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Whether it’s a SMM end to end solution, national sales meeting, trade show, conference or an incentive travel event, our Meetings and Incentives Group DISCOVERS, DESIGNS AND DELIVERS.

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We listen, we design – then we deliver a custom program to meet your goals.

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Showing posts with label Altour Los Angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Altour Los Angeles. Show all posts

Friday 19 October 2018

France Is Getting 5 New High-Speed Train Lines

Earlier this year, the French government announced it would make some serious investments in its transportation infrastructure—which translates today to details about five new high-speed train lines, expected to criss-cross the country by 2023, reports The Local France. These technically aren't new routes; instead, France will upgrade both train cars and existing "regular" rail lines to make them both high-speed TGV. Here's where the "new" lines will run, and what it all means for you:Bordeaux–

Toulouse: It currently takes travelers more than four hours to go by train between the wine region of Bordeaux and historic Toulouse, with its landmark churches and convent, in France's southwest. A new high-speed connection will shave off an hour, and the train stations in both towns will be upgraded, reports The Local.

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Monday 1 October 2018

Five Things to Know About Crystal Cruises' Debussy Cruise Ship




World's Best 2018 Awards Rank: #6 River Cruise Line

Best for: Luxury lovers searching for memorably fabulous Continental cuisine and top-notch service.
Sails: Rhine River, Main River, Moselle River, and Danube River

At a Glance: Crystal Cruises’ river ship cabins all have balconies and butlers … and they’re also all-ages, too. You may not think of them as family ships, but everyone six-months-old and up is welcome.

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Monday 17 September 2018

Five Things to Know About Crystal Cruises' Debussy Cruise Ship



World's Best 2018 Awards Rank: #6 River Cruise Line
Best for: Luxury lovers searching for memorably fabulous Continental cuisine and top-notch service.
Sails: Rhine River, Main River, Moselle River, and Danube River

At a Glance: Crystal Cruises’ river ship cabins all have balconies and butlers … and they’re also all-ages, too. You may not think of them as family ships, but everyone six-months-old and up is welcome.

Read More...

Tuesday 4 September 2018

Here’s What’s on the Menu for the World’s Longest Flight


Singapore Airlines will be relaunching the world’s longest flight this October. For the 18-hour and 45-minute nonstop journey, the airline has partnered with nutrition and health experts to create a wellness menu specifically for the flight.

To make passengers comfortable on the flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Singapore's Changi Airport, the airline is working with wellness brand Canyon Ranch to create meals, sleep and lighting strategies, and stretching routines. Canyon Ranch is no stranger to providing health expertise, with a portfolio of wellness lifestyle properties that include the world’s biggest day spa inside of Las Vegas’ The Venetian and The Palazzo hotels.

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Tuesday 7 August 2018

Marion Miller's 14-day Trip Around India

Marion Miller is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries she creates.

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

Arrive in Delhi and meet your Micato representative after deplaning. They will accompany you to your luxury vehicle, where cool refreshments await. You will drive through the city to your hotel, The Imperial Hotel, where the manicured lawns, sweeping staircases, and exquisitely carved stone-work will take you back to the glamorous days of the Raj. 

Day 2: Delhi

Grab a leisurely breakfast before meeting Micato's tour director, Hem Singh. His charm and intense love for his country and its people make him the person to have by your side as you embark on your adventure. Continue to Humayun's Tomb, where Emperor Humayun, the father of Emperor Akbar, lies buried. 
Next, visit a Gurudwara or Sikh Temple, where you will meet community leaders and help make the day’s meal. You'll learn how to roll chipatti dough. After lunch, continue your exploration of the city as you embark on a visit to the Old Delhi. Deep within the labyrinthine alleys, meet Michael Haidar Ali, who will take you on a fascinating food walk to discover the many treats available. 
Later, dine at the home of our Indian hosts. 

