Prior to becoming an agent, I was a Legal Secretary. While booking a Cruise with a local Travel Agent, I asked what they thought about attending a travel school, the answer was "save your money", find an agency that will train you. I did, it was there. I’ve now been in the industry for 15 years and have traveled to Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Acapulco, Puerto Vallara/Riviera Nayarit, Cancun/Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Guaymas, San Luis Potosi, Costa Rica, Panama, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Aruba, Barbados, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Florence, Naples, Palermo, Barcelona, Tunisia, Malta , and Monaco. I’ve sailed on Crystal, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival. If you’d like to chat, I specialist in Hawaii, Mexico, Contiki Vacations, the Caribbean, and most cruises, and have been awarded certifications from Sandals, Club Med, Holland America, Princess, and Cunard. I love this industry because it’s satisfying to know you’re the vehicle that helps people realize their dreams… Travel – who doesn't love it?
Hot Deal to Puerto Vallarta with Apple Vacations
Here is an example of a recently booked trip to Puerto Vallarta Mexico. As you can see the guests booked 24 days prior to depature.
Purchase Date: 2/2/2009
Travel Consultant: Laura
Gary & Sara from Illinois USA
Tour Reservation
Booking Status: Confirmed Duration: 7
No. of Passengers: 2
Start Date: 2/26/2009 End Date: 3/5/2009
Tour
Apple Vacations
Tour Name: Apple - Puerto Vallarta Description: Rt air
ORD,Transfers,7nts
Penalties will apply to changes/cancellations
Flights
2/26/2009 Depart Chicago O'Hare (ORD) at 6:00 AM
2/26/2009 Arrive Puerto Vallarta (PVR) at 10:30 AM
Miscellaneous: Outbound, Class of Service='A'
PROPER PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED
Hotel
Puerto Vallarta Hotel
Check-in: 2/26/2009 Check-out: 3/5/2009
Room Type: TBA
Description: TBA
Flights
3/5/2009 Depart Puerto Vallarta (PVR) at 11:30 AM
3/5/2009 Arrive Chicago O'Hare (ORD) at 3:30 PM
Miscellaneous: Return, Class of Service='A'
Transportation
Airport to Hotel Ground Transfers
Travel Insurance Description: Insurance Declined
Purchase Details:
...................................................Base........Tax.......Total
Reservation Amount...................1,724.98....505.40..*2,230.38
*Includes Agency Processing & Handling Fee - Non Refundable
Add a commentShopping Excursion to Plaza Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Excursion to Plaza Bavaro (Dominican Republic)
Friday morning (11/21), I awoke to pouring down rain.
The day before Kat, Dave (Kat's husband) and I decided we would like to do a little shopping, despite the rain our plans could not be changed.
While waiting in the Lobby to inquire about taxi costs we met 2 other Southern California Agents and a Club Med Rep wanting to share a ride. Our final negotiations resulted in an $84.00 round-trip fare. Road conditions being what they are in the Dominican, each way of our journey took approximately 40 minutes.
During the ride we inquired if our Driver would wait for us or would come back. He had another commitment and would be back for us at 3:30pm. As it turned out he stayed while we shopped. He shared a little bit about the passing areas in his best English as we made our way and mentioned that he would personally be taking us to his friends store at Plaza Bavaro.
Arrival at Plaza Bavaro was for me was surprising, I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it.
A very very modest open-air mall (I think) with many little shops all selling the very same wares. Wood boxes, Clay Figurines, Jewelry, Art, T-Shirts, Rum, Cigars and Mamajuana (Dominican Viagra). Mamajuana is a glass bottle filled with local roots/herbs, honey, red wine and rum. Taste isn't too bad, cannot comment on the effectiveness. Once the liquid is depleted the bottle can be re-filled with the honey, etc. as the roots/herbs are supposed to retain their flavor/potency for 15 years. 
Our driver escorted us to his friends shop as our first stop. Upon our arrival vendors from other stores greeted us and solicited their stores, the new victims had arrived.
Just taking a moment to step into another vendor's store with a promise to come back garnered a free gift, a clay figurine (mine broke before I left Punta Cana) and free flowing Presidente Beer.
