Category Archives: Tours/Excursions

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

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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 8th through June 15th.  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

Top 5 Travel Tips for traveling to Panama

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As told by Ruth Daniels

I would consider myself a little bit of a “seasoned” traveler. I’ve been throughout the Caribbean Islands, to several vacation spots in Mexico, and the all over the U.S. So when I was thinking about going away, I definitely wanted to go somewhere different, somewhere a little more adventurous. My friends and I decided to go to Panama! I found that this booming Central American hotspot has much more going on than its namesake canal.

 

Photo Credit: Apple Vacations – The Westin Playa Bonita Panama

 

Here are my top 5 travel tips for going to this destination:

1.      Fly Non-Stop!

We left from DC where we flew out on Copa Airlines. It was a non-stop flight, which was really nice. They even had blankets and pillows and served meals on the plane! I can’t remember the last time I was on a flight that did that. It definitely added an unexpected touch of luxury.

2.      Private Transfers

For the convenience of Apple Vacations customers, all hotel bookings have private transfers included. Whether you are arriving at the airport or transferring between different hotels in our program, our local ground handler, Gamboa Tours, will provide a private air-conditioned transfer at a time requested by you. This makes booking a double (City & Beach) or triple center vacation (City, Rainforest & Beach) simpler and will ensure you get the most out of your vacation experience in Panama. It’s a really nice added touch, and one less thing to worry about while traveling.

 

Photo Credit: Apple Vacations – Trump Ocean Club Panama

3.      See everything! – Beach & City

We had heard through various contacts that the best way to experience Panama was to stay for a couple nights in the city, and then, spend a few nights at a beach hotel. The first 2 nights we spent at the Riu Panama Plaza. It’s in the financial district close to a lot of boutiques and shopping malls. I definitely came back with my bags a few pounds heavier! Our rooms were on the 17th floor and we had a breathtaking view of the city. From our hotel in Panama City we were less than 20 minutes from the Panama Canal and the Old City ruins. We went to Miraflores Locks and actually got to see a huge boat go through! It was neat to see the water levels change in the locks to get the boat through. The ruins were great too, because we got to see another historic side to Panama. Our last 2 nights were spent at the Sheraton Bijao where we spent some time on the gorgeous white sand beach and enjoyed the spa, bars and sun!

 

Photo Credit: Apple Vacations – Capuchin Monkey, Monkey Island Boat Tour

 4.      Monkeys!  (Technically, it’s the Monkey Island Boat Tour)

You can take a boat tour through secret waterways to find hidden islands where Capuchin monkeys and Howler monkeys can be seen leaping in the trees above! Occasionally, they become curious of visitors and venture down to take a closer look. This tour is roughly a ½ day and includes transportation, English-speaking guide and boat ride around the Gatun Lake.

 Last but not least…

 5.      The Panama Canal Tour

This tour begins at the Flamenco Resort and Marina. After a 45 minute motor coach ride to Gamboa, you will board a boat and enter the canal at Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. While traveling the Cut’s 8.5 miles, you will view the new Centennial Bridge. Next, enter Pedro Miguel Locks and then Miraflores Lake. Once in the Pacific Ocean, sail to the Flamenco Marina and disembark. On the way, pass under the Bridge of the Americas. Admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City’s splendorous skyline. The ½ day tour includes round-trip transportation, bilingual guide, Panama Canal transit with all fees, lunch on board, soft drinks and water. The full day tour includes in addition to the partial transit, you will enjoy a trip through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River.

Now you can see why Panama is a top destination for adventurists, eco-tourists, history buffs, beach lovers, families and romantics.  What are you waiting for?!? Go find your paradise in Panama!

 

*Apple Vacations Representatives are provided by Gamboa Tours DMC, an independent destination management company operating in Panama and providing services to Apple Vacationers. All prices are per person in U.S. dollars. Prices and excursions subject to change without notice. Excursions operated by local independent suppliers. Some require physical activity. Please consider the nature of the excursion to ensure it is appropriate for your age and physical condition.

 

 

Explore Hawaii – Video Blog

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Seventy million years ago, a paradise of green-carpet valleys, emerald mountains and an ocean as blue and deep as the sky was created. Then came sparkling beaches, flowing waterfalls, fiery lava flows and vibrant natural gardens. From the history of Oahu and the excitement of its famed Waikiki Beach, to the exotic natural wonders of the Big Island, the intoxicating scents and beauty of Hawaii will be imbedded in your memory forever. Choose Maui and bask on the world’s most celebrated beaches or golf at its most scenic courses. Bike, drive or ride up to a volcano at sunrise and watch whales up close, breaching in triumphant glory. For a truly unique and peaceful getaway, experience the incredible natural beauty of Kauai, or bask in the tranquil splendor of Lanai and Molokai, enticing islands still untouched by time.

