Carnival Crusies

Have you ever gone on vacation only to come back feeling worse than when you left? You get that icky feeling in the back of your throat or you have an undeniable headache. Perhaps you have a stomach ache or even a combination of all of the above. Why do you feel so bad after coming home?

The usual suspects – You could have eaten or drank something that didn’t agree with you. You know the old jokes about not drinking the water in foreign countries and being careful about what you eat? Those jokes came out of real cases of food and drink poisoning.

The environmental change – You likely were in a place with a completely different environment than you are used to. Maybe it’s your allergies acting up or just your body having to fight harder at all the germs you encountered from the new people you were surrounded by. In your daily life you typically hang around the same people, but when traveling you are introduced to a flurry of change.

You could have caught something in transit – The air in the vents on the airplane, the poor ventilation in the subway, the mildew tainted rooms you didn’t know about on that cruise ship- anything is possible.

Your body is not used to a break – For some people getting sick while traveling happens because it’s the first time their body has taken a break in months, or even years. Your body has been so used to a constant adrenaline stream that getting sick would have eventually happened anyway, but taking the break made your body realize how bad it needed a break in the first place. (Note- this is all the more reason you should use ALL of your vacation days)

We’re not doctors, but these reasons for your possible icky feelings make perfect sense to us. Regardless of what caused it, we hope you feel better soon!

#EliteTravelGroup #EliteDestinationWeddings #EliteIncentiveTravel #Honeymoongiveaway

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For many travelers and boxing fans, their heads are still spinning from the whirlwind weekend of the Mayweather-Pacquiao Fight in Las Vegas the weekend of May 2, 2015. And it’s not just because of all the hype surrounding the fight, it’s also because now that they’ve had a week to digest all of it it’s hitting many of them just how much of a toll the weekend took on their bank accounts!

One of our clients paid $5,000 per person for his tickets, but tickets were going for nearly $40,000- $100,000 per person on site like Stubhub according to some media reports. Add to this the costs of hotels at $500-$1,000 a night, flights and additional fees for any other events for the weekend and before you know it you have spent enough money on one weekend to buy a house! Talk about a knockout punch to the wallet.

Even people that stayed home are talking about how much they spent for the fight. Some networks were charging upwards of $100 or more just to watch two grown men duke it out for the title of champion! It’s probably not surprising then that because of the astronomical fees associated with a fight like this it’s already been touted as the most pirated fight ever broadcast.

Unfortunately, though the fight exceeded revenue expectations, it massively disappointed a plethora of fight fans. Via the hashtags #MayweatherPacquiao and #MayPac on social media fans expressed that disappointment with quotes like these:

• So this is what you call “The battle of the century” – Romina Dela Rosa ‏@mcmlxvFR
• This wasn’t even the Battle of the Week. – Judge n’Jury ‏@doctagee
• Floyd Mayweather is an incredible fighter, but he just bored me out of $100. – Elizabeth Banks @ElizabethBanks
• At the end of the day both fighters seemed more interested in cashing their 9 figure pay day, than actually winning. – Jon Winthrop ‏@JonWinthrop

We would love to know what you thought of the whole ordeal. Did you watch the fight live or on TV? What were your thoughts? Waste of travel dollars? Fight of the century? Leave a comment below and tell us about it!

If you are a looking for an amazing destination for your next vacation you should head to Sardinia, Italy. Sardinia is a little island just west of Italy and it offers something for every type of traveler from the relaxation seeker to the adrenaline junkie. Here are just a few of the amazing things you can do here:

Enjoy the beaches – The variety of the beaches in Sardinia quite diverse- some of the beaches are wonderfully suited for sunbathing on a towel or beach chair, whereas others are more appropriately enjoyed on horseback.

Explore the caves of Sardinia – Some of most intricate and intriguing caves extend deep beneath the island’s mountains and along its coast. Popular caves to explore include Grotta di Nettuno (Neptune’s grotto), Grotta di Ispinigoli, Grotta del Bue Marino and Grotta di Santa Barbara.

