Join us for Bingo! Bring your Bestie or join our other Besties and win some cash!

What’s Included:

• Roundtrip Party bus transportation from St. Louis (pick-up is at River City Casino AND Lumiere Casino) to Bingo Hall in Illinois (Knights of Columbus)

• Refreshments on the bus + raffle

• 6-Card Bingo Pack, Early Bird and Speedball (chance to win up to $500 on multiple games). Luckypot games not included.

• Regular drink + popcorn at venue

*You can bring your own snacks/refreshments and there will also be food/snacks/drinks available for purchase

Price: $45 per person

Dates:

•Thursday, December 9, 2021

•Friday, December 10, 2021 

•Sunday, December 12, 2021

•Tuesday, December 14, 2021 

•Thursday, December 16, 2021 

•Friday, December 17, 2021 

•Sunday, December 19, 2021 

•Tuesday, December 21, 2021 

•Thursday, December 23, 2021 

•Thursday, December 30, 2021

•Thursday, January 6, 2022

•Friday, January 7, 2022

•Sunday, January 9, 2022

•Friday, January 14, 2022

•Sunday, January 16, 2022

•Friday, January 21, 2022

•Sunday, January 23, 2022

Deposit is $25 per person with the balance due 3 days before your scheduled trip. Deposit is nonrefundable. Transferable.

**Pick-up is at 5:00 PM, Drop-off at 10:30 PM

REGISTER BELOW

Last week, the CDC announced new guidelines for all international travelers arriving in the United States. This newly implemented policy requires all travelers to have negative Covid-19 test results when returning to the US. You will not be permitted to board the aircraft without proof of your negative results. However, you can still travel at your discretion as long as you can follow the new guidelines. In response to this, many resorts have decided to help travelers out and bring certified Doctors on resort property to perform Covid-19 and antigen tests for guests. Some went the extra step and are doing it for Free! So where can you go and not have to worry about Covid testing?

Karisma Hotels & Resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica are offering complimentary Covid testing on-site. This is available to all guests staying on property from January 26 to March 31, 2021. If your results are positive, Karisma will provide quarantine accommodations until a doctor clears you for travel, not to exceed 14 nights.

Visit www.karismahotels.com.

Sandals Resorts International has implemented complimentary Covid testing through March 31, 2021. Tests are conducted by trained medical professionals on-site at the resort. You will be required to schedule a time for your test but results are in within 48 hours. This is in effect at all sandals AND beaches resorts internationally.

Visit www.sandals.com

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun is offering on-site covid testing for convenience. This applies to guests staying 3 or more nights booked by February 28, traveling between January 26 and December 31, 2021. Two complimentary tests are given per room. If you have additional people, they would be paying $50 per test. The hotel concierge team will help you in scheduling your test.

Visit www.hardrockhotels.com

Palladium Hotel Group including Grand Palladium and TRS Hotels has also joined the few leading resorts in offering covid testing on-site. This service is offered for free to US residents and for a charge to Canadian residents. This complimentary service will stay in place until April 4, 2021 or until the CDC lifts the new requirement. Testing is available in the mornings, with results being returned by the evening.

Visit www.palladiumhotelgroup.com

Keep in mind, these offers could change at anytime as well as the CDC guidelines themselves. For those of you who are still ready to travel, this is great news and will make your vacation a lot smoother. The worry of having to be tested in another country was a little scary to some but with these resorts offering on-site testing now, a new peace of mind has been given. Stay safe and as always… #HappyTraveling

– Dee

With the times we are in, secluded getaways are becoming the new thing. Think, secluded cabin in the mountains for a family getaway or a treehouse in a quiet forest with your babe. So where should you go? Here are a few ideas…

The Majestic Treehouse nestled under the Blue Ridge Mountains in Walhalla, South Carolina is a romantic retreat featuring 1 King bed and 1 bathroom, it sleeps 2 comfortably. One of South Carolina’s most popular airbnbs, it currently only has availability in November and December of 2021 but more dates may open up. The average rate is $395 per night plus cleaning fees and taxes.

