5 Benefits of Taking a Vacation

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Americans are notorious for not taking their vacation time. We have work, work, work mentality, and a belief that no one can fill our shoes if we go. With the circumstances surrounding us, it has never been more critical to plan and take that vacation. Whether you travel near or far, the benefits will be well worth it.

Here are 5 Benefits of Taking a Vacation

  1. Lower stress-When you get away from the daily grind, you will tune-up your brain and be more productive when you return. 
  2. Lowers the risk of heart disease-work is stressful. Working “under the gun” day in and day out taxes our systems. The more taxed you are, the harder those systems have to work. Taking the break lets us system restore and repair. Just like a vehicle that needs its maintenance, so do you.
  3. Improves your outlook on life-Vacation provides a time to “stop and smell the roses.” You slow down and get the opportunity to see and enjoy the things around you, lift your spirits, and provide a new perspective on your current situation.
  4. Motivation-When you are relaxed and energized, you are automatically more inclined to work on things. We may even come up with new ideas we hadn’t thought of before now that our mind is clear. 
  5. Improves Relationships-Vacations provide a space and time to be together. A time where you can focus on yourself, your significant other, and your family. Allowing time to see one another and not just be “ships passing in the night.”

The crazy thing is most of these results come about when in the planning phase of your vacation. Just planning the trip can start to increase your motivation, lower stress, improve your outlook on life, and deepen your relationships. Whether you are ready to embark now or whether you want to plan deep into the future, now is the time to start reaping the benefits of a vacation. 



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl5 Benefits of Taking a Vacation
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My BEST Mood-Boosting Tip

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I will come right out of the gate and tell you that music is my best mood-boosting tip.

I know you were expecting me to say travel. When I am off and about on one of my memorable trips, I can’t be anything but happy. However, the past year had us working to keep those spirits upbeat.  

I am more fortunate with a naturally happy state every day, but I do get down like the rest. The fastest way for me to shift gears is to turn the music up. We all know how music can elicit an array of memories and emotions, one of those being elation. We all have that song or songs that will instantly get us moving. I am very fond of pop and dance tunes that take me back to my days of clubbing. I love to dance. I go for artists like JLo, Pitbull, Shakira, and others and good rock classics. My artist tasted across the full musical genre. My choices always get my body moving. Before long, I forgot what even had me down, and I am ready to party. 

Here are three of my favorite ways to enjoy the tunes and super boost the mood.

  1. Take my nature walk up a notch by popping in the earbuds to my best motivational get-moving songs. One of my favorites to this day is “Danger Zone” from the Top Gun soundtrack. I used to run to it.  
  2. Have your own at-home dance party. I pop over to Youtube and find a song and turn it up. I turn my living and office space into a party. I love that Youtube seems to pick several in a row to go along with my first selection. Both one and two are also useful for shedding pounds too. 
  3. Turn it up in the car. Nothing beats a car ride with good tunes, especially if it is a day where you can have the windows and sunroof open too. My vehicle has Sirius XM. Soulcycle and the Pitbull stations these past months have been my favorites. The DJ’s morning wake-up shows are fantastic for getting you pumped. A twenty to thirty-minute ride, and I ready to face the day ahead. 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslMy BEST Mood-Boosting Tip
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3 of My Favorite Ways to Revive

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To revive is to take time to fuel your mind, body, and soul. Feed your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. It ideally should be a part of your daily routine but at the bare minimum, at least weekly. It can be any activity that grounds you and brings you back to your center.

I want to share 3 of my favorite ways to revive.

My favorites are meditation, walking, and yoga. I have others, too, such as sitting outdoors, reading, and even journaling. For some, even your spiritual practice will work for grounding you whether you practice it weekly or more often.

Meditation– this can be guided or not guided. I currently have a daily morning routine of guided meditation I follow. It is the first thing on the morning list, right after feeding the cats. My current practice is about 20 minutes in length. It helps me start the day clear and focused on my goals.

Walking-this is my outdoor time. I love walking because it lets my mind wander and loosens the body up from all day at the computer. It is usually in addition to whatever workout regime I am currently following. Though working out can be an excellent grounding tool as well.

Yoga-this is part of my weekly routine. Sunday is my day that I set aside to focus on reviving. Most Sundays include, in addition to mediation and walking, a 30-minute yoga session. Yoga is incredibly useful for the body, increasing blood flow, flexibility, and strength.

I’ve created a serious practice of these three methods for about the past six years now. They have been incredibly useful in getting me through crazy times, such as my divorce, moving, and of course, 2020 itself.

