Author Archives: Atouristlife
New location…
If you follow my blog, I am working on moving the content to my main website.http://www.atouristlifetravel.com. News is where you will find new blog posts. Thank You for your continued support.
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Fall Getaways
There is still beauty around every corner if you are ready to get out there and find it. If you are not ready to take flight, hop in the car. In just a little over a day you can be in Denver, Colorado. One of my favorite travel partners is Ritz Carlton, Denver.The city’s longest running AAA Five-Diamond hotel and has a Forbes Four-Star rating. You can count on them to take care of your family. If you are looking for a Couples getaway, even better.
Some recommendations from the Hotel on what to see.
I would be happy to customize a journey for you.
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Canyon Ranch Wellness
YOUR PATH TO WELL-BEING BEGINS HERE
Here, you’ll find an inviting and supportive space to energize and navigate your own wellness. Dine on locally-sourced cuisine, challenge yourself with kettle bells or dance class. Relax in saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools. Take in the beauty of nature on guided outings. Feel tension melt in a signature massage or ayurvedic treatment.
Choose a curated experience pathway and meet with experts in medicine, exercise, nutrition, or spirituality working together to help you achieve optimal health. Or just be here, to begin your new path to wellness among the healing mountains.
New laws require a 14-day quarantine for guests arriving to Massachusetts. Please review the most recent state travel orders for more details on the rule and its exceptions, or feel free to contact us with questions.
Click to access life-changing-retreats-lifestyle-reset-at-canyon-ranch.pdf
Escape to our fabulous Massachusetts resort.
The beauty of the Berkshires has nourished generations of artists and poets. Now write your own story of renewal.
Choose daily from refreshing spa, wellness and fitness activities. A day may begin with yoga and end with canoeing toward a lakeside sunset. Or, go snowshoeing in the hush of a winter morning. Savor meals that make you wild for healthy cooking, everything from lobster to tiramisu. Discover fresh wonders at our all-energizing, all-inclusive health resort in Lenox – where every trail leads to the best in you.
Want to know more ? As a part of Virtuoso I can customize your escape.
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We miss you, stay safe.
The Let’s Go There campaign is a new industrywide effort to inspire Americans to do what is exciting, safe and productive: make plans to travel.
Developed by the Let’s Go There Coalition, the goal of the campaign is to reignite America’s sense of wanderlust and encourage travelers to look ahead at their next getaway—whenever the time is right.
The Let’s Go There, Soon iteration of the campaign heavily emphasizes inspiration as a precursor of planning, with a focus on future travel. Destinations who are currently unable to market out of state—or discouraged from marketing at all—should be able to join the larger campaign through this messaging.
For more information about the Let’s Go There campaign, visit LetsGoThere.travel. To learn about the Let’s Go There Coalition, visit ustravel.org/LetsGoThereCoalition or contact info@letsgothere.travel with questions.
Are you feeling cooped up? Make a list of your biggest concerns.
- Flying
- Staying in a Hotel
- Eating out
- Being around other people
- Leaving the US
- Being quarantined
- Overall Safety
Once you have organized your concerns it is easier to make a customized plan for now or in the future. Follow along for ideas and reach out with questions.
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THE NEW NORMAL
Understanding The Future of Travel
Until a reliable Vaccine is available to the World we must adjust. Travel has made many changes to evolve through this Pandemic. I have out lined several things you should know.
Travel on a budget…
Most of us fall into this category. If you like a bargain avoid the urge to be your own Travel Agent. Why use an Agent, Advisor, Planner? We are up to date on what really is open and what safety measures are being taken. We are here for you in the middle of the night. Does a live person answer your call from that online site ? We sit on hold for hours getting you answers and making changes so you can continue on with your plans.
We can advise you on cancellation policies and what is your best option.
Many online booking sites have pre-loaded inventory which can allow a purchase on Unavailable Hotels and Resorts etc.
Online deals look good until you add in the fees and added charges to the bottom line.
Planning now for a better trip next year can still be exciting and may alleviate the need to change plans several times. If you can’t wait, do your homework and visit the CDC website.
Do not plan on leaving the US 48, you want to have the option to drive home if something prevents Airline Travel again. Be sure your Passports are Valid; no offices are open. When they do re open the backlog will be tremendous.
If you do book something on your own, know that no matter the situation a refund is unlikely. Cancellations from flight issues and CDC regulations are to be expected. Do not buy basic economy. Enroll in the STEP traveler program.
