Category

Adventure

Apr 18
0

Cruise to Cuba – FINALLY it’s a great DEAL!

By | Adventure, Caribbean, Cruise | No Comments

Ready to Cruise to Cuba?

– A night in Havana along with a day at Great Stirrup Cay in Bahamas is a great combo!

NCL Breakaway at Great Stirrup Cay

NCL Breakaway at Great Stirrup Cay

 

Be among the first to see Cuba as it is, before tourism changes it forever

Norwegian is cruising to Cuba starting May 2017 – here are some details

Starting in May, 2017, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering 4 Day cruises to Havana, Cuba (with an overnight stay) and their own private island, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas starting at just $529 per person (before taxes, fees and port expenses):
Interior- $529
Oceanview- $629
Balcony- $929
Suites- $1839 (book soon because suites are selling fast!)
Guests are currently receiving an all-inclusive, unlimited beverage package as well as onboard credits!
Entertainment for the whole family including the Guppies Program for infants 6 months to 2 years; Splash Academy (ages 3-12); The Zone (ages 13-17); a children’s pool and family pool; video arcade; nighttime entertainment; Active options such as a basketball/volleyball court, golf driving net, jogging/walking track, fitness center; Relaxing options for adults such as the Mandara Spa and 5 hot tubs; Not to mention onboard shopping, an internet cafe, the Mark Twain Library and of course the Sky Club Casino!
Don’t miss out on unforgettable excursions in Havana including tours to Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (world-class art collection) and many other historic tours; Rum, Cigars and Art Tours; Dining at family-owned restaurants for authentic Cuban fare; Music and Dancing shows; and of course shopping!
Tours in Great Stirrup Cay offering many water activities such as Wave Runners, snorkeling opportunities to see a vast variety of fish, stingrays and more, Dolphin encounters and the beautiful white sand beaches!
Treat yourself to one (or all!) of 3 specialty restaurants including Cagney’s Steakhouse, Italian cuisine at Il Adagio or French cuisine at Le Bistro.

 

Get with “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad TODAY – don’t miss the boat on this great opportunity!!

Oct 15
0

Alaska Cruise – a bucket list adventure!

By | Adventure, Alaska, Alaska Cruise, Cruise | No Comments

Cruising in Alaska Is Beyond Breathtaking – It’s Life Changing

The natural beauty seems endless with the air so clean and the nature so close

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Recently some of the team here at EZTravelPad were able to both accomplish a bucket list trip and at the same time celebrate a very important birthday – a terrific celebration that was simply unforgettable. We cruised out of Vancouver on Celebrity Infinity doing a 7 night inside passage voyage to Alaska with stops at

  • Icy Strait Point (terrific whale watching!)
  • Juneau (more adventures than you can accomplish if you had a whole week)
  • Hubbard Glacier (awesome scenery)
  • Ketchikan (terrific shopping and history)

If you have cruised Alaska before then you know what I mean when I say…WOW!

If you have yet to experience this most amazing destination then you owe it to yourself to go – and go as soon as you can

One of the most amazing days was spent in Juneau on a 3.5 mile trek to the Mendenhall glacier

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The hike was difficult but worth every scrape and sore muscle . We were able to hike on the glacier (and yes, I did fall through a soft spot but no serious injuries). On the glacier we experienced the ever-changing landscape of ice caves and ice streams on this frozen river of ice which is constantly in motion.

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In Icy Strait Point the whale watching was unreal – we experienced a large pod of humpbacks bubble feeding all around us for over an hour. It is indescribable unless you have experienced it – simply awe inspiring

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Previous to the whale watching adventure was a Bear Viewing excursion (photo at the top) – bears so close that the guides with rifles were on their toes the entire time – in all we spotted 9 brown bears in their natural habitat

In Ketchikan we took a float plane through the Misty Fiords National Monument – there’s nothing quite like landing on the water deep into the Alaska wilderness!

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After the float plane adventure we got in some shopping at the historic area once built to house the first businesses…brothels which serviced the local fishermen 100 years ago….

