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






Saturday, October 4, 2014

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - We toured some fantastic, all-inclusive resorts!

We recently spent a week in Punta Cana and had an opportunity to visit several of the most popular hotels in the area including Zoetry Agua Punta Cana, Dreams Punta Cana, Paradisus Punta Cana, and the Iberostar complex including Iberostar Grand Bavaro (adults-only) and Iberostar Bavaro Suites (family-friendly). Additionally, our transportation and guide were serviced by the good folks at Connect Travel Services DMC. We are now using Connect for all our clients' in-destination needs...from arrival meet and greet, to group tours and excursions, to wedding or meeting services, to luxury transportation and private transfers, and so much more. They are reliable, and can handle practically any request!



We spent many hours touring these properties so that we can better understand the lay of the land and recommend the best travel experience for our clients. Please enjoy the following details and photos from our visits.

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana

This property is a small, boutique, all-inclusive resort under the AMResorts brand. While it is not adults-only, you will rarely find any children as it offers more of a quiet, romantic atmosphere. The hotel has erected a few additional buildings, and can now accommodate larger groups for weddings and corporate incentive functions. The setting is ideal for those travelers looking for a more private experience. Don't forget you may also enjoy the facilities at the nearby Dreams Punta Cana and Breathless Punta Cana with the Sip, Savor, and See program. Enjoy our photos below, or see the full album on Facebook.

Spa

Room

Ocean view with private pool

His and hers sinks

Lazy river

Dreams Punta Cana

This all-inclusive AMResorts property offers a huge range of activities and accommodations for all types of families and groups. This hotel would be perfect for a multi-generational wedding or a family reunion. The comfortable rooms, wonderful service, excellent restaurants, and stunning beach provide an ideal backdrop for creating happy and lasting memories with your loved ones. Enjoy these photos, or visit our Facebook album for even more.

Theater

Activities for the whole family

Wedding Gazebo

Accommodations

Awesome pool

Beach walkout
Paradisus Punta Cana

This gorgeous all-inclusive resort greets you with a very pleasing first impression. That sentiment will remain as you tour the lush, tropical grounds at this luxury property. There is something for everyone here, from the kids-friendly programs to adults-only section "Royal Service" to the boutique hotel within a hotel "The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana". With endless dining options, a beautiful long beach, golf, archery, climbing wall, bicycle rentals, and so much more, this property will keep you busy and entertained. We are so happy our clients have chosen this hotel for their upcoming destination wedding! Enjoy the photos below, or view more on our Facebook album.

Resort map

The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana







Private garden


Wedding Gazebo on the Beach

Climbing wall

Iberostar Grand Bavaro

This adults-only, all-inclusive resort is the perfect romantic honeymoon destination. Leave all your cares behind while you relax and enjoy the luxury facilities and top-notch services at this property. This hotel is the top-tier of the entire Iberostar complex which has 3 additional family-friendly properties next door. Guests here may visit all 4 hotels, but guests at the other hotels may not visit the Grand. Enjoy these photos, or view more on Facebook.

Lobby

Ship - can be used for wedding reception

Belly of the ship - becomes a night club

Ocean views from fitness center

Romantic suites

Romantic whirlpool bathtub

Adults-only activity pool

Beautiful location for beach wedding

Resort Map
Iberostar Bavaro Suites

This family-friendly, all-inclusive hotel is next door to the Grand, and is the top-tier of the 3 family resorts in the complex. Guests here may visit the other two family properties next door. This is a great option for a multi-generational wedding or family reunion where some guests can decide to stay at the Grand next door, but visit this hotel for daily activities with their group. Enjoy these images, or view a bigger album on Facebook.

"Plan B" Gazebo