Researching How To Spend Time “On Own”

August 19, 2016Posted in Bus Tours, Destinations, Family Travel, Group Travel, Travel TipsWritten by VictoriaLeave a comment

Many of the trips we offer at Starr include free time to explore an area “on own.” Your free time on own might include seeing the sites, local attractions, or tasting the best of the local faire. However you choose to spend it, here are some great ways to research the best of the best in the area.

TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is a travel website boasting reviews of the best and the worst. If you go to their website, you can type in your destination and what you’re searching for, such as “Boston restaurants” or “Cape Cod attractions” for example. The website then lists the top go-to places in the area by rank. The information and reviews are always current, so this is one website that we highly recommend!

Local Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs)
Local CVBs are known for their tourism marketing. They always have an abundance of brochures and can recommend the best and most popular places in town. It helps that they are knowledgeable of every area of town too, so they can easily locate attractions nearby where you will be. You can either visit the bureaus in person, or simply do a Google search for the town website and contact them.

Google
In any case, there’s always good ole Google! You can simply go to www.google.com and type in your destination, like “Cape Cod,” and an array of websites will appear that can give you tourism information for your specific location. If you want to get a little more specific, you can type in “Cape Cod restaurants” or “best Cape Cod restaurants.” Many times, bloggers have already written about your chosen destination with helpful pointers on the go-to places in the area.

Smartphones
If you own a smartphone, then it probably comes equipped with the handy little “map” app. What’s neat about this is that you can actually search for restaurants, bars, shopping, fun, and so on, all in this little app. It can give you the reviews and distance from your location, too! So if you’re just at a loss for how to spend your free time, search on your map app for what’s nearby!

yelp

Yelp
Similar to TripAdvisor, Yelp is another great travel website. It lists reviews for local areas and allows you to search for specific places. If you’re in the mood for Mexican, you can input your destination and “Mexican” to see what restaurants are highly rated.

Groupon
Once you have figured out how you’d like to spend your free time, then you can look into discounts. Groupon is an awesome website that lists deals that you can snag for dining and activities. It is also available as an app for your smartphone.

We love offering free time during travel because it allows you the freedom to customize your trip exactly how you’d like it. These websites and apps are great ways to research and plan the perfect getaway for you!

What’s In A Name?

August 12, 2016Posted in HistoryWritten by VictoriaLeave a comment

Around the globe, new businesses try to come up with superior names to represent their companies. But what’s in a name? When you dig a little deeper into the roots behind the title with Starr, the name has proven to be a strong one.

Starr is a family name. It originates from the pre-modern English word starre or sterre, meaning “star.” Interestingly, one of Webster’s many definitions of a “star” is an “outstandingly good or successful person or thing in a group.” So when Starr Bus Charter & Tours is grouped with other travel companies, Starr should be (and is!) a “star” among the rest!

How did Starr (the bus and tour company) get its name though? When the ancestors of Starr’s original owners came from Russia to Ellis Island, the Starubinitz name was shortened to “Starr.” Brothers Bernie and Jack Starr purchased Motorcoach Transport (a company that was started in 1925 but had filed bankruptcy) in 1946 and renamed it STARR. After owning the business for just a year, the business was sold in 1947 to Gilbert Sussman and Arthur Levy. Gil kept the name STARR after his soon to be wife, Shirley, Bernie and Jack’s sister. When Gil passed away in 1969, Shirley took ownership of the company and then passed it on to her children. The company has remained in the family through three generations.

Starr Tours isn’t the only company with a Starr name. STARR Companies is the worldwide marketing name for Starr insurance enterprises. Similar to Starr Tours, STARR Companies was also established as a family name. Another business, Starr Restaurants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, follows suit with its family-name inheritance. They boast a line of fabulous restaurants, one of which is a Russian-themed caviar and vodka bar, paying tribute to the name’s Russian roots.

Starr Tours has a lot to live up to with such grand family history and keeping its place as a “star” among the rest, but stars are made to last for billions of years and with a name like Starr, it’s likely that we will too!

Discover Block Island

July 29, 2016Posted in DestinationsWritten by Victoria2 Comments

RI_BlockIsland-bluffs-shore_shutterstock_148863524--max600x600 — Block Island Bluffs

Nestled off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is a world of its own. More than ten thousand years ago, glaciers pushed and shoved their way down the East Coast, leaving behind the rocks and soil that eventually formed this tiny paradise. With its stunning ocean views and relaxing atmosphere, it’s no wonder why the island attracts so many visitors each year. It’s a gem in the ocean and there is no island like it. Get away with Starr and explore Block Island for yourself on our 3 day escape.

