My Personal Blog

It's been almost a year since we've reported our travels!  It's been a busy year at the office and we haven't traveled as much or as far this year, but you can't completely tie us down!  We have done our share of traveling. 

Our first venture of the year was to beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina in April.  We were in Charlotte for a 4 day Leisure Travel Conference where we received value information on hotels, resorts, cruises, and many more interesting travel opportunities.  Charlotte is a great city with friendly people and a lot of interesting architecture.  It is a very art-rich city with sculptures and great opportunities throughout the downtown area to learn about their history and culture. 

From Charlotte we went to Memphis, Tennessee to visit Graceland and the downtown area.  Memphis is great city alive with entertainment and activities.  The famous Peabody Hotel, featuring the daily duck march, is a beautiful historic hotel convenient to all of the many museums and attractions in downtown Memphis and a must-see when visiting Memphis.

From Memphis we were on to Nashville for the CMT Awards at Belmont University.  Of course, everyone knows how we feel about Nashville.  Great trip - enough said!!   

We were back to Nashville in June for the CMA Fest.  It doesn't get any better than this week in Nashville!  We love meeting our customers and seeing the stars.  For 2008 we have decided to hold a reception for all of our CMA Fest customers at the Renaissance on Wednesday afternoon before the festival begins.  It is truly exciting for us to meet the people we have helped to plan their CMA Fest and to see those who have become wonderful friends over the years.  Just another reason to look forward to the 2008 CMA Fest!

Lisa cruised to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios in July on Carnival Imagination, along with a group of family and friends.  Everyone who cruised (except Lisa and her husband) were first-time cruisers and are planning to cruise again in the near future.  If you haven't cruised, it is a great value and an experience like no other.  Try it - you will like it!!!

Two weeks after cruising, Lisa and family went to Disney for Lisa's 3 year old grandson's first visit to see Mickey!  They stayed at the Disney's All-Star Music Resort with a 5-day park hopper pass and the dining plan and had an incredible trip!

Early August it was back to Nashville again (we love our job!) for a Sandals/Beaches resort seminar.  Sandals resorts, located in Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Antigua, and Beaches resorts, located in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, offer something to fit most every budget and taste if you are looking for a wonderful, all-inclusive family or couples get-a-way. 

Late August, Angie traveled to Jamaica for a 5 day trip with Road Trip Traveler's Couples Representative.  First was Couples Resort in Negril.  This resort is on the bay (with a full oceanfront view on one side) and has some of the most amazing gardens surrounding the luxury rooms.  Great place for total relaxation and seclusion, although they offer as many activities as you care to partake.  After Couples Negril, was Couples Swept Away, also in Negril.  This resort is a bit more luxurious and has a larger beach.  After staying in Negril for two days it was on to Couples Ocho Rios.  This resort is plantation style and has the old-world charm.  While at Couples Ocho Rios we climbed the famous Dunns Rivers Falls, which is an included with your stay.  The Falls were amazing!  Last, but certainly not least, was Couples Sans Souci, also in Ocho Rios.  This is an all-suite property with accommodations and grounds to rival any resort.  Recommended for more active couples because it is built cliffside.  Couples Resorts are all-inclusive and include meals, snacks, liquor, entertainment, water sports, and excursions to nearby shopping and attractions.  All-inclusive resorts provide the best in value for your dollar and service beyond compare. 

In September, Lisa and Angie went to Cincinnati, Ohio for a Royal Caribbean training seminar.  New technology from Royal Caribbean makes finding information and booking cruises much easier and allows us give our customers the best of service.  The seminar also introduced Azamara Cruiseline, a new brand added to the Royal Caribbean/Celebrity cruise brands, which is a luxury cruise line specializing in smaller ship cruising. 

Early October, Angie traveled back to Cincinnati for an Apple Vacations seminar.  Apple Vacations offers everything from budget to luxury accommodations to the Caribbean and some domestic locations.  Apple has it's own airline, USA3000, which allows them to keep costs extremely competitive. 

Late October, Lisa and Angie traveled to Chicago, Illinois for an Australia and South Pacific Island Seminar.  From there we were ready to board a plane and stay in an over-the-water bungalow in Bora Bora but we had to come back to the office - after getting our car out of impound!  Word of advice when driving in a city - if the sign says no parking, DON'T park there, even for 15 minutes! 

