If you want to make this Valentine’s day one to remember, why not skip the chocolates and jewelry and opt for a romantic (and warm) getaway to the sunny Dominican Republic. With its vast, white sand beaches, and tropical atmosphere, it’s sure to be a welcomed retreat from the day to day. What could be more romantic?

If you’re looking for high end luxury, look no further than the Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro. This is an adults only resort that offers gourmet cuisine, top shelf drinks, and even butler service! Imagine walking back to your room after a sun filled day and a romantic dinner to find your Jacuzzi filled and candles lit by your butler. You could even ask for a bottle of wine and have the room filled with your favorite scent.

If you wanted to keep some luxury components, but keep the price down, the Dreams Resorts offer a great option. The prices will be mid-range, and the service and amenities are still top-notch.

If you’re traveling with the kids, both the Iberostar resorts and the Dreams resorts, will offer many family style activities and are available at great prices if you book soon!!

The key here—as usual—is not to delay in making your reservation. This is the second busiest travel week of the year and the good deals disappear in the blink of an eye. Call us. We’ll find something perfect for you!

Ok so you’ve made your Dream Vacation reservations, but now you just need to know how to pack. Here is are some suggestions that work for most of our clients:

Checking your bags?

If you plan to check some bags at the airport, make sure each bag is under 50 pounds and that you’ve checked with the airline’s website or your agent to find out if there are any fees.

Plan to bring a carry-on bag?

If you plan to carry all your bags on, don’t forget that there are still no liquids or gels over 3 ounces allowed on most flights. You’ll either have to find a travel size or buy your sunscreen and other liquids once you arrive at your destination.

How much money should I bring?

When visiting an all inclusive resort, be sure to bring a credit or debit card in case you decide to purchase any excursions during the trip. You might also want to bring some small denominations of money for tipping/ Although tipping is included, at many resorts it is typical to tip additionally as you see fit.

There will also be options for jet skis, spa treatments, and other extras at most resorts. These can either be paid for by cash or you can use a credit or debit card for a cash advance on your room. Most resorts have safes in the room, so you can feel secure bringing these along.

What clothes do I bring?

Nearly all of our all inclusive resorts are going to require “casual elegance” dress attire for dinners. This means that men may wear long pants and a collared shirt. Women may wear capris, pants, skirts, or dresses. Close toed shoes are also usually required.

Other than that, just make sure to pack your swim suit, and lots of cool comfortable clothing. Water shoes are a good idea for some resorts.

You will not need to bring towels to most all inclusive resorts. Those are included in the package, as are many bathroom amenities, including hair dryers.

The Riu Palace Punta Cana is beautifully situated on Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Few beaches are prettier than this one. It’s white sand, and calm, clear waters are perfect for cold weather weary tourists.

Aside from the stellar location, the Riu Palace Punta Cana boasts close proximity to four other Riu hotels, all of which you have exchange privileges with. You can go from one to another, using all facilities. There is even a casino and a disco for nighttime fun.

If you’re looking for a great place to park yourself, where you won’t ever have to leave the resort complex, but still have many amenities, take a look at the Riu Palace Punta Cana!

My husband and I are so very excited for our upcoming Hawaii trip (only one more month!). I wanted to dispel the myth that planning a Hawaiian vacation has to be costly or a burden. In fact, the I find the whole experience rather fun to plan.

Hawaii has many natural beauties which don’t cost a dollar to take in. For example, on Maui, we plan to spend a good deal of time at the Haleakala Observatory. From this world-famous observatory, we can hike, take in the sites, and even stay past sunset to see the to-beautiful-to-blink night sky.

On the big Island, we plan to visit the Volcano national park, where you can actually see an active volcano! Tours are available, or you can wander around on your own.

There are too many Hawaiian activities to list here, but these are the ones we are most excited for. I only wish everyone could do this!

Hands down, THE place for families with young children on a budget is the Crown Paradise Club Cancun. The Crown Paradise rests in the heart of Cancun. It’s stunning beaches and easy walking distance to many Cancun attractions make it’s locale perfect, but it’s the amenities within the resort that really make this resort one of a kind!

Complete with a mini-golf course, kids water park, teen water-slide, rock-climbing wall, multiple pools, endless activities, and even free child-care during the day, I can’t think of a better place for parents and kids alike. The best part? Kids are FREE! With all of these amenities, you would be hard-pressed to find something comparable in this same price range.