Tag Archives: Riviera Maya

Hot Wedding Destinations in 2013

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Considering a destination wedding in 2013? These 5 romantic spots are ideal for tying the knot in style!

1. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The Caribbean islands are blessed with all the trappings for a spectacular destination wedding: powder-fine sand, crystal-clear waters and romantic resorts aplenty. But lately the tropic sun seems to shine brightest on the resort area of Punta Cana, thanks to new direct flights from wallet-friendly airlines AirTran and Frontier, it makes getting to this breathtaking (and affordable) stretch of paradise a cinch. The plethora of choices extends to lodging as well. No matter your style, there’s a resort for you: All-inclusive ease!  Resorts in this popular wedding locale come with staff planners to handle the work and packages that make pricing a breeze.

Travel Tip — Welcome your guest! Leave a gift bag in each room full of goodies for your guest. Don’t forget suntan lotion and trinkets to remind them of your wedding destination when they’re back at home.

2. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Fiestas don’t get any more authentic than in Puerto Vallarta. It’s the perfect spot to welcome guests with icy margaritas and exchange “I do’s” as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Sheltered by the jungled landscapes of the Sierra Madre Mountains to the east with romantic views of the Pacific to the west, Vallarta provides an exotic blend of cosmopolitan culture, Mexican flavor and nature at her best. Vallarta is home to Banderas Bay, where you can enjoy the thrill of whales up close from December through April. Vallarta is divided into two general areas: Puerto Vallarta to the south and Riviera Nayarit to the north.

3. Montego Bay, Jamaica

Exchange vows on this island paradise where reggae, romance and the Caribbean sun come together. Pioneers of the all-inclusive vacation concept, you won’t find an island that does it better. For many, it’s positively addictive. The country’s pulsating heartbeat is embodied by soulful cuisine, lively reggae and generous smiles from locals who love to show off their country. Getting married here is so simple that more visitors than Jamaicans are wed on the island every year.

Travel Tip – Planning an off-season wedding or honeymoon (May – Dec) can help you save big on hotels & other costs. Jamaica’s tropical climate does not vary from season to season so marry in the “off-season” and save!

4. Maui, Hawaii – U.S.A.

Maui is a hassle-free place to make a tropical wedding a reality. Both independent wedding planners and onsite coordinators at big resorts can pave the way to I do. There are countless reasons brides and grooms flock to this ever-popular Hawaiian isle. For starters, everything about it seems to cater to couples seeking one romantic experience after another (think unlimited sunsets and picture-perfect beaches). Although Maui’s certain to exceed your expectations as a tropical paradise, its unique inland offerings will give you the opportunity to turn a fantastic beach vacation into an unforgettable adventure. Plus, with direct flights from the mainland, the island is easily accessible for wedding guests.

5. Riviera Maya, Mexico

This 112-mile stretch of coastal paradise, with its white sand beaches fronting turquoise waters, tropical jungles and ancient Mayan ruins, provides the perfect setting for your fairy-tale wedding and heavenly honeymoon.

Travel Tip – While a tropical climate might be great for your tan, it can wreak havoc on big, fluffy satin dresses. Consider lighter-weight fabrics, a shorter hemline or a strapless gown to keep you cool on your wedding day.

 

Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort – Perfect for a Destination Wedding.

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Photo Credit: Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort - Destination Wedding in Gazebo

Sandos Cancun is a boutique resort just 10 minutes from the Cancun airport. Read my review. When I visited I immediately thought this is a perfect location for a destination wedding.

 

Photo Credit: Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort - Gazebo for Destination Wedding

Cancun itself is a great place for a destination wedding not only because of the beauty, charm and history, but there are so many accessible flights in and out of the U.S.  It makes it easy for your guests to travel.  The resort is just 10 minutes from the airport, making it easy for guests to come in for a short stay if needed.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort - Destination Wedding on Beach at Sunset

It is a smaller resort, just over 200 rooms. A destination wedding in a smaller resort makes the experience more intimate. Even if you book a small amount of rooms, you still have a large share of the hotel.  If you book just 20 rooms  – that’s 10% of the hotel.  If you have a really large wedding party and group, you can even do a take – over of the hotel (book in advance!) They day I was there they were working on details for a bride who was doing a take – over of the hotel for her wedding.

