Since I am packing . . .

With so many airlines now charging for checked luggage many of us are trying to get it all in a carry on.

Here is my example for my 4 night trip to Jamaica.

Technically you can have 2 carry-on pieces, one that can be in the overhead compartment(please check your airlines website for actual dimensions) and the second has to fit under the seat in front of you.

I typically have medium size bag or back pack for my carry on that will fit under the seat. I fill this with many items, starting with my 1 quart baggie, in this bag will have all my liquids in 3oz. containers.

Here is the list:

Shampoo and Conditioner, hairspray

lotion, sunscreen, tanning oil,

toothpaste, 2 lip glosses, and perfume.



Then I have my magazines, a book, wallet, travel document holder, make-up bag, a baggie full of jewelry, hair things, Advil, gum, camera, flip video and phone along with all the chargers. When I mention wallet, I really only bring the items I know I will need meaning 1 credit card and my licence. Remember the more you bring the more that can get lost or stolen.

The carry on bag or backpack can be used once you are on vacation as your beach bag!

I always wear my tennies with pants that can become carpi's, a tee and a light zip up (as pictured on the left). Your shoes are big and heavy so wear those while traveling.

Suitcase

One of my favorite tips on packing light are stick with a like color, so this week my color is Black, (meaning I have nothing brown) by doing this it really saves room on having extra shoes.

The above picture is the end packing result.

Utilize those front pockets. I have 2 on this suitcase and I have 3 swimsuits, 2 cover-ups, flip-flops, a headband, deodorant and facial wipes. Wipes? that is another great tip, I use travel ponds wipes to clean my face it cuts back on the liquids (I need all the room I can get in my 1qt bag).



Here is my packing list that fits in this main part of my suitcase:



3 dresses

1 skirt

4 Bermuda shorts

2 Capri's

6 tank tops

2 small sweaters

1 tee shirt

1 high heels

hat

flat iron and brush

black clutch purse

silver over the shoulder purse

4 sets of undergarments


1 jammie



Now remember all this is interchangeable and matches black items, I put my tanks in a baggie pushed out all the air,stuffed my socks in my heals, and rolled up my jean bermuda's and jean carpi's to tuck in the side.

. . . and with all those tips this will be my 3rd trip NOT checking luggage.




Keep in mind I have never tried this for a 7 night vacation. It might be hard!

Good Luck packing!

A Great Start to 2011 . . .

Here I am picture with Gina & Stephanie

from the Crown Room in Rogers

these 2 lady's coordinate amazing wedding receptions!
http://www.thecrownroomrogers.com/

2011 had begun with so much fun!

For the last 2 years Destination Vacation
has been apart of the Central Minnesota Wedding association, this association offers some of Minnesota's finest wedding professionals.

http://www.idoido.org/

For those of you who do not know this I have been in the Wedding Industry
for almost 12 years, I have planned every part of a wedding during this time.
However in the past 4 years my true passion has become Destination Weddings and Honeymoons. I am Honeymoon and Destination Wedding certified
and also Sandals Resorts Certified.

In January, Destination Vacation had the honor
to receive the Central Minnesota Wedding Association

2011 Vendor of Distinction Award

for Providing Exceptional Wedding Services

Last weekend we Attended the Style of Celebration Wedding show it was held at Halenback Hall in St. Cloud.

I am looking forward to helping many couples plan that Vacation of a life time, and Thanks for FunJet Vacations for being our sponsors


CURRENT TRAVEL SPECIALS
March still offers many great warm getaways and if there is no room in your schedule for a March Vacation try April we may find you an excellent value!

Save up to $250 on your Mexican Vacation package, book by March 31st.

Save up to $200 on Couples Resorts in Jamaica with a purchase of hotel and air.

Save up to $125 on Hilton Hotels

Call today to start your planning, We look forward to hearing from you!

ask for Nichole 320-241-0355

In need of some family time?

Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos

An all inclusive property great for anyone.

This video is from my tour of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Please keep in mind I am new at Videoing and most of the time I was walking during a tour, I promise I will get better with time.