Finding ways to revive are just one of the pillars of returning to your happy place and staying there. What is great about all three of these is that they provide a mental escape and could be done at home or traveling. I would love to hear what tools you like to use.

 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl3 of My Favorite Ways to Revive
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2 Tools that Keep Me Thriving

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In a world that has been flipped upside down and gone topsy turvy, you may find yourself having trouble knowing how to keep moving forward.  Many of us have lost track of time, days, weeks, and months.  Probably one of the good things about this year is how fast it seems to be going as we’ve landed in the final three month stretch.

The question is how when everything seems so out of balance do you continue to thrive and get it all done?  Many of us have adapted to working from home, learning new technology, and creating work space in what was once your retreat from the daily grind.  And then, there are those of you that are sharing that space, which has now become a school as well as office and home.

I feel your pain.  I remember when I first adjusted to working from home. It was well before our current crisis. When I first went to a home office life, I thought it would be such a breeze, but managing 3 kids, pets, home, and outside activities,  even without a pandemic is still a challenge.  How did I do it?

I have 2 tools that keep me thriving.

They are my back bone to creating the time and space to make sure, me, my family, and my commitments are taken care of.  Note that I put me first.  It is very important that  you do.  You are no good to anyone else if you go down. Remember that.

 

My 2 Tools

 

Calendar Planner-

I actually operate with two.  I have my Outlook Calendar and my hard bound old-fashioned paper calendar planning book.  You can use whichever calendar planner works for you, but you need somewhere to keep all your goals, tasks, and appointments handy.

In Outlook, which I have been using for years, long before children entered the picture, I use a color coded system.  Everyone in the family has a color and certain vital things such as doctor appointments or client appointments have their own color too.  On the main calendar board, I block out the important things that are happening each day.  Planning meetings with clients, dinner events, doctor appointments, etc.  I also make big use of the task list.  Over here, I add smaller things that need to be done such as giving the cat her medicine, my workout, sending thank you notes, etc.   I love to be able to mark stuff off.  And if it is a task that is daily, once it is done I just move it to the next day.

With my paper planner, (I like one that breaks the day down by hours) I put these important events in it, but then I take a look and I block time out for those tasks. I use color coding here too.  Love my colored pens.  For example, I block time in the mornings for meditation and even time to scroll Facebook.  Some days I get really detailed and block out when I need to step away to shower and eat.  How many of you have gotten to the end of the day still in your pajamas???? Be honest.

With the two calendars working in tandem I always know what is next.  I am also flexible. Meaning, I can move something to another day or decide a task or goal is not as important as it once was.  Things change throughout the course of the day, week, month, and year. It’s okay to adjust.  If you find yourself constantly moving a particular item from day to day, then it is time to reevaluate it. Why are you moving it?

Timer-

I use the one on my IPhone, but I used to have the traditional kitchen timer.  The timer makes sure I only stay on the task for the time I blocked it out.  If I am really into something or need more time to complete it, I take a look at what I have on the day to make adjustments.    The timer has been key in making sure I get up from the computer to workout, eat, and just take a break from the screen.   Trust me, it is not healthy for our bodies to sit and stare and this thing 8, 10, 12 or more hours a day.

The timer really let’s me juggle a multitude of things.  It is one of the ways I am able throughout the day to toggle between play and work. You know the proverb- “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” Don’t be Jack.

I know many, will say, “I can’t be that ridged.” The key is that by doing this you have created your flexibility and your play time. People often ask, “Lisa, how do you get it all done and still have time to play?”  Well, now you know. It is all in the planning!  Note,  I don’t beat myself up when something does not get done.  As I said, it is me first, so throughout each of my days, I always include things such as meditation, exercise, walking, getting out with friends, social media time, TV time, and reading.  Don’t just survive, THRIVE!

 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl2 Tools that Keep Me Thriving
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Passport for Your Palate-Grapefruit Vodka Soda

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My favorite go to spirit is vodka and while I usually keep it very simple with just some soda and lime, I do love to play around from time to time. This particular combination was inspired by my oldest daughter, Greta.  We were doing one of our almost weekly chats at the end of the work day. I believe that evening it happened to be National Tequila today.  I was like dang, I don’t have any tequila in the house, just my vodka. She herself had now become busy grabbing a stool and was making a search through the cabinet in the kitchen that house the liquor.  She immediately chimed in with what had become the most recent poolside libation this summer with her and my friends in Tennessee.

