the Condado Lagoon. The original Boquerón battery was used by the Spanish to defend the city of San Juan from attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595.

10/26/2024

Are you a thalassophile?

Photos by BTS.

10/23/2024

10/21/2024

Like it knot, celebrating my knot-iness. Gold tier certified Virgin Voyage First Mate. Are you ready to explore 100+ gorgeous destinations aboard Virgin's 4 adults-only lady ships? Enjoy relaxing, idyllic islands to vibrant coastal cityscapes, cruising serene, azure waters and painting the world (Virgin) red.

Beverly Bentley

10/17/2024

Shout out to all women small business owners! You go girls!

Growth of women-owned businesses
During the period of the pandemic and beyond, the growth of women-owned businesses has been impressive. According to statistics from the Wells Fargo report:

From 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses’ growth rate outpaced the rate of men’s by 94.3% for the number of firms, 252.8% for employment, and 82.0% for revenue.
Nearly half a million women-owned businesses with revenues between $250,000 and $999,999 grew their aggregate revenues by about 30%.

Between 2019 and 2023, Black/African American women-owned businesses saw average revenues increase 32.7% and Hispanic/Latino women-owned businesses 17.1% compared to all women-owned businesses’ 12.1% rise.

10/15/2024

A PERFECT DAY FOR MEXICO

Nonstop thrills. Next-level chill. Unrivaled family faves. And it's all coming to a new shore in 2027. You will be saying "hola" to Perfect Day Mexico — where all paths lead to adventure. Nestled along Mexico's Caribbean coast, Royal Caribbean’s latest Perfect Day goes even bigger on bold, brimming with new wows. Because every vacation should have more Perfect Days — the kind you can only get from Royal Caribbean. Perfect Day Mexico brings new adventures to itineraries from Texas and Florida beginning in 2027.

BTS Acredited Cruise Counselor (ACC)

10/14/2024

We are closed for the holiday.

10/09/2024

Only cruise line to offer a Glacier Guarantee™

10/08/2024

Effective September 18, 2024

The Department of State made the new online passport renewal system fully available to the public, a significant step forward in ensuring that Americans can more easily access passport services. Instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, Americans can now renew their passports through a secure process that will save time and effort.

Bentley Travel Services was a beta tester for this program last year.

Online Passport Renewal is available at Travel.State.Gov/renewonline

10/07/2024

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs CLEAR Comparison

FAQs and good news for families in the comments.