EZTravelpad

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.

A Quick Trip to St Lucia - Paradise in the Caribbean at Sandals Resorts

St Lucia is a Gorgeous Tropical Paradise Perfect for a Honeymoon or Destination Wedding at Sandals

I recently had an opportunity to take a quick trip to St Lucia visiting the 3 Sandals resorts on the island. An early morning flight on a charter out of Chicago took us to the jewel of the Caribbean. A stunningly beautiful tropical paradise fitting the praise bestowed upon it by Oprah Winfrey a few years back.

When you see photos of St Lucia, 9 times out of 10 you will be seen the high vocanic peaks of The Pitons - A World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since I was on the island for less than 24 hours (and all of that time was spent visiting Sandals resorts on the other end of the island) I did not have a chance to get a good look at The Pitons, but rest assured that even if you don't (and YOU SHOULD), the drive from the airport to the resorts on the Northwest side of the island is still absolutely gorgeous along the winding roads moving vertically up and down mountains all along the route - about an hour long trip.

The Bachelor

A couple of years ago The Bachelor (another in a long line of mediocre reality shows in the US) was filmed in St Lucia at Jade Mountain - a resort that features 3 walled suites with the missing 4th wall being an open air unobstructed view of the Pitons. This was instrumental in St Lucia solidifying it's standing as THE #1 destination for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings for US couples interested in a tropical paradise in the Western Hemisphere. Although there are numerous resort choices, the clear leader is Sandals - a Jamaican born resort company catering to Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and all manner of romantic escapes. Sandals offers 3 resorts on the island (Sandals Grande St Lucian, Regency La Toc, and Halcyon Beach), and the ability to Stay at 1 Play at 3.

Halcyon Beach

Sandals Halcyon Beach is the smallest and most tropically intimate of the 3 Sandals resorts on St Lucia. Lushly tropical with a nice beach and a laid back atmosphere. Restaurant choices are somewhat limited, but with 2 other Sandals in the neighborhood, great restaurant choices abound with a total of 21 restaurants between the 3 resorts.

Check out a brief video

  

So if a quiet, romantic escape to a tropical paradise is for you then as you can see, Halcyon Beach is a great choice.

If a lively atmosphere or more luxurious accommodations are more to your liking then Sandals Grande St Lucian or Sandals Regency La Toc are excellent options, and EZTravelPad will be discussing them in greater detail in other posts so stay tuned - and as always, when you are planning for a leisure vacation trip turn to EZTravelPad for best advice and best pricing!

 

Butler Duties at a Sandals Resort

Some of the Duties of a Sandals Butler

Ever wonder what a butler does for you at a Sandals resort? Ever wonder what you are paying for, or if the value is there - ever think HEY, this butler thing isn't for me! Well- maybe you should check out the list and reconsider.

Whether you are celebrating your Honeymoon or a full blown Destination Wedding, a Butler is a great add-on for the ultimate experience at any of the Sandals resorts in Antigua, Bahamas, Jamaica or St Lucia. Not sure about it? Here is a brief list of some of the duties that I borrowed from a Sandals blog - check it out!

 

Andrae Roberts-Dukes, Business Development Manager – LA, MS, AR forwards in writing several duties and tasks listed below but not limited to that of a Sandals Butler:

Before You Arrive, Your Butler Will:

       Ensure Your preferences are in-suite upon arrival

       Arrange transfers

When You Arrive, Your Butler Will:

       Provide you with all information regarding tours and spa services

       Unpack your luggage

       Provide a private orientation of the property

       Press your first two suits complimentary

       Provide you with a cell phone so you can keep in contact with each other throughout your stay

During Your Stay, Your Butler Will:

       Make all dinner reservations, tour bookings, on property activities and spa treatments for you

       Serve you your favorite drinks while you lounge on the beach or pool

       Serve you lunch on the beach or on the pool

       Liaise with housekeeping re servicing of your suite

       Ensure that your suite is kept in perfect condition and arranged the way you like during your stay

       Expedite all room service orders for you

       Arrange a perfect romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your suite on or your patio. Unlike our competitors, our butler level guests can order from any resort restaurant menu for dining in their room or suite

       Shine/clean your shoes for dinner

       Tend to your wardrobe

       Collect and return all laundry for you

 

In the Evening, Your Butler Will:

       Bring you amenities before dinner

       Escort you to dinner where they have reserved a beautifully decorated table at the restaurant of your choice – with preferential seating

       Ensure your suite is turned down and your room has all it needs for the night

       Your butler wants you to expect the unexpected. Prepare to be "wowed"

 

Before Your Departure, Your Butler Will:

       Reconfirm your flight and arrange transportation back to the airport

       Provide you with information regarding check out

       Assist you in folding your clothes for packing

       Retain all your preferences for future visits

At Departure Time, Your Butler Will:

       Ensure your bags are brought up to the departure area

       Escort you to the concierge area/butler lounge and process your paperwork for check out

       Escort you to your transportation and bid you farewell

Recent Experience

At my most recent visit to Sandals - in this case it was the Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios, Jamaica - I spoke to our next door neighbors about their butler experiences. Both sets (we were there for 4 nights with one couple then 3 nights for another) of honeymooners were blown away by the service provided by their butlers.

