A number of my friends are planning for their trip to Europe. They have been asking me about it and the only tip that I can tell them is that they should plan ahead as it is really complicated to plan for a Europe trip.

Well for one, it is difficult to plan for the itinerary as Europe offers a vast of options. Each city is different so you would really like to visit each of the cities to experience everything that Europe has to offer. Aside from the tourist attractions, there are a lot of possible ways to move from one city to the next like train, airplane, and bus so you have to check each one of those if you want to get the cheapest and most convenient way to travel. Some sites ‘ internal pages do not offer an English version that you would even need Google translate to understand what the site says before making any booking.

But I told them that if they want to simplify their life, then they should just get their own personal concierge like the service of Paris Luxe. Paris Luxe can help them plan for their entire trip, as they can help coordinate and book activities, select luxury paris apartments, get discounts on leisure partners and they can even provide for your own Paris based professional photographer to document your travel.

So if you are planning for a Europe trip any time soon, check out Paris Luxe now.

Will I see you again?

Hopefully soon…if this happens, it will be the best Christmas, birthday and anniversary gift ever. I am not putting my hopes up but hubby is positive that this will push through. But I am getting excited already just thinking about it.

Howell would want the kids to come but I don’t think we will be able to afford it if all four of us will go and besides Bela has school and she can’t be absent for 2 weeks, minimum.

I am just too happy about this news that is why I am sharing it here but still, let’s wait and see if this will really push through or not.

If you are planning for your next family adventure and you are thinking where to go, then going to a beach resort might be something that you may want to consider as the sea, sand and sun is something that the whole family will surely enjoy.

There are a lot of things that kids and adult alike can do while in a beach resort. It can be a whole day full of fun activities, a weekend and even a whole week. If you check out the Things to do in Provo, one of the newest beach resorts in Utah, you will discover a whole lot of activities to keep you and your family busy and entertained while on your vacation.

When planning for a beach vacation, here are some tips that you should consider:

1. Get ideas from all the family members. This will ensure that you will find a beach destination that everyone will enjoy and that they have something to look forward to in your destination of choice.

2. Decide when to go. Do you want to go during the high season where the beach may be crowded or during the off-season where you can have the beach to yourself to relax and have fun? You can also check for events lined up, as it may be something that you don’t want to miss.

3. Check the resort facilities. When choosing your beach resort destination, check for the services that the resort offers especially if you are traveling with kids. You can check if the resort offers babysitting, kid friendly activities, family suite that has a lot of space for the whole family and more. 

If you plan ahead, you will be able to choose the best beach destination that will give your family the ultimate fun and relaxation during your vacation.

Aside from bags, traveling with my family is one of the things that I am addicted to. That is why my friends and families are teasing me that I can get Travel Counselor Jobs as I know where to get the good deals and the right information for a perfect vacation.

I have a dream of going around the globe and to conquer at least one city per continent. So far my husband and I have been to Asia, Europe and North America.

After watching the movie Rio, Brazil is now our top candidate for South America. My dad said that it is very affordable there and the value of their money is almost the same as here in the Philippines. The only problem is the steep airfare.

Santorini in Greece is also in my list. If we have a chance to go back to Europe, this will be my next take. I think I can spend 3 weeks here. Hehe.

But things are a bit tight for us financially as this is the first year for the monthly amortization of the property that we bought and so we are still adjusting. And after our US trip last May, I don’t think we still have a budget left for another major trip.

But I hope that in time we can travel around the world again especially now that we have our 2 kids to enjoy our vacations with.

We just got back from our 3-week vacation in the US and though it was the best 3 weeks that I spent as I spend some quality time with my family, it was also the most tiring vacation that we ever had. Imagine we travel across the US and Canada for only three weeks with my mom (who is a first time traveler outside Asia) and my five-year daughter and my 11-month-old baby. We were running from one city to the next so we can really make the most of our vacation so you can just imagine how tiring can that be.

But after we have done the amazing race kind of vacation, hubby and I agreed that we want a more relax atmosphere next time our family goes out on vacation and we are thinking of trying asia tours.

Aside from the traveling, the planning stage is a stressful part too when going on a vacation so we decided that we will book with Collette Vacations our next planned china tours. Since they offer escorted service, they will book everything from us including the airfare, the accommodations, and the tours like the national parks tours. Their tour guide will also be with us all throughout the tour and will even give insider tips on where to go, where to eat, where to shop and a lot of other important tourist information.

I hope we will really have a budget for this as this is really my kind of vacation.

