Virtual Vacation: Savannah, Georgia

By Katy DeHaven 

One of my favorite vacations growing up was our trips to Hilton Head Island. Our family spent several summers and some winter holidays vacationing on the island, and our visits often included a day trip to Savannah, GA, which is only about 45 minutes away. I miss those trips, especially now with all that is going on in the world. So I thought this week we could take a look back one of my favorite cities to visit growing up, Savannah, GA. 

Savannah was the first named city in Georgia back in 1733, today it is Georgia’s 5th largest city. It was known as a strategic port city during the American Revolution and the American Civil War. It is also known for it’s beautiful coastline, well preserved architecture and rich history.

Playa Mujeres Resort: Atelier Playa Mujeres

Atelier Playa Mujeres is an all inclusive resort for ages 16 and up in the gated community of Playa Mujeres just north of the Cancun.  This 5 star resort is a good fit if you want a more upscale experience with an active vibe. I love that you can get food delivered to your beach or pool chair. It feels less like an all inclusive resort and more like high end hotel. It's located right in the middle of a golf course so all the views are great. Booking an Inspira room gives you access  to lounge and rooftop pool.

Take a peek at the resort tour I filmed in March 2020:

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Virtual Vacation: Bar Harbor, Maine

For this week’s virtual vacation lets head to the Northeast, and a port stop on dream cruise of mine, Bar Harbor, Maine. I would love to do a cruise of Canada and New England in the fall. I think it would be an absolutely beautiful time of year to go with the leaves changing colors. 

TRS Coral Hotel Costa Mujeres

TRS Coral Hotel Costa Mujeres is the adults only section of the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres. It operates as its own hotel with five restaurants. All rooms have butler service. The beach is beautiful and accessed via elevated walkways through the vegetation. I love how the restaurants have their own bars. No dining reservations required at TRS Coral Hotel Costa Mujeres.

Take a peek at the resort tour I filmed in March 2020:





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A 10 Year Old Reviews the Disney Magic

Last summer I got to go on my first ever cruise! I spent 3 weeks on the Disney Magic, first cruising two weeks across the ocean to Spain and then I spent an additional week cruising to Italy and France. I wanted to share a little bit about my experience on the ship.

Virtual Vacation: Austin, Texas

Last week we took a look at some of what San Antonio, Texas has to offer so this week I thought we would head northeast about an hour and a half away and check out Austin. 

Panama Jack Resorts: Panama Jack Cancun

Panama Jack Cancun is a family all inclusive resort in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. It used to be the Gran Caribe. This resort is a great fit for families with younger kids. The location is beautiful - white sand beach and turquoise water for much of the year. There's a Splash Park as well as a larger kids' club. The room categories are a little tricky so pay special attention if you are not using a travel agent.

I filmed this tour in March 2020. Take a peek:




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COVID Travel Update: Caribbean Islands and All Inclusive Resorts

In general

·       Swim up bars are closed.

·       Occupancy is 25% - 30% so restaurants have not all be open.

·       Buffets are closed or adapted with staff to serve.

·       Excursions may not be available.

·       Masks are required on flights and in airports.

·       If you or a travel companion test positive upon arrival – you may be required to finish a 14 day quarantine in country.

·       https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html

Antigua

·       Border reopened Jun 1^st

·       https://visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory

·       All passengers arriving by air MUST have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) test result, taken within seven (7) days of their flight.

·       Guests are required to wear a face covering when traversing the property where they are likely to be in close proximity to staff and other guests.

·       All arriving passengers will need to complete a health declaration form to be shared with Port Health Authorities on arrival.

·       A Traveller Accommodation form should also be completed. This form is available here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/4fa77f6f17fb48cab8aa002185b88559

·       All travellers will also be required to sign the Quarantine Directions Form

Aruba

·       Open to Americans July 10^th

·       https://www.aruba.com/us/traveler-health-requirements

·       Must get an embarkation declaration PRIOR to arrival

·       Self-health declaration

·       Documentation of health insurance

·       Documentation of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival for most US residents.  

