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

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Christine May (Managing Editor)

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!

Hanging by the pool

Snack time!

Beach

View from the room

Lobby Bar

Apple Vacations Live Radio Broadcast from Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

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.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Stay at Secrets Resorts & Spas

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Christine May (Managing Editor)

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

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

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.

Spa by Pevona

Secrets Silversands room

Overview of Secrets Silversand

Lobby Bar at Secrets Silversands

Lobby at Secrets Silversands

View of infinity pools at Secrets SIlversands

Lobby Bar at night

Honeymoon Wishlist with Apple Vacations

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Christine May (Managing Editor)

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

Set up your Free Honeymoon Wedding Registry
Add items to your Honeymoon Wedding Registry or personalize your own
Use our announcements and emails to inform friends and family of your gift registry
Guests purchase from your Honeymoon Wedding Registry
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!

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

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.

Apple Vacations LOVES Travel Agents

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

This May kicks off Apple Vacations 9^th annual Travel Agent Appreciation Month. It is Apple Vacations time to applaud agents for the valuable travel services they provide.

Baltimore Travel Agent Dinner

In this DIY and technology age, I know a lot of travelers like to book themselves. They think they will “save money” or “get a better deal”. But the knowledge, experience and service of an agent is truly invaluable.

If you are a Travel Agent, make sure check with your Regional Sales Manager or log on to the Travel Agent Café starting Monday to see all the exciting programs we have to offer. If you need to find an agent to book your next vacation click here: Ask An Agent

Here are some photo’s of our recent Golden Apple dinners where the “best of the best” received their Golden Apple awards.

Congrats Agents and Happy Travel Agent Appreciation Month!

Baltimore Travel Agent Dinner

Philadelphia Travel Agent Dinner

Milwaukee Travel Agent Dinner

Cleveland Travel Agent Dinner

Kaanapali Beach Hotel – a great choice for families in Maui

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

I wrote a resort review of The Kaanapali Beach Hotel. But, I also wanted to highlight why Kaanapali Beach Hotel is an excellent choice for family vacations. Kaanapali Beach Hotel is a beautiful beach-front location. One of the best views and most picturesque beaches you can find, perfect for swimming and close to snorkeling. But they also offer value, convenience, cultural activities and entertainment to keep families happy from the moment they arrive until it is time to depart.

Ka`anapali Beach Hotel

When I go on vacation, especially with my son, I like for our family to experience the local culture, food and traditions. I especially like for us all to learn something new about each place we visit. In Hawaii, a stay at Hawaii’s Most Hawaiian Hotel, will be a must for my family!

Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers a great program for children. It is an interactive family experience. Upon arrival, children 12 and under receive an Aloha passport with their Hawaiian Name and what it means. Then, during their stay, children complete various activities throughout the resort. Kids receive a makana (gift) for each completed activity. This creates fun for the entire family, and children get to take home their rewards. The resort employs full-time Hawaiian “Culture Advisors” (Alaka̕i) right on property. Children can learn about the history, language and traditions of Hawaii right within the resort.

In addition to the miles of amazing beaches and fun pools to keep the family happy, Kaanapali Beach Hotel also offers daily Hawaiian activities including free lei making, free hula lessons and free ukulele lessons. They also offer a complimentary welcome breakfast, complimentary Hawaiian Entertainment & Hula Show in the Tiki Courtyard, and Kids 5 and under eat free at the Tiki restaurant. All of this will help the budget while keeping the family entertained.

Upon departure from resort, Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers a complimentary Kukui Lei Ceremony. Kukui Nut Tree is the State Tree. “Kukui” means Enlightenment. Kukui Nut Lei is part of the employee uniforms. The staff explain why the Kukui nut is so important to the Hawaiian people then they sing and present a departure gift of a kukui nut lei’.

Kaanapali Beach Hotel was the only Hawaii hotel voted in “Top 10 Family Hotels” by Trip Advisor. Make sure you look into Kaanapali Beach Hotel, for your next stay in Hawaii.

Ka`anapali Beach Hotel

Ka`anapali Beach Hotel Aerial

Ka`anapali Beach Hotel Golf

Ka`anapali Beach Hotel Maui Waterfall