We stayed at the Baglioni Regina in Rome pre cruise and loved it! A great location across the street from the US Embassy. We had a huge bathroom, excellent service and nice amenities. The lobby is marble and fancy and the rooms are very spacious. We walked to the Trevi fountain there are many bars, shops and cafes are all within walking distance. I had booked our hotel for 2 nights even though we were not arriving until 9am on the 28^th. I highly recommend this to have your room ready upon arrival to nap and freshen up after your long flight. Onto the Ship!

I was a little nervous knowing how old the Constellation is and having never sailed with Celebrity and just coming off the STAR the SEAS (that is brand new) I was not sure what to expect. Let me tell you this Ship and Celebrity blew me away. The ship is classy, elegant and spacious and the staff onboard is outstanding!! The buffet, the main dining all incredible service and you are pampered. The ship is easy to navigate. The shows and entertainment and the casino staff all outstanding. The casino is nonsmoking however right outside the casino is an outside smoking area. I feel the Concierge Class and the Oceanview balcony or suite is a must. We were in cabin 8120, very spacious. Priority boarding, upgraded amenities, personalized letterhead and personalized notes. The balcony is large and service is outstanding. They cleaned our cabin twice a day. I loved the spa and it has a great gym with Yoga and Pilates classes. Tuscan Grill the specialty dining was excellent. $55 a person and we dined here twice. Excellent food and service.

We had excellent shore excursions in every port, some were booked through Celebrity and some with one of our Signature preferred suppliers. One of our favorites was a private tour of the Amalfi coast with Project Expeditions. Our guide was the owner of “Carmine’s See Amalfi Coast in Italy”. The owner saw that I was a travel agent and wanted to personally take us around. Once we got off the ship, he was there waiting for us.  Carmine Foggia was very professional and courteous and was excited to show us everything he knew about Italy. He drove us up through the mountains to get to the Amalfi coast vs. through the tunnels like every other tour. Highly recommend a private tour. I learned so much about the area and saw sites that I only have dreamed a out. If you ask for Carmine’s SECRET Tour he will also take you to a farm to table family restaurant. The gardens, wine, experience was fabulous. We picked pears, plums, grapes and ate them. The tomato plants were ripe and ready. This was a tour for me. So neat to see and I learned a lot about Pompei, the mountains, Sorrento, Ravello and Positano.

Another favorite shore excursion was in Kotor, Montenegro where we woke up to an incredible view! This was a pleasant surprise. Who know Montenegro was this beautiful? We again received priority tender tickets since we are in the concierge class. It is a 40-minute tender ride over to Kotor.  I had booked a private tour with Project Expedition. A speedboat tour to Our Lady of the Rocks & a stop in Perast. Our guide was waiting for us. Kotor is breathtaking beautiful. Looks like a scene out of a movie. Set in the Bay of Kotor with mountains all around you. Most churches and buildings are from the 1500’s. There are cats every where and many shops and dining options with very scenic views. Our speed boat tour took us to Our lady of the Rock where we toured the church and to Perast an old historic town. It was very hot this day. We enjoyed Kotor and its stunning views.

We loved Celebrity for their outstanding service, their unique and fun shows and entertainment. Their quality of food and service and amenities were very impressive. Can’t wait to sail with them again!

I have just returned from Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. I had never been on the ICON class so I was thrilled to be a part of the Star’s preview inaugural.

My first suggestion for you is to get the Royal Caribbean App. From check in, to shore excursions and dining. All done via the app. It is nice with a ship this size you can use the app to see daily activities, or what is open for lunch, or even to use for your own daily itinerary. What time was my massage again? What day are we in Coco Cay? All right there at your fingertips.

This ship is amazing. The promenade when you step onboard you feel like you are at a mall!

Whoever invented this new elevator system it is a wow. I have been to a few hotels that have this concept but not one of this magnitude. You want to go to deck 17 you hit the 17 button it will you go to elevator G or A we NEVER had to wait. It was slick.

Our Ocean view Balcony cabin was on Deck 8, #8616 mid ship. Very spacious, lots of plug in areas for electronics and lots of shelves and storage areas. I was impressed with the modern lighting set up. Push one button for dim, one for full. Very modern ship.

A lot of touchless features onboard. Wave your hand to open a door. Wave your hand over the coffee and cream dispensers move hand to stop it.

So many dining options and things to see and do. I feel a ship like this would be ideal for families with kids between the 9-18 age range. The waterpark area and the surf side section would keep the kids busy.

The shows were outstanding. Be sure and make your show reservations in advance. The musical Back to the Future was neat to see and they surprised us that Bob Gale was in the audience whom produced all the original Back to the Future movies. I love the Aqua show but it was not as big or grand as the one on the Wonder? The magician was the best one I had ever seen. Comedian was a hoot.

The Gym and Spa were nice all very NEW. The casino allows smoking supposed to be on the one side but it was rather smokey in there. The casino is very large and offers a lot more games than NCL that I was just on.

I like Central Park, listen to the birds, feels tropical in there. They offer Park Café for nice salads and the famous Royal Caribbean roast beef sandwich. The Trellis Bar and all the plants and flowers. It is quiet and inviting with park benches. It was on same deck as our cabin so this was where I liked to be.

I have to say the ship to me was a little too overwhelming. I like one big pool area where this had several small pool areas. I personally liked the Wonder better and the Harmony and Symphony are still my favorites. I just like the layout of those ships better and the Aqua show under the stars on the Wonder I liked much better.

Royal does a great job with customer service. The amount of happy, dancing, smiling staff onboard was impressive! They have a whole wash your hands station before you enter the buffet and they have dancing singing staff making sure EACH person washes.

Getting off the ship for CocoCay was fast. I am still amazed with this amount of people onboard how smooth everything went.

We used Project Expedition transfer to Rockefeller Center from LGA. New York is very easy to navigate. We felt very safe and saw a lot in a short amount of time. One highlight for me was seeing St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You can pre arrange a tour for $99.00. This is all walking distance to various sites. We shopped at Saks 5th Avenue. Saw the Channel Gardens and took pics around the center. https://www.rockefellercenter.com/events/the-channel-gardens/

We had lunch at Duomo51 https://duomo51.com/ which is on the 7th floor within the Doubletree by Hilton.  Highly recommend - food and service was AMAZING!! It was raining and cold but we still were able to see the Midtown Manhattan area prior to walking to Pier 88 where the ship was docked. Beside all the historical sites & shows I think anyone looking for a girl’s weekend away NYC would be a great option. Great experience and a lot of people, but at no time did we not feel safe. You just have to have common sense when traveling to the “Big” City. This is a great location for cruise passengers to get them in the middle of the excitement for a short stay before the cruise. The Taxi ride to the pier was a flat rate of 25.00.

