Click here for more photos of my recent St. Lucia trip!

The island of St. Lucia is not only one of the most romantic and exotic islands in the Caribbean, but the island is full of sites and activities to see and do. Many clients I work with want some beach time, but worry about becoming restless and want things to do “off resort”. St. Lucia is a great destination for those who want it all – beach AND interesting excursions.

The most popular attraction on St. Lucia is the famous Pitons which just cannot be ignored even if you try. These volcanic plugs rise up above the rest of landscape in dramatic fashion. The Pitons are located on the southeast end of the island where upscale resorts like Ladera, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are located. There is even a local beer named after them. You can actually hike up the Pitons, but you must arrange this with a reputable tour or excursion company as guides are required. Gros Piton is the easier of the two to climb and most people take approx. 2 ½ hours to make it to the top.

Other activities available for adventurous folks are, zip lines, ATV’s, scenic trail hikes through the island’s rainforest and horseback riding. Another popular excursion on the island that I really liked, was one that included some snorkeling, a visit to the Drive In Volcano, sulphur springs, waterfalls and finished off with a nice authentic creole lunch served up in the hillside above the capital of Soufriere. You can book most of these tours through Island Routes.

On the Northern end of the island where a large majority of the resorts are located such as the three Sandals “Couples Only” Resorts,  you have town of Castries. The Gros Islet Street Party on Friday nights can be a lot of fun with music, lots of food like kebabs and fresh fish and of course vendors with local wares. Another interesting site to see is Fort Rodney. If you are staying at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the park is right next door. It’s only $5 USD to enter the park and the short hike up to the point features historic cannons, as well as AMAZING VIEWS.

We have three St. Lucia Specialists in our office and we are happy to help you with accommodations and activities. Just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or you can email me at patty@totemtravel.com.

Click here more Hawaii photos

Has Hawaii been calling your name, but because none of your friends or family was available to travel, you just kept putting it off? Well, stop hesitating! The time has come for you to say yes to the Spirit of Aloha, experience the fragrance of tropical flowers, enjoy the beautiful beaches, and do it all while someone else handles all of the logistics!

Are you looking for adventure and lots of activities? I have a great tour for you!! Or would you prefer a slower pace and enjoy relaxing by the pool or on the beach? There’s a tour for you too!

Active Hawaii, starts August 11-18th, and includes a luxury hotel, the Waikiki Parc, in Waikiki, where you can experience sea kayaking, or maybe swim with the dolphins! Maybe surfing lessons? Three nights in Honolulu will give you time for a Honolulu Tour, and a visit to Pearl Harbor and the new visitors’ center. It’s a very surreal experience that you will not forget.

After 3 nights in Waikiki you will continue your Hawaiian adventure in Maui. You will stay 4 nights at the most Hawaiian hotel on Maui, the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, which boasts many cultural activities: lei making, hula classes, Hawaiian language classes and ukulele lessons, to name a few. Snorkeling Molokini and a Sunset Cocktail cruise are all included, as well as all of your transfers. No need to rent a car; you can leave the GPS at home, and enjoy exploring Maui with your new friends, while someone else does the driving!

If you prefer to relax and enjoy the history and culture of Hawaii, our next tour has been designed with you in mind. The Hawaii at its Best tour is November 10-17th You will have 3 nights in the luxurious Waikiki Parc Hotel, close to shopping, and the beach. You will enjoy High Tea at the Historic Moana Hotel, and experience a private tour of Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace in the US. A tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor will fill out your 3 nights in Honolulu.

Four nights in Maui will be highlighted by a private cooking class (the island way!) at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Visits to a lavender farm and a winery, along with Coffee tasting are among the fun activities planned for Maui. Again, as with the first tour, all of your transfers are included! You will love discovering all Maui has to offer, without the hassle of a rental car and map!

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a Luau! Old Lahaina Luau, one of the most popular in Maui, will provide you a feast of island dishes such as Lomi Lomi Salmon, Chicken Long rice, and of course, Kalua Pig, which has been cooked in an Imu (underground oven), and is delicious! Entertainment is a big part of a Luau, with hula dancers, Tahitian dancers, fire eaters, and storytelling!

If traveling with a small group of women, with fun activities, no hassle preparation and someone else to handle all the details sounds like your cup of tea, please contact sandi@totemtravel.com. You can also phone, 425-821-4100 or 1 800-321-7907.

Qamea, one of my all time favorite resorts in Fiji, has enhanced an already outstanding experience with its new all inclusive format, resort renovations, upgraded bures and expanded activities.

