Author: City Traveler

If you are planning on going camping then you should probably do a little research about what you can do while you are there. There are a lot of different options from literally nothing to a lot of high energy activities. That’s why camping is a great option for family vacations- there’s something for everyone. Other than the activities, there are some other things that you should know about camping. Here are a few tips for you to think about before deciding if you are going to go camping this vacation.

Accommodations
The first thing that you want to think about is where you will stay. Family cabin rentals are available. Cabin camping might be a better idea if you or y our family has never been tent camping before. It will introduce everyone to the idea of camping with making everyone sleep outside for the first time in their lives! Family cabin rentals are usually on the outskirts of the campgrounds so you are still very much apart of the environment but you can take advantage of running water and actual beds. However, if you have been camping before than family cabin rentals may not be necessary. There is a certain allure about sleeping in sleeping bags and tents, if you know what to expect.

Storage
Proper storage for your things is important otherwise you may attract animals and critters. This is especially true for food. You should bring bags that can be sealed tightly shut and make sure your coolers don’t have any broken seals. Even drinks should be screwed tightly so that no odors can get out. Animals are very sensitive to the smell of food and drinks so even if you are staying in family cabin rentals, you’ll want to make sure that they aren’t attracted to your campsite for any reason. Campgrounds are usually situated in safer parts of forests or mountains where less animals roam but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Activities
This is the fun part. If you’d rather spend the day at the campsite, reading a good book or listening to music then you are more than welcome to. However, if you are more of an outdoors type of person, you can explore the area on foot or on bikes or sometimes on quads. Depending on licensing and legalities, there may be an option to go hunting for different types of things. However, you may want to avoid this activity if you haven’t gone before unless you are with an experienced hunter. Water sports are an option to if there is a lake nearby. Jet skis, water bubbles, kayaks and more could be available to you for rent.

Etiquette
There are some camping etiquette rules that you should follow. Simple things like cleaning up after yourself, keeping your belongings in your area and not playing music or movies too loud are all things that campers should be able to adhere to without to many problems. Each campsite may have their own set of rules and regulations that campers must follow so make sure you look into those before you set out. For the most part, it’s just about being considerate of those around you but there may be certain parameters pertaining to tent size, length of stay and other things.

Overall, camping is a great, versatile way to vacation with the family. If you want everyone to stay together during the vacation you give everyone a day and let them decide what everyone is going to do on that day. That way they will be able to enjoy everyone else’s choices all the while knowing that they are still going to be able to do the particular thing that they wanted to do. Making everyone feel involved, no matter their age is key to making the whole family feel connected and together during trips like these. If you have little ones it’s a good idea to schedule naps and breaks during the days to make it more enjoyable for everyone. The best part about a camping adventure is that you can arrange your own schedule without having to worry about opening hours or anything like that. Just make sure that the whole family knows what they are getting into with camping!

Are you coordinating travel for a large group? There are so many ways to get from here to there — you can go by plane. You can go by train. You can go by boat. You can go by float. That last one was a terrible idea. We just had Dr Seuss on the mind and couldn’t let it go.


Anyways, the point is you have so many options for coordinating travel for a large group. Taking an airplane to your destination might seem like the go-to solution, however, have you been through TSA lately? It’s a bummer-fest (is “bummer-fest” an oxy-moron?). You have to arrive about one million hours early. You are expended to all but entirely undress. You will need to put all of your liquid items in bottles the size of a thimble, or pay a thousand dollars to check your suitcase. And then you get on the plane and realize that you have only a single square inch of leg-room. If you are claustrophobic, this is literally you’re worst nightmare. And now let’s talk about the cost: ca-ching!


We could talk about getting a big group from here to there via airplane, but that’s not the point of our article. What we really want to tell you about is the ideal solution for easy travel: charter bus rentals. Don’t take our word for it, consider the following list of reasons why charter bus is the way to go.


