The Traveling Travel Agent

It happens every winter. Somewhere around your second bout of the flu and your first ice-related injury, you think to yourself, “How will I ever survive until spring?” You can’t beat Mother Nature, but there is one thing you can do. Take a jet charter South! Here are some great ideas on tropical destinations and the amazingly convenient way to get there.

Because of the tumultuous economic and political conditions in Mexico, it might be a good idea to skip typical vacation favorites, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta, until tensions have eased. There are plenty of other fabulous places to vacation. Consider visiting a beautiful, remote area of the Caribbean or lush, tropical South America.

North American winter is the perfect time to visit luxurious Maldonado, known as the St. Tropez of Uruguay. The climate is temperate and often compared to the Mediterranean. The town of Punta del Este is thriving with new resorts, like the Hotel Fasano Las Piedras, touting modern architecture and five-star accommodations. Expect to sleep in and take a long lunch, where you’ll dine on fresh fish and dulce de leche drizzed ice cream. After sunbathing all day (the sun won’t set until 9:00 pm!), check out the vibrant nightlife. Revelers are known to stay up past dawn. A few miles down the road in Jose Ignacio is the Estancia Vik, a Uruguayan oceanfront estancia hotel that boasts traditional food and drink plus contemporary South American art.

The Caribbean is also a great choice, and it’s closer than traveling to South America. Some flights only last a few hours! Avoid rampant tourist traffic by vacationing in a national park, like Los Roques Archipelago in Venezuela. The protected white sand beaches and turquoise water of these islands are covered in wildlife and birds and boast untouched reefs. The peaceful environment is perfect for anyone who enjoys nature.

Of course, traveling to such remote and amazing places can sometimes be tricky. If your destination is very small, it might require not only time in the air but road travel and maybe even finding somewhere to stay along the way. Instead of booking a flight on a big crowded airline, consider taking a jet charter. Jet charters can land at smaller airports or landing strips much closer to your destination, saving you time, money, and stress. Even if your destination has a major airport, commercial air travel means standing in unending lines, impossible baggage restrictions, and the unpleasantness of being smashed up against strangers – especially during flu season! You are in control, so you decide who comes onto your flight. Plus, your itinerary stays private. This can ease a lot of stress if you are concerned with the safety of visiting a country with a high crime rate. And isn’t this vacation all about relaxing?

This winter, fight back against the cold-weather blues. Nothing will feel better than returning home revived and rested with a beautiful sun-kissed glow after your perfect South American or Caribbean vacation.