What a year 2017 has turned out to be for myself and my team! We have farewelled an unprecedented number of travellers on their big adventures, from Aussie to USA, Asia to Europe, and South America. It is wonderful to hear of your travels and update our information on your return. I do thank so many of you for your patience as we negotiated our way through 3-15 page itineraries, and put the jigsaw puzzles together for 2, 3, 4 and even 8 week travel journeys! 

A big shout out to Nicky who held the fort in the office, with Brigitte away in New York and Buenos Aires during April and May. In amongst that in February to July, our new house & office was built, and being on the building site was inevitable at times - along with packing up and moving house and office into the mix! Soon you will be able to enjoy meeting at my new Travel Office (once we have internet and drives/paths are complete!).

My New York/Washington/Philadelphia and Niagara Falls Cosmos trip was amazing! And traveling to Argentina with all the other Top 10 NZ Travel Brokers was a great opportunity to expand my travel knowledge and spend time with some great people! 

Nicky had her own adventures this year. She negotiated driving Timaru to Christchurch through the floods - remember that Saturday when SH1 was closed?! To fly out to Samoa! (a lot warmer than Timaru!) 

Talofa lava! At the end of July I was lucky enough to go to Samoa on a research trip with GO Holidays. I stayed in Apia for 6 nights and took a day trip to Savaii, I went on site inspections of all the Hotels and Resorts that we recommend when providing travel advice to clients.

It was a fantastic eye opener into all the resorts that Samoa has to offer. Samoa’s weather is warm and tropical all year round making it an ideal destination for New Zealanders looking for a bit of sun during our colder months. Beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, hospitable people and only a four hour flight from Auckland, the Samoa holiday experience is laidback and refreshing.  

River, Ocean Cruising and Touring Earlybirds are here! (flights are coming soon...not quite here yet). See the fantastic air credit deal from Globus/Cosmos and Avalon Waterways below.

This was a very popular offer last year, and I'm glad to see it back again - the flexibility of the air credit is fantastic! You have your choice of airlines, and you choose the travel dates so you can add on extra days pre or post your cruise.

Touring and River cruising is a fantastic way to see the historic sights of Europe. Unlike the tour/coach experience, river cruising is more relaxed. Your trip is dotted with stops at towns and villages where you can hop off and explore the winding, cobbled streets, stroll through the grand squares and linger at cafés where the locals hang out - It's easy to see why it's on the bucket list of so many people!

I also have a few news items for you today about what to expect with the security screening that has been implemented at a number of airports (especially in the USA) and just a quick warning about a travel voucher scam that has been doing the rounds.

P.S I'm expecting Earlybird airfares to start coming out shortly - if you'd like to be kept in the loop when these arrive, please email me back and let me know.  

Avalon Waterways 2018 River Cruising - Up to $3000 Air Credit!

Avalon Waterways have a fantastic air credit offer on their 2018 Europe river cruises with up to $3,000 air credit per couple ($1,500 per person).

2018 Europe river cruises of 15+ days = $1,500 air credit per person

2018 Europe river cruises of 11 – 14 days = $1,000 air credit per person

2018 Europe river cruises 10 days or less = $500 air credit per person

This fantastic offer is available for all cabin categories and departures!

It’s easy – simply choose your 2018 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise and the Air Credit is yours.

The air credit is very simple and has huge flexibility, you can choose:

• Your preferred airline.
• Your class of travel.
• Your travel dates.
• Your entry and exit points.

Travelling solo? Avalon Waterways has a great deal for you too! With No Single Supplement, so you can save up to $9,928!

This offer ends 27 September 2017. Terms and Conditions apply. N.B.The No Single Supplement offer is not combinable with the air credit.

Up to $2000 Air Credit per couple with Globus

Globus has some fantastic air credit deals at the moment on their 2018 UK & Europe Preview and 2018 North & South American tours.

2018 UK & Europe Preview - Up to $2000 Air Credit per couple

2018 North & South America - Up to $2000 Air Credit per couple

Offer ends 12 September 2017. Terms and Conditions apply. Contact me today for more information.