My good friend Jacqui emailed me the local residents’ rate of Shangri-La Boracay and the rate was really good that I got really tempted to book a flight for my family this coming January. I am already imagining the nice beach at Boracay, the Luxury bed linens in all of their rooms, the nice infinity pool that I am sure Bela will surely enjoy, and the spa where Howell and I can relax. But I have to hold off my vacation plans for now as there is a possibility that we might go with hubby when he goes on training this June. So this means we really have to save as we want to bring Bela, Cobi and my mom with us for this trip.

His application for training has been accepted already and he is just waiting for the budget to be approved and hopefully if all goes as planned (that is if Cobi and my mom will be granted a visa) then it is a go for us to US this June.

It has always been our dream that we can bring our kids to the US so they can enjoy Disneyland and Universal Studios so I am really praying that this trip will push through.

So for now, it will be less shopping for me and I have to ignore all upcoming promos of Cebu Pacific and PAL so we can save enough money for our trip this June.

As I posted in my previous post, we went to Amana Water Park, a resort near our house in Bulacan, last Sunday. We checked in at around 3 PM but the sun hasn’t set yet and we find it still too hot so the adults decided to just stay in our cottage while the kids jumped to the kiddie pool right away.

While we are waiting for the sun to set, we were able to have some talks about our plans for our next family adventure. Last time we went on a family adventure was last 2007 where all of us (total of 21 persons) had a three-day vacation in Hong Kong.

Now we are planning to go to Bohol by December or January (this is just six months after I give birth so I will need the top diet pill so I can go back to my pre-pregnancy weight right away before our family outing).

Bohol is really a family place and it is really one of my favorite out of town destinations so I can’t wait to bring my whole family there. It will be a first time for most of my relatives there so it will really be fun and I am excited to take them around places that I love in Bohol.

Hope this plan will really push through so I really have to keep an eye for Cebu Pacific promo as I will be booking for a minimum of 20 pax for this trip.

I so miss the beach. Since I am pregnant, we have been refraining from traveling long distance because of my condition. But my family loves the sun and the sand so much that my daughter has been bugging us to take her to the beach this summer. If only I am not pregnant, I would have said yes to my dear princess right away. And besides I tried calling all the resorts and they are all fully booked already for all weekends until June. So I promised her that once I give birth, we will definitely take her to the beach and who know, if budget permits, we might try out the Ocho Rios hotels. Imagining the calming sound of the waves of the ocean while enjoying spa service or simply watching my family having fun as they enjoy the beach and the different water activities is just priceless. Imagining this makes me excited already that I started checking out different caribbean hotels. I particularly love Breezes Resorts, one of the all inclusive hotels in the Caribbean. What I love about the all-inclusive package is that I don’t have to worry about anything as soon a we reached the resort as everything is included in the package - meals (from breakfast buffets to dinner), entertainment., land and water sports, even hotel taxes and airport transfer. This means that once we reached the resort, all we have to do is just have fun, relax and enjoy. I can’t wait to feel the sand on my feet again, lounge in the beach chair and enjoy the heat of the sun and enjoy a bonding moment with my precious family.

Howell has been really itching to go on a family vacation. Just like last week, he called me in the office and is asking me to book a trip for a family getaway. And then this morning, he mentioned it again and is asking me when we can travel again for our next vacation.

With all the expenses waiting for us with the coming of the baby I am not really sure on when we can go on a vacation. But I told him that he should not worry since both of us are travel addicts and for sure as soon as I give birth, we will find a way to have a budget for another travel. LOL.

If budget is not an issue, then I would really love to go to Azul Beach Hotel in Bahia Pentempich beach in Puerto Moreles. This is a family friendly resort and it is just newly renovated. They have lots of activities for families with kids and they even provide for cribs, strollers, milk heaters and the like which is one of the few things that I hate bringing (because they are bulky) every time we travel.

What I love about Azul Beach is that they only have 98 rooms and all of their rooms have beautiful view of the garden or the ocean and with this number of rooms, we will be guaranteed a very relaxing stay. Oh, I can’t wait to go on a vacation again.

On our way home last night, while hubby and I were stuck in traffic, we were able to talk about our travel plans. I told hubby about my wish to have another vacation this year after I give birth. If I have the budget, I would have wanted to book one of those gulf shores hotels but then I know that we have limited budget so that will not be possible. Imagine, I will give birth 2010 then we have to prepare for the Christening of our baby, then 2011 will be the first birthday party and 2012 will be Bela’s 7th birthday party. So we have a lot of major expenses lined up until 2012.

So I told hubby that even an out of town trip like in Cebu or Bohol is all I wish for this 2009. He promised that he will allot his Christmas bonus for this and he even suggested that we go to Singapore instead so we can check the Universal Studios which will be open by that time too.