The Woodlands house in Sandy, Oregon is a great option if you’re looking to be near skiing activities. Within a 25 minute drive you’ll find Mount Hood Meadows, which is the largest ski resort on Mount Hood. This secluded cabin features 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and can sleep up to 7. This property sits on five acres so there is plenty of room for the family.

The Tiki Suite in Key West, Florida is the perfect secluded escape. Floating on the water, you will most definitely enjoy the views. It features 1 King size bed, 1 bath and sleeps 2. You’ll have to access this by water taxi which is $15 per person. The average rate is $399 per night with very little availability but it does have random dates available throughout 2021.

The Sage Canyon Cliff House is an amazingly unique and secluded airbnb located in Cortez, Colorado. It sleeps up to 3 guests and features 1 bedroom and 1 bath. The average rate is $240 per night plus taxes and fees. This one is built right into the side of a red rock cliff of a private red rock canyon. Enjoy the nature here because there are no TVs 🙂

It’s upon us and there is no denying that Covid-19 exists. We’ve been living it and have all experienced some form of disappointment due to this pandemic, whether it was life changing such as losing a loved one, losing a job or experiencing the virus yourself. I’m sure some (if not all) of you have had to cancel travel plans, wedding plans, birthday plans, graduation plans, maybe even life plans… but… we are all still standing. Let’s be thankful we still have opportunity to travel and experience life, other than being stuck at home quarantined.

Everyone is wondering, where can I travel to? Should I even travel? What are the rules? Will the rules keep changing? I will address all these questions here.

Things are very uncertain right now as rules and protocols keep changing. Governors are announcing new regulations frequently depending on spike or decline in covid cases. Some states opened completely, only to shut back down a short time later. So where do we stand?

With the recent announcement by the CDC that all international travelers must provide a negative covid test within 3 days of returning to the US, things have been chaotic. Many people are rushing to cancel their trips again, this is all a replay of March 2020. The order goes into effect on January 26, 2021 and is set to expire Dec. 31, 2021 if no changes are made before that date. What does this mean for travelers? This means that if you travel out of the US, you will be required to obtain a negative covid test (in the country you are visiting) within 3 days of your return to the US. Without the negative test results you will not be allowed to board the aircraft. Do you need this test if you’ve had the vaccine? YES you would still need a negative test result despite having received the vaccine. What if you’ve had Covid already and recovered? You will not need a negative covid test if you’ve recovered. You will need a letter from your doctor that you are cleared to travel and have recovered from the virus along with your positive test results. It is not recommended to travel anywhere internationally at this time and I have paused booking international destinations at this time. I anticipate there will be an announcement sooner than later on the change of this policy.

So where will you get tested? A lot of resorts are bringing medical professionals to the resort to perform tests on international travelers. If your resort does not, there are local testing sites set up where you can go to get tested as well.

Can you travel domestically? Yes. Again, the CDC does not recommend you travel but if you do please make sure to follow covid protocols such as wearing a mask in public, washing your hands frequently, and maintaining social distancing. I would recommend all travelers drive to their destination whenever possible. I am still able to book domestic travel.

Here is a list by state:

