I often see articles suggesting that you should plan to book your
Honeymoon 4 to 6 months in advance and often that is fine, but
frequently it is far too late!
Depending on the destination you
have in mind, and the type of experience you desire, reservations
should be confirmed more like 10-11 months in advance
If
you are headed to Orlando, FL or Las Vegas, NV for example there are
dozens of flights that can get you from where you are to where you want
to be at decent rates even 30-60 days in advance, but if you are
interested in something a bit more off the beaten path such as St Lucia or
Grenada or Bora Bora then you had better reserve your spots several
months previous or be prepared for overnight layovers and significantly higher prices
The Pitons in St Lucia- view from an open wall suite with in-room infinity pool at Jade Mountain
Additionally,
if you are thinking you would like to enjoy something really special
such as a swim-up suite or a private plunge pool or even an overwater
bungalow then you need to remember that those are the first to be reserved,
often more than a year in advance so plan accordingly!
Your
best advice is to get with a travel planning specialist at your
earliest convenience, as soon as you have your wedding date
established, so that you and your Honeymoon specialist can work through your best alternatives
EZTravelPad is a travel agency specializing in Honeymoon and Destination Wedding planning. If you are not currently working with a travel consultant then get in touch with "Your friends....in the travel business" at EZTravelPad
Ricky Martin Concert Dec 28, 2013 at Palace Resorts
They're at it again- book now and receive 2 free tickets to see Ricky Martin at Moon Palace December 28
PALACE RESORTS ANNOUNCES GRAMMY AWARD WINNER RICKY MARTIN
TO PERFORM AT MOON PALACE GOLF & SPA RESORT ON DECEMBER 28
Cancun’s premier entertainment destination to close out 2013 in style
MIAMI, Fla. – (July 2013) -- Palace Resorts - the
company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort
accommodations – proudly announces Grammy-Award winning singer and
entertainer, Ricky Martin to appear in concert at the Moon Palace Golf
& Spa Resort on Saturday, December 28, 2013. The leader in
“awe-inclusive” vacation experiences and world-class entertainment,
Palace Resorts will welcome international superstar Ricky Martin for his
first concert in either the U.S or Mexico in two years. Palace Resorts
is offering guests who book a stay of five nights or more two
complimentary tickets to the performance as part of the all-inclusive
concept
Resorts participating are limited - and transportation from those resorts is even included
I just returned from a local business professionals networking event where I had a brief conversation with a fellow member about her time-share situation and how much she loves it.
Funny thing was, I can't understand why...
During the conversation she related that a trip to Hard Rock Punta Cana (a fantastic all-inclusive resort nn the Dominican Republie) will cost her only $2793 for the mandatory all inclusive add-on to the time-share value she and her husband already possess. If they were taking the kids then $3593 for all 4 of them....
Now I know that the Hard Rock Punta Cana is an excellent resort, but that struck me as just a bit higher than I would have expected so I came back to the office to see what my price would be (without the time-share value it must be significantly higher, right?)
So what was the retail price I pulled up if EZTravelPad were booking it? $2944 or with adding in 2 children then $3302
So what was the price going directly to the Hard Rock website? $2984 (yep, $40 higher)
Both prices (not sure about the time-share though) also include $1500 in resort credits (free money in the casino, spa, golf, tours, room upgrades, etc)
To be fair I do not know some specific details about the time-share cost she related, for example-
Were they in some sort of high end suite?
What specific dates?
Was she talking about 2 weeks instead of just 1?
Are there monthly maintenance fees involved?
Is there a booking fee per trip?
or...
Do they pay her to retain the time-share in exchange for her paying more than she otherwise would on her vacation? (ok, that's just my humor coming out)
Seriously though, this is just another example of the effectiveness of a great sales pitch convincing a consumer that by pre-paying for vacations that they may take sometime in the future they can save a ton of money - when if fact it is just not the case.... I've seen it over and over again
Do yourself a favor - find yourself a good travel consultant who you trust and respect. The odds are that they will help you find the best solution to your unique vacation wants & needs - plus probably find it at a lower price than you could yourself - thus, get you the best "Deal"
If you do not currently work with a travel consultant (agent) then consider giving EZTravelPad a call... and check out the video below for more info!!
Ready to do something special for your spouse? Is it time to plan a very special anniversary celebration? Thinking about relighting the fire in your relationship?
Vow Renewal ceremonies are a very popular trend at Caribbean destinations. Perhaps you really wanted that beach wedding several years ago, but family pressures or logistics prevented it from happening....so why not do it now? You can get away with just your spouse - or you can include yourselves and a few close friends - or the whole family & all of your friends can join in the celebration.
