Tag: vacations

Italy Cooking School Tours: How To Choose The Right One For You

Cooking school tours in Italy and around the world have multiplied like zucchinis in a summer garden.

This article tells you how to sift through the overwhelming choice of Italian cooking tours and find the right one for you, so you experience a feast for your senses, heart, mind and soul, a trip of a lifetime and avoid disappointments.

A cooking holiday in Italy can add up to a big investment of time and money.

Maybe you’ve been dreaming for years about a cooking school tour in Italy. Maybe it’s a special trip to celebrate a 40th, 50, 60th birthday or a big anniversary with family and friends you love.

How to choose an Italian cooking school tour that gives you the joy and value you expect? How to protect your investment in your trip?

Ask yourself these 10 questions.

1. What is important to me in my Italian cooking tour?

List what’s important to you in your cooking tour. Read tour itineraries critically with the mind of a detective. If an itinerary seems vague, ask the tour operator detailed questions.

Here are some examples of what may be important to you and what to look for in tour itineraries.

A. Lots of cooking lessons? How many lessons are in the itinerary?

B. Lots of wine visits? How many winery visits and wine tastings are in the itinerary? Where do they take place? In wineries with the producer? In wine shops with a knowledgeable staff member?

C. Lots of stimulating food visits? What kind? Cheese and olive oil producers? Truffle hunting? Make sure the itinerary has visits that make YOUR mouth water.

D. Immersing yourself in Italian life? How many different local people do you meet and how many different towns or locations do you visit?

What kind of Italian cultural experiences delight you? Meeting an artist in his ceramic studio? Cooking in a family’s home and dining with the family? Are these events in your tour?

2. What is my budget?

Prices for a six day Italian cooking tour package vary from about $2000 to 5100 Cdn or $1900 to $4800 U.S. Four day tours go from about $1200 to 3400 Cdn or $1100 to $3200 U.S. at current exchange rates.

3. What kind of accommodation is best for me?

Some people are happy in simple, clean rooms in B & Bs with minimal decor because they’re hardly ever in the room. They prefer to put their money towards special food and wine experiences. Is this you?

Others want beautiful, four star hotels or country properties with magnificent views and rooms oozing with historical charm and designer decor. Is this you?

4. What kind of excursions do I want?

Is this your first time in this particular region so you prefer sightseeing? Are you a foodie hungering for gastronomic adventures or a wine lover thirsting for winery tours? If you’d like a bit of it all, how much sightseeing and how many food and wine visits do you want?

Often cheaper tours offer mostly sightseeing where you explore and shop in medieval towns and admire beautiful country panoramas.

More expensive tours give you exclusive gastronomic visits where you watch artisan producers making cheese or tour wineries with owners who tell you all you ever wanted to know about their wines and give you special tastings.

5. When do I want to travel in Italy?

Are you keen on the wine harvest? Food lovers swarm to Italy for the wine harvest in September and October when you have a large number of cooking tour choices so reserve early.

Is warm weather important? Generally in most parts of Italy, mid May to mid October are warm to hot. July and August in some parts of Italy may be too hot for you.

Would you like a quieter time when chefs and winery owners can give you more personal attention? You’ll find a good choice of cooking tours in May and June.

In steaming mid August most Italian businesses shut for annual summer holidays. Cities empty out. Masses flock to the mountains or beaches, leaving cities like Florence to the tourists. You’ll find less cooking school choice in August.

6. How many people in my cooking class?

Six or eight? You’ll get to prepare the whole lunch or dinner menu.

Ten or more? You’ll join the “eggplant” or “tiramisu” team and not learn how to make the other dishes. But the more the merrier! A larger class also may give you demonstration style, not hands-on lessons. Which do you prefer?

7. What level of cooking teacher and class do I need?

You can savour once in a lifetime experiences with great home cooks on their farms. If you’re a gourmet cook, you may prefer more professional level cooking lessons with restaurant chefs. Check cooking teachers’ qualifications.

Ask about class level. Most classes are geared to food loving tourists, ranging from gourmet cooks to rank beginners. If the thought of cooking with people who can’t separate eggs gives you nightmares, gather your own group of good cooks together for a private cooking tour or classes.

