Travel Dynamics Group Blog

Gail and I just returned from a week in France; half the time being spent in Carcassonne the other half in my favorite of all cities, Paris.

Throughout this trip I was surprised, again, at how friendly and warm the people were; especially considering that we were Americans, speaking very little broken French at best.  Everywhere we went, whether it be the cafes, asking for directions on the street or for help in the train stations, the French people generally speaking, could not have been any more helpful.  They were nice, happy, funny, silly and even flirty at times.

I have decided that the generalization that the French don’t like Americans is just that, a generalization.

I don’t know what they think of us politically, and frankly I don’t care. I am not a politician. I can’t say what they think of us generally, though I can speculate. Again I don’t care. I am one person, singular, I’m not a country nor do I wish to represent one, though I did my best to dispel the “Ugly American” stigma.  I am a tourist, someone who loves to travel and experience other countries, cultures & cuisines. I travel with a camera hanging from my neck at all times except meal times, in which case the camera is waiting at my side. I like to meet new people and learn what I can of new languages and histories. I’m a traveler with an open mind who likes to experience things for myself. 

A bit of effort and a warm smile goes a long way in any language and the people who could speak English were perfectly happy to. They didn’t hold a grudge that they were speaking my language and I wasn’t speaking theirs. I knew I wasn’t pronouncing their words correctly but I tried not to care. I had a few well rehearsed French sentences prepared to display my good intentions. As much as I would like to fluently speak the languages of different countries, it’s not possible, so I do what I can.

 

March 9 Arrival

Travelled from San Diego to Salt Lake City on Jet Blue to meet my dad for a ski adventure. My parents live in Boston, so it’s great to meet in the middle and spend some time together. The flight arrived on-time and I found my father without any trouble. I decided not to bring my skis with me but instead to demo a new pair for the trip. I love not having to wait for "Oversized Luggage"!

Thankfully, Dad rented a giant SUV (essential for accommodating luggage/equipment and navigating snowy roads) and we are off to Park City!

Location is Key!

After a 45 minute drive, we arrive at our hotel, Park City Peaks Hotel (formerly the Radisson) and are   greeted by a friendly staff in the cozy reception area. This is our second time staying in this hotel. It’s not terribly fancy but it fits our needs perfectly–clean, comfortable rooms, pool, jacuzzi, and restaurant. Most importantly, it is located within 2 minutes of 3 terrific ski resorts (Park City, Deer Valley, and the Canyons) and about the same distance from Historic Main Street.

A note: I’ve been skiing in Utah 5 or 6 times and have stayed in several different areas. On my first trip, my family stayed at the Park City Resort right on the mountain. It was fantastic being able to ski right to our condo at the end of the day. I would recommend staying at a resort such as Park City of you have small children. However, if you don’t want to be tied to one resort (or pay the premium rates that accompany the convenient location) I would recommend the following option: Stay in the town of Park City (at a place like Park City Peaks) and you will have the freedom to drive to all 3 of the mountains in Park City (Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons, and Deer Valley). In addition, you can easily make the 45 minute drive to Big Cottonwood Canyon (Where Solitude & Brighton are located) and Little Cottonwood Canyon (Where Snowbird & Alta are located).

Not recommended: staying in Salt Lake City and driving to different resorts every night–there is very little to do in SLC at night.

March 10, 2008 Park City           

Dad and I wake up and go downstairs to enjoy the complimentary hot buffet that the hotel offers. Very tasty and convenient.

We gear up and drive to Jan’s to rent skis. The helpful staff quickly hooks me up with a sweet pair of Rossignols and poles and we are off to hit the slopes.

Parking at Park City is quick and easy. We buy tickets and are on a high-speed lift in no time.

