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Greetings -- Robert the struggling assistant travel agent here.
Just Keep Swimming. Right. One of these newsletters, eventually, will have legitimate travel news and useful information. Resisting the temptation to start a quarantine cookbook group, exchange travel trivia, ridicule politicians, etc., let's just speculate some more. Rem
ember you were supposed to think about how the heck the massive tourist sites will control antisocial distancing? And if the non-
Amazon airlines can survive if forced to spread out the seats? It's ironic that, right before this mess, the airlines were brainstorming how to cram more seats into the available space.
The travel businesses that have not yet folded keep having positive seminars, speculating on how great things will be eventually. I'm not convinced. One extreme on the Options Scale is that somebody will discover a vaccine, we'll carry proof of it with our passports, everything will return to the 2019 normal, and we'll travel happily ever after. At the other end of the scale, Mother Earth will be glad to unload this annoying human species with a series of new and interesting viruses and bacteria. Hmmm . . .
It looks like one of the contact-reducing strategies in the travel and vacation businesses will be to do all possible money transactions remotely. So, my speculations about that are as follows:
- We old people will continue to be dragged, reluctantly, into the 21st Century.
- Detailed planning and reservations will become critical; there will be fewer nice agents at check-ins to help get travel arranged and get errors corrected. Selfishly, I think that heightens the need for a savvy travel agent (see photo at bottom of this page) versus doing things yourself.
- More online transactions will mean more opportunities for scammers. A good remedy will be to keep your credit card numbers someplace safe, and get smart about less risky payment options, like Apple-Pay, Google-Pay, Amazon-Pay, PayPal, whatever.
OK. Most readers seem to enjoy the Useful Travel Links section, so we'll continue it:
To wrap up this one, another "positive" of this mess is an increasing appreciation of having a Plan B, or of being forced into an alternative. If you travel frequently, you know that stuff happens: Jet engines tear off the wing (happened to me), ports fill up, the weather gets ugly, global pandemics hit, etc. Roll with it; laugh about it; recognize your helplessness and enjoy the adventure.
The next section is the recurring Positive Mantra. Note to my fellow Grammar Nazis: I too detected that 'recurring mantra' may be redundant, but I'm sticking with it. Keep your plans and dreams alive - postponed, not canceled. We have all our clients' information, wishes and preferences for the postponed trips, and can easily just change the dates when we're liberated, cured or vaccinated. Hang in there, stay safe, be thankful for what you have and for those you love.
We remain grateful for your support and patronage.
Remember, the next time you're planning a vacation, w
hether it's domestic or international travel, Triple R Travel is here to help handle all of the details
. And because our clients don't need to live locally, we can assist you and your friends or family that are interested in the professional services of a Certified Travel Counselor, then please send them my contact information. We're here to handle the details, so they can
rest, relax and rejuvenate.
P.S. If you'd like to forward this newsletter to a friend, please click on the link on the upper left hand side -- and thank you! A word-of-mouth referral is the
best
referral!
Have a great week, and thank you for supporting Triple R Travel -- we appreciate your business!
P.S. If you'd like to forward this newsletter to a friend, please click on the link on the upper left hand side -- and thank you! A word-of-mouth referral is the
best
referral!
Sincerely,
Robert (oh yeah, Raye too)
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Dream Destinations for your next vacation
What is your dream destination -- someplace that you've always dreamed of seeing one day? Are you looking for a family vacation, or would you prefer a romantic getaway? Here are some of our favorites:
Ireland
Scotland
Denali National Park
Skagway
Fairbanks
Anchorage
Rome
Naples
Florence
Seattle
Skagway
Ketchikan
Juneau
Prague
Durnstein
Vienna
Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Brussels, Belgium
Brugge, Belgium
Mauna Loa/Haleakala/ Mauna Kea
Amsterdam
Hawaii Island
Europe -- Norway, Denmark, Sweden
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Travel Information Corner
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Traveling Internationally?
I know it will be awhile before you're able to travel internationally, so in the meantime, heck out our list of suggestions for your next international vacation -- and please, if you have any hints, tips, suggestions, pass them along.
International Travel Tips from Triple R Travel
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Tips for Cruising
Hopefully it won't be too. many more months before we can hit the high seas again. If you're thinking of making, or if you've finally made that cruise reservation, or if you're still considering your first cruise, take time to read our
Cruising Tips.
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About Raye and Triple R Travel
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For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to become a travel professional. So I was delighted when the opportunity presented itself in 2008, and Triple R Travel was born. Triple R Travel will celebrate a decade of business/service on May 15, 2018, and we are quite pleased with that accomplishment.
