The Birth of Passion

Merriam-Webster defines “passion” in part as:  intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.  I believe one’s passion is a gift from God and I believe passion starts deep within one’s heart for some thing, some place or some activity that begins as a small kindle and with nurturing (and sometimes without) grows to a raging fire.  It’s the one thing that drives you or if you have suppressed it, the one thing that keeps rearing it’s head to be seen. That is how my passion for travel began, slowly.

In my early childhood years, I was bitten by the travel bug.  I never recognized it for what it was, only that I loved being on the road, in new places, meeting new people, experiencing new things.  I was often the child who was described as being the one with “ants in her pants” or “restless”.  Some things never change, I guess.  I still get very antsy when I don’t get out on the road for a while.

My mother is a retired school teacher who taught a vocational office education course.  Each summer she was required to spend a week in training. Those trainings took place in cities all over Texas and since she would be gone a week we went with her.  That, of course, meant that Dad would have to keep us entertained for an entire week in a new city each summer while Mom was in class.  You can only spend so much time in the pool at the hotel so every morning we would start out for breakfast and then off we went to explore and have some fun.  I discovered early on, that I had no favorite cities because each was unique and offered experiences worthy of being a favorite.  I’ve come to realize it was the adventure that mattered the most.  Travel and exploration of new places was firmly taking root in my heart.

Once, while in Corpus Christie, we had only been there two days when we were rushed out of town due to an impending hurricane.  That was devastating for me not because I missed out on seeing Corpus (it wasn’t our first time there) but because I spent all year saving up money to buy one of those awesome and often trashy souvenirs.  After much complaining and whining, Dad allowed for a quick stop for us to buy something to commemorate our vacation “that never happened”.  Photography in the 70′s was not what it is today.  As kids, our souvenirs were often the catalyst for recalling the memories we made.

One of our summer sojourns sent us to El Paso.   For those of you who don’t know Texas, from El Paso it is just a short skip over to Juarez, Mexico.  Ah, my first trip to the land I came to love!  Dad took us across the border to shop. Yes, I was a shopper even back then.  I still have the silver ring and leather purse I bought on that trip.  Back at that time, there was dog racing there also.  Mom tried to always take one day off to spend with us while we were there.  The dog races was part of her “fun time” with us.  I don’t remember much about the dog races, I was much more into horses but while sitting in the restaurant/bar area I noticed a lady who had a drink with an olive in it.  Man, did I want one of those!  I practically begged Dad to get one so I could have the olives.  Oh, the innocence of a child!  He finally relented and asked the waiter to bring me some olives.  I didn’t know until much later that I was begging him to order a dirty martini!  El Paso was great but now, Mexico, THAT was the place to be!  The sounds, the people, everything was foreign to a child and yet so very exciting.

For many years, all I knew of Mexico was the border towns but I was fascinated by everything about it.  Border towns back then were not the dangerous meccas they have now become.  It was a safe place for families to cross over and experience another culture.  As a child, I vowed to explore Mexico from border to border.  With that, my passion truly took root in my heart.  I explored in books what I could not explore in person.  I’m still a road-trip kind of girl and love to get in a car and just GO!  One of my dream trips is to load up a Jeep with my husband and dog and travel Mexico from coast to coast.  The coastlines are beautiful but so much culture and adventure awaits throughout the interior.  Just what my “restless” spirit needs!

You might say that travelling by auto does not compare to getting on a plane and saving hours and hours of travel time, but have you ever wondered what you missed by jumping on that plane instead of heading cross country?  I always wonder…. what did I miss?  what’s down there?  where are we now?

Most who know me well, were not surprised when I went into the travel industry.  One girlfriend even asked “what took you so long?”. It was not something I planned.  I found myself with free time after selling our business and the opportunity came up.   Sometimes the best experiences in life are those you do not plan for.  That, my friends, is my passion.  I wish to pass my love for travel onto you and love helping someone’s travel the best it can be.  Please share your passion or comments below.  I would love to hear from you.

