Multi- Generational Travel - Karisma Resorts

Karisma is one of my favourite brands of resorts in the Caribbean. They are known for their gourmet inclusive cuisine. They are great for dealing with food allergies and have many amenities available for babies so you do not have to pack everything and the kitchen sink for them it is already there. One of my favourite resorts is Generations Spa Resort & Hotel. Another great vacation for the multi-generational family travelling together.

Photo courtesy of romaticsetinations.com 

They have regular suites and butler suites so again grandma and grandpa can get the level of service and comfort they have worked so hard for.
They have the Eko kids club with supervised activities which means the parents can run off and play all by themselves with beach water sports to nightly live entertainment. Guests ages 18 and over also enjoy full privileges at El Dorado Casitas Royale and El Dorado Royale, adult only sister properties next door. Which means if grandma and grandpa want a break from the grand kids and their kids they can get away.

Map of the resorts (Photo courtesy of Karismahotels.com)

They are lucky to have a spa. The spa is great for your soul. They offer hydrotherapy, facials, body treatments etc... They also have a fitness center, sauna, steam room and a full service beauty salon. They even have spa services for children ages 4-12. I mentioned earlier baby amenities but here is the complete list of what they have: cribs. strollers, pack n' play, baby bottle warmers, baby bottle sterilizers, baby food, baby monitors, baby changing tables and baby bath robes. They really do make it easy to travel with the youngest to the oldest members of your family.
The Eko Kids club offers a library, a movie area, gaming consoles as well as a full schedule of creative endeavors. They even have Littel Eko Chefs which immerses themselves in the culture of food, gain true culinary skills while learning easy and delicious recipes.
So while the kids are away the adults can play. They also have the opportunity to take cooking lessons, tour the 76,000 square foot greenhouse, do yoga or go snorkeling. You can even learn how to do your own towel decoration.
Once again want help making these great memories let me take away the stress by handling all the little details.



Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area

Multi generational Cruising with Royal Caribbean

More and more families are travelling together and I don't mean just mom, dad and kids. My parents have traveled with my brother and I and our families. This December my mom and I are taking my children on a cruise together.
Grandparents usually have more disposable income, so they can often afford more than their children and grandchildren can afford. This does not mean that they can not travel together or that you end up lowering your standards.
Lets take cruising on Royal Caribbean as the perfect example of how everyone can stay where they are comfortable and still spend time together.

Symphony of the Seas (RoyalCaribbean.com)

On the Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas they have Royal class suites which are luxury that are anything but boring.
The Royal class suites have their own private area that only they have access to which means grandma and grandpa can stay in luxury accommodations that they have been accustomed too. Mom and dad and their kids can stay in a balcony room on another deck. You can still have meals together, go on excursions together and spend as much or as little time together as you want.

Royal Suite (RoyalCaribbean.com)

The Royal suite class is divided into three options: Sea, Sky and Star. All Classes have access to L'occitane products, exclusive access to coastal kitchen and pillow top mattresses.
Sea class offers the choice of a Junior suite or a Junior suite with a balcony. The sky class suites also offer concierge service and access to the suite lounge. They offer the choices of a spacious aqua theater suite, crown loft suite, owners suite, grand suite and a grand suite with a balcony. The creme de la creme will be the star class. This class give you access to a Royal Genie who makes special experiences happen and anticipate your every need. You get complimentary deluxe beverages, all day access to the coastal kitchen, spa bathrobes, complimentary mini bar, best seats at all shows and free voom (internet at sea).

Royal Genie (RoyalCaribbean.com)

All of this does not mean that mean that you can not all stay in the same room class or connecting rooms it just means that so many options are available.
Once again looking to navigate booking travel for multiple people and getting the reservations linked is not easy. Want help doing this drop me a line.



Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area

Travel & Leisure Best Places to Go 2017

So I am re-reading my travel and leisure magazine from January 2017. It is all about the best places to travel in 2017. What is most interesting is that many of these places are once again on the 2018 lists as well.

