MexicoLovesFAMILIES * Playa del Carmen the Eco way

MEXICO LOVES FAMILIES!!

Travel start at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort a Family resort in Playa del Carmen.
Today we just explored. More exploration tomorrow but check out the CENOTE!

Cenote Cristolina en la noche.

DID YOU KNOW???? These natural phenomenons are essentially sinkholes turned into beautiful springs. But how are these breathtaking bodies of water created? The entire Yucatan Peninsula is made up mostly of porous limestone, with an immense underground river system flowing beneath its surface. Over millions of years, rainfall and erosion cause the limestone ground to open up, revealing the waters below.

Cenote Cristolina en el día

There are three kinds of Riviera Maya cenotes based on their shape:

1. Open cenotes that are completely uncovered and open to the sky, like a lake.

2. Semi-open cenotes that are partially open and have higher walls.

3. Cave / underground cenotes that have a horizontal cave entrance

 More coming on the Xcaret Park XPLOR, Sandos Caracol & Sandos Cancun.
*Live, Laugh, Love♡,  Travel*
When you think of Travel, think of YTCNAPLES.
Travel planning / Blogger 
🔸Destination Weddings💍 
🔸Romance Travel 💏❤ 
🔸Caribbean Escapes🌴 
🔸Group Getaways🏖 
🔸 Luxury Cruises 🛳

Visit our website
at  www.YTCNaples com
We are here to make your DREAMS a REALITY!

Michelle Thurston, CTA, MCC

Owner  Your Travel Concierge of
Naples
A Hours: Monday – Friday9a-5p Est
P  (239) 403-7703  C (239) 682-5070  F (888) 590-7703
E  Michelle@YTCNaples.com
W  http://ytcnaples.com/

*Live, Laugh, Love♡, Travel*

*Live, Laugh, Love♡,  Travel*

When you think of Travel, think of YTCNAPLES.
Travel planning / Blogger 
🔸Destination Weddings💍 
🔸Romance Travel 💏❤ 
🔸Caribbean Escapes🌴 
🔸Group Getaways🏖 
🔸Luxury Cruises 🛳

Visit our website at  www.YTCNaples com

Booking your vacation is my passion!

Michelle Thurston, CTA, MCC

Owner  Your Travel Concierge of Naples
A Hours: Monday – Friday 9a-5p Est
P  (239) 403-7703  C (239) 682-5070  F (888) 590-7703
E  Michelle@YTCNaples.com

W  http://ytcnaples.com/
Skype  Michelle-Thurston

Antigua Is for everyone! Families, Lovers, Singles, Divers...Just come & see.

ANTIGUA IS FOR EVERYONE!
Families, Lovers Singles, Divers....Just come and see

July1, 2018
The countdown is on 39 days and counting down! 

39..38..37............soon! 

‘Abundant’ is certainly the adjective that applies to Antigua’s beaches – there are, it is thought, 365 of them; one for each day of the year, and all of them with fine, powdery white sand.  The island enjoys year round warm breezes and crystal-clear turquoise waters.  Antigua is one of the worlds’ great beach destinations and a perfect choice for your Caribbean holiday.

Temperatures range from mid-70’s in winter to mid-80’s at the height of summer but as humidity is low, it is always comfortable.

It is the largest of the Leeward Islands.  At only 14 miles long and 11 miles wide.  Much of the coastline consists of fantastic beaches, as a result water sports are big news in Antigua, with sailing, yachting, windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling high on the list of must-do for many visitors.

Although he never landed on Antigua, Christopher Columbus  came upon this beautiful island in 1493, proclaiming this tiny tropical utopia to be known (after a Spanish saint) as Santa Maria la Antigua. (alittle history)

LANGUAGE: Antigua is an English-speaking destination.

So if you are searching for a perfect destination where you intend to relax, lounge around sipping cocktails in the sun, with perhaps a little splashing about in the sea on one of the 365 beaches then Antigua is most certainly the place for you!

Watch for more on Antigua. The countdown has begun: 39 days  * Antigua 🇦🇬

When you think of Travel, think of YTCNAPLES. Visit our website www.YTCNaples.com , send an email to Michelle@YTCNaples.com or call us at 239-403-7703 for more information. We are here to make your DREAMS a REALITY!

The beach is just the beginning”

Antigua & Barbuda Specialist  
Destination Weddings * Honeymoons * Luxury Travel

Thank you in advance for all you do to support my business. 
Relax & leave the planning to us! We are waiting for your call.
Live, Laugh, Love 💕& Travel 
P: 239-403-7703
E: Michelle@YTCNaples.com
W: YTCNaples.com

Barbados Travel Blog

Experience Barbados - It's a must for your Caribbean Bucket list

Want to travel to Barbados? Here's alittle background on the island.

*Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of North America.

