Take Five with Travel Guru,
Casey Zilionis
Casey Zilionis is owner of CruiseC2C, Palm Spring’s newest travel agency. With over thirty years in the travel industry, Casey’s career has taken him around the world as an international flight attendant, a tour guide, and an advertising executive for various cruise lines. Now he’s living his dream and using his vast experience to create perfect vacations for our local LGBT community. CruiseC2C organizes the annual TRIO CRUISE.
What are some of the top travel trends for 2016?
Though events around the world might indicate otherwise, my clients continue to request trips to international and exotic destinations. No doubt Cuba is now on our hotlist as is Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos with lots of interest in Hong Kong. Europe continues to be very popular…especially exciting and chic cities like Berlin and Lisbon. We also get a lot of requests for European river cruises (thanks to Rick Steves and Viking’s aggressive ad campaigns). What is most interesting to me is observing and responding to the changing needs of our LGBT community as they enter their Golden Years. “All-gay” vacations seem to become less important, but there is still is a strong desire to travel with like-minded people seeking a mix of luxury and soft adventure! It seems that our older clients actually prefer a mixed demographic of travelers, both straight and gay.
In your opinion what are some of the best destinations for LGBT travel?
Of course the easiest answer is to list the usual suspects such as Puerto Vallarta, Provincetown and Key West. These destinations along with all-gay cruises such as RSVP and Atlantis offer an over-the-top fun and comfortable environment for the LGBT traveler and I personally like to have my “boy’s week” at least once a year. That said, I often suggest LGBT destinations that are a bit further down the road, but just as welcoming such as South Africa, Scandinavia, Spain and Cambodia (which has become a hotspot for LGBT travelers!).
Cruise vacations or land vacations? Which do you prefer and why?
As I get older I am definitely enjoying the “unpack once” benefits of a cruise vacation. The modern cruise ship has become a destination in itself…a floating resort with ever-changing views! I often hear people say that “the cruise ship doesn’t stay at a port long enough”, but then they’re very happy to get back after a day of touring, grab a martini and enjoy the luxurious service of a waiter who knows their preferences and calls them by name. There’s something to say for a hotel that follows you around on your vacation! Of course, there are still many places in this world that must be experienced by land, but when planning these trips I try to keep the amount of time “on the road” to a minimum, with longer stays at each destination.
What are 5 must haves for any traveler?
Love this question as I find myself answering it numerous times each day! Here it goes…not in any particular order…
1) Internet on the go! If you don’t have data access via your phone ISP then carry a small MiFi device. Almost every travel question or dilemma can be answered with a Google, TripAdvisor or map search. Renting a compact Mifi unit is easy from companies such as TEP Wireless or XCom Global. Also…a small portable power charger (Mophie) for when your phone goes dead at the most inconvenient time!
2) A light, nylon windbreaker that can be scrunched and tossed into a bag. This will save you from almost any weather event, keeping you dry, warm and/or cool when you need it!
3) An extra, empty duffle bag! Throw this into your luggage and you won’t have to worry about how to carry all of your shopping home! It also serves as a great laundry bag during your trip.
4) Copies of your passport, visas, and credit cards. Make paper copies and keep them in your suitcase and your carry-on. Keep photocopies on your smartphone. Also, if you keep your pills in an organizer, then take photos of the original prescription containers. I can’t tell you the number of times that these little bits of precaution have saved a vacation for a client!
5) A “murse”, “manbag”, backpack or whatever you want to call it! When touring, you will no doubt be schlepping all types of “must haves” like your passport, various currencies, camera, phone, charger, water, etc. A simple bag with a strap long enough to wear diagonally across your shoulders is a Godsend when running around the world.
What is YOUR favorite destination to let your hair down?
No doubt…Tahiti. There’s something incredibly exotic and enchanting about the South Pacific. There’s truly not a lot to do except relax. You’ll feel it the moment you step off the plane (frankly you may start feeling very relaxed when the gorgeous Air Tahiti Nui flight attendant serves your first Mai Tai!). Tahiti can be a bit expensive, however, so I usually like to circumnavigate the islands on a 7-day all-inclusive cruise such as the Paul Gauguin, and then finish off with a few days at an overwater bungalow on Bora-Bora or Moorea. I promise you’ll come home a new person!
To reach Casey and plan your next unforgettable trip visit www.cruisec2c.com
