Xcaret, Mexico
This was a quick trip for my family to relieve some stress. Since this was a last minute decision we went with a proven itenary in Xcaret, Mexico. I searched the internet for all inclusive prices using trusted vacation package websites. Since we already knew the hotel we wanted to stay at and were familiar with the amenities and services, it was easy to compare prices.

I compared identical packages from AAVacations, Expedia, and Orbitz and found the best price from Orbitz, around $300 less than the others. For 2 rooms, 4 nights and 5 days at the all-inclusive Occidental Grand Xcaret Resort, non-stop airfare on American Airlines, and airport transportation the price came to around $800 per person. That comes to $3200 for the 4 of us. The January time frame afforded ultra low off-season rates.

One of our day trips was to Isla Mujeres as described in our 2005 trip to Cancun. Getting there without a car is a snap. From Xcaret a taxi to the bus station in Playa Del Carmen is around $10 US. Tickets from Playa Del Carmen to the bus station in Cancun is around $3.50. Taxi to the Isla Mujeres ferry dock is another $10 US. Not bad when compared to the $40 a taxi will charge you to take you the whole way.

More Cancun travel tips under 2005 and 2004.

Machu Picchu, Peru
This was another one of those trips to use up American Airlines miles. I had spent some time studying American Airline's mileage redemption chart looking for a deal to Europe. However, our work schedules could not allow us to travel in the usual off-peak travel date ranges. We had enough miles to redeem one round trip ticket anywhere in the world but that also meant having to buy another ticket at premium prices.

Giving up on Europe I looked at other options and noticed that a redeemed ticket to Peru was only 10,000 miles more than a domestic ticket. In addition, the off-peak travel dates were more generous than Europe. This drastic difference in milage savings meant that we could get 2 round trip tickets to Peru instead of 1 to Europe. In total after fees and taxes 2 round trip tickets were only $285.

Since this was a completely new continent to me, and in a country recovering from corruped government and drug wars, I sought out assistance from a travel agency. Running an internet search results in scores of companies. Here is how I narrowed down the search and decided on a reputable company.

First identify what it is you want to see. The only thing I had heard of in Peru was Machu Picchu so that was what I started with. Searhing on Peru, travel package, and Machu Picchu pulled up several prospects. Looking at the details I selected 5 that looked like their website was well maintained and required some complexity to write. I wouldn't trust a travel agency that uses MySpace and PayPal. If it looks like they spent a good amount of money on their website then they must be doing something right.

I then searched the name of the travel agency, with the name of the hotels offered in ther package, with the name of a reputable travel advice guides such as Trip Advisor. The next step was to go to the bookstore and pickup a recently updated copy of a good guide book. Frommer's Peru guide had the most practical information and usable details. I eliminated and travel companies that did not appear in both Trip Advisor and Frommer's. If the travel company has a fully featured and well maintained website, recommended by a trusted online travel advice website, and recommended in an printed guidebook you may have a winner.

I chose Peru Gateway Travel. Not only did it meet my requirements, Peru Gateway has a 24 hour support with a US toll free line and accepts credit card deposits online. These are indicators that they are accustomed to working with Americans. Peru Gateway is also based in Peru with local offices in every one of their destination cities. It may be tempting to book travel with a US based travel company. You may feel that since you are working with Americans you will get better service. This is not always the truth.

In many cases the US travel company will sub-contract your travel package to a local travel company and then pocket difference. In reality you have no idea who will be taking care of you until you meet them at the airport.

To protect us, Peru Gateway advised us that after arriving at the airport follow only their representative that had our specific information. There maybe people that pretend to be your agent until you hand over your remaining balance in cash.

Peru Gateway also advised us that their representatives will not ask for cash. In fact our representative would not even hold our credit card. He just took us to a computer and pulled up the same website I placed my deposit on. This proved without a doubt that I was with the right person, in addition he knew my full name, flight information, and which hotel we were staying at.

Our package included a half day Cusco city tour, a full day Inca Sacrey Valley tour, a 2 day Machu Picchu tour, all ground transportation, all admission tickets, and all hotel accomidations. In total, that 5 days with 12 different historical and cultural destinations and attractions for $625 per person at off-peak season rates. Add in the redeemed flights and the generous exchange rate to the local currency (Peruvian Soles), this trip is about half the price of our European trips. Incredible!

Did I choose the best travel company? While we may never know I do have some supporting evidence. First, before we left it was the cheapest of all the other travel companies with similar packages. I received communication from the company with in 24 hours by e-mail and phone. Second, after we arrived we noticed our tour buses were the most comfortable; the other companies were using overcrowded vans. Our tour groups were only 7-12 people while Other companies had 20-30 people in their groups. All transportaion was clean, on-time and the hotels were friendly and comfortable. I think we made the best decision.

As expected the trip was amazing.