Carmel Travel Company is proud to be one of the lead sponsors of the 1^st Annual Halloween Tent party at Detour – An American Grille in Carmel, IN.   We are so excited to be partnering with Detour and about providing the grand prize… a fun-filled, 4-night Bahamas Cruise for Two.

We at Carmel Travel Company are a full-service, leisure oriented travel agency dedicated to providing the finest vacations and cruises for families and groups.  In addition, we love offering our personalized and professional assistance in selecting the best honeymoon and destination wedding travel selected specifically for each of our clients.

The Halloween fun starts on Saturday, October 29^th, 2011 from 3pm – 5pm in the tent with a Kid’s party.  Then, continues with live music on the stage in the tent from 7pm – 10pm and from 10pm – 1am inside on the Jim Beam Stage.  The Halloween costume contest will be held at Detour-An American Grille located at 110 West Main Street in the Arts and Design District in Carmel, Indiana.

Come see the bands, have some fun and win some prizes.  We can’t wait to see you in your best costume!

Ever wonder if your golf game would hold up playing a top course set up in major championship conditions?   Well, now is the time to find out!  From August 1-7, 2011, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort will set up the Ocean Course just like it will be set up for the 2012 PGA Championship.  This is a dream come true for serious golfers, whether you are a scratch player or have a 30+ handicap.  You also have the opportunity to win a low-net competition that will be on for the entire week.  The competition winner will receive a 2-night stay at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, plus 2 rounds of golf for a foursome*.

Not a golfer?  Many other packages such as spa, wellness, romance, tennis, holiday, wedding and meeting options can be put together just for you.  One of my favorites is the “City and Sea” package that combines the history of Charleston with the beauty of Kiawah Island.

*Call us 800.203.1898 for the details…

Kiawah Island Ocean Course

Article source: http://tastefultravels.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/up-to-pga-challenge-try-kiawah-island/

Ever wonder if your golf game would hold up playing a top course set up in major championship conditions?   Well, now is the time to find out!

From August 1-7, 2011, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort will set up the Ocean Course just like it will be set up for the 2012 PGA Championship.  This dry-run for the golf championship is a dream come true for serious golfers.  And, you do not have to be a scratch player as you will have the opportunity to win a low-net competition that will be on for the entire week.  The competition winner will receive a 2-night stay at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, plus 2 rounds of golf for a foursome*.

Not a golfer?  Kiawah offers many other packages that include spa, wellness, romance, tennis, holiday, wedding and meeting options that can be put together just for you or for your group.  One of my favorites is the “City and Sea” package that combines the history of Charleston with the beauty of Kiawah Island.

Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, SC

*Curious?  Call us 800.203.1898 for the details…

View of the Pitons, St Lucia

A sweet new hotel opened in St Lucia…the Hotel Chocolate opened on the grounds of the 18th century Rabot Estate, a working cocoa plantation.  This new hotel overlooks the Pitons of St Lucia and they are offering some of the most wonderful luxury accommodations in St Lucia, at what I think, are reasonable prices.

Guests can choose from a variety of room categories from “regular” hotel rooms to 450 sq ft Cocoa Cottages to 750 sq ft Villas and can accommodate different number of quests.  Each room, cottage or villa will have lush pillow-top beds, REN toiletries, plush robes and many other amenities encourages the guests to embrace the calm, luxurious comfort that this hotel offers.  And, to make life easier dining packages are available for half or full-board.

In addition the hotel offers several distinctive, inclusive  packages that are sure to delight couples, nature lovers, sun worshipers and more…

For example, Romance Rest Package For couples is a chance to relax and spend time together with an amazing shared experience.  It Includes:

• Accommodation in Piton View Cocoa Cottage
• Full breakfast, 2 course lunch daily and full romantic dinner menu nightly
• A $50 per day beverage credit
• Round trip airport transfers to Hewannora airport
• The Full Cacao couples’ body massage
• Bottle of chilled Prosecco on arrival
• Fully stocked private room bar
• Access to Club Boucan, private pool clubhouse, reserved sun lounge chair
• Complimentary beach drop off and collection daily

Contact us for your entrée into this lovely, chocolaty, Caribbean paradise today!

