Travel Column   November 2008 International Travel Values Rebounding US Dollar  Holiday Season Travel  Alaska or Europe Business Travel

Whether your dream is to honeymoon in an exotic locale, cruise beyond the ordinary, explore new wonders, or jet-set to the trendiest destinations, our experienced agents are here to assist you along the way.  Contact an agent now to start your journey of a lifetime!

Best International Travel Values

Despite some of the current uncertainties, Americans are looking for great values in international vacation travel. Where are they finding the best values outside the 50 states? The fall travel trends survey conducted by Travel Leaders (formerly known as Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates) provides some answers. Among other travel trends, the Travel Leaders survey determined the top five best value destinations outside the U.S. Not surprisingly, Mexico ranked number one. Mexico has wonderful resorts and hotels on its Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Mayan ruins to explore, rolling golf courses, great fishing, water sports and much more. There are lots of options for a Mexican vacation, even on a limited budget.

Cruising came in second on Travel Leaders' list of international value destinations. Whatever the destination - the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Hawaii, Alaska or elsewhere on the globe - cruising is an excellent vacation value. The base price of a cruise includes accommodations, dining, entertainment and plenty of amenities.

You can also choose to add some "extras" - such as shore excursions, meals in onboard specialty restaurants and beverages - as your budget allows. The Caribbean, in close proximity to the southeastern U.S., was third on the list. The relaxed pace of Caribbean life is great for vacationers who want to get away from it  all. The many islands of the Caribbean offer a variety of beautiful resorts, and several cruise lines provide itineraries that range from two nights to a week or more.

More Americans are discovering the delights of South America, which ranked fourth on the Travel Leaders list. South America is great for a winter getaway - remember, it will be summer in the southern hemisphere. A cruise of South American port cities, a visit to Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, and a trip to the Amazon are just a few of many options for a South American vacation.

Central America completed Travel Leaders' list of the top five value destinations for international travel. Connecting Mexico to South America, Central America includes Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Belize. Lovely beaches, jungle-covered mountains,   an abundance of outdoor activities and excellent weather all make Central America attractive to vacationers.

If you plan to visit one of these high-value destinations, work with a travel professional, who can offer lots of budget-conscious suggestions.

The Rebounding U.S. Dollar

If you've been holding off on an international trip due to the weakness of the U.S. dollar against other currencies, your wait may be over. While recent economic news has been challenging, the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar is a bright spot. During the past few months, the U.S. Dollar has gained sharply in value against the currencies of other countries, including the Euro and the British Pound, along with the Canadian and Australian Dollars. It was just a few months ago that one of those two latter currencies were on part with the U.S. Dollar, while a Euro would cost about $1.60 and a Pound was valued at $2. Now, because of the shortage of U.S. Dollars around the world, the value has increased dramatically.

While international finance is complex, most international travelers need to understand just one aspect: exchange rates. Basically, exchange rates - which fluctuate daily - tell you how much your U.S. money is worth in another country. For example, if the U.S. Dollar-to-Euro exchange rate is .779, one U.S. Dollar can be exchanged for .779 Euros. If an item costs one Euro, you'll need $1.28 in U.S. money to buy that item. When the exchange rate is more favorable to the dollar - say the dollar-to-Euro exchange rate is .850 - one U.S. Dollar can be exchanged for .850 Euros. At this exchange rate, if an item costs one Euro, you'll only need $1.18 in U.S. money to buy it.

A stronger dollar means it's less expensive for vacationing Americans to visit other countries. For example, a European hotel room that cost U.S. $300 a night just a few months ago could be rented for less than $250 now.

Are you not quite ready to pack your bags and go, but ready to plan? Ask your travel professional to help you make arrangements with suppliers of transportation, lodging and tours that are willing to guarantee pricing based on current exchange rates. That way, if the U.S. dollar weakens, the cost of your trip should be only minimally affected. As your trip grows closer, keep an eye on exchange rates so that you'll know how much to allocate for meals, souvenirs and other incidental expenses.

Practical Tips for Holiday Season Travel

Sometimes, it's possible to avoid airport crowds by choosing to travel at non-peak times. However, during the winter holidays, avoiding crowds at the airport can be nearly impossible. So, it's best to be prepared. Here are some simple recommendations:

If you plan to park your car at the airport, find out if it's possible to reserve a space in advance. This will save you time on your day of departure.

Before you pack, check your airline's latest baggage restrictions and charges. On a holiday season trip, you may find it necessary to bring larger or more bags than usual.

