Monday, November 30, 2009

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Are you looking to lay on a white sand beach and stare out at turquoise waters and forget about everything in that moment? Than your vacation spot is the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

The Riviera Maya lets you escape it all but still puts you close enough to everything.

The Riviera Maya is famous for its large scale all-inclusive resorts and a historical tourism base of smaller boutique hotels as well as the many fine-dining strip joints available along the highway 307 and on or near the beaches. Luxury travel entities have been instrumental in increasing luxury villa rentals and yacht charters in the area however these only represent a small fraction of the total tourism accommodation available.

A major attraction throughout the Riviera Maya are coastal and reef aquatic activities dependent on the coastal water and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System which begins near Cancun and continues along the whole length of the Riviera Maya continuing southward to Guatemala. This barrier reef system is the second longest in the world, only smaller than the Great Barrier Reef.

Activities include jet skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming in cenotes (freshwater caves), swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, horse riding in the ocean, sailing, and guided jungle tours. Archeology is also a big tourist draw in the area, including the popular archeological sites operated by the Instituto Nacional de Archeological such as Tulum on the coast, and Chichen Itza and Coba located inland. The self-named ecoparks of Xcaret, and Xel-Ha also include some smaller archeological ruins as part of their attractions, but these natural water theme parks operated by private business consortia attract much larger crowds due to the diversity and range of activities provided, such as swimming with dolphins.

But you can't leave out the shopping experience at Fifth Avenue. This outdoor shopping district offers everything from high end jewelry and clothes to local art and glassware. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore this area as it is rather large and you will get caught up in looking at everything and everyone there.

The mean annual temperature is 75–77 °F.








































If you would like to find out more about the Riviera Maya or book a trip to this amazing location, please call or email us for more information.

Island Oasis Travel
618-222-9420

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Steals of the Week

Are you looking to get away soon? Than we have a steal for you! All of the following prices include roundtrip air and transfers as well as all your meals, drink plus your taxes! Don't miss out.

Nov. 28th - 6 nights at the Ocean Maya by H10, Riviera Maya, Mexico $585.70/person
Nov. 30th - 7 nights at the RIU Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico $687.70/person
Dec. 2nd - 5 nights at the Barcelo Maya Beach, Riviera Maya, Mexico $617.70/person
Dec. 5th - 6 nights at the RIU Caribe, Cancun, Mexico $636.69/person
Dec. 7th - 7 nights at the RIU Negril, Negril, Jamaica $859.04/person
Dec. 12th - 4 nights at the El Dorado Fun For Less $728.53/person
Dec. 14th - 7 nights at the Dreams Puerto, Puerto Vallarta Mexico $900.94/person
Dec. 18th - 7 nights at the Grand Oasis Playa, Cancun, Mexico $900.94/per person
Dec. 21st - 7 nights Iberostar Paraíso, Riviera Maya, Mexico $1100.94/per person
Dec. 23rd - 7 nights at the Allegro Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico $1083.53/per person

Limited availability. Please contact as soon as possible.

Island Oasis Travel
1501 North Belt West
Belleville, IL 62226
618-222-9420
janice@islandoasistravel.net

Friday, November 13, 2009

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana is in the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. The area is best known for its beaches, which face both the Caribbean and Atlantic Seas.

Punta Cana has one of the busiest and best connected -private- airport in the Dominican Republic's eastern region, serving about two million tourists per year.

The weather is fairly constant, with an average temperature of 86°F. The hottest -and humid- season lasts from May to October, and during the day temperatures might reach 95°F. From November to March, temperatures during the evening are around 20°C (68°F). Very little rain falls around the area, mostly because of the mostly flat landscape, a combination of savanna and mountains.

Punta Cana is considered the major resort area in the Dominican Republic with 28,000 hotel rooms.