Article source: http://tastefultravels.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/sweet-new-hotel-on-st-lucia/

I like Holland so much in fact that I booked my own family on a group cruise in December of 2009.  My in-laws were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and they truly loved the idea of taking our entire family on a group cruise.  We sailed on the ms Eurodam and it was an amazing experience.  The kids had a blast roaming the ship during the day.  We enjoyed the peacefulness of hanging out at our cabana on the retreat deck and we even used the cabana as our family meeting place.  The highlight of our trip was the anniversary dinner celebrated at the Pinnacle Grill on New Year’s Eve.  It was fabulous and my in-laws were so pleased with the food, the service and every attention to detail.  It was a great way for our family to vacation together yet have the flexibility to do different things each day and come together every night to share our experiences with one another.

Holland has now implemented a program that I think I will really like!  They have instituted a new check-in service called “Stateroom Direct Service” that simplifies the boarding process by giving guests immediate access to their staterooms upon embarkation.  Under the new program, staterooms will be ready as early as 11:30am and arriving guests will receive their baggage earlier as well.  Guests will also have the opportunity to have a buffet lunch on board.  This Stateroom Direct Service initiative is in place on all of the line’s 15 ships and is part of Holland America’s Signature of Excellence program.

Article source: http://tastefultravels.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/new-check-in-service-on-board-at-holland-america-line/

Kalalau Valley Lookout

Among other things, I am a Hawaiian Islands Specialist.  When I first became a Travel Agent, I chose this specialty because of my love of the Hawaiian islands, the Hawaiian people and their culture.  I have traveled to Hawaii many times, often on business, or to accompany my husband on business, but always for pleasure, as it is indeed a pleasure to visit this island paradise.

The romantic nature of visiting the Hawaiian Islands with my husband made me want to share the Hawaii experience with honeymooners and with those seeking to get married in Hawaii.  There are sunsets to see every evening and beaches to explore every day.  The special moments that you experience in Hawaii are even more memorable when you share them.

Hawaii is lush and beautiful.  It is a tropical paradise and so much more.  There are so many different eco-systems on each of the different islands; it makes for many different microclimates and things to do.  There is the adventure of surfing the big waves and the relaxation of beautiful black sand beaches.  Or, you can take a bicycle ride down Waimea Canyon on Kauai and enjoy the amazing scenery.

Many of the experiences you can enjoy in Hawaii are free or come at a very low cost.  Drive the road to Hana on Maui, enjoy the public transportation in Oahu and stop by Leahi (Diamond Head State Monument) or enjoy the many festivals that take place in Hawaii…many of them offer free admission.

Whatever you choose to do in Hawaii, I’m sure you will go away wanting more.  I love Hawaii and would love to show you and your loved one the Hawaii that I love.  As the owner of Carmel Travel Company, I would like your Hawaiian vacation (honeymoon or destination wedding) to start here…

Melisa Keiser, Owner

Carmel Travel Company

Article source: http://tastefultravels.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/i-am-a-hawaii-specialist/

Siesta Key, Florida and the surrounding areas on the Gulf Coast are always popular with Carmel spring break crowd.  Siesta Key is an 8-mile long, gorgeous barrier island just off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. It has a wonderful tropical atmosphere and it’s graced with some of the world’s finest, white beaches.

Mexico has always been a favorite country of mine to visit.  The terrible press Mexico has received due to recent outbreaks of drug violence is just a shame.  Mexico is a huge country and not going to Cancun and the Riviera Maya area (as well as other resort areas) because of these violent outbreaks is akin to not going to NYC because of LA gang-related violence.  I personally would still travel to many areas in Mexico.  Now is the time to take advantage of some great pricing and special amenity opportunities now being offered.

Ah, the Caribbean! Spring is a wonderful time to travel to this tropical island paradise.  There is turquoise water, beautiful beaches and friendly people!  Also, there are no hurricanes to worry about during this time of year and there are plenty of all-inclusive, family-friendly resorts.  What more could you ask for after a cold and icy Indiana winter?

The Caribbean has so many different islands to choose from, I thought I’d share some of my favorite island recommendations for easy, reasonably priced trips.   My top family-oriented island destinations are Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman and, especially if you don’t have a passport, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

One can travel to these islands in about 6 to 8 hours with only 1-stop along the way.  Pricing is affordable, although sometimes a premium price is paid for the Spring Break / Easter time period.  And, most resorts accept children and offer a family oriented setting with many activities; some even have kids clubs!

So, if you have been waiting to decide if a spring break trip is in the plans for you and your family this year, you may want to hurry and decide soon.  I’ve noticed the resorts and flights are booking up fast!