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What is it like to travel internationally right now? Since July I have traveled to Mexico 3 times each to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta. Here is what I discovered.  Destinations Great: I chose Mexico for my travels for many reasons. The food, the culture, and the beaches are all dear to my heart. Mexico is easy. Mexico does not require a quarantine or negative covid-19 test for entry. You can still take a covid-19 test (which I did) but you can fly freely without one. From a business standpoint, I travel to Mexico frequently as the country and it's resorts are part of my specialty. I am constantly checking it out. Please note that although air travel never stopped with covid-19, the land border has been closed. Good/Bad: Many Caribbean islands have also opened to Americans. Antigua, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Barbados, St Lucia, and Aruba are examples. Costa Rica will be open to all 50 states starting Nov 1st. However, the entry requirements constantly change so those destinations are not as dependable for travel as Mexico. Ugly: The opening dates of destinations & resorts are not dependable. These dates are constantly being revised. A good rule of thumb is if it is not open yet, choose something that is open or you will probably be rescheduling your vacation.  Air Travel Great: The airlines require masks and strictly enforce this. There is a lot of data now after 6 months of flying during a pandemic that show it can be safe. Good/Bad: The airlines allow you to remove your mask to eat and drink. American Airlines has suspended cart service but they do provide a small bottle of water when you board. United has cart service which encouraged people to have their masks off more to eat and drink. I have not flown Southwest, but I believe they are still leaving the middle seat open. There is absolutely no social distancing when boarding a flight although everyone is masked. Ugly: You can not control who sits around you so there is some risk. Some questionable behavior I observed was wearing a mask without the nose covered and using the excuse of eating and drinking to have a mask off almost the entire flight.  Resorts Great: The resorts have done an amazing job of putting health and safety protocols in place to keep people safe. Masks are required everywhere except in your room, in the pool, or while eating/drinking. There are temperature checks & sanitizing of the bottom of your shoes before entering the resort & restaurants. The luggage and handbags are sanitized upon arrival. Indoor dining tables are spaced 6+ feet apart. I observed similar protocols outside the resorts as well. Good/Bad: Never once did I observe anyone in the tourism industry without a mask including the airlines, airports, resorts, transportation, etc. 95% of the tourists also complied. Unfortunately, I did observe some tourists not following protocols. I guess I would compare that to going to the grocery store here in town. Although most people wear masks, there are always those few who do not. Ugly: Out of the three resorts I stayed at, there was one that had some questionable practices in the pool. The swim up bar was open and there was constant crowding to get a drink. The resort also hosted pool aerobics and pool volleyball. I observed crowds of people exercising close together. These activities took place outdoors, but the six feet rule was not being enforced. These were situations that were easily avoidable for me.  My recommendations for travel during a pandemic:
Dominique Barba Bliss Travel Service - a travel agency specializing in river and ocean cruises, all-inclusive vacations, European packages, honeymoons, weddings, group travel Dom@BlissTravelService.com 480-725-8837 www.BlissTravelService.com www.facebook.com/BlissTravelService #BlissTravelService #travelagent #travelduringapandemic #travelduringcovid19 #mexicotravelagent
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Hotel Xcaret is an ‘all-fun’ inclusive resort which means not only do you receive the typical benefits of an all inclusive resort, but also unlimited access to the Xcaret parks and tours. What exactly is included in the Hotel Xcaret ‘all-fun’ concept? Full access to Xcaret parks, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco, Xenses, and the Xenotes and Xichen tours, in addition to food and beverages, transportation between parks and airport shuttle.
Let’s start with the Hotel Xcaret resort itself. Hotel Xcaret is located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Mexico. This resort has unique architecture and prides themselves on sustainability. I’ve toured over 170 all inclusive resorts in Mexico and have to say this resort stands above many others for multiple reasons. The beauty, the service, and the dining are all exceptional. The only problem I can think of is that because you are so drawn to the outside activities you don’t have enough time to enjoy the resort itself. Think this resort is just for families? Think again. With a separate adult only suite section, romantic dinners at Las Cuevas, adult activities such as spas and nightlife, it is a place everyone will enjoy.
