November 15, 2019

Best Gardens to Visit on Your Next Getaway

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Featured, Places, Tips & Tricks

Every once in a while, you crave walking through a curated garden with exotic flower arrangements and meticulously carved bushes (maybe just me). Today I was thinking about the time I went to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco and reminisced on how relaxing an experience it was. Today, I set out to find some of the world’s coolest gardens- on Google. What I found were some very intriguing gardens in some very cool locals.

The first is called Lotusland in Montecito, California. The gardens are nothing short of impressive garnering over 3,000 different plants. If you are staying in the Santa Barbara area this is a perfect excursion: the gardens are by appointment only and fully worth it. Lotusland was part of Madame Ganna Walska’s life work who owned the estate from 1941 until 1984 when she passed. She aided in the intricate and unusual design of the sprawling gardens.

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I think the photos speak for themselves: there are sculptures of animals, carved trees looking like towering mushrooms, and a forest of cacti. This is definitely an interesting place to get lost in.

The next garden is the Spring Gardens Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands

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This is the largest flower garden in the entire world, and arguably one of the most beautiful. The rainbow arrangements are reminiscent of the color palette at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory

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Every year, an astonishing 7 Million flowers planted. The flowers can be seen during the spring months between March and May. The garden is located in the small town of Lisse, which is just about 40 minutes away from Amsterdam.

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The Garden of Versailles, Versailles, France

I wouldn’t feel right about making a garden list without mentioning the Garden of Versailles. I visited the Palace of Versailles on a tour when I went to Paris with my family. We packed into a long tour bus with many other tourists and were dropped off along with many more buses full of people at the gates of the palace. If you have the opportunity, the tour of the Palace is incredible: much of the palace has been restored with all of the original furniture intact. At a certain part of the tour, you get to see the Garden of Versailles, and it is somehow more stunning than a freaking palace.

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This garden is nothing short of….well, royal. It’s absolutely pristine and a wonder to gaze upon. It isn’t the kind of garden to lay in the grass with a picnic basket and a cheap bottle of wine: it’s more so the type of place that you tiptoe through and whisper as to not to disturb the manicured tiny trees.

Suan Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya, Thailand

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The next garden is in Thailand, a place that is definitely on my bucket list. Suan Nong Nooch is the largest botanical garden in South East Asia and is absolutely astonishing. The garden is extremely intricate and is accompanied by a gorgeous mountain backdrop. This is a great place to visit any time of year because of Thailand’s year-round tropical climate. Because of this climate, they are able to keep exotic flowers at all times, and even a pineapple garden. Get lost in the various parts of this tropical wonderland, and then stop by their center for a cultural show (I wasn’t able to find out more about what these “cultural shows” are, but if they are anywhere as impressive as their plentiful plant spread, it will be amazing).

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Kew Gardens, London, England

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Not only is the Kew Gardens just as gorgeous as the rest of the gardens on this list, but it is also internationally recognized for being important in botanical research. Not to mention, it houses the largest Victorian greenhouse in the world (I didn’t know what a Victorian greenhouse was before this, but it is gorgeous). The gardens house over 50,000 plants and is also known for its architecture.

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London is already an awesome place to visit, but I would add this to your itinerary if I were you.

These are just 5 of the many beautiful gardens around the world, but I chose these because they are accompanied by fantastic locations for a great vacation. I hope that some of these have inspired you to plan your next whimsical trip. If it has, be sure to book with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist which can be found on this Website, or HERE

November 6, 2019

The Non-tourist Guide to Paris

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Destinations, feature, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

Paris is a dream vacation for many people (myself included). I was lucky enough to visit for 4 days when I graduated from high school, but now I have the desire to return and avoid all of the tourists traps I fell into on my family vacation. As you do when you are obsessing over a future vacation, I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of Youtube videos. The first mistake my family and I made the first time around was visiting Paris in July. I’ve learned that this is the month with the highest tourism rate, and one of the hottest months as well. We were frustrated a lot of the trip because of the immense amount of people no matter where we went (not to mention that it smells like pee and sweat!).

