EZTravelpad

Carnival Cruise to South America - see Machu Picchu, Galapagos, Rio & More

See America del Sur (South America) on a "Fun Ship" with  Carnival Cruises

Yes, there is an entire continent to explore just south of - well, Panama - but still pretty close as continents go, I mean heck, it's close enough to share our last name (if you live in the US of A or North America that is)

So what, you ask is there to see there? A LOT, read on....

Carnival Splendor will offer three South America voyages in February and March 2013. A 17-day “South America Explorer” cruise will depart Long Beach Feb. 3 and arrive Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile, Feb. 20, 2013, visiting Cabo San Lucas and Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Quito (Manta),

Ecuador, where guests can embark on an excursion to the Galapagos; Lima (Callao), Peru, offering an opportunity to visit Machu Picchu; and Arica, Chile.

A 13-day “Fjords, Glaciers & Patagonia” voyage will operate from Santiago (Valparaiso) to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 20 to March 5, 2013, calling at Puerto Montt, Chile, before cruising the Chilean Fjords and Darwin Channel. This breathtaking itinerary is followed by calls at Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay.

An 18-day “Brazilian & Caribbean Splendor” voyage sailing from Buenos Aires to New York March 5-23, 2013, will feature ports that include Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza, Brazil; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands.

If you have some time to spare and a willingness to experience a huge part of the world that shares so much with the US (after all, South America is part of the "New World" also) then get with EZTravelPad for ideas. There are many, many ways to see the world, and a Carnival cruise is one affordable way

Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets - Best Time to Book Your Trip

When is Best Time to Purchase Your Vacation?

This is a question that I get all the time - When should I buy? When should I travel? When are prices lowest?

The short answer is simply this- purchase your airline tickets as far in advance as you can, plan your trip early. Below is a very unscientific analysis of the cost to fly from Chicago (ORD) to St Lucia (UVF) - a very popular destination for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings.

I looked at round trip flights leaving Saturday and returning the following Saturday. I looked at departing the Saturday following the first full week of the month. I searched on Kayak. The search took place on February 21, 2012. Prices looked like this-

• Mar 2012 $917
• Apr 2012 $706
• May 2012 $596
• Jun 2012 $727
• Jul 2012 $677
• Aug 2012 $596
• Sep 2012 $592
• Oct 2012 $662
• Nov 2012 $659
• Dec 2012 $592
• Jan 2013 $621

The conclusions that I come to are- in general pricing is higher as you are closer to travel, and lower farther out. Clearly you don't want to purchase less than 30 days out if you can avoid it.

Pricing is better in May & September as well as in early December (while the kids are in school). In early December Americans have Christmas holiday shopping on their mind, parties they don't want to miss, things of that nature so pricing is a bit lower. In June & July people have summer vacation on their mind while the kids are on break so pricing is a bit higher. In late spring and in the fall you will find pricing moderates (is this why you are starting to see so many weddings moving to September?)

St Lucia is tough to get to so from the standpoint of being able to get the best connection you are best to book early, but the same holds true for most other destinations - there are only a certain number of flights that are direct or with good connections, and those are the first to sell leaving you with little choice and higher prices if you procrastinate.

When it's time to plan your next vacation consider EZTravelPad where the advice is free and the service is priceless.

Bride Blu Bridal Show at Blue Chip Casino 2012

Big Bridal Show at Blue Chip Casino February 19, 2012

One of the best Bridal Shows of the year is this weekend in Michigan City, IN - Bride Blu at Blue Chip Casino. Produced by Wedding Day Magazine, Bride Blu is a great event for brides and engaged couples to make connections with the wedding industry pros that can help them put together the perfect wedding - see more about Bride Blu in this quick video

I have really come to enjoy doing the bridal shows that are seemingly everywhere this time of year. Getting to meet and eventually get to know young couples interested in "doing it right" when they plan their travel in conjunction with their upcoming wedding - Bridal shows are a great place to reach out to people who are planning to travel either in order to experience a Destination Wedding somewhere "beachy" or more often they are interested in a Honeymoon just after the traditional wedding closer to home.

These couples know that since this is going to be such an important vacation they should use a travel pro to help make sure they get it right and they sure seem to appreciate the complimentary services that EZTravelPad provides!