Onto the ship! Having never been NCL I was looking forward to seeing what the new Aqua had to offer. Cabins are very spacious, space under the bed for suitcases, plenty of drawers and closet space, big bathroom sink, spacious shower, very comfortable beds and bedding. Lots of dining options, I was impressed with the dishes, stemware, linens & presentation. Some of the plates and cups were so unique. Very neat!

There were lots bars (offered premium liquors too) and many places to sit and relax. The show REVOLUTION was great. The ship offers easy to navigate screens by the elevators to show you were everything is on the ship. They still use the cruise cards. To me the app could use some updating. 

NCL offers some very neat itineraries. I would sail with NCL just knowing I cannot compare it to any other cruise.

I have recently sailed on the Discovery Princess in the Mexican Riviera. The ship sailed from San Pedro and we flew nonstop to LA on Delta. The Princess transfer was organized and we did not have a long wait.

The ship was elegant, very modern in technology and beautifully decorated for the holidays.
We received our medallions in the mail about 10 days prior to sailing. We ordered the watch bands for the medallions and they were comfortable and they were easy to use. This ship has some amazing technology. The medallions get you into your cabin, your picture shows on the screen outside your door and is unlocked when you walk up. When you order a drink or go for dining your medallion will show your face on the screen in front of the waiter, they know who you are. Getting on and off the ship with the medallions is a breeze. The Princess app on your phones with the medallions you can find your shipmates, sign up for the spa, dining, fitness classes, see the ships schedule. Very easy to use.

We purchased the PLUS package. We looked into the Premier package and felt the PLUS was best fit for us. On your app it will even show you how many drinks you have had such as 2/15. I learned and did not realize that bottled water counts as one of your 15 drinks. At the end of each day, I would stock up on bottled water for the cabin using my 15 drinks included in the PLUS.

We only did one of the specialty restaurants which was the Crown Grille. Excellent food and service. The steaks were from 6666 ranch which is featured on Yellowstone. The ship had lots of various wines from around the world and on each menu, it would show you which is included in the PLUS and which is included in the Premier. Very organized.

Our suite was on the Baja deck B407 and was very spacious. 2 televisions with lots of movies, a table and sitting area. Felt the balcony was rather small for this room category. Our room steward was ok. Years past on Princess they were very attentive and friendly. He was just ok.

Our stops:
Cabo - We did not do a tour here. You have to tender in and get a tender ticket before getting off the ship. This stop I felt just did not go as smoothly as the others. The ship was delayed in getting into port. The tenders seemed to take forever and the lines were long. Later in the day we did get off the ship and walked to Solomon Landing. This is a restaurant bar that Kevin suggested which was fun to talk to other people and people watch. I did see a sea lion which was neat.
Mazatlán – What a fun surprise! I loved it here. We did a tour which was very organized that took us my bus to the El Cid Marina. Our guide gave us a history lesson on the way to the hotel and I took notes. Mazatlán is known for tourism and shrimp and the also have the largest Mardi Gras parade in all of Mexico. People come from all over the world to celebrate. We saw lots of expensive homes on the way. Once to the El Cid we were on a mini ski boat tour which was a blast!! Flying fish and pelicans were everywhere. Once our tour was done, they had a very clean spacious nice Mexican Buffet and drinks and we were able to use the hotel facilities and play on the beach until 230pm when our shuttle was back to the bus.

Puerto Vallarta – Thank goodness for warmer weather. We started out in LA in the low 70’s and now down in PVR it is 82. A perfect day for sailing. This was great we walked off the ship and our sailboat was right there. Very organized tour, no bus. I liked this. We spent the day sailing and the boat; the food and drink and staff were outstanding. Very 1st class. I believe this tour was $179 each.

The 2 days at sea on the way back to San Pedro was chilly. We watched movies under the stars. Who doesn’t like watching ELF with thousands of people laughing. It was fun. We watched football on the big screen. We played bingo, went to the very high tech and spacious gym. I won $500 in the casino, I got a massage, we shopped I had to buy another sweater for I was freezing and was wearing my winter coat. The shows were ok and the comedian was hilarious. It was a great week and I learned a lot. It had been 10 years since I sailed on Princess. It was fun to experience.

As one of Central Travel’s Delta Vacations top producers I was awarded a wonderful trip to Iceland and it was amazing!

We stayed at The Hilton Nordic located 15 minutes from the city center. They offer free parking, free Wi-Fi, spa and room service. They have a restaurant and a bar on site. Their buffet breakfast had several choices and was good.

We looked at Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center. It is in a great location in the city, the heart of shopping and the nightlife of Laugavegur Street and the city center. The hotel lobby is very warm and welcoming. We also visited the Reykjavik EDITION. This is currently the only five star hotel in Reykjavik and sits right on the harbor. This was our favorite hotel in Reykjavik due to the location, customer service level, and stylish rooms and common areas. The rooms are modern and spacious with floor to ceiling windows.  They have a lobby bar, restaurant, rooftop bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and spa.  You know it’s an Edition Hotel from the first moment you walk in due to the signature scent.

Our sightseeing included the Golden Circle Classic Tour. There are 3 areas that we experienced the Geyser Geothermal Park, Gullfoss Waterfalls and lava canyon in pingvellir. We stopped at the Pingvellir National Park and it is an old lava canyon and the continents are being pulled apart and you can see the rift in the fields. The Geyser Hot springs was our next spot and that is an amazing sight. It is the largest Geyser hot springs and Iceland’s most Iconic natural wonders. This stop didn’t disappoint, there were smaller hot springs leading to the large original geyser. You are able to totally walk around the Geyser to get a view from all sides of the Geyser.  We then headed on to the Gullfoss Waterfall which is reminded us of Niagara Falls but a smaller scale. Awesome views! We recommend a private tour so you can move at their pace and enjoy the sights along the way.

We participated in the South Coast Classic Tour which was a full day. If you are short on time and a smaller budget, this is a great way to see Iceland’s highlights on the South Coast. The tour drives by Eyjafjallajokull Volcano which is the volcano that shut down European flights in 2010.  It was fun to see it from a distance.  The South Coast tour visits Solheimajokull Glacier, Reynisfjara Balck Sand Beach, the town of Vik, Skogafoss Waterfall and Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.  All of the nature stops were breathtaking.  I think the black sand beach and Seljalandsfoss were my two favorite.  Both were very peaceful and gorgeous.  If the weather had been warmer and I had rain gear on, I would have done the full hike behind Seljalandsfoss.

We also did the Classic Whale Watching tour which is on a good size vessel that has indoor and outdoor viewing areas, plenty of seating inside, overalls you can wear to stay warm, and a cafeteria with drinks and snacks. We saw whales within 10 minutes of being on the water.  It lasted about 2.5 hours.  You will also see birds and dolphins. Excellent experience! 

