Aruba


by Emily Kupersmith on January 5, 2012

One of the most common questions asked of the travel consultants at Dream Vacations is “When is the best time to travel” This can easily become a loaded question as many times the best time to travel depends on each individual travelers needs. Travel can easily be broken up into seasons that may easily help you and your family figure out the best time to suite your needs.

Peak Season:

Peak Season is considered Thanksgiving-mid April. As the air in the U.S. Cools down and the snow heads in, most of us start getting the travel bug and are ready to bury our feet in some silky sand. For the best prices during peak season ALWAYS avoid the Holidays. Christmas, New Years Eve, Presidents weekend and Easter offer days off from school making it easier for family travel, however due to their popular nature prices will be higher during these times. Avoiding the month of March and the first couple weeks in April will also help to lower cost as this month and a half time frame is considered the “Spring Break” season when many families head to the Caribbean or Mexico.

Late Spring/Summer Vacation:

Summer Vacations season usually starts in June so traveling in May can help with your budget as well. Typically June and July will be the most expensive months during Summer to travel, however your budget will stretch much farther than during the peak months of travel. Summer travel is perfect for the vacationer looking for the warmest weather possible to enjoy your vacation.

Hurricane Season:

Hurricane Season in the Caribbean and Mexico is June-November. Typically the most active months for hurricanes are August-November so planning an early summer vacation is not necessarily a hurricane risk. Prices will usually be lowest August, September and October. We recommend always taking insurance on your vacation regardless of the season, however during Hurricane Season cancellation insurance is a must, as it will help you and your family avoid large headaches, change fees, late departures, etc due to weather.

Regardless of your season of travel, flying on weekdays like Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will typically help with flight costs as Fridays and Saturdays are usually the more expensive days to fly.

If you have any questions about your choice of travel season, give us a call today and we can help you find your perfect Mexico or Caribbean vacation!

by Dream Vacations on December 26, 2011

I finally got a chance to go to Aruba.  A friend and I stayed at The Occidental Grand and we had a wonderful time.  I have been to most islands in the Caribbean and we were really looking forward to this trip.  The transfer from the airport to the Occidental was quick and easy.  Aruba is very easy to get around and has a wonderful cab service.

The hotel check in was a breeze and we were upgraded to club level.  The room was wonderful.  It had a separate bedroom and a living area with a sofa and a table with 4 chairs.  The bathrooms were marble with all glass shower doors.  This was a great room it is hard to find a Junior Suite with a closed/separate bedroom.  I did not have a chance to see all the room categories but I highly recommend the club or concierge level.

The hotel had a small Casino with a Big service level.  I am somewhat of a rookie gambler but all the dealers were very patient and helpful.  I was amazed at how anxious they were to help me lose my money!  All kidding aside I have never had the dealers at a casino be so friendly and personable.  The casino closed around 1 am so if you want to gamble into the early morning you need to head downtown to the public casino’s not the hotel casinos.

The pool here was great but a little small when compared to some other all inclusive hotels.  They had a really cool swim up bar sort of built into a rock or a cave.  The pool is definitely not crowded because everyone is on the beach.  Palm Beach is special!  It is as wide of a beach that I have ever seen with gorgeous fluffy white sand.  The waves were subtle and the views were beautiful.

I was very impressed with the quality of food in Aruba.  At the hotel the food was excellent and we really enjoyed several of the restaurants downtown.  They speak English in Aruba and they take American currency.  If your looking for awesome beaches, great food with world class casinos then book a trip to The Occidental Grand Aruba.

by Emily Kupersmith on September 29, 2011
Every Caribbean loving bride has dreamed of having a beautiful white sand wedding at the resort of your dreams. As we all know travel is no small expense, sometimes the dream destination wedding doesn’t always work out for those you love most to be in attendance. Well, finally some good news is here! As destination weddings grow in popularity, so have destination wedding packages. But with so many friends and family members with different budgets, work schedules and vacation schedules sometimes it’s hard to get everyone in line for a typical “group package” with everyone traveling the same dates. Ask your agent about one of our Destination wedding group promo codes. After the bride and groom have booked their package with us and wedding date with the resort, a promo code will be generated for all your guests of travel. Savings can range from $20-$80 per person below our already discounted prices, even the bride and groom will save! Your guests can then work with your agent at their convenience to book the exact flights, dates, and number of people when the time is right for them. Whether your destination wedding is in Mexico, Jamaica, Punta Cana or another island just ask your agent today!

