Travel Galore

12/05/2022

Since COVID happened, so many are vacation deprived.

🤣🤣🤣

02/04/2022

Words of wisdom indeed.

We should strive to fill our life with lots of small moments of joy. A coffee with friends, a phone call to a loved one, a morning coffee as the sun rises, a great book, an afternoon gardening - whatever makes your soul shine - do that! Create moment after moment and string them together to create a life filled with moments.

01/24/2022

https://www.travelmole.com/news/mexico-resort-shooting-kills-canadian-tourists/

Two tourists were shot and killed at a Mexican resort. Two men died at the Xcaret Hotel south of Playa … Continue reading "Mexico resort shooting kills Canadian tourists"

12/06/2021

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Kid-vaccine-mandate-polarizing-issue-cruising

After Disney Cruise Line lowered the vaccine requirement to age 5 on its cruise ships, reactions were mixed, and strong.

08/29/2021

Airlines: Then & Now 😭✈️

07/15/2021

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and other GOP lawmakers are aiming to end mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation."The federal government forcing the American people to continue to wear masks despite the fact that we've already reached herd immunity is ridiculous and needs to end immediately," Paul s...

04/08/2021

This is the only industry that is still shut down!

Carnival Cruise Line threatened to move its ships out of U.S. waters Tuesday but the CDC is committed to its phased approach to restarting sailing.

02/19/2021

https://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?c=setreg®ion=3&m_id=Y!Y!ddvvY!&w_id=38617&news_id=2046166

'Worse is behind us,' Alaska Gov says

01/15/2020

Holy Toledo.

Extreme weather sweeps across Big Island, Hawaii, bringing extreme downpours, flooding and heavy snow. Look at those informative videos and pictures.

01/11/2020

https://strangesounds.org/2020/01/mysterious-singing-sand-beach-phenomenon-video.html

Have you ever heard the sand singing? This mysterious phenomenon actually occurs on 33 beaches worlwide. Well-known is Manchester-by-the-Sea. Now listen...

01/10/2020

TRAVEL GALORE NEWSLETTER 1/2020
It has been a rough couple of years for me and my family personally and I am finally read to get back into the game of life. At least at this moment in time. Thank you to my loyal customers, clients, and friends who stuck with me and have tried to see me through. I really appreciate you all.

I often write about Hawaii and its many diverse landscapes with opportunities for adventure, culture, parties, shopping, or just plain old relaxing on a beach. These ten beaches are listed as “must-sees” because they are unique to Hawaii, with a lot of them off the beaten path. The 2018 Kilauea volcano eruption destroyed Kapoho Bay and the Ahalunui Beach Park, but in its destruction a new black sand beach was created at Pohoiki on The Big Island. Also on the Big Island is the only green sand beach in the US, and one of only four in the world! This is called Papakolea Beach. This is a two hour drive from Kona just to the parking lot. Once there, it is a 2.5 mile trek to the beach. There are shuttles for $15 if you want to avoid the walk. Here is a link to Papakolea https://www.lovebigisland.com/big-island-beaches/papakolea/

The two beaches on the list from Oahu are both intense surfing beaches. Waikiki Beach is great for any skill level and you can rent a board or get a lesson from a concession stand. Imagine riding a wave to shore with Diamond Head in the background. If you are an expert surfer, you can’t wait for monster winter surf at Waimea Bay. From December through February, there are monster mountains of water 4-stories high. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Surfing Tournament is held here.

On the romantic island of Maui sits Waianapanapa Beach. This black sand beach is in the state park of the same name. You can camp there, or with a permit you can pitch your tent right on the beach or sleep there right under the stars.

On Kauai is one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii called Makua Beach aka Tunnels Beach because of the numerous underwater lava tubes. Crystal clear water and towering coral formations make this a beach to write home about. On the other side of Kauai is Milolli Beach which is only accessible by kayak. It takes all day to get there and you should only attempt this from June through August as the waves are much too intense the rest of the year.

Last is Papohaku Beach on Molokai, one of the longest and emptiest beaches in all of Hawaii. Maybe because there isn’t much tourism here because there was an active l***r colony there not too long ago?

I hope you enjoyed this. Thanks for reading. I hope to get another newsletter out once I return from my trip to Alaska in early June. This is a trip I planned on taking with Bob, but I am taking it with a good friend who also lost her husband Bob. We both hope it is a great experience and our late husbands are with us in spirit.

With all of the calamities happening around the world right now from earthquakes in Puerto Rico and the Phillipines to volcanoes threatening eruption in Hawaii, to unrest in much of the world, I would like to compel everyone who books a trip to strongly consider purchasing travel insurance. If something unexpected causes cancellation or trip interruption you will have recourse to be reimbursed. Well worth the price of the premium in my opinion.

To all of you: health, wealth, blessings, and happiness in 2020!

