All photos courtesy of retailers
With direct flights from Denver to Puerto Vallarta, it’s easy to plan a quick escape to a tropical beach paradise for a long weekend or to beat the winter blues. Villa La Estancia, located in a quiet Nuevo Vallarta neighborhood, is a perfect destination. The resort offers a spa, a fitness center, restaurants, a huge swimming pool and beachfront jacuzzi, plus an onsite market. For a short stay, there’s no reason to even leave the oceanfront AAA Four-Diamond Resort, but if you’re staying longer, you might want to visit the nearby quaint village of Bucerías, with its vibrant expat scene, live music, great restaurants and boutique shopping. (You can walk a path from the resort to the town in less than 30 minutes.)
At the resort, in addition to enjoying the spectacular pool and beach, you can partake in activities including yoga, beach volleyball, paddleboard lessons, Spanish lessons and more. If you’re up for a little pampering, visit the onsite Tatewari Spa for a signature experience such as the Agave Sensation massage, which is the perfect combination of essential oils and tequila to loosen and relax your muscles.
Of course, no beachfront vacation is complete without sumptuous food and drinks! On the all-inclusive property, enjoy beach- and pool-side dining or you can visit a host of restaurant options from formal to casual, including those at the adjoining sister property (included in the all-inclusive package).
There’s just no better way to enjoy the Mexican Riviera than at a luxury, all-inclusive resort that allows you to just kick back and relax or explore the local area—whatever your vacation heart desires.
Villa La Estancia
877.845.6030
villalaestancia.com
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Pack Your Bag and a seat!
This new no-nonsense travel bag is designed to keep you organized—with tons of pockets and places to stash all your travel necessities. Plus, it features a pull-out stadium-style seat to save your tush from uncomfortable layover seating. The water-resistant shell encompasses 17-inch and 13-inch padded device sleeves, plus all those pockets. The cross-body strap has a cell-phone pocket, it can also be carried as a classic briefcase style or connect it to your roller bag with the built-in sleeve.
ULTI Messenger Bag by Conmigo, $98 conmigobags.com
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Safety First
Take travel safety seriously with this small, waterproof carbon monoxide detector you can put on your keychain. The LED screen indicates carbon monoxide levels; if the gas crosses the threshold of becoming dangerous the device will emit an audible alarm, a red LED light will begin flashing, and the detector will vibrate. It has a durable shockproof exterior to protect against damage, and a battery that can last for two years with constant, 24-hour use.
GZAIR Travel Carbon Monoxide Detector, $116 amazon.com