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VIPInteletravel

I would like to introduce you all to my sister, Veronica, and ask that you join me in wishing her great success with her new endeavor as the owner of VIPInteletravel.  

The next time you are looking to make travel plans whether for business or pleasure, please check out her website as there are great travel packages available to meet the needs and budgets of most travelers.  I have added a banner link on my sidebar for easy access.

PRESS RELEASE:

Jan 26, 2016- Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33321- VIP.Inteletravel.com, Owned and Operated by a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and Women Vetrepreneur (VOSB)

Veronica Veronica I. Palomino, USAF DAV.

VIP.Inteletravel host Travel Agency is located at 777 East Atlantic Ave, Suite 300, Delray Beach, FL with her office located in Tamarac, Florida. Broward County. Ms. Palomino completed her Broward County Board of County Commissioners appointment in June 2015, and decided to take her past position and her current appointment to the Veterans Affairs Committee- (Resolution No. R2-14-89) to Own and Operate her own Agency. VIP.Inteletravel.com is named after it’s owners initials, Veronica I. Palomino, VIP, with the Palomino deriving from Palomino Island, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, located Las Croabas Puerto Rico.

family vacations to Orlando

Inteletravel and it’s Preferred Travel Partners programs have over 25 years in good standing from all of the Current Memberships, ASTA, CLIA just to name a few. This Vetrepreneur brings 25 years of USAF Veteran experience from travels with her father, Retired Senior Master Sgt. USAF Dover, Del. along with the 10 plus duty assignments that included, Asia, Hawaii, overseas tours in Italy, as well as countries in Europe including Amsterdam, Germany, Spain and Greece.

VIP.Inteletravel has plans on expanding travel destinations for 2016-2017 to include Panama, Costa Rica, Rivera Cancun, Punta Cana, along with the AM Resort Collection of All Inclusive Resorts, Escorted Themed Wine Tours in Italy, Vision of Abu Dhabi and High Tea at Emirates Place.

Travel with VIP

For Customized Escorted Personalized Travels, Tours & Excursions contact Veronica I. Palomino, Travel Agent at 561-702-8592 or 1-800-873-5353

(Agent # P125837) VIPInteletravel@gmail.com, or connect on Social.

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Top 10 Cities to Visit in the USA

If you are like me and have already started thinking about making plans for a summer vacation, I wanted to share a few of the top cities to check out.  Actually, I am hoping that our first family trip of the new year will be back to the DR {Dominican Republic} however, in case those plans get derailed maybe one of these cities will fit the bill. 

These top cities were chosen by the website Touropia.

1 – New York City

#1 of Best Places To Visit In Usa

The largest and most populated city in the USA, New York City is often called the “city that never sleeps” because it is constantly buzzing with activity. Located in New York state on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, New York City is made up of five boroughs, which include, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. World renowned for its concentration of skyscrapers and famous attractions, New York City is what many foreigners visualize when they think of the USA.

2 – Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

Attracting millions of visitors every year, the Grand Canyon is one of the best places to visit in the USA. Located in northern Arizona, this massive natural wonder was carved by the Colorado River over a period of several million years. It is not the deepest or the longest canyon in the world but the overwhelming size and colorful landscape offers visitor vistas that are hard to match.

3 – San Francisco

San Francisco

Best known for the Golden Gate, cable cars and steep, rolling streets, San Francisco is a beautiful city in northern California, set on the tip of a peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area. Undoubtedly, the Golden Gate Bridge is the city’s number one attraction. Tourists can drive, bike ride or walk across this famous suspension bridge to admire and photograph stunning views.

4 – Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Springing up from the desert in southeastern Nevada, Las Vegas is a major US city world renowned for its casinos, luxury hotels, comedy acts, musical productions and extravagant shows. Most of the city’s main attractions are all concentrated within the area commonly referred to as the “Strip.” In addition to gambling, show girls and lavish performances, Las Vegas offers plenty more to suit people of all ages and interests.

5 – Yellowstone

Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers and hot springs, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The most famous geyser in the park is Old Faithful Geyser which erupts every 91 minutes. Yellowstone is also home to one of the finest wildlife habitats in North America.

6 – Chicago

Chicago

Nicknamed the “Windy City” and best known for its towering skyscrapers, sports teams and unique style of hot dogs and pizzas, Chicago is the third-largest city in the USA. Located on Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest region in northeastern Illinois, Chicago is also home to many notable landmarks that include one of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare International, as well as one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, the Willis Tower.

7 – Los Angeles

Los Angeles

The second-largest city in the USA, Los Angeles is located in southern California surrounded by the Pacific Coast, mountains and valleys. Often regarded as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, the city is a leading world center for motion films, television productions and music recordings. A huge, cosmopolitan city comprised of many districts and ethnic neighborhoods, L.A. is known for its smog issues but remains a favored destination for its ample sunshine and year-round mild climate.

