Tag Archives: Shopping

Panama

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Tina Tiano, Apple Vacations Senior Manager of Sales for the Midwest, visited Panama on a recent trip.

To say I was impressed with Panama is an understatement. I think it offers a great deal to the average American traveler and is truly a newly discovered gem. There are several main tourist areas – Panama City and environs (i.e. the Canal), Playa Blanca – the main beach area on the Pacific, and the rainforest both near the city and on the Caribbean as well as north towards Costa Rica (i.e. Boca Del Toro) – Truly something for everyone.

What I loved about Panama -

  • It’s close to the USA. It is a relatively short flight even with a connection and change of planes. Nonstop flights from the east coast are approx. 4 ½ hours.
    • Playa Blanca Beach

    Playa Blanca Beach

  • The main attractions in Panama are close and easy to get to – the canal, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Panama City, are all within a 1-1.5 hour drive or less. You can swim in the Caribbean, drive one hour and swim in the Pacific. This is not just a beach destination, not just an “eco” destination and not just a city destination- it is the combination of all three. It is a great place for those that want to participate in multiple excursions and have multiple vacation experiences. You can go to Panama City to eat, shop, see the canal etc. as well as go to the beach for relaxation and the rainforest for soft adventure all in one vacation.
  • Because the USA controlled the canal area for so long, everything is up to US standards, including the water which is safe to drink straight from the tap just about anywhere you go. Medical facilities are also up to US standards and many Panamanian doctors are US trained. Continue reading →

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Tips

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It is a shoppers right of passage to be in line at the stores at the crack of dawn on Black Friday, the day following the Thanksgiving feast.  Today it still is, but with the force of the Internet as a sales channel, has come the dawn of Cyber Monday.  Both days are meant as a way to jump-start the holiday shopping season.  Many retailers offer exclusive one-day sales at tremendous price savings. These savings usually cannot be found at any other point during the shopping season. Retailers entice you with an advertised price leader, usually at a loss, and they hope you upgrade.

As competition for shoppers becomes fierce, many retailers are opting to “leak” the information. There are many ways to find out about these deals ahead of time on the Internet.  You can go to your favorite retailers website and do a search for the keywords “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” you can check out their Facebook page and Twitter page to see if a deal or promo code has been leaked. You can also Google “Online Coupons” for promo codes from top brands including Apple Vacations.

So this Black Friday, do your research, check your favorite brands’ websites, Facebook and Twitter pages and hit the coupon sites.  If the deals aren’t there today, they surely will be starting Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  I’ve got my finger on the trigger and I am ready to click….are you?