Wine and Spirits Travel

  Lynn and I enjoyed our fresh breakfast of omelets and muffins. It was delivered right to our room at Hotel Saugatuck in Michigan so we got to stay in the comfortable bathrobes a bit longer. We wished we could stay longer, but we did decide to explore before leaving. The suites are quite big and it had a Jacuzzi tub, microwave, and small refrigerator. We brought our luggage down to the lobby. The Inn was inviting with a fireplace and piano and the staff was friendly and helpful. The cottages across the driveway were occupied so I didn’t get to see them, but they looked adorable from the outside. The Michigan town of Saugatuck includes a quaint town and quiet beaches. We decided to take a drive to Oval Beach. Lynn and I spent most of our lives on Long Island in New York so we weren’t quite sure what to expect from a Michigan beach.  Honestly, the water was more inviting than the Atlantic Ocean, without the seaweed and waves, and with the beautiful blue color. The other

It didn’t take me long to feel relaxed and comfortable at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy Autograph Collection.  My suite was perfect, and I had slept well. I was ready to take the relaxation to another level. My day was wide open with the exception of the start of it -- at The Spa. I arrived a few minutes before my appointment for the Ginger Glow treatment.  I changed into my luxurious robe and sat down with a cup of tea in the quiet waiting area. The Ginger Glow is one of the signature offerings at the Inn at Bay Harbor, and I can certainly understand why its so popular. I could easily rename it “Heaven on Earth.” It began with a scrub made of ginger, with a hint of eucalyptus, to get rid of the dead cells on my skin.  After that was rinsed off, I had a full body massaged with a ginger oil and hot stones. The next part was probably my favorite as arthritis always has me seeking warmth: my whole body was wrapped in a warm r

It was my third day as a guest of Karisma Hotels in Riviera Maya and I couldn’t have been more relaxed. Every morning my friend Roberta and I had talked about breakfast at one of the Generations or El Dorado restaurants. The room service options were just so convenient, included in the all-inclusive plan, and offered many delicious choices we couldn’t resist indulging in breakfast in bed. I started my day with a veggie-filled omelet, fruit, a croissant, and coffee. Roberta went to explore the El Dorado Riviera Maya properties and do some shopping while I relaxed. I was nursing an ankle injury so I was content to relax on one of the lounge chairs in the water behind our swim-up suite. When she returned, we ventured out for the short swim to the bar for some drinks. It was a beautiful day and the water felt great in the hot sun. We didn’t want to leave the pool area so we just ordered lunch from Palms Gourmet Terrace. I had loved their carnitas taco

I always enjoy Riviera Maya , but this trip was especially good because it was all about checking out resorts. I didn’t have to follow a crazy schedule, I just had to relax, and I was going to take advantage. My friend Roberta and I started the day with room service breakfast in our suite at Generations. I ordered when of my Mexican favorites, Chilaquiles. I had some fruit on the side and coffee on the side and I was ready to start my day. . Roberta took full advantage of theroom service menu at Generations Riviera Maya All Inclusive by ordering an omelet filled with salmon, shrimp, vegetables, and sides of bacon and sausage. The one thing we did have on the schedule was a tour of Generations Resort and the two properties next door, El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Royale Casitas, all of which belong to Karisma Hotels. Sales Manager Veronica Zapata Castillo took us around the properties in a golf cart. She told us that Generations had 144 suites, in 10 d