Ah, Cancun! Just thinking about this place I can already hear the serene ocean breeze and imagine those joyful palm trees dancing to the rhythm of the Caribbean winds.

Does this sound like a Corona Beer commercial? Almost!

Thanks to the gorgeous Mexican sun, Cancun’s temperature remains at an average of 78 degrees Fahrenheit year round.  ¡Qué vida!

In order to enjoy Cancun at its absolute best, you should stay somewhere that truly honors paradise. Le Blanc Spa Resort is that place!

Le Blanc Spa Resort is one of the most luxurious all-inclusive adults-only resorts in Cancun.

In fact, the hotel claims they have transformed the “all-inclusive” into the “all-incredible”.

Maybe it doesn’t sound that humble on their part, but after staying there a week, I completely agree with the “all-incredible” statement.

Le Blanc is so impeccably white and superbly elegant; the hotel easily lives up to its name. The color blends perfectly with the minimalist architectural style to enhance the beautiful tropical surroundings.

When “Pedro” welcomed us with fruit juices as we entered the hotel lobby, I knew he wasn’t actually Saint Peter, but I really felt like we were entering Heaven.

What to expect at Le Blanc Spa Resort?

Since the romantic Le Blanc is for adults only and each one of their luxurious rooms has a double Jacuzzi, you know there won’t be any rowdy “Spring Break-type” crowds staying there.

On the contrary, this is the ideal place for couples on their honeymoon, those celebrating an anniversary, or simply looking to chill the jet-set way.

With a personalized service of almost one staff member per guest, their friendly and extremely professional staff will treat you like royalty. Seriously.

Le Blanc Spa Resort Amenities

Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, the amenities are endless. From butler services to boutique shops, plus all the facilities that a beach resort offers, Le Blanc Spa Resort has it all covered in the most stylish way.

Workout at their fitness center or attend Yoga or Pilates classes. After your workout, relax in the sauna or steam bath, or indulge yourself in their world-class spa: a true sanctuary of tranquility and peace.

Le Blanc has three outdoor pools and two swim-up bars. However, their central infinity pool is where most guests hangout and relax. And you can’t blame them; as you lie at the edge of the pool, surrounded by palm trees and a spectacular view of the ocean in front of you, you too will be enchanted.

You can also rest on a lounge chair and enjoy the Caribbean Sea at their private beach front area.

Lay down and let all your senses absorb the pleasure of a real vacation.

As you contemplate the majestic turquoise sea through your sunglasses, the smell of coconut oils emanating from tanning bodies on the beach will remind you once again that yes, you are in paradise.

Now is the best moment to call the beach waiter and ask for another piña colada!

Back inside

Le Blanc Spa Resort has a total of 260 rooms. These are upscale in every sense of the word with spectacular views of the ocean or the lagoon.

Believe it or not, they even have a pillow menu! I had never seen anything this fancy before, but you can choose from different aromatherapy pillows; lavender is perhaps the most popular.

All this luxury raises a big philosophical question: what do you dream when you are already living a dream?

When it’s time to eat, there are six international restaurants offering world-class cuisine, elegant pastries, and a generous wine list.

If you need some advice, their sommelier will assist you in selecting the perfect wines for your meals.

Each of the restaurants has its own ambiance and the gastronomical variety covers Asian, Italian, Steakhouse, and Mexican gourmet dishes. For an all-inclusive, the dining options will really blow your expensive socks off.

You can also enjoy an afternoon listening to music performances at their bar/lounges. Just sit back, sip your favorite cocktail and let the classical ensembles or jazz trios entertain you.

Other Services

For a relaxing vacation there is really no need to leave the hotel. But if you want to visit places, you can book tours right from Le Blanc Spa Resort concierge.

Some of the tours they offer include visits to parks like Isla Mujeres and Wet ’N Wild, or excursions to Mayan archeological sites like Chichen-Itza or Tulum (see photo).

These archeological sites are really worth a visit, but here’s my opinion:

You should know that you will spend almost the entire day getting there, touring the site, and returning back to the hotel.

If you don’t mind using this elegant hotel just to sleep for the night, fine. But I would rather take full advantage of all the fun at Le Blanc Spa Resort and save the Mayan ruins for another trip. I’m sure the Mayan Gods will understand.

In Conclusion

Le Blanc Spa Resort is a place that you should visit at least once in your life. The memories will last a life time and your significant other will thank you forever.

So for now, cheers from Le Blanc and see you next time!

Have you been to Le Blanc Spa Resort? Please comment and share your experiences.

Sleep tight! New Zealand Air is the first airline in the world to create a “bed” for economy class [drum roll, please]… The Skycouch!

Well it’s not exactly a bed per se (à la Singapore Airlines Suite Class), the important thing is New Zealand Air is taking a step in the right direction by giving the economy passengers an opportunity to do something other than sit or ever-so-slightly recline. This airline is innovative and they want us to be comfortable! Bravo.

Dubbed the ‘Spoon Seats,’ New Zealand Air is targeting the Skycouch toward families or couples who might want to buy the third seat in a row (at a 50% discount) to have a little more space.

How does the Skycouch work? Push a button and the modified footrests pop up. Then push the armrests up and you have a solid bed! The seat cushions align with each other for comfort and the airline will provide a blanket to place over the seat for extra comfort.

