It is all about family

My kids, Lauren(7), Devin (12) and Dylan (10)

Last week my family and I enjoyed 10 days at the Maria El Cid in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. What a great time we had and made so many memories. The El Cid is a quick 25 minutes from the Cancun Airport and in the small fishing village of Puerto Morelos with the relaxed atmosphere for shopping and fun little restaurants. I even brought my family to one of my favorites for some fresh fish tacos!! We enjoyed the 1 bedroom beachfront suite. One reason this resort is so great for families they offer a standard room and 1,2 and 3 bed room suites. Great for families of any size.

This resorts biggest feature was its 22,000 sq foot pool with rock jumping, a slide, water volleyball, zero-entry for the little ones and a swim up bar for the big ones! One of my sons favorite part of this vacation was jumping into the pool. I wish I could have kept track how times he jumped!

You can also stay busy and enjoy their included activities, kids club, teen club, sailing, wind surfing, kayaking, boogie boards, and much more.

There are 4 dining options. Evening shows, I think the fire show was our favorite! A marina right next door for deep sea fishing. The boys enjoyed a bike tour into town one morning also included in the all inclusive package.

Pictured: Brian, Devin, Dylan, Lauren and I

We took a day and enjoy Xel-ha what a perfect family day it is good for all ages, my son Dylan and I swam with the Dolphins (stay tune I will blog about the day soon!) .

I hope we talk about this vacation for many years, I know the kids have their favorite things they did from fishing, snorkeling for the 1st time or eating homemade Crepes every day! I know I just love enjoying my time with them and seeing their excitement from experiencing new things.

I hope you are able to take your family and create many memories, please feel free to let Destination Vacation help you make that dream come true!

Words from Mallory

It was great to help Mallory and Adam plan their return stay to the Valentin Imperial Maya in the Riviera Maya, Mexico it was not that long ago when we planned their honeymoon and they fell in love with this resort. This winter Mallory surprise Adam with 2 extra nights making it a relaxing 9 nights!

This is the email from my client!

Nichole,

We got back from Mexico last night, again another amazing vacation. I can't tell you how much we love it at the Imperial. We already can't wait to go back. The couple that we went with have been to several different resorts in Mexico and said that this is then only one they would come back to. They said the food is better with many more options for each meal, along with the pool being the biggest they have seen with the two swim up bars along with another long lazy
pool. They also commented on how nice of a beach it is and how you can walk for so long and how safe the entire resort felt.

Oh, and that private transportation is awesome. We get there
and find the Lomas Rep and he brings us right to a Lincoln Navigator, he loads our luggage, we
get in and he has beer in there for us. It is so much better then having to
deal with 20 other people trying to get on the same buss. And pick up was just
as easy, they gave us the pick up time, got there five minutes early and came
and found us sitting among everyone and we got in the navigator and drove away.
It is so nice not to have to deal with or wait for other people on a buss.

I will def keep you updated on next years trip! Nichole I just want to tell you that I love booking through you, you make everything so easy and easy to understand I just love it. You really do an
amazing job!

Talk to you soon!!
Any good deals for the Valentin Imperial you hear of please let me
know!!!

Thanks, Mallory

Thank you Mallory and Adam you are so much fun to work with, I am glad you enjoyed another vacation at the Valentin Imperial!

Why do we always pack so much?

It is that time of the year where many of us are heading off to a tropical destination! We all know it is going to be hot, and pretty much be in out Swimsuits all week but we still over pack!


I am going to share a few tips on how to pack lighter and some general packing a preparation for your next vacation! First off you have your Carry-on and your Check Suitcase please check with your airlines website for exact details on sized, weight and requirements for pre paying you checked luggage. Also always check with your airline within 24 hours of departure to make sure your flights are on time and still schedule the same time for departure.

General Packing and Preparation Tips:

1. Limit Personal Information: You do not have to bring everything in your wallet, Limit it to your drivers licenses, 1 credit card and cash. Remember the more you bring the more that can get lost or stolen.

2. Contact your Credit Card and Cell Phone Companies: Let them know you will be out of the Country.

3. Pack Brown or Black: Arrange all your outfits to have the main color black (for example) Right away this will eliminate less shoes (like your brown ones).

4. Know your resorts Dress code for dining.

5. Bring along Smaller Bills: 75 one dollar bills, you are ready for tipping. Even if you are staying at an all inclusive resort that does not accept tips do not forget about your travel days, taxi rides, or when you head off the resort.

6. Space Saving Bags: If you are trying to pack in your carry-on the space saving bags work great! I also like them to protect my clothing in case of any leaking from my bathroom products.

7. Travel Document: Always read through your documents and ask your travel agent any questions prior to your departure.

8. Last Have a great time: If you come across slower service remember it is common in a Tropical Destination and it is ok you are on Vacation!

You can look back at Feb. 28 2011 post for more Packing Tips!

Happy Packing!

Huge Honeymoon Savings

Your date, time and place have been set. Now is the time to start planning your honeymoon!

Destination Vacation is celebrating our;

Planning your Honeymoon to Remember Event!

