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Top 10 Spots for a Honeymoon include Europe, Hawaii & Caribbean

By Patty | Published March 11, 2013 | Posted in Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii

Greece

According to US News Travel Section, the top ten spots for a honeymoon in 2013 are Europe with 5 cities in the top 10 list, the Caribbean with 3 islands on the list and Hawaii with 2 islands in the top 10 honeymoon list.

#1 this year is Santorini, Greece followed closely by Maui, Hawaii. Greece and the Hawaiian islands have always been popular destinations for honeymooners and have consistently been in the top ten honeymoon lists. Crete bursts in on the scene and grabbed the third spot followed by another Hawaiian Island, Kauai. Rounding out the top ten honeymoon spots in 5th and 6th place are two other exciting cities in Italy, Florence and Venice. Both European cities are very romantic and remain popular each year. Florence and Venice are followed by some stunning islands in the Caribbean, Turks & Caicos, Martinique and St. Martin-St. Maarten.

A top ten honeymoon list could not be complete without the always romantic and popular, Paris France. What a way to complete the top ten! If none of these destinations appeal, we have lots of other suggestions including an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, adult only resort in Fiji, all inclusive resort in St. Lucia or a treehouse in  Belize  to name a few. We have specialists and packages available for all these destinations and work with honeymooners every day.

Our destination specialists  can help you find the best spot for your honeymoon at all budget levels, so just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or you can fill out a request a quote. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Destination Wedding at Dreams Villamagna All Inclusive Resort

By Patty | Published February 18, 2013 | Posted in Mexico

Dreams Villamagna Wedding Photo 2

Click for Slide Show

Many brides struggle with the desire to have the beautiful destination wedding that they have always dreamed of while maintaining the hope of having all their friends and family in attendance. Sometimes it seems impossible to have both. The reality usually sinks in after they have picked their destination and it comes time for guests to start booking their flights and accommodations to attend the wedding.

I work with these brides every day and one year ago started working with a wonderful couple from Seattle that took my advice about planning a destination wedding  that not only met their dreams, but would be easy and comfortable financially for all their friends and family. As it turned out, they ended up having more friends and family than they expected and as you can see in the third photo in the slideshow, a good time was had by all.

This particular couple picked Dreams Villamagna All Inclusive Resort in Riviera Nayarit just north of Puerto Vallarta. For couples from the westcoast, Puerto Vallarta is easy to reach by air and not too expensive. Dreams Villamagna has some of the features of a high end luxurious resort without the high price tag. All the rooms are suites and very spacious and it is common for the resort to offer “Resort Credits” to be used for spa services, wine upgrades etc. For folks that will have guests who have children, The Dreams Resorts allow children and have supervised kids programs so everyone is happy!

The folks at Dreams will work with you on all the details/documentation you need for your ceremony and once you arrive, all the paperwork will be done and they will step you through the next step of the process, your ceremony! There are various venues at the resort to choose from for your wedding and your wedding coordinator at the resort will take care of every little detail, right down to the napkins and place settings. So you don’t have to worry about any of those things and can enjoy the resort and your guests leading up to the ceremony.

Please call or email if we can help with ideas to make your dream destination wedding a reality. In addition to Mexico we work with all inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean, Fiji and Tahiti and have specialists on staff for all the most popular honeymoon destinations.

 

Sandals Caye – Private Offshore Island

By Patty | Published January 11, 2013 | Posted in Sandals Resorts

Sandals Caye
Click here for more photos of  Sandals Caye

I just got back from Sandals Royal Bahamian and had a great time.  I spent my entire last day on Sandals Caye which is the private offshore island from Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort.  You access the island via a boat the resort operates every 30 minutes.  A schedule is posted at the pier.

Café Goombay on the island is open for lunch between 11am-3pm and you can also dine in the evening a couple days a week from 6:30pm-8:30pm.  I was lucky to get to have dinner over on the island one evening and with the candles and lighting, the atmosphere was magical and very romantic.  Loved it!

