To Insure or Not to Insure… That is the Question
(and also why it’s more important than ever to utilize the services of a travel planner)

Travel is a very hot topic. It always has been, but even more so these days. Because of the pandemic, everyone is wanting to go everywhere, and they want to go right now. But also because of the pandemic, travel has been and still is extremely problematic. Now more than ever, the hot button topic of travel insurance is incredibly important, as is utilizing the services of a travel advisor is incredibly important.

Travel insurance itself is a broad subject, so for this instance, we’ll discuss some very recent actual issues our clients have been facing.

Mother Nature
We recently had a group that booked a trip to Georgia for the weekend. Because of weather issues, their flights were cancelled, and they had nonrefundable tickets. The hotel reservation was also nonrefundable. They had declined travel insurance, so now they’re left paying extra money for new flights, as well as adding a night to the stay for the one missed.

In any type of situation, whether Covid or weather or the myriad of other matters, you can’t rely on the hotel sales manager being lenient. They’re in no win situations also. More on this subject in a bit.

COVID

What if you’ve planned the perfect trip (international or domestic). Then, a few days before you leave, you or someone in your travel party tests positive for Covid. If the flights were nonrefundable, you’re out that money. If the hotel is nonrefundable, that’s a double whammy. “But,” you might say, “hotels should be more flexible, especially in a pandemic.” Because cancellations are now happening so often, though, they really can’t be.

We had a client test positive a day before their Christmas trip. Nonrefundable hotel reservation. The hotel had so many incoming guests that tested positive that they had to say no to everyone. Everyone lost their money. Thankfully this client did heed our advice and Travel insurance protected their investment.

Where We Come In
And speaking of covid and vaccinations, I have been getting A LOT of questions surrounding where people can go if they’re not vaccinated, or just partially vaccinated. As you know, there are entrance requirements for international travel. However, maybe you can get into the country, but then other requirements restrict you from patronizing restaurants, utilizing local activities, etc. Then, there are testing requirements for returning home, where you run a big risk of having some kind of issue.

This alone showcases why you need both travel insurance and the advice of a travel planner. One to help you plan for all unforeseen events as well as you can, and the other to protect you if one of those events arises.

Be Safe, Not Sorry
If you purchase travel insurance at the right time (soon after your deposit), it will protect you. If you test positive for Covid, it can help reimburse your expenses. It will help with issues when Mother Nature wreaks havoc. And these are just the smaller issues. Get ill or something happens to you in a foreign country? Without insurance, the costs could be insurmountable.

We do realize that there are a lot of times that travel insurance is not needed (and obviously we hope that is always the case). However, travel is fragile and mercurial. Why not spend a little bit of extra money in order to ensure a big peace of mind? Especially on luxury trips, where the expenditures are extreme, a little extra can potentially save you a lot.

And, as mentioned earlier, the help of an experienced travel advisor (like the entire Shameless Tourist team) can solve many, many issues you may face well before you leave (as well as knowing all the ins and outs that will make your vacation unforgettable).

All Roads Lead to Disney (But which is the best for you?)

In case you didn’t know it, I am a Disney junkie. I have been a Disney World pass holder for years, and I can honestly say I have been to every single Disney park and experience—anywhere and everywhere (well, except for Disneyland Tokyo). 

Recently, I went on a Disney cruise, and it reminded me again just how magical the Disney experience is, in all shapes and forms, and how different they are. So, as a luxury travel advisor who has a niche for all things Mouse, I figured it was high time for an overview of the big three Disney experiences and a discussion of which one might be right for you. Of course, this is just an overview, because discussing the ins and outs of all the experiences could fill a book—a novella at the very least. 

But, if you are interested in a Disney vacation of any sort, call or email us. The statement about being a Disney expert wasn’t in jest, and an experienced luxury advisor like myself who does specialize in Disney can take away all the stress, add in all the insider tips and tricks and VIP treatment, and make your holiday truly magical.

Disney Cruise Line

When you’re on a Disney cruise, you are on one of the top large cruise liners available. Only this one is also sprinkled with that impeccable Disney service that they are known for and truly deserve. The cruise line is an excellent option for families (especially if not every member has Disney fever) who want the Disney Magic, don’t mind missing out on rides, and want to focus on shows and character experiences. Make sure to note—while the character interactions on the cruise are frequent, they’re not as diverse: they are mainly limited to princesses and the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto). 

