Bucket List Concierge

18/04/2024

GREECE

The details for the long awaited BLC led Greece trip are here!

DATES: Sept 6th - 14th

Itinerary: Zakynthos, Santorini, Mykonos

Highlights: Shipwreck Beach, Caldera Views, Wine Tasting, Beaching, blue domed white washed buildings, and more!

Hotels: hand picked for best locations, best experience, fully refundable options, and with multiple rooms to accommodate a group & various budgets.

Price Ranges listed on itinerary page. Hotel prices shown are total for the full stay on that island.

First we'll be flying to the island of Zakynthos for a personal bucket list item, Shipwreck Beach! Swimming in the blue caves, beaches, and exploring the island. Next we'll head to Santorini for views of the caldera from hot tubs on our patios, wine tasting, photo ops, and great food! We'll ferry over to Mykonos for relaxing beaches, beach parties, windmills, Little Venice, and a sunset sail before heading home.

For anyone that would rather stay in Athens for a couple days to see ancient ruins & Greek Mythology sites instead of going to Zakythos, then join up in Santorini....that can easily be arranged for you.

Greece hotels fill up well in advance, so if interested, I would recommend getting your spots reserved ASAP. 2/3 of these hotels allow for payment upon arrival along with fully-refundable cancellation options, so that helps in making a fast decision. Airfare is higher than I'd prefer right now, so we'll be watching it to see when that dips down.

Message for more details!!!

12/03/2024

🚨 BLC is expanding! 🚨
It has come to a point where I am no longer able to keep up with all the requests coming in. I have felt the level of personal attention and service this company was built on has suffered some because of it. With that we are bringing on Jeremy to partner in getting back to the core levels we expect to deliver. One of the many benefits of BLC has been the 1st hand travel experience & knowledge that goes into the planning for our travel clients. Jeremy too has traveled the world over, only increasing that 1st hand knowledge and his attention to detail unmatched! Reach out, say hi, and don’t be surprised when you see responses from both of us teaming up to make your travels that much better!! Jeremy Stolee

22/01/2024

LobsterFest 2024 is happening! July 8 - 14

Last year was an amazing time! We had a decent sized group with lots of fun and more lobster than should be consumed in a 5 day period! While there will likely be a number of us that dive, that isn't a requirement as there's plenty of fun and adventures to be had above water.
We will be there from the 8th to the 14th with the main lobsterfest week ending party being on the 13th. Join for the whole time or we can accommodate whatever dates work with your schedule.

Message for more information and details. As a reminder, the nicer of the two hotels books up well in advance, so get your reservations in early if you'd like to experience that beach resort vs. the other nice yet less expensive option next door.

There will be planned group events, happy hours, and island hopping…with no pressure to hang out with the group any more or less than you’d like. 🙂

Approximate costs:
Main round trip flight: $600-$700
Island hopper flight Dr: $175
Hotel / Resort: $167 - $240/nt

LFG!!!

Other 2024 BLC trips will be:
- Greece in September
- Philippines in November

More information coming for those as well.

12/09/2023

Missed out on the BLC guided trip this year? Don’t be dismayed, the 2024 BLC guided group trips are in the works! Stay tuned for details!

What is a destination you’d like to see as a BLC guided group trip?

Traveling with friends and making new friends along the way makes it even more fun!

10/07/2023

BLC traveler April taking in all the festivities of Pamplona’s Running with the Bulls this week!

24/06/2023

Let’s us do the planning so you’re going through your trip like this…

01/05/2023

First ever privately guided BLC group trip!

Itinerary will be customizable according to travel needs, level of desired lodging, and activities you want to do.
There will be multiple group events scheduled such as:
- Trip to Secret Beach to relax in the lagoon, bar hopping, & games
- Group lunch and happy hour at Palapa for music, floating, and good vibes
- Joining the closing festivities of the LobsterFest celebration!

e-mail or call for more details:
[email protected]
(602) 740-3676

Due to LobsterFest being a big annual event in Belize, I expect lodging to fill up well in advance. With that pricing will be subject to availability.

*pricing is per person based on double occupancy. Contact us for details on single travelers or potentially pairing up with others in the group.
**due to the ever changing rates for flights, we have not included airfare, however are certainly happy to assist in finding you the best options for that.

01/05/2023

One of our favorite clients turned cherished friend (we love you all) is a solo traveler out of Pennsylvania that was referred to us by a friend. At the young age of around 60 decided to start traveling the world and not waiting on anyone else to book. Sometimes friends or relatives join, other times she’s taken off solo to places like Tokyo, Switzerland, and Spain! Her travel spirit and desire to see the world (and as many tennis tournaments as she can) is inspirational. It is such a joy to be a part of planning Joanne ‘s trips! ❤️

21/03/2023

07/03/2023

We can plan out your trip to the smallest detail making sure you’re covered in all aspects so you’re able to sit back and enjoy the vacation with a full itinerary packet of information customized for your trip. It isn’t just for a limited time though…this is what we always do! There are no fees, hidden charges, or inflated pricing. It’s our way of building value for you to continue planning your epic vacations with us again and again!

