Our quick travel tip is to not “over-plan” Your Vacation.

If you’re anything like me (I’m definitely a "type A" person) who likes to plan everything down to the last detail- this may be hard to do. Planning all the details may seem like the logical way to go about your travel prep, but trust us, over-planning can ruin a trip, and make it seem more regimented than it needs to be.  Learn from me and- RELAX….

We recently experienced the downsides of this when trying to "be prepared" every single day of our 9 night small group tour to Germany with plenty of activities.  Then came the last day, and we thought we were boarding a flight home from Germany.  Well.....both our flights were cancelled and we were “stuck” in Germany for an extra day.  So, whatever would we do with zero “plans” in one of my most favorite countries? Well…. we were spontaneous!!  We quickly settled into our hotel rooms. My sister and I hopped on a bus, then took the local commuter's train to drop us off in the middle of downtown Frankfurt, so that we could explore on our own. Help from a friendly, local German man sent us on our way to get off at the best spot to experience downtown Frankfurt.  BONUS: we ended up at a small, wonderful wine festival that we weren’t aware of, and it was absolutely fabulous!! We ended up enjoying Gluh wein (hot spiced wine), yummy food, great music, neat little shops, amazing architecture and lots of fun German locals.

Planning is always good, but remember to leave some room for changes and especially times of spontaneity. We'll always cherish our extra day in Germany for years to come.

Interested in an amazing small group tour to Germany with us, then CONTACT US now to get a trip planned in the near future!

Why should you Contact Us for your All Inclusive Vacation?








1. We book amazing All Inclusive Vacation Packages every, single, day.

2. We've been there (to many of the best resorts) ourselves, or...our colleagues have clients who have been there and can offer us unbiased pros and cons of the resort, location, value, etc.

3. We work with ALL major suppliers who offer us special volume pricing.

4. We have a guaranteed price match on nearly all published resorts.

​5. We have numerous colleagues in our network (3,000+) and many available additional resources, to answer all your questions before/during and after you book your All Inclusive Vacation with us.

​6. We offer special group vacation pricing for your family, friends, reunion, groups and wedding guests.

7. Why risk your trip through a massive vacation search engine with no after-the sale support?

​8. Who can you call to assist you once you've bought from a massive search engine? Do you want to be "on-hold" at the airport, when your having issues? We offer one-on-one, personalized support during your entire vacation.

9. We offer our clients wonderful perks, specials, discounts, gifts, VIP service and superior customer service.

10. We have many happy clients, just check out our Reviews Page!

11. Save Time and Research.  We do ALL the leg-work for you, at no additional cost, when you book your All Inclusive Vacation package through us.


​Give us a call today, OR fill out our Dream Vacation- Planner tool, to book your All Inclusive Vacation of your Dreams! Call Escape Destinations Travel at: 910.379.4033

YOUR ALL INCLUSIVE PLANNING TIMELINE-

Planning an All Inclusive Trip is so Very Exciting and sometimes as exciting planning as the trip itself!! Here’s your Schedule of what you need to do to plan your dream vacation, and when you should do it all. Don’t worry, Escape Destinations Travel is here to assist you every step of the way! Don’t hesitate to call or email us with any questions, that’s what we’re here for.

9-12+ Months Out-

• Double check your reservation we’ve booked for you, to assure everything is correct.
• If you haven't already, consider creating a Pinterest board for the destination your headed to. 
• Check your passports. Depending on where you're traveling to, you will most likely need at least 6 months on your passport remaining before it expires after your return date. 
  
  

6-9 Months-

• Pin, Pin, Pin! Pin those destination ideas of places you’d like to see (time allotted) to see the country you’ve decided to vacation to!  This part is such fun to plan and dream of your destination.
• Check to make sure your luggage is sturdy, in good condition and adequate for your flights.  If not, purchase now.
• Shop for your accessories you don’t already have on hand: jewelry, shoes, etc. 
  
