I travelled to the Occidental Papagayo Resort in Costa Rica from September 21st - 28th, 2019. And I must say, I am in love with Costa Rica! Right off the bat, when you enter the airport you are met by smiling faces, and easy navigation.

Our shuttle from the airport to our hotel was only 20 minutes which was a bonus! When we arrived to the hotel our bell hop took our bags immediately, and got us a welcome cocktail called the Pura Vida! Pura Vida we came to learn actually means Good/Pure Life and if a huge saying here. They treat everyone like family! Our check in process was flawless, quick and easy. Then we were shuttled to our rooms!

The rooms were big, with a little sitting area and table in one corner, a nice big bed and a great walk in shower to complete the bathroom! I had no complaints about the room, only that the décor could use just a little more love and up with the times.

The buffet was small, however there was a lot of fruits and vegetables to choose from. My hardest task was finding meat to eat. They rotated each night with a different theme and depending on the theme would determine the meat they would have. For instance on Costa Rican night there was a lot of sea food, and on International Night there was beef!  Another thing you could always count on having with every night at the buffet was rice and potatoes! The potatoes were really good, and the rice always had a different take each night.

The Snack bar was next, and this was my weakness! From fries, to hot dogs. From pizza to salads! Did I mention they have deep fried chicken wings!? It was so good, that I found myself wanting to go there for lunch instead of the Buffet!

A la cartes, there was only two! Reservations had to be made the morning of, starting at 8am. And let me tell you if you are not there 8am on the dot, the spots go quick! We caught on and was able to eat at both. The Oriental was a treat with sushi, beef, chicken and fish options. There was something there for everyone. The Spring rolls were amazing, and the Spicy Chicken was excellent! It certainly had a little kick to give you that pop of flavor! The Italian one was my favorite. With huge servings you did not walk away hungry! From risotto to lasagna to spaghetti carbonara, the options were endless and you stomach was stuffed by the end of it. Do yourself a favor… get the Tomato Soup!!! Oh the creamy soup I can still taste!

Entertainment throughout the day, we kept occupied with pool volleyball, pool, table tennis, and even some bingo by the pool. During the evening they would have someone playing some live music in the lobby, as well at the lobby bar they had a games room full of chess, checkers, janga, etc and then we also had the disco at night to keep the nights going.

The resort had three bars, the lobby bar, snack bar, and the swim up bar at the smaller pool down by the beach. So there was always great options around.

Overall, between the wild life, the family we felt we left behind, and the amazing food I was said to say good bye! It was defiantly not my last time in Costa Rica, and I look forward to going back.

Cuba has taken a hard hit this year. From flour shortages, to food shipments not making it on time. This affected the resorts highly.

I stayed at the Melia Jardine Del Rey from April 25th - May 2nd, 2019. Overall, it was an ok vacation. There was defiantly no frills at this resort, just your basics.

The rooms were nice, big and very clean. Sheets were clean, and the maid done a wonderful job cleaning the room every day. Our mini-fridge was not restocked daily, but more like every second or third day. This was a bit of a disappointment to me, as I would only get 1 big bottle of water every couple of days to have in my room.

The resort itself is very big, I was located in building 16 which was a great location. Close to the beach and not far from the main lobby. Everything is located around the lobby except for the Bowling Alley and the Disco. They were located just off the resort in a little "village" type of layout where there was stores as well. The Bowling was not included, it was 5 Cuban Peso per person to bowl for 1 game and the Disco was 5 Cuban pesos to enter, and you had to pay for your drinks inside. The resort has a client appreciation each week where you can enter the disco for free (1 night only), but still have to pay for your drinks. If you didn't want to go to the Disco, they always had either a DJ or a band playing in the lobby, where the lobby bar is 24 hours, along with the snack bar located at the main pool.

The main buffet did not have a huge selections. Every night seemed like the same thing over and over, except for maybe one or two items. So food got very repetitive. I mainly stuck to rice and fried chicken from the fry station in the buffet. The snack bar served fries, hot dogs, and sandwiches. However, they were constantly running out of things. No ketchup, sometimes no mustard, one day they had hot dogs, the next they never. Even pop, the resort ran out of Sprite for drinks, and regular pop so had to start giving everyone diet pop.  Luckily the a la cartes were better. The food was mostly good in there, especially the chicken at the Mexican one. However, again they were constantly out of certain things like the desserts, none were available that was on the list, they only had one available and it wasn't great.

Cleanliness, overall the bedrooms were very clean. But outside of that, the public bathrooms were not so great. They were constantly clogged and dirty. The main lobby was kept fairly clean, except for one day. Someone had thrown up the night before, and by 11am the next morning it was still dried up on the floor... I was not impressed about this. They can certainly work on the cleanliness of the public locations much more.

