Costa Rica Group Trip – November 2023

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Costa Rica is one of my all-time favorite destinations and I can’t wait to explore it with all of you! This trip will take place over 6 nights, November 5 – 11, 2023, and as an added bonus there will only be a one hour time difference so jet lag shouldn’t be a problem.

Here is an overview of the itinerary…

DAY 1: November 5, 2023
Arrive into the Liberia (LIR) Airport where a private transfer will be waiting to take us to our hotel only 20 minutes away.

Stay for three nights at the El Mangroove, Autograph Collection Hotel with daily breakfast included (Nov 5 – 8, 2023)

On this first evening please join us for an included Welcome Dinner!

DAY 2: November 6, 2023
After breakfast at the hotel we will head out for an amazing day on the water on our own private yacht. After being picked up on the beach, we will enjoy a day of snorkeling, sub-wing, wake-boarding, waterskiing, beach games, snacks, beverages, and a BBQ lunch. Don’t forget to bring beach towels. Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner suggestion: Ginger Restaurant in Hermosa Beach and about 15 min from the hotel. See more info here. Transfers and dinner are extra. 

DAY 3: November 7, 2023
Today is a day at leisure. Breakfast is included at the hotel. Your stay at El Mangroove includes complimentary onsite activities: kayaks, snorkel gear, bikes, coffee tasting, SUP paddle, and yoga lessons. ADD ON: Canopy Tour- $88.00 USD per person.

DAY 4: November 8, 2023
After breakfast you’ll have the morning at leisure. At 12 pm we will make our way to the rainforest in Arenal (3.5hrs approx.) including a stop en route for lunch (payable directly).

Stay for three nights at the Amor Arenal with daily breakfast included (Nov 8 – 11, 2023). Each room has a private plunge pool!

DAY 5: November 9, 2023
This morning after breakfast we will head out on an amazing excursion to experience the Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall (lunch included). 6hrs approx. Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner suggestion: Don Rufino Restaurant in La Fortuna. See more info here. Transfers and dinner are extra. 

DAY 6: November 10, 2023
After breakfast we will head out on another exciting excursion – Whitewater rafting Class II-III. We will enjoy a nice lunch after the excursion (included). 5hrs approx.  Rest of the day at leisure.

Later this evening please join us for a Farewell dinner at Amor Arenal (dinner included).

DAY 7: November 11, 2023
Enjoy breakfast this last morning and then it’s time to stay goodbye. Private transfer to the Liberia Airport.

Included

Liberia Airport Meet & Greet Service and private transfer from the Airport to El Mangroove Hotel

Three night stay at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection Hotel in Bark Suite & Nesto Suite rooms with daily breakfast

Welcome Dinner at El Mangroove

Day out on the water on a private yacht with BBQ lunch

Private Transfer from El Mangroove Hotel to Amor Arenal Hotel

Three night stay at Amor Arenal in Canyon Casitas with private plunge pools and daily breakfast

Excursion to Hanging Bridges Park & La Fortuna Waterfall with lunch included

Whitewater Rafting Excursion with lunch included

Farewell Dinner at Amor Arenal

Private transfer to Liberia Airport

Not Included

Flights

Meals unless specified otherwise

Gratuities for Drivers and Guides

Pricing

Package pricing with rooms based on double occupancy: $2976 USD per person

For those who would like a single room, single supplement fee of $1100 USD

Suggested flights (to be booked on your own)

Sunday, November 5, 2023: Depart BOS on JetBlue Flight #717 at 7:40am and arrive into JFK at 8:50am. Depart JFK on JetBlue Flight #1691 at 10:45am and arrive into Liberia (LIR) at 2:48pm

Saturday, November 11, 2023: Depart LIR on JetBlue Flight #898 at 2:15pm and arrive into BOS at 8:41pm (non-stop)

Iceland Group Trip – October 2023

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Announcing our next group trip to Iceland! This trip is open to anyone and is limited to 15 people. This will be our third year offering this amazing trip after receiving rave reviews the past few years! Grab a friend and join us or come solo and make some new friends!

