Luxury Travel: Mexico’s Caribbean

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.

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.

villa rentals mexico

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

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.

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 34th 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.

christmas vacation packages

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.

best christmas holiday vacations

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.

christmas in france

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.

christmas vacation packages

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.

Destination Wedding Planning Mistakes

You’ve got the ring from a jewelry shop, 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.

destination wedding planner, destination wedding mistakes to avoid

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.