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Travel Trivia Rules and Terms: By participating in the travel trivia contest you are agreeing to follow all rules and terms of Applespecials.com, SVH tours and travel and any state or government regulations. Void where prohibited. Be aware that your IP Address will be recorded when submitting answers, do not use multiple e-mail addresses. Only submit one set of answers per Travel Trivia Contest Video. Read the rest of this entry »

At the center of Ixtapa Bay, alongside Mexico’s Pacific coast is an all inclusive resort called the Emporio Ixtapa beach resort. Centrally located, it’s a great place to have as your home base. Shopping, golf, nightlife, and more are all just minutes away. Ixtapa is also just a 10-minute drive away from the rustic fishing village of Zihuatanejo, a place trapped in time.

What is Emporio?

Emporio is a small Spanish chain of luxury resorts, one of which is located in Ixtapa, Mexico. The Emporio Ixtapa is an eleven-story Mexico all inclusive resort is situated right on two miles of private beach with warm golden sand. Whether you’re in the mood for a pool dip or a saltwater soak, both options are literally right at your feet at this Apple vacation resort. Detox inside the sauna and steam room, and then find your Margaritaville at the swim-up bar connected to the spacious free-form pool.

Kids 12 and under stay free and have their own swimming pool. An organized Kids’ Club is available at no extra cost. Apple vacation resorts really have it all!

What to Expect:

Luxury starts at the front door, as the lobby’s ceiling is a huge dome inspired by Colonial Mexico architecture. Underneath the dome is a grand lobby filled with tropical plants and sparkling marble floors, accented with timber and leather fittings. Stretch your arms out… With only 173 rooms, it doesn’t get nearly as crowded as other hotels.

The nearby golf course runs through a coconut plantation, with magnificent ocean views on greens. Look forward to live music and entertainment each night. Although the all inclusive vacation package is optional, I’d highly recommend choosing it.

Where is Manzanillo?
The region of Manzanillo is situated on Mexico’s western coast, inside a small bay. On a tiny peninsula of land in Manzanillo is the Barceló Karmina Palace Resort. This beautiful Mexico all inclusive resort is nestled between the crystalline waters of the Pacific Coast, the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains, and a neighboring world class golf course… All only 30 minutes from nearest international airport. Compared to other Mexico all inclusive resorts, this location really has it all.
About the Resort:
The Barceló Karmina Palace is a grand class Apple vacation resort, rich with decorations from the Mayans, one of the most advanced civilizations in history. The Mayan style architecture is modeled after authentic temples and pyramids and richly compliments the flower-filled gardens. The resort is located on a 425 foot stretch of private, sandy, calm, beachfront waters. The surf is as warm and gentle as the resort’s 8 swimming pools, all interconnected by fountains, waterfalls, and a waterslide. A very special feature is the private, warm-water swimming cove. This Apple vacation resort is 100% suites, and some even come equipped with swimming pools on their terraces.
Dining is obviously all inclusive and guests choose from 6 restaurant options and five cocktail lounges. If you’re hungry for that after-hours fourth meal, 24 hour room service is available. World class golf that has been ranked among the top 100 golf courses on the planet is practically next door to the resort. Live entertainment occurs nightly and day activities can range from fun in the sun to whale watching excursions.
Kid’s Options:
The Barcey Club is a club for kids 12 and under. Along with all the fun stuff any resort’s “Kid’s Club” offers, the Barcey Club has “mini Olympics”, PlayStation gaming consoles, and sandcastle building.

My boss told me that if I didn’t use my accumulated vacation days that I was going to lose them. I took this as an opportunity to escape the brutal death storm referred to as “Winter” here on the East coast, and thaw out my fingers and toes in some hot sand. I didn’t even have time to think, map out, and book my ideal vacation, as my boss told me last minute, but I’m familiar with the travel industry so I can manage. Normally this would frustrate me because I’m a planner, but deep down inside I felt the burn to just go and make an adventure happen.

I didn’t want to spend almost three weeks on vacation alone. Thankfully I had an unemployed, spontaneous, and wealthy friend that also wanted in on this spur-of-the-moment adventure. We settled on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas, and literally less than 24 hours later I was in a swim suit, which was a welcomed change from constantly wearing a monster-size coat that would make Eskimos envious. I didn’t even pack a sweater.

13 miles away from the airport we had checked into the Viva Wyndham Resort at Fortuna Beach. My friend choked when we learned that topless bathing was permitted. Full of energy, we rarely saw the hotel except to sleep. Instead we busied ourselves on Jeep safaris and kayak/snorkel tours. After a few days, we changed resorts and relocated to Our Lucaya Reef Village. Now worn out and on the southern coast of the Bahamas, I indulged in ultimate laziness and daily massages. There’s no shame in being a shameless tourist so we kept the poolside margaritas flowing.

Once we became tired of being tired, I longed for some jungle adventures and wonders of the world, wherever they might be. My travel companion suggested Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, just a hop, skip, and a jump away over a small stretch of sea. I was blown away by the ancient ruins and Mayan pyramids. Several jungle explorations calmed my wild side, and I subsequently spent many relaxing sunset s first at the Dream Tulum resort, then at the Grand Velas resort just to change the scenery.

After almost three weeks, all I could think was “stick a fork in me; I’m done”. Not only was I completely defrosted from the East coast’s fury, I was cooked.

Mexico’s Mayan Riviera:
The ancient Mayan civilization built its world famous pyramids around the area of Tulum, an ancient city surrounded by a brilliant sugary white beaches, clear blue waters, and acres of lush and tropical palms. The Dreams Tulum Resort sits on two miles of powdery white sand, just five minutes away from the mystical pyramids of Tulum. Located in Mexico but on the Caribbean shore, this Apple vacations resort is a great location to experience both Mexico and the Caribbean all in one.