8. What kind of cooking lessons do I like?

Hands-on lessons where you put your hands in the flour, or demonstration style classes where you watch the chef’s expert moves and ask lots of questions?

Many demonstration classes tend to be large from 10 to even 20 people. Julia Childs reportedly had 40 disciples watching her in classes at the five star Hotel Cipriani in Venice and following her in a long line through the Rialto market.

9. Where do I eat on my cooking tour?

Do you want to eat in a variety of local restaurants, so you get a real flavour of different cooking styles and towns and countryside in Italy?

Or do you prefer quieter meals at your country villa or estate, where the chef feels like an Italian family member?

Less expensive cooking tours feature most meals at home, while more expensive ones take you to more restaurants.

10. What is included and not included in the price of my cooking tour?

Some tour itineraries don’t make it crystal clear what’s included. Some say “optional” excursions or lunch “on your own” which mean you pay extra. Some say “evening at leisure” which means free time and dining on your own.

11. Ask for references

If you want to feel reassured you’ve chosen the right Italian cooking tour, ask the tour operator for names of past tour clients and their e-mails. Contact them to find out first hand if the itinerary delivers on what you want to experience.

For many food and wine lovers, taking a cooking tour in Italy means a long time dream is coming true and represents a big investment of time and money.

Make sure your dream becomes a fabulous real experience. When you have a short list of tours that appeal to you, read the itineraries critically and ask yourself these 10 questions.

Buon viaggio! Buon appetito!

Using the Law of Attraction for Weight Loss

The Secret, it is called. It lay practically dormant since its inception, long before the Knights of Templar and the Code named for a Tuscan Renaissance man, artist and inventor; long before any void of noble blood would know of its existence.

Then, because of a small, made-for-television movie produced for Australia’s Channel Nine, the secret was out.

Thank goodness, and a willing media.

Beth and I have been practicing, living, and teaching The Secret – its true name is the Law of Attraction – for ten years when the rest of the world caught on. And we whole-heartedly believe that if there is one true law that can heal the world and put and keep all of us who inhabit it back on track, it is the Law of Attraction. It is the one, true earthly (actually, Universal) law that fits all, because the pure tenet of this ancient “New Thought” is that everyone – regardless of race, religion, geography, or political ideology – deserves a happy, secure life where all wants and needs are available for all.

Sounds good – too good, we know… we hear it all the time. Yet if this law – and it is a law, not unlike any other physical law of the Universe – has no bearing in everyday reality and human existence, why has it spanned ages and appeared to work for some of the most revered in our societies? It has clearly ignored borders, religions, and political affiliations over the eons it has been recognized.

Is there something to it?

Yes, there is. Just ask us, and the hundreds of thousands around the world who have connected with all that is good through the Wonderful Law of Attraction. And if you don’t believe us, just ask Oprah.

American cultural icon Oprah Winfrey has openly hailed the Law of Attraction on her highly rated syndicated talk show, as well as in print, on her radio network, and as a guest on the Larry King Show. She is the walking, talking poster child of the Law of Attraction, and she has the successful, happy, giving, and full life that emotes everything that is The Secret. And like all who truly practice the Law of Attraction – present company included – she wants everyone including you to know about it.

A WEIGHTY LOA QUESTION

At our many lectures, meetings, and seminars that we appear at each year, the inevitable question is raised by an audience member. “Can I lose weight with the Law of Attraction?” The answer is a clear and concise Yes!

How do we know this? Because using the Law of Attraction, and the Universal methods of thought to emotion to end result, Beth lost 50 pounds and I lost over 100 pounds. When I began using the LOA for weight loss, I weighed in at 440 pounds. And I continue to lose and manage my weight. My Law of Attraction success in this, my most lifelong troubling struggle, erased any atom of lingering doubt I ever harbored concerning LOA.

First, in case you are a little confused by The Secret, and are perhaps new to the idea of it, we’d better explain how the Law of Attraction works. Everything in the physical world where we exist vibrates. EVERYTHING whether it be dirt, a tree, a human being—these all emit a vibration. Even a rock vibrates—albeit at a much slower and barely perceptible pace—and a human being vibrates at a far more rapid rate.

