Special Treats: San Francisco

Choosing a hotel is one of the most important decisions travelers make. Staying at an unforgettable hotel can enhance your experience at any destination. Whether the traveler is looking for the cheapest rate or a “home away from home”, Odyssey Travel can help. Odyssey Travel’s affiliation with Virtuoso, the travel industry’s leading luxury consortium, provides our Destination Specialists with suggestions about remarkable properties.

San Francisco

September to November is an excellent time to travel to San Francisco. The days are beautiful and warm, while the nights cool off what the sun has left behind. The sight-seeing is year-round for tourists in this chic, yet innovative city. There are many events happening this time of year all around the city that give travelers a taste of the diverse culture.
There are many hotel properties within the city limits. The following suggestions are some of the most luxurious hotels in San Francisco. Odyssey Travel recommends these three properties with on-sites and special amenities.

The Huntington Hotel

This distinguished hotel is one of the finest places to stay in the world. With a touch of history and sophistication, this hotel will surely give you a memorable experience. The history gives the hotel individuality and elegance. It is located at the top of Nob Hill in downtown San Francisco. Rated as quiet and understated, this hotel is San Francisco’s jewel. The Huntington Hotel is also the home of The Big Four restaurant and the Nob Hill Spa.

If you book through Odyssey Travel, our Destination Specialists can offer you these special amenities:

• room upgrade (if available)


• noon, early check-in


• daily continental breakfast in the restaurant


• a welcome basket of California fruit


• a choice of either a 15% discount off an 80-minute treatment OR a US $50 credit off of a half-day spa package in the Nob Hill Spa


• for 2009 guests: $100 spa credit
  

The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton has always been associated with class. Located in the middle of the city, this hotel is decorated to please royalty. There are beautiful views of the city that would spark anyone’s imagination about what to experience next. Each room features original artwork by local artists, reflecting the culture of the city. The Ritz-Carlton has everything you need to spoil yourself.

If you book through Odyssey Travel, our Destination Specialists can offer you these special amenities:

• room upgrade (if available)


• daily continental breakfast for two in the restaurant


• late check-out


• $50 credit per stay for use in The Signature Shop
  

The St. Regis Hotel

The St. Regis is located at an artful address, right next door to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The hotel mixes luxury and tradition with the modern and sophisticated décor, matching the city’s ambience. The legacy of the St. Regis Hotel is extraordinary hospitality. With elegant settings and service that goes beyond all others, this hotel offers travelers exquisite pleasures and unforgettable moments.

If you book through Odyssey Travel, our Destination Specialists can offer you these special amenities:

• room upgrade (if available, excluding suites)


• daily continental breakfast for two in the breakfast restaurant Vitrine


• a $75 retail credit for the Remède Spa boutique, applicable towards merchandise from the signature Laboratoire Remède skincare line


• 4 p.m. late check-out (if available)


• for 2009 guests: Lunch for two inside Vitrine (excludes alcohol and gratuity)
  
  

Please keep checking our blog to find descriptions of outstanding properties in popular destinations. Also, please leave a comment for suggestions in other destinations.

The Best Kind of Travel is Green

For the environmental traveler, Odyssey Travel can offer many luxurious destinations that keep our Mother Earth in mind. With fossil fuels dwindling and global warming becoming major issues, travelers are looking for environmentally responsible travel options. Odyssey Travel is a proud member of Virtuoso whose goal is to promote sustainable and eco-friendly tourism and they are proud to work with a wide array of travel providers and partners who engage in environmentally responsible travel practices. Odyssey Travel currently carries Virtuoso Insights, a free publication by Virtuoso. This month’s issue provides green travel tips, introduces eco-chic lodges, and suggests ideas for eco-friendly adventures. Please come by our office to pick up your free copy.

Tips for Traveling More Responsibly:

1. Give your home a vacation – while you are away unplug appliances, raise the thermostat, turn off lights, and cancel your newspaper delivery. Your home will use less energy, and you will save money on your next bill.
2. Use Public Transit – instead of renting a vehicle the entire time you are away, opt to use the public transportation that is offered. This will give you mini tours of the destinations you are visiting, plus you will save more money on your trip by not contributing to rising gas prices.
3. Contribute to the Local Economy – by visiting local farmers markets, street markets, etc. to find locally grown food and organic products indigenous to the area. What better way to be a part of a destination’s culture?
4. Ask the Hotel to help – let hotel management know that it is not necessary to have your sheets and towels changed each day. Most hotels are happy to meet your preferences. Also, when you leave your room, turn off the air conditioning and lights. Your room may be warm when you return, but how much time do you really spend in a hotel room while visiting exceptional destinations?