Couples find that the experience of using a travel pro to help witht he whole process saves them tons of time and frustration, not to mention saving money too- and since they normally come back for help with planning the next trip we must be doing something right.

If you are planning a wedding, or know someone who is, anywhere near Michigan CIty, IN this weekend then come out to the Bride Blu event (see more at this link) at  Blue Chip Casino Sunday February 19, 2012 to see what EZTravelPad can do to help- but get there early, with the large number of couples that get engaged on Valentine's Day, not to mention the amount who become engaged over the holidays, you can expect a big crowd. 

Lover's Week this Valentine's Week on Wheel of Fortune Features Sandals Resorts

Sandals set to invade Wheel of Fortune Once Again

TUNE IN TO SANDALS RESORTS ROMANCE WEEK ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Watch Wheel of Fortune the week of February 13 for WHEEL OF FORTUNE SANDALS RESORTS ROMANCE WEEK!  You'll get to see Sandals Emerald Bay and exciting adventures from Island Routes Tours showcased throughout the week along with iconic show hosts, Pat Sajak and Vanna White, enjoying the luxurious amenities.  Each night, the program's famed wheel will feature a custom designed Sandals Resorts wedge giving players the chance to win a Luxury Included® Vacation to Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, Bahamas.  The lucky winners will also receive a romantic candlelight dinner and an exciting Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours® ocean safari  in Great Exuma, Bahamas to explore the natural wonders of the Exuma Cays.  Wheel of Fortune "Wheel Watchers Club" members can win the same romantic getaway if their SPIN ID number is displayed during a Romance week episode.  Plus, each of the "Prize Puzzles" will also offer "Wheel Watchers Club" members an exclusive opportunity to win dream Caribbean vacations to other Sandals Resorts destinations.

Sandals offers the perfect resort experience to enjoy a memorable Destination Wedding, your dream Honeymoon or the romantic escape you have been looking forward to for years..... When you are ready to discuss your very own luxury included Sandals vacation you can go to the internet - go to the call center, or go for help - EZTravelPad is here to help. At EZTravelPad you will find complimentary help and best price - it's a win-win

Perfect Valentine's Day Present - give them Enrique Iglesias

Give the Gift of Enrique and $1500 resort credits as a bonus!

Palace Resorts in the Cancun area offer free tickets to Enrique Iglesias show

This is your chance to catch international sensation Enrique Iglesias in concert at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort. With worldwide hits like "Bailamos", "Hero", "Be with You", "I Like It" and "Tonight I'm Loving You", concert attendees will be treated to a performer that Billboard has called The King of Latin Pop.

Details:

Receive 2 Free tickets to ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Concert at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort when you stay at the following Cancun area Palace resorts - Beach Palace, Sun Palace, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Playacar Palace and Le Blanc Spa Resort.

Stay a minimum of 7 nights and travel between March 4-16. This is a perfect opportunity to get out of winter and into the sun & fun - plus take advantage of $1500 in resort credits in addition to the show!

Get with EZTravelPad early today for a confirmation that can be the perfect gift for your perfect Valentine - and will create a memory to last a lifetime....

Super Bowl XLVI was worth the trip

Indianapolis Scores Big with Super Bowl XLVI

Eli Manning and the NY Giants may have won the game, but the big victory in Super Bowl XLVI goes to the city of Indianapolis.

The house that Peyton built proved to be a gorgeous venue, the layout of the NFL Experience and Super Bowl Village were smart creating a sense that for the past 10 days Indianapolis was the "epicenter of awesome"

You could zip line down Capital Ave, Watch ESPN or The Today Show, Bob & Tom, Mike and Mike or any of several other live broadcasts, get involved in curling, take in street performers or great bands, enjoy some of the best restaurants around, or just socialize with thousands upon thousands of the happiest people around enjoying every minute. I only wish I was able to spend more time exploring and enjoying the dozens events

For just a glimpse of some of the action check out this short video

 

I loved my time at Super Bowl XLVI - or - the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis and it was totally worth the trip (of course my trip was only about 65 blocks so if was easy).

If you know EZTravelPad you know that we help you get to places to enjoy your life - mostly resorts or tours or cruises, but sometimes for other events like The Super Bowl. Please keep us in mind when you think of travel planning - we are here to help!

Oh, and next time the Super Bowl comes to Indianapolis make plans get get here - it was amazing