DELTA.COM/CHANGE

Archive for the ‘Delta Vacations’


12 Family Vacation Preparation Tips

Whether you are taking a family vacation on a warm, sunny beach or traveling to Washington, D.C. for a first-hand lesson in American history, you will have more fun and relaxation if you plan ahead using these tips:

  1. Book early. When you book early, you can take advantage of early booking discounts, special hotel offers, not to mention the dates you need to fit into your children’s school schedule.
  2. Choose  family friendly destinations. You may not want a destination that features nightclubs if your children go to bed at 8 pm; instead you will want plenty of entertaining daytime activities or historical/cultural learning opportunities.
  3. Choose hotels that cater to families. Some hotels have “kids stay and eat free” offers. They might also provide temporary childcare, or have special activities, programs, or facilities for children.
  4. Consider an all-inclusive option. All-inclusive resorts and vacations are often a better value for families, since they include meals, beverages, and a variety of activities. If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, everything is included, so you don’t need to carry around your wallet every time one of your kids needs a drink or snack.
  5. Buy a vacation package. You can save up to 20 percent on the cost of your vacation if you buy a vacation package with your hotel and airfare together. Plus, vacation packages frequently include extras that can save you more money, like food, drinks, discount passes, continental breakfasts, and roundtrip airport transfers.
  6. Pack light, pack smart. In your carry on luggage, pack prescription medication, suntan lotion, swimsuits, and one change of clothes, just in case. If you arrive at your destination and your luggage does not, you can still take the kids to the beach!
  7. Before you leave, make your house look lived in. Stop the mail and newspapers or have a neighbor pick them up and also mow your grass, shovel the walks, make tire tracks in the driveway, and check the house periodically. Leave an itinerary with them.
  8. Bring proper identification for you AND your children. If you’re going to a country outside the United States, be prepared to prove that you are married to your spouse, and that you are the parents of your children. Foreign country entry documentation requirements change frequently so be sure to check well before you leave, and you can be denied boarding your airplane if you fail to produce the right documents. If you’ll be traveling out of the country, make two copies of your passport and bring along a spare. Also, give a copy to someone at home in case your copy is lost or stolen.
  9. Eat before the airplane. Remember most airlines no longer serve meals. While there are a few meals sold on-board, do not rely on these to feed your family. Eat before you go to the airport, or once in the airport and past security, stop for snacks or a meal before the gate.
  10. Be prepared for the security check. Have your identification and boarding passes easily accessible as you go through the security lines. Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons: 3 ounce bottles or less (by volume) in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag and only 1 bag per passenger. Drink up your pop or water before security, as you will have to dispose of it at security. Try not to wear too much jewelry, belts, watches and metal accessories. Have everyone wear slip-on shoes if possible – some airport parking lots even offer disposable flip-flops to wear through the line once your shoes are on the belt.
  11. Make safety a priority. Don’t rely on lifeguards to watch your children at the pool or the beach. Always apply sunscreen and re-apply often whether you are at the beach or walking the streets of Paris! The stronger sunshine feels great, but can also cause a vacation-ruining burn if you do not use protection. In public places, establish a meeting place in case you become separated.
  12. Be prepared with first aid. It’s a long trip to the car or the hotel room for a band-aid if someone steps on a sharp seashell, or Mom’s new shoes become uncomfortable! Visit the beach, amusement parks, museums and other attractions with at least one bottle of water and some bandages on hand to make minor scrapes no big deal.

Sean
Delta Vacations

Movie Must-Visit: European Vacation

One of my favorite things is being able to watch a movie or TV and say that I have been there. There’s just something about watching Angels and Demons after being in Rome or playing a game of softball on the field from The Field of Dreams in Iowa. There is one movie on my list that is a MUST and that is European Vacation. I never thought it would really be possible but now that I work for a travel company and we are opening up 28 new European destinations (See below) by the end of this month my dream of re-enacting this speech can come true!

YouTube Preview Image

Here are some of our new European destinations we have opened and some movies from those locations:

Germany - Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich – Visit scenes from Mission Impossible III

France - Lyon, Nice/Monaco, - Visit scenes from the classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Italy - Milan, Rome, Venice – Check out the historic scenes from Gladiator

Czech Republic – Prague – Mission Impossible was also filmed here

Hungary – Budapest – If it’s good enough for MacGyver’s than it’s good enough for this guy…episode 5 “The Thief of Budapest”

England- Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, - Have to go to re-enact many scenes from European Vacation

Switzerland - Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne – Adventure upon The Bourne Identity

Greece – Athens – Sing along with Mamma Mia

Turkey - Istanbul, Let your inner spy out and visit scenes from From Russia with Love

What movie locations have you been to or want to go to?