 

“Mom, we have been doing vodka, grapefruit juice, and club soda.”

I was like I actually have some grapefruit juice on hand that I’d grabbed for a recipe I can’t recall.  It turns out she never found any tequila that night either and we both ended up with this light refreshing drink perfectly suited for a hot summer night.

 

It turns out, I’ve discovered, that I am not the only one on my back balcony that enjoys this cocktail as it has attracted the hummingbirds.  I was quite startled the first time the buzz and blur came right into my face as I lifted the glass for a sip.  I am guessing it is the beautiful color of the drink that draws the bird as I can’t say it is super sweet.  Though I’ve included some variations you can try as well below.

 

Grapefruit Vodka Soda or aka a Greyhound

1 glass

 

1.5 ounce favorite vodka, give or take. My current go to is Broken Shed.

6-8 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice.  I am an OceanSpray fan.

1-2 ounces club soda.

Lime wedge, option garnish

 

Fill glass with ice.  Pour in vodka, then grapefruit juice, then top with club soda. I use a highball glass.  Usually a plastic one right now as this is something to take poolside.  Stir.  You could opt to shake in a mixer as well, but I keep it easy peasy when I am at home..

 

Variations

  • You can substitute gin for the vodka
  • Add salt to the rim and make it a Salty Dog (traditionally this would have gin instead of vodka)
  • Want to take some bitterness out of the grapefruit consider adding sugar to the rim or adding a touch of maple syrup to the mix. For me it has to be real Vermont Maple Syrup.
  • I made my own fun twist by using an ounce or two of Pad Thai Sauce in the mix.

 

Give my summer buzz a try. Let me know if the birds come by. Happy Sipping!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Grapefruit Vodka Soda
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Inkinspired-The Arrow Tattoo

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October again, and as it appears thanks to Facebook’s memories feature, it is the time of year I like to express my deepest passions via a new tattoo.

When asked, why a tattoo, I respond that I had always wanted one from my late teens on, but never knew exactly what to get. Then I went to Australia and my life began to evolve. Once on that path of change and personal development, all the passions within me came to the surface, quite literally, thus it became time for ink because the meaning had been found.

Most recently, if you have been following my social media pages, you will have seen that my dear and close friend and I made a day trip to New York City to get very meaningful tattoos placed inside our left wrists. These tattoos, had been in the plans for close to a year now.


While many of my tattoos and the plans for a few more in the future have been done in destination, we chose to meet here, in New York, for this. The two of us met a few years ago at a Book More Travel Workshop in North Carolina, hosted by the Global Travel Institute for Travel Entrepreneurs. I had already belonged to the program and my dear friend and now partner in crime Tracy was just joining. We discovered immediately we were kindred spirits. Before the conference was over, we had become besties.

We learned many things for propelling our business forward through our membership in GIFTE. One of the main concentrations or focus areas is mindset. Our fearless leader, Meredith Hill, founder and president of the company, teaches many things to keep our mind on the right entrepreneurial path.

One of those things involves the analogy of an arrow being pulled back. It has meaning on several levels.

One, is the arrow needs to be pulled back to have momentum. The further it is pulled back the further it will go. Another is to the comparison of contrast in your life. The more contrast you have, the more reward/good that exists on the other end. And, finally, the faith that you need and must have, blind faith, seeing and believing you will hit your target. That faith will create the forward momentum you need to reach your goals. As we say, READY, FIRE, AIM!

I and Tracy have been through a lot of contrast over these past few years. I have been in a constant state of change and evolution for at least the past 3 years as I created and opened the travel agency, divorced my husband, and then relocated from Tennessee to the northeast in New Jersey. Tracy too has had her own agency coming to birth, as she has dealt with the end of her marriage. We both resonated so strongly with the mindset conversations and analogies of the bow and arrow that we decided we would get arrows put inside our wrists to remind us and strengthen us to keep moving forward.

You will see our arrows are slightly different.

Because our struggles and paths and personal meanings are different as well. For Tracy, I know the word TRUST was something she needs to remind herself of and her colors represent her agency branding. For me, I wanted something more traditional, native. I have the dots to symbolize the movement forward, the wave to show that it is not always a straight path to our goals, the leaves as feathers because of my draw and connection to nature. For me nature always heals and restores. But, the one thing, we both know is the best is coming and the reward for our efforts is in sight.
To discover the meaning behind my previous tattoos, check out my blogs, “Souvenirs to Last a Lifetime” and “Tattoos-The Meaning Behind the Ink”

updated 7/19/20


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslInkinspired-The Arrow Tattoo
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Don’t Leave Home Without It

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American Express owns this slogan, and with all due respect I wouldn’t think of infringing on their right to use it. This is not about credit cards though, but about what you need to take with you on an airplane to be the most comfortable and make your time pass quickly.

Flying on an airplane can give you the feeling of being a sardine, even if you are in Business or First Class. Preparing ahead for a flight is mandatory to have the best experience and once you have it down, you won’t be second guessing yourself about what to pack. Here are my three top absolutely necessary items to take on a flight; whether it is 1 hour or 5 hours or even 15 hours.

1. A Pashmina
For me, this is the Number One item on the Don’t Leave Home Without It List. About five years ago before traveling to China I realized I needed something to keep me warm on airplanes and motor coaches. My research led me to Pashmina and the hunt for the perfect one that would meet my needs for warmth and fashion accessory. A Pashmina is a scarf or shawl but not just any scarf or shawl. Pashminas are made from the finest grade of cashmere wool, from certain goats raised in the Himalayas. The wool is the world’s finest and provides the most luxurious warmth. A Pashmina Scarf is a luxury fashion statement, and can be added to a dress with spaghetti straps or over jeans. Versatility makes it essential for travel on planes, trains, and automobiles.

Airplanes can be very cold, an extra layer of warmth is usually required to stay comfortable. Blankets distributed on the plane are not only limited, but the cleanliness is questionable. Ick! Drape a pashmina over your shoulders and you will increase your warmth immediately, If my Pashmina could talk it would tell you of travel to China, Thailand, Hong Kong, London, Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, Napa, and more.

2. Something To Do
This Don’t Leave Home Without It item can be different for each travel. Some people enjoy doing a craft and others would rather read. Reading (and sleeping) are my preferred way to pass the time. The graphic represents my personal choice of an electronic device, such as a Kindle, Kindle Fire, Nook or even a tablet such as an ipad. It can help you avoid speaking to a boring seat mate (smile). The variety of topics it holds will not only keep you interested, but also lighten your load. Gone are the days when you take a vacation and have to pack a stack of books. They will even hold your magazine subscriptions. In a word, they are WONDERFUL! If you haven’t moved to the electronic reader, what are you waiting for? One argument I hear is that you can’t share the book with your friends and that is absolutely right. But, how many books have you carried with you and left on the ship, at the resort or hotel room because packing a book takes up room for those purchases you made during “Retail Therapy”.

3. Loose Fitting Shoes
The final Don’t Leave Home Without It is essential for comfort, especially if flying on long flights. Clogs are a great choice but my favorite shoes to fly in are Crocs, UGLY, yes, but so simple to take off and put on again. The TSA is slowly moving away from the requirement to remove your shoes, but it is still there at this time. TSA Pre-check is a new system that allows you to keep your shoes and jackets on and allows you to leave your 1 quart bag in your luggage. It’s a hit or miss system for everyone except the people who pay for the privilege of receiving TSA pre-check. This doesn’t even mean you will always receive it, sometimes you may have to go through the regular line at their whim. The bottom line is always be prepared to remove your shoes just in case.

If you have read to this point, the you receive a BONUS. One more essential for carry on bags.

4. Noise Cancelling Headphones
The BONUS Don’t Leave Home Without It not only reduces or eliminates cabin noise, it also gives better sound for the inflight movie or music when plugged into the airplane’s sound system. There are a variety of brands and range of prices to choose from. Google “Noise Cancelling Headphones” do your homework.

Now it’s your turn. What do you think is most important to have on a plane ride for COMFORT! Maybe you need to have a video game, chocolate chip cookies, earplugs or eye shades. Let us know your thoughts.


Jan Scheyer-Personally Yours Travel by Jan, Your Travel Advisor in Greater Cincinnati.

I am Jan Scheyer and I am a connoisseur of history. Like a great author who can bring history to life through words, I do this through travel. I plan travel experiences for people who want to connect with the past and bring it to life. If you love history, let me help you plan travel experiences in a way that you’ll never forget. I will illuminate options you’ve never considered and plan every last detail so that you can have an experience that you’ve only dreamed (or read) about.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Jan ScheyerDon’t Leave Home Without It
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Whatever Floats Your Boat-River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising

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While most people have taken a cruise vacation, they are most familiar with the traditional and very popular mass-market ocean cruises. However, river cruising is quickly gaining popularity and is becoming a hot trend in vacation travel. If you think you do not like cruising – or you’re ready for a different kind of cruise experience- read on and learn some of the basic differences between river and ocean cruising.

