Spring Break Cruise!

Debbie Fairvalley is the director of sales for Sterling Brownell. She has recently returned from a spring break cruising adventure!


What do you get when you put 5 15 year old girls, 5 moms, and 1700 teenagers on a Royal Caribbean Spring Break cruise???? POOPED MOMS!!!

I had the wonderful experience of escorting my daughter, Wallis, and some of her closest friends to Cozumel and Belize on a recent Royal Caribbean cruise. The Navigator of the Seas departed Ft. Lauderdale on April 6 – full to capacity- with families seeking sun and fun on the high seas. And our girls found just what they were looking for…..wonderful stories, new friendships, Facebook boyfriends, and a general “whoop it up good time”!
Thank goodness for balcony staterooms that provided our only calm respite from the storm of Spring Break madness. Cocktails were delightful, being shared by myself and the other 4 moms wanting a break from sensory overload found throughout this large floating vessel. We would retire to our staterooms prior to dinner to relax, unwind, and plot our strategy for outwitting 5 15 year-olds determined to “lose” us whenever possible. The ship was actually quite nice (all 1,500 rooms of it) and if someone was bored, it was their own fault. From the twice daily shows (including an ice show that was better than I have seen on land), the basketball/volleyball/dodge ball competitions, teen nightclubs, huge casino, putt putt, ice skating, video arcade, fitness center, and rock climbing wall, I certainly needed the spa to recoup. The food (buffets) was plentiful and average….Ahhhhh, but the drinks were superb! Margaritas to pina coladas (all in those lovely souvenier glasses) tasted quite nice sitting by a crowded pool listening to reggae and steel drum music. The highlight was the DISCO night complete with RCCL’s own Village People – what a fun performance and even our daughters participated in the action! Karaoke night was magical that evening as the Delta Dawn Disco Divas (my group) took the stage and WOW’d the crowd to a standing ovation….They had also experienced those lovely pool drinks all day!
A trip to Senor Frogs in Cozumel gave us all a peek into the not so distant future of our 15 year old girls as college spring break is only 4 short years away…..UGGH! The snorkeling at Chakaunab State Park is unbelievable – right off the beach you can see incredible species of fish (take some of the bread off the ship) and watch them nibble your fingers… Our other shore excursion in Belize was wonderful, and made me want to spend more time on travel in Central and South America. We took a 1 hour van ride from the port up into the rain forest at Jaguar Paw and hitched ourselves to zip lines (with the help of some of the cutest young Central American fellows) and flew from tree to tree – a truly exhilarating experience! After our flights landed, we were whisked off to the caves for a tubing adventure in the underground rivers. We were handed an inner tube, helmet w/head light, and a quick orientation about the caves, bats, and other “creatures” that might be living there. Oh boy, I can’t wait…..I didn’t even ask if Belize had any water snakes in their country – sometimes I like to be uninformed! We hopped into our tubes and into the 68 degree water and began our float – trying desperately to stay in contact with our fearless leader/guide. At times the caves were completely dark except for the lights from our little headlamps – which was probably a good thing…..Only once, did I feel anything moving under me in the water (but I quickly kicked that smartie pants teenager in the leg, so situation averted)! This truly was a fun experience and something I can now cross off my list of things to do….
Lunch back at Jaguar Paw in a jungle setting complete with monkey, lemurs, and parrots made us aware we were not in Atlanta anymore!

Cost of RCCL cruise = $1,000 per person
Cocktails & Soft drinks 300 per person
Mother/Daughter Bonding Experience = Priceless!!!!!


To contact Debbie, click here. To learn more about cruising, spring break travel, or travel to Central and South America, visit our website by clicking here.

Vail Spring Skiing

Debbie Fairvalley is the director of sales for Sterling Brownell. She is also an avid skiier and has recently traveled to Colorado to catch the end of the ski season. Read on about her experiences below!

