Eating Mofongo on my Family Vacation

Puerto Rico is an enchanting island in the Caribbean. Surprising to some, Puerto Rico is territory of the United States. This means that citizens of the United States do NOT need a passport to visit the island. Puerto Rico has become a very popular destination for tourists and cruise ships, perfect for a Family Vacation. Reasons leading to the popularity among tourists include the friendliness of the locals, beautiful beaches and delicious food.

Mofongo with Chicken

Mofongo with Shrimp

A trip to Puerto Rico is not complete if you do not sample some of the local cuisine. Try some fried plantains as an appetizer and the delicious mofongo with your entrée. Puerto Rican cuisine is very similar to Cuban, Spanish, and even Mexican cuisine, it is a unique tasty blend (Taino, Spanish, African and American influences) of ingredients like oregano, coriander, garlic, cacao, nispero, apio, plantains and yam.

 

Essentially, mofongo is a dish of mashed plantains stuffed with meat or vegetables. Generally, green plantains, yuca or breadfruit are used and then combined with a variety of other ingredients. Common ingredients include garlic, bits of bacon and olive oil. The mashed plantains are fried and shaped to almost create a bowl like appearance, which is then stuffed with cooked chicken, beef or seafood and vegetables. Do you know that locals call their cuisine "comida criolla".

In other parts of the Caribbean you will find similar dishes, like the Cuban fufu de platano. Several ingredients in the mofongo are consistent with these culinary influences. Yuca was a common part of the Taino cuisine and the use of bacon was introduced into Puerto Rican cooking after discovering its popularity in the United States.

Enjoy your Family Vacation in Puerto Rico!

Leila Reyes

Travel Agent

lrtravel@live.com

A Client Case Study---Family Vacation

Today I want to share an experience I had a few months ago. But before that, I want to talk to you a little about Marcy (this is an assumed name). She's not only a great customer, she has turned to be a good friend. Marcy is the type of clients that cares so much for her family, looking for every detail that could possibly please them and something that allow her, at the same time, spend time with her grandchildren. I met her a few years ago, but we lost communication after I moved out of town. Gladly, we reconnect through Facebook and then was when she shared with me her plans on having a Family Vacation.

It was not easy to get an agreement on what she desired and on what her family was allowable to do, but she knew it was a Cruise Vacation. One of her main concerns was to bring her grandchildren, but she wanted to avoid high season and mostly not jeopardize the children with too many school absences.  I suggested her a 4 or 5 days Caribbean Cruise. I customized the search to her request and  found 4 day Southern Caribbean Cruise, departing Thursday evening and returning on Sunday morning for early February (low season). It was a itinerary, mostly because she wanted to visit that region.  But when everything seemed to be perfect, the violence in their chosen destination increased,  and making everyone had secong guess. She contactedme requesting for another destination and probably other dates. Because our good relationship, I recalled she had told me in past conversations desire to take her family to Walt Disney after their cruise Vacation, and my light bulb went off. After all our ups and downs trying to find her a good cruise, I suggested her a Disney Cruise for the exact dates of her previous booking. That was a perfect match! I ended up booking her a Family Vacation on Disney's Dream Cruise.

Marcy got so excited that she shared her trip plans with everyone she knew and that brought me a total of 5 cabins booked instead of only one. Marcy's story stick out of my memory because I learned how important is to listen to every detail a client has to say. From that date on, I always have a piece of paper in front of me while talk to any client, friend or family member because I'll never know when I'll need that information and how handy can become. For example, when I found out one Marcy's grandson's birthday was on the dates of their Family Cruise Vacation, I ordered a birthday gift for him as part of their amenities. That detail could went off my hands if I wasn't listening at every detail.

I talked with Marcy upon her arrival, she was so satisfied with the outcome of her vacation, when I asked about her grandson she said and I quote "His face was priceless". They loved the kind gesture, most of all the accommodations and shore excursions were beyond their expectations. Now Marcy is planning her 2nd Cruise and this one will be for Summer 2012. If you are planning a Family Vacation, feel free to contact me via email or phone so we can discuss your vacation plans in detail.

Leila Reyes

Travel Agent

817-554-3346

lrtravel@live.com

Family Travel Expert, I call that Specialist; Why?

