November 19-21, 2010

My husband and I had the opportunity to cruise on the new Allure of the Seas with Royal Caribbean. This was a two night cruise from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, out to sea and back to port. It was the inaugural sailing and offered to select agencies, Royal Caribbean staff and press. Filming of the motion picture “Jack and Jill” starring Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes and Al Pacino was taking place while we were onboard. It was a very exciting cruise!

The Allure of the Seas is the largest ship at sea. It is 225,282 tons, will carry up to 5400 passengers and 2384 staff. It is one huge ship! Looking at these facts prior to the trip we were a little overwhelmed by the size and number of people. Once onboard we realized how well Royal Caribbean has this figured out. They built a city at sea with a neighborhood concept which breaks the ship up into seven distinct neighborhoods. The neighborhoods are Central Park, Boardwalk, Pool & Sports Zone, Royal Promenade, Entertainment Place and Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center. The Allure also has information centers (similar to an Ipad with a touch screen) at each elevator giving you directions to different dining, entertainment and activity areas on the ship. The information centers also tell you how full each restaurant is. We found this very helpful and I am sure guests will as well.

There are 25 different dining choices onboard the Allure, 14 of which are complimentary. We really enjoyed the selection that the Allure offered. Some of the unique complimentary options are specialty hog dogs and brats at Boardwalk Dog House, My Family Time Dining allowing parents to stay behind and have dinner after their kids do – the kids are picked up by staff of Adventure Ocean about 1 hour into dinner and Boardwalk Donuts offering donuts, pastries and specialty coffees. Clients can easily cruise on this ship with out additional dining costs however if they are looking to try something new and different they can opt to pay a small surcharge for some of the other options. A few that we enjoyed were Starbucks, Mexican cuisine at Rita’s Catinas, cupcakes at the Cupcake Cupboard and tapas at Vintages Wine Bar. I think the Allure will surprise guests with the number of dining options, wide variety of options and how good the food is!

Just like with dining the Allure doesn’t disappoint when it comes to entertainment and activities. At the stern of this ship is the amazing AquaTheatre offering entertainment during the day and at night. Studio B offers ice shows at Sea! When we were onboard it was themed after the movie, How to Train your Dragon. We loved it and families will

too! At the Boardwalk you will find a full-sized Carousel and the Zip Line which is suspended 9 decks above you! At the Pool and Sports Zone the Allure offers Flow Rider which is a surf simulator, Allure Dunes Mini Golf, and H2O Zone for family fun, which also has an area for toddlers and infants. There are endless activities onboard; some others include a Sports Court, Table Tennis, Rock Climbing Walls, the Beach Pool, Card Room and Library. During the evening hours you will stay busy at the Casino Royale, Comedy Live, On Air Club, themed Street Parties on the Royal Promenade and the many different dining venues and bars. Another option for the evening is to head over to the Amber Theatre which offers three shows. Guests can choose from Chicago: The Musical, Blue Planet and Headliner Show. We went to Chicago: The Musical and I loved it! It was more amazing then the movie in my opinion and a great way to start the evening!

The Allure offers a lot of shopping options for those of us that love to shop. Some of the unique options are the Candy Shop offering more then 72 varieties of bulk candy. Pets at Sea which allows you to make your own stuffed animal pet and Pinwheels which offers childrens clothing and toys.

The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center is on Deck 6. The Spa has 29 treatment rooms with a full list of options to choose from. The Fitness Center offers new classes to choose from, I think clients will enjoy the variety.

Royal Caribbean specializes in the family cruise experience. Onboard the Allure is the Adventure Ocean & Youth Zone. The youth program is for kids ages 3-11 and there is a separate teen program for kids ages 12-17. With in these two programs the kids are broken down into 5 different groups based on age. With in the area is an Ocean Theatre, Science Lab, Arcade and a nightclub called Fuel. The Allure also offers a Royal Babies and Royal Tots Nursery for children 6 to 36 months. Parents have day and night drop-off options and there is an extra charge for this. There are specific times during the day that are complimentary and offer free-time play for the kids.