  

4-6 Months-

• Order what you need for your Travel Size items (like soap, shampoo, lotions, sunscreen, etc.). 
• Determine your comfortable outfit you’ll wear on the trip, keeping in mind the climate your heading to, and dressing in layers (if need be) for your comfort level. 
• Research any special excursions offered by the actual resort where you're staying or locally. Check with the hotel staff (should you choose one outside of the resort) for reputable tour guides.
• Renew your passports, apply for any visas (if needed) and look into any other entry requirements, like vaccinations, etc.
  
  

3 Months-

• Double check your travel documents to make sure you have everything you need in your carry-on bag for your Departure.
• If you haven't looked at your flights in detail, be sure to check it out, these schedules do tend to fluctuate a bit as the dates get closer! 
• Pay off your All Inclusive Resort vacation balance, if you’ve not already done so. 
• Review the Destination Information prepared for you, from Escape Destinations Travel.
  
  

1-2 Months-

• Make sure you have all your outfits decided ahead of time to pack into your luggage. 
• Shop for your amazing vacation! Get plenty of bathing suits and cover ups because you'll be wearing tons of these! 
  
  

2 Weeks-

• Get your clothes packed and ready to go.
• Confirm all the travel details with our travel consultant here at Escape Destinations Travel. 
• Get your hair cut, mani/pedi and any last minute medicines you may need for your vacation. Don’t forget to pack these in your carry-on bag.
• Make sure you have someone available to check your mail, stop your newspaper deliveries, care for your pets, etc.
  
  

1 Week-

• Final preparations for any last minute things you need to accomplish.
• Start packing- Your Vacation is Almost Here! Check out our Blog Posts and checklist we sent you, for more on exactly what to pack. 
• Put in your wallet or purse the cash you'll need to bring. Plan to convert some of your money into the local currency, either at your own bank prior, at the airport, or ATM.
• Make sure you have your travel documents and passports all in one place and ready to go. Have them in hand or in your Carry-On suitcase to show to the airlines as well as the security staff.
  
  

The Day Before-

• Confirm your flights.  The best way to do this is online, which is done very quickly and easily, with the documents sent to you prior by Escape Destinations Travel.
• RELAX! You deserve it after all the hard work you did! 
  
  

Travel Day-

• Leave early for the airport, check with the airlines to see about the minimum amount of time you can arrive, and then plan for extra time to be at the airport.  Remember that International Travel requires you to be there earlier than domestic flights.  Allow time for travel to the airport, parking your vehicle, grabbing a shuttle, etc.
• Don’t forget all your travel documents (have in your hand or in your carry-on luggage) to present.
  
  

When You Arrive-

• You Made It! YAHOO!
• Unpack your bags.
• Arrange for any special clothes to be steamed/ironed (if need be).
• Put any cash and valuables in your in-room safe. 
• Relax and Enjoy- you made it and Vacation is officially here!!
• BE IN THE MOMENT! And enjoy it all! Congratulations! 

 
At the end of the day, if you made it to the resort without a major hiccup, then your vacation is off to a really great start!

My best personal advice: don't stress, relax, and enjoy the memories your making and truly enjoy every moment because it all goes by so fast, it's all worth it in the end!
 
HAVE AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING VACATION! 
 

HOW DO I PAY FOR THE ON BOARD PURCHASES ON MY CRUISE?
 
Nearly all cruises operate on a "cashless" system, meaning your boarding card, (also known as your SeaPass Card), will be used as a charge card to make all of your onboard purchases. Normally to activate this SeaPass Card account, most guests will provide a credit card, (American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diner's Club), to have all these purchases charged to at the end of their cruise. Typically an initial “hold” is placed on your credit card the morning you set sail for a set amount (determined by each cruise line).
 
Additionally, the SeaPass Card system may be activated with debit cards (beware of the hold placed onto your account) with a Visa or MasterCard, or cash.

A running tab of all your purchases will be kept under separate folio numbers for each guest and an itemized statement will be left in your stateroom the night before disembarkation. If you provided a credit card (and there are no discrepancies with your bill) the amount will be charged to your account on the morning of disembarkation (the day you leave the ship). If you have used cash to activate the account, you will need to settle the account at the Guest Relations desk (to either receive a reimbursement of the unused amount you originally left or to pay the balance of what you have charged over the amount of what you originally left).  We recommend you do so as early as possible.  On the last evening on the ship and even on the morning of debarkation, the Guest Relations Desk (customer service) tends to get very busy.

