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Exodus Travel Cycling Through Tuscany

by Tammy Levent October 10, 2017

written by Tammy Levent

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

October 10, 2017 0 comment

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5 Cities in Europe to Travel with Kids

by Tammy Levent October 3, 2017

written by Tammy Levent

Finding a vacation destination that keeps both adults and kids entertained is important. Europe is filled with so many cities that are perfect when you are vacationing with the children. Depending on the age of your children, the little ones might like a city’s zoos and parks, while the older ones will enjoy the tours, science centers, parks and museums. Here are five European cities that are a perfect destination for kids.

Copenhagen, Denmark: If you haven’t already, introduce your children to the movie ‘Hans Christian Andersen,’ starring the legendary Danny Kaye before visiting this beautiful city. After they see the flick, they will want to visit the fairytale castles and historic landmarks in person. Denmark is also home to The Blue Planet, the country’s national aquarium and they have a science center, zoo, and children’s museum.

Madrid: Tweens and teens will love the more than 50 museums in Madrid, as well as its nature parks, and amusement parks. There’s the nature park, Faunia Madrid, as well as the train museum, Museo Ferrocarril. Teens will love the architecture at Plaza Mayor and the Museo de Prado which is home to some of the greatest works of art that you will see.

Rome: From the pizza and pasta to the art and architecture, everyone seems to love Rome, including the kids. Kids will love seeing what they are learning about in school, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Reykjavik, Iceland: You can thank Elsa and Anna, characters in the wildly successful Disney movie Frozen, for a spike in the kids’ interest in Iceland. While you are visiting, make sure to take them on a tour to see some of the more than 30,000 puffins on the islands off the coast of Reykjavik. And kids of all ages love Iceland’s most famous Geysir, a hot water spout.

London, England: If your kids are fans of Mary Poppins, Paddington Bear and Harry Potter, then London has to be on your list of places to see. The stories come to life and you can take them on Harry Potter and Paddington Bear tours. There’s also Buckingham Palace, the London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch, the London Zoo, and the Sea Life London that the children will enjoy.

Elite Travel Group

October 3, 2017 0 comment

Ayers Rock, Australia (Uluru) sights and sounds

by Tammy July 22, 2016

written by Tammy

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation that was created over 600 million years ago, and is located in the southern part of the Northern Territory in Australia’s Red Centre.
Ayers Rock, which is located at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, is an iconic landmark in Australia that some travelers just want to climb and stand on top of (it’s heavily encouraged that you do not do this due to the danger involved), while others want to witness the changes in color as the sunsets strike the rock. The Rock is owned by the Anangu aboriginal people. At the Park, you can take a free guided walk and visit the cultural center where you will learn more about this Anangu culture and see Anangu art.

The Aboriginal landowners of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, are Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people who speak their own language. You may see the locals in your travels.

According to the Australia Parks Department, Ayers Rock is higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Chrysler Building in New York. Walking around it can take approximately 3.5 hours, but it can be done.

Even if you just want to get some great photos of Ayers Rock, you should plan on spending at least a day of your Australian trip here. There are other features to see too, which could add to your trip for a few days. Close by the Rock is the Kata Tjuta, formerly called “the Olgas”, and the second major feature of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

In 1950 Ayers Rock, today known as Uluru, was declared a national park. The park has special sunset viewing areas for both the Uluru and the Kata Tjuta.

If you love watching birds, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has been home to 178 species of bird in the park. This has included such rare species as the scarlet-chested parrot and the grey honeyeater. You can also look for many examples of historic Aboriginal rock art around Uluru and you can see it along the Mala Walk and Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole.

Elite Travel Group

For more amazing facts about the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the Aboriginals, visit http://www.parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/people-place/amazing-facts.html

July 22, 2016 0 comment

Craft Beer Tours

by Tammy Levent July 8, 2016

written by Tammy Levent

Beer lovers, take notice. There are an endless amount of Craft Beer Tours that you can take for your next vacation. Here is just a sample of where you can enjoy a day of sightseeing and beer tasting.

Durham, North Carolina. Beltline Brew Tours has various tours throughout North Carolina. The one in Durham starts with Bull City Burger and Brewery, then Ponysaurus Brewing Company, and then the unique highlight; Fullsteam Brewery, known for their unusual variety of flavors, including brews made with sweet potatoes, rhubarb, and hickory-smoked malt. Better still, dogs are welcomed and encouraged to visit the brewery. The tour ends back with more sampling at Bull City.

Cooperstown, New York. When you hear about “Cooperstown”, the first thing you probably think is baseball. But the town has much more to offer than that. For example, Ommegang Brewery has tours that go through six different local breweries, where you can see demonstrations, tour specialty shops, and of course, taste some beer. Ommegang also hosts many concerts throughout the summer, and they have a special, limited-edition ‘Game of Thrones’ inspired beer line.

Hood River, Oregon. Oregon has a plethora of different breweries to check out. If you’re looking for one with a tour that’s free, allows children with a parent or guardian, and is shorter than most other tours (about 30 minutes), than Full Sail Brewery is the tour for you. From the pub, you can view Mount Hood and the Columbian River Gorge, filled with sailboarders and kiteboarders. Nothing can beat a beer with a view.

