We are planning a summer adventure to Sicily! Below is our proposed itinerary, if you have any questions or are interested in joining us on this incredible Italian adventure let us know! We’d love for you to join us in exploring this incredible Italian island and its unique wonders.
Top 7 Tips for Your All-Inclusive Adventure
Sometimes the best “adventure” is not really adventurous at all. There are times when what we really need is a relaxing stay at an all-inclusive resort, where everything is taken care of and there’s no need to move around, un-pack and re-pack luggage, or get used to a new city every few days. Here are our top tips for making the most of an all-inclusive getaway.
Know Your Priorities
Are you looking for a resort that’s family-friendly, or adults-only? Are you seeking peace and quiet, or lots of activities. A swim-up bar or an infinity pool? Narrowing down your must-haves and non-negotiables will ensure that your travel advisor can find the best resort to match your style.
Expect A Dress Code
While you might spend most of your time swimming in the pool or lounging on the beach, many resort restaurants do have a dress code. Make sure that you pack a nice dress, some slacks, a pair of closed-toe shoes, and a nice shirt or polo to ensure you can enjoy all the resort has to offer. And don’t forget to bring a sweater or wrap for cool evenings.
[Photo Credit: Heather & Jesse – Read about their honeymoon in Tahiti here!]
Check Out The Activities
Most resorts publish a list of the daily activities (in an app, or on a paper schedule that they leave in your room). Make a plan of action for yourselves, if you like taking part in activities, classes and entertainment – or don’t, if all you want to do is soak up the sun!
Pack Essentials in Your Carry-on
The only thing worse than the airline losing your luggage is arriving at your all-inclusive resort without your swimsuit, sunscreen, and hat. Make sure to pack those essentials in your carry-on suitcase, just in case. That way you can start your vacation with or without your luggage. And don’t forget your reusable cup to keep your drinks cool on the beach!
[Photo Credit: Maria & Tom via Shared Adventures – read about their all-inclusive adventure here! ]
Try the Local & Regional Specialties
Try to branch out and enjoy some of the regional specialties, even if you’re typically more of a meat-and-potatoes person. All-inclusive resorts will make an effort to offer all different types of cuisine, so ask your waitress and bartender about the local specialties, what the area is known for, and what they do best. Check in advance whether your resort requires dinner reservations, and what time the various restaurants open and close, and bring some in-between snacks for the kids.
Bring the Local Currency in Cash
At most resorts, gratuities are at your discretion. Getting small bills in the local currency ahead of time is great for the staff at the resort. Plus, you can use it when you take excursions outside of the resort. But if all you have is USD, most resort staff will happily accept that.
[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures]
Use the Hospitality Suite
Many resorts provide a hospitality suite so you can freshen up before your afternoon flight departs. Ask about it when you arrive. That way, even if you have to check out at noon, you can spend a few more hours at the pool or beach. And, then shower and change before heading off to the airport.
An All-Inclusive Mexico Adventure
Maria and Tom wanted a relaxing week-long adventure somewhere sunny and beachy. We knew the perfect place to relax was an all-inclusive on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Here’s their report card for their rejuvenating adventure:
Ann planned a week getaway for me and my husband! I truly wanted to rest and rejuvenate after a busy year of planning a wedding and changing a job. She recommended a couples retreat in the Riviera Maya, Mexico! Right in our budget and an all inclusive resort, as we requested.
We took a nonstop flight from Boston to Cancun and then had a private transfer with AMSTAR from the Cancun Airport to the Blue Diamond Luxury Resort and Spa. Our travel day went a bit haywire with many delays and we arrived 12 hours late to the resort. Exhausted but excited we entered this dreamy spa-like atmosphere under a large palapa. It felt like the entire resort was floating on top of decks with a jungle like atmosphere.
The Suite
Our junior suite had a large king size bed, with what felt like a living room in the front of it. We also had a large walk-in closet and another room attached to it that was our bathroom! Double sinks, a large vanity area and dressing area with a humongous shower with 2 large shower heads one on each side of the shower area! We also had a cold plunge tub outside of this area! The resort was PERFECTLY set up for our retreat in Mexico.
We had full access to the spa, which had indoor pools with pool beds in the water, a sauna (which was too hot to use for us but it was JULY!), and another outdoor pool for us to use. It also had a “quiet area” with beds to lie on, and a fountain of water trickling as you lay on the beds and read! The Spa amenities, massages of all types and skin care was available for an extra charge, however we did not use these services.
We traveled throughout the resort either by bicycle (which my husband used) or by golf cart. We simply had to use the phone to request the golf cart service or tell a resort staff member and they requested the golf cart for us.
Tips for the Day Trip to Tulum
We did take a day trip to Tulum, and the Cenotes. The ancient ruins in Tulum were amazing to see, but I think it was hotter than hell! Thank God we brought water with us and wore our swim shirts and swim bottoms as it was truly a scorcher. We finished the tour and ate at the marketplace outside of the ruins at a restaurant that the tour guide recommended. It was delicious and authentic, but costly! I did some shopping around the marketplace in the larger stores but did not buy anything from the vendors on the sides of the stores as I got a bit spooked out by them shouting at me and calling me over to their stands.