See which one floats your boat!

SIZE/ PASSENGERS/CABINS
Ocean:
Mass-market cruise lines carry anywhere from 2000 passengers to over 6,000 passengers—multiple cabin categories and cabin sizes from small interior cabins (no window) to 2-story loft suites.
River: Luxury lines carry 90 to 140 passengers. Fairly small cabins – 140 square feet cabins with porthole windows to 200 square feet suites with full sit-out balconies.

DESTINATIONS
Ocean: Caribbean islands, Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Australia, South Pacific, Asia, South America, Antarctica…. just about anywhere in the world!
River: Mostly Europe – Inland cities and towns along rivers such as the Rhine and Danube – big cities such as Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest to small villages such as Bergerac and St. Emillion in France; Southeast Asia, China, and India itineraries are also offered by several river cruise lines.

EXCURSIONS
Ocean: Wide range of excursions from dolphin swims, zip-lining, snorkeling in the Caribbean to whale watching and salmon bakes and train rides in Alaska.
River: Small-scale walking tours with individual headsets that allow everyone to hear the local guides. Excursions focus on sightseeing, the history, and the culture of the area.

DINING
Ocean: Multiple dining venues; many types of cuisine; multiple seating times. You may or may not get to know your waitstaff, depending on your dining preferences. Relaxed dress code. Room service.
River: One main dining room and one or two smaller venues. One seating time period for each meal. No room service. Seating is open seating. Table sizes vary so that you can sit with your own traveling companion at a table for two or with a group at a table for 10. The dress code is relaxed. Most people dress casual-dressy dinner attire. The wait staff is very attentive. Service is personable and genuine.

ENTERTAINMENT
Ocean: Night clubs, Broadway shows, variety shows, comedians, concerts, casinos, pubs.
River: pianist in the lounge, local talent such including singers and classical musicians

AMENITIES
Ocean: Water slides, cigar bars, ice rinks, 4-D cinemas, rock climbing, zip-lining, bowling, full-service spas.
River: Libraries, sundecks, small fitness centers, 24-hour coffee bars, free Wi-Fi. And not a kids’ play area visible.

PRICE INCLUSIONS
Ocean: Cabin, meals in main dining areas and cafes and a few other venues, tap water, coffee, tea…and on-board entertainment.
River: All meals, beer, wine, soda, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water. Some lines include liquor, transfers, and gratuities. Also included on all river cruises are the daily sightseeing excursions in each port. AmaWaterways even has its own bicycles for guests to use in port.

SO, WHO MIGHT LIKE TO RIVER CRUISE?
Those who enjoy sightseeing, culture, art, history, and unique experiences.

Those who have been there, done that on ocean cruises and want a different type of experience.

Those who prefer a slower pace and calmer experience without the glitz, non-stop action found on many ocean cruises.

Those who enjoy a luxury, cultural experience without having to pack and unpack every couple of days as on an escorted bus tour.
Those who like phenomenal service and attention. With small group sizes, the river cruise staff can completely cater to the guests and truly aim to please them. The staff becomes friends!

Those who enjoy meeting others and making friends. You can certainly keep to yourself, but when there are only 100 or so passengers on board, it is effortless to meet others and make new friends – should you want to! River cruising is especially wonderful for solo travelers!

WHAT ABOUT KIDS?
Generally, river cruising appeals to an older clientele. There are no organized kids programs or nightlife for teens on most ships. However, starting in 206, Disney has partnered with Ama Waterways cruise line and is a European river cruising vacation. This may be just the ticket for your family. With the Disney touch, the river cruising experience will be much more family-friendly.

JUST REMEMBER:
Don’t wait till the last minute! With ocean cruising, you may find a great deal if you wait till the last minute. That won’t be the case for river cruises. These ships are small and fill up very quickly! If you want to take a cruise next summer, put down a deposit now…or at least by January. If you wait too long, you may find your desired itinerary and ship already booked up.


Anjana Duff

Anjana Duff is the owner of Travel Connection, a boutique travel agency specializing in tropical escapes and worldly adventures.

She creates customized vacation packages for individuals and groups. With her expertise, clients can relax before the vacation even begins. They are able to focus on what is truly important – connecting with their favorite people in their favorite places.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Anjana DuffWhatever Floats Your Boat-River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising
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Do Coins Bring You Good Fortune?

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As I began my morning with my abundance of prayer and meditation, I began to think, do coins really bring you good fortune?

