Q & A with Destination E

Q: What’s your favorite travel destination, and why?

A: Amalfi Coast, Italy! Someone once asked me, ‘what else besides the views?’…certainly great places to stay, restaurants, food, Capri, the Mediterranean Sea and of course the views!

Q: Do you have a memorable travel experience that had a significant impact on you?

A: My first time traveling out of the country to Cancun for Springbreak (circa ‘09). I enjoyed meeting and partying with people from around the world. I also got bit with the travel bug that trip; it’s where it all begins. I’ve been to the Riviera Maya area about 3 times since with plans to return! 

Q: Are you passionate about a particular type of travel?

A: I think wellness travel is very important. Life gets crazy. Every once and awhile, it’s a good idea to really unplug and have a chance to check in with yourself. There’s so many great wellness resorts, retreats, and spas to choose from.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of being a Travel Advisor for you?

A: I’m really thorough when planning a trip for a client. So, I love to see everything come together beautifully. I look forward to hearing all about their travel experience and seeing trip photos when they return.

Q: Can you recommend some underrated or less-known travel destinations that you think deserve more attention?

A: I really enjoyed my time in Curacao. The native people were very warm and welcoming. They told me to come back and to tell more people about their island. So here you go! 

I hope you enjoyed getting to know me better. I would love if you could pick a question and write your answer in the comments!

If any of the destinations listed are on your bucket list. Schedule a call with me to start planning your trip today: Click Here

How to Plan a Girlfriends Getaway  

“There is an unspoken bond you create with the friends you travel with.” – Kristen Sarah

A Girls Trip should be on everyone’s bucket list. There’s nothing better than spending a few days with your closest friends, making memories, and getting up to some mischief. But planning a Girls Trip while considering everyone’s schedules, budgets, and preferences can be a lot of work.

Before you start to feel overwhelmed, here’s 6 tips to help make the planning process feel like a group effort! So read on, get your girls together, and get ready to have a blast.

Start Planning Early

Get started planning at least six months to a year in advance. You can begin to get the conversation going and gather some general ideas about who can attend and where your group would like to travel. Your lives will be so much easier when it comes time to make arrangements.

Figure out Your Purpose, Budgets, & Itinerary

Will this trip be about relaxing or are you girls planning on turning up?! Do you want to chill at an all-inclusive resort or go on immersive cultural tours each day? Be sure you are considering everyone’s interests and agree on a budget before planning.

Keep the Options Simple

Now it’s time to narrow down your options. Ask everyone in your group to share two ideas on things like accommodations and activities. Pay attention to the places that more than one person throws out. If the majority likes a particular destination, hotel, or excursion, you’ve likely found a winner.

Make it Collaborative

Everyone should have a say in the planning process, but depending on your party size, it’ll be hard to get everyone on the same page. To take some of the pressure off, hire a Travel Advisor: Click Here. They’ll be able to handle the rest of the research, planning and booking process. This way the rest of the group can fill in the itinerary with other small things you all can enjoy like a Pool Day with matching swimsuits or a fun scavenger hunt at the resort.

Hire a Vacation Photographer

A professional vacation photographer can take stunning and candid photos of your whole travel party that you can reminisce about over the years. Not only can they capture your trip beautifully, but there’s also an added benefit of gaining a local perspective through the lens of a professional.

Be Flexible

Be sure to remind yourself that the goal is having fun. Try to make the best of the process and the trip. Remember, the main reason for your getaway is to reconnect and spend some much-needed quality time with your GIRLS!

Of course, I’m here to help you plan your next Girls Trip. Schedule a complimentary consultation with my travel agency to get started: Click Here

Happy Planning!

“It doesn’t matter where you’re going, it’s who you have beside you.”

3 Year Business Anniversary

Can you believe it?! Destination E has officially turned 3!!!

I’m glad I decided to take the leap of faith to start my business back in 2019. I am very proud of the milestones I have achieved so far, and I can’t wait to see what the future has instore.

I decided to celebrate in Cartagena, Columbia. Check out my new YouTube video including highlights of my time there. Like, Comment, Subscribe & Enjoy: YouTube

Of course I’m here to help you plan your next vacation. Schedule a call to get started: Click Here

Travel With Destination E

Are You Covered?

Travel Advisors can help you secure a travel insurance quote to protect your travel investment. Travel insurance is not required to travel but is highly recommended. In addition, you want to make sure you’re covered if unforeseen complications occur like severe weather or medical emergencies. Most travel insurance companies offer 24/7 emergency assistance, concierge services, medical coverage, and more. In these times, putting out a few hundred dollars for travel insurance is better than losing out on thousands of dollars if you must cancel your vacation.