Qamea has always included meals in the room rate but for those wishing an all inclusive vacation in Fiji Qamea now includes a lovely selection of wines, domestic beer and soft drinks by the glass between noon and 10 p.m. Non motorized watersports and many activities are also included in the room rate and for a limited time, airfare is on sale.  So if your travel dates fit and everything is available a complete package starts around $7.5K  total for two for a 7 night stay with airfare from Los Angeles.

Other recent enhancements at Qamea include

• Upgraded bathrooms in all Beachfront Bures with rock wall and stone basins in addition to the lovely and popular outdoor showers.
• A new jacuzzi at the main pool.
• Full size jacuzzis in both Honeymoon Bures in place of jetted tubs.
• A surf pro on site November through March with 3 breaks within 15 minutes of the resort which can  accommodate beginners as well as those more experienced with surfing.

Popular activities available year round include daily snorkel trips, an excellent scuba diving operation with 5 star PADI dive center, kayaking, sailing, beach volleyball and Fijian arts and crafts. And Qamea Island Resort and Spa offers the area’s easiest access to Taveuni Island’s most popular attractions – Buomo waterfall and national park and the pearl farm.

For information on Qamea vacation packages or assistance planning a honeymoon in Fiji, please contact Linda or Patty or Request a Quote from the Fiji vacation specialists at Totem Travel.

The one that troubled me most was the Online Travel Agency that offered the St Regis Bora Bora for $850 night or $853 night “including tax”.  As a Tahiti honeymoon specialist I know the real tax rate is 14% and that’s before all the other “extras” collected at check out, long after the reservation is made and way too late to make a different purchase decision.  The bottom line for my particular customer was an undisclosed $1011 for a 7 night stay.  Yikes!  Another was the groupon deal that encouraged clients to buy a package at Toberua, a lovely little island resort in Fiji, for $2079.  That deal excluded the 20% VAT tax while my everday price for the same Toberua Resort package is $1810 including tax so almost $700 less.

So BUYER BEWARE and do yourself and your travel agent a favor and work together in good faith. A good travel agent guarantees the lowest price on their packages (we do) but  can only deliver on that promise if there is open, honest communication.  A professional travel agent is on your side with the goal of finding best possible vacation experience at the lowest possible price. So go team and thanks to all my wonderful clients that understand the value of collaboration!

Sandals Montego Bay is a fun all inclusive “couples only” resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you are looking for a resort that is located on a great beach in the Caribbean yet don’t want to be bored by a quiet, stuffy resort that offers little to do, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent all inclusive choice.

At Sandals Montego Bay you can play all day in the sun and enjoy evening festivities as well. In addition to snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaks and other non motorized sports that are available and included in your stay, Sandals also has a Mastercraft ski boat at the property and waterskiing and tubing are included. If you haven’t gone tubing in the Caribbean, it’s a lot of fun! On a typical day at this resort, you have beach volleyball going on, several guests sailing offshore, the snorkel boat departs several times daily as does the dive boat and there are always those guests who just want to either hang out in the water or chill on a beach recliner with the drink of the day. The snack/beach bar allows you to eat and drink without leaving the beach, but if you prefer to get out of the sun for a bit, there are several nice dining choices for lunch or you can take in a spa treatment.

The fun continues in the evening and you can be entertained by sitting around the main stage in the lobby of the resort with the nightly entertainment provided or if you prefer a casual socially interactive time, you can hang out in the Cricketer’s Pint. There is also a piano bar where you can enjoy a martini and hang out with snacks like nuts and popcorn.

Many guests who vacation at Sandals resorts  rave about booking a butler category room and having a butler. There are fantastic butler room options at Sandals Montego Bay called the Bay Roc Villas and what I love about these rooms are their location. These rooms are located directly on the beach at the far end of the resort so you have a nice private quiet beach area in front of your room. You are still only a short distance from the Piano Bar and swim up bar/pool and the rest of the resort, but you feel like you have your own private spot. I also really liked staying in the Concierge level rooms in the Palms Building because they are also on the beach and have a nice oceanview. The bathrooms are very standard with the basic tub/shower combo, but the room itself is plenty big with a nice balcony or patio looking out at that beautiful blue Caribbean sea.

I am always asked which is my favorite Sandals All-Inclusive Resort.  It really depends on what type of experience and atmosphere you are looking for. If you want to have fun and be active in a more lively setting, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent choice for you. With the highest returning guest rate of all the resorts, you’ll feel right at home at Sandals Montego Bay. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or email me at patty@totemtravel.com if you would like to escape to the Caribbean. We are Sandals and Caribbean Specialists and we would be happy to help you find the right all-inclusive resort for your budget and occasion.

