Honeymoon Packing List

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Question:  Do you have a packing list so I don’t forget something important on my honeymoon? ~  Abby, Springfield

Hi Abby!

I do!  Since I specialize in helping honeymooners, I have had plenty of experience in building a good list.  I am open to suggestions however. Be sure to respond below if you can think of anything else that needs to be added.

This list is going to work best for those going to the beach or on a cruise.  If you are heading out to Europe or on an African Safari, feel free to email me for more suggestions at angee@vacationswithflair.com
I am assuming you’ll remember the basics of toothbrush, and such.  This list is to help you with the things you might not think of.  I hope it’s helpful!

 

 

  • Start with good sturdy luggage.  If you don’t have any, be sure to put this on your registry.
  • Start Packing Early-  forgetting something can be very pricey!  Resort sunscreen can cost you $35, and Tylenol $25.
  • Bring a beach bag- Not all resorts have the towels at the pool, you may need to bring it from your room.  Regardless, you’ll have reading material, sunscreen and other stuff to bring with you.
  • Find out if your cruise/resort as a dress code for dinner.  Most will not allow beach wear at dinner, but some require semi formal for at least one of their restaurants.  I have seen couples turned away from restaurants because of their dress.  If in doubt, just throw in a pair of dress pants.
  • Pack your jewelry in your carry-on- even if it’s not valuable.  I’ve had mine taken from my checked luggage before.  Your jewelry is probably small and will fit in your carry-on.  Don’t risk it.
  • Find out what your hotel has so that you don’t over pack.  Hair dryer?  Shampoo and conditioner?  I-pod dock?
  • Find out if your room has a DVD player.  Plenty of the nicer resorts do these days, but you’ll be renting movies for $6 or more per night.  Your money would be better spent at a Redbox, where the selection is better.  I travel alot, and I have yet to find an international hotel with a good DVD selection.
  • Bring snacks.  Even all-inclusive resorts don’t include munchy snacks.  If you like nuts, Chex-Mix, or something crunchy- bring it.
  • Bring essentials to set the mood the mood for romance.  You’ll need tea-lights, bath salts, bubblebath, matches, etc…
  • A copy of your marriage license.  Some hotels have a nice honeymoon package, but will require you to prove you were just married.
  • Travel Documents- copies of everything.  Hotel reservation, transfer vouchers, etc.  Do not forget your passport.
  • Cash- In Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean, you’ll be able to use US dollars.  Some all-inclusives advertise that the tips are included (like Sandals),  but I still like to thank the bellman with a $1 per bag.  I tip for room service, and housekeeping.  Your resort may expect you to tip for bar service, and that can add up quickly.  Gratuity for airport transfers is never included.  Otherwise, make sure you have a few credit cards with you.
  • Do you know how to call home on your trip?  Check with your phone company ahead of time.
  • Hotels will allow you to arrange romantic surprises ahead of time.  You (or your travel agent) can order flowers, chocolate dipped strawberries, or chilled bottles of champagne to be waiting for your arrival.  I contact hotels all over the world for this kind of thing daily, hotels are glad to help.

 

Have any other Honeymoon or Destination Wedding questions?  Email me at angee@vacationswithflair.com

Villa stay in France or Italy

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Looking for something unusual or different for your France vacation?  Maybe you need some room, or you just want to be situated in the countryside and experience the charm of cooking in a  French kitchen for awhile?  You need a villa stay.

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Vacations With Flair arranges villa rentals throughout France and Italy on a weekly basis.  As a professional whose passion is travel, I have honed my list of providers to know who I want to work with in each country.  I know from experience who to trust, and the companies that are reliable with my clients’ vacation investment.  Nothing is more important to me than creating “Seamless Travel” for my clients.  Sometimes professional guidance is priceless.

Villa rentals can range from $350-10,000 per night- depending on where you want to travel and the time of year.  We can find you a villa with up to 8 plus bedrooms, a private pool, large kitchen or anything else you may need.  Villas have become popular because of the independence they allow.  When several families are traveling together, it makes great sense both economically and space-wise. Villas also work well for Destination Weddings.

