10 Reasons Why Ocean Cruisers Will Love River Cruising

Posted in Europe, Golf, Groups, River Cruising, Theme Vacations, on 25 June 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Ocean cruises have been a popular way to vacation for decades, and for good reason. They’re affordable, convenient, and offer travelers peace of mind knowing that everything they need for a fantastic getaway is all in one place. What could be better than that? Well, consider a river cruise.

You might think that the words “inland” and “cruise” are incompatible. Well, let me show you on AmaWaterways just how superbly well they go together. AmaWaterways river cruises combine all the comfort and convenience of an ocean cruise with the excitement of European excursions at each port of call.

What Does Luxury Travel Really Mean

Posted in River Cruising, Africa, Australia, Europe, Food, Golf, Luxury, New Zealand, Tours, Travel, Wine, on 23 March 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Here at Ingenious Travel, we’ve always defined our “niche” as luxury travel, but I’ve found that this means different things to different people.

There are some people to whom “luxury” means gilded walls, gold chandeliers, velvet covered furniture… and of course a hefty price tag. That’s not how we define luxury, and it’s not what most of our luxury travelers are looking for when it comes to their vacation.

We tend to focus more on exceptional, authentic experiences, a high level of service and hospitality, and a focus on comfort and convenience. Each client’s experience is customized and personalized to their wants, needs, and expectations. Moreover, we don’t focus solely on price because “more expensive” doesn’t always mean “better.” We look at the value rather than the price when evaluating travel experiences.

While it’s true that most of our clients book exclusive cabins and high-end suites, that isn’t the case for every vacationer. We also have clients who are less selective when it comes to accommodations and choose to focus instead on activities, experiences, and dining options for their vacation.

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?

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?

The Titanic Belfast Experience

Posted in Family Travel, Golf, Theme Vacations, Travel, Unique Getaways, on 20 April 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

The Titanic is perhaps the most famous ship to ever sink. Movies and books have been written about it, and it truly changed the game in terms of what it takes for a cruise ship (or any ship ofr that matter) to be considered safe for the passengers aboard it. The city of Belfast in Northern Ireland is the city where this famous ship was built, and visiting it is one of the most educational, and eye-opening experiences one could have.

The Titanic Experience

Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor experiences. This award winning visitor center offers nine interactive galleries by which to explore the Titanic. You can explore the shipyard where the ship was built, view full-scale reconstructions of the state-rooms, and see replications of artifacts from the ships including their White Star China, launch day tickets and even the menu for the last luncheon.

Property Spotlight – Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando

Posted in Family Travel, Golf, Hotel, Tennis, on 13 October 2017, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Recently I had the opportunity to stay at a gorgeous hotel in Orlando, Florida – the Rosen Shingle Creek. To put it mildly, this property is huge and would make for the perfect place to stay should you be visiting a Disney park, Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or if you are simply in town for a conference like I was. I enjoyed the Rosen Shingle Creek so much, I felt compelled to share this property spotlight with you. I think you will find it offers everything that one could need and so much more.

The Rooms

Rooms are available with double queen beds or single king beds, but there are also hospitality suites, executive suites, Grande and Presidential suites as well. The view from at least half of the rooms features the property’s stunning pools and golf course. All guest rooms come with:

Complimentary high-speed WIFI and hardwired internet access
40” LED HDTVs
Mini fridge
Plush robes
Hairdryer
Coffee and tea maker
IHome docking station and radio
Caswell-Massey guest room amenities and more.

North Island New Zealand | Ingenious Travel

10 Things to Do in North Island New Zealand

Posted in Adventure Travel, Food, Golf, Theme Vacations, Wine, on 22 September 2017, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

New Zealand features some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. But, there’s more to a vacation than gorgeous settings. With that in mind, here are a few of the things you can see and do while in North Island New Zealand:

Try their award winning wines – Sauvignon Blanc is made here, and tourists and residents alike contend that there isn’t another country in the world that makes a better Sauvignon Blanc than New Zealand.