Oh, hope this trip will push through. So I am now waiting for Cebu Pacific’s seat sale so don’t forget to buzz me if you spot any promos. LOL.

My cousin from Canada just got back from their Adults Only Caribbean Vacation at El Dorado Seaside Suites and she has nothing but raves for the resort and is encouraging me and my husband to try it also.

I am really not used to leaving our daughter behind when we go on vacation but my friends advised us that once in a while, it would be nice to go on a bonding moment with my husband. It would be really healthy for our relationship.

So I checked out the website of Karisma Hotel and I really fell in love with El Dorado Seaside Suites. Imagine, we will be staying in one of their Junior Suites which are just a few steps away from the beach, and then the resort offers an all inclusive package so we can just play, enjoy and eat all we want. They also have a Jacuzzi in their junior suites for a really romantic stay.

Maybe after I give birth, hubby and I can go on this Caribbean vacation at the Mexican Riviera Maya.

I snagged this picture from my kumareng Peachy’s Flickr Account. This picture was taken during their last family getaway at Shangri-La Mactan and I am really jealous. Wouldn’t you be after seeing this view? I can already imagine that it would be one relaxing vacation. We will just stay there for three days to enjoy the beach, the sand, the sun and the food. I can already imagine myself lying in one of those outdoor cushions while Bela and hubby are enjoying their time at the beach. Then we will have a sumptuous buffet meal. They also have an arcade and play area where Bela can spend time if ever we get tired of the sun (which I really doubt we will. LOL).

Hubby was asking me if I want to spend our anniversary there this coming January. I will be on my second trimester by then so I might be feeling a little better. And hope during that time, the hemorrhage in my uterus will be gone so my OB can give me the go signal to travel. I wish, I wish, I wish.

I have long been planning to check out Shangri-La hotel in Cebu. My good friend Peachy told me that Shang is having a promo until December and I was already ready to book our Cebu escapade for a vacation before the year ends. In fact I am already checking out nice beach cover ups (as I really need one to cover my tummy or maybe I should start using slimming pills instead), I already filed my leave fro December 4 and we already told Bela about the trip.

But last week, I received a news that there is a possibility that I might go to Kuala Lumpur to attend a 4-day conference. After being away from Bela for three weeks, I can’t imagine leaving her again even just for four days. So hubby and I decided that if I will be attending, they will be coming with me. LOL.

During the weekend, I checked out places that we can visit in KL. Honestly, I did not find anything spectacular. They have a National Zoo but the reviews are not good. They also have Genting Highlands where there is an Indoor and Outdoor theme park and a Wet and Wild park but I noticed that most of the rides are for those thrill-seeking individuals.

So we thought, why not go to Singapore instead before going to KL.

1. There is just a small difference in price if we drop by at SG first before going to KL
2. My friend in SG already invited us to stay at their place so we save on hotel also.
3. We get to go to Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and Sentosa which I am sure Bela will really prefer than Genting Highlands.

I am still waiting for the formal email to confirm my attendance so I can’t be that all excited yet as nothing is still final. But hopefully this trip will push through as we owe Bela a vacation for leaving her for three weeks when hubby and I went on an alone time together last August.

Don’t you love going on vacation? Who wouldn’t? Especially in this day and age where we live a very busy life, going on vacation is one of my favorite things to do to relax and be stress free.

My husband and I love the outdoors and nature. I was doing some research online when I land on the site of Delta County Colorado Tourism. I haven’t been to any of this cities and I got really excited when I learned that there are a lot of great places that we can go there to have fun and just relax.

We can enjoy nature and explore the Black Canyon National Park where we can set up a campsite and follow the trail leading to the canyon. I am sure my husband will have a grand time doing this. Or we can just visit the different wineries in the Delta Country and try out their wines.

Oh if only I have the money, I will immediately pack my bags and visit the Delta Country.

LoudLaunch - Compensating bloggers for their unbiased opinions, reviews, and analysis.

Since we will be leaving Bela for 20 days when we go on our trip this August and I am really feeling so guilty for doing it, Howell said that we will make it up with Bela by going on a family vacation before the year ends. (I am really crossing my fingers that we will be able to save up for this trip as I really wanted to treat Bela and spend some quality time with her especially since we will be leaving her for a good 20 days.)

I was checking for possible places where we can go and the site of Karisma Hotels and Resorts caught my attention. Bela always loved the beach and I know she will have a great time if we go to one of the resorts of Karisma in the Mexican Riviera Maya.

Judging from their website, I can really tell that we have a relaxing time there. They also have a lot of activities in the resort that the whole family will enjoy like snorkeling, swimming, play volleyball and the like.

