Day: January 30, 2023

We hopped around Europe with our 3 kids spending 3 nights in each spot. We totally fell in love with Scotland and we can’t wait to come back.
Here’s a run down on what we did. We needed more time. There’s so much to do here!

We stayed at the Kingsmill Hotel and Spa. This is the hotel that Adventures by Disney uses for their group tours so I knew it would be family friendly. It is an older hotel that isn’t super updated but felt very authentic. The service was great. I was really impressed with the attitude of the staff, attentiveness in the restaurant and bar and the front desk. The housekeeping was even friendly walking down the hall. It had a very homey feel and we were perfectly happy with this choice.
They had a great indoor pool with hot tub and steam room that was open until 9PM. We had a family suite. This was a large ground floor room with a king bed and sitting area. It has bathrooms and a bunk room (basically the size of a walk-in closet) with 2 sets of bunk beds.
The hotel doesn’t have air conditioning but the Scottish Highlands do not get hot. They gave us a large fan for airflow which was perfect.
The hotel is located on the outskirts of the city of Inverness. It took about 10 minutes (and 10 roundabouts) to get to the city center which is still very quiet. We had Pizza Hut delivered for the kids one night and my husband and I ate in the restaurant at the hotel. Everyone was happy.
There is a nice park with playground directly across the street from the hotel and the grounds are beautiful. We noticed the hotel (and a lot of places in Scotland) was dog friendly. If only it was close for us to bring our dog. Ha!

During a stay in the Scottish Highlands you have to search for Nessie. I’ve heard of the Loch Ness Monster as basically a fairy tale but I don’t think until I started planning a trip to Scotland that I realized exactly where it lived. We took an hour only Jacobite cruise on the Loch Ness which is the name of the body of water. There are a lot of Lochs in the area and Ness is the one with the monster. The cruise told the story of how it was spotted and people who have searched for it for almost 100 years. There’s even a man who they said 20 years ago left his wife and job to buy a cabin on the banks of Loch Ness to search for him. Alas he has not found him and has resorted to selling trinkets to tourists with no regrets.

I was on a mission to see the Hairy Coos or the Scottish Highland cows. I had read that the Culloden battlefield was a great area to see them. There are actually some that live on the battlefield. Another fun fact – this is one of the filming sites for the show Outlander. I haven’t watched this show so this was lost of me but I know a lot of people love it.
The kids loved running around the grass area. It’s 14 pounds per adult for the museum with a guided tour. They did a family pass for 30 pounds (I was so impressed with how there were family discounts everywhere in the UK) but you can walk around the outside area for no charge.

Keep your eyes peeled – Just down the street we found the Hairy Coos.

Another spot we hit was Rothiemurchus we. This is an outdoor activity place in a National Park. There’s a farm store, barn (which is their cafe), gift shop and more.
There are so many activities here. They have things for small children to adults.
Our kids did the Landry cars (PowerWheels sized Land Rovers) and fishing. The Landry’s go around a small track in the forrest. They go pretty slow. I would recommend this for 8 and under.
On property they have several stocked ponds with rainbow trout. It was 17 pounds per kid for a pole, net and bait. You were permitted one fish for this as well if you wanted to take one home.
We are not fishermen so I was having a hard time helping the kids cast their poles. I had the kids go fish by some young teens who noticed their inability and started helping them. It was perfect. The teenagers were so nice. They made it a competition between the boys to catch one. They quickly each caught a trout. They showed them how to hit it in the head (they were going to keep one) and how to release the other. The kids were on cloud 9.
There is so much to do here. They had falconry experiences, ATVs, horses, ropes course and more. It is also a place you visit on an Adventures by Disney tour. If you’re coming on your own make sure to prebook what you want to do. The activities sell out especially in the summer.

We also spent a full day to ride the Jacobite Steam Train. This is on the West Coast of Scotland from Fort William to Mallaig. It is the train featured in the Harry Potter films.
There are a bunch of ways to make this happen.
If you’re driving yourself, there are round trip train rides from Fort William. It gives you a break in the town so you can enjoy a quick lunch.
If you’re not going to ride it then you could go to Fort William and take pictures at the train, and then there is a spot to wait while it goes over the Glennfinnan Viaduct with easy parking, toilets and a cafe. In the town of Mallaig there’s a neat Haggrid’s gift shop for all the merchandise. This town is right on the with views of the Scottish Isles. I would love to come back and visit the Isle of Skye.
The train ride is beautiful though so we booked a tour. We were driven in a mini bus from downtown Inverness. They also have these day trips from Edinburgh. We made stops along the way. We rode the train one way, had time for lunch (amazing fish and chips!) and then we journeyed back with stopping to watch the train pass the viaduct.
It was nice to sit back and relax and let someone else drive for the day.

