Quick and easy last minute gifts of travel – My Top 10 ideas that don't look last minute!

Never found that “perfect gift” for the very important someone or someones?   You are NEARLY officially out of time for a Last minute Holiday Shopping – for actual travel, anyway ~ however, there is something about being home for the holidays that inspires wanderlust!  And a trip together will give you something to look forward to!

If an IOU for any of the cruises I have recently posted don’t do the trick, there here are some ideas on how to pull off a last minute destination inspired gift –requiring very little money and very little time, and looking like you have thought long and hard on it! 

These trips are mostly centered on events, and can be ready to gift in a jiffy as a small physical gift with an IOU tucked in the box for the trip to be planned TOGETHER – over or after the holidays!

Caveat:  You had better call me to help plan that trip, because if you screw up on the fulfillment of that Christmas IOU, well, it won’t be a Happy New Year!   

Here’s my top 10 travel inspired ideas, starting with the ones I have been booking all day!!!! 

1.  Colorado, Utah and More … a Ski Trip

         Gift:  New Gloves, UnderArmour or a gift certificate to a ski shop

2.  Islamorada/Key Largo for Scuba Diving, Deep Sea Fishing or Sunning

         Gift:  Rum Runner Glass and Sunscreen

3.  Vegas, Baby!  Las Vega   …. , any time! 

         Gift:   A deck of cards, poker chips and/or promise of a special show

4.  New Orleans for Mardi Gras (Feb. 21, 2012)
         Gift:  Hit the party store and grab a handful of shiny Mardi Gras beads! 

5.  Louisville for the Kentucky Derby  (May 4^th & 5^th, 2012)

         Gift:  Broad-brimmed hat for her or a Bourbon Flask for him

6.  Chicago for “Taste of Chicago -- the world’s largest outdoor food fest!

     (June 24^th – July 3th, 2012)
         Gift:  Go to www.tastesofchiago.com and order a Lou Malnati’s Pizza

7.  Fantasy Fest in Key West (events span over a week with the main

     Parade usually Saturday closet to Halloween in October)

          Gift:  Think Mardi Gras meets Halloween  -- Maybe a glittery mask

        from the party store – OR a bottle or Margarita mix!!! (You're in Margaritaville!)

 8.  Head to California Wine Country for “Crush” – (Usually October 

     depending on weather) Ask me about some of the lesser known areas!

          Gift:  A Bottle of Wine … perhaps from one of potential destinations

  

9.   Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Orlando, Fl  -- Sept. 28 – Nov. 11, 2012

Gift:  Mix this with a trip to Disney for the kids --- a gift card or mouse ears from the Disney store – for adult gifting: a cookbook or a bottle of wine – or both!

10.  New York City – any time is good, but my fave is over the first weekend in Dec.

       The Tree in Rockefeller Center is lit and Christmas Spirit abounds. 

          Gift:  My husband's idea:  Sabrett hot dog!!!  Hold the sauerkraut (too messy.)

I am speechless after that one!  Maybe a Macy's Gift Certificate.

** Here is a Bonus Idea --- this is the Gift I want to see under

MY tree and will likely give my in-laws next year

11. Christmas Markets on a River Cruise –markets open mid Nov. – mid Dec. 2012

          Gift:  German markets being the most known: give a blown glass German

          Pickle ornament and/or a passport case. (Maybe add passport app off web?) 

Happiest Holidays to all, and please call or email me if I can help you in pulling this 

together … and looking like you have been planning this special gift for MONTHS!!!

Foodies and Wine Lovers will adore the gift of this Inaugural Oceania Riviera sailing!

I would love to find today’s gift of travel under MY tree! Today’s featured sailing departs Athens (Piraeus), Greece on April 12, 2012.  Experience the inaugural sailing on the brand new Oceania Riviera.  This stellar ship’s debut visits Israel, Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

Click to see full size!

With fares starting at $3,699 per person, this package includes their 2-4-1 fares, free roundtrip air, one night pre-cruise stay at a 5 star hotel AND prepaid gratuities.  (For what you save on the gratuities alone, you can purchase the new wine beverage package making this nearly the most all inclusive vacation afloat!)  Signature Chef Jacques Pepin will be in attendance. One can imagine there will probably be some special events in the only hands-on cooking school at sea! (... besides the one onboard her sister ship, Marina!) 

We have only select cabins left in this limited time group. I can help you with this -- or nearly any other vacation on land and at sea, and Oceania is one of my very favorite lines.  (My personal photos to follow -- AFTER holiday shopping ends!)

Update:  Top requests today:  Ski Vacations and Las Vegas, Baby!  (Just because I don't post the perfect trip -- doesn't mean we can't find it!)  Thanks for following me! 

Give the "Allure of the Seas" as a Holiday Gift - Really!

Click to see full size!

Still looking for that **perfect** gift?

Have you ever given – or received a trip for a gift?  It’s not too late to buy the PERFECT Holiday Gift for your family or Someone Special!  You Christmas Shoppers have 5 days till the great reveal … you lucky Chanukah givers, if you are traditionalists ... may have a few more days ~ but TIME is of the essence! 


So let’s get started!  I will be highlighting some astronomically great deals on amazing experiences for you (and you really have to move fast) BUT you might find shopping like this is more painless ~ and rewarding ~ than any other kind!

If you have found this interesting thus far, since we have established that you are a last minute shopper, we are going to focus right now on Cruises.  Why Cruises?

Cruises are fast and easy to book --- less variables. Usually – if you are lucky – no airfare is involved.  Provides all included travel, dining and entertainment (except your bar bill! ~ and we have a plan for that!)   Depending on your departure date, you can share this elaborate gift next week with *just a deposit*. 

Psychology of it?  Not my department, but on a satisfaction scale, I can't tell you "Why" I can't tell you "How"  -- I just have to tell you that -- just that by giving a gift of travel, especially if you will be giving them the gift of YOUR time by joining them, is a most amazing present; and one that can never be bought in a department store.  And if you get to go along too --- it;s the gift that keeps on giving!  What necktie or sweater does that for you??

Now, no time for philosophy – the clock is ticking!  So suspend reality for a minute and look at some ideas.

Why I chose this one:  Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas 7 night Western Caribbean sailing departing Ft. Lauderdale on April 22, 2011.

The newest and largest member of the Royal Caribbean Fleet is a destination in itself and similar sailings other months of next year were found at over $500 MORE per stateroom than this one.  This sailing is in and out of Ft. Lauderdale, coincides with some college Spring Breaks, and I am holding some very rare group space that will give you $75 per cabin bonus shipboard credit.  $500 per stateroom deposit – the balance will not be due till February.  This group pricing and shipboard credit deal must be booked with me and expires December 24^th ~ so hurry!  Let me help you be a major league hero for the Holidays!  

Like this -- but not quite the right fit?  Too, I am a pro at multi-generational travel -- why not talk to me and we'll put together a family group for even later in the year.  Think of one gift filling 6 stockings!!  Watch my blog in the coming days for more ideas or contact me and I will craft something custom tailored to YOU and your loved ones!