Four Reasons Charter Bus Travel is Better Than Anything Else

1. Mobility.
   
   Let’s say you ignore our warnings and book yourself a commercial flight to wherever you are headed. When you land, you must have airport shuttle services lined up to get you to your hotel. And then you must coordinate taxis, mass transportation, or shuttles the whole time you’re there. On the other hand, when you use a charter bus for your travels, once you arrive at your destination, you already have transportation throughout your trip built-in.
2. Cost.
   
   If the cost of your trip matters to you, you’re in good company. The cost of travel is the number one consideration that tourists make when choosing their travel dates and specifics. When you move a group by airplane, each person who goes increases the total cost of the trip incrementally by the amount of their airfare. On the other hand, when you take a charter bus, the price per person goes down the more travelers you have. You can pack as many as 40 passengers on a charter bus, that divides the fair 40 ways!




3. Environment.
   
   This might be surprising, but traveling by charter bus is an extremely environmentally friendly choice, because it moves a lot of people with a relatively small amount of fuel. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics the peak gas mileage (per passenger) that an airplane is capable of reaching is 53 miles per passenger. Meanwhile, a charter bus can take get 330 miles per passenger per gallon. You can’t beat that unless you opt to walk there. Walking to your destination uses less gas.




4. Enjoyment.
   
   The United States of America is an incredible piece of land. When you travel by plane, you see two places: the place you start at, and the place you land at. If you’re lucky, you’ll have an inconvenient layover halfway through that will give you the chance to visit the bathroom and Starbucks.
   
   
   Meanwhile, when you take a trip by charter bus, you get to soak in all the sights along the way. And you are the master of your own adventure. You want to take a detour and stop at the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam along the way to your destination? (hint: You do!) No problemo. If you tried to convince the pilot of your flight to give you a few pit-stops along the flight, he (or she) would laugh loudly, until you were led away in hand-cuffs. When you travel by charter bus, it allows you to enjoy the journey and the destination. And that’s the point, right?

Have you ever coordinated a bus trip for a large group? Do you have any “tips of the trade” to share with other people? Shout them out below!

Travelers around the world spent nearly $645 billion on leisure travel in 2014, showing that vacations are an important part of the global economy. Most people who take a vacation stay at least a few days, and many stay a week or more. Unless you are visiting relatives or are lucky enough to have your own vacation home, you will need a place to stay during your travels. There are several options, and the one that’s best for you can depend upon where you are going and how long you are staying.

One option when you are on vacation, and the one most people use, is hotels. Hotels have many options, including having daily cleaning and linen service and leisure options such as a pool. But hotels can be expensive, especially if you want to stay somewhere such as a beach and if your stay is longer than a few days. The average daily room rate last year was $120, and it’s much more expensive on the beach. Hotels also can get cramped if your whole family is part of the trip.

Another option that can be especially beneficial if you are staying for a week or more and have a large family to accommodate is a vacation rental. Vacation rentals can range from a suburban home to oceanfront condo rentals. Oceanfront condos and beach condos usually are cheaper for a long-term stay than staying in a beachfront hotel. Oceanfront condo rentals or other condo or home rentals also provide several benefits that aren’t available in a hotel. For example, even if you only rent a one bedroom, one bathroom condo, you still will likely have a separate living room and kitchen, giving you much more room than a hotel room. Having a kitchen also gives you the opportunity to make your own meals, which can be healthier and cheaper than eating out. Another benefit of beach condo rentals and other vacation rentals is the privacy they provide. These amenities: value for price, privacy and more space are among the top reasons people provide when asked why they choose vacation rentals over a hotel stay.

There are pros and cons to each lodging option, and you have to weigh both when deciding which is the best choice on your vacation.