Day 3: Delhi to Agra

Proceed to Agra and check into the Oberoi Amarvilas, located right across from the Taj Mahal. In the evening, visit Mehtab Bagh, a site across the river that affords a spectacular view of the Taj Mahal. Back at the hotel, we have arranged for you to enjoy the expert ministrations of a traditional Ayurvedic therapist. For dinner, head to the Pool Pavilion, where a sitarist provides the live background music while you dine. 

Day 4: Agra

Rise early to visit the Taj Mahal. As is customary with Micato, we are the first to enter the gates. Accompanying you is your dedicated photographer to capture these memorable moments. You will also visit the widely acclaimed House of Kohinoor for a private viewing of their priceless collection of hand woven tapestries as well as jewels, some of which date back to the Mughal era.
In the afternoon, get up close and personal with the sloth bears living at the world’s largest sloth bear rescue facility. If of interest, sponsor one of the adorable resident bear cubs and receive its biography and periodic updates on his welfare.

Day 5: Agra to Ranthambore

After breakfast, take a private charter to Sawai Madhopur, home to the Ranthambore National Park. Upon arrival in Ranthambore, proceed to your luxury resort bordering the park, the Oberoi Vanyavilas. Later in the evening, meet the Head Warden of the park for cocktails and dinner. Ranthambore is indisputably one of Indian wildlife conservation’s success stories where the tiger population has increased over the years. A meeting with him is a perfect way to understand the tireless conservation efforts which have gone into this.

Day 6: Ranthambore

Awake just before dawn to hot coffee or a pot of tea, accompanied by a few pieces of shortbread to fortify you for the morning’s a sunrise game drive. The rolling landscape is simply crawling with wildlife, but it is the tigers that everyone comes to see. Ranthambore is one of the best locations to get a close view. They are sighted almost daily somewhere in the park – especially early in the morning. 
Between game drives, embark on an excursion to Dastkar – a craft conservation project aimed at sustaining local artisans and their trade. Visit the workshop where you will see and even try your hand at different crafts like block printing, patchwork, rug-weaving and shoe-making.

Day 7: Ranthambore to Jaipur

Depart Ranthambore for Jaipur. Arrive at Rambagh Palace, your accommodations for the next few nights. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace complex. Here you'll take the insider’s tour — your guide knows all the legends that make the Palace such a memorable place to visit. At night, you are invited for a special family dinner. 

Day 8: Holi

Watch and join in as people of all ages gather and douse each other with brightly colored powder (gulal) and water. Your guide will provide the traditional garb for the day – a white kurta-pyjama and  your arsenal of colors. Early this evening, maybe you’ll want to fly a kite? During your travels through India you will often see children on rooftops engrossed in the age-old sport of kite-flying. The children can also enjoy a rangoli session at the hotel, where they will be taught to recreate a beautiful Indian design using flower petals/dried rice.

Day 9: Jaipur

Wake up early to enjoy a balloon adventure over Jaipur. Later, we visit the Amber Fort before heading to a private elephant sanctuary. You'll get up close and personal with the Asian elephants by bathing and painting them with traditional Indian designs. As the sun sets, enjoy cocktails at the members-only Jaipur Polo Club where you will be joined by members of the legendary Jaipur Polo team. This elite game, once the sole preserve of kings and princes, is a way of life in Jaipur and a favourite with the city’s smart set.

Day 10: Jaipur to Udaipur

Once again, awake to a delightful breakfast before departing for Udaipur. Upon arrival, you'll visit the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Afterwards, we continue to your hotel, Taj Lake Palace, in time for lunch. The perfect way to enhance your stay at the Lake Palace Hotel is to take a cruise on the Gangaur boat around the serene Lake Pichola. The Gangaur is an antique royal barge belonging to the House of Mewar, and was used in the James Bond film Octopussy. Cocktails and a delectable dinner will be served. 

Day 11: Udaipur

Join your guide for a tour of the nearby temples of Eklingji. You also visit Nagda, the site of two fourth-century temples, both embellished with intricately carved royal edits, recalling the harsh rulers of centuries past. After lunch, you'll take a camel cart ride through the nearby village, where you’ll meet a village elder. He will take you on a walk through the village, introducing you to his family and perhaps inviting you for a cup of tea at his home. 

