I’m incredibly honored and excited to rank in the top 2% of travel advisors again in 2024. Out of over 10,000 national outside agents, I've once again ranked in the top 150.  Amongst the Top 25 Viking Cruise specialists, too. 

I take great pride in the customer service I offer my clients and only partner with suppliers whose customer service and quality, replicate my values. With a fierce passion for protecting clients' interests, I have grown a loyal and repeat clientele, for which I am very thankful.   So many of which, have become friends and feel like family.  And, nothing makes me happier than crafting incredible all inclusive cruise, tour and resort travel experiences and sharing in the joy these trips bring them.  

Here’s to 2025 and helping even more travelers check off their bucket list adventures. Hard work truly pays off and time flies, when you love what you do!

Defined as a landmark or area with a natural or cultural heritage considered to be of outstanding value to humanity, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a treasure that we can all cherish and enjoy.  Whether it is the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk in The Netherlands, the timeless landscapes of Austria's Wachau Valley or Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, you can explore many of these unique places on a wonderful river  or luxury ocean cruise.

Gaudi's spectacular La Sagrada Família is considered a symbol of Barcelona by many, and is one of Gaudí's groundbreaking buildings that has shaped the identity of the city.  In France, on the other hand, Notre Dame Cathedral now being restored after a devastating fire in 2019, the is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world.

In the scenic Dutch countryside, the picturesque windmills of Kinderdijk date back to the 18th century and form part of an important water management network. These UNESCO-listed windmills are still in operation today, and you can discover their fascinating history

Driven by weather, wildlife and whim, Arctic cruises are the true definition of transformative travel. From close encounters with diverse wildlife to un-rivalled expedition knowledge, there is no doubt about it: Arctic cruises are amazing.

Small ship expedition cruises offer comfort, unrivalled expedition knowledge and some of the most spectacular landscapes you’re ever likely to see. That could mean scanning the horizon for Polar Bears, taking a Zodiac cruise to access an Inuit community or learning how to take the perfect iceberg photo. With a luxury expedition cruise, you will kayak the glacial Arctic seas by day and dine in superlative luxury by night. Extensive coverage of the region offers a variety of itineraries and lengths; meaning there is very little of the region not covered by one itinerary or another.

Since pioneering luxury expedition voyages, small ship cruise line, such as Silversea have been perfecting the expedition experience.  Intimate ice-class ships small enough to go where others can’t, offer spacious suites and public spaces to make your expedition personal. Whether trekking across tundra, gliding over icy waters, encountering rare wildlife or immersed in local culture, you’ll know it’s a journey of a lifetime when you visit the Arctic.

EMBRACE EVERY MOMENT WITH EVERY LUXURY INCLUDED

Go aboard and immediately embrace the freedom and relaxation that comes with the finest luxury cruises. Sprawling suites, multiple dining options and spacious social areas mean there are no crowds and no waiting. Then ashore, immerse yourself in every destination with included excursions, knowledgeable tour guides and cultural experiences.

Contact Luxury Cruise Specialist Chris Rakes, to help plan your next journey of discovery! 919.589.2437 / [email protected]. Chris is an All Inclusive Luxury expert who is both personally and professionally experienced with the finest cruising experiences.

​Sayulita.  If you haven’t visited Sayulita yet, you hopefully at least have it on your radar. This is the most picturesque of the Riviera Nayarit’s 23 micro-destinations, with local art and decorations on every corner. You can stop in for souvenirs, a surfing class and the iconic Instagram photo on the street with the colorful papel picado or cut-paper flags.!

Isla Isabel National Park.  This natural oasis on Isabel Island is ideal for connecting with nature: You can only get here with a guided tour from San Blas and you have to spend the night, since the tide prevents a round trip in one day. Here you’ll see plenty of fauna including the whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, frigates, seagulls and blue-footed boobies.  PS: This adventure is only for nature-lovers! 

Saltwater Pool.   A day spent splashing around in the water is awesome, but doing it in a saltwater pool is twice as nice. Located across from the Palladium Resort in Punta de Mita, this is a big must. This saltwater pool depends on the tide, so it’s only possible to swim in it when the waves literally fill it up.

Cerro del Mono (Monkey Mountain).  The best place to view the sunset! Great for people who love to hike. There are two routes: one for intermediate hikers and another for more experienced ones. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to the most jaw-dropping view of the Riviera Nayarit. If you’d rather hike in the morning, the view is just as lovely. 

Isla del Coral (Coral Island).   Paradise doesn’t get any better than this! Just 10 minutes by boat from lovely Rincón de Guayabitos puts you in the Riviera Nayarit’s gorgeous natural aquarium: Isla del Coral, or Coral Island. This place will knock your socks off with its crystal-clear water just made for snorkeling, swimming or paddle boarding. Highly recommended! 

Chris Rakes is an All Inclusive Luxury Expert and Mexico Destination Specialist available and happy to help you research, plan and go on that dream vacation! 

Traveling abroad? Thanks to a new mobile app, you can now skip the paperwork at 27 U.S. airports and four cruise ports. Authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Mobile Passport Control app expedites entry by allowing U.S. citizens and Canadians who hold valid passports to proceed directly to a border patrol agent. The free app is available for both Android and iPhone users. Learn more at www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control.

Not as quick as global entry, but not as expensive either! And, no more wasting paper.

Spyware, malware, ransomware, data breaches and identity theft — cyberattacks are on the rise, and they’re only becoming more sophisticated. Every email, every public Wi-Fi network, every free charging station is a potentially catastrophic encounter, and business travelers are particularly vulnerable.

With such potentially devastating consequences, how do you protect yourself? Staying up-to-date with cybersecurity best practices is essential. Here are our top tips for keeping your data safe while traveling.

Simple Tips:

• Never expect privacy when traveling. Always assume that any information you send electronically can be intercepted and whatever digital information you have on your smartphone, tablet or laptop is at risk of being stolen.
• Avoid bringing unnecessary electronics with you; especially those containing sensitive information.
• Never leave your electronics unattended — that includes not leaving them in a hotel room safe.

Advanced Tips:

• If you do have to bring electronics with you, make sure they are encrypted, up to date, have antivirus/antimalware software installed and the firewall is enabled.
• Subscribe to a reputable VPN service to keep your connection secure for when you do need to connect to the internet.
• When it comes to digital security and traveling, a large dose of paranoia is very healthy.

The REAL ID deadline is looming and most Americans aren’t prepared. Here’s what you need to know: as of October 1, 2020, if your driver’s license or government-issued ID isn’t REAL ID-compliant, TSA cannot accept it as official identification. Of course, passports will always be considered an acceptable form of ID, and domestic travelers under the age of 18 aren’t required to present identification, but for those of us who are used to flying with just a driver’s license, as of October, those licenses must be REAL ID-compliant.

How do you know if your license is REAL ID-compliant? REAL ID cards have a special marking in the top right corner. The symbol varies by state, but most are a star. If your ID doesn’t have one of these markings, it will not be accepted as proof of identity by TSA.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to apply. Millions of Americans still don’t have theirs, which means as the deadline approaches, wait times will soar. Requirements vary by state, but all involve an in-person visit to a DMV as well as the presentation of documents such as birth certificate, proof of address and social security card. For more information, visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.