ATVs at Paradise Maroma
While we were in Cancun this past weekend, we had the opportunity to do the ATVs through the jungle at Paradise Maroma. They gave us the choice between the ATVs and speedboats. Nicki and Erin decided on the ATVs.
I think the tour lasted an hour and a half. There were paths through the jungle where we followed the leader through the whole thing. Of course, Nicki was a wild person and was fishtailing whenever possible. I was the last one in the group, which was fine by me because I didn’t want to feel pressure to go faster than I was going. Much of the time I couldn’t even see the group because I was so far behind. They stopped every so often though to let me catch up.
The whole time I was riding I could only keep thinking, “It’s high season, I have no time to heal…”
They do provide a helmet, so I guess my brains would have been fine. Here are some pictures from our adventure.
Erin Getting Her ATV Unstuck
Erin and Nicki, Ready to Roll
Through the Jungle
Packing for France – Toiletries
How do I pack for a European trip?
To do a good job at packing your toiletries and not end up on your trip longing for a forgotten item requires forethought and planning. Here are a few tips that will help.
1) Pick the right toiletry kit. Since this series of posts is about packing for a trip to France, one consideration is lack of counter space. European hotel rooms rarely have any at all, and our cabin on our river cruise will certainly not have much, if any. So, it is important to have a toiletry kit with a hook so that it will hang on the wall. You can hang it from a doorknob, the top of the mirror, a light fixture or maybe even a hook. Another great asset in a toiletry kit is lot of pockets or dividers so that you can keep everything in the right place rather than rummaging around a big open bag. The toiletry kit I picked for this trip is the REI Ultimate Shower Kit. I recently retired my Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Wallaby. I would have just replaced it with another Wallaby since it served me so well for so long, but I just wanted to try something new.
2) Small Containers. I hope it is already obvious that it isn’t good packing technique to carry around full size containers of most things. For this trip, I’m using GoToob Silicone Travel Bottles. They are great and squishy and even have suction cups so you can easily affix them to the wall in the bathroom or the shower.
Or, if you want to purchase small sizes of your favorite items and you can’t find them in that section at Target, take a look at http://www.3floz.com/ or http://www.minimus.biz/
3) Planning. I tend to do better if I pack well ahead of actually leaving for the trip. This gives me longer to remember things I’ve forgotten. It also gives me time to really evaluate each choice to see if I really need to bring it or not.
When it actually comes time to fill the toiletry kit I sit and actually imagine the process of showering and getting ready in the morning. As I come to each step in the process I pack the appropriate item. If it is an item that I will still need to use in the days leading up to departure, I put it on a “last minute packing items” list.
I also keep a “need to buy” list so that I can jot down things I still need to pick up (usually at Target).
Unless you’re packing a separate medication / first aid kit, you might also consider including those items in your toiletry kit. Think through some of the ailments that you commonly get either at home or while traveling and bring items to treat them.
Here is a list of the items currently in my toiletry kit:
Eyeglass Cleaner
Chapstick
Hair Clip
Body Lotion
Shampoo
Body Cleanser
Baby Powder
Deodorant
Razor
QTips
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Hairspray
Enough makeup to make me minimally presentable
Bandaids
Blister Band Aids
One dose of cold medicine (enough until I can find somewhere to buy it if I need it.)
Immodium AD
Small Bottle of Advil
Small Bottle of Benedryl
Alka Seltzer
What toiletry item can you not do without? Tell us in the comments.
What is a Swim Up Room?
Swim up rooms are becoming more and more popular, but just exactly what is a swim up room? What do you swim up to? At El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico, Cathi shows the world exactly what a swim up room is and why it could be a part of your next vacation.
Our Weekend at the GIVC Awards
Our Crew at the 2010 GIVC Awards Gala
The Third Annual GIVC Awards Weekend was held this past weekend at the fantastic El Dorado Royale in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Philip, Cathi, Terrah and Marty were all thrilled to be in attendance.
GIVC stands for “Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant”. From the website: “A GI Vacation Consultant is a travel professional who is well versed, educated and prepared to provide exceptional service offering a tailor made vacation experience according to their client’s needs and expectations at El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels, by Karisma. A GI Vacation Consultant is a specialist in one or more of the following niche markets; destination weddings, honeymoons, adults only, romance, anniversaries, families and group travel.
A GI Vacation Consultant provides customers with confidence based on their first hand experience and knowledge after going through rigorous training and property site inspections at our hotels.”
Marty Receiving his Four Diamond Award
Marty and Terrah are both GIVCs. This year they were both awarded four diamond status. Four diamond is the highest level possible. There were only a total of 18 four diamond awards given. Only one other company was awarded more than one four diamond award.
Another honor bestowed on Marty and Terrah was the designation of “Gourmet Inclusive Wedding Consultant”. Again, from the website: “The “GI Wedding Consultant” logo designates GI Vacation Consultants who are our most experienced and productive partners in Destination Weddings at our resorts. This select group of travel agents have undergone specialized educational experiences focused exclusively on providing clients with the best possible service when booking a Destination Wedding and have firsthand experience in booking destination weddings to our resorts.”
