Dream Vacations Travel Information http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog Travel Information for Mexico and the Caribbean Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:54:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 A Little Luxury for Your Little Ones http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/a-little-luxury-for-your-little-ones/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/a-little-luxury-for-your-little-ones/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:18:24 +0000 Heather Cort http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=380 Since my recent trip to the Azul Beach and Azul Sensatori in May, 2010, I have starting thinking of luxury on broader terms. Luxury is not only for the well to do, and romance is not only for honeymooners. The Azul Hotels by Karisma make luxury a possibility for the whole family and romance available to parents.

Azul Beach is a small, easy to maneuver property in the Northern Riviera Maya–Close to Cancun. The beautiful white sand beach is its namesake, but the service, gourmet dining, and services for its children are what really make this property shine. From bottle warmers and strollers provided in the rooms, to suites that walk straight out into the pool area, this resort is great for families with young children.

It’s hard to think of a want parent could have when traveling with their baby to a resort with Gourmet Gerber baby food, a smoothie bar just for kids, even little bathrobes just their size in the rooms. Plus, they boast all the amenities of any other luxurious resort.

However, if one dares to compare, the Azul Sensatori might just meet your standards. Azul Sensatori has all the amenities of the Azul Beach, but on a much larger, and more grand scale.

One of the most distinguishing features of the Azul Sensatori is their amazing Kid and Teen Zones. The kids’ room is equipped with a tea party room (my personal favorite!), a movie theater, ball pit, trampolines, video-game room, and gymnastics area. When your kids don’t want to leave, you can feel safe leaving them with the Red Cross Certified nannies provided within the Kid Zone.

Outside there is a great water park complete with a slide and a rock climbing wall! For the teens, there is a very cool arcade and game room where teens can hang out during the day. At night it is transformed into a disco with music, dancing, and a non-alcoholic bar.

For adults, the calming colors and ambiance are instantly relaxing. Both romantic and family style restaurants complete with toys for the kids to play with while they wait is sure to take away the stress parents may otherwise feel in such a nice resort.

View The Azul Sensatori Image Gallery

For travel with extended family including wedding parties, The Azul Sensatori is the perfect choice–offering both endless Gourmet Inclusive options, as well as entertainment for the whole family. The sky wedding package is a particularly unique and beautiful way to exchange vows on the rooftop of an ocean front building!
Azul Hotels showcase what is so difficult to define: The beauty is in the details.

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/a-little-luxury-for-your-little-ones/feed/ 0 Azul Sensatori Image Gallery http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/azul-sensatori-image-gallery/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/azul-sensatori-image-gallery/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:17:23 +0000 David Temple http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=418 Featuring the renowned Gourmet Inclusive by Karisma concept, the Azul Sensatori Hotel brings together spacious facilities with unlimited activities and services. The Azul Sensatori is designed to allow couples, groups, families and friends from all generations to connect under the sun.

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/azul-sensatori-image-gallery/feed/ 0 Don’t Forget About Puerto Vallarta! http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/dont-forget-about-puerto-vallarta/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/dont-forget-about-puerto-vallarta/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 17:33:16 +0000 Emily Kupersmith http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=371 As many of us are searching for the perfect Mexico vacation, sometimes we forget about the amazing resort area of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. A pacific coast destination in Mexico, it is a tad different from the Caribbean side destinations of Cancun, Riviera Maya and Cozumel. While the clear turquoise waters are not present, the west coast of Mexico more than makes up for that with their beautiful deep blue waters and amazing west coast sunsets all back-dropped by the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Having just returned from a 5 nights stay at the Riu Palace Pacifico, I could not more highly recommend the newest Riu resort in Puerto Vallarta. From our delicious and fruity welcome drinks, to the excellent service we received at each restaurant and bar, this resort far exceeded my expectations. Sitting on one of the best beaches in Nuevo Vallarta, when you get too warm just laying in the sun grab a free boogie board and ride some waves. For those of you who enjoy walking the beach, head in either direction for a scenic walk up the coast. Surrounded by mountains, the views from the resort are beautiful in every direction you look, with the most colorful sunsets I have ever seen.

For the excursion enthusiast, try ziplining through the mountains and if you like tequila you will certainly get your fill in the original state in Mexico where tequila was produced.

A Caribbean lover myself, I wanted to try Puerto Vallarta for a change of scenery and boy am I glad I did. The only negative part of my trip was having to leave such a beautiful resort and colorful people, and I will be back for sure!

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/dont-forget-about-puerto-vallarta/feed/ 0 Free Round Trip Non-Stop Transfers!! http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/free-round-trip-non-stop-transfers/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/free-round-trip-non-stop-transfers/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 15:53:00 +0000 Brandon Smith http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=369 Valid when booking Secrets, Dreams and Now Resorts and Spas!

Call your Dream Vacations Specialist to take advantage of this great offer!

