Back from the Dominican Republic

I'M BACK....

The Dominican was hot, beautiful and exhausting. We saw 6 hotels in 1 day in the 95 degree weather, i'm not quite sure how I didn't melt. I had an amazing learning experience and I have a ton of information to share...but, I'll just give my reviews with photos. With video to follow at a later date...

(All hotels are all inclusive properties)

Dreams Palm Beach

The Dreams Palm Beach was the first hotel on our tour. We went straight from the airport to the hotel. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport and has a beautiful entryway...The resort is elegant and has great amenities. It has 500 rooms and 6 a la carte restaurant none of which require a reservation as well as a buffet. The guests at this all inclusive do not wear bracelets and have free run of this beautiful property. This property does have a Preferred Club section where the guests have access to a private beach and additional amenities. The rooms are beautifully adorned and can sleep up to 4. I would highly recommend this to those that want a smaller hotel feel with luxury and comfort. Children are welcome and the hotel has a great kid and teen club.

Bahia Principe Ambar

Bahia Principe Ambar is the hotel I stayed at. It's an adult only property and at first sight reminded me of an old plantation. This hotel is 30 minutes from the airport and is at the end of the Bahia Ambar complex. The hotel is new and still has a few small kinks to work on like the airconditioning in the room is not cold enough. However, it is a beautiful property that provides amazing service. This hotel has 528 rooms, private beautiful beach. The hotel provides concierge service, our butler was Jorge and all we had to do was mention a need and he took care of it immediately. It has 4 a la carte restaurants and an international buffet. Reservations are not required for the restaurants. The buffet at breakfast provided a great variety and and the food was very well prepared. The dinners we were served were excellent. The Ambar is a quiet property and if you are looking for a party hotel this is not for you, however you can enjoy the luxury of this property and catch a tram to the Bahia Principe Punta Cana where there is a nightly show and disco available. The room was large and nicely decorated, there are robes, slippers and an umbrella provided in the room. On my last night they place a scented pillow in my room, there is a menu of scents you can choose from and there is turn down service and they place chocolates in the room. For those individuals that had a king bed they had their jacuzzi tub filled with bubbles. I really enjoyed staying at the and would recommend this for couple of all ages looking for great service and a quiet hotel with the option of a party.

Dream Punta Cana
The Dreams Punta Cana is about 20 minutes from the airport and pure luxury. The hotel has 500 rooms that are luxurious with all the modern amenities. Dreams Punta Cana has the largest swimming pool in the Dominican and a lazy river. The white sand beach made me want to take my shoes of and run into the crystal clear water. The hotel has 7 a la carte restaurants and a buffet. None of the restaurants require a reservation. They provide their guest with domestic and international beverages. This hotel is kid friendly offering both a club for kids and teenagers. I would recommend this hotel for those seeking a warm hotel fell with luxury.
Moon Palace

The Moon Palace is about 25 minutes from the airport. The Moon Palace is not a warm and cozy hotel. This hotel is large and modern and definitely has a purpose. If you want a small islandy hotel do not go the Moon Palace. However, if you want air conditioned lobbies and sleek and modern decor. this is for you. If you want full service spa and gym and hair salon like you would find in Manhattan then this is for you. The Moon Palace is a great place for large groups and large conventions. This hotel is in the process of completing its casino which will be able to compete with any in Vegas and also in the process of finalizing contracts which will allow them to bring in famous entertainers. I spent years working on Paradise Island and this hotel reminds me very much of the Atlantis. I loved this hotel, I would definitely recommend this hotel to my clients that want modern and elegant.

Barcelo Premium Punta Cana

The Barcelo Premium Punta Cana is about 25 minutes from the airport. It's located on the beautiful white sandy beach in Bavaro. The hotel has 798 rooms and is great for singles, couples and families. The hotel sits on a large property but you don't feel lost in the size. The hotel rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated. The hotel offers 6 a la carte and they will require a reservation. There are activities available such as a circus trapeze to keep you and your children entertained. I would recommend this hotel to families and couples and singles...

Iberostar Grand

The Iberostar properties are well known and are very popular. The Iberostar Grand an adults only resort that is the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. The hotel has 260 suites. 4 a la carte restaurants, a buffet and a snack bar at the beach. This hotel is great for couples and singles looking for fun and relaxation. The hotel features a night club on a pirate ship. We ate lunch at the Iberostar Beach Grill, generally beach grill restaurants serve hot dog's hamburgers pizza, pasta. This beach grill had a great variety food including caviar and a large selection of seafood and meats. The food was delicious and very well prepared. I just got back from the Iberostar Tucan in Riviera Maya, that was a great property and my son and I had a blast. I would definitely go to the Iberostar Grand with my boyfriend, because I know the Iberostar service would be great.

