Where are you going in 2019?

Merry Christmas to all, and a Healthy, Prosperous, and Happy New Year

You should be booking now for next year.

I was at a travel conference recently and spoke to a luxury cruise sales executive who told me that their ships are nearly fully booked for next year. In fact, people are booking for 2020 in record numbers.

Even if you are not a cruise fan, you should be considering one since they have such great bargains and you cant go wrong if the cruise line offers discount or even free air fare. Book an all inclusive, which means you don't spend any money when you are on board. One chap told me his bar bill is usually larger than the cost of the cruise, especially with a family of four, so its important to look at the extra costs. I told a young honeymoon couple to take a week's Mediterranean cruise with free air fare then do their own thing for another week in Italy. They were shocked at how much we saved by doing this.

If it is your first time to the country, then book an organized tour with a great company like Insight, whose coaches only seat 36, not 54. Their President is over 6 ft and he redesigned the seats with plenty of leg room. You save money, and have plenty of time to yourself during the route. They do a marvellous job of exploring many countries in Europe.

I love train trips, and its easy to plan a rail tour of say Great Britain, or use Rail Europe to perhaps do France, or Italy. British Railways sold to 25 different companies. I use Virgin, to go from London up the West Coast of Great Britain, going home to Scotland, and if this is your first trip, then use National to return down the East Coast and get off and see York which is one of the best medieval cities.

Using the services of an experienced Travel Consultant is a wise decision. Even if you think you are a savvy traveler, we can recommend restaurants, get you a hotel room upgrade, free breakfast (don't turn your nose up at this - a full breakfast in London can be $50 each so you can save hundreds by this deal) early check in, late check out, and other special amenities which vary from property to property. Why not take advantage of the service and save thousands on your trip.

My favorite Christmas trip is a river cruise to see the Christmas Markets down the Rhine or Danube rivers. A magical experience.

Best wishes

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Avenue

Menlo Park, CA 94025

650-961-2340 direct