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Travel to Cuba: Who? Why? How?

Everything you need to know about Americans’ new opportunities to travel to Cuba. And if you don’t see it here – please ask in the comments and I’ll be sure to respond. As the United States reopens its embassy in Havana, here’s what you need to know about traveling to Cuba. Much has changed already since the publication of new regulations for travel to Cuba on Jan. 16, which loosened some restrictions on travel for Americans, though travelers still cannot just hop on a plane and go.

1. So we can go to Cuba now?

Yes. But that’s not what’s new. Americans have always been legally allowed to travel to Cuba as long as that travel was done for a number of allowable reasons, like humanitarian aid, research or visiting family. What’s new in 2015 is that you no longer have to jump through endless hoops to try to secure the “specific license” in order to obtain permission to travel. The new “loosened restrictions” means that you still have the same laws to follow, but as long as you know that your travel qualifies, then you just go ahead and travel. That’s what’s known as a “general license”. You are required to keep records of your travel transactions for five years.

2. So I can pack my speedo and go on vacation?

No. There are 12 categories of allowable travel, and tourism is not one of them. Beach vacations are not allowed. The most common category being promoted is educational activities known as “people-to-people”, which consist of a full-time program of scheduled tours and activities designed to provide participants an opportunity to interact and engage with the people of Cuba. You’ll stay with a group the entire time – no optional activities.

3. How do I get there?

Flights to Cuba from the U.S. are run by charter operations that have been doing this for many years. Most flights depart from Miami, but new options have already been started from cities like New York and Tampa. Regular commercial flights already exist via other countries, like Canada and Mexico, so that may be an option for your tour. It might even be cheaper and faster.

Major carriers like American, Delta and United all are giving indications that they will add more charter flight options and could be offering regular commercial flights soon (2016?).

4. What about cruise ships?

Cuba is the biggest island in the Caribbean and cruise itineraries are easier to adjust than airline routes, so yes, cruises are soon to be a big deal for Americans to Cuba. Trips still need to qualify under one of the 12 licensed categories (think P2P), but the cruise lines are all over this new opportunity. Carnival, Pearl Seas and other cruise lines will all be sailing in 2016.

There are also several ferry companies soon to offer service, and private yacht companies that have already started sailing.

5. I hear hotel space is an issue?

That’s true. Not enough high-end hotels and the possibility of a LOT more visitors is going to be interesting to watch. The first thing we do when starting to plan a tour to Cuba is secure the hotel space. So plan early.

For the right group, casas particulares make for an interesting option – staying in Cuban homes as a guest of the family. This certainly nails the people-to-people component and gives you a much better chance at enjoying some awesome Cuban cuisine than you might get at a state-run restaurant! Casas particulares can be found in any of the popular tourist towns and give the locals a chance to make a little extra income.

6. Can I use credit cards?

Yes, it’s now allowed. No, it might be awhile before the banks get operational, plus most places where you might want to swipe will probably not have the equipment required, so plan on cash. You’ll have to exchange to local currency when you get there. The exchange rate is 1:1 with the US$, but it costs 13% in the transaction. It’s fixed, so exchange anywhere you come across – airport, exchange bureau, bank… just be sure to spend it all because there’s no changing it back.

7. What can I buy there and bring back?

Souvenirs. Up to $400 worth of goods, including $100 worth of cigars. Which is like 2 if you buy the good ones.

8. So where do I sign up?

Witte is going to offer several “open” tours in 2016 and beyond. Stay tuned for that. We are always able to put together a custom tour if you have a group of at least 10 people ready to go. And one of our travel consultants would love to sit with you to discuss all the options there are to travel with operators such as Globus or Apple Vacations.

We’re having informational meetings here in Grand Rapids on September 23 and 24 – please plan to attend! Or call 1 800 GO WITTE to find out more.

What other questions do you have about travel to Cuba? Be sure to ask them in the comments, or let us know on Facebook!