Many resorts throughout the Caribbean and Mexico are getting in on the trend and offering some excellent packages with everything already thought through and professionally prepared - and often the complete ceremony is even FREE!
Beautiful Beachfront Location
Officiant
Flowers
Music
Cake
Reception
and much more...
Sandals Resorts offers a complete package much like a Destination Wedding ceremony - see complete details at this link
For more info, ideas and complete details on how to celebrate your marriage in style...no matter how long since your last ceremony....contact EZTravelPad Today!
Cruise in Alaska on a Small Ship Offers Unparalleled Experiences
Size Matters
Many people have experienced the wonders of Alaska on a
large cruise ship doing a 7 night itinerary either southbound, northbound or perhaps a round trip on the inside passage - large ships with entertainment and casinos can be a great way to see many of the wonders of of largest of these United States of America - but few have
experienced the intimate nature that can only be realized from a small
ship cruising Alaska
Itineraries that range from 7 nights to 21 night are available from April until September
There are several companies who offer amazing vacations of
discovery that range from adventure to luxury - from wildlife discovery to nature
hikes - to interacting with locals who are completely off the beaten path
in areas that simply are unattainable on a larger ship
One such option is Un-Cruise Adventures formerly known as Innersea Discoveries or American Safari Cruises
Un-Cruise adventures range in style from
Active Adventures
Luxury Adventures
Heritage Adventures
you can even charter your own
vessel on ships that range from as few as 22 guests to a maximum of 88
guests on the largest ship in the fleet
A Heritage Adventure is a completely unique experience
aboard a Victorian style replica of a coastal steamer which is
scheduled for a greater quantity of shore visits and port calls and where
on-board presentations are delivered by knowledgeable historians and characters appear in period costume.
Fine wines, Premium spirits and micro brews are included as well as the freshest excellent cuisine
Active Adventures are defined by play - be it in the water, in the woods - or even in the mud. The outdoor
activities include more outdoor guides on staff to help with kayaking and stand up paddle
boarding - hiking and treking - glacier
viewing, glacier hikes, whale watching, wildlife observation & Polar Bear
Plunge....all this and more are experienced on a daily basis
Luxury Adventures are slightly different in that although
the itinerary might be similar Premium wines, Premium liquors and Micro Brews enhance the gourmet cuisine and finer dining which is
served over several courses. Cabins are larger and more luxuriously
appointed, the full bathrooms often feature jacuzzis and heated tile floors,
Temperpedic memory foam beds and more... Fitness equipment, Saunas, On-deck hot tubs
and even complimentary massage enhance the Alaska experience in ways you
never thought possible
Take the Kids on a an unforgettable adventure - let them kiss an iceberg up close and personal!
Take your spouse on that special trip that none of your neighbors, co-workers or Facebook friends has ever experienced
Have a 1-of-a-kind Honeymoon experience
Take yourself to new heights of discovery....experience!
For more info on this or other vacation options get with "Your friends....in the travel business" at EZTravelPad
The Riu brand of all inclusive resorts is one of the more popular choices of the many Spanish owned resort chains operating throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, and Riu Montego Bay is one of the more popular choices in Jamaica. As a large hotel & resort brand operating across much of the globe, Riu offers a good value and is certainly a good option for many - but does that mean it's the right choice for you?
EZTravelPad will try to help you make that decision with some insight, photos, video and more....so read on
Recently spending a few nights at the resort gave me a good chance to get a pretty good feel for the pluses and minuses of the resort and traveling with several other travel agents also lent some additional perspective and insight
Overall Design-
With nearly 700 rooms in a fairly small amount of acreage, the space to guest ratio is fair - comparable to direct competitors but far from spacious compared to some brands pricing just a bit higher so competition for beach and pool chairs starts early in the day....
For so many the all inclusive resort vacation is all about the party and if that is your main focus then this might be a good option for you - especially if you and your group are aged in your 20's. The party at the main pool's siwm up bar was definitely on full tilt from 10a-6p daily due in large part to the design of the pool & swim up bar. With in-pool "booths" and tables and jacuzzis and bar stools the architect created a fantastic space for enjoying the pool and the bar
As many resort designs include several sections of room blocks located individually across the resort grounds Riu was no exception but falling a bit short when it came to tying everything together. Many competitors will have covered walkways which offer shelter from the frequent tropical rains that will pop up anytime day or night - your umbrella is the only option for staying dry when walking from room to restaurant - some covered walkways would be a good thing
Rooms are comfortable with decent space, modest furnishings and extra firm mattresses. Bathrooms are spacious yet a huge design flaw in my thinking was that the small bathtubs were very hard to maneuver in since the tubs are rounded as opposed to flat - tough to turn, even stand while taking a shower - good space but poor tubs = fail for me on that aspect
Food-
It's interesting how perceptions are so individual. For example I am
generally fairly critical of food quality and selection wherever I
travel. I appreciate good food quality and selection - and good service.
