Being Considerate of the Crew

Cruise lines are proud of their reputations for excellent onboard service – and that requires a hard-working crew. While on a cruise vacation you should focus on having a wonderful time, but don’t forget to appreciate the crew members who make it possible for you to do so.

Cruise ship crews include an amazing variety of skilled professionals. They clean, cook, serve, mix drinks, do laundry, entertain, keep accounts, and lead activities. The crew also includes carpenters, engineers, electricians, officers, and – of course – the captain. Each of them is worthy of your appreciation. And if you want to go beyond basic politeness and really help the crew remember you fondly, here are some tips:

Learn and use the names of the crew members who serve you. Your room steward, in particular, will learn your name and call you by it, and it’s courteous to return the favor.

Take a moment to chat. If a crew member isn’t in a hurry, politely ask where they’re from, how long they’ve worked on the ship, which shore excursions they recommend, or other small talk.

Share a smile. Crew members don’t always have time to talk with you, but a smile can be just as effective. A smile lets the crew know you’re happy and enjoying yourself, which means they are doing their jobs well.

Keep your stateroom tidy. Cleaning and refreshing staterooms are hard work, and your room steward will appreciate any attempt to keep things orderly. This can be as easy as hanging up your clothes rather than leaving them on the floor or the furniture (your clothes will appreciate it, too).

If you have any special needs, make sure the crew knows. For example, if you requested a special diet when you made your cruise reservation, ask your server if he or she is aware. It’s always good to double-check.

Say “thank you.” We all forget to say “thank you” at times, such as when we’re busy having fun. So, try to remember to say it every time a crew member brings you something or responds to your question.

Give a great review. When you’re truly impressed by a crew member, make sure you give them a great review. Mention them by name in your post-cruise survey, leave a note about them at the guest services desk, or send the cruise line an email.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

 

Happy Holidays from Cruise Holidays!

Happy Holidays from Anita & Garry Thompson, Cruise Holidays

VIEW OUR HOLIDAY MESSAGE

TRAVEL BETTER WITH ANITA, YOUR TRAVEL EXPERT. We’re here to ensure your vacation exceeds all expectations.

Winter Holiday Destinations

<

It's that time of year where the sky gets darker earlier, and people start to put lights on their houses, and towns begin to look a little brighter. The holidays are a special time of the year; we've come up with a list of places that go all out to celebrate!

Christmas

Woodstock, Vermont

Named one of the "prettiest small towns in America" and included on the Yankee's list of "Best Christmas Celebrations in New England," Woodstock is a must-see during the holidays. It has become a popular destination, especially during its annual Wassail Weekend event. What you can expect if you visit during this festive weekend:

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth is located to the east of the Cascade Mountains in North Central Washington. The snowy landscape's incredible views with over half a million sparkling lights make this Bavarian-style town a must-see destination during the holidays. Here are some things you can expect to see and do on your visit to Leavenworth:

Shopping

• Concerts
• Craft Fairs
• A parade followed by a community outdoor yule log
• Great food (Christmas themed appetizers and desserts found at many of the restaurants)
• Horse-drawn wagon tours
• Performances by carolers
• The famous Christmastime Wassail Feast: A fun, medieval-style pageant.
• The Woodstock Inn & Resort: Known for its charm, elegance, and coziness. This beautiful inn welcomes travelers from all over. It's also a crowd favorite for Christmas dinner!

