Vol.16 ISSUE 359Page 16Page 8 Page 20

IN TH IS ISSUE

Visas RequiredNolitours and Transat Holidays has announced that effective March 1 they will require all Canadian and US passengers flying into Mexico to produce a valid passport. The new edict, which they say harmo-nizes Mexican boarder control policy with that of Canada and the US under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, so far applies only to Nolitours and Transat Holidays. Mexico tourism deputy director Western Canada and Washington states that while Mexican authorities are considering implementing the requirement for passports, they have not yet done so.

BIG SAVINGS ON THE BIG ISLAND WITH ASTON!

Aston Kona by the Sea(1 bedroom partial ocean view)CAD per room

$179Aston Shores at Waikoloa(deluxe 1 bedroom)CAD per room

$179Aston Waikoloa Colony Villas(1 bedroom villa)CAD per room

$199NIGHTLY ALOHA VALUE RATES:

Visit www.funsunagent.comwww.funsunagent.com today for addtional information!Terms & Conditions: New bookings only. Sample room only rates are available April 1 - 30/10 travel and are CAD per room based on double occupancy.Terms & Conditions: New bookings only. Sample room only rates are available April 1 - 30/10 travel and are CAD per room based on double occupancy.Terms & Conditions: New bookings only. Sample room only rates are available April 1 - 30/10 travel and are CAD per room based on double occupancy.Terms & Conditions: New bookings only. Sample room only rates are available April 1 - 30/10 travel and are CAD per room based on double occupancy.Surcharges may apply. Hotel taxes of $23 - $26 per room are additional. Not included: Airfare, transfers or car rental. Prices are subject to change and avail-Surcharges may apply. Hotel taxes of $23 - $26 per room are additional. Not included: Airfare, transfers or car rental. Prices are subject to change and avail-Surcharges may apply. Hotel taxes of $23 - $26 per room are additional. Not included: Airfare, transfers or car rental. Prices are subject to change and avail-ability. Call for other dates and durations. Not valid for group bookings. Restrictions apply. BC reg # 3597-6 & ON reg # 50012702 • 26Jan10 • 23887

*See westjet.com/agentweblink for details.

More Mexico, more often. You’re clients will gracias you*.

805–10th Avenue SWSuite 500, CalgaryAB T2R 0B4T: 403 269 8294F: 403 269 7776

CLIENT WestJet WES101133AB_J_Jan26.GSA.indd

APPROVALS

CREATED 14/01/2010CREATIVE TEAM

TRIM 3.4167" x 2" CREATIVE Pick-up creative ACCOUNT ErikaJ

LIVE N/A MAC ARTIST DerrickL PRODUCER Marsha W (ext. 33)PROOFREADER

BLEED N/A INSERTION DATE(S) 26/01/2010 AD NUMBER WES101133AB_JPRODUCER

COLOURS CYANI MAGENTAI YELLOWI BLACKI STUDIO

PUBLICATION(S) GSA - Mexico, Cruising , GolfCLIENT / ACCOUNT MANAGER

All colours are printed as process match unless indicated otherwise. Please check before use. In spite of our careful checking, errors infrequently occur and we request that you check this proof for accuracy. TAXI’s liability is limited to replacing or correcting the disc from which this proof was generated. We cannot be responsible for your time, film, proofs, stock, or printing loss due to error.

Air Canada Vacations will add Great Exuma in the Bahamas to its Sun destinations begin-ning in March, with year-round service from Toronto on Sundays.

Holiday House and Exotik Tours are offer-ing a dedicated brochure and full program to Greece this year. The new program runs from April 1 to Oct 31, and features organized tours, including all the top sellers and a couple of new additions. An Early Booking Bonus of $100 per cou-ple is offered on tours booked by Feb 26. New this year is a 13-night Grecian Medley tour, which features three nights in Athens, a two-night cruise, three nights in Santorini, two in Paros and three in Mykonos starting from $2,329 pp dbl, land only. Also new is a 13-night Sites & Seascapes tour, which features three nights in Mykonos,

three in Naxos, three in Santorini, two in Crete and two in Athens, starting from $2,239 pp dbl, land only. Also new this year is a seven-day Three Continents cruise by Louis Cruises, sailing on alternate Fridays from the Athens port of Piraeus, to Istanbul, Mykonos, Ashdod, Port Said, Alexandria and Crete. Also back in the line up is the popular 13-night Island Delight tour, which starts from $2,279 pp land-only and features three nights in Crete, four in Santorini, three in Mykonos, three in Athens and a Saronic Island Cruise.

Cont’d on page 2

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A luxury suite fit for a king, says GSA account executive Ron Barker.

One fam trip to Peru, and this travel counsellor is sold on the country.

Look who’s turning up in Vancouver next month, amid the Olympic furore.

Jan. 26 - Feb. 8, 2010

Indus Travels is offering a fully escorted seven-day Golden Triangle tour in India that includes accommodation, breakfasts and air

conditioned coach transfers. It includes an elephant ride plus a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal.

Holiday HouseCont’d from Page 1 Other top sellers such as the Island Splendour tour, the Grecian Gold tour, the Aegean Whisper tour and the Hellenic Mosaic tour, are also all featured in the Greece bro-chure. In addition, every organized packager fea-tures a complimentary Athens sightseeing tour. In addition to the packages, Holiday House can customize any visit with its extensive à la carte packages that include private transfers throughout, domestic airfare or ferry service within the islands, hotels and villas on all islands, cruises with Louis Cruises and a variety of different excursions and sightsee-ing tours.

TREK online with CATS training TREK Holidays is now offering its Certified Adventure Specialist (CATS) pro-gram online. This comprehensive seminar series teaches the key destinations for adven-ture travel, and why people choose these destinations. It also teaches agents how to define and target today’s adventure traveler. CATS agents receive increased commissions, overrides, six CITC credits, and more. Webinar sessions are planned on the following subjects: Intro to Trek &

Adventure Marketing; Polar Expeditions; South America; Central America & Cuba; Nepal, India & the Himalayas; China & South East Asia; Europe; North Africa & Middle East; and African Safaris. A final exam at the conclusion of the seminar series will be required to be completed for successful certification. The current online series takes place between Jan 25 and March 4.888-456-3522 email adventures@trekholidays.com or www.trekholidays.com

CITC adds webinars CITC is offering a series of seminars pre-sented by the internationally known speaker on technology, sales and marketing, Nolan Burris. The seminars all emphasize revenue generation and the notion that in 2010, cre-ativity, re-thinking the way we do things and understanding client needs, all will play a big role in the success of travel counsellors and agencies. On Feb 25, CITC presents Making the Most of your Facebook Business Page, which will explain the benefits of using Facebook and the value of developing a business page, and how to create one. On March 25, CITC presents From Twitter-phobic to Twitter-ific. It starts with some Twitter basics and then moves on to social media strategies that will assist travel coun-

sellors and agencies. The webinar is geared toward those who need a hand at getting started at Tweeting, but will also provide some valuable tips for those who wish to take Twitter to a whole new level. On April 29, CITC presents Corporate Travel Policy Consulting-For Profit. Burris claims he will show you how simple it is to use travel policy consulting as a significant source of revenue. He adds that this webinar is not just for corporate agents, but also for leisure counsellors. Each webinar is offered live, twice during the day of delivery. The cost is $50 plus GST for CITC members; $60 plus GST for ACTA members; and $75 plus GST for non-mem-bers. A discount is available for those who want to take all three webinars.

Anderson offers escorted tours Anderson Vacations has released its 2010 Fully Escorted Touring Brochure, with an emphasis on Canada and the USA. Drawing upon its Alberta roots, Anderson Vacations offers a wide array of Alberta short stays to such hot spots as Banff, Jasper, Waterton, Cypress Hills, Fort McMurray, Lake Louise and Kananaskis, many with guaran-teed departures. For clients looking farther west, Anderson offers many tours in British Columbia, includ-ing throughout the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, the city of Vancouver, Salmon Arm, Sun Peaks and Whistler. Other tour options in Western Canada include kayaking with Beluga whales in Churchill, or snorkeling in the Churchill River

where there’s a good chance of spotting a curious whale. In the fall, Anderson offers tours to Churchill to view the polar bears, as these arctic giants gather to begin their annual pilgrimage back out onto the ice for the winter. On summer solstice, travelers can experience the history and heritage of ‘The Land of the Midnight Sun’ with an Anderson tour to Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. Anderson’s Alaska & Yukon guaranteed departures take in some of the most impres-sive Northern sites of both Canada and the

USA on one tour and cap it off with a relaxing Alaskan cruise at the end.

Anderson also has the East Coast covered, with tours that travel across the country, or travel through a portion of Eastern Canada. Anderson Vacations also offers a wide array of international tours to the United States and abroad. Among them is a Downunder tour of Australia and New Zealand, and a US tour to

celebrate the King himself, with the Elvis Tribute Tour in August. 866-814-7378 www.canadatravelsolution.ca

Globus is offering Air Canada transatlan-tic fares at $300 pp off, for any passen-ger booking a Globus, Cosmos or Monograms tour, before Jan 30, 2010. The applicable destinations are London, Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Madrid and Rome. www.agentlingo.ca

IndexEurope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12Cruising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-18Luxury Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Fam Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Golfing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23The Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

January 26 - February 8, 20102

NEW DIRECT SERVICEGREECEVancouver to AthensFriday departures:June 19 to October 1, 2010

Airfare Roundtrip

$949 Price per personDepart June 18 Return June 26Taxes & transportation fees: $412

For more details see the Europe 2010-2011 brochure or visit www.transatholidays.comNew bookings only. Airfare prices are based on roundtrip in economy. Prices subject to availability and change at time of booking. Departure taxes, transportation fees, GST (where applicable), supplements, fuel surcharges and ATSC are not included. Prices and space are available at time of our advertising deadline. For full terms & conditions see the Europe 2010-2011 brochure. Transat Holidays: Suite 2800, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver BC, V6B 4N5. BC REG# 2454-4.

Athens • Rhodes • sAntoRiniMykonos • CRete• Coach tours• Cruises• City Packages• seaside Packages• à la carte accommodations• excursions

Goway delves into Asia Goway’s Asia 2010 brochure is now avail-able, featuring 25 countries and more than 200 travel ideas, including the familiar and the new. The brochure aims to provide something for everyone, from deluxe escorted tours to budget-style and soft adventure. Doug Vogl, Product and Marketing Manager for Goway’s Asia, says: “Goway’s 2010 is the complete Asia travel planner designed to fulfill the most discerning traveller’s needs.” We have expanded “escorted and FIT product to China, Tibet, Nepal, India, Thailand, Japan, Indochina, Bali and Indonesia to assist agents in selling niche destinations.” Goway’s unique Holidays of a Lifetime have been refined for 2010 to include high-lights of the destinations. These are guaran-teed small group departures with a maximum of 20 passengers, and for 2010 will include a special dinner to commemorate Goway’s 40th anniversary. All Holidays of a Lifetime are escorted by a North American Tour Director. For 2010, the 18-day Splendours of China starts from $5349, the 17-day Splendours of India from $4679 and the 14-day Splendours of Indochina from $4939. All tours are priced land only, but Goway can provide competitive air fares on request. The Asia “Odyssey” vacations to China and India are also available on a land-only basis,

and include the services of a guide. The itin-eraries have been carefully planned and are perfect for the first-time visitor to China or India. India Odyssey is a 12-day tour priced from $2019. The new China to Tibet to Nepal 13 or 16-day tour starts at $3339. This tour pro-vides a remarkable train journey through China to Tibet, fol-lowed by a 4WD transfer from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Goway also offers the newly intro-duced Yachts of Seabourn Hong Kong to Singapore 21 and 22-day cruises, starting at $7229. These luxury cruises operate in either direc-tion. Recognizing the growing popularity of such destinations as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, Goway’s Asia 2010 bro-chure includes these destinations, with a wide array of travel suggestions priced to meet all budgets. Goway’s Asia 2010 brochure is available by calling:888-469-2988 email: info@goway.comwww.Goway.com

Sunquest offers TA incentive Sunquest is offering agents a time-lim-ited incentive to book clients into a sun-shine holiday. For every applicable booking between January 11 and February 8, agents may log onto sunquestagent.ca, enter their valid booking numbers and win up to $100 every time. The promotion is valid on all Sunquest packages, including cruises, but does not apply to air-only or land-only bookings or groups. Sunquest will advise agents after each play of the amount they’ve won and at the end of each week agents will receive an American Express-branded reward card

loaded with their accumulated winnings from that week. The card can be used at over 100 online and retail stores in Canada and the United States. This offer may be combined with the Great Riu Emerald Bay Giveaway where just by booking clients into the Riu Emerald Bay in Mazatlan, Mexico, for departures up to June 30, 2010, agents will automati-cally earn a $25 American Express-branded reward card, and be entered in a weekly draw to win a Riu Emerald Bay getaway. Also, agents’ names will be entered in a grand prize draw that includes a Riu Emerald Bay getaway for four and an emerald necklace valued at $2,000.

Air Canada Vacations is now offering pack-ages to Brussels and Tel Aviv, with the pending launch this summer of a new daily service to Brussels from Toronto via Montreal. Beginning in June, the ACV will offer 12 hotels in Brussels and 10 in Tel Aviv. aircanadavacations.com/agents.

Silk Holidays is offering a Crazy Vietnam sale this winter, with air from Vancouver, eight days accommodation, transfers, tours of Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue. Departures are Feb 7 and 21, and March 7 and 21, with fares from $1999 pp dbl.

Enhanced ServiceNolitours and Transat Holidays have announced that their airline partner, CanJet, has enhanced its onboard service on all flights to sun destinations, except Florida. CanJet now provides a more com-plete onboard service, greeting outbound passengers with a glass of champagne. All passengers are now also offered a glass of wine with their meals.

January 26 - February 8, 20104

BPCPA Reg # 39606BPCPA Reg # 39606

Intrepid’s non-soccer offer Intrepid Travel is offering a travel incentive to attract those who want to avoid the World Cup frenzy this summer. Intrepid has launched a new campaign designed to appeal to those who would rather travel. Called Intrepid’s World Cup Widows and Widowers promotion, it offers up to 15% off for friends travelling together on select departures in June and early July. With South Africa expected to be swamped by millions of visitors during the World Cup, the promotion covers a wide range of jour-neys that avoid that part of the world, with

travel to Asia, Australia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Themes range from a Balkan Adventure in Eastern Europe to Outback Tracks in Australia and a Grand China tour. Intrepid Travel is offering a 5% discount for two or more people travelling together; 10% off for three; and 15% off for four or more. Intrepid specializes in sustainable, small group travel to some of the world’s most fascinating destinations.866-360-1151 www.intrepidtravel.com/junegetaway

Club Med offers discounts Club Med is offering two new promotions for valid on all new reservations made between Jan 5 and March 1, for travel before Oct 29, 2010. One of them makes it easy to travel with kids, as they will stay free in the same room as a parent. It applies to a child up to age 15, one child per paying adult. This promo is available at the Sandpiper (Florida), Punta Cana, Cancun Yucatan and Ixtapa Pacific and at the La Caravelle in Guadeloupe. Another promo offers a 50% discount to the second person in a party of two, available at the Turkoise in the Turks and Caicos, Columbus Isle in the Bahamas, Sandpiper Florida, Punta Cana, Cancun Yucatan and Ixtapa Pacific in Mexico, Buccaneer’s Creek in Martinique and at the Caravelle in Guadeloupe.800-465-6633

Transat Holidays is offering February depar-tures from Regina to Puerto Plata from $948 on Feb 8 and 23, and to Punta Cana on Feb 16 and 23 from $1198.

JAL from YVRJapan Airlines has commenced daily non-stop service from Vancouver to Tokyo, using B747-400 aircraft with Executive Class lie-flat seats. Flights depart YVR at 11:30 am.

