Happy Holidays Everyone!

Aloha and Happy Holidays Everyone!

So today we "officially" mark the final holidays season of 2010! Thanksgiving is behind us, and the crazy days of Christmas are here!

I have just returned from my beautiful Island of Kauai. Such peace there, and true spirit of Aloha. Despite the new growth on this island (which I am really not a fan of for sure) the essence of pure Hawaii prevails. With out a doubt Kauai is still the island... "that looks exactly like what people think Hawaii is supposed to look like, if they have never been there before!"

My home base for this stay was new for me! I stayed at the amazing new Westin Princeville Ocean Villas. My wonderful friend (Lindsay Foreman, Sales Manager extraordinaire!) and all the staff, took great care of me! I had some issues, which most would not have encountered! But because I was on island for business, my situation was different. Anyway... the staff at the Westin was the BEST! From the front desk to housekeeping exceeding any of my expectations! (Which is saying a lot- I have stayed at some of the very best!) Also a special- two thumbs up- to the restaurant on site... Nanea! The food is expertly prepared, the presentations were gorgeous, and I was very pleased! Mahalo nui loa... to all of my new ohana at the Westin Princeville!

While on island I also visited the brand new ... St. Regis at Princeville! If ever there was a place of dream vacation stays, this is that place! Not at all "pretentious", as some may want to think! Just absolute luxury, five star service, amazing food, and views... to die for! They have embraced the Hawaiian culture and history while providing the ultimate experience, in the perfect location!

I need to also mention my "home away from home"... the beautiful and all new and fresh, Grand Hyatt Kauai! It was a bitter sweet visit, as this is usually where I stay when on Kauai. But this gorgeous resort has ALL new rooms- and even I was impressed! With the perfect location in Poipu, this resort hotel is one for serious consideration if visiting Kauai!

In closing I just want to repeat for emphasis... any vacation you plan should be first and foremost about the "experience", not the price! Which is of course why allowing an expert- a Certified Travel Consultant- help you plan that trip, should be a part of your plan!

Just a few thoughts from this professional.

Travel Pink, Travel O'ahu...

Aloha~

Summer is coming to an end, and the kids are getting ready to go back to school! So Moms... how about thinking about doing something for you?

In October we celebrate "Breast Cancer Awareness". This horrible disease touches us all at some point. I too have friends, sisters, people I love affected by cancer. It's time for us to come together, and fight this fight as one! I try and do my part by joining with my "ohana" in HAWAII, and what we call "Travel Pink, Travel O'ahu"!

We have created, together with some of the most amazing activity vendors on the island. Exclusive, unique, and special things for you to experience while visiting O'ahu! These activities range from shopping, buying food, and eating with famous Chefs of Hawaii! To swimming with the wild dolphins in the north-west part of the island. From hiking in our beautiful rain forests, to sailing at sunset along Waikiki! Not only do you experience this fun, excitement, and adventure of O'ahu. But each business owner has agreed to make a donation, for every activity you do, to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure!

Our beautiful paradise this island of O'ahu. Providing you with peace, wellness, and sense of place. The "spirit of aloha"... lives strong on O'ahu. Come, share it with one you love. Or bring a sister, a friend, someone special in your life who needs this special gift! Go to www.visit-oahu.com/travelpink for more information.

Wishing you aloha... thoughts from this travel professional.

Happy Birthday Disneyland!!!

Hey there, hi there, ho there!

Just a few quick thoughts today- on this very special day! Yes; on this day fifty-five years ago! Walt Disney proudly introduced the world to Disneyland! He did not really know then what his dreams would mean to so many people! But Disneyland has become a part of our lives. Many of us grew up with this magical place, as our children our today!

Thank you Walt Disney! Wish you were here...

Just some thoughts from this Travel Professional, and Authorized Disney Vacation Planner!

Summertime Already?!

Hi Everyone~

Wow... I have so much to share, I could not believe it has been since the end of March that I last posted on my blog! So it did not take long for me to know I had to call this posting; "When busy happens"!

The recession may not be officially "over", but thank goodness people are feeling lots more comfortable and planning again! The months of May and June have been the busiest yet, in DreamCatcher history! YAY! So grateful and excited to be helping some of you plan those well deserved vacations once again!

I have also been experiencing some travel myself! I spent another glorious week on O'ahu in April. I simply could go on for days about O'ahu; it's so beautiful, there is sooooooo much to do, and oh- the food! But this entry I want to share my time on Maui with you.

