JUNE 2010
The Magazine for DestinationTravel Specialists
®
Solmar Hotels and Resorts: Cabo’s Resort Compound That’s Fit for Royalty
City of Visionaries: Brasilia and Chapada dos Veadeiros: Park of Splendors
The 11th Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange Kicks Punta Cana into High Gear
ISSUE NO. 264
JUNE 2010 executive office
28 Knight Street Norwalk, CT 06851-4707 Voice: 203.286.6679 • Fax: 203.286.6681 i n t e r n e t
INDUSTRY EVENTS
3
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
8
INDUSTRY NEWS
9
w e b s i t e
www.travelworldnews.com publisher
Charles Gatt, Jr. charlie@travelworldnews.com
EUROPE
11
FAM ANNOUNCEMENTS For complete and current list please visit: www.travelworldnews.com/fams
CARIBBEAN / DATE - page 16
editor
Carol A. Petro editor@travelworldnews.com design production manager
Linda Rogers
CARIBBEAN The 11th Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange Kicks Punta Cana into High Gear
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Anguilla’s Bird of Paradise Villa is Rustic Luxury
22
Club commanche in St. Croix, with Historic Past, Remains Popular Today
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linda@travelworldnews.com
Maria Rebello • a c c o u n t i n g m a n a g e r Shawn Hebert • I T m a n a g e r Cindy Johnson • c i r c u l a t i o n m a n a g e r cruise editor
Michael Iachetta southeast regional correspondent
Joan Gonzalez western regional correspondent
Connie Skoog
MEXICO Solmar Hotels and Resorts: Cabo’s Resort Compound That’s Fit for Royalty
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2010 Virtuoso Symposium Advances Luxury Tourism in Mexico
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Sandos Hotels Offers 3 Tips to Help Agents Sell
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contributing editors
Mona Birch • Ann Charles • Gail P. Dubov
MEXICO / SOLMAR - page 26
Judith Glynn • Barry Goldsmith • Peggy Hageman George Hairston • Al Haut • Marjorie Klein • Peter Lowy Nancy Marcantonio • Anita Mason D.O. Christian Rieger • Knox Robinson • Mary Ellen Schultz Helen Kitti Smith • Robin Swados • Diane Terry Travel World News (ISSN 1044-4602) is published monthly by Travel Industry Network, Inc., 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. The cost of a subscription in the USA is $25, in Canada $40. For subscribers outside USA or Canada, the rate is $80. Please send check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to Travel World News. For change of address, please enclose your mailing label and send to: Circulation Department, Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Periodicals postage paid at Norwalk, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Address advertising inquiries and/or editorial copy to: Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. All advertising in Travel World News is based on data submitted to the Publisher by the advertisers. The Publisher shall not be liable for the accuracy or inaccuracy of any information contained in Travel World News and shall not be liable, including but not limited to consequential or special damages, to any party for any products or services advertised or reported upon herein. The Publisher shall not be responsible for typographical errors. All information contained herein is subject to change without notice by the parties providing such products and services. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising that has been submitted at his sole discretion. Upon providing a refund of any amount paid to the party whose submittal was rejected, the Publisher shall not have any liability to any party for such rejection.
LATIN AMERICA
LATIN AMERICA / BRASILIA - page 31
City of Visionaries: Brasilia and Chapada dos Veadeiros: Park of Splendors
31
Rain Forest Aerial Trams Costa Rica Delights with Authentic Experiences
35
15% Discount Available on Green Package at the Lodge at Chaa Creek
38
PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS
PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS / CRUISE - page 40
American Canadian Caribbean Line Changing to Blount Small Ship Adventures
40
European Waterways Launches 2010 Season with Deals and Discounts Up To $2,000
42
The Flamingo Hotel Cozumel Announces Summer Solo Traveler Special
44
Three Very Special 2010 Premium Packages From Alaska Railroad
46
COVER PHOTO CREDITS: Brasilia, braziltour.com
PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS / RAIL- page 46
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INDUSTRY EVENTS MCTM TRAVEL & LUXURY SHOW DATE CHANGE STARTING WITH 7TH EDITION The official dates for the 7th edition of the Travel & Luxury Show MCTM (Monte Carlo Travel Market) are December 2–4, 2011. This strategic adjustment, highly requested by exhibitors, aims to facilitate exhibition experience and increase satisfaction. Based on market study and industry leaders’ feedback, it is strongly believed that the new dates of the annual event will create an additional reason to join MCTM. The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS), presided by Joseph Cinque with Donald Trump, voted MCTM one of the finest Travel and Luxury exhibitions worldwide. The award reinforces the confidence and determination of the planners to work for the success of exhibitors, as well as hosted buyers and client satisfaction. MCTM organizers go over a vigorous selection process when it comes to inviting Professional Buyers. Only top-notch Buyers meeting the criteria of Luxury Travel are permitted to take part in the event. MCTM is continuously extending its Professional Buyers’ network in an attempt to satisfy the demands of all participants, in particular those of its Exhibitors and Selected Hosted Buyers. Participants may maximize presence by using MCTM’s marketing and sponsorship opportunities. The exhibition’s catalogue, the MCTM official guide, is a further strong strategic means of ensur-
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ing maximum business exposure: It is distributed to more than 20,000 private, high-market individual consumers. Monte Carlo is one of, if not the most prestigious city located on the Cote d’Azur in terms of business and pleasure. The principality offers a wide variety of networking opportunities. Monte Carlo Travel Market (MCTM), www.mctm.mc; Tourism office of Monaco, www.monaco-tourisme.com
UKRAINE’S INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM EXHIBITION RECORDS LARGEST EVER ATTENDANCE UITT, Ukraine’s largest travel event, took place March 24–26 in the Kiev’s IEC. Attendance at the event was up nine percent compared to 2009 at 17,318. According to Event Director Maria Badakh, “Our improved online registration service made it much easier for visitors to get a ticket to the exhibition this year. In addition, feedback from exhibitors at this year’s show indicates that more people than ever in Ukraine are traveling abroad on holiday. Our visitor figures appear to confirm this, which is excellent news for our exhibitors!” The show featured 51 destinations, including five newcomers: Abu Dhabi, Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa and Azerbaijan. On the second day of the show, Maxim Shandarov of Aviareps, who was promoting Mauritius, commented, “We have already distributed almost all the collateral we had. [On the first day], I got around 200 visit cards from different tourist agencies and I see that there are many travel agents who are interested in Mauritius, not only from Kiev but from other cities of Ukraine. We are already planning to come back next year.” Morocco also participated for the first time as winner of UITT’s “wild card” initiative. European destinations came out in force, following the cancellation of visa requirements for European travelers staying less than 180 days. In total, 648 companies took part in UITT 2010. The first two days of UITT 2010 were dedicated to trade-only visitors, during which exhibitors met local tour operators, travel agents and other industry professionals vital to their promotion among Ukraine’s traveling public. On March 26, UITT opened to Ukraine’s traveling public. Every year, a number of events take place during UITT. This year, they included: An international conference entitled “Spa in Ukraine,” organized jointly with the Ukrainian Spa Association; The 4th edition of the international business forum “Small Hotels & Apartments of Ukraine,” organized with the Association of Small Hotels & Apartments of Ukraine; The 5th edition of the MICE Ukraine international conference entitled “Business Tourism Ukraine,” which gave delegates an insight into the industry, its audience, trends and prospects. It also gave participants a valuable opportunity to network. A section of the show was dedicated to the growing market for medical tourism. UITT 2011 will take place March 23–25. UITT (Ukraine International Travel & Tourism exhibition), www.travel-exhibitions.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
INDUSTRY EVENTS LA CUMBRE CONTINUES HOSTED BUYER PROGRAM FOR 2010 EDITION
A new edition of La Cumbre, the Travel Industry Summit, will be held in September in San Diego. Buyer delegates who comply with five basic requirements will receive a full refund on their registration fee. From September 8 to 10, 2010, over 250 exhibitors from all over the Americas and 300 purchasers from the Americas and Europe, will gather at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, California, which will be both the event venue and the host hotel for all delegates. In this edition, following the positive results in 2009, La Cumbre will once again offer its Hosted Buyer Program as a means of supporting the resurgence and development of new business for the
Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
Americas’ travel industry. A full refund of the $445 registration fee is available to those delegates complying with five requirements: Qualifying and registering as a La Cumbre Buyer by July 1,2010; Pre-scheduling a minimum of 25 appointments before July 30, 2010; Attending a minimum of 25 minimum pre-scheduled appointments during the show; Attending at least one of the La Cumbre 2010 Destination Seminars. Handing in the Delegate Passport at the end of the event, accounting for the attendance at all meetings and at least one Destination Seminar. (Attendees should ask for the sticker as proof of attendance, just as they do at each pre-scheduled meeting.) Refunds will be given to delegates who comply with all five specified points. This means they should also observe registration and pre-scheduling deadlines. By pre-scheduling and attending to a minimum of 25 meetings during La Cumbre, Buyers also participate as members of the Club Elite program including an exclusive registration area upon arrival. A part of the Exhibitor and Buyer registration, fees are donated by La Cumbre to the Just a Drop foundation, committed since 1998 to bringing potable water to the neediest sectors of the world’s population, and contributing to a significant improvement in life quality for over 800,000 families during the last ten years. La Cumbre, rosadela.arenas@reedlatam.com (Hosted Buyer), www.lacumbre.com; Just a Drop, www.justadrop.org
JUNE 2010 •
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INDUSTRY EVENTS ITB ASIA 2010 WILL INCLUDE DISCOVER AMERICAN PAVILION
ITB Asia, the three-day B2B show and convention, now in its third successful year, attracts top leisure, MICE and corporate buyers from all over Asia to Singapore to meet with international exhibitors from the entire travel-value chain. The event is designed to become the primary event for the Asia Pacific travel industry, much like its parent event, ITB Berlin.This year, the event is scheduled for October 20–22 at Singapore’s Suntec. ITB Asia is featuring the full range of travel products, services and goods, while at the same time is functioning as a knowledge platform for the industry with the concurrently held ITB Asia Convention and events by partners. A Hosted Buyer program is offered for qualified industry professionals only: Exhibitors and qualified buyers pre-schedule meetings to ensure maximum efficiency. The Discover America Pavilion at ITB Asia, offered by the U.S. Travel Association through B-FOR International, provides U.S. travel and tourism companies and organizations with unique opportunities to sell their destinations, products and services, presenting the United States as the world’s premier travel destination. A preliminary onsite trade visitor survey conducted by Gelszus Messe-Marktforschung, a market research company based in Germany, showed that overall trade visitor approval ratings for the 2009 show were 80.2 percent. Some 85.6 percent of trade visitors said they would recommend ITB Asia to colleagues and business partners. In the survey, 87.2 percent said they would attend ITB Asia next year. ITB Asia will be held annually in Singapore. B-FOR International, www.discoveramericapavilion.com, b-for@exhibitpro.com
ITTFA LAUNCHES TARGETED DATABASE FOR TRAVEL TRADE INDUSTRY London-based ITTFA, International Tourism Trade Fairs Association, has recently launched a new e-marketing opportunity aimed at the travel industry. The Association has put together an 6 • JUNE 2010
extensive and significant list of relevant travel industry contacts that are now available to the industry on a select-and-send basis. “Through our members and our cumulative industry knowledge, we have a host of industry contacts that we are now making available to the industry for targeted use,” comments Tom Nutley, ITTFA Chairman. “By introducing this new scheme we hope to be able to provide an invaluable resource for the industry at competitive rates. The facility will also underline the importance of trade events, at ITTFA we believe that travel trade fairs provide the backbone to the industry, acting as a place in which we can all meet and exchange knowledge and ideas. This new opportunity will provide an extension to the traditional interchange channels and a new route for disseminating ideas and industry news.” Those wishing to use the database can send initial enquiries via the ITTFA website, stating key criteria and this will be followed up with a proposal by return email. A prepared message template is ready for use but there is a custom-made facility available also. The data will all remain strictly confidential whilst providing a communication link to contacts that might otherwise be difficult to access. In today’s busy and competitive environment, trade associations offer members a secure and comfortable environment in which they can gain knowledge and exchange ideas. Instead of going it alone, the power and voice of a group gets faster results and carries more weight. International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA), info@ittfa.orgmore, www.ittfa.org
MEET POLAND 2010 AND THE V EDITION OF THE POLISH INCOMING WORKSHOP The V edition of the Polish incoming workshop will take place in Warsaw September 30 through October 1, 2010. This year there’s an additional reason for visiting Poland—to attend the meetings with Polish partners connected to the 1012 European football championship packages. Meet Poland 2010 is the most important tourist trade workshop in Poland. Over 100 national sellers will come to Warsaw from the most important Polish tourist destinations in order to do business with international buyers. In addition, this year Polish tour operators and hotel managers linked with the 1012 European football championship will take part in the workshop in order to promote packages connected to the football event. The Promoter of Meet Poland 2010 is ttg poland, a leading magazine for the tourist sector, printed since 1992 and belonging to the international ttg network. Those interested in receiving more information or participating in Meet Poland 2010 may register online. Registration is not confirmation of participation, however; all accepted applicants will receive a confirmation of participation. TTG Poland, http://mp.ttgevents.eu/buyers.php, raimondi@ttg.com.pl, ida.franco@ttg.com.pl, www.meetpoland.pl www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
INDUSTRY EVENTS THIS YEAR’S MITT RECORDS 17% INCREASE IN TRADE VISITORS
will become a permanent feature of the show, following this year’s success. In fact, the general feeling amongst participants was that demand far outweighs supply so this is a sector that looks set to grow and grow. Next year’s Congress will provide an invaluable insight into the medical tourism sector in Russia and abroad, and offer advice for increasing profitability, attracting new clients and other vital aspects associated with the sector.� MITT 2011 will take place March 16–19. The second edition of the Medical Congress will be March 17–18. MITT, ITE Group Plc, www.travel-exhibitions.com
SABRE HOSPITALITY SOLUTIONS AND OSSN’S TRUE SYSTEM JOIN FORCES FOR DIRECT HOTEL BOOKINGS
MITT, one of the top five travel exhibitions in the world, welcomed a record number of trade visitors this year, with official attendance of 79,850 recorded. Spread across eight pavilions in Moscow’s Expocentre, MITT hosted 1,750 main stand holders from 185 destinations. One of this year’s major attractions was the Greek stand, covering over 17,000 square feet and comprising approximately 75 Greek companies. As MITT’s partner destination this year, Greece was a ‘must see’ stand. Other destinations that significantly increased the size of their stands were China, Israel, Japan, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Costa Rica, Tunisia and South Africa. Kenya made a welcome return to the exhibition this year following huge demand from tour operators in the region. This year’s new launch, the medical tourism sector, was hugely successful for exhibitors offering therapeutic services all over the world. The co-located Medical Congress, co-organized by treatment-abroad.ru, featured presentations by 20 key representatives of the sector. There was particular interest in a session presented by Elena Harvardt, Director of treatment-abroad.ru, who focused on medical treatment in CIS. According to Event Director Maria Badakh, “We are delighted to announce that the medical sector
Sabre Hospitality Solutions and the Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN) have joined forces to allow travel agents with OSSN’s Travel Retailers Universal Enumeration (TRUE) booking codes to make hotel reservations for their clients at any property using Sabre Hospitality Solutions’ Central Reservation System (CRS). The cooperation will offer travel agents with TRUE codes increased access to more than 10,000 properties worldwide and to the more than 50 chain codes that Sabre Hospitality Solutions manages in the Global Distribution Systems (GDS). Agents with TRUE codes will be able to book Sabre Hospitality Solutions-powered hotels through various channels including the GDS, Internet Distributions Systems (IDS), and directly at the property via Sabre Hospitality Solutions’ Guest Connect booking engine. Guest Connect is used by thousands of hotels around the world to help merchandise their properties and generate significant revenue via the hotel’s own website. When agents with TRUE codes book stays at these hotel websites, the individual hotel will track those reservations and credit the agents for commission payments. Created by OSSN in 2001, TRUE has now grown into the travel industry’s largest booking ID system created and managed directly by travel agents. Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN), www.ossn.com; www.checkatruecode.com; Sabre Hospitality Solutions. www.sabre-holdings.com
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2010/2011 • CALENDAR OF EVENTS DATE EV JULY 1-2 21-23 AUGUST 8-11 SEPTEMBER 8-10 8-10 13-25 14-17 19-21 19-22 21-24 22-24 21-24 23-26 27-28 OCTOBER 2-3 4-7 6-8 6-8 8-10 12-14 13-18 20-22 20-22 20-22 20-22 22-24 22-24 22-24 25-27 NOVEMBER 5-8 8-11 8-11 13-17 17-20 18-20 18-21 18-21 18-21 30-Dec 2 30-Dec 2 30-Dec 2 DECEMBER 6-9 10-12
ENT
LOCATION
BTC 96th DMAI Annual Convention
Rimini, Italy Hollywood, FL
www.btc.it/en-en www.destinationmarketing.com
NBTA Intl. Convention & Expo
Houston, TX
www.nbta.org
La Cumbre Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conf. The Trade Show PATA Travel Mart 2010 16th World Route Development Forum Texas Travel Summit Travel Media Showcase TravelMart Latin America MATIW/Leisure 2010 FITA 2010 Travel & Destination Symposium
San Diego, CA Portland, OR Las Vegas, NV Macau SAR China Vancouver, BC, Canada Galveston, TX Irvine, CA Lima, Peru Moscow, Russia Mexico City, Mexico Palm Springs, CA
www.lacumbre.com www.ecotourism.org/estc2010 www.thetradeshow.com www.pata.org www.routesonline.com www.ttia.org www.travelmediashowcase.com www.travelmartlatinamerica.com www.tourismexpo.ru/en www.fita2010.com www.unicomm.org
Travel & Adventure Show Adventure Travel World Summit 2010 Ukraine International Travel Market MITM Americas 2010 CATM 2010 The Motivation Show 2010 IGLTA Symposium ABAV 2010 Discover America Pavilion at ABAV 2010 ITB Asia Discover America Pavilion at ITB Asia 2010 TTG Incontri Discover America Pavilion at TTG Incontri 2010 Montreal International Tourism and Travel Show ATS Conference