Entertainment

• With many unique boutiques and galleries to choose from, Leavenworth is excellent for holiday shopping or if you want to pick up some holiday home décor for yourself.
• Nutcracker Museum: This is a two-story building filled with thousands of nutcrackers (about 7,000) from 50 different countries. You might find yourself in amazement as you view the nutcrackers and the details they hold. You can even participate in a nutcracker scavenger hunt: this is an excellent activity for the kids, but adults are welcome to join the fun too!
• Reindeer Farm: Head to the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, where you can pet and feed the reindeer while you learn about these cute creatures and the history of the family farm.
• Christmas shows: You can find live performances from breakout solo artists as well as local high school choirs and professional choirs. You can also hear carolers as they sing throughout the streets and check out live authentic Bavarian music at the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, where you can listen to handbell concerts, Celtic yuletide songfest, and bluegrass.
• The Christmas Lighting Ceremony: When the sun sets, you'll hear the alphorns that signals everyone to head to the Town Square for the Christmas Lighting Ceremony to witness all the lights turn on.
• Christkindlmarkt: A Bavarian-style outdoor Christmas market with plenty of homemade arts and crafts, family entertainment, and German eats! This event typically takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving.
• Lantern Parade: Join the fun as families carry their handcrafted glowing lanterns and follow Mr. And Mrs. Claus through the town to a Gazebo where they hold the Christkindlmarkt to welcome everyone and to kick off the holiday season!

Food/Drinks

• Breweries: Check out the local breweries where the beer they brew in Leavenworth is all made from local ingredients (even the water they use is local).
• Wineries: If you're more into wine, head to the wineries and go wine tasting!

• There are plenty of food options, such as The Sausage Garten. You'll also want to check out the Gingerbread Factory Desserts: Here, there are all things gingerbread, from gingerbread houses to ice cream sandwiches with gingersnap cookies.

Outdoors

• Front Street Park: Front Street Park has a sloping lawn that turns into a sledding hill when it snows.
• Leavenworth Ski Hill: This is great for the more advanced kids to go tubing down or launch off the ski jump!
• Sleigh Rides: Experience a sleigh ride through Leavenworth's downtown area or take a ride to the local farm for some incredible views of the mountains.

Natchitoches, Louisianna

Natchitoches, pronounced "Nack-a-tish," is home to one of the country's oldest community-based celebrations. With six weeks to celebrate the holiday season that begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the town lights up with more than 300,000 lights and over 100 displays to brighten up the streets.

Entertainment

• The Parade: Join the fun and watch the parade that starts at the Northwestern State University and goes through the Historic District. You'll hear bands from the university and local high schools playing and see dancing groups, themed floats, costumed characters, the Christmas Belles, Miss Natchitoches, the Christmas Angels, Miss City of Lights, and Miss Merry Christmas!
• Firework Shows: Expect to see an incredible firework show every Saturday from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve!
• Christmas Festival Poster: Every year, artists from around the country submit their artwork in hopes of having their design become that year's poster for the holiday event. They have become great gifts for visitors to bring home to their families. They also raise money from the posters' sales to provide three scholarships at Northwestern State University for students in the Creative and Performing Arts program.
• Christmas Festival: The big event is the Christmas Festival, which typically begins the first Saturday in December. You can expect to see a parade in the early part of the day, followed by an arts and crafts show, food vendors, live entertainment, and fireworks all along the riverfront! The festival has been ranked 3rd "Best Holiday Light Show," right behind the Rockefeller Center and Disneyland by Yahoo! Travel.

Food

• Specialties: You can't go to Natchitoches without trying their iconic meat pies and creamy eggnog daiquiris! You'll also find funnel cakes, cotton candy, hamburgers, alligator, and many more options!

Frankenmuth, Michigan

If you love Christmas, add Frankenmuth to your list of places to visit. This city was named one of the "9 Most Christmassy Towns in America" by TIME and is home to the world's largest Christmas store! Even more, they celebrate Christmas all year long.

Food

• The Old Christmas Station: What once was a train depot in the 1920s is now known as the Old Christmas Station. This quaint café is filled with antique Christmas ornaments and offers an assortment of dishes. You can expect to find Swiss, Austrian, German, and French-inspired meals, but you'd be missing out if you skipped dessert. Chocolate mousse cake or Austrian apple strudel? Each dessert is made from scratch and uses the freshest ingredients.

Entertainment

• Christkindlmarkt: A European inspired holiday market where you can find anything from baked goods, art, holiday décor, soaps, and many other creations from the local artists, bakers, and makers! You can find this market in Frankenmuth the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Shopping

• Bronner's Christmas Wonderland: If you need to do some Christmas shopping, you need to stop by Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. It's the world's largest Christmas store, the size of 1 and a half football fields, filled with trees, trims, and many goodies and trinkets!

