Help Me Help You to Plan Your Dream Vacation

There is nothing better to see than the smiles on a person’s face or hear the glee in the voice of someone who has just booked their dream vacation. That is why I love my Travel biz! But to help you plan, crucial information is needed.

Often I am left a message on my phone or voicemail saying “Gail can you tell me how much it cost to go to(you fill in the blank). Now I am more than happy to grant such a request however much more information is needed. So I will like to provide a blueprint for travel requests.

What type of vacation are you thinking of ? Would you want a cruise? A Resort? Adventure vacation? Spa Vacation? Would a 18 hole PGA Golf green and resort interest you? Or maybe its time for that long awaited family vacation.

Where do you wish to vacation to and where would you be leaving from? This greatly affects the bottom line. The time of the year and even the day of the week you leave on can affect your bottom line sometimes even in the hundreds.
How many people are going? Is this a romantic getaway for you and your spouse, or is it a Girlfriend Getaway. I always need to know how many adults and how many children with their ages.

What do you want to do on this vacation? Relax on a beach? Go kayaking? Go sight seeing? Take a cooking class? Research genealogy ? What is it you specifically want to do? What are you excited about seeing and doing?
Consider what type of hotel you would want to stay in. How many stars? 2,3,4 stars?

Would you prefer a large hotel near the main strip or a smaller quieter intimate hotel off the beaten path? Must it have a swimming pool? Would you prefer a hotel that includes breakfast?

What is a budget you would like to work with? Do you have a limit, or do we throw caution to the wind.? These are just some of the questions that as a Travel consultant I would need to be answered to help you plan your dream vacation.

Happy Travels!

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I am looking forward to helping you plan a fantastic vacation. Fill out the form to the right for more information.
www.GailsDreamVacations.com

A new Discount Airline in the' Hood- Jet America

There is a new discount Airline in the tri-state area. Jet America.com begins flying out of Newark Airport on July 13. They boast of $9 one way fares but trust me there is a catch. This airline plans to go the way of RyanAir and charge fees for a lot of their services. They will charge a $5 convenience fee to book on their site.
Jet America will charge an additional $20 for a round-trip with an assigned seat, $20 to buy a ticket by phone and $10 to book on the Web site (www.jetamerica.com).

Baggage Fees
A first bag fee of $20 each way and a second bag fee of $20 each way.

The airlines will service New York City via Newark Airport, Toledo/Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Lansing/Michigan, South Bend/Indiana, Orlando/Melbourne Florida

I am all for saving money any way you can. This may be a good alternative to the higher priced airlines. Just remember to read all the fine print.

I always point my clients to affordable travel opportunites, including airfares. If you find one cheaper than my site, then I say "go for it". Is all about helping people!

Happy Traveling,

Planning a vacation? Email me WLKRG5@GMAIL.com
www.GailsDreamVacations.com

Travel Requirements Changing June 1, 2009

Travel Requirements Changing June 1, 2009

As of June 1, 2009 there are new travel requirements to enter into the U.S. American citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports will have to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document, that is approved by the Department of Homeland Security. One of the acceptable forms is an enhanced Driver's License. Passports will continue to be required for air travel.

For more information Read about the new travel requirements

Need help with findig somewhere to go with your Passport? Contact Gailtravel by filling in the form to your right or emailing me at WLKRG@GMAIL.COM
www.GailsDreamVacations.com

CDC says its Safe to Travel to Mexico

CDC says its Safe to Travel to Mexico

CDC has removed its recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid travel to Mexico because of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. The previous health warning has been downgraded to a Health precaution.

Taken from the CDC site:
CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of influenza discuss with their physicians the risks and benefits of travel in the context of their planned itinerary to Mexico, and may want to consider postponing travel. Travelers at high risk for complications include:

Children less than 5 years old
Persons aged 65 years or older
Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
Pregnant women
Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities


In addition Carnival cruiselines announced they are returning to their original Mexico itineraries as early as the end of May based on the CDC recommendations.
Expect the other major cruiselines to follow suit!

Read more from the CDC here.

Now that the warning has been lifted, and CDC says its safe to travel to Mexico I expect prices of cruises, resorts, and tours to plummet, making some good Vacation options for bargain hungry travelers!

Its great to see things are getting better for Mexico.

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Go to www.GailsDreamVacations.com for great prices to Mexico or anywhere in the world.
OR
Fill out the form on this blog or email me WLKRG5@GMAIL.COM

Medical Travel Trips

Medical Travel Tips

Nurses in the United States just comepleted yearly celebration of Nurses Week 2009. Its Celebrated each year from May 6-12. The last day of the celebration is the actual birthday of Florence Nightingale. The theme for this year is "Nurses building a Healthy America" which is exactly what we do.

I am no longer in the traditional hospital setting that many people envision most nurses as belong. The nursing profession has branched out in so many ways since Florence was around. I am a Nurse Case manager which involves alot of teaching. I absolutely love it.

What I like even better is combining my nursing expertise with my newest love of travel. For example many people flocked to my blog as they were seeking of information regarding the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) and how it would affect their travel plans. Its remarkable how many misconceptions prevailed about that subject.

Recently I was speaking to one of my patients who I case manage, who was preparing to leave for vacation. I was providing her some medical travel trips. I realized that it’s a good idea to share with my readers. So here we go!



1- If you have a chronic illness or condition ( heart, diabetes, pregnancy etc) make sure you get clearance from your doctor to travel, especially if it’s a long trip or you are traveling by plane.