There are 37 different categories of cabins on the Allure. They are broken down into Interior, Outside, Balcony, Balcony Suite and Loft Suite. This offers a wide variety of options depending on the type of cabin the clients are interested in, the number in their party and their budget. There are 17 decks on the Allure and we were on Deck 14. We had a Balcony Stateroom which was called a Central Park View Stateroom with Balcony. This actually faced the interior of the ship vs. out to Sea. It looked out over Central Park which is really beautiful; a street full of foliage, dining and shops. I wouldn’t suggest being on Deck 14 as we would hear the noise of the pool chairs one deck above us each morning. I would imagine this is pretty typical as they set up the pool area each morning.

We did tour a lot of the cabins and I liked how Royal Caribbean offers so many different family options with multiple baths, layout options and beds offering larger families to get just one cabin.

We had such a great time on the new Allure. I would highly suggest this to families as well as couples looking for a high energy experience with a lot of options. This is one ship we will go on again! I wouldn’t hesitate to say it is the best of its type at Sea!

 Islands Routes has tour desks in all of the Sandals and Beaches properties as well as the Grand Pineapple locations; however, guests staying anywhere on the islands (or cruise passengers visiting the islands) can book tours with Island Routes.

 The resort boasts vibrantCaribbeancolors with a unique tropical flair.  The guest accommodations are in one, two and three-storey buildings, each replicating classic Caribbean architecture.  The resort is moderately priced and will host singles, couples, families and small groups.  The atmosphere here is quiet, casual, relaxed, laidback and unhurried.

 There are 180 rooms in 5 categories.  All rooms have air-conditioning, king, double or queen size beds, ceiling fans, hair dryers, telephones, iron and ironing board, private bath or shower, safe, cable television, and coffee/tea makers.  Some rooms have private balconies or patios and others have communal verandahs.

 There are 5 restaurants and 3 bars at this resort. Nightly entertainment is provided along with a wide variety of land and water sports.  There are two freshwater pools, one of which is a quiet pool reserved for adults only.

 Much of this resort is situated on a hill which can make walking difficult for some.  The oceanview rooms are located on the hillside and are the largest rooms on resort.  I would not recommend this resort for anyone that has mobility issues.  The walkways are at times uneven and getting up to the hillside can be a challenge.  There are no elevators on property.

 There are 373 Rooms and Suites in 25 categories in this beautiful 27 acre resort.  Accommodations range from one-storey buildings with patios to Honeymoon Rondavals with private plunge pools to exotic Mediterranean Honeymoon Penthouse One-Bedroom Suites and Luxury Ocean Villas with private pools!

 The resort is broken down into two distinct sections:  the Caribbean Grove (the original resort) and the newMediterraneanVillage.

 All accommodations in the Caribbean Grove have air-conditioning, king-size mahogany four-poster beds, ceiling fans, amenity kits, hair dryers, private bath and shower, safe, clock radios, cable television, coffee/tea maker, iron and ironing board.

 Accommodations in the Mediterranean Village offer Concierge Service with air-conditioning, king-size mahogany four-poster beds, ceiling fan, amenity kits, hairdryer, telephone, private bath and shower, safe, CD clock radio, cable television, coffee/tea maker, iron and ironing board.  These suites have Italian floor tiles, large flat-screen televisions, custom designed mahogany furniture with leather trunks and fabrics fromTurkey,ItalyandIndia.  The bathrooms feature Italian Giallo marble, custom his and her washbasins, the latest Kohler Purist bath and shower fixtures, whirlpools and overhead walk-in rain showers.

 There are 11 restaurants and 7 bars throughout the resort.  Theme nights, weekly events and nightly entertainment is also provided.  There are six freshwater pools and six whirlpools including two swim-up pool bars.  This resort also offers volleyball, aerobics, table tennis, day/night tennis, darts, bocce ball, pool tables, snorkeling, aqua cycle, hobie cats, sunfish sailing, kayaks, pedaloes, wind surfing and scuba diving. 

 This resort is fairly large in size and may require a lot of walking from one area to another.  Guests with limited mobility would probably be more comfortable in theMediterraneanVillageas it is more compact and elevators are available.

