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Caravan's Costa Rica's Natural Paradise Tour
4/15/2009 10:21:51 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Costa Rica

From Fran in Waterloo, IA

I would recommend Caravan to anyone to who wants to get the most for their money.   Terrific guide (Elston Valentin), and the accommodations were great. 
 
Fran

The World's Most Romantic Places to Propose
4/8/2009 10:24:20 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Romance

The World's Most Romantic Places to Propose

Looking for the ideal spot to get engaged? These ultra-seductive destinations—from secluded islands to dramatic cityscapes—are sure to win your love.

It’s one of life’s weightiest conundrums: how—and where—to pop The Question. Assuming you want the answer to be a resounding yes, the choice of locale is paramount—and as every aspiring groom should know, some scenarios capture the mood better than others. Certain classics stand the test of time: the sunset stroll along a deserted beach. The postcard moment in front of an iconic backdrop (one of the Seven Wonders, perhaps). A prime table at a chichi restaurant with a view. Traditional romantics, of course, always have Paris. But how to narrow down the list (and avoid becoming stuck in a cliché)?

The key is creativity. Try to find a unique place, a place you might not immediately think of. The element of surprise can be very powerful. This worldly traveler has a special affinity for the Antipodes, citing New Zealand as the last place most people visit before they die, but I would highly recommend it at the start of a relationship instead of the end. Paris is an amorous mainstay for good reason. Famed New York–based wedding planner Colin Cowie also sings the praises of Paris, suggesting “the Ferris wheel at the Tuileries when at the 12 o’clock position,” for extra impact.

Warm-weather destinations, not surprisingly, topped our  lists (nothing kills a love buzz like frostbite). Certain tropical spots like Fiji and Hawaii seem custom-made for great proposals, thanks to their wealth of secret beaches and castaway-style islands where couples can be assured of having the place to themselves. For seriously adventurous paramours, an African safari has all the trappings of high drama…the right kind. Now that your other half is focusing on the Big Five, you can truly surprise her.

Not everyone wants to blow a big-ticket overseas trip on a proposal, though. If you’d rather save up for the honeymoon, consider a nearby urban setting. New York’s Central Park provides an inimitable setting, as does a candlelit corner table at one of the city’s acclaimed restaurants. Whatever the context, each setting we’ve chosen is packed with drama and imbued with enough romance to guarantee the right answer. Now all you have to do is choose the ring.

Rivera Maya, Mexico, Secrets Capri Rivera Cancun-FANTASTIC
2/20/2009 3:37:09 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Mexico
I had the pleasure of touring this hotel as a hotel inspection, and also for destination our group to see how they put on a destination wedding. When you walk into this hotel you know you are special with you cool cloth and glass off champagne that is served to you. As you make you may off to the left is the check in are and to the right is a nice quaint little lobby bar looking forward you can see out the large pictures windows to see the beautiful Caribbean sea and the pool. Also in the Lobby area is where the banquet facilities are and also where they have nightly entertainment is if it is indoors that evening. The do have a free internet room also which is great to keep in contact with family when you are away at a low cost instead of using phone card to call back home. As you exit the down one of the two grand staircases you will be able to go out to the pool area or off to the right they have a sports bar area. The Italian restaurant is also located at the base of the staircase also to the left. We have the pleasure of dinning there, and it was SO GOOD!! You can also book and intimate dinner in the wine room at that restaurant. Now after exiting the Lobby you are at the Pool area this resort only has one large pool, but with the beautiful beach right behind it who need more that 1 pool, and remember this is an adults only place so no need for a children’s pool. This pool does have a swim up bar!!! Located to the left of the pool is the activity center, which has board games to check that can be played around the pool area or on the beach. The water sports are also at that same facility. You can book you snorkel trip and scuba trip I thought the cost was very reasonable. Behind the activity center is Beach grill that serves up everything you ever wanted, and not just the plain hamburger and hot dog thing. What does everyone want when they go to Mexico of course TACOS they have lots of Mexican food option at the beach grill. They also have pool and beach wait service so if you don't want to leave the beach or pool have one of your friendly waiters place and order for you while you enjoy your fun. These waiters do work hard out in that heat so and extra dollar goes along way for them. I also feel the same for the pool bartender. Now for the Beach this resort has a beautiful white powder beach. You can go for long walks on this beach. The rooms at this resort are so nice we had the pleasure of seeing a deluxe oceanview room and the honeymoon suite you don't need to be honeymooners to book this room I would stay in it for sure. The basic deluxe rooms are also very nice spacious rooms. This resort is perfect for a couples, single and any size group that is looking for a boutique hotel set on a beautiful beach with a great selection on restaurants 6 to be exact 5 being a' la carte, and don’t forget the 24 hour room service. We had the pleasure of visiting the brand new spa that had just opened please take a moment and go out and visit the spa and see all the services that they offer they have everything you could ever want in a spa. This resort is also located realy close to Playa del carmen if you are interested in doing some shopping or if you want to be close to some night life. Please if you get the chance go to this resort it was one of my favorite on this educational trip.