Villa rentals don’t necessarily mean you are skimping out on the comforts of a hotel- they come with a local concierge to seek information from, they also can have maid service on a daily or weekly basis.

I usually advise my clients to allow us to help them have the villa stocked with some groceries when they arrive.  We can also arrange a chef for dinner as many nights desired.

If you are traveling to Italy or France and want to price a villa, please give me a call.  I’ll be honored to help you find the right one, no matter what your needs are.

Angee Shields at Vacations With Flair, 1-800-517-1123

Crystal cruises goes all-inclusive

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Take notice that several upscale cruise-lines are adding more value to their sailing.  Crystal is one example.  You’ll now see that fares include

  • Free fine wines, premium spirits and beers throughout the ship
  • Open bar service in all lounges
  • Gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff as well as Butler service in our Penthouses
  • Complimentary specialty dining
  • Non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks and specialty coffees

For experienced cruisers, we are used to being nickeled and dimed on cruises.  This line is indeed announcing a change- pay one price up front.  Even your bar drinks are included!

You’ll also find on Crystal 2012 sailings promotions abound: 2 for 1 sailings, free air, up to $2000 on board credit.

Call us now to discuss whether this or another of the luxury lines are best for you.  Vacations With Flair 1-800-517-1123

Our review of Azul Fives Resort

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Resort review:  Azul Fives
Area: Riviera Maya, 10 minutes outside of Playa del Carmen, Mexico
To get there:  Fly into Cancun airport, drive south about 30 minutes

I stayed at the newest Karisma resort for 1 week with my family in early August, 2011.  Located outside of Playa del Carmen, the resort has some very unique features.

I often have larger families looking for a resort where they can all be in the same room.   The Azul Fives provides one, two, and three bedroom suites as the answer.  They certainly have a basic “Deluxe Room”, as well.  But the Suites are very unique, condo sized units.  They contain a living area, full kitchen, large glass dining table, and several balconies.  As well, the master bedroom area is huge!  We had a King sized bed, flat screen TV, an i-pod dock, walk-in glass shower, large jacuzzi tub, double sinks, large closet area, and plenty of cabinet and drawer space.

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A One Bedroom Suite contains a master bedroom with sliding doors to separate the bedroom from the living/kitchen space.  The Two-bedroom Suite comes with a master, and 2 double rooms.  A Two-Bedroom Suite comes with a master and 2 double rooms.

We recommend the Penthouse Suite.  This upgrade to the Two or Three Bedroom Suites gives a private rooftop experience.  Penthouse Rooftop Lounges have tables, loungers, a BBQ, a 4 person jacuzzi tub, and a sun bed.  Guests can use these for private parties, wedding ceremonies, hire a chef, order meat/food to grill, or just enjoy the sun and stars in private.

We enjoyed the resorts 3 restaurants (our favorite is Tsuki), but the resort is currently under construction to bring in 2 more restaurants and a teen’s club by the end of September 2011.  Those are reported to be a steak house, and an Italian restaurant.  Guests can also order room service 24 hours, or get a quick and casual bite at the Lizard Pool bar (our personal favorite).  The Ceviche at the pool bar is second to none!

While not ocean front, the rooms are almost all pool-front.  When making your reservation, you could certainly ask to be on the bottom floor so that you could walk out to the pool. These are quieter pools, where you’ll find 3 swim up bars.  The largest and most popular pool is the beautiful infinity pool, located by the beach.  Here you’ll find beach butlers to provide sunscreen, reading material, and towels.  Games, dance lessons, and activities go on all day long.  It’s a vibrant area with loud music, a swim up bar and happy people.

As with other Karisma resorts, the entertainment is terrific, as well as the spa.  I toured the Bridal Salon, experienced a massage, pedicure, etc… I can tell you from experience that guests are in good hands at the Vassa Spa.

Kids Club at the Azul Fives Resort

If you are traveling with children, this is a great resort!  The staff loves children, goes out of their way to cater to them. Every restaurant has brand new, clean high chairs and toys.  They will also provide jarred baby food.  Guests can arrange to borrow strollers, new cribs (up to code), baby toys.  One of the best selling points of this resort is their kids club.  The four women who run the club are work hard to make every child feel welcome and happy.  The club has a pool, video games, a lego room, a gym with trampolines, and a play-ground.  My kids loved it so much!  They made friends, which just added to the fun of vacation. Azul has safety guidelines in place, and I had no problem leaving my children with the kids club workers.