If there was ever any doubt of which mountain reigns supreme as the Best Ski Mountain in North America, that question was answered on my recent trip to Vail! I was lucky enough to land in Eagle/Vail on Thursday, March 26 (expecting to find typical Spring slushy conditions) and was greeted by over 32 inches of fresh snow that had begun to fall on Monday…. A quick 20 minute Colorado Mountain express van to Beaver Creek had me in my hotel room in time for lunch! I stayed at the Pines Lodge (a lovely Austrian feeling Rockresorts hotel that is ski in from the Beaver Creek runs) http://www.pineslodge.rockresorts.com/ The minute you arrive in the lobby you feel as though you have been transported to a quaint little Swiss hotel in the Alps. The views from the dining room feature vistas of the whole front range of mountains. The rooms are comfortable and offer nice roomy (newly renovated bathrooms). With it’s great location in Beaver Creek and nice walk to the Village and Mountain Base, this is an excellent value for those more budget conscious. It also has some quite attractive golf packages for the summer season! There is a (small) pool and hot tub (with waterfall) and ski rental shop located in the back off the lobby area.

The food is very good and the 1 restaurant serves breakfast, lunch & dinner. The setting is completed by a warm wood burning fireplace that welcomes you in the afternoon with hot cider, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee (not to mention some of the best toffee cookies I have ever put in my mouth). There is shuttle service to all other Beaver Creek resorts and activity areas – so no need for a car while on property. Day 2 had me on the slopes of Beaver Creek. This is a great mountain for intermediate skiers with lots of cruising runs that allow you plenty of time to ski at your own pace. They groom this mountain beautifully and cater to those “resort” skiers. They have also added a wonderful kids activity center/lunch stop on the mountain called the Spruce Saddle. We had cocktails here and it features great healthy food even adults would love! There are flat screen televisions all around the dining area (the ski instructors use this as a teaching tool with the ski school students – what a great idea!) Beaver Creek has a Torchlight Parade every Thursday night that is a great way for kids to meet other kids and ski down the mountain under the moonlight. Not a bad site to watch from below (sipping a hot toddy by the huge fire pit) either.

The village of Beaver Creek is centered around a large ice skating rink which is a gathering place for après ski and offers many dining options and shopping options for the whole family. Focus on FAMILY!

There are two other properties in Beaver Creek (in addition to the Ritz Carlton – Bachelor Gulch) that should be on your radar for future ski trips: The Snow Cloud (located in Bachelor Gulch) and The Osprey in the Village. Both of these properties are true ski in/ski out at located right at a chair lift that transports you to the top of the mountain.

The Snow Cloud is a condominium property offering 1 to 4 bedroom units that are HUGE and totally 5 star in their décor. It is a stone’s throw from the Ritz and very similar in appearance. The designer furnishings and touches make this a wonderful home away from home The 4 bedroom can easily accommodate 3 families (bunk rooms w/ 4 beds are perfect for the kids)!

The Osprey is a newly renovated property at the base of Strawberry Lift and would appeal to more hip, urban young families and couples. They call their intimate lobby area a living room and it truly feels that way….from the comfy mid century sofas to the WII video games playing on one of the TVs, you feel as though you can relax and just enjoy conversation areas. There is a 60’s looking fireplace in the living room with lots of ultra cool lounge lighting in the bar area. A continental breakfast is served daily and included in the rate. Many of the guestrooms feature a contemporary glass burning fireplace (very Palm Springs) and subtle chic cool colors in the linen. High tech glossy bathrooms make this property feel as though it could be in Miami Beach, until you look out your window and see skiers swishing down the mountain. I got a very positive response from guests staying here and they loved it!

One other great accommodation for families or small groups is Trapper’s Cabin. This is a true log cabin – accessible only by snow cat. This remote cabin is a true experience! The privacy is matched only by the beautiful woodsy décor. I happened to meet (by chance) a client of Alysia Hopper’s on the chair lift who was actually staying in Trappers Cabin and was loving it! In fact he was ready to confirm it for 2010….

