Posted by David Porter on January 15, 2016 · Leave a Comment
The Peninsula New York – a Luxury Getaway Hotspot
The Peninsula New York inspires travelers to embark on a long weekend or weekday getaway to Midtown Manhattan, where The Peninsula Spa, contemporary Clement restaurant and lovely Beaux Arts architecture are the shining stars.
Virtuoso guests are treated to a room upgrade, early check-in and late checkout, if available; breakfast daily; a $100 hotel credit; and more. Virtuoso rates from $795 per room, per night. Available until April 3, 2016; book by March 31, 2016. To learn more about The Peninsula New York, click here.
To book a room with our complimentary Virtuoso VIP amenities, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Posted by David Porter on January 15, 2016 · 2 Comments
Ever since the horrific terrorist strike in Paris, some baby boomer travelers have increased safety concerns as they consider traveling overseas. And, with their increased concerns and the possibility of losing a deposit if they cancel a future booking, there has been a bit of a dent in new bookings overseas.
To help folks allay their concerns about losing money to a future cancellation fee, Viking River Cruises is currently offering “risk-free” bookings for those folks who book a river cruise through the end of January.
Book Now, Change Your Mind, No Cancellation Fee
In normal circumstances, when you book a Viking River Cruise, if you canceled your booking you would be subject to a cancellation fee anywhere from $100 to 100% of the full fare depending on when you cancelled. The closer you are to the sailing date, the greater the cancellation fee.
However, for river cruise bookings made through the end of January, Viking River Cruises is offering what they’re calling a “risk-free” booking. If you book a river cruise today, and change your mind for any reason, all the way through the day before departure, you will not be subject to a cancellation fee. Plus, Viking River Cruises is also offering “up to” free roundtrip air on many of their sailings.
To learn more, click here.
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Posted by David Porter on January 14, 2016 · 1 Comment
©2012, David A. Porter
I snagged these photographs as Carol and I were strolling around the streets of London on a brisk spring morning in April of 2012.
Beyond our photograph of Big Ben, as the great bell in the tower of the Palace of Westminster has come to be known, I would also draw your eyes to the red phone booth in the left side of our photograph.
It’s hard to tell from our photograph, but there is a queue (that’s a line in British-speak) of folks waiting to snap a photograph of themselves in this phone box with Big Ben framed in the background.
Furthermore, folks were climbing upon the marble balustrade to the right of the red phone box to spread their wings in front of Big Ben.
If you want to join the millions who have shot photographs from this “iconic” London spot, then head to the corner of Birdcage Walk and Whitehall. That’s the second intersection you see in my photograph.
Have fun! :camera:
To explore your own travel experience to London, check out our travel planning website by clicking here.
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Posted by David Porter on January 13, 2016 · Leave a Comment
I just closed up the financial records for our young (two-year old) travel agency. We set some fairly bodacious goals for 2015, so I’m told. And, I’m pleased to report that we knocked it out of the park in 2015.
Yeah! We booked $958,852.30 in travel this year!
Carol and I set out to book $1million in sales for our second year in business, and we actually booked $958,852.30. The entrepreneur in me wonders how I can be pleased that I missed my goal, while the salesperson in me says, “hey, dude, that was one lofty goal”. Me thinks I’ll listen to the salesperson in my head on this one. For only our second year in business, we had a fabulous year.
Furthermore, Virtuoso®, the world’s leading international luxury travel agency network (to which we belong) has also experienced significant growth in 2015. Virtuoso’s member agencies are up 12% to 381, travel advisors are up 26% to 11,429, agency locations are up 15% to 720, country locations are up 36% to 34 countries, and annual sales are up 11% to $15.5 billion.
So, while Carol and I are giving “high fives” to one another, let me just say that we couldn’t have done any of this without the support and trust of our clients. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Do-it-yourself travel planning is not all it’s cracked up to be!
