Reconnect Travel

Welcome to my blog! I am a travel consultant, and specialize in creating the perfect dream vacation for empty nest couples who want a second honeymoon to reconnect with each other.

I offer tailor-made luxury and upscale vacation arrangements to the following destinations:
-Tahiti
-Fiji
-Hawaii
-Caribbean
-Mexico
-Costa Rica
-Bahamas
-Florida
-Western Europe
-Luxury and World Cruises

Contact me at 972-625-6200 or by email at cindy@expertfamilytravel.com for an appointment to create YOUR dream vacation.

Happy travels! ~Cindy Grant, Travel Consultant

A warm welcome to you

Are you overdue a vacation where you can replenish your energy and senses?
Has your focus been on meeting family and career needs for years, and feel you deserve some ME time?
Does the thought of a pampering, tropical escape get you all smiley and giggly on the inside?
Are you overwhelmed at the myriad of choices online, so that planning your trip only adds to the stress?

Who We Are

Reconnect Travel works with empty nested professionals who want their stress and worries to fade away without medication, therapy, or divorce attorney. We create unforgettable journeys that are relaxing, romantic, and make you feel young again. What separates Cindy Grant from the other travel consultants is that she has a gift for planning unforgettable trips that ignite the spark and replenish the soul. Now, isn’t that a lot more fun than therapy?

Testimonial

Cindy, thank you so much for making our Tahiti trip perfect. You were right, all the details were taken care of! And I loved the Hilton Bora Bora Nui, it was even better than you described. I can’t wait until our next trip, and I’m definitely sending my friends your way. You are awesome! – B and W Santos, Texas – June 2011

Valentine’s – gift a trip for your special someone!

Looking for a last minute gift suggestion for Valentine’s? How about booking a romantic getaway for a weekend in the Spring to a gorgeous beachfront all-inclusive resort.

Then, here’s the fun part. Print off a picture of the resort you booked, such as:

The lovely Ladera Resort in St. Lucia (Hilltop Dream Suite)

Wrap it up elegantly complete with box and ribbon, and voila! You’ve got one memorable gift.

To get started, call or email with your travel dates, the destination (or type of destination such as Caribbean luxury resort), departure city, and approximate budget. We can get your booking confirmed that day.

~Happy Travels. Cindy Grant, Reconnect Travel/Expert Family Travel 972-625-6200. Located in the DFW metro area serving clients across the US and Canada. Near Frisco, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Carrollton, Plano, Irving, Richardson Texas.

Ten fun things to do in Moorea

Thinking about going to Moorea? Here are the top ten things to do in Moorea on your next vacation:

Rent a moped or car (most resorts have a rental desk onsite) and tour the island. You can’t get lost.
Swim with the dolphins, located at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort.
Go to the dance show and luau-style dinner at the Tiki Village. The food is average, but the show is fantastic.
Sign up for the Shark and Ray Feeding excursion (by boat). This can be booked in advance or through your resort concierge.
Experience dolphin and whale watching with Dr. Poole. This ecotour is seasonal.
Go deep sea fishing.
Snorkel right at your resort. How convenient is that!
Take a guided mountain hike.
Go scuba diving.
Play a round of golf at Moorea Green Pearl Golf Course.

Moorea is located in French Polynesia (aka Tahiti). For information on a vacation to Moorea, just email or call to get the process started.

~Happy travels, Cindy Grant, Reconnect Travel/Expert Family Travel 972-625-6200. Located in the Dallas Fort. Worth Texas area, near Frisco, Plano, Little Elm, Carrollton, The Colony, Lewisville, Irving. Clients located across the US/Canada.

Legends Moorea Resort: Know before you go

This morning as I was perusing my usual assortment of emails, I came across a flash deal from a third party for the Legends Moorea in Tahiti, along with an enticing picture of an overwater bungalow. Problem is, this resort does NOT have overwater bungalows. Furthermore, it looked like Mt. Otemanu in the background, which would mean this picture isn’t even from the same island!

I cringed thinking how many people might buy this deal, expecting to get Bora Bora lagoon in an overwater villa only to discover the truth upon arrival. Legends Resort is located on the island of Moorea, and is perched cliff-side, well above the water. If you stepped off your patio and into the water, there was a nasty and long fall in the process.

