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‘Don’t you worry ’bout’ a thing.’

Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to worry about a thing on your vacation? Guess what? You don’t.

By booking an all-inclusive vacation, you can put your worries aside. You get everything you need for just one rate!

All-inclusive resorts include not only room accommodations, but also unlimited food and beverages, on-site activities and entertainment, as well as tips, service charges, and taxes.  Some resorts offer additional amenities such as discounted local tours and attractions, spa, golf, fitness, and more!

Pay one price and leave your wallet behind? Sounds pretty neat to me!

Ready to be pampered like royalty? One of our favorite  all-inclusive resorts is Sandals.  Sandals Luxury Vacations include all meals, anytime snacks, fine dining, unlimited premium drinks, scuba diving, unlimited golf (participating resorts), land sports, tips & gratuities, water sports, world-class entertainment, hotel taxes, airport transfers, and more. Optional round trip air can be included during the booking process or added on to your reservation later.

Sandal’s boasts 13 resorts in 4 different locations:

• Jamaica
• Antigua
• Bahamas
• St. Lucia

Each of the resorts offer luxurious accommodations.  All suites feature such refinements as four-poster mahogany beds and marbled baths and include the services of a Sandals  Concierge who is dedicated to fulfilling your every whim.

Sandals resorts feature an average of 5 and as many as 8 distinctively different dining ambiances to create a culinary tour of the world’s greatest restaurants.

Every Sandals destination sits directly on a gorgeous beach. Enjoy the endless white sand expanses, exquisite turquoise waters, and romantic sunsets.

When it comes to entertainment, Sandals has you covered. They offer a broad range of activities, whether you’re looking to go on a windsurfing adventure or just relax in one of their many whirlpools.

If you are looking to get away with that special someone, whether it is for a honeymoon or a romantic vacation, Sandals may be the place for you.

Call us today at 812-479-8687 or 800-937-8688 for more information about how you can book your Sandals vacation!

Also, come out to our Sandal’s Night on Tuesday, February 28, at 6:00 p.m.  A Sandals representative will present tips and details on the romantic and luxurious Sandals locations–Jamaica, Antiqua, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Turks, and Caicos. Call today to R.S.V.P. or join our Facebook event page!

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Hey all! Jan Voegerl here,

I’m a travel agent with Ambassador Travel and I just wanted to give you a review on the Royal Hideaway Playacar, in the Riviera Maya where my husband, Dean, and I recently vacationed!

There has recently been a lot of bad press surrounding Mexico; however, in places such as the Riviera Maya and other tourist areas, are safe and are really great places to vacation. For example, the city of Playacar is completely gated – very safe!

The service is spectacular is more ways than one! The dining is fantastic, and the great service there continues all throughout the resort! There is a concierge desk at each villa with an attendant to assist you from 9am to 5pm in booking your spa reservations, contacting tour companies for any excursions, and making dinner reservations, or any other service or plan you may want during your stay.

One of my favorite parts of vacations, especially in exotic places such as the Riviera Maya, is trying out different types of food. The gourmet food was delicious, and the service was impeccable! When you leave any of the restaurants, even the breakfast buffet, they all ask if there is anything else they can do for you.

While there were probably no more than 150-170 people at the resort, we quickly discovered you still need reservations for dinner each night. There were some nights that we couldn’t get reservations any earlier than 8 pm; however, we often arrived before our scheduled time and we were still seated immediately.

The Las Ventras, the main restaurant at the resort, has two separate rooms for groups who come together for dinner, one holds 6 and the other holds 12. The rooms can be used at no extra charge, but they do have to be reserved in advance, just like the other dinner tables. If you’re looking for something really special and unique, they have a separate room called the Chef’s Table. The Chef’s Table does cost an extra $120; however, you are right back where the chefs kitchen is, watching he or she to prepare meals, show their culinary art and maybe even do some culinary tricks! You can also request a special meal if you desire, because you are dining in the company of the chef himself!

Most of the meals served are 7 courses with sherbets to clean your palette between the courses. It normally took 1 to 1½ hours or so to eat, so we figured the delay and length in reservations was to account for the full amount of time for each guest for dinner, and to avoid having anyone wait to be seated.

In keeping with the excellent level of service and personal touches, there were name cards for every guest at our dinner table. The waiters are more than accommodating, and the chefs at each restaurant will literally do almost anything to fulfill any request made by a guest at the resort. Whether someone requests a different type seafood for a dish, a different topping or a special side, they’ll do what they can to accommodate you.