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Having stayed at more than 30 adult only all inclusive resorts including Secrets, Couples, Sandals, Iberostar Grande, El Dorado and more, I am frequently asked which is the best.  All of these resort groups are quality brand name chains.  All have multiple locations in the Caribbean and Mexico with newer and older resorts, bigger and smaller hotels, simpler and more luxurious settings.  All have special features that may be on your wish list and all offer a range of room categories and price points with varying amenities and services.

So what if your destination is flexible and money is no object?   Which is the best adult only all inclusive resort?  I still don’t have a quick answer because it’s like naming a favorite restaurant.  My favorites are Italian, Mexican and Thai but you may be a steak or sushi person and choosing the best is difficult because they are totally different. That said, there are some broad generalizations I am willing to make about adult only all inclusive resorts  -

• El Dorado, Secrets and Iberostar Grande are best for single adults, adults traveling with friends,  multi-generational families with adult children and couples that find PDA’s a bit much.
• Sandals Resorts are best for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or destination wedding with a couples only format and large selection of islands, resort locations, room styles and prices.
• Sandals Resorts include the widest range of motorized and non motorized watersports, land sports, resort activities and evening entertainment.
• Couples Resorts include more off resort tours.
• Iberostar Grand has more organized group activities and a higher rate of participation.
• Iberostar Grand has the most opulent lobbies and grounds and their pools compete with Sandals’ fantasy pools for best in class.
• All of these resorts are beachfront but not all beaches are created equal, so again, it’s important to be specific.  Each of the chains has resorts with great and not so great beaches.
• All of the resorts have specialty international restaurants and a high standard of food quality and presentation and all but Secrets offer dining options with and without reservations.
• In bars and lounges all of these resorts include alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages with top shelf brands available.  All include house wines and beer with bottles of wine available for purchase.
• Iberostar Grand has the most luxurious entry level rooms with shared butler service, jetted soaking tubs and more.
• Rooms at Secrets are contemporary in styling and we love the “Secret box” for do not disturb room service delivery.
• Rooms and suites at Sandals Resorts are  more traditional in decor and range from standard hotel rooms to beachfront villas and “to die for” millionaire suites with private pool and butler
• Rooms at Couples Resorts can be minimalistic although we love the plantation suites at Couples Swept Away and every room has what you need to be comfortable.
• Room service and in room bars vary widely within chains and even room categories. Only Sandals includes full size bottles of liquor, wine and champagne plus beer, soft drinks, mixers, fruit juice and water in concierge rooms and butler suites. Standard rooms include soft drinks, water and juice. Couples allows you to personalize a minibar with a selection of liquor, wine and beer but quantities are restricted and champagne is not an option. Secrets includes beer, soft drinks and water in every room and Preferred Club rooms add alcohol but no wine or champagne. Iberostar Grand offers a selection of wine and liquor in airplane sized bottles plus beer, soft drinks and water.

Hopefully this gives you a starting point to find the best all inclusive resort for your tropical honeymoon or adult only vacation. For more detail, please read our individual resort reviews of Secrets, Couples, El Dorado and Sandals Resorts. Then call or email if you’d like help choosing the best resort for you and we’ll talk about your wish list and priorities.  I’ve been to all the popular destinations and stayed at almost all the resorts and can help you find the perfect spot!

As a Preferred Sandals Agency and Royal Chairman’s Club Agent, I sell a lot of Sandals Resorts and I often get asked which Sandals Resort do I like best on St. Lucia? Of course the answer is usually, that depends! Each Sandals Resort on St. Lucia is different and has unique qualities. Sandals Grande St. Lucian might be the best choice for one couple and Sandals La Toc might be the best choice for another couple. There are a few big differences between the three Sandals All Inclusive Resorts on the island and then there are some more subtle differences. Usually there is a perfect fit for each couple at one of the three resorts and figuring this out can be difficult when you are looking online.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is on the nicest beach of the three resorts and features a large grand lobby. The resort features beautiful views of Fort Rodney and Rodney Bay giving you a very exotic atmosphere. So if you like the feel of a larger, grander resort like you would find in a destination like Hawaii, then Sandals Grande St. Lucian might make the best choice for you.

