If you're a cruisier, or want to be, you likely already know about the benefits that come along with cruising—visiting multiple destinations, only unpacking once and having the option to join planned excursions or relax onboard. These are just some of the reasons to try an all-inclusive luxury river cruise?

 

Oh yes, we know that pesky virus is a concern - but river cruising is going to be the best cruising option moving forward.

 

River cruising comes with all the regular assets of cruising, as well as the advantages the many pluses only smaller ships can offer. When your cruise accommodates a few dozen passengers instead of a few thousand, you receive better service with high crew-to-guest ratios, enjoy an intimate onboard atmosphere and never find yourself waiting in lines. Best of all, you’ll get a much more immersive experience at your destination, since river ships aren’t restricted to large harbors and never use ferries to tender passengers ashore. You will dock right in the heart of town.

 

And - river cruising ships have to follow the health and safety rules of EACH country they visit. Safety is a priority.

 

This week, I'm hosting Uniworld river cruises for a presentation. I hope you can join us on Tuesday at 5 pm est. You will learn about Uniworld's truly immersive and all-inclusive experience at  ports of call, with airport transfers to the ships, where the pampering begins almost as soon as you walk onboard. Immersive excursions at every destination are all taken care of. You dine on a medley of five-star, locally sourced cuisine, accompanied by included premium spirits and wine.

 

 

We had a great zoom call with Micato Safaris.

 

What Makes Micato Different?

• Travel+Leisure has named Micato the #1 World’s Best Safari Outfitter an unprecedented nine times. We were also named Travel+Leisure World’s Best Value on every poll ever taken and we’re the only tour operator in Travel+Leisure’s Hall of Fame.
• Micato Africa founders Felix and Jane Pinto are native Kenyans who live in Africa. They, along with the rest of the Micato team, are available to consult with you at any time about whatever you may want or need. And the Pinto Family’s long history and established standing throughout Africa enables “only with Micato” access to extraordinary people, places, and experiences.
• Dine at home with the Pintos. Share a meal with Felix and Jane Pinto in Nairobi or with Pinto family friends in Cape Town or Johannesburg. You’ll get a rare and beloved insider’s view of Africa while experiencing a truly authentic African feast.
• Itineraries perfected by generations of experience and local knowledge.
• Extensive safety protocols perfected by 55 years of on-the-ground expertise.
• Luxurious camps and lodges – obsessively, continually curated.
• Only Micato includes a highly-credentialed, Silver or Gold-level Safari Director on every trip in East Africa — in addition to a well-versed Driver Guide. Two dynamic, exuberant experts instead of the solitary driver most companies provide.
• Only Micato offers a wonder-working Concierge Team on safari, available in person or phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from just about anywhere a Micato safari will take you, from deep in the bush to downtown Nairobi. They’re poised to meet last-minute, unexpected, and unusual requests. Forgot a prescription? Lost your reading glasses? Craving your favourite snack? Just pick up the phone.
• No tipping. Ever. No exceptions. Years ago Micato established the groundbreaking industry policy of including all gratuities, even substantial ones to Safari Directors, Driver-Guides, Trackers and Rangers, in addition to our usual inclusions of waiters, porters… and everyone else, from beginning to end of your luxury safari. We’ve completely removed the anxiety about when to reach into your pocket for a gratuity, as well as figuring out how much.
• All meals included, too. Moreover, you may decide on-the-spot to dine at a restaurant of your choice on a Micato Custom Safari and we’ll happily pick up the tab. Africa has astonishing culinary choices and there are virtually no limits to where and how often you can indulge. And no worries about making reservations or finding hot spots before you travel; we’ve got that covered; perhaps one reason SAVEUR magazine named Micato Safaris Best Culinary Tour Operator.
• Drinks are on us during mealtimes. East and South Africa have an evolving selection of regional wines and craft beer, so we’re delighted to include wine and beer as well as bottled water, and soft drinks. And in Southern Africa we often pick up the tab for spirits, too.
• Valet laundry service included everywhere, every day. You can pack less and even return home with a bag of clean clothes… now that’s luxury.
• Our small-group, boutique luxury safaris never number more than 18 guests and quite often only 12, or fewer. That means more personalized attention from your Micato Safari Directors and Driver-Guides at every turn.

Before the pandemic, a new travel trend had started to emerge - Gramping.

 

'Gramping' Is the Latest Travel Trend Grandparents Need to Know About

 

Covid is certainly making villas more popular. Families and friends want to travel together, but in a bubble.

 

I'm starting to see more clients want to rent a villa for their entire family. Why not have a family of 14 together under one room - parents, kids, adult siblings, cousins, grandparents, etc. And there are some terrific partners I work with where you can have a private cook, maid, and butler too. 

 

You can get away during the pandemic, and be safe.

 

My travel supplier partners are increasing their villa rentals - we're seeing more and more offerings coming through. And, of course, one of the things I do as your travel advisor, is to ensure I'm working with vetted and trusted suppliers to ensure your vacation investment is safe - and that the partner is following all the latest health and safety protocols.

 

Long-term rentals are also up (as well as private jets too). But I'm seeing clients go away for a month or more, and hotel partners are offering residential properties and/or long-term rates. I also have great suppliers worldwide who have access to terrific properties that consumers don't have access to - especially in spots like Australia and New Zealand. Heck - I even have great partners in Victoria, British Colombia.

 

Don't wait to book your holiday. When the 14 day quarantine is finally lifted, the pent up demand to travel will explode with people wanting to travel . We're already facing shrinking supply for 2021 - with folks who had trips suspended in 2020 getting re-accommodated to 2020, and, unfortunately, some other less-stable financially travel options not continuing to be offered.  The limited supply will put upward pressure on price in a very quick order.

 

Be smart. Plan today. Travel tomorrow. Contact me to arrange a complimentary consultation.

 

Survey Says: 95 Percent Want to Travel By the End of 2021

 

According to a new vacation survey, there is an incredible pent up demand for travel with nearly 95 percent of those surveyed planning on taking a vacation in 2020 or 2021. Approximately 1,500 people participated in the survey, which took place in July and August 2020. 

 

“As leaders in the travel agent industry, it is important to have our pulse on consumer trends enabling us to better serve our clients in this relationship-focused industry,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. “COVID-19 has impacted many industries and the travel industry is no exception. We conducted this survey to gain a better understanding of how consumers plan to take vacations going forward, so we can provide our network of home-based travel agents with sales and marketing resources that speak to consumers’ desires.”

 

Key findings of people surveyed include: 95 percent want to take a vacation in 2020 or 2021; 60 percent feel confident with the enhanced health and safety protocols proposed by the cruise lines; 70 percent know and trust the value a travel advisor provides; 78 percent realize that travel advisors provide additional exclusive perks in addition to the promotions offered by cruise lines and resorts; 50 percent will go on a cruise for their next vacation, 18 percent will stay at a resort, and the remaining 32 percent have other plans; 37 percent hope to go to the Caribbean, 21 percent plan on staying in the U.S.; and 15 percent are going to Europe for their next vacation, while the remaining 27 percent selected different destinations.

 

Plan today. Travel Tomorrow.

 

Here are the planned group trips. Let me know if you'd like to join me.

 

I’m going to travel with Lindblad Expeditions to Iceland next July on a Wild Iceland Escape. Six nights to escape to the “land of fire and ice” – I want to immerse myself in the land of fjords and volcanoes. And I want to go with the best-of-the-best expedition cruise partners. Wanna join me?