• Alaska – Travel declaration & negative covid test required
• Arizona – No Travel restrictions
• Arkansas – No Travel restrictions
• California – Under stay-at-home order, no nonessential travel
• Colorado – Pitkin County (which includes Aspen) requires a negative covid test and complete a health affidavit. The rest of Colorado has no travel restrictions.
• Connecticut – Everyone must self quarantine for 10 days or provide negative covid result and complete a travel health form.
• Delaware – No travel restrictions
• Florida – No travel restrictions
• Georgia – No travel restrictions
• Hawaii – Negative covid test required prior to departure
• Idaho – No travel restrictions
• Illinois – No travel restrictions (Chicago may differ)
• Indiana – No travel restrictions
• Iowa – No travel restrictions
• Kansas – varies by area
• Kentucky – Self Quarantine required for 14 days
• Louisiana – No travel restrictions
• Maine- Negative Covid test required
• Massachusetts – Travel form and negative covid test required
• Michigan – No travel restrictions
• Minnesota – Self Quarantine required for 14 days
• Mississippi – No travel restrictions
• Missouri – No travel restrictions
• Montana – No travel restrictions
• Nebraska – No travel restrictions
• Nevada – No travel restrictions- capacity limit imposed
• New Hampshire – Self Quarantine required for 10 days
• New Jersey – Nonessential travel not recommended, self quarantine required
• New Mexico – Self Quarantine required for 14 days
• New York – Traveler health form and quarantine required unless you have a negative result.
• North Carolina – No travel restrictions
• North Dakota – No travel restrictions (has one of the highest cases per 100K people, travel not recommended)
• Ohio – Self Quarantine required for 14 days
• Oklahoma – No travel restrictions
• Oregon – Self Quarantine required for 14 days
• Pennsylvania – Negative test or 10 day quarantine required
• Rhode Island – Negative test or 14 day quarantine required
• South Carolina – No travel restrictions
• South Dakota – No travel restrictions
• Tennessee – No travel restrictions
• Texas – No travel restrictions
• Utah – No travel restrictions
• Vermont – 14-day quarantine or negative test
• Virginia – No travel restrictions
• DC – negative covid test required from certain states
• Washington – Self Quarantine required for 14 days
• West Virginia – No travel restrictions
• Wisconsin – No travel restrictions
• Wyoming – No travel restrictions

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE STATES WEBSITE FOR UPDATES AND OTHER SPECIFICS AS THE RESTRICTIONS WILL KEEP CHANGING.

Las Vegas recently announced that they have extended their 30-day order of 25% capacity. Establishments are required to operate at a 25% capacity, only allowing a certain number of people inside. Las Vegas does offer outdoor dining on the strip and this would be a great alternative to something indoors.

Traveling is completely at your discretion. Will I be traveling? Absolutely! Domestically for now. If you feel you are able to follow covid protocols and still travel, go for it! If you’re afraid or concerned that you may not be able to follow rules and guidelines, wait to travel. Take this time to explore your own state. There are many secluded areas you may not even know about. Now there’s the idea for my next blog post, Secluded locations in your state 🤔

sourced: CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0112-negative-covid-19-air-passengers.html

When most people think of Las Vegas, they think Casinos and Gambling but that’s not all Vegas has to offer. Although, checking out the Casinos and the famous Las Vegas Strip is a MUST. Also, you will want to visit Fremont Street for the experience. There is so much to do here, you’ll wish you would’ve stayed longer.

One of my favorite things to do is the ATV tours. If you’re up for some adventure, this is it! You’ll get to tour the desert and a few attraction spots while riding your own ATV. The average cost for something like this is $120-150 per person. The tour is usually about 4-5 hours with transportation provided from your hotel. You can usually find the best deals through groupon.com but I can also assist you in reserving your ATV tour. Just don’t forget to bring a bandana to cover your face lol (some places provide one for you).

If you’re in Vegas longer than 3 days I would recommend the Grand Canyon tours. There are many different kinds available with different lengths and themes. There are comedy tours where you’ll be entertained while taking the ride from your hotel to the Grand Canyon. The sights you’ll see and history you’ll learn will be unforgettable. These average from $65 per person to $190 per person. The price will depend on the length of your tour, they differ from 2 hours, 4 hours, to 8 hours. You can find different packages online or I can also assist you in finding one.

