Believe it or not, spring break is right around the corner. And based on early travel bookings and pent-up demand after sitting out the past two spring breaks, it’s going to be one of the biggest for travel in years.
While there are many more vacation options than in 2021, demand is going to outstrip availability and the time to act is now. I know many think they’ll snag a last-minute deal with great value, but that’s not the case for spring break this year. If you’re looking to travel you need to book as soon as possible to find reasonably priced airfare and accommodations.
In need of a little inspiration? I’ve got you covered with these direct flight destinations below that are just a few short hours away from many major East Coast cities.
Dominican Republic
This is one of the top destinations for spring break and I was there just two weeks ago. I stayed at both the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana and Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda. Both properties are awesome with different twists which I will showcase below. I truly hated to leave and cannot wait to go back. If you are remotely interested, give me a call and let’s go through each in detail to select the one that would be the best fit for you.
The Dominican Republic is a destination that features a cool Caribbean vibe, astounding nature and a rich culture. It is the second largest and most diverse Caribbean country and is situated two hours south of Miami and less than four hours from New York. There are many direct flights making it easily accessible. The island is beautiful and clean, the beaches are amazing, and the people were very friendly and contagiously hospitable.
Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Cap Cana
The first resort I stayed at was the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana. It is a newer all-inclusive adult only resort about 15 minutes from the Punta Cana airport in the gated community of Cap Cana. The sister resort is the Hyatt Ziva which is for families located right next door as the two share the same property and many of the amenities. As an adult guest you can enjoy everything both resorts have to offer. However, if you are staying at the Ziva resort, only the adults and children over the age of 18 can enjoy the Zilara resort.
From the moment we walked into the resort, we were wowed by the expansive and impressive open-air lobbies. We were immediately greeted by the warm and welcoming staff who took our luggage and offered us comfortable seating and refreshments while they took care of the check-in process.
Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda
The second resort is my favorite, Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda. It’s a newer hidden gem of the Dominican Republic made unique by its untouched beauty. The ride to the resort takes 90 minutes from Punta Cana and showcases the beautiful island countryside as you travel to paradise on a smooth paved two-lane highway in new air conditioned vans with free high speed internet.
Set along one of the most pristine beaches, where crystal clear water meets 93 acres of untouched rainforest paradise, Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda is an eco-chic luxury environmentally friendly all-inclusive resort. There are four distinct boutique-villages providing different room categories based on your individual needs, making it a truly customized experience. There’s the “Explorer Cove” for families, “Caribbean Paradise” for guests that prefer an active holiday, the “Emerald Jungle” which is geared toward wellness and an “Archipelago” that is ideal for couples. They all are truly spectacular!
The resort also has a BREEMAM certificate which means it performs under the Green Globe certification to meet the highest standards of sustainability. A favorite concept is they have a no plastic initiative to remove all single use plastic from the resort. Upon arrival you are provided with glass water bottles recycled and made on site. Additionally, all of the clothing and a majority of the furniture on the property is made from recycled ocean plastic. I found it quite amazing! Oh, and since it’s all-inclusive you can enjoy bottomless champagne and snacks all day long.
You’ll love the “Gracious Organizers.” The staff here are called G.O.s — short for “gracious organizers” — and they are truly the heart of the Club Med experience. They come from all over the world, are very friendly and fun to talk with. During meals, the G.O’s sit and eat with the guests, so not only can you ask them all about the resort and what it’s like to live and work there, but you can also ask them about their home country and so much more.
The G.O’s are also part of the daily and evening entertainment teams, and you won’t believe how talented they are. I’ve never had so much fun watching them perform and dance as they showcased the latest moves! They were so energetic and enthusiastic! They had all the guests dancing and singing along. What a blast!
Another thing I love about this destination is the variety of activities that are fun for all ages. It’s truly a kids’ paradise with an incredible kids’ program. Everyone will feel like a kid again enjoying the on-site (all-inclusive) activities including the flying trapeze (yes you read that correctly), paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, electric jetboarding, pickleball, tennis, archery, Yoga, snorkeling and more. There’s even a “Chocolate Speakeasy” that’s not to be missed.
And for the grown-ups, they have an awesome Spa and an adults-only Zen Oasis complex (which feels like a hotel-within-a-hotel and features its own pool with a swim-up bar and lush greenery). To top off the evening, they have a lively and energetic nightlife scene!! There’s something for everyone at Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda. All you need to do is get out and explore.
