What To Expect When Traveling in 2021

Know The Requirements

• Expect to wear mask at the airport and on the plane. Some airports may require a more specific (non-cloth) mask.  Practice mask wearing with young kids beforehand. If your child isn't used to wearing a mask, the airport is not the place to try it out. Help your child get used to wearing it before your trip. 

• Check destination requirements. Many policies have changed recently and require uploaded documents prior to travel. Some destinations require specific insurance, vaccination records and/or a negative Covid test. Your travel advisor can point you in the right direction for the destination website to upload documents and see the latest safety protocols. 

• Expect passport processing delays. Even expedited passports can take 12 weeks. Check your passports and make sure they are valid for at least 6 months after your travel dates. Processing times are delayed for new applications as well as renewals. 

Expect Long Airport Lines

• Arrive 2 hours before domestic flights, 3 hours for international flights. Wait times vary based on the airport, but it's always better to be early just in case. 

• Avoid checking bags if possible. If you are traveling domestically and don't check bags you can skip the bag drop line and check in online. When traveling internationally, you will collect your bags at your first US stop. This means layovers need to be long enough to go through immigration, wait for your bag, go through customs, re-check your bag and get to your next flight. 

• Use airline apps to upload necessary paperwork, vaccination records or Covid test results.  These can be pre-approved to save you time and will alert you if you are missing something needed for travel. 

Rental Car Shortage

• Expect less options and higher pricing. There is a national car rental shortage due to cut back and automotive parts shortages. 

• Book early, consider non-airport locations. Airport locations (especially in top tourist destinations) may not have a rental car available. Consider booking at a neighborhood location and take an Uber or cab there from the airport. 

• Consider car share companies like Turo, GetAround or ZipCar. 

Be Flexible and Patient

• Flight Cancellations and delays are more frequent. Don't cut it too close with layovers or choose the last flight of the day to your destination. Layovers returning from an international destination should be at least 2.5-3 hours if you are checking bags to account for potential delays and lines at immigration and customs. Factoring in a lunch break at an airport when you have some extra time is a lot better than factoring in an overnight if you miss your flight. 

• Be patient with hotel staff and restaurant servers. Many are new and still learning. This is true in everywhere, but especially in popular resort destinations like Mexico. Many of the hotel staff come from other parts of the country. When Covid hit and hotels shut down a lot tourism workers went back home to their families. Many got other jobs and haven't returned to the hotels. The resorts are filling positions as they can, but training takes time.  Also, keep in mind that hotels are working at reduced capacity, which means less staff and some dining options may not be open. 

• Book early. Capacity limits and high demand have eliminated last-minute deals. Yes, there are still a few deals out there for last-minute vacations, but not like we used to see. Availability is very limited and planning ahead is a must if you want to get the best value and most selection. As always, travel insurance is highly recommended and it's important to know what your policy covers. I suggest choosing a plan with Cancel for Any Reason coverage. This gives you the flexibility to change your mind without needing to meet requirements. 

Coronavirus Update

Dear Travel Clients,

We are here for you! We understand you may be worried and even stressed about the next steps for any upcoming travel.

One of the reasons people trust travel agents to book their trips is because in times like these, we are on your side and can handle these types of unpredictable situations. We are handling all of the long wait times with the airlines and travel suppliers and are advocating on your behalf for new change and cancellation policies.

Please know that we are here for you and doing everything we can to help you and all of our clients navigate this uncertain time for travel.

As travel agents, we receive direct communications from travel suppliers and organizations on their latest policies and procedures. Being part of this supportive network helps us guide our clients to the best possible solution for their particular situation.

So, please reach out to us if you need to make changes to your trip or are concerned about your travel plans. We are doing our best to respond and address our clients’ needs as quickly and efficiently as we can. We are currently working on trips which are departing in the next 60 days. But, we are more than happy to address any concerns for travel beyond as well. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move forward together and for your support of our travel business now and in the future.

Sincerely,
Beth Duppstadt, Agency Owner
LoveLand & Sea Travel

Tips for Traveling With a Significant Other

This week agency owner, Beth Duppstadt and Honeymoon Specialist Nancy Jackson talked with Sheila Gray at Good Morning Cincinnati and provided some tips for traveling with a significant other.

Watch the video here:

Channel 12 Interview

1. Start Small - If you are in a new relationship or traveling together for the first time, I recommend starting with an easy trip first, such as a long weekend.  Traveling with someone and being together 24/7 is a lot different than going on dates a few nights a week.

2. Discuss Priorities & Be Willing to Compromise  - Everyone has their own idea of what their perfect trip will be like. Discuss what you really want to experience during your trip and what you really don't like as well. Then, be willing to compromise in order to make sure both people are getting some of their top priorities met.

3. Be Clear About Budget and Spending Expectations - This is an important conversation to have. First, determining how much you'll spend on accommodations and transportation, but then also what you are comfortable spending once you are on the trip. Will you be splurging on gourmet meals every night, or eating at budget-friendly restaurants? 

