Los Cabos - From Land to Sea
Cabo San Lucas has much more to offer than it's beaches. How would you like to tee off on a golf course designed by champion players such as Jack Nicklaus or Greg Norman? Los Cabos is home to ten courses with most of them located on the lovely Cabo resorts. For those that want an active vacation, right around the corner from Los Cabos' bustling luxury resorts you'll find rock climbing, ATV tours, camel rides, horseback riding or maybe a mountain bike trip.
Of course most people heading to Cabo are looking for some fun in the sun and water. As early as October through as late as March, the annual migration of gray whales occurs, bringing thousands of the magnificent creatures to the lagoons around Cabo. Whale watching tours are very popular in this area. Surfing is a huge draw and one of the best spots to do so is called Zipers, on the Cabo Corridor. During the months of June through September vacationers can adopt baby sea turtles and help release them back into the ocean. How fun woud that be! Los Cabos is a paradise for avid sport fishermen. Visitors can sail on one of hundreds of fishing vessels and catch marlin, swordfish, dorado, yellowtail and snapper. Want to spend time IN the water? Visitors can swim the the largest fish in the world, the whale sharks or snorkel or scuba in the waters of the Sea of Cortes where they might see parrotfish, angelfish as well as puffers, eels and even rays and turtles. Beach tours may take you to one of Cabo's most fabled spots, Lover's Beach, one of the most romantic ways to enjoy your vacation. Connected to Lover's Beach is Divorce Beach, where you may want to catch a glimpse of an amazing sunset.
Of course there are many of us that love their beach time and by staying at the resorts of Los Cabos you'll have access to some of the greatest beaches on the Pacific coast. Many of the beaches of Cabo San Lucas, while amazing to spend time on, are not actually swimable, due to the rocks and the strong currents. If swimming in the ocean outside the doors of your hotel room is a priority for your vacation, you will want to contact a professional travel consultant who can help you select the best resort for your dream vacation.
After a fun filled day relaxing or horseback riding on the beach or snorkeling in the waters of the Los Cabos area, it's time to enjoy some of the great culinary spots. Your resort will offer many great options for dining, but you will find more great dining establishments throughout the Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo corridor. It's so fun to visit these awesome restaurants and enjoy the roving mariachi bands, colorful tablecloths and the friendly people. Want to experience some party time? Cabo Wabo is a must-see complex owned by Sammy Hagar. Cabo Wabo is filled with giant bars and stages where bands perform, including some of rock and roll's most revered legends.
Whether you are looking for a romantic honeymoon destination or some fun getaway time with friends, Los Cabos should fit the bill. Just make sure you work with a travel professional so you don't end up being disappointed with your long awaited vacation. Personalized Travel and Tours is a Cabo travel specialist and we look forward to helping you with your plans.
Puerto Rico - No Passport Required
Welcome to Tropical Tuesday where I will be letting you know about the awesome experiences you can have in tropical destinations in the Caribbean, Hawaii and the South Pacific. Today's blog is about the beautiful country of Puerto Rico. Many people are able to experience Puerto Rico, especially the areas around San Juan, when they visit for a pre or post cruise stay. Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries may include ports in Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Croix, St. Lucia, Aruba, Antigua or St. Maarten and starting that cruise in San Juan makes the experience even better.
The official language of Puerto Rico is both Spanish and English and as they are a territory of the United States, no passport is required to travel there. The average winter temperature is 83 degrees and summer is 85 degrees. Sure beats our 30 degrees!
Puerto Rico is a destination for all types of travelers, whether it be couples, families, beach bums or active vacationers. The most popular historic site is El Morro. The fortress is one of the most impressive structures on the island and it was designated as a World Heritage site in 1983. For the price of only $5 you can explore this visual view of 400 years of military history and catch the breathtaking ocean views.
Active vacationers can golf at one of 24 courses, go fishing for blue marlin, tuna or sailfish or enjoy world class surfing, sailoing or kayaking. Hikers can explore El Yunque, a tropical rain forest as well as hundreds of other trails throughout the country. You can go horseback riding along a beautiful beach, follow a trail through a tropical rainforest or amble through a spectacular plantation. Scuba divers and snorkelers will enjoy reefs that lie within reach of their hotel rooms or those that are on the remote islets far from the shore. Families may enjoy the Arecibo Observatory where they have the largest radio telescope in the world or a visit to the Mayaguez Zoo. Adults will enjoy a stop at the Barcardi Rum Factory, located just a short ferry ride from San Juan, for a tour and tastings
Puerto Rico offers accommodations of all types, from smaller budget motels to boutique hotels and luxury resorts. Both budget friendly tourist shops and high end retail stores are available for the shoppers.
If you are looking for a beach vacation, an active adventure, a historical experience or a pre cruise stay, Puerto Rico may be just what you are looking for!