Punta Cana has 12 professional golf courses that have already been built, from designers such as Jack Nicklaus, P.B. Dye, Tom Fazio, Nick Faldo and Nick Price...all within one hour drive from each other. The very first 18-Hole golf course was built in 1991 for the BARCELO complex. It was designed by Spanish Jose -Pepe- Gancedo, a former pro. Then, in 2000 it was followed by the La Cana Golf Course from P.B.Dye. In 2005, Cap Cana complete the first of their 5 golf courses (three Nicklaus-signature), the Punta Espada Golf Couse, a Nicklaus' masterpiece. Punta Espada, along with Teeth of the Dog in Casa de Campo figure among the very first 50 best golf courses in the world.

The nightlife inside the resorts is very lively with Las Vegas-style shows mostly from native artists. Outside of the hotels, half a dozen of high-quality discotheques allow tourists to interact with local residents. Besides, 80+ restaurants and bars, with exotic international cuisine from China, India or Thailand complete the Punta Cana-Bavaro's gastronomic offer.

Other tourist attractions have also been installed in the area, among them, Manatí Park (a waterpark built in the 90s), Puntacana Shopping Village, the Cap Cana 500+ docks Marina, Palma Real Shopping Village (one mile long) in Los Corales, Bávaro, with well-known retailers such as Hard Rock Cafe-Punta Cana, Tony Roma's, Tomy Hilfiger stores, Puma...plus theather, local discos like Montecristo, MovieMax's store and others.

Other tourist attraction are the ATV/UTB/buggies all-terrain tours (the La Altagracia Province has 3,000 sq. Kilometers with 50 kilometers of sandy beaches, lakes and ponds, natural reserves, canopy/zip line adventure services and two Paintball/Speedball facilities)and some equestrian ranchs for horseback riding. Also, it has a Motocross/Enduro/Trail Riding Club and Mountain Bike Club.

Along the coast, Punta Cana-Bavaro has 22 diving sites, with year-long rent services plus catamaran party boats, fishing yatchs, speed boats... One of the most popular tours is to Saona Island (real Taino name Adamanai) located about 100 Kilometers west, which is popular for scuba diving.





If you would like to find out more about Punta Cana or book a trip to this amazing location, please call or email us for more information.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Steals of the Week

Are you looking to get away soon? Than we have a steal for you! All of the following prices include roundtrip air and transfers as well as all your meals, drink plus your taxes! Don't miss out.

Nov. 16th - 5 nights at the RIU Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico $557.70/person
Nov. 18th - 5 nights at the Ocean Maya, Playa del Carmen, Mexico $628.53/person
Nov. 20th - 7 nights at the Bravaro Princess, Punta Cana Dominican Republic $723.79/person
Nov. 23rd - 7 nights at the Holiday Inn Sunspree, Montego Bay, Jamaica $738.04/person
Nov. 27th - 7 nights at the Iberostar, Punta Cana Dominican Republic $713.79/person
Nov. 28th - 6 nights at the Barcelo Maya Beach, Riviera Maya, Mexico $694.70/person
Nov. 28th - 7 nights at the Oasis Cancun, Cancun, Mexico $560.70/person
Nov. 30th - 7 nights 5 Apple Deal, Jamaica $776.09/per person
Dec. 4th - 7 nights Dreams Square Deal, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, $783.79/per person
Dec. 5th - 6 nights at the RIU, Cancun, Mexico$636.69/per person

Limited availability. Please contact as soon as possible.

Island Oasis Travel
1501 North Belt West
Belleville, IL 62226
618-222-9420
janice@islandoasistravel.net

Changes at the Office

If you haven't been by the office lately you may want to check this out:














Are there changes going on at Island Oasis Travel? You will never know until you contact us and see what is up in our world.

Hope to see you soon!!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort & Spa Sale Sale Ends Nov. 5th!

Are you looking for an All Inclusive resort that is great for both couples and families? Than look no further, the Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort & Spa is what you need.

Enjoy deluxe accomdation, choice of six resturants, nightclub, and a world-class spa all in the beautiful setting of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Save 50% on y our vacation if you book by November 5th. You must travel on December 18, 2009.

3 nights $699.99 per person (was $1399.99 per person)

7 nights $1049.99 per person (was $1849.99 per person)