Taking a vacation is easy. The whole point of vacationing is that you decide what you want to do and when you want to do it, with nobody calling the shots but you. You can relax as much as you want; and with 61% of people surveyed reporting that they still work while on vacation, you can take a “break” from relaxing if you want or need to. The choice if yours. Now — planning a vacation is a different story. Planning a vacation is so stressful that, despite 37% of people surveyed reporting that vacations are what make families most happy, many of opt for “staycations”. Staycations are fine, and they certainly aren’t the end of the world. But the fact is that they don’t exactly compare to real vacations, and certainly don’t provide as many new and exciting experiences. Still, it can be hard to get the most out of your vacation when you’re crammed into a hotel room, or a tiny resort condo. This is especially true for families, who always have more people to worry about. The best option — both in terms of having the fun you want and saving the money you need — may be a vacation rental. Vacation rental properties are varied, offering the best bang for your buck and the most amenities by far.

Vacation Rentals: The Basics

In the past, it was typical for people to stay in hotels when vacationing. Hotels seemed cheaper, and the vacation rental industry hadn’t at that point taken off. Things have changed — for the better, in the opinions of many. Today, 22% of people stay in vacation rental properties rather than traditional hotels or resorts, and 24% stay in condo resorts. While there are certain gimmicky offers a hotel can present, none of them compare to the freedom, space, and value you can get from a vacation rental property. Some rental properties are managed by a singular company, while others are seasonal rental properties, offered by individual owners when they themselves are out of town. It’s usually easier to go for rental properties that are managed by an overhead company. That way, you have more to choose from, and don’t have to worry about the owners’ schedules as much as you would otherwise. 62% of people surveyed say that rental properties have cheaper rates than hotels, ad this is very much true. For the same rate — or a better one — that you would find for a cramped hotel room, you could get a private hot tub property.

Beyond Money: The Advantages Of Rental Properties

The financial advantages of choosing a rental property should be obvious by now. You get more space at a better value. But there is more to choosing a vacation property than the financial aspect. The fact is that people are able to relax more in vacation rentals, and with good reason. Say you end up choosing a private hot tub property. A private hot tub property isn’t just valuable because of that hot tub — the “private” part is a big deal for many renters. Privacy is a major aspect of taking a vacation. You can’t have peace when you’re constantly bumping into strangers in the hallway, or worrying about room service looking at your belongings. A private hot tub property offers the amenities of your home — with more, for that matter — as well as the privacy of home. It’s like living in your own home, but in a dream vacation spot, and with far fewer worries.

Vacation Destination: Where To Go

Where you go on vacation is up to you. But you can expect different types of rental properties in different places. A tropical destination may offer a beach house. A ski destination may have a variety of cabins to choose from. If you want to drink in a European city, you can probably expect to choose from luxury apartments or condos. Whatever you choose, know that you’ll have the vacation of a lifetime!

You’ve been working too hard. And if you’re like most Americans, you don’t take too many vacations. But a quick getaway really doesn’t take all that much planning, when you let vacation stylists design the perfect holiday for you. With resort vacations like Cabo all inclusive hotels, you can get away from it all, while letting someone else do all work of planning and making travel arrangements. Blue skies, palm trees, crystal clear water, fishing and water sports, great food and music – what are you waiting for?

When did you last take a vacation?
It’s a fact. The numbers are in and they show that Americans work too hard, and take fewer vacations than their counterparts in Europe, Japan and Canada. In fact, the Center for Economic and Policy Research found that one fourth of all American workers don’t get any paid time off at all. By contrast, each year French workers get 31 days of paid vacation. In Japan, it’s 10 days, in Italy, 31 days and in Canada, 19 days.
Even when they do get paid vacation time, American don’t use all their days. In 2013, the employment site Glassdoor found that fully 75% of workers who do get paid time off didn’t use all the days due to them. And to top it all, even on vacation, Americans constantly check their email and voicemail. A quarter got a phone call from a colleague while on vacation and one out of five even heard from the boss. It’s not surprising that a large number of people can’t relax even while on vacation.

Meanwhile, in Cabo San Lucas
In Cabo San Lucas resorts, there are palm trees, blue skies, swimming pools to relax by, fishing and water sports, music, arts and food. Resort vacations offer luxury villas for rent, and they have a concierge service to help you every step of the way – with restaurant recommendations, driving directions, special requests, or even emergency assistance, if it becomes necessary.
Cabo San Lucas all inclusive packages are specially designed for you by vacation stylists who can plan the perfect vacation for you, with all kinds of things you didn’t even know you wanted to try. Resort vacations offer the perfect mix of comfort and adventure, which is what holidays are all about.

