 Are you looking for a team building activity, quinceañera, sweet 16 or milestone birthday, anniversary or retirement celebration, bachelor or bachelorette or engagement party this fall? Then, we hope you will consider one of our socially distanced party boat cruise up the East River in New York City. It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has literally brought the travel industry to a halt during the last six months. We have all had to embrace the new normal by becoming digital nomads working from home while helping loved with their virtual learning school instructions. It’s a new normal during this COVID-19 pandemic and our customers’ health and well being are our number one priority. We are brokering two socially distant five hour party boat cruise on board the Jacana and Cosmos this fall. We are following NYC’s mandated guidelines to operate at a 75 percent capacity by limiting the cruise to no more than 40 people. We hope you will come set sail up the East River and take in spectacular views from the water of Manhattan’s key attractions such as Statue of Liberty, South Street Seaport all from the comfort of a climate controlled, and U.S. coast guard certified party boat. Upon arriving at the marina, all guests will have their temperatures checked prior to boarding the boat. Face masks are MANDATORY for the cruise up the East river. There will be ample hand sanitizers on board the party boat. Our party boat package includes the private charter rental, lunch or dinner, open bar for cocktails, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and dj spinning your choice of top 40, R&B, hip hop, Latin music. NO dancing will be allowed on board the boat per NYC’s mandate to minimize the spread of the COVID-19. In keeping with NYC’s guidelines, we are only serving lunch and dinner, cocktails, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during the first hour while boat is docked at the marina. The party boat will set sail for up the East River once the meal, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages has been consumed on board and all guests puts on the MANDATORY face masks. In case you are wondering about the party boats, then we hope to paint a picture in words and inspire your decision to book this private socially distant party boat package. Jacana is a smaller vessel with two decks – indoor and upper deck connected by a spiral staircase. The modern décor and its intimate size makes this party boat an ideal choice for wedding, bachelor or bachelorette party or milestone birthday. Cosmos is a spacious climate controlled party boat with two decks – indoor and an open air outdoor deck. Both party boats have tables, chairs and white tablecloth linen, audio and visual system, service bar and central air conditioning, as well as heating all throughout the indoor deck. We are here to help. Visit www.abtravel.us.
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 Life’s an adventure. Allen Batista Travel, Inc. (www.abtravel.us) has several suggestions for staycations, virtual experiences, domestic and international trips to keep your travel diary busy.
For those looking for staycation experiences, ABT has five walking tours – Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown, Lower East Side, Mid-Manhattan, Philadelphia Independence Mall, and Philadelphia Ghost Tours – in New York City and in Philadelphia. A licensed tour guide will transport participants on a fun, yet educational walking tour to learn interesting facts and figures about these iconic neighborhoods. We are offering private walking tours with two to 10 people to stay within the social distancing guidelines. Face masks are MANDATORY for the private walking tours. Tri-state residents (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) who are looking to celebrate a socially distant birthday, anniversary, engagement, team building, bachelor or bachelorette or milestone event, we are now offering all-inclusive private boat rides (boat rental, food, open bar and entertainment) at a reduced capacity of 40 people. ABT can offer themed private boat charters (stand-up comedy, magic show or sightseeing tour) or just a standard private boat ride with a dj spinning top 40, Latin, or R&B music. Face masks are MANDATORY and there will be NO dancing on board the boat. Our virtual experiences present novel ways to stay connected with friends, families and colleagues residing in different parts of the world. Our virtual experiences range from virtual walking tours, virtual magic shows, virtual comedy shows, and virtual wellness experiences (Zumba, salsa, bachata, merengue, cha cha, belly dance, yoga). Group rates are available for 10 to 100 people to tune in on Zoom from the comfort of their computer or iPad. For those who have the itch to travel, we have several good deals available right now. Our Maldives package has three options – three nights, five nights and six nights – for American and Canadian travelers who can provide a health certificate showing you tested negative for the COVID-19 virus. Athens, Greece, on the other hand, is only welcoming Canadian travelers at the moment. Our Athens tour operator will operate this tour at a reduced capacity based on the World Health Organization guidelines to social distance and operate safely. Finally, ABT also has combination packages – airfare, hotel (all-inclusive or room and breakfast only) and/or car rentals for destinations – Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cancun, Cozumel, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Key West, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Los Cabos, Napa Valley, Puerto Vallarta, Rivera Maya, Santa Barbara, St. Lucia, and Tahiti. We also have good deals for hotels and car rentals only. We hope you will join us for one of our staycations and virtual experiences or allow us to organize your bucket list trip. Visit www.abtravel.us to plan your next adventure.  It is a new world order as the COVID-19 (also known as the novel corona virus) takes the world by storm literally and figuratively. During the last four months, many Americans have adjusted to the mandatory stay at home orders and strict social distancing guidelines when you leave home.