Majestic Colonial and Elegance

The Majestic Colonial and Elegance are two identical properties that offer their guests identical amenities. The hotel is about 40 minutes from the airport. The hotel offers a jacuzzi in everyone of their 547 rooms. The hotel has 5 a la carte restaurants and 2 buffets. The hotel has a kids and teens club and a night club for the adults. The rooms are beautiful and the hallways are filled with art by local artists. This hotel is great for couples and families.

Ocean Blue

The hotel is about 30 minutes from the airport. My first impression of the Ocean Blue was nice but not spectacular. All the hotels visited were a 5 Apple or higher. The Ocean Blue was inviting and I really liked the way the hotel was organized, even though it was a large hotel (708rooms) it was very easy to get from the restaurants to the rooms and to the beach. The rooms were nice but not amazing. The beach and the pool was great. What appealed to me about this hotel was different elements like the bowling alley and the cute restaurants like the diner.

I would recommend this hotel to families and people just looking for a nice hotel.

Melia

The Melia is about 25 minutes from the airport and is the largest hotel we saw. The best way to get around Melia is by their tram.
This hotel is perfect for families. They are one of the few hotels that offers family rooms that can sleep 5 and their family rooms have a playstation 3 in the rooms. What this hotels offers that the other do not is childcare starting at 9 months for no additional cost. I was at first a bit overwhelmed by the size of this hotel because personally I prefer smaller hotels, however Melia won me over. I would definitely want to vacation here and would love to send my families to this hotel. What I loved besides the beautiful beach and pool area were the activities offered to the kids such as zip line (addition $6.00 per day for the different activities, but definitely worth the cost. We ate lunch at their buffet, the selection was large and the food was delicious. I would recommend this to all.

Additional Information:

All the sites were available for weddings, they all have both gazebos and beach setting available.

The majestic also has a small chapel on the property that they use for wedding.

All the hotels have on site spas and gyms

The following hotels have Casinos:

Bahia Principe

Dreams Punta Cana

Dreams Palm Beach

Ocean Blue

Majestic

Barcelo

I'm glad I can bring back my feed back to everyone.

I hope you find it helpful.

Bye

Running lost

Soccer has officially started spent all last weekend in Rockford (90 minutes from home) at the seeding tournament. I was exhausted by the end of the weekend and no work got done. I got an email last week from a friend letting me know that another friend was coming into town and wanted to get together. The problem is that the person coming into town was one of my closests friends and about a year ago she just disappeared out of my life, stopped calling. She was going through personal issues and I must have been the only one that told her the truth. I have never been able to stand back and let a friend hurt themselves without speaking up. I always thought that's what friends were for. I guess not everyone wants to hear the truth and would rather live in fantasy land. I was so torn about going on Sunday, but I broke down and went. It was wierd and she knew I was upset and hurt. I didn't say a word, there were two other women there and I didn't think it was an appropriate coversation in front of a group of people. My boyfriend was pissed I didn't tell her how I felt at dinner. It's hard especially since I understand why she disappeared. I know she has been in a bad place for a long time, with her marriage and then with child custody issues with her ex. I have been there, when I was married I disappeared on all my friends for years, I was embarrassed that I was so low and didn't want to talk to any one.

When we said our good byes, I told her to call me because we need to talk. My boyfriend doesn't think she's going to call, maybe not, but at this point I don't even think I care. She can't hurt me a second time.

Business is slow. Don't know how to pick up new weddings. I have the bridal show coming up, but i've had a mental block on how to prepare for it. I am so close to just going back to school getting my teaching degree and getting a real job. I just need a bit of security.

My Vacation is Over

My vacation has officially ended, soccer has started. I have spent every evening from 5 - 7:30 this week at the practice field with Maurice, and there is more this evening as well as a tournament about an hour from home all weekend. I love my son, but I can't wait for him to start driving so I don't have to sit through 2 hours of practice 4 days a week.

Spent a few hours with the couple getting married in October yesterday. She is leaving everything up to me including choosing the unity candle, bridesmaid dresses and flower girl dresses. I'm hoping this wedding goes over really well and I get a ton of referrals from it.

