By: Susan D’Alonzo Ament

It’s easy to get caught up in the magic of holidays in Delaware.  Everyone seems to be in a better mood, and all of the hustle and bustle – including shopping, parties, and visiting with loved ones – makes the cold weather a little easier to bear.

Of course, making merry has its price, as travel can be especially dangerous during this time of year.

Whether you are traveling locally or planning a trip to visit friends or family out of state, it’s important to take some extra precautions when driving during the holiday season.  To best avoid unpleasant situations like collisions, theft or more, follow these safety suggestions:

Perform routine maintenance. One of the easiest ways to avoid car mishaps is to drive a safe vehicle.  Check and rotate your tires, get a tune-up and have your oil changed regularly, at least every six months.  Keeping up with these tasks ensures that your vehicle will be in top driving condition for Delaware’s often-treacherous holiday weather.

Prepare for inclement weather. Due to the unpredictability of the East Coast’s weather conditions, it’s always a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.  Emergency kits include items that can help signal others in times of distress, make minor repairs, or help keep you protected from excessive temperatures while stalled.  These kits can be purchased for as little as $30, or you can make your own.  Some items that you might want to include are blankets, water, road flares and tools.  For more ideas on what to include in your vehicle emergency kit, speak to your auto insurance agent or visit www.redcross.org

Drive defensively. Just as the old adage goes, sometimes the best offense is a good defense.  The lack of a sales tax draws more people into Delaware during the holiday season, which means the chances for collisions increase.  When driving, be on the lookout for erratic drivers, slippery roads, snowdrifts and other unusual conditions.  Never drive at speeds that would prevent you from taking necessary corrective actions, particularly in the evening when hazards are more difficult to see.  Also, keep your eyes on the road, as you never know what other drivers have had too much eggnog.

Don’t leave valuables in the car. When you travel, there’s a good chance that you’ll leave your vehicle unattended in places with which you’re unfamiliar.  In order to avoid holiday breakins, don’t leave valuables in your car, especially in clear view of anyone who walks by.  Many criminals take advantage of holiday shoppers’ generosity, and when your new purchases are visible, they make for a tempting target.  If you must leave items in the car, opt to put them in the trunk, away from prying eyes.

Give a copy of your itinerary to a friend. Whether you are headed out to the mall, a party or a relative’s house, let someone know where you are going and how you intend to get there.  In the event that you are in an accident, stranded or are incapacitated, your contact will know your intended route and be able to pass relevant information along to the authorities.

If you practice these safety suggestions and are still the unfortunate victim of an automobile accident this holiday season, don’t burden your holidays with the worry of how you’re going to handle the details.  Instead, contact our Personal Injury Attorneys who, together with their reliable staff, will guide you through the process.

Susan D’Alonzo Ament is a partner with Morris James LLP and has practiced for 28 years representing personal injury victims.  Over the years, Mrs. Ament has found that some women don’t understand the crucial need to have adequate automobile insurance coverage in the event of a serious accident.  Susan Ament educates women on these needs every day in her practice and in seminars that she presents throughout the year.

Presented By: Crystal Gooding

The holiday season is here! Whether you’re looking for something far different from the icy, cold weather or just have an inkling for a fulfilling alternative to the holiday routine, Christmas and New Year’s in the Caribbean offer a distinctively different experience we warmly welcome.

Cruising the Caribbean or staying at a Caribbean resort during the holidays is one of the most popular times of the year.

• Timing – the sooner the better – Historically, vacationers were only able to get great deals and values when booking very early in advance.  However, premium accommodations such as balcony or window cabins on cruises and family size suites at resorts are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
• Flights – Often expensive and overbooked this time of year, consider the cruise line’s flight offer and reserve as soon as possible.  For Resorts, leave from the nearest airport to your hometown.  This will save on drive time and money.

Here are a few specials for you to consider:

• Aruba: Book Now – April 12, 2012 Travel January 3 – December 16, 2012
• Mexico: Book Now – April 7, 2012 Travel October 1, 2011 – April 7, 2012
• Punta Cana: Book Now – April 30, 2012 Travel December 23, 2011 – December 23, 2012

Note: Above specials are based on availability.  Hotel blackout dates may apply.