Aside from Las Ventras, there are numerous other dining options as well! There is Palazzo, a classic Italian restaurant, and The Grill, a restaurant featuring different types of international cuisine. The Grill has a special touch because it has a beautiful ocean view. There is also an Asian restaurant serving Oriental cuisine. For the sushi lovers you there, it even has a special side section where you can sit from 6pm-10pm and have fresh sushi custom made for you, right before your eyes!

Of course I can’t talk about the beautiful Riviera Maya without mentioning the beach! They beach was wonderful. After a large hurricane in 2004 they redesigned the entire beach, making it better than it even was before! For it being a private resort beach, it is quite large and it is extremely beautiful. It doesn’t have the large rocks you may often find at resorts further up north, so it’s much more safe and provides for a more calming and serene environment.

While you’re on the beach, the resort has flags you can take with you to the beach to put in the sand … and they serve multiple purposes! Not only do they hold your place, they also signal for the waiters to come down to the beach to take orders for drinks or even for food. You could literally spend the entire day on the beach and eat your full three meals for the day, and never have to move from your spot! They truly wait on you hand and foot, providing you with a feeling of elegance, importance, and luxury.

Even with all of the spectacular things to do and see at the resort, if you so desire, you can leave the resort and take a taxi to Playa del Carmen for shopping or activities for just $7.00 each way! Want to go a little further? You can catch a ferry to Cozumel for just $7.00 each way. The ferry to Cozumel is $26 rounds trip per person.

It was a great vacation and we had a lot of fun. I would definitely encourage the use and booking of all-inclusive resorts because of the peace of mind they inspire. When you first try it, walking out of your room with only your card in your hand may feel a little weird because you’re leaving your money and ID behind; however, your room card is honestly all you need! You’ll quickly get used to it, and knowing that you don’t have to monitor yourself on a budget the entire vacation makes it much more enjoyable!

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The renowned Disney Cruise Line is preparing to expand their fleet once again!

This coming March, 2012, Disney Cruise Line will release it’s fourth ship in their fleet, The Disney Fantasy. With all new pools, dining facilities, nightclubs, youth clubs, a spa, a fitness center, and new entertainment, everything on the Disney Fantasy ship is unique from others in the fleet; however, the high quality of customer service and attention to detail that Disney is so famously known for will be present, just as on the other ships.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship

The Disney fantasy features 14 decks, includes 1,250 staterooms and has the ability to happily accommodate 4,000 passenger as well as over 1450 Cast and Crew Members – there is room for everyone aboard the Disney Fantasy!

The construction and interior design of the Fantasy will be unlike other ships released by Disney. In an effort to highlight and remember the “golden-age of cruising” from the early 20^th century, the ship was designed to have a very classic look and feel, with the modern amenities and technology of the 21^st century. Much like cruising in the elegance of the legendary Titanic, guests aboard will be transported to a life of glamour as well as magic and whimsy, the typical touches of Disney. From beautiful murals to shimmering light fixtures and glamorous furnishings, guests will feel as though they are truly cruising in luxury.

The luxury begins when guests enter the atrium of the ship, where they are greeted with a magnificent statue, appropriately named, Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse. Minnie is dressed as many of those who traveled in the “Golden Age of Cruising,” the 1920s and 1930s, in vintage fashion and surrounded by her steamer luggage. Cast in bronze to embody the extravagant atmosphere, Minnie welcomes all passengers who board the ship.  The three-deck atrium lobby also features soaring fluted columns, a grand piano, a marble and stone floor and a sweeping grand staircase. Looking up to the ceiling, guests will see a glitzy chandelier made of beautiful crystal beads and stained glass.

Disney Fantasy Atrium

After entering through the magnificent atrium, guests will be able to make their way to their rooms. With room options that comfortably fit a couple or all the way up to a family of five, there is something available for everyone. All staterooms aboard the Disney Fantasy are equipped to give each guest a magical experience. Whether guests choose a room on the inside without windows, or upgrade to a suite with a private balcony, all will have a beautiful view of the sea. Disney has been a trendsetter within the industry, being the first to introduce “Magic Portals.” Disney’s Magic Portals are faux windows, equipped with a camera that leads to the outside views, making every room look like they have some sort of view of the outside world. The cameras are on real time, so guests, even on the interior, will be able to see the sunrise and sunset of the day. Keep a lookout, sometimes Nemo will swim by on the screen, or Goofy may be floating on a raft! Magical Disney characters will sometimes be added to the already wonderful view!

