Our Top 5 Luxury Resorts in Mexico

Curious what Mexico properties are our go-to’s when it comes to luxury? Well, here they are…

Le Blanc Los Cabos - Known for its upscale setting and utmost elegance, this resort is a dreamy place for destination weddings, honeymoons, or for any occasion in your adult life. We hope you’ll check it out!

Grand Velas Riviera Maya - Escape to paradise and rejuvenate in the peaceful luxury suites, which are settled away in the vibrant Mayan jungle. Savor the intoxicating flavors from across the region, relax at the spa, or explore the incredible coastline. Adventure awaits!

The Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma - Situated on one of the most alluring beaches in the Riviera Maya, these perfectly secluded bungalows really are, the very picture of romance. Each overwater suite comes with its own infinity pool, glass bottom floors, a direct ladder from your balcony, private outdoor showers –and even an overwater spa and restaurant! Who’s in?

The Grand at Moon Palace - Here, you’ll find everything from a state-of-the-art spa, exciting tours and excursions, golf outings, and live entertainment. You’ll also experience a perfect mix of elegant luxury and laid-back fun with the entire family at The Grand!

Unico 2087 - Known for its exceptional value and service, this property boasts an entirely new standard for inclusion. Here, you’ll find that everything is included –even the spa treatments, select tours and excursions!

For a custom quote, click here!

How to Tip in Europe

While tipping is almost always expected in the U.S., it isn’t as common in Europe. Keep scrolling to learn what you should do in various tipping scenarios:

At a café…

When ordering food from a café counter in Europe, tipping isn’t necessary or expected –so no need to bust out the extra change.

At a bar…

Tipping your bartender in Europe isn’t expected but giving them one or two euros for great service is always appreciated and totally welcome.

At a restaurant…

Contrary to popular belief, there really is no obligation to leave a tip at a European restaurant. If you do feel that your service was exceptional and want to leave a tip, try not to exceed 10% of the bill, as anything more would be considered excessive. Keep in mind, the service may already be included in your final bill in some countries (i.e, service in France), so be sure to factor that in before leaving a tip. Cash tips are also recommended.

Your shuttle driver…

Though unnecessary, your shuttle driver would certainly appreciate one or two euros per bag if they help you carry your luggage to the bus.

Your taxi driver…

A safe bet is to round to the nearest five euros for a shorter ride, or to the nearest ten for a longer commute.

Your doorman/bellhop…

One or two euros is the perfect way to say thank you to your doorman or bellhop for helping you with your luggage.

Your housekeeper…

A couple euros is sufficient when tipping your housekeeper after your stay on vacation.

We hope this Europe tipping guide is helpful the next time you make the trip overseas. Don’t have anything planned yet? Well, we can fix that! Contact us today at sales@landsvacations.com or click here for a free quote.

5 Reasons Why You Should Book Your Honeymoon with a Travel Expert

You didn’t think you had to do all the planning on your own, did you? Here are 5 reasons to book your honeymoon with us:

It Saves Money

Did you know that by NOT booking with a travel agent, you are ultimately paying for a service that you never received? In other words, booking with a travel agent costs you nothing more than you would pay if you were to book online yourself. They help you save money by finding the best value vacations out there, too.

First-Hand Knowledge

With years of combined experience in the travel industry and certifications in the destination wedding and honeymoon industry, a travel expert will be able to match you with the perfect honeymoon by just asking you a few questions! Oftentimes, travel consultants visit resorts throughout the year so they can share their experiences with you. It’s a win-win!

Personalized Itineraries

Struggling to plan your honeymoon abroad? Well, a travel expert can fix that! You see, travel consultants know where all the great dining and shopping places are because they work with hundreds of couples each year. Save yourself hours of research and let them do the work for you.

Keeps You Organized

In addition, a travel expert works with you hand-in-hand starting from your very first consultation, through your journey home. It’s their job to book your flights, create your itinerary, arrange transportation, and manage all the little things you certainly don’t want to deal with after planning a wedding. Let them be your honeymoon helpers!

