While booking a Cruise with a local Travel Agent, I asked what they thought about attending a travel school, the answer was "save your money", find an agency that will train you. I did, it was there. I’ve now been in the industry for 16 years and have traveled to Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Acapulco, Puerto Vallara/Riviera Nayarit, Cancun/Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Guaymas, San Luis Potosi, Costa Rica, Panama, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Aruba, Barbados, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Florence, Naples, Palermo, Barcelona, Tunisia, Malta , and Monaco. I’ve sailed on Crystal, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival. If you’d like to chat, I specialist in Hawaii, Mexico, Contiki Vacations, the Caribbean, and most cruises, and have been awarded certifications from Sandals, Club Med, Holland America, Princess, and Cunard. I love this industry because it’s satisfying to know you’re the vehicle that helps people realize their dreams… Travel – who doesn't love it?
Thanks All-Travel! Club Med Vacation Was a Success!
Dear All-Travel, 
Laura did an excellent job, even though we had to make some changes. She was always more than willing to see that our stay at Club Med was a success and as economical as possible. She was not only knowledgeable but friendly as well!
-John
Contact your All-Travel agent today at 1-800-300-4567 or click HERE.
Add a commentAll-Travel is Top Notch!
Dear All-Travel,
I found Laura to be both prompt and knowledgeable. She offered competitive fares and provided excellent communication as well as a friendly attitude. All reps were very helpful as well. My experience was TOP NOTCH+++++++!
-Ronald
Contact your All-Travel agent today at 1-800-300-4567 or click HERE.
Add a commentMarival Residences & World Spa in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
By: Laura Bonchonsky
I recently had the opportunity to experience the new Marival Residences and World Spa in Riviera Nayarit, short transfer of 25 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta Airport. Marival Residences offers 1, 2, 3 & 4-Bedroom Suites & Penthouses all with terraces. In addition, there are 3-Bedroom Villas. All units have full kitchens with stainless appliances & marble countertops. Cabinets were stocked with utensils, dishes, glasses, pots pans & coffee maker. If guests desire groceries in their suite upon arrival this service is available at an additional charge. 
My stay was in a two bedroom penthouse suite with a roof-top plunge pool and ocean view, ahh! On the roof-top one can enjoy a bit of solitude while lounging on a cushioned chaise lounge, dipping in your plunge pool or enjoying a meal at the patio table & chairs, all made of wicker.
The master bedroom has a king bed while the second bedroom had two queens. The linens were of a high thread count (very comfy) and all rooms had flat screen televisions. A large sunken tub with whirlpool jets and separate shower were in the master while the second bathroom was shower only. The living room was equipped with another flat screen television. Love seat & chairs made for a comfortable seating area. The dining table adjacent to the living area could seat eight, great for enjoying a meal with family and friends. The terrace ran the length of the unit from the living area to the master bedroom…my 6th floor view was heavenly. 
There are three restaurants on property plus a wine bar. Marival offers both EP and All-Inclusive options. I experienced All-Inclusive, which is enjoyed a la' carte, no buffets here, just outstanding food and premium beverages. Every meal was better then the last. Omaggio is the International Restaurant, Insu Lounge Bar is a roof-top experience offering spectacular views, and The Lemmon Grass is a casual poolside snack bar/restaurant. There are no set menus at Lemmon Grass in the evening. Whatever fresh ingredients the Chef purchased that morning are used to create his menu. Fresh ingredients without proper execution does not make a great meal, but this was perfection. I enjoyed a wonderfully prepared piece of Sea Bass paired with a glass of Champagne, I was extremely satisfied.
All-Inclusive paying guests of Marival have full exchange privileges with the Marival Suites Resort in addition to unlimited select tours. Active travelers wishing to enjoy some of Puerto Vallarta's adventure could spend a substantial amount on tours, having them included is a bonus. Our Whale Watching Tour was the best I've ever experienced. Two playful dolphins were swimming along side our Zodiac enticing a mother and her baby to show themselves within ten feet of us. Close enough to see the barnacles that made themselves at home on their backs. They were not in the breeching mood but we did see plenty of fins appearing above the waterline. A perfectly mild January day in Banderas Bay, just amazing!
Although the Marival does not have beach access, guests can take the complimentary shuttle to the Marival Suites and enjoy the beach. The VIP Beach Club is exclusively for Residence guests. Bar service is offered beach side by an attentive server. I was not able to enjoy a Spa Treatment on this trip, but those that did raved. Staff were all gracious and accommodating.
I would not hesitate to recommend Marival Residence and World Spa for families or groups of friends looking for some of the comforts of home in a luxury resort setting.
For more information on traveling to the Riviera Nayarit call 800-300-4567 or click HERE.
