Why you should go to Mexico

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Now’s not the time to visit our neighbor to the south, right? Well, wrong. Mexico is still an amazing tourist destination that we have come to love. I’m currently in Cancun and wanted to take the time to let Apple Vacationers know what I’ve been experiencing firsthand. I’ve noticed thousands of happy travelers from around the world, most of whom are Americans. They are enjoying the sun, sand and warm Mexican hospitality. The vacations are meeting and exceeding expectations, exactly what you dream of when booking your vacation.

I am experiencing nothing like what the American press is reporting at all. When I’ve been talking to travelers, there seems to be the consensus that the negative press on Mexico is ridiculous! They’ve managed to lump all of Mexico – a country that’s the size of Western Europe – together! I personally don’t think that’s indicative of what’s happening in the entire country. Americans who travel to Mexico primarily go to six places, none of which have had travel alerts. These destinations are Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Los Cabos. As a travel expert, I can tell you that it’s as easy-going as it’s always in these tourist destinations. And, it’s no surprise to me that Mexico remains one of the top tourist destinations in the world! It’s home to archaeological wonders, turquoise seas, a magnificent underwater world, and world-class hotels and vacation amenities.

Most travel to Mexico, ultimately, is simply good travel. It’s fun, affordable, eye-opening and fascinating. But, no, you don’t have to visit Mexico. Just know that the Mexico vacation experience on the ground almost never matches the sensationalized Mexico we see and read about.

Apple Vacations & Occidental Resorts “Inside the Huddle” with the Dallas Cowboys

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This is the second football season Apple Vacations & Occidental Resorts ran a promotion during the “Inside the Huddle” program with the Dallas Cowboys.

Below are pictures of the promotion show taping at the House of Blues in Dallas, and a game attended by Apple Vacations and our top accounts.

Dallas Cowboys players featured on the program will enjoy an Apple Vacation to Riviera Maya staying at the Occidental Grand Xcaret in Royal Service! I can’t wait to get their reviews!

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Cowboy game picture features our top Platinum account in Texas enjoying a game at the new Cowboys stadium. Pictured Terry Denton, President Travel Leaders Main Street Travel Fort Worth with Beverly Maley and Cheryl Lobo, travel agents

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Picture features Tashard Choice number 23 of the Dallas Cowboys with Apple Vacations Texas Sales Manager Tracey Smith Campbell at the Inside the Huddle show taping at the House of Blues in Dallas

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Picture features Demarcus Ware number 94 and Miles Austin number 19 of the Dallas Cowboys during taping of Inside the Huddle with the Dallas Cowboys at the House of Blues in Dallas

Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun

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mexico-nov-11-510I visited Now Sapphire in Riviera Maya this month. I was there in June and wanted to go back and check it out. The hotel since June has had a lot of “soft” renovations such as new beach and pool chairs and new bedding. It looks GREAT!

Now Sapphire has a fabulous open-air lobby, which is great for sitting, reading or having a drink. The lobby is the center of the theatre, lobby bar and all of the dining.

The biggest attraction of this hotel is the amazing pool!  It is huge. It has quiet sections for lounging and of course the swim up bar “fun” section. Now Sapphire also has a very long white sand beach — completely picturesque.

They also have an activities pool. When I visited, they were having scuba diving lessons. How fun!

They have a great Explorer’s Kids Club, which I know my son would love. With their own kid size chairs and playground. It is fenced in and just adorable.

You can also upgrade to the Preferred Club for upgraded amenities and the Preferred Club also has a private adults only / quiet pool complete with Bali beds! If you are traveling without the kids, or plan on using the Explorer’s Kids Club, this is a great option to consider.

The hotel is very walk-able. It is big but not one of the mega-resorts of Riviera Maya.  Overall the hotel has a very Aztec/ Spanish influence unlike Now Jade, which is more of a modern feel. When you step into this hotel, you know you are in Mexico.

It is less than a 30-minute drive from the airport and just north of Puerto Morelos, a cute little fishing village / town with a few shops, Catholic church and beautiful beach.

At Now Sapphire, there are no dining reservations, no towel cards and no wristbands, which is an overall vacation convenience.  The food and service were also excellent.

Check out Apple Vacations Facebook Photo album for photos of Now Sapphire.

Hola, from sunny Riviera Maya Mexico

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Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya

Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya

James Reese,  Apple Vacations Philadelphia Sales Manager, just checked in from Riviera Maya. I wanted to share what he had to say.

Hola, from sunny Riviera Maya Mexico! I’m busy seeing resorts and want to keep you updated!

The first stop on my tour was Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya. You enter the lobby by passing between a pair of antique Balinese Lions for good luck.  This boutique style resort is decorated with original art from around the world.  All 90 suites are ocean front and individually named.

This resort is truly an oasis as there are no resorts on either side. Wellness, Relaxation, Pampering and Gourmet Dining are the agenda here!  Resort features 2 bars, 3 a la carte restaurants, American beer and top shelf liquor.  Offering a 5000 bottle wine cellar, this resort is a wine connoisseur’s dream!

Clients receive complimentary international calling, complimentary overnight laundry service, daily champagne and fruit in their suite and a complimentary 20 minute massage.  Clients can take the catamaran on a shopping adventure, enjoy a cooking or language class, a Tequila tasting or one of the many spa treatments!  Even Botox!

As with all AMResorts no wristbands, no restaurant reservations required and no restaurant restrictions!  This resort is a must for anyone looking to get away and unwind!

Why Apple Vacations?

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OK, so I wrote a blog a few weeks ago about why Travel Agents & Apple Vacations and not On-Line Booking Sites. It reminded me of an e-mail I got a few years ago from a media executive that I had in resort at the time a hurricane hit. I edited it, but after you read it I think you’ll know why… there is nothing better than Apple Vacations! The e-mail speaks for itself.

Man when you guys set up a vacation, you think of everything. I cannot tell you how much Susan, you and Apple Vacations meant to me and my wife especially because of adventure we wound up in. The clout Apple has is unbelievable.  Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was turned away at the airport road unless they were with Apple Vacations.  Thousands of people. The (Mexican) Army was turning away buses, taxis and people on foot. It looked like something out of a movie.  We got waved thru like we were rock stars.

Let me tell you about your guy at Secrets. What a nice guy.  He evacuated us & he brought his girlfriend to the shelter to be with us.  The guy did not stop. He was getting out when he could to get the information to brief us.  When we went back to the hotel put on a clean Apple shirt and was rocking with any information he could get! He banged on our door at 2:30 in the morning (no electricity — so he was running around with a flashlight) to tell us to be ready in the morning to split. What a guy.

Secrets Capri ran the crisis like a precision drill team.  The GM was cool collected and ran his employees better than a commando leader. I sent a letter to AMResorts commending him and his employees.

Thank you so much for the information you were getting to my staff and more importantly to my daughter. The hardest part of the whole thing was not being able to tell our daughter we were OK.  We were out of contact with her for almost 5 days, and I know getting info from Apple helped comfort her. You guys are the best and I will tell everyone I know that when it comes to Vacations if they don’t go with Apple Vacations, they are risking their lives!