So a friend just called and wants to go away for a weekend in the next 2 weeks, and wants to know what I can recommend. Well I went to www.applevacations.com to look around and truly did not believe my eyes! I mean I know I see the deals every day in ads but in the context, helping a friend, I thought WOW these ARE some really, really great deals. Secrets Capri 3 nights from $699.99. That is an amazing, deluxe hotel! It has a 6 Golden Apple rating! Gran Bahia Principe Coba 3 nights from $499.99, another great and fun hotel. It has a 5 Golden Apple rating. Even once taxes are added in, it is still much less than a weekend in New York or down the New Jersey shore once you add in all the meals and entertainment. And these are nice, really nice hotels!

So even in this economy travel, even luxury travel, to Secrets Capri is within reach! You are getting much more than you pay for with these deals.

To get a great rate look for Apple Vacations leisure flights such as USA300 Airlines. Midweek travel is also usually priced slightly less. On www.applevacations.com click on “specials” at the top and select your departure city to get an overview of what’s hot from your departure city.

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Who says Empty Nesters can’t have fun? No more kids - it’s just the two of us now. I decided it’s time to go on vacation with my hubby to Cancun/Riviera Maya. Don’t get me wrong, we love our daughter and had many wonderful family vacations along with friends to Cancun and Punta Cana, but it was time for just the two of us to do whatever we pleased. And we did!  From the USA3000 flight to our transfer to the hotel, everything went smoothly. We stayed at the all-inclusive Iberostar Paraiso Maya. The hotel was just beautiful with its warm colors and Mayan architecture - so picturesque. The staff were so friendly they couldn’t do enough for you. We thought we were on our honeymoon again with concierge service, a Jacuzzi in the room, full mini-bar stocked daily, 24 hour room service, flower petals on our bed and flowers in the Jacuzzi (along with bubble bath) we definitely were getting spoiled. We also had a private pool in our building. The gourmet restaurants were superb from the food and service to the presentation; we looked forward to dining every day.  We were trying to fit it all in, a little time at the hotel’s lazy river pool, a little time at their spectacular beach, a visit to their disco, some snorkeling and a trip to the quaint and vibrant town of Playa del Carmen, with its own ambiance of culture was fascinating. A little tequila, a little Mohito’s, a little dancing - we were having a blast.  A great, much needed, mid-winter break.  The only regret – 4 nights is not enough, so much to see and do, next time definitely 7 nights. So to all you empty nesters, revive yourselves, take the blues away - take a vacation! What are you waiting for – it’s your time.

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This was a good article from Budget Travel, so I thought I’d pass it along. I like tip #1 the best - Get a Passport! I am adding tip 11 - Go on an Apple Vacation!
Enjoy!   http://tinyurl.com/ycpugrb

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Playa del Carmen

It’s hot and humid - summertime in Mexico. Riviera Maya greeted our group of Apple Vacations’ employees with a wealth of sunshine as we began our three-day Fam (familiarization) Trip, on-the-job training to gain personal experience of the destinations and resorts our company sells. This knowledge means we can help identify the right resort for every customer.

During the Fam Trip, twelve employees from our Chicago and Philadelphia offices participated in pre-arranged site inspections at various resorts. Sometimes an excursion will be on the itinerary, as well as scheduled dinners. Excursions are just as important for us to experience as the site inspections - it gives employees the opportunity to experience a destination and culture off resort.

On our itinerary this time, we have one scheduled excursion to Playa del Carmen, and one scheduled dinner at our host resort- Secrets Maroma. Before checking in, we have a site inspection at Barcelo Costa Cancun followed by Dreams Cancun. Both impress our staff for their value, location, and the buzz of activity that is apparent everywhere in Cancun. …Read More>>

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Chicago White Sox Pitcher Octavio Dotel, Apple CEO John Mullen, and Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia.

Sports fans probably know that Apple Vacations sponsors several major teams nationwide.  We’re the proud sponsors of three Major League Baseball teams, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, and the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.  As sponsors, we host special events at the games, give away vacations, and invite our employees and customers to be our guests at home games.

Just this week, Apple Vacations hosted “Dominican Republic Day” with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.  The first 20,000 fans were presented with a commemorative poster featuring past and present White Sox players who hail from the Dominican Republic.  In addition, the Chicago White Sox honored Mark Buehrle’s perfect game with “Mark Buehrle Day”. Fans also received a Mark Buehrle baseball card, sponsored by Apple Vacations.

Apple Vacations' Executive VP Jeff Mullen and Senior VP Tim Mullen; Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia; and Apple Vacations Founder and CEO John Mullen.

One of the highlights of the night was when the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, threw out the first pitch and took a photo with pitcher John Danks.  Apple Vacations executives and officials from the Dominican Republic Office of Tourism took an on-field photo with Dominican White Sox pitcher Octavio Dotel.  There was also an on-field performance by Dominican Republic Folkloric Ballet.  Along with thousands of fans, Apple Vacations hosted 70 travel agents and eight hotel partners and celebrated a White Sox win!

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