Day 3 we were able to take a snowmobile tour out of Minturn area (arranged by Vail Resorts). What an experience this was…..4 hours, 36 miles, and one very sore thumb later I can truthfully say it was a wild ride! We were able to view an area where the 10th Mountain Infantry ( a World War II ski division ) trained called Camp Hale. In fact, my father in law was part of this group in WWII and trained here. It was very neat to see the remains of the artillery range, huts, and buildings actually used in 1940. The original developer of Vail Mountain was a 10th Mountain man…..so historically this was very interesting. Dinner this evening was at Beano’s Cabin – a NOT TO BE MISSED experience on the mountain in Beaver Creek. The snow cat ride from the base to Beano’s was enhanced by a full moon and howling wolves/coyotes on our journey. Once you arrive at Beano’s you are met by 3 resident porcupine greeters and escorted into a beautiful cabin with lots of open beams and a huge stone fireplace. The atmosphere was topped only by the cuisine. Wonderful game, fresh trout, and superb steaks are on the menu. But save room for the fantastic desserts…. A soothing guitar player offered the evening’s entertainment and by the end of the night – I wanted to forgo my snow cat ride back down the mountain for a warm place by the fire. Every couple should experience the romance of this place! Day 4 We decided to hop a local bus (from Beaver Creek Village) to ski Vail for the day and I am so glad I did. Vail represents a long family tradition (my in laws skied Vail in the 60’s – my husband learned to ski here as a child - and my two kids are graduates of Vail Ski School (where they learned to carve turns better than Peekabo Street!) They also went on to compete in NASTAR races in Salt Lake City so I feel the quality of instructors in Vail are superior to any other ski resort in the country.

Vail is a mountain for EVERYONE from beginners to double black experts! And the place is HUGE! If you were here for a week, you couldn’t ski all the terrain offered on this mountain. There are plenty of groomed runs for the basic skier, nice moguls for the younger knees, and back country natural bowls that allow you to ski without seeing anyone all day. We started off in China Bowl ( a nice open bowl featuring lots of blue runs) and by afternoon were ready to tackle Big Sky Basin and some of the Back Bowls. This was spectacular! Even as a terminal intermediate skier I was able to ski in/out of trees and experience the thrill of fresh powder up to my knees! Two Elk Restaurant is a great lunch stop with gourmet fare similar to Deer Valley. It gets very crowded for lunch so eating off hours allows you to grab food and find easy seating (with views beyond compare).

We were the last ones off the mountain on Day 4 – not wanting this “rush” to end but knew we would return next season in search of fresh powder…..

To learn more about ski travel or family ski trips, contact Debbie by clicking here!

Australia Travel with Ouback Encounter

Meg North is a Brownell travel advisor and an Australia travel specialist on a 2 week journey through Australia! Read below for an update on her journey's thus far:

It is now Tuesday morning here at Burrawang West Station. We have had blast over the past week--it is hard to believe we have experienced so much of the great continent of Australia! After our time here we will be flying to Sydney for a short stay and then headed home. I must say I am nowhere near ready!

Last week after an incredible experience at Faraway Bay, we flew to Adelaide in South Australia on Wednesday and spent a night in the Hyatt Regency. The hotel was lovely, situated over the River Torrens, with very comfortable accomodations and welcoming staff.

Thursday morning we got on our transfer to Flinders Ranges and toured the Barossa Valley enroute, and did site inspections of both The Louise and Atrium. The Barossa Valley is a beautiful wine region, with abundant vineyards for producing delicious wine!

The Louise is situated in the heart of the wine country, and is completely luxurious. They only have 15 suites and offer a very intimate experience with all the amenities of home. They are known for their restaurant, Appellation, and of course their wines!

Atrium is a private vineyard residence--only one party or 6 guests at a time! This is an experience unlike any other-completly private, overlooks the entire valley and set under a canopy of eucalpt trees. We really enjoyed getting to check it out.

We arrived Thursday afternoon at Angorichina Station--our home for the next two days. Angorichina is in the Flinders Ranges--a unique landscape made by an ancient seabed that is now full of wildlife, and interesting rocky landscape. We spent time wildlife watching, seeing aboriginal rock art and walking in the bush. The red landscape is really remarkable to see. The station itself is beautiful-somewhat of an oasis. A real highlight was seeing the outback sheep station that has been at work there for 4 generations!

