Monday, August 13, 2012

and back to the riviera maya we went

We recently got back from our summer vacation to the Riviera Maya where we spent a relaxing week at the Barcelo Palace Deluxe.  


Do you remember when we filmed at this resort back in January? Here's the teaser reel from all of the photage shot at every Barcelo resort in Mexico. You'll see Bryan and I several times.


For pictures of our last trip to Riviera Maya click here. For an explanation and more info on the footage we shot, click here and here.

Back to our most recent trip back to this amazing destination! 

We were so in need of a good vacation and pulled out all of the stops... including many bloody mary's on the flight down, of which I'm still not sure how we negotiated a taxi from Cancun airport down to the Riviera Maya with the buzz we had acquired on our flight!


Night 1
Dinner at the Mexican Restaurant


Day 2


Night 2
Dinner at the Brazilian restaurant


Day 3


Night 3
Dinner at the Caribbean restaurant


Night 4
Dinner at the French restaurant


The outdoor hotel walkways and adult only pool are gorgeous at night! 


Day 5


Night 5
Dinner at the Japanese restaurant

Day 6


Night 6
Dinner at the french restaurant (our favorite!) and Shannon arrived in Mexico to kick off her vacation week and spend our last night with us!


Hurricane Ernesto totally derailed some of our plans, cancelled our flight and made our travel day back home 10 hours longer than it should have been. So is life! Here's a quick video taken as the storm was beginning to blow in...


We had a truly fantastic vacation, just fantastic! And y'all are going to die when I tell you this, but it was entirely free. We used airline miles to fly there and our hotel stay was comped by the resort. Since it's an all inclusive, all food and drinks (including top shelf) were taken care of. We are truly blessed with some amazing opportunities and don't take any of them for granted!


Our plan is to go back to this same resort again in January for a long weekend. We tried our hardest to get another couple to go with us this time, but everyone had a valid excuse not to -- work/no vacation days (Renee/Eric, Anna/Brandon), just had a baby (Hollie/Eli), getting married soon (Chris/Candice), surgery (Maran/Joe), etc, etc, etc. Bryan and I are both really hoping that we'll be able to get a couple to go back with us in January. I mean, it's free! Free for us and them!! Why would anyone turn that offer down???


38 comments:

  1. Wow, what a nice vacation! Love all the pictures. It looked like y'all had a wonderful time! That's great you're going back in January! If you can't find a couple to go with you... sign us up! lol!!!

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  2. Yes, I'll take one of these trips for 2, please. SO GORGEOUS and I'm loving your yellow bubble necklace!

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  3. Kate, I am so happy to tell you that our calendar in January is wiiiiiide open ;)

    That resort looks absolutely beautiful -- with lots of great restaurants and fun things to do. I LOVE Mexico!

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  4. could you be any prettier?? I LOVE that necklace that you are wearing with the red shirt .. where did you get that?? Also, that video is so cool too ... lovin all the pics too !

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  5. OMG - looks like so much fun! Sign me up we'll go with you for free - haha! So jealous you were just there, I'm in serious need of a vacay!

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  6. Gorgeous pictures!!!!

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  7. omg, you have the best fashions! you look so cute in all these pics!

    i totally need a vacay, so if you can't find anyone to go with you, my husband and i absolutely volunteer! hahaha!

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  8. This looks like an amazing vacation! You both look so relaxed, and like your having so much fun! I can't believe it was free - that's awesome! Brian and I can make room in our schedule for January, ha!

    Lauren
    http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/

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  9. WOW!!! Your vacation looks fanstatic!! OMG I never new that Mexico was so gorgeous!! I will have to let Tony know, because I am sure it is much less expensive than Hawaii/Carribean.
    Love all your outfits too!! I need you to help me out a bit on filling my closet with super cute clothes and accessories :)

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  10. Looks like yall had an absolute blast! Love your night two necklace!