New York, NY Aviemore, Scotland Kiev, Ukraine Quito, Ecuador Guatemala City, Guatemala Chicago, IL Beirut, Lebanon Rio de Janerio, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Singapore Singapore Rimini, Italy Rimini, Italy Montreal, Quebec, Canada Pristina, Kosovo
www.adventureexpo.com www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com www.autoexpo.ua www.gsamark.com www.catm2010guatemala.com www.motivationshow.com www.beirut2010.com www.feiradasamericas.com.br/en/ www.discoveramericapavilion.com www.messe-berlin.de www.discoveramericapavilion.com www.ttgincontri.it www.discoveramericapavilion.com www.montreal-travelguide.com www.americantourismsociety.org
Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) World Travel Market 2010 Discover America Pavilion at WTM 2010 NTA Convention DEMA 2010 Global Tourism Industry Expo Philoxenia CITM 2010 Discover America Pavilion at CITM 2010 EIBTM 2010 Discover America Pavilion at EIBTM 2010 Seatrade MED
Taipei London, England London, England Montreal, Quebec, Canada Las Vegas, NV Rome, Italy Thessalonika, Greece Shanghai, China Shanghai, China Barcelona, Spain Barcelona, Spain Cannes, France
www.taipeiitf.org.tw/ www.wtmlondon.com www.discoveramericapavilion.com www.ntaonline.com www.demashow.com www.gtiexpo.it www.philoxenia.travel www.citm.com www.discoveramericapavilion.com www.eibtm.com www.discoveramericapavilion.com www.cruiseshippingmiami.com
ILTM 2010 USTOA Annual Conference & Marketplace
Cannes, France New Orleans, LA
www.reedexpo.co.uk www.ustoa.com
Utrecht, The Netherlands Montego Bay, Jamaica Tokyo, Japan Madrid Spain Helsinki, Finland Bratislava, Slovak Republic Ljubljana, Slovenia
www.vakantiebeurs.nl www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com www.blossomjapan.com www.fituronline.com www.matkamessut.fi www.incheba.sk www.tourism-fair.com
Kathmandu, Nepal Prague, Czech Republic Boston, MA
www.pata.org www.incheba.sk www.bostonglobetravelshow.com
San Juan, Puerto Rico
www.asta.org
JANUARY 2011 11-16 Vakantiebeurs 16-18 Caribbean Marketplace 2011 18-21 Blossom Japan 19-23 FITUR 2011 20-23 Matka 20-23 ITF SlovakiaTour 27-30 Tourism & Leisure Show FEBRUARY 1-5 PATA AT&RT Conference/Mart 10-13 Holiday World 2011 11-13 Boston Globe Travel Show APRIL 19-22 2011 ASTA IDE TO LIST YOUR EVENTS EMAIL :
8 • JUNE 2010
CONTACT
editor@travelworldnews.com •
FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS VISIT:
www.travelworldnews.com/calendar
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
INDUSTRY NEWS NEST NAMES KATHY HUMEN SALES DIRECTOR The Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) has expanded its sales team with the appointment of Kathy Humen, CTC, as Sales Director. Effective immediately, she is responsible for increasing the group’s membership of home-based travel agents around the country and developing new business initiatives. A 20-year veteran of the travel industry, Kathy comes to NEST with an established track record in marketing, sales, and product management. Most recently, she served as a managing partner for FaceTime Strategy, a fullservice marketing company that handled direct and email marketing, public relations and database management for clients in the travel, retail, and tanning industries. Prior to that, Kathy held a broad range of responsibilities at Sabre Holdings that included marketing, sales, and product management for cruise and tour booking engines. She also assisted in the development of a travel-marketing consortium and served in roles that included supplier relations and training. KATHY HUMEN “We’re very pleased to welcome Kathy to our home-based-and-proud team,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, President of NEST. “She has had many years of success in the travel industry and will be on-hand to personally deliver the tools that will help our home-based agencies build their revenues and profits.” Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST), www.jointhenest.com
VETERAN LUIS A. MÉNDEZ TO LEAD PUERTO RICO CONVENTION BUREAU’S MAINLAND SALES EFFORTS Ana María Viscasillas, President and CEO, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, has announced that Luis A. Méndez has joined the organization as Senior Vice-President of Sales. Méndez, based in Miami, will be responsible for managing the Bureau’s business units in the Continental United States, providing long-term vision and supervision to the Bureau sales team. A seasoned hotelier with vast sales and marketing expertise in the corporate, leisure and group/convention market, Méndez has worked for several top-name hotel companies including the Westin, Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance brands. Working internationally, as well as with several of Puerto Rico’s top hotel brands, most recently Méndez held the position of Director of Sales & Marketing for the InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino. “Luis has a deep understanding of the local market, as well as national and international experience that will prove invaluable as he leads the mainland team in developing single and multiple hotel group sales as well as LUIS A. MÉNDEZ Convention Center bookings,” stated Viscasillas. “As we aim to further develop our Ambassador initiative and increase business from the Mainland, he will work synergistically with our San Juan business unit, as well as our local contacts and resources to continue to develop the meetings and conventions market for the destination.” Méndez serves on the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Center for Medical Education and is a former member of the Puerto Rico Hotel Association’s Marketing Committee. He earned his degree from Sacred Heart University with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Marketing Management. Puerto Rico Convention Bureau (PRCB), info@meetpuertorico.com, www.meetpuertorico.com
TRAVELSAVERS APPOINTS LINDA HECKMAN NEW SOUTHEAST U.S. SALES DIRECTOR TRAVELSAVERS has announced the appointment of Linda Heckman as its Sales Director, Southeastern U.S. In her new position, she is responsible for increasing TRAVELSAVERS’ agency membership and bringing strategic business-building programs to independent travel agencies serving both the leisure and corporate markets throughout the southeastern territory of the United States. Linda joins TRAVELSAVERS with more than 30 years of success in travel industry sales and operations in both the cruise and airline sectors. Most recently, she served at Peter Deilmann Cruises in the roles of SVP, GM and then Regional Sales and Marketing Director. Previously, she held managerial positions at The Delta Queen Steamboat Company, American Hawaii Cruises, Royal Viking Line, and USAir. “We’re so pleased to welcome Linda to our team,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, Executive Vice President, Sales and Service for TRAVELSAVERS. “She has many years in the travel industry and is well-known in the LINDA HECKMAN agent community. She will be on hand, along with the rest of our sales team, to personally deliver the tools that are helping our independent travel agencies build their revenues and profits.” TRAVELSAVERS is owned by American Marketing Group. Its retail chain of more than 3,000 independently owned full-service travel agencies in 14 countries generates more than $20 billion in annual travel industry sales. TRAVELSAVERS, www.travelsavers.com Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
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9
INDUSTRY NEWS RADIUS GLOBAL TMC GAINS STRATEGIC FOOTHOLD IN LATIN AMERICA RADIUS, a corporate travel management company providing global travel solutions, has announced that the prominent travel agency TTS Viajes, S.A. in Argentina has joined RADIUS. Headquartered in Buenos Aires, the addition of TTS Viajes strengthens RADIUS’ position in the Latin American corporate travel marketplace and reinforces the company’s ability to provide multinational corporate clients with true global coverage and local service excellence. As one of Argentina’s top five travel agencies, TTS Viajes was selected by RADIUS for its strong commitment to client and supplier relations, and for prioritizing a corporate travel sales pipeline throughout the region. With total sales of nearly $60 million, TTS Viajes has over 100 travel experts working in their main office, and 30 additional professionals located in branches around the country. Major clients include Grupo Clarín, Essen, Laboratorios Bagó, Embajada Británica, Sodexho, Sancor Seguros, HSBC Rewards and more. RADIUS, www.radiustravel.com
HILTON WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCES ‘THE GREAT GETAWAY’ Hilton Worldwide today announced the launch of “The Great Getaway,” the company’s latest global promotion. Guests can get away with up to 30 percent off hotel rooms for stays completed through September 6, 2010, by making reservations online. Discounted rates also include complimentary breakfast daily. Participating Hilton Worldwide brands include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, and Homewood Suites by Hilton. Travelers looking to book their ultimate retreat can select from more than 2,800 participating hotels worldwide. Reservations must be booked by July 15, 2010, require seven-day advance purchase and full payment at time of booking. Discounts vary by hotel brand. “The Great Getaway gives our guests what they’re looking for—a great deal on travel accommodations,” said Jeff Diskin, Senior Vice President, Global Customer Marketing, Hilton Worldwide. “We’re encouraging our guests to take this opportunity to explore a new travel destination or visit an old favorite while enjoying world-class hospitality in thousands of our hotels around the world.” A selection of well-placed participating hotels and destinations includes the five-star Rome Cavalieri; Mexico’s luxurious Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort; the popular Condado-area Doubletree by Hilton San Juan, PR; Hilton Garden Inn Sonoma County near many famous wineries, Hampton Inn & Suites Williamsburg-Central in colonial Williamsburg; and pet-friendly Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa–Port Richey. Conditions and restrictions apply. Guests that are also Hilton HHonors members will earn their standard points and miles for all stays. Hilton Worldwide, hhonors.com/thegreatgetaway, www.hiltonworldwide.com
DELTA ADDING FLIGHTS BETWEEN NEW YORK AND KEY BUSINESS MARKETS Delta Air Lines has announced it is adding more flights between New York City and key global business markets this year, with nearly 30 cities slated for new or expanded service by fall. Expanded routes include: International—New York-JFK to London-Heathrow; Brussels; Shannon; Manchester; Amsterdam; Cairo; Istanbul; Milan; Moscow; Nice; and Athens, in addition to previously announced new service to Copenhagen and Stockholm and expanded capacity to Tel Aviv and Tokyo-Narita. Domestic/Canada—New York-LaGuardia to Nashville, St. Louis, Norfolk, Richmond and Kansas City; JFK to San Antonio, Cleveland, Montreal, Charlotte, Toronto, Baltimore and Richmond, in addition to the previously announced introduction of Delta Shuttle service between LaGuardia and Chicago-O’Hare. The expanded service is part of Delta’s ongoing efforts to become the preferred airline in New York City. During the past four years, Delta has added 40 new destinations from LaGuardia and JFK combined, expanded BusinessElite service to transcontinental flights from JFK to Los Angeles and San Francisco and reintroduced “Red Coats” as customer service ambassadors at LaGuardia and JFK. “We continue to see corporate travel demand improve across our network, particularly in New York,” said Gail Grimmett, Delta’s Senior Vice President–New York. “With the economy rebounding, our New York customers can look forward to an expansion of flights to both domestic and international destinations throughout the remainder of 2010 as we respond to increased demand.” Delta Air Lines, www.delta.com
CHUCK GATT CO-FOUNDER OF TRAVEL WORLD NEWS PASSES AWAY Charles Andrew Gatt passed away on May 10, 2010 in University Park, Texas. Beloved husband of Cameron (nee Voorhees). Loving father of Haley, Georgia, and Carter. Mr. Gatt spent his professional career in travel media sales and publishing. He co-founded Travel World News in 1988 with his brother Peter and father Charlie. In addition to Gatt Media Partners he worked at Orbitz, Explosive Shorts TV, Sky TV, and Travel Agent Magazine. He attended Denison University in Ohio and New Canaan High School in Connecticut. Surviving family also include his parents Charlie and Sallie, sister Heather, brother Peter and six nieces and nephews. 10 • JUNE 2010
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
EUROPE DUBROVNIK TRAVEL A SPECIALIST IN MICE SECTOR
Historically, the opening of the Imperial Hotel (today Hilton Imperial) in 1887 is considered the beginning of organized tourism, when, according to city archives, the first international meeting in Dubrovnik took place. Over the years, the development of tourism in Dubrovnik was followed by the gradual development of MICE since Dubrovnik Republic hosts had always taken good care of diplomats, guests and international visitors to their city. For 12 years, Dubrovnik Travel has developed experience in this exclusive group travel sector and today can affirm that organizing special group travel programs and events means organizing communication. The company has a team of highly trained and experienced young professionals who can provide ideas and creative solutions in order to reach the group’s objective most effectively. They describe their approach as “A perfect combination of rationality and creativity, rendering every program unforgettable.” One of the most beautiful Mediterranean cities and Croatia’s leading incentive and meeting destination, Dubrovnik hosts many international and Croatian formal gatherings. The company provides detailed itineraries, fast quotations on fair prices, creative programs, efficient and reliable personalized services, coaches and boats of the highest available standard, supervision and coordination of the program by senior office staff during operations and more. Dubrovnik Travel, www.dubrovniktravel.com
BERLIN’S TOPOGRAPHY OF TERROR OPENS NEW DOCUMENTATION CENTER The Topography of Terror will be completed as a site of remembrance and learning when a new documentation center opens to the public May 7, 2010, 65 years after the end of World War II. The exhibition and documentation center, as well as a comprehensive outdoor exhibition, will be located on the grounds along Niederkirchner Strasse; the actual location of Hitler’s SS- and Gestapo headquarters. From here, between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi regime orchestrated the genocide of the European Jews, and the systematic persecution of political opponents. Architect Ursula Wilms designed the modern concrete and glass building as a transparent cube with a strong indooroutdoor reference, putting the focus on the 11-acre historic 12 • JUNE 2010
space, rather than the architecture itself. The building will provide four exhibition halls for temporary and permanent exhibitions, as well as a research library, and state-of-the-art event and lecture spaces. Open since 1987, the Topography of Terror began in a temporary exhibition pavilion, and later as an outdoor exhibition in nearby excavated walls of the notorious Gestapo “house prison” cellars. The open-air exhibition will remain part of a historic walkway and feature 15 stations providing information about the time and the place. The Topography of Terror Foundation encourages active confrontation with the darkest chapter in German history and its impact since 1945. With more than 500,000 visitors per year, the Topography of Terror is one of the most visited sites in Berlin. Admission will be free. Topography of Terror, www.topographie.de
GRANDHOTEL LIENZ CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY On April 30 this year, the Grandhotel Lienz celebrated its first anniversary. The five-star gleaming gem in East Tyrol, close to the border of Italy, is framed by Austria’s tallest mountain, the Grossglockner, and the Lienz Dolomites. The area is blessed with the favorable Mediterranean climate and the endless natural beauty of surrounding mountains, rivers, lakes and forests. The Austrian Ferrari Club with more than 50 Ferraris chose the Grandhotel Lienz as their base for five days of challenging sightseeing on the surrounding mountain roads including the drive to the Grossglockner. Several football (soccer) teams of international fame like Camerons national team and Dynamo Moskau are staying at the Grandhotel to prepare themselves for the world championship in South Africa and the next season in Europe. Also, a group of 12 Audi A8 drivers, while touring the Austrian Alps, have chosen the Grandhotel Lienz, thanks to the safe garage facilities (each room has a reserved place free of cost, its excellent cuisine and its already famed medical and wellness center. Senses magazine named the hotel the Best Medical Wellness 5-star Boutique Hotel in Europe. Grandhotel Lienz’s top-notch cuisine is overseen by two-star chef Christian Flaschberger. Sous Chef Thomas Ebner recently placed second in the largest European competition for up-and-coming professional cooks, The Young Wild Ones. He’s worked in famous hotels and restaurants including Johanna Maier’s five-star restaurant, Hotel Fuschl as well as Do&Co, the catering company in charge of the VIP Clubs of Formula 1 Car races worldwide. Sponsored by the trade magazine Rolling Pin, competitors were required to produce a three-course menu in five hours using only local produce; 978 European cooks competed. The top three competitors were judged by a well-known jury of chefs and gourmet in Mayerling near Austria’s capital Vienna. Grandhotel Lienz, info@grandhotel-lienz.com, www.grandhotel-lienz.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
EUROPE
R E S O U R C E
D I R E C T O R Y
MOVE YOUR IMAGINATION A holiday in Poland does not need to be a strain on your pocket. Find out what discounts are available to visitors and get the best value for your Polish money.
GoBalticEurope with Ann Charles Explore the history, culture and nature of Northern Europe's beautiful Baltic Sea region, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Enjoy Baltic Scandinavia, too! We specialize in Baltic cultural heritage tours.
EuropebyAir’s concept is simply to combine the routes flown by airlines in different countries into a European wide route network by offering cheap air fares for flights within Europe and simple, flexible conditions regarding changes. EuropebyAir has since expanded its airline products to include flights from the U.S. to Europe and to the Middle East. EXCLUSIVE for EuropebyAir Travelers FREE Reservation Change within Europe with EuropebyAir Partner Airlines
888.321.4737
www.gobalticeurope.com
www.europebyair.com
info@RomaniaTourism.com www.romaniatourism.com
JDB’S COMPLIMENTARY EXCLUSIVE OFFERS JDB’s exclusive complimentary amenities: a fabulous meal, a private transfer, a guaranteed upgrade, an extra night free, a relaxing spa treatment – all valid with JDB’s best available daily rate! With over 80 participating properties, ranging from a charming family villa in the countryside to a beautiful sea side hotel to a five star deluxe city property, it’s easy to create a truly distinctive vacation, made especially memorable with our wonderful selection of complimentary amenities.
www.jdbhotels.com
The 1000-year-old quote from “The Sayings of the Vikings” suggests:
The Heart of the Mediterranean
www.visitmalta.com
Creating Distinctive Experiences for the Discriminating Traveler
800-346-5358
annlcharles@yahoo.com
The Maltese archipelago consists of three islands: MALTA, GOZO and COMINO with a total population of 400,000 inhabitants over an area of 316sqkm and a coastline of 196.8km (not including 56.01km for the island of Gozo). Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative center. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterized by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is largely uninhabited.
www.polandtour.org
We Know Berlin! Our qualified and multilingual staff is happy to give advice on how to make individual plans for your time in the city of Berlin. We offer up-to-date information, book tickets for events, sightseeing tours by boat or bus and lots more.
“A guest needs giving water fine towels and friendliness, A cheerful word a chance to speak kindness and concern.” Come and explore the true adventure, experience our fantastic food and rediscover the spirit and true hospitality of the modern Vikings. It is all still here, and much more!
www.visitberlin.de
Romania is situated in the southeastern part of Central Europe and shares borders with Hungary to the northwest, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, the Black Sea to the southeast, Ukraine to the east and to the north and the Republic of Moldova to the east. Roughly the size of Oregon, Romania is the second largest country in the area, after Poland.
