Click for Slideshow of “Island Routes”

As a Preferred Sandals and Beaches travel agency, we know all the specials and help a lot of couples and families see the Caribbean.  However, no vacation or all inclusive honeymoon would be complete without taking advantage of one or more of the Island Routes tours.  Island Routes has compiled a series of tours they like to call the “Best of the Best”.  Do you enjoy a leisurely bus tour, or are you more adventuresome and want to do a little zip-lining, or ride the Jamaican Bobsleds?

One of the most popular tours in Jamaica is the Zip Line, or Canopy Tour.  Enjoy soaring through the trees on a system of harnesses and pulleys through the jungle canopy.  You will not only have a bird’s eye view of the beautiful landscape, but you may also get a glimpse of the Caribbean Sea!

Horseback riding on the beach is fun for everyone.  Your ride will take you along the remains of 2 of the oldest sugar estates on the island, while your guide explains the flora and fauna native to this area.  The most fun though comes when your horse gallops through the surf!  Be sure to wear your swimsuit, because you will get wet, but it’s such fun you won’t care!

Up for some river rafting?  This is an adventure for the whole family!  The White River Valley is a garden paradise, but the real adventure lies in the White River, with the challenging rapids and mystical lagoons.

Deep sea fishing is another of the adventures that can give you that one-in-a-lifetime experience. These are the same waters Ernest Hemmingway spent his days.  Think of the fish stories you can tell back home when you bring in that Blue Marlin or King Fish!!

Swimming with the dolphins has become a very popular vacation inclusion.  Jamaica is no exception!    Dolphin Cove in the Ocho Rios area allows you to play with, kiss and even be pulled about, by the beautiful bottlenose dolphins.  If you prefer to be a spectator, that’s good too!  You can watch the dolphins showing off and you can also take in the Shark Show!

These excursions are available from all Sandals Resorts, but they are most accessible and convenient from the resorts in Ocho Rios: Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, Beaches Boscobel and Royal Plantation. 

On the unspoiled South Coast of Jamaica, at Sandals Whitehouse, you might do a River and Rum adventure.  As you might imagine you will tour the Appleton Rum Estate, and do a Black River Safari, but the highlight is YS Falls.  This beautiful waterfall is yours to enjoy!  Not just to look at, but to cavort in the cascades!

If you’re considering a stay on the 7 mile Negril Beach and staying at Sandals Negril, Beaches Sandy Bay or Beaches Negril, how about an ATV Safari? Adults and teens alike will love this adventure.  On your very own four-wheel ATV you will journey deep into the countryside on twisting pathways that wind beneath the dense jungle canopy.  Included is a stop for refreshments and to enjoy the amazing views of the Caribbean Sea, while you listen to your guide enlighten you with the history of the Negril region.  A not to miss part of this tour is swimming in the secluded private pool carved from sheer rock!

If you need help choosing the best Sandals or Beaches Resort for your honeymoon or all inclusive family vacation, please send me an email or give me a call and if one of these excursions sounds good to you, I am happy to help you reserve your adventure! sandi@totemtravel.com (425) 821 4100 or (800) 321-7907

Click for a slideshow of the Excellence Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya is one of the most beautiful areas of Mexico and is fast becoming THE vacation destination of Mexico.  Along with great beaches, beautiful resorts, and fun shopping experiences at the 5^th Avenue shops in Playa Del Carmen, many activities are readily available, too.  Para sailing, jet skiing, swim with dolphins, swimming the cenotes (underground rivers) and deep sea fishing are just a few of the options.

One of the many resorts in Riviera Maya is the Excellence Riviera Maya, located Puerto Morelos area, about 20-30 minutes from Cancun Airport.  Excellence Riviera Maya is an adults’ only, all-inclusive beach resort, which caters to couples, so an excellent choice for a wedding and/or honeymoon.  Excellence features 8 restaurants, which require no reservations, and 10 bars, 6 swimming pools and 5 outdoor Jacuzzis.

If that’s not enough, non-motorized waters ports are included in your resort package:  windsurfing, sailing, sea kayaking, water aerobic and water polo!   If land activities are more your cup of tea, don’t worry, there are plenty of those too.  Yoga, basketball, bicycling, billiards and a fully equipped fitness center are available to keep you in shape.  After those 8 restaurants you may need it!!

A full-service, world class spa is, at an extra charge, is available to assist you in attaining complete relaxation and to massage away all those achy muscles.  Isn’t that what a vacation is for?

Wedding packages, which include an on-site wedding coordinator who will take care of all of the details for you, are available.  Whether you are planning an elaborate ceremony, with a large reception, or a small private affair, with just a few close friends and family, Excellence can accommodate you and your bridal party.

