Change of Plans …

•April 30, 2009 • Leave a Comment

pc

OK, it’s official – the CDC has advised that any unneccessary travel to Mexcio should be avoided right now. With the recent outbreak of swine flu, travelers are altering their plans and looking for other options. And, while most tour operators have been more than generous about rescheduling clients vacations without penalty, this is the perfect reason to always opt in the travel protection insurance offered at the time you book your trip. Most companies offer a cancel for any reason option up until the time of departure which will give you the peace of mind that you’re in charge of deciding whether or not to take your trip when an issue like swine flu comes up. In the meantime, if you are looking for a comparable alternative to your Mexico vacation – be sure to check out the Domincan Republic. They have wonderful beaches, beautiful water, lots of sun, great temperatures, and fantastic resorts.

Happy Travels!

Can you really afford NOT to take a vacation?

•April 6, 2009 • Leave a Comment

I just received some amazing offers for warm and sunny vacations flying out of Cincinnati! 7 night all-inclusive options in Punta Cana staring at $599 per person … and 3, 4, and 7 night packages to the all-inclusive Grand Sirenis in Riviera Maya, Mexico staring at $499 per person. These are incredible rates for May and June and the resorts are looking for incentives to keep us traveling – so let’s GO people! I wish these rates would have been available the first of March when my husband and I took a little Mexico vacation. E-mail me for more details and to get one of these great rates booked. You really can’t afford to miss out!
Happy Travels!

Zoetry “The Art of Life”

•March 8, 2009 • Leave a Comment
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

Just back from a visit to the spectacular Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita resort and Thalasso Spa in Puerto Morelos, Mexico and I have so much to share about this luxurious resort. If you want to know why so many celebs have chosen this resort as the place to relax and refresh, visit my reviews page for all of the details. Zoetry translates to “the art of life” and the resort and spa welcome, pamper, and nourish every part of your well being. The goal at Zoetry is to focus on refreshing your mind, body, and spirit through beautiful surroundings, a peaceful atmosphere, fresh healthy meal offerings, and spa services. Click the link to read my full review: http://inspiredescapes.wordpress.com/reviews/zoetry-paraiso-de-la-bonita-riviera-maya-mexico/

Destination Weddings – requirements

•February 15, 2009 • 1 Comment

Thinking about exchanging vows beneath a crystal blue sky with turquoise water lapping on a sunkissed beach while palms sway gently in the breeze? Then a caribbean destination wedding might be just the ticket for you. Keep in mind that each island has different requirements and fees and be sure to visit the official caribbean tourism site for specific requirements:
http://www.caribbeantravel.com/weddings/default2.aspx

Here’s a sampling of the requirements for a few different islands:

anguilla

ANGUILLA
Cost: US $284; US$40 if either party is resident for 15 days prior to date of marriage.
Waiting Period: 2 days.
Requirements: Passport or birth certificate and photo driver’s license; proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable; proof of residency in respective country; two witnesses present at the ceremony.

belize

BELIZE
Cost: US $100 for license, US $5 for Administrative fees.
Waiting Period: 3 days before applying for marriage license.
Requirements: Proof of Citizenship in the form of an official government ID card or Passport; photocopies of your passport showing your picture and date of entry into Belize; proof of Marital status, if widowed or divorced; marriage license fee. Two witnesses needed at the ceremony.

curacao

CURACAO
Cost: US $167.
Waiting Period: 3 days residency.
Requirements: Written registration 2 months prior to wedding date; applicants must be non-Antillean residents; passport and birth certificate for both parties; return tickets; proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable, and proof both parties are eligible for marriage.

jamaica

JAMAICA
Cost: US $75-$80.
Waiting Period: 24 hours if application for marriage license is made prior to arrival on island – contact Ministry of National Security at 1-876-906-4908.
Requirements: Proof of citizenship – certified copy of birth certificate, which includes father’s name; parent’s written consent if under 18 years of age; proof of divorce if applicable (original certificate of divorce; certified copy of death certificate for widow or widower.

stlucia

ST. LUCIA
Cost: Approximately US $198.
Waiting Period: 2 days residency; 2 days for license.
Requirements: Birth certificates or passports; if names have been changed, copy of Deed Poll; in the case of a widow/widower death certificate of former spouse; Decree Absolute if either party has been divorced; if either party under 18 years of age, evidence of consent from parents in form of notarized affidavit; authenticated translation of all documents not in English.

usvi

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Cost: US $50, US $200 fee to be married in the court by a judge. Payment to be made by money order or cashier’s check.
Waiting Period: 8 days from receipt of notarized application – couple need not be on-island.
Requirements: Send a letter requesting a marriage license to the Territorial court of the U.S. Virgin Islands in St. Thomas or St. Croix (upon return receipt of the notarized application, an 8-day waiting period begins.) Letter accompanying Application for Marriage must state date of visit, length of stay, and preference of date if having ceremony performed by a Judge so an appointment can be made; proof of divorce must also be supplied, if applicable; appointment to be married by a judge must be made.

