Win a Grand Velas Vacation!

Tell everyone on Facebook about your vacation in Puerta Vallarta, the Riviera Nayarit, or the Riviera Maya AND become eligible to participate in a raffle for 12 luxury all-inclusive vacations of 4 days and 3 nights for two at Velas resorts!

If you have visited, or plan to visit, one of the places above between June 2011 and February 2012, you could become an ambassador for one of these destinations. Just go the Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/grandvelasresort?sk=app_175228065866009 and post about your experiences. You can even add photographs.

So when you’re on vacation in Puerta Vallarta, the Riviera Nayarit, or the Riviera Maya, take notes and photos. You may have a chance to return to Mexico sooner than you think!

 

The Balcones del Atlantico

The Balcones del Atlantico, a RockResorts luxury resort, opened in September of 2010 on the Dominican Republic’s Samana Peninsula. It’s the first luxury resort in the area. This villa-suite resort is situated on the shining sands of almost a mile of almost undiscovered beaches, named Playa Las Terrenas after the small nearby fishing village of the same name. You can, as the resort’s website says “walk all day and your feet will never leave the sand.” An up-scale restaurant, name “Porto,” has just opened at the resort and RockResort is offering a “StayFree, EatFree” package in celebration.

Featuring two pools with one swim-up bar, a beach bar, the new restaurant, watersports, tennis, horseback riding, and more, vacationers are never more than a few steps from the beach.  Well-known Interior designer, Patricia Reid, is responsible for the chic tropical/ nautical decoration of the Balcones del Atlantico’s 86 two and three bedroom villa suites. The suites range in size from 1,900 to 4000 square feet.  Reid’s philosophy is “Simple Luxury.” Her emphasis is on the bright colors of the tropics and natural lighting. Each suite is enhanced with local art, polished coral and granite tiles, and Balinese stone basins and teak counter tops in the bathrooms. Outdoor patios are furnished with wooden tables that seat between two and eight. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet access, and state of the art kitchens featuring Viking appliances and cooking equipment by Cuisinart.

The restaurant, Porto, has the largest and most varied wine list in The Dominican Republic. The food, prepared by acclaimed Peruvian Chef Bruco Tosco offer a unique mix of Dominican and Peruvian flavors. Specialties include a daily catch that will vary with the seasons. Locally caught shrimp in three different and unique flavors is offered by the pound.

A highlight of Balcones del Atlantico is its commitment to the local environment and community with its strategy for sustainable tourism and development. Guests and staff may participate in environmental and community projects through the hotel’s partnerships with Reef Check- Dominican Republic and Pack for a Purpose.

To find out more information or to book your next trip to the Dominican Republic, call us at 866-365-8747!

 

Trendy Travel Bags

No savvy traveler will want to be seen indulging in luxury travel unless they’re carrying their belongings in fabulous, trendy, travel bags and cases. And what are those trendy travel bags? You can’t go wrong with a Gucci, Forzieri, Tumi, or a Louis Vuitton.

Gucci offers classic bags in a large variety of styles and fabrications – from cotton with fine leather touches to all leather. Carry your personal documents and other necessities in a messenger bag, backpack, duffel, briefcase, shoulder bag, belt bag, or computer case. A small Gucci messenger bag in beige/ebony GG plus fabric with brown leather trim begins at $395.

Forzieri offerings include beautiful carry-ons, laptop bags, and garment bags of all sorts. A smart looking Fossil Wagner- Brown Canvas Duffle Bag is available for $128.00 on Forzieri’s website. Forzieri Italia’s website also offers Alviero Martini 1A bags, Hi-Tech bags by Piquadro, Luxury Icons by Bentley and Style Lab by Aznom, as well as many other designers and styles in every price range for the smart traveler.

Tumi carries every conceivable luxury bag for any traveler. This includes satchels, totes, duffels, garment bags, shoulder and crossbody bags, trunks, toiletry and cosmetic cases, on up to large wheeled luggage. A Tumi “Just in Case Tote” is available in a several patterns and colors at just $95. This tote is lightweight, foldable, packable, and comes in a zip pouch. This makes it the perfect tote to either use as a carry-on, or to stow in your luggage to bring back souvenirs, or even to carry along as a “luggage lightener,” should you find that your checked luggage doesn’t meet airline weight restrictions.