Sandals La Toc is the most unique of the three in that while this is the largest Sandals of the three of the island, the layout of the resort makes it feel romantic and intimate. While a good portion of the rooms are located in and around the main beachfront section of the resort, some of the resort’s accommodations can be found sprinkled halfway up the bluff and once up on the bluff, there are more accommodations on the bluff with commanding views of the Caribbean. The sunsets are amazing from up here and one of the best days of my trip was enjoying a cocktail at the Sunset pool while the sun was setting.

Many clients still prefer Sandals Halycon because it is smaller with more of a seaside cottage type feel to the resort. Sandals recently renovated quite a few of the rooms at this resort and they look fantastic. The resort even offers a butler category room now and dining at The Pier Restaurant is still a popular dining choice amongst even Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals La Toc guests.

There are also some key differences between room categories at each resort and depending on your budget, one of the Sandals offers the best entry level room categories, another offers better choices at the concierge level and at another, you have the most butler category rooms to choose from.

So if you are having a difficult time choosing which is the best Sandals Resort, you are not alone. We have three Chairman’s Royal Club Agents at Totem Travel, and we are happy to help you find the best Sandals Resort that fits the experience you are looking for based on our knowledge of the differences between the resorts. The choice is ultimately yours, but hopefully we can make it easier and clearer. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 and ask for either Patty, Sandi or Linda. Or you can ‘Get a Quote’ on our website www.totemtravel.com and we will get back to you by either email or phone.

As I’m sure many of you have noticed, Totem Travel launched a major redesign of our website this past October. Since then we have been working tirelessly to make it more interactive, more beautiful and more fun to browse! Aside from moving menus and reorganizing the information that was already there, we added some new features like the Testimonial widget that features the raves and reviews that our wonderful customers have sent in.

Now, to help you keep up with our stories, we have launched a new Facebook page which will feature all the blogs and photos you love on our Award Winning Travel Blog, in a format that you love! Now you have the option of browsing our blog on this site, subscribing to our RSS feed or Liking our page on Facebook to stay in touch! Feel free to comment on posts or share them with your friends on our site or on Facebook. Either way, you can find the latest expert travel reviews from your favorite world travelers!

-Nick
Totem Travel
Web Design & IT

Celebrity Cruises is offering a 17 day Panama Canal cruise departing from Seattle! At the end of the Alaska cruising season, all of the ships transition to their homeport, or add an exotic cruise to the mix. Celebrity has chosen to offer a Panama Canal cruise from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale. Since this is a repositioning cruise, there is only one cruise date, September 21st -October 8th. Ports of call include a day in San Francisco, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta. There are also ports of call in Costa Rica and Cartegena, Columbia.

Celebrity Cruises are known for their beautiful accommodations and great food. Accommodations range from inside cabins, to elegant Royal Suites and Penthouse Suites (with a grand piano!). Presently most cabin categories are available but once word gets out about this great itinerary, I expect availability to diminish quickly! Prices range from $1750 per person (based on double occupancy) for an inside cabin, to $2850 per person (double occupancy) for a cabin with a balcony.

Concierge Class Staterooms are available for those who wish to be pampered but would rather not go all the way with a suite. The Concierge Class staterooms offer early embarkation and debarkation, welcome Champagne, a pillow menu, 100% Egyptian cotton oversized bath towels, plush bathrobes and a veranda with lounge seating, and many other amenities. The Concierge Class Staterooms do run a bit more than the standard balcony stateroom, but you’re worth it! The cost is approximately $3025 per person (double occupancy).

Hurry to get in on this great opportunity! Please email sandi@totemtravel.com, or give me a call: 425-821-4100, or 1-800-321-7907 to book your Panama Canal cruise!

If you have been thinking of a Panama Canal cruise, this just might be the right choice for you. But if the dates are not quite right, there are many other cruises which traverse the Canal, either departing from California, ending in Florida, or just the opposite.

Get personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!

Click here for more photos of Italy Bellissimo pt. 2

As a travel agent that specializes in vacations to Europe, my first experience in Italy was with Trafalgar Tours on their  – Italy Bellissimo. This is part two of my Italian adventure!

The next morning we headed down to the marina for the crossing to Naples and the journey north to Assisi.  The drive through the Umbrian hills to Assisi was spectacular as was the view of the Church of St. Mary of the Angels. After quickly checking in at the hotel, we headed up for our guided tour of the basilica of St Francis.  Entering the lower basilica, one sees at the other side of the vestibule the chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria. One of the best thing about the basilica is the Giotto frescos. The depth and brilliance of the story of the New Testament on the walls is incredible.

