World Vacations unltd: World Destinations and Vacation "Holiday" Travel Planning
This photo of a well-traveled piece of vintage luggage ... it's done a world tour ... was taken by Jenny W of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Showcasing World Travel & International Holiday Destinations and Vacation Travel Planning.
Find International Vacation Packages and Resources. Connect and Interact with those who share your sense of "Worldly Wanderlust".
Below you'll find Merchants and Products which speak to the topic of this site and which, in keeping with our mission as The Web's Concierge, have been carefully chosen and individually screened for your shopping ease and pleasure. They are not paid ads, but rather companies with whom we have selectively chosen to partner. We do earn a referral fee if you find something you like or need and purchase it. We have striven to bring you the "best in breed" companies ... those that: we like, our friends like, have great sites and service, have good online reviews, positive consumer reports, and are family friendly. Keep us posted with regards to your own personal experiences with them.
You may be surprised at companies that have not been included. The "noisiest" in the marketplace are not always the best. We have chosen 1) newer innovative companies that are performing well and garnering respect in their respective niches as well as 2) "Main Street" companies that have been reliably getting the job done for decades ... in some cases centuries. Our oldest partner, thus far, has been in business since 1819! That's staying power.
Rest assured, if we've included a certain vendor in a site's line-up, there's a very specific reason for it. You may have to hunt and poke a bit, but it'll be well worth the effort. Enjoy the adventure!
Merchants
The Leader of the Pack
One Travel: Offering air, hotel, car, cruise, and travel package deal booking ... considered one of "the top 10" best online travel sites (ranking pretty high on that list ... ahead of others you might hear more about) ... they do have an easy to use site which has lots of info on it which you should read (esp the FAQs) ... also providing good customer support.
Customer Favorites:
Atlantis: The Paradise Island, Bahamas resort features beautiful beaches and a golf course, the largest casino in the Caribbean, and more than 20 restaurants, lounges, and nightclubs. A pretty cool and popular one-stop vacation destination for the whole family. The "Atlantis" concept of "entertainment destination resorts" is expanding across the globe; there's now one in Dubai and one in China.
BlueBay Resorts: "Leisure" Resort Hotels located in Spain and throughout the Caribbean ... 20 hotels - 14 destinations ... some adult only, so great for a romantic holiday.
CheapCaribbean: Providing discount hotels and vacation packages for the Caribbean and Mexico.
Conde Nast Traveler - Digital: A magazine for those who embrace a globe trotting lifestyle and who can afford to go anywhere they want on a first class ticket, but who also want to avoid the tourist scene. To that end, readers of that ilk will find top vacation destination reviews, hotels, shopping and dining spots, and transportation tips.
Contiki: One very special niche ... a tour operator for the 18-35 year olds that want to see the world and experience different cultures, but who want to travel safely (especially if traveling solo) and make sure they "see the sights". Average age is about 25. Make new friends, travel, and do a bit of partying while you're at it.
CruiseDirect: One of the "top 10" online cruise booking sites ... you'll find cruise deals and discount packages, cruise vacation packages, and international cruise destinations. Associated with all major cruise lines ... offers multiple ports of origin ... over 10,000 cruises available.
Crystal Ski: The specialists when it comes to planning ski and snowsports vacations ... they've been at it over 30 years. They even aim to serve those who want a "green" resort experience.
Hotels.com: Offering more than 140,000 properties in 60 countries - from hotels and B&B's to condos and all-inclusive resorts ... they also specialize in providing travelers with accommodations during sold-out periods. We absolutely love these guys.
Intrepid Travel: A small group tour company with an ethos and modus operandi that might not work for all, but certainly does for some. Intrepid specializes in "soft" adventure" travel (which might be a relative term for some folks) and small groups (as few as four and usually not more than 12). It is no frills ... local food, local transport, and modest accommodations ... grassroots travel I guess one would call it. Just without all the pre-planning hassles. They've been doing it since 1989 and have 800 different tour variations. Some folks love 'em (including some of the National Geo folks), some not so much. You just need to know what you're looking for out of your travel experience.
One & Only Resorts: The luxury resort brand of Kerzner International, a leading developer and operator of destination resorts, hotels, and casinos. Their exclusive properties are indeed like "a rare collection of jewel-like resorts", each of them embracing a style and "personality" born of the local culture. Very special.
Beaches Resorts: The arm of the Sandals Resorts Group offering All-Inclusive Vacations for the Entire Family.
Sandals Resorts: The ever so popular Caribbean "all inclusive" vacation destination. Popular for weddings and honeymoons.
Thomson Lakes & Mountains: Their specialty is planning your European summer holiday! You'll enjoy beautiful open spaces ... either at the coast or in the mountains, eat in authentic local restaurants and get a taste of real European culture.
More Resources:
AccorHotels: The World's Leading Hotelier by virtue of number of rooms worldwide. Check it out ... especially if you're traveling to Europe, Asia, or Australia/New Zealand. Hotels in over 90 Countries.
Afar: A different kind of travel magazine for those who travel the world seeking to connect with its people, experience their cultures, and understand their perspectives.
Allianz Travel Insurance: A long established provider of travel insurance and also a provider of insurance for many of the world's favorite travel and destination brands ... covers almost any travel hiccup or eventuality ... good site and overall good service ... the contracts themselves can be a bit confusing.
Amazon: One of the planet's most mind-boggling arrays of goods. First came the books. Now they've added every other product on the planet. The ultimate in selection and convenience across multiple categories.
