I have been selling Hawaii for many years. So many, that I had at times forgotten that I had never been there! I finally jumped at a chance to go on a training trip to Maui with one of our suppliers and Maui Tourism Board. The great thing was not only did I get to see Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i but I had the opportunity to experience some of the hidden gems and talk to many of the locals. We stayed in 3 wonderful resorts in Maui, the Honua Kai, the Royal Lahaina and the Wailea Beach Marriott. Fantastic resorts with very different amenities and locations. We took the ferry to Moloka'i, drove the Island with a local guide, saw the sea turtles, had great food and a chance to shop local artisans. Talking with the locals brings a new perspective on Hawaiian life. Flying back is a cheap option and is like having an air tour! Lana'i is a very small quiet island, just 2 hotels. 98% privately owned, used to be the Dole Family planation. It is being developed by the new owner. The old worker housing in the town is being refurbished into restaurants, and small shops. There is a brand new state of art movie theatre and the Fairmont Resort is having a complete face lift. I loved the quiet quaintness of this island, as well as the beauty. Paradise in the old Hawaiian way. Being able to see so many parts of the area known as Maui Nui was a wonderful experience and even though I knew the areas on Maui and a lot about the resorts, I now have so much more knowledge of things to see and do and a much better understanding of the history and the people of Hawaii. Next up I am going to Puerto Vallarta for R&R in December. I have not been there in about 10 years and am looking forward to seeing if my memory serves me!             

Just returned from PVR 12 Dec 2015. Love flying from Kamloops in the winter- no worry about driving. Spent 2 weeks in lovely, warm Puerto Vallarta. Haven't stayed there in at least 10 years so it was more than about time. I decided we were going to split the vacation between 2 resorts. Love doing that, changes the experience, different restaurants, different people etc. Stayed at the Friendly Vallarta for the 1st week. This is a more budget resort but had a great time there. Livelier, family oriented, clean rooms. food was good, choices a little limited. The staff was phenomenal and the resort lives up to it's name. It is older and needs some repairs on structure but they were doing some upgrades.  For the second week, we moved next door to the Fiesta Americana. Although quieter, still had activities going on. Great choices of restaurants. Lacking the dinner buffet, if you did not want to go to one of the restaurants. Had 24 hour room service which is always a plus. Rooms were really nice. We had ocean view rooms at both resorts and well worth the extra. The grounds are beautiful with plenty of lounge areas, no problem with getting pool or beach chairs. This is a non-smoking resort with 2 small smoking areas on the grounds. We did venture into the Old Town- taxi about $7 CAD each way or you can bus it for under a dollar. Loved watching the dolphins every morning the of course the sunsets every evening. Had a wonderful vacation with what we wanted R&R!        

Well in my last entry I said I would go back to Cuba, and I did. This time we stayed in just 1 resort, the Ocean Patriarca Varadero. New property so some of the plantings are still small but love the smaller resorts, nice walking paths, easy to get around. The food was quite good for Cuba and the coffee bar was great. The Italian restaurant was very good. No problem getting chairs around the pool and the staff brought out big umbrellas and placed for you. Staff was excellent, rooms were clean. Over all a very good family resort.

Viva Cuba! Finally got there. Been wanting to experience Cuba for many years. I took my husband again and off we went in Dec 2012 for 2 weeks. I decided I wanted to divide my stay between different resorts. We started with 4 nights at the Breezes Varadero. Great resort, spread out and included golf. Pool was pretty standard and food is typical Cuba, sort of the same all over, breakfast was great. Loved the staff, easy to get around, close to Varadero town-about $5 by taxi. We then went to Havana, there is a transfer bus in the morning that you book locally cost about $12 each one way that dropped us right at our hotel. We stayed in the old city at the Iberostar Parque Central for 3 nights, great hotel, roof top pool, fantastic breakfast, easy to walk around. We went to a show, hired a 1948 Chevy with driver and tour guide for a 2 hour tour approx $30. I would suggest everyone try to stay in Havana, but 2 nights would have been enough. Back to Varadero for another 7 nights-same transfer bus. we stayed at the Iberostar Ala Meada this time, farther out on the peninsula. Better beach but cost about $15 for a taxi into Varadero. Really nice resort, great staff, wonderful entertainment. Food same as everywhere, not bad just the same and a little bland. tips for Cuba-25 pesos to leave, changing Canadian money was easy at all hotel front desks, no ATMs easily accessible, tipping was same as anywhere, but found we got great service even if we didn't tip, cheap shopping, dutyfree available a the airport I would go back to Cuba.

I had the wonderful oportunity to travel in Japan with Silk Holidays in June of 2011. The tour was called the Kansai and Chuba region. We started in Osaka and toured across the country to the Sea of Japan with stops at Kyoto, visiting ancient temples and a kimono factory. We had the fantastic experience of staying in a real Japanese Resort complete with hot springs and traditional sleeping rooms. On our journey back to Nagoya we visited ancient villages in the mountains and experienced traditional ways of life. The Japanese people were wonderful, friendly and welcoming. The cites are amazing with their mix of futuristic new and traditional old. Just for fun -everyone has to experience the very modern loos! It was a wonderful experience in all.

For this incredible experience I was fortunate enough to be able to take my husband along, like I was going without him this time! Had the chance to do a river cruise round trip Paris, north on the Seine to visit the Normandy Beach memorials. Stops on the way in ancient villages, churches dating back to the time of Joan of Arc, castles from William the Conqueror, and Richard the Lionhearted, I love Europe and seeing it from the river was the best. My husband had picked this itinerary for his first visit to Europe because his father had been part of the allied invasion and had landed at Normandy. We stopped in Amsterdam for a few days, always a favorite of mine, took the high speed train to Paris for a couple of precruise nights. Had a great time exploring the 2 cities and touring the tourist sights. By the time we checked in on the cruise we were ready to relax. Floating up the Seine fit the bill! Luxury stateroom, great food and drink, very nice people and very relaxed atmosphere were just what the doctor ordered. Being able to walk off the boat into the middle of the old towns is an experience worth every penny. All the tours are included and there are choices of things to do. When "cruising" between ports, we enjoyed watching the life along the river, waving at the locals, and participating in the on board entertainment such as a wine and cheese tasting! River cruising is wonderful but may not be for all age groups, I wouldn't recommend it for travel with children. But all in all -wonderful.

I have always loved the Mayan. In June of 2010, I had the oportunity to revisit the area for a holiday with my husband. I had suddenly realized I had not been there in over 10 years! We stayed at the Catalonia Royal Tulum, an adults only resort about half way between Playa Del Carmen and the ruins of Tulum. It is very quiet in that area and they are no other resorts near by. There is a shuttle going into Playa twice a day and it costs about $18 USD each way by taxi. From there we arranged to tour Tulum and go snorleling at XCARET. WONDERFUL... We had a beautiful beach with it's own small reef and resident school of large Angel Fish, that would hand feed. This is the ideal location for vacationers who want a quiet, laid back smaller resort with lots of amenities. I would and have highly recommended it to our clients. All have loved it.