ICELAND FOR EVERYONE
www.goiceland.org
EUROPE LITHUANIAN TOUR OPERATORS OFFER ‘BEST OF THE BALTICS” TO US AGENTS
tour operator specializing in the Baltics is a best bet. IN VIA Lithuania offers “Baltic Capitals: World Heritage Sites, “Baltic Amberland,” “Dream of Lithuania,” “Gems of the East Baltics,” “East Europe Grand Tour” and more. Lithuanian Holidays, also a destination management company focused on incentive travel and conferences in the Baltics, offers many special interest tours: “Lithuanian Panorama,” “Back to Nature in Lithuania,” “Catholic Lithuania,” “Jewish Heritage” and “Spa Holidays,” for example. Lithuanian Holidays, www.lithuanianholidays.lt, IN VIA Lithuania, www.invia.lt, Go Baltic Europe, annlcharles@yahoo.com, www.GoBalticEurope.com
CENTRAL HOLIDAYS EXTENDS SPRING SAVINGS PROMOTION FOR NEW BOOKINGS
Vilija Turiene of IN VIA Lithuania and Ann Charles of GoBalticEurope.
Vilija Turiene of IN VIA Lithuania and Nijole Pakaliene of Lithuanian Holidays, both incoming tour operators based in Vilnius, teamed up with Lithuanian-American Ann Charles of GoBalticEurope in New York City recently to promote the “Best of the Baltics” tours to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.” Focused on reaching US travel agents, these two Lithuanian entrepreneurs created an eye-catching poster showing both a dinosaur and Lithuanian amber introduced at the “GoBaltic Europe/BTC/Lithuania” booth at The New York Times Travel Show 2010. The poster read: “Lithuania—Amberland. Amber, Baltic Gold, formed on the sea coast 50 million years ago is the same age as the dinosaurs.” “The Best of the Baltics” published by IN VIA Lithuania in different languages with tips and a lavish collection of photos help pre-sell Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. But one of the most effective ways of introducing the Baltic States to US agents is at a Baltic travel seminar—“Europe: Experience the Best of the Baltics; Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania” organized by Ann Charles, a member of the Baltic Sea Tourism Commission (BTC), was enthusiastically received by trade members at the Show. As its promotional copy read, ‘Photojournalist and author Ann Charles takes you on a Baltic adventure to experience the history, culture and breathtaking beauty of these culturally diverse Northern European countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Tour operators Vilija Turiene of IN VIA Lithuania and Nijole Pakalniene of Lithuanian Holidays provide terrific tips on where to go and what to do in the medieval capitals of Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. Find out more about cultural heritage tours, spa vacations, spiritual pilgrimages, nature get-away and journeys to Jewish Vilnius.” With US travel agents needing to present wide choices, a reliable 14 • JUNE 2010
Central Holidays is pleased to extend its popular “Spring Savings” promotion, offering even greater discounts off a large selection of their Europe brochure programs in 10 enticing travel destinations—Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan—for new bookings made through June 30, 2010, for travel through March 31, 2011. Travelers will be eligible receive $125 off Motorcoach Escorted Tour Programs per person, a $50 per-person discount on Independent and River Cruise Programs and more for select tours included in the offer. Additional spring and summer travel specials currently offered are described as follows: Groups, Families and Friends—Travelers receive one free Land or Land/Cruise for every 15 paid adult passengers traveling together on Louis Cruises; and one free Cruise for every nine paid adult passengers traveling together on select Europe River Cruises. Kids Sail Free—Kids, 16 years and under, cruise free when sharing a cabin with two adults for cruises throughout the Mediterranean via Louis Cruises. Italy Free Night Offer—A free night’s stay is given for every two or three purchased at select hotels in Rome, Florence, Venice, Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Seville, Valencia. Travelers who book one of the Central Holidays brochure programs included in this offer will also receive the following complimentary amenities, making their vacation even more complete—a travel bag, travel wallet, luggage tags, hotel list, travel tips, sightseeing information, Global Discount Phone Card, Duty-Free Shopping Discount Card, Special International Cell Phone offer and more. Those interested may receive a complete list of the eligible brochure programs included in this Spring Savings promotion, or additional information on the various special offers mentioned by contacting the Central Holidays call center toll-free or by visiting their website. The Spring Savings discounts cannot be combined with any other Central Holidays offer, and pre/post package extensions are not permitted. Other exclusions and restrictions may apply. Central Holidays, 800-935-5000, www.centralholidays.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
BOOK
EUROPE WITH THE FOLLOWING DESTINATION SPECIALISTS Avanti Destinations, formed in 1981 as an independent tour operator. Avanti has been a premier FIT tour operator for over 29 years. We are members of USTOA, ASTA and CLIA. Our goal is to help you create a vacation of a lifetime for your clients!
(800) 422-5053 www.avantidestinations.com
FLO USA is a boutique tour operator
Celtic Tours, a leader in bringing you exceptional value and vacation options in Europe and the South Pacific.
founded to serve the needs of highly discerning travelers. Born out of a passion to bring history to life, on the very spot it was made, FLO USA is best known for its expert-led cultural tours of Turkey, Greece, Egypt and China. New destinations, including Jordan and Israel, and Greek Island cruises combined with land tours. In additional to private luxury tours with a cultural focus, FLO USA also specializes in educational and special-interest travel.
CELTIC TOURS World Vacations
800-833-4373
www.celtictours.com
Image Tours associates, are dedicated to providing 'Superior Value with a Personal Touch' Our signature HEART OF EUROPE® tour is now in its 50th year, and has been enjoyed by thousands of first time travelers to Europe. For repeat clients, we offer an array of equally fine tours to other parts of Europe.
888-435-6872
www.europetours.com
www.flo-usa.com
CENTRAL HOLIDAYS Established more than three decades ago, Central Holidays offers the reliability and security that you are booking and traveling with a strong, long-established, robust tour operator with a time-honored history as well as an ongoing commitment to providing the best quality travel programs and unparalleled client service.
At American Travel Abroad, we put Europe within reach. It’s not just ‘any old Europe.’ It’s our Europe. 14 very specialized itineraries all over Central and Eastern Europe. With more than six decades of experience and a reputation second to none, we do more than take you there:
We turn your dream into wonderful reality
800-539-7098 www.centralholidays.com
AMERICAN TRAVEL ABROAD www.amta.com
KEY TOURS is a wholesale tour operator for the Mediterranean region. Using company-leased buses and salaried guides, KEY TOURS is able to operate an excellent variety of itineraries at cost-effective prices. In our destination region, KEY TOURS can supply the following services: * * * * * * *
Customized group tours Individual travel arrangements Cruise and yachting arrangements Meeting planning Hotel and rental car reservations Pre- and post- tour cruises Shore excursions and private tours
800-576-1784 www.keytours.com
Virgin Vacations is dedicated to delivering you the highest levels of service, best value, and most competitive pricing out there. "Give travelers more comfort, more amenities, and more entertainment at a better value." – CHAIRMAN, SIR RICHARD BRANSON
888-937-8474 www.virgin-vacations.com Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
JUNE 2010 •
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CARIBBEAN
The 11th Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange Kicks Punta Cana into High Gear Event in Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort Punta Cana. D . O. C H R I S T I A N R I E G E R I V
Francisco Javier Garcia Francisco Javier Garcia, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, told participants that, “Non-resident visits to the Dominican Republic increased each month since September 2009. This year alone, tourism to our country was up 3.2 percent in March, with a 12 percent increase in U.S. visitors, 2.14 percent in February and nearly 6.0 percent in January." Additionally, “The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of 16 • JUNE 2010
D.O. CHRISTIAN RIEGER
T
his year’s Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) met at the new Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort in Punta Cana from April 19th through the 21st. The event was organized by The National Hotel and Restaurant Association (ASONAHORES) and sponsored by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. 299 sellers of Dominican resorts, tours, transportation and destination areas met in pre-scheduled business sessions with 157 buyers who came from North American, Central and South America and Europe. It was the most number of buyers in the history of the event and way above the previous year. Such a turnout demonstrates increasing tourism interest in the Dominican Republic’s competitive resort product and the importance of trade shows, as opposed to Internet conferencing. Usually, by the last day of a trade show, the event floor is almost empty by noon. But not here. It was full and active till closing at 4:00 PM. Alex Gray, U.S. Sales Manager of Gand Palladium Hotels & Resorts said, “Palladium Resorts has never missed a DATE. We have been at all 11 events and in fact the very first DATE in 1999 was hosted at our hotel, the Fiesta Santo Domingo. “This year attendance was as high as it has ever been and it gave us a chance to talk to operators that we don't usually work with. The result of one such meeting allowed us to come to an agreement with Minneapolis-based MLT Vacations, a company we would have not been able to pursue without attending DATE. So for us, DATE is a key event and we plan on continuing to attend every year.” Haydee Rainieri, president of ASONAHORES, added, “I see it as one of the best DATES ASONAHORES has had. I feel proud of our country and our people and I believe that this DATE proves the new orientation that our industry is taking: to move on according to the time and expectations of the visitors and the incursion in a new niche of the tourism market: luxury.”
Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism, Dominican Republic and Haydee Rainieri, President of The National Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Dominican Republic at the 2010 DATE at the Moon Palace in Punta Cana.
Tourism's has in place a five-year plan to develop rural tourism in the 31 provinces. The plan includes developing guest houses so visitors can explore the country as an alternative to staying at the all-inlcusives.
It feels like Vegas, baby! The Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort, with a namebrand change in late summer to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, has the largest casino in the Dominican Republic covering 45,000 square feet of gaming space. Plus 65,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. It has 1,790 junior suites with in-bedroom Jacuzzis and double showers with real shower heads that actually water the body and not go flinging off to the side over the shoulders. Eight pools face the ocean, with four next to the beach. Three pools look over a lagoon area. There are an additional three kids pools with one featuring flumes and slides. Six swim up bars dot the poolscape, so you do not have to walk far from your room to swim up to a bar. By the time the transition is done, there will be 21 restaurants and bars. The on-site Cana Bay Golf Club is a par-72 Jack Nicklausdesigned course. The signature “Rock Spa” is a 60,000 square foot facility with 48 spa suites and one of the world's most complete hydrotherapy circuits. The resort has a broad range of appeal from families, couples, and friends, to casino players, golf devotees and spa lovers. The place is big and it is grand. With Hard Rock’s outstanding music industry connections, they brought in Jon Secada, one of the music industry’s www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
CARIBBEAN D.O. CHRISTIAN RIEGER
hottest Grammy-winning Latin cross-over singers to entertain on opening night. The guy was great, the music was great, the food was great! If the opening night’s entertainment is any indication of a good time, ya gonna wanna book New Year’s Eve. Summer rates start at $134 ppdo. Palace Resorts is also offering up to $1,500 in credits on golf, spa and other amenities per room, per stay, good for travel through the end of 2011. Travel agent rates start at $110.00 ppdo. The resort will also have a special rate in September for travel agent appreciation month.
Who’s New
Casa de Campo Casa de Campo has also been at DATE since its inception. They took this opportunity to announced Summer Family Values to new and old partners with savings up to $800. These include a free category upgrade, two kids free when Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
D.O. CHRISTIAN RIEGER
Among the new vendor participants this year were JetBlue Airways, El Sendero del Cacao, Dolphin Explorer, Go Golf tours, Punta Cana Business Center, Splish Splash, Travel in Style, Vista Cana, Las Cayas Eco-Lodge, Debbie´s Caribbean Traveling Network, Balcones del Atlántico and Catlante Catamarans. Until this year, Catlante Catamarans has been catering for nine years to the European market with cruises in the Caribbean and in the Dominican Republic’s south coast for five years. That is now changing to offer these to the Canadian and United States market for which Valérie Cabana is the region’s sales manager. She says, “We manage and own the entire production chain, from construction of our Catlante 600 catamarans at our shipyard in France, up to the B-to-B marketing for annual or seasonal charters with tour operators. “The Catlante 600 incorporates knowledge acquired from 150,000 passenger charter weeks. It is an 18-meter catamaran equipped with 6 cabins (each with a shower), providing comfortable accommodations for 12 passengers. It is the only production boat that has been designed from the start to be used for cabin charter cruises and as a result offers the absolute best in passenger comfort.” It is an excellent alternative for customers who are looking for more intimacy, conviviality and contact with nature. Their first Caribbean destination for the North American market will be the Dominican Republic with back to back weekly cruises. The package prices are in line with the price of 4 or 5 star all-inclusive resorts. Based on current rates from France including airfare, a cruise for the North American market will be about $2,151 per person including flight, all meals and premium drinks. And that is with food cooked the way the French cook.
Meeting at the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange at the Moon Palace in Punta Cana is: Jacques Abitan, president of The Vacation Travel Mart, Miami Beach, FL; Erick Castillo, marketing & sales manager, Fiesta Hotel Group, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Alex Gray, U.S. sales manager, Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts, Wilmington, DE; Sonia Casaubon, sales & marketing manager for Canada, Sainte-Julie, Quebec, Canada; and Bill Chlebek, commercial director of North America for Grand Palladium, Wilmingtn, DE.
Discussing future business options at D.A.T.E. 2010 at the Moon Palace in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic are Gabriel Rodriquez, N. American Sales Manager, Princess Hotels & Resorts; Stephanie Jones, Caribbean Product Manager, LibGo Travel Inc., Ramsey, NJ; Karen Bontemps, Manager, Flight Centre USA, Ramsey, NJ; Jackie Brown-Yurkin, Caribbean Product Coordinator, LibGo Travel, Ramsey, NJ; and Manuel Serrano, Director Commercial Caribe, Princess Hotels & Resorts.
sharing room with parents and 50% off connecting second room for families traveling together. This is valid on new bookings only through September 30, 2010, with a four night minimum. The Summer Sports Sampler is a three daypackage created for families to learn, or hone their skills in ocean kayaking, tennis and horseback riding. For two hours each day guests can learn progressive skills in a single sport or become a triathlete and learn all three sports. This is a supplement of $169 for adults and $119 for children. Casa de Campo pays a 10% travel agency commission. Through December 20th superior room rates start at $195 and three-bedroom villas start at $649.
Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange, www.asonahores.com JUNE 2010•
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CARIBBEAN EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON LOS MARLINS HOTEL & GOLF RESORT MIXES RELAXATION, BUSINESS Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Marlins Hotel & Golf Resort is located within the grounds of the Metro Country Club just outside of Santo Domingo in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic. Here, guests enjoy walks along beautifully landscaped surroundings, the Los Marlins 18-hole par 72 golf course and the clubhouse facilities. With 125 suites in all, there are suites for non-smokers, suites designed for physically challenged guests and Master Suites for luxurious accommodations. Spacious two-room suites are outfitted with either a king-size bed or two double beds, as well as an additional sofa bed in the living room, crisp linens and individually controlled airconditioning. The meeting rooms provide 4,000 sq. ft. of total area. The Grand Ballroom accommodates over 400 participants. The Royal Salon seats more than 200 theater style, and offers almost 2,000 square ft. of versatile meeting space. An Executive Boardroom is ideal for smaller meetings. The hotel’s business
center provides Internet, fax, copy machines, secretariat as well as other business services. The Fairway Grill offers guests a complimentary breakfast that includes tropical fruit, juice, yogurt and cheese selections, homemade breads, cereals, cooked-toorder eggs and fresh coffee or tea. The Fairway Grill is also open for a la carte lunch and dinner. The Bistro, with its rich dark woods and cozy ambience, offers an international menu with both beef and seafood specialties. Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Marlins Hotel & Golf Resort, www.losmarlins.embassysuites.com
CASA DE CAMPO OFFERS A MENU OF SUMMER FAMILY FUN Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic has launched its Summer Family Values program along with a Sports Sampler for families to learn and play together. “During the school year everyone is busy and there is not much time for families to create fond ‘together’ memories,” said Dr. Claudio Silvestri, President and CEO of Premier Resorts and Hotels the management company for Casa de Campo and
This summer; kids staying free and no single supplements for single travelers
18 • JUNE 2010
father of two. “This Summer connect with your children, laugh and learn at Casa de Campo.” The Sports Sampler is a three-day program created to enable adults and their kids to learn or perfect skills in ocean kayaking, tennis or horseback riding. For two hours each day they can learn progressive skills in a single sport or become a tri-athlete and learn all three. The cost for the three-day program is $119 per child (up to 17 years) and $169 per adult. Minimum ages for the sports are: ocean kayak, 12 years; tennis, four years; and horseback riding, seven years. The choice of sports and time schedule has to be reserved with the concierge. An outline of the sports sampler including day-by-day information is available on the Casa de Campo website. All rates are per person, and tax and service charges are included in the rate. The program is combinable with all Summer Sale offers, and must be booked in advance. All prices are subject to change without notice. Casa de Campo’s Summer Values, valid for travel through September 30, feature a free room upgrade—new Elite room at luxury room rate, or luxury room at Superior room rate; two kids free when staying in room with parents; and 50 percent off a connecting second room for families traveling together. Guests staying in villa accommodations will receive a $200 resort credit and two kids free staying in the villa with parents. A minimum four-night stay is required in hotel and villa accommodations. Casa de Campo is home to three Pete Dye-designed golf courses (including the Teeth of the Dog), the La Terraza Tennis Center, a shooting center, an equestrian center, private Minitas Beach, world-class Marina & Yacht Club, the Altos de Chavon village and more. Casa de Campo, 800-877-3643, www.casadecampo.com.do www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Courtyard Santo Domingo
Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino
800 593 8601
800 331 3542
On-site Restaurant & lobby bar, outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, high speed internet access in all guest rooms & public areas of this Santo Domingo Hotel
The only resort-like Santo Domingo luxury hotel, ideal for vacations and corporate meetings in Santo Domingo.
www.marriott.com
The
Palladium
Experience
Call Center: +1888 237 1226 (Toll Free) GEPPGIRXIV EQIVMGE$½IWXELSXIPKVSYT GSQ
www.ÄLZ[HOV[LSNYV\W.com
HOTASA LUPERON BEACH RESORT
The complex consisting of two hotels
LUPERON BEACH & TROPICAL BEACH MODERN ALL INCLUSIVE beach resort providing excellent accommodations dispersed through spacious bright pastel colored buildings that are nostalgic of native old style fisherman’s village nestled withing lush tropical vegetation surrounded by coconut and almond trees that line the beach.