The people of Scotland were so friendly. I might even say best overall service as far as friendliness than anywhere I’ve been in the world.
Make sure to bring your rain gear even in the summer. It went back and forth from sunny to raining without any notice.
If you’re renting a car just a reminder that they do drive on the left. Inverness was the perfect place to do this with minimal traffic and mostly coy try driving. We had the kids say “Left side Daddy!” regularly to help. You can rent a car with a credit card and USA driver’s license. No special license in required. The cars are smaller here. We had a mid-size which was equivalent to a Mercedes C class. It was a good thing we only had carry on bags to fit in the car.

It’s a wonderful country and we can’t wait to go back.

As a luxury travel advisor, I was able to spend three nights at the AMAZING Secrets Moxche last week…..and WOW….it did not disappoint!  This brand new, adults only, all inclusive resort sets itself apart with its incredibly lux accommodations, roof top infinity pool and gorgeous lagoon pool.  There are so many wonderful things to say about this resort, but these are my top 5:

5:  Private swim out rooms with lush vegetation for ultimate privacy.   Who doesn’t dream of spending the night in a luxurious room with a private plunge pool?  At Secrets Moxche the swim up rooms are the ultimate in private splendor.  Where other resorts may share a pool with multiple swim up rooms, at Secrets Moxche you have it all to yourself.

4:  Unbelievably delicious dining options.  While many all inclusive resorts can boast fabulous dining options, Secrets Moxche 100% delivers.  With dining options ranging from Mexican, Italian and French to Woodfire Grills and Asian inspired cuisine, each dish we ordered was exquisite.  One of my favorites?  Bamboo…and open air Asian inspired restaurant overlooking the lagoon pool.  An added bonus?  In the evenings live music sets the scene for the perfect romantic evening.

3:  The Spa.  The spa at Secrets Moxche is amazing.  I was fortunate enough to snag an 80 min massage, including a visit to the hydrotherapy pool and it was amazing.  The hydrotherapy pool consists of different stations to sooth sore muscles with water jets designed to work on specific areas of your body.  The foot massage station was perfect for soothing our tired feet from the day of site visits!  After the hydrotherapy we were led to our private massage rooms…my massage was PERFECT.  The exact blend of relaxation and pressure that I needed!

2:  The Pools.   Secrets Moxche boasts 7 heated pools and 3 man-made cenotes on the property.  My favorite by far was the lagoon pool.  This pool is STUNNING and is the perfect place to enjoy pool side nachos and a cold drink.   There is ample seating available and lots of shade options for those who are more sun conscious!

1:  The Rooftop Infinity Pool and Restaurant.   Exclusive for guests staying in Preferred Rooms, the rooftop infinity pool gives a breathtaking view of the resort and beach.   There is multiple seating options to relax and enjoy as well as a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch.

Are you interested in learning more about Secrets Moxche?  Contact me today for a custom quote!

What I loved about my adults only stay in Punta Cana : gorgeous beaches, turquoise waters,  tasty cocktails, perfect weather, beautiful pools and lively nightlife.

I recently stayed at Secrets Royal Beach in beautiful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Located just a short ride from the airport with the most beautiful water and soft white sand beaches. Secrets Royal Beach has great evening entertainment and tons of dining options. This property is actually connected to a neighboring property, which is family friendly, the bonus of this set up being, you have access to double the pools and double the restaurant options!

Secrets Royal Beach is perfect for couples, friend groups and solo travelers!  Ready to visit? Email me for a custom quote or more details: alena@vincentvacations.com

If you’re looking for a Hawaiian Vacation that’s a perfect combination of outdoor adventure and relaxed time in nature – put the Island of Kauai on your list of places to visit.

 

 

 

 

Hiking – whether you are a beginner or love to hike for miles, there’s a spectacular hike for every skill level. And nearly all hikes promise spectacular views on the Island of Kauai.

