The Beach Club is Open

The Beach Club at The Boca Raton in South Florida is back!  The upscale, beachfront resort has unveiled its spectacular transformation following a $130 million redesign. This exciting renovation includes 210 newly revamped guestrooms and suites, several new dining options, a beachside children’s program, game room for teens and preteens and an updated fitness center.  Also enjoy three private pools and a half mile of private beach with private cabana rentals. The Beach Club has tripled its number of suites with up to two-bedroom options and suites with expansive patios.  The Boca Raton Suite Collection is the resort’s club level experience with club lounge access at the Top of the Tower, priority dining reservations, personalized butler service, VIP check-in, priority pool and beach seating and exclusive access to a curated calendar of experiences such as cooking demos and afternoon yacht cruises. At the main resort you can also enjoy golf, tennis, pickleball, spa, waterpark and more.  A current promotion provides a $100 nightly resort credit for at least a two-night stay through December 19.  Some blackout dates apply.

Added RCCL Benefits

Virtuoso benefits on Royal Caribbean abound for sailings through April 25, 2027!  Enjoy complimentary Specialty Dining for two guests when you book a balcony category stateroom on any 7 night or longer sailing open for sale. Spread out in a Junior Suite or above category stateroom on any 7 night or longer sailing open for sale, you’ll receive a complimentary Specialty Dinner for two plus a complimentary Spa Treatment for one. Upgrade your stay to a Star Tier Suite within the Royal Suite Class and indulge in specialty dining every night, complimentary beverage package, high-speed WiFi, and your very own Royal Genie – take VIP to the next level with exclusive access to the best of everything onboard. Virtuoso Exclusive Benefit dining for two will turn into another spa treatment for one guest when guests book a Star Tier Suite.

New Luxury in Guanacaste

Two luxurious resorts are set to open soon in Costa Rica’s stunning Guanacaste region. The Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, will debut in March within the Peninsula Papagayo development. This exclusive resort will feature 107 rooms and suites, three treetop tent accommodations, a four-bedroom Grand Villa, 36 private residences, and an extraordinary 10-bedroom home! Your family can indulge in dining options that celebrate Latin American flavors, unwind at the expansive spa and wellness center, or stay active in the indoor/outdoor fitness center. The resort also offers multiple pools, golf, tennis, pickleball, and other recreational activities. A highlight of Nekajui is the Papagayo Explorers Program, which allows you to immerse yourself in the surrounding 250-acre Palmares Preserve. This lush jungle area features three distinct ecosystems within one square mile, offering opportunities for hiking, zip-lining, canoeing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, and more.

Just south of Nekajui, the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is now accepting reservations for stays beginning May 1. This sophisticated 188-room property will offer an array of dining options, multilevel pools, a gym with a movement studio, and spa. Book by February 28 and enjoy 20% savings, up to $1,000 in resort credit, Virtuoso amenities, and other perks for stays through December 22.

Both resorts are conveniently located just a 45-minute drive from Liberia Airport, making them easily accessible gateways to the natural beauty of Costa Rica.

Family Residence Escape

Vietnam is a wonderful value for travel even in the country’s most luxury resorts. Experience the ultimate Family Residence Escape at Amanoi on Vietnam’s Vinh Hy Bay.  Their private residences feature expansive living spaces and large infinity pools, with butlers on hand to tend to your every need. When staying three nights or more your family will receive a host of exclusive extras included!

A minimum three-night stay includes all of the following:

••Daily breakfast
•Round trip airport transfers
•One Vietnamese set dinner at Main restaurant
•60-minute massage for two persons per master bedroom once per stay. Choice of Amanoi massage, Indian head massage, Foot massage or Back – neck – head massage
•One Sacred Cham blessing ceremony
•One activity with a choice of: Ba Tang waterfall, Wild Cat trek, one-hour boat cruise combines guided snorkeling, star gazing, cooking class or Thai An cycling
•Private butler service
•Daily 3-hour babysitting service
•One movie night with popcorn and ice cream in residence by the pool
•Welcome champagne and canapé reception
•In-room minibar with daily replenishment (excluding alcoholic beverages)
•Exclusive luggage packing service
•Laundry service except dry cleaning (2 pieces per person per day)
•Daily afternoon tea at the Main restaurant
•Daily scheduled morning wellness class
•Use of all non-motorized watersports equipment
•Daily activities for children (excluding the cooking class)
•Access to fitness center, Pilates studio and tennis courts

Virtuoso amenities will add an upgrade if available, $100 food and beverage credit and early check in and check out when available.

Trip Review: Southern France Soujourn

Lauren and her daughter Anna explored Southern France over the recent winter festive period. We began our adventure in the stunning Côte d’Azur, staying at the charming 1932 Hotel & Spa Cap d’Antibes, a boutique MGallery property in Juan les Pins. Our junior suite came with a delightful balcony, and we loved the breathtaking mountain-to-sea views from the rooftop terrace. We enjoyed our leisurely 30-minute walk to Antibes, where we immersed ourselves in the festive Christmas markets, soaking in the holiday atmosphere.

From Antibes, we traveled by train to Arles, spending a night at the Jules César Arles Hotel & Spa, another MGallery property. We were captivated by the city’s incredible Roman ruins and the rich artistic history of Vincent van Gogh. The narrow, winding streets seemed to tell stories at every turn. Our real adventure began when we boarded the AMA Kristina for a seven-night river cruise along the Rhône, sailing north from Arles to Lyon. We made a smart choice by upgrading to two connecting balcony cabins, which gave us extra space and flexibility.  The ship was totally decked out for the holidays, creating a very festive atmosphere.

The cruise was a winter wonderland of experiences with glorious sunshine for most of the sailing. In Avignon, we explored the Palace of the Popes on our own and wandered through vibrant street markets, food halls, shops and ate some crepes. A particularly memorable cruise excursion took us to the fairytale-like town of Les Baux and the charming village of St. Remy. Each additional stop offered something unique – from exploring the walled town of Viviers to a delightful wine and chocolate tasting in Tournon. On a chilly and cloudy day in Vienne, we stayed on board and enjoyed a cozy day watching movies and taking a fitness class.

Our journey along the Rhone and its many locks reached its pinnacle in Lyon, where we hiked up to the spectacular Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviere. It was a spectacular site inside and out, and the city views were expansive. We couldn’t resist shopping at the famous French pharmacies, marveling at their incredible selection of natural products. The AMA cruise was excellent – the staff incredibly welcoming, and our final evening at the Chef’s Table was a culinary highlight. We met many friendly fellow travelers, from families to solo adventurers, all enjoying the holiday season in their own special way. AMA offered an varied selection of excursions to fit every passenger’s needs.

Lauren trained up to Paris to fly home while Anna was able to take a short flight from Lyon back to her home in Prague.  Overall, a magical way to spend the holidays!

Travel Tip: Gift Card Exchange

Unused gift cards abound.  United now lets you convert those cards into frequent flyer miles with their MileagePlus Gift Card Exchange Program.  Just visit the airline’s website’s “trade gift card” section to initiate the exchange process. For every $25 in gift card value, members receive 670 United MileagePlus miles.   The process is entirely digital, eliminating the need to mail physical gift cards. Just select the merchant’s name from a list of participating retailers and enter the card’s balance. The system then presents an offer detailing the miles available in exchange for the card’s value. Once accepted, the transaction is typically processed immediately, though some may take up to five business days to complete.  There are no exchange limits, you can trade an unlimited number of gift cards although it is still important to evaluate the exchange rate. Depending on the gift card’s value, it might be more cost-effective to use it for its original purpose or sell it through other platforms.