One of the best parts of a Vacation is often the food, but most places are still only allowed take out. Hotels and Resorts have other limitations as well, pools and spas may be closed. You can not always see these things online.
Certified Travel Agents like myself, offer reliable companies that have created special policies during this crisis that allows for the unexpected so you can make changes at the last minute without fear of totally losing your hard-earned money.
Endless Budget…
If you do plan to leave the Country, do you have a reliable person to care for your home for an extended period of time? Most destinations are requiring a Quarantine period by visitors that is an added expense you will pay for. If there is a sudden increase in new Corona Cases causing another Border disruption, repatriation flights may be weeks or months away. Since this is all part of the Pandemic, Insurance does not cover most of these situations. This costly process again falls on the traveler.
Cruise on…
Later this fall as the Cruise Industry starts, clients that have rebooked from previously cancelled trips will be enjoying some great perks they received for their troubles. This is one industry where your being stuck in quarantine although still uncomfortable would not be costing you extra for room and board or even food like a land-based trip. Keep that in mind if you do not have an endless budget but wish to leave the country.
Who ever you choose remember local Businesses are the ones supporting other local Businesses. They are the ones everyone asks for help and donations. They care about you and your community.
Travel is sharing…… customs, music, food, entertainment, life, and understanding.
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It’s not just a Ball Game
As we sit in our homes scrolling through Social Media wondering when we can finally escape, are you thinking where can we go? Most of us will choose to venture only a few hours from home. Have you always wanted to visit Cooperstown? When we are asked when the best time to visit is, we say before Memorial Day or after Labor Day to avoid the crowds from the Baseball camps. Many of our small businesses are currently open for take out and delivery. They are also feeding our healthcare workers and frontline staff and will greatly appreciate your help this summer by patronizing them.
This summer our loss is your gain since the entire season has been cancelled. This is a perfect opportunity to see the true beauty of the area the way it use to be.
Almost there
The Baseball Hall of Fame
During the summer this view can only be seen before 6:00 AM otherwise it is a Sea of people.
Early mornings are a beautiful time to take a stroll around the empty streets and take in the History and Architecture of the old buildings. From here cross the Street and head down Hoffman Lane and take a left on Stagecoach Lane. Here you will find a spectacular cup of coffee and quick bite to eat before heading down to enjoy the views of the lake. They added a room for roasting and you can see them at work. Stagecoach coffee can also be ordered online to enjoy at home now. They too are doing their part to help the community during this tough time.
Fresh Roasted Coffee
Out the front door you will find Pioneer Street which leads down to the lake and park. I love sitting on a bench watching the ducks and drinking my coffee as the sun starts heating up. You may wish to avoid Thursday mornings , it seems every time I have been there my peace and quiet is interrupted by mowing of the lawn in Pioneer Park.
Calm and peaceful
To the right you will see Lakefront Motel and restaurant. Late in the afternoon a cocktail outside on the porch is a great treat. While you are there check the schedule for the Glimmerglass Queen boat ride. Depending on the day there are 3 or 4 times daily that it sails. You can also rent a boat or kayak. Sam Smiths Boat yard has rentals from small boats up to a pontoon boat. Enjoy dinner at their restaurant The Blue Mingo.
From here walk back up to Lake Street and in either direction you will find history whether it’s Council Rock or the Otesaga Resort there is more to Cooperstown than Baseball.
Pre Wedding setup
The Otesaga Resort hosts all types of events including weddings and has a wonderful spa.
Guests can also enjoy their pool , golf and dining.
For a more unique take on History , how about an evening Ghost Tour.
Bruce, who is a local does a wonderful job with the tour. If you still want more Hyde Hall also has ghost tours.
We have plenty of wildlife right in town. Here is a Deer heading home after breakfast at the local florist Mohican. They have been enjoying a diet of fresh Hosta in the spring.
If you google deer in supermarket you may find some photos taken by the staff of Price Chopper. A few years back we had a deer walk in the store on two separate occasions; no it was not a pet.
Not my better side
Wedding Flowers at the Otesaga Resort
If you are visiting on a weekend you could stop by the Farmers Market on Saturday located in Pioneer Alley just behind the Wax Museum. You can find everything from Fruits and Vegetables to Flowers and Wine. Speaking of Wine, take a short ride out of town and visit the Pail Shop for a glass of their signature Chianti. On the other side of the alley is the Famous Double Day Field , currently under construction.