Add a commentHot Deal to Puerto Vallarta with Apple Vacations
Here is an example of a recently booked trip to Puerto Vallarta Mexico. As you can see the guests booked 24 days prior to depature.
Purchase Date: 2/2/2009
Travel Consultant: Laura
Gary & Sara from Illinois USA
Tour Reservation
Booking Status: Confirmed Duration: 7
No. of Passengers: 2
Start Date: 2/26/2009 End Date: 3/5/2009
Tour
Apple Vacations
Tour Name: Apple - Puerto Vallarta Description: Rt air
ORD,Transfers,7nts
Penalties will apply to changes/cancellations
Flights
2/26/2009 Depart Chicago O'Hare (ORD) at 6:00 AM
2/26/2009 Arrive Puerto Vallarta (PVR) at 10:30 AM
Miscellaneous: Outbound, Class of Service='A'
PROPER PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED
Hotel
Puerto Vallarta Hotel
Check-in: 2/26/2009 Check-out: 3/5/2009
Room Type: TBA
Description: TBA
Flights
3/5/2009 Depart Puerto Vallarta (PVR) at 11:30 AM
3/5/2009 Arrive Chicago O'Hare (ORD) at 3:30 PM
Miscellaneous: Return, Class of Service='A'
Transportation
Airport to Hotel Ground Transfers
Travel Insurance Description: Insurance Declined
Purchase Details:
...................................................Base........Tax.......Total
Reservation Amount...................1,724.98....505.40..*2,230.38
*Includes Agency Processing & Handling Fee - Non Refundable
Add a commentShopping Excursion to Plaza Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Excursion to Plaza Bavaro (Dominican Republic)
Friday morning (11/21), I awoke to pouring down rain.
The day before Kat, Dave (Kat's husband) and I decided we would like to do a little shopping, despite the rain our plans could not be changed.
While waiting in the Lobby to inquire about taxi costs we met 2 other Southern California Agents and a Club Med Rep wanting to share a ride. Our final negotiations resulted in an $84.00 round-trip fare. Road conditions being what they are in the Dominican, each way of our journey took approximately 40 minutes.
During the ride we inquired if our Driver would wait for us or would come back. He had another commitment and would be back for us at 3:30pm. As it turned out he stayed while we shopped. He shared a little bit about the passing areas in his best English as we made our way and mentioned that he would personally be taking us to his friends store at Plaza Bavaro.
Arrival at Plaza Bavaro was for me was surprising, I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it.
A very very modest open-air mall (I think) with many little shops all selling the very same wares. Wood boxes, Clay Figurines, Jewelry, Art, T-Shirts, Rum, Cigars and Mamajuana (Dominican Viagra). Mamajuana is a glass bottle filled with local roots/herbs, honey, red wine and rum. Taste isn't too bad, cannot comment on the effectiveness. Once the liquid is depleted the bottle can be re-filled with the honey, etc. as the roots/herbs are supposed to retain their flavor/potency for 15 years.
Our driver escorted us to his friends shop as our first stop. Upon our arrival vendors from other stores greeted us and solicited their stores, the new victims had arrived.
Just taking a moment to step into another vendor's store with a promise to come back garnered a free gift, a clay figurine (mine broke before I left Punta Cana) and free flowing Presidente Beer.
After quickly perusing a few stores and sharing my name (mistake) I decided I didn't really need or want anything. I kept looking anyway and decided a silver ring might be nice.
Larimar known as Dominican Turquoise was ever present on earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces. There were many different shades, I settled on a silver ring with a somewhat large piece of Lt. Blue Larimar on a wide band, $35.00US did not seem unreasonable. All Vendors at Plaza Bavaro are very aggressive and do not take "NO" for an answer as we experienced first hand later.
Done with shopping I sat at a table at an outdoor cafe (sounds so fancy, not really) in the center of the plaza for a Presidente with 2 other agents and Dave. Kat was finishing-up her last purchase. This is when the best example of "AGGRESSIVE" occurred: Kat was trying to have a conversation with her husband as to the cost/style of a T-Shirt for their son when another Vendor stepped a little to far into Kat's personal space because he wanted her to come to his store. Kat gestured to Dave and told "Mr. Pushy" that this was her Husband, the Vendor didn't seem fazed. Only after the finger waving bestowed on him by Kat did he finally understand that his approach would not garner a visit to his store by Kat or any of us for that matter. He finally walked away.
Looking back on the incident makes me laugh, thanks for the memory Plaza Bavaro!
After a bit of relaxation and another Presidente, we left in a downpour.
I'm glad I was able to leave the Village if only for a few hours. Looking forward to a little longer stay in Punta Cana next time...
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