Pinching pennies, but still want a GREAT family vacation this summer? Well it is that time of the year to start thinking about what we like to call “The Shore Without The Chores”.  Do the math and you will see that a week in Mexico or The Caribbean can cost less, much less, than a week at the shore!  And, there is no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, no beds to make, no food shopping - just relax and have some fun!

A week at “the shore,” “the beach,” “The Hamptons,” or “down the ocean”  (whatever you call it in your area) …. is a rite of passage each summer, especially for East Coasters.  However, in this economy Apple Vacations encourages you to consider this alternative. Spending your summer vacation in Mexico or the Caribbean will not only save you money - it will also save you time.  Time you can then spend with the family. …Read More>>

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I posted a blog on Square Deals before. Since new Square Deals are always announced, and they have grown ever more popular, I thought I’d mention it again. Apple Vacations offers what we call “Square Deals”.  They are amazing offers where YOU pick the departure date, destination, the hotel Apple rating and WE pick the hotel.

Since we do not advertise a hotel name, we can offer some amazing rates without associating the name of a high - end hotel with such a low rate. Why would Apple or a hotel do this? They need to fill rooms. An empty hotel room is lost revenue to the hotel, just as an empty seat on an airplane is to us. There may be a small window where a group canceled or there happens to be some open inventory. We work together to come up with some GREAT offers that you would never get if you booked the hotel as a name brand.  …Read More>>

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Traveling to Mexico & The Caribbean is awesome in the winter! Nothing beats leaving the cold and snow behind and stepping off the plan into the warm sunshine. It is a great feeling to call home on a warm balmy night, when your toes are in the sand and a drink is in hand, and hearing chattering teeth on the other end! I wanted to provide a few important tips for traveling in the winter.

1 - When making the booking ALWAYS provide Apple Vacations and your travel agent a correct phone number. This is in case we need to reach you the day of, or day before your flight. A cell # is best. For example if you are leaving on a Sunday, don’t leave your work number, if you are not going to be there after Friday. Apple Vacations does not ask for your number for any type of solicitations, only official use.

2 - Always call the number on your tickets or E-Docs before you leave for the airport to ensure there are no weather delays.   …Read More>>

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There is no better way to celebrate a very special birthday, than with a trip to Cancun, Mexico! Cris Laurino from our Creative Services Department just did this; so I asked her about her special trip. She stayed at the Gran Melia Cancun last weekend. Here is her review and photos to share.

“The hotel was breathtaking. Gran Melia is located on a very large, clean, white-sand beach. It was picturesque. The room itself was beautiful and we had superb turn-down service. I have to say the entire resort is spotless. The pool was nice with a great pool bar and fun music. The staff are super attentive and very informative, they go out of their way to make your stay memorable. Good food & drinks were a plenty. There was a welcome fruit basket when we arrived and you know we ate it all! The night before we left, we received three pinafores - delicious! I had not been to Cancun in a long time, and was very pleasantly surprised. This trip was a great celebration and a welcome break from the snow we were having at home!”

Thanks for the review Cris. And, Happy Birthday!!!

Gran Melia Cancun

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Royal Hideaway Playacar

We’ve receive questions and a lot of positive feedback about the beach restoration in Cancun & Riviera Maya and Cozumel. I thought it would be a good time to share what I know about Mexico’s efforts to rejuvenate their beaches. I’ve watched this progress unfold and what I’ve seen is a remarkable. Cancun has restored some of their beaches to their original, natural beauty — and the progress they’ve made is amazing.

The reason why they are doing this project is that Cancun proper, Riviera Maya and Cozumel have suffered beach loss, in isolated areas, over the past 3 years. Earlier projects to sustain further beach loss have been unsuccessful. Even though they are almost done, here is what I have been able to find out over the past few days.

1.     This project itself is not being managed by the resorts themselves. The Mexican Government is re-coooperating beach locations because there was little to no beach area due to erosion.
2.     If a beach is targeted for re-cooperation, it was because there was little or no beach.
3.     The Government has not provided a list of what beaches are earmarked for restoration nor have they published an official time-line.
4.     We do not have a schedule specifying what day construction will occur at what hotel.
5.     Construction typically takes only a few days, per hotel.
6.     They are working as fast and as diligently as they can, so that the beach restoration projects can be completed as quickly as possible and there is minimal interruption to resort guests.
7.     I have read on some sites that the work is to be complete by February 10, and other sites by mid-February.
8.     We know the Government was to target beaches in Cancun proper, in Riviera Maya and in Cozumel. At this time, from what we can tell, all the beaches in Cancun are complete and they are now working toward making beaches in Riviera Maya as beautiful as ever. …Read More>>

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