Archives for August 2011

Caribbean Villa Resorts

Classic villas with private pool and garden at Casa de Campo

Traveling with friends, extended family or colleagues? Forget cramming into multiple hotel rooms. Experience the space and flexibility of staying at a villa resort. All of the comforts of home with the amenities of a full service resort at your finger tips. Here are just a few of my favorites in the Caribbean. Contact me today to plan your next group escape.

Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic is one of the world’s most complete and stylish resorts. Casa de Campo features Elite hotel rooms and suites, a main area including lobby, pool area, fitness center, La Cana Restaurant by Il Circo and more. Known for its excellent Dominican hospitality; outstanding variety of dining, recreation and amenities including celebrated golf courses, eco-friendly spa, private beaches, world-renowned sports, family programs for all ages, Altos de Chavon village and chic Marina.

A stay in a Casa de Campo villa is like having your own private hideaway, with the amenities of a world-class resort at your doorstep. Classic Villas range from three bedrooms up to five bedrooms. Classic Villas feature comfortable furnishings in a variety of charming styles, beautiful gardens and outdoor lounging areas. Exclusive & Oceanfront Villas range from three bedrooms up to six bedrooms and are among the most spectacular anywhere in the Caribbean. Each has extraordinary furnishings and design and include living and dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen and a pool. Each bedroom is air-conditioned and has a telephone, cable television and private bath. Kitchen microwave, a hairdryer in each bathroom, smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher are also included in every villa. The four passenger touring carts included with the villa make exploring Casa de Campo a lot of fun.

Located just a short drive from Montego Bay, this unique resort sits on four hundred acres of beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens including the resort’s private half-moon shaped bay which gives the resort its name. Half Moon boasts one of Jamaica’s oldest and finest golf courses: a par 72 championship course. The comprehensive array of facilities and amenities makes the Half Moon one of the Caribbean’s most complete resorts.

Accommodations at Half Moon range from intimate to grand, with each one of the beautifully appointed guest rooms, suites, and villas showcasing its own distinct Caribbean personality. Whether you are travelling alone, with friends, family, colleagues or that special someone, Half Moon has the perfect accommodations for you.

Choose from 197 guest rooms and suites or, for the ultimate in privacy and seclusion, try one of Half Moon’s private Royal Villas. Ranging from four to seven bedrooms, each villa features an en-suite bathroom, private swimming pool, and your very own butler, cook and housekeeper, who have all been expertly trained in the art of delivering impeccable service.

Windjammer Landing in St Lucia is unique and unlike any other Caribbean resort. It was conceived, designed and built as a village. Brick paths meander through more than 55 acres of lush landscaping, scented gardens, sparkling pools and waterfalls, covered walkways, pickled wood, and hand-painted tiles. Our residents come from all over the world, creating a village community of international vacationers and property owners. Patterned after the picturesque villages of the Mediterranean, Windjammer Landing villas are uniquely designed and secluded from neighbors by magnificent trees and flowering bushes. Stroll or take the continuous shuttle service to the heart of the village where you will find a full-service resort.

The Verandah Resort & Spa is a family friendly all-inclusive resort offers 200 suites situated on 30 spectacular waterfront acres, hidden away on the untouched northeast coast of Antigua. It lies adjacent to a designated National Park and incorporates marked nature trails, powder soft white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters where guest enjoy a breath- taking authentic tropical island experience. All spacious villas blend classic Caribbean style with modern comforts many of the villas are oceanfront, all with stunning views of the bay & ocean. Each single story duplex is 700 square feet. The combined living and sleeping areas include a king size bed and queen sleeper sofa, comfortably accommodating up to four people. The convenient interconnecting Verandah doors between adjoining suites mean easy access for family and friends. Antigua’s newest eco-friendly luxury beach resort & spa. Kids enjoy supervised activities at the resort’s dedicated Kid’s Club, featuring its own pool and climbing adventure, while teens gather for volleyball and other fun-filled activities.

Anchoring the sweeping arc of Grace Bay in the Turks & Caicos, Seven Stars is one of the Caribbean’s most acclaimed new resorts. Stylish and luxurious, it exudes the easy elegance and spellbinding beauty that defines the Turks & Caicos Islands. Its focal point and social center is the pool terrace, where guests swim in the island’s only heated salt-water pool, curl up in cozy cabanas and enjoy cocktails served by ever-present pool attendants. At the beach, snorkeling, sailing and kayaking are all complimentary.

