Arriba Aruba

 Hotel: Renaissance Marina (a Marriott property)

Aruba is a great place to travel to in the Carribbean because it has beautiful weather, lovely places to visit, clear blue water, and a great mixture of cultures, so you can experience many different things in just a few days. The island is about 20 miles away from Venezuela so there are many people who have moved to Aruba from South America so that latin flare is definitely felt all around. The language, called Papiamento, is a mixture of Dutch, Spanish, English, Portuguese, and African. Most of the hotels are located in the capital, Oranjastaad, which is where we stayed.
 
Our hotel was nice because it was in the middle of the city within walking distance to most of the nightclubs, restuarants, and shopping. The Renaissance mall is actually in our hotel and that is where all of the high end stores are located, such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Ferragamo, Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, etc…
 
The hotel lobby was asthetically pleasing, as was the bar. The pool is rather small, probably because most people go to the private island that the Renaissance owns. Boats come into the hotel lobby every 15-20 minutes to pick guests up and take them over to the private island, which is really nice. It is about a 15 minute ride to the island, and the ride is enjoyable for the most part unless the water is choppy and you get splashed, which happened to a few people…
 
The private island is only for Renaissance Marina and Ocean Suite guests which is nice. The island has a beach that is for adults only and another for families. The family friendly beach is called “Iguana Beach” because there are amazing iguanas of all sizes living on the island. They are very docile creatures and are used to seeing and interacting with the people who come to the island every day. The other side of the island which has the adult only beach, called “Flamingo Beach”, has a beautiful flock of flamingoes that just hang out on the beach…
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The Hamptons: Open to Everyone!

Based in the New York City area or on the East Coast?  Are you looking for a quick easy daytrip or weekend getaway?  Have you considered the Hamptons?  More than just a summer playground for the rich and famous, the Hamptons is a beautiful coastal area at the far eastern end of Long Island that has something to offer for everyone at all price points. This particular trip was taken with two friends who are also young professionals on a budget.  We were traveling for a wedding, but decided to make a fun overnight trip out of it. 

 

Traveling by car is the ideal mode of transportation, because public transportation options are limited on the Hamptons.  However you can still manage without a vehicle.  We chose to make the 2-hour trek to Riverhead via train, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to be exact.  From New York Penn Station to Riverhead, Long Island, roundtrip fare is $30.  For this price you can relax, sit back, and enjoy the beautiful views from urban landscape to lush glens, quaint villages, and sparkling waters in complete comfort.  Please make sure to check out train schedules prior to your departure, since trains are quite limited on weekends and holidays. http://www.mta.info/lirr/

 

We stayed in Riverhead, Long Island at the Holiday Inn Express.  We were able to stay in a suite with 2 very comfortable queen beds, a pullout sofa bed, and kitchenette for $159/nt.  The room was clean with nice modern touches including black granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  The hotel also serves a complimentary continental breakfast in the morning.  Just ½ mile from the hotel is the Tanger Outlet Center.  Tanger outlets are a mecca for shoppers with caviar taste on a shrimp budget. This huge multiplex shopping center has something for everyone.  In terms of apparel and clothing the outlets offer everything from Betsey Johnson and Michael Kors to Ann Taylor Loft and Gap.  We made out VERY well.  If you love shopping as much as I do, this outlet center is worth the trip to Riverhead alone!

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/rihed;jsessionid=TMGFF004YUMWMCTGWANCJBQKM0YBWIY4?_requestid=105887

 

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/riverhead/

 

As the Hamptons is known for it’s famous beaches, please make sure to visit one of the public beaches in the area.  For a special treat, head to a private beach club where you can enjoy clean private beaches and cabana service.  The wedding we attended took place at Atlantica restaurant at the Westhampton Bath and Tennis Hotel in Westhampton Beach, Long Island.  On the way to the wedding we did get to see how the other half lives.  We passed many palatial summer homes hidden amidst beautiful gardens.  We had fun trying to guess which celebrity lived in which house.  Because we visited in October, it was too cold to take a dip in the ocean, but we enjoyed ourselves at Atlantica. We had fabulous drinks and appetizers on a heated open-air deck right on the beach.   The bartenders were friendly and able to whip up delicious cocktails especially for us. We had a delicious meal served by the Atlantica staff. We followed up with a moonlit stroll along the beach.   Atlantica is a wonderful place to host an event.  The light and airy dining room is absolutely beautiful and combines the formality of wide white columns and crystal chandeliers with the casualness of beachy white and blue striped fabrics. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating.  Also, if you are looking for a regular escape from the city, the Westhampton Bath and Tennis Hotel does offer family and individual memberships. http://www.bathandtennis.com/

 

From beautiful beaches to quaint villages and farms to incredible restaurants and shopping the Hamptons has something to offer for everyone.  All in all, I had a fantastic time and would highly recommend it for a quick, easy and surprisingly affordable escape.   Plus, you never know who you might run into!