 

by Emily Kupersmith on August 24, 2011

Fall Vacation - Last Minute SpecialsAs the summer temperatures cool and the kids head back to school, Fall is the perfect season to travel to Mexico and the Caribbean. With the peak family vacation season over and winter time travel approaching, look for prices to drop significantly during the upcoming months of September, October and November.  Still boasting temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s, Caribbean and Mexico destinations offer beautiful beaches, stunning resorts and low low prices during the fall travel season. Budget friendly to the max, Fall is perfect for the traveler who’s been looking all summer and just hasn’t quite found the perfect package. Contact us right away to check out our smoking fall specials.

Check out our great values with nonstop flights.

From Chicago to Jamaica, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Riviera Maya and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

From St. Louis to Cancun/Riviera Maya or Punta Cana.

Denver offers great nonstop flights to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Cancun/Riviera Maya or for the east coast traveler check out our great specials with nonstop flights from BWI to Punta Cana.

If you’ve been putting off booking your travel because the prices were just a little too high, Call us today! Fall specials are out and going fast!

by Dream Vacations on June 7, 2011

Congratulations to the following all-inclusive resorts which Dream Vacations partners with, which were recently awarded a AAA 4-Diamond Rating for 2010. According to AAA, “These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.”

Aruba
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (Optional All-Inclusive Add-On) – CLICK HERE for more info.
The Westin Resort, Aruba (Optional All-Inclusive Add-On) – CLICK HERE for more info.

Nassau, Bahamas
Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort Spa & Offshore Island – CLICK HERE for more info.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Paradisus Palm Real – CLICK HERE for more info.
Paradisus Punta Cana – CLICK HERE for more info.

Jamaica
Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island (Montego Bay) – CLICK HERE for more info.
Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa (Negril) – CLICK HERE for more info.
Sandals Royal Plantation (Ocho Rios)
Sandals Grand Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Golf Resort (Ocho Rios) – CLICK HERE for more info.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat & Spa (Optional All-Inclusive Add-On) – CLICK HERE for more info.
The Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos (Optional All-Inclusive Add-On) – CLICK HERE for more info.
Zoetry Casa del Mar – CLICK HERE for more info.

Manzanillo, Mexico
Barcelo Karmina Palace Deluxe – CLICK HERE for more info.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Barcelo La Jolla de Mismaloya – CLICK HERE for more info.
Dreams Puerto Vallarta – CLICK HERE for more info.
Dreams Villamagna – CLICK HERE for more info.
Riu Palace Pacifico – CLICK HERE for more info.
Vallarta Palace – CLICK HERE for more info.
Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa  (Optional All-Inclusive Add-On) – CLICK HERE for more info.

Cancun, Mexico
Cancun Caribe Park Royal Grand – CLICK HERE for more info.
Gran Melia Cancun Beach & Spa Resort – CLICK HERE for more info.
Live Aqua Cancun – CLICK HERE for more info.
ME by Melia Cancun – CLICK HERE for more info.

Riviera Maya, Mexico
El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma – CLICK HERE for more info.
Excellence Riviera Cancun
Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun – CLICK HERE for more info.
Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun – CLICK HERE for more info.
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun – CLICK HERE for more info.
Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun – CLICK HERE for more info.

by Dream Vacations on April 21, 2011

Throughout the day our agents take calls from all across the country for vacations to Mexico and the Caribbean. Our agents are looking for the Best Beach Deals available for vacationers just like you.

@BestBeachDeals@BestBeachDeals is our little way of letting you know the packages we just found for other families or couples. If you see a deal that you like from the list, call us immediately to guarantee the prices. If you see a deal that you like but just can’t travel on the dates listed, give one of our travel specialists a call to find one of our Best Beach Deals that works for you!

Here’s a sample of the deals we recently found: