Why Jamaica?

Looking to plan your next vacation or destination wedding and can't decide on a location? Jamaica is a fabulous option to consider! Why Jamaica? Here are 8 reasons:

1. Beautiful Beaches for Miles

Home to some of the Caribbean’s most impressive beaches, Jamaica offers a vast expanse of spectacular white sands. With breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, mountains, and crystal blue waters, the beaches are the perfect place to relax on vacation. Consider Whitehouse, & Montego Bay as wonderful beaches to enjoy. Or the famous Seven Mile Beach with amazing sunsets!

2. Tropical Climate & Weather

If you like tropical weather, then Jamaica is for you. Jamaica is a tropical destination where you can put on a bathing suit and enjoy an island with an average temperature of 81˚ all year round!  

3. Enjoy Local Cuisine

Jamaica is well known for its exotic and locally sourced food. You may have heard of jerk-seasoned dishes, which is native to Jamaica. And while you're here you have to try the national dish of Ackee and Saltfish, a locally grown fruit sautéed and served with onions, peppers, tomatoes and salt cod. Delicious!

4. Perfect for Nature Lovers

If you love to experience nature, you'll be delighted with the new experiences and adventures to take in while visiting Jamaica. Known for their exotic wildlife, the area bird species and flora will astound you. And if you dream of swimming with the dolphins, you can in Ocho Rios!

5. All-Inclusive Resorts Abound

The easiest and greatest way to experience Jamaica is with an all-inclusive resort. Vacation packages with all amenities and activities included give you the freedom to immerse yourself in the culture and island while on a refreshing travel. Whether you're traveling on a budget or searching for the luxurious side of the island, you're sure to find an all-inclusive package that fits your needs.

6. Child Friendly Resorts & Activities

Traveling families know the importance of making sure children can and will enjoy the vacation just as much as the adults do! That being said, the adults need to have some fun themselves, too.

Many resorts in Jamaica offer childcare for the days and nights when parents need a little alone time. Don’t worry about dreary childcare in a room filled only with crayons and paper. Kids are on vacation too, and you want to make sure it stays that way!

7. An Island Rich in Culture

Still asking yourself “why visit Jamaica?” Jamaica has a proud and astounding culture, embracing the land and the lifestyles they lead. One of the greatest aspects of Jamaica’s culture is the friendly and welcoming nature of the locals. You won’t feel like a stranger when you arrive at the island; the locals will welcome you with warm hearts. Visit the island with a schedule a tour, and don't miss out on the Bob Marley House in Nine Mile.

8. Destination Weddings

It's easy to have a destination wedding on a friendly island with no blood tests required, where you only have to arrive 2 days prior to the ceremony, and with so many resorts to chose. From large all-inclusive resorts to boutique hotels to villas, your destination wedding in Jamaica will never be forgotten.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Luxurious All Inclusive Resort

Grand Velas Riviera MayaLuxurious All Inclusive Resort

If basking in the sun on pristine beaches while enveloped in luxury is your idea of a perfect vacation, then Grand Velas Riviera Maya Mexico Resort is the place for you! Grand Velas is easy to get to - it's located just 35 minutes from Cancun Airport - and it's perfect for couples, weddings, and families.

The Riviera Maya in Mexico is a spectacular destination because of its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, nightlife, shopping, and golf. Grand Velas adds a layer of pampering and splendor with its world-class spa, named "Best Spa in the World" by Virtuoso in 2010. 42 treatment suites with services that span from massages to facials to hydrotherapy means you'll find the relaxation or rejuvenation you deserve.

The accommodations at Grand Velas live up to the title of luxurious with large suites that include 2 double beds or 1 king, a sitting area, and views of the ocean from your private terrace. This is where I want to start my day with a cup of coffee and then sit and unwind before dinner. All rooms include large TVs and wireless Internet, but this is the place to unplug so I hope you don't use them much!

For those that like to sit and bask in the sun, in addition to the ocean or the zen garden you can enjoy three huge swimming pools with plenty of chairs to relax. There's also a children's pool. Yes, the Grand Velas is luxurious enough for a romantic couples getaway but it's also family-friendly with kid's activities and a kids club.

From the amazing service to the delicious food rolled into an all-inclusive resort, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is a stellar vacation spot. If you want to know more about this resort or you're ready to book your vacation, contact me at 978-745-2575 or marisa@sensationaltravel.com.

Ladera Resort Video

So enjoyed my time at this boutique hotel in the southern area of St Lucia. Wonderful service, food and the views!  Enjoy my photo video! 

Family Travel and New Year

When the holidays are over and you have begun to miss your family & friends do you think about next year?   Perhaps a family reunion in 2016 where you can spend a week and not just a few hours with love ones.  Something to think about?  Marisa of Sensational Travel can help! All inclusive resorts offer a stress-free experience for families of all ages where your meals, snacks, drinks, entertainment and activities are all prepaid. They are located everywhere in the Caribbean and Mexico.  Just unpack once and start the fun to build memories.

Perhaps you want to plan a family reunion for grandparents, children and grandchildren who are spread across the United States.  How wonderful to explore a new culture, volunteer in a country and  still enjoy some pool or ocean time while on vacation.

Resorts offer special savings and amenities for groups starting at 6 rooms depending on the time of year you travel.