October 6 | Arrival & Reykjavík day, Reykjavík Food Walk

A private driver will wait for the group by the arrivals gate at KEF Airport and take us to downtown Reykjavík. You’ll be able to leave your bags at the hotel while heading out to explore the downtown area of Reykjavík. At noon we’ll be met by our partners who’ll take us on a private Reykjavík Food Walk. This is a great way to get to know the culinary culture of Reykjavík as well as getting to know the city better. This 3.5 hour tour includes food from five restaurants in Reykjavík. No one will walk away from this tour feeling hungry!

Activities: Private Reykjavík Food Walk tour
Accommodation: Reykjavík Saga Hotel with daily breakfast

Private Ice Cave, Northern Lights & Golden Circle 4 Day Tour

October 7 | South Coast Highlights, Northern Lights

After breakfast our private driver guide will pick the group up from the Saga Hotel to embark on our adventure to explore the entire south coast of Iceland. We’ll visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls before taking a walk on Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. We continue our drive further east where we’ll soon start to see the spectacular glaciers and Iceland’s highest mountains until we come into our accommodation for the night at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. The hotel is in a great location for seeing the northern lights on a clear winter’s night, with a wake-up call offered by the hotel, if you haven’t spotted them before bed.

Meals: 3 course dinner at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon restaurant
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon in a Deluxe room with breakfast

October 8 | Ice Cave & Super Jeep adventures within Vatnajökull National Park, Northern Lights

After breakfast we are heading to one of our all-time favorite locations in Iceland, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It is here we meet with our partners in the area who are taking us to the real highlight of the trip, our ice cave adventure. Together in their specialized super jeeps they take us over the rugged terrain to a more remote part of the glacier. From here it’s only a short walk to witness the blues and textures of these natural works of art. Once we come back to Jökulsárlón we take time to explore the enormous glacier lagoon and the icebergs which float around. Seals can often be spotted swimming amongst the icebergs. We make our way over to the Diamond Beach, where the icebergs from the lagoon flow with the tide out to the ocean and wash up on the shores of the black sand beach. We then head west to the charming Hotel UMI.

Activities: Ice Cave Tour with all glacier gear provided (harness, helmet, axe and crampons)
Meals: 3 course dinner at Hotel UMI Restaurant
Accommodation: Hotel UMI in a Mountain view room with breakfast

October 9 | ATV Tour, Golden Circle, Friðheimar Greenhouse, Northern Lights

We will start the day with a 1 hour ATV tour to the DC plane wreck along the black sand beaches of the south coast. Afterwards we will head to Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse for a memorable lunch among the tomato plants. We will then head to see the beautiful Gullfoss water and the magnificent Geysir. We will end the day at the charming Hotel Geysir.

Activities: Private 1 hour ATV tour on solo ATV’s, Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse lunch (all-inclusive lunch, non including alcoholic beverages)
Meals: 3 course dinner at Hotel Geysir
Accommodation: Hotel Geysir in a Deluxe room with breakfast

October 10 | Þingvellir National Park & Blue Lagoon, Departure Day

Once we’ve checked out of our accommodation this morning we make our way to one of the most historic and stunning sights in Iceland, Þingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates are pulling apart, is also the site of the first parliament here in Iceland just after settlement. From here we head to the famous Blue Lagoon for a soak in the mineral rich waters. Afterwards your guide will drop you off at KEF airport for your outbound flight.

Activities: Premium entry to Blue Lagoon

TOUR SUMMARY & PRICE

Inclusions

-Accommodation for a total of 4 nights in the above mentioned room types with breakfast all mornings

-Private transportation in one of our luxurious vehicles, led by an experienced guide for the duration of the trip

-Private Reykjavík Food Walk tour

-Ice Cave Tour (private tour) with all glacier gear provided

-Private 1 hour ATV tour on solo ATV’s

-Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse lunch (all-inclusive lunch, not including alcoholic beverages)

-3 course dinner at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon restaurant

-3 course dinner at Hotel UMI Restaurant

-3 course dinner at Hotel Geysir

-Premium entry to Blue Lagoon

-Private airport transportation from KEF Airport to Reykjavík on arrival day

-Private airport transportation to KEF Airport for your outbound flight

Exclusions

-Reykjavík activities and in-city transportation unless specified

-Meals unless otherwise stated

-Flights

Pricing

370,929 ISK per person (approx. $2656 USD per person). Rooms are based on double occupancy. For those who would like a single room there is a single supplement fee of 74,000 ISK.