Na Pali Coast – see it by boat or see it by helicopter (because those are the only two ways you can see it) – but the most important thing is – you HAVE to see it!

Scenic Drives – the scenic drives in Kauai might be my all time favorite thing about the island. Driving with the convertible top down with the Hawaiian Breeze in your hair through the Tunnel of Trees is absolutely spectacular.

Waterfalls – no trip to any island in Hawaii is complete without a visit to at least one waterfall – or you can try to chase multiple waterfalls in one day – I always try to. There’s something about the sound of rushing water and the amazing natural beauty of the shades of green foliage that surrounds the waterfalls that is so relaxing.

If hiking, visiting the Na Pali coast, scenic drives and waterfalls sound like a fantastic vacation – you should DEFINITELY visit the Island of Kauai!

If you’re ready to book a trip to Kauai or another Hawaiian Island, the best time to start planning is now! As a Hawaii Destination Expert, I’ve studied the islands in depth and visited multiple times and I’d love to send you too!

Jessica.Pratt@VincentVacations.com

Jessica Pratt – Edmond, Oklahoma Travel Agent – but my Heart Belongs to Hawaii

Character Meet and Greets are a staple of any Disney Vacation.  From classic characters like Mickey and Minnie to Princesses and Super Heroes, meeting your favorite characters can be an exciting experience.  But for our family, the most exciting character interactions are when you stumble upon a “rare” sighting!  Here are our favorite rare character encounters….who are you hoping to meet one day? 

Captain Hook from Peter Pan

Rafiki from The Lion King

Pinocchio

The Stepmother and Step Sisters from Cinderella

Robin Hood

The White Rabbit and Alice from Alice in Wonderland

Our number one, favorite encounter of all time…..when my daughter was selected to ride the Tea Cups with The White Rabbit!

This October I took my 4 year old son to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. It was a surprise Mom + Son trip that we both THOROUGHLY enjoyed. Below you will find some of my personal takeaways from my first visit to this special ticketed event.

What I loved and fully expected to love about MNSSHP : 

Unique character costumes/ greetings. Mind you my son is young, so for us Donald Duck dressed as a pumpkin was a HUGE hit. But there are also tons of unique characters poised and ready to strike a pose with you! ( lines are long – be patient )
All the villains – you get the chance to see so many obscure and rarely sighted villain characters. Many of which available for photos ops and can also be seen during the stage shows and parade!
Special Snacks – This is something we didn’t do much of as I felt so rushed to do and see all the things. But it is a highlight of this ticketed event that I hope to revisit.
Rides- This may seem like a DUH or rather vague. But I was most excited about having exclusive access to many of the more popular rides. Some of them even featuring special Halloween overlays just for the party! Without rope dropping certain rides, or using Lightening Lane  some of these rides are near impossible to ride. We successfully rode many of them MULTIPLE times. This was by far the biggest perk to this ticketed event. I would do it again for this aspect alone.
Shows / Parade – Again another element I would rank as a PRIORITY during your visit to this party. The shows that take place in front of the castle multiple times throughout the night were extraordinary. I was blown away with the thematics . My son and I are huge Hocus Pocus fans, so the Sanderson Sisters were a big hit for us. But featuring many of the Disney villains on stage was a huge crowd pleaser. As far as the Boo to You parade, I knew we would love this. My son and I love all things spooky, Disney and Halloween. This parade was all of that and more. I won’t spoil it for you, but definitely get a good spot and plan on taking video!

Things I was underwhelmed by at the party; 

It was great that there was mood lighting to set the “spooky” scene – but to be honest my 30 year old eyes could hardly read my map. It was DARK … I wished we would’ve packed glow sticks, construction vests or light-up bodysuits.
I wished there was more characters out and about just interacting / performing. Instead of having to wait in long lines – just viewing would’ve been fun too!
The trick or treating, it seemed a bit disorganized. My son enjoyed it ( hello candy ), but I wish it was more laid out and straightforward for us parents.
I felt rushed to do all the things – there were so many things we wanted to see and do and I felt like we were rushing around. The character lines were long which ate up much of our time. So do your best to prepare expectations.

Overall this was an AMAZING night – we arrived as soon as allowed (4pm ) and departed the Magic Kingdom at midnight. My #1 regret was not taking more photos of the parade !

