Have you been tuning into SharkWeek this week? Admittedly, I have followed along on social media, but not tv. I had the pleasure a few years ago of swimming alongside these magnificent creatures in French Polynesia. We encountered them on an excursion in Bora Bora as well as on the island of Tikehau. I find being in the water, whether snorkeling, or diving to be extremely relaxing.

This week I wanted to share some of the top diving and snorkeling sites you may not yet have considered

#1 – French Polynesia – even now it’s quite simple for US Citizens to visit. It’s in the same time zone as Hawaii and gets as many visitors in a year as Hawaii sees in a typical week! The water is amazing, imagine being able to walk right off the beach, or the platform of your overwater bungalow and into a lagoon teeming with sea life.

#2 – Turks and Caicos – this is where we first introduced our daughter to snorkeling at age 6. She’s been hooked ever since. As we snorkeled around a man made reef the first time, she popped out of the water and proclaimed “there’s a whole underwater world down here!” To this day she reminds us often that she wants to go back since the water was so clear.

#3 – The Mediterranean – History abounds not only on the shore line, but underwater as well. Did you know there is a sunken city that you can scuba around off the coast of Naples, Italy?

If you’re ready to not only dive back into travel, but also explore the seas, reach out. We’d love to help you plan your next vacation, it’s certainly something you don’t want to navigate yourself with the near constant updates in protocols. That’s what we’re here to do for you.

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We’ve all been spending more time at home and less time on vacation than we would have liked this past year. What have you been doing to relive the memories from past vacations? Have you scrolled through the photos on your phone or computer? When is the last time you actually printed a photo?

I remember the excitement of the dark room when developing photographs and watching them materialize before my eyes. I can still close my eyes and breathe in the scene. As digital photography became the norm, more and more photos became trapped in our devices.

Now that the idea of a vacation doesn’t seem so scary, it’s time to make sure you have a plan for all of those photos you are going to take to prevent them from remaining trapped on your devices.

Here are some of my favorite ways to set those photos free for others to share as well.

#1 – Photo books – these make great table top conversation pieces. Yes, they are very time consuming to create if you want any control of the layout. There are companies that will take the photos you upload and lay them out for you. I prefer to do that myself to make sure they are in the correct order and more visually appealing. Services like Shutterfly, Snapfish and Chatbooks are all great places to start if you’re interested in making one of your own.

#2 – Canvas Prints – I like to have my favorite vacation photos printed on canvas to hang around the house. Admittedly, I’m running out of wall space. Gallery walls are another great option to get more photos on display in a small area. There are some great templates that you can view online to help you plan out sizes and layouts.

#3 – Displaying photos on the TV – when I’m working from home, or just around the house I like to sync my phone and TV so my photos scroll across like a screen saver. Sure, this doesn’t actually free them from the phone, but they get more air time than if I were to sit down and scroll through them

I hope this gave you some inspiration to go back and at least look through the photos from your last vacation, or perhaps even get some of them off the phone and seen a bit more often.

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We made a quick trip to DC earlier this week. My daughter commented that it felt good to be back around tourists. Our trip was not to see the sights this time, we were there for our interviews, the last step to renewing our Global Entry. We completed the paperwork quite a while ago, but still needed to do in person interviews. The most convenient way for us to do that was a trip to DC. I have had several interactions with the officers at the Pennsylvania Ave location, all have been stellar. While Richmond has an office that is hours closer (especially with Summer traffic) they actually staff that office less than 10 hours a week. You can imagine the wait to secure an appointment! With the DC office we were able to secure appointments just a few weeks out, and for all three of us on the same day, which was much more difficult than you would think. Until early 2020 the DC office even took walk in’s without needing an appointment. We drove up to DC the day before, had a wonderful dinner at Zaytinya, did some sightseeing and were able to stay with my brother in the District. The next morning we decided to drive down to the Ronald Regan building to see if we could move our appointments up to avoid rush hour traffic on the way home. Just as in my other interactions, they could not have been more accommodating. We were in and out of the office in about 15 minutes. The officer actually told me that as long as you have an appointment for that day, they will take you earlier as long as there is no one waiting. Afterwards we met a friend for coffee, had a great lunch and were home before dinner time. Before we could even make it home we had emails that our Global Entry status had been updated and we were good until 2026.

For those of you who are getting ready to renew or are in the process I highly recommend a visit to DC for your interview. I should note that they also have begun to offer a limited number of interviews via Zoom. While none were available when we were scheduling, it would not have been an option for my family as Zoom interviews are only offered to 18 and over, not for minors.

