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Exotic islands, South Pacific, honeymoons, groups. Languages: English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Polish Languages: English, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish and Polish
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A knowledgeable travel expert who will help you book:
a destination wedding, an unforgettable honeymoon, exciting adventure travel, or simple last minute escapes. Choose from my tried-and-tested list, or custom-built exotic exploration itineraries. When you allow me to plan your next escape, it will be crafted to your liking, with bonus insights about the destination, and loyalty rewards! My goal

is for you to enjoy your next vacation as much as I do, or even more so! And, it will not cost you extra to get this additional service and benefits.

19/07/2024

It is time!!!!!!

Time to book your ultra-exotic trip for winter- spring 2025.

While the prices are amazing, and there are choices of accommodation and you can benefit from early booking savings.

Places like French Polynesia have fever rooms them juts one hotel MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Also, the islands offer incomparable memories and experiences: whether it is swimming with the whales, ray an sharks in the gentle south pacific water, or looking upon unbelievable fifty shades of blue and turquoise, seeing painted sunrises and sunsets, and striking unspoilt beauty of the green peaks and blooming fragrant flowers.

This is your call to start planning French Polynesia, Africa, Maldives, Fiji, Bali.

16/07/2024

There are secret places in Dominican Republic, Mexico, Grenada, Aruba, Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia and Barbados which are not your mainstream cookie-cutter all inclusive resort, but rather a boutique quiet places.

They offer spaces without crowds, in unique locations, and a more relaxed setting.

Places that feel more exclusive and special, where you can truly feel the difference.

Do you prefer regular resorts or prefer something more special?

12/07/2024

Need a quick trip, juts for a few days? and near by?

There are options within Canada and USA, that are within easy reach:

Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Palm Springs make great quick week-end escapes.

Not able to leave Canada?
Victoria on Vancouver island, Vancouver, Drumheller, Montreal, Quebec City, Niagara Falls each invite you for an amazing week-end trip.

Or if you are lucky to live close to the Canadian Rockies - another great option is Banff, Jasper and Canmore.

Which is your favorite week-end escape?

09/07/2024

Did everyone forget about Hawaii?
choose an island that suites you most, or visit several: this destination is best for active vacations,

Best suitable for families with teens, who get bored easily.

Hike up a crater of a volcano, swim with sharks (in a cage), visit a luau, go shopping and drive around the island. and visit many coves and beaches.

Booking ahead is definitely best, as it is very popular with Americans , who can travel here domestically.

There is no all inclusive resorts here, so if you like making your own meals - this is the place for you.

Which Hawaii island have you visited?

06/07/2024

Ten years ago, June of 2014:

Beaches of Riviera Maya. This is to show you how same beach can be different, depending on a year and weather!

Tides and storms shape beaches each year, and within two years places can be unrecognizable.

This resort beach used to be wide and crystal clear water, until few storms carried away the sand with the tides, and it's much narrower now.

Staying up to date is what agents do, so when clients contact us and have a specific wish list - we can send them to a place where paradise waits!

02/07/2024

Summer is great to explore our won backyard- Canada!

From Victoria and Vancouver island, to Canadian Rockies; Niagara falls, Quebec Town or Montreal.

Summer is also the time to start planning your winter beach trips.

Winter flight schedules are out, and tropical winter escape choices await:

Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, and many more.

Well and then there is Mexico- which is always a great idea.

If you have sent me your winter request- great! I will be messaging you when its time to book!

Todays' resort feature is Hyatt Ziva Zilara in Rose Hall, which will keep picky travellers happy! Currently booking for one of my frequent traveller.

23/06/2024

Travel agents travel differently:
For us, it's not always about a vacation:
It's an important part of learning and sharpening skills, and being up to date on places and logistics.

The main job of a good travel advisor is taking off the burden of your shoulders of figuring out confusing details. The Internet has so much false or outdated and biased information.
I am here to remove the guesswork, and work out an enjoyable flow of your trip. When I go on a trip, I go in with a critical eye, and pay attention to:

Best location of the hotels,
Modes of transport that work best, make best use of your time , are least hassle and more reliable;
Assess the worthiness of a place or an excursion.
Gather insight, while staying objective and keeping in mind that my personal taste may differ from tours.

