Cancun & the Riviera Maya are wonderful sun and fun destinations.  My family and I just spent a week at the Moon Palace.  This huge resort offers so much ... great pools, awesome golf, watersports, delicious dining, impecable service and beautiful surroundings.  This year we found the beach to be less than desirable.  Seaweed, and lots of it.  We were told that the recent Tropical Storm Arthur (first of the 2008 season) kicked up the seaweed which was washing ashore.  Last year there was some seaweed, but it was controlled very easily by the staff at Moon Palace who would "comb" the beach two times a day.  This year was a much different story, there was so much seaweed that huge piles of it were left on the beach.  Hopefully time will take care of this seaweed problem and the beaches will be clearer in the next few months.

Further down on the Riviera Maya the beaches remain as lovely as ever.  Soft powdery white sand, deep turquoise water and tropical breezes delight those who love the beach.

The Hotel Zone of Cancun still has nice beaches, although they appear to be shrinking.  Mid hotel zone beaches were non existant at high tide.  The Beach Palace is now open, and although the hotel is beautiful, the beach is hardly there.  During high tide there is no Beach at the Beach Palace and the water splashes on the sea wall of the resort.  Other hotels in this central hotel zone area also have this problem.  The rest of the hotel zone still have beach area, but it does seem smaller than last year. 

Still, this area of the Mexican Yucatan remains a popular and favorable vacation destination.  My family and I had a great time and I will continue to recommend this area to my clients looking for a great sun and fun vacation.

Gas prices are way up.  Summer is here.  What is the best value for your vacation dollar?  An All Inclusive Vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico!

With an all inclusive vacation you can relax and enjoy.  All of your meals, snacks, beverages (including soda and alcohol), entertainment and non motorized water sports are included.  Even your tips are included...so there are no surprises at the end!

The really good thing is that the dollar still has good value in the Caribbean and Mexico. 

Most of us are used to the "electronic ticket" that you get when you purchase an airline ticket.  There are a few, however, that are still offering the "paper ticket."  As of June 2008 no airline will offer a "paper ticket."  All airlines will be using electronic tickets only.

So, if you happen to have a paper ticket hang on to it.  It may become a collectors item.  Your grandchildren may be interested in seeing one some day.

What about other types of travel?  Well cruise lines are slowly moving towards the electronic ticket also.  Think of it this way, within the next 5 years all travel will have an electronic ticket.  Think of all the trees that will be saved!

We've all heard "book last minute and you'll get a great deal."  Is this true?  NO!!!

The earlier you book the better price you'll pay for your vacation.  As your travel date draws nearer the availability for what you want goes down.  Other people are booking the same vacation as you.  As the availability goes down the price goes up.  It is best to purchase your vacation as soon as possible.  Waiting 90 days or less from your travel date may mean paying more for your vacation.

There is always an exception.  On occassion a particular resort or cruise is not selling well for a certain date.  This happens in the "off" seasons.  When a resort or cruise line realizes that a particular date is not selling well they will drop their price.  But...the beauty is that even if the price drops after you have booked you still will get the lower price.  So, if you book early and the price drops...you'll get the lower price and the vacation you want. 

If you want to vacation during peak high season, which is Spring Break, Thanksgiving Week, and Christmas/New Years then you would be wise to book 11 months in advance to get what  you want.  During these times space fills up very quickly.  The sooner you book will help you get the vacation you want.

Summer time is a high season.  Booking around January will assure you of getting a good price and the availabilty you are looking for.

While there may be an occassional last minute bargain, don't count on it.  Book early and get the best price and availability.  You'll be glad you did.

All Inclusive Resorts are very popular in the Caribbean and Mexico.  These resorts cater to those who want to relax completely for their vacation.  Everything is paid for so all you have to do is show up.  Want a Pina Colada?  Just go to the bar and order one.  Want a hamburger...just go to the grill and get one.  Feel like going out on a kayak for a while...just go to the beach and get in one.  It is really just that simple.