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Have you considered a vacation in Mexico?  Despite what the media reports, it’s safer than most major US cities.

Make 2013 the year you visit Mexico, and fall in love with the beauty of the country.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

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fiestawonder:

Cleanliness issues on the Lido Deck of Carnival Splendor, both in the restaurant and the pool areas.  Nasty! The ship showed a general lack of cleanliness in the little things.

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Loreto, Baja California Sur

Loreto was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula. Founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries, Loreto served as the capital of Las Californias from 1697 to 1777.

The city of 14,724 people (2010 census) is located on the coast of the Sea of Cortés, about 350 km (220 mi) north of the state capital, La Paz.

The town served as the capital of the province of Las Californias from its founding until the capital was moved to Monterey on February 3, 1777. 

The city is now a tourist resort, catering mostly to U.S. travelers, with daily flights fromCalifornia to Loreto International Airport.

Many American tourists enjoy fishing in “pangas” for “dorado” (Mahi-mahi or Dolphin Fish), and local restaurants will willingly prepare the daily catch of the tourists. Loreto has an excellent museum that coexists alongside the historic, but still active, parish.

Note: I wrote this yesterday, but can find no evidence that it published properly.  If you’ve already received this, I apologize for the duplicate entry.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

The World is Now More Accessible Than Ever - Explore and Enjoy It!

The world is now more accessible than ever before. Twenty percent (62 million) of the U.S. population has some form of disability, and the number of these individuals is increasing daily. These people need to, want to, and can travel. If you’re part of that twenty percent, a world of travel awaits you.

Travel professionals such as myself who are accessible travel advocates certified by Special Needs Group www.specialneedsgroup.com, the leading global provider of special needs equipment for the travel industry, have unique, specialized knowledge about how to help individuals with disabilities enjoy a wonderful, hassle-free and memorable trip.

Here are a few tips from Special Needs Group to ensure that when your next travel opportunity arises, you are ready to go.

Outline your travel needs

Take time to evaluate the logistics of your trip in relation to your ability to keep pace. What modes of transportation will you be using? Airplane, motor coach, train, ship, transit vans for ground transfers? Make a list, referring to relevant brochures, your trip organizer or travel agent to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Now, make a list of your specific requirements. Be honest: what types of special needs equipment do you depend on at home? What do you use or need (or wish you had!) when shopping, sightseeing locally, dining out or going to the movies, attending concerts, the theater, street fairs or sporting events at home?

Can you hear and see clearly without special auditory equipment or visual aides? How far can you walk without a rest break? Are stairs difficult? Can you get in and out of the tub or shower at home without handgrips or other assistance?

Travel, whether solo or in a group, is no time for roughing it or trying to “tough it out.” If a wheelchair, scooter or portable oxygen will make your trip easier, place that item on your list. Many people who do not use wheelchairs or walkers at home feel more comfortable using these mobility aides for tour and excursions. In fact, most of Special Needs Group’s wheelchair and scooter rentals are to individuals who only use such aides when traveling.

Plan Ahead

If you already own a scooter or portable oxygen, it’s important to know the policy and procedures for bringing that equipment onboard all the transport vehicles included in your itinerary, from planes to taxis to ferry boats. Does that transport have a way to stow your scooter or wheelchair? Is oxygen allowed on board? Some airlines prohibit certain types of batteries, such as wet cell batteries, or oxygen cylinders. Airlines operate under strict rules, so there may be packing procedures to follow if they do allow the equipment. Keep in mind, most airlines need at least 48 hours’ notice to make special arrangements, and be prepared to fill out forms.

Overall, cruise ships are more lenient in allowing oxygen, but some disallow certain types of oxygen. All require that the oxygen be delivered to the ship, and that you have enough for the entire voyage. Oxygen may never be brought aboard in your luggage. Requirements vary, so check your cruise line for proper instructions. Again, documentation and paperwork are required.

Whether you are headed for a cruise ship, hotel or all-inclusive resort, double check for wheelchair access at that venue, plus any venues you will be visiting on the trip. Confirm that accessible hotel rooms, resort accommodations or ship staterooms are available for your travel dates. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing fully accessible accommodations. And early booking increases your chances of securing a ground floor hotel room or cruise stateroom near the elevator, if these issues are important.

Check on the access to public rooms, restaurants, bars, toilets, the swimming pool, hot tub, beach area and other amenities. Are there TDD phone devices? How will you get in and out of the shower or bathtub? Are there flashing lights to accommodate hearing? Braille room numbers? Knowing in advance the scope of your needs gives you time to arrange advance rentals of any necessary equipment, scheduled to arrive when you do. Everything from scooters, lifts, ramps, TDD kits and special mattresses, including special needs cribs, is available for rental.

