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What To See And Do On The Island Of St. Lucia

By Patty | Published May 25, 2012 | Posted in Tahiti & Fiji


Click here for more photos of my recent St. Lucia trip!

The island of St. Lucia is not only one of the most romantic and exotic islands in the Caribbean, but the island is full of sites and activities to see and do. Many clients I work with want some beach time, but worry about becoming restless and want things to do “off resort”. St. Lucia is a great destination for those who want it all – beach AND interesting excursions.

The most popular attraction on St. Lucia is the famous Pitons which just cannot be ignored even if you try. These volcanic plugs rise up above the rest of landscape in dramatic fashion. The Pitons are located on the southeast end of the island where upscale resorts like Ladera, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are located. There is even a local beer named after them. You can actually hike up the Pitons, but you must arrange this with a reputable tour or excursion company as guides are required. Gros Piton is the easier of the two to climb and most people take approx. 2 ½ hours to make it to the top.

Other activities available for adventurous folks are, zip lines, ATV’s, scenic trail hikes through the island’s rainforest and horseback riding. Another popular excursion on the island that I really liked, was one that included some snorkeling, a visit to the Drive In Volcano, sulphur springs, waterfalls and finished off with a nice authentic creole lunch served up in the hillside above the capital of Soufriere. You can book most of these tours through Island Routes.

On the Northern end of the island where a large majority of the resorts are located such as the three Sandals “Couples Only” Resorts,  you have town of Castries. The Gros Islet Street Party on Friday nights can be a lot of fun with music, lots of food like kebabs and fresh fish and of course vendors with local wares. Another interesting site to see is Fort Rodney. If you are staying at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the park is right next door. It’s only $5 USD to enter the park and the short hike up to the point features historic cannons, as well as AMAZING VIEWS.

We have three St. Lucia Specialists in our office and we are happy to help you with accommodations and activities. Just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or you can email me at patty@totemtravel.com.

Hawaii, fully escorted tour for women only!

By Sandi | Published May 18, 2012 | Posted in Hawaii


Click here more Hawaii photos

Has Hawaii been calling your name, but because none of your friends or family was available to travel, you just kept putting it off? Well, stop hesitating! The time has come for you to say yes to the Spirit of Aloha, experience the fragrance of tropical flowers, enjoy the beautiful beaches, and do it all while someone else handles all of the logistics!

Are you looking for adventure and lots of activities? I have a great tour for you!! Or would you prefer a slower pace and enjoy relaxing by the pool or on the beach? There’s a tour for you too!

Active Hawaii, starts August 11-18th, and includes a luxury hotel, the Waikiki Parc, in Waikiki, where you can experience sea kayaking, or maybe swim with the dolphins! Maybe surfing lessons? Three nights in Honolulu will give you time for a Honolulu Tour, and a visit to Pearl Harbor and the new visitors’ center. It’s a very surreal experience that you will not forget.

After 3 nights in Waikiki you will continue your Hawaiian adventure in Maui. You will stay 4 nights at the most Hawaiian hotel on Maui, the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, which boasts many cultural activities: lei making, hula classes, Hawaiian language classes and ukulele lessons, to name a few. Snorkeling Molokini and a Sunset Cocktail cruise are all included, as well as all of your transfers. No need to rent a car; you can leave the GPS at home, and enjoy exploring Maui with your new friends, while someone else does the driving!

If you prefer to relax and enjoy the history and culture of Hawaii, our next tour has been designed with you in mind. The Hawaii at its Best tour is November 10-17th You will have 3 nights in the luxurious Waikiki Parc Hotel, close to shopping, and the beach. You will enjoy High Tea at the Historic Moana Hotel, and experience a private tour of Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace in the US. A tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor will fill out your 3 nights in Honolulu.

Four nights in Maui will be highlighted by a private cooking class (the island way!) at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Visits to a lavender farm and a winery, along with Coffee tasting are among the fun activities planned for Maui. Again, as with the first tour, all of your transfers are included! You will love discovering all Maui has to offer, without the hassle of a rental car and map!

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a Luau! Old Lahaina Luau, one of the most popular in Maui, will provide you a feast of island dishes such as Lomi Lomi Salmon, Chicken Long rice, and of course, Kalua Pig, which has been cooked in an Imu (underground oven), and is delicious! Entertainment is a big part of a Luau, with hula dancers, Tahitian dancers, fire eaters, and storytelling!

If traveling with a small group of women, with fun activities, no hassle preparation and someone else to handle all the details sounds like your cup of tea, please contact sandi@totemtravel.com. You can also phone, 425-821-4100 or 1 800-321-7907.

Qamea Resort in Fiji is all inclusive with upgraded bures & surfing!

By Linda | Published May 10, 2012 | Posted in Tahiti & Fiji


Click for slide show of Qamea Resort in Fiji

Qamea, one of my all time favorite resorts in Fiji, has enhanced an already outstanding experience with its new all inclusive format, resort renovations, upgraded bures and expanded activities.

Qamea has always included meals in the room rate but for those wishing an all inclusive vacation in Fiji Qamea now includes a lovely selection of wines, domestic beer and soft drinks by the glass between noon and 10 p.m. Non motorized watersports and many activities are also included in the room rate and for a limited time, airfare is on sale.  So if your travel dates fit and everything is available a complete package starts around $7.5K  total for two for a 7 night stay with airfare from Los Angeles.

