Globus Reinstates Cuba Tours Program

For many years Cuba has been a mystery to people all over the globe but especially Americans.  Ever since the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 60's American's have not been able to visit Cuba with regularity.  This only added to the intrigue and mystique of the island.

Off and on over the last couple of years, companies have been able to work with the US Government to bring special groups to Cuba.  Traveling to Cuba is becoming a little easier now and one of our major tour operators has recently secured a license from the government to take groups to Cuba.

Below is an article from a travel industry newsletter about Globus Vacations who recently secured that license (link at bottom of this post).  Globus has 2 trips, both 9 day trips, to Cuba covering many of the highlights including Havana and the Bay of Pigs.

By : David Cogswell
May 01, 2013 11:04 AM

Globus put a new Cuba program up for sale, with two itineraries, a nine-day Undiscovered Cuba and a nine-day Cuba’s Charming Colonial Cities and Havana. Globus first offered a program to Cuba in summer of 2011, notifying the market that it would begin taking bookings in August for a tour planned for 2012. Globus partnered with the Center for Caribbean Religion and Culture to create its eight-day Cuba: A Spiritual, Historical and Cultural Journey.

But the process involved in providing the programs legally within the structure of the US trade embargo, in place since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1963, proved to be more difficult than the tour operator had originally thought, and Globus was forced to withdraw its program from the market. After its arrangement with the Center for Caribbean Religion and Culture proved to be inadequate to surmount the regulations, Globus set out to acquire its own license. That also turned out to be more difficult than expected. But the incendiary demand for travel to Cuba proved to be a great motivation and Globus kept at it. Now Globus has its own license to operate limited travel to Cuba.

 “We’re thrilled to be among an elite group of tour companies granted a license by the US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, which allows us to offer small group, people-to-people educational exchange programs to Cuba,” said Scott Nisbet, chief executive officer for the Globus family of brands.  “We have put together two culturally interesting and diverse programs that give our travelers the rare opportunity to engage in meaningful and insightful discussions with the Cuban people.”

The people-to-people program fits perfectly with trends in the marketplace of travelers wanting cultural immersion, authentic experiences characteristic of the destination and encounters with local residents. Globus’ Cuba programs will include people-to-people activities such as a visit to a tobacco farm and the family who owns it; an evening of jazz at La Zorra y el Cuervo Jazz Club and a personal meeting with the musicians; dinner at a family-owned paladar and a visit with the owner and staff; a meeting with children and the supervising nuns at a daycare center; and a visit to a ranch and a meeting with the cowboys who live there.

Undiscovered Cuba spends a week in Havana, focusing on history, culture, architecture and commerce. Cuba’s Charming Colonial Cities and Havana cuts across the Cuban landscape with visits to Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs) and Havana. The price of the program starts at $2,974 land-only. Air travel at the destination starts at $496.

Palmer Vacations & Destination Planners will be more than happy to assist you with information on Globus' Cuba trips.  We just received a fresh shipment of brochures so contact us today for more details!

Globus Reinstates Cuba Tours Program

Upscale Excursions and Discovery Tours

What a whirlwind the last several months have been since we unveiled our new escorted group travel program.  We used to design, build and escort group travel program for a local major company however their management decided to reduce that program and they did not need us to do that service any longer.

Many people were disappointed that the program was no longer operating as before and so we decided to start our on escorted group travel program.  That program, Upscale Excursions and Discovery Tours, was born last fall and kicked off with a travel show last November.  We expected 60-70 people and ended up with 115+ for our presentation.  What a blessing to have that many people interested in our program.

We started with 8 trips available ranging from single day show trips all the way to a 2-week America's National Parks tour out west.  Most of the trips began filling up steadily and a few sold out quicker than expected.  