These vibrational patterns translate to everything that you are feeling, which moves the Universe to, in turn, attract exactly what those feelings are. So if you are thinking (feeling) about how angry you may be at someone, the Universe takes that emotion and emits (returns) directly back to you what you happen to be feeling. You always attract exactly what you are feeling. THIS IS THE LAW OF ATTRACTION.

So if you are feeling wonderful, and thinking about how great your day is, and you are happy and grateful for that wonderful day, the Universe attracts (returns) to you exactly what you are feeling —more days of joy and wonder. What could be better than that? However, as is usually the case, there are a few problems with us humans when it comes to attracting what we desire.

In society today, people usually don’t listen to their intuition. We instead rely on other people to tell us “what is.” It’s kind of like old fable, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” when an entire kingdom was convinced that despite naked truth, they all agreed that His Majesty’s new clothes were all the rage — the living end! How often do we see our fellow citizens jump into line like lemmings to the sea, and how often do we accept the opinions of others as uncontestable fact? We think you would agree that the fashion mavens have accomplished that, much to the chagrin and disappointment of the fully two-thirds of the American public that cannot fit into the clothes they market.

It’s time that we listen to ourselves and stop listening to what is really just other people’s opinions telling you what to think. This brings us to our first, and most important, question that we will ask of you this lesson: Who are you losing this weight for? Is it for you? Is it for someone else? Are you losing it because you want to feel better, or do you simply want to lose a few pounds for a swimsuit that is calling your name?

The right answer — and in this case there is a right answer — is: FOR YOU. You must only lose weight for you. If you are not losing the weight for you, then you might as well grab a gallon of Baskin-Robbins and go sit in a corner with a big spoon and a TV remote control. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks you should do. You must commit to losing the weight only for you.

If losing the weight will make you happy, then that is the biggest reason for you to lose the weight. Sure, losing weight for health reasons is always good and noble, but the main reason we want to help you to lose weight is because it will make you happy. See, that’s how the Law of Attraction works. It is all about what you desire; what will cause you to be happy. This, by the way, is not greedy… no matter what the Nay Sayers say. (And they DO love to say, say, say!) This is the Wonderful Law of Attraction, and to be able to create whatever life you want for your self is the Universe’s greatest gift to you.

DOWN GO THE POUNDS (OR KILOS!)

We were at a Wellness of the Mind retreat and we talked about the Law of Attraction and losing weight. There were many people there who lived their life through the Law of Attraction and, as always, there were people new to the LOA, and the usual weight loss questions were posed.

Weight loss through the Law of Attraction will take some of you a shorter amount of time, and for others it may take a little longer. It all depends on your mindset. LOVE yourself, ENJOY yourself, YOU are a wonderful person who creates your Universe. Isn’t that powerful? Your own body regenerates every second. You are a part of that. YOU can regenerate your body to be what you want, you can!

Maybe this is the week that you have a night that you treat yourself for just being you: The you that you are right now, and think about all the things that make YOU happy and joyous.

A doctor once asked Beth if she exercised and she said, “I walk about a half a mile each day.” The doctor replied, “Is that all? You need to exercise AT LEAST a mile each day!” Beth looked at the doctor and said, “Is that all? Are you kidding me? I didn’t move at all before. This half-mile is a big deal for me. When I am darn good and ready to go a mile, when I FEEL like I WANT to, then I will. I know that a half-mile is better than none at all, and my body knows it. Don’t make me try to feel bad. I’m proud of myself!”

Remember to continue doing what is working for you. Just those little steps help immensely over a year’s time, and if that ‘normal’ mind is feeling deprived, eat one bowl of popcorn instead of two, or eat half a candy bar instead of a whole one and save the rest for a couple of hours later. Your ‘normal’ mind will be appeased.

Listen to your body before you eat something. Sometimes it isn’t hungry, but we feed it anyway. ENJOY every bite! Try not to rip-snort through a whole meal in ten seconds flat. ENJOY every little thing that you put in your mouth and be thankful for that wonderful body of yours. You created it with help, and you can fine-tune it just as easily. For more information please visit http://www.bethandleemccain.com

Best vacation destinations

The best vacation destinations are the ones where everyone has a good time. And when it comes to the hottest vacation destinations, the best ones offer something for just about everyone in your vacation party.