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is a fabulous way to enjoy the holidays with various ways to enjoy the lighting presentation. Plus, it's typically warmer, which makes for an even more unique holiday experience!

Events

• Nights of Lights: National Geographic ranks this town in the top ten holiday light displays in the world! You can view this event from an array of places: on the trolley or train; on the water on a 6-12 passenger boat, from above at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, go further and view St. Augustine in the Old City Helicopter, or if you're looking for something romantic you can get cozy and enjoy an evening on a carriage tour. Guided tours are also available to view the lights while also learning the history of St. Augustine.
• St. Augustine Annual Art & Craft Festival: Typically, this event is hosted on Thanksgiving Weekend, where over 100 artists can sell their art and products. You can find an array of items from paintings, to handmade jewelry, to mixed media.
• Luminary Night: This event is held at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum during the Nights of Lights event. There are various holiday fun stations throughout, but most importantly, you can grab your luminary kits - the community will light up all of the luminaries together in the Nights of Lights event.
• Boat Parades: Head to the Palm Valley Boat Parade to watch boats pass by covered in holiday lights along Ponte Vedra Beach! Or Head to the Holiday of Regatta of Lights to view the ships between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos.
• The Nutcracker: Watch as the St. Augustine's Ballet performs the Nutcracker.

Food/Drink

• Night of Pints: While Night of Lights is happening, you can partake in Night of Pints, where local breweries offer a passport-style event. Grab your list and go beer hopping as you try seasonal beers nearby!
• Wine & Carriage Tour: Enjoy the views of Night of Lights with a group of loved ones in the comfort of a carriage ride while pairing it with a bottle of wine to share.

Hanukkah

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is a large city, so there are many places you can celebrate Hanukkah. Here are a few worth visiting:

• Chanukah Festival of Lights in Union Square: Celebrate Hanukkah around this 25-foot-tall menorah. You can come at night for the lighting ceremony, or hang out all day where you'll find kids' crafts, dreidel games, drinks, and on the last night, you'll find music and a big ceremony.
• Hanukkah Party at Ghirardelli Square: Menorah lightings, crafts, dreidels, donuts, and much more!
• Hanukkah at Pier 39: Celebrate around the 9-foot-tall menorah with colored glass, lit every day when the sun goes down.
• Pop-Up Glowing Hanukkah Party: This is an off-site Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) event where people wear clothes that light up under the lights. There's music, treats, and many activities at surrounding locations.
• Daily Lighting with JCCSF: Join the JCCSF to light the menorah every night along with live music, crafts, and stories for the little ones.

Budapest, Hungary

Home to the largest Jewish temple and one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe, Budapest decorates their streets in lights, and menorahs are set up in public areas. This city comes to life this time of year!

Every evening the giant menorah is lit at the Pest's Nyugati Square, where anyone is welcome to partake in the ceremony. The ceremony includes musical performances and traditional dances. You can find many gatherings around Budapest that will celebrate and enjoy family traditions, delicious foods, musical concerts, and games.

• Gozsdu Udvar: This popular downtown location has many great spots for all ages to come to celebrate. You can find lighting ceremonies, live music, donuts, and much more!
• Ice Skating: A fun tradition during Hanukkah has been to go ice skating at City Park next to Heroes' Square. With a view of Vajdahunyad Castle and the giant menorah placed in the middle of the ice rink, this has become a favorite way for people to celebrate!
• Menorah Lighting Ceremonies: There are multiple places to view the lighting ceremony throughout Budapest, such as Nyugati Square. Be sure to enjoy a sufganiyot donut, a dough ball filled with jelly and dusted with powdered sugar, while viewing the lighting. If you decide to view the ceremony at Nyugati Square, you'll also be entertained with live music every evening of the ceremony.
• Negyed7Negyed8 Festival: This translates into, District7District8, which is a festival that showcases a variety of events, such as film screenings and concerts, but mainly gives tours of the hidden spaces of their neighborhoods and encourages volunteering, donating, and helping one another.

