8 Romantic Getaways for Your Special Milestone

Whether it be your honeymoon, anniversary, or destination wedding –these 8 romantic getaways are the perfect way to celebrate.

Hawaii

When you picture the perfect paradise, does Hawaii come to mind? Us too! Not only will its sparkling waters and beaches dazzle you, but the lush greenery and towering volcanoes are truly a sight to see.

Paris

Visit the "City of Lights" in the most romantic place in the world! Enjoy sophisticated shopping and dining, while gazing at the iconic sights of Paris. The glorious landmarks, as well as the art and history of this bustling city make for one memorable vacation.

St. Lucia

Honeymooners have traveled hundreds of miles just to stay at the “World’s Leading Honeymoon” destination. It is not surprising Saint Lucia has earned this title, with its volcanic beaches, reef diving sites, fishing villages, and luxury resorts. The Pitons, tapered mountains on the West Coast, and the spectacular waterfalls of the Toraille flow over a cliff into lush gardens, are sites not to be missed!

Santorini

If you and your sweetie are looking for a European escape, Santorini could be your winner! Visited by nearly 1.5 million tourists per year, these Greek Islands are a must-see for many honeymooners. In fact, Santorini is known for being one of the most popular islands in the world because of its combination of beautiful beaches, ancient cities, incredible cuisine, and an active volcano! Now who's in!?

Fiji

Surrounded by gorges, forests, waterfalls, and natural pools --Fiji is the ultimate jewel of the South Pacific. With over 200 islands in the archipelago offering some of the world’s best soft coral diving and exotic wildlife, we guarantee --you won't be disappointed. 

Aruba

Dry and sunny, with tropical trade winds, bring cool breezes to you each and every day at this dreamy spot. Powdery, white sand and pastel facades invite you to slow down and relax. Experience the languages spoken in Aruba of English, Dutch and Spanish, at this unique location.

Bora Bora

Ah, it can't get much better than Bora Bora. The lush green mountains and crystal-clear lagoons make this place famous for romance and more romance! Have you ever stayed in an overwater bungalow? Well, this could be your chance because this is where you'll find 'em. The best part? All you have to do is sit back and relax...

Barbados

Known for the island that “has it all,” this one will blow you away. Experience the powdery sand beaches and tranquil turquoise blue bays, as well as local traditions like afternoon tea or cricket. Looking for something more energizing? The nightlife in Barbados is as big as the island itself --with dinner shows, romantic cruises, and live bands!

Anything catch your eye? Then, contact us at sales@landsvacations.com or www.landsvacations.com/contact to start planning your romantic getaway today!

The Ultimate Vacation Planning Checklist

Need a little something to keep your travel plans in order? Then, we’ve got the checklist for you…

Apply for your Passport

You've been waiting for that abroad experience for what it seems to feel like years. Finally, you book that dream vacation, but realize –oh, no! I need a passport. So now what? As a travel agency, we hear this all the time. We encourage you to apply for it, here to get started.

Vacation Insurance

Whether you’re traveling overseas, or across the country –it’s crucial to have comprehensive insurance during your travels. Here’s a list we think you should consider before taking off. Trust us, you’d rather be safe than sorry!

Home Security

Whether you’ll be gone for a weekend, or for an entire week out of the country, it’s important that you make sure your home and belongings are secure before leaving. Here’s some tips to consider so your mind is at rest when you’re gone.

Packing Tips

We have all gotten to our said destination and realized that we forgot to pack our flip flops, our dinner outfit, or worse- our favorite bikini! These are the rules we live by when planning for vacation. Happy packing!

Travel Documents

Some documents to bring along? Your passport, visas, airline miles card, a copy of your itinerary, any tickets or confirmation numbers, travel insurance, guide books, important contact info, copies of important docs, to name a few.

Airport Prep

For a domestic flight, you’ll want to consider leaving at least 2 hours before your flight departs. For an international flight, we’d suggest adding an extra hour. This of course depends on the hub you’re leaving from, the season you’re traveling, as well as the time of day.

Connect with a Travel Expert

That would be us! We serve as an important resource at no cost to you because we’ve been all across the world in search of awesome recommendations and travel tips for our clients. Discover why working with a travel specialist gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

For more information, be sure to connect with us at sales@landsvacations.com today.

The Top 6 Reasons to Visit Aruba

Looking for a dreamy escape that’s as pretty as a picture? Then, Aruba is your best bet! Here’s 6 reasons you’ll love visiting:

The Friendly Locals

With the relaxed atmosphere of Aruba and the laid-back way of life –it’s no wonder why the smiles here are contagious! The locals are always super friendly and more than eager to help with directions or recommendations for your next adventure or favorite meal. Their motto “One Happy Island” truly fits the bill, that’s for sure!