Sensational Travel handles all the reservations, payments, questions and we provide a dedicated web page for family & friends. We have emergency service for you prior or during your trip.  Offer trip insurance for those unforeseen events that may prevent you from traveling.  And we have been assisting families for over 30  years.

Contact Marisa@sensationaltravel.com to begin to research the best group travel for 2016

Honeymoon Destinations

Newly engaged couples I meet at New England Bridal Shows are constantly asking me where is the popular destination for a honeymoon. It remains the top three are; Jamaica, Punta Cana, D.R. and Mexico mostly the Mayan Riviera area. Why: These three top destinations for honeymoons offer the best value for young couples who want beach & sun while getting most for their money.

Which resorts to consider?

In Punta Cana there is the Excellence Resort, Zoetry Resort, Majestic Elegance Resort, HardRock Resort and Breathless Resort that are the most popular.

In Jamaica, Couples Resorts offer free tours in their room packages and the well known Sandals Resorts for their luxurious accommodations. Here you can chose between Ocho Rios for the variable of tours and Negril for amazing sunsets.

In Mexico, there are many resorts to chose from from the larger resorts such as Moon Palace Resort to smaller Playacar Palace Resort to the luxurious LeBlanc Resort. Hard Rock Resorts for music lovers. RoyalHideaway Resort or Karisma El Dorado Seaside Suites Resort where both offer exceptional service. In the Manyan Rivera there are many tours and activities honeymooners can enjoy or just relax on a beautiful beach.

Choices are numerous and it is wise to use a travel professional to make sure the selection is best. Contact marisa@sensationaltravel.com for stress-free planning.

Free Honeymoon?

If you are an engaged couple and worrying about rain on your wedding day in May or June 2014, maybe you should book your honeymoon with Sensational Travel. Contact Marisa L. Cole for details on this promotion & to book your memorable honeymoon. Marisa@sensationaltravel.com

Sandals La Toc Resort St Lucia

What a wonderful resort with many features such as an activity pool or a quiet pool. Lots of watersports such as paddleboarding or waterskiing. Piano bar to enjoy or a street fair to dance the night away. Lovely rooms to chose from and of course my favorite is either the concierge service or a luxury Butler to cater to your wishes. Here are my favorite staff at the resort, general manager and hotel manager along with the sales manager. Mr Eliott, Mr James and Pearl!! Contact me about how we can make your next Sandals LaToc Experience special.

St Lucia

As a Boston traveler it was to be two airplanes and a 1hr layover in Miami for a 7hr journey then a 1hr van transfer to St Lucia's Sandals La Toc. Was it worth it? We arrive into our Sunset Bluff Waterview Edge Room with time to swim in the pool, enjoy a drink at the swim up bar and watch a beautiful sunset before dinning at Armando's Italian Restaurant on the Sunset Bluff. Food and service was top-notch at Armando's! Yes, all was forgotton about the long travel day.

Sandals La Toc St Lucia

Sandals La Toc St Lucia

Long Day Traveling for a Boston Traveler to St Lucia. However it promises to be a beautiful day after this sunset.

Over-Water Bungalows

Coral Lodge – Panama

Featuring just 6 overwater bungalows plus two restaurants and a spa, the Coral Lodge is a boutique resort in a secluded part of the San Blas Islands in Panama. The bare-bones and eco-friendly approach means there is no TVs or internet here, so a distraction-free vacation is nearly guaranteed.

The resort also offers “romance packages” and several other extras, so this is still quite luxurious. The Coral Lodge also is great value, with perhaps the cheapest overwater bungalows in the world. There’s great diving and snorkeling, as well as horseback riding nearby, so this could be a perfect choice for the right people.

Caribbean overwater bungalow resorts that aren’t open

Sandals Grande St. Lucia – This famous all-inclusive resort is building 26 overwater bungalows around its private island just off St. Lucia, scheduled to break ground in August 2012 and open in February 2013. Curiously, they are billing them as “the Caribbean’s first overwater bungalows,” so perhaps their definition of ‘Caribbean’ is more limited than ours or the general public’s. Sandals is also reportedly planning on opening overwater bungalows at its Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica resort as well, though information on those is limited as construction permits have yet to be granted as of February, 2012.

Jamaica 2012 with Sandals Resorts

JAMAICA 2012 with SANDALS RESORTS

Sandals and Beaches Resorts offers weddings and vow renewals your way, your style, your Sandals with many choices. Check out Sandals new wedding designer tool on their website to see how easy and affordable it is to plan a wedding ceremony and optional reception in the Caribbean.  Contact Sensational Travel at  978-745-2575 for specials and pricing.  View photos on Sensational Travel Facebook Page                              

http://www.facebook.com/sensationtravels

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Luxury resorts and destinations

Travelers will ask  travel agents if they have "been there".  The answer is usually we haven't and even if we had, resorts & destinations are constantly changing.  I am happy to read a new blog from a luxury travel agent like myself who might have gone to a destination or resort I haven't been to.  Enjoy reading:  

http://montecitovillagetravel.wordpress.com/

Destination - St Lucia

Want to travel to the South Pacific? Want to save time and money?  Consider a vacation to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. You can do a drive-in volcano, scuba dive or snorkel, sail or swim at black-sand beaches, zip line in rainforests, taste unforgetable cusine, stay in family-friendly Coconut Bay Resort, luxury honeymoon at Jade Mountain, or "the Bachelor" treatment at Cap Maison.  Contact Sensational Travel for special offerings  at 978-745-2575.