Travel 2012 In Review

Hello Travel with Lisa Fans! I know it has been quite some time since you have received my blog; it was a crazy fall for sure. I have been working on giving the site a facelift so I hope you like the changes! I am now going to publish just 4 times per year, highlighting the destinations that people have chosen. I guess my version of what is trending! Please send me the email of anyone you think might like to receive my blog in 2013. So, 2012....for most, it was not the best of years...I am sure there will be lots of pots banging to ring in 2013! Hopefully, everyone had the chance to travel at least once and to somewhere memorable. Here are some pictures from my 2012 ventures. In February, we visited the Radisson Aruba Resort and Spa for 5 nights. It was beautiful weather, gorgeous beaches and fantastic food. I would go back again and again, as many people do.

In March, we spent 6 nights near Marco Island, in a resort community called Fiddler's Creek. We were able to spend time with many friends and had a TON of laughs!

In July, I headed to East Hampton for my annual visit...it just wouldn't be summer without it!

Also in July, we totally splurged for our anniversary and went to the One and Only Palmilla in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was my first time to Cabo and I was very impressed with the area. There is something for everyone, and perfect weather!

My last trip of 2012 was to The Royal Cancun...I would highly recommend this adult only all-inclusive. It has a perfect beach location, incredibly attentive service, and many different room configurations. Perfect for groups, couples and Destination Weddings! Here is my slideshow of the property.

The Royal Cancun

Cabo San Lucas

Happy Fall Travel with Lisa Fans! Keeping it short this month, but informative nonetheless! This summer I had the opportunity to visit Cabo San Lucas for the first time. We stayed at the One and Only Palmilla, which I HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking to splurge a little,(ok, a lot), or celebrate something BIG. My slideshow says it all...Life is Short, take a vacation!

It’s been a hot year for Los Cabos, as it was selected to host this year’s G20 Summit. With a dramatic landscape of orange desert, dark blue waters and spots of emerald thanks to its many golf courses, Los Cabos—comprised of the towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas—is heavy in both man-made and natural appeal. San Jose, founded by Jesuit missionaries, is the place to go for art appreciation and acquisition, with dozens of art galleries and an Art Walk taking place on Thursday evenings from November through June. It’s also the site of tree-lined plazas and top restaurants—award-winning dining is one of Los Cabos’ claims to fame, after all. Half an hour away is Cabo San Lucas, where the after-hours scene is prolific and where a modern marina and boardwalk is always bustling thanks to a bevy of shops, restaurants and boating and fishing outfitters. The towns are connected by the Transpeninsular Highway, dotted by top resorts and gorgeous championship greens designed by golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Pete Dye. Throughout, you’ll also find some of the finest spas anywhere—yet another reason why George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston and so many other celebrities spend much time here. Marine attractions off Los Cabos are even more enticing. The Sea of Cortez, which John Steinbeck described as “ferocious with life,” is an underwater utopia where sea lions frolic, roosterfish jump up to greet you and whale-watching during the winter months is a daily affair. It’s also home to some of the best sport fishing in the Americas, with several fishing events taking place annually. One of the premier luxury resorts in the world, One&Only Palmilla offers ocean views from all accommodations, ranging from luxurious guestrooms to pool casitas and the 4-bedroom Villa Cortez. One-bedroom suites come with customized iPods and laptops. There’s also butler service and celebration specialists to coordinate special occasions. THE GREENS: The Golf Club at Palmilla features a Jack Nicklaus 27- hole beauty with daily trade winds, touted among the best in the world, and divided into the Ocean Nine, the Arroyo Nine and the Mountain Nine. The stunning course offers views of the Sea of Cortez from 12 of 27 holes, five sets of staggered tees and challenging shifts in elevation. This year, the Golf Club launched the first International PGA Tour Academy, where golfers of all abilities can perfect their game with personalized instruction, the latest golf technology—including V1 video analysis—and a customized Golf for Life program. THE AMENITIES: Fine dining comes in the form of Market, by Michelin starred chef Jean-Georges, and Agua by chef Larbi Dahrouch. The spa, inspired by the Baja landscape, features 13 spa villas. Guests can charter the One&Only yacht for a romantic sail, sign up for a Desert Adventure tour in a private Hummer, reserve a cove with a “floating bed” or go snorkeling or seasonal whale watching. THE SCENE: You’ll be hobnobbing with celebrities hiding out from the paparazzi at the tennis courts and at the resort’s swimmable beach in an incomparable desert-meets-sea setting.

