I am so excited to be joining the Family Fun Canada team as a travel writer for their website! I will be writing a monthly column featuring travel deals, unique travel experiences and different things related to travel for Canadian families! Look for my first article in the next couple of weeks featuring August travel deals and so much more to come!!
We're ready for our next Disney vacation!!
Half the fun of the Disney cruise vacation has been in the planning and preparations for the trip! Not only was I coordinating the travel details for a group of 25 people, I was immersed in Disney Cruise Line culture as I discovered there is a whole underground civilization of Disney Cruise addicts with activities and groups that are found only with Disney Cruise participants! In my "research" of Disney cruise vacation planning, there are all these extra "activities" and suggested "must do's" to make your vacation planning even more fun and magical for the trip! So out comes the creative juices of my brain to maximize the fun factor for our vacation... What is a Fish Extender?? If you go online and look, you will find a plethora of Disney cruise forums, groups and lots of online communities devoted to Disney and Disney Cruises. There are specific online communities dedicated to each Disney cruise, specific to the location and the week of sail. You can find your sail date cruise on www.disboards.com and on Facebook if you search your cruise for the week and destination. Find your cruise and join the online community and you can interact with others who will be sailing with you on the same cruise. It's a great way to meet new people onboard and have fun interacting with each other before your trip! A Fish Extender group takes this a step further where participants can "opt in" and participate in a Fish Extender Gift Exchange with whoever wishes to participate. Usually someone will volunteer to organize and arrange the group details. You submit your cabin number (if known) and the names and ages of those in the cabin. For those who have chosen to participate in Fish Extender group, everyone buys or makes little gifts or crafts for those in the cabin. It's kind of like a "Secret Santa" exchange for all the participants. The gifts themselves do not have to be anything extravagant. There are lots of great ideas on Pinterest and Etsy for ideas. Crafty individuals make little souvenir items like key chains, hand sanitizer, personalized gifts or gifts with the cruise dates, etc. The Fish Extender itself is a tool you hang outside your cabin door on the fish hook, hence the name "Fish Extender". Each Fish Extender is personalized with individual pouches for each member in the cabin room so people can leave little gifts for each person in the cabin. It's fun to go and check out different decks as you deliver your gifts secretly so as not to be discovered by other members! And it's a lot of fun as you return to your cabin and find little treats or gifts in your pouches! There are lots of fantastic ideas and really pretty Fish Extenders found on Pinterest and Etsy for the really crafty individuals. I don't sew, so I had to get creative with my Fish Extender! Another fun activity to help with the Fish Extender groups is to personalize your cabin door! The cabin will be your home for the duration of the cruise (7 nights in our case) so you might as well make it yours for the week! By personalizing your cabin door, it makes it easier to find your cabin, for yourselves and for those who will be dropping off Fish Extender gifts. If you have young kids, it's also much easier for them to find the cabin when it's personalized as opposed to trying to remember the cabin number amongst long hallways of continuous plain cabin doors on both sides. The cabin doors are magnetic so it's easy to create some magnets to decorate your door while making it much easier to find! I also created magnetic photos of our family Disney vacations to decorate our door and personalize with our Disney family memories too! Because we are travelling as a large group and central to any Disney vacation with a group is .... MATCHING T-SHIRTS!! Another MUST DO activity is to collect autographs from all the characters onboard! You can either purchase or create your own autograph book or use a blank white pillowcase to collect autographs as a fantastic souvenir of the trip! If you don't want to run around all week on board collecting autographs, you can simply drop off your autograph book/item at Guest Services (with markers) at the beginning of your cruise then pick it up at the end of the cruise and your item will have all the character autographs on it without having to chase down characters all week! I chose to personalize a fabric tote as our souvenir and plan on collecting character autographs for it for our Disney Cruise souvenir item! I think it will look awesome! (Check back after the cruise and I will post the final outcome so you can see what it looks like!) One of the unique activities on the Disney Wonder to Alaska is the Pixar Pals Party. It's a fun and interactive dance party with all the Pixar characters present and everyone is encouraged to dress up as their favourite Pixar characters! (Or a Disney character will also suffice!) Dress up, join the dance party and have some fun on deck! We have decided to go as "The Incredibles" family and have created our costumes for our upcoming party! I've still got lots of little things to do before our cruise including assembling all my Fish Extender gifts for other families in my Fish Extender group, (which I won't post so as not to spoil the surprise!). But it has been such a fun process along the way! Stay tuned for more details about the cruise in its complete glory as we set sail in a couple of weeks! Let me know if you've been on a Disney cruise and have any additional tips and tricks so we don't miss out on anything!