Located on the westside of Puerto Plata, one of the most beautiful areas of the Dominican North Coast, thanks to its fine and white sandy beaches, lush vegetation, the beautiful Luperon Bay, and its historic surroundings.
info@donjuanbeachresort.com
www.donjuanbeachresort.com
www.hotasahoteles.com
Ocean World is an extraordinary entertainment complex dedicated to offering visitors a once in a lifetime experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the world. For more information about Ocean World Casino, Marina or Adventure Park please visit: www.oceanworldcasino.com, www.oceanworldmarina.com, or www.oceanworldadventurepark.com
BLUEBAY GRAND ESMERALDA***** RIVIERA MAYA MEXICO BLUEBAY VILLAS DORADAS**** PUERTO PLATA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
bluebayresorts.com
CARIBBEAN MAJESTIC RESORTS SPECIALS FOR WEDDINGS, GROUPS AT ITS TWO DR PROPERTIES Majestic Resorts’ two luxury all-inclusives in the Dominican Republic’s dreamy Punta Cana—Majestic Colonial and Majestic Elegance—are indulging brides and grooms and other group occasions with generous offers, including a free wedding program. Couples who book just 15 rooms for a seven-night stay get their wedding free. This Free Wedding Package includes the following: the specialized assistance of a wedding planner, the location of choice—white sand beach, magnificent gazebo or a private suite, room upgrade (subject to availability) for the couple, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability), the services of a civil judge, a beautiful decorated wedding cake, a bouquet for the table in tropical flowers as well as a tropical bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom, ironing of the groom’s tuxedo and bride’s gown, a sound system and simultaneous translation of the ceremony if needed, the marriage certificate in Spanish, the marriage certificate delivered by DHL, champagne for the group after the ceremony, a candlelit romantic dinner for the couple with champagne, romantic breakfast in the couple’s suite, a complementary massage for the couple and use of the humid area at the Spa, a basket of fruits in their room during the stay, a bottle of champagne in the room twice during the stay, and room service for the couple.
The resort includes a free bonus package for all honeymooners. They simply need to include a remark regarding this when their reservation is submitted. Majestic Resorts is also offering 16th passenger travels free. This is a favorite choice for groups of all types. They must book by October 31 for travel between January 3 and April 30, 2011. Majestic Resorts, infoweddings@majestic-resorts.com, groups@majestic-resorts.com, www.majestic-resorts.com
CASA BONITA TROPICAL LODGE BLENDS LUXURY AND NATURE Located in Barahona, in the stunning southwestern region of the Dominican Republic, Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge perfectly combines luxury and nature. Once the summer home of the Schiffino Diaz family, it is today a boutique hotel and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the Worlds. It consists of 12 exquisite guest rooms and is situated on a hillside with views of the Caribbean Sea, the Bahoruco mountain range and the rivers that surround the magical setting. Each room features a private balcony, wine cooler, Ipod-ready clock radio, wireless phone, air conditioning and ceiling fan. Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge includes a restaurant offering Caribbean fusion cuisine, international bar, infinity swimming pool with sea views, relaxation massage, room service, adventure tour desk, meeting room, Wi-Fi, children’s play area and table games, mountain bikes, snorkeling equipment, surf boards and horseback riding. As a result of its strategic location in the Southern region, Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts, as it is accessible to the region with the greatest biodiversity of the island, containing almost 40 percent of the country’s natural reserve. Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, info@casabonitadr.com, www.casabonitadr.com, www.slh.com/casabonita.com
LIFESTYLE HOLIDAYS VACATION CLUB, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, DEBUTS NEW ADULTONLY EXECUTIVE SPA SUITES BY LIFESTYLE Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club (LHVC), located in Puerto Plata on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, has introduced Executive Spa Suites by Lifestyle, located adjacent to Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort with access to all resort amenities. The adult-only property includes 18 one-bedroom poolside studios that are directly across from The Spa, a luxury retreat dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation of body and mind, with a state-of-the-art cardio room, hot and steam saunas, sea salt healing pool and an array of indulgent treatments and massages. The studios, providing accommodations for up to four, feature Caribbean design in rattan, natural wicker and exotic bamboo, choice of king-size bed or double beds, air conditioning, ceiling fan, cable television, private bathroom with shower and sitting area, mini-fridge and desk, and terrace overlooking the pool and The Spa. Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, www.lifestyleholidaysvc.com 20 • JUNE 2010
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ANGUILLA
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
BOUTIQUE VILLA HOTEL
A Luxury Boutique Villa Hotel - West End, Anguilla BWI - www.sheriva.com
BIRD OF PARADISE VILLA Anguilla, BWI
More than a place, a state of mind... Where Time is Sacred
Kú is situated on Shoal Bay East on two miles of white sand beach which is considered by many to be one of world’s finest. Kú is designed after the minimalist cool of South Beach and the relaxed sohistication of St. Barts and offers some of the fun that go with those destinations. Dramatic. Sophisticated. Chic. Crescent Beach. Panoramic Views. “Seven for Five” Summer Special with Executive Chef for Welcome Dinner USA: 1.414.791.9461 AnguillaBird@yahoo.com www.AnguillaBird.com
The essence of the Arawak is relaxation and informality. We are a simple, friendly Inn, with bright coloured attractive rooms and very comfortable beds, focussed on giving our guests good value for their money and ensuring that they enjoy their time with us.
877-427-2925
www.arawakbeach.com
ku@anguillanet.com 800-869-5827
www.ku-anguilla.com West Indian, French and American Culinary 2-1/2 Miles of Dazzling White Sand Gingerbread Style Laced Cottages Footsteps Away from the Beach Serene Powder White Beaches Intimate & Romantic Hideaway StylesPerfect Spot for Lovers Picture Postcard Views Sun Kissed Repose...
www.anguillagreathouse.com
Sirena Hotel is located away from mass tourism in the heart of the trendy West End on the beautiful island of Anguilla in the British West Indies overlooking and with access to wonderful Meads Bay. It is a paradise for those who appreciate quality, friendly people, stable government, warm weather, beautiful beaches and excellent restaurants. Built in Mediterranean style with Caribbean colors, is run personally by the owners together with an experienced management team.
YOUR PASSPORT
TO
PARADISE
Simple and sophisticated travel between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Anguilla, BWI Enjoying Anguilla’s delights has never been easier than with Rainbow International Airlines air charter flights between San Juan and Anguilla. All flights take approximately 55 minutes each way and provide a seamless connection with United States mainland flights.
866-966-1881
www.anguillaairexpress.com
– a secluded haven of tranquility – Like Anguilla, the Paradise Cove Resort is small and intimate: a place to escape to for a quiet, peaceful and relaxing holiday. Our staff will give a level of personal service and individual attention unsurpassed anywhere on the island.
www.paradise.ai
www.sirenaresort.com
CARIBBEAN ANGUILLA’S BIRD OF PARADISE VILLA IS RUSTIC LUXURY
Located on one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands, the Bird of Paradise in Anguilla is quintessentially Caribbean and offers unobstructed views to St Barth’s, St Maartin and beyond. Designed by award-winning international hotel and resort architects, Wilson & Associates, spearheaded by lead architect, Guy Courtney of Watermark Design Studio, the villa comprises a village-like collection of four separate, ensuite pavilions topped with traditional wallaba shingles, and interconnected by walkways, a bridge and lagoon-style pools.
UNSPOILED
A leisurely swim in sparkling azure waters. A soothing massage on your own private balcony. An afternoon spent gazing at the sun-splashed Atlantic with not a cruise ship or a care in sight. The Sands at Grace Bay
UN C O M M O N
offers a soul-satisfying tranquility along with inspired cuisine, considerate service and as much – or as little – activity as you choose.
UNPRETENTIOUS
Providenciales • Turks & Caicos
an exceptional all suite beachfront resort For reservations, see your travel professional or call 1.877.77.SANDS (72637) www.thesandstc.com
22 • JUNE 2010
A whimsical outdoor living room acts as counterpoint to the expansive, cornerless interior living room with Purple Heart mahogany and glass doors that fold back to allow unfettered views. Avid travelers, the owners’ passion is reflected in the fusion of intriguing collectibles: primitive masks from the Solomon Islands, rare basket weavings from the Sepik River and ornate Balinese wall carvings. Wood, stone, pebbles, woven sea grass and raffia are signatures of the design scheme. Interior designers, Tonya Burke of Watermark Design Studio and Donna Sweet of Haven Interiors chose a neutral palette for the ivory sheer drapes, canvas slipcovers, hand-textured wall finish and tropical hardwood furniture. Interior features boast vaulted, stained cumara wood ceilings, granite countertops and Kohler fixtures. Concealed ambient lighting, hurricane lanterns and candles combine with atmospheric pool lighting to create the romance that pervades every aspect of the property most notably, the beautifully appointed bedroom suites. Frette linens and Bulgari amenities are used. Outside the master suite, across the bridge over the lagoon is a fantasy sanctuary, complete with bar, celandon and pewter ceramics, outdoor shower and plunge pool and a candle-rimmed whirlpool tub framed by two giant windows of palms strung with fanciful fairylights. Bird of Paradise, anguillabird@yahoo.com, www.birdofparadisevilla.com
VERDANZA HOTEL, PUERTO RICO LAUNCHES PACKAGE TO CELEBRATE ITS FIRST SUMMER SEASON Guests may enjoy the sultry days of summer at San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Verdanza Hotel, with a package that offers accommodations for two adults and two children up to 16 years of age at no additional charge, sharing a room with adults. Each adult receives a complimentary Rondanza, Verdanza’s signature cocktail made with Rums of Puerto Rico, and the whole family enjoys two 12-inch pizzas, one mini-cooler filled with a six-pack of Coca-Cola, and a 15-percent discount in food and beverage at Verdanza’s three restaurants. The Feel the Vibe! Package also offers a $10 match-play coupon for nearby casino as well as a copy of the Puerto Rico Entertainment Book 2010, with hundreds of discounts in restaurants, shopping, attractions, and more. The summer package rate is based on double occupancy; in addition to that up to two children are welcome to stay in the room at no additional charge. The package starts at only $79 ppdo per night, subject to a daily nine-percent government room tax and eight-percent resort tariff. The cost for an extra adult in the room is $25 per night, room only. A two-night minimum stay is required. This rate is not applicable for groups of ten rooms or more. The package price is valid through August 31, 2010, subject to availability. Restrictions may apply. No reimbursement will be given for unused amenities/features. The package is commissionable at 10 percent for travel agents. Verdanza Hotel, www.verdanzahotel.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
CARIBBEAN THE WESTIN RESORT, ARUBA OFFERS FAMILIES ‘SUITE’ SAVINGS Just in time for summer vacation planning, The Westin Resort, Aruba, is offering a “Suite Family” getaway, allowing mom, dad and the kids extra space to spread out and relax. Nightly rates start at $399 this summer for an ocean view suite, complete with one king bed and one full sleeper sofa, comfortably accommodating four guests. The package, available when booking four or more nights, also includes a daily $100 food and beverage credit and a 50-percent discount off additional resort view rooms, perfect for larger broods or inviting extended family along. While vacationing at the resort, children and families can partake in a variety of fun, adventurous and educational activities, planned daily by the resort’s resident “Director of Fun” Marielle Smeets, ranging from sandcastle building and seashell hunting to iguana feeding and coconut bowling. Younger guests (ages four–12) can join The Westin Kids Club, where they’ll engage in water balloon splashes, tie dyeing and trips to the butterfly farm. When enrolling more than one child in the Kids Club, the resort provides a 30-percent discount on the total cost of the program. While the younger set is occupied, mom and dad can spend time sans kids trying their luck in the casino, shopping around the island or just relaxing by the pool. The Director of Fun also organizes playtime for adults, with nightly Unwind™ rituals that include a Taste of Aruba with Balashi Beer, Mix Your Own Mojito or Create Your Own Caipirinha. The whole family can reconnect with a variety of activities like Movies under the Stars, Fireside Storytelling and Stargazing, complete with professional telescopes. Daytime adventures include snorkeling, kayaking or visiting nearby Arikok National Park. The “Suite Family” package is valid now through December 18, 2010; mention should be made of rate plan SUITFB at time of booking. The $399 nightly rate is per room, based on stays of four-six nights; for stays of seven nights or longer, nightly rates start at $379. Offer is based on availability and does not include tax or service. Discount for additional room will be credited at check-in. The Westin Resort, Aruba, 877-822-2222, www.westin.com/arubaspecials, www.westin.com
MICHAEL SANSBURY APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SEVEN STARS RESORT, TURKS AND CAICOS Michael Sansbury, a 30-year hospitality veteran, has been appointed Managing Director of Seven Stars Luxury Resort, located on Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Sansbury will oversee all resort operations and will implement additional amenities, including a new restaurant Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
scheduled to open in 2011. Prior to joining Seven Stars, Sansbury served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Baha Mar, a $2-billion destination resort currently under construction in the Bahamas. Before that, he was a Regional Vice President and Managing Director of Loews Hotels, responsible for pre-opening and subsequent operation of three hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. His experience with Loews also included regional responsibilities for the successful opening and operation of Loews Miami Beach, Don CeSar Resort and the Loews New Orleans. He has served as President of the Cornell Hotel Society, the international alumni association of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. He’s also a former Director of the Bahamas Hotel Association and of the Nassau/ Paradise Island Promotion Board. In Florida, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Florida Hotel & Motel Association, Chairman of the Board of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, and was named 2001 Hotelier of the Year of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association. He was also named 2002 Resort Executive of the Year by the Resort Industry Conference. Seven Stars Luxury Resort, 866-570-7777, www.sevenstarsgracebay.com
The beach is so close, shoes are strictly optional. Emerald green mountains as a backdrop. The turquoise Caribbean Sea at your feet. Could there be any place more charming than this picture perfect cove called the Grand Case Beach Club ? Two powder white beaches. Fresh water pool. Day and night tennis. Delightful dining. Invigorating water sports. Shopping and excursions. Everything your heart desires.
For reservations see your travel professional or call 1-888-845-5821. www.grandcasebeachclub.com JUNE 2010•
23
CARIBBEAN CLUB COMMANCHE IN ST. CROIX, WITH HISTORIC PAST, REMAINS POPULAR TODAY
SANDS AT GRACE BAY GIVES AGENTS GENEROUS OFF-THE-RACK DISCOUNT
Built near The Royal Wharf in the 1750s for a Danish doctor, one of St. Croix’s oldest buildings has been home to the Comanche Hotel since 1948. Throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, Club Commanche was the social and business center of St. Croix. It was a daily gathering place for businessmen, professionals and politicians. Hollywoood movie stars made regular visits. Today, Club Comanche is still at the center of culture, tourism, business and government in the Virgin Islands’ historic town of Christiansted. The hotel has been repositioned as St. Croix’s only executive boutique hotel and meeting and event center in the heart of downtown Christiansted on the harbor boardwalk. The Hollywood-style swimming pool, the first pool in the Virgin Islands and formerly filled with recirculating harbor water pumped by the windmill, is converted to fresh water and re-plumbed to meet modern safety regulations. The Commanche Mill Bar, formerly the Honeymoon Suite, anchors Club Commanche to the popular harbor boardwalk which links the Historic Danish Fort and Customs House, shopping arcades with galleries, duty-free shops, custom jewelers, fine restaurants and waterfront bars, excursion boat operators. Club Comanche Hotel, 866-975-2927, info@caribbean-reservations.com, www.clubcommanche.com
The Sands at Grace Bay is offering up to 40 percent off the rack rates for travel agents who book their own stay at this familyfriendly Caribbean Resort, for travel now through December 21, 2010. With discounted rates starting as low as $111 per night ppdo for Studio Courtyard accommodations, it’s a perfect excuse for travel professionals to take a fun family vacation or couples getaway this summer or fall. Agents can visit the resort’s website for resort and rate information, but for reservations agents will need to call the hotel directly at their toll-free number to request the travel-agent discounted rate. They must provide their ASTA, NACTA, IATAN or CLIA number when making the reservation, and present their card at the front desk upon check-in. The travel agent discount will be applied to qualified travel agents plus one additional guest, and reservations will be based on hotel availability. A beach lover’s delight, The Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are available by appointment. Guests are welcome also to enjoy the resort’s indoor fitness center, non-motorized water sports, tennis court, and bicycles as well as complimentary WiFi in the rooms, restaurant and lobby. The Sands at Grace Bay, 877-777-2637, www.thesandstc.com
“Most Romantic Resort in the World” TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice, 4th consecutive year
Located on one of the Caribbean’s top 10 "Dream Beaches of the World", the sophisticated and stylish Bucuti and Tara Beach Suites offer Aruba's only refined and tranquil boutique resort experience. Exchange your vows on our magnificent white sandy beach. Let us make your honeymoon a celebration that you will cherish for a lifetime...
