Need a vacation for you…. but you still really want to take the kids? Then an easy vacation choice is Dreams Resorts & Spas or Now Resorts & Spas. Why? Explorer’s Club! I LOVE taking my son away on vacation with me and having some great family time, but some fun time for me is also VERY nice. This is where the Explorer’s Club comes in. We experienced it before at Dreams, and this week at NOW. The Explorer’s Club is for children 3–12 years old. It’s not babysitting, they are actual experiences for kids.

A few days of our vacation we were able to take our son to the Explorer’s Club to meet new friends from around the world, and even one from right up the road from where we live. I honestly can’t say enough good things about the staff at the Explorer‘s Club. They are wonderful. They were genuinely friendly and enjoyed the time with my son as much as he did with them. They are uniformed professionals, but at the same time within seconds he loved them and wanted to keep going back.

The first night he went they had a beach party. …Read More>>

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Lots of fun things to do at Now Jade Resort in Riviera Maya.
While this was my afternoon & evening….
1 - Shopping tour in Puerto Morelos. Quaint little town with stores, restaurants and a beautiful church.
2 - Watched the World Cup at the Arenas sports bar, and it was packed!
3 - Tequila tasting.
4 - Main pool bar with Hugo and lots of new friends.
5 - Ended the night at the Mexican Fiesta - great food!

This was my son’s afternoon & evening at the Explorer’s Club…
1 - Out of the sun for a little while with games at the kids club.
2 - Pinata fun at the pool.
3 - Dinner on the beach.
4 - Roasting marshmallows on the beach.
5 - Kids movie on the beach with all his new friends.

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I am heading out on a family vacation today! I will be sharing with you all the places I am going to see in Riviera Maya over the next week, and some family travel tips! Hopefully by the time you are reading this I am already en route to Riviera Maya! I promise to report as much info on the two new NOW Resorts since we have lots of questions on Facebook about them.

For now I start with travel tips. First tip. Involve your child ahead of time.

I am not one to surprise a child with a vacation. Last weekend we pulled out the suitcases and I helped him pick out the clothes and the “select” toys he could bring. This way, when we get to resort, he already knows what he has with him. He does not ask for things we did not pack. I find this works really well for us. Plus, they may have reasoning you never thought of. I told my son (last trip, and again this one) to pick out 5 shirts. He picked out 5 Philadelphia Phillies shirts and 1 flyers shirt. I said why? He said because that way everyone who sees him will know he is from Philadelphia. OK, so 5 Phillies shirts it is. …Read More>>

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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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Apple Vacations sale featuring RIU Hotels & Resorts started today! In addition to the great package pricing we have, here are some highlights of RIU Resorts in Punta Cana, The Bahamas and Costa Rica.

In Punta Cana:
The “new” Riu Bambu re-opens on June 13th, 2010 as a new family focused hotel with a “RiuLand” kids’ club. They will also have family rooms, which are family of 5 friendly. They have special pricing for these rooms: 1st child is free in the family room and the 2nd and 3rd child are 50% off. If you do not need a family room, the regular deluxe room has 2 kids STAY, PLAY & EAT FREE for kids 12 years and under. When they re-open, all the rooms at Riu Bambu will have been refurbished. There will also be a new Asian and Italian restaurant and a sports bar with game tables and flat screen TVs. Sounds like a fun place for families! Also, Riu Bambu has free exchange privileges with Riu Taino & Riu Naiboa.

Riu Palace Macao for July and August arrivals is offering a free upgrade to a Superior Room, where you will receive a better tropical view!

Riu Palace Punta Cana offers free exchange privileges with all 5 of the RIU Resorts in Punta Cana. …Read More>>

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