Arenal Volcano

Dreaming about Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity and rich nature activities?

• Looking for a compact-sized country offering beaches for relaxing or surfing, and mountains/volcanoes for exploring?
• Would you like to mingle with nature in a cloud forest, or a rainforest?
• Want to raft, zip-line or do a tree-top canopy walk?

You can experience all of this and more in Cost Rica, a country the size of West Virginia.  This post features pictures from actual travel guests; they have enjoyed their own unique custom planned itineraries to Cost Rica.  They experienced the natural wonders Costa Rica on their own terms with just as much action or relaxation as desired.  Hotels range from small boutique hotels in the Cloud Forest of Monteverde to large US based chains in San Jose.

See more Costa Rica guest pictures

Hanging Bridges Costa Rica

Problem, Costa Rica does not have super highways like the US.  Not sure how to get around Costa Rica’s different regions, or how many regions you can explore within your time in Costa Rica?  You just need a custom crafted itinerary.

Getting to the different regions takes advance planning. Let’s start with flights. Most flights from the US will go into the Capital, San Jose (airport code SJO), in the center of the country with some flights going into Liberia (airport code LIR) in the Northwest.  If you’re wondering which airport to go to, here’s the inside information.

San Jose has the most flights and is a great starting/stopping point to tour multiple regions of Costa Rica. If you want to have a single home-base at an All-Inclusive resort or North American style hotel near the beach, then Liberia in Guanacaste Province is the right call. From Liberia airport you can transfer to most hotels in under an hour and have the option for day trips for rafting, volcanoes, zip-lines, etc. directly from your resort or hotel.

Three ways to get around:

1. With a pre-planned multi-region tour, you may be met at airport by local representative/ground operator.  Shared shuttles are economical way to get around the different regions of Costa Rica; shuttles leave 1-2 times per day (not including more frequent airport shuttles).
2. Private transfers are also available for the convenience of 2-4 people. Private transfers are especially good if arriving in-country in the afternoon when scheduled shared transfers are not available.
3. Rental cars are available but use a GPS. Note: roads may not be paved or clearly marked and renting a car to tour Cost Rica is not recommended.

Things to do and facts (just a taste, we’ll explore in more depth in a future issue):

• Rafting and canopy tours from SJO, Arenal, Guanacaste, Jaco, and Quepos
• Whale watching from Dominical Area and Manuel Antonio
• Zip Lining
• Thermal Springs
• May to November is green or rainy season which may be dry in the morning and rainy in afternoon
• December to April is the dry season

1) Supplier insurance will generally cover 100% of trip interruption while most  third party travel insurance (type we will generally quote) will provide 150%.  What is “trip interruption” anyway?  Answer, having to leave a tour or cruise half-way through an itinerary and getting forced to buy airline tickets with no advance notice along with potential hotel  nights and incidental costs.  (Remember one of your key benefits of working with us  is to understand the entire cost of the trip.)   Third party trip insurers provide up to 150% of the value of the trip for trip interruption coverage.

2) Bankruptcy protection – protect the value of your trip if your tour/cruise supplier goes bankrupt…NEED to get this from third party travel insurance.  If the supplier goes out of business, who are you going to call?

3) Cancel for any reason coverage included? (If so you may be overpaying especially if provided by a tour operator!)  Think about it, if not for covered medical, work, etc. reasons, would you suddenly cancel your trip?  Think about it!  Although cancel for any reason coverage is increasing in popularity, oftentimes it adds a lot of expense especially from escorted tour operators.

4) If you cancel your trip for a covered reason, will you get your money back or a future travel voucher?  With a tour operator or cruise line , you may get money back or a future travel voucher depending on your plan.  Questions: would you rather have a voucher or the money?

PLEASE ask if these coverages are included when evaluating your travel insurance.

