I've just returned from the Signature Travel Network annual Sales Meeting in Las Vegas. I spent two and a half days learning about new destinations, products and exciting technology upgrades. And it is always fun and refreshing to hang out with travel friends, both new and old!
I did take one evening to explore The famous Vegas Strip in all her glory. A highlight was taking a ride on the High Roller Ferris Wheel, 550 feet above the Vegas sky, a definite MUST DO, next time you are there.
Las Vegas is a fun place to visit, but it is always good to be home!
Some of the Hot Travel destinations to consider filling YOUR bucket list are: South Africa, Vienna, Australia and Fiji. Of course River Cruises continue to be a very popular vacation option, and are selling out almost a year in advance for the most popular sailings.
Thanks for reading, until next month, stay Adventurous!
So, you may or may not know that the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane season is officially June 1 to December 1 each year, with the most "stormy" months being August and September. That equates to FIVE months out of the calendar year. But the travel industry does not shut down at these times, in fact summer is still a popular time for travel in the Caribbean, Mexico and to Hawaii.
Hurricane Isaac has been in the news these past few days because of impending landfall on the US, just slightly more than 1 year from the last major storm to his the US, Hurricane Irene which caused damage from the Caribbean to Florida and up in to the East coast.
But, I still say that hurricane season can be a great time to travel, and this is why. Once students start to return to school mid-August and into September, the rates on cruises and land based resorts drop to some of the lowest in the year. Also, if you choose a cruise during this time, and a storm is projected to cross your ship's path, the cruise lines will simply re-route to a different destination. One word of caution however, ALWAYS take travel insurance. This week, several ships are delayed getting back to port, and that means the next cruise departure is affected. Travel insurance will cover any costs to change airline tickets, add extra hotel and car rental stays and even pay you for days that were missed while on vacation. We recommend Travelex Insurance to each and ever one of our clients. Not only to help with pre-trip cancellations and interruptions, but during coverage as well.
What does that all mean? It means I am taking TWO cruises to the Caribbean, during hurricane season - those storms aren't going to keep me from sailing!
Now that Spring is here, Summer is right around the corner. It's not to late to take advantage of some great travel specials and promotions for summer travel.
I have a busy summer scheduled already. In July, I am going to Hawaii for the 42nd Soroptimist International of the America's Convention. It is an honor and a privilege to represent my local club Soroptimist International of Oceanside-Carlsbad at this event. As you may know, Soroptimists are dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. This biennial convention should have representation from 19 countries and territories around the world. I'm sure it will be inspiring, uplifting, and of course fun.
Following the convention, I am flying my husband to Oahu for a week of R&R time JUST FOR US. In this hurry up life style that many of us live (I am a huge offender) it is important for our mind, our spirit, our soul our body and of course our relationship that we take time to reflect and rejoice in our blessings.
So, what are your plans for summer vacation? Please post below, I'd love to hear all about it!
Soroptimist is an international organization of business and professional women working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. I have the honor of being the President of my local club, Soroptimist International of Oceanside-Carlsbad. Next week, we are hosting our 32nd annual Salad Luncheon at the Oceanside Beach Community Center. This luncheon features home made salads and desserts, served by Celebrity Servers from our local community. Tickets are just $15, and proceeds benefit women and girls in Oceanside, Carlsbad and Camp Pendleton. If you are in the area, please consider joining is for lunch and support our club.
Youth sports shape our future by teaching our kids kindness, teamwork, responsibility, confidence, leadership and so much more. I am proud to be involved with Rancho Buena Vista Little League and I feel we are truly the premier league in North County.
If you are a local business, we would LOVE your support - a financial sponsorship would be great! You will gain exposure to hundreds of families! We are also asking for donations of gift certificates or items for our annual Dinner Dance and Auction. Please contact me with your donation - no amount too small!
Not a topic I typically write about, but I hope you will take a few minutes to read and share this important information! I belong to a non-profit group Soroptimist International, the Oceanside-Carlsbad club. We are a group of business and professional women working to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally. January 11th has been designated as National Human Trafficking Awareness, and I am dedicating my blog to increasing this awareness.
Wikipedia defines Human Trafficking as the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery. This has become an increasing problem and every year, human traffickers generate billions of dollars in profits by victimizing millions of people around the world, and here in the United States. Human trafficking is considered to be one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, second only to illegal drugs.
There are many misconceptions about Human Trafficking in the US; That it is human smuggling, that it only involves non-US or foreign nationals, that it only happens in border states, that Human Trafficking victims are probably better off in the US than in their home country and that this could never happen to me on anyone I know. THESE ARE ALL FALSE! There is not a consistent type or profile of a trafficking victim. Victims are men or women, adults or children, and foreign nationals or U.S. citizens. Some are well-educated, while others have no formal education. Some immigrant victims are currently in the U.S. legally, and others are undocumented. Some form of vulnerability tends to be the common thread amongst all different trafficking victims. Trafficking is happening in your state, your city and many times right in your backyard without you knowing it!
One of the largest growing segments of Human Trafficking, is the enslavement of women and girls for the commercial sex-trade industry. Statistics vary slightly, but about 80% of the victims trafficked are for use in the sex-trade industry, and almost 80% of those are women and girls. Sex slavery is caused by gender inequality that allows the demand for sex slaves to flourish—the belief that there is no harm to purchasing the bodies of women and girls. Girls as young as 12 and 13 years old are being forced into sexual slavery and prostitution. Here is another short video: http://youtu.be/ZOIPd5a5UaQ
What's next? What can you do? First off, take another look at how you view the commercial sex-trade industry and prostitution - it is NOT a victimless crime. These girls do NOT want to do this, they are NOT better off with all that money and they are NOT in it by choice! Secondly, educate yourself about the signs of trafficked victims, and have The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline handy 1-888-3737-888. Finally, get the word out, share with others, talk to your kids and grand kids and help them recognize the signs of slavery and trafficking, join a local organization like Soroptimist International, or Amnesty International. We can take back our country, even if it is by saving one person at a time.
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