Deals GaloreSignature Vacations has announced a number of Deals of the Decade promo-tions, valid for a limited time only. Victoria to Puerto Vallarta, one week at the Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa departs Feb 19, for $938 plus $256 taxes; Kelowna to Puerto Vallarta, with a one-week stay at the Villas Vallarta by Canto Del Sol departs Feb 28 for $828 plus $256 taxes; Edmonton to Varadero, for a one-week stay at the Gran Caribe Club Kawama, departs Feb 21 for $1038 plus $200 taxes.

CST#2075415-20

A Uniworld Experience—Incomparable!

Please contact your local Sales Manager at 1-800-868-7905 or visit www.uniworld.com for Uniworld’s special offers.

Travel with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. With world-class accommodations, award-winning service, fi ne cuisine, and luxurious amenities, you’ll discover an unrivalled river cruise experience.

A L F R E S C O D E C K D I N I N G

R I V E R B E AT R I C E

0509-33_GSA_1-26_hp.indd 1 1/15/10 5:01:35 PM

CITC is seeking survey participants to help it set new occupational standards for travel managers in conjunction with The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council. CITC is looking for participation from anyone working in a management or supervisory capacity in the travel industry. You do not need to be a CITC member or certified to participate in the development phase. The survey may be accessed at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/travelmanager-survey

Rendezvous Canada will be held in Winnipeg, May 8-12. www.rendezvousCanada.travel

Weddings AwayTransat Holidays and Nolitours are offering four different wedding packages for couples who want to tie the knot in a warm and won-derful destination. The Weddings Away port-folio includes two basic packages, Joy at $300 and Passion at $400. Two upgraded packages are also available, Bliss at $500 and Euphoria at $1,000. These fares are valid for booking until March 31, 2010. 877-284-8123 email groupsyvr@transat.com www.weddingbells.ca

Addison Travel Marketing Shows will be held in Western Canada in March this year, as follows: Vancouver, Monday, March 15, 4:30 - 7:30 pm, Hyatt Regency; Calgary, Wednesday, March 17, 5-7:30 pm, Round-up Centre; and Edmonton, Thursday, March 18, 5:00 -7:30 pm, Fantasyland Hotel.

Solo in Spain The Singles Travel Company, in con- junction with the Society of Single Professionals, is offering a week-long jour-ney through Spain this spring, tailor made for singles of all ages. That means solo travelers will NOT have to pay the dreaded single supplement fare on this April 2-11 journey. This escorted package includes first-class accommodation, all breakfasts, motor coach transportation and several group dinners. The tour visits Madrid, Cordoba, Seville,

Valencia, Granada and gaudy Barcelona. Sightseeing is provided in all cities and includes entrance to various mosques, cathe-drals, museums, and gardens. One of the highlights is the tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville. The package is designed to enrich the travel experience, with interesting details on Spanish culture, food, wines, social life and customs, as well as the region’s architecture and history.www.SinglesTravelCompany.com

Air Canada Vacations’ is offering an Early Booking Bonus for those who book an air and cruise package by April 30, for travel from June 1 to October 31, 2010. They will save $100 per person.

Tim cardsGlobus is now offering agents $10 gift cards for Tim Horton’s with every online booking made with any Globus brand – Cosmos, Avalon Waterways, Monograms and, of course Globus. The offer is in effect for all bookings made between Jan 6 and Feb 24 and deposited at www.agentlingo.ca. Agents are asked to claim their cards by emailing the invoice number to:bookings@globusfamily.ca

JAPEX Jamaica’s resort capital of Montego Bay will host the 20th annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) from May 11 to 13 at Half Moon. Hosted by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association and the Jamaica Tourist Board, JAPEX is the island’s pre-mier travel trade show for suppliers of the Jamaican tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour opera-tors from Europe and the Americas in a professionally organized business exchange. Call the Jamaica Tourist Board.800-526-2422, www.visitjamaica.com

TAXI CANADA INC805–10th Avenue SWSuite 500, CalgaryAB T2R 0B4T: 403 269 8294F: 403 269 7776

CLIENT WestJet WJV101090AB_I_Jan26.GSA.indd

APPROVALS

CREATED 11/01/2010CREATIVE TEAM

TRIM 7" x 4.917" CREATIVE Pick-up ACCOUNT Erika J

LIVE N/A MAC ARTIST P/U DerrickL, HeatherM PRODUCER Marsha W (ext. 33)PROOFREADER

BLEED N/A INSERTION DATE(S) 26/01/2010 AD NUMBER WJV101090AB_I PRODUCER

COLOURS CYANI MAGENTAI YELLOWI BLACKI STUDIO

PUBLICATION(S) GSA - Mexico, Cruising, GolfCLIENT / ACCOUNT MANAGER

All colours are printed as process match unless indicated otherwise. Please check before use. In spite of our careful checking, errors infrequently occur and we request that you check this proof for accuracy. TAXI’s liability is limited to replacing or correcting the disc from which this proof was generated. We cannot be responsible for your time, film, proofs, stock, or printing loss due to error.

With four Mexican destinations and over 60 great properties to choose from, now is the time to book your clients an amazing Mexican getaway. They’ll be immersed in history, culture and beauty at every turn. Whether they’re looking for rest and relaxation, a dynamic cultural experience or lively activities, they’ll fi nd it all in Mexico.

Book your clients for non-stop travel to:

Cabo San Lucas from Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, and Regina.Cancun from Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, & Winnipeg.Mazatlan from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.Puerto Vallarta from Abbotsford, Comox, Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.

Connections from other great WestJet departure cities also available.

More Mexico, more often. You’re clients will gracias you.

Book today at westjetvacations.com or call us at 1 877 737 7002.WestJet Vacations is now available on SIREV.

WJV101090AB_I_Jan26.GSA.indd 1 1/15/10 3:24:07 PM

YourWorkshops.ca is offering a Korea Sparkling online workshop, with one participant winning a prize giveaway of two Air Canada tickets and a four-night stay in Seoul, in conjunction with Lotte Hotels.

7January 26 - February 8, 2010

Harrison Hot Springs Resort in the eastern Fraser Valley is offering Vancou-verites a chance to escape the Olympic bustle in February. Three different pack-ages are offered: a stay and ski at Hemlock Valley package; a games get-away that includes the use of a dedi-cated Games Lounge with TV coverage; and an Olympics escape that includes a room with a fireplace, a gift basket of Rocky Mountain Chocolates, a bottle of Organic Sparking Juice, and two passes to the public mineral hot springs pool.

The Vancouver Art Gallery will present a free exhibition of anatomical drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, from Feb 6 to May 2. Called Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man, the show will mark the first time that the anatomical drawings of the artist will be on view in their entirety. The drawings are on loan from the Royal Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II especially for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Comprised of a series of 18 sheets created during the winter of 1510, 16 of which have drawings on both sides, the work represents achievements in both art and science. Executed in minute detail and with remarkable technical precision, the drawings illustrate Leonardo’s unsurpassed skills of observation and investi-gation. With more than 240 individual drawings and 13,000 words written in Leonardo’s unique mirror-image script, Anatomical Manuscript A is a treatise on the human body created centuries ahead of its time. These detailed drawings will be displayed in double-sided frames, allowing for close study of both sides of each sheet and enabling unprecedented access to Leonardo’s meticulous and intimately sized renderings. On the surrounding walls, aspects of the drawings will be reproduced on a massive

scale along with English translations of his textual observations. To place the drawings in context, the exhibition will present computer animations of the artist’s numerous inven-tions and a display of important anatomical drawings by other scientists and artists dating from before the time of Leonardo until the publication of Gray’s Anatomy in the 19th century.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man exhi-bition opens at the Vancouver Art Gallery in February.

Coastal CruiseCruise West of Seattle is planning several weeklong journeys this spring and fall that highlight the picturesque waterways of the San Juan and the Gulf Islands, while calling at numerous ports along BC’s coast. Called the Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape, it cruises roundtrip from Seattle, calling at Victoria, Nanaimo, sailing to Desolation Sound and calling at Vancouver, Port Townsend and Friday Harbour on the return leg.

The Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel offers elegant accommodations in downtown Edmonton close to shopping, dining and the convention centre. The hotel has 299 guest rooms and suites, suitable for business trav-elers, families or long-term guests. It also has meeting facilities, a day spa and a fitness facility.

The Servus Heritage Festival in Edmonton July 31-Aug 2 marks the 35th anniversary of this multicultural festival. It will feature 62 pavilions representing over 80 cultures. It will include ethnic foods, cultural performances, indigenous crafts and artwork, and traditional costumes. www.heritage-festival.com

da Vinci opens in Vancouver

Pacific Coastal Airlines has introduced scheduled and charter seaplane service from Port McNeil on the BC coast to destinations in the Broughton Archipelago and surrounding area, including Kingcome Inlet, Drury Inlet and Seymour Inlet. In conjunction with this expansion, the carrier is also offering con-nections to Vancouver via Port Hardy. The carrier operates a fleet of 23 aircraft, using the South Terminal at the Vancouver Airport.250-956-2020 www.pacificcoastal.com

January 26 - February 8, 20108

Lodgings West

LOS CABOSRIU SANTA FE �����

All-Inclusive, Super Saver RoomOnly from SunquestMon., Mar. 1, 7 nts.$1117 +$263 tax

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All-Inclusive, Only from SunquestDeluxe Garden View RoomMon., Mar. 1, 7 nts.$1247 +$263 tax

MAZATLANRIU EMERALD BAY�����

All-Inclusive, Hotel Room,Only from SunquestMon., Mar. 1, 7 nts.$1117 +$263 tax

PUERTO VALLARTACANTO DEL SOLPLAZA VALLARTA ����

All-Inclusive, Hotel Room,Sun., Feb. 28, 7 nts.$1327 +$263 tax

Vancouver departures via Air Transat, Skyservice & WestJet. Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy and available at press time. All offers are capacity controlled, subject to change and apply to new bookings only.For full product information and terms & conditions, see our Sunquest Southern Sun 2009/2010 brochure or visit Sunquest.ca. Sunquest, 75 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4P 3A4. B.C. Reg. #3597-6. 23899

There’s never been a better time to go to Mexico: prices are at an all time low while the valueremains at an all time high!

Go for the romance, the open-hearted people, the stunning beaches, exciting nightlife,and that wonderful feeling of welcome that we Canadians so love about Mexico.

You’re ready. They're ready. Time to go!

For more information visit SunquestAgent.ca

23899 TC SQ MGTO Jan14:Layout 1/15/10 12:08 PM Page 1

OTI features Eastern Med OTI has produced a 68-page brochure detailing its FIT and escorted vacation options in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Egypt. This year’s line up includes two new culi-nary programs. The Taste of Greece experi-ence showcases that country’s rich and his-torical culinary expertise with meals planned at various iconic and authentic restaurants, located throughout the country. Also offered is a Taste of Italy, which includes five nights in a Tuscan inn, as well as overnights in Rome, Florence and Venice. This program also includes a cooking class. OTI also offers a variety of FIT options in Egypt, including stays in Cairo, at the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheik or Hurghada, and a four-day Nile Cruise. Turkey is also featured by OTI, with hotel stays in Istanbul, as well as on the Aegean Coast and inland at Cappadocia, land of the fairy chimneys. OTI also offers a selection of holidays in Central Italy, in Rome, in the Tuscany coun-tryside, in Florence and in Venice. Of course, with its roots firmly planted in

Greece, OTI has an exten-sive portfolio of FIT options in this ancient country. It offers stays in Athens, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Paxos, and Paros,

as well as escorted tours. Many single-city as well as dual-country programs are offered, including Egypt-Jordan tours; Greece-Turkey tours; Italy-Greece tours; and Egypt-Greece-Turkey tours.. OTI also specializes in weddings on the island of Santorini.www.oti.travel

CIT expands Europe options CIT Tours has released its 2010 Enchanting Europe & the Best of Italy brochure,featuring a wide range of hotels and country resorts, as well as escorted tours. In addition to a selection of accommoda-tion in Italy’s main cities and tourist destina-tions, this year’s brochure also offers hotels in Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Germany, Austria, Hungary, The Czech Republic and Switzerland. Several new tours have also been added, including two new Italian coach tours, the Rome, Florence & Tuscan Landscape tour, and The Magnificent South tour, which fea-tures the Amalfi Coast, Puglia & Basilicata. Another new tour is the Morocco Express, a fully escorted coach tour that combines Spain’s Costa del Sol with Morocco’s imperial cities. Also added to the line up are two new independent rail tours in Spain. In the Wine & Gourmet category is a new Amalfi’s Cucina del Gusto tour, where clients will experience authentic Italian cuisine with hands-on cooking lessons at one of the best cooking schools in the region. This tour also allows time to explore the many attractions on the Sorrentine Peninsula. In response to demand last year, CIT Tours has added more self-drive options,including self-drive tours in Sicily, along Germany’s Romantic Road, in Portugal from

north to south, along Ireland’s scenic high-lights, and in Scotland, with a tour called Many Castles and Whisky Coast. In tandem with the release of the Enchanting Europe & Best of Italy brochure is a South & Central America 2010 Supplement. Highlight of the supplement is an eight-night Costa Rica Land of Paradise tour, an exclusive journey featuring the best of Costa Rica in the comfort of a small group setting, with guaranteed departures. Other options from the Latin America col-lection are independent and escorted tours in Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama, plus a 12-day escorted Scenic South America tour combining Chile, Argentina and Brazil, and Amazon adventures in both Peru and Brazil. Also in South America are two new wine tours, the Romantic Wine Route in Argentina, and Chile’s Magic of the Wine Train, both of which offer clients the opportunity to explore the regions and indulge in their famous wines. Ask for copies.800-387-0711•www.cittours.ca

Europe trainingTransat Holidays is holding a series of Europe Training Academy sessions, as follows: Jan 28, Langley, Coast Hotel, 6 pm; Feb 2, Victoria, Delta Ocean Pointe, 6 pm; Feb 2, Winnipeg, Caboto Centre, 6 pm; Feb 10, Kelowna, Coast Capri, 6 pm; Feb 9, Calgary, Fort Calgary, 12 pm and 6 pm; Feb 11, Edmonton, Polish Hall, 6 pm; Feb 17, Saskatoon, Park Town Hotel, 6 pm; and Feb 18, Regina, Ramada Hotel, 6 pm. Respond ASAP to:salesrsvp@transat.com

Variety Cruises is offering a number of Greek Island cruises this year, including the Aegean Odyssey, a seven-night cruise on the yacht Harmony G or Harmony V in the Cycladic Islands, including Kusadasi and Ephessus in Turkey, and the lesser known Greek islands of Patmos and Samos. Also offered is the Jewels of the Cyclades on the M/S Galileo which will head southeast of mainland Greece through a collection of islands, including Poros, Kimolos, Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, Kea and Sounion. www.varietycruises.com

January 26 - February 8, 201010

Europe

Transat Holidays is offering EBBS on group bookings to Greece this summer, in conjunction with new flights from Vancouver to Athens flights June 18 to Oct 1. The 16th passenger on these flights will fly free; plus on bookings made by March 31, all passengers will receive a $50 dis-count on airfare, and a $100 discount on air and land packages.

