View from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

Machu Pichu, Peru

Maroma Resort & Spa

Maroma Resort and Spa is set in a verdant jungle beside a white sand beach on the Mayan Riviera. This Orient Express five star property has a unique Mayan feel and every room, whether it faces the ocean or the jungle, is a calming and beautiful place to stay.

Just 300 yards off shore from Maroma is a spectacular coral reef and the lapis blue Caribbean stretches to the horizon beyond. Spend lazy days in ocean and poolside restaurants or stroll through flower-filled gardens where parrots and butterflies perch. Explore some of Mexico’s great heritage sites, dive the coral reef or shop till you drop in Playa del Carmen. Visit the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve where you can explore the fascinating ecosystem of  the Yucatan 

Unwind and rejuvenate at the Kinan Spa. Kinan is the Mayan word for the healing energy of the sun and some of the spa treatments are based on ancient Mayan healing and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

There is no way to truly describe the peace and beauty guests find when they stay at Maroma. Call an agent and book today!!

http://www.maromahotel.com/web/ocan/maroma.jsp

Know before you go

Planning your trip:

• Is the name on your itinerary spelled correctly?
• Does the name on your itinerary match your name as it appears on your driver’s license and/or passport?
• Do you have sufficient blank pages in your passport for any visas?
• Does your passport have at least 6 months validity remaining after the return date of your trip?
• Is your drivers license valid through the end of your trip?
• Have you inspected your itinerary and verified that all dates are correct?

Before you travel:

• Have you checked with your cell phone provider to see if your service will work in all countries you will be visiting?
• Do you have a numerical pin number, if you plan on using your ATM card?
• Do you have credit cards that are accepted in the countries you plan to visit?
• Have you notified your credit card company that you will be traveling and to expect charges from the places you will be?
• If using cash, do you have the necessary currency?

Once on your trip:

• When departing certain countries you will be required to pay departure taxes in local currency. Are you prepared to pay these taxes?
• In some countries the baggage relations departing may be different from those in theUS. Make sure that you are familiar with these policies.

City Highlights: Cape Town

Cape Town is a relatively new city in the sense that its most relevant history took place not 20 years ago. In that respect, many of the museums and historical sights can take on a new dimension for visitors that remember apartheid. Beyond its history, the city is unbelievably gorgeous and cool. Visitors should balance their time between Cape Town’s natural scenery and hip neighborhoods.

Here are a few must-see sights:

Table Mountain—Cape Town’s most recognizable feature is this spectacular rock formation. The sight is fantastic from the ground, but imagine the view from the top! Take the chance to hike Table Mountain and see Cape Town from a bird’s eye view.

Robben Island—Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in prison here. The island has seen South African history from an interesting perspective, and a tour of the prison is a must for the history buffs.

Castle of Good Hope—This is the oldest colonial building in South Africa, built by the Dutch East India Company in the 17^th century. It is not so much a castle but a fort, and again, a must-see for history buffs.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront–This is South Africa’s most visited destination, and for good reason! This area, with a Table Mountain backdrop, is great for shopping and entertainment. Set right on the marina, this area is unforgettable and great for all tourists.

This is just a small taste of what Cape Town has to offer. Call us for a full overview of our favorite places to visit, eat and stay.

Top Five: Reasons to Go On a Cruise

There is never a bad time to book a cruise. With ships that travel to every corner of the world, there is no such thing as too hot, too cold, off season or on season. Incredible options are always available–as long as you call in an agent at least nine months in advance! Here are some of our favorite reasons to go on a cruise.

1. Cruises are an incredible deal. Guests get to see and explore many cities–great entertainment and delicious meals included.

2. One of the down sides to traveling is all of the packing and unpacking. Cruises are like floating hotels. You unpack and pack only one time!

3. Cruises are extremely relaxing. Everything is taken care of. Your only job is to enjoy the ride.

4. There is no need to plan an itinerary for a cruise. The city schedule is planned for you, so the only thing to arrange are shore excursions or a day at leisure in the city. There is always something to do, and it is truly hassle free travel.

5. Passengers get to see sunrises and sunsets on the water. Breathtaking!

On some cruises, special Virtuoso amenities are included by booking through Herff Travel. Don’t miss out!

Photo Friday: Istanbul