Travel Impressions’ ‘Best of the Best’
MEDIA CONTACTS:
The Tropical Travelers
Jennifer Byrne
610-296-6363
sales@thetropicaltravelers.com
THE TROPICAL TRAVELERS RECOGNIZED AS A TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS’ ‘BEST OF THE BEST’ TRAVEL AGENCY
FARMINGDALE, NY (Dec. 06, 2011) – The Tropical Travelers (www.thetropicaltravelers.com) was recognized recently by Travel Impressions, one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide, as a “Best of the Best” travel agency which is given to top performing agencies and consortia partners. The Tropical Travelers was invited to attend Travel Impressions 16th annual “Best of the Best” gala event, held Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2011 at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancún, Mexico.
“Best of the Best” honors are bestowed on a limited number of agencies that are top producers for Travel Impressions, and that are considered to be its best partners.
“We are honored to be recognized as one of Travel Impressions’ Best of the Best travel agency partners,” said Jennifer Byrne, owner of The Tropical Travelers. “We are committed to providing our clients with the very best vacation experience and working with Travel Impressions ensures a high level of customer satisfaction.” 
In attendance at the Best of the Best four-day event from The Tropical Travelers was Jennifer Byrne. She was able to hear an industry update from Travel Impressions’ President and CEO Steve Gorga as well as participate in round table networking sessions with attending suppliers. A golf tournament and spa pampering at the Coral Beach Gem Spa were also offered.
There were many sponsored events and activities including a welcome dinner hosted by the Cancún Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office, a dinner reception on the second evening sponsored by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, and the gala cocktail reception hosted by Mexican Tourism Board.
A performance by The Village People, best known for the disco hits YMCA, Macho Man and In the Navy, was a highlight of the “Best of the Best” gala celebration.
In the spirit of holiday giving, The Tropical Travelers participated in Travel Impressions charity program by donating a variety of school supplies to the Palace Resorts Foundation’s Education Committee for distribution to school children in Cancún.
Travel Impressions
Founded in 2001, The Tropical Travelers is one of the Philadelphia area’s most acclaimed leisure travel agencies. The company offers vacations to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Dubai, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Islands of Tahiti, Canada, Hawaii and the Continental U.S., and features more than 2,800 resorts, hotels and luxury villas. The Tropical Travelers has received multiple industry awards and is dedicated to ensuring their clients have the experience of a lifetime while vacationing.
For more information about The Tropical Travelers, call 1-800-479-0949/ 610-296-6363, or visit the website: http://www.thetropicaltravelers.com. Find The Tropical Travelers on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thetropicaltravelers.com and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/troptrav.
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Read More »Turks and Caicos Islands: Chic, Romantic and Playful
A review from travel specialist Jennifer Carr:
This chain of breathtaking islands, only a 3 hour flight from New York, make you feel like you are standing in the middle of Paradise. From secluded white sand beaches to sexy beach bars, to adventurous water sports, Turks and Caicos has something for everyone and every budget.
On my recent trip to Providenciales (Provo to the locals), I had the good fortune of conversing with many of the very friendly locals, other tourists, and even the large population of tourists who decided never to leave, and they themselves became “belongers”. With their advice and insider tips, I had the opportunity to sample a great deal of what this up and coming destination has to offer. Here are some of my recommendations:
*Accommodations-
For the ultimate all-inclusive family vacation, take the kids to Beaches Turks and Caicos. Here you will find 16 restaurants, a water park, kids clubs that range from infants to teenagers, and endless activities for both children and adults. The wide variety of accommodations range from a standard double room to a 2 bedroom family suite complete with private butler service.
If you are looking to take the family to a more relaxed but sophisticated resort, I recommend The Veranda Resort. This all-inclusive resort has a quaint and charming feel to it. There are beach side cottages with private pools big enough for the whole family. There are separate pools that are “adults only” and “child friendly”, as well as a Kids Club, and a welcoming open-air beachfront bar and restaurant. My favorite thing about The Veranda is the second level Star Lounge that overlooks the amazing Grace Bay Beach. With perfect ocean views, this is the ideal location for a private event or wedding reception.