Guide to visiting Green sand beach (Papakōlea) on the Big Island, Hawaii. Driving directions and hiking tips for one of two(!) green sand beaches in the USA

11/18/2019

10/30/2019

If anyone wants to stay here, let me know. ha ha

Located in Portland, Oregon, the lobby of Hotel Lucia is somewhat nightmare-inducing: Depictions of children in pain and bo***ge combined with pictures of celebrities and politicians. What exactly is going on there?

09/17/2019

Maybe this will ease some minds

Late last week Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia delivered an update at a press conference in New York on the state of the country’s tourism as well as the sustained

09/06/2019

The logical first question should be is why is someone named “Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani” allowed to work around airplanes in the U.S. in the first place? He is charged with willfu…

06/17/2019

Norwegian Cruise Lines 3-5 day Bahamas cruises on sale this week with free drink packages. Call for dates and details and do not wait. 315-646-2369

06/11/2019

HORRIFYING!! Hard Rock is very upscale and I have sent many people there. Have sent many to the Gran Bahai Principe, but not La Romana.

A fourth U.S. tourist died after he fell critically and suddenly ill at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic about a month before three others died in their rooms, Fox News has learned.

03/21/2019

Free Open Bar & More

01/23/2019

TRAVEL GALORE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 1/2019

Hello clients and friends of Travel Galore. I know it has been a year since I last sent out a newsletter, and I have been getting calls asking about the newsletter and if I am still in business. For those of you who don’t know, my family and I have suffered the devastating loss of their father, and my husband, Bob. If you have never had to go through this, I pray you never do, but some of you will understand how it completely paralyzes you. The answer is that Travel Galore is open for business now.
To those of you I had to turn away while Bob was ill, I hope you understand and return to the agency. And thank you to all who have stayed loyal as I get back to this “new” normal.
I feel the need to write an “easy” newsletter this time, so I am going to recount my last trip and the first trip in 33 years that didn’t include my husband. I have to say that Bob was looking forward so much to going to Las Vegas, as I never was interested. But our son and his fiancée (Nathan and Amanda) planned to marry there at The Stratosphere. Alas, Bob was not to make it. Thankfully, my other son and his fiancée (Jarrod and Michele) flew there with me. It was quite a long flight. When we got our luggage, we took a taxi cab to the hotel. I DO NOT recommend that, as it cost us $50 when an Uber was half the price.
The strip was fine and we went to Hell’s Kitchen, but my favorite part of Vegas was Freemont Street. Yes, there are many “freaks” out there, but to say they are amusing can’t begin to explain all that we saw. The light show went on every hour for 10 minutes with a canopy of lights over top. Bartenders on the street made their drinks with about 5 shots in a red solo cup. Easily the best deal in Vegas. The wedding went well after a couple of snafus. The day after the wedding, we all rented an SUV and drove to the Grand Canyon. We stopped at the Hoover Dam on the way, which was packed and traffic was very slow due to security. This almost made us miss the GC, but we made it for the last bus of the day. All I can say about it, is it was amazing and a must see – but very scary!
Then my daughter and I drove to San Diego and Hollywood for 3 days. Just two women on their own. We had a great time because we are also best friends. We spent 5 days in Puerto Vallarta together, as she took her father’s place in the entire trip that we had had planned. What beautiful scenery with the Sierra Madras Mountains and it was awesome to have some more sunshine in November. I am so grateful for Olivia taking the trip with me. I never would have gone without her and it means a lot.
With my widow brain, I haven’t been able to add pictures from the wedding and trip, but I plan on doing that on facebook if you want to check out this newsletter there.
On Friday, January 25, it will be a year since Bob went into the ICU for 101 days. He fought very hard to overcome sepsis and heart surgery before he passed away on May 2, 2018 at only 57 years old. He was my everything, and so I dedicate this newsletter to Robert Charles Kolb (January 2, 1961 – May 2, 20018) I will see you again someday and look forward to it.
Thank you for taking the time to read my quarterly newsletter. I hope you found it interesting and informative. If you would like to keep informed of travel deals and trends, please like and follow Travel Galore on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/travelgaloreny/ I am available for quotes for cruising, all-inclusive vacations, Disney resort vacations, family vacations, escorted tours to any destination, and much more – just contact me with your dates and your dreams

Travel Galore - Louine Kolb, owner/agent/dream maker

11/07/2018

I live in NY, so my vote doesn't count.

07/20/2018

I have finalized travel plans for my son's wedding in Las Vegas on 11/11. Most of you know I am a recent widow. My husband, Bob, was looking forward to going to Las Vegas to be with our son and his lovely bride for their wedding. He always wanted to go, but I did not. I believe he will be there with us celebrating. We had also planned to drive to Los Angeles and San Diego for a few days before flying to Sunscape Puerto Vallarta for an all-inclusive vacation. I am going to have to make the flight to Vegas alone (if you knew me, you would know the panic this is causing) but my lovely daughter has stepped up and is going on the rest of the trip with me in place of her father. We will have an incredible, but bittersweet time. I hope we make many memories and honor the memory of her father - the most wonderful man we both know, Robert Kolb. I still love him and always will.

