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
 

  • 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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