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Photo and article by Paris Permenter and John
Bigley
Are
you looking for a vacation not just from your
routine but from your wallet as well? Then an
all-inclusive resort might be just the ticket.
As the name suggests, all-inclusive means that
all activities, meals, drinks, transfers, and
tips are included in the price.
This
all-inclusive policy means that you're free to
try anything you like without worrying about
spending your vacation budget for the next five
years. Ever been curious about windsurfing? Take
a lesson. Want to know how to reggae dance?
Throw off your shoes and jump in line. Wonder
how those brightly colored drinks with the funny
umbrellas taste? Belly up to the bar. You're
free to try it all.
Some
folks don't like all-inclusive because of the
concern (not unfounded) that once you've paid
for the whole package you'll be unlikely to
leave the property to sample local restaurants
and explore the island.
The
all-inclusive confinement is, however, up to the
individual couple. Perhaps your goal for this
trip is to languish away the mornings in bed,
roll out to the beach, grab a rum punch in one
hand and your partner's hand in the other, and
sit there until the sun slowly sinks into the
sea. An all-inclusive is just right for you. You
won't have to worry about taxis or rental cars
or reservations.
Or
maybe the two of you want to try it all: scuba
diving, sailing, windsurfing, golf, or tennis.
An all-inclusive is just the ticket for you as
well. The one-price-pays-all policy will be a
better deal than paying for individual lessons.
Who
else should check out an all-inclusive? Those
who are:
·on a
tight budget. You'll know how much to put aside
for the entire vacation before you ever buy your
ticket. Once you arrive, feel free to live like
a king and never have to count how much money's
left or how high the tally's going on your
credit card. All-inclusives, like other hotels,
come in a varied price range.
·traveling with the kids. You can still have a
romantic trip thanks to all-inclusive resorts
with children's programs. The kids will have fun
doing age-appropriate activities, making new
friends, and learning about a new culture, while
the two of you enjoy a romantic respite.
·receiving the trip as a gift. All-inclusive
resort vacations are increasingly popular as
wedding gifts. They permit parents to pay for
the trip up front and for honeymooners to enjoy
themselves without feeling like they're running
up a huge tab for parents or in-laws.
·getting married on your honeymoon. Several
all-inclusives offer free weddings; all offer
various wedding packages. You'll find
experienced wedding planners at these resorts
who can simplify paperwork and make your wedding
a special, hassle-free day.
We
love all-inclusive resorts, but we are careful
to balance a stay there with island tours or
visits to off-property restaurants. Even with
these extra expenditures, we've found most of
these resorts to be economical choices.
In
selecting an all-inclusive, read through the
offerings carefully. Are all drinks included or
just wine with dinner? Are tips included?
Airport transfers? Watersports but not motorized
sports? Scuba diving? Know what features are
important to the two of you and see if those are
included in the package price.
You'll find many all-inclusies that are
specially geared to couples. The Sandals
resorts, found in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua,
and St. Lucia, are for couples only. SuperClubs
has a variety of excellent all-inclusives; their
Hedonism II and III resorts are for couples
looking to get wild on their vacation, the Lido
Resorts offer a luxurious atmsophere, and the
Breezes resorts are couples with an eye on the
budget but a real thirst for fun. While Club Med
has several family-friendly properties, many are
geared to adults.
Husband and wife team Paris Permenter and
John Bigley have authored over 20 guidebooks and
also edit the FREE
Lovetripper.com ,
a romantic travel magazine featuring worldwide
destinations.
Copyright Paris Permenter and John Bigley
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