Marty and Terrah at the After Party
Additionally, Terrah was also recognized as a Top 10 Wedding producer at El Dorado Resorts as well as at Azul Hotels.
The biggest thrill of the night for me was when it was announced that Marty and Terrah had tied for the honor of “Best Storefront Agent”. This means that out of any travel agency that you could walk in to, anywhere in the country, ours does more El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels than anyone else.
It was a great night. If you’re considering a Gourmet Inclusive Vacation, there is no where better to come check it out than Legacy Travel, Your Mexico Beach Vacation Experts.
My Four Favorite Resorts in the Riviera Maya
My Four Favorite Resorts in the Riviera Maya
I visit Cancun and the Riviera Maya alot. I’ve stayed at most of the resorts in the area. Here are my four favorites.
I love the El Dorado Royale. It is an elegant, adults only resort where the food is fabulous, the rooms are beautiful and the staff is perfect. There is a two person jacuzzi in every suite. I especially love the beds in the suites in the Casita section. It is seriously like sleeping on a cloud. The food is legendary. I think my two favorite restaurants, if I have to choose, are JoJos and the Fondue Restaurant.
THE Royal in Playa del Carmen:
The Royal is a beautiful adults only resort located right along Fifth Avenue in lively Playa del Carmen. To start with, the lobby is arranged with a multitude of sofa arrangements so that there is always somewhere to sit and visit. The rooms and beds are luxurious. The food is fantastic. My favorite restaurant is Maria Marie. A great asset to this resort is the location. Many guests in the Riviera Maya take a taxi and spend an evening in Playa del Carmen. When you stay at the Royal you can take a stroll among the shops and nightlife of Playa del Carmen any time you’d like.
Azul Beach Hotel:
The best family vacation we ever had took place at the Azul Beach Hotel. It is a small boutique style resort. At the time we stayed there, my son was 7 years old. Because the resort is so small we were able to give him a great deal of freedom. He was able to run and play freely. My daughter and I were able to go out on a hobie cat with a guide which we love to do.
As far as I’m concerned, this hotel is the crown jewel of resorts. At any moment, if I were presented with the opportunity to be transported to El Dorado Maroma, I would take it. To me, El Dorado Maroma is the perfect place to be. There are only 72 rooms. It is a very quiet resort. The resort is located on world famous Maroma Beach. There is always somewhere to relax. And the food…oh the food! Chef Efrain is magic. The food is truly amazing. The staff is beyond thoughtful. They work hard every single minute to make sure you have what you want and need.
Of course, the perfect resort for me might not be the perfect resort for you. It’s our job to listen to you and help figure that out.
What about you? What’s the favorite resort you’ve visited? Let’s talk in the comments.
Our Review of Barcelo Maya Beach Resort
Barcelo Maya Beach Resort
The Barcelo Maya Beach and Caribe are the original resorts in the Barcelo Maya Complex. They are actually one resort with two lobbies. They are the most moderate of the resorts in the complex.
Guests of Barcelo Maya Beach or Caribe do not have privileges at the other resorts in the complex. The liquor is limited to Mexican domestic brands. There is snorkeling right off the shore off the long beach.
Our experience has been that clients do typically enjoy this resort. It also usually goes for a pretty attractive price.
One thing to be aware of is that the Barcelo Maya Complex is a drive of about 60-90 minutes from the airport depending on traffic. You might consider upgrading your transfers to the nonstop to shorten up your journey a little.
CocoLaPalm – Negril, Jamaica
I did this interview with Keith Kugler who represents CocoLaPalm resort in Negril Jamaica. A great little small resort, right on Seven Mile Beach….check it out!
The Dogs of Legacy Travel
Pets are an important part of the lives of many people. According to the CDC, there are many health benefits to having a pet in your life. Pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and your feelings of loneliness.
In honor of Take Your Pet to Work Day we present…..the Dogs of Legacy Travel:
This is Mike Tyson Beckford McKee. Tyson for short. He belongs to Briana, our office assistant. Reportedly a big baby with a sensitive digestive tract, he is afraid of heights and won’t jump off a bed without help.
Next up, we have Lucy and Taz, who own Marty Boehlke. Lucy is really more like a cat than a dog in that she will only play when she feels like it. Taz is reputed to be a high energy dog (Marty calls her “Taz the Spaz”).
This is Lucy – pictured above.
Next up is Roxanne Rominger (Roxy), who runs Terrah’s house.
Our next dog owns the heart of Nicki. He is the newest of the Legacy Travel dogs. His name is Charlie. Charlie is a bundle of energy and is almost housebroken.
And, finally, Kingston Lacy Banks. Lacy is a Golden Retriever who was originally a Christmas gift to the Banks children, and now lives every day as a gift to the whole family. She is kind and gentle and well behaved unless there are socks involved.