 Service, it was hard to get service with a smile. The staff was very uptight most of the time and wouldn't crack a smile. It wasn't until our second last day that we noticed the staff had switched out and we were served with smiles and our glasses never went empty. It was a huge difference from what we had experienced all week. I really wish we had the staff from the last two days the whole week as it would have made the world of the difference.

Lastly, and this is a big one. For anyone wondering about the flies reviews... they are correct! The flies were horrible for about two hours every evening. We had Olay fly spray, deep wood fly spray, every thing under the book we had and used, but it did NOT stop the flies from swarming us. You couldn't sit down for 5 minutes in the lobby without getting eaten. They were usually bad between 7pm - 9pm. The resort did have a gentlemen walking around spraying, but if you ask me it was always when he was spraying that they seemed to get worse! So word of advise, if you are that person who the flies love to eat, this is defiantly not the place for your skin!

Overall, this hotel has so much potential, but from my experience from the staff to cleanliness and unfortunately the food shortages; this resort is a 3 star, not a 4. If the resort can fix their food problems and train their staff to be friendly and smile even when they are on their few last days of work it would make the world of difference to the resort. This is a budget resort, and you get what you pay for here!

Wow.. the first words I can use to describe this place! The Sunscape has turned a run down resort into a beautiful one! Upon check in, there was some confusion with our room not being ready but we did not let that damper our vacation. Once my room was ready I was very pleased with what I found. The rooms were very spacious and bright. Stocked with water, beer and soda as well as the coffee machine you couldn't ask for much more. The bathroom was big which was great as it gave lots of space to get ready. I stayed in building 10 which was right next to the main pool and nightly entertainment stage, you couldn't ask for much better!

The facilities on this resort were great. Everything was centrally located by the stage, with lots of things to do. They have 2 pools, the main pool with swim up bar and activities daily and a smaller pool up by the main lobby. They also have beach volleyball, shuffle board, tennis court, as well as their spa with the Fish pedicure onsite! For kids, they have their daily kids club as well as a kids movie from UP to the Friendly Dinosaur that plays on the big screen in the theatre every night before the nightly shows.

 The food on this resort was plenty. From the pizza shop made on the old wood ovens to the Coco Café that had some of the best Cappuccinos! There were two snack bars that served multiple types of food from chicken to pork chops, to hamburgers and hot dogs. One is located on top of he swim up bar and the other on the beach. The buffet had a nice selection of different cuisines and the a la cartes were amazing, especially the Italian. You didn't go away hungry!

There was several bars from the beach to main lobby, to swim up and disco. You never had trouble filling your drinks. Might I suggest a Blue Bird for anyone who loves the taste of lemonade! Not a fan of drinks but still want to cool down? They have you covered! Serving Ice cream daily in waffle cones, what is not to love!  

Overall, this place has a bit of everything for everyone. I would recommend this place to any couple or family looking to get away, on a budget or just want to have fun! I will most certainly go back here again.

From country twang to city blues, Nashville and Memphis was a trip of a life time.

Staying 4 night in Nashville at the Hyatt Place Music Valley, we started out the country city with a bang. From the beautiful sounds from the Grand Ole Opry to the historical sounds from the Ryman Auditorium. Walk through the paths of stars before us, taking in memorabilia from guitars to suits, to trumpets to heals! The Country Music Hall of Fame takes you down memory lane and through some of the new rising stars lives, while the Johnny Cash Museum and George Jones Museum takes you through personal matters and memories making you wanting more. To top it all off, join the General Jackson Showboat down the river into downtown to take in the beautiful night lights, and have an amazing meal while watching some great raw talent!

When Nashville ended, our adventure never. Off to Memphis we headed for 3 nights of fun! Staying at the amazing Guesthouse at Graceland, layed out exactly as Elvis himself would have wanted the atmosphere. What a perfect location as it's just steps from Graceland itself! As you walk into Graceland chills will run down your spin. The house is untouched, left exactly as it was years ago. You picture the Elvis family as they were before his passing. The Meditation gardens was beyond amazing, it will take your breath away. Once you tour the house, explore his massive car collection and 2 of his personal planes!! After Graceland why not take in the Memphis Zoo, with it's extensive selection of animals from all around the world. Feed a giraffe, or ride a camel. The excitement is endless here. From Beale street where the Blues pours into the streets, the Rock N Soul Museum and the Hall of Fame is something you don't want to miss. Want some history? The National Civil Rights Museum just steps from Beale Street will take you down the path of Martin Luther King Jr. and you see his last resting place before that dreadful day.

