www.go2stbarts.com
Islanders Travel features:
St. Barts, the Ultimate Island, where they compete on quality not on price.
We have been in love with St. Barts since 1985, and visit this "lush" island every chance we get.
St. Barts is only 8 sq. miles but it's packed with 14 spectacular beaches, French Creole restaurants, quaint and luxurious hotels, private villas, and beautiful people. Sounds crowded, but its not. There's a limited number of small twin engine planes landing each day. Availability on St. Barts becomes an art. Your vacation has to be well planned if you want the best, and St. Barts is the best. Yes, it can be pricey, however with our expertise, packages can be created to fit almost any budget.
Islanders Travel will book your hotel, villa, car rental, air, transfers and even make your dinner reservations. Your time is valuable, make it count.
St. Barts is unforgettable.

St. Barts, St. Barths, St. Barthelemy, Saint Barts, Saint Barths, Saint Barthelemy, Hotels, Villa's

Confirm Your Travel Reservation:
Another Use for UPS Envelopes:
Secure your belongings:
The Two Wallet Trick:
Safety First:
Is Your Passport Current:
Know Where Your Hotel is Located:
Know Your Measurements:
Learn About Your Destination:
Before you go on your trip, be sure to find out a little bit about your destination. Not the usual tourist attractions, but transportation and things like that. Try and talk to some of the locals (the internet is good) about dress standards, off-the-track places to visit, etc. It is amazing the number of American tourists who come to Sydney thinking it's all kangaroos and Opera Houses, only to hit the CBD and be surrounded by Prada-wearing power-mongering executives.

More B&B Tips:
When calling to make a reservation at a B and B, ask your host or hostess to tell you what makes their accommodations unique. Perhaps it's their gourmet breakfasts, or their close proximity to local attractions. They may be famous for their mystery weekends, or because they serve high tea when guests arrive. They'll be glad to share their claims to fame with you, and you can decide if this sounds like 'your kind of place.' If it is, now's a good time to share with him/her any special needs you have so everything will be ready just for you.

Pick a Travel Agent Who Works for YOU:
When dealing with a travel agent for your travel planning, make sure he or she is listening to what you want and not just looking at who gives the agency the best commission. Make sure you feel comfortable with your agent and can ask questions. A travel agent should be like your doctor, hairdresser, etc. ... Someone you feel is committed to you and is working for you.

Plan Months in Advance:
Plan your vacation well in advance, especially if you want to revisit favorite places and stay in the same accommodation. Many bed and breakfasts can book 6 months to 1 year in advance so your plans are assured. Newcomers to B&B holidays can surf the net in the winter to plan a wonderful summer itinerary. Use the internet to book early and avoid disappointment, and remember - many B&B's are open year around!

Travel Kit:
Use a compartmented kit that has a hook for hanging cosmetics, medications, razors, tooth brushes, toothpaste, soaps etc. These are sold at travel stores. They make handling many different small items a breeze. I keep mine ready to go with minimal restocking between trips so that the next time I travel I don't find out that something important has been forgotten.

Renting a Car:
Car rentals in Europe are often two or three times as expensive as in the United States, France can be very expensive, but!! If you reserve and pay for your hire in the US with a multinational (Hertz, Avis Dollar etc.) for collection in your arrival airport, you can get a good deal, especially if you do it in advance and negotiate a little.

Safeguard Your Luggage:
Use a durable ID card inside of your luggage to help return it if lost while traveling. Over 90% of lost luggage stays lost because the airline, cruise ship (or whatever) staff can't identify the owners in order to return it.

Seek Out a Good Travel Agent:
In response to a few of the other tips, I would like to let travelers know that you can still find good travel agents and you should seek them out. The key is to ask if they charge service charges or booking fees (we DO NOT) and to do a little research on your own. When you find a good agent, they can be your best resource. You can still find travel agents who love what they do, and are willing to help you find a real bargain. I assist my clients in finding bargains just like I try to find for myself. Even though I don't get commission from some of the smaller lodging options, etc. I still recommend these to my clients since they will come to me for airline tickets, tours, rail tickets, etc., which is how we make our money. Finding a good travel agent is like finding a good friend, and I consider my clients my good friends. Also remember, a travel agent is a friend who is there when you need them for emergencies, changes, or just to chat and share photos. Can you do that with a book or the internet?