One of the other things Vegas is famous for is it’s extravagant shows. There is an endless amount to choose from. Here is a list of a few must-see shows:

1. The Beatles “Love” by Cirque du Soleil at Mirage Hotel and Casino
2. Blue Man Group at Luxor
3. Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil at Mandalay Bay Resort
4. Absinthe at Caesars Palace
5. Paranormal – Mind reading magic show at Bally’s Las Vegas
6. Jabbawockeez at MGM Grand
7. Criss Angel at Planet Hollywood
8. Legends in Concert at Tropicana Las Vegas
9. WOW – The Vegas Spectacular at Rio
10. David Copperfield at MGM Grand …….. (just to name a few)

Last but not least, you MUST check out all the great restaurants. It seems I mostly travel to eat at different places haha. One of my favorite places is Top of the World Restaurant at Stratosphere hotel. I’m not sure if the view is better or the food, I absolutely love both. It is pricey, but worth it. Another fine dining place would be Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen, Lado, Twist, Picasso, and Eiffel Tower Restaurant. If you’re looking for something more casual, check out the strip. They have places like Nacho Daddy, Yardbird Southern Table, Crown & Anchor, The Crack Shack, Honey Salt, Sixth & Mill, 800 Degrees… etc. If you walk around, you’ll find something.

You can’t go wrong visiting Las Vegas. There is always something to do. Don’t forget to take advantage of the ticket savings the hotel offers and the free drinks at the casino 😉 Happy Traveling!

We’ve all been there… with thoughts of “I need a vacation!” and truth is… we all do! Vacations are actually good for your health, there is proof. According to CNN Travel “The 1992 Framingham Heart Study, which still stands as the gold standard for long-term health studies, tracked workers over 20 years. It was found that “men who don’t take vacations were 30% more likely to have heart attack and for women it went up to 50%,” according to Brigid Schulte, author of “Overwhelmed: Work, Love & Play When No One has the Time” and the director of the Better Life Lab at the New America Foundation. So the moral of the story is, take that Vacation! But where to?

The possibilities are endless! Luckily, I’m a Travel Agent so I’ll help you narrow it down. What’s the right Vacation for you? Everyone has different taste and is looking for a different experience. You should decide what type of vacation you’re looking for. Do you want to visit somewhere warm or cold? What type of atmosphere are you looking for? Do you need to be somewhere family friendly? What attractions are you looking to visit?

When most people think of a Vacation, they have some kind of number in their head as far as what they’d like to spend (whether this number is realistic or not lol), this is your budget. It’s very important to determine your budget before you go looking for the best Vacation. Things to take into consideration are the amount you will spend during vacation on food, activities and other items, any fees that will be held on your credit or debit card (hotel deposits, rental car deposits.. etc.), and also the amount you will miss from work while you are away (unless you’re getting paid vacation pay, which is awesome).

Why is your budget important? Because it will help you narrow down your destination choices. After considering all of the above… Where do you stand? For 2 people, if your budget is under $1,000 you should consider driving to your destination so it will have to be somewhere within driving distance. You can google things like “closest attractions within 4 hours driving distance” or whatever you choose. If your budget is above that amount you should be able to fly somewhere, above $2,000 I would be able to find you an all inclusive.

Here are some great Vacation destination ideas: For Family Vacations – Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Jackson Hole, San Diego, Montana, Pensacola, Orange Beach, Tampa, Destin, Galveston, Sandusky, Canary Islands, Wisconsin Dells, London, Hawaii… Couples Vacations – Cancun, Montego Bay, Santa Fe, Napa Valley, Paris, San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami, Key West, Hilton Head, Belize, Bahamas, New York, Bali, Los Cabos, Greece, Gatlinburg, Aruba, Bora Bora, Turks & Caicos…. For Solo Trips – Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, Destin, Houston, Miami, Panama City Beach, Nashville, Riviera Maya. Just to name a few.

Now if you still can’t decide… put your top destinations in a hat, and let it be faith.

Happy Traveling!

#TravelByDee #DeeLuxeVacations

Source for paragraph 1: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/why-vacations-matter/index.html