Mexicana Airlines Update

Just back from an informative dinner discussing the current status of Mexicana Airlines. Thank you TI and Mexicana Airlines for hosting. I wanted to take a moment and share a few updates I received this evening.

1) Mexicana Airlines has filed for the equivalent to our Chapter 11 bankruptcy for financial restructuring. This is the same protection we've seen major US auto makers, and in the past, major US airlines file for.

2) Mexicana Airlines has reached an agreement with it's labor unions and with the commitment of it's employees is proceeding forward in its work towards financial solvency.

3) Mexicana is 89 years old. It was the first international airline to fly to the US. The first airline to have flight attendants. The first airline to offer an inflight magazine and it is one of the few North American airlines that still offers an open bar and a hot meal.

4) The Washington Dulles to Cancun route has been a popular route for Mexicana Airlines and at this time there is no talk of discontinuing it. Right now flights are operating as usual.

5) The situation with Mexicana Airlines could happen to any hotel, cruise line, airline or other travel company. This is why we stress over and over the importance of travel insurance. Peace of mind is worth just a few dollars more for your vacation package.

Jamaica Travel Advisory

The US State Department has issued a travel advisory for the Kingston area of Jamaica. Kingston is located hours away from resort areas in Jamaica (for example 3.5 hours from Ocho Rios, 4 hours from Negril, 3 hours from South Coast Resorts, 4 hours from Montego Bay, etc...). At this time it is relaxation as usual in the beautiful resort areas of Jamaica far removed from Kingston, which is the capital city and primarily a business and corporate hub for Jamaica.

Beginning January of this year Sandals and Beaches Resorts partnered with Martha Stewart to design their destination wedding packages. Martha’s creative influence is seen in each of their six wedding themes, from the simple and complimentary “Beautiful Beginnings” package, to the exotic “Island Paradise” package, featuring fresh tropical fruits and flowers with a Caribbean sunset as the backdrop. These packages offer every bride the opportunity to have a platinum wedding in an exotic local and each package can be customized according to a bride’s desires….prefer cupcakes rather than a traditional cake? Or a flip flop station for guests? Perhaps you would like your cocktails on the beach with a relaxed lounge look? All are a possibility with the Sandals and Beaches Weddings by Martha Stewart. As a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Preferred Sandals travel agency Dreams and Destinations Travel can provide more information and assist you with booking and planning one of these beautiful packages on the islands of the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua or Turks and Caicos.

Passport Day is March 27, 2010

March 27, 2010 is Passport Day! Many regional passport facilities will have extended hours this Saturday and you don't need an appointment! For those of you who have been putting off getting your passport now would be the time!http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptday/locations/locations_4442.html

Destination Jamaica

Our featured destination for this winter was an easy choice. When you take lush green mountains, combined with white sand beaches, turquoise blue water, fantastic local food and rum, world famous music and the laid back warmth of island hospitality you have a dream destination that simply can't be overlooked. I'm just back from Jamaica and once again I'm lost without sand between my toes and a gentle island breeze through my hair. I miss the sunlight on the mountains rising above water that comes in a dozen different shades of blue and being called "my lady" with a warm, friendly smile. Jerk cuisine just isn't the same off island without the love that goes in to its careful preparation and I miss the familiar words "irie" and "no problem". Words that carry a philosophy of living that is a world away from the hustle of the DC Metro area. After years of booking travel, and a string of destinations in different areas of the world under my belt, I've found the places that feel like home and leave a longing in your heart are truly special. Jamaica is one of those places for me.

Read more... http://www.wheredreamslead.com/DreamDestinations.html

Got golf????

Hey guys! What could be more perfect than a golf getaway for you and your closest friends? Right now you and your closest buddies can enjoy several golf choices at Beaches Boscobel Resort (one of my favorite resorts on Jamaica!) or if you want the girls to come along for a spa weekend while you play then you can also enjoy golf at Sandals Dunn's River and Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. Enjoy the "Play Paradise Golf Package" which includes a one day PGA golf school powered by Nike Golf, a golf club fitting with the Nike 360 fitting system, complimentary caddie, cart use and advance tee times, daily lunch on course (Jamaican jerk! Yum!), and a complimentary bottle of wine off the managers list. All this for only $395 per person (rates based on availability and subject to change). OR enjoy all of the above inclusions, along with a 4 night stay, a welcome cocktail reception, farewell dinner, poker night with cigars and cordials and a 2 man scramble tournament. November 12th-16th, 2009 at Beaches Boscobel, Sandals Dunn's River or Sandals Grande Ocho Rios from $915 per person based on double occupancy and depending on resort selection. January 14-18, 2010 is also available at both Sandals properties and starting from $1067.00 per person land-only based on double occupancy and depending on resort selection. Go to wwww.caribbeandreamescapes.com for more details.

Treated Like Royalty

Royal Plantation Resort, a Small Leading Hotel of the World on Jamaica is offering 65% off, a complimentary night and a complimentary island cruise. Royal Plantation was voted the best all-inclusive for the 2009 Trip Advisor Awards. This intimate property is incredibly unique and every need here is catered to with the highest level of service and attention to detail. Walking through the doors of this resort it is impossible to not take a deep breath and just relax....be pampered...enjoy. What else could you need after the stress of day to day life!

The suites boast Egyptian cotton sheets, top shelf liquor, luxurious bath amenities and sumptuous furnishings. The resort is home to the only champagne and caviar bar in the Caribbean where the fine art of sabering (opening the champagne bottles with a sabre) is practiced. Le Papillon, the resort's French restaurant, is what I still consider to be one of the best meals in my life. There are 2 options for staying at this property...a European plan and the Royal Plan. The inclusions that automatically come with the resort's European plan are luxury shuttle transfers from the airport, welcome sugar cane bubbly, early riser's continental breakfast on the Terrace, mangosas, chilled towel, rosewater face and body misting, and cucumber eye cooling every morning on the beach by your beach butler, daily afternoon tea on the Terrace, Jamaican hot chocolate on the Terrace every Friday, cooking lesson with the chef at the Royal Plantation Wellness Luncheon, weekly General Manager's Cocktail Reception with open bar, hors d'oeuvres and martinis during Martini Moments on Fridays, complimentary pillow menu and complimentary use of 24 hour fitness area.

If this isn't pampering enough then you can always upgrade to the Royal Plan which also includes ala carte breakfast, lunch and gourmet dinners, traditional tea, in-room dining, in-room bar with premium liquor, extensive wine selection and all bar beverages as well as non-motorized watersports, diving if you are PADI Certified, cigar rolling classes and championship golf. This current special is absolutely incredible for a resort that can surpass any honeymoon expectation. Please don't hesitate to contact us via phone or email at 866-585-1631, 703-724-1243, or info@wheredreamslead.com with any questions or to book your luxury getaway at Royal Plantation.

New Nonstop Service to St. Lucia!!

Great news!!! Jet Blue is beginning non-stop service from JFK to St. Lucia this fall! Introductory fares are incredibly low $434 from JFK and from the Washington DC area $482.61 per person (we haven't seen fares this low in over a year from this area!). From JFK its only a 4 hour and 44 minute flight! What a perfect time to take advantage of the great sales at Sandals (3 to choose from with privileges at all) or Grand Pineapple Resort. Call or email us for details!