Travel Protection Insurance -- No longer an "option"-- It's a "necessity"!

Obtaining Travel Protection Insurance has, until recently, primarily been an "option" which travelers could choose to purchase or not to purchase when planning an extended trip either within the USA or abroad.

Reprinted with permission

However, the recent civil unrest in several countries, as well as labor strikes halting air and train transportation, inclement weather, and natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes, for example, have caused travelers to become acutely aware that obtaining insurance protection against trip interruption/trip cancellation for ANY reason, now may be a necessity -- especially when traveling to international destinations far from home.  

Several years ago, as part of our commitment to providing superlative client service to our tour participants, Snobby Tours®, Inc. became licensed to sell Travel Insurance to our travelers so that they could have "peace of mind" when touring both within and outside of the USA.

We thoroughly research and compare the A.M. Best A+ rated travel protection insurance carriers and select the most comprehensive coverage -- at the most competitive rates -- for our clients. 

Reprinted with permission

Because there are any number of unforeseen possibilities which can occur which could cause one's travel to be interrupted -- or even cancelled prior to or during a trip -- Snobby Tours®, Inc. has always recommended that our tour participants have Travel Protection Insurance on our extended heritage and cultural custom Itineraries -- whether inside the USA or to international destinations.


If there is one thing that IS certain, it's that "things happen we don't expect".  Even the most careful person can twist an ankle while walking on unfamiliar cobblestone streets, or slip in the bathtub while staying in a hotel halfway around the world.  

Here are some helpful points for you to think about when you are considering the purchase of Travel Protection Insurance:

1)  As a general rule, it's best to purchase Travel Protection Insurance from a licensed travel insurance provider or directly from an insurance carrier which specializes in travel protection insurance.

2)  Ask if the insurance company is rated by A.M. Best, which is the resource for checking the insurance carrier's credentials.  (Snobby Tours®, Inc. always uses highly-rated A.M. Best insurance carriers such as Travelex, TravelGuard, for example.  These companies adhere to strict rules and ethics standards.)

3)  Is the insurance policy understandable?  Is it written in plain, concise terms?  Do you know exactly what coverage is being provided to you before and after your trip departure date?  What are all "included" events?  Are there any "exclusions"?  

4)  If you will be traveling outside of the USA, does the insurance carrier have a "global" presence with a staff that will be available to assist you 24/7, especially if you are in a country which speaks a language other than English? 

5)  Should you also purchase medical coverage even though you have private medical insurance -- especially if you are traveling outside of the USA?  What services and staff at your destination will your travel insurance carrier be able to provide regarding checking out the medical facilities, hospitals, physicians, clinics, etc. to which you may be sent at the destination?

For more information about obtaining travel protection insurance for any of our extended USA and International heritage and cultural custom Itineraries, please visit our Website at:  http://www.snobbytours.com/TRAVELINSURANCE.html

Top Issues and the Latest Trends in 2011 in the Tourism Industry

Tourism professionals are frequently asked at the beginning of a new year what we predict will be the "hot travel trends" for the coming year.

This year, that's a tough question, particularly during the current global economic downturn, and with such countries as Greece, Ireland and Germany experiencing fiscal crises as never before.  Travelers to several international destinations during the past year experienced labor strikes and other shut-downs of essential services and infrastructure -- causing them to be "stuck" at their destinations.

There does, however, seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel in some travel sectors such as heritage and cultural touring, spas and resorts, and luxury travel, all of which continue to remain popular -- giving rise to a certain degree of optimism about where travel is "headed" in 2011.

The following article appeared in the UK's issue of Hotel & Resort Insider, on February 9, 2011:

"For the last few years, the tourism industry is witnessing some emerging trends and issues among bulk of tourists which is resulting in some new developments in the industry itself.  It is expected that these upcoming trends will influence the strategy development, business, marketing policies and the tourism planning in the year ahead.

"Here we provide you with the key issues and the forthcoming trends in the tourism industry:

Memories and experiences

"It has been observed that contemporary travelers being bored by the sedentary lifestyle and mounting work pressure are yearning for leisurely activities, and they are more eager in having new and unique experiences. Travelers are willing to utilize their vacations to the utmost to rejuvenate. Traditional travel sectors which include adventure travel, nature tourism, heritage and cultural tourism, and vacationing with family are still popular with the tourists. In addition to this, tourists are also admiring several non-traditional activities such as bird watching, mountain biking, cruise travel,  festivals and special occasions, the thrilling experiences of which will offer them splendid memories to treasure.

Technology

"The internet has modernized the face of travel industry, with its massive impact among the tourists. Travelers are seeking information about different destinations via internet, which is influencing their decision-making and is the fundamental force behind personalization and customization. Travelers also prefer online bookings and reservations nowadays. These immense changes brought about by technology in the travel and tourism industry also highlight other modifications, such as airlines, travel agencies and other travel professionals which are merging with each other with the objective that bigger is better.