My husband and I went on a Viking River Cruise down the Rhine River.  The ship we were on was the Viking Helvetia.  This ship is one of 19 Viking Ships and holds 198 guests.  All Staterooms are outside with river view.  Deluxe staterooms have hotel-style beds with European linens and duvets.  Staterooms on upper deck have a French balcony with sliding glass doors.  There is plenty of closet and drawer space and a place to stow your bags after you have unpacked. All rooms have a private bath with shower, your own climate control system, telephone, safe, TV that offers CNN and other English-language programming.  The ship has a shaded sun deck, restaurant, library, observation lounge & bar, onboard boutique, and free wireless Internet.

Viking River Cruises offer all-inclusive packages that include your meals, enrichment lectures, excursions, hotel accommodations for “cruise tour” itineraries, and airport transfers when air is purchased thru Viking.  The dining on board is excellent with regional specialties as well as Western-style favorites.  Complimentary wine is offered every evening with dinner.  Each day, you will have an excursion that will introduce you to the local culture.  All tour guides are English speaking and personal headsets are provided so you can hear every word they are saying.  Culture Curriculum lectures focused on the history of the region of the day are offered on the ship.  Viking uses deluxe, first class or superior first class hotels for overnight stays for passengers taking a “cruise tour” package.  If you want more than the included excursions, Viking does offer a selection of optional tours on each itinerary that can be purchased on board.  If you do not want to participate in the tours that are offered, you may choose to stay on the ship or tour on your own.

The tour my husband and I chose was called the Rhine Getaway.  The cruise was on the Rhine River beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Basel.  It consisted of 8 days, 6-guided tours, and 4 countries.

Viking does offer pre and post extensions if you want more time in those cities before or after the cruise.  We only did the cruise.

Saturday-Amsterdam

We arrived in Amsterdam mid morning on Saturday and were transferred to the ship upon arrival.  The staterooms are not available until mid afternoon so we familiarized ourselves with the ship, enjoyed a light lunch in the lounge, and then took a walk into town.

Some things to see as you stroll the city:

• The many canals and connecting bridges that crisscross the city

• “Amsterdam’s Rodeo Drive” which is the popular upscale shopping street

• Anne Frank House, where Anne wrote her famous diary of her experiences while hiding from the Nazis

• In the evening, visit one of the many popular pubs, know as brown cafés

• The famous Red Light District

After settling in our stateroom, resting a while, and freshening up we went to the lounge where the staff introduced themselves and the program director gave us a briefing of the next day’s itinerary.  Then everyone went down to the dining room for dinner.   Later that evening the ship’s Program Director took anyone who wished to see the Red Light District, on a walking tour.  We chose to retire for the evening since we had been up over 24 hours.

Sunday-Kinderdijk

Our ship left Amsterdam at midnight and arrived in Kinderkijk at 9:00 a.m.  Viking offers an “early bird” breakfast from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. consisting of coffee, juice, and pastries just outside the lounge area.  They also offer a full size breakfast buffet in the restaurant from 7:00-9:00 a.m.  We went for the buffet.  At 9:00 the Helvetia arrived in Kinderdijk.  Our shore excursion was to visit the picturesque Dutch Countryside of the historic Kinderdijk area.  There we could visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where there is a collection of 19 windmills that give you a glimpse of Holland’s past.  The windmills were used to pump water from the pastureland into the Lek River, which lies above the level of the fields.  Today huge diesel electric pumps perform this function.  We were able to tour one of the working windmills.  Some families still live in them today and must keep them in working order even though they are no longer used.  By noon we were back on the ship and cruising down the Rhine toward Cologne.

Monday-Cologne, Germany

The Helvetia docked in Cologne at 8:30 a.m. and our 2 hour guided walk tour started at 9:00.  We did a short walk around the Old City of Cologne and visited the magnificent Gothic Cathedral.  The cathedral is the largest in Northern Europe and it took 632 years until the construction of it was completed.  This was the cities most famous landmark for centuries.  It is known for its two soaring spires and its most beautiful stained glass windows.  There are still fragments of Roman ruins that can be seen in parts of the city.  There is a Roman Tower near the Cathedral, which was once part of the medieval town walls.  Cologne also has many popular Museums such as the Museum Ludwig, devoted to modern art where a collection of Picasso’s work is displayed, the Fragrance Museum Farina House, the birthplace of Eau de Cologne and the Schokoladenmuseum, dedicated to chocolate making.  Unfortunately we were not able to visit any museums because they were closed on Mondays.