 

Do you want to know more about this special ticketed event at the Magic Kingdom ? Send me an email, I love talking Disney: Alena@vincentvacations.com

This summer, we adventured to the Galapagos Islands with the whole family!  With ages ranging from 69 to 9, it can be hard to find a trip that meets everyone’s needs, but this trip fit the bill.

When you think of the Galapagos Islands, you might worry that it is too much for the oldest and youngest people in your group, but when you travel with Lindblad/National Geographic, they make sure there is something for everyone.

Why the Galapagos Islands work for all ages:

The wildlife appeals to everyone!
From marine iguanas, to blue- footed boobies, to sea lions, the Galapagos Islands is sure to bring out the animal lover in everyone.
The naturalists personalize the experience!
Truly passionate about what they do, the naturalists educate you every step of the way! Don’t know much about the dried lava fields?  No worries! You will once you are done with the tour.  The guides are so passionate and their passion is contagious!

There are options for every age!
Whether you feel comfortable doing a deep water snorkel, or would rather ride around in the zodiac nice and dry, there is something for everyone! The youngest member of our group loved the snorkeling, while the oldest enjoyed riding around in the zodiac. The same goes for the hikes, as there are always long and short hike options.

You experience a bucket list trip together! 
The kids loved experiencing this with their cousins, aunt and uncle and grandparents. From receiving the gift of the trip at Christmas, to the day we landed in Baltra six months later, the family bonded over this trip. Experiencing something like this together creates a special bond and provides memories that will last a lifetime.

If you are lucky, you get to see penguins!
I had to throw this in there as it was one of the highlights of our trip. The naturalist told us that it wasn’t always a given to see penguins, but we lucked out and got to see them up close.

We absolutely loved our time in the Galapagos Islands! It far surpassed my expectations, and seeing it through the eyes of our kids, was truly priceless! Lindblad Expeditions truly knows how to provide an experience that appeals to all ages. Would you like to experience all that the Galapagos Islands have to offer? I would love to talk with you about it. Email me at christin@vincentvacations.com to set up a complimentary consultation.

Everyone’s seen those iconic pristine beaches off the coast of Cancun in Mexico. They’re the focus of so many vacations to the area because of the beauty, serenity, and relaxation. But, did you know there is a place, a magic and mysterious place that lets you live the unimaginable? Here you can grow as tall as a giant, shrink down like Alice, float through a sludge pool or saltwater path, fly like a bird among treetops and into caves, and so much more. This place is unlike any other where all your senses will be tested and turned upside down.
 

 
What is this place?
Xenses park in Cancun lets you test your imagination with two paths of activities and over 50 fantastic scenarios. It’s about a 10 minute drive south of Playa del Carmen and is one of the several Xcaret Group parks. I was fortunate enough to spend a day here with my husband and two kids who are usually glued to their computers, but absolutely loved our time here! We opted to purchase the photo package option which gave us each a band with a barcode. At each of the many scenarios, you just tap your band and wait for the light to flash and take your picture in exactly the right spot and angle…which is perfectly placed to get you the most Instagram worthy shot!
 
What are some of the activities?
When you first enter the park, you are in this large colorful pinwheel shaped building with scenarios and doors spaced out in a circular pattern. You then choose which path you want to begin with. My advice, start with the dry activities on the “Path of Feeling” such as the Xensatorium where you feel your way through a dark cave designed to heighten your senses of smell, touch, and hearing, or the Xitric Garden where you can grab some lemonade coming right out of a tree!

Once you’re ready to cool off, head to the lockers and change into your swim gear. Just a word of caution, you’ll likely need to plan some extra time in the restrooms as even those have some fun photo spots! After you’ve braved the bathroom adventures, head to the “Path of Doing.” You’ll begin at a giant heart that opens into El Pueblo, or “The Town,” where although it looks like you are walking uphill, the path actually is downward! It can be disorienting, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, you may want to skip this part. Along the road are many photo spots making you look like you’re leaning or even upside down! After your trip through the “town” you will enter a large sand garden with multi-colored hammocks to relax and enjoy some sunshine. Off to the side you’ll see a cave entrance that has my family’s favorite activities, The Slip (a waterslide through the jungle), Bird Flight (a flat zip-lining experience where you fly over treetops and into a cave), the Sludgerie (a strangely relaxing mud float), and Riverlaxing (a spa like experience where you slowly float through the caves). We loved this section so much, we did it twice!