Recommended Restaurants and Bars:

The Laundromat-for breakfast or lunch

Jorgenson Kitchen & Bar-located in Midgardur by Center Hotels-amazing menu with beef, lamb and seafood.  Lunches are two for one Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 5:00pm

Bastard Brew & Food-great bar food and vibe

Lebowski’s-looks like a bowling alley inside, happy hour, great nibbles

Hús máls og menningar- or The Bookstore. This is a bookstore, café, bar and they have live music-The Bookstore Band, and we happened upon open mic comedy night on Thursday.  What a hoot!  And the band is awesome!

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur-the best place to get an Icelandic hotdog made from beef and lamb.  This hot dog stand has been around since 1937 and there is usually a line, but worth the wait.  And you can buy the hot dogs, mustard, and remoulade at the airport to take home.

Iceland is a ‘must see’ destination for many people and Delta makes it easy with non-stop flights from Detroit. I would be happy to assist you with your next adventure!

This was my first time to interior Alaska and boy did I learn a lot! The #1 thing I learned you must travel on the Connoisseur packages with Princess.  Not only are the meals included but you are looked after by an expert tour director your entire stay. From the time we landed in Fairbanks we were treated like royalty. Princess has these tours so organized and well planned. You never have to stand in line at a hotel to check in. Once you land you are handed a packet with your room key and room # listed, your meal vouchers and tour vouchers and your bag tags and itinerary. Our guide told us what to expect on the bus and we got to our room at the Fairbanks Riverside lodge which is 5 minutes from the airport. Such an easy process.  We were here 1 night and had our set time to have our suitcase outside ready with the proper bag tag to head to Denali Wilderness Lodge the next day. Very organized!!

 The Fairbanks Riverside lodge sits on the Chena River and offers beautiful trails and gardens. You feel like you are deep in the wilderness. Highlight tour here which was on day two was the Sternwheeler cruise down the Chena. Again, so organized and everything runs smoothly. The Sternwheeler tour was educational about the History of Alaska and very entertaining.

Day 2…. from the Sternwheeler to a bus to Denali Wilderness lodge. This lodge by far was my favorite. Be sure you are on a tour that is here at least 2 or 3 nights. It is set up like a little village. Shops, bars and restaurants. Very cute AND be sure to try and ask for the Caribou lodge sections building A or B. These are the brand-new rooms that are very spacious and are set apart from the main lodge. It is a 5-minute walk but worth it.

The next morning was our Tundra tour, bus driver was very knowledgeable and you learned all about the park. After hours of riding in the bus we came across caribou, a couple of moose and the highlight was a grizzly walking down the road. Make sure you are on a Tundra tour and not the Natural History tour. The Tundra tour you are deep into Denali and the Natural History tour is just a taste of Denali. Fun fact about the Princess Lodges on August 25^th they celebrate Christmas so on the 24^th the entire lodges are decorated and they celebrate. This has been a tradition for years.

Your dinner meal voucher can be used at the any of the restaurants onsite. We dined at the King Salmon and had the best crab legs we have ever had! The staff is much like a cruise ship and are from all over the world. Two nights at this lodge was fun and entertaining.  An evening stroll with fire pits and lights and fast-moving Nenana River and mountain back drop make it a beautiful setting

Highlight next was the train down to Talkeetna. We were told the Princess tours get the dome car others do not. Our 4-hour train turned into 6 but this is expected and we didn’t care we got to see Denali!! It was 62 degrees and full sun on our train ride. 30% of guests get to see Denali and only 10% get to see it with no clouds at all. I am one of the 10%. It was truly an amazing site to see and the whole rail staff was excited. They have only seen it a hand full of times. After the train we got to see Talkeetna a cute small town with amazing views of the peak of Denali. This day was our highlight! Another note be sure to bring lots of tip $, bus drivers, tour guides.

 Our last night once we got on the bus from Talkeetna was at the McKinley Wilderness Lodge. This lodge was remote, it felt like camping. Buildings all far apart from one another and more rustic. This room was a lodge feel, dark and honestly felt like I was at camp. There was a moose and her babies in the yard.  They have campfires going and a little cabin that is a bar. The main lodge has the dining and the newest attraction is a tree house they built that offered view of Denali. It was a hike to get up there but worth it.

The next morning the bus either took you to the airport or to the Captain Cook hotel in Anchorage. We went to the airport and grabbed our car rental and drove to the Captain Cook for our final 2-night stay. The Captain Cook is a great location and again Princess is on hand in the lobby very organized. Anchorage is a good spot to explore near by attractions. The hotel offers dining options and is stop for most tours/cruises lots of guests at all hours.

This was a delightful experience and I would be happy to assist you with your next Alaska adventure!

I recently visited Sandals Montego Bay & Secrets St. James in Jamaica. I have a group of 50 headed to Secrets and thought this was a great opportunity. Jamaica now requires an ETA www.enterjamaica.com . Very easy to do. For Sandals travelers please get the Sandals APP. Sandals MO BAY is one of the first resorts to allow dinner reservations in advance at Butch’s steakhouse via the app.

I had not been to Jamaica since 2012 so this was a nice refresher. I like that both properties are very close to the airport. I also like that both resorts do not require wristbands. Sandals is 5 minutes away. Secrets is about 20 minutes away. The airport runway is directly next to Sandals Mo Bay and yes the planes take off and it is very loud yet is entertaining to watch.

At Sandals we had an Oceanfront Butler Suite. The bathrooms are very large, stocked mini fridge and bar in your room and a large balcony with a soaking tub. The beach is OK here. (Secrets Beach is fantastic and tropical blue compared to the beach here) I liked that the resorts had guests of all ages. The staff at Sandals was friendly and the grounds are pretty. Lots of guests from Sandals Royal Caribbean would come over to Sandals Mo Bay for this resort is lively and fun at night. We went to our 1st Silent Disco. The lobby is huge and welcoming and turns into a dance floor at night. Very clean resort. Beach side service on the beach was nice. There are only two very small pool areas unless you have the swim up rooms. Not impressed with the pools here. Our Butler set up our reservations at Butch’s and it was very nice. I personally would give this Sandals a 5 out of 10. The service, the food and drink just need some work. Sandals needs to step up their game - it was nice but Secrets St. James was WOW compared to Sandals. Huge difference. Bathrobes at Sandals nice, but robes at Secrets big and fluffy. Secrets offered high end vodka, Sandals did not. Glassware vs. plastic. Service at Secrets just blew Sandals out of the water.