Should you have questions about Global Entry please don’t hesitate to reach out, it’s worth every penny to secure TSA pre check and to skip those immigration lines when flying back to the States. You don’t even have to dig for a pen and your passport to fill out those forms they pass out on returning flights!

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TSA is reporting record breaking numbers of travelers with each new update. Airline staffing is not yet back to pre-pandemic levels, but flights are full. If you are planning to fly this Summer take some time to familiarize yourself with how to clean your little slice of the airplane, just incase it was overlooked during the short time cleaning crews had access to the plane.

How to sanitize your airline seat

Step #1 – Board as early as possible to give yourself ample time to sanitize the area without holding up other passengers

Step #2 – Make sure you have disinfecting wipes handy, and that you’ve read the directions. Some recommend that the surface dry on it’s own for maximum effect, this can take several minutes

Step #3 – Use the wipes on the surfaces around your seat including:

~ tray table latch

~ both sides of the tray table

~ both arm rests, including all 4 sides and the button to recline

~ both seatbelt straps and latches

~ seat back entertainment screen and buttons (remote if offered)

~ overhead controls for air, light and call button

~ window pull – if you’re seated by the window

~ latch to the overhead bin if it’s not already open

Step #4 – Do not use the seat back pocket for your items, keep them cleaner in your carry on bag.

Step #5 – Sit back, lather on the hand sanitizer, adjust your mask, and enjoy your flight!

When you’re comfortable enough to start planning your next vacation we would love to help you.

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Father’s Day is this Sunday. Are you still trying to figure out what to get this year? What about the gift of time spent together as a family? If the past 16 months has taught us anything, it’s how important our time spent with our family really is in the long run. Honestly, how many ties does one man need?

What he would really enjoy is some time together making memories, whether it be in your back yard or the trip of a lifetime.

Have you considered bringing golf, or a sport that your family can enjoy together into your next vacation? 

Top 9 destinations to play a round of golf as a family

#1 – Arizona – You don’t have to leave the States to play some fantastic rounds of golf with the family while you vacation. Within the Greater Phoenix area there are hundreds of courses to choose from and great temperatures from fall through spring.

#2 – Jamaica – Most couples are familiar with the Sandals brand when it comes to the excellent value they provide for golf vacations at their Sandals Emerald Bay property in Exuma, Bahamas. However, did you realize that their Beaches family brand offers golf for the entire family in Ocho Rios? Complete with both adult and child clinics held throughout the week! The savings on greens fees alone are phenomenal.

#3 – Scotland – Wouldn’t you love to hang a photo of your family, standing on the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews to your wall? Just think of the years of memories this golf destination would provide the entire family! 

#4 – Bermuda – a short flight from the East Coast and more golf courses per square mile than any other nation, with gorgeous views? What more could you want in a destination? Factor in the fantastic beaches, world class water sports and friendly locals and you’ve got a dream vacation on your hands.

#5 – Pebble Beach – while not as economical as some other destinations, what could be more memorable than walking up to the iconic 18th green with your family as you finish off the round of a lifetime?

#6 – Spain – Spain is an up and coming golf destination for many travelers. We have a fantastic custom itinerary for families, but also groups of golfers that want to travel together. Take advantage of the beautiful Spanish weather, the culture as well as the opportunity to play a round at the only European course outside of the UK to host the Ryder Cup. There is also the opportunity to learn from 4 time Ryder Cup team member, Jose Maria Canizares.

#7 – Hawaii – much like the fabulous winter temperatures in Arizona and Florida, Hawaii is also a mecca for golfers and always a top destination for families.

#8 – Florida – Did you know that there are 4 golf courses just on Disney property alone? What a great way to take a break from the madness of the theme parks and make some great memories with your family!

#9 – Ireland – Long known as a golfers dream, Ireland provides a huge number of courses to live out your families dreams of links style golf.

Are you ready to put golf on your wish list for the next family vacation? Perhaps another sport is more appealing to your family, whatever the scenario, the professionals at Slaydon’s Travel are only a click away!

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We hear a lot in the travel industry about “getting out of your comfort zone” so what does that really mean? It certainly doesn’t mean to me that you should be uncomfortable when you travel. I think the answer is really two-fold, it’s a matter of opening up your horizons to new experiences, this is why I do what I do. 

I’m passionate about helping people explore beyond their zip code. I truly believe that the more we see and experience of this big beautiful world the better we understand our place in this world. Travel is more than checking boxes or posting on social media, it carries many different meanings. It’s reconnecting with your spouse, your children or even your parents. It’s disconnecting with the technology we are constantly connected through. It’s exploring those destinations you’ve been dreaming of visiting since you learned about them in grade school. It’s about expanding your world view.