No matter what you are looking for, in these two places you will find it all! Some of the best food, great music and making a friend or two along the way. This is one place you do NOT want to miss!

I have had the great pleasure to travel to New York this year. Right off the bat when arriving in New York we had a pre-arranged shuttle with Airlink-GreyLine that picked us up right from baggage claim and dropped us off at our hotel! We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel 57 on the corner of 57th and Lexington Ave, which was a great location. Just 15 minute walk from Times Square. The rooms were very spacious, and the staff was very friendly and helpful with any suggestions or directions you needed. With the endless things to do in New York you were always busy, busy, busy! We got to experience the Radio City Hall and met a Rockette, to the tip top of the Rockerfeller Centre to look beyond as far as you could see. From foods trucks, to the lights of Time Square; everything kept you amazed and in awe!

We took in the show "Come From Away", which struck heart strings and made you laugh to the point of almost peeing in your pants! From Madame Tussauds beautiful wax figures to the famous Carlos Bakery (which was to die for!!). From the fun horse and carriage ride through Central park, the hop-on, hop-off tour buses, to the heart wrenching Ground Zero and 9/11 Museum. And for all you baseball fans, just a subway ride away and you can experience the amazing and World Renowned Yankees Stadium! But be ware... you cheer for the other team, you will be heckled!! All in a bit of fun. Did I mention the buckets you get.. fires and chicken fingers!! YUM.

All in all, with such a busy vacation it's great to be back home and to know that I got to experience this. For anyone thinking about New York it's a must! You won't forget your experience ever and will appreciate your hometown even more when you realize all the different cultures in the one. I would go back in a heart beat and do it all over again.

Onboard the Princess Regal, you will experience nothing but the best! From the service staff, to the cleanest rooms. From the fine food, to the entertainment. This ship will blow you away in the most amazing ways. From the time you step onboard, with amazing drinks awaiting you to the entertainment staff ready to jump around and get your blood pumping. From their amazing dancing to the fabulous singers, they will surely get you excited to sail away. Onboard the "Love Boat" they have music from a Canadian DJ to classical music, from the Tango in the main gala to the waltz in a split second. Dance competitions, Movies under the Stars, and even movies in the Princess Theatre. They change things up with a comedian or even a ventriloquist, to keep your interest sparked and wanting more.

The food was to die for, from the themed nights in the buffet, to the amazing steakhouse or main Gala dinning room. The choices are endless. They cater to those with strict dietary conditions as well with sugar free options in the Pastry shop and low sodium and gluten free options as well! This cruise was made to make your vacation the most enjoyable of all.

Each port was perfect, with docking in the morning and not leaving until late evening, it gave you the perfect day in port and lots of time to see and do everything! And to make things better? The check in and check out on this boat was fast and efficient! Not long waits, which made for more time enjoying! The rooms were perfect, lots of space to move about, and with a balcony you had even more space and a lovely view! To anyone looking for a elegant vacation or even to relax, the Princess line will not disappoint you!

September 2017 I took off to our heritage. We flew direct with WestJet to Dublin, picked up our car and drove all the way to Belfast, Northern Ireland! Here we experienced scenery and history at the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick - a - Rede rope bridge, The Titanic Museum and not for the faint of heart the Crumlin Road Gaol! Here you take in the old jail house, and their history of as young as a 10 year old boy who was held here. After Belfast we were on route to Kilkenny where we took in the amazing views of the Kilkenny Castle, learned and drank a pint of Smithwick's beer, and took in all the sites. After Kilkenny it was off to Cork! With the Blarney Stone to give you the gift of Gab, to the beautiful English Market full of wonderful fresh produce, breads and goodies! With so much to see and so little time you have to stop to smell the sweets some time! As well, for the animal lovers, Fota Wildlife Park was amazing. So many animals from all over the world, and a few surprises waiting for you along the way! After Cork, we were off to Limerick, here we adventured out to the Cliffs of Moher, took in the Balhenary Bird Sanctuary, and even watched in awe as we were shown how the sheep dogs truly go to work. King John's Castle was another amazing site overlooking the beautiful river, with many surprises lurking (including dressing up like a knight!). To take you more in depth of the past, we took a step into the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park where you go back in time and see how the locals lived, ate, and even went to school! Did you know the children took turns bringing wood to school for the fire?! After a couple of nights exploring it was finally time to head back to Dublin to take in our last couple of days in the city. Here we went to the Leprechaun Museum where you hear the tales of a long time ago and all about their gold. After we mastered the whiskey tasting with the famous Jameson Distillery (three shots and a drink, not a bad gig if you ask me!). Love chocolate? Then take in Butler's Chocolate Factory where you get a grand tour of how they make their delicious chocolate, and even get to make your own creation! The National Wax Museum was so life like, and so much fun! With areas to interact with the figures and some scary spots to, this did not disappoint. If you are in love of a tattoo as a souvenir, then the Ink Factory is the place to go! Accepting walk-ins and such professionalism, you'll walk away with a master piece you'll love. And last but never least, when looking to shop for loved ones or even yourself, Carroll's Irish Gift Shop is the place to go. With great prices, good quality and such a wide selection you won't be disappointed! Overall, this was a trip of a life time, and most certainly won't be my last time visiting this beautiful place.