Highlights of a Rhine River Cruise

In late October 2014, my colleague Teri and I departed from Grand Rapids, Michigan for a Rhine river cruise with Avalon Waterways, aboard the Artistry II.

Melissa with the Artistry II — Standing in front of the Artistry II

River cruising is a great way to travel Europe– especially if you’re not sure where to go in Europe or what you want to see! Our Cruise Director was Gusta from Amsterdam. She traveled with us for the entire trip. Every night before dinner, during the cocktail hour, she would give a “port talk” about the next day’s excursions, what time to meet, and what the importance of the next port city was.

Teri with the Artistry II — Teri’s turn to pose with the Artistry II

Dining on board is open seating for all meals. There was a full buffet for breakfast and lunch, and dinner was by menu. Hungry before the scheduled meal time? Not a problem! There is an early riser’s breakfast available, and a light lunch of soup, salad, and sandwiches. For something fun to do, Avalon offers the Pamorana Bistro of Chef’s specials Tapas style. There is an aft lounge with coffees, cappuccinos, teas, and sweet treats always available. These meals, and treats are included in your cruise price.

Life onboard is very casual and comfortable. There is a small workout room, and a hair salon. The ship does have one elevator. The public spaces are never crowded. The top deck is the place to be when cruising the river, with enough loungers for everyone to have a place to sit. The scenery is ever-changing and the cruise director will make announcements of the important sights along the way.

Had we cruised in the summer months, the top deck Jacuzzi would have been open to enjoy as well. There are no swimming pools aboard.

Entertainment (piano and singing by Jerry!) was provided each night after dinner, in the lounge. This offered a chance to visit with others, dance, and enjoy a cocktail. Occasionally, Avalon brought special entertainers onto the ship. Don’t miss these nights! The entertainment was excellent, and again, it was included in the cruise price.

We also took several tours during our stops along the Rhine:

Strasbourg, France – Alsace – wine tasting and winemaking country

wine tasting in france — Wine tasting in France

Speyer, Germany – Excursion to Heidelberg – Heidelberg Castle

Rudesheim, Germany – Best coffee! Be sure to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Museum.

Teri and Melissa in Rudesheim — Teri and me, in Rudesheim

Rhine Gorge – Sailing all day. The scenery is so wonderful. Enjoy a baguette sandwich and wine on the top deck!

Gorgeous views from the Rhine River Gorge

Cologne, Germany – The Dom Cathedral is very Gothic, and so beautiful.

Amsterdam, Netherlands– This was the end of the trip, but not the end of cool things to see. We did some biking during day, and toured the Red Light District at night. (Sorry, no photography allowed in the district).

Is there a river cruise in your future? Join us for our 31st annual Netherlands Waterway Cruise this April, or check out our other cruise offerings.

Tell us about your river cruising adventures in the comments, or let us know on Facebook!

3 Reasons to Visit China in 2014

A web search for reasons to visit China brings up a variety of responses, with the food and culture on almost any list. While I don’t doubt the food is excellent and the culture enticing, those two responses can be said about most foreign destinations.

Great Wall of China — By Ofol [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Travelers to China are ready for adventure, new experiences and stories to send home. Often travelers to China have traveled before and seek a place more unfamiliar than Europe. If you ask me, my three reasons to visit China this year are:

1. Adventure – Adventure seekers to China have a wide definition of this word. Think of adventure travel in this case as anything exciting and thrilling. This may mean hiking to Tibet or biking along the Great Wall but many find excitement in less obvious ways. For a lot of people, adventure is found new cuisine, alternate forms of transportation such as rickshaws, trying to haggle in a foreign language, making their way back to the hotel after not being able to read the map, exploring local towns, going “unplugged” for the duration of the trip, or in making a new friend. Whatever your definition of adventure is, China has activities that will exceed your expectations.

Food of China — By Jakub Hałun (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2. New Experiences – There is a quote from Mary Anne Radmacher that says “I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” What an eloquent statement. Travelers looking for new places, venues, journeys are are looking to expand on what they know. For those of us considered western, the language, culture, religion and food of China is often novel. Exposure to unfamiliar situations creates life long memories.

