Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Travel to Mexico during Covid 19

Hello my friends. It's been a long time since we last spoke.  

Some people recently have ventured out into the world, with no fear from this virus. I have travel friends who have gone to Cancun and Cabo San Lucas to see how the resorts are dealing with their guests arriving at their resorts

SO YOU’RE GEARING UP FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP SOUTH OF THE BORDER. Felicidades! 

Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

Let’s just come out swinging, shall we? Of course this is the number one question on everyone’s mind, what with cartel violence, Zika, and hurricanes splashed all over the media. So allow us to give you a resounding answer: YES, it is absolutely safe to travel to Mexico.

Options are slim these days for Americans wanting an exotic beach vacation to socially-distance themselves from the realities of 2020. Countries around the world are leery about opening their borders to U.S. travelers. The one main exception to that is our neighbor to the south. Mexico is waiting with open arms for Americans to return to their beaches. Commercial flights between the two counties never stopped, hotels reopened in June after a short closure period, and Mexico is one of the few countries that does not have a mandated quarantine once international travelers arrive.

So how exactly do you take a safe vacation to Mexico in the time of coronavirus?Start with carefully planning your trip with your me.  Quintanaroo is the primary place I would send you. That means Cancun/Riviera Maya. 

Mexico has quickly become one of the most popular travel destinations during the pandemic due to having some of the easiest COVID-19 entry requirements in the world. 

Its stunning beaches, tropical climate, vast history and vibrant culture brings in almost 50 million tourists a year making it the 7th most visited country in the world prior to the pandemic. 








The price for all inclusive resorts right now are at a low. It makes it much more cost effective for you to travel.

Call me at 954-575-6101

atimetotravel1@gmail.com

text 954-729-6316

I am available to speak to you.

TRAVELSUE


Sunday, June 14, 2020

Last trip before covid 19 March 2020.

We need to keep dreaming of future travel..


March 2020  my last travel before coronovirus. Wish I was still there.
Missing caribbean...Up up and away to Turks and Caicos.












Beaches Turks and Caicos

turks will open in July and those of you who are missing those turquoise waters of Providenciales, you can make your move now. Call, text, email at your conveniece and lets start to travel safely.



lets grab some mac and cheese at the french village water park area 

walk around the resort and bump into Cookie Monster






You and your family can enjoy a suite in the Key West Village
starting in the beautiful lobby. 

Lets go to our suite in key west village




ENJOY ALL OF THE AMENITIES BEACHES TURKS HAS TO OFFER INCLUDING
21 RESTAURANTS, FOOD TRUCKS, POOLS, WATERPARK, SESAME STREET CHARACTERS, NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT, AMAZING BEACH, WATER SPORTS, SOME OF THE BEST DIVING IN THE WORLD.

call Sue Schmerling 954 575 6101, text, email
954 729 6316
atimetotravel.com
atimetotravel1@gmail.com

Take your entire family for the trip of a lifetime. Reopening in July.




Its ok, we want a vacation too




















It’s Ok, We Want a Vacation Too!

Balancing work and family life at the same time (and at home!) is never easy, and it’s especially difficult right now. From the kids interrupting your morning Skype meetings to making sure everyone in your brood is washing their hands like crazy, we could all use a vacation. Until that time comes, we thought you could use a little break from all the drama unfolding at home to start considering where you might go on your next vacation. Yep, that’s right – and we’re serious about it.

Dream now, travel later is something that we find ourselves repeating quite frequently now. That’s because when it’s put into action, this simple phrase can be unbelievably uplifting and stress relieving. Give it a try. We recommend taking 10 to 15 minutes a day (or a few times a week) to write down all the places you’ve dreamed of traveling to, including those places you’d like to visit again. Indulge dreaming on travel websites and magazines, printing and tearing out any articles and destinations that interest you. Collect everything in a dedicated notebook so that when we’re able to travel again, you’ll have all the hard work done and be ready to head out on some unforgettable adventures.  

