Playa del Carmen FAM Trip: Time To Go Home Already



Donna calling home

 This was a fast trip for me. In an out - pretty much two days and two nights. It was my first time in Playa del Carmen, although I have been in Mexico several other times. Donna, the latest addition to the Candy Cain Travel Co. team, has never been to Mexico before. She is leaving to return to New York a few hours later than I am, so she will hopefully get to experience some sun before she leaves, since it rained right after our last seminar all through the night. It would have been nice to spend a day in paradise, just playing with my new friends, but I have to return to reality.

Condo Hotels are fantastic, and I truly look forward to working with them in the future. People really need to know about this place, because they would never leave. As Donna says, it is a "secret haven" here in Playa del Carmen. It is truly spectacular, and I can't wait until my next trip here.

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

Playa del Carmen FAM Trip: Travel Checklist



El Taj at Night

 You know, sometimes I feel like such a hypocrite. I preach to my bridal couples all the time about having a checklist when they travel. I even create travel checklists for the clients that only book travel through me. But, do I create a checklist for myself? No, of course not. And I suffer for it.

So, what did I forget? Take a look, and make sure you write them down on your travel checklist, so that you don't forget them, too...

TOOTHBRUSH: In my defense, I usually have my travel toothbrush in my travel bag. For some reason, the toothbrush wasn't there-- I probably left it at Sandals Whitehouse when I went to the STAR Awards. Nothing that a quick trip to the convenience store wouldn't take care of, but it is such a pain in the butt when you forget your toothbrush and the front desk doesn't even carry the cheap ones that would get you through a short stay.

The bathroom in our room

HAIRBRUSH: My hairbrush is my downfall of packing. I don't know why, but I constantly forget my hairbrush when I travel. I even set it on the sink before I left. Fortunately, I'm sharing a room with Donna, who didn't forget hers. Thank goodness.

COMFORTABLE SHOES:  Yep, I forgot these, too. Oh, and I told Donna and Jules to make sure they brought theirs. I had planned to pack comfortable shoes, since I knew that I was going to do a lot of walking when I wasn't teaching. I even left room for them in my suitcase. Instead, I left my shoes by the front door and didn't realize it until I unpacked in the hotel. Fortunately for me, Donna picked up a pair of flip flops while she was walking around on Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen.

CLOTHES TO TRAVEL HOME IN: There really isn't anything worse than having to travel home in something uncomfortable. I packed my pants, but forgot my shirt and the shoes. So, I'll be wearing the shirt I wore today and the pumps (or flip-flops)-- Probably the pumps because I don't want to walk in 18 degree weather in New York in flip-flops. (Maybe I can find a shop in the airport...)

You get the idea. If you are a destiantion wedding planner, make sure you have a checklist for your bride. If you are a bride, write a checklist for yourself before you start packing. Otherwise, you'll end up like me: Shoeless and shirtless with ratty hair and bad breath.


 

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

Playa del Carmen FAM Trip: The Joy of Networking

So, here I am in fantastic Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I am visiting Condo Hotels Playa del Carmen for a familiarization trip (FAM) with the Association for Wedding Professionals International. Donna, a woman I recently hired, and I were invited to come down to check out the resort. I am also teaching three different seminars to the other wedding planners that are in attendance.

At dinner tonight at La Sirena restaurant, after my Be a COSTAR seminar, I was able to get to know a couple of the women in attendance, several of whom will be taking the AFWPI Destination Wedding Specialist Certification Course tomorrow. Among these women were Jules Rupae (an energetic and bubbly wedding planner from Oregon), Taia Younis (a savvy and outgoing wedding planner from New York) and Lisa Barr (a writer, totally not related to Roseanne). The three of them totally saved me during dinner, since I'm allergic to shrimp and was absolutely terrified to eat any of the seafood that was served. Unfortunately, we were at a seafood restaurant.

Don't get me wrong-- the food looked fantastic. I've just been having allergy issues lately, and didn't want to have to break out the epi-pen. I showed the girls how to use it, just in case... The three ladies seemed to love the food, and Donna really enjoyed what she tried. I did have a crostini with steak and carmelized onions on it, which was FABULOUS, but that was about it. Fortunately, Donna and I found a little sidewalk cafe where we wolfed down some authentic Mexican food. It was fantastic.

Tomorrow, I am teaching two seminars. I truly hope that I have some time to at least enjoy the sun and take some photos. We will see...

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!