Italy – Pompeii, Naples, and Rome | Iconic Landmarks, Breathtaking Landscapes, and Italian Cuisine
My good friend Megan Wojcik recently returned to Italy focusing her sites on Pompeii, Naples, and Rome. Read about her adventures and advice for planning your dream vacation to this beautiful country. Note: All photos submitted by Megan Wojcik Italy....
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Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites | Punta Cana | A Caribbean Paradise Dominican Republic
The Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites is a luxurious all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, situated on the white-sand shores of the Punta Cana region. The resort's blend of tropical surroundings, stunning architectural design, numerous amenities, and reliable service offers a...
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River City Cafe South Carolina | Murrells Inlet near Myrtle Beach
River City Cafe: A South Carolina Icon River City Cafe is more than just a place to grab a bite, it’s a South Carolina institution, known for its laid-back atmosphere, eclectic decor, and, most notably, its delicious burgers. With several...
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How to Avoid Tummy Issues While Traveling
The information provided below is not medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal issues consult your doctor for treatment. Traveling to Riviera Maya, Mexico is a popular vacation choice, offering beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture. However,...
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Bed & Breakfast | Ashtabula, OH | The Dreamcatcher Inn | Near Lake Erie
We recently stayed at the Dreamcatcher Inn in Ashtabula, OH, and were amazed at the exquisite attention to detail in this newly renovated 1890s home. Once we met the Innkeeper, Lorrie Lloyd, we began to understand the intricacies woven into...
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Top 25 “Bests” in Riviera Maya Mexico for 2024
Once again, it's time to update my Top 25 Bests in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Prices are much higher for all-inclusive resorts than in the past, and the overall consensus is that food, service and entertainment are not as good as...
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Chasing Shadows: Eclipse Across Mexico and North America | April 8, 2024
On April 8, 2024, a spectacle that ignites the hearts of stargazers and wanderers alike will occur. Across Mexico and North America, anticipation brews for the rare total solar eclipse that promises to captivate millions with its breathtaking display. As...
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Discovering the Allure of Secrets Playa Mujeres Resort: A Luxurious Haven
Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort stands as a beacon of luxury and sophistication along the pristine shores of Mexico's Caribbean coast. Nestled in the exclusive enclave of Playa Mujeres, this all-inclusive resort promises an unparalleled experience of indulgence...
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Dreams Jade Resort and Spa: Where Dreams Come True in Riviera Maya
Nestled along the stunning shores of the Riviera Maya, Dreams Jade Resort and Spa is a true tropical paradise where the concept of "all-inclusive" takes on new meaning. This luxurious haven offers an unforgettable blend of accommodations, dining, beachfront, poolside...
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How to Apply for a Passport
How to Apply for a Passport Needed for International Travel A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder. Generally, anyone wishing to travel internationally needs a passport to...
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Herb Garden Bed & Breakfast | Ashtabula County | Jefferson, OH
Imagine a charming and idyllic bed & breakfast nestled in the heart of Ashtabula County, Ohio, where the fragrance of fresh herbs fills the air. Guests take a step back in time in this 1848 farmhouse that your hosts, Chris...
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Visit Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Great Lakes Region of Saugatuck
The wanderlust in all of us is longing for the next frontier, or in this case, the perfect get-a-way weekend with a friend, but to a new destination. When MJ Meenen learned of the varied offerings located near Detroit, Michigan,...
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The Maridon Museum | Chinese and Japanese Art Collection |Butler County PA
The Maridon Museum, located in Butler County, Pennsylvania, is a hidden gem that offers visitors a unique cultural experience. With its impressive collection of Asian art and artifacts, the museum provides a captivating glimpse into the rich artistic traditions of...
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Niagara on the Lake Ontario, Canada | Visit Queen Street | Wineries – Including Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant
When MJ Meenen’s watercolor instructor, Clarice Gomes, decided to host an in-person session at one of the wineries located at Niagara on the Lake in Ontario, Canada, it was an offer too tempting to pass up. Read about her recent...
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Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds | Moon Palace Cancun | Riviera Maya, Mexico
Moon Palace Cancun Concerts Are you a fan of Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds? If you are a concertgoer, this performance at the Moon Palace Cancun in Riviera Maya, Mexico, could be the irresistible combination of live entertainment and pristine...
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How to Rescue Your Vacation at a “Bad” All-Inclusive Resort |Tips and Tricks
All-Inclusive Resort Hacks Times have changed post Covid and the all-inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya, Mexico, like most businesses, have suffered from supply and staffing issues. So what do you do when you’ve spent your hard-earned money on a well-deserved...
