There's still time to purchase your NCL All-Inclusive Package

Get more than you ever dreamed of with Norwegian Cruise Line's All-InclusivePackage. Worth over $2,400 per stateroom, you can purchase it today for at a greatly reduced rate. Plus, you'll also receive 10% off your cruise fare! 

Must be purchased by August 29, 2014 and valid for most 2015 sailings, exclusions apply.  

Purchase this package today and receive:

• Ultimate Dining Package
• Ultimate Beverage Package (including gratuities)
• Up to 6 Bottles of Water (including gratuities)
• Shore Excursion Credit of up to $200 per guest
• 20 Photos, any size
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Bottle of Wine
• 1 Bingo Session (3 Games)
• 250 Minute Internet Package
• Gratuities associated with package and Service Charges
• PLUS - 10% off your cruise fare

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 or email Mary@thetravelbugonline.com for more information

Tourist card for the Dominican Republic

Did you know that Dominican Republic requires a fee to enter the country which is not included in the price of your ticket? Upon arrival to the airport you must wait in a line to purchase a tourist card for $10USD per person. (CASH ONLY!)

Travelers can purchase the tourist card (via credit card) online prior to departure and bypass the line when they arrive at the airport by using this link, following these steps:

1. Select" Buy your tourist card"
2. Translate to English
3. If you are not a citizen of one of the listed countries press "Select and Continue"
4. Fill in all applicable information
5. Accept the terms and conditions
6. Confirm your purchase using a credit card
7. Be sure to print out both portions of the tourist card and present them when you go through the Punta Cana airport.

Whether you would like to pre-purchase your entry card online with a credit card or bring with you $10.00 USD CASH ONLY for purchase at the airport is your choice.

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 or email Mary@thetravelbugonline.com for more information

More on our Italy 2015 trip

WE'RE GOING TO ITALY IN 2015!

ROME, FLORENCE, BIELLA, AND SORDEVELO JUNE 11-20, 2015
Join The Travel Bugs, Tom and Mary, on a trip to Italy! You'll be glad you did!

​Our trip includes a once-in-a-lifetime attendance at the Passion Play, "La Passione", in the town of Sordevelo, Italy. This magnificent event is held once every ​five years by the local townspeople of Sordevelo.

ITINERARY:
​June 11
depart for Rome

Jun 12
arrive in Rome – 3 nights with breakfast
Balance of day at leisure. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening is included.

Jun 13
Rome
This morning we will enjoy a private tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel and end with St. Peter’s Basilica. Afternoon at leisure.

Jun 14
Rome
​Morning tour of Imperial Rome, where we will view the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Roman Forum and visit to the Colosseum. Afternoon at leisure.

Jun 15
Rome / Florence - 2 nights Florence with breakfast
Depart for Florence and drive through the Tuscan hills where our will stop for a wine tasting and light lunch.

June 16
Florence
Morning walking tour of Florence, we’ll stroll through the historic streets of the city to arrive in the Square of the Duomo, here we will learn the secrets of Giotto’s Bell Tower, and discover the beauty of the Baptistery with its golden, bronze doors. Then we will visit the Accademia Gallery famous for its David by Michelangelo. Afternoon is free to explore this beautiful city on our own. Dinner will be included at a local restaurant this evening.

June 17
Florence / Biella – 3 nights Biella with breakfast
This morning we will make our way to Biella. Balance of day at leisure. Dinner included tonight at a local restaurant.

Jun 18
Biella /Turin / Biella
Today’s excursion will bring us to Turin to explore the city’s major monuments and Piazza Castello with its beautiful buildings. A highlight of the day will be the Cathedral and museum of the Holy Shroud, whose last public display was April-May 2010. There will be time at leisure to shop and explore on our own. In the afternoon return to our hotel. This evening is at leisure.

Jun 19
Biella/Sordevolo/Biella
Our morning tour will begin with Piedmont’s countryside and the historical center of Sordevolo, including the church and museum of Santa Marta, and museum of Santa Marta. Sordevolo is the village where, every 5 years, a Passion Play is performed, with all the actors being local village people. Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Sordevolo before we attend this remarkable performance of La Passione, “The Passion of Christ”.

​Jun 20
​Biella / Milan
This morning we will transfer from our hotel to Milan for our return flight home.

Please call for details and to reserve your seat!

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 or email Mary@thetravelbugonline.com for more information

Trip to Rome, Florence, Biella, and Sordevelo 2015

Join The Travel Bug on a trip to Italy!

June 11-20, 2015

Our trip includes a once-in-a-lifetime attendance at “Passion of the Christ”, La Passione, in the town of Sordevelo, Italy.  This magnificent event is held once every five years by the local townspeople of Sordevelo.