Rome

Rome has one of the most historic Jewish quarters in Europe, with great food and community all around. Here are some events you can expect if you visit Rome during Hanukkah.

• The lighting of the Menorah: If you head over to Piazza Barberini, you'll find a 20-foot, giant menorah that gets lit every night of Hanukkah. One of the more popular places to watch the daily lightings, Piazza Barberini also holds a big party with food, wine, and dancing! However, you can check out other menorah lighting ceremonies if you're not into larger crowds, such as the ceremony at Piazza Bologna.
• Street Parties: Celebrate as the Jewish community joins together at Via del Portico d'Ottavia in Rome's Jewish Ghetto. This street party is filled with people dancing, and there are booths from Jewish organizations set up along the street. It's a beautiful way for the community to connect.
• The Great Synagogue: If you're looking for dreidel games, arts and crafts, and performances, you'll want to make your way to the Great Synagogue of Rome. You can also hang out and participate in viewing the candle-lighting ceremony at the Piazza San Bartolomeo all'Isola, which is right in front of the Great Synagogue, and listen to the choir.
• Food: Rome has a special version of the jelly donut that they indulge in during Hanukkah, called fritelle di Chanuka. They describe it as a sweet dough fritter that has raisins and anise seeds. It's then deep-fried and topped with honey. This is something you won't want to pass up!

London

• Menorah Lightings: You can find the tallest menorah in London at Golders Green Station every evening. It's so tall that the Rabbi has to use a cherry picker to reach the candles! You can also head to Trafalgar Square or head to the Jewish Museum, where you'll find Chanukah related activities throughout the week.
• Ice Skating: Go ice skating at the JW3, Jewish Community Center, with Ice Silent Disco with DJs, and of course, donuts and wine!

The Jewish community in London appreciates anyone and everyone who participates in a menorah lighting, no matter your walk of life and faith! If you want to learn more about the delicious foods eaten during Hanukkah or other aspects of London's tradition, they encourage you to join the Jewish Tour of Golders Green!

Los Angeles

If you're in the U.S. and want to experience Hanukkah, Los Angeles is a great place to visit. With such a large Jewish population and community, you're sure to find celebrations all around, from Orange County to the Valley. If you're in Orange County, make sure you check out the Fashion Island Menorah Lighting, this is the largest Menorah Lighting in the OC. Typically, there are live performances, donuts, face painting, crafts, games, and many more activities! There are plenty of activities for the little ones too. Some examples include:

• Hanukkah concert & celebration at the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue
• Jewish ID Hanukkah Party: Candle making, dancing, crafts, treats, etc.
• Hanukkah Candle Workshop: The kids can create Hanukkah themed candles in different shapes and colors.

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and many places around the world celebrate this occasion to welcome that days will soon begin to get longer again.

• Glastonbury Tor; Glastonbury, England: In Glastonbury, the Winter Solstice is a spiritual experience. People gather at Glastonbury Tor, a man-made mound in southern England, where it's believed the mound was created to celebrate the sun. During the winter solstice, a person can stand on the top of a hill near the Glastonbury mound and watch as the sun rises from the base of Glastonbury Tor to the top of St. Michael's Tower at the pinnacle.
• Burning Clocks Festival, Brighton, England: Another celebration in England is the Burning Clocks Festival. When the sun sets, people parade throughout the town holding lanterns made of wicker and tissue paper. The walk culminates at a bonfire, where the lanterns are tossed in to honor the year's end. And to top off the night, you can view a fireworks show.
• Toji; Japan: If you're in Japan during the winter solstice, you may find yourself celebrating by taking a bath. Many Japanese celebrate the coming year by soaking in baths filled with yuzu fruits that bob on the surface of the water. This fruit is known to cleanse and to have healing properties. They believe that soaking with the yuzu fruit will ward off evil spirits and even the common cold.

No matter what you celebrate, many communities and celebrations are held all around the world. Maybe you've been to some, or perhaps you're inspired to celebrate from another country. Whatever it may be, it's our wish that you celebrate in a way that makes you feel fulfilled.