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Top 25 “Bests” in Riviera Maya Mexico for 2023
Travel is gearing up again post-covid, so it's time to update my Top 25 Bests in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We've explored a few more resorts, and much to our surprise, we've changed our mind about some of these categories we...
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RIU Dunamar All-inclusive Resort | Costa Mujeres | Family Friendly
RIU Dunamar, all-inclusive in Costa Mujeres, is a family-friendly resort located 22 miles from Cancun airport traveling north opposite Isla Mujeres, the island of the women. The resort has five pools, including two adult pools featuring swim-up bars, Tequila and...
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Tour of Italy | Vatican | St. Peters Basilica | Colosseum | Pisa | Florence | Venice and more
A friend of mine recently shared with me her amazing trip to Italy. The tour included accommodations at the Grand Hotel Guinigi in Lucca, Grand Hotel Mediterraneo in Florence, Palazzo Selvadego in Venezia, Giotto in Assisi, and the Crowne Plaza...
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Excursions in Riviera Maya Mexico with Destino Riviera | Interview With Jaime Garcia
Lorry: Jaime, your company, Destino Riviera, provides tours and excursions for travelers inRiviera Maya. Can you tell my readers at No Shoes Just Travel a little about your service? Jaime: We are a family-owned tour agency based in Playa del...
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The Best of The Luxury Bahia Akumal, Coba, Tulum, and Sian Ka’an.
Our favorite resort in Riviera Maya has always been Grand Bahia Principe. We especially enjoy staying in the adults-only section of Luxury Akumal because you have access to the whole resort, which includes Coba, the newly remodeled Tulum, and another...
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Getaway Weekend in Ashtabula Historic Harbor on Lake Erie | Things To Do
If you are looking for a getaway weekend, look no further. We recently discovered the Ashtabula Historic Harbor, OH, located on The Ashtabula River, which flows into Lake Erie. For years, we passed through this town, admiring the main street...
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3 Best Mayan Ruins near Riviera Maya | Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum |Review and Comparison
Where are the Mayan Temples and Ruins in Riviera Maya Located? If you are staying in Riviera Maya, located in Quintana Roo, I suggest visiting the Mayan ruins nearest to your accommodations. Riviera Maya is approximately 112 miles long, peppered...
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Planning A Family Vacation to Riviera Maya, Mexico | Pack the Kids
Family travel can be both enjoyable and stressful. Making memories during your trip and ensuring everyone is happy, takes precedence over taking a perfect photo, seeing every site around you, or spending every waking hour on the go. With some...
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Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo and Maya, Riviera Maya | Family Vacation Review
Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf & Spa Resort, located in Puerto Morelos, is approximately 29 miles from the Cancun Airport. This mega-resort is actually 5 resorts in one. It includes Paraiso Delmar & Beach, Paraiso Lindo & Maya and Paraiso Grand....
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Secrets Playa Mujeres: The Truth About a Holiday Visit During the Pandemic
Katey and her husband Les recently vacationed at Secrets Playa Mujeres in Mexico during the week before Christmas. Pandemic travel hasn't always been easy, but it can be done safely. I asked them to share their experience, the good, the...
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TRS Yucatan Hotel Adults Only All Inclusive | Part of the Grand Palladium in Riviera Maya
The TRS Yucatan Hotel, part of the Grand Palladium Hotel Group in Riviera Maya, offers all-inclusive adults-only luxury and is located approximately an hour and a half from the Cancun airport and 30 minutes from Playa Del Carmen. Combined, I...
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Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya: Newly Renovated, Reopened September 2021
According to AMResorts, The Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa reopened on September 1, 2021, after extensive renovations to elevate the overall property experience. In addition to the new look, the resort has a new name, Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya....
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Escape to Dreams Las Mareas Resort & Spa in Playa El Jobo, Costa Rica
My friend Theresa recently traveled to a luxurious all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica and offered to share her experience with No Shoes Just Travel. Staying at the Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica, she experienced the most memorable vacation. This luxury...
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All-Inclusive Resort | BlueBay Grand Esmeralda
BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, located approximately 30 minutes from the Cancun airport, is the first all-inclusive resort we visited in Riviera Maya in 2008. Our flight left Pittsburgh at 7 am on a cold overcast January day. We arrived at the...
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Shoes On, Still Traveling: Michael Cahill Bed and Breakfast, Ashtabula, Ohio
The Michael Cahill Bed and Breakfast located in Ashtabula, OH, is one of the most beautifully decorated and cared for homes in which we have stayed. Situated on top of a scenic hill in the Historic Ashtabula Harbor, this majestic...