Happy travels,

Edwina

Budgeting for Dream Vacations

In a recent poll of Yapa Now’s Facebook followers, friends and clients, you shared with me the top reason you do not fulfill your travel dreams.  The #1 reason was budget.  In this economy and job insecurity for so many, it is not a surprise that vacations take a back seat to more important financial concerns.

Do you save for your vacations?  Do you find it hard to save for vacations?  Or, do you wait until you have vacation time and plan your getaway based on funds available?  As a travel agent who works with world wide suppliers, I want to share with you some ways to find yourself taking that dream vacation without breaking the bank or forking over a large sum of cash when the time rolls around again next year.  It is possible to experience luxury vacations on a budget when you learn how.

Tip #1 – Book Early

Did you know that you can book air reservations 11 months in advance?  Why does that matter, you ask?  Like layaway, that means that for a small deposit you can make your reservations for the air and hotel and have another 9 1/2 to 10 months to pay it in full.  This allows you to take advantage of the early booking bonuses available and also take advantage of the air prices when they are at their lowest.  You can then makes payments toward your trip at your convenience.  If you want to pay monthly, weekly or even quarterly, it is at your convenience.  I have found that many people find it easier to make payments toward something than to “save” that same amount.  We are all used to making payments, right?

The bottom line is you get the most bang for your buck and you do not have to pay it all at once.  For many, the amount of the deposit can be as low as $200 for an air/hotel package.

Tip #2 – Cruises

Cruises are another great way to book with a small deposit.  There are sales running all the time where you can book your cabin with as low as a $50 deposit.   The sales often include on board credits (obc’s) which give you additional money to spend that is not coming out of your pocket.

Tip #3 – Think All-Inclusive

All-inclusive resorts are a thing of beauty for the budget minded traveler.  For some reason, the AI’s have gotten a bad rap among people who expect luxury (and the price tag that comes with it).  The AI resorts have all the amenities of the European plan resorts and often offer more.  With the all-inclusive, all of your meals, drinks, tips and various activities are included at no charge.  No, the restaurants are not all buffet style.  They usually offer one large buffet style restaurant, two or more theme restaurants, snack bars and lounges.  The food is excellent and often multi-cultural (French, local, Japanese, etc).  For example, a resort in Mexico could cost you approximately $2,000 including air for 5 nights for two people.  Add to that the amount you are saving by not paying for meals, drinks and extras, no extra charges and you can see why they are an excellent choice for the budget minded.

Tip #4 – Travel Club

I am not a fan of time-shares or any way, shape or form of MLM’s.  My first bit of advice is to steer clear of them when looking for budget friendly vacation options.  With that said, my host agency, KHM Travel Group, just launched a new vacation club.  It truly is the evolution of travel and the extras included in membership are outstanding.  I will post another article about it later but for now let’s just look at some of the incredible positives.  Luxevo offers you a tremendous amount of savings on vacation packages including cruises.  Yes, you can find great deals anywhere but where do you find a vacation you purchase that rewards you with Luxpoints of $1 for every $10 you spend.  Luxpoints never expire and can be used for your next vacation.  Not even the best rewards point credit cards offer that much.  Click on the picture below if you want to learn more about Luxevo or watch for my post about it later this week.  I will go into detail about the membership and advantages then.

Luxevo ~ The Evolution of Travel

Tip #5 – Beware the Scams

Unfortunately, every day there are dozens of new scams hitting the internet.  There is no way to find them all or list them all.  The best advice is the old saying “If it sounds too good to be true… it probably is.”  If you are determined to book vacations on your own, do a little homework first.  Check the airlines for costs of flights to your destination, check the resorts to see what their average daily rate is and compare that to the “deal” you are seeing.  Also, check the fine print.  Sure it looks good, but are you getting transportation from the airport to the resort or are the taxes and fees included?  Don’t let lack of knowledge lead you into a bad financial decision.

