Recommend August 2018 - 22

"
Both Occidental Costa Cancun and Occidental Tucancun are
ideal for families looking for an amazing escape, couples and
honeymooners on a romantic rendezvous, or young explorers
looking for excitement, nightlife and cultural immersion.

"

-- Juan Carlos navarro, Director of Sales, occidental Costa Cancun & occidental Tucancun

✈

Worldwide Marketing (representative of
Karisma Hotels & Resorts). "Similar to our
Punta Cana property, Nickelodeon Hotels
& Resorts Riviera Maya will present a true
luxury experience for adults featuring modern
design, an expansive spa, and world-class
cuisine, as part of Karisma's renowned
Gourmet Inclusive Experience, including
a seafront Yacht Club and an authentic
Mexican cantina."
The property will feature 276 oceanfront
swim-up Pad Suites and Flat Suites, plus
four Nickelodeon-themed Signature
Penthouses situated on the top floor of two
6-story buildings. The penthouses will be
decorated with favorite characters including
the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and

TrAvEL
AdviSor
Corner

SpongeBob SquarePants, and each offers an
infinity pool, swim-up access and views of the
Caribbean Sea. One amenity kids will sure
not want to miss is Aqua Nick.
"Given the incredible response to Aqua
Nick at Nickelodeon Hotels & resorts
Punta Cana, we're expanding this element
in Riviera Maya, affording nearly 500,000 sq.
ft. of family fun with activities for everyone
including a lazy river, waterslides, a splash
park, an interactive water playground for
toddlers, and mini relaxation pools,"
points out Poling.
"Our ideal client is someone who's as fun
as they are discerning. Nickelodeon Hotels &
Resorts Riviera Maya will surprise and delight
at every turn and we're confident guests will

Contact Information
Casa Pueblo: casapueblotulum.com
Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa:
palladiumhotelgroup.com

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya:
nickresortrivieramaya.com
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos: aichotelgroup.com/our-resorts/nobu

Occidental Costa Cancun & Occidental Tucancun:
barcelo.com

Sandos Palm Bay Playacar: sandos.com
TRS Coral Hotel: palladiumhotelgroup.com
Viceroy Los Cabos: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

Where the Crowds Aren't
Susan Farewell

One of the never-ending challenges our travel firm faces is sending
clients to places that aren't crowded. The "more is never the merrier"
when you're trying to see major attractions around the world.
As a travel advisor, knowing where to go and when to go is key to
avoiding the throngs.
■ Early or Late Season often solves the problem: When you travel
in the summer months, you are competing with families around the
world that have the same vacation time. If your clients are set on
going to Europe, encourage them to go as early or as late in the season
as possible.
■ Avoid party islands mid-July to mid-August: A lot of people love
the international jet-set scene of Mykonos but unless you also love
crowds, best to avoid this Cycladic gem in July and first half of August.
Same goes for the island of Hvar in Croatia, which is an international
magnet for vacationing students and 20-somethings.
■ Choose off-the-beaten track destinations: There are many beautiful
and culturally compelling countries that are not as discovered as
Western European capitals. Among them are the Balkan countries, in
particular Slovenia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania.
■ Go the extra yard: Everyone seems to have Iceland on his/her/
their bucket list. Most people just hit the sites of southern Iceland,
within easy reach of Reykjavik. Indeed, one can see many of the
country's waterfall, volcanoes, and thermal features in the southern
part of Iceland, but flying up to the north and exploring that part of
this country or driving around the entire island nation is even more
rewarding.
22 august 2018

truly appreciate each of the whimsical and
luxurious aspects. From waterslides at Aqua
Nick and character hangouts at Nickelodeon
Place to top-notch gourmet cuisine with
produce sourced directly from Karisma's
76,000-sq.-ft. greenhouse at the property's
six distinct restaurants, and sommeliers and
expert mixologists at our four bars, including
the Bikini Bottom Bar, Nickelodeon Hotels
& Resorts Riviera Maya will be full of worldclass family experiences," adds Poling. ■

■ Work around the cruise ships: All over the world, there are small,
wonderful islands and destinations that take on a different character
when cruise ships are on in port. Normally sleepy places get overrun
with crowds, pop-up shops spring to life, lines form at restaurants
and cultural attractions. While you cannot avoid the crowds entirely
for your land-based clients, you can make it your business to know
when they are at their worst. For example, if you have client visiting
Dubrovnik, be sure to send them into the old town late in the
afternoon or in the evenings, when the cruise ship passengers are back
on board.
While we can't change school calendars, and holidays may be the
only time families, couples or individuals can get away, we can prepare
our clients so their travel experiences are not sullied by crowds.
If they want to go to Japan during cherry blossom season, book as
early as possible so you get the hotels you want and make restaurant
reservations well in advance. If they want to go to the Greek Islands
(and don't want to miss the iconic ones like Mykonos and Santorini),
be sure to include one of the lesser known islands such as Naxos or
Folegrandros.
Keep in mind that if a place or an event is considered a crowd
pleaser, it's going to be crowded. ■
Susan Farewell is the owner of Farewell Travels LLC (FarewellTravels.
com), a travel design firm based in Westport, CT. Follow her on Twitter
and Instagram @FarewellTravels.
recommend.com
http://www.casapueblotulum.com http://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com http://www.nickresortrivieramaya.com http://www.aichotelgroup.com/our-resorts/nobu http://www.barcelo.com http://www.sandos.com http://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com http://www.recommend.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2018