Things to be aware of:

* This resort will sell rooms at the All-Inclusive rate and the EP rate.  Expect the food to be pricy if you choose the EP rate.

* Not alot of selection on TV.  There are DVD players in each room- several in the suites.  It costs $6 USD to rent a DVD from the concierge, and the selection is awful.  Consider bringing some with you.

* Definitely bring an i-pod for the dock in the room, it has great sound.

* The hotel does not give conditioner.  If that’s important to you, bring your own.

* The beach is rocky once you are in the water.  You might want to pack water shoes.

* Do not forget your sunscreen/Tylenol- it will cost you $20 USD in the hotel shop.

* I advise you to pack some floaties and pool toys/goggles as well.  The hotel sells a limited selection at 5 times what you want to spend.

* You can take a $15 taxi to Playa del Carmen and do all your souvenir shopping.  If you do… drink only out of bottles (I have gotten sick off of ice), and take time to compare all the shops.  My son wanted drums.  I had one shop offer us $42 for drums, and later we found the same drum for $13.  Some shops will take cash only, some will take a credit card- ask.

We recommend this resort for groups, families, and weddings.  It’s probably not the best option for those wanting to avoid kids or those wanting to be in close walking distance to a town.  Also, realize that the beach in front of the resort is a bit rocky.  If snorkeling daily is a big deal to you, that’s something to keep in mind.  We did snorkel in front of the resort some, but had better luck when we walked down the beach a bit.  We also visited the Marina Maroma (see my previous post), which gave us all day access to one of the world’s best beaches.

Have questions regarding which resort is right for you?  Give us a call!  1-800-517-1123, www.vacationswithfalir.com

Playing at Marina Maroma

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I am right now on vacation with my family in Mexico.  We are staying at a great family resort- the Azul Fives.  More in another post later on how great this resort is for families and groups.  You’ll need pictures to believe the amazing 2 & 3 bedrooms suites they have available.  Especially since mine has a jacuzzi on the private rooftop lounge- amazing!  Special thanks to Karisma!

Marina Maroma

Marina Maroma

Today we headed 20 minutes by car, driven by Lomas travel, to the marina at Playa (means “beach”) Maroma.  Here’s the website.  The staff was super accommodating.  Towel service, lunch, a bar, shopping, etc.. are all available.  They have so many choices, and my kids really wanted to do the horses or the jungle ATV safari.  But in 90 degree weather with Mexico humidity, I quickly made the choice to jet ski.

It had been a while since I had visited this beach area, and I was reminded how amazing the beach really is here.  The Travel Channel has rated it top in the world for a reason the sand is soft, and the water is crystal clear.  No matter how far out we went, I felt like I could always see clear to the bottom.  Amazingly, when we played in the water afterwards, it was warm and calm- perfect for snorkeling.

Jetskiing at Marina Maroma- Family Vacation

There are several adults-only resorts within walking distance of this marina, but Lomas can provide transportation.  The best part of the day was getting a CD of pictures to take with us- priceless!  If you end up staying in Cancun or Riviera Maya at a resort without a great beach, this is a great option for a day-trip.

 

Angee Shields, www.vacationswithflair.com    1-800-517-1123

Vacations With Flair is WeddingWire rated for 2012!

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Vacations With Flair is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011

Mackinaw, Illinois – July 5, 2011 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is pleased to announce that Vacations With Flair is WeddingWire Rated 2011 for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence. Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to find the best local businesses for their wedding.

Vacations With Flair has five reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making the most informed decisions for their big day.

“We are delighted to unveil the 5th annual WeddingWire Rated program,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. “Vacations With Flair has made a commitment to capturing their clients experiences on the nation’s leading wedding review site.”

