Friday, December 22, 2017

Which Caribbean Island is Best for Your Travel Type?

As temperatures drop, the desire for a vacation grows.  Instead of struggling to stay warm, how about escaping to eh tropical Caribbean?  Bur before you begin to plan, consider what type of traveler you are.  The vast array of islands to choose from can be overwhelming but luckily, there is an ideal destination for every type of traveler!  From shopaholics to adrenaline junkies, there is an island perfect for you and your ideal getaway.  Read on to see which Caribbean island you should head off to!

Foodies
Travel to Barbados

With an interesting blend of cultures and talented cooks, Barbados is one of the best destinations for all foodies. Embrace the unique combination of flavors from Africa, Caribbean, West India and Europe. To truly experience the authentic taste of Barbados, go to Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday night. Here, you can experience the mix of a seafood festival and a street party all while sampling the best Bajan Specialty– flying fish, breaded and fried to perfection! Savor the flavors and head over to Barbados for a taste you won't get anywhere else!
Romance
Travel to St. Lucia

Filled with endless tropical beauty, there's no doubt about why St. Lucia is known as one of the best honeymoon and romantic destinations. Picture a dreamy tropical island: beaches fringed by palm trees, lush vegetation, brightly colored parrots, and jagged mountain peaks. St. Lucia delivers all that and more! And when it comes to relaxation, there are plenty of renowned resorts and spas. So whether you choose to relax at the spa or explore the beautiful views, head to St. Lucia for the ideal romantic getaway for every couple!
Family
Travel to the Bahamas

The Bahamas is filled with fun activities for every family. From water sports to horseback riding, there is no such thing as boredom in the Bahamas! To really get the best experience, head over to Atlantis in Nassau– the famous resort that has its own water park, movie theater, aquarium, kids' club and much more. The whole family can roam around and ride all 17 waterslides, including the Mayan Temple, which provides a great view of sharks while sliding down! Make your family's dream vacation come true and go to the Bahamas!
Music
Travel to Jamaica

Fill your ears with the sound of a new culture! Being the birthplace of Bob Marley, there is no denying the incredible music scene of Jamaica. Witness the magic of music in the dance halls of Kingston or attend a sound–system dance party to experience the local mix of reggae, dancehall music and R&B. No matter where you are in Jamaica, you will be pleasantly overwhelmed by the sounds
Adventure
Travel to Aruba

Discover a new definition of adventure in Aruba! If you love water adventures, go kitesurfing or wreck diving. If you love land adventures, explore the ancient caves or rent an ATV to venture around Arikok National Park and end the day by taking a dip in the natural pool. If these aren't adventurous enough for you, get your adrenaline rushing by skydiving! No matter what type of adventure you are looking for, Aruba is the place for you!

Shopaholics
Travel to the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are a shopper's dream come true! With duty–free shopping, you will save on watches, jewelry and luxury brand items. Shop around and explore the different malls, boutiques, specialty shops, but don't miss out on the craft markets! Here, you can find the most unique handcrafted merchandise, perfect for gifts. Everything you are looking for, from luxury brands to European fashion to local art, is found in the Cayman Islands. Visit the Cayman Islands to shop until you drop!

Culture
Travel to Curacao

Home to forty–two different nationalities, Curacao is a melting pot of culture. This island is full of history, which comes alive in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Willemstad. The colorful architecture and 700–year–old monuments represent the growing multicultural community of Curacao. To really get the feel of the melting pot, attend Carnival and witness the beautiful blend of cultures. Wherever you decide to go in Curacao, you will witness the rich culture and history!
1-800-645-1481
gpastor@dreamvacations.com

Re-posted with permission.


Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Our own Gail Pastor recognized as a Top 25 Travel Agent, Plus other 2017 Honors


Dream Vacations Specialist
Wins Prestigious Award

Hernando resident named a “Top 25 Travel Agent in the U.S.” by Travel Agent magazine

Hernando, Fla. (November 28, 2017) – Dream Vacations Franchise owner and Vacation Specialist Gail Pastor was recently named a “Top 25 All Star” by Travel Agent magazine. 

To be considered, nominees needed 10 or more years’ experience in the travel business, generate at least $1 million in annual sales for their agency and community involvement. Other qualities of those selected include skillful, savvy problem solvers and out-of-the-box thinkers.

“I am so humbled to be included on this prestigious list of the Top 25 Travel Agents in the U.S.,” said Pastor. “I truly love what I do and treat every vacation as if it were my very own. There is no greater feeling than to help make my client’s dream vacations come true and hear their vacation stories when they return home.”

Pastor began her travel career 25 years as one of the first travel agency franchise owners with CruiseOne (now Dream Vacations), and her accolades over the years include being recognized as a Franchisee of the Year and a member of the organization’s Circle of Excellence of Top-Producing Agents. She is active in her community, particularly with children’s organizations, American Cancer Society and her church.

“Gail is always our biggest champion and is a mentor to other agents, including her daughter and business partner Cheri. Together, they have become a mother/daughter powerhouse and exemplify the key traits of what we look for in a travel agent and as a person. That is integrity, passion, creativity and ingenuity,” said Debbie Fiorino, Senior Vice President of Dream Vacations.

As part of World Travel Holdings, one of the nation’s top travel retail networks, Dream Vacations offers consumers the lowest possible pricing on cruise and land vacations through its relationships with every major cruise line and many tour operators.

For more information or to book a dream vacation with Pastor, please call (800) 645-1481 or visit www.DreamVacations.com/GPastor.

About Dream Vacations
Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings, the world’s largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company. As an experiential brand, Dream Vacations is the only travel franchise opportunity to have a name that speaks to the variety of vacation experiences its franchisees sell. With unrivaled buying power, franchisees can provide competitive prices and exclusive offers when selling memorable vacation experiences such as cruises, resort stays and land tours.


Go here to view the newspaper article in our local paper.

Go here to view the original post by Travel Agent Central.


OTHER RECENT AWARDS

At our Dream Vacations conference in October 2017, we were thrilled to be honored in the following categories:

Circle of Excellence (4th year)
- An elite program that recognizes agents for top sales achievement

Top Groups Producer
- Awarded based on achieving the most group sales out of any other Dream Vacations / CruiseOne agent.

Top 5 Producers with these suppliers:

  • Royal Caribbean
  • Oceania
  • Viking Ocean Cruises
  • Shore Excursions Group
25 Years of Service
- Gail was recognized as one of only four Dream Vacations franchises to be with the company 25 years (from the beginning).


Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for your loyalty to our agency. It is our pleasure helping you plan your dream vacations!  We look forward to helping you for years to come.

Not yet a client with us?  Let us help you plan your next vacation!  In addition to crafting trips, we organize individual vacations, family vacations, cruises, river cruises, escorted land trip and Disney vacations.  

1-800-645-1481 
gpastor@dreamvacations.com