Let me set the scene for you. Imagine sitting on a large stone patio in the shade of palm trees, over looking a gorgeous sand beach on the aqua blue waters of the Caribbean Sea all while the sun is setting, a violin playing “Pachelbel’s canon” and white Orchid flower pedals filling the aisle…it can’t get much more perfect than that! The wedding message was also just as amazing as the setting and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. As the couple kissed to finalize their union it looked like the sun exploded out of a cloud shooting rays every direction as if God was putting His blessing on the marriage.

Then it came time for the party! We were served a meal that consisted of steak, Jamaican jerk shrimp, various vegetables, and wedding cake. The couple entertained us all with a choreographed dance routine that had everyone cheering by the end. The DJ started up and the crowd moved to the dance floor where the ocean breeze blew through and we danced the night away. Both my wife and I were truly in awe of this wedding and thought if we could do it all over again that we would do a destination wedding…maybe for our 10 year renewal of our vows (only 9 more years to go!).

If anyone is thinking of having a destination wedding I must suggest going to Jamaica. We saw a couple weddings at our Sandals resort and there were other weddings booked at the Half Moon and all of them looked stunning.

As I mentioned in my previous post, on the night before the wedding, we attended the entertainment at Sandals and the band was great! They did a mix of oldies to popular songs and they had the dance floor packed. I am adding it to the list of things that I loved at Sandals.

This vacation just keeps getting better and better and we are getting sad to leave tomorrow and head back to Minnesota. Look for my wrap up post tomorrow about tips for a Jamaica vacation and my list of things I want to do the next time I go and that you should check out.

Thanks for inviting us Emily and Venny and giving us an excuse to take a Jamaica vacation!

Oh, and yes they really do say “Yeah Mon!”…I love it here!

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Where do I even start…well, we woke up at about 9am went down to the Bayside buffet and ate breakfast while sitting outside over looking the water. The breakfast buffet had everything you could imagine and I was so stuffed that I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat the rest of the day. Although you will soon find out I still managed to eat my fair share of food After breakfast we went and grabbed our drinks and headed off to the beach. We pulled our beach chairs into the water and just sat there for what seemed like hours but once we figured out what time it actually was it had only been a little over an hour. It’s true what they say, time on the island goes slower.

Since Sandals has free shuttles that go back and forth from their resorts we decided we would check out the Sandals Royal Caribbean after lunch. For lunch we ate at the “Irie Bar and Grill” (Irie in island lingo means alright) which is right on the beach. So it was great to walk straight from the water to the grill and still be on the beach. The grill had typical grill food with burgers, chicken, quesadillas and we both ordered a grilled cheese which turned out to be an AWESOME grilled cheese! Say what you will about us going to Jamaica and getting a grilled cheese but it looked too good to pass up, plus it was a double-decker sandwich!

It was time for us to catch the 1:45 shuttle to the Sandals Royal Caribbean which has it’s own private island. What’s great about Sandals is that you can stay at one but you have the benefits of all 7 resorts! We arrived and it was just as beautiful as the Sandals we are standing at. However, we liked ours better because there is always a view of the ocean no matter where you are. We took a boat out to their private island, which was great because there was a bar, a pool, hot tub and a Thai restaurant. It was so peaceful out there and we were only 2 of 6 people that were on the island at that time. So it was basically like having our own private island.

That evening we went to Tokyo Joe’s (at our resort) and had an amazing dinner! There are some restaurants where you need to make reservations at and this is one of them but since it wasn’t crowded we were able to walk right in. This is an Asian restaurant where the chefs put on a flaming show for you as they cook your food. I couldn’t have asked for a better dinner and we had the best table in the house over looking the Caribbean Sea that was lit up by the moon, the stars, and the spot light from the resort.

All-inclusive is the only way we will vacation in Jamaica because there is just something about looking at a menu with no prices! Plus, we have talked to friends who are here for the wedding that are not staying at all-inclusive resorts and their meals are at least $50/person! ($70 for breakfast!)

Tonight we are looking forward to the live music entertainment and dance party. I have heard that the group playing is a resort favorite so I can tell more about them tomorrow. I will also be attending our friend’s destination wedding. Tomorrow should be another great day!