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It’s about the nature and it’s about the beauty and it’s about the wildlife – the stunning beauty like the Hubbard Glacier pictured below…

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There are many ways to experience the awe inspiring splendor of  the largest state in the US but for most people the preferred method is on a cruise, and if that’s your choice then we strongly urge a balcony cabin – why? See for yourself – there’s nothing quite like sipping a bottle of champagne as you listen to some tunes on your bluetooth speaker watching exhilarating scenery slowly reveal itself

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and like any cruise, it’s also about the ship – and the food – and the fun on-board. Qsine is a fun restaurant that gives you the sense you have passed through the looking glass and arrived to dine with Alice or the Mad Hatter

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Of course the departure port is another big part of the overall cruise experience and I would strongly suggest planning a fewextra days pre or post-cruise to enjoy either Seattle, or North America’s top rated city – Vancouver, BC. We completely fell in love with this amazing and gorgeous city – truly a fantastic place from which to start a great adventure!

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Celebrity Infinity is a terrific choice but depending on the experiences that you want to enjoy and the destinations that are best suited to what you have in mind, either Holland America or Princess are also fantastic choices – that’s where it is helpful to get some guidance from your friends….in the travel business!

EZTravelPad is a travel agency well suited to help with your next vacation – be it to Alaska, Caribbean, Disney, Europe, South Pacific, Latin America…you name it.

Get the help and guidance that you deserve, all with no added fees and best prices guaranteed!

 

 

 

 

May 25
0

Why Kauai?

By | Adventure, Family Travel, Honeymoons and Weddings, South Pacific | No Comments

Kauai – The Garden Island

Kauai is referred to as the Garden Isle partly because it offers 3 of the 5 tropical botanical gardens in the U.S. and partly because if feels as though the entire island is a huge garden….lush, tropical and gorgeous

True, parts of the island get a tremendous amount of rainfall (the most on earth) – but other parts are much less moist and receive much sunshine as well so choosing the right area to fit your needs is a big part of crafting the best overall experience

Below is a picturesque waterfall experienced on a short hike …

 

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Kauai is a really laid back island – super friendly – a place where all of the locals seem to know each other (because there are only about 65,000 people who reside on the island…)

Cuisine can be anything from basic (food truck) to gourmet with many farm to table dining options available

Nightlife is almost non-existent so this is not a place to go party…it is a place to commune with nature, relax, disconnect…and experience some adventures

Typical resorts such as the St Regis, Marriott, Sheraton & more will pamper you in style… or out of the way resorts such as Waimea Plantation Cottages will take you back to a simpler life with few frills in 100 year old cottages originally used on the plantation and offering unmatched serenity

Landscapes are stunning…from the

Napali Coastline

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to …

The Waimea Canyon

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to the beaches around Princeville

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or even…if you can believe it…a hotel lobby!

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it’s amazing – for such a small island there really are a tremendous amount of experiences, varied landscapes, varied climate zones, etc. On an ATV excursion we went through a mountain tunnel from 1 valley to the next and in just over a minute experienced the largest rainfall differential that exists anywhere on the planet so depending on the specific location that you select your vacation could be in one of the wettest parts of the planet – or in a spot where very little rain falls…

There are numerous experiences to add into a package from the usual and traditional-

  • Luau
  • Hiking
  • Snorkeling
  • ATV Driving
  • Zip-lining

to the unusual…

  • Tubing through an ancient irrigation ditch
  • Exploring Napali coast in a raft
  • Helicopter over the Waimea Canyon

Here is a brief video depicting just a few of the adventures that can be experienced

Sure – you can do things on your own, but why?

EZTravelPad can connect you with some extra perks that you would not otherwise be entitled to, offer some complimentary advice, make your experience much easier and bring the price in at or lower than you can yourself…so reach out to us for much more info when you are ready to start planning your getaway to Kauai

Apr 07
0

Napa Wine Country – A Memorable Experience

By | Adventure, Honeymoons and Weddings, Romance, Uncategorized | No Comments

A Honeymoon, Anniversary or other Romantic Getaway in Napa Valley

 

Is a romantic getaway on your radar this year? Are you planning a Honeymoon? Anniversary celebration? Maybe a fun getaway with some friends? With current events such as the Zika virus, terrorist threats, etc  many are opting to stay in the U.S. this year.