Day 12: Udaipur to Jodhpur

This morning, after breakfast, you will depart Udaipur and drive to Ranakpur to visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain temple complex. You'll stop for lunch at the charming Maharani Bagh Orchards, originally gifted by the Maharaja to his queen and used as a royal retreat. Afterwards, continue your journey and drive on to Jodhpur. Check into the Umaid Bhawan Palace, where you will receive the royal treatment as you settle into your gorgeous room. Once you’ve settled in, you’re off to explore the older part of Jodhpur city on auto-rickshaw, the best way to navigate the narrow lanes. Spend some time soaking in the sights and sounds of the bustling alleyways of the old-world bazaar. Roam the narrow lanes dotted with tiny shops selling exquisite Rajasthani textiles, handicrafts, pottery, curios and exquisite Rajasthani silver jewellery. Afterwards, you will return once more to your beautiful palace.

Day 13: Jodhpur

Your day begins with a visit to the Meherangarh Fort. Later, you will set off to visit the nearby Bishnoi Villages like Guda Bishnoiyan, Kakani, and Khejarli. Afterwards, explore the surrounding countryside on an open jeep safari, stopping en-route for a picnic lunch. You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 14: Depart (Jodhpur to Delhi) 

This morning your journey draws to a close as you fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to a hotel where a room has been reserved for you. Later that night, proceed to the international airport for your flight home.

Tuesday 17 July 2018

One percent. That’s all it took


The Olympics were two years away and the British cycling team was looking for a way to gain maximum advantage.

Enter Dave Brailsford.  His aim was simple – to improve the performance of the UK cyclists by just one percent in each key area of their training.  It was his theory that an improvement that small – in every single area – could lead to dramatic results.  And it did!

Within a few years, Britain not only had its first Tour de France winner, they also won over a third of the gold medals at the 2016 Olympics!

At ALTOUR, we take a similar approach.  We have created a proprietary solution that focuses on over seventy touch points of your travel program, by making several small changes that lead to huge results!

If you are currently under a managed program, you are probably already seeing some results, whether or not you feel that your TMC is doing a good job.  Most TMC’s are able to achieve certain savings…but they miss most of the waste.

The key is to uncover untapped savings and benefits, while enhancing the product your travelers and arrangers experience.

We expect you to achieve measureable savings of at least ten percent.  We are so certain we can deliver, that we write that promise into our contracts!

And we don’t stop there.  We would love to engage in conversation about our Travel Diagnostic tool which focuses on the key strength and opportunities within your travel program, while benchmarking your processes against your peers.

Talk to us.  Let’s discover which small improvements can be made in your program – improvements that will lead to dramatic results!

Tuesday 19 June 2018

All You Need to Know About Travel Agencies in UAE


Planning to go for a family vacation to Dubai? Here are some quick details on what travel agencies in Dubai will make your journey a memorable one. Dubai welcomes over 5 million guests every year. Located in the UAE, the city of Dubai is a stunning blend of nature and technology. Located on the Arabian Gulf, people can enjoy sandy beaches, venture outside towards deserts, select shopping or simply learn more about town, which is slowly gaining prominence.

Tourism in is a flourishing industry and the many choices of travel agencies making it possible for the tourist to avail of the very best available alternatives. Certain tour packages include visits to cities that are near. These bundles include a trip to the cultural area of the Arab world, many museums, palaces and oldest markets of the UAE. Adding for this, these packages provide an excursion to celebrated markets offering silver, gold, precious stones, carpets and carpets.

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Monday 23 April 2018

United Is Adding Way Better Seats to Flights This Year


United will add premium economy seats to some of its international flights later this year, giving travelers a new option called 'Premium Plus' that’s better than coach and not quite business class. The airline outlined some of what to expect in an email update to its MileagePlus frequent flier program members on Thursday: “Later this year, we'll begin to introduce United's Premium Plus,” the update read. “Available on select international flights, United Premium Plus will give you more space, comfort and amenities. The seats will be more spacious and you'll enjoy upgraded dining on china dinnerware, free alcoholic beverages, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and pillow, an amenity kit, and more.”

