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The Search for Paradise

Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (0 Comments)

We want you to win a trip to Paradise!

Again we want to give you the chance to win a 7-night stay at the hotel you find. Plus, you’ll also win a GoPro HD photographic camera to take pictures!

We want you to win so, we’re making it easy! We are giving you clues throughout the game.

How can YOU win?

  • You’re not a facebook fan yet, “LIKE” us HERE

  • Click on the contest tab The Search for Paradise

  • We’ll give you some clues. It will be on the left side of your screen.

  • You can move & zoom in and out of the map to search for the hotel.

The 1st person that finds the hotel WINS!!!! You have two chances to win per day.

Good luck!

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Jamaican Me Married: Destination Weddings in Style at Iberostar Rose Hall Suites

Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (0 Comments)

I first started covering destination weddings more than a decade ago while working for Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel. Why budget travel? Because given the ballooning costs of holding a nice knot-tying even in your backyard, resort weddings can be surprisingly affordable, both allowing couples to better control costs as well as enjoy a luxurious experience (with or without guests) in a beautiful tropical setting.

Jamaica’s an especially popular place these days for couples to combine getting hitched with a great tropical honeymoon, and while many resorts offer destination weddings, I found that the elegant Rose Hall Suites near Montego Bay goes the extra mile to pull out all the stops for couples. The “Golden Coast Wedding” package not only provides the basics – marriage license, minister fees, wedding cake, champagne, decorated venue, and music of your choice – but great extras such as a couple’s massage at the beautiful on-property spa.

It’s a pretty simple process – you can show up just 24 hours before the ceremony (though it’s recommended that you come two or three days ahead to meet with the wedding planner and iron out the final details. I recently caught up with the planner at Rose Hall Suites, Nicole Barnett, to get the nups 911:

How did you come to your job here at the Rose Hall Suites?

I came to it in 2009 from the resort’s public relations department, and it has been fantastic. I enjoy the enthusiasm of people planning their weddings; it’s honestly been an amazing experience so far.

How far in advance do you recommend couples book?

The most popular months are March through July, but regardless of the month, I’d recommend that couples try to book their dates at least a year in advance.

How many spots on property are available as a wedding venue?

We have four locations for a wedding ceremony: the beach, the lobby terrace, the lazy river island, and the pool gazebo, plus a backup-plan location if it rains: our lobby staircase.

What’s the most unusual request you’ve had?

A bride who wanted me to rent a white horse for her to ride down the aisle.

Can you share with us a particularly special moment you remember from an on-site wedding?

The most memorable experience I have had was a Hindu wedding that lasted  for two whole days. They asked me to participate and I even got my hand painted! The most memorable wedding thank-you I have received  was from a special couple, Andrew and Jennifer Parker. They were so loving to each other, and instead of focusing on the materialistic aspect of the wedding, they gave me their ideas and left the planning  and organizing to me.  They were always concerned about ensuring that the family was included and taken care of. Despite their anxieties, they never lost sight of what was most important to them and that was their love for each other. In the end the wedding was beautiful and they thanked me ever so often by always sending emails from time to time to say how they are doing and to check on me.

by David Paul Appell

For more information, write to weddings@iberostar.com.jm or call 876-680-0000 extensions 1525 and 1516.

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Vanilla Flan (Vanilla Custard)

Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (0 Comments)

“Flan” is the Spanish name for vanilla egg custard, topped with caramel sauce. Flan makes a great finish to any meal because even though it is sweet, it is a light dessert.

  Ingredients for 4:

2.5 cups of milk
 100 g of sugar
 4 eggs
2 vanilla beans

 Caramel Ingredients

 150 g of sugar
1/4 tsp. of water

Directions:

Put a heavy skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar. With a wooden spoon, keep the sugar moving constantly in skillet until sugar is completely melted, and of a rich medium brown color (caramelized). Pour the caramel into dish. 

In another saucepan boil the milk with the vanilla.  Meanwhile in a mixing bowl add the eggs beat slightly, Mix in the sugar. Stirring constantly, gradually add hot Milk. Pour the mixture into the dish that already has the caramel.

Place the filled casserole dish into a larger pan and add 1 inch of HOT water to the outer pan. Bake at 150 ° C for about 25 minutes.

Bon appetit!

