Airports and Air Transat

So of course most vacations can not start without a visit to an airport. We were flying out of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport in Montreal, Quebec. It is a little over an hour away from my home. I am a little closer to the Ottawa airport but there are far more direct flights available out of Montreal, so it is worthwhile to head there. We were flying Air Transat. They have 3 level of seats: economy, plus and club class. When my mother and I flew to Barcelona we upgraded to plus. It let us check into the airport in minutes while economy were in line for an hour or more. We were allowed 2 checked bags each although we still only did one each. We were given a comfort pack which included a blanket and earphones.
For this trip I decided to treat myself to club seats and I will tell you I do not think I will ever go back to economy. The seats are twice as big which is awesome with my size. The legroom is great as well. There are 12 seats and for that they have a dedicated flight attendant.
Our seats had blankets and eye masks. We were offered earphones, socks and other items. I had a Chef Vezina beef dinner on the way to Punta Cana and a turkey dinner on the way home. Also in club you get served on real china with real glasses. Normally club seats would also get off the plane first but not in  this case at they loaded and unloaded at both airports in the middle.

 my blanket bag and personal screen

 relaxing in my seat

my after lunch drink

The Montreal airport has lots of shops as well they have a great play area for the kids to burn off some steam before being trapped on a plan. Especially when having to get to an airport 3 hours before a flight. They also had a gorgeous piano which Mandy tested out.

Kids area is sponsored by Air Transat

 had to test out the slide

small structure but lots of fun

Coming home we were in the new part of the Punta Cana airport which has air conditioning. They did have a few shops and restaurants and of course duty free. They also had a pretty great play area for the kids also.

 Rules for the play area

 cute little structure

 the playhouse was a big hit with the kids

loading from the middle of the plane

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Beach and Pools

The Majestic Resort has many pools. Smaller pools with room access for some with Bali beds and loungers on the other side. Some of the terrace rooms even have soaker tubs on them as well. Lots of adults only pools with the pool bars.
The beach was awesome. Lots of huts with shade. We did not make it out early and still managed to secure a lounger under a hut on both days. This was something I could never do in Mexico. They also had bali beds on the beach however they were mostly empty as they were further back.
I had a day and half to enjoy the beach and yes I sat around and read good book. I tend to burn easily so I do not like to chance it. I did manage to dip my toes in the ocean.

 The huts that gave awesome shade

 the beach goes on forever

 under the hut

 enjoying a good book

 dipping the feet into the ocean

dirty feet to prove it 

I did not manage to get into the pool. They did have a foam party Wednesday afternoon but I was feeling under the weather and went back to my room for a soak in my Jacuzzi tub and a nap. We were up early every morning to have breakfast before we started at 8:40 am. We would end at 5:00 pm for the day with less than an hour to get ready for cocktail parties and supper. I will admit that I hit my bed later than Midnight most nights and the lack of sleep took its tool. I really did miss out on the pool.

They did have drink service at the beach but it was not the best. I have experienced better. They did have vendors walking the beach selling bracelets, hats, pictures with Iguanas, cigars etc.. I did not find them overly aggressive. I ignored them with my nose in my book and none of them interrupted. They did make bird like noises to try and get you to look at them. Again, I figured it out quickly and ignored. I did see a few guests buy.

one of the vendors carrying his stuff

Where you can find me

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com

TICO 50021282
55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, ON
M5J 1R7

Italian Night

Our last night a group of us who had not yet left had dinner together at the Italian restaurant at the Majestic Mirage. Being the last agents to show up we were going to be the last to leave on Saturday. The group we ate with were leaving first thing in the morning. We decided to share some of the appetizers as there were so many to chose from. I had some sort of fried cheese ball that was so big and yummy and gooey. There were soups and salads and bruschetta that were shared around also.

 cheese ball. The picture does not do it justice

 Bruschetta

Usually the wine offered at dinner are white or red. They had Rose which I tend to enjoy the most. I can not drink red at all it makes me ill, but I was very disappointed in it was very strong. The main course was a bit underwhelming. It was red sauce and what looked like one scampi in the middle. But underneath the red sauce was a huge stuffed noddle similar to a ravioli. It ended up being quite tasty.

My main dish

Not everyone had desert and a few shared. I skipped but my table neighbour has a lovely tiramisu.

After dinner we went to visit a fellow agent who was adding on to her stay and had moved to a room that was at the Majestic Mirage. It was a lovely room and we all decided to take a few pictures especially as so many of our group had flown out that day. On our way back to our resort we stopped and caught the last 20 minutes of the show at the Mirage theater. Once back at the Majestic Colonial a few ladies headed to the casino to try there luck. I stopped at the Colonial theater and caught the end of their show which was a musical tribute. The I headed back to my room so I could pack, so I would have more time ti enjoy my last day before I had to head to the airport.

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Gala Night

The last night that the whole group was together was the gala night. The red carpet was laid out at the cocktail party. Shortly after the cocktail party started so did the rain. Once again we had to move inside.
Everyone was dressed in their finest and were busy getting pictures and having memorable moments.

 living statue (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

 second living statues (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

 Myself (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

 Debbie and I (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

 Head staff from Majestic (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

 The entrance (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

(photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

The room was divided into two and screens were put up so those in the back could see everything that was happening. I was lucky and had a table in the front half of the room. We had cards at our spots that laid out what we were having for supper. Appetizers, salad, main course and dessert. The dinner was long and the room was so hot as the rain really did bring out the humidity. During the different courses they gave out awards for top sales, top commission, top insurance in different categories which included agencies, primary and associate agents.

