Erin Reilly, MVP Travel Specialist

20/09/2023

Looking for an adults only cruise with an inclusive price? Check out Virgin Voyages. Included in the price: all food, gratuities, WiFi, non-alcoholic drinks, all on board entertainment! Virgin Voyages has swept the 2023 Cruise Critics Awards. Some great 4-night cruises out of Miami for a quick getaway, and many longer cruises offered with destinations worldwide. Take a look:
https://www.virginvoyages.com/book/voyage-planner/find-a-voyage?cabins=1&USD[%E2%80%A6]lors=2&toDate=2022-10-04&agentId=34045&agencyId=301

05/08/2023

My family and I just got back from an amazing trip to Greece with Adventures By Disney. We don’t usually travel with a tour but we tried something new and I can’t say enough great things about the experience. I have learned a lot about how to make the most of an ABD adventure. I have plenty of pictures to share but I’ll start off with our two Adventure Guides - two guides is something Adventure By Disney has that other tours don’t. They were amazing. Niki is the local Greek guide and Liz was an American with literally anything you needed - answers to questions, ear drops, batteries, bandaids. She had it all. Remember, I can help you book tours like this. In fact I am thinking about changing over to just booking tours and Beaches/Sandals but we will see.

As a certified Personal Travel Specialist with Magical Vacation Planner, I provide concierge level s

06/07/2023

Great tip passed on from “Sheriff Alerts”

You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. Typically when checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for any charges to your room).

You go to your room and settle in. All is good.

The hotel receives a call and the caller asks for (as an example) room 620 - which happens to be your room.

The phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following: 'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.'

Not thinking anything wrong, since the call seems to come from the front desk you oblige.
But actually, it is a scam by someone calling from outside the hotel.
They have asked for a random room number, then ask you for your credit card and address information.
They sound so professional, that you think you are talking to the front desk.

If you ever encounter this scenario on your travels, tell the caller that you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk or call directly and ask if there was a problem.
If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone tried to scam you of your credit card information, acting like a front desk employee.

08/02/2023

Fourth graders can get their free pass to get free access to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for an entire year for them and their families!

Bike through a forest. Walk in a desert. See a whale burst through the ocean's surface. Do all this and more with your pass. And bring a car full of family and friends for free!

05/01/2023

If you have a Disney trip booked for this summer, or you’re looking for a reason to go, there’s a new promo out for FREE dining credit. While I usually don’t book Disney trips, I can point you in the direction of someone who does.

Enjoy Magical Disney Dining!✨
Get up to $750 on a Disney Dining Promo Card with a purchase of a non-discounted 5-night/4-day Walt Disney Travel Co. room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels. For arrivals most nights 7/1-7/10 & 8/1-9/14.

Your Magical Vacation Planner will be able to explain all the details to start planning your next vacation!

08/12/2022

We have found this to be so worth it

Albany International Airport will host a TSA PreCheck enrollment event beginning Monday...

20/11/2022

Wrapping up an amazing weekend at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY. Meals and most activities included with your stay. I can help you book if you are thinking about a trip.

Photo taken yesterday on the Eagle Cliff Trail

17/10/2022

My kids had their TSA Pre Enrollment appointments today. Still super easy to do. Their appointments were in the Staples on Central Ave. The place was hopping! Highly recommend it if you want to skip the security lines. Available to people aged 13+ and costs $85 a person.

Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

17/09/2022

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2022/09/16/renew-passport-online/10399847002/?fbclid=IwAR2iQBYutIV2T5SrS7dvPPzuykOoYyP5i26h6WIXFYJWSQa2DQOEnzFh9io

The State Department is launching a pilot program for people to renew their passports online and make the process less of a "headache."

16/08/2022

Car rental tip I stumbled upon. Join Hertz Gold (it’s free!) and download the app. Book your car though Hertz and check in from the app when you board your flight (or about two hours before you pickup your car). When you land and get to the Hertz Rental Center, you can bypass the lines, look for your name on the board, and it will direct you to either a specific parking spot or a level. If you get a level, such as Presidents Circle, you can select any car from that area and just checkout as you leave the lot. It’s super easy and quick.

20/07/2022

Southwest Airlines opens up tomorrow for flights through March 8, 2023, so if you have February break plans (or want some), now is the time to book! ✈️

02/07/2022

I know there are lots of horror stories with flights, but our flights to and from Chicago were perfection. On time, no issues. Thanks, United!

01/07/2022

Our local science museum membership got us in for free at the Field Museum!

10/06/2022

Big news! No more Covid testing before reentering the US as of June 12th!

10/04/2022

Want to go to Space? Well, your name can! Sign up here:

Artemis is the name of NASA's program to return astronauts to the lunar surface. We are going forward to the Moon to stay.

04/04/2022

If you’re planning on visiting a National Park this summer, make sure you check if advanced reservations are needed:

Acadia, Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Zion are among the national parks requiring reservations in 2022.

13/03/2022

Whohoo! This is been on my “to do” list and now it’ll be in Albany! Tickets go on sale Thursday.

Step into artistic masterpieces by Vincent Van Gogh at this that’s coming to Albany. Artwork from the iconic post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh

27/02/2022

Beaches Turks and Caicos is hard to beat for families. Lots of included activities, great restaurants, safe, and a short three hour plane ride from New York.

A reminder that I can help you book your trip, navigate the paperwork, and give you tips on what worked for us and others. It’s never too early to book for 2023 and 2024. $398 holds a room risk free until 60 days out. 🏖☀️✈️

27/11/2021

I have clients in Cancun and they’ve kindly sent me these pictures. Wish I was there too!

15/11/2021

Stranger Things Pop Up Store in NYC!
You sign up for a time to visit (it’s free).

Stranger Things: The Official Store is a journey into the Netflix series packed with exclusive merchandise and interactive photo moments!

10/11/2021

Love this story 🐕 🧳

23/10/2021

Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island

03/09/2021

🤣🤣🤣

24/08/2021

Useful link if you are planning a trip out of the country:

Travel Health Notices

19/08/2021

World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet 🗄
Who knew? 🤷🏼‍♀️

18/08/2021

Overlooking Lake Champlain from Mt. Philo

13/08/2021

My dog on a vacation of her own

11/08/2021

Bar Island Bridge - it appears at low tide. From 90 min before low tide until 90 min after you can cross onto Bar Island. You have to beat the tide back or you’re stuck for nine hours.

09/08/2021

Thunder Hole - a natural rock inlet where the waves crash and sound like thunder

09/08/2021

Bar Harbor, ME