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PIÑA COLADA

Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in Mystery Guest - (0 Comments)
Photo by: DeaPeaJay

Pina Colada

The piña colada Cocktail was a drink created in San Juan Puerto Rico.  Piña colada is the official drink of Puerto Rico. It’s a sweet, rum-based cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, usually served either blended or shaken with ice.  

The secret is to choose the best ingredients to have a great refreshing drink.

Ingredients
8 people

  • 1 liter (4 cups) of fresh pineapple juice
  • 250 ml coconut cream (Rum)
  • Ice
  • Rum (Optional)

 Optional: Add a few drops of vanilla.

 Preparation:

Put the ice, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and the white or dark rum into a blender. Blend until smooth and frosty. Pour the drink into the glasses and garnish the rim with pineapple slices.

Photo | DeaPeaJay on Flickr

A sip of the delicious authentic piña colada may have you booking one of the Iberostar Hotels in the Caribbean before you finish the drink!

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Los Bandoleros: Vin Diesel in the Dominican Republic

Posted by Andy Jarosz in The View - (0 Comments)

fast & furious

Short movies

Those of a certain age might remember when a trip to the cinema usually involved two movies: the one you’d paid to go and see and a short film, usually no more than 15 minutes, that was quite likely a director’s first attempt at getting noticed by a wider audience. Those days are long gone, but look closely and you will find the occasional short film still being produced, often being added as a bonus on a DVD and telling a back-story to the main feature.

Fast and Furious

One such example is the 20 minute movie Los Bandoleros, directed by the one and only Vin Diesel and shot in the Dominican Republic. Action movie buffs and fans of  Vin Diesel films will be familiar with the five The Fast and the Furious films, in which Vin Diesel and friends race a whole array of fast cars, carry lots of bank notes in suspicious sacks and spend most of their time in the company of the type of beautiful girls your parents probably warned you about.

Los Bandoleros served as a prequel to Fast and Furious, the imaginatively-titled fourth installment in the series. At the start of Fast and Furious Dominic (Vin Diesel) and his crew are hijacking fuel tankers in the Dominican Republic, but the reasons for them being in the country are not so clear. This is where Los Bandoleros helps to fill the gap in the story. The short story tells the tale of how the gang reform in the Dominican Republic and includes the small matter of a jail break to get everyone back together.

Perhaps the best thing about short movies such as Los Bandoleros is that they can be watched free of charge and without any fuss. In fact the whole movie is available on Youtube in two installments. The producers are presumably happy for it to be distributed widely as it helps promote the main movie.

The Perfect Beach?

The Dominican Republic also comes out well from Vin Diesel’s short movie. He is a self-confessed admirer of the country and it was no surprise it was chosen as a filming location. Check out the final scenes played out on the stunning Caribbean beach with Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez; you may just want to drop everything and find your own way to this tropical paradise.

Photo: riccardodivirgilio on Flickr

If you ever decide to drop everything and find your way to this tropical paradise, stay at one of the Iberostar Hotels in  Dominican Republic.

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World’s Sexiest Woman in Brazil: Alessandra Ambrosio

Posted by Nellie Huang in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

Brazil is famous for many things: long stretches of golden beaches, lush jungles inhabited by jaguars, all-night-long parties, beach volleyball and most of all, beautiful people. Sultry, sexy and hot – the beauty queens and supermodels of Brazil have long given it a reputation as the land of the world’s most alluring women. From Gisele Bundschen to Adriana Lima (just to name a couple), the list of supermodels who hail from Brazil is longer than that of any other country in the world.

World’s Sexiest Women

One of the hottest Brazilian models in the fashion industry these days is Alessandra Ambrosio (right), a native Brazilian who’s rocked the world with her smouldering good looks and charisma. In her successful career as a top model, Ambrosio is best known as the face of American lingerie brand, Victoria’s Secret. She appeared on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the first time in 2000, and continues to steal the limelight ten years on. Her biggest headliner was the runway walk she did in 2005 wearing lingerie made entirely out of candy. As the spokesmodel for Victoria’s Secret, she’s been dubbed by the media as one of the world’s sexiest women. She was also chosen as one of People magazine’s annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World, in May 2007 .

Ambrosio’s Brazil

While there are probably few chances of finding Ambrosio sun-bathing on the beach, there are certainly other ways to get acquainted with her and her hometown of Florianópolis, Brazil, where she currently lives with her husband and daughter. Florianópolis is the capital of the state of Santa Catarina and boasts a beautiful setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

To start your tour of the city, head to the most beautiful building in town, the Catedral Metropolitana, and then wander through the Municipal Market to experience Brazil’s culinary offerings. But the star of Florianópolis has got to be the beaches – all 42 of them – wild, undisturbed and absolutely stunning. Head to any beach in Florianopolis and you’ll be teased by a smorgasbord of beautiful girls spotting gorgeous tans and clad in skimpy bikinis. If that’s not enough of beach bumming for you, be sure to include Salvador da Bahia and Rio de Janeiro – home to the best beaches in Brazil – in your itinerary!

Photo | over_kind_man

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Y Tu Mamá También: Celebrating the Mexican Road Trip

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What to do in Mexico? Movie y tu mamá también

Y Tu Mamá También: The Story

When it was released in 2001, few suspected that the Mexican movie “Y Tu Mamá También” would become such a worldwide hit. The story is simple enough: two bored teenagers try to impress an attractive twenty-something at a wedding with tales of a fabled beach. Although she isn’t interested in keeping them company at first, when she later learns of her husband’s wayward behavior she accepts the boys’ offer and joins them on their road trip to the coast.

The tale follows the unlikely threesome as they make their way through the Mexican landscape. Boastful tales of conquests soon spill over into emotional outbursts and an inevitable series of sexual liaisons. The ending is poignant, sad even, but fits perfectly with the overall mood of the movie. I won’t spoil it any further for those who haven’t yet seen it.

“Y Tu Mamá También” is set in Mexico City and along the western coast of the country, but I challenge anyone to take a road trip in Mexico after watching the movie and not think back to the scenes of the three lead characters drifting along the long straight highways.

Traveling in Mexico

For many folks who come to the Riviera Maya on vacation, the experience of traveling in Mexico is all about taking a rental car from one of the main resorts along the Yucatan coast to the major Mayan sites.  The drive to Chichen Itza from Cancun is an easy two to three hour slog along a modern highway.

If you have time and are looking for a bit of adventure, it’s well worth turning off the main road and taking the slow way through the villages, stopping along the way for a bite to eat and a drink. It’s here where you’ll find the rural Mexico that is depicted in movies such as “Y Tu Mamá También” – and you may even find two not-so-young men looking for something they lost and have yet to find…

Photo | borderlys

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An Italian Love Affair with Giorgia Palmas and Sardinia

Posted by Nellie Huang in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

She’s hot, sassy and sultry. In the sizzling Mediterranean heat, her shapely curves and sculpted body give her an even bigger sex appeal. Lively and spontaneous – she’s every man’s dream. While not many get the chance to truly understand her, those who do always end up falling for her charms.

I’m talking about the island of Sardinia (what were you thinking?): the second largest isle in the Mediterranean Sea and a jewel in the Italian seas. Located closer to the French island of Corsica than mainland Italy, Sardinia (whose name, in case you’re wondering, has nothing to do with sardines) is plopped in the middle of the Med, surrounded by virgin turquoise Italian beaches. Featuring craggy, rugged coastlines, the island is dotted with deep bays and pebbled inlets. Further inland, Sardinia is mapped out with a network of mountain chains – the Marghine and Goceano chain cutting across the center, Monte Limbara in the northeast, Monte Albo in the southeast and the Sulcis Mountains in the southwest.

What to do in Sardinia, Giorgia PalmasSardinia is also home to the hottest name on Italian TV: Giorgia Palmas. As sexy and sensual as the island, this much-talked-about TV personality is one of the most famous Sardinians these days, having kicked up quite a storm in Italy after coming in second place at Miss World 2000. She’s since become a household name, pursuing a successful career as a model and showgirl.

Giorgia Palmas’ Birthplace

While there are probably few chances of finding Giorgia sun-bathing in Sardinia, there are certainly other ways to get acquainted with her and her hometown. Head on to the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, a small maritime town where Giorgia spent most of her childhood. With striking historical architecture and outstanding sea views, the town of Cagliari (literally means castle) is brimming with historical attractions, such as the Castello, the Cagliari Cathedral, Basilica di San Saturnino and the Balletto Palace.

Beyond Cagliari, visit the most famous site on Sardinia: the fascinating Bronze Age stone fortifications at Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just 60km from the capital. For more archaeological discoveries, hop over to Nora or Tharros to wander through the ruins of columns, thermal baths and city streets. And, of course, you can’t leave Sardinia without trying its food – sample porcheddu (pork) and culurgiones (pasta) with some Sardinia wine at one of the numerous restaurants in Cagliari.