What will you do on your vacation?
With an average year-round temperature of 78 degrees and 350-360 days of sunny weather the weather in Cabo is nearly perfect. The days are hot and sunny, and the humidity is low. It’s easy to get there, and you can even pay in dollars. Most shops and even street vendors accept dollars, though they will give you pesos in exchange. They also charge a slightly higher exchange rate than a bank.
Cabo San Lucas is a fisherman’s paradise, and in October plays host to the Bisbee’s Black and Blue Marling Fishing Tournament. This comes with a jackpot of over 3 million dollars, which makes it the world’s richest fishing tournament. But if you can’t make it in October, don’t worry. There are other fishing tournaments in the area hosted by Bisbee’s Offshore Tournaments all year.

Resort vacations are a great way to travel, relax, see new places and experience the art, culture, food, drink and music of a fascinating culture. With a concierge service that smoothes the way for you and experienced vacation stylists to design your perfect holiday, you’re ready for a vacation!

Vacations are important to take and set aside for yourself. Not enough Americans especially take advantage of their vacation time and use that time to rejuvenate, get away, or simply recharge. Vacation can be a wonderful chunk of time to explore, spend time with your family, experience something new (like an air show) and pamper yourself a little with a seaside resort or shopping spree. There are certainly plenty of things to consider when taking a vacation — everything from planning out lodging facilities to choosing activities, but it doesn’t have to be as stressful as you might think! There are plenty of online resources and guides that can help you pinpoint great locations, places to eat, activities to partake in, and help you plan your whole itinerary. Alternatively, if you’re at an ocean resort, you can simply lounge on the beach and worry about precious little else! Sometimes the laziest vacations are the most enjoyable ones — the whole point, after all, is to decrease stress!
Why Should I Vacation?
Vacation is actually important for your mental health and overall energy. Almost 40% of families say that going on vacation makes them happy, which makes it the singular activity that actually makes families the happiest. Your stress levels will most likely fall — who could be thinking about anything else when watching the spectacle of an air show, for example? — which will reduce any signs of burnout and can have a positive impact on your blood pressure, among other things. Vacation can even help improve your life span, according to recent studies. Your productivity and creativity can also increase after you take a vacation — positive side effects from lowering your stress and breaking out of the everyday routine. Furthermore, you can help support local businesses and the economy in general — in 2016, it was predicted that the international hotel industry was supposed to generate around $550 billion.
What Should I Do On My Vacation?
In 2015, almost 90% of families had to ask themselves that question (a positive sign; that’s up 5% from 2010). If you’re vacationing in the summer, here are some of the most popular vacation activities in the summer. Shopping leads with 54%, visiting historical sites is close behind at 49% and tied with partaking in swimming or other water events/activities, going to a national park or a regular park rings in at 46%, tied with doing sightseeing tours. If you’re planning on taking a long distance summer trip (one of the 650 million trips made annually), there’s a good chance you’re planning on seeing a specific destination and that town is probably configured around that destination or sight, so it ought to be easy to figure out what to do. Of course, keep your and your family’s preferences in mind — if you’re not a big hiking or camping family, for example, you may want to stick closer to the main town and more traditional tourist activities, instead of going for an hours-long hike. Neutral activities like shopping, watching an air show, or hanging out on the beach are usually pretty safe activities.
I’m So Stressed About Finding Accommodation and Lodging
You can avoid a lot of the stress of finding a hotel or place to stay by booking early, especially if you’re headed to a popular area. If you’re truly stumped, a call to the tourism board in that city or town can often help, or a quick online search for good deals in the area can be a good idea. Staying in hotel chains can often bring peace of mind, since they tend to be standardized across the country and you know what kind of quality to expect. Also reach out to your acquaintances and see if anyone you know has been to the area you’re planning on vacationing in and ask if they have any recommendations for where to stay.
This year, kick back and relax, see an air show, take a dip in the ocean, and enjoy the sights and sounds of your vacation. A vacation will do wonders for your energy, mental health, and personal life!