The best time to visit the city is between April and June.

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I am a very thrifty person: no matter where I visit, I look up the nearest thrift shops and antique shops. Paris, being such an old city, has some amazing vintage finds. You can visit Le Puces, one of the oldest flea markets in Paris.

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There you will find hundreds of stalls filled with oddities and rarities, trinkets and priceless antiques. This is a great way to spend the day perusing the different stalls and finding unique keepsakes to remember your long awaited trip to France. After you are done shopping, you can head to a unique Parisian Cafe. You could try out Chez Louisette that offers classic casual French cuisine with musicians and singers.

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There are some unique food options for those who are feeling like getting out of their comfort zone. You can try the infamous escargot. (snails)

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After being surrounded by people in the city, you can head to a ghost town right outside of the city, or the Goussainville.

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This town is just 20km (12 miles) outside of Paris is almost completely abandoned. It was abandoned in the 70s after an airport was built right next door and polluted the untouched town with the booming sound of jet engines. There is a bookstore that has taken home amongst the ghosts-

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Very odd to find a dying commodity in a deceased town. You’ll have the town almost all to yourself. This is definitely a unique excursion and makes for some interesting photos.

Another great thing to do in Paris is visit a park. This is a Parisian favorite: art, wine, food, and art in the park. You can visit the Coulée verte René-Dumont: a linear park built on top of a railway.

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You can walk along the pathway and have a scenic stroll, or buy yourself some pastries and cheese from a local bakery and relax in the grass. You are sure to hear some music being played, or see some painting being, well painted.

You can’t come to Paris without eating 50 pastries minimum (this is the law!). You can choose from thousands, but one that is a Parisian favorite is Poilâne.

Poilâne is a renowned baker who has won multiple awards. He is most known for his loaf “Le Pain des Ami” that is cooked in a wood fire oven. He also has all of the classic Parisian pastries so this is a perfect go-to.

When in a city with such a rich history of the Fine Arts, you cannot miss out on a trip to a museum. Consider the Petit Palais.

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This stunning museum has it all: architecture from the 1900s, Monet Paintings, a beautiful courtyard. The best part is, entry is FREE!

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Can't get over how beautiful it is!


At the end the end of your long Parisian adventure, you can stop at a classic sidewalk cafe and enjoy an espresso. 


If you are ready to pull the trigger on the Parisian trip of your dreams, be sure to do it with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist! AU REVOIR <3

October 15, 2019

My Trip to LA (Documented in Food)

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Food, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

This past summer I went to the city of dreams to celebrate. This was my second time visiting Los Angeles, so I knew not to expect anything out of a Miley Cyrus song…

got off the plane at LAX 🎶

LA is a very conflicting place. There is extreme wealth, and extreme poverty with shanty towns built under every bridge you pass beneath. It isn’t the glamorous place you often seen it portrayed as.

The thing that I really love about LA, is that there is no shortage of things to do and food to eat. I am Celiac so often times am very limited at restaurants in Florida, but in LA I was able to eat almost anywhere many times with a separate Gluten Free menu. Even though LA isn’t everything I thought it would be, I was blown away by all the food that I ate. I am the type of person who plans my vacations around my next meal. This was last trip was for my 23rd birthday so I really indulged myself on food.

Since food is obviously the most important part of any vacation, I am going to outline my trip to LA in everything I ate.

Postmates

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I think the thing I spent the most money on during my trip was Postmates. If you don’t know what Postmates is, it’s an app that lets you order ANYTHING you want at pretty much any time. The first night I got into the city, I didn’t get to my Airbnb until 1 am and I was starving. Me and my best friend spent $12 for the luxury of having a giant box of parmesan garlic fries delivered straight to our door. They were slightly soggy from the drive, but the convenience of not moving from the couch is unbeatable. I wish I had a photo of this massive cardboard box of fries, but it’s pretty much exactly what you would imagine: slightly floppy shoe string fries covered in parmesan and garlic crumbs.

Throughout the trip I used Postmates just for the sake of using it. To my defense, without a car, going to get my own food would entail an Uber drive that could cost up to $12 just for a few mile ride.

Coffee

My obsession in LA is Alfred’s Coffee. I get an Iced Oatmilk Latte with Classic Sweetener and it is the creamiest, smoothest, most delicious coffee I’ve ever had the privilege of sipping. I made it a point to try and drink at least one every day of my trip. My favorite location is the one in Studio City.

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Every location is unique, but equally aesthetic. I loved this location because the street is quiet, and there were people with their friends and dogs sitting on the porch and talking. It had a very European Cafe feel where people aren’t just glued to their laptop screen, but are actually using coffee as a hangout. Studio city has a residential feel in some parts, and this street in particular had a Mid Century feel with many original buildings from the 60s era.

Me and my friend sat on the porch and people watched, then walk down the street to some local vintage shops. It was my favorite part of the entire city because it was quiet, clean, and had a very unique eclectic style. And of course, the coffee was outstanding.

Brunch

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On my birthday, me and all of my friends went to brunch! We went to Sage Bistro in Culver city. We didn’t know when we found it on google, that it was 100% plant based, but that didn’t affect the taste at all.

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We started off with their “Buffalo Wings” that were made out of cauliflower. These were one of my favorite things I ate the entire trip: 10/10. They somehow achieved a very similar texture to chicken wings, and their vegan ranch was amazing.

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Avocado toast is King at brunch, and Sage Bistro’s avo toast did not disappoint. This photo shows “regular” bread, but as I mentioned before I am unfortunately gluten free. They made my toast on a gluten free bagel, which was surprisingly chewy and not dry. It was great, and not something I ever get to have at restaurants in Florida.

Sushi

Not sure why I look terrified by my sushi roll in this photo?

For my birthday, I went to SUGARFISH, a popular sushi restaurant in Downtown LA.

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They are well known on instagram for their aesthetic sushi bento boxes. You wont find a spider roll or a volcano roll on the menu; SUGARFISH specializes in simple, high quality rolls that really feature the flavor of the fish. I had a scallop roll, a tuna roll, and a lobster roll. There wasn’t many other ingredients in the roll other than the fish itself, and it was all delicious. The fish melts in your mouth, with no rubbery bite. I would compare the quality of fish to that of Nobu, notably the most famous sushi restaurant in Los Angeles (with the hefty price tag included). SUGARFISH was a lot cheaper and did not compromise on quality.

One thing is for sure, I need to get back to LA and eat a lot more food- I wouldn’t have to repeat anything (except Alfred’s Coffee of course)

If you want to experience the city of angels first hand, be sure to book it with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist.

October 9, 2019

Top 5 Destination Bucket List

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

Many people have a destination bucket list: usually it’s a trip to Paris, Tokyo, or New York City. Along with all of those places, I want to outline some off the beaten path places that should be on everyone’s destination bucket list.

1. San Sebastian, Spain

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San Sebastian is a basque city in Spain nestled between mountains and the border of France. Because of it’s close quarters to Spain’s French neighbors, the food and culture is a concoction of the two. I first heard of San Sebastian on Anthony Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown. He raved about the rich culinary culture the city had to offer, and it’s obviously stunning appearance. San Sebastian is a resort town studded with world class chefs, world famous beaches, and upscale shopping that lines the cobblestone streets.

It’s most famous beach La Concha is a sort of old world Malibu. Lined with beautiful homes and luxury restaurants.

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Like most places in Spain, pintxos (pin-chos) are a staple. Little appetizers that just keep coming. San Sebastian being a costal city, pintxos will include seafood.

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I’d like to think I would be daring and eat some squid and octopus legs that are off-puttingly anatomically still in tact.