This is why I like All-Inclusive Resorts for my honeymoon clients. Once they arrive they don't have to worry about spending or staying within a budget. It's all taken care of upfront which is a lot less stressful. 

4. Consider Privacy Needs - I recommend planning for some alone time during your trip. Maybe one of you will go to the spa for a few hours while the other plays golf. Having a little time to yourself can help you stay focused on the relationship for the rest of the trip. Also, make sure your accommodations are set up with enough privacy. Maybe you don't want a room with an open bathroom concept if you are in a new relationship.

5. After Trip Discussion - After you return home take a few minutes to talk about what you really enjoyed about your trip and anything that could have been better. It may help you in planning your next vacation.

Winter Getaways 2019

Winter Getaways 2019

This morning I had the privilege of talking with Sheila Gray at Local 12 News about winter travel ideas. This is the perfect time to plan a getaway and escape the cold! We talked about four categories: Bargain, Family, Off-The-Beaten-Path and Go Big. No matter what your style or budget there is a great getaway for you!


Click the link to view the segment. For booking info check out www.lovelandandsea.com.


Good Morning Cincinnati News Segment 

Bargain Travel 

The Bahamas - There are great specials available to get people back to the islands after the hurricane. Most islands in The Bahamas (14) are completely open for business. The islands that were affected can use our support. By traveling to the Bahamas we are supporting the economy and keeping people employed in the tourism industry. 

Family Travel

Take a Caribbean Cruise on the Brand New Norwegian Encore. The ship is perfect for families!  They offer go carts, laser tag with augmented reality, virtual reality games, an aqua park and kids club. 

For adults they offer a spa with a snow room and salt room, casino and Broadway-Style entertainment. October is a great time to book with many special offers including free drinks packages and free airfare. 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise/norwegian-encore/activities

Off The Beaten Path

Merida, Mexico. Conde Nast Magazine just named Merida the "Best Small City in the World, 2019." They offer charming walk-able streets, rich culture and friendly people.  I visited over the summer and fell in love! You can also check out Mayan ruins nearby. 

Photos from my recent trip are here:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/LoveLandandSea/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2462555150435462

Go Big

The Galapagos. Winter is the wet/warm season so it's perfect for those who want to snorkel and see animals such as marine iguanas, green sea turtles, and penguins. Land and Cruise options available. This destination is part of my Animal Adventures Collection. 

Cruising the Mediterranean

This week's blog post is from Katie Normand, our Europe, New Zealand and Australia Specialist!

Mediterranean Cruise on the Oceania Sirena

I’ve always been a type-A/plan-my-own-itinerary/book-everything-myself kind of person. The idea of a trip or a cruise where every stop is planned out for me each day sounded quite restricting—definitely not my style. But a few years ago the opportunity arose for me to join my Aunt Judy on a cruise around the Mediterranean, and as it turns out, it ended up being one of the most amazing trips of my life!

Our itinerary was on the Eastern Mediterranean, round-trip from Athens, Greece. As I reviewed the itinerary before we left, I appreciated that we were going to hit some of the more popular destinations like Santorini and Venice, but I was seriously questioning some stops, like Corfu (Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), or Ancona (Italy).

As we explored the ship our first night, I was shocked by how much there was to do on the ship alone! There was a pool and hot tub of course, but also a full spa, a library, a putting green, shuffleboard, and more. I could probably just spend a whole week on the ship.

Another thing I loved about the ship was the food—or more specifically, the endless choices! I’m not really what you would consider a “foodie.” I’m a pretty picky eater, and I always hate to pay for food if I don’t know I’ll like because if not, it’ll be a waste of food and money!

But the beauty of cruising this way was that the food is already included in the fare. I really appreciated that Oceania made a point to have local food from our port available for dinner each night, so it was great to be able to try local delicacies with the peace of mind of knowing if I didn’t like it, I could just go grab some pizza or a burger! (Although I ended up loving everything new that I tried—hello, baklava!)

Our first stop was Santorini, and the beautiful island certainly lived up to the hype. Sailing into the bay at sunrise was quite a beautiful sight, and it wasn’t hard at all to find those classic blue domes for a photo!

After a stop in Katakolon, Greece, where we visited the original Olympic grounds, we ventured on to Corfu, another Greek Island and somewhere I probably never would have thought to visit on my own due to the popularity of some many other Greek islands, but wow—was I blown away by Corfu! This island had it all. A charming old town with beautiful ancient architecture and quaint shops, and some of the most stunning beaches I’ve ever seen.

Judy and I also tried the local drink, Ouzo, which is a clear alcohol so strong you have to dilute it with water to drink, and when you do, it turns milky white. It tasted just like black licorice!

The next stop was Kotor, Montenegro, another place that never would’ve been on my radar otherwise. Kotor sits in what’s called Europe’s southernmost fjord, and sailing into the fjord in the morning when it’s silent and still was so peaceful and beautiful.

The Old City is well-preserved, and an UNESCO heritage site. Surrounded by mountains, we climbed a long set of steps up to the old fortress that overlooks the city and bay for stunning views. We also took a boat trip out to Our Lady of the Rocks church which sits on an island of its own in the fjord.