  • Less time to get to and from your resort
  • Savings of up to $120 for a family of four
  • No stops at other resorts to drop other travelers off
  • Offered Exclusively through Apple Vacations
  • Act fast, this won’t last long

NEW!! Effective immediately, all Apple Vacationers staying at Secrets, Dreams and Now Resort and Spa’s in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana and La Romana automatically receive complimentary round trip non-stop transfers to and from the airport*. Save time and money as well as getting a head start on your fun in the sun!

* Free non-stop transfers are only offered to and from the resort destiation airport. Transfers are not included for PUJ resorts when flying into LRM and vice versa.

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/free-round-trip-non-stop-transfers/feed/ 0 Mexico is Safe Again! http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/mexico-is-safe-again/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/mexico-is-safe-again/#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 15:49:44 +0000 Emily Kupersmith http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=366 One of the most common calls our agents at Dream Vacations are getting these days is “Is Mexico safe?” And with all the current news about Mexico and the drug cartels and the swine flu scare of 2009 its not surprising that responsible travelers would want to ask this question. Luckily, as a smart and responsible traveler, Mexico is one of the most cost effective destinations you can visit safely and soundly. In fact just today there was an article on MSN promoting Mexico as a safe area to travel to.

Of course avoiding border areas like Tijuana and Juarez is a must, but travel into areas like Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucan, Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel are just as safe now as they were 10 years ago. In fact, due to over-hyped Swine flu (which turned out far worse in the US than in Mexico) and the concern over border violence, Mexico is one of the most likely destinations to find the best deal for your money. Many hotels are offering “kids stay free” promotions and steeply discounted prices as Mexico tries to rebound from the dip in tourism that has been seen in the last year or so. The annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards just selected Tulum and Huatulco among its “Top 10 Beach & Sun Destinations” in the world.

So if you love beautiful beaches, all inclusive resorts and great values, dust off your passports, pack your bags and give me a call so we can find your family the trip of a lifetime!

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/mexico-is-safe-again/feed/ 0 Adults Only Full Service All Inclusive Specials http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/adults-only-full-service-all-inclusive-specials/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/adults-only-full-service-all-inclusive-specials/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:03:02 +0000 Brandon Smith http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=354 For those of us who either do not have kids yet or for those who simply like to travel in a more luxury style, hopefully one of these resorts will be perfect for you!  The below properties are ADULT ONLY full service all inclusive resorts.  Many of the below resorts will include amenities such as 24 hour room service, unlimited al a carte dinning or private check ins and more.  When traveling to an adult only all inclusive resort, there seems to be a more personalized service level at the property, the pools are less crowded, the drink selections are better and they are always more romantic with the entertainment geared more toward adults.

Take a look at the resorts below and once you find the perfect property for you, give us a call to make your reservation!  If you need to add airfare to your package just let our vacation specialists know where you would like to fly from.  All the below resorts will include FREE round trip transfers with or without the purchase of airfare so act fast before the summer prices go up!

PUNTA CANA

RIVIERA MAYA

JAMAICA

  • Secrets St. James (brand new!): July and August check-in for 7 nights, starting at $196 per person per night
  • Breezes Rio Bueno:  July and August check-in for 7 nights, starting at $141 per person per night

COZUMEL

PUERTO VALLARTA

* The above prices are subject to change and will vary depending on the dates of travel as well as the length of time that you reserve. Prices are based on an all inclusive resort stay without airfare.

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/adults-only-full-service-all-inclusive-specials/feed/ 20 Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free! http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/kids-stay-play-and-eat-free/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/kids-stay-play-and-eat-free/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:04:01 +0000 Brandon Smith http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=344 Below you will a list of some of our most popular all inclusive resorts that are currently running “Kids stay, play and eat free” promotions for travel this summer!  Valid travel dates June through August.  These resorts will offer up to two children free per room with two paying adults sharing the same room, maximum occupancy of 2 adults and 2 kids per room.  Children are considered to be 12 and under.  So, if you have been wanting to plan a vacation for this summer but didn’t think you could afford to take the kids, hurry now to get your vacation booked and take your kids for free!  Simply call any of our vacation specialists with the dates you would like to travel in order to make your reservation.  1-800-828-0639

CANCUN

RIVIERA MAYA

PUERTO VALLARTA

PUNTA CANA

JAMAICA

**Kids free promotions will usually result in a child surcharge price between $20 to $50 for an entire 7 night all inclusive resort stay.  This promotion can change at any time.

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/kids-stay-play-and-eat-free/feed/ 5 The Beach is Back! http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/the-beach-is-back/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/the-beach-is-back/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:37:05 +0000 Heather Cort http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=330 Many of us who love Playa del Carmen, Mexico have been so disappointed to see their pristine beaches erode over the last several years. The resort owners have been doing everything they can to hold up what they had, but nature prevailed almost completely taking the beaches in some areas.

