Monday, November 18, 2019

COSTA MUJERES, MEXICO - The new up and coming beach destination


If you love Mexico but are looking for a new adventure, then Costa Mujeres might be the perfect spot for you. The new development—located north of Cancun and across the sea from Isla Mujeres—is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations in Mexico.

The 1.4-acre community offers all of the beauty of Cancun without all of the crowds. The area is just now hitting travellers’ radar, so the sandy beaches still offer more privacy and relaxation than the more well-known spots like Mayan Riviera. However, this might not be the case for long, as there are big plans underway for Costa Mujeres.

Costa Mujeres, Mexico. Credit: Palladium Hotels

The Mexican government has taken notice of the unobstructed beach views, whisper-soft sand, and the convenient location just 25 minutes away from the airport. That’s why the once-gated luxury community now has 12 lots set aside for development, some of which are already open and running.

The urban development project aims to create at least 22,000 rooms for guests from all over the world to enjoy the loveliness of Costa Mujeres. If you want to visit Costa Mujeres before it’s the biggest destination in Mexico, you have some great resorts to choose from already, and even more that will be opening in the near future.  

Top Costa Mujeres Resorts

There are many newly opened resorts in Costa Mujeres (and more on the way), as well as more established locations like the small, luxury, adult-only Beloved Playa Mujeres where I personally got married in 2013. No matter which of these resorts you choose, you can be sure that you’ll find the rest and relaxation you want.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly boutique experience, Finest Playa Mujeres caters to that. Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa is also a great hotel for families to enjoy their time together.

Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa. Credit: Palladium Hotels

For individuals, couples, or groups who love the ocean views of these family-friendly resorts but aren’t looking to spend time around children, there are many options. Excellence Playa Mujeres shares a private complex with Finest Playa Mujeres but offers an adults-only experience.

Newly opened Paradisus Playa Mujeres offers restaurants, bars, and swimming pools, and is the fifth resort Paradisus has opened in Mexico. It is family-friendly but also has areas that are adults-only, so it is a good mix if you have kids old enough to entertain themselves while the adults go off and enjoy themselves.

TRS Coral Hotel is an adults-only resort on the Grand Palladium property that offers a great 5-star experience for couples seeking romance, or groups of friends looking for fun. Catalonia Costa Mujeres All Suites & Spa is another new resort with high-end amenities and entertainment.

Costa Mujeres, Mexica. Credit: Riu Hotels

Open for just about a year, RIU Palace Costa Mujeres is a 600-room all-inclusive that is kid-friendly but also has fun and entertainment for the adults. Their policy of not accepting ‘Spring Breaker’ students guarantees a more relaxed and refined experience. 

If you’re planning on travelling in the next few months and are looking for the newest luxury destination, then check out the Majestic Elegance Playa Mujeres. The 5-star resort opens in January 2020 and is offering exceptionally low rates for the first 6 months.  

What to do in Costa Mujeres, Mexico

While each resort offers food, entertainment, swimming, and more on their own premises, there is also a lot to explore in the beautiful Costa Mujeres region. You can book tours of cultural treasures in nearby Cancun, or spend a day sailing in the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

Mayan ruins of El Meco. Credit: Riu Hotels

There is plenty to see and experience in the up-and-coming Costa Mujeres area of Mexico. While the area is rapidly developing, it still holds onto the private, luxurious roots that made the spot a haven to the lucky few. With new resorts opening and offering 5-star experiences and amenities, Costa Mujeres won’t remain Mexico’s best-kept secret for long.

For more details on Costa Mujeres, Mexico, contact Romantic Planet Vacations at 1-866-247-8123 or travel@romanticplanet.ca today!

Tuesday, November 05, 2019

TOP 6 OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH DESTINATIONS for Destination Weddings or Honeymoons for 2020


Everyone wants their wedding to be special, and there are a lot of ways to accomplish that. For some couples who want a destination wedding or honeymoon, adding that little something extra could come by choosing a unique location. In this article, we’ll tell you about our favorite “off-the-beaten-path” destinations for weddings and honeymoons for 2020.

St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Even if you’re familiar with the world of destination weddings, you may never have heard of St. Vincent and The Grenadines. Not only does this collection of islands in Caribbean have beautiful, white sandy beaches, it also has lush gardens, swaying coconut trees, breathtaking mountains, and vibrant flora.