The travel business is painfully slow, really thinking about turing it into purely a destination wedding business.

Daily Wedding Tip: Create a wedding website to chronicle the planning

Friday Morning

Good morning everyone:


It's Friday morning, I have two loads of laundry in and i've done my daily wedding and travel tip.

Now what? I know I have a ton to do, but all I want to do is sleep, it is so miserable looking outside.

But, ok i'll start the phone call and scheduling. I need to figure out how to grow the destination wedding clientelle and I need to prepare for a bridal show. No idea, what i'm going to hand out there.

Daily Wedding Tip: In lieu of centerpieces adorn the table with mini wedding cakes.

Daily Travel Tip: Riviera Maya Square Deal starting at $549.99. Call Around the World Travel 847-419-9810

New Tips:

Victoria's Daily Wedding Tip: For the groom, don't limit yourself to the tuxedo. A great suit (dark or light colored depending on the season) for a formal wedding is just as elegant.

I am trying so hard to get into work mode. When we got back I learned that my 88 year grandmother was finally in the nursing home. I went to visit her early Saturday morning and the minute I walked in there tears came to my eyes. Not only was it horrible to see my dad's mom sitting there (my father died 6 years ago) but I could see my life flash before my eyes. It doesn't matter that i'm 35 I could see into my future and it scared me. After my dad died at such a young age, it put fire under my ass. He was the last person you would expect to get sick and die. He was so healthy and he still got pancreatic cancer. After his death, early death became a reality in my life. Before that it happened to other people never us, now I realize it can happen to us.

I've always been motivated, but after his death my I have this new urgency and almost a choking fear that I live with and fight daily. I am generally the person people come to for calmness and for rationality yet, I can't seem to be completely rational when it comes to this. On top of the urgency it made me colder to death and illness. I am definitely less empathetic.

The goal is to really enjoy my life and watch my son turn into hopefully an amazing adult.

Wish me luck!!!

More Playa del Carmen

Good morning everyone!!!

I know I wrote a long review yesterday. Today I wanted to share a story.

Maurie and I took a cab to Playa Del Carmen from our hotel. It was a 5 minute cab ride and I saw all these people walking. We walked around Playa, we've been there a few times and he's a 13 year old boy so not the most exciting outing. I bought him a small $8.00 strawberry milkshake and I got an ice coffee. On the way back I thought it would be fun to walk back to the hotel. I was like it's a 15 minute walk, it will be fun. Well I was wrong, 15 minutes turned into 45 minutes in 105 degree weather direct sunlight, no breeze and flip flops on boiling hot cobble stones. We barely spoke on the way back. When we finally made it back to the hotel, we sprinted for the bar, sucked down ice cold drinks and staggered back to our room for airconditioning. I was wearing a white tank top and looked like I just walked out of a wet t-shirt contest and his shirt was drenched. I sat on the bed for 5 minutes and when I stood up to change into my bathing suit, my knees buckled, we laughed so hard, we had tears coming out of our eyes. I think it was hilarious Maurice not so much.

Victoria's Daily Wedding Tip: Give a step child a ring (or another token) to signify they are part of the union.

Back from Iberostar Tucan Riviera Maya

Hi Everyone,

We're back from our amazing family vacation at the Iberostar Tucan in Riviera Maya. Maurice and I had a great time. We did nothing more then eat, drink, swim, tan and sleep. This was our first time at the Iberostar and I had read a ton of reviews, for the most part the reviews were favorable and I felt comfortable that we would like the property. As a travel agent i've been lucky enough to travel to numerous resorts in Mexico and have a pretty good idea how the all inclusives function.

We arrived at the resort around noon and had an easy and quick check in. Once we checked in we made our way to our room. We walked about 3 minutes through a jungle setting to our building which was right near the pool and steps from the beach. Our room was on the 3rd floor, it was large and comfortable appointed with 2 beds and a separate sitting area with a couch and table with chairs. The view from our balcony was of the jungle and all the animals it holds.

The beach was amazing, it had the best beach out of all the resorts we have been too. No rock, crystal clear water, a place to hide from the sun. This was a great beach. The pool was warm and clean. There was a large selection at the buffets at breakfast, lunch and dinner. There was plenty of seafood and the cookies were delicious. We had dinner 3 of the nights at the a la carte restaurants: Asian, Mexican and Italian. The food was great in all 3 but the Italian was my favorite. They had a great selection of appetizers. The service in the restuarants for the most part was good, there were a few quirks like, not getting a coffee refill one morning and no water at lunch one day. Other then that the restaurant service was good.