So far, our last venture of the year is a shopping bus trip planned for the end of this week, Nov. 17 & 18 back to Chicago, Illinois.  We are looking forward to shopping the Miracle Mile, seeing the holiday Festival of Lights and maybe taking in a Broadway show.  Chicago is a great city with so much history, entertainment, and unique and upscale shopping. 

Since this is likely our last blog before the holiday season, we'd like to wish everyone happy holidays and happy travels.  If you're planning a vacation and need some help, let us know!  If you're not planning a vacation, you should be!  Call us for great vacation specials.  We offer great service, expert assistance, and easy payment plans, all at no additional costs to you. 

Travel Agents Angie Crawford and Lisa Coomer, owners of Road Trip Traveler, LLC, an Austin-based tour operator and full-service travel agency, have completed several travel training courses and seminars at various locations during 2006. 

In March 2006 Angie and Lisa traveled to Prague, Czech Republic for the International Destination Expo, sponsored by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) where they toured the Czech Republic, attended seminars, and received Central European Specialist Designation for the region.

The events of the Expo began with dinner at the Prague Castle, the seat of the President of the Czech Republic and an active center for the Czech government.  During the week, tours of the region included various historical sites including the St. Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square and the famous Astronomical Clock, and various sites relating to the many visits and extended stays of composer Mozart, whose life is chronicled throughout the region (visit www.mozartprague2006). 

The city of Prague is also known as the “City of Spires” recognizing the beautiful skyline with a remarkably high concentration of steeples and spires descending from the eclectic mix of Baroque, Rococo, Romanesque and Renaissance buildings and cathedrals.   Prague is a very sophisticated city and is not for everyone but is a definite journey for those who appreciate history, architecture, or classical music. 

Also visited during the conference was the Carlsbad Region (known as Karlovy Vary to natives) in West Bohemia.  Carlsbad is home to the annual International Film Festival and is a well-known choice among actors and actresses as a preferred spa location. 

The trip also included a stay in London where Lisa and Angie visited such sites as Windsor Castle; Westminster Abbey; Kensington Palace; St. Paul’s Cathedral; Trafalgar Square and the Changing of the Guard; the London Eye; Tower Bridge and more.  London has the benefit of fun and excitement but is also a location all ages can benefit from intellectually while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

In June 2006, Lisa and Angie attended the 38^th CMA (Country Music Association) Festival in Nashville, TN, an annual four day country music event featuring over 250 of the most popular country music stars.  (visit http://www.roadtriptraveler.com/cmafestpackages.html for CMA Fest pricing) 

In September 2006 Angie and Lisa traveled to Washington, D.C. and visited many museums, monuments, and national memorials.   Washington is a place every American should visit and is a perfect option for a weekend get-a-way. 

In November 2006 Lisa and Angie attended the 3^rd Annual Honeymoon and Anniversary show in San Jose, California.  Information was provided on the best destinations and programs providing special amenities for newlyweds and anniversary travelers.  Destination wedding prices are being offered for the bride, groom, and wedding party at the fraction of the cost a traditional wedding.  Also visited were Hollywood, San Francisco and the Sonoma Valley wine country.   

Following the Honeymoon and Anniversary show Angie and Lisa boarded the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas for a 7 day cruise to the Mexican Riviera.  Two scheduled ports of call, Los Cabos and Mazatlan, were cancelled due to weather conditions allowing extended time to enjoy Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas offer activities of all ranges, plenty of shopping, beautiful beaches and incredible resorts. 

December 2006 Angie and Lisa will attend the Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas, where they will receive information and specials on vacation domestic and international upscale resort destinations.  Lisa has also received a Las Vegas travel specialist designation. 

Also December 14-18, 2006, Road Trip Traveler, along with I105.3 radio will present a Bahamas cruise to Freeport and Nassau featuring an exclusive performance and cocktail party by country music star Andy Griggs. 

Additional seminars were attended with Apple Vacations and Vacation Express where premiere 2007 vacation destinations and specials were discussed. 

Road Trip Traveler, LLC is a full service travel agency and can assist you in all of your personal, business, or group travels.  Visit our website at www.roadtriptraveler.com or call (888) 600-5774.  Road Trip Traveler is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the American Society of Travel Agents.