Travel Agent Whitby Tag: Travel Agent Whitby

By Joanne Sasvari

Forget the harried crowds and joyless chore of holiday shopping at the mall. Instead, revel in all that makes the festive season magical at one of northwestern Europe’s Christmas markets. With winter’s smaller crowds, lower prices, and merry mood, December can be the best time to travel to Europe, and it’s easy to visit the best Christmas market destinations by rail. Just be sure to bring an extra suitcase – you’ll need it for all the treasures you’ll find.

Christmas Market in Vienna Austria. Photo by Alisa Anton

They say the Germans invented Christmas: The Christmas tree, Kris Kringle, Silent Night, the Advent calendar, Christmas gifts and even the Christmas card all hail from the snowy forests of northwestern Europe. So, too, the Christmas market, which is the best possible way to spend a wintry evening.

For centuries, the open-air markets known as Weihnactsmarkt or Christkindlmarkt have popped up in communities all over Germany during the four weeks of Advent that lead up to Christmas Day. They’re usually held in the main town square, where vendors set up stalls to sell handicrafts, ornaments, food and the fragrant hot spiced wine known as glühwein. There’s often live entertainment and sometimes a nativity scene, a visit from the Three Wise Men or the arrival of the ‘Christkind’, played by an angelic-looking local child.

The earliest winter markets date back to the 12th Century – with some of the oldest in Munich, Frankfurt and Dresden – and weren’t specifically religious. Rather, they were an opportunity for townspeople to stock up on food and other household goods before the worst of winter arrived. Gradually, they became opportunities for artists and artisans to sell their wares. Then, in the early 1500s, around the time of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther established December 24 as the country’s official gift-giving day, and the markets became a place to shop for presents.

Germany is still home to some of the world’s biggest and best Christmas markets. The ones in Nuremberg and Dresden draw about two million visitors a year; the ones in Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Dortmund attract about three million; and the most visited market, which is in Cologne, features hundreds of stalls and is visited by four million people a year. Indeed, the whole city of Cologne becomes a sparkling seasonal spectacle

But the tradition has spread beyond Germany’s borders, right across Europe, and a rail pass is a great way to visit the markets.

The one in Strasbourg in eastern France, for instance, dates back to 1570, has 10 locations, 300 stalls and a towering Great Christmas Tree. Vienna’s market is even older, dating back to 1298, and is one of the most traditionally festive in Europe with a huge skating rink, reindeer rides and a traditional (and very boozy) hot rum punsch.

In Budapest, Vörösmarty Square is transformed into a magical winter wonderland, where the façade of the famous Gerbeaud Coffee House is transformed into a giant Advent calendar with a window display opening every day before Christmas Eve. Prague, in the Czech Republic, has two markets just a short stroll from each other, one on Old Town Square and the other in Wenceslas Square, featuring wooden huts selling local crafts and foodstuffs. In Poland, Krakow’s market is the place to go for hand-painted ornaments and quirky antiques.

St. Stephen’s Basilica, Christmas Market in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Liam McKay

In Scandinavia, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens burst with light shows and fireworks displays. Meanwhile, in Stockholm, Sweden, Skansen’s Christmas Market is as traditional as can be, with dancing around the Christmas tree and a small zoo where you can hang out with real live reindeer.

Today, Europe’s Christmas markets are more popular than ever. Whatever faith you follow – even if it’s no faith at all – the markets evoke an old-fashioned sense of community, with great food and unique one-of-a-kind gifts. Most of all, they are festively social, with people of all ages and walks of life gathering happily together.

It may be chilly outside, but here at Europe’s Christmas markets, the joyful goodwill will keep you warm all over.

There are also tons of amazing river cruising options that will take you to see the christmas markets including Avalon Waterways and AMA Waterways. If you’re looking to book a trip to see European Christmas markets, whether it be by land or river cruise, we can help! Fill out our request a quote form and tell us more about your trip and one of our advisors will be in touch!

With the holidays fast approaching, there are more and more travel deals rolling out every day. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the less known Travel Tuesday, there are plenty of amazing offers available that you won’t want to miss! The good news for travellers is that most of these deals will extend beyond one day giving you a little more time to make a decision! We have handpicked some of the best deals available from some of our preferred partners. These deals won’t last long so send us a message or request a quote to get more information on any of these amazing deals! We are also offering a free Kemp Travel t-shirt, tank or hat to anyone who books between November 22nd and 28th. You must reference this post to receive your free item!