Legends Moorea - beautiful but not beachfront

Now, I’m not knocking Legends Moorea. It is, in fact a wonderful four star resort with huge multi-bedroom villas – if you don’t mind being that close to a lagoon paradise with no easy access to the water. This would fit clients who are so well traveled that they are looking for a different way to experience Tahiti from their last half dozen trips. Or maybe the client who’s been on an extended trip of Tahiti and just wants a few nights to chill. Or maybe the wealthy novelist who wants to surround himself in paradise so he can crank out another best seller. And since none of my clients fit into these categories (but I’ll gladly take on a new client who does), I’ve yet to sell Legends Moorea to anyone.

This is a good example of why you should work with a Tahiti specialist. Those of us “in the know” would be able to talk you out of this property (if you’re expecting to step into the lagoon from your resort) and into something that fits you better. Tahiti is just too special a destination for a mistake like this!

Contact Cindy Grant, Tahiti Tiare Destination Specialist, to arrange your dream vacation to French Polynesia.

~Happy Travels, Cindy Grant, Reconnect Travel and Expert Family Travel. 972-625-6200. Located in the Dallas Fort Worth area, near Frisco, Plano, Lewisville, Carrollton, Little Elm, The Colony, and Irving.

UPDATE 09FEB 2012

I’m happy to report that the good folks at Legends Moorea remedied the incorrect photo promptly. Thanks guys!

Iberostar Grand Bavaro, Punta Cana – Can I stay a bit longer?

For my clients who love the convenience of an all-inclusive and the indulgence of a luxury resort, I’ve got great news. The Iberostar Grand Bavaro, located in Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana, just may exceed your expectations.

Built in 2008, this luxury adults only resort is set on a beautiful beach within the Iberostar Bavaro complex of resorts.

This is an excellent resort for a group of adult friends who want to travel together and have high standards in terms of dining, room quality, and service levels. And of course, it’s a great choice for a honeymoon or anniversary celebration. There’s the 18-hole Iberostar Bavaro Golf Club onsite (complimentary round included in your stay with a minimum night requirement) as well as an excellent Spa, along with a host of activities onsite (and offsite for an additional fee).

Accommodations here are sumptuous suites with incredible bathrooms, and 24 hour room service is available to satisfy the midnight munchies. Suites are decorated in muted whites and beiges, and convey a tranquil setting. Limited butler as well as concierge services are available for all room categories, and the Oceanfront Grand Suites has enhanced butler services along with some additional perks.

There are four specialty restaurants, some great bars onsite (making that group get together that much more fun), and a free flowing design lagoon pool, complete with a Spanish galleon replica planted in the middle of it.

Now, the part you don’t want to hear: this is on the high end of pricing for Punta Cana (prices more or less in line with Hard Rock Hotel and The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real). But, it’s definitely the tops in Punta Cana when it comes to all-inclusive luxury.

Accommodations – 272 suites, 12 oceanfront grand suites.

Scuba bucket list for the “Easy Does It” diver

Okay, some of us enjoy scuba diving, but so long as it isn’t overly physically challenging or dangerous. Here’s a great list of dive spots that will give you the thrill without the chill

Cozumel Mexico (recommended resort: Iberostar Cozumel)
Moorea Tahiti (recommended resort: Hilton Moorea Resort)
Turks and Caicos Caribbean (recommended resort: Beaches Turks & Caicos)
Nassau Bahamas (recommended resort: Riu Palace Paradise Island)
Manatee Swim, Central to South Florida
Ambergris Caye, Belize (recommended resort: Ramon’s Village)
Rangiroa Tahiti (recommended resort: Hotel Kia Ora)
Maui Hawaii (recommended resort: Sheraton Maui Resort)
Vanava Levu, Fiji (recommended resort: Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort)
Roatan Honduras (recommended resort: Anthony’s Key Resort)

~Happy Travels, Cindy Grant, Reconnect Travel/Expert Family Travel 972-625-6200. Travel agency located in the DFW area near Frisco, Plano, Carrollton, Little Elm, The Colony, Lewisville, Irving Texas.

Travel 2012: book early

The economy is recovering, thank goodness. Travel is recovering as well, and there’s a pent up demand for a good, top notch vacation. Experts predict a stronger year in 2012 (compared to 2011) in terms of vacation travel. Yet, the airlines have decreased their air lift to many of the more popular vacation destinations over the last few years. Where the airlines used to provide seats to meet demand, their revised strategy is to provide fewer seats than demand (with the intention to fly full planes).

