The Backup Plan September 2013

Top 5 Things To Do On Long Island In The Summer Time

New York Long Island is a place unlike any other.  With a major metropolis to the west, verdant wine country to the east and beautiful beaches everywhere in between it might be tough for an out-of-towner to know just where to begin.  It is in the interest of tourism that we have decided to highlight five of the best things to do on Long Island during the summer months.  Although we have seen the end of this season keep these things in mind for next year.

1)   Visit Long Island North Fork Vineyards.  With over 40 booming wineries and vineyards our east Long Island wine country is an unbelievable experience.   Wineries like Long Island's Pindar or vineyards like Baiting Hollow Farms the North Fork wineries offer something for everyone.  Raphael, Laurel Lake, Bedell, Pellegrini and Pugliese are only a few of the more prominent venues out there.  The North Fork isn’t all about guzzling fine wines however, there are a variety of different shops and establishments that dot the country side; places like Vines and Branches and Briermere farms offer home made culinary delights that some claim to be the best in the country.

2)   The beaches.  So if you have never been to Long Island then you need to visit our incredible beaches, some of which wont remind you of tropical paradise but most of them are far nicer then any other on the east coast.  Jones beach, The Hamptons and Montauk Point have arguably the greatest waves for you would be surfers and offer different venues sand side.  But really any town you go to you wont be further then a half hour from sand and surf.

3)   Sight Seeing.  There is a lot going on in Long Island Suburbia, from concerts at the beach to various celebration in individual town ships to the plethora of shopping malls there is always something to do.  Head down to one of the many world renowned golf courses or witness a famous long island wedding.  Even if there isn’t the geography of the island is beautiful and varied, lush woodlands open upon vast pristine lakes and cliff side beaches offer a breathtaking view of the oceans or the sound.  Check out

4)   NYC.  So okay heading into New York City isn’t exactly a seasonal thing but if you’re here visiting its almost a requirement that you head into Manhattan for at lest one night.  Be warned however NYC is not for the faint of heart or the slow of pace, it is a bustling, vibrant metropolis that has obtained the moniker “The City That Never Sleeps” for good reasons.

5)   Outdoor dining in the summer time.  So one of my personal favorite things to do when the weathers nice is sit in the sun and have a glass of wine or a fine meal.  Not fast food or pizza but culinary excellence prepared by Zagat rated chefs in restaurants that rival the worlds best.  The blue sky, shining sun and gentle breezes are indescribably conducive to fine dining.  Long Island has an impressive list of excellent eateries that even a native long islander will never have the time to fully explore.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

The Corporate Travel Department (3 Important Skills for any Travel Manager)

If you hold the title of travel manager you may have a tougher job then most may give you credit for.  The title of travel manager is somewhat new but in todays fast paced society it is absolutely necessary for any company that has any type of travel needs to either have an individual, and if needs are great enough, an entire department dedicated to handling all a companies logistical needs.  Years ago a companies procurement department, the department responsible for obtaining any services or goods that the company may require, was responsible for handling the travel needs for the company but often times that is a recipe for disaster. 

A procurement department is concerned primarily with one thing, the budget.  Whatever is the cheapest way to go is the direction that the procurement department heads in.  This is where you will find online bidding for services and all types of haggling and negotiations.  Now that may be fine when it comes to buying 10,000 pens or reams of white paper, but not when executive car service and or air and ground logistics are concerned.  Executive car services that can offer a low price point are not properly reinvesting their revenue back into the business.  Car service and limousine service is not cheap.  If you are looking for inexpensive ground transportation use a black car company or a cab service.  That is not intended to sound haughty or arrogant it is the truth, this is an industry where you get what you pay for.

The corporate travel department needs to have a solid understanding of their budget and the current and upcoming cost of travel in order to properly do their jobs.  Gas prices and airline costs change monthly and from region to region it is important to be aware of these variations.  The travel manager needs to be organized, they need to have a complete schedule for all upcoming transfers and they need to be on top of any last minute changes or fluctuations in that schedule.  Most importantly (and this is the case with many positions) they need to be able to communicate properly and effectively.  Communication is necessary for success in any travel department because things move quickly and there are a myriad of variables that can affect even the most meticulously planned travel schedule.  The travel department needs to be on top of all these changes and variations and then they need to be able to communicate properly to the correct person or persons these changes and the significance of them.

The corporate travel manager is not an easy job.  There is much to take into consideration and many variables to account for and often when things beyond your control throw a wrench into the works you will be the one doing damage control.  A proper understanding of the travel industry, a good head for budgeting and a knack for communication will contribute to the recipe for success for any travel department in any industry.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears the sound of a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away"
— Henry David Thoreau

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard located at 2114 Sound Ave in Calverton is far more then just your typical vineyard.  The father and son team of Sam and Richard Rubin have worked and tilled the land for decades, Baiting Hollow farm and Vineyard was established in the early 1980’s and from the very beginning it was a place apart.  Father Sam had known from an early age that he was to work with the land; he was an avid naturalist and pursued education in the agricultural arts.  Baiting Hollow was founded on imported French vines cultivated in organic and pesticide free soils and fertilizers.  These wholesome and green methods are still practiced today and the Rubin’s believe that this not only inspires the land but enhances the flavor of their product.

This fall don’t miss out on this incredible venue.  A horse rescue, a tasting house a produce farm and, of course, an amazing vineyard Baiting Hollow is a must see on your next trip out to Long Island’s North Fork.   This Autumn Season promises us several events including this Saturday 21^st Singer and Songwriter Tommy Keys and Guitarist Ricky Roche will be performing on Saturday and Sunday the 22nd is the Country and Classic Rock Band Southbound.  This combination will be performing regularly throughout the September and October months.

Baiting Hollow is a beautiful and diverse farm and vineyard providing organically grown and cultivated produce and vintages.  Family owned and operated and offering more then just tastings Baiting Hollow is not to be missed this fall

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

Be part of the first Annual Car Free Day Long Island!

Car Free day is an international event celebrated in September where in which people are encouraged to commute or travel without the use single occupancy cars.  It encourages us to use sustainable and green transportation methods like bicycles, trains, buses and other forms of mass or fossil fuel free transit (car-pooling counts too).  Car Free Day gives us the opportunity to contemplate the negative impact of single occupancy vehicles.

This Friday September 20^th marks the first annual Car Free Day on Long Island.  The idea behind the movement is to help alleviate the damage done to the environment by fossil fuels, reduce harmful emissions, reduce traffic, mitigate parking problems, conserve energy and save money!  These are all things relevant to everyone.  Car Free Day is recognized internationally in over 1500 cities and in 40 countries.  It is celebrated in different ways of course but the idea and goal is universal.

To participate its simple we just ask that you take the pledge to be car free or car-lite (taking advantage of a car pool, for more information on this contact All Star Limousine at 1-800-LIMO-NOW) on September 20^th 2013 just complete the pledge form.  As this is the first Car Free Day Long Island we want it to be a great success, the logic behind the event is sound, the goal important.  Help us save energy, time, money and the environment by taking the pledge to be car free on Long Island this September 20^th!

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick