Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Hawaii Travel Exchange - Educational Adventure on Maui


What an amazing adventure to Maui! We traveled in late November 2014 to the beautiful island of Maui in the U.S. state of Hawaii. I like to point out that it is the 50th state. It is exotic, yet familiar. No passport needed. Purchases can be made in U.S. Dollars. Locals speak English. Yet you can learn about the interesting and unique culture of these Polynesian islands in the South Pacific, while exploring the lush, tropical paradise of the islands.

My first three nights were spent at the Grand Wailea Hotel - a Waldorf Astoria Resort. The room was luxurious and comfortable for resting after a busy day in the classroom learning more about the islands. My window looked out upon the gorgeous Pacific Ocean.





Our days were spent listening to updates from representatives of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau and its island chapters, as well as participating in one-on-one meetings with suppliers in the travel industry. We also had an opportunity to learn more about Hawaiian culture with hands-on lessons in lei making, hula dance, ukulele playing, and the local language. We also had the chance to tour additional area hotels including the Wailea Beach Marriott, Makena Beach & Golf Resort & Spa, Fairmont Kea Lani, and Mana Kai Maui. See photos below, and view more on our Treasure Travel Facebook Page.

Wedding Gazebo at Fairmont Kea Lani
Fairmont Kea Lani pool area
Views from Makena Lawn
Views from Breakfast at Mana Lani
Views from Marriott rooms
One highlight of the trip was the reception hosted by White Orchid Wedding (WOW) at their exclusive Beach House in a residential area of Makena. This property can be rented for weddings and other private events; and it is a stunning setting for a couple in love to say their vows.
Bernie is a fantastic wedding planner with WOW










On the fourth day our group split into post-fams 3-day excursions on different islands, and I had the privilege to stay on beautiful Maui! We moved on to Ka'anapali Beach area on the northwest of the island, where we spent one night at the Hyatt Regency in Maui and two nights at the Royal Lahaina Resort. I would recommend both properties without hesitation. The Hyatt is well-known for its excellent pool and upscale Japanese restaurant Japengo (amazing sushi!) while the Royal Lahaina has true Hawaiian charm, an excellent beach, and great pricing.

Views from Hyatt
Love this pool at the Hyatt

Grotto Bar at the Hyatt
Ocean views and perfect beach at Royal Lahaina
Suites at Royal Lahaina are a great value with great amenities

Last but not least, we spent a LONG day on the epic Road to Hana with its dangerous curves, spectacular vistas, hidden waterfalls, and numerous rainbows -- not only for the experience of the trip itself, but also to visit the very special Travaasa Hana hotel. This property is completely removed from the rest of Maui, and is a special gem that not a lot of travelers get to experience. The property is accessible by the long road trip to the southern tip of the island, or by a short and incredibly scenic flight from Kahului airport (OGG) for just $59 per person. Once you arrive at the resort, you feel you have entered another world. There are no TVs to occupy your time; you must get out and experience the real Hawaii. So many activities are included, and they even have a meal plan. This is the closest thing to an "all-inclusive" that Hawaii has to offer. While most of the property is family-friendly, they do have an adults-only section for those honeymooners and couples looking for romance, privacy, and seclusion.


Travaasa Hana - adults-only section






There are so many more wonderful stories and useful details from the Hawaii Travel Exchange. Please contact us if you have any questions or are interested in booking your own family vacation, honeymoon, or destination wedding in Hawaii!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Love wine & travel? Visit South America for this wine and cultural experience during Vendimia 2015!

3-DAY SALE - Treasure Travel's "Adventures By The Glass:
South America Grape Harvest Festival Tour" March 2 - 12, 2015

Click photo for full itinerary
This 11- day tour will provide the traveler with unique culinary, wine, and festival experiences. Beginning in Buenos Aires, guests will learn to grill traditional Argentinean beef, and will be seduced by a sultry and dramatic tango dinner show.

Delicious Argentina cuisine and wines
For the festival-loving New Orleanian, a visit to Mendoza during the annual Vendimia (Grape Harvest) Festival offers a unique cultural experience with parades, events, and merriment. Numerous winery tours and tastings in this region are the highlight of the tour.

