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

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

Fitcations Fit-Trip to Paradise – We’re at it again!

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Christine May (Managing Editor)

as told by Apple Vacations very own April Wickey

Last year, the Apple Vacations’ team got their feet wet by mixing the vacation package experience that we are experts at and adding in a little flare with Zumba®, Yoga, and other fun fitness activities.

We created Fitcations to offer the opportunity to take the fitness classes we love out of the gym. We wanted this experience to be not only for the fitness savvy people out there, but also those looking to try something new. Sometimes it’s easier to step outside of your comfort zone when you know no one else knows you.

We offered daily morning yoga classes by the beach and Zumba classes by the pool. Even when the sun got hot, we kept our cool by making our own shade. We even turned the disco into a Zumba® party.

With all of the publicity we got from this Fitcation experience, we heard a lot of good feedback from both the travel agent community and people just looking for this unique opportunity. We also received a lot of inquiries as to when we were going to do this again.

Well, we are ready to do it all again. We’d like to introduce this year’s Fitcation experience. We will be heading down to the beautiful Pacific coast of Mexico, and staying at the luxury-included Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta. This Fitcation will take place June 8^th through June 15^th. We have packaged this with our charters from Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis and Dallas-Fort Worth. And we have our personal touch desk ready if someone is looking to travel from another city. We have, once again, teamed up with Suzelle Snowden founder of Fit Bodies Inc. And we have added Zumba® Education Specialist (ZES) Kelly Bullard to our list of instructors to make sure that this experience will be one of a kind.

Spa by Pevona

Hot Wedding Destinations in 2013

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Christine May (Managing Editor)

Considering a destination wedding in 2013? These 5 romantic spots are ideal for tying the knot in style!

1. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The Caribbean islands are blessed with all the trappings for a spectacular destination wedding: powder-fine sand, crystal-clear waters and romantic resorts aplenty. But lately the tropic sun seems to shine brightest on the resort area of Punta Cana, thanks to new direct flights from wallet-friendly airlines AirTran and Frontier, it makes getting to this breathtaking (and affordable) stretch of paradise a cinch. The plethora of choices extends to lodging as well. No matter your style, there’s a resort for you: All-inclusive ease! Resorts in this popular wedding locale come with staff planners to handle the work and packages that make pricing a breeze.

Travel Tip — Welcome your guest! Leave a gift bag in each room full of goodies for your guest. Don’t forget suntan lotion and trinkets to remind them of your wedding destination when they’re back at home.

2. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Fiestas don’t get any more authentic than in Puerto Vallarta. It’s the perfect spot to welcome guests with icy margaritas and exchange “I do’s” as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Sheltered by the jungled landscapes of the Sierra Madre Mountains to the east with romantic views of the Pacific to the west, Vallarta provides an exotic blend of cosmopolitan culture, Mexican flavor and nature at her best. Vallarta is home to Banderas Bay, where you can enjoy the thrill of whales up close from December through April. Vallarta is divided into two general areas: Puerto Vallarta to the south and Riviera Nayarit to the north.

3. Montego Bay, Jamaica

Exchange vows on this island paradise where reggae, romance and the Caribbean sun come together. Pioneers of the all-inclusive vacation concept, you won’t find an island that does it better. For many, it’s positively addictive. The country’s pulsating heartbeat is embodied by soulful cuisine, lively reggae and generous smiles from locals who love to show off their country. Getting married here is so simple that more visitors than Jamaicans are wed on the island every year.

Travel Tip – Planning an off-season wedding or honeymoon (May – Dec) can help you save big on hotels & other costs. Jamaica’s tropical climate does not vary from season to season so marry in the “off-season” and save!

4. Maui, Hawaii – U.S.A.

Maui is a hassle-free place to make a tropical wedding a reality. Both independent wedding planners and onsite coordinators at big resorts can pave the way to I do. There are countless reasons brides and grooms flock to this ever-popular Hawaiian isle. For starters, everything about it seems to cater to couples seeking one romantic experience after another (think unlimited sunsets and picture-perfect beaches). Although Maui’s certain to exceed your expectations as a tropical paradise, its unique inland offerings will give you the opportunity to turn a fantastic beach vacation into an unforgettable adventure. Plus, with direct flights from the mainland, the island is easily accessible for wedding guests.

5. Riviera Maya, Mexico

This 112-mile stretch of coastal paradise, with its white sand beaches fronting turquoise waters, tropical jungles and ancient Mayan ruins, provides the perfect setting for your fairy-tale wedding and heavenly honeymoon.

Travel Tip – While a tropical climate might be great for your tan, it can wreak havoc on big, fluffy satin dresses. Consider lighter-weight fabrics, a shorter hemline or a strapless gown to keep you cool on your wedding day.

Secrets Royal Beach Resort & Spa – Punta Cana

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Christine May (Managing Editor)

We have the cure for your Spring Fever! For those of you suffering from unpleasant cold weather, constant wind and snowfall and dreary days, your distress is over. Start thinking of warm weather, pristine beaches, unlimited gourmet cuisine and endless top-shelf spirits.

Read about a recent review of Secrets Royal Beach Resort & Spa, located in Punta Cana. As told by Apple Vacations own Kathleen Kroos, who recently vacationed there.

We left Philadelphia on a cold early January morning. We left our coats in the car and boarded the airport shuttle for what was to be the most relaxing trip we had ever taken. Even the plane ride over was restful! Frontier Airlines seated us with plenty of leg room and the cabin crew was very pleasant. We loved the quaint thatched roofed on the Punta Cana airport and were amazed by the efficiency of the airport staff. All accompanied by the music of a local band. We then met the Amstar rep., in his red and blue flowered shirt, who then showed us to our mini-bus for the ride to the hotel.

We were the second stop for the bus. It was a pleasant comfortable ride. Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana had a beautiful exterior. It’s in a park-like setting with a pretty little lake running through it. The hotel porters had already taken our bags and we went into the lovely lobby to register and be taken to our room. Our room was sumptuous! The king-sized bed was very comfortable and every evening it was decorated with rose petals. Our balcony had a lovely view of the courtyard and lazy river below. The bathroom was very convenient and beautifully decorated. It had a room for the toilet and a vanity with double sink and a beautiful walk in shower. My husband is an amputee and they had included a chair for him to sit in while showering. Every one of our needs were taken care of by the hotel staff!

After looking at the room we put on our bathing suits and strolled around the pool, the lazy river and then down to the beautiful beach for a delicious snack, a stroll along the waterand an opportunity to sit a stare at our beautiful surroundings. Other than the occasional waiter taking our drink orders we relaxed to the sound of the waves, and the far off sounds of other happy travelers enjoying their day.

The first night we chose the Oceana seafood restaurant for dinner (good food and service) and later went to the entertainment in the courtyard just outside the hotel. We listened to beautiful music and laughed at comedians. We were pretty tired after our trip and went to bed early that night.

We had a great breakfast the next morning at the buffet and took our mimosas out to the beach to sit in the lounge chairs and enjoy the view. After we’d been there about an hour, a man came up and invited us to a dance class. He was gorgeous! I took the class right on the beach just to watch this guy! So did a large number of other women. The rest of that day and the next are just one relaxing blur of relaxation, great food and friendly people all having a wonderful time!

Located amidst palm trees, lush vegetation and manicured gardens on an expansive sugar-white beach, this colorful Caribbean resort offers adults a seaside escape to romance, relaxation and Unlimited-Luxury®.

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.