 Check out these 4 new Videos presented by Apple Vacations about Hawaii!

1. Maui, Beyond the Coasts – Maui, Hawaii

2. Big Island Activities – The Big Island, Hawaii

3. Oahu Revealed – Oahu, Hawaii

4. Day in Waimea – Kauai, Hawaii

 

 

Act Now and Get More for Less! Save a bundle to America’s Favorite Paradise when you book during our Hawaii SuperSale, the Biggest Sale of the Season! Enjoy Apple-exclusive reduced rates at our best hotels and condos, plus value-added extras like FREE breakfasts, FREE nights, FREE upgrades and a complimentary Mahalo gift box. Plus, stay 4 nights or more at participating hotels on Oahu or Maui and get two FREE whale watching tickets per room – a $70 value! Whale Sightings guaranteed! Hurry, book by November 22, 2012!

 

River Expedition in Puerto Vallarta

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Recently I had the opportunity to try Zip Lining while I was in Puerto Vallarta. I need to preface this blog – I have never done anything like this before; no sky diving, no extreme sports, no bungee jumping. Ever. So boy was I a bundle of nerves -  I mean …in for a treat.

Photo Credit: Christine May, Canopy River in Puerto Vallarta

 

Photo Credit - Canopy River. Zip lining over the Cuale River.

Our group included 2 tour guides, 1 co-worker, 2 journalists, 1 photographer, our rep from Amstar Dmc, a rep from the Puerto Vallarta tourism board and 1 travel agent. We opted to try the all new River Expedition tour which combines the canopy zip lining with hiking, 2 rope bridges, 27 meter rappel or 24 meter free fall, inner tube river ride and mule ride – enough to satisfy any adrenaline junkie! Again, please note, that I am not and adrenaline junkie. I was trying something new and feeling both excited and nervous. We had wonderful, experienced tour guides that helped us get ready, strapped in our harnesses, and secured our helmets on. We went through a basic training with them, essentially just how to stop, which I never managed to master the art of this until the last zip! The guides were really funny, making silly jokes to lighten the mood, and it helped put everyone’s nerves at ease. Then we all did a test run and were ready to do our first zip by ourselves. I couldn’t believe it, the zip lining was so amazing! After the first zip, my nerves calmed down, the adrenaline kicked in and I was psyched to have a whole day of fun ahead of me!

 

Photo Credit: Canopy River. Kim Pack and I swinging Tarzan style over the Cuale River.

We did 12 platforms stretching from one mountain to another.  We were up to 600 feet in the air with the longest line stretching over a quarter mile long! This makes up the longest, highest and fastest zip lines on the west coast of Mexico. I felt so exhilarated gliding through the jungle while gazing in awe at the Cuale River far below. I could even see the Pacific Ocean from one of the zips! One word comes to mind.

Breathtaking.

 

After our tour, we met the original homesteaders of the area and enjoyed refreshments at the Los Coapino restaurant, located high atop this beautiful mountain range.  A little tip:  An optional DVD of your actual tour will be available for purchase so you can remember it forever!

 

Photo Credit: Canopy River. The group getting together on a boulder before zipping into the Cuale River.

 

I highly recommend trying Canopy River!!! Especially for those of you that love nature and adventure.  Canopy River is definitely for you.

Photo Credit: Canopy River - Being challenged to cross over two bridges, as we made our way across the side of the mountain.

Here are some more details about Canopy River

Duration: 5 Hours including orientation and transportation.

Includes: Canopy Tour, Free Mule Ride (optional), Bottled Water, Snacks, Soft Drinks

You’ll Need:

  • Sunblock and Insect Repellent
  • Tennis Shoes
  • Hair Tie for Long Hair
  • Cash for drinks at the bar, photos, and souvenirs.

Kids:  7 Years and Older.

Restrictions: Maximum weight is 275 lbs. (125 kg). Do not drink too much alcohol before this tour – you won’t be allowed to go for safety reasons. This is an active tour, and not recommended if you are pregnant, have a serious back injury.  There is some hiking involved, so be sure to wear good walking shoes.

Check with your Apple Rep at your hotel in Puerto Vallarta so you can try this amazing Zip lining Adventure!

Please check out my pictures and leave comments if you have any questions on this tour.