"The smaller establishments are mostly affected by this development and in order to compete, they should tailor their strategies according to the needs of the specific target audience.

Changing face of tourists

"A large number of financially potent elderly people across the globe with enough time are looking forward to enjoy their dream vacations and are planning to travel. Moreover, minority groups including African-Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanics will constitute an increasing percentage of all travelers. 
The growing competition among the airlines has resulted in opening up of new routes, and most of the new routes to the US are more focused to the West (Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, San Diego and Salt Lake City.)

"Therefore, all these upcoming trends and issues will surely cause a sea of change in the tourism industry." 

Do you agree or disagree?  Snobby Tours^®, Inc. is interested in your feedback, so please comment and share your opinion on this topic.

Victor Bravo, Flamenco Artist in Spain - Interview by Meg Pier

Snobby Tours®' friend and professional travel writer, Meg Pier, has published a series of articles and interviews from Spain -- one of our upcoming International heritage and cultural tour destinations. 


We were particularly engaged by her interview with Victor Bravo, Dance Director of the Museum of Flamenco Dance in Seville, Spain.  


Flamenco's roots come from the Andalucian region of Spain, where Gypsies, Jews and other non-Catholics fled during the Spanish Inquisition to live in hiding and in fear of death. As an outlet for their feelings and emotions, they created the music of lamentation and the dances of passion from which Flamenco is derived. 


Meg quotes the esteemed Spanish writer, Lorca, in describing Flamenco:

"Let not the intellectuals tire themselves out searching for it in the old trunks of erudition,
because flamenco is something alive with its feet buried in the hot mud of the street
and its head in the cool fleece of the driven clouds.”

Federico García Lorca, 1898 – 1936

Bravo shares his thoughts and observations with Meg about the part which Flamenco has played in Andalucian history and culture, and about his own personal journey expressed through his lifetime of Flamenco study and dance.


To read Meg's complete article and interview which is published in "View from the Pier", link on the following: Victor Bravo/Flamenco Artist

HERITAGE TOUR DESTINATION: MONTEREY, CARMEL and SALINAS, CALIFORNIA - Review: 5 stars©

Monterey, Carmel and Salinas, California -- generally referred to collectively as the "Monterey Bay area" -- are favourite Central California destinations for Snobby Tours®' heritage and cultural tours. Each has a different history and ambiance.   Our Review: 5-stars!


Monterey at one time was the original Spanish capital of  "Old California".  Long before Salinas-born Pulitzer Prize winning author John Steinbeck immortalized Monterey's Cannery Row, beautiful Monterey Bay was claimed for Spain by a Portuguese navigator in 1542.  It was colonized by missionaries, soldiers and mercenaries, as well as Russians, Mexicans and Americans at different points in time.

Sea creatures in Monterey Bay Aquarium
_©Snobby Tours^®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Over the years, some of the most historic Old California buildings were constructed, including Mission San Carlos, the Presidio and California's first theatre.  Monterey has also provided inspiration for writers such as Steinbeck and Robert Louis Stevenson.  


Today, visitors flock to Monterey to experience its heritage and culture, shopping and fine dining -- and especially to visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.


Carmel, less than four miles south of Monterey, is known as an "artists' haven". Situated along some of California's most picturesque coastline, the word which most describes Carmel is "quaint".  It is filled with unique shops and art galleries featuring the work of many local artists, cobblestone courtyards, great restaurants for California cuisine, and cute B&Bs. The scent of wood-burning fireplaces waifs thru the air all year round because the fog generally rolls in and temperatures drop as the sun sets each day.  Even Summers are relatively cool, requiring layered clothing.

Carmel Winter Sunset
_©Snobby Tours^®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Practically everything is within walking distance in Carmel -- or within a short drive if one wants to to visit nearby wineries or Mission Carmel.  The internationally famous Pebble Beach golf course along the scenic "17-mile Drive" attracts golf enthusiasts from all over the world for informal games and competitive  tournaments.


And, on any given day, both locals and visitors flock to the rocky  beach at the foot of Ocean Avenue to photograph the famous Carmel sunset -- spectacular all year round.


Carmel is very "pet-friendly".  The movie icon Doris Day has lived in Carmel for years, and thru her efforts, lodging, retail shops, and even some restaurants have become receptive to pets -- especially dogs -- accompanying their owners. 


Salinas -- about 30-minutes drive east from Carmel -- is part of the Salinas Valley - famous for its production of fruit and vegetables.  It was immortalized in John Steinbeck's "East of Eden".  Steinbeck's childhood home, a restored Queen Anne-style Victorian which can be toured, is near Downtown Salinas.  

