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This Valentine's Day, why not gather your closest friends and start planning a vacation together? Meeting up in a special destination offers an escape from the day-to-day while enjoying new experiences and genuine quality time with one another. Sipping on coffee or wine. Chatting until long after the sun sets. Touring a new city together, popping in and out of boutiques. Relaxing side-by-side with an amazing view. Dancing into the wee hours of the morning. The sky’s the limit when planning a getaway for groups of friends!  Iceland for Adventure Catching the sweeping beauty of the Northern Lights, bathing in geothermal waters, hiking rugged landscapes, and road-tripping The Golden Circle make for an awesome adventure in the Arctic Circle when friends plan an adventure in beautiful Iceland.  Montreal for Food For trendy bars and a hot restaurant scene, foodie friends should make the journey to Montreal, Canada’s second most populated city. Second only to New York City for restaurants per capita in North America, options abound for whatever craving strikes.  Napa Valley for Wine The heart of California’s wine country calls to friends who long to chat over glasses of red or white, pedal bicycles to local wineries on a guided tour, make reservations for indulgent spa services, and dine al fresco with lush green vineyards as a backdrop.  Nashville for Music Quirky and friendly Nashville welcomes tourists to its small town with a big city vibe, complete with the strumming guitars and microphone checks of its toe-tapping music scene. Small venues, large venues, and everything in-between host a variety of live music of all genres, and this bustling scene is the draw to Nashville. The trip is complete with tasty southern comfort food, icy beers, and perhaps a celebrity spotting or two.  Sedona for the Soul
The red rocks of Sedona provide the setting for luxurious boutique hotels, exquisite outdoor dining, and dazzling sunrises that soothe the soul. Known worldwide as an area for spiritualism, energy and soul work, restorative retreats, and metaphysical practitioners, Sedona is the perfect destination for friends to find their Zen.
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 Gently gliding along the water’s surface while viewing a magical underwater world beneath the waves is one of the most memorable experiences of a tropical vacation. In fact, spending the day at sea exploring super snorkeling spots while in destination is often a trip highlight for many travelers. With about 71% of the planet covered by water, the only question is, “Where will you explore next?” Many of the world’s most spectacular snorkel and dive sites are close to home in the United States and Caribbean, so the hottest spots for the coolest experiences are easily accessible during your next resort vacation or cruise. Here are seven super snorkeling spots to seek out during your next vacation:  Cozumel, MexicoThe waters off the island of Cozumel are so clear you can see up to 250 feet underwater, which provides a breathtaking view of this underwater kingdom. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef surrounds the island, offering snorkelers and divers an array of marine life at a variety of snorkeling spots. Palancar Reef is the most popular because of its high visibility, deep waters, and many fish, but beginner snorkelers might prefer a shallower destination.  Grand Cayman, Cayman IslandsSnorkeling sites abound in the Cayman Islands, but if evening snorkeling captures your imagination, book a tour to float around in Grand Cayman’s Bioluminescent Bay. Disruptions in the water cause plankton to emit light which creates colorful sparkles beneath the surface, an effect experienced in few places around the world. Shallow and calm waters, a setting sun, and the promise of viewing a bit of science magic make this snorkeling experience a must-do.  Peanut Island, FloridaWhen visiting West Palm Beach, spending time as a family on Peanut Island isn’t just about the incredible snorkeling: active families can paddle around in kayaks, go camping, or get a paddleboard workout. A snorkeling lagoon and artificial reef provide excellent locations for even novice snorkelers. Manatees are drawn to the warm waters around the lagoon during the cooler winter months, so keep your eyes peeled for these captivating creatures.  Bimini Islands, BahamasIn the western Bahamas lies the tiny island of Bimini, which boasts stunning coral reefs and an abundance of wildlife drawn to its location in the warm currents of the Gulf Stream. Bimini offers snorkelers a glimpse into some intriguing underwater stories – Are the large stone monoliths that form a sort of road part of the city of Atlantis? Is the Healing Hole the Fountain of Youth? Explore for yourself and get lost in the mystery.  Isla Holbox, MexicoCasually swimming alongside the massive but harmless whale sharks of the Caribbean is a travel bucket list item for many tourists who visit Mexico. By following a few simple rules under the watchful eye of a guide, snorkelers can admire these fascinating creatures remarkably close-up. The encounter is often defined as “magical” and one of life’s most amazing opportunities for getting close to wildlife.  Silver Bank, Dominican RepublicHumpback whales breed in the warm waters of the Dominican Republic, making Silver Bank one of the few locations in the world for snorkeling with humpback whales. Between 5000-7000 whales pass through the sanctuary each winter, giving visitors the truly moving experience of observing the whales above and below the ocean’s surface. The country has gone to great lengths to protect the animals, and tours are only available through three government-approved boats.  Molokini – Maui Nui, HawaiiThe iconic crater of Molokini, located about an hour away from Maui by boat, is a must-do activity when visiting the Hawaiian Islands. Spot majestic birds from your seat, then submerge yourself in the islet’s waters to observe reef sharks, moray eels, and assorted tropical fish. A Molokini snorkeling tour often includes a stop at Maluaka Beach's "Turtle Town," where the Hawaiian green sea turtles prefer to spend their time.
