Special Features - ALGV TravelBlogue

In Orlando, Concessions Start at the Airport: A Preview of MCO’s New Terminal C

We may be well into back-to-school mode, but that doesn’t stop parents from seizing the moments they can to travel to theme park central. Orlando is easy, with so many…

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One Year Later: Catching Up with Marriott on Their Biggest Beachfront Breakouts

What a difference a year makes! This time last year, mega-brand Marriott revealed two major openings and a massive beautification project for some of their most covetable, high-end, beachfront properties.…

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The 2022 Mid-Year Bucket List Report

When we rounded the corner on COVID, travel burst with pent-up demand. People across America were escaping the confines of their own communities at rapid speed to make up for…

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Sober Travel: 9 Expert-Approved Tips on How to Make All-Inclusives Feel More Inclusive

Staying sober on vacation may feel daunting, but with these behavioral health expert-approved tips, it’s may not be out of reach. For some, the lure of the all-inclusive is a…

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Behind the Gates: A Peek Inside TRS Cap Cana

Everybody knows about Punta Cana. It’s the primary destination most leisure travelers associate with Dominican Republic, its Bavaro Beach practically synonymous with the country itself. … But only the privileged…

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Travel Advisors Share: Life-Affirming Experiences

The third installment of the Travel Advisors Share series are all about touching moments—life-impacting and life-affirming moments travel professionals are privileged to be a part of. Travel is transformative. Whether…

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Trip Interruptions, Travel Delays & More: What Are You Covered For?

Travel’s back … but not all of its airline staff. Here’s how to protect yourself against the delays and cancellations that have been hitting the headlines. Travel is back! Destinations…

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Unsure About Medical Coverage While Traveling? Here’s What You Need to Know

As COVID becomes less a life-threatening risk, travelers should still never let their guard down when it comes to their health. Have you heard the great news? Testing is no…

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The Podcast You—and Your Clients!—Should Be Listening To

If you haven’t tuned in to The Travel Beat with ALG Vacations®, now’s the time to sync up. Half a year and 13 episodes have passed since the premiere of…

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Cool Pools, From Popping Bottles & Scenes to Accessible Dreams

Why do we travel to beachfront resorts? Honestly … to look at the beach from your chair in or near the gorgeous pool. Because while Mother Nature is an absolute…

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Beyond Just June: Pride Festivals Around the World for the Rest of the Year

It’s July already (how?!) and you didn’t celebrate Pride with travel this year. But don’t worry—you haven’t missed the boat! Just because Americans have designated June as Pride month doesn’t…

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City & Sand: How to Have It All in Europe – Azores, Portugal

When most consumers think about European vacations, their minds first go to the greats: London, Paris, Rome. They picture historic sites and cobblestone streets, museums and moody skies. They agonize…

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Earthly Pleasures Meet Heavenly Wellness in Los Cabos

In our normal everyday, we are not close to nature anymore. We are compressed, the weight of our obligations, responsibilities, our schedules weighing us down, pushing us smaller and into…

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What to Wear? Demystifying Resort Dress Codes

It’s hard enough to pack for vacation—and stressful! It forces you to think about what clothes you really live in, plus what you want to be photographed in. How many…

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Travel Advisors Share: The Most Special Treatment & Special Moments Ever Scored

In the second roundup of the Travel Advisors Share series, we get advisors to reveal some of the most VIP moments they’ve been a part of, and spill the beans…

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The Fine Art of Experience: Hotel Xcaret Arte & Casa de la Playa

Authenticity-seekers talk a lot about a sense of place. Vacationers want to feel like they’re somewhere new, exciting, and extraordinary—they want to feel immersed in the destination they went to…

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Cities & Seas: How to Have It All in Europe – Canary Islands, Spain

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Cities & Seas: How to Have It All in Europe — Mallorca, Spain

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Hotel Confidential Insider Tips: Character & Setting

Be more present at hotels with personality and a sense of place, like the new Andaz Prague, and Dreams Karibana, the first in Colombia, Hacienda Dominicus, and the Grand Oasis…

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Hotel Confidential Insider Tips: From Moxche to Mexican Moxy

Straight-from-the-hotel travel hacks on how to make the most out of a stay at the new Secrets Impressions Moxche, Secrets Moxche, Breathless Cancun Soul, Riu Latino, La Casa de la…