Sandals Royal Bahamian's New Balmoral Tower

Happy August Travel with Lisa Fans! I hope you have been enjoying all the sun and warm temperatures. I feel like this blog should have highlighted some cool SKI trips! As the days grow shorter, thoughts eventually turn towards the colder months and hopefully VACATION! It's a great time to start planning your Holiday Trip, your Winter Break, your Spring Break, and it's not too late for November either! I am highlighting two resorts in the Bahamas this month. The first is Sandals Royal Bahamian, having just undergone a major renovation. I also have Marica and Jim's vacation pictures from Club Med, Columbus Isle, San Salvador, Bahamas. Marcia and Jim are on a first name basis with the staff at this resort; they have been so many times and just love it! So take a look, see where other people are headed, and start thinking "Where should we go?" Remember, LIFE IS SHORT, TRAVEL WITH LISA!

After undergoing a $17 million renovation, the Balmoral Tower at Sandals Royal Bahamian now features a lighter, contemporary look and even more luxury! The most exciting feature is the large balconies that were added to 35 of the oceanview rooms. An additional 11 ground-floor rooms have now become walk-out rooms, providing direct access to the newly finished white concrete pool deck, which incorporates local fauna and conch shells. Beachfront fire pits and an expanded lounge area complete the Balmoral Tower’s new look. Best Rooms Some of the best rooms in the new tower are the Balmoral Tower Beachfront Penthouse with Butler Service, situated on the top floor. They have unobstructed views of the ocean. The Grand Bahamian Beachfront Walkout with Butler Service occupies an exclusive position on the ground floor of the Balmoral Tower, just steps away from the beach. Each one provides Sandals’ exclusive butler service and is generously proportioned and features an expansive bedroom. The Kensington Luxury Beachfront Concierge is a suite that is complemented by a luxurious en-suite bathroom and sliding doors that lead to an oversized private balcony where magnificent views await. Located on Nassau’s renowned Cable Beach, Sandals Royal Bahamian is approximately 10 minutes from Lynden Pindling International Airport, 20 minutes from Downtown Nassau and Bay Street, and roughly 30 minutes from Paradise Island. In 1946, the original resort “The Balmoral Club” was created to be the playground for many of the royal friends of the then-Governor of The Bahamas, the Duke of Windsor. The architecture portrays an elaborate sophistication, Roman columns and a large 25-foot tall statuary guard at the entrance to the porte-cochere. Sandals Royal Bahamian is the only resort in Nassau’s with its own private offshore island. Features on this island, Sandals Cay, include freshwater pool, swim-up pool bar, whirlpool, Café Goombay and the resort’s famous Zen Garden (Red Lane Spa). A ferry runs every hour, beginning at 10 a.m. and returns from the island at a quarter to the hour, with the last ferry returning at 4:45 p.m. The Suite Concierge Service includes in-room bar, daily newspaper, full bath, DVD and free DVD library (available in the Concierge Lounge) and more. Butler service includes everything from unpacking and packing a client’s luggage to attending to a guest’s wardrobe and serving breakfast on the balcony. Butler Suites also feature a cordless phone, DVD player and premium liquor.

Club Med, Columbus Isle with Marcia and Jim!

BELIZE with the Kelly's

BELIZE...With one foot planted in the Central American jungles and the other dipped in the Caribbean Sea, Belize blends the best of both worlds. Offshore, kayakers glide from one sandy, palm-dotted islet to another, while snorkelers swim through translucent seas, gazing at a kaleidoscope of coral, fish, dolphins and turtles. Inland, explorers investigate ruins of ancient civilizations, and birders aim their binoculars at some 570 species. Between national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and marine reserves, more than 40% of the country’s area is protected in one form or another, creating a haven for countless creatures of land, sea and sky. Belize attracts more than 850,000 annual visitors eager to explore the mysteries of Maya sites such as Altun Ha or Lamanai, spot a toucan in the bird-watcher's paradise that is Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, snorkel the reef off Caye Caulker or the Northern Cayes, and otherwise partake of paradise. Tourism is the country’s top source of employment and investment. Belize offers myriad ways for travelers to tread lightly, from beach resorts powered by solar energy to jungle lodges built from reclaimed hardwoods. Licensed guides not only direct, but also educate their clients – about the fragility of the reef, the medicinal uses of flora and the threats to the jaguar’s habitat. It’s no wonder that Belizeans extend such a warm welcome to travelers. These easy-going people are eager to share – the staggering scenery, the bountiful biodiversity, all that exists in the shade of the mahogany tree.

