Euro Travel & More

Like most people here in Canada – we all rushed out to the south for the warmth and better weather – and you can’t really blame us when it is freezing cold here.   Last year, we had decided that we wanted to head to Jamaica and we wanted an all inclusive resort – so when the cousin reported that the Grand Palladium was darn good – we had to check it out.

The Grand Palladium has a grand lobby and you would love the resort as it is huge – so be prepared for some good walking exercises while you are there.  The location is also not bad – but you do have to travel quite a bit to other places depending on its traffic that day.

The grounds are immaculately kept and the staff are pretty awesome – they made our stay a very enjoyable one.  And what I loved about the resort most is that we weren’t hustled at all – like most all inclusive resort in Cuba or Mexico whereby they tell you all their sad stories and sometimes curse you for not buying their wares.

The beaches are wonderful – the little huts are great for children who don’t want to be in the sun for too long – we like the sunset cove beach very much.  I could lived like this forever – hahah!

The pool was huge and the pool bar was just right there – very convenient for those who loved their drinks when they are swimming – as for us – we only had the punch and water for the spouse as we both don’t drink – the house wine was ok – but I prefer ice wine which they didn’t have.

Our suite room was huge and so were the friends who came with us – love the bathroom shower and the tub as well.

This is the sunset cove.

An awesome looking sunset that makes you think of all the wonderful things in life.  The Grand Palladium also has a kid’s cove for the kids and many entertainment in the evening – definitely a great place to relax and recharge.  Lots of restaurants to choose from Mexican and the international buffet – plus American food.

My grandmother used to say that traveling can bring much knowledge more than books and I did fully understand her even when I was then a teenager.  I strive to travel as much as possible – so that I can experience other people’s culture, food and the wonderful sights one can come across while traveling.  I rarely refused a overseas posting and am always prepared for it – but little did I know the first time I was in Jamaica – beautiful beaches, hotel/resort and lots of food – but also an open outlook and sale of drugs inside and outside of the hotel.

I love Jamaica very much – but because of the drug problem I see there – I try not to choose the hotels that are not safe for my kids and family.  I don’t know about their  drug treatment for addicts there – but I know that in United States and Canada, there are places one can get help from professionals for your loved ones which I doubt Jamaica has.

Yes it was an eye opener for me – each time I step foot into different countries because each bring a long a different set of cultural practice – some I don’t mind at all – but others – like the drug selling to tourist and house guests of the hotel – that I don’t really appreciate.

Although I love taking short breaks in Cuba and Mexico – I doubt I want to stay there on a permanent basis especially with a kid.  I’m just glad that drug treatments are available here in the West readily.

Jamaica Sunset Grand was better than I had expected because I had read some really weird reviews about it.  But we were invited for a wedding many years ago – and even though it wasn’t that expensive – I didn’t want to go to somewhere – where it wasn’t safe – I’m sure you know what I mean.

The room that we were in was pretty nice – huge – and the view was ok – basically the entire property was clean – even the grounds around the resort.  The people were friendly – some might feel overly friendly – but what the heck right? you are there for a vacation and to  be merry.

It wasn’t overly crowded when we arrived – so there were plenty of space to sun tan or just do nothing.  We did a lot of suntanning and snorkeling as well as swimming. While I can’t say that the food was 5 stars – it was edible and they do try to make you enjoy your meals as well.   There were plenty of fresh juices and fruits the entire day and sandwiches and sausages and eggs for brekkie.   Those who loved the grill would definitely enjoy them during lunch or dinner – I had fish a lot during my stay with them.  You can also venture out to the Japanese restaurant or the Italian one if you want -  wine was decent although we are no drinker – but one must try and tip them well – for the staff do make extra effort and go the extra mile for you.

The wedding took place in this beautiful setting, everything went well – we were just there for the witnessing of a lovely couple – and a happy family.

There were like 3 pools in the resort – the beach was quite private too – they had music playing at the pool.  For those who wants to go to the town of Ocho Rios – it’s not far from the hotel – take  a brief walk and you can do a little sightseeing and buy anything you like.

I loved the palm trees it reminds me of home and do check out the massages – the masseuse usually try and get an appointment with all their guests in the hotel. And do tip them as well – they only make a commission.  I wished i was there for a longer period of time – but we could only stay for 5 days instead of the usually 7 – but overall – it wasn’t a bad resort – so check it out yourself.

The spouse best friend got  married in Fiji Island a few years ago – and it was a great wedding – a few thousand dollars – a few invited friends and family – a set of  military rings for the bride and groom (since the groom was in the army) – and they flew  themselves to the island and that was it.  The rest was taken care by the resort and its professional – but hang on a minute – you have to book the wedding a year in advance and pay for it.

