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Greetings loyal readers! My name is Robert Hayden, and I'm the newest member of the Triple R Travel Team. I'm located about two and a half feet behind Raye, which, as most things in life, has pros and cons. I've been told by my boss that the expectation is that I assist her doing whatever, do as instructed, and help make the business even better. I'm also expected to continue my former duties of cooking, fetching stuff and lifting heavy objects. I'm the one in the photo below, holding the more fashion-conscious shih-poo with his bowtie on straight.
We moved from Tampa to Ocala, Florida, in February, and we got generally settled just before things went south in the travel business, and I don't mean to Australia and Argentina. The entire month of March was devoted to corresponding with suppliers and clients, determining postponement and cancellation options, minimizing the negative impacts and often undoing wonderful travel packages that had been carefully crafted.
So what now? I can answer that - nobody knows. This critter is new and there is not enough applicable science or statistics to support reliable predictions. All we know is that it's respiratory, is super-contagious, has a long latency period (communicable without symptoms) and is more lethal than the influenza virus. We hear closures, cancellations and restrictions to some random date - June 30 is a common one - based pretty much on hope. It appears to cause antibodies in recovered victims, so that's encouraging. The drop-off in cases in China is cited as a cycle length indicator, but those data are highly suspect, and a totalitarian government can impose things on its constituents that will never happen in our system. OK, enough soap box, but how should we travel lovers plan? Optimistically, somebody will discover a vaccine or somehow Covid-19 goes away as have some of its predecessors. The assumption is then that people who still have jobs or other income will be more than ready to get out of the house. So 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. Hang in there.
So, what do home-based travel agents do when travel is restricted to grocery stores and medical facilities? Well, we go occasionally to grocery stores and medical appointments. We also do mundane QC and database tasks that will improve efficiency. And, we keep studying about travel and destinations so we can answer questions accurately and help design your memorable vacation.
It's time to wrap up this edition. We encourage everybody to stay safe, to have hope for a better tomorrow, and to be thankful for the gifts 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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