From there we stopped in stunning Split, Croatia which boasted amazing architecture (the city center is literally built into an old palace), classic orange rooftops, and outdoor markets, then onto a rainy day Venice where I completed all of my Christmas present shopping for the year and enjoyed pizza and gelato (of course)!

From Venice, we sailed to Ancona, Italy, where I was really confused as to what there is to do here. But instead of staying in the city, we opted for the shore excursion to San Marino, which is a little-known country (yes, country!) that sits in the middle of Italy (kind of like the Vatican).

Walking the cobblestone streets, I felt like I had gone back in time. After watching the changing of the guard at the President’s house, I actually went to the tourism office to get a stamp for my passport—this was my 20^th country visited! What a fun little surprise San Marino was, and an extra country checked off the bucket list!

After Ancona, we stopped in Bari, Italy which is the gateway to the Puglia region known for its seaside cliffs, and then we had a day at sea while returning back to Athens, where we added an extra day post-cruise to explore this enormous city before returning back to the US.

Overall, I ended up absolutely loving my cruising experience! I thought the set itinerary would be rigid and dull, but there were still so many surprises along the way. We still had plenty of flexibility to choose what we wanted to do in each port, and when we opted to do the Oceania shore excursions, they were top-notch experiences. And probably the best part of it all was that after a long day of exploring a city, I could sit back, relax and have a drink without worrying about how I was getting from place to place, finding accommodations, or hauling luggage. That alone was worth it, because my vacation could really be a vacation!

For booking details visit lovelandandsea.com

Warm Weather Getaways

This morning I visited Fox 19 News to talk about some great warm weather destinations to beat the cold winter! I highlighted the destinations with some great new hotels. These new properties offer great promotions, services and unique amenities.

Riviera Maya Mexico

Why: Non-stop flights, great hotel deals, nature and culture. 

New Luxury Resort - Hotel Xcaret 

https://www.hotelxcaret.com/en/

Costa Rica 

Why: Soft Adventure, Black Sand Beaches, Cloud Forest.

New Resort - Planet Hollywood 

https://www.planethollywoodhotels.com/property/costa-rica

Los Cabos 

Why: New Non-Stop Flights, The Arch, Whale Watching, Nightlife 

New Resort - Nobu

https://www.nobuhotels.com/loscabos.html 

See the video of the news segment here: http://www.fox19.com/video/2019/01/04/beth-duppstadt-with-love-land-sea-travel/

One Love Bus - Negril

I have traveled to Jamaica several times. I enjoy Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios and try to visit each destination on a regular basis. I have always had a great time exploring and going on excursions and seeing beautiful waterfalls, mountains and beaches. However, this last trip to Negril was the best, and a huge part of that was because of the One Love Bus Tour.

Lenbert runs this tour and you won't find it on tour websites or in any traditional booking engine. To book this tour you contact Lenbert by email. He offers this tour for free in order to help tourists experience a more authentic Jamaica and to help the local bars benefit more from tourism.

  *UPDATE 2020: The One Love Bus Tour is now sold through Viator for a nominal fee. Tips are still appreciated. https://www.viator.com/tours/Negril/One-Love-Bus-Bar-Crawl/d433-160097P1?accountid=TGQ1ZGT&mcid=58086

Once my travel buddy and friend, Megan, and I were confirmed for our tour I got prepared. After reading online reviews I learned that Lenbert often stops at a village where kids will be out in the streets. Riders on the bus are able to donate items to the kids and village. Some bring flip flops, candy, school supplies, books or just donate cash.

Lenbert picked us at our hotel and the fun began. We were the first ones on the bus, which was covered inside with articles about Negril and many that featured the driver himself.


We drove to another resort to pick up the rest of the riders. They were a group of friends all staying together and celebrating a birthday. Megan and I lucked out to join such a fun group of people!

Lenbert rotates the bars he visits to spread the business around. The places we visited were fantastic. It started with a small roadside place that couldn't even fit us all. We spread out to the surrounding outdoor space and noticed a man walking around selling "ganja" and brownies. Jamaicans are allowed to grow a limited amount of marijuana per person in each house. Tourists are still not legally allowed to buy any drugs, including marijuana, but since the fine is equal to about $5 US dollars and it's rarely enforced, it's pretty common for visitors buy and smoke it.

We stopped a several other places, including a bar that is set within the cliffs on the west end. There are steps leading down to a cave, complete with bats hanging and water crashing into the rocks at it's entrance. I loved that experience!

There were many surprises along the way, but my favorite was visiting Lenbert's home and meeting his wife and one of his kids. There were fresh pastries offered and we were able to see his wife's beautiful artwork and taste her famous rum punch!

I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see more of Negril and meet some incredible people along the way. Remember to bring cash for bar purchases and to tip the driver. Don't forget to bring donation items for the kids and wear a swimsuit under your clothes if you plan to do any cliff jumping at Rick's Cafe.