The Statue of Liberty is great. The Met is nice. The Empire State Building is okay. But Central Park… Central Park is easily the most iconic area in New York City. If you ask any person in the United States — possibly the world — to describe New York City, you’ll most likely get hear a description of Central Park.


Central Park isn’t just a tourist attraction, it’s the heart and soul of what New Yorkers love most about their own great city. If you are paying a visit to the Big Apple, going to Central Park needs to be on the top of your to-do list. And if you are visiting Central Park make sure you check out our list of how to explore Central Park like a local.

Five Ways to Visit Central Park

1. Horse Carriage Rides
   
   If you’ve ever seen a movie set in the City That Never Sleeps, then you’ve probably seen the iconic horse carriage rides through Central Park. When visiting NYC with a romantic partner, there is no better way to celebrate love than via Central Park carriages. If you are interested in horse carriage rides through Central Park, your best bet is to set up a reservation in advance. Not only do walk-up horse carriage rides cost $15 to $25 more, there are often long wait times. Not to mention, the stagecoach ride can be customized to go along your special occasion (such as a proposal, anniversary, celebration, and so on) if you plan it out early enough.
2. Hit the Lake
   
   There are so many great ways to enjoy the Central Park lake. You can take a romantic paddle boat tour for just a few dollars an hour. You can hire a gondola to paddle for you will you relax and soak in the views. If boats aren’t your thing, consider hitting up a nice restaurant on the lakeside for some fine fish cuisine!




3. Monkey Around With Monkeys at the Zoo
   
   The Central Park Zoo is home to 130 different and exotic animal species, including snow leopards, penguins, sea lions, and poisonous dart frogs. If you have children with you, visiting the children’s zoo that is adjacent to the regular zoo is a must-do! Your kids will relish getting to be up close and personal with goats, sheep, and cows!




4. Say Hello to the Belvedere Castle
   
   The Belvedere Castle is free to visit and includes the Henry Luce Nature Observatory, with examples of nature, such as skeletons and paper mache birds, as well as tools of science like telescopes and microscopes.
   
   
   While visiting the Belvedere Castle, make sure to take a ramble through the Ramble. The Ramble include 36 acres of almost untouched nature, and is a much loved spot for bird watchers (as 230 bird species call the Ramble home!).
5. Galavant in Sheep Meadow
   
   Sheep Meadow is a hub for all outdoorsy activities when the weather is nice. Make sure to pay a visit to Sheep Meadow if you love pickup musical jam sessions, frisbee and ultimate playing, picnicking, or just people watching.
   
   
   If you plan to visit Sheep Meadow when the weather is ideal, make sure to arrive no later than 11:00 to secure a nice, shady spot!
6. Enjoy the Frivolity of Wollman Rink
   
   No matter what time of year you go, Wollman Rink has fun and games to offer! During the warmer seasons, you can enjoy a visit to the carnival with the games, rides, and street performers at Victorian Gardens. During the colder days, Wollman Rink is the best place to soak of the Central Park scenery with a romantic ice skating trip, where you can imagine you are the real-life characters from almost any rom-com set in the great NYC!
7. Relax in Conservatory Garden
   
   If you want to pretend you are in a breathtaking European garden without actually going to Europe, Conservatory Garden is the place to go! Tourists flock to Conservatory Garden year round to admire the tulips and chrysanthemums, depending on the season. If you are the photographic type (on either side of the lens), Conservatory Garden is a setting that will not disappoint!

Do you have any other great tips for visiting Central Park? Please share below!

