Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Secrets Maroma Tour




Secrets Maroma is an adults only all inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. This resort is on Maroma Beach - one of the best beaches in Mexico. The resort has a relaxing vibe with lots of activities. Activities range from beach volleyball to painting to body sculpt class to kitchen tours. It's a great mix for all interests. The dining was very good and nightlife had several options each night including live music, a show and karaoke or a disco. 

Join me on a resort tour: 






If this looks like a good fit for you, click here to request a quote. 

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Top 10 All Inclusive Resort Tips



  1. If they are giving you a credit or a coupon, it likely comes with a time share pitch disguised as a "resort tour" or "resort orientation".
  2. Make a plan for if your room is not ready. Pack your swimsuit so it's easy to access. Make a spa or hydrotherapy appointment for close to your arrival time.
  3. Bring a beach bag and your own insulated mug for the swim up bar.
  4. The resort may have premium alcohol, but you have to ask for it. Order "A Margarita with Don Julio" versus "A Margarita". Bars may have different options. We find lobby bars and club level lounges have different options than the swim up bars.
  5. Not all resorts have great beaches. Choose wisely.
  6. Pay attention to the rules for a la carte dining. Some resorts limit how many nights you can visit an a la carte restaurant. Others require reservations. You can order anything you want on the menu. Don't feel like you can only order an appetizer, entrée and dessert.
  7. Dehydration is real. Watch out at the swim up bar especially on your date of arrival when you are dehydrated from flying.
  8. If your resort includes room service, make the most of it. We order a pot of coffee to help us wake up or an afternoon snack or the midnight munchies.
  9. Prepare your credit card for travel. Do you have foreign transaction fees? Did you notify your bank that you will be out of the country?
  10. All resorts include activities and some include non-motorized sports - join the fun. Ask at check in where to find a schedule of events. Do they offer a shuttle anywhere? Go to the water sports hut and ask what's included and how you sign up for it.

To get this list in your inbox, text ALLINC to 22828. 

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Blue Waters Resort Antigua



Blue Waters is a family resort with a breakfast plan or all inclusive plan.  It has several multi-bedroom villa options. It's perfect for people who want a stunning view, but don't necessarily need a long beach.  This is a great resort for a girls' trip or retreat.  A kids' club is available or 4 - 10 year old. One unique feature is the Cove section. It's limited to guests 16 years old and older. Each buildings has its own pool with waiter service. Live band entertainment every night. 

Thank you to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for sponsoring my visit. 


Take a peek:


If this looks like the right resort for you, click here to request a quote.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Beyond Disney World: A Guide to Central Florida Attractions




Things to Do in Orlando and Tampa

Arguably the two most popular attractions in the Orlando area are Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. There are however plenty of other things to see and do to add to your theme park vacation or come to Florida to do these on their own.



Kennedy Space Center

Located about 42 miles from the Orlando airport on Merritt Island, the center of which is known as Cape Canaveral. Since 1968 it has been NASA’s primary launch center for human flight into Space. The visitor center features exhibits, displays, historic spacecraft, memorabilia, shows, two IMAX theaters and bus tours. Admission tickets can be purchased in advance online as well as add-on tours. Recommended add-on tours include Lunch with an Astronaut and KSC Explore Tour, which gets visitors up close to restricted areas such as launch pads, and the Vehicle Assembly building. Some tours can be booked online as a package with admission tickets. The visitor center is open 365 days a year at 9 am each day, closing time varies depending on the time of year.



Legoland

Located in Winter Haven, almost right between Tampa and Orlando this theme park opened in 2011 at the site of the old Cypress Gardens. Legoland preserved the botanical gardens and re-themed the park with the various Lego brands. The park is designed for children ages 2 to 12, and has over 50 rides, shows, attractions, restaurants, shops and a water park. There is also an adjacent Legoland Hotel and Legoland Beach Retreat. The park is open most days of the year at 10 AM, it is often closed on Wednesdays and sometimes on Tuesdays in the fall and winter when school is session. Tickets and accommodations in the hotels can be booked online.



