Sunday, June 24, 2018

Sandals Royal Bahamian Visit

On a recent business trip to the Bahamas I had the opportunity to visit Sandals Royal Bahamian. We were very impressed with the location, grounds, accommodations, staff and service. It had been a few years since our last trip there and they have made considerable amounts of upgrades, and really pay attention to detail. We sampled the breakfast and lunch at the poolside restaurant as well as the Napoleon Style Pizza.
Any questions about this Sandals or any other resort feel free to contact us today. 516.366.9008
or visit us at www.mattyktravel.com and click on the Sandals button for more info.

Checkin. Booked a room with a butler? They will pick you up from the airport in a Rolls Royce.









The Checkin Area you are met with Champagne:






Here is the Pool Bar before it opened at 10am







Feel like exercising on vacation? Here is the view of the rooftop gym.






Non Motorized Water Sports are included at all Sandals..







Pool Side Napoleon Style Pizza. Pretty Good even for us New Yorkers who know good Pizza.









Pool Drinks were served with top shelf liquor.





Here are some more views from Sandals Royal Bahamian
















Sunday, June 17, 2018

SECRETS OF THE PONTE VECCHIO




As the Nazis retreated from Florence during World War II, they blew up all of the bridges across the River Arno, except one: the Ponte Vecchio, which was evidently saved on Hitler’s personal orders. This was where he had met the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in 1938, cementing the “pact of steel” alliance. The Führer had been so impressed by the elegant “Old Bridge,” which had graced the spot since being built in stone in 1345, that he decided to save it. Instead, the German army blew up all of the ancient buildings on either side, so that the bridge could not be used by the Allies, but the Ponte Vecchio itself was salvaged for posterity.
Today, thousands flock to this glorious arched edifice to buy gold and silver from local vendors, much as they have since 1593, when the Grand Duke Ferdinando Medici ordered that metalworkers and jewelers replace the butchers and tanners who worked there. He wanted a more pleasant walkway and was offended by the stench of rotting meat and the pungent odors of hides that were cured in horse urine and washed in the river. A bust of Benevento Cellini, the most accomplished of all Renaissance goldsmiths, stands as a reminder of this great tradition.
In its heyday, like all bridges of the period, the Ponte Vecchio was bustling with merchants and crowded with domestic residences, taverns, and shops. Today, if you visit the bridge in the early morning or at night, when the vendors’ stone-walled stalls are closed, you can see city’s ancient symbol, a stylized lily (not unlike the fleur de lis), used as a decorative pattern on the metal hinges of all the wooden shutters.
But at any time of day, make sure you look up and spot the barred round windows in the top level of the bridge. Unbeknownst to most visitors, a secret passage runs above the Ponte Vecchio. It was added by the Medici family in 1565 so that they could get from the Uffizi to the Palazzo Pitti without having to weave through the crowds and risk assassination. It is known as the Vasari Corridor after its designer, Giorgio Vasari, and its circular windows are called “the eyes of Florence.” Through them, the Medicis could spy on their subjects and even eavesdrop on conversations. It was actually in this passageway that Adolf met Benito back in 1938, in order to hatch their plans in privacy.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Upcoming Singles Cruises

Singles Cruises

5 Places in Italy You Have Never Heard Of (But NEED To Visit)

5 PLACES IN ITALY YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF (BUT NEED TO VISIT)



Italy is home to some of the most diverse and stunning natural landscapes, renowned cuisine, and remarkable history in the world. There is SO much to uncover… including these 5 cities that you may not have heard of but, without question, need to visit!
Bari: Think you can only get white-washed walls and sparkling blue waters in Greece? Think again! Italy’s Apulia region offers just that… With a fraction of the tourists you’ll find cruising around Greece. Lying at the spur of Italy’s boot, the town of Bari lies on the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea and serves as a key port for a number of ferries and cruise ships. Home to a large university, and thus a heavy student population, Bari is lively, charming, and known for its delectable cuisine. It often gets overlooked for neighboring towns like Lecce, but trust us, Bari is a hidden gem waiting to be uncovered.
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Castellana Grotte: When you think of Italy, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? The food? The wine? The famous ruins? Certainly not a series of stunning natural caves that extend more than two miles in length, right? Ours, either. The Castellana Grotte caves are largely a “locals only” secret located in the province of Bari. The impressive system of stalactites, stalagmites and crystallized mineral deposits has begun attracting travelers to the area, and for good reason!
Lake Garda: We’re sure you’ve heard of Lake Como (thanks, George Clooney), but did you know that Italy’s lake region is actually comprised of six lakes? Amongst those, Lake Garda is not only the largest, but also one of the most diverse, offering something for every type of traveler – from water sports to wine tasting. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with several small islands, Lake Garda is equally as picturesque as its neighbors and is easily accessible, sitting between Milan and Venice. It is a popular destination for travelers from across the globe thanks to its stunning landscape, bright flowers and charming, red-roofed towns surrounding the lake.
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Monterosso: Unlike four other villages that comprise Cinque Terre, Monterosso is a low-lying town with direct beach access, making it the perfect vacation spot! The beach is lined with vacationers lounging under brightly colored umbrellas and the town is bustling with travelers enjoying the region’s famed white wines and locals looking to escape the city for a few days.
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San Gimignano: San Gimignano gives you the Tuscany that you have been dreaming of… Rolling vineyards, sunflower fields and a charming and well-preserved red-roofed village. Things here seem to move a little slower… Days are leisurely, meals take longer and life is enjoyed a bit more, proving that life really is better under the Tuscan sun.
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Friday, June 8, 2018

