Tag Archives: Cancun

Champagne flights on Sunwing Airlines take you back in time

Posted on by alanwhitt

Remember the “good ‘ol days” … when airlines actually served hot meals instead of peanuts … when your luggage didn’t require a ticket of its own … when inflight movies were simply part of the deal?

Alan Whitt

Barely.

Times change and not necessarily for the better.

Air travel has been more than stressful since Sept. 11, 2001, and the lack of hospitality on flights has made it ever more undesirable. It’s a necessary evil. If you want to get to faraway destinations in a timely fashion then flights are the best way to do it.

However, if you live in close proximity to Nashville, Atlanta or Cincinnati you can get to a modicum of old school air travel with Sunwing Airline flights to three cities in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Elite service on a Sunwing flight includes at no extra cost “Bon Voyage” glass of champagne, hot towel meal or hot snacks, wine with meals, select snacks, inflight first run movies, headsets, non-alcoholic beverages, checked baggage up to 44 pounds per person, kids backpacks with games and toys.

Upgrade to Elite Plus for $40 more each way and get extra leg room seats, advance seat selections, 22 pounds extra checked baggage and priority check-in and boarding.

Here’s where you can fly with Sunwing:

Nashville departures: Cancun, Mexico on Saturdays and Montego Bay, Jamaica on Sundays.

Atlanta departures: Cancun on Fridays & Mondays and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on Saturdays.

Cincinnati departures: Cancun on Sundays, Punta Cana on Fridays and Montego Bay on Saturdays.

Champagne flights are available through October 29, 2012.

For a complete selection of vacation packages, prices and flight schedules contact Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

America’s illegal drug users fueling Mexican murders

Posted on by alanwhitt

I continue to tell people that travel to popular tourist destinations in Mexico – especially my favorite, Cancun – is totally safe … and that’s because it is.

Alan Whitt

Nonetheless, it’s distressing when bodies in other parts of Mexico continue to pile up like the daily catch on a commercial fishing ship.

This past weekend the gruesome discovery of 49 headless corpses in northern Mexico sent shock waves through two nations.

It matters not that the mutilated bodies are believed to be members of one drug cartel killed by another.  A corpse … is a corpse … is a corpse.

Before I go further, let me get one thing straight. Mapquest puts Cancun at a distance of 1,431.08 miles from the massacre. So if your vacation to this fun-filled, culturally-rich international destination is drawing near, be prudent but not overly concerned about safety.

However, you should join me in outrage because there are millions of Americans who contribute to Mexico’s drug business and the death toll every day.

How’s that?

The bulk of Mexican drugs are sold to Americans. And there would be no burgeoning drug business without our citizens purchasing this illicit and illegal product. It’s really easy to buy drugs, get high and turn a blind eye to the deaths that follow in Mexico.

As is the case with many Americans, as long as it doesn’t happen in our own backyard we could care less who gets hurt. But remember, that dead person is someone’s mother, father, son or daughter. Put your loved one’s face on that corpse and it’s a totally different story.

In my eyes, American drug users are murderers themselves. Just because you didn’t wield the machete or fire that automatic weapon doesn’t absolve you from responsibility.

It was your money that financed those deaths. Without your “donation” the cartels would not be the billion-dollar industry that they are.

So the next time you take that snort, that puff or insert that needle … please think about not only how you’re killing yourself, but probably someone else as well.

 Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos and the latest travel news.

Riu Palace Peninsula in Cancun debuts with special pricing

Posted on by alanwhitt

One of the advantages of booking new resorts is that they’ll usually give you a good opening price for being a guinea pig.

Alan Whitt

You’ll have a chance to kick the tires at the absolutely fabulously new 24-hour all-inclusive Riu Palace Peninsula in the heart of Cancun at bargain prices as it prepares to debut on May 4.

You can be one of the first to experience this five-star resort in Cancun – which remains one of the best vacation playgrounds in the world.

I’ve been preaching Cancun for awhile, and I will keep doing it until people hear me. Prices were great even before the Riu Palace Peninsula’s $318 off per couple grand opening three-night special brought the price to $513 per person … and contrary to ignorant rumors this part of Mexico is as safe as Orlando or any tourist destination in the United States.

If you’re looking for an international destination closer to home, Cancun is perfect.  It’s all things to all people:  family friendly … a party town … a cuisine destination … and a history lesson all rolled into one. Where else can you get all that?

If you’ve never heard of Riu hotels, resorts and spas, it is an upscale brand well known in Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico … and a major player in the all-inclusive market. It’s five-star Palace brand takes it to a higher level.

The all-inclusive Riu Palace Peninsula raises the bar – especially in dining with fine cuisine including Japanese, Italian, Mexican and a “Krystal” fusion restaurant. Be as active as your want …or simply veg out by the pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

The grand opening special includes round trip hotel transfers, three nights hotel accommodations, hotel tax and service charges, 24-hour room service, all meals, drinks and snacks, non-motorized snacks, complimentary WiFi and nightly entertainment.

As usual, Allure Quest Travel Experience is more than happy to book this amazing trip for you by calling 615-818-8241 or emailing alan@allurequest.com.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos and the latest travel news.

Cancun is one Mexican hot spot that has avoided drug violence

Posted on by alanwhitt

The furor has died down a bit over safety concerns in Mexico. I never quite understood the problem anyway.

Alan Whitt

Our southern neighbors have a lot to offer in terms of a vacations …. and unless you’re looking for trouble you should be fine.

