(L-R) Heike Schueller, Sheena Shastri, Valerie, Colleen and Bill O’Connell and Allison Conrad of Travel Adventures Unlimited are pictured here at their Walnut Creek offices, 1515 Oakland Blvd., Suite 100. They remind travel lovers of the many beautiful domestic destinations to visit. “You can travel to National Parks, Half Moon Bay, Disneyland, Disney World in Florida and book many domestic river cruises, said co-owner Colleen O’Connell.
Travel Adventures Unlimited
According to co-owner Colleen O’Connell, travel is a continually changing industry which required more Zoom meetings in the last year than she can count. They covered how to keep up-to-date on open destinations, how to travel safely and what tour operators and cruise lines do to make travel as safe as possible for clients.
Travel Adventures Unlimited (TAU) advisors have done some traveling this past year to Disney World, Mexico, Hawaii, National Parks and more. They have gathered first-hand information about what traveling in these times is like, so they can educate clients about what to expect and how to prepare for safe travel. When your flight changes, the domino effect may mean changes in transfers, car rental, hotel, tours and all pre-booked travel. The volatility of all the variables in travel due to the reopening of the industry plus the pandemic makes working with a travel agency a smart choice.
O’Connell can book a National Park Tour with a fantastic guide. This allows travelers to spend more time viewing the parks and seeing the wildlife than they ever would on their own. There are plastic barriers between the driver and the passengers and everyone is masked in the vehicle. TAU knows how to set up clients to travel in safety because they’ve been there.
Flexibility is key, according to TAU advisor Sheena Shastri: “Chances are the client trip (depending on destination) will be altered in some way from the time booked to the time traveled. Expected changes probably include flight times and routing,” said Shastri. Fluctuating changes due to the pandemic make travel insurance a key component. “We do our best to help clients understand what is covered and, maybe more importantly, what is not covered,” said Valerie O’Connell, Colleen’s daughter and co-owner of TAU.
For 2021, TAU agents recommend Disney World and Disneyland, Alaska for a land trip in the summer, and domestic river cruises (Columbia and Snake Rivers), Pismo Beach, Half Moon Bay, Napa and the National Parks. Destinations this summer can include most Caribbean islands, Costa Rica, Tahiti, Greece, Belize, Turkey, Egypt and Croatia. For 2022, they recommend booking now because everyone is going to want to travel in 2022.
Contact TAU at 925.935.7447, info@travelau.com or visit www.traveladventuresunlimited.com to keep up with industry trends and updates.
(L-R) Brothers Blair and Jason Bagneschi.
Piccolo Napoli Rebrands as Brothers Public Kitchen in Theatre Square
Jason and Blair Bagneschi have rebranded their Theatre Square restaurant from Piccolo Napoli to Brothers Public Kitchen. They offer local seasonal American and Italian fare and a full bar with craft cocktails on their spacious patio or for indoor dining. Try their charred romaine Caesar with a house-made Italian sausage and mushroom pizza with truffle oil. Stop by 2 Theatre Square #144 (across from Republic of Cake) to check out the new menu. Hours are Tues. – Sun. 3 p.m. to close, or visit during Happy Hour, Tue. – Fri. 3 to 5 p.m. Phone 925.253.1225, email info@brotherspublic.com or www.brotherspublic.com.
Lindsay Judson, shown here with (L-R) Octavia and Dean, the brother and sister Doberman Pinschers she adores, is celebrating her 10th anniversary at Orinda Grooming. Judson combines the science of creative dog grooming with artistry and focuses on natural remedies for skin and coat care.
Orinda Grooming Celebrates 10th Anniversary
If you’ve seen the U.K. Pooch Perfect television show, you know something about what Lindsay Judson of Orinda Grooming is all about. This month Judson celebrates the 10th anniversary of following her ambition to work with the dogs and puppies she has loved since high school. The care Judson takes with each animal and the way her business is run remain true to her love of “human’s best friend.”
An ongoing member of National Association of Professional Creative Grooming, Judson attends continuing education webinars and seminars about the art and science of grooming for all dog breeds. Training focuses upon anatomy and wellness, including using natural remedies used preventively for skin and coat care. About 85 million American families have pets, which is 67% of all households across the U.S. Dogs are the most popular pets by far.
A Bath and Tidy appointment is priced according to the size and breed of your dog and includes a 10-point list of services. Additional fees are charged for fleas, matting and behavior. A full groom appointment is also priced according to size and breed of your dog. It includes everything in Judson’s Bath and Tidy package; a full body haircut according to breed, coat and owner’s preference; and specific breed pattern cuts.
To learn more about Orinda Grooming, visit Judson at 19 Orinda Way, #J down the steep driveway and a sharp left in the rear of the building. Hours are Tues. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and two Saturdays every month. All COVID-19 precautions observed. Phone Judson at 925.254.1662, email orindagrooming@gmail.com and visit www.orindagrooming.com.
