All-Inclusive Month :: Matchmaking

Last week, in the first installment of our all-inclusive month feature, we dispelled some stereotypes, namely that all packaged-vacation resorts are the same. This week, our rhetoric turns into action suggesting different all-inclusives based on popular vacation preferences. Find the right fit and you'll have the week of your life, find the wrong fit and you'll wish you were at the Copa, Copa Cabana, the hottest spot north of Havana... But first, some all-inclusive rules of engagement...

Rules of Engagement Here are some rules of engagement as you plan an all-inclusive vacay:

• Do you want to be completely cashless or dole out daily tips? Some resorts you aren't allowed to tip, others it's generally expected.
• Is premium vs well liquor important to you?
• Are multiple à la carte {vs buffet} restaurants important to you?
• Do you want exciting kids programs?
• Are you a scenester? Some resorts have more of a scene than others.
• Do you want motorized sports or is a water trike more your style?
• Don't forget about bugs {sand fleas, mosquitoes and noseeums}. Not a big deal, just something to be aware of in a tropical climate. Bug spray is always an asset.

Matchmaking [trip style =  if you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain...] If you want to bake in the sun, drink for a week and party like it's 1999---and don't really care where---something in Veradero or Mazatlan will probably return the lowest price and bang for your buck. All-Inclusive Budget Suggestions: - Do a search for "vacations" on itravel2000.com, entering your departure point, destination {all of south}, dates and star level. Don't forget to click advanced search in order to select "all-inclusive" + "beachfront." You'll be floored at how many reasonably-priced options are available. - To ensure you're getting the cheapest price, 'google' the resort to see if other travel suppliers are offering it for less.

[trip style =  modern family] You want to have fun and you want your kids/teens to have fun---without breaking the bank. Is it possible to combine all these features? Yes, if you avoid high season at resorts like Beaches Turks and Caicos. It has it all: 16 restaurants, a surf simulator, a lazy river, kids and teen programs, zero entry pool, spa, swim-up bars {for both kiddies and adults}, etc... All-Inclusive Family Suggestions: *Beaches, Turks and Caicos *Breezes, Curacao *Franklin D Resort, Jamaica {vacation nanny included}

[trip style =  splurge/save] If you splurge on shoes, handbags and jeans, paired with the occasional outlet-find top, you'll likely enjoy a high/low resort complete with a few fabulous features, yet manageable price tag. It's kinda like shopping at Off Saks... All-Inclusive High/Low Suggestions: *Riu, Los Cabos *Breezes Grand, Negril *Club Med, Florida *Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe, Punta Cana

[trip style =  posh spice] If you're into exclusive getaways, I'd suggest a private island-style, rustic-luxe all-inclusive like the first option below. Beyonce's been known to jet-set to Half Moon as well... All-Inclusive Exclusive Suggestions: *Fowl Cay Resort, Bahamas *Royal Plantation, Jamaica *Half Moon, Jamaica {ask for all-inclusive plan}

[trip style = a-list] If you make a habit of staying at Rosewoods, Ritz' and Four Seasons, and sipping mint-infused mineral water under spritzers in a spot at the pool where everyone can see you, then these resorts might peak your interest. Note the below properties are not small, so if you're looking for a posh hideaway, see above. All-Inclusive A-List Suggestions: *Grand Velas, Riviera Maya *Excellence, Punta Cana *Secrets, Riviera Cancun *Royal Hideaway, Playa Del Carmen

All-Inclusive Month :: Coming Up Friday, Feb 18th – All-Inclusive vs Non-Packaged Vacation Monday, Feb 21st – From the Archives :: All-Inclusive Tricks of the Trade Friday, Feb 25th – Fashion Friday :: Rockin’ the All-Inclusive

[photo by @tripstyler, taken at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica]

Rainy Day Vacay Ideas

[trip style = sun + beach + urban]

You're playing with your kiddies by the pool in Kauai...and it rains. You're weekending in Cali...and it rains. You're sightseeing in Paris...and it rains.

What do you do when it rains for a day or the whole week while on vacation?