05/03/2023

Who needs to go to the ocean?

20/02/2023

Are you rich?

31/01/2023

Where are we planning your vacation today?

01/01/2023

It’s just a little bit of warm water in the mountains. Oh wait…

27/12/2022

We hear a lot of travelers say “I’m waiting for my friend to be ready to book the trip” and they don’t ever end up going. 🤷🏽‍♂️

02/12/2022

Belize Exotic Adventures Ltd the only tour company we use in Belize!

End of year, Lets end the year 2022 with a check on your bucket list

15/10/2022

Currently in the works: BLC ( Bucket List Concierge ) guided trip to Philippines, April 2023. This is a land based trip that will also include world class scuba diving for those that dive. Including hidden coves, island hopping, waterfalls, snorkeling, hiking, beach days, and unique once in a lifetime type adventures BLC is known for. Message for details.

06/07/2022

BLC client and friend Kelley Anne likes taking her kids on adventure filled trips making memories they’re not soon to forget! Planning their trips is always fun finding the best and most exciting experiences!

24/06/2022

Is adventure travel your style? Do you dive and want to coordinate trips that also have great diving? As a scuba instructor and extreme adventure traveler this kind of travel is yet another area we specialize in!

17/06/2022

10/06/2022

BREAKING NEWS!!!
If you haven't heard yet, it is no longer required to have a COVID test prior to returning to the U.S. after international travel!!!

Where are we booking you for an international summer trip?! 1, 2, 3 GOOOOO!!!

26/01/2022

Traveling During This Covid Madness

It's been about two years since the world was forever changed due to this Covid-19 that just won't seem to go away! If you're like many others, you may not have traveled internationally since the start of this whole thing and are itching to get out there once again!

Which countries are allowing tourists to visit again?
How do I know all the steps and Covid requirements each country requires in order to enter?
Can I still travel internationally if not vaccinated?
What about travel insurance? Is it a smart move and which countries are requiring it?
How do I coordinate a Covid test in order to return to the U.S.?

Chances are these are questions you've wondered about when considering traveling again. It may even seem too daunting of an obstacle to overcome and you have no idea where to start! Take a deep breath and relax knowing these are all things that are handled for you when planning your travel with Bucket List Concierge!

Covid requirements seem to change daily sometimes and with that we are constantly getting updates to all of these questions. Fact is, some countries that have had the strictest requirements (Switzerland, UK, etc) are considering lightening up a little. There are still a number of countries that you can travel to that don't require you to be vaccinated and aren't going to require a quarantine period when you arrive un-vaxed. Some countries require an antigen test prior to arrival, some a PCR test, and even still there are a few that don't require a test yet have a questionaire to fill out 72 hours prior to arrival.

Many countries have online procedures that must be completed prior to arrival, some have multiple online forms/applications, and some that must be done with specific times. On top of that destinations like the EU have an app on your phone to apply for a Green Pass with your vaccination status in order to enter freely into many public places.

While there are only a handful of countries that are requiring international insurance it definitely a smart move right now. The countries that do require it want you to have a specific amount of coverage for emergency medical and a specific amount for "trip interruption" due to Covid. However, we've booked a trip and God forbid you catch Covid a day or two prior, you may fall within the couple days where free cancellation is no longer available yet unable to travel. Travel insurance covers 100% of your trip.

We've had an instance recently where a client was all set to travel to their honeymoon a couple days after the wedding, yet the bride contracted Covid at the wedding. The country they were supposed to travel to required a negative test, so they were unable to go. Luckily we'd arranged travel insurance for them!! We first scrambled to redirect their honeymoon to a destination that would allow them to enter while simultaneously assisting with the necessary claim documents to get a full refund on the original trip!

Don't attempt to navigate all these requirements and hassles on your own. Let us help you through these necessary steps without worry, because it's just another service we provide to our clients to ensure you have the best possible trip....even during these ever changing times!

25/01/2022

Beating The Crowds

Have you seen the posts with pictures much like the one below along with commentary describing popular travel destinations contrasting what you see on social media vs. overcrowded real life pictures? While they aren’t completely wrong, if you take the posts at face value and avoid these places all together, you’d never see some of the true wonders of the world. So how then does a traveler, with a desire to see these places, experience them without all the crowds? I’m going to let you in on a few tips and tricks of how we do this for our clients!

Picture this – you purchased tickets to the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence to see Michelangelo’s David statue. It’s one of the things on your list to see that day and you’ve been diligent about purchasing a midday ticket a week prior to your trip. It fits in your planned out day of sites to see in the city and you’re on a roll. However, once rounding the street corner en route to the entrance of the museum you see a line stretching the length of the building and wrapping around the far corner! You quickly realize there are going to be two thousand people standing around and behind the famed David all jockeying for a good picture. On top of that, what you thought was a well laid out plan for the day has now gone out the window!

