Palace Resorts not only provide guests with unmatched all-inclusive luxury amenities and service, their included resort credit* provides added value with access to numerous tours and excursions! Eliminate the hassles and stress of which tours to consider and how to book them–the vacation experts at each of the seven Palace Resorts will be sure to provide a seamless, quality and fun experience for you.

Here are my TOP 6 attractions to make all of your dreams and vacation fantasies come true at Palace Resorts:

1. Chichen-Itza (means ‘at the mouth of the well of the Itza’): This Sacred City of the Mayans is a ‘must see’ for anyone who visits Cancun. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, explore the magic and mystery of the cultural center of the ancient Maya, see the Kukulcan Pyramid, the Temple of a Thousand Columns among other amazing buildings and sites. The spiritual energy at this site is more than I can express; you can just ‘feel’ that something magical happened there!

2. Tulum: This ‘walled city,’ a mystical place founded by the Mayans, is the only pyramid in the world that is located on the top of a cliff, with an amazing view of the Mexican Caribbean. The ruins are situated on 39-foot-tall cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo. It was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayans – amazing!

3. Swim with the Dolphins: Who doesn’t fantasize about swimming and interacting with a dolphin! Get close and personal with bottlenose dolphins as you interact with them and share a thrilling swim around the pool. You’ll learn more than you ever thought you might with the trainers who care for them daily. And best of all, a dolphin hug and kiss is a unique, memorable experience!

4. Scuba Diving: Did you know that Cancun and the Mayan Riviera are well known for being located just off the coast from the world’s second largest coral reef? What a fabulous experience for experienced and beginning divers alike! All you need to do is bring your diver’s certification ID, and you’re all set to enjoy this magical underwater world!

5. Isla Mujeres: This small Caribbean island is just eight miles from Cancun, and offers a variety of activities to all who visit its shores! Isla Mujeres, which means ‘Island of the Women,’ is accessed by motorized catamaran from Cancun. Once there, you have the option of renting a scooter or golf cart to get around this island paradise, or simply take a taxi to the downtown area and enjoy strolling through the cobblestone streets. It reminded me of the Old World charm of Mexico and Europe. Once on the island you also have the opportunity to rent a bike, enjoy snorkeling off one of the pristine beaches, visit the turtle farm or simply lay back and work on your tan!

6. Coba: This is another mystical experience of the Mayan World. Surrounded by two large lagoons, Coba boasts archaeological wonders and is home to the tallest of the Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan region: the Nohoch Mul Pyramid, which rises an impressive 140 feet above the rain forest floor. This is one of the only remaining pyramids where you can actually climb all of the way to the top and be awe-struck by the amazing panoramic views of the miles of jungle that surround this site!

WHEW! Amazing choices – you bet! The term ‘all-inclusive’ has been taken to a totally different level with Palace Resorts!

Please note that the tours listed above are only valid at specific Palace Resorts and limitations may apply.

*For full terms and conditions on the resort credit, please click here.

1.The SUNSHINE is always available…Aruba is so easy to get to with non-stop flights from the Northeast. One flight and you and your girlfriends are on vacation!

2. Girls just want to have FUN…A Jeep safari is a great half-day tour where you can see crystal-clear waters of the Natural Pool and explore other key historic sights.

3. DINE around…World-class chefs and casual, elegant and creative ambiances are available all over Aruba.

4. We work hard and need to…BE PAMPERED! Visit the many spas in Aruba to escape the rigors of daily stress and replenish the body and soul.

5. DANCE the night away…Aruba has many trendy venues and after-hours haunts, from karaoke to hot night-spots, or you can even let loose on a wild and wacky party bus!

6. SHOP, SHOP, SHOP…There are excellent areas for shopping – Palm Beach Plaza, the NEW South Beach Mall, Renaissance Mall, Alhambra Shopping Bazaar, Royal Plaza, and Paseo Herencia Mall, to name a few. Did I mention duty free?

7. RELAX and snorkel…The only sound you’ll hear is your steady breathing as you move smoothly through the deliciously warm water. Below you, gorgeously colored fish stream by in a water ballet.

8. REST on any of the BEAUTIFUL beaches in ARUBA…that’s where best friends reconnect and enjoy!

1. Come and enjoy the Atlantis Theater located in the Convention Center Rotunda. Grab some movie snacks and relax to catch up on one of your favorite Hollywood movies. All admissions are complimentary for guests.