Europe:

Growing in popularity lately is cruising the rivers of Europe such as the famous Danube. Luxury ships offer exquisite dining, roomy cabins, and lots of on on board activities. River cruises are certainly a different approach to getting a good look at some of Europe’s cities along the tranquil waterways.

Iceland is truly one of the best vacation destinations. This amazing Island dubbed The City of Ice and Fire, is full of volcanoes, geysers and waterfalls. It is truly an awe-inspiring sight and one of the top must see destinations of many vacationers.

Belize is home to one of the largest barrier reefs and an ideal vacation spot for the diving enthusiast. The scenery of Belize is absolutely breathtaking with its awesome plant life and interesting culture. For the adventurous vacationers, Belize is an ideal vacation destination.

USA

The great Smokey Mountains certainly have something to offer just about everyone in your vacation party. Those awesome, majestic mountains offer beauty and adventure with numerous activities including, hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, tubing, rafting, just to name a few. Cherokee North Carolina has some of the most beautiful sights along the Blue Ridge Parkway with steep, wooded mountains on each side.

Arizona and Nevada are full of ideal vacation destinations with a number of natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, Painted desert, and much more. Visit the Navajo reservation and watch them make turquoise jewelery and dream catchers, among other things. Check out the Hoover Dam where the chipmunks eat right out of your hand. Arizona is also an ideal vacation destination for the history buff. Learn the fascinating history associated with Boulder City and the building of the Hoover Dam.

Hawaii has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the world with its incredible tropical setting, surrounded by a beautiful ocean. One of the best vacation destinations is Maui, the second largest Hawaiian Island. Maui provides so many activities that it would be impossible to see and do everything in a week’s time.

Winter vacation destinations:

There are many ideal vacation destinations for winter such as Whistler in British Columbia. Invermere is another ideal winter vacation destination. There’s also Big White very close to Kelowna and Silver Star in Vernon.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada offers some very affordable lodges which can accommodate up to a dozen people for an ideal winter skier’s vacation. Mt. Baker in Washington State has some of the most beautiful ski lodges in the country with loads of winter activities for an ideal winter vacation destination.

Finally, the best vacation destinations are places that offer something for just about everyone. When choosing the best vacation destination, try to focus on variety of activities so that no one is disappointed. Vacations should be fun for all.

The best guided tours of Washington DC

Even for independent travelers who normally brave it out with a guidebook and good walking shoes, there is so much to see in DC, you are well advised to join a tour. The National Mall alone is two miles long and while many of the sights are dotted around the mall it’s easy to miss some great monuments without a little local know how. The good news is DC is well served by a range of tour companies and there is literally a tour option for every interest.

If a traditional bus tour takes your fancy you have a number of options. Tours typically cost between $20 and $30 and allow you to hop on and off so you can tailor the tour to suit your interests. The bus tour is a good choice if you find if difficult to walk longer distances. It is also the tour to take if you want to see Arlington cemetery, as it is not included in some of the other tours. The trolley tours company (www.trolleytours.com) offers tours in cute old style trolleys. A slightly cheaper option is Tour mobile bus tours (www.tourmobile.com).

A twist on the bus tour is the DC duck tour (www.dcducks.com). This tour takes place in a World War 2 amphibious truck. The first part is on land and then the vehicle takes to the waters of the Potomac River. This is a great option if you are traveling with kids or if you would like the hassle taken out of choosing what to go see.

If you are feeling adventurous then the Segway tour might be the right option for you. Traveling on a personal transportation device, it starts off with a lesson in

segway driving. The three hour tour then takes in the city sights. This isa great experience although it can be a bit nerve wracking driving the segway along busy sidewalks.

Pick this tour if you are comfortable on your feet for three hours and if you would like to try something new. While this is one of the most expensive tour options it is great fun.

If your vacation is starting to take a toll on your waistband you might like a tour that includes some exercise. Take a cycling tour with www.bikethesites.com or a running tour with www.cityrunningtours.com/dc

to learn about DC while burning calories.

The layout of the city center is particularly suited to biking and this could be a great family tour option.

The bike the sites tour company also offers strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters hire.