2. Lisbon, Portugal

I think we are already seeing a trend in my bucket list: beautiful blue waters, mountains on the horizon, and rustic buildings. Libson is the capital of Portugal and is known for it’s pastel buildings and beautiful sites.

Tram 28

Like San Francisco, Lisbon is known for its rickety tram system that will take you down the winding roads of the city.

St George's Castle

Lisbon is 2700 years old making it one of the oldest cities in the European continent. That being said- there’s a castle! On my bucket list trip, I would be sure to wander around St. George’s Castle.

3. Bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico

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This is a glow in the dark kayak tour….need I say more? Really? Ok, well in the bay of Fajardo Puerto Rico are flagellates or microorganisms. They make their food through photosynthesis, and this process causes them to glow! There’s not much more to say haha.

4. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

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I would love to visit Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. This crater was created 7 thousand years ago by the collapse of a volcano. What we were left with, is a stunning lake knows for its vibrant clear waters. I think this is just a site to see even if just for a day trip.

5. Amsterdam (During the Cherry Blossom Festival)

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At the end of March, there is a celebration of spring called the Cherry Blossom Festivals. All of the cherry blossom trees that fill Amsterdam are blooming and it is such a beautiful sight to see. I would love to have a whimsical picnic under the canopy of light pink flowers.

No matter what your bucket lists looks like, Luxevo Vacations can make your dream a reality. From European vacations, to bioluminescent bays, we have got you covered. Be sure to visit our website and get connected to your own Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist and start planning the trip of a lifetime.

October 2, 2019

The Best Beaches in Florida

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Places, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

As a native Floridian, I've gone to the beach hundreds of times (obviously making me qualified to judge all beaches). Florida is home to some of the most beautiful white sand beaches 
in the entire world- but not all gorgeous beaches are made the same. Here are some of my most favorite top tier beaches in Florida. 

Miramar Beach 


Miramar Beach is located in Destin Florida and is a beautiful white sand beach. The water is crystal clear making this a very popular tourist destination. The beach is lined with
hotels and condominiums for rent. Parasailing is very popular at this beach, and there are even dolphin tours where you can come face to face with dolphins. This is a good beach to 
visit if you are looking for a more upscale hotel experience. The Henderson Beach Resort is the most popular hotel equipped with chic rooms, 5 restaurants, and high end spa 
experiences. 

South Beach 



South Beach in Miami is probably the most famous beach in all of Florida, and one of the most recognized beaches in all of the world. South Beach is unique because of it's vibrant
culture and chaotic night life. This is definitely a more party-goer destination and isn't made for those trying to get away from noise and tourists. You'll wander off the beach and 
onto the multicolored pastel art deco district. There you'll find museums, high end shopping, gourmet food. The last time I was in Miami Beach, I splurged and went to Nobu. Nobu is a
Japanese Peruvian fusion restaurant well known for being littered with celebs, and for having some of the most delicious sushi in the world. Needless to say, Miami beach is not only
a beautiful beach with gorgeous people, it is a full cultural experience.

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Nobu Miami

Anna Maria Beach

Anna Maria Beach is just 10 minutes down the road from the Luxevo Vacation's office. I would say that this was the beach I grew up going to, and many native to the area would probably
agree. Anna Maria is the family vacation beach you've always imagined. There are classic little beach getaways equipped with pull out couches and tiny kitchens the whole family with
cram into. There are all of the mom and pop shops you could want: ice cream, pizza, and fried food galore. Like all the beaches in the area, the sand is white and powdery, and the
water is bright blue. In the summers, there is not a foot of sand that isn't covered in chairs, coolers, and umbrellas. This is a great beach to take your family and have a great
wholesome time.