Insider Tips for Your First (or Next) Cruise

Even someone who hasn’t taken a cruise yet can imagine why it’s such a popular way to travel. It’s easy to picture endless blue seas under wide-open skies, interesting ports of call, delicious food and great onboard entertainment; we could go on.

In addition to all that, those who have been on a few cruises know there are some special features and services onboard that can make the experience even better. Here are a few of these “insider” tips:

Room service on a cruise ship is a bargain. On many ships, room service is free, though some lines charge a small delivery fee or ask you to tip your server. Either way, a breakfast or a late-night snack delivered to your stateroom is a fun and inexpensive luxury on a cruise ship.

The dining room and restaurant menus may list dishes as appetizers, entrees, or desserts, but it’s not as strict as that may imply. Go ahead and ask for a smaller version of an entrée to try as an appetizer; enjoy some appetizers as your main course; and if you can’t decide between two desserts, ask for a small portion of each.

The best time to try a specialty restaurant on your ship may be the very first night of your cruise. Some passengers won’t be aware of these special (and often gourmet) restaurants yet, which can make it easier to get a reservation.

Your ship’s spa may offer special pricing for first-day appointments. As with specialty restaurants,  some passengers won’t think about making spa reservations until after they board. If you’re interested in a massage, skin treatments or other pampering, visit the spa desk on the first day. (There may be more availability and special pricing for port-day spa appointments, too.)

If you think your stateroom would be better with the bed on the other side, one less side table or different pillows, ask your room steward for help. Some furniture can be rearranged (at least a bit) or taken away for storage, and different bedding options (such as “egg crate” mattress toppers) may be available.

Finally, if you need time to adjust to the slight motion of the ship, don’t rush to buy a seasickness remedy. Ask your room steward for some green apple slices and bland crackers; lots of crew members recommend this remedy. If you still need medication, it’s often available from the purser’s desk at no charge.

Ask Anita, your professional travel advisor, for more insider tips as you decide where to take your first, or next, cruise.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

Getting Out During COVID

We know that the current state of the world has been hard on a lot of people. For some of us, it's prevented us from seeing loved ones, or even interrupted a trip we were looking forward to for a long time. We're all getting a little anxious to do some traveling, but want to balance our wanderlust with staying safe; that's why we came up with some ways to get out and enjoy locations close to home while we all wait for travel to open more widely.

Park Day-Use Areas

Take advantage of large park day-use areas, especially those near bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and beaches. They offer a variety of options for activities while enjoying the warmer late summer and early autumn months. Before going, verify that the location is open to the public. Be sure to pack the essentials: towel, sun protection, food, water, and sanitizer along with the fun stuff: floaties, paddleboards, books, cards, etc. Preparing well beforehand can help limit contact by minimizing the need to go to a store or other unnecessary stops.

Camping

Maybe you want to get away longer than the day. Camping is an excellent option for this! Like going to a river or lake, camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get out of the house while still being able to stay distant from others. Again, you'll want to double-check availability before heading out for your getaway.

Backyard Oasis

Camping is a great place to start if you're trying to travel and stay distanced, but camping isn't for everyone! For those with yards, consider investing in it as your getaway and turning it into your oasis. To some, it might be grabbing a blow-up pool and mimicking what you would do at a resort. Dip your feet into the pool, drink in one hand, and favorite book in the other and relax! To others, an oasis might mean setting up a backyard game, while listening to music and BBQing with your family. Whatever your oasis looks like, recreate it in your backyard and see what you come up with!

More Ideas

Be a tourist in your own town. Here's a website that will tell you what places are unique to your city and state: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/. It's interesting to view how many places you may or may not have visited that are special to your city. And who knows, maybe after visiting some new spots, you might find a new favorite!

Similarly, you can view the website Rails to Trails to view hiking trails that were once railroad tracks: https://www.railstotrails.org/. This website will help navigate where you can find trails close to you. This is a great way to get outdoors and potentially explore new parts of town that you never go to, or if you're headed to a different city, you can find trails in that area that you can adventure on!