Outside of the rooms, guests can enjoy many of the activities and amenities offered aboard the Disney Fantasy.  There are three themed pools, a play area with water for children, and a standalone waterslide. The AquaDuck and AquaLab are Disney’s newest children’s pool additions. There are two adults-only pools, the Quiet Cove Pool, featuring a 4 foot deep main pool, or Satellite Falls, an exclusive area on Deck 13 with a circular splash pool with benches and a gently cascading rain curtain, setting a mood of serenity and relaxation. Donald’s Pool, Mickey’s Pool, and Nemo’s Reef are all children’s pools; Mickey’s Pool is complete with a waterside and Nemo’s Reef features fountains, pop jets and bubblers.

Nemo's Reef

An exciting addition to The Disney Fantasy pools is the AquaDuck, a transparent tube water coaster that extends past the side of the ship, and emptying into a funnel that then empties into a lazy river. Below the AquaDuck is the AquaLab, an 1800 square foot water play area for youngsters featuring geysers, pop jets, bubblers and water experiments that will be wild and wet fun for the whole family!

Whether the sun is up or down, there are other places guests may frequent aside from the pools. The Disney Fantasy is equipped with numerous clubs, from youth clubs to nightclubs. Disney Cruise Line provides Disney-themed kids clubs, areas and immersive interactive programs and activities designed to allow your child’s imagination to soar aboard the Disney Fantasy. From the “It’s a Small World Nursery” for the littlest ones, ages 3 months to 3 years, to “The Tube,” an adults-only nightclub. There are seven youth and family clubs or lounges, including “Edge” for the tweens, ages 11-13, and “Vibe,” for teens, ages 14-17, all with their own unique theme. The Disney Magic isn’t just for kids and families either! There are nine adults-only bars and lounges on the ship, from the “Skyline” bar that offers gorgeous changing views of the European skyline from day to night, to “Ooh La La,” another lounge, with similar features and furniture to the Victorian times, very ornate and extravagant, continuing the feeling of luxury for the guests aboard.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

To wind down after the pools and parties, the Disney Fantasy is equipped with a full-service fitness center, a full spa and a sports deck! Relax at “Senses Spa & Salon” where you can look out onto the sea while being pampered with manicures, massages, haircuts and facials, or work off some stress at the fitness center, equipped with yoga and Pilates classes, weight machines, and other state-of-the-art devices. Wanting to get the whole family involved? Try “Goofy’s Sports Deck,” an open-air activity deck with a basketball & volleyball court, miniature golf and much more!

One of the many things that any cruise line is well known for is their food! The Disney Fantasy is no exception; there are six different restaurants to choose from, many of them with themes! There are restaurants such as Palo, an adult exclusive restaurant with an Italian cuisine theme, or Remy, another adult exclusive venue with French inspired décor and dining! For families, Cabanas, the Enchanted Garden, and the Royal Court serve a variety of meals and have different themes as well! Finally, in line with the Disney tradition, there is Animator’s Palate, offering not only a delicious dinner, but also a delightful show featuring some of your favorite Disney characters!

The Royal Court

The Disney Fantasy not only features a dinner show, but numerous other shows as well! Of course, all over the ship there are character greetings with numerous Disney characters aboard the ship! Whether you’re by the pool or in the arcade, a character could be right around the corner! The Disney fantasy features two theatres, the Buena Vista Theatre, offering first-run movies and digital 3-D films, as well as the Walt Disney Theatre, providing the stage for Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, a 45-minute, Broadway-style musical featuring the characters and songs from the original Disney film!

The Walt Disney Theatre

 Regardless of what your favorite activity may be, it is available aboard the Disney Fantasy! Whether you bring your family, or go as a couple, Disney will be there to accommodate your every need. Coming aboard the Disney Fantasy will not only be a step back in time, to the luxurious golden age of cruising, but you’ll also constantly be surrounded  by the Disney magic we all know and love!

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Recently in the travel industry, there has been an increase in online companies presence, companies that help customers to book online and skip meeting and booking with travel agencies. It makes the user their own travel agent, searching and looking for vacation locations and prices and fit their own budget.  This may sound like a deal; however, there thousands of online travel sites available for use. It may take hours, or sometimes even days to “shop around” and find the best deal. These are not only a waste of time, but they’re very stressful and can often be confusing. The World Wide Web has millions of online sites and deals, and “being your own travel agent” can soon become overwhelming.  While you think you may be saving money by planning with an online site, you may be fooling yourself. Travel agents will generally be able to earn you that rate, or better, be able to notify you of small print and hidden fees, as well as saving you hours and days worth of your time.