Resort Overview:
The mixture of colonial and Hacienda-style architecture is well complimented by the blue and white hews radiating from the beach. No matter which sumptuous suite you choose, some of the highlights enjoyed by all guests are marble bathrooms, dock stations for your iPod, in-room Jacuzzis, and private patios or balconies (some even with hammocks)! All the typical fun water activities are included at this all inclusive resort, including snorkeling, an ocean trampoline, and introductory scuba diving lessons. Dreams Tulum is the only resort in the Mayan Riviera that offers bike tours to the ancient ruins and pyramids. Kids ages 3 though 13 stay/eat/play free! Also, children can take part in a supervised Mayan-themed Explorer’s Club at no extra cost.
The vast majority of guests select the all inclusive vacation package, which Dreams Tulum has dubbed their “Unlimited Luxury” package. With 8 gourmet restaurants to choose from, this resort can satisfy anyone’s appetite at anytime. Enjoy a wide variety of sushi, gourmet Mexican, a seafood/steakhouse grill, pan-Asian specialties, a café-style diner, Italian cuisine, and of course, 24-hour room service. There is an abundance of night fun to choose from. Let loose at one of 7 cocktail lounges, including a poolside and a beachside bar. Attend themed beach parties, open-air stage shows, movies every night at the beach, karaoke, disco night, and casino night. Like any Apple vacation resort should be, Dreams Tulum is a Mexico all inclusive resort where the fun only ends when you want it to.

Golf Much?
Currently Dreams Tulum is offering a free, 18-hole round of golf per person per day to all guests (certain restrictions apply).

The Grand Velas in the Mayan Riviera is a stunning Apple vacations resort elegantly complimented by native artwork and upscale furnishings. Rated Five Diamonds by AAA, this Mexico all inclusive resort is situated along 1,640 feet of glorious white beach and the clear turquoise water that all Caribbean coasts are famous for. Not only do guest enjoy pristine private beaches, Grand Velas is surrounded by the lush, tropical Yucatan jungle.

Imagine returning to your suite after a long day of fun and taking a soothing rinse in your private plunge pool; more than half of the suites offer a plunge pool and Jacuzzis so it’s not just a feature for the elite. Dine like a king at any of 7 gourmet restaurants, or keep a low profile with 24 hour room service. Obviously everything is included in this all inclusive vacation package: food, drinks, tip, tax, etc. So eat up!

Fun in the Sun:

When guests finally venture away from the Infinity Pool, Grand Velas in Riviera Maya will have you zipping across jungle paths on ATV’s or swimming through deep underwater caverns in a secluded Maya community. Riviera Maya is home to one of the longest explored underground river systems in the world, making it a top Apple vacations destination.  These “cenotes”, or underground caves with freshwater rivers, make for exciting diving experiences. The Riviera Maya ranks among the top scuba diving destinations in the world. For passionate divers, please don’t miss the experience of discovering the Caribbean seabed: Caves, shipwrecks and the exciting night diving. Scuba diving is additional.

Complimentary snorkeling in the crystal clear Caribbean waters of the Riviera Maya is an unforgettable adventure where coral reefs teem with neon marine life. Wonderful private tours on sailboats and catamarans, diving courses, guided visits to the most fascinating coral reefs in Mexico, jet ski tours, parasailing, and kayaking are available. Swimming with dolphins and seeing them up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience available to guests.

A Unique Feature of Grand Velas in Riviera Maya:

In addition to all the obvious amenities of a world class all inclusive resort, Grand Velas Riviera Maya boasts one of the most cutting edge, fully equipped convention centers in the world. With 91,547 square feet of elegant and flexible event space, 2 ballrooms, 32 breakout rooms, and a team of professional event coordinators, the Grand Velas convention center can host anywhere from 10 to 3,000 guests for any occasion from  business conventions to weddings and other special events.

The Irma Hotel is a small, colonial-style resort nestled atop a 50-foot oceanfront cliff in the heart of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. With the most amazing view of the bay, this resort is truly an escape from the crowded Mexico vacation scene.

Zihuatanejo, Mexico:

Zihuatanejo is a traditional, rustic fishing village located 5 miles outside of the Ixtapa resort town, so it’s basically all the vacation without all the other tourists in your way. You won’t see any tall buildings (four stories maximum) because they are not permitted by city law to conserve the village look. Don’t worry; it’s still within walking distance of all the food and shopping spots.

About Hotel Irma:

Hotel Irma is as authentic and local as Ixtapa resorts come. With 67 bay view rooms, it’s the most low-key resort I’ve ever been to. The resort calls all 67 of its rooms “Run of the House Rooms” to give that “King of the Castle” feeling. I wouldn’t exactly call Irma the “Tajmahal” but it definitely qualifies as the “Tajma Small”! It’s a great little hotel with everything the big hotels have and everything an Apple Vacation should be… great service, spa, everything is clean, amazing food.

The chef at their premiere restaurant prepares insanely original Mexican and international “haute cuisine”; I wish I could have tried more. The restaurant’s name is Las Naranjas, which I learned is Spanish for “oranges”. That name fits because most dishes were citrus inspired and very fresh. However, my favorite food memory was enjoying a poolside fried plantain banana with ice cream, caramel, and whipped cream.

The temperature is always between 75-82F. I’d almost prefer to book an Apple Vacation during their so-called “rainy” season (June through September) just to enjoy the politely brief and breathtaking late afternoon showers.

Claim to Fame:

Zihuatanejo may seem under the radar, but this appealing village has several claims to fame. If you remember, Zihuatanejo Bay was a stop-over port for TV’s “Love Boat” series. Zihuatanejo is also the dream “getaway” talked about in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption. Hotel Irma and its surrounding areas truly are the quintessential escape we all dream about.