Disney California Adventure Park is the home of Cars Land, where Radiator Springs from the movie, "Cars" comes alive!! Walk into Cars Land and you feel like you've walked right into the movie itself! Popular rides in Cars Land include Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi's Flying Tires. But the most popular attraction, Radiator Springs Racer is one you don't want to miss! You stroll through Radiator Springs in your car and then you get to race other cars through Ornament Valley!! Fast Passes are available for this attraction but they do run out quickly. We were there around 1pm and the Fast Passes were gone for the day. But the wait in line for this attraction is definitely worth it and is one attraction you definitely don't want to miss! If you get a Fast Pass for this, you can take your time and enjoy the other attractions, return during your Fast Pass designated time frame and get on the ride immediately! There are so many rides and attractions you want to make sure you see and obtain Fast Passes wherever you can to guarantee that you can experience them all!
World of Color
Experience the night time spectacular show involving water, colour, fire and light, creating a fantasy of Disney and Pixar characters and their stories coming to life! Make sure you get a Fast Pass for the show if you want to get a premium location to watch the show. The Fast Pass distribution centre for the World of Color show is located by the Grizzly River Run ride and this Fast Pass does not count towards your daily limit. So make sure you get your World of Color Fast Pass first thing as you enter the park to ensure you get premium seating for the show. You can still watch the show without a Fast Pass in non-ticketing areas around Paradise Bay. You can also make dining package reservations at Ariel's Grotto, Carthay Circle Restaurant and Wine Country Trattoria, which include tickets for reserved viewing areas for the show. Back from our recent Disneyland vacation last week and we're going through some serious Disney withdrawal! It's such a magical place where you can immerse yourself in all things Disney, enough to get your Disney "fix" without over doing it! This was a first time visit for my kids, and I'm glad I waited until my youngest was tall enough to go on "most" of the rides! It was well worth the wait as we were able to enjoy many of the "scarier" rides and roller coasters. The minimum height requirement for many of the rides is 40". There are a few that have 46" as the minimum height, with the larger roller coasters having 48" as the minimum height. Once you've crossed 48", you've hit the magic number and can go on every single ride!! We chose the 3 day Park hopper pass which allows unlimited admission to both the Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park on a single day and gives the maximum amount of flexibility for access to both parks. Both parks are pretty big, but right across from each other so that it is very easy to access both parks in the same day. Fast Passes are the way to go to ensure you get to experience the popular attractions and rides! Disneyland uses the paper Fast Pass system so you need to head to the Fast Pass Distribution area for the ride or attraction you wish to pick. Only 1 Fast Pass per person per park is permitted at one time. When the Fast Pass is used or the time has expired, you can obtain another Fast Pass for a different attraction. With a park hopper ticket, you can obtain a Fast Pass for Disneyland Park, head to California Adventure to get a Fast Pass for a ride there and effectively have 2 Fast Passes at the same time! But it is a lot of walking back and forth between 2 parks if you decide to do this! There are sufficient rides with decent wait times that you can wait in line for less busy attractions while holding a Fast Pass for busier ones. With a Fast Pass, you return to the attraction during the designated time within the 1 hour time frame and you can skip the lines and go straight onto the ride! Three day park hopper tickets also give you 1 Magic Morning, so that's one morning of early admission to the park before the park officially opens. This is a great option to go early before opening to check out the popular rides without the added crowds! Fast Passes are available for the following rides: Indiana Jones Adventure, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, Autopia, Space Mountain, Star Tours. We also had the privilege of being in Disneyland during their 4th of July celebrations and we're so happy we did! It was worth braving the crowds to experience Disney's Celebration of America on July 4th!
Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa is a AAA Four Diamond award winning resort located along the beautiful seaside corridor of the Sea of Cortes in Los Cabos. Blending a mix of traditional Mexican design and the splendour of the Sea of Cortes, Dreams Los Cabos is the perfect Mexican getaway for families, friends and multi-generational travelling groups. It is located along the central corridor between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, 15 minutes from each town, and only 20 minutes from the Los Cabos International airport. The resort includes luxury suites, all with ocean views. There are three swimming pools, two which have swim up bars, a full serviced spa and fitness center and an Explorer's Club for kids ages 3 and above. Nearby are several magnificent golf courses designed by golf professionals to challenge your superior golfing skills! ROOMS There are 213 spacious suites in the resort. Junior Suites (650sq ft) and Luxury One Bedroom suites (1080 sq ft) are available with Family Suites available in the new year. They are currently remodelling current suites to accommodate larger families with their Family Suites. Right now, families can book adjoining suites to create a larger suite to accommodate larger and/or extended families. Included in the rooms are luxury bath amenities, mini bar refreshed daily, private and furnished ocean view terrace or balcony, satellite TV and DVD player, air conditioning, electronic in-room safe box, coffee/tea maker, nightly evening service, plush slippers and bathrobes, 24 hour room and concierge service and so much more! Preferred Club Preferred Club Suites are also available for Junior Suites, One Bedroom and Two Bedroom Suites all with ocean views. Preferred Club suites include additional amenities including a private Preferred Lounge, Private beach area, preferred status and amenities, 24 concierge service, daily continental breakfast, afternoon hot and cold hot d'oeurves, desserts and liquors in the lounge, free internet access in-suite, free computer access in Preferred Lounge, upgraded mini bar service and upgraded luxury