Xplor Your resort stay includes transportation from the resort, bbq buffet, and activities. The activities here include amphibious vehicles, zipline, underground cave swimming, river rafting, bbq buffet and more. It’s a place to get your adrenaline rush! Tip: If you can do both Xplor and Xplor Fuego, do it! The night time version (Fuego) gives you a completely different feel than during the day.
Xel-Ha Your resort stay includes transportation, food and beverages at the park, and most activities. Xel-Ha is a water park with snorkeling, water slides, river floats, and more. Some activities come at an extra cost such as spa services or the submersion speed boat. It’s a place to enjoy nature and beauty and relax in a hammock. Reservations are required as it’s a 45 minute bus ride. You depart around 9:30am and return at 6pm. Tip: The ‘adrenalina’ boat ride is more of an submersion experience so get the details on what you are signing up for.
Xcaret Your resort stay includes transportation, food and beverage at the park, most activities, and ‘Xcaret Plus’. Activities such as the Dolphin experience, Sea Trek, etc. are extra. One big attraction of this park is the underground river float. There are places to lay by the beach, snorkel, and swim. If you love animals and the culture of Mexico, you will want to spend significant time here. Tip: Don’t miss the Aviary.
Xichen Tour Your resort stay includes transportation, food and beverages, and tour guides. Chichen Itza is one of the seven wonders of the modern world and this is the way to see it! Although you are given some time for ‘siesta’ on the bus, your tour guides do a great job keeping you entertained and providing information. At Chichen Itza your guide is with you for about the first hour and then have free time to explore on your own. This is an absolute must if you have not seen Chichen Itza and are staying at Hotel Xcaret. Tip: It is a 2.5 hour bus ride each direction so prepare for a long day.  General Tips:
Dominique Barba Bliss Travel Service - a travel agency specializing in river and ocean cruises, all-inclusive vacations, European packages, honeymoons, weddings, group travel Dom@BlissTravelService.com 480-725-8837 www.BlissTravelService.com www.facebook.com/BlissTravelService #BlissTravelService #travelagent #xcarettravelagent #hotelxcarettravelagent #hotelxcaret #xcaretvacation #familymexicovacation Taking your kids to Europe is a wonderful way to expose them to new cultures. Here are some tips for the cities of Venice and Athens to make it even more enjoyable for them. After all when the kids are happy, the parents are too! Choose the right tours. The majority of kids do not rank museums and tours as their activity of choice. But, if you choose the right tour and guide it can really help connect your children to the area. Bliss Travel Service can assist you with booking the right types of tours. Here are some examples:
Kids don’t like to wait in line so make sure you plan ahead. In Venice if you plan on going up St Mark's Bell Tower or inside St Mark’s Basilica, have Bliss Travel Service purchase your skip the line tickets in advance. These are TRUE skip the line tickets that allow entry via a different door. The only rub is that you have a 10 minute window to use them. You choose the time frame.
Kids and adults are the same in that we all love good eats. Venice is a child foodie’s dream! Spaghetti, pizza, and gelato, well, it doesn’t get any better than that. Be sure to allow your child to indulge! In Athens the gyros usually go over quite well. Fresh pita stuffed with French fries and seasoned tender chicken or beef? Yes please. If you come across the Hans and Gretel ice cream shop you can’t pass up their bubble waffle cone.
What kid doesn’t like to wander? Venice is the best city to wander in and ‘get lost’. Since you are surrounded by water it’s impossible to truly get lost although you may feel that way at times. Explore the carnival mask shops, ride a gondola, and oh did I mention they have gelato? The Plaka district in Athens is especially fun at night to wander with tiered landscaped restaurants, street music, chocolate walls, shopping, and the Parthenon light up at the top of the Acropolis.
Dominique Barba
Bliss Travel Service - a travel agency specializing in river and ocean cruises, all-inclusive vacations, European packages, honeymoons, weddings, group travel Dom@BlissTravelService.com 480-725-8837 www.BlissTravelService.com www.facebook.com/BlissTravelService #BlissTravelService #travelagent #venicetravelagent #athenstravelagent #bestvenicetravelagent #familyeuropeanvacation #familyeuropeantravelagent |