But what about the kids? Even though all these activities can be done with kids, there are a wide range of virtual summer camps happening this summer. Here's one website that can help find the perfect summer camp for your kids: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/a32611709/virtual-summer-camp-ideas/. Or, do a quick Google search to find one that might be more specific to your child's interests.

Plan a Future Trip

It’s more important now than ever to give yourself something to look forward to; this limitation on travel won't last forever! Contact us to help you plan that special trip for the future to give you a light at the end of the tunnel.

Places to Ski Around the World

Skiing is a tremendous sport that allows us to enjoy some incredible views while getting a workout in at the same time. No matter where you are in the world, if there’s a mountain with snow, you should consider testing out the slopes because you might learn and see more than you were expecting. Here are four ski destinations to consider checking out while traveling.

Les Deux Alpes, France

Les Deux Alpes is in the southeastern part of France in Venosc. It is home to the largest skiable glacier in all of Europe and it’s France’s second oldest ski resort. Because this resort is on a glacier, skiing can take place year-round.

Les Deux Alpes offers about 137 miles of skiable runs and over 7,000 feet of vertical drop! This is an excellent location no matter your level of experience and is also a choice option for families. Whether your kids are just learning to ski or have no interest in skiing at all, they’ll easily find entertainment while you get your fair share of runs in. Just drop them off in ski lessons or take them to a childcare center on the mountain!

Beyond skiing, there’s so much entertainment to partake in at the resort including, spas, fitness centers, a bowling alley, a museum, a library, restaurants, bars and even clubs! You can go swimming or head to the ice rink to go ice skating, or, if you’re looking for more adventure, you can check out different views of the mountain by going paragliding or snowshoeing.

With a variety of different activities, this is an excellent resort to check out if you’re in the southeastern part of France with your family, friends, or loved ones!

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Located in the Dolomites in Northern Italy, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a ski resort that fits the needs for all levels of skiers with over 74 miles of ski runs to play on. Cortina d’Ampezzo also has several other activities you can partake in if you want a break from skiing. Why not brush up on some local history and dive into the Great War in the Dolomites? You can choose to go on a guided tour, where you’ll find people dressed up in vintage uniforms from the war reenacting tales from the past, or, you can head over to the Lagazuoi 5 Torri, the tourist information center, where you can view remnants of the war, such as, the war tunnels and trenches.

If history isn’t your thing but you still want to explore the Dolomites, you can opt in for snowshoeing to indulge in breath-taking views. Or maybe you just want to enjoy your time and relax by heading to one of the spas on the mountain. With multiple places to choose from, you can take in the views while hanging out in hot bath barrels with a nice warm beverage of your choice!

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is known as “The Matterhorn Ski Paradise.” It’s Switzerland’s highest ski resort with an altitude of over 12,000 feet. With 223 miles of runs to choose from, it’s the perfect mountain for any level of experience. If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, you can take lessons, or you can head straight for the slopes. For the more advanced, try testing out your skill at the Snow Park, where you’ll find rails, jibs, tables, boxes, and more!

Want a break from skiing, but still looking for entertainment? At Zermatt, you can go ice-skating or sledding. You can check out the mountain by hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, or you can go on a guided husky sleigh ride! Another way people enjoy the mountain is by viewing it from above by paragliding or in a helicopter ride.

Once you’re done with your adventures on the mountain, you can find entertainment all around. Check out some of the restaurants on the mountain, especially the ones with views of the Matterhorn. You can even visit sheep on the mountain and learn about animals and traditional farming. This is especially great if you have little ones with you! Lastly, the Zermatt hosts musical festivals outdoors. Who doesn’t love listening to live music while hanging out at the mountain!?

And don’t worry, there are plenty of places to stay, whether you want somewhere to stay on the mountain, or nearby.

Kitzbühel, Austria

If you’re looking for some urban flair, you’ll want to check out Kitzbühel, east of Innsbruck. This alpine town not only offers incredible skiing, but events and other outdoor activities. To start, it is known to be Austria’s best ski resort with over 100 miles of marked slopes. Like many resorts, this location is great for all levels of experience. They offer classes for beginners and even for more advanced skiers to help further develop skills.