Other recent enhancements at Qamea include

  • Upgraded bathrooms in all Beachfront Bures with rock wall and stone basins in addition to the lovely and popular outdoor showers.
  • A new jacuzzi at the main pool.
  • Full size jacuzzis in both Honeymoon Bures in place of jetted tubs.
  • A surf pro on site November through March with 3 breaks within 15 minutes of the resort which can  accommodate beginners as well as those more experienced with surfing.

Popular activities available year round include daily snorkel trips, an excellent scuba diving operation with 5 star PADI dive center, kayaking, sailing, beach volleyball and Fijian arts and crafts. And Qamea Island Resort and Spa offers the area’s easiest access to Taveuni Island’s most popular attractions – Buomo waterfall and national park and the pearl farm.

For information on Qamea vacation packages or assistance planning a honeymoon in Fiji, please contact Linda or Patty or Request a Quote from the Fiji vacation specialists at Totem Travel.

Beware of Fiji groupon deal and Tahiti online pricing

By Linda | Published April 27, 2012 | Posted in Tahiti & Fiji, Updates, specials & deals

Since returning from Fiji a few days ago I’ve been asked if I can beat a number of deals including Groupon, Expedia and Kayak and in each case Totem Travel’s normal package pricing was lower than the perceived deal. This was good news for my clients that were up front enough to ask, but I suspect many bargain hunters simply assume that Groupon deals and online travel agencies are offering deep discounts when in reality they are charging more.

The one that troubled me most was the Online Travel Agency that offered the St Regis Bora Bora for $850 night or $853 night “including tax”.  As a Tahiti honeymoon specialist I know the real tax rate is 14% and that’s before all the other “extras” collected at check out, long after the reservation is made and way too late to make a different purchase decision.  The bottom line for my particular customer was an undisclosed $1011 for a 7 night stay.  Yikes!  Another was the groupon deal that encouraged clients to buy a package at Toberua, a lovely little island resort in Fiji, for $2079.  That deal excluded the 20% VAT tax while my everday price for the same Toberua Resort package is $1810 including tax so almost $700 less.

So BUYER BEWARE and do yourself and your travel agent a favor and work together in good faith. A good travel agent guarantees the lowest price on their packages (we do) but  can only deliver on that promise if there is open, honest communication.  A professional travel agent is on your side with the goal of finding best possible vacation experience at the lowest possible price. So go team and thanks to all my wonderful clients that understand the value of collaboration!

Sandals Montego Bay Is A Great All Inclusive For Beach & Water Sport Lovers And Couples Looking For Fun and Romance!

By Patty | Published April 20, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean


Click here for more photos of Sandals Montego Bay

Sandals Montego Bay is a fun all inclusive “couples only” resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you are looking for a resort that is located on a great beach in the Caribbean yet don’t want to be bored by a quiet, stuffy resort that offers little to do, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent all inclusive choice.

At Sandals Montego Bay you can play all day in the sun and enjoy evening festivities as well. In addition to snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaks and other non motorized sports that are available and included in your stay, Sandals also has a Mastercraft ski boat at the property and waterskiing and tubing are included. If you haven’t gone tubing in the Caribbean, it’s a lot of fun! On a typical day at this resort, you have beach volleyball going on, several guests sailing offshore, the snorkel boat departs several times daily as does the dive boat and there are always those guests who just want to either hang out in the water or chill on a beach recliner with the drink of the day. The snack/beach bar allows you to eat and drink without leaving the beach, but if you prefer to get out of the sun for a bit, there are several nice dining choices for lunch or you can take in a spa treatment.

The fun continues in the evening and you can be entertained by sitting around the main stage in the lobby of the resort with the nightly entertainment provided or if you prefer a casual socially interactive time, you can hang out in the Cricketer’s Pint. There is also a piano bar where you can enjoy a martini and hang out with snacks like nuts and popcorn.

Many guests who vacation at Sandals resorts  rave about booking a butler category room and having a butler. There are fantastic butler room options at Sandals Montego Bay called the Bay Roc Villas and what I love about these rooms are their location. These rooms are located directly on the beach at the far end of the resort so you have a nice private quiet beach area in front of your room. You are still only a short distance from the Piano Bar and swim up bar/pool and the rest of the resort, but you feel like you have your own private spot. I also really liked staying in the Concierge level rooms in the Palms Building because they are also on the beach and have a nice oceanview. The bathrooms are very standard with the basic tub/shower combo, but the room itself is plenty big with a nice balcony or patio looking out at that beautiful blue Caribbean sea.

I am always asked which is my favorite Sandals All-Inclusive Resort.  It really depends on what type of experience and atmosphere you are looking for. If you want to have fun and be active in a more lively setting, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent choice for you. With the highest returning guest rate of all the resorts, you’ll feel right at home at Sandals Montego Bay. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or email me at patty@totemtravel.com if you would like to escape to the Caribbean. We are Sandals and Caribbean Specialists and we would be happy to help you find the right all-inclusive resort for your budget and occasion.

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