Visit us on FacebookIn the spirit of giving back, Crystal Cruises is providing couples with $2000 to spend as they wish. The credit may be used for spa treatments, bottles of wine, and Crystal Adventures shore excursions. Crystal Cruises is offering this credit to help guests customize their stay rather than being boxed into an “all-inclusive” itinerary that may include things that they won’t use.
Many of the remaining 2009 sailings are now priced to reflect a savings of up to $3000 per couple.
Crystal is considered one of the world’s best cruise lines and offers travelers enhanced service, amenities and a high crew to guest ratio. Crystal offers itineraries to some very exotic places including Asia, South America, Pacific, and more.
There has never been a better time to book a cruise.
Please visit our cruise page for information about Linden’s cruise department. To book your next cruise, call us at 800 586 5508or email request@lindentravel.com.
Filed under: Adventure | Tags: Africa Tours, Botswana, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Travel
Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, a best-selling set of novels, is now premiering as an HBO series this Sunday.
The novels have piqued a newfound interest in Botswana for millions of readers. Heritage Tours Private Travel is offering some very special tours which will allow enthusiasts to experience the Botswana envisioned in the series. Highlights include a trip to Gaborone – the urban locale where the novel is set.
Travelers will meet with a real-life character from the novel, visit Mma Ramotswe’s rambling house on Zebra Drive. The tour also includes Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, J.L.B. Matekoni’s house, and the President Hotel.
Finally, travelers will enjoy lunch with an individual on whom a character in the book is based.
For more information about this unique trip to Africa, call a Linden Travel consultant at 800 846 3226 or send your request by email to request@lindentravel.com.
Filed under: Adventure | Tags: Family Getaway, family travel, Family Vacation, Linden Travel, Travel
By Jessica Burneston
Here is part II of our list of top 10 family vacations. Click here to view Part I. Our consultants have searched the world for the best getaways for families. We are here to provide full service family vacation planning to make sure all family members from the littlest ones to grown ups – have a wonderful time. Our list includes:
5) Galapagos Islands – Butterfield and Robinson
Why: Biology has never been so much fun! Galapagos offers wild things that kids won’t see anywhere else. They will get close enough to touch sea lions, snorkel with turles, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Ages: 8 and older
4) Florida – Club Med
Why: Club med offers something for every age group at the Sandpipper resort in Florida. Teens learn how to be DJs and can fly on trapez (within a safe environment). Even toddlers can find something fun to do with interactive learning experiences.
Ages: From Baby Club Med starting at 4 mos, to Junior Club Med up to age 18.
3) Italy – Tauck Bridges
Why: Explore the Vatican, meet gladiators, and learn to make pizza at a real Italian restaurant. Tauck bridges offers guided tours of Italy from Rome to Venice. Families will enjoy gondola rides and explore historic cites together.
Ages: 3 or older, but recommended for kids 8 and older
2) Hawaii – Classic Vacations
Why: Every Island tells a story. Maui is full of local folk lore, while Oahu offers museums, Pearl Harbor, and national Surfing tournaments on the big waves. Families can explore volcanoes and star gaze with an expert astronomer.
Ages: 5 and older
1) Volunteer Vacations
Why: Building something meaningful together creates memories to last a lifetime. Projects range from building houses and wells, to training baby elephants. Destinations are all over the world, and due to the growing popularity of these “giving” getaways, luxury does not have to be eliminated.
Ages: Varies by project, but recommended for ages 10 and older
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Linden Travel, new website, Travel, website design
By Jessica Burneston
The newly redesigned Linden Travel website was launched yesterday. One feature that distingushes the new site from other travel websites is the use of our own photography. In designing the site, we opted for a fresh look and feel, easy navigation and decided to avoid stock photography. You will also notice that every page of the site displays a famous quote. The resulting website is completely unique to Linden Travel.
Some of the features of the site include:
- A Press Center
- Sign up for Select Excapes Emails
- Corporate Travel Management
- Leisure Travel
- Travel resources
This new site may be viewed at www.lindentravel.com. Please take a moment to browse the pages and bookmark your favorite sections. If you have any questions, call your travel consultant at 800 846 3226.
Filed under: Adventure | Tags: Cruise, Cruises, Cunard, Linden Travel, QE2, Queen Elizabeth, Travel
By Jessica Burneston
Scheduled to set sail in autumn of 2010 with 6 maiden voyages, the Queen Elizabeth offers the ambiance of the age of grand transatlantic ocean liners. Not to be confused with her predecessor, the QE2, which served as the flagship of the Cunard line from 1969 to 2004, the Queen Elizabeth is a brand new cruise ship.
The new Queen Elizabeth will offer travelers several modern venues, including: The Garden Lounge, Games Deck, and art deco inspired Britannia Restaurant. This new ship also features the Yacht Club, which was one of the most popular lounges on the QE2. The Yacht Club is a lounge that offers travelers 270 degree views.