A few days of rain are manageable. A tropical vacation marred by daily torrential downpours is disappointing when you hoped for sun and sand. Six years ago my husband and I booked a last-minute, all-inclusive getaway in the Dominican Republic during hurricane season. We were worried about the forecasted tormentas {translation: fairly significant rain storm}, however, we knew this was a risk given the season. When we got there, the weather reports continued to talk tormentas, but in reality that week it meant: sun until 3pm, storm from 3-5pm, early evening sunsets and clear, balmy nights. Not too shabby. I wasn't so luck in Paris, it rained chats and chiens nearly the entire time---good excuse to go back?

Vacation Rainy Day Ideas As I write this list, I'm sitting in my casita looking out at the pooling rain on my balcony {pictured above} at the Fairmont Mayakoba {my review here} hoping the rain will stop. It got worse.

• Read a book
• Flip through your magazines
• Surf the web
• Catch up on emails
• Write your friends and family with a vacation update
• Embrace the rain and just go for it outside: in the pool, in the ocean {lightning and wind permitting} or pounding the pavement
• Go see a movie, watch TV, or view something on your laptop or tablet {Hulu.com is a lifesaver if you are in the US!}
• Go shopping
• Book an impromptu service at the spa
• When in doubt, eat
• If you're in a Vacation Rental with a kitchen, go out and get ingredients for a fabulous gourmet meal and then spend all day making it
• Play a game
• Go to the gym
• Take a nap
• Go wine tasting, or create your own wine tasting experience at a restaurant if you aren't near a wine region
• Take an opportunity to leave a comment card complimenting a staff member who has made your stay memorable
• Catch up on your Trip Styler reading {just had to sneak that in}
• Use Skype or Google Talk's 'call phone' to catch up with someone

How to Avoid Being Snaked by Rain

• Check the weather forecast before you go to mentally prepare yourself
• Create a list before you go of things you could do *if* it rains
• Book a last-min vacation so you can check the weather outlook before you leave
• Maintain a good attitude {I know, this one is cheesy, but turning a negative into a positive is good for the soul}

Related Content Just Go With It In Scottsdale

[Photo by @tripstyler, taken on a very rainy day at the Fairmont Mayakoba]

All-Inclusive Month :: Introductions

[trip style = all-inclusive]

To some people, all-inclusive vacations conjure up ideas of men in bright yellow bathing trunks playing volleyball; women in high-cut neon tankinis; crowded beaches with a billion loungers; watered-down bevs; bikini contest entertainment; cheesy white columns everywhere; and logos plastered on beach chairs, at the bottom of every pool, on napkins and probably your bedspread. I may or may not be speaking from experience...ok, I am! Yes, these types of all-inclusives exist, but no, it isn't what all packaged vacations are like.

Each friday this month we'll feature a range of all-inclusive topics to help you get to know this trip style a little better, and once you do, decide if it's right for you. A list of all our upcoming topics can be found below.

Getting Over Stereotypes The biggest point I want to get across over the next month is there is a multitude of luxury categories, exclusivity levels and destinations associated with all-inclusives, and although this trip style may not be for everyone, at least consider it. During my quest to continue to discover great getaways, I've stayed at more than a few all-inclusives---some worth forgetting, some worth writing home about. A few of my stays perpetuated the above-mentioned stereotypes, while others were a true vacation treat. From these experiences I've learned to be highly selective while I search for an all-inclusive and choose a resort/brand that I know will match my preferences {more on that next week}.

The Good and the Bad On the positive side, my all-inclusive honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica was an incredible experience complete with sunset cruises on Princess Grace's honeymoon yacht, nightly champagne bottle room service, included manis and dining at the only 5-diamond restaurant in the Caribbean {at the time, 6.5 years ago}. The resort continually exceeded my expectations. On the flip-side, there was the resort we visited in the Bahamas, which had high highs and low lows. Despite experiencing the most fun New Years EVER, because of the intense service fluctuations, I couldn't recommend it to others until management sorts a few things out. Either way, I won't be going back unless they foot the bill...  At  this resort we witnessed events like: 'Jim', who after one too many 'Miami Vices' consumed in the main pool's hot tub, yelled "bombs away" and took a runningjump into the dirty towel receptacle {on wheels}, which by way of knocking over a few pool chairs, almost flew into the pool. Stay classy 'Jim.'

