Cigars & Travel

 

 

 

 

 

A wisely chosen cigar to me, is like a weapon against certain of life’s torments, in some mysterious way, a little blue smoke chases them away.” -Zino Davidoff

Cigar smokers often struggle with travel. While we don’t need to light up, finding a comfortable relaxing spot to enjoy a good cigar can be a challenge.

As a travel agent and cigar smoker I have done my share of cruising and touring.

My top picks for cruise lines for cigar smokers are Cunard and Silversea.

Besides being a great ship, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has a large, comfortable and well serviced cigar lounge. The ventilation/filtration system is so good, my husband, who does not smoke, barely noticed any odor. The QM2 is one of the best ways to do a transatlantic cruise.

Silversea is an elegant, family owned cruise line, offering a classy lounge and Davidoff cigars, among others. As the owner of the line is a cigar smoker, you know you will be treated well. Silversea has some unique expedition cruises that blend luxury and adventure.

Tip: When traveling bring your own stock of cigars. Buying at a hotel or on a ship may be convenient but the choices are often limited and the prices tend to be high.

Unique Travel Events is offering a unique trip to Cuba, that will include a trip to a tobacco farm. Click here for more info.

Contact Andrea- 703-986-0934

asavitch@uniquetravelevents.com

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Tantalizing Tuesday Sail the Seas for under $300

Unique Travel Events 703-986-0934 uniquetravelevents@gmail.com  |   Trip Request/Contact Us  |  Detailed Search  |  FAQ 5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity ConstellationSee More Dates More offers from this supplier  Sailing Date: Dec 15, 2012 Through: Dec 20, 2012 Book By: Nov 20 2012 10:59PM # of Nights: 5 Ship: Celebrity Constellation Line: Celebrity Cruises Terms: Terms & Disclaimers ID: 3070495 from  $239.00  (USD) Per Person Category Inside stateroom View other cabin categories Exciting Deal: Can only be booked Tuesday 11/20/2012 Caribbean 4/5-Night Special  (See details) Overview Ship Info Deck Plans Cruise Line Day Port Arrive Depart 1 Miami, Florida 5:30 PM 2 At Sea 3 Falmouth, Jamaica 9:00 AM 6:00 PM 4 George Town, Grand Cayman 8:00 AM 4:00 PM 5 At Sea 6 Miami, Florida 7:00 AM  Number of Nights: 5 Itinerary Map (Click to Enlarge) More Information Staterooms Specialty Dining Dining Spa & Fitness Arts & Entertainment Bars & Lounges Youth Program Celebrity Constellation® has just been revamped-we call it “Solsticized” since it infuses her with cosmopolitan Solstice Class features. (Click on a price for additional details) Travel Date Range Price From Information Dec 15, 2012 – Dec 20, 2012 $239.00 Category Inside stateroom View Details Dec 15, 2012 – Dec 20, 2012 $329.00 Interior – Cat. 12 View Details Prices are per-person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted.