Frank Romero Day - Grand Finale Event 
After a scenic ride through the Andes Mountains, the group will pass into Chile’s vibrant capital Santiago followed by visits to several wineries in the Colchagua Valley wine region.

Lapostolle Winery
Trip cost is $3595 per person. The price of the tour includes 10 nights’ accommodations in 4-star, centrally-located hotels; twenty meals, often paired with wine; numerous winery tours and tastings; sightseeing and admissions throughout the tour; and local transportation, assistance, and guiding.

3-DAY SALE $50 off per person when reservation is made by November 1, 2014. Balance due in full by December 1, 2014. Register HERE!

Questions? Visit our website for more details. Contact Ashley@TryTreasureTravel.com or 1-888-484-2165.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana and WOW Wedding Specialist Program

Last week I had an amazing opportunity to experience the Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana while completing certification training for the Hard Rock WOW Weddings program. I must say that this hotel, this brand, and this destination are a true favorite for me and my clients.

Enjoying the gorgeous beach and weather in Punta Cana
The Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana is a huge all-inclusive resort with fantastic, luxurious rooms, a gorgeous beach, tons of activities, excellent restaurants, amazing nightlife, a great casino, and so much more! I was thoroughly impressed with the whole experience. Upon check-in we were greeted with a cocktail on the red carpet in a huge lobby surrounded by rock star paraphernalia. The welcoming staff made me feel at home immediately. My room was a Caribbean Sand Suite and featured a huge jacuzzi tub in the middle of the room, along with an enormous bathroom, lush robes, ultra-comfortable beds, and a bountiful welcome gift of champagne, fruit, and chocolate!


Our WOW classes were filled with travel agents eager to learn about the program to better serve their destination wedding couples. We heard first-hand from the wedding planners on site, the business development managers in the U.S., and even from Colin Cowie himself! Colin introduced us to his entire catalog of wedding collections from the complimentary package to the array of themes that follow a general look but are completely customizable.

Our WOW classroom
The hotel really WOWed us and showed us what they can do for wedding party and guests. We were entertained by fire breathers and fire dancers, bartenders who really put on a show, sax players, costumed dancers, and DJs who knew just what to play. Food and drink were also high quality and enjoyable. And the decor was perfectly elegant and fun. Any bride and groom who love music and fun would be thrilled with a Hard Rock WOW Wedding!

Recognize Madonna's limo?
Entertainment and dining at the Hard Rock Punta Cana are top-notch. We happened to be there during the Lady Antebellum Getaway featuring Lady A, and special guests Canaan Smith, and Scotty McCreery. I'm not a big country music fan, but I have to say they all did a great job! It was a very intimate experience for the fans, and I recommend trying to make it to a show at a destination whenever possible. Hard Rock has so many great concerts throughout the year at all their resorts.

So much sushi at Zen
My favorite restaurants at the hotel were Ipanema (Brazilian Steakhouse) and Los Gallos (Mexican). Room service was good, too, and staff was always friendly and personal. Be sure to try the local beverage Mama Juana -- a concoction of rum, honey, herbs, and bark at one of the many bars. You'll find DJs, live shows, karaoke, a full casino, and the world-class Oro nightclub (managed by Miami club promoters).  Throw in the wonderful Fender guitar and DJ programs, and I don't see how anyone could be bored at this hotel!

I cannot forget to mention the wonderful Rock Spa! Here's the most recent spa menu (see photo below). I had the brand new treatment Body and Motion Synchronicity Massage. This is a massage with a soundtrack! The vibrations of the speakers pulsated through my body while the masseuse rubbed my back according to the melodies and beats of the songs. Afterwards, we enjoyed the many wonderful water treatments and rooms (one for clay, steam, and ice). Be sure to use some of your resort credit there!

Rock Spa Menu

Enjoy the rest of these photos, and see more on our Facebook page!


Awesome centerpiece

It's the little things

WOW Specialist!
Having fun with the social media contest

Plenty of TVs to watch your favorite sports at the Casino bar

It's a Blue Flag Beach -- clean and well-managed

Rocker Chic Collection

Seaglass Collection

El Sol Reception Setup

El Sol collection

Colin Cowie telling us about his inspiration on the designs

Reception dessert table