1. Hurricane Warning Coverage for Trip Cancellation or Interruption
2. Medical Evacuation Home or to Hospital of Choice (YOUR choice)
3. Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation -  Due to formal recommendation from the appropriate local authorities, or the U.S. State Department, to leave a country
4. Baggage Delay-12 hour waiting period vs. 24 hour waiting period
5. Coverage for Mental and Nervous Condition which requires hospitalization
6. Pre-Existing Conditions waived – policy purchased within 21 days of initial deposit, all trip costs subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions covered as long as customer is not disabled from travel at the time premium paid. Look back period is only 60 days.
7. Coverage for Common Carrier delays resulting from mechanical breakdown, weather, and strike (12 hours min)
8. Coverage for Airline Cancellation Fees when a travel supplier cancels your arrangements.
9. Coverage for Frequent Flyer Rebanking Fees – up to $150 for the cost of airline-imposed fees to rebank frequent flyer miles.

Please Review Description of Coverage for all Terms and Details.  PLUS,  call or email with your questions.

Let’s get to the ten answers about the medical coverage component in travel insurance.  (Note: please review your travel insurance quote/policy carefully to understand which coverages are included).

Medical coverage is actually a family of coverages:

1) Medical assistance to provide help, advice and referrals for medical emergencies.
2) Medical consultation and  monitoring contacts your treating physician to monitor your condition to assure you are receiving appropriate care and assess the need for further assistance.
3) Medical evacuation  when medically necessary, arrange and pay for appropriate transportation, including an escort, if required, to a suitable hospital, treatment facility or home.
4) Emergency medical payments assist the traveler in the advancement of funds or guarantee payments (up to the policy limit) to a hospital or other medical provider, if required, to secure their admission, treatment or discharge.
5) Prescription assistance to assist the traveler with replacing medications that are lost, stolen or spoiled during their Covered Trip, either locally or by special courier.
6) Dependent transportation & family visits for when a minor (age 18 or younger) is left unattended on a covered trip due
to hospitalization or death of the accompanying adult, arranges for their return home, including escort expenses.
7) Repatriation of remains in the event of death while on a Covered Trip, arrange for the preparation and transportation required to return the travelers remains to their home.
8 ) 24 hour nurse help line provide the traveler with clinical assessment, education and general health information. This
service shall be performed by a registered Nurse counselor
9) Medical coverage from the time you leave your house until your return.  Please understand that not all policies include door to door medical coverage.
10) Coverage for continuing medical needs after you return home (for a medical issue sustained during the trip).

Please note these are merely examples of medical coverage which may or may not be included in your specific policy.  Please consult with your travel planner or insurance company.  Ask if your travel planner/agent is licensed to sell travel insurance.

My doctor, quite the photographer, left his camera in a cab  while on a trip in the Baltics and could not recover it.  Travel insurance reimbursed him for his loss.  More recently,  a husband and wife were packed and ready to leave for a ten day Birthday cruise leaving on the wife’s birthday; she woke up around 5am with a bloody nose that would not stop bleeding.  She had to cancel the trip and called me at 9:15 on a Sunday morning.  I immediately started the travel insurance claims process and the couple  were reimbursed in record time for the full amount of the money they lost from the cruise line.  These are just two of many stories of my travel guests’ using their travel insurance benefits.

Ten Questions to ask:

1) What does the travel insurance/trip protection cover?

2) Is your trip subject to cancellation fees?  Will the fees reach 100% of the trip value? and when?

2) Is your trip your deposit is refundable? (If not, I have some suggestions for you.)

3) Do you have medical insurance if traveling outside of the country?

4) Does your credit card provide  travel insurance for trip cancellation? Read that fine print very carefully…chance are incredibly high that the credit card  does not cover trip cancellation.

5) How much will it cost to get back to the US on an emergency basis? And where will you go? The closest hospital to the US border? A hospital of your choosing near your home?

6) What does it take to be admitted to a hospital in another country?  Do you need cash? credit card?

7) Is your local/primary physician contacted if need be?

8 ) Will your prescription medications be replaced if lost or stolen?

9) Will the travel insurance cover continuing medical needs after you return (for a medical issue sustained during the trip)?

10) Is cancel for work reasons coverage included in the travel insurance?

While the industry standard may consist of immediately throwing quotes around, we work with you to survey and identify your unique vacation needs and  past “travel personality.”  Why? Your preferences are important to assist in planning a memorable vacation experience.  You will feel secure knowing we understand the purpose of your trip and the memories you want to bring home to replay again and again.

Why do you call yourself a Travel Advisor or Travel Concierge?