Alaska for under $1000

Unique Travel Events 703-986-0934 uniquetravelevents@gmail.com  |   Trip Request/Contact Us  |  Detailed Search  |  FAQ 7 Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier Cruise on Celebrity Century Roundtrip from Vancouver, British ColumbiaSee More Dates More offers from this supplier  Sailing Date: Jun 03, 2012 Through: Jun 10, 2012 Book By: May 15 2012 10:59PM # of Nights: 7 Ship: Celebrity Century Line: Celebrity Cruises Terms: Terms & Disclaimers ID: 2840278 from  $929.00  (USD) Per Person Category Balcony stateroom Exciting Deal: Can only be booked Tuesday 05/15/2012 Overview Ship Info Deck Plans Cruise Line Day Port Arrive Depart 1 Vancouver, British Columbia 4:30 PM 2 Inside Passage (Cruising) 3 Icy Strait Point, Alaska 3:00 PM 10:00 PM 4 Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) 10:30 AM 2:30 PM 5 Juneau, Alaska 7:30 AM 8:00 PM 6 Ketchikan, Alaska 2:00 PM 8:30 PM 7 Inside Passage (Cruising) 8 Vancouver, British Columbia 7:00 AM  Number of Nights: 7 Itinerary Map (Click to Enlarge) More Information Specialty Dining Staterooms Dining Spa & Fitness Arts & Entertainment Bars & Lounges Youth Program Immerse yourself in Celebrity Century’s warm, open spaces and soaring atriums. Indulge yourself in soothing spa services. Enjoy dining in world-class restaurants. And sipping a favorite after-dinner drink as you mingle with new friends. A cruise aboard Celebrity Century® is exactly what you’ve been looking for. You’ll experience the South Pacific the moment you step onboard. Food, drink, activities and entertainment all borrow from Australia, New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands. New accommodations include 314 private verandas, fourteen additional Sky Suites and 174 new-and utterly modern Concierge Class staterooms complete with fresh-cut flowers, a luxurious pillow menu, and upgraded bathroom amenities, even personalized stationery. Welcome aboard. (Click on a price for additional details) Travel Date Range Price From Information May 20, 2012 – May 27, 2012 $749.00 Interior – Cat. 12 View Details May 27, 2012 – Jun 03, 2012 $1,699.00 Veranda – Cat. 2B View Details Jun 03, 2012 – Jun 10, 2012 $799.00 Interior – Cat. 12 View Details Jun 03, 2012 – Jun 10, 2012 $929.00 Category Balcony sta… View Details Jun 10, 2012 – Jun 17, 2012 $649.00 Inside Stateroom Gua… View Details Jun 10, 2012 – Jun 17, 2012 $1,049.00 Category Concierge class View Details Jul 22, 2012 – Jul 29, 2012 $799.00 Interior – Cat. 10 View Details Aug 19, 2012 – Aug 26, 2012 $1,149.00 Interior – Cat. 12 View Details Aug 26, 2012 – Sep 02, 2012 $999.00 Interior – Cat. 12 View Details Sep 02, 2012 – Sep 09, 2012 $739.00 Interior – Cat. 10 View Details Sep 09, 2012 – Sep 16, 2012 $669.00 Interior – Cat. 10 View Details Prices are per-person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted.

65 Degrees and Sunny

That’s the predicted weather for Anchorage AK this weekend. So if you have stayed away from this magnificent state because you expected to wear your parka and ski mask, think again.

When I flew into Alaska my first sight was the clouds circling the mountains like servants bowing to a king. Breathtaking is an understatement. For those of us on the east coast Alaska is a new world full of wonders. Not only the landscape and wildlife but the people as well.

Whether you cruise the Inner Passage, fly over Mt. Mckinley or wander through what I consider the garden of eden of the north Denali National Park you will find yourself drawn to the beauty, mystery and history of our young state.

I was fortunate enough to meet a woman who had grown up in southwest Alaska. She shared with me her childhood as the modern world invaded their poor but simple and satisfying life. She vividly described the mud dwelling, lined with sealskin to keep the occupants dry. Can you imagine Americans in the 20th century truly living off the land and sea, telling tales that had been handed down for centuries. There is much to see and learn in this magnificent state.

Most of us who visit Alaska want to see wildlife, a bit of advice on that topic. First, get up VERY early, the wildlife does. Second the best sightings are in early spring and fall. So if you absolutely must see a moose, consider visiting when its getting chilly, October isn’t bad. Moose do tend to hang around Anchorage, which is one of the most urban spots in Alaska.

Want to see the northern lights, now we’re talking cold. Best time to see the northern lights, aurora borealis is winter time, get your parkas and mukluks.

Interesting trivia: There is approximately 1 person per square mile in Alaska.  In Virginia (2000 census) 178 people per square mile.

If you would like to learn more about visiting Alaska please feel free to call 703-350-2999 or email andrea@uniqueventplan.com

Blue Crowns, The Glaciers, more ice under the water than above

A Frolicking Whale

The silent storytellers, Totem Poles

Garden of Eden of the north, Denali National Park

When not to use a travel agent

Using a travel agent has more benefits than most realize. The only instance when using a travel agent may not be in your best interest is when making flight reservations. Although your agent can save you time, unlike hotels, resorts, cruise lines, etc the airlines do not pay the agent (most of the time) so if the ONLY thing you want your agent to do is make a flight reservation, you’ll probably pay a little more.

Now, that extra few dollars may well be worth it, since the agent is still saving you valuable time and may be able to find a flight or fare that you can’t.

Travel agents have suffered of late with the rise of the internet. The average consumer can go online and book a cruise or a hotel. I will draw an analogy to real estate agents. You can sell your own house or search for one you want to buy, but the real estate agent does a far better job. In both cases you are dealing with professionals whose job it is to serve you and it doesn’t cost any more than doing it yourself.

Actually using a travel agent can save you money by having access to deals that you don’t. In addition a good agent has taken time to learn the products, their pros and cons and learned how best to create a vacation or travel experience that suits you.

The next time you are surfing the web for a cruise or resort and realize that you lost an entire evening with family and friends and still don’t know what to do, call me.