No Service Fees

The best part? No fees. That’s right, with a honeymoon specialist, you won’t have to pay them a dime. Yes, the agency makes a commission on the trips they book, but only until after you've return from travel –which is already factored into the price. So, not only will you receive expert planning and guidance along the way, but you’ll be supporting a small business, too!

Ready to start planning the ultimate honeymoon? Then, get in touch with us today by clicking here.

Our All-Time Favorite Tropical Honeymoon Destinations

After all the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, what could be better than lounging around on a beach all day with your new spouse? Here are some of our favorite tropical honeymoon spots you’ve got to check out:

Anguilla

Perfectly situated in the Eastern Caribbean lies the breathtaking island of Anguilla. Besides its obvious beauty, Anguilla offers honeymooners dozens of activities to start your marriage off on the right foot. From world-class spas and white-sand beaches, to horseback riding and kayaking –this is the place to be for beach bums and adventurers alike. We guarantee you’ll have the time of your life here!

Tahiti

Most famous for its dramatic forested peaks and silky black-sand beaches, Tahiti offers honeymooners the tropical escape and alone time they’ve been longing for. Believed to have formed from a series of volcanic eruptions, the islands are still as beautiful as ever. In addition, the serene feel of Tahiti and gorgeous overwater villa options make it a huge draw for honeymooners.

St Lucia

This leading honeymoon destination is visited by millions of newlyweds each year. Home to some of the most majestic volcanic beaches, reef diving sites, fishing villages, and luxury resorts in the world, St. Lucia is a sight not to be missed! Visit views of the Pitons on the West Coast with spectacular waterfalls or relax in one of its romantic boutique hotels.

Hawaii

Hawaii’s waters and beaches will mesmerize you, while its forests and volcanoes are guaranteed to take your breath away! Venture along the coastline for its famous breathtaking views, or head over to one of its numerous national parks for swimming under a waterfall. Immersing yourself in the culture here is an experience in itself!

Mexico

Mexico is our #1 destination for weddings and honeymoons because of the excellent value, incredible service, and memorable experiences. Because of the abundant flights available to Mexico, and the hundreds of resorts that scatter the shoreline –this is by far the best spot for a variety of options!

For more information on these tropical honeymoon destinations, contact us today for a free quote!

Walt Disney World Welcomes Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge!

Finally! Star Wars fans across the globe can unleash their inner-jedi at Walt Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge. Keep reading for a quick guide to this hot new attraction…

Overview:

On Thursday this week, Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios welcomed highly-anticipated Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge. And let’s just say, they did not disappoint!

The new attraction provides visitors with a true intergalactic experience –incorporating more Disney cast members than ever before, so you can truly feel like you are on the planet Batuu. So, whether you’re looking to build your own lightsaber or droid, or want an adrenaline rush on Millennium Falcon (the fastest ship in the galaxy) –we guarantee everyone will have a ball here, no matter the age. 

 

Reservations:

To ensure you’re able to take advantage of everything Glalaxy’s Edge has to offer, reservations from August 29, 2019-February 3, 2020 are highly recommended. If you are interested in trying for these reservations, you’ll need to log into your My Disney Experience account and search for them there. Since this is a high-peak period, understand that reservations are in high demand. Below are a couple attractions you can check for current availability:

Oga’s Cantina: Dining reservations are available from 6:00 AM through 9:30 PM daily, starting on August 29th, the day of the land’s official opening. Reservations are also available through February 3rd at this time.

Droid Depot: You can make reservations for Droid Depot's popular Custom Astromech building experience. Reservations are available from August 29th through February 3rd.

Savi’s Workshop: You can make reservations for Savi's Workshop custom lightsaber building experience. Reservations are available from August 29th through February 3rd.

Special Hours in Hollywood Studios:

• September 1^st - November 2^nd  
• 6 am - 9 am
• Disney Resort and Select Hotel Guests, only
• Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and select attractions

Other Attractions:

Star Tours: Explore over 20 different locations seen in films

Jedi Training Academy: Become once with the force at Jedi training –perfect for the small Jedis in your group!

Character Meet and Greets: Say hello to some of your favorite characters from the movies!

