The Barefoot Traveler

07/23/2024

Isla Mujeres, México is one of the most beautiful places I have seen and the new Secrets Impressions is getting a lot of attention just crowned as ‘The most instagrammable hotel in the world’ by Luxury Travel Advisors. My clients just returned and had nothing but wonderful reviews about the resort and Playa Norte where they spent a day. If you are looking for an adult only resort which offers total R&R on one of the most beautiful islands, this is your place. Thank you for the pics Heather!

07/12/2024

A video my client (Thanks Dani!) just sent me from an oceanfront suite at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Cancun and they are having a fabulous time! This family all inclusive is located at the northern tip of the hotel zone and is within walking distance to La Izla Shopping Center, Coco Bongos and many other restaurants and shopping. It’s a fun and safe area and the beaches are gorgeous. The ocean is calm and the different hues of blues go on and on. Isla Mujeres is a quick ferry ride which is a must to go see!

07/11/2024

Alaska may not be a barefoot destination but it has become a favorite of ours because of what an amazing place it is to see and experience. I was just searching for a group for next summer and found it difficult to find the cabin locations that I wanted. They were very scarce and not available for the specific weeks that were favored by the group.
It's so important to book an Alaskan cruise well in advance to make sure you are getting #1 the best price; #2 the itinerary you want whether that be a cruise or a cruisetour; #3 the best cabin location (port or star depending on the direction of the ship). There are so many different itineraries available it can definitely be overwhelming when searching through them. You may want to do it economically and choose a roundtrip Seattle or you may want to see more ports and do either a south or northbound cruise. You may also want to get up into northern Alaska and stay at some of the beautiful lodges on a cruise tour. Lots of options!
You can book your Alaskan cruise for 2026 right now and take care of the extras like airfare, excursions, travel insurance at a later time. We have E Brochures available that we can email - if anyone wants one, send us a message.

07/08/2024

We have just received the first set of what I am
hoping to be many more pictures from my clients who are at the new Impressions Secrets Isla Mujeres. It’s La creme de La crème when it comes to adult only, all inclusive resorts and I know that they are going to have an amazing week.
Thank you to to Heather and Stephen for always trusting me with their vacations. They were one of my very first Barefoot Traveler clients many, many years ago and they love the Secrets Resorts.

06/23/2024

Montego Bay, Jamaica flights have newly landed from Cincinnati! You can now get to the beach faster with Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights direct to Montego Bay for travel through 5/24/25 – 7/26/25, and bundle with an Inclusive Collection resort stay for $250 in promo code savings!
One of my favorites in the Inclusive Collection is Secrets St James and Wild Orchid. They are adult only & all-inclusive and only 20 min from the airport on a large peninsula surrounded by blue turquoise water and mountains. The views are incredible; the rooms have a traditional British colonial decor with tropical or ocean views; the jerk chicken is fantastic and the laid back feeling will have you wanting to return again and again.

06/23/2024

Whether it’s day or night on the beaches of Dreams Dominicus La Romana, it’s stunning!

06/03/2024

Research shows that there are many psychological benefits of being on a beach!

06/02/2024

Couples Negril in Jamaica has always been a favorite for Honeymooners. It’s a small, boutique property with 234 suites and I’m excited about their fresh new and modern rooms. There is something magical about Negril. The beach is spectacular, 7 miles of sparkling white sand and turquoise water. They offer several activities and excursions complimentary. A trip to Rick’s Cafe for some cliff diving is a must, even if you just watch the divers. If the big resorts aren’t your thing, this is one to look at. Couples Swept Away is next door with some differences between the resorts. We love them both!

05/31/2024

We have worked with several different group tour companies and this year we found the perfect tour for some clients who wanted to go to Spain and Portugal through Collette Vacations. The pace was just right for them; the tour director was knowledgeable and the dinners and entertainment that were included were authentic and fun in each city.
This was a small group tour with many things included: airfare, hotels, transfers, tours and excursions, many meals, activities and entertainment. We highly recommend a tour like this if you are visiting new and/or multiple countries. We compare independent and group tours a lot for our clients so they can see the best options for them.

05/30/2024

Thank you to the Teichman Family for sending these pics after they returned from Dreams Jade last week. This is their second Dreams Resort vacation; they were very happy with both of them and talking about the next trip. “The resort was beautiful, nice dining options, and the seaweed wasn’t really that bad. We walked next door and swam with the dolphins, took advantage of the catamaran thing included with the resort.”
This resort is in a great location only 20 min from the Cancun airport, close to Puerto Morelos with lots of great activities and entertainment included. I always hear good things about the food too.