Odyssey Travel can help make travel arrangements to any green destination. Virtuoso is a partner with Sustainable Travel International, a non-profit organization that promotes responsible travel. Virtuoso currently participates in the carbon offset program. The program takes action “against global climate change by supporting high impact carbon offset and renewable energy projects around the globe.”(Sustainable Travel International) Odyssey Travel can offer many innovative vacations involving environmentally conscious travel. Please visit our website or call (386) 672-8113 to book your vacation that can make a difference.

Available Holiday and Bike Week Get-Away Cruises

Odyssey Travel

1474 W. Granada Blvd, Ste 495

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

386-672-8113

Thanksgiving Group Cruise

Royal Caribbean - Monarch of the Seas

November 24-28, 2008

Leaving Port Canaveral

Starting at $452.11 per person based on double occupancy

Escape Bike Week

Cruise to the Southern Caribbean for 10 days on
Holland America’s Noordam. Departing March 4-14, 2009.
Based on per person double
Superior verandah suites category SS: $1979.00
Verandah cabins category VD: $1379.00
Outside cabins category D: $1219.00
Taxes and fuel charges: $404.90

or

Holland America - Zuiderdam

February 27, 2009

10-day Panama Canal Cruise

Starting at $1853.00 per person based on double occupancy

Christmas and New Year's Eve Cruise

Princess Cruises - Grand Princess

December 19-January 2, 2009

14-day Southern Caribbean Cruise

Starting at $2477.00 per person based on double occupancy

Limited space available

All prices include fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges.

Invite the Whole Family

Multi-generational travel is growing popular. Families are looking for unique ways to bridge the generational gap. Traveling provides great opportunities to reunite, rekindle relationships, and celebrate major life events. The options are endless, from beach resorts to cruises; Odyssey Travel’s Destination Specialists can provide expert advice so families can plan rewarding vacations together.

Cruising is a great way to travel with family. Family can be spread all over the world, and a cruise is a great way to reunite everyone. Cruises tend to be the best value, especially the larger cruise lines that offer many amenities to cater to people of all ages including: art exhibits, spa treatments, fun kids programs, and a pool on board for those who would like to relax. Most cruise lines offer family-specific rooms or you can choose to have adjoining rooms. Cruising is fun for the whole family and it is a unique way to experience interesting destinations together!

Another option for multi-generational travel is all-inclusive resorts. These resorts provide meals, entertainment, and special amenities included in their rates. Some properties offer dance lessons, snorkeling excursions, and many other opportunities to try something new. Rooms can be adjoining or close to one another. Resorts are a fantastic way to spend time with loved ones because they can offer unique experiences everyone can participate in.

A villa or house rental at an exceptional destination is another option for families.
This type of travel allows everyone in the family to be under one roof. Lounging on the beach, taking in mountain air, or touring unfamiliar cities are great ways to create memories everyone can share. A villa or house allows you to stay in and have a traditional dinner or go out to eat, and have a wonderful dining experience. At night, challenge everyone to a classic board game or simply play charades. A villa or house rental allows families to spend quality time with one another while enjoying the comforts of home.

Odyssey Travel’s Destination Specialists can help families come up with many vacation options to keep everyone happy! Odyssey Travel is a Virtuoso agency, our specialists can offer special rates and amenities for family vacations. Our travel advisors can work with you to create distinctive and memorable experiences.

Listen for our ad on the Marc Bernier show on WNDB!

Visit our website: Odyssey Travel

Travel to Denmark and Sweden

Odyssey Travel has decided to feature Sweden and Denmark as an exceptional destination. The front window displays pictures, maps, and information all about the southernmost areas of these two countries. Have you ever considered going somewhere to experience old world style and elegance? Or wanted to visit somewhere with chic cafes and a laid back atmosphere? Contact Odyssey Travel and ask to speak with Bea Clagg, Odyssey Destination Specialist. Bea just experienced all of that in her recent trip to Denmark and Sweden.

She began her trip in Copenhagen, Denmark where she stayed at the world famous Hotel D’Anlgeterre. The hotel really has an antique look to it. It features a posh marble reception area, gold leaf columns, mirrored walls, and also a grand ballroom with high painted ceilings. The goal of the hotel is “to produce a total experience not just a bed”. Frequently rated No. 1 in the annual hotel ratings by the Danish Travel Industry, the Hotel D’Angleterre is currently undergoing restoration so it will remain preserved for years and travelers to come.

The hotel is centrally located in the city. Bea recommends taking the harbor tour from Nyhavn, the oldest part of Copenhagen harbor. The tour gives you a unique perspective from the water. The street is lined with many bars and restaurants facing out into the picturesque harbor. This area has been popularly known to practice “hygge”, which is to sit, relax, and forget about all the worries in life. This is a common practice regardless of social standing or age.

After sight-seeing, consider satisfying your appetite in Tivoli. Ketchup, a unique café, features Danish and French cuisine. The menu has many choices and ensembles of flavor. The restaurant manager has created a full wine list to match your taste. This café is centrally located as well, as it is only a fifteen minute walk from the Hotel D’Angleterre.

