marc bokoff travel

Along the Nile: CP Travel Ambassadors Marc & Roz Bokoff take us to Egypt

CP Travel Ambassadors Marc and Roz Bokoff sailed the Nile River on a cruise to some of the most ancient and famous sites in Egypt, including the Pyramids, Memphis, Luxor and Aswan. Find out what they loved about this adventure and what tourists shoulld keep in mind when traveling to one of the most unique destinations in the world.

What specific cities and /or countries did you visit?  Egypt

Did you travel via cruise ship? If so, please describe the experience and some of the standout features that you ere excited about . We were on Sonesta St. George.

What was your favorite memory from this trip?  One of the most fun things was the Egyptian night where people wore galabiyas and they had some fun music, games and entertainment. Seeing the amazing temples and monuments in Egypt was fantastic!

Top excursions and landmarks/sites to visit:  Must see sites are the Pyramids and the Sphinx, but you shouldn't miss the other sites in the Cairo area or along the Nile River. The rest of it is just as remarkable.

Temple of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Umbo, Aswan are all worthwhile. We hoped to get to Abu Simbel, but due to dust storms had to cancel. Also, Memphis and Saqqara are not to be missed. 

How would you describe the people and culture of this destination? Any interesting cultural lessons?  People are warm and friendly. Sellers of tchotchkes in ports along the river varied from polite to very aggressive. Guides were very protective of us. Although we never experienced any problems, there was an armed escort with us at all times when we were on land. Many of the people there are looking for a "tip". If someone offers to take a photo of you, it's because they want money. If someone helps you with anything, they want money-- so be aware of that and are prepared. 

What is something people would be surprised to learn about this destination?  The pyramids are only a small portion of what there is to see...and not even (necessarily) the most important.

Top 5 Tips and recommendations for this trip:

1) Do NOT go yourself -- always on a tour / cruise with professional guides.

2) If you don't like middle eastern food, you might want to bring some snacks.

3) It could help to have a little background (or bring a cheat sheet) about Egyptian gods and pharaohs ... following the history can get a little confusing and you don't want to miss out on the great details. 

4) Have small money for tips, either USD or Egyptian pounds

5) There are lots of locally owned river boats and we saw several. There are more that we'd consider sub-par than there are luxurious or recommendable. Unless you're using AMA, Uniworld or another "western" company, the quality is likely to vary.  

What makes this destination a must-see in your opinion?  Taking in the history of the Ancient Egyptian culture is like nothing else. The grandeur and attention to detail of what the ancients did is incredible.

Additional thoughts and insights? Again, this is NOT a destination to go without a guide/professional escorting you around. And, clients who want a Western level of service should probably stick to Western suppliers to make sure the experience matches up with expectations.

To see for yourself the grandeur of the temples of Karnak and Luxor yourself, contact a Cruise Planners near you to book your trip.  

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We’ve been a trusted name in travel for over 35 years. Our mission is to create vacation experiences that leave guests with positive memories to last a lifetime. For us, service is more than just a word, and we work hard to make it so every single day! With over 35 years of extensive travel planning, leading groups, traveling with friends and family, and on our own, we're sticklers for providing the best service, and using our extensive network and long-term relationships within the industry to find the best experiences and value for clients. Our specialties are individual travel, hosted vacations, group travel for organizations and extended families, and affinity groups. Let us plan YOUR next vacation. …

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I can't say enough great things about the service Marc and Roz Bokoff provided to me on my Feb 2024 solo trip. When things don't go exactly as planned you want a travel agent who will be there and they were there for me! From notifying me the morning of my trip to Bali that Frankfurt airport was going on strike and had to make other plans, to following up on a notification error that my hotel was cancelled when I arrived in Frankfurt, to changing my reservations in Bali, they were in there for me and handled things promptly. Will definitely be booking my next trip with them. Thank you Marc and Roz!

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Bokoff back in the travel business

Norwich — Marc Bokoff started his career in travel a year out of college, and at one point had seven offices in the region with 37 employees before selling out in the midst of the Great Recession.

Now he's back in the travel business again after five years of running Crown Market, a kosher food store in West Hartford.

He currently runs a Cruise Planners agency out of his home in Norwich, helping travelers book vacations around the world — both on land and at sea. It's similar to what he was doing as head of the former Bokoff-Kaplan Travel Agency after buying New London-based Kaplan Travel in 1996.

"The use of travel agents is significantly on the rise," Bokoff said during an interview at Muddy Waters Cafe in New London. "The amount of information and misinformation on the Internet has created all kinds of opportunities for travel agents."

Bokoff, now a Cruise Planners franchise owner, said people are saving time and money by using travel agents. Agents are very adept at finding deals, negotiating upgrades and using travel bonus points as well, he said.

Cruise Planners has the nation's most extensive group of home-based travel agents, and its affiliation with American Express means special deals for clients, including upgrades and special amenities, Bokoff said.

"I am a one-man band," he said. "I am in the rebuilding process as clients find and reconnect with me."

Bokoff still recalls the era when travel arrangements were made largely without the aid of computers and people needed to meet one on one with agents for extended periods to book a trip. Now, people are well informed about what is available through the Internet and most of the consultations are done over the phone, he said.

"Almost no one comes in anymore," he said.

Bokoff said the travel industry has changed a bit since his last association with it. He has had to become familiar with the latest cruise ships, and spent time in Florida during January doing tours and inspections, a trip he plans to repeat in April.

"To me, experience and knowledge is what I am really selling," he said. "My job is to make sure the client gets what's coming to them and gets the best deal and has the most enjoyable, memory-filled vacation they possibly can."