Oh, and yes they really do say “Yeah Mon!”…I love it here!

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We flew from Minneapolis with a layover in Memphis, and the whole trip was about 6 hours. We didn’t get to see much of the Montego Bay airport because we went through customs which is a separate part of the airport. Customs was no problem, and we breezed right through as this is not a super busy time of year to travel to Jamaica. I am glad that it went fast, because I was so anxious to get to the resort. There is a Sandals waiting area in the airport where they take your bags, get you a drink, you sit on huge couches and relax while you wait for the shuttle.

Then, the shuttle arrives and it’s finally time for us to go to the resort. So we jump in the shuttle, while listening to the one and only “Bob Marley” and get into the Jamaican groove. The Sandals Montego Bay is only about 5-10 minutes from the airport. On the way, we turned down a bumpy road and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But then the road ended with a beautiful entrance that says “Sandals”…ahhh we are here! The bellmen took our bags and we got whisked away into a waiting room where they treated us like VIP’s, served us champagne and checked us in…everyone at Sandals gets treated like a VIP, especially when you upgrade to a Honeymoon category room on the ocean! All the sitting areas and restaurants over-look the ocean. It is truly a paradise! I’ll tell you more about the resort tomorrow, in my next post.

We have a couple hours to relax before we go off to Half Moon Resort for our friend’s rehearsal dinner. So, we are going to eat lunch/light dinner at the “Cricketers English Pub” and hang out at the beach for a bit, which by the way is absolutely beautiful with the sparkling, aqua blue water and beach chairs as far as the eye can see. So we are off to the pub and beach!

We can’t wait to explore the resort and experience what Sandals has to offer. Stayed tuned for tomorrows post on what all-inclusive vacations are like!

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Let’s see, swimsuit…check, clothes for wedding…check, passport…check.

Packing is usually one of my least favorite things to do before a vacation. Between figuring out what to bring, how much to pack, and trying to fit it in one suitcase (especially with the new baggage fees). Fortunately this time around wasn’t as stressful for two reason, space saving ideas and a great website to help with packing techniques.

I have discovered a great packing technique that saved me a lot space: It’s called “The Roll”. I’ve heard the Army uses it because it is more efficient and creates less wrinkles. If it’s good enough for the Army, it is good enough for this guy! You can simply Google “roll your clothes” and you will get 481,000 hits. I used Wikihow.

I decided to bring a carry on suitcase for this Jamaica vacation. Because of “the roll”, I was able to pack 4 days of clothing into one suitcase. This might not sound like a great feat but I had to pack for a rehearsal dinner, a wedding, casual beach clothes, and proper dinner attire. (Sandals has some restaurants that are a bit more formal) This efficient packing technique was great, and my suitcase looked great, as you can see by the photo above.

The second packing tool I used is called The Universal Packing List. This site will help you pack and get you ready before you leave on your vacation, no matter where or how far you are traveling. It will ask a few questions/details about your trip like climate, activities, gender, etc.. Then it will give you a check list of things to bring and things to do before you leave your house. If you are like me, this will come in handy. I am usually running around and packing at 2am the night before the trip because I am a procrastinator and I can’t sleep because I am too excited! This time I just entered in my info and ran through the checklist and I was done with everything before 11pm! (I still couldn’t sleep though).

Between my two new favorite things in life, “The Roll”, and “The Universal Packing List”, I saved myself a lot of time, space and stress. Now I can go and have a great time on my Jamaica Vacation!

I hope this will help you out on your next trip. I will talk to you tomorrow!

Toothbrush…check, sunscreen…check, reality…leaving it at home!

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I have never been to Jamaica, and I have never stayed at a truly all-inclusive resort.  So, needless to say, I am looking forward to this Jamaica vacation and escaping the 30 degree and snowy weather here in Minnesota. Yes, we have already received a few days of snow. The Jamaica sun is going to be a nice reminder of summer and sunny days!