A United spokeswoman confirmed the news—“We will offer Premium Economy beginning this year and it will be called Premium Plus”—but didn’t have additional specifics as of this writing. More details could emerge during United’s “investor day and earnings presentation” next Tuesday, CNBC reported.

It’s fair to say that United is playing catch up with other airlines including American, Delta, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines, all of which have added premium economy seats in recent years. While each airline’s offer is slightly different, they all offer extra legroom, better food and drinks, and super-competitive pricing that’s nowhere near what you’d spend for full-on business class. They’re the sort of seat that, as we wrote in 2015, “make a 16-hour flight seem reasonable.” So, United, that Premium Plus can’t get here soon enough.

Wednesday 4 April 2018

Here's Everything You Need to Travel the World

Figuring out how to travel the world is no easy feat, especially when you’re trying to do it on a budget or planning world travel with a family.

There are many factors to keep in mind when evaluating your trip, including what to do before leaving and your budget. To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide on how to travel the world, including everything from how to start looking into your trip to how to save money once you’re abroad.

1. Get prepared
If you want to travel the world, there are some planning measures you want to take first to ensure you have durable luggage and the proper documents — a passport and possibly visas — and figuring out how much time off you’ll need.

But first:
Get your documents in order
Those in the U.S. will want an up-to-date driver’s license because by Oct. 1, 2020, all U.S. residents traveling domestically must have identification compliant with the Real-ID Act, which increased security requirements for state drivers licenses and ID cards.

Residents in 24 states including Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Oregon and Washington have until Oct. 10, 2018 get a Real-ID compliant card, though states have the option to apply for exemptions through Oct. 1, 2020 when the last phase of the Real-ID Act is enforced, meaning residents in those states should regularly check the status of their IDs before flying.

For travel outside of the U.S., passport cards or trusted traveler cards can serve as documents at certain land and sea crossings. But you’ll want to make sure you have a passport book if there’s any chance you might leave or enter another country via plane, where passport cards won’t work.

Already have a passport? You’ll want check if it’s valid for at least six months after planned trips. That’s because some countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Russia make this a requirement for entering their countries. Renewing a passport takes at least six to eight weeks through the mail, but those with proof of international travel (like a flight itinerary) can get an expedited passport renewal for an additional $60 to the $110 fee and by visiting a passport center in person.

International travel could also require a visa depending on the location and duration of your trip. Some countries have agreements in place that allow travelers to enter and leave visa free. For example, the U.S. and Canada don’t require visas for travel (except in certain circumstances), and Europe’s 26 Schengen States have a system where a visa issued by one of the 26 states typically allows travel throughout the others for up to 90 days.

To find out if your trip requires a visa, check your destination’s embassy or consulate website. Some countries will allow you to travel visa-free for a short stay. Others, like Lebanon, also allow citizens from destinations like the U.S. to get a visa upon arrival.
Get your vacation dates in order
Working while traveling can be tricky, but there are a few steps you can take that don’t involve quitting your job to travel the world.

Start by saving vacation days if you work at a company that pays out for these dates. Those looking to trade in vacation days can also check out companies like PTO Exchange, which lets companies buy back unused vacation days so employees can convert these days into travel, health benefits or charity credits.

Speed up security wait times
Signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can help save you time when moving in and out of airports.

TSA PreCheck, which costs $85 for a five-year membership, allows you to speed through domestic airport security without having to remove your shoes, belt, laptop, liquids or light jackets. The service is currently available in 200 airports in the U.S. across 47 participating airlines.

Global Entry, which costs $100 for a five-year membership will get you the same expedited screening through airport security as TSAPreCheck does, while also giving you the added benefit of expedited U.S. customs screenings through automated airport kiosks when arriving from an international destination.