Take me out to the Ballgame
For the Baseball Fan there is no lack of things to see and do. I recommend saving it for after you have visited all of the other wonderful places and your traveling companion is blissfully happy.
Many of you may know of the Farmers Museum. If you do live within a few hours of here , most likely as a child you visited there on a school field trip.
As one of the oldest rural life museums in the country, The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, New York, provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience 19th-century rural and village life firsthand through demonstrations and interpretive exhibits.
The museum, founded in 1943, comprises a working farmstead, a recreated historic village, the Empire State Carousel, and a Colonial Revival stone barn listed on the National Register for Historic Places, The museum preserves important examples of upstate New York architecture, early agricultural tools and equipment, and heritage livestock. Its collection of more than 23,000 items encompasses significant historic objects ranging from butter molds to carriages, hand planes to plows.
The museum presents a broad range of interactive educational programs for school groups, families, and adults that explore and preserve the rich agricultural history of the region. ( paragraph borrowed from the Chamber of Commerce )
The Fenimore Art Museum features one of the nation’s finest collections of folk art, American art, and the renowned Thaw Collection of American Indian Art. Enjoy lake view dining on the terrace and unique shopping in the Museum Shop.
HYDE HALL represents an extraordinary vision of 19th-century Anglo-American culture and the establishment of vast agricultural estates in the early years of the American republic. Built by George Clarke (1768-1835), the house is considered one of the finest examples of the neoclassical country house in the United States.
Roger Kennedy of the Smithsonian Institution has hailed Hyde Hall as “a great house, architecturally, and a social document of the first importance.” The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan called Hyde Hall “one of the most remarkable buildings in America,” and Brendan Gill, long-time architecture critic for The New Yorker magazine and an early champion for Hyde Hall’s restoration, declared it one of the “three or four great buildings in America of its time.” ( paragraph borrowed from the Chamber of Commerce)
Ride the Trolley
Hall of Fame Game Craziness
The map shows the Trolley Lots for Parking if you want a ride.
I am in hopes that the village will lift the parking restrictions for the time being too encourage visitors.
When it does come time for the Hall of Fame Induction (also Postponed) or Special Events Parking does come at a Premium.
There are many great places to visit just outside of town ,how about miniature golf for the kids at Barnyard Swing.
Premier 18-hole miniature golf and family fun center. Wild-West laser tag in an authentic civil war-era barn, gem panning, ice cream saloon.
Engineered fun built into every hole including water shots, drop-down holes, and obstacles. Beautifully landscaped complete with fountains and stream.
If you like Beer , we have Breweries. Visit the famous Brewery Ommegang known all around the world. They are doing pick up’s at this time.
For some evening entertainment stop by Red Shed Brewery, with two locations and that small town feel. Unable to be open during this pandemic, their original Cherry Valley location is doing pickup’s Friday and Saturday’s, Still wanting more? Nearby Milford, NY is Cooperstown Brewing.
Cooperstown Brewing Company –
We’re a true small batch brewery in the heart of upstate New York. We brew premium English ales, stouts and porters using an original Peter Austin System. Our most notable brands include Old Slugger Pale Ale, Nine Man Golden Ale, Benchwarmer Porter and Backyard IPA.
New for 2017, Bambino American Amber, a true home run classic. Also find our Induction Summer Ale, a Limited Release with Collectors Edition label honoring the years Inductees.
Est. 1995
Within view of the Brewery is the Cooperstown and Leatherstocking Railway. They offer rides for different holidays and events as well as a Blues Train during the summer months. We are very lucky to have them and all of the Volunteers that keep it alive. Please check out their website and learn more about them and what you can do to help support a piece of History.
There are many more great businesses, check out the Chamber of Commerce for more details. Sorry I can not showcase them all but I need keep this short.
If you are a local living outside of Cooperstown remember, all Business helps our economy in every town and village. Money spent in their community is your neighbors yearly salary that eventually is spent in yours.
