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On my most recent trip to France I visited Villandry Chateau in the Loire Valley. I arrived by bicycle after pedaling 6 miles along the Cher River.

Villandry Chateau is beautiful, built mostly in 1536, they started with the original keep from the 12th century and added on from there. It has changed ownership a few times since and in 1906 was purchased by Dr. Joachim Caravallo whose grandson Henri is still the owner today and I was lucky enough to have him give us a tour of the Chateau.

What impressed me most were the gardens, like the Renaissance architecture of French Castles they combine the Gothic tradition with the Italian gardens using floral, medicinal plants and kitchen gardens and flower beds all planted in squares of geometric patterns of colors like those found in the monasteries and princely estates of that time. They are replanted each season with different plants and always have the special geometric pattern within each square.

Something I never realized before is that the gardens include what they call a kitchen garden, where all the vegetables are grown and even that is planted with seasonal vegetables in beautiful colorful squares. There is also a herb garden and then of course the flower gardens, the ornamental garden and the water garden. All are extensions of the Chateau and used during the summer and warmer months as the places to gather, visit and even take their meals, Henri Caravello described them as the living rooms of the 14th century. Who knew they had such functional gardens back then??

Inside the Chateau you’ll find some of the rooms are set up as they were centuries ago for the  guests viewing, but Villandry still retains a homey feel. The Caravello family has also spent years attaining a beautiful art collection which can be seen in the painting gallery as well as the Oriental Drawing Room which has the most beautiful ceiling made of 3600 separate pieces of wood made in the Mudejar style by Moorish craftsmen for Spanish gentry similar to what you would find in Alhambra Palace in Spain.

Henri Caravallo says he often takes groups thru his Chateau himself, so you may be lucky enough to have a guided tour with him as well. Don’t forget to look at the gardens from the upper floors of the Chateau as they are magnificent!  Jennefer - Totem Travel France Specialist
 

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While attending Sandals Star Awards this fall I had the opportunity to visit the gorgeous new Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and all I can say is wow! 

When I visited Sandals Antigua two years ago, I fell in love with the long stretch of powdery white sand and the Rondovals (individual round, bungalow style accommodations) have been popular with honeymooners for years. 

That said, the original section of the resort, now called the Caribbean Grove, had a somewhat unexciting pool and very few guest rooms had an ocean view.  Another concern was the almost total lack of shade for those with lily white Seattle winter skin… 

That has all changed with the opening of Sandals Grande Antigua Mediterranean Village.  Everything about the new section is designed to impress.  The huge new oceanfront pool is stunning with a center waterfall feature and there are lots of tented cabanas with comfy lounge chairs scattered about. 

Every room in the Mediterannean Village has a patio or balcony and most have a 180 degree view of the clear turquoise ocean beyond the pool.  Suites are luxuriously furnished with 4 poster king beds, plasma tv’s, whirlpool tubs, private pools and more.

There are now 9 restaurants to choose from and 8 bars including Sandals’ signature swim up pool bar.  You’ll find a lovely spa, beautifully manicured grounds and lots of space to enjoy a relaxed and luxurious honeymoon or vacation for two.  And if you decide to go, don’t forget to arrange some special extras like a private dinner on the beach or a bubble bath strewn with rose petals and bedroom lit by candles.

Sandals is for couples only and it’s impossible to miss the romance. I’ve been to all 17 Sandals & Beaches Resorts so call or visit my Sandals site when you are ready to go!  You’ll find resort and room descriptions, sample menus, spa services, tours, activities and more.  Plus you’re guaranteed the lowest price available whether you book online or through one of Totem Travel’s three Sandals Specialists.

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My son and I just returned from a pre Christmas week in Mexico where we stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya Resort. The Maya is one of 4 all inclusive Iberostar resorts that share a lovely long stretch of beach about ½ hour south of the Cancun airport and ½ hour north of Playa del Carmen.

Having stayed at Iberostar Tucan on a previous vacation, we expected nice accommodations, good food, friendly service, big pools and a wide variety of activities and entertainment. We were not disappointed!

During our stay we dined at 6 different themed restaurants (all good), sampled a variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, took a hobbie cat out for a sail, did one scuba dive on the reef and two in a cenote (an awesome experience but physically demanding), floated the very-lazy-lazy river, jumped waves in the wave pool and ocean, walked the beach, played pingpong, took in a show and read some great books under the shade of a palapa.

All rooms at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya are junior suites with one king bed or two doubles, a furnished balcony/patio with hammock chair, generously sized bathroom with jetted soaking tub and separate walk in shower, plus a step down living room with couch, table and writing desk. Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, Paraiso del Mar and Paraiso Beach have standard rooms with a small sitting area and combination tub/shower.

Guests at the Maya and Lindo have full use of the pools, restaurants and bars at all four hotels. Reservations may be made in advance for unlimited dining at nine specialty restaurants including French, Italian, seafood, Japanese, Mexican, Cajun, gourmet, steakhouse and Chinese in addition to an extravagant main buffet, poolside café, beach bar and grill, and 24 hour room service. An upgraded liquor selection is offered in the Maya bars.

