The leaves have fallen off the trees and the cold weather has arrived. Brrrrrrr! There is a silver lining; the ski resorts are opening in Colorado and there are planes available to fly to warm weather destinations. What are your plans for the November/December months and holidays? Are you planning any fabulous trips or getaways? I would love to hear from you so please email me anytime. Each month you will receive this newsletter with my own personal travel recommendations for destinations, resorts, experiences and group travel ideas. I am one of the few travel professionals who actually experiences first-hand the destinations that I recommend. You benefit from my travel experiences and knowledge.
Peru Hiking Adventure
I just returned from an amazing time in Peru hosted by Mountain Lodges of Peru. They are introducing a new hiking itinerary called the Lares Trek and invited 5 adventure travel professionals to review. The Lares Trek was a beautiful and introspective experience, with the most amazing landscape, animal life and Inca ruins. It is located in a remote area of Peru that is less visited and less crowded north of Cusco. It is an authentic slice of Peruvian life.
The trek challenges not only physically but emotionally too and tested my strength as an individual. Reaching elevations over 14,000 feet on 4 days of hiking, it was truly exhilarating. The trek also embraces the cultural side of Peru, the Inca villages and the friendly people that I encountered along the way will always be embedded in my memory. The Huacawasi Lodge we stayed in was such a warm and inviting experience, from the fantastic views of the mountains out our windows, the friendly staff serving us drinks and dinners, the warm hot tubs on our deck….the list goes on and on. It truly is the only way to hike in Peru and then to feel pampered upon our return after a challenging hike. To fully understand Lares Trek one really has to experience it.
It is more of a feeling than what can adequately be described in words. I felt very empowered, challenged, happy, loved, and a sense of accomplishment all rolled up into one. My experience with the guides, drivers, and staff was very positive. They were all professional, courteous and warm. It was a tremendous learning experience for me. I want to go again…..very soon!
Click here to see photos and read more about The Mountain Lodges of Peru and the Lares Trek Adventure.
Grand Velas Resort in Mexico
This AAA 5 Diamond resort is great for families and also has an adult only section. It’s the cream of the crop for all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. The spacious rooms are very clean and the grounds are beautifully landscaped. There are three sections to choose from at this resort:
Ambassador – adult and family section
Grand – Adult only section
Zen – Both families and adults
Family activities include: swimming with the dolphins, scuba diving, kite surfing, kayaking and more! There’s a Kids Club and Teen’s Club so everyone is sure to have an unforgettable experience.
The Grand Velas is the only resort in the area to offer a culinary tour, their restaurants span the globe in eight venues including our internationally-acclaimed Cocina de Autor signature restaurant. I can tell you first-hand that the cuisine is FANTASTIC! Some of my personal favorite restaurants were Piaf and Frida, both AAA 4 diamond awarded restaurants. The servers were very knowledgeable about the food pairings and wine.
The ideal time of year to visit for optimum weather is December – May. Travel mid-April thru mid-December for the best package deals. This is a very popular resort, so plan ahead and book your stay early.
Click here to take a virtual tour of the Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
Underwater Wedding in Bora Bora
Introducing the “Bora Bora Underwater Wedding” in French Polynesia. This is the perfect destination wedding for newlyweds on their honeymoon or couples seeking romance laced with a bit of adventure. This is a unique wedding ceremony in which couples tie the knot in a spectacular ceremony that takes place in a most unique setting: an underwater chapel created in the lagoon of Bora Bora.
Read more at my blog!
Plan Spring Break Now... Space is Extremely Limited!
Spring Break space is extremely limited so book now! The larger family rooms sell out first. It is best to book now in order to secure the best pricing and availability. Check out the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica. Here’s a blog post on a Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation
"Our trip to Beaches Turks & Caicos was incredible, we had such a wonderful time, so relaxed, but yet very active with the kids and programs, thanks again so much." - Shawn D.
"Thanks so much! We had an amazing time in Hawaii!! Everything worked out great, it was a perfect honeymoon! Thank you so much for all of your help"- Sherri G.
"We had a WONDERFUL time at the Atlantis Resort. Thank you so much Margi! It was a dream vacation! We are thinking of doing a family vacation this summer and will be contacting you." - Tiffiny G.
Message from Margi
Next month’s newsletter will feature my incredible adventures in Tahiti with Paul Gaugin cruises. I will be in Tahiti sailing on the Paul Gauguin cruise in November, and also checking out resorts and cruises for your next visit. Until then, keep those emails and phone calls coming. I absolutely LOVE to hear about your travels, what to see and do, what to skip and how you adjust back into the “real” world when you return.
“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” - Dalai Lama
Happy Travels Everyone,
Margi Arnold, CTC, Luxury Travel Advisor, President