Be prepared for any fees you may need to pay.

If you are bringing gifts with you, it's advisable not to wrap them in advance. If you do, you may find your work undone by security screeners. Packages can also take up a lot of valuable space in your luggage, so consider shipping them to your destination.

Considering that most airlines now charge fees for even the first checked bag, you may find it costs less to ship your gifts in advance.

On the day of departure, allow extra time for getting to the airport, passing through security and arriving at your departure gate. Before you leave home, tuck a small bottle of hand sanitizer into your carry-on bag. (Remember, any liquids you bring on board must be in a three-ounce or smaller container, and stored with any other liquids in one clear, quart-size, plastic bag.) Use your sanitizer regularly to help avoid the cold-and-flu-season germs you might otherwise pick up in an airport or on a plane.

Be prepared for a flight delay. Equip yourself with something to read, a puzzle to work, or your favorite music on a charged MP3 player. Have a snack and a drink of water now and then to keep hunger and dehydration at bay. Call your travel professional for assistance if a delay grows long, or if your flight is cancelled.

Finally, here's a tip that should really be at the top of the list. Before you purchase airline tickets, check into alternate transportation that would enable you to avoid the airport altogether: a train, a bus, even your own car or a rental car. Your travel professional can help you explore all the options and make complete arrangements for any mode of travel.

Ready to Tour Alaska or Europe? Plan Now!

If your vacation dreams for 2009 include a trip to Alaska or Europe, don't wait any longer to begin planning! Most cruise lines and tour companies have already announced their Alaskan and European itineraries for 2009. The sooner you reserve your spot, the more likely it is that you'll get the tour or cruise of your choice.

Whether you choose to visit Europe or Alaska, a cruise or a tour is a fabulous way to go. You'll move effortlessly between multiple destinations, with all the details organized by your cruise line or tour operator. Your travel professional can help you sort through the choices to select a cruise ship or tour operator that will give you a great vacation experience.

In Europe, tours can take you to cities that remain popular with tourists year after year - such as London, Amsterdam, Paris and Rome - or far off the beaten path. Cruises can take you to the port cities that ring the balmy Mediterranean, such as Barcelona, Nice, Venice and Dubrovnik. Or, choose a Baltic Cruise that visits northern capitals like Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.

In Alaska, a cruise will take you sailing past spectacular scenery that combines mountains, forests, glaciers, islands and wildlife. The ship will stop at some of Alaska's coastal communities, such as Sitka, Ketchikan and Skagway. A land-based tour of Alaska is likely to take you further inland, perhaps to Denali National Park, home of majestic Mt. McKinley.

Perhaps the ultimate vacation experience in either Europe or Alaska is a cruise combined with a land-based tour. Several cruise operators offer "cruisetour" packages that combine the fun and ease of a cruise with time to see more inland sights. Through "Excursion Society," clients working directly with Travel Leaders locations will also be able to select from more than two dozen of the top sailings and itineraries in which an   exclusive shore excursion is provided at no added cost to the price of the cruise. Ask your travel professional for more information about cruisetours of Europe and Alaska.

Business Travel

Launch Your Next Business Meeting Is your business always looking for a new and better venue for executive retreats, educational conferences, strategy planning sessions or incentive sales meetings? Look to the sea and consider holding your next business meeting on a cruise ship.

Cruise ships are equipped with meeting facilities that can accommodate gatherings of various sizes, from small board of directors meetings to larger educational sessions, tradeshow-style exhibits or gala award banquets. Today's ships also have excellent audio-video capabilities that will make your group's presentations look great. Because accommodations, meals, entertainment and amenities are all included in a basic per-person price, a cruise can be a very easy and economical way to plan a business meeting. It's possible to reserve a block of staterooms for your group, or even to  charter an entire ship.

You can select a theme for the meeting based on the cruise destination, whether it's the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Alaska, the Mexican Rivera, Hawaii or anothe exotic location. There many itineraries available, ranging from two nights to 10 days or more. Days spent at sea are perfect for conducting business, and your cruise line can help you plan special, team-building activities for days spent in port.

With many ships and destinations to choose from, there are also many choices for your port of departure. Cruise ship ports dot the entire coastline of the U.S., along the Atlantic, the Gulf Coast and the Pacific. You can choose the one that's most convenient  for the majority of your attendees.

Finally, your attendees are sure to love the venue. Cruises and cruise ships are designed to be relaxing and fun, meaning everyone will be at their best for work and play during your seagoing business meeting.

----