On Saturday we made our way back to Adelaide and flew to Kingscote, Kangaroo Island and were taken to Southern Ocean Lodge. Kangaroo Island is Australias third largest island and it is full of incredible wildlife and area to explore! The lodge is extremely luxurious and beautiful. It is situated on a cliff, looking over the Southern Ocean and the wilderness. We did not miss a beat here and enjoyed everything from walks along the cliff to visiting a colony of sea lions and watching kangaroos!

After two nights at Southern Ocean Lodge we came here to Burrawang West Station, which is our last stop before Sydney and saying goodbye to our friends from Outback Encounter. Burrawang is a completely different feel and I am looking forward to experiencing more of it today. It is located in Central New South Wales and is a fully operational cattle station--producing Burrawang Beef. The terrain is full of beautiful pastures. The accomodations are boutique lodges--all creatively and luxuriously appointed and the dining is fabulous. Very relaxing way to close out our trip, but still plenty to explore!

We will head home at the end of the week--what an adventure it has been!

Learn more about travel to Austraila. Contact Meg North.

Australia with Outback Encounter

Meg North is a Brownell travel advisor and an Australia travel specialist on a 2 week journey through Australia! Read below for an update on her journey's thus far:

It is early Tuesday morning here in Australia. We have not stopped since the beginning of our journey and we will be off to partake in more adventure in just an hour or so! I hope to write more, but here is a quick snapshot of the journey thus far.

Last Thursday we boarded our plane for Brisbane and arrived after a long long flight at Darwin to be greeted by Drew Kluska, with Outback Encounter. After a brief pit stop, we lost no time getting started with our travel in Australia. We had a chance to meet Richard McLean, Senior Advisor for Pealrling at Paspaley Pearls in Darwin. He took us through an incredible afternoon tour of the jewellery workshop, pearl grading room and showroom. Who knew the process was so detailed and facinating!? After the tour, we made our way back to Mantra on the Esplanade--our home for the next 2 nights. Here is a shot of the hotel and the view from the rooms over the ocean at sunset--so peaceful.

On Friday morning, after a much needed nights sleep, we had a quick breakfast and then headed out for exploring. We spent half the day with Sab Lord, an incredible guide to the culture and land ( he spent his entire life here and has gained access to restricted areas because of his relationships with many of the Aboriginal clans) and half the day traveling by helicopter. Both experiences are incredible. We stopped halfway through for lunch at Bamurru plains. The plains in and of themselves were an experience:

On Saturday we made our way back to Darwin airport and boarded our private charter flight our next destination, Bullo River Station, in the Northern Territory near the border of Western Australia, where we spent Saturday and Sunday nights. The resort is incredible--very characteristic of the land and beautiful.

We spent our time there engaging with all the Station activities...there is abundant wildlife to be seen, and things to experience. They offer everything from cruising on the Bullo River Gorge to look for crocodiles, expeditons to examing aboriginal rock art, fishing, bull catching, horse riding, helicopter tours, cultural tours, etc. We packed in everything we could!

We left Bullo River Station Monday morning and arrived at our next stop for 2 nights--Faraway Bay. Farway Bay is a bush camp in Western Australia. It is in the wilderness, but definitly has all the comforts of home and fantastic food! There can only be 12 guest at any time, so we are having such a private experience. And the location is beautiful--the property looks over an incredible bay lined by cliffs.

We are off to experience more at Faraway Bay today...will write more soon detailing our time. So far, travel through Australia has completely surpassed our expectations!

Contact Australia specialist and luxury travel advisor, Meg North. Learn more aobut travel to Australia!

African Safari in Kenya

Sally May is a luxury travel advisor for Brownell Travel. She details below her incredible experience in Africa last month.

Kenya has always evoked memories of 'Out of Africa', Karen Blixen, the Maasai Mara, and Hemingway style private tented camps. We experienced them all. This was a sensational safari filled with large herds of wildlife, visits to private homes and exotic island retreats.

