Luxury Travel: Mexico’s Caribbean

Posted on by Lucky n Love

Bring on the high thread count linens, the delicious food, and the optional nanny services (yes please!). When traveling as a couple, or a family, there are countless things to consider, from appropriate accommodations to food that will satisfy everyone. From private villas and five-star hotels to sprawling resorts, everyone will be well taken care of at these properties below. Plan your luxury travel in Mexico’s Caribbean.

grand velas vacation packages
Photo Credit: Velas Resorts

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

This AAA Five Diamond property is sprawled across 80 acres and never feels crowded. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya understands the challenges faced when traveling with babies and boasts its own baby concierge (yes, really!) The concierge provides you with everything from bottle sterilizers and baby bathtubs to strollers and teething toys. Babysitters are available for an additional charge. The kids and teens clubs (catering to ages 4-12 and 12-18 respectively) offer adults the perfect chance for some alone time by the pool. Attentive pool and beach concierges ensure guests will want for nothing.

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Fairmont Mayakoba

Offering the kind of five-star service that Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is famous for, Fairmont Mayakoba does not disappoint. Despite its proximity to Playa del Carmen, Fairmont Mayakoba feels a world away. Set amidst 240 acres of tropical rainforest complete with canals and local wildlife that guests will love. With most buildings set back from the beach, Fairmont Mayakoba aims to maintain the integrity and preservation of its ecosystem. For guests who want to leave their wallets tucked in the safe, the optional all-inclusive package is the way to go. Fairmont’s AI package includes unlimited dining and beverage service at 3 of their restaurants and 5 of their bars. Kids will love the waterslide at the main pool. Also, the excursions throughout the property are led by the Discovery Club (ages 4-6) and Adventure Club (ages 7-12). For older kids and adults, there are complimentary bikes available, perfect for exploring.

palm trees on beach

Hotel Esencia

Situated between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, Hotel Esencia offers couples and families an intimate getaway. Be prepared for staff to know your name. Take full advantage of the ‘Nanny on Call’ program, offering two hours of complimentary babysitting so the adults can spend some time alone. At Hotel Esencia it’s the small touches that make the biggest impact. Like the samples of local small-batch Casa Dragones tequila left for guests in their rooms. With multi-lingual nannies (and a chef willing to make baby food to order) even the youngest guests will be taken care of.

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PRIVATE VILLAS

If you want to really feel at home in Mexico’s Caribbean, look no further than a private villa. With endless options, you can choose from tranquil beach-front estates to eco-friendly abodes set amongst palm trees and crystal clear cenotes. For example, the Hacienda del Mar villa features 7 bedrooms and two separate casitas spread over 16,000 square feet of oceanfront property. Included are daily maid service, a personal butler, a gourmet chef, and daily concierge service.

If you’re looking to get away to Mexico’s Caribbean with the whole family, contact me here. I’d love to put together the perfect luxury travel package to Mexico’s Caribbean for you!

Destination Wedding Planning Mistakes

Posted on by Lucky n Love

You’ve got the ring, and now it’s time to start thinking about where to tie the knot. Destination weddings appeal to many couples, but before you go planning the big day from a distance – read this about destination wedding planning mistakes, and how to avoid them.

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Don’t Assume Everyone Will Attend

Destination weddings can be hard to swing for some people, whether it’s financial restraints, young children, work commitments, etc. Work under the assumption that you may only see 75% of your guest list RSVP ‘yes’.

Don’t NOT Work with a Professional

I’m not talking about the on-site coordinator if you go for a resort that has one. I mean hiring a proper destination wedding specialist, who knows the ins and outs of planning a wedding from afar. Call me biased, but having a professional who can seamlessly guide you from the initial planning stages to the big day (and even the post-wedding activities) will save you time, money, and stress. A destination wedding specialist can help arrange your wedding transportation, book a venue, reserve portable bathroom rentals for outdoor events, hire caterers, and hire personal bodyguards from event security Singapore for your event. And if you’re planning a London wedding, you may consider hiring close protection services london.

Who wants to be stressed out on their big day? You deserve to sit back and relax. Book your penang to singapore bus ticket today for an enjoyable and stress-free ride from Penang to Singapore.

Don’t Underestimate the Weather (Especially in the Caribbean!)

Humidity and a lot of hair types do not mix well together. The last thing you want on your big day is for your hair to not cooperate, after all – those pictures last a lifetime! In addition to hair woes, heavy dresses, makeup, sweat mixed with self-tanner – these can all be recipes for disaster in a hot climate. Consider having your wedding later in the day and maybe choose from pretty short homecoming dresses as your reception dress, invest in hair products to combat humidity, and suggest that the men swap their three-piece suits for linen instead.

Don’t Overlook Traditions – Both Home & Away

Just because you’re in a unique locale doesn’t mean you need to forego family traditions, so do what you can (or want) to honor family history – wherever you’re saying ‘I Do’. Depending on where you’re getting married, it can also be special to incorporate local traditions and influences into your nuptials. Getting married in Mexico? Consider a Mariachi band for your cocktail hour.

destination wedding mistakes to avoid, destination wedding planner

Don’t Assume You Will Automatically Save Money

Can you save money having a destination wedding? Absolutely, but that’s a different post for a different day. Ultimately (and similarly to a local wedding) your budget will be determined by the location, the suppliers you choose, the foods you would like to serve, and the number of guests you’re inviting. Hot tip: Booking early can often score you better deals, so if you think a destination wedding is something you’d like to do – feel free to get in touch.

