Saturday, January 28, 2012

Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa - Luxury All Inclusive



Voted "World's Most Romantic Resort" 12 years in a row, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa beckons with two extraordinary vacations in one on Antigua's best and most famous beach, Dickenson Bay.

Cooling trade winds soothe the soul as you immerse yourself in a seaside garden oasis graced by majestic palms at the authentic Caribbean Grove. Savor the sophistication of a fine European Hotel in the Six-Star, all-suite Mediterranean Village. Awaken your most sensual side in an exotic Rondoval with its soaring 20-foot conical roof and spacious circular floor plan; or languish in the luxury of a 1400 square foot Mediterranean villa - both with private plunge pool and your own butler. Your choice of accommodations is rich and varied, allowing you to customize your vacation to the way you want it.

Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa allows you to unwind in the East Caribbean's largest pool (one of six). Celebrate the high art of food and drink with world-class faire and intimate settings at nine restaurants and eight bars including an English pub. A night out on the resort is really like a night out on the town. Whether you're dining on classic Italian, sumptuous sushi, or a sizzling steak, Aphrodite presides over every meal as you share the most romantic vacation of a lifetime. Two perfect worlds in one grande resort all designed for love.

PERSONAL BUTLER IN SELECT ROOM CATEGORIES 
Offering the absolute pinnacle of personal service, those who reserve a Butler Suite will enjoy the extraordinary services of a personal butler trained by the most elite guild of valets. From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with unobtrusive grace, with your butler ensuring that every moment of your stay is beyond flawless..







SPA 
Discover a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation at Red Lane Spa, where classic European rituals are reinterpreted with a distinctive Caribbean flair. You'll find a unique sense of tranquility with a selection of exclusive services infused with botanical products, transforming your quest for inner beauty into a journey of endless self-discovery.






DINING 
At nine world-class restaurants, a global team of master chefs caters to your endless culinary cravings. From the fiery island dishes of Eleanor's and the stir-fry drama of an Emperor's Feast, to the heart-warming Italian cuisine of Mario's, passions of the palate are served to absolute perfection. And whether you like it spicy, tangy, zesty or sweet... in stunning settings that are on-the-beach casual or white-gloved chic, Sandals Grande Antigua has your mood-of-the-moment covered.





ACTIVITIES 
You will find a wide range of activities waiting for you at Sandals Grande Antigua: land-based sports such as tennis, volleyball, outdoor chess and shuffle board, billiards and every board game imaginable. Watersports include sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking... and more. At night, the energy level kicks up a notch with stage shows, live performances, opulent beach parties and the lively piano bar.





The Perfect Romantic Getaway - Sandals Resorts have been designed to fulfill and exceed every need and wish that two people in love could ever possibly have. Resort accepts couples only, ages 18 years and older.



Monday, January 23, 2012

Punta Cana: Caribbean beach Paradise




The city of Punta Cana located in the Dominican Republic is said to be home to some of the world's best beaches. The coastline is a 40-mile stretch of white sands, blue-green waters, plus all the lush flora and fauna you could ever imagine. The local government has deemed this area a national treasure and it's also recognized as such by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Follow this Punta Cana Travel Guide for a list of vacation ideas when visiting and exploring this Caribbean jewel.   

Things to Do   

When visiting Punta Cana you'll find many activities and things to do for anyone of any age. Whether you like tennis, golfing, sailing, kayaking, 4-wheeling excursions, deep sea fishing, diving or snorkeling, you will not run out of things to do. Swim amongst the coral reefs that go on for miles and explore all of the sea life surrounding them. Visit the Manati Park and swim with dolphins, ride horses or sit back and take in the view of the exotic birds, fish and tropical plants. Go to the Western hemisphere's first European settlement called Santo Domingo where centuries of heritage is still preserved. Go whitewater river rafting down the Rio Yasque river and experience waterfalls, vertical drops and more.



Good to Know

The peak tourist season runs from December to April of each year. Prices will be much higher during this peak season and do drop dramatically during summer and early fall. You could basically travel here any time of year as the weather is always wonderful. It's of course considered tropical, has mild winds and temperatures average in the upper 70's. In Summer / early Fall months, temperatures will reach the 90's with constant humidity. So if you do travel in the off-season, pack very light, loose fitting cotton clothing to stay cool and bring a good sunblock. It would also be wise to know some Spanish or bring along a translation dictionary, for even though the locals do know some English, it won't be enough to communicate fluently.



Accommodations

Many of the places to stay in Punta Cana are resort like and very beautiful. They're resorts on the larger scale and spread out so be prepared to do lots of walking from place to place within them. Some accommodations are geared toward adults only and some for families, so research thoroughly before booking. Also know there are places to stay for every kind of budget and taste as well, from quaint villas to luxury hotels and resorts.
If you enjoy all-inclusive resorts, Punta Cana is the place to visit.  Punta Cana has its own small airport, which is convenient to the resort areas, and draws many vacationers especially Europeans.   Located on the southeastern side of Dominican Republic, Punta Cana has beautiful beaches and palm trees that stretch over sparkling turquoise waters as you can see on these pictures.  There is much to do besides lying on the beaches here.  Within the resorts, there are golfing, horseback riding, water sports, scuba diving, and hiking (in the ecological park in the Punta Cana Resort).  Safaris and a visit to the controversial Manti park are also available.  


If you need time to get out of the resorts, there are gwa-gwas, local buses, that can take you to Higuey (for 50 pesos) or Bavaro.  Probably a great place to stock up on water.  The Punta Cana resort charges an extra 16% gratituity on each bill, plus an additional 10% DR tax.

Punta Cana exists for one reason and one reason only, its a beach paradise. The sand is white and soft and melts between your toes like sugar. The water is clear and blue and sparkles in the sunlight. The beauty of Punta Cana is that there is nothing else to do but relax on the beach with your feet in the sand and the warm sun on your face. Time stands still and its as though you are vacationing within a dream. Sadly much like any dream it ends! But the memories of the gentle ocean breeze and the endless blue horizon will stay burned in your mind forever. From your hammock tied between two palm trees you will truly feel as though you are finally at peace as you gaze out into paradise. 


This is the Caribbean, exactly as you imagined!