Apple Vacations Live Radio Broadcast from Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

 

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.

 

Stay at Secrets Resorts & Spas

 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

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

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.

 

The Xcalacoco Experience.

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.

 

Sandos Caracol Eco – Resort and Spa

 

If you are looking for somewhere different to take the kids for a spring adventure, or for a summer family vacation, take a look at Sandos Caracol ECO Resort and Spa where there is plenty for your family to discover. Sandos Caracol is great vacation for family fun all while teaching your kids about the environment.

 

Discover the Eco activities. The resort focuses on teaching children to live in harmony with nature and to take care of the environment.  They offer an Eco -Tour for kids to teach them to respectfully interact with the environment. Kids can also bike ride on the trail, plant a tree (give back to nature), or attend an interactive eco-talk.

Discover the fauna and flora of the region in the Aviary/Bird Sanctuary.

Discover the Mayan Jungle including Turtle Lagoon, Iguanas, Mangrove Crabs, Eco Club Nursery, Mayan Herb Garden, Orchids, Mangroves and the Organic Garden.

Discover the Water Park.  17 fun slides and water games surrounded by water spouts.

Discover time for mom and dad! There is a baby club for children 2-3 years old which is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There is also a kids club for children 4 – 12 years old which is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Stay tuned for my next blog on one of the most exciting kids adventure at Sandos Caracaol – The Xcalacoco Experience.

 

 

I Have a Secret – Secrets Capri

 

 

I know you are not supposed to have “favorites” when you work with so many hotels in Mexico & The Caribbean, and if you do, you are not supposed to talk about them right? It’s like, when you have children, you never say which one is really your favorite.  But I do have a favorite Secrets Resort – Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun. I love it. I have written about it many times before.  It is currently a part of Apple Vacations SuperSale, so I wanted to feature it here again. If you are considering a vacation at this resort, you are making a great choice.

If you book with Apple Vacations, all of the Secrets Resorts and Spas have non-stop transfers to and from the resort, and you do not need wristbands, dining reservations or towel cards.  The service, staff, dining and amenities are exceptional at all of them as well. They are adults only unlimited luxury ™. Secrets Capri, however just speaks to me from the moment I walk in. It’s a smaller, more manageable resort for me and that is exactly what I prefer on a vacation. It reminds me of a colonial plantation resort on the west coast of Mexico.   It is very easy to walk around, and nothing seems too far away. The pool is a perfect size with space to relax and be alone, but also a pool bar to be social with other guests if you prefer.  The Cactus Club Ceviche & Taco Bar next to the pool and beach, is not to be missed.  Oceana the Fresh Seafood and Seaside Grill & Caribbean Steakhouse offer spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea while you dine.  And, the food at all restaurants is just spectacular. The rooms at Secrets Capri are a perfect size, they are a little bit larger than I was expecting and the bathrooms are beautifully decorated.  Even the beautiful yellow color of the resort is just calming.

Sure Secrets Maroma has one of THE  most amazing beaches in the world, and Secrets Silversands has a spectacular infinity pool and is a bit livelier, and Secrets the Vine is just breathtaking and in the middle of  Cancun, but Secrets Capri has my heart. Vacationing and visiting Secrets Capri is truly treat for me, since most of my vacations are family oriented and this resort is adults only.  But I cannot wait to get back here soon, very soon.

 

A Much ‘Kneaded’ Vacation

There are very few indulgences in this world I love more than a good massage. When my husband and I went away for our summer vacation this year to Secrets Silversands in Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya, I knew we needed to take advantage of their state-of-the-art Spa.

Secrets Silversands Spa by Pevonia - The expansive 12,000 square foot Secrets Spa by Pevonia at this all-suite, Unlimited-Luxury® resort offers an atmosphere of pure indulgence with a combination of hydrotherapy and indigenous treatments. Spa packages available.

Not to sound too dramatic, but spa treatments, in my opinion, are amazing; they’re reinvigorating, a wonderful exercise to reduce stress and most importantly they revitalize your body. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying everything from European facials, to saunas, to a variety of different massage techniques.  Now add a tropical setting to all that – Whoa! I knew my cares would float away into the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea.

Secrets Silversands Spa by Pevonia - Spa hotels can turn any vacation stay into a luxurious experience.

So, on our second day, I stopped by the spa after breakfast to schedule our “couples” massages. An added bonus was that, even though our treatments weren’t until later that afternoon, we had the opportunity to enjoy all the Spa facilities for the entire day. (That included: the private pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, light therapy room, and meditation room). My usband and I arrived early, changed into our robes and slippers, waited in the lobby for our masseuses and enjoyed a refreshing detoxifying iced tea beforehand. We were happily greeted and taken to our beautiful massage room, where we settled in for the next 90 minutes. My husband had spent a little too much time in the sun that day and the day before, so he opted for a special water lily treatment to help alleviate the sting from sun burn. I loved my Swedish massage and I know my husband enjoyed his massage as well. It was the perfect time to relax and enjoy our surroundings. We both needed that time to unwind from our hectic everyday schedules. After our massages we again rested in the meditation room, with warm neck pillows and blankets. I felt so refreshed! My muscles were limber, my neck, shoulders and back were no longer stiff. It was such a relaxing day.

Secrets Silversands Spa by Pevonia

I highly recommend trying the Spa while you’re on vacation if your resort offers this. It’s the perfect way to add to any tropical paradise vacation.

 

Secrets Silversands Spa - Meditation Room

Here is all that we enjoyed…

Step into our spa and step into supreme indulgence. At Secrets Spa by Pevonia, enjoy a wide selection of invigorating and revitalizing treatments, no matter what your pleasure.

The expansive spa offers a sublime atmosphere of pure indulgence combining hydrotherapy and indigenous treatments creating a refreshing and peaceful experience. The various treatments at the spa will nurture your mind and body and leave you relaxed, refreshed, and revitalized.

Let the stress of everyday life fall away as you experience a massage or facial in one of our fourteen luxury treatment rooms. Or slip away during soothing therapeutic body treatment for your mind and your body. The spa also offers a full-service beauty salon featuring hair treatments, manicures and pedicures. Think you’re brave enough to try our ice bath or a sensation shower?

The spa consists of 19 massage rooms with showers, suitable for private or couples massages, body therapy room, facial rooms, a fully equipped gym as well as a hydrotherapy area with sauna, steam rooms, whirlpool and spa showers.

Try our relaxing outdoor Swedish massage overlooking the ocean. Perhaps a European facial is more your style; indulge as you sip a cup of tea at our state-of-the-art spa. And don’t forget to take home a memento from our spa gift shop, maybe some aromatherapy candles to remind you of your luxuriating spa experience.

Beach Lover’s Paradise

It doesn’t get any better than Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun.  This adult’s only resort, nestled on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, is located on the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen.  The pure white sands and crystal clear, bright, turquoise water is the closest thing to a beach lover’s paradise. 

 

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Ocean View

 

Recently, my boyfriend and I were lucky enough to stay and experience all that Secrets Maroma offers.  Secrets Maroma has 8 restaurants, 7 bars, 2 pools, a Secrets Spa by Pevonia, and endless day and evening activities.  We enjoyed kayak tours, archery, cooking lessons, Beach Olympics and tequila tastings. Secrets Maroma also hosts a wide variety of night shows every night of the week including a Rock of Ages show, a comedy show and a Fire show. All of these shows are spectacular and very professionally done.

 

Rising up over the opal waters of the Caribbean, Tulum is an archaeological gem, standing guard over pristine tropical shores like a proud great, great grandfather. Tulum is the only walled Mayan coastal city ever discovered and has fast become one of the most popular sites in Mexico.

 

During our trip, we booked 2 excursions through Apple Vacations.  The first was called Tulum Jungle Maya.  This is perfect for those who are interested in learning about the local culture and history of Tulum but also want an adventure.  Our tour guide picked us up in the lobby and was very friendly. We were briefed on the day’s plans that included a tour of the ancient Mayan City of Tulum, zip-lines and snorkeling in one of the many Cenotes of Mexico. Cenotes are underground fresh water rivers that span throughout the Mexican terrain. These Cenotes make up the second largest underground river in the world. When we arrived at Tulum we were schooled on the city’s history, then we were allowed to roam about to take pictures as well as take in the breathtaking views from the city’s outer limits. The city of Tulum is absolutely stunning, set on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean. 

 

Purification Ceremony

After the Tulum visit, we were driven to a Mayan ranch to participate in a Mayan purification ceremony located in a sub-tropical rainforest. The Mayans believe that going underground and purifying your body through the ritual symbolizes death and being reborn. This ceremony is supposed to transcend your body from old to new, and it was very interesting to take a part in the ceremony which was held in the ancient Mayan language.  After the ceremony the adventure begins. We started by rappelling down a 50ft cavern into the Yaxmuul Sac-Actun Cenote, a natural pool where you snorkel through beautiful rock formations.  Afterwards, we flew through the jungle on 3 different zip-lines, the last of which dips you into one of the many openings of the Mexican Cenotes.  Just when you think the adventure is over, you board a cross country all-terrain Mercedes Benz Uimog vehicle that takes you through the rain forest but you’d better hold on, because it is very bumpy but fun ride. It was a fun filled day packed with oohs and ahhs as well as a high entertainment value. This excursion comes highly recommended.

 

Experience the thrill of flying 20m ( 66 ft) over the jungle canopy on a 580m. (1,930 ft) long zip-line circuit. The longest "zip" is 260m (865 ft.), the longest & fastest in the region! We will prepare & gear you up to rappel 18m. (60 ft) into the depths of an underground river.

We love to snorkel so our second excursion was the Mayan Adventure.  This excursion lets you explore 3 uniquely different eco-systems.  A calm, isolated inlet where you can zip-line and jump off to the Cenote.  Then you explore an underground river cave Cenote filled with stalagmites, stalactites and small river fishes.  The 3rd is a natural Caribbean inlet filled with coral reefs and a variety of tropical marine life as well as endangered sea turtles.  If marine life is your thing, this excursion is a must.

 

Six à la carte theme restaurants, and six fabulous bars ranging from elegant to swim-up will delight your senses and satisfy all your culinary desires.

During our week’s stay at Secrets Maroma we were able to experience the best that resorts have to offer. The resort had great service, exquisite food, relaxing beach views, and incredible amenities. Through my experience with all-inclusive resorts,Secrets Maroma, is by far the most impressive experience. From the wonderful staff to the picturesque beach this resort is a complete package. No request is over the top, no appetite goes un-filled, and no ambience goes unfulfilled. It doesn’t matter whether you want a relaxing, quiet experience or a fun filled experience filled with good music and cocktails; Secrets Maroma has it all. It is an unforgettable experience that has my boyfriend and I counting down the days to our next experience.