Bokoff said a lot of consumers have come to rely on Trip Advisor ratings and comments online, but the problem is that everyone has disparate experiences so it's tough to know whom to believe.

"The advantage of the travel agency is that in many instances the product has been vetted, checked or seen by an independent agent or agent representative," Bokoff said.

Bokoff said a big trend in the travel industry revolves around multi-generational trips, but baby boomers are by far the largest part of his business. Cruising is huge, he added, and Bokoff himself has been on more than 40 shipboard trips, which he said are a great way for families to reconnect.

"I like working with people," he said. "I like taking ideas and then turning it into reality."

[email protected]

Who: Marc J. Bokoff

What: Cruise Planners franchise owner

Where: 88 Weber Farm Road, Norwich

Phone: 860-608-6095; 844-768-2799

Fax: 860-887-3774

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.bookthatescape.com/

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We just experienced the trip of our lifetime, exemplary in every way, thanks to Marc! Two nights in Rome, 10 nights on Celebrity Reflection from Rome to Greek Islands, ending in Barcelona for an additional two nights. Marc arranged amazing private tours for us. Absolutely the best way to see the sights. The guides were so gracious and educated in the areas. Lots of interesting info and anecdotes not possible in a group tour. Make sure you have Manuela in Rome and Francesc in Barcelona! The best! Now we have wonderful memories and a whetted appetite to return and see more of the countryside in these lands. What a beautiful world we live in! We have to mention, we were amazed at how Marc was on top of everything on our behalf. We highly recommend Marc as the preferred travel agent for anyone who wants a well planned, detail oriented, professional. With many thanks and future plans for travel.....Roger and Candice Roy See more …

Marc planned the perfect vacation for my daughter and myself. Everything he promised came through and it was spectacular. We highly recommend him and plan to use him on future travel. See more …

Marc Bokoff - Cruise Planners. Marc planned a tailor-made 17-day trip for us to 4 countries in Africa with only 2 months lead time. He answered all our questions thoughtfully and promptly. Marc is a true professional. Extremely highly recommended. See more …

3rd Annual Sarasota Luxury Travel Forum FREE ADMISSION. If you love travel, plan to join us! Meet 14 luxury travel brands, including ocean cruise, river cruise, land, rail, and travel insurance partners. No cost, but please register at https://www.bookthatescape.com/form/QmrxiXmtcO . Refreshments, consultations, even gifts for those who attend. Contact [email protected] for more info. See more …

Great Savings on 2022 Cruises! From Azamara to Windstar, cruise lines currently have some amazing offers for travel lovers. If you're flexible and want to take advantage of the discounts, give us a call ASAP to let us help you take full advantage of the savings! See more …

Ladies Solo Travel! Come alone or bring a friend on these trips, hosted by Roz Bokoff. See the world and make new friends while doing it! Visit www.BookThatEscape.com/WWW for more information. Our first trip will visit Costa Rica, November 12-19, 2022. Stay tuned for Portugal in April of 2023! See more …

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3 rd  Annual Sarasota Luxury Travel Forum to Feature 14 Luxury Travel Brands

December 26, 2022 by Post

SARASOTA-LAKEWOOD RANCH  – Travel lovers are invited to attend the 3 rd  Annual Sarasota Luxury Travel Forum on Tuesday, January 24 from 4-7:30 PM. This free event is being held at the Meadows Country Club, 3101 Longmeadow, Sarasota, FL.

The travel forum will feature 14 well-respected luxury travel brands, each presenting a 15-minute talk about topics of interest to guests. The comprehensive Presentation Schedule for this year’s Sarasota Luxury Travel Forum can be found at  https://www.bookthatescape.com/Speakers .    

In addition to their presentations, representatives will meet guests one-on-one to answer specific questions and provide information about destinations and their travel offerings. Guests can enjoy refreshments while learning about travel options, and everyone in attendance will receive a gift from the event’s sponsor, Marc Bokoff of Cruise Planners.

Luxury travel has rebounded, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and informed travelers will want to learn more about travel trends, popular destinations, and getting the most value and enjoyment from their vacations. As in 2022, Allianz Travel will be on-hand to provide information and guidance about travel insurance options.

“In the last year, luxury travel has exploded,” said Marc Bokoff, host of the Sarasota Luxury Travel Forum. “Pent-up demand caused by travel bans during the height of the pandemic has resulted in record numbers of travelers returning to travel and limited availability in top destinations and luxury cruises. We always encourage clients to plan ahead and purchase travel insurance, and now it’s more important than ever. Sarasota Luxury Travel Forum guests will have access to our partners who will share their wisdom about vacation planning. Representatives of our agency will also be available on January 24 th  and after the event, as well, to ensure that every detail of our guests’ trips are attended to.”

The travel companies known for their high-quality offerings and customer service that will be on hand include: Abercrombie & Kent, Alexander & Roberts, Allianz Travel Insurance, American Cruise Lines, Cunard, Kensington Tours, Lindblad Expeditions, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Rocky Mountaineer, Scenic Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises, and Tauck.

For more information and to RSVP, visit  https://www.bookthatescape.com/form/RSVP-PR .

Bokoff Tours & Travel, dba Cruise Planners-Marc Bokoff, is an independent travel agency that is part of the Cruise Planners network of travel professionals and Signature Travel. Our principals have 35 years of experience in the industry and our office is one of Cruise Planners’ top performing agencies in the country. For more information, visit  www.BookThatEscape.com  or email  [email protected] .

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