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WhirlAway: A Member of The Signature Travel Network

March 1, 2011 By Patty Leave a Comment

We are proud to announce that as of today we are a member of the Signature Travel Network. As the industry has changed over the years, we felt that WhirlAway needed to make some changes as well. Signature is “a network of over 6,000 travel professionals who share one objective; to serve the unique needs of discerning travelers.” Signature was established over 50 years ago and has over 4 billion in buying power, which means that we are able to offer our clients the best value.

We are excited to have been accepted into this exclusive network and cannot wait to pass the benefits onto our valued customers!

Filed Under: Signature Travel Network, Travel Blog, WhirlAway News

Giving the Gift of Memories

February 1, 2011 By Patty Leave a Comment

A few years ago our family was celebrating my father’s birthday on a chilly January afternoon.  We were gathered around our parent’s dining room table, full from dinner and birthday cake.  Everyone was carrying on and joking around with each other, when my father, with a tear in his eye, asked for everyone’s attention.  Immediately, we all turned, shocked that our normally hard as a nail father, was showing such tender emotion.  He cleared his throat and made the announcement that we would be receiving our Christmas presents 11 months early this year.  We were all stunned and collectively wondered if he was on his deathbed.  Yes, that seems morbid, but our father is a man’s man if there ever was one; for him to show sentiment and emotion was something that none of us were even remotely familiar with.  Dad went on to say that we would be taking a family trip, spouses and grandkids included, to Grand Cayman the following January and that everyone needed to figure out how to get off from work and get the kids out of school for a week of Caribbean bliss.

A year later, all travel arrangements in place, we were booked on separate planes (just in case something tragic happened someone would be able to return home to take care of the animals) for a week of family fun.  Our parents rented two condos on Seven Mile Beach.  I arrived with mom and dad a day before everyone else to stock the cupboards and prepare for the herd to arrive.  They rented a van to shuttle everyone around for the week and the next day dad was off to the airport to start picking everyone up.  We had a total of 14 people to juggle around, and my mom, the travel consultant, was able to do it seamlessly.  She managed to coordinate flights from Philadelphia and Newark and was even able to coordinate the Newark flight to pick up my nephew in Miami, who got there via Jacksonville.  Everyone arrived in Grand Cayman spaced out enough so dad was able to continuously make the trip back and forth to the airport and no one had to wait for the next “shuttle” to come.

Each night, one of the kids cooked a meal for everyone.  We took our parents out as a thank you one night, and much to the surprise of all of us, we enjoyed spending time together as family, with no interruptions from the outside world, for an entire week.  The adult kids went out at night together while Gramms and PopPop entertained the grandchildren; some went to the turtle farm, while others explored the island and the locals.  Everyday, at some point around happy hour, we all gathered together to enjoy what it means to be a family.  Of course, there was the usual sibling bickering, whining child, and spousal disagreement, but none of us remember the details of those events.  It had been years since we were able to be together for an extended period of time.  After the week ended, all of the kids were shuttled to the airport and my parents enjoyed another week of Caribbean bliss (and I am sure peace and quite) before they returned to the cold Northeast.

As the family has grown, mom and dad have gotten older, and our individual lives have changed in so many ways, every year when we talk about Christmas, someone brings up the hope that we can experience a family vacation again, before the grandkids graduate, and while Gramms and PopPop have the patience and energy to maintain all of us in one place for an extended period of time.  Our gift of a family vacation was a bonding moment and a memory that can’t be sold at next summer’s yard sale.

Filed Under: Travel Blog

Joe & Rosemarie at Disney World

January 25, 2011 By Patty Leave a Comment

“Choose WhirlAway Travel to plan your next vacation.  You will not be disappointed!  Thanks to Patty Jefferis and her staff, all you need to do is relax and enjoy yourself on your next getaway and leave the planning to them.  Our family booked a Disney World Vacation with WhirlAway Travel in August 2010.  Patty took care of every detail after we discussed our preferences and interests.  Even with flawless planning, things can happen at the other end of the destination.  Our hotel room at the Polynesian did not meet the specifications as set forth by us and WhirlAway.  We put in a call to Patty who set things straight in Florida with the Disney Representative there.  We were more than satisfied with the outcome of this troubleshooting.  Our hotel room was upgraded with additional perks provided.  WhirlAway even sent us a basket of treats for our inconvenience.  How’s that for service?  We wouldn’t go anywhere else, but to WhirlAway for our family’s travel arrangements.  Trust in the best.  Plan your next trip with WhirlAway Travel.  You will be more than glad you did.”

- Joe and Rosemarie B.

Filed Under: Testimonials

The Richard Family in London

January 25, 2011 By Patty Leave a Comment

“Dear Patty,
Wow!  London is fantastic!  We had a terrific trip and all of your help planning made it perfect!  It was quite an adventure for us all and we didn’t miss a thing…  Thank you so much!”

With Gratitude,
-  The Richard Family

Filed Under: Testimonials

The Gambles in Australia

January 25, 2011 By Patty Leave a Comment

“Dear Patty,
“Spectacular” best describes our vacation to Australia!  Wow – two amazing weeks visiting Melbourne, Sydney and Hamilton Island was truly a blessing.  Thanks for helping to make our dream a reality.  Your planning assistance, tour recommendations, and attention to detail REALLY made a difference!  Special thanks for helping us invest in memories we’ll cherish for a lifetime.”

Sincerely,
-  The Gambles

Filed Under: Testimonials

John & Fran in Aruba

January 25, 2011 By Patty Leave a Comment

“Dear Patty,
We wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had in Aruba!  Everything was perfect!  The view from our room was breathtaking!  We checked into our room about 2:00 and were on the beach by 3:00!  Everyone was so friendly!  No wonder their license plates say “One Happy Island”.  The restaurants were awesome!  We went to the Sunset Grille at the Radisson for my birthday and the whole staff came out with our dessert and sang Happy Birthday to me.  I didn’t even care that it was my 60th.  Thanks Patty for everything you did!  Would you believe we took over 500 pictures?  We will be calling you to help us plan another trip.”

Thanks Again,
- John & Fran B.

Filed Under: Testimonials

The Kramers in Italy

January 25, 2011 By Patty Leave a Comment

“We just returned from  our 11 day trip to Italy and it was absolutely amazing!  Thank you.

Patty and the staff at Whirlaway Travel for planning  our family vacation abroad. I have to tell you that every detail was taken care of for us, from airline bookings, hotel choices and transportation to and from our various destinations. We had our package from you in hand, and really did not have to be concerned or think about a thing except having fun and relaxing.

The three tours/activities were perfect. We especially loved the Italian cooking class. The tour of Tuscany allowed just enough time in each village, and the guide was professional and informative.

The art gallery/museum outing was also perfect, because we had the middle of the afternoon free to explore on our own in between appointments.

This is our 3rd or 4th major family vacation planned by you, and each time i feel as though you have exceeded our expectations and  our trips just keep getting better and better!!

Costa Rica and our villa in Tuscany 4 years ago were incredible, but I think this was our best yet.

I would never have been able to arrange all of the many details, trains, private transport, inside tips on restaurants etc alone. We have another set of beautiful lifelong memories of sharing time  together as a family without a concern for the full 11 days.

I look forward to planning our next vacation with you….”

Best regards,
Pam and Angel, the Kramers
and Carly too

Filed Under: Testimonials