Fiddler's Creek, April 2012

Excellence Playa Mujeres with the Aldino's

In one of the top tourist destinations of the world, it would be hard to imagine a more dramatic setting than Playa Mujeres in Cancun—an all inclusive oasis situated on an untouched peninsula between the Caribbean and a wetlands preserve. Playa Mujeres brings contemporary luxury to the wilds of the region. Its setting is stunning, reclusive as it is exclusive, on a two-mile stretch of powdery virgin white sand. And yet Cancun International Airport is just 30 minutes away. The shopping and nightlife of Cancun even closer. Excellence Playa Mujeres is a romantic adults only resort in a private community that boasts an inland marina and a spectacular Greg Norman signature golf course right on the Caribbean. And that’s just the beginning. Our world-class Miilé Spa will take your breath away—and your cares. Our nine international restaurants will delight you with gourmet dining options. And our all inclusive list of activities, on both land and sea, will see to it that you’re never bored. This intimate seaside resort of Cancun offers sumptuous rooms and contemporary suites, situated to take advantage of gorgeous views. At Excellence Playa Mujeres, everything is taken care of and nothing is left out. Create those moments you dream of… and memories you’ll have forever.

Experience or Thing?

Hello Travel with Lisa Fans! I hope everyone who was vacationing these past few weeks is back safely and enjoyed their trip. If you were not away, well, let's get planning! I read an interesting article recently...it made the case for "Buying Experiences, Not Things". I bet many of you purchased one of the record-setting PowerBall tickets and thought "What If?" Some of you may be getting back a nice tax return and are deciding how to spend it? This article suggested that "Spending on experiences makes people happier than spending on things. Things may get broken or go out of style; Experiences get better every time you talk about them". So, if you concur, now may be the perfect time to start thinking about what EXPERIENCE you would like to create, and I'll be happy to help! Life is short, TAKE A VACATION!

Welcome to Aruba!

Dreaming of lazy sunny days, powdery ivory sands, warm tropical breezes, swaying palms, sparkling turquoise Caribbean waters, and a beach chair with your name on it? Aruba is your destination! There are plenty of direct flights and convenient connections, along with sizzling nightlife, world-class shopping, myriad opportunities for fun and adventure, relaxing spas, and much more. Aruba might be your best vacation ever!

The Excellence Riviera Cancun with Tina and Bill

If you have a taste for romance and relaxation, the all inclusive luxury of Excellence Riviera Cancun is waiting to welcome you.
Situated on a sugar white sand beach on Mexico’s Riviera Maya coast, Excellence Riviera Cancun is a classic all-suite Mediterranean-style resort of stucco, tile and marble. It may be secluded but it’s not isolated. Vibrant Cancun, cosmopolitan Playa del Carmen and the ancient Mayan world are all at your doorstep. So much to discover--still, no one would blame you if you lingered at our resort. Our adults only world is a tropical fantasy that revolves around six winding pools, the clear Caribbean, well-appointed accommodations…and you. Here in a culture of hospitality and service, we attend to your every desire. Open yourself up to a world of pampering at Miilé Spa. Experience gourmet cuisine at our eight international restaurants. Take an afternoon snorkel…or siesta. Enjoy a yoga class on the beach at sun-up….or a late-night spin on the dance floor in our nightclub lounge. No reservations needed anywhere, no schedules to follow. Feel free to be as spontaneous as you like. All inclusive. All suite. All luxury. Come see what it really means to get away from it all at Excellence Riviera Cancun!

Pattarozzi's Ruby Princess Cruise

For a romantic getaway, there’s no better cruise ship than Ruby Princess, which was christened in 2008 by Trista and Ryan Sutter of TV’s The Bachelorette. A night of romance can be created wherever you look, from a Piazza singer’s sweet serenade, to a relaxing couples massage from a cabana in The Sanctuary®. Movies Under the Stars® is also a cozy venue, where you can cuddle up under a warm blanket and watch a romantic comedy amongst the evening stars. To enhance its elegance, Ruby Princess sails to some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, including the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Rekindle your passion onboard the newest ship in the Princess fleet!

Who wants to see the Brand New Disney Fantasy?

Happy Almost Spring Travel with Lisa Fans! A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to board the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line Family-the Disney Fantasy! As a veteran cruiser, I can HONESTLY say I was WOWED by this ship. There were so many small touches, so many magnificent ideas and innovations...the colors, the staterooms...all spectacular! It was hard for me to create a slideshow with just 100 pictures, but it's here for you to see. The ship starts sailing this month on 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral...so if you are looking for something special, this vacation might just be for you! Reserve your place today! Life is short, TAKE A VACATION!