We know that travel isn’t necessarily on the minds of everyone, perhaps far from it, and that’s ok. Our health and safety are most important. Period. But one day, and that day cannot come soon enough, we will all travel again, helping those destinations of the world that need our travel dollars the most. The great thing about travel is how it brings people together of vastly different cultures and introduces them to what we hold in common. That includes our shared experiences of living in the unrelenting presence of COVID-19.

There’s no denying the hopeful and uplifting power travel has on those of us who love exploring the world and the people who make it possible. In the coming days and weeks, we’ll be filling you in on some of our favorite ways to explore the world from home. From our favorite movies and playlists, to feature articles and all sorts of travel inspiration, we want to help make your day a little brighter.

Stay healthy!
(and don’t forget to wash your hands)


Sue Schmerling
A Time to Travel
www.atimetotravel.com
954 575 6101
954 729 6316 cell
feel free to call, text or email
atimetotravel1@gmail.com

Friday, October 5, 2018

Monday, October 24, 2016

Why use a travel agent?? October 2018

The New Adventures of the 
"Travel Yenta"

Let me explain what a 'yenta' is. 
She is a busybody, she has to know everything about everyone. She makes it her business to know... she does her 'homework.' 
This is first in a series of tips and recommendations by me, Sue your personal 'Travel Yenta,' who wants to give you all travel related information. Listen to it... Don't listen to it. Every single piece of information is true. I have been a Licensed  and Award Winning Travel Agent since 1995.

Why use a travel agent?

Back in the 'stone age' well before the advent of all of the do-it-yourself travel sites, people used to turn to travel agents when they wanted to take a vacation. But with all of this new technology, do travel agents still exist? They absolutely do! And you may be surprised to learn that although technology has changed dramatically in the past few decades travel agents have not. They have became better educated and trained. 

They are still some patient 'World Travelers' who have 'oodles' of experience, helpful tips, great suggestions and they still offer better deals than most of the big corporate multi-million dollar travel booking sites. Read on to learn while using travel agencies aren't for the old fashioned, they are for the budget-minded traveler who wants the best vacation experience possible.

Then versus now:
When your parents were younger, they would head to the trusted, reliable local storefront travel agent when they wanted to get the best advice for a family getaway. The agent would listen to their needs, budget, time of year, vacation style and personal preference of the vacation. Then the travel agent would not only give advice and make recommendations based on her extensive travel experience, but all of the details. Flights, hotels, rental cars, excursions, etc. If that weren't enough, sometimes this personal service came at an even cheaper rate than if you personally called all of the companies to book individually. Nothing has really changed in regard to the service you'll get from a travel agent, but now it's easier than ever for the layman to book his own trip. Not only are there a plethora of sites like Expedia and Priceline that promise the best deals, but there was also no shortage of recommendations to help you along your way. There are websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp. Okay, this may sound great there is so much information to wade through it can sometimes be overwhelming to try and find reviews that's good who you are as a traveler.

How do travel agents still provide value in this day and age?

Travel agents have 'weathered the storm' of  old versus new Technology by continuing to provide excellent personal one on one service to their customers. It can be tedious and extremely time-consuming to manage all of the aspects of booking a vacation, which is where travel agents excel. You can call a good travel agent and tell them you'd like to do a 10-day Tour of Rome and you'll get personalized itineraries with recommendations for cafes, upgrades at your hotel and 'perks' with zero hassle on your part!
Many travel agents these days have chosen to specialize in specific types of vacations like cruising or Disney trips so that they can provide the utmost customer service experience to their valued clients. They cultivate close relationships with partner hotels or cruise lines to secure the best deals, perks, and upgrades for their customer, things that would be virtually impossible for individuals booking their own vacation to acquire. And there's the fact that a travel agents job is not complete once the booking is done, either. If something goes wrong during your trip, a travel agent can provide much-needed assistance instead of you having to flounder on your own in a foreign city. They can change your hotel if you're dissatisfied, get your money refunded if you had a terrible time and one of my travel agents has even gone so far as to bail me out of almost missing a flight thanks to lost documentation. That piece of mind doesn't come with travel arrangements that you can book on your own.

