Lay-Away for Your Vacation Dreams

Travel is something most everyone wants to do, but many of us don’t experience it the way we would really like to, due mainly to budget constraints. What if there was a way you could plan for the vacation of your dreams, no matter what your budget may be?  Yes, you could put a whole trip on a credit card, but then you face paying much more in interest, it could potentially take 10 years to pay for a two-week vacation. Instead, you can plan and book your vacation over a set period of time, and essentially lay-away your vacation.

Retail shops used to regularly offer lay-away programs, where you could put outfits on hold and pay for them, a little at a time, until you paid the full amount due. You can do the same with travel. Many cruise companies, guided tour operators, hotels and resorts, take reservations for dates farther out into the future, sometimes as much as 2 or 3 years in advance.

With this in mind, you can plan a vacation, put a deposit down, and then pay over time. This can be done with some companies directly, but what if you want to include several different experiences on your vacation? A Princess Cruise around the Hawaiian Islands for example, could easily include an additional stay before, or after your cruise, giving you time on an island, to really explore. Working with a travel professional is an easy way to combine the specifics of what you plan into a travel package which you can make payments on over time.

Travel professionals help you plan your vacation and then do the legwork for you, often finding great deals to help save you money. Your travel professional will then also coordinate and track all of your activities and payments, putting your vacation in a lay-away mode. Once bookings are made and deposit provided, you can continue to make payments up to the final payment deadline.

A lay-away vacation can also help in getting better air fare. Suppose you want to enjoy a girls’ weekend at Iberostar Paraiso Maya Resort in Mexico a year from now. You and your friends can choose the resort and reserve your rooms with a small deposit. Knowing the date of your adventure, your travel professional can watch for low rates for flights and keep you informed when an ideal price is available.

Planning a vacation over a longer period of time can also help ensure you have the chance to experience what you really want to do. Often popular activities and excursions need to be booked well in advance as they are regularly sold out. Suppose you want to explore Scotland. This is a prime destination for star gazing, where you can even see the Aurora Borealis at times. Galloway Forest Park is one of the best places to see the night sky, but even better is to stop at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory there for a truly magical star gazing experience. Something like this needs to be booked ahead or risk not being able to join in the time you have available. A lay-away vacation plan can help ensure this happens for you.

If you have a dream to travel, your dream can come true. The travel professionals of C.P. Trips are here to help you plan a vacation full of transformative memories. Enjoy a worry-free journey with the support and care of a local Travel Professional*. Visit our website, cptrips.com to explore the latest in travel ideas, promotions and more. Call us at (503) 658-5646 or email us at cptrips@aol.com today- Keep Calm and Travel On.

 *We are excited to have the chance to help you with your vacation plans! We understand that you have many options to choose from when it comes to travel. Our standard fee policy is noted below for your reference.

With the time and expertise we give in our researching travel options and destinations for clients and potential customers, along with our continuing education and training, we have non-refundable fees of $ 30.00 for domestic travel research & planning and $ 75.00 for International travel research & planning. This research fee is applied to your vacation package when purchased through C.P. Trips, Inc.

In addition to our research fee, there is an airline ticket/service fee: $30 per person/ticket for US flights, $65 per person/ticket for International flights. Other fees for certain additional requested bookings such as, but not limited to: lodgings, excursion activities, and destination specialty requests will be applied ($15.00 - $45.00) depending on type of booking completed.  

Initial Research/Planning fee due prior to trip planning; all other fees due at time of invoicing. Thank you, we look forward to helping you make your vacation dreams a reality!

It’s a Colorful World of Wonder Out There

We recently shared some unique ways to experience nature at her most unique and finest. When you travel, getting in touch with the magic of nature is a sure way to enjoy the wonders of the world at large. With Spring right around the corner, it seemed like a great time to share some more of Nature’s Travel List, any of these ideas are worth traveling for, check them and be inspired.