Witnessing the butler come and go while the guests were out of their room just reinforced that these guys (and ladies) are the hardest working people at the resort....they are like the James Browns of the resort.

So call on EZTravelpad to help you decide if a butler is right for you- we will help with sound advice from a trusted professional and we will make sure you get the best deal available with our best price guarantee!

Honeymoon at Sandals in St Lucia - a Review

A Honeymoon or Destination Wedding at Sandals in St Lucia is Top Pick

A St Lucia Honeymoon, particularly at an all inclusive resort such as one of the 3 Sandals resorts located on the north end of St Lucia is one of the most sought after and romantic destinations in the Western Hemisphere.

 

Maybe it's Oprah's endorsement or maybe it is just the rare beauty this tropical paradise provides, it could even be that the last episode of The Bachelor was shot there last season, in any case it is real. It is beautiful, it is romantic, and it is in demand. Whether you choose Sandals Grande St Lucian (pictured above), Sandals Regency La Toc, or Sandals Halcyon Beach, you simply can't go wrong.

If lounging in a tropical paradise - sharing a couples massage on the beach - dining in an over the water seafood restaurant - driving thru a volcano - scuba diving wrecks and reefs - golfing in a tropical paradise - if any of these things sound like what you want your honeymoon experience to include, then perhaps a Sandals luxury included vacation to St Lucia is your ideal Honeymoon spot.

 

But Sandals is not the only option - there is also The Pitons

So what about these Pitons you keep hearing about? What about the 3 walled suites? Just imagine waking to this in your Honeymoon suite....

Sure, this is Brad and Angelina stuff, right? Well, it's not inexpensive. This Jade Mountain suite might run $20,000 per week- if you can get in (better book it very, very far in advance), but there are other options that afford the same sort of view and the same concept of 1 wall being omitted so that you have an unbelievable view of one of the top 5 places in the world to visit.

The Sandals experience is All inclusive - the 3 walled view of The Pitons experience is generally not all inclusive, but you can combine the 2 as many people do, you can have it all. You can split your honeymoon into a few days of all inclusive fun in the sun + a few days of total relaxation in the most romantic place in the world, and you can get it done from between $5000-8000 total for a week including air from Chicago this September.

How do you plan such a once in a lifetime experience? How can you make sure that your Honeymoon in St Lucia is all you dreamed it can be? How can you coordinate a Destination Wedding to St Lucia, a place so far from home? One way is the best way, consult with a travel professional that specializes in Honeymoons and Destination Weddings, a travel pro like EZTravelpad

Travel Agent Can Save YOU Aggravation

Save Time, Money, and Most Importantly- Your Sanity by Using Travel Agent

When you are planning an important vacation it is a good idea to use a travel agent if for no other reason than to have someone else sit on hold with customer service when problems arise. And problems do arise from time to time.

Have you seen the Discover Card commercials with the bearded "customer service call center rep" named "Peggy" that looks to be somewhere in Siberia?

 

Well, this type of customer service is something that many airlines should strive to achieve. Seriously, sometimes you can wait for several minutes only to be cut off, and never actually make it to speak to a human.

Recently I arranged a Honeymoon for a couple going to St Lucia in June. A Honeymoon to St Lucia is the ultimate Honeymoon experience that you can have in the Western Hemisphere- they are so going to love it! They had choices, they are smart & could have booked it themselves online. There wouldn't have been any advantage for them to do that, but many people do (if this is you, pssst - there's no advantage to do that).

I feel sorry for all of the people that did book their Honeymoon or Destination Wedding themselves online and now realize that American has cancelled the flight from San Juan to St Lucia that particular day, so now those Do-it-yourselfers are doing it themselves right now, trying to get a different flight booked, or calling the resort (an international call by the way) to make sure their dates get changed - I hope they remember to change the insurance policy effective dates too, oh - and the transportation from airport to resort....

Meanwhile, the EZTravelpad clients had someone in their corner - waiting on hold - getting cut off and then calling back - making international calls - all to make sure that they are taken care of. I think that while I was doing this they were doing the things THEY should have been doing, and not stressing over the Honeymoon

It pays to have EZTravelpad "Your friends....in the travel business" in your corner when you need us!

Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Options

Specializing in Honeymoons and Destination Wedding Travel Arrangements

Just because I am a travel agent (or a travel adviser/consultant as I see it) does not mean that I know everything there is to know about every destination that people consider for their Honeymoon. The world is just too big - there are too many options and possibilities. That's why it is so important to choose a travel consultant who has a vast network of contacts that can help.

At EZTravelpad we network widely with the vast community of travel agents worldwide. One way is by constantly reading other agents' blogs - below you will see some ideas of Honeymoon options, and a link to a blog by another agent that specializes in that field - or niche. Obviously this is only a few of the most popular -

Making Memories to Last a Lifetime

When thinking about your Honeymoon, you may be thinking that you want to go somewhere to celebrate, yet save some money for new things to start your marriage. Sometimes it's not about what you have, but about the memories that you make, and a Honeymoon is all about creating memories that will last a lifetime- so don't cut yourself short. Do something fantastic with the budget you have available.

There are so many options-

Carolina Beaches

Perhaps you would prefer somewhere in the continental U.S. - like maybe Myrtle Beach for your Honeymoon might be a good choice. The Grand Strand is affordable, offers great beaches, plenty of entertainment options, shows, so much to enjoy. If you want to be in the heart of the action - or away from it all, there are choices accommodating everyone.

Disney

More people than you might think choose Disney for their Honeymoon. It really surprises me, yet at the same time it doesn't. A Honeymoon is all about selecting a quality product in a destination that is comfortable and interesting - plus entertaining, and these days a Disney vacation doesn't have to mean going to Florida or California, there are parks across the globe and also Disney Adventures can literally take you to Grand Canyon, Alaska, Egypt, Europe, Africa - it's amazing!

Mexico

Some people think that Mexico is unsafe, but so often the news reports we see and read more here are describing violence between rival gangs - violence that is occurring in ganglands and near the U.S. border - far away from the pristine beaches of the tourist areas of Riviera Maya or Los Cabos. For the couple that wants to Honeymoon in a tropical destination that offers affordable luxury Mexico may very well be the answer!

St Lucia

St Lucia offers perhaps the best and most romantic view in the world according to Oprah Winfrey. Now I may not be the world's biggest Oprah fan, but I know enough to know that if she says that something is the best, there's a pretty good chance that it is. For many couples a St Lucia Honeymoon or Destination wedding is the ultimate - and with good reason!

Adventure

Maybe you are thinking about a true adventure to somewhere that most people only ever dream about - say maybe an adventure like an African Safari? There once was a time when this type of adventure was ONLY for the wealthy, but not anymore. African travel is going mainstream and there are more options that are more affordable than ever. Your biggest investment will be the time, but isn't that what a Honeymoon is all about - spending quality TIME together sharing an experience that neither of you will ever forget?

The Final Frontier

We are probably still several years away from the average couple being able to Honeymoon by traveling to a space station but there are still many adventures that await here on this planet and EZTravelpad is here to help you discover the best Honeymoon for you and your fiance - a Honeymoon that will include memories to last a lifetime!

Let Martha Stewart Plan Your Wedding for FREE? - Yes, Find Out How

You Can Have a Free Wedding at a Sandals Resort, Designed by Martha Stewart

That's right- Martha Stewart and Sandals- both the best in class have teamed up to create your beautiful Caribbean Destination Wedding- and it can be free!

Beautiful Beginnings is where it starts-

Stay 6 nights or longer in a Concierge category or higher
and the Beautiful Beginnings wedding theme is FREE!*

* Excluding Sandals Emerald Bay where the Beautiful Beginnings Package is available at additional cost.

Essentially this means that if you make your Honeymoon a Luxury Included Sandals Vacation your wedding can be free, and not just any wedding- a wedding designed by Martha Stewart for Sandals- an unbeatable combination!

Other Wedding themes that have been crafted by Sandals and Martha include-

Flutter of Romance

Vision in White

Seaside Serenade

Chic & Natural

Island Paradise

 For the best in travel planning and more, trust EZTravelpad- "Your friends....in the Travel Business"

Can't Decide Where to Take That Romantic Trip? Take the Sandals Quiz

Confused with too many choices?

It's such a big world- with so many choices, and Sandals may not be the right choice for everyone (that's why you need a travel agent to help you sort it out)- but for those wanting to share a romantic vacation in a tropical setting with excellent service and accommodations, Sandals is a great choice- but which one? Jamaica? Antigua? Bahamas? St Lucia?

Each island has it's own personality, and each resort on a particular island has it's own personality as well- so which one is the right one? Where is YOUR best fit?

Here's a tool to help....

