Maria Stefanopoulos, Author at Ingenious Travel

Collect Experiences – Not Things

Posted in Adventure Travel, All-Inclusive, Baby Boomers, Europe, Family Travel, Golf, Groups, Luxury, River Cruising, Unique Getaways, on 22 February 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

As a travel professional, I value great experiences. The moments spent in awe of a beautiful view, a priceless piece of art or the wonder and pure joy on the face of a child as they experience something new and exciting are worth far more than the price of admission.

We all have a limited amount of time and money, and we are often faced with the dilemma of what is the best way to spend – or to invest – both of those resources.

We can choose from an endless assortment of high-tech gadgets, sparkly things, and material luxuries that will impress our friends and family… for a short time at least. Children (and some adults) have lists of the gaming systems, toys, and fashion labels they want for their next birthday or holiday gift.

But once we’ve bought the latest smart phone or the expensive shoes, how long do they last? How long will they continue to bring joy? And how likely are they to be truly treasured by those around us after we are gone?

In the air, under the sea, on the ice, in a tree: a look at some incredible hotels

Posted in Hotel, Travel, Unique Getaways, on 25 January 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Travel is meant to transport you — to other places, obviously, but also sometimes to other times, other worlds, other possibilities. These four utterly incredible hotels are full of the magic, mystery, and wonder that travel embodies. These are places you might never want to leave!

The Taj Palace Resort, Lake Pichola, Rajasthan, India is for the person who’s ever wondered what it was like to see the world in the Golden Age of travel. This is the place (or palace) to get a glimpse of what it feels like to be royalty. Built in the middle of a lake, this huge marble resort features opulent 1930s rooms with intricately carved archways and rooms draped in sumptuous fabrics. You can dine al fresco with a view of the surrounding mountains and the warm lights of the shoreline, and then hop on a traditional sunset boat ride with your own personal oarsman.

Discover Your Travel Profile for the Perfect Getaway

Posted in Theme Vacations, Tours, Travel, Unique Getaways, Weekend Getaway, on 5 January 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

There are, of course, thousands of possible trips out there. There are plenty of great trips to choose from — and then there are trips that are great for you. Being honest about what you want and need and getting to know your own personal travel profile can save you from the but-it-looked-great-on-paper trip disappointment.

Here are a few simple things that can help you better understand your unique and personal travel profile:

Make a quick list of the twenty most fun memories you have of trips you’ve taken in your lifetime. Notice if there are any themes. While you don’t necessarily need (or even want) each vacation to be a carbon copy of things you’ve already done, you can use those larger themes to guide your planning of future trips. That way, if you decide to step out a little from your comfort zone, you’ll at least have a solid idea of what makes the most meaningful moments for you. Is it time with friends or family? A certain type of weather or geography? Certain activities? Quiet time? When you can build some of these elements into your travel, you’re more likely to come home energized and restored.

7 Gift Ideas for Travel Enthusiasts

Posted in Gift Ideas, Travel, on 15 December 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

It’s no secret that many people adore traveling. It’s also not surprising that most folks can’t buy expensive trips for friends and family as gifts. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get someone who loves to travel the perfect present. In fact, I’ve found 8 gifts for a travel enthusiast that I think you’ll agree are so good, you might just want them for yourself.

1 Scratch-Off Map of the World

You’ve probably seen these on Facebook and Instagram. A scratch-off map of the world is exactly what it sounds like. It’s literally a map of the world that you can hang on the wall that allows you to scratch off the locations you’ve been too. How fun would it be to scratch new locations as you visit them?

Taking the Stress Out of Hosting A Group Trip

Posted in Adventure Travel, Baby Boomers, Europe, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Golf, Groups, Theme Vacations, on 30 November 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Going on a trip with a group is a wonderful way to travel. You’ll always have someone to explore with, you get to see things as a group you might not get to on your own, it’s safer to travel in numbers, and each person in the group will bring a different perspective to the experience. For these reasons alone, the idea of hosting a group trip often comes up as a good idea for families, friends, and even companies looking to host retreats.

If you decide to do a big trip as a group however, it’s no secret that it can be a little overwhelming. This is especially true if you’re the one putting it together. With that in mind, here’s a step-by-step checklist you can use to take the stress out of hosting a group trip:

Step 1- Decide where you want to travel to, and when you want to go.

Your best bet will be to initially come up with three options for the vacation as well as three separate times to go on the vacation. This is one of the perks of being the group organizer. Because you are setting the whole thing in motion, you can pick places you want to go and times that you are available.

Step 2- Consider the people you want on your group trip.

Will this group getaway be for business or pleasure? If it’s pleasure only, will this event limited to friends, family or a combination of the two? Or is this more about inviting people that you have common interests with, such as a networking/hobby/wine club/golf trip?

Travel Safety Tips for Seniors

Posted in Baby Boomers, General Travel Information, Travel Tips, on 2 November 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

When it comes to going on vacation, the last thing most people want to think about is safety. The simple reason for that, is getting away from it all is supposed to be a carefree and fun experience. Still, the truth is that we must keep safety top of mind because we’re the only ones in charge of making sure we’ll get back home in one piece.

Unfortunately, one group that is often a target for predators and criminals is senior citizens. Because of this sad fact, I thought sharing some travel safety tips for seniors would be a good idea.

How Seniors Can Stay Safe While Traveling

Know before you go

Before booking any trip, learn about the destination you will be traveling to. Most destinations will be just fine, but there are some that could pose a threat to tourists. Your best reference for travel advisories and warnings that you should be aware of is https://travel.state.gov/destination. The website breaks down threats by four levels. These levels are:

Dear Baby Boomer – It’s Time to Travel

Posted in Adventure Travel, All-Inclusive, Caribbean, Family Travel, General Travel Information, River Cruising, Travel Tips, on 5 October 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

There’s no better time than the present to start crossing those dream destinations off your list. Whether you’ve traveled to dozens of places and just need another vacation, or have worked and waited your whole life for this – you deserve to see the world if you want to. Baby boomer travel is more than just an internet buzz phrase. It’s the new way of self care, and these days is more important to people nearing or in retirement age than simply sitting around the house in their golden years.

What’s preventing baby boomer travel?

According to Groups Today, the top three barriers to travel include:

Cost (43%)
Health (34%)
And Security Concerns (28%)

What is a Christmas Market?

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Gift Ideas, Groups, Holiday, River Cruising, Tours, on 21 September 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Starting around July, travel vendors, and city tourism boards begin promotions for upcoming Christmas Markets, in hopes of enticing travelers to come to their cities to visit and shop. But, what exactly is a Christmas Market, where do they happen, and which ones are the best ones to visit? We’ll answer these questions and more below.

A Christmas Market is a street market that involves vendors selling goods and gifts in celebration of Christmas. Some of these are more religiously focused on Christ and the church than others. They are usually set up about a month before Christmas day the week of Thanksgiving, but some are much shorter in length.

The best and most popular Christmas Markets also entail live shows and entertainment making it more than just a shopping event. For example, you could watch a Christmas play, try some new desserts, or spend the evening ice skating on a temporary ice rink.

Escorted, Hosted and Independent – Understanding the Different Tours

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Gift Ideas, Groups, Tours, Travel, on 7 September 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

What is the difference between an escorted, hosted and an independent tour? This is a common question in the travel industry, and in this post we’re breaking down what they are, and the advantages of each. We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in!

Escorted Tours

An escorted tour is one that is conducted by a tour director. They will take care of everything from beginning to end. For example, your transportation to and from the airport, as well as transportation to and from your hotel for daily activities. You’ll also typically be with a group throughout your tour.

For some escorted tours it’s a one day affair where they will pick you up from your hotel in the morning, take you to see the sites, and then bring you back to your hotel in the evening. Typically there is a strict agenda with meal times, and places to visit set up for you as well.