Everyone knows about the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. But have you planned a journey to see the in person? If not, this is a vacation worth every moment. Because the Aurora Borealis can be seen across the northern regions of the globe, there are plenty of places to choose from for viewing, including, Alaska, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and even Scotland to name a few destinations. The best times to view the lights are in the darker, colder months, from September through the early part of April. There are quite a few choices of amazing resorts or unique ‘hotels’ you can stay at, such as glass igloos at Hotel Kakslautten in Finland. CLICK HERE for an incredible video of the Aurora Borealis as seen from Iceland.

Looking for a scuba diving adventure like no other? You will want to plan a trip to Belize in Central America and dive The Great Blue Hole. Situated near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll, The Great Blue Hole is an enormous underwater sinkhole, almost 1,000 feet wide and over 400 feet deep. Under the surface, divers enter a whole new world filled with a wide range of fish, sharks and incredible stalactites, which are normally only found on dry land. You can learn about some diving experiences at Belize.com, a comprehensive site guide about all things Belize, one of the jewels of the Caribbean. CLICK HERE to see amazing video footage of The Great Blue Hole.

With most of the planet covered in water, it should come as no surprise that there are a wide range of incredible natural phenomenon to be found along our coastlines. For a spectacular, glowing view, check out the Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy. This is a famous cave along the coastline of the island of Capri in southern Italy. Within this sea cave the water glows a luminescent blue. This is due to two different openings within the cave and the way light refracts off the water. The only way into the cave is through one of these two openings, just barely large enough for a small row boat to fit in. The festive atmosphere which awaits visitors to the Blue Grotto makes it feel almost like an amusement park ride, only better for the unique experience waiting within. In fact, once inside, if you put your hand in the water, you will swear it is glowing! A visit to the Blue Grotto is the perfect, special addition to a tour of Italy’s beautiful coast and the islands around it. If you want to experience a unique Italian adventure you will want the Blue Grotto to be a part of it. CLICK HERE to see the cave for yourself.

Check back soon for more inspiring encounters you can experience with Nature’s Wonders. The agents of C.P. Trips are here to help you plan a vacation full of transformative memories. Enjoy a worry-free journey with the support and care of a local Travel Professional*. Visit our website, cptrips.com to explore the latest in travel ideas, promotions and more. Call us at (503) 658-5646 or email us at cptrips@aol.com today- Keep Calm and Travel On.

 *We are excited to have the chance to help you with your vacation plans! We understand that you have many options to choose from when it comes to travel. Our standard fee policy is noted below for your reference.

With the time and expertise we give in our researching travel options and destinations for clients and potential customers, along with our continuing education and training, we have non-refundable fees of $ 30.00 for domestic travel research & planning and $ 75.00 for International travel research & planning. This research fee is applied to your vacation package when purchased through C.P. Trips, Inc.

In addition to our research fee, there is an airline ticket/service fee: $30 per person/ticket for US flights, $65 per person/ticket for International flights. Other fees for certain additional requested bookings such as, but not limited to: lodgings, excursion activities, and destination specialty requests will be applied ($15.00 - $45.00) depending on type of booking completed.  

Initial Research/Planning fee due prior to trip planning; all other fees due at time of invoicing. Thank you, we look forward to helping you make your vacation dreams a reality!

The Splendor of Victoria Will Transform You

When it comes to planning a getaway, the world is the limit, literally. There are so many incredible, magical places to visit and explore, that it would take many lifetimes over to experience them all. Certain destinations are not only must-see places, but are worth returning to over and over again. Victoria, British Columbia, is one such a place.

Victoria is not only the Capital of British Columbia, it is one of the oldest cities in all of the Pacific Northwest. Situated at the southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria is just a stone’s throw away from the United States, making it an easy international destination to visit. Victoria’s past has been well preserved in the charming and classic architecture of the Victorian and Georgian eras.

The city was named in honor of Queen Victoria, and has become affectionately known as the Garden City, with the plethora of beautiful gardens to be found there. As a port city, Victoria has long attracted a wide range of people. From the Coast Salish First Nations People, who were in the area long before the settlement was begun, to students, retirees and artists, this gorgeous city truly has an international flavor as it has progressed into a top economic center for technology and tourism.