Photo Credit: Canopy River, Jerry Nunn hitting the cool clear

 

 

Photo Credit: Canopy River - Kim Pack taking her mule back to the top of the mountain. Giddy Up!

 

Photo Credit: Canopy River - Dennis Jacobs zip lining over 600 feet in the air!

 

 

Introducing River Cruises with AMA Waterways

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Along with the hotels and our Escorted Tours to Italy, Greece and Ireland, Apple Vacations would like to introduce its newest addition to our Europe offering; River Cruises with AMA Waterways.  We are very excited to partner with award winning AMA Waterways to offer their Europe River Cruises in 2013.  If you’re not familiar with River Cruises, this is a great opportunity to book with Apple Vacations and experience one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry.

 

The AmaBella offers the ultimate in custom-designed luxury. This 164-passenger vessel features a combination of amenities and design details never before seen on the great waterways of Europe.

 

There are many great aspects of River Cruises, but one of the best is the intimate setting on board the ships.  On any ship, there are no more than 164 passengers on board, so the service is outstanding.  All the staterooms have fantastic amenities like a French balcony (some of the ships have twin balconies), flat panel TV, a spacious bathroom and a top of the line infotainment system, including a computer with high speed internet access.  Also, everything on and off the ship is included.  At dinner, enjoy your meal with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks.  When you get to a port, experienced guides will lead daily excursions, all at different levels of activity you prefer.  There are many bike trails right next to the river, so AMA Waterways gives you access to a complimentary bicycle, so you can also explore on your own.  If you would like, there is also an expert hair stylist, masseuse and beauty therapist at your disposal for the duration of the cruise.

 

Featuring an impressive range of stateroom categories, dining options and public lounges, AmaBella will transport you on the river cruise of a lifetime.

 

Apple Vacations is offering 19 different River Cruise itineraries, ranging from a cruise on the Seine from Paris to Normandy to the always popular Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest.  You can choose from a 7 night Cruise to a 21 night Cruise and Land package, with a visit to cities like Prague, Vienna or Istanbul.  There is a cruise itinerary for everyone, click here for more information.

 

The River Cruise Difference - Peaceful and scenic, river cruising offers a smooth, gentle ride along the world’s most remarkable waterways. Supreme comfort and convenience make it the premier way to experience magnificent cities, historic villages and little-seen enclaves.

 

 

 

Destination Wedding Trends

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Check out the latest scoop on what’s “in” when tying the knot away from home

as told by Danielle Laverty, Apple Vacations Destination Wedding Specialist

Skip the Cake

Tickle your guests’ taste buds with a non-traditional dessert after you say “I do.”  Incorporate a taste of local cuisine like Mexican wedding cookies, Caribbean rum cake, or Hawaii’s famous coconut-based gelatin dessert, Haupia.  Other fun cake-free options include a color-themed candy “bar” or decorative cupcake displays.  Consider featuring your favorite childhood sweet like cotton candy or salt-water taffy.  Think creative, different, and fun!

 

Dreams Riviera Cancun - Dreaming of an unforgettable beach wedding? On this special day Experience Paradise.

 

Culture-Inspired Customs

Personalization and customization are big trends popping up anywhere and everywhere in today’s society.  To make the most of your destination wedding, make it special and unique by adding a touch of cultural flare to your destination ceremony or reception.

Whether the custom is rooted within your destination’s culture or your own heritage and background, little details like a henna tattoo station (India) or jumping the broom ritual (Africa & Bahamas) are memorable ways to connect tradition with a non-traditional destination wedding couple.

Group Adventures

A popular addition to destination itineraries before and after saying “I do,” is offering guests the opportunity to tag along on some pre-arranged group activities.  Ever think you’d see your future-father-in-law swaying his hips during a hula lesson in Hawaii?  Or maybe you want to try a variety of spirits at a tequila tasting in Los Cabos, Mexico.  If you’re tying the knot in Jamaica, consider touring Nine Mile, the rural village where Bob Marley was born and raised.   Whether you arrange a beautiful sunset dinner cruise, take your friends and family on a kayaking or biking tour, try out some flippers on a fun snorkeling trip, or even a challenge the group to beach volleyball tournament, no matter what kind of activity you arrange, your friends and family will be buzzing about having a great time getting to know each other. Whether you can cover the costs for one activity or several, your guests are sure to appreciate a bit of the local culture.

Enjoy a "Robinson Crusoe" type day with AmstarDMC! Great for beginners and veterans alike. You'll jump into warm Caribbean waters and swim with colorful tropical fish and amazing diversity of marine life as you marvel at the coral formations on the Great Mayan Reef - the second largest reef system in the world. Small launches take you just a short distance from the beach out to the reefs and return the snorkeling session, so you're not on the water the entire day.