bath amenities. RESTAURANTS There are 6 restaurants in the resort including 4 a la carte restaurants, 1 buffet and 1 cafe. All restaurants are open throughout the week on a rotation basis, and is also dependent on occupancy levels. Seaside Grill - Steaks and grilled specialties, seafood Oceana - A la carte seafood in romantic ocean front setting Himitsu - Asian, Japanese, Thailand, Chinese with Hibachi tables Portofino - A la carte Mediterranean, Northern Italy specialties El Patio - International buffet for breakfast and lunch, a la carte Mexican for dinner Coco Cafe - coffee and deli snacks Gluten free menus are available at all restaurants. BARS and LOUNGES Five bars and lounges are onsite serving international and domestic beverages. The Rendezvous - lobby bar with live music in the evening Barracuda - ocean front bar Manatees - swim up pool bar Marlin - swim up pool bar Desires Music Lounge - dance club/music lounge EXPLORER'S CLUB Dreams Resorts offer a kids club, Explorer's Club, open daily from 9am to 10pm for kids ages 3 to 12. The Explorer's Club is a fully supervised children's program offering a variety of fun activities for the kids! It's a great place for parents to drop off their kids and have a bit of adult-only time or participate in adult excursions without the kids! Some of the activities kids will be participating in include storytelling, music, playground, indoor game room, treasure hunts, sandcastle contests, video games, movies under the stars, campout adventures and so much more! Dinner can be served at the Kids club so parent's don't need to worry about meals either! Parents can drop off their kids will full trust knowing their kids will have a lot of fun and they are well taken care of, so adults can go and enjoy time without the kids! DREAMS SPA BY PEVONIA So while the kids are at the Explorer's Club, why not take in a massage or pamper yourself at the spa?? Dreams Spa by Pevonia offers multiple massage options whether it be in the Spa, in front of the ocean or even in your room. Private Vichy and Swiss shower is available, Jacuzzi bath and treatment rooms, relaxation lounge, sauna, steam room as well as full service beauty salon treatments are also available. Dreams Los Cabos is centrally located on the main corridor between the two towns, San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. It is only 5 minutes away from Secrets Marquis and next door to Zoetry Casa del Mar. Several golf courses are nearby and easy to get to. With so much at and surrounding Dreams Los Cabos, it is a resort perfect for families and multi-generation families as it truly has something for everyone! If you have any questions about this resort or any other AMResorts properties, please ask as I would love to help you find the perfect resort for your holiday! More photos can be found on my Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/ReneeTsangTravel. For more information, check out the video by Dreams Los Cabos for a more comprehensive look at their beautiful resort! Zoetry - inspired by the Greek word "Zoe" meaning "life" and "poetry" meaning "artful creation", Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts aim to exude the highest level of luxury and a vacation experience designed around complete wellness far beyond good health and nutrition. Zoetry is the place to reconnect with life, nature and your inner self. Resorts are intimate boutiques offering Endless Privileges, unique, cultural, artistic and educational enrichment opportunities. Zoetry Casa del Mar is a 53 suite hacienda-style, beach front boutique resort in the desert of Mexico with ocean front views of the Sea of Cortes. The serenity, the tranquility, the beauty of the ocean combined make Zoetry Casa del Mar the perfect place to rejuvenate the soul. ENDLESS PRIVILEGES Zoetry Resorts prides itself on the Endless Privileges they offer their clients. Luxurious ocean view suites with highest quality linens and bathrobes, aromatherapy pillow and linen scents, upgraded bath amenities create an environment of utmost comfort and relaxation. Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner options with assortment of organic food offerings. Complimentary premium liquors and specialty domestic and international beverages. Daily afternoon tea time. No check in or check out time. 24 hour room service providing private in room dining. Complete access to all restaurants, facilities, entertainment at Dreams Los Cabos Suite Golf Resort & Spa, located only 5 minutes away. Maid service 3 times a day. Bottle of sparkling wine and fresh fruit delivered to your room daily. Welcome bottle of Tequila. Complimentary unlimited worldwide phone calls from your room. Complimentary 24 laundry service. Relaxing 20 minute spa treatment per stay. Access to sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. Complimentary 20 minute wellness consultation. Endless Privileges. ROOMS Both ocean view and ocean front suites are available at this boutique resort. Junior suites are 445 sq ft or 520 sq ft. One Bedroom Master Suites are 818 sq ft and 1019 sq ft, and the Romance Master Suite is 1059 sq ft, ocean view room. Luxury one bedroom and two bedroom suites are also available (1572 sq ft and 2782 sq ft respectively). The Presidential Suite boasts a size of 2849 sq ft and includes two bedrooms, with 1 king bed and 2 double beds, sofa bed in living room, ocean views from outside jacuzzi. RESTAURANTS Three gourmet a la carte restaurants are onsite to choose from, as well as 24 hour room service. Tapanco - Mexican flavours and Nouvelle Cuisine Mezquite - Beach Club Snack Bar - poolside restaurant Bars and lounges - 3 bars and lounges including relaxing lobby bar and swum up bar. Swim up Bar Tapanco SIP, SAVOR & SEE Dining Experience As a part of the Endless Privileges experience, guests are also welcome to experience other AMResort properties in the area. Guests can enjoy dinner and live entertainment at neighbouring resorts including cocktails, dinner at the restaurant of choice and the evening's entertainment. The Sip, Savor and See Dining experience is only valid for dinner at another resort, does not include transportation and reservations must be made through concierge. But is it a great opportunity to experience some of the other resort amenities without having to stay there! Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa is next door to Zoetry Casa del Mar and Secrets Marquis Los Cabos is only about 5 minutes away. Suenos del Mar Spa World class spa onsite at Zoetry Casa del Mar, Suenos del Mar Spa features unique massage therapies and signature body treatments unique to Zoetry. All suites at Zoetry Casa del Mar feature ocean view or ocean front views, including Jacuzzi tubs and luxurious bedding.