For couples or friends looking for a more upscale, luxury atmosphere, you must check in to the Gansevoort Resort or the Seven Stars Resort. The Gansevoort is a very “hip” spot with a young, sexy vibe. From the sleek modern accommodations, private beach cabanas, and late night parties, this is the place to see and be seen.
Seven Stars offers luxury suites while keeping a laid back atmosphere. Get to the over sized pool early enough to secure a cabana, or lounge on the beach and enjoy the waiter service and complimentary non motor water sports. Also offered is a reef snorkeling trip (for a fee)- that departs right from the beach at Seven Stars twice daily.
Seven Stars resort is in an ideal location on the famed Grace Bay Beach- within walking distance to popular restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
*Restaurants and Nightlife-
Five star restaurants are plentiful in Provo. With that said, be prepared to pay top dollar for your meals out. If you are ready to splurge, try dinner at Anacaona, inside the elegant Grace Bay Club resort. This gourmet restaurant is adults only and serves fine Euro-Caribbean cuisine.
The Mango Reef Restaurant at the Alexandra resort offers outdoor dining on their large deck. You must put this restaurant on the top of your list of places to eat while in Provo. They offer generous portions, and a delicious seafood selection. The open ravioli with shrimp and scallops that they had on special was to die for. I only wish I had saved room for dessert!
You can’t leave Provo without dinner at their #1 voted restaurant- Coco Bistro. Here you will find a casual, but romantic outdoor dining experience. Coco Bistro serves a local Caribbean cuisine. Just be sure to have your concierge make your dinner reservations a week in advance!
If you are looking for a more casual atmosphere, with great food that won’t empty your wallet- go to Da Conch Shack. This restaurant/beach bar was one of The Travel Channel’s Sexiest Beach Bars. The main item on their menu is- what else? Conch of course! You have to try the conch chowder , conch fritters and the Creole conch which was a favorite.
Go there on Thursday nights for live entertainment and “infamous rum punch”. You can even watch as they crack open a conch and pull out the live snail from its shell.
Somewhere…Cafe and Lounge offers more than just flavorful fish tacos and low-priced beers. They provide the ultimate viewing spot to watch the spectacular sunset. Get there early enough to get a table on their second level beachfront deck! Then head downstairs for an after dinner drink and friendly conversation.
If you like to prepare your own meals in the comfort of your own suite or villa, you are in luck. Most resorts have suites equipped with kitchenettes or full sized kitchens. There are multiple grocery stores on the island that are fully stocked and are easily accessible.
Popular nightlife spots are Danny Buoy’s Irish Pub on Tuesday nights. Both locals and tourists meet here for Karaoke or a friendly game of pool.
On Friday nights, the place to be is the DJ dance party at The Gansevoort Hotel. Dress your best and dance the night away. The party starts jumping about 11:00pm.
Insider tip- on other nights of the week, the Gansevoort displays a gigantic outdoor movie screen and shows major sporting events.
*Recreation and Activities-
With Grace Bay Beach being voted as one of the best beaches in the world by Conde Nast, one could spend all day just staring out at the crystal clear turquoise waters and relaxing on the powder white beaches with a tropical drink in hand.
However, if you are looking for something a bit more adventurous, you won’t have to look far. In Turks and Caicos, you can find plenty of water sports such as windsurfing, banana boat rides, snorkeling, diving and fishing.
Another great, affordable way to see the spectacular sunset, is to book a sunset cruise aboard the Atabeyra. For $25.00 per person, you get a 2 hour catamaran cruise and unlimited soda, water and rum punch.
Unique to Turks and Caicos, and “must do’s”, include a tour of the world’s only Conch Farm. At $10 per person, see how these beautiful conch shells are raised into adulthood, and supply the islands with plenty of this high protein seafood.
Take a ride on the inter-island ferry to the lush island of North Caicos. While there, view flocks of pink flamingos or snorkel off the secluded beaches. Or sail to Iguana Island, home of many Rock Iguanas.
