Travel Blog

Pleasure tripping...

 

 
Terry & I were in Scotland this summer and were greatly impressed!
A Celebrated Journey to Scotland: 10 nights starting at approximately $1900 per guest

Imagine an 11 day, 10 night trip experiencing Scotland's great cities, the Highlands, and West Coast for under $2,000 per person.  That would have been impossible the last few years, but the opportunity exists in 2009. 
The journey begins in Edinburgh, my favorite walking city in the UK.  Your home for these two nights is Channings, the friendliest hotel in town and former home of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.  There is so much to see as you stroll through both New and Old Towns: a walk down the Royal Mile from the Edinburgh Castle to the Palace at Holyroodhouse with many great stops along the way; a visit to The Royal Yacht Britannia; perhaps a quick jaunt south to the scenic Borders region with rolling hills, ruined abbeys and the Tweed River running through it.
After two nights, you depart for Ballathie House, a quaint country house on one of Scotland's best fishing rivers.  On the journey up from Edinburgh, you stop and have lunch and perhaps a round of golf in St. Andrews.  The next day you depart the hotel and head north through Cairngorms National Park, stopping at a distillery on the Whisky Trail before you arrive near Inverness at Culloden House, a stately home with great history.  You will spend 2 nights at Culloden House which gives you ample time to visit Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last land battle in Britain, or we can possibly arrange a meeting with Lady Cawdor at Cawdor Castle. 
You then head south from Inverness along the shores of Loch Ness stopping to visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle and perhaps witness a sheep dog demonstration.  That night you arrive at Inverlochy Castle, one of the great castle hotels in Europe and enjoy dinner in their Michelin Star dining room.  The next morning you sidestrip to Glencoe with its haunting beauty and tragic history before traveling to their own private island for the next 2 nights, Isle of Eriska.  This is a natural base for exploring Oban and Western Isles such as Iona and Mull.  Isle of Eriska, like Inverlochy Castle is one of the few 5-Red Star hotels in the UK.  On one of the two nights here, you will definitely want to take the owner up on a whisky tasting and spend their days watching wildlife in this area of outstanding natural beauty.  After 6 nights in the Highlands it's time for Glasgow, a recent European Capital of Culture winner.  This has become the 2nd best museum and shopping city in the UK, and you will have the opportunity to experience Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens, the most stylish hotel in Scotland, before returning home.
Conclusion
.  Rely on our team of experts for our knowledge and our relationships, taking advantage of great rates and great perks like the guaranteed upgrades described above.  If you are interested in personalizing your own itinerary or to book any of our hotels or services in Scotland, please call me at 608-831-5660.
Warm regards,
Sheila
 

  • Valentin Imperial- Riviera Maya

    4/26/20118:23:13 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Hello Terry,
    My husband and I just returned (Sun.) from a fantastic vacation at the Valentin Imperial Maya on the Riviera Maya Mexico!  We loved the place, beautiful.  We found the food to be excellent!  However we always went early and never had to wait.  Also, everyone (staff and vacationers) were very friendly.  Upon our arrival we were put into the room (Emerald) and building we requested, although it was first floor.  However, two days later we were able to move up to the second floor and had a fantastic ocean view right off the beach!  We also are now big fans of the adults only resorts.  Definitely planning a trip back next year.  One thing that I was very impressed with, was how the management had listened and been reading Trip Advisor.  People had complained (on TA) about lack of shade, so they built more Palpas.  Looked like about 20 new additional ones.  They finished the final three while we were there.  People had also complained about possible intruders on the first floor buildings.  So they hired more security which were plainly visible around the clock and put motion detector lights on all the patios.  (We had no problems with theft or intruders nor saw anyone that didn't look like they should be there.)  In fact, one morning I ran down the beach and when I came back up to go between the buildings, I was stopped by security.  He was nice, but I had to show him my room card to get past him.  (Good for them.)  We toured all the rooms (except the Silver) and found them to all be very nice.  All in all, Valentin is an excellent resort.  I would be happy to recommend it to any of your clients.  Thank you for all your help.