It sounds as though Skycouches will be available on a select few rows which means you’ll probably have to book in advance. Skycouch seats will probably cost about $200 more.

Sounds good to us!

Watch the video above and fast forward to minute 3:15 where they show you a mock up of the new economy cabin and Skycouch.

Question: Would you pay extra for a Skycouch on a long-haul flight?

Steve Jobs just unveiled Apple’s latest creation, the iPad!

At Travel Plus Wine, we’re excited to learn more about how the iPad will help us travel easier and lighter!

Here’s why the iPad promises to be friendly travel option for the average tourist:

Cost:

There are several models to choose from with the 3G models marked up an extra $130.

- $499 (16 GB), $599 (32 GB), $699 (64GB) — WiFi-only models.

- $629, $729, $829 — Wifi and 3G models

The cheapest model isn’t a bad deal when you consider the Kindle DX starts at $440.

Portability:

The display is 9.7 inches, 0.5 inches thin, and weighs 1.5 pounds. The battery life is 10 hours, much longer than your average laptop.

Sounds like it’ll be easy enough to slip in a carry-on bag or maybe even in your Scottevest (because there’s probably a pocket for that… or will be one soon )

Entertainment:

Gone are the days when you needed to bring a laptop and a Kindle or that huge stack of books. The iPad looks like a decent all-in-one for books, videos, games, and the good old Internet.

-Books: Apple is building upon the Kindle and has made the iPad, quite possibly, the coolest electronic reader on the market. It looks like you’re actually reading a book. Users can change the fonts, tap to change the page, or just flip the page with a finger.

-Movies: Could the iPad be missing a DVD player? We’re living in a world where CDs & DVDs are becoming obsolete and the iPad is a clear indicator. Going DVD-less is fine as long as you have wi-fi available where you’re headed or pay $14.99-29.99/month for access to the 3G network. A subscription to Netflix would be helpful for this machine, otherwise you’ll be stuck buying videos from the iTunes store and worrying about how many gigs are left.

-Games & Apps: There’s talk the iPad could revolutionize the gaming industry which could keep your kids occupied on the next road trip. And for you app addicts…the iPad supposedly runs on iPhone apps, so rest easy tonight.

So much more…

The iPad does so much and we really don’t want to touch upon the iWork stuff for a travel blog, but if you’re curious about the blah blah blah and hype, this Mashable article is a good read.

Our Take:

I’m a huge Apple fan while fellow Travel Plus Wine writer, Ricardo, could take or leave the brand, which always makes for stimulating conversation! I can’t wait to get to an Apple store in the upcoming weeks to try out the iPad and see what all the fuss is about because this really does sound like a great laptop/iPhone hybrid!

Buyer beware: There are always drastic improvements on 2nd generation products so ask yourself if you really need this now.

But there is no doubt, the iPad will make travel easier and lighter. Fewer gadgets to track and guard with your life!

As I find out about more iPad features beneficial to travelers, I’ll keep you posted.

Question of the Day: Are you thinking of getting an iPad before your next trip? If so, why?

Traveling to San Diego? Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, here are a few tips to make sure you’re prepared for our weather and what the area has to offer.

Most important, remember to check the latest weather report before you hop on that plane or start driving!

Tip # 1: Layer

No matter the season, always layer your clothes and be prepared to take something on or off. Temperatures in San Diego can change drastically according to the time of day or whether you’re on the coast or inland.

In the warmer months, wear a tank top under a light short or long-sleeved t-shirt. When it gets hotter you can peel the shirt off, slap some sunscreen on the shoulders, and enjoy tank top San Diego living!

Keep a fleece or light windbreaker in your car or in a backpack, just in case.

The reality: Unless we’re in the middle of a heat wave, our weather is unpredictable so be prepared and layer! Rain is unlikely unless you’re visiting at the beginning of the year.

Tip # 2: Swim Suit

Beaches, beaches, beaches! Depending on where you’re visiting from, the Pacific Ocean will either be a refreshing welcome or too frigid to touch. Either way, a relaxing picnic on the beach is a must!

Many hotels and communities throughout San Diego have pools and hot tubs, so you’ll want to come prepared. If your hotel doesn’t have a pool and you really want to go for a swim, for a couple of dollars per person, you can visit the nearest community pool during free swim hours.

Tip # 3: Walking Shoes

One of the things I love most about the San Diego area is that it’s a very walking-friendly place. Those who are downtown and want a little extra exercise ditch the practical trolley system and walk everywhere they go from Seaport Village to Little Italy.

You haven’t really experienced San Diego to the maximum unless you ditch downtown and drive north along the scenic coast.  Pacific Beach, Carlsbad, and Oceanside are three cities offering excellent waterfront walks without getting sandy.

Serious hikers who love steep hills and breathtaking ocean views spend a couple of hours hiking the trails at Torrey Pines State Reserve.

Photos courtesy of: Kaboodle (jacket), About (Coronado pool), and Cheryl Forberg (shoes).

The Mausoleum of Moroccan King Mohammed V is a masterpiece monument located in the royal Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade, opposite to the Hassan Tower in Rabat, Morocco.

Positioned in the center of the elegant interior is the tomb of King Mohammed V, the first King of Morocco after the country obtained its independence from France in the late 1950’s.

The Mausoleum also contains the tombs of the King’s two sons, the late King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah.