Why Travel Agents?

It’s no secret that we are a little over-connected these days. Any kind of information is mere moments away, and more of then not, accessible via pocket-size computers we never go anywhere without. Planning travel is no exception. With the advent of such companies as TripAdvisor, Orbitz, and Kayak—all accessible via cell phones or even iPods—it’s easier than ever to research, plan, and purchase full vacation packages on your own.

But what if your flight gets cancelled due to a freak tropical storm, leaving you stranded at the airport in Cancun? What if you get to that fabulous boutique hotel in Paris just to discover the beautiful website photos were taken 20 years ago? Or, worse, what if you slip and hurt your knee in Antarctica and need immediate surgery?

There’s no App for that.

Getting you out of dodge is only part of our job. The main (and best!) part is the planning process. First and foremost, we are travelers, just like you. We know what it’s like to be disappointed, re-routed, delayed, and generally pushed to the brink of insanity when adventures go awry. We also know what it’s like to take part in a magical, perfect experience that can barely be put into words. When you approach us with a specific request or fuzzy idea of what might be nice, we call upon a plethora of contacts and resources that are simply not available to the public. We can find you a thatch-roof hut with plumbing on the beach in Indonesia (if you want), and we don’t have to gamble your safety or comfort because 90% of the time, we’ve been there ourselves!

As the warmer months approach and a whirlwind of destinations flood your daydream hours, consider giving up the hours of vague internet research for a smile and a handshake that truly cares about your wants and needs. Just as you are invested in the experiences your family will share, Small World Travel is equally invested in bringing those experiences to fruition.

Spring Break 2011

Now that the holidays are over, everyone can breathe a giant sigh of relief… and start thinking about spring! The warmer months are just around the corner, and what better way to start the summer than catching a little sun ahead of time. Spring break is one of the busiest travel seasons, however, so right now is the time to start making plans.

While winter and summer are nice for more exotic destinations, something about spring break speaks to simple luxury. Europe is a perfect choice – spring is low season, which means great discounts and no giant crowds to compete with! While the rest of the world packs into sandy hot spots like Florida or Cancun, consider the culturally stunning, history-rich coasts of the Cote d’Azur or Venice. Is there really any comparison?

Here are our picks for European destinations:

- A country of Celtic and Roman heritage, world-revered cuisine, vibrant cities and quaint villages, France is difficult to summarize. An epicenter for romance and color, France is one of the most visited countries in the world, and it is not difficult to see why. Whether your family’s interests lie in history, food, art, shopping, or luxury, France is the supreme destination for all.

- For those leaning towards a total cultural immersion, Italy is difficult to beat. With many towns of varying color and cuisine to choose from, a family can fill every minute with museums, architecture, fashion, and food. With 44 sites, Italy has more Unesco World Heritage sites than any other country in the world! And if none of that entices you, just remember that it was the Italians who invented pizza and spaghetti – yum!

- Step back in time into the misty isle of England, who straddles the continuum of historic and modern. From Stonehenge to the 2012 Olympics, England is a land of eccentric opportunity and adventure. This is the culture that gave birth to Shakespeare, the Magna Carta, and Mr. Bean! Learn about the origins of the USA in a place as equally diverse and quirky.

- Finally, if that beach vacation actually sounded pretty good, don’t worry! Spain is littered with beautiful, sprawling beaches set against green mountains, bullfighters, and medieval castles. A warm and sunny adventure land, Spain caters to the curious and comfort-seeking families. Even their dinner culture is formed around “family-style.”

So what are you waiting for? Send Small World Travel a message today!

La Samanna - St. Martin - March 2009

What could be better than a chance to practice French, get a tan and enjoy wonderful Caribbean hospitality?

After her first real winter in Connecticut, Madison requested sunshine and a chance to try out her newly acquired French. With our best friends Syd and Chloe, we headed to La Samanna in St. Martin for a week of just that.

La Samanna is set on a beautiful stretch of white sand beach and perfectly blue Caribbean waters. We were lucky enough to try out their brand new villas, set on the cliff overlooking the property. With four bedrooms, a grand living room, dining room, kitchen and swimming pool, it was the perfect place for a house party. We spent our days enjoying the beach and the water (including a snorkel trip) and our evenings exploring the lively island.

The warmth of the people and the sun were just the perfect way to start spring.

Fiji-March 2008

This past March our family traveled to Fiji for Spring Break. Sure, there are closer beaches, but this one was well worth the journey. Our children are 12 and 14 and seemed to be under as much stress as we are in their busy middle-school lives. Our daughter, Madison, had just completed a year-long process of applying to boarding schools, and we needed a true escape.

We flew non-stop from LAX to Nadi, then took a float plane to Nukubati Island. Nukubati is a small, private island, with an appropriate address of "somewhere in the South Pacific." Once you step off the float plane into the cool pacific water, greeted by smiling Fijian faces and melodious music, you can forget life as you know it. Leave your cell phones, BlackBerries and computers at home, you won't be needing them.



Nukubati is owned by a Fijian woman, Jenny Burke, and her Australian husband, Peter. She is on property most of the time, and her staff of local villagers is delightful, genuine and well-trained. With just 7 bures, it is like being a guest in their home. This is a very "local" experience where you get to know the people. It's not slick, there's no spa, no air conditioning, no TVs, no phones, just simple pleasures. Most of the food is grown on the island, caught hours before consuming and wonderfully prepared. The resort is eco-friendy, using solar power and collected rainwater. Our bures were simple but comfortable. We spent our days fishing, snorkeling, beach combing and playing tennis on their one court. We did not need to plan anything in advance as the staff and boats are ready to take you where you like on a moments notice. We enjoyed visiting a local pearl farm run by some village women, and meeting the children at the local school. One day, we were dropped off on a deserted sandbar with a picnic and spent the day swimming and beachcombing until they picked us up moments before the sandbar disappeared into the ocean.



This was truly a magical experience for our family and we cried when the Sea Plane took us away 8 days later.

http://www.nukubati.com/