    Sincerely, Becky 

     Madison, Wi

     

     

  • Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro

    3/13/201111:10:45 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Hi Sheila,
    Just wanted you to know how our vacation was.  What a resort, it's listed as a 5 apple, but should be a 6 golden.  It's wonderful there, we really got a good price on this resort.  I /we loved everything about it.  I especially loved the jacuzzi in our room.  When we arrived there was a fruit basket in our room and also a present on the bed with (2) Bahia Principle T-shirts in it.  There were Bahia Principle bath robes in our room with slippers.  Our mini refrig was filled with beer and pop.  The drinks were all fancy glass drinks, except at the pool area.  Everyone was wonderful, the service was great, the food was great.  One day we had grilled lobster at the pool (wonderful), as many tails as you wanted.  Something different everyday at the pool - grilled shrimp, etc. The Japanese grill (cooked right in front of us and we could have whatever we wanted) and the steak grill were super.  Everyone we spoke to loved it there and we spoke with alot of repeat customers.  We had never seen people from Russia before and we met 3 different families from Russia.  The rooms were real sound proof, we never knew anyone else was even around.  If you don't like walking far, there's usually a tolley going by.  The beach was very crowded, so we spent most of our time at the pool.  One day we were on the beach and one of the guys shouted whale, whale - they were at a distance so we could only make out the big tails.  I'm going to write a review to apple.  Spa was great- I could go on and on.  I can't imagine anyone writing a bad review on this resort - if, when we go to Punta Cana again we will definitely go to the Gran Bahia.

    Mary,

    Monroe , Wi

  • Aura Cozumel Wyndham Grand Bay

    2/13/20111:22:36 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Hi Sheila,
     
    We had a great time on our trip to Cozumel! We loved the resort. We liked that it was small and that we ran into the same people all the time. The food was good and the room was great. We loved the rooftop pool and the views. We rented a car and drove around the island one day. We enjoyed driving along the cost and stopping at a few beach bars. It was so hard to come home to snow! I would definatly recommend the resort to anyone looking for a relaxing, low key vacation.
     
    Thanks for the recommendation!
     
    Laura

    Feb 2011

  • Iberostar Paraiso Riviera Maya

    5/26/201010:56:36 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

     

    Iberostar Paraiso Maya
     April 2010 review
     
     
    Check in very good. Hector went over map of resort and where things are. Listed times for lunch. Also his extension and that of our concierge. It was 130pm, and we were able to get in our room at 2pm (reg ck in is at 3p)
     
    Room 6365 ( 3rd floor in bldg 63) superior jr ste. Nice – quiet.
    They do not do a night time turn down.. They do have an elevator- small- in each bldg as well as a concierge . She made all reservations for dining with no problems, even 1st night. She is also the one to set up internet user nm & password. ($15./day).
    They have an internet lounge with 3 machines at $3./15 min..not very fast so the 24hrs better for us.
    Nice large bathroom. Walk in glassed in shower, toilet, double sinks and large Jacuzzi tub. It is off the entry hallway which has the 2 closets, safe & mini bar with counter, coffee maker. There is another door to main room, so shutting that keeps it very quiet. The bedroom had a king bed, cabinet with TV that swivel to be view from step down living are with sofa , end table, coffee table, desk & chair
     
    Patio/balcony off living are with table, 2 chairs and swinging hammock style chair. A drying rack for towels/suits on one end.
     
     
    1st dinner at the French Restaurant..very nice- beautiful murals and décor. French music..special. Food excellent. Asparagus soup with sherry & truffle/ Lobster salad w/ pheasant ragout, melon sorbet, - I had Duck l’orange / Terry had Shrimp… All good.wonderful presentations. House wine NOT very good..but champagne is good.
    Elegant, almost all couples Children under 15 not accepted , so good choice for those not traveling with families & for parents to get alone time.
     
     
    2nd night La Marina- Seafood restaurant ..Appetizers and salad buffet/ entrée served/ desert buffet. Apps..not what I like/ peel your own shrimp, crab in shell- lots of weird seafood.. Some nice cheeses.. deserts not impressive..except my favorite caramel/nut wrapped candy..Glorius—YUM.. Entrée- I had Scallops- very good in a cream sauce.. TB had tuna steak, good but too large
    Boring décor, many kids & families.. Lots of separate areas, but they made no effort to put couples/adults with no kids in one area…all mixed
     
     
    3rd night – Japanese Tapanyaki..
    Might have been good if adults..but sits 18! And we had 2 large families from New Jersey- obnoxious, rude, load…. 1 nice couple from England with 10yr old son- very polite. ‘
    Food ok, but overcooked lobster slow - so dry..too bad as he had huge lobsters, scallops good, shrimp ok..steak too well done.. If weren’t for the distracting kids, may have been ok. Bar waitress (Izabel?) had sympathy & over Terry a bottle of red wine & bottle of champagne.. They take reservations, so no reason they couldn’t dedicate 1 of the 5 tables for adults only! I contacted the rest manager with this advice.
     
    4th night went back to French gourmet .
    Luiz was very good.. not many people in there this night, only 3 tables or so..(mostly families here this week as is spring break for New Jersey.)
    The Chef- Nancy came out and went table to table. Nice touch, I asked about the circular bread thing in the aspasagus soup. She said it is the same recipe they use to make the sugar cones for ice cream!.
    Per Luiz, we tried a Maya liquor Xtabentun (ish-tah-ben-TUUN) after dinner that was like oozo w/honey..straight up with floating coffee beans. Very nice, recommend for clients to buy at airport after security if on a nonstop flight back
     
    The landscaping here is amazing. Beautiful everywhere. Each bldg has a courtyard with different accents- fountains, sculptures, etc. Especially at night with the lighting. The lobby area by Theatre at the Lindo has lots of ponds and walkways over water. Very pretty.
     
    The pools go from front to back.. very large. Has a lazy river & wave pool as well as large main pool with swim up bar , Sports pool, and a few “private pools” at the Maya- quieter.
     
    Lots of families, especially w/ small children. This was mid April, after school breaks, but still kids everywhere. Great for families.
     
    We went to the show on Sun ngt- Boogie nights. It was surprisingly good. Well run , professional. It was live, own band and singers, dancers – no lip-syncing.
    One of the better theater settings I’ve seen at a resort.
     
    Check out a breeze.
     
     
     
    Iberostar Paraiso Grand
    ( Adult only resort next door with full use of Rest of complex.)
    They called over to see if our room ready & they sent a bellman on a golf cart to get us. Very nice. Easy check in..room 7246 Ricardo, the butler showed around..
     
    This hotel reminds me of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, just on the beach, no casino & all inclusive.
     
    Has a relaxing pool (fresh water- quiet atmosphere), a main pool (salt water- large with 4 jacuzzis that were warmer water) , and an indoor pool. Very nice for rainy days or those who can’t take sun.
     
    Room very similar the the Paraiso Maya, but with the fridge stacked with little bottles of liquor. (you can request your favorite)
     
    No problem getting into restaurants, just call your concierge for a reservation in evenings.Breakfast & lunch – walk in.
     
    They run shuttle (golf cart) from Lobby to Shopping/Entertainment center , spa, etc.
     
    Perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, retirement celebrations, etc.
     

  • Marival Residence- Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

    4/8/20101:46:41 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

     

    Hi Terry,
     
    The Marival Residence was quite the place, very very nice.  Although it's not right on the beach, in the end I would highly recommend the Residence to anyone. The food and service in the restaurants was top notch. The rooms were great but you needed to be on an upper level to have any view of the ocean. The Residence provides a little more kicked back atmosphere for dining and relaxing around the pool. Anyone going with kids I would suggest the Grand Marival. 
     
    Thanks again for all your help Terry,
     
    Don 
       

  • Valentin's - Riviera Maya , Mexico

    4/8/20101:41:46 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

     

    Hi Sheila,
     
    My husband and I returned from our honeymoon in Mexico last Saturday evening (12/12) that we'd booked through your agency and wanted to thank you for helping to make it the ultimate honeymoon experience! I would highly recommend the Valentin Imperial Maya to anyone looking for a great bargain stay in Mexico. We had no problems with them honoring us as 'honeymooners', got all the perks and had a fantastic week. The beaches, food, service,  - all fantastic! Also, Lomas travel was very well run - we went on two excursions through Lomas that were great! 
     
    Thanks again for your help in finding, booking, and the details to make our vacation flawless :)!! 
     
    Ashley & Mike
     

  • Add unique content

    6/27/20084:46:36 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

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