I’m certain that as we share our success for the year, some of you are saying, “Hey, I thought travel agencies were dead. Are all of these people paying more to travel then if they were to book it themselves?” To that we say, “nope”. We have very smart clients and they’ve simply discovered something that a growing number of folks are beginning to understand: Do-it-yourself travel planning is not all it’s cracked up to be!
Not convinced? Let me share a few of the reasons that our clients find value in our travel advisor services…
Why Work With a Travel Advisor?
- Personalized Planning – our clients greatly appreciate our collaboration when planning a trip to one of their bucket list destinations. We have travel planning partners in 52 countries around the world and we’re experts at helping our clients plan trips that are tailored to their needs, interests, and budgets. Ask yourself this question: would you rather try to figure out what’s what by reading TripAdvisor, or have a conference call with one of our on-site partners who actually live in your desired destination?
- Value for the Money – we have access to the same (and often better) pricing than you can find online. Think about it, there’s you and your computer, and then there’s us with $15 billion of clout through our affiliation with Virtuoso. Every single day, we bring our clients valuable savings and perks that they simply can’t get on their own.
- VIP Perks – again, because of our industry clout, we’re going to get you access to events, private tours, and countless VIP perks that you simply won’t get on your own.
- Ocean & River Cruises – we’re going to bring you best available fares, often with perks and benefits from our Virtuoso affiliation.
- Hotels & Resorts – our Virtuoso “Best of the Best” hotel and resort collection features 1,100+ hotels and resorts around the world. With each property, we’ll bring you best available rates, complimentary upgrades, complimentary breakfast each morning, resort credits, and more. Plus, the hotels and resorts value our client’s business over the Internet shopper. Therefore, you’ll also get the best room locations on property while the Internet shopper sleeps in a room next to the elevator and overlooking the parking lot. :O
I could go on and on. But I think you get the point. Folks have been lulled into the belief that their best deal is to do-it-themselves on the Internet. Well, our business is exploding because folks are beginning to learn that this simply isn’t true.
How ’bout you? Might we have the opportunity to show YOU the value we bring to your travel planning? All it takes is a simple, no-obligation phone call to find out! 🙂
To explore the value we can bring to your future travel plans, simply call us at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll contact you.
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Posted by David Porter on January 5, 2016 · 4 Comments
Viking River Cruises is Coming to Scottsdale, Arizona
For boomer travelers, river cruising is absolutely the hottest trend in travel today. Carol and I have now enjoyed three separate river cruises. We’ve sailed the Danube to enjoy the European Christmas Markets, and have sailed in two distinct wine regions in France: the Bordeaux and the Burgundy. All three were fabulous experiences!
We know that many of our clients have questions about river cruising. Therefore, Viking River Cruises has graciously offered to host a presentation in Scottsdale, Arizona for our clients, readers, and fans.
Attendees will learn the highlights of various destinations and rivers around the world, as well as a general understanding of a river cruise ship, it’s various staterooms, and what is included in your river cruise. PLUS, you’ll also learn about Viking’s new ocean cruises.
Come Learn About the Exciting World of River Cruising
Presented by Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruise Informational Evening: Scottsdale, AZ
When: Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Where: Terravita Club House – 34034 N. 69th Way, Scottsdale, Arizona 85266
What: Complimentary River Cruise presentation with light appetizers, wine, beer, and soft drinks
Why: Because we love our clients, readers, and fans! Plus, you’re certain to learn a lot about river cruising. 
We held two of these events last year and they immediately sold-out with over 250 people in attendance. Therefore, don’t delay. Register now before this event is sold out!
Exclusive Event Bonus Promotion
Attendees will get a certificate offering up to $200/couple on-board cruise credit.
Space is limited, so RSVP today by calling us a (480) 550-1235 or simply complete the secure form below. Please RSVP by Monday, January 11th.
Please complete the boxes below:
Again, don’t delay. Register now, and we’ll look forward to spending a wonderful evening helping you learn about the exciting world of river cruising.
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The Roaming Boomers