Disney Fantasy


Overview

Building on the classic style of her sister ship, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy™ is the regal fourth cruise liner in the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet. This 130,000-ton vessel offers:

14 towering decks
1,250 staterooms
The capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,450 Cast and Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each day

Building on the classic style of the previous ships, the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy is a majestic sailing vessel where early 20th-century design—recalling the golden age of cruising—meets state-of-the-art technology. The cruise liner is designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of Disney magic.




Year-round, you and your family are invited to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise adventure aboard the Disney Fantasy. Here, you'll find the vast array of comforts, outstanding service and timeless beauty of a ship that's sure to capture your heart and imagination.



Discover what awaits you and your family onboard the ship:

Staterooms

Staterooms on board the Disney Fantasy feature contemporary amenities, ample space and elegant nautical decor. Most boast split bathrooms—perfect for families and a cruise line industry first.



Youth Clubs

Youth Clubs fulfill the recreational needs of younger guests. Kids clubs, activity centers for tweens and teens and a plethora of unique interactive programs can be found throughout the ship.



Dining

Dining options aboard the Disney Fantasy include elegant adults-only dining, gourmet Main Dining delights and mouthwatering made-to-order casual fare—in delightfully themed restaurants.



Entertainment

Entertainment aboard the Disney Fantasy, including spectacular musical live shows and first-run movies in 3-D, is available at a number of lavish onboard venues each day of your cruise—and is unlike anything else offered on the high seas.




Pools

Pools aboard the Disney Fantasy are terrific places to cool down and relax on sun-kissed afternoons. On Deck 11, you'll find 3 sparkling pools—one for kids, one for families, and one just for adults.


Nightclubs & Lounges

Nightclubs & Lounges on the Disney Fantasy fill the nights at sea with live music, dancing and socializing.



Designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising during the 1930s, the Disney Fantasy is seen as a thematic extension of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The new ocean liner will feature the same attention to detail Disney is known for, while introducing new and immersive, one-of-a-kind venues and experiences for everyone in the family.



Guests are instantly transported to an age of adventure and wonder, where elegance and sophistication mingle with Disney storytelling and whimsy. Inside is an attention to detail one would only expect from Disney, including:

Lavish decorative murals
Sparkling fixtures and furnishings
Original paintings, statues and woodwork that lend to the Art Nouveau ambiance Themed venues —including youth clubs, restaurants, nightclubs and theatre spaces—that take Guests of all ages to faraway places where memory and magic come together



The Atrium Lobby & Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse

The magnificent 3-deck atrium lobby on the Disney Fantasy is reminiscent of grand ocean liners of the Golden Age. Art Nouveau-inspired details and patterns in hues of vibrant blue, green, pink and gold lend to the sophistication. Glamorous and graceful design elements include:

A sweeping grand staircase
Towering fluted columns
A grand piano
An exquisite marble and stone inlay floor
The lobby's focal point: a cascading chandelier of stained glass and crystal beads
The pièce de résistance: the atrium lobby statue of Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse. Inspired by travel of the 1920s and 1930s, Minnie is cast in bronze and dressed in vintage fashion with steamer luggage at her side—and serves to welcome all who board the ship.



Here is a fantastic slideshow to see the beauty of the FANTASY

PARIS, FRANCE

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Le Blanc Resort and Spa, Cancun

THE LUXURIOUS ADULTS ONLY LE BLANC SPA RESORT IS RANKED #3 TOP 10 ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS IN THE WORLD

THE TRANSFORMATION OF ALL INCLUSIVE TO ALL INCREDIBLE


Are you ready to release yourself from the cares of the world and surrender to the freedom of a serene and carefree luxurious retreat? The adults-only, all-inclusive Le Blanc Spa Resort beckons you from the white sand beaches and sparkling waters of the Caribbean.

Nestled in a secluded enclave between Nichupte Lagoon and the glistening Caribbean Sea in Cancun, Mexico, Le Blanc is an extraordinary resort where luxury reaches its pinnacle and service is simultaneously warm, genuine and sensational. At Le Blanc you’ll quickly embrace the exhilarating freedom of doing whatever you want, whenever you want, in a tropical paradise from your most vivid dreams.

Indulge your every whim, whether it’s a refreshing swim or sun worshipping at one of our three shimmering pools, a challenging round on one of our legendary Jack Nicklaus Cancun golf courses, a tour of ancient Mayan ruins or the Yucatan jungle, or the supreme luxury of doing nothing more than lounging on the beach and wading in the deliciously warm waves.

Everywhere you go at Le Blanc, our ratio of nearly one staff member per guest ensures that your every desire is anticipated and fulfilled.