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A few weeks ago I was treated to an incredibly luxurious vacation at Royal Davui private island resort in Fiji.  I’ve been spoiled before (c’mon it’s my job!), and expected 5 star amenities, but all my expectations were met and this idyllic resort simply blew me away.

First let me explain myself.  I am a beach bum, a scuba diver and happiest outdoors in tropical weather.  So it’s unusual for me to get overly excited about a fancy room or honeymoon suite… but the vales at Royal Davui were incredible!  In fact, short of an outdoor shower, Royal Davui offers everything most honeymoon and luxury travelers have on their wish list.

Let’s start with privacy!  To reach Royal Davui one must fly about 10 hours from Los Angeles to Nadi followed by a helicopter or land and boat transfer to a tiny little island in the midst of Beqa Lagoon.  Upon arrival, you’ll get your first glimpse of the island’s white sand beaches, turquoise water and what will soon be your adult only vacation home in paradise, one of only 16 beachfront vales.

Each vale (think bungalow, bure or villa) is built above the sparkling South Pacific Ocean and set far enough apart to afford total privacy.  Access to your vale is along a winding path bordered by lush vegetation , tropical flowers and peek-a-boo views of the sea.

Entering your vale, the peek-a-boo views disappear and you’re greeted with stunning 180 degree ocean views from every room!  Each vale has a light and airy living room with wet bar, fridge and coffee maker, generous deck with table and chairs for private outdoor dining and a private pool (some jetted and heated) suspended above the sea and beach below.  The separate master bedroom suite has a king bed with pillow menu, lavish bathroom with double sinks, an oversized Jacuzzi tub and large walk in shower.

There’s a second furnished deck with comfy lounge chairs off the bedroom and one of my absolute favorite features are the hinged window walls which can be opened wide to balmy breezes and sounds of the surf or closed for air conditioned comfort.  Paradise!

The restaurant and bar offer more amazing views and all meals are included in the room rate.  The food is excellent and most guests dine al fresco in the main dining pavilion, at a torch lit table for two hidden from other guests, or enjoy room service on the deck of their vale.  There is no extra charge for private dining.  For those more social, the open air bar is a popular gathering place and local entertainers provide music and the occasional kava ceremony in the evening.

Daytime activities center on the beach, ocean, pool and spa. Numerous dive sights are nearby and the snorkeling is excellent right off the beach.  Kayaks and sailboats are complimentary, bocce ball and volleyball are popular afternoon activities and there’s a full range of spa services available to keep the mind and body relaxed.

There are optional cost excursions including scuba, golf, deep sea fishing, zip lining, white water rafting, jet skis, shopping and more.  But by far the most popular optional activity is the sandbar picnic where guests are “marooned”  with a gourmet picnic for two, champagne and nothing but a white sand beach, clear tropical waters and time completely alone.  Ahhhhh…….

Royal Davui is about privacy, pampering and time away with your special someone.  You can stay as little as a few days but I recommend you plop yourself down and discover the truly indulgent pleasure of disconnecting and being away from it all!

When you’re ready to plan your vacation or honeymoon in Fiji click for current specials, give us a call at (425) 821-4100 or email linda@totemtravel.com for assistance. Totem Travel guarantees the lowest price for all air inclusive packages to Fiji.  So get personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!

Do you like surprises? Who doesn’t? Especially good ones, right?  Right now, there are some great price-breaks for the El Dorado Hotels.  What’s the catch?  The resort will be the surprise.

You could be staying at the beautiful El Dorado Royale with its 11 gourmet restaurants and bars.  El Dorado Royale has the most beautiful grounds with lovely flowers & stone bridges everywhere.

Or maybe the El Dorado Seasides,  with the beautiful beach with all the beach beds, and the unique bars and restaurants.  El Dorado Seasides is only 10 minutes from the eco-park Xel-Ha and 20 minutes from the Mayan ruins of Tulum.

Perhaps you would be staying at the smallest and most intimate El Dorado Maroma. Maroma has the distinction of having cool sand; that’s right cool sand, which for some reason stays cool even in the direct sunlight.  Your toes will love that!  Maroma’s beach is serviced by beach butlers who will bring you drinks, magazines or even a light snack, so you never have to leave!!