If you love underwater exploration, let's make plans to visit one of these super snorkeling spots during your next vacation!  With loved ones gathering again, it’s the perfect time for friends to plan a vacation together. Meeting in a special destination offers an escape from the day-to-day while experiencing a new destination and genuine quality time with one another. Sipping on coffee or wine. Chatting until long after the sun sets. Touring a new city together, popping in and out of boutiques. Relaxing side-by-side with an amazing view and catching up on life. Dancing into the wee hours of the morning. The sky’s the limit when planning a getaway for groups of friends! Here are five ideas for trips to take with friends: Iceland for Adventure Catching the sweeping beauty of the Northern Lights, bathing in geothermal waters, hiking rugged landscapes, and road-tripping The Golden Circle make for an awesome adventure in the Arctic Circle when friends travel together.  Montreal for Food For trendy bars and a hot restaurant scene, foodie friends should make the journey to Montreal, Canada’s second most populated city. Second only to New York City for restaurants per capita in North America, options abound for whatever craving strikes.  Napa Valley for Wine The heart of California’s wine country calls to groups of friends who long to chat over glasses of red or white, pedal to local wineries on a bike tour, make reservations for indulgent spa services, and dine al fresco with the lush green vineyards as a backdrop.  Nashville for Music Quirky and friendly Nashville welcomes tourists to its small town in a big city vibe, complete with the strumming guitars and microphone checks of its toe-tapping music scene. Small venues, large venues, and everything in between host a variety of live music of all genres, and this bustling scene is the draw to Nashville. Top it off with some southern comfort food, icy beers, and perhaps a celebrity spotting or two.  Sedona for the Soul The red rocks of Sedona provide the setting for luxurious boutique hotels, exquisite outdoor dining, and dazzling sunrises that soothe the soul. Known worldwide as an area for spiritualism, energy and soul work, restorative retreats, and metaphysical practitioners, Sedona is the perfect destination to find your Zen. Where can I send you and your friends in 2022 or 2023? Let's chat about your options!
The current rate as of posting is $90 USD per person. Transportation from Puerto Morelos is included, or Valerie can arrange transportation for you from your resort. (We were staying in Playa del Carmen, and paid a taxi approximately $55 for roundtrip fare.)  Once we disrobed (you may undress to your comfort level, and full nudity is acceptable for all treatments), we were escorted to the Temazcal, a small structure where we enjoyed time in the sauna followed by a cold shower. We repeated this process twice, gabbing with other travelers as we took turns rinsing the heat away in the outdoor shower. 
Following our time in the Temazcal, we made our way to our (generally) secluded area to enjoy a relaxing massage and mud treatment. This tropical paradise felt like the perfect oasis to enjoy time away together as new parents.  The final treatment for our spa day was a bath to soak away the mud. Being bathed as an adult felt both awkward and soothing, but we went with it and enjoyed a breeze through the palms and the opportunity to escape our day-to-day routine. We enjoyed our time away from the resort, and we found the treatments to be both enjoyable and a fantastic value.
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