The rest of the day we were free to visit the city on our own or enjoy time on the ship.  On the Viking, they offered a lecture on “Germany Today” and a German dinner was served.  After dinner an optional excursion was offered at an additional price of 29 Euro to join a local guide on a walking tour to visit different pubs, taste the Cologne beer, and learn about the Brahaus Culture.

Tuesday-Koblenz, Middle Rhine & Rudesheim

Our ship docked in Koblenz early Tuesday morning.  This city, located on both sides of the Rhine is the third largest city in the Rhineland-Palatinate with a population of 106,000.  The headquarters of the German Army Forces Command is located here.  After breakfast we began our tour for the morning, taking buses to the Marksburg Castle.  This fortress is located on a hill above the town of Braubach.  It is the only medieval castle of the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed.  This castle was used for protection rather than as a residence for royal families.  The tour lasted about two and half hours and then we were back on the ship and sailing down the middle of the Rhine for the rest of the afternoon.

It was a beautiful sunny mid 60’s fall afternoon to enjoy the upper-deck of the Helvetia in our lounge chairs and enjoy all the beauty that surrounded us!  Our program director Stephanie, gave a commentary of all the points of interests as we cruised through the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine.  There were so many “Kodak moments” throughout the afternoon, between the variety of colors lining the hillsides from vineyards and the gorgeous fall colors of the trees, to many little towns, churches, castles, and ruins.  We also passed the famous Lorelei, a legendary rock formation rising 440 feet above the river.

Late in the afternoon we docked in Rudesheim.  An optional excursion of a mini train ride, dinner and entertainment along the Rudesheim’s lively Drosselgasse was offered for 59.00 Euro per person.  This main commercial street is lined with wine bars and small shops and is very popular with the locals and visitors.  For passengers that chose not to take the excursion they were free to dine on the ship and then take a stroll in town on their own.

Wednesday-Heidelberg & Speyer

Midmorning our ship docked in Mannheim where we disembarked for a coach excursion to Heidelberg, Germany.  Our first stop was at the Majestic Heidelberg Castle.  This Castle was originally built during the 13^th Century and was the residence of the Palatinate monarchy from the 13^th through 18^th centuries.  It is located on the Northern slope of Konigsstuhl Mountain.  The view from the castle overlooking the town of Heidelberg and the Neckar River is breathtaking.  After touring the grounds of the Palace our tour continued on a drive around the 600-year-old Heidelberg University, the oldest in Germany.  Then we took a walking tour through the old town and had some free time to stroll down Main Street lined with shops and cafes that stretch about a mile.  Later we returned to our ship, which had continued cruising to the town of Speyer.  It was late afternoon and we had a couple hours before we would set sail again so many of us took a stroll into this town.  Speyer was once an important center of Jewish culture.  Some ruins of the 11^th century synagogues still remain.  We were not able to go in but we walked around Germany’s largest Romanesque building, the Imperial Cathedral.

That evening after dinner our ship began cruising down the Rhine towards Strasbourg, France.

Thursday-Strasbourg, France

Thursday morning the Helvetia docked in the German town of Kehl, directly across the Rhine River from Strasbourg.  After breakfast we disembarked for a tour of Strasbourg.  Our tour consisted of a drive past the Palais de L” Europe where the Parliament meets and the city’s remarkable Renaissance architecture.  Then we proceeded to the city center where we began our walking tour.  We visited the picturesque Petite France area and then walked to Old Town and then on to Cathedral Square where we toured the Strasbourg Cathedral.  This was one of the finest of Europe’s great Gothic cathedrals.  Inside we saw the beautiful stain glass windows, and the remarkable astronomic clock on the back wall of the cathedral.  After the tour was over we had a little free time to do some shopping in Old Town before getting back on the motorcoach to return to our ship for lunch.  Our ship would not be departing until late in the evening so we had the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore on our own or take an optional excursion to Baden-Baden.  This included motorcoach transportation and a guide for 39 euros.  My husband and I chose to enjoy the beautiful afternoon by walking into the town of Kehl and do a little shopping.