St. Pete Beach

St. Pete beach is another "spring breakers" beach. Known for being packed to the gills during the spring and summer months, it's no wonder St. Pete attracts the masses. There are
countless bars and pubs and restaurant. St. Pete has done quite the transformation into a self proclaimed art capital. One of the well known landmarks of the city, is the Salvadore
Dali museum full of his paintings, sculptures, and even a virtual reality tour where you can walk through his art. There is also the famous Chihuly glass museum. The city has attracted
many of Florida's young creatives. There are indie bands, art galleries, vintage stores, murals, and craft beer. St. Pete is also home to the Tampa Bay rays so the streets are also often
filled with sports fans too (it's just generally a popular place). St. Pete is one of my favorite cities in all of Florida if not the hippest place to be right now. This is a very
fun place to vacation with quite literally something for everyone.

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Lido Key Beach



I saved the best for last! Lido key beach is by far my favorite beach. Just 20 minutes down the road from Anna Maria, Lido is much quieter and secluded. The main part of the beach 
is lined with private residences versus hotels which really minimizes the traffic. Of the course the beach still gets crowded during the summer, but none the less this beach
has everything I love in a beach. The sand is just a little softer, the water just a little bluer, the area just a tad more charming. The beach is right off of St. Armands Circle:

Here you'll find restaurants and local shops filled with clothes and knick Knacks. Live music fills the streets, and the smell of fudge from the local ice cream shop. My favorite
activity is walking around the circle and people watching all of the interesting characters from here and there. Often times, there are events held in the circle. Sometimes it is
local art, craft festivals, or even classic car events. This beach is the perfect combination of quaint and lively.

No matter what Florida beach you decide to visit next, don't forget to book it with Luxevo Vacations.

September 27, 2019

5 Best Fall Vacations Destinations

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Destinations, Places, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

Summer has come to an end, but that doesn't mean you have to stop vacationing. With holiday time off coming up, you may be wondering where the best
destinations for a fall get aways are. Here are 5 of the best fall vacation destinations!

1. The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular destinations. By visiting the Canyon in Fall you'll avoid the high volume crowds of the summer, and enjoy
much more temperate weather for exploring. You can take advantage of multiple hiking trails in the area, and all of the gorgeous scenery without risking
heat stroke.

2. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is located along the Blue Ridge Mountain making it a perfect location to witness the changing of seasons. Asheville is known for it's colorful art scene and rich
history. There are tons of gardens and museums to visit, as well as an abundance of trails to walk along. There is also a lot to offer for those who aren't keen on nature as
well. They have more breweries per capita than any other city in the world, and plenty of highly rated restaurants. Asheville is a super hip city with the perfect culmination
of nature and city life.

3. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is known for its rich history and charm. (It can also be extremely humid and hot!) Enjoy all of the charm and history the city has to offer and avoid the sticky
weather of summer. Take a horse drawn carriage through the cobblestone streets. Eat at some of the best restaurants the south has to offer: gastro pubs, hipster hideaways, and
gourmet dining alike. Enjoy classic fall activities like hay rides and pumpkin patches. There are many fall activities like festivals and foodie based events.

4. San Fransisco, California

San Francisco is a very popular destination with peak tourism in summer. San Fran has fairly constant weather typically sitting in the mid to low 60s. Avoid the crowds and enjoy
some of the fall festivals including film, food, and wine. Stroll through the streets without having to push through the crowds. Visit the famous golden gate bridge, and take the
ferry to visit Alcatraz. This is a fun place to be year round so why not now?


5.Oaxaca, Mexico 



With the cold creeping in, consider going south of the border for your fall vacation. This is voted one of the best cities in Mexico with bustling market places, and countless 
scenic excursions. The photo above is of the heirve agua, or the boiling water. It's natural hot springs with the most incredible view. Take a trip to the famous Chichen Itza ruins, 
or get lost in the market place eating food and browsing homemade crafts. This is the perfect fall vacation for those who don't want summer to end. 


No matter what vacation you choose this fall, make sure to book it with us at Luxevo Vacations. Our travel specialists can book any vacation you can imagine, and can even help you 
come up with countless more vacation inspos. Or, if you are an experienced traveler with a passion for exploring, join our team as a travel specialist.