We have already operated 2 trips, a day trip to enjoy the show "1964: The Tribute" which was a Beatles related program.  That trip sold out quickly and was enjoyed by all who attended.  The 2nd trip was an overnight "Mystery Trip" to .... ah, I almost slipped.  Even though the trip is over, we are not going to give away our secrets.  You will have to wait and see what is offered on our next Mystery Trip!  Our Mystery Trips are always very popular and sell out quickly with this one being of no exception.

We added 6 more new trips to our original tours and have a wide range of products catering to different interests.  A couple are evening dinner and shows for programs such as Flashdance:The Musical, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Jersey Boys and Wicked.  We also added a 2 night trip to Soaring Eagle Casino and Frankenmuth for October 2013.  Last but not least was a journey on the Rhine River in Europe for August of 2014.  The trip was so popular that we had to add several more cabins and it still sold out in 3 days!!!!

This has just been an amazing experience for everyone here at Palmer Vacations & Destination Planners.  We look forward to continually providing high quality trips with features like no other excursion around.  You can find more information on our website; www.palmervacations.com and click on the Upscale Excursions banner in the top right corner.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

Carnival Triumph problems

It has been awhile since I have posted let alone made comment on the Carnival Triumph engine fire from Feb 10.  That fire in the engine room resulted in the loss of propulsion and power meaning the ship had to be towed into port; not arriving until Feb 14. 

The Coast Guard believes it was a rubber hose that sprung a leak and spit gas on a hot engine.  This caused the fire, which was extinguished promptly by crew and the ships fire system.  However, the damage was done.

Passengers had to put up with a lot of inconveniences due to the lack of power on board the vessel.  I am not going to get into what all was working or not working as we just don't know.  Palmer Vacations, thankfully, did not have any clients on that particular sailing.  Therefore, we only know what is reported in the media about the conditions onboard.  With any media story, I read it and then basically believe half of it.  We have heard stories about passengers being handed bags to use as restroom facilities, human waste on the floors and running down the walls from floors above, passengers sleeping on deck chairs due to no electricity/air conditioning in their staterooms and standing in line for hours for food.  The problem with all of that is that some passengers have said those things to the media and some passengers have said that things were not as bad as reported.  Who do you believe?  Therefore, I am staying away from all of that debate.

I write this post to get you to think about the situation.  Carnival staff members, as all cruise lines' staffs, are trained for such instances and I believe that they would react in the best manner possible.  We trust that they did their job to the best of their abilities and handled the situation with the guests comforts and health in mind.

Also, I want to reassure you that cruising is as safe now as it was before.  Don't let this incident turn you away from cruising altogether.  Sure this mishap is national news as was a similar incident with Carnival back in 2010 and let's not even talk about the horrible Costa Concordia accident off the coast of Italy.  What you need to know if that 2 of those 3 were malfunctions in the engine room that caused fires that were quickly put out and no one was hurt.  These 3 examples are the exception and not the rule when cruising.  How many cruises depart yearly all over the world compared to how many incidents make national press like these 3 have? 

I relate this to flight delay issues where passengers are sitting on board an aircraft for hours upon hours. That scenario is the exception to flying just as these incidents are to cruising.  They make national news for a few days and then all is back to normal.  This too will fade and everything will be back to normal.  The good news out of this is that the Coast Guard is still going to issue a full report that will include RECOMMENDATIONS for actions should this happen on another vessel.  That is very good news for the industry.  If they learn from history to make the necessary changes to the system to allow for better relief and better care for the passengers, then this incident becomes less grave.  As horrible as the Titanic disaster was a century ago, the cruising industry has changed for the better because of it.

There is no better feeling than being on a beautiful vessel sailing the open seas and experiencing a new port of call.  You can feel safe on future cruises that the necessary precautions will be followed and enjoy your vacation fully. 

Happy Sailing!

Happy New Year

This time of year everyone is coming up with new years' resolutions.  At Palmer Vacations our resolutions never change from year to year.  We always strive to provide you with the best service in town, the most knowledgeable Destination Planners and an amazing vacation experience.