Interstingly, I found the food selection and quality to be pretty good
considering the cost of the resort overall - compared to some
competitors I felt they did a good job in this area, but many others
that I was traveling with felt the food was less than impressive - and
so it goes for opinions....
The main restaurant buffet consistently offers a wide range of offerings prepared reasonably well - the a la carte options (both the Italian "Little Italy" and the Asian "Kalu") that I experienced were more than adequate yet certainly not overly impressive from a culinary standpoint
Location-
One of the attractive features of this moderately priced resort is it's close proximity to the airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Being located close to the airport definitely helps to maximize your resort time but it can be a mixed blessing though - being located directly in the flight path means that frequent low flying jets will bring a stop to the conversation for a few seconds several times per day
The beach at Riu Mo Bay is not bad. A bit of seaweed washes us, and sand that is less than powdery is a bit of a drag but overall the space is good and the view at sunset is very good. Few peddlers exist since this is a private beach for guests only, but the occasional salesperson will find their way onto the beach and attempt to sell some things.
Intangibles-
Overall I found the service to be ok - certainly nothing close to the level of service at some of the higher priced options. Staff was generally polite but not really friendly with few exceptions. It seemed they were going through the motions and doing their jobs but not really loving it so we all found the overall level of service and training of staff to be fair - could definitely use some improvement
Some people only require cold beers and sodas to enjoy themselves - others have a more discriminating palate. I found the limited beverage selection to be disappointing and the wine selection was nearly undrinkable. That said, blended drinks and simple mixed cocktails are hard to ruin so there are options...
Due to the family friendly nature of the resort, if a Destination Wedding is something that you are considering and keeping the budget as low as possible is a top consideration then this is a good choice since people of all ages can enjoy the resort
Check out this video for more...
Overall I would say that for a certain set of clientele this is a good option - and for others not so much. It's not so much about price, but finding the right fit and that is exactly what a good travel consultant should be doing for you - finding the best fit for you!
When it comes time for your next all inclusive trip find a travel advisor like EZTravelPad to help insure that you make the best choice possible - after all, wasting money is not fun but wasting life's most precious commodity (yout TIME) is a shame!!
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas, USVI is good choice for All Inclusive Resort
A large part of my job as a travel consultant/advisor with EZTravelPad revolves around touring, experiencing and understanding a wide variety or resorts to better be able to help people with deciding what their best choices are on their next vacation
Often there is a great deal of similarity between resorts and even between destinations, but sometimes I find something that is unique, and I believe Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas to be one of those - a family friendly resort that is not fancy, but delivers on their promise of being a laid-back spot, managed by the owners
and it’s definitely the kind of place WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME!
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is a family friendly
resort located on the island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. As
such, a passport is not required for US citizens to visit so this is a popular choice
for those people wanting to experience an authentically Caribbean island
feel without straying too far from the feel of the US. It is
significantly more affordable than the other US island destination of
Hawaii, which is also very popular for Honeymoons (but Hawaii does not offer
all-inclusive resorts)
Couples wanting to enjoy a tropical island without the need of a passport should consider the US Virgin Islands
On
the surface the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is a bit primitive- not fancy
or luxurious in the least, but when you scratch the surface and look a
little deeper the friendly service and family feel of the resort more
than make up for the rather dated accommodations.
Upon entering the resort, honestly, I was a little disheartened with what felt like a motel that hasn't changed much in the last 40 years - as depicted in this photo of the front desk
The rooms were very basic, the restaurant and common areas were not grand, and the beach was not vast
BUT- I had a total change of opinion ofter spending only an hour or so with my resort host Colleen (who quite obviously DOES know everyone's name)
Sure, Colleen was welcoming and polite and nice, as all resort management always is when hosting a travel agency having a look around - but this went a little deeper. She was more engaged with her staff and more friendly with the guests....and more American (a California transplant to the island many years ago) than most - in short, she sold me on the fact that this place is different - it's like going to your home.... in the Caribbean!!
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort may not be fancy - it's not luxurious - but it is most definitely welcoming and friendly and clean and comfortable, which is not a bad thing!
For so many people comfort and clean and friendly are more inportant
than luxury and the "wow" factor, and if this describes you then this
might be an excellent choice for your next vacation to the Caribbean
Honeymoon couples staying 7 nights can enjoy inclusions such
as
a sunset catamaran cruise
a catamaran cruise to snorkel
with sea turtles
a la carte dining including lobster, steaks
and much more...
Competitive pricing vs. other resorts in the USVI make this resort with an all-inclusive option a strong contender for those vacationers (especially Honeymooners) who choose not to
acquire a passport and would prefer to saty on "U.S. soil"
Some fun things to do include
Paddleboarding
Windsurfing
Scuba lessons
Hobie cats
Water trikes
Oh - and napping under a palm tree - that's a fun thing too!!
There is much more to convey, so when you are ready to decide on your next vacation turn to EZTravelPad where we like to think of ourselves as - "Your friends....in the travel business"
The announcement has finally been made - Sandals La Source in Grenada will be accepting reservations for December 2013 beginning in 2 days - March 23, 2013
The anticipation has been high, and with good reason - based on these renderings (photos will be available soon I am certain) the newest Sandals resort - La Source in Grenada looks terrific. Check out some of what you can expect below-
The pool in the Tahitian Village section
Swim out suites in the more exclusive Italian Village
The Oceanview Sky Pool Suites....
Be among the first to enjoy this exciting new Sandals property located in Grenada and featuring-
o 231 rooms and suites
o 3 villages: Pink Gin Village, Tahiti Village, and Italian Village
o Just minutes from the airport
o 9 restaurants including a world class steakhouse restaurant – Butch’s Chophouse
o 3 pools plus 2 river pools
o State of the art fitness center and spa
o Meeting facilities
o 75 butler suites including millionaires suites, rondovals and skypool suites
o Romantic soaking tubs in all rooms and suites in the Tahiti and Italian villages
Continuing with the all inclusive format for adult couples only, Sandals La Source will be perfect for Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and romantic escapes of all sorts.
The resort opens for reservations Mar 23 for arrivals beginning December 12
So you know what to do now - right? Contact "Your friends....in the travel business" at EZTravelPad
It's been a long time coming, but finally Sandals Resorts has rolled out complimentary Wifi in many of their room categories at Sandals Resorts in Jamaica
Here is the most recent release-
SANDALS RESORTS MAKES IT EASIER FOR GUESTS TO STAY CONNECTED
~ Guests of Concierge and Butler Rooms Receive Complimentary Internet Connection and Overseas Calls ~
Perfect for those that keep their smartphones and tablets as close as their sunscreen while on vacation, Sandals Resorts
will introduce free Wi-Fi and complimentary long-distance phone calls
for select room categories in 2013. These special perks are provided
specifically to guests staying in Concierge Rooms and Butler Rooms, at
any of the seven Sandals Resorts in Jamaica.
Beginning
March 15, 2013, free Wi-Fi will keep guests in concierge or higher
rooms connected whether accessing the latest news and gossip while
lounging poolside; uploading pictures of a romantic beachfront sunset
via social media; or checking emails while relaxing in their luxurious
suite. Additionally, guests in these select room categories at Sandals
Resorts in Jamaica will be permitted to make free long-distance calls to
the U.S., Canada and to UK landlines, as well as local calls to
Jamaican landlines, beginning June 20, 2013. These phone calls will be
offered exclusively through travelers’ personal smartphones by
downloading the Sandals Resort’s online app, which will be free and
available to guests through the Apple and Android App stores.
This is a welcome perks and sure not not only please many guests, but also increase the exposure of the brand as guests tweet and post about the fantastic time they are having in Jamaica
Ready to go but not sure which location will be best for you?
EZTravelPad is here to help make sure you get the very best deal available and that everything goes smoothly.
Recently the Sandals Grande Riviera resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica has reclassified many of the villa suites up on the hillside of the Manor section and now they all include butler service!
This is a huge deal - especially since it does not appear that prices have increased...yet
If you have experienced the Butler service at Sandals you know exactly what I'm talking about, and if you haven't yet experienced it now is a perfect time to see what the fuss is all about at a very affordable rate
To learn more about how a butler can enhance your vacation experience check out this link
Imagine, a villa on the hillside at Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios - with a semi-private pool and butler service at a price comparable to an entry level room at a competing resort....unbelievable!
The Sandals Grande Riviera resort is an excellent choices for either a Honeymoon or a Destination Wedding - and these semi-private poolside villas can be a perfect solution for guests in the wedding party - talk about a party to remember!
The Sandals Grande Riviera is a lively, fun and social resort that additionally offers the type of privacy shown above....plus great dining choices, many entertainment choices, gorgeous tropical gardens and a nice beach with beverage services all combine to make this a must visit resort - see more at the video here
For more info get with an expert who has been there and can guide you to your best choice - contact "Your friends....in the travel business" at EZTravelPad
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