The maids did a great job cleaning our room. When reading the reviews they all had one thing in common, they all mentioned that the beds were hard and they did not lie, the beds were unbelievable hard, but it didn't stop us from passing out at the end of the day from being on the beach all day. They created little towl people daily.

For me the best part of the resort was all the wildlife. I loved looking out our balcony and seeing the monkeys sitting on the railing. I loved having to walk past the peacocks to get to dinner and I really just enjoyed our stay.

We came back relaxed and tanned. Would I recommend this hotel to my clients yes.

Would I recommend this to my clients for a destination wedding yes!!! There is nothing more beautiful then barefoot in the sand...

Victoria's Daily Wedding Tip: Serve a midnight snack of popcorn in a vintage style popcorn carton.

Another Wedding Tip

Victoria's Daily Wedding Tip: Eloping? Vegas is not the only option. Getaway for a long weekend and say your I Do's barefoot on the sand on an exotic island.

Almost Vacation Time

It's Monday morning and only a few days until i'm laying on the beach drinking margaritas. But in the mean time, a ton of work to do. The weddings will pretty much wait until I get back, but the travel requires a little attention. My mother works for the business and she's great but not very computer literate and not tech savy, so most of the emailing and planning is on me, so I have to make sure before I get on the plane she's good to go as well.

Today is going to be crazy, track and field camp, packing cleaning... Work!!!

Victoria's Daily Wedding Tip: Couple's don't compromise your dream wedding to the point of not recognizing it...

Another Saturday Morning

Good morning everyone!!!

Woke up this morning in a much better mood. Yep, made up with the boyfriend. We just have some things to sort out, but I think its going to be ok. Made Maurce a huge bowl of cheesy grits with a side of bacon for breakfast and now its time to get to work...

Working on a color scheme for the October wedding. The bride has left it completely up to me and she's going to be gone for two weeks. I'm thinking rust for the bridesmaids.

Wedding Tip of the Day: Walk down the aisle no later then 15 minutes after scheduled.

For all followers

Hello everyone,

I just want to invite everyone to share their wedding tips with me. I am always open to a great idea!!!

There's Always an Issue

It's Friday morning and figuring out what the schedule for the day is and how to concentrate when my boyfriend and I aren't speaking. He came over on Wednesday and I gave him his present and he loved it. We went out to dinner and it was great, we got back to my place and all hell broke loose. I'm not why or how, he started saying things that bugged me and I just flipped and started yelling. This went back and forth for a while and he just left and didn't take his gift with him. Now we're not speaking and i'm not sure if we ever will. I haven't figured out how in life things literally can change in minutes. 1 minute you're all great and the next your done...It's really sad to me, we've been together 2 and a half years. I know life goes on but at this moment it just hurts... I guess time will either tell or heal.

I have so much to do before I take of for Mexico, so I really need to get my head together quick and get to work...

Victoria's Wedding Tip of the Day: Sit down dinner is not a requirement for weddings, a cocktail reception is a great alternative.

Just a tip

Just a wedding tip of the day today:

Victoria's Wedding Tip of the Day: The maid of honor and bridesmaids don't always have to be women and the groomsment don't all have to be men. Choose those closest to you not based on gender.

Wednesday Morning

Almost overslept and we never oversleep, we're always early. Maurice just left for Great America with some friends. Now my job is to relax and not worry about something happening to him. I try to think positive, but until I see him home at the end of the day my nerves are on edge.

Thinking of biking to the post office, trying to incorporate excercise into anything I can at this point. Have a ton of research to do for the weddings. I'm looking for a photographer, florist and makeup artist for the October wedding. It was so easy in the Bahamas, I had the best on speed dial, here I have to google them and then trust my gut.

Today is my boyfriends birthday. We've been together 2 and a half years and this is his 3rd birthday we're celebrating together. I always get him Nike's and generally old school ones that you can't find in the stores and yes, he's going to get another pair today. I'm going to take him out to dinner after work this evening. Should be a nice night.

Victoria's Wedding Tip of the Day: Add your honeymoon to the registry..Enlist your favorite travel agent to help.

Just a wedding Tip

I just wanted to make sure I blogged my wedding tip of the day:"

Victoria's Wedding Tip of the Day: Instead of a wedding cake think wedding cupcakes.