An impressive Keepall 45, is a staple of the classic Louis Vuitton travel collection. The smallest bag features monogram canvas, leather handles, and natural cowhide trim. It has a double zipper and an elegant, removable ID holder. It can be personalized with your initials. This bag retails at $1050.The Louis Vuitton website also offers Damier Ebene and Damier Azur canvas bags. Rolling luggage, hard-sided luggage, many bags, and other travel accessories are available.

Don’t venture out until you’ve checked out these beautiful travel bags and accessories. They’ll add convenience, pleasure, and style to your exciting luxury travel!

 

An “Enchanting” Stay

 

Spend your precious vacation time with your family at Sedona’s luxurious Enchantment Resort and Spa. Nestled within the towering red rocks, the Enchantment resort is a fabulous destination for those seeking the perfect family vacation spot in the midst of one of the earth’s most beautiful natural wonders.

The accommodations of the resort are magnificent, craftily melding the interiordesign with stunning views.  Four styles of accommodations are available: Casita, Junior Suite, Hacienda, and Casa.

  • Casita offers deluxe studio, bedroom, one or two-bedroom suites or suites that feature a private pool. All deluxe studios and suites include a fireplace, dining area, and kitchenette. All offer at least one porch or deck.
  • Junior Suites offer log-beamed ceilings, beehive fireplaces, granite-topped tables, a bar area, and an oversized bathroom with a separate shower and soaking tub.
  • Hacienda is a 1,400 square foot studio that features a living room, full kitchen and dining room, two queen sized pull down beds, and a bathroom – and includes either one or two adjoining queen or king bedrooms. A deck, a porch, or both are also included.
  • Casa Suites are either one or two bedroom suites that have a full kitchen, an oversized living room, fireplace, king bedrooms, a large soaking tub with a separate shower, a large private patio and private, covered parking.

When not enjoying the amenities of your living area, play on the more than 70 acres of the resort, located within Sedona’s scenic Boynton Canyon. You and your family will enjoy hiking, tennis, swimming, an outdoor whirlpool spa, mountain biking, a “pitch ‘n putt” golf course, croquet, bocce ball, ping pong, and more.

Your family will learn about the area through the Native American program which includes activities like Talking Circle, Walk to the Ruins, Medicine Walk, Native American Drum and Flute, and documentaries.

Camp Coyote will, with the help of a guide, introduce your children between the ages of 4 and 12, to the area’s incredible natural environment and culture. They’ll enjoy nature walks, making pottery, gazing at the stars, and more.

Mii Amo, the spa at Enchantment Resort, offers everything from yoga to dance classes to off-site excursions.

The resort includes an online marketplace so that you can bring a little bit of the Enchantment resort home with you. It features merchandise that highlights both Southwestern and Naïve American culture, and, of course, the beauty of Sedona.

Sedona itself offers some of the finest shopping in the world from the amazing Tlaqueplaque Arts and Crafts Village to the wonderful little shops that line the streets of Sedona. Soak in the warm sun and enjoy local Native American Crafts and jewelry, and gifts and clothing that feature a southwestern “flavor.”

Don’t forget the Family Getaway Package. Take your entire family to The Enchantment Resort and for two nights and enjoy breakfast each morning at the Yavapai Restaurant, Mii amo Café, or from room service. Let your children enjoy Camp Coyote every day while mom and dad explore Sedona or enjoy the spa. Your family will enjoy one group jeep tour from a choice of several adventures and is invited to the Mii amo spa (for those 16 and older) and to use the tennis courts and mountain bikes.

 

Escape to the Riviera Maya

Built on sugar white sand and set between the warm, sparkling, turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean and the lushness of the Yucatan jungle, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is just 35 minutes from Cancun International Airport and 5 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers you nothing but luxury! The accommodations are all-suite and decorated in the style of contemporary Mexico. They offer oceanfront and jungle terraces, private plunge pools, wireless Internet access, 42” plasma TVs, in-room massage, whirlpool bathtubs and more – including more than 1,000 feet each of living space! The resort is divided into three areas – the Grand Class is set up for privacy and relaxation, there is a family friendly area, and an area that’s open to families and the best area for business travelers as well as it’s close to the convention area.

Grand Velas offers spa vacations for those seeking to be pampered in luxury that includes massage therapy, body wraps, facials, and a world class fitness center with classes in yoga and pilates.

The Grand Velas Convention Center offers over 90,000 square feet of meeting and event space equipped with cutting edge technology. There are 32 rooms for small gatherings and two large conference areas that can accommodate up to 3,000 people.