There are several “Must-Do” experiences to enjoy when you travel to Victoria BC. Among them are:

·         Butchart Gardens- A National Historical Site in Canada, with distinctive

floral gardens, a quaint Tea House and plenty of photo opportunities.

·         Victoria Butterfly Gardens- a popular indoor refuges for 75 species of butterflies, along with birds,

fish, amphibians and more.

·         Museums: Royal British Columbia Museum, Maritime Museum of British Columbia, British Columbia Aviation Museum- all of these provide a stellar experience, highlighting the history and culture of the region.

·         Beacon Hill Park- Acres and acres of beautiful parkland right in the city, including gorgeous garden landscapes.

·         Historical Buildings- British Columbia Parliament, Christ Church Cathedral Empress Hotel

·         Chinatown- the second oldest Chinese neighborhood in North America

·         Market Square- Shopping, eating and entertainment galore

·         Art Gallery of Greater Victoria- Featuring art from cultures around the world

·         Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre- on the Saanich Peninsula just north of Victoria

·         Fisgard Lighthouse- the oldest lighthouse on Canada’s Pacific Coast

·         Hatley Castle- Turn of the Century Tudor style Manor house and gardens

In addition to all these incredible places to visit in Victoria, BC, there are other activities and

experiences you may not be aware of, which are worth checking out during any adventure to Victoria. Some examples include:

·        The best way to arrive is via the Victoria Clipper, the daily ferry which travels between Seattle and Victoria. You will enjoy stunning views on the water, perhaps even some whales, and entering the harbor into Victoria is a must-see viewpoint.

·         Eat along Fisherman’s Warf. This area is home to many who live on houseboats, but there are top quality restaurants here too.

·         If you are a rugby fan, as the Headquarters for Rugby Canada, chances are you can find a game to watch.

·         Other sports you can enjoy include hockey, curling, rowing and motorsports.

·         Get in touch with the majestic natural beauty of the region with any of the following recreational activities: cycling (in town or on mountain trails), golf, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, trekking.

·         Double Decker Buses are a Victoria BC icon, and make for a fun and easy way to tour the city. You can take the city bus or get a ‘Hop on- Hop off’ daily bus ticket for the 24-hour Grey Line double decker tour bus, ready to take where ever you want to go around Victoria.

·         Whale Watching- The waters off Victoria are home to both Humpback Whales and Orcas, along with 5 other species of dolphins. A special day on the water to catch a glimpse of these magical creates is highly recommended. Book your tickets before you go- these tours fill up fast throughout the year.

If you are ready to get away to Victoria BC for a relaxing weekend in a beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest, now is a great time to book your trip! You can also join a C.P. Trips agent on a hosted trip to Victoria BC, through our Classy Ladies Getaways (& Couples Too!) travel program.  Coming up, June 1^st, June 4^th, 2017, we will explore the Splendorsof Victoria. Space is limited for this small group tour, call or email us to reserve your spot.

The agents of C.P. Trips are here to help you plan a vacation full of transformative memories. Enjoy a worry-free journey with the support and care of a local Travel Professional*. Visit our website, cptrips.com to explore the latest in travel ideas, promotions and more. Call us at (503) 658-5646 or email us at cptrips@aol.com today- Keep Calm and Travel On.

 *We are excited to have the chance to help you with your vacation plans! We understand that you have many options to choose from when it comes to travel. Our standard fee policy is noted below for your reference.
With the time and expertise we give in our researching travel options and destinations for clients and potential customers, along with our continuing education and training, we have non-refundable fees of $ 30.00 for domestic travel research & planning and $ 75.00 for International travel research & planning. This research fee is applied to your vacation package when purchased through C.P. Trips, Inc.In addition to our research fee, there is an airline ticket/service fee: $30 per person/ticket for US flights, $65 per person/ticket for International flights. Other fees for certain additional requested bookings such as, but not limited to: lodgings, excursion activities, and destination specialty requests will be applied ($15.00 - $45.00) depending on type of booking completed.  Initial Research/Planning fee due prior to trip planning; all other fees due at time of invoicing. Thank you, we look forward to helping you make your vacation dreams a reality!