Spectacular Alaska

Here is spectacular shot from my recent trip to beautiful Alaska, stay tuned for much much more!!

Cruise Hawaii on The Prise of America

Pride of America

The Pride of America for the best way to island hop Hawaii. She sets sails on a seven day voyage around the Islands each Saturday from Honolulu. Ask me about cruising America's paradise in style, with 14 restaurants and nine bars and lounges, excellent accommodations, spacious suites and lots of balconies - perfect for whale watching, witnessing Kilauea Volcano or taking in the dramatic view of the Napali Coast. The only U.S.-flagged cruise ship, Pride of America offers a one-of-a-kind itinerary that visits four of Hawaii's best islands, including overnights on Maui and Kauai. It is truly a unique and once in a lifetime trip! I have done it myself so ask me about it......look for more pictures on this blog, I took tons!

http://www.thewaytogotravel.com

The Spouting Horn on Kauai

Here are two pictures i took on my recent visit to Kauai in Hawaii. This is quite possibly my favorite of all of the Hawaiian Islands The Spouting Horn blowhole on the south shore shoots a plume of sea water into the air with each incoming wave. It is one of the most photographed spots on Kauai, it's also a great place to look for whales or dolphins cruising along the beach at Poipu . Ask me about this beautiful island! Don't forget your camera!

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rtrimper@thewaytogotravel.com
twitter: theway2gotravel

View From Diamond Head--Waikiki

Here is a shot taken from the top of Diamond Head on Oahu, Hawaii. The most famous volcanic crater in the world is Diamond Head, is located the end of Waikiki overlooking the Pacific Ocean. To get there is not too difficult although you should be in decent health. There are two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other, 76 steps. There is also a 225-foot unlit tunnel. The hike is classified as easy to moderate in exertion but is certainly worth the breathtaking, unparalleled view of the entire west side of Oahu.

Additionally,

• Diamond Head Trail is 1 ¾ miles to the rim and takes about 1 ½ hours
• There is NO shade schedule an early hike
• Bring water
  
• Bathrooms available at the trailhead

101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent First 10

101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent/Expert/Specialist
First 10
1. Convenient One-Stop Shopping
Travel agents can handle every aspect of your trip from airline tickets to lodging, ground transportation, activities, tours and more.
2. Consumer Advocate
If you should have a problem during your trip, travel agents can act on your behalf to see that proper restitutions are made.
3. Expert Guidance
Travel agents are experts in helping travelers get where they need to go and in helping to create possibilities most people never would have dreamed were possible.
4. Save Time
Avoid the headaches and let the travel agents call around and do all the time consuming work of planning a complex itinerary.
5. Choice
Travel agents offer you an array of options and price quotes from a variety of travel suppliers, giving you the upper hand when making your final travel decisions.
6. Less Stress
Planning a trip can be stressful. There are so many options and details to worry about. Travel agents do the work, resulting in less stress for you.
7. Updated Information
Travel agents are constantly communicating with the travel community, thus giving you the most up to date info on airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, travel visas, and other travel services to consider as you plan your trip.
8. Customer Service
Travel agents offer that “personal touch” to your travel planning experience- Offering help and advice that a website cannot provide.
9. Travel Documentation
Travel agents can help you to prepare and organize any necessary documents that you may need in order to travel outside of the country. They can direct you to your local passport office, and they know where you need a visa, as well as any other documentation that you might need along the way.
10. Travel Expertise
Many travel agents are considered experts in the area you are traveling to and have probably already been to your chosen destination.

Wanna beat the heat? Alaska!!

Heading to Alaska in just 14 days. Should be a great vacation. I am going to cruise The Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park on Princess Cruise Lines Coral Princess. It is going to be a very welcome break from this Kansas City heat and humidity. Look for later posts and tons of pictures.

Ron
http://www.thewaytogotravel.com

Don't miss Joshua Tree National Park

I grew up in Southern California but never visited Joshua Tree National Park until this year. WOW! What a gem. Do not miss this spectacular park on your next trip to California. It not too far from Palm Springs just a short jump off of Interstate 10 near Indio.