This event will offer huge savings and prizes.

Now through February 14th when you book your honeymoon with
Destination Vacation,
You will save up to $400
(on an air and hotel package)

This savings is to ANY DESTINATION!
Just mention this email.

In addition to your savings your name will be put in a Drawing for a
Honeymoon Gift Package
(over a $175 value)
Includes:
1 FREE night stay at the LeBourget Aero Suites
(for the night prior to your
departure and includes your parking)
A beach bag filled with 2 beach
towels, sunscreen,a leather document older, and luggage tags.


A little about Destination Vacation:
We are a locally owned travel agency with personalized service
A Honeymoon Specialist for your planning
Does not charge Service Fees on your air and hotel packages
Offers Affordable Down Payments

Award winning for the last 2 years for our Wedding Services

We look forward to working with you, Give us a call today to start your
planning!

Nichole Winter
Destination Travel Specialist
320-241-0355

email: destinationvacationtravel@gmail.com

Kicking off 2012 . . .

Picture: Event Center at The Crown Room Of Rogers

Yesterday I attended The Crown Room Bridal Open House, in Rogers. This venue is truly a master piece. Besides the beauty of this venue you will notice the staff, they are always exceeding expectations. For those of you who never been there it is a full service banquet center that can help you with your Wedding, Holiday Party, Grooms Dinners, and so much more.

Visit their website for more details: http://www.thecrownroomrogers.com/

It is out honor to be an exclusive preferred vendor of this amazing venue!

This Wednesday we will be announcing one of our largest Honeymoon Promotions please stay tune to our blog and facebook!

Pictured above: Megan Czycalla; Reichels Event Center

http://www.reichelscatering.com/

Gina Artisensi-Skime; The Crown Room of Rogers

http://www.thecrownroomrogers.com/

and Nichole Winter; Destination Vacation

We were off enjoying a evening at Carlos Creek Winery with the Central Minnesota Wedding Association for our holiday party, dinner and awards.

Destination Vacation had the honor to receive one of the Central Minnesota Wedding Association 2012 Vendor of Destination Awards for Providing Excellent Wedding Services, this is a huge honor we are so excited to have won this award 2 years in a row. With out the support of our amazing clients we would not be here, you all make this so much fun!

Check out our Website some new changes, now on our main page we will keep you updated with sales, promotions, where we may be and so much more!

www.destinationvacationtravel.com

Looking back . . . .

Picture above: Brian(my husband) Me, and Byron

the Bellman at Couples Tower Isle

I love to always take time in January and look back on the past year. What a fun filled year!

First I want to Thank all of you! You may have let Destination Vacation plan a quick getaway, a vacation of your dreams, honeymoon or maybe your destination wedding. No matter what trip you needed we are so grateful to be apart of it!! I enjoy each and everyone of my clients and are always so honored to help you.

Also in 2011 a large number of our business was from referrals, That is amazing Thank you for always thinking of Destination Vacation and referring us on to your friends and family! A referral is a huge compliment and Thank You for that.

It is also fun to see our fan base grow on Facebook and even more hearing from all of you! If you are not a fan please become one, you will find photo's, special discounts and so much more!

I wish you and your family an amazing 2012! I wish you success, heath and happiness!

I am excited to see what 2012 brings Destination Vacation~

Please visit our blog often to hear what is new, and remember I love to hear from you!(even if is is just a quick note on Facebook)

Amazing in so many ways!

Last week I had the honor to stay at Couples Tower Isle in Ocho Rios Jamaica. I know what you are thinking . . . I have wrote a few times already about this resort. However in the past it was words from my clients that have stayed there and this time it is from my own personal experience.

As many of you know Jamaica is one of my favorite destinations however I have never been to Ocho Rios and after last week I am so glad I vacationed there! This resort open in 1949 by a Mr. Issa and at that time many Hollywood stars vacationed there. I quickly found out that it was the first resort to be open year round in Jamaica and in 1978 is when they introduced the adults only all inclusive experience. This resort was recently renovated in 2009 and Couples truly kept the 1950's style. I had the honor to meet two of Mr. Issa's daughters during my stay, what fun women!

There are a few things that I loved about this resort:

1. Service - The service was amazing upon our arrival the bellman got to know us and always greeted us by name as we would pass thru the lobby area. One evening at dinner our server use our names many times and paid attention to all details. This service was consistent the entire time there.

2. Food - Each meal we had was completely enjoyable, just when I thought I found my favorite meal then next evening would amaze me even more.

3. Size - As a travel agent I have found the size of a resort to be very important to some clients. Couples Tower Isle was perfect not to big and not to small.

Couples Resorts offer 4 different properties to enjoy on the beautiful island of Jamaica, and what makes them different beside my top 3 favorite things is the amenities they offer their guests, yes they have the typical kayaks, sailing and non motorized water sports but they also offer and make easy to enjoy is the diving, snorkeling, glass bottom boat tours, Dunn River Water Fall tour, Shopping Tour, water skiing, and a afternoon catamaran cruise along the coast.

I hope for your next vacation you let Couples Resort spoil you!