Posts
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
From our family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Our office will be closed on Friday, November 27, and we will resume with regular hours on Monday, November 30. Keep warm and enjoy the festivities!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
SpiceJet wins Global Travel Award
SpiceJet, an Indian based airline, has won the 2009 award for the Best Company in Travel and Tourism: South Asia. This prestigious award recognizes the airline as being the greatest contributor to regional travel and tourism. The title was granted by the World Travel Market in London, a premiere event for the international tourism industry.
SpiceJet's mission "is to become India's preferred low cost airline, delivering the lowest air fares with the highest consumer value, to price sensitive consumers." We often use this airline in our packages and receive consistent positive reviews from clients. A fun feature is that each aircraft is named after a spice, such as pepper, cardamom, chili, etc. (On my personal flights last year, I flew pepper and ginger.)
Congratulations, SpiceJet!
SpiceJet's mission "is to become India's preferred low cost airline, delivering the lowest air fares with the highest consumer value, to price sensitive consumers." We often use this airline in our packages and receive consistent positive reviews from clients. A fun feature is that each aircraft is named after a spice, such as pepper, cardamom, chili, etc. (On my personal flights last year, I flew pepper and ginger.)
Congratulations, SpiceJet!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Travel Insurance: Myths vs Facts
Sodha Travel highly recommends purchasing travel insurance to protect your trip investment, your family and yourself. Reasons include:
There are many misconceptions about travel insurance coverage and we want you to know the facts before making a decision.
Travel Insurance is too expensive!
Many companies do offer overpriced plans. However, Sodha Travel offers comprehensive and affordable policies through our insurance partner, Travel Insured International. We also ask that you consider the money you may lose and/or costs that may incur in the event of a medical emergency or trip cancellation. Travel Insured offers several high-quality plans that fit most budgets so you can be assured you are protected. Additionally, TII is consistently rated one of the top insurance agencies in the country.
I already have insurance coverage through my credit card company.
While it is true that some card companies offer flight and baggage protection, these policies are generally limited. We ask that you contact your card provider and inquire about the policy inclusions and exclusions. Our plans include comprehensive benefits that include cancel for work reasons, trip interruption, a pre-existing medical conditions waiver, and medical evacuation.
My regular health insurance provides protection if I travel overseas.
Most domestic insurance policies do not cover overseas medical expenses. The following is quoted from the State Department website:
"Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000. Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States."
We strongly recommend that you contact your provider for a detailed list of benefits for illness or injury abroad. Our policies offer a minimum of $10,000 in medical coverage with a $50 deductible.
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We want to assure that you have all the facts about travel insurance before deciding if a policy is right for you and your family. Please contact us with additional information.
- You or your family can become ill or injured and are unable to travel
- You arrive at your destination and your luggage is stolen or lost
- Your flight is delayed and you pay additional expenses
- You become ill or injured abroad and require medical attention
- You need to interrupt your trip and return home
There are many misconceptions about travel insurance coverage and we want you to know the facts before making a decision.
Travel Insurance is too expensive!
Many companies do offer overpriced plans. However, Sodha Travel offers comprehensive and affordable policies through our insurance partner, Travel Insured International. We also ask that you consider the money you may lose and/or costs that may incur in the event of a medical emergency or trip cancellation. Travel Insured offers several high-quality plans that fit most budgets so you can be assured you are protected. Additionally, TII is consistently rated one of the top insurance agencies in the country.
I already have insurance coverage through my credit card company.
While it is true that some card companies offer flight and baggage protection, these policies are generally limited. We ask that you contact your card provider and inquire about the policy inclusions and exclusions. Our plans include comprehensive benefits that include cancel for work reasons, trip interruption, a pre-existing medical conditions waiver, and medical evacuation.
My regular health insurance provides protection if I travel overseas.
Most domestic insurance policies do not cover overseas medical expenses. The following is quoted from the State Department website:
"Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000. Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States."
We strongly recommend that you contact your provider for a detailed list of benefits for illness or injury abroad. Our policies offer a minimum of $10,000 in medical coverage with a $50 deductible.
***
We want to assure that you have all the facts about travel insurance before deciding if a policy is right for you and your family. Please contact us with additional information.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Destination: Ladakh
Ladakh is a remote region in Jammu and Kashmir in Northern India. Located between the Himalayan and Kunlun mountain ranges, Ladakh consists of two districts: Leh and Kargil. Historically, the region was a Buddhist kingdom and was strategically placed at the crossroads of major trading routes. Ladakh is commonly called "Little Tibet" and many travelers have discovered this destination as an alternative to visiting the disputed territory of Tibet.
One of our clients, Deborah Emmett-Pike, recently returned from Ladakh and was kind enough to share a few of her favorite pictures that I have posted. She also recommended "that any day trip should include Lamayuru Monastery (about 125km outside of Leh) and on the return a visit to Alchi Choskar."
If you are interested in visiting this region of untouched splendor, please contact us for more information. Enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Client Testimonial: India on a Budget!
We recently received the following testimonial from a client who was pleasantly surprised to find our services so affordable:
"Who ever knew I could see so much of India on a limited budget? Before, when I heard the words "travel agency" I thought of overpriced and under-personalized itineraries. However, you have changed my mind! When my friend recommended Sodha Travel, I never thought I could afford and appreciate the services of an agency. You created a fantastic and innovative itinerary with my limited budget and it was everything I was expecting and more. Thank you for finding creative ways to see so much of the country and making such awesome recommendations. It is nice to know that you thought of my needs instead of dollar signs."
Gregory Littleton
Phoenix, AZ
Thanks, Greg. We are so happy that you had a memorable Indian experience!
"Who ever knew I could see so much of India on a limited budget? Before, when I heard the words "travel agency" I thought of overpriced and under-personalized itineraries. However, you have changed my mind! When my friend recommended Sodha Travel, I never thought I could afford and appreciate the services of an agency. You created a fantastic and innovative itinerary with my limited budget and it was everything I was expecting and more. Thank you for finding creative ways to see so much of the country and making such awesome recommendations. It is nice to know that you thought of my needs instead of dollar signs."
Gregory Littleton
Phoenix, AZ
Thanks, Greg. We are so happy that you had a memorable Indian experience!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
TEDIndia: Watch Day 1 Live and for Free!
TEDIndia is an organization that promotes "a vision of the future that's rich in invention, entrepreneurship, cross-disciplinary problem solving, unexpected solutions and sensory delight." Certain sessions of their upcoming conference in Mysore, India will be available via webcast live and for free: Day 1 and the closing session of Day 3. Starting Thursday, November 5, you may visit ted.indiatimes.com to view the webcast. (Please note that the page will not be live until the time of the program.) This exciting opportunity is being sponsored by the Times of India, TEDIndia's online media partner.
Schedule: (All times are Indian Standard Time)
Thursday, November 5
Session 1: Fast Forward - 11 am - 12:45 pm
Session 2: Not Business as Usual - 2:15 pm - 4 pm
Session 3: Wonders, Wonders - 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm
Saturday, November 7
Final Session: Within You, Without You: 11 am - 12:45 pm
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We invite you to email your comments after the webcast to travel@sodhatravel.com
Enjoy!
Schedule: (All times are Indian Standard Time)
Thursday, November 5
Session 1: Fast Forward - 11 am - 12:45 pm
Session 2: Not Business as Usual - 2:15 pm - 4 pm
Session 3: Wonders, Wonders - 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm
Saturday, November 7
Final Session: Within You, Without You: 11 am - 12:45 pm
***
We invite you to email your comments after the webcast to travel@sodhatravel.com
Enjoy!
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