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Backroads Trips are the Best

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

Spain Elite Travel
Backroad trips are a top choice for travelers who are looking for the best off-the-beaten path adventures. Many travelers are looking to avoid touristy locations nowadays, and instead are wanting to explore the backroads of countries. The reason is because they want to learn about and experience the culture of a particular country, and traveling through their backroads is one of the best ways they can do this.

Backroads trips are the best because travelers not only get to immerse themselves in a new and exciting culture, they are also in full control of their traveling adventure.

Spain

Spain is a common vacation destination because of its rich cultural heritage that simply keeps bringing travelers back year after year. The reason why travelers keep coming back to visit Spain time and time again is because Spain is a place that expects everyone to enjoy themselves. Having fun in Spain is a requirement and includes eating delicious Spain cuisine, enjoying the company of good friends and fellow travelers, and exploring the backroads.

While there may be many adventures to be had in Spain, taking some time to explore the back roads of Spain is a definite must for travelers who are looking for some fun off-the-beaten path adventures.

Portugal Backroad Trip

The fact that Portugal is divided into different regions – Northern Portugal, Central Portugal, Lisboa, Alentejo, Algarve, Islands – means that travelers can choose from a variety of backroad itineraries. The backroads of Portugal can offer travelers a truly authentic experience and here are just a few of the examples – exploring the many wine regions, spending time with local fishermen, preparing innovative cuisine with a local chef, visiting the incredible art museums, and much, much more.

Andalucía Backroad Trip

Traveling the backroads of Andalucía is a definite bucket list trip for travelers. The spirit of Spain can be found in Andalucía, where fiestas, tapas and bull rings abound. The stunning landscape in Andalucía is captivating and dramatic and perfectly supports the vibrant culture found here. Seeing the limestone cliffs up close is a definite must. Traditional Andalucía cuisine includes the best gazpacho, tapas and olive oils made from local olive groves.

Travelers can easily lose time exploring the ancient town and backroads of Andalucía, with many travelers saying that they will be back soon so that they can explore even more of the many backroads that Spain has to offer

Backroad trips in Spain can be taken while walking, bicycling, and/or driving.

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

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Global Entry Do I need it?

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

elite travel group
Seems the buzzword of the day is “Global Entry.” Everybody is talking about this new way of getting through the airport faster, but is it worth it for me to apply?

First, let’s define this buzzword of the day: According to the website, Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports. Global Entry cards are issued to Global entry members who are U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and Mexican nationals.

What does all that mumbo jumbo mean? The whole idea behind this program is to move travelers along a little faster. Its members skip the line and head directly to a kiosk where they put their fingerprints on a scanner for verification, get a receipt and keep going.

As a travel agent who travels often, I figured I would finally apply for Global Entry. First, there’s a whopping 30-page questionnaire, a background check, an appointment that took about three months to get and, finally, an interview.

Now, you should know that they do not approve everyone. For example, if you have ever been convicted of a criminal offense or have charges pending, including outstanding warrants or if you are subject of an investigation of any kind.

If you  just want to apply for Global Entry simply because you want to get into a shorter line at the airport, sign up for the TSA pre-check instead. Global entry is just for ease of customs.

Keep in mind, however, that Global Entry isn’t permanent, so think about if this is what you really need before you cough up the $100 bucks that you need for your application fee. You need to renew your credentials in five years, so if your passport expires sooner than, you are still good you just have to add the new credentials to the new passport.

If you violate the terms of the Global Entry just once, you will never be approved again. Violations include smuggling livestock, smuggling anything really and lying about how much to declare, get it?

On the cover there is a little gold square bar like the chip that is on your credit card. Protect this little gold square bar more than anything when you traveling overseas. Identity theft is definitely an international issue right now.

That’s it, in a nutshell.

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

image source: Copyright: <a href=’htww.123rf.com/profile_toonartist’>toonartist / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

 

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Hot top 3 Europe destination this year, Amsterdam, Paris and Rome

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

elite travel group

Looking to tour Europe this year? Excellent, because there’s so many amazing places to see and things to do. Right now, the hottest tourist destinations are Amsterdam, Paris and Rome.

Amsterdam: Tourists are flocking to the capital of the Netherlands and there’s good reason why: It’s absolutely beautiful. It has numerous canals and bridges, and buildings that are uniquely propped up on wooden poles. The country is filled with rich history, from Anne Frank, whose story of being a Jewish girl who went into hiding to escape the Nazis you can see at the Anne Frank Museum. There’s the Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh, who was born in the Netherlands and known for such paintings as Starry Night. You can tour the Van Gogh Museum and enjoy Museum Night every November. Amsterdam is also the home of the Heineken beer and, of course, the Royal Palace, which is active and can be toured.  Last, but not least, is the government monument, The Vondelpark, named after a Dutch poet, Joost van den Vondel.