Accommodations at Excellence Riviera Maya are all Jr. Suites, and include marble bathrooms with jetted tubs, a stocked mini bar, a 4 poster bed, robes and slippers, and a Secret Box for room service.  The Secret Box is a small opening in your wall, which has a door on both sides.  This allows your room service waiter to slip your drinks and/or food into the box without disturbing you.  The waiter just rings the bell to let you know your order has been delivered!  This is, obviously, one of my favorite features!

If a wedding, honeymoon, or a couples retreat is on your travel agenda, please send me an email, or give me a call at (425) 821-4100 or (800) 321-7907 and we’ll get the ball rolling!

-Sandi

Click for Sandals Royal Plantation Vow Renewal slide show

If your anniversary is coming up and you’d like to make it ultra special, consider celebrating at a Sandals all inclusive resort or renew your wedding vows at Sandals Royal Plantation Resort in Jamaica.  A tropical, adult only vacation is guaranteed to rev up the romance, put a glow on your face, sparkle in your eyes  and remind you why you chose each other a few years or decades ago!

Here’s what Rose and Scott (the happy and adorable couple above) had to say -

My husband and I renewed are vows at Royal Plantation Resort for our 25th Wedding
Anniversary and it really was like a fairy tale come true!  We renewed our vows at the Gazebo at the end of the dock looking out at the ocean. The gazebo was decorated with the most beautiful flowers and the staff made us feel like it was our first! The grounds are so beautiful, the beach is great and the food is wonderful! We hope to go back. It is the nicest and friendliest place we have ever stayed…. You are so pampered!

At any of the 12 all inclusive Sandals Resorts located on five tropical Caribbean islands, the Vow Renewal package is $200 for guests staying 7 nights or longer and includes bouquet, cake, boutonniere, photo and champagne.   Ask one of our Sandals Specialists about other “surprises” to make your day even more special and memorable!

At Royal Plantation Resort in Jamaica the vow renewal package is $699 with all of the above plus a 50 minute couples massage, champagne breakfast in bed, a fresh orchid floral arrangement in the suite, music and extra surprises from your personal butler!

Of course anniversaries aren’t the only special occassions celebrated at Sandals and Royal Plantation Resorts.  These resorts are perfect for a Destination Wedding, all inclusive honeymoon or relaxing adult only vacation away from day to day worries and responsibility.  Our Sandals Specialists have been to all the resorts and would love to help you plan a romantic, carefree getaway so call or email with your questions, read our resort reviews or book online.  Once you decide to go, love is all you need!

Click here for Sheraton Buganvilias slideshow

I’m always looking for an affordable vacation on the beach so one of the resorts I was dying to see in Puerto Vallarta Mexico was the Sheraton Buganvilias.  The Sheraton was closed for 2 years for renovation and remodeling and the mostly new beachfront resort is beautiful with vacation packages to fit any budget!

Sheraton is a on a good beach and has wonderful views of Banderas Bay. Because it’s close to town, only 5 blocks to downtown Puerto Vallarta, Sheraton is a popular family vacation resort and a wonderful choice for an affordable honeymoon! 

You can easily stretch your vacation budget by walking from the Sheraton into town where you’ll find excellent restaurants ranging from authentic Mexican to seafood, steak, international cuisine and chain restaurants.  You can shop in old town, enjoy free entertainment along the malecon or stay for the late night scene where clubs and bars are open until the wee hours.  A cab back is only about $5.00 so not a bad idea late at night!

Popular activities in Puerto Vallarta include parasailing, swim with the dolphins, jet skis, sunset and dinner cruises, golf, shopping, tequila and tortilla factory tours and more.

At Sheraton Buganvilias you will be able to keep up with your exercise regiment with 2 gyms, tennis courts, and 2 swimming pools!  The supervised children’s program is free of charge and available for children ages 5-12, from 9am-5pm.  Kids will work on arts and crafts, play games at the beach and pool, and learn about the cultural and artistic elements of Mexico.  This means mom and dad will have time for that special couples’ massage, or a couple rounds of golf at a near-by golf course!

Restaurants at the Sheraton include La Villita where you can enjoy a great breakfast buffet or a la carte with beautiful oceanviews with the dolphins and whales playing in the bay!  Gaviotas Restaurant is a warm and welcoming venue for wonderful Mexican cuisine!  The Lobby Bar is a great place to relax and to enjoy evening live entertainment!  Embarcadaro is the perfect place to spend the afternoon:  good music, Cuban, Jazz, Salsa, Raggae and Rock; a varied menu of special international dishes; and over 50 different brands for Tequila lovers!

