Suite Dreams Wellness Travel

In this episode, I talk with Haley Trujillo, who has just returned from a family reunion in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  Finding a destination that could accommodate 38 family members ranging in age from 9 months to 70+ years was a challenge, but after giving several options, the family chose the luxury Royalton Splash Punta Cana, a luxury resort on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. L...

Have you always dreamed of visiting the Wild West? In this episode of the Suite Dreams Travel podcast you'll learn about an 8-day, done-for-you itinerary that allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the American West!  On this trip, you'll travel in a comfortable motorcoach with a guide all along the way, making frequent stops for snacks, bathroom breaks, and seeing great site...

Find out what it was like to be one of the first cruise ships in Alaska after the Covid-19 shutdown! In this episode of the Suite Dreams Travel podcast, Bryan and Joanne Weston join host Barbara to talk about their long-awaited trip to Alaska from Seattle via cruise ship.  They share the highlights of their trip, talk about shore excursions they loved the most, and discuss what it was like day-to-...

If you're like most people, When you think of Tahiti you probably think of swaying palms and overwater bungalows. But what do you REALLY know about Tahiti? Did you know that Tahiti receives the same amount of tourists in one year as Hawaii does in just 10 days?!  Whether you’re into adrenaline-pumping vacations or luxurious spa vacations, Tahiti has it all. In this episode of the Suite Dreams Trav...

What makes AmaWaterways unique? During the pandemic, they were the only US-based river cruise line that was cruising in Europe, serving guests from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, doing 5-night cruises on the Rhine River. This created a seamless transition moving into this season. AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to include French balconies and full verandahs. The AmaMagna, launched...

It's not just great, it's BEYOND great! Celebrity Beyond is the newest ship by Celebrity cruises, due to set sail in April 2022. Get ready for luxury travel at its finest, with wellness top of mind. From AquaClass Suites, to The Spa offering more than 120 treatments, to fitness programming by F45, Celebrity Beyond is ready to give you the wellness holiday you've been dreaming of.  In this episode,...

In this episode, guest Shae Gines shares the details of her trip with her husband and one of her eight children. The trip served as a bonding opportunity for the parents and their special needs son after a hard year struggling through the pandemic.   After calling me and getting information on ideas for a trip, Shae and her husband decided their pre-teen son would most enjoy Universal Studios. In...

 As the stunning backdrop for the hit musical-made-into-movie, Mama, Mia, Greece is a wonderfully scripted scene for your next adventure! The cradle of western civilization also boasts some of Europe's most beautiful beaches and historic cliffside towns. Find out which ones you don't want to miss! Greece is currently open to tourists  with only a few modifications due to Covid. In this episode, I...

When Michele Hardman was put in charge of planning a business retreat in Hawaii for 8 women, she turned to Suite Dreams Travel for help. In this episode, Michele talks about where they stayed and why she'd definitely choose the same destination again. She also has some valuable advice about car rental and activities her group enjoyed. While travel is definitely back, there are still a few hoops to...

Many are familiar with ocean cruises but are you familiar with river cruising ? These cruises offer more intimate ships with fewer passengers, more agility to get into the hearts of cities and wonderful wellness opportunities as well!  In this episode, I cover Christmas cruises that sail through the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and more, with stops at - you guessed it - Christmas markets! Whi...

Canyon Ranch is a trailblazer in wellness, with award-winning resorts in Tucson, Arizona, and Lenox, Massachusetts, a new wellness retreat in Woodside, California, and the largest day spa in North America at The Venetian® Resort in Las Vegas.  Canyon Ranch guests can expect lasting transformation, with experience pathways composed to answer their wellness intentions.  Behind it all, personal guida...

More than one million Americans venture abroad each year, seeking high-quality medical care and procedures for a fraction of the cost.  Join me as I talk I cover the most popular destinations for medical tourism and the procedures most likely to be performed in those countries. I also talk about the things you'll be likely to want to see and do while you're there, and comfortable places to stay pr...

With travel opening back up and families looking to reconnect, places like Orlando are a hot destination. Today I’m talking to Marie Schenk, who just returned from a spring break trip to Orlando with her family of five. Did it live up to expectations? Listen and find out what family travel is like in the pandemic and what to expect at places like DisneyWorld, Universal Studios and the beaches. Wan...