Payment Schedule: 50% deposit is due to reserve a spot on the tour, with the final 50% being due 8 weeks before travel.

Cancellation Policy: 10% cancellation fee for cancellation up until 12 weeks prior to travel (for cancellations before July 14, 2023).

For cancellation between 12 weeks and 8 weeks prior to travel (for cancellations on or after July 14 and before August 11, 2023) a 50% cancellation fee.

For cancellation between 8 weeks and 4 weeks prior to travel (for cancellations on or after August 11 and before September 8, 2023) there is a 75% cancellation fee.

For cancellation 4 weeks prior to travel (for cancellations on or after September 8, 2023), there is a 100% cancellation fee.

To sign up, email me (Amy) at amy@charmandawe.com

Spring Break on Kauai – The Garden Isle

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For the kids spring break this year (the boys are ages 8 and 10) we decided to check a dream trip off our bucket list and head to the Hawaiian Islands, specifically Kauai and Oahu.

To break up the long flight from Boston we planned to spend a night in Los Angeles close to the airport and take an early flight out to Kauai the next morning. This worked out really well and gave us a minute to adjust to the 3 hour time change between California and Massachusetts.

Upon our arrival to Kauai, we picked up our rental car and headed to our first hotel, the Sheraton Kauai Resort. Upon arrival we found the resort to be beautiful with lush gardens. We were greeted with delicious chocolate macadamia nuts and the news that we were upgraded to a one bedroom suite. The views from our suite were amazing.

We were hungry after the long flight and so our first order of business was to head to Lava’s Restaurant (located on-site at the hotel) for our first Poke Bowls and Mai Tais of the trip. Our lunch was delicious.

For the rest of the day we hung by both the beach and pool. One of the great features of this resort is its location on a great swimmable beach, Poipu Beach. We had a lot of fun playing in the waves.

The evening ended with a spectacular sunset…

The following morning we spent hiking the Maha’ulepu Heritage Coastal Trail which is approximately 4 miles roundtrip and starts at Shipwreck Beach. This was an easy trail and a good option for hiking with kids.

Upon our return we wanted to explore the Koloa area and stumbled across the amazing Anake’s Juice Bar which is located in the back left corner of Kukui’ula Market.  This place has THE MOST delicious Acai Bowls and it is a must try if you’re staying for any length of time on Kauai!

(Sau Sai Bowl from Anake’s Juice Bar)

Ultimately we found the Sheraton to be a great option for both families and/or couples. In addition to a great beach and recently renovated rooms, you’ll find a nice pool area, fire pits across the property, and a variety of daily complimentary activities including Ukulele lessons, yoga, lei making, henna tattoo creation, fishing, and more. Surf lessons are also offered on-site for an extra charge.

After a couple nights at the Sheraton Kauai, it was time to move on to our next stop the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa which is also located on Kauai’s sunny south shore. We were greeted with fresh orchid leis which was a welcome touch.

The grounds were sprawling with acres of pools including a 1.5 acre lagoon, an adults-only pool, a lazy river, meandering family pools with waterfalls and a waterslide.

It was hard to peel ourselves away from the resort, but we had much to explore in Kauai. After our first night at the property, and a good breakfast at Ilima Terrace, we headed out to Waimea Canyon State Park. The drive was about an hour and we were among the first visitors before 9am.