The atmosphere on the Disney cruise is very chill and low key. There are also no enormous lines to see and talk to the characters like there are at the parks. And, as with most cruises, there are a ton of activities to keep everyone busy and having fun.

Disneyland

Disneyland offers a much more robust “Disney experience” than the cruise. There are more characters to interact with other than just the Fab 5 and some princesses. There are more attractions. And then in addition to everything else, you have the nostalgic experience, as Disneyland is the first park of its kind in the whole world.

Something you might not know about Disneyland is that it can actually be a mini getaway or long weekend trip. You can see most of everything in the park in three days and as a huge bonus for families with toddlers, all hotels on the property are walkable to and from the park. So if there’s a toddler meltdown in the works, someone needs a nap, or you just need a little pool time, you can head to the hotel, do your thing, and then easily walk back to the park.

Disneyland is great for all ages, and definitely has the obvious small child benefits discussed above, but it’s also a good choice for little boys since it features Pixar Pier (think Toy Story and the Incredibles), CarsLand, Marvel Avengers Campus, and a Monsters Inc Ride– and of course, all things Star Wars.

And to state one of the more obvious benefits—it’s southern California. The weather can’t be beat.

Disney World

And now for the one park to rule them all: Disney World. As mentioned in the beginning, I’ve been to every Disney park and experience out there, and I can honestly say that there truly is nothing like it in the world. Now, is Disney World for the weak? No. It’s not calm and relaxing like the cruise, nor can you scurry back to your hotel for a nap like Disneyland. But come on, this is Disney World. This is serious game face time, and it is quite simply amazingly magical.

Time wise, it definitely should not be done over a weekend. You need a minimum of five nights to see a good amount of things, which still doesn’t come close to being the entire park. (I’ve been a pass holder for years and still haven’t seen everything). 

In a nutshell

So what do I recommend? Well, the answer isn’t so clear cut (as you were probably expecting). But, there are some key takeaways from each and some general tips as a whole.

Key Takeaways:

• Disney Cruise Line: A little Disney with little waiting combined with a lot of fun, relaxation, and luxury for the whole family.
• Disneyland: The super fun full-park experience in a smaller package with great incentives for young families.
• Disney World: The Disney Mecca. You cannot say you’ve truly done Disney if you haven’t been to the mother land.

General Tips:

• If you want a “one and done” Disney trip, then it should be Disney World.
• You could stair step your trips: Do Disneyland first as a precursor that trains you for the marathon that is Disney World. Or alternatively, you could go big and go World the first time out, and then take it down a notch on a subsequent trip to Disneyland or chill on a cruise.
• If you have a little princess keen on interacting with the big princesses, I would suggest going to World before age 6, as the princess fascination peaks out around then.
• Boys, actually, can go to the park a little later and their fascination tends to be more long lasting.

Making the True Magic Happen

As you can hopefully tell, whichever Disney experience you select will be amazing. They work very hard on providing the utmost in fun, magic, adventure, and service. If you are interested in booking a trip to any of the three, I highly recommend using a travel advisor well versed in Disney, like The Shameless Tourist. We can help you get the most bang for your buck, get you the VIP experiences you didn’t know you could get, and basically take all the stress and headache away while planning you an adventure that we know you will love (we know because we’ve experienced it and planned it a thousand times). So, ready to go? Call us today to start planning?

The world is opening back up, and everyone is flocking to adventure. And not just any adventure—so many are doing big ticket bucket list type trips. 

Close your eyes and think about it—if you could choose anywhere, where would you go? For a lot of people, an African safari is at the top of that list. That selection is completely understandable. But, there are things you may not have considered about a big trek to East Africa, and some things you should totally consider about South Africa. 

Before we begin, though, let me reiterate that all my suggestions are based on my experience, my associations, the extensive contacts I’ve gained throughout my experience and travels, and because either myself or one of my team members have actually visited the places I write about. You may not necessarily agree with my findings, but you can absolutely trust them.

So let’s start with East Africa. The gamelands of East Africa are probably what you picture in your head when you think of an African vacation. It’s the scenes you remember from Out of Africa. It’s what you pictured as a child when you were playing animal safari.