Benefits Aside from the 'Jims' of the world {who you may or may not want to encounter at your next all-inclusive}, one of my favourite activities at an all-inclusive is leaving my passport and wallet in the safe and turning my brain off. Staying at these types of resorts involves tough decisions: wakeboard or suntan, margarita or pina colada, squash or racquetball, sushi or local fare...Here are some of the other benefits: Pay up-front, don't pay again {aside from tipping depending on your resort} Leave your wallet in the room's safe and enjoy Eat at different restaurants every night {depending on your resort} Be as active or inactive as you want Be as invovled or uninvolved as you want Be as social or anti-social as you want

All-Inclusive Month :: Coming Up Friday, Feb 11th - All-Inclusive Matchmaking! Finding the right fit Friday, Feb 18th - All-Inclusive vs Non-Packaged Vacation Monday, Feb 21st - From the Archives :: All-Inclusive Tricks of the Trade Friday, Feb 25th - Fashion Friday :: Rockin' the All-Inclusive

[photo by @tripstyler, taken at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica]

Travel Trends :: Solo Travel

Have you ever traveled solo? ....Contiki tours don't count...

Recently I've seen a big push on the part of major travel companies to target solo travelers and create single traveler-friendly accommodations. In fact, a few months ago I received an email from someone who was looking for some sunny, single-occupancy getaway options; I wish some of the below options would have been available at the time.

Because most packaged vacations---whether cruise or all-inclusive---are based on double-occupancy, unless you travel with a stranger, finding a single room and paying a single price is challenging. Traditionally, this has left solo travelers with DIY vacation packages: booking a flight + hotel + ....... which can also be frustrating given most hotel rooms have space for two.

Whether you specifically want to travel solo, or can't find anyone with the same time-off, here are some single travel options for your next getaway:

Single Traveler Getaways [trip style = cruise] Nowegian's Epic, its newest, biggest and most impressive ship---think vodka ice lounge, big-top circus tent & Blue Man Group headline show---offers 128 single rooms. The Epic hit the high seas in June and surprise surprise, the single rooms have been in high demand, which is likely driving the company to come out with more single rooms on two ships it has coming in 2013 and 2014.

Although Royal Caribbean has been known to offer favorable pricing on cruises for solo passengers, they are now refitting the 2,112-passenger Radiance of the Seas and adding 3 single rooms. Three rooms? Really? I understand this decision is bottom-line influenced, but only adding three singles rooms to an under-served market is a short-sighted mess. The newly renovated ship will service Alaska and Vancouver this summer. {via The Cruise Log}

[trip style = all-inclusive] I've heard stories in the past about Club Med Turks and Caicos being a pretty hot & heavy singles destination, and it appears it still is. Targeting "friends, singles and couples", the resort offers group, single and double-occupancy pricing.

[trip style = urban getaway] The ultra-hip Ace Hotels {Portland, Palm Springs, New York, Seattle} offers shared and well-priced standard rooms. Note that most hotel shared rooms mean 3 of 4 beds and a bathroom down the hall. If you're scared off by the shared bathroom, stay in a 3 or 3 1/2 star hotel with shared rooms and the bathrooms are usually cleaned well.

Pod hotels are all the rage in Asia and Europe, and these small-scale, no-frills hotel rooms are fabulous if you're planning on spending most of your time out and about, and not doing any lounging by the non-existent fire in your room. And for those of you who want to venture to NYC, the futuristic Yotel is opening this spring! If you have trouble finding a room I'll be shocked, given the 669 cabins planned. Don't miss your room's signature techno wall.

[trip style = budget conscious] Some hostels are grungy, but others can be really nice {like this gem I stayed in while in Cusco, Peru}. So, if you don't want to do the out-of-university budget travel thing, but want a decent, value-priced place to stay {where you can be as social as you want} don't dismiss a hostel. Find a hostel search iphone app here.