"Doc's Lab" in Steinbeck Institute
_©Snobby Tours^®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In recent years, with the opening of the Steinbeck Institute, new life has been infused into Salinas. The Steinbeck Institute is a "must see" when visiting Salinas.  It is a living history museum of Steinbeck's books where visitors can stroll from room to room hearing excerpts from books, viewing archival films, and getting close to the Trask 1920's motorcar ("East of Eden"), the Joad house ("Grapes of Wrath"), Doc's Lab ("Cannery Row"), and even the Gypsy wagon which Steinbeck took on a trip along with his poodle ("Travels with Charley").


Any time of the year is the right time to visit Monterey, Carmel and Salinas because seasonal and annual heritage and cultural events are abundant -- from evening art walks thru the galleries sampling local wines to antique car shows. Just remember to bring a jacket, even in July.

_© 2011 Snobby Tours^®, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

Meeting the Challenge of Incorporating "Regional Cuisine" into Group Tours



Because Snobby Tours^®, Inc. specializes in custom-creating unique heritage and cultural touring experiences for our travelers, we always include local, often iconic, restaurants at the destination(s) which specialize in the cuisine(s) of the region in each of our Itineraries.  



Wine-pairing Lunch at a Texas Winery
_©Snobby Tours^®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How do we approach dining options and meal selection for our groups?  Generally, breakfast at the Hotel plus one other meal during the day, either lunch or dinner, is included in the Tour Package price.  Prior to any tour, we pre-select restaurants at our destinations and make arrangements with the various restaurants which will allow us to create a menu with appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage selections within the designated budgetary range.  (Alcoholic beverages are not included unless the meal is a wine-pairing event, for example.)


Selecting Sweets in a Mexican Bakery
_©Snobby Tours^®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Do we try to incorporate local cuisine?  Absolutely!  We consider this to be part of "experiencing the heritage and culture" of our Itinerary destinations.  For example:  Chicago is filled with wonderful ethnic neighborhoods each having restaurants featuring that area's cuisine.  In Chicago, we took a culinary tour one day and "grazed" in Greektown, Little Italy, and in the German area just north of the Gold Coast area. We also dined in iconic restaurants in several of Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods.


Lunch in Aix-en-Provence, France
_©Snobby Tours^®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

What are our favourite dining options?  We prefer to pre-select from the restaurant's menu in advance of trip departure so that the menu selections are narrowed down for the kitchen and the restaurant can easily accommodate a large group seated, or alternatively, we prefer to be served "family style".

What tips can we pass on with regards to feeding a group over a one week trip?  Create a realistic "Trip Budget" which includes a budget line item for meals each day.  This will allow the Itinerary to be flexible enough over the week to include some fine dining as well as casual, lighter fare.

Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theatre - Dallas' newest "state of the art" performing arts venues

Texas Monthly magazine consults Snobby Tours® for local history -- the facts and the folklore©

Over the past year, Snobby Tours®, Inc. has been contacted several times about Waco history by Texas Monthly, Texas' premier magazine about what's happening culturally, politically, historically, and in entertainment venues all over the State.


We've done so much research into Waco's colourful past that it seems some folks think we are  experts about the place and the people who have been pivotal in Waco's creation and evolution -- from its being an outpost for the venerable Texas Rangers in the early 1800's to a "player" on a global scale having three institutions of higher education and numerous corporations doing international business -- including us!

Our love of our local history led Snobby Tours®, Inc. in 2003 to create our "Living History Tours of Waco" -- seven (7) city heritage tours focusing upon various periods in Waco's history, guided by costumed "historical re-enactors" who portray real people from Waco's past.  (More info on each of these tours can be found at www.snobbytours.com/wacotours.html)

Mollie Adams' gravestone in Oakwood Cemetery
©Snobby Tours®, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

For example:  Did you know that the Waco Suspension Bridge has a connection with the Roebling Company which built the Brooklyn Bridge?


 . . . or that Waco, TX and Omaha, NE were the ONLY two cities in the US in the late 1800's which had legalized prostitution? Mollie Adams was THE Waco "madam", who owned a diamond necklace worth (at that time) $20,000 -- given to her by a "prominent Wacoan".

"Texas" Guinan
(reprinted with permission)

And, Wacoan "Texas" Guinan -- who, as a teenager, won a singing contest sponsored by Chicago department store magnate Marshall Field  -- and who later went on to be a famous vaudeville star and the FIRST female cowgirl in Hollywood silent films -- learned her "sharpshooting" skills while riding her horse and firing her 6-shooter at cans on the fence by the Waco's old train depot as she galloped by.  


Ever heard the phrase "Hello, Suckers!" ?  It was coined by "Texas" Guinan at her speakeasy in NYC during Prohibition.


In researching for our "Living History Tours of Waco",  we've uncovered so much more about Waco's history than we knew from hearing stories over the years passed down by family and friends about Waco's famous and the infamous, that we're becoming rather fond of saying that "we're discovering where all of the bodies are buried, and the skeletons in the closets are definitely getting nervous".  

©  2011 Snobby Tours®, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.