Posts Tagged family vacations
TravelDesigned Tweeting Live from Dreams Resorts Huatulco
Posted by TravelDesigned in Mexico, TravelDesigned, Uncategorized on June 24th, 2010
#TD@DreamsResorts is the hashtag to follow on twitter July 23-30, I will be tweeting live from Huatulco
Huatulco (wha tool co) is a resort development set on 9 bays and 36 sandy beaches. It is on the Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Oaxaca. The climate is perfect for beach vacations year round with an average temperature of 82 degrees. The Bahias de Huatulco (Bays of Huatulco) are framed by the Sierra Madre Sur mountain range. The majority of the visitors are Mexican nationals because of the limited international flights available. During the winter months Canadian and American charter vacation flights are available. The resorts of Tangolunda Bay, where Dreams Huatulco Resort and Spa is located, are about 20 minutes from the small international airport (HUX). Prior to development in the mid 80's, the area was a fishing village surrounded by coffee plantations. There are 3 small towns in the area to visit: La Crucecita, Santa Cruz (the main marina-where smaller cruise ships dock May- Oct ) Santa Maria de Huatulco. It is easy to visit these communities by taxi for a few dollars, car rentals are also available. With taxis so reasonable in this area, we will stick with them this time. Oaxaca is about 175 miles NW drive inland and Acapulco is approximately 300 miles south.
We are thrilled to be guests of the newly remodeled Dreams Huatulco Resort and Spa this week. It is a dream come true for us to take our two oldest grandchildren to Mexico for an all inclusive beach vacation! The Explorer's Club for kids will certainly be a big hit with Jack and Ella. They are looking forward to swimming, sailing on Hobie Cats, kayaking, camping on the beach and the Euro Bungee! Terry is anxious to show off his award winning ping pong skills -he was the 7th grade champ,(mind you, that was over 50 years ago). Keeping up with all of these activities, I know I will DEFINITELY NEED some time in the the Dreams Spa by Pevonia.
We know the children will certainly find their favorites at the World Cafe Buffet and the Seaside Grill. We can't wait to take them to Himitsu, the Asian inspired restaurant. My grandson is a huge fan of noodles and sticky rice. The night the kids are camping on the beach with the Explorer's Club, Terry and I will most likely dine at Portofino, the adult only Italian restaurant. Though, I think it would be not only fun but romantic to dine privately on the beach! I am certain Terry will TRY to eat ALL the freshly caught seafood at the Oceana Restaurant. And what would a vacation to Mexico be without tequila tastings and dining at El Patio for Mexican cuisine?! Terry is hoping they will have Mezcal tastings as Mezcal is distilled in this area. He is quite fond of Mezcal, I will stick to my friend, Tequila. 
I havent planned the whole week yet, but I think we may go snorkeling at La Entrega, a shallow snorkeling beach recommended to us by my clients. I know we will go to La Crucectia to see the zocalo (the town square), markets, bakery and shops. I want the children to get a taste of the Mexican culture and life. We hope to go horseback riding but it will depend on the trail conditions and weather. We definitely will be going on a boat tour of the bays. Now I am wondering, will a week be enough?
I hope you will follow our family adventures on the feed below or on by search #TD@DreamsResorts on twitter. I also hope be posting photos on facebook on the Dreams Huatulco fan page daily too.
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Yucatan Family Adventure
Posted by TravelDesigned in Gap Adventures of the Week, Mexico on May 2nd, 2010
Yucatan Family Adventure
A Discovery Gap Adventure
$1199 Per Adult
$1149 Per Child
Prices subject to change and availability
Day 1 Arrive Cancún
Today we can arrive in Cancún at any time. There are no planned activities until the evening, so we can head out and enjoy the city. In the evening, we will have a welcome meeting to learn more about our trip and get to know the group.
Day 2-3 Mérida (2B,2L)
Today we will head to the capital of the Yucatán, Mérida, where we will explore the city’s museums, plazas, architecture, open markets and outdoor cafés. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant where our guide will walk you through the menu, explaining the local specialties. Following lunch, we will hit the bustling and colorful market on a brief orientation walk through downtown Merida, known as La Ciudad Blanca, the White City. Here we will have the opportunity to learn about Mexico’s fascinating mix of cultural influences. We can buy traditional crafts, such as hammocks or Guyabera shirts and a good selection of Maya replicas. We can also dare to try the authentic food items, such as the El Yucateco, a fiery liquid made from habanero peppers. On day 3 we will enjoy a guided tour of a local Hacienda (plantation), before taking a dip in the crystalline waters of a nearby on-site cenote, or underground sinkhole.