Upon arrival to Secrets St. James you are greeted by several staff that all learn your names fast. Excellent service here. I highly recommend the Preferred Club. We were in an Ocean view Preferred Suite. Beautiful fresh blue and white colors, a 4 poster beds, large bathroom and balcony. Very fresh and welcoming!! Private check in, preferred lounge and pool area. When staying in the preferred you also get access to Breathless next door that has the fun rooftop bar. Wild Orchid and St. James are side by side and you share the restaurants. Both sit along a beautiful stretch of beach. There are plenty of plush loungers for everyone and huge towels. The staff and service around the pool is great. The preferred club pool is quiet and peaceful with nice pool floats for guests to use. The main pools on the other side offer music, and foam parties, and swim up bars. There is a lot of walking here but all along the beautiful ocean. Jerk chicken carts along the beach, pizza and beef patties at the jerk shack and lots of fun dining options. No reservations are required and you are seated quickly and the wait staff is great. We saw a couple of beautiful beach weddings take place. Nightlife is fun, live band set up along the ocean, piano bar outside. All very tastefully done. A much more intimate setting than that of other resorts. They turned the disco into a football game party room on Sunday. There was a lot of Chiefs and Lions fans and they put out a spread of food and lots of drinks. Was a nice time. Again all tastefully done. I feel this resort is perfect for the group I have coming here. Breathless next door is such a different vibe. A party less tasteful crowd than that of Secrets. Was a great trip! I learned a lot and feel Secrets St. James is a perfect spot for my group to travel to.

As a top producer with Delta Vacations I have recently returned from Grand Cayman – what a great destination!

The Westin Grand Cayman was our host hotel located directly on Seven Mile Beach, just a 5-minute drive of the Strand Shopping Center and Galleria Plaza. Truly a luxury resort with all the amenities one could want. The rooms were quite nice. The fitness center offered daily activities like Beach Yoga, water fitness and more. The Hibiscus Spa offered a variety of spa treatments. Ferdinand’s Restaurant  was excellent and great service. The Lounge bar, Catboat Bar offered a nice open space to enjoy evening cocktails and evening music.

We looked at the Marriott Resort Grand Cayman.  When a hurricane came through they lost their beach. The hotel is undergoing a major renovation that started in July of 2023 and is not schedule to be completed until March of 2024. The hotel right now offers 299 rooms and suites however after the renovation they will be at 301 rooms as they will be adding two family suites. After the renovation, each room will have their own routers in the rooms with fiber option WiFi; this should make the connectivity much better. I would suggest waiting until renovations are done before staying here.

We also did a site visit at the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman offers luxurious rooms and bath amenities in a resort that spans 144 acres of natural landscapes on renowned Seven Mile Beach. An unmatched collection of resort amenities and experiences await, including four signature restaurants and the Caribbean's only AAA Five Diamond dining experience, Blue by Eric Ripert. Other highlights include: The Ritz Carlton Spa; a Greg Norman-designed golf course; 3 clay and 2 grass tennis courts that are lit for night play; eco-adventures and family activities with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment; plus Starfish Cay, an interactive water attraction for families.  The Cayman Cookout https://www.caymancookout.com/ is a famous food event on the island that the Ritz hosts. This is their 15^th Anniversary of the event and it is held in January. Very popular.

The Kimpton Seafire is the only 5-Star hotel in the Kimpton Brand and it shows.  The hotel is very stylish, with a modern yet retro flair.  It is located directly on Seven Mile and has a very wide stretch of beach (we learned the owner brought in additional sand).  The grounds are beautiful with lots of trees, flowering shrubs and lots of grass areas, which was different for the other properties we saw.

If the budget allows, this is the perfect resort for families.  There are many rooms categories that can be combined (connecting can be confirmed prior to arrival) as well as many suites.  We all loved the Two Bedroom Family Suite Oceanview that has bunk beds as well as a sofa sleeper underneath.  It is perfect for large or multigenerational families.  The rooms are chic and very clean.  I loved the black and white motif with a pop of pink.  The resort is very eco-friendly and is trying to remove single use plastic items.  All rooms with have a water pitcher and bottle refill stations are found throughout the property.  Most rooms have some sort of a small kitchen as well. The Kimpton has a wonderful complimentary waterpark for children with cabanas that are available for rent.  Camp Seafire is an additional cost and we were told it is quite popular.

Activities:

Cayman Turtle Centre-Tourist Attraction that breeds and researches The Green Sea Turtle.  You can view and swim with the turtles.  We took a guided tour and then we were left to tour the rest of the facilities on our own.  There is also a bird sanctuary, Smiley the crocodile, shark reef, and butterfly house along with a fresh water pool and water slide. This would be a great place for cruisers to spend a half day or day on the Island.

Pure Art Gallery & Gifts-KY1-1105Way, Grand Cayman Grand Cayman, 5 Denham Thompson Way, George Town KY1-1109, Cayman Island
Pure Art Gallery & Gifts charming Cayman cottage has exhibited and sold local Fine Art, prints, jewelry, souvenirs and collectibles for over thirty years. Located just a mile south of George Town on South Church Street, this treasure trove of island gifts and art is sure to delight. Gift Certificates, Corporate or Wedding, home, Anniversary, kids corner, Birthday, relocating or gifts for yourself abound at Pure Art. Our Cayman Christmas Corner is year-round! This is a great place to have your clients go for gifts. If they want local coffee, salts, hot sauces, Ronnie from Cayman Islands Tourist Board recommends going to the local grocery stores.

My Bar & Seaharvest Restaurant- 390 South Church St Grand Cayman KY KY1-1106, S Church St, George Town, Cayman Islands
This is a great local bar at The Sunset House which is a hotel for divers by divers.  We sat at the semi-outdoor bar and tasted a Caybrew (Cayman Beer) and had some bites.  Great local vibe if you want to stay away from the more touristy bars and restaurants.

Ms. Piper’s Kitchen + Garden-22 Piper Way, KY1-1201, Cayman Islands
This is a MUST stop!  Located at Hampton Inn and set in the backyard within the heart of 7MB, Ms. Piper’s cottage is a collection of keepsakes of her travels, inspiring our dishes, cocktails, décor, music and thoughtful details. Her kitchen is a testament of a journey greatly lived. An imprint of the cultural and spiritual life she has pursued and enjoyed. A celebration of graceful aging; that is abundant and eternal. We are creating a meaningful space with a nod to the free spirits, the stylish vagabonds, the young at heart and effortless feminine energy. Ms. Piper exists in our dreams. She is a figment of our imagination, yet lives in all of us, whispering: “LIVE A LITTLE.”  Make sure you stop by for lunch or dinner and try the Cassava Cheese Bread. Wednesday nights they have local bands play.

50th State for my 50th Birthday! Delta Vacations & Delta One nonstop Detroit to Honolulu 9.5 hours then onto the Beautiful Island of Kauai. You can smell the Plumeria trees when you exit the airport and you quickly know why it is called the Garden Island. A 30-minute drive to the south side of the island to the Grand Hyatt. A very large resort with spectacular ocean views. You can hear the waves crashing from your ocean view balcony. Very spacious rooms and large lobby area that had live music each evening. There is a lot of walking here. Easily a 10-to-15-minute walk from our room to the pool. The pool area is big and fun and welcoming. This is a 5-star resort with lots of tropical paths and waterfalls. The restaurant Tidepools is located on property and you must make reservations way in advance. It overlooks a fish pond and you can see the lawn Luau in the distance. A nice perk for being Signature members is your clients receive a daily buffet breakfast for two. $100 a day perk and a very nice buffet with garden views. You also get a free appetizer at the Sea Terrace restaurant and an upgrade if available. Be sure to register your bookings. We loved watching the surfers on the beach and this does have a swimmable beach unlike many other resorts on Kauai. Also, a huge spa and fitness center and meeting place. The Kauai Marathon was hosted here on Sunday during our stay. Many roads were closed. There is not a lot of dining options at this resort.