The reason I chose to spend my last precious hours at Sandals Royal Bahamian out of the island is because thanks to a hurricane in 2011, the island’s back side now has an amazing white sand beach.  Another man-made improvement since the hurricane is that Sandals put in these new sexy red and brown lounge chairs around the pool.  If you think you can just sit for a second, forget about it.  These new chairs are extremely comfortable.   Sandals has also put in a large amount of beach beds so if you want to cozy up on one of those either in the gardens on island or beachside, you shouldn’t have trouble getting space on one.  You can also arrange to have a spa treatment out on the islandJ

I really like how spread out the various sun/beach spots are on the island, as it is much bigger than the private offshore island at Sandals Royal Caribbean, so you are able to enjoy some space and privacy.  If you have your own snorkel gear, make sure you bring it over to the island with you, as there is some fantastic snorkeling off the back side of the island.  I found out that you can’t just check out the equipment at the water sports desk and take it over, but hopefully this is a policy that will change.

Along with the new renovations made at the Balmoral Tower, Sandals Caye is an excellent reason to choose Sandals Royal Bahamian.  And there is even a new dolphin encounter going in on Sandals Caye so booking a dolphin encounter will easy!

I often have clients ask for my help choosing the best Sandals,  and if having a romantic offshore island is on your wish list, then Sandals Royal Bahamian just might be the best Sandals for you.  We have three Sandals Specialists in the office, so give us a call at 1-800-321-7907, and we will help you find the best one for your next special trip.  Just ask for Patty, Sandi or Linda.

Updates at Royal Davui Island – Fiji

By Patty | Published October 26, 2012 | Posted in Tahiti & Fiji


Click here for more photos of Royal Davui – Fiji

Royal Davui is one of our favorite private island resorts in Fiji. The island resort is all about romance, luxury, gorgeous architecturally designed private vales (villas) with plunge pools and quiet island life in the Fijian islands. Royal Davui is the perfect locations for a special anniversary, honeymoon or much needed escape if your budget allows.

As one of the top agencies selling Fiji in the United States, we are often visited by the remote island owners and managers whom we have strong professional relationship with. It’s great to see them every year so we can give them our client feedback on their resort and see what is new on their island. Chris Southwick from Royal Davui recently stopped by and had some exciting news!

The Deluxe Vales now have heated plunge pools, so both Deluxe and Premium Vales have the heated pools. This leaves the only difference, size of vale (the Premium Vales are a little bigger) and the Premium Vales have the sunset view.

Royal Davui has created a new “Love Shack” on the island which can be reserved for any couple wanting a private area with open air daybed nestled into the hillside with a wonderful view of the sea.

Finally, the last bit of big news from Royal Davui is that the ever popular “Sand Spit Picnic” can now be pre-booked as part of a romance package with spa treatments and sulus. There are only two times of year that the Sand Spit cannot be accessed, but now you can be assured of getting to experience this wonderful, private and romantic escape during your stay.

We have two Fiji Matai Specialists in the office so just give either Linda or Patty a call at 1-800-321-7907. Or you can email Linda at linda@totemtravel.com for more information about Royal Davui and other Fijian Island Resorts. You can also view our blogs, reviews and sample packages on our website at www.totemtravel.com We are happy to help you discover the magic of this fabulous destination.

Where To Zipline On Your Vacation

By Patty | Published September 7, 2012 | Posted in Tahiti & Fiji

For most people on vacation, a white sand beach and crystal blue water isn’t the only thing on their wish list. Add to that list, fancy pools with swim up bars, good food, cultural experiences and fun activities to nearby. One of the more popular activities that clients always ask me about is ziplining.

Where in the Caribbean, Mexico or the world can you Zipline? Well, there are many fantastic destinations that have ziplines available nearby. Let’s start with Mexico. You can zipline in Puerto Vallarta which is located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The Ziplines in Puerto Vallarta are located up in the hillside jungle and lots of fun. On the Caribbean side of Mexico, a fun spot to Zip Line is on Isla Mujeres where you can zipline over the ocean at Garrafon Park. There are also many spots to zipline south of Cancun if you are staying in the Playa Del Carmen or Tulum area. Combine a nice all inclusive family vacation at a resort like the Iberostar Quetzal with a zipline/Mayan ruin excursion and you will have great memories to last a lifetime.

Heading south of the Yucatan into the countries of Belize and Costa Rica you can zipline in Belize from resorts located in the interior area of the Cayo District. Or in Costa Rica activities like ziplining can be found in the Arenal area where there are some amazing resorts with gorgeous views of the Arenal Volcano. Be sure to travel sometime between November and April when the weather is at its best!

