Hotels and Resorts: Top 9 Travel Deals

I scoured the earth in search of the best vacation deals (Ok maybe not scoured, but I did some digging). There are some amazing travel deals out there so now is the time to book your winter getaway. Below are my top 9 Hot Deals. Some deals expire by the end of this month so if you see one you like, jump on it quick!

Southwest Vacations

Gourmet Inclusive® vacations: save up to 56% + up to $600 in instant credit and more in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Destinations: The Caribbean, Mexico
Travel Dates: 09/06/17 - 05/31/18
Booking Dates: 09/05/17 - 09/30/17

Funtastic Deals with Carnival Cruises From $299

Book by September 30th to get rates from just $299 on sailings through April 2019.

Sandals® Resorts: Up to 65% Off

Unlimited land and water sports including scuba* and golf**, plus tips, taxes and transfers included.
Destinations: Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados
Travel Dates: Now - 12/31/17
Booking Dates: Now - 09/30/17

Excellence Group Luxury Hotels and Resorts: Up to 47% off

Adults-Only Boutique All-Inclusive hotel
Destinations: Cancun
Travel Dates: 12/21/17 - 12/26/17
Booking Dates: Now - 10/15/17

Facilities:
109 suites, in 8 different categories
4 restaurants with no reservations, limitations and restrictions
4 bars and 1 lounge
3 swimming pools, including 1 beachfront
Blvgary amenities, Nespresso machines, in
room liquor selection and Jacuzzi available at every suite
35,000 sq. feet wellness center

Save$700 On Adventures by Disney Cruises & Save $700 on Select Staterooms for Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise

On an Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise, you can explore 8 destinations in 4 countries on an all-inclusive adventure through Europe.
Destinations: Europe
Travel Dates: Now-
Book By: 10/20/17

MGM Resorts

Limited Time Offer! Save up to 46% on select MGM Resorts Hotels
Destinations: Las Vegas
Travel Dates: Now - 04/30/18
Book By: 10/03/17

United Vacations

Exclusive $200 instant savings, bonus miles, and Bonus Cash to Hawaii
Destinations: Hawaii
Travel Dates: 01/01/18 - 05/31/18
Booking Dates: Now - 10/12/17

Club Med Winter Getaways from $1,649

Sale of Exclusive Savings with all-inclusive packages now starting at $1,649 per adult, per week with air included from Toronto or Montreal.
Destination: Selected Resorts
Travel Dates: Now-05/05/18
Book Dates: Now- 10/24/17

Funjet Vacations

Universal Orlando Resort™
Current Offer: 2 Days FREE with the purchase of a 3-Park, 2-Day Park-to-Park Ticket.*
Destinations: Orlando
Travel Dates: Now - 05/17/18
Booking Dates: Now - 11/30/17

Call your travel agent today to take advantage of these hot deals!

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Have You Gone Apple Picking Yet?

For the past 3 years, Ryan and I have gone apple picking at our local fruit farm and I look forward to it every year. It’s one of the many fall activities that we enjoy.
Most people go once a year, but not us. We have to go at least twice every season. If I had it my way, we would go every weekend for the whole season.

Why?

There are hundreds of apple varieties and no one apple orchard are alike. Walking through endless rows of apple trees invites my inner child to run and explore.
For some odd reason, it tickles my fancy to pluck an apple from the tree and munch on it before tossing it on the ground. (I probably did this a lot as a child).

We’ve picked apples twice this fall and we’re going pack at least one more time (Honey Crisp will be ripe the end of September).
On each visit, different varieties were available to pick.

What's Your Favorite Apple Variety?

During our first, visit I discovered a new favorite, mollies. They’re sweeter than Honey Crisp, loads of flavor, and firm. They taste like Apple Jolly Ranchers.

I think I’m becoming an apple geek… but what do you expect from a fall baby!

Our last visit wasn’t as spectacular as the first.Courland, Fuji, Gala, and McIntosh were available but I didn’t care for any of them.

Thank goodness I tasted each variety! There’s nothing worse than picking a bag full of apples you don’t like (yep, been there, done that)!
Courtland apples are very tart and super firm.
You know, the kind of firmness that gets stuck between your teeth and can cut your gums. Eating a Courtland apple is like that Tums commercial when the food fights you back.