Please Note:
Guests to place a deposit if they are paying for their SeaPass Card account with cash. There is typically a $500 daily limit on cash accounts for 7+ night sailings and $300 for 2/3/4 & 5 night sailings (each cruise line is different, check with the cruise line your sailing on prior to setting sail). Once the daily cash limit is reached, Guest Relations (customer service on the ship) will call the guest and inform them that the limit on their onboard account has been reached.
 
 
BON VOYAGE!

Our Top 3 Reasons Why our Guests Love to Cruise:

1. Value - Your accommodations, meals, entertainment, the incredible opportunity to travel to several countries, all included in your one price.

2. Opportunity - Easily explore multiple destinations in one trip, experience fun, unique activities in ports and a variety of activities organized onboard that are high quality entertainment.

3. Variety - Theme parties and nightlife, Broadway shows, cooking classes, painting classes, educational seminars, Spa services or just relaxing in a lounge chair taking in the sea breeze, and so much more!

​There is truly something for everyone!

Give us a call to book your next cruise. Escape Destinations Travel: 910-379-4033

Client’s Holland America Noordam Alaskan Cruise Review-
 
Below you will find the latest review from one of our clients, who just returned from an amazing cruise to Alaska, on board the Noordam, which is a cruise ship from Holland America Lines.
 
“Hi Jen-
My apologies for the delay. I’ve wanted nothing more than to talk about the trip to anyone who would listen, but unfortunately getting back to reality at work and at home has taken a lot of time! And as you know traveling is hard work, so I kept putting this off “until tomorrow.” Well, tomorrow is now! 
 
Simply put, I think I ran out of adjectives by Day Two! Even just the teeny, tiny part of Alaska that we were fortunate to see is simply breathtaking, and you can’t truly capture or describe its size or beauty.
 
The Holland America ship, Noordam was awesome too. We enjoyed wonderful accommodations, thought the ship was tastefully decorated, the crew was outstanding, the food was fabulous, but two things stood out as major reasons we had such an extraordinary trip:

1-        The weather was amazing every single day! We were astounded how the guides or drivers would be gushing over how awesome the weather was, and how awful it was the day or days before, meaning we literally were in the RIGHT location at the very BEST time possible. That does not usually happen to me, so it was a welcome blessing. Not that you couldn’t have a great time in rain or clouds or cold, but knowing all that we could see in perfect weather of blue, dry skies was so thrilling! We spent as much time as we could on the verandah, especially during sailing times. Having that is a MUST, I think, when cruising Alaska. We didn’t miss anything, and we enjoyed afternoon tea or coffee out there a few times which was such a treat. We just couldn’t stop looking at everything in awe.

2-        The second thing is seeing my daughter (who is a performer on the ship).  Of course it was heavenly for me to be with her (and she was able to spend a great deal of time with us), but beyond that joy was how neat it was to be fussed over by everyone because we were her family visiting!” Goodness, Sue and I felt like VIP’s! The other crew and attendants just made us feel so special and were so personable and helpful. If you are with someone that everyone knows, it just adds another layer of WOW. Obviously, this isn’t going to occur for most cruisers, but it was so, so special for us.
 
I kept thinking about your parents and how they raved about their trip. They were not kidding! For me, as an infrequent traveler, it was truly a trip of a lifetime, which I think Alaska probably should be, right?! I can’t recommend it enough, and we quickly discovered that the best way to vacation in Alaska is a cruise for sure. Having the Holland America Noordam ship as the hotel, and not having to move and unpack in each city, was fantastic. It went so fast, but we had such a great time every single minute!
 
Thank you for all your support and assistance, especially when I had the change in travel partners. It was so nice to know we weren’t overlooking any documentations or planning pieces in the months prior to the trip. And also thank you for the nice goodie bag you sent to us before we left! We especially enjoyed the Nivea cream, thanks! I have hundreds of pictures, but I have included a few favorites with this message. I will go to your FB page and include a review, too.
 