In closing, if you can dream it, we can help you make it a reality and within your budget!  There are so many options available for the destination of your choice that there will be something you love that work for you financially.  If you have tried doing the homework, you know how hard it can be to find that special place.  Using a travel agent takes the research out of the equation for you.  Let us do the leg work and you reap the benefits.

Happy travels,

Edwina

Travel Insurance? You bet!

I wanted to share with you two examples of why you should always choose to buy travel insurance for your travel plans.

Recently, I had a client who was a guest at a destination wedding in Mexico.  She made the first reservation for herself and her son and did not want to pay the additional money to purchase the “cancel for any reason” insurance.  She was positive she would not want to cancel or have any unknown problems.  A couple of months after the deposit was made her son got a new job and could not go to the wedding.  She also decided to change her departure date.  Unfortunately, for her, the change fee from the airline was $150 and the change fee for the resort was $50 for cancelling her son’s reservation.  She lost $200 on that change alone.  To change her departure date cost her another $200.  In the beginning, she made a $400 deposit which was gone now and she had to put up another deposit just to hold the reservation.  The travel insurance would have cost her a total of $179 and none of the fees would have been charged.

The other incident happened with the same wedding.  One of the guests applied for his passport months in advance of the trip.  He called me on the Sunday before his Wednesday departure saying that he had not received his passport and that there was a problem in getting it approved.  To make a long story short, we held his flight reservation until the night before the flight in hopes that everything would be finalized and he could pick his passport up at the local office.  We had to cancel his flight but left his room reservation in place.  Through a few well placed phone calls and emails, we were able to get his passport printed in the local office the very morning everyone was to leave.  As soon as he called and said he had it in hand, I got him booked on the next available flight.  He arrived only a couple of hours after everyone else.  The best news of all was that with the additional insurance he purchased, the cancellation of the first flight had no fees and the new flight was purchased at the same time the credit for the first was being issued.

The moral of the story is:  Always, always purchase the travel insurance.  Any plans can change at a moment’s notice through no fault of your own.

Happy travels,

Edwina Parker

The Yapa Now Travel Bucket List

I have always been an adventurous traveler.  I love exploring on my own and discovering the hidden gems found within a city or area that aren’t common touristy stops.  Friends and family have told me I am fun to travel with because of my child-like excitement when I discover something new.  Yep, that’s me, just a kid in a candy store when I travel.  Who else do you know that would get excited about singing with the guy in the subway who is trying to make a buck?  Oh yeah, I love the subway in NYC but that’s just me.  I’m easily entertained.

Much of my travel time now is spent working.  I am researching, discovering and rating areas, resorts and tour operators so that I offer comprehensive, honest advice to my customers.  I say “much of my travel time” because I cannot go anywhere that I don’t find myself wandering and seeking the new and unusual.

As a travel agent, I am somewhat surprised that until now I have not officially written down a travel bucket list.  Of course, I’ve always had a list of places and things that “must be done” in my lifetime.  While chatting with new clients one of the questions I always ask them is what and where their dream travel experience would take them.  I have recently asked myself the same question and the following is my list of the top ten.  These are not necessarily in order of preference.  Given the time and opportunity, I would jump at the chance to visit any and all of them.

1.  Mexico – Yes, there are still places in Mexico and things there that I have not experienced so it is always first in my thoughts.  Riviera Nayarit tops the list for the luxury resorts and the ruins of Teotihuacan is a very close second.  There are also the culinary tours that beckon me.  Mexico has such a diverse offering of adventures, luxury, relaxation and excitement that it can literally fill anyones wish list.

2.  Dive the Great Barrier Reef – I have a deep love for the ocean and being able to “swim like a fish”.  The beauty of the coral reef and maybe the excitement of a Minke whale trip would be awesome.  I would make this a land and sea package since there are so many unique and fascinating things to see and do in Australia.  I could go into a huge wishlist of things to do but then my list would quickly become an encyclopedia.