2. Feeling blue about the rain showers falling? Come turn that frown upside down at the Joker’s Wild Comedy Club! Located between the Beach and Coral Towers, you will be sure to leave with a huge grin just in time to see the sun come out again!

3. Did the rain conjure your crafty side? Step into the Earth and Fire Pottery Studio and try your hand at making a vase to remind you of your amazing trip for years to come. The studio is located next to Seagrapes in the Beach Tower lobby.

4. Need a little relaxation after a gloomy day? Unwind in the 30,000 square-foot spa facility which features Balinese-inspired therapies blended with European techniques. Pamper away your worries and emerge rejuvenated just in time for the sun to come out again!

Top 3 Itineraries for a Long Weekend Vacation at Secrets Resorts & Spas!

By Kathy Brancifort
First Class Travel
TI & AMResorts Ambassador

Secrets Resorts & Spas feature sophistication and distinction with Unlimited-Luxury® at each property, offering clients a getaway that will make them want to come back and stay longer the next time!

Top 5 Photos to Share on Facebook when Vacationing at an All-Inclusive Hard Rock Hotel (guaranteed to make ‘em jealous!)

By Linda Murfin
Above The Crowds Travel & Meeting Planning
TI & All-Inclusive Hard Rock Hotels Ambassador

Vacationing at an All-Inclusive Hard Rock Hotel is something to be really excited about. The locations alone are alluring – Punta Cana with its white sand and turquoise water; Puerto Vallarta with its small village feel combined with trendy cosmopolitan shops and restaurants; Cancun with its vibrant nightlife and soft-on-your-feet beach; Riviera Maya (opening this very month!) with its easy access to the Mayan ruins and many great adventure tours. If you really want to make all your friends back home excited along with you (or jealous!), get out your camera and start snapping some of the action while enjoying your stay.

1. In Cancun you’ll certainly want to start with the beach. Cancun’s beaches are among the most beautiful in the world – soft, white and easily accessible. You get the best of all worlds at the Hard Rock Cancun beach because you can grab a lounge chair and camp right there on the beach for the entire day while the congenial wait staff keeps you supplied with drinks and food. If you decide you want to join in on the beach volleyball or the stretching class (or just watch them), you’ll be just steps away.

2. Want to make all those golf buddies back home envious? Take some shots with your camera as well as your clubs. All-inclusive doesn’t end when you head to the links at the Hard Rock Golf Club at Cana Bay. You can have all the food and beverages that you like while you’re out on the course. Oh, yes. And with current promotions, unlimited golf is included for the duration of your stay. Makes you almost not even care about your score – almost…

3. If you have friends who are heavy into Rock ‘n Roll, either current or vintage, send them photos of the memorabilia from the Hard Rock Hotels. It will make them green, for sure. Everything from costumes of performers to an original Beatles’ contract really make for interesting viewing. Maybe those same friends love a live show. Send them pics from the “Elvis” show to get their hearts pumping with some burning, burning love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. The food is a hit at any All-Inclusive Hard Rock Resort. Not only is it never-ending, you’ll find choices such as a Brazilian Steakhouse, Asian Tepanyaki, gourmet Italian, authentic Mexican or Dominican, beach-side buffets, romantic steak and lobster dinners served beachside with champagne, not to mention a poolside pizza oven!

 

 

 

5. What really makes the All-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels special is the staff. They treat you like you are a part of their own family from the time you arrive until the time you head off to the airport to go home. Twice while visiting the resorts we have encountered Employee Recognition Days where they are thanked and rewarded for the outstanding service they provide to every guest.

Top 4 Reasons to Vacation at an Excellence Resort During the “Off-Season”

By Jennifer Byrne
The Tropical Travelers
TI & Excellence Group Luxury Hotels & Resorts Ambassador

There are so many great reasons to travel to Excellence Group Luxury Hotels and Resorts during the off season. Here are my top 4:

1. Great pricing. One of the best benefits of traveling during the off season is price. In the Caribbean and Mexico, the off season primarily includes June through the beginning of December. You are likely to find great pricing and values at Excellence Resorts during this season as they are trying to fill their rooms. Long known as “hurricane season,” hotels do have a tough time bringing guests down during the summer months due to fear of bad weather, which is definitely not something to be concerned with. Historically, travelers to Mexico and the Caribbean only have a 2-3 percent chance of being affected by a hurricane, so, go! Enjoy the great prices at Excellence Resorts during this time.

2. Smaller Crowds. Another great reason for traveling to Excellence Resorts during the off season is that there are smaller crowds. Typically December through April is considered “high season” in the tropics, when flocks of freezing cold people want to warm their bones on a tropical island. You may fight for a chair at the pool or stand in long lines at the airport, and chances of an upgrade at hotels like Excellence are nil due to high occupancy. Traveling in the off season will give you more room to breathe while enjoying the beach at Excellence Playa Mujeres, will whisk you away to Excellence Punta Cana much more promptly from the airport, and your chances of getting that ocean view at Excellence Riviera Cancun will certainly increase.

3. Weather. Speaking of weather, did you know that the temperatures really only change about 10 degrees in Mexico and the Caribbean year round? That means it won’t be much more sweltering in August than in May at the Excellence Resorts. Depending on your choice of Excellence Resort of course, you can expect it to be hot! But, for the most part you should have sunny days where you can enjoy their activities and beautiful pool areas. Generally you can expect a little rain here or there, but how do you think those flowers stay so beautiful?!

4. Peace and Quiet. Finally, you can expect peace and quiet, for the most part, during the off season at Excellence Resorts. It’s not Christmas, it’s not Spring Break. There aren’t masses of people, which generally means service is top notch since the staff is available to serve you in a more relaxed atmosphere. I always find traveling in the off season to be a more relaxed experience overall. And Excellence just knows how to do it right when it comes to exceeding expectations.

The off season certainly holds much appeal for myself and my clients when traveling to Excellence Resorts. It’s certainly something to consider for your next trip!

Multi-Generational Travel to Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa

By Lauren Charlop
About Going Places
TI & Sandals & Beaches Resorts Ambassador

I am a big fan of multi-generational travel because everyone in my family loves traveling. I have three very small children so it is always helpful to have more hands available while vacationing. Selecting the perfect resort is also very helpful in making the trip successful. Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa is my favorite family resort that offers plenty of activities and amenities for all age groups. Here are the reasons why I love the property so much:

Super-fast transfers. There is nothing harder than traveling with three small children! Arriving to a foreign airport, making your way through customs and finding all your luggage can take awhile. It is so wonderful having your Beaches Representative waiting for you in the ground transportation area, grabbing your luggage, and arriving to your resort in less than 20 minutes.

Room categories to fit any family size. For our family of five, the two-bedroom suite is fantastic–a bedroom for the parents, and one for the kids to share. My brother’s family fits perfectly in the family suite with the separate kids room that offers bunk beds. This was perfect for my nephew, and if my niece wanted to have a slumber party with him one night they could. My parents loved the water’s edge family suite to sit and relax in privacy away from all the kids.

Guest Services is a huge help for pre-arranging group dinners. We were able to get a large party of 10 all seated together at Kimonos, the Tepenyaki Restaurant. The chefs were so animated and allowed the kids to help slice and dice for dinner.

Pre-arranged spa treatments. This was super helpful for the adults to get in some down time away from the little kids. We were also able to squeeze in some great workouts during nap time. The gym has plenty of equipment to provide a number of guests the ability to work out simultaneously.

The children’s program. This program is fantastic for all age groups and services are included with your stay. With many activities offered daily, you can even make cookies with Cookie Monster! It was so much fun to watch my niece participate in a talent show and perform on stage for everyone at the resort.

You can never go hungry on this property. I feel like we lived over by the pizzeria and having a personal butler allowed us to have food delivered daily to our cabana. Our biggest decision each day was figuring out which of the many restaurants to dine at that night. The butler was super helpful making sure our table was available with enough seating for our group each night. He would walk us over to the restaurant to make sure we were seated and got our drinks and meals ordered with us. This is such a huge help when with traveling with small children!

After dinner fun. We all loved strolling through the resort towards the ice cream parlor after a long meal. Our favorite part of the day was getting our ice cream and going over to the X-Box Game Garage for my nephew to play a few games, and then over to Cafe De Paris for the Grandparents to get their after dinner coffees.

We love this resort so much and are trying to find new date for us all to go back again. Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa will ensure great repeat visits time and time again.