We are taking this trip because our friends are getting married in Jamaica and having their destination wedding at the Half Moon Bay Resort in Montego Bay. It should be absolutely beautiful! I am really excited for my friends and want to say, Congrats Emily and Venny!

Everyday, I will be posting about my 4 day - 3 night visit to paradise so that you can read my posts and live vicariously through our vacation. And, if you are thinking about going to Jamaica, you can get a live glimpse into a Jamaica vacation and the all-inclusive lifestyle.

Here is what you can expect to read about and what I will be posting:

• Packing for a Jamaican vacation
• Arriving in Jamaica & first impressions of Sandals Montego Bay Resort
• Full day of relaxation and all-inclusive over indulgence
• A Jamaica Wedding
• Traveling back to MN

I hope that you follow me through my posts and enjoy my vacation to Jamaica as much as I will! Weather for our first day in Jamaica is expected to be a high of 82° and a low of 75° and partly sunny. That sure beats a high of 57° and a low of 28° and mostly cloudy.

Jamaica, here I come, Ya Mon!

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A few of the most popular honeymoon destinations are Cancun and Riviera Maya in Mexico, Negril and Ocho Rios in Jamaica, and Maui, Hawaii. Destinations such as these will provide idyllic weather, breathtaking scenery, the most private accommodations, and beaches perfect for hand-in-hand strolls.

Because honeymooners are on a special vacation, hotels available with NWA WorldVacations Romance packages offer special amenities that often include: room upgrades, fruit platters or flowers, complimentary champagne, free or discounted spa services, breakfast in bed, free embroidered bathrobes and – since they do not want to leave – late check-out.

By day, honeymooners in these romantic paradises can relax poolside or on the beach, get active with water sports such as snorkeling, fishing or parasailing, or shop and go sightseeing. A deep tissue massage in the spa will erase any wedding stress, and lunch at an oceanfront restaurant can be followed by some private newlywed relaxation, or a wide selection of sightseeing tours and excursions.

Cancun is a honeymooners’ playground. A hotel such as Le Meridien Cancun offers maximum pampering, and beyond its lush landscaping are attractions such as quaint shopping districts, golden Mexican Caribbean beaches, golf, boating and hiking.

Riviera Maya, which is south of Cancún, has 80 miles of sandy beaches, charming and historic coastal towns, fascinating Mayan archeological sites and, of course, the personal attention of hotels catering to honeymooners such as the all-inclusive Royal Hideaway Playacar.

Maui has heavenly weather year-round, and newlyweds can take advantage of the sunshine to golf, visit mountain peaks that offer stunning panoramas or stroll barefoot on long and sprawling beaches. They can also relax, swim, dine and enjoy the lush treatment afforded guests at hotels such as the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa or The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui.

Jamaica offers the happy couple a unique, laid-back atmosphere that guarantees they will relax and enjoy each other’s company. Magnificent tropical locales are bordered by inviting beaches and crystal-clear ocean water. Honeymooners in Negril or Ocho Rios will enjoy everything from water sports to luxurious spa sessions and unique shopping and fine dining. Worries? Not in Jamaica!

Couples will enjoy a special, romantic get-away they dream of when they book an NWA WorldVacations Romance honeymoon to a romantic and relaxing locale. They will be ensured of enjoying the most private accommodations, special treatment and a breathtaking start to their united life together.

NWA WorldVacations® LIFESTYLE Collection featuring Luxury is proud to announce the addition of three new destinations; London, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. As a Luxury traveler, you will find opulent accommodations and personalized service in vastly diverse locales. There is now more opportunity to visit a global hub such as London, or to enjoy luxury at the sun-kissed Mexican resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.

Visit London in Style …

Luxury travelers bound for London can expect truly royal treatment. They’ll have their choice of hotels, each of which offers premium service and amenities as well as easy access to London’s top attractions.

A visitor might choose to bask in the suave elegance of the historic Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, or stay at the InterContinental London Park Lane, which was once a royal residence. They might opt for the Renaissance Chancery Court with its spacious guestrooms and pampering spa, or the historic Ritz London. There’s also The May Fair, which offers an ideal blend of time-honored elegance and modern amenities.