I hope I have more opportunities to work with you in the future. Thanks, again, and good luck to you as you make other dream vacations come true for your clients!
 
Karen S.-Pennsylvania”

Thanks Karen for your wonderful review of the Holland America Line Noordam ship review and Alaskan review.  Your pictures are amazing!  We're glad we could assist you on your Dream Vacation!!

International Vacation Tips & Tricks!
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel

 Here are some tips, tricks and general guidelines that will help to make your international vacation very enjoyable.

When Planning Your Trip:

* Always use a Travel Consultant! Your travel professional will sort through any of your concerns or questions ahead of time, along the way to your destination, while traveling in the country, or when you’re headed home.  Should you have a cancelled or even delayed flight, they are there being just a simple phone call away.  Should you hotel have issues, be over-booked (yes sometimes it happens with a few), a medical emergency or other situations that can happen, they’ll be right there to assist you immediately and help you quickly get back on track to your destination! 

* Do you have a group tour or cruise you’re trying to get to?  Always plan on arriving to your destination in advance.  We recommend at least a day before you need to be there. Let’s say you have a dream cruise you’ve saved up for a while for, and you chose to arrive the same day of embarkation.  Should you inevitably get delayed due to weather, flight cancellations or a flat tire, you may not be able to board the cruise in time. Or, if your flight was cancelled and you were re-booked, your luggage may have gotten lost in transit.  A 24-hour window allows your luggage to catch up with you, or a delay to not de-rail your dream trip.  And always consider insurance, trip delay or luggage lost is normally covered by most travel insurance companies.

* Reconfirm all those fine details long before you depart on your vacation. If you are traveling over several time zones or even the International Dateline, remember to verify the arrival date(s) are the correct dates that you will be arriving at your destination.  It’s imperative to pay very close attention to any overnight flight schedules regarding connections and arrivals that may interfere with your travel itinerary, group tours, cruises, etc.

* Booking your trip across several airlines can be confusing, is very stressful while traveling, and can even be potentially more expensive to your budgeted vacation dollars. It’s good to hire a travel professional who will be certain to review your itinerary when it’s first issued as well as prior to your date of travel.  They can advise you as to whether it's really do-able as far as connection times, baggage handling, and other issues/concerns. The consultant can also serve as your one-call contact, should something unfortunately go wrong.

Packing For Your Trip:

* Don’t forget to carry your passport, important medication, emergency contact information (especially your travel professional’s contact info) and other critical information with you at all times. Never pack your important documents and medication in your suitcase that’s checked!  Your carry-on, or on your person is the best option.

* When packing your suitcases for your vacation, consider opting for two smaller suitcases over one large suitcase. Many airports abroad are not equipped to easily handle a full cargo of luggage, and may be in a constant state of “catch-up”. Your luggage may not arrive with your flight (as it should) but could even arrive on a later flight, instead. This frequently occurs when you have several connections. When a flight is overweight, the first things to be off loaded are those heaviest bags. If your suitcase is not light, but is an overweight massive bag, it could be one to be off loaded first.  

* Pack your itinerary, to include your travel professional’s full contact information and your own contact information while traveling in each piece of luggage you plan to bring on the vacation. This will help the airlines catch up with you and coordinate the delivery of your luggage during your trip, should this need arise.

* Pack everything that’s absolutely necessary into your carry-on. This could include the following: a full change of clothes, toiletries, and medication should your luggage not make it to your destination or be delayed. Pack items not readily available in stores at the destination and that you need. Also, some other items that may be handy: gum, candy, nuts, granola bars, that may help you with your energy in case a store/restaurant is closed whether in transit or when you’ve reached your final destination!

​Have a Wonderful Vacation!!

​What's essential to you when you travel Internationally?  Comment Below.

 International Toiletry Essentials to Pack for Your Next Trip-
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel
​
Packing for your International Trip doesn't mean you have to go all out for your next vacation.  With a few ideas, shared below, you'll be well on your way to being completely prepared with all your toiletry items needed.
 
·        Place your travel size toiletries in a hanging toiletry bag or jewelry. Hotels have limited counter space. This can easily be hung over your bathroom door at the hotel.