Indulge in the fresh local produce. Some say that the food here is better simply because they are so good at farm fresh to table in terms of cooking.

The Various Types of Themed River Cruises

Posted in Cruises, General Travel Information, Gift Ideas, Golf, Music, River Cruising, Theme Vacations, Uncategorized, on 4 December 2015, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Whether you have been on a themed river cruise before or are contemplating on heading out on your very first one, you should know that there are plenty of great options out there to choose from. If you are debating what types are available or which one would best suite your preferences, consider the following…

Christmas Theme

Make this Christmas the most special one yet by heading out on a Christmas themed river cruise through some of the best parts of Europe. Imagine cruising through France, Germany or Austria and stopping off at each inviting town to explore the many Christmas markets. This seems to be a favorite amongst those who want to spend the holidays in a unique and unforgettable way.

Food & Wine Theme

For lovers of both food and wine, this would be the absolute best choice and guaranteed to have you enjoying some of the best of both worlds for up to two weeks on board a fantastic vessel. Some of the most popular regions to explore are France and Italy although there are some options throughout the US as well that take you through wine countries of the Lower Mississippi River.

5 Travel Gift Ideas for the Sports Fans in Your Life

Posted in Football, Golf, Hockey, Horse Racing, Tennis, Theme Vacations, Travel, Uncategorized, Unique Getaways, on 12 December 2014, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Last week we highlighted travel gift ideas for book lovers. This week, let’s focus on the sports fans in your life. Here are 5 travel gift ideas for all the sports fans.

Football

Super Bowl XLIX –
Glendale, AZ – February 1, 2015

Next February, thousands of football fans from all over the country will be watching the AFC and NFC Champions duke it out in football’s most coveted game. We have access to the Big Game and all the VIP Super Bowl Parties, along with accommodations, transportation, celebrity meet & greets and more!

OR

Super Bowl XLIX on the Beach!
AMResorts – Mexico – February 1, 2015

Are you ready for some football? The Super Bowl is here and we’re ready for one of our biggest celebrations of the year. That means we have everything covered, all you need to bring is your appetite and your favorite teams jersey! Game time gets that much better when it’s on the beach! Kick back and watch the biggest event of the year on a movie theater sized screen with the back drop of a tropical paradise. The only thing missing is the tailgate so it’s a good thing we have that covered too! Enjoy your favorite game day snacks and of course, plenty of ice cold beer on hand. Super Bowl Sunday at AMResorts is more than just the game, we have activities and games to keep you and your family pumped up all day.

Miami Beach Florida Is Not Miami

Posted in Golf, Miami, Travel, Uncategorized, on 21 November 2014, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Miami Beach is not Miami. It often gets caught in the blanket of “greater Miami”, but it is a city unto itself. Its nickname is simply “The Beach” because that’s mostly what there is here.

Miami Beach is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S. because of all the beaches. It’s really a narrow, seven mile long island just to the east of Miami proper. Technically it is a barrier island, but technical or not, it’s all about restaurants and attractions, places to shop and nightlife, and… oh yea…. those beaches.

As you can imagine, most activities center around the beach and the ocean. There is the usual array of beach toys from boogie boards to wave runners. You can rent bicycles and scooters. There are charter boats aplenty if you want to go fishing. Arrange for scuba diving or snorkeling trips. Even arrange for a floating wedding if that’s your heart’s desire.

Golf

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

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

The Rooms

Christmas Theme

Food & Wine Theme

Last week we highlighted travel gift ideas for book lovers. This week, let’s focus on the sports fans in your life. Here are 5 travel gift ideas for all the sports fans.

Football

Super Bowl XLIX – Glendale, AZ – February 1, 2015

OR

Super Bowl XLIX on the Beach! AMResorts – Mexico – February 1, 2015

Super Bowl XLIX –
Glendale, AZ – February 1, 2015

Super Bowl XLIX on the Beach!
AMResorts – Mexico – February 1, 2015