I have been in two situations where I was glad I purchased travel insurance. I had to cancel an entire trip for severe weather conditions one time. After filing a claim, I received full reimbursement for the non-refundable trip costs. The second time, my travel companion had a minor medical emergency while we were away. We called the insurance provider, and they gave us a list of nearby medical facilities. The representative reached out to the medical staff to let them know we were on our way and followed up with us to make sure everything went well. If you are ever in a similar situation, make sure to keep the discharge summary/receipts in a safe place so you can file a claim when you return home and possibly get reimbursed for the medical expenses.

I encourage you to research travel insurance companies on your own to make sure it suits your needs and coverage requirements. If you need travel insurance for an upcoming trip, check out Travelex and Travel Guard:

Travelex: Click Here

Travel Guard: Click Here

*Destination E, LLC is not a registered insurance agent and cannot legally provide specific advice or information regarding insurance. You will need to direct all questions and clarifications to the insurance company. This is not a recommendation to use Travel Guard, Travelex, or any specific travel insurer over another. Destination E, LLC may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase.*

FAM Trip To Riviera Maya, Mexico

This past December, a fellow travel advisor and I went on a self-organized FAM Trip to the Riviera Maya area in Mexico. FAM is short for Familiarization Trip. FAMs were created for travel advisors to get firsthand experience of a destination, learn more about the resorts, and form great partnerships with resort staff leaders and travel companies. Of course, nothing beats knowing which resort fits our clients best and what will make their vacation experience even better. We visited sixteen resorts altogether. Here is a list of four resorts in Riviera Maya that you should consider for your next vacation or event.

Family Vacation

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts- Riviera Maya

1. Both the design and layout of the resort are excellent. Kids will be excited at every turn, and adults will experience nostalgic feelings. My favorite restaurant was Good Burger. All they were missing were a pop-up appearance from Kenan & Kel.

2. Kids will have so much to choose from, including Aqua Nick-a themed water park with over twenty slides, a lazy river, Paw Patrol Adventure Bay, and Bikini Bottom Beach, to name a few. And yes, you can get SLIMED. In addition, kids can look forward to character experiences, Club Nick, dance parties, an immersive theater experience, and more.

Travel With Destination E: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts-Riviera Maya

Destination Wedding

Dreams Riviera Cancun (Family Friendly)

1. There are six beautiful location options for a wedding and reception. The resort staff were busy; we saw events being set up in different areas around the resort. However, this did not interfere with the guests’ vacation experience, and everyone looked to be having a fun time at the pool.

2. We had to give the chef our compliments for the lunch he prepared for us. Everything was delicious, especially the fried buffalo chicken wings.

Travel With Destination E: Dreams Riviera Cancun

Group Getaway

Hotel Xcaret Arte (Mexican Art Stays in You-All-Fun Inclusive-Adults Only)

1. Xcaret Arte was stunning and luxurious; every turn took my breath away. I loved the design and layout of the rooms, restaurants, spa, the different lobbies, the beach, and pools. They set the bar high.

2. No need to book any outside excursions. You have access to art classes throughout the resort and access to their eight theme parks (Xplor Fuego looks so much fun), and you can book Xcaret Xailing– a ferry to Isla Mujeres. And don’t forget to visit Muluk Spa, where you can pick fragrances and oils for your spa treatment.

Travel With Destination E: Xcaret Arte

Baecation

Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun

1. The hospitality we received at Live Aqua Cancun was outstanding. The food and drinks were tasty, including my surprise Caramel Frappuccino; they have a Starbucks on the premises. Plus, their pools and beach are both fantastic.

2. Live Aqua is in the hotel zone, so you have easy access to other restaurants, nightlife, and shopping in the area.

Travel With Destination E: Live Aqua Cancun

Honorable Mention

Dreams Natura Spa

The Dreams® Spa by Pevonia goes up there as one of the best spas I have visited. It feels like you are inside a beautiful cenote. I booked the Tension Relief Massage, which was terrific. I also enjoyed the hydrotherapy circuit, sauna, steam room, therapeutic showers, and Revive Juice Bar.

If you are looking to visit the Riviera Maya area in Mexico, I am sure there is a resort for you that will meet all your vacation needs and styles. During this trip, I stayed at three resorts and visited sixteen, so I’m sure I can help you select the right one.

Pssst….I can’t give away all my favorites in this article; I’m keeping some just for you. Feel free to schedule a complimentary consult anytime: Click Here

*We hope you like the places we listed. Just so you know, Destination E may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.*