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Spring Forward with Travel Tips!
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March 2011
REID TRAVEL
326 East Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
561-395-6670 * 800-248-8404
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The population in Germany is 82 million with over 107 million cell phones; Italy's population is 58 million with 89 million cell phones; Japan's population is 126 million with over 113 million cell phones; and the USA population is 310 million with almost 292 million cell phones.
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What is the weight of an average iceberg?
Mar 31 for your entry in the drawing for a $25 travel certificate.
Last month's answer is at the bottom. |
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How to travel with a cell phone...
Today about 61.2 million Americans own a smart phone and most likely could not live without it. However, using email and other features while abroad could double or triple your bill. Here are some tips on how to avoid a steep bill while traveling.
Before you leave:
- Sign up for an international plan. Cell phone service providers charge users who do not have roaming packages significantly more for international calls and data usage.
- Look for hot spots. JiWire (jiwire.com) has a directory of free and paid hot spots around the world.
- Turn off data roaming. If needed you can turn it back on temporarily.
While you are gone:
- Use your Wi-Fi connection whenever possible in a hot spot to get/send email and internet connection, this is normally free. Just remember that connecting to a ship's Wi-Fi usually has a charge associated to it.
- Stay in airplane mode. If you do not, every time you receive a phone call or voicemail you will be charged.
- Use the Internet as your phone. An application such as Skype could save you money.
- If you accidentally use up your entire roaming allowance, call your service provider to increase your roaming coverage while you're away.
After you get home:
- Keep your roaming package on. If you have used up your data allowance while on vacation, then you should keep your roaming package on through the end of the billing cycle to avoid overage charges
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Travel Insurance for Today's Traveler
Traveling creates memories of a lifetime, and can also mean encountering the unexpected. In today's travel environment it's increasingly important to protect yourself and your travel investment from unexpected circumstances like these:
- You or a family member become ill and you can't travel
 - The travel supplier for your trip declares bankruptcy
- You have a medical emergency in a foreign country
- A flight delay causes you to miss a connection
- Upon arrival at your destination your luggage is not found
- You lose your wallet, credit cards and passport
 For a true sense of security, a comprehensive policy from a reputable, independent travel insurance company is paramount. Medical insurance policies may not protect your travels abroad and often have out-of-network deductibles. Likewise, coverage through credit cards and travel suppliers can have shortfalls and not fully protect you in travel situations like the above.
For all of these reasons, we recommend Travelex to every Reid Travel customer. Travelex plans are considered an industry best and offer many options to fit your travel lifestyle. Contact us today to make sure your travels are covered!
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A Tip from Trish: Dining in Istanbul
I would love to return to Istanbul to spend three or four days immersing myself in the real flavors that Istanbul so readily exudes.
Istanbul is a city where you can experience both Asia & Europe as it sits on the Bosphorus River which joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. Sampling Turkish food in some of the many fabulous restaurants is at the top of my list.
The Cintemani Restaurant is located in the luxurious, five star Ritz Carlton Hotel. This chic yet informal restaurant is best enjoyed with a Bosphorus River view. Swiss-Australian Chef Marcel Nosari spent many years in Thailand where he prepared food for King Bhumibol and the Emperor of Japan. The Cintemani specializes in a refined selection of Turkish dishes, fish, lamb, fresh vegetables and pastas with a Mediterranean influence.
The Asitane Restaurant is located in a remote residential area of Istanbul but is worth the adventure. This unique restaurant specializes in serving Ottoman recipes that are centuries old. It includes such delicacies as Mezzes, an assorted Turkish Cheese Platter, stuffed with vine leaves and sour cherries. The exquisite wine selection makes these rare dishes more enjoyable. Close to the restaurant is the 11th century Byzantine Church St. Savior in Chora...great for a visit before or after dinner.
The Poseidon Restaurant is located in Bebek, a posh area of Istanbul, where you can expect the best of everything. The dining room feels like a yacht club with an amazing terrace. Here you will enjoy nothing but the freshest fish.
 The Refik Restaurant is the oldest and best known meyhane, local drinking house, in Istanbul. Unless reserved days in advance, you will not be able to sit inside, not to say sitting outside is not enjoyable. While sitting outside you will become part of the show and experience street sellers with fresh roses and nuts for you to purchase.
A real Istanbul experience! I am anxious to go back!
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News Hypes for Cruise Types!
Value is the name of the game. Cruise lines are aware of this and are passing it on to you.
Regent Seven Seas is truly an "all inclusive" ship. In addition to beverages, spirits and gratuities, they now include shore excursions, a pre-cruise hotel night and economy air. Two for one pricing plus $1,000 bonus savings makes Regent Seven Seas a great value. However come April 1, the bonus savings will disappear from most sailings. So call now!
Crystal Cruises, another luxury line, allows the cruiser to decide what they want included with their "As You Like it" program. On each departure, they are offering up to $1,000 per person shipboard credit to use toward anything your heart desires. Not interested in alcoholic beverages? Use your credit for shore excursions or spa treatments. And if you book with Reid Travel, we will pay your gratuities as well as supply more shipboard credit.
Azamara Club Cruises, a very itinerary-intensive premium line, now includes gratuities, wine at lunch and dinner, bottled water and soft drinks, as well as specialty coffees. Suite passengers will be treated to butler service, welcome champagne, two bottles of liquor and other privileges.
All of these inclusions make Azamara a great cruise value.
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For The Foodie
Chilled Strawberry Soup
From the Chef onboard the Crystal Symphony
Soup:
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 cups vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
Chef notes: This soup can be served as either a first course or a dessert. Other fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, can be used in place of the strawberries.
Preparation: Set aside 2 large, perfect strawberries for garnish. In a blender, combine the remaining strawberries, yogurt, and ice cream or frozen yogurt and blend until smooth. Refrigerate for about 1 hour.
To serve: Julienne the reserved strawberries. Pour the strawberry cream into shallow soup bowls. Garnish with the thyme flowers or mint sprigs and the cut strawberries.
Suggested wine is Johannisburg Riesling |
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