The Concierge concept applies understanding what you’d like to see and experience, and in what style.   We match these factors with your budget, schedule, and our knowledge and connections.  Concierge service helps you plan and experience the right vacation with attention to detail by offering to arrange comprehensive trip elements like air, transfers, sightseeing, insurance, restaurant recommendations, etc.  (As opposed to a  “Travel Agent” which implies “order taker” and certainly not a passionate provider of advice, care, and support!)

How do you support your clients?

• We ARE with you before, during and after your trip if need be.  We work with you as your advocate to support your unique needs for your trip.
• We will help you process insurance claims and assist you with vendor issues as we are YOUR advocate.
• We use our inside knowledge and connections to bring you extra amenities and services when available.
• We seek a long-term relationship with you and WILL stick with you throughout the travel planning process.

(“Long-Term” implies that the advice we give is in your best interest and NOT guided by the latest vendor promotions!)

Why not just use an online booking engine?

Ready to self-book online?  Daydream Excursions has questions for you:

• Did you find the right resort, cruise line/ship, or tour company? The right accommodations?  Are you sure?
• Whom will you contact for the inevitable questions that will arise?  Who cares about you and your trip?
• How much will the trip cost, really cost, in TOTAL? Daydream Excursions focuses on your total cost to come home!
• What will you do in your destination(s)?  Can you get in the “must-see” sites/experiences without long lines?
• Will you have to pay for the whole trip upfront or just do a deposit?

With online booking engines, expect to submit 100% of the cost right then and there.  If you have any issues with changes and/or cancellations, what would you do?  We may be able to offer options for a custom installment plan to meet YOUR needs and budget.  In addition, should you need to change or cancel your plans, we are in YOUR corner to advise you on all ramifications.

Just Book your trip directly on a supplier website?

In general, expect our prices to be the SAME (Really!) or sometimes even BETTER (SURPRISE!) or we may offer extra amenities in many instances.  And is booking your cruise, resort, etc, the whole thing?  More importantly, a specific cruise or resort supplier’s website will simply NOT offer options from different suppliers that may be better suited for you and/or a better value. You simply cannot evaluate multiple trip options once you are on a specific supplier’s website.

Which cruise line, resort or tour company is the best for your trip?  WE will find the answer by working together and discovering the best trip for your needs and budget.

Do you charge for your services?

Each situation is different and upfront planning fees are sometimes charged.  (You will be happy!)  Further, you will not get surprise fees at time of booking.   We provide comprehensive quotes with taxes and things you may not have thought of like transfers.  I despise hidden charges just like you!

Do you have industry certifications?

• ARC Verified Travel Consultant (VTC)…what does this mean to you?  You are dealing with a thoroughly vetted professional travel planner not a hobbyist.
• CLIA Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) Accreditation and multiple cruise line certifications
• Licensed to sell travel insurance – How many travel agents or online websites have this…ASK!  I was fingerprinted and had to pass a criminal background check!
• All-Inclusive Advisor training for El Dorado and Azul Resorts, Real, Palace along with Secrets and Dreams Resorts
• Escorted Tour training from Globus/Cosmos, Trafalgar, and Insight
• River cruise training from Avalon Waterways and Uniworld.

CALL or email today to discuss your next dream trip!

This week, I have a list of questions for you.

Why and There?

1. Where have you always wanted to go? and why?
2. Where have you traveled in the past?  What did you like most and least?
3. What do you enjoy most about traveling?
4. What are your hobbies?
5. Have you done any research into your dream trip?
6. First time to the destination?  (For Italy, Rome, Florence and Venice are great for your first time.  While in China, Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai are great for your first time there.)

Activity

1. How active do you want to be?
2. Do you prefer a fast pace with many things to do and see or a slower place to allow for more relaxation/spa time?
3. What are the top three experiences you want guaranteed on your trip?
4. Want to take in museums and highlights? Want to take your time with the culture and people of the destination(s)?
5. Do you want private tours?  “Skip-the-line” tours? Reserved seats at shows?

Groups large and small or not?

1. Do you enjoy the camaraderie and shared experience of a group?
2. Do you look for time to explore on your own?
3. Want to travel in what size group? or privately with how many people?
4. Do you want to dine with a group at highlight restaurants or wander around and make your own culinary discoveries? (NOTE: It is not necessary to choose.)