To use an agent or not?
This comes down to personal preference, but there are some things to keep in mind. If you are planning a trip and you enjoy the research that comes with booking a new vacation in the time it may take to get the best deals, then you're probably best off booking everything by yourself. But, if you're traveling somewhere new, it would be wise to speak with an agent. They can tell you what you need to know about passports, visas, and vaccines and the customs procedure so that there will neer be confusion or last minute stress on your part. Another time to consider using a travel agent is if you're planning a complex trip. Complicated vacations are an intelligent travel agents specialty, so utilize them if you're planning a tour that involves multiple cities, flights and tours. They will also give you the lowdown on any hidden fees or restrictions with your flight, hotels or car rentals, making the whole process much smoother and stress-free.
Call me in lovely Delray Beach, Florida   at 954-575-6101 whether you are considering an All-Inclusive Caribbean or Mexico Getaway or you want information for a European River Cruise with amazing 'freebies' and 'perks.' But first, enjoy my travel photos.









954-575-6101 
Sue Schmerling 
"Travel Yenta"
Founder and CEO of
A Time to Travel. Inc.
FLA Seller of Travel. Ref. No. ST-38323

Monday, June 27, 2016

Moon Palace Jamaica Grande...wow has it changed!!!





A few months ago, my friend Hedy and I went to the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios Jamaica.

I have been to this resort many many times since I started in the business 21 yrs ago.
First the Renaissance Jamaica Grande, Sunset Jamaica Grande, and now Moon Palace Jamaica Grande.

First, the General Manager who runs the resort, Clifton Reader, has been at this particular resort for many many years. He is top notch and you could not ask for a better GM.

I arrived in Jamaica, using Club Mo Bay for the first time. It is simply a must do. No long immigration lines arriving into the country, no lines leaving the county.
The idea started quite a while ago when Air Jamaica Vacations has their VIP lounge, located outside of the airport. After AJV closed, the long lines and even longer lines resumed.

Ask me about how to book Club Mobay for your next trip to Jamaica.

The ride to the resort is much more palatable than the ride to Ocho Rios used to be.
No more of are we there yet....close your eyes for a while and then you are there.


Checking in was an easy task..no muss no fuss..The one thing you need to avoid is the Vacation Club. Employees trying to sell time shares for the resort. Just say no...we were all taught to just say no..right? Unless you are interested..but do not feel the need to speak to them, sit through a seminar or anything like that.

Our room was in the South Tower, which doesn't offer the best views. Yes you have ocean, but you have to look over the rooftops to see the ocean. The North tower was not finished yet, much better views.

The entire resort was redone from top to bottom, so it's not the former Sunset Jamaica grande..yes the walls are the same...but pretty much even hard to recognize the emense pool as it has been changed to break up into smaller pool areas. Only one pool bar, but pool bar and food service is available while you are sunbathing.


                                                                               

Kids water park, adult water slide and wave runner will keep the kids busy..
And the beach..what can I say..one of the nicest beaches in Ocho Rios 
                                         
       
I think the food at this resort is some of the best. Make sure you go to the Japanese restaurant for either teppanyaki or my favorite, sushi, and tempura...Makes your mouth water...

                                                      
                                                                                                               
Food, drink...24 hr cafe with ice cream, pastries, cookies, milk shakes...coffees, cappaccuno,
sandwiches, bagels and lox and more..
Pizza, sushi anytime, sandwiches all day every day.

Buffets, sit down restaurants including Japanese, Italian, Steakhouse are offered...
Service with a smile..




                                                   



Moon Palace Jamaica Grande as well as all of the Palace resorts offer guests up to a $1500 resort credit to be used for swimming with the dolphins, dunns river falls, and many other excursions...spa...resort gift shop etc..The only hang up to this as you have to pay taxes on the amount you use ..but still less expensive than paying outright for the excursions..

One of the cool things at Moon Palace is that the cruise ships dock on their property...so you can see a different ship, or two every single day of your stay.

                                                                             

There is a teen lounge and a kids lounge to occupy the little ones time...So you can make time for yourselves.

Overall...I love this resort and hope you will too...Call for your next vacation...

Hope to hear from some of you soon...

Don't forget A TIME TO TRAVEL
                            954 575 6101

ASK FOR TRAVELSUE