8 – Washington DC

Washington DC

The capital of the United States and seat of the federal government, Washington D.C. is located on the country’s East Coast. A cosmopolitan city that is home to many diverse cultures, Washington is widely known by its many iconic landmarks like the White House, Capitol Building, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Many of these monuments are all located within the beautifully landscaped parkland known as the National Mall. 

I remember being a chaperon for my son’s class when he was in middle school and we had a great time touring this historic city.

9 – Orlando

Orlando

flickr/Christian Lambert Photography

Home to world famous theme parks like Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios, Orlando is no doubt a favorite destination for family vacations. Located in central Florida, Orlando is a place where dreams and magic become reality. With several amusement parks, visitors to Orlando can meet their favorite storybook characters, reenact live famous movie scenes, ride thrilling roller coasters and watch dolphins performing marvelous tricks. 

Orlando was the city in which we had our first Timeshare and as a family would spend every summer vacation in Orlando at the Marriott Cypress Harbor.

(family picture)

10 – Honolulu

Honolulu

The gateway to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, Honolulu is the state’s largest and capital city as well as the entry point for most tourists. Located 3,800 km (2,400 miles) west of California on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu is best known for its top destination, Waikiki Beach, and for the historical Pearl Harbor. 

Let’s Chat > Have you vacationed in any of these cities?


Mid Winter Vacation

 

As you ring in the New Year you may also begin to think about making plans for a mid-winter vacation.  And if these plans include somewhere warm and sunny, please check out A-Destination Management Company FL  (A-DMC FL).  

A-DMC FL is a multi-faceted destination management service company based out of Hollywood, Florida.

sunset   

A-Destination Management Company FL provides area expertise to clients looking for customized services for all your family’s needs and lifestyle. You can rely on them to assist in flawlessly executing your next travel plans!

floating resort

A-DMC FL offers the following services;

Hotel Accommodations

Restaurants Reservations

Activities for Families

Exciting Excursions

Conference Venues

Themed Events

Gala Dinners

Logistics

Pool Party aboard a cruise ship


Resort World Bimini Superfast

Resort World Bimini Superfast

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So as you begin to think about your new year vacation, why not start with A-DMC FL for all of your travel needs!

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A Destination Management Company FL (ADMC-FL)
PO Box 222152, Hollywood, FL 33020
Office: 754-816-2074, Fax: 954-404-6219
Email: info@a-dmcfl.org /

Website: admcfl.inteletravel.com


Road Trips to Retirement – The Ponds at Bayberry

Road Trips to Retirement with The Blake’s

Road Trips to Retirement AVI

Our life long dream…work for about 30 years, pay off the mortgage, get the kids through college then retire and start enjoying life traveling around the world.

Not once were the words “you have cancer” part of that dream. Oh, it’s a phrase and a harsh reality that I’ve heard too many times from too many family members, however, I never thought I would be hearing it about my own spouse.

Approximately 2 months after hubby signed his retirement papers, he was diagnosed with small intestinal cancer, the surgery and recovery came and went before his official retirement date of July 1.

Now with a new reality mixed in with that dream, we are on a mission to downsize our home, and move into a no-shoveling or lawn/pool maintenance 55+ community so let the ride begin!

You are cordially invited to tag along, so hop in, buckle up and let’s get started on these Road Trips to Retirement…you never know, we just might become neighbors!

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As a Boomer who Blogs with a Millennial Mind, it only seemed natural to not only blog about but to also vlog about our adventures in finding a new home in a 55+ community. We want to begin this journey in the state of Delaware for several reasons. First of all, I am not 55, so my retirement date is still a few years off and secondly our oldest son, who is intellectually disabled may be living with us for several more years. He loves his school, job and the benefits he receives in Delaware which are probably much better than those in other states.

Our youngest, currently a sophomore at Bowie State University is loving school and doing well, but I can see him returning home after graduation just long enough to save up enough to have a good financial foundation before he starts on his life’s journey.

Last Saturday hubby and I drove to New York to attend a graduation party for my best friend’s daughter. Prior to returning the rental car, we decided to take a Sunday cruise and check out the new 55+ community by Blenheim Homes, The Ponds at Bayberry, so this is where our adventure begins.

Blenheim Homes Entrance

We toured several of the homes, 3 were fully staged and 2 were Quick Delivery models.  This particular model, The Loren had an awesome layout, unfortunately it was also a two story and we are avoiding steps all all costs, however, Tayair would love it #Eagle’s Territory!

Eagle's Territory

Now I want you to take a quick video tour of The Cooper, The Loren and The Tracey models then leave me a comment below as to which one you liked the best.