2- Please do not put your medications in your suitcase. Always Keep them in your carry on bag. If your plane is delayed or if your suitcases take a trip of their own to some exotic island without you, you don’t want your medications going along too. Last summer coming home from Convention my husband decided to pack his medication in one of the suitcases. Our flight kept being delayed and delayed and delayed. Finally it was canceled. For a while our bags were no where to be found. My husband had a fit and said my Medications were in there! Long story short, we were this close to having our bags shipped to Laguardia without us. We finally got our bags after hours and hours of waiting. He learned his lesson!

3- Keep your medications in their original bottles. – In case of emergency, your doctor’s name, dosage and name of pharmacy and is on it.

4- Make sure you have enough medications for the trip and a few extra days over. If your flight is delayed for some reason, or another unforeseen situation occurs you will be covered. I even suggest taking a week's worth.

5- Have a plan if you lose your medications. A friend or family member can ship a new prescription or new supply to you. A few of my patients have actually had to do this.

6- Keep a list of all your medical conditions, doctors’ names and telephone numbers, and list of medications in a small note book. This also stays in your carry on bag.

7- Carry a “First Aid" kit with you- medication for motion sickness, anti-diarrheal medication, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, , pain reliever, cold medicine. Custom tailor this kit to suit you and your family’s needs. Of course this is also in your carry on.

8- Very important! Always purchase Traveler’s insurance. you never know when you may need it. You or a family member may become ill. Or maybe a family emergency calls you home early., You will never regret it!

I'll be providing some more Medical travel tips in future blogs.

Swine Flu Causes Cruise line Changes

Swine Flu Causes Cruise Line Changes

As of today, April 28, 2009 Carnival, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Carribean have all canceled their ports of call in Mexico due to the Swine flu outbreak. For today most of the ships just spent an extra day at sea.

For future cruises,check each cruise line website for the itinerary change.
Carnival Cruise Lines

Holland America Cruises

Princess Cruises

Royal Carribean

Norwegian Cruise Line


You can also call your travel Agent. If you booked a cruise with www.GailsDreamVacations.com I will assist you.

For updates on the Swine Flu go to CDC.gov.

For more information on the Swine flu, visit my post on Mexico, The Swine Flu and Travel.

It's amazing how a small virus like the Swine flu can cause such changes in the huge Cruise line itineraries!

Stay well!
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Planning a Vacation? Let me help you!
Fill out the form on this blog and I will get back to you.
Or go to www.GailsDreamVacations.com

Mexico, the Swine Flu and Travel

Mexico, the Swine Flu and Travel

The Swine Flu was a hot topic at work today with my co-workers and my patients. As I nurse I am doing double duty addressing the medical issues and the Travel side of this public health issue with friends and family.
There has been 103 confirmed deaths in Mexico as of this writing . There are 44 confirmed cases in the US, which are milder than the strain found in Mexico. 28 of them are in New York isolated to a school in Queens, NY. World Health Organization elevated the Pandemic alert to Phase 4 out of 6.
So of course everytime someone sneezed in our facility they came over to “Nurses’ Row” My office is in the Bronx which is just over the bridge from Queens. Ah.... Let the fun begin! .

Its important to note that this Swine flu operates as any other flu and the same precautions should be taken to prevent its spread. I have heard and read some interesting concepts about the flu. Like it came from eating Pork, or from people having un-natural relations with Pigs, which is also a myth.
So lets begin with:

What is the Swine Flu?
It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by an influenza (flu) virus. Mopst people do not realize that animals get illnesses that are also common to humans, like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and Yes the flu. Human cases of Swine flu occur around people who are around pigs. It can also pass from person to person. This strain of Swine flu also has bird flu and human flu genes.

How do you catch swine flu and is it Contagious?

Swine flu is spread by contact with infected pigs or their surrounding area that has been contaminated with Swine flu viruses.. Also spread by contact with a person who has been infected with the Swine flu. It is considered contagious which simply means it can be spread from person to person.

How Can We Prevent spreading the Swine Flu

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Cough or sneeze in the bend of your el bow if you do not have a tissue available
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners , like Purel are also effective.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* stay home from work or school if you become ill with the Swine Flu. Pleeeeeese!!!!
* limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. That is how Germs are spread.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. Contact your doctor . You may be prescribed an anti-viral medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza which can lessen the severity of the flu.

I planned a Trip to Mexico, Should I cancel it?

Many people are asking if they should change their travel plans.
The US is planning on issuing a Travel Alert for non-essential travel to Mexico.

This is the perfect scenario to emphasize the importance of purchasing Travel Insurance. This is the type of situation that it is very useful in.

So far No cruises to Mexico have been canceled.
(THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE, CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE ON CRUISE LINE ITINERARY CHANGES DUE TO THE SWINE FLU)

For example, Carnival Cruise line offered this on their site:

“Fortunately, there currently is no evidence of a swine flu pandemic and there have been no reports of guests exhibiting symptoms of swine flu on Carnival’s ships.
Carnival enforces the highest of standards for cleaning and sanitation on all of our ships to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We are monitoring the situation in Mexico and maintain regular contact with the Centers for Disease Control. We do not anticipate that our guests' cruise experience will be impacted by this type of illness and will not be making any adjustments to our itineraries.”

No Airline flights have been canceled. Some airlines are offering passengers to change their travel plans without penalty. Other airlines are offering to reschedule flights and/or travel plans at no extra charge. This may change day to day. Check with your airlines for their policy, or the travel agent you booked with.
Information is changing and evolving daily Check at the CDC.Gov site for the most up to date information on Travel to Mexico and the effect that the Swine Flu may have on it.

In the meantime, lets pray for Mexico. Its been a difficult year for our neighbors to the South.

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Planning a Vacation? Let me help you?
Fill out the form on this blog and I will get back to you.
Or go to www.GailsDreamVacations.com