Pottsville, Pennsylvania. If you’re looking for a tour with some history behind it, than look no further than the small-town feel that D.G. Yuengling & Sons Brewery provides. It started in 1831, and is the oldest working brewery in America. On the tour, you can learn how the brewery survived the Prohibition and look at the fermentation caves originally used to keep the beer cool. It’s a great look back in time.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Do you want to make a day trip out of your tour? Then come on down to Dogfish Head’s Brewings and Eats. Founded by Sam Calagione of Brew Masters, the location hosts two different types of tours, one of them free. Once you’ve finished your tour, you can check out some of the musicians above the pub, get some food, or see the sights at Rehoboth Beach. There’s enough to do there to more than satisfy your day trip needs.

EliteTravelGroup

July 8, 2016 0 comment

Travel Scams

by Tammy Levent April 20, 2016

written by Tammy Levent

Traveling is exciting, but unfortunately travelers are also prey for scammers who will do what they can to cause a distraction and take your money and belongings. There are so many travel scams it’s hard to keep track of them all, but here are a few common ones and some tips on how to prevent yourself from becoming the next victim:

You’ve won a trip! Before you have even gone anywhere, you’re already being scammed by online sites that claim you won an all-expenses paid trip to Belize. The problem? They want your credit card and driver’s license information to hold your prize. Then you find out that before you can get the information there are fees you need to pay.

Tip: First, do not give out any personal information. Ask questions! Consumer Fraud Reporting says to find out exactly what the prize does and does not cover and contact these businesses to verify. If the person on the phone cannot give out information, it’s probably too good to be true.

Fake phone call: You checked in and you’re all snug in your hotel bed when the phone rings. It’s the front desk telling you that there’s a problem with your credit card. You stumble out of bed and read your number again, then return to slumber. The problem? It wasn’t the front desk calling and you’ve just given your credit card information to a scammer.

Tip: If you get a call like this, tell them you’ll bring it down to the front desk (you can also call the front desk to verify). Most likely, if it’s a scam, the caller will hang up.

Skimmed. Forget about criminals watching you at the ATM to get your pin number. It’s gotten much easier now with “skimmers” that capture your data when they get close to you. A New York Times article reported a sixfold increase in the number of machines in the United States compromised by criminals in 2015, compared with 2014.

Tip: Take a good look at the ATM machine before you put your card in. If anything seems out of place, don’t use it.

Distraction: You’re taking pictures on your trip when little kids come up to you and wave papers in your face or someone bumps into you and spills something and holds your arm while they clean it up. Scammers will do what it takes to distract you so they can take your belongings and your money.

Tip: Be alert at all times. When you’re traveling, this is the best tip to avoid any scam that might happen to you.

EliteTravelGroup

April 20, 2016 0 comment

What Happens to Your Body While You Fly

by Tammy Levent February 23, 2016

written by Tammy Levent

Though not every form of transport is completely safe, flying at high altitudes and speeds inside a sealed space spanning multiple time zones could cause a number of issues that make the journey somewhat inconvenient. Let’s take a look at some of the major issues the body really goes through when you are flying.

Dehydration

The human body is most comfortable when the air supply comprises a minimum of 40 percent humidity. Within an airplane, the humidity level drops down to 20 percent. This may lead to serious dehydration issues. This dehydration can also lead to a dry or sore nose as well as throat issues and dry eyes. People wearing contact lenses may face serious problems from the lack of moisture making infections possible so it’s best to wear glasses, especially during long flights.

Hypoxia

Though the cabin is pressurized, it’s still not normal enough to ensure rich oxygen supply to the blood. The lack of sufficient oxygen in blood is called hypoxia. As a result, some people can become dizzy or feel faint.

Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is a large problem faced by more travelers than you might expect. Limited legroom, long durations of immobility and the feeling of being trapped can be terribly uncomfortable to passengers prone to claustrophobia.

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis or DVT occurs when blood in the lower portion of the leg moves sluggishly and ultimately clots, leading to swelling and pain (short term effect). Prolonged clots may even lead to death, if the clots extend to the lungs or heart- although on a flight with no previous medical conditions this is highly unlikely..

Asthma Attacks

As the aircraft elevates, decompression could cause the lungs’ gaseous matter to expand that escapes naturally. However, in a few cases passengers may experience asthma like symptoms. Those passengers who have been diagnosed with asthma could have an attack and should bring their inhaler with them.

Ear and Stomach Pain

When the plane descends, air contracts inside the ear cavity, forming a marginal vacuum. However, if it finds an escape impossible due to the blocked Eustachian tubes – for instance, due to cold – the ear drum becomes painful. Intestine or stomach gas also expands as the flight ascends causing some people to endure abdominal cramps.

While some people experience these types of issues, most people have no trouble flying. And, flying still remains the preferred way to travel between long distances.

Now, we want to hear from you! Have you experienced one or more of these issues while flying? Tell us about it in the comments below.