*English is the official language of Barbados. *Bajan is a language similar to Creole that was originally created by West African slaves who were forced to speak English with a West African accent. They used it to avoid being understood by the slave owners.  The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627

*Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. *The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. 

*The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966.

*In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. We today are excited to introduce the beautiful island of Barbados to all of you.

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS:

1.      Quite a few celebrities are from the island; Rhianna, Shontelle, Grandmaster Flash.

       2.      Per year, Barbados exports  $57 million on rum worldwide

       3.      “Barbados” comes from the Portuguese Bearded Fig Trees, or “ Los Barbados” once found across the island.

       4.      Barbados was the first Caribbean island to have piped water. It also has pure drinking water. YES! I drink it.

       5.      The Motto of Barbados is “Pride & industry”.

       6.      When first settled in 1625, was found to be almost totally covered in dense jungle, with a very large population of wild pigs.

       7.      Most of what is now the Southern part of Bridgetown (the lower Bay Street environs) was once a huge swamp.

       8.      In 1846, Barbados had 491 active Sugar Plantations, with 506 windmills.

       9.      Bill Clinton is not the first American President to visit Barbados. President Reagan also visited here and George Washington stayed here for six weeks, visiting in 1751 to accompany his half-brother Lawrence who had made the six week voyage from the Potomac for health reasons.

      10.  Two Barbados dollars = one US Dollar

– And were off! Well almost. GREAT ADVISE here for parking near the Terminal in FT Lauderdale or the FLL Cruise Port. Park n Go on 1101 Eller Drive is the BOMB! Although it’s a bit higher in cost then other parking lots, it’s 3 minutes from the Terminal, the shuttle picks you up AT YOUR CAR (OMG #Spoiled), and well it’s by far the most convenient and friendliest staff I have run into at a parking lot. They do only have outdoor parking but it’s fenced in and manned 24/7 and the shuttle service ROCKED! 

On to JETBLUE checkin. DO IT ONLINE, carry on your luggage and as long as you have TSA-Pre check – you’ll be through to the gate side in a matter of minutes. I pulled into Park n Go at 11a – and was on the gate side by 1120a – That’s a win win for me – You too!!!! Traveling doesn’t have to be stressful.

Currently - Checked in and working at PeiWei. Here and settled WAY TO FREAKING EARLY for my flight. 

Love my new HP! I'm officially a Digital Nomad! 

Better SAFE then SORRY! Get to FLL early. The Park n Go driver got a message to go back and retrieve 2 unlucky travelers who got to the airport to late and missed their flight to Punta Cana, DR. Don't let this be you!!!!

Follow my blog and I’ll provide you with hints on how to keep your TravelWorld as stress-free as possible..

On to Barbados today! YAY – The new Sandals Royal Barbados proves to be a WOW MOMENT on arrival! I’m ready and eager for my WOW moment today. Stay tuned. 😊

My travels through the island took me to some very exciting and fun places. 

- HarborLights is a cultural show with Food, Beverages and exciting local entertainment. 

 - HarborLights is a cultural show with Food, Beverages and exciting local entertainment. 

Harbour Lights Carlisle Bay. HarborLights is a cultural show with Food, Beverages and exciting local entertainment. 

Harbour Lights Carlisle Bay. Wednesday night is the Harborside Beach show. Don’t miss it!   I happen to have very cool Bajan island friends who insist on making me go out and “ LIVE ALITTLE”
*Wednesday evening dinner show @7pm it's BB$150/person. Covers entrance, dinner and a couple of drinks during the show... and you can stay on for the drinks free after party from 10pm until 2am  (normal cost for 10-2a is BB$60 otherwise). }
*Friday drinks free party from 10pm-2am is BB$60, but the party normally goes until 4am
*Sunday is BB$20 entry from 5pm-12am, and there are several happy hours & BB$5/shots throughout the evening.

- Oistens on a Friday evening is the bomb! Local flavor all the way around.
On Friday night particularly, the big thing to do is go to the fish fry 🍹🍻🍤at Oistins Bay Gardens. The locals & tourists come here for good food and music🎶. The food is the main draw - excellent fish, (tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, flying fish), lobster, chicken etc served in an extremely informal setting. You can get your fish grilled or fried depending on which vendor you choose from. It's all cooked on the spot in front of you. 

A plate of fish (and there’s plenty fish on it) and a beer will cost you about Bds$30 - $35 (US$ 15 - 17.50). OK, reality check - the Marlin, mac pie & rice was some of the best island food I had while there.  Mo's Grill is the Place.

The music - one plays mostly back-in-time (Bob Marley, Platters, Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican ska, even old country and western!), the other calypso, including the current Crop Over hits. You can dance 💃🏼if you want or watch the others dance👀! Some nights there's a live band. When I was there it was DJ music and just – watching the locals “GET IT ON”

IMO - Oistins is a great place to spend an informal evening. Lots of parents bring their children. I didn’t see a lot of younger kids and the children I did see looked as though they may have been Bajan kids doing the typical Friday night thing. #FunTimes.