 

Wait until you see which one I chose…I could actually see myself sipping Sangrias in the Sunroom!

Entrance to 55+ Home

The Ponds at Bayberry is a 55 and Better Active Adult Community centrally located for travel and shopping in an exclusive country setting, offering 389 single family detached ranch homes with a variety of social and community amenities. Tree line streets, walking trails and shortened neighborhood blocks. We are looking forward to coming back for a visit once the Resort like amenities are built.

Signage to The Ponds at Bayberry

Road Trip to Retirement at Blenheim Homes

 

Okay, which model was your favorite and why?

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Sunset and Sunrise in the Dominican Republic

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.

Last week my family and I spent 8 wonderful days in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. When we arrived it was just after a quick rainstorm however, it was just in time to catch a beautiful sunset.

Sunset in the DR

Wanting to wake up at least one day early to catch a sunrise was one of my goals and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Standing alone in the quiet stillness of the morning, watching a gato (cat) sleep and listening to the birds chirping was a blessed way in which to start a non-work day.

Sunrise in the DR

Sitting in silence watching resort employees preparing for their day knowing that my only commute would be a walk down to the beach was wonderful.

Sitting in solitude on the beach

Despite the current political conditions in the Dominican Republic, I have to admit that not having been on a vacation since 2009, the DR was definitely a beautiful place to be.

Beach view in the DR

After returning to the room I gathered my men and we walked over to the Casablanca restaurant where we ate from a breakfast buffet complete with Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s (for me).  

This was just the beginning of what turned out to be a week long event of overeating and drinking, but thankfully I only gained 3 lbs!

Breakfast at the Casablanca

After breakfast, we tried to walk off a few of the calories with a tour of the Lifestyles Holidays Vacation resort.  My mini men returned to the room for a little R&R, then hubby and I walked to the VIP beach where we met another couple from Oklahoma at of all places “Wallmart”

Hubby and Tayair on the balcony

Hubby and Tayair on the balcony

Beautiful view of the beach

Beautiful view of the beach

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On the beach at "Wallmart" On the beach at "Wallmart"

After dinner there was Dominican entertainment followed by another beautiful sunset. Check back in on Friday to see some of the foods and flora in Puerto Plata.

Dominican Dinner entertainment

Dominican Dinner entertainment

End of a perfect day in Puerto Plata

End of a perfect day in Puerto Plata

I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

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How to Save Money and Have Fun Traveling

How to Save Money and Have Fun Traveling

It can sometimes seem impossible to take a vacation and stay within a budget at the same time. While this can be difficult, there are many ways to go about doing it. Some of these methods are common sense, while others are often overlooked by the general public.

If you like many others have your heart set on taking a vacation, but you do not have a lot of money to do it, you should take a look at the tips listed below to see if any of them apply to you and your situation.  For example, you can save money on hotels in Amsterdam by doing some searches online for discounts. Here is how to save money and have fun traveling.

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1. The time you book a vacation matters

This may surprise most people. If you decide to book your vacation on one of the many travel websites that are online, the time and day of the week that you choose to make your booking will often come into play. While this is not the case for all travel websites, this can drastically impact the price on some of them.

Therefore, you should test out different websites by attempting to make a booking at different times of the week. See if the price varies by a large amount. You will be able to save money by doing this.

2. Have some flexibility when making your travel schedule

In the travel business, the price you pay for a plane ticket will usually depend on the day you plan on departing. If you depart on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, this will be more expensive than the rest of the week. This also applies to when you are returning home.

Therefore, you should take special care to arrange your travel schedule so that all of your flights are on days that have lower prices. If you schedule your flights far enough in advance, this should not be a problem for you.

plane travel

3. Frequent flyer miles

If you fly, you will accumulate frequent flyer miles. However, in order to do this, you will need to be signed up to a frequent flyer program with a specific airline. After you have been flying for a while, you will be able to redeem your frequent flyer miles for discounts on future tickets. All of the airlines have different rules regarding their frequent flyer programs. You should check with each airline to see which one has the most favorable conditions.

4. Unlimited travel passes

There are rail, train and subway companies which offer unlimited travel passes over periods of two and three days. If you have a lot of traveling to do in a very limited amount of time, the price of one of these unlimited travel passes could be worth it. You should take some time and add up the price of buying separate tickets for each part of your journey. Then you will need to compare this price to the cost of the unlimited travel passes for you and all of the people you are traveling with.

Costa Rica

5. Travel to places with favorable exchange rates

If money is a concern for you, the exchange rate of the country you are visiting should factor into your decision about where to go. You can save a lot by going to a country where you get more for your money.  

Have you started planning a getaway summer vacation or will it be a staycation this year?