Look for work on the road
Even if you leave your job to travel the world, there are some ways you can make money while abroad.
Companies like Upwork allow people to find work almost anywhere, even while traveling, since it’s open to freelancers across a wide range of fields that include video production, translation, programming, designing, writing, and mobile development. Income will vary on the type of position and number of hours worked, but freelancers can often rack up hourly rates that go as high as $200 per hour, according to Upwork representatives.

You could also find a place to stay through companies like the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WOOF), which offers housing at organic farms around the world in exchange for volunteering on the farm, doing everything from feeding livestock and watering gardens to harvesting fruit trees.
Woman taking photo of Golden Gate Bridge out of car window with smartphone  
Get the right credit card
Having the best travel credit card for your trip can not only prevent foreign transaction fees, but also help you reap rewards and perks during your trip.

A few cards with travel benefits include the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($450 annual fee), which offers $300 toward travel costs, $100 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, access to thousands of airport lounges, zero foreign transaction fees, and a 1:1 point transfer program towards top airline and hotel loyalty programs. 

The Bank of America Travel Rewards no-fee card lets you easily cash points to use toward airline tickets, baggage, hotel stays, car rentals and cruise packages. The card offers unlimited points, with up to 1.5 points for every $1 spent and 20,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases the first three months of opening your account.

When it comes to savings on hotels, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card lets you earn five points for every dollar you spend at one of the company’s hotels, and two points at participating Marriott Rewards hotels.

2. Book travel far in advance
After all that preparation, you’re ready to book your trip around the world, which will likely be a round-the-world plane ticket, a journey by sea, or a combination of flights and ground transportation.
Below is a breakdown of how different travel options work:

Consider a round-the-world ticket
Round-the-world tickets allow you to buy a ticket and fly with various airlines under one alliance. But there are some regulations to keep in mind. Tickets are usually valid for up to one year, though flyers are required to start and end their trip in the same country through the following major alliances:
Star Alliance (including Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, Austrian, United, and Lufthansa) bases its round-the-world tickets on the number of miles, with levels of passes you can choose from based on mile increments. You can take up to 15 stopovers, but you’ll need to keep moving in the same direction as how you started your trip.

OneWorld (including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas) has two different round-the-world ticket options. Its Global Explorer ticket is a mile-based option with four different mile increments to choose from, while the One World Explorer is based on the number of continents you visit, with up to four segments (flights) you can take in each of the six continents the alliance flies into.

Skyteam’s (including Delta, Air France, Korean Air, AeroMexico) round-the-world option requires a minimum of two stops and runs for a year, with the alliance even offering theme-based trips, like beach or history, to make planning your ticket a little easier.

Round-The-World tickets can cost around $2,000, and Dave Grossman, author or “MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points,” recommends checking whether it’s cheaper to book a round-the-world trip or individual legs by entering itinerary into Google Flights and comparing the overall price to those offered when building an itinerary out on the alliance websites.

You can also book round-the-world tickets through a travel agent or third-party sites like AirTreks of Flight Centre. These sites can be cheaper because they often pull together individual airline tickets based on the lowest fares to create a round-the-world itinerary.

However, round-the-world ticket travelers should note: missing one leg of your ticket could cancel the rest of your trip, making it best for travelers who feel comfortable planning out a lengthy trip well in advance.

Take a world cruise
If you’re looking to travel the world by sea, a world cruise can provide the flexibility to explore multiple continents, traveling from the U.S. to Europe for example, or to hone in on one continent. Itineraries vary by cruise, and world cruises can be great for families, retirees or those who can be at sea for around three months.

Sometimes, cruise lines will offer the option to book only a segment of world cruise, which can range from two weeks to a month. To book a segment, prospective travelers will also have to add a one-way trip to or from the start or end of their journey.
The costs of world cruises can be anywhere from $13,000 to upwards of $40,000 per person, as Cruise Critic points out.
Aerial View Of Cruise Ship Sailing On Sea
Take a repositioning cruise
If you’re looking to travel the world for cheap, consider a repositioning cruise, which take place when ships need to relocate from one region to another. The cruises can cost up to $50 less per day than classic cruises and typically take place during shifting seasons like the fall and the spring. Cruise lines often sell repositioning tickets as one-way routes.