While it may seem like the popular trend is to book with online companies now, the statistics beg to differ. According to a Travel Industry Survey by Travel Weekly, travel agents are the leading distributors of travel products and services. Travel agents sell 87% of cruises, 81% of all tours and packages, 51% of all airline tickets, 47% of all hotel stays, and 45% of all car rentals. Even with all of the travel sites available, many clients still choose to book with travel agencies because they know the savings and benefits will outweigh the costs.

Travel agents have strong relationships with travel suppliers. They work directly with the suppliers in order to be alerted of the best deals and offers as soon as they are available. Just like any other corporate workplace, this is their job, their career, and travel agents are professionals. They have a large network of resources and generally years of experience. Agents will be able to give you their professional opinion and advice because of their experience with the travel industry as well as recommendations from their own personal travel experiences. Instead of spending hours searching through thousands of sites, agents have software and computer reservations systems that enable them to sort through all of the vendor’s sites at one time. Their systems will have the most up-to-date information on hotels, car rentals, airline tickets, and last minute specials, often not available on the Internet.

Agents also know all of the “hidden fees” you may need to take care of before your trip such as travel visas, passports, fees and tolls, among many others. They will organize any travel documents you may need, update you on local laws and regulations of your vacation destination, and even recommend travel insurance that best fits your needs in order for you to have the right protection while traveling. They’ll also be able to help you put some extra fun in your vacation, planning and reserving tickets for activities such as amusement parks, museums, historical landmarks, tour packages, and other tourist attractions in the area.

Along with having the best technology and professional advice, travel agents truly care about their clients. Travel agents often keep files on all of their clients so they are able to know their preferences for future booking. Travel agent profiles may include client references such as their airline seating preference, whether they prefer smoking or non-smoking, what their frequent flier number is, where their favorite locations and hotels are if they’ve traveled to certain placed multiple times. The more information you give to your travel agent, the better they’ll be able to help custom-design your trip for your best vacation experience possible!

Travel agents are trained to always recognize the details; whether those details are about their client or the company they are booking the vacation with. Details such as restrictions and cancellations are often overlooked when simply trying to find the best deal online. Cancelations can be a tricky problem to deal with if you don’t handle them correctly, and they can be very complicated. With a travel agent, if you have to cancel your trip, the only person you have to call is your agent. No need to call the hotel, airline, or car rental company – your agent will take care of it all. Not cancelling your trip? Agents can still be helpful. Often agents can find upgrades and amenities either before or during your trip, whereas booking online, once you book, your transaction is complete. Travel agents are constantly looking out for their clients’ best interests, before, during, and after the vacation.

Along with cancelations, there can be numerous other problems that occur on a vacation. While you may be vacationing in your own personal paradise, there can always be trouble in paradise. If any problem arises during your trip, your travel agent will be there to negotiate with the hotel, airline, or whatever company you’re having an issue with in order to have the problem immediately fixed so you can enjoy the rest of your vacation. Travel Agents go to the extra mile to ensure their clients are able to enjoy their vacation without a hitch. When you pay for a travel agent, you pay for the convenience, worry-free environment, and peace of mind that your vacation will go well.

A large misconception with using travel agents is that they are overpriced, and many people believe they can find better deals online, without the extra costs. While it is true that many travel agents do charge an extra fee for booking your vacation, most travel agencies operate at a reasonable cost to their clients. True, it may be possible to book online and save a couple dollars, but what the client isn’t saving is their time, and also possibly money. Often times the online companies are not up front with the “hidden fees” or small print, especially when traveling abroad. Travel agents are a one-stop-shop. They think of everything for you, before your trip, so you aren’t hit with fees or unexpected changes before, during, or after your trip. Also, travel agents will be there for you every step of the way. They’ll often be able to find you the same, if not better price than what is being offered online, while they save you time and stress. During your vacation they’ll be there for you as well, anything that goes wrong, they’ll be on-call and able to fix it to the best of their ability. When you pay for a travel agent, you pay for convenience, help, and relief from stress – and you’ll definitely get what you pay for.

