News from the Office...  Is it really February already!? Personally, I like February to a certain extent. It's a birthday month for Evalynn and myself, (that's right, our smallest employee turns 1 this month!) and it also means that we are one month closer to Spring. What I don't like about this month is the FREEZING cold! Walked to get the mail and by the time I got back there were icicles forming on my eyelashes. (OK, so that is a slight exaggeration but it IS cold here!) Two years ago I found out that those of us in the North are prone to suffer from a seasonal depression called S.A.D. Do you often feel sluggish in the winter? Have a lack of engery or desire to perform basic everyday tasks? Are you easily irritated? Do you find that it all reverses when you are out and about on a sunny winter day? You probably have S.A.D. (I'm not joking! Check out what wikipedia has to say about SAD)The cure? Exposure to SUN or bright lights often. I am a yearly sufferer but have improved since I recoginized what my problem was. Now, if the sun hasn't visited in a week and I start drinking gobs of coffee, I remember that I need light. Sometimes, all it takes is looking at pictures of past Caribbean vacations or a walk in the mall to snap me back to normal. However, the best long term cure is to plan a trip, however short, to the sunny south. (Hence my upcoming weekend in Fort Lauderdale, FL in March). If you live in the north and are starting to hate waking up, book a flight to anywhere in the South soon! Now, most of you had this figured out a long time ago and have already left or are leaving soon for your winter break and my warm thoughts are with you! (Please send SUN!) For those who haven't planned their 2008 vacation yet, the rest of this newsletter should give you some inspiration. While you're at it you may want to start thinking about 2009. There are a few trips starting to come together that you don't want to miss! -Nina :)
Coming up in 2009 and 2010... The members of the new cruise message board www.cruisefreekforum.com have come together to form groups for a couple of very special sailings. First, in December 2009 the group escapes the cold of winter and the Christmas dishes to head to the sunny Caribbean for the Holiday season onboard QM2. 2 weeks of pure pampering rather than 2 weeks of slaving over dinners and beating the malls. Although the space, itinerary and even precise dates have not been announced yet the group is pre-selecting cabins now. Space is expected to be released end of March/early April so look for the updates to get your cabin on this sell-out sailing. In 2010 the group heads to (location speculation here) England to attend the inaugural sailing of Cunard's newest ship Queen Elizabeth, sister ship to Queen Victoria. We don't know much about this ship yet but the event is sure to be something exciting so watch for the updates as they become available.
| Tips for Surviving Airport Security That's right, flying is not getting any easier, especially the mad house that is security. Strip down, get x-rayed and redress all in 18.7 seconds. Welcome to America! However, you can breeze through like a pro with these little tips.. 1. Wear slip on shoes and forget the belt until you're through security. 2. Follow the TSA regulations and pack your liquids in containers of 3oz or less in a quart size bag. (One per person is allowed) Make sure you pack this in an outside pocket of the carry on or on top for quick access. 3. If you carry stuff in your pockets like wallet, chapstick, change etc. Put it in a 1/2 quart size bag. It still fits in your pocket but comes in and out in a breeze. You can toss the bag once you're through security, or better yet, pack it all in your carry-on when you arrive at the airport and wait to get it again once you're at the gate. 4. Forget the wrist watch, add it to your "pocket bag". 5. Put all electronics in one bag. As you get closer to the security counter ask someone ahead of you to hand you one of those nifty containers so you will be all unloaded even before you hit the scanner. 6. General tip...the less you have to take off or unpack at the security check point the faster you will get through. Whatever you can fit in the carry on such as coat, purse, hat gloves etc put in there after you've gotten your tickets. This way you just have to worry about your laptop, shoes and quart bag of liquids. Do you have a great flying tip? Please send it to us and we will feature it in a future newsletter! | Announcing new Preferred Hotel Partners! Hotels are so hard to qualify, especially chains. Some can be outstanding while others with the same name can be down right awful. However, we've never met a Marriott we didn't like! With their broad range of brands from "basic" to luxury we have found them to be consistantly clean, well-priced and in good locations. Their beds are wonderfully comfortable (Probably one of our favorite features!) and they have great amenities. For our Hotel Chain Preferred Partner we've chosen the Marriott brands. When you need something extra special, more unique and a cut above the rest, there is only one place to turn. The Small Luxury Hotels of the World Collection. These boutique properties are intimate in size and cater to their customers on a very personal level. They specialize in creating one of a kind experiences to make your stay truly memorable. Join their Club program and you will enjoy a level of service unlike any you have been accustomed to before. Have a favorite type of pillow or want your room to be exactly 72.8 degrees? No problem. Wish to be picked up from the airport in Italy by a Ferrari? Consider it done. Ambiance Travel wants you to have the best and the best is the properties of the SLH Collection.
Featured Specials...
Escape to the sunny south and head to Hollywood...Florida that is. Enjoy a long beach weekend in March at the Hollywood Beach Marriott in a partial oceanview room with balcony and full breakfast for 2 daily for $930.00 (hotel only) Located right on the beach and  within walking distance of the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk you will be in the heart of great dining, shopping and sun soaking. When you get your fill of sand you can still enjoy the sun next to the glistening pool. ************************************************************ OK, so you've been to the Dominican Republic...but have you experienced it at a SLH property? It's time you have. With only 55 rooms & suites the Sivory Punta Cana Resort and Spa is the perfect place to go for the ultimate in pampering. Sivory Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Start with the Good Life Package  This package includes three nights accommodation in a Deluxe Junior Suite, private helicopter arrival transfer (from Punta Cana International Airport), private beach check-in with chilled towel service & champagne, private ground transport for departure (to Punta Cana International Airport), daily American breakfast, daily selection of house wines in your suite, one premium cigar box of Leon Jimenez per room, one 55-minute aromatherapy treatment per person, per stay at Sivory’s Aquarea Spa & Wellness Centre and one gourmet dinner for two. Note: For helicopter arrival and ground transfers, it is mandatory to send international flight details to our Reservations Department to secure these transfers. Helicopters fly daily until 6:00pm, and are subject to weather conditions, as well as subject to availability in case of last minute bookings. Maximum two carry-on bags allowed per helicopter (extra luggage is sent as needed by land transfer at no additional charge).
Price: From USD 1,880 per room, per stay based on double occupancy. Minimum 3 nights stay.
Dates valid: 11th January 2008 to 21st December 2008 |