 

 

Photo Credit: Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort - Congratulations on your nuptials!

There is perfect spa, for a little bachelorette time pre – wedding, and also a beauty salon on property, to get ready for the wedding.

There is a perfect gazebo to get married, really a unique and exquisite location. I thought this is ideal because you can get married at the beach, in a stunning gazebo, with a beautiful Caribbean blue ocean or sunset in the background without being actually on the sand.  Spectacular beach options and terrace options are also available for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

 

Photo Credit: Eileen Herncane - Bali Bed's on Cancun Beach

There are many romantic spots at this resort for you to start your married life. Perfect “table for 2” at Seasons restaurant overlooking the Caribbean sea and private dining on the beach.  The food at this hotel spectacular and will not disappoint your wedding guests.  There are bali beds for 2 and swinging lounge beds that add to the romantic charm of the resort.

 

 

 

If you are planning a destination wedding, make sure you add Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort to the list of hotel to consider.

 

 

 

Falling in love with Cancun, all over again.

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Ocean shot from Iberostar Cancun.

 

Apple Vacations has been sending vacationers to Cancun for well over 30 years.  It’s crazy for me to think that my first vacation there was over 20 years ago.

So much changes year to year in any destination, but Cancun recently has had so many new developments. It really is an entirely new destination.

So many people say to me “I went to Cancun for spring break” or “I went to Cancun or before I had kids, I want to try a new place.”  Even just yesterday someone said those exact words to me at a baseball game. I tell them Cancun IS a new place. It’s an entirely new resort destination with so much to offer. There are amazing family resorts and several new upscale resorts which have opened in the past few months, or are about to open.

Recently, I was lucky enough to spend a week and experience all the beauty, charm, cuisine, history and hospitality of Cancun. I can’t wait to share my reviews and photos of the destination and the hotels I was able to visit such as Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort, Secrets The Vine Cancun and Iberostar Cancun.

Meanwhile, here are my top 3 reasons why YOU should book an Apple Vacation to Cancun:

1 – It is easy to get to. We left in the morning and were on the beach by lunch! From the Mid-Atlantic region the flight to Cancun is only about 3-3.5 hours depending on your departure airport.

2 – There is a hotel for every lifestyle and budget.  Big or small resort, all inclusive or no dining package, family resort or adults only, simple or deluxe – there is a hideaway for everyone.

3 – Cascading pools, white sandy beaches, the turquoise ocean.  The destination and the resorts are striking.

 

Here are a few of my shots from my recent trip.  This is why I love Cancun!

 

Pool at Iberostar Cancun overlooking the beach and ocean.

 

 

Birds eye view from Iberostar Cancun

 

 

Lagoon view to the left, ocean view to the right. From Secrets The Vine Cancun.

Apple Vacations launches aggressive expansion for winter 2013 vacation options

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(Elk Grove Village, IL – Aug. 9, 2012) Apple Vacations today announced 11 new exclusive vacation flights to Mexico and the Caribbean from multiple US gateways. The expanded offerings enable Apple Vacations’ to provide consumers with thousands of new airseats – a year over year increase of 15% – on exclusive vacation flights initiating throughout the US in time for the winter 2012/2013 travel season.

 

Apple Vacations today announced 11 new exclusive vacation flights to Mexico and the Caribbean from multiple US gateways.