Seasonality

1. When would you like to travel? Food for thought – October/November is a great time for China as sites are much less crowded but a very bad time for a Southern Africa Safari as October and November are among the hottest months of the year and Victoria Falls has much less water.
2. Want to experience Alaska?  Peak travel months are July and August but there are advantages to visiting at other times during the brief tourist season of May to September.
3. Want to go to Europe?  How about a Christmas markets tour in December?  Can you travel in March?  While you’ll need a jacket, the airfares are better and you won’t be there with the maximum crowds of peak tourist season

Please contact me today to discuss your answers.

River Cruises Budapest

Many people choose to visit Europe on a cruise for their first time but comment they don’t have enough time to see all of the sites.  While people on panoramic land tours have lots of sightseeing but travel time and multiple packing and unpacking may dampen the vacation “feel” of their trip.  What a dilemma!  River Cruises make it easy to really take in the sites of Europe in comfort and with more time to explore.

River Cruises are an ideal way to take in the sites:

• Quintessential European destinations, like Budapest, Vienna, and Lyon are located right on the great rivers of Europe.
• Sail historic waterways to experience an up close view of ever changing scenery, like castles, small villages, steep gorges, and vineyards as you sail by in your own quaint floating hotel.
• River cruises often dock right in the heart of town close to charming squares, magnificent cathedrals, and bustling market places.

River cruises provide unmatched comfort to experience multiple cities without the stress.

• Unpack once with the comfort of knowing where you’ll spend each night with a familiar venue for dinner and plenty of time to explore ashore.
• Intimate ships (most average well below 200 guests)
• All cabins have a window at minimum. Virtually any ship in any line in Europe has three decks.  The two higher decks will have French balconies (you lean on the rail from inside the cabin) and some ships have “ocean ship” style balconies.  The bottom deck is partially underwater with windows.

River Cruises give you more time to explore:

• You’ll spend less time getting to the sites you want to explore and more time being there!  (Did you know that river cruises are the fastest growing segment in the travel industry?)
• Enjoy breathtaking, constantly changing scenery with no “sea days” or “tendering” into port
• Enjoy dinner ashore along with free time to explore after sundown on many itineraries
• Many itineraries offer a first or last night aboard in ports like Amsterdam or Budapest to allow time for sightseeing in your “docked” hotel room.

River cruises have a higher upfront cost than ocean cruises but offer a far more inclusive experience.  At Daydream Excursions we focus on the “cost to come home!”  River cruises include many land tours along with beer and wine at dinner and perhaps lunch.  When you add the price for an ocean cruise plus your shore excursions, tours, optional meals and drinks, the river cruise may be an intriguing option to literally cover much more ground at a very comfortable pace with lots of inclusions.

Questions?  We’ve got answers – just an email or phone call away!

Map of Italian "Mare Nostrum" (Italian Mediterranean),... Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Welcome to part 2 of  our cruise versus tour throw-down.  This week we’ll take a more in depth look at touring  Mediterranean countries as opposed to cruising.  Want more than a taste of a country?  Touring gets you on the ground in countries like Italy, Spain, France, or Greece, as opposed to just cruising to a port for six to twelve hours.

Key experiences of a land tour in the Mediterranean:

• plenty of time to explore as you wish during unscheduled free time
• taste the local cuisine each day
• INCLUDED visits to key tourist sites with minimal time waiting in lines
• exposure to local culture
• convenience of unpacking only once or twice on regional tours.

Concerned about frequent unpacking and long coach rides?  That may be an issue in a multi-city tour of Italy.  For an easier pace, consider a  a regional tour  focused on Tuscany, the South of France, or southern Spain which will provide plenty of time to settle in to explore one or two destinations.

Questions you need to ask:

• Which costs more, the tour or the cruise?
• Better question, What’s the total cost to come home from a European Vacation?
• Best question, What would you like to experience?

Answers, at first blush the cruise looks less expensive, but is that really the case?  The cruise gets you to from port to port, but then what?  Let’s look at what is normally included in most tours:

• the per day cost of an escorted tour may be less than the price of individually booking just a hotel room
• breakfast each day and some featured dinners – in local restaurants perhaps with a host and wine
• all transportation from start to end of tour (airport transfers may be included)
• many must-see sites are included AND you will have a guide/host to interpret these sites with minimal waiting
• check-in/check-out of hotels and most baggage handling is also included..no lugging your bags from here to there!
• TIME to linger at a side walk café and take it all in AFTER the sun goes down and the cruise people have left.

In closing, some more considerations about the experience you may have on a tour:

• English speaking and knowledgeable tour directors remove any language barriers to ensure you don’t miss any highlights of your tour
• achieve your own personal growth from a destination’s traditions, customs, or historical significance that you share with others.
• travel with like minded individuals to share in the local culture with the chance to make new friends.
• simplified travel arrangements for you as the big pieces are already included and planned out for you (hotels, logistics, baggage handling, many meals, and key sightseeing.)

This concludes our cruise versus tour throw-down.  What do you think?

 

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Image via Wikipedia

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Mediterranean Sea (actually means “Inner Sea”), experience the comfort
and familiar surroundings and conveniences of a cruise ship:

• familiar accommodations and creature comforts
• familiar cuisine
• same staff each day
• no language barriers
• convenience of unpacking only once

A great first time itinerary is a round trip from Barcelona for a “Western” Mediterranean itinerary (focus on Spain and Italy).  Port calls can include:  Villefranche for Nice or Monte Carlo, Monaco,  Civitavecchia for Italy, Livorno for Pisa and Florence, and perhaps Naples.  Some considerations for a cruise:

• your time ashore to explore these great destinations is limited (OK for your first time in the Med.)
• you may not get a chance to experience life in the evenings like the locals (also OK for your first visit)
• pace and duration of the excursions may be long as Rome and Florence are far from ports
• limited exposure to culture and local dining

Note: there are many round trip itineraries from different lines, and many voyages begin and end in different cities to provide the opportunity to visit even more ports.  Also note that some lines include either evening or overnight port stays to take in the cities like the locals do as the sun sets.

Plan to maximize your time ashore.  There are some longer port calls!  Civitavecchia, port call for Rome is normally 12 hours.  What will you do in those twelve hours?  The city is about 1’15″ from port.  If you take the tours offered by the cruise line, you may be crowded on a long caravan of buses.   You will “see” many sights for sure…breeze by photo ops.  Will you have time to leisurely tour the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum?

Trevi Fountain Image via Wikipedia

More considerations for your shore excursions:

• Is there a better way to spend your twelve hours in port (maybe 8 hours for touring)?
• There are other tour operators that offer a more in-depth tour with far fewer people featuring less time waiting.
• May even be less costly to to get the most out of your limited time

Another question, why are you in Europe?  Consider staying a night or two either before or after to experience a wonderful city that offers so much – Barcelona in this example voyage!

Some experiences to take in during a pre/post stay in Barcelona include:

• walking along the famous Las Ramblas and exploring the tapas bars
• visiting the Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter
• experiencing some of Gaudi’s masterpieces like  the La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell
• Visiting the Boqueria Market to taste the best of Catalonian cuisine

Have questions?  We’ve got answers! dave@daydreamex.com

Next time, we’ll explore Mediterranean touring.

Tuscany featured on map of Italy

Daydream Excursions presents…Discover Tuscany Webinar on April 4 at 7pm EDT.

Join Us for this 30 minute event!

Daydream Excursions invites you to join us from the comfort of your own computer to view this live online presentation. All you need is an Internet connection to participate in this presentation. You will be able to see wonderful pictures showing highlights of the tour, learn more about the places we will visit and have the opportunity to ask questions about our tour to Italy

Discover Tuscany: November 27th – December 6th, 2012

Rolling landscapes savor wines, delicious food, and stunning architecture…this can only be Tuscany. On this special journey you will enjoy walking tours in Italy’s most charming towns, visit magnificent historic monuments and sample mouth-watering cuisine and wines.

For more information or to register for this tour please contact Dave Rosenthal at Daydream Excursions by phone at (732) 530-6682 or click here.

Palazzo Aldobrandeschi (Grosseto) (Image via Wikipedia)