Finally if you fancy something bit different, What about a ghost tour? Try this walking ghost tour at http://www.washingtonwalks.com /tours/dc-hauntings.shtml

This list is not exhaustive and there are even more great tours that can be found with a little Internet searching. Pick a tour that suits your budget, interests and mobility needs and you are sure to have a great time in DC.

More stress than sincerity: Should we reconsider the way we celebrate holidays

Some of us probably should reconsider how we celebrate the holidays. But most of us will not. We will probably get caught up in the pace of the season. It’s a love hate cycle that begins the day after Thanksgiving. It goes back to the first time we sat on Santa’s lap and we asked him for all the things we wanted for Christmas. From that moment on, we knew that the holidays would always be special.

Our childhood memories add to the excitement and the fun and joy of the holiday season. It disrupts the rhythm of our ordinary days. It can be a pleasant reprieve from the demands and expectations of our daily lives. It does however kick us into an even higher gear. A pace that can give us overwhelming fatigue if we do not take control. After all it’s the holidays. The understood excuse for jovial celebrations. Often too many of us will feel overwhelming stress.

Every year we say “its too much of everything I can’t wait until the holidays are over ”

Yet, we appear to thrive on the chaos, the stress, and the shopping for that perfect gift. Most of us will enjoy decorating the house and planning or attending a holiday gathering with friends or family. The special foods we prepare for our loved ones and friends keeps us busy and yes if we admit it, sometimes stressed. Maybe this is not the most sincere expression of our love.

Much can be learned from the most humble of homes, where this celebration can be something that provides the opportunity to come together to celebrate. To prepare for and enjoy the spirit of the holidays. Is this the common denominator of all people from around the world ? It need not be extravagant to be beautiful. Simple candles and religious hymns and holiday music is the ultimate ambiance for this special time of year. It is about the faiths of many people who celebrate holidays this time of year.

Attending our worship services , singing carols, making cookies and sending cards to friends is part of it all. It is the busiest of seasons and sometimes the best. There are many who start shopping earlier during the year. This can lessen some stress. There are some of us who love the last minute excitement, it is part of the thrill and the fun. Some shoppers say that is when they get the best buys.

If you were to reconsider how you want to spend your holidays. You would most likely agree that it is about having just “a little something,” like homemade cookies to give to your good neighbor or to your best friend. That is the holiday feeling and what it is all about.

For others they may decide to take a cruise or a vacation instead.

The joy of sharing and celebrating holidays is our gift to one another. We need to have the holidays in our lives. Some of us need to invite others to join us in our celebrations.

The best business travel tips

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The best business travel tips

It is a necessity and not a perk to have one individual in charge of planning the travel for the entire staff. In this way, it is that one individual’s specialty.

This one person, an office assistant can do other tasks other than travel arrangements, but it is important not to overburden them with too much, as researching, among other important travel tasks should be a priority.

What other tasks should be involved in office travel implementation? These are just a few business travel tasks that should be considered:

Create a file for each business travel and include inside:

Airline Seating Preferences

Frequent Flyer numbers for each airline (if the business traveler does not have one, sign them up and keep the card inside the folder)

Hotel Room preferences

Does the traveler prefer to be on a lower or higher floor;

Does the traveler prefer to be near or away from the elevators?

Does the traveler prefer a Smoking or Non-Smoking room?

Does your business traveler need a passport? Does he/she already have one?

These are also important aspects to consider for your travelers portfolio.

These are just a few of the many important things to consider and to have in your business traveler’s folder.

Research is the key to making good business travel decisions.

Find the best travel site to accommodate your business travel needs and stick with it. Sites such as Expedia or Orbitz offer good deals and a convenient experience.

On a travel site such as the ones above, your travel specialist can input each traveler’s information and save it for future bookings. Although inputting all of this data in at one time is time consuming, it makes things go a lot smoother in the long-run.

Which car rental company offers your business travelers the best offers? Things to consider when looking at car rental agencies:

Are there frequent rental rewards?

Does the site offer easy sign-up with no fees?

Do they offer a drop-off service? Is one necessarily needed?

Are the rental agencies located within or very close to the airport?

Once again, these are just a few things to consider. Always have a back-up car Rental Company that you do business with just in case!