Dining at Grand Velas is a delight! There’s something for everyone from fine French cuisine, to traditional Mexican, Asian Fusion, Basque delicacies and family favorites like gourmet pizza.

There are adult restaurants and those that specialize in family dining. Enjoy outdoor dining as well. 24 hour in-suite dining service is offered and there are snack bars, poolside bars, and lounges that feature entertainment nightly around the resort.

The Riviera Maya is a one of the world’s finest beach destinations and the best of its exciting attractions are within minutes of Grand Velas. Visit Cozumel and indulge in scuba diving, snorkeling and more sun and sand. Take advantage of fishing, kayaking and sailing. Looking for adventure? Explore the jungle by horseback or try a zip line tour through the Yucatan!

Some of Mexico’s most ancient ruins are easily accessible to you from Grand Velas. Visit Tulum, Chichen Itza, and Coba to learn about the mysteries of Mayan life. Our concierge can help you set up a day tour.

Don’t forget to take advantage of Grand Velas’ special scuba diving vacation! The Riviera Maya is one of the world’s top destinations for scuba diving. There are many marine parks in both Cozumel and Playa del Carmen that offer protected habitats for the area’s many forms of marine life. The Riviera Maya is also famed for its many “cenotes,” or underground caves that have been carved out of limestone by freshwater rivers. Experts will guide you through the fabulous underwater setting. Other adventures include private sailboat and catamaran tours, diving courses, jet ski tours, kayaking and parasailing. See the concierge at Grand Velas to set up your tour of the Carribean floor. Visit the caves and shipwrecks underneath the Carribean’s blue waters, and even enjoy night diving!

 

Zoetry

“Art is expressed at a more ultra-luxurious and refined degree at Zoetry Wellness and Spa Resorts.”

Zoetry  Spa Resorts offer new levels of pleasure, health, and luxury based on wellness, serenity and romance. Not only will you be pampered with healthy gourmet cuisine and spa experiences, but you will have many opportunities to participate in cultural, artistic and educational activities. Zoetry visitors are encouraged to contribute, voluntarily, to local communities and to the Earth in the spirit of both social and environmental responsibility. The three Zoestry resorts include Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya (Cancun), Zoetry Agua Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), and  Zoetry Casa Del Mar Los Cabos (Los Cabos) each with with different styles, settings, and ambience – all offering serene, luxurious, earth-friendly, spa vacations.

Wellness

Wellness at Zoetry resorts reaches beyond all traditional health, fitness, nutrition, and spa therapies and is  centered in the realm of holistic health. Zoetry experts combine fitness with nutritional advice that focuses on each guest’s lifelong nutritional needs creating a sense of overall health and wellness.  All Zoetry spas offer complete menus of holistic, Asian, hydrotherapy and other treatments to rejuvenate you. The Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita spa offers the Thalassotherapy Spa, the first certified facility of this type in North America. Thalossotherapy utilizes heated seawater, seaweed and marine mud to bathe your skin in minerals and to remove toxins. Aquagym, Yoga, Meditation, Tai-Chi, Chinese medicine services, Mayan healing practices, and other services are included.

Business Retreats

Zoetry provides professional Business Event Coordinators who expertly cater to your every conference, seminar, retreat, or any other business needs you might have in a paradise-like setting.

All indoor and outdoor meeting facilities will be coordinated. All audiovisual and computer needs will quickly and discreetly be handled and you will be free to take advantage of the resort for private parties with live entertainment, transportation, golf outings to the best courses the area has to offer, as well as many other tours which are tailored to each beautiful location.

Weddings and Honeymoons

What could be more romantic than a wedding and honeymoon by the sea? Zoetry’s professional wedding coordinators guide a bride and groom through every step of the most romantic wedding from  flowers, to the food and beverages, entertainment, guest accommodations, transportation and all important legalities. Become husband and wife on the beach at dawn or in one of Zoetry’s fabulously appointed meeting rooms!

And if you’re looking for the most magnificent honeymoon resort, Zoetry offers king-sized beds, luxurious linens, lighting to set a romantic mood, and even passion oils, candles and aromatherapy that are selected by the bride and groom. Should you be too busy to leave your room, you may take advantage of Zoetry’s 24 hour in room dining service. And, of course, there are all of the other spa and resort services found at all Zoetry Spa Resorts.

Visit a Zoetry Spa Resort to refresh the inner and outer you and to enjoy a luxurious, serene, and earth-friendly vacation in one of three of the world’s most beautiful and romantic vacation destinations.