The views were out of this world and the pictures don’t come close to doing the park justice…

This particular shot was from the official Waimea Canyon State Park Lookout (mile marker 10), but if you drive past the turn-off for the this lookout, there are additional places to stop for incredible views of the canyon and Nāpali Coast. On the way back out, we also stopped at the Iliau Nature Loop (located between mile markers 8 and 9). This was an easy quarter mile loop with great views of the canyon.

Later in the afternoon we explored the Makauwahi Cave, Hawaii’s largest limestone cave and the richest fossil site in the islands. This was a really neat site, a living museum which has preserved fossils which date back 10,000 years or more. In order to even access the site, you need to crawl through a small opening in the limestone rock. Once you make it through the tunnel the area opens up as though you’ve stumbled upon a secret garden…

We spent a total of 4 nights on Kauai and focused our time mainly on the south shore. We fell in love with the island and the laid back culture. On our next trip, if we are so lucky to travel back to this magical island, we will spend time exploring the north shore.

Portugal Group Trip October 9 – 14, 2022

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Sunday, October 9, 2022

5:40am – Welcome to Portugal. Meet and Greet with our driver & guide at the Lisbon International Airport (LIS)

We will be directed to our private vehicle and transferred directly to our hotel for the next three nights – Hotel PortoBay Liberdade

11:30am – 3:30pm – Food Walking Tour in Lisbon with a local foodie guide

A big part of the beauty of Lisbon lies down on its citizens, in the way these people relate with the city, in the way they gather in the alleys and patios, in the way they taste their coffee and pastry side by side with beautiful monuments of singular architecture.

We’ll visit Bairro Alto, one of the most emblematic neighborhoods in Lisbon. Here, you can feel the “Fado” while the tram passes by. From the belvedere, we’ll be able to feel the heartbeat of the city and to admire its beautiful hills. We’ll continue our tour going down the hill to the area of Chiado, an important centre of commerce and cultural activity – it was here that writers and philosophers used to gather to discuss their ideas back in the early 20th century. In front of the historical “A Brasileira” café, we’ll pass by the statue of Fernando Pessoa drinking his coffee, watching people passing by. From there, to Baixa Pombalina, the historical centre rebuilt after the earthquake in 1755. The new wide streets and 5 floor buildings gave a new dimension and image to the city.

During our stroll along the city, the group will have the opportunity to stop and taste the local gastronomy. We will visit traditional stores, taste pastries and “petiscos” where the locals eat and end our tour with a toast with a glass of “ginjinha” (sour cherry liqueur) at a century-old tavern. Overall we will have 4 tasting stops and approximately 8+ tastings and several wines or beverages.

7:30pm – 11pm – Portugese Fado Night

Fado is Portuguese and was born in Lisbon. It was adopted by Portuguese culture and is now a symbol of Portugal, with a strong tradition in the historic districts of Lisbon. The three-hour show features talented artists – a singer and two musicians (Portuguese guitar and classical guitar) – performing Fado and the music that makes it the national song. It is said that Fado combines nostalgia (saudade), Portuguese pride, hope and conformism in a musical style epitomised by Amália Rodrigues. On account of these unique characteristics, Fado has now been declared part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This evening we will experience a portuguese dinner with a fado live performance.

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Iceland Group Trip October 8 – 12, 2022

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October 8 | Arrival day | Reykjavík Food Walk & Sky Lagoon

 

Welcome to Iceland! A private driver will wait for the group by the arrival gates at KEF Airport upon arrival and take you to your Reykjavík accommodation. You’ll be able to leave your bags here while heading out to explore the downtown area of Reykjavík. At noon you’ll be met by our partners who’ll take you on a private Reykjavík Food Walk. This is a great way to get to know the culinary culture of Reykjavík as well as getting to know the city better. The 3.5 hour tour includes food from 5 restaurants in Reykjavík. No one will walk away from this tour feeling hungry! After the food tour you’ll be able to check into your accommodation at Hotel Alda to freshen up a bit and find your bathing suits, and then you’ll make your way to Sky Lagoon. Here you’ll have Sky Admission to the lagoon which gives you private changing and shower facilities. Their unique 7-Step Ritual will leave you invigorated and relaxed in equal doses. You won’t even notice the hours disappear as you make your way through their plentiful premises. Make sure to check out the in-water bar and waterfall!

Activities: Private airport transfer, Private Reykjavík Food Walk, Sky Admission to Sky Lagoon
Meals included: The food walk will provide a hearty feast!
Accommodation: Alda Hotel in their Deluxe Twin / Single rooms with breakfast

October 9 | South Coast Highlights, Northern Lights

This morning your private guide will pick everyone up from the hotel to embark on our south coast adventure. Firstly we visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall and then head to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. We continue our drive further east where we’ll soon start to see the spectacular glaciers and Iceland’s highest mountains. We make some further stops as we make our way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, one of our favorite locations in Iceland. The lagoon will be sure to leave you in awe, with its icebergs floating around this enormous lagoon, and washing up on the black sand shores of Diamond Beach. After all this we come to our accommodation for the night at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. We have dinner in their restaurant which showcases traditional Icelandic dishes. The hotel is also in a great location for seeing the northern lights on a clear winter’s night and a northern lights wake up call option by the front desk staff.

Sights: Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast is included
Lunch: Not included
Dinner: 3 course dinner at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is included
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon in their Deluxe Twin / Single rooms with breakfast

October 10 | South Coast Highlights, Glacier Hike, Northern Lights

After a good night’s rest we set off on another amazing day. We make our way to do the glacier hike on Falljökull glacier. We are heading onto the glacier to hike all the way up to the astonishing ice fall of the glacier exploring the glacier textures, features, and walk on the bottom of its crevasses. It’s truly a unique experience. The glacier hike is about 2.5 – 3 hours in total from the time we leave the car geared up with the necessary glacier equipment until we’ll be driving away from the glacier. Once we come down from the glacier we start making our way back west, stopping by Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon for an easy walk along the featherlike ridges of the canyon. We then come to the roaring Skógafoss Waterfall before coming to our accomodation for the night at Hotel UMI.

Sights: Falljökull Glacier (glacier hike), Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Skógafoss waterfall, other sights as time allows
Activities: Private Glacier Hike with all glacier gear provided
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast is included
Lunch: Not included
Dinner: 3 course dinner at Hotel UMI is included
Accommodation: Hotel UMI their Standard Twin / Single rooms with breakfast

October 11 | Golden Circle, ATV Tour, Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse, Northern Lights

We have an exhilarating start of the day today as we meet with our partners for their ATV tour that takes us out on the vast black beach to see the DC3 plane wreck. From here we make our way into the Golden Circle, starting with a unique lunch inside the tomato greenhouse farm Friðheimar. Next we get to witness the force of Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. From there, it is only a short drive to see the wonders of the geothermal area of Geysir, the original exploding geyser, and its surrounding steam vents. It’s here that we end the day by staying at the fantastic Hotel Geysir. The hotel only opened its doors very recently, and has numerous lounge areas to relax in and a fantastic restaurant on site.

Sights: ATV Tour to DC3 Plane Wreck, Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse, Gullfoss, Geysir
Activities: Private 1 hour ATV Tour, Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse Lunch (all inclusive lunch besides alcoholic beverages)
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast is included
Lunch: All inclusive lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse is included
Dinner: 3 course dinner at Hotel Geysir is included
Accommodation: Hotel Geysir in their Standard Twin / Single rooms with breakfast

October 12 | Departure day | Þingvellir National Park, Blue Lagoon, Airport Drop off

We leave our accommodation and first visit Þingvellir National Park which holds historical and geological significance being the site of the first known parliament in the world, where many of Iceland’s most important decisions were made. It is also a place of incredible beauty, sitting in the rift valley of the separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. From here it’s time to visit the Blue Lagoon where we’ll relax in the blue waters of the lagoon, the perfect way to end an Iceland vacation. After the lagoon we’ll have lunch at Lava Restaurant before your guide drops you all off at KEF Airport for your outbound flight.
Sights: Thingvellir National Park, Blue Lagoon
Activities: Blue Lagoon Premium entry, airport drop off
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast is included
Lunch: 2 course lunch menu at Lava Restaurant (by Blue Lagoon) is included
Dinner: Not included (in the skies!)