Friday-Breisach & Black Forest, Germany

The ship docked about 8:00 a.m. and at 8:30 we disembarked for a motorcoach excursion through Germany’s beautiful Black Forest.  This densely forested, mountainous region is famous for its traditional cuckoo clocks and cherry schnapps.  Our first stop was at a shop in Hofgut Sternen where they sold their amazing cuckoo clocks and a demonstration was given on how they are made.  We also had the chance to try their famous Black Forest Cake.  It was delicious!!  The second stop on our excursion was in the town of Sankt Peter.  We took a short walking tour through this small town and went into the St. Peter Cathedral.  This Cathedral had beautiful paintings all over the ceiling, a lot of gold décor throughout, and a huge pipe organ in the balcony.  We had a little time to browse the shops and then back on the coaches for a return to our ship.

In the afternoon, two more optional excursions were offered.  One was a motorcoach ride and guide to the town of Colmar for 34 euros and the second was a World War II tour for 39 euros.  Those who did not choose those excursions were free to visit the town of Breisach.

In the evening we gathered in the lounge for a farewell toast with the Captain and then enjoyed the Captain’s Farewell Dinner with our newfound friends.  During dinner the ship departed for our final destination, Basel, Switzerland.

Saturday-Basel, Switzerland

Bright and early we disembarked to the airport for our return home.  For those who had purchased the Post-Cruise Extension, a motorcoach would take them to Lucerne where they would check into the hotel and then have a tour of Lucerne the next day and depart for home on the third day.

It was a wonderful trip and a relaxing, stress-free way to see Europe!  I recommend it highly!!

Beaches Turks and Caicos – Grace Bay, Providenciales

Accommodations: We were fortunate enough to spend 2 evenings here and to be assigned a Piazza Pool Front Walkout Family Suite with Separate Kids Room, in the Italian Village, which is the newest section of this complex. The room was very spacious and comfortable with a king size bed, large overstuffed sofa/trundle bed and a separate bedroom with bunk beds and a trundle that pulled from that. The décor was very rich looking, with a classy Caribbean feel.

There are 3 sections to this resort. The Caribbean Village, which is 11 years old, the French Village, which is 9 years old and the Italian Village, which is 2 years old. I liked each area for different reasons.

We viewed several different room categories in each section of the entire complex, which we would be happy to discuss with clients to find the right fit for their family.

The French Village, offered an intimate, quiet feel. I think that this area would be nice for honeymoon couples, even though it is a family friendly resort, as it is tucked away from most of the family activities. A draw back to the French Village is the balcony. Rooms on the ground level have a walkout patio. The 2nd floors and higher offer a French balcony, with a sliding glass door to the outside, but no room to sit or stand.

The Caribbean Village is older in style, more of a motor inn look, but spread out. I liked this area because the common areas were lively and the foliage was very mature and beautiful.

The Italian Village is more of a high rise complex, but flows nicely with the rest of the complex. It is very rich looking with poolside cabanas, richly decorated rooms and classy common areas.

Dining: There are over 16 specialty dining options, which is sure to satisfy any guest. In our short time at the resort, we were able to experience The Cricketer’s Pub, Mario’s Italian Restaurant for a buffet style lunch, Sushi Bar and Le Petit Chateau. We thoroughly enjoyed each dining experience. Everything was perfect from the professional, friendly staff to the perfectly presented entrees.
We did not experience the food at the following restaurants, but thought they were very unique to the resort. Bobby D’s, which is a 50’s style diner, that we thought children would love, as they serve ice cream, hot dogs and burgers all day long and at certain times during the day they made cotton candy. Also, Café de Paris, which offers an assortment of French pastries, but they had a cupcake bar where children could frost their own cupcakes to eat.