The top ten cities for best culture where as follows: Kyoto, Rome, Jerusalem, Florence, Paris, Venice, Barcelona, Charleston, South Carolina, Lhasa, Tibet and New Orleans. I am actually pleasantly surprised that three of these cities I have been to and in September 2017. Three of the cities are also on my bucket list.

Kyoto # 1 (Photo courtesy of travel safe-abroad.com)

Expedition cruises have also become very popular with travelers. Part of these cruises are to discover different wildlife. In the Antarctica you can find leopard seals. In the Amazon it is sloths. In Borneo the Orangutans. In the Arctic the Narwhals (I know a young boy who would love this) and in the Galapagos Islands the Tortoises. These cruises can be found with Celebrity and G Adventures just to name a few. These are definitely experience of a life time.

Sloth in the Amazon (Photo courtesy of chimuadevntures.com)

The cities in this issue that get featured you can learn about the best places to eat, sleep and explore. The first location is Arbbey, Austria. This is a wonderful area in Europe to experience skiing. Tonga is the second location which can be found on an island off the coast of Australia and New Zealand. This is where you can have whale experiences of a lifetime. This vacation is so popular that in 2017 they were already booked until 2019 for the experience. I wonder what year it is now. The third location was St Croix. Activities include doing historical tours or going to La Rein Farmer's Market. This vacation is very much about the cuisine. The last location is Moulay Idriss, Morocco which is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Casablanca. This area is well know for the Roman Baths that are said to have curative properties.
The last page of this issue was devoted to swimming in the Zambezi River Devil's pool in Zambia. This phenomenon can only be experienced during the dry season mid-August to mid-January. The African continent has many area on my bucket list especially with safaris, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa , the birth place of Nelson Mandela but I think i may have just added more.
What is on your bucket list?

Devil's Pool (Photo courtesy thetravelsista.com)

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area

Monograms

I am a self-employed travel agent working for the agency of Exclusive to you Travel Services. We are hosted by the Travel Agent Next Door. Being hosted allows many small agencies and travel agents to have more pull with suppliers. Relationships with suppliers are very important in the travel business.
This year I have partnered with Monograms. I have taken their courses and have been certified in their products. I hope next Spring to host a consumer event to showcase their products for my clients.
I am sure you have heard of coach tours and you may think they are not your cup of tea. Being told what you have to see and when and where.
Monograms arranges your transfers from the airport to your hotel where you will be met by a local guide. You will have a 1/2 day tour in the city you are in as well as any other cities that may be part of your travels. The local guide can help you with suggestions of places to eat and visit. If you are moving on to another city transfers are included as is the travel method (usually train). The next city will find a new local guide and 1/2 day tour. These vacations are available is Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. These holidays provide you with the perfect balance of freedom and structure. They also can provide you with VIP access to tours, museums etc.. that you would normally not get with independent travel.
Here are some of the top itineraries to give you an idea of what they are all about:
1. Three nights in London, Three nights in Paris
2. Three nights in Venice, Three nights in Florence and Three nights in Rome
3. Three nights in  , Three nights in Kilarney, Two nights in Dublin and Two nights in Belfast
4. Peru & Galapagos Islands, includes Manchu Pichu
5. South Africa: Three nights in Cape Town, Three nights in Kenya, Two nights in Johanseburg and Two nights in Victoria Falls
6. India and Asia
They also have pre and post add on's for tours and cruises.
They have Monograms your way available for London, Paris, Rome, Florence and Venice with a combination between two and five nights in each city, keeping in mind that many things are closed in Italy on Monday's.
Here is a great video that depicts what the Monograms experience is all about.

Here are some current offers available from Monograms:

https://www.globusjourneys.ca/user/images/html/MO-Wander-PER-Sep2018.html

You can also sign up for my newsletter and enter for a chance to win a trip for two at the same time by going to my website. So don't miss out.