Just imagining my whole family enjoying a perfect day at one of the Karisma hotels is keeping me out of stress already, what more if we can actually go there. Hopefully, someday soon.

Travel plans have been one of the topics of discussions when I logged in to Twitter this morning. You see, I love to make travel plans and if only I have all the money in the world I will travel to my heart’s delight with my family.

It is really nice to explore new things together. Especially now that we have a daughter who loves going to the beach, going to one of those Caribbean cruises is surely one of the things that we will do, hopefully someday.

One thing I love about joining a cruise is I can visit a number of places in one trip. Like the Southern Caribbean Cruise of Carnival Cruise. Imagine if we joined this cruise, we can enjoy the beaches of Aruba and rain forest of Dominica. We can go swimming and snorkeling which I am sure my daughter will really enjoy. And while on board the cruise, there are a lot activities that our whole family can enjoy because Carnival Cruise offers a lot of on-board activities that kids and adults alike will surely enjoy.

This is really one of my To-Do list and hopefully someday we will be able to save up so we can afford for the whole family to try any of the cruise that Carnival Cruise offers.

I caught my good friend from California online yesterday and she was asking me when we will visit them again. She just gave birth last year and we can’t wait to see her lovely daughter and we can’t wait for them to see our equally lovely Ysabela also.

Airfare to the United States is on sale actually from Philippine Airlines and we are thinking if we should avail of this promo because my friend has been telling us about hilton head south carolina. They have been to hilton head island during one of their vacations and they really enjoyed the place because it is really relaxing, they enjoyed the beach and they enjoyed the good food that their restaurants have to offer. And though Howell doesn’t play golf, the world class golf course located in hilton head real estate will really encourage Howell to play and try golf.

This really is a tempting offer and if only we have the budget, I might have purchased our airline ticket and book a flight to California. But I told my friend that I have to do some computations first if we can afford a US vacation this year.

Camp John Hay will start to offer 50% off from their room rates starting June 15, 2009. We were able to avail of this promo when we went to Baguio last year and every year this “Irresistible Baguio” promo is being offered by Camp John Hay from June 15 to September 30.

We are planning to take our new car to Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan for a blessing and so I was thinking to avail of Camp John Hay’s promo again for this year so we can proceed to Baguio after going to Manaoag and we can stay there for three days and two nights.

Let’s see. I will discuss this first with hubby…LOL.

They say that Boracay is the best place to be this summer. So I am not surprised when I heard from the news that almost 4,000 tourists arrive everyday to the beautiful island paradise of Boracay.

I can just imagine how crowded Boracay is this summer. They say that it is so crowded that it looks like it is the town fiesta of the Black Nazarene. LOL. But I don’t think that’s my cup of tea. If we go on a Family Vacation, we prefer a place where we can truly relax. Something like the beach resorts in the Riviera Maya.

Imagine enjoying a shot of Margarita while lying on a hammock where I have the best ocean view. Or we can do water sports activities that my daughter will surely enjoy, or just fly kites, have a barbeque or just enjoy the white sand beaches that the Mexican Riviera Maya has to offer.

Just thinking about it makes me feel relax and calm already. I wish we have the budget to do this as I am sure it will surely be one fun vacation.

Photo snagged from karismahotels.com.

Over the course of the year, we shied away from the traditional programs of our lives to take the much needed break to enjoy and relax and splurge for a vacation.

The beach is always and has become the favorite destination of my family to spend our vacation. And when it comes to beach resorts, the outer bank beach resorts nestled at North Carolina is the name that is on the lips of everyone in the family. Replete with a gentle breeze, a view of endless greenery boarded only by mountain silhouettes where the image of paradisiacal Mediterranean haunts into our imagination rippled to influence an ever greater whole that won our hearts. It’s a veritable paradise, a spectacular sight to behold where the science of nature’s beauty works at its best. We really found a universe in this charming place wrapped with genteel magic. Its tailor fit for a relaxing time ahead, a fine and ethereal place of peace and tranquility not asphyxiated by smog. A perfect back dropped for family bonding.

And to fully enjoy the cloak of relaxation that permeate our being, we always booked and rent one of the finest beach homes provided by Outer Banks rentals for the smooth and seamless stay of every guess at outer bank beach resorts. Rooms that was impeccably neat and comfortable with all the amenities working as they should add to the life changing experienced that spice up one’s life. The service that put great emphasis for the high interest and satisfaction of every guess which has been the management passion and tradition for two decades worth every penny spent for the stay at the island. It’s a gorgeous home away from home where we experienced all the aspects of beauty for exotic existence far from home.

Without any room for doubt or hesitation, we will surely spend our next vacation at the beach resorts of outer bank.