What does this mean to you? Book early (6 to 9 months in advance) if your dates and destination choice is pretty firm. You have more leeway if your dates or destination is flexible. While hotels will have availability, those darned flights will definitely fill up, causing prices to inch higher the longer you wait.

~Happy travels, Cindy Grant travel consultant at Expert Family Travel/Reconnect Travel in DFW metro area (Frisco, Plano, The Colony TX) 972-625-6200.

Sometimes you just need a treat

I was having “one of those days” last week. Computer issues, vendor issues, and my stress level was rising. Finally, I stopped what I was doing and got a mani/pedi at my corner spa. A bit of pampering and two hours later, I came back relaxed and refreshed, and was able to solve my day’s problems without much panic or fanfare.

Amazing what a difference your day can be when you can hit the Reset button.

Well, a well-timed weekend getaway can serve as your Reset button, too.

Imagine a 3 night quick break, nonstop flight, and a beachfront resort. A couple of days on the beach, with a spa visit or two…drinks with umbrellas in them, sleep in as you desire.

Makes Monday morning work conference call much more tolerable!

~Happy travels, Cindy Grant, travel consultant at Expert Family Travel/Reconnect Travel DFW metro area 972-625-6200

Give the gift of travel

If you’re still searching for the perfect gift for your special someone…how about surprising them with a vacation package? The gift of travel is a wonderful treat! Some suggestions include:

Overwater bungalow in Bora Bora
All-inclusive beachfront resort in Jamaica
Adults only resort in Riviera Maya with a focus on spa and golf
Tour for two to Italy in the Winter
Walt Disney World for the whole family

You can wrap a “representative” gift, and attach the vacation details (or a resort picture). Say, a bottle of Jamaican rum with a picture of Couples Swept Away Resort tied with a bow on the bottle? Or, a stuffed Mickey Mouse with a resort brochure nestled underneath? Or, a bottle of Chianti and a Guide to Italy map? Get creative on how you present it, and you’ll be sure to make their day!

~Happy travels, Cindy Grant, travel consultant at Reconnect Travel/Expert Family Travel 972-625-6200 Frisco DFW metro area Texas.

Fancy a camel ride on the beach? No problem.

Beginning January (2011), Cabo Adventures has been offering the Outback and Camel Safari Tour. This popular and unique four hour tour gives you a beachside camel ride along the coast of San Cristobal, along with a hike in the desert. At the end, you get a yummy Mexican lunch and tequila tasting.

I’ve had a couple of clients who signed up for this experience, and they’ve come back saying it was the highlight of their trip! And see, you don’t have to go all the way to Morocco to get that coastline camel ride, after all!

The Outback & Camel Safari Tour can be added to your Cabo package, or booked directly at Cabo Adventures. Cost is approximately $99.

~Happy Travels, Cindy Grant, Travel Consultant at Reconnect Travel.com DFW metro area 972-625-6200.

Resort Review: Dreams Tulum

This resort only gets better.

If you haven’t been to this resort in a while, you’re in for a treat. A new lobby and entrance, new accommodations section, an expanded spa, a new conference center, and a free form second pool – in one word, wow!

Now, with all this expansion, the one thing this property has is sprawl. So if you have mobility issues, this isn’t the resort for you. But this is a great resort for families, couples, and singles traveling together. It’s also a great property for family reunions, since it has a little bit of something for everyone.

This resort has perfected the destination wedding venue, and manages to offer up to 4 weddings a day smoothly and flawlessly. Select from beach, chapel, and garden locations. But book your destination wedding early, because the’s word’s gotten out!

I was happy to see their newly expanded spa. This brings this spa in line with Secrets’ sister properties, and is also managed by Pevonia. Spa prices are higher than I pay for in Dallas, but it’s about that pampering splurge.

There’s a wide range of room categories here. The least expensive Deluxe Garden View Rooms are in the older part of the resort, with hacienda-style courtyards. They are beautiful rooms, but pale in comparison to the Junior Suites so if you can afford the upgrade, it’s well worth it.

The property sits just north of the Tulum ruins, but the foliage has grown to the point that the Tulum ruins are hard to (if not impossible) to see. Still, take a stroll along the beach going south, and you’re bound to see them.