In December I was able to visit the beautiful island of Turks and Caicos and spent 2 nights at Beaches Resort. What an amazing property!

You may have noticed Big Bird in the video, once a week they have a Sesame Street parade with characters, dancers and music, I watched this parade it was amazing to not only see how excited the kids were but the adults!

This resort also offers Character breakfast and Elmo tuck in (you saw Grover in the video tucking in our of the Travel Agents on the tour)

Features of this Resort:

It is set up in 3 sections, the Caribbean, Italian and French Villages.

16 specialty dining options from Caribbean to Japanese,

7000 sq-ft retail shopping village

The Caribbeans largest water park, it is a Pirate theme it features 9 water slides, lazy river, surf simulator, water cannons and much more.

Teen area with the addition of Scratch DJ Academy gives kids the chance to learn how to mix, blend and scratch music (I had the honor of trying this) ohh forgot to mention the X Box gaming room, at the time of my tour I could not help but noticing the amount of Dads having fun in here !

Link to Beaches: http://www.beaches.com/main/tc/tc-home.cfm

Besides this amazing resort, Diving is an excellent reason to vacation in Turks and Caicos.

Call today to start planning your next vacation to the Island of Turks and Caicos, 320-241-0355 and ask for Nichole

Wind chill -23 . . . .

Zip Lining in Puerto Vallarta has been one of my favorite Excursions
My donkey ride up a mountain.


This is my husband on the Spinnaker, a ride behind our Catamaran.

Snorkeling in Cancun!


As old man weather arrived here in Minnesota for some of us only getting thru the winter is planning a vacation. This winter I am not noticing a trend location just that travelers want to get out of this cold weather.

With that I mind I know many of you are starting that packing list, heading off to the tanning bed and preparing for that week of fun in the sun!

This winter season here at Destination Vacation you may be noticing more details that we are helping you with. Not only are we just booking your airfare and hotel, but we are also offering to protecting you with a great insurance plan and memorable excursions. We take pride in all those little details and know they go a long way!


When I think of Excursions those are some of my favorite days spent on my vacations, When I think about Playa Del Carmen I remember heading over to Cozumel and scootering around the island, or Puerto Vallatra will always be my favorite, yep I went Zip lining and did you know I am afraid of heights. Getting to the top of the mountain was and excursion in itself, taking a boat then a open air taxi, from there I rode a donkey up the mountain and finished with a hike!

Also the last time I was in Cancun I fell in love with Isla Mujeres, a group of 6 went on a almost private Catamaran to Isla Mujeres, but on the way we did some snorkeling, held a shark, and enjoyed lunch on the Beach. You never know who you are going to meet or what you are going ot experience but while on this ride with 5 of my friend there were 2 outher couples come to
find out they lived 15 minutes from me, WOW small world!

With all this said let me know what your interest are I would love to help you create some memories, enjoy some adventure or just relax!

I hope you enjoyed my pictures~
Thank you for continuing to visit our Blog
Nichole Winter
Destination Vacation

A slice of Heaven . . .

Jason and Cassie decided to leave their vacation up to Couples Resorts and book their promotion the Couples Rendezvous which meant that they knew their vacation would be in Jamaica but did not know what Couples Resort they would stay at until 3 days prior to their departure.

We'll they were going to stay at Couple Tower Isle, they loved it so much that Cassie called me while they were there "Nichole we do not want to come home" calls like this really makes my day!

Couples has their own lounge right in the airport.

Tower Isle features a private island.

Ocean view Room

Their view - beautiful!

Cassie and Jason

Nichole,

Amazing time in Jamaica. We ended up with a ocean view room with a balcony, it was perfect in every way. We are the type of people who most likely would not go back to a resort a second time, because there is so much of the world to see...but we will and would recommend this resort to anyone and hope to go back! The group picture I attached, are the friends we met in the short five days we were there. Its just so different than anywhere else we have ever been. The staff is truly amazing. The whole resort is older, but it so well maintained. It has a very historic, but clean and chic feel. Nichole, you have to go.