 

Additionally, Apple Vacations will expand operations into three new markets: Austin, TX, Des Moines, IA and Kansas City, MO. New winter exclusive vacation flights include:

• Austin, TX to Cancun, Mexico
• Detroit to Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Des Moines, IA to Cancun, Mexico
• Hartford, CT to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Kansas City, MO to Cancun, Mexico
• Kansas City, MO to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Kansas City, MO to Los Cabos, Mexico
• Lansing, MI to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Minneapolis to Huatulco, Mexico
• Rockford, IL to Montego Bay, Jamaica
• St. Louis to Huatulco, Mexico

“We are always looking for new ways to offer new vacation experiences to our customers,” said Tim Mullen, Apple Vacations President. “Extensive consumer research and input from travel agents helps us to determine what new, nonstop flights to offer to ‘which’ destinations’ from ‘what city’. We try to make our customer’s vacation experience the best it can be – and many times it starts with ‘where they want to go’ and how easily they can get there. This is where that experience begins.”

Apple Vacations works with established airlines such as Sun Country Airlines, Frontier Airlines. jetBlue Airways and AirTran Airways to provide customers with state-of-the-art, first generation aircraft for its exclusive vacation flights. There are many advantages to flying on one of Apple Vacations’ exclusive vacation flights:

• Nonstop flights to new vacation hotspots – Apple Vacations has weekly nonstop flights from select gateways this winter to beach destinations like Costa Rica and Huatulco, Mexico. From many US gateways, Apple Vacations has the ONLY nonstop flights to a vacation destination.

• Vacation accessibility from underserved airports – This winter, Apple Vacations will have nonstop flights from Austin, TX, Rockford, IL, Lansing, MI, Des Moines, IA, Hartford, CT and Kansas City, MO, in addition to nonstop flights from larger cities like Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis.

• Superior buying power – Apple Vacations is the number one tour operator in the world to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and its overall passenger volume results in rate advantage.

• With Apple Vacations, round-trip hotel transfers are always included on international packages. Depending on your hotel, this could save consumers up to $100 per person.

Pampered in Paradise

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Blue Diamond, Riviera Maya  

I recently stayed at the Blue Diamond, and I honestly have to say this is one of the best hotels I have ever had the chance of staying at.  I recommend this property for anyone that enjoys a more quiet vacation and wants to be pampered. 

 Here are my top reasons to visit:

 Location, Location, Location

Nestled on the pristine coast of the Riviera Maya, Blue Diamond Riviera Maya is a sanctuary of breathtaking beauty and peace, surrounded by nature. This exclusive hideaway is set in 36 acres of lush topical jungle, with a well-manicured gardens. I loved spending time on the spectacular palm filled white sandy beaches along the turquoise-colored Caribbean Sea. It’s 40 min south of Cancun International Airport and 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.

 

Blue Diamond Riviera Maya - This luxurious adults only resort is built along peaceful river waterways, a mystical cenote and the Mexican Caribbean sea, With 128 junior suites and suites in this peace of paradise, the resort lends the perfect mix of luxury amenities with oriental flourshes, impeccable service and and exceptional fushion of cuisines.

 

 

Service

The delicacy in the care,

Modern contemporary exclusive hideaway set in 36 acres of lush, tropical jungle and white sandy beaches, offering unparalleled pampering and rejuvenation being tranquil sanctuary of breathtaking beauty.

attention to detail and exquisite service are the solid pillars of its life philosophy. They have a great concierge who will take care of anything you need. My patio suite had a small plunge pool which they were  happy to fill daily upon my request. 

 

Food!

The food is all gourmet! The hotel has 3 fantastic restaurants that offer plenty of variety and they will make anything you want. 

  • Ceviche – Tapas Bar serving continental breakfast, lunch and snacks.
  • Aquamarina – International cuisine. Combination of buffet and a la carte.
  • Ambar – A la carte Fusion cuisine. Opetion for dinner only.

 

Unique!

Adults-only property, incomparable beach, complimentary green fees, free ocean dive or snorkeling tour , private outdoor bathtub & plunge pools, beach concierge service, Yoga Classes, Sailing, Kayaking, Windsurfing, and  Jogging Trails. Don’t miss the rooftop bar in the evening to star gaze.

