It doesn't matter if you want to see the game live or experience the excitement of being in the town where the Super Bowl is being held, there is something for everyone.  I am lucky because I live in a suburb of Minneapolis.  We were all let down when the Vikings didn't make it, but it is time to rally and pick up the pieces.  

The Super Bowl is more than just a game; it's a 10-day festival, with events held across the metro area drawing in fans and families from around the state and around the world to enjoy all the Bold North has to offer. 
The 10 days leading up to the Super Bowl will feature events for all ages, with a variety of activities--including many at no or low-cost to attend. From Super Bowl Experience Driven by Genesis to Super Bowl LIVE sponsored by Verizon, visitors will experience a world-class, uniquely Minnesotan event, including the Loppet, snowmobiling and outdoor ice bars.

The Nicollet Mall Mall will be set up for events from  concerts to fireworks to giant snow globes from 1/26 to 2/4.
Hours of operation are:
1/26:  4-10
1/27: 10-10
1/28: 10-9
1/29: 4-9
1/30: 4-9
1/31: 4-9
2/1:   4-10
2/2: 10-10
2/3: 10-10
2/4: 12-3

Concerts:

This is a great time to plan for Spring Break or for your Summer and Fall Vacations.

There are great prices now for your winter escape. Don't let the snow and cold weather get you down.
Some people call me and say, “I'm overwhelmed with all the information on the internet about travel. Please help me.” Yes, it can be daunting and time consuming. Here are a few ways to simplify it.

1. Know your budget. Don't wait to the last minute to plan a trip as it usually ends up costing more money.
2. Pick a climate. Are you looking for warm weather or a mild climate.
   
3. Are you concerned about safety. Below is a list of the safest places in the world to travel according to the Institute for Economics and Peace. They calculate the Global Peach Index which ranks the nations according to the country's level of Negative Peace using the amount of ongoing domestic and international conflict; level of harmony or discord within a nation; and indicators related to militarization.
   The top eleven are Ireland, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria, Portugal, New Zealand, and Iceland.
   
4. Do you want to travel for relaxation, adventure, to learn something, or a combination of these.
5. Do you want a land adventure or a cruise.
6. How much time do you have to vacation.

These six questions will put a framework around where you will go. If you want to go to a far off place, but only have six days of vacation, you might need to change your plans. Take a short vacation now to a closer spot and then a far away vacation when you have more time.
Travel trends still show that

• 49% of Boomers say they travel to relax and rejuvenate and 47% are looking for a getaway from everyday life (up from 39%).
• About half (49%) of respondents only expect to travel domestically.  Florida and California are the most popular U.S. destinations. 

• The other half (47%) plan to travel domestically and internationally. Top choices for those going abroad: the Caribbean/Latin America and Europe.
  
• Millenniums are traveling more abroad than any other generation. Their travel abroad has increased by 30% since 2007. They have committed to travel even if there are uncertain economic conditions.
  
• As you can see from the trends, people are still traveling internationally. People are traveling in multi generational groups and want to make memories last a life time. If budgets don't allow for international travel, people are traveling domestically.
  
  There is a trip for everyone. You can make the trip a family plan or you can get the help of an expert with knowledge or locations and prices to help you plan your trip. Most people don't realize that travel agents usually don't charge extra. Their fees are built into the price of travel components. They can get you the same price on Expedia or Hotels.com and save you a lot of hassle. Either call your local travel agent or use the six step simplified process. Only you know what's best for you.

If you need help planning your next vacation, contact me at:  [email protected]

Avalon River Cruises has a sale on select European River cruises through 2/20/2018.  Save up to $3000 on air inclusive sailings.  Contact me directly to help you book your next river cruise.
Judy Peterson
[email protected].

​

Cruising is more popular than ever and for good reasons. It is flexible and has something for everyone. Even if you're prone to getting sea-sick, patches worn behind the ear will prevent you from getting sick. Cruise lines are catering to everyone. Here are the latest trends.


1. Skip-Gens – “Skip-Gen” travel are vacations where grandparents take the grand-kids on a special adventure, leaving the parents behind to enjoy their own time off. Vacations are the perfect time to make lasting memories while taking the time to learn from each other.
Grandparents might figure out how to take the perfect selfie while grand-kids hear about life *gasp!* before cell phones.

2. Experiences of a Lifetime – Whether it only happens once or only happens once a year, travel agents are sending their clients to events offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience that also give their clients serious bragging rights when they return back home. Travelers are already planning trips for 2020’s Tokyo Olympic Games and the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany. Annual celebrations such as Germany’s beer festival, Oktoberfest, or India’s color festival, Holi, take cultural immersion to a new level for travelers looking to not only see a destination, but experience it at its height of celebration.

3. Solo Travel – Traveling solo doesn’t have to mean traveling alone as cruise lines and tour operators make it easier and more comforting for those looking to explore the world with like-minded travelers. For retirees, Millennials and everyone in between, solo travel could be as complex as wanting to find oneself or as simple as being the only family member on the trip not sharing a room with a significant other.
Cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Holland America Line feature single cabins on select ships while other cruise lines, including AmaWaterways, offer waived single-supplement fees on select sailings so solo travelers only pay one cruise fare. Tour operators, including Contiki, offer roommate-matching programs where solo travelers are assigned a roommate of the same sex.

4. Intuitive Tech – Technology is elevating the entire travel process, starting with trip planning. Virtual reality is giving travelers a 360-degree peek at what their destination may be like.