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How to Plan a Cruise
A cruise is truly a reasonable way to see the World. You always know where you are sleeping, unpack once and you will not starve or go thirsty. My first suggestion is to find out where you want to go and contact your travel agent for help with the planning . After you choose your location you will be given a few options for dates depending on what time of year it is. The farther away the date is, the less expensive the cost will be. Using an Agent may offer you additional amenities. Now get started booking that journey. Our first cruise was to Alaska and when I booked it, the beginning of May was the most reasonably priced. I did shop around to other Cruise Lines but for our needs Carnival was the better price and we were able to get a balcony for the cost of an interior cabin at their competition. I have also been to Alaska in September, I often hear inexperienced travelers say they were told late Summer is the best time to visit, personally I disagree. The Glaciers and snow is what makes Alaska, to me summer is similar to home. I like the early spring when the animals are just coming out of hibernation and the snow in the Mountains is still deep. Some cruise lines are known for hosting mostly older passengers, some younger but there really are only a few companies that own many different brands. Nearly everything is included in your cost (except alcohol) some companies sell add on packages for that also. You will have to pay extra for whatever Excursions you choose with Carnival but some companies do have more inclusive packages. I wanted to have all of our expenses paid so we would not need a lot of cash or extra money so I pre paid for all of our excursions and gratuities (a daily charge per person per room) With Carnival they have a special price (Early Saver Rate) that allows you to make changes to your booking if you need to. Lower floors can be near engine rooms and upper levels just below a night club so be sure to ask me for help. Once booked you will have a special link to check the web site directly for details on baggage restrictions, port directions, transportation options and things like dress code. Also you will need a passport, we were able to just purchase a new passport card it is only good for LAND and SEA travel NO AIR but it is less expensive. Either way you need to start the process months in advance. If you plan your cruise with me I will be sure you have all the necessary details.
It is a good idea to arrive to the Port’s City a day in advance in case you have flight delays so you will not miss your cruise. When you book your flight to leave be sure it is later afternoon if it is on the day you debark. Even though the ships usually dock very early in the morning there are some times delays getting off the ship and collecting luggage.
- Get your Passport and start saving your pennies
- Choose a Destination and Date / do the research and your Travel Planner will help choose a Cruise Line for your style
- Select a Cabin and read all the FAQ Insurance is usually a good idea to add to protect your investment
- Select a Hotel and transportation for the Airport and Cruise port
- Your Agent can help you Buy Airline tickets or alternate transportation
- Pick your excursions and check the weather for the time of travel
- Notify your bank and credit card company of your travel dates
- Keep a well-organized binder , your agent can help you with lists for Packing and much more
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Travel In Style with Friends
Remove the stress of planning a Trip and join us. Enjoy a Java along the water in Venice. Click on the Link Below and leave your details. Or follow our Facebook page for upcoming details on our next getaway.
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Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
This is a post from a while back. I am reposting because the Dominican People need our help. Many of you now know how the Stories from several months ago were inaccurate. If you want to read the truth for your own peace of mind visit travfacts.org Many of the people lost their Jobs as the Tourism dwindled. Tourism is the main source of Income and has a major effect on the economy.
I love to visit new places and people and learn first hand about other cultures. Traveling by cruise ship is a simple way to do this. Many may choose the candy coated version but I like to venture out and see things for what they are.
If you like jewelry Amber and Larimar are both very prevalent here. There are museums dedicated to them.
With that in mind it surprises me how many people choose here to visit for long vacations. I found the majority of people we interacted with unfriendly and not wanting to bother with tourists.
We still enjoyed our time, the first day at a resort being pampered on the beach. If you never left this little bit of paradise your golden.
The following day we visited La Romana this area exists because of shell oil and Paramount Pictures. Several movies have been filmed here along the river , Rambo , Predator , Anaconda and more.
Also overlooking the Charon River is the Village of Altos de Chavon with many cobblestone pathways leading to the Archeological Museum , and The Famous School of Design. The Church of St. Stanislaus Consecrated in 1979 Pope John Paul II sent the ashes of Poland’s patron saint, St. Stanislaus , and a hand carved statue to commemorate the church’s inauguration .
Many famous movie stars have been married here as well as held there receptions in the courtyard.
The Amphitheater, inaugurated in 1982 by Frank Sinatra has since hosted dozens of famous performers such as Sting, Elton John, Marc Anthony , Andrea Bocelli, Julio Iglesias and many more. Today this theatre is still a very important part December 30th, 2016 Enrique Iglesias performs.
Next we continue on to Bonaire and the salt flats. This was a very beautiful view from the ship with clear blue waters and colorful surroundings. During our journey, especially when we find a location we may want to return to , we asked about the crime among other things. We were told the crime is relatively low (relative to what I wonder as all of the businesses had bars on their windows.)
BONAIRE
atouristlife 