Our trip includes:

3 nights in Rome (private tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica;  tour ancient Rome and visit the Colosseum)

2 nights in Florence (visit the Square of the Duomo,   Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery and the Accademia Gallery, famous for the David by Michelangelo)

3 nights in Biella (Turin, Piazza Castello, the Cathedral and museum of the Holy Shroud,  Sacred Mountain of Oropa, and the 12 chapels devoted to the life of the Virgin Mary)  On our last night, our tour culminates with the Passion Play before returning home on June 20.

Please call Mary McGrath (732-747-8187) for pricing and more information.

Featured local business: Top of the Line Training

Free personal training session at Top of the Line Training when you book your next vacation with The Travel Bug!

The Travel Bug will be featuring local businesses. Our first business we are featuring is Top of the Line Training. Top of the Line Training is owned by Personal Trainer Sean Ryan. Sean has been a certified personal trainer for 10 years and his certifications include the National Academy of Sports Medicine; Expert Elite Personal Trainer and Pilates instructor; and hold a current CPR certification. He also has a background in boxing and martial arts.

    

Sean's 1,100 square foot studio is located right in Red Bank, at 30 Hudson Ave. Top of the Line Training offers small group and private training such as: weight loss and conditioning; athletic training; injury rehabilitation; boxing/kickboxing lessons. In-home training is also available.

There are no contracts or membership required, just the desire to work toward being in your best shape! So give us a call for your next vacation and receive a free session (in studio) with Sean Ryan, owner of Top of the Line Personal Training.


Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 or email Mary@thetravelbugonline.com for more information

Book this Grand Bahamas special offer by February 11 to receive a $250 air credit

EXCLUSIVE NON-STOP FLIGHTS FROM NEWARK WITH LOW $100 DEPOSIT

Grand Bahama Island Vacation Package Deals with Non-Stop Flights from New York Newark EWR

Heard of Nassau and the Bahamas? Meet Grand Bahama Island. Book your next vacation with Vacation Express from New York to Grand Bahama Island today. Vacation packages and all-inclusive deals to Grand Bahama Island include non-stop flight, hotel, local representative and all taxes. When you book an all-inclusive package with us, you will also enjoy ALL meals, unlimited drinks and much more. Travelers looking for the perfect getaway to beautiful beaches with great duty free shopping and sunset cruises will find Grand Bahama Island to be a paradise in the Caribbean. Limited Time Special - $250 Air Instant Air Credit.TTT Receive a $250 Instant Savings per room on stays of 3 consecutive nights or longer when booking an air-inclusive vacation package! Valid for travel through August 31, 2014. Transfers not included. Meal plans vary. TTTGrand Bahama Island prices include $250 per room Air Credit. Please call for more details.

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 or email Mary@thetravelbugonline.com for more information

Media attacks the cruise lines again

The media just can't get enough of sensationalizing the cruise industry.  It's a shame when passengers get the norovirus on a ship, but the media makes it seem that this happens because the cruise ship is harboring this illness.

The number one problem is not the ship, but the passenger who embarks on their cruise and lies when they complete the mandatory form which asks if the passenger has been sick, especially with vomiting or diarrhea, in the 3 days prior to the sail date.

What needs to be pointed out is that the cruise ships are always promoting proper washing of the hands, and they are there hand sanitizers at the entrance to all the restaurants.  If passengers took care to keep their hands clean their chances of getting sick from the norovirus diminishes greatly.

How many times do you see someone who does not wash their hands after using a public restroom?  Cruise ships even have signs in the restrooms with instructions as to how long you should wash your hands to ensure they are clean.  The CDC has compiled handwashing instructions as well.

Theresa Norton Masek has written a great article for Travel Pulse regarding this topic.  Please read and remember, it's not the cruise ship, it's the passengers, just as it would be at a school, hospital, mall, etc.


Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 or email Mary@thetravelbugonline.com for more information

Canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII

Be part of the Canonization of 

Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII 

April 24 - 29, 2014
$2295 per person

TOUR FEATURES Round trip air on Alitalia from JFK to Rome 4 nights accommodation at Eurostar International Palace (4 star centrally located in Rome) Buffet breakfast daily Private arrival and departure transfer Transfer to the Canonization Ceremony with English speaking assistance Half day Panoramic guided tour of Rome Porterage at hotel Hotel taxes and service charges Call 732-747-8187 to plan your trip today!

Conditions: * Above prices are per person, based on double occupancy and a minimum of  15 passengers traveling together. There is a €4 per person per night city stay  tax that must be paid directly to hotel on check out. Price includes airfare, fuel  surcharges and air taxes. Terms and conditions apply..

Contact Mary at 732-747-8187 or email travel8187@gmail.com for more information