Tastes of Travel - Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

With travel plans temporarily on hold, bring the tastes of travel to your kitchen. Over the next few weeks we’re going to share some of our favorite travel-inspired recipes! Up first, an all time family favorite (and easy!).

ROASTED RED PEPPER HUMMUS

INGREDIENTS

• 30 oz canned chickpeas (undrained)

• 7 oz roasted red peppers (packed in water), drained

• 3 garlic cloves

• 3 Tbsp tahini sauce

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 6 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 1 tsp curry powder

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

• 1/2 tsp ground coriander

• 1 1/4 tsp table salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

• Drain chickpeas, reserving 1/4 cup of liquid.

• Place chickpeas, reserved liquid and remaining ingredients in a food processor; process 2 minutes or until very smooth. Cover and chill 2 hours.

• Serve with pita wedges or baked tortilla chips. Enjoy!

3 Reasons to Not Work with a Travel Agent

A common question on the topic of travel agency is something along the lines, “Oh, is that still a thing?” I get it. With the world of Google and online bookings, it can be easy to go the route of solo travel booking. I recently decided to blaze the travel trail without a travel agent. The experience taught me three reasons why someone should not work with a travel agent.

1. IF YOU ENJOY BEING ON HOLD FOREVER. I had a number of issues surface during the vacation planning phase. The process required I get on the phone to sort things out. I was bounced between different departments and different companies, each one trying to deflect responsibility. If you enjoy the hold music and repeating the same conversation for days in a row without having a go to point person on your side, travel without an agent is right for you.

2. THOSE OF US WHO ENJOY WASTING MONEY. Online searching presents us with an endless and overwhelming level of travel options. Each one promising the “best deal”, “last minute special” and “the price that can’t be beat!”. I quickly learned that the industry is not actually out there to save me money. Surprisingly, they want to take my money. The process included spending money on unexpected costs and small print fees. All of which would have been caught and addressed by a travel agent. 

3. THE ADRENALINE RUSH OF FEELING STRANDED. If you love the rush that comes over you when travel details don’t go as planned, travel without an agent is the route for you. After working out the issues on the front end and spending unnecessary money, I assumed we were in the clear. I did not expect to show up to our hotel and be given the wrong room without the promised amenities. Without someone to call on the homefront, I was left to unsuccessfully work out the details in the hotel lobby after a red-eye flight. If the adrenaline rush of travel upsets is up your alley, travel without an agent is right for you.

The greatest gift Time to Travel Tours provides clients is the role of travel advocate. You have an expert in the field, willing to go to bat on your behalf. We value a long-term relationship with you over a one time sale. And, we can be the one and only phone call you have to make in the travel planning process.

Premium Economy vs. Economy Plus

Booking an airline ticket used be pretty simple. Today you have likely noticed the many options to choose from. Different prices, different colored seats, some cost $50 to upgrade, others cost $150. It can be confusing and overwhelming. We’ve referenced the blog from Stefanie Waldek, “What’s the Difference Between Premium Economy and Economy Plus” as a helpful resource for your next flight. And as always, Time to Travel Tours is here and ready to help in the travel planning.

Economy Plus

Also known as: United’s Economy Plus, Delta’s Comfort +, American’s Main Cabin Extra, and JetBlue’s Even More Space. Whatever it’s called, the economy plus seat is actually part of the economy cabin. But what sets these seats apart from the rest is a few extra inches of legroom, priority boarding, a better location at the front of the cabin, free alcoholic beverages, and free meal service, depending on your specific airline.

WHEN IT’S WORTH IT. If you have status with an airline, you might be eligible for a complimentary space-available upgrade from regular economy to economy plus. If the upgrade is free—and you don’t get a middle seat—it’s almost always worth it. If you do travel with frequent flyer status, consider the exit row seat over economy plus - it still tends to have more leg room.

If you travel without status, it will cost you. For taller travelers, you will likely really appreciate the extra legroom. However, if you don’t feel too cramped in regular economy, it might not be worth the price tag for flights under four hours. For long-haul flights, however, the upgrade is likely worth it if you have the means—the extra legroom goes a long way when you’re sitting for six hours or more, and it’s not that much more money in the grand scheme of airfare.

