For many, a spa is heaven on earth. Visitors relish every moment of being pampered, massaged and exfoliated by trained professionals who can make even the weariest of muscles feel renewed.

For others, a spa visit is ripe with anxiety, especially for those who have never stepped one un-manicured foot inside. These first-timers worry about not knowing proper spa protocol, like when they should completely undress or when it’s okay to remove the cucumbers from their eyes while submerged in a mud bath.

For those who may feel overwhelmed, here are some tips to know so that you can truly enjoy your first indulgent spa treatment.

Make Your Appointment Early – The earlier you book, the easier it will be for you to choose the best time for your treatment or request a male or female therapist, especially at a resort or cruise spa, which tend to get booked up quickly.

Arrive at Least 30 Minutes Early – You never want to rush to get to your spa treatment. Arrive at least a half-hour early to give yourself time to fill out any medical questionnaires (when necessary), change into one of those luxurious robes, or simply relax in the steam room.

Do Not Over-Hydrate – The last thing you want is your peaceful massage to be interrupted by a full bladder. Simply drink a little less before you arrive at the spa, and use the restroom right before your treatment.

Don’t Go Nude If You Don’t Want To – While most spa visitors do go au naturale beneath their robes, it’s not mandatory. Leave your underwear on if you prefer, or ask the spa for disposable underwear before entering the locker room. However, you should know that even if you do go nude, you will rarely be completely exposed during a treatment. Spa specialists generally expose only the specific part of the body they need to access.

It’s Okay to Fall Asleep – The main point of a spa treatment is to completely and totally relax. If you fall asleep during a massage, then mission accomplished.

Sometimes Tipping is Included – Ask when you make your appointment if tipping and other gratuities are included in the price. If not, then plan to tip 15-20 percent, which can be added to the total or placed individually in small envelopes you can get from the cashier.

Savvy travelers now think twice before booking their vacation online. Sure there are some advantages to online travel sites, but the disadvantages are becoming more prevalent: the lack of customer service, the rise in fraudulent travel offers and the sneaky details hidden in the small print. These disadvantages can make a vacation unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.

So when should you forego the online experiment and turn to a trusted pro? Here are five instances where you never want to take the risk of booking online.

When You Want a Cruise
We have special alliances with cruise lines, which means we have access to special deals that Internet sites do not. And often we can package these deals with other amenities, such as onboard credit or free dinners at specialty restaurants, making your cruise even more enjoyable. And frankly, booking a cruise can be complex for those who are new to the experience, with different cabin categories and shore excursion options to navigate. We can steer you through the complexities easily, so that you book exactly what you want: the best cruise vacation possible.

When You’re in a Hurry
Planning all the details of a vacation takes time, which is a luxury you may not always have. Since booking travel is our profession—it’s what we do day in and day out—we know how to quickly set up a complete itinerary that fulfills all your vacation needs without missing a thing.

When You’re Not Completely Comfortable Online
Those who are not very experienced with surfing the Web should stay away from travel Web sites that may not have your best interests at heart. We get to know you first before guiding you to the travel offer that best fits your budget and expectations.

When You’re Travelling Overseas
Agents are well-travelled individuals who have most likely been to the foreign country you have your eye on. Why search high and low on the Web for bits and pieces of information when you can speak directly with someone who knows all the details—from how to get the most favorable currency exchange rate to the best time of the day to avoid crowds when visiting popular attractions.

Sometimes the best way to explore a destination is to hop in a car and go for a drive, especially since GPS-based navigation systems are now making it easier to explore an unfamiliar area without getting lost.

As your travel agent, we can plan every aspect of your vacation—from hotel rooms to a sporty rental car—but the driving is up to you. Here are five scenic drives that are worthy of planning your next vacation around.

The Amalfi Coast, Italy
The hard part about the 30 mile drive from Sorrento to Amalfi village is keeping your eyes on the road. With sheer rock cliffs and breathtaking panoramas, the road twists and turns with only a short stone wall to separate you from a quick dip into the ocean. It’s best to drive east towards Amalfi, where we can find a charming inn for you to stay for a spell. But if you want to drive on, then Ravello is further down the road and equally deserving of a few nights of exploration.

Banff and Jasper National Parks, Canada
This unforgettable drive through the Canadian Rockies has it all: exhilarating vistas, towering forests and the occasional glacier. Begin the route in Calgary and head northwest through the heart of Banff to Lake Louise. Afterwards, the road follows the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, where you’ll often find yourself stopping to spot bears and elk, or simply to go on an exhilarating hike.

The Belt Road, Hawaii’s Big Island
Many countries do not have as much topographical diversity as the Big Island, which is in full display when you drive around the Mamalahoa Highway, better known as the Belt Road. On this historic stretch of road you’ll encounter jungles, active lava flows, inviting beaches, soaring mountains and plunging valleys.

Great Ocean Road – Australia
Australia’s answer to California’s famed Route 1, the Great Ocean Road is a 170-mile stretch of driving heaven complete with stunning coastal views and numerous attractions. It can be driven in a day, by why would you want to? A much better plan is to take your time to explore such sights as the 12 Apostles, a stunning collection of limestone columns battling with the sea, and the famous golf course of Anglesea, which just happens to be home to hundreds of kangaroos.

Iceland’s Ring Road
Coming it at 830 miles, the Ring Road, officially known as Route 1, is Iceland’s main highway, connecting the capital city of Reykjavík with most of the island towns. It blissfully meanders through fjords, mountains and plateaus (and even sometimes active volcanoes) while taking you directly to many of the country’s most popular attractions, such as the Blue Lagoon.