Iberostar Paraiso del Mar and Paraiso Beach have fewer specialty restaurants and are guaranteed 3 reservations during a one week stay. The lazy river and wave pool are reserved for Maya and Lindo guests and only Maya guests have complimentary use of the beautiful and spacious spa facility with sauna, steam, heated lounge chairs, heated indoor pool and Jacuzzi. Other guests may pay $35 per person per day to use the spa facilities and spa treatments (wraps, massages, pedicures, facials, etc.) are available to all at extra cost.

There is a teen club and an adult only nightclub open until the wee hours and I was told that the golf course was well maintained and challenging. There is even a shopping center on property with complimentary food and beverage service!

Overall the 4 Iberostar Paraiso hotels make an outstanding resort complex for active families and fun loving adults and the new Iberostar Paraiso Grand offers an even more upscale option for honeymoon couples and discerning adults. More on the adults only Grand later!

Call or email for help planning your family vacation.  Our slogan is “Get personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!  Totem Travel“.

The best travel agents travel and in 2007 Totem Travel was in Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, the good ol’ U.S.A. and on the high seas with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Jennefer started the year with an all inclusive vacation at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort.  Her next stop was Las Vegas for a special family birthday, followed by an  NCL Alaska cruise and a week in France touring the Loire Valley to complete her France Specialist certification program.  She wrapped up the year with some fun in the sun on the lovely island of St Lucia and is sadly “grounded” until April when she’s off again to Scotland. 

Sandi spent a week in Jamaica, tested her slot machine skills in Reno & Lake Tahoe, hosted a group of friends on a Royal Caribbean fall foliage cruise to New England and visited the Big Island of Hawaii in December.  Some of her favorite vacation resorts were Sandals Dunns River for couples only, Kona Village for Hawaii “the way it used to be” and the Hapuna Prince Resort.

My travels included a family vacation sightseeing in Washington D.C., three weeks island hopping in the Caribbean and a Christmas trip to Playa del Carmen Mexico.  My favorites were Jade Mountain, Ladera and Jalousie Plantation for an intimate and very private villa style honeymoon, Beaches Negril or Iberostar Paraiso Maya for an activity packed all inclusive family vacation, and Sandals Whitehouse or Sandals Grande Antigua for the newest “luxury included” couples only resorts.

As a rule, the staff at Totem Travel is pretty much office bound January through March booking everyones’ sun breaks, school vacations and summer honeymoons.  But you can count on us to hit the road again by April because the best travel agents travel and we’ve got some of the finest travel junkies in the business!

There is so much to do at Sandals Dunn’s River!The beach, though smaller than Negril’s 7 mile beach, is still very beautiful.  The staff does a wonderful job of keeping the area clean and inviting.   Whether you enjoy lying in the sun to get that great tan, or would prefer to relax in the shade, you will love the beach at Dunn’s River.  Beach chairs are plentiful; the music from the beach bar is pleasant; and the water is warm!  There are many water toys to enjoy:  from Hobie Cats, to water trikes, wind surfing, and sea kayaking.  The snorkel boat is also available several times a day to take you to some great areas for underwater exploring.

If land games are more your thing, beach volleyball is a lot of fun, and the Playmakers love to get a good game going!  There is a horseshoe pit, as well.  My husband and another man played a couple of games, while we ladies lounged by the pool, and drank Jamaican Smiles!  (Pina colada mix, strawberry daiquiri mix and rum cream….yum!!)  I think the ladies had more fun!

There is also a Pitch and Putt Golf Course at Dunn’s River.  This is a small scale, 9 hole, golf course.  We borrowed clubs and golf balls from the Activities Department, and decided to teach ourselves to play golf!  It was a lot of fun, even dodging the sprinklers, but I don’t think Tiger Woods has a thing to worry about.

If you are into “real” golf, Sandals Golf Resort is included in your package.  This means transportation, greens fees, and golf lessons are provided.  You do have to pay for a caddy, an optional cart, and clubs.  I think we may take advantage of the golf lessons when we return.  I don’t think it could hurt!

Indoor activities are also available.  As in all tropical destinations, it does tend to rain for an hour or so each day.  That’s how it stays so green.  However, most people head for the indoors!  Again the Activities Department to the rescue.  They stock so many board games, it looks like Toys R Us!  The Playmakers often lead games of trivia, as well.

In the evening, there is always some kind of entertainment.   At the weekly beach party, you will see fire eaters, limbo dancers, and listen to steel drums.  Sandals Dunn’s River also has a Guest/Employee talent show each week.  Of course, the Piano Bar is available every evening.   You’d be surprised at the amount of talent at the resort.

You will never be bored at Sandals Dunn’s River.  There’s just too much to do!  Please call or email with your travel dates! Sandi