The Perfect Weather

It hardly ever rains in Aruba because the island is located at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea –a true vacationer’s dream!  It can get quite warm on the island, but with Aruba’s natural trade winds –they offset the heat, making it the perfect temperature to enjoy without being too hot or too cold! It’s even a great destination for those looking to travel during hurricane season because they *luckily* don’t get hit often.

The Pristine Beaches

The beaches in Aruba are like a picture out of a magazine! Bright blue and sparkling, surrounded by the most beautiful and soft white sand beaches you’ve ever seen. The water is so clear, that it makes for a great snorkeling spot too –so don’t forget to pack your flippers and goggles!

The Geological Formations

Not only will you see exquisite beaches and waters, but Aruba is the home to caves, trails, hills and spectacular rocks that have gradually formed on the island from years of erosion! The southwest coastline of Aruba is so sheltered –so be prepared for some pretty cool diving opportunities…if you dare! Try your hand at “wreck diving” and visit the Antilla –the largest wreck in the Caribbean.

The Pastel Sunsets

Due to the moisture content from the tropical air in Aruba, travelers will be blown away by the pastel purple, orange and pink skies at night. Be sure to make a point of having a romantic sunset dinner on the beach –or watch from your room’s terrace with a glass of bubbly in hand.

The Flamingos

And what’s Aruba without the #FLAMAZING and vibrant flamingos at Renaissance Beach?! Get up-close-and-personal with the majestic birds as you swim aside them or feed them from your hand. And don’t worry –they love making new friends!

Does Aruba sound like your cup of tea? Why, of course it does! For more information on this incredible getaway, contact the team at sales@landsvacations.com, or visit us at www.landsvacations.com today!

Our Best Tips for Character Interactions at Walt Disney World VS. Disney Cruise Line

One of the most common Disney questions we hear is, “When are the best opportunities to see the characters?” Well, we’ve come up with a few of our best tips to consider before your next visit. Take a look:

Walt Disney World Character Interaction Overview

Walt Disney World offers a much larger variety of Disney characters in its meet-and-greets, daily shows, and character meals than Disney Cruise Line does. In addition, there’s several character meal options offering visitors a stress-free opportunity to have their favorite Disney stars come to you, rather than wait in line.

Typically, the wait times to see characters are long –most, of which are outside. So be sure to keep that in mind, should you be in the parks on a super-hot (or cold!) day.

We also suggest utilizing your Fast Pass for character greetings, only if there is a character you must see –then, you can bypass the line.

Walt Disney World Character Interaction Tips

To make the most out of the character interaction experience, we recommend visiting locations that offer multiple characters, to skip over those long wait times. For example, Magic Kingdom has two princesses that greet you at each post in Princess Fairytale Hall. At Epcot, the Disney Pals at Epcot Character Spot will allow you to mix and mingle with them all at once. Mickey and Minnie can be found in their Safari at Adventurer's Outpost in Animal Kingdom. The Disney Junior Pals will greet you inside the Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios. So as you can see, multiple character opportunities like these, is the best way to make the most out of the experience!

Disney Cruise Line Character Interaction Overview

On the other hand, the character interactions on DisneyCruise Line tend to be more accessible and low-key. For example, beyond daily character meet-and-greets on the ship, guests are likely to randomly run into some characters on the pool deck, or in the kids' clubs. You might even spot them on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay –which really makes it seem like they are living on the ship with you!

Some other highlights about Disney Cruise Line character interactions, is that they have a Bon Voyage Party at the beginning of the cruise and a See Ya Real Soon party on the last night with all your favorite characters. They also have some fun “specialty” cruises, such the Frozen Day at Sea, Marvel Day at Sea –even Star Wars Day, so the entire family can party with their favorite friends.

Disney Cruise Line Character Interaction Tips

Princess meet-and-greets are very popular on Disney Cruise Line because of the shorter wait times than Walt Disney World. To meet the princesses, you can get a ticket when you can make your reservations online. If they’re are sold out, there could be some tickets reserved if you check in with guest services –but they go quickly! Don’t worry if you can’t get a ticket, though. The same princesses typically circulate on the scheduled meet and greets, so just check The Navigation App for the schedule.

Another fun opportunity Disney Cruise Line offers, is the Royal Court Royal Tea with the princesses for kids 3 through 12 years old (accompanied by a parent). Though it’s a bit pricey, it’s well worth seeing your kiddos light up when they meet them in person!

Lastly, character breakfasts are available for cruises lasting 7-nights or more, but must be booked online ahead of time. Tickets are included in your cruise cost.

Have any more questions for us? We’d be happy to chat! Just contact us today to get in touch.

