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The following post is written by Jennifer from Boscov’s Travel within Boscov’s in Camp Hill. Jennifer recently visited Nickelodeon Resort on a FAM trip. In the travel industry, FAM trips – better known as familiarization trips – help travel agents learn what’s available for their clients in destinations across the globe. Jennifer traveled on the FAM in October 2016.

I had the opportunity to visit the Nickelodeon Resort in Punta Cana – WAIT, don’t stop reading because I said Nickelodeon…hear me out. While there are nods to the characters especially in the Kids play area (Just Kids), the water park and the character breakfast (additional charge) this resort has so much to offer families and adults alike.

It’s on a beautiful stretch a beach with a gorgeous infinity pool, some ocean front restaurants and well located wedding venues. Does that sound ‘kiddie’? The water park is quite literally across the street – but very easy to get to with an under the roadway access and golf carts or walking paths to get there. This is also where the ‘Just Kids’ playhouse is and the sports hub with tennis courts, soccer play area, running track, pool and video games. The sports hub is a great place for teens to hang out. This entire area is separate from the lobby, courtyard of dining and shops and the rooms.

The Nickelodeon resort shares amenities with the Karisma resort Sensatori but these rooms are only available in the Canadian and European market. There is even an adults-only section at Sensatori and yet the amenities like restaurants, pools, spa, etc are shared. This area is a large courtyard walking area almost like a planned communities shopping area. There was family appropriate but non-branded entertainment going on in the courtyard at night. A violinist, a juggler, a mime (who hired the mime?!?) and a popcorn cart. This is an indicator that the ‘Nickelodeon’ element of the resort by the same name is really only an aspect of it. You just need to look at the pictures to see what I mean. Yes there are touches of Nickelodeon orange, shadows on the buildings of characters and a lone pineapple villa (aka Spongebob’s House) done tastefully and kind of minimalist. Let me tell you it’s a pretty spectacular villa!!

What is more expected of the brand are the numbers of swim up suites and rooms with plunge pools on the second and third floors, spectacular restaurants with an upscale feel, and entertainment that has nothing to do with Nickelodeon themes. My friend just took her daughter here (age 9) and her favorite thing was the swim up suite. Most of the room categories have a safety gate at the sliding glass door to prevent little ones from having access to the pool without assistance.

Nickelodeon is a family friendly LUXURY resort with as much for the parents as the kids… the name sells the kids but the luxury will convince the parents. This resort would be a great tropical follow up to an exhausting Florida theme park for families looking for a more relaxing vacation.

If you’re ready to learn more about Nickelodeon Resort, email [email protected], DM Boscov’s Travel on Facebook, or call 800-755-8020.

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury). View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com.

The following post is written by Amy from Boscov’s Travel within Boscov’s at the Colonial Park Mall in Harrisburg, PA. Amy recently visited Costa Rica on a FAM trip. In the travel industry, FAM trips – better known as familiarization trips – help travel agents learn what’s available for their clients in destinations across the globe. Amy traveled on the FAM in August 2016.

I was lucky enough to visit Costa Rica this past August with AMResorts, a Boscov’s Travel preferred resort vendor, on a FAM trip. “Preferred vendor” means we have strong partnerships with the resort because of their service and value to clients. We are often able to offer more perks and value added deals for clients because of this preferred status. The goal of the trip was to experience the country, culture, and resort options to share with my clients.

Our first stay was at Dreams Las Mareas for two nights. Las Mareas is Dreams newest vibrant, beach getaway for couples, families, and singles to enjoy an escape. It is located on an expansive palm-studded beach and surrounded by lush green mountains and jungles on Playa El Jobo in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This resort has multi-levels and I had the privilege of staying in a top floor ocean view with a Jacuzzi on the balcony. Most of the rooms are located in one main building and close to the restaurants. There are a few bungalows closer to the ocean, but there’s not a bad room within the resort.

On day three we made our way to the next resort, but first stopped to take an adventure excursion, the Mega Combo Tour. This is an optional add on through AMStar, a premier destination management company. This excursion has everything! We started our experience by flying from tree to tree on a thrilling zip line canopy tour, complete with hanging bridges and twelve zip line stations. After, we walked through Guanacaste’s flora and fauna and found ourselves staring down a 1,300 foot water slide! Rushing down through it and falling into a refreshing pool.

After lunch we journeyed to a spa, and finished the day very relaxed. You can get to the spa either by a 45-minute horseback ride or by a specialized vehicle. At the spa, I experienced the volcanic mud bath and felt revitalized and young after the adrenaline-filled morning. I would highly recommend this tour since you get to experience many different things and our guide with AMStar was wonderful.

Our next stay was at Secret Papagayo for another two nights. Secrets Papagayo is a sophisticated, adults-only property and my new favorite resort. Most of the rooms are bungalows situated on a mountain. It is a large property and they have trams to shuttle guests around the property to the beach, restaurants and beyond. This is a lovely resort for a destination wedding or honeymoon. My room was behind the spa, and despite not having an ocean view, the room was spectacular. I would highly suggest getting the ocean view or requesting a bungalow higher up on the mountain. We experienced the preferred club status at both properties, which included upgraded amenities in the rooms and access to the preferred club lounge with top shelf spirits.

Going on a FAM trip doesn’t mean travel agents can relax the entire time. During the FAM, we are taken around properties on “site inspections” and conducted tours to see as much the resort as possible. We see all other room categories, sample fare at all the restaurants and tour the spa. We also meet with the Sales Managers, Group Customer Service, and receive training to learn about the area and what it has to offer for our clients. We do this for our clients so we can provide the best possible recommendations for their vacation needs.

The entire trip was wonderful … the people, the rooms, the food, the atmosphere. I can’t praise this experience enough! I would definitely hope to return and I highly recommend these resorts to clients looking for an upscale Costa Rica experience at a luxury resort.

If you’re ready to learn more about adult-only resorts in Costa Rica, email [email protected], DM Boscov’s Travel on Facebook, or call 800-755-8020.

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