3 advantages of choosing a Duo package

Last March, I traveled to Panama for the very first time and I can say loud and clear that I fell in love with this country twice over.

For those who don't know me, I do quite a lot of things online. Among other things, I have the blog JessicaPrdnc.com and the Instagram accounts @JessicaPrdnc and @TouteDansMesFesses. And I'm proud to say that I'm one of the lucky winners of the "4 trips, 1 blogger" contest by Voyages à Rabais.

Thanks to the combined package to Panama that I chose, I had the chance to see two sides of the same country, in a single trip!

When I talked about the "combined" package to my friends and people I met while travelling, I realized that few people know about this option.

Two trips in one

When you choose a Duo package, you have the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds. On one side, the beach, swimming in the ocean, water as far as the eye can see and palm trees; on the other, the historic district of Panama City, tourist attractions, skyscrapers and numerous shops.

Opting for a combined package is essentially choosing to take two trips… for the price of one! It is therefore the ideal type of package for anyone who wants to both relax and immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are in.

In my case, I stayed in two hotels in Panama and had two completely different experiences. I first stayed at the Royal Decameron in Playa Blanca on an all-inclusive package. The hotel is located across from the beach; a wide range of activities, services, and excursions are offered there.

Among other things, I had the chance to explore El Valle de Antón, a must-see site in Panama. This valley is actually located at the bottom of a huge crater of a now-extinct volcano. There, you can also visit an animal sanctuary and a greenhouse. You can even hike through the jungle to reach a hot spring that is said to have curative properties against all sorts of illnesses!

Once I arrived in Panama City, the capital, I realized just how different this city is from other cities in Panama, or even in Latin America: it's incredibly developed. I visited the famous Panama Canal, the country's iconic tourist attraction, and went shopping at Albrook Mall, the largest shopping center in Latin America. But what I loved most about Panama City was Casco Viejo, the colonial city. The historic district of Panama City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason. This place is steeped in history and absolutely stunning!

In Panama City, I stayed at the Hard Rock, a hotel unlike any other. First of all, it's located right in the heart of the city, offering a view of the entire city. And let's just say it's quite a change from palm trees and the ocean! Secondly, the facilities and decor are so modern that you'd think you were in New York!

Transfers included and on-site organization

The other great thing about duo packages is that everything is super well organized and you don't have to worry about a thing: more time to enjoy your trip!

In most hotels, there are Transat representatives who are always available to assist us. Upon arrival, we are greeted by them and given a very thorough information session. They tell us more about the hotel and how it works, the activities and excursions offered, and also give us some helpful tips.

Finally, the transportation, in addition to being included, is extremely well-planned and safe. There's no need to worry if Transat representatives aren't available: you have access to a binder where you can find answers to all your questions. Departure and arrival times are listed, as well as flight numbers.

Several types of handsets

For my part, I chose the Panama and Costa Blanca package, but there are plenty of others available.

You can combine:

• The magnificent beaches of Guadeloupe with the paradise islands of Les Saintes;
• The white sand beaches and calm waters of Varadero with the charm of the city of Havana;
• The historic old town of Cartagena with the turquoise waters of Baru;
• etc.

If you'd like to book a Duo package, I highly recommend calling Voyages à Rabais for more information (1-819-693-8937)! Having used their customer service several times, I can attest that it's excellent. The Voyages à Rabais advisors I spoke with were able to answer my questions and address my concerns; they were very attentive!

For my first trip to the South, and also my first all-inclusive vacation, I'm thrilled! I did tons of activities and met some wonderful people. I saw and did more than I expected, and I had two completely different experiences thanks to the combined package.

If you are shopping for a holiday soon, I advise you to opt for a combination package so you can do two trips in one!

P.S. Panama is truly beautiful, and I'm not done telling you about it yet!

See you soon,