Rise of the Resistance Ride: Immerse yourself into the battle of the Resistance and the First Order on this thrilling upcoming ride! This ride will be coming to Walt Disney World on December 5^th this year and in Disneyland on January 17^th next year –so stay tuned!

Millennium Falcon, Smugglers Run Ride: Hop aboard this intergalactic spaceship for a mission unlike any other!

Shopping:

Visit merchant row for an outdoor market filled with trader carts. Find everything from rarities at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities to robots, creatures, and space gear!

Dining:

Enjoy a variety of intergalactic cuisine at Galaxy’s Edge! Here, you can dive into a variety of things like alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks, to themed snacks and meals seen in the movies. They sure do know how to go “all out” here!

Have any questions about the new Star Wars land? Then, contact the Disney experts for a quote today! And may the force be with you…😉

The Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World

Not sure when to visit the most magical place in the world? Then, look no further than this helpful guide!

Late Fall/Pre-Holidays

If you’re looking for a festive Disney experience, try visiting between mid-November and mid-December. This will give you the opportunity to check out all the cool holiday decorations, partake in seasonal events, and enjoy the mild temperatures. Be sure to avoid Thanksgiving week –as that can be a lot pricier and crowded. The parks, however, will always be more crowded on the weekends, so just plan your itinerary accordingly.

Post Holidays/Late Winter

After the holidays are all said and done, Walt Disney World tends to slow down. The second week of January through mid-February is considered to be the least busy time of year to visit –meaning the costs will be lower as well. With that said, Disney staff uses the slow time to refurbish rides and structures to avoid the crowds. Be sure to avoid any holiday weekends.

Early Spring

The first three weeks of May is also a great time to visit Walt Disney World because its moderately warm, but not entirely unbearable. The crowds and accommodations are also reasonable –but be sure to avoid Memorial Day weekend, as that can bring in more crowds and chaos.  

Late Summer/Early Fall

Our last recommendation is to visit Walt Disney World in late August or during the entire month of September because the crowds tend to die down. Keep in mind, it will be extremely hot, so plan on spending your afternoons in waterparks, etc. Lastly, most hotels located off-site tend to have tons of deals going on –even their “Free Dining Package,” which is always a steal.

Ready to start planning your next trip to Walt Disney World? Then, contact the Disney pros today for our expert guidance!

The Hottest LGBTQ Honeymoons This Year

We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite LGBTQ honeymoons of 2019. Keep reading to check ‘em out!

Tahiti

Most famous for its dramatic forested peaks and silky black-sand beaches, Tahiti offers honeymooners the tropical escape and alone time they’ve been longing for. Believed to have formed from a series of volcanic eruptions, the islands are still as beautiful as ever. In addition, the serene feel of Tahiti and gorgeous overwater villa options make it a huge draw for honeymooners.

Greece

Did you know that Greece is known for being one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world because of its beautiful beaches, ancient cities, incredible cuisine, and active volcano? It's no wonder it gets millions of visitors each year! Explore quaint villages, delectable fresh cuisine, and views of the sparkling sea in this gorgeous destination. Truly a honeymoon to remember forever!

Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya is one of our top honeymoon spots because of the excellent value, incredible service, and memorable experiences that come with it. Because of the abundant flights available to Mexico and the hundreds of resorts that scatter the shoreline –this is by far one of the best destinations with the most options. One of our favorite honeymoon properties here happens to be Unico 2087, too!

Thailand

From the vibrant non-stop city of Bangkok with its temples, Buddhas, floating markets and colorful nightlife... to the stunning beaches of Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Pattaya --Thailand is full of hidden gems worth exploring! We recommend Thailand for couples looking to kick married life off with a little adventure!

Hawaii

Hawaii’s tropical waters, beaches, forests and volcanoes are reason enough to honeymoon here! Venture along the coastline for its famous breathtaking views, or head over to one of its numerous national parks for swimming under a waterfall. Immersing yourself in the culture here is an experience in itself! Always a great choice for honeymoons because it’s been tried and true for years!

Want more information on one of these hot LGBTQ honeymoon destinations? Then, contact us today for a free quote!