EZTravelpad

Busier Than Normal During May in Indy - Working With Interns

New Interns Joined EZTravelPad This Month - Welcome!

Butler University Student Interns Working Several Projects This Summer

The month of May in Indianapolis is traditionally a crazy month with all of the festivities revolving around the Indy 500

• Mini Marathon
• Pole Day
• Carb Day
• Parade
• Indy 500

The weather starts breaking so you can get outside more, yard work commences plus this year saw the Indiana Pacers with a playoff run so May was such a busy month already.....

Add to that mix the fact that 4 interns joined EZTravelPad this May and you can imagine how busy it has been (oh yeah - business has been really strong also...)

So I would like to officially welcome Becca, Jessica, Kirk and Lindsey to the EZTravelPad team. This group of Butler University students will be working on all sorts of projects that include website development, social media outreach, brand development and more - so if you see a bit of a spike in tweets and blogs posts this summer, you have our new Butler interns to thank. I am confident they will do a great job in helping improve EZTravelPad's internet presence and help spread the message that you can get help with your travel planning and you won't pay more by working with EZTravelPad

Stay Tuned to see what these Butler Bulldogs have to say!

Touring and Reviewing - Secrets Maroma Beach

Secrets Maroma Beach - Adults Only Paradise in Mexico - a Review

Maroma Beach, located about half way between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, south from Cancun in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is consistently ranked as one of the world's Top 10 Beaches and for good reason- Clear blue waters, powdery white sands & water sports galore conspire to create a beach lover's paradise.

One of the highly rated adults-only all-inclusive resorts located along this fine stretch of sand is Secrets Maroma Beach. Secrets is the adults-only brand served up by AMResorts (affiliated with Apple Vacations & sister property to Dreams, Zoetry, Now & Sunscape Resorts).

 

Not every all-inclusive resort offers the same sort of affordable luxury found at Secrets Resorts.

Frequently at all inclusive resorts you find limited selections of restaurants - limited choice in all sorts of food & beverages - limited access to bars and scant choice in restaurants. Spending a week at an all-inclusive resort and feasting at the same boring buffet several days in a row can be a bummer, but with 8 restaurants (most of which are luxurious a la carte options) and 7 bars fully stocked with premium fare you will not feel that your choices are redundant.

It's not all about food & beverages though - and one of the best features at Secrets Resorts are the suites which generally offer in room jacuzzis, after all - this is a romantic escape for 2, right?

Excellent Spa facilities

 The spa facilities are great - as is the water sports area, common grounds, pool & more.

This is a fantastic place for a Honeymoon or Destination Wedding (assuming children will not be attending) also - a huge part of their business!

Check out this brief video tour

 

If there is one knock on the property it is this....  Time-share sales

I have personally encountered guests that were quite annoyed with the aggressiveness of the on-site salespeople, and so it is with some hesitancy that I suggest Secrets as a 1st choice, but if you don't mind being pestered a bit the product is fantastic

For more info on this and many other resort options in Mexico and throughout the Caribbean get with EZTravelPad - you'll be glad you did!

 

Cirque du Soleil at Moon Palace Resort in Mexico

This Just In - Amazing Entertainment in Paradise this Summer!

2 of the greatest have teamed up - Palace Resorts, one of the finest brands in all inclusive resort vacations has gotten together with Cirque du Soleil - the master of amazing production shows, and come up with another fantastic reason to visit....

 

If you have not gotten your summer vacation plans set yet then this may be a must see -

Why Palace?

With several area resorts to choose from you can't miss - whether you would prefer to experience the adults only sophisticated chic of Le Blanc Spa - or the laid back nature of Playcar Palace, tickets are comp & so is the transportation to see the show

PLUS-

If you were not already aware, on stays of 5 nights or longer Palace includes $1500+ in resort credits to be used for cool things such as swimming with dolphins, golf, spa & more -

For more info and to check availability get with your travel agent.

What, don't have one? Then get with EZTravelPad - you'll be glad you did! 

 

 

 

Secrets Capri Resort along Riviera Maya in Mexico - a Review

Reviewing & Touring Secrets Capri Resort - Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen

The smallest of the Secrets brand resorts along the scenic stretch of beach south from Cancun, Mexico known as the Riviera Maya may just be the best. Unless you are looking for more, bigger, mas, grande then Capri really is a great option.

With a scant 290 suites (by comparison some other resorts in the neighborhood are 10x larger or more!) Secrets Capri offers a great balance of choice and convenience. It's not over-the-top fancy like some resorts. There are not 20 choices of room categories. What there is though makes up for it. With 6 restaurants and 5 bars the small property offers much.

This is a good resort for a romantic getaway, an anniversary celebration, a Honeymoon or a Destination Wedding as well. At a resort like this with less than 600 guests even a small wedding party of a dozen or so will not feel lost - in fact the entire staff will likely know who is getting married and who the guests are! You can choose from a beach wedding in the sand, or something a little more stately like in this awesome gazebo

Check out this short video tour to get a better sense of rooms, beach and overall feel

 

Restaurant choices include a la carte such as

• Himatsu - Asian
• Oceana - Seafood
• Portofino - Mediterranean
• La Riviera - Mexican
• Seaside Grill - as the name implies
• Cactus Club - Taco & Ceviche Bar

Secrets is the adults-only brand from AMResorts which also offers additional family friendly brands such as Dreams, Now and Sunscape as well as the Wellness & Spa boutique resorts named Zoetry 

There are Secrets Resorts located all across Mexico as well as in Dominican Republic and Jamaica. You can see the Secrets Capri brochure at this link

So how do you know which resort is the best fit for you? What is the best way to research your next vacation?

Simple - OUTSOURCE it to your travel consultant (travel agent).

A travel agency should be able to insure that you receive the best value (value = price + service), but more importantly your travel consultant should work hard to make sure they understand what it is specifically that most interests you. Your travel consultant should act like your personal shopping concierge understanding what you want to achieve then presenting the best options to save you incredible amounts of time and frustration!

Don't have a travel consultant that you work with? Then contact EZTravelPad and see why we consider ourselves "Your friends....in the travel business"

 

Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun - a review

Reviewing Le Blanc Spa Resort (a Palace Resort) in Cancun, Mexico

 

Le Blanc Spa Resort is an adults only all-inclusive resort located in the hotel zone of Cancun, Mexico. It is located very close to the middle of the hotel zone actually, but exists a world away from what you would traditionally associate with Cancun all-inclusive resorts that often cater to the Spring Break crowd.

 

 

 

This resort is a far cry from typical and in high demand for Weddings and Honeymoons catering to the sophisticated crowd - urban chic, like something out of South Beach. You almost expect Rico Tubbs (Miami Vice) to walk around the corner at any minute...

The Beach is powdery white sand

The water is an blue as you dreamed it would be and The infinity pool says it all...

Guest Rooms

As you would expect, guest rooms are extremely well appointed and are as functional as they are luxurious featuring private balconies to enjoy the outdoors and 2 person in room jacuzzis to enjoy indoor.

Offering butler service in rooms, concierge service at the pools, Haute Cuisine in 5 a la carte restaurants and superior service at every turn, Le Blanc is very much a luxury oasis in Cancun. Nightly turndown service with petit fours, higher end bath products, pillow top beds that you will never want to leave all combine for a very nice package. See more at their website at this link

Beyond the typical amenities Le Blanc offers unlimited free phone calls back to the US, unlimited internet service, and best of all, $1500 resort credits on a 5-8 night stay (other levels exist for shorter and longer stays) that can be used for spa, room upgrades, wedding packages, swimming with dolphins, tours, golf at Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf & much more!

So can you tell that I liked it? Can you tell that I can't wait to go back?

Le Blanc is not for everyone, but if you consider yourself a person of discriminating taste that would prefer to be located close to the action and shopping in Cancun's Hotel Zone as opposed to further away down along the Riviera Maya then Le Blanc may just be for you when it's time to celebrate your Anniversary, Honeymoon, Destination Wedding or even just a luxurious retreat

It is Shatner's World....

