VISITED ROME, ASSISI, TUSCANY AND VENICE

SECRETS CAP CANA - PREFERRED CLUB

MAJESTIC MIRAGE

NOW ONYX - PREFERRED CLUB

I SPENT A WEEK AT THE BEAUTIFUL MOON PALACE RESORT JUST OUTSIDE CANCUN, LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINS FROM THE AIRPORT.  THIS IS A BIG RESORT MADE UP OF THREE SECTIONS- SUNRISE, NIZUC AND GRAND.  STAYING AT ANY SECTION YOU HAVE ACCESS TO 14 RESTAURANTS WITH NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE A LA CARTES AND MANY BARS INCLUDING THE SKY BAR AND NOIR NIGHTCLUB WHICH ARE BOTH OPEN TO 3AM FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO DANCE!   WITH 14 RESTAURANTS THERE IS A GREAT VARIETY OF DELICIOUS FOOD AND THE PALACE RESORTS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON BEING PARTICULARLY ATTENTIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FOOD ALLEGIES/ISSUES.  THIS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR GOLFERS WITH A GOLF COURSE RIGHT AT THE RESORT.  GUESTS WHO STAY ON THE GOLF COURSE ARE GIVEN A GOLF CART TO USE AS TRANSPORTATION TO ACCESS ALL THE SECTIONS.  THERE IS A VERY COOL CLUB FOR TEENAGERS AND A PLAYROOM FOR YOUNGER ONES (AGES 4-12) WITH 2 KIDS POOLS INCLUDING A KIDS SPLASH ZONE WATER PARK. THOSE WHO ENJOY SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN  MAY NOT WANT TO CONSIDER THIS RESORT AS THE BEACH IS NOT SWIMABLE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF SEAWEED, HOWEVER, THE LARGE BEAUTIFUL POOLS CERTAINLY MAKE UP FOR THE LACK OF BEACH. WHILE STAYING AT THE MOON PALACE, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE SUN PALACE, BEACH PALACE AND LE BLANC IN CANCUN, THE COZUMEL PALACE IN COZUMEL, ISLA MUJERES PALACE ON THE ISLAND OF ISLA MUJERES AND THE PLAYACAR PALACE IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN. THE SUN PALACE,  BEACH PALACE AND LE BLANC  ARE DIRECTLY ON THE STRIP IN CANCUN WITH BEAUTIFUL BEACHES.  THE BEACH PALACE IS DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES SUNSET PALACE IS MORE ORIENTED TO ADULTS.  LE BLANC IS ADULTS ONLY 5 STAR LUXURY.  ISLA MUJERES PALACE (ADULTS ONLY) IS MUCH SMALLER, QUIETER RESORTS PERFECT FOR HONEYMOONERS AND THOSE WHO ENJOY SNORKELLING. COZUMEL PALACE IS A FUN, FAMILY FRIENDLY RESORT WITH A GREAT VIBE.  THERE IS NO BEACH PER SAY BUT IT IS AN EXCELLENT SPOT FOR THOSE SERIOUS SCUBA DIVERS. PLAYACAR PALACE HAS A GREAT BEACH WITH A RELAXED FEEL.  IT IS IN A EXCELLENT LOCATION JUST MINUTES FROM THE 5TH AVENUE AND THE FERRY TO COZUMEL. REGARDLESS OF WHICH PALACE RESORT YOU STAY AT YOU HAVE EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES TO ALL (COST FOR LE BLANC) AND ALL RESORTS OFFER 24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE, UNLIMITED LONG DISTANCE PHONE CALL TO CANDA & US, GREAT FOOD AND TOP-SHELF DRINKS.         

What an incredibly fun & busy city ...there is so much to do in this city that never sleeps!   A Hop On Hop Off tour is the best way to get a feel of the city and to help plan your days.  A visit to Time Square is a must along with Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building,  beautiful Central Park.   A twilight cruise is a great way to take in the stunning New York skyline.  Of course, seeing the Statue of Liberty is a must along with a show on Broadway.  I can personally vouch for the Jersey Boys!   A visit to 9/11 Tribute Center is a testament to the resilience and strength of the people of New York and a touching memorial for those who lost their lives.   Hotels run from budget to ultra luxury but one common denominator is the rooms tend to be on the small side.   You will never go hungry in the Big Apple.  There are plenty of restaurants/dining venues for all budgets and tastes.    TO DO/SEE IN NEW YORK TIME SQUARE            EMPIRE STATE BUILDING STATUE OF LIBERTY BROADWAY SHOW ROCKERFELLER CENTER RADIO CITY HALL TALK SHOWS CENTRAL PARK MADAME TUSSAUDS SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: THE EXHIBITION MUSEUMS 9/11 TRIBUTE CENTER    

I SPENT A  FEW WONDERFUL DAYS EXPLORING AMSTERDAM VISITING ANN FRANKS HOUSE, THE FAMED RED LIGHT DISTRICT AND DOING A CANAL CRUISE BEFORE BOARDING THE AMACERTO  FOR A 7 NIGHT CRUISE THROUGH GERMANY, FRANCE AND ENDING UP IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND.  CITIES VISITED INCLUDED COLOGNE, RUDESHEIM,SPEYER/HEIDELBERG AND BREISACH IN GERMANY THEN CROSSED THE BORDER TO VISIT THE LOVELY CITY OF STRASBOURG IN FRANCE.  GIVEN THAT IT WAS CHRISTMAS TIME VISITING THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS WITH THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS AND DELICIOUS SMELLS ADDED A MAGICAL TOUCH TO THIS TRIP. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE EXPERENCE ON BOARD THE AMACERTO WAS TOP-NOTCH! THE SERVICE, ACCOMODATIONS, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT AND OVERALL COMFORT MADE FOR AN ENJOYABLE VACATION - ONE THAT HIGHLY RECOMMEND.