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area

Summer Vacation Almost Over

This has been one of our bizarrest summer vacations in the last few years in our home. My kids are 9, 10, 13 and 14 so yes I have two teenagers in my house.
This is the first time no one attended vacation bible school (vbs). Last year we did the one at the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church, the Dixon's Corner Christian Reformed Church, the Gathering House and the Morrisburg Pentecostal Church. All of them were 1/2 days accept the Gathering House was a full day. This meant that for four weeks I had every morning to myself to get work done. My son actually went to school every morning in July and the girls went to Camp Lutherlyn Sponsored by our church for a week. This summer there were no camps, no school. My oldest daughter spent July with my parents but it still meant I did not devote enough time to my business this summer and I am so looking forward to school starting back up.
I am hoping to be able to post my blog regularly as well as to all my social media accounts they have all suffered this summer.
I have made the decision to get my CTC (certified travel consultant) and my CTA (certified travel agent) as well as committed myself to doing more supplier training and adding to the designations I already have.
Not too mention I have already talked about upcoming partnerships that I hope to have time to iron out this fall to get things rolling for the spring and beyond. I even hope to host my very own consumer evening with Monograms an awesome supplier.
So I am really looking forward to back to school and getting back into a routine and being able to set some proper hours instead of working crazy hours around kids being home during the day and being taxi for swimming and golfing.
Next summer I think I will have to go back to having some sort of routine or activities planned for the kids so that I can try and work more regular hours or find and office space away from them during the day.
I will actually have a vacation myself next summer when my mother and I take two oldest girls on their first Mediterranean cruise just before they turn 14 and 15.
What did you do this summer and how did you arrange things for your children?
Now I know school has been in for two weeks but I have been a little delayed in getting back on track with all the routines.

First day of school Elizabeth, Victoria, Daniel and Katherine

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area

Grand Assembly for the International Order of Rainbow for Girls

This summer I had the pleasure of attending grand assembly with my daughter and the rest of the Ottawa Rainbow Girls. Looking forward to next summer already when my youngest daughter will be able to join us. It is always a great pleasure to watch these young ladies go about running their meetings showing their confidence and skills. These ladies organize fundraisers for various organizations. They do things for seniors and the homeless, they are inspiring.
Once a year all the Canadian Assemblies get together for a long weekend to celebrate their accomplishments. As states they are the International Order of Rainbow for girls. Every two years they get together and celebrate Supreme Grand Assembly. This year it was held in Hampton, Virginia in July.

Victoria walking in

Victoria and I were supposed to attend for the first time but with our other travel plans and a few unexpected expenses we were unable at attend. A small group of young ladies from Canada did make and represented Canada well.
Victoria and I will start fundraising and saving now for Reno, Nevada Supreme in 2020, and who knows maybe we will take a side trip to Disneyland, San Diego for their famous zoo or go in the other direction to Las Vegas. All places I would love to be able to Providence first hand accounts about and not just my clients experiences.
Victoria is a Grand Representative this year to Maine, The Philippines and Ohio. This means she will get put into contact with one of the assemblies from those states or country and gets to learn about how Rainbow works there. She is already trying to convince us a trip to the Philippines is necessary. Do you think maybe she has inherited my travel bug? I am thinking we may try and get to Maine this year as it is not too far. Not to mention the theme is Harry Potter and we are Harry Potter Fanatics.
This year at Grand Assembly I was honored  and received the grand service award for my contributions and help with the Ottawa Assembly. I was very touched and surprised. It makes you feel great when what you do gets recognized.
Normally on our way home we stop at the Big Apple in Coburg (sorry New York lovers wrong direction). The kids are getting tired of this so we decided on a different adventure thus time. We stopped at Reid Dairy in Belleville. We all got ice cream and I brought home some fresh flavoured cheese curds. Now I wonder will we do this again after the Grand Officers Reception in October or will we expand our horizons and find somewhere else.

 Outside

Inside enjoying the ice cream

If you have a young lady in your life from the age of 11 to 21 who may be interested in the International Organization for Rainbow for girls please drop me a line and if you have girls who are 6 to 10 they can join the pledge group which gets them ready for Rainbow

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area