East Africa is vastly beautiful. It’s also more culturally authentic. The local people are much more involved in tourism. When traveling with a guide into the countryside, you can actually glimpse tribal living. You can meet the natives. You have opportunities to see how they hunt and how they live. It’s an amazing experience.

And then as for the safaris—if you’re seeking a big animal safari-dominated itinerary, this is your destination. You will see the big animals in ways you’ve only dreamed of. An enormous proportion of the country is national parks and wildlife reserves. It is wilder, more expansive, and untrammeled than other parts of Africa. It is the stuff of your childhood imaginings.

But here is where a trip focusing on East Africa can be problematic. For some, the thoughts of a safari trip is a big bucket list item. The lure and imagination draws you to it. But when you’re there, after you’ve seen a few elephants, you may be like, “okay, what’s next?” And while the safaris are grand and the cultural element is amazing, there may not be much else for you to see.

And this is why you should consider South Africa.

I’ll be honest. South Africa is completely not what I expected.

For the most part, it’s very first world. Incredibly diverse. Completely entertaining. If you want a lot of variety in your vacation (or if you’re a family seeking a little bit for everyone), South Africa is a great choice.

Start in Franschhoek in the beautiful countryside for some top notch rest and relaxation. Zip line through the forest. Scooter through the vineyards and sample some amazing wine and fine cuisine (yes, it’s actually as if you were visiting Napa). From there, travel to the dazzling Cape Town. It’s an incredible city right on the water with amazing mountain views and tons of hip bistros, elegant hotels, and eclectic shopping. Visit Table Mountain—one of the new seven natural wonders of the world (it has its own eco system!).

But you also don’t have to forego the safari experience. While Kruger National Park may be a little more tamed than the East African landscape, you can still get a classic safari experience and even see the big five in the bush. 

You can even stay at the Tswalu Kalahari—one of the best hotels in the world, with basically a Michelin Star Restaurant onsite, in the middle of no where.

South Africa’s unofficial motto is “A World in One Country” and it certainly is that. You can experience safari, city, beach, desert, bush, etc., all within one relatively small area. 

But, if you’re wanting to experience big time safari and the native culture, South Africa may not be your cup of tea.

Now here’s where I and my team come in.

Planning vacations are stressful. Super stressful. There are some people, though, who find the planning very stimulating, sort of the thrill of the chase. But on both of those scenarios, whether you enjoyed the planning or hated it, the end result is lackluster.

So don’t do it. Experience your ultimate vacation.

Here’s the thing—like I said earlier, I have years of experience planning vacations. I have associates and friends all over the globe and in every nook and cranny. But beyond that—I’ve actually traveled to these places. And, I’ve done it as a single, as a married couple, and as a family.

How can you be expected to plan the perfect vacation when you’ve never been there (or even select the location best for you, like our East/South Africa examples)? Or you’re trusting the opinion of your sister-in-law’s friend who may or may not have been there? Or even the advice of travel “influencers” or amateur travel planners who haven’t experienced your destination, and are only after the swag or kick backs?

Picture this: 

• Having a wonderfully smooth airline experience
• Getting a VIP meet and greet at the airport
• Staying at a world-class hotel that is ideal for your needs and wants
• Having an amazing itinerary (perfectly planned out for you) where all you have to do is show up 
• Utilizing guides with cars at your disposal (even if your family is doing different itinerary excursions
• Ending your trip of a lifetime with the nicest hotel in the best location
• And more

Details and nuances matter. Experience matters. Working with a luxury travel advisor can take your trip from just okay to something that your family will remember forever.

Trust me. My team can make all that and more happen for you. Give us a call today to set up your dream vacation.

P.S. Did you know that I ate a meal with Nelson Mandela’s prison guard when in South Africa? I did. And that’s the kind of access we can get you, too.

Imagine, if you will…

Waking up from a blissful, supremely restful sleep on an absolutely sumptuous queen-sized bed with premium custom mattress. You follow the delectable mouth-watering scent wafting in the air to the sun deck where find the most decadent breakfast warmly waiting on you. Coffee? Tea? Mimosa? All of the above? Anything you want is at your service.

After you make a happy plate and swear you’ll never eat again, you see Nico appear, letting you know the tender is ready for your requested beach excursion. After your short ride to the beach, the crew sets up your chairs, umbrella, and fully stocked cooler bag, as well as your reef-safe sunscreen and towels.

After spending a few hours in complete relaxation, you head back onboard for a light lunch. And yep, you guessed it. Here’s where the taxing part of your trip occurs (because there’s always something…). The crew has the nerve to tell you that you have to make a decision. Do you spend the afternoon exploring town like a local, trying out some of the awesome water toys, or doing your best to hold down one of the bean bag chairs or hammock on the bow (with the stewardess intuitively bringing you carefully crafted custom cocktails to satiate your thirst)?

Dinner is a sumptuous, out-of-this-world affair that has you marveling at how you ever lived without having your own personal chef, only to be followed by an impromptu karaoke/dance party on the beautiful teak flooring underneath the most amazing star-filled sky.

And then when you have sapped up every bit of the day and evening you can, you head back to your fine Italian linens and drift off to the most enchanting slumber possible so you can wake up and do it all over again the next day (or something completely different—it’s 100% your choice!!).

This is what life is like onboard Sur L’eau.

Wake up each morning to amazing views in a new location. Eat what you want when you want (all prepared by Sur L’eau’s own personal chef), go where you want to go when you want to go (and have everything you need packed and assembled by Sur L’eau’s very own crew). Have everything done for you, without having to organize anything yourself. You have the ultimate luxury of doing nothing, or doing everything, if you want. Oh, and you do it all without any other guest other than the family or closest friends you brought with you.

Wake up, eat, drink, swim (or surf or fish or explore), repeat. It’s really that simple. And even more amazing than it sounds.

The most bespoke sailing yacht on the water

Sur L’eau is a 75 ft. Privilege sailing catamaran with four opulent queen en suite cabins, accommodating eight guests. The epitome of personalized luxury, Sur L’eau is essentially a floating, fully-stocked villa on the water, except it’s so much more than a private villa (or resort, or hotel). “There’s no way!” You scoff. And yet, it is. Your seven-day charter comes with your very own staff including personal chef, bartender, twice-daily maid service, and more. Whenever you want it—not for when you schedule it or it might be available. Not as add ons or for extra money. The crew, the food, the cocktails, the water toys, the completely sensational service, the overall splendor and opulence—it’s all included.

Vacation Like the Royalty You Are
You know what sounds amazing? Being able to vacation in complete luxury—but, without any other guests around. No having to make reservations to get the best dining spot. No having to get to the resort pool first so you can get the best spot for relaxing.

On Sur L’eau, it’s just you, your seven other family members or close friends, and the crew. That’s it. Doesn’t that sound like paradise? And honestly, don’t you deserve it?

But wait. Spouse getting on your nerves one day? That’s okay. Sur L’eau has enough space for everyone to have their own private place.

It even goes beyond the privacy, though. It’s also the exclusivity. As I mentioned above, you don’t have to make reservations or hustle to the best spot. You have everything to yourself. Wherever you are is the best spot. Also, a sailing yacht is mobile and the crew is very, very knowledgeable and experienced. What does that mean? That since some destinations can only be reached by boat, you have access to some of the most untouched locations on earth. Talk about exclusive.

All of that combined with your very own customized, personalized luxury, since absolutely everything is at your service? You are the king and queen of your very own five-star floating resort. As you should be.

No Reservations? No Problem! (You don’t need them).
Get away from the hustle and bustle. Relax. Really relax. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of amazing calming shades of blue all round you. Stars that look close enough to touch. Tropical islands, flora and fauna, local customs and culture. And because you’re on a floating resort—the scenery can change daily, at your whim.

Visit secluded beaches only accessible by boat and those in the know. Dance the night away at a funky local club. Peruse designer boutiques and local artisan shops. Drink your weight in local spirits. It’s all available on the same vacation! Plus — you don’t have to mess with your luggage, negotiate taxis, or deal with other tourists or crowded hotel lobbies.

Freedom. Flexibility. Heaven.
Not only do you get to bask in the splendor of Sur L’eau’s amazing accommodations, you also get toys. Lots of toys! Kayaks, paddle boards, standup peddle boards, knee boards, water skis, wake board, fishing and casting rods, trampolines, and more! Whew! That’s a lot. If you love the water, there’s a toy on Sur L’eau for you. And, you don’t have to reserve it. It’s all yours!