They do provide a wedding planner -  the person to officiate your wedding – and they prepare all the marriage license and food, champagne, wedding cake  – and if you didn’t bring a wedding entourage – they can provide you with one.  The wedding was simple – but it was beautiful – if I were the bride I cannot ask for more.  Plus the military wedding rings were specially made to order and the wedding couple gave a set of military cuff links to the men who attended the wedding and for the ladies? a very beautiful military bracelet – nice touch I have to say.  But the groom and the bride met in another military wedding – so you see how significant the wedding favors were to them.   So if you are planning a wedding in Fiji – you will really love it because the bride told me that there was absolutely no stress – she just got the dress – hop onto a plane – and the rest was taken care of.

Romantic right?

Ahhhh! don’t you just loved the Dominican Republic – we were there a few years ago – but this time we went to the Gran Bahia instead of the Puerto Plata like we usually do – when we visit the Dominican.  We flew from Toronto to the Dominican Republic because we were first at the Nigeria Falls for a wedding.   The wedding was quite a hectic one – therefore we decided we should take the opportunity to relax in the Dominican Republic.

We cannot say enough good things about the Gran Bahia – and it was about the same time now – that we had gone up to the Dominican Republic a few years ago.  And this is the famous Macau beach in Punta Cana -  lots of tourists in this area – and the locals are very hospitable and friendly.  I would bring lots of USD$1 in change if I were you for tipping and to give the kids something to buy their treats with – they delight in just $1.   Checking into the Gran Bahia was pretty quick too – the rooms are nice, we stayed in a deluxe suite and we had a private balconies to have our evening drinks at – or have our breakfast facing the ocean front.  Lots to do at the Gran Bahia – from swimming to scuba diving or if you want to go para-sailing the concierge can assist you.

Going to the Gran Bahia reminds me of home – the tropics and the tropical island – the lizards and the palm trees.   Not everyone of the staff spoke in English – but those that cannot – they try to help too – they are very nice – we left a tip every day for housekeeping – and I’ve noticed more towels and they really cleaned our room well.

Check out the cigarette butt stand – they even have the Gran Bahia logo stamped onto it.  Wonder how they did it eh.

I’m sure you will enjoy this resort as much as I did.

So you are heading out to Cancun or Mexico or even to Club Med – you go for your tan – you go get your pedicure done – after all you want your toes to look nice at the beach right when you are wearing your flip flops.  But wait a minute – what about losing 5 pounds before going?  first – you would look better in your bathing suit and secondly you don’t have to be guilty about eating too much.  By the time you are done with Cancun – you will be back to the same size.  For those who have stubborn belly fat like myself click here to lose stubborn belly fat .  That’s right sisters!  think of those sexy nights – you want to spend with the boyfriend or spouse – make it a week to remember.

Vacationing in Cancun, Mexico one year – we decided to visit Xcaret the eco park by the sea.  It was a huge park with many things you can see – like a zoo – but more than that.  It has an underground river, a Butterfly Pavillion – a beach and many water activities.  You can even swim with the dolphins if you like – go snorkeling and Sea Trek.

Flamingos

A close up of a parrot after a parrot show.

Fishes on the wall.

A goat?

The very shy trainer with the parrot.

Entrance to Xcaret Plus

Baboons? or Monkeys?

Voladores de Papantla, Veracruz – where they played music around the pole and then the guys would twirl around the pole during the time the music was playing.

swinging in action – kinda dangerous – but they made it seems so easy.

Tortoise in the sand

Very beautiful scenery all around the park.

clear water for swimming

Drinks you can buy to quench your thirst in the park

I wished we had more time – but we spend 6 hrs in the park – and we didn’t finished doing everything – maybe the next time.

On the way for some live entertainment – some sexy looking man – hahah!

Entrance to the theatre – for live entertainment

Native man – a bit eerie not?  More on the live show in another post.

Yes ! air and hotel only at $299 I heard coming up – so look out for it!  I’m sure I would take advantage of the sale as soon as it comes up.   I heard that if you are the first 100 – you get up to $100 discount making it only at $100 for a 3 nite stay at some resort.  Not some lousy resort either – pretty good ones – Ocean front resort was what i was promised.  So don’t forget to check them out yourself.

Another destination to travel to try and escape the cold is definitely at the Caribbean – so I thought I would share a few pictures of what a friend of mine shared with me, he just returned after spending a awesome week there he said.  And I would have really been upset if he didn’t bring back so many nice pictures of the place and great places where I could eat the next time – he only brought back some promotional pencils !! how crazy is that..!!

How beautiful is this.. to eat out in an open air … non chilly atmosphere..!  overlooking sunset .. and eating till late in the nite.

There were a lot of Canadians there – when he was there and the people there were very friendly. The weather was warm and the food was cheap.

The courtyard to their boutique hotel in Mexico.  The rooms were cleaned and it wasn’t expensive at all.

The best friend wanted to have her honeymoon on some Caribbean cruises but the husband to be wants to visit Paris since he is a chef by profession.  Both are very good friends.. and whoever i take sides with will offend the other.  Pray tell what kind of advice can i give..? Sometimes, having traveled as much as I did is not such a good thing afterall eh.