The Caribbean is full of islands with zip lines and some of the more popular islands for honeymoons that have zip lines are Jamaica, St. Lucia and Antigua just to name a few. Combine a nice honeymoon stay at one of the many romantic Sandals Resorts with a fun zipline tour and you will have the perfect honeymoon. In Jamaica, you can zipline at Mystic Mountain in the Ocho Rios area. In St. Lucia you have Treetop Adventures or in Antigua, the very popular 12 ziplines and rope bridge. You can find the cost of ziplining in the Caribbean on the website for Island Routes.

The Fijian Islands are quickly becoming a favorite destination for honeymooners and families who want to avoid hurricane season in the northern hemisphere. May through October is the best time to travel to the South Pacific and yes, you can zip line in Fiji! :)

The adventurous can also zipline in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Or you can do the famous “bridge climb” in Sydney. These are just some of the most popular destinations where you can zipline, but there are still more. Let us know if you need help with your trip planning and don’t forget to ask us about ziplines! We have three destination specialists in our office, so just indicate what part of the world you are interested in by filling out a request a quote form on our website and we’ll get back to you!

 

Review Of Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica

By Patty | Published August 31, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean


Click here for a slideshow of Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica

Couples Tower Isle is a popular choice for couples looking for an All Inclusive getaway at an affordable price. The resort is a Traveller’s Choice Award Winner for 2012 and is one of four Couples Resorts  in Jamaica.

If you are looking for a no frills “couples only” all inclusive with good food quality, more than two dining choices and are willing to give up the luxuries like a Jacuzzi tub in your room, butler service etc., then this resort might be for you. The main difference I noticed between the rooms at Couples Tower Isle and a resort like a Sandals Resort, is you have fewer room categories at Couples and each room is decorated in a more basic chic/modern way in terms of furnishings. The walls have less artwork and there is a minimal amount of furniture etc., so the rooms are just more simple versus the traditional dark wood furniture you find at Sandals Resorts. You won’t find any four posted king size beds at Couples, but this becomes a “taste” issue and it is nice to have this more modern style as an option because some people might find it more appealing.

The other nice thing about Couples Tower Isle is the resort’s location in the Ocho Rios area. Most couples who choose Jamaica for their honeymoon or vacation travel do so because they want both beach time and a destination with lots of activities to do off the resort. Couples Tower Isle’s beach is smaller, but still very nice and you are only 10-20 minutes from a good portion of the most popular activities in Jamaica. Couples Tower Isle even includes many of these fun things to do such as, Dunns River Falls Tour, glass bottom boat tour, shopping excursion to Ocho Rios etc. Activities are scheduled each day of the week. If you want a resort with a long and gorgeous beach, you are far better off picking Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril which are both in the Negril area where it is all about the beach.

As far as dining options at Couples Tower Isle, you have several nice choices and the food is excellent. While there are no a la carte dining choices for breakfast, you have several nice options for dining in the evening. Eight Rivers, Bayside, The Patio and The Verandah are all good. Eight Rivers is the most formal and requires reservations as well as Bayside.

Another unique feature that Couples Tower Isle has is their private island which is for Au Naturel sunbathing. No gawkers allowed, as everyone who steps foot on the island must be au naturel. So if you are looking for this type of experience, Tower Isle is a great choice and one of a kind.

We always get calls asking which is the best Couples Resort? Which is the best Sandals Resort? Or which is better Secrets, Couples or Sandals and the answer is always, “that depends on what you are looking for” as they each have their unique qualities and there is always one resort that suits each couple best. We can help you find the best resort fits you as a couple and your special trip. Just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907. We know the resorts well and are happy to helpJ

Tips On How To Pick The Best Spot For A Destination Wedding

By Patty | Published August 3, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Sandals Resorts, Tahiti & Fiji

Destination Weddings are on the rise and becoming more and more popular. Many couples just want to skip all the detailed planning at home and have a wedding consultant at a beautiful resort in a romantic location do all the work for them. I can’t say I blame them and destination weddings can take the stress out of wedding planning!

As a travel agent who has helped plan a lot of destination weddings throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and places like Fiji, there are several important factors to consider when selecting the perfect spot for your destination wedding.