3. Price – Right now it is cheaper to offer a comparable tour to China than it is to Italy. Deals are out there to be found. Witte and other tour agencies are offering China packages that have full itineraries, good hotels and include airfare, all for low prices. This is an excellent way to see many of the sights of this big country.

Simply google tours to China or view our China Tour Brochure to start dreaming about your upcoming trip to China. And if I may- my favorite thing about our China tour are the dates. The outstanding itinerary, first class hotels, almost half your meals- don’t top the fact that this tour ends on the 22nd of November. Just in time for a short work week! With Thanksgiving the week the tour returns there is plenty of time to rest and recover from your time overseas.

by Whitney Korstange | Group Tour Specialist

The Grand Pineapple Beach Resort Antigua

The Grand Pineapple Beach Resort Antigua is located on a secluded 500-meter stretch of white-sand beach (Long Bay) approximately 30 minutes from VC International Airport and 30 minutes from the capital, St. John’s.

The resort boasts vibrant Caribbean colors with a unique tropical flair. The guest accommodations are in one, two and three-story buildings, each replicating classic Caribbean architecture. The resort is moderately priced and will host singles, couples, families and small groups. The atmosphere here is quiet, casual, relaxed and unhurried.

There are 180 rooms in 5 categories. All rooms have air-conditioning; king, double or queen-size beds; ceiling fans, hair dryers, telephones, iron and ironing board, private bath or shower, safe, cable television, and coffee/tea makers. Some rooms have private balconies or patios and others have communal verandahs.

There are 5 restaurants and 3 bars at this resort. Nightly entertainment is provided along with a wide variety of land and water sports. There are two freshwater pools, one of which is a quiet pool reserved for adults only.

Much of this resort is situated on a hill, which can make walking difficult for some. The ocean-view rooms are located on the hillside and are the largest rooms of the resort. I would not recommend this resort for anyone with mobility issues. The walkways are at times uneven and getting up to the hillside can be a challenge. There are no elevators on property.

Sandals Grande Antigua

Sandals Grande Antigua is situated on the most beautiful and longest white-sand beach in Antigua, Dickenson Bay. It is 15 minutes away from the VC Bird International Airport and 10 minutes from Antigua’s capital, St. John’s.

There are 373 rooms and suites in 25 categories in this beautiful 27-acre resort. Accommodations range from one-story buildings with patios to Honeymoon Rondavels with private plunge pools, to exotic Mediterranean Honeymoon Penthouse One-Bedroom Suites and Luxury Ocean Villas with private pools!

The resort comprises two distinct sections: the Caribbean Grove (the original resort) and the new Mediterranean Village.

All accommodations in the Caribbean Grove have air-conditioning, king-size mahogany four-poster beds, ceiling fans, amenity kits, hairdryers, private bath and shower, safe, clock radios, cable television, coffee/tea maker, iron and ironing board.

Accommodations in the Mediterranean Village offer concierge service, air-conditioning, king-size mahogany four-poster beds, ceiling fan, amenity kits, hairdryer, telephone, private bath and shower, safe, CD clock radio, cable television, coffee/tea maker, iron and ironing board. These suites have Italian floor tiles, large flat-screen televisions, custom-designed mahogany furniture with leather trunks and fabrics from Turkey, Italy and India. The bathrooms feature Italian Giallo marble, custom his-and-her washbasins, the latest Kohler Purist bath-and-shower fixtures, whirlpools and overhead walk-in rain showers.

There are 11 restaurants and 7 bars throughout the resort. Theme nights, weekly events and nightly entertainment is also provided. There are six freshwater pools and six whirlpools, including two swim-up pool bars. This resort also offers volleyball, aerobics, table tennis, day/night tennis, darts, bocce ball, pool tables, snorkeling, aqua cycle, Hobie Cats, Sunfish sailing, kayaks, pedalos, windsurfing and scuba diving.