September 20, 2019

How to Use Social Media to Grow your Travel Business: 3-day Training Intensive

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Tips & Tricks

Here at Luxevo Vacations we are having our 3 Day Training intensive. I am giving a presentation on Social Media and why it is an integral part of getting your Travel Business off of the ground. I think that this is useful information for all new agents, so I want to give a shortened version here on the blog. Of course I won’t be giving the full presentation- you’ll have to come to our next training in January for that!

But I’ll give you a sneak peek

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Why is Social Media Important?

So to start off, I want to tell you why I believe social media is a crucial component to being a successful Travel Specialist. Firstly, you it’s the best way to put your business on the map. To really grow and differentiate yourself from pursuing a hobby, and pursuing a career, you need to branch out past your cushion of family, friends, and coworkers (even though this is the best way to start.)

Having a social media presence, even before you have a grand following, is like putting a sign up on the outside of your building. You make yourself look official, and open for business.

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Now, this might seem optimistic if you are in the starting stages of your business and only your mom and dog’s instagram follow you, but social media will eventually become an essential way for you to connect with your clients.

It’s a great way to become accessible for people to ask you questions, or for more information
You put a face to your business. A business card, or a flyer in your office’s break room is cold and doesn’t give the client an idea of you. By putting yourself on social media and showing your personality you built trust with your clients.
These things together will allow you to build loyal clients who not only use you for your vast knowledge, but because they like you !

Now when your page is at zero followers, the best thing to do is to start off with your existing friends and family on Facebook. Share your page and invite them to leave and like and follow you. You can also reach out personally to your friends to let them know about your new venture. Text your group chat to let all your friends know that you are a Travel Specialist and that they should come to you for all of their vacation booking needs! Send a link to your Facebook Page and make sure your Facebook is up and ready to go for people to get more info and to contact you.

What should you post?

There are many options when choosing what you want to post on your social media. For the sake of Luxevo Travel Specialists reading this, I will focus on you guys. The most important thing to remember is to be consistent by posting around 2-3 times a day. Also, be consistent in what you post. With the LXVN resource center we make this very easy. Our motto when it comes to content is steal, steal, steal! We want you guys to succeed, so take any of our Social Media posts by either sharing them to your page, taking them from the LXVN resource center, or even just saving photos that we post as your own.

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This is just a little snippet of what I will be presenting at our 3DTI training! If you want to learn more about how to grow your social media, and hear presentations from leading industry professionals, make sure to sign up for our next 3-day training intensive in January. HERE

September 13, 2019

Things you Need to know before Staying at an All Inclusive Resort

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Places, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

At Luxevo Vacations all-inclusive vacations are one of our specialities. Not only do we have a great working relationship with Karisma Resorts, we take trips with our travel specialists called “Fam” trips, or Familiarization trips to give agents a hands on experience they can share with potential clients. Most people are not lucky enough to have a hands one experience before booking their vacation.

You may already expect endless food and bottomless drinks in a beautiful local, and you are not wrong there. But here are some things to know before you hop on the plane and stay at your first all-inclusive resort.

1. Not all all-inlcusives are built the same

It is important before you leave to know exactly what is included in your package. Although some resorts offer bottomless drinks and food, some may only include 2 meals a day etc. With most all-inclusives including a hefty price tag, it is crucial to know exactly what you are getting so you can plan accordingly. Most all-inclusive resorts will have exclusive restaurants that are not included in your package. If this interests you, and you don’t want to eat the designated meals, this may work for you.

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2. Check your surroundings!

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A lot of all-inclusives are built with the idea that you won’t be leaving the resort in mind. Many are built in very remote places with access to a beach, pool, and the resort with not much else. If you are looking for an excursion, or to immerse yourself in the culture of the country you are visiting, it is important to check before hand how accessible that will be. Attempting to hail a cab in the middle of nowhere may be near impossible, or outrageous in cost. Furthermore, some resorts are even built in high crime areas, where it is not necessarily safe to leave the resort. Make sure to ask the resort all of these questions, and to do a google search of the city you are visiting.