Bequia Beach Hotel Luxury Resort & Spa. Credit: Instagram @bequiabeachhotel

The island is home to many private beac
hes of white, gold, and even black sand. You can also find a number of small luxury resorts, including Bequia Beach Hotel Luxury Resort & Spa, which is located on a private island. A stay at Bequia includes a ferry ride, making it the perfect location for a romantic honeymoon retreat. Recently, Air Canada has started offering direct flights to St. Vincent and The Grenadines from Toronto.  


Huatulco
Huatulco is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a more authentic Mexican experience than you could get at popular tourist spots like Cancun. Huatulco is home to many sleepy towns and villages that you and your spouse can explore together. This collection of nine bays is also a great spot for nature lovers. Together, the area forms Bays National Park, a protected reserve where you can kayak, fish, and discover beautiful reefs.

Dreams Huatulco Resort and Spa. Credit: AMResorts

You have many resorts to choose from in Huatulco, including Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa, Barcelo Huatulco, Las Brisas Huatulco, Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco, Park Royale Huatulco Beach Resort, and the adults-only Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa.

Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia has a bit of everything you could possibly want in a romantic travel destination. The historic squares, architecture, and cobblestone alleys of the Old Town show off its European influence while still maintaining an authentic Colombian flair. Combine these aspects with the gorgeous climate of the Caribbean and this spot is just waiting for you to fall even more in love—with it and with each other.

Cartagena, Colombia. Credit: TICartagena

For easy planning, you can book a flight on Air Canada with Romantic Planet Vacations and stay at the Hotel Dann Cartagena or the Hilton Cartagena Hotel & Resort. The Hotel Dann offers beautiful sea views and quick access to the beach and Historic Center of the city. With more of a luxury resort feel, surrounded as it is by the Caribbean Sea, the Hilton Cartagena offers access to secluded beaches.

Iceland
Iceland might not have the sandy beaches you’d expect of a destination wedding, but the country has so much to offer nonetheless. Trade in your bathing suit for a pair of hiking boots and explore the rocky terrain, lava fields, waterfalls, and geysers. Or, if you really want to go for a swim, visit the picture-perfect Blue Lagoon.

Iceland. Credit: Blue Lagoon

There are a number of guided tours you can book that will take you from the capital and across the country, visiting natural landmarks and attractions across the way. If you travel at the right time, you can even take in the Northern Lights! With Air Canada, you can get a flight directly from Toronto to Reykjavik. Ask Romantic Planet Vacations for more details. 


Costa Rica
Whether you’re looking for lush tropical rainforests, beachfront relaxation, or a luxury resort experience, Costa Rica has something for every couple. You could wake up every day staring into the ocean or surrounded by green leaves and trees. Costa Rica also offers fun activities like zip lining, whitewater rafting, and hot springs. It’s the perfect combination of romance and adventure.

Secrets Papagay. Credit: Secrets Resorts

Our team of experts at Romantic Planet Vacations were lucky enough to spend quality time in Costa Rica in June 2019. Some of our favourite properties include the family-friendly Margarittaville Resort, with its relaxed atmosphere, beachfront location, and affordability, as well as Planet Hollywood, which had great food and entertainment. If you want an adults-only experience for your romantic destination wedding or honeymoon, we recommend the expansive Secrets Papagay retreat or the private Azura Beach Resort.

Europe River Cruise
If you and your spouse want to travel the world but want your family there with you on your special day, then a boutique Europe River Cruise might be the perfect choice. These all-inclusive family cruises include special events and excursions designed for you and your guests. This would certainly be a unique experience for everyone involved as you travel along some of the most famous rivers in Europe.

Uniworld U River Cruise. Credit: Instagram @u_rivercruises


For the ceremony itself, you can either choose to say “I do” right onboard the ship, or choose a port of call that suits you and your fiancĂ© best. This is the perfect option for anyone who really wants their wedding to leave an impression!

If you want to learn more about unique and exotic locations for your 2020 destination wedding or honeymoon, then contact Romantic Planet Vacations at 1-866-247-8123 or travel@romanticplanet.ca today!

*Romantic Planet Vacations is a value partner with Air Canada Vacations because they offer 63 city connectors, have 39 years experience, and have won top airline award in North America for last 3 years. They have 50 aircrafts (rouge), 100+ routes, 750 resorts, 40 sunny destinations, 63 new resorts, and 100+ cruises to offer. Air Canada Vacations also spotlight products and have exclusive bonuses. At Romantic Planet Vacations, we can book and hold 30 seats for 90 days with only a wedding couple deposit.