Eagle Beach • Aruba • Dutch Caribbean info@bucuti.com • 888-4-BUCUTI www.bucuti.com
24 • JUNE 2010
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MEXICO
Solmar Hotels and Resorts: Cabo’s Resort Compound That’s Fit for Royalty CONNIE SKOOG
I
f your ship made landfall in the stunningly beautiful bay at the tip of the Baja penninsula a hundred years ago, there would be just one place to build your royal castle. You would choose the rocky hillside next to the arched rock formation that defines entrance to the bay and separates the Sea of Cortes from the Pacific Ocean. From one turret in your castle you could look down on any town that might one day grow around the bay, and from another tower you’d look out to a private beach and the deep blue of the Pacific. You’d be safe in your royal compound, sheltered by rock formations that kept your beach secluded. Few other Solmar’s boutique property The Ridge commands sweeping 360 degree views. sites on earth offer such Luxury Suites offer a separate bedroom with king bed, grandeur, such a perfect setting for a royal castle. Luckily for your clients, no royal castle was ever built on this two full baths, a queen sofa sleeper in the living room, a perfect pinacle above Cabo San Lucas. Don Luis Bulnes, fully-equipped granite/stainless kitchen, two satellite owner and founder of Solmar Hotels & Resorts, enabled thou- TVs and balconies overlooking the Pacific or the bay. sands to enjoy this site by erecting a complex of hotels and re- Deluxe Junior Suites (42 units) are studios with a sorts on its rocky peak and the beaches below. Sr. Bulnes kitchenette, one bath, a king bed and queen sleeper. aquired the land in the 1970s and started with a mere 20 Clients who desire a “home away from home” will love the guest rooms on the beach. Now a complex of old, nearly-new Penthouse Suites with two bedrooms, three baths (one with and yet-unfinished luxury resorts, Solmar Hotels & Resorts’ Jacuzzi), a kitchen, living room with dining area and huge luxury suites are available to FIT guests and RCI timeshare furnished wrap-around balcony featuring Solmar’s consismembers. tently amazing views. Some of your clients want peace and privacy, so they must Though only a few of the 260 suites support Internet access, give up the energy of a town with its nightlife, shopping and WiFi is available poolside and in the lobby. A business center local color. Others want to be in town where the action is, so offers fee-based computers and Internet access. A Kid’s Club they have to put up with crowded beaches filled with hawk- entertains the kids so Mom and Dad can have some time to ers and loud music. The location of Solmar Hotels & Resorts themselves. gives visitors the best of both worlds. This resort complex is In addition to an adult pool with a large whirlpool, a family located just ten minutes walk from Cabo San Lucas, its shops pool, tennis courts, mini-golf, and fully-equipped gym, and marina, yet it offers complete tranquility with a naturally Playa Grande offers an award-winning Thalassotherapy private, two kilometer-long beach. Spa. Founded in France, Thalassotherapy emphasizes organic cures from the sea, so it is a natural fit for Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa the Playa Grande. Seawater baths, seaweed body and Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa is the centerpiece of the face treatments, and hot stone massages are just a few of the complex, at present. Playa Grande offers 260 suites. Its 188 CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 26 • JUNE 2010
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soothing treatments offered by this luxurious spa.
Ridge Luxury Villas, a hotel within a hotel Perched on top of a cliff overlooking the Grande Playa Resort is a small boutique property called The Ridge. A room key is required to take the elevator up to the Ridge property. On its rooftop garden – with 360 degree views of bay, town, mountains and the Pacific – guests enjoy an intimate, luxurious retreat. An infinity pool plus a pool with a slide surround a small bistro that serves organic, gourmet Mediterranean meals featuring local produce The Ridge’s 67 Master Suites are similar in size and facilities to the Playa Grande’s Luxury Suites, with the addition of a true Murphy bed in the living room. The property's 31 Penthouse Suites (see description of accomodation above) have room for six with an addition of a Murphy bed. Roland Bernard, General Manager of both Playa Grande and Ridge Villas, stated that the Solmar Resort complex has not been affected as adversely as many properties in Mexico by the recession and bad publicity. “We are lucky in that we have a loyal following of clients who return year after year,” he stated. Mr. Bernard recently arrived in Cabo from Puerta Villarta and has many exciting ideas about promoting the Solmar resort complex.
Living room suites at the Playa Grande are furnished for comfort and style.
Solmar property the Grand Solmar Land’s End opens in 2011.
Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa Phase 1 of the Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa is scheduled to open in January 2011. The final phase will be completed in 2013. Designed by HKS, a US architectural firm, the property will combine old world style with modern luxury. The resort will consist of 291 suites, all with ocean view, three restaurants, pools, and eventually its own spa facility. While the Playa Grande is designated a Four Diamond resort, the Grand Solmar will be a Five Diamond property.
Solmar Resort If your clients prefer an older, smaller resort with “character” and history, send them to the Solmar Resort, a short stroll down the hill from the Playa Grande. The Solmar Resort is the original Solmar property that opened in 1979. It has been continually upgraded and refurbished, but retains a laidback feel. Guests at the Solmar Resort enjoy access to the facilities at the Playa Grande; the hotel shares the same enormous private beach but has its own pool and restaurants. According to Franklin Araque Roa, General Manager for the Solmar Resort, many old-timers are saddened that the original Junior Suites (39 units) will soon be torn down. Their ground floor patios are a stone’s throw from the Pacific. If your clients want to stay in one of theses suites (with one king or two double beds and a kitchenette), warn them that, though they still feel remote and sheltered, they are located next to a construction site: the Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa. Much less exposed to the noise and dust are the Solmar Resort’s Studio Suites (similar to the studios described above, but more traditionally Mexican in decor), Deluxe Suites (onebedroom units) and Garden View Junior Suites. All of these suites provide a refrigerator, satellite TV, coffee maker, inroom safe, air conditioning and phone; some add a kitchenette, but none have modern full-service kitchens. The Solmar Resort will remain part of the resort complex and probably a favorite of traditionalists, even as the newest 28 • JUNE 2010
Restaurants in the Solmar Complex and beyond Five restaurants in the Solmar Resort complex include poolside buffets and bistros, a sushi bar plus two restaurants on the beach: Playa Grande's Brigantine Restaurant for fine dining and The Tejaban, a Mexican restaurant located at the Solmar Resort. Solmar also owns two Italian restaurants nearby, El Galeon, overlooking the marina, and Restaurant Romeo and Julieta plus the Hacienda El Coyote Restaurant and Tequila Bar (with more than 200 types of tequila).
Cabo Adventures The Los Cobos area offers activities for just about anyone: water sports such as scuba, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, and boating, golfing, eco adventures and a wild and crazy nightlife. An exciting young company at the foot of the Solmar Resort complex, Cabos Adventures, has cooked up some innovative adventure experiences. They use real America’s Cup boats to train guests to race; each day one team of guests races another team. Their “Swim with Dolphins” experience using trained dolphins is probably their most popular. Cabo Adventures works directly with travel agents on their website cabo-adventures.com/travelagents.
Solmar Hotels & Resorts, 800-344-3349, reservaciones@solmar.com.mx, www.solmar.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
MEXICO
R E S O U R C E
Welcome to El Cozumeleno Beach Resort, we wait for your visit!
D I R E C T O R Y
El Cozumeleno Beach Resort a family friendly, all inclusive, Ocean front hotel in Cozumel. Located on the north side of the island with natural sandy beach, and great snorkeling. Cuzamil (Land of the Swallows) is the second largest island in Mexico. Cozumel is Latin America’s number one cruise port, a diver’s paradise and home to the world’s second largest barrier reef.
www.elcozumeleno.com In the heart of Playa del Carmen, you’ll enjoy our hotels’ high quality service at affordable rates.
www.tukanhotels.com reservations@tukanhotels.com
AN APPLE VACATIONS PARTNER
The
Palladium
Experience
Call Center: +1888 237 1226 (Toll Free) GEPPGIRXIV EQIVMGE$½IWXELSXIPKVSYT GSQ
www.ÄLZ[HOV[LSNYV\W.com
México: A country of Gods and Sun Lovers
Our Inspiration Your Privilege Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres hotel is located very near to downtown at Isla Mujeres, right across from Cancun s seashore, featuring 124 luxury units, brand new modern facilities for those travelers looking for an excellence privileged surrounding.
www.privilegehotels.com A classic property, nestled within 118 acres of pristine jungle. It is the lowest density development in the region. All rooms feature breathtaking views. The resort offers world-class snorkeling on the famous and unequaled coral reef in Akumal, the “bay of turtles”. Our location allows access to Riviera Maya Golf Club, the natural aquarium of Xel-Ha, numerous wonderful cenotes and the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Chichén Itzá and Cobá.
www.akumalbeachresort.com.mx
At Gray Line - Mexitours we give passengers the best of Mexico through programs, hotels and services of the best quality and the best price. For 30 years, we have been synonymous of quality and world wide guarantee.
We invite you discover this paradise called Mexico with Gray Line - Mexitours.
www.mexitours.com.mx
MEXICO 2010 VIRTUOSO SYMPOSIUM ADVANCES LUXURY TOURISM IN MEXICO
The Honorable Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President of Mexico, personally addressed 440 global leaders of luxury travel at Virtuoso® travel network’s annual Symposium in Mexico City April 15–18. He confidently told the audience, which consisted of luxury cruise, tour and hotel executives and top travel retailers, that his government is spending $50 billion on infrastructure improvements to strengthen the country’s support of tourism. “Tourism is key to Mexico,” President Calderón told attendees. “We want to put our country in the hands of your clients. The government and our citizens are ready to serve with open arms as we say, ‘This is where your home is.’ ” Virtuoso’s connection to Mexico is a strong one, with 27 member travel agencies and 36 preferred travel providers in Mexico. CEO Matthew D. Upchurch was born in the country and spent his early childhood there. Virtuoso, www.virtuoso.com
TUKAN HOTELS INTRODUCES NEW PREMIUM ALL-INCLUSIVE MEAL PLAN Tukan Hotels has an innovative new meal plan that does not exist in any other part of the Riviera Maya nor in the rest of Mexico and will complement their Room Only, Bed and Breakfast and Standard All-Inclusive plan. This plan is available at their Tukan Hotel and Beach Club and Moongate Hotel and Beach Club. The Premium All-Inclusive Plan offers clients the use of 10 food and beverage outlets in the Premium city center location including a variety of Premium drinks for one price. So guests can enjoy their vacation in a la carte restaurants and bars Premium All-Inclusive. Tukan Hotels, www.tukanhotels.com
VALENTIN RESORT RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS Valentin Imperial Maya Resort, an all-inclusive, adults-only resort in Riviera Maya, was recognized in May along with nine other Riviera Maya hotels for implementing the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI) Environmental Management System. Founded by Conservation International, the Coral Reef Alliance, Friends of Sian Ka’an and MARTI in partnership with the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, the Environmental Management System promotes best practices in the hotel sector focusing on the efficient 30 • JUNE 2010
use of natural resources and materials in daily operations and creating environmental awareness among employees, suppliers and guests. This organization was formed as a result of the large-scale destruction of economically and ecologically important coastal habitats in the state of Quintana Roo, which were in the process of being destroyed due to the abundance of construction and development occurring within the destination. The implementation of sustainable hotel development guidelines will ensure that tourism development is in sync with the surrounding ecosystems. Valentin Imperial Maya Resort was honored by MARTI due to their commitment to the conservation of the Riviera Maya and for promoting the best practices highlighted by the organization including consideration of the surrounding, natural environment during the planning, design and building phases of the resort, reducing their energy and water consumption and protecting the biodiversity and fragile ecosystems that the property inhabits. Valentin Imperial Maya Resort has taken great care in keeping the lush foliage that surrounds the property, protecting the natural lagoon that the Resort is built around and ensuring that the animals that live on property are not disturbed. MARTI is currently working with 86 hotels in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Cozumel, and the Dominican Republic to implement the MARTI Environmental Management System. Valentin Imperial Maya Resort, www.valentinmaya.com
SANDOS HOTELS OFFER 3 TIPS TO HELP AGENTS SELL Sandos Hotels & Resorts, recognizing that agents must have a comprehensive knowledge of products in order to meet the diverse requirements of clients, has created three tips for partner travel agents to assist with generating sales to one of the Riviera Maya properties. With two resort complexes on the Riviera Maya, Mexico, Sandos Hotels & Resorts has something for every vacationer, and suggests agents define the client’s profile first including their likes, budget and timeframe. To help describe room categories, amenities and restaurants, fact sheets are available for download online from the hotel’s “professionals” section. For families, agents should check out Sandos Aqua Park (Sandos Caracol) with water slides and play areas and its complimentary Kids Club, all highly recommended for families with young children. For couples, they should download the 2010 Wedding Packages from the “professionals” section and ask for Free Romantic Packages. And for eco trips, they can learn about Sandos’ Eco Club, free Eco Tour, MARTI Certificate and other sustainable tourism aspects online in the Eco section. A second tip is to download the latest photos and hotel maps from the professionals section to help clients visualize each property and assist with choosing their room category. And lastly they should frequently visit the Special Offers section to view the latest offers, all of which are 10-percent commissionable. Sandos Hotels & Resorts, 866-336-4083, www.sandoshotels.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
LATIN AMERICA
City of Visionaries: Brasilia and Chapada dos Veadeiros: Park of Splendors L I S B E T H H O LT
Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
CHRISTAINKNEPPER/EMBRATUR
T
he dazzling heart of Brazil beats in its vast geographical center 700 miles from Rio de Janeiro in the flat central highlands: the city of visionaries, celebrating its fiftieth inaugural year: Brasilia. This profoundly different city exudes a mirage-like aura. The astoundingly dramatic buildings soar in audacious lines into the bluest and widest of skies. Lucio Costa, the famous city planner whose Plano Piloto design was the blueprint for the city, once remarked, “The sky is the sea of Brasilia.” Exactly fifty years have passed since its triumphant inauguration on April 21, 1960, the capital completed in a mere fortyone months! Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Brasilia symbolizes the grandeur of man’s spirit, willing to sacrifice, daring to realize a seemingly impossible dream. Today, a vibrant city of some 2.5 million people, it remains to captures the imagination unlike any other city. The brasilienses (or candangos, “pioneers”), the vivacious people of Brasilia, are among the most gracious, hospitable, accommodating…and attractive…people anywhere. Travelers are welcomed with open arms and enthusiastically introduced to the history of this amazing region. In 1883, an Italian bishop Dom Bosco had a remarkably prophetic vision of a city to rise as a beacon to humanity in the Americas on the 15th parallel. The idea of moving the capital from the Cidade Maravilhosa, Rio de Janeiro, into the interior was tossed around in influential political circles for many decades, like a seed of possibility germinating magically in the subconscious of the nation. In 1956, newly-elected president Juscelino Kubitschek set plans into motion to build the glorious new capital in the middle of the wilderness. He brought together the luminaries of the arts to create together: towering Oscar Niemeyer, one of the most important architects of the twentieth century (still very much alive at the age of 102), artists Roberto Burle Marx, the “creator of the modern garden”, Athos Bulcao, Alfred Ceschiatti, Marianne Peretti, Bruno Giorgi, among illustrious others. Lucio Costa’s city plan was shaped like a cross, a dragonfly or butterfly, an airplane perhaps. Each sector, governmental, commercial, residential, sprang forward from the nucleus of this ingenious plan. Tens of thousands of Brazilians, the “candangos”, swarmed into the region, hardy workers who toiled tirelessly to help shape the vision into reality. Oscar Niemeyer’s fantastically curved monumental buildings are an awe-inspiring tribute to the spirit of Brazil. The exquisite Itamaraty (“rose-colored stone) Palace, the
25-foot-tall bronze sculpture by Bruno Georgi dating from 1959, a symbol of Brasilia, paying homage to the “candangos” (the pioneers) who built the city in just forty-one months!
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomes dignitaries. The serene symmetry of this palace is imprinted in one’s mind as a keeper of the flame of civilization. Works of art tantalize the eye. Gardens of exotic blooms remind one of this land’s rich exuberance. The jewel-like dining rooms representing the historic capitals, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and now Brasilia, enchant with priceless paintings, sculptures, antiquities, rare Persian carpets, jacaranda furniture, and silk wall coverings. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasilia resembles Christ’s crown of thorns. Sixteen white flames of concrete hold within its embrace stunning stained glass panels, three angels of the Annunciation, sculpted by Alfredo Ceschiatti, hovering above the altar. Must-see sights include the National Congress with its iconic concave and convex shapes holding a veritable treasure trove of the arts; the National Theater with its pyramidal shape; the round-shaped National Museum, its shape inspired by the “oca” hut of the native peoples; the Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial inaugurated in 1981, with its stunning CONTINUED ON PAGE
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circular mortuary chamber; the boldly executedJK Bridge; the Praca Tres Poderes (Plaza of Three Powers), like a pavilion of the gods; and the Palacio da Alvorada (the Palace of Dawn) where the president resides. Must-see, too, the breathtakingly beautiful Dom Bosco Church, with its immense blue stained glass panels and a magnificent Murano glass chandelier. A pyramidal shimmering stone shrine designed by Niemeyer, located on nearby Lago Paranoa, holds a sculpture of Dom Bosco. For those fascinated by the beginning phases of this enormously daunting enterprise, a visit to the temporary residence of Kubitschek, the Catetinho, is not to be missed. Constructed in just ten days in 1956, this wooden building houses the living area, kitchen, bed and bath rooms just as they were fifty years ago (including JK’s rose-colored pajamas). The President flew from Rio de Janeiro for frequent inspections. Brasilia is rightly celebrated as a center of the arts. The Teatro Nacional Claudio Santoro is the perfect venue for a variety of performances in its three auditoriums. Though-provoking art is beautifully exhibited in most public arenas. The National Museum holds frequently changing art exhibits. Anita Malfatti’s paintings recently adorned the walls of the Museum of Modern Art. On May 27, the Sounds of the Earth creator, American artist Damian Francis Wagner will perform at the Brazilian Foundation of Arts’ Faculdade de Artes Dulcina de Moraes (FADM). This avant-garde event will honor the spirit and legacy of Brazil’s famous actress, Dulcina de Moraes, incorporating sounds, poetry, painting, and lecture. Cosmopolitan Brasilia with some ninety embassies is a natural setting for business travelers. Dozens of beautiful hotels boast spacious convention facilities, and sophisticated restaurants abound to please every palate. Excellent hotel choices include the Royal Tulip Brasilia Alvorada designed by Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake. Guest rooms are decorated with Niemeyer’s drawings and sketches. The centrally-located Melia Brasil 21 enjoys 5-star status. The Brasilia Palace, a grand hotel of historical importance, was newly opened in 2006, and its Oscar Jazz & Cucina serves delectable Italian cuisine. The sophisticated Naoum Plaza Hotel is a long-time favorite. Highly-recommended gourmet restaurants include the Dudu Camargo, CocoBambu, eclectic Universal Diner with its vinyl LP place mats, and Danish architect’s Aquavit, each with celebrated chefs. Those in search of exhilarating natural adventure head toward an entirely different world in the state of Goias (Brasilia, in the Federal District, is within Goias): the Chapada dos Veadeiros, which according to NASA, is the most luminous point seen from the Earth’s orbit. It was formed 1.8 billion years ago in the oldest geological part of the continent, the Arai plate. This vast savannah (the “cerrado”), on the same 32 • JUNE 2010
ALLURING AMERICAS
BRASILIA
The waterfall is the Saltos do Rio Preto or just Saltos (Black River Falls); the first fall measures 250 feet; the second measure 360 feet.
