Read anything about the island, and you’re bound to learn that Antigua has exactly 365 beaches – one for each day of the year. You’ll also read about the island’s endless days of sun and stunningly gorgeous azure water. And while these things are true, they don’t capture the heart of this friendly little island, a former English colony where cricket games are an afternoon tradition and colorful roadside restaurants beckon with cornmeal and okra dumplings and cold bottles of Wadadli, the local lager.

Barely a hundred square miles, Antigua is particularly accessible, and exploring by car is a fun and rewarding experience – just stay alert for the bearded goats who sometimes wander into the road! Here are our personal recommendations for exploring the island:
 
1. Take the Dip in Half Moon Bay
No trip to Antigua is complete without a visit to Half Moon Bay. This family friendly beach is a national park that attracts visitors and locals alike for its stunning pink sand beach and quality snorkeling. Local vendors often sell food here, such as salt fish sandwiches topped with the local hot sauce, making it the perfect spot for a snack and swim.

 2. Explore English Harbour
One of the most popular spots in Antigua, beautifully restored English Harbour has enough attractions to last an entire day. From pristine beaches and panoramic trails to restaurants, art galleries and historical monuments (this is where you’ll find Nelson’s Dockyards, the world’s only surviving Georgian dockyard), English Harbour is a must see.

3. Watch a Cricket Game
Cricket is serious business in Antigua, a passion considered more of a religion than a sport. From schoolyards to beaches, games are never hard to find, but for a truly fantastic experience, head to the impressive Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, built for the 2017 Cricket Cup, where you can join the cheering crowds for an afternoon of fun.

4. Hike Mount Obama
After Barack Obama won the presidential election in 2009, Antigua’s prime minister renamed the island’s highest peak after the U.S. president. Mount Obama, as it is now known, is an easy stroll along a lush jungle trail and offers spectacular views of the neighboring islands of Monserrat and Guadeloupe.

5. Dance the Night Away
Rum punch and live music fuel Antigua’s famous dance parties, where tourists and locals alike shake and shimmy to the rhythms of the West Indies. From rustic beach bars like Beach Limerz to the ever-popular Shirley Heights Lookout sited high above English Harbour, there is no better way to experience Antigua’s hospitality than on the dance floor.

6. Sail into the Sunset
Antigua has long been a favorite destination among the international sailing set. Join them by chartering your own classic wooden sailboat for the day or watching the sunset from the deck of a catamaran. Whichever way you chose, this is the quintessential Caribbean experience you’ll never forget.

Looking for the perfect resort recommendation? Contact ChrisRakes

Family vacations can be great, and there are special memories you can create when you take a trip with loved ones of all ages. Sometimes, though, you want to enjoy a romantic escape for some alone time just with that one special person. Or you want to celebrate good times and entertainment geared toward grownups with some of your best friends.
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If a childfree, mature vacation environment is what you seek, UNICO 2087 Hotel Riviera Maya is your perfect choice for a tropical dream vacation destination.

A New Twist on All-Inclusive.

UNICO 2087 redefines the entire concept of what an all-inclusive vacation looks like. This goes way beyond the standard offerings and limited choices you often encounter with packages advertised under the all-inclusive label.

The hotel was created specifically with the goal of broadening the landscape and transforming the vision of what an all-inclusive destination could be.

Rather than the standard butler service, here assistance is provided by an Anfitrión who serves as your personal host. Like a magician helping you conjure up the perfect vacation, this staff member provides guests with an insider’s guide to the local scene—and can be the secret weapon that helps you score a hard-to-get table at the most popular local eateries or clues you in to the area’s hidden gems.

Your stay also includes plenty of special extra touches, like a minibar stocked according to your personal preferences and custom-scented amenities. Make free calls to the continental U.S. and Canada or enjoy delicious meals at any of the four amazing restaurants.

You can also indulge in food and drink without leaving your room thanks to 24-hour room service. Nurture your body and spirit with the holistic fitness program and luxury spa services that include locally-inspired beauty rituals. The volcanic stones massage is a guest favorite!

The Perfect Tropical Paradise Setting.

A dream vacation starts with an amazing setting in a picture-perfect locale. The location of this hotel is so incredible that it gets star billing—it is spotlighted right in the name. From the moment you arrive, you will appreciate that this place is special.

The staff ensures your experience here goes way beyond a typical hotel stay. They will provide many options for offsite excursions and activities that let you immerse yourself in the authentic local culture, soaking in the atmosphere as if you called this area home.