RI_BlockIsland-NorthLight_BI--max600x600 — North Light, Block Island

With an abundance of free time, enjoy a stroll down the 17 miles of pristine beaches. If you’d like to spend a little more time on the coast, Fred Benson Town Beach Pavilion offers rentals of beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards. If you want to explore more of the attractions, the North and South lighthouses are breathtaking sites. For those those of you feeling a little more adventurous, you can rent a bicycle or moped to zip around and explore more of the island. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities close to the hotel featuring mostly mom and pop owned local stores with handmade and designer items, art, and more.

In addition to its wonderful accommodations, you’ll enjoy a great dinner at the National Hotel on your first night there. When you get hungry later there are many other options for dining. For casual dining, we recommend Aldo’s Italian Restaurant, “Winner of the 2012 Block Island Clam Chowder Contest.” Ballard’s is a great place for “exceptionally fresh seafood” and offers a one-of-a-kind view of Ballard’s Beach. For ocean to table fresh fish, this is the place to go!

If you’re looking for a more elegant or romantic experience, there are several outstanding restaurants for fine dining. Restaurant 1879 At The Atlantic Inn features fine dining at an “unhurried” pace, while taking in spectacular sunsets and ocean views. The Spring House Hotel is another unparalleled experience with pristine dining and ocean views in the dining room, veranda, or the patio. The restaurant serves fresh seafood, steaks, and vegetables from their garden.

RI_BlockIsland-LewisFarm_BI--max600x600 — Lewis Farm, Block Island

Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful “photo-op” spots when you go! Block Island has 365 freshwater ponds “one for every day of the year,” over 300 miles of man made stone walls, 32 miles of nature trails, and almost half of its land mass preserved as open space!

Check out the Block Island Tourism Council’s website for an abundance of information on all there is to see and do during your stay. Then, leave your watches, worries, and busyness behind and settle in to the escape that is Block Island!

Safety Tips for Solo Travelers

July 15, 2016Posted in Travel TipsWritten by Victoria1 Comment

One of the comments that we often hear from passengers traveling alone on our tours is that they love to travel with us because they meet so many great people! In fact, we know of many different Starr travelers that met on tour years ago and continue to travel together to this day. While traveling by yourself may seem daunting at first, there are many perks to solo travel like the opportunity to meet and travel with great people, but still have a room all to yourself at the end of a long, exciting day.

Our Tour Directors and Drivers are dedicated to caring for the safety and well-being of our passengers. After all, safety is our top priority! That means that you’re in good hands with our safe and reliable staff, but we want to make sure that you are safe when you’re out exploring on your own too. As you know, in this day and age, anything can happen during travel (or at home!) so it is always best to be prepared!

Before you leave the hotel for an adventure out on the town, grab the hotel’s business card and tuck that in your wallet. This way, you’ll have the hotel’s contact information handy and, just in case something happens, emergency personnel will have another point of contact in order to help you. Make sure you ask your Tour Director and/or Driver for their cell phone number. This way you can reach them in case you can’t meet up at your scheduled time.

Consider purchasing accessories to hide your valuables and never take large amounts of cash out in open view of others. Split your cash and credit cards between your various pieces of luggage so that if your wallet is stolen you still have a backup. Some accessories that we recommend are an under-clothes money belt in place of a wallet (a simple one like this will do) and a wearable USB with copies of your all of your important documents like your passport (if traveling abroad) and photo ID.

If you have a smartphone, there are some great safety apps to download. “Watch Over Me” is really great one! Once you enter the app, you simply type in, “Watch over me while I…” and finish your sentence with anything like, “travel today,” and enter the time frame. The app then begins a countdown until you reach the end of your designated time frame. At that point, you let the app know that you are safe. If you do not confirm your safety by the time the counter hits zero then the app will contact your previously assigned “emergency contacts” with your GPS location. Isn’t it amazing what technology can do? Other apps to look into are “React Mobile,” and “Get Home Safe”. Apps vary on the features they include and price, so try googling “personal safety app” or “personal safety app reviews” to learn more and find one that is right for you. Also, make sure your phone is charged and carry your charger with you. There are small portable chargers that you can purchase as well to keep your phone, tablet, and everything else ready to go.