The stay at this hotel is completely sensory: the vision, the hearing, the touch and, of course, the palate ...

 

Wellness

Its Spa elegantly merges the Maya philosophy with ancient Asian healing rituals. A careful selection of special treatments for health and beauty, including a wide variety of activities such as Yoga, Pilates, Watsu and the best equipment in Kinesis.

 

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.

Living the Life at Secrets Silversands

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My husband and I needed a vacation, badly. Choosing to go to Mexico was a no brainer, mostly because last year we went to Punta Cana. But if you haven’t noticed, Mexico’s a big place and there are a lot of destinations to choose from! There’s Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Cozumel, and Cancun to name a few.  So, we live on the east coast, and wanted a direct, non-stop flight, something close (only a 3 day, 4 night jaunt) so we chose the beautiful beaches of Cancun, specifically Riviera Maya. The next few decisions were easier. We wanted adults-only, gorgeous beach/pools, and spa. ONE word – Secrets. Plus there are 3 of them in the Cancun vicinity. We went with Secrets Silversands, and it was the perfect choice!

Secrets Silversands brings a brilliantly contemporary atmosphere to Cancun's famed Riviera Maya. Surrounded by warm crystal waters, this all-suite Unlimited Luxury ® resort features 433 sumptuous suites, everyone is a showcase of modern luxury and elegant appointments.

Preferred Perks PLUS - Frontier Airlines Introductory Rate $39

Let me jump to the vacation…

We packed our bags, and were ready to go! It was a little exciting for our first Frontier plane ride. I’d like to add that we opted for the Preferred Perks, and in my opinion it’s totally worth it. I watched a couple shows on Bravo, (YES – Frontier has direct TV) and bam, we were there, in gorgeous, sunny, Cancun Mexico. We hopped in our non-stop transfer, arrived at Secrets Silversands in 20 minutes, stepped out of the car and were greeted “Welcome, home”.

The next few days were nothing less than lying by the pool, (there are 8 to choose from, I might mention), relaxing under a palapa on the

Savor Mexican a la caret cuisine in a traditional authentic ambience.

beach, eating fresh avocados or guacamole with every meal, and sipping delicious tropical libations. I have to say that the food at Secrets Silversands is better than you can imagine. They have 9 restaurants, which are beautifully styled, have excellent customer service, and extremely scrumptious fare. Secrets Silversands has an extremely active entertainment program. You can do Yoga on the beach in the morning, join a game of beach or pool volleyball during the day, and there’s always something fun going on at night like a band playing or dance show.

My husband and I decided to go for a couples massage at their elegant SPA by Pevonia. WOW! We had access to the spa’s private pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna for the entire day and couldn’t wait for our late afternoon Swedish Massages. We had the most relaxing time, and afterwards we lay in the meditation room to continue the relaxation. It was completely dreamy and all my stresses easily drifted away.

Over the course of the 4 days we swam, we slept, we ate, we drank, and we relaxed. The vacation went by quickly, as they always do. But it was really a great time and I highly recommend it!

Secrets Silversands is nestled on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and lies a mere 15 miles south Cancun and about 20 minutes from the Cancun Inernational Airport. This all-suite haven is surrounded by coral reefs and adventurous attractions

Oceana Seafood Grille Situated directly under a giant palapa with a beautiful view of the ocean, serving a la carte seafood specialties in a quiet romantic and seaside setting.

 

Here are a few tips

  • If you like seafood try Oceana, delicious shrimp tacos and ceviche. There are 9 Restaurants, 8 bars and 24/7 room service.
  • The expansive 12,000 square foot Secrets Spa by Pevonia is Amazing! I highly recommend it!
  • Rooms are spotless and ultra-chic - amenities in each room include Sitting area with sofa, Bathroom with jacuzzi for 2, satellite TV, CD/DVD player, MP3 docking station, Internet dataport ($), Minibar, hair dryer, iron, telephone, room safe.