New Tips coming in 2012 - Trip set to the Caribbean for January 2012

It's been a while since my last post, it has been a busy fall/winter and time is a luxury that I don't have at the moment, check me out in January with new tid bits from the Islands in the Sun - Dominican Republic (La Romana), Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Antigua, Turks & Caicos and St Barth's. Voyage on the Marina from OceaniaCruises.com. 

A Tour of Vancouver

My parents recently spent some time in Vancouver British Columbia and this being their first trip out west, I was not sure what the expect or even how to provide them with a fun and exciting experience.  While I passed thru Vancouver in May after my California Wine Cruise, I came across some tour operators at the airports visitors centre.  One of those operators was Vantoptours.com and what made me pick up their brochure was that they provided smaller group tours with the option for personalized multi-language tours. 
As my parents first language is Portuguese with English being their second language, it was a relief to know that I could find them an option that will make their visit that much better.
My parents took two tours, one around Vancouver (Vancouver City Tour) and the second to Whistler with their guide Salvador and to them he made all the difference.  Thanks to all the staff at Vantoptours for giving my parents the vacation of a lifetime.
So if anyone is out in the Vancouver area, give them a shout or check out their website, Reservation online: travel@vantoptours.com

Room with a view...Sapphire Princess B104 Marquesas Suite

Not many cruise ships offer you the luxury of having a birds eye view of the bow and all that lays ahead of you, one such ship is the Sapphire Princess from Princess cruises.  We have recently returned from our Wine Coastal cruise and resided for 7 days in a premium suite, B104 on the Baja deck, port side or could be starboard. 
Between the Caribe, Baja and Aloha decks, the suites on the front of the ship, the best ones are located on the Baja deck.  The two suites on the Caribe deck are encircled by a blue protective glass and thus it blocks your view of the bow and the one suite on the Aloha deck is covered by the bridge overhang.
Our suite on the Baja deck allowed for great views from the front, side and when the sun was out, was the most amazing private deck, for the brave souls, you can even suntan topless.

Beautiful Portofino.......

A view from the top

A view atop the main square in Nazare Portugal, Nazare Beach very popular during the European summer season

Enjoying an espresso break at a cafe on the island of Sardinia, pretty reasonably priced at 2 euros compared to 5 euros for a simple one shot espresso in Portofino.  The most reasonably priced espresso can still be found at any cafe in Portugal which on average can run you about 50 to 60 cents.

City of Lucca, Tuscan Treasure

The surrounding Tuscan countryside aside from Florence Italy has so many great cities and towns.  One such place is the city of Lucca and we tend to visit the popular tourist sites of Florence, Livorno, Pisa, but never really venture further into the Tuscan region.  Lucca is a walled city with fortress like walls that can be climbed for exceptional views of the city itself and surrounding area outside the walls. 

Padova (Padua Italy) a surprising treat, but how do I get there?

In one of my travels, I took my parents and some of their friends on the Brilliance of the Seas around the Mediterranean with stops in Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, etc.  My Mom asked me while on our journey around Italy if we we even be close to Padua because she wanted to visit St. Anthony's Basilica.  Low and behold, Padua (Padova as it also goes by) is about 60 minutes away from Venice, but how to get there with a group of people.  I checked out sites on google and came across the local Italian transit called ACTV. 
From the mainland bus terminal in Venice, we purchased a return bus ticket for 6 euros 30 cents to the beautiful city of Padua.  We were told we could take a train into Padua, but would have to either take a cab or a bus into the centre Piazza.  As the ACTV bus is a much larger vehicle, the bus driver allowed us to get off before entering the bus terminal.  From where the bus driver let us off, we went back about 2 bus stops and caught the small Piazza bus which costs 1 euro 50 cents and took us right close to the main Piazza square.  The square itself is a wonderful site with many cafes, shops and an inviting place to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

The sweet sounds in the square in Venice

So you are enjoying a beautiful stroll around St Mark's square in Venice and in the background, you hear a great tune.  You think to yourself, I'll have a seat at the cafe, have a latte or cappucino and enjoy the music.  Hold that thought and continue to enjoy the music at a distant, it will be cheaper in the end. 
Cheaper you say, well once you sit down at the little cafe and order your coffee, you are also paying for that wonderful sound of music playing in the night air. 
My cousins learned it the hard way, their cup of coffee cost them $35 euros.  The $35 euros included $10 euros each to sit at the cafe and listen to the music, called an entertainment fee.
So the next time you would like to sit and just listen as you sip a latte, ask how much it will cost you first to listen to the music.

Best Row in Club Class on Air Transat (Charter Airline out of Toronto)

Flying into Sao Miguel in the Azores out of Toronto can only be done in a Club Class seat on Air Transat or Sata Plus with Sata International.  The cost per person each way is $200 on top of your economy fare and it may seem like alot, but if anyone has ever travelled on a flight with the majority of the passengers being of Portuguese origin, you feel my pain.
So now back to the best row, it has to be row #2 and any seat is pretty good, it all depends if you want a window or aisle view.  I say row #2 because in row #1, you have the bulkhead in front of you and you are not able to have your bag in front during take off and landing, plus it sometimes feels a little claustrophobic.
If you take row #3, your seat may not fully recline back as you are directly in front of the economy section bulkhead.
Having tried all three rows in past travels, my best row is #2.

Travelling with small children under 2

When travelling with the small youngins under 2 that share a seat with a parent, ask the flight attendant for a seat belt extender.  This way you can have you little one sit on your lap and you can place the seatbelt around both of you.  For take off and landing, it's a safety must that you hold onto your child, but kids don't understand why they are being held and are not able to move.
By having them sit on your lap and explain to them that when the plane is going up and coming down, mommy and daddy need to have a seatbelt on their lap, having the belt around their waist as well will give them a better visual of the plane trip. 
Hey some kids are just a bit of a pain in the butt when they fly, but parents don't give the small kids enough credit to understand where the are and why everyone around them are sitting in a chair as well.

Welcome all to simple travel my way

Friends keep telling me to set-up a blog on all the places I have travelled to and here we go.  I say simple travel because by no means am I a travel expert, but I have been to many places and by sharing my experiences it may interest and help anyone wanted to check me out.

Happy Travels, Ana