All Aboard - Tips for Cruising the High Seas

Janelle Poe, travel writer for TheBlackTraveler.com and children’s book writer, shares tips and suggestions on how to cruise with your friends after a girls getaway on Carnival Cruise Lines!

My girlfriends and I love to travel but as much as we love to delve into the deep, we often find ourselves stuck in the shallow end of the pool, and our purses.  Never the types to be discouraged, we have found a wonderful way around our monetary hindrances…cruising!  What better way to see a variety of cultures and landscapes, make sure you get plenty of sun, sand, breathtaking views of the ocean, and all the food and beverages (non-alcoholic/non-carbonated) you can handle at one reasonable price?  If you’re ok with sharing a room with friends (up to 4 in a cabin), are willing to be understanding of the culinary attempts to feed thousands of people practically 24 hours a day on limited refrigeration and freezing systems, don’t mind being around lots of couples and families, and want to get a little taste of a few places, then cruising is for you and yours my friend.

My first cruise was a 4-day, 3 nights cruise from Miami to the Bahamas last year in early November.  This year’s was my 2^nd cruise, a 7-day voyage from Tampa to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Isla Roatan in Early September.  Both have been to celebrate 30^th birthdays but the concept is well on its way to being an annual fixture in the calendar for my crew, Las Tres Reinas.  Of course, we hope to include others in our yearly seascape, lovers, friends and family in the future.  There are so many great things about cruising and one of the best parts is that there’s something for everyone to enjoy; it just depends on your willingness to discover it and how long you can make that joy last!

Here’s a quick list of Dos and Don’ts to make your next cruise more enjoyable.

DO:

• Pick a cruise that is in your budget and will stay there even with the added expenses of airfare, refreshments on board, souvenirs, excursions, and transportation to and from your point of embarkation.
• Pick a cruise that is a reasonable length of time for you to be away and on a boat. Try starting with a 3 or 4 day one if you’re not sure how strong your sea legs are.  Bring some Dramamine and Tylenol/Aleve just in case.
• Take a look at the ship’s layout before purchasing your package. What level do you want to be on?  Will there be a window, balcony?  While you don’t spend too much time in your room, you want to be as comfortable as possible and it can be a little weird having a room without a window.
• Think about the weather. Hurricane season in the Caribbean is late August thru Mid-October.  This might affect your ship’s travel plans.
• Find out what the ship’s itinerary is ahead of time. Know how long you will have in each port of call and what those ports will be.
• Research your ports of call. Find out about the local history, the main attractions, and the things that make this place special.  Can you walk around when you get there or will you need a taxi/bus tour, etc…Plan your itinerary accordingly.
• Fill out the ship’s paperwork ahead of time and make sure your passport is in order well ahead of your travel date.
• Make a copy of your passport to bring with you and carry it with you when you leave the ship.
• Check out the pre-arranged excursions for each port & pick a few possible options based on your time, interest & budget. Try to find one thing each family member would like to do.  If there’s a really special one, go ahead and book it before you leave so there’s no chance of it being sold-out once you get there.  You can also do this on-board the ship, but make sure to do so at least 1 day prior to arriving at that destination.
• Purchase insurance if you’re traveling with someone with health issues. You never know what could happen and if emergency services are required, they will be super expensive out at sea.
• Check your ship’s rules for bringing food and alcohol on board. You can save money by bringing snacks and your own alcohol, but there are limits.
• Lay out your clothes and plan for your days and nights. How will you be spending most of your time?  Walking in sunny weather, dancing the night away, or being fancy?  Most cruises have at least one Captain’s Dinner, which requests passengers to wear Formal Attire.  Your ship may also have laundry facilities but don’t count on them because they may not always be operating properly.
• Bring lots of sunscreen, bug spray, batteries, a book, a deck of cards or travel-sized game, comfortable shoes, waterproof shoes, and a water bottle.
• Pack a fold-up poncho and/or umbrella and take it with you when you leave the ship. You never know what the weather will be like when you’re off the ship.
• Bring at least an extra $100 in cash when you leave the ship and keep it somewhere safe. You never know what could happen and you might not always have access to an ATM nor does every vendor accept credit cards.
• Find out what time the ship’s Back Aboard time is and plan on getting there 30 minutes before then. You never know what could happen and it’s no fun running for your life to catch the boat.  They will leave you.
• Make sure you know how to get back to the port if you walk out of visual distance from the ship.  Pick up a local map from the ship before debarking or from one of the excursion companies or information desk at the port.
• Read the Daily Guide provided by the ship to know what’s going on and make sure to try a few activities you wouldn’t normally do otherwise.
• Eat and drink plenty of fluids (especially water) to keep yourself hydrated and full of energy during your busy schedule.