Tour Summary

Inclusions

  • Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels and room types, for a total of 4 nights with breakfast all mornings
  • Private South Coast & Golden Circle 4 Day Tour, in our luxurious vehicles, led by one of our wonderful guides for the duration of the 4 days
  • Private Reykjavík Food Walk
  • Sky Admission to Sky Lagoon
  • 3 x 3 course set dinners (at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, Hotel UMI and Hotel Geysir)
  • 1 x All inclusive lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse (all inclusive lunch besides alcoholic beverages)
  • 1 x 2 course set lunch menu at Lava Restaurant by Blue Lagoon
  • Private Glacier Hike (2.5 – 3 hours) with all glacier gear provided
  • Private 1 hour ATV Tour to DC3 Plane Wreck
  • Private airport transportation
  • Blue Lagoon Premium Entry
  • All taxes and booking fees
Exclusions
  • In-city transportation (such as taxi transfer to and from Sky Lagoon)
  • Lunches unless otherwise stated
  • Beverages unless otherwise stated
  • Covid testing (if still needed)
  • Flights

Pricing

  • $2699 USD per person (double occupancy room)
  • Single Supplement $499 USD

If interested, contact Amy at amy@charmandawe.com

Our Iceland Adventure

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Home to both volcanoes and glaciers, Iceland has long been known as the land of fire and ice. Located just below the arctic circle, this small island country is filled to the brim with geologic wonders. Imagine spouting geysers, active volcanoes, toasty thermal pools, booming waterfalls, and magnificent otherworldly terrain. Opportunities are vast for both exciting adventure and sublime relaxation.

With all of this in mind, I couldn’t imagine a better destination for a group of women to explore and experience, disconnect and reconnect.

I eagerly started to curate an itinerary and I chose early October as the timeframe for the trip so that we would be traveling off-season while hopefully still being able to experience comfortable temperatures with a chance of seeing the northern lights.

The itinerary came together pretty quickly and before we knew it, October was here and it was time to depart.

After a quick non-stop flight from Boston, our group of fifteen women arrived into Reykjavik. In no time at all we were exploring the downtown streets and what better way to acquaint ourselves with the city than to enjoy a culinary tour. As an added bonus Miss Universe Iceland 2020 was our tour guide, and a phenomenal and fun guide she was!

After a full day and night spent in Reykjavik we met our private driver guide the following morning and headed south of the city to begin a new day of sightseeing and exploration. From our very first stop of the day until our last, every site we stopped at was spectacular, and to add a little heart pounding adventure into the day we rode out to a black sand beach (complete with a plane wreck!) on our own ATVs.

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The Grand Moon Palace – Cancun, Mexico

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Mexico is one of my favorite destinations for the all-inclusive experience. In fact, it might be my favorite. The people, food, culture, history, and opportunity for outdoor adventure, continue to amaze me with each trip.

I’ve had my eye on the Grand Moon Palace for awhile. I’ve sent many clients to this resort and was excited to finally have the opportunity to experience it for myself (well, with my husband and children in tow). Would it live up to its #2 ranking on TripAdvisor and the rave reviews from my clients? Let’s find out…

After a painless 15 minute transfer from the airport, it felt as though vacation had started in no time.  Upon check-in, we were provided with our resort bracelets, which doubled as a room key; a detail which I learned to appreciate immensely, never having to search for a separate key card.

(The Lobby)

Opened in 2017, The Grand Moon Palace is the newest member of the Moon Palace resorts in Mexico. It is the high-end luxury resort option adjacent to its sister resorts (Moon Palace Sunrise and Moon Palace Nizuc).

We spent the first 3 days checking out the resorts amenities and I’m not sure we even made it to half of the property in that time. The Grand Moon Palace is immense in size with 16 restaurants, 9 bars, 9 pools, a waterpark, spa, bowling alley, and much more. At any given time there were at least a dozen options to keep busy or relax. Our room was located on the ground floor in building 88, a great location close to the lobby building and all of its amenities.

