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Imagine Going There Travel
770.421.9627
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For Culture-Collecting Clients & Friends of Imagine Going There Travel THE COMPASS
APRIL 2022
Try This the Next Time You Fly SHARE SOMETHING IN THE SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE
Did You Know ... Viking averages 10 hours in port per destination? You can enjoy the free shore excursion provided in each port of call, plus have the freedom to explore each city in your own way. Do I Really Need Travel Insurance? A good travel insurance policy will cover something that happens that prevents you from traveling, plus it will cover the cancellation cost due to health issues that may occur with immediate family members. One of the clients on a group trip I planned had a parent who ended up in the hospital, and another had a sibling who became seriously ill. Both were able to get a refund for the amount paid for their vacation. As a result of an anonymous referral on Cruise Critic we have two new clients. Thank you so much! Please email me at Carol@ImagineGoingThere. com to identify yourself as we have a special ‘thank you’ gift for you!
Like most great ideas, this one is not original with me, but it’s something I encourage you to try on your next flight. Most would agree that air travel has become much more complicated and unpredictable than it was in the past. Unexpected delays, flight changes, jet lag, or lost luggage can make for unhappy guests and crew. Years ago, I learned a tip from a colleague who would take a bag of M&Ms for each flight and would give it to the lead flight attendant upon boarding and ask them to share it with the others. He said it made them smile and improved the cabin experience for everyone. That seemed like a great idea, but instead of M&Ms, I thought doing something healthy (and individually packaged) might be a better option. The next time I was at Sam’s Club, I picked up some multipack trail mix snack packs. I then wrote a thank- you note saying, “Thanks for taking great care of us during this long flight. Your hard work is appreciated!” and gave it to the lead attendant upon boarding. I usually get a blank stare or a puzzled look (that’s actually part of the fun), and just hand it off and go to my seat. But what’s been even more fun is that usually halfway through the flight, someone will figure out where I am and come by to say thank you.
One of the most interesting stories was when I was returning from Munich after our Danube River cruise. We had friends who were sitting on the opposite side of the plane, and early in the flight, I checked in to see how things were going. My friend said, “Our flight attendant is practically ‘Brunhilda’ — I’ve never had someone so unpleasant — she should not be a flight attendant!” However, several hours later, I went back to them to get an update, and she told me she was not sure what happened, but it was remarkable how that attendant had softened in her attitude and was actually much more friendly.
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
AND WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT THEM! Baggage Delay Disasters
Suzanne, Michael, Cathy, and Alan had a celebratory trip planned for the new year — big birthdays and a retirement were all cause for a great vacation to the Mediterranean. Somehow, their luggage didn’t get the message of how important this trip was, and stayed in Miami when it should have been on their flight to Barcelona. While they had baggage delay coverage on their insurance, Spain’s travel restrictions didn’t allow them the freedom to go shopping while in port to get needed replacements. The ship moved on, and the luggage had difficulty catching up. We will cover preventative packing tips in our monthly electronic newsletter (where there’s more space), but this is a good reminder to cross-pack and take essentials in a carry-on that will get you through a couple of days, if needed. But we’ve also gone a step further and partnered with Blue Ribbon Bags, a tracking service that helps locate your luggage if it is delayed or mishandled and expedites its return to you, wherever you are in the world. They guarantee to reunite you and your missing bag(s) to the destination airport within 96 hours, and they’ll help with forwarding flights as well when the missing bag report is opened. If they can’t deliver on
their promise, you receive $1,000 per bag in compensation for up to two bags. (But if you’re checking two bags per person and not going on a world cruise — or at least one longer than 15 days — we need to have a separate conversation!) Nobody likes being stuck without a bag, and Blue Ribbon Bags specializes in working with cruise lines and getting missing luggage back to their owners. Imagine Going There Travel will be providing this extra service for each of our clients, which gives you — and us — peace of mind that your trip will be as seamless and trouble-free as possible.
6 WAYS TO DRINK MORE WATER WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT Raise a Glass — Or Several
Drink a cup of water with each cup of coffee. Many of us are used to drinking more than one cup of coffee throughout the day. If you drink a glass of water with each cup of coffee, you’re sure to stay hydrated. Keep in mind that while coffee is a liquid and contains water, it’s not very thirst-quenching. Ice is your friend. Each time you pour a drink or make a smoothie, use lots of ice! Your taste buds will hardly notice the difference, and you’ll still have lots of flavor while boosting your hydration. Drink a full glass with medicines. Many of us get in the habit of only taking a large sip of water with pills. However, whether you take a supplement, medication, or vitamin,
We all know how important it is to stay hydrated but it’s even more so when flying internationally. Most people don’t get enough to drink under normal conditions, but on a long flight, lower air pressure and low humidity levels dehydrate the body and make getting enough fluids a real challenge. According to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink 11.5 cups (92 ounces) of water a day, and men should drink 15.5 cups (124 ounces) a day. Here are some ways to work more water into your daily routine as you prepare for your next trip: Begin and end your day with water. Make it a routine to drink a large glass of water upon waking up and before going to bed. “Bookending” your day like this ensures that your body is hydrated for both the day and night ahead.
wash it down with a full glass of water.
