No Passport, No Problem !!

No U.S. Passport Required

No matter how much you prepare for your trip, it’s easy to think you’re going to leave something behind. If you just so happen to leave your passport behind don’t worry, you won’t need it. When traveling from the United States to Hawaii , Puerto Rico or The US Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens are not required to carry their passport although some form of government issued picture identification card is needed.

5 Benefits of traveling without a passport

• You don’t have to worry about losing it.
• You don’t have to remember to pack it.
• You don’t have to wait in line at customs and immigration.
• You don’t have to show that passport picture you’ve never been too fond of.
• You don’t have to wear a fanny pack.

To get started on your next passport free vacation contact us today!!

The Way To Go Travel
www.thewaytogotravel.com
888-750-0825-816-382-5880


Happy Travels!!

5 Tips for Easy Hawaii Vacation Planning

5 Tips for Easy Hawaii Vacation Planning:

   1. Choose Off-Season Dates
   Spring (April, May) and fall (September, October, November) is when the airfare and hotel rates are the lowest, and the weather is perfect. Rates always shoot up during major holidays and school breaks.
   2. Book Early
   When you book your vacation 6-8 months in advance, you have access to the best rates and full availability. Many Hawaii hotels and airfares sell out very early, especially for summer and Christmas dates.
   3. Don't Miss Out On Free Nights
   If you are planning a multi-island vacation, try to stay 5-6 nights on each island, so you can take advantage of the 5th or 6th night free special that we offer at most hotels.
   4. Is This a Family Vacation?
   If you are traveling with children, consider getting a 1-bedroom condo which will have a pull-out couch in the living room. A condo costs a few dollars more than a hotel room, but the extra space and fully equipped kitchen will make life a lot easier.
   5. Is Your Anniversary Date Soon?
   If this vacation is a second honeymoon or anniversary trip, be sure to tell us about it - we offer complimentary champagne and/or free space available upgrade at many hotels.
    6. Use a Travel Agent

www.thewaytogotravel.com
www.hawaiianislandexcursions.com

The Way To Go Travel
Get a free quote today !
888-750-825

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July USA

While I realize that this a travel blog, I thought that I would share the dates of independence for all of the countries around the globe .....Here are the independence days for every country, from the oldest to the youngest...