Beyond the luxury hotels, London’s must-see sites await, including: Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, the River Thames and the West End shops.

Bask in Luxury under the Mexico Sun …

Puerto Vallarta is a former fishing village that has evolved into a leading vacation destination. It has lush tropical landscapes and inviting beaches that seem boundless. The luxury traveler will enjoy superb dining, lively night clubs, fascinating shops and hotels that provide the highest level of service to NWA WorldVacations Luxury customers.

Hotels such as the Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta, the Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa and Casa Velas Hotel Boutique offer spectacular guest rooms or suites, around the clock service and amenities that will delight the luxury vacationer.

A short distance north of Puerto Vallarta is Riviera Nayarit, a newer “find” for vacationers and a jewel of the Mexican coast. Riviera Nayarit is rich with coves and inlets that create hundreds of miles of sandy beaches. It’s also bordered by jungle and mountains, providing beautiful, fascinating scenery.

Delight in the accommodations, service and special amenities provided at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Vallarta Palace and the Grand Velas All Suites & SPA Resort. Or how about a private villa at Las Palmas Villas de Punta Mita, which is located inside an exclusive, gated community?

Whether it’s bustling London, sunny Puerto Vallarta or tropical Riviera Nayarit, luxury travelers will be delighted by their NWA WorldVacations LIFESTYLE Collection featuring Luxury vacations . With these vacations, the emphasis is on luxury and the traveler is the VIP.

So, now that I have you thinking about it, here are a few great areas of Colorado that are a must visit for skiers & boarders alike:

• Snowmass - Aspen
  One of the best all-around mountains, in my opinion. Snowmass is awesome if you’re looking for some early morning “ego-snow” to carve a few turns and build up your confidence on the Big Burn or Slot, and then get into some bumps on Powderhorn. You can also test your skill skiing through the trees just off of Sheer Bliss, or the Cirque Headwall. And when you are done skiing, or boarding, Aspen has some of the best dining and nightlife options out of any ski area in Colorado. Snowmass has it all!
• Steamboat - Steamboat Springs
  They call it Champagne Powder,™ and it is the lightest, fluffiest stuff I have ever skied. In 2007, Steamboat received a record snowfall, and I was lucky enough to be there for 3 of the days it snowed. It was powder all day, and you could still find untracked areas into the afternoon! Skiing in the trees from the top of Storm Peak was simply amazing! If you’re looking for powder, this mountain is where you need to be. If you are looking to take your family skiing in the mountains, this is a very family friendly resort that caters to the recreational level skier or boarder.
• Blue Sky Basin – Vail
  What kind of blog would this be if I didn’t mention America’s #1 ski destination - Vail. Vail is the largest ski area in the United States and added to its enormity in 2000 by clearing way and creating the Blue Sky Basin. This isn’t your normal skiing in wide-open mountain runs but this has more trees and is more natural which makes it one of a kind and beautiful. Blue Sky Basin is quickly becoming the crown jewel of Vail. This is for intermediate skiers, especially when the snow is a bit rougher and less groomed. To top that, if you are looking for a “brush with fame”, Vail Village is popular for celebrities. Vail is also known for it’s exceptional nightlife and great shopping.

I hope these great ski travel tips have you thinking about planning your next ski vacation. You can’t go wrong when planning a ski trip to Colorado.

See you on the slopes!

In the spirit of Halloween, here are some spooky destinations you can travel to any time of year.

One of our employees braved the chills and thrills of Salem, MA. Her family vacation story is next … and some others have provided some of their scary travel tips below.

Don’t be afraid!!!

Salem Spooks
In mid-October of this year, my family and I headed to Boston. After walking the freedom trail, visiting Ol’ Ironsides, and visiting every historic place in Boston, we thought it would be fun to go to Salem, MA. If you were not aware, Salem is the home of the Salem Witch Trials. After we explain what had happened there, my niece and nephew were a little scared to go to Salem. We had to do some compromising – they would go, but only during the day.

So we all jumped in the car and headed to Salem. On the way there, we wanted to get into the spooky mood, so we read about the city of Salem and what happened there long ago, and what gave it the name and reputation. By the time we arrived, I think everyone was a bit edgy.