 

 

 

 
What makes Xenses so instagram worthy?
The experiences here are unlike anything else in Mexico! Sure, everyone loves a good toes hanging off the end of a lounge chair sitting beachside pic, but coming to Xenses will set your photos apart from anyone else on the gram! I mean, how many people post pictures of themselves or their families covered head to toe in a dark cave while on vacation?!? This unique one-of-a-kind destination has stunning jungle backgrounds, flamingos, macaws, lemonade fountains, and so much more. Plus, they’ve already got the cameras setup exactly where they need to be to get the best lighting, angles, and forced perspective to get that perfect shot! Just tap your band and stick a pose!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
How much is it and how can you book?
When you book a vacation package with me, Travel by Kelley with Vincent Vacations, I’ll help walk you through all the details including pricing and transportation options for your dates as they vary by season. For this trip in September of 2022 including transportation for my family of 4 including the photos, we paid roughly $550. Xenses is for children ages 5 and older and includes locker rentals, bathrooms, showers, and free parking. Extra cost options include souvenirs, photos from the park’s cameras, food and drinks from the snack bar. It’s best to plan at least 5 hours to get the full experience.
Why use a travel agent anyway?
By using my services, I help you create the best itinerary for your vacation time and money. I don’t charge any planning fees and help you take care of any problems you may encounter during your vacation. With hundreds of resorts in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area, I will help you pick the best one based on your budget, family size, and desired activities/interests. Basically you get a free personal travel assistant (who wouldn’t want that right?!). I love spending time curating the perfect packages for my clients and I hope to help you and your travel group.
Want more information on my services?
Send me an email at Kelley.Huff@VincentVacations.com or Click Here for a Free No-Obligation Quote

 

Inquiring minds want to know… Why are travel advisors always traveling?

Well folks I am here to solve the mystery. While it may seem to be a selfish act at first glance, we really travel to better ourselves and the services we provide our clients.

As a travel advisor we value our experiences outside the office just like a lawyer may value and even require continuing education classes for their profession.  Continuously visiting destinations we sell and hotels/resorts we send clients to, is the equivalent to continuing education for a travel advisor. We partner with these resorts/ hotels and even tourism boards to build trusting relationships that we can rely on when we suggest them to our clients.

Travel advisors are doing the ground work for our clients each time we set foot in destination. We go and experience/ test out the drinks, beds, service and even pool temperatures  so you can trust our suggestions and take pride in knowing you are booking your trip with a professional. We understand that this trip may be a financial investment for you or even a bucket list adventure. We want you to know that we take that seriously and we have the research to back it up.

In conclusion, yes travel advisors do travel often. Why do we do it?

We go so you know; 

where to stay ( hotel / resort / city centre or suburbs)
what service level to expect during your stay
where to eat, what sights to see, what tour companies will match your travel style
what the best time of year is to visit
what your transportation needs may be

Travel advisors go so you can rest assured that you have booked with a professional. Who is continuously working to stay informed on new and noteworthy destinations as well as staying up-to-date on your favorite travel spots. Us travel advisors are invested and want you to have the best experience.

Recently, one of my sisters and I visited Dublin, Ireland. We spent five days exploring Dublin.

Unlike most Ireland trips, we did not venture out to different parts of the country. We stayed in Dublin and saw everything Dublin had to offer. We were not disappointed! There is so much to see and do just in Dublin. Here are just a few of things we did while in Dublin.

-Bike Tour through Dublin

-Went to Mass at Christ Church Cathedral

-Walked around the gardens at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

-Guinness Storehouse Tour

-Visited Trinity College

-Learned about The Book of Kells

-Ate Fish-n-Chips and Beef Stew in a pub

-Viewed art at National Gallery of Ireland

-Enjoyed maroons at Ladure’e

-Spent the afternoon tasting delicious food at The Taste of Dublin

Although I recommend visiting other parts of Ireland; sometimes you can only visit one city. And you know what; that’s ok. It’s your vacation! The beauty of traveling is having the freedom to select what you see and do.

Ireland is a great destination for a first international trip. Ireland is a great destination for a seasoned traveler. Ireland is just a great destination. The Irish people are extremely friendly and the country’s beauty is something you do not want to miss. Trust me.