parallel as Machu Picchu, Peru, is literally covered by a layer of quartz crystal. Located 155 miles from Brasilia, Chapada dos Veadeiros covers about 23,000 square miles, but only a small portion is open to tourists, and only with a licensed guide. This veritable paradise with its rich flora and fauna resembles the savannah of East Africa. The town of Alto Paraiso de Goias (“High Paradise”) feels like Shangri-la with crystal fragments scattered about emanating an undeniable energy, attracting artists, healers, and nature-lovers. New age type of stores offer crystals, mystical stones, herbs, and apparel for sale. Among the natural food restaurants, Jambalaya receives raves. Travelers unwind and de-stress in pleasant pousadas (guest houses). The Mandala Holistic Spa takes the art of relaxation to a new level, with the owner Daniella the high priestess of the healing arts. Indulgent treatments include massages, aromatherapy, and luxurious lolling in a delicious hot tub under a star-filled sky…and a tray filled with succulent tropical fruit, a cool pitcher of coconut water, a vase of exotic flowers…ahh...is this not paradise? Sao Jorge (St. George) a hamlet of some 600 inhabitants, situated twenty-two miles from Alto Paraiso, is reached over bumpy dirt roads. Settled by miners of quartz crystal, its remote location adds to its charm. Moacir S. de Faria, a muchacclaimed artist whose art was exhibited several years ago at MOMA, has his rustic studio here. Amazingly, he has overcome the limitations of impaired hearing and speaking to produce hauntingly exotic paintings. Sao Jorge’s Bambu Brasil is a choice pousada with charming features at every turn: comfortable rooms with outdoor hammocks, gardens with pool, pleasant meeting room, gift shop, and dining area serving scrumptious meals. From the pousadas, sports enthusiasts are whisked away by local guides for amazing adventures. Tour company Travessia’s Rafael is an incredibly knowledgeable guide. The Vale de Lua (“Moon Valley) resembles an extra-terrestrial landscape with its 500 million year old stones, grottoes and natural pools carved by the Sao Miguel River. The Loquinhas www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
LATIN AMERICA are a delightful series of waterfalls reached via ladders, and awe-inspiring Almecegas waterfalls is sheer magnificence where daredevils abseil from its heights. Hiking to reach many of the waterfalls is an adventure in itself. An abundance of unusual trees, flowers, and birdlife make this their habitat. The Paepalanthus flower is called “ever-living” because even after it is harvested, it maintains its beauty for years. The murities are the most typical palm trees. The tall ema bird resembling an ostrich can run at amazing speeds. Upon reaching the spectacular waterfalls, swimmers refresh themselves in crystalline pools. Those in search of more extreme sports find ziplining, canyoning, mountain biking, abseiling, rappelling: it’s all here. The daring jumps. The thrills of flight. The adrenaline highs. As seasons are reversed, July is the coldest time of the year with temperatures dropping to a low of 55F, but it is comfortable year-round. April through June is the best time to visit, right before the dry season. TAM Airlines offers superb international and domestic service with its young fleet of well-maintained aircraft. It promises and delivers the passion to fly and serve. In 2009, TAM was deservedly chosen as the best airline company of South and Central America by readers of Global Traveler. Those who travel to Brasilia and the Chapada dos Veadeiros often become repeat visitors. Small wonder that some opt never to leave.
Brasilia, www.aboutbrasilia.com; Chapada dos Veadeiros, www.chapada.com
MY EXCLUSIVE JOURNEYS INTRODUCES WINE, DINE AND TANGO TOURS With a sophisticated capital, celebrated wines, beautiful scenery, great restaurants and tango…tango…tango, Argentina is one of the world’s hottest destinations. And the best way to experience it is with My Exclusive Journeys, a tour operator that knows Argentina and how to have fun. Though My Exclusive Journeys specializes in custom-designed programs, their website now features a number of sample itiner-
Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
aries—their wine, dine and tango tours—that anyone can book any time to enjoy Buenos Aires and Argentina. My Exclusive Journeys can also custom-design a trip in Argentina for a couple, family or group. They can arrange luxurious private dinners paired with the appropriate Argentine wines, wine tastings with top sommeliers, private cooking lessons with renowned chefs and, of course, private tango lessons. MEJ offers hotel choices from small, beautiful boutique hotels like the Mine Hotel or top-of-the-line luxury palaces like the Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau in Buenos Aires, the famed Cavas Wine Lodge in Mendoza or the spectacular Los Sauces in El Calafate. One of the extra attractions of an MEJ tour is their Exclusive Unwind Program, which provides—on arrival—private chauffeured airport transfers, a relaxing meeting and cup of tea with the guide, a soothing massage and rest to recover from the flight. My Exclusive Journeys, 888-334-6905, www.myexclusivejourneys.com
BRAZIL’S TAM AIRLINES FLIES DIRECT FROM MAJOR US GATEWAYS TAM Airlines operates eight daily flights from three U.S. gateways, Miami, New York and Orlando to Brazil. There are four daily flights from Miami with two to Sao Paulo, a morning and evening departure, an evening departure to Rio de Janeiro, with the fourth departure to Manaus. From New York TAM operates a morning and evening flight to Sao Paulo and an evening flight to Rio de Janeiro, while Orlando provides daily service to Sao Paulo. The TAM network within Brazil includes service to 80 destinations, so the airline is able to make it easy for travelers to arrive efficiently at many locations in the country. Among the many services offered by TAM Airlines are assistance to people with special needs including oxygen onboard, the option of cradle reservation, traveling with pets, free phone rentals (payment for calls only), luggage priority options that include door-todoor luggage service, and the availability for a flight attendant fluent in another language to be assigned to one’s flight. TAM Airlines, 888-2FLYTAM (235-9826), www.tamairlines.com
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LATIN AMERICA METROPOLITAN TOURING ECUADOR INTRODUCES ITS NEW ‘SPIRIT OF THE ANDES’
“Spirit of the Andes” is a four-day immersion into the Andean World, a journey along the history, the spirituality, the Andean flavors, the customs, traditions and legends of the ancestral peoples of the Ecuadorian highlands. It includes not only the awesome scenery of the Ecuadorian Andean Region, but visits to centenary Haciendas, the highland moorlands of Cotopaxi National Park, the quaint and popular village of Baños; Cuenca, Ecuador’s most beautiful city and a World Cultural Heritage Site, plus the opportunity to be in contact with the people and the projects of the Indian communities whose lives
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are deeply entwined with the land and still reflect their ancient traditions and their reverence for nature. “Spirit of the Andes” is a four-day/three-night overland from Quito to Cuenca, scheduled to start operating June 7, 2010, on a private or shared basis. Travelers will wind their way south all the way to Cuenca, on a fascinating journey along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, surrounded by spectacular scenery, through fertile valleys cultivated in a patchwork of windswept fields and surrounded by snow covered peaks. They’ll marvel at remains of ancient Inca construction, spot condors and other high-altitude birds, llamas and vicuñas and take in the mystical spirit of the Andes that, in times past, nourished the mythology of early cultures and later provided incentive to the conquering Spanish to settle here. Much research, design and investigation has been invested to focus this program and its essential components to offer guests an array of varied sensations, experiencing sights and insights, textures and colors, aromas and flavors. Metropolitan Touring, www.metropolitan-touring.com
CANODROS PRESENTS GALAPAGOS CRUISES ONBOARD GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II Canodros’ M/V Galapagos Explorer II is an all-suite 100-passenger vessel excellent for exploring the magical Galapagos in style. Two promotions are on offer for this fall. Green Galapagos rates start at $1,341 with discounts from $149 up to $444 and on special departures the Rabida promo starting at $1,240 is available all year. Conditions apply to all promotional rates. In June the weather changes in Galapagos—the “cold and dry season” begins (average temperature around 66 degrees). This makes an excellent opportunity to observe marine life and bird reproduction periods during a visit. Last October, M/V Galapagos Explorer II remodeled the ship’s restaurant, coffee station and the Jacuzzi areas. Balconies were also added to eight of the suites; Explorer II now offers 24 balcony suites. Excursions are led by a naturalist bilingual guide. Groups up to 15 may enjoy a personal experience on the islands and a deep encounter at this ‘museum of natural history’ that offers a true understanding of wildlife and evolution. All activities and islands visits are included in the program. Guests are pampered by the attention of a personalized crew while they enjoy the comfort of the cozy and casual areas on the Explorer II. Many choose to combine a Galapagos cruise with a stay on the Ecuadorian mainland, taking advantage of the packages that include a stay at any of the four different regions of Ecuador. Scuba divers are also welcome to cruise the Galapagos Islands on-board the Explorer II. Two different programs are offered: Mosquera Islet or Daphne Islet (2 dives) and Academy Bay (2 dives). The rate is $195 per day per person, and it includes two dives. Conditions apply. Canodros S.A., www.canodros.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
LATIN AMERICA RAIN FOREST AERIAL TRAMS COSTA RICA DELIGHTS WITH AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
designed for bird watching. Paved trails allow for noiseless advancement and the placement of camera tripods. Lookout points are perfect for observing raptors and other species. Expert guides enlighten guests about the birds; the reserve averages 365 species in 50 families annually, with migratory observations optimal in October and November. A ride on the Aerial Tram opens to panoramic views of canopy-dwelling species. Guests also enjoy the park’s zip line, guided nature hikes, a Snake Exhibit, a Frog and Butterfly Garden, opportunities to overnight at the Rain Forest Lodge (fantastic for nocturnal observations), trekking experiences and family adventures. Rain Forest Aerial Trams, 866-759-8726, www.rainforestrams.com
OWNER OF LA MANSION INN ELECTED AS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT
Caribbean Caco Experience, Chocolate Factory.
Rain Forest Aerial Trams in Costa Rica, with Atlantic and Pacific locations, is launching a Caribbean Cacao Experience for cruise ship passengers traveling with Carnival Cruises. Immersing guests into authentic Costa Rican culture and history, the program traverses the Limon province. All this is sweetened by a lesson in traditional chocolate making. The Experience begins with a 40-minute air-conditioned motor coach ride to Hone Creek District, home to Cahuita National Park. Guests enjoy the orchids and bromeliads garden and discover the classic “tee pee” of the Bribrí and Cabecar used by the “Chamans” (healers). Sculptures from original Afro Caribbean settlers, and the “burrocarril” alternative transportation of the Cahuitan community are seen. The sweetest step of the experience is learning the history of the cacao and interacting with the traditional methods of chocolate making. There’s also a presentation of an organic banana and sugar cane plantation. Another program presented by Rain Forest Aerial Trams Costa Rica Atlantic is its award-winning tropical bird-watching program. The private reserve sharing a 6.2-mile border with Braulio Carrillo National Park is a little under an hour from San Jose. The secluded location and protected ecosystems of this property on the Caribbean coast creates unparalleled opportunities to observe exotic birds. Rain Forest Arial Trams Costa Rica Atlantic has twice won the local Audubon Christmas count with groups spotting as many as 403 species in 24 hours. Guests meander through 1,200 acres of rainforest, complete with trails and observation points. Isolated trails have been especially Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
Harry Bodaan, owner of the five-star boutique La Mansion Inn, was unanimously elected new President of the Chamber of Commerce recently, with the full support of former President Richard Lemire. Mr. Bodaan is also Chairman of Sister Cities International (SCI) Quepos/Fort Lauderdale, Special Assistant to Quepos Mayor, Oscar Monge, and Law HARRY BODAAN Enforcement Advisor to the City Council of the Aguirre region, Costa Rica. Last year Mr. Bodaan received an Award for Meritorious Service from Mayor Jack Seiler of Fort Lauderdale for Five Years of Chairmanship of the SCI program between the cities of Quepos, Costa Rica, and Fort Lauderdale, USA. The regional Chamber of Commerce elections were held in time for the return of EXPOTUR in May, the largest business gathering of the tourism industry in Latin America. Representatives from La Mansion Inn joined over 1,200 professionals from Costa Rica’s tourism sector to strengthen liaisons and create new partnerships. Accredited with many years of charity work in the Quepos community, this year Mr. Bodaan will be leading the regional Chamber of Commerce in creating a better business climate. Key areas of committee focus will include Security, Education, Tourism, International Business & Industry Development, and Membership Matriculation Programs. The Chamber of Commerce will be seeking additional national and international alliances to address issues such as Solid Waste Disposal issues, Water Sewage Treatment Plant and other infrastructure issues. Bodaan stated, “I look forward to working with the travel community in making Quepos and the new Manuel Antonio area one of the key destinations in Costa Rica. We have worked long and hard to help change the face of Quepos and Manuel Antonio by almost doubling the number of law enforcement officers and our crime rates are among the lowest in the country.” La Mansion Inn, 800-360-2071, www.lamansioninn.com JUNE 2010 •
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LATIN AMERICA VICTORIA HOUSE OFFERS A NIGHT FREE WITH STAYS OF FIVE OR MORE
The best special is to stay free at a luxury resort. Victoria House in Ambergris Caye, Belize, is offering one free night when five or more nights are reserved in either a Casita or Plantation Room category or higher. The special is valid for the dates of June 1 to December 18, 2010. Additional details are available through the U.S. reservation office. Victoria House is rated as one of the top 10 hotels in Belize. The resort features 42 rooms including luxury suites, two, three and five bedroom villas. The hotel grounds include both a beachfront pool and a 70-foot infinity pool and two of the beachfront villas have their own private pool. The hotel also has an elegant restaurant, Palmilla, with a top chef Jose Luis Ortega, who brings a Mayan flare to its delicious cuisine. The Admiral Nelson’s Bar is always inviting to relax on the wraparound verandah, tell fish stories or share intimate cocktails. Excursions revealing the sights and sounds of Belize are all within easy reach of Victoria House: stunning species of migrant bird life, a jungle river lined with wild orchids, echoes of ancient cities locked in Mayan ruins, fishing the reef while the chef waits to prepare the catch, diving and snorkeling along the barrier reef or just plain relaxation. All excursions can be arranged through the hotel’s activities desk and dive shop. Guestroom reservations and all domestic transfers are easily arranged by contacting the Victoria House U.S. reservations office toll-free. Victoria House, 800-247-5159, info@victoria-house, www.victoria-house.com
MEMORABLE EXOTIC CAYE BEACH RESORT HAS 3-FOR-2 OFFER UNTIL OCTOBER Exotic Caye Beach Resort in San Pedro Town, Ambergis Caye, Belize, has announced its 2010 Sizzling Summer Special—an opportunity to stay three nights for the price of two any time between June 22 and October 1, 2010. This offer is for any of Exotic Caye’s beachfront condos complete with a queen-size bed, full bath, fully equipped kitchenette, living 36 • JUNE 2010
area, ceiling fans, cable TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a balcony with an ocean view. The offer cannot be combined with any other offer and is for a limited time only. Some restrictions apply and all bookings are subject to resort availability. Kelly German, Exotic Caye’s Director of Tourism, states: “There’s an indescribable feeling when you walk over the warm white sand and feel the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean embrace you like an old friend. It’s the feeling where nothing else exists—shedding the day-to-day grind and discovering once again your real sense of being. You’ve felt it before and it may well be the most perfect moment in the world.” Exotic Caye Beach Resort is full of perfect moments, according to German. Beachfront dining and enjoying the cool breeze and some spicy island shrimp at Exotic Caye’s new restaurant, The Blue Iguana Grille. Dancing the night away to live music at Crazy Canucks Beach Bar. Soaking up the sun beside the 125,000-gallon swimming pool at the San Pedro Fitness Club. Sipping an icy cold Caye-puccino from Caye Coffee Caye-osk. Lounging peacefully in an oceanfront hammock swaying with the breeze. Enjoying a Green Turtle encounter while snorkeling or SCUBA diving in Belize’s world-famous 80-degree turquoise waters with the dive professionals at their PADI dive centre, Ambergris Divers. Says German, “The quiet moments here can be unforgettable” Exotic Caye Beach Resort, www.belizeisfun.com
RADISSON FORT GEORGE HOTEL & MARINA LAUNCHES GUEST EXPRESS LAUNDRY SERVICE AND BUSINESS-CLASS ROOMS In keeping with its new growth strategy and service concept, the Radisson Fort George in Belize City, Belize, is launching its new business-class rooms this month to better serve the wide range of business travelers staying at the hotel. Some of the benefits included in these rooms are free Wi-Fi access, an upgrade to the best available room, a spacious work desk and a comfortable chair, extra outlets by the desk, a laptop safe, early check-in, free breakfast, complimentary drink coupon, home clock radio for IPod connection, bathrobe, slippers, upgraded bathroom amenities, turndown service and 1,000 gold points per night. On May 1, the Radisson introduced a three-hour express laundry service, perfect for on-the-go guests. All laundry received will be returned within three hours. The Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina continues to work toward being the number-one hotel to stay and invest in by improving standards to the highest level. Recently, the hotel management and staff raised monies through an annual car wash to present a check for $1,500 Belize dollars (approximately $768 U.S.) to members of the board of the Belize Cancer Society as a donation. It is hoped that the money will assist members of the community battling with cancer who cannot afford treatment. Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina, www.radisson.com/belizecitybz www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
BELIZE
M OT H E R N AT U R E ’ S B E S T K E P T S E C R E T TWO GREAT DIVERS RESORTS
SUNBREEZE HOTEL 800-688-0191
www.sunbreezehotel.com
Overlooking the Belize Barrier Reef, choose from 20 suites with private balcony or 43 rooms at the hotel boasting partial ocean & garden views. Perfectly located in the town of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye with easy access to the town’s activities yet out of the hustle and bustle of town.
SUNBREEZE SUITES 800-820-1631
www.sunbreezesuites.com
A BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN BELIZE
Located on 7200 acres of private reserve in the Northern Maya Mountains, Hidden Valley Inn is the ideal base from which to enjoy the many natural wonders of Belize.
HIDDEN VALLEY INN Toll Free: 1 866 443 3364
THE BELIZE JUNGLE LODGE FOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL, BIRDING, HORSE RIDING, CAVING, MAYAN RUINS...
Reservations: reservations@hiddenvalleyinn.com
Experience Belize’s most amazing eco retreat! Join us and...make sure you stay long enough!
www.hiddenvalleyinn.com
www.duplooys.com
“Back to nature which was once the cradle of all man kind,” is the emphasis of our health and rejuvenation program. We can accommodate no more than thirty-five guest at a time which ensures privacy and exclusive individual care. We believe in blending fitness, beauty and nutrition with relaxation, informality, and nature. Our goal is to provide guest with an understanding and balance in their lifestyles.