What types of Hotels or which Hotel chain does your business traveler prefer? This is an important aspect to keep in mind. You would not want to book your traveler into a hotel that is in any way unsatisfactory to the business traveler.

How to make your travels memorable

The general definition of travel is to get from one place to another. This can mean a trip across the ocean, the country, or a camping trip close to home. What is considered travel is really defined by the traveler. The same is true for memorable experiences. Memorable does not necessarily mean enjoyable. Of course it usually goes without saying that people don’t typically travel to not have enjoyable memories. There are a few key things that can be done to make your travels into great memories. The first is figuring out what travel you want to do, and who you want to travel with, if anyone.

Some choose to travel alone and others prefer group or organized traveling. Traveling with others, as we all know has potential to be either very difficult or very enjoyable. If you are the travel planner and traveling with others, you may want to get an idea from all travelers what their interest are and do a little research on some activity options. Choosing travel or vacation alternatives with activities that have potential to appeal to all involved is important. Not everyone has to like everything, but if everyone likes something, it will be a more enjoyable experience for all involved. Choosing a travel location that has appealing options for all travelers is key for making memories and having a successful experience.

The second thing is to allow for some level of spontaneity in your travel plans. The planning process for most travel is essential, but remember that not everything has to be planned out. Allow for some ability to be flexible and go with the flow. Take opportunities as they present themselves, such as taking the unplanned tour advertised on the restaurant bulletin board, or take a walk on the beach and make small talk with the local fishermen. These non-scripted experiences are those that will prove most memorable.

The next thing is to remember not to go overboard trying to take pictures of everything you see and do. Remember that the picture doesn’t make the memory, and 10 pictures don’t make it any better. Really, it’s not possible to capture everything on your camera, regardless of how hard you try. When you are so focused on snapping pictures, this sometimes diminishes the opportunity to have the experience. Take a few candid shots from each spot and move on. You will be thankful when the trip is over and its time to get those photos developed. Not having the excess of 50 rolls of film to develop will probably make developing them a reality, rather than something on your to do list. This will allow you to enjoy the picture and the memory, as opposed to having the picture and not remembering a thing about the experience because you were too busy taking pictures.

We can think back on some of our most memorable experiences and look deeper into the factors that actually make some experiences more memorable than others. Usually the enjoyable, memorable experiences have to give some credit to the company involved. Typically memories and experiences that we hold dear, usually have to do with other people. This can mean the company we choose travel with or the people we meet while traveling. The human connection is one that generally gives way to making an experience either enjoyable or on the other hand, not so enjoyable. In turn, forming either a memorable experience or one that you would will want to forget. Travel is something that most want to remember with fondness, these are a few thoughts that will prove to help make enjoyable and memorable travels.

Scheduling A Guided Tour In Mexico

Each year, a large number of individuals, couples, and families make the decision to travel to Mexico. Most have visited Mexico before. If you are planning a Mexico vacation, and you have never been there before, you may have some concerns. You may be wondering what places are safe for you to visit.

Mexico is like all other countries. There are areas that are known as tourists attractions and then there are other areas that tourists are advised to stay away from. You can easily learn about these areas online. Researching every city and town in Mexico is a long and daunting process. To save time and a costly vacation mistake, you are encouraged to examine the benefits of taking a guided Mexico tour.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of booking a guided tour in Mexico is that you will be with a local who is familiar with the area. Guided tours are held in areas that are considered safe. In addition to showing you around certain areas of Mexico, your tour guide may be able to offer you additional travel tips and suggestions. These suggestions may help you with your vacation after your guide has ended.

If you are interested in taking a guided Mexican tour, you will have to find the tour company which you wish to do business with. There are a large nubmer of guided tour companies in the area. If you do not have a preference as to which company you’d like to tour with, you may want to first search for a destination. The destination you select will be important in determining what you will learn and see while on a guided tour.

Many guided tours take place in Cooper Canyon, the Oaxaca Mountains, the Yucatan Peninsula and Baja. In Mexico, Baja is most known for its water activities. Many popular guided tours include whale watching and kayaking. Whether you set out to watch the whales or you select a kayaking tour, you are sure to see Gray whales. Many times, they will come right up to your boat, making for great pictures or video footage.