Reprinted from Mymark.com/rustiwalter blog dated January 3, 2012
Argentina - Paris of the South
Today will be the first of my Latin America Monday articles. Throughout the next year I want to provide just a brief glimpse of areas throughout the world and highlight some of the amazing experiences you can have in these areas. I will also give you ideas on how you can experience these wonderful places.
Buenas Aires Argentina is called the Paris of the South. In this city of European charm, you can experience a live Tango Show (or maybe learn the dance yourself), visit one of the cattle ranches or the LaRecoleta Cemetery, where you will find a nondescript black marble grave where Evita Peron is buried which is inscribed with “Don’t cry for me, Argentina, I remain quite near to you.” In Puerto Iguazu, Argentina you will experience one of nature’s mightiest shows of sound and fury when you visit the impressive Iguazu Falls. More than 1,700 cubic meters of water per second plunge over 200-foot cliffs, creating 275 separate falls in a wide horseshoe shape. In Patagonia the flat and windswept expanses meet the dramatic Atlantic coastline at Peninsula Valdes. Colonies of sea lion, penguin, orca and seabird inhabit the coastline and shallow waters. In Mendoza, at the foothills of the Andes, you will find Argentina's wine country. Take a tour of the local wineries and samp;le some of the country's premium wines.
Visit Argentina in style with an escorted tour planned in conjunction with Personalized Travel and one of our great tour companies partners, such as Globus or Trafalgar. Tours run between 8 and 15 days and include your airfare, transfers, deluxe or first class hotels,transportation during the tour, most meals and excursions and the services of a professional travel guide. Many of the Argentina tours will also visit other South American countries or you can choose to add these on to your tour. Highlights may include a dinner and Tango show, a visit to the impossing Perito oreno Glacier or a tour of Colonia, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. If you consider yourself more of an adventurer than a tourist, you may enjoy a small group or independent travel with G Adventures. With this company the money you spend on your trip benefits the people in the communites they visit, by staying in locally-owned accommodations, eating at locally owned restaurants and hanging out with the locals. You'll fee the thunder of Iguassu Falls as you hop aboard a speedboat and prepare for an up-close-and-personal visit or enjoy local cuisine and learn how to prepare it yourself.
For those who enjoy a more relaxing experience, where you can unpack your bags once and visit numerous cities of Argentina and South America, a luxury cruise is the answer. Most cruises will run 14 to 21 days and you can enjoy the tropical climate of South America while those back home are shoveling snow. Cruisetours are also available so you can enjoy your relaxing cruise and then add a few days on land to experience even more of this amazing country.
I'll have more information on another great Latin America country next Monday. If you have a specific destination you would like to know more about, contact me at rusti@personalizedtravelandtours.com or visit www.yourpersonalizedtravel.com.
Reprinted from Mymark.com/rustiwalter blog posted January 2, 2012
Magical Changes Coming to Disneyland
Get ready for some exciting changes at Disneyland as the largest expansion in the Magic Kingdom starts to take shape. A major new attraction, Under the Sea, Journey of The Little Mermaid will let you travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the sea.
Standing majestically upon a hill across from Ariel’s new home is the castle of The Beast where the Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom. Nearby in Belle’s Village you will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern. Just outside the Village is Belle’s cottage and the new Enchanted Tales With Belle. The adventure will begin in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the dorrway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience. You will be transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive retelling of “the tale as old as time”.
Also in store when the project is complete will be the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine”. The Coaster will feature a first of a kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. For the Princess lovers, and honestly, who isn’t, guests will be greeted by Cinderella, Aurora, Rapunzel and other Disney princesses in the new Princess Fairytale Hall which will be located where Snow White’s Scary Adventure stands today.
I’ll keep you updated as the new features start opening in late 2012 and beyond. In the meantime, I’m now offering Get Away Today’s amazing Disneyland vacation packages, so take a look at the brochures that the kids bring home from school and that the credit unions give out, and then give me a call for your personalized Disneyland vacation planning.
NEW YEAR'S EVE IN LAS VEGAS 2010
New Year's Eve in Las Vegas--what could be more fun, right? After experiencing New Year's on Fremont Street in Las Vegas in 2008, we thought New Year's Eve on the Strip would be even more fun. Sadly, we were mistaken. The party on Fremont Street includes bands and lots of other entertainment the whole night. Over on the Strip, they close down the street after 6 pm so the party can begin. What they don't tell you is that there is no party--just 300,000 drunk people crammed into the street screaming for no reason. It does get fun about 11:45 as the excitement for midnight builds and then the countdown and a fantastic fireworks display. Now there are parties all over town in the nightclubs, bars and restaurants with prices starting at about $100 per person. For the most part that price includes drinks and maybe some food. You have no guarantee of a seat and it will be standing room only, but you have a wristband to get in and out--isn't that special! Now for only $10,000, you can have a reserved table outside with a fire pit for you a a few friends. I think next time we'll go back to Fremont Street where they know what a party is!