Testimonials:

With all our traveling together, my husband and I have never used a travel agency.  Preparing to plan our honeymoon, together we decided to use a travel agency because it was for a special occasion.  We used Simpson Travel which was referred to us by our parents.  It was the best decision we made!  Our agent was Crystal, and we were taken care of extremely well.  All of the location options she recommended to us made it hard to decide.  Finally we decided on the resort, Royal in Cancun.  It was AMAZING!  The staff was magnificent and made us feel like royalty.  We are looking forward to using Simpson Travel again for future travel. ~ Rachel & Jason

Crystal, I never really thanked you for arranging everything for us.  I know I can go online and do it myself but I’m not the professional and would worry constantly about making an error.  It’s nicer to have somebody who knows what they’re doing.  Thanks so much. ~ Joyce N

For further information please call Simpson Travel 302-378-0894 OR

email simpsontravel@yahoo.com.

Check out additional specials at

www.simpsontravel.biz

Presented By:
Crystal Gooding

This facility is part of the Woodloch Pines Resort – Hawley, PA.

I have just returned from a wonderful 3 days at The Lodge at Woodloch Spa. This is one Destination Spa you definitely want to experience. Please note that this Spa caters to both men and women. Knowing that, I convinced my husband to join me. We both were pleasantly surprised to find that we were not the only couples there. This location was a wonderful respite from the city, the kids, work and all else that occupies your mind. Upon arrival, I knew this was going to be a wonderful experience.

The first thing I noticed was that ALL staff members
(from the front gate to house keeping) were very warm,
courteous, and made you feel that no request was too big or to small.

Oh did I mention, valet parking? The Rooms were comfortable with marble bathrooms and balconies with a view. The Dining experience (all meals included with your stay) – Delicious, healthy, well done. I actually slowed down to savor every bite. Oh, and the deserts were great too. I must mention Robin and her team added to the experience. Activities – outdoor (e.g., hiking, walking, kayaking) or indoor (e.g., exercise and art classes, cooking demonstrations, invited speakers, and wine tasting). You also have access to their signature golf course.

The variety and quality of classes coupled with great instructors were excellent.

While there, Jeanne Herrmann- Golf &Spa Sales Mgr, gave me a tour of the entire Woodloch Pines Resort property and shared their history, vision, and growth of the many facilities that encompass the Woodloch Resort. They have recently added a new entertainment theater with Off-Broadway type theme shows that we truly enjoyed.

The Spa – Has everything you could think of and more. In addition to being a 5 star facility, there is an outdoor horizon whirlpool looking out over a forested area and a two-tiered waterfall whirlpool near the glassed-in indoor pool. Tip: the indoor waterfall was great as a quick shoulder massage.

The Lodge at Woodloch Spa was a great getaway
and a memorable experience.

Who would have thought this was so close to home. For further information on this location or if you would like to plan a girlfriend getaway, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Call me to get all the details! See you on the beaches of the world….
Phone: 302-378-0894 or 866-567-4270 Email: Info@Simpsontravel.net Web: www.simpsontravel.biz

Presented By:
Crystal Gooding

In the last issue I asked what does the term mean to you.
I discussed the term and how it has evolved thru the years.

“All-inclusive” with regard to a resort means, that you pay one up-front price that includes: Tips and hotel taxes at the resort, transfers to and from the resort, your room, three meals per day, beverages (including alcoholic drinks), beach towels and lounge chairs, entertainment, and some activities.

Well, I have recently returned from BEACHES Turks and Caicos,
a Sandals resort, which is known as one of the best All Inclusive Resort chains.
They have now added “Luxury Included” to the term All Inclusive.
This resort was amazing!

Those of you that have stayed at an All Inclusive resort may have experienced the requirement to wear an arm band in order to partake of the amenities on site. Some locations you have to make reservations each night for dinner. NOT AT SANDALS OR BEACHES. You are able to enjoy from 7 to 16 restaurants (depending on your choice of resort) without a band or reservations.
Sandals has taken all inclusive to another level. Including free golf at some resorts and free scuba diving. Sandals Resorts are geared toward adults but will allow ages 16 and above. Locations: 7 in Jamaica, 3 in St. Lucia, 1 in the Bahamas, and 1 in Antigua.

BEACHES are geared toward infants to adults
with Sesame Street and Crayola Programs.

This resort does have an Adult Only component. Locations: 3 in Jamaica, 1 in Turks and Caicos.