Signing the Contract

Met with the October wedding couple earlier today. Had them sign the contract and helped them choose their invites. Went over to White Deer Run Golf course and met with the catering manager. Walked the site and discussed seating. It's a beatuful location in Vernon Hills. Great View!

Victoria's Wedding Tip of the Day: Use seasonal flowers to save on decor!

Saturday Morning

It's 8:58 in the morning, I've been up since 6:30 and working since 7:00. Well trying to work, my boyfriends over so every few minutes have to have some silly conversation. Dropped of Maurice at my brothers yesterday morning to spend the weekend with his cousin. Drove an hour to meet with a catering manager to go over options for the October wedding only to get a call from the catering manager that she's ill and needs to reschedule. Going to go early Monday to meet with my clients and then go see the reception site. In the meantime confirmed an 11:30 limo pick up for a client leaving for Moscow today from NJ. Planning on working until 12 and then going to go and enjoy the weather before it rains.

I was home last night alone waiting for my boyfriend to come over and it hit me, I don't know what to do with myself if Maurice is not home. I've been a mom since I was 22 and don't really know how to be anything else. It's so easy to get lost in your child and being a single mom you are the only one that is there. The majority of my day is spent doing things for Maurice or with Maurice and when he's not around i'm lost and a little bit scared. My goal as a mom has been to raise him to be independent and strong, so I never let him know how scared I am at the thought of him leaving me. I guess what I need to do now is get a life that doesn't involve him...

As a wedding planner I have great ideas that I want to share with the public, so I'll be offering a Wedding Tip of the day daily:

Victoria's Wedding Tip: The bridesmaids don't all have to wear the same dress or even the same color as long as it stays within the brides color scheme.

Picked Up a New Wedding

It's been really hard establishing myself as a professional event planner in the Chicagoland area. I had so much experience planning weddings in the Bahamas and it all came so easy that stumbling around here trying to find clients to trust me has been a real blow to the ego. Mix in with it that most people would rather go on line to plan their vacation then call a travel agent and what you get in me trying to figure out how I can pay bills and give my son a good life. Everyday is different, today is a good day, a couple hired me to plan their wedding for October. I'm beyond grateful that they gave me a chance, I really need this not only for the money but I need to start building my repuation and portfolio here in Illinois. I am really excited. I need to blow this out the water!! I will provide pictures....

In the meantime I have been working on the first wedding I booked here in Chicago. The couple is getting married next year July and they're adorable. They just invited me to their engagement party.

So booked a wedding this morning, went to Walmart went to the post office and the library and took Maurice to track and field camp all before 10 this morning. Sitting here at my desk myour vacation. Talked to my boyfriend (yes single mom has a boyfriend) listened to him complain how i'm not showing him enough attention. Then listened to him tell me how happy he is that I booked a wedding and he'll help me with anything I need. He's a good guy! His birthday is next week and I have a surprise planned for him. Should be a blast.

1st Time Blogging

Hello Everyone,

This is my first attempt at blogging. I'm a little nervous and very excited. My name is Victoria and I am the owner of Around the World Travel and Events by Victoria B. My companies specialize in destination weddings and Chicagoland event planning. Getting a business of the ground is nerve wrecking, tiring, but but definatley worth it. However, my biggest job and joy is raising my teenage son. I'm not sure when I became old enough to have a teenager, but here I am a single mom of a 13 year old soccer player with a little bit of track and field thrown in. I read my friends updates on Facebook and they are talking about they're pregnant for the first time, or describing their daughters first birthday party or asking advice on how to take the pacifier away, and I want to know how to keep the girls away. My schedule is simple: Work, meetings, followed by driving to soccer practice, followed by driving to a soccer game. Growing my businesses has definately suffered because I have chosen be completely involved in my sons life. There is alot of guilt that comes with being a single parent, especially when the father is completely uninvolved. So far I think i'm doing ok!

I used to live in the Bahamas and ran a pretty successful wedding planning business. When I moved back to the states, I walked away from it, but realized I loved planning events and I missed it. So here I am in Chicago ready to venture back into the world of event planning. Around the World Travel is the destination wedding and travel agency that allows me to plan amazing weddings for my couples anywhere in the world. Events by Victoria B allows me to use my talent to create unique and spectacular events in the Chicagoland area.

Please follow me as I attempt to grow these businesses without missing a soccer game. I'll post photos of great locations and great events.