My prayer for abundance, given to me by good friend and mentor, Carmen Perez, Your Well-Being Messenger, is recited with coins in your hand. The prayer is recited 3 times. My little twist is instead of the 3 coins; I hold a pearl oyster shell from Bora Bora filled with coins from various destinations I have visited. I have always been told that you will be sure to return if you keep money from your travels. As the years have proven, with yearly repeated trips back to Australia, this may actually hold some truth.

We have all heard, “Pick a penny up, and all day long, you will have good luck.” Do you pick pennies or coins up from the ground? I do. I have always associated finding money, sometimes quite larger than a penny, on the ground to be of good fortune. And, who hasn’t tossed a coin into a fountain or well and made a wish? Or have you heard of framing your first dollar made? What about a large bill kept in the wallet? Better yet, what about writing yourself a check for your future? Have you seen the interview Oprah did with Jim Carey, who did that very thing? Look at him today. I would say he received good fortune.

Where have some of these myths, legends, and superstitions originated from? In fact, most countries have some sort of story surrounded around coins that can lead you to greater prosperity. See if you are familiar with or practice any of these country’s traditions surrounding coins and good fortune.

The Russians believe that scattering coins all over your home will bring wealth. They say carry a coin in your pocket to attract other money.
Early Americans used bent silver coins to ward off witches. A silver dime used to be tossed into a churn to ensure a plentiful amount of butter.
Coins have always been popular with weddings, but probably the best known is the ritual with the English sixpence. The bride would (should) wear a coin in her left shoe to bring luck to the marriage.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Be sure to throw a coin in the fountain (The Trevi) for good fortune. The Romans have their own twist being sure to have their back facing the fountain and toss the coin/s over the shoulder with their right hand.

In Ireland, they keep a penny in their pocket. Like the Russians, they believe this act will bring them good fortune. On the seaside of western Ireland, there is an area where they encase the penny in marble and used in jewelry is said to be even luckier than the penny in the pocket.

In Greece, it is a firm belief that “money attracts money.” A wallet or purse as a gift would always be given with a coin or two in it. They believe as long as you have a few coins in your pocket you will never be penniless.
And of course, as we celebrate the New Year many countries find it customary to bake a special homemade loaf with a coin (or baby) inside. The person who gets the slice with the coin will be lucky the rest of the year, provided he doesn’t choke on it first.

Do you practice any of these superstitions? Do you have any others you practice besides those listed? If so, share them with us in the comments below. For me, I’m going to keep picking up those pennies, reciting my prayers, and practicing meditation for a happy and abundant life filled with good fortune.



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.


Lisa RossmeisslDo Coins Bring You Good Fortune?
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Reflection on the Election-If You Knew How I Voted…

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Hi! I was inspired to write this the morning after the election when I opened up my social media accounts. The process is over, the votes have been cast, and the system we have played out, but we are still busy throwing stones. I have to say it has been one of the most painful years to watch from the sidelines as friends and family attacked one another for one of our basic freedoms…the freedom of choice.

Throughout the year, I made a very concentrated effort not to let the ugliness in or even engage in any political conversation. I did like a few social media posts here and there from both sides purely because some of them were quite amusing. No matter what side you were on, your own words resonated with me. I know you from all walks of life, a family who have known me all my life, friends I have found through the church, volunteer groups, school, and work, and those of you I service as clients. For those who tried to engage me, you often found me saying neither option is ideal or I haven’t decided or I don’t discuss politics. Unless I have actually given you a voiced answer, you don’t know who I voted for, do you? I think one of the “golden rules”  is never to discuss politics or religion. You know why? No matter what you think or feel, you will always piss at least 50% of the people off or make 50% of the people happy. It’s the law of nature.

So here is my question to you, “If you knew how I voted…..”

If you knew how I voted, would you still sit by me in church?
If you knew how I voted, would you still bowl with me?
If you knew how I voted, would you still sit down to a meal with me?
If you knew how I voted, would you still go out on ladies’ night with me?
If you knew how I voted, would you still sit next to me at a meeting or conference?
If you knew how I voted, would you still use me as your travel consultant?
If you knew how I voted, would you still want to hang out with me?

If you knew how I voted, would I still be me? The me you have known? The me you have laughed with, cried with, fallen with, traveled with, and worked with? Does who I voted for alter you and me?

The change this country needs is within each one of us. Check your reflection. What message are you sending?



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.


Lisa RossmeisslReflection on the Election-If You Knew How I Voted…
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