The design of the resort is of a traditional Mexican hacienda combined with the sights and sounds of the natural beauty of the surroundings create a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. For those who enjoy golf, there are seven championship golf resorts in the area. Zoetry Casa del Mar was voted Traveller's Choice 2011 by TripAdvisor for the Top Ten Relaxation/Spa Hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico. Voted in the top 25 of best Relaxation/Spa hotels in Mexico by TripAdvisor, and voted 2012 TripAdvisor certificate of Excellence. With their Endless Privileges and unique wellness experiences, Zoetry is the most luxurious of brands with amenities to soothe your soul and rejuvenate our senses unlike any other experience. For more photos, please check out my Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/ReneeTsangTravel.com If you are interested in additional information about Zoetry and/or any other AMResorts properties, please do not hesitate to ask! Secrets Marquis Los Cabos is an impressive property centrally located on the Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. It is 20 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport, 15 minutes to San Jose del Cabo and 30 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. It offers a seaside escape as an all-suite, all ocean view resort for adults only with the Unlimited Luxury program. The resort's unique design features contemporary Mexican decor and a large collection of paintings and sculptures by famous Latin artists which are displayed prominently throughout the resort. Upon first entering the resort, you are greeted by the expansive ocean view from the lobby. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. ROOMS The resort has 235 suites, including 5 honeymoon suites, a 2604 sq ft Presidential Suite and 26 casitas, private one-bedroom suites each with their own private pool. Every single room in the resort features ocean front views of the Sea of Cortes and has a private balcony or terrace. The Junior Suites are 650 sq ft and feature either 1 king bed or 2 double beds. The Honeymoon Suite features 1 king bed and is 1420 sq ft. There are 26 casitas available, one-bedroom suites with private pools. The casitas are ocean front or ocean views and are 1670 sq ft. The casitas are almost like having a little house on the beach! They are located steps from the beach, and include a living room, bedroom, sleeper sofa, kitchenette, bathroom and private pool. The Presidential Suite offers 2604 sq ft of spacious comforts with gorgeous expansive views of the ocean and beach. The 2 bedroom suite is located above the dramatic central lobby arch and includes a sitting area, dining area with bar, and a large terrace. Imagine sitting outside enjoying your breakfast with the sounds of the ocean! Secrets Spa by Pevonia The Secrets Spa by Pevonia at the Secrets Marquis is a Full Service Holistic Spa and is one of the largest in Latin America at over 15, 000 sq ft. This world-class spa is a member of Leadings Spas and is recognized as one of the Top Spas in Mexico, providing a pampering experience designed to relax, refresh and rejuvenate the senses. The large windows face the ocean offering stunning ocean views with your treatments. There are size open-air jacuzzis, massage rooms for individuals or couples and facial and body treatments all using local ingredients including sea salt and seaweed from the Sea of Cortes. RESTAURANTS
The resort offers 5 restaurants - 2 of which are a al cate, 1 buffet, 1 cafe and 1 grill. Reservations are not required and all restaurants are open on a rotation basis, and also dependent on occupancy levels. Dos Mares - Seafood restaurant Vista Ballenas - Mexican buffet & a la carte fro breakfast. Mexican and International cuisine for lunch. Italian cuisine for dinner. Canto del Mar - Elegant French cuisine. Resort formal. Spice - Pan Asian Coco Cafe - coffee and deli snacks Barefoot Grill - pool area grill restaurant. Bars and Lounges There are 2 bars and lounges onsite - Barracuda or El Suspiro Bar UNLIMITED LUXURY Your stay with Secrets Resorts include their Unlimited Luxury program. Full breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. Unlimited juices, water and soft drinks. Unlimited international and domestic spirits and liquors. Spacious non-smoking rooms and suites. Mini bar refreshed daily with bottled water, soft drinks and beer. 24 