3.  Visit the Holy Land- I would love to take a guided tour of the Holy Land.  This is one trip I would probably not explore totally on my own.  There are just some travel experiences that are best planned by experienced tour operators and for me, this is one of them.  To be able to walk where Jesus walked and to see where the roots of Christianity began are the deciding factor for me, personally.

4.  A Castle Tour – A visit to Scotland and/or Ireland with a castle tour is definitely on the list.  Since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated by castles and the mystery of Scotland and Ireland.  The countryside is beautiful and the people are overly friendly and expressive.  From the pubs and small country inns to the farms and cities, I can’t think of a more fun opportunity to rent a car and take off exploring.

5.  Greece – I can’t wait to plan a tour of the Grecian islands.  From Athens, to Mykonos, to Santorini, to Crete, it would be a whirlwind of beauty, history and incredible food.  Delphi, Olympus, Temple of Poseidon, the Acropolis, the list just goes on and on.

6.  Paris in Spring – Ok, I’m a true romantic and have always wanted to be in Paris in the Spring not that any other time of year would not be just as memorable.  Of course a couple of days at the Louvre and a day trip to Versailles are must-do’s among the million other things to see and do.

7.  Rio De Janeiro for Carnival – I don’t even need to explain this one.  Mardi Gras was a blast but take into account the beauty of Brazil, the beaches the unspoiled forest and then Carnival in Rio.  Wow…

8. Tahitian Islands – Home of the original cabana on the water.  There is just something about being able to see the tropical fish through your living room floor that intrigues me, not to mention having room service delivered via small boat.  The islands are so beautiful and in most cases unspoiled by commercialism.  You can easily island hop from resort to resort to make this a fantastic luxury getaway worth planning.

9.  Tuscany, Italy – I don’t know what makes this addition to the list more impressive, the art or the cuisine.  Imagine being able to see works of  da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli and Michelangelo in one of the top five rated museums.  For a food lover, the opportunity to learn to cook true Italian cuisine at one of the many cooking classes offered is reason enough to make the top ten list.

10.  Egypt – I know the travel advisories are tough right now but how can you have a top ten bucket list without Egypt?  The pyramids, cruising the Nile and even diving the Red Sea.  The opportunities for adventure are as diverse and the country itself.  I could easily spend a month long holiday just trying to fit everything in.

Thanks for taking the time to share my top ten travel bucket list with me.  I welcome your thoughts and hope that you will share some of yours with us.  You can find me on Twitter and Facebook.  Come on by and say hello.

Edwina Parker

Yapa Now Travel

I Can Help You Plan the Perfect Romantic Getaway

I have always loved Mexico and travel so when I chose to put my love to work and become a travel agent it was only natural that I specialize in Mexico.  Combine that with being a true romantic at heart and it became obvious to me that I should specialize in Romantic Travel with an emphasis on Mexico as the destination.

I hold expert certifications in many Mexico destinations as well as resort brands.  My expertise comes not only from my own extensive travels to Mexico and other romantic destinations but also from regularly attending seminars, certification classes and trade shows.  I also attend FAM (familiarization) trips to various destinations in order to do onsite training on different properties and locales.

I work hand in hand with my host agency, KHM Travel Group to insure my clients have the best available products and pricing.  Through this group I have attended many hands on training events and trade shows where I have been able to develop personal relationships with contacts at our travel suppliers.  These relationships further my ability to provide the expert planning you desire for your travel plans.  Most importantly, I develop personal relationships with you, my client, in order to learn everything I need to plan the perfect romantic getaway for you.  I am available by phone or email anytime.  If you need me, you can reach me.  I do not have regular office hours which means I do not “close and go home” at 5:00 pm.  Daydreaming of a romantic getaway on a Sunday afternoon?  Go ahead, shoot me an email with the best time to call you.

If you are interested in romantic travel of any type, destination wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or just time away together, please feel free to contact me and let me help you plan the perfect romantic getaway.