And then I remember why we came all this way. The day is perfect–40 degrees at the base (30 at the top), sunny, with nice snow. The trees glisten with melting ice. We choose an intermediate level trail for our first run–I haven’t skied in over a year and I’ve never been on these skis–and it’s glorious. The snow feels like silk beneath my skis and the sun feels fantastic. We decide that "go big or go home" will be our motto for the trip. We jump on some black diamonds, Read the rest of this entry »

Is Cabo worth the cost?
I hadn’t had much desire to go to Cabo, one, because it’s overpriced considering what little it has to offer for me; two because there isn’t a wide diversion of things to do there unless you’re a serious golfer, sports fisherman or after a world class spa vacation (if that’s your thing, it’s Palmilla). There is the desert, constant sunshine & beaches of course but with the majority of beaches unsafe to swim, the sun & sand didn’t seem a sole reason to go, especially when you consider the price tag.

The Corridor
The "Cabo corridor" runs along 25 miles of desert coastline between the charming old town of San Jose Del Cabo, (closest to the airport) and Cabo San Lucas, where you’ll find the marina, nightclubs & modern new shopping mall. Cabo was possibly first made famous by hard rocker Sammy Hagar’s nightclub, Cabo Wabo. Since then it has become a playground for those who seek championship golf and world class spas, not an unintentional plan by the government. If you’re a night club enthusiast (a big draw for Cabo) you may want to stay close to Cabo San Lucas, the cab fare here will run about double what you would expect to pay in major US cities. If you stay further east down the corridor be sure to check that your hotel offers complimentary shuttles into town, as many do have pre-scheduled transfers with the last return usually no later than 11pm.

Hotel site inspections - anyone can find the stats & location on each hotel, here’s what stood out to be remembered after a quick tour.

Palmilla - hands down, my favorite. Tropical oasis, beachfront & all oceanview, lush gardens, secluded & exclusive, dream weddings & honeymoons. Stunning oversized rooms with amazing balconies & beautiful day beds, luxuriously appointed, seperate areas for families and couples seeking childless experiences. Last but far from least what will be remembered is the SPA. A wide variety of unique and new spa rituals are offered Read the rest of this entry »

Cruise In Luxury Experience Luxury The Only Ultra-Luxury Cruise Ship In Alaska This Summer: Silversea’s Silver Shadow will be offering land packages that enable you to see not only Denali National Park and the Canadian Rockies while providing luxurious amenities in Alaska, the Land of the Midnight Sun. Ultra Luxury Reinvented: Silversea Cruises, one of the world’s premier cruise lines, has ordered a fifth luxury ship (540 person occupancy) that is set to debut in late 2009.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Voted the "#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line" by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards poll. The 2008 and 2009 worldwide itineraries will offer shoreside explorations and a wide variety of modes of transportation including rail, kayak, catamaran, jet boat, mountain bike, helicopter, and even hot-air balloon rides. Catch some waves in Maui while learning to ride the pipe on a surfboard, travel by canoe across Helsinki’s placid sounds, deep-sea raft near the Arctic Circle, or enjoy a drink at Honningsvåg’s famous Ice Bar. Vacationers can opt for an escorted tour through historic Berlin via Rolls-Royce or rev a Harley-Davidson around sunny St. Maarten. You can also take a more rustic approach and explore the vivid wildlife of the African landscape atop the backs of elephants on safari, participate in evening game drives, take bush walks, and bird watching. Travel lightening speed from Tokyo to Osaka aboard Japan’s Shinkanse (bullet train). For a more leisurely voyage, opt for a 19th century Victorian railway ride though Kent, England or take the famous Viceroy railway across scenic Sri Lanka. Airborne adventurers can drift 1,000 feet over historic Stockholm or soar above Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve in hot-air balloons. Helicopters provide travelers with breathtaking views of Central American waterfalls and rainforests, as well as Italy’s stunning Amalfi coast.