To our complete surprise, the Mexican government decided to take control of the situation. In the end of January, 2010 they shut down all Playacar beaches for a complete renovation. During the three days that followed a crew of hundreds of workers completed the Beach Recovery Project. Now the beaches are beautiful, bountiful, and ready for beach bums.

I went down over the weekend of March 20th to check them out and there is more soft, beautiful white sand than ever before. Enjoy!

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/the-beach-is-back/feed/ 0 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: Beautiful Beaches, Wonderful People and Good Fun http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/punta-cana-dominican-republic/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/punta-cana-dominican-republic/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:18:56 +0000 Emily Kupersmith http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=321 Having been a skeptic myself about what the Dominican Republic had to offer me, I was hesitant to visit but knew that I could not accurately pass on information to my clients if I didn’t ever take the chance. Upon arrival into the Punta Cana airport, my skeptism turned to joy before even setting foot on the beach.

The Punta Cana airport is a small open air airport, that has been nicely redone within the last few years. Bungalow style buildings greeted me with thatched rooms, almost like I was walking into a palapa. As we entered the airport I was greeted by Dominican dancers and musicians. I was in love already.

The beaches in Punta Cana rival any of the beaches I have seen thus far, beautiful turquoise waters and powdery sand. Since Punta Cana is located on the eastern coast of Hispanolia island, you have the option to stay in hotels that are located on the Caribbean Sea or the Atlantic. The closer resorts to the airport have the warm Caribbean waters while the Atlantic waters are a bit cooler, a nice refresher on those hot summer days.  I recommend Dreams Palm Beach as a wonderful family resort, only 20 minutes from the airport. Dreams Palm Beach is a smaller more intimate resort, perfect for families with children or even adults who want to avoid the larger “multi-resort complexes”.

If adults only is what your looking for, the new Secrets Sanctuary in Cap Cana is top notch. Following the trend of the other Secrets brand resorts, this is an ultimate luxury resort, located in the gated, up and coming community of Cap Cana, just south of the Punta Cana airport. With two beaches for your access, you have the option of the larger public beach or the private more secluded beach for some privacy. An excellent choice for honeymooners and anniversary trips. Cap Cana itself is a golfers delight with 2 Jack Nicklaus golf courses already and more on the way. In fact the PGA stopped through for the Capa Cana Championship from March 26-28, 2010.

Each meal I ate was better than the last, the employees of the resorts were eager to please and I had no problem communicating with anyone. After years of hearing that Punta Cana had a horrible language barrier, bad food and was run down and downright scary, I must say they have made me a believer. Passing through the towns of Punta Cana and Bavaro while I was there gave me a unique view of what life is like in the Dominican, and while they are not the richest country, everyone greeted me with a smile, and an HOLA! I was reminded of the countryside in the US as we drove from resort to resort, and as you get closer to the coast the palm trees are amazing. I saw palms like I had never seen before. I would never hesitate to go back and am already planning my return trip.

Punta Cana is a small slice of heaven located on the beach. Book your trip today without hesitation, and you won’t regret you did.

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/punta-cana-dominican-republic/feed/ 0 Weekly Specials: March 26 – April 1 http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/weekly-specials/ http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/weekly-specials/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:37:12 +0000 Brandon Smith http://godreamvacations.com/blog/?p=325 Below are the specials for this week, starting on March 26th, ending on April 1st.  The earlier you book the better your price will be for these kinds of specials, many of the below deals will not be available after this week.  Call us at 1-800-828-0639 to book your beach vacation!

CLEVELAND DEPARTURES

April 23rd for 7 nights to Punta Cana for only $899.99 per adult!
Resort: Iberostar Dominicana

May 6th or May 13th for 7 nights to the Riviera Maya for only $919.99 per adult!
Resort: Grand Palladium Colonial and Kantenah

PHILADELPHIA DEPARTURES

April 9th for 7 nights to Punta Cana for only $649.99 per adult!
Resort: Natura Park Eco Resort

ST. LOUIS DEPARTURES

May 7th for 5 nights to the Riviera Maya for only $859.99 per adult!
Resort options: Dreams Puerto Aventuras

May 7th for 5 nights to the Riviera Maya for only $859.99 per adult!
Resort options: Barcelo Maya Tropical and Colonial Resort

May 9th for 7 nights to Punta Cana for only $969.99 per adult!
Resort: Dreams Punta Cana

LOS ANGELES DEPARTURES

May 23rd for 7 nights to the Riviera Maya for only $879.99 per adult!
Resort: Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar

CHICAGO DEPARTURES

May 9th for 4 nights to Jamaica for $799.99 per adult!
Resort: Riu Montego Bay

May 8th for 7 nights to Punta Cana for only $969.99 per adult!
Resort: Grand Palladium Punta Cana

May 10th for 7 nights to Cancun for only $899.99 per adult!
Resort: Golden Parnassus / ADULT ONLY

**Keep in mind these prices are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed until booked

]]> http://www.godreamvacations.com/blog/weekly-specials/feed/ 4