Carry around a large water bottle. Taking your water with you in a large bottle reminds you to keep sipping wherever you go. Every chance you get, fill it up. The bottomless water bottle is a perfect way to work more water into your day. As a bonus, you can use a measured bottle to see how much you’ve actually drank throughout the day! Infuse your water. Try giving your H2O an extra kick. Add berries, lemon, lime, or mint to your water to give it some flavor and help make it more enticing to drink! Water is important for a healthy body and mind, so follow these tips and stay hydrated!
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Now, I don’t know if that
bag of trail mix had anything to do with it, but several hours later, one the attendants came to me and said, “Are you the person who wrote the note and brought the treats?” When I said yes, she
As easy as a boxed cake, but more delicious, it’s best served within the first day or two. I usually give half of it away and/ or slice it and freeze in air-tight containers and defrost a piece when needed. Easy Yellow Layer Cake
Ingredients
• 1 stick plus 3 tbsp butter, softened • 1 3/4 cup sugar • 2 eggs • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
said, “I’ve been a flight attendant 34 years, and no one has ever done something like this. Thank you.” How great to be part of something that made a difference in their day! You might be thinking as I did: “If everyone’s doing it, I don’t need to — they don’t need all of that extra food.” But even though this tip has been around for years, surprisingly, most attendants tell me it’s never happened to them before. It does take a little planning, and yes, you’ll have to factor in the extra weight in your suitcase, but just think of it as more room for souvenirs on the return! It doesn’t need to be food, either. Be creative and bring Mardi Gras beads in March or some $1 store Christmas light necklaces that light up in December. Or just simply write a thank-you note. It’s not what you do so much as bringing something unexpected in the spirit of gratitude.
Directions
Chocolate Frosting • 1 stick butter, softened • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted • 2/3 cup cocoa • 1 tsp vanilla • 1/3–1/2 cup whipping cream (approximately) 1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, then add powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and whipping cream. Mix until smooth and glossy. (You’ll see the color change in the chocolate, but be sure to not overbeat so the cream doesn’t start turning to butter!) 2. Thin with more cream if needed to spreadable
1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease and flour three 8-inch pans with Baker’s Secret. 2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes.) Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. 3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. 4. Divide batter into the three pans and bake 15 minutes. Check for doneness. Continue baking just until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean (I always choose slightly underdone to prevent a dry cake). Cool 10 minutes in the pans, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
Now, what else can you buy for just $13 that makes such a positive impression on so many people?
And the feeling you’ll get in return will start and end your vacation on the perfect note.
P.S. If you have other gift ideas or want to share your experience, email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com , and we’ll choose from the responses to feature in a follow-up issue.
consistency and frost cooled cake. This makes a good amount of frosting, so be generous with it between the layers!
—Carol Shaddix
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
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770.421.9627 | www.ImagineGoingThere.com 3600 Dallas Hwy, Suite 230-215, Marietta, GA 30064
Everything you love about Viking, only better! A great destination is just one part of an amazing vacation. Just like having a master chef prepare your meal at your favorite restaurant, as one of Viking’s largest representatives, we’ve booked these vacations countless times. We intuitively know how to enhance the outcome of your experience so it consistently delivers above and beyond your expectations (and know when those special promotions such as extra shipboard credit or free airfare are available that you might not know about). Whether you are interested in an individual reservation or want to travel together as a group, call 770.421.9627 for your free consultation on how to make your next vacation even better than you expected! Tip: If you’ve already booked direct with Viking in the last 60 days, contact us to add some additional bonuses to your reservation!
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TRY THIS THE NEXT TIME YOU FLY
MAKING TRAVEL AS SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE HOW TO DRINK MORE WATER
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EASY YELLOW LAYER CAKE
TALES FROM OUR SAILS
PAM: A TRUE WORLD CRUISER ENTHUSIAST Tales From Our Sails
In 2019, Pam took a giant leap of faith and booked a Viking World Cruise — a 128-day excursion. “I figured, ‘What do I have to lose?’ when I booked it,” Pam explains. “It was what I thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would embark on, and little did I know that I’d love it so much and want to do it again. I didn’t want to come home.” While 4 1/2 months was a long time to be away, Pam had a lot of things to take care of at home before she left. But she’d recommend the World Cruise to anyone looking for an amazing opportunity to see a lot of different places without having to take a 20-hour flight. “I’d always wanted to visit Australia and New Zealand, but because of the flight, I shied away,” Pam says. “With this Viking experience, I only had to unpack once and there
was no better way to travel and experience a variety of cultures.”
She felt the customer service and friendliness of the staff were top-notch.
If Pam had to pick a favorite destination from that experience, the decision would be tough. There were so many places she enjoyed, and she now finds herself revisiting in her memories over and over again. But there was something so enchanting about the South African safari she took for three days and two nights in Kruger National Park where the animals roam freely and are entirely dependent upon whatever food they can find in the wilderness. “I’d recommend Viking to everyone. From the moment you step on board, you are spoiled to death,” Pam notes. “You never have to worry about anything.” For Pam, anything that she needed or wanted, Viking did their best to make it happen.
On top of visiting fabulous destinations, Pam met many friends who are still good friends of hers today. She’s looking forward to traveling on Viking’s Portugal’s River of Gold cruise and a 92-day ocean cruise on the Grand Pacific Explorer which visits 14 countries, some she is thrilled to revisit from her previous cruise, and others to help complete her travel bucket list. If you’d like to learn more about how Pam planned for her trip, go to ImagineGoingThere.com/videos to watch her great presentation. Bon Voyage!
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