Sea World*

A marine zoological park and theme park located just 12 miles northwest of Walt Disney World.

The park has seventeen rides and attractions, seven main animal exhibits and five live shows. The park is open daily at 9 am when schools are out of session and 10 am when school is in session. Closing time varies throughout the year.



Discovery Cove*

Located in Orlando adjacent to Sea World, this all inclusive park has dolphin encounters, snorkeling with rays, bird feeding & a lazy river. Advance reservations for the park are required and the admission also includes unlimited food and drink and a ticket to Sea World or Aquatica Orlando. Package enhancements to your admission include swimming with dolphins and trainer for a day.



Aquatica Orlando*

Located next to Sea World and Discovery Cove, this waterpark has a wide variety of attractions some of which pass by or through animal habitats. There are two wave pools that share a white sand beach with chairs, sun beds, and umbrellas. There are also eight slides, two lazy rivers and two children’s areas. The park is open daily through January 1st then it closes for a couple months until the Spring.



*Ticket packages combining two or three parks are available at a savings. Dining packages are also available for Aquatica and Sea World.



Titanic Exhibition

Located near Universal Studios, the Titanic Exhibition features 17 galleries of artifacts with guided tours led by trained actors in period dress. Recently over 100 new artifacts have been added including a 3-ton section of the ship’s hull. The museum also has full scale recreations of the Grand Staircase, First Class Cabin, Verandah cafe and more. The museum hosts dinner events recreating the tragic night the ship sank. Guests interact with some of the most notable passengers while enjoying first class food and a first class show. The museum is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm.



Holyland Experience

A Christian based theme park located in Orlando just northeast of Universal Studios. The park recreates the ancient city of Jerusalem and has 43 different exhibits including restaurants and retail shops. The park also has a full schedule of live productions shows. The park is open from 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday. It is closed on New Years Day, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving Day.



Crayola Experience- This attraction offers 26 hands-on exhibits at Orlando’s newest family destination The Florida Mall, located less than 12 miles from Disney World and about 5 miles from the Orlando International Airport. Over 70,000 square feet of fun awaits visitors from naming and wrapping their own crayon to seeing their digital art come to life on a huge interactive wall. Discounts are available for purchasing tickets in advance and teachers get in free with a valid ID. The attraction is open daily at 10 AM, closing time varies during the year.



Busch Gardens

An African Animal themed park in Tampa Bay with an adjacent Adventure Island Water Park. Busch Gardens has 8 roller coasters and two water rides plus animal attractions, a Sesame Street area and several other rides. Busch Gardens is daily at 10 AM until 5 or 6 PM with extended hours in the summer and school breaks. Adventure Island has 10 water slides, 2 pools, a lazy river, and two areas just for little kids. The park is only open in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Its open typically when school is not in session, with special hours on certain days of the week and weekends when school is in session.



The Florida Aquarium

There are thousands of plants and animals to see here including sharks, alligators, seahorses, stingrays, sea turtles, river otters, birds, and other native fish. Located next to the cruise port in Tampa, the aquarium will store guests luggage for free for those visiting pre or post cruise. The aquarium is open daily from 9:30 am - 5 pm daily, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.



Spring Training

15 MLB teams hold their Spring Training in Florida, of those 7 are within about an hours drive of Tampa. Games start towards the end of February and run through almost the end of March, coinciding with Spring Break for many across the country. The players tend to be a little more accessible for autographs and pictures before and after games then they are during the regular season, and the game tickets tend to also be a little cheaper than they are for regular season games.



Atlanta Braves- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Kissimmee, FL

Baltimore Orioles- Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL

Detroit Tigers- Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, FL (between Orlando and Tampa)

New York Yankees- George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL

Philadelphia Phillies- Spectrum Field, Clearwater, FL

Pittsburgh Pirates- LECOM Park, Bradenton, FL

Toronto Blue Jays- Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin, FL





Tampa Area Beaches



Spend a day or two at the beach, below is a listing of the best beaches in the Tampa area.



