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

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

With Apple Vacations – It’s Summer Fun for Everyone!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

No cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, no food shopping – you get the picture! This summer, take an Apple Vacation the whole family will enjoy. This summer make it Summer Fun for Everyone to the white sandy beaches and blue turquoise waters of Mexico or The Caribbean!

It’s time to book that summer family vacation while the rates are good and the best flights and top hotels are still available.

You think it sounds expensive to take the whole family away? Well, do the research, it is really not. And, starting tomorrow, it is even less! I want to let you in on a secret that will really help families afford an Apple Vacation to Mexico or The Caribbean this summer. Starting tomorrow, many hotels will offer Kids Stay, Play, and Eat FREE all summer long! That’s right, they just pay airfare and taxes.

Starting tomorrow (March 29, 2013) for bookings through April 25, 2013 – Kids will Stay, Play, and Eat Free at specific resorts.

Here are some of the featured hotels and the specifics: Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun and Dreams Punta Cana. Up to 2 kids free with the purchase of a paying adult. 1 paying adult = 1 child free, 2 paying adults = 2 children free. Booking Window: 3/29/13 – 4/25/13. Travel Window: 5/1/13 – 8/23/13.

Grand Palladium Bavaro. Up to 2 kids free with the purchase of a paying adult. 1 paying adult = 1 child free, 2 paying adults = 2 children free. In a Junior Suite. Booking Window: 3/29/13 to 4/30/13 for travel 5/1/13-8/24/13.

For more details and more hotel choices for you, check out Summer Fun for Everyone!

And check out our TV ad here!

Visit us online or call your travel agent today!

Hawaii’s Most Hawaiian Hotel – Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Eileen Herncane (Editor at Large)

For many vacationers, especially “East- Coasters” like me, Hawaii is a “bucket – list” vacation. A trip to Hawaii is where you go on your Honeymoon or for a special occasion. It really does not have to be that way. With current airfare rates Hawaii is very, very

affordable. And with several islands to explore and various hotels to choose from, an Apple Vacation to Hawaii the possibilities are endless. Myself, I have a Hawaii “list”, places I want to visit, hotels where I want to stay, and excursions I want to do. I bookmark websites, print articles and save magazines. Whenever I come across something new or interesting about Hawaii, I file it away so I don’t forget about it when it is time for me to book! Low and behold, I recently added to my list! I learned about the Kaanapali Beach Hotel at an educational presentation and now I can’t wait to stay there!

Maui is the 2nd Largest Island in the Hawaiian Island Chain and Kâ‘anapali is Located in West Maui. Kaanapali Beach Hotel is a stunning Beachfront Location on 3 miles of golden sand beach. The hotel has been voted #1 for the past 19 years voted by Conde-Nast. The Kâ̕anapali Beach Resort is the world’s first “planned resort community” – 1,200 acres! There are two 18 – hole championship golf courses, private hotels, five condominiums, several restaurants, the Whaler’s Village Shopping Center and Whale Museum and hotels and resorts.

That all sounds great, but here is why I really think you should book Kaanapali Beach Hotel:

Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers the best location, location, Location! It is on the widest stretch of beautiful Kâ̕anapali Beach. And, Kaanapali Beach Hotel is Hawai̕i’s Most Hawaiian Hotel. When I travel I am all about the view, location and immersing myself in local culture. This is definitely the hotel for me.
As Hawai̕i’s Most Hawaiian Hotel, Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers daily Hawaiian activities and they employ full-time Hawaiian “Culture Advisors” (Alaka̕i) right on property. They offer nightly complimentary Hawaiian Entertainment & Hula Show in the Tiki Courtyard. the hotel is adjacent to Pu̕u Keka’a (Black Rock) for world-class snorkeling. They also have the first and only outdoor Tiki-Themed Bar on Maui with exotic cocktail blends, famous Mai-Tais, Pupule and Tiki Tini cocktails. The hotel provides trolley service to Historic Lâhainâ if you want to venture into town.
Kaanapali Beach Hotel sounds like paradise and everything I look for in a vacation. Stay tuned for my next blog on Kaanapali Beach Hotel and why this resort is an excellent choice for family vacations.

Susan Haigh-Bishop Senior Sales Manager, Kaanapali Beach Hotel with Tim Mullen and Karen McFadden from Apple Vacations.

The Xcalacoco Experience.

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

Sandos Caracol Eco – Resort and Spa – The Xcalacoco Experience.

Sandos Caracol ECO Resort and Spa has many sun, fun and Eco activities for families. One of the most unique is The Xcalacoco Experience. It is worth the stay at this resort alone. Not only are families going on a fun vacation at Sandos Caracol, they get to truly experience Mayan culture.

The Xcalacoco Experience is a unique program that allows guests to discover the Mayan culture in distinctive natural surroundings. At Sandos Caracol ECO Resort & Spa, Xcalacoco is a way of being, living and thinking.

Activities in The Xcalacoco Experience include an Eco tour through nature trails that allow guests to explore the Mayan jungle. Guests witness Mayan ceremonies, visit a Mayan herb garden and plant indigenous species significant to the Mayan culture. Guests also participate in natural treatments and ancient rituals at the Spa.

The Xcalacoco Experience adventures in nature and environmental activities, encourage guests to reconnect with nature, respect the planet and engage in ecologically sustainable practices.

Families go home from this unique vacation experience both renewed and inspired. Imagine the unique stories your kids will have to tell after your family vacation to Sandos Caracol.