News – Page 25

I Love My Job

2007-02-25 By Linda Tatten

I love working with a client to find the perfect trip, and help them Imagine the Possibilities… The following is a part of an email from a client.

Linda, the trip was absolutely awesome! We loved every minute of every day and were so sad to come home. Your help, attention to detail, bottle of wine at Bucuti-everything, everything, everything was excellent!

Thank you again so much for all of your help and work on making our trip to Aruba finally happen. You are without a doubt, hands down the best travel agent I have ever worked with or met in my life! I’m so glad that I found you! Feel free to quote me on that to any of your future clients!

Thank You
Sara.

Their trip was a delayed honeymoon to Bucuti Beach Resort Aruba.

Sorrel River Ranch & Spa in Moab, Utah

2007-01-03 By Linda Tatten

Women-Only Trip to Sorrel River Ranch & Spa
Moab, Utah, May 16 – 19, 2007
The Sorrel River Ranch is located on the Colorado River and is surrounded by towering red rock buttes, dramatic mesas and peaks…a visually stunning and dramatic setting.

Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It is an award-winning resort, having won the AAA Four-Diamond Award, the 2004 World Travel Award as The Rockies’ Leading Resort, and made the 2005 Luxury Travel Awards A-List as one of the Top 10: USA Western Retreats.

See the magnificant landscape in which Sorrel River Ranch & Spa lies

Tour the spa, the ranch, dining hall, rooms, and more.

Trip Includes:

Four Night’s Deluxe River View Accomodations
Welcome Reception
Meals including taxes and gratuities

Three dinners
Four buffet breakfasts
One lunch

Taxes, Fees and Gratuities for Activities

Arches National Park
Lunch and Boat Tour
Canyonlands
Moab Excurion

Housekeeping Gratuities
Baggage Gratuities (checking out and checking in)
Room taxes and government fees
Services of a Travel by Tatten Travel Consultant

I was there in June and can’t wait to return! For details about the daily activities, optional tours, and trip costs, download the PDF for this women-only trip!

LINDA’S UTAH ADVENTURE

2006-07-12 By Linda Tatten

MY UTAH AVENTURE

I thought of the saying “you regret the things you didn’t do in life, more then the things you did do”… so I said yes.

June has been a busy month, with lots of traveling. I went to Utah to look at a place for one of my Women Only Trips, and it was wonderful!

As I was driving to the Sorrel River Ranch, I kept thinking, there is no way to describe this to people – the vastness of the area, where you can see forever in any direction and the most beautiful red mountains.

Sorrel River Ranch is located in Moab, Utah. To get to the ranch, I turned off the main highway – a two lane road – on to an access road and drove for 17 miles along the Colorado River. I kept thinking this can not be as beautiful as their brochure looks – but it was. There was the Sorrel River Ranch, on 160 acres, sitting by the Colorado River and surrounded by 2,000 ft red cliffs and buttes. Sorrel River Ranch is the only member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group located in Utah and has received 3 World Travel Awards.

The friendly staff took me to my room, which had a deck looking out over the Colorado River, and the large windows overlooked red mountains. The room had a sitting area, kitchenette, and a bathroom with a window over looking the river. Individually designed log and rustic wood furniture gave the room a southwestern feel. After seeing the room, my friend and I decided to order room service and sit out on our deck. The sunset against the red mountains, beautiful! The staff was friendly and helpful making our stay even more pleasurable. www.sorrelriver.com

On the way to breakfast, I noticed that O.A.R.S., an adventure travel company doing rafting, kayaking and multi-sport adventures, had an office at the ranch. I had worked with them as part of an Adventure Travel Program and was impressed by their staff and the quality of their equipment. I said to my friend, I know the owner of this company; I need to call him to put together a program for my group. As I was seated for breakfast, I looked over at the other table and there was George, President of O.A.R.S, who was also visiting the ranch. After breakfast I met with George and James, who was at the ranch office, to talk about my group. Such a small world.

I kayaked for the first time and on the Colorado River with rapids (ok little rapids)…with the help of the wonderful staff of O.A.R.S., Zack and Mary, off we went down the river. How it all started, there were six of us picked-up at the ranch and taken up river, for what I thought was a Dory Ride (a wooden boat with a guide), but on arrival Zack said you are the ones that reserved the kayak (thanks George) – that follow the dory? I thought this must be a mistake, I thought we were just going to try it, not be kayaking for two hours down the river! At this point, Zack said “you don’t have to, if you don’t want to, you can ride in the boat” well, I thought of the saying, “you regret the things you didn’t do in life more then the things you did do”… so I said yes. Now what I didn’t tell you, I was traveling with a friend and didn’t have time to ask her what she thought (this was a two person kayak) so I just took her down the river with me – and yes, she is still my friend.