 

Sure, staying in the U.S. might cost a bit more than jetting off to an all-inclusive beach resort in the Caribbean but for many, sacrificing a few extra $$ and forgoing the fruity drinks with umbrellas in them are a trade-off that they are comfortable making if it means they can opt for a fantastic Cabernet in California’s wine country

EZTravelPad has cultivated a great relationship with one of the best options in the region – Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa. Not only can we expertly curate the entire adventure for you, we can leverage our relationships to your benefit and even arrange for some extra inclusions that you would not otherwise be entitled to!

Enjoy spending some quality time in one of the beautiful Bella suites…

Bella Suite The Meritage

Bella Suite The Meritage

 

Experience a morning bike ride through the vineyard….

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A hot air balloon ride followed by a champagne brunch…

 

Hot air ballon over Napa vineyard at daybreak

Spend some time lounging at the pool….

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Treat yourself to some of the nearby local wineries on a tasting tour….

Spend some time before or after in one of America’s great cities….San Francisco and the greater Bay Area

With so much to experience, and the safety and security of the “Good old U S of A” leaving you with little to worry about you will find yourselves having an unforgettable romantic experience.

For more info on this or other great options for your next great vacation experience get in touch with “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad today!

Aug 14
0

Awesome Adventure Cruising with Un-Cruise Adventures!

By | Adventure, Blog, Cruise | No Comments

 

Cruise in Alaska on a Small Ship Offers Unparalleled Experiences

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Size Matters

Many people have experienced the wonders of Alaska on a large cruise ship doing a 7 night itinerary either southbound, northbound or perhaps a round trip on the inside passage – large ships with entertainment and casinos can be a great way to see many of the wonders of of largest of these United States of America – but few have experienced the intimate nature that can only be realized from a small ship cruising Alaska

Itineraries that range from 7 nights to 21 night are available from April until September

There are several companies who offer amazing vacations of discovery that range from adventure to luxury – from wildlife discovery to nature hikes  – to interacting with locals who are completely off the beaten path in areas that simply are unattainable on a larger ship

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One such option is Un-Cruise Adventures formerly known as Innersea Discoveries or American Safari Cruises
Un-Cruise adventures range in style from

  • Active Adventures
  • Luxury Adventures
  • Heritage Adventures

you can even charter your own vessel on ships that range from as few as 22 guests to a maximum of 88 guests on the largest ship in the fleet

A Heritage Adventure is a completely unique experience aboard a Victorian style replica of a coastal steamer which is scheduled for a greater quantity of shore visits and port calls and where on-board presentations are delivered by knowledgeable historians and characters appear in period costume.

Fine wines, Premium spirits and micro brews are included as well as the freshest excellent cuisine

Active Adventures are defined by play – be it in the water, in the woods – or even in the mud. The outdoor activities include more outdoor guides on staff to help with kayaking and stand up paddle boarding – hiking and treking – glacier viewing, glacier hikes, whale watching, wildlife observation & Polar Bear Plunge….all this and more are experienced on a daily basis

Luxury Adventures are slightly different in that although the itinerary might be similar Premium wines, Premium liquors and Micro Brews enhance the gourmet cuisine and finer dining which is served over several courses. Cabins are larger and more luxuriously appointed, the full bathrooms often feature jacuzzis and heated tile floors, Temperpedic memory foam beds and more… Fitness equipment, Saunas, On-deck hot tubs and even complimentary massage enhance the Alaska experience in ways you never thought possible

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Take the Kids on a an unforgettable adventure – let them kiss an iceberg up close and personal!

Take your spouse on that special trip that none of your neighbors, co-workers or Facebook friends has ever experienced

Have a 1-of-a-kind Honeymoon experience

Take yourself to new heights of discovery….experience!

For more info on this or other vacation options get with “Your friends….in the travel business” at EZTravelPad