Yes, I do love my trips. however a different focus and approach is so that when you turn to me to plan your big dream trip into reality - I can deliver valuable insight, guide you to best choices and make your experiences a cherished experience and memory.

12/06/2024

To answer a very popular questions, that I still get asked each week:

"Do you only book Mexico and Caribbean"

and the answer is no, however people often end up choosing direct flights and all inclusive options for a lower cost.

Other destination that I offer with tailored experiences, or group tours, as well as independent trips are:

Spain and the islands (Canary, Ibiza, Mallorca)
Italy
Greece
Africa: Tanzania, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa and more
Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia (Bali)
The Maldives and Singapore;
Fiji and French Polynesia (Bora Bora)

Of course, there are countries and destinations that I do not book. Why?

My goal is to bring value to your trip with expert knowledge and insider tips, not simply entering your names into a booking portal.

Therefore if I am not a specialist in any given destination- I will most likely refer you to a colleague.

05/06/2024

Honeymoons!
Anniversaries!
Celebrations!

If this is what is the purpose of your trip- I have got you!

This is my speciality and I know how to put special touches on your trip. (please read- special does not always mean free)

My collection of tried and tested resorts and destinations offers outstanding experiences, and besides your resort bookings we can arrange the following:

Private dinners
Flowers, decorations
Cakes
Groups excursions
Private catamaran day trips

All done and organised for you!

31/05/2024

EXTRA EXTRA!

DO NOT MISS THIS ADULT ONLY GROUP OFFER.

Junior suite $1605 CAD per adult, all in for a week
(Booking made after June 4th- add $50 CAD more)

Other room categories available

October 18th -25th 2024 from Edmonton

Interested? fill in the link below:

Need another city? let me know what city you need prices from.

https://traveljoy.com/bookings/b65TuMiiKaEJuuvW9rMScwBB

28/05/2024

No matter where in the world you are, there is always some sort of coffee- and often made in a special way.

Hot or cold climate- I still like my hot cappuccino. And years ago it became a tradition for me to snip a photo of a coffee and post it on social media with a short note or a thought.

From then- I call these " Coffee Mondays" and I still strive to keep this tradition on Instagram.

Post your destination coffee photo in the comment!

26/05/2024

To pack or not to pack?

Today let's look on things you are allowed to bring and where to pack them.

WHAT SHOULD ALWAYS COME WITH YOU IN YOUR CARRY ON OR PERSONAL ITEM:

1) All documents, passports, visas, work/study permits, diplomas, licenses.

2) Medicine: over the counter or prescription. Anything vital should be within reach, and never in your checked luggage which you can not access in flight, or in case of lost/delayed luggage.

3) Anything expensive and of value, such as rings, necklaces, watches. (However I recommend not to travel with such items without need.)

4) Electronics such as your phone, charging cords, tablets, cameras, even drones.

5) Glasses, lenses and similar.

This is not your essential packing list for your carry on, but the above should not be placed in your checked as they would be a significant loss, or you might need them urgently.

What are the essentials you do not travel without?

what packing questions do you have?

21/05/2024

Can you guess?

A must read, especially if you go for tropical vacations often.

The public deeply misunderstands the star ratings especially when it comes to the resorts, especially in the Caribbean.

Please read and repeat this statement: stars do not equal quality!

5 stars does not mean good, 4 stars does not mean so-so and 3 stars does not mean terrible.

It is not a grading system, like in your school on the test.

Stars will not tell you how good the food is, in what condition are the rooms or if the staff is happy to see you and provide outstanding service.

What it really means is more or less amenities.

For example 5 star must have separate concierge staff available at least 16 hours a day, 24-hour reception, room service, valet parking, guest elevators separate from staff elevators, medical team on call.
And the room must have
✔️Electric safe
✔️Laundry bags
✔️Full-length mirror with lighting

So is it 24 hr reception and exclusive guest only elevators that you are after, and must have a laundry bag in your room?