Cooper Canyon and the Oaxaca Mountains are guided tours that are ideal for those that love to hike. To participate in these tours, it is advised that you receive the proper health clearance. You tour will likely follow trails, but much of the terrain can be rough. The Yucatan Peninsula is ideal for travelers who wish to learn more about the ancient history of Mexico.

The above mentioned destinations in Mexico are just a few of the many. Guided tours are found all across Mexico. If there is particular topic or activity that interests you, you are sure to find a guided tour that will offer you excitement. Hikers often select a hiking tour, boats often opt for boat tours, and history lovers often select tours that focus on the history of Mexico.

In addition to selecting where you’d like to go on a guided tour, you will also need to determine how long you’d like that tour to be. In Mexico, guided tours can last as long as one day or over one week. You should easily be able to determine how long a guided tour is by looking at the price. Weeklong guided tours can cost thousands of dollars, but most of your accommodations are taken care of. Some guided tours can be considered all-inclusive vacations.

Journey Mexico, Siesta Tours, and Ufly Mexico are three of the most well-known guided tour companies in Mexico. You can examine the tours found by these three companies by visiting their online websites or by requesting free travel brochures. If you are interested in finding additional tours, your local travel agent may be able to offer you assistance.

By selecting a guided tour of Mexico, you do not always have to be looking over your shoulder. Vacationing in a safe area with an experienced tour guide is about as carefree as your Mexico vacation can get.

What to Look for in a Travel Agent

In this day of online trip booking and lowest price airfare searches, do you still need a travel agent? According to the ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) and most travelers, the answer is a resounding yes. Travel agents still book nearly 90% of all cruises and over 80% of all tours and packages. A consumer-conscious travel agent will work hard to find you the best possible combination of price and features to make your tour a dream vacation. Here are some questions to ask that will help you evaluate travel agents and be sure that you find the best one for your booking and travel needs.

1. Do you know a good travel agent?
Yes, start by asking around. A good travel agent will build a good reputation. If you have friends and associates who travel often, ask them for their recommendations. Those will be a good starting point for your own search.

2. How long have you been doing this?
Look for an agent that has been in business for five years or longer. While length of time in business is no guarantee of commitment or knowledge, experience is a great teacher.

3. What are your qualifications as a travel agent?
There are a number of professional training courses that your agent may have taken. The highest certification for a travel agent is a Certified Travel Consultant, which requires five years of full time travel industry experience and the completion of twelve courses. Other certificates include Certified Travel Associate, and Destination Specialist. While it is not necessary for a travel agent to hold any of these qualifications, they do provide proof of commitment and knowledge in the industry.

4. Are you affiliated with an agency?
On the other hand, even a younger, newer agent who is affiliated with an established agency has access to the resources and information of the entire agency. That’s not to say that outside agents – those who work outside an agency – are not as good. An outside agent has the advantage of flexibility in booking trips that are not part of their agency’s offered products.

5. Are you affiliated with any professional organizations?
U.S. travel agents are not generally regulated or held to uniform standards, but there are two major professional bodies to which they may belong, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA).

6. What questions is the agent asking me?
One of the most important qualifications for a travel agent is an awareness of and sensitivity to your needs. The agent you’re working with should be full of questions aimed at learning as much as possible about your needs. A good travel agent will be focused on you and your needs, not just on the products they are selling you.

7. Do you have any specialist knowledge?
Some agencies and agents specialize in a particular type of trip. If you have special needs or are seeking a unique type of vacation – like the new and very popular eco-tours – you may do far better with an agent who is experienced in that special field. Other specialties may include booking tours and trips for people with limitations and/or disabilities, booking adventure tours, or booking trips to a specific destination.

8. How do you find me the best deals?
You can ask more specific questions, but you’re really trying to find out how well-connected your travel agent is within the industry, and how current they are with the latest technologies and developments. You’re looking for answers like, “we have preferred supplier arrangements with these travel companies” and “I subscribe to these databases of travel offers” – answers that make it clear your travel agent uses all the resources available to find you the best possible trip.

9. What will happen if I have an overseas emergency while your agency is closed?
Your travel agent can and should be your strongest advocate before, during and after your trip. Being able to contact your agency during their off hours can mean the difference between sitting in a hotel lobby waiting until the office reopens. The answer you want is: “There is always an agent on call to resolve problems that might arise even when we’re closed.”

