by Dream Vacations on June 7, 2012

Since my last trip to the Azul Beach and Azul Sensatori, 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.

by Dream Vacations on June 5, 2012

Chichen Itza Tour MapA few years ago my wife and I had the pleasure of touring one of the new 7 wonders of the world, Chichen Itza.  Chichen Itza, which means “at the mouth of the well of Itza”, has over 40,000 visitors every single day.  Through Apple Vacations we were able to take a guided tour of this amazing archeological discovery and truly get to experience it’s size and beauty up close and personal.  No matter which Riviera Maya resort you are staying in, this Chichen Itza tour is available for purchase.

Chichen Itza was built over 1500 hundred years ago and until recently, tourists were allowed to walk all the way to the top of the pyramid.  But now, because of wear and tear, guests can no longer walk up the step stairs.  The stairs themselves are only 6 inches wide.  The site is divided into 3 distinct sections but can easily be toured in one full day.  There were local vendors all over the place, hundreds of them so be sure to bring some money for souvenirs.  In the video below you can see the scope of how large these ruins really are.  At one time, it has been said that tens of thousands of Mayan Indians would gather to hear “sermons” preached from the top of the pyramid.  One of the most amazing aspects of Chichen Itza is that because of the design, if someone were speaking from the top the echo could be heard for miles.

Each of the structures four stairways contains 91 steps.  When counting the top platform as another step, in total “El Castillo” has 365 steps, one step for each day of the year.  The structure is 78 feet, plus an additional 20 feet for the temple top for a total height of 98 feet.  The square base measures 181 feet across.  Huge sculptures of plumed serpent’s heads sit at the base of the pyramid on the northern staircase.  At sunset during the spring and autumn equinoxes triangle shadows are formed by the platforms making it appear as if a plumed serpent is descending the pyramid.

This is a great addition to your vacation while in Cancun or Riviera Maya, Mexico.

by Dream Vacations on May 31, 2012

Preferred Perks PLUS features complimentary fresh meals and alcoholic beverages with an introductory rate from just $39 round-trip!

Apple Vacations is pleased to offer Preferred Perks Plus* on select exclusive vacation flights via Frontier Airlines and AirTran Airways. Enjoy:

  • Complimentary fresh meal/snack box & two alcoholic beverages per adult (21+) on each flight
  • Access to the Preferred check-in security line (when available through TSA)
  • Separate priority check-in line at the ticket counter
  • Preferred boarding – Be the first on and off the plane
  • Preferred seating in the front of the aircraft
  • Your luggage will be among the first to come off the aircraft

Frontier Airlines Introductory Rate $39
Preferred Perks Plus is available on select vacation flights. Book Preferred Perks Plus in the “Apple Extras” section of the booking process. You will be seated in the front section of the aircraft. On select Frontier Airlines flights your Preferred Perks Plus seats will be seated in stretch seating which includes up to 5” of additional leg room.

AirTran Airways Introductory Rate from $80
Book First Class seats on select AirTran Airways Vacation Flights and you will automatically receive Preferred Perks Plus.

Preferred Perks PLUS is only available if you are traveling round trip on the same airline. Preferred Perks PLUS is not offered from DEN, DFW, LAN, MKE, MSP, SLC, IND or on BWI to CUN.

by Dream Vacations on May 24, 2012

Marival ResortA few summers ago I had the pleasure of staying for 4 nights at the Marival Resort in Puerto Vallarta.  This trip consisted of 7 travelers, myself, my wife, my Mother, my brother (13 at the time) and sister (17 at the time) as well as Grandpa and Grandma.  From the time we checked in, we knew we were in for laid back relaxing vacation!

For kids, the waves are always a little bigger on the West Coast side of Mexico so things such as surfing and boogie boards are really popular.  Me, my wife, my brother and sister all took some boogie boards out to try our luck but I was never lucky enough to get very far.  There is also a cool little water park with water slides for kids under 12.

The beach was nice, what you would expect from Puerto Vallarta.  The sand was not rocky, in fact my wife and I walked for a very long distance one night just to feel the salt water breeze.  I would say you could easily walk a mile each way down the beach.  What I love most about the ocean views in Puerto Vallarta is that you aren’t just looking out to an endless ocean horizon, in Puerto Vallarta you are looking across a great big bay and in the distance you can see the mountains and lights from other resorts.  They are just far enough away to see but yet way far enough away to not make out where they are.  Beautiful mountain and ocean views.

by Dream Vacations on May 23, 2012

Caribbean beach getaways pricing list; 4-nights starting at only $308*. Great travel deals on destinations such as Puerto Rico, Punta Cana, Nassau & Jamaica. Check out the 6 golden apple properties available. May – December 2012.

by Dream Vacations on May 22, 2012

Planning an all inclusive vacation can be a daunting task. With all the information out there, our callers commonly say that they are overwhelmed. Instead of just chasing advertisements, you can enrich your selection process by calling on one of our experienced agents for help.

When you call, here are the questions we will ask to get to know you better:

  1. Where do you want to go? This could be as simple as a warm beach in January or as complex as a 5 star hotel near a golf course.  Just close your eyes and imagine where you want to spend your holiday and we can point you in the right direction.
  2. When can you travel? Remembering that times during the school year, when kids are on break, are the most expensive weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, February break, spring break, and Easter), formulate an idea of when you are open. If you can go anytime, try and avoid those “off” weeks.  If you want to travel during those holiday times, the best bet is to book early.
  3. What kind of resort do you want? Would you prefer a mega-resort with a dozen restaurants, or a more personalized boutique hotel? Do you want to have fun activities or do you prefer a quiet, relaxing atmosphere, or both?
  4. How do you know you’re getting the best price? Just call us. We search every tour operator and will give you the lowest available rate. Also, we don’t charge any fees, so you will be guaranteed a wholesale rate. If you have a certain budget in mind, just let us know, and we will customize our search to fit your needs.

Once you have decided on an all inclusive vacation that best suits you, you can rest assured. We are there for you to answer any questions or provide any support up until your vacation time arrives, during your vacation, and after you return.