The other way that comfort zones and travel go hand in hand is when it comes to your actual accommodation when you travel. Quite often I hear “the hotel doesn’t matter, we’ll just sleep there” and I tend to disagree. Deep down most people want to elevate their everyday experiences when they travel rather than take a step down from their everyday standard of living. Travelers tend to want to enjoy local cuisine and restaurants rather than heat up ramen noodles in a hotel microwave. Travelers don’t want to clean a bathroom while on vacation. Travelers want to feel less stress, not more! Your travel budget certainly includes how much you will spend, but it also relates to the time you have to travel. We are here to maximize the value in your vacation. Were we to suggest a hotel that isn’t in the right location to fit your needs but sounds like it’s a money saver we would be doing you a disservice when you arrive and realize that you’ll not only spend hours a day getting to and from the center of town, but you’ll also spend more money in doing so than if you had chosen the hotel in the right location for you from the start.

When you’re ready to start exploring click here and let’s get started together.

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Travel can be life changing at any age. It’s one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. It helps shape the way they see the world and gives them a greater appreciation of their own situations. With graduation season in full swing have you considered the gift of travel for those graduates in your life?

Maybe you’re not ready to give an around the world airline ticket to the kid down the street, I’m not suggesting that you do.

Here are some suggestions that may be more inline with gifts appropriate for those loved ones and help them create memories that will last longer than a check or a gift card.

Passport – you can literally give them the World! Having a valid passport opens all sorts of opportunities to see the world, and they are good for 10 years. It’s literally the gift that keeps on giving. For those graduates that already have a passport consider the gift of Global Entry to ease their travels.

Luggage – The right piece of luggage can make or break a vacation. I recommend the hard sided cases with four wheels for most vacations – stick with the 20″ – 22″ pieces if you don’t want to fuss with checking a bag. Of course if your graduate is off to hike the Inca Trail or spend a month sailing around the South Pacific perhaps a backpack is more practical.

Personalized Map of the World – Have you seen these? There are some very nice versions available with push pins to mark the destinations you’ve visited. Others are scratch off and allow you to expose a destination after you’ve visited. This is a great gift for those who are taking a gap year or plan to study abroad.

Perhaps the graduate in your life already has a trip planned to celebrate their achievements, here are some additional suggestions

Electrical Converter – my favorite option offers several outlets as well as USB the one pictured is my favorite as it offers not only several electrical outlets and USB outlets as well. Additionally, there are plugs that fit into the back that allow you to use it with several electrical systems throughout the world. You can easily pick up items like this on Amazon for under $25.

Camera – sure, the camera on a smart phone does a darn good job these days, but nothing beats the quality of a “real” camera. Something like an entry level DSLR kit from Canon or Nikon is often priced under $400.

Journal – there’s no better way to capture memories during a trip than to keep a journal as you go along. I often look back at journals for past trips.

How many summers do you have left before your graduate leaves the nest? Give me a call, or click here so we can get started on some planning! Those 18 summers can fly by if you don’t start making plans.

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Maybe you’ve been thinking about planning a summer vacation now that vaccines are available for ages 12 and up. That’s great, I’d love to help you. I urge you to reach out sooner rather than later. Demand is very high which drives prices up considerably over years past. With high pricing and demand, combined with very low availability, flexibility in your travel plans is key. Consider alternate destinations that will give you similar experiences. Perhaps you’ve had your heart set on a dude ranch or rafting trip out West. Those have been completely sold out for at least 6 months or more for this Summer. Instead, maybe your family would enjoy an alternate destination that would still provide hikes and time in the great outdoors.

Click here and we can get the planning started today!

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May has long been a month of celebrations in our family, full of birthdays and anniversaries. My parents are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary tomorrow! You may post a message to them on our Facebook page. In trying to come up with a gift idea I was taken back to this article from a few years ago regarding traditional anniversary gifts. There are certainly some traditional gifts on the guide that are just begging to be interpreted as a vacation! I’m sharing the most obvious with you this week.

Year 3 – The traditional gift is leather. When I think of leather I’m immediately transported to the leather markets of Florence. Can you picture yourself strolling through the magical streets of Florence hand in hand with your spouse?

Year 7 – The traditional gift is listed as “copper and wool” this is just screaming for a trip to Scotland! What could be more appropriate than tracing your family tartan and visiting some of the iconic whisky distilleries as you explore this popular destination?

Year 11 – The traditional gift is steel. I’m picturing a long weekend in Napa visiting world class wineries and tasting straight from their stainless steel tanks.

Year 15 – The traditional gift is crystal. A visit to the iconic Waterford factory in Southern Ireland would certainly fit the bill for this. While you’re there you can also spend time getting to know the Irish people who are known far and wide for their friendliness towards visitors.

Year 20 – The traditional gift is China, which started off this whole concept of using a destination as a gift. I think you’ve figured out by now that China would be a great destination to visit for your 20th Anniversary.

Year 25 – The traditional gift is silver. There are many countries that are known for their silver products. One of the most popular is Peru. Maybe this is a good opportunity to visit the iconic Machu Picchu while you’re taking in the sites.

Year 30 – The traditional gift is pearl. Tahiti is known for it’s stunning black pearls. Your 30th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to escape to the south pacific and indulge in an overwater bungalow.

Year 35 – The traditional gift is coral. It’s time to dive into Australia’s Great Barrier Reef! To quote the author Dave Barry, “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent.”

Year 40 – The traditional gift is ruby. Rubies have been traditionally mined in Thailand. Perhaps this wasn’t even a destination you had considered before, but from the breathtaking beaches to the ornate shrines of Bangkok there is a something for every traveler to enjoy.

Year 45 – The traditional gift is sapphire. Picture yourself and your spouse enjoying a romantic dinner for two on your private terrace as you gaze over the famous blue roofs on the island of Santorini in Greece. Between the roofs and the beautiful sea there are many different shades, I’m sure one qualifies as sapphire, but you’ll need to be the judge and let me know after your visit.

Year 50 – The traditional gift is gold. Enter the golden gates of the Palace of Versailles and you’ll find yourself surrounded by even gilded statues and over the top opulence. Versailles is an easy day trip from Paris. I can’t think of a better place to celebrate your 50 years together than a trip to Paris, a city so closely associated with romance.

Year 55 – The traditional gift is emerald. What better way to celebrate than a trip to Ireland! The Emerald Isle is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the sites. Even if you did visit for your 15th Anniversary, think about the fun you’ll have swapping stories with the locals over a pint while you reminisce about the changes over the past 40 years.

Are there destinations you’ve visited while you celebrated an anniversary? Perhaps this has given you some ideas to celebrate your next anniversary, click here and we can get the planning started today!

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Yesterday marked two fun holidays, both National Travel Advisor Day and Cinco de Mayo, I hope that you at least celebrated one! With thoughts returning to post vaccination vacations I wanted to remind you why it’s more important now than ever to turn to a trusted travel advisor when making your post pandemic vacation plans.

Now, more than ever, the value of booking with a travel advisor is clear. Last year, as borders were closing and travelers scrambling to get home, we stepped in.

When travelers spent hours on hold negotiating refunds or navigating their way home, our clients didn’t have to lift a finger because it’s our job to handle that on their behalf. When things go wrong, we have your back. It’s our job to read the fine print and understand what’s a good fit for our clients. Like an attorney or financial advisor, we have a fiduciary duty to do what’s best for our clients. Given the overwhelming complexities of the post-COVID travel industry, I’m here to remind readers how important it will be to work with a professional like me.

While my part of the travel industry was devastated by COVID, travel interest is picking back up at record pace. As more Americans are getting vaccinated, they are thinking ahead to where they might want to go on their long-overdue vacation. In fact, according to a study conducted by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), forty-four percent of Americans are getting vaccinated so that they can travel. That is why I can say confidently that travel advisors are poised for a renaissance of their own, and the golden age of travel is on the horizon.

2020 was a year of introspection for all of us. We asked questions like: What really matters? How do I recover from a year of isolation? Where is my bucket list? Travel is the common denominator to all these questions because travel is how we heal.

As a travel advisor, I am the person behind the scenes helping us connect again. When I say connections, I’m not just talking about flights! I have relationships and industry knowledge that take a lifetime to build. The benefits of my relationships and experience are passed along to my clients in the form of free hotel upgrades if available, late check-out, spa credits, free breakfast and so much more. These are things you can’t get on your own when you book your own.

If you really want to travel confidently, use a professional travel advisor. According to ASTA, there is a 98% chance that the travel agency you work with is a small business and a 66% chance they’re female-owned. (Slaydon’s Travel is both.) By working with an advisor you can feel good about supporting a small business, but you’ll feel even better when you see what we can do for you.

Since you can only do your first post-pandemic vacation once, I highly recommend that travelers don’t DIY something that important. As the world starts traveling again, travel advisors are here to help…and here to stay!

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