Premium Economy

My husband and I recently flew premium economy on Air New Zealand. It set a new travel bar for the long-haul flights. We were really impressed by the seat size, seat recline and menu options (different from economy) Premium economy is actually a standalone cabin that sits right between business and economy, both physically and in terms of amenities and services. Here are some other names for premium economy:

• Aeroflot: Comfort

• Alitalia: Classica Plus

• British Airways: World Traveller Plus

• Delta: Premium Select

• JAL: Sky Premium

• United: Premium Plus

• Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia: Premium

Some of the top-rated premium economy options can be found on Singapore, Delta, Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific.

A potential downside to premium economy is the cost—fares are oftentimes double that of economy. (Though, keep in mind that business can be six to ten times more expensive than economy, and sometimes even more.) Depending on the time of year and ticket demand, premium economy tickets can be surprisingly inexpensive. Check in with Time to Travel Tours before booking your next ticket!

The Bottom Line

Economy plus and premium economy are entirely different classes with vastly different price points and significantly different amenities. Economy plus is a slightly upgraded economy experience, while premium economy is its own cabin with elevated service on international flights. As airlines love to throw different names on their seats, be sure to check which class you’re actually getting before booking.

Credit Card Protection vs. Travel Protection

“Does my credit card protection provide enough travel-related protection?” You are not alone in asking this question. It can be a tough question to answer. Time to Travel Tours is quick to recommend all travelers take time to research how credit card protection compares to the offered travel protection.

Here are some questions to guide your research:

• Do I have trip cancellation insurance with my credit card? If I need to cancel or interrupt my trip, what covered reasons are eligible?

• Do I have enough coverage for my trip?

• Can I cancel if my traveling companion or family member gets sick?

• Is emergency medical/dental and evacuation included as primary coverage with no deductibles?

• Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

• If my luggage is lost, stolen or damaged, can I be reimbursed?

• Can I be reimbursed for essential personal items that I must purchase if my luggage arrives late at my destination?

• If my flight is delayed overnight, can additional expenses like hotel stays, meals and taxi fares be reimbursed?
  

Time to Travel Tours is here and ready to answer any travel protection questions!

Enchanting Rhine River Cruise

From Basel to Amsterdam. Grand cities blend in perfect harmony with their historic past and their progressive future. You have a front-row seat on a luxury journey that takes you along the Rhine and through its designated-UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 40 castles strung like pearls on its river banks and charming villages. Countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland.

As we prepare for the June 2020 sailing down the Enchanting Rhine, we invite you to explore some of the amazing sights, tastes and experiences that await you in the first two ports of Germany and France.

• FIRST PORT // BREISACH. We dock in Breisach, situated on the German side of the Rhine and directly facing the Alsatian region in France. Some of you may be going to France to visit the Alsatian Village of Riquewihr, while others will tour Freiburg & Breisach or maybe a bike tour through the vineyards of Breisach. (tours spotlighted below)

• SECOND PORT // STRASBOURG. Capital of the German speaking French region of Alsace. Strasbourg is one of Europe's most attractive cities. Once controlled by Germany you will tour a section of town designed with precise order and structure. The history covered in the tour is fascinating with the region changing hands 4 times in 75 years between France and Germany.

BREISACH

Rising above vineyards and the Rhine, Breisach is where the Black Forest spills into Alsace. From the cobbled streets lined with pastel-painted houses you'd never guess that 85% of the town was flattened in WWII, so successful has been the reconstruction. Vauban's star-shaped French fortress-town of Neuf-Brisach (New Breisach), which made the Unesco World Heritage list in 2008, sits 4km west of Breisah.

FREIBURG

One of Germany's prettiest old quarters, with its characteristic bächle - the narrow channels of water that run alongside the pavements. Add to that a wealth of culture and history, lots of cafés and cosy bars, delicious regional food and scenic surroundings. Experience it for yourself with a stroll through the old quarter. The square is the largest in the city centre, and hosts a market every day except Sunday. 

RIQUEWIHR, FRANCE

The jewel in the crown - famous for the Riesling and other great Alsace wines produced here - and looks today exactly as it did in the 16th Century. Riquewihr is a wonderful and romantic little medieval city hidden between the Vosges mountains and some of the most famous vineyards in Alsace.

STRASBOURG

The capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République. For the active adventurer, you can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie.

The Ultimate in Luxury Safaris

Time to Travel Tours works directly with world-class tour operators to provide your group with the ultimate Africa experience. Check the “Big 5” off your list alongside close friends and family. Experience travel life on the river, overnight accommodations on stunning luxury lodges and the amazing wildlife encounters Africa has to offer.