Disclosure: I received compensation to post this article which was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, the most comprehensive travel search website allowing you to find the best deals on anything from flights and hotels to train rides and Homeaway rentals.

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Wellness Wednesday ~ Hibernating at Home

Wellness Wednesday

Hello friends and welcome to Wellness Wednesday.  

As the daylight hours get shorter and the temps a little chillier your mood may begin to mellow. Gone are the long sunny days spent outdoors and you may feel like hibernating at home.

Now is the perfect time to indulge the senses with affordable yet comfortable items that will enhance our mood and not break the bank.

Concepts – Winslow Collection Ambrosia Decorative Throw

Concepts - Winslow Collection Ambrosia Decorative Throw
Sofa Shawl

Sofa Shawl

Having a sofa shawl or blanket is a must-have to grab on a crisp Autumn evening while watching tv or reading. Toss it into the dryer with a sheet of fabric softener for an added indulgence for the senses.

Concepts – Winslow Collection Ambrosia Decorative Throw – $21.99 (72% off), Free shipping – Available at 6pm.com

 

Kennedy Mfg – Nestle Instant Hot Chocolate / Cocoa Mix – No Sugar Added 30/Box

Kennedy Mfg - Nestle Instant Hot Chocolate / Cocoa Mix - No Sugar Added 30/Box
Nestle Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate

Who doesn’t love to indulge with a cup of hot chocolate, especially after a long day of shopping or shoveling snow.  Yes, I said the “S” word and unfortunately it will be here before you know it.  

I will sometimes add marshmallows or a shot of Brandy to make my own little hot toddy #drinkresponsibly  

What is your favorite hot beverage?

Kennedy Mfg – Nestle Instant Hot Chocolate / Cocoa Mix – No Sugar Added 30/Box – $8.79, See Site shipping – Available at WEBstaurant Store

 

Woodstock Chimes – Woodstock Wind Chimes of Mars Silver/White Wash Wind Chime – DCW17 WS492

Woodstock Chimes - Woodstock Wind Chimes of Mars Silver/White Wash Wind Chime - DCW17 WS492
Woodstock Wind Chimes

Wind Chimes

I used to think that wind chimes were just for the summer but now I keep them out all year long.  I love the serene sounds that they make and unless there’s a howling winter storm it does have a calming effect.

I have several types, bamboo, glass and metal, which I change from season to season.

Woodstock Chimes – Woodstock Wind Chimes of Mars Silver/White Wash Wind Chime – DCW17 WS492 – $15.00, 5.37 shipping – Available at Target.com

 

Corning – Blue Hearts Electric Potpourri Warmer with Lid – Corelle, Blue Hearts, Blue Sponge Rim

Corning - Blue Hearts Electric Potpourri Warmer with Lid - Corelle, Blue Hearts, Blue Sponge Rim
Corelle Electric Potpourri Warmer

Potpourri Warmer

Do you remember the DIY article that I wrote for Parade Magazine?  I love the scent of of warming Potpourri so if you don’t have a pot, put some in a jar with mini lights.

Now is also the perfect time to stock up on the summer fragrances to use next year.

Corning – Blue Hearts Electric Potpourri Warmer with Lid – Corelle, Blue Hearts, Blue Sponge Rim – $19.99, 8.99 shipping – Available at Replacements

 

Crock-Pot – SCCPCTS605-S Stainless Steel Cook & Carry Travel Digital Programmable Slow Cooker (6-Quart, Heat Saver Stoneware)

Crock-Pot - SCCPCTS605-S Stainless Steel Cook & Carry Travel Digital Programmable Slow Cooker (6-Quart, Heat Saver Stoneware)
Stainless Steel Crock Pot

Crock Pot

Last but certainly not least is a Crock Pot.  I have several, but when we do break away from the house and travel I like taking a tasty treat.  This year before leaving to visit relatives for the holiday, I’ll make a Slow Cooked Apple Pie, then leave the Crock Pot as a gift to them.

What is your favorite Crock Pot Meal?

Crock-Pot – SCCPCTS605-S Stainless Steel Cook & Carry Travel Digital Programmable Slow Cooker (6-Quart, Heat Saver Stoneware) – $39.00, Free shipping – Available at Amazon.com

 How do you like to Hibernate at Home?

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.


Middletown Old Tyme Peach Festival

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday

Hubby and I are enroute to New Rochelle, NY to attend the wedding of my cousin Kyton and his fiance’ Shivon…hey guys we are on our way!

 

Unfortunately, we will be missing Middletown’s Annual Old Tyme Peach Festival which is a major event for our little town. I know this year it will be bigger and better than last with perfect weather!

Here is my review from last year’s Middletown Peach Festival 2012

peach festival

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you on Monday with some exciting news!

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