Pricing will, of course, depend upon your dates and availability, but I have priced a 7 day vacation from Seattle, which would include airfare.  The “surprise”  price is $2879 for 2 people.  For comparison, if you were fortunate enough to get a room at the Maroma, you would save over $1200; at the Seasides you would save $1000, and at the Royale $300.  So surprises can certainly save you money and be fun, as well.  Taking a chance is really not a big gamble since all the rooms at any of the El Dorado Resorts include 24 hour room service and lovely furnishings.

If a surprise vacation is in your travel plans, please email me at sandi@totemtravel.com or give me a call at (425) 821-4100.  I look forward to helping you plan the perfect get-a-way, honeymoon, or couples vacation!

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The newest Sandals Resort, Emerald Bay will be opening in late January.  This is exciting news as Sandals Emerald Bay will be the first all butler service resort for honeymooners and vacationers dreaming of a private dinner on the beach, being pampered while resting poolside or simply wanting every need taken care of while they take in the beautiful sites of the Bahamas.

The former Four Seasons Resort has been magically transformed into a top of the line Sandals Resort with three distinctive villages, five outstanding restaurants, English trained butlers at the beck and call of all resort guests, a 72 hole Greg Norman designed golf course and Red Lane Spa all oceanfront along a beautiful mile long crescent shaped beach.  As with all Sandals resorts, everything from meals, premium drinks to water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving is included in the cost of your stay.  With Sandals Emerald Bay you even get a butler who is always on call via “butler cell phone”!  Sandals Emerald Bay is the perfect dream destination wedding or honeymoon spot!

Another Totem Travel favorite, Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa in Jamaica, recently reopened following four months or upgrades and renovations.  One of our honeymoon clients just returned and had rave reviews.  Check out their detailed report on the resort and Totem Travel service at Trip Advisor.

Many changes and upgrades were made including renovations to all resort restaurants, the main lobby area and treatment rooms at the Red Lane Spa.  Some of the room categories have also been completely re-furbished, adding updated furniture, upgraded soft goods and new plasma TV’s offering an enhanced setting for resort guests.

In addition, Sandals Whitehouse will be debut a new dining experience to Sandals called Neptune’s which will be a flavorful Mediterranean-themed dining concept.

For a limited time take advantage of a Companion Fly Free offer at Sandals Emerald Bay or up to 65% off at Sandals Whitehouse.  Call a Sandals Specialist today at 1-800-321-7907 or book online and take advantage of the great savings at two spectacular Sandals resorts.

The ball has dropped and Totem Travel is ready as the wedding and honeymoon planning season begins in earnest.  January will find us at three wedding shows plus we’ll be hosting a number of free honeymoon planning events.   So come meet us in Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds or Kirkland.  Our honeymoon specialists will be everywhere!

On January 9-10 we’ll be representing Sandals Luxury Included Resorts at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and you can get one free admission to the show online.  We’ll have an enter to win prize at our booth plus special incentives for couples attending our Sandals Night January 27.  RSVP to linda@totemtravel.com.

On January 16-17 we’ll have a Fiji Honeymoon booth at the Seattle Convention Center. So come meet us, talk to Tourism Fiji’s top travel agent for 2009 and pick up a $50 gift card at the same time!  Show hours are 10a - 5:30 Saturday and 10:30a - 5p Sunday and coupons worth $2 off admission are available online.  We also have a limited supply of full color magazines showcasing many of the best wedding show vendors.  Just stop by Totem Travel at 12305 120^th Ave NE in Kirkland between 9a - 6p Monday through Friday or Saturday 10a - 3p to pick up your free copy.

On January 30-31 we’ll again represent Sandals all inclusive resorts at the Lynnwood Convention Center.  Discounted admission can be found online and we’ll have another enter to win prize at the booth.

In February Totem Travel is partnering with WARM 106.9 for a very special month of romance.  We’ll conduct a travel seminar at Savvy Traveler in Edmonds on February 20 featuring Tahiti and Fiji, the exotic and beautiful South Pacific islands.  Plus we’ll have another complimentary Sandals Honeymoon Night on February 24 with special incentives for attendees.

So if you are planning a honeymoon or destination wedding you’ll have lots of opportunities to meet the Honeymoon Experts at Totem Travel.   Call, email, visit our site, stop by our store, read resort reviews and see what our customers have to say about the services we provide.

We love travel so you’ll get Personalized service from a travel expert at no extra cost!