The Best Reasons to Visit Moon Palace Jamaica

Known for its laid-back luxury and lively surroundings–Moon Palace Jamaica is a unique blend of play and serenity. Here’s some features that have travelers coming back year after year:

The Generous Resort Credit

We just love Moon Palace’s generous resort credit! A popular option that most travelers take advantage of is, if they stay for 5-8 nights, they receive $1,500 to put towards anything from the spa, excursions –or above-the-ordinary experiences! You can even receive an additional spa credit if you stay longer OR shorter. So basically, the longer you stay, the more they pay. How sweet is that?

Kids & Teens Stay at No Cost

Moon Palace isn’t shy about their “Kids & Teens Stay Free” promo, where kids 17 and under stay, eat, and play for FREE. Certainly, a draw to bigger families that want a cost-effective option. Some restrictions do apply, so be sure to ask us for more information on this, if interested!

Complimentary Wedding Package  

Known for their sophisticated and customizable wedding packages, Palace Resorts is by far one of our favorites for destination weddings. The “Compliments Collection” includes everything from the gazebo and setup, to décor and floral, a honeymoon package, and breakfast in. Something to consider, if comparing to those non-inclusive properties!

The Endless Activities

Known for it “play palace,” Moon Palace Jamaica never disappoints travelers with kiddos! Some favorite activities include: cookie baking, masquerade nights, mini Olympics, and a sea turtle release –to name a few. Additionally, you can expect to see various game rooms, a beauty salon and runaway, dollhouses, play kitchens, Xbox rooms, playgrounds, theatre –and so much more. Now, where to start?

It’s never too early to start thinking about your next family vacation or romantic getaway. To see what else is new, connect with us today at sales@landsvacations.com.

The Best Beaches to Say I Do

Say “I do” in a lush, tropical paradise on one of the best beaches in the world! Be sure you look into some of our favorites, below:

 

1.     Seven Mile Beach

Seven Mile Beach is home to some of the best luxury properties out there –not to mention some really cool locals (ya mon)! So big that its sand stretches across 2 territories, this gorgeous destination offers picturesque views and lively reggae vibes Jamaica is best known for. Additionally, its friendly and “no problem” way of life make this getaway great for a laid back and fun wedding.

2.     Maroma Beach

Known for being one of the most alluring beaches in the Riviera Maya, this perfectly secluded destination gets the award for romance. Its 500 protected acres of sugary-white sand were once named “One of the Best 10 Beaches in the World” by the Travel Channel, and only a handful of privileged resorts remain luxurious and exclusive. El Dorado Maroma, By Karisma Hotels, along with the Palafitos (their gorgeous overwater bungalows) are by far our favorite wedding resorts on Maroma Beach because of its luxurious accommodations and incredible service.

3.     Secrets Royal Beach

Secrets Royal Beach is easily accessible to gateways across the world, making Punta Cana a great spot for travelers and wedding-goers. Given a 4 Diamond Award by AAA, this romantic destination has won over many visitors for its famous golden sands, palm decorated coastlines, and numerous golf courses. In addition, Secrets Royal Beach offers some pretty dreamy wedding and honeymoon packages you’ll want to take advantage of!

Interested in saying “I do” with an amazing view? Then consider one of these breathtaking beaches around the world for your special day. Contact us today at sales@landsvacations.com for more details.

7 Unique Wedding Favors for your Guests

No matter what your budget is, you’ll want to have wedding favors that your guests will appreciate and enjoy! Here’s a variety of ideas that will hopefully spark your creativity:

1.       Champagne

Let the celebration continue long after you’ve hung up your dancing shoes!  Place a favorite picture of you and your guest on the bottle for an extra special touch!

2.       Seed packets

This idea is both inexpensive and creative.  You can purchase containers or bags and personalize with each guest’s name, your wedding date –or even a fun phrase like, “let love grow.”

3.       Popcorn or Candy Bar

Place the station at the exit of your venue with gift bags and let your guests scoop out their favorite treat on their way home!

4.       Potted herbs or succulents

A lasting memory to remember your special day and practical enough for everyone to enjoy.

5.       Candies and Sweets

Personalize your favorite candy bar, mint or gum.  Ain’t that sweet?

6.       Votive Candles

Choose your wedding colors or even a special seasonal scent.  Not only do your guests have a special gift to bring home, but the candles are a great décor idea for your reception!

7.       Mason Jar Surprises

This is a super budget-friendly idea!  Fill with candy, smores fixings, or dried fruit and nuts.  Turn the jars into vases with simple dried flowers.  The list is endless for this DIY-favor!

These are just a few great ideas to get you started –but the possibilities are endless! For more information on planning your destination wedding, or for more tips like these, contact us today at sales@landsvacations.com.