EliteTravelGroup

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February 23, 2016 0 comment

Why are you Still Booking Online?

by Tammy Levent October 27, 2015

written by Tammy Levent

There is something that is bothering me a lot these days and it’s the fact that people are still booking online. Why does it bother me? Because I can’t stand watching these online travel sites take advantage of consumers and continue to swindle them with things like hidden fees, unexpected changes to rooms and flights and horrible customer service. In the last few months it seems like complaints have exploded more than ever on sites like the Better Business Bureau, Pissed Consumer, Trip Advisor and more about Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline and other online travel sites.

Did you know that reputable travel agencies like Elite Travel don’t charge any fees to work with them, but online travel sites do? It’s true! Look at the fine print and you will see processing fees on top of your taxed amount!

The online travel sites do NOT always offer the lowest prices available either. When you book with Elite you will not only get the lowest price, but if you find a cheaper price available to the public we will match it! You may think these sites are competing for your business and offering you lower pricing, but you may not always get what you think you purchased as is stated in your terms and conditions. By the way, a little fun fact- did you know that Travelocity and Expedia are now one company? Oh, and Expedia also owns Hotels.com and several other online booking sites. They are planning a merger with Orbitz too! Where’s the real competitive pricing when they are all under one corporate umbrella?

When you call a big company like this with a complaint, what happens? You are usually stuck listening to a robot and it will take a while to get to a real human. If you want a customer service rep that speaks English you’ll be waiting even longer. Some people get so frustrated they eat the charges whereas others take it to the Better Business Bureau in hopes of a resolution that could take months or years. When you book with Elite you can connect directly with an English speaking human that will fight on your behalf in the event anything goes wrong.

So, again- all of this leaves me wondering, why are people still booking online?

EliteTravelGroup

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October 27, 2015 0 comment

Breast Cancer Retreats

by Tammy Levent September 29, 2015

written by Tammy Levent

As most of you know October is next month and it also happens to be breast cancer awareness month. What you may not know is that our very own CEO, Tammy Levent is going through her own breast cancer story right now. Earlier this year she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, had surgery to remove it and is now using alternative treatments to keep the cancer at bay. What you also may not know is that this bout with cancer inspired her to create a breast cancer retreat for survivors to come together and continue healing. You may be wondering why you should consider a breast cancer retreat so we thought we would break down what a breast cancer retreat is and the benefits of attending one.

Essentially, a breast cancer retreat is a several day or a week-long getaway for breast cancer patients and survivors at a fun destination geared towards mental and physical health and wellness. Going on a retreat is a great way to take a mental break from our health struggles. It’s about having something positive that has nothing to do with doctor’s appointments or medical tests or anything related to our current medical state. Studies have shown that when we are in a good mental place it’s easier for our bodies to recover from anything that is physically wrong with us.

It’s about getting together with people that are suffering the same things you are going through – Sometimes just knowing that you are surrounded by people that are dealing with what you are dealing with is comforting. Just knowing you’re not alone is empowering. What better way then to form new bonds of sisterhood than to relax and unwind with your fellow survivors?

It’s about recovery – Maybe you are still going through chemotherapy, maybe you’re in remission, maybe you have just been diagnosed – regardless of what chapter of your story you are on you deserve a week of wellness. Healthy meals that are tasty and good for your body, massages to make you feel some relief and fresh air to breathe in the positivity and let go of the negative.

It’s about celebration – Let’s celebrate whether we’re already in recovery and if we’re still on the path TO recovery!

Finally, it’s about awareness – What better way to keep spreading the word about the importance of mammograms and early testing than by showing off our images from a fun vacation?

Stay tuned for more details on Elite Travel’s upcoming breast cancer retreat. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for this special getaway please contact us today!

EliteTravelGroup

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September 29, 2015 0 comment

Sardinia, Italy – a Great Vacation All Around

by Tammy Levent August 25, 2015

written by Tammy Levent

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.

EliteTravelGroup

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August 25, 2015 0 comment

Travel Destinations with No Passport Required

by Tammy Levent August 10, 2015

written by Tammy Levent

A common question in the travel industry is “do I need a passport to travel there?” Believe it or not there are several destination where the answer is no, you do not need a passport. The number of destinations might surprise you. Let’s take a look at a few of the places where you do not need a passport to travel.*

– American Samoa – this area is actually an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean and consists of five main islands as well as two coral atolls.

– Guam – located in the Western Pacific in Micronesia, Guam is a U.S. island territory

– The Northern Mariana Islands

– Puerto Rico mainland and surrounding Puerto Rican islands

– The US Virgin Islands – These consist of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas, the much smaller Water Island and several minor islands.

On another note, if you are going to need a passport make sure that it has six months or more before it will expire from the date of your departure from your destination. Many countries will not allow you to come home to the United States if your passport expires within that time frame. Want to know more? Read our post about United States passport laws here.

Also, if you have gotten married since the last time you traveled make sure you change your name on your passport. Read what happened to one of our strategic partners who forgot to change her name on her passport!

EliteTravelGroup

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*Note: This blog post is based on United States citizens only. Elite Travel can not speak for the passport laws of other countries or individuals from other countries.

So, what did you think? Are you surprised by the number of places that you can travel to without a passport? Leave a comment below!

August 10, 2015 0 comment

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