After quickly perusing a few stores and sharing my name (mistake) I decided I didn't really need or want anything. I kept looking anyway and decided a silver ring might be nice.
Larimar known as Dominican Turquoise was ever present on earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces. There were many different shades, I settled on a silver ring with a somewhat large piece of Lt. Blue Larimar on a wide band, $35.00US did not seem unreasonable. All Vendors at Plaza Bavaro are very aggressive and do not take "NO" for an answer as we experienced first hand later.
Done with shopping I sat at a table at an outdoor cafe (sounds so fancy, not really) in the center of the plaza for a Presidente with 2 other agents and Dave. Kat was finishing-up her last purchase. This is when the best example of "AGGRESSIVE" occurred: Kat was trying to have a conversation with her husband as to the cost/style of a T-Shirt for their son when another Vendor stepped a little to far into Kat's personal space because he wanted her to come to his store. Kat gestured to Dave and told "Mr. Pushy" that this was her Husband, the Vendor didn't seem fazed. Only after the finger waving bestowed on him by Kat did he finally understand that his approach would not garner a visit to his store by Kat or any of us for that matter. He finally walked away.
Looking back on the incident makes me laugh, thanks for the memory Plaza Bavaro!
After a bit of relaxation and another Presidente, we left in a downpour.
I'm glad I was able to leave the Village if only for a few hours. Looking forward to a little longer stay in Punta Cana next time...
Add a commentBook a "Trip of a Lifetime" with All-Travel
Dear Patrick,
What a trip of a lifetime! I cannot thank you enough for such great care and handling by your company.
Laura was everything you said and MORE! We caught the weather each and every day - such a gorgeous state....our upgraded (AGAIN!) stateroom was just delightful as was EVERYONE on board.....(I know, it's their job.....but some people do go far and above all expectations). Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for PERFECTION and SPOILING US SO MUCH!
Now, I have one last piece of business I need to address as I (stupidly) left my cane on board the boat of the Misty Fjords Boat & Floatplane Adventure (it's a long story.....one that we will continue to tell our grandchildren about faith and courage and gut instincts).....but I need to get in touch with them to have it returned. Can you help me find out how to contact them?
Patrick - you are wonderful....and we'll stay in touch and I will recommend EVERYONE I know to call you (personally!) It WAS the trip of a lifetime......I will smile forever about it!
Thank you - Love you - Peace All Ways - Jane
Add a commentClub Med Turks & Caicos Vacation
My visit to Club Med Turks & Caicos...by Laura Bonchonsky from All-Travel.com
Arrival/Check-In
Arrived Providenciales at 11:30am after an overnight flight. Cleared customs walked outside and there were the Club Med Representatives awaiting with a Taxi. For land only guests, charge is $15.00 per person each way.
Approximately 15 - 20 minutes to village
After a cold washcloth, a welcome drink and a short introduction by Chief de Village Eduardo and GO's, with keys in hand we were escorted to our room.
Accommodations
Building B, room # 136 Oceanview very nice location. As expected, rooms are modest, but have everything one needs, hair-dryer,coffee-maker, radio/alarm clock, safe, iron/ironing board. There are no screens on the windows which are louvered. Bugs were not too bad for January although I still managed to collect a few bites despite the bug spray used. Keeping windows closed and a/c on (leave card in slot) should help. No complaints with Housekeeping, plenty of towels, replaced toiletries when needed, etc.
Food/Beverages
Grace Bay the main buffet restaurant offered a good selection, with very little repetition, aside from the constants you might want for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CM's famous Chocolate & White Chocolate Bread was a sweet treat with an Espresso after lunch or dinner. La Mer, Turkoise' a la carte reservations only restaurant is located at the far end of the village which makes for a very quiet setting. Dine indoors our out, beautiful oceanfront location. The menu offered the staples of beef, chicken or fish for entrees, a few appetizers soup & salad and of course dessert. Just enough food for a 3-course meal. No-inclusive alcohol here. The wine list is pretty extensive, offering both French & California varietals. I opted for a nice bottle of Champagne. Service was adequate, the language barrier was the only issue, can't really complain because I speak no French and our server spoke no english. Le Mer's manger Natalie was there for translation when available.