When using a travel agent, you get a well-rounded experience and you’ll feel much better about leaving for your trip. With a travel agent- there is an unspoken no hassle clause. Skip the online companies, and save yourself from wasting time, money, stress and frustration. Remember that when working with a travel agent, you’re able to set your own budget for what you want to spend and they will be more than willing to work with your price range to the best of their ability.  They are there to be a resource, to give you quotes and advice, but they will never make the choice for you. Your travel dreams will stay yours; travel agents just are there to make sure those dreams come true.

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            There is no question that the islands and seas of the Caribbean are some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Islands such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Bart’s, Antigua, Bermuda, Barbados, are often heard in correlation with “I’m going to visit the Caribbean.” These destinations are beautiful, but they are also often crowded with tourists. Picture this:  a place with untouched natural beauty and no crowded tourist hotels or beaches? Check out these five “hidden” islands of the Caribbean that are a secret gem hidden in the mass of the tourist industry.

Saba

           Saba is a small, 5 square-mile island located in the eastern Caribbean, about 28 miles southwest of St. Maarten. True, St. Maarten may be the better-known island; however, Saba received the 2010 Travel & Leisure World’s Best Away for Top Island in the Caribbean. It is known for it’s great scuba diving, bountiful rainforest that is great for hiking, and it’s beautiful coral reef. The coral reef  is subject to government regulation to preserve the reef as well as the marine life and was designated as the Saba National Marine Park in 1987. It has been preserved and has only become more beautiful ever since.

For those traveling from the USA, the travel environment will be easy to adapt to. Saba’s national language is English and the official currency is the U.S. dollar, so you can be worry-free of exchange rates or language barriers. Although it is not known for being a highly trafficked tourist destination, there are still numerous hotels and rental cottages for visitors to stay at, numerous restaurants to try and some great shopping areas. If you’re looking for the dream “tropical paradise” vacation, Saba is your destination. Saba has about  25,000 visitors annually, compared with an estimated 1.65 million to St. Marteen, giving Saba a more exclusive and quiet feel.

 Bonaire

            Bonaire is a 113-square-mile island located just east of Aruba.  Bonaire may be a secluded island, but there are numerous activities available and beautiful sights to see.  It is a great place for families with activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, land cycling or mountain biking and bird watching, still among many others.  The scuba diving is a real treat off the coast of Bonaire – colorful anemones and beautiful corals are some of the sights you’ll see while swimming alongside seahorses and sea turtles!

Many times when we think of “island life” a laid back, slow paced and serene lifestyle comes to mind, and that is exactly what you will find on Bonaire. Don’t let the atmosphere fool you though, even with their laid back reputation, they are also known for having fabulous shopping, a busy and active nightlife, and world-class restaurants. The restaurants are truly one of the “gems” of the island – specializing in Asian, French, and traditional island cuisines. Bonaire is a great option for those looking to please the and entertain the family while still being able to enjoy the quiet serenity of a tropical paradise.

 Union Island

Located only 55 miles southeast of Barbados, Union Island is a water-lovers paradise. Union Island itself is only 3 miles long and 1 mile wide; however, the beautiful waters surrounding it is what really draws in the enthusiasm. It is known to have the best sailing in the world and has earned top marks by many international sailing magazines year after year.  It has informally earned the nickname of “The Tahiti of the West Indies” for the beautiful water and white sandy beaches.  The water is warm year-round and is a beautiful setting for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. It is home to part of Horseshoe Reef, the largest barrier coral reef in the Caribbean, and the fourth largest on earth. The reef is shallow, allowing beginner snorkelers and divers to easily explore the large variety of fish and the unique coral formations.

Out of the water and onto land, Union Island still has more to offer.  Whether you want to eat a local meal, go hiking through the tropical forests, have a seaside coffee date or swim at the shore, you can do it all on Union Island. Union Island is known for its lobster and conch – you can even purchase a live lobster from a fishing boat and prepare it yourself for dinner, all while you listen to steel pan bands playing authentic West Indian music.  If you want to escape to paradise and take in the beauty of the surroundings, Union Island is the place for you.

Eleuthera

Eleuthera offers a rich history compared with the other islands – it was the first settlement in the Bahamas, founded in 1648 by the first European settlers. Some of the locals tell stories, believing it to be the fist place Christopher Columbus stopped before his visits to the other islands of the West Indies. Also in Eleuthera’s history, there have been more natural wrecks off it’s coast than off any other island in the Bahamas. It is famous for “The Devil’s Backbone,” a jagged and shallow reef across it’s northern shore. If you choose to dive in the area, your guide will take you to the “devilish” spots where you can dive to find historical sunken shipwrecks.

