As I was flying in first class because of a free upgrade then again when I arrived at Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas to two massive welcome baskets and a schedule of luxury events, it really sunk in; being a travel writer is better than winning the lottery. There are some perks that even money can’t buy and I’d choose this life over winning the lottery. Continue reading
We were picked up at our doorstep in a luxury SUV, transported to Hollywood, given a private tour of Disney’s El Capitan theatre and a behind the scenes tour of Extra, and provided VIP passes to Universal Studios for lunch. Have Fun Tours made Athena and I feel like the celebrities. The owners, Lou and Jill, personally escorted us to each new location and stayed with us during the experience. They made sure we received every luxury during the tour and treated us like family. Athena and I will remain life-long friends with Lou and Jill and treasure the connections we made during the tour. The experience was arranged via Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas as one of their daily activity options from the resort. The luxury experiences available brought our Hollywood dreams to reality. Continue reading
It’s no secret that I love Marriott Vacation Club and the activities that they offer read like a phone book so why is it that I’ve been here at Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas for almost two days and I haven’t spent much time on the property? The answer is simple – they offer the best of both worlds. With endless on-site amenities, I could be here for a month and still not explore all of the possibilities but the off-site activities are equally plentiful. It’s a balancing act between spending time at one of the most beautiful resorts in the world and exploring the surroundings. Some of the best resorts are difficult to explore because they put the world at your finger tips. It’s like giving you Genie-like capabilities for the day. With all of those choices, how do you decide? Continue reading
Imagine getting in a vehicle, an airplane, falling asleep, and waking up in an entirely different place, a whole new world. That’s what it must feel like for Athena when we travel to new countries or cities. This morning, she woke up at Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas, our home for the next six days. Although it might have been confusing for her, it was the best kind of confusion. The Marketing Manager left us welcome baskets and what was inside was better than Christmas morning. Continue reading
Bucket List Publications 