2013 won't be an exception as we again renew our commitment to provide you with the best reservation and travel experience possible.  If you have tried our services in the past, then you already know our legendary quality and service; we thank you as well.  If you have never tried Palmer Vacations before, 2013 is the perfect time to give one of our experience Destination Planners a call.

As you make your new years' resolutions, make sure to add "work with Palmer Vacations" to your list. 

Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy 2013.

A SOLDIERS CHRISTMAS

We came across this story online and thought we would share it here.  Please see the link at the bottom of the article to help donate phone cards for soldiers to call home during the holidays.


Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this house did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.



No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
and on the wall pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds.
a sobering thought came to my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and so dreary,
the home of a soldier, now I could see clearly.



The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?



I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.



I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;



I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my corps.”
The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
and we both shivered from the cold evening’s chill.



I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas day, all is secure.”
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
“Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.”



By Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt


The following website from the Red Cross will allow you to purchase prepaid phone cards for the soldiers  so they can call home to their families during the holidays.


https://american.redcross.org/site/Ecommerce?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=1461&store_id=8408

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Memorable Moments is our way of sharing stories and views from our clients about their journeys.  We will share these stories from time to time for your enjoyment.  We hope that you do find them to be enjoyable plus an inspiration to you for future vacations of your own.

This Memorable Moment is from a young couple who enjoyed some fun and the sun in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.


***********

Hi Mustafa,


We are back home safely and, I wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful time at Dreams Punta Cana. We were so happy with the resort. The food and service was excellent. We are so glad we chose the walk out room. It turned out to be very convenient. We were also very close to the beach, which was great.

Thank you so much for planning another wonderful trip for us. You make everything very easy. I will let you know when we are ready for our next adventure!

Thanks again,

Karli & Dave

EVEN Hotels - a new hotel concept for health and wellness travel.

Do you enjoy all things to do with a healthy lifestyle?


Do you get frustrated when you travel for work or pleasure and have to sacrifice part of your healthy lifestyle?

You have an exercise routine at home or the local gym and then you travel and your hotel has 1 treadmill and 1 exercise bike so your exercise routine gets off track. Or how about sacrificing your diet because all the hotel has is a bar serving greasy foods?

Well, Intercontinental Hotels (parent company of Holiday Inn) has come up with a new hotel brand call EVEN Hotels that will do away with those compromises and make wellness an easy and natural part of travel.

EVEN Hotels will debut later in 2013 and bring a welcomed change to travel for a lot of vacation and business people alike.

There will be fresh Rosemary in the lobby as you walk in making for a pleasant arrival and then there are warm or cold hand towels to help revitalize you from the travel day. How about some filter, flavored water available at every turn, complimentary!

The rooms will be revolutionary too. With Yoga mats, a luggage bench that is also a workout bench, a clothes bar doubles as a chin-up bar and they also have plenty of space in your room to use the available exercise equipment. The bathroom has a spa like shower and refreshing products to help you recharge.

The lobby will have fresh premium coffee available all day, fresh health-minded foods such as bistro plates, soups, salads and more to meet all dietary desires.

The best-in-class workout center will have lots of cardio machines, plenty of space for use of their free weights, Yoga mats, exercise balls and staff led activities. While they may not have a pool to swim laps in, they will have local places to recommend for you to visit.

Many hotels have begun to add touches of healthy life into their existing hotel structure but this is the first hotel concept based on health and wellness that is not a spa resort. This is such a fresh concept in travel that even though I am not an overly zealous health nut, I am looking forward to visiting one of the hotels when they open. I do try to stay in shape the best I can and would like to have a hotel with a focus on wellness to stay at while traveling.

Keep your eyes and ears open as I am sure EVEN Hotels will pick up more steam as they get closer to their first hotel opening in 2013. For more information, visit their website: http://evenhotels.com/gallery

Be well,

Todd Langenek, CTA