As the largest site for wedding reviews, WeddingWire empowers engaged couples with the most comprehensive and trusted review system available. The WeddingWire Rated program provides Vacations With Flair with a simple platform to capture customer feedback from their wedding planning experience. Newly engaged couples can easily access all of the reviews for Vacations With Flair on WeddingWire.com. We would like to thank our newlyweds for our WeddingWire Rated 2011 recognition.

For more information, please visit Vacations With Flair on WeddingWire at www.vacationswithflair.com.

For more information on WeddingWire Rated 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, the nation’s leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including ProjectWedding.com, MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Weddingbee.com, and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Why did Sue go to the Zoetry Del Mar?

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What I love most about my job are my VIP clients- the kind who return again and again, and refer Vacations With Flair to their friends.  One of mine is Sue.  When I asked Sue to tell me about her last getaway (the trip before this one I had the privileged of helping her put together a tour of Britain), she graciously wrote such elegant words that I asked if I could share them here.  Enjoy!

Zoetry Del Mar, Los Cobos

“I was looking for a vacation that was total relaxation.  I did not want to go too far away and really wanted a beach.  I turned to Angee Shields.  My past experiences with her have been extraordinary.  She listens to the aspects of a trip that are critical to me and she offers suggestions based on my preferences.  For my most recent excursion she offered a couple of properties that were not exactly what I was looking for. So we discussed the trip some more and she offered the most absolute perfect place.    That dedication to service is what I appreciate about Angee, she works with me to make the trip outstanding.  No detail is too minute for her to consider and to make a trip ideal.

Bathroom Spa Tub at the Zoetry Del Mar

My last vacation was in Los Cabos. It was amazing.  Angee suggested the Zoetry Casa del Mar, a most beautiful property. I have been back home for a month and every day since I returned I think of this place.  The grounds were exquisite, with meticulous care taken.  The hotel was quiet, yet the staff was attentive.  I took classes such as yoga, salsa, and culinary and I was the only participant or one of no more than three. In addition, I brought a new martini recipe with me to the property and at my request a bartender did not hesitate to make the drink for me.  The pampering and attention from every member of the staff were outstanding.  I felt extremely special.   This all-inclusive property was exactly what I needed to de-stress.  Seeing whales and dolphins from my balcony, experiencing massages, languishing in the Jacuzzi tub or feasting on incredible meals made me appreciate just how fortunate I am to have worked with Angee to be able to enjoy this place.
Knowing my desires allows Angee to offer just the right combination of activity.  If I wanted nightlife, it was available; if I wanted history, it, too, was available in Los Cabos.  However, once I arrived, I realized all I wanted was peace and contentment; this was the perfect location.  I thank Angee for knowing that I could have it all at the Zoetry Casa del Mar.”

~Sue P., Houston

Tips to building your own Royal Trip

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While we all can’t marry a prince, anyone can touch, taste, and see, the hallmarks of elegance and romance displayed at the Royal Wedding.  A first hand experience few can claim is just a phone call away.

A taste of your royal trip…

Your first hand account will begin at The Goring.  This luxurious hotel located in Belgravia, adjacent to Buckingham Palace, was chosen by Prince William to host the bride-to-be and her family before marrying at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

Regal History, lush gardens, and impeccable food await you during your stay at The Goring. Ingredients reminiscent of those served during the royal reception will adorn your plates and your pallets.  Elegance and beauty lies ahead during your proper English tea, while reflection and inspiration encapsulates The Goring English garden.

Next, meet your muse, Buckingham Palace.

A Royal Day Out is what you must have.  Guided tours of the State Rooms, the Royals mews, and The Queen’s Gallery will make for truly royal memories.  Rooms that housed the royal reception, horses and carriages that carried royalty, and the gardens that grew the flowers that adorned Westminster Abbey during the ceremony for William and Kate, will be some of what you can expect during your trip to the palace.  Your visit will end in the Grande Entrance sipping Champagne where all official visitors of the palace arrive.

This is only the beginning of your royal trip.  A royal trip for a most memorable experience is just a phone call away. Contact us today for a custom made trip that will have you saying, “Long live the Queen!”

Your royal wish is our command.

