Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a fabulous Holiday and are ready for the New Year. The new year brings with it many resolutions and goals. What are your travel goals for this year? For the next five years? Maybe you travel to relax and unwind, or to spend time with family. Maybe you have a long bucket list of places and adventures to check off. We all travel for different, very personal reasons and we don't all like the same places. Much like your financial advisor helps create a plan for your investments, a travel advisor helps map out your travel goals. Think about where you would like to go and what you picture for your vacations and contact me to help.
|
|
|
Spring Break
If your weather is anything like mine today, by Spring Break you will be ready to escape to anywhere warmer! Top choices for Spring Break usually revolve around a beach and I have many to choose from. For Spring Break this year consider:
Atlantis, Nassau Bahamas- home of the waterslide through a shark tank!
Beaches , Turks and Caicos- consistently a top pick for families and offers all inclusive packages.
Coconut Bay, St. Lucia- has a large waterpark and paintball course.
Club Med Cancun- has a flying trapeze school on the beach.
Aulani, A Disney Resort in Hawaii
The Breakers, Palm Beach Florida (pictured above)- 140 acres, 1/2 mile of private beach, 4 pools, 9 restaurants, and 36 holes of golf.
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Florida- an island oasis with 13 miles of dune-lined pristine beaches. And don't forget the s'mores on the beach.
A Caribbean cruise- many ships stop at 3-4 ports so you can visit more than one beach over spring break.
|
|
Long Weekends
This year many of our holidays fall on a Monday or Friday allowing for a lot of long weekend vacations.
Martin Luther King Day Monday January 20th- coming up soon but still time to book a quick getaway.
Valentine's Day February 14th- this year it is on a Friday. Perfect for the long romantic weekend. Many hotels offer romance packages.
President's Day February 17th- this Monday follows the Valentine weekend so you may be able to take a full four days.
St. Patrick's Day March 17th is on a Monday- if you can't make it to Ireland then I suggest Savannah, GA which has one of the largest parades. New Orleans and Boston are also great choices.
Memorial Day May 26th- Monday and the start to many summer breaks.
Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year. A trip to Washington DC is perfect (parade pictured above)
Labor Day September 1st- it falls early this year. Time for one last weekend trip before school is in full swing.
New Year's- January 1st is usually a holiday at work and school. January 2nd falls on a Friday this year, so go ahead and take that off too and enjoy a 4 day weekend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Couples Therapy
Taking a vacation with your loved one allows you to recharge and reconnect away from your everyday stresses. Exploring new cities and activities together is healthy for your relationship. Many hotels and resorts excel at romance and offer packages. A trip together is also a fabulous way to celebrate your anniversary or birthday. For that much needed escape, check out these properties:
Four Seasons Resort, Nevis- beautiful West Indies property with spa, golf, and beach side cabanas.
Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands (pictured above and at very top)- romantic private tree houses!
St. Regis Princeville, Hawaii- North shore of Kauai
Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy- gondolas!
CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa, Anguilla- very private, quiet island.
Maroma Resort and Spa, Mexico- white pristine beaches next to jungle on the Riviera Maya.
The Roosevelt, New Orleans- horse drawn carriages.
|
|
Summer Vacation
Summer vacation is usually your bigger vacation, or at least your longest. You have more time and have planned for it in advance. If you did not make it to any of the beach suggestions for Spring Break, those are still great options for summer. But the beach is not your only option. Consider these:
Costa Rica or Belize- the attraction here is eco-adventure such as rafting, rappelling, and zip line (pictured above). You have the beautiful rainforest jungles and many of the properties are sustainable. It's all about the environment.
U.S. National Parks- have you made it to the Grand Canyon yet? How about Yellowstone or Yosemite? Our National Parks offer a vacation full of beauty and wonder.
Europe- seeing Europe as a family is a great way to introduce your kids to other cultures while you see things a little differently through their eyes.
Disney- Whether it is Walt Disney World in Orlando or Disneyland in California, parents and kids alike can not get enough of the Mouse.
|
|
Spotlight
The spotlight this month is on Panama. The Panama Canal officially opened August 14, 1914. This year they will celebrate their 100th Anniversary. The canal is receiving a $5 billion facelift that includes enlarging the ports, widening the shipping lanes and building new locks. The beautiful Panama Convention Center will be completed this year. There is also a boom in new hotels such as Aloft, Wyndham Gardens and Waldorf Astoria. The coastal strip is adding green space and pedestrian walkways. They are designing murals that depict Panama's rich history. In short, Panama City is gearing up for a year of special events that will culminate in a big anniversary celebration in August. It is rumored there will be a fireworks and aquatic show. You can celebrate with them by visiting the city or even taking a cruise through the canal. This is the year to visit!
|
|
|