Entertainment and daily activities: I cannot imagine that any guest visiting this resort would ever run out of things to do. There is a 7000sq ft retail village, X-Box Games Garage, participate in activities with Sesame Street characters, Pirate Island water park with 9 slides, lazy river, surf simulator and water cannons. There are also options for volleyball, soccer, tennis, pool tables, board games, kayaking, windsurfing, aqua trikes and snorkeling. The 12 miles of Grace Bay Beach is enough to keep you occupied all day long with walking.

Sandals Emerald Bay – Great Exuma Island, Bahamas.

We did not have the opportunity to stay the evening at this resort, but we viewed many of the rooms, restaurants, common areas and entertainment areas. This is a great resort/destination for golfers, divers, honeymooners and for people that want a quiet, laid back atmosphere. The overall look is classy, with a very elegant beach theme throughout.

Luxury features:

Sandals Emerald Bay is the world’s first all butler serviced luxury included resort.
They offer a Greg Norman designed championship golf course with 6 Oceanside holes.
24-hour room service
Sits on 1 mile of powdery white sand beach with a view of Emerald Bay, which is some of the most beautiful turquoise water we have ever seen.
17-spa treatment rooms.
Caribbean’s largest zero entry pool with a central fire pit.

Accommodations:

There are 22 room categories to choose from at this resort, ranging from a standard hotel room to a 2-story 1 bedroom beachfront suite. We were fortunate enough to view many room choices and we are happy to discuss them with you to find the right fit for your vacation.

Dining:

There are 6 options for dining at the resort, ranging from Italy, France, UK and the Caribbean as the influences. We sampled options from a lunch buffet and thoroughly enjoyed all of the high-end presentations and tastes.

Entertainment and Activities:

We met one of the entertainment coordinators for the resort and as we were walking around the resort with her, she was addressing guests by their first name. It was nice to see the personal connection and to see that the guests were obviously engaging in the resort activities and entertainment. There are offered dance lessons, golf and tennis lessons, live music, jazz performances, Appleton Reserve rum tasting classes, bocce ball, volleyball and snorkeling.

I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon sailing around Auckland Harbor, with the Pride of Auckland Sailing Company.

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Auckland. This hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Auckland and offers very comfortable and spacious rooms with great views.

Waitomo – Waitomo Caves – Fascinating underground, limestone caverns. You may choose to take a boat ride through the grotto, after viewing the impressive caves, which is lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. This was such an amazing experience.

Rotorua – This is such a rare destination, filled with geysers, bubbling mud pools and surrounded by crystal clear lakes and streams. The Maori culture offers interesting history.

I went to Te-Puia Thermal Reserve. This location is filled with, mud pools, hissing steam and geysers. Also, a great look into the history of Maori culture.
Also, participated in Maori Hangi, which is similar to a luau and filled with interesting facts about Maori culture.

I stayed at Millennium Rotorua, which is a perfect location, in the heart of the city, with amazing views. The grounds are well kept and are very attractive.The rooms were clean and comfortable, but basic.

Christchurch – This city reminded me of a city in England. The Avon River flows through the city and there are tree-lined avenues and colorful gardens. Also, many high-end shops all within walking distance from many accommodations in the city.

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Christchurch. The location is located in the heart of the city and right beside the Avon River. Great location for walking to shops and restaurants. The rooms were very modern, clean and comfortable.

We had many days of road travel, but the longest was from Christchurch to Mt Cook. The roads traveled offered beautiful views of the Canterbury Plains. We stopped at Lake Tekapo, which is glacier fed. There is a church located next to the lake that was built in 1935 out of locally gathered stone and oak. This is a perfect stop to have a picnic lunch during a long day of driving.

Mt Cook – Mt Cook National Park – Mt Cook is considered to be one of the most iconic images of the country. Inside the park, you may choose to take a guided tour to Tasman Glacier, which includes a hike to the zodiac boat launch. I went on the hike, but the weather was not cooperative to take the zodiacs to the glacier, however, we were able to view icebergs.

I stayed at the Hermitage Hotel, which is located in the middle of nowhere, inside of the park. The hotel is surrounded by mountains and offers amazing views. The rooms and the rest of the resort are very primitive in style, slightly motor inn with a lodge feel, but you cannot beat the views. You are right in the heart of nature. The staff was very friendly and accommodating.