Riviera Maya, Secrets Maroma
2/20/2009 3:35:33 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Mexico

Riviera Maya, Secrets Maroma

I LOVED IT

The resort is brad new!!! It is an Adutls only property offering an the best that Meixco has to offer. From the minute you arrive you are welcomed with champage and a cool cloth. All the rooms are Jr Suites, we had a junior suite over looing the property with a oceanview on the third floor. You could look below and see the swim up rooms. The resort has large bathrooms with a seperate shower and toilet area away from the jacuzzi tub and sink area. The rooms have lots of storage space. The property is new so the folliage still needs to be filled in as far as looking tropical in and around the property there is no grass from the lobby to the beach area they have planted alot of plants and trees so it will soon be very lush. You will find the a powder white sand beach which is voted one of the best in the Rivera Maya. This is also a walking beach so nice long walks enjoying a great conversation together can be had. The food with all the specialty restraunts makes Secrets properties stand out with alot of choices. The one thing I love about them is you have a Mexican restarant at the Hotel no need to go into town if you don't want to. A plus at Am Resorts is the 24 hour food service and the beach and pool service that's offered. The entertainment is top notch with somethng different everynight. This is a great beach resort and also a great pool resort which is close to atractions as well.

Janelle Throne  southparkjanelle@gulliverstravel.com

Didn't love the Parnassus
12/29/2008 9:47:06 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Mexico
This hotel is not a bad place but not a place that adds to the pleasure of your vacation. It is just full of kids and the kids club is located at the back of the property so you do ALOT of walking!!!!!!!!! Since the property is long and skinny you walk walk walk walk and the elevators are not convienently located and there are no stairs so you can easliy wait 20 minutes for an elevator. Out of the 5 rooms we booked all had something that needed fixed and never got fixed. My room key never worked so I would walk all the way up to my room and the key not work, have to wait for the elevator and walk all the way back. This would take 20-30 mintues so it would make me late to meet the others in my group and irritate everyone. This poperty is also located on the ruff beach side of Cancun so there are huge rocks in the water and the waves are huge since this is the side that the Island of Murjes (sp) is on. This means the beach is unusable since it is so skinny, rocky, and ruff. The service was ok if you asked for it but I know with the Riu's it is just given without having to ask. This is the first time I have ever felt like I had to tip every employee I saw. I do tip no matter what but this place expected it. The food was the same everyday and very little to choose from. They did have 24 hour room service that was nice for the others in my group that used it. There are no fridges in the room so that was a little hard with younger children. The bars were slow and no one had a fun personality except for the entertainment staff that was drinking all the time and were there more for the kids. I guess this place didnt ruin our trip but it made it so I was ready to get out of there and never some back. The noise level is horrible. If you have your patio doors open you arent suppose to open your room door or it will slam so hard I feared someone loosing a finger. This causes and echo and boom throughout the entire place that sounds like a bomb went off. You will hear this all night long. Once again this is the archietecture of the buildings fault but definately annoying as you hear EVERYTHING!!!! This place also needs a lot of updating. It was all painted white and very dirty with tons of chipped tile. People were sweeping everywhere so they tried to keep it clean but it wasnt sweeping that needed to be done it was painting. It didnt bother me but is something I found surprising. Just definately not a high star place when the Riu Cancun looked amazing and was only $1000 more for the entire week. We had a good time but definately would never consider going back to the Parnassus again. Tiffany
Anniversary in Jamaica
12/22/2008 9:35:57 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Jamaica
We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary in Jamaica at the Riu Ocho Rios in an ocean front room.
We had an absolutely amazing time and loved everything about Jamaica. We climbed the Falls and we went Zip -lining, and more.
We want to go back and take our grown children along next time.
Thank you, Margie, you did a great job! Vicki and Dennis
Destiny Cruise
12/22/2008 9:32:08 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Cruise
I just got back at the beginning of the week from a 5 day Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard the Carnival Destiny. We set sail on Dec 1-6. What a great trip. I took my mom along like I do for most of my trips. We only did one shore excursion and that was in Nassu. We booked with Carnival that way if we ran late or if something should happen they will wait for us. We did the Deep Water Dolphin Swim at the Atlantis Resort. What a great time. We did the foot push, got to swim with them , and then did the hug and kiss. All the time they had a photographer taking pictures so you can purchase later. This tour cost us $189 each and was well worth it. We got to keep our snorkel gear and used them while on Half Moon Cay and Grand Turks.
Loved Half Moon Cay. The beach was awesome. So soft and the waters was great. They had a area with water slides for kids to play on.
Grand Turks the cruise terminal was fine beach was a bit rocky. Did not do a lot here. Just shopped and relaxed on the beach. Those who did tours said that once you left the terminal you could really see the damages that was done by Ike.
Food on the ship was great. We ate in the main dining room each night. For lunch we did the ledo deck. You could have pizza, NY style deli, even chinese. All was great.
This was the first time that my mom and I did a balcony cabin. Let me say I don't think we can go back. It was so nice to have that extra space to sit out and relax. Also I was surprised to see that Carnival had a big shower. The other cruises that we have gone on the showers were tinny.
All in all I would love to sail with Carnival again. I would reccommend this ship to anyone. Kari, Gulliver's Travel Store
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