Amazing Greecian Hotel

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I am prompted to talk about a really great hotel.  This week, I am working with a couple wanting to honeymoon in the Greek isles.  They will fly into Athens and stay one night to rest and recover from the wedding and flight.  Taking a ferry, they will visit a couple islands over the course of a week.  The hotel I am excited about is the Mykonian Imperial Resort.  Hotels like this make for life changing vacation experiences.

Close to town and centrally located, guests are able to enjoy the beach, the island, the people and their great room.

The resort has plenty of top notch suites and presidential accommodations.  However, it’s easy to experience luxury even in their entry level rooms.  The Double Deluxe room comes with the choice of a large outdoor Jacuzzi, or a private pool.  The terrace is large enough to dine on and enjoy the water.  The room itself is spacious, light and airy.

Since it is their honeymoon, I included a special wine tour and arranged for some special amenities during their stay:

  • Daily Breakfast for 2
  • Champagne and fresh fruit gifts in the room
  • A light lunch
  • One category upgrade
  • early check-in, and late check out
  • 90 minute Thalassotherapy spa treatment per person.

Sounds fun right?

Feel free to contact me about Greece,

Angee Shields

angee@vacationswithflair.com

Sleeping in an Irish Castle

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Upscale castle stays in Ireland allow travelers to step back in time and enjoy the unique history and luxury of an era long gone.   Many visitors to Ireland decide to stay in a castle during their vacation to create memories.  Ireland is renowned for a warm warm welcome and idyllic landscaping.  Combine that with gourmet cuisine and authentic medieval architecture, and you have memories waiting to happen!  They say that time stands still in Ireland.  Walking into a working castle helps to understand why.

Here’s a short list of some of our favorite Irish castles…

ASHFORD CASTLE HOTEL

Set in 350 acres of private woodland, Ashford Castle has stood on the banks of Lough Corrib for the past 700 years.  Rooms have private baths and unique furnishings.  Enjoy a candle-light dinner in the comfort of your own suite.  We have most enjoyed the fun, elegant canopy beds in the suites and staterooms.  The resort offers shooting and clay pigeons, fishing archery, and golf on site.

DROMOLAND CASTLE HOTEL

Located a mere 15 minutes from Shannon Airport, Dromoland Castle boasts an international reputation for excellence. Dromoland offers all the luxury and comfort you would expect from a five-star castle accommodation in Ireland.  Guests can hunt, fish, clay shoot, ride horseback, or play tennis.  I personally recommend the spa, of course.  Spas are not common in this type of accommodations, and the Dromoland Castle has quite a few treatments offered.  This hotel also has a terrific room service menu.

WATERFORD CASTLE HOTEL

Located two miles from Waterford City, this castle is uniquely situated on its own private 310 acre island on the River Suir, surrounded by woodlands and an 18-hole championship golf course. It is currently the only Deluxe Hotel in the South East of Ireland.  Food in the restaurant is amazing, contemporary cuisine.  We love the stone fireplace.  Guests here also have the choice of enjoying a stay in an island home.

MARKREE CASTLE HOTEL

This fine castle hotel in Ireland lies in the romantic landscape where the poet Yeats found his inspiration, north of awe-inspiring Connemara and south of the beautiful Donegal coast, with the impressive cliffs of Bunglass and Magho make a trip to this part of Ireland a memorable one.  Room amenities are extrememly modern, yet compliment the old style of the castle.  All rooms have private baths, and most have amazing views.

ABBEY GLEN CASTLE HOTEL

Located along the famous Sky Road and overlooking the sea, the Alpine-like village of Clifden provides a beautiful setting. With the backdrop of the Twelve Bens mountain range, nestled in the heart of Connemara, on the West coast of Ireland – this is an ideal destination for a wonderful, stress-free vacation.  The castle restaurant is know for it’s gourmet food choices, like fresh, locally caught salmon.  Our clients have raved about the afternoon tea.

At Vacations With Flair, each time we create an Ireland itineraries for our clients, it’s unique to them.  We treat golfers differently than non golfers, and a couple differently than a gals-only group.  If you are interested in a vacation containing a castle stay, give us a call.  This is a pretty easy (and very pretty) country to drive through, however chauffeur driven tours are more available now than ever before.

Angee Shields, European Consultant

www.vacationswithflair.com

1-800-517-1123