Atmosphere/Vibe
Very upbeat, as with all Club Med's GO's are ever present saying hello and soliciting participation in games, water-aerobics, and the like. A little loud for my taste at times, but a quiet area was never hard to find. Each evening there is a dress theme, a few examples of those, Red & White, Black & Blue, Black, White, White & Flowers, Bright Shirt and Denim, the list is long...your choice, to do or not o do.
Village Entertainment
Did not see any show in it's entirety, sorry nothing to share regarding entertainment.
Beach/Water & Watersports
This was my second visit to Providenciales, the water and sand are as I remembered. Stunning! The most amazing shade of green/blue and sand like talcum powder. Hands down (or up in CM'S case) Turkoise is on the best stretch of beach on Grace Bay. Having walked the 3 miles one-way to Coral Gardens for a little snorkeling off the beach, I felt many of the beaches fronting the various resorts and condos along the way paled in comparison to CM.
Enjoyed the included Snorkeling 2 departures daily 10:00am and 2:00pm, sign-up 30 minutes in advance. Visibility in these crystal clear waters was amazing. Water temperature for January was approximately 70+ degrees, warm enough to almost walk-in without hesitation. After a very brief rain on one evening the water mucked-up a little due to the waves, all thing's considered still unbelievably beautiful.
Out & About
The Gecko Shuttle provides transportation to Turtle Cove, Grace Bay & IGA shopping areas. Tokens can be purchased at hotels, restaurants/bars. Famous for their Conch Fritters "Da Conch Shack & Rum Bar" located outside of these areas (although I managed to secure a ride) unfortunately, did not live up to their self-proclaimed "Best Conch Fritters" title, to much fritter and not enough Conch. As you might imagine, another heavenly oceanfront location.
For truly delicious Conch Fingers, I found Barefoot Cafe, (aka Dave's Dive Bar) in the Ports of Call shopping center to be much better. A 20 minute walk along the beach and onto the Leeward Highway from CM.
A romantic setting for sundown cocktails can be found at the Lounge at Grace Bay Club, 3 hotels down the beach from CM.
Overall a great vacation, with perfect weather. Look forward to returning to CM Turkoise
For more information visit www.all-travel.com/clubmed/turkoise or call Laura at 800-300-4567
Add a commentMy trip to Australia
By Laura Bonchonsky, Senior Travel Consultant for All-Travel.com in Los Angeles, CA.
Bridge to Reef Trip – Contiki Tours - Australia
View trip pictures here.
September 11 - 20, 2007
We Arrived in Sydney via non-stop service on Qantas Tuesday morning. No complaints with service, or the amount of leg room and not bad for economy. Individual televisions were very nice. My strategy to minimize jet-lag was by sleeping as much as possible which was made easier with the Bose Noise Reduction Head Phones I borrowed from my brother, they're great!
Our Contiki Tour Manager Dan (a wealth of information) was awaiting our arrival in the terminal once customs was cleared. Our group consisted of 31 travelers.
Day 1 - All aboard the Contiki Bus for a cursory city tour of Sydney, before checking into our hotel. Our first 3-nights were spent at the Sydney Travelodge Commonwealth. As Travel Lodge's go this was maintained nicely and very clean. Appointments in the rooms included twin beds, a separate vanity area in the room (makes sharing bathroom space with another female easy) and shower only bathroom. Buffet Breakfast was included daily. Location could not be beat, walkable to Darling Harbour, The Rocks shopping area, Hyde Park, the Botanical Gardens and Circular Quay home to the Opera House. Off again for a Jet Boat ride in the Harbor, we all got drenched and had a laugh! Hosted dinner this evening at the Meat & Wine Company.
Day 2 - Free to hop on and off the Harbour Explorer Cruise. My small group of new friends chose to have lunch at Doyle's in Watson Bay, famous for their Fish & Chips then off to The Rocks for some shopping. Tonight sunset cocktails at the Opera Bar and dinner on our own at Argyle Restaurant in the Rocks. (almost everyone joined-in) According to Dan, the "IN" place for dinner and drinks in Sydney at the moment.
Day 3 - Today we head North to the Hunter Valley to Wyndham Estate Winery. After a wonderful barbeque lunch of chicken, steak and of course wine, on a grassy area near the vineyard we retreated indoors for some real tasting. Wyndham makes a Sparkling Shiraz unique to their winery, very nice flavor with bubbles! In addition to the usual offerings of reds & whites. The bus ride back to Sydney was a little loud to say the least.
Day 4 - Up early for our flight from Sydney to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. After 2 ferry transfers we arrive at the Long Island Resort on Long Island. For the next 3-nights this was our home. Our rooms had 2-twin beds and bunk beds, shower only bathroom, a balcony overlooking the lap pool, simple and clean.
The resort offers non-motorized watersports to their guests of either kayaks or paddle-boats, in addition to jet skis, water skiing and parasailing for hire. Breakfast included daily for our group. Low tide for the duration of our stay, beach was average with plenty of chaise lounges. Basic pool area with swim-up bar. Tonight we are hosted to an a' la carte dinner.
Day 5 - All day free to do as we liked, lounging on the beach was the extent of my activity today after 90 minute bushwalk which is offered to all guests of the resort if they choose to participate. Another inclusive meal tonight of the Seafood Buffet.
Day 6 - Catamaran sailing adventure today on the Camira around some of the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays. Lunch and snorkeling were included. Visibility not so great on the fringes of the GBR, water a bit chilly a wetsuit helped. One stop today at Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island for some fun in sun. Clear blue water and sand like corn starch, heaven.
Day 7 - Bags out today at 6:30am. A 7:30am start after breakfast for our trip north to Cairns. 7-hrs on the Contiki Bus with a few rest stops along the way in addition to lunch in Townsville and some quick shopping. Our arrival at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort was met with cheers from all as we checked into our rooms. 2 queen beds in a very spacious room, tub/shower bathroom. Private balconies or courtyard overlooking the pool and gardens in all their Superior rooms. The Colonial is set within 11 acres of tropical gardens, with 3 lagoon swimming pools and 3 restaurants. Tonight a hosted dinner in the Homestead restaurant. Buffet breakfast included for the group.
Day 8 - Off to an early start again as we make our way to Reef Lover Cruises for our day on the GBR. After cruising for 1 hour we arrive at the Reef Lover Pontoon, a very large tarp covered picnic area if you will, with
rows upon rows of metal picnic tables. Masks, snorkels & fins all provided. For those who don't care for the water an underwater submersible and glass bottom boat also included. Snorkeling amongst the colorful fish and coral was most definitely for me the absolute highlight of this trip! Now further North, the water warmed-up considerably, no wetsuit required here. Buffet lunch also included. Tonight dinner on own and plenty of time for shopping the Night Markets. Later in the evening, we meet up at Gilligan's. The young one's in the group continue on to the Woolshed for more drinks and dancing on tables? Glad I missed that one.
Day 9 - Another full day, off this morning to visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where we experienced through film, dance and music the culture of this ancient land. Attempted to throw a Boomerang, I say attempted, didn't work out too well for me. Next we make our way to the village of Kuranda via the Skyrail Cableway taking us up and over the rainforest, stunning. 2 stops as we make our ascent first for a walk of the trails through the rainforest, next at Barron Falls. Arrival in Kuranda for lunch & shopping, very quaint and artsy, lot's of shops and outdoor cafe's. Next up the Cairns Tropical Zoo where we were given the gift of individual picture's taken with a Koala, so soft with a wonderful smell of eucalyptus. Time for roaming amongst the Kangaroo's in an open area for feeding or just picture taking. Such warm eyes and long lashes. On the Contiki Bus again headed to the Colonial for a quick clean-up and yet another hosted dinner at Rattle & Hum. Early evening as we depart Australia tomorrow.
Day 10 - Shuttle pick's us up at 4:30am. Some of the group have an early departure from Cairns to Sydney at 545am then onward to Los Angeles....
I am very grateful I was able to take this trip and experience Contiki Tours first hand. View my pictures from the trip here.
Contiki Tours are the perfect vacation. Check out all the great Contiki trips at or call me at 800-300-4567
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