Important Info On Security Screening

Please share with your family, friends & colleagues.

Globally, aviation authorities are updating security screening for air travellers, and this can cause delays. 

Here are a few tips and suggestions to help you navigate these;

1. Ensure your portable electronic devices (e.g. your camera, phone, tablet, laptop, e-reader) can be turned on and powered up on request. Make sure all of your devices are fully charged as you may be asked to turn on your device/s at screening points.
2. Increased security checks may lengthen the check-in process. Arriving early is always a good idea, but allow yourself some extra time just in case. Three hours before departure for international flights or 1½ hours before domestic flights (especially at large airports in Asia, Europe, and the Americas) is a good rule of thumb.
3. Allow extra time to arrive at your boarding gate. Secondary screening procedures are in place for some flights (especially from/to USA), so do allow yourself plenty of time to get to your gate after you've checked in. Plan to arrive at the gate around 1 hour before departure (International) or 30 minutes prior (Domestic).

These trends may not be applicable on every flight route. However, planning ahead and allowing extra time for departure is never a bad idea, and means you will arrive in better shape!

More Travel Specials

$250 Cash Back With P&O Cruises

Book your cruise to receive $250 cash back per room on cruises 7 nights or more. For cruises 6 nights or less, you will receive $50 cash back.

P&O's 2017-18 cruise seasons are their biggest yet, with even more exciting cruises to choose from. The extended six-month season in 2018 offers late summer sailings right through to winter cruises. 

Contact me today to discuss the fantastic range of cruises P&O has available.

Sale ends 17 October 2017. Terms and Conditions apply.

Paradise Cove Resort

Bonus F$400 Room Credit!

Paradise Cove is a 5-star resort in the Yasawa Islands Fiji. Nestled in a stunning cove on Naukacuvu Island, surrounded by champagne sand and crystal clear ocean, just steps from your spacious villa.

5 nights from $2139 per person share twin

Inclusions

• 5 nights in a Garden Bungalow
• Return Seaplane transfers from Nadi Airport
• 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
• BONUS: F$400 Room Credit per stay (to be used towards Spa*, Bar or activities) *Excludes boutique purchases; Credit is non-transferable & non-refundable if unused

Sale ends 19 September 2017. Terms and Conditions apply.

Holiday Voucher Scam

Consumer NZ has warned travellers to watch out for heavily discounted holiday vouchers being sold over the phone by telemarketers.

These vouchers apparently 'guarantee' you to 30% to 50 % off return airfares to anywhere in the world. I've never heard of any airline that accepts these vouchers (Air New Zealand and Qantas certainly do not) - so if you get a call offering a 'travel voucher' for discounted airfares at a bargain price, hang up on them!   

Stuff.co.nz has an article with more details.

Terms and Conditions:

Avalon Waterways

*Terms & Conditions: All care is taken to promote correct pricing at time of printing (01/07/17), is dependent upon availability and will be confirmed at time of reservation. Book a 2018 European river cruise departure and receive an Air Credit to use towards an airfare of your choice. Air-credit value is dependent on the duration of the cruise: Cruises 15+ days (any deck or cabin category) receive $1,500 per person air credit; or Cruises 11-14 days (any deck or cabin category) receive $1000 per person air credit, cruises 10 days or less receive $500 per person air credit. Cruise duration is based on the core cruise itinerary, excluding extensions and extra nights. ^Single supplement saving of $9,928 is based on cruise WAO (Cat P) departing 05/10/18. Single supplement offer has limited availability per departure and is only available for cabin categories E, D, B, A & P. Offers valid for new 2018 bookings made between 01/07/17 – 27/09/2017 or until sold out. To secure one of these offers a non-refundable, non-transferable $500 per person/per cruise deposit must be received within 7 days of booking (or by 27/09/17; whichever comes first). The Air Credit will be processed as a discount off the booking invoice at time of reservation. Should you cancel or change your cruise, this Air Credit becomes null and void and the full cost of any airfare purchased or any associated change fees will be your responsibility. All airline payment and cancellation terms are completely independent of Avalon Waterways. Avalon Waterways is not responsible for any booking element of the airfare which you have utilised the credit for, even if SafetyNet Protection has been purchased. Avalon Waterways cancellation penalties apply as per standard terms and conditions. SafetyNet Protection may be purchased, standard conditions apply. SafetyNet Protection cover relates only to the Avalon Waterways portion of the booking and does not cover any associated airfares booked in conjunction with this offer. The Air Credit is 100% non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances and is handled as a discount off the cruise portion. Offers may not be combined with each other, or any other special promotion or discount except the 5% Repeat Travellers (Journeys Club) discount (standard conditions apply). Air Credit offer valid for Singles (single supplement applies). Air Credit offer valid for Groups – special conditions apply. Offers can be withdrawn or amended at any time. Additional restrictions may apply. Full Avalon 2018 terms & conditions apply, please ensure you read these prior to booking - see the 2018 Avalon Waterways brochure or visit avalonwaterways.co.nz.