Caladesi Island State Park-This top beach is only accessible by boat. Beach goers can take the Ferry over from Honeymoon Island or rent a kayak and paddle over. The island also has 3 miles of nature trails and kayak trails. The park has a marina with electric and water hookups, as well as a snack bar and gift shop.



Honeymoon Island- This island neighbors Caladesi and until a hurricane in 1921 the two used to be connected. Visitors love the 4 mile stretch of this beach perfect for swimming, fishing and collecting shells. There is also a section of beach for pets. Nature lovers enjoy the 3 miles Osprey trail where horned owls, osprey and eagles can be seen nesting. There are two snack bars in the park, a pavilion, cafe, and umbrellas, chairs, kayaks and bicycles available for rental.



Fort De Soto County Park- The largest park within the county park system it is made up of 5 interconnected islands. The area is home to native plants, mangroves, wetlands, and over 328 species of birds. Loggerhead sea turtles nest here between April and November. This area is perfect for kayaking or just relaxing on the beach. The park has restrooms, playgrounds, camping, and an area for dogs on the beach. Lifeguards are stationed from March through Labor Day.



Ben T. Davis- If you are staying in Tampa Bay and just need a quick shot of Vitamin D, this beach fits the bill. Located along the causeway it is perfect for a quick visit for some sun and surf.



Indian Rocks Beach-3 miles of beautiful beach along the Gulf of Mexico. There are 27 beach access points.



Treasure Island-Located on a barrier island west of St. Petersburg, there are nearly 4 miles of beautiful beaches to enjoy. 3 beach access points have both public parking and restrooms including Sunset Beach Pavilion, Gulf Front Park, and Municipal Beach. All parking is $2 per hour.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Jewel Grande Montego Bay Jamaica

The Jewel Grande Montego Bay is a family all inclusive resort about 20 minutes from the Montego Bay airport. 

The highlights of this resort: 
  • Large one and three bedrooms suites 
  • Butler service 
  • Excellent Spa 
  • Cove beach with clear blue water 

Take a peek: 


If this looks like a great resort for you, click here to request a quote. 

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Norwegian Sun Updated with 2018 Dry Dock



Norwegian Sun underwent a dry dock in 2018 updating the restaurants and the ship overall. It looks great! The ship now has the benefits of a larger ship while sailing on a smaller ship. 

Take a peek: 


If this looks like the right ship for you, click here to request a quote. 

Mobile Passport versus Global Entry versus TSA Pre-check

TSA Pre-check is a membership program designed to expedite your way through security. 

Global Entry expedites your way through security and United States Customs and Immigration. 

Mobile Passport expedites your way through United States Customs and Immigration. 

Here's what you need to know: 



To apply for TSA PreCheck, visit: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

To apply for Global Entry, visit: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

To download Mobile Passport, check your App store or visit https://mobilepassport.us/

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Verandah Resort and Spa Antigua All Inclusive Resort Tour



Verandah Resort and Spa is a family all inclusive resort. The rooms are a one bedroom suite and a two bedroom suite. Some of the two bedroom suites have a plunge pool. Two a la carte restaurants, a beach grill, and a buffet are included. The resort is walking distance from Devil's Bridge National Park. A supervised kids' club for ages 3-12 can keep your kiddos busy from 9 am - 10 pm.

Big Thank You to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for sponsoring my visit to this resort.

Take a peek:



If this looks like the right resort for you, click here to request a quote.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Curtain Bluff Antigua All Inclusive Resort Tour



Curtain Bluff is a family all inclusive resort. It's known for having excellent service and the highest repeat guest percentage. All rooms are oceanfront with a view of the surf beach. So you'll fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing. Beach concierges make sure you have everything you need at the calmer family beach on the other side of the bluff. 

Thanks to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for sponsoring my trip. 

Take a peek:


If this looks like the right resort for you, click here for a quote.