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Destination Spotlight-Cozumel

April 30, 2017 Andrea Ward Mexico No comments

Cozumel has been a destination in which many of you have requested information for, and it is on my bucket list as well.

Cozumel is filled with rich history and natural wonders. It has beautiful beaches along with an amazing Mayan culture. If you are visiting Cozumel, you will want to make time to explore the ancient Mayan ruins on the north side of the island. While there, you will also want to visit the sanctuary of the fertility goddess Ixchel at San Gervasio.

Cozumel is the largest island in Mexico and is known as “the Land of the Swallows”. It offers some of the most spectacular diving and snorkeling in Mexico with the second largest reef in the world. If you don’t dive, that is okay because Cozumel also offers a lot to those who are looking for fun, sun, and relaxation. There are a numerous amount of tours and day trips offered such as: snorkeling, fishing, swimming with dolphins, and catamaran tours. If you are staying in Cancan, Playa Del Carmen, or the Riviera Maya you can take a day trip over to Cozumel, as it is just off the south east coast.

Cozumel has something for just about anyone.

It hosts about a dozen resorts with the majority of them being all inclusive and family friendly. However, they do also have an adult only resort as well. With its many incredible features and excursions, Cozumel is an experience you won’t want to miss out on.

Fun Fact: The Mayans first settled on Cozumel in the 1st millennium A.D. They considered the island sacredx and dedicated it to Chel, the Mayan Moon Goddess. Many temples were built there and were places of pilgrimage, especially by women seeking fertility.-Travel Impressions

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

She has been planning vacation escapes for the company since 2013 and specializes in Caribbean Destinations. Her primary focus is on the all-inclusive vacation experience for adult or family getaways for individuals and small groups. Sandals and AMResorts are among the specialist certificates she holds.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Destination Spotlight-Riviera Maya

April 2, 2017 Andrea Ward Mexico No comments

Do you look for adventure when you’re planning your vacations?

A destination that might be of interest to you is the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

The Riviera Maya offers an abundance of different areas that host all kinds of different adventures that you can explore. There are over 70 resorts that you can choose from, and I’m sure there is one to suit everyone’s desires.

Here is a week’s worth of adventures you could try while on your vacation:
1) Swim in a Cenote: Cenotes are large natural sinkholes, and an iconic feature of the Yucatan Peninsula. In Mayan times, they were used for fresh water supply and religious ceremonies, but nowadays make the perfect place for tourists who want to swim, snorkel and relax in a unique environment.
2) Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: The Great Maya Reef is home to some of the best snorkeling in America. One of the best places is off the beaches of Akumal. Akumal is a nesting ground for turtles, but you will also see several tropical fish, making it a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
3) Xcart Park: The park offers more than forty different attractions. You can explore jungle ruins, forest trails or float along the underground rivers in a raft. There is a wild bird aviary, an orchid greenhouse, and an aquarium. In the evenings, they have an on-site theatre that depicts Mexican culture through song and dance.
4) Tulum: Tulum has picture-perfect sands, and turquoise blue waters that leave you with a laid-back vibe. It is a town like no other and offers you the inspiring Mayan ruins that are a must see.
5) Playa del Carmen Nightlife: The nightlife is centered on the beach, and one of the biggest night time attractions is the flamboyant Coco Bongo, where the shows are comparable to those of Las Vegas. One can enjoy the Riviera’s finest cuisine, sip cocktails in beachside bars or dance the night away in the popular clubs.
6) Chichen Itza: Hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the New World, the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza truly deserves their status as the second most popular attraction in all of Mexico.
7) Relax: After all this is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
photo credit: Adventures of Cancun Tours

While the Riviera Maya has all the incredible activates, it’s also a brilliant place to relax and unwind.

It offers stretches of white sand beaches fringed with palm trees. The beach is quiet due to the protection of the coral reefs. The waters are calm and portray a turquoise blue. The long stretches of white sands are home to sea turtles and crabs. I think no matter who you are or what level adventure you desire, the Riviera Maya is sure to deliver.

Fun Fact: Xcaret is a popular 250-acre tourist area in the village of Playa del Carmen. It includes an aviary, Dolphinarium, turtle sanctuary, beach, and a Mayan village with ruins. With so much to see, visitors often spend an entire day there.-Travel Impressions

Main Photo credit: Chichen.com

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

What’SUP?

February 13, 2017 Lisa Rossmeissl Adventure, Caribbean, Fitness, Mexico, South Pacific No comments

SUP, or otherwise known as Stand Up Paddling Boarding, is a fun, relaxing way to play on the water.

It’s easy enough for most levels of fitness and swimming when geared with a life jacket. SUP creates a great way to explore earth’s waters with the added benefit of exercise.