I've gotten great support from friends, family, and business acquaintances -- Thank you!
I've lived all over this great country of ours -- including Hawaii, Oregon, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina -- and I've had the privilege of traveling to several of my bucket list dream destinations. Participating in CLIA's certification program, I've acquired the Elite Cruise Counselor designation, as well as the Certified Travel Counselor certification from the Travel Institute.
Thank you for your continued support and referrals. Let us design your next dream vacation -- Triple R Travel handles the details so you can
rest,
relax and
rejuvenate! And please stay safe and well and let's get through this together!
Sincerely,
Raye
Geneva Raye Hayden. CTC/ECC/LCS
Triple R Travel
919-371-8352
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THROWBACK THURSDAY (or whatever day it is!)
This is not a throwback Thursday -- or any other day for that matter -- photo. It's just taking time to say, "take care and stay safe and well!" I hope that you're enjoying your week and finding things to be productive while you're shut in. Why is it the minute someone tells you that you "can't" do something, that's exactly what you want to do, lol?! We can do this -- so hang in there!
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Favorite Recipe
IF you've read this far, please email me with your favorite recipe -- we could use some new ones!
Baklava
Mochi
Spam Musubi
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Favorite Apps (found in App Store)
Instagram
Flipagram
RetailMeNot
Metapho
GasBuddy
Smart Traveler
xe (currency conversion)
mobiliytrip
Do you have a favorite app that you'd like to share? Please send it to me at RayeHayden@TripleRTravel and I will use it in my next edition of this newsletter. Thanks!
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What others are saying . . . testimonials from our clients at Triple R Travel.
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I consider myself a pretty savvy travel shopper until I started planning a 15 day trip for 4 to Europe. Venice, Italy was the main destination with a 7-day cruise thrown in for confusion! Plus, two of the travelers were friends who would be paying separately. Raye not only removed the confusion, but she saved us money and upgraded our cruise rooms, too. SI'm so glad we heeded her advice to add trip insurance. A semi-serious fall on the cruise ship created unexpected expenses that were reimbursed quickly. Whether you know what you want - or you don't - Raye will structure your travel efficiently and effectively. I'm ready to do it again!
Jo S.
Rolesville, NC
My wife and I took a 7-night cruise through Triple R Travel from Seattle through the Inside Passage of Alaska. We visited Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway in Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. This was our very first cruise, and we had no idea what to expect. My wife, in particular, was already skeptical about cruising in any fashion. Raye Hayden, of Triple R Travel, went out of her way to give us a comfort level with the trip, answering probably a million questions (or at least it probably seemed that way to her) and offering advice on preparation for a cruise. We were booked on a great ship and, with Raye's advice, picked out a really good stateroom. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and can't wait for our next opportunity. If you are looking for someone knowledgeable and customer-friendly, I can heartily recommend Raye and Triple R Travel!!
Ed P.
Hendersonville, NC
What an unexpected pleasure that a friend recommended Raye Hayden at Triple R Travel to plan a "bucket list" cruise to Alaska. From our first contact thru the follow-up after we came home, we felt like we were Raye's only customer. She truly cares that our travel is worry free and having a great time is most important. Throw in professional and thorough and she is a perfect package doing Triple R Travel proud. We feel like we've made a friend and will definitely come back and recommend.
Marty and Judy S.
Canton, MI
Linda G.
Westminster, MD
It was a pleasure to work with Raye Hayden of Triple R Travel. Taking our first cruise was a little intimidating, but Raye made it so easy. Not only did she explain everything and assist us in making smart decisions about every aspect of our trip, she also went above and beyond with the little things that made our honeymoon truly memorable. Our next cruise will definitely happen through Raye.
Todd B.
Raleigh, NC
I asked Raye to provide a relaxing, romantic, secluded vacation for my husband and me to spend our 30th wedding anniversary. I had no destinations to request other than that it be warm in February. Raye came back in 2 days with an all-inclusive vacation that is perfect. We planned this trip over 5 months ago, and are leaving next week! We cannot wait to make this trip of a lifetime! Thank you, Raye, for ironing out all the details, and preparing us for our incredible journey.
Julie L.
Wake Forest, NC
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We work with empy-nesters and families who want to see the world through cultural experiences without having to deal with the stress of researching and planning the itinerary. We create memorable journeys with their loved ones that allow them to indulge themselves.
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Copyright © 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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