The absolute place to avoid is Ciudad Juarez on the U.S. border. That’s ground zero in terms of the drug trade and violence.

And unfortunately,  a few other areas have been impacted. Most shocking is Acapulco, formerly billed as a vacation playground for the jet set, but now known more for the spike in deaths in the port city – including tourists.

I would drop Acapulco from my to-do list if I were you … and put it at the top of my “to-don’t” list.

There have been sporadic issues in some other areas along the west coast, but nothing that should warrant questioning of your personal safety – no more than any big city in the USA.

However, there is one vacation area that remains perfect in many ways in terms of reasonable pricing, amenities, comfort … and safety.

That’s Cancun.

If you haven’t been to this popular resort town recently you may want to give it another shot.

This is a purpose-built vacation area. Back in 1967 the Mexican government decided the perfect climate, pristine beaches and rich history were ideal for tourism. Cancun Island has only three residents when work actually began in 1970.

Over the last 40-plus years Cancun has grown tremendously, with a string of world-renowned resorts, spas and hotels providing a luxurious experience – including many of the all-inclusive concept.

Always known for its white sand beaches, those gems had deteriorated over the years. But a three-year restoration project has brought them back to life – including beachfront property for more than 30 hotels, restaurants and condos.

Cancun is unique in its combination of the Caribbean and Mexico. You get modern and ancient, as well as active or laid back lifestyles or a combination of both.

Located on the eastern border of Mexico, Cancun s unequaled in uniting cultural treasures, natural beauty, activities and – for those of us spoiled by our country’s ample conveniences – American-Style conveniences and brands.

Cancun has the infrastructure, modern amenities and service philosophy to rival leisure destinations worldwide. From archaeological ruins to luxury travel riches, Cancun has it all … except for the violence.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, videos and the latest travel news.

Riu, Iberostar provide guests with alternative to USA name brands

Posted on by alanwhitt

The spectacular Riu Palace Peninsula is scheduled to open in May.

I love to travel but at the end of the day I’m always happy to return to my native soil … because this truly is the best country on the planet. End of subject.

However, along with that arrogance comes a bit of ignorance. We believe that only products or services we’re familiar with or based here are worthy of our time.

Alan Whitt

When it comes to hotels, we feel comfortable with brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Four season, Fairmont, etc. They’re like that security blanket we had as kids. We never consider for a moment that someone can do it as well … or even better.

As a travel specialist I look at all products for my clients, including home-grown brands and others Americans may be unfamiliar with.

In Mexico and the Caribbean, that would be two well-established brands that are absolute top-level properties that continue to grow and provide a wonderful vacation experience – Riu Hotels & Resorts and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts.

Riu has 100 properties around the world – the majority in Mexico and the Caribbean, but also in Spain and South Beach in Miami.

Iberostar is a Spanish chain of hotels, also with more than 100 properties and operating in 15 countries, including the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, South America and North Africa.

Both pride themselves on a philosophy of impeccable service, strong values, efficient and professional staffs and pristine facilities. And frankly, some of these resorts are comparable or even better than what America has to offer. Both have several all-inclusive properties – a rarity in the United States, allowing customers to live in the lap of luxury at some of the best beachfront properties at the most popular destinations.

Each resort has its own identity and enough restaurants, entertainment and indoor and outdoor facilities to keep customers of all ages occupied.

Two new properties in Cancun – one for each – are both grandiose additions to the landscape in this Mexican playground. The new upscale, all-inclusive Iberostar Cancun is the only resort in Cancun with golf and spa facilities on site and all with oceanfront accommodations.

The exclusive, top-tier Riu Palace Peninsula will be a true work of art when its doors open in May 2012 and is accepting booking now.

If you’re looking for a different type of resort than what you’re used to in America, you will not be taking a risk to book almost any resort carrying the name Riu or Iberostar.

For more information or to book these resort and a wealth of other “unknown” resorts, call Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 or 615-336-8580.

Mexico tourism outlook is sound despite negative media reports

Posted on by alanwhitt

Part of a travel specialist’s responsibility is to keep up on current events to make sure you’re not sending clients into danger.

Alan Whitt

It’s not good for business to send them into a war zone.

That’s why I’m feeling pretty good right about now … because I was right.

In 2011 many people expressed concern about traveling to Mexico for vacations because of media coverage of drug wars and crime in some parts of the country.

You’ve seen this scenario played out over and over. It’s called stereotyping … making all of Mexico a drug-infested battlefield.

However, I’ve encouraged clients to head to Mexico and enjoy themselves without worry. And I’m happy to report that they all returned unharmed.

There really wasn’t much risk involved. The crime-ridden areas are as far away from the tourist hotspots as Chicago is to New Orleans.

It’s all about perception, and if most Americans read it in the newspaper or see it on the six o’clock news then it must be true. Besides, how many Americans have actually studied Mexican geography.

I say all this because the Mexico Tourism Board is predicting 52 million tourists will visit our southern neighbors in 2012 after a very strong 2011, especially the last month of the year.

Tracking air arrivals, air traffic was up more than 13 percent in December, with Argentina leading the way at 21.4 percent followed by France at 12.4 percent. The United States came in at 10.6 percent.

Mexico has many fantastic – and safe – tourist destinations, including Cancun, Los Cabos and Playa del Carmen, that can be had for a good price – including several money-saving, all-inclusive resorts.

But as I’ve said repeatedly, just like anywhere else on the planet one still must be aware of his or her surroundings wherever you go.