This resort is fairly large and may require a lot of walking from one area to another. Guests with limited mobility would probably be more comfortable in the Mediterranean Village, as it is more compact and elevators are available.

Sandals Emerald Bay – Great Exuma Island, Bahamas

We did not have the opportunity to stay the evening at this resort, but we viewed many of the rooms, restaurants, common areas and entertainment areas. This is a great resort/destination for golfers, divers, honeymooners and for people who want a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. The overall look is classy, with a very elegant beach theme throughout.

Luxury features:
Sandals Emerald Bay is the world’s first all butler-serviced luxury included resort.
They offer a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course with 6 Oceanside holes.
24-hour room service
Sits on a mile of powdery white-sand beach with a view of Emerald Bay, which is some of the most beautiful turquoise water we have ever seen.
17-spa treatment rooms.
Caribbean’s largest zero-entry pool with a central fire pit.

Accommodations:
There are 22 room categories to choose from at this resort, ranging from a standard hotel room to a two-story, one-bedroom beachfront suite. We were fortunate enough to view many room choices and we are happy to discuss them with you to find the right fit for your vacation.

Dining:
There are 6 options for dining at the resort, with influences ranging from Italy, France, U.K. and the Caribbean. We sampled options from a lunch buffet and thoroughly enjoyed all the high-end presentations and tastes.

Entertainment and Activities:
We met one of the entertainment coordinators for the resort and, as we were walking around the resort with her, she was addressing guests by their first name. It was nice to see the personal connection and to see that the guests were obviously engaging in the resort activities and entertainment. Their offered dance lessons, golf and tennis lessons, live music, jazz performances, Appleton Reserve rum-tasting classes, bocce ball, volleyball, and snorkeling.

Photo Courtesy of Sandals Resorts.

Beaches Turks and Caicos – Grace Bay, Providenciales

Accommodations: We were fortunate enough to spend two evenings here and to be assigned a Piazza Pool Front Walkout Family Suite with Separate Kids’ Room, in the Italian Village, which is the newest section of this complex. The room was very spacious and comfortable with a king-size bed, large overstuffed sofa/trundle bed and a separate bedroom with bunk beds and a trundle that pulled from that. The décor was very rich looking, with a classy Caribbean feel.

There are 3 sections to this resort. The Caribbean Village (11 years old), the French Village (9 years old) and the Italian Village (2 years old). I liked each area for different reasons. We viewed several different room categories in each section of the entire complex, which we would be happy to discuss with clients to find the right fit for their family.

The French Village offered an intimate, quiet feel. I think that this area would be nice for honeymoon couples, even though it is a family-friendly resort, as it is tucked away from most of the family activities. A drawback to the French Village is the balcony. Rooms on the ground level have a walkout patio. The 2nd floors and higher offer a French balcony, with a sliding glass door to the outside, but with no room to sit or stand.

The Caribbean Village is older in style, more of a motor-inn look, but spread out. I liked this area because the common areas were lively and the foliage was very mature and beautiful.
The Italian Village is more of a high-rise complex but flows nicely with the rest of the complex. It is very rich looking with poolside cabanas, richly decorated rooms, and classy common areas.

Dining: There are more than 16 specialty dining options, which is sure to satisfy any guest. In our short time at the resort, we were able to experience The Cricketer’s Pub, Mario’s Italian Restaurant (for a buffet-style lunch), Sushi Bar and Le Petit Chateau. We thoroughly enjoyed each dining experience. Everything was perfect—from the professional, friendly staff to the perfectly presented entrees.
We did not experience the food at the following restaurants but felt they were unique to the resort.
• Bobby D’s, a 50s-style diner that children will love, as they serve ice cream, hot dogs, and burgers all day long and, at certain times of the day, cotton candy.
• Café de Paris, which offers an assortment of French pastries, but also have a cupcake bar where children can frost their own cupcakes to eat.

