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Relax… Holiday Fun Is All Inclusive
November 19, 2009 by Fractional & Shared Ownership Property News & Reviews · Leave a Comment
As the popularity of all inclusive holidays soars, Sarah Lee discovers what they have to offer.
We’re all looking for ways to economise these days, but none of us want to give up that holiday in the sun, and nor should we have to scrimp on luxury.
Thankfully a number of resorts in RCI’s exchange network offer all inclusive options that mean you can have a great holiday without compromising. All inclusive resorts are generally based in upmarket destinations; as such both accommodation and dining are frequently of the highest standards. And with many resorts offering a range of options to suit differing budgets, all inclusive holidays can represent great value.
One great advantage of an all inclusive break is being able to budget for everything well in advance. Once you have paid for your trip you can relax knowing that the largest part of your spending has been taken care of leaving you to enjoy an almost cash-free holiday.
An all inclusive break will usually include accommodation, meals, drinks –local beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, most resort activities, services and facilities, and some tours. Many offer daytime and evening entertainment and access to games rooms, gyms, spas and internet cafes. However motorised water-sports often incur an extra charge, so it is best to check the details at each individual resort. When booking an RCI
exchange to an all inclusive resort you may find that some offer it as an optional extra, while it is mandatory at others.
Although there are many destinations to choose from around the world, two that are very popular with RCI members are Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Cancún in Mexico. They offer fabulous Caribbean sunshine, excellent accommodation, and great all inclusive packages – so good you won’t want to leave the resort. However if you are able to drag yourself away both Punta Cana and Cancún have a wealth of activities
and sights to enjoy.
Party republic
Punta Cana is the main resort in the Dominican Republic and is situated on its eastern coast. As the international airport is only 13 miles away from the town transfers to hotels are short.
The Punta Cana area has much to offer visitors including several very good professional golf courses and Manati Water Park where you can swim with dolphins. In town there is a lively marina and if you’re looking to take some holiday bargains home, the Plaza Bolera Punta Cana is a vibrant shopping mail, which also has a bowling alley.
However, with some 40 miles of pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise waters it’s not hard to see what Punta Cana’s main attraction is.
Just off the shore there is a wonderful coral reef with an abundance of tropical fish just perfect for scuba divers and snorkelers. Another popular place for scuba diving is the nearby nature reserve of Saona Island, discovered over 500 years ago by Christopher Columbus. This pretty island lies a short distance off the mainland.
Punta Cana is also renowned for its deep sea fishing, particularly Blue and White Marlin, and boat trips can be taken from the town’s marina.
Elsewhere the indigenous wildlife of this Caribbean paradise includes multi coloured parrots, iguanas and flamingos making it a real draw for nature lovers.
If you venture out for the evening be sure to take your dancing shoes as Punta Cana is a well known party capital with clubs and bars liberally sprinkled throughout the town. The local people love to dance so you’ll find salsa, Latin jazz and merengue pulsating through the warm night time air.
Mayan wonders
Cancún lies on Mexico’s easternmost coast of the Yucatán Peninsula – an area known as the Mexican Caribbean. On one side of Cancún is the beautiful Caribbean Sea, and on the other the breathtaking Nichupte Lagoon which besides its natural beauty it is home to many delightful waterside restaurants and trendy bars.
Here off the coast of Cancún lies the Great Mesoamerican Reef. This huge reef is second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It stretches all the way up from Honduras and is home to 65 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish including the Mammoth Whale Shark – the largest fish in the world. This incredible reef has brought the area international renown for its fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving.
A full range of water sports are available here including kayaking, windsurfing and parasailing, while golfers can tee-off at the lush greens of its championship golf courses. Shopping in Cancún is rich and varied from the Mercado 28 – a handicrafts market – to the super modern shopping mall Plaza Las Americas.
Should you fancy a meal outside of your resort then the sheer variety of cuisine in Cancún will leave you spoilt for choice. Ranging from traditional Mexican restaurants to ultra-chic bistros, there is something to satisfy all tastes.
However Cancún’s crowning glory are the numerous archaeological sites of the Mayan culture. For a fascinating insight into local history visit the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Other gems to explore include the Mayan sites of Coba and Tulum, the many cenotes – freshwater sink holes that dot the area, and the ecological park at Xcaret. And if you are at Xcaret when the sun sets they have a spectacular show with some 300 performers at the Gran Tlachco theatre where you can also have dinner.
A day trip to Playa del Carmen is also recommended. Originally a small fishing village it has now grown into a major tourist town and is a great place for shopping, you can also catch the ferry from there to the pretty island of Cozumel for a day out.
RCI has 62 all inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, 86 in the Yucatán Peninsula. There are also all inclusive resorts in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Austria.
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