Day 4 Chichen Itza / Tulum (B,L)
En route to Tulum, we will stop for a guided tour of the famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Chichén Itzá houses some of the finest examples of Mayan architecture ever excavated, including El Castillo. The attention to detail and fusion of architecture, science and religion within the structures and throughout the city planning will no doubt impress. After our tour, we will travel to the lazy town of Tulúm on the Caribbean with free time for swimming and exploration.
Day 5 Tulum / Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (B,L)
Today we will travel a short difference south to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, where we will spend the day exploring by boat, on foot and by swimming. The largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean, this UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its unique geography including wetlands and fauna of over 100 mammal species and over 300 birds. Sian Ka'an is Mayan for "where the sky is born" or "gift from the sky". We will have the opportunity to explore this gift on an educational sight-seeing boat tour – learning about the coastal flora and fauna while floating through lagoons and canals. After our afternoon local treat, kick back and relax as we float in our life jackets downstream in a lazy freshwater river.
Day 6-7 Isla Mujeres (2B,1L)
After spending the morning exploring the ruins of Tulúm, we will travel by van and ferry to the nearby island of Isla Mujeres – Spanish for 'Island of Women'. Long and narrow, this small island offers much to explore with a nice selection of restaurants, shops and some of the best beaches in the area. On day 7, we will continue to explore the island starting with the Tortugranja Turtle Farm – a sea turtle sanctuary. After visiting the turtles, we will visit the lighthouse and check out fantastic views of the Caribbean blue. We will then take some time for snorkeling and swimming and enjoying the slow pace on the island.
Day 8 Depart Isla Mujeres (B)
Today we will bid farewell to Isla Mujeres and we will tranfer by ferry to the Cancun Pier.
You can book this adventure directly with Travel Designed by Stephanie or with Gap Adventures by clicking on the graphic below:
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5 Tips to Choosing the Right All Inclusive Vacation
Posted by TravelDesigned in Caribbean, LandLopers, Mexico, My Travelin' Tweeps on March 22nd, 2010
After weeks of waffling, you finally decided to vacation at an all-inclusive resort. Fantastic! These resorts offer the visitor a little bit of everything: good food, water sports, golf and most importantly, relaxation.
But as soon as you start looking at properties you begin to realize that there are way too many choices. How do you know which region to go to or which resort to pick? These tips should help you quickly narrow down your choices so you can start relaxing faster.
1. Get advice! Be it from a friend, website or travel agent, you need to hear and read some opinions on the various resorts. Although they may seem similar, they all have their differences. A travel professional can help you in this process as they are intimately familiar with all of the resorts.
2. Type of resort. Are you traveling as a family or as a couple? Believe it or not, it makes a difference. Several resorts, while catering to everyone, have some outstanding kids programs. Other resorts, however, specifically cater only to couples. It really is a matter of preference, but you don’t want to be on a romantic honeymoon only to have a bunch of kids doing cannonballs in front of your beach chair. If you are traveling with kids, spend a little time learning what specific programs each resort offers and which one would be the best fit for your family.
3. Location, location, location! What type of getaway are you looking for? Caribbean paradise? Cultural tours? Active pursuits? There’s something for everyone, but make sure to look at the resort location when booking. Things to take note of are proximity to an airport, stores and restaurants off property and nearby attractions. It’s not bad if the resort is not close to anything, just be aware of it before you go.
4. Food & Drink. You’ve chosen an all-inclusive, so the quality of the restaurants and bars is key. Not only is it important to learn about the quality of the food, but the type of food offered is important too. Are there specialty restaurants? If so, is there an extra fee associated with them? Is the food service primarily buffet or something else and what sorts of beverages are included? If you have kids, you want to make sure that the resort has dining options that will appeal to them as well. Five-star dining is great, but not if your seven year-old makes faces when the entrée is brought out.
5. Activities. After a few days of sunbathing, you might want to explore a little. There are plenty of activities in the Caribbean and Mexico, but decide first the types of things you would like to do and then select the best location. Many resorts offer complimentary kayaking, sailing and canoeing, but personal watercraft or parasailing may be an extra fee. Also, if you’re a diver then you will need to make sure there is a good diving location relatively close by. If cultural and archaeological tours are for you, then be aware that there are certain areas that have better access to these than others.
The best tip though is to just enjoy this exciting trip.
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