Do “Las Vegas” and “wellness” even belong in the same sentence? Unbelievably, yes!  No city seems to reinvent itself faster or more often than Las Vegas. “Sin City” has gone through many changes since I first visited as an awe-struck child and stayed in the Circus Circus hotel! The lure of the bright lights and slot machines is still there, but Las Vegas has transitioned into a more upmarket desti...

Chenille talks about the flights from Salt Lake City, COVID restrictions, why she loved the swim-out suite, and how she rates the bed and the food. She talks about their spa experience, the beach, and the excursions she experienced--and which was her favorite. At the end she gives some great tipping advice for Mexico. 

Some of my reasons to visit the Maldives include: most resorts are situated on their own private island; you don't have to break the bank to get there; it's a sun-lover's and watersports-lover's dream; the spas are plentiful and amazing, and the architecture and craftsmanship are breathtaking. Listen for more details!

The islands include: Nantucket, Massachusetts, where I'd stay at the Nantucket Hotel and Resort Little St. Simons Island, Georgia, where I'd stay at The Lodge at Little St. Simons Captiva & Sanibel Islands, Florida, where I'd stay at the Sanibel Moorings San Juan Islands, Washington, where I'd stay at Pebble Cover Farm on Orcas Island Catalina Island, California, where I'd stay at the Hotel Metrop...

This small-group guided trip is amazing! What I love about sending families on guided trips is that it ends up being a vacation for everyone. Mom & Dad don’t have to do all the entertaining. They get a chance to relax and enjoy the experience as well, so that everyone feels like they’ve had a vacation. This trip includes three experienced trip leaders, including a dedicated kids’ adventure leader....

California: Vera Via in Carlsbad A few years ago I spent a day at the Vera Via Resort, located in the Hyatt Aviara. Vera Via’s program includes assessments of every kind, followed by a customized personal trainer, nutritionist, and various health coaches. You can customize your length of stay. Arizona: Civana in Carefree, 15 miles northeast of Phoenix The Civana Wellness Resort’s spa has 22 treatm...

Janae & Claudio talk about their whole Disney trip experience. The hardest part of going to Disney World right now, they say, is getting on the Disney calendar and scheduling which park you want to visit on which day. They discuss flights, the 4-bedroom townhome where they stayed, the weather, and of course the Disney World experience, complete with tips on rides and food.

My advice for the best fares:  Travel during slower periods, such as January or May. Fares usually have the most adjustment 90-120 days prior to traveling. This can be good or bad, either raising or lowering flight costs. Some people say that certain days of the week are better for finding low fares. This is a myth. Airfares are constantly adjusting, and you can get low fares any day of the week,...

Cheryce stayed at the Ocean Riviera Paradise for 7 nights. This beautiful all-inclusive resort is located right on the beautiful beaches south of Cancun. It boasts spectacular swimming pools, beautiful rooms with a variety of locations based on preferences and the makeup of your group, a wide range of cuisine, a Despacio Spa Centre, Privilege, Exclusive Rooms and Services, a Dive It! diving center...

What’s your bucket-list trip?  Would you love to sit at a café in Paris?  Sail on a magical Christmas market river cruise?  Take that ocean dip from your overwater bungalow in Bora Bora? Hike Mount Everest? Go on an African safari? Play with penguins in Antarctica?1  Take a long cruise to…(the Panama Canal; around the world; Europe)? One of my bucket list trips: Iceland. Here's the itinerary: Day...

Pre-Travel For travel to Jamaica, as well as many other destinations these days, I was required to have a negative Covid-19 test. I searched initially for "Utah Covid testing near me." I wanted a location that didn’t require a referral and included “testing for all patients.” I found one near me that just required an appointment. After a video chat with a doctor, who wrote the order, I drove to th...

Some of the adventure types I highlight in this podcast are: History and ancient sites Unique wildlife Family history Art & culture Culinary adventures Film & TV location adventures Haunted adventures Nature and hidden gems  I follow up with information about when is the best time to book and to travel, whether you need to wear a mask, quarantine, flight and hotel safely, and whether you'll need t...