DON’T

• Schedule a flight that will not give you enough time to get on or off the ship. Allow at least 3 hours in between your time of departure.
• Do anything stupid. On ship, it could get you thrown off.  At a port, it could get you in trouble with foreign authorities.  Or you could get physically hurt.  It’s just not worth it.
• Drink the water in ports of call, unless you’re absolutely sure it’s purified. This includes ice and slushy drinks.  Bring a water bottle and fill it up on the ship.
• Rent mopeds unless you already have plenty of practice driving one or don’t care about spending extra money in case of an accident. I highly suggest buying the liability insurance, but that won’t cover you if you fall over and damage the bike.
• Wear uncomfortable shoes when leaving the ship. Chances are, you’ll be doing a lot of walking and you won’t be returning to the ship.
• Run around on board. The boat is tilting, there could be water or spilt drinks, and the decks are never completely dry.  Avoid embarrassment and pain by taking it easy and watching where you’re going.
• Offend the nation. Remember that you are a guest in someone else’s home.  You can always leave a place looking better than it did when you got there.  Recycle and be kind, even if others are rude to you.  Tourism has many unseen and unintentional impacts on a community.
• Waste your time on the ship when you’re docked at a port. Even if you’ve been there before, there’s something new for you to discover.  Eat a good breakfast and get out there!
• Leave the ship without making sure you have a time piece and your time matches the ship’s time. The ship time might be several hours different from whatever local time it is on that port.
• Wait until the last minute to head back to the ship. Give yourself plenty of time.
• Forget any liquor you purchase on board or off-shore will be held until the last night of your cruise.
• Forget to tip your table waiter on the last night and your cabin steward in the morning before you debark. They work very hard to take care of you and make little money, so return the favor.
• Forget you have to go through customs before your trip is over. The earlier you get up, the quicker you’ll be finished.  Keep in mind they will not accept plants, food (unless packaged), or animals and it can be a lengthy process.
• Forget it’s a vacation! You’re there to have fun so try not to let anything stress you out and have a great time with your lucky companion(s)!

Remember that you get what you pay for so be discriminatory about deals, unless you really don’t mind.  Cruises are hotels on the water, and there are differences in the quality between a stay at the Sheraton, Marriot, and W hotels in their accomodations, service, food quality and general atmosphere.  Pick somewhere you’d be comfortable and find out about their options, especially in terms of dining options.  I can only speak for my experience with Carnival, I think they’re pretty good overall and I would compare them to a Marriot, not too fancy, but not too shabby either.  From what I hear, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are a step above.

Each day, and night on a cruise is a brand new one.  So the music on deck might get a little old, go check out a show or a live band; or better yet, plug in some of your own music and check out the ocean views.  Maybe it’s freezing in the dining room; go upstairs to the buffet and take your food outside.  Perhaps the casino has taken too much of your money; go lay down and read a book, or watch a movie in your room.  There are so many opportunities for fun, excitement and adventure on a cruise, but the rest is up to you.  Enjoy!

Janelle Poe is is NYC born, but not bred, although she acknowledges the city has always been her home. Raised on the East and West coasts, and having spent a few years living abroad in Europe, traveling has always been a big part of her life, from the time she was a young child and hopefully until the very end. While her income doesn’t always match her desires, she tries to travel as much as she can, and outside of the United States at least once a year. She is a writer currently working on children’s books and hopes to be published in 2009. Till then, she will continue to discover and enjoy new places, food, music, and of course the unique people this incredible world has to offer. Then she’ll go home and write about it, hopefully inspiring others to do the same.

Interested in having your story featured on Escape Together? Contact us at info@escapetogether.com for more information.

Spring Break Planning Help

Let Escape Together help you plan a personalized Spring Break Getaway for you and your friends!

 

This year why not have the Spring Break you have always wanted. From sunny beaches and warm getaways. From volunteer opportunities and international escapes. Let our group travel planners work with your group, school or organization to design a perfect Spring Break.

 

 

 How We Can Plan A Perfect Spring Break For Your Group… 

• Personalized Itineraries - Don’t go with a one-size fits all getaway. Our Group Travel Planners will work with your group to design a trip that has all the inclusions that you would like including the types of hotels, tours, activities, and events.
• Individualized Payments - We allow each member of your group to pay for their trip on their own. No more payments on one credit card or a need for group checks*.
• Dedicated Trip Homepage - With detailed updates,  travel information and the ability to make payments online, your dedicated homepage is your one-stop shop for all trip related information.
• Your Destination Choice - We work with you so that you can go where you want to go. Start planning now to any destination in the world.**

Our Group Travel Planning is for groups of 10 or more people. To begin planning today contact us at groups@escapetogether.com or 877-980-1717.

*One payment may be required for deposits.

**Some destinations may be unavailable though group travel planners will work to meet the desires of your group.

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