Representation of the Garden Lounge
The ship’s décor include rich woods, traditional detail, and carefully painted murals. Grand staircases, a state-of-the-art theater, and 6,000 volume library are also part of the ship’s features. And, for one last bit of historic detail, the ship’s port, Southhampton England was used by the real Queen Elizabeth during her reign.
For information about cruises on the Queen Elizabeth, please contact Linden Travel’s Cruise consultants at 800 846 3226 or send an email to request@lindentravel.com.
Filed under: Adventure | Tags: Abercrombie & Kent, alaska, costa rica, disney, family, Grand Cayman, jean cousteau, montana, Ritz-Carlton, safari, Travel
by Jessica Burneston
It’s time to start planning a family vacation. Here at Linden Travel, our family travel consultants offered their favorite trips for families. We came up with many unique ideas and selected our top 10 picks. Here is part one of our top 10 family getaway ideas.
10) Grand Cayman – Ritz Carlton Hotel
Why: The Ritz Carlton’s Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau turns the Cayman Islands into a natural classroom in which Kids embark on age appropriate eco-adventures. The hotel sits on a pristine stretch of seven mile beach and there are numerous Ritz Carlton amenities.
Ages: Two age groups: 4 to 7, 8 to 12
9) Alaskan Cruise – Regent Seven Seas
Why: Young travelers get a hands-on experience of marine eco-systems with the Ocean Futures Society. Kids learn about Alaska’s whales, and can take part in the “Sea Otter and Wildlife” shore excursion. On-board, young guests conduct sea water experiments and view living organisms under microscopes.
Ages: 9 to 17
African Safari
8) South African Safari – Adventures by Disney
Why: Disney experiences extend beyond the popular theme parks with this all includive, fully guided adventure in Africa. Two local experts greet families at the airport and provide fully guided safaris in Kapama Game Reserve, a visit to an Ostrich farm with rides for the kids, a sunset dinner at Knysna Elephant Park and more.
Ages: Over 8 years
7) Costa Rica Rainforest – A&K Family Holiday
Why: Visit Tortuguero National Park, one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. The rainforrest is full of life – spot Atlantic green sea turtles, howler and white-faced monkeys, threetoed sloth, river otter, caiman, along with a multitude of bird species. The white water rafting experience is age approriate for the children.
Ages: Two age groups 5 to 12, over 12
The Resort at Paws Up
6) Montana, The Resort at Paws Up
Why: Paws up offers five-star wilderness adventures in the Wild West. Kids can engage in rappelling, fly-fishing, river rafting and more. The resort offers overnight equestrian tours into the Montana Wilderness, trips to an old ghost town, and tours of Glacier National Park.
Ages: 5 to 12, Teens
To find out more about these Family Vacations, please contact a Linden Travel consultant at 800-846-3226 or email request@lindentravel.com.
Filed under: Events | Tags: 40th Anniversary, Barbara Gallay, Celebrates, Linden Travel, Travel
40 Years in Travel
by Jessica Burneston
March is a very special month for Linden Travel. Four decades ago, March 28, 1969 to be exact, Linden Travel was incorporated in the state of New York. At that time, Linden was a very small business, employing just three people.
When Barbara Gallay became full owner of Linden Travel in 1975, she began to realize her vision to create a business that always puts clients first. Barbara changed the role of “agents” who were merely order-takers, and created the concept of “consultants of travel” – those who share their knowledge and customize experiences. The role of travel consultants distinguished Linden’s service and the agency began to grow from client referrals.
Today, Linden Travel is among the most prominent travel agencies in the United States with over 110 associates, including many award-winning consultants. Linden Travel maintains relationships with hotels, airlines, cruise lines and tour operators that enable consultants to get the best possible value and best service for their clients, including experiences that are not available anywhere else.
Linden’s success can be credited to Barbara Gallay, whose vision never wavered, and to the commitment of Linden travel consultants to “exceed the expectation of every traveler”…”Every time.”
Filed under: What's New | Tags: getaways, Mexico, Travel, Travel Agent, vacations
by Jessica Burneston
Recent news about Mexico has caused travelers to worry about visiting the country. Here at Linden Travel, we want to help travelers understand the facts about how Mexico’s vacation areas are fairing. It is safe to visit Mexico, if you know where to go. If you are planning to travel to Mexico, you should do these three things:
1) Use a Travel Agent
The Mexico Tourist board works closely with agencies like Linden Travel, which have certified Mexico travel specialists on staff. These consultants have contact with suppliers in all areas of Mexico and will research the situation before booking a trip.
2) Research
Look up country information and warnings from the Department of State. Linden Travel offers links to useful travel related websites where you can learn more about traveling to Mexico, Click Here.
3) Use Travel Insurance
A good insurance plan may cover the cost of your trip if you need to cancel for any reason. In addition, if you need to make last minute changes to avoid problem areas, you may lose part of your deposit unless you have insurance.
Traveler safety is always our priority. If you have questions or concerns about Mexico, call a Linden Travel consultant at 800-346-3226 or email request@lindentravel.com.