As countries around the world re-open and welcome back tourists, U. S. travelers, sadly, are temporarily on a no entry list until the novel corona virus gets under control here. Staycations are now all the rave again as we look for interesting things to do as the U.S. economy starts to re-open. And, to help you keep your social diaries active, Allen Batista Travel, Inc. (ABT) has a couple of virtual experiences to reduce the cabin fever brought on by COVID-19. Groups of 10 to 100 people just need to join us on Zoom for the virtual experiences. For those who have New York City as a bucket list destination, ABT has four great suggestions for virtual walking tours – Mid-Manhattan, Lower East Side, Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown and Wall Street. Philadelphia, another destination for our virtual walking tours, showcases the sites associated with founding the U.S. democracy, as well as the city’s ghostly side. Our licensed tour guides will take you on a fun, yet educational 1.5 virtual tour of these iconic neighborhoods. For the young people embracing the new normal and remote learning, ABT offers an entertaining virtual magic shows, as well as virtual interactive magic classes for aspiring magicians to learn the tricks of the trade. We understand it is hard to keep young people, ages four years and older, engaged with anything and we have kept our virtual magic show experiences to just 30 minutes long. During these challenging times, laughter is the best remedy to lift the spirits and tickle your funny bone. Our virtual one hour stand-up comedy show features rising comedians who have performed at the New York Comedy Festival, Montréal Just for Laughs Festival, as well as has appeared on national television shows and movies. And, our virtual experiences would not be complete without offering a couple of virtual wellness sessions – Zumba, belly dance, yoga, spinning, body sculpting, and Latin dance (salsa, bachata, merengue and cha cha) to help you stay in shape while you are stuck at home. All wellness sessions are talked by professional dancers. You do not need any experience for the wellness sessions. You just need to come an open mind and a willingness to try something new. We hope groups of 10 to 100 people will join us for one of these virtual experiences.  Guest post by Jessie Clarke from Soulful Travel Due to quarantine rules and post-lockdown regulations, many families are feeling a bit stir-crazy. Fortunately, there are activities you can partake in that allow you to follow social distancing guidelines. Here are nine solutions for keeping families busy — and safe. Explore Nature at Home and Beyond Getting outside can help everyone burn energy and breathe a little deeper. From your backyard to natural spaces, here’s how you can get outdoors.
Plan a Camping Trip Going camping is a great way to spend time outdoors as a family. At the same time, you can keep away from others in accordance with social distancing rules.
Head to Museums and Zoos Visiting local attractions like museums and zoos can be a great way to get out of the house. At the same time, you need to take special care when heading out.
Many families are eager to get out and about following a long self-isolation period. The good news is that there are tons of activities you can enjoy. Keeping social distancing in mind, plan your family’s exploits with optimism and a sense of adventure.  Guest Post from Money.com Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the travel industry to a virtual standstill and credit card companies are tightening applications, it still might be a good time to look into travel credit cards. Despite not being able to immediately use some of the cards’ benefits, you can still start to rack up points or miles to use in the future. Some have even adapted to the ongoing situation and are offering their users additional—and currently, more applicable—benefits. For example, Chase recently announced that eligible cardmembers will be able to apply points on the Ultimate Rewards site to pay for purchases in select categories, starting with grocery stores, dining, and home improvement stores. Whenever travel restrictions are eased, the best travel credit cards available in 2020 provide attractive perks such as skipping through airport security lines, relaxing in comfortable airport lounges, and scoring free benefits like checked bags or in-flight Wi-Fi each time you fly. Others let you upgrade your travel by making it easy to book suites in luxury hotels, cozy business class seats on international flights, and more. Travel perks are nice, but you’ll want to make sure you earn a lucrative sign-up bonus and generous rewards for each dollar you spend on your card as well. To help with your search, we’ve studied and compared hundreds of travel credit cards in terms of their earning rates, welcome bonuses, travel benefits, and fees. This list of top travel credit cards for 2020 highlights the absolute best credit cards for travel whether you want to plan a weekend getaway or a luxury trip thousands of miles away from home. Important Things to Know About Travel Credit Cards The top travel credit cards let you earn rewards for each dollar you spend. However, you need to think long and hard about the type of points you’d like to earn before you sign up. With some travel credit cards, you earn points that are only good for a few redemption options, such as flights with one airline or stays with a specific hotel brand. *Don’t automatically write off cards with high fees. Most travel credit cards offer lucrative annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and other perks that can make paying an annual fee well worth it. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, a credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, and more in exchange for its $550 annual fee. *Many of the top travel credit cards charge a high APR whenever you carry a balance — even as high as 25.49%. To make the most of travel credit cards and other rewards credit cards, you should strive to pay your balance in full each month so you avoid long-term debt. If you need to carry a balance, it’s better to pick up a low interest credit card or a 0% APR credit card. Travel Credit Cards and the COVID-19 Pandemic While many of the benefits and rewards remain unchanged, credit card companies such as Chase and American Express have extended the eligible purchase periods by an additional three months so customers have extra time to earn their cards’ welcome bonuses. Further, since many travel credit cards usually provide bonus points for purchases made at airlines, hotels, and car rentals–most of which are currently unavailable– some companies are providing additional bonus points for purchases that have picked up due to the pandemic such as streaming services and food and grocery deliveries. To learn more about the Money.com guide to best travel credit cards, click here. https://money.com/best-travel-credit-card/ Best Travel Credit Cards of 2020 Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the travel industry to a virtual standstill and credit card companies are tightening applications, it still might be a good time to look into travel credit cards. Despite not being able to immediately use some of the cards’ benefits, you can still start to rack up points or miles to use in the future. Some have even adapted to the ongoing situation and are offering their users additional—and currently, more applicable—benefits. For example, Chase recently announced that eligible cardmembers will be able to apply points on the Ultimate Rewards site to pay for purchases in select categories, starting with grocery stores, dining, and home improvement stores. Whenever travel restrictions are eased, the best travel credit cards available in 2020 provide attractive perks such as skipping through airport security lines, relaxing in comfortable airport lounges, and scoring free benefits like checked bags or in-flight Wi-Fi each time you fly. Others let you upgrade your travel by making it easy to book suites in luxury hotels, cozy business class seats on international flights, and more. Travel perks are nice, but you’ll want to make sure you earn a lucrative sign-up bonus and generous rewards for each dollar you spend on your card as well. To help with your search, we’ve studied and compared hundreds of travel credit cards in terms of their earning rates, welcome bonuses, travel benefits, and fees. This list of top travel credit cards for 2020 highlights the absolute best credit cards for travel whether you want to plan a weekend getaway or a luxury trip thousands of miles away from home. Important Things to Know About Travel Credit Cards The top travel credit cards let you earn rewards for each dollar you spend. However, you need to think long and hard about the type of points you’d like to earn before you sign up. With some travel credit cards, you earn points that are only good for a few redemption options, such as flights with one airline or stays with a specific hotel brand. *Don’t automatically write off cards with high fees. Most travel credit cards offer lucrative annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and other perks that can make paying an annual fee well worth it. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, a credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, and more in exchange for its $550 annual fee. *Many of the top travel credit cards charge a high APR whenever you carry a balance — even as high as 25.49%. To make the most of travel credit cards and other rewards credit cards, you should strive to pay your balance in full each month so you avoid long-term debt. If you need to carry a balance, it’s better to pick up a low interest credit card or a 0% APR credit card. Travel Credit Cards and the COVID-19 Pandemic While many of the benefits and rewards remain unchanged, credit card companies such as Chase and American Express have extended the eligible purchase periods by an additional three months so customers have extra time to earn their cards’ welcome bonuses. Further, since many travel credit cards usually provide bonus points for purchases made at airlines, hotels, and car rentals–most of which are currently unavailable– some companies are providing additional bonus points for purchases that have picked up due to the pandemic such as streaming services and food and grocery deliveries. https://money.com/best-travel-credit-card/  Protect a carefully-planned trip with coverage for delays, illness, lost luggage, and even natural disasters—the best travel insurance can soften the impact of unforeseen events.