Testimonial:
“Dear Crystal, We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the services you provided in coordinating travel for our wedding destination in Los Cabos, Mexico. You were able to ease my nerves and maintain honesty, efficiency, and integrity as your professional and personal standards. Many of my guests commented on how helpful and kind you were when planning their travel. You even made yourself available to me once I was in Mexico and needed further assistance, whew! Beyond the professional service you provided, you became a friend in the process.  We will definitely continue to recommend you to others and look forward to planning our one-year anniversary trip with you!”     ~ With  heartfelt thanks, R. and E. Winslow

Call me to get all the details!
See you on the beaches of the world….
Phone: 302-378-0894 or 866-567-4270
Email: Info@Simpsontravel.net
Web: www.simpsontravel.biz

Presented By:
Crystal Gooding

Simpson Travel, LLC will customize your honeymoon or vacation while offering competitive rates and personal attention.

We realize that wedding planning can be quite stressful and time consuming. We feel that planning a honeymoon should not be. Whether your dream honeymoon package consists of an all inclusive resort, a luxury cruise, a private beach getaway, or anything in between, Simpson Travel can put together a honeymoon package tailored just for you. Our process includes researching your destination(s), researching pricing, making sure a honeymoon package is available, finding the best flights, and much more.

• Honeymoon Planning
• Destination Wedding Accommodations – Local or International
• Vacation Planning
• Girlfriend Getaway Packages

Testimonials:
“Dear Crystal, We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the services you provided in coordinating travel for our destination wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico. You were able to ease my nerves and maintain honesty, efficiency, and integrity as your professional and personal standards. Many of my guests commented on how helpful and kind you were when planning their travel. You even made yourself available to me once I was in Mexico and needed further assistance, whew! Beyond the professional service you provided you became a friend in the process.  We will definitely continue to recommend you to others and look forward to planning our one-year anniversary trip
with you!” ~ With  heartfelt thanks, R. and E. Winslow

“I came across Crystal’s ad in the local Metro magazine.  I decided to call her to see if she could help me plan our vacation. What a God send!
All I had to do was tell her what we were interested in, gave her a budget, and she found us a great vacation that had everything we were looking for as well as fit our budget. She was very thorough and paid attention to the details of what interested our family and her involvement with planning our vacation truly expedited things. I really appreciated all of her help, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on our cruise. Our family looks forward to working with you for our next vacation.” ~ Tiffany S.

“Crystal, I never really thanked you for arranging everything for us. I know I can go online and do it myself but I’m not the professional and would worry constantly about making an error. It’s nicer to have somebody who knows what they’re doing.
Thanks so much.” ~ Joyce N.

Contact Simpson Travel and
“Leave the Details to Us”
Phone: 302-378-0894 or 866-567-4270
Email: Info@Simpsontravel.net
Web: www.simpsontravel.biz

The holiday season is here! This year, shall we promise to spend less time working and rather more time dedicated to the friends and family who bring us joy and timeless memories?

Cruising in the Caribbean or staying at a Caribbean resort during the holidays is one of the most popular times of the year. Family and friends are generally free from the duties of work and able to spend well-deserved time with one another. Time off from school equally contributes to the high demand for holiday Caribbean cruising.

Timing - the sooner the better – Historically, vacationers were only able to get great deals and values when booking very early in advance. Although still highly recommended to book early, vacationers today can take advantage of last minute deals. However, premium accommodations such as balcony or window cabins on cruises and family size suites at resorts are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.

Flights - Often expensive and overbooked this time of year, consider the cruise line’s flight offer and reserve as soon as possible in the nearest airport to your hometown. This will save on drive time and money.

Itineraries – Choose ships wisely depending on your desired activities the day of the holiday. Some will adhere to regularly scheduled itineraries and on-shore excursions may be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Select ships with special holiday festivities to get the most out of your holiday Caribbean Cruise!

Caribbean Holiday Culture  – Many islands in the Caribbean celebrate Christmas and New Year’s week with extravagant festivals where visitors experience authentic island culture. For example, the island of St. Kitts’ annual national Carnival will be occurring from December 18th through January 2nd.

To book your holiday cruise or all-inclusive vacation please contact info@Simpsontravel.net OR call 866-567-4270 and we will handle the details.

Testimonial:
“Crystal, I wanted to write to let you know how much I appreciated the fantastic service you provided during the planning of my trip to Barbados. You made the planning effortless, for me, from beginning to end.

You were very knowledgeable and organized making it a pleasure working with you. I have to say, you really went out of your way to ensure that all of the things I wanted to do, and/or attend were scheduled.”
~ Michelle B.

The holiday season is here! This year, shall we promise to spend less time working and rather more time dedicated to the friends and family who bring us joy and timeless memories?