After a quick overnight at the infamous Norfolk hotel in Nairobi, we flew to Laragai House located on Borana Ranch; a private conservancy in the heart of the Laikipia region. This is a private home located in the footlhills of Mt Kenya(which we toured by helicopter) with fireplaces in all the bedrooms, an infinity pool and a deck with views of the escarpment. It was a great way to start the Safari!After a tour of the Lewa Wilderness Trails area, we took an adventurous drive to Tassia, a community lodge which sprawls over a rocky bluff overlooking the plains and hills of the northern Frontier. We also visited a working Samburu village, which was certainly a highlight.

Next to Sarara Lodge in the Mathews Mountains, where we visited the "Singing Wells". As the Samburu warriors pass the water up from the Sand river they sing out ancient work songs in praise of their cattle and of brave deeds. A truly remarkable experience that I will always remember vividly, eventhough NO photographs have every been allowed there. Below is a shot of the Sarara Lodge, where we stayed for a memorable few days:We also spent 2 nights in a private mobile camp in the Maasai Mara where we had the most deluxe tents you've every seen-complete with solar powered bedside lamps, flush toilets, hot bucket showers, dressing tables with running water, and a tent boy who arrived with wine in the evening and hot coffee in the morning. A hot air balloon at dawn was a highlight. Also, one night we visited a Maasai village where they held a jumping contest- a spectacular cultural experience.

After our time in the Mara, we took a one hour flight to Lamu Island and a dhow(wooden sailing vessel) ride to Peponi Hotel, which is one of the 'great little hotels of the world" located in the Indian Ocean. Still relatively unspoiled, this tiny island is Kenya's oldest living city and a fascinating place to explore and experience the country's ancient Swahili and Islamic cultures. Men still wear full length white robes, the women are draped in the black purdah and donkeys are the sole means of transportation. We also experienced a wonderful visit to Manda Bay -a coral island - and had lunch at Kiwayu Safari Lodge.

To end the trip, we spent a day in Dubai, which was not nearly enough! I will have to write about that again, since it was a journey in and of itself. Suffice it to say we had a blast--here we are at the end of our time there:

To learn more about safari travel or travel in Africa, contact Sally May by clicking here. To find out more about the travel advisors at Brownell Travel, click here.

The Mexican Riviera: Mexico's Hot Spot

Katherine Gould is a luxury travel advisor for Sterling Brownell. Read below about her wonderful experience in the Mexican Riviera.

I just returned from a fantastic visit to the Riviera Maya. Otherwise known as the Mexican Riviera, this beautiful stretch of Caribbean coastline is conveniently located 45 minutes south of the Cancun airport. The area is a hot bed of upscale, all-inclusive resorts and several luxury, boutique properties popular with honeymooners and families alike.

My first stop was Occidental’s luxury property, Royal Hideaway. It’s the world’s first adults-only, all-inclusive resort to earn the prestigious AAA 5-Diamond Award. The concept of a luxury, all-inclusive property with gourmet food intrigued me, which is the main reason why I selected to stay at the resort.
View from an Oceanview room at Royal Hideaway

Upon arrival, my husband and I entered the elegant lobby and were greeted with cool, fresh scented hand towels and bubbling glasses of champagne. After receiving a helpful overview of the resort and its amenities, we were escorted to our oceanview room. I found the rooms to be on the small side but very sophisticated and well-appointed. I recommend requesting a room in one of the buildings closest to the beach, as Royal Hideaway has a stunning, beach-front pool area where we spent most of our time.
Pool area at Royal Hideaway

Visitors should be aware that the town of Playacar where Royal Hideaway is located has suffered significant beach erosion as a result of hurricanes. At the moment, there is very little beach and many sandbags scattered along the surf. I was informed prior to arrival and therefore wasn’t surprised by the appearance of the beach. The Mexican government is apparently working on a plan to fix the problem long-term, which is good news for Royal Hideaway and its neighbors along that stretch of beach. In the meantime, however, Royal Hideaway’s chic infinity pools (yes, there are two of them!), attentive poolside staff, beachfront restaurant, and lively atmosphere more than made up for the lack of sand.

