Éclat Travel's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘custom itinerary’

What with rising gas prices, natural disasters seemingly everywhere, and unrest in parts of the world it’s enough to make some people want to just hold up in the back yard with a tent and a barbecue for the family vacation this summer and call it good.

If, however, that is not your idea of a proper holiday and you are still tempted to forge ahead with your vacation plans this year, here are five very good reasons to travel now, and why using a travel pro to arrange the details is one of the smartest things you can do to maximize the value in your vacation and minimize the risks.

1. Sometimes waiting to purchase travel is the worst thing you can do. Prices can and do go up (Continental and United have already announced fare increases).
2. Availability at your favorite hotels, cruises, and attractions sell out quickly.
3. Incentives are often available when you book early. A great travel advisor has access to unadvertised specials and incentives, and knows how to get you the most vacation value for your money.
4. Yes, gas prices are rising, but there are still ways to enjoy a great vacation and not spend a fortune. When you’re building a custom vacation you have the flexibility to build it any way you want to. One cost-saving idea is to consider building your vacation around emerging destinations that may be better deals than well-established areas. And if you’re not quite sure about that, try visiting a popular destination in its off-season when rates are lower. Added benefits to traveling during the off-season include better availability, fewer tourists, and lower costs for attractions.
5. And, finally, the best reason to book your travel plans now is that tomorrow may never come. I’m a firm believer in valuing today because we never know what tomorrow will bring. Ask yourself, “if not now, when?”

If you’ve “always dreamed” of going somewhere, or doing something special, start planning it now – it’s exciting and fun, gives you something positive to look forward to, and you’ll be glad you did. And, if you have the expert guidance of a travel professional, we will be able to help you find exclusive offers, unique destinations, and provide savvy travel advice that will make your trip exciting and memorable.

Contact me for a free custom travel quote.

Cheers!

Cheryl
Custom Travel Specialist
Cheryl@EclatTravel.com
www.EclatTravel.com

When you think of Valentine’s Day you probably think of Flowers, Love and Chocolate. Well, I do, but not necessarily in that order. For the purposes of this blog we are going to concentrate on….chocolate! Here is a delicious custom Italian chocolate dream itinerary for people who love chocolate and travel.

Traditionally, when you think of Tuscany, you think wine. Amedei Chauo, chosen the top award-winning artisan chocolate by the Academy of Chocolate in London, is also made in Tuscany (Pisa).  A variety of other gourmet chocolates are made throughout Italy as well. Meander through the Chocolate Valley between Pisa and Florence, sampling the creations of chocolate makers such as: Luca Mannori; Federico Salza; Simone de Castro; Andre Slitti; Corsini; Paul de Bondt; and Roberto Catinari along the way.

Once in Florence, a trip to  Vestri and Hemingway (there’s an interesting story about the connection between the American writer Ernest Hemingway and Italian Chocolate) are in order.  Spend an evening or two in a Tuscan villa and devote a day to learning how to make delectable chocolate treats. A visit in February would include Florences’ Chocolate Festival and in November a side trip to Bologna for their Festival of Chocolate should be added.

Then travel south to Umbria and stay in “the first hotel dedicated entirely to chocolate,” the Etruscan Chocohotel in Peruguia where you have your choice of the milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate or gianduia chocolate floors. Enjoy a guided tour of “Augusta Perusia” (hand-made chocolate workshop) inside the Cloister of Santa Maria Nuova Church, chocolate tasting in the hotel bar, a rich buffet choco-breakfast with croissants, biscuits, hand-made Chocolate cakes, dark chocolate fondue, Nutella and more, and a chocolate gift bag.

And, finally, a trip to Italy is not complete if you haven’t experienced Rome. A chocolate tour in Italy must include the family-run Confetteria Moriondo e Gariglio, Rome’s finest chocolate maker. Create your own unique box of individually selected and wrapped treats before you head home.

Other sweet chocolate itineraries can be designed for France and Belgium, or both!

Ciao!

Cheryl

Tahiti – One destination, many itineraries

Ia orana (Tahitian for “hello”),

Tahiti, in French Polynesia, is an exotic island destination in the South Pacific. It is the biggest of 118 islands covering over 2 million square miles. When people think of Tahiti, they think; sun, white sandy beaches, and bungalows over water, island dancers, romance and fun. But there’s more.

What you may not know is that it is very accessible; only an 8 hour flight from Los Angeles and in the same time zone as Hawaii (three hours earlier than Pacific Time, April – October and two hours earlier, November – March).

Mix or match any of the transportation options, activities, and lodging options and you have many, many custom itineraries for just one destination. Here are just three to get you started:

Itinerary One: Fly to Tahiti via Air Tahiti Nui, stay at Manava Suite Resort, stay 5-nights, and get one night FREE. Priced from $1,299 including air.  Then, visit the Gaugin Museum, surf, hike to waterfalls, pool and archaeological sites or take a four-wheel drive tour to Mt. Marau.

Itinerary Two: Fly from LA to Tahiti FREE, then board your Paul Gaugin cruise for 50% off and collect a ship board credit of $250. Cruise the Tahiti and the Society Islands for 7 days from $3,997 per person.  You also receive complimentary use of water-sports marina including kayaking, snorkeling equipment, windsurfing, and water skiing. You will also enjoy private use of a beach in Bora Bora and a private island in Taha’a.

Itinerary Three: Fly Air Pacific or Qantas, stay 5 nights (one free) at Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa and enjoy an overwater bungalow, daily breakfast and receive a black pearl pendant. Then venture out for horseback riding, diving, or visit the Haapiti village and soak up the local culture.

Depending on the time of year you visit you can include these special events in your custom made journey: 

Carnival de Tahiti
Patterned after Rio’s famous Carnival, visitors are encouraged to participate in this joyful celebration, which will have all of Papeete dancing to folkloric, Polynesian and international rhythms. The Parade takes place on the Papeete waterfront, a very colorful affair with around 15,000 participants

Super “Aito” Individual Canoe Race
The best outrigger canoes compete in this inter-island race in pursuit of the title and the winner’s ring.

Hawaiki Nui Va’a
This international Outrigger Canoe Race begins on the island of Huahine and continues to Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora. Over 100 teams from countries all over the world participate in this grueling open-ocean race.

Annual Arts & Crafts Exposition
Annual Arts & Crafts Exposition from the Austral Islands. Held at Vaiete Square in Papeete, Tahiti.

Heiva i Tahiti
In celebration of ancient traditions and competitions, the annual Heiva festival has been the most important event in Tahiti for the past 122 years. For visitors, there is no better place in the world to be during July than surrounded by this pure display of Polynesian festivity. Tahitians gather in Papeete from many islands to display their crafts, compete in ancient sporting events, and recreate traditional and elaborate dance performances.

Visit Éclat Travel.com to get started on designing the perfect custom Tahiti vacation.  

Nana! (goodbye)