TRUST

Let's get back to the basics of travel and why you choose the vacation you are going to go on. In the olden days..you know the days when you had to use a pay phone with a quarter or even a dime for us oldies..when you remembered phone numbers and you used the neighborhood vendor just because they were in the neighborhood and they took good care of you.
Well neighborhoods are long gone, the local travel agent pretty much is long gone so you have a choice of basically putting up a map of the world and throwing a dart into the place you think you might want to go and then going ONLINE and picking the least expensive price for whichever resort was on special at that moment. Did the company care about you..no you are just a number to them. 1-10, 100-500 and so on.
Just the other day I said to someone I wish I could wake up and the age of technology would just disappear for a number of reason.
Those travel agents....real travel agents....not order takers...not transcribers of emails...the travel agents who know the resorts, all inclusive, honeymoon, and yes imagine a destination wedding. It was unheard of 40 yrs ago.
We...the real people who specialized in the Caribbean, or Mexico, or Europe or Cruises..We know..we know whats best for you and your family. We actually talk to you on the phone and find out your likes and dislikes. We actually wait for the phone call or "email" when you return to tell us if you actually liked where we sent you. It is important to us. It keeps us in business. The fact that we took care of you the way your doctor takes care of you is important to us.
Please friends and family..when thinking about a vacation..call us ...don't use the dartboard method or the internet method..choose someone that you can trust. Most people don't know that word anymore.."Trust" Its important when choosing any type of vendor. It's important when you spend your money...It's simply important...

They call me travelsue
atimetotravel.net

Travel Specials

There are so many travel specials out there. How do you know which to choose and which travel agent to go to...or should you just do it on the internet.
My answer is good and bad. If you choose to book thru the internet you may find very very inexpensive trips, but do you actually know where you are going? All resorts are NOT created equal and a picture is not worth a thousands words. Photographers are paid to make a resort look enticing...I just have to go there...Well in my opinion..you don't just have to go there..It's your money that is being spent and do you actually want to go someplace that looks great on the outside but on the inside....ewwww...I have been to many of those resorts...places that I wouldn't put my foot down on the floor without shoes...food that was inedible..but the pictures were fabulous..
My friends...go to a travel agent. We know about these resorts...I will tell you the good...bad..and ugly...and make sure you have a great time..Our small company employs only people who are there to help and are knowledgeable about where you want to go.
Don't waste your money and remember....we can match almost all prices you see out there...

Hard Rock Punta Cana

Well there is always good news and bad news when traveling and unfortunately although this new all inclusive resort in Punta Cana is spectular, it does have it's downfalls.
First of all...most of the staff try but they do not speak English. Now although I live in Florida where spanish is many people's primary language, it is not mine. That being said..I was at this Palace all inclusive resort in Punta Cana a year ago. It was new and trying to get it's kinks out.
The rooms were beautiful, food good and casino took all of my money. No sour grapes here but all in all it was a great experience.
Move ahead one year and I send a bunch of people for a golf vacation. For avid golfers this would not be the first place I would pick but they are offering many amenities and this could include unlimited golf. So we are good.
My customers arrive on the property and everything seems to be great except when they attempt to go golfing. Their tee times were set up thru my wholesaler and the resort..yet the resort did not put it into their system, thus no golf. After my client spent a day arguing with the resort and resorted to calling me..I must have made 25 phone calls to Punta Cana (can't wait to see that bill).
Finally reached my sales rep who happened to be there on a fam and she went ahead and fixed everything...One small ooops...They were doing irrigation on some of the holes of the golf course..so the course if you are an avid golfer, was not playable.
I know the resort ultimately will take care of my guests, although they finished their vacation..Maybe next time...well no next time golf here as far as I am concerned...Sometimes when it's broke, you can't fix it.
So for anyone who is actually reading this...make sure you check on the condition of the golf course before travel.
Sometimes things happen...sometimes they can't be controlled. And most of the time everything goes right.

Memories of 9/11

First, I would like to express my sincere condolences to all of the families and friends who lost someone and were deeply affected by the events of 9/11. I, myself along with my husband watched on TV as the second plane hit the tower and thought to myself..what the hell is going on.
Recently on my last fam to mexico, I met a gentleman in the pool named Jim LaPenna. Below is his story.
Jim Lapenna was working as an electrician just blocks away from the World Trade Center Complex on that tragic morning and instinctively fled from his job to the scene of the crime with a heart full of hope. He lost his job because he felt that helping in this tragedy was more important.
He was a first responder and when he told us his story..we could not believe that this brave man would give up everything to rush to ground zero.
He has many physical ailments resulting from him being at ground zero, but he doesn't let any of it stop him from telling his story.
I applaud him and people like him

A boring saturday..not much to do

Ok..perks of the travel business. Somedays there is absolutely nothing to do and then there are days with plenty to do but you just have no desire to do it. Funny, I just hooked up on facebook with an old friend who used to be in the travel business and she was reminding me that in the old days customers would call..use our knowledge of the product and then book.
Now they drain me dry of information and even though I can offer them the same price, they go and book online. Don't you see something wrong with that? I have few brain cells left, but to take what little there is left ...not cool. So for all you people who are taking my brain cells...I will give you all of the information you want. I will tell you the absolute truth and then charge you $50 to have done so. If you book your trip thru me and I certainly hope you do, we will apply the $50 toward the purchase price.
I am contemplating going to Jamaica in the next few weeks if the prices decide to drop. I don't know what's up with the high air prices but it's making it so tough for people to travel because the air ends up costing more than the hotel with meals. Come on airlines...get with the program..
I guess I am in a vacation paradise. A mile from the beach near Ft Lauderdale. This is a great great place to vacation...although the fall is pretty inexpensive, it rains every day so bring your raincoat and galloshes

Is summer over?

Summer is technically over. Not for those of us who live in warm climates and not for the many who love to travel to the caribbean. It is always summer there...maybe a few storms thrown in but the caribbean and Mexico have bounced back from the dreaded Irene and as of Oct 1..most of the damaged properties in the bahamas are open for business. That means open for vacation and the time of your life.
I am going to start posting every day..(great thought, huh) or as often as you can. Please follow me my friends and even my non friends because what I have to say is important to me and to everyone that travels.
Again..why use a travel agent.
For simple reason. If there is a hurricane approaching, we can get you out of the destination relatively easily with no panic involved. We use wholesalers..we work hand in hand with people who are level headed and not thrown into panic situations.My main wholesaler is a company called Travel Impressions....owned by American Express they are my go to people when I need HELP!!! and yes every once in a while I need help to take care of you.
Travel agents will get you the best price...we will be there at your beck and call and we will know your likes and dislikes...PLUS we will know ahead of time if a storm is brewing..
Don't forget to pick up the phone and call 954 575 6101 and ask for me...Sue...to ask almost any question...

it's been about a week since I last wrote

It's been about a week since I last wrote about things. My move is almost complete and starting anew in Hallandale beach. A half mile from the beach.
A comment I wanted to make..did you know we travel agents can generally match any price you see on the internet and give you personalized service too. Fix anything that is wrong. Let the resort know that you are a VIP and just general service that you wouldn't get from booking online. I had someone call me yesterday and ask about a resort. They had already booked using one of the big name online companies but really didn't know much about the resort. I had been there and I tell it like it is usually and after I gave her my honest opinion...she asked, "how can I change my destination?" I said had you booked thru me...a travel professional you wouldn't be in the position you are in because I would have told you not to go there in the first place.
What one person likes...another person might not. You need to tell you agent your likes and dislikes and what you are looking for in a resort. It's your hard earned money you are spending and when you book online you don't know what you are getting because ALL OF THE PHOTOS LOOK FABULOUS!!
I have been there. I am a specialist. I know and I am honest.
And I do want your business