We left Tulum and headed to the Cenotes that Mexico is famous for. My husband loved jumping into the Cenotes, while I took photos, as I was scared to jump or even slide into the water.
Amazing Food
We ate at the Aquamarine hotel for breakfasts and lunches, which is adjacent to 2 infinity pools. Along the side of the pools there were large king sleep beds draped in towels and large lounge chairs. Perfect for relaxing, and of course an open bar.
We also had our meals at the Ambar restaurant. To say that this food was 5 STAR is an UNDERSTATEMENT! I have never ever had such delicious food at an all-inclusive resort as we had our week at this resort!
Along with our dinner meals, we had entertainment! A saxophonist, violinist, pianist and a singer entertained us! We also had a live Mariachi Band and a Mayan dance troupe entertain us one evening!
Every meal was prepared with delicious spices, served by kind waiters and waitresses who were willing to do anything to make our meals enjoyable. Sushi, homemade breads, authentic Mexican food, Caribbean food and even a good ole American hamburger were available for us. The food was top notch. And we doubt we will go anywhere else that we will get such high quality delicacies!
What I appreciated most was that this resort was totally different from anything else I have ever experienced. I RELAXED! so did my husband! Which in itself is remarkable!
Overall
A few downfalls for the resort were the following: Hurricane Beryl had just landed in Mexico 2 weeks prior, so they had to close one of the 3 restaurants. And the beach erosion from the hurricane was clearly visible. This did not affect our trip but was devastating to see. Also, the resort had air conditioning inside the bedrooms but not inside the bathrooms. Lastly, it seemed that the resort had become a bit run down with knobs for faucets not working, chipping paint and finishes around the pool area, and broken furniture. This may have been from the force of the Hurricane.
All in all I give our resort food an A+, Room B+ ( would have been higher if there was air conditioning in the bathroom). The resort itself an A (Loved the couples only, live entertainment geared towards adults, excellent service). The Tulum Tour was an A, Marketplace shopping was a C+ (too expensive for what we bought, but was afraid to go elsewhere). Finally, Cenotes was a B+.
Thank you so much Ann! Hopefully, we will talk soon about our next adventure!
Top 6 Multi-Destination Travel Tips
If it’s your first or second time traveling to Europe, it’s understandable to want to see it all. The flights are long and it’s difficult to choose just one destination. We always recommend creating balance in your trip and ensuring you have some days in the middle to slow down, relax, and enjoy the local experience. When you’re trying to craft the perfect multi-destination adventure, here are a few more tips to keep in mind to ensure you have the best time.
Choose Locations Which Are Close Together
If you’re going to be moving from place to place – look for destinations that are close together and easy to travel between. Take into account travel time, and find well-connected cities/towns. This will give you more time to enjoy new destinations without spending too much time in transit. Don’t forget to include travel time in your plans. If it takes 4 hours to get from one destination to the next, then that is only a half day you get to spend in the new destination.
Balance Overnight Stays with Day Trips
Moving from place to place isn’t the only way to maximize an adventure. You can stay in the same home base each night and enjoy that city in the evening while taking day trips to nearby locales — giving you the best of both worlds. Look for home bases that offer lots of fun daytrips in the surrounding area.
[Photo Credit: Kendra & Shad via Shared Adventures. Read about their adventure to Portugal here!]
Spend At Least 3 Nights in a Destination
At least 3 days/ nights is what we recommend for almost every city, with very few exceptions. The first night you arrive is always disorienting. You’re getting used to the new destination and learning about your surroundings.
The second night is when you start to settle in. The first culture shock has worn off a little and you can enjoy the sites you’re seeing, maybe find a favorite gelato place or café. You’ll spend the day seeing the major sites and attractions – what the city is known best for.
[Photo Credit: Alicia & Jay via Shared Adventures. Read about their family trip to Greece here!]
Then comes the third day. You have a better sense of where you are and how to navigate the city. You can start to relax and enjoy where you are. Make note of the little things and find a few hidden gems. More time is always better but without three full days, you won’t get a proper taste of a city.
Pack Smart and Travel Light
Nothing’s worse than dragging a heavy suitcase from hotel to hotel through Europe. Make sure you pack light. If you have multiple destinations on your itinerary, especially with trains where you’ll need to lift your luggage up a few steps, doing your best to pack lightly will make your trip that much more enjoyable.
[Photo Credit: Liz via Shared Adventures]
Prebook The Key Attractions
To make the most of your time, make sure you pre-book skip-the-line tickets for the major sites and attractions in your destination. This way you avoid waiting in long lines and can make the most effective use of your day. If you want a good overview of the major sites of a city, booking a walking or golf-cart tour is a great way to start your stay.
Traveling Off the Beaten Path Takes Time
Finding local experiences and hidden gems of a city takes time. The longer you spend in one city the more time you have to truly understand the city and explore the unexplored. You’ll enjoy the local culture and local experiences. Although it may not seem like it, sometimes maximizing your travel means visiting a few places more profoundly.
[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures. Read about her week in Rome here!]
If you’re ready to strike the perfect balance in your multi-destination adventure – let us know! We’ll give you expert advice and help you to plan a customized itinerary that maximizes your experience!
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