Monthly Archives: May 2020

Can Thinking About Travel Increase Happiness?

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I found a good article on how planning future travel plans or even thinking about travel can improve one’s mental health.  The article sites research studies done to support its premise which is one reason why I found it to be interesting.  Based on a 2014 Cornell University study, some major mental health benefits involved with planning future travel included the pleasure of anticipating an experience, the pleasure connected with discussing one’s travel plans with others (increased social interaction makes one feel better), and the pleasure involved in a more optimistic outlook on life (I have a future/something to look forward to).  If you want to read more about the article and its associated links, click here.

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This Is Why People Come to Tulum….

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I love drone videos, they give such a great overall picture of an entire resort or area. The video below highlights Tulum, a small but very popular town on the southern edge of the Riviera Maya.  There are two all-inclusive resorts in/nearby Tulum–Kore Tulum is approximately three miles south of Tulum proper, while Dreams Tulum is a 10-minute drive north of the Tulum Ruins and the town.  The location of these all-inclusives makes it easy for guests to take in both the ruins and enjoy what Tulum has to offer in an easy day trip.

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Emporio Cancun Jr. Suite–A Suite Review

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Here’s another suite review of a Cancun resort for those on a budget (the first one I reviewed was a swim-up suite at the Flamingo Cancun Resort Hotel).  Few have probably heard of Emporio Cancun; it is an all-inclusive optional, meaning that vacationers who book don’t necessarily have the all-inclusive plan, so be careful if you are booking it yourself using a wholesaler.  There are three basic meal plans:  room-only (European Plan), bed and breakfast plan, and the all-inclusive plan.

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Sian Ka’an Master Suite at The Pyramid at Grand Cancun–A Suite Review

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If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone which has many restaurant and bar choices, a more lively atmosphere with lots of entertainment possibilities, and the lengthiest pool in Cancun (it’s a quarter-mile long and meanders beachfront), then staying at The Pyramid at Grand Cancun could be your kind of vacation destination.

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New Drone Video of Playa del Carmen

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For those of you curious about or following the upcoming changes in Playa del Carmen, here’s a new video showing some of the initial projects (new and better beach access from 5th, changes to the popular Parque Fundadores, not sure about the larger cleared out construction spaces, however–does anyone know what is being done there?).

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New Swim-Up Rooms at Flamingo Cancun Resort–A Suite Review

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Not every traveler can afford a $5k+ vacation for two for a week at a luxury 5-star resort.  So I’ve decided to do a series of suite reviews in Cancun/Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts (or all-inclusive optional resorts) which will give you the most “bang for your buck” (vacation dollar/euro/peso, etc.).

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Barcelo Webcam Again Operational

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I’ve never seen a webcam have so much trouble.  This webcam seems to be “offline” more than anything else.  Well, it’s back on again.  Unfortunately, the webcam owners have disabled playback of the video by other websites, so that means that I cannot share this particular video, but you can always click this link to see it.  Here you go for those Barcelo Maya Grand Resort lovers.

New Palace Resorts Health and Safety Measures

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Palace Resorts has posted their new health and safety rules for guests and staff.  It appears to be very comprehensive; I wonder whether other resorts will follow suit or adopt some of these measures.

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Drone Video of Dreams Riviera Cancun

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With “cancel for any reason” travel insurance in hand, so to speak, I’m booked to go back to the Riviera Maya second week in November.  My travel companions on this trip have outvoted me, so no party suite at Atelier (boooo–will have to do this one on a solo trip).  Instead, we will be going to the Puerto Morelos area (supposedly affected less severely by COVID-19 than other Riviera Maya areas such as Playa del Carmen) to the brand new Now Natura with my free stay voucher, then onto Dreams Riviera Cancun booked in the Governor’s Suite.  I did not know this Dreams resort was only two resorts south of Now Sapphire where I stayed in February!  Since I stayed at Dreams Playa Mujeres several years ago, I know that the Dreams resort line is a quality family-friendly option.

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