room service. Pool and beach wait service. Variety of daytime activities and evening entertainment. Theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment venues. No reservations required at restaurants. No wristbands. Includes all taxes and gratuities. SIP, SAVOR & SEE Dining Experience As a part of the Unlimited Luxury experience, guests are also welcome to experience other AMResort properties in the area. Guests can enjoy dinner and live entertainment at neighbouring resorts including cocktails, dinner at the restaurant of choice and the evening's entertainment. The Sip, Savor and See Dining experience is only valid for dinner at another resort, does not include transportation and reservations must be made through concierge. But is it a great opportunity to experience some of the other resort amenities without having to stay there! The Secrets Marquis is a stunning resort. Ocean views are guaranteed throughout all areas of the resort. It is a proud member of Leading Hotels of The World and has received the Conde Nast Gold Award in 2012, as well as the previous 3 years. The resort was awarded the AAA Four Diamond rating since opening day. If you have any questions about this resort or any other Secrets or AMResorts properties, please feel free to ask! I have lots of additional fact sheets and brochures you can peruse. If you have stayed here before, let me know your thoughts on the resort! I would love to hear them and hope to have the opportunity to stay here someday in the future! More photos are also available on my Facebook page - www.Facebook.com/ReneeTsangTravel. Secrets Puerto Los Cabos is located in the exclusive community of Puerto Los Cabos with ocean front views of the Sea of Cortes. It is only 30 minutes away from the Los Cabos International Airport, 10 minutes from downtown San Jose del Cabo and about 40 minutes away from Cabo San Lucas. This resort features 500 spacious suites witl full service amenities, spa, a la carte restaurants, quick service restaurants and bars and lounges. As with any Secrets resort, guests will enjoy adult only company with their Unlimited Luxury program and the resort is perfect for a quiet getaway to relax and unwind. ROOMS The resort features 500 spacious suites with a private balcony or terrace, each with a king size bed (or 2 double beds), full bathroom with jacuzzi tub and large shower, 24 hour room service, mini-bar refreshed daily, Secrets box for private, undisturbed room service. The Junior suites are 560 square feet and offer a garden or ocean view. Main floor junior suites have swim out pools from the room. PREFERRED CLUB Upgrades are available to the Preferred Club, which offers additional amenities above and beyond the Unlimited Luxury program, including a private Preferred Club lounge, preferred status and amenities, concierge service, daily continental breakfast in the lounge, afternoon hors d'oerves, desserts and liquors in the lounge, pillow menu, free internet service in suite, free computer access in the Preferred Lounge, upgraded mini bar service and bath amenities. Preferred Club Junior Suites are 580 sq ft offering ocean front or ocean view rooms. An extra Jacuzzi on the balcony is also present, in addition to the jacuzzi in the bathroom. Presidential Suite The Presidential Suite is 1743 sq ft of space featuring an oceanfront view. Master Suites of 1162 sq ft are available with ocean view or ocean front views. The Presidential Suite can be booked with a Master Suite and connected to offer a large private space for groups or bridal parties. There are 2 Presidential Suites available and 18 Master Suites available. The Preferred Lounge Concierge service, private check in, daily continental breakfast, afternoon hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, desserts and fine liquors, premium beverages, free computers access Secrets Spa by Pevonia The Secrets Spa by Pevonia is the perfect sanctuary for guests looking to getaway. The spa is 12,000 sq ft of ultimate indulgence which includes a hydrotherapy circuit, sauna and steam room, massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures and a full service beauty salon. RESTAURANTS There are 5 a la carte restaurants onsite, one buffet, a cafe and a grill restaurant. Reservations are not required and all are open on a rotation basis throughout the week, and will also depend on occupancy levels. Some entertainment at Himitsu provided by our chef!