Summers get busy. High school students find summer work. Parents work extra hours to make up for the vacation days that others take. Baseball and softball games fill the evenings and weekends. Yard work, house maintenance projects and volunteer commits take up much of the free time. Even though the kids are out of school for the summer, you still cannot seem to find enough free time to spent evening meals together let alone any long amounts of quality time.
When you are down to only a month left of summer, you decide that you need to matters into your own hands. You made a few phone calls and you have located one of several family vacation rentals near a lake. The cabins for rent include options of boat slips with ski boats, pontoon boats, and even jet skis. when you announced the plan to your husband and kids they only argued for a few minutes. They could not get off work. They could not miss practice. After you told them that they really had no choice, you actually noticed them completely relax. They could get some days off. They could miss a couple of practices. They were anxious to have a few days away from their busy schedules. They were anxious to spend some time together. Anxious to spent time boating, skiing, relaxing, your children began packing for the trip and counting down the days until departure.
Five Great Reasons to Take a Family Camping Vacation

• Popularity. Camping is one of the most loved outdoor American activities. So much so that in 2013, the campground industry in America, grossed nearly $5 billion.
• Affordability. Camping opportunities vary greatly. The least expensive options can be a simple tent pad with shower houses that are availability. More expensive options involve luxury vacation rentals that are as comfortable and convenient as homes. Campers simply need to determine their dates and their vacation budgets and look for opportunities that fall within those ranges.
• Relaxation. Today’s families are under busy schedules of work, school, and activities like athletic practices and volunteer commitments. Even when everything that these family members do is done for the right reasons, the schedule can be exhausting. A family camping vacation is a chance to take a break from busy schedules of work and other commitments. Instead of getting up for work, families can rise with the sunset. Instead of staying up late wasting time online checking social media posts, camping families can call it an early night when the sun sets.
• Nature. Get away from 24/7 technology and reconnect with 24/7 nature. A recent study by the Institute of Education at Plymouth University indicated that 98% of parents said camping makes their children appreciate and connect with nature. In fact, 95% of these same parents indicate that their children their children are happier when camping. Additionally, 93% of these parents indicate that camping provides useful skills for later life.
• Gadgets. Let’s face it. It is hard to deny the allure of many of the newest camping gear items. Vacation rentals allow fishermen an opportunity to try out the new rod and reel. they also allow hikers to try out a new pair of hiking boots or a new lightweight backpack. With the continued development of new products and gadgets, it should come as no surprise that camping continues to grow in popularity. In the year 2014, for example, consumers spent more than $1.5 billion on camping equipment. The largest portion of these expenditures was on backpacks and sleeping bags.

Summer starts out as a possibility of free time and relaxation. Unfortunately, families who do not carve out specific times for family vacations often end up with summers that are just as busy as other times of the year. Taking the time to book one of the many vacation rentals available across the country, however, is the decision to force your family to slow down and enjoy each other’s company. Instead of letting another summer slip away, why not make a phone call or look on the internet to find the best location, the best price, and the best reason for your next family vacation? Get ready to relax and reconnect with nature!

Believe it or not, there was once a time when Cabo San Lucas was nothing more than a placid fishing village. When it came to romantic vacations, Cabo was certainly not the first place anyone would have thought of.

In 2016, the once drab coastal town has blossomed into one of the world?s most exciting spots for celebrity sightings, gorgeous views, sunning, snorkeling, and partying!

Tourists can relax and unwind in any number of Cabo San Lucas luxury resorts and villa rentals and then hit the beach or the town for a good time.

Below are the top five things to do in and around Cabo:

