Wanderlust Destinations by Abby

06/11/2022

Hallelujah!! Let the travel commence!

The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official and a US Centers For Disease Control and Preventi...

04/19/2022

Valentin Imperial, Emerald Suite.

A popular adults-only resort in Cancun. Recommended to me by Stefanie Findley that raved! I was sadly only just able to stay here a few nights because of a family emergency but I definitely want to go back!

11/23/2021

Much like the other Paradisus I toured, the rooms and grounds are gorgeous. Don’t sleep on the bathrooms and closets in these spaces. Holy smokes.

I’m both resorts I loved the musicians in the lobbies. You’ll also see the yummy welcome drink below (it was delicious).

Each resort had its own touches that makes them suitable for different tastes. You will see a difference in color palettes and touches. This resort is a little bit more spa-like while Reserve has a Roman feel.

11/03/2021

How does staying in a castle in the Caribbean sound?

Sanctuary Cap Cana is not only ranked as one of the best rated resorts of the Dominican republic but also boast the ONLY castle you can stay in the Caribbean. 

I was so excited to be able to tour this resort. I’ve wanted to see it for years and it didn’t disappoint. Spanish touches throughout the entire property is what I came for.

They have this cute little town full of restaurants that opens up in the evening. It doesn’t even feel like you’re at a resort! 

Speaking for myself…. this is the resort I want to stay at when I return to Punta Cana. 

11/01/2021

My new number one resort I will be recommending to families traveling. (This was also my travel partner’s first pick of all of the adult resorts we toured.)

Hyatt Ziva (family) and Zilara (adult) of Cap Cana. High quality resort, right on brand compared to the Cancun resorts I toured in 2019.

Here they are connected which allows adults from both properties to flow back-and-forth. All with a relatively short walk. This is not a mega-resort that requires shuttles. All 14 restaurants in the center of the resort for you to easily access.

Highlights of this resort or the extensive detail put on the restaurant themes. The walk ability of the resort, the waterpark for kids, and the spa.

Also, for the COVID conscious travelers. You’re ready to travel but you want to stick with a brand that has good policies that keeps you safe. This is for you! During all of my resort tours they were taking the most amount of precautions to keep people safe and distanced.

I wasn’t able to get pictures of the waterpark including a link to another website and a screenshot of the water park.

11/01/2021

As of next Monday, November 8, travel requirements to enter the US are changing for international visitors and for unvaccinated Americans who arrive by air.

Here’s what you need to know.

🚦 For fully vaccinated Americans, the requirement essentially remains the same.
You must show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than three days before travel.
The only difference is that you’ll also need to show proof that you’re vaccinated (the white CDC card will suffice).
📅 For unvaccinated Americans, the window for testing just got shorter.
COVID Tests are now required within one day of the return flight to the US.
👪 Unvaccinated children 2-17 follow the same rules as the adults they are traveling with.
That means if a child is traveling with vaccinated adults, they’ll need to take a test three days before their return to the US.
If a child is traveling with unvaccinated adults (or traveling alone) they’ll need to test one day before their flight to the US departs.
For children under 2, tests are encouraged, but not required.

Updates and tips from Scott's Cheap Flights.

10/28/2021

Who is ready for the next resort photo dump?

Iberostar Grand Bavaro - The adults only luxury portion of the Iberostar complex a Punta Cana.

My favorite part of this resort? Strong drinks and lively bartenders. This resort was SO fun. The pool was fun with poolside bingo and nightly activities.

If your priority is top-notch service and activities this is your go to resort. They do so many things right here.
The Grand itself is a smaller resort with easy walking from your room to dinner every night.

And as part of a mega resort you can go explore other areas. Like a casino, nightly disco, and more. Also included in this complex is a golf resort! 

10/25/2021

Sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛs Cᴀᴘ Cᴀɴᴀ

The first of many resort views and photo dumps.
I’ll be doing these over the next couple days.

First I’m starting with 1 of 2 resorts we stayed at.
This is now going to be the number #1 resort I encourage my adult only travelers to visit.

I often hear this is a spot travel agent choose for themselves when traveling. I personally know agents that I’ve been here seven or eight times and keep coming back. I absolutely get it.

This is a smaller resort where you hardly have to do any walking. This is not a mega resort, almost a boutique size. The food was amazing, service was great, beach was beautiful, and the pools couldn’t be more perfect.

I would also highly recommend this for groups that are traveling together. There’s a very low risk that your rooms will be very far from each other. If your group stays in preferred, you’re that much closer surrounded around your own pool.

10/21/2021

VIP arrival is 💯 worth every penny.

Our travel concierge hostess met us at the end of the jetway (immediately after deboarding). Then expedited us past customs in front of the other passengers. No lines. We waited in a VIP area while they collected our bags.
Then escorted us to our driver. Smooth as butter. ❤️✈️🇩🇴

10/13/2021

Next week I am headed to the Dominican Republic! After two years of not traveling abroad I’m chomping at the bit to do site visits.

I will be splitting my stay between Iberostar Grand Bavaro and Secrets Cap Cana. Both adults only and on the luxury side of resorts.

What are your favorites in the Dominican?