Travel Agents, and even Apple Vacations, are often asked … why book with you, when I can go direct and book with an On-Line Travel Site and save a few dollars.

I say step back and look at the big picture. What are you really saving? OK, you might on occasion save a few dollars, if anything…  but what are you getting in return? What if there is a problem, or a delay or change in plans, who is there to help you?  Don’t you want a travel agent and a reliable Tour Operator like Apple Vacations to take care of you? Don’t you want a customer service team and representatives in your travel destination?

A friend of mine was planning a trip to New York for an event last fall. I told her to book through the hotel website as the cancellation policy was 4PM day of arrival. She found a rate of $20.00 less with an On-Line Travel Site. I said don’t do it! She did and when the event was moved by one day she was out 100% the cost of the room. She called and asked me for help, and there was nothing anyone could do. They would not allow her to move the date by 1 day. So she paid for a room she never used. …Read More>>

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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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The holidays are over, the kids are back in school and today is the day to plan your winter vacation. I know I am! This “feels like” 17 degrees weather is enough for me! I am not alone, almost the entire country is freezing cold, so everyone wants to head somewhere warm. I posted on our Facebook page yesterday that according to weather.com: Storm blasts NORTHEAST with wind and snow. There is a deep chill in the SOUTH. The harsh cold is not going anywhere in the MIDWEST, and in the WEST a storm is heading in tonight!

Thanks Mother nature, you are Apple Vacations’ best form of advertising! So Beat the Winter Blues, the Winter Chill, the Winter Snow and head to Mexico or The Caribbean! There are some GREAT deals out there right now, especially if you can travel in January.  Here is hoping that today is our busiest day of the year, Log on to applevacations.com and pick your destination today or call your local travel agent.

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There are good sales, and there are great sales, but nothing compares to Apple Vacations’ SuperSale!  It is our biggest Sale of the Season.

If you think you’ll save more by waiting until the last minute, think again. Book now, while our best flights and most popular hotels are still available. You’ll save up to $1,000 per couple!

We do this SuperSale each November. We partner with hotels to offer some really great rates. You will see and hear Apple Vacations all over TV, radio, newspaper, The Internet, billboards… you name it we are advertising… in all of our major markets.

This literally is “the” sale of the year. Don’t wait to book your winter vacation until the snow starts to fall. Book by Nov. 26!
Click here for details!

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Many moons ago, an early September morning, I was at what was then the Radisson Cable Beach in the Bahamas talking to a couple enjoying a long weekend. They told me it was their “vacation from their vacation”. They had just done a week at a theme park in Florida. They then the took their kids home, got them back to school , and now they were on THEIR vacation. At the time I didn’t get it, how mean to dump the kids off and go away without them. Fast forward 12 years - AND NOW I GET IT!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I am a slave to the mouse, I make my annual trek to central Florida each fall. Even though I stand in lines in what feels like 100 degree heat, sit on concrete waiting for a parade to go by, wake up at the crack of dawn to be first in a park, stay out way beyond what is a reasonable bed time for not only my child but me, and spend a small fortune… I love every minute of it. But it is not a vacation in the typical sense of the word. There is no fruity drink in my hand or cool ocean breeze to deflect the harsh rays of the sun. There is NO relaxing what so ever. And, there is no all inclusive so it is very, very expensive - even if you get a deal to go. …Read More>>

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