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Travel Advisors Share: Most Mind-Blowing Proposals

Enlisting a travel advisor means an epic proposal that’s anything but predictable … that is, outside of the set plan! All this year, we’ve been saying Ask a Travel Advisor…

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Hotel Confidential Insider Tips: Caribbean Cool

Straight-from-the-hotel travel hacks on how to make the most out of a stay at the new Royalton Grenada, Margaritaville Island Reserve, Secrets St. Martin, Riu Paradise Island, and Royalton CHIC…

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Hotel Confidential Insider Tips: Party in the USA

Straight-from-the-hotel travel hacks on how to make the most out of a stay at the new Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta, Resorts World Las Vegas, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Outrigger…

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A Closer Look: Getting to Know the New For You Giveaway Prize Properties

There’s always something new going on in travel. Or just as accurately, something up, as new builds are erected, décor gets refreshed, rooms get renovated, and expansions … well, expand.…

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A Closer Look: Getting to Know the Local Lore Giveaway Prize Destinations

Getting a sense of place relies on a lot of different sensory elements. It’s not just about the scenery—there’s scents, sounds, textures, and flavors that can transport you back to…

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Eight Picks for Adventure Only Seconds From Your Room

A lot of us travel for relaxation. A lot of us travel for adventure. And for many, the two are one and the same. And even better? If you don’t…

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“Tings” to Do in Jamaica to “Feel the Love”

As Jamaica readies itself to celebrate 60 years of independence, there’s no time like the present to pay homage to the nation that made it easy to “feel the love.”…

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Travel Etiquette: Are You a Bad (Airplane) Neighbor?

In quarters as tight as airplanes, everyone’s nerves are more easily frazzled. How best to keep the peace? By never, ever being guilty of these bad neighbor behaviors. When you…

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Family Travel Tips: How to Avoid the Dreaded “Are We There Yet?” with Kids

“Are we there yet?” might just be one of the four most cringe-inducing words in travel today. Uttered innocently by babes in the backseat, car seat, or plane seat, its…

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Share Your Epic Stories, Win 10,000 WAVES® Points! a Quarter

As we encourage everyone to Ask a Travel Advisor, why wouldn’t we do the same? After all, it’s sound advice, and we at ALG Vacations® believe in practicing what we…

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Four Ways to Soothe Travel Jitters

These days, it might have been some time since you or someone you know has traveled. With guidelines and policies changing often even experienced travelers may feel like newbies and…

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8 Resorts Where Romance is Year-Round … But Extra Special Now

Right before every Valentine’s Day, resorts start ramping up their romance quotient. You start seeing packages that celebrate soulmates, added values that encourage intimacy, a stronger focus on couples getaways…

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Five Easy Ways to Simplify Family Vacation Planning

A family vacation is a must for most at this point in time. We’re all tired and all need a break. But the problem is, planning one adds even more…

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Ways to Stress Less This Peak Booking Season

Stress less? I know, that sounds crazy, what with peak season peaking amid Omicron cases hidden among the regular colds of the season. Oh, and kids in and out of…

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Don’t Miss a (Travel) Beat with ALGV’s New Podcast

A microphone in front of a laptop on a desk.

When travel planning seems like too big a feat, sync up to The Travel Beat with ALG Vacations. When a traveler needs an answer, they ask a travel advisor. But…

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Don’t Be SAD: How to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

The winter blues are more than just that. Seasonal depression is a very real phenomenon that thousands of American suffer from, according to a newly released study by CertaPet. If…

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Best Practices to Prep for Peak

Were your holidays restful this winter? Good, because as a member of the travel industry, we’re gearing up to get back to the grind at warp speed. Just like that,…

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A Change in “Value” … and the Island That Will Get You More of It

Think about what you value most in a vacation. That’s what you get in Aruba, One Happy Island that will help you redefine—and expect more!—of what a “value vacation” means.…

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Stays that Put the “Ahh” in Spa

When life has you tearing out your hair and going, “Ahh!,” it’s past due time to get somewhere that will have you sighing “… Ahh.” And that means one of…

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More Than a Destination: Why Individual Resort Details Matter for Destination Weddings

Whether local or abroad, a wedding isn’t about the destination. Just as a couple wouldn’t be excited to pick any venue in their hometown for their nuptials, the same goes…

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Find Me in the Club … Level Suites, That Is!