Or are you looking for a hotel with many dining options, decent quality wine, freshly renovated rooms on a spectacular beach? And maybe you do not care for vallet parking?

Please be patient with me when I ask you these questions, as I am trying to understand what will make your vacation perfect for you.

And I typically personally carry out property inspections so I know exactly where to send guests, and what places to avoid.

Below I will place a photo of some rooms and
you guess how many stars is hotel 1, 2 and 3, looking at the room.

17/05/2024

I am wishing everyone warmth this long weekend!

And a reminder : send in your fall-winter trip requests early, so we can secure the best option for you!

12/05/2024

"So, you only book Mexico and Dominican Republic?"

No, and absolutely not!

The world is large and wide, and offers so many wonderful places to visit.

If you are up to spending a little more time flying and more on the trip, the choices are exciting:

Barbados, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, St. Lucia, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Grenada, St, Vincent and Grenadines (just looking in the Caribbean direction).

Most of the above have direct flights from Toronto, and we can connect from the Western and Central provinces.

It is very tempting to say no to the longer flight times and go back to the comfortable direct flight for less then 6 hours to Cancun, I know! but I dare you to step out of the box and try a new destination in 2024!

Now taking trip requests for September, October and on!

06/05/2024

What are people booking this summer and winter?

Requests are flying in for fall and winter already as people want to take advantage of early booking bonuses and specials.

Some summer Europe trip requests are still in the works, with Spain and Italy being the most popular requests.
Greece and Croatia are also coming in the second place.

I do offer tailor-made Europe itineraries: where each day is planned out carefully so you do not spend too little or too much time in each place.

And aiming to maximize your time where you get to enjoy each stop to the maximum, staying in my hand-selected accommodations , and tried and tested experiences, excursion and must see spots.

Countries I offer are Spain, including Canary and Balearic islands, Italy, Greece, France, Portugal.

After the pandemic I am glad to announce that our special flight programs are back, with special rates to be combined with tours.

Some amazing beach plus city combos will soon be enjoyed by my travelers!

29/04/2024

Well, if you waited for your queue to go to Polynesia - now is the time!
This 8 days - 7 nights trip is perfect for a couple looking to experience something special.

Below price includes roundtrip flights from Edmonton or Calgary, all accommodation and meals(other cities are also available)

4 nights on the land+ 3 nights/4 days in the over the water bungalow with buffet breakfast and minibar included: $4980 CAD per person.

or

4 nights on the land+ 2 nights/3 days in the over the water bungalow with buffet breakfast and minibar included: $4275 CAD per person,

or stay 7 nights on the beach: $3075 per person, no meals included.

USA tourist or transit visa or Canadian passport is required.
Select dates in May and June of 2024. Limited rooms and seats.

message me ASAP to book

27/04/2024

A comfy vacation for families or adults!

This two in one resort on the Caribbean sea in the Dominican Republic offers a place to relax for families with children: many dining options, room service and water park for little ones to enjoy.

Lush territory and well-maintained pools, clean and modern rooms at a resort that is not too large, easy to navigate and has no bracelets or towel cards.

Clean all around, with plenty of chairs, or cabanas for extra comfort (extra charge).

My favorite is a specialty coffee spot for the daily cappuccino and treats to go.

Right by it's sure an adult only section will enjoy free flow access to the family side, with club level Enclave category for an elevated experience .

Try a Mediterranean, Japanese, Seafood, Italian, French, Peruvian or Dominican cuisine for supper, with a selection of Spanish vines.

Watch for my specials to this place in the next few weeks!

24/04/2024

Earth Day is marked on April 22 each year. and even with our jet-setting hobby we can be mindful when travelling.

One of the biggest ones is using reef-safe sunscreen. I am passionate about the ocean, its cleanliness and all the creatures living in our beautiful oceans and seas-so we make sure to always use reef-safe sunscreen. or even better- instead of cream- wear protective clothing on your snorkeling trip.