Galas, Fuji and McIntosh were ok in texture but the apple flavor is very mild. I was a little surprised by how mild they are.
We’ve brought these varieties at the store and thought the bland taste was due to the apples being picked before ripeness or we got a bad bunch.
Turns out that’s how they taste fresh off the tree.

Now I know what apples NOT to buy when grocery shopping.

If you and your family have yet to go apple picking, there’s still time to get out there and discover your favorite varieties.
Where else is it encouraged to chuck half eaten apples on the ground?
Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Where To Go

There are plenty of apple orchards here in Wisconsin and you can find a list of them here. Apple picking will go into October so set a date, invite friends and family, and get to picking.

The nearest orchard near me is Barthel Fruit Farm. You’ll find dates, list of varieties, recipes, directions, etc on their website. They also have a pumpkin farm, pears, and a store if you don’t want to pick your own apples.

Apple Holler is another well- known orchard and great for families. An unique orchard I’d like to try is Weston’s Antique Apples. They have varieties I’ve never heard of.
Autumn fruit picking is in full swing and with so many apple varieties to experience, it’s the perfect time to take a trip to your nearest fruit farm.

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Travel Insurance: Here's What You Should Know

If the last two weeks of hurricanes have you rethinking your vacation plans, you’re not alone. Watching the news report as hurricane Irma slamed the Caribbean was terrifying.

As I imagined vacations being interrupted by extreme weather, my heart sank. Waiting out the hurricane in your sixth floor hotel room is dangerous.

What if that were me and my family? What would we do? What could we do?

The unexpected like hurricane Irma can happen anywhere at any time while on vacation.

If and when it does, knowing you’re protected from the extra costs of vacation interruptions is priceless.

Travel insurance can provide the security needed in case the unexpected happens while traveling. Here is what you should know about Travel Insurance.

Handling A Crisis

You’ve planed the ultimate family trip and the day before vacation your child becomes sick.  You'll be out of thousands if you cancel the trip, but there really no other option.

With cancellation protection coverage, you can recoup most of your costs or you reschedule your dream trip.  Most vacation packages are non refundable so it's a good idea to have cancellation coverage.

What if you’re vacationing in France and while soaking in the beautiful scenery, you get a call that your house is badly damaged from a storm or your dad was in a serious accident.
Would you want to continue your vacation as planned?

Of course not!

Going home to handle things is all you care about. Having interruption coverage will help you recoup most of your costs so you can get home ASAP.

Baggage Replacement

We’ve all heard of someone who’s had their luggage lost/ stolen or have been a victim of it.

Isn't it comforting to know travel insurance has baggage benefits?

Yes, baggage benefits can help with replacing your essentials if bags are delayed, damaged or stolen.

Health Coverage

Having a health scar while on vacation is something we never want to imagine but it can happen.

Being faced with a serious injury or health condition while traveling can put a huge financial dent in your pocket, especially when touring outside the country.

Travel insurance with medical coverage can direct you to  English speaking doctors or hospital, help pay for care, arrange payments for major medical emergencies, and even arrange for private medical evacuations in remote areas.

Coverage For Minor Hiccups

Not all travelers have complex vacations overseas. Simple travel insurance with car protection can cover car rental costs should you get into a fender bender.
By using travel insurance, you avoid getting your car insurance provider involved, which can lead to a premium increase.

Peace of Mind

Many vacationers skip travel insurance to avoid paying more for their vacation. I understand and have been guilty of it too.

We live with more uncertainly today than ever and not having the added protection of travel insurance can mean disaster should you need it but don’t have it.
When choosing travel insurance, keep in mind that third party coverage can provide more benefits than the operating tour group planning your trip.

Not all travel insurance is created equal and knowing what's available will help you choose the right plan for you.

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Top 8 Download Worthy Travel Apps For 2017

When you're on the go, your best friend and resource can be your phone.

As U.S. News blogger Joel Finman said it best, “In the age of smartphones, apps are like guiding stars: They can point you in the right direction.”

Downloading the right travel apps can enhance your travel experience by saving you time and money.

We’ve tried the latest travel apps to determine which tools are the most useful for planning a trip, getting around, finding friends, and saving money along the way.  Here are the top 8  travel apps you should download. All apps are available for Android and iOS and best of all, they’re free.