BARS & LOUNGES There are also 4 bars and lounges serving premium liquors and a variety of international beverages and cocktails. Rendezvous - lobby bar Manatees - swim up bar Barracuda - beach bar Desires Music Lounge - sports bar UNLIMITED LUXURY Your stay with Secrets Resorts include their Unlimited Luxury program. Full breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. Unlimited juices, water and soft drinks. Unlimited international and domestic spirits and liquors. Spacious non-smoking rooms and suites. Mini bar refreshed daily with bottled water, soft drinks and beer. 24 room service. Pool and beach wait service. Variety of daytime activities and evening entertainment. Theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment venues. No reservations required at restaurants. No wristbands. Includes all taxes and gratuities. Unlimited Connectivity Included with the Unlimited Luxury amenities at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos, guests will also have Unlimited Connectivity, which offers FREE WiFi and FREE international calling to US, Canada and Mexican land lines). Download the Secrets App at stay connected for free! With the App, guests can stay in touch throughout the resort without incurring additional inter nation cell phone roaming charges. As well, guests can use the guest room remotely to make international calls for free, contact staff directly, book spa appointments, reserve excursions and so much more! SIP, SAVOR & SEE Dining Experience As a part of the Unlimited Luxury experience, guests are also welcome to experience other AMResort properties in the area. Guests can enjoy dinner and live entertainment at neighbouring resorts including cocktails, dinner at the restaurant of choice and the evening's entertainment. The Sip, Savor and See Dining experience is only valid for dinner at another resort, does not include transportation and reservations must be made through concierge. But is it a great opportunity to experience some of the other resort amenities without having to stay there! Please feel free to ask if you have any questions about the Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Resort or any of the AMResorts properties in the Los Cabos area. The staff and service were top notch and everyone was super friendly. I had a wonderful experience with the resort and would love to share the same with you! More photos are available on my Facebook page - www.Facebook.com/ReneeTsangTravel. I recently had the privilege to participate in a FAM trip sponsored by AMResorts to Los Cabos, Mexico to stay at the Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf Resort & Spa, their newest resort for 3 nights! We also had the opportunity to tour other AMResorts in the area including Secrets Marquis Los Cabos, Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa, and Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos. All are gorgeous resorts with different personalities to suit a variety of vacation plans! With their Unlimited Luxury and Endless Privileges programs, AMResorts prides itself as being "Masters of Vacation Innovation" and guests will be treated to an experience of unparalleled pampering and luxurious surroundings! Westjet offers several flights a week from Calgary (and other departure gateways) direct to Cabo San Lucas for a quick getaway in less than 4 hours away. Our flight down there was also in Westjet's new Magic Plane which made the trip that much more exciting! (Those who know me, will know that my heart bleeds a little bit of Disney, and can understand how that just made my heart jump... just a little!) :) Los Cabos is located at the tip of the Baja peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur. Often referred to the end of the earth, Land's End is the last piece of land, bridging the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean. Lover's Beach on the Sea of Cortes is full of soft, white sandy beaches and rolling waves whereas the beach on the Pacific side is known as Divorce Beach because of its rough waters. Fishing, snorkelling, whale watching are only some of the activities that are popular for the area. The large marina in Cabo San Lucas is home to many water adventures and boat rides out to the Land's End area. A visit to Los Cabos is the opportunity to experience its dual personalities! For those looking for an authentic Mexican town with cobblestone streets, intimate restaurants and boutique shopping, San Jose del Cabo fits the bill perfectly. However, head about 40 minutes west to Cabo San Lucas, visitors will get a completely different vibe with all the funky bars and upscale shopping at the Luxury Avenue Mall. Did someone mention golf? Los Cabos has been an ideal destination for a golfer's paradise. Twelve different golf courses developed and designed by golf greats including Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and many others. Famed Mexican golfer is Los Cabos' Golf Ambassador for the area and Tiger Woods is currently developing his second course in the area to be opening soon in 2015. If adventure is what you're looking for, there are lots of active adventures including ATV rides, hiking, horseback rides, camel tours and zip lining. Or, if you're like me and my friends, I enjoy simply lounging by the pool, and trying out all the different margarita flavours! Los Cabos is a little less known than other more popular Mexican destinations but is quickly becoming the newest Mexican hot spot for vacations! It is the perfect getaway for everyone - adventure, romance, world class dining and spas, top rated golf courses, and family friendly activities, Los Cabos has something for everyone and is a lot closer than you think!
Let me know if you have any questions about Los Cabos and any of the AMResorts properties in the area! I would love to help you plan a perfect little getaway to Cabo! I have a website now!! Check it out on www.ReneeTsangTravel.com! It's still a work in progress but most of the page are up and running so go take a look and let me know what you think!