Bahamas
7/20/20 Update - The Bahamas will only accept commercial flights from Canada, United Kingdom, and European Union. 

·       The Bahamas opened its airports to commercial international flights on July 1st.  

·       Pre-COVID 19 PCR Swab Test with a Negative results taken within the last 10 days  to be presented upon arrival.

·       https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening

·       All travellers visiting The Bahamas after July 1 will be required to complete an electronic Health Visa prior to departure at travel.gov.bs.

Dominican Republic

·       https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/newsroom/coronavirus/

·       Reopened July 1^st.

·       Thermal scanning upon arrival

·       As part of immigration and customs forms provided by the airline or by Dominican authorities, passengers will be required to fill out and submit a Traveler’s Health Affidavit.

Jamaica

·       Reopened June 15^th

·       https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelupdate/

·       You must get pre-approval to travel to Jamaica. Your window to get pre-approval opens 72 hours prior to arrival. www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/

·       COVID PCR test required. If you test positive, you will quarantined in a public health facility for 14 days. Anyone traveling with you will be put in isolation in your hotel and have to meet daily with a public health official.

Mexico – Cancun

·       https://www.mexicancaribbean.travel/faq-covid-19/

·       Hotels are reopening at about 30% occupancy.

·       Beaches are re-opening for hotel guests.  

·        

Mexico - Los Cabos

·       https://www.visitloscabos.travel/industry/health-safety-standards/

·       Phased reopening beginning June 15^th

·       Thermal imaging upon arrival. 99F or higher will be subject to additional screening

·       Risk factor questionnaire required

Mexico – Puerto Vallarta

·       https://visitpuertovallarta.com/covid19.php

·       As of Monday, June 15, beaches located immediately in front of hotels will be open for guests, and hotels are permitted to operate at 25 percent capacity. Hotel gyms and spa will remain closed.

St Lucia

·       https://www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19/

·       Visitors must be tested for Covid-19 up to a maximum of 7 days before their flight to Saint Lucia. They must be certified Covid free to be able to travel.

·       All travellers must wear a face mask during the flight and in the airport in Saint Lucia.

·       All travelers must continue the use of face masks on arrival in Saint Lucia.

·       All travellers will be subject to screening and temperature checks by port health authorities in Saint Lucia.

·       You may be quarantined if contact tracing indicates you were in contact with someone at the resort who tests positive.

All requirements are subject to change so please review the current requirements via the websites listed. 

Virtual Vacation: San Antonio, Texas

For this week’s Virtual Vacation lets head to San Antonio, TX. The city is probably best known as the home of the Alamo, the River Walk area, the San Antonio Spurs professional basketball team, and great Tex-Mex food, but there is lot’s more to see and do in the south-central Texas city. 

Cancun All Inclusive: Reflect Cancun

Reflect is a family all inclusive resort in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. It used to be Krystal Cancun. AmResorts took it over, updated it and added a new tower for their preferred club called Altitude. The resort has an active vibe and four pools including an adults only infinity pool for Altitude guests.

I filmed this resort tour in March 2020. Take a peek:

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Socially Distant Summer Getaway: Yellowstone National Park

Continuing our look at outdoor social distancing summer getaways, let’s visit Yellowstone National Park this week. Situated in northwestern Wyoming, part of southern Montana and eastern Idaho, the park was established in 1872 by the United States Congress and its area is larger than that of Rhode Island and Delaware combined. It has the greatest concentration of hydrothermal features in the world, and is home to the most famous geyser in the world, Old Faithful, and the world’s largest geyser, Steamboat. Here's how a geyser works: 

The park began re-opening in May after being closed due to the pandemic. Most services and facilities like restrooms, gas stations, trails, stores, medical clinics and approved tours are now open while campgrounds and visitor centers remain closed, but should open at a later date. 

Park Highlights