This beautiful brand new resort had it all! From the moment you stepped into the lobby you were greeted with smiling faces. Check in was simple, and easy. And finding your room was just as easy!

I stayed in the Family Daisy Section. The room was beautiful, with fresh light colours, and a beautiful bathroom with rain shower head and a relaxing bathtub. The double sinks was a must! The bed was nice and soft and plenty of pillows to select from. With your own little sitting living room area and on the patio was not only two chairs and a table BUT there was also an amazing basket swing! What fun that was. Inside our mini-fridge was pop, beer, water and of course chocolate milk, M&M's, Oreo's and cookies for kids!! What great detail they had.

 Things to do on the resort was out of this world! From the bowling alley, to Sports bar/disco to all the water sports at the pool and on the beach! We played volleyball, water polo, crazy games, bean bag toss and even bingo!! You could rent seadoo's right from the resort or get a message on the beach. There are 6 pools on this resort, one for each section of buildings, a pool on the beach that is actually salt water and a spectacular pool in the spa. The Daisy section has a full out water park! With big slides, and buckets that dunk water over your head. They have an amazing Kids and Teen's club on site as well where the teens can play video games, pool and foosball while the kids have a ball pit, colouring, making crafts and more! Every evening by the Daisy section they also play a family movie projected onto the side of the building, I caught a glimpse of "Troll's" one night!  

The food on the resort was another step up as well! From Italian to Steakhouse, from Mexican to Japanese. The food did not disappoint, even the buffet had amazing food with an omelet station in the mornings and pasta stations in the evenings. No reservations are required for the a la cartes EXCEPT the Japanese as there is limited space and can only be booked the day of!

 We done two excursions. An Extreme ATV and Snorkel as well as Coco Bongos. Both were amazing and gave us such a great laugh and plenty of memories! They both are musts when visiting this amazing area.

Overall, I give this resort a 4.5 star rating. I would go back again in a heart beat! Actually, I just might! Contact me today if you want to learn more about what Mexico really has to offer.

In May 2016, I travelled with a group to the Melia Las Dunas in Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba.

Like any 4 star resort there was up's and there were down's. First off, the transfers from the airport to the resort is quite the drive. Approximately an hour and a half to get to the resort. This is quite a drive, but the scenery is beautiful! You see land marks like the giant Crab in one of the cities, the banana plantations, to the 48km causeway that connects all of the islands!

 Once we arrived at the resort, we checked in (they have a different process for check in here. We gathered first in a room where you were given an envelope with your bracelet, map and information page. Then you had to go back out the to check in desk to get you room key!). Once to our room (Building 72-75) we found that we were all within the same location, and our rooms were clean. Very spacious. There were a few problems like the safe wouldn't open, and lizards getting into the room. But the staff was very quick to fix the safe, and to keep the lizard's out, we just placed a towel underneath the door during the night!

The restaurants and buffet's had a wide variety of food for everyone. One thing we couldn't find in the buffet however was hamburger buns... lots of burgers, but no buns! Word of advice, bring ketchup with you! Their ketchup was more like a paste.. wasn't the best! The beer garden had excellent food, especially poutine! As well, the snack bar next to the adult pool had very good pizza. And if you are an ice cream kind of person... they have the best ice cream in their ice cream parlor, even long treats!

The pools were kept very clean, and the staff was average on serving time. Down on the beach they had bars set up on both ends and middle as well as a snack bar with sandwiches. There was plenty of chairs to go around, and for those looking for shade there was lots by the beach and pool!

 The Pablo Las Dunas is the market shared between the two Melia properties. This is where you will find lots to bargain for from paintings to carvings as well as the disco. The resort also has a soccer field, sports bar with air hockey, foosball and table tennis.

 Overall, this resort is very big! But the experience was a good one. The overall rating of this resort would be a 4 star. With some upgrades around the resort they could easily up their ratings! I would recommend this resort to anyone. From couples to families. Overall great time!