Welcome to Maximizing Moments, May 2018

Maximizing Moments is a periodic newsletter that is designed to help make your precious travel time more memorable – in many ways.

In This Issue:

Just Back From: The Caribbean with Seabourn
3 Incredible Boutique Hotels
How to Give Back When Traveling
12 Ways to Ensure that Your Trip is the Best Ever

Just Back From:
The Caribbean with Seabourn

In January, I set sail on the Seabourn Odyssey for a week cruising the Caribbean.  I spent seven days exploring charming islands, many of which I had never been to, and relaxing on board the luxurious ship. Get the inside scoop on my trip here!

Destination highlight:

The beach BBQ on the island of St. Kitts was such a treat! Especially the Seabourn signature “Caviar in the Surf” experience, with uniformed waiters serving Champagne and caviar from a floating surfboard! With a sumptuous buffet overflowing with grilled lobster, ribs and chicken, it would have been easy to skip dinner! Sitting under an umbrella with attentive beach service made me think I could really get used to this. In fact, it was so hard adapting back to real life after living the Seabourn way for a week! No wonder so many of those on my cruise were repeat guests. 

Why cruise to this destination?

There is no better way to see the Caribbean than island hopping on a luxury cruise ship. Because Seabourn’s ships are small, they can gain entry into exclusive ports and cities that larger ships simply cannot access.

Activity highlight:

The spa is a luxurious haven at sea. I had a wonderful massage that rivaled some of the best destination spas I’ve visited!

Favorite meal:

We dined at The Grill by Thomas Keller, which is a steakhouse-style restaurant. The table-side preparation of the Caesar salad was wonderful to watch and tasted delicious!

 

Insider tip:

Do not miss the beach-side BBQ in St. Kitts! It is such a fun experience, with fabulous food including grilled lobster, Champagne, and caviar delivered by the captain himself!

Know before you go:

Wintergarden Suites include a glassed in solarium with soaking tub with a view of the ocean - how luxurious is that? And, Wintergarden suites, Owners’ suites or Signature suites all come with an invitation to the bridge for a tour with the captain.

Packing Tip:

Pack light, you are in the Caribbean after all! Bathing suites, sundresses, flat sandals, polo shirts, shorts and you’re good to go! There are two formal nights on a 7-night itinerary, so make sure you bring suitable attire for those special evenings. Don’t forget to throw in sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to combat the strong Caribbean sun!

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3 Incredible Boutique Hotels

There are some hotels that could be anywhere in the world — the decor, vibe, dining, and other details are the same no matter where you go. And while consistency is great, what really sets a hotel apart is a sense a place. Our hearts beat a little faster and we can’t help but smile when we step into a lobby and can feel the destination in every detail. After all, you don’t want to travel halfway around the world to feel like you’re at a hotel that could be in your hometown.

Our friends from Red Carnation Hotels have a collection of boutique properties that not only tick off all the boxes that make a luxury hotel, but they also are authentic and inspiring. Learn about three of these incredible boutique hotels below.

THE TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL & SPA
Cape Town, South Africa

Dramatically poised high above the Atlantic Ocean between Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles lies the incredible Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa. With a location like that, you know the views (hello, sunset!) are above and beyond. But the scenery isn’t the only all-star at this magnificent property — the service is impeccable, the cuisine is top, and the spa is amazing. From this boutique hotel (if you want to leave!) you can take the complimentary shuttle to the V&A Waterfront and Camps Bay or do day trips to the winelands, go hiking, scuba dive, and much more.

Combine Cape Town with a visit to the Winelands after a southern Africa safari for the perfect vacation!

ASHFORD CASTLE
County Mayo, Ireland

What’s more European than staying in a castle? Not much. That’s one of the many reasons we love Ashford Castle. Nestled in 350 acres of picturesque woodlands in Ireland, you feel like royalty the moment you enter through the grand stone gates. And with exceptional service, plenty of activities, and gourmet cuisine, it’s not surprise that this historic property was named “Best Hotel in the World” by Virtuoso, #2 Best Resort Hotel in the UK and Ireland by Conde Nast Traveler, and many other accolades!

Western Ireland is a nature lover's paradise. Come here to pursue endless outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, golf, horseback riding, shooting and archery - all offered on-site at Ashford Castle, providing something for everyone in the family!

RUBENS AT THE PALACE
London, England

While you can’t stay at a castle like you can at Ashford Castle, you can stay pretty darn close to a palace. And by palace, we mean Buckingham Palace. The Rubens at the Palace overlooks the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace and is walking distance to the top sites in London — Parliament, Big Ben, and more. This family-owned hotel feels oh-so-British with the beautiful decor, English Grill, and, of course, afternoon tea.