"Shatner's World - we just live in it"

In case you are not aware, there is a new theater production crossing the US and it is Shatner's World - a One Man Show starring who else - William Shatner (yeah that one - Captain Kirk, Denny Crane, The Negotiator, Alexander the Great, TJ Hooker, even a recording artist - check out this awesome little nugget a video that ends with part of a great song from his album "Has Been").

Wait, you say - this is a travel blog, what's up with a theater review? Well, that's easy - often when you want to go to a performance like this you need to spend the night in the city and who helps with the hotel? The travel agent...

On a deeper level, EZTravelPad is not just a travel agency helping clients arrange transportation and lodging, but a source for better information and ideas. The real reason that I do what I do is that I decided I wanted to enjoy my life better through experiencing new places, people and events, plus I enjoy helping people enjoy their lives a little better too - THAT is why I have the best job in the world.

So with that in mind, I have to confess- I am no theater critic, but I loved Shatner's World. My wife and I recently saw the show in Chicago and while it lacks the drama and spectacle of other performances I have witnesses before, it is just a little bit life changing.

If you had told me a month ago that I would spend 2 hours in an uncomfortable chair listening to an 80 year old guy ramble on about his life experiences I might not have believed you, but this Shatner guy has lived quite a life and I wanted to know more- and more I did learn.

Shatner spent just short of 2 hours telling stories about his most incredible experiences, stories about people he has loved, stories from his childhood, stories about his marriages. Some stories were not exceptional - some were and most were funny - for example the punch line to one such story is....

"and somewhere in New Orleans a family is living in a house that my kidney stone bought"

 What did I take away?

• Live
• Take a chance
• Say YES

You never know what it might lead to. That philosophy has certainly worked for Shatner and it brings me back around to my life, and how I like to live, and how I like to help you with yours....I know I am going to seize every chance to do new things - what about you? 

When you are ready for a new experience (or maybe to revisit a great one) get with EZTravelPad and see why so many other people are turning back to travel agencies - it make sense 

Carnival Cruise to South America - see Machu Picchu, Galapagos, Rio & More

See America del Sur (South America) on a "Fun Ship" with  Carnival Cruises

Yes, there is an entire continent to explore just south of - well, Panama - but still pretty close as continents go, I mean heck, it's close enough to share our last name (if you live in the US of A or North America that is)

So what, you ask is there to see there? A LOT, read on....

Carnival Splendor will offer three South America voyages in February and March 2013. A 17-day “South America Explorer” cruise will depart Long Beach Feb. 3 and arrive Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile, Feb. 20, 2013, visiting Cabo San Lucas and Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Quito (Manta),

Ecuador, where guests can embark on an excursion to the Galapagos; Lima (Callao), Peru, offering an opportunity to visit Machu Picchu; and Arica, Chile.

A 13-day “Fjords, Glaciers & Patagonia” voyage will operate from Santiago (Valparaiso) to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 20 to March 5, 2013, calling at Puerto Montt, Chile, before cruising the Chilean Fjords and Darwin Channel. This breathtaking itinerary is followed by calls at Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay.

An 18-day “Brazilian & Caribbean Splendor” voyage sailing from Buenos Aires to New York March 5-23, 2013, will feature ports that include Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza, Brazil; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands.

If you have some time to spare and a willingness to experience a huge part of the world that shares so much with the US (after all, South America is part of the "New World" also) then get with EZTravelPad for ideas. There are many, many ways to see the world, and a Carnival cruise is one affordable way

Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets - Best Time to Book Your Trip

When is Best Time to Purchase Your Vacation?

This is a question that I get all the time - When should I buy? When should I travel? When are prices lowest?

The short answer is simply this- purchase your airline tickets as far in advance as you can, plan your trip early. Below is a very unscientific analysis of the cost to fly from Chicago (ORD) to St Lucia (UVF) - a very popular destination for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings.

I looked at round trip flights leaving Saturday and returning the following Saturday. I looked at departing the Saturday following the first full week of the month. I searched on Kayak. The search took place on February 21, 2012. Prices looked like this-

• Mar 2012 $917
• Apr 2012 $706
• May 2012 $596
• Jun 2012 $727
• Jul 2012 $677
• Aug 2012 $596
• Sep 2012 $592
• Oct 2012 $662
• Nov 2012 $659
• Dec 2012 $592
• Jan 2013 $621

The conclusions that I come to are- in general pricing is higher as you are closer to travel, and lower farther out. Clearly you don't want to purchase less than 30 days out if you can avoid it.