At Seven Stars’ the broad scope of residential-style accommodations ranges from jr suites with oceanfront views and wrap-around balconies to a spectacular five- bedroom penthouse suite. All are beautifully appointed with four-poster king beds, marble bathrooms, and full or galley kitchens with granite counters and top- quality appliances.

Among the resort’s complimentary guest services are continental breakfast poolside each day, as well as yoga and Pilates.

Seven Stars also features three exceptional dining venues (the poolside Sand Dollar, The Terrace and beachfront The Deck); a full-service spa; well-equipped fitness center; tennis on three lighted courts; and supervised children’s program and play area. The resort’s 10,000 square feet of function space ensures a perfect backdrop for meetings, weddings and events of up to 200, depending on the configuration.

Surrounded by beauty Seven Stars is a place to be free, a place to enjoy with family and friends and a place to while away the day.

These are only a few of our favorite villa resorts. Ready to plan your next family getaway?

Complete my Family Travel Questionnaire to get started!

Exotic & Adventure Travel

You like the adrenalin of an adventure. Or perhaps you only define “getting away” as getting really far away—to an unfamiliar-to-you destination where everything from the language to the cuisine is exotic.

With this kind of trip especially, an expert travel agent is your invaluable resource. When you know very little about a destination and are looking to fully immerse yourself in the culture—or you’re focused more on the excitement than the details—we can match you with just the experience you’re looking to enjoy. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your next exotic adventure:

Know Where to Go

You don’t want to travel half-way around the world to find a place that’s just like home—you want something different, new-to-you and unforgettable. Here’s a quick look at several top exotic destinations and great spots for adventure travel:

Africa: Head to the “origin of life,” and have your own life-changing experience with the virtually untouched landscapes (like the magnificence of Victoria Falls), dazzling wildlife (too many to name), a range of travel options (from tented safaris to luxury lodges in the Serengeti and even wine tastings outside of Cape Town) and truly exotic people, cuisines and culture—everything here is most likely different than what you know.
South America: If you’re looking to get up close and personal with unusual wildlife, head to the Galapagos; if you’re searching for amazing history, kind people, rainforests and World Heritage sites like Machu Picchu, plan on Peru—while there, we recommend using Iquitos as your home base for exploring the amazing Amazon.
Antarctica: This unpopulated destination is hard to get to, but it’s well worth the effort just to say you’ve been there. Beyond bragging rights, here you’ll be dazzled by amazing scenery and . . . penguins! One of our favorite ways to experience Antarctica is by expedition ship (some of which can be very luxurious, if you’re so inclined).
Asia: The countries that make up Asia are home to wonderfully exotic people, cuisines and culture . . . and history buffs especially will enjoy destinations like China, Cambodia and Vietnam, where you can get a taste of ancient traditions, and where you can expect to be thrilled by modern and very futuristic offerings, too.
Alaska: If you’re a truly adventurous traveler, make your way to America’s final frontier, and you’ll be rewarded with hundreds of miles of untouched landscape, all kinds of wildlife (which you can take in with outings like polar bear treks and whale watches) and you can even fly to the top of the world in Barrow. For those looking for a hint of adventure, doing an Alaska cruise in anther way to sample this part of he word

This list is by no means complete! Contact us today and get matched up with your perfect destination and accommodation.

Know Where to Stay

You’re not in Kansas anymore. Or, maybe you are! Wherever the search for exotic or adventure takes you, it’s important to remember that what you define as a “standard” hotel room won’t necessarily translate. In other words, there are differing standards across the globe, from very modest to ultra-luxe, and it’s important to have realistic expectations for each destination. Not sure what to expect? We’ll go over all of your options and what will work best for you.

Know When to Go with a Group or Travel with a Guide

Sure, you love adventure or travelling somewhere exotic, which means you’re most likely an independent traveler. But, depending on your destination, there are myriad benefits (like access to insider knowledge and sometimes travel deals) to joining a group tour, taking a hiking/walking/biking trip or touring with a private guide. With the right group or guide, you won’t miss any of your independence, and you’ll enjoy thoughtfully planned, like-a-local experiences you most likely wouldn’t have had on your own

Villa Rentals

One of your favorite spots on earth is probably your home. Beyond a place to store all your stuff, your home is where you can be completely yourself, in a style of your choosing and with the kind of amenities you like most. Rent a vacation home for your next trip, and take that great feeling of home with you, wherever you travel.

Finding a villa rental is very similar to finding a home or apartment—there are a vast number of options (depending on your desired destination) and it can take some time to find a place that’s just right for you. Enter an experienced travel agent! Working with a travel agent can make the process a pleasure—we will help you discover what you want most in a villa rental, and then will provide choices that best match your “wish list”. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a villa rental.