AIR CANADA VACATIONS

Up to 40% off Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, USA, Canada, & Europe

Book by November 22, 2018 and travel between February 1 to April 30, 2019

Request a Quote

HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES

Over 1,000 cruises on sale and for a limited-time receive prepaid gratuities and up to a $50 beverage credit per stateroom. This promotion includes all sailings from December 1, 2018 and on (excluding Grand Voyages and Grand Voyage Segments). The sale starts Wednesday, November 21 and runs through Tuesday, November 28.

PLUS, Cyber Sale is combinable with Top 10 Sailings and Alaska Land+Sea Exploration Event!

Request a Quote

G ADVENTURES

For one week only, you can save up to 35% on more than 500 tours and 10,000 departures that let you trek, sail, surf, and more across our big, beautiful planet.

The Cyber Sale runs from 12:00am EST Tuesday, November 20 to 11:59pm EST Monday, November 26. So get on it!

Check out G Adventures new travel style called Wellness

Request a Quote

OCEANIA CRUISES

FREE upgrade sale on 40 unique voyages for bookings made between November 20 and November 27, 2018.

Request a Quote

TRANSAT

Save up to 50% when you book a winter Sun package. The Black Friday Week Sale is valid on new individual bookings made from November 20 to 26, 2018, for travel from December 15, 2018 to April 30, 2019. Valid on South, Europe and Caribbean cruise packages.

Request a Quote

SUNWING

There are lots of Black Friday sales, but only one Orange Friday Sale. Save up to 35% off premium all inclusive vacations starting this weekend! Plus, take advantage of generous savings on cruise packages and Florida fly, stay and drive packages.

Request a Quote

TRAFALGAR

Trafalgar is offering a savings of 15% off per person on 15 of its trips to Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. The promotion runs through Nov. 26

Request a Quote

REGENT SEVEN SEAS

Upgrade and indulge with a FREE 2- or 3-Category Suite Upgrade on select 2019 voyages to Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. Enjoy a FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel stay when you upgrade to a Concierge Suite or higher and the services of a personal butler when you step up to a Penthouse Suite.

Book between November 16 and November 30, 2018.

Check out their current Canadian at Par Promotion

Request a Quote

CONTIKI

Save 20% off on a series of 20 of their most popular adventures around the world. This offer runs from November 23rd to November 30th.

Request a Quote

INSIGHT VACATIONS

Book any premium escorted journey to Spain, Portugal or Morocco by 26 November and receive pre-paid gratuities on us PLUS save 10% with the Early Payment Discount.

Request a Quote

SCENIC CRUISES

Book by November 26th and be eligible for some or all of the following: fly for FREE or fly for $295, €200 on board credit per suite, deposit protection plan and free door to door chauffeur services.

Terms and conditions apply to all of the above offers. If you are interested in learning more or requesting a quote, please send us an email or fill out our contact form and one of our experienced travel consultants will be happy to help you out!

Request a Quote

PRINCESS CRUISES

Select sailings booked for winter 2018 through to spring 2019 are eligible to save up to $900 per stateroom, or $450 per guest based on double occupancy.

Cruisers booking sailings in from summer 2019 through to spring 2020 receive three free perks, including:

- FREE Stateroom Location Upgrade – the preferred stateroom location for the lowest fare available within selected room type.
- FREE Gratuities – paid on the guest’s behalf, up to a $15.50 value per day, per guest for all guests in a stateroom, up to four guests.
- FREE Onboard Spending Money for All Guests – up to $800 per stateroom, based on the length of the voyage.

Must be booked by December 3rd, 2018

Request a Quote

WINDSTAR CRUISES

November one week sale – Voyages start from $1,099 USD per guest and are available until November 23. Book now so you don’t miss out!

Request a Quote

WESTJET VACATIONS

Book your next vacation by November 23rd during one of their greatest sales of the year and get massive savings on vacation packages to incredible destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and the U.S.

Request a Quote

Terms and conditions apply to all of the above offers and may not be applicable to all bookings. To get more information or to book any of these offers please fill out our request a quote form, contact your Kemp Travel Consultant, or contact us and tell us a little about your trip and we will set you up with an advisor that best suits your travel needs!

