Last Minute Summer Travel 2014

Did Someone Say Last Minute Vacation Planning??? No problem!  Contact us for details and reservations!

• Breezes Resort Bahamas: 5 Days/4 Nights: $515.00 pp
• Majestic Colonial Punta Cana: 5 Days/4 Nights: $559.00 pp
• Excellence Riviera Cancun: 4 Days/3 Nights: $729.00 pp

Travel Thought Of The Day: License Plate Theft and Car Rental Inspections

Travel Thought Of The Day: When renting a car this summer, be sure your rental has a metal license plate and secure bolts. Also, be sure to perform a full inspection, both you and the agency representative. This will prevent plate theft and false liability. Here's to smart and happy travels!

Photo Credit: Clarionledger.com

Photo Credit: cjonline.com

Travel Thought Of The Week: June 19, 2014

I get more and more excited every time I receive a call from a new client, particularly women, who have a desire to travel independently.  Never allow the absence of another deter you from experiencing life and new found joys in the world! 

2014 Cancun Music Festival (Kem, Eric Roberson, and Algebra)

Neo-soul debuts in the Caribbean!  The 2014 Cancun Music Festival will take place in Cancun, Mexico this year.  The festival features Kem, Algebra, and Eric Roberson.  Festival Dates: August 28 - Sept. 01, 2014.  All-Inclusive accommodations and festival activities will take place at the beautiful Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort.  Payment plans are available.  Contact me for details.

Travel Diva: Erika Akwo (Cameroon)

Featured Travel Diva: Erika Awko

Destination: Cameroon, Africa

Her name: Erika.  Her mission: to bring peace and encouragement to those less fortunate.  Her recent trip to Cameroon, Africa with her husband, Rich, certainly aligned both personally and professionally (A Friend to the Homeless, Inc.).  But even more so, it developed a greater sense for new found cultures and exploring new lifestyles.

Read our latest Travel Diva Q&A on how Erika fulfilled yet another dream, while doing it in the name of public service.

1. Destination: Cameroon, West Africa

2. Number of Travel Days: 21 days

3. Reason For Travel: Leisure/business

4. Estimated Flight Time: 18 hours going; 20 hours coming home.

5. Any fears about traveling abroad? I did not have any fears.  I was excited about visiting Cameroon because it was my husband's homeland.  Plus, I was excited to visit the orphanage (Mah D's) that our non-profit organization (A Friend to the Homeless, Inc.) partnered with.

6. Lodging: I stayed with family.  I had the opportunity to see various lifestyles.  Cameroonians are very family oriented, and they made sure my husband and I were fed in abundance and taken care of.

7. Cultural experience: I visited Cameroon in December.  This is their festive time of the year due to the holiday season. I enjoyed several parties filled with cultural dancing and music.  Food is a big part of the culture, and it is in abundance due to the richness of the soil and the abundance of farmland.  I had an opportunity to interact with the natives in their way of living in both their households and nightlife.  The nightlife in Cameroon is very festive and lively.  In most areas, a number of restaurants play live music and serve food.

My favorite City is Limbe and Bouya.  Limbe is a city on the water and has a beautiful beach.  When you visit the beach, you have can eat fresh fish from the water and it is roasted in front of you.  The fish are huge, nicely seasoned, and delicious!  The scenery is beautiful!  Bouya is located in the mountains.  It gives you a scenic view, and it is much cooler than most of the cities in Cameroon because of its location.  I visited five cites, and these two were my favorite mainly because of food and scenery.

8. Favorite Dining Experience: I do not have a favorite dining experience mostly because I had so many people cooking for me.  The best places to eat are Limbe and Bouya, and many street vendors serve delicious appetizers such as meat pies, meat on a stick, fish, beans, plantains.

9. What encouraged you to travel? I love to learn and experience new cultures.  Also, my husband is a Cameroonian native, and he was eager to take me home to meet his family and see where he grew up.  I am also passionate about helping those who are less fortunate.  My non-profit organization partnered with an orphanage in Kumba, Cameroon.  This was my first opportunity to meet the children and be able learn about their needs and how we can serve them.

Erika, your trip and experience in Cameroon is truly inspiring.  Please continue to make the world a better place as well as pave the way for more Travel Divas to take flight!