Adventure seekers must visit “The Hole”. Located in Long Bay in Providenciales this naturally formed massive limestone 40 foot Hole is on the list of things to see. People can be lowered down a rope where 80 feet down there is a swimming hole. For adventurous souls only!
Finally, my top suggestion for a “must-do” in Provo, is to rent a car and drive off the beaten path to Provo’s best kept secret- Sapodilla Bay Beach. Here you will find a remote beach with the most serene and tranquil waters. These calm and shallow waters are perfect for wading or snorkeling, and the quiet beach is ideal for a romantic couple’s picnic.
On your way back, be sure to stop at Las Brisas restaurant in Chalk Sound for great food (try the shrimp Creole wontons), and stunning views!
Whether you are traveling as a honeymoon couple, with a group of friends or family vacation, this small 38 square mile island has something for everyone. Home to one of the top beaches in the Caribbean, and direct flights from the U.S and Canada, who wouldn’t want to vacation in Paradise?
Read More »Moon Palace Review
This is a review from The Tropical Travelers consultant, Jennifer Carr:
I recently returned from an amazing trip at Moon Palace with my friends. I was skeptical considering some of the negative reviews that I had read on here about Moon Palace, and couldn’t wait to see it for myself. My friends and I had such a great time, and honestly, Moon Palace exceeded my expectations.
We stayed in the Nizuc section and had a wonderful view of the ocean and wedding chapel. We had 2 connecting rooms which was perfect for 4 girls with tons of luggage! There was plenty of space, the rooms were clean, and the beds were comfortable. The mini bar had a nice variety and the 24 hour room service came in handy!
We were given 5 star service from every staff member! Anything we needed, there was no hesitation in order to please us. The staff was very friendly and language barriers were not a problem. We would like to thank Jorge, the bartender at the swing bar in Sunrise section, for the excellent service he provided- we were sad when it was his night off.
Despite other negative reviews, Moon Palace does have a beautiful beach. It was large enough to never be crowded (same goes for the pools for that matter!), and provided activities such as volleyball or jet ski’s. There WAS a lot of seaweed along the shoreline, which made it unpleasant to walk along the water. However, that is the only negative thing about the whole resort, and was a minor issue with my friends and I.
We enjoyed the beach area very much- especially the waiters that brought us frozen drinks!
I was also pleased with the shuttles that are provided to take you from lobby to lobby. We never had to wait more than a couple of minutes to catch a shuttle to Sunrise building.
Oh, I didn’t forget about the little ones- there was a little water park in the Sunrise section for children, as well as a Kid’s Club, miniature golf, and plenty of sweets and desserts to go around!
Overall, we definitely had an amazing experience at Moon Palace and the time of our lives!
I would recommend this resort to families with children, girlfriend getaways, guy’s golf outings, Destination Wedding groups, family reunions.
The Ultimate Unique Caribbean Experience
Sure, you can book a hotel and flights and set off on your journey. You’ll arrive in paradise without a plan and most likely miss much of what the destination has to offer. Or you can plan an all out adventure! The Tropical Travelers’ clients reach out to us to assist them with the intricate details and well, the unknown little haunts on the islands of their dreams.
Take Anguilla for instance. This island is known for their beautiful beaches and luxury resorts. But, Anguilla is so much more. Did you know the Caribbean’s only hydroponic farm is located there? Did you know one of the best known Caribbean vocal artists calls Anguilla home? Did you know there are more than 70 incredible dining options on this island? The Tropical Travelers takes great care to craft an itinerary for our clients that will have them giddy with excitement upon arrival.
From touring the island on your own, to scoring a seat at the Chef’s Table for dinner, to a glass bottom boat ride with Captain Fleming. The Tropical Travelers will be sending you on a true Caribbean adventure. This island is full of wonderful sights to see and experience and it’s not to be missed.
The Tropical Travelers would love to talk with you about your vision for the perfect holiday away!
www.thetropicaltravelers.com
sales@thetropicaltravelers.com
The Perfect Vacation
Turks and Caicos is the perfect vacation for “foodies” of all types. If your ideal evening consists of dining under the stars with your toes in the sand or if you prefer a most elegant restaurant with impeccable service, Turks and Caicos is sure to please. With a myriad of dining options, you will not go hungry on this island.
I’ve dined around the island and have experienced some wonderful cuisine. From traditional fare such as conch chowder to the most amazing chocolate lava cake, Turks cuisine is a delight.
This island is an up-and-coming location for nightlife. Not the 4am club type nightlife, but the exquisite outdoor lounge type nightlife. You’ll find the Caribbean’s only infinity bar in Turks and Caicos. As well as outdoor lounges complete with firepits for those after dinner drinks. If live music is your thing, a rooftop deck bar with the island’s best nachos is a must.
So if you are seeking out a really exciting dining experience, as well as a gorgeous beach and amazing resorts, Turks and Caicos should be tops on your list.
Read More »Satisfied Clients
Clients came to me last year on a referral and after discussing several options with them, we put together an amazing stay at CuisinArt Resort in Anguilla. My new clients were thrilled to bits with their vacation. Eric and Faith contacted me again recently in regards to going back again this March, or possibly trying another destination. We again looked at CuisinArt’s packages, but in addition, we took into considering a stay at Seven Stars in Turks and Caicos. I felt since they had such a wonderful stay at CuisinArt, they would adore this property that I love so much in Turks and Caicos. I advised them on this island since they had no experience with it. They were very excited at the prospect of a new adventure. Seven Stars is a luxury resort offering all the amenities my upscale travelers were looking for in a getaway. And with my contacts at the resort, they can rest assured this vacation will live up to their expectations.
My clients will be leaving shortly and they can’t wait. I’m anxious to hear all about their travels. As a travel consultant, I thrive on creating memorable vacations for my clients and utilizing my past travel experience to advise them on wonderful spots I feel they would love. I enjoy being creative and putting together “the pieces of the puzzle.” These clients are some of my favorites because they give me creative license to wow them. Eric and Faith have been very satisfied clients and I’m really looking forward to a long relationship with them.
Read More »Best of the Best in Punta Cana
The Tropical Travelers just received our 5th Best of the Best Award from Travel Impressions. The ceremonies were held in Punta Cana this year at the brand new Hard Rock Resort and Casino. A great time was had by all. I spent a great deal of time touring hotels including the Zoetry Agua, Secrets Sanctuary, Excellence Punta Cana and both Dreams properties.
Read More »Beaches Turks and Caicos = Fabulous!
Secrets Capri – The Mayan Riviera’s Secrets is out…
My husband Tom and I have just returned from a wonderful vacation in the Mayan Riviera. We enjoyed our resort so much, I decided to put together a trip report to share with my clients (and add to Tripadvisor). I’m sure some of you are looking for that next great vacation spot, and I have to say, this might be just the place you’ve been searching for.
Gourmet, pampering, personalized service, tropical. If these words conjure up a relaxed getaway in a beautiful and lush land, read on to find out about Secrets Capri in the Mayan Riviera.
Deciding which all-inclusive to venture off to each year is always a tough decision for me and my husband. Well, really, it’s my decision, as I have all the resources in front of me. Trying to decide which location, then which resort can take months for us. We want to find just the right spot for our getaway, as many of you do also.
Read More »Top 10 Ways to Book a Dream Vacation
By: Luxury Travel Examiner
Ruthanne Terrero
1. Ask yourself what you really want out of this trip. Is it relaxation only or will you be bored after one night at a remote island resort?
2. Are you truly exhausted from your job? Do you need rest and relaxation? If so, a cultural jaunt to three cities in seven days is not right for you at this time.
3. Do you have a dream destination in mind? Is it based on real facts or is it based on your fantasies of what you hope this place will be like? You might be letting yourself down if you’re just keeping your fingers crossed that a place will be fabulous.
4. Is your dream trip based on the fact that your neighbor, sister, co-worker just came back from there and you’re just a tad envious? If you’re paying big bucks for your vacation, go where you want to go; don’t make your selection based on what you want to brag about at the country club.
Read More »