Want to try your hand at surfing or scuba diving? It can be arranged for you. Not interested in the water toys (or want other, more exotic adventures)? We can arrange trips into town for you to explore the local flora, flauna, nightlife, etc. Or set you up on your own private beach. There is so much to do and see on a luxury yacht charter. If we don’t have it, the crew will try to find it for you.

Beyond that is the yacht itself. There are spots throughout for enjoying the wind, the wake, the sea air, snacks, cocktails, reading, napping, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

We know some of you may think a yacht vacation is all about the water sports. It can be, but it definitely doesn’t have to be. It all depends on what you want for your personalized luxury experience (more on that below).

Your own personal chef and Sensational service
No reservations, no problem (no need)
A vacation onboard your very own luxury charter yacht is an exceptional experience that being in a stationary hotel, however luxurious, cannot compete with. As we have alluded to, your yacht charter comes with its very own dedicated crew. And Sur L’eau’s crew? It’s the best on the water.

Relax and prepare to be pampered, because the crew are dedicated professionals who are amazing at what they do. They are available day and night, to ensure you receive five-star service at all times. Warm towels right when you need them. A cool and tasty beverage when you didn’t even know you needed it. With the subtle knack of disappearing at just the right moments.

They are attentive to your whims, and incredibly detail oriented on carrying out your requests. If you have a hankering for a certain dish, Chef Amy will whip it up for you. Have the sudden impulse to boogie down at a beach bar? The crew will know exactly where to go.

But let’s go back to Chef Amy. A world-class chef making the most incredibly delicious food you’ve ever tasted (not an exaggeration) for each meal of your stay. Can you imagine? From cocktails to canapes, from gourmet cuisines to local specialties, you will be dining on the very best ingredients, presented to perfection, at every single meal while onboard.

And what makes all this even better? Here’s where I come in!
As you have hopefully seen, chartering a sailing yacht like Sur L’eau (especially Sur L’eau) is an incredible way for friends and family to share precious time together while making forever memories. However, there are things I can do as a luxury travel advisor to make the experience even more seamless.

I can work with you on your charter preferences beforehand, so everything can be absolutely perfect when you step onboard. If you or your family has any dietary restrictions, I can work with the chef so she can select ingredients that meet your needs and blow away your wants. Interested in a surf school or other specialized excursion, I can plan it for you. Not a huge water sport fan? I can provide you with itinerary suggestions that will give you the vacation of your dreams. I can also help in determining the best location, embarkation and disembarkation points to make your trip completely seamless.

You can still decide things on a whim onboard, of course, but I can do the heavy lifting prior to your trip to make it one you’ll never forget.

If you want the trip of a lifetime, sail Sur L’eau. Contact The Shameless Tourist today for available dates.

Reviews are great. They help us make decisions on things as small as which toothpaste will leave us the most minty fresh or as large as where to go and stay for one of the biggest events in our lives. We put our trust in people we don’t even know because hey, they’ve tried it [toothpaste, restaurant, resort, etc.], right, so they know best? Right? We benefit from their supposedly-seasoned knowledge and should put our faith in their review.

Or should we?

A new study conducted by the University of Baltimore’s economist Professor Roberto Cavazos claims that counterfeit content will influence an astonishing $21 billion in travel bookings worldwide this year. Cavazos defined fake online reviews as any review that isn’t a consumer’s honest and impartial opinion and does not reflect a genuine experience of a product, service, or business. Fashion, beauty, entertainment, housewares and electronics top the list for most-faked reviews. Travel ranks sixth. 

$21 billion in travel bookings based on fake, or significantly biased, reviews! 

As a luxury travel advisor who takes immense pride in what I and my team do, this number is appalling! As is where the counterfeit content appears. This particular study referenced above focused on the most influential sites (that claim to contain honest and unbiased reviews), like Yelp, Trust Pilot, TripAdvisor, etc. Roughly 4% of reviews are fake, according to the study, with Yelp having an incredible 8% (so out of every hundred reviews you read on Yelp, eight are not real).

But it’s not just the “user-generated” sites. It’s also bloggers and influencers. Individuals thought of as legitimate, trustworthy sources who are making millions every year from biased content and bogus write ups. $100 or so out the window for a lackluster high-review-based meal is one thing. $10,000 spent for a resort vacation based on bogus reviews is very serious money.

The fake reviews are even prevalent, though, within our own industry. Travel agents new to the biz (or even established ones) trying to get more clients may hype a restaurant, resort, or destination they haven’t experienced. Or they’ll get their friends and families to post reviews about a vacation or their services, without having experienced either.

Or there may be a hotel that looks amazing online, but when you arrive, you discover those spectacular photos were what it looked like a few years ago, and it is now in far from tip-top condition.

And finally, there are reviews that are real and not meant to be misleading, but are. For example, someone who just went on their honeymoon may tout “the best resort ever,” and it might have been for a honeymoon, but not as great for a family trip with teenagers and toddlers.

So what does all this mean for you?

When planning a luxury trip, you need to work with an experienced team—one who has either been to the resorts and restaurants they’re recommending (or who have trusted affiliates they absolutely depend on) and can truly vouch for your experience, one who can not only help with meal reservations but also create a complete itinerary truly suited to your needs and wants, and one who can help make sure you are spending your money wisely.

In just this summer alone, The Shameless Tourist’s team of four has visited more than 45 different properties covering nine states, eight countries, and three continents, including places like Walt Disney World, St. Martin, Boston, Africa, Slovenia, Croatia, Paris and more. 

This summer alone. 

Our recommendations may not be the most popular choice according to the reviews. It may not even be something on your radar (either resort or destination wise). But you can trust us that it will be the best recommendation for your particular set of circumstances based on places we have actually experienced (and those are vast, as you can see from our example above).

As examples: 

Thumbs down on a big thumbs-up-reviewed resort in Costa Rica

A particular resort in Costa Rica has great reviews everywhere online. However, their customer service is terrible. Trying to plan activities with their concierge was frustrating and time consuming. We primarily booked the resort for surfing. When we arrived, they had forgotten to set up our surfing lessons. We also booked an expensive fishing charter; however, they ended up setting it up as a snorkeling trip. In addition to all the wasted time, we were also significantly overcharged, for which we never received a response after several attempts.

Zack and Kelly could have honeymooned at this New England Inn

We visited a Luxury affiliated country inn in New England that had beautiful photos on its website. When we arrived, we were greeted with a roof that needed to be redone, peeling paint, and an overall 80s feel (in that it hadn’t been refreshed or revamped since Saved by the Bell’s hey days). However, we found a hotel right next door that was much nicer but that wasn’t really on the radar. It didn’t have a pool like the original one, but it was an eminently better property.

Exceptional family value in Destin

Next is a family resort in Destin that again has great reviews online. I agree with those, and I would even recommend it further. It is an exceptionally good value for what it is, as you get Virtuoso amenities (hooray for room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and more!) including a lazy river, splash pad, zero entry pool, and more, for usually less than $500 per night. Additionally, it is steps away from one of the prettiest beaches in Florida. And while I’m not completely obsessed with Destin as a Florida destination (there are much prettier towns, in my opinion), it is a very nice family resort (with beach service!) at a great value.

Bloggers don’t necessarily know St. Barth

This next example is a really good one in terms of relevance to this article. This St. Barth’s resort has tons of bloggers and influencers repping and promoting it, but the reviews and info about it aren’t entirely truthful. While it does have cute rooms, it has issues that should be considered before booking. The onsite restaurant was awful and the service was terrible. The beach restaurant was also not good. Additionally, the hotel itself is not beachfront. In our opinion, there are other, better choices in St. Barths.

And we can say that because we have been there and experienced all aspects of that property, as well as countless others, all over the world.

At The Shameless Tourist, we believe your hard-earned money is important. We believe that if you are spending thousands on a vacation, then it should be well worth it. As for our credentials, The Shameless Tourist is an Independent Affiliate of Avenue Two Travel, one of the most well respected travel agencies in the luxury travel sphere, and we are a top producer and preferred partner with most of the world’s best hotels and resorts, tour operators, and cruise lines. We have personal contacts around the travel world, many of whom we call friends. In addition to our contacts, we also collectively spend hundreds of days each year attending webinars, reading news, listening to podcasts, and personally touring or experiencing dozens and dozens of the properties we most often recommend. Our clients are VIPs at our preferred partner hotels and receive all of the “in the know” knowledge of practically any destination they choose.

You can rest assured, there are no bogus recommendations from our team, as our own reviews will attest (see what we did there 😉 ).