 660 BCE - Japan
221 BCE - China
301 CE - San Marino
843 CE - France
976 CE - Austria
10th Century CE - Denmark
1001 - Hungary
1143 - Portugal
1206 - Mongolia
1238 - Thailand
1278 - Andorra
August 1, 1291 - Switzerland
1419 - Monaco
15th Century - Spain
1502 - Iran
June 6, 1523 - Sweden
January 23, 1579 - Netherlands
 1650 - Oman
May 1, 1707 - United Kingdom
January 23, 1719 - Liechtenstein
1768 - Nepal
July 4, 1776 - United States of America
January 1, 1804 - Haiti
July 20, 1810 - Colombia
Sept. 16, 1810 - Mexico
Sept. 18, 1810 - Chile
May 14, 1811 - Paraguay
July 5, 1811 - Venezuela
July 9, 1816 - Argentina
July 28, 1821 - Peru
Sept. 15, 1821 - Costa Rica
Sept. 15, 1821 - El Salvador
Sept. 15, 1821 - Guatemala
Sept. 15, 1821 - Honduras
Sept. 15, 1821 - Nicaragua
May 24, 1822 - Ecuador
 Sept. 7, 1822 - Brazil
August 6, 1825 - Bolivia
August 25, 1825 - Uruguay
1829 - Greece
October 4, 1830 - Belgium
1839 - Luxembourg
February 27, 1844 - Dominican Republic
July 26, 1847 - Liberia
March 17, 1861 - Italy
July 1, 1867 - Canada
 January 18, 1871 - Germany
May 9, 1877 - Romania
March 3, 1878 - Bulgaria
1896 - Ethiopia
June 12, 1898 - Philippines
January 1, 1901 - Australia
May 20, 1902 - Cuba
November 3, 1903 - Panama
June 7, 1905 - Norway
Sept. 26, 1907 - New Zealand
May 31, 1910 - South Africa
November 28, 1912 - Albania
December 6, 1917 - Finland
November 11, 1918 - Poland
December 1, 1918 - Iceland
August 19, 1919 - Afghanistan
December 6, 1921 - Ireland
February 28, 1922 - Egypt
October 29, 1923 - Turkey
February 11, 1929 - Vatican City
Sept. 23, 1932 - Saudi Arabia
October 3, 1932 - Iraq
November 22, 1943 - Lebanon
August 15, 1945 - Korea, North
August 15, 1945 - Korea, South
August 17, 1945 - Indonesia
Sept. 2, 1945 - Vietnam
April 17, 1946 - Syria
May 25, 1946 - Jordan
August 14, 1947 - Pakistan
August 15, 1947 - India
January 4, 1948 - Burma
February 4, 1948 - Sri Lanka
May 14, 1948 - Israel
July 19, 1949 - Laos
August 8, 1949 - Bhutan
December 24, 1951 - Libya
November 9, 1953 - Cambodia
January 1, 1956 - Sudan
March 2, 1956 - Morocco
March 20, 1956 - Tunisia
March 6, 1957 - Ghana
August 31, 1957 - Malaysia
October 2, 1958 - Guinea
January 1, 1960 - Cameroon
April 4, 1960 - Senegal
May 27, 1960 - Togo
June 30, 1960 - Congo, Republic of the
July 1, 1960 - Somalia
July 26, 1960 - Madagascar
August 1, 1960 - Benin
August 3, 1960 - Niger
August 5, 1960 - Burkina Faso
August 7, 1960 - Cote d'Ivorie
August 11, 1960 - Chad
August 13, 1960 - Central African Republic
August 15, 1960 - Congo, Dem. Rep. of the
August 16, 1960 - Cyprus
August 17, 1960 - Gabon
Sept. 22, 1960 - Mali
October 1, 1960 - Nigeria
November 28, 1960 - Mauritania
April 27, 1961 - Sierra Leone
June 19, 1961 - Kuwait
January 1, 1962 - Samoa
July 1, 1962 - Burundi
July 1, 1962 - Rwanda
July 5, 1962 - Algeria
August 6, 1962 - Jamaica
August 31, 1962 - Trinidad and Tobago
October 9, 1962 - Uganda
December 12, 1963 - Kenya
April 26, 1964 - Tanzania
July 6, 1964 - Malawi
Sept. 21, 1964 - Malta
October 24, 1964 - Zambia
February 18, 1965 - Gambia, The
July 26, 1965 - Maldives
August 9, 1965 - Singapore
May 26, 1966 - Guyana
September 30, 1966 - Botswana
October 4, 1966 - Lesotho
November 30, 1966 - Barbados
January 31, 1968 - Nauru
March 12, 1968 - Mauritius
Sept. 6, 1968 - Swaziland
October 12, 1968 - Equatorial
June 4, 1970 - Tonga
October 10, 1970 - Fiji
March 26, 1971 - Bangladesh
August 15, 1971 - Bahrain
Sept. 3, 1971 - Qatar
November 2, 1971 - United Arab Emirates
July 10, 1973 - Bahamas
Sept. 24, 1973 - Guinea-Bissau
February 7, 1974 - Grenada
June 25, 1975 - Mozambique
July 5, 1975 - Cape Verde
July 6, 1975 - Comoros
July 12, 1975 - Sao Tome and Principe
Sept. 16, 1975 - Papua New Guinea
November 11, 1975 - Angola
November 25, 1975 - Suriname
June 29, 1976 - Seychelles
June 27, 1977 - Djibouti
July 7, 1978 - Solomon Islands
October 1, 1978 - Tuvalu
November 3, 1978 - Dominica
February 22, 1979 - Saint Lucia
July 12, 1979 - Kiribati
October 27, 1979 - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
April 18, 1980 - Zimbabwe
July 30, 1980 - Vanuatu
January 11, 1981 - Antigua and Barbuda
Sept. 21, 1981 - Belize
Sept. 19, 1983 - Saint Kitts and Nevis
January 1, 1984 - Brunei
October 21, 1986 - Marshall Islands
November 3, 1986 - Micronesia, Federated States of
March 11, 1990 - Lithuania
March 21, 1990 - Namibia
May 22, 1990 - Yemen
April 9, 1991 - Georgia
June 25, 1991 - Croatia
June 25, 1991 - Slovenia
August 20, 1991 - Estonia
August 21, 1991 - Kyrgyzstan
August 24, 1991 - Russia
August 25, 1991 - Belarus
August 27, 1991 - Moldova
August 30, 1991 - Azerbaijan
Sept. 1, 1991 - Uzbekistan
Sept. 6, 1991 - Latvia
Sept. 8, 1991 - Macedonia
Sept. 9, 1991 - Tajikistan
Sept. 21, 1991 - Armenia
October 27, 1991 - Turkmenistan
November 24, 1991 - Ukraine
December 16, 1991 - Kazakhstan
March 3, 1992 - Bosnia and Herzegovina
January 1, 1993 - Czech Republic
January 1, 1993 - Slovakia
May 24, 1993 - Eritrea
October 1, 1994 - Palau
May 20, 2002 - East Timor
June 3, 2006 - Montenegro
June 5, 2006 - Serbia
February 17, 2008 - Kosovo
July 9, 2011 - South Sudan