Morocco is a land of many contrasts. There is a wide range of beauty from the luxurious resorts in Marrakech to the Bedouin camps in the Sahara Desert. I was grateful to be once again invited to this annual Ensemble Elite top producers trip around Morocco. I was lucky enough to be joined by my sister Cathy and many other members of top producing agencies from all over North America.

We started our journey in Marrakech at the Club Med Village. The Club Med was a lovely property with everything you could ask for in a resort. There were beautiful pool areas, good food, plenty of activities and excellent evening entertainment. We spent our next day exploring the Marrakech Medina which is a world unto itself. It is a maze of shops selling everything from Moroccan spices to hand made leather goods. Unless you have a full day here, it is best to go with a guide! The Medina is massive and can be difficult to find your way out of when you’re on a tight schedule!

The following day, we had the most amazing desert experience on the outskirts of Marrakech. Our driver drove us deep into the Sahara desert where there was nothing to be seen but sand in all directions. We waited in anticipation to see where we were headed when all of a sudden we came upon an oasis of white tents dotted in contrast with the red sand. At the camp we were greeted with music, dancers and refreshments which was a pleasant surprise!

Our tents in the desert were absolutely gorgeous and a stark contrast from the busy medina and luxurious hotel in Marrakech. Deep in the Sahara, the night sky is incredible. There is a sea of stars with no light to spoil your view. We were also able to take a once in a lifetime camel ride into the dunes to experience a desert sunset, kicking of the start of a spectacular night under the stars – something I won’t soon forget.

The next day we were treated to tea at a lovely Bedouin family home. It is so hard to imagine their daily life living in the harsh Sahara desert, still having to walk many miles to get water everyday. The contrast of life from the Bedouin people to the bustling city only a few hours away is extreme, yet they still continue to roam. The people were not only very happy, but they were also very hospitable to welcome us into their homes.

From the harsh Sahara desert we drove 10 hours into the heart of the beautiful and lush Atlas mountains to Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot Retreat. This resort is situated high up in the mountains and has spectacular views looking down into the surrounding valleys. They have spared no expense here. The rooms were absolutely gorgeous and no two are the same – all sporting amazing views! Ours was a luxurious villa overlooking the valley with spacious living room and a massive bathroom. The resort had several beautiful pools, two grass tennis courts and plenty of games around the resort. Not to mention the food and service were impeccable!

Our final stop was in Casablanca, a port city on the Atlantic coast. I was only here for a short period but Casablanca is a bustling city with many beaches. I found it to be more of an industrial metropolis without the same charm as the rest of the places we visited. While it wasn’t my favourite part of Morocco, I think it was still interesting to see and worthwhile for a quick stop!

I wasn’t able to see all of Morocco on this trip but I found I was charmed to the mystical call of the country. It is so diverse from the desert, to the mountains to beaches to bustling cities. As a travel agent, I am always interested in seeing the unique types of accommodations in different places that are available for my clients who want to do something similarly amazing off the beaten path. Morocco is full of wonderful hotel prospects to fit every budget. It would definitely be a destination I would recommend to clients. I loved the culture, the history and the beauty of the country that is Morocco.

By Sheila Kemp

The Kemp Travel Group is a privately owned and operated full-service travel agency. We have over 35 years of experience offering professional, world-wide travel experiences! Our agents have extensive knowledge in the travel industry, specializing in leisure travel, destination weddings, honeymoons, group travel and corporate meetings & incentives. We have 3 conveniently located offices in the Durham Region – Bowmanville, Oshawa and Whitby. If you would like more information on Sheila’s time or would like to request a quote, please fill out our contact form here

If you’re like us and enjoy a good scare every once in a while, you might enjoy these creepy destinations to travel next Halloween. What’s your favourite spooky place? Let us know in the comments!

Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland

Fun Fact: It is said that Halloween originated in Ireland. Samhain was an ancient Celtic festival where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off spirits. With that being said, it seemed fitting to start this list with the eerie road in Northern Ireland. You may recognize it as the Kings Road made famous by HBO’s Game of Thrones. This street is lined with massive beech trees that creep over the road and shade the street year-round. Because of this, it tends to have an ominous feel no matter when you visit. Local legend even says that the area is haunted by “The Grey Lady” who glides along the road at night, vanishing as she passes the last tree.