[trip style = luxury] Seasoned solo travelers who prefer the finer things in life swear by 5-star hotels with a busy bar and/or coffee shop scene. This way, a social gathering place is mixed into the overall experience.

PS - Today is our 300th post! Thanks for reading {and sometimes skimming:}. Please continue to pass it on as we dish out daily travel to amateur jetsetters.

[photo by @TripStyler at the Eiffel Tower. The first time I visited Paris it was on a 4-day solo trip---fabulous experience.]

Mexico Redeemed...

[trip style = sun + beach + luxury] {more pics below}

The Lure Most Canadians and Americans with any penchant for travel have made it down to Mexico at least once. The shining sun, saucy spanish language, vibrant culture, beachfront homes and all-inclusives lure us away from dark and dreary winters. Except for a stop-over in Cozumel, I've always kept my Mexi visits to the Pacific Coastal side, visiting San Felipe (on development trips), Mazatlan and Acapulco. Since my husband and I were almost attacked in Acapulco 5 years ago {thank goodness for my leftover bag from dinner which turned into a weapon of mass no destruction to ward off our 20-something perpetrators}, I wasn't too keen on returning.

Another Chance But I had to give Mexico another chance, it's the Canadian way. We've all had bad travel experiences right? Hoping that a trip on the Caribbean side would redeem my relationship with Mexico, I booked  5 nights at the Fairmont Mayakoba thinking the property looked pretty nice and newish, but not having any clue what I was getting into. {See my review of the Fairmont Mayakoba here.}

The Journey Last Friday, our direct {and reasonably-priced; $522 return} WestJet flight from Vancouver arrived into Cancun about 5.30pm. {Trip Styler Tip = when booking short vacations, always try to secure a direct flight, it enhances your experience by giving you more time at your destination and less time in airports!}. Racing towards Playa Del Carmen by taxi, I was impressed with the condition of the road, number of police checkpoints and mammoth resort entrances on our Formula 1-like journey. I think our 24-year-old taxi driver cut the commute time in half given his Mario Andretti tendencies and 140km/h speed. Then his speed fittingly slowed to a meandering pace, and we came face-to-face with the Mayakoba's statuesque, backlit onyx front gate, surrounded by perfect and poquito palm trees. Based on its upscale and modern design, I knew it wasn't just any resort.

Mayakoba Mayakoba is a sprawling, lush, manicured and master-planned, Spanish-owned resort development 10-mins from Playa Del Carmen. Its front entrance looks different because it's unlike any other development in the area with a series of canals connecting 3 stand-out, luxurious hotels on the property: The Banyan Tree, The Fairmont and The Rosewood. Case in point, Tory Burch just tweeted from The Rosewood 8 days ago. Looks like I just missed her. Too bad really, we could have talked totes and tequila poolside.

Mexico, I'm sorry it took me so long to return. I hope to learn more about your culture, talk more with your locals, eat more of your guacamole, drink more of your cervezas and run more on your beaches sometime soon. Until next time, hasta la vista {see you later}.

I would recommend any of the resorts at Mayakoba, and it just so happens one of my favourite Private Sale travel sites {Jetsetter.com} is offering 3145sf, garden pool villas at the ultra-luxe Banyan Tree for $390/night. Although this price tag might seem expensive, the service is unreal and each suite comes with a private infinity pool and breakfast.

{Biking to the beach}

{Fairmont Mayakoba beachfront pool}

{Run or walk forever in either direction}

{One of Mayakoba's meandering rivers}

{Cenote - a well with exposed rocky edges containing groundwater typically found in the Yucatán Peninsula}

{Looking toward the Fairmont's adult pool and La Laguna Restaurant}

{Bouquet of roses given after dining at the Banyan Tree's Tamarind restaurant}

{Rosewood beachfront villas}

{Secluded beach 'beds' beside the Rosewood}

[photos taken by moi in the Playa Del Carmen area, Mayakoba, Mexico}