As we drive up to the entrance, we are warmly greeted by valet staff who help take our luggage and hold it in storage for us while we go check in and wait for our room. Front lobby staff welcome each individual with a lei greeting, including little gifts for the kids! You can check in anytime on the date of your check in and begin using the facilities of the resort immediately. Although your room is not available until 4pm, the Luana Lounge is available for all guests, who are offered a one-time use of the lounge to change into bathing suits and begin enjoying the pool area. The lounge is also available to guests after check out, if they wish to remain for the day and continue using the facilities after check out time. The Aulani resort offers many value added activities that are included in your stay. During your stay, you can use the pools, watersides, beaches, etc... from the day of your check in until 11:59pm on the day of your check out so you can take advantage of the opportunities to maximize your stay at Aulani! RECREATION ACTIVITIES: We checked in to get our resort cards and wristbands and headed straight to the pools! There are lots of different activities, something for everyone! The Waikolohe pool is 8200 square feet of family fun in the water. The Waikolohe Stream is lazy waterway that moves you through the landscape of Aulani or you can enjoy the Tubestone Curl, an exhilarating slide that launches your tube into the Waikolohe Stream! There is also the Wailana Pool, an adult only pool area that provides some serenity and peace from the little keiki guests. Other pool areas include the Ka Maka Grotto, with an infinity pool that overlooks the beautiful beaches of Ko Olina, Makai Preserve (interactive conservation pool), 4 different whirlpool spas for the ultimate relaxation, 2 of which are specifically placed to catch the spectular sunsets of Hawaii! For the little keiki guests, there is the Menehune Bridge, and interactive water play area for children, and the Keiki Cove Splash zone. Poolside cabanas are also available for rent, for the ultimate in pampering by the pool! Aunty's Beach House is a state of the art kids club with over 5000 square feet of fun!! Disney Youth Counsellors provide world class children's programming where kids can watch movies, partake in authentic Hawaiian crafts and so much more! Parents can drop off their kids at Aunty's Beach House with the confidence that the kids will be well entertained, while enjoying some adult-only time at the resort! All are value added activities that are included with your stay! DINING OPTIONS: We took the opportunity to book "Aunty's Breakfast Celebration", Character Dining Breakfast at Makahiki, where we were greeted by Mickey Mouse himself, and visited by other characters including Minnie Mouse and Goofy! The breakfast buffet included an array of delicious breakfast items including the signature Mickey waffles! As a part of the Character Dining experience, Aunty and Minnie present a song and dance activity for the kids. Kids join Aunty as she sings and parades through the restaurant while the kids follow along and culminate in the centre with a little coconut dance! Aunty's Breakfast Celebration with parade, songs and dance! There are both full service dining restaurants onsite, and grab & go dining options as well. Poolside lounges and quick service restaurants are easy options to quench your hunger or thirst, without leaving the pool areas. ADDED VALUE ACTIVITIES: There are many value added activities that are included in your stay at Aulani to provide an authentic Hawaiian experience! Aunty's Beach House provides world-class children's programming. The Aulani Starlight Hui lawn party show is an evening entertainment show mixing authentic Polynesian cultural songs and dance including hula dancers, and a Disney character dance party! Join "Uncle" for Mo'olelo Storytelling by the fire for stories about traditional Hawaii culture and history. On other evenings, you can enjoy "Ohana Movie Nights" on lawn where you can watch Disney movies under the stars. PREMIUM FEE-BASED EXPERIENCES: With so much to offer with your vacation stay, Disney offers even more for those who wish to go beyond the included value of your stay. - Laniwai Spa - award winning full service salon and spa treatments available. - Painted Sky - spa created just for teens ages 13 to 17, with its own private entrance and frozen yogurt bar! - Rainbow Reef - Hawaii's only private saltwater lagoon providing up close and personal snorkelling adventures. - "Adventures by Disney" excursions offering offsite experiences including learning to surf, horseback riding, sailing on catamarans or kayaking through protected offshore islets. - Alamo Car Rental - onsite car rentals for those who wish to rent a car and explore the island on their own for a day or two. The car rental office is onsite so you can rent a car for only the time you need without having to pay for parking onsite. ROOMS: Our stay at Aulani was much too short! We didn't have enough to enjoy all that Disney had to offer at the resort! Which only means that we MUST go back!! (Which I think that's what Disney wants anyway....) As with anything Disney does, they do it well and Aulani is no exception. The attention to detail, and the authenticity of the Hawaiian experience make Aulani and truly exceptional experience for families vacationing to Hawaii! For more pictures of our visit to Aulani, please visit my Facebook page at Facebook.com/ReneeTsangTravel. And because I simply couldn't capture the magic and wonder of Aulani myself, here's a fantastic video by Disney showcasing the amazing resort that is Aulani! If you have any questions about the resort or are interested in booking your next family vacation, please let me know!! I would love to help you book your family vacation at Aulani or anywhere else (including all things Disney)!
One of the first training course I wanted to complete was the College of Disney Knowledge! Who wouldn't want to immerse themselves in all things Disney??!! Then after I completed my Akamai Level Hawaii Destination Specialist course, I knew I needed to experience Hawaii for myself! And if you have both Disney and Hawaii certifications, then that can only mean one thing........a visit to Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa is a definite MUST DO on our list!! Stay tuned for all the details of our visit!