05/29/2024

Another client just returned from Dreams La Romana and they raved about the “Italian” feeling of the resort as well as the incredible beach.
This is a very popular all-inclusive for Destination Weddings with many setting on the pier over the ocean. It’s about a 50 min transfer from PUJ airport but well worth it. The pricing for this summer has been fantastic and getting a preferred club room is a must for the location and the extra ammenities.
Let us know if we can help find your perfect beach trip.

05/27/2024

Our clients just returned from Coral Tower at Iberostar Cancun and would you look at that beach! Further south in Riviera Maya, many of the resorts had a lot of seaweed but not in Cancun.
They loved the resort and had a wonderful time and this has been a favorite of myself and several of my clients for the past couple of years. This tower is a high rise adult only section with a boho theme and incredible infinity pool. You also have access to the Iberostar next door which is for families but gives a lot more options for pools and restaurants. It’s a short bus or taxi ride away from Izla Shopping Center too which is a great place to shop and enjoy the lagoon. Thank you Michele for sending the pics. Always so nice to see pics of my clients too!

05/24/2024

We hope everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

05/20/2024

My daughter arranged a trip to Switzerland and Italy and this was their view from Zurich to Interlachen- snow capped mountains with caribbean blue waters. Incredible!

05/20/2024

Ok Barefoot Travelers, which one are you?!?
I would never tell my clients to do this, but I want to walk into the airport, through security and onto the plane!

05/19/2024

This is why I love what I do:
Yvonne,
I apologize that I have not reached out to you sooner, but you know how weeks after taking a vacation are back in the office. But before anything about the trip let me start off by saying thank you! Thank you for not only planning the trips but being so patient and understanding when personal matters interrupted the trips before hand. The care that you showed for Jessie and I can never be repaid. Nor the way you truly sought to give us the absolute best experience no matter where we choose to travel to. Simply put you have exceed any expectation I had using a travel agent and I don't think this trip would of happened had it not be for you. For that thank you again for giving my wife and I one of the greatest experience of our marriage. Now as far as the trip.....AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING! Everything about it was more than we could of even imagined, the resort was beautiful! It was so peaceful there and we were so pampered for 5 days! We loved Key West so much Jessie was looking up fire departments down there trying to talk me into transferring lol. The convertible was so fun, on our second day we dropped the top and drove up the whole keys. Stopping to enjoy every minute of the trip with dinner on the water and milkshakes and a sunset on the way home. One day we take a boat and did a snorkel and margaritas tour (my favorite part)! We loved the whole vibe of the place, nobody was in a hurry and so nice (I could get use to island time). But the best part of the trip was I was able to take Jessie on our first honeymoon, 27 year later. I know you may not feel this way but you have made such an impact on our lives by giving me the confidence to go see the world (even if it was still in the United States lol). I wish there was something I could do for you to express my gratitude but I am at a lost, just know from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU! Thank you for giving me these memories with my wife that I will never forget! Jessie is already talking about a return trip!

Tim

04/24/2024

Congratulations to this resort on this prestigious award! It’s one of our favorite resorts in the Puerto Morelos area. The lobby blows everyone away!

We're thrilled to announce that Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa has been honored with the prestigious TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award 2024 in the Best Value Hotel in Puerto Morelos, México

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our incredible guests who have shared their experiences and made this possible! Your reviews and feedback inspire us every day to create unforgettable moments and exceptional stays.

This recognition reaffirms our commitment to providing exceptional hospitality, unforgettable experiences, and unparalleled service. We couldn't have achieved this without our dedicated team who goes above and beyond to ensure every guest has a remarkable stay.

Come and experience the magic firsthand and discover why we've been recognized as one of the top destinations by travelers worldwide!

04/14/2024

This is my absolute favorite place in Puerto Vallarta. No matter which area you stay in, take an Uber to the marina during their Thursday markets.

04/04/2024

If you are staying at a resort in Playa del Carmen, you may want to consider taking the new train from Cancun. The route south of Playa del Carmen is still under construction. Here is some more information on the route, times and pricing:
https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-take-the-tren-maya-from-the-cancun-airport-to-playa-del-carmen/?fbclid=IwAR2-gzREaiICZVEqUbSpNjj5jJn9GIA259roeZyBqOwRYAiyft9xhRvs_wA_aem_ATbndwTgkHOyvrzDG7o8K5uX6_fP-W36Zwp3jaDYJfNGHziMJ2kVKvz5raX6R7YkrREi

The Tren Maya is now working between the Cancun Airport and Playa Del Carmen. Here is how to take the train and make connections.