The first thing you have to ask yourself is whether or not you want/expect your family and friends to be a part of this special occasion. If the answer is yes, then you absolutely have to not just pick a destination and resort based on YOUR budget, but you should consider your guests and what you would expect YOUR GUESTS to be able to afford. Do any of your prospective guests have children? If so, then you will want to consider a family resort rather than an “adult only” or “couples only” resort like Sandals or Couples Resorts where often a destination wedding can be free even if no guests stay at the resort.  Along the lines of budget, you need to consider which cities most of your guests will be flying out of and look at how expensive airfare is to your destination of choice. The easier and more affordable you make it for friends and family to attend, the more will!! If you want to have a smaller and more private ceremony, then somewhere like the Fijian Islands is a fabulous choice providing you pick the correct time of year for weather.

Other factors to consider are the requirements in each destination for getting married there. Some destinations require 4 or 5 days residency before you can be legally married and they usually do not count the day you arrive, weekends or holidays. So if you have a limited timeframe, then you might consider somewhere like Jamaica where 48 hours is required and the day you arrive counts. Other factors to consider are requirements like blood tests (Mexico) and translation of wedding documentation in countries like Dominican Republic.

When I work with couples planning a destination wedding, I usually go through these factors right off the bat so we can eliminate spots that won’t work and get right to the best options that fit what the couple is looking for. Budget and time of year you want to get married are some of the other things that play a large role in finding the best spot for a destination wedding. We have three Royal Chairman’s Club Sandals Specialist in the office and we each have planned many destination weddings all over the world from Tahiti and Fiji to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. Give us a call if you need help picking the best spot for your destination wedding. We are happy to help take the stress out of the planning any way we can. You can reach us at www.totemtravel.com or call 1-800-321-7907 and ask for Patty, Sandi or Linda.

What To See And Do On The Island Of St. Lucia

By Patty | Published May 25, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean


Click here for more photos of my recent St. Lucia trip!

The island of St. Lucia is not only one of the most romantic and exotic islands in the Caribbean, but the island is full of sites and activities to see and do. Many clients I work with want some beach time, but worry about becoming restless and want things to do “off resort”. St. Lucia is a great destination for those who want it all – beach AND interesting excursions.

The most popular attraction on St. Lucia is the famous Pitons which just cannot be ignored even if you try. These volcanic plugs rise up above the rest of landscape in dramatic fashion. The Pitons are located on the southeast end of the island where upscale resorts like Ladera, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are located. There is even a local beer named after them. You can actually hike up the Pitons, but you must arrange this with a reputable tour or excursion company as guides are required. Gros Piton is the easier of the two to climb and most people take approx. 2 ½ hours to make it to the top.

Other activities available for adventurous folks are, zip lines, ATV’s, scenic trail hikes through the island’s rainforest and horseback riding. Another popular excursion on the island that I really liked, was one that included some snorkeling, a visit to the Drive In Volcano, sulphur springs, waterfalls and finished off with a nice authentic creole lunch served up in the hillside above the capital of Soufriere. You can book most of these tours through Island Routes.

On the Northern end of the island where a large majority of the resorts are located such as the three Sandals “Couples Only” Resorts,  you have town of Castries. The Gros Islet Street Party on Friday nights can be a lot of fun with music, lots of food like kebabs and fresh fish and of course vendors with local wares. Another interesting site to see is Fort Rodney. If you are staying at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the park is right next door. It’s only $5 USD to enter the park and the short hike up to the point features historic cannons, as well as AMAZING VIEWS.

We have three St. Lucia Specialists in our office and we are happy to help you with accommodations and activities. Just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or you can email me at patty@totemtravel.com.

Sandals Montego Bay Is A Great All Inclusive For Beach & Water Sport Lovers And Couples Looking For Fun and Romance!

By Patty | Published April 20, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean, Sandals Resorts


Click here for more photos of Sandals Montego Bay

Sandals Montego Bay is a fun all inclusive “couples only” resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you are looking for a resort that is located on a great beach in the Caribbean yet don’t want to be bored by a quiet, stuffy resort that offers little to do, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent all inclusive choice.

