Affordable Travel Vacations

05/06/2026

Happy National Travel Advisor Day to all my travel agent friends. Celebrating you today for all you do making clients dreams come true!

02/23/2026

For our travel friends headed to Mexico 🇲🇽

We understand that seeing news headlines can raise questions, and we want to reassure you that we are always actively monitoring the destinations our travelers are visiting.

We stay in close contact with official government advisories, local authorities, trusted in-destination partners, and our tour operator teams. If there is anything that could impact your travel experience, we will share updates promptly and walk you through your options.

It’s also important to note that the current area of unrest being reported is focused largely on Puerto Vallarta, which is located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. This area is approximately 1,500 miles from the resort regions of the Mexican Caribbean, including Cancún, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, roughly a 29-hour drive away.

At this time, travel to Mexico’s main Caribbean resort areas continues as planned. As always, we encourage situational awareness, staying within established tourist areas, and reaching out with any questions before departure.

Your peace of mind matters to us. We’ll continue to watch closely and keep you informed every step of the way.

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from Affordable Travel Vacations! Santa has his vacation booked!

11/27/2025

Enjoy the holiday! We are Thankful for you!

11/23/2025

Why wait to visit one of these resorts? Sale of the year! If you are thinking of a vacation, destination wedding, vow renewal or friends get-away or need a Christmas gift this is the brand! Let’s go!

10/19/2025

10/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17PYhd5gPj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Get Ready for Europe’s New Digital Border Experience!

Planning a trip to Europe? Starting October 12, 2025, the EU is rolling out a new automated digital system called the Entry/Exit System (EES) for travelers from outside the EU—including U.S. and Canadian citizens. This modern update will change how you move through border controls in the Schengen Area, which covers 29 European countries.

Here’s what you need to know:

• No More Passport Stamps: If you love those classic passport stamps, you might be a bit disappointed. The EES replaces manual stamping with an electronic process.

• Biometrics Are Mandatory: Upon your first entry into any Schengen country, you will have your facial image and fingerprints captured. This biometric data is stored digitally to track your entry and exit from the region.

• No Opting Out: Providing biometrics is a legal requirement. Refusal means you won’t be allowed entry.

• What is the Schengen Area? It’s a group of mostly EU countries that have abolished internal border checks, allowing travelers to move freely once inside. Ireland, Cyprus, and the UK are NOT part of this, so different rules apply there.

• Who Does This Affect? Visitors staying up to 90 days within any 180-day period will be subject to EES checks. It’s designed to make border processing more secure and efficient across all member countries.

What should you do?

• No need to pre-register for EES—just make sure your passport is valid and in good shape for digital scanning.

• Expect biometric collection at your first entry point in the Schengen Area.

• Allow extra time at border control during the initial rollout phase through spring 2026.

Once fully operational, the system will speed up future border crossings and make travel safer.

Here’s a quick refresher on Schengen countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Note: Ireland and Cyprus aren’t part of Schengen yet, and the UK never was.

For full details, check the official EU Entry/Exit System page.

Ready to explore Europe? Understanding these changes will help you breeze through borders and enjoy your trip worry-free!

Message us, call (651)-457-8360 or email us at [email protected] and let’s get planning your next trip!

10/06/2025

Another amazing group trip with Affordable Travel Vacations! This time we hosted a group to London and Paris. Amazing how you can travel between these to cities by the Eurostar high speed train in just a few hours. Contact us if you would like to consider visiting these two cities or other Europe destinations!

07/26/2025

07/26/2025

Booking 2027 Alaska Product Launch
ADVANCE NOTICE
2027 Alaska Cruises Open August 5th
Holland America has been sharing Alaska’s majesty with guests since 1947 — before it was even a state. We bring nearly 80 years of unmatched expertise to every itinerary, excursion, and onboard experience.

Our 2027 Alaska cruises deliver:
NEW IN 2027: MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST
Sail roundtrip from Vancouver or Seattle to explore the 15.8-million-acre Great Bear Rainforest, one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests, with four unique itineraries to choose from.

NEW IN 2027: 8-DAY ALASKA INSIDE PASSAGE
Sail roundtrip from Vancouver along a route carved by nature. Watch glaciers calve, linger longer in Juneau with a late departure, and soak in the dramatic beauty of the Inside Passage.

ALASKA GLACIER GUARANTEE™
Experiencing glaciers is one of the top reasons guests choose an Alaska cruise. Our first-of-its-kind Glacier Guarantee lets you book with confidence, knowing your clients are guaranteed to see a glacier or receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% of their fare.

#1 IN ALASKA WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS TOURS
Our 175+ animal sanctuary and sightseeing opportunities include an unforgettable “Reindeer Encounter” via our partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

FRESH SUSTAINABLE ALASKA SEAFOOD
Holland America is the first and only cruise line triple-certified for serving only 100% sustainably sourced, wild-caught, and responsibly farmed seafood on board our Alaska ships.

WE 🧡 ALASKA EXPERIENCE
Our immersive Alaska programming brings the Great Land on board with expert-led presentations, locally inspired cuisine, and thoughtfully curated shore excursions.

HAVE IT ALL EARLY BOOKING BONUS
For a limited time, book a 2027 Alaska cruise with the Have It All fare and your clients receive:
Up to $300 Shore Excursion Credit
Up to Three Nights’ Specialty Dining
Low Price Guarantee
FREE Prepaid Crew Appreciation
FREE UPGRADE Premium Wi-Fi
FREE UPGRADE Elite Beverage Package