We attend St. Raphael church for Saturday mass and this is the oldest Catholic church in Hawaii. Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. It was a beautiful service with lots of prayers for Maui. A short drive from the Hyatt is Spouting Horn, beautiful view of waves crashing in. One highlight of the trip was seeing the Napali Coast with Captain Andy’s. www.napali.com To me Captain Andy’s has the best catamarans on the island. They are very organized, very professional staff, and well educated. Our captain was a young woman who cared about each of us on board. It runs $225 per person for a 5-hour tour. The BBQ lunch was fabulous, huge hand pressed burgers with all the fixings, & nice grilled chicken. Very upscale vs. some other tours I have been on. The Napali coast has breathtaking views of mountains and waterfalls. 

I also looked at some other hotels. We drove 90 minutes up the north shore and stopped at Wailua Falls along the way. Winding roads but worth the stop. Fantasy island and many other shows and movies are filmed here. If you want to go to Haena State Park you MUST make reservations way in advance, www.gohaena.com. Lots of winding roads and many one lane bridges. For the drive up here, you must have patience. Lots of tedious roads. There are many scenic views along the way. In 2007 I stayed at the St. Regis Princeville which is no longer… it is now 1Hotel Hanalei Bay. They wanted to charge us $45 to valet but if we went in for lunch and spent $100 they would wave that. So that we did! This hotel is wow. It went under a $300 Million renovation and just reopened. It would take a special person to stay here. It is unique. Lots of natural woods, loose sand lines the halls, it has a luxury urban feel. Upscale, classy, and excellent service. We were escorted to the elevators. This is all about health and wellness and nature. The offer a variety of iv’s at the special spa they have. The view of the bay and mountains is amazing and it is on a swimmable beach. The rich and famous stay here. It is truly something to see. We enjoyed our lunch and drinks and took lots of pictures and headed back down to the south side. We also stopped at the Westin Princeville which was under lots of construction. Golfers would love it up here!!

We then stopped at the Marriott on Poipu, the vacation club which has the best little beach bar right on the ocean. Tiki torches and amazing sunset view! If only the Koloa Landing and Grand Hyatt had this sunset view, it was just amazing. The next night we walked the 10 minutes down to the Sheraton Kauai and the beachfront Luau was underway, it is just a perfect setting. The Sheraton Luau sure beats the one at the Hyatt. The pool, the swimmable beach next to it, the dining, the rocking chairs on the lawn and the SUNSET is amazing here. No wonder the Sheraton Kauai is still such a hot seller for us. The Sheraton is very accessible and if staying here you will 100% want oceanfront, that view is wow. Also, the best star gazing on the island. Who knew!? We sat in the rocking chairs at the Sheraton and saw the milky way, stars were so bright. Very romantic setting. Great vibe here, people are very friendly. The restaurant, Lava on the rocks, has a nice setting for food and drink and the Sheraton restaurant Rum Fire is also nice.

We took the drive to Waimea the next day. One hour 15 minutes to the top! Great views, just go early to avoid the buses and if you get car sick, be prepared. Lots of twists and turns and very high altitude. $5 a person to get in to Waimea State Park, $10 to park, but is good for all 3 stops up to the top. It is worth every bit of the adventure. Beautiful views of the North Pacific and canyons. Waterfalls and lots of hiking up here. The rest of the day we enjoyed the pool at the Koloa. Dinner was at the Beach House that night. Again, make reservations in advance, www.the-beach-house.com , the lawn here had tons of people sitting to watch the sunset. Having made reservations 6 months ago we sat at a perfect table with an amazing sunset view. Mahi Mahi macadamia crusted and a beet salad with Mai Tais. Be sure to enjoy a Lava Flow drink during your stay too. It is the best!

The last days we enjoyed a plantation tour and went to the Koloa Rum Factory. Be sure to make reservations in advance for the tastings and the Rum Safari tour. This is a great reason to book with a travel consultant! You need to plan in advance to enjoy so many attractions. Brennecke’s Beach Broiler is another fun place to dine along the beach. Again, we made reservations in advance. www.brenneckes.com . Kalapaki Joes is also on Poipu and it is a great spot to hang with the locals, listen to live music, and relax. Just 3 minutes from the Koloa Landing. The last night we went to Ko’a Kea a beachfront resort next to the Sheraton. This resort is known for its fine dining restaurant called Red Salt. It was the best meal we had the whole trip. It was wow. We split a filet and lobster tail and had a homemade ricotta cheese dip with fresh honeycomb. Again, make reservations!! www.koakea.com The sunset, the ambiance is like being in a movie. We hung out at the fire pits after dinner on the lawn and watched the stars. Kauai is not known for night life, it is known for its beauty, the tropical gardens, waterfalls, & natural landscapes, & adventure! Take surf lessons, kayak, hike, take a horseback ride. I loved that many places on the island had MAUI Strong logo where the proceeds from something you buy or drink goes to Lahaina. We had the best time! I loved the mountains, the smell of plumeria, the many flowering trees and crashing ocean waves and oh have I mentioned the sunsets??

I have just returned from a lovely week in Turks & Caicos!

We stayed three nights at the new Ritz. It sits on Grace Bay and is the tallest building on the island. The resort has a clean and more contemporary feel, a large lobby and two pool areas. The rooms are spacious and customer service was excellence. The Ritz offers sushi in the lobby, Casa Nonna, an Italian restaurant and BLT, a steakhouse – excellent food all around. They have a small casino and small but nice gym.

Next door to the Ritz is Seven Stars and I would give this resort a ten! Classy and elegant – the pool area had lush cushions and teakwood chairs. Their restaurant SEVEN is very popular. In my opinion if you want to splurge pick this resort over the Ritz.

We spent the rest of the week at The Sands at Grace Bay which has an amazing beach, tropical walkways and an inviting, cozy atmosphere. Our one-bedroom Oceanview suite was complete with a full kitchen, washer and dryer and a large living area with balcony. Very spacious and beautiful.  The SANDS has dining privileges at the Palms and the Shore Club on Long Bay. Complimentary shuttles are provided. We enjoyed the sunsets and dining at Hemingway’s at the Sands. 