The Globus family of brands is offering a new Louis Hellenic Cruises’ itinerary in the Eastern Med this year, starting in April. The 11-day Three Continents itinerary combines a two-night stay in Athens with a cruise to Crete and Mykonos, stopping in Istanbul, Egypt and Israel. Cruises are aboard the 525-passenger MTS Aquamarine or 1,278-pas-senger MTS Cristal.www.agentlingo.ca

2 for oneScenic Tours is offering a two-for-one deal on its April 5 two-week Jewels of Europe River Cruise between Budapest and Amsterdam. The cruise includes all meals, wine, sightseeing and tips. www.scenictours.com

ALBA improves in Italy ALBA Tours has produced a new Italy brochure featuring several enhancements to is programs. The company, which uses Alitalia as its partner airline, has added a five-night Return to Sorrento coach tour, which features two nights in Rome and two on the Amalfi Coast, with an escort. ALBA also offers a 12-night Essence of Italian Art and Wine tour, with the addition of the Amalfi Coast this year, and has upgraded the accommodation on four of its classic coach tours. Also, on ALBA’s Rome Immersion program, passengers can choose from a four-night or five-night option, both of which include Air Transat round trip from Toronto.www.albatours.com

Inrepid offers small groups in Europe

Intrepid Travel is offering more than 100 itineraries featuring Europe this year, and they are proving to be very popular says Steven Larkin, the company’s president for North America. “Our sales for 2010 are already significantly higher than last year’s,” he said, in a prepared statement. “Central and Eastern Europe are up over 300%, and Italy alone is up 289%.” Intrepid specializes in escorted small group travel, usually with a maximum of 12 passengers. Styles range from Family to Comfort, and include OUT Adventures for the LGBT market. Trips are planned with sustainability in mind, so public trans-port and staying in small, family-run inns are the norm. With growing interest in Eastern Europe, Intrepid is offering a wide array of options in the east, including tours in Albania and an eight-day Adriatic Explorer, that visits Croatia and Slovenia. For the ultimate adventure, there’s a 103-day journey from St. Petersburg to Bali. For a more lay back holiday, Intrepid offers apartment rentals in Italy and a number of self-guided walking tours in France, Italy and Spain.866-360-1151•www.intrepidtravel.com

Disney on land and seaAdventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line are teaming up to provide guests with a number of add-on options this year that com-bine a Disney cruise with a unique shore excursion. Programs are available for the 10- and 11-night Disney Cruise Line Mediterranean vacations on May 5, 15, 26; Aug 7, 18, 28 and Sept 8. Featuring Adventures by Disney’s signature service, this program includes many outings that are nearly impossible to book on their own. For example, families who take the Mediterranean vacation may embark on a pow-erboat ride to the Island of Gozo featuring its striking scenery and serene beaches, followed by an off-road tour to uncover the island’s hidden charms.

Globus is offering a 10% discount to clients who book and pay for their European holiday in full by Feb 9. The offer applies to some 60 itineraries ranging from eight to 27 days, to the most popular areas of Britain, Ireland and the Continent. The offer applies to travel commencing between May 1 and Dec 31, 2010. Among the holiday options, a 19-day tour of Russia and Northern Europe; a nine-day Bonnie Scotland itinerary; and nine different programs that explore the art and architecture of Italy. www.agentlingo.ca

Blooming GardensKeukenhoff Gardens in the Netherlands is getting ready for its annual Spring Bulb Extravaganza, March 18-May 16. For a brief eight weeks, this massive garden in the western part of the Netherlands opens its doors to the public for a display of more than seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring bulbs. The garden is spread over 32 hectares and criss-crossed by 15 kilometers of paths. This year’s theme is called “From Russia With Love” and includes a 68 by 40 foot flower display depicting St Basil’s cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square, a mosaic of brilliant spring colors created with 65,000 bulbs. Other highlights include an Orchid display, a flower parade, a lily show and a national costume festival.

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Cruise Lines International Associationreports that a total of 775,000 Canadians took a cruise in 2009, a 9% increase over the 2008 figures, and a ten-fold increase over the number of Canadian cruisers in 1999. CLIA reports that Canadians represent 25% of all international (non-American) cruise vacationers. The top 10 destinations in order of preference for Canadians are the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Europe, European riv-ers, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Mexico, the Baltics and South America.

Cunard’s newest liner, Queen Elizabeth, will depart on its sold-out Maiden Voyage on Oct 12, 2010, sailing from Southampton to the Canaries. The Maiden Season will run from October 2010 to January 2011 and include voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Queen Elizabeth will depart Southampton on Jan 5, 2011 on a 103-night epic Maiden World Voyage, featuring 38 ports in 23 countries.

CLIA in YVRCLIA will hold its annual conference, cruis-e3sixty, in Vancouver June 2 to 6, marking the first time it has been staged outside Florida.

Azamara Cruises has changed its name to Azamara Club Cruises, and is adopting a pri-marily all-inclusive service. It offers cruises in Europe, the Caribbean and Panama, as well as cross Atlantic programs.

Princess offers Wave Season deals Princess Cruises is offering several “Wave Season” promotions for those who book soon. With “Balcony Bonanza,” agents can upgrade passengers to their own private balcony for the cost of an oceanview state-room, and with “Denali on Sale,” agents can save clients up to 25% off a cruisetour to the heart of Alaska. Balcony Bonanza pricing begins at US$899 pp dbl for a seven-day Caribbean sailing,

with balconies on a 12-day Europe sailing starting at $2,799. Denali on Sale -Agents can offer savings of up to 25% off select Alaska cruisetours featuring the state’s Denali National Park. All Princess cruisetour itineraries include at least two nights in the Denali area, with lodging at Princess’ own wilderness lodges, plus a cruise featuring Glacier Bay National Park. The two promotions run through Feb 28.

Cruising to Antiquity Voyages to Antiquity’s new vessel, the Aegean Odyssey, will offer 380 passengers a boutique-style cruise experience this year as they visit some of the most ancient civiliza-tions along the Mediterranean Sea. Although smaller in size than most cruise ships, the Aegean Odyssey offers three res-taurants, a library, a gym, saunas, massage and treatment rooms. Nine two-week voyages are planned this year, from May to November. Among the programs are cruises to Egypt and Greece, as

well as other countries rimming the Med. Each voyage features an enrichment pro-gram to enhance the experience, with top lecturers, superb shore excursions and plenty of opportunities to soak in local culture. Voyages to Antiquity also offers an inclu-sive cruise-tour pricing option that includes: return air from Vancouver or Toronto; all transfers; all meals on board; select shore excursions; shipboard gratuities; select wine with dinner; and guest speakers. www.exclusivetours.ca

Cruise West into BC Cruise West of Seattle is planning sev-eral week-long journeys beginning in April that highlight the San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands of BC, while calling at numer-ous ports along the BC and Washington coasts. Called the Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape, the cruise looks at the BC coast from an entirely different perspective, from the deck of the comfortable and casual 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavour. Cruising round-trip from Seattle, the

ship calls at Vancouver, Nanaimo, Butchart Gardens and Victoria, with tours offered at each stop. On its way back to Seattle, it calls at historic Port Townsend near Seattle, known for its Victorian architecture, and stops at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Onboard lecturers help guests under-stand the local history and marine life. Bring your binoculars on this cruise, but leave the formal wear behind. www. cruisewest-cruises.com

Launching FelicityAvalon Waterways’ new ship Felicity will be christened on March 27 in Volendam, Holland, just prior to its maiden voyage. Godmother to the ship will be internationally acclaimed Canadian soprano Measha Bruegger-gosman. The Felicity will host a maxi-mum of 138 passengers in 69 state-rooms and suites.

The Mahogany Bay Cruise Center has opened at Roatan in the Honduras’ Bay Islands welcoming its first cruise ships, the Yachts of Seabourn’s 208-passenger Sea-bourn Legend, Princess Cruises’ 3,070-pas-senger Crown Princess, and Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,974-passenger Carnival Valor. The ships are the first of 200 annual ship calls at the new facility, which is expected to host more than 500,000 passengers each year.

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Soaking up the sun on the Mayan RivieraBy Ron Barker, GSA Magazine

Swim-up and sit-down comfort in one of the El Dorado pools makes it easy to laze around the pool.

The suites at the El Dorado Casitas Royale resort on the Riviera Maya offer sumptuous luxury.