Take a Travel Book With You:
Always use travel books like 'eyewitness' or 'Fodor's'. Carry them with you to know all the best spots, cheapest restaurants, best food, places to stay, and hundreds of insights about your destination.

Checkout Time:
Most hotels post a departure time when guests must vacate their rooms. Late checkouts are often permitted if approved by the hotel management in advance. It's a good idea when you plan to check into a hotel to request approval for late arrival as a precaution.

Special Needs Traveler:
Travelers with special needs should not hesitate to travel. Airlines, hotels, campgrounds and attractions are usually well equipped and prepared to accommodate unique requirements that make a person's travels pleasant.

Condos, Homes, Rentals By Owner:
If you will be renting a vacation condo or house, call ahead to see what housekeeping supplies they provide. Many resorts and condo companies do NOT provide the basics. You can order a vacation kit ahead of time that has everything you need for a week (dishwasher detergent, soap, toilet tissue, paper towels, etc.), in it plus some coffee, cookies, and popcorn.

Travel Tips:
Advance preparation is the key to rewarding travel. The planning travelers do before leaving home can affect the quality of trip they have. Technical preparations such as passports and traveler's checks are important, but so is cultural preparation. Learning something about your destinations ahead of time will enrich your experience once you arrive.


Travel Insurance:
Whether or not to buy travel insurance has become less of a question than it once was, due to non-refundable air fares, health factors, incidents of terrorism and natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Some insurance plans are comprehensive, while others allow you to buy a specific type of coverage. Deciding what travel insurance to buy, and for how much, can be a daunting process.

Factors to Consider About Travel Insurance:
Primary elements of travel insurance include: trip cancellation, trip interruption, accidental death or dismemberment, medical/dental coverage, transportation to adequate medical facilities, loss of luggage or personal possessions and protection against the default or bankruptcy of suppliers. Other insurance options can include personal liability coverage for damages, legal defense, repatriation of remains, bad weather and many other contingencies.

Shop around, as conditions and costs vary. Determine what insurance you already have. Homeowner policies, for example, often include limited coverage for losses away from home. Medical and auto insurance policies may also provide some coverage. Some credit cards also offer insurance options. Remember that double coverage doesn't bring double protection. Insurers usually have a provision in their policies to prevent duplication of payment for the same coverage and communicate with each other to pinpoint the extent of their individual obligation to you.

One of the most confusing aspects of travel insurance is the discovery of the specific pre-existing conditions that can void your trip-cancellation coverage. Remember that a basic premise of trip-cancellation, like insurance in general, is to exclude foreseeable claims.

With trip cancellation/interruption insurance, find out precisely who is covered. Must the insured be traveling with you or could coverage include someone at home who becomes ill? Similarly, determine exactly when coverage starts and ends. In the event of medical evacuation, see if the policy means an evacuation only to the nearest medical facility or all the way to your home. Does the insurer have a 24-hour hotline to provide emergency travel advice and assistance?

Excluded from coverage may be individual acts of terrorism and hijacking, as the result of declared or undeclared war, under war-risk provisions. There may be variations in interpretation, so check the wording carefully (especially if you are traveling to troubled areas). Find out if there are any countries where the insurer declines coverage.

Although travel agents sell travel insurance and receive commissions, they are not insurance agents and they may not understand all the ramifications of a policy, especially when you get to the small print. Your best bet is to ask your travel agent to check out any or all questions you have or call the insurance company yourself.

Increasingly, cruise lines and tour operators offer optional programs covering such items as trip cancellation/interruption and baggage loss. These plans may have nothing to do with an insurance company, but they still offer some protection. Some cruise lines/tour operators, however, offer similar coverage that is underwritten by an insurance company and this would provide a greater degree of security.

Overall, travelers should read all the fine print and ask a lot of questions. The more you know up front, the fewer hassles you will encounter if you need to file a claim.