The Juice - The Official Blog of Apple Vacations

Welcome to The Juice!

Hello and welcome to The Juice, the official blog of Apple Vacations. Here at The Juice, we’ll cover a wide range of travel and vacation topics including: destination and resort overviews, things to do and see, travel tips, emerging travel trends and much more!

Fully focused on bringing you up-to-the-minute vacation planning information, The Juice is written by a diverse group of Apple Vacations employees who personally understand the diverse needs of our customers and have expertise in sales, customer service, marketing and e-commerce.

We are delighted that you have decided to visit The Juice, and we will do our best to make it, well, “juicy” with travel information! Of course, our customers are the reason for The Juice -so please share your thoughts, input, questions and feedback freely!

Any questions or comments, please email us at thejuice-editor@applevac.com.

Meet The Authors!

Larry Touhill
Director of E-Commerce

I am the ‘online guy’. I work with a really great team who helps me manage the development and marketing of our electronic booking engines; applevacations.com and our for travel agents, myappleonline.com. Since the E-Commerce team and I spend a majority of our time online, we are always looking for ways to make it as easy as possible for our customers and travel agents to research, find and book their next Apple Vacation.

When I travel, the experience I look forward to the most is taking in as much of the local culture as possible. I’m always up for any kind of adventure, from exploring the local nightlife to excursions to finding the best hidden destinations.

What is your favorite tropical drink?

I’d rather drink the local brew of the destination I’m visiting. While in Mexico, I enjoy Dos Equis and in the Dominican Republic, it’s Presidente all the way.

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

On average I take about 3 Apple Vacations per year, not including work-related travel. So having been with Apple for 13 years now, I would have to say that I’ve taken 30+ Apple Vacations.

Where have you traveled?

I have been to Nassau in the Bahamas, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic as well as Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. I have also traveled to a handful of cities within the U.S. including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

My absolute favorite place to go is Puerto Vallarta. It’s is the perfect mixture of everything Mexico. There are charming cobblestone streets, a lively culture, incredible views, and a diverse choice of options for nightlife.

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

I’m a little bit of both — I don’t discriminate on either type of daytime lounging experience!

Do you prefer an activity packed vacation or lounging around?

During the day, I like to enjoy time at the beach and/or pool. I also like to work in some shopping and cultural sites during they day. At night, after enjoying a delicious dinner, I like to head to the downtown area of the destination I am in or enjoy dancing in the hotel disco.

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

I have spent my entire travel career with Apple Vacations. I began in the industry in 1995 and have since worked my way up the corporate ladder to Director of E-Commerce.


Eileen Herncane

Director of Marketing

For the past 15 years, I have been co-leading marketing initiatives and corporate, co-branded partnerships for Apple Vacations. At Apple, our goal is to ensure we stay relevant in today’s market place. Behind the scenes, we accomplish this with scheduling, creating multi-media campaigns including, newspaper, radio, television, billboards, direct mail as well as a variety of promotions (including the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies)! Additionally, we keep in close contact with our customers and travel agents through sites like Twitter, Facebook, and TripAdvisor – we really appreciate the feedback we receive - it helps us to consistently improve upon the services and vacations we offer.

When I started with Apple Vacations I was single. I got engaged in Jamaica, got married and returned to Jamaica for my honeymoon. I am now (still) married with a 4 –year-old so I have run the gamut on “types” of vacations I have taken. Today on vacation, you’d see me by the pool or beach slathering SPF 50 on my son! My most recent vacation was Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa. I love beach vacations!

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Strawberry Daiquiri

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

At least 20

Where have you traveled?

All over the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Riviera Maya and Jamaica

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Beach in the morning and pool in the afternoon!

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

Lounge, lounge, lounge. I want nothing planned.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

My family

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

About 16 years


Kevin Martin

Director of Sales

As Director of Sales, my responsibility is to make sure that our customers get value, service, and expertise in every experience they have with Apple Vacations. To deliver on this promise, our focus is to pass on up-to-the-minute knowledge about destinations to our travel agent partners so they can offer an unparalleled level of service to customers.