The above information is subject to change at any time. Please check country’s website for more details and updated information.

A Honeymoon that’s All Wrapped Up ….

•February 14, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Love Love Love this article:
“Having it All” by Tara Bradley for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
(check out this first resort fetured in the article and visit the following link for the whole story)
http://www.destinationweddingmag.com/article.jsp?ID=1000069064

excplayamujeres

“Think an all-inclusive resort means sub-par rooms, bland buffets and college students drinking themselves silly at the bar? Think again. Today’s all-inclusives have ramped up the romance with gourmet menus, pampering treatment, diverse activities and rooms so seductive you’ll be quick to hang that “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. The trick is to find the resort brand that suits your particular honeymoon wish, whether it involves hiding away on a secluded beach, working up a sweat on a crowded dance floor or trying your hand at every water sport known to man. We’ve visited the top eight brands in the romance market to bring you this handy honeymoon guide. So pack your bags and get ready to pop the champagne — after all, it’s included!

EXCELLENCE
Who You’ll See:
Spa-going hipsters getting their bronze on.

The Look:
A VIP vibe sets the tone with South Beach-style cabanas, blue-water pools and swim-up bars at these adults-only resorts. White linens blow in the breeze, which cools rooms adorned with rich mahogany and colorful fabrics. Spacious bathrooms boast double rain showerheads, making the simple act of “washing off” a sensual experience. Guests seeking more indulgence can visit the Miilé Spa to detox in the steam room or sauna; for an extra charge, calm your muscles with an oceanfront massage. Bvlgari toiletries in each room provide an extra-special touch; the green-tea scent is divine.

What’s Included:
Waiter service at the pool and beach, all meals featuring either a la carte or buffet dining options (there’s even spa cuisine), unlimited premium and nonalcoholic beverages, non-motorized water sports and activities such as yoga, Spanish lessons, cooking classes, scuba diving, golf and beach volleyball. Tips are included but can be added to at your discretion.

Locations:
Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Our Pick:
Nearly every aspect of the 450-room Excellence Playa Mujeres allows for steamy rendezvous, from four-poster king-size beds with pillow menus to big-enough-for-two balcony daybeds, in-room Jacuzzis and marble double showers. Added bonus: While the Miilé Spa features Ayurvedic treatments (based on a traditional Indian system of medicine), in-room service and alfresco treatments for additional fees, every guest has access to the spa’s cool hydrotherapy circuit — a saltwater pool with a central waterfall, cascade jets, bubble massage beds, and hot- and ice-water plunge pools. From approximately $630 per room.”

2009 – a great year to travel!

•February 3, 2009 • 1 Comment
Occidental Grand Xcaret

Occidental Grand Xcaret

I don’t believe all the doom and gloom the media keeps bombarding us with daily … have you been to the mall lately? I can tell you firsthand that people have NOT stopped shopping, and they haven’t stopped going to the movies, and they haven’t stopped eating out. OK, so maybe some folks have decided to cut back a little, but they aren’t cutting things out completely. Which brings me to why 2009 is going to be such a great year for travel – there are great values everywhere! Now don’t get me wrong – nobody’s going to pay you to come stay at their beautiful tropical resort paradise or to spend a 2 weeks trapsing through the Tuscan wineries! But, you don’t have to go without your hard earned vacation this year either.

This spring is a perfect example – get out of this crazy snowy blaaaahhhhh weather and find yourself surrounded by palm trees and an ocean breeze! You could find yourself at the Occidental Grand Xcaret in Mexico for $1099.99 per person for 7 glorious nights – including roundtrip airfare, airport transfers, all meals drinks and snacks as well as complimentary admission to the amazing Xcaret park next door. This resort is absolutely gorgeous and that amazing rate is truly a value you don’t want to miss out on. Call me today to plan your spring break getaway!

Dreamy Good Deal … $999 for 7 nights!

•January 8, 2009 • Leave a Comment

dreamspalmbeach

Just got some info on an indredible rate at the new Dreams Palm Beach resort in Punta Cana. Right now Apple Vacations is offering some indredible super saver rates of $999 and $1099 for 7 nights Jan. through mid March (this is an all-inclusive property and also includes roundtrip charter airfare and hotel transfers!). Dreams Palm Beach just opened in December 2008 and is an unlimited luxury all-inclusive resort. Prices like these are an incredible value and I can tell you that the Dreams resorts are fantastic properties. Don’t miss out on this opportunity – contact me today as these packages are limited in number and are sure to sell out fast!