My heart yearns to travel. It's just in my blood. And when you start in the travel business, my heart is aflutter with so many places to go and see, and I don't even know where to begin to go first! But, as I plan for future travel adventures, I look to my past travels to find inspiration and my first travel post takes me to San Francisco, a vibrant and colourful city that invites familiarity and culture to awaken all your senses! I've been to San Francisco a few times in my life and it was the first "big city" travel adventure that I took my kids on! Why San Francisco?? There is so much to see and do in San Francisco and surrounding area that it makes a great first time vacation experience. Here are some of my top 10 must see and do experiences in the San Francisco and Bay Area for your next vacation! 1. Alcatraz "The Rock" I've done this tour twice now because it's so fascinating! Buy tickets in advance so you make don't miss out because if tickets sell out for the day, there won't be any more. Your ticket includes a ride on the Alcatraz cruise ferry boat that takes you across to Alcatraz Island to visit the former maximum security prison, housing some of the most famous criminals in US history, most notoriously, Al Capone. It was also where the movie, "The Rock", starring Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage and Ed Harris was filmed. It's an audio tour that takes you through the prison main areas and cells and then you are free to explore the island on your own however you wish. When you are ready to leave, you just board the ferry that takes you back to Pier 33. 2. PIER 39 and Fisherman's Wharf Downtown San Francisco is all about Pier 39 and you can't NOT visit Pier 39 when in San Francisco. Many water based attractions and adventures are based at The PIER and there are so many restaurants and boutique shops in the area making it a great day to explore and enjoy San Francisco culinary favourites such as the clam chowder bread bowls, and fresh seafood. The infamous sea lions hang out at PIER 39 and have been there since the 1989 earthquake. 3. Chinatown Chinatown is always a favourite to visit in any big city as San Francisco has one of the largest Chinatown populations in North America. With over 10,000 inhabitants, the area is bustling with shops, businesses and lots of fantastic Chinese restaurants to choose from! 4. Lombard Street Drive down the "Crookedest Street in the World! Lombard Street is a steep one-block street with eight sharp turns in The Presidio area of the city. It is a famous tourist attraction, receiving over two million visitors each year who want to experience the unique street. 5. Golden Gate Bridge The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco's most famous attractions and is visible from so many areas of the city. 5. Cable Cars Another iconic San Francisco favourite! The cable car transit system has been running in the city since 1873 and are now considered a National Landmark. 6. Muir Woods Just heading slightly north of San Francisco is the Muir Woods National Monument. The California Redwood trees are a breathtaking sight to behold. The trees are anywhere between 400 - 800 years old and up to 250 feet in height. 7. Napa Valley You can't visit San Francisco and not head to Napa County to do a winery tour! More than 400 wineries producing some of the best and most well known wines come from the Napa County region. Experience wine tours paired with culinary tastings, or make it a whole weekend experience staying at any of their boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts in the area. 8. Silicon Valley As a big Apple girl, it was a neat experience to drive through Silicon Valley and visit the Apple Headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop! 9. Monterey and the 17 Mile Drive Head south of San Francisco for some of the most beautiful coastlines in the area to Monterey, Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fun adventure for marine life and education for the kids. The Lone Cypress tree is one of the most photographed trees in North America, sitting in Pebble Beach alone the 17 Mile Drive. 10. The View from Above Hike up the Twin Peaks hills to get the best views of the city, located in the geographic centre of the city. There really is so much to see and do in San Francisco so I definitely recommend it as a destination to visit! Let me know how I can help plan the perfect itinerary for your travels in the area. You won't be able to do it all, but it will definitely be a great start to experience such a great city! For the first weekend in January, we had the opportunity to create our own little mountain getaway to rejuvenate and recharge our senses before we began back to our regular schedule in life with school and work. With escapes to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Lake Louise, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, it was the ultimate choice in treating ourselves to a little bit of decadence and indulgence! Our first night was spent at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise where we were greeted by gorgeous surroundings of a grand hotel nestled in the mountains. We had the utmost pleasure of staying in a Lakeview room, which offered us picture postcard views of the lake. Gorgeous! We took the 1A Highway from Lake Louise to Banff, which offered us picturesque views of the snow capped trees in Rocky Mountains. The scenery along the 1A is simply worth the extra bit of time.
We had fun relaxing evening hanging out in the Rundle Lounge with appetizers and drinks, while we waited until it was time for our glow-in-the-dark bowling reservation time. The weekend would not be complete without the infamous Sunday Brunch at the Bow Valley Grill. Sooooo goooooood!! As our weekend came to a close, we had to enjoy one last parting shot from the beautiful castle hotel and make our way back to the city. But at least Banff is only an hour away from Calgary and we can easily escape to the mountains for another adventure!
It is the beginning of 2014 - a new year and a new career! I have recently decided to become a home-based travel consultant to begin feeding my travel interests and look for new opportunities to travel, and share my love of travel, food and culture with others as well! I thoroughly enjoying researching and planning vacations so I might as well make a career out of it! Even if I don't get the opportunity to travel to many of these places myself, by researching travel opportunities for clients, I get to immerse myself in new locations all the time!
I have also decided to begin writing a blog about some of my travel adventures. Join me as I try new things and let's see what this new year will bring forth in THIS new career! |
AuthorMulti-tasker in life and business! Calgary mom of 2 spunky and hilariously goofy kids, running successful travel agency and consulting business! I love food, and I love to travel so join me in my adventures and let me help you with yours! Book your next vacation with confidence when you book with me at www.ReneeTsangTravel.com! Categories
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