What does it mean to have special club privileges and access? This round-up of some of ALG Vacations®’ most notable explains. When it comes to leisure and travel, exclusive clubs…

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Mexico’s Most Appetizing Destination? One That Helps to ‘Set Yourself Apart’

Get to know the 23400 District in San Jose del Cabo, which is fast becoming a foodie destination for those in the know. Move over, 90210—there’s a new five-digit code…

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Gifts from Travels for This Holiday Season

Traveling before the holidays? Don’t find yourself in a bind! Experienced world travelers from the ALGV team can help you out, with their list of biggest hits for holiday gifts…

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Happy Holiday Home-Cooked Meals in a Home Away from Home

With full-kitchen accommodations and private chef services available, there’s no reason why you can’t celebrate a home-style holiday in luxurious vacation style. Especially in light of the restrictions of the…

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Live a Little … Or a Lot at Live Aqua Beach Resort

A private swim-up pool on the terrace of a Fuego Suite.

We go on vacation to be present. To feel, in every sense of the word, and get back in touch with what it even means to feel. The landscapes always…

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The Top 5 Most Unique, Sumptuous, Gourmet All-Inclusive Resort Dining Experiences

Think all-inclusive fare is just buffets and beachside grills? No way! These over-the-top, once-in-a-lifetime high-end experiences are worth traveling for, even without the posh digs and exemplary service. Some people…

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Room(s) for Everyone! Best Bets for Guaranteed Connecting Suites

Figuring out who sleeps where and how much privacy or access parents grown-ups and kids want can be a challenge. Guaranteed adjoining rooms and special family suites take the guesswork…

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What’s More Natural Than Family?

For many of us, our first and most basic instinct is to protect, be with, and enjoy time with our families. Because really, what’s more natural than family? No matter…

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Perk Up! Here’s Where to Get the Best On-Resort Coffees in the World

Flat white at Secrets Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

Every day is a coffee day, but only today is International Coffee Day. Here’s where to get the best cuppa while on vacay so you never miss a bean. Every…

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Can a Collection Forge Connections?

Breaking down the different components of the new AMR™ Collection In one of the biggest headlines of last month, the new AMR™ Collection was debuted by the brands formerly known…

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The Arts in Every Form: The Focal Point of Hotel Xcaret Arte

First there was Xcaret, the most popular eco-park in all of Mexico, showcasing Mexican pride in all its creatures, culture, and landscape. Then a series of other parks followed, with…

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Six On-Site Water Parks for Hassle-Free Fun

Why pay water park admission fees, lug your things around, and spend extra on food when slides, sprinklers, and more can be steps away and all included? At the height…

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The Countdown Begins: How to Keep Passport Delays from Affecting Your Travel Plans

You’re six months out … is it too soon to think about prepping for departure? With recent passport delays, the answer is, it’s not soon enough. Very often, people don’t…

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Far from “Wasting Away” in This Margaritaville

In fact, this new all-inclusive resort will fill you to the gills! The song may go that Jimmy Buffett is “wastin’ away in Margaritaville,” but when Margaritaville is Island Reserve…

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Is It Safe to Dine Indoors Again?

As restaurants at home and in-resort dining outlets open up their indoor seating again, we find out from culinary experts: is it safe? Everyone’s been doing it. Joyously, with big…

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My Big, Fat Gay Wedding … And Where to Have It

Destination weddings are unforgettable, joyous, and colorful experiences. These resorts make them even more so by holding up that rainbow flag for LGBTQ+ couples as they celebrate their next chapter.…

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Let the Sun Shine On with Eco-Friendly Protection

Sunglasses, sunscreen bottle, and sunhat on a blue towel with an ocean pier in the background.

Help keep your skin safe—and our oceans and beaches as beautiful as we found them—with sun protection that does no harm. There are few places we love more than the…

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Hotels to Take Pride In

ALG Vacations™ is proud to offer a wide selection of hotels and resorts that are LGBTQ-friendly. But there are some that go the extra mile, and we take even more…

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An Oasis of Entertainment: Five Features Not to Miss

In much the same way Las Vegas is an oasis in a desert, Grand Oasis Cancun & The Pyramid at Grand Oasis are oases of entertainment in Cancun. Vegas or…

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ID That YOLO! Tours & Excursions Straight from the Screen

Why should you have to take your best guess at what tours and excursions you’re marketing to customers when we can just tell you? How many times have you shown…

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Bug Off! How to Keep Summer Bites at Bay

We love the great outdoors. But we don’t love some of the little critters that live there! Here are some natural solutions and products that can help you take the…

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Hear It From Travel Advisors: Helping Travelers Through the Pandemic

No one knows better what a good travel advisor will do for their clients than ALGV’s TOP travel advisors. Travel advisors are more here and now than ever before. Many…

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Hear It from Travel Advisors: Why Don’t Travelers Book with an Advisor?