The following morning we started out early with Venice in our sights. Before Venice we stopped in Ravenna to visit the Basilica of Saint Apollinaris with its glittering mosaics.  After taking time to stop in Padua for lunch we head over to the city of canals.  On arrival our tour guide took us to the main gondola station and we all got serenaded while we cruised down the Grand Canal towards St Marks Square. Once there he took us through some of the winding and intricate back alleys to visit some interesting historical but little known buildings on our way to the glass blowing factory.

After getting a good night sleep we head off to visit the Doges Palace and St Marks Cathedral on another chosen optional excursion. Following the excursion we had another optional over to Murano and Burano for a fantastic seafood lunch.  The rest of the day was spent shopping and exploring.

On our way to Florence the next day, we encountered a car accident but the tour guide and driver were nonplussed and took us to this charming town of Ferrara. This was probably the unexpected highlight of the trip – all cobblestone streets and people on their bikes with baskets.  The castle in town had a moat surrounding it.  The area buildings were very well preserved and the smell of fresh baked bread invaded my senses.  Moving on to Florence we stopped at the hotel to check in and have some lunch in their beautiful courtyard before heading off to Pisa. The drive to Pisa was beautiful country with rolling hills and fields of sunflowers, grapes and apple orchards.

On arrival into Pisa before you get the Campo de Miracoli, you are welcomed by various street vendors selling their trinkets and cold soda and oddly enough hot dogs. The leaning tower of Pisa – Torre Pendente- was originally built as the bell tower for the Duomo. Tickets into the Duomo were included as part of our escorted tour so off we went to see the amazing interior of this Cathedral built in the 1100’s. Artwork in the cathedral is from such artists as Della Robbia. Having never heard of this artist before, I was astounded and amazed. Everything in the cathedral is beautiful and intricate from the carved archways as you enter to the gilded staircase over the pulpit.

That evening we were taken to a fabulous restaurant on a hillside over looking the town of Montecatini. Needless to say the food was heavenly and the music and entertainment was well worth the cost of the optional excursion. It included wine as well.  After an early morning wake up call and a hearty breakfast we went to explore Florence. We had a wonderful local city guide take us to the Santa Croce cathedral.

After a guided visit through the cathedral, we headed off for a walking tour of Florence with a local guide. I loved Florence! The way the city is laid out made it so easy to navigate using the Duomo and the tower as your point of reference you can get anywhere without getting lost. We asked our Trafalgar tour director to help us buy tickets to the Uffizi gallery and head off own our own for a couple hours before meeting up with our travel companions at the Accademia gallery to see Michaelangelo’s David. The rest of the afternoon was ours to explore on our own.

The next day we had our sights set on Siena before continuing on to Rome. In Siena we had our Trafalgar guide walk us through the narrow stone streets up to the Piazza Del Campo. After a brief history of the city he set us loose to go shopping and exploring on our own.  Sienna was amazing with its maze of streets and shops and beautiful churches and colorful windowsills.

After we leave Siena we headed south through the Tuscan hills to Rome. On arrival into Rome, the guide had us dropped off at the Piazza Navona and he gave us a walking tour of Rome through the city streets giving us the local history of the city, in particular the Trevi Fountain.  Started by Bernini and finished by Salvi – your ears are greeted by the sound of thundering water even before you see it. From there we were taken past the Spanish Steps and down to the Piazza De Popolo  where we had a fabulous included dinner  with music and singing at Cavona. The restaurant had a retractable roof so we could enjoy the night skies and stars above. After dinner, we walked out and the Piazza was lit up and was breathtaking with all the fountains lit from behind. It was magical.

After a solid’s night sleep, the next morning we head off to the Vatican. Being part of a guided tour of the Vatican, I was literally one of the first 3 people in the Vatican that day.  Our local city historian gave us so much wonderful information on the art, history and legends surrounding the Vatican.  We spent 3 hours meandering through the Sistine Chapel and St Peters basilica and then we headed over to the Colosseum. I could envision the animals kept in the lower levels and having Nero watch as the brave souls fought for fame. After a fascinating tour with our guide we wandered around for an hour on our own before we headed back to the hotel for a bit of lunch and the rest of the afternoon was free. I decided on a trip to the Pantheon and walked around a couple of the lovely squares – the Piazza Republicca and the Piazza Barberini. That evening we had a wonderful farewell dinner at hotel. In the morning we said arrivederci to our new found friends.

It was a great experience and look forward to going back to Italy soon! The next time I might decide to explore Italy on my own or try a city tour so I can explore places like Siena and Parma in depth.

If you would like to have more information about Trafalgar’s Italy Bellissimo or any other guided tour of Italy, please feel free to call me@ (425) 821.4100 or send me an email.