Will road travel or car excursions be part of the trip? Many car rental companies have vehicles that are modified for drivers or passengers with mobility limitations. Check ahead to make sure a suitable vehicle will be available for your travel dates. If you will be hiring a car or van, make sure the company is aware of your special needs.

When traveling with a limitation or disability, full travel insurance for medical coverage abroad and trip cancellation insurance are even more important and strongly advised.

Ask the Right Questions

When making the final bookings, be sure you ask the right questions, even if the accommodations or cruise stateroom are categorized as “accessible.”

For example, are doorways wide enough for the largest wheelchairs? Do the doors open outwards or into the room?

Are all the public areas of the hotel, resort or ship accessible? Do you need to make special arrangements in the dining room to accommodate the wheelchair or scooter?

Will the bathroom facilities truly fit your needs? Is the bathroom large enough for the wheelchair or scooter? Is there a roll-in shower? Grab-bars?

Are there facilities for companion/assistance animals?

Are there shopping and entertainment facilities close by if you are staying at a hotel or resort?

On shore excursions or tours, does the van have a lift and method for transporting wheelchairs and scooters?

Simply stated, don’t take anything for granted. It’s easy to arrange for almost every situation, and the world is wonderfully accessible, once you know what’s needed, what’s available and how to find the necessary equipment.

I look forward to helping you with all of your accessible travel needs!

Did you ever wonder...?

As you drive down the roadways of this country, have you ever seen something on the side of the road that gives you pause?

Maybe it’s a set of the old Barbasol signs that someone has installed on fence poles. Or a roadside building that looks “unique.” Or maybe it’s something as simple as a memorial to an accident.

On Interstate 40, about 20 miles east of Kingman, AZ, there is a roadside cross. It’s made out of steel tubing, and metal plating, so it was installed by someone who wants it to stand for a long time.

As you can see from the photo below, a lot of thought went into it’s construction.  Who was Norm Halawith? We know what he did for a living.  He drove one of those cars/trucks that escorts oversized loads down the highway.

This stretch of I-40 is straight, with an uphill climb.  How did he happen to have an accident here? We can assume that he died on this hill.  Someone cares what happened.  The clearance flags hanging on the cross are changed every time the sun fades and rots them away, so he is not forgotten.

Another 2 miles up the road is a truck stop.  Maybe one of the employees remembers what happened.

Every time I travel this stretch of highway, or any other highway for that matter, I wonder about what I see.

For every roadside memorial, or roadside market, historic marker, oddball building, etc, there is a story.  Have you ever wondered what that story was?

As you travel this great country during Summer Vacation this year, take time to stop and learn about things you see.  It’s part of the American experience. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to get where you’re going that you miss out on the journey.

Oh, and if you find out what happened to Norm, let me know!

National Plan A Vacation Week 2012

March 18-24 is National Plan A Vacation Week!

National Plan a Vacation Week is virtual vacation planning event which highlights the value and advantage of using a professional travel agent. This event brings together many of the top travel industry suppliers offering unique vacation packages in cooperation and support of travel agents. Working with a professional travel agent makes planning your vacation easier and gives you the peace of mind that you have purchased a quality vacation that will create those lasting memories that we all want.

Click on the image above to be taken to our special web site, with NPAVW deals for you to view!

NCL Returning to Los Angeles in Dec 2013!

Norwegian Cruise Line is moving the Norwegian Star back to Los Angeles for 7 night Mexican Riviera cruises, starting in December 2013.

Call us for more information!!!

So Long Los Angeles, Hello Miami.

In 2013, Disney Cruise Line® will offer new itineraries, including an expanded portfolio of European cruises with new destinations such as Venice, Italy, and the Greek Isles. In addition, Disney Cruise Line will utilize a second homeport in Florida, with Caribbean sailings departing from the Port of Miami for the first time. Plus, there are new 2012 options, including a 14-night Panama Canal cruise and holiday sailings from Miami.

The Disney Wonder will say goodbye to Los Angeles and Hello to Miami. She will still offer Alaska cruises, departing from Vancouver, during the summer months, and then she will transit the Panama Canal back to Miami for the fall/winter/spring season.

The Disney Magic will transition between Barcelona and Galveston seasonally, offering a variety of cruise options from these two distinctly different ports.

The two newest ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Fla.