A Foodie’s Dream - Luxury All Inclusive Style!
(390 Reviews)
98% Recommended
Pam MacIntyre
Maple Grove, MN
Australia & New Zealand Specialist
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't wa...
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, with curiosity I've asked several the question "What are your must see countries?" I was hard pressed to find one that did not list New Zealand! I mean who wouldn't want to experience this majestic part of the world?
Recently I was able to explore several areas of this amazing country, being fortunate in visiting both the North & South Island. What I love is New Zealand can be mellow or action-packed, yet it will still always be epic!
From the endless national parks, dynamic Maori culture, to experiencing the sounds aboard a yacht while gazing upon dolphins. And let’s not forget about laying witness to the majestic beauty of a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura.
Wait, did you say you enjoy wine? They have some of THE best in the world....how do I know? Because how could I go all the way to New Zealand and not visit a winery or two. New Zealand offers the deliciousness of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot and many more!
I really could go on and on, but no need if you're reading this you already KNOW you want to explore this part of the world. I would love to help you create the best version of New Zealand for you!
Australia
Let me start by saying, I have been wanting to go to Australia since I was a child. Why you ask? Well to pet a kangaroo of course! And I did! Not only did I pet kangaroos, but I fed 4 simultaneously! It was a childhood dream come true, and I cannot wait to go back and repeat the experience.
I was in Sydney during the spectacular International lights and music festival, Vivid Sydney. It was their 10th year, and all I've got to say is WOW! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. Although being from Minnesota it was more like our fall temperatures. So again, perfect! It was extra special to experience VIVID Sydney and see the iconic Sydney Opera House light up. If you travel during this time of year, it truly is a must see.
The Blue Mountains region of Australia was truly lovely to walk amongst. Then headed to Hunter Valley (to locals known as "The Hunter") where wine in this region was flowing plentifully and was quite delicious!
After making a visit to Australia I now understand why many choose to go there for 2 - 4 weeks on a vacation. It's truly hard to grasp the sheer size of Australia until you have been there yourself. To give you an idea, think about the USA. Sydney would be in Florida; Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine; Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas; Melbourne would be New Orleans; and Perth would be Los Angeles.
If you're looking to visit the world's largest Great Barrier Reef, immerse yourself in Aboriginal communities, swim with whale sharks or gaze upon the Uluru (Ayers Rock) the possibilities really are endless in Australia!
Together we'll create your dream trip to Australia that you'll remember for the rest of your days!
Can Be Reached At
1-763-231-8893
Pam enjoying Mozze Mare Beach Club Infinity Pool
We were given the wonderful opportunity to experience the Marival Distinct Luxury Residences in Nuevo Vallarta. Let me start by saying it turned into 12 glorious hrs. of delectable cuisine, top notch cocktails and impeccable service! We were able to essentially "walk in the sandals" of a guest to know whose best suited for this lovely resort.
We kick-started our day with one of THE most delicious All Inclusive À la carte breakfasts we’ve ever had at Omaggio! The ambiance had a beautiful natural simplicity to it with the whites, greens, and wooden decor. The service immediately was flawless, with my coffee n’ baileys never running dry. The menu was quite extensive to the point it took us a bit of time to even decide what to try. We became sold on the steak & eggs topped with caramelized onions and frying pan sliced potatoes alongside Belgium waffles topped with caramelized pecans, strawberries, orange zest whipped cream & powdered sugar. It was not your average breakfast with neither of us refraining from voicing how pleased we were with our meal; it genuinely was that delicious! My guy even described as scrumptious, which is a word he rarely uses.
We then headed over for some pool time on the quickly warming up September day. Marvial Distinct offers 2 heated pools, which we felt entertains different vibes due to their locations. Therefore, we started out at the Main Pool which is located closest to the accommodations. Once again, our service was so spot on where we were never without a cocktail in hand … and what cocktails they were! I love nothing more than a fresh fruit daiquiri on vacation and they not only delivered on this — they exceeded my expectations! I was able to enjoy a strawberry, pineapple, mango and even a tamarind daiquiri! With laid back music, cold face towels, comfy lounge chairs, and drinks a flowing, it set a relaxing tone giving us a great first impression.
Next up -- we grabbed a large posh pool towel and within a few minutes walk we were at their Private Beach Club, Mozze Mare showcasing their infinity pool which I personally love and this one certainly didn't disappoint! There is just something about wading through the water with that stunning view. For this born n' raised Minnesotan, the view makes my jaw drop just a little every time. The heavenly cool sea breeze really kept the heat at bay. Barely in a chair a few moments, and a friendly personable server was offering us drinks. Ordering water & cocktails, I was impressed that they brought us 4 waters in an ice bucket. Just not something you see at all resorts. This exciting addition of Mozze Mare now gives them full beach access bringing this resort full circle as a top choice in the Nuevo Vallarta area.
Onto the main event -- Dinner at Mozze Mare! After having such an incredible breakfast, we were eager to experience dinner here as I'd heard such great reviews. The open-air restaurant overlooking the pool & ocean continued with a pleasant breeze we'd felt earlier in the day by the infinity pool. In fact, our dinner reservation couldn't have been at a more perfect time, as it started to rain heavily about 2 min. after we arrived. I personally love listening to raindrops, and this was the perfect venue to do so.
We started off with some tuna tartare which was absolutely THE best we've ever had! Along with a bottle of local wine Casa Madero 3V 2019 which was a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Tempranillo. Ultimately there were so many appetizing entrées to choose from, we decided to splurge with the Lobster & Angus Rib Eye steak! These entrées along with New York Strip, Porterhouse and Cowboy steak are part of their Extravaganza Extravagant menu, which is not included in the all-inclusive plan.
So, what kind of accommodations do they offer? Marival Distinct offers generously spacious 1, 2, 3 and even 4 bedrooms modern Mexican style residences. Each has comfortable living rooms, full entertainment centers, and fully equipped kitchens. Each room even features its own bathroom, which is that much more important after a long pool day in the sun. Definitely not your typically hotel rooms. The 2+ bedroom options would be ideal for families or couples that want to ensure their accommodations are connected. They even have a few villas, that while it’s not technically a 4 bedroom essentially can become one due to a dividing door where the pullout coach is located.
While the Marival Distinct does not have pool bars, this wasn't an issue as we were never empty of cocktails/water from the very attentive wait staff. Pool bars typically create a "party atmosphere" in a way, and by not having them kept with the relaxing vibe which we personally enjoy as a change of pace from our fast-paced work environments. If a pool bar is a must, check out Marival Armony. You also have exchange privileges Marival Emotions.
While I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this family-owned luxury style resort, I can say without a doubt it exceeded our expectations!