 1. Try the local Jamaican favorites: Try a Jamaican beef patty, it is a local fav! It is a pastry containing various fillings and spices baked inside a flaky shell, kind of like an apple turn over. If you enjoy a good beer, pair it with a Red Stripe. Red Stripe is a pale lager Jamaica is well known for. Don't forget the Jamaican staple 'Jerk Chicken'. 2.Visit a waterfall: Jamaica is not only known for their beautiful white sand beaches, it is also known for being the land of waterfalls. You can choose the country’s most famous Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios or check out YS Falls or Blue Hole for a little more off the cuff scenery. 3. Utilize Club Mobays VIP airport services: There is nothing better than an easy airport arrival and departure, especially when you are ready to jump right into vacation mode! Utilizing Club Mobay's fast track and personalized meet and greet services along with their VIP Lounges will get you through long custom lines and is the only way to travel in VIP style. 4. Always use sunblock: The Skin Cancer Foundation always advises us to wear UV protective clothing, hat and sunglasses, but never forget your sunscreen, either. The sun in Jamaica is very strong all year long. Also consider bringing insect repellent. 5. Bring enough money for tips: Remember to bring enough singles, fives and tens in US dollars. Consider carrying your money in a fanny pack or a crossbody until you make it to your room and obtain the key to your safe. Make sure to place the money and any of your personal ID's and credit cards in the safe and take out only the money you'll need for the day. To book your next Jamaican vacation reach out to a Starstuff Travel by clicking here!
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12/16/2019 0 Comments Disney's Riviera Resort I knew the property was going to be beautiful, it's Disney, they never disappoint. I was not expecting for this resort to instantly become my new favorite hotel from the moment I walked in. For those who know me well, they know my love for Cinderella and many of the other classic princesses. This property embodies all of them and more. Many of you Walt fans also know that he was truly obsessed with Europe and being on property here actually makes you feel connected to him through their use of European architecture. Many of the hallways are covered in vintage photos of Walt, and the hallways that are not, are covered with vintage classic photos of those favorite princesses of mine. This hotel was going to win me over one way or another. Walt's saying of "it's kinda fun to do the impossible" continues on with his legacy when you visit properties such as this. Walking into the Deluxe Studio I was instantly reminded of the beauty of my childhood. The studio is so very tasteful with hints of class and sophistication a princess would expect. It is a large room with a queen bed, a queen pull down and a single murphy. The ease of having two of these beds up at night make the room extra spacious during the day for the family! This room comfortably sleeps up to 5 adults. I also really loved having the split bathroom where one person can use the shower while the other guest utilizes the bathtub with being able to maintain each others privacy with the doors in between. Primo Piatto, the food court area, is different than most other Disney properties with the open air kitchen that they offer. I found it to really go with the European flow they were striving for! The Riviera Resort also offers an ala carte character breakfast at Topolino's Terrace which Starstuff Travel will be featuring in two more weeks when we come back to enjoy a meal with Mickey and friends. For dinner you can enjoy delicious seafood and meat dishes, handmade pasta and delicious desserts inspired with French flare and Italian flavors all while enjoying a beautiful rooftop dining experience that I am dying to come back to check out. The resort offers two pools, the main pool with a neat water park type area for younger kids and a large pool area with a water slide for adults and kids to enjoy together. There is a bar area outside the main pool area with a more serene pool a few steps away if your looking for a little bit more relaxation. The ease of getting to the property is the icing on the cake. I am so excited to talk about it in further detail when I come back but for now I am so thankful to have been able to be a part of the grand opening! To book your next Walt Disney World vacation reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today by clicking here! 12/1/2019 3 Comments National Harbor, Maryland Just a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C. is a little area on the Potomac called National Harbor, Maryland. Many times confused with Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, strictly due to the word ‘Harbor’ it is actually not even really that close to the Baltimore area. Four years ago I was introduced to the head of the tourism board for National Harbor, Josh Winston, at the Las Vegas Travel Forum hosted by the Travel Show Marketing Group. During our short 6 minute round table introduction, Josh told us all about the area and I was sold in those 6 minutes. The area in Maryland is actually only about 4 hours from our agency headquarters in New Jersey so it was a very attractive selling point when considering putting together a group for Starstuff Travel to head down there at Christmas time. He put me in touch with the group department at the famous Marriott property Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center and the rest is history for our agencies annual Holiday Magic Experience in National Harbor, Maryland. This year the agency hosted our third annual group trip to the beautiful area of Maryland. It is truly nothing short of spectacular during the holiday season. It reminds me of something out of a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie. Besides all the great shopping and dining experiences available, the harbor has a great big Christmas tree right in the middle of town that offers a light show every 30 minutes and on select Saturday nights even has fireworks and snow! They also have a large movie screen in the same area of the Christmas tree where they feature holiday movies throughout the holiday season. A short walk down the pier and you can ride the Capitol Wheel which is listed as one of the ten largest Ferris wheels in the country offering magnificent views of the Potomac.  Although there are many great accommodations in the area, our group has been staying at the Gaylord National the past three years. One of my favorite parts of this trip is the ease of being able to park your car for the weekend and not needing to use it again until you are ready to head home. Everything in town is within walking distance and if you want to head to the nearby MGM Casino for a night out of gambling or the Tanger outlets for shopping they have a complimentary shuttle for those staying in any of the local hotels. Each year the Gaylord is home to ICE which is an event showcasing millions of pounds of sculpted ice that changes every year. This years theme was my favorite, the Grinch that Stole Christmas. The Gaylord also offers character breakfast that showcases whatever the theme of ICE is for that year along with Santa and Mrs. Claus meet and greets, ice skating, ice tubing, Build a Bear Workshop and many more holiday themed activities. You can see why the area would be such a draw for families looking to jump start the holiday season. The Tourism Board of National Harbor has been absolutely fantastic to work with. They are all about growing the awareness of their area and all that it has to offer. Not only during the holidays but all year long. In fact, I have been advising clients it is a great destination during times like the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. They have a ferry that will bring you over to the Wharf area of DC as well as Alexandria, VA so it would be a great alternative for those looking to attend the festival during the day but also have some awesome nightlife with the amazing dining options that the Harbor area is known for. For those not within driving distance, the National Harbor can also be reached by flying into BWI or Dulles airport and renting a car. Both airports are about forty five minutes from the area. So you can see just by reading this how 4 years ago I was sold within those 6 minutes hearing about what the Harbor had to offer me and our clients, now all that is left for you to do is actually book your next getaway or vacation to National Harbor, Maryland! To book your next National Harbor vacation reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today by clicking here! |
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