We drove from Mt Cook to Milford Sound through small farming communities and quaint towns by the names of Cromwell and Te Anau. Cromwell, has a great roadside stand called Mrs. Jones’s, where they serve amazing ice cream and have many local treats. Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and is very picturesque. I enjoyed just sitting on a park bench and looking out at the lake. The drive to Milford Sound also involves driving through Fiordland National Park, which is one of the most memorable and beautiful sights I have ever seen. There are snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, mirror lakes and lush surroundings around every corner.

Milford Sound – I participated in an overnight cruise of the sound, aboard the Milford Mariner. The cruise starts at the base of the Sound and travels out to the Tasman Sea and circles back to anchor in the Sound for the evening. Once anchored you can relax on deck, or go for a guided tour with kayaks. The dinner and breakfast served aboard are served buffet style with many choices and the food was very good. The staff was very friendly and professional. The cabin accommodations are very comfortable and clean.

Arrowtown – This town is a former gold mining town. It offers spectacular scenery and quaint streets. Also, offers easy access to one of many AJ Hackett Bungy-jumping sites.

Wanaka – Voted in the top 10 world’s most romantic destinations. This was easily one of my favorite locations on the entire trip. Wanaka is surrounded by striking mountains, beautiful Lake Wanaka and a quaint town with unique dining options.

I stayed at the Edgewater Resort, which is located on the edge of Lake Wanaka. The rooms are very spacious and clean with amazing views of the lake and Southern Alps. I loved the intimacy of this resort and the close proximity to town, but also how tucked away it is.

Queenstown – This is such and amazing city. It is quaint, fun and full of adventure. There is an ice bar, shotover jet boating, bungy jumping, winery tours, unique restaurants, high end shopping and a hip nightlife.

I stayed at the Sofitel Queenstown, which is in the heart of the downtown area. This hotel is one of the nicest I have ever stayed in. It is a luxury boutique hotel, which is not lacking in any area and there is such attention to detail with every inch of the hotel. The rooms were richly decorated, comfortable and clean and were so pampering.

New Zealand is one of the top destinations I have traveled to in my 15 years as a travel consultant. There is so much to offer in both the North and South Islands. I have never been to a destination that offers so much diversity with the surroundings. It is the natural attractions that just have your jaw dropping many times per day. Snowy mountains, volcanoes, beaches, remote hiking trails, fiords, wilderness lakes and much, much more.

Cabo San Lucas is basically an extension of the State of California into Mexico on the Baja Peninsula. Los Cabos is basically comprised of three distinct areas: Cabo San Lucas, The Corridor and San Jose del Cabo. Although most of the resorts in Cabo sit directly on the water and have beautiful beaches, few of them offer swimmable beaches. Cabo is also one of the safest destinations in Mexico with a nearly non-existent crime rates!

The city of Cabo San Lucas boasts large hotels on almost every available piece of land. The city is very walkable and restuarants, bars and shops curve around the entire perimeter of the Cabo San Lucas Harbor. Most of the hotels in this area are “non-inclusive” resorts.

The Corridor is where you will find most of the glamorous and ritzy hotels! Developers are deliberately keeping this area very high-end and private. Most resorts are guard-gated, luxury developments and have amazing views of the Sea of Cortez.

San Jose del Cabo is closest to the airport and also has the most authentic feel. Here you will find a downtown area that is quaint and appealing. Just outside the city is the hotel zone where you will find the hotels, resorts (both all-inclusive and non-inclusive), and time-share properties.

Plan for the weather – No matter when you go, there will be times when you should be inside where it’s cool, dry, etc. vs. visiting monuments and memorials.  Check the weather forecast before your vacation and be flexible.

Getting the most out of your trip – be strategic when planning your itinerary. I group places that are close together so my fiancé and I aren’t spending a lot of time traveling from one attraction to another.

Best way to see most monuments and memorials – take a hop on/hop off tour. There are three companies that offer these tours in DC and tickets can be purchased at Union Station. One word of caution, don’t stay on the tour bus and complete the whole circuit and then go back to the attraction(s) of your choice. If you do, you’ll waste valuable time. Also, be sure to check on times the tours begin and end operation for the day as those vary depending on the time of year.