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We at Abacus Luxury Travel Service have traveled all around the globe and are in the process of sharing our travel experiences!  We realized very quickly it is quite a task to publish all of where we have been!  The biggest challenge - where do we start?!  So, for now we hope you choose to follow us as our Blog grows........
We look forward to having you come along for the "read"!
~ The Abacus Luxury Travel Team

Dreams Palm Beach, Punta Cana Destination Wedding


Dreams Palm Beach, Punta Cana Wedding

Punta Cana is a perfect example of why you need an expert to help with a destination wedding!  I recently helped a couple with their wedding at Dreams Palm Beach.  Deciding on the resort was the easy part!  Dreams Palm Beach offered something for everyone on the guest list.  It is a great location for a variety of wedding guests including singles, couples and families.  The happy couple wanted their guests to experience an amazing vacation in addition to their wedding, and value was a priority.  The friendly, relaxing atmosphere at Dreams Palm Beach fit the bill!  It includes a beautiful beach, turquoise sea , amazing dining venues, activities, entertainment and the all-inclusive privileges of their  Unlimited-Luxury® program.

But, that was just the beginning!  Once we confirmed the wedding date, the real work began.  Dreams has a very busy wedding department with onsite consultants who make sure all the details are perfect.  We in the U.S. expect all questions to be answered and tasks to be completed in a “New York Minute.”  Well, anyone who has traveled to the Caribbean knows that they operate on “Caribbean Time.”  This is definitely a more relaxed time schedule I had to deal with.  But, the bride and groom didn’t know that!  They had nothing to worry about because they trusted that I was on top of everything. 

Dreams offers several wedding packages, including one that is complimentary if the proper requirements are met.  You can customize every detail from decorations to music, food, photos and more.  And, don’t worry if you have a request that is out of the ordinary.  No wish is too big, too small or too strange.  Dreams will get it done!  

While my bride and groom were deciding on the personal aspects of the wedding, I was busy working behind the scenes to make it all happen.  This included the rest of the group too.  So the happy couple could concentrate on, well, being happy, all the wedding guests were now directed to me.   No problem!  This is what I do!  Having visited the resort myself, it was easy to answer all their questions and secure the rooms they wanted.  Now everyone was prepared for the “Big Day!”

Now, don’t get me wrong.  There was a lot of work involved in planning this wedding.  And, it was not done overnight.  I worked on this for months before it all became a reality.  But, the important thing is this:  my bride and groom are now husband and wife!  They had a beautiful wedding on the beach at Dreams Palm Beach in Punta Cana, surrounded by their friends and family.   I made it as stress-free as possible and I know that their special day was everything they hoped for and more!   
~ Cherish McCartney, ACC, DS
 

India & Nepal with Private Driver Guide

India & Nepal with Private Driver/Guide
India is bigger than life: a population that exceeds a billion, more than a million square miles of land and 23 official languages. But one common thread runs through it — India floods your senses from every direction.

We specialize in planning customized travel and the following is one of the most popular A&K private journeys we sell featuring travel to Northern India and Nepal.  Once you visit India you will truly understand the difference between Old Delhi and New Delhi.  Delhi is a city of fascinating contrasts, with remnants of the 12th to the 19th centuries lingering in Old Delhi and modern architecture and bustle in New Delhi. Agra is home to the majestic Taj Mahal.  To the south, Udaipur sits serenely on the shores of Lake Pichola, where a private cruise offers postcard-worthy vistas at every turn. This private tour includes a visit the Maharana's Crystal Gallery, opened expressly for you.  Mumbai, formerly known as the fabled Bombay, has a lovely harbor, marked by the Gateway of India, an 85-foot-high arch. Take a private boat ride from Mumbai Harbour to visit the rock-cut cave temples on Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back on land, glimpse everyday life at the Dhobi Ghat outdoor laundry and visit Mani Bhawan, a museum dedicated to the life of Mahatma Gandhi.  You, along with your private driver/guide will journey inside the kaleidoscope of sights and sounds that is the spectacular Pushkar Fair, an annual camel and cattle sale attended by tribal villagers from all of Northern India.

jEWELS OF iNDIA
Northern India is both complex and diverse with its intricate mosaic of luxurious palaces, sacred temples, ancient religions, customs, and dramatic landscapes. Your journey begins in the Imperial capital city of Delhi, where you can witness the remaining splendors of a history that spans several millennia. Continue to the immortal Taj Mahal in Agra, and then onward to Rajasthan. Throughout your journey you will experience the splendid sights and sounds of this astonishing land of contrasts.

DAY 1   Arrive New Delhi / Private transfer provided to your hotel
Spend 2 night’s in New Delhi, India.
 
DAY 2   Morning sightseeing w/Private Driver Guide
This morning tour the historic sights of Old Delhi, including the Red Fort, once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire, and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Following lunch, you will tour New Delhi, a legacy of the British. You will see the Presidents Palace, formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, India Gate, then visit the Mughal monuments of Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar.

DAY 3   Travel today from Delhi to Jaipur
This morning proceed on your drive to Jaipur (approximately 6 hours). On arrival, check into your hotel for the next three nights.

DAY4   Touring with Private Driver Guide
Today visit the ancient capital and magnificent fort at Amber, perched on a hill overlooking Maota Lake. En-route you will see the Palace of the Winds, more commonly known as ‘Hawa Mahal’.

DAY 5   Touring with Private Driver Guide
Today continue your tour of this city with a visit to the City Palace museum, filled with antiques, objet d’art and other trappings of the Royal family. The afternoon is at leisure.

DAY 6   Travel today from Jaipur to Agra
On your way to Agra, you will stop en route to visit the deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by the great Emperor Akbar.  Spend one night in Agra.

DAY 7   Travel today from Agra to Delhi
Early this morning enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then continue on your visit of Agra fort. Later proceed to Delhi. On arrival, check into your hotel for one night.

DAY 8   Transfer to Delhi’s International Airport in time to board your flight to Nepal.
Arrive in Kathmandu, where you are met and transferred to the Dwarika’s Hotel.  A heritage hotel, featuring local textiles and intricately carved woodwork.  Spend three nights in Kathmandu, Nepal.
If time permits, explore Kathmandu’s medieval streets, including buildings dating as far back as the 16th century.

DAY 9   Full day of private sightseeing an activities pre-determined by you prior to arrival.
Weather permitting, start your day with an optional scenic flight over the Himalaya. Or, begin your morning visiting Kathmandu’s main sites, including Durbar Square, Teleju Temple and the House of the Living Goddess. Next, visit Swayambhunath, perched high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. From here you can see the mighty Himalaya
rising above the valley.


DAY 10  Sightseeing with Private Driver Guide
Journey to nearby Patan, the city of arts and architecture founded in AD 250 and known for its fine works in bronze, silver and copper. Many of these treasures can be seen in the new Patan Museum. Also visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp to watch a demonstration in carpet weaving.

DAY 11  Sightseeing with Private Driver Guide
Visit Pashupatinath Temple, the most sacred of all Hindu temples, before heading to Boudhanath and joining Tibetan pilgrims for a walk around its Buddhist stupa. Next, drive to Bhaktapur, a town with abundant medieval architecture. As you walk along its cobblestone streets, notice the many ornately carved windows for which the town is famous.

DAY 12    Transfer to Kathmandu’s airport to board your flight home or onward to your next exciting journey!