Sean
Delta Vacations

Packing: Labor Day Beach Trip

I become casually obsessed when packing for a vacation. I love finding the perfect travel size toiletries, or a comfy pair of shoes that can be worn for a variety of occasions. My recent packing challenge involved 4-nights at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

secrets-silversands-riv-maya2

Like most people planning their Mexico vacations, I initially wanted to bring my most casual clothes. However, Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa has several wonderful a la carte restaurants with a “casual elegance” dress code for evening meals. Since this is just one example of a common packing quandary, here are a few of my favorite travel tips for packing light:

• Beach bumming: Face it, the majority of your day will be spent in a swimsuit either poolside or on the beach. Leave the excess at home.

• Shoezilla: Shoes consume valuable real estate in your suitcase so you need to be practical. I like the rule of three:flip-flops, a pair of versatile sandals and tennis shoes (only if you plan to be active, otherwise bring something else).

• Mix it up: A pair of pants or a skirt can have an entirely new look when worn with a different shirt. Jewelry can help you dress up for those nicer dining options. It’s okay to recycle clothing, trust me nobody will notice!

• Natural beauty: Hey Ladies! What looks better than a sun-kissed complexion? For a carefree look, stick with the make-up essentials like mascara and lip-gloss.

• Travel Toiletries: Before you stock-up at the local drug store, check out the list of hotel amenities. Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa has wonderful, complimentary toiletries–including sunscreen!

Do you have any Labor Day travel tips that you would like to share?

Emily H.
Delta Vacations

Delta Vacations: Your Favorite Golf Vacation

If the idea of my previous post about Las Vegas and it’s golf courses has you thinking about taking a golf vacation you might want to consider a luxury golf vacation with your spouse. There are many golf resorts all over the world that have breathtaking golf courses, feature full service spas, luxurious accommodations and world -class service that makes a perfect getaway for you and your spouse. I have selected a few resorts in some of the best luxury golf vacation locations in the world.

deltavacationsgolf

Four Season Scottsdale at Troon North

If you are like me you just got Goosebumps from reading “Troon North”. The Troon North courses are two of the top courses in America and by staying at the Four Seasons Scottsdale you will have access to The Pinnacle and The Monument. Tom Weiskopf just redesigned the two courses in 2007 and they are now better than ever. Built into the foothills of Scottsdale, Arizona you will experience elevated tee boxes and gorgeous views of Pinnacle Peak. If your significant other is not a golfer, they can enjoy the 12,000 sq ft, full service spa! After golfing or the relaxing message you can grab a famous margarita from the awarding winning “Phoenix” bar and take in the sun on the 6,000 sq ft pool. Once you return from the links you have 3 beautiful restaurants to choose from for your romantic dinner for two. How perfect does that sound?

Ritz – Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Montego Bay Jamaica

You can’t talk about luxury without mentioning Montego Bay, Jamaica. Montego Bay has some of the nicest resorts and white sand beaches in the world. If you know anything about Ritz – Carlton Resorts you know that they put the “Ritz” in “Ritzy”. With 5 restaurants, 2 bars and a full service spa their reputation holds true at this resort. Part of their 427-room renovation included putting a 37-42 inch LCD flat panel TV in each room! Partnered with the Ritz is the golf course called White Witch. Don’t be scared off by the name, it has some of the most beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. Although there are no holes along the water, you have a view of the sea on 16 of the 18 holes! Not only is there the view of the water, but the course winds through the 5,000 acre Rose Hall Plantation surrounded by mountains. One thing to note is to bring extra cash because caddies are mandatory but will truly enhance your experience. You will receive discounts at the course if you are staying at the Ritz – Carlton. Golf, beach, the love of your life and LCD TVs… you can’t ask for more!

Ritz – Carlton Kapalua, Maui

You might already recognize the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua name because of the PGA Tour Mercedes – Benz Championship. Every January the PGA hosts this tournament at The Plantation course. Ocean views and lush fairways describe this course well. One of the many signature holes is #18 a 663-yard par 5 that plays toward the ocean! Don’t worry this hole plays severely down hill and produces BIG drives (427 yards by Jason Gore). Designed by Arnold Palmer, The Bay is the other championship golf course in this resort. The favorite hole seems to be #5 a 205-yard par 5 that you have to carry 100 yards of the Pacific Ocean to get to the green. With many picture-perfect holes and a chance to walk where Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson have played, you won’t want to pass up playing these courses. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua recently went through a $160 million renovation and has been awarded the AAA Five-Diamond award! With direct beach access and a new spa opening up this June there will be spa time for everyone! After your golf round, you can relax by the 10,000 sq foot pool and with a cool drink from their pool bar. There are 6 restaurants, 2 bars and everything else you could want so you will never have to leave the resort!