3. Ask about dietary restrictions

I personally have celiac disease, which essentially means wheat is my mortal enemy and I must avoid it at all cost (or run the risk of ending up in a Mexican hospital in the middle of my vacation). If you have a dietary restriction that needs to be accommodated, be sure to talk to the resort about this before hand. Most resorts will be more than willing to assist you in finding options, but if it is not possible you’ll have to plan accordingly and bring some food with you.

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4. Bring essentials with you

Most if not all of your toiletries will be handled by your all-inclusive resort. Remember to bring things like sunscreen, allow, chapstick, and your toothbrush because there will most likely be an up-charge at the resort shop.

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5. Transportation

A lot of all-inclusives will offer you transport to and from the airport. Double check with them to make sure you are not left stranded. This could definitely be a bonus of not having to pay a taxi a hefty fee.

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6. Book with Luxevo Vacations

Now that you are ready to book your all-inclusive vacation, be sure to book it with one of our Luxevo Travel Specialists here. We’ll make booking your vacation super simple, and can give you all of the insider details on the resort you choose. There’s no guessing involved, and you’ll get the same rate as if you were going through the hassle of booking it yourself.

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OR if you love travel and are interested in learning more about becoming a travel specialist yourself, click HERE

September 4, 2019

Hostels are Not as Bad as You Think: Travel for Less

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Destinations, Food for thought, Places, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

You probably have a very specific idea in mind when you hear the word Hostel. You may think of free spirits traveling across Europe, letting their heads land where they may. Or you may think of a dusty dimly lit room stacked to the ceilings with creaking bunk beds.

Often times the thing that holds people back from a foreign vacation is the various hotel stays that can accumulate. Unless you are willing to fly across the sea for an extended weekend and only staying in one city, multiple hotel moves will be inevitable.

I too was under the impression that if you didn’t have the money to shell out for decent hotels, you would have to settle for a Hostel experience that was unpleasant, and in some cases even unsafe.

I set out to find some of the worlds best Hostels in the some of the most sought after destinations
….ALL UNDER $100. And to learn how to do Hostels the right way!

Are there nice Hostels?

YES!

Generator Hostel (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

The first Hostel we visit is in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a very sought after destination most known for its beautiful canals….

World famous Cherry Blossom Festival

And of course the red light district.

The average hotel price in Amsterdam for 2019 is about 158 euros which is about 173 USD.

The Generator Hostel used to be the Amsterdam University’s Zoology Building until it was transformed into this beautiful Hostel. The outside is a beautiful brick building, and the inside has been completely converted. It is extremely modern and looks like room inspo posts on Pinterest.

If you splurge and get a private room, you are looking at an average price of $160 which still comes in a little bit lower than the average price in Amsterdam: in a very cool place no less.

But if you are willing to go all in to the Hostel experience, you can get a twin bed in a premium 4 person room for only $44

The Generator has very good reviews and appears to be very beautiful. This honestly was a shocking discovery for me- I honestly didn’t know there were beautiful Hostels.

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More Affordable Option

If you are looking for the classic Hostel experience (and classic Hostel prices), there are still some good options that are relatively comfortable.

One that I found is in the South of Italy on the Italian Riviera.

5 Terra Backpackers (Cinque Terra, Italy)

This place has amazing reviews: sited for it’s delicious family style meals, great location, and beautiful views.

It seems that the hosts are very hospitable, it has a good location, and they even cook group meals for the guest. Staying at a family run Hostel can be a good way to immerse yourself into the culture, and to get personal recommendations from a local. And who knows, maybe you will find some new friends as well.

For a basic twin private room you are looking at $76. This means you and a friend or partner can share the room and spend only about $38 a night which is honestly a steal.

If you are looking for the cheapest way possible, you can get a bed in a 6 bed dormitory style room for only $32. This may not feel like the most comfortable option at every hostel, but at the 5 Terre Backpackers you will receive a locker for your things, and the raving reviews will also calm your fears of any funny business.