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Grand Palladium Hotel and Resorts: Home to Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness
The Grand Palladium Hotel and Resorts, located in Riviera Maya, Mexico, consists of 5 different all-inclusive resorts: Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort, Grand Palladium Colonial Resort, Grand Palladium White Sands, Grand Palladium Riviera, and TRS Yucatan Suites. All are within walking...
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Weather in Riviera Maya, Mexico: When is the Best Time to Visit Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya, Mexico, is known for its all-inclusive resorts, hotels, and golf courses situated on or adjacent to beautiful pristine beaches. Along with its cool white sand and beautiful aquamarine water, the temperature is almost perfect year-round for those who...
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Things to Do in Isla Mujeres, Island of Women
Early in our travels, our travel agent recommended that we visit Isla Mujeres. It wasn’t until recently that we had the opportunity to do so while staying at the Iberostar Paraiso Delmar in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We booked the tour...
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How To Find A Deal for an All-Inclusive Resort in Riviera Maya & Travel Tips
If I had a superpower, it would be finding travel deals. By following the suggestions below, you are guaranteed to add more travel bucks to your pocket. Because of these travel tips, we have been able to travel at least...
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All-Inclusive Resorts in Riviera Maya Have Many Free Activities
Each resort is different, but most resorts that we have visited offer several free activities. Check your resort if there is something specific you are interested in doing. Most places have an activity team that is friendly and will keep...
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Ocean Riviera Paradise Reviews: A Riviera Maya Resort Near Playa del Carmen
Ocean Riviera Paradise is located approximately 30 miles from the Cancun International Airport and nearby to Playa del Carmen. The contemporary style resort has 4 sections including Daisy for families with a kids pool and water park, Eden with direct...
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Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf & Spa Resort–All-Inclusive Riviera Maya, Mexico
Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf & Spa Resort, located in Puerto Morelos, is approximately 29 miles from the Cancun Airport. This mega-resort is actually five resorts in one. It includes Paraiso Delmar & Beach, Paraiso Lindo & Maya and Paraiso Grand....
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Everything You Need to Know About Riviera Maya, Mexico
Riviera Maya, Mexico, home to 112 miles of beautiful beaches and crystal clear blue water, is visited by millions of tourists annually. Surrounded by ancient Mayan cities, including Coba, Tulum, and one of the seven wonders of the world, Chichen...
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Barceló Maya Grand Resort: The Best Beach at an All-Inclusive in Riviera Maya
Located 12 miles south of Playa del Carmen and 47 miles from the Cancun International Airport, the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort is home to one of the best beaches and beautiful tropical landscapes in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The all-inclusive resort...
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Dream Scene Villas at Grand Sirenis Resort, Riviera Maya: Everything You Need to Know
Dream Scene Villas: Privacy and Comfort for your Family or Group Update on Dream Scene Villas, January 2022 I published this blog post last year about a great new place to stay in Riviera Maya, Dream Scene Villa. I had...
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Interview with Jim Lucente, Owner of Lucente Travel: Planning Safe Travel to Riviera Maya, Mexico
Lucente Travel is a leading travel agency in the Pittsburgh area featuring exciting, affordable, and quality vacations. Their travel agents are dedicated to providing top-notch service to clients. Each experienced agent has been trained by travel companies and tour operators,...
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Shoes On…Still Traveling More Travel Destinations: The Smoky Mountains
What do you do when you can’t travel to Mexico? Pivot to the Great Smoky Mountains. Red Wolf Lodge luxury cabin located "sky high" in the Smoky Mountains Travel changed for us last year due to the pandemic, so we...
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Shoes On Still Traveling: Brick House Bed and Breakfast, New Bethlehem, PA
Face it. We all feel the same way. Groundhog Day, the movie. It has become our way of life since the pandemic. Needing a break from the day-to-day doldrums and February's cold and grey sky, we packed up the car...
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20 Words and Phrases to Learn Before you go to Mexico & Why I Called My Luggage a Blue Rat
I have a mental block when it comes to speaking another language. I’m so nervous about saying the wrong words that I blank out when I try to speak in full sentences. Because of our travels to Riviera Maya, slowly...
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Let’s Get Happy! Start Planning Your Next Vacation in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Traveling can make you happier, but you already knew that, right? According to a recent cnbc.com article, planning, researching, and anticipating a future trip increases happiness too. I may not be able to hop on a plane to a...
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Top 25 “Bests” in Riviera Maya Mexico
Because I am taking a hiatus from traveling, I’ve been reading my travel diary and perusing photos from the past few years. This prompted me to start a “best of” list as a fun way to reminisce about the many...
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Grand Bahia Principe Riviera Maya: One of My Favorite Resorts…Here’s Why
The Grand Bahia Principe is a megaresort made up of four resorts in Riviera Maya. The all-inclusive resorts are Coba, Tulum, Luxury Akumal, and Luxury Sian Ka’an. The Grand Bahia Principe is approximately an hour and twenty minutes from the airport...
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Three Things You Need to Know About Travel in 2021
Millions of Americans canceled their travel plans last year, myself included. Some have continued to travel, but the majority are waiting until later this year. According to InsureMyTrip, travel insurance purchases are up this week for international travel. "For those who...
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Tips for Visiting Coba Ruins and Climbing Nohoch Mul Pyramid in Mexico
Visiting an Ancient Mayan City It’s time for me to take you away from the resorts and the beautiful beaches of Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to explore the interior jungle where the...
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Travel to Riviera Maya, Mexico for FREE and Other Money-Saving Tips
Working with our travel agent when we first started traveling, she mentioned that if we had credit card points, we could use them for our all-inclusive vacation. I told her that ours only covered airline miles, but I would check....
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I Love to Travel, but There’s No Place Like Home
Sliding into my boots and my warm winter jacket, I opened the garage door this morning to retrieve the mail and small package that was left in my mailbox yesterday. I missed picking up the mail because my son came...
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Christmas in Riviera Maya, Mexico?
What does Christmas mean to me? Family, evergreen trees, sweaters, boots, and possibly snow, so I’ve never entertained the thought of spending the holiday somewhere warm. But after seeing these photos taken at the all-inclusive resorts Riviera Maya Iberostar at...
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Tales From A Three Hour Beach Hike in Riviera Maya: Iberostar to Maroma Beach
One beautiful sunny October morning, my husband and I decided to take a long walk on the beach while staying at the Iberostar Del Mar in Riviera Maya. I’m not sure what we expected to see, but it was an...
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Top 3 Gifts For Travelers
You have no time to shop, but you want to buy a gift for the traveler in your life that they will enjoy, right? Here are 3 of my favorites that I have hand-picked for you. I am an Amazon...
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Adventure Awaits: For a Good Time…Take a Jeep Ride in Cozumel
Jeep Tour in Cozumel: First, Snorkeling The first time we traveled to Mexico, we sailed on a Royal Caribbean cruise. We studied the Royal Caribbean website and booked all of our excursions before we left for our vacation. A Jeep...
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Top 3 Gifts for Beach Lovers
Buying gifts for our loved ones can be mind-boggling at times. If you have a beach lover on your list, I’ve put together some of my favorites to make your shopping easier. I am not an Amazon affiliate, so if...
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Spend an Amazing Day at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere
I’d have to rate this as one of my top 5 favorite excursions in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We traveled in a comfortable air-conditioned tour bus to a seemingly untouched area in Mexico called the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Some say that...
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Indulge Your Senses at Xenses Xcaret Park | Riviera Maya Mexico
Stimulate Your Senses While Enjoying Your Riviera Maya Vacation Xenses, a part of Xcaret Park, is indescribable, but I'll do my best. Your senses will be challenged at Xenses when you explore more than 50 different experiences. Here are some...
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All-Inclusive Resorts in Riviera Maya: You Can’t Always Believe What You Read
Before we left for our first trip to an all-inclusive at the Blue Bay Esmeralda in Riviera Maya, we checked reviews on Tripadvisor to learn more about the resort. “The beach has horrible, mangroves.” “They burn trash in the morning...
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Riviera Maya, Mexico: Should You Choose a Large or Small Resort?
It depends on what you like to do. There are large, all-inclusive Riviera Maya resorts that are 3 or 4 resorts in one, sometimes with exchange privileges, or you can go to a smaller resort with less area to cover....
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Gluten Free? No Problemo. What Will I Eat?
Many of the all-inclusive Riviera Maya, Mexico resorts cater to the dietary needs of the guests. There are plenty of gluten-free and sugar-free options. Lately, they have been asking about food allergies at check-in, and they make sure that when...
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In the Beginning…The first time we traveled to Mexico and why we are hooked
On December 12, 2001, our 20th wedding anniversary, I took a call at work. It was my surgeon with lab results confirming that I had a recurrence of breast cancer. I don’t remember much more about that day, but shortly...
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