$250 Cash Back With P&O Cruises

Fares are cruise only, per person in NZD in a complete quad, triple or twin room, based on the lead interior category at publication date (16th Aug 2017), inclusive of all discounts, taxes, fees and port expenses (which are subject to change). Pricing shown are P&O’s Value Plus and Value fare types (fare type inclusions are available at pocruises.com.au/fares). Campaign commences 16 Aug 2017 and ends 17 Oct 2017. Advertised fares are available until allocation is exhausted and may fluctuate during the campaign period. Valid for new bookings and not combinable with any other offer. Supplements apply for other room categories. Some oceanview rooms have obstructed views. ~Fare based on specified departure dates. Different fares apply to other dates listed. 

^Receive $250 cash back per room on cruises 7+ nights and $50 cash back per room on cruises 6 nights or less, claimable on completion of your cruise. Cash back is only available to Australian and New Zealand residents aged 18 years or over and may only be claimed by the lead guest in the booking. A letter containing instructions on claiming your cash back will be delivered to your room during your cruise. Cash back must be claimed within 12 weeks of completion of your cruise. Lead guest may choose between an EFTPOS/Visa Gift Card or a digital eGift Card at selected retailers. Cards are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer. Offer is only available on Value Plus and Value fares and does not apply to other fare types, such as Go fares and Short Sale fares. See https://www.pocruises.com.au/cashback-terms for full promotional terms and conditions. 

†For P&O SeaBreaks, if your cruise is unable to visit the destination on its itinerary because of an unforeseen circumstance such as weather, civil unrest or a mechanical issue, we will endeavour to visit an alternative destination deemed safe by the Captain. Travel agents may charge additional fees - check with your travel agent. To be read in conjunction with the P&O Cruises Australia Booking and Passage Conditions available at https://www.pocruises.com.au/ plan/how-to-book/book-travel-conditions which passengers will be bound by. Whilst all information is correct at time of publication, offers are subject to change or withdrawal. Carnival plc trading as P&O Cruises Australia.

Paradise Cove Resort

Terms & conditions apply. Valid for travel 15 August to 30 September 2017. Valid for sales until 20 September 2017, unless withdrawn or sold out earlier. Prices are per person based on twin share accommodation in New Zealand dollars for payment by cash, cheque or eftpos only. Airfares & other land arrangements are additional. Maximum people per room & bedding configurations vary with each property. Bonus offers are per room per stay unless otherwise stated & conditions apply. General Conditions: Prices are correct at as at 09 August 2017, subject to availability, currency fluctuation & may be amended or withdrawn at any time without notice. Amendment & cancellation fees apply. Minimum & maximum stays may apply. Blackout date & seasonal surcharges may apply depending on date of travel & over peak holiday periods. Travel Agent professional service fees may apply. We welcome all major credit cards however a credit card processing fee will apply. Children & Infant prices may be available on request. Whilst every care is taken to accurately present the information & pricing we reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions. Further terms & conditions apply. Contact us for further details.