And finally, the food. Often the food at an all-inclusive is good, but here the food was amazing. Yes, they have a buffet (and everything is included, so feel free to eat as much as you want) but don’t expect powdered eggs or frozen meat. Instead, you’ll find delicacies like crab legs, fresh fruit, made-to-order pasta, fresh fish, grilled meats, and more. There are so many healthy options too and there are happy to accommodate those with food sensitivities or allergies. Even the pickiest eater will find something to eat here.
As you can tell, I’m a big fan of Club Med Michès.
St. John
I spent a glorious week on St. John last May and the untouched natural beauty of this island clearly makes it a Top 10 spring destination.
It may be the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, but St. John is filled with everything you need for a postcard-perfect spring break. One of the most photographed beaches in the world, Trunk Bay, is the epitome of a Caribbean beach, with white sand, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation. It’s about hiking, snorkeling, relaxing, and soaking up the sun exploring spectacular beaches with ocean water so blue you won’t believe it.
And in the evening, there is a small-town called Cruz Bay where there are excellent restaurants to enjoy with fresh seafood galore! This is one island everyone must experience.
Costa Rica
I have fond memories of my 2 trips to Costa Rica. The jungles are incredible. The beaches are sparkly. The forests are lush. The waterfalls cascade through the cliffs and mountains. The volcanoes are active, and biodiversity is spectacular.
Costa Rica has an astonishing diversity of unreal places to visit. This beautiful country is a traveler’s eco-touristic paradise, where sloths s-l-o-w-l-y make their way through forest canopies and monkeys swing through trees. BEWARE…LOL!
National Geographic describes Costa Rica as ‘the most biologically intense place on the planet’.
Food in Costa Rica is second only to the country’s beauty. Known for its use of fresh ingredients, like fruits and vegetables, the cuisine is generally on the milder side. Exotic fruits are grown locally in the tropical environment, so there is always something that makes the food exciting. Meals in Costa Rica often contain both rice and black beans, or at least one or the other.
It’s not hard to fall in love with Costa Rica’s relaxed Pura Vida philosophy. It’s not just a catchphrase, it’s a way of life.
Are you ready to experience some Costa Rican Pura Vida?!
Orlando, Florida
Here’s a fan favorite and definitely a top destination…Disney World, also known as the “Happiest Place on Earth”, is celebrating its’ 50th Anniversary. Disney is in the business of creating oodles of happy memories and making your dreams come true. They have an exciting lineup of new attractions and events, including the launch of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser attraction and the opening of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, along with enhanced new technology throughout the parks. VERY EXCITING!
It’s so easy to think that all there is to do in Orlando is the wonderful worlds of Disney or Universal Orlando, which is why most go, but don’t miss all that downtown Orlando has to offer — lovely tree-lined neighborhoods; a rich performing arts and museum scene; several fantastic gardens and nature preserves; fabulous cuisine; great craft cocktails; and a delightfully slower pace devoid of manic crowds.
So, enjoy the theme parks and the sparkles, nostalgia and adrenaline-pumped fantasy there, but also take time to ‘Find Orlando’. You may be surprised to find that you’ll enjoy the theme parks all that much more as a result.
HOW ABOUT JOINING US ON A LUXURY ADVENTURE TO EGYPT?
February 17-26, 2023
10-Day, 9-Night, Fully Escorted Small Group Tour of Egypt
I am leading a 10-day inclusive custom luxury group tour, including a 4-night luxury Nile River cruise February 17-26, 2023, for the unbelievable price of $4,325 per person double occupancy, $6,225 per person single occupancy. Check out the Egypt Tour Itinerary, Egypt Tour Website and the Egypt Tour Blog by clicking below.
We have 18 people already registered and would like a few more to complete our group. If you are single, we have a single also registered looking to share a double room.
If Egypt is on your “bucket list” and you’d like to join our group for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and see this amazing destination with family and friends, register soon! If you have any questions, or just want to talk through it, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Are you ready to disconnect and recharge, learn about another culture, taste some local cuisine, gather a bit of history, create memories, meet new friends, broaden your horizons, get out of your comfort zone or add a little spice to your life?
If the answer is YES…then I believe it’s time for a travel journey that wows you every step of the way.
I’m here to design that, just for you. Let’s do it! Don’t wait! Life it too short!
Stay warm and enjoy your week!!