Myths about Travel Agents

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10 Myths About Travel Agents

1. Myth: All Travel Agents and Agencies are the Same
Fact: Every travel agent is different and has a different area that they specialize in. So, depending on what type of trip you are looking to take one travel agent will suit you better than another. That’s why it is important when planning a trip to find a travel agent that specializes in where you want to go.

2. Myth: No One Uses Travel Agents Anymore
Fact: Travel agents still sell 51 percent of all airline tickets, 87 percent of all cruises, 81 percent of all tours and packages, 45 percent of all car rentals and about 47 percent of all hotels.*
3. Myth: Travel Agents are Trying to Cheat Me if They Don’t Quote Me the Cheapest Price
Fact: Travel agents know the ins and outs of different itineraries. While you might find one that is a little bit cheaper, that cheaper itinerary might involve a whole slew of headaches. For example, longer waits at the airport and odd travel times. A travel agent will be looking to get you the best value for you money spent which should include the most direct and time friendly itinerary they can find. – Unless you have told them you would prefer to have the cheaper options presented as well expect value to be a factor included in the trip they plan.

4. Myth: It is Expensive to Use a Travel Agent
Fact: The fee a travel agent charges really depends upon the agent. While some of the more luxury agencies have higher fees, the average fee is quite marginal. Some travel agents will even drop the fee or offer a discount once you have finalized your trip with them. Plus, you can always ask an agent upfront what their fees are and decide for yourself if it’s worth it. Also, it is important to remember that a lot of online booking sites, such as Orbitz and Expedia, charge a booking fee as well.

5. Myth: I Can Easily Book the Same Trip on My Own Without Using A Travel Agent.
Fact: Although travel agents have access to all of the same outlets you would use when looking to book travel, they also have access to exclusive pricing and package deals that are most times not available to the public. Your travel agent also has more leverage in helping out in situations such as hotels claiming to be booked, when in fact they may still have rooms available that are on hold for travel agents reservations. So when everyone else is telling you “No” your travel agent can help turn that to a “Yes.”

6. Myth: Travel Agents Don’t Have Information as Updated as the Internet
Fact: Travel agents obtain some of their information from the same sources as online booking sites such as Orbitz and Travelocity. They also receive daily emails and faxes with new specials from resorts and hotels that may not be published on the internet. Travel agents can also call a place directly to see if they can work out other kinds of special deals for you, something an online site can’t do.

7. Myth: Travel Agents Are a Waste of Time
Fact: Although you can find much of the same information that the travel agent provides for you on your own, you are going to spend a lot of valuable time doing so. A travel agent can actually save you from hours of painful research and price comparison shopping. They have up to date prices, hotel conditions, and interesting new activities. Their prior knowledge and experience gives them the upper hand in trip planning.

8. Myth: Travel Agents Have Lost Their Clout
Fact: Travel agents book hotels, cruises, and activities every day. The companies that provide these services know that and want their business and will work to keep that business coming back. So while a place might be telling you “Sorry we are booked,” for your one time trip, they are more likely to make an acceptation for the travel agent to insure that the agent sends them more business in the future.

9. Myth: Good Travel Agents are Hard to Find
Fact: While there are some below par travel agents out there, sources such as Tripology are great outlets to go to find reliable specialized travel agents that will match your needs.

10. Myth: Travel Agents Can Only Book My Flight and Hotel
Fact: Travel agents can arrange car service, personalized tours and activities, in addition to all the basic travel services they provide. They are also excellent sources of information concerning good restaurants, good sites to see, and tips on what to pack.

*Source: American Society of Travel Agents

Kilauea Volcano

Halemaumau Crater at Kilauea's summit. A must see on the Big Island of Hawaii. I last visited the volcano in April 2010. Not much action but still plenty of steam. You haven't seen Hawaii unless you have seen Hawaii Volcano's National Park. Be sure to Include it in your next vacation to Hawaii.