I hope that these luxurious vacation destinations will give you both the much-needed getaway for two.

What is your favorite golf vacation? Wishing you fairways and greens!

Sean C.
Delta Vacations

Vegas, Baby. Vegas!

So it’s said that New York City is the “city that never sleeps” - well, I’ve slept in New York City and didn’t in Las Vegas, so to me Las Vegas is now “the city that never sleeps”! This past Friday I flew out to Las Vegas with my wife and flew home at 7am on Saturday with no hotel!

Las Vegas Vacations

Neither of us had been to Vegas before, so we thought we would experience it “Vegas Style” and stay up all night. I was amazed at how much there was to do in Las Vegas that didn’t involve gambling or clubbing – don’t get me wrong - that was fun and you need to experience that, but there is something going on at all hours of the day for everyone.

Shows

We didn’t get the chance to catch any shows but we wrote down a list of shows that we want to see next time we are out there and here they are:

  1. Beatles “LOVE” at the Mirage – This is tribute to Beatles music put on by Cirque Du Soleil…how could you go wrong?!
  2. “O” at the Bellagio - Another Cirque Du Soleil show but this one is in the water! I heard great reviews of this show while we were out there and people couldn’t believe the tricks they were doing in the water while holding their breath.
  3. Blue Man Group at the Venetian – I’ve seen the Blue Man group in Chicago, but I had such a great time that I NEED to see them again, especially in Vegas.

I could spend a whole blog talking about all the other shows I want to see like Disney’s The Lion King, Stomp Out Loud, and The Phantom of the Opera but you can see a full list.  There are also free shows that happen at a lot of the hotels like the Bellagio Fountains, Pirate show at Treasure Island or the Lake of Dreams show at Wynn Las Vegas that you will want to see.

Hotels

We had so much fun just walking up and down the Strip and checking out different hotels and casinos. We didn’t make it in all of the hotels but here are our favorite 3 hotels:

  1. New York, New York – All of the hotels in Vegas are impressive, but this replica of New York City as a hotel is unbelievable! The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge are just a few of the elements that make this place so cool!
  2. Caesar’s Palace – I might have a little bias towards this hotel because I love the movie “The Hangover”. It was a blast walking and reliving the tomfoolery of Alan, Doug, Phil and Stu. Luckily, we didn’t have any encounters with a tiger or Mike Tyson! Plus, the hotel is spectacular and has an amazing entrance!
  3. Bellagio – I thought it was the most beautiful hotel in Las Vegas. Nothing crazy about the architecture or bold colors, but just a simply built white hotel that is appealing to the eye. The hotel is surrounded by luxury shops that match the Bellagio with the same look and in front of all of this is a large pond where they have their famous fountains show. The show runs every ½ hour from 3 – 8pm during the week and weekends 12pm – 8pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm – 12am.

Golf

Over time you’ll learn that I am a golf nut and it killed me not to golf while I was in Las Vegas. So I asked around to find out what some of the top courses were in Las Vegas and here is what I found:

  1. The Bear’s Best – As the name precludes this course is made up of Jack Nicklaus’s most famous holes that he designed.
  2. Royal Links Golf Club – This course is a tribute to 18 of the best holes from different British Open Courses. You can test you skills on “The Road Hole” from St. Andrews or “The Postage Stamp” of Royal Troon” without having to jump the pond. Plus, the clubhouse is a built like a castle.
  3. Bali Hai Golf Club – This golf course will make you feel like you are playing in the South Pacific and not in Vegas but the skyline views will remind you where you are. All the bunkers are filled with Augusta white sand and the sand surrounds the edges of the rough. You can actually catch a glimpse of this course while you are landing at the airport.

I had a great little Las Vegas vacation and can’t wait to knock some of these shows, golf courses, and many other to-dos off my list. If you go to Vegas and don’t do anything I have said above please do yourself a favor and bring VERY comfortable shoes otherwise you’ll end up with what we like to call “Vegas Feet”…just ask my wife.

What is on your Las Vegas to-do list?

Sean
Delta Vacations