Explore lesser-known landmarks in the area, and discover highlights that are considered secrets reserved solely for those who are in the know. While you are on the property, indulge in authentic culinary delights as you feast on meals carefully created with locally sourced ingredients and prepared in a traditional manner.

Soak up the sun while food and drinks are delivered to your lounge chair via poolside or beachside service. The hotel also boasts three bars with a signature mixology program and a lounge offering live entertainment.

Make your dream adults-only getaway a reality at one of the most distinctive and luxurious hotel properties in all of Mexico.

To book your reservation at this wonderful resort or learn more, contact ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com 

Book your cruise now, during this money-saving period and begin picturing that magical day when you’ve bid a fond bon voyage to those on land and you can begin relaxing on the gentle sea waters.

Of course, if you want to book a family cruise, you need to choose a cruise line that actually specializes and caters to families. Choosing the right cruise is not just about price or itinerary, it is about finding the right 'fit' for a traveler’s needs. Every cruise line has a different personality, just like hotel chains do. Finding the right personality fit for clients is like a matchmaking process: What amenities are important in the stateroom? What ship amenities are important? What type and level of activities? How does the overall vibe of the ship match the clients' vacation personality?

When assisting clients, I look at past travel history such as: What did the client like and dislike about previous vacations?  What do they like to do on vacation? I want to maximize the cruise experience for my clients, and it starts with choosing the right cruise line.

Once you have a cruise line, make sure it has everything you need for your family.  Look at the kids’ programming to make sure they offer what you need.  Does the cruise line offer family-friendly entertainment? This was always big for my family as we enjoyed going to the evening shows together. Of course, there is a time and place for parents to break away, but if you want to share the evenings with your kids, the family-friendly entertainment is a must.

Make sure that your cabins are family-friendly as well.  Disney has a split bathroom concept and slightly larger cabins than other lines, but many of the other lines are stepping it up and offering family cabins now. For example, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian rank high for multi-gen travel now, as they both have family suites. 

When selecting a family cruise, it is best to look for a cruise line and ship that has activities for guests of all the age groups traveling.  For example, if it is a multi-gen cruise, Grandma and Grandpa might like the casino, the shows or even shuffle-board, where the parents might like the sports bar, dance club, spa or to see a comedy show. Your teens might want to zipline, climb a rock wall, learn to surf or play video games, while toddlers like to play in the splash areas and at the kids’ camp. It is important to find a ship that everyone will enjoy.

In most cases, I also suggests you book a pre-night stay near whatever port you are sailing from: This way you get to the port and onto the ship earlier than most guests, and you don't have to worry about delays or canceled flights. 

For more tips and to book your next family cruise, contact Cruise Expert, Chris Rakes! 919.589.2437

There are MANY great reasons to have a destination wedding but, they aren’t for everyone. Before you decide on a destination wedding, there are some things to consider.  Some reasons a destination wedding may not be perfect for each of your guests include limited vacation time, mobility restrictions, fear of travel, budget - to name a few. 

The last thing you want to do is get off on the wrong foot as a new couple and cause a rift among your family.  First, consult with both sets of parents to make sure it works for them and then gather their thoughts about the possibility for your siblings.  Make sure you then talk it through with your siblings to make sure all can attend.  Remember, these people love you most and will want to be involved. 

Not everyone has the same lifestyle and makes the same amount of money.  I’ve never planned a destination wedding where there weren’t some budget restrictions.  Immediate family members who can’t swing the expense, are typically covered by the couples’ parents or the couple themselves. Discuss this and gain consensus from the start.

Destination wedding sizes continue to grow and more and more people are choosing destination weddings.  However, they are still likely to be smaller than a wedding at home.  The couple must be comfortable with a smaller more intimate celebration.  You can’t be offended when invited guests have to decline. Some may be just starting out, newly pregnant, etc. 

Those who can’t attend don’t have to miss it entirely.  The better resorts capture the moments by live streaming so, those back home can watch as its happening.  Many couples also offer a post wedding casual alternative celebration, for those who couldn’t attend the big party. The key here is NOT to tell your guests any of this before the wedding. You want to encourage friends and family to attend on destination as much as possible. The more the merrier and the larger the group, the bigger the benefit to the couple and group.

Talk it through, obtain a good destination wedding specialist and give guests plenty of time to plan. If you do that, you are sure to have an event you will always remember and your guests will be talking about for ages! Take it from an expert ;)

Chris Rakes - All Inclusive Vacation Expert and Honeymoon Destination Wedding Specialist