All of the rooms at the Sheraton include the Sheraton’s Sweet Sleeper beds.  These beds are so comfortable, I’m not sure you will want to leave!  Each room has a safe, air-conditioning, hair dryers, stocked mini-bar or small refrigerator.  The Club Rooms are a great value since they include a continental breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres & wine, served in the VIP lounge.  All of the Club rooms are on the top two floors of the main building and have fantastic views.

I know that you will enjoy Sheraton Buganvilias as much as I did.  So call or email sandi@totemtravel.com to book your family vacation, honeymoon, or couples’ get-a-way!!

Click for Hawaii slide show

As honeymoon travel specialists we are frequently asked “How can I stretch my honeymoon budget?” or “What can I afford under $2K?”  The great news is that Hawaii is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world and offers many options for an affordable tropical vacation.  In fact some of our favorite honeymoon packages in Hawaii start under $2K including airfare and accommodations at a 4 star resort!

Each island in Hawaii has a full range of resorts and condominiums from budget to luxury, but there are some tips and tricks to stretching your honeymoon dollar -

1. Travel when the kids are in school.  Hawaii is a popular family vacation destination, so when kids go back to school, the prices go down!  Traveling in May or September - mid December is a fantastic way to stretch your honeymoon budget and enjoy Hawaii when the weather is beautiful and the beaches less crowded.

2. Travel Monday through Thursday to save weekend airfare surcharges.  This can save you more than $100.

3. Stay longer in one place!  Seeing more than one Hawaiian island is appealing but many resorts and condos offer free nights with a longer stay and you’ll save airfare if you choose one island for your honeymoon.

4. Honeymoon in Honolulu.  Oahu tends to be the least expensive island and Waikiki Beach, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and North Shore are just a few popular tourist spots. A car rental is not necessary in Honolulu since public transportation is readily and inexpensively available and restaurants, shopping and entertainment are all within walking distance of the many resorts located on or near the beach.

Talk about value!  A honeymoon package at a 4 star resort such as the Outrigger Reef on the Beach starts under $2K for two people including airfare from the west coast to Hawaii and a 5 night stay.  This resort is newly renovated, located right on world famous Waikiki Beach and close to everything! I stayed a few nights recently and fell in love with the resort and location all over again.

5. Rent a car on the outer islands.  A car is an extravagance in Honolulu, but it’s a budget saver on the outer islands of Hawaii.  Not only will you need transportation from the airport but you can drive yourself to popular sights and beaches and take advantage of less expensive dining away from the major resorts.

If Maui is your style, you will love the beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere and fantastic restaurants.  The Sheraton Maui is one of several favorite resorts on Kaanapali Beach and is located at Black Rock which has the best off beach snorkeling in Hawaii!   In Lahaina, about 10 minutes from the resort, you will find lots of restaurants, shopping and entertainment.  Currently a honeymoon vacation package with airfare from the West Coast, accommodations and a rental car is under $2500.

The Big Island of Hawaii is known for Volcanoes, hiking, and sightseeing and a few great beaches.  The Hapuna Prince is on one of the best and a 5 night package starts just over $2K for air, accommodations and rental car

6. Book a condo rather than a resort and save on restaurant expenses.  Most condos in Hawaii have full kitchens and it’s particularly easy to save money by preparing breakfast, simple lunches, snacks and drinks.  For dinnertime you may wish to find a affordable restaurant or throw some burgers on the BBQ.  Your choice!

Kauai is known as the Garden Island with lush tropical foliage, waterfalls and canyons.  You’ll find a wide array of condos and resorts located on or near the beach and vacation packages starting just over $2K per couple with airfare, accommodations and car rental. Two of my favorites are the Aston Poipu Kai and Sheraton.

7. Travel light.  A bikini and flip flops won’t take much room so pack light and avoid baggage fees.  Most airlines allow a 20-21 inch rolling bag and one personal item per person, which provides plenty of space for shorts, bathing suits and sunglasses and most couples will save more than $100.

8. Rent your snorkel gear for the week. Outlets like Snorkel Bob’s in Maui will rent snorkel gear by the week for about the same that some resorts charge for a single day.

9. Book excursions last minute for a deep discount.  This isn’t the way to plan your whole trip because popular attractions sell out way in advance but a same day booking for an unsold helicopter flight may be available at ½ price.

10. Work with a honeymoon travel specialist and work with a Hawaii specialist.  Our goal is to help you find the best honeymoon for the lowest price possible.  When we put your wish list and our destination knowledge together you may be surprised by how far your honeymoon budget can go! Call or email sandi@totemtravel.com.