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 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!

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The number one reason why Beaches Resorts are the best all-inclusive resorts for families is because their kids club offers the best comprehensive services for children of all ages.  Most all-inclusive resorts start their kids club services at ages 3 or 4.  Beaches Resorts are alone at the top because children of all ages, even infants have free access to the Kids Club from 9am-5pm. Beaches resorts even offer a diver’s special where Camp Sesame will open at 8am for parents with an early morning dive.  Kids can play indoors, swim supervised in their own special wading pool, partake in the daily activities such as Crayola Art, letter of the day with Cookie Monster and other characters, dancing and so much more.

The number two reason why Beaches Resorts are the best all-inclusive resorts for families is the fun water park.  While I was at the Beaches Turks & Caicos resort, the younger children were having a blast sliding down the Pirate’s ships slides, while the older children were either sliding down the main water slide or trying their hand at the awesome surf simulator.  To top it off, there is a long winding lazy river which circles the water park which I found fun with and without the tube.

The third reason why Beaches Resorts are the best for kids is because of what is offered for the older children.  Teenagers can hang out at the XBOX Game Room where they can play newly released XBOX games and get out of the sun for awhile or they can spin records at the DJ recording studio.  In the evening they can meet other kids their age at the Disco.

The fourth reason why Beaches Resorts are the best is the nighttime entertainment they offer for families with children.  You should have seen the smiles when the Sesame Parade came through. Elmo, Cookie Monster and Ernie were all there.  The Junk Band came marching through and added to the fun and excitement of the evening.

The fifth reason is easy.  When your kids get to spend time with you and enjoy other kids and fun activities, it is a true vacation for the whole family.  If you would like more information on Beaches Resorts, Totem Travel would love to help you at 1-800-321-7907 or email me at patty@totemtravel.com.

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Having just returned from Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas, I wanted to share my trip review and pictures of Sandals newest luxury all inclusive resort.  I’ll start with my summary -

In my opinion Emerald Bay will soon be acknowledged as Sandals best resort.  But while the quality of this diamond is undeniable, it requires polishing to complete the transformation from shuttered Four Seasons Resort to Sandals best.  I have no doubt this will happen quickly, however early arrivals will see the resort as a work in progress.

So what will guests find today and what is coming soon? 

Today, arriving guests will find Sandals best beach, best pool and best golf course, the most beautiful wedding gazebo I’ve seen anywhere in the world and stunning oceanviews of an amazing, turquoise sea. 

They’ll find the most private beachfront villas offered at any Sandals resort, 100% suites with butler service, fully stocked in room bars, sunken tubs, walk in showers, the softest linens, fluffiest towels and most comfortable beds. Early guests will also find excellent food prepared at four themed restaurants (Sandals claims 5 including a selection of pizzas), top shelf liquor served in every bar, a full service spa, expansive grounds and, for a limited time, rates at a fraction of the normal cost.

Golf enthusiasts will play a Greg Norman designed championship course soon to be featured on a ten part golf channel series and I’m told the images will immediately put the Sandals Emerald Bay course on a must play list for fans.  Scuba divers and snorkelers will be treated to virtually untouched sites teeming with starfish, rays, conch in every stage of its life cycle, and brighly colored fish.

As of last week, a few standard Sandals features were still missing including bathrobes, pagers for butlers and scuba equipment but supplies are arriving every day.  Staff members are also arriving daily, so early arrivals would be wise to expect moments of service excellence interspersed with lapses until new employees are fully trained and on board.  This shouldn’t take long as the personable General Manager has assembled a top quality team which is transforming and redefining the resort experience literally hour by hour.

Planned enhancements include beach beds to line the mile long stretch of powder white sand, neutral fabrics for poolside cabanas, private dining locations scattered throughout the gorgeous grounds and firepits for romantic evenings under the stars.  Improved air service with non stops from Atlanta, Ft Lauderdale and Miami is also anticipated as are updated furnishings for guest rooms.

For more details or assistance selecting a room category at Sandals Emerald Bay, please call or email linda@totemtravel.com.  I’ve been to every one of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts and would love to help you choose the best spot for your all inclusive vacation or honeymoon.  You can also book online.

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Your destination wedding at Sandals can now have that Martha Stewart touch with the introduction of the Sandals Wedding by Martha Stewart.  Sandals has always been one of the top places to have a destination wedding and combined with Martha Stewart’s fabulous collection of weddings to choose from, your dream wedding will be everything you have imagined and more.

While at Sandals’ Beaches Resort on Turks & Caicos, I got to preview the Martha Stewart Wedding Collection which starts with the ”Beautiful Beginnings“ collection. This collection is done in a stunning purple and is free with a 6 night or more stay in concierge or higher level room.

You may choose the ”Flutter of Romance“ collection which is whimsical, romantic and playful.  I thought this collection would be perfect for that Valentine’s Day wedding or any bride who loves pink!  Another wedding collection that Martha Stewart has so elegantly created is her “Vision in White“  collection.  This was one of my favorites for its classic and timeless beauty.

My two favorite wedding collections by Martha Stewart were the ”Seaside Serenade“ and the “Chic & Natural” collections.  Both of these collections celebrate the natural beauty of the Caribbean and would make your Sandals wedding the Caribbean wedding of your dreams. The “Seaside Serenade” uses seashells to create a beachside feel while the ”Chic & Natural“ collection is done in earthy tones of browns and greens which blend nicely with the natural foliage and sands of the Caribbean.

As if you didn’t have enough options, the final collection by Martha Stewart for Sandals Resorts is an eye-catching tropical collection called ”Island Paradise“ . This top of the line collection showcases the vivid colors of the tropics and luxurious elegance of the islands.  A wedding using this collection would be breathtaking!

For more information on what is included with any of these wedding packages and to book your Sandals wedding, give us a call at 1 (800) 321-7907 or send me an email at patty@totemtravel.com.  We are Sandals and Beaches Preferred Specialists and we will make choosing, planning and making your dream wedding a breeze!