Each year, many folks spend the holidays caught in a yearly routine bringing more stress than pleasure and relaxation. Others continue to create unique holiday memories by planning something different each year. Whether you’re looking for something far different from the icy, cold weather or just have an inkling for a fulfilling alternative to the holiday routine, Christmas and New Year’s on a Caribbean Cruise offer a distinctively different experience we warmly welcome.

Cruising the Caribbean during the holidays is one of the most popular times of the year. Family and friends are generally free from the duties of work and able to spend well-deserved time with one another. Time off from school equally contributes to the high demand for holiday Caribbean cruising.

Timing - the sooner the better – Historically, cruisers were only able to get great deals and values when booking very early in advance. Although still highly recommended to book early, cruisers today can take advantage of last minute deals. However, premium accommodations such as balcony and window cabins and staterooms are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.

Flights - Often expensive and overbooked this time of year, consider the cruise line’s flight offer and reserve as soon as possible in the nearest airport to your hometown. This will save on drive time and money.

Itineraries - Choose ships wisely depending on your desired activities the day of the holiday. Some will adhere to regularly scheduled itineraries and on-shore excursions may be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Select ships with special holiday festivities to get the most out of your holiday Caribbean Cruise!

Caribbean Holiday Culture  - Many islands in the Caribbean celebrate Christmas and New Year’s week with extravagant festivals where visitors experience authentic island culture. For example, the island of St. Kitts’ annual national Carnival will be occurring from December 18th through January 2nd.

To book your holiday cruise or all-inclusive vacation please contact Crystal@Simpsontravel.net
Or call 866-567-4270 and we will handle the details.
Also check out our specials at
www.simpsontravel.biz

Testimonial:

“Crystal, I wanted to write to let you know how much I appreciated the fantastic service you provided during the planning of my trip to Barbados. You made the planning effortless, for me, from beginning to end. You were very knowledgeable and organized making it a pleasure working with you. I have to say, you really went out of your way to ensure that all of the things I wanted to do, and/or attend were scheduled.”
~ Michelle B.

Presented By:
Crystal Gooding

Hello Ladies, it is time to get ready, get set, and GO!
Yes GO, and begin to renew your mind, body, and spirit from a very challenging 2010. GO and begin to take time to breath, relax, and release to make room for wonderful things to happen in your life.
This year let’s make ourselves a priority on that long list of to – do items. To help you do that, I will be working with different spa getaway companies that will make it easy for you to get into the mindset of setting some time aside for yourself.
Why a SPA you may ask? The Spa experience is more about health and stress reduction rather than indulgence. There are numerous Spas centered on exercise, eating healthfully, stress reduction, therapeutic body treatments, the mind/body connection, balance, etc. I would go so far as to say that those of us who have tried to make little changes in this direction and how we deal with stress in our lives have found that we are feeling better now than we have in the past few years because we were determined not to let this past recession tear away at what we know to be priceless…our mind, body, and spirit.
Your Spa experience can be a 1 day treat or a week long getaway. Here is one to consider…
Voted one of the ten most affordable spas in the world, Ixtapan Spa, Hotel & Golf Resort is located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. This destination spa resort is surrounded by unspoiled landscape, picturesque villages, colonial towns and archaeological treasures. The natural beauty of the area is matched by a near perfect climate where temperatures average a balmy 75ª Fahrenheit.
This four star, 220 rooms hotel is located in the little town of Ixtapan de la Sal. From your comfortable room enjoy views of ancient trees and colorful tropical gardens, while listening to the sounds of birdsong and cascading streams.

To experience this wonderful location, please call 302 378 0894
or email:
info@simpsontravel.biz
Also check out our specials at
www.simpsontravel.biz

Testimonials:
“Crystal, I never really thanked you for arranging everything for us. I know I can go online and do it myself but I’m not the professional and would worry constantly about making an error. It’s nicer to have somebody who knows what they’re doing.
Thanks so much.”
~ J.Nelson
“Crystal, Sorry it took so long to send you these photos of our trip. Again I’d like to express my sincere thanks to you for researching and planning this trip for us. We asked a lot of questions, and I’m a skeptical person by nature, but you always responded quickly and cheerfully. You are the most professional and enthusiastic travel agent I’ve ever worked with. Alicia and I will be recommending you to everyone we know. I can’t thank you enough for helping us every step of the way and making this a trip we’ll never forget.”
~ S. Morecraft

“Crystal, Thank you very much. I really appreciate the extra attention and the personal touch that you provide your clients and know that I will continue to use your services and will be honored to spread the word about your excellent and personal client service. Thank you again.”
~ LaTonya  N.