Pricing is better in May & September as well as in early December (while the kids are in school). In early December Americans have Christmas holiday shopping on their mind, parties they don't want to miss, things of that nature so pricing is a bit lower. In June & July people have summer vacation on their mind while the kids are on break so pricing is a bit higher. In late spring and in the fall you will find pricing moderates (is this why you are starting to see so many weddings moving to September?)

St Lucia is tough to get to so from the standpoint of being able to get the best connection you are best to book early, but the same holds true for most other destinations - there are only a certain number of flights that are direct or with good connections, and those are the first to sell leaving you with little choice and higher prices if you procrastinate.

When it's time to plan your next vacation consider EZTravelPad where the advice is free and the service is priceless.

Bride Blu Bridal Show at Blue Chip Casino 2012

Big Bridal Show at Blue Chip Casino February 19, 2012

One of the best Bridal Shows of the year is this weekend in Michigan City, IN - Bride Blu at Blue Chip Casino. Produced by Wedding Day Magazine, Bride Blu is a great event for brides and engaged couples to make connections with the wedding industry pros that can help them put together the perfect wedding - see more about Bride Blu in this quick video

I have really come to enjoy doing the bridal shows that are seemingly everywhere this time of year. Getting to meet and eventually get to know young couples interested in "doing it right" when they plan their travel in conjunction with their upcoming wedding - Bridal shows are a great place to reach out to people who are planning to travel either in order to experience a Destination Wedding somewhere "beachy" or more often they are interested in a Honeymoon just after the traditional wedding closer to home.

These couples know that since this is going to be such an important vacation they should use a travel pro to help make sure they get it right and they sure seem to appreciate the complimentary services that EZTravelPad provides!

Couples find that the experience of using a travel pro to help witht he whole process saves them tons of time and frustration, not to mention saving money too- and since they normally come back for help with planning the next trip we must be doing something right.

If you are planning a wedding, or know someone who is, anywhere near Michigan CIty, IN this weekend then come out to the Bride Blu event (see more at this link) at  Blue Chip Casino Sunday February 19, 2012 to see what EZTravelPad can do to help- but get there early, with the large number of couples that get engaged on Valentine's Day, not to mention the amount who become engaged over the holidays, you can expect a big crowd. 

Lover's Week this Valentine's Week on Wheel of Fortune Features Sandals Resorts

Sandals set to invade Wheel of Fortune Once Again

TUNE IN TO SANDALS RESORTS ROMANCE WEEK ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Watch Wheel of Fortune the week of February 13 for WHEEL OF FORTUNE SANDALS RESORTS ROMANCE WEEK!  You'll get to see Sandals Emerald Bay and exciting adventures from Island Routes Tours showcased throughout the week along with iconic show hosts, Pat Sajak and Vanna White, enjoying the luxurious amenities.  Each night, the program's famed wheel will feature a custom designed Sandals Resorts wedge giving players the chance to win a Luxury Included® Vacation to Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, Bahamas.  The lucky winners will also receive a romantic candlelight dinner and an exciting Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours® ocean safari  in Great Exuma, Bahamas to explore the natural wonders of the Exuma Cays.  Wheel of Fortune "Wheel Watchers Club" members can win the same romantic getaway if their SPIN ID number is displayed during a Romance week episode.  Plus, each of the "Prize Puzzles" will also offer "Wheel Watchers Club" members an exclusive opportunity to win dream Caribbean vacations to other Sandals Resorts destinations.

Sandals offers the perfect resort experience to enjoy a memorable Destination Wedding, your dream Honeymoon or the romantic escape you have been looking forward to for years..... When you are ready to discuss your very own luxury included Sandals vacation you can go to the internet - go to the call center, or go for help - EZTravelPad is here to help. At EZTravelPad you will find complimentary help and best price - it's a win-win