If you go after 8:00pm, be prepared occasionally for long waits for food. Dress down as there are a lot of people and the air is still. It’s a fun time and a must while in Barbados!

-ANOTHER HOT SPOT
* Lawrence Gap, one of Barbados’ largest entertainment districts. If you like to get out and about this is a must.
'The Gap', as it is commonly known, is a place where various cultures meet and merge It is an experience that should not be missed!

The FOOD: restaurants in St. Lawrence Gap are varied and sell Mexican, Bajan, Irish, Jamaican, English, Italian, American and Chinese food.

The MUSIC:

*The Cove (formerly Reggae Lounge) - this hopping club offers a wide range of music, from reggae and calypso to mellow music and Rhythm and Blues.
*Old Jamm Inn - with a diverse selection of live & DJ music ranging from hot jazz to sizzling soca, The Old Jamm Inn is one of the hottest spots in The Gap.
*or just stroll and see what fits your mood!

-Other things to do:

*Mount Gay Rum visitor centre
*a visit to Harrison's Cave
*a tour on Atlantis Submarines
*a round the island tour
*and a catamaran cruise to swim with the turtles (Carlisle Bay) 

The island of Barbados is waiting to welcome you! 

When you think of Travel, think of YTCNAPLES. Visit our website www.YTCNaples.com , send an email to Michelle@YTCNaples.com or call us at 239-403-7703 for more information. We are here to make your DREAMS a REALITY!

KENYA - Discover the Magic

Kenya, East Africa - A land to discover. It is with excitement that I announce I am now a Kenya Authorized Travel Specialist (KATS).

East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 20 territories constitute Eastern Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan

one of the many camps available for Safari overnights

When considering travel to Africa, think of YTCNaples.com (Michelle Thurston). In 2016 the US became the largest source market for travel to Kenya with 119,000 visitors. I am here to assist you with your exotic travels to Kenya and beyond. Watch the below video link and you'll see why I am so excited to share this exciting destination.
VIDEO LINK:youtu.be/VAqOxM8qeOo

 #YTCNaples #KenyaAuthorizedTravelSpecialist #EastAfrica #TravelOften #ExperienceAfrica #ExperienceKenya #Surf #Safari #Culture #BigFive #SpecialFive #LiveTheMagic

                                             KENYA's beauty

 BIG 5 - the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros

 

                                         Maasai tribal people

                              Snorkeling&diving in Coastal Kenya

 

 

Michelle Thurston, Kenya Authorized Travel Specialist (KATS)

Your Travel Concierge of Naples -Owner
Hours: Monday – Friday 9a-5p Est
Website:  http://ytcnaples.com/

P: (239) 403-7703  C: (239) 682-5070  F: (888) 590-7703
BB PIN: 2B07DA4F
SKYPE ID: Michelle-Thurston
E:  Michelle@YTCNaples.com

DOZZA, ITALY a medieval town noone should miss

I'm posting my blog from 2015 when I visited the fabulous vineyard, Bed&Breakfast in Italy, just below DOZZA.

Perched on a hill overlooking the valley of the river Sellustra, surrounded by vineyards, Dozza is a medieval village just a short 35 minutes from Bologna.  Dozza sits on the border between Emilia and Romagna, classified as one of the “100 most beautiful borghi(historic villages) of Italy.”

I hiked to the small town through farm land and up a steep path to discover Dozza. About 15 minutes tops to get there.

The entrance to Dozza is clearly marked by a massive arched wall. The village is crossed by two main roads, Via XX Settembre and Via De Amicis. What you will see that ia ao unique to this town are painted walls throughout the village. Every two years in September in fact, artists from all over the world gather here to paint the walls of buildings around the town center for the "Biennale del Muro Dipinto."

Both roads take visitors to the massive Rocca Sforzesca the Castle, built in the 13th century as a fortress to dominate and protect the surrounding territory, it later became a noble palace belonging to various local families. Today, it houses a museum where you can visit the old apartments, the prisons, the torture rooms and the walkways on the towers. But perhaps its most attractive feature today is housed in the vaulted basement: the beautiful, well-stocked wine cellar of the Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna, the association that has been promoting the wines of Emilia-Romagna since 1978. Here, visitors can choose among 1,000 labels from 260 regional wine producers and participate in a series of fun and instructional events, including courses, meetings with local producers and tastings with a sommelier.

What a discovery. Well after the hike I felt compelled to stop into the local bakery  and pick up some Italian cookies, croissants and head just out of the village to get some Gelato. Quite frankly, the best I've had so far.

Headed back down the steep trail to the farm to see the goats and partake in another amazing dinner put on by our Familia here.

Victoria and Davide and the girls were amazing. We will definitely return to this little town. Here are a few more pictures of out stay in Dozza.