Pro tip: If you go onto the gallery’s website a month or more in advance you can reserve the first ticket of the day at 8:30am. Now, instead of waiting in line, plans dismantled, and taking a picture like the “reality” one below, you are now the first person through the door. You have a magical moment where you are the only person walking up to the 17’ historic work of art, are able to appreciate the detail, take note of the oversized right hand, and of course get a picture without the crowds.

There are many tips and tricks to still being able to enjoy some of these sites that otherwise would have the experience diminished by multitudes of tourists all hoping to capture the next viral travel picture on social media. While some of these tricks may require additional funds to make them happen, others like the example above, don’t cost anything more than proper planning and the knowledge of how to pull it off.

A few other ways to consider are to travel in off season or shoulder season. Mid-Summer or Spring break are sure to have throngs of people, whereas October (baring local festivals or traditions) can be a great time to travel for avoiding crowds. Arranging private tours or paying local guides extra to take you to sites prior to the arrival of typical tours is another great way to accomplish this. Have your travel agent book you in a hotel room overlooking a particular plaza, monument, or palace. Being perfectly positioned for an early morning or late evening view from an uncommon vantage point is one of the best ways to accomplish this!

So if you have a particular destination or site that you want to see, don’t be detoured by negative posts suggesting you can’t have a good experience of it. Find ways around it and learn to beat the crowds!

17/01/2022

Lifestyles Around The World

It’s likely that you’ve thought about traveling to another country and have heard various things or stereotypes that could cause you to think twice about it. The French are rude, cartel violence all over Mexico, third world countries are poor and riddled with crime are just a few common things travelers often hear. There are multiple stereotypes about the people or ways of life in other countries. “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries” Aldous Huxley

While there are rude people everywhere, the French aren’t actually rude or hate Americans. While Americans are likely to make eye contact and say hi to a stranger on the street or a hiker going the other way, that isn’t as common for the French. It is a cultural thing where French are likely to be more direct and straight faced. Where Americans tend to sugar coat things, they’re more likely to get straight to the point.

It’s true there is a massive cartel presence in Mexico, but of the 25+ times I’ve been I have not once seen or experienced any cartel activity or violence. There’s a saying that goes “don’t go to stupid places at stupid times with stupid people”. A traveler staying at their resort, out at restaurants or nightclubs, even walking around the city isn’t likely to run into any issues. Conversely a traveler in wrong areas of town, during late hours, and associating with the wrong kind of people looking for illicit substances or activities is more likely to find themselves in dangerous situations. Stupid places, stupid times, with stupid people.

It is true that some areas or places of lower income have some crime when not aware of your surroundings, but I’d also contest that there are pickpockets on Westminster bridge every day taking advantage of unsuspecting tourists. If you wander into the wrong area of Los Angeles, Chicago, or many other cities in the States it’s possible you’re more likely to run into crime or violence than many third world countries. Many of the people of Costa Rica aren’t living with the normal luxuries we may consider standard living, however violent crime is extremely low there and Ticos are widely considered some of the happiest people in the world. They value family and nature more than monetary gain or luxuries. You might even be surprised to learn that even though America's relationship with Cuba has been strained throughout the years, the Cuban people are very welcoming and friendly. Walking around the city of Havana is generally very safe. I’ve found many other places to be the same such as Thai people, across South American countries, and islands of the Caribbean. Locals are often kind and welcoming.

I’ve traveled the world, to a number of countries and each time I find that not only was I wrong about any preconceived notions, but surprised by what I find. Often Americans can be brash and bullish when traveling, however when respectful and attempting to connect with the locals you’ll often find more commonalities than you may have expected. Sure the way of life and cultural ways differ, but there’s no right or wrong way about it, just different. Keep that in mind and you’ll find it fascinating to experience.

14/01/2022

Romantic Getaways

Coming up with a unique or romantic date locally is hard enough, however attempting to plan a romantic vacation can be daunting. Whether it is simply a trip with your significant other where you have romantic activities laid out ahead of time or even an engagement proposal, planning something like that in a foreign country can seem downright impossible.

Using a travel advisor familiar with a specific destination can be a lifesaver for a trip like this. Even better is using someone that has been to the location personally with first hand information to assist in the planning. Having that kind of resource available to you will make you look like a hero when surprising her or him with your forethought.

Knowing a specific restaurant in a costal town with a "lovers table" set away from the rest of the diners, over a cliff, with waves crashing below is the sort of thing that most people wouldn't know about. Getting reservations ahead of time for that table even more rare. However, when working with the right travel planner they will have the phone and e-mail information for the owner of the restaurant to arrange your perfect evening ahead of time.

Wanting a perfect travel picture that is worthy of any travel magazine? When working with a travel advisor that will plan out a setting for you in a city, you can get the perfect picture! A specific attire to wear, a couple minor props (champagne bottle), and directions of going down an obscure alley way, take this turn, and you'll come upon a lone dock with an amazing backdrop can lead to a picture like the one you see here.

Why attempt to plan out these types of things in a place or country you've never been. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience of a great travel professional to make the experience flawless and wow your honey!