(Building 88)

One of my absolute favorite features of the resort was the SPA which was beyond amazing! Seriously, without question, one of the best resort spa’s I’ve ever experienced. I was able to enjoy both a facial and massage during the week. In addition, I took full advantage of the spa’s awesome hydrotherapy circuit and pool area.

(Spa pool with hot and cold plunge pools)

Where did my kids want to spend most of their time? The Kids Club, of course, with its arcade, mini-golf course, bumper cars, ropes course, laser games, two-story play structure, and on-demand snacks. The best part is that parents can drop their children ages 4-7 at a supervised playroom any time from 9am until 10pm at night.  My husband and I were able to enjoy glorious child-free meals multiple times during the week.

(Ropes course at the Kids Club)

And what about the food!? I would rate the food as very good to excellent. We appreciated the variety of restaurants (our favorite was the Lebanese) and our only disappointment was not being able to try them all. I also thought the child-size buffet section in the Grand Buffet Restaurant was a nice touch for pint size travelers and my kids definitely enjoyed getting their own food.

Ultimately, I would rate the Grand Moon Palace as an excellent choice for a range of travelers from couples to multi-generational families. The variety of activities is sure to please and the service was top-notch. I’m not one to travel back to the same hotel twice, but I am looking forward to my next trip to this hotel.

St. Lucia – One Destination with Limitless Inspiration

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St. Lucia is a top destination for both couples and families. This incredibly lush island is home to the majestic UNESCO world heritage site Pitons, rainforest dotted by waterfalls, and beautiful palm-fringed beaches.

Located in the Lesser Antilles between Martinique and St. Vincent, St. Lucia remains one of the most active geothermal islands in the Caribbean. Travelers can even experience Sulphur Springs which is essentially part of a collapsed volcano crater (coined a “drive-in volcano”) in which visitors can relax in hot springs and thermal mud pools.

During our visit to St. Lucia my colleague and I had the pleasure of exploring the southwest portion of the island which is home to the town of Soufriere, the Pitons, and a handful of luxury boutique resorts including Ladera, Sugar Beach, Anse Chastanet, and Jade Mountain.

Our first stop of the day should have been for a leisurely hike on the popular Tet Paul Nature Trail which is a 45 minute loop with great views of the Pitons, but unfortunately, mother nature had other plans for us. Our trip coincided with the tail end of St. Lucia’s rainy season and it poured for a good 1-2 hours that morning.

After a quick change in plans we made our way to the adults-only Ladera Resort which is located approximately 30-40 minutes from the island’s Hewanorra International Airport (UVF). Perched on a volcanic ridge 1000 sq. ft above the Caribbean Sea and on 15 acres of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ladera is home to 37 open-air rooms and suites all with private plunge pools overlooking the Pitons.

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Saint Kitts and Nevis – A Warm and Welcoming Two-Island Nation

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Saint Kitts and Nevis (officially the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis) are two mountainous islands located in the Lesser Antilles of the Eastern Caribbean. These two islands, separated by a 2 mile wide channel called “The Narrows,” are both of volcanic origin with the highest peaks of Mount Liamuiga located on Saint Kitts standing at 3,792 feet and Nevis Peak on Nevis standing at 3,232 feet.

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The White Barn Inn – Kennebunk, Maine

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The White Barn Inn has been a beloved local landmark in the Kennebunkport area for over 150 years and it’s no surprise why. Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, this legendary Inn boasts an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant (YES, it’s that amazing!), meticulously designed rooms with luxurious amenities and thoughtful touches (the mini-whoopie pies were a divine welcome!), a serene pool area, and a top-rated spa! Let’s not forget the perfect location halfway between town and the beach which are both within walking distance or a quick bike ride via the Inn’s complimentary bikes.

My husband and I enjoyed an amazing getaway to this historic and charming Inn. Here are a handful of pictures from our stay…

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