·        Bring any dual voltage, compact folding hair dryers/curling irons/flat-irons (if needed) on your vacation. Dual voltage appliances are practically the norm, now, and can easily be found at many local stores.  If you can go without, this would be much better, and lighter!

·        Most 3+ rated hotels will have hair dryers.  But, what could be better than air drying your hair!

·        Even with dual voltage appliances, you'll need an adaptor plug for the sockets. Of course, if not bringing dual-voltage appliances, you'll need to bring an electrical converter, as well, but be aware even the smallest of these can add as much as 5 lbs to your luggage weight.

·        Many of the nice hotels abroad will provide at least a small bottle of shampoo, so be prepared. Bring a couple with you, at least, or fill travel bottles with your favorite products.

·        Pack a cheap, dozen washcloths or handy facial/makeup wipes. They don't exist abroad (that I could find). Use one a day and simply toss.

·        Pack a micro-fiber "turby towel."  This is helpful to dry your hair, body, etc.  I always carry my "turby towel" with me on my travels as it helps dry my hair quickly.

·        Purchase double-purposed type products: shampoo/conditioner-in-one; tinted moisturizer instead of packing foundation + moisturizer.

·       Don't forget the travel-sized products come in very handy while traveling overseas.

·        Tweezers, nail polish remover pads (definitely not the bottle of liquid); emory boards, toothpicks, dental floss.

·        Manicure scissors, small needle and thread kit (with common colors).

·        Safety pins, in various assorted sizes.

·        Barrettes, bobby pins, ponytail holders, hair clips, stretchy headband (good for cold weather, too).

·        Perhaps consider packing a very small roll of duct tape (hey...it may come in handy to mend clothes, bandages, luggage if it's ripped, etc).

And remember, unless you’re planning on camping during the "Wild nights in Munich, during Oktoberfest" about anything you need, can be very easily purchased along the way!

3 Super Quick Tips for Traveling Abroad!
 
Don't laugh...but these have to do with paying attention to Your Precious Feet!  

1.  DO NOT SKIMP ON FOOTWEAR! Your feet are so worth it!
Vacations abroad are by their nature, very much walking, climbing and touring vacations. So many times you'll find yourself off the beaten path.  The center of many towns are traffic free, so walking is how they are seen. Think of all of the cobblestone streets in Europe!

It's so important to purchase quality, well fitting, supportive and comfortable shoes.  Make it a huge priority. Don't go "cheap" on the shoes, invest in something that will reap you healthy benefits.  Buy them in advance before you leave for your overseas adventure and walk in them often, before-hand. Blisters or super sore feet can ruin your entire time abroad.  You want to make memories, not nurse sore, aching feet.
 
2.  INVEST IN GOOD SOCKS-
Do invest in good socks and good footwear.
 
Wool or synthetic blends will tend to help to cushion your feet, even when wet and easier to rinse out and wash by hand while abroad. They dry more than twice as fast, because they breathe well and wick moisture.  Cotton will soak up sweat and moisture, and this isn't great when walking (especially if you're going long distances).

Such a quick, simple little tip, but worth so much! Trust me please. Your feet will thank you.

 3.  BRING (2) PAIRS OF COMFORTABLE SHOES-
Pack two pairs of comfortable, well-broken in walking shoes. Each day switch to the other pair if possible. Your feet will thank you. Find some that are versatile and can be worn with anything in your suitcase.

I try to remember to pack a pair of black flats and a pair of flat-soled boots, often, but sometimes even instead, a second pair of slip-ons in place of the boots. In either case, they can both be worn with slacks, jeans, or dresses. You can even switch them back and forth from day to evening-should you have a nice night on the town!

The reason has to do with various pressure points on your feet. No matter how well-fitting a pair of shoes may be to you, your feet tend to rest differently within them. By switching off shoes, you can give those pressure points in your feet a much needed break. This will lessen your chance for blisters or sore spots.

It’s another simple little traveling tip, but worth so much! Trust me. Your precious feet will thank you.

Do YOU have any particular shoe styles, or brands that have worked well for you on your travels, please share below!