 Dinner spelled out

 surf and turf

dessert

The Travel Agent Next Door made history by handing out their first profit sharing cheque of $25,000 to be divided among agents. They are the first host agency to do something like this. This is part of what makes them so great to work for. They are innovators. The support they provide is amazing. If you are looking for a host agency let me know and I can put you in contact with the right people. It does not matter if you are home based or a brick and mortar agency, the Travel Agent Next Door can be the right fit

Flemming and Penny

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Dan Chapelle

Our keynote speaker for conference this year was Dan Chapelle, the Wealthy Travel Agent author of Get your S.H.I.P Together.
We actually got to have smaller sessions with him doing some training at the beginning of the week. On the last day he delivered his keynote address. I enjoyed listening to him about how to find clients and how we can be the best at servicing them. Part of what I need to do is get myself out there which is what I am going to do when I get home.As I signed up for the North Dundas Business Expo. I also need to tell people what I do when we discuss travel and not feel badly about handing out my business card. Really the worse thing a person can do is throw it out an never contact me. They are the one's missing out not me.
I will continue to specialize in family travel which includes multi-generational being as I personally enjoy travelling with my parents and my children. I also specialize in special interest groups. Stay tuned for some interesting groups that will be happening in the next year. I have group space still for my December family cruise Western Caribbean on the Norwegian Getaway and next Summer the Mediterranean on the Norwegian Epic.
I am planning some special Golf groups, Yoga/Wellness, a Cycling tour as well as an Oberammegau 2020 Passion Play with the Church. If any of these sound interesting to you please feel free to reach out to me for details and keep your eyes peeled her on my blog.
I look forward to working and following Dan Chapelle in the future as a coach/mentor. I have already signed up for one training since being back home.
Every year there is a key note speaker and I have to say they are very much worth it. The two that I have been two have left me inspired and the first was Robin from Pencil from Kids so while I missed that address I have been blessed with hearing from her last year and meeting and hearing her speak this year.

Dan Chapelle (photo courtesy of Danchapelle.com)

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 500212282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, On M5J 1R7

Majestic Colonial Resort

I am going to start this post with some pictures from our room. It was very spacious for two people. 2 beds a couch and coffee table. A great desk and chair. It was very easy to work in.

 two beds and couch

 flat screen tv and desk and chair

soaker/jacuzzi tub

When I go away for business or pleasure it is important that I have a place to work. I need to be able to connect with clients if there are any problems with their travel arrangements. They even made us our own custom signs for our doors.

 This one explains I am busy working

This one asks to clean the room while I am exploring

The resort itself is decorated very well and kept clean. Smoking is not allowed in the rooms but is allowed throughout the resort. I found that a little hard to adept too. Every morning I watched them clean the sand in the ashtrays and stamp them with the "M" symbol for Majestic. The downstairs lobby bar was a nice place to hang out every night and catch up with my fellow agents and suppliers. I did not make it to the casino as I am not fond of providing donations.

 These lovely birds were on display

I enjoyed talking with them

 Sports bar (where the hockey playoffs were watched)

food truck area (snacks all night)

 Me

 Debbie

The small chapel

The man in the front was our butler Freddie

I really did have a great time at the resort!!

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com

Tico # 50021282

55 York Street, Suite 803

Toronto, ON

M5J 1R7

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

So just like our Air Canada sponsored evening buses dropped us off at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana for our Rock themed night. We were dropped off at the main lobby.

 Here  I am with the owner of my agency Steph Switzer

 (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

We then got to walk through a long hallway to get to the events rooms. This hallway was filled with all kinds of stores such as Pandora and Nautica etc... As always there were many a la carte restaurants. I also noticed an escape room and a virtual reality game room. There was also lots of rock memorabilia, pictures and quotes from artists. Here are some pictures.

 Santana

 Elton John

 Gene Simmons "Kiss"

 The Allman brothers 

The Escape Room

On this night our theme was can you guess "rock star". Lots of agents took this theme to heart. Here are some pictures of them.

 Chantal

 Debbie

 Matt from Westjet (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

Flemming President of TTAND and Aubrey from Goway 

 (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

 (photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)

The cocktail party was held in a huge ball room and they served food, once again buffet style. However the difference was that all of the a la carte restaurants were represented. 

 Seafood and Mexican

Sushi and Italian

I realized I actually missed the desserts. I did that a number of times throughout this vacation. Some agents went on a tour to see a room but because they were fully booked it was just a standard room, so I will be honest I did not go.Instead I snuck out went to the Pandora store to get my new Pandora charm. At lasts years conference I purchased my first Pandora bracelet and an Eeyore charm in the Bahamas. When I did my Mediterranean cruise I got my second charm a Frog Prince. This year I got a Palm tree and even held a guessing contest on my Facebook business page for a $ 10 Tim Horton's gift card. The winner was Diana Saunders.

my new charm

When I came back we moved to the ballroom next door where they held the Green Light VIP party. We learned more about West Jet Vacations and the AIC Hotel group, which includes The Hard Rock Hotels, Unico and more.

I strongly encourage you to book at these resorts they have so much fun for families, couples, golfers and those looking for awesome spas.

I have an example of pricing for August 18th to August 25th

Flights from Montreal to Punta Cana

Family of 4 2 Adults, 2 kids 5 and 7

Signature Presidential Suite 2 bedrooms

$11596.00 CAD (obviously this is not a lead in category)

You can follow me at 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Website: www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

Email: slough@exlcusivetoyoutravel.com

Tico 50021282

55 York Street Suite 803

Toronto, On

M5J 1R7