Themed Wedding Favors

Saying “thank you” to traveling guests is important.  Individual wedding favors that tie into the theme of your destination are a huge hit. Destination couples are finding more and more locally-inspired ways to show their guests gratitude.  Luggage tags with handwritten notes are a great travel-related favors.  Local delicacies like individual rum cakes in the Caribbean, a bottle of locally produced wine, beer, or spirits, or hand-painted wooden maracas in Mexico all add a great touch.  If your destination wedding is takes place on the beach, there are many seashore-related items to think about.  Flip-flop shaped bottle openers, starfish ornaments, and seashell shaped bottle stoppers are cute ways to tie the whole experience together.

 

Powdery, tropical beaches caressing your feet; warm turquoise oceans enveloping your body, romantic sunsets fullfilling your fantasies - yes, this is the wedding section!!! Destination Weddings have become the rage for brides-to-be.

Panama, When do I get to come back?

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I completed my visit to Panama with only one question in mind – “When do I get to come back?”

View of Panama City from Trump Ocean Club Panama Hotel

Without a doubt, Panama is one of the most interesting countries I’ve ever visited.  It’s essentially three destinations – beach area (Playa Blanco and Playa Bonita), the Rain Forest and the metropolitan area of Panama City. Each destination, in and of itself, would make a wonderful vacation, but being able to visit all three areas makes a visit to Pamana something very special indeed.

Upon arrival in Pamana City, you’re struck by the city’s modernity and energy. High-rise hotels, high-rise apartment buildings, banks, casinos, restaurants, shops and businesses make up this bustling area with its very active commerce, arts, culture, nightlight and dining.  And, a visit to the old Colonial City (Casco Viejo) – founded in 1673 – should definitely be part of any Panama itinerary. At the center of Casco Viejo is Independence Plaza that has many restored and colorful buildings.

 

Casco Viejo

 

By the way, I wasn’t aware, until my visit, that the Panama Canal doesn’t run East to West; it runs North to South, with Pamana City anchoring the southern port that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Panama’s official currency is the US Dollar and English is widely spoken as a second language.  Service is “American-style” and the hotels’ and restaurants’ quality is top-notch.

The Miraflores Locks – just a half hour north of Panama City – has a wonderful Visitors Center boasting cool and very informative museum outlining the importance of the canal to Panama and the world. There’s a shaded viewing pavilion from which you can watch ships – large and small – pass through the locks.  Some of the larger ships go through with literally inches to spare on either side!  (A visit to the Miraflores canal museum is included in several of Apple Vacations’ optional day-tours and in our Explore Panama program.)

Some cool tidbits about the Panama Canal:

  •  Two million gallons of fresh water are used for every vessel that passes through the Canal locks.
  • A typical transit of the Canal by a cargo ship takes approximately 8 to 10 hours.
  • The highest toll was $419,420, paid by the cruise ship Norwegian Pearl in February 2011.
  • A multi-billion dollar project designed to widened and deepen the canal be will completed in 2014 and will allow ships double the size of today’s canal-capable vessels to go through it.

 

About an hour north of Panama City is the Soberania tropical rainforest that quite literally powers the Panama Canal with the billions of gallons of water it needs annually. The Rain Forest is simply incredible; it’s home to hundreds of types of birds, mammals and reptiles.  What struck me most was how dense and colorful the jungle is in this area, with its flowers the size of dinner plates and incredibly large trees.  From this area, you can hike, bike and take a boat tour of the Chagres River and see rare white-faced monkeys jumping around the trees above.

 

Chagras River, Soberania Rainforest area

 

The beach areas of Playa Bonita and Playa Blanca are, respectively, about 40 minutes and 90 minutes drive from Panama City.  The drive to the beach areas is through very picturesque, rolling hills and small towns and shopping areas.   Playa Blanca is a particularly large beach that stretches along the Pacific Ocean; beach walkers will love the fact that they can walk for miles.  Guests looking for value and fun should look at the Decameron Resort, a family-friendly all-inclusive resort that stretches along the beach; during my visit to the Decameron, it was very clear that families were having a great time.

 

Playa Blanca

 

If you’re thinking about visiting Panama, check out our seven-night “Explore Pamana” tour that splits time in all three areas – Panama City, the Rainforest and Playa Blanca.

So, the answer to my original question “when do I get to go back?” – As soon as possible!