800-MARUBA-7
www.maruba-spa.com
Fly Belize with the Maya Island Air Group We do more!!!
The soft sandy beach just outside your door at Mata Rocks Resort beckons you to enjoy our sparkling blue Caribbean Sea. Whether you want the privacy of a honeymoon couple or access to adventure, our peaceful and serene beachfront hotel invites you to be here with us on Ambergris Caye in Belize.
GROUP SPECIAL’S Maya Island Air is proud to introduce to you our GROUP SPECIALS, for every five (5) tickets purchased get ONE Absolutely FREE!!
“Tradition of Safety”
www.mayaislandair.com
888-628-2757
www.matarocks.com
An Exceptional Beach Resort in Belize. We have just completed one of the finest establishments on Ambergris Caye. PORTOFINO is proud to offer the very best service on the island with no expense spared to ensure our guests have a relaxing and memorable vacation.
888 240 1923
www.portofinobelize.com
Imagine a beautiful, palm fringed tropical island with a wide, white sandy beach. Imagine elegantly rustic beachfront cabanas with luxurious furnishings and island decor. Imagine the warm, crystal clear Caribbean Sea at your feet. Imagine yourself at Tranquility Bay..
Where Dreams and Reality Become One
www.tranquilitybayresort.com
LATIN AMERICA 15% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE ON GREEN PACKAGE AT THE LODGE AT CHAA CREEK
the reserve; Canoeing along the Macal River, home to numerous species of tropical birds as well as giant Green Iguanas; Presentation on responsible and sustainable tourism that outlines Chaa Creek’s commitment to the fundamental principles of ecotourism. The Lodge at Chaa Creek, 877-709-8708, marketing@chaacreek.com, www.chaacreek.com
RAINFOREST RELAXATION AT PARADOR RESORT & SPA IN MANUEL ANTONIO
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is inviting travelers to take advantage of its new responsible tourism “Go Green Belize” package. The all-inclusive package offers itineraries focusing on local culture, environmental conservation, sustainable development, traditional healing, the ancient Maya, and social and environmental stewardship. A 15-percent discount is being offered by Chaa Creek on bookings for this Belize Ecotourism Package for travel dates May 1–30 and June 1–30. Included in the package are: Nights’ lodging in beautifully appointed luxury cottage accommodations traditionally constructed by local artisans using indigenous hardwoods; All meals with daily special recipes featuring the seven Belizean ethnic groups: Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese and Mennonite; A guided tour of Chaa Creek’s organic Maya farm where freshly harvested fruits and vegetables are grown for the resort’s varied regional and European menu; Hiking on well-maintained trails along the Ruta Maya Trail System where the resort’s professionally trained naturalist guides will offer environmental interpretation of the surrounding tropical forest and its plants and animals; A guided tour of the Chaa Creek Natural History Centre where visitors receive a comprehensive introduction to the natural history, geography and cultures of Belize; A guided tour of the Chaa Creek Butterfly Farm, focusing on the life cycle and miraculous transformation of the magnificent Blue Morpho butterfly; A guided interpretive tour of the Rainforest Medicine Trail, showcasing traditional Maya folk remedies extracted from the plants of the surrounding tropical forest; An early-morning Bird Walk with a Chaa Creek naturalist guide within its 365-acre nature reserve where over 308 species of birds have been documented; Guided horseback riding within the Ruta Maya Trail System where the guide will highlight the various unique plants and wildlife species native to 38 • JUNE 2010
For selective clients, the newest collection of “Las Suites” at Parador Resort & Spa in Costa Rica is perfect. Perched on the highest point of Punta Quepos, the new Suites feature luxury accommodations with expansive views of diversified rainforest canopy and the Pacific Ocean. The resort is within minutes of world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park and the sport-fishing town of Quepos. Throughout June, 2010, the Suites are available with an attractive package rate of four nights/five days for $1,590. This includes a lavish breakfast buffet, welcome cocktail, body treatment of choice for two, guided tour to Manuel Antonio National Park, and all taxes. The Las Suites structure includes two elevators, concierge service, an adult swimming pool with Jaccuzzi, La Fragata Restaurant (open for lunch and sunset), room service, and a meeting room that seats eight. From the corridors, guests can observe all species of flora and fauna, including the howler monkey, cari blancos, titis, sloths and tucans. All suites include a spacious living area, a king-size bed, private balcony with Jaccuzzi, bathtub, separate shower, two sinks with granite counter, sofa bed, mini bar with sink and granite counter, safety deposit box, 42” TV plasma, table clock with Ipod deck, tropical hand-painted artwork by famous Costa Rican artist Victor Chavarria, and WiFi. Two extraordinary Pacifico Suites have all the commodities of the Suites and are located on the corner of the building with a 260-degree view; the balcony is larger with total privacy and the bathtub has an ocean view. Located on the penthouse floors of Las Suite, two luxurious Master Suites have nearly a 360-degree view, each offering a spacious master bedroom, living room, bathrooms with large windows looking over the ocean and the canopy, a large balcony with Jaccuzzi, two plasma TVs, and all the additional amenities of Las Suites. Master Suites can be rented separately or together, adjoining with a private foyer. Parador Resort & Spa has been recognized as a leading hotel by World Travel Awards, including receiving this year’s prestigious Mexico’s & Central America’s Leading Hotel 2009 and Costa Rica’s Leading Resort & Spa 2009. Parador Resort & Spa, 877-506-1414, gmiranda@hotelparador.com, info@hotelparador.com, www.hotelparador.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
CRUISE
R E S O U R C E
D I R E C T O R Y
MS/AMACELLO
Award winning European river cruise operator AMAWATERWAYS continues to lead the way in river cruising in 2010, with new ships, new itineraries and new accolades for its innovative product.
amawaterways.com
NORTH POLE CRUISES OPERATING ICEBREAKER SINCE 2001 We are the pioneers in organizing expedition cruises to the Russian Arctic
877-692-5701
www.expedition-cruises.com
Expedition Cruises PATAGONIA - TIERRA DEL FUERO - CAPE HORN Explore the last frontier in South America in the comfort of our newly-built expedition ships, Mare, Via and Stella Australis (under construction). We offer 3- and 4-night departures between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, exploring Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn in Southern Patagonia.
877-678-3772 australis@bellsouth.net
www.australis.com
Oceanwide Expeditions cruises are designed for those travellers who want to discover destinations from the inside – taking the ‘paths less travelled’ to interact with and learn about nature, local cultures, rather than simply ticking off tourism spots; experiencing true wilderness settings in the world’s most remote and pristine locations.
800-453-7245 www.oceanwide-expeditions.com
THE WORLD LEADER IN POLAR ADVENTURES Since 1991, Quark Expeditions has specialized in polar expeditions aboard vessels purpose-built for high latitude sailing. As the leader in polar expeditions we offer unparalleled technical expertise, leadership and passion for polar adventure.
Share the spectacular achievements of the ancient Egyptian Civilization and its 5000 years of art and history. Deluxe accommodations including 5 days cruising the legendary Nile.
800-736-4456 hlotours@yahoo.com www.hlotours.com
Our small, 5-star luxury cruise ship – HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS affords our guests the highest standards of luxury cruise ship accommodation, together with a level of service from an almost forgotten era.
888-892-0334
888-659-2648
www.quarkexpeditions.com
www.hebridean.co.uk
American Canadian Caribbean Line is changing its name to Blount Small Ship Adventures! The new name is a tribute to the late Luther Blount, who founded the line in 1966.
Enjoy a comfortable, intimate setting – only 12 passengers per cruise, beautiful yacht-style furnished cabins and homemade delicious food and pastries. Get away from it all and enjoy the splendor and serenity of nature with us.
With 44 years of experience, we are the next great vacation choice for your discerning clients.
800.556.7450
www.accl-smallships.com
www.wanderbirdcruises.com
PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS COMPAGNIE DU PONANT’S LE BORÉAL TO EXPLORE MEDITERRANEAN, BALTIC & BLACK SEAS AND ICELAND Compagnie du Ponant’s 264-guest Le Boréal recently sailed out of Fincantieri shipyard to embark on its maiden voyage from Marseilles. Through September 27, the stunning new $150-million vessel will sail in the western Mediterranean, then head to northern Europe for a series of Baltic cruises, continue west for two Iceland itineraries and return to the Mediterranean visiting ports in the Black Sea, Greece, Turkey and Croatia. On November 1, the yacht will depart Nice for Rio and will sail down the coast of South America to Ushuaia arriving December 10 to kick off its series of Antarctica cruises. Cruises (detailed on their website) include “Mediterranean Escapades” (May 13 and October 25), “Secrets of the Adriatic” (May 20 and 27 and October 4, 11 and 18), the June 18 “Marine Harmony,” “From Norman Shores to the Baltic: The Kiel Canal” (June 27), “St. Petersburg and the Great Baltic Capitals” (July 4 and 11), “Iceland’s Viking Country: At the Heart of the Geysers and Glaciers” (July 22 and 29). Le Boréal will return to the Mediterranean with three Greek Island and Turkey itineraries. “Ottoman Reveries” (August 23), “Symphony at Sea” (August 30), and “Pearls of the Aegean Sea.” “Leading Lights of the Black Sea” is August 16 and September 20, and on September 27, Le Boréal makes its way from Istanbul to Venice, “From the Grand Mosque to the Grand Canal.” And then November 1, the yacht departs Nice for Rio on a 15-day repositioning voyage for its first season in Antarctica where it will remain until the end of February. Starting at $2,885 ppdo for a seven-day cruise in a Superior stateroom and ranging up to $9,655 for a nine-night sailing in the Owner’s Suite, prices include all wine, beer, mineral water, soft drinks and specialty coffees served with meals. The cruise line offers travel agent commissions ranging between 10 and 15 percent. Compagnie du Ponant, 888-400-1082, usreservations@ponant.com, www.ponant.com
TAUCK ANNOUNCES NEW CHRISTMAS MARKET RIVER CRUISES IN GERMANY AND FRANCE Tauck is expanding its 2010 European river cruise offerings with the company’s first-ever itineraries to highlight the annual Christmas markets in Germany and France. Tauck will offer two new cruises, on the Rhine and Danube, with two departures of each cruise to operate this December. Tauck’s new “Christmas Markets Along the Rhine,” (eight days, from $1,990 ppdo, plus air) visits markets in Germany and France as it travels south from Cologne to Basel aboard Tauck’s MS Swiss Sapphire on a December 5 departure. (A northbound departure following a reverse itinerary begins December 12.) The new “Christmas Markets Along the Danube” (eight days from $1,990 ppdo, plus air) departs December 4 aboard the MS Swiss Jewel, 40 • JUNE 2010
traveling eastward from Nürnberg to Vienna. Tauck’s Christmas market cruises, like their other river cruises, are virtually all-inclusive: gratuities, meals, shore excursions, airport transfers, beer and wine with onboard meals, and more are included. Tauck, 800-468 2825, www.tauck.com
AMERICAN CANADIAN CARIBBEAN LINE CHANGING NAME TO BLOUNT SMALL SHIP ADVENTURES American Canadian Caribbean Line has announced it’s planning to change its name to Blount Small Ship Adventures. The new name is a tribute to the late Luther Blount, who founded the line in 1966, according to his daughter, Nancy Blount, who is the company’s President. “In 2011, we’ll celebrate our 45th year in business,” said Nancy Blount. “And we thought, what better way to pay tribute to Luther, who created this company, than to rename it something more reflective of his spirit of adventure.” The new name also reflects the type of cruise the company operates—small-ship, informal cruises to many places only otherwise accessible by private yacht—rather than the locales in which it operates.The company invites local guides and entertainment to ensure an authentic travel experience. American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL), 800-556-7450, www.accl-smallships.com
MEDITERRANEAN NATURAL WONDERS ON CRYSTAL CRUISES This summer, Crystal Cruises’ guests on Mediterranean voyages can explore UNESCO declared national parks, the fragile ecosystems of a Spanish nature reserve and various wildlife habitats with Crystal Eco-Adventures. Several options ashore highlight Southern Europe’s environmental treasures and natural wonders on dozens of Crystal Serenity voyages from May through October. Among the eco-adventures are: Horseback Riding at Montseny National Park—(Barcelona, Spain) A ride through this UNESCO declared Biosphere Reserve; L’Albufera Nature Reserve—(Valencia, Spain) Protected by many European environmental organizations, the reserve is a habitat for thousands of aquatic birds; and Krka National Park—(Trogir, Croatia) Home to dramatic waterfalls that cascade over 17 natural barriers. In addition to these protected environmental attractions, many European Crystal Adventures ashore allow guests to explore the natural beauty of the destinations in a variety of ways, from mountain biking in Greece to paragliding in Spain and scuba diving off the coast of Turkey. In 2010, the award-winning Crystal Serenity sails 19 voyages in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Canary Islands ranging from seven to 12 days. Two-for-One cruise fares start at $3,680 ppdo, and include up to $1,000 ‘All Inclusive–As You Wish’ shipboard credits and complimentary air transportation from many North American gateways—Business Class air for Penthouse guests. Crystal Cruises, 800-446-6620, www.crystalcruises.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE AND LOVE ABOARD THE M/S PAUL GAUGUIN Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, offers romantic respites set within the magical backdrop of exotic islands and inspirational scenery. The idyllic sailing experience is perfect for betrothed hopefuls, vow renewals, newlyweds, and couples celebrating milestone anniversaries or, simply, each other. The m/s Paul Gauguin’s “Romantic Escapades” experience offers guests the opportunity to disembark for a night to spend an evening in an overwater bungalow at one of Bora Bora’s award-winning luxury resorts, the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. Couples can enjoy treatments at the resort’s Deep Ocean Spa’s glass-bottom, overwater couples’ bungalow; candlelight dinners for two on a private motu; or lounge beachside enjoying stunning views of the lagoon and Mount Otemanau. The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is also home to the only overwater wedding chapel in French Polynesia— the Blue Lagoon Chapel. A variety of commitment and wedding packages are available for both beachside and chapel ceremonies. The resort’s most popular ceremony package includes traditional gowns, a “Tifaifai” quilt (a traditional Tahitian wedding quilt symbolizing a couple’s union), a local priest, a group of dancers and musicians, tropical flower arrangements, leis and crowns, as well as a wedding certificate made of traditional “tapa.” Back onboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, a number of customized romantic options await couples, including: relaxing spa treatments at the new Deep Nature Spa, sunset dinners enjoyed on the couple’s stateroom private balcony, private dives and island excursions, instateroom bottle of Champagne, celebratory confections, and a Polynesian blessing ceremony performed by Les Gauguines—the ship’s own troupe of Polynesian entertainers. Paul Gauguin Cruises, 800-848-6172, www.pgcruises.com; InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, www.boraboraspa.intercontinental.com
Capitals of Culture Istanbul and Pecs. Special airfare of $499 is offered for the July 20, 2010, U.S. departure to Istanbul (land portion) leaving for Hungary. Guests departing the U.S. on August 6, 2010, can save $1,000 per stateroom. The Romantic Danube offers the chance to experience Munich with a complimentary two-night stay at Le Meridien Hotel added to the seven-night cruise from Munich to Budapest. Departures are October 23, 24 and 27, and November 11 and 20, 2010. Guests may earn up to $500 per stateroom when they choose AMA’s Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The discount includes $100 off cruise fare per person, $100 off past-passenger discount and a $50 AARP member discount. Hotel check-in dates are August 30, September 13, and December 6 and 20, 2010. A discount of five percent on all 2011 bookings in Europe and Russia is available until July 31, 2010. This discount is only applicable toward cruise fare, based on double occupancy (not available when cruising in Vietnam and Cambodia). AMA WATERWAY’s worry-free travel protection plus plan costs just $295. These offers are applicable to new bookings made by June 8, 2010, and are not combinable with any other promotions/discounts; availability is limited and the offer is subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. AMAWATERWAYS, www.amawaterways.com
AMAWATERWAYS VISITING CAPITALS OF CULTURE THIS SEASON Renowned for their award-winning ships and personalized service, AMAWATERWAYS is offering exciting cruise vacation packages featuring Europe’s Capitals of Culture, combined with inexpensive roundtrip flights to Europe from 12 U.S. gateways (air taxes/fuel surcharges/fees inclusive). These U.S. gateways are Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. The Grand Danube Cruise, a 14-night cruise from Istanbul (a 2010 European Capital of Culture) to Prague, is offering special roundtrip airfare of $449 per person for the October 12, 2010, U.S. departure. A Black Sea Voyage seven-night cruise embarks at Budapest and ends with a visit to Istanbul, visiting the two 2010 European Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com
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PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS AUSTIN-LEHMAN ADVENTURES OFFERS NEW BIKING AND MULTI-SPORT TRIPS IN EASTERN EUROPE Building on its successful acquisition of EuroBike Tours in 2008, Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) has continued to capitalize on its European base of operations and programs by creating two new trips for the 2011 season: a six-night bike trip in Slovenia and a seven-night multi-sport trip in Croatia. The Slovenia excursion will include Ljubljana (the capital), Bled with Lake Bled, Kranjska Gora, Nova Gorica/Gorizia; and the Croatian program, beginning in Split and ending in Dubrovnik, will feature a number of islands in the Adriatic Sea (Brac, Hvar, Korcula). From Ljubljana’s magnificent concert halls to the majestic Alps, lush farmlands and the harbor of Dubrovnik (the “pearl of the Adriatic”), vacationers with ALA will be drawn to the natural beauty and urbane radiance of this compact region. Slovenia and Croatia have long been destinations of great history and panorama. Reviewers have described the region as being “blessed with one of Europe’s most glorious coastlines” and to have “miraculously escaped the overdevelopment of some other Mediterranean vacation destinations.” The move into Eastern Europe coincides with ALA’s recent acquisition of custom-adventure operator CBT Tours, which has been operating tours under the direction of its principal, Desmond Gibbens, since 1989. Austin-Lehman Adventures, 800-575-1540, www.austinlehman.com
EUROPEAN WATERWAYS LAUNCHES 2010 SEASON WITH DEALS AND DISCOUNTS UP TO $2,000 European Waterways has introduced an exciting lineup of all-inclusive hotel barge cruises that feature accommodations from four to 20 people, cruises throughout Europe, including France and Italy, and a chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It’s also offering travelers up to $2,000 off per cabin on select cruises through June, and $1,000 off per cabin on all departures for one of the newest members of its fleet, Enchanté. Rates are ppdo. All European Waterways’ luxury cruise vacations offer a minimum of 10-percent commission to travel agents. European Waterways cruise passengers enjoy air-conditioned cabins, gourmet meals, vintage wines, an open bar and excursions to cultural and historical attractions—all while being pampered by a bilingual, English-speaking crew that includes a captain, a gourmet chef, hostess, and a tour guide. The fleet of elegantly appointed barges features 20 vessels cruising through nine countries, including France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. One of European Waterways’ newest vessels, the Enchanté, is the only eight-passenger, “double-decker” hotel barge on Southern France’s Canal du Midi, a UNESCO-rated, 300-year-old waterway. Cruise highlights include a tour of Carcassonne, the world’s 42 • JUNE 2010
most complete, fortified medieval city; a visit to the ancient Roman city of Narbonne and its colorful indoor market; and private tastings of Corbières wine at Chateau Ollieux Romanis. The unique, luxury hotel also cruises Provence as well as Camargue, located in the South of France. With a $1,000 discount per cabin for all 2010 departures, early reservations are recommended to secure space. “European Waterways cruises are ideal for the individual travelers as well as groups, who can charter an entire vessel and enjoy even greater value,” said Derek Banks, CEO, European Waterways. European Waterways, 800-394-8630, sales@gobarging.com, www.gobarging.com
RESORT SAVINGS FOR FAMILIES, COUPLES AND SCUBA DIVERS AT PALACE RESORTS IN 2010 Incredible deals and promotions are now being offered at 12 luxury all-inclusive Palace Resorts properties throughout Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Palace Passport to Savings, available for stays three nights or more now through December 23, 2010, includes unlimited select off-site historic and cultural tours, 30 percent off golf course green fees, 25 percent off select spa services, buy one get one free swim with the dolphins, and buy one get one free jungle tour (tours and details vary in each location). This can be combined with all other promotions. Exclusions apply. The $300 Resort Credit promotion offers guests staying three or more nights three $100 credits per room per stay toward each of the following: Palace Resorts golf courses, spa treatments and offsite optional tours. This can be combined with the Palace Passport to Savings except with the discounts on golf and spa. Those who book a stay at Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort in Punta Cana receive credit towards slot machines instead of tours. The Kids 12 Years and Under Stay Free promotion is available for all trips booked now through August 27, 2010, for travel June 1 through August 31, 2010, for those sharing a room with an adult. This promotion is valid for up to two kids per room and is combinable with Free Scuba Diving and Palace Passport to Savings. For adventure lovers, Palace Resorts offers Free Scuba Diving at Cozumel Palace, where the gently lapping waters of the Caribbean beckon adventurers to explore Planacar Reef, the world’s second largest coral reef. The Free Scuba Diving promotion includes up to two free two-tank dives per room per stay for certified divers 12 and over, and is available with a minimum seven-night stay now through December 23, 2010. This promotion can be combined with the Palace Passport to Savings and the Kids 12 Years and Under Stay Free promotion. Regardless of which Palace Resorts property travelers choose to stay at in the Mexican Caribbean, they have access to all other Palace Resorts facilities and amenities. Rates begin at $161 ppdo per night or $56 per child ages 4–17 per night. Palace Resorts, 800-635-1836, www.palaceresorts.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
ADVENTURE
R E S O U R C E
D I R E C T O R Y
WESTERN RIVER EXPEDITIONS, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week.