Oh, and do be on the lookout, because who knows? You just might bump into Giorgia.

Photos | Michela Simoncini and KingLele

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Malaga Through the Eyes of Pablo Picasso

Posted by Nellie Huang in Local Characters - (0 Comments)

What to do in Spain, Malaga city

So what has Malaga got to do with world-renowned artist Pablo Picasso? Malaga is, after all, a city more famous for beaches, historical buildings and bullfighting than say, art. Picasso, on the other hand, is a painter and sculptor who’s given the modern art world Cubism and a wide variety of avant-garde art styles.

It comes as a surprise to many that not only is Malaga the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, it is also home to a plethora of Picasso-related attractions. For modern art fans, Malaga keeps the Picasso legacy alive, sharing his story with the rest of the world.

Picasso Museum in Malaga

Although Pablo Picasso left Malaga at an early age, the city left an imprint on his life. The Museo Picasso Malaga aims to conserve Picasso’s work and serve as a cultural center to educate the public. It showcases an impressive permanent collection, mostly provided by relatives of the artist. You can also see fragments of Malaga’s history in the ground beneath the Picasso Museum, where Moorish, Roman and Phoenician remains, the latter as old as the seventh century B.C., are preserved.

To continue on the Picasso route through Malaga, head to the Museo Casa Natal de Picasso. This was his birthplace and family home, which has been converted into an art museum, with temporary exhibitions that include a collection of Picasso’s ceramics.

Beaches in Malaga, Plus Attractions Galore

Where is Malaga? The beautiful city lies along the Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying a subtropical climate all year round. With one of the warmest temperatures in Europe, the city’s summer season lasts for eight months, making it an excellent place to relax and soak up the sun even in winter. Malaga has a city beach close to its historical center, although most of the region’s best beaches are located outside of the city. Check out beach towns like Torremolinos, Marbella and Fuengirola for upscale hotels and good eats, but be warned, they also get rather crowded in summer.

Located in the Andalusia province of Spain, Malaga makes a great base to explore surrounding nature and villages. Within one hour’s drive away is Ronda, an attractive city perched on the Tajo Canyon. Another popular daytrip option is a visit to the Alhambra, a monumental Moorish palace in Granada that draws millions to its gates each year.

Photo | Helen Flamme

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Post- “Midnight Express” Turkey: Cool Culture, Hot Beaches

Posted by Susana Alosete in The View - (2 Comments)

[What to do in Turkey] Midnight Express

After seeing “Midnight Express,” possibly the furthest thing from your mind is to take a pleasant stroll through Turkey, but don’t let an intense film like this 1978 crime drama discourage you from enjoying the experience of sightseeing in Turkey, where cultures meet in such a spectacular manner. Remember that Hollywood movies are made to leave an impact, and that not everything you see in them, even if it’s based on actual events, is necessarily that way.

Billy Hayes was arrested at the Istanbul airport because he had poorly chosen the, um, souvenirs he was going to take back to the US, but beforehand, he had the opportunity to appreciate its streets, its culture and everything else the capital of Turkey has to offer. The words Constantinople or Byzantium (as the city was once called) give you an idea of what you may expect in such a passion-filled destination. It’s no coincidence that the historic center has been declared a World Heritage Site since 1985, nor is it that you have seen its marvelous Christian church, the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, in your history books. Together with the Blue Mosque and others scattered around the city, these sights guarantee a rich cultural experience.

Beaches in Turkey: Sun, Fun & Culture

But Turkey has more to offer than its fabulous religious buildings; it also has some highly recommendable beaches. Beaches where Hayes could have swum prior to committing the wild crime that landed him as the protagonist of “Midnight Express.” Beaches that would have refreshed his mind before running the risk of trying to leave the country with a package of heroin, and that would have saved him both the years in that horrible jail and the need to escape to save any semblance of sanity.

Antalya is one of those destinations in Turkey where tourists can truly appreciate how much the country has changed over the last 40 years. Its beaches have always been there, as have the old Roman ruins, vestiges of Greek culture and numerous mosques. But now it also has five star resorts and restaurants for every price range that make this region one of the primary tourist destinations in this part of the Mediterranean coast.

You can’t get to Antalya by train, as you might get to Istanbul, but there are daily flights that you will not regret having taken. If you do, we would love to hear what you think.

Photo | Midnight Express (Sony Pictures, formerly Columbia Pictures)

 

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