Monday, November 14, 2016

BGT Goes Exploring in Luxury

Genuinely grateful the election of 2016 is behind us and hard to believe that 2017 is around the corner. We are already immersed in 2017 programs and well into 2018.

Cindy & Linda Cooking onboard Explorer
A highlight for us this year was to be invited to board Regent Seven Seas BRAND NEW Explorer while she prepared for her 1st sailing in the Mediterranean. In the words of Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Regent's parent company Norwegian Cruise Lines, Explorer is timeless. Billed as the most luxurious ship in the world, we found Murano glass, Chagall art and a cast iron Tibetan style prayer wheel, all ensconced in a 55,000 ton vessel that mimics grand hotels found in Europe - simply exquisite, and frankly, an experience for your bucket list - and what's not to love about everything's included.

We want to once again thank our wonderful partners at Regent Seven Seas and especially for our travelers who trust us to recommend this fabulous line. We have outstanding values in 2017 for Alaska and the Mediterranean - email us for more details.

If you are still contemplating a River Cruise - now's the time to make a decision to reserve.  So many options and savings available and do not wait - these ships are a quarter of the size of ocean liners and plenty of time is needed to secure the best date for you. We have found enormous savings in roundtrip air to Europe with Viking; their longships are the best value on the rivers in Europe today. If you have 15 days - we can offer a fantastic trip on the Rhine, Main and Danube.  Call us soon - these offers will sell out.

Sometimes traveling is confusing - we understand and found this comparison chart for those travelers still perplexed about Trusted Traveler, Global Entry, Sentri etc.
Take a look here for more details:  Trusted Traveler Comparison

In just a week, we are off to New York City to experience the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you haven't had the opportunity to join us, make 2017 your year to bring your family.  It's an incredible 4 night program that really has something for every family member. Watch our website for more details: BGT Website

With Thanksgiving just over a week away, we want to say thanks for all of our blessings, especially to our travelers!

2016 has found us exploring many parts of this beautiful globe meeting so many of you, helping you plan your adventures and follow your dreams. We are very grateful for your trust and faith in our service. Happy Thanksgiving!

#welovecruises #bucketlist #BGTgroups #NewYorkTravel #MacysThanksgivingParade #LuxuryGoesExploring #VikingRiverCruises #RegentSevenSeas

Friday, July 29, 2016

Dog Days of Summer

As we are based in Houston, things really heat up here late July and well into August.  Many people in the city take this time to travel to Colorado, North Caroline, really anyplace but here.  For us, we move from an air conditioned home to an air conditioned car and then our air conditioned office. If you don't go out at lunch, the weather seems inconsequential.

In researching this term, we learned that it really comes from the Greek's (laughing out loud if you have seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding) as they associated it with the Dog Star Canis, the brightest star in the constellation during this time period. While the meaning has changed over time and we sometimes make up answers, thought it would be a perfect time to provide the correct definition. See here for link to National Geographic

I digress - this year, in 2016, have made a notable change in our blog to provide more information vs. sales details of what trips might be available. Yes, we will have plenty of those opportunities but moving this blog to more informational with details you can use.  Travel is our passion and we appreciate you coming along for this journey.

This installation we decided to provide highlights of noteworthy news stories in the travel industry that may assist you in these next few months.  Daily we have been asked the question:  "Are you still traveling to Europe?".  Our resounding reply is "Yes"...in fact due to ample supply, there is still great cruise pricing to be found, so if Europe is still on your list for 2016, call us or email Cruise@BeyondGroupTravel.com with your preferred dates. We love to assist you in planning an adventure.

If out of the country travel is in your future, you don't want to leave without first joining Global Entry. Nothing worse than returning home from an International trip and having to face a crowd at Passport Control.  Don't have Global Entry?  Click Here to learn how to apply!!
Plus my favorite is after you have found your checked luggage, in Houston, you get an entirely separate line to hand in the customs form - relief!  Makes traversing the airport after an international journey a breeze!

Our company is almost 7 years old however our founders have combined 60 years in the business. We have experienced and witnessed many changes throughout the years with the ID that one has to carry in order to to board the airplane. Prior to 9/11, your ticket was all that was necessary and then exchanged for a boarding card.  Not to create boredom here with all the changes, we did find this excellent article at USA Today describing the steps to take in the event of a loss or pickpocket.  Click here to read USA Article  As a matter of course, we provide all of our travelers with a copy of their passport to store in their checked luggage as a precaution in case of a loss of luggage.  You may also want to store the photo in your phone.

Finally - as we near 2017 - are you dreaming of a once in a lifetime trip?  We have compiled a list of Bucket List Cruise Destinations for you to think/dream about.
They include:

  1. Alaska - always a favorite - cool with outstanding shore excursions
  2. Antarctica - with Zodiac boats, daily landings are possible to this driest place on earth. Visiting the 7th continent is on my list!
  3. Australia and New Zealand - Visiting this continent and this country via cruise ship offers a taste with only having to unpack once.
  4. Galapagos - a living testament to the power of evolution. See/experience a plethora of flora & fauna here on land and in the water.
  5. Panama Canal- whether you do a full transit or just the entrance, this one is truly a delight to experience the gigantic locks and hear the stories on how this was built. Certainly an engineering marvel.
  6. South Pacific - Tahiti and that space in general offers up dreams of crystal blue water, thatched huts and and paradise like none other on earth. 
  7. World Cruise - planning retirement or just time on your hands, this option is a cruiser's paradise typically incorporating an itinerary that includes all or most of above.
#BGTgroups #WeLoveGroups #BGTcruising #BucketList #TravelGram #JustCruise #TravelBlog