10. Do I like this person and feel comfortable with them?
While it’s not necessary to like someone in order to do business with them, it’s a very good gauge of how well they’re relating to you. You’ll get the best service and vacation experience from a travel agent who is focused on you, your companions and helping you arrange the vacation of a lifetime. After all, a good agent isn’t looking for a sale – they’re looking for a long-term relationship.

Want To Tour The Us For Less? Head To Chinatown.

Bargain hunters don’t only go to Chinatown for knock off designer handbags, they also look there to find the best prices on bus tours of America. Travelers in east and west coast US cities have come to love the “Chinatown Bus” for their no-frills service and rock bottom prices. However, the bargains do not stop there. If you want to find the cheapest way to see the most popular tourist attractions in the US, try a Chinatown tour operator.

Just as Chinatown bus service began by catering to the recent immigrant community, for years these tour operators have targeting their tours only to the Chinese speaking community. However, more recently they have been discovered by the broader market and are increasingly popular for visitors to the US and residents alike.

Sayaka Singh who lives in New York said that any time she has family visiting from India they inevitably want to take a trip to Niagara Falls. She discovered several Chinatown tour companies online and has since sent many family members to the Falls with them. She said, “You can’t beat it, for less than a hundred dollars they get transportation in a nice motorcoach, hotel accommodations, a tour of the Falls area, and several other stops along the way. They loved it.” Several of her relatives then booked a tour to Washington DC.

What to expect

These are definitely budget tours, but the value they deliver is truly unbeatable. Hotels are usually 2-star level but they tend to be national chains and are quite adequate. Plan on something equivalent to a Travelodge, however many times the hotel quality is higher. Hotels are commonly not situated in the downtown core of the city or right near an attraction.

In a style typical of tours throughout Asia, the tour itinerary is usually quite full. The pace of these tours is very rapid. You will see as many attractions as possible but will not stay at any one attraction for very long. This can be frustrating for people who like to linger or have time to explore. It is perfect for travelers who want to see a lot in a short period of time.

People from all over the world go on these tours and it is impossible to predict the demographic makeup of a group. However, do not expect an “all-American” crowd. You should expect multilingual tour guide and many non-English speakers on the tour. Many people cite the mix of people as their favorite aspect of the tours (“I felt like I was part of a UN delegation, it was great!”). The tour guide will not give an in-depth narrated tour and will speak in both Chinese and English. The tour guide will also arrange for the group to stop for meals. This is usually simple fare such as a rest stop food court or a Chinese restaurant.

How do they do it?

$99 for a 3-day tour from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon; $85 for a 2-day tour from NYC to Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia—it is hard to fathom how they can offer such low fares.

These companies run very streamlined operations and work on slim margins. The key to their model is that the tour buses are full. They tend to operate tours only to the most popular destinations (ie. Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Niagara Falls, Washington DC), and they sometimes cancel a tour if not enough people book it. Often these tour companies use charter buses and therefore do not have the expense of maintaining and operating a fleet of buses, something that may not really be their area of expertise.

Since the tour companies run tours on a regular schedule, they are able to negotiate very good room rates with hotels. Therefore they can still offer low rates even during a busy time of year. They also save money by paying their tour guides very little. Customers are expected to tip the tour guides and this really their main source of compensation.

What exactly is included?

All tours include hotel, tour guide and transportation. Most include entrance fees to any national parks when applicable. Some also include admission to attractions. Read the tour details carefully or inquire before you book if you are not sure. Optional tours can add to the cost of your tour and you should budget accordingly. Usually the tour guide will organize the optional tours for the group and you will pay the guide directly.

How do I find these tours?

Almost any city that has a sizable Asian population will most likely have a tour operator specializing in multi-day budget tours. New York, Boston, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Los Angeles have dozens of tour operators. Most likely they will not advertise in the same places that traditional tour companies do. Your best bet is to look online.

These tours are a terrific option for travelers who want to see some of America’s most popular sights but do not have a lot of time and want a great value. For far less than you would pay if you went on your own, you can sit back and have someone else make all the arrangements for you. As an added bonus you will also get to experience a great diversity of cultures along the way.