Ideas for a U.K. Inspired Wedding

 

Apple Vacations was a proud sponsor of the 2013 Philadelphia International Flower this winter. The theme was “Brilliant” and there were many U.K. inspired wedding and reception displays from simple garden countryside to elegant and chic.  If you plan to do a Destination Wedding in the United Kingdom or if you just want to bring a little of the U.K. to your “home – town” wedding, I hope you enjoy my photo blog of the Flower Show, and it provides you some inspiration.

 

Philadelphia Phillies Baseball 101 presented by Palladium Hotels & Resorts

 Apple Vacations and Palladium Hotels & Resorts participated in Philadelphia Phillies Baseball 101 yesterday. It was a great day where 150 women, including a few of our top travel agent friends, were able to have exclusive “behind – the – scenes” access to the Philadelphia Phillies stadium and learn “the game” from some of the best coaches in baseball! On – field  – batting, fielding and pitching clinics were highlights of the day along with a visit from Phillies First baseman Ryan Howard.

The Philadelphia Phillies really do of a great job organizing the event and they make sure all of the attendees have a truly unique and exciting experience.

It was a fun event for Apple Vacations and Palladium Hotels & Resorts to participate in, but the key reason we participate is the proceeds from Baseball 101 are donated to Phillies charities! Apple Vacations and Palladium representatives were able to go on field prior to the game and present a check from Baseball 101 to Phillies Charities for over $12,000!

Secrets Vallarta Bay…..The best all-inclusive resort ever.

One of our employees, Marilyn Hagy better known as M.J., blogged about her trip to Secrets Vallarta Bay and we wanted to share her experience with our Juice readers!

It really is UNLIMITED-LUXURY®!

From the time you walk into the lobby, you are wowed!  Their greeting couldn’t be friendlier and the service is superb the whole way through.

They use the color purple (my favorite) in such a classy way all throughout the resort.

The view from your balcony is spectacular.  You see beautiful pools, beach, ocean and then the picturesque mountains of Puerto Vallarta.  Every night you could sit on the balcony and see fireworks down the beach.

The food was spectacular from fruit ceviche (fruit cup diced really small and served in martini glasses), to nachos at the pool, to filet mignon and lobster for dinner.

The area of Puerto Vallarta cannot be beat either.  Secrets Vallarta Bay is in a great location to easily experience the magnitude of culture and events that make up the inviting city.

Well…it seems like there should be more to say, however, the place just leaves me speechless!

 

Apple Vacations Live Radio Broadcast from Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

 

Our Friends from WJRZ recently got back from a week-long live broadcast at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, which is one of the Eco-Friendly Resorts we are featured in April for Earth Day.

Glenn Kalina, who has been a radio fixture in the Philadelphia and New Jersey region for many years, travelled with The Magic Morning Show & Diane De Oliviera to Riviera Maya. They broadcasted live each morning from Sandos Caracol Eco Resort. They did an amazing job while they were there, transporting their listening audience practically in to resort with them.  Here are some photos of the broadcast.

If you are looking for an Eco-Friendly resort or a family friendly resort for your next Apple Vacation, make sure you check out Sandos Caracol Eco Resort.

 

Stay at Secrets Resorts & Spas

 One of our employees, Nina M. Scimenes, blogged about her trip to Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun.  We wanted to share her blog with our Juice readers!

Secrets Resorts & Spas is included in Apple Vacations’ Summer Fun for Everyone sale , and it is appropriate because a stay at one of the adults-only beachfront properties is beyond ‘fun’!  You can expect a spectacular beach vacation with the inclusions of Unlimited-Luxury® with spacious accommodations, unlimited top-shelf spirits, gourmet dining without reservations, 24-hour room service, nightly entertainment and more.  What’s not to love?

View of infinity pools at Secrets SIlversands

View of infinity pools at Secrets SIlversands

 

This past July I soaked up the sun for three days at Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun with my best friend.  I loved every second of our getaway.  The resort is very modern and chic and you feel it as soon as you enter the main lobby and see the sculpture of silver fish.  We received a warm welcome from the staff with a cold hand towel and glass of champagne!