The Shore Club was beautiful with excellent restaurants but it is on Long Bay which is a shallow beach and does not offer the tropical blue water that Grace Bay is famous for. I would pick the Sands over the Shore Club for this reason,

We booked a ½ day snorkel tour with Dreams Caicos - $112 per person and worth every penny. Excellent guide, beautiful reef and lunch included. Coco Bistro is a fabulous popular restaurant on the island – reservations require 4-5 month’s notice. The food was amazing and the ambiance stellar.

The Sands provides bikes and we enjoyed riding around town, playing tennis, walking the beach and taking in the island’s beauty. To me, Turks is an upscale romantic tropical getaway – can’t wait to go back!

This was a special December, 2022Travel Industry event on the Wonder of the Seas. This ship is WOW. Very Lively, and welcoming in the Promenade area. Everything is high tech; besides your baggage tag and passport everything is done via their RCCL App on your phone. Check in was a breeze, lots of staff everywhere to guide you where you need to be. We had sailed on the Harmony so this ship is very similar.

Central Park and the Boardwalk are my favorite areas. This ship offers a new restaurant the Mason Jar which is downhome, sit on a back porch feel with southern cooking. Was very fun! Our cabin was on Deck 12 Oceanview Balcony starboard. I like the rounded end beds, spacious sitting area, lots of closet space and decent sized bathroom. We never waited for an elevator. I realize the ship was only ½ full but I was amazed nothing felt too busy. So many dining options, great music & entertainment. For this event everything was included, even Starbucks. The Aqua show is an all-female team and was the highlight in the entertainment onboard.

I have to say everyone was envious that I was a Signature agency. I ran into Marianne Hessler a few times and she too bragged I worked for a Signature agency. I kinda felt like a big deal.

Coco Cay was fun, lots to see and do. Amazing to me that they can pack so much into one island. Even a hot air balloon ride. We were docked next to the Anthem which I had never seen before so was nice to see that ship too.

The Casino was a blast…. Blackjack! The dealers were very fun. I made $$ on this trip just saying….

Getting off the ship was a breeze, parking across the street. This was a short and sweet trip and nice to see Port Canaveral and Coco Cay for I had never been and the ship of course was amazing to see.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Pueblo Bonito’s Montecristo Estates! We stayed in Villa 128 which was close to the Market Place. A 3-bedroom with our own private pool, hot tub and fully furnished kitchen was perfect for a multi-gen family vacation. Certainly an upscale, relaxing and welcoming resort!

All amenities are included with daily maid service. The staff was very attentive. Our private butler would set up our dinner reservations, any tee times or tours for us. We purchased the premium all-inclusive plan. Room service was included and we loved our breakfast in the villa each morning. The grounds are well maintained and beautiful with flowering trees and even a cactus garden that we would walk to every day.

Lots of dining options within the Pueblo Bonito complex; a gym, a few spas and many pools are available to you. It is very safe here, no one is trying to sell you merchandise. We attended mass on property on Sunday it was at 10:30am and was in English.

My # 1 suggestion for clients traveling during the new Covid rules and regulations and during the Holidays is to have patience. Many are new to traveling with all the new rules and protocols and everyone needs to have patience. Lines went very quickly in Detroit and in Cabo with staff to help navigate you through the process. I recommend the upgraded premium private shuttle to the resort and back it was $250.00 for four of us. We had set up the shuttle, Covid testing & all-inclusive plan prior to arrival.

We are returning to the Montecristo the end of February. Life is good!

Belmond La Samanna St MartinLa Samanna sits on the best stretch of beach in St. Martin and is absolute luxury to me. The views are stunning with lots of tropical blues. They offer Cabanas along the beach and lots of sand make is a very beautiful setting. The cliffside lobby view is the focal point of the entire resort. The view is stunning and what a great first impression!

This luxury resort offers rooms with a verandah, suites and villas (the 4-bedroom villa was freshly remodeled and upscale in every way). The décor is done to match the views, so lots of white, blues and coral. Very modern bathrooms, fresh and tropical décor. Very inviting. There is some walking at this resort as it is spread out along the beachside. It is an intimate setting with lots of gardens they take great pride in. The smell of lemongrass is always in the air.

There are two bars, two small pools which both offer beverage service and two fabulous restaurants. The food/cuisine & presentation is very special. The infinity pool is the highlight with the views. I describe La Samanna as a hidden gem. Coming down the drive you would never imagine such a gorgeous property lies ahead.

Private transfers are offered from the airport. There is cute boutique, a great spa and pool side you get to try all of their lotions sold in the spa which is a nice perk. The gym is up to date and yoga classes are offered up on a terrace with stunning views. Three tennis courts are also on site.

The resort has done a great job adjusting to new COVID procedures in welcoming guests. Onsite testing is available at an additional cost. Their website refers to thsi resort as 'beachside bliss' - I could not agree more!

This was my first adventure since the onslaught of COVID and I enjoyed every minute!

In my opinion Cabo never disappoints. The resorts are extremely clean and every safety precaution was taken. You enter a sanitation booth every time you enter your resort. Temperature checks and the Antigen testing on property was very organized - we had our Covid test time, date booked and emailed to us prior to our return travel.

We stayed at the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica and it was wonderful. This upscale adults only resort provided excellent customer service, outstanding food/cuisine with fresh ingredients. February is peak season for whale watching and we saw 40 – 50 whales daily. The Pacifica was very relaxed and laid back but we had access to all the Pueblo Bonito properties and could go elsewhere for more activity.

I toured all six of the Pueblo Bonito properties and really enjoyed the Pueblo Bonito Sunset. The Market Place is open and fresh, we watched the Super bowl outside in their courtyard. The Sky Pool has a great view, there are several pools, lots of dining options. Fun resort built into a cliff. Gorgeous lobby, several bar and restaurant choices. The atmosphere is inviting. I would love to stay here next time and would recommend this for all clients.  The Golf Course is amazing and the steakhouse at Quivara is outstanding. I also toured the Montecristo Estates and the Nuevospania homes. All I can say is “WOW” - over the top modern accommodations.

I would highly recommend Cabo San Lucas and can assist you with finding the right resort for you!

The Maldives is in the Indian Ocean and there are several different routes to get there. We chose Emirates from Newark to Dubai to Male. We flew Business Class and the 13 hour flight from Newark was great. It is a four hour flight from Dubai to Male, and then we took a floatplane to Lily Beach resort and transferred by a yacht over to the dock at the resort. It is the most beautiful place I have seen in my lifetime. It is exotic, enchanting, mysterious and offers culture, adventure and you will leave there with an experience unlike anything you will find in the World. It is untouched beauty. Unforgettable experience.