Everything you should know

Now that we’ve found a couple of viable hostel options, it’s time to learn a little more about how seasoned travelers do hostels. Even though they can be nice, there are still

precautions and measures you should take to ensure you have a comfortable stay.

1. Splurge on the private room if you can

If you can afford it, try and go for one of the slightly more expensive private rooms. This will give you a door with a lock so you don’t have to worry about your belongings, especially on an extended stay. This will also make it more comfortable to do everything you would imagine like changing or even sleeping in your underwear.

A lot of times the private room isn’t even much more expensive so it’s worth it.

2. Bring your own toiletries

Often times hostel toiletries will be very cheap (Think of the pink sticky soap in your elementary school bathroom). Packing some travel sized shampoos and lotions will make your stay that much more comfortable. It will also be more sanitary since many hostels have shared bathrooms.

3. Change your bedsheets

Make sure to ask your hostel host about how often they will be changing the bed sheets!

4. Trust your Gut!

Even though I am sure you have done your research and read all of the reviews you can find, if you are uncomfortable with your sleeping arrangement speak up! Refer to #1 and perhaps try to upgrade to a private room if someone or something in the dorm style room makes you uneasy.

Maybe you are reading this article because you are considering choosing a hostel for your next trip. After my research, I think that staying at a hostel can be a great option, if you do your research. If hotel prices are the only thing keeping you from your dream European vacation…..go for it!

August 27, 2019

How to Get Over Your Fear of Flying

By Gabriella Alfonso | Article, Blogs, Destinations, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

You may be wishing you could take a vacation, but simply can’t get over your fear of flying. Fear of flying is a very common fear and understandably so- soaring through the air in a very heavy metal capsule does sound scary if you think about it. But taking a vacation to a destination far beyond the wheels of your car is worth it (seriously). I’ve come up with some ways that you can conquer this fear and go on the vacation of your dreams.

Fact: You are 2000 times more likely to die in a car than in a plane

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It may not be the best comfort to hear that you are much more likely to die in a car than in a plane, but it is surprisingly true. If you are comfortable driving your car every day, just know you are more of a dare devil than you think. If you think about it, it makes sense; here isn’t much for planes to hit in the wide open sky.

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Distraction

If you keep yourself distracted through a flight, you may be able to forget you’re on a plane.

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A good pair of noise canceling headphones, a comfy blanket, an eye mask, and a bunch of preloaded Netflix content could help you get through your flight.

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This method also works best if you have a flying partner. You could even close your eyes and have them lead you on the plane.

Upgrade your Ticket

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If you can afford it, upgrading your ticket can be a good way to settle into a long flight. Some flights may offer first class pods which will make you feel like you are just casually

floating in a cocoon. You will feel physically more comfortable, and therefore you will have less time to think about your irrational fears. It is also said that the front of the plane

will have a smoother ride, and will be quieter.

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This isn’t the most practical option (financially), but it could be worth it to avoid having to drive through the Atlantic ocean to the Italian vacation you’ve always wanted to take.

Get Therapy

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If your fear of flying is interfering in a big way with your work and life, going to see a therapist could be a good option. There are therapists who can specifically help you overcome phobias. They may

even prescribe you a temporary anti-anxiety medicine that you can take right before your flight, especially if your panic is full blown like this.

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Repetition is Key

The unfortunate truth about fears, is the only way to get rid of them is to face them. This means you’ll have to have a few uncomfortable flights.

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But hopefully after the 5th or sixth time, you will begin to realize that it’s not so scary (or you’ll just take the pills the doctor ordered.)

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Hopefully one or more of these tips will help you get over that fear of flying. The important thing to remember is life is short, and you shouldn’t let your anxieties rule your life. There’s a big world to see, and you can’t get there in a car. Besides- those are the real death machines. (An attempt to trade one irrational fear for another)

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So take your time, but when you are ready to book that trip you’ve been putting off, book it with Luxevo Vacations.

HERE

Tips & Tricks