Learn how to cook – You won’t believe some of the things you will learn in these cooking classes from women that have perfected the techniques of cooking some of the best recipes you will ever taste. From the way they prepare their meats and fish to how to make the best pasta and bread- these lessons will tickle your taste buds and help you appreciate the workmanship and artistry that goes into every meal.

Be pampered– The luxury resorts of Sardinia offer some of the most incredible spa experiences the world has to offer. Then, after you have reached your happy place you can lounge by the pool and soak in the sun.

Discover the ancient sites – Although many of the monuments, temples and ruins here are not as well known as those in other parts of the world, visiting the ancient sites of Sardinia is still just as fascinating. A few sites to consider include Il Tempio Di Antas (a temple with Roman and Nuraghic roots), the Nuraghe Su Nuraxi (Sardinia’s sole World Heritage site and the island’s most visited large stone structure), the Amphitheatre in Cagliari and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Sardinia’s premier archaeological museum).

Other activities – A few of the other things you can enjoy doing in Sardinia include hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, bike riding and shopping.

Want to book Sardinia for your next vacation? Give Elite Travel a call at (727) 726-9090 or toll free at (866) 726-9090 today and let’s book your Italian getaway. Elite Travel is also hosting a Wellness Retreat in May 2016 in Sardinia. Ask us for details!

#EliteTravelGroup #Honeymoongiveaway #EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteDestinationWeddings

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It’s a nice gesture. It’s considered rude in many places to come to the area and not put forth at least a little effort into learning the language. It tells the locals that you don’t care enough to try.

It helps you to avoid paying too much. How can you negotiate prices at markets if you don’t know the language? Not being able to talk about why something costs so much and/or discuss other options could cause you to spend more on goods and services than you needed to.

You will be able to get what you want. Imagine going to a restaurant and not knowing how to say that you want the steak and potato and therefore getting something you don’t like. Not only did you not get what you wanted, but now it will be hard to explain that you received something displeasing without coming off as an obnoxious tourist.

Getting around the area will also become easier. Not knowing the names of the streets you need to take to get to your hotel or local attractions will make getting around the area harder than it needed to be. It can also cost you money because a taxi cab driver could take a different and more expensive route.

It’s easier than ever to learn a foreign language. With the hundreds of websites popping up daily and the countless youtube videos being uploaded teaching various languages there is nothing holding you back from learning. Many of these options are even free! You don’t have to be fluent; you just need at least the key phrases to get by while traveling.

#EliteTravelGroup #EliteDestinationWeddings #Honeymoongiveaway #EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteAdventureTravel #LearningtheLanguageofYourDestination

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At Elite Travel we sell all types of trips and one of the lesser known vacation packages we sell is cruises. In fact, cruises are one of our agents, Kay Skordilis, specializes in cruise. Check out what Grethlyn Orr who just came back from an amazing getaway on the Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas had to say about her trip, Kay and Elite:

I want to thank you and Elite travel for organizing such a memorable trip on board the Jewel of the Seas. The entire trip was well thought out and put together nicely. We did not have to think of anything, just show up to have a fantastic week. Kay your professionalism and knowledge about these things are to be commended. Again thank you so much. – Grethlyn Orr

Grethlyn, we are so happy you enjoyed your trip! We are committed to providing the best service possible from both ourselves and the properties and vendors we represent.

About the Jewel of the Seas

This gorgeous boat from the Royal Caribbean cruise line features: 6 pools and whirlpools, 100 plus spa treatments, 16 bars and lounges, Broadway-style shows, a Rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course, a world class casino and so much more. Destinations available on the Jewel of the Seas vary throughout the year but usually include the southern Caribbean, various ports of call in California and an Alaska Sawyer Glacier Cruise.

Cruising with Elite Travel

From 4-day escapes to 14-day and longer luxury vacations Elite Travel can help you plan the perfect cruise. Whether you are considering a cruise because of the fact it’s an all-inclusive vacation or because you want to see several destinations while leaving the transportation to someone else we’re confident that we can find the best option to fit your needs and budget. Give us a call at (866) 726-9090 today!