We stayed three nights at Lily Beach Resort they are a full all-inclusive resort started in 2009. Leave your shoes and heels at home, the sand floor lobby and many dining areas are sand, everyone wears flip flops or barefoot. Very laid back, no fancy clothes, guys leave your shirts untucked; ladies forget the makeup and curlers it is care free atmosphere. Absolutely everything is shipped in – everything. A beer would be $15 and cheapest wine $58 a bottle. So all-inclusive is the way to go. You can walk or take a golf cart around the resort. It is hard to put into words, but the personal attention to detail, and service is impeccable. This is not a Caribbean All Inclusive experience, this is quiet, remote, quaint, exotic mysterious experience. Lily Beach would be great for singles, families, couples and anyone who wants a relaxed, exotic atmosphere. It is an unforgettable, life lasting memory kind of a trip.

After three nights at Lily we took a boat, then a float plane to a smaller airport then took two flights on Trans Maldivian Air up to the Hideaway Resort which is Lily Beach’s sister property. I suggest though only one resort for 7+ days. After our final flight to the northern island we were greeted and whisked away on a yacht owned by the resorts owners, then greeted at the pier with the staff waving American flags. The Hideaway is truly a Hideaway, this is more spread out and you would never know anyone is staying here. It is a resort for those you want away from it all to unwind and take in the beauty of being in middle of nowhere. We were in an overwater ocean view villa that was 2450 Sq. feet. It is a long way from the dining/lobby so a “buggy” would pick you up and take you where you want to be or they offer bicycles.

I liked the personal attention and service at the Lily better than the Hideaway, but I like the get away from it all and lay out of the Hideaway better. The Lily would be for those who want to be pampered more and like a more resort nightlife setting. The Hideaway is more for the leave me alone, I like to relax and unwind.

The flight is certainly worth the experience, flying through Dubai was a breeze. The view of the islands from the air was spectacular, you get a sense of excitement and wow before you even step foot on the islands. I am happy I saw Tahiti and Hawaii prior to the Maldives, there just isn’t any comparison. Tahiti and Hawaii have mountains and their own cultures just the Maldives are exotic and the Indian Ocean is peaceful not rough and offers sunsets and sunrises like nothing in the world. Swimming in the Indian Ocean was unforgettable. The absolute smoothest white sand, this trip was like a dream.

My experience in Turks & Caicos was amazing with Delta Vacations! We visited Wymara Resort and Villas,The Sands at Grace Bay, The Shore Club and The Palms.

The Palms has a British Colonial Look and feel with lots of bright white and glass. The grounds are gorgeous! Love the bikes available to use to go to the store, etc. Everything was very pristine clean. The pool area is very inviting. There is a Boardwalk area if you want a quieter/adult only area. The Garden is a beautiful area where the breakfast buffet is included for everyone during your stay. The garden area will also offer private dining if you want to arrange. The courtyard area is lit up at night with lanterns and the latitudes bar is very inviting and fun for evenings.

They have easy beach access, very close to the resort and they offer beach service!!
They offer a kids club complimentary. It is called “Conch Kritters” they have lots of activities for the kids even Lizard hunting! Has a very nice work out facility with plenty of space. It was stated that during the Holidays there are many families and LOTS of kids.

Onto the SPA!!!
Colonial look – very luxurious & inviting spa. They have 8 private separated treatment rooms/buildings with a decorated water/pool design in the center with lots of lanterns and greenery. Again the grounds here are gorgeous! They also offer wedding and party receptions around this area in the evenings. They offer Pilates & Yoga in the louvered type club house centered in the middle of the treatment rooms. We had lunch here and they offer this to guests as well. Mango soup, champagne, light lunch with tuna, salad and fruit. I had a Citrus Facial that was refreshing and amazing.

It is fun traveling to Hawaii as a tourist – especially with Delta Vacations! We flew Delta One on the 1st NEW nonstop Detroit to Honolulu. Delta rolled out the red carpet in Detroit for the departure and did the same in Honolulu for our arrival complete with Palm Trees, grass skirts, music, pineapple, chocolates, gifts, and of course Lei’s!!  Delta One is the way to go! Laydown seats complete with massage buttons, all the 1st class amenities you can think of. Movies, a nap, and prosecco and a meal and you are there!

We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the Grand Waikikian Tower part of the Hilton Grand Vacation club. Upon arrival more lei’s and fast easy check in. This is a very large property, lots of walking, offers 5 pools, a large lagoon for paddle
boarding, many restaurants and stores, 2 Starbucks, a large state of the art work out facility and fabulous views. The Friday night fireworks are spectacular!! Best I have ever seen. They offer the roof top Starlight Luau which is nice for it is right there at the resort. The resort is very clean, family friendly, safe, welcoming and offer nice coconut & papaya bathroom amenities.

A jeep rental for the day to Hanauma Bay is well worth the experience. It was extremely busy but the views were amazing. We drove the coast stop at several sites. It is easy and fun to explore Oahu. We also enjoyed a HAWAII 5-0 tour, what a fun way to tour Oahu and see all the filming sites, we were able to dine with the locals and basically “Star – chase” the cast.

We also did the Delta Vacations Arizona/Missouri tour. This was my 9th trip to Hawaii and I have never been to Pearl Harbor. I am so happy I did! Highly recommend, they were organized, all on time, well taken care of. I was very impressed with the tour. It is an all-day adventure and even though you cannot get out on to the Arizona you still get out into the Harbor and the whole experience is very moving.

I have a new favorite cruise line…Silversea!

My cruise onboard the Silver Spirit from Ft. Lauderdale to St. Martin was amazing. Silversea is ultra-inclusive luxury with a relaxed feel. An intimate ship that never feels crowded the Silver Spirit is the perfect size vessel for all the amenities one could ask for. Our sailing was completely booked (only 608 passengers) and there were never lines for anything.

Every suite is ocean view, has a butler, a walk in closet, full bath with marble and hardwood all contemporary design. Gratuities & Wi-Fi are included in every sailing, Silversea just includes more. Having sailed with several cruise lines, I can honestly say Silversea is a step above and worth every penny.

What blew me away was the quality of the food, drink and service. Champagne and wine free flowing every meal, all very high end. They pride themselves in the freshest produce and ingredients. I couldn’t agree more. There are 8 dining options and your butler will gladly arrange your dining. The ambiance is amazing. They will even arrange for a table for two on the back of the ship with candle light and fine china.

We spent the last night at the Belmond La Samanna in St. Martin. The Belmond view at the lobby is absolutely stunning. This property is paradise! The staff and dining is fabulous and the views and beach are spectacular. The Villas are all white and fresh with Caribbean flare. I loved this property & highly recommend Silversea, a perfect combination.

Paris is a lovely city to visit and I enjoyed every minute!  My favorite hotel was Sofitel’s Hotel Scribe Paris – definitely luxury all the way!  This lavish hotel is rich in history and in the Opera district heart of the city and within easy walking distance to many attractions.  Just steps away from designer boutiques, shops and department stores. In April 2019 a “Parisian upgrade” will be completed and its 50 Million dollar renovation and will offer 201 rooms.  The new rooms are fresh and resemble a “real Parisian apartment” modern perfect with classical bathrooms and rooms have a Coco Chanel design. The two story apartments are very inviting and great for families. The suites on the 5th and 6th floor are very large and spacious, connecting rooms are also available.