Know the Basics

A “villa rental” is a catch-all term that encompasses more than just a villa (or a private vacation home that’s available for rent). You can rent a condominium, city-center apartment, beach house, country house or even a castle that is privately owned and you can also rent a villa or condo from a villa resort or hotel managed condominium. When you rent a private home or villa rental, you’ll probably find yourself in a place full of unique personality (like the owner’s favorite books on the shelves and music in the CD player) as well as a truly local experience. When you rent a villa or condo from a resort, the rental cost will often include resort amenities like spa services, kids’ clubs, restaurants and more.

Know the Benefits

Whichever villa rental option you choose, there are many benefits you’ll enjoy with this style of vacationing, like:

A Sense of Style: Take your time to pick the villa rental that best reflects your personal style . . . or try a different style on for size . . . or take your style up a notch (or two) and opt for the ultimate in luxury—whatever you’re looking for, chances are there’s a villa rental to match.
The More, the Merrier: A villa rental is a great option for families and groups traveling together—you can most likely find a vacation home for rent that has the space and privacy you require.
Think Local: You travel the world not to leave your mark on it, as much as to have the world leave its mark on you, and there’s no better way to do that than to completely immerse yourself in a local experience. Like trying the destination’s signature dish, using as many native words as you know, following the customs as best you can.

Know Where to Go & What to Get

Popular choices for villa rentals include cottages in Ireland and England, apartments in London, Paris and Rome, villas in Tuscany and the Caribbean and condos in Hawaii, Costa Rica and Belize. This is a vacation, of course, and you might not want to make the beds each morning or make dinner each night; if that’s the case, ask about staffed villa options – in destinations like Jamaica, staffed villas are common and, for a reasonable fee, you’ll find yourself in the company of your own cook, housekeeper and gardener. Need help picking your perfect place? That’s where we come in! Not only do we have experience coordinating condo & villa rentals but we also enjoy staying in rentals ourselves. We’l work with you to find out what’s most important to you, and where you can find your best match.

Know a Few Tips for Renting a Villa

1. Be Flexible: There might not be a villa rental that’s a perfect match for all of your criteria. Think about what’s most important to you, and start there.

2. Think Real Estate: With villa rentals, price often reflects location—a beachfront villa, therefore, will often cost more than a similar villa located up the hill.

3. Think Amenities: When comparing villa rentals, look beyond number of bedrooms and find out if the homes have the amenities you most desire, like air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, outdoor living space, onsite staff and a pool.

4. Buy Insurance: Most villa rental reservations are non-refundable, so getting appropriate travel insurance will cover your investment in the event that you have to cancel for covered reasons.

5. Be a Good Guest: You might be fine with putting the kids to bed on the couch, but the homeowner may not approve, or there might be local fire codes that prohibit such behavior. Know the homeowner’s rules, and then follow them.

Ready to get started?

Travel by Darcy specializes in upscale vacation rentals and works with reputable property management firms in the following locations:

Apartments in London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice
Villa/Cottage/Castle rentals in England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Greek Isles
Villa rentals, villa resorts & condos throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii

Most apartment rentals have a 5 night minimum stay (surcharge for fewer nights). Villa rentals are available on a weekly basis from Saturday to Saturday.

Unlike websites like homeaway, flipkey, vrbo etc. where an owner can list their property without going through any type of vetting process whatsoever, I only work with professional property management firms for apartments and vacation rentals. This is essential to ensure my clients are staying in a legal vacation rental and that the home is routinely maintained and inspected. In addition to this level of quality control, this means there is a local office available to assist you should you have any questions or issues during your stay. Professionally managed homes do tend to be slightly higher (10-20%) but the peace of mind is truly priceless.

Contact me today with your group needs. You’ll want to have an idea of:

-Where you want to go
-When you want to go
– The budget you’d like to work with for the week
– The number of people in your group including any children
– Any special needs or requests (ie. location, view, # of bathrooms, pool or any other must-have amenities)

Group Travel

There’s more than just safety when it comes to numbers—there are travel discounts and other special perks to be had. Welcome to the benefits of group travel! We can help you with every aspect of your group’s trip; in the meantime, here are some things to keep in mind when planning for your next group vacation.

Know the ABCs of Group Travel

If you’re traveling together with a number of people—typically, 10 or more—you might qualify for group travel privileges. Group types are traditionally family members, friends, colleagues, club members, church members, corporate incentive groups and seniors. Group travel discounts and special perks often apply at:

Resorts: You may qualify for a group discount based on the number of people traveling together (expect a 10-room minimum); This is a great option if you’re looking to plan a corporate retreat, extended friends & family trip and for Destination Weddings. Resort options vary so talk to us about your group makeup so we can recommend a perfect fit for your group experience.
Cruises: This option typically gives you the most bang for your group buck, especially if you select a cruise that departs from a port in the United States, as airfare will then be more affordable; You can also usually book more than a year in advance which gives everyone more time to budget for their vacation
Condo and Villa Rentals: Both are a smart choice for groups as they generally afford more space and flexibility;
Custom Tours with Your Own Private Car/Bus and Driver: This option—which allows you to get a highly personalized destination experience—is popular in Europe and is growing popularity in the United States and Canada;
Existing Tours: You can join an existing group tour to get in on the savings—there are dozens of group tour companies that offer motorcoach tours around the world; while often more affordable, these tours are not for everyone (up to 50 people per tour) so small group travel (fewer than 20 people) and themed group trips (hiking, biking, walking, food and wine, etc.) are becoming more popular. A few of our favorite group tour companies include Globus Journeys, Insight Vacations, G Adventures, Tauck and Abercrombie & Kent for those looking for something more upscale.

Pick a Group Leader

The organizer of the group—the head of the family or the business owner—is often identified as the group leader, and is typically the one to contact the travel agent for assistance in negotiating the group travel discounts and other special perks. The leader, who typically does a lot of leg work, will often enjoy special privileges, like cruising for free when planning a group cruise.

Plan Your Group Trip in Advance

We recommend planning your group trip six or more months in advance, when possible, to ensure good pricing and to give everyone a chance to budget for the trip. For more must-know tips like this, contact us and then get ready to enjoy the privileges of group travel.

If you live in the Seacoast New Hampshire area and are a member of a local club (Historical Society, Business Network Group, Garden Club, Golf Club etc.) or a friends & family group thinking of taking a trip – contact me! I’ll be happy to speak at your local meeting or put together a presentation for your group.

Custom Travel

A great trip isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Rather, your greatest adventures are uniquely your size, reflecting your style and budget. An easy way to get personal when you travel is with customized vacation planning, which can be a private tour (meaning, you’ve hired a driver and guide to explore a destination with your preferences in mind) or a custom independent trip (meaning, many elements—like accommodations, transportation, entertainment and dinner reservations—have been pre-booked for you, each one reflecting your tastes).
An expert travel agent is a great resource for customized vacation planning, recommending drivers and guides, or making all the many vacation reservations for you. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a customized vacation or privately guided trip.

Know the Benefits

It just makes sense that the more personal the approach, the more satisfying the outcome. This is true is all areas of life, and especially when it comes to travel. After all, you’re spending valuable vacation time and money to have your best vacation experiences—and the more personal, the better!

There are many benefits to having at trip tailor-made to your specific needs; here are just a few:

Confidence: Wondering if you might be missing an experience you’d love is a terrible worry to have while traveling, and customized vacation planning diminishes that concern. Instead, you can travel in confidence, knowing your private tour or custom independent trip inherently reflects the things you like most.
Ease: Unless you’re planning on lounging on the beach for the duration of your stay, a trip is not necessarily a restful event. Think about it: You’re on the move, staying in new places, meeting new people, trying new things, transporting your belongings and possibly speaking a different language than you speak at home while navigating a new culture. How exhausting! With a trip designed just for you, however, you can rest assured that your i’s have been dotted and your t’s have been crossed, and that what’s in store for you is specifically designed to please (and ease) you.
Special Pricing: We have access to travel deals and discounts only available when you book more than one trip element at a time.
Getting Personal: Custom planning can include as little or as much as you want, from airfare plus transportation plus hotel, to private guided services, to simply joining an existing tour for a day.

Know Where to Go

Popular areas for customized vacation planning include Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean (where island-hopping is best when personalized and planned ahead). What do all these areas have in common? They are all destinations within destinations, meaning they are big and offer so many options that there might not be an organized group tour that covers everything you want to do in one visit. So you pick a city—say Amsterdam or Auckland—or a spot—like the French Riviera or the Gold Coast—and you tailor an itinerary to include the sites you most want to see so your experience meets, or exceeds, your expectations.

Travel by Darcy specializes in planning customized trips worldwide. Contact us today for your initial consultation!

* Please note “plan to go” deposits may be required on some trips in order to start the quoting and planning process. Contact us for more information