#EliteTravelGroup #Honeymoongiveaway #EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteAdventureTravel #crusingthejeweloftheseas

It’s no secret; Elite Travel loves Secrets Resorts & Spas! We have sent clients to a number of Secrets properties for weddings, honeymoons, romantic getaways, reunions, relaxing trips and more. We also travel to the resorts as often as we can because we love them so much! Here are just a few of the reasons to consider Secrets for your next vacation:

They are all-inclusive It’s so nice to have a vacation where you know the exact price going in and don’t have to worry about spending extra for top shelf drinks and high quality meals because they are all included with your stay.

They are in gorgeous destinations Currently Secrets Resorts have properties in Mexico, the Domincan Republic and our personal favorite- Jamaica. They are opening new resorts what seems like annually and each destination they launch is carefully chosen to provide the most stunning views in the middle of a private paradise. Just a few of the resorts they own are Akumal Riviera Maya, Aura Cozumel, Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, The Vine Cancun, Royal Beach Punta Cana and Wild Orchid Montego Bay.

They are clean and well managed Every room we have seen has been immaculate. Each client we have sent has reported gorgeous accommodations and management that couldn’t be easier to work with. Although rare, when problems do arise the management is fantastic at jumping in and correcting the situation with ease.

The staff is super friendly and courteous Everyone who works for Secrets is courteous and goes above and beyond to make sure your stay is the most enjoyable experience possible. They greet you with a smile and prove that you are a valued guest that they are happy to serve.

Now that you know what Elite Travel loves Secrets Resorts we would love for you to enjoy a stay with them! Ready to book your getaways with them? Give Elite Travel a call at (866) 726-9090 and let’s get started booking your Secrets vacation today!

#EliteTravelGroup #EliteTravelLovesSecretsResorts&Spas #SecretsResorts

When you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely have to pay the single-traveler price, which can be double what you’d pay if you went as half of a couple on a cruise ship or at an all-inclusive resort. One way to get around the Solo Traveler’s “tax” is to join a group tour, and there are many tour companies who specialize in accommodating adventurous solo travelers.

For the 18 to 35-year-old singletons, I recommend Contiki Tours. They’re young, fun, relatively inexpensive, and take travelers on wild trips through Europe, Australia, Latin America, even Egypt. They can be fast-paced, but if you want to cover a lot of ground during the day and go clubbing all night, it’s perfect. You can also choose to room with someone to cut costs, or have your own room for a little extra cost. These tours are more about adventure and socializing than history lessons, but the history is there too – you just might be too tired from bar-hopping to remember much of it.

When mature adventurers come in, I turn to Globus or Cosmos tours. Globus covers Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, and the accommodations are more comfortable and luxurious. Cosmos offers packages that are budget-friendly to places like Africa, Europe, and North America – I like their National Parks series in particular. Both tour companies emphasize education, not just sight-seeing. In fact, I’d recommend taking down notes so you don’t forget what happened where and when.

Women’s solo adventure travel is a quickly expanding market, but as women, we often don’t feel safe unless we have some sort of group around us. The boutique tour company, WanderTours, gives that safety net while providing authentic adventures to places well off the beaten path, like Cambodia and Vietnam, Bhutan, India, and Papua New Guinea. It’s not explicitly educational (there are no quizzes at the end), but you do get a crash-course in the history, culture, and social issues of your destination.

But, there’s also the purely solo route of hiring an independent tour guide and setting up your own private tour. You choose the places you’d like to go, you decide how long you want to shop, sight-see, and take photos, and you have an expert guide with you to help you every step of the way. Just let your travel agent know what you’d like to experience and learn about and they can connect you with cooking classes, language classes, and tour guides knowledgeable about local history, art and architecture. It’s not a budget option, but it sure is fun.

#EliteTravelGroup #TammyLevent #Honeymoongiveaway #EliteIncentiveTravel #EliteDestinationWeddings #UniqueAdventureTripsforTravelingSolo

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