The look of the hotel is of a “classical time”, you really feel like a Parisian when you stay at the Hotel Scribe. The new lobby will be very inviting and the 1T Rue Scribe will offer a Gourmet Tea room with sparkling chandeliers, Laurent-Perrier champagne and homemade ganache au chocolat. L’Obscur is their cocktail lounge offering crystal flutes, glimmering lights, a very sleek and sophisticated atmosphere for pre-dinner drinks, and creative cocktails. Le Lumiere – Chef Sebastien Crison offers a contemporary French cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner.  Carita products are offered in the Keiro Spa that offers all state of the art French cosmetology.

General thoughts on Paris:
Our tour by Walks (which is Signature Travel Network preferred supplier) of Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle (stain glass is a must see) and the Concierge was excellent.  Violet, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable, personable and funny.  We all learned so much on the tour and would recommend it to anyone.  Walking tours are great way to see the sights and plan ahead!  Max on this tour is 15 and have headsets to hear the guide.

The metro is easy to use for major tourist sights, but difficult to use for smaller areas.  Uber was relatively inexpensive and much easier to get around.  A private transfer to Charles de Gaulle is the ONLY way to go.  The traffic was crazy and our driver was great.  Allow every bit of 3 hours with security tight and it does take time to get through it all.

Stop and enjoy a pastry and coffee.  Taste Paris and take in sights that are like no other! 

This is the only way to visit Tahiti!  We loved the staff onboard, our cabin, dining experience and activities were wonderful.

With only 332 guests onboard, this country club casual small ship sailing was excellent.  Designed specifically to sail French Polynesia’s lagoons, the renowned m/s Paul Gauguin is the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury ship in the South Pacific. No other luxury vessel in history has offered this level of single-destination focus and expertise on a year-round basis for such an extended period of time.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is known for exceptional service that is distinguished by Polynesian hospitality and by one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios at sea. Our cabin was a suite on deck 8 providing full butler service and spacious oceanview accommodations with a balcony.  The ship offers gourmet dining inspired by one of the top chefs in Paris, a lavish spa with signature treatments, expansive deck space and pool, a fitness center, a boutique, and a lounge with live entertainment. The Gauguin also offers a watersports marina for kayaking, paddleboarding, and PADI SCUBA diving programs.  We thoroughly enjoyed the private beach retreats off the coast of Taha’a (Motu Mahana) and in Bora Bora.

I recommend Paul Gauguin and the French Polynesia for those seeking culture, adventure and taste.  Be sure to bring an underwater camera, a floaty to relax on, reef shoes are a must and binoculars.

I have just returned from the new Sandals Barbados. Sandals Barbados (formerly Couples Barbados) is fresh from a multi-million dollar renovation that was part of its recent rebranding.  The 10-acre, all-inclusive resort reopened with new restaurants, public area decor, and a total overhaul of its guest rooms in early 2015 to great expectations and fanfare.

This 280 room all-inclusive does not require wristbands and is definitely one of the island’s gems! The staff was very attentive and provided a warm hospitality to all.  The grounds were impeccable and truly delightful to stroll and walk the pristine white/pink sand beach. 

We were upgraded to a one-bedroom suite with a soaking tub that included butler service.  It was very spacious and the butler was a nice touch taking care of every whim.  The junior suite oceanfront rooms are close to the beach and activities. Great location for these rooms and they are significantly smaller, yet intimate. You just can’t beat the view!

All rooms come with complimentary minibars, and butler rooms carry premium drinks. The decor was lovely and the king or queen-sized, four-poster beds are coated in thick duvets facing armoires with flat-screen cable TVs. Neutral tones in handmade rugs and draperies mark most of the accommodations, and all have furnished balconies and sitting areas with sofas and coffee tables. Free wireless high-speed Internet access, phones with voice mail and safes come standard.

I have been to several Caribbean islands – Barbados is definitely one of my favorites!

Classic Vacations & Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas Greek Isles Cruise

Loved Italy & Greece!  I booked our pre and post night in Rome and transfers via Classic Vacations. We stayed at the Hotel Bernini Bristol.  The Hotel was very welcoming a boutique property with stunning views from its rooftop restaurant.  The Trevi fountain is a short walk from the Bernini and the cafes and shops that line the street along the hotel were welcoming and fun.

The Rhapsody of the Seas sailed roundtrip from Rome visiting Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, and Katakolon. Our accommodations were in a Grand Suite and the WOW sale and end of year buy one get one made it very affordable. The cabin was huge and nicely appointed.

I loved the ports of call but Santorini was amazing.  No other Greek island is more famous for its romantic setting, mythic beauty, and volcanic scenery. Santorini enchants with a deep blue bay, high cliffs, black and red sand beaches, and white-washed towns perched on the crater rim. This stop should be on everyone’s bucket list.  And please do both pre and post stays in Rome you’ll love the memories!

Princess Cay, BahamasIn 2014 I sailed the Western Caribbean on the Ruby Princess in a Mini Suite.  Our itinerary included Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cay.  This was our seventh family cruise with Princess.  We love the Mini Suites! We get four in a row and can open the balcony doors so very nice for morning coffee time with family. We were on the aft of the ship and were very nice. 

The pool area was fun and the gym had all upgraded equipment.  I was impressed they had a 5K “On Deck for the Cure” breast cancer walk which my sister, daughter and I signed up for. 

Last day was Princess Cay always a favorite of mine. Great beach day and service was great and the meal on the island was tasty. Plenty of water activities. Banana Boat ride was great for the kids and we felt safe sending them with the Princess staff on the water sports. By far my favorite day on board! 

The Baths in Virgin GordaVisiting the British Virgin Islands I can see why they are called “Nature’s Little Secrets.”  The Boating capital of the world, with natural beauty, stunning views, and all the islands were very welcoming with friendly people, top-notch service, and amazing resorts.

Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Peter Island, Guana Island & Scrub Island were true treasures. If you are looking to get away from it all, no televisions, fine dining, and feeling you have found paradise visit the non-touristy area of the British Virgin Islands. The Bath’s in Virgin Gorda was a piece of paradise I will never forget.

Peter Island Resort & Spa is one of our preferred resorts in the BVI.  It lies amidst a plethora of exotic Caribbean escapes in the heart of the British Virgin Islands. This exclusive isle is steeped in intriguing pirate lore and unspoiled landscapes: Breathtaking deep blue seas meet five beaches of pearl-white sand while lush palm groves and verdant tropical mountains rise beyond the shore. The resort offers bespoke amenities with a guest-to-staff ratio of 2-to-1 and no-fly zones for celebrity vacationers and Fortune 500 “listers” alike.