When it comes to cell phones, it’s also smart to keep in mind that some areas of travel may not have service. It’s best to check your roaming capabilities before you go (especially when traveling abroad) and, if necessary, plan to purchase a prepaid phone when you reach your destination. Another great idea is to give your itinerary to a friend or family member before you leave and check in throughout your trip. Staying connected is key!

Wherever you are, as cliché as it may seem, be aware of your surroundings. Do not let yourself be easily distracted by beggars or children (especially overseas) as some can be very crafty. Distractions can be used to deflect your attention from what is really happening.

Though the likelihood of an unsafe experience is rare, staying smart and vigilant is key to a wonderful experience. The more you know, the more prepared you can be for your trip of a lifetime with Starr!

For more safety tips, check out the websites below.

10 Travel Safety Tips You Can’t Afford to Ignore
17 Safety Tips for Solo Travelers

What are your “go to” safety habits?

A Day at Rehoboth Beach

July 8, 2016Posted in Bus Tours, Destinations, Family Travel, Travel TipsWritten by Victoria4 Comments

There’s a reason why National Geographic listed Rehoboth Beach among its Top 10 U.S. Boardwalks. The mile-long boardwalk is a great place to view the broad expanse of beautiful beach stretched out for your enjoyment. Whether you decide to spend the day walking the boardwalk, basking in the sunny rays on the shoreline, or dining at some of the area’s most unique restaurants (or all of the above!) we’re sure you’ll agree that Rehoboth Beach is a fantastic destination! It’s sure to be a memorable day for everyone and we’d love to give you some tips for your trip.

When packing for any day trip to the beach, always be sure to bring along plenty of sunscreen, water to keep hydrated. A book or magazine, a towel, and change of clothes are must haves if you plan on taking a dip in the ocean or plan to lounge in the sand. Sunglasses are always a great accessory to pack, but if you forget yours then snag some new ones at one of the many shops. Pack a small grocery bag to use for trash, and a ziplock baggie or two for seashells and other fun finds. Some other handy items: antibacterial wipes, band aids and antiseptic, insulated cooler bag, and snacks. If you’re worried about your valuables, try hiding them in an empty Pringles can, chapstick, deodorant, or sunscreen container, or even a rolled up diaper (this last one is almost guaranteed not to be messed with, just make sure no one accidentally throws it out for you!). Also, consider bringing a travel size bottle of baby powder and baby wipes (you’ll see why in the next paragraph!). Things not to bring: glass bottles, and alcohol as these items are prohibited on the beach.

Keep in mind that if you plan to change clothes while at Rehoboth Beach, public restrooms are available, but shower facilities are not. Here’s where the baby powder comes in! Did you know that baby powder can help remove that pesky sand from your body? To make it work, make sure your limbs are mostly dry before application, otherwise you’ll end up with a white sloppy mess. Once you’ve toweled off or air dried, sprinkle the baby powder on your hands and feet and gently rub. The sand should come right off. Follow up with a quick swipe of a baby wipe to remove excess powder and you’re good to go!

When the “hunger bug” strikes, there are a variety of options for dining. If you’re in the mood for Mexican, Mariachi Restaurant has rave reviews and is only half a block from the boardwalk. Mariachi boasts of all the standard Mexican goodies while tossing in a few specials – which, according to reviews, are always winners!

If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, 99 Sea Level in the Marriott Bethany Beach Ocean Suites is on the boardwalk and offers raw bar and seafood. The venue opened nearly one year ago on July 23, 2015 but has already established an outstanding reputation with its fabulous food and views from the attractive glassed building.

On a bit of a budget? No problem! Coastal Living recommends Nicola’s calzones. Also located on the boardwalk, CL says that you can’t go wrong with the Nic-O-Boli, one of Nicola’s infamous calzones.

Once you’re fueled up and ready to go, be sure to stop by the many great shops the boardwalk has to offer including Dolles Candyland, a Rehoboth staple since 1926! Then, stroll down Rehoboth Ave. to browse a variety of unique shops like the Spice & Tea Exchange, Browseabout Books, Sea Finds, and more!

Starr has two upcoming trips to Rehoboth Beach, one on July 27^th and the other on August 10^th. Pack your bag and get ready for the perfect day trip to the beach at Rehoboth!

What are your beach day must haves? Have you been to Rehoboth Beach? What are your favorite places?
Leave us a comment in the comments section!

References:
www.rehobothfoodie.com

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