The 6 Cities in Italy You Can’t Pronounce but really should

THE 6 CITIES IN ITALY YOU CAN’T PRONOUNCE (BUT REALLY NEED TO VISIT)



Rome, Florence and Venice are – and should be – on everyone’s must-see and must-experience list. But, there’s SO much more of Italy that deserves to be seen and discovered. Here are six such places that offer travelers a new view of Italy:
San Gimignano – Just a short day trip from Florence, this well-preserved, walled city is surrounded by rolling vineyards and bright sunflowers, offering an idyllic representation of Tuscany. San Gimignano is known for its surviving tower houses. Once built by aristocratic families who inhabited the town, these homes were structurally designed to protect their residents and to display the wealth and power of the families who constructed them. Remarkably, 14 of these towers survived Florentine rule and today, they shape San Gimignano’s skyline and offer travelers a unique look into what life looked like here in the 14th century.
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Taormina – From the Cliffside villages of Cinque Terre to the winding Amalfi Coast, Italy’s spectacular coastlines are no secret. But with travelers flocking to these areas, these stunning escapes are becoming more crowded, more expensive and less authentic. The solution? Say ‘hello’ to Sicily! For centuries, this island has been fought over by the world’s greatest empires, creating an exquisite melting pot that is still evident today, both culturally and architecturally. Taormina, the hilltop town near Mount Etna, is no exception. Taormina boasts striking, contrasting views – the cool, inviting waters of the Mediterranean lapping against the intimidating backdrop of Europe’s largest active volcano. It’s a charming town with sunny, outdoor cafes, and restored ancient ruins including the Teatro Greco, the Roman theater that is undoubtedly Taormina’s most popular attraction (and once you see it, you won’t question why). This town offers a true taste of Italian La Dolce Vita with fewer crowds than other must-see Italian coastal towns.
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Caltagirone – Another of Sicily’s spectacular cities, Caltagirone is a city known and loved for its ceramics – a tradition that has sustained the people here for more than 1,000 years. Ceramics adorn the buildings throughout the town – from the stairs of Santa Maria del Monte, which are inlaid with terracotta tiles painted with vibrant and swirling patterns, to public relics and streets lined with hand-painted ceramic vases overflowing with flowers. Caltagirone lies in central Sicily, where the pace of life is leisurely and locals enjoy extended meals, long walks and make the most out of life’s simple pleasures.
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Castellana Grotte – In the province of Bari, Castellana Grotte is named after its famed feature – the stunning natural caves that extend nearly two miles in length (the Italian word for ‘caves’ is ‘grotte’). This impressive system of caverns is a wonderland of captivating stalacites, stalagmites and crystallized mineral deposits. The size and beauty of the caving system has drawn attention to Castellana Grotte, attracting visitors both to the region and to this otherwise quaint, agricultural town.
Alberobello – Recognized for its distinct conical-roofed trulli houses, Alberobello was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in an effort to restore and protect these iconic structures. Created out of local limestone, these homes could be easily dismantled and moved, and for that reason they once housed peasants who were forbidden from building permanent homes by King Ferdinand I of Aragon. They have since become a popular attraction in the Puglia region, adding to the charm of the town and welcoming travelers on unique and memorable day trips.
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Riomaggiore – If you have ever seen a postcard of Cinque Terre, it’s likely the dreamy photo features Riomaggiore, the largest and easternmost town in this chain of five fishing villages. Its peeling, pastel-hued homes built into the cliffside, sparkling blue waters and quaint Main Street make it the picture-perfect place to soak in the Mediterranean sun, sea and views! Unlike its quiet, more secluded neighbors, Riomaggiore is generally bustling with locals, fishermen heading out for the day’s catch, or travelers stopping through to see and experience the magic for themselves. We don’t blame you for wanting to be one of them (we do, too!).
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Friday, June 1, 2018

Why Everyone Should Use a Travel Agent in 2018

Why Everyone Should Use a Travel Agent in 2018

by Cheryl Rosen / 

Book a Table at These 5 New Vegas Restaurants

In a culinary hot spot like  Las Vegas , each meal is its own special performance, with an ever-evolving setting. With new restaura...