Play safe....Happy 4th

Ron Trimper
Travel Agent
The Way To Go Travel
Kansas City MO
888-750-0825
816-392-5880

All Inclusive Vacations F.A.Q.

We are often asked here at  The Way To Go Travel  

Should I go all inclusive or not on your next vacation? Whats included in the quote you give me?

Keep in mind all inclusive resorts are not found in Hawaii.....but are a great option in Mexico and The Caribbean !!

What is typically included in an all-inclusive resort/vacation?
Although the definition of all-inclusive can vary from resort to resort, standard inclusions would be all of your meals, beverages, taxes, tips, room service, shows and entertainment and on-site activities such as non-motorized water sports. Items in your room such as bottled water, snacks, toiletries and mini-bar, items are almost always included at no additional charge. Check with your travel agent for a full list of amenities and services as part of their all-inclusive plan. 

 

What types of amenities or services typically aren’t included with an all-inclusive hotel?
Included services and amenities will vary by hotel, but typically spa treatments, outside telephone calls, casinos/gambling, special occasion packages, babysitting services and destination excursions are some exceptions that typically are not included in the all-inclusive vacation price. Unless you purchase a service or amenity at your hotel that is not part of the all-inclusive plan, you will not have to worry about any additional or hidden fees after paying for your initial reservation.

 

What activities are available as part of an all-inclusive plan?
All-inclusive resorts are experienced at making sure you have enough options to be as active as possible. In addition to the non-motorized water sports that are usually offered (snorkeling, scuba lessons,  kayaks, etc.), many all-inclusive resorts also offer a variety of free daily activities such as tennis, exercise facilities, kids’ clubs and playgrounds, pool activities and more. Numerous all-inclusive resorts offer nightlife options from on-site discotheques to live shows and music that guests can enjoy free of charge.

 

What dining options are available at an all-inclusive resort?
Dining options at an all-inclusive resort are typically abundant and offer an array of cuisine ranging from local specialties to international gourmet dining options. Most all-inclusive resorts also offer at least one a-la-carte restaurant in addition to buffet options with frequently changing menu options and even theme nights. Depending on the resort, reservations may be required at some a-la-carte restaurants, so check with your travel agent or hotel for information on reservation requirements or options for special dietary needs you may have while on vacation.

 

How much cash should I carry?
Leave your wallet in your room! Cash is not needed for meals, beverages & gratuities as these are included in the cost of an all-inclusive vacation. It is recommended to bring credit cards and a sufficient amount of cash for additional expenses such as spa treatments, telephone and internet services, special occasion packages or services, babysitting services, shopping, and destination excursions. Travel safety tip - bring multiple forms of payment (credit card vs. cash) and keep in more than one place! Most all-inclusive hotels also offer complimentary in-room safes where you can store your valuables.

