5 Important Roles Travel Agents Fill

originally from GoGoVacations

New TSA Rule Affects Powders in Carry-Ons

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) never fails to quietly introduce new rules for your carry-on baggage . The latest one, already in effect, is focused on powdered substances in your carry-on.

Powdered substances are generally allowed in your carry-on. If the amount of powder you want to fly with exceeds 12 ounces (the size of a soda can), it may require additional screening, which may include opening the container so TSA can sniff around a bit.

It’s important to note that, according to the TSA, any powder that is flagged during screening, including items deemed medically necessary, may not be allowed through security. So if you or your clients are concerned the powder may not clear screening, TSA recommends placing it in your checked baggage.

You can still put food in your carry-on, but as with everything, it must go through the x-ray screening and may even require additional screening. Here’s a quick reminder of the foods that are permitted in your carry-on bag, in unlimited quantity:

• Cakes
• Pies
• Hard cheeses
• Pasta
• Protein powders (but be careful, now!)
• Fresh eggs
• Fruits and vegetables

But if you want to avoid additional screening (and who wouldn’t?), you should remove all food products from your carry-on bag and put them in a bin.

So if your brand-new protein powder container somehow gets busted on your way to the airport, it’s best to try to get it into your checked luggage. If that’s not possible, eat as much of it as you can before the security checkpoint. Just kidding – if there's more than 12 ounces of it left and you put it into another container, just take it out of your carry-on and maybe give the TSA agents a heads up on it.

Travel insights from VAX VacationAccess

Corporate Travel Solutions

Sandals Royal Bahamian Visit

On a recent business trip to the Bahamas I had the opportunity to visit Sandals Royal Bahamian. We were very impressed with the location, grounds, accommodations, staff and service. It had been a few years since our last trip there and they have made considerable amounts of upgrades, and really pay attention to detail. We sampled the breakfast and lunch at the poolside restaurant as well as the Napoleon Style Pizza.
Any questions about this Sandals or any other resort feel free to contact us today. 516.366.9008
or visit us at www.mattyktravel.com and click on the Sandals button for more info.

Checkin. Booked a room with a butler? They will pick you up from the airport in a Rolls Royce.

The Checkin Area you are met with Champagne:

Here is the Pool Bar before it opened at 10am

Feel like exercising on vacation? Here is the view of the rooftop gym.

Non Motorized Water Sports are included at all Sandals..

Pool Side Napoleon Style Pizza. Pretty Good even for us New Yorkers who know good Pizza.

Pool Drinks were served with top shelf liquor.

Here are some more views from Sandals Royal Bahamian

SECRETS OF THE PONTE VECCHIO

FacebookShare

 

As the Nazis retreated from Florence during World War II, they blew up all of the bridges across the River Arno, except one: the Ponte Vecchio, which was evidently saved on Hitler’s personal orders. This was where he had met the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in 1938, cementing the “pact of steel” alliance. The Führer had been so impressed by the elegant “Old Bridge,” which had graced the spot since being built in stone in 1345, that he decided to save it. Instead, the German army blew up all of the ancient buildings on either side, so that the bridge could not be used by the Allies, but the Ponte Vecchio itself was salvaged for posterity.

Today, thousands flock to this glorious arched edifice to buy gold and silver from local vendors, much as they have since 1593, when the Grand Duke Ferdinando Medici ordered that metalworkers and jewelers replace the butchers and tanners who worked there. He wanted a more pleasant walkway and was offended by the stench of rotting meat and the pungent odors of hides that were cured in horse urine and washed in the river. A bust of Benevento Cellini, the most accomplished of all Renaissance goldsmiths, stands as a reminder of this great tradition.

In its heyday, like all bridges of the period, the Ponte Vecchio was bustling with merchants and crowded with domestic residences, taverns, and shops. Today, if you visit the bridge in the early morning or at night, when the vendors’ stone-walled stalls are closed, you can see city’s ancient symbol, a stylized lily (not unlike the fleur de lis), used as a decorative pattern on the metal hinges of all the wooden shutters.

But at any time of day, make sure you look up and spot the barred round windows in the top level of the bridge. Unbeknownst to most visitors, a secret passage runs above the Ponte Vecchio. It was added by the Medici family in 1565 so that they could get from the Uffizi to the Palazzo Pitti without having to weave through the crowds and risk assassination. It is known as the Vasari Corridor after its designer, Giorgio Vasari, and its circular windows are called “the eyes of Florence.” Through them, the Medicis could spy on their subjects and even eavesdrop on conversations. It was actually in this passageway that Adolf met Benito back in 1938, in order to hatch their plans in privacy.

Upcoming Singles Cruises

Singles Cruises

5 PLACES IN ITALY YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF (BUT NEED TO VISIT)

FacebookShare

Italy is home to some of the most diverse and stunning natural landscapes, renowned cuisine, and remarkable history in the world. There is SO much to uncover… including these 5 cities that you may not have heard of but, without question, need to visit!

Bari: Think you can only get white-washed walls and sparkling blue waters in Greece? Think again! Italy’s Apulia region offers just that… With a fraction of the tourists you’ll find cruising around Greece. Lying at the spur of Italy’s boot, the town of Bari lies on the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea and serves as a key port for a number of ferries and cruise ships. Home to a large university, and thus a heavy student population, Bari is lively, charming, and known for its delectable cuisine. It often gets overlooked for neighboring towns like Lecce, but trust us, Bari is a hidden gem waiting to be uncovered.

Castellana Grotte: When you think of Italy, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? The food? The wine? The famous ruins? Certainly not a series of stunning natural caves that extend more than two miles in length, right? Ours, either. The Castellana Grotte caves are largely a “locals only” secret located in the province of Bari. The impressive system of stalactites, stalagmites and crystallized mineral deposits has begun attracting travelers to the area, and for good reason!

Lake Garda: We’re sure you’ve heard of Lake Como (thanks, George Clooney), but did you know that Italy’s lake region is actually comprised of six lakes? Amongst those, Lake Garda is not only the largest, but also one of the most diverse, offering something for every type of traveler – from water sports to wine tasting. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with several small islands, Lake Garda is equally as picturesque as its neighbors and is easily accessible, sitting between Milan and Venice. It is a popular destination for travelers from across the globe thanks to its stunning landscape, bright flowers and charming, red-roofed towns surrounding the lake.

Monterosso: Unlike four other villages that comprise Cinque Terre, Monterosso is a low-lying town with direct beach access, making it the perfect vacation spot! The beach is lined with vacationers lounging under brightly colored umbrellas and the town is bustling with travelers enjoying the region’s famed white wines and locals looking to escape the city for a few days.

San Gimignano: San Gimignano gives you the Tuscany that you have been dreaming of… Rolling vineyards, sunflower fields and a charming and well-preserved red-roofed village. Things here seem to move a little slower… Days are leisurely, meals take longer and life is enjoyed a bit more, proving that life really is better under the Tuscan sun.