Recently Published Article

Here is an article that I recently had published in Preferred Homes magazine (http://www.preferredhomesmagazine.com/):

Summer Getaways

Top Hot Spots for 2007

By Crystal Williams, Freelance Writer


Hard to believe, but summer is just around the corner. It’s the time of year when millions of Americans take a break from their hectic schedules to relax and enjoy a little time away. If you are planning a summer vacation, whether it be with the kids, alone as a couple or to catch up with old friends, you might be wondering where to go, what to see and how to save money in the process.

For a guaranteed good time, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) reports that domestically Orlando, Las Vegas, New York City and Honolulu are this year’s top summer destinations, while internationally Italy, the United Kingdom and Mexico claim the top spots.

Here’s a closer look at what’s hot in summer travel for 2007:

Destination Europe

Rolling hills, sprawling vineyards, rustic landscapes…Europe is a majestic summertime destination, built on one of the best tourism infrastructures in the world. “Europe is VERY strong for summer 2007 with Italy topping nearly everyone’s list. Specialty land tours, including cooking classes in Tuscany are very popular,” says SueAnn Pohl, President of the Travel Center of Huntington Beach.

Eileen Gauthier, a 28-year veteran of the travel industry and a Certified Travel Agent with All Ways Travel of Mission Viejo, agrees. “The top summer vacations for 2007 continue to see strong interest in Europe, both with and without children. Europe is always a strong draw, and couples and families have responded to the interest through movies featuring Italy, in particular,” comments Gauthier.

London, with its rich history and imperial charm, grabs the spotlight as ASTA’s top international city. With Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, London is home to a vast array of historical and modern attractions. Rounding out the list of popular European cities are Rome and Paris, known for sensational dining, lovely countryside motoring and non-stop events ranging from outdoor theater and music festivals to special exhibitions and one-of-a-kind shows.

Closer to Home

In the United States, Florida has always been a popular destination for vacationers. Cities such as Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, offer family-friendly attractions, romantic retreats and opportunities for friends to learn a new skill or activity such as dancing the Tango or climbing a rock wall.

There’s also much to do in Nevada and New York, where entertainment and a lavish nightlife never go out of style. A few of New York’s attractions include Broadway, the infamous Apollo Theater and the universally recognized Statue of Liberty. Likewise, aside from miles of casino action, Nevada is also the place to find a jackpot of family fun with M&M World, Red Rock Canyon and the 1,150-foot Stratosphere Tower extending high above the Vegas Strip.

Looking for a unique alternative? Well, the world’s largest resort casino isn’t located in Las Vegas. It’s actually Foxwoods, nestled in the heart of Connecticut. Founded by the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, more than 40,000 guests visit Foxwoods each day to try their luck at the casino’s 7,400 slot machines, hundreds of dynamic game tables, horseracing, poker, bingo and Keno. But gambling action isn’t all that Foxwoods has to offer. The resort and entertainment complex is home to three magnificent hotels, endless dining options, a new two-story arcade for children and teens and the Foxwoods Arena featuring live boxing events. Foxwoods motto, “For the Wonder of it All” sums up a visit to this popular Connecticut attraction.

Cruisin’ Away

In the mood for cruisin’? Today there are an endless assortment of cruises designed to suit all budgets and meet every interest. “You just can’t beat cruising for excellent value and the ability to please the entire family. Cruise lines have thought of virtually everything that you could want in a vacation and have incorporated it into the cruise experience,” comments Patti Carter, Branch Manager of Fullerton’s World View Travel. Some cruises feature concerts, mini theme parks, sports tournaments and supervised programs for young children. Once again, experts claim that the best can be found in Europe, with river cruising a growing trend. Other great cruise deals are Alaska, and island destinations such as Hawaii and the Caribbean.

And what’s the word on saving a few dollars? Carter explains that most of her clientele is fairly affluent and used to the finer things in life. However, they still seek out value when booking their vacations. She recommends confirming that an agency is affiliated with a network of upscale travel suppliers, as this enables them to secure special pricing and added amenities on a variety of arrangements. Hiring a car and driver to handle individual touring requests, while it may appear expensive, can actually save money by ensuring visits that are as long or short as the traveler wishes, without traveling on large coaches and using up precious vacation time sticking to a schedule developed for the masses instead of tailored to individual requests.

Location can also stretch the travel budget. According to Gauthier, the hottest summer deals include far away destinations such as Australia and New Zealand, since our summertime is their cooler, winter months—offering lower air fares and better hotel pricing.

For popular destinations, experts agree that it is best to book your vacation early and with the help of a qualified travel agent. “Developing a mutually respectful relationship with an experienced agent offers travelers the benefit of years of experience and places their vacation in the hands of a professional who is looking out for their best interests. Especially if time is limited, use an agent,” suggests Pohl.

Another important tip for having a great summer vacation is not to get too carried away or overdo it. Relish the carefree, lazy days of summer, because before you know it, they’ll be gone.

Have fun and don’t forget your camera!

It's Been Awhile

Okay, okay. It's been awhile since I left my last post. You know how life can be; throwing you twists and turns just when you think you've finally found the easy road. That happened to me back in April. One of my boys fell ill (really ill) and was in the hospital for a month. Thirty days! Poor guy. But he is doing much better now. So I'm back at it. Hopefully these posts will become a little more regular now.

See you on the flipside!