Featured Destinations Hot Spots 2008: Dubai & India Dubai’s world-renowned mix of cosmopolitan culture and warm desert atmosphere have made it a one-of-a-kind destination where visitors can place bets at the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, or watch a camel race after debarking in Dubai’s architecturally astounding port. More adventurous types can take an overnight safari and sleep in a Bedouin tent. Unveil the mystery of the Near East during a cruise to India aboard a Seabourn yacht, where ports of call provide an up close look at fabled cities such as Casablanca, Morrocco; Carthage, Tunisia; Hanoi, Vietnam; the Arabian Sea; Djibouti, Djibouti; Goa, India; and La Digue, Seychelles.

A New Experience
More and more cruise ships are expanding the onboard experience with offerings such as yoga classes, private training sessions and boxing rings. The focus on well-being and health continues as many cruise ships now offer onboard spa resorts for the ultimate in relaxation and decadence.

A “Royal” Debut
The news in cruising does not stop there. The largest ship to be positioned in Europe will debut this May in the United Kingdom. Her name is Independence of the Seas from Royal Caribbean and her deck will feature a new state of the art H2O Zone® waterpark complete with sculpture fountains, ground geysers and a cascading waterfall. The ship also boasts full size sports courts and each stateroom comes with a full size flat screen television.

Hot Destinations For 2008
Destinations on the rise for 2008 include Asian ports such as Singapore
Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam and Hong Kong. These highly accessible cities are burgeoning centers for entertainment and awe-inspiring beauty. Royal Caribbean chose the grand city of Singapore to unveil the Rhapsody of the Seas last year and Princess has chosen to keep their new Diamond Princess in nearby ports in Asia. Princess also features an extraordinary 3-day land tour from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City that includes a flight to Cambodia where one can visit the world heritage site of Angkor Wat.

Antarctica
Another destination that is exploding in popularity is scenic Antarctica. A cruise to Antarctica will leave you breathless with spectacular views of snow-covered glaciers, floating icebergs and perhaps a glimpse of the elusive emperor penguin.

Eastern Mediterranean
On a warmer note, cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean provide a stop in Croatia’s Dubrovnik where cruisers can see some of the most beautiful beaches in the world - not tourist-packed like many Caribbean destinations. Heading southwest, cruisers can delight in a 12-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing from Barcelona on luxury cruise line Azamara who this month announced a variety of new itineraries for the year. Those in need of a serious vacation should be on the look-out for Azamara’s world cruise that will be unveiled in 2010.

New: “The Lawn Club”
In other cruise news, one of the most unique and innovative onboard experiences is sure to tickle your toes. Celebrity’s Solstice ship will introduce “The Lawn Club,” a country club with real growing grass 13 stories above the sea! The over half acre of luscious green grass plays host to a hot glass blowing studio and the relaxing “Sunset Bar” that offers breathtaking views.

Singles Cruises
If you want to travel solo, yet not feel alone while on a cruise, a singles cruise could be your best bet. Singles cruises are a great way to meet fellow travelers through private meet and greet events, cocktail gatherings and themed parties aboard the cruise ship. Check out Crystal Cruise Lines’ singles packages for the cruise adventure of a lifetime. Book Singles Cruises

Luxury Cruises
For those looking for an all-inclusive luxury cruise, Regents Seven Seas has some truly one-of-kind cruises with shore excursions such as a three-night exploration in Patagonia, hot air ballooning over the Egyptian pyramids, private Regatta sailing in Melbourne or an exclusive luncheon at l’Hotel de Paris. Aside from unique shore excursions, Regents Seven Seas offers luxury and pampering like no other cruise line. Book Luxury Travel

Online Booking
Online travel purchasing has never been easier, especially since over half of all travel was booked online in 2007. www.traveldynamicscruises.com

Whether it is Singapore, Galapagos or Croatia that you decide to sail to this year, we wish you the best adventure. Check back with us for more hot tips and great deals for 2008. For help planning your cruise of a lifetime, speak to a Travel Dynamics Cruise Specialist (1-877-551-4646) for expert cruise advice and service. You can also visit us online at: www.traveldynamicscruises.com