Paris, France: You’ll say oui, oui to Paris! Why? If you really need a reason, let’s start with the fact that France is considered one of the most romantic destinations in the world. It’s called “The City of Love” after all. You can toast your love by touring houses of such great champagne producers as Domaine Pommery, where you can tour the Elizabethan-style estate that includes an exhibition of contemporary art. Visit Moët & Chandon, one of the most popular champagnes in the world and take a 45-minute traditional tour followed by a tasting of Moët Impérial, a champagne that was created in 1869.

Nothing goes better with champagne than chocolate and the Salon du Chocolat, a three-day festival held in October at the Porte de Versailles in Paris, is a must-see. Paris is also one party town so enjoy some nightlife at Le Montana, The Buddha Bar, and the La Locomotive. If you aren’t a club hopper and prefer theater to happy hours, visit Moulin Rouge, a troupe of 80 artists and many international acts who perform to music. Of course, there’s the Eiffel Tower, too.

Rome, Italy: A trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without stopping in its capital, Rome. Here you can visit the Colosseum, built around 75 A.D and originally called the Flavian Amphitheater. It served as a venue for bloody gladiator matches. After touring, make sure you sample some gelato, especially at Giolitti, a short walk from the Pantheon, which was founded in 1900.

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

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Longest Direct Flights

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

elite travel group
This coming March, Qantas Airlines is set to launch the third-longest passenger flight in the world, from Perth to London.  The flight will take approximately a whopping 17 hours! According to Qantas, it will be the first regular passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe when it begins.

 “When Qantas created the Kangaroo Route to London in 1947, it took four days and nine stops. Now it will take just 17 hours from Perth non-stop,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce in a statement.

Talk about a game-changer. Years ago, there was no such thing as a direct flight like this or checking in to the airline online or instantaneous mail, but today so many things are possible. 

“This is a game-changing route flown by a game-changing aircraft. Australians have never had a direct link to Europe before, so the opportunities this opens up are huge.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners used on the route will carry 236 passengers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Could you take a flight that’s this long?

Forbes magazine recently did an article on the top five longest flights in the world, ranked by distance:

1. Delhi-San Francisco: This Air India flight took a little longer than 14 hours.

3. Dubai-Auckland: Flying via Emirates, this flight takes a quick 16 hours 35 minutes.

4. Dallas-Sydney: This is a 15 hour flight

5. Singapore-San Francisco: Could you do 16 hours, 20 minutes on this flight?

Back to the Perth to London flight: The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners used on the route will carry 236 passengers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. It will be the longest Boeing Dreamliner flight in the world. Qantas was the first to operate the world’s largest passenger aircraft (A380) on the world’s longest route (Sydney-Dallas) in 2014.

Digital Trends magazine once talked about these long flights and how the connections are awful and spending 16 hours in a confined space with hundreds of other people, takes its own toll on the mind and body. These flights have in-flight entertainment (IFE) and some of flights are adding Wi-Fi. There are amenities like power outlets or smartphone app-based activities. If you’re booked on one of these flights load up on movies and books to pass the time, don’t forget to get up and walk around and make sure you combat jet lag.

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

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Exodus Travel Cycling Through Tuscany

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

elite travel group 1

When most people think about a trip through the Tuscany countryside, they think about a relaxing drive with the windows down, or enjoying the sites with others on a bus tour. However, with Tuscany’s rolling hills and winding roads, one of the best ways to see the area is on a bicycle. It’s a great way to cover more ground, travel at a slower pace and stop along the way to see sites.

The best part about biking through Tuscany is that, depending on what you are interested in doing while you are there, you can create your own agenda. For example, you can bike through Northern Tuscany and get to know the great city of Florence or just focus on Tuscany and park your bike occasionally to enjoy a glass of wine and a nice meal. Then get back on and continue your journey. The choice is yours.

There’s a tour company called Exodus Travel that helps you to put together your Tuscany biking adventure. As they say, when you bike through Tuscay, you “Live “La Dolce Vita” as you cycle to the iconic city of Pisa, the masterpieces of Florence, wineries and so much more. You can cycle to the iconic leaning tower of Pisa to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence and, of course, through the Tuscan countryside. You’ll see da Vinci’s birthplace and sample some of Italy’s finest cuisine. 

In addition, Exodus Travel also has cycling packages for touring other parts of Italy, including Campania and the stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast. On this tour, you can cycle through the Cilento National Park, quaint fishing villages, the Greco-Roman city of Paestum, Positano and of course Amalfi.

If you’re concerned that you are not up to cycling such big distances, don’t worry. There are tours for the more advanced cyclist as well as moderate tours where you aren’t going faster than 10 miles per hour. There is something for everyone and cycling through Italy brings a whole new level of exploration to your trip.

If you are interested in exploring Italy on bicycle, contact us and we will help to put together a trip of a lifetime for you.

Elite Travel Management Group

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