06/04/2018

05/12/2018

Heartbroken :( It has been 10 days since my best friend and husband passed away and I am at a complete loss. Thank you to all who prayed, but God/Jesus chose not to have mercy on us.

03/20/2018

My husband has received his new heart valve and that is working great! But his body is pretty messed up from his long ordeal with sepsis and if you are someone who prays please send prayers his way for his kidneys, liver, and colon. We would both appreciate it very much! I love all of my clients and friends!

02/06/2018

I should be back in the office helping you find your dream vacations within a few weeks of this nightmare having a happy ending. If you are so inclined I would appreciate any prayers you have to spare. My humble thanks ☺

02/06/2018

Our family is going through a personal medical emergency with my husband Bob. I am essentially living in syracuse to be near him at upstate medical for the past two weeks and anticipate a few more weeks. I have had to decline several new customers so I can keep providing personal service you can trust to my existing clients. If you need to reach me call 315-767-6417 .

02/06/2018

We are going through a very tough personal illness here for the past two weeks involving my husband Bob and essentially living in syracuse to be.close to upstate medical. I have had to decline some new customers and am trying my best to continue providing travel galore personal service you can trust during this tough time for my existing clients. If you have trouble reaching me please text me at 315-767-6417 . I hope that this nightmare will have a happy ending within the next few weeks and I can be back to work helping my wonderful clients (new and old) find their dream vacations. Thanks so much for your understanding and we could also use your prayers if you're so inclined. 🙏

01/24/2018

TRAVEL GALORE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 1/2018

Hello clients and friends of Travel Galore. This newsletter is about the trends in all kinds of cruising, as taken from the latest issue of Travel Agent magazine article entitled 2018 Cruise Preview.
The Caribbean is Open! A few islands were sizably impacted by the trio of storms to hit last hurricane season including Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Turks and Caicos. But now, many tourist attractions at these locations are again welcoming visitors. Royal Caribbean resumed San Juan home porting on October 7, and Carnival returned on November 30.
Luxury cruising demand has soared with the top destination being Italy, as it can be easily explored with its ports of Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Venice. Second and third place is European river cruising (think Viking) and Mediterranean cruises, followed by USA and Ireland. Luxury cruisers have been amping up their vacations or taking more trips as the economy continues to improve.
Last month, the MSC Seaside with its condo/hotel-like design began sailing from Miami. What’s most anticipated for 2018? Celebrity Edge will launch in December from Port Everglades. It will offer innovations as a cantilevered Magic Carpet platform that moves up and down the ship’s exterior and Edge Staterooms with Infinite Veranda with drop down windows that create an open air balcony. Carnival Horizon will launch in April and sail Mediterranean before moving to Bermuda and Caribbean. The latest Oasis class ship, RCI Symphony of the Seas will launch in April and home port in Barcelona and Miami. This ship has a 1,346 square foot, two level ultimate family suite where a family of 8 can be comfortable. A slide from kids only bedroom to the living room below, floor to ceiling LEGO wall, air hockey table, 3D movie theater, popcorn machine, library of video games, bumper pool table, climbing experience, whirlpool and wraparound balcony!
More cruises are home porting in Asia as well as Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. China is hot, as Oceanic cruises increasingly sail from Shanghai, Hong King, Singapore and other Japanese port cities. A record 66 ships deployed in Asian waters in 2017, up from 43 in 2016. Cruise itineraries are captivating travelers from those looking for a unique destination to those looking to fulfill a bucket list vacation of a lifetime. (as I consider ALL of my clients travels to be)
Here are some new and unusual itineraries for 2018 and 2019. Royal Princess and Regal Princess will be disembarking from New York City and Quebec for their most robust Canada and New England sailings ever. It’s about time, as there never seems to be enough cabins for these popular cruises and people have to book so far in advance. The new 10 and 11 night cruises will overnight in Boston or Quebec City. Norwegian Escape from NCL will become the largest vessel to ever sail from New York and will be sailing from there for 7 day Bermuda cruises. Come the day before your cruise and take in a Broadway show! Genealogy buffs have a special sailing on November 4 onboard Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2. One in five US immigrants came to the US on a Cunard liner. This 11/4/18 transatlantic sailing will help cruisers explore their personal roots during this Journey of Genealogy, offered in partnership with Ancestry.com. Ancestry experts will be on hand to help guests track their family’s journeys, learn about their heritage, sift through records, and discover ethnic origins.
Thank you for taking the time to read my quarterly newsletter. I hope you found it interesting and informative. If you would like to keep informed of travel deals and trends, please like and follow Travel Galore on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/travelgaloreny/ I am available for quotes for cruising, all-inclusive vacations, Disney resort vacations, family vacations, escorted tours to any destination, and much more – just contact me with your dates and your dreams.

Travel Galore - Louine Kolb, owner/agent/dream maker

01/17/2018

Princess anniversary sale is underway! Receive up to $600 free onboard spending (depending on cabin category booked) and free specialty dining on any cruise Summer 2018-Spring 2019. This great sale ends on February 14th so hurry!

Clear skies. Clear water. Clearly, the adventure of a lifetime.
📷: alohalimestyle