We laughed for two hours and provided entertainment for those in the dory, as we learnt how to kayak. My friend was calling the instructions, as we tried to paddle together – “right, left, right, no your other right, left, no I mean right.”

I have a confession, as the oldest person of the six, it was fun to be in the kayak watching the much younger ones in the dory, knowing they wish they were having the fun we were having, and how they shouldn’t judge people by their age! I think Zack was pleasantly surprised that he didn’t have to pull us out of the river – we made it down on our own! We are still laughing over it all. And a very special thank you to Mike…a nice man who took pictures of my kayaking adventure – I now have proof that I did it!

The next day, Mary (O.A.R.S.) was back to take us on a 4 x 4 Tour of Canyonlands National Park. I was very impressed by her knowledge of the geology and national history of the area…and her driving! You need to have a guide and driver for this tour, as most cars couldn’t navigate the roads, on the edge of the mountains. www.oars.com

Back at the Ranch, you can visit the Fitness Center and full service Spa., or sit by the pool, with a good book. If you want to be more active, Sorrel River Ranch is renowned for its horseback riding and has lessons and trail rides. Or, there is hiking, biking, rafting and touring the National Parks. So much to do…imagine the possibilities!

Note: Look for my Women Only Trip, for next spring. I’m working on the arrangements now.

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas

2006-06-01 By Linda Tatten

Worlds Largest Ship

Would you like to sail on the largest ship afloat? Give me a call and I’ll tell you all about this incredible ship. I was able to see first hand, all she had to offer. The night I was aboard, was a stormy night and I could’t feel the ship move, she was so steady.

A few of the attractions on this 1,112 feet long, 184 feet wide ship.

Flow Rider

Power Boxing Ring

Rock Climbing Wall

Golf Course

Ice Skating Ring

Sorrento’s Pizza, Ben & Jerry’s

Johnny Rockets

I have to say one of my favorite things was, an ice cream machine, where you can make your own. The cones were small, so I rationalized, I could have more then one!

There are 1,817 Staterooms and a Presidential Family Suite. 1,215 Sq Ft and accommodates 14 guests.

All this and so much more…Imagine the possibilities!

Travel by Tatten supports Sylvia’s Haven

2006-05-07 By Linda Tatten

Women helping women, it has a good feel and Imagine the Possibilities..

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I have been very fortunate to have family and friends – my angels – in my life during difficult times, their support has made all the difference in my life. Having said this, my difficult times can not be compared, at all, to what the women at Sylvia’s Haven have had to endure.

Sylvia’s Haven, provides transitional housing for homeless women and their children, where women are offered food, shelter and the opportunity to recover from the trauma of homelessness, enabling them to go on to build confidence and learn skills to become self-sufficient and independent. Sylvia first started her mission to help women, by taking three pregnant homeless women into her own home, she is a remarkable women.

I first heard of Sylvia, from an article in the Boston Globe, many years ago. I started to send donations, when I could, and have followed the progress of Sylvia’s Haven through the years. Last week, I called Sylvia and asked to meet her and visit Sylvia’s Haven; I was impressed by her caring for “her girls” and her long fight to keep things going.

I have decided that I want to help, a small way of giving back for my good fortune in life. Since I have developed my own Women Only Travel trips, it seemed like a perfect way to help – so I will make a donation to Sylvia’s Haven for each Women Only Trip that I do. Women helping women, it has a good feel and Imagine the Possibilities…

If you would like to learn more about Sylvia’s Haven, and how you can help with donations of food, furniture or money, please see www.sylviashaven.org.

All Spa’s Are Not The Same

2006-05-02 By Linda Tatten

As part of my Spa Certificate Course, I went to Utah and experienced two very different Spas…someone had to do it!

RED MOUNTAIN SPA – FIRST STOP www.redmountainspa.com

I went with a friend; we drove from Las Vegas Airport, about 2 hours, to the Red Mountain Spa, arriving at dinner time. After only having airplane food – no more need be said – we were hungry and wondered what a Spa dinner would be like! The food was wonderful and the Canyon Breeze Restaurant became a favorite place for meeting new friends and hearing about their adventures of the day. The Dinner Menu lists 12 entrees and there were daily specials. The salad bar (lunch and dinner) was very good and two soups – hot or cold. The friendly wait staff even asked if we wanted bread, with butter or oil. They also had a bar, if you wanted wine with dinner.