Consider train travel
If you plan on using trains throughout your world travel, there are a few options. For example, select companies like Great Rail Journeys now offer around the world rail journeys as well as a variety of rail passes.

Amtrak offers U.S. rail passes with 15-day ($459 for adults), 30-day ($689 for adults), and 45-day ($899 for adults) pass options that let you travel across eight segments (stops), 12 segments (stops), and 18 segments (stops).

Rail passes are a popular way to explore multiple stops within continents like Europe on the cheap. The Eurail Global Pass is the only rail pass that lets international travelers visit all of Europe, with unlimited travel offered in 28 countries. Eurail sells its global passes directly through its official website with a variety of prices and time options, starting at $600 per person for six days of travel within a month.

Those looking for the cheapest ways to travel, which can involve buses or ferries, can check out Rome2Rio, which lets you see all the transportation you can take between two locations and what route will be the cheapest. There are also lower-cost options like Berlinbus (a low cost bus operator in Germany) and the Student Agency Bus, which will give you discounted prices on coach lines in Europe. Swiss Federal Railways, often called SBB, also provides travelers with a wide variety of overnight train options, allowing you to save on overnight hotel fees to travel instead.

Know when to book
Unfortunately, there’s no magic set of days before your trip that will get you the best deal on flights. But travel seekers can keep an eye out for regular flight sales on social media, where airlines will often announce flash sales. And there are certain travel apps that will alert you when the price has gone down on flights you’re interested in.

3. Avoid hidden travel and communication fees
Once you’ve started your trip, there are tips and tricks to help you travel each destination across the world on a budget. Here are some ways to cut costs during your travel around the world:
Grab a city pass

City-pass offerings vary by location, but many will give you free or discounted admission to top attractions in a city, as well as fast-track options to cut lines. Some passes, like the Paris Pass, also include free transport throughout the city as well as admission to attractions. If you’re traveling in the U.S., you can check out the CityPASS network, which provides discounts on attractions across 12 North American cities.

Eliminate hidden hotel fees
To reduce hidden hotel fees (that is, after checking what hidden fees the hotel charges before you book), you can ask the hotel whether they can forego additional fees for amenities you don’t use, like the gym or in-room safe. The hotel may be able to remove these charges from your bill before you arrive.

If you’re staying at an all-inclusive property, you’ll want to look into the fine print and the “terms and conditions” of your stay. The reason for this is that some properties will charge more for items like champagne, high-end liquor or some activities. The easiest way to spot these is by keeping your eye out for asterisks in promotions and advertisements.

Communicate for free

Klaus Vedfelt—Getty Images
Communicating with friends and family while traveling is important, but roaming charges and international calling fees can add up quickly.
Apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype, which allow messaging and calling for free over Wi-Fi if you have an Android phone. You can also grab a local SIM card, which you can purchase at airport vending machines and convenience stores. The Local SIM app can pinpoint the best local cellular carrier to grab your SIM card.

Choose Restaurants Wisely
While eating food from around the world is often one of the best parts of traveling, dining out for every meal can become expensive. To save some money: stay away from restaurants located near tourist attractions, which generally have higher prices and lower quality. Some travel experts recommend making lunch your biggest meal, when prices can be half that of dinner, according to CheapOAir.

Ask about free amenities on flights and at hotels
Some airlines and hotels have free perks available to guests who know to ask for them. On flights, for example, travelers can request everything from ukuleles on some Hawaiian Airlines flights to hot chocolate on Southwest Airlines. Some hotels also offer free amenities that range from night lights, chargers and curling irons at Kimpton Hotels to complimentary yoga sessions at select Hyatt properties.

Now, if all you need is travel inspiration, check out the 20 best and affordable places to travel in 2018.