Catacombs of Paris, Creepy Places to Travel — Catacombs of Paris

Paris Catacombs, France

Deep beneath the surface of “the city of love”, there is a slightly different vibe. The catacombs of Paris are hundreds of kilometres of dingy tunnels below the metro and sewer system. These tunnels are filled with the remains of over six million people dating back to the 18th century. It is said that Parisian officials began bringing bodies down here because they were running out graveyard space and trying to avoid the spread of disease. The creepiest part of all is how the bones are neatly organized along the walls in certain areas. It is also said that this complex series of tunnels has yet to be completely mapped. This draws urban explorers looking to find new areas of the tunnels each year. If going it alone isn’t your thing, not to worry – there are regular tours that run year round!

Bran Castle, Romania

Also known as Dracula’s castle, Bran Castle is a National Monument in Transylvania. It is also said to be the inspiration for the fictitious character made famous by Bram Stoker. This ancient castle protrudes out of a thick forest looming over the small village of Bran, Romania. If this sounds like your kind of place, each year G Adventures hosts a tour to Romania which includes a massive Halloween party at the infamous castle. Interested? Give us a shout for more information!

Chernobyl, Ukraine

This eerie city in Ukraine is home to the biggest and arguably most infamous nuclear meltdown in history. In 1986 this former Soviet Union nuclear station exploded killing 50+ people and drove hundreds of thousands more from their homes. The nuclear fallout was catastrophic leaving the area looking like a post-apocalyptic city. Now certain parts of this area have been deemed safe and have re-opened to the public. Tours are now available, but go at your own risk!

Alcatraz, San Francisco

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

This famous, now defunct prison sits two kilometres off of the coast of San Francisco. It once held some of Americas most notorious criminals including Al Capone, Robert “the Birdman” Stroud and Machine Gun Kelly. Also known as The Rock, Alcatraz was host to many deadly riots and was said to be impossible to escape due to its location surrounded by frigid, shark infested waters. Alcatraz shut down in 1963 due to deteriorating conditions and the cost of upkeep. Not long after, the prison re-opened to the public for tours but trust us when we say, it’s creepy!

Death Road, Bolivia

North Yungas Road in Bolivia is often referred to as Death Road. This narrow stretch of road hugs the cliffside leading from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia. While the views might look gorgeous, this road definitely lives up to it’s name. This route is subject to falling rocks, heavy rains and thick fog, making for poor road conditions. Beyond that, there are points with 900 metre drops, no guard rails and for the most part is only wide enough for one car yet has traffic travelling both ways – a recipe for disaster. It was estimated at one point that 200-300 drivers lost their lives each year on this road, which is chilling in itself. The road has improved a lot in recent years but despite warnings, thrill seekers continue to flock here from all over the world year after year.

Want to visit any of these creepy destinations yourself!? Contact any of our travel consultant to start planning today!

Erin and Sheila Kemp receiving the Warren Buckner Award for Innovation from Ensemble Co-Presidents Libbie Rice and Lindsey Pearlman

Sheila Kemp said she was both “shocked and honoured that out of all of the agencies in North America, Kemp Travel was chosen to receive this prestigious award”. She noted that she couldn’t have done it without her incredible staff. “I am so proud to be able to receive this award on behalf of each and every one of you. This award is a reflection of the commitment and dedication you all have to your jobs and your clients. Kemp Travel would not be where it is today without having such a great team and for that I am truly grateful. Congratulations to each and every one of you – hat’s off to us!” Sheila said addressing her team!

Not only was Kemp Travel the winner of the Warren Buckner award, but they were also honoured at the Circle of Excellence Gala for once again being one of the top producing members in North America.

The full article recapping the conference can be found via Insider Travel Report – written by James Shillinglaw:

So who are Ensemble Travel Group’s top travel agencies? The travel agency consortium, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, honored its top-producing members in the U.S. and Canada at the group’s annual Circle of Excellence Gala on Friday evening, during the 2018 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.

“The last three years have been the best in our history, which is quite impressive when you consider our half century of service,” said Ensemble Co-President Libbie Rice. “And we saw even greater returns in 2017, so congratulations to this circle of market leaders for pushing the bar to record-setting levels at Ensemble and for our preferred partners.”

