January Newsletter

Happenings

Things are on the move when it comes to international travel. ​​On Jan. 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States.

According to the CDC, air passengers entering the U.S. will be required to present documentation of a negative COVID-19 viral test conducted within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs or a positive test with proof from a medical professional that you have been cleared to travel.

Here is what we know so far:

Read the CDC press release here: CDC Expands Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement to All Air Passengers Entering the United States

Read CDC FAQ’s here: Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

We also know that an executive order was signed on January 23, 2021 that will effect travel. The executive order asks Secretary's of HHS and HS to come up with a plan on how the CDC order will be implemented. We are still waiting on word on what additional changes will be made to international travel, and possibly domestic travel.

Again, we thank you for your patience as we work as quickly as possible to provide you with the most current information.\

-Anne

V&V Travel Info

We need your help! With the number of cancelled trips over the last year and the cancellations that are inevitable in the coming months, travel agents need your support more than ever. One quick and easy way to support your local travel agent is to leave a review online.

Please consider leaving a quick review of our services on Google. This can be in reference to our booking process, covid rebooking process, pre travel communication, or during travel assistance. Even if you haven't traveled with us yet, you can still leave us a review to help us improve our booking process.

Did we get to know you and your family to match you with the perfect trip? Did we find what you were looking for in your budget? Was our customer task portal easy to use? Tell us about the fun you had on your trip.

We know travel has been limited this past year, but we also know we have done a lot of booking and rebooking...and sometimes rebooking again. Your feedback is appreciated!

Trip Requests

Here are some of the 2021 trip requests I worked on this past month: 

Disney Trip instead of Egypt - So this​​ one was more of a consolation prize. They should be heading to Egypt but the travel bans have other ideas. Instead they are splurging on a room at Disney's Beach Club Villas. They aren't bringing their daughters this time so that means this trip is all about what they want to do and where they want to eat. They are already planning their meals out each day!

Honeymoon To Mexico - I have another couple headed to El Dorado Casitas Royale in Riviera Maya (can you tell this is a favorite of ours). This client will be celebrating their honeymoon in a honeymoon private pool swim up suite! They are going to love the bungalow style rooms, beautiful resort, and delicious food.

Hawaii Honeymoon - I have been talking all things Hawaiian Honeymoon with a client referred to us from another honeymoon client. We are still in the planning phase, but they will be visiting the Big Island for some adventure then heading to Maui for some relaxing beach resort time. They are going to fall in love with everything Hawaii has to offer.

ABC Island Cruise - My clients have been wanting to visit the ABC Islands for some time now but most cruise itineraries only visit two of the three on an itinerary. We were able to find a Windstar Cruise that that not only stops at Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao but also St Lucia, Barbados, Tobago, and Grenada. This will be a great trip bookended with a few days in Aruba after the cruise.

My Groups

I love hosting group trips. Here is where I am heading in the coming year(s). Which one do you want to join me on? 

May 2021- Costa Rica & Panama Canal. We made a small change to our travel plans this year. We have replaced our tulip time European river cruise with a Panama Canal/Costa Rica cruise. Tropical Islands. Exotic Jungles. Experience it all in private yacht style. Because the sailing is during the start of the slow season, the cruise price per person is almost HALF off! Let me know if this is something you are interested in.

July 2021- Galápagos Islands. We begin in Quito, Ecuador then spend 5 days island hopping on land and by ship. The ship only holds 16 guests.

February 2022- Antarctica. (NEW DATE) This is my last continent. We will be taking an expedition cruise from South America and through the Drake Passage to the Antarctica peninsula with Ponant Cruise Line. Trip of a lifetime. Can't find anyone to travel with you? This cruise has no single supplement, for a limited time.

August 2022 - Cruise and Land tour in Alaska. We will be sailing on Holland America and spending three days in Denali National Park.

If you are interested in joining me on one or all of these trips, please reply to this email.