 

It was the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. From peaceful pampering at the Secrets Spa by Pevonia, to an exciting bike ride into Puerto Morelos, we enjoyed the best of both worlds. Most of our time was spent lounging poolside near Manatees and sipping on refreshing cocktails at the swim up-bar.   When the sun goes down the party continues with lively entertainment.  One night we enjoyed a captivating performance at ShowTime Theater, Secrets Idol, presented by Secrets Entertainment Team.  Guests competed in a singing competition and the judges were also guests.  The music selection got us on our feet dancing.

Lobby Bar at night

Lobby Bar at night

Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun offered a variety of dining options.  Each morning I enjoyed a hearty breakfast at World Café complete with a Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar! The ceviche at Oceana was one of my favorite meals and it is served al fresco overlooking the main pool.  El Patio is my favorite restaurant at the resort, not just because it serves authentic Mexican cuisine, but the warm ambiance is very inviting and just down right adorable. As soon as you enter the restaurant, there is a tree with blown glass hearts dangling, making the perfect photo opportunity. At least one Mexican meal is a must when in Mexico! I highly recommend the delicious guacamole and El Paster pork tacos. And of course, while we were there, we just had to order 24-hour room service one night for a midnight snack! There is truly something for everyone.

 

With 12 stunning Secrets Resorts & Spas to choose from, there is defiantly a perfect resort for you. Recently, SecretsResorts.com added a resort finder to their newly revamped website. http://www.secretsresorts.com/resort-finder. How clever! By answering a series of questions about what you expect from a vacation, you can find the Secrets Resort that is perfect for you. Sun, sand and special moments are waiting for you. Enjoy your getaway.

 

Honeymoon Wishlist with Apple Vacations

Couples using Apple Vacations for their honeymoon can create a personalized honeymoon registry and website online to share with friends and family.  Sign up is free and we promise this will be the most exciting registry a couple can make throughout their entire wedding.  All you have to do is select resort, sign up for any activities, upgrades and tours and share your registry with friends and family by using our personalized email templates. Everyone will have the opportunity to see your exciting plans and give you whatever part of your trip they choose along with a personalized gift card and note.

How It Works

  1. Set up your Free Honeymoon Wedding Registry
  2. Add items to your Honeymoon Wedding Registry or personalize your own
  3. Use our announcements and emails to inform friends and family of your gift registry
  4. Guests purchase from your Honeymoon Wedding Registry
  5. Collect wedding gifts. Have the honeymoon of your dreams!

Once you’ve found the place for the perfect honeymoon or wedding spot you can browse through our sample honeymoon registries for suggestions on all the wonderful items your friends and family can give you as a wedding gift. Design your custom wedding registry from ideas we’ve showcased or include your personalized honeymoon wishes. Create a stunning honeymoon registry and wedding website ~ you’ll be on your way to the honeymoon of your dreams.

 

Family Vacations – Ready or not, it’s time to GO!

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Another major “vacation company” has a great marketing campaign out right now, and it is what I preach all the time. Take your vacation NOW, your kids are only this age once. Don’t miss out on it.

As my son gets older, I want to freeze time.  My son is 8 and he will only be 8 once. OK, it is for an entire year I know, but I feel like he was 3, I blinked and now he is 8.  I want to soak up every minute of him being 8 and acting 8 (the good and the bad).

I do understand when people want to “Wait until their kids remember” before spending a lot of money on a vacation, or wait until their kids are “old enough” to really enjoy it. But your kids are only this age once. Every family can use some together time away from work, school, video games, homework, laptops and television.  This summer, plan your family together time on an Apple Vacation!

Plan it together by picking out destinations you want to see, hotels that have activities your family enjoys or excursions you want to experience. Or just be spontaneous and surprise them!

There is no better time spent with your family, than on an Apple Vacation!  Make the summer of 2013 one your family will never forget. Go ahead and pick out your vacation here.