“Enjoy a sushi dinner while soaking in a hot tub for two. Splurge for a swim-up suite and sunbathe privately in a hammock, then arrange a couples massage and a cham-pagne sleepover in a four-poster bed on the beach” This is the first thing I read while research-ing the invitation to attend the second annual GI Vacation Consultant Awards and Marketing forum at the El Dorado Casitas Royale resort on the Riviera Maya recently. Upon arrival, I was greeted at the airport by a rep from Lomas Tours, the official greet-ers of the El Dorado and Karisma chain of resorts and quickly escorted to an air- condi-tioned, private Escalante for the quick 20-minute trip to the resort. After the traditional cold towel and cham-pagne greeting, my driver passed me on to one of the super friendly cart drivers for a quick jaunt to the private check-in at the Casitas section of the resort. Instead of the large hall with counters and line ups that usually accompany the check-in routine, you are landed at a quiet, cool and sophisticate bungalow where you are introduced to the attention-to-detail service which will be with you for your entire stay at Casitas. After explanations about the Concierge services,

the pillow menu and aroma therapy in your suite, you are whisked off for a general over-view of the facilities. When the door of the unit was opened and I stood and took in the space, my first thoughts were “I should not be here on my own”. The layout is stunning with rose petals on the king-sized bed, soft lights on the huge living room Jacuzzi. Never mind the jet tub and outside shower in the washroom. Stepping out onto the veranda, there is a nice breakfast bistro table beside the outside day bed, surrounded by retractable linen curtains overlooking my swim-up private pool with a lazy, winding river that meanders into the swim-up bar and full pool area. If you choose the second floor suites, you have an infinity pool overlooking the beach. The beach beds are not only a nice way to spend the day, lounging in the tropical breez-es, but they even have “Beach Butlers” who will come by with snacks, books, spritzes of cool, refreshing, scented water and if you like, champagne lunches just for the asking. With 11 pools, 169 suites and 24-hour room service, this place offers the ultimate in luxury. A 10,000-square-foot greenhouse serves

all seven extraordinary restaurants, including one with the best Italian gourmet meals I have ever had. The Gourmet Inclusive concept is a bench-mark for best in class and very well pre-sented. The Karisma Resort Group has taken the whole Wedding, Romance and Honeymoon product to a new level. They provide travel professional with a huge range of support services, including incentives, support from all kinds of materials, electronic access and CRM access, plus targeted, well produced support and distribution options for agents lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a “GI” Vacation Consultant. I have never seen a resort group offer so much support and enthusiastic commitment to the agent who wants to offer virtually all their clients can imagine, and make it smooth and seamless. Contact your El Dorado/Azul/Karisma rep for more information on participating in this valuable marketing opportunity. Your clients will appreciate the experience and relaxation as much as I did, and will, like me, want to return for more.

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TianguisTianguis Turistico, Mexico’s premier tourism trade event, will be held in Acapulco April 25-28. It is designed for tour operators, wholesalers, corporate and incentive travel planners, charter operators, associations and travel agents that register as buyers. An estimated 40 Mexican suppliers will also attend.www.tianguisturistico.com.mx

Signature Vacations is partnering with Karisma Hotels to offer deep discounts for Canadians wishing to escape the cold. A Winnipeg to Riviera Maya holiday at the Sensatori Azul, by Karisma, one-week, gourmet inclusive departing March 2, is available for $1358 plus $261 taxes. The same package from Vancouver on March 1 is available for $1368 plus $261 taxes. Seats are limited.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Palace Resorts have announced that four Palace Resorts properties in Mexico have joined Wyndham. They are the Beach Palace, Cancun; Isla Mujeres Palace, Isla Mujeres; and Playacar Palace and Xpu-Ha Palace, both in Riviera Maya. Xpu-Ha Palace will be re-branded as a Wyndham Resort while Beach Palace, Isla Mujeres Palace and Playacar Palace will gain the Wyndham Grand Resort designation. All will continue to be owned and operated by Palace Resorts.

Los Cabos, on the tip of the Baja in Mexico, is in the spotlight this month with new non-stop service from Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina with Transat Holidays. Sunwing Vacations also has launched weekly service to Los Cabos from Vancouver and Winnipeg. Renowned for its pristine beaches, spas and golf options, Los Cabos also has a rich culture dating back hundreds of years. The historic and charming town of San Jose del Cabo has become a haven for art lovers with a wide variety of galleries and prominent artists showcasing their wares. Exclusive to San Jose del Cabo is the weekly evening Art Walk, designed to entice visitors to taste the local cuisine and special wine pairings, while viewing the local art scene. The Art Walk takes place Thursdays in San Jose’s historic art district, from 5 to 9 pm, from November to May. Many of Los Cabos’ premier properties have embraced the cultural and artistic fla-vors of this destination by displaying art and distinctive furnishings created by local arti-sans and other artists.

Multi-colored, culturally themed paintings by Mexican master Rodrigo Pimental, a bronze mermaid sculpture by noted American sculptor Deloss McGraw and large colorful tiled murals by Mexican artist Fernando Andriacci adorn the lobby and public corri-dors of the luxurious Las Ventanas al Paraiso Hotel. Paintings and sculptures by celebrated Mexican artist Yuri Zatarain are on display in every guestroom and all public spaces of the Me Cabo Hotel. Each guest room at the Marquis Los Cabos Hotel features original Mexican paintings by Augustin Castro Lopez and furnishings from different regions of Mexico. Original statues by Jorge Marin are located in the hotel’s lobby and pool area. Esperanza Hotel has assembled a gallery showcasing contemporary paintings and sculptures, including works by Mexican expressionists Gabriela Villarreal Santos, Elisa Pasquel and Lupina Flores, and renowned sculptors, Ricardo Regazzoni and Yvonne Domenge. The art scene provides a nice way to end a day on the beach.

El Cid Resorts and WestJet Vacations honored Mazatlan Specialists at a Mexican evening in Vancouver recently. Joining the festivities were (L-R): Freddie Marsh (FMTM representing El Cid Resorts), Dave Emery (FMTM representing El Cid Resorts), Norma Cisneros (El Cid Resorts), Kim Tobias (WestJet), Tobe Leney (WestJet) and Alejandro Grageda (Mexico Tourism Board).

Sunwing to Cabo

Sunwing has added flights from Vancouver and Winnipeg to Los Cabos, with weekly departures offered Sundays from Vancouver and Fridays from Winnipeg with Sunwing Airlines. In Los Cabos, Sunwing offers eight resorts, including the Melia Cabo Real. Recently added to the Sunwing line-up, this four and one-half star hotel is exclu-sive to Sunwing. It is located adjacent to the Robert Trent Jones II Cabo Real Golf Course and, in addition to golf, guests can enjoy such adventures as rock climbing and zip lin-ing on the beach. The resort also boasts a lively nightlife. The Melia Cabo Real offers families a kids’ club and a toddlers’ club, welcom-ing guests as young as four months. www.sunwing.ca

Los Cabos for art lovers

Transat Holidays is offering February departures from Winnipeg to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, from $1048, and to Cancun and the Riviera Maya from $1298.

January 26 - February 8, 201018

Mexico

THE ROYAL in Cancun and the adjacent Gran Caribe Real Cancun are celebrating the completion of their beach restoration program with a series of special offers for winter travelers. At the adult-only 288-suite ROYAL in Cancun guests can enjoy savings starting from $539 per night for a double guest suite, including tax and gratuities as well as complimentary greens fees at the nearby Cancun Golf Club.

At the family friendly Gran Caribe Real Cancun, guests can stay in a double guest suite for $234 per night. In addition, at the Gran Caribe Real kids under 12 stay free in their parents’ suite and teens enjoy a 40% discount.