Entertainment and daily activities: I cannot imagine that any guest visiting this resort would ever run out of things to do. There is a 7000 square-foot retail village; X-Box Games Garage; participation in activities with Sesame Street characters; Pirate Island water park with 9 slides, lazy river, surf simulator and water cannons. There are also options for volleyball, soccer, tennis, pool, board games, kayaking, windsurfing, aqua trikes and snorkeling. The 12 miles of Grace Bay Beach is enough to keep you occupied all day long with walking.

Photo by Britt Reints

Beaches Turks and Caicos

Beaches Turks and Caicos – Grace Bay, Providenciales
Accommodations: We were fortunate enough to spend 2 evenings here and to be assigned a Piazza Pool Front Walkout Family Suite with Separate Kids Room, in the Italian Village, which is the newest section of this complex. The room was very spacious and comfortable with a king size bed, large overstuffed sofa/trundle bed and a separate bedroom with bunk beds and a trundle that pulled from that. The décor was very rich looking, with a classy Caribbean feel.
There are 3 sections to this resort. The Caribbean Village, which is 11 years old, the French Village, which is 9 years old and the Italian Village, which is 2 years old. I liked each area for different reasons.
We viewed several different room categories in each section of the entire complex, which we would be happy to discuss with clients to find the right fit for their family.
The French Village offered an intimate, quiet feel. I think that this area would be nice for honeymoon couples, even though it is a family-friendly resort, as it is tucked away from most of the family activities. A drawback to the French Village is the balcony. Rooms on the ground level have a walkout patio. The 2nd floors and higher offer a French balcony, with a sliding glass door to the outside, but no room to sit or stand.
The Caribbean Village is older in style, more of a motor inn look, but spread out. I liked this area because the common areas were lively and the foliage was very mature and beautiful.
The Italian Village is more of a high rise complex but flows nicely with the rest of the complex. It is very rich looking with poolside cabanas, richly decorated rooms, and classy common areas.
Dining: There are over 16 specialty dining options, which is sure to satisfy any guest. In our short time at the resort, we were able to experience The Cricketer’s Pub, Mario’s Italian Restaurant for a buffet style lunch, Sushi Bar and Le Petit Chateau. We thoroughly enjoyed each dining experience. Everything was perfect from the professional, friendly staff to the perfectly presented entrees.
We did not experience the food at the following restaurants but thought they were very unique to the resort. Bobby D’s, which is a 50’s style diner, that we thought children would love, as they serve ice cream, hot dogs, and burgers all day long and at certain times during the day they made cotton candy. Also, Café de Paris, which offers an assortment of French pastries, but they had a cupcake bar where children could frost their own cupcakes to eat.
Entertainment and daily activities: I cannot imagine that any guest visiting this resort would ever run out of things to do. There is a 7000sq ft retail village, X-Box Games Garage, participate in activities with Sesame Street characters, Pirate Island water park with 9 slides, lazy river, surf simulator and water cannons. There are also options for volleyball, soccer, tennis, pool tables, board games, kayaking, windsurfing, aqua trikes and snorkeling. The 12 miles of Grace Bay Beach is enough to keep you occupied all day long with walking.

Photo by Britt Reints

New Zealand

Auckland– A perfect destination that offers an urban lifestyle full of boutiques and cafes, but very close to the ocean, mountains and beaches….something for everyone.

I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon sailing around Auckland Harbor, with the Pride of Auckland Sailing Company.

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Auckland. This hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Auckland and offers very comfortable and spacious rooms with great views.

Waitomo – Waitomo Caves – Fascinating underground, limestone caverns. You may choose to take a boat ride through the grotto, after viewing the impressive caves, which is lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. This was such an amazing experience.

Rotorua – This is such a rare destination, filled with geysers, bubbling mud pools and surrounded by crystal clear lakes and streams. The Maori culture offers interesting history.

I went to Te-Puia Thermal Reserve. This location is filled with, mud pools, hissing steam and geysers. Also, a great look into the history of Maori culture.
Also, participated in Maori Hangi, which is similar to a luau and filled with interesting facts about Maori culture.