At 200 square miles, Eleuthera sits at 110 miles long and a mere 2 miles wide. Located 50 miles east of Nassau – a popular port for cruise ships, Eleuthera itself is free from cruise ships, as well as casinos, and crowds.Visit to see the rare white and pink sandy beaches. The world-famous “Pink Sand Beach” attracts an upscale crowd and has often been used for modeling shoots, such as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues. Harbor Island, a cay, or small island off the boast of Eleuthera, is famous for upscale celebrity real-estate, with tenants such as Bill Gates. Eleuthera hosts a wide array of places to stay including some upscale resorts, picturesque inns and beachy villas. In the past, Eleuthera has seen many famous visitors such as Robert De Niro and members of the British Royal Family.

Martinique 

         When it comes to fun and vibrant island culture, it is rich and very much alive in Martinique.There are numerous outdoor activities and types of entertainment to immerse yourself in. From horseback riding, canyoning, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing to Creole-inspired nightclubs, carnivals, and shopping, there is a little bit of everything for everyone on Martinique. The islanders from Martinique are always ready to party, whether it is in the nightclub doing a traditional Creole dance or just dancing and singing in the streets, Martinique is alive with the island spirit.  

Aside from the constant celebration atmosphere, there is also the calm atmosphere of a tropical island getaway. The average temperature year round is perfect – 79 degrees Fahrenheit – earning Martinique the nickname of “the island of the never-ending summer.”  It is also well-known for it’s natural beauty – beautiful rivers and waterfalls, bays, rolling hills, abundant tropical forests, coves, and countless species of trees, fruits, plants and flowers.

If you’re looking to truly immerse yourself in the island culture you may want to bring along a French phrase book because you’ll be ordering and communicating with the locals in French or Creole! 

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5 Reasons, Seriously

1. Avoid burnout – Your motivation is seriously lacking! Take some time off, clear your head, and return with a fresh mindset!

2. Reduce stress – stress can literally be a killer! You need to take time out for yourself to rejuvenate and relax!

3. Increase quality of life & work – The trip experience will definitely help to enrich and increase the quality of your life which will then increase the quality of your work!

4. Creativity Boost – The time off will relax your mind, so when you do end up going back to work, the creative juices will be up and flowing!

5. You deserve it – You’ve been working so hard lately, staying late and arriving early – why not treat yourself to what you deserve?

5 Reasons, Just to Make You Laugh

1. You start hallucinating tropical fish in the company water cooler.

2. You start answering calls at home with your work greeting.

3. Your screensaver on your work desktop is a picture of an island getaway that you’ve never seen with your own eyes.

4. Your office chair has molded to the shape of your body.

5. You can’t remember the last time you’ve been away!

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Connie Corbett

Number of Years with ambassador:  33

Number of Countries Visited: 13+

Hometown: Evansville, Indiana

1.  What item is in your suitcase that you couldn’t travel without?

extension cord

2.  What’s your most treasured travel souvenir?

my photos

3.  What’s the most memorable dish you’ve eaten during your travels?

French Onion Soup in Paris!

4.  What’s your travel motto?

“Why does a once in a lifetime vacation

have to be limited to once in a lifetime?” 

5.  Where haven’t you been that’s on your travel bucket list?

African Safari

Hot air balloon trip over California vineyards

 Italy

(I’ve been there, but can you ever have enough Italy?)

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Rusti VonderHaar

Number of Years with ambassador:  29

Number of Countries Visited: 155

Hometown: Evansville, Indiana

1.  What item is in your suitcase that you couldn’t travel without?

Scotch

2.  What’s your most treasured travel souvenir?

Native Jewelry

3.  What’s the most memorable dish you’ve eaten during your travels?

Filet of Spanish Beef with cheese

(in Spain, of course)

4.  What’s your travel motto?

Travel now or stay home

and wait for the next tornado!

5.  Where haven’t you been that’s on your travel bucket list?

Botswana

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My husband and I in Sydney, Australia in front of the Opera House.

Cindy Moschner

Number of Years with ambassador:  6

Number of Countries Visited: 11

Hometown: Newburgh, Indiana

1.  What item is in your suitcase that you couldn’t travel without?

curling iron

2.  What’s your most treasured travel souvenir?

the wine we brought back from New Zealand

3.  What’s the most memorable dish you’ve eaten during your travels?

King Prawns in 

Sydney, Australia

4.  What’s your travel motto?

“Relax and don’t worry about the

small things that happen.”  

5.  Where haven’t you been that’s on your travel bucket list?

Ireland and Scotland

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Sandals Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Krista and Kristal: Two friends determined to spend 3 entire days relaxing and laughing on the beach

Day 1

My favorite thing about Jamaica is the people.  They feel genuine and they have such a laid back personality and they are always smiling.  The first one of these infamous smiles came from Winston who escorted us to the Royal Plantation from the airport.  Once there, we met our personal butlers, Shelly Ann and Jermaine, and they were not empty-handed. Carrying champagne and chilled towels, they were instantly our new BFFs. We checked out our Ocean Front Suite and headed to the beach. Beach towels were brought to us, along with drinks and jerk chicken. It was very elegant, refined, sophisticated— until we erupted into a fit of giggles because we realized that the man we sent for the drinks was not our butler but the water sports supervisor! We were on vacation, after all.

 

Day 2

Our second day in Jamaica started with a delicious breakfast on the terrace. The chef prepared granola crusted French toast for us, with bacon and fresh fruit and the best orange juice I have ever tasted. It seems as though everything is better in Jamaica. After breakfast we toured our resort then headed to the beach. Along the way we stopped at the pool to speak with some new friends, where we were given a complimentary back massage, by the spa staff, which was fantastic. We spent the next the few hours relaxing on the beach, while being served drinks by our beach butler. Just when we thought our day could not get better we received foot massages, by our new found spa friends.

For lunch we dined on Jerk Chicken and Jamaican Beef patties, while I was dancing in my seat to Reggae music. We then spent the next couple of hours shopping at the market, where I was propositioned by a local that said, “Hey pretty lady, I like you…..can I have you?” Kristal and I laughed our butts off.

When we got back to the resort it was clear spa visit was necessary.  While Kristal got a facial, I enjoyed a massage.  The massage was amazing and it appears that I have no choice but to propose to Andrew tomorrow.

We were worthless after our spa treatments, so we ordered room service, which was delivered promptly by Shelly Ann. Kristal and I decided that, in the unlikely event that Andrew does not marry me, we will just take Shelly Ann and Jermaine home with us.

Day 3

Today we wanted to see a little more of Jamaica.  We went to Dunn’s River Falls, which was absolutely beautiful. Of course, the best part was when Kristal slipped and fell backwards, completely submerged under the water. I knew I should have helped her and been a little nicer, but I was too busy laughing and trying to take pictures. **Advice for traveling in Jamaica: BE NICE.  I have reason to believe that Karma actually applies on the island because I was paid back for my unkindness (almost immediately).  As I want to avoid being completely embarrassed, I will not disclose the details but you are warned.

Once the score was settled, we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach. When we got back to our room there was another bubble bath, with tropical flowers and candles, waiting for one of us to enjoy. We just love Jermaine and Shelly Ann. Jermaine took it upon himself to make reservations for us in the nicest restaurant in the hotel for this evening. The timing was perfect, of course, because he can read our minds. Of course dinner was fabulous again and I believe my clothes must be shrinking. It must be the warm, wonderful tropical weather.

This has been a great stay.  The service was magical. We would walk on the beach and choose some lounge chairs and within seconds our Beach Butler was there with towels and cushions. It was so nice not to have to go search for towels.  From the time we sat down, we did not have to move until we chose to.  If our drinks were getting low our Beach Butler was there asking if we would like another.  We would fall asleep and after we woke up we still didn’t have to move because all was needed was a wave and our Beach Butler was there to see what we needed. We did not have to make any dining reservations, because Jermaine and Shelly Ann took care of them for us.   We chose to dine in our room one night and Shelly Ann didn’t show up at the door with just a tray, but she arrived completely set up our table, with a white table cloth, plates and silverware.  When you stay here you are given a cell phone, so you can contact your butler anytime you need something.  Kristal and I have been so relaxed and have laughed so much that I am certain we are going to need straightjackets, because our post vacation depression is going to be horrible! Is it bad that we are hoping the airlines will go on strike and we will have to stay?

I absolutely recommend this resort to anyone looking for that intimate and relaxing atmosphere, where NO is not in the vocabulary!