destination wedding planner Archives

Luxury Travel: Mexico’s Caribbean

Posted on September 24, 2022September 24, 2022 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.

tulum mexico, luxury travel mexico's caribbean

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.

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.

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!

The Best Christmas Holiday Destinations

Posted on September 17, 2022September 17, 2022 by Lucky n Love

If you’re looking to combine a holiday with a good dose of Christmas cheer, look no further than these destinations where the holidays truly come alive. From Christmas markets and spectacular light displays to storybook streets dusted with snow, these festive towns and cities deliver the goods as some of the best Christmas holiday destinations.

New York City

This iconic city lights up at Christmas, and you won’t know where to look. The themed window displays at Bergdorf’s, Macy’s, Saks, and Bloomingdales (among others!) take the better part of a year to plan, and are all worth visiting. Look for your own miracle on 34^th street, marvel at the Dyker Heights holiday lights displays, and take in the Empire State Building’s holiday musical light show.

Don’t Miss: Ice skating at Rockefeller Center, home to one of the largest Christmas trees in the city.

London, England

Whether or not Love, Actually is played on repeat at your house during the holidays, you’ll find merriment in spending your Christmas in London. Toast the holidays in any number of lively pubs in the city, take in the displays on Oxford and Carnaby Streets, and find the perfect holiday-themed souvenirs at Covent Garden. Finally, enjoy a traditional Christmas roast with all the fixings.

Don’t Miss: The Winter Wonderland Market in Hyde Park.

Vienna, Austria

The charming city of Vienna drips with seasonal charm. Visit one of its many markets, and indulge in chocolate-covered fruit, roasted & caramelized nuts, and a lebkuchen. Wash it all down with Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch), which is offered in a variety of flavors, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. For a dizzying display, tour the “Ring”, a wide ring boulevard that encircles the old city and is home to luxury hotels, shops, parks, and two-holiday markets. Take in the lights by hop-on/hop-off bus or with the comfort of a private car and driver.

Don’t Miss: The Viennese Christmas Market at City Hall and the holiday tree at Rathausplatz.

Strasbourg, France

Touted as “the Capital of Christmas”, Strasbourg is home to France’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back 450 years. Over two million visitors flock to this quaint French town over the holiday season, frequenting its twelve markets and reveling in grand light displays.

Don’t Miss: The renowned Christkindelsmärik market, resting in the shadow of the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral.

Leavenworth, Washington

Step back in time a mere two and a half hours east of Seattle, Washington, with a visit to Leavenworth. Known as one of the best Christmas towns in the United States. Leavenworth boasts displays featuring over half a million lights on and around its Bavarian-inspired buildings. You will have the feeling of being on the inside of a snow globe or strolling on the set of a Hallmark movie.

If that’s not enough, you can meet a real, live, reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. With the option for an educational tour and a chance to feed these Christmas creatures. Dash through the snow courtesy of a horse and sleigh. Visit the Nutcracker Museum, or sample some suds at the Icicle Brewery.

Don’t Miss: Sledding at Front Street Park, under the glow of holiday lights.

These are just some of the best Christmas holiday destinations. Let’s plan your perfect Christmas escape! Get in touch with me here.

Trips for Every Season

Posted on September 4, 2022September 4, 2022 by Lucky n Love

Trips for Every Season – Where to Go in Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter

Sometimes timing is simply not on your side. Like when you’re dreaming of a tropical getaway, but can’t get any time off until Hurricane season… Or when you’ve finally decided to book that European family vacation, only to discover that all the hotels and attractions are sold out. I’m here to tell you that there’s a location for every season, and not only that – some destinations truly shine certain months over others! Here are some prime-time vacation spots for each season.

grand canyon vacation packages, trips for every season

Spring

A fantastic season for travel to so many destinations, spring offers warm weather, fewer crowds, and increased hours of daylight.

While it’s synonymous with rowdy spring breakers, Cancun is so much more than blaring music and foam parties. Spring in Mexico’s Quintana Roo region means a combination of warm temperatures and low rainfall and is one of the best times to visit.

Skip the summer crowds and visit the majestic Grand Canyon, with springtime making the Arizona heat much more tolerable. Lookout points are easily accessed without the throngs of visitors that descend on the park in the summer, wanting to marvel at the UNESCO-designated heritage site for themselves. If you’re looking to save on your visit, head to the Grand Canyon during National Park Week in April, when admission fees are waived to every national park in the country.

Summer

A popular time for travel, summer is often when families pack up and go exploring.

Vancouver, Canada shines in the summer months, with tourists and locals alike packing beaches, patios, parks, and trails. Visitors can scale the Grouse Grind (affectionately known as ‘Mother Nature’s Stairmaster’), go whale watching, take a day trip up to Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, or simply stroll the streets in search of their next meal – the restaurants in Vancouver are diverse, delicious, and plentiful!

Summer is an ideal time to visit Bali, Indonesia, due to it being the dry season. Explore the outdoor temples, and beaches, and don’t miss Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Nusa Penida. While most travelers stick to stunning and serene beachfront resorts (for good reason!) there’s something for everyone in Bali. Including an active volcano in Kintamani, and roaring nightlife in Kuta.

Fall

Whether you’re staying local or venturing across the world – Fall offers stunning scenery, mild temperatures, and often very few crowds to contend with.

Visiting the Greek islands in early fall (specifically September) means gorgeous weather but without the large crowds. With kids back in school everywhere, there’s plenty of availability at hotels, villas, and restaurants. Consider visiting Naxos, a gem in the Cyclades. Go on sailing tours, visit an olive oil press and museum and spend lazy days under a beach cabana.

For a quintessential tour of fall foliage, you may want to join other autumn-lovers on their pilgrimage to Stowe, Vermont. A classic small-town embodying the charm of a Hallmark movie. Stowe is nestled at the base of Vermont’s tallest mountain and delivers a plethora of vibrantly tinged trees and rolling hillside scenery. Go for a scenic drive along the countryside. Take in the views on a hike of Stowe Pinnacle. Awaken your adrenaline junkie with a zipline through Smuggler’s Notch. Rent a canoe and paddle one of the many lakes, with bright leaves as your backdrop.

Winter

From curling up fireside with a cup of hot cocoa to escaping the cold altogether, there are winter season options!

If you’re looking to escape the cold, Turks & Caicos has got you covered. The coldest month is January, with average temperatures hovering around 80 degrees. The famous Bahamian festival Junkanoo runs from the end of December to the beginning of January, annually. Visiting during this time is a great way to experience the culture and history of the Bahamas.

Whether you’re hitting the slopes or just interested in the apres-ski festivities, Breckenridge, Colorado delivers. With five hills, 34 lifts, and 187 trails, there’s a run for just about everyone. From the bunny hill to the Inferno, a Double Black Diamond run. Is skis or snowboards, not your thing? How about mushing a team of sled dogs through a snowy trail? Enjoying a Snowcat tour of the trails, snowshoeing under a canopy of trees, or strolling the shops along Main street?

There are trips for every season, let’s plan one that you’ll never forget! I can be reached here, and would love to connect with you.