Seabourn comps flights to Europe The Yachts of Seabourn is offering com-plimentary round trip airfare from 27 North American gateways to 52 European voy-ages this summer, on bookings made by Feb 28. The featured cruises are aboard four of its intimate, all-suite yachts, Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn Legend, Seabourn Odyssey and the new Seabourn Sojourn, slated to debut in June 2010. Special promotional fares, which save up to 50% off brochure fares, start from US$3,799 pp dbl, and include economy or business class air, depending on the suite category booked, plus airport transfers. The voyages span the European cruising season between May and Sept, departing

from Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Venice, Athens, London and Copenhagen. Cruises of seven to 12 days explore the French and Italian rivieras, Spain, the Adriatic and Dalmatian coasts, the Greek Isles and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the Baltic, Russia, Scandinavia and the Scottish coast. The 450-guest Seabourn Odyssey, which was launched in June 2009, has been hailed as “a game-changer” for luxury cruising, while a sister yacht, Seabourn Sojourn, will begin service from London in June 2010. The complimentary air offer is subject to space availability. Certain restric-tions apply. www.seabourn.com

Silversea’s new Silver Spirit will embark on its first full world cruise traversing both hemispheres in 2011. Called the Spirit of Discovery, the cruise begins in Los Angeles Jan 19, 2011, embarking on a 119-day jour-ney, exploring 60 destinations in 25 coun-tries, concluding in Southampton, Bermuda on May 19, 2011. Along the journey, Silver Spirit will take in French Polynesia, Australia, ports in Asia, Egypt, and along the north coast of the Mediterranean from Italy and Monaco to Spain and Portugal. Fares start at US$61,924 pp dbl, but shorter segments are also available. The Silver Spirit also offers a new kind of spa, including acupuncture and anti-aging beauty therapies. At 8,300 square

Chicago chicThe Elysian luxury hotel has opened in Chicago, in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The 188-room Elysian offers spacious guest rooms and suites with sepa-rate living and sleeping areas. It also features boutiques, local limo shuttle service, a pool and spa, a fitness center, and two dining rooms. Guest rooms feature marble bath-rooms with soaking tubs, separate showers, rich bed linens and terry cloth bathrobes, lav-ish bath amenities and advanced in-room technology including touch screen telephones and intelligent energy control systems that adjust lighting, heating and cooling levels based on activity.

The Gran Melia Shanghai Hotel has opened in Shanghai, offering 686 rooms on 30 floors. The hotel is located in the district of Lujiazui, the financial and commercial heart of the city, with easy access to the most popular attrac-tions and entertainment such as the famous Oriental Pearl tower and the Shanghai Aquarium. All rooms incorporate minimalist design and furnishings, with Premium rooms offering a private check-in area, continental breakfast, aperitifs, and access to the REDlevel lounge. There are also restaurants and bars, meeting rooms and a spa.

feet, The Spa will be the largest in the Silversea fleet, featuring a beauty salon, fit-ness centre, nine spa treatment rooms, two sauna rooms, two steam rooms and a Hammam Turkish bath chamber.

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Riviera Nayarit is the only all-inclusive Five Diamond Award winner in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit with two AAA Four Diamond rated gourmet restaurants. It is also the only family-friendly all-inclusive in North America to receive this distinction. The sister property, Casa Velas Hotel Boutique in Puerto Vallarta, was awarded the AAA Four-Diamond Award for the third consecutive year.

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THE WAY TO GO FOR 40 YEARS

THE WAY TO GO FOR 40 YEARS THE WAY TO GO FOR 40 YEARS

Having made my Bucket List while still in my teens, I was starting to wonder if I would ever get it all done. Especially since I seem to replace each item I cross off with another one. Peru was one of the items on that list that just never seemed to work itself out. Something seemed to always get in the way. That may have been part of the reason I started working for Travel CUTS. Then I got a call from our Intrepid rep with an offer of a fam to Peru sponsored by Intrepid and Tourism Peru. It was like Christmas had come in October. The fact that Intrepid comped the fam made it even better! With only three weeks until departure, and so many regions of Peru on the itinerary, it was difficult to decide what to pack and still manage to have room for all the Christmas shopping I was planning to do. Who knew that this little country in South America had so much more to offer than Machu Picchu? We were planning to start in Lima and work our way through cities, villages, volcanoes, mountains, altitude sickness and finally, the jungle. Our little Intrepid group of 11 travel agents, our Intrepid rep Kate Rosen, tour guide Pepe and our driver did a great job compressing what is normally a 23-day tour into 11 days. And we were definitely up to the challenge! The trip started on Nov 2 and ended on the 13. In that time we saw amazing architecture with Mongolian and Spanish influences. We absorbed the sights, smells and sounds like eager little children let loose in a candy store. We visited with local families and vendors to learn about and experience the local way of life. And that was just the first couple of days.

We went on to learn almost everything about Peru and still we couldn’t wait for more. We experienced local markets, ancient ruins and out-of-the-way places not seen on most itineraries. As our Intrepid tour guide Pepe liked to say, “We don’t do the touristy thing”. Intrepid also allowed us the opportunity to bring school supplies and toys for the local children. I was amazed that the people loved life with such abandon. They were always smiling and always dressed in colourful clothes. The food we stuffed ourselves on was simply the icing on the cake. Everyone we met along the way was eager to help and fun to practice our Spanish with. The local guides that Intrepid had waiting for us at each destination were great as well. They shared their passion for their country with us and made us love it just as much as they did. We all voted to miss our return flights so we could stay a little longer. My personal highlights included seeing condors flying in their natu-ral habitat, viewing Machu Picchu in all its glory, and managing not to be sacrificed by the rest of the group. But that’s another story. I still miss the food, the people and most of all the simple way of life. After careful thought, I decided to put Peru back on my Bucket list. After all, you can never have too much of a good thing.

Taking in the sites at Machu Picchu on a recent Intrepid fam covering much of Peru was Kam Johal, manager, Travel CUTS, Langley, BC.

Intrepid Travel offers a wide variety of escorted, small-group depar-tures to Peru. Among them are a number of 21-day trips that include Machu Picchu, the Galapagos and other highlights. Trip styles range from Intrepid Original, to Basix, Comfort, Active and Short Breaks. Clients may choose tours that focus on the colonial history of the region, the Incas or the Amazon. www.intrepidtravel.com

Machu Picchu

Although the citadel of Machu Picchu is located only about 80 km (50 miles) from Cusco, Peru, the mountain top fortress was overlooked by early Spanish colonizers and consequently neither plundered nor destroyed. Built in 1450 at an elevation of 8,000 feet, it flourished at the height of the Inca Empire, but was inhabited for only about 100 years when it is thought most inhabitants succumbed to smallpox.

Intrepid Fam takes in PeruBy Kam Johal, Manager, Travel CUTS, Langley, BC

January 26 - February 8, 201020

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Horizon heads to Augusta Horizon and Co of Toronto is offering golfers and fans a chance to see some of the best players in the world at the Augusta National, and enjoy a couple of rounds themselves. This three-night vacation package includes pick up at the Atlanta Airport on April 9, transfer to a nearby hotel, and police escort the next morning to the Augusta National, including breakfast on board the coach. At the course, participants will receive

the coveted Masters Patron’s Badge, which will allow them to follow the play, as golf-ers pursue the hallowed green jacket. Meanwhile the hospitality room is open serving gourmet food and drinks. Following the last putt, participants re-board the coach for the transfer back to Atlanta, and the next morning, they get to play 18 holes at the Chateau Course, fol-lowed by another 18 on the fourth day at the Woodlands Course before heading home.800-387-2977

The Second Annual Montecristo Golf Cup and Esencia Cup will take place April 23-24, 2010 at the Varadero Golf Club in Varadero, Cuba. The Montecristo Cup event is a Pro-Am competition and the Esencia Cup event is a Team-play Competition.

The Czech Republic boasts a growing golf scene, with numerous traditional and newer golf courses. Among them are the Golf Resort Karlstejn, Golf Park Plzen and Golf Resort Konopiste’s D’Este, a good course for casual golf near Prague.

Scottsdale Golf Adventures is offering seven nights accommodation and six rounds of golf in the Scottsdale, AZ area for $1199 pp dbl, or three nights and three rounds of golf for $519.877-777-9459

Bargain Golf Kauai offers golfers several courses that won’t break the bank with its greens fees. Among them is the Kiahuna Golf Club, near Poipu Bay on the South Shore. It features a links-style layout with ancient stone walls on some holes. Fees range from US$75 to $95. Wailua Golf Course, one of the state’s best municipal courses, is located alongside the ocean. Fees range from $30 to $45. Kukuiolono Golf Course, located about 15 minutes from Poipu Bay, is an historic nine-hole golf course built in 1929 by a local sugar magnate. It’s under 3,000 yards with wide fairways, making it a good option for beginners. Fees are from $10. Prices are subject to change.