A trip to London is always in order! It doesn't matter how many times I've been, I still get just as excited for my next visit as I did for my first. And with so many exceptional places to stay and things to do, it never gets old!

Click here to contact me to start planning your next trip.

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How to Give Back When Traveling

Gone are the days where only the elite could pack up the family, load up on a steamer, and spend months traveling the world. Today, travel is more accessible than ever. And while experiencing new cultures is so valuable (travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer after all!) not all people have the opportunity to travel. We’ve had many travelers ask how to give back while traveling, so we’re sharing a few ways below:

Shop Locally

Support local artisans by shopping at local stores in each destination. The same goes for dining – pick small, family-run restaurants and cafes. You’re not only positively impacting the owners and economy, but you also will have a more authentic experience.

Pack for It

Use extra space in your suitcase (you know, that space you leave for souvenirs) to pack supplies for local communities. Our travel partners can help you determine what you can pack, or refer to websites like Pack for a Purpose.

Be Green

Reduce your carbon footprint by thinking green when you travel. Help with local water conservation by reusing your towels and sheets at your hotel. Often there is a card or marker you can place on your bed to note that you don’t need your sheets changed. Avoid adding to trash by bringing a reusable water bottle and refilling it with clean water – bonus: you’ll also easily stay hydrated!

Volunteer

There are so many ways that you can volunteer while you travel. As your advisor, I can work with my on-the-ground partners to organize an afternoon, day, or even a week where you can give back to a local community. Partners like A&K Philanthropy and Give a Day Global also have lots of opportunities for travelers to volunteer around the world.

Keep Traveling

For many destinations, tourism is a key driver of the economy, and things like natural disasters, political issues, or fear of terrorism can be detrimental to the destinations. Take our friends in the Caribbean, for example. Hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria caused major damage to some islands, minor damage to others, and left some destinations completely unharmed. But before you cancel your trip all together, it is important to understand the extent of the damage in the destination to which you are traveling, whether it will be ready by your travel dates, and if there is another island you can visit if you need to change your trip.

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12 Ways to Ensure That Your Trip is the Best Ever

BEFORE THE TRIP

Let the Excitement Build

Pre-trip excitement can be half the fun! Don’t fight the urge to flip through your itinerary for the hundredth time. A little daydreaming never hurt anyone!

Use a Travel Advisor

Hand over the heavy lifting to your travel advisor, and leave it up to the pros to filter through the endless hotel and flight choices. When you work closely with an expert, the result is a custom itinerary personalized to you!

Do Your Research

The famous “Know Before You Go”. Gather intel on the culture, language, cuisine, and customs of the destination so that you know what to expect and can blend in seamlessly.

Homecoming Homework

Traveling can be exhausting, especially at the end of your trip. (If only it were as easy as three clicks of your ruby slippers!) Make sure everything is in order on the home front before you leave so that when you return you’re can simply kick back and unpack.

Make a List and Check It Twice

Make a packing list and stick to it. There is no better way to avoid over packing or the dreaded feeling of realizing you forgot a crucial item. 4/5 pro packers recommend.

DURING THE TRIP

Baby Write This Down

Journaling is seriously underrated. Bring a notebook with you and jot down daily notes of all the moments you want to remember. It will be the perfect memento for reminiscing once you’ve returned to reality. Guaranteed to be the best souvenir you ever had!

Try Something New!

Vacation is arguably the best time to get out of your comfort zone. Try a new food! Conquer a fear! You’ll be glad you did.

Just Relax!

Running yourself ragged is the fastest way to ruin a perfectly good trip. Instead of trying to cram the every.single.must-see into your agenda, allow for flexibility and give yourself time to rest…this is vacation, after all!

On the Flip Side, Make Good Use of Your Time

It’s important to make the most of your time, especially if you only have a few days. Share your interests (and things you don’t care about!) with your travel advisor so your itinerary will be personalized to your preferences and not the typical tourist traps.

Device Downtime

Hang up, and hang out. There is no shame in putting the phone away and enjoying some well-deserved you-time. No vacation was meant to be spent replying to emails.

Dive in!

There is no better way to experience your destination than immersing yourself in the local culture. Ask the concierge for dining recommendations where he or she would typically eat or stroll through a local market.

Save the Best for Last

Wrap up your trip with a highlight that you won’t soon forget. Ending on a high note has been scientifically proven to extend post vacation bliss.

Thank You for Reading

Maximizing Moments

**Some of the original content in Maximizing Moments can be found at www.brownelltravel.com/blog

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