At Sandals Montego Bay you can play all day in the sun and enjoy evening festivities as well. In addition to snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaks and other non motorized sports that are available and included in your stay, Sandals also has a Mastercraft ski boat at the property and waterskiing and tubing are included. If you haven’t gone tubing in the Caribbean, it’s a lot of fun! On a typical day at this resort, you have beach volleyball going on, several guests sailing offshore, the snorkel boat departs several times daily as does the dive boat and there are always those guests who just want to either hang out in the water or chill on a beach recliner with the drink of the day. The snack/beach bar allows you to eat and drink without leaving the beach, but if you prefer to get out of the sun for a bit, there are several nice dining choices for lunch or you can take in a spa treatment.

The fun continues in the evening and you can be entertained by sitting around the main stage in the lobby of the resort with the nightly entertainment provided or if you prefer a casual socially interactive time, you can hang out in the Cricketer’s Pint. There is also a piano bar where you can enjoy a martini and hang out with snacks like nuts and popcorn.

Many guests who vacation at Sandals resorts  rave about booking a butler category room and having a butler. There are fantastic butler room options at Sandals Montego Bay called the Bay Roc Villas and what I love about these rooms are their location. These rooms are located directly on the beach at the far end of the resort so you have a nice private quiet beach area in front of your room. You are still only a short distance from the Piano Bar and swim up bar/pool and the rest of the resort, but you feel like you have your own private spot. I also really liked staying in the Concierge level rooms in the Palms Building because they are also on the beach and have a nice oceanview. The bathrooms are very standard with the basic tub/shower combo, but the room itself is plenty big with a nice balcony or patio looking out at that beautiful blue Caribbean sea.

I am always asked which is my favorite Sandals All-Inclusive Resort.  It really depends on what type of experience and atmosphere you are looking for. If you want to have fun and be active in a more lively setting, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent choice for you. With the highest returning guest rate of all the resorts, you’ll feel right at home at Sandals Montego Bay. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or email me at patty@totemtravel.com if you would like to escape to the Caribbean. We are Sandals and Caribbean Specialists and we would be happy to help you find the right all-inclusive resort for your budget and occasion.

Which is the best Sandals Resort on St. Lucia?

By Patty | Published April 6, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean, Sandals Resorts


Click here for a slideshow of Sandals Resorts On St. Lucia

As a Preferred Sandals Agency and Royal Chairman’s Club Agent, I sell a lot of Sandals Resorts and I often get asked which Sandals Resort do I like best on St. Lucia? Of course the answer is usually, that depends! Each Sandals Resort on St. Lucia is different and has unique qualities. Sandals Grande St. Lucian might be the best choice for one couple and Sandals La Toc might be the best choice for another couple. There are a few big differences between the three Sandals All Inclusive Resorts on the island and then there are some more subtle differences. Usually there is a perfect fit for each couple at one of the three resorts and figuring this out can be difficult when you are looking online.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is on the nicest beach of the three resorts and features a large grand lobby. The resort features beautiful views of Fort Rodney and Rodney Bay giving you a very exotic atmosphere. So if you like the feel of a larger, grander resort like you would find in a destination like Hawaii, then Sandals Grande St. Lucian might make the best choice for you.

Sandals La Toc is the most unique of the three in that while this is the largest Sandals of the three of the island, the layout of the resort makes it feel romantic and intimate. While a good portion of the rooms are located in and around the main beachfront section of the resort, some of the resort’s accommodations can be found sprinkled halfway up the bluff and once up on the bluff, there are more accommodations on the bluff with commanding views of the Caribbean. The sunsets are amazing from up here and one of the best days of my trip was enjoying a cocktail at the Sunset pool while the sun was setting.

Many clients still prefer Sandals Halycon because it is smaller with more of a seaside cottage type feel to the resort. Sandals recently renovated quite a few of the rooms at this resort and they look fantastic. The resort even offers a butler category room now and dining at The Pier Restaurant is still a popular dining choice amongst even Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals La Toc guests.

There are also some key differences between room categories at each resort and depending on your budget, one of the Sandals offers the best entry level room categories, another offers better choices at the concierge level and at another, you have the most butler category rooms to choose from.

So if you are having a difficult time choosing which is the best Sandals Resort, you are not alone. We have three Chairman’s Royal Club Agents at Totem Travel, and we are happy to help you find the best Sandals Resort that fits the experience you are looking for based on our knowledge of the differences between the resorts. The choice is ultimately yours, but hopefully we can make it easier and clearer. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 and ask for either Patty, Sandi or Linda. Or you can ‘Get a Quote’ on our website www.totemtravel.com and we will get back to you by either email or phone.

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