Edwina Parker

http://www.yapanow.com

edwina@yapanow.com

Top 5 Reason to Use a Travel Agent

Potential clients often ask me, why should I use a travel agent instead of just booking it myself through (xyz) . com.  In fact, I am asked that question so often I felt I should share my answers with you.

First, with an online travel agency that deals in “last minute” deals or bulk travel, you will get a decent deal for your money but that’s where things start to go muddy.  You have to do all the work researching your vacation destination, then you click boxes until it asks for your credit card.  Once you have completed your transaction, you are done!  Did you know you can get the same great “deal” with a travel agent?  Plus, your agent will do all the research for you, send you quotes with real information about each resort and take care of all the arrangements for you and all at no extra charge to you!  And, that is not even including any special upgrades or extras that they can provide through their relationships with the vendors.

Second, you develop a relationship with your agent.  They will ask questions to get to know you which help determine exactly which destination and resort will be the best fit for you.  Can you imagine a romantic getaway for you and your spouse only to find out the room you booked was in a family resort with a 50/50 split of children to adults?  Not exactly what you had in mind but the pictures didn’t show that, did they?

Third, your agent is an advocate for you.  If there is ever a problem of any kind, whether by your fault (cancellation, change of date, etc.), the airline or the resort, your agent is there to make it right.  Imagine trying to change a vacation you booked online by calling the automated number and hoping to get a real person on the phone who is courteous, caring and works for YOU.

Fourth, your agent is an expert.  Agents spend countless hours in training on the latest products and offerings from their suppliers and countries in which they specialize.  They have received certifications in proficiency and product knowledge.  You may not realize it but agents actually go on site visits to properties they promote to you.  These are not vacations in the true sense of the word.  Sure we get to go to exotic locations and see all the sites, but it is always a learning experience.  We do not spend our days leisurely strolling the beaches or shopping for goodies.  We spend them taking pictures, evaluating the consistency of the resorts, their food and their service, the amenities and locale. (Then we come home and blog about it!)

Fifth, there are no surprises!  Your travel agent will make you aware of everything you need to know before you go.  You will not get to the airport only to find out that the name on your passport is not the exact same as the name on your plane ticket.  Believe me, as crazy as it sounds, if you use your middle initial on your passport do not buy your ticket with your full middle name on it.  When you book that luxury couples retreat, know that you will be in an adult only resort that specializes in romance.

Your travel agent knows that all of these things make your travel much more enjoyable and that is what we love about our jobs.  Please, next time you think about taking a vacation, contact a travel agent and experience the true joy that travel can bring.

On the lighter side of things, I came across this list quite a while back but it is always worth repeating.

Happy travels,

Edwina Parker

Yapa Now Travel

http://www.yapanow.com

Romantic Travel in Mexico

I would like to take you on a little virtual journey to a romantic vacation in Mexico.  Come on along and discover how to get a little romance in your life.

After departing your plane at Cancun International Airport, you are escorted to a limo supplied with champagne and strawberries to take you to your destination, an all-inclusive, adults only resort.  As you enter the resort lobby you are again greeted with a glass of champagne and a cool towel as you are escorted through the check in.  To your surprise, your room has been upgraded to a junior suite (a little “yapa”)  and upon entering your room you see a welcome basket with Batab, the best after sun lotion in the world and other goodies, then notice the scattered rose petals.   Did I mention luxury was part of the romance?

Your first afternoon is spent acquainting yourself with the resort, where everything is located and spending a couple of hours lounging on the beach.  You realize, the Batab will come in handy!  Dinner that night is served to you at a single table beach side.  After dinner, you take a stroll together down the beach, just enjoying the moment.

Day two of your vacation begins with breakfast in bed, a short snorkeling excursion then a couples massage under a palapa at the beach.  You decide to opt for a small shopping trip in Playa Del Carmen and dinner at a romantic beach side restaurant in Playa to finish out the day.  Don’t forget to grab two of those incredible hammocks for hanging on your deck when you get back home.