The beautiful corals, that purify the eater and gives us this amazing crystalline blue waters suffer most from the spf creams we are using.

Another one is aerosol sunscreen-the kind that harms our environment, and very tricky to apply well and evenly as well.
Many resorts are moving towards using refillable bottles and filling stations. But you can do that too, without waiting for the resort to start you off with refillable bottles.

Did I mention it is also hygienic to use your own bottle for drinks at the bar, rather than plastic cups? Just bring your own beer/cocktail tumbler- that is only yours and will keep your drink cooler for a longer time.

What are other ways we can be kinder to our planet when travelling?

13/04/2024

Let's chat about my tested and approved resorts.

I do my best to inspect properties for quality myself, as my main objective is for my travelers to have a wonderful experience.

Of course, every family's needs and budgets differ so it's of utmost importance to have a select handful of value resorts.
Will I say everyone should book a vacation here now? No, as I prefer to assess your wishes and requirements to make sure this is the right place for you.

Now, online reviews are very unreliable, as other travelers do not necessarily have a good comparison or perception, as a true professional will.

Here is one of latest addition to the collection:

Jewel Palm Beach.

Easy to navigate lay out, nice big pools, and a shallow beach with super soft sand.

Here you will fund a coffee shop for that morning cappuccino and a pastry.
Beach snack for those not wanting to leave their sunbed and palapa.

Buffet is centrally located serving three meals per day, plus there are Italian, Oriental, French and Grill restaurants.

From the rooms I do recommended reserving a renovated one.

Currently there are no water slides, but the shallow entry to water will have your children playing comfortably on the beach.

This place covers all the basis, for those looking to have a vacation, without splurging, in a beautiful tropical setting.

07/04/2024

April is a wonderful month when we are awaiting spring's arrival.

This is where I see a big shift of what trip requests are coming in. and Many are asking for Europe, Bali, Peru, Africa, Thailand, Alaska cruise.

And this is when I start seeing those December beach vacation requests rolling in as well.

It never hurts to place a request too soon, as it is always better than too late.

For example:

Africa/Polynesia/Maldives are best to get started about 12-10 months before the travel dates.

January/February is the best time to book summer trips to Europe.

Peru, Bali, Thailand- I would recommend about 7-8 months lead time.

And seaside vacations typically get their schedules out in April for next winter season. Give or take a few weeks.

No matter the destination, I will guide you to when it's best to book your vacation- as timing is key when it comes to travel.

Last minute? Well, these do not apply to most countries, but once in a while there is a good beach vacay option- but not necessarily on the dates you can go or to the resort where I would send anyone I wish well to.

Are you a plan in advance or a person who likes to leave it to chance?

04/04/2024

What is one thing you should never leave for a trip without?
Well, besides the obvious- passport and wallet, it's something that does not need space in your luggage.

And it is INSURANCE!

Especially after two years of travel halts, many flights being grounded and countries closed, insurance plans have gone up in price.

No insurance plans are equal - some cover just emergencies in destination medical plans, others may include evacuation by air. Full plans offer coverage for flight cancellation, disruptions, in case you need to come home early (for a covered reason), and very many unforeseen situations. Luggage loss, emergency medical and dental.

Some plans, which our agency offers- even have coverage for cancellation for any reason.

The cost of premium protection can be high, and there is no set price - the cost of insurance is calculated based on travelers age, length of trip and the cost of the non refundable portion of such trip.
It takes a bit to understand the insurance plans, and what is covered. You are always welcome to call up a licensed insurance broker and discuss.

And as your agent I will always recommend that you get insurance, but I will insist that you do get at least a medical plan.

(photos for attention)

24/03/2024

One thing I always strive to do for my travellers is to include "not to miss'' activities or places to see.

Most places offer some unique experiences, those that will stay in your memories for years to come.