Art.com: If you love Art ... any kind of art, any subject ... you're gonna love this site. It's a feast for the senses. You can browse by subject, genre, artist, room to be decorated, and even color palate. Once you've found the image you've been looking for and/or can't live without, then you have multiple product types to choose from ... there's even a great selection of wall tapestries. You'll have fun here ... no matter your special interests or current decorating mission. Their tag line says it all: "Find Your Art, Love Your Space."
Booking.com: Always a good place to check if you're looking for a place to stay ... whether you're looking for a campsite or a 5-star hotel (and everything in between) ... The overall favorite travel site for 2019 ... especially when it comes to airfares!
Britain Magazine: The official publication of the British Tourist Authority ... serving as an indispensable reference when planning a trip to the United Kingdom, as well as providing spectacular sneak peeks at some of Britain's most beautiful places to visit.
Cruise Travel: An industry-leading magazine for anyone interested in taking cruises or chartering a yacht or boat. Every aspect of cruising is covered, from planning and choosing the best cruise options, dress codes, shore excursions, and shopping, to help for those using wheelchairs or with special needs. Subscribers will also receive the Annual Cruise Directory - the definitive "must-have" guide for vacationers and agencies alike.
Emirates: This highly-rated airline has seen explosive growth and flies just about anywhere you want to go worldwide and serves gourmet meals while they're doing it ... 150 destinations worldwide. Based out of the United Arab Emirates.
Expedia: One of the leading "online travel agencies" providing independent travel booking for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages ... a 2019 best in show for car rentals.
Global Traveler: Offering useful and enlightening information and tips for frequent high-end and business travelers, as well as featuring "leisure" opportunities for these globe trotting executives. (Subscribers will also receive and enjoy three additional books: a luxury guide, a city guide, and a "class act" guide.)
HomeAway: A leading vacation property rental marketplace that connects homeowners and property managers with travelers who desire to rent homes when they travel, rather than stay in hotels.
HomeForExchange: A Global Home Swapping Membership Marketplace ... Post your home, vacation home, apartment, camper, even yacht, etc. and browse through the thousands of other properties listed for a potential swap ... you just might find a match. Netherlands-based.
Hotels.com APAC: The "Asia Pacific" version of Hotels.com. If you're looking for a hotel in Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, the Philippines, and other Asian destinations ... this is the only site you really need!!
JETSETTER: A community (now a TripAdvisor company) of travelers that provides members with insider access, expert knowledge, and exclusive deals on the world's best vacations ... also a flash sales site for high-end travel deals, Very cool, very popular.
Lufthansa: One of the world's leading airlines ... serving more than 410 destinations in over 100 countries and more than 70 million passengers every year.
Marriott International: A leader in the hospitality industry worldwide, they've got many hotel brands that you know and love and maybe even some you don't know about or know were theirs ... everything from the Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn, and Residence Inn to the Ritz Carleton, Marriott Marquis, and Bulgari hotels. The company just opened its 4,000 hotel, the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. They have a great company-wide Rewards Program as well. And if you loved your pillow ... you can buy one and take it home. Great properties and hotel experiences ... not, however, our favorite site to navigate.
National Geographic Traveler: Nat Geo's spinoff publication that tells you all about the amazing travel destinations National Geographic Society reporters and photographers have visited, while giving you the advice and tips you need to get there. You'll find recommendations for hotels and other lodgings, detailed maps, feature articles about vacation destinations in the US and abroad, and other helpful travel advice.
Pierre & Vacances: Specializing in European holidays (especially in France and Spain ... either the beach or mountains), ski vacations, long term apartments, and vacation property development and sales. Headquartered in France. BTW: Pets are welcome at their residences.
Preferred Hotel Group: Offering access to a collection of luxury hotels and resorts ... over 800 properties in 70 countries worldwide ... since 1968. You'll find unique travel opportunities ranging from luxurious game preserves to 5 star city-center hotels to tree-house style jungle retreats. The properties are all independently owned. Several of them have been included in the Forbes Travel Guide of 4-star and 5-star lists.
Priceline: The travel "price comparison and let's make a deal site" ... you'll find travel discounts on hotels, airline tickets, car rentals, vacation packages, cruises. and more ... offering regular promotional discounts.
SkyTours: A leading travel portal that compares over 600 scheduled airlines and more than 100 low-cost, no-frills airlines worldwide ... Book your own one-way, round-trip, open-jaw, and even multi-stop flights. Headquartered in Freiburg, Germany.
SuperShuttle: Paris, France's most recognized and utilized shuttle service - shared and private ... between Paris airports and to Disneyland, Paris.
Target.com: This favorite shopping destination has become one of the Web's 5 top favorite places to shop ... the company has worked its way into the Fortune 50. They've really covered all the bases when it comes to customers' "wants and likes".
Vacations: The practical travel magazine full of helpful advice for the average American traveler. You'll find ways to save money on hotels, restaurants, and popular tourist destinations. The focus is on travel in the United States, but international travel destinations and travel tips are included as well. For those who like to get the biggest bang out of their vacation bucks.
Wego Travel: A leading travel search site for Asia, the Pacific Rim, and the Middle East.
The Wyndham Hotel Group: The Group's official site. Definitely one of the world's largest (over 7,000 properties and 600,00 rooms worldwide) and most diverse (by way of property type) hotel companies ... many of the Group's hotel brands are familiar names ... Day's Inn, Howard Johnson, Knight's Inn, Microtel, TraveLodge, Wingate, Super 8, Ramada, and more. There's also a division of timeshare resorts.