Day three is a chance to indulge your adventurous side.  Your tour guide meets you in the lobby and escorts you to Hidden Worlds where you try your hand a zip-lining and diving a cenote’ for the first time.  The day closes back at your resort with a fabulous candle lit dinner and relaxing walk along the beach.

Day four is another opportunity to visit the spa and choose which of the multitude of relaxing treatments you will indulge in after a couple of hours pool side.  A sunset catamaran cruise with lobster dinner on the beach is the end to a perfect day.

Day five is, unfortunately, the day you must return to the real world.  After you have packed and enjoyed a fine breakfast it is time for the limo to arrive for the trip back to the airport.  As the two of you settle in on the plane, you begin to realize how relaxed you are and how much you have enjoyed just being together and experiencing the wonder of Mexico.  Memories last a lifetime but you know you will return again to make even more.

Let us help you design your romantic getaway.  The variety of experiences and destinations in Mexico is so extraordinary, there is something for everyone.

Edwina Parker

Yapa Now Travel

http://www.yapanow.com

edwina@yapanow.com

2011 Vacation Trends for Mexico

As we closed out the first quarter of 2011, I am not surprised to see that vacation planning has not slowed down due to the economy.  What I am seeing is that clients want to do their planning further in advance than they ever have before.  For some it is a matter of being able to take longer to pay off the balance of their trip, yet for others it is more of a matter of planning far enough in advance to insure they have set aside the time for their much anticipated vacation.  As early as February, I had requests for 2012 vacation proposals.

I have also noticed a trend towards longer vacations.  Many of my clients opted for a couple of “long weekend” vacations in years past but have now decided to take one vacation of at least a week to 10 day.  The reasons for this are as varied as the clients themselves but the most common comment I have heard is directly related to the cost of airfare.  I have not noticed a drastic change in the cost of airfare over the past few months, but with the cost of oil skyrocketing, there is always that possibility.

My favored travel suppliers have exceptional last minute deals for those who cannot or do not want to plan far in advance.  The prices for last minute getaways whether they are for a weekend or a week long stay are well below the average.  Great last minute deals can be found here on my website.

As in years past, Mexico is again a hot spot for vacationers.  With the wide variety of vacation destinations and it’s proximity to the US, Mexico is becoming a favored choice of clients looking for variety.  No longer is Mexico considered only for it’s beautiful beaches.  With culinary and historical tours, eco adventures, world class golf courses and, of course, breath taking beaches, Mexico has it all.

Take heart travelers!  The vacation of your dreams is available.  Share with me your ultimate vacation and let me show you how to get there!

Happy travels,

Edwina Parker

Yapa Now Travel

http://www.yapanow.com

First Time Travel in Mexico – Romantic Travel

A young couple, Chloe and Eric, contacted me through another client with a desire to take a romantic getaway.  They had been married for a few years and were trying to have a child. Neither of the two had ever been outside the country and had no real destination in mind. They wanted someplace warm with a beach and that pretty much completed their want list.  Well, that narrowed it down…

After asking questions about budget, travel documents, what type of activities they enjoyed, how long they intended to stay, I found out everything I needed to help them make this dream a reality.  They wanted to stay a week, they wanted to enjoy as many outdoor activities as possible but also wanted to have romantic nights alone together and the grandparents-to-be were paying for the trip.  Apparently, Chloe’s parents were hoping this getaway would jump start the baby process.

The first order of business was to get the couple their passports.  As they wanted to go within a couple of months we short cut the process by having them apply in person.  There are stations all across the country that allow you to do this at your convenience.  You can find more information here.

I chose three resorts for them in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area.  Each of the resorts had close access to wonderful day trips and excursions, had onsite spas, were adult only resorts, beautiful beaches and plenty of activities to keep them occupied during the day.  As they browsed the pictures and the information on each resort they asked questions about everything.  I love this part of my job.  Remembering that this couple had never been out of the country made it very important to share all necessary information with them from the start in a format that they could read over again before they go such as currency conversion, language, travel tips, etc.