Other activities you might find yourself interested in trying while at the mountain include snowshoeing and winter hiking. Either option will allow you to see the incredible views of the Tyrlean mountain landscape. There are multiple trails to choose from with guided tours available to view some of the region’s most stunning spots! Cross country skiing is another popular pursuit while you’re at the mountain. With over 40 miles of trails, you can find the best one based on your experience and the style you prefer. And don’t worry, all the routes have a great selection of restaurants and small huts you can take breaks at! Other activities you can find here include swimming, ice skating, tobogganing and spa facilities. This makes it a perfect place to visit to fit everybody's needs.

What makes Kitzbühel an incredible place to travel to, is the diverse culinary experience. Kitzbühel is home to more than 13-award-winning restaurants and with over 60 different mountain “huts” and restaurants throughout the mountain, you’re bound to find a spot that everyone will enjoy. Some of these huts and restaurants are small, romantic, cozy, and some are even hidden!

Kitzbühel also offers a variety of events that make it a truly unique destination. If you’re into the more adventurous events, you’ll want to visit during the Hahnenkamm Races. This is, “the world’s most prestigious ski race,” where some of the best athletes in the world will compete. The most popular event at Hahnenkamm is the Streif downhill race and slalom on the Ganslernhang.

The other popular events that happen at Kitzbühel include Easter and Advent. During Easter, kids can partake in Easter egg dying and making candles and pastries. There’s a large Easter Market, as well as an extensive family program, and the tradition of the unveiling of the giant Easter egg. Then during Advent, the town turns into a Christmas postcard! You’ll find live performances, pony rides, bell chiming, Christmas stories for children, writing workshops, crafts and many more activities.

Whether skiing is a new hobby or something you’ve been doing since you were a kid, spending time at these iconic ski resorts redefines peak experience.

Why Use a Travel Advisor

Relationships with suppliers – you know when you’re visiting your neighborhood restaurant where the servers are familiar and give you a new dessert to try with your meal sometimes? Companies and people love to reward loyalty and the same is true about travel providers. Travel advisors have relationships with these companies and their staff and want to keep that relationship mutually beneficial! The suppliers know that if they can keep their travel advisors’ clients happy, they’ll be more likely to send more people their way. Sometimes this can translate into extra attention, free upgrades, or even things like chocolate-covered strawberries in your room!

Knowledge about products – what’s the best travel insurance and should you get it? If something were to go wrong or there were any last-minute changes, which suppliers have the best cancellation policies? Ask your advisor! They treat knowledge about travel like it’s their job (because it is!)

Better rates / added benefits – you won’t always get better rates booking with an advisor, but you’ll often get more value added. In the age of online booking, it’s easier than ever to find “deals” online, but when you go through a massive online booking company, oftentimes, you’re not seeing the whole picture. Is that hotel room so cheap because it’s on the side of the building next to train tracks and faces a brick wall? With an advisor, you know exactly what you’re getting and what added benefits are coming along with it. Travel advisors also stay updated on what kind of sales are happening. If they know you’re looking for a river cruise to Europe and a big sale starts, they’ll know to pass that information along to you!

Translating dreams to reality – How do you take your vague notion about a dream vacation and turn it into reality? Ask your travel advisor! They’re able to translate your wants into real locations and help you identify what pieces of your trip will matter the most.

Travel logistics – How much time do you need for a layover? Would it make the most sense to rent a car, hire a driver, or something else altogether? If even starting down that train of thought is giving you sweaty palms, take a deep breath and call your travel advisor.

Peace of mind – In the unfortunate event that something does go wrong, having someone on your side to help you through it and advocate for you is invaluable. Instead of being stuck internationally frantically trying to track down all of the people you need to call, you can make one call to your travel advisor and trust them to figure out the best plan for you.

They get to know you – The more you use a travel advisor, the more valuable they are. With each trip you take through them, the more feedback you’re able to give them on what worked for you and what you’d skip next time, making each subsequent trip even further beyond perfect.