We often get comfortable in our hotel rooms, lounging on the balcony, or simply being lazy on the beach of a resort. Yes, this is often much needed as well, but I always encourage my travellers to step outside and experience the destination.

Even if it's for one day. Some can be small, and free, others can be simply epic.

Weather is visiting a local village in the Mayan jungle and learning about the many kinds of corn they use.

Or walking through the vanilla farms on the remote island of Taha's, amidst blooming ginger flowers.

Maybe it's walking up to a local neighbourhood in Rome, where you have a view from the domes and can admire the sunset.

Another one is catching the sunrise over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon.

Sometimes it requires getting up early, driving some distance, being on the road, walking, getting dusty - but at the end of the day: it will be worth it!

13/03/2024

Travelling has gotten more expensive, and less is included!

This has been my observation in the last few years!

Of course, vacations are still amazing, but there is so much more to be aware of, and to consider and budget.

The most apparent example is luggage not being included not only on North America flights but for trans-oceanic routes.

Meals have been long gone in flights that do not cross the ocean, for way more then 10 years now.

Hotels are providing less in comparison to the past: using cheaper soaps, shampoos, adding extra charges for club level inclusions.
I have observed a cut back on food offerings and services.

Should there be items that are crucial for your vacation such as beach drink service, high quality of drinks, room service , robes and slippers- please make sure to advise me , as I will surely select options for you with such inclusions.

08/03/2024

Let's chat all inclusive:

Not all all inclusive resorts are created equal.

Let alone star ratings that are not accurately assigned or incorrectly understood by the public.

Well, speaking of all inclusive-there are many different variations of this particular plan.

What it means is that your three meals per day plus beverages are included. However it does not necessarily mean that everything your heart desires is included.

For example: filter coffee and tea are included but cappuccinos are extra, or premium dining may come at extra cost. Mini fridge in the room may come fully stocked, or have just two bottles of water, for each 3 days of stay.

Resorts may have VIP areas for higher category rooms that are exclusive access only.

That is why there are so many choices, price levels and offerings out there.

And my job is to assist you in deciphering it all.
To work with me - first we will need to schedule a consultation call, so that I can understand your needs and expectations- where I will ask questions and determine if I can assist with your vacation plans.

And there is no one fits all solution here, as each of us deserves a vacation thar is perfect for exactly us!

04/03/2024

Another destination that is about to be back in the spotlight: Thailand!

Main reason being- the white Lotus season # will be filed there, and tourists will again flock to this vibrant destination.

Here there are so many options: from The jungle in Chang Mai to the idyllic Similan islands, and the seemed to be forgotten full moon parties.

Thailand offers cultural experiences, amazing culinary options, temples, beaches and natural wonders.

It seems that this place has been forgotten for some time, but I assure you- it is worth a visit.

Especially if your travel plan has been skillfully orchestrated.

Raise your hand if you have been to Thailand.

28/02/2024

Frequently asked question:

Why do they discontinue many Caribbean destination direct flights in summer? Is it because the weather is bad there?

And the answer is NO!!!!
People still book seaside vacations but we typically have Mexico direct flights only as there is so many activates offered there..

While the Caribbean is a year-round destination, people use summertime - as many have summer vacation- to go on longer and long-haul trips.
To places that are more remote, and offer many stops and lots of exploring.

School and university students have time off making it a great time to send quality time away.

Where do people look to go?
The choices are many:
Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, France, Germany, Ireland, England, Scotland, or a combination of some of the above.
Europe cruises, river cruises. The list goes on.

Africa, Indonesia, Peru are also on the list, along with Fiji, Polynesia, Maldives.

And summer in Europe also means you can sneak in some beach days on the coasts of the Mediterranean or over on the Canary or Greek islands.

This year Spain, Italy and Greece top the list of most requested.

Where do you dream of going?

18/02/2024

I dare you! To step out of the comfort zone and discover our beautiful planet.

Life goes well beyond the once per year all inclusive trip down south. (these are also necessary to decompress and to feel pampered, of course).

Our planet offers so many countries and places, ancient monuments, historical sites, cultures, traditions, folk art and food to discover.

It may seem scary to go at first, but once you have arrived - you get this feeling of joy, a new perspective, new ideas, and inspiration.
And sometimes- realization as to how little you need in life, on daily basis, and what are the true treasures.

That is why I offer hand crafter discovery tours: those that take you of the beaten path, allowing you to discover treasures of the ancient civilizations, works of art or simply beautiful nature.

So, which country would you explore next?

13/02/2024

Travel without surprises: beware of extra fees and credit card holds:

We are starting to see more and more of these lately.

Resorts and hotels have started to implement credit card holds. And many chains of all inclusive resorts are also jumping on this bandwagon.

Here are some extra fees or security deposits you may find as you travel: (that are not always included in your vacation package)

Room tax: often seen in Europe and Polynesia, from €0.10 to €7.50 per room per night, paid locally.

Resort fees: often in Hawaii, Las Vegas, starting from $30-40 USD per room per day

Tourist tax: paid on exit in Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Barbados and several others.

Eco tax: collected in Cancun/Riviera Maya by hotels on behalf of Quintana Roo municipality. It differs from 20-77 peso per night.

Security holds:

Hotels and all inclusive resorts started doing holds on credit cards,
This is in case guests charge extra services to the room such as massage, upgraded wine bottles, gift shop purchases.

These change often, and it's hard to keep track, but please be ready!

08/02/2024

As we are approaching valentine's day- let's look at some of the most romantic places couples choose to visit on their special trips.

February is a very popular month for romantic trips, and many choose exotic destinations to propose as well. Hence this month rather busy in travel.

Below is the list of places that are great choices for February:

For active couples:

African safaris will offer both exciting experiences to bond over, and romantic settings in the lodges and glamorous bush camps. Discover nature, see the wildlife during the day, and then relax in the relaxing accommodation with great food and pools.

For city lovers:

Explore several European cities in the off season, such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Modena, Sevilla, Malaga, Paris. Enjoy better hotel rates, fewer crowds in the streets, sip hot chocolate in cafes, and leisurely visit museums and historical monuments.

For Beach goers:

Visit the lesser known islands of French Polynesia: after all, there are so many more besides the Bora Bora. Choose between luxurious over the water villas or a simple hotel on the land, and enjoy some of the most stunning natural sceneries. And the most sparkling clear blue water on our planet. Reconnect with your loved one amidst this tropical paradise setting, and truly off the grid.

Which one would you start with?

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Dream destination post: Before the world closed down in March 2020 - Bali was becoming to be one of the most requested destinations. This paradise remains closed to most tourists at the time, but some gradual opening plans are in the talks. The plan is to start with the luxury sector first, possibly as early as mid-October. Ideally, all tourist destinations in Bali should be included in the green zone category, but during the reopening phase later in October, it is more likely the government will approve three pilot locations tagged SUN destinations (Sanur, Ubud, and Nusa Dua). They will be the first to welcome foreign tourists. Bali is a province of Indonesia, consisting of the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Bali is the only Hindu-majority province in Muslim-majority Indonesia, with 86.9% of the population adhering to Balinese Hinduism.[3] It is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music So, who is waiting for Bali to open? What questions do you have?

Have you heard? August 9th marks the date for hotel quarantine to be lifted FOR ALL TRAVELERS who hold a Canadian passport or a permanent resident card! International passenger flights will now be allowed to land at five additional Canadian airports. The three-night government authorized hotel stay requirement will be eliminated for all air travelers as of 12:01am EDT on August 9. Unvaccinated travelers still need to observe 14 nights quarantine at home. All arriving travelers regardless of citizenship or vaccination status will still require a negative, pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result. Post-arrival testing will change however. Beginning 09 AUG, only randomly selected, fully vaccinated arrivals will need to undergo a Day 1 test. There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travelers. #travelnews #bookyourtravel #albertanstravelagent #planyourvacation #bookyourbeach #bestmondaynews #edmontontravelagent #canadatravelupdate