1. Rock and Roll at Cabo Wabo
   If you?re looking for a party this summer, look no further than Cabo Wabo. This massive complex boasts giant bars and stages where bands often perform. In fact, some of the music industry?s most revered rock and roll legends come here to play shows or just to hang out with the crowd.
2. Dance Like No One is Watching at El Squid Roe
   You can?t miss it; just look out for the bright red roof, wacky cartoon characters, and the intoxicating neon glow. See your waiter dance shirtless on the table, join a conga line, or just dance and mingle at one of Cabo?s craziest night clubs.
3. Find Peace in Nature at El Arco
   For something a little more relaxing, check out Cabo?s most famous nature feature. El Arco is just one part of a grand formation called the Three Friars found at the Peninsula?s southern tip, Land?s End. Take in the beauty of the landscape?s majestic rocks and watch out for sea lions!
4. Go Whale-Watching Off the Peninsula
   Between October and March, the annual migration of the gray whale occurs. During this time, thousands of these majestic creatures travel to various lagoons all around the Peninsula. You can catch a whale-watching tour from a number of places around Cabo, and they usually last about three to four hours.
5. Find Romance at Lover?s Beach
   One of Cabo San Lucas?s most fabled spots, Lover?s Beach is a strip of sand accessible only by panga (an open, outboard-powered fishing boat).

There are a number of fun and exciting things to do in Cabo San Lucas. Check out local resorts and book your trip today! Check out this site for more.

So you’ve finally done it: You booked a stay at one of those luxury resorts. This time next month, you’ll be sitting on the beach in front of a Cabo San Lucas resort, enjoying the never-ending service of all inclusive vacation packages. You’ll be free from the chores of daily living, such as grocery shopping and washing your sheets. Your Cabo all inclusive resort means you won’t even have to worry about making breakfast. Good-bye work and adult responsibilities, hello relaxation and five-star service. For if there’s one thing luxury resorts promise, it’s premier service. All you have to do to take full advantage is show up with a reservation, right? Not quite.

Go ahead and congratulate yourself in taking the first step towards a true luxury experience in booking a stay at one of the premier luxury resorts. It’s more than 75% of working Americans do. According to Glassdoor a full three-quarters of employees don’t use their paid vacation each year. Um, guys, that’s free money. What were you thinking?

If you want to enjoy all that luxury resorts have to offer, however, you might want to brush up on a bit of insider knowledge:

Win over the staff

This point is so key, we’re going to discuss it twice. First, let’s talk the general resort staff: your waiters, bell boys, and front desk clerks. Winning their loyalty isn’t hard to do, and once done, it will ensure your stay is that much more luxurious.

Step one: Remember the magic words. Always be polite and grateful. Please and thank you can never be used too often.

Step two: Tip, tip, and tip some more. If you want to show your appreciation in a way that will actually be remembered later, add a few bills to your requests. The best tippers always get the best service. The longer you’ll be staying, the more you’ll want to keep the tips coming. If you’re worried you might run out of cash because the staff is too large, concentrate your investments where they’ll do the most good: the front desk staff.

Befriend your concierge early

All luxury resorts have a concierge. This well-trained and connected professional is the hotel’s fixer. His or her services are yours for the using during your stay. The trick to making the most of this brilliant individual is to be upfront with what you want and need. As soon as you’ve made your reservation, contact the resort to let them know what they can do to make your stay the best it can be.

Do you want an oceanfront view? How about an extra firm mattress? Are your mornings simply incomplete without your particular brand of tea or coffee? Don’t be afraid to be specific. It may sound pretentious, but you aren’t staying at luxry resort for nothing. Start a friendly email dialogue with the hotel concierge to build you rapport and ensure your visit starts off right. You’ll be amazed at the lengths the staff can go to once they realize you’re a discerning visitor.

Leave work at work

Most important of all to enjoying your stay at all luxury resorts: turn off your work-related devices and accounts. In fact, turn off any and all electronics your boss may be able to reach you through. Even on vacation, Americans are notorious for always checking their voicemail and email. Over 60% of respondents to a recent survey admitted to continuing to work while on vacation. Surprise, surprise, that Happify found one in 10 travelers say they’re unable to relax when vacationing.

For 25% of vacation workaholics, their colleagues were to blame for getting in touch while they were out of town. We truly pity the one in five who heard from their boss while away. Have you ever heard the adage, “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission”? Staying at all inclusive luxury resorts is the perfect time to put that into practice. Go ahead and turn off your work cell phone, take a break from checking email, and know that you can ask for forgiveness later for any missed communications. Trust us, it’ll worth it in the end.