The organization’s top producers in the U.S. based on 2017 sales of Ensemble preferred partners (in alphabetical order): AffordableTours.com of Stafford, Texas; Altair Travel & Cruises of St. Louis, Mo.; Crown Cruise Vacations of Princeton, N.J.; Goldrush Getaways of Citrus Heights, Calif.; Incentive Connection Travel Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz.; Professional Travel, Inc. of North Olmstead, Ohio; The Cruise Web of Calverton, Md.; Travel Network/Vacation Central of Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; Travel Planners International of Maitland, Fla.; and Uniglobe Travel Center of Irvine, Calif.

In addition, Ensemble’s Highest Growth Award went to the following U.S. agency members for achieving the highest year-over-year growth (regionally) based on 2017 preferred partner sales compared to 2016: MEI-Travel of Issaquah, Wash.; A Girl’s Gotta Go Travel of Cambridge, Mass.; The Travel Service of St. Simons Island, Ga.; and Jackson Travel Agency of Medford, Ore.

During Friday night’s gala Ensemble also announced the winner of the first annual “Warren Buckner Innovation Award” in honor of Warren Buckner, owner of Gayety Travel Service in Brooklyn, N.Y., who helped start GIANTS in 1968. The award exemplifies Buckner’s dedication to his core values over the last 50 years: creativity, integrity, and passion, perseverance in his commitment to his agency, industry and community, as well as his longevity as an Ensemble member. Buckner continues at the helm of his agency, in addition to serving as member emeritus of the Ensemble board of directors.

Earning the inaugural Warren Buckner Innovation Award was Kemp Travel Group of Ontario, Canada, and accepted was the mother-daughter team of Sheila and Erin Kemp. Their privately owned, family run full-service agency has been creating extraordinary travel experiences and delivering superior service to their customers for more than 30 years. A member of Ensemble for 15 years, the agency is a strong supporter of the group, participating in a variety of ways, including the program committee, conference panels, numerous training and events, sharing of best practices with other members, and ultimately achieving Ensemble Elite status for top producers.

The Kemps are not only savvy business owners, but are also committed to helping others as seen by their countless volunteer hours that extend across the globe to places like India where Erin helped distribute bed kits to children in need as part of the Sleeping Children Around the World global organization. They also are committed to their local Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, including the family’s recent $2 million gift in support of the facility’s redevelopment and expansion project.

In addition to Friday night’s awards, the following special member honors were presented at conference: The top U.S. Shareholder Engagement Award, based on a U.S. member’s participation and support of the organization’s events, technology, marketing, and specialty partners, was presented to Around the Globe Travel of Huntington Beach, Calif. The Above & Beyond Award,” based on U.S. members who exemplify many of Ensemble Travel Group’s core values of Integrity, purpose, passion, community/family, innovation and profit, was awarded to: ATB Travel of Lancaster, Calif.; Go Travel of Longwood, Fla.; Edgewood Travel of Savannah, Ga.; and Sea 4 Sail of Pleasanton, Calif.

Ensemble’s top producers in Canada based on 2017 sales of Ensemble preferred partners (in alphabetical order) are: Cruise Connections Canada Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C.; CruisePlus Management. Ltd of Lantzville, B.C. Escapes.ca of Vancouver, B.C.; Ixtapa Travel of Saskatoon, SK; Jubilee Tours & Travel Ltd. of Burnaby, B.C.; TierOne Travel Inc. of Calgary, Alberta; Travel Masters of Vancouver, B.C.; TravelOnly of Brantford, Ont..; Tully Luxury Travel of Mississauga, Ont.; and Ucruising of Unionville of Markham, Ont.

In addition, the Highest Growth Award went to the following Canadian members for achieving the highest year-over-year growth (regionally) based on 2017 preferred partner sales compared to 2016: Go Travel of Carstairs, Alberta; Romantic Planet Vacations of Burlington, Ont.; and The Unity Travel Shoppe of Unity, SK.

The Top Canadian Shareholder Engagement Award, based on a Canadian member’s participation and support of the organization’s events, technology, marketing, and specialty partners, was awarded to Cruise Vacations of Winnipeg. The Above & Beyond Award, based on Canadian members who exemplify many of Ensemble Travel Group’s core values of Integrity, purpose, passion, community/family, innovation and profit, was awarded to Direct Travel Service of Ponoka, Alberta; Prelude Travel of Kenora, Ont.; and Voyages 123GO of Blainville, QC.

Ready to Turn Dreams into Reality?

Ready to Turn Dreams into Reality?

Book NOW to Get Started with Your Cruise Adventure!