04/03/2024

If you travel internationally and don't have a global entry #, let me just say that having one can be a total game changer when going through customs. I have had my trusted traveler # for many years (and if you don't have that one and travel domestically a lot, get one!), and when up for renewal, decided to get this instead and we were ecstatic when we landed into Miami from Mexico and went past the line of at least 200 people to the kiosk and then right on to the customs agent. It took about 5 min total.
Below, is the link which gives more information and if you need any help, let me know.

Securing America's Borders

03/09/2024

If you have ever had a layover in Atlanta, you know exactly what this means! You literally need to train for it!

03/08/2024

New nonstop flights coming to Columbus beginning in May:

Spirit Airlines flight to Myrtle Beach: Starting May 8, four times a week
Spirit Airlines flight to New York City: Starting May 8, daily
Frontier Airlines flight to Philadelphia: Starting May 22, three times a week
Frontier Airlines flight to New Orleans: Starting May 22, three times a week
Delta Air Lines flight to Salt Lake City: Starting June 7, daily
Southwest Airlines flight to San Diego: Starting June 8 on Saturdays
Southwest Airlines flight to Kansas City: Starting June 9 on Sundays

03/02/2024

There is a very good flash sale going on right now for nonstop flight packages to The Caribbean & Mexico. If you are considering a summer or fall getaway, this may be the week to get it done.
There is a 6-night nonstop package to Cancun with amazing prices. Cleveland and Cincinnati have nonstop packages to Cancun & Punta Cana. Cincinnati also has packages to Jamaica and Los Cabos. Let us know if we can help you find the best all-inclusive resort for your next trip.

03/01/2024

I thought this was cool. The Sunshine Shack in Anguilla is rocking an Ohio State Buckeyes flag at the bar! This is a great page to follow; the owner is cuper cool and does lots of fun stuff!

03/01/2024

If you travel internationally a couple times per year, global entry will be your best friend, plus tsa precheck is included. I have strolled by 200-300 people in the customs line and gotten through security in minutes. Application is quick and easy and available through this link. Let us know if you need any help.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/how-to-renew-global-entry-membership-8404443?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=65e12f9c2d2ce60001e3b466&utm_campaign=travelandleisure&utm_content=photo&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Facebook.com&utm_term=65e12f9c2d2ce60001e3b465&fbclid=IwAR2iZiHGmUhI-5mrSBsndtVNwn8X-rGhy_FGHNkaxqzfWDzdi-yH7hAv1pY_aem_AeCXASfEynJ1VbMOABLCTM67pc_tcKyOm896uP_KGfLLetpl0k9BzJbJX6w6kbCzWjI

Don't let your Global Entry membership lapse. Here's everything you need to know for renewing Global Entry.

02/29/2024

Today is the official grand opening for Secrets Playa Blanca Cost Mujeres and I’m excited about this one! I love the Costa Mujeres area with beautiful beaches & turquoise water and this adult only, all inclusive is getting rave reviews from several travel agents who have visited the past couple of weeks.
They are having grand opening specials and I’m seeing great pricing from Columbus and Cincinnati and Cleveland on the nonstop charters for around $4k total for two! I would jump on that! And actually, I might! 😃

02/22/2024

I’m so excited that my next Yoga Retreat will be in La Romana, Dominican Republic this October. I’ll be teaching yoga at Dreams Dominicus and can’t wait for my yoga students to stay and practice yoga with me at this beautiful all inclusive resort. This is a new area for me as well and am looking forward to being on these amazing beaches!

02/21/2024

Here comes the increase in checked bag fees. American has just announced their prices are going from 30 to 35 for the first bag and 40-45 for the 2nd bag.
I have a feeling the others will follow but let’s hope not!
Find those good under seat bags and carry ons and ditch the checked bags!

02/05/2024

Some snaps from the Allure and Exhilerate sections of Breathless Riviera Cancun. It’s beautiful here both day and night. The Allure area was full of life last night with Casino night and the sports bar filled with guests. This resort has a large mix of age groups. I would recommend staying at Secrets if you want a quieter area for your room and pool but then you can head over to Breathless for the swimup bars and music and more restaurants. The beach is nicer at Secrets. As you walk towards the Breathless sections, it starts to get rocky and beach is pretty much nonexistent at times with waves crashing into a wall at the Exhilerate beach.

02/04/2024

Secrets Riviera Cancun pool and beach area.