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  11. We just went to Riviera Maya last week too! We love the area and cannot get enough. I will definitely be looking at this resort after seeing your photos. It looks FAB!

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  12. Seriously looks like you had so much fun! Jealous :)

    www.dysfunctionaleverafter.com

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  13. i'm gonna make this comment short. i'm jealous of your vacay. i need one like no other. and you look hot in ALL of your photos. and a boy in a backwards baseball cap makes my heart flutter.

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  14. Your vacation looks lovely! I need one of these week long getaways asap! :)

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  15. Could you be more gorgeous?
    I love these pictures. It looks like you had a great time. I will have to put Riviera Maya on my places to go list.

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  16. such a fabulous vacation! LOVE all the pictures. you are stunning!

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  17. Looks amazing! You look amazing on date night three like perfection! and I love love your leopard bathing suit.

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  18. What a beautiful vacation!!!

    I'll also join the list of people who are available in January if you can't find anybody else. LOL!!

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  19. OMG, I soooo want to go to the beach!!! Beautiful pics!!

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  20. You are in luck. There are no surgeries scheduled in January and I turn the big 3-0. Should I book my flight now?

    PS- Night #3.. Sex pot.

    PPS- thanks for the coffee yesterday. I was up until 1am. Bad life choice.

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  21. Hey...anytime you need a ocuple to hang out with, me and my hubs are down! We love vacays ;) cali and my pup can play together while were gone!

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  22. Ah I keep looking up hotel stays here you lucky ducks get to stay for free! Awesome.. I need to A) Get married there and B) Just go on vacation period..

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  23. Wow! That resort looks amazing!!! We have Riviera Maya on our travel list and have only heard good things about vacations there!!

    And a free vacay!!! Who can say no to that!?! Y'all look so great, glad you could get away to relax!

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  24. You are gorgeous!!! I have missed reading your blog so much I feel like I have lost touch with my friend:(

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  25. Such a great vacation! Wonderful pictures,and I'm quite jealous of your tan :)

    http://miss-em-scissorhands.blogspot.com

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  26. I and my soon to be hubby will join you!! no worries!! hehe. gorgeous pictures girl. loving all your outfits!

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  27. Hi Kate! I'm your newest reader. I found you through Lacey in the City. I am loving your blog. As someone who used to travel a lot for work, I can totally relate. I also temped for Pierce Promotions so I know exactly what you've been doing! Such a fun industry with really fun people. Thanks for sharing your pics and stories. Your vacation looked awesome!

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  28. Soooooo I'll go with you hhahahaha

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  29. That resort looks beautiful! And I am obsessed with every single outfit. You looked absolutely gorgeous!

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  30. You are the cutest couple ever. The in water cabana looked pretty cool.

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  31. Looks like you both had a fabulous time! I love all of your outfits too...great style! If you get a sec, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my latest posts!

    peacelovedecor.com

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  32. Wow your trip looks great you guys are such a cute couple and your are gorg! First time here! Loving your blog :).
    Thanks for sharing!
    xox
    Ash
    http://abpetite.blogspot.com/

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  33. So beautiful! I stayed at an all inclusive resort with my boyfriend this year in Cancun and it was so fun. However, your resort puts ours to shame.

    Maybe will have to plan our next one at riviera maya!

    xoxo

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  34. Those pictures are AMAZING!!! Super jealous that you got to spend some relaxing time in Riviera Maya and plan to go back so soon. Oh and that the entire trip was FREE??!!? Ughhh soooo jealous! I need a new job pronto hahaha

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  35. What an amazing time. I've only been to like Rosarito and the parts of Mexico we Californians drive to. I'd love an all inclusive resort!

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  36. ha I'm back to stare at your photos of my hopeful wedding location :) lol

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  37. Ask us! Shawn and I won't turn you down :) Seriously though, this place looks amazing! Shawn and I are looking for a destination for our April vacation. This needs to be on my list :) Gorgeous!

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