Click here to learn more about Consumer Advocate.org guide to the best travel insurance.  By Jesse Clarke of Soulful Travel Craving some excitement and adventure for your family? Typically, you could satiate those cravings by planning a family vacation, but with travel restricted for the foreseeable future, that option is suddenly off the table. So how can you get your family out of the house and have fun safely? You could always plan an outdoor adventure! While trekking deep into the woods is not recommended right now, you can take a hike or even plan a safe camping trip for your family. Not sure where to start? You can include these essentials in your plans. Lanterns and Headlamps One of the most important pieces of equipment you should carry in your pack is a quality source of light. You can use LED lanterns to keep your family safe if you do get stuck in the wilderness after dark, and carrying one of these bright and reliable lights is a great way to avoid having to start a fire. For added protection and so you can use your hands, you can also think about picking up a few headlamps for your family members, which can come in handy if anyone needs to venture out into the woods for a late night bathroom break or wants to read at night. Matches and Solar Blankets Including a butane lighter or a book of matches in your outdoor essentials pack will ensure that you can keep your loved ones warm and protected from any wildlife that may be a threat in your area. Of course, you will also want to dress in layers in order to be prepared for the cooler nighttime temperatures, but for an added layer of warmth and protection for potential emergencies, also make sure you have some solar blankets. These reflective emergency blankets are designed to keep heat close to your body, which is essential for preventing hypothermia when temperatures drop or in colder wilderness climates. Solar Phone Chargers and Maps Worried about getting lost with your family while out in the woods? Well, the good news is that you can use mapping apps on your smartphone to plan and track your family’s outdoor adventures. Since you won’t have electrical outlets while hiking or camping (unless you camp in a cabin, of course), investing in solar chargers for your phones may be a smart solution in case of emergencies. While phones can be fairly reliable on your basic family wilderness trips, you should also include a map and reliable compass in your camping supply kit, in case you lose power or reception, and stick to trails only. First Aid Kits and Emergency Supplies Because injuries and accidents can and do happen while hiking, camping, and engaging in other outdoor activities, it’s also extremely important that you pack a fully stocked first-aid kit in with your family’s backpacks and gear. Your first-aid kit should include bandage, basic medications, and any prescription medications that may be needed by your loved ones during an emergency. In addition to a first-aid kit, you should also think about picking up other survival supplies, including a whistle, some sturdy rope, and water filters. A Safe and Family-Friendly Adventure Plan Once you have the right gear and equipment for your family excursion, you need a plan to keep things safe and stress-free for everyone. For example, hiking with kids can be fun for all involved, but little ones can also get bored or restless when they have been on the trail for a while. So you may need to plan a few hiking activities to keep things fun and interesting for your family. In addition to planning some family-friendly fun and activities while outside, you also need to have a plan for emergencies. Talk to your kids about wilderness safety before you all head out, and also share your plans with a loved one or friend who will be staying behind. Getting out into nature is one of the only options you have for a family adventure right now. Just be sure to keep things safe by using the supplies and tips provided above, and always check in with local, state, and federal guidelines before planning a family outdoor adventure. Photo Credits: Pexels It’s a new world order as the COVID-19 (also known as the corona virus), takes the global economy by storm (literally and figuratively)
We are following the guidelines as mandated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to keep you safe on one of trips, family oriented magic shows, entertainment boat rides and walking tours. We work with our vendors to ensure all precautions are in place to keep you safe. We also need your help to keep us safe. Follow the CDC and WHO guidelines and wash your hands frequently and use sanitizers. If you are sick or may have been exposed to the virus, then please stay home. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, then please conduct your doctor. We look forward to keeping your travel and social diaries busy during this new world order.  By Jesse Clarke of Soulful Travel Many people put off planning the vacation of a lifetime because of budgeting concerns. But what if you could avoid paying full price for travel, making it more affordable and accessible than ever? Here’s how to save to ensure you always get the best deal on travel of all types. Don’t Buy Without Searching for Discounts Whatever you plan to purchase—be it luggage or gear—don’t check out until you search for discounts. Retailers like Macy’s offer promo codes and coupons for all manner of products—ensuring you never pay full price on everything you need for a good trip. You can save more by getting free shipping if you spend more than $99, opening a Macy’s credit card, and earning cash back on purchases on Macy’s products from sites like Rakuten. Read this 19 Ways to Save at Macy’s guide to learn about more ways you can save. Select a Tour Instead of Driving With the price of gas—plus vehicle maintenance—you can expect to pay a premium for road travel. The good news is, scheduling a tour often costs significantly less than driving around (and getting lost) on your own. Plus, you can see all the sights, no expert-level knowledge or navigation necessary. Choose Package