You could definitely see there is an improvement in the economy over 2008. There was no shortage of visitors to Las Vegas this year. On both the streets and the sidewalks, the crowds were everywhere, in spite of the record breaking cold temperatures. The casinos took advantage of this by setting the machines so tight we didn't find many winners in the crowds.
The bright spot to our visit was the new Cosmopolitan Resort. We were greeted by the friendliest Las Vegas staff we have ever come across. Everyone was helpful and the highlight was our cute cocktail waitress, Marley who called us by name and made sure our glasses were never empty. The casino is amazing and the huge Chandelier Bar is something you don't want to miss! We also enjoyed the New Year's Eve comedy show at the Improv at Harrah's. There were three great comedians and we laughed for the entire 1-1/2 hour show. We have been here a few times and the comedians are always fantastic.
Yes, I still like Vegas and I'll be going back, but I think at another time of the year when the crowds are smaller and the weather is warmer. There are a lot of amazing shows to see and of course, I'm still waiting for that elusive big win in the casino!
August 13, 2008
SEMINAR FOR FIRST TIME CRUISERS
Personalized Travel and Tours is holding a seminar Thursday, September 25, 2008 in the auditorium of the Southwest Branch of the Weber County Library, located in Roy at 1950 W. 4800 S. at 5:30 PM. The seminar offers Free admission, Free parking and door prizes.
This seminar is to help answer questions and concerns for those people who have not yet experienced the fun of cruising. We will offer a small presentation providing information on the different types of cruising, the wide array of destinations you can experience and go over the basics of cruising.
We will not be selling cruise vacations at the seminar, but we will have information available on current cruise sales and group rates that we have available.
Seating is limited to the first 40 callers to contact us to reserve their seats. Call Rusti today at 801-791-8070 to make your reservation.
Tuesday, November 12, 2007
CANCUN RESORTS AND ACTIVITIES - MY NOVEMBER SITE VISIT
I was recently given the fantastic opportunity to attend a site inspection of Cancun, Mexico with the Cancun Travel Institute. I have always loved this destination, but I now feel even more confident that I can help my clients choose the best resort for their vacation, as well as help guide them through the arrival and departure from the Cancun Airport. Upon arrival in Cancun, you will arrive at their recently renovated airport, which is much improved over the Cancun airport of 5 to 6 years ago. It is very modern and easy to get around. After you get off you plane you will line up to pass through the customs line. This moved very quickly and the agents were very friendly. You show them your passport and immigration form and then proceed to a very efficiently run baggage claim area. After you pick up your bags you will get into another customs line where the agent will take your immigration form and ask you to push a button. If you get a green light you can proceed to exit the area. If you are one of the "unlucky" passengers to get a red light, you will be asked to step aside and they will do a check of your baggage. Now comes the fun part--exiting the airport. If you need to exchange U.S. dollars for pesos, you fill find an American Express exchange window. You will also be bombarded on all sides by vendors trying to sell you excursions and transfers to your hotel. Many of these companies are going to be trying to sell you timeshares. If you have booked through Personalized Travel and Tours, you will already have your transfers arranged, so you will want to continue out the doors. At this point you will locate your transportation company, according to the instructions I have provided and they will get you on the correct shuttle to your resort. Now your vacation can begin!
Now I have got you to your resort and on my next blog entry I will review some of the great resorts that I had the opportunity to visit, as well as the fun attractions.
Friday, October 5, 2007
AIRPORT SECURITY - CURRENT RULES ON LIQUIDS AND GELS IN CARRY ON BAGGAGE (Information taken from airsafe.com)
Since August 2006, U.S. authorities have restricted what liquids and gels a passenger may carry with them onto their flights:
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Passengers may bring into the secure area of the airport, liquid and gel products, so long as the items are carried in a clear plastic food storage type bag with a capacity of no more than one quart. Airport security usually provides these bags in the security line or you can pre-pack such items before you leave home.
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Each passenger is allowed only one of these quart sized bags for their liquids and gels. These would be items such as shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency.
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Each individual container must have a capacity of no greater than three ounces. Passengers may not pass through the security screening with gel or beverage containers of greater capacity.
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Once a passenger has passed through security screening, they can purchase any size beverage and other liquid or gel products in the terminal and take them on to the plane.
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As much as possible, pack these items in your checked luggage to avoid extra security screenings.
There are important exceptions to these rules:
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Baby formula, breast milk, prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels or aerosols) can be in larger containers (prescription-8 oz.; non-prescription-4 oz.) and do not have to be inside of a plastic bag, but have to be declared at the secruity checkpoint.
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Gel-filled medical devices such as bras and prosthetics are excluded.
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Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items such as lipstick in a tube, solid deodorant, and lip balm. Remember, these must be solid, not liquid, gel or aerosol.
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