Chloe and Eric chose their resort and shared the info with Chloe’s parents.  We had the vacation and a couple of excursions booked for them the next day.  I even managed to get a room upgrade and a beach-side romantic dinner thrown in for good measure!  I shared more information with them about their travel documents, their resort, the area and the excursions they had chosen in pdf form so they could print and carry with them.

I’m happy to report that they did not wait to call me when they returned from their trip.  They called the day after arrival just to say “thank you” for making their dreams come true.  They said the resort was perfect and exactly what they had hoped for.

I called them after they returned from the trip and found that they wanted to start planning another trip in the Spring.  It is such a joy to share knowledge with someone that allows them to experience the joy of travel without having to venture into the total unknown.

Romance is alive and well in Mexico.  Just ask Chloe and Eric!

Edwina Parker, Owner/Agent

http://www.yapanow.com

edwina@yapanow.com

Mexico Destination Wedding – Review of Destination Weddings in Mexico

Mexico offers a multitude of destination wedding options for couples seeking unforgettable memories.  From the sexy Caribbean coast resorts to magnificent Pacific coast and interior Mexico resorts you are only limited by your own imagination.  Mexico offers couples true diversity in their choice of destinations and experiences.

Let’s review some of the facts surrounding your choice of Mexico as your dream wedding destination.

The marriage requirements in Mexico tend to vary from state to state with each jurisdiction setting their own marriage license rules for foreigners.  What is standard is that you will need your passport and tourist card (provided by the airline when you arrive).  If you drive into Mexico you will need to get your tourist card yourself upon arrival.  You will probably also need your birth certificate translated into Spanish and certified.

There is a two to three day waiting period for marrying in Mexico dependent on which state your wedding will be.  You must plan for a period of three days prior to the wedding to insure that you have your paperwork ready.

Your marriage is not legal unless it is a civil ceremony performed at a local Civil Register Office.  You can then hold the religious or symbolic wedding with or without guests at the resort to experience the dream wedding you have in mind.

The mandatory blood test is also alive and well in Mexico.  You need to allow a couple of days to have that completed.

Needless to say, it is not totally painless to be married in Mexico but you must adhere to the rules of state in order to have a valid marriage.  Using an experienced travel agent will insure the success of your plans as well as the legality of your marriage.

We often suggest to clients that they have their wedding in Mexico with all the trimmings and then when they return home to the US, they make it legal here by a civil marriage in front of the Justice of the Peace.  We advise having the ceremony performed after the wedding in Mexico so that you do not have the problem of getting your drivers license and passport changed to reflect your new name.

Now for the up-side to all of this, Mexico is an extremely romantic and beautiful country to exchange vows with the one you love.  Many, if not most, resorts feature the use of a wedding coordinator to make your wedding dreams a reality.  These coordinators are often free of charge and if you are traveling with a group of guests, it is possible to receive a “free” wedding.  Resorts love to book groups and the larger your group the larger the benefits your travel agent will be able to secure for you.

As a couple your biggest concern should be who you are inviting, where and what type of wedding you desire.  Do you want a beach-side wedding?  Or maybe a close intimate wedding alongside a beautiful cenote’ in the jungle?  Or, what about a classic wedding in a Spanish influenced cathedral?  Are you scuba divers and want to marry beneath the waves? All of these options are available and more.  Wherever your imagination takes you, it can be done in Mexico.

When you add all of this to the fact that a destination dream wedding could cost you less than half what a home church wedding costs, it’s no wonder they are becoming a top choice for many new couples.

As a travel agent specializing in Mexico and romantic travel I understand how confusing it can all be.  A wedding is something we girls dream about, right?  Well, wouldn’t you want someone to take care of those things for you and work for you to insure that your dream wedding is not a nightmare?  That is what you get with a travel agent.  We KNOW which resorts cater to the type of wedding you want, which ones fit your budget and how to get you the best deal for the best price.

I am happy to answer any questions you have or provide you with more information. Please contact me with any questions.

Edwina Parker

Mexico Specialist

http://www.yapanow.com