 Of course for your free quote on your next vacation contact us

Happy Traveling

Ron Trimper 

owner, travel agent and vacation specialist

The Way To Go Travel

www.thewaytogotravel.com 

816-392-5880

888-750-0825

 

Island hoppping in Hawaii

Not sure of which island to visit in Hawaii?


"Island hopping" is a very exciting Hawaiian adventure! In fact, one out of three travelers to Hawaii visits two or more islands during his vacation. The key is to plan in advance, and try to spend 4-5 days per island if you don't want to feel rushed. Oahu is the only island where 1-2 days are enough if you just want to see Waikiki Beach and Honolulu.

   You can travel from one island to another on a 30-minute inter-island flight. A car rental is the best way want to explore any island - there is no public transportation, except in Honolulu.


  

Why are there no all inclusives in Hawaii?

Q: Are there any all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii?

A: There are no all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii because quite frankly, there is no need for them. Hawaiian islands offer such a great variety of cuisine and places to eat, you can find anything from McDonald's to charming local-style cafes to upscale world-class restaurants. Many of those places will be just a short drive away from your hotel! That is why most travelers prefer to book accommodations without any meals included, and take full advantage of the dining options available to add to their vacation experience.

In short Hawaiians want you to get out and explore their islands, not stay at the resort all day. 


Ron Trimper

Hawaii Travel Specialist
Tropical Vacation Specialist
The Way To Go Travel
888-750-0825
816-392-5880

Just had to share this .......

They Know More Than You Do!

By Mark Murphy
June 13, 2012 11:45 PM

The next time you think about booking a vacation, consider these facts: The search term “Caribbean Cruise” brings a return of 38,300,000 results  with headlines ranging from “75% Off” to “Cruises from $149.”
Choose the price offer from $149 and you’ll see a matrix of prices that don’t include the “$149” offer, but do include a Carnival offer from $229.  Go through the process to actually book that cabin and you’ll end up with a price for two that actually hits $595.40, a far cry from the $149 Google Adwords price that came up in search results.


It gets better when you scroll down to the bottom after entering all of your information to discover that “this stateroom has upper/lower (bunk) beds that do not convert to a king bed.” Frustrated yet?
Most consumers are frustrated as they start to grasp that booking travel on their own is not quite as simple as buying a book from Amazon.com. They realize that a deal isn’t exactly a deal, and they are unaware of many hidden costs that aren’t in the advertised prices. Resorts fees, change fees, fuel surcharges, baggage fees -- the list goes on and on.


Sometimes consumers like to find that “great” deal on their own because they feel empowered by their ability to control their own destiny. They think, incorrectly, that they are saving money in the process. The confidence they exhibit takes a hit when they spend hours working out the details of their trip and grow more frustrated at the choices, lack of insight and logistics that have to be handled. That lack of confidence turns into a feeling of despair when they learn that they could have had someone handle all of this, at no additional cost to them, just by using a travel agent.


That’s right, most of the things a travel agent can do for consumers are paid by suppliers that see the value in using travel agents to connect with travelers. Why do they do this? It’s simply a more effective way of earning consumers’ business.  Travel supplier booked through a travel agent have no cost of sales associated with that transaction until after the consumer has booked, paid and traveled.


It’s strictly pay for performance and offers a tremendous value for suppliers.  Indeed, you’ll see many suppliers say through their advertising to “call your travel agent,” because they don’t want to spend hours answering questions posed by consumers. They also know there’s someone who already knows consumers’ needs and is familiar with them -- the travel agent.


Now you might still be thinking: “I can do it myself and save money by getting a cheaper price.” Think again. There’s this thing called parity pricing and almost everyone follows it. That means the price is the same no matter where the product is purchased. So you really should use a travel agent on your next travel booking. A travel agent simply knows more than you do when it comes to booking travel.
Mark Murphy is president and CEO of Travalliance Media, parent of TravelPulse.com, Agent@Home magazine, Vacation Agent magazine, Travel Agent Academy, Virtual Travel Events and Agent Studio.