The Island of Maui; #1 Most Popular Island Destination in the World... again! Now I was just there actually in December. But it has been some time since I "took it on", in June! Still as busy as ever... what recession?! Also painfully obvious now is their lack of rain. The island is so very dry, and brown. But it certainly did not slow anyone down! The waters were amazing! I stood on the cliff over looking Honolua Bay... truly breath taking! I was also there just in time to taste the new treat "on island"... they call it "Maui Gold"! A new pineapple grower has started producing some of the best, sweetest pineapple I have ever tasted! Having traveled to Hawaii for more then 35 years... that is saying a lot! Overall it was a great visit, and gave me a different perspective of Maui.

Changing gears- to "my ears"!! I also wanted to share with all of you a very special thing that happened for me at Disneyland! Just a couple of weeks ago I received a very exclusive invitation from Disney- to attend the world premier of "The World of Color" at Disney's California Adventure Park! The evening started with a reception, marvelous food and drink, in the ballroom at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel! Then, after park hours, we were escorted into the park for our "exclusive" world premier and viewing of "The World of Color"! The park was "electric", everyone was so excited! This show did not disappoint! It is truly spectacular, and should not be missed! After the show we had all of Paradise Pier to ourselves! Thank You Disney... these are the things memories are made from!

Here's hoping you have an amazing summer! Just some thoughts from this Travel Professional.

SPRING! New weather, new attitudes and prices!

Happy Spring Everyone!

I just want to speak briefly to the "values" available right now! Whether your interest is a beautiful warm beach in HAWAII, or Mexico, or Tahiti! Right now... "value" is what we all should be looking at for our next vacation!

Thankfully 2009... is over! With it goes bad times, and "unrealistic" pricing. Now I'm not saying that our troubled economy is "fixed", far from it. But things are turning around slowly, people are feeling a little more optimistic, and the prices are swinging upward right along with those more positive outlooks! Gone for sure are the insane $59.00/day cruises, so please don't hold out for them! But we are definitely seeing great values still out there.

As a specialist in the "luxury" market, I am especially encouraged. All those beautiful five star resorts are really making it worth your while to come for a visit! Just this week I made a reservation for a couple for their anniversary. The will be staying at one of the most gorgeous resorts on all of Hawaii! The total cost for two with airfare, transfers, daily breakfast, ocean view room, is the same as what the "room only" cost was just eighteen months ago! Value.

Most important for you the traveler; couple this incredible savings and value, with the expertise and knowledge of a "travel professional", and you are getting the very most from your vacation experience.

Just some spring fresh thoughts... from this Travel Professional!

A New Year... Time to Look for New Possibilities!

Welcome to 2010!

So 2009 is a memory, and 2010 is here, along with endless new possibilities! It's very hard after such a difficult year, not to reflect. But that often leads to dwelling on things that were less then "positive"! I for one, have chosen to think of what could be!

I think many of us in the travel industry do see a bit of an "up swing"! More people are at least thinking about a vacation again, and making inquiries. The concept of "cautious optimism", is definitely out there!

As a vacation specialist and someone with seventeen years of experience... "value"! That is for sure what people need to recognize and take advantage of today! Rates are still exceptional. Are the resorts, and hotels, and wholesalers, giving it away? No, absolutely not. But for those people who are willing to acknowledge how much more they are getting for their vacation dollars, there is much to be happy about!

I recently was honored with an opportunity of potentially huge results for DreamCatcher! A full television interview by our local NBC affiliate here in Northern California! The producer asked at one point; "Do you think people are still shopping, or are they returning to the travel agencies?" My answer was very swift... both! The very savvy "shopper", I believe, recognizes both are a benefit! They do the research, and then call the professional! A truly talented and experienced travel consultant does not see this as a threat! But in fact expects it from people today! She then suggested a "challenge". Asked me to put together a complete vacation package with pricing, she would go to the internet and do the same. Which one of us would do better? I am very happy to say (and she did concede!) that my expertise delivered the far better result, and in less time! She also had to admit that all she had to do was follow my lead! I delivered the entire package first, and she only duplicated my work.

Value... it's about so much more then the total dollars! It's about being taken care of... and not being taken! Travel Professionals do have a great reason to "be here", and you should take advantage of their expertise! Those of us still in this industry are here because we truly love what we do! I for one, call it passion! Wanting to take my years of experience, and love for destinations like HAWAII, and Disney Parks & Resorts... and provide you with all the memories!

Make 2010 a great one! Allow a professional travel consultant to help you... just making my point.