Punta Cana

Well I finally made it to the Dominican Republic. Our stay was in Punta Cana at the beautiful Gran Bahia Principe Esmeralda.

Apple Vacations sponsored our trip. We were joined by 110 of our fellow travel agents.  This is a great all-inclusive resort with nice beaches. I especially enjoyed all of the mature palm groves on the beaches.

One of our agents had suggested a company that supported a local grade school. She contacted them and arranged for each agent to bring a book bag with school supplies

 Later on Sally and I along with two other of our agents booked an excursion through this company, Jungle Outback Safari, to see more of the island. Part of the excursion was to stop in for a visit to the school they support.

We were allowed to donate more school supplies or candy but never money. They do not want to teach the children to beg. They told us many of these children walk five days a week 2-4 miles up rough country roads to get to school. There are two sessions per day. It's not unusual for the first group of kids to have siblings that attend the second session. They may even share uniforms.

If the parents are unemployed the children can not get a free education. There's a high unemployment rate here. Groups like Outback Safari step in to sponsor schools so these children can go to school. They also sponsor a clinic/hospital so that people in this area can have medical care.

This excursion was one of the most rewarding parts of our trip.

Loved this B&B and already planning return stay!

Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Amish Country

Our review from Trip Advisor

Reviewed August 14, 2011

 

This beautiful bed & breakfast in the heart of Ohio's Amish country is a must stay! Off the beaten path, yet close to shopping and many wonderful Amish style restaurants.

Each room has it's own theme.

You will really enjoy the evening social hour around the traditional nightly "campfire". It was great fun to get to know guests from other parts of the country. Inn Keepers Herb & Carol kept the conversation lively. They know every road and buggy trail there is in Millersburg and surrounding area. They really are experts on the area and local culture.

You will love this place!

Room Tip: Google Garden Gate Get Away Millersburg Ohio to learn about the different room themes.

Top Ten Summer Beaches

With summer in full swing take a look at the viewers choices for the top 10 beaches for the summer!

• Lanikai Beach - Kailua, Oahu
• Horseshoe Bay Beach - Southampton, Bermuda (if you've never seen pink sand this is a must!)
• Rosemary Beach - Panama City Beach, FL
• Rialto Beach - Olympic National Park, WA
• Crane Beach - Ispwich, MA
• Orient Beach - St Maarten/St Martin
• Gold Rock Beach - Grand Bahama Island
• Smuggler's Cove - Tortola, British Virgin Island
• Paradise Beach - Cozumel, Mexico 
• Hapuna Beach - Kamuela, Hawaii

Summer is the time for beaches and many of these beaches are perfect even in "not so summer months"!

Trip Advisor Post on Cedar Brook in Seattle

Cedarbrook Lodge

 

“While in Seattle area a must experience, we will be back!”

Reviewed July 28, 2011 

 

1 person found this review helpful

 

Fantastic property with top notch staff. All about service and will NOT accept tips! Full service FREE breakfast with wait staff and omelet chef. Superb rooms with common areas in each themed building. They stock the common area kitchens with fresh sandwiches, bagels, fruit, soft drinks, juices, bottled water, coffee and yogurts so that you can "raid the refrigerator" after hours if you like. How fun is that?

There is a great little bar with a billiard table, reading area, social area in front of a floor to ceiling fireplace. If you need a business retreat this place is it.... over the top conference facilities.
You want to stay here. Watch hotels.com for good rates ;-) 

http://www.cedarbrooklodge.com/

Punta Cana on the Horizon

Duty calls! Sally and I have been informed we will be going to Punta Cana for 7 days in October 2011.

Very exciting times! More details to follow!

Venus Sunshine Spa Puerto Vallarta

When you travel to Puerto Vallarta area you must schedule a massage with our friend Norma at Venus Sunshine Spa downtown.

The ladies here are professionally trained massage therapist. On the average fees are only $45-50 USD for a deep tissue full body massage. You would expect to pay closer to $80 an hour for the same treatment in the U.S.

We were here fall of 2010 and took 5 travel agents with us. They loved it!!!

Enter to Win FREE 9-Night Cruise Vacation on Celebrity's Newest Ship!

Enter for a chance to win an exhilarating, 9-night inaugural cruise vacation for two aboard the newest Solstice Class ship, Celebrity Silhouette

Their newest masterpiece, Celebrity Silhouette, is getting her finishing touches and will be introduced this July 2011. Enter for a chance to win an exhilarating, 9-night inaugural European escape for two and be one of the first to experience an innovation in luxury with an extraordinary ship and vacation package.

Attend Celebrity Silhouette’s two-night naming ceremony in Hamburg, Germany, and then her 7-night inaugural cruise from Hamburg to Rome.

Enjoy the good life in your suite featuring a private, spacious veranda and 24/7 butler service.

Receive round trip airfare to Europe with complimentary transfers to and from the ship.

Get a $300 onboard credit to use anywhere on the ship, including their specialty restaurants and rejuvenating spa treatments. And they’ll cover the taxes and fees.

Enter to win (clicking here will take you to our website) Simply scroll to the bottom for the contest link.

This will take you right to the entry form. It is painless to fill out... good luck! Share this blog entry with your family and friends. Who knows maybe they'll invite you along if they win!!