Don’t Make Anyone Guess Anything

Weddings come with a whole slew of questions, from ‘what time does it start?’ to ‘what is the appropriate attire?’. Destination weddings come with at least triple the questions, so take the guesswork out of the event for your guests – and build a wedding website where all of the important information can live – and be updated as you near the big day. From wedding details to accommodation options, flight info, and even local activities in the area – house all of the relevant wedding information in one spot – and never worry about answering the same question over and over again! The services I provide include a free wedding website for my couples, customized with all of the details.

Don’t Ship Anything

While there’s a good chance your shipped items will arrive, don’t run the risk. Anything especially valuable should go in your carry-on or be checked (ie your dress, rings, etc). The last thing you want to be dealing with on (or leading up to) your big day is missing wedding favors, dresses, or damaged goods.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun

Your wedding day goes by in a blur, so try to take some moments to stop and soak it all in. From the friends and family who have traveled to celebrate with you, to the exchanging of vows in a stunning wedding venue, this day is about you and your love – so enjoy it!

Want to plan a destination wedding but don’t know where to start?

Reach out to me here, and avoid making these and other destination wedding planning mistakes.

Best Winter Vacation Destinations

Posted on by Lucky n Love

If you are the type of traveler that looks forward to a December or January vacation, then you can attest that winter is one of the best times to get away and explore sunny destinations. Regardless of your travel style and what you are looking for like searching for best places to stay on southern oregon coast, there is an ideal winter destination for you to bask in. Here are my top 3 best winter vacation destinations.

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Belize

This small country is full of endless opportunities. Belize is a tropical destination that is reef and rainforest; ancient and new, and adventurous and relaxing.

Despite being a small, centrally placed American nation (approximately the same size as Massachusetts), only a few winter vacations on this list can match Belize’s mesmerizing natural attractions. The barrier reef and coral hues match the spectacular Mayan ruins.

Belize spent decades hidden beneath Mexico’s shadow, but today, this nation invites visitors from all around the world with its world-class scuba diving, Mayan ruins, and vintage lodges.

Even better, hundreds of tiny islands known as atolls and cays face off to Belize’s sun-drenched coastline. These islands lure tourists with their astonishing cerulean waters and palm trees. Try out Belize this winter and get to experience its unrivaled charms.

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The Florida Keys

With activities for visitors of all ages, the islands of the Florida Keys are the perfect spot for your winter vacation.

Your time in the Florida Keys can be full of eco adventure, or just relaxing on the beautiful beaches. Test your skills on a fishing charter. Pullin Drag Striper Guide Service is a fishing charter Smith Mountain Lake. You may also be interested in trying this one.

Get up close and personal with tropical fish on a snorkeling trip, or dive to explore a famous shipwreck. Dine on fresh seafood. Hang with the locals, or just relax in a hammock.

Key Largo is home to the first undersea park in the country, and the first place you should go when you arrive in the Florida Keys. There are endless ways to explore this aquatic attraction, including kayaking through the mangroves, snorkeling or scuba diving, and taking a glass-bottom boat tour.

And to ensure the safety of the guests, property owners in Florida are required to conduct and implement a fire watch should the property’s fire alarm system and/or water-based fire protection system such as a sprinkler system is not operational. They may seek expert help from a professional Fire Watch Company in Sunrise.

Islamorada combines a marine park with the charm of a family-owned attraction. Watch a sea lion show, hold a parrot and enjoy a bottomless boat ride. Immerse yourself in the world of speed and elegance with ZeBoats’ speedboat collection. Our speedboats guarantee exhilarating rides over the waves. The park’s animal interaction programs include swimming with dolphins.

If you are planning to stay for an extended time, you may consider looking for a new boat sales company to have your own boat and enjoy the place and water activities at your convenience.

In Key West, when the sun goes down, Mallory Square is the place to be for the nightly sunset celebration. Jugglers, tightrope walkers, sword swallowers, and other characters put on a show for your entertainment.

best winter vacation destinations

Roatan

Roatan is part of a cluster of island archipelagos situated ten to forty miles off the northern coast of Honduras. It has long been known by scuba divers, now it’s your turn to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this island nation.

These islands are a gem in the western Caribbean, and they are surrounded by the largest barrier reef system in the northern hemisphere. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is only second in size to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The waters around Roatan are a combination of open and sheltered. This makes it the perfect place for scuba diving, and also many other water sports. 

Little French Key is one of the most interesting places. They have a mini zoo, beautiful beaches, and the most photogenic spot. The Sloth Sanctuary makes for a great adventure, and there are a few beaches that are a must for snorkeling. West Bay and West End both offer sheltered waters which make for excellent snorkeling. The “wall” is only a few feet away, where spectacular views of marine life are waiting for you.

If you would like more information about these best winter vacation destinations, reach out to me.