There were so many activities, we could not do them all while we were there. We did Dunns River Falls, Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling. All were great, only 1-2 hours long, so you can get back and continue enjoying the resort. We did not have time for Glass Bottom Boat tour or horseback riding. You could go and not spend a dollar, the no tipping policy is very strict, we never saw anyone tip the whole time we were there. We liked that a lot, the pressure of how much to tip or who to tip is gone, after all "no worries mon."

Food was excellent Asian Restaurant (Bayside) was AMAZING! We really wanted to do them, but we were to busy. Buffet was always great. The only con I can identify was it was truly not enough time, as I'm sure you realized with the desperate phone call. Worked out that we came home, would have been stuck at the airport in the snowstorm otherwise.

Keep me in mind if you see any great deals to Couples. -Jason and Cassy

Thank you Jason and Cassie, right from the start you were such a joy to work with, I love it when my clients have such a passion for travel!

Sandals Royal Bahamian . . . impressive in every way

Sandals Royal Bahamian

Spa Resort & Off Shore Island

in the beautiful Bahamas

Sandals Royal Bahamian is located minutes away from shopping downtown Nassau and a quick 10 minute ride form the airport. I love arriving to a resort that I have not been before, because a 1st impression last a long time. Sandals always greets you with a cold towel to freshen up with, which I love. Then I proceed to check out their lobby and court yard, it reflects the "old world charm", and decorated in bright blue colors to match the waters.

The main quiet pool.

I truly felt at home while here, it was a perfect size. There were three sections. The Royal Village, this area was in a lush garden and in the gardens were 3 small private pools. Now these rooms do not offer ocean views but much privacy. The two other areas are their towers, Manor House and the Royal Windsor Tower which both were amazing and full of endless sea views.

Pool and swim up bar on Sandals Cay.

This resort also features a private island, Sandals Cay, it hosts a fresh water pool with swim up bar, Cafe Goombay, and Spa, I loved the back side of this island so relaxing and private. when I enjoyed a wak around the island I saw couple all alone done at the end, it was like heaven.

The back side of the island so private and relaxing.

Patio off the Royal Village Deluxe Room.

A view from the Royal Windsor tower looking towards Sandals Cay.


The water sports here are plenty full, one being the diving. did you know that you can dive up to twice per day at Sandals. Also they offer Hobie cats, Kayaks, Water trikes, windsurfing, and daily snorkeling excursions. They are all included in your package. One thing I always notice when I am at a Sandals resort is that all these activities you can do right off their beach,(you do not have to travel) and they truly make the available for you to enjoy.

Activity pool

The Royal Bahamian offers 2 large pools, 3 in the Royal Village, and 1 on Sandals Cay. a 24 hour

fitness center, on site entertainment, 9 gourmet restaurants and many bars also very fun theme nights.

Manor Beachfront Patio Walkout Concierge Room

Courtyard in the Entrance

This resort is couples only, and great for honeymooners, couples seeking a romantic vacation,

divers and travelers that love water sports.

Call today for your help to plan your next amazing vacation to the Sandals Royal Bahamian.

ask for Nichole Winter 320-241-0355

Double your Referral Discount

This week only

Refer someone you know to Destination Vacation for their next Vacation and you will receive double the discount.

Referral Program

Here are the details on our program:

1). If you refer someone to us we will pay you 10% of the commission that is earned on the reservation. Make sure you tell that person to mention your name when they call or we will not know it is a referral.

This week only it is 20%.
.
2) We will keep track of the money earned for you which will go towards a future trip.

Rules:
1) This incentive program is only good when your referral purchases an air and hotel or air and car package from our agency. It does not include air only tickets, hotel only or car only rentals.

2) This is good for new business only

3) You can use the money you earned towards a future package you book with us. This includes any air and hotel booking or air and car booking.

It’s that easy! Once you are ready to book your vacation, I will put the amount you earned towards your trip. If you have any questions about this program please let me know. Thanks for your time, and again, I truly do appreciate your business!

Thank you for your business
Nichole Winter
320-241-0355

email: destinationvacationtravel@gmail.com

website: http://www.destinationvacationtravel.com/