I will always remember the view from our (basic but nice) room, as we went out in the morning – the wall of red mountain stretching out in front of us, what a way to start the day! The view here is special, wherever you go, there are the beautiful Red Mountains surrounding you. .

They have a Hiking Program, with three different levels. I did Trekker 1, with some paved road walking and some trails. My friend did Trekker 2, with a variety of trails including some rock and uneven terrain. They have a Trekker 3; my guide said it was for people who run 5 miles before breakfast! I liked my Trekker 1.

Some of the other Adventure Programs are Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Geo-caching, Orienteering and Biking. Adventure Racing is one of the fastest growing sports, it combines trekking, land navigation, mountain biking, kayaking, and rappelling. Red Mountain is having their first Adventure Racing Camp in November.

While my friend was Rock Climbing, I was at the Spa, doing research on their services…always thinking of my clients! After a busy day of Trekking, Stretching and Pampering, it was time for an evening swim, under the stars. Life as it should be!

In addition to the Adventure Program and Spa Treatments, they offer many different kinds of classes – Cardiovascular Workouts, Muscle Strengthening, Flexibility Classes, Fitness Workshops, Wellness & Relaxation and they have a gym with all new equipment. They also offer excursion to Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. We had a car and went on our own to Zion National Park; it was an easy drive and beautiful scenery.

Who goes to the Red Mountain Spa? This spa was voted Best Spa for Men, because it’s considered an Adventure Spa. About 1/3 were men, there were families, friends traveling together and a large group of singles. Size of the Spa 174 guests, 210 employees.

The Red Mountain Spa was a wonderful experience…please give me a call with any questions. 1-800-710-8041 or 508-460-1816

GREEN VALLEY RESORT & SPA – SECOND STOP
www.greenvalleyspa.com

We packed the car and took one last look at the incredible view, then off to the Green Valley Resort & Spa. It’s only 4 miles away, but had a totally different look. The Red Mountains were replaced with green landscape and 10,000 Roses. We drove up to a Spanish style building and check-in. We were taken to our beautiful room, called a suite. Our suite included a private patio across from the pool, an enormous bath with oversized tub, a sitting area, Starbucks coffee, CD Player, VCR, fax machine and popcorn w/popper. – which we tried. We had a fireplace between the two four poster beds, and each bed had its own TV and remote. The beds had special mattresses and bedding – and lots of pillows, the kind of bed you have to climb up into…this is so popular you can buy the bedding and have it shipped home. We would return at night to find the beds turned down and a gift and poem/story on our pillows… a nice touch. One night it was a Teddy Bear..

There dinning room has a more formal feel then at Red Mountain, the menu is limited, more conducive to wait loss…and no wine. They have the Color of the Day, if the color is red, then the plates and rims of the glasses in the dinning room are red, as well as the floral arrangements on the tables. In the Spa treatment area, the special baths are colored with the Color of the Day. (Red: for physical strength, Blue: A heart remedy, Green: Energizer and Indigo: A sleeping potion for peaceful dreams and visions). They have wonderful treatment names – Cleopatra’s Rejuvenating Bath, Rapunzel’s Secret Hot Oil Treatment and Seven Heavens Aromatherapy. They have a Relaxation Room, with flowers and ferns; music and books; interesting art and mirrors. Visually there is a lot to see, yet it’s very calming. This is where you wait for your spa treatments.

They offer meditation classes and have a labyrinth, based on a labyrinth found in the 13th century cathedral in Chartres, France.

Most of the people I spoke with, seemed to be there for spa treatments and relaxation, not as much for the out door activities. There was more of a feeling of pampering and quite time. There was a group of young women celebrating a birthday, one of those big birthdays, rather then doing a party, her husband paid for her and her friends to have a Spa weekend!. Spa size: 45 guests, 100 employees

They do have two special programs:

Tennis – The Vic Braden Tennis College is located here, with 14 outdoor courts and 4 climate controlled indoor courts. 13 Automated ball machine lanes, Video Analysis Center and Color Coded Strategy Court. Award Winning Tennis – Top 5 Best Tennis Programs in the U.S., Top 50 Greatest Tennis Resorts in the U.S. and the Top 25 Best Tennis Camps in the U.S. – Tennis Magazine.

Golf – Green Valley Golf Learning Center, America’s newest and largest indoor golf facility complete with hitting stations, indoor chipping, putting green, private video and analysis room

After a memorable week of Spa Research, it was back to Boston…so little time, so many spas! Please call with any questions 1-800-710-8041 or 508-485-5723.

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