It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season is beginning this week! We know that you may have friends or relatives who began buying all of their holiday gifts months ago, but if you're like us, you may just be getting started!

During normal years, this seemed easy enough. Head downtown to your local shops and purchase something unique for a friend or maybe you shop online for convenience of having something shipped directly to that relative who lives in another town or state. However, one of the added frustrations to the pandemic and global marketplace this year is the reality that our supply chain infrastructure is delayed at almost every turn. This means that while you used to be able to just go to a store or online site and find your gifts with relative ease, this year there may be a more limited supply and inventory.

But there is one gift that is still easily accessible and fun to gift--TRAVEL!

In addition to many people having a pent-up wanderlust from all of the pandemic stay-at-home orders, they might also be looking for something to give or receive rather than physical gifts. 

Maybe instead of buying another Christmas tie or newest tech gadget, you could gift your family a cruise or adventure for everyone. Instead of asking for another piece of jewelry or cooking gadget, you could ask for a beachside getaway. Better yet, you could buy a fun, unique piece of jewelry in one of these beautiful locations!

When you look back on past holidays and celebrations, we're betting that many of the gifts you've received aren't even around anymore. Things get broken or lost, clothes don't fit, electronics become quickly outdated. And those things move to the back of your memory. But with travel, nothing is more memorable. Travel memories are long remembered and appreciated even after the trip is over. And at least this year, you won't need to worry about your gift being stuck on a container ship somewhere far away.

If you're like us, you've watched the summer fade into fall. While the change in seasons is always welcomed in the hottest parts of the North State, we're missing the long days lounging by the waters and soaking up the sun.  
Our friends at Down Under Answers have some terrific Tahiti Specials that we want to share with you. So while the colors change and leaves fall, let's not just dream of the sunny days--let's travel to these idyllic locales! 
With turquoise lagoons, sugary-white sand beaches, dramatic volcanic peaks and vanilla scented air, it is easy to see why the islands of Tahiti are known as the Islands of Love. Offering stunning sunsets, romantic beach walks and some of the best diving in the world, Tahiti truly is a destination for romantics at heart.. 

We’re all tired of being cooped up and with widespread distribution of vaccines, everyone is looking forward to a summer getaway. It looks like many people this year are saying “Beach please!” and with good reasons: You spend more time outdoors where it is easier social distance.We’ve all been indoors for too long and the Vitamin D that sunshine brings is even better when mixed with Vitamin Sea.Beach vacations offer a wide variety of activities and interesting food options. Here are some tips from our friends at SceptreVacations to make sure you pack like a pro for a seaside (or lakeside) escape:

With a variety of activities, you need to think about how to organize your bags to make the most of your space. Packing cubes and compressions bags can help you save both space and time. They make unpacking easy as you can just slip them straight into the drawers of your hotel dresser.If you are having a more mobile vacations where you are driving from one spot to another, compression also means fewer bags to load and unload at each stop. Plastic storage bags that can be sealed are your friends as well. Especially for things like extra masks and liquid containers of your favorite sunscreen or apres-soleil balm.

Even with vaccines becoming widespread, masks are not going away any time soon. While the ability to social distance may allow you to uncover your face for some of the time (nobody really wants the “raccoon face tan” that wearing a mask full time could bring), you will be required to wear a mask in any settings where people gather.
​Here are what you need to bring with you:

A few extra masks will come in handy if you don’t have time to wash and dry all of your reusable masks after a day at the beach and before an evening out.

It’s always a good idea to have some sanitizing gel on hand to quickly make sure your hands are easily cleaned. Wipes are rapidly becoming must have travel accessories as wiping down any area you will be touching over time such as airline seat backs, hotel faucets and doorknobs, and that TV remote).

It is always wise to have a photocopy of your passport when traveling overseas.It is also a good idea to take clear photos of your documents and keep them on your phone. Having a copy has helped many people if they lose their original when it comes to getting a temporary replacement at a local consulate.In this day and age where proof of vaccination, negative Covid test, or existence of anti-bodies could make the difference between entry and denial for various venues, having an extra copy could save the day. If you are traveling as a couple, make a copy and keep one in each other’s carry-ons.

Navigating the new challenges of COVID travel may seem like a daunting task. But with a little careful planning (and the help of your wonderful travel agent) you will be rewarded with your long-awaited paradise! Our friends at Centrav pieced together some of the top things to be mindful of when traveling in the age of COVID.​

Schedule changes are right up there with missed connections. However, in this case, airline schedule changes are totally out of your (and your travel agent’s) control. What causes airline schedule changes? In a normal travel climate, schedule changes happen due to weather, staffing issues, mechanical failures and so much more. It’s complicated coordinating thousands of flight times, codeshares, and routes. Add COVID to the mix and things just get more complicated. As the demand for travel increases, new flights are added regularly. This causes everything to shift a bit. You can avoid frustrations by checking your flight status frequently and arriving at the airport early.
Check out Centrav's full guide to airline schedule changes here

COVID travel regulations don’t just change by country. They change by province and even by city. We should know this well from observing the state mask mandates here in the US. But it is important to remember that other countries are also working through the details just like we are. One city at your destination may not have mask requirements while another not only requires masks but requires a specific kind of mask. Write down every place you will visit and double-check requirements as you approach your departure date. Things can change at any time. ​

While most tourist sites and restaurants have been open in the United States for a while, many countries around the world have been slower to ease back on restrictions. Because of this, you may find things like restaurants, entertainment, and excursions operating at a very limited capacity and or allowing tourists by reservation only. This might prove to be very helpful if you love to plan your trip out anyway. But if you are more of a spontaneous traveler, it might take a little extra planning. ​

We all might know that in order to travel internationally, we need a passport--that blue little book granting access to discover the rest of the world! While the process to apply for a passport is fairly straightforward, the age of COVID has caused many delays in terms of processing and mailing times. We wanted to share some new information with you, coming straight from the US State Department.

Planning to Travel? Apply Early! Apply at least six months before planned travel. Due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, they cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center. They are prioritizing customers with life-or-death emergencies. They do not charge a fee to make an appointment. Visit the Passport Agency and Center page to learn more.
Renew By Mail:  Adults with 10-year passports can renew them by mail instead of appearing in person.   ​

We hope this helps you in your future travel planning!  When you are ready to get more stamps in your passport, let us know. We love the sound of clerks stamping passports, opening gateways to new destinations!

Start with the luminous outer coating of the pearl. It’s called nacre and is what gives the gem its shine. The thicker the coating, the more lustrous the pearl. Next, it’s important to have a smooth surface. The fewer the surface flaws, the more valuable the pearl. Tahitian black pearls come in a variety of shapes: round, circle, button, oval, and baroque. Choose what suits you. Large pearls are not very common so the larger the size of the pearl, the more valuable it is. The last measure is color. Tahitian pearls are most commonly found in the hues of charcoal, silver, and dark green. For a more exotic and valuable gem, choose one in peacock, rose, or rainbow.

Whatever style you are drawn to, we hope that you enjoy the treasure hunt that is finding that perfect pearl. May the adventure to find it be a treasured memory.

Are you a website designer? Trying to launch your own business in the midst of quarantine life?
We wanted to take a few moments and share a new program that we've been enjoying! 

Take a look at Baamboo Studio! 
Baamboo Studio is full of great Weebly apps and themes to make building your business website a breeze. There are free and paid for options that will set your business apart while being so easy to use, every level of designer will be able to make the appropriate modifications with ease.

We know you don't want to be spending hours upon hours creating that perfect aesthetic. So, if you haven't found a platform that works for you, give Weebly a try and add Baamboo Studio elements for that extra design upgrade.

Happy website building!