After exploring the city, we decided to visit the Salem cemetery. The sun was starting to go down and my family was starting to get a little freaked out. As we walked through the cemetery, we realized how old it was by looking on the gravestone dates. There were headstones from the early pilgrims in this cemetery. And of course, my brother and dad had to jump out from behind gravestones and scare us all. I remember one guys saying, “Does anyone else notice that there are no birds in these trees? They know something bad happened here.”

As we were walking out of the cemetery, we walked through a little Halloween festival taking place. They had lots of people dressed up in costume selling “scary” trinkets. And of course, there was a haunted house. As we were walking by the haunted house, people were coming out of the house screaming.

My mom must have been on edge from the cemetery, the people screaming and the general atmosphere. When she turned around, there was a man standing next to her – just a Salem visitor like us, not in costume or anything – and my mom looked at him and screamed at the top of her lungs. We all laughed so hard and felt bad for the guy. He had no idea what was going on, and why she screamed at him.

I would say that Salem would be a fun town to visit any time of the year. But if you can go around Halloween, I think it’s even better!

More spooky places to visit on Halloween

1. Los Angeles has some cool haunted tours, such as The Roosevelt Hotel.
2. Savannah, GA has a night-time haunted tour of the city.
3. Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, has a Halloween Horror Nights event.
4. New Orleans has all sorts of haunted ghost tours, and is claimed to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States.

I’ve been a Viking fan for as long as I can remember … I grew up watching Tarkenton, Page, and all the other great Viking players of the past. I had never been to a Vikings game, but in 1990 I decided that it was high time that I went to a game. I didn’t care when, or who we played, I just had to get to a game. I bought tickets and went with my stepdad. We had a wonderful time, as the Vikings took care of the Bears 41 - 13. From there, the Viking game became a tradition of sorts as my stepdad and I would make the trek north from Southeast Iowa, every year, to watch our beloved Vikings.

Over the years I married, had two beautiful girls and divorced. Some times were better than others, but the one thing that never changed was our Viking weekends. Whether the Vikings won or lost, we always had a great time. We loved the atmosphere, the comradery, and we just loved being at the Metrodome. We would get there early in the morning, participate in all of the activities on the plaza, then head inside the Metrodome.

This went on until 2005 when my stepdad passed away. I have two young daughters who had always asked me, “Dad, when are you going to take us to the game?” Last year I decided that it was time to go, and we made plans to see the Vikings play the Chargers. While my daughters had been raised as Viking fans, I have to say, I was more than impressed with the enthusiasm they showed. We went shopping so that they could buy purple eyelashes, tights, and hair paint. The morning of the game, we all dressed in our Viking jerseys, with the girls in their eccentric attire. The girls had even made a sign that read “YO ADRIAN,” promoting the exciting rookie running back.

We rode the Light-Rail train to the stadium. When we got off the train, I could see a sparkle in their eyes - they were as excited as I was. I didn’t get to see a professional game when I was a child, but the tradition that my stepdad and I had started when I was an adult, I made sure carried on with my own children.

We took part in all of the contests, ate the food, talked, and met the Viking Alumni at the autograph tent. When it was time to go inside, all three of us were ready. Once we walked inside, it felt like the first time that I had ever been to a game and the Metrodome. I was sharing my love for football and the Vikings with my two little girls. That is a moment that I will always treasure.

The Vikings beat the Chargers and we saw history as Adrian Peterson ran for 296 yards. Like most parents and children, we have our good and bad moments, as we do not always agree on things. But that day, for those few hours, nothing came between my daughters and I. We laughed, ate, talked, saw history and enjoyed ourselves, but most of all we enjoyed each other. Other than the birth of my girls, I have to say that I hold the day we spent together at the game as one of the most precious moments in my life.

The two people that I love most in the world, and my beloved Vikings. A man can’t ask for much more than that. This year we are coming back Nov. 2nd to continue the tradition. All I have to say is watch out Texans!

As our company headquarters is in Minnesota, we are offering a Vikings football travel story contest with the Minnesota Vikings football team. Please share your fun Vikings travel story!