Sandals has devised an 8 question quiz that you can take to help you determine which Sandals Resort is right for you. Click here to take the quiz

Here's a few other things to consider-

Did you know that Sandals has a companion flies free program? This can be a big money saver if you have flexibility is your schedule.

Know someone that wants a great all-inclusive escape but not a Honeymoon?

 The Let’s Get Together at Sandals package is available at all Sandals Resorts; it requires a minimum of 10 rooms and includes the following:

• One hour cocktail reception featuring hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and an open bar
• One group picnic basket lunch 
• One group portrait session 
• One 5”x7” photograph per room 
• Private group check-in

So if you have a group of friends that want to get together- what a great choice!

The BFF Girlfriends Getaway is an awesome program for the ladies to take a long weekend away from the husband and the kids- Beaches new resort at Turks & Caicos is the destination for a weekend you won't soon forget! Read more about it here

So when you want help sifting through all of the information- and you want to make sure you get the best pricing available (remember our best price guarantee) - the solution is EZ -

EZTravelpad "Your friends....in the travel business"

Valentine = Romance = Sandals

Valentine's Day - The Day for Romance - The Day for Planning a Sandals Vacation

EZTravelpad wishes each and every one of you a Happy St Valentine's Day with this set of images- courtesy of Sandals- The Luxury included Vacation spot

For some, the thought of a romantic getaway might bring to mind visions of sharing a romantic getaway at a luxury resort which features a private plunge pool in your suite

It could be visions of a tropical paradise, like one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and the top Honeymoon spot in The Caribbean- St Lucia-

 

Sandals offers 3 unique and beautiful destination on the island of St Lucia- among them, Halcyon is pictured here- your tropical paradise awaits...

When seclusion gives way to fame, another choice is Sandals Negril at the world famous 7 Mile Beach of Negril, Jamaica - enjoy the understated luxury provided by Sandals, or step off-property for a whole different vibe-

When you think of your perfect romantic retreat do you think of the sunset?

or the romantic luxury included dinner compete with entertainment?

Perhaps you are dreaming of a room with pool access- from your room...

...and a view...

...and butler service

or maybe it's just that special spot to relax and let the world go by- in the middle of everything, yet still in the middle of nowhere-

Part of the Luxury included experience that Sandals provides is the inclusion of so many activities like sailing-

or other activities (all included) such as-

• Sailing
• Scuba Divng
• Water skiing
• Hobie cat
• Windsurfing
• Snorkeling
• even golf at some resorts-

Perhaps it's just the refined and understated class on display from the moment you step out of the courtesy airport transfer-

 

 And wouldn't be complete without the finest in fitness equipment and facilities-

Where can you find this type of vacation?

• St Lucia
• Bahamas (including the newest- Emerald Bay)
• Jamaica (Whitehouse, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril)
• Antigua

Whether it's a Valentine's Day gift - Honeymoon - 2nd Honeymoon - Destination Wedding - Anniversary Celebration - or just a well deserved vacation away from the rest of the family. make 2010 your year of romance...

How can you get it it set up? EZTravelpad has the answer for you....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sandals, Expedia & Travel Agents

Sandals Cuts off Expedia

You have probably not noticed, but the premier Caribbean resorts for couples sharing a romantic getaway - Sandals Resorts - has discontinued their business relationship with the largest seller of travel - Expedia.
Why would they do this? What would prompt such a bold action?
in a word- Service
Sandals has, and continues to have an excellent relationship with the travel agent community. They make huge commitments to education, familiarization and training. Sandals offers excellent tools to help travel agents market their unique, and upscale products to their customers.
I'm sure you have seen the advertisements on television - to visit a Sandals Resort call now, or contact YOUR TRAVEL AGENT
The correlation is obvious - Sandals wants to market an up-scale product. Sandals wants to define a unique position in the market, and they want to do so by insuring their guests receive the best service possible - from before the vacation begins, through the check out period and beyond - to follow-up and post-trip communications. Travel agents are in the business of helping their clients receive the maximum value for their vacation dollar, and Sandals realizes this.
This just points again to the fact that you will receive better service when you deal with a travel agent, than when dealing with confusing on-line only sellers of commodities.

There is about a week left to save up to 65% on select Sandals properties located throughout the Caribbean.
With destinations including-

• St Lucia
• Jamaica
• Antigua
• Bahamas

Sandals is located where you want to go-
Sandals markets itself as "luxury included". It certainly is - go experience the luxury included vacation for yourself - whether celebrating a Honeymoon, Destination Wedding, Anniversary, or an any-reason romantic getaway.

EZTravelpad would be honored to let us be your go to travel agent - we still offer Sandals because we offer SERVICE!