Atlantis – Paradise Island, Bahamas

•January 5, 2009 • Leave a Comment

atlantis
So I just thought I’d share some of the review I just received from a terrific client family who just returned from a stay at Atlantis in the Bahamas. I will post more on a review page, but here were some of their overall thoughts:
(This family of 5 (2 parents, 3 kids ages 20, 17, and 15) stayed at the Atlantis resort from December 20 – 25, 2008.)

“Upon our arrival, we were upgraded (yeah!) to the Royal Tower West. Our rooms in the Royal Tower were quite spacious, with two queen sized beds in each. We had a table and two chairs and another stuffed chair. There was a large closet and a flat screen TV. There was a balcony, but one that only could be stood on by a single person. The view of the grounds was fantastic! We were on the sixth floor. We had a refrigerator, but it was stocked with their products. We had a coffeemaker, one that uses the pods and makes one cup. The bathroom was good sized with the toilet being on the right side and separated with a single door for privacy. That was nice. The hotel products were provided daily and the hair dryer on the wall worked very well. Our maid staff was also very friendly and helpful. The overall appearance of the room, however, was that it was older and had experienced some wear and tear. The carpeting, for instance was a little run down and we could tell that the room was not new. Is that a big deal? Not to us.

Our room was centrally located on the grounds, which was fabulous! Everything was a short walk away, even though things were very spread out. It was a five or six minute walk on lighted pathways to the different restaurants and water features. Everything was just beautiful, also. Every where we turned there was another statue, fountain or beautifully designed and decorated landscaping, etc. My children really loved the water slides and lazy rivers; hands down they were the best. I went on the mile long lazy river that had a couple of conveyor belts and pushed you up hill and dropped you down through a tunnel at the end. It was fun!

We ate in several nice restaurants, but the prices of food were exorbitant! Maybe we should have done the meal plan. We spent so much money on food it was ridiculous. The Marketplace served a buffet style breakfast for $25 per person (kids were $12, I think). It cost us $125 for breakfast to eat there. Now, I will say that they had everything and anything you could want to eat. My family enjoyed custom made omelets, roasted potatoes, quiche, blueberry/and or chocolate chip pancakes, waffles, hash, bacon, sausage, fruit, yogurt, cereal, scrambled eggs, toast…even oatmeal and grits! We ate lunch poolside; mainly a burger or chicken wrap, which if you got the meal with fries and a drink was about $8. Nachos were $6, wings were around $8 and drinks poolside were $8 or $10. They had a lot of alcohol in them, though. We ate dinner at Bimini’s twice, which was supposed to be kind of a middle of the road price range, but a chicken salad was $21. Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill and the Casa d’Angelo were very expensive although the food was wonderful. It cost us around $90 per person to eat at the Mesa Grill. By the way, a 15% gratuity is added on automatically to everything on site, even Starbuck’s and Ben & Jerry’s. There was a line available to add more tip, if you wanted. Really, we were over a barrel and had to pay quite a lot to eat and drink. A can of coke: $3. It was ridiculous.

By the way, swimming with the dolphins was expensive, but wonderful. I would do it again. I hope this helps you out when deciding whether to go to the Atlantis yourselves. I wish we had ventured more out of the Atlantis compound and toured Nassau. But, we know that for the next time.”

happy 2009!

•January 2, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Happy New Year! With 2008 behind us and a whole new year ahead, what better time than now to start planning that perfect trip for 2009! At a loss for inspiration? Well, usually during this cold time of year here in Cincy, everyone is talking about getting away to someplace warm and beachy so here are a few ideas to warm you up on these chilly days:

satp1

1. Sunset at Palms (Negril, Jamaica):
http://www.sunsetatthepalms.com/
Awaken each morning to the sounds and scents of nature. Here, time stands still and serenity reigns. Set amidst gardens of trees and flowering plants at the edge of Negril, Jamaica’s laid-back, west coast resort area, the intimate, all-inclusive Sunset at the Palms offers chic and serene accommodations – an environment so tranquil and calm, it will leave you breathless.

2. Secrets Maroma Beach (Riviera Maya, Mexico) :
http://www.secretsresorts.com/maroma/
Pure white sands, crystal-clear waters and warm tropical breezes promise a perfect paradise at Secrets Maroma Beach. Situated on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this adults only Unlimited-Luxury® haven is located on one of the most pristine beaches in Mexico. More than five hundred stunning acres of lush paradise await you at Secrets Maroma Beach, an all-suite resort boasting 412 suites surrounded by twelve smaller swimming pools and a shimmering infinity pool to cool off in while you admire spectacular ocean views.

3. Sandals Grande St. Lucian:
http://www.sandals.com/main/grande/gl-home.cfm
Built in the style of a British palace where majestic stone archways lead through a three-story open-air lobby, Sandals Grande St. Lucian is framed by spectacular mountain views and edged by the island’s most dramatically perfect beach. Indulge in everything aquatic from scuba-diving to swimming in a choice of four impressive pools – including a creative lagoon pool that lets guests swim right up their rooms.