I stayed at Millennium Rotorua, which is a perfect location, in the heart of the city, with amazing views. The grounds are well kept and are very attractive.The rooms were clean and comfortable, but basic.

Christchurch – This city reminded me of a city in England. The Avon River flows through the city and there are tree-lined avenues and colorful gardens. Also, many high-end shops all within walking distance from many accommodations in the city.

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Christchurch. The location is located in the heart of the city and right beside the Avon River. Great location for walking to shops and restaurants. The rooms were very modern, clean and comfortable.

We had many days of road travel, but the longest was from Christchurch to Mt Cook. The roads traveled offered beautiful views of the Canterbury Plains. We stopped at Lake Tekapo, which is glacier fed. There is a church located next to the lake that was built in 1935 out of locally gathered stone and oak. This is a perfect stop to have a picnic lunch during a long day of driving.

Mt Cook – Mt Cook National Park – Mt Cook is considered to be one of the most iconic images of the country. Inside the park, you may choose to take a guided tour to Tasman Glacier, which includes a hike to the zodiac boat launch. I went on the hike, but the weather was not cooperative to take the zodiacs to the glacier, however, we were able to view icebergs.

I stayed at the Hermitage Hotel, which is located in the middle of nowhere, inside of the park. The hotel is surrounded by mountains and offers amazing views. The rooms and the rest of the resort are very primitive in style, slightly motor inn with a lodge feel, but you cannot beat the views. You are right in the heart of nature. The staff was very friendly and accommodating.

We drove from Mt Cook to Milford Sound through small farming communities and quaint towns by the names of Cromwell and Te Anau. Cromwell, has a great roadside stand called Mrs. Jones’s, where they serve amazing ice cream and have many local treats. Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and is very picturesque. I enjoyed just sitting on a park bench and looking out at the lake. The drive to Milford Sound also involves driving through Fiordland National Park, which is one of the most memorable and beautiful sights I have ever seen. There are snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, mirror lakes and lush surroundings around every corner.

Milford Sound – I participated in an overnight cruise of the sound, aboard the Milford Mariner. The cruise starts at the base of the Sound and travels out to the Tasman Sea and circles back to anchor in the Sound for the evening. Once anchored you can relax on deck, or go for a guided tour with kayaks. The dinner and breakfast served aboard are served buffet style with many choices and the food was very good. The staff was very friendly and professional. The cabin accommodations are very comfortable and clean.

Arrowtown – This town is a former gold mining town. It offers spectacular scenery and quaint streets. Also, offers easy access to one of many AJ Hackett Bungy-jumping sites.

Wanaka – Voted in the top 10 world’s most romantic destinations. This was easily one of my favorite locations on the entire trip. Wanaka is surrounded by striking mountains, beautiful Lake Wanaka and a quaint town with unique dining options.

I stayed at the Edgewater Resort, which is located on the edge of Lake Wanaka. The rooms are very spacious and clean with amazing views of the lake and Southern Alps. I loved the intimacy of this resort and the close proximity to town, but also how tucked away it is.

Queenstown – This is such and amazing city. It is quaint, fun and full of adventure. There is an ice bar, shotover jet boating, bungy jumping, winery tours, unique restaurants, high end shopping and a hip nightlife.

I stayed at the Sofitel Queenstown, which is in the heart of the downtown area. This hotel is one of the nicest I have ever stayed in. It is a luxury boutique hotel, which is not lacking in any area and there is such attention to detail with every inch of the hotel. The rooms were richly decorated, comfortable and clean and were so pampering.

New Zealand is one of the top destinations I have traveled to in my 15 years as a travel consultant. There is so much to offer in both the North and South Islands. I have never been to a destination that offers so much diversity with the surroundings. It is the natural attractions that just have your jaw dropping many times per day. Snowy mountains, volcanoes, beaches, remote hiking trails, fiords, wilderness lakes and much, much more.