Golf The World Vacations is offering several different golf packages to Maui. A three-night stay with two rounds of golf, or a seven-night stay with four rounds of golf, are available throughout the winter. They include accom-modation at the Hana Kai Maui, with golf at the Dunes at Maui Lani and Elleair Maui Golf Club. Cost is $515 pp dbl for three nights, or $1039 for the seven-night package. For those who wish to stay at the Kapalua Villas, with a one-bedroom fairway view suite, the cost is $778 pp dbl for three nights, or $1816 pp dbl for seven, with golf at The Bay and the Plantation Courses. For more information call Colin Yorath at Golf The World Vacations at 604-879-3770.

Las Vegas Golf Vacations has packaged hotel stays with tee times and transfers. Among the choices, a four-night stay at Harrah’s, with four rounds of golf, from US$549 weekdays, or $649 weekends. Packages are also available at the Mirage, and at Planet Hollywood.

Golf in California desertGolf The World Vacations is offering several golf holiday packages to the Palm Springs region. A three-night hotel package with three rounds of golf (or a seven-night package with five rounds of golf) is available at the Indian Wells Resort in Indian Wells. All packages include deluxe accommodation, daily breakfasts, and three or five

rounds of golf as specified at The Indian Wells Resort Celebrity and Player courses, La Quinta Dunes and Tara Lago North and/or South courses. Cost is $815 pp dbl for three nights, or $1455 pp dbl for seven. Call Colin Yorath at Golf The World Vacations at: 604-879-3770

The Hyatt Grand Champion Celebrity Golf Course is one of the courses available to players booking a Golf the World Vacations’ golf holiday to the Palm Springs region this winter.

The Indian Wells Resort in Indian Wells, CA offers golfers a chance to unwind in the pool, spa, or hot tub. Golf the World Vacations’ packages include a stay in this hotel.

Malaysia will make its mark in golf history this year when it hosts the PGA TOUR at the Asia Pacific Golf Classic, Malaysia 2010 at The MINES Resort & Golf Club in Selangor, Malaysia as part of the 2010 PGA TOUR end-of-season calendar. Competition dates have yet to be announced.

23January 26 - February 8, 2010

West Coast Air staff celebrated the achievement of a goal set by the airline’s executives in 2007 to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, including flights. The recent downtown Vancouver celebra-tion to mark the milestone also included the airline achieving a carbon neutral designation from Pacific Carbon Trust. Celebrating the moment were (L-R): Scott MacDonald, CEO of Pacific Carbon Trust; John Yap, Minister of State for Climate Action; and Rick Baxter, president and CEO of West Coast Air.

ANOTHER GOOD PLACE TO WORK .... WestJet has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Employers as part of Hewitt Associates 2010 Best Employer Study. This annual study determines the 50 best employers in Canada through surveys conducted by Hewitt of more than 100,000 employees across Canada. “This is exciting news for us,” said Ferio Pugliese, WestJet Executive Vice-President, People and Culture. “WestJet works hard to ensure its people are engaged and fulfilled in their roles.”

NOTED BY THE BEST .... Condé Nast Traveler’s 2009 Gold List features a total of four proper-ties in Jamaica. The recently released Gold List presents a selection of hotels voted by readers to have the best rooms, service, food, design, location and leisure activities. The Jamaica properties named are The Caves, Couples Swept Away, Jamaica Inn, and Jakes.

NICE RECOGNITION .... OPUS Vancouver ranks amongst the worlds top 500 hotels, says Travel + Leisure Magazine. The upscale bou-tique hotel in Vancouver’s Yaletown is one of four Vancouver hotels and 20 Canadian hotels to make the coveted Top 500 list, which is based on readers’ ratings. Opus GM Nicholas Gandossi, in prepared statement, says, “We couldn’t be more thrilled...”

CROONER .... Barry Manilow will open new show at the Paris Las Vegas beginning March 5, with a guarantee to perform 78 shows a year for two years. This new show will cast Manilow’s hits in a new light in the intimate and elegant 1,500-seat Paris Theatre, includ-ing all the songs that have made him a pop culture icon over the past 35 years.

WHAT A WAY TO GO .... Seattle-based Cruise West will launch the World’s Longest Cruise in March, a 335-night circumnavigation of the globe. The 120-passenger, all-suite Oceanus will visit 242 ports in 59 countries across six continents during the Voyages of the Great Explorers’ cruise. It sets out March 5.

LOOKING FOR A JOB? .... For the ninth consecutive year, Flight Centre has been rated among the Top 50 Employers to work for in Canada, according to Report on Business Magazine’s annual rankings. “We are obviously very proud ....”, says Flight Centre Canada’s president Greg Dixon. The full list of the 50 Best Employers in Canada appears in the January issue of The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine.

KUDOS .... to Rocky Mountaineer Executive VP & Chief Operations Officer James Terry, who has been officially recognized by Les Clefs d’Or Canada, an organization dedicated to improving and maintaining an impeccable level of service in the hospitality industry. He was appointed as an honourary member for his work in encouraging guest service excellence in the tourism industry and for his support and promotion of Les Clefs d’Or over the last 20 years. Terry received the Clefs d’Or (crossed golden keys) badge, worn by esteemed concierges all over the world and is one of only 18 Canadians to have received this honour since 1976.

JUST SO YOU KNOW .... Toronto’s CN Tower is STILL the World’s Tallest Tower, as endorsed by Guinness World Records recently. For over 34 years the CN Tower has held that distinction and is sticking by that claim, despite all the hoopla over that building in Dubai. The World’s Tallest Tower is defined by both Guinness and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as “a building in which less than 50% of the construction is usable floor space”. So there, Dubai.

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January 26 - February 8, 201024

The Journal

25January 26 - February 8, 2010

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EncoreCruiseEscapes delivers family cruisingAmong the top attractions on all Disney ships are the character per-sonalities, which appear on the stage, on deck and at breakfast. Each ship also features an “adults only” pool. Norwegian Cruise Line, which offers an extensive program to the Caribbean, Europe, Bermuda, Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera, offers kids clubs for two to 17 year olds, and also offers casual, freestyle dining, where passengers dine when and where they want, and wear pretty much whatever they want .. ie no formal wear required. Costa Cruises offers the most extensive European program, as well

as cruises to the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East and South America. It also offers reduced rates on shore excursions for kids, and produces an onboard kids parade. It also offers a kids sail free program, on some Caribbean itineraries. Holland America Line, which sails to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean and Bermuda, offers Club Hal, for kids aged three to 17, and a unique, hands-on culinary program for kids. No parents allowed. Regent Seven Seas, which offers luxury, all-inclusive programs in the Mediterranean, to Russia and to

Scandinavia, and a 103-day world cruise, offers free shore excursions to kids and adults, plus a Club Mariner activity program for kids five to 17 on summer time and holiday departures. On select itineraries, a deep discount is available for kids. Paul Gaugin Cruises offers itineraries throughout the islands of Tahiti, Cook Islands and Society Islands, offering onboard and onshore Ambassadors of the Environment activity programs during school holidays that focus teaching kids about the environment and sustain-ability. Vasquez also pointed out that EncoreCruiseEscapes can help agents with their air and cruise bookings and can arrange pre and post cruise stays.

She also pointed out that agents can sign up for training sessions at encorecruiseescapesagent.ca, and can earn double Holiday Points by booking online. Michael Mullin, representing EncoreCruiseEscapes’ sister com-panies of Exotik Tours and Boomerang Tours as BDM Western Canada in Vancouver, added that families booking an EncoreCruiseEscapes’ cruise might also consider tacking on a rail journey, a land stay or an escorted tour in the South Pacific or in Europe. Exotik and Boomerang offer an extensive selection of land options from virtually all ports of call.

EncoreCruiseEscapes’ new Family Cruises’ 36-page brochure is a compilation of information on ten cruise lines that offer special ameni-ties for families. It is the first brochure of its kind to reach the travel trade in Canada. Addressing a roomful of travel counselors in Vancouver recently at the launch of the brochure was Western Canada DSM Stephanie Vazquez, who said the new book is designed