Deals When Possible From bundles that combine flights, hotels, and car rentals to all-inclusive resorts with entertainment packages and dining options, package deals are almost always an excellent purchase. Plus, you save time searching for the perfect itinerary. Sign Up for a Cash-Back Card In addition to coupon offers that involve earning cash back, signing up for cash-back credit cards can help pad your pockets for travel. Many credit card companies offer extra point values for specific types of purchases—like travel, groceries, or gas—enabling you to earn more, faster. Plan Trips in Advance Instead of going into debt for your vacation—which can more likely happen to millennials than any other demographic, per Access Development—plan ahead to finance your trip. From booking early to planning around holidays (the worst time to travel), thinking ahead can help you cut costs. Use Price-Matching Benefits From cruise lines to airlines, many travel industry companies offer price matching features when you book with them. For example, Carnival gives you 48 hours within booking your cruise to find a better deal elsewhere. If you do, Carnival will give you 110 percent of the difference in onboard credit. Airlines like British Airways, Delta, and American Airlines offer similar price matching features, USA Today highlights, and many hotels and resorts follow suit. Take Advantage of Membership Benefits Many companies offer membership benefits that include travel discounts and packages. For example, Costco offers its members exclusive travel packages that aren’t available elsewhere. Most Costco travel bundles include credit toward purchases at your destination, too. Other companies with exclusive membership benefits include the Disney Vacation Club, AAA, USAA, and even AARP. Even if your membership affiliation only nets you a five percent discount, the savings can add up. Select Vacation Rentals Rather Than Hotels With so many affordable vacation rental options available these days, it’s surprising that so many people stick with hotels. Even if you pay extra for a full apartment, condo, or home on your holiday, consider the fact that you can save on food costs if you have access to a kitchen. Plus, you can save on travel if your vacation rental is centrally located. Unlike hotels, which tend to lie in hotel districts without amenities accessible by foot, many rental properties are in neighborhoods with excellent access to grocery stores, gas stations, and shopping. However you travel and wherever you’re headed, there are straightforward ways to save on your vacation budget. All it takes is a bit of planning, these insider tips, and the motivation to achieve the best—and most budget-friendly—adventure ever.  Calling all Millennials, Gen Xers and Seniors, Allen Batista Travel, Inc. announces 10 cultural sightseeing tours to fill your travel diaries. Whether you are seeking a learning adventure, baby moon or skip trip (grandparents traveling with grandchildren), our sightseeing adventures spotlight the culture, fine cuisine and soft adventure in Havana, Mexico City, Florence and Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Lisbon, Porto and Algarve, Ghana, Paris, Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and the Maldives. We offer an insider’s view into Havana Cuba, a once forbidden destination, thanks to the “Support for Cuban People” visa. Multiple dates are available to uncover Havana’s rich history and culture, savor fine Cuban fare and of course, experience the vibrant nightlife. Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is one of the oldest cities founded by the Native Americas. Highlights include Teotihuacan Pyramid (Pyramid of the Sun), Temple of Quetzacoatl “The Feathered Serpent,” Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, Mariachi performance and more. Our Florence, Rome, Lucca, Pistola and Pisa journey spotlights popular bucket list attractions – Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Il Colosseo, the Vatican City and others. Known as the birthplace of modern democracy, Athens expedition features the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, Acropolis, and Temple of Apollo. Take an interactive Mediterranean cooking class. Indulge in a cruise around the Saronic Islands – Aegina, Poros and Hydras. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is an art enthusiast’s paradise. This tour features a three-hour city tour, see Antoni Guadi’s architectural masterpieces (Sagrada Familia), a Cava vineyard trip to savor fine Spanish wines, a Flamenco dance show and dinner, and of course, Tapas cuisine. Known as the “City of Lights,” Paris adventure features three-hour city tour, interactive cooking and perfume making classes, Palace of Versailles, Eiffel Tower and Seine river cruise, and of course, night on the town for Moulin Rouge. Lisbon, Porto and Algarve Portugal excursion features a Lisbon city tour, Pena Palace and Sintra, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, wine tasting, sunset cruise, walking tour to learn about Portugal’s role in the slave trade, and sunset cruise. Ghana cultural tour showcases sites associated with the slave trade to the Americas, dance and yoga classes, Tafi Atomi, a monkey sanctuary, and rainforest canopy walk. Volunteer at a local orphanage. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in India adventure features an Old Delhi pedicab tour, visit the Taj Mahal, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and Raj Ghat, a memorial to Ghandi, take in a Bollywood movie and indulge in an interactive cooking class. Nestles in the Arabian Sea, The Maldives is a mecca for soft adventure lovers. And, we have three packages to snorkeling, night fishing, or simply enjoy half day excursions to secluded islands in the Maldives. Dates are flexible. Tell us your dates and we make your dreams vacation come true. Groups packages are available. We hope to see you on one of our excursions. Visit www.abtravel.us or email jallen@abtravel.us to book your next adventure. |
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