Royal Hideaway's Lobby

The promise of gourmet food coupled with a large emphasis on service proved to be true. Royal Hideaway delivered superb dining night after night. My personal favorite spots were the signature restaurant, Las Ventanas and Japanese inspired Azia. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed lunch at The Deck, a casual bar and grill located right on the ocean.
Royal Hideaway's grounds

Royal Hideaway’s attention to detail and emphasis on customer service was apparent throughout our stay. I was especially impressed by the personal concierge assigned to each building on property. Ricardo greeted us by name each day, wanting to know what he could do to be of assistance. The staff at the pool was eager to bring us drinks whenever we wanted, our room was always cleaned in a timely manner, and the waiters at all of the restaurants were knowledgable and friendly. Additionally, the grounds were quite beautiful and well-maintained. So if you’re looking for an all-inclusive property that truly delivers on luxury, Royal Hideaway is the ideal choice for you!

My next stop: Rosewood Mayakoba, which is spectacular in every way. For travelers who’ve experienced Rosewood’s other Caribbean properties (Caneel Bay, Little Dix Bay, Jumby Bay), you will not be disappointed! I would describe Rosewood Mayakoba as a “wow” property - one of those spots you can’t stop talking about when you return home. Everything exceeded my expectations: the architecture, service, rooms, grounds, dining, and pool/beach services were among the best I’ve experienced anywhere.
Rooms along the lagoon at Rosewood Mayakoba

Rosewood Mayakoba is situated along a mile-long stretch of beautiful beach, but it’s honestly not the beach that makes the resort so special. I found the 20 acres of clear lagoons bordered by mangrove jungle to be unique, serene and beautiful. The resort’s architecture is a contemporary-Mexican style, specially designed to blend in with the natural coastal environment. My husband and I opted to stay in the lead-in Lagoon Suite category, and we were more than surprised by its size, luxuriousness and views of the lagoon and surrounding mangroves. The ride to our suite via an elegant private boat was just the beginning. Upon arrival , we quickly discovered that our large suite featured a vast lagoon-side terrace with inviting plunge pool, rooftop sundeck and a bathroom not to be forgotten. In addition to a lovely, outdoor garden shower, it came fully equipped with an enormous circular tub which was transformed into a fantasy of bubbles and flower petals each evening by our personal butler.
Lagoon Suite at Rosewood Mayakoba

Golf carts driven by plentiful staff members circle the property on a regular basis, so guests have no trouble finding a ride to their desired destination when they need one. However, the grounds were so pretty that my husband and I often opted to travel by foot. It was a pleasant walk or ride to the beach area, complete with a “hopping” beach bar/restaurant, infinity pool and fully equipped children’s facility. Back towards the main lobby was an equally appealing atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the serenity of the pool, which is overlooked by the main dining area. Additionally, Azul is not to be missed. It’s a chic raw bar and “tequila library” which serves excellent ceviche and cocktails, as well as a vast selection of Mexican tequilas.
Beachside pool area at Rosewood Mayakoba

For spa lovers, Sense, a Rosewood Spa, is sure to please. The 17,000 square foot facility is blissfully located on a separate “island” within the hotel’s grounds. Guests enjoy a wide array of complimentary amenities when they book a spa treatment, including access to a heated pool, juice bar, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, cold plunge pool and relaxation areas. A fully equipped gym is also available for all guests to utilize, should they be able to drag themselves away from their suite or the beach to burn a few calories.
Evening at Rosewood Mayakoba

From rooms to service to dining to scenery, Rosewood Mayakoba is a step above the rest. Equally unique is the fact that the resort is a great choice not only for couples seeking a romantic getaway, but also for families. Families of all shapes and size will find themselves very much at home due to the spacious accommodations, attentive staff and impressive children’s programs.
Beachfront Suite Terrace at Rosewood Mayakoba

For guests fortunate enough to experience it, Rosewood Mayakoba will call you back again and again. I am already counting down until my next visit….

To learn more about Sterling Brownell or travel to the Caribbean, contact Katherine by clicking here.