5. River Cruising for All – Just as ocean cruising has seen major shifts over the past two decades, river cruising is coming out of its shell, diversifying its offerings and targeting more than just Baby Boomers.
U by Uniworld is designed exclusively for travelers aged 21-45, offering the allure of backpacking through Europe, but without the backpacking, hostel stays or uncertainty. Families are finding river cruising to be an appealing multi-generational trip with children’s programming including AmaWaterways’s Adventures by Disney sailings and Tauck Bridges itineraries.
The variety of on-shore experiences are expanding with more active excursions, such as the Avalon Active Discovery itineraries and more culturally immersive opportunities such as cooking in a local’s home.

Source: Cruise Planners  12/19/2017

Sun Country changes its reward program.  The Elite program is going away.  Here is what they have.
Effective March 1, 2018, ELITE tier status will be discontinued under the Ufly Rewards program.  At that time ELITE status and benefits will no longer be available; however, all points earned before and after discontinuation of the ELITE program will remain in the member's account until redemption or expiration under the Ufly Rewards Program.  See EARNING UFLY REWARDS POINTS  and REDEEMING UFLY REWARDS POINTS FOR AWARD TRAVEL for information on points redemption and expiration. 

UFLY Rewarads:

• Ufly Rewards members earn 10 points for every $1 spent on air tickets, vacation packages, upgrades, seat fees, baggage fees, car rental, and more, including taxes and fees!¹

Earn bonus points, too! Watch your email for special promotions and partner offers.
Check out the FAQs for details on Ufly Rewards program enhancements.
Redeem Points on All Purchases²

• Redeem Ufly Rewards points for your entire Sun Country travel purchase including tickets, vacation packages, upgrades, seat fees, baggage fees, car rental, & more!²

• Redeem all your points or only a few. Purchase Sun Country travel with: Points or Dollars or Points + Dollars!

HERE'S HOW...

1. Be sure to be logged into your Ufly Rewards account
2. Upon reaching Trip Summary step in the booking process, select Pay Now
3. Points available in your account will be displayed, so you can choose the number of points you’d like to redeem
4. Point value will be calculated and deducted; any remaining balance (if applicable), can be paid with a credit card

It’s that easy!
¹Onboard, change fees, and some airport purchases are not eligible.
²Points may not be redeemed at the airport or onboard. See terms and conditions for details.
REDEMPTION TABLE

From www.SunCountry.com

I couldn't believe that I arrived in Jerusalem, the same day that Donald Trump announced that the US was supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. When I arrived at my hotel, I turned on the TV and saw Trump making the announcement, along with a barrage or remarks stating that their was unrest in the streets. I was worried that the next day we would run into people throwing rocks and tear gas.


However, I was happily surprised that we didn't run into any unrest on our trip. The day after Trump's announcement we traveled to Bethlehem. We had to go through a check point, which are usually the most volatile areas, but everything was cool. When we got to the city, many stores were closed in a silent protest. We traveled to the Church of the Nativity. Our travel guide was very surprised that there were no lines. Usually he has to wait an hour or two to get into the church. When the bus dropped us off, we had to walk a couple of blocks to the church, but the streets were empty.

I know that their probably were a few people protesting at a couple of borders, but we didn't see a thing. Our tour guide lives in Jerusalem and is very connected to people around Israel regarding all activities going on. I felt very safe throughout my trip through Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Qumran, Jericho, Tiberias, Dead Sea, The Sea Of Galilee, and The Jordan River.

It was mesmerizing to be in the area that Jesus walked. Some of the highlights of the trip include:
Shepard's Fields, The Church of the Nativity, The Via Dolorosa (Walk of Jesus before crucifixion), The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Mount of Olives, Mount Zion (Room of the Last Supper), Garden Tomb, King David's Tomb, Synagogue of Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Baptismal Site at the River Jordan, and the Garden of Gethsemane. As you walk in Jerusalem, you feel the holiness that abounds in the city. It is a city of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Armenians. It brings you back to the time when Jesus preached in the streets, on steps, and in the synagogues. I loved walking in his footsteps as well as being in a city rich in history. It will not only enrich your life, but transform your life. I recommend not only visiting the city, but bringing your family. What better way to bring your children closer to Jesus.

For more information contact:  [email protected]
Visit:  http://www.petersontravelpros.com

United is trying out a new system to let passengers name their price on overbooked flights. However, only the lowest bidders get the cash.

After dragging someone off their plane because the airline needed a seat in April, United was forced to come up with other options for overbooked fights.

The new system, launched earlier this month, lets you name the price it would take to get you off a plane. If your flight is potentially overbooked, you’ll be prompted to indicate if your plans are flexible when you check in at an airport kiosk, or from your computer or smartphone. Then, if you say your travel is flexible, you’ll be prompted to say how much money you’d need to change your plans. The interface offers a few different set amounts—$100, $200, $500—as well as the ability to enter your own. United will then take the lowest bids first when determining who wins this little auction, and, at least theoretically, no one has to get kicked off a plane against their will.

This isn't the only domestic airline rethinking overbooked flights. Delta announced it would authorize employees to offer up to $10,000 to passengers to get them off flights. Delta also has new processes in place to assess passengers’ flexibility and let them name their price to change their plans.
So, moving forward, maybe a week in advance of travel, as a flight starts to fill, an airline might send an email or push notification to passengers who booked the lowest fares, asking them if their plans are flexible and what they’d have to be paid to change them. If it gets volunteers at the right price, the airline could then resell those passengers’ seats at a much higher, last-minute-booking rate.

If you book early, you’re holding a valuable asset, and may be more valuable to someone else than to you. You could put a price on your flexibility and essentially sell your seat back to the airline, to let a person who values it more pay more for it. Everyone benefits in that scenario.”Andrew Sessa
November 21, 2017
Conde Nast Traveler