See, something warm and cozy for everyone. Now the only question is …. where do YOU want to go next?

A Country Christmas – Nashville, TN

•December 12, 2008 • 1 Comment

So Keith and I decided to take his parents to Nashville, TN for their Christmas gift this year. The Gaylord Opryland offers a package called a Country Christmas and includes accommodations as well as shows and entertainment. There are a couple of different packages available based on how many nights and which inclusions you’d like. We opted for the 3 night package and it was perfect for us. We arrived in Nashville on the Sunday following Thanksgiving and checked into the Radisson Opryland hotel. (Note that you can stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel or the Radisson Opryland for the package – we chose the Radisson only because it is pet friendly and Keith’s parents were not about to leave Charlie behind!) The Radisson was nice – clean and comfortable, but nothing luxurious. I would note that the bathrooms were especially close quarters. The hotel lobby was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the front desk staff was very pleasant and helpful. The hotel also has an Applebees resaurant inside which was super convenient as we arrived in the late afternoon and needed to grab a bite to eat before the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show featuring the Rockettes that evening. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle that transports guests to and from the Gaylord Opryland resort, the Opry Mills mall, and the Grand Ole Opry House which was terrific as we didn’t have to drive over (and pay for parking) and the weather wasn’t prime for walking (though it’s close enough to do so). The show that evening was indeed spectacular! I had never visited the Grand Ole Opry, so it was quite a treat to be inside and see a place where so much history has been made. I didn’t know prior to booking the package that my mother in law has always wanted to see the Rockettes, so she was especially excited about the show and boy did they deliver! Did you know those girls do hundreds of eye high kicks during every show !?!?!? Truly amazing considering that they are often doing more than one show a day. Monday was spent wandering and exploring the Gaylord Opryland Resort – it really is an impressive place. It’s difficult to explain how large the resort is, but it’s more like an indoor city. The atriums are huge and the landscaping really does make you feel like you are outside. It takes hours to see everything in the resort, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes when you go. We were so lucky to see the resort at Christmas time, the decorating is impeccable and I’ve never seen so many poinsettas. In addition to a resort, it is also a convention center and we had tickets to visit some other holiday festivities being held at the resort as part of our package. Treasures for the holidays was an arts/crafts shopping area and the Hall of Trees was an exhibit designed to raise money for charities in middle Tennessee. After seeing all of that, my in-laws headed back to the hotel for a nap, so Keith and I ventured over to the Opry Mills Mall. It’s a big mall with plenty of shopping (Bass Pro, 20 screen movie theater, Gibson Guitar store and factory) but don’t be looking for any of the big department stores here (no Macy’s, Nordstrom, Dillards, etc.) it’s mostly the smaller stores and several outlets as well (great deals at the Nike outlet). After the mall, we walked back over to the resort to an area that was absolutely beautiful called Cascades – aptly named after the stunning indoor waterfalls – and the Cascades Lounge. We had seen the lounge earlier in the day and thought that we’d go sit down by the waterfall and have a glass of wine, but we wanted to make sure we had a table with great views of the waterfalls and we quickly found one and claimed our spot … only to find that the lounge rotates in order to give everyone a great view! That was a fun little surprise and details like that abound at the resort. Later in the evening, we came back to see the resort lit up in all of it’s Christmas glory and it really is quite a sight – indoors and out! The outdoor light display is unlike anything that I’ve ever seen – millions of white lights blanketing the magnolia trees, other trees with every single branch lit, as well as a larger than life nativity display. And inside, you must see the Christmas tree in the Delta area of the resort – I don’t know how tall it is, but it’s the largest decorated Christmas tree I’ve ever seen! Also, as I side note, be sure to catch one of the DiVine performances on Delta Island – really fun to watch. The highlight on Tuesday was definitely the Louise Mandrell Joy to the World dinner show! I’m not sure what I was expecting as I had never attended a dinner show, but Louise is un unbelievably talented performer and never stopped once she stepped on stage. I can’t even tell you how many instruments she played while on stage in addition to her singing and “dancing with the stars” routine. I was out of energy after simply watching the show. It’s obvious that she enjoys performing and entertaining and my father in law absolutley loved that she was available to chat with guests after the show (and sign his cd). The dinner was great as well, the staff at the Opryland really prepared an impressive meal and my mother in law went crazy for the bread pudding served for dessert – who knew how excited we’d all get over such simple stuff – good food and great entertainment. The show was a nice ending to a great trip with family. We left early Wednesday morning for our trip back to Cincinnati – which is an easy 4 and half hour drive. I would highly recommend this trip and this package to anyone looking for a Christmas time getaway for a couple of days without going to far. It was very entertaining and a great value for the money! Happy Holidays!

 
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