Getting a Free European Vacation Experience When You Order Your New Volvo

I have asked Around The Towner Denise J. to share with us information on how to vacation on Volvo's dime when you order your new car.  I marveled when she told me about this amazing opportunity years ago, and their family is preparing to take advantage of the program again.  Thank you Denise for sharing your experience with us and doing this writeup! 

You’ve gone on vacation and brought back souvenirs, right?  Did you know you can fly to Europe for free and bring back a Volvo?   Volvo has an Overseas Delivery Program that includes two round-trip airline tickets to/from Scandinavia or London, on British Airways or SAS, transport from the Gothenburg, Sweden airport to your hotel, 1 night hotel stay in Gothenburg, breakfast on the first morning, transport from the hotel to the Volvo Factory, a tour of the Volvo Factory, lunch at the Volvo factory, 15 days of European car insurance, Swedish car registration, and home shipment of your Volvo to your home dealer.  

If you’re interested on traveling to Europe on Volvo’s dime, the first step is ordering a car from your local Volvo dealer.  The car will be made specifically for you with the colors and options you choose.  Ordering occurs 5-6 months prior to your trip by giving a $2000 deposit and choosing your M-F pick up and drop off dates.  Pick up and drop off in Gothenburg is free.  There is a minimum $950 charge for picking up at one of their other 12 locations; dropping off at one of their other 18 shipment locations will cost you a minimum of 50 euros.
   
A week or so after ordering, a package will arrive from Volvo Travel.  This department will book your free flights, any additional flights if needed, and help with any other optional travel packages you may be interested in.  If flying during the more expensive summer months, Volvo will collect a $300 surcharge per ticket.  You get to choose the flight times and US airport that is best for you even if it may be the more expensive option.

Thirty days prior to your Volvo’s pick up date, the car’s final payment is due in full.  This can be paid via financing (Volvo or your own means), cash, check, credit card, etc.  Once your vacation is over, it’ll take 8-12 weeks (usually fewer) for your car to arrive at your local dealer via ship.  
My husband and I picked up our first Volvo, a S40, in April 2007.  We were gone for one week and drove the car from Gothenburg to Copenhagen to Hamburg to Amsterdam and dropped off the car in Amsterdam.  This November, we will take our two teenagers with us to pick up a S60.  Our itinerary includes driving the car from Gothenburg to Copenhagen to Hamburg to Amsterdam to Brussels to Paris, drop off the car in Paris, take a train to London and depart.  We will be traveling for ten days during the kids’ Thanksgiving vacation week.   http://www.volvocars.com/us/buy/sales/overseas-delivery  

New Estate Sale Business to Follow- Lori's Treasures of Time

I have a friend, Lori Risch, and she has just started her own Estate Sale business called Lori's Treasures of Time after working in the industry for many years. Please check out her website when you have a moment and consider her if you should have any need for such services in the future. Also, please "like" her Facebook page.  Lori is very talented as well as someone with a big and warm heart and she is going to do great things in her new efforts. I will be sure to keep you treasure hunters informed of upcoming sales in North County.  Please check Lori's Treasures of Time Facebook page for address.  http://www.loristreasuresoftime.com/

 

Visit Twice Upscale Resale in Vista

Twice Upscale Resale is located in historic downtown Vista. Owner Natalie is choosy with what items she places in her store, so you will only find things with a trendy, upscale, boutique feel to them. All items are in top condition, and prices are great. Super new jewelry and accessory collection.  As you can tell from the photos, the store has a very cool and welcoming vibe. Stop by when you are in town.  You can find the store at 248 Main Street, across from The Avo and Curbside Cafe.  https://www.facebook.com/twiceonmainst.

Discounted Wine Tasting Packages at North County Wine Company in San Marcos

North County Wine Company is a neat little place in San Marcos and they are offering wine tasting packages through Groupon.  I say snatch this one up and go enjoy their nice little patio area in the back with your sweetheart or friends.  Click me

Carlsbad High Big Winners in Vans Custom Culture Shoe Design Contest

Thank you to everyone responded to my plea for help on Around The Town's Facebook page and who shared and voted because Carlsbad High made it to the Vans Custom Culture finals!!! They also won the skate deck competition and get $10,000 just for that!!! Now that they won CA, 23 students and 6 adults get to go to NYC and celebrate and have a chance at winning a total of up to $75,000 for ART!!! At the very least as of now they walk away with a trip and $14,000! This could not have been done without everyone that pitched in and took a moment to vote. You are awesome.smile emoticon If you haven't had a chance to look at their awesome artwork that got them there, please see the link.
http://sites.vans.com/customculture/

4 Fabulous Friends Lunch and Garden Tour Package at The Veranda and Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens

Don't miss out!!!  This package from Grand Tradition Estate & Gardens at their on-site restaurant, The Veranda is fabulous and worth taking advantage of. It was supposed to run just for a month and was so popular they have made it into a permanent feature!  Four Fabulous Friends Day is a great excuse to grab your friends and enjoy a lovely day on the property!  For $15 each you and your 3 friends will enjoy 4 Sparkling Mimosas, 4 Lunches on The Veranda and 4 Admissions to The Gardens.  This offer is available for groups of 4-10 people, but not for less than 4 as it was in the past. Don't miss out and don't forget to make your reservation as seating on the veranda is limited. Tell them Around The Town sent you!

Interactive Personal Styling and Wardrobe Group Sessions with Local Stylist Available

 Local stylist Jennifer Rosson from Style Your Life is available to teach highly interactive group styling sessions for you and your friends, group, etc.   Attendees walk away feeling more knowledgeable, motivated, and excited about style!  *Note from Barb- I have taken a class from Jennifer and had a 1-on-1 consultation and it was super educating and inspiring for me. It really helped and encouraged me in many areas related to personal style and closet organization. I also recently hired her to come to my house and put on a style seminar for a group of ladies- it was a lot of fin and so informative.  If you have questions, please email Jennifer at jennifer@styleyourlifeblog.com.

"When Jennifer Rosson speaks to our Mom’s club it is one of the most favorite and widely attended meetings of the year.  Jennifer offers reasonable and affordable styling tips that both stay-at-home moms and working moms alike can benefit from.  In the years that I’ve been in the club, Jennifer’s name will always come up when we notice someone wearing something that she suggested.  Her advice really works and we not only look better, but we feel better too.  I personally feel more confident in my style at work and I am already starting to see a great transformation in my closet.  Jennifer is a natural and very talented stylist.  We look forward to having her come again!"