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Pink City Mojito

Pink City Mojito, Fairmont Jaipur

Is India on your travel bucket list? If it is, contact me! There are some amazing offers right now to explore this fascinating country.

Either way, here is a fun, fresh mojito recipe courtesy of the Fairmont Jaipur!

Ingredients

Yield: 1 Cocktail

• 1 Part White rum

• 1 Part Pomegranate Liqueur

• 2 Parts Pomegranate Juice

• 1 Tbsp Fresh Pomegranate Seeds

• 8 Mint Leaves

• ½ a lime cut into small cubes

• Club Soda to Top up

• Garnish: Mint sprig dusted with Edible Gold dust and a lime wheel

Preparation

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

• Place mint, ½ of the pomegranate seeds, and lime in a tall glass muddle all ingredients

• Top glass with crushed ice.

• Add white rum, pomegranate liqueur, pomegranate juice and top with club soda

• Add remaining pomegranate seeds and stir gently

• Served garnished with a edible gold powder dusted mint sprig and lime wheel

Other notes

Fresh pomegranate was a favorite of the Mughals – they believed it to be fruit of the garden of Paradise. At Fairmont Jaipur, this delicious cocktail pays homage to the Pink City and its favorite fruit.

Ok, can you say YUM?!

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

All-Inclusives

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jamaica

Let’s face it: It can be difficult to properly budget for a vacation, especially when you factor in the (unknown) costs of essential elements like meals and entertainment. Enter the all-inclusive vacation! While the cost of most standard accommodations cover only the room itself (and certainly not what’s in the mini bar), an all-inclusive vacation means the price you pay includes much more than where you put your head at night.
All-inclusive options at some hotels, resorts and even cruise lines run the gamut from including just a few things to including absolutely everything (yes, even what’s in the mini bar). With so many choices, you can rely on us to help you identify exactly which will work best for you. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning an all-inclusive vacation.

Know What’s Included—and What’s Important to You

You’ll want to be prepared when planning an all-inclusive vacation by finding out what’s included in the price, like:

Dining options (like number of restaurants and bars, how many meals and types of beverages are included as well as dining restrictions, if any);
Number and types of activities;
Number and location of pools (and if there are separate pools for kids and adults);
Kid’s programs (including age ranges, available times and additional costs if any);
Room types and location of rooms—all-inclusive resorts and hotels can be quite large, so the location of your room (in the back, right on the beach or near the pool) is an important element to consider ahead of time; and
Gratuities.

These are just some of the specifics to consider when choosing an all-inclusive. We can work with you to find out what’s most important to you, and where you can find your best match.

Know Where To Go

All-Inclusive resort vacations are predominately located in Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean. You will find optional all-inclusive supplements at resorts in Belize, Tahiti and Fiji. There are also upscale all-inclusive cruise lines with all meals, beverages, gratuities and even shore excursions included!

Know the Policies—and What to Expect

It’s important for you to be clear on what is included in the policies. As an example, spa treatments, off site tours and motorized water sport equipment are often available only at an additional charge. Trust us: You’ll want to know if you’re going to be charged for all sorts of incidentals, like renting snorkel gear! Some places offer enhanced amenities for certain rooms, so you should look for “club” or “preferred” room types—keep in mind that these rooms are usually in a more desirable location on the resort and come with additional perks and benefits.

Know If It’s Right For You

All-inclusive vacations tend to appeal to North American and European travelers, and can range from moderate to upscale, and from family friendly to adults only to a party scene best for singles. To make sure you get what you pay for—and you get exactly what you want—contact us to plan your all-inclusive vacation.

Complete my Family Questionnaire or Honeymoon Questionnaire to get started!