www.westernriver.com
BELIZE ALL INCLUSIVE VACATIONS If you are looking for Belize all inclusive vacations with a touch of adventure, the perfect Romantic Honeymoon Getaway or that Special Family Vacation, Adventures in Belize has a travel package to suit your needs.
Discover Our More Popular Packages
Luxury, all-inclusive cruises on fully-crewed hotel barges cruising along the magical canals, rivers and lagoons of Europe. Tel: +44 (0) 1784 482439 Toll Free from USA: 1 800 394 8630 Email: sales@gobarging.com www.gobarging.com
Primary Rainforest Reserves One of the World’s Longest Canopy Walkways Ceiba Tops Luxury Lodge Explorama Lodge ExplorNapo Lodge ACTS Field Station ExplorTambos Camp
Adventures in Belize is in good standings with the following organizations
866-822-2278
www.adventuresinbelize.com
At Mountain Lodges of Peru, our goal is to provide our guests with all the service, comfort and safety they need to be able to freely explore and enjoy nature, culture, history and like-minded souls freely.
800-707-5275
www.explorama.com
www.mountainlodgesofperu.com
At Explorandes we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service providing you with top of the line equipment so that all you have to do is enjoy exploring the Andes with us. We invite you to join one of our many adventure, soft adventure, cultural and special interest tours and expeditions or create your own dream vacation in Peru and Ecuador.
www.explorandes.com
Nature is our passion, people our commitment. At Rainforest Expeditions we build sanctuaries that host unique experiences, engage local communities, and help hosts and guests learn to value their relation with the Earth.
www.rainforest.com.pe
www.mtsobek.com Who would have thought, back in 1969, that the efforts of a small, fledgling travel company, whose only aim was to “promote exploration and enjoyment of mountain wilderness areas by active participation,” would launch an entire industry? We never dreamed we were pioneers, never imagined our own passion for adventure would be so contagious!
PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS KIDS STAY, EAT, DIVE FREE AT TRUE BLUE BAY RESORT AND AQUANAUTS GRENADA This summer, families can enjoy a great family dive vacation at affordable prices when they take advantage of the Family Summer Dive Vacation at True Blue Bay Resort and Aquanauts Grenada. On the plan, children up to 14 stay free with their parents and eat free from a kids’ menu. Packages also include free continental breakfast for the whole family and two four-hour babysitting services to get the parents and older kids diving together. One child 10–15 dives free with one parent paying. For kids eight to 10, a free bubble-maker dive program is offered at the pool. Complimentary activities include the use of kids fishing gear, Hobie Cat sailing and use of ocean kayaks inside the bay, hair braiding, jewelry making and cooking lessons specially designed for children under 12. A 50-foot day sail yacht is available at the resort for surcharge. Indigo car rental situated on property offers a free ride for kids, with a four-door vehicle for the price of a two-door. The resort’s amenities include playground, two fresh water pools, restaurant and bar, boutique, concierge service, room service and laundry service. All rooms are air-conditioned and feature balcony or terrace overlooking the bay. Aquanauts dive dock is a few steps from your room and provides daily dive trips, guided snorkel trips, scuba courses and kids gear rental. Packages include accommodation, airport round trip transfer, 10 boat dives including tanks and weights per room, all taxes and service charge. Prices start at $1,099 per person. Quotes are available for family dive vacations with True Blue Bay Resort and Aquanauts Grenada by calling their toll-free number. True Blue Bay Resort, 800-513-5257, mail@truebluebay.com, www.truebluebay.com; Aquanauts Grenada, dive@aquanautsgrenada.com, www.aquanautsgrenada.com
DREAM DIVES WITH NEKTON DIVING CRUISES This year the Nekton Rorqual will be traveling to its summer Bahamas itineraries. The Medio Reef trip is a great opportunity for return guests to get more of Cay Sal Bank (a favorite itinerary) and something new—the patch reef and the glorious wall of Medio Reef. Away from Cat Cay, it’s just the diver and the sea—the area is rarely traveled to, making the itinerary pristine and exotic. Available dates are: June 26 (with $200 off last-minute special), July 10, July 24, and August 14, 2010 ($200 off special). Discount is available only on new bookings, and no other discounts apply. When divers in Puerto Rico are asked where some of the best diving on Puerto Rico is, they say Mona Island, and Nekton has great rates for the winter season to the destination. Because of the distance to the Island, the USCG requires life rafts that smaller inspected vessels don’t have. Uninspected vessels can only carry six passengers and are usually very small, requiring very calm weather only—very rare. To camp on the Island requires difficult-to-obtain permits; there are no hotels of any kind. Visiting this unique piece of paradise is best done by the super stable Nekton 44 • JUNE 2010
SWATH liveaboard. And while Mona Island diving is fantastic—with dramatic diving at the base of 200-foot cliffs, the highlight of the week is always the live boat dives at Isla Monito. Its walls present some of the most colorful and pristine reef structure in the Caribbean. Mona Island departures and prices are as follows: $1,595 for December 4, 18 and 25, 2010; and January 1 and 8, 2011 (all Mona Island destinations). This winter season, Eastern Puerto Rico departures will be including stops in St. Thomas and St. John in addition to St. Croix. The Nekton Rorqual visited the area late last season while on charter to the University of Puerto Rico and found the diving to be outstanding. These are locations farther out than the land-based operators typically visit. These new dives, together with the spectacular dives around St. Croix including the Fredericksted Pier and the North Shore walls, will deliver a great winter vacation with very affordable airfare into San Juan. Eastern Puerto Rico and the USVIs departures and prices are as follows: $1,295 for November 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2010; and $1,295 for January 15, 22 and 29, 2011. Nekton Diving Cruises, 800-899-6753, newsletter@nektoncruises.com, www.nektoncruises.com
THE FLAMINGO HOTEL COZUMEL ANNOUNCES SUMMER SOLO TRAVELER SPECIAL Flamingo Hotel is offering solo vacationers an incentive to travel this year by offering specially discounted rates with no single supplement. Through December 17, 2010, solo travelers can take advantage of a 30-percent discount on all nightly room rates. Courtyard rooms are now only $60 per night based on single occupancy, Superior rooms only $71 per night based on single occupancy. These rates include breakfast and all applicable taxes. A two-night minimum stay is required. Scuba divers traveling solo can get a five-night/three-dive day package for $537 per person single occupancy in a Courtyard room or $593 per diver single occupancy in a Superior room. These package rates include breakfast each morning plus three days of twotank boat diving with lunch, round trip transfers to the dive boats and all taxes. This 22-room boutique property is located in the cultural center of Cozumel, just steps away from the waterfront and the dining and shopping attractions of the town square. Added to scuba diving, Flamingo Hotel offers opportunities for horseback riding, snorkeling, sailing, parasailing, fishing and tours of Mayan ruins. The hotel’s Aqua Bar is great for meeting and greeting other solo travelers at end of day. The Flamingo offers high-level personalized service in a spacious and stylish environment whether traveling solo or with family and friends. Hotel Flamingo, 800-806-1601, info@hotelflamingo.com, www.hotelflamingo.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
DIVE
R E S O U R C E
D I R E C T O R Y
THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING UNDERWATER ADVENTURE!!! For more than 30 years we have been exploring the reefs, wrecks, and coral walls of Nassau. During this time we have discovered the best of what Nassau has to offer. So whether you are visiting us for the first time or returning for the 100th time, we always have something new and unique to amaze and thrill you.
800-879-9832 - info@stuartcove.com - www.stuartcove.com
MAKE MONEY
ON DIVE TRAVEL
TRAVEL SPECIALISTS SINCE 1975
1- 800-327- 6709 travelworld@maduro.com www.MaduroDive.com
Wakatobi Resorts was setup with a mission to establish a win-win situation for the reefs, the resort, and the local community through sound eco-tourism conforming to sustainable tourism principles.
877-801-8344
www.wakatobi.com With a Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul, Cozumel is a paradise where tradition, flavor and joy come together. You will always find a friendly face and a warm welcome to make your stay an unforgettable one. Beautiful beaches and exotic locale makes Cozumel an ideal destination where honeymooners can enjoy colorful and breathtaking sunsets, moonlit walks on secluded beaches, swim through crystal clear blue waters and romantic candlelight dinners.
www.islacozumel.com.mx
PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS THREE VERY SPECIAL 2010 PREMIUM PACKAGES FROM ALASKA RAILROAD
down the Placer River Valley. Prices for the package range from $1,695 Value to $1,995 for Peak Gold service. In just two days, visitors can explore many of Alaska’s icons with The Real Alaska Tour, available until September 6. The Alaska Railroad travels one of the most scenic portions of the 500-mile line to Seward, Alaska. Opportunities for hiking, fishing, shopping, dining and day cruises await in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, famed for marine wildlife, glaciers and the coastal landscape. A dog sled ride is part of this tour as well as a tour of Exit Glacier and an Alaska roadhouse. Prices range from $549 for Adventure Class to $649 for GoldStar Service. All tour prices are ppdo. Package prices are approximate. Value fares run September 1 through 14, 2010. Peak fares run June 1 through August 31, 2010. Alaska Railroad Corp., 800-544-0552, kigers@akrr.com, www.alaskarailroad.com
BUY THREE, FOURTH IS FREE WITH ROCKY MOUNTAINEER’S GOLDLEAF GOLF OR WINERY TOUR EXPERIENCE
One of the premier packages offered by Alaska Railroad this year is Alaska By Daylight, a 10-day/10-night adventure available through September 4, 2010, that takes guests from Southcentral to Alaska’s Interior. Trips to Whittier and Seward introduce the coastal wonders of Prince William Sound, Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Then back to Anchorage and north to Talkeetna and Denali National Park and Preserve, with its worldfamous flora and fauna and North America’s tallest peak, McKinley. Fairbanks is the northernmost destination with attractions like the trans-Alaska oil pipeline and the Museum of the North. Final stop is back in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Package prices range from $2,635 Value to $3,239 for Peak Gold service. Alaska’s National Parks By Rail is a six-day/five-night trip available June 2 through September 8, showcasing two of the nation’s most spectacular national parks—Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park and Preserve, with 12 hours on a backcountry adventure in Denali. Then it’s south to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park via Resurrection Bay with its abundant marine wildlife and stunning coastline. Nature lovers will enjoy an upclose-and-personal view by raft trip of Spencer Glacier and a float 46 • JUNE 2010
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, Rocky Mountaineer has released a limited-time offer for its newest luxury package. Those who book three people for a GoldLeaf Themed Golf or Winery Tour Experience can bring a fourth guest for free. This offer enables guests to enjoy an eight-day vacation experience that combines Rocky Mountaineer’s award-winning GoldLeaf Service with visits to some of BC’s award-winning wineries or legendary golf courses throughout the Okanagan region and the Canadian Rockies. “Rocky Mountaineer is committed to providing the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world,” says Hubert Wat, Vice President, Marketing of Rocky Mountaineer. “We are excited to offer our guests an opportunity to take advantage of a first-class experience that highlights some of the most beautiful and recognized areas of Canada, known for their superb wineries and golf courses.” The GoldLeaf Themed Golf and Winery Tour Experiences are two unique packages that allow guests to split up their two-day rail journey between Vancouver, BC and Banff, Alberta. Each package includes wine-paired meals and a two-day rail journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s exclusive GoldLeaf Themed Experience Themed Dome as well as guided tours of the Okanagan Region. Guests of the Golf Tour Experience will enjoy the links at Predator Ridge Golf Resort, Harvest Golf Club and the Fairmont Springs Golf Club, while Winery Tours guests will tempt their palates at wineries such as Gray Monk Estate Winery, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery and Nk’Mip Winery. The packages are only available for limited departure dates. The GoldLeaf Themed Winery Tour departs June 17 and September 9, 2010, while the GoldLeaf Themed Golf Tour departs on June 24, 2010. Rates start at $7,499 per person. Further restrictions may apply. Rocky Mountaineer, 800-665-7245, rockymountaineer.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News
RAIL
R E S O U R C E
877-460-3200 - www.rockymountaineer.com AUSTRALIA has some of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. While many of the routes may be operated by different rail companies, we’ve all come together to form the RAIL AUSTRALIA ALLIANCE to make it simple for you to find out everything you need to know in one easy place.
There’s no better way to experience AUSTRALIA's outback, cities, coastal towns and regional areas in comfort.
www.railaustralia.com.au
D I R E C T O R Y
Celebrating a milestone anniversary – 20 successful years. While Armstrong Group’s past is rich in history and rooted in success, the goal from day one remains the same: provide the most spectacular and unforgettable travel experiences in the world.
THE BEST WAY TO SEE
ALASKA RAILROAD IS ON THE
ALL ABOARD THE SIERRA MADRE EXPRESS! Step up to first-class GoldStar Service aboard the Alaska Railroad's luxurious double-deck dome cars.
Join the world renowned Sierra Madre Express to Mexico’s magnificent Copper Canyon and enjoy the best in a soft adventure vacation. Step on to our historic train and embark on an exciting journey that you'll always remember as a trip of a lifetime.
www.sierramadreexpress.com
800-544-0552
AlaskaRailroad.com
T H E
B L U E
T R A I N
A WINDOW TO THE SOUL OF SOUTH AFRICA
In order to provide our passengers with a worldwide class service, Ferrocarril Mexicano, owner of the CHEPE train, initiated on 1998 the rehabilitation of his Express and Economic Class fleet. The most modern and comfortable passenger train in Mexico will afford you the most memorable ecoturism experience in the country.
800 122.4373
www.chepe.com.mx
Come discover your personal gold rush with the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway as it steams through its second century of history.
WHITEPASS & YUKON ROUTE
www.wpyr.com
The Blue Train has an aura of mystique about it. Kings and presidents have travelled on this magnificent moving five-star hotel. Its very name has become synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and personal service. When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance.
www.bluetrain.co.za
STRESS FREE WILDERNESS ADVENTURE, RAILROAD-STYLE www.verdecanyonrr.com Asphalt, concrete and tension drift away as you slip into an unspoiled world where serenity and stimulation miraculously coincide. Running from Clarkdale to Perkinsville, Arizona the Verde Canyon Railroad is a stress-free wilderness adventure…at 12 mph!
A star in nature.
And now, a star when you travel.
TAM Airlines. The airline with the most destinations in South America, now a member of Star Alliance. You will feel in Brazil the moment you board: the spirit, the music, the cuisine. And our broad network of destinations in Brazil and South America is even better, with the added benefits of Star Alliance.
How YOU benefit: > Earn TAM Fidelidade frequent flyer points when you fly with any Star Alliance airline > Access to more than 1,000 VIP lounges worldwide > Flights to more than 1,000 destinations in 170+ countries > A global network of 27 leading airlines
www.tamairlines.com/staralliance Phone: 1-888-235-9826