I became a Family Vacation Specialist eight months ago. I am a certified Family Travel Specialist by the Travel Agent Academy. I've been trained not only as Family Travel Specialist, but as Cruise Specialist as well. Currently working on my ACC certification(Accredited Cruise Counselor) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). I'm also a Commodore, the highest achievement earned by Princess Cruises and Cunard Cruises.

I've been in Disney World (a Family Vacation Preferred Destination) four times and this year my family will experience the Disney Cruise for first time. I have taken 3 other cruises, two to the Caribbean and one to Europe.

I provide my clients the most personal and trustful information regarding their pictured or planned vacations. I take every idea and thought as it is for me and my personal family, but keeping in mind what they want and what they expect. Always trying my best to find them the best itineraries and deals on the market that fit with their specifications. Searching and asking to every supplier available, taking my time to achieve and go beyond their expectations.

If you're considering going on a Cruise or planning a Family Vacation, please feel free to contact me via email or phone so we can discuss your vacation plans in detail.

Leila Reyes

Family Vacation Specialist

lrtravel@live.com

2011 Emerging Vacation Trends--Family Vacation

Today I want to talk you about how a Family Vacation is positioned in the Travel Industry for 2011.  It's interesting to see how fast Family Vacation Niche is moving and growing over the years. Most family members are aware of the daily busy schedules and the lack of quality time and rest (leisure) time we allow to ourselves and our children. People asking for advise on planning their vacation are mostly looking for a shorter one, no more than 7 days; but this isn't totally negative because they are focusing on having at least two vacation weeks during the year.  Having a short family vacation allow them to explore even more destinations in a short period of time and at the same time distributing their "leisure time" during the year, and during school vacation. For example, Spring Break Week is one of the busiest weeks for travelers and travel advisors as well. Having kids off school, grant their parents plan for a short family vacation.

One destination that is in every family near or forecast future is to visit Walt Disney World. There is an increase of families planning and booking their Walt Disney World in advance, specially after all the great deals published in this past days. The advantage Families have in planning ahead of time is the possibility for them to make "monthly" payments to their booking after the deposit payments has been met, making it even more affordable without jeopardizing their budget. There will be always the ones that like to wait for "last minute deals", but doing so increase their chance of not having their preferred dates to travel or even their accommodation could be totally booked. This is a risk I don't recommend to anyone planning a Family Vacation.

There has been a lot of news about prices going up due to oil price increment, the latest announcement has been made by Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas, expect the increase fares beginning April 1st. To know the impact of these announcements in the travel industry we'll have to wait and see, but in my opinion while you plan ahead of time, this increases won't affect you in the way is projected. Everyone needs a break of their daily busyness and nothing will work better than relaxing on a Family Vacation.

Leila Reyes
Travel Agent
lrtravel@live.com

Family Vacation, what's all about?

As a Travel Agent who specializes in Family Vacation, I follow the news and trends in this niche closely. Gathering all new ideas, deals and itineraries reachable by Family Vacationers will improve and expand our wish list. Carnival Cruises announced their return to Europe with the lauch of their new ship Carnival Magic and a Program called "Fly Aweigh". This program allow us to book a package (cruise + hotel + air) requiring only a deposit per person depending on the voyage's lenght.  Is hard to find a program that allows you to hold your airfare along with your cruise reservation, Carnival Cruises does that. This is a HUGE advantage, especially for Family Vacationers. The program is fully refundable if cancelled before final payment date.

Family Vacation niche is growing as we speak, specially for multigenerational family vacationers. Grandparents are hitting the road with their grandkids in record numbers. This growth may be due by amount of good deals and offers in the travel industry. A good example is one of the latest Disney's Cruise offers "Kids sail Free". What a great opportunity for a Family Reunion at Sea. Disney Cruise Line also introduced two new ships: Disney Dream (lauched in 2011) and Disney Fantasy (starts saling in March 2012), with a phenomenal advertisement and exposure for all.

If you're looking or planning for your next Family Vacaton, I encourage you to keep an eye on my blogs and deals on twitter. Remember the earlier you book, there is a high probability you'll find the better deals.

Leila Reyes

Travel Agent

Family Vacation Specialist

lrtravel@live.com