Next, take a short drive over the Oresund Bridge, Europe’s largest road/rail, to Malmo. This bridge connects the southernmost regions of Denmark and Sweden. Many locals will commute to Copenhagen using the train. On your way, stop and see Frederiksborg Castle. The castle was built in the 1600s, and is now the National History Museum of Denmark. The museum has a collection of portraits and historical art work. The gardens surrounding the castle are remarkable. Click on the link to take a small virtual tour of the grounds – Frederiksborg Castle and the Baroque Gardens.

Sweden’s agricultural area is located not too far from Malmo. If you go in late spring and early summer, you can see the canola fields in full bloom. The way the yellow flowers kiss the blue sky is breathtaking. The weather is perfect. One option for shelter is to stay on a farm called Angarwallens. The food the farmer will serve you is organically fresh. The accommodations are very simple and clean.

These countries offer unique travel options. Please contact Odyssey Travel so we can begin to plan a similar experience for you. Our window display will spark many ideas about what to see and do in these countries’ southern regions. Bea Clagg will always be willing to share the details of her wonderful vacation.

Visit our website – Odyssey Travel. For more information please call toll free (800) 333-8113.

Traveler's Trends

Odyssey Travel has realized part of its niche within the travel industry. Throughout the years, our specialists have noticed some trends with our clients. These trends are things the average traveler is looking for when they come to our agency. When your extraordinary odyssey is planned, you can travel with confidence knowing that you will receive more just by booking with us.

1. Best value. Whatever type of travel a client is planning, our Specialists will offer the best rate. Odyssey’s Destination Specialists utilize all the tools they have to find fares in a traveler’s reasonable budget. They understand that when people are out of town, they are likely to splurge on activities at their destination so; the key is finding the lowest possible rate.

2. Familiarity. People want to feel relaxed and at ease while traveling. People do not want to feel like their visit is disruptive. When you book your trip with Odyssey Travel, you are going to feel like you have gone where everybody knows your name. Now, this does not mean an entire fleet of people will be around hassling you, this simply means you will be greeted by name wherever you go. This is an extra special addition to any vacation because it makes the traveler feel at home.

3. Bragging Rights. After travelers return home from a trip, they love to share the details with others about what made their trip so special. Odyssey Travel guarantees bragging rights when a client returns home. Being Virtuoso members, Odyssey’s Destination Specialists can offer special amenities and a few surprises while clients are vacationing. These special amenities could include: fresh flowers in your room, champagne chilling upon arrival, access to private tours, “behind the scenes” tours, or simply a free ice cream sundae for the family every night. Those are just some of the ideas our Specialists come up with while planning your trip.

4. A New Experience. Traveling trends are constantly changing. What a traveler wanted in a vacation twenty years ago is completely different from what people expect today. Our Specialists are here to recognize that, and want to begin to plan the experience that is right for you. To each his own, as the saying goes.

Each Specialist continues to learn what travelers are looking for as they continue to book all kinds of vacations. Please visit our office so we can plan your ultimate vacation.

Please call our toll free number for further information: (800) 333-8113

Visit our website: Odyssey Travel

Cruising on the Amazon is Just the Beginning

Cruises are a very popular way of traveling. Odyssey Travel offers many of the traditional cruises to the Caribbean, but what about the traveler seeking more? Our Destination Specialists can suggest many innovative ideas for someone that is looking for more than the conventional cruise experience.

The MS Aqua, which sails out of Iquitos, Peru, is just one example of a very different cruise experience. This “luxurious floating hotel” has all the perks of a traditional cruise line. Each cabin offers a balcony view, comfortable beds, private bath, and many itinerary choices for “shore excursions”. Depending on how adventurous you want to be, our Destination Specialists can tailor your cruise to meet your needs.

The ship’s destination is Pacaya Samiria Reserve. This reserve is 5 million acres of the Amazon riverbank. It is the second largest reserve in Peru. There are 100,000 locals that live on the riverbank, relying on the Amazon and animals for food and income. There are 449 different species of animals and at least 200 different species of fish.

While aboard, a voyager may spot many of the animals indigenous to the Amazon River: the endangered pink dolphin, black alligator, and giant river otter. Each day will bring a new experience, whether it’s touring with naturalist guides through the back waters for an up-close and personal experience to relaxing on the ship, fishing, and bird watching. The MS Aqua’s itineraries are remarkable!

Pam Walker, an Odyssey Travel Destination Specialist, has just set sail on this wonderful ship. She is a South American travel expert. Check out her blog about her journey!

Odyssey Travel can help you plan a cruise. From the most traditional destinations to the most exotic, let our Destination Specialists handle the details, just sit back and enjoy the ride!