Aruba


by Dream Vacations on April 5, 2011

Below you will see 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 2011!  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, Mexico

RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico

COZUMEL, Mexico

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico

HUATULCO, Mexico

ARUBA, Caribbean

COSTA RICA, Caribbean

PUNTA CANA, Caribbean

#Kids free is based on the standard room in property but in some cases you can upgrade your room and the kids may still be free. Kids “free” will always include a very small hotel surcharge for each child usually totally no more than $10 per day.

by Dream Vacations on February 2, 2011

One of the little rituals all international travelers go through is customs. To most people, this is just another stop in an airport or a minor inconvenience. You probably are most familiar with the role of these uniformed men and women in checking that declaration form you filled out on the airplane and examining people’s luggage to be sure nothing illegal is tucked inside.

Visitors can enter Mexico with a valid U.S. passport. Travelers from other countries may need a visa and should check with their country before departure. It’s also a good idea to make a photocopy of your passport, birth certificate and credit cards. Keep these copies separate from your originals and leave copies with family or friends at home. Should your passport be lost or stolen having copies of everything will help with the replacement process. If you do lose your documents you should contact the police immediately as well as your consulate in order to replace your passport.

Customs in Mexico will ask you to press a button that’s connected to a traffic light that will tell your future: green light, and you just pass through, red light and your bags will be searched. Odds of getting a red light are about one and eight. You probably want to be more concerned about going back home with a bag full of cigars or too many bottles of tequila.

by Dream Vacations on January 31, 2011

Traditionally when you are flying home from one our Mexico or Caribbean locations you can expect to go through US Customs here in the US. But, Aruba is different.

Whenever you are leaving Aruba to come back home to the US, you will first go through the Arubian security. Your luggage will be scanned and you will go through the metal detectors as usual. After you complete the Arubian departure through their security checks, you will then once again take your bags to the next check point. The next check point is the US Customs check point (US TSA officials). You will again check your luggage through security, walk through another metal detector and then you are finally on your way!

It was a little strange  compared to all of my previous customs expierences but in the long run, it makes sense. Once we arrived in Miami we only had to walk to our next terminal, no waiting for luggage, no waiting in line to go through securtiy with thousands of other travelers who were also arriving into Miami from other countires.

by Dream Vacations on December 8, 2010

It’s getting closer and closer to Christmas which means it’s getting colder and colder.  Many of my clients love to travel in the coldest months such as January, February and March because it is so cold at here at home.  Below you will see some comparisons of today’s temperatures to those of some of our Caribbean locations.  Don’t get to jealous, just start planning!

Chicago IL: 20 degrees

Minneapolis MN: 20 degrees

St. Louis MO: 25 degrees

Detroit MI: 27 degrees

New York NY: 35 degrees

Philadelphia PA: 36 degrees

CANCUN MEXICO: 79 degrees

PUNTA CANA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 82 degrees

ORANJESTAD ARUBA: 81 degrees

MONTEGO BAY JAMAICA: 81 degrees

by Dream Vacations on November 24, 2010

Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt which makes weather perfect year-round with temperatures averaging about 82 degrees and constant trade-winds that bring a refreshing breeze off the Caribbean Sea. Aruba attracts more than 800,000 international travelers annually and has the highest return rate in the Caribbean. More than 90% of the travelers hail from the United States. The southern coast of the Island is home to over 20 dive sites and 11 diver friendly wrecks. Land activities include horseback riding, hiking, golf, tennis, beach tennis and mountain biking. With the challenging waves and constant trade winds the Island attracts a lot of windsurfers and kite surfers. Shoppers can find a huge selection of name brand products and prices that are 10-35% lower than in the United States. Aruba’s nights can be laid back or action packed with popular clubs, lounges, pubs and bistro’s. Aruba is also home to one of the world’s finest beaches, Palm Beach is a must see with its snow white sand, warm, calm crystal waters and always a refreshing breeze.

by Tom Legens on October 15, 2010

Have you ever taken a vacation and wished you could go back? Somewhere you’ve been or something you enjoyed so much, you want to do it all over again? Several of our clients do that very thing every year. Here…are some of ours.

JasonDreams Punta Cana Resort and Spa in Punta Cana. Jason loved his swim-out suite to the endless swimming pools that lead straight down to the beach and was complete with waterfalls and swim-up bars. He said the service and staff were impeccable. If the resort, service, pool and the beach weren’t enough there was also the Marinarium; an exclusive aquarium where you can swim with nurse sharks and sting rays.

AaronAruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino in Aruba. Sitting at the end of a 600 ft stretch of beach, Aaron enjoyed the seclusion and relaxed atmosphere the most. There are seven different dining options to chose from on the premises and renting a car to drive into town was very easy and a good way to explore on your own.

Brandon Riu Palace Aruba in Aruba. Brandon also wants to return to Aruba but for different reasons. The Riu Palace is an all-inclusive resort filled with a fitness center, spa and casino. But step outside on a Tuesday and discover the Bon Bini Festival. “Bon bini” means “welcome” in Papiamento and features local food, drink, music, dancing, arts and crafts. A little mardi graw in Aruba!

Heather Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun. A year ago Heather was married in Cancun. Beach wedding, honeymoon in an all-adult spa resort and surrounded by her family and friends. Her favorite part was the tranquility and opulance of the resort. Step inside and everything just melts away. She said it was just amaizing.

DavidCouples Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica. Known for it’s slow pace and low key atmosphere, David enjoyed the incredible sevice and staff of the resort. He said they were very hospitable and genuine and felt as if he were a guest in their home. The food was of exceptional quality and the glass bottom boat ride, scuba diving and golf excursions were all reasons to go back again.

Where have you been that you want to go back to? Let us know.