With a million reasons to use a travel advisor, why are some customers reluctant? Our advisor interview series takes a look. It’s easy to say why consumers use a travel…

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Pride on the Beach: The 9 Best Beach Destinations in the U.S. for LGBTQ Travelers

Of the many reasons to love the U.S. of A., a big one is love. At ALG Vacations™, we believe that #LoveIsLove. We believe in standing behind every color of…

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Hear It from Travel Advisors: Why ALGV?

In an all-new video interview series, we share unfiltered feedback directly from travel advisors, because #YOTTA2021 is all about YOU. It’s easy for our team at ALG Vacations™ to rattle…

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Hear It from Travel Advisors: Why Should I Use a Travel Advisor?

With typically no cost and all benefit, the question is why wouldn’t you? This question seems like a softball question. The answer’s easy, right? For most people, it’s to save…

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Pride on the Beach: Top 14 International LGBTQ Beach Destinations to Travel To

Where in the world should out-and-proud travelers jet to for the beach vacation of their dreams? Keep reading for answers. There are a few truths that are universal, and speak…

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Hear It from Travel Advisors: What Inspires Travel Advisors?

In an all-new video interview series for #YOTTA2021, we share unfiltered feedback directly from the travel advisors we serve. The beautiful thing about travel is that it’s such a personal…

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When Traveling, Mask On or Mask Off?

We’re at a pivotal moment and thisclose to normalcy. But is it too early to unmask when traveling? To mask or not to mask? That has been the million-dollar question,…

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When Caring is in a Resort’s Culture, Kids Benefit Now and in the Future

Family travel isn’t an afterthought at Iberostar Hotels & Resorts. Experiences for kids are right there at center stage. It’s easy to cut corners. It’s easy to set up a…

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American PRIDE – 9 of the Best LGBTQ Destinations in the USA

In the land of the free, take Pride in these top-billed domestic vacation destinations, where #LoveWins year-round. As a progressive country, there are a ton of destinations from sea to…

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Release … the Turtles! At These Environmentally Responsible Resorts

Sea turtles are adorable and beloved, but also endangered. Here are resorts doing their part to change their status, and how you can participate, too. One of the cutest residents…

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Greener Pastures: Environmentally Responsible Resorts to Support

Being environmentally responsible isn’t just on the traveler—it’s on the hospitality and travel industry, too. Here are some of the brands and properties working on making a difference. Responsible tourism…

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Becoming a Thought Leader for Responsible Travel

Responsible travel is a tourism buzzword that’s gaining steam. ALG Vacations™ shows you how travel advisors can lead the way. Travel advisors are stewards for the world. You map routes,…

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What It Means to Be a Socially Responsible Traveler

Travel is back! But to keep it that way, we need to be responsible with this privilege. Here’s how. In our first of this mini-series on what it means to…

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What It Means to Be an Environmentally Responsible Traveler

Travel is back! But to keep it that way, we need to be responsible with this privilege. Here’s how. “Responsible travel” has become a buzzword in the tourism industry. But…

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Swap Your Stale Suburbia for UNICO 20˚87˚’s Spectacular Superbia

Offer extra value to customers going to UNICO 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya by inviting them to this limited-time special event taking place July 12, 2021 – August 22, 2021 In…

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Seven YOLO Experiences That Are More Accessible Than You Think

For over a year now, we’ve all been staying close to home. And for over a year now, we’ve been saving money in incremental ways, following the classic budgeter guidelines…

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Travel Advisor Appreciation Month 2021

Famously sung by ‘N Sync … “it’s gonna be MAY” and we can’t be more excited for it as ALG Vacations™ kicks off the most special month of a very…

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You Gotta Shop #YOTTA2021

Merch Madness is over, but in our eyes, everyone’s a winner … which is why we opened up a store full of swag. Merch Madness was … insane. ICYMI (since…

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Stay Calm and Keep Your Vacation Safe with Travel Protection Plus

Protect your trip—and peace of mind!—with Cancel for Any Reason insurance that lets you zig when life zags. Life happens. And sometimes, it happens to travel. As this past year…

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Staff Faves: Best Exclusive Perks of 2021

Earlier this year, ALG Vacations™ announced that all of our … well, exclusive perks will now be part of one grand collection. Here are the ones that got our staff…

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Need a Break? Join ALGV On Our Newest Virtual FAM Series!

Do you remember when our scenery every few months (or more frequently if we could manage it!) was palm trees, blue skies, wide seas, and sunshine? Us, too. And we’re…

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When Content is King, YOTTA’s Gotcha

#YOTTA2021 isn’t just a catchy hashtag—there’s plenty of content behind it that travel advisors can use to boost their business during the Year of the Travel Advisor and beyond. You…

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Who Needs the Final Four? Merch Madness is Here NOW

Even sweeter than watching the Final Four, ALGV is tipping off four weeks of giveaways. This time last year, the state of our industry could be summed up in one…

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Why is 2021 the Year of the Travel Advisor?

As big proponents of travel advisor growth and support, ALG Vacations™ has taken it upon themselves to singlehandedly manifest the Year of the Travel Advisor. But why? How? And what…

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Mastering the New CDC Rules: What Post-Vacation Recommendations You Should Be Following

Learn how simple heading home safely can be with the third and final part of ALG Vacations’™ guide to traveling in line with CDC requirements. “That was surprisingly simple.” After…

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Mastering the New CDC Rules: What to Do While You’re on Vacation

Afraid the CDC is taking over your getaway? Don’t be! The second part of our travel guide gives you the inside scoop on how to meet test requirements and have…

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Mastering the New CDC Rules: What to Know Before You Travel

If the CDC’s new travel requirements are throwing you for a loop, read on to find out how to plan ahead and take that much-needed vacation without worry. The key…

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Worried About Potential On-Resort Quarantine? Don’t Be—It Might Be Free!

If you have to isolate before re-entry to the U.S., these posh resorts offering free 14-day quarantine stays have got you covered. Editor’s Note: ALG Vacations™ takes COVID-19 incredibly seriously…

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Taking Your Travel Catalog Game to the Next Level: The All-New ALG Vacations™ Travelogue

Imagine you’re at a travel show. It’s virtual, like almost everything these days, and you have your own booth, maybe for honeymoons or all-inclusives or eco-friendly escapes. Guests have the…

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This Thanksgiving, a Long List to Be Thankful For

Thanksgiving ruminations and gratitudes with leadership at ALG Vacations™ After the year we’ve had, it may sound strange to hear us say we have a lot to be grateful for…

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Small Business Saturday Checklist

Ready for this Saturday? Double-check to see! We made it! The week of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and—as important to American culture as the lead-in national holiday itself—Small Business…

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“Special Communications” for Small Business Saturday 2020

In the midst of a pandemic, face-to-face in-person meetings are challenging, and closing on-the-fence travelers equally so. Here’s how we can help. Great communication has always been the cornerstone of…

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Leading the Recovery of the Caribbean Travel Industry

A special commentary by Alejandro Reynal, CEO of Apple Leisure Group, as seen on TravelPulse Excerpted from Leading the Recovery of the Caribbean Travel Industry on TravelPulse.com. “What a difference…

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Taking the Guesswork Out of Traveler Comfort

“Life keeps throwing me stones. And I keep finding the diamonds.” – Ana Claudia Antunes With masks this season’s mandatory fashion accessory and “social distancing” destined to become Merriam-Webster’s Words…

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Puerto Vallarta – Find Safe Harbor in a Stunning Port

Setting the spotlight on Puerto Vallarta, a perfect road-less-travelled but well-beloved destination for beach-goers. Once upon a time, when it came to travel, top-of-mind makes a destination a top choice.…

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Sun, Sand & Safety: How All-Inclusives Are Leading the Way to Healthier Travel

It’s a typical day on a tropical beach somewhere in the Caribbean, or perhaps Mexico. The breezes are cool, the ocean warm, and hours languorous. Butlers carry cocktails to waiting…

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