When I look to travel myself, I seek out true experts and get first-hand testimonials about vacation experiences. I believe it is my customers and our travel agencies who can provide me with the most educated point of view, and it is their input that I value the most. This past year, I have traveled several times to Mexico and the Dominican Republic as well as trips to Jamaica, Italy, Greece and many cities across the United States based on their recommendations and feedback.

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Piña Colada made with Anejo Rum by Barcelo.

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

Not enough

Where have you traveled?

Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Italy, Greece, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Canada, various states in the USA. If I forgot a country, forgive me; it’s nothing personal.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Depends on the reason. Sun & Fun: Punta Cana in the D.R. Food and Drink: Europe. Quick relaxing getaway: Riviera Maya, MX

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Both! Relax on the beach in the morning. Go to the pool after lunch for entertainment. Then, lounge on your balcony in the late afternoon with a cold drink and a good book.

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

My wife prefers to lounge, I prefer to be active, so we usually meet in the middle.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

MacGyver. If that doesn’t count, then I’ll take a helicopter.

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

5 ½ years —as long as I’ve been with Apple Vacations.

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

I have a fun job - I do whatever it takes to make Apple Vacations stand out from our competition, then motivate a team to educate Travel Agents and Consumers on what sets us apart from the rest. Some days I am in the office planning with my team and talking with Travel Agencies on ways they can differentiate their own business. Other days I am down in Mexico or the Caribbean learning what differentiates one resort from its neighbor. Sometimes I’ll have more than a hundred travel agents in tow, learning the ins and outs of the resorts. The more my team learns, the more we educate and the more likely our customers will end up on the perfect Apple Vacation!

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

Outside of Apple Vacations, my wife and I like to enjoy life. We have been married a little over a year and make it our goal to simply live in the moment. Whether its heading off to DC, NYC, Boston, Cancun or Punta Cana or sitting at home and relaxing, we take advantage of the opportunities given to us. We love to cook and be surrounded by friends and family. It all boils down to a basic theory: Good food and good friends will always lead to a good time!


Melissa Brown

Customer Care Manager

Working in customer care at Apple Vacations gives me a unique perspective on travel – I hear the very, very good and, unfortunately, sometimes the very, very bad. Everyone has a travel story and I’m often the one listening on the other end of the phone or opening the e-mail describing the trip. I say it frequently, but it can never be said often or loudly enough. It is our goal at Apple Vacations to satisfy 100 percent of our travelers, 100 percent of the time. I’m honored to play a role in that mission.

Personally, as a single mom of a 16 year old son and 12 year old daughter, I know what it means to plan vacations for the whole family. I’ve found from talking with customers and experiencing it myself that beach vacations in the Caribbean and Mexico have something for everyone! My kids and I went to the Riviera Maya in Cancun last May and had a blast!

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Bahama Mama

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

I’ve taken three Apple Vacations – making me the newbie on the Apple blogging team.

Where have you traveled?

Cancun, Riviera Maya and Punta Cana.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Anywhere there is a beach!

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Beach for sure! Although, I always appreciate a pool with a swim up bar!

Do you prefer an activity packed vacation or lounging around?

I am a lounger, perhaps even the Queen Lounger! My middle name is “Lounge!”

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

That’s a toss up! Either my iPod or a good book to read!

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

2 years

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

For the past two and a half years, my role as Manager of Customer Care is to make sure that all our customers become repeat customers! My group does an awesome job of responding to any comments, questions or concerns during or after a customer’s trip. We work closely with our representatives in resort and the hoteliers, with a goal to WOW 100% of our customers, 100% of the time, and make sure they always come back for more!

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

I spend most of my time with my two kids (ages 12 and 16), and our dog! The three of them keep me running from baseball fields to soccer fields, and everywhere in between. We live on the border of Valley Forge National Historical Park, and another 90-acre park that has disc golf, a putting green, and miles of bike paths. We spend a lot of time outside. We also try to squeeze in as many Apple Vacations as we can, of course!

Meet Our Guest Bloggers >>