SUP requires little equipment and when traveling for leisure, the resorts will provide you with everything you need. SUP has become a great full-body workout and works well for a cross-training activity. For me, I love it because of the experience. Done from a standing position, you not only get to enjoy the beauty of the world below you, but the horizon as well.

SUP requires the board, paddle, life jacket (if required), proper climate clothing, and an adventurous you. And no need to worry, lessons are provided should you need them. My first experience was with my daughter in Cozumel. We were given lessons and had an instructor with our group the whole time we were out on the water. I was one of the oldest in the bunch and one of the first to get standing and stay standing. It probably helped that I am only 5 feet tall and have a low center of gravity. After our paddling up and down the shore, we ended our experience with feeding the tropical fish. It was spectacular.

I have since done SUP stateside, in St. Martin, and in French Polynesia. French Polynesia was a particular favorite on the blue waters of the lagoon at the Intercontinental Thalasso Resort on Bora Bora. My travel agent friend and I decided to take SUP to the next level and do yoga SUP. Trying to do yoga poses on a board that is floating on water takes incredible core strength and balance. We had a terrific time and more than once we toppled over and splashed into the clear water below.

I’ve seen now where they actually offer SUP Yoga as an option at some fitness centers for your workout. I’ve also seen several styles of board workouts via YouTube. For me, SUP gives me an opportunity to enjoy the destination, explore my surroundings, and stay fit all at once. While I certainly love hours laying upon a chair in the sand, my favorite when traveling is to immerse myself in the activities available to me.

What’SUP?

Have you tried SUP? Share with us in the comments below.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Salsa & Salsa-Great Excursion in Costa Maya

April 11, 2015 Lisa Rossmeissl Cruise, Culinary, Mexico, Recipe No comments

In May 2014, I took my eldest Greta on the Carnival Liberty. It was a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise that I had won during a travel agent promotion Carnival ran. We had decided on this particular itinerary due to its Spanish speaking destinations. Greta was already in her 4th year of Spanish, and mom wanted to put what she learned to practice. We had a delightful time on the cruise and enjoyed both onboard and off-board activities.

A great excursion in Costa Maya and our favorite, the Salsa & Salsa.

The Salsa & Salsa was a combination of learning how to make salsa and dance the salsa.

This, of course, was right up our alley as Mexican cuisine is one of our favorites, and Greta had been dancing since the age of 2. We ended up with a beautiful day as we disembarked the ship and headed for our meet up point on the dock. We lucked out, discovering there were only 8 of us that signed up for this particular tour. The small group size made it even more fun!

We took a short van ride into the main town area. I’m not sure by size it really qualified as a town but was very colorful and friendly. We entered a covered patio area where a table was set for us. Once seated and introductions were made, our adorable guide, Frederico, explained what we would be doing. The first thing on the agenda, order a cocktail. Something with Tequila, of course. The best part, the first activity was to learn how to make your very own blue margarita. Mind you; we would be drinking these throughout the activity. Just sayin’, things can get a bit jovial when the tequila starts flowing. Once our drinks were set, we moved on to learning how to make 2 different types of salsa and guacamole. One was smoky and spicy and one mild. We even used traditional methods that the locals would use in their own homes. I had to buy a few implements to bring home with the recipes to make it the traditional way upon our return.

Once we had successfully mastered and taste-tested our salsas and margaritas, we moved away from the table to the open floor to learn the salsa. Let me say there is a reason they give you the margaritas beforehand. All shyness was gone, and for some, the ability to move without wobbling! Greta and I were partners to begin. She laughed so hard to see her now tipsy mom attempted to learn these steps without tripping over herself. Of course, being the awesome dance creature she is, she had no problems and immediately caught on. Frederico was very anxious to make her his partner after our lesson. They did a beautiful dance for us.

The remainder of our time concluded with exploring the small town. We opted for some local massages on the beach and then some browsing of souvenirs. We returned to the ship happy, satisfied, and relaxed. We returned home with recipes and memories of a lifetime!

Bonus Recipe-Guacamole

Ingredients:

2 medium-sized ripe avocados

1 small ripe tomato roasted/ grilled until blistered, black, and soft

1 jalapeno chile, diced with seeds

1 tablespoon minced white onion that has been roasted/grilled

2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, mash or coconut shell mash together avocado, tomato, and chile with back pistol or back of a fork until chunky smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Cozumel has been a destination in which many of you have requested information for, and it is on my bucket list as well.

Cozumel has something for just about anyone.

A destination that might be of interest to you is the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

While the Riviera Maya has all the incredible activates, it’s also a brilliant place to relax and unwind.

SUP, or otherwise known as Stand Up Paddling Boarding, is a fun, relaxing way to play on the water.

What’SUP?

A great excursion in Costa Maya and our favorite, the Salsa & Salsa.

The Salsa & Salsa was a combination of learning how to make salsa and dance the salsa.

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