Grab

If you’ve ever experienced traveling on an empty stomach, then you’ll appreciate this app. Grab will let you view airport restaurant menus ahead of time, map them in the terminal. In some locations, you can order in advance and pick up your food on the way to the gate. No more waiting in lines!

Happy Cow

Traveling while vegan can be a challenge, especially if you’ve not familiar with the area. That’s where Happy Cow comes in to save the day.
With lists of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in nearly 10,500 cities worldwide, finding a suitable eatery nearby is easy. Each restaurant listing comes with a short description of the menu and user-generated reviews.

Roomer

If you’ve ever lost money on a prepaid nonrefundable hotel room, you’ll love Roomer.
Get deep discounts on hotel rooms from people who have had to cancel their trips. Likewise, if you’ve prepaid for a nonrefundable room, you can sell your reservation on the app.

Sidekix

Do you enjoy sightseeing and want to explore a new itinerary?
If you’re tired of walking the same route every day or ever wondered “what are the interesting things to do around me”? Then Sidekix is for you.
This urban route planner will help you find the best way to get around. Sidekix will choose the best walking directions based on your interests and preferences. Looking for a trendy cafe for a lunch on your way to an art gallery? The app is filled with reccommendations from locals.

Binaural

Stimulate your concentration, meditation or relaxation to alleviate jet lag with this app.
Binaural beats, or binaural tones, are repetitive sounds, that help induce relaxation, meditation, creativity and other desirable mental states. Cultures around the world have relied on binaural beats for centuries to create relaxed states of mind.

AirHelp

AirHelp helps travelers get paid for your canceled, delayed, or overbooked flights. The average reimbursement is more than $500 per claim, and the company takes a 25 percent cut.

Memrise

Learn about the language and culture of your destination with Memrise, named the best app of 2017. Choose from a variety of topics in more than 200 tongues. Gain insight on China’s ethnic groups and learn how to identify different kinds of spices in Polish.

SoloTraveller

Solo Traveller is great for meeting locals and serves as a platform for single female travelers to connect with other female travel companions nearby.

What's your favorite travel app? Share it with us by commenting below!

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THANKS FOR READING MY BLOG!
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Top 3 Family Vacation Ideas For The Fall

School's back in session and you know what that means, car pools, after school activities, and homework.  It's a bitter sweet change in your daily routine and it can feel daunting at times.

I can relate.

Children have the same mixed feelings about the school season and while parents celebrate having our homes kid free during the day, planning a fall trip will ease  the pressure of a demanding family schedule.

Why not take advantage of school breaks and plan a family getaway?
Here are the top 3 vacation ideas taken from Travel Agent magazine.

Theme Parks

Perennial theme parks are a popular choice family getaways and every year there’s something new for visitors to experience. Universal Orlando opened its new Volcano Bay water park late spring.

It’s the third theme park in the resort, spanning 30 acres and four themed areas. Enjoy the 200 foot body plunge slide, 124 foot water slides and the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. If death defying rides isn’t for you, there’s multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, a winding river and plenty of places to lounge and relax.

The 22nd annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival runs from August 31 through November 13th.

This festival is  packed with activities the whole family can enjoy. There's entertainment and eats for foodies. Children receive a passport that can be stamped at a collection of 35 global marketplace booths.

Local indoor theme parks in Wisconsin Dells offers an wide array of fun too..

Road Trips

Did you know that Georgia is a hotspot for the Hollywood film industry?

That's right, location scouts and director flock to this beautiful state to film movies like the Hunger Games: Catching fire, XMen First Class, and The Blind Side.

Georgia Film Selfie Spot Tour, a self-guided tour, is open until  the end of the year. Visit 33 sites across the state. Each site marks the ideal spot for the perfect selfie.    Visit “Captain America: Civil War,” at the Porsche Experience Center, Atlanta, where families can test drive a Porsche and take a selfie at the Avengers’ Headquarters.

Resorts

Little River Inn, a three hour drive from San Francisco. Spend time at the Pennyroyal Dairy tasting handcrafted cheeses, ride the heritage Skunk Train along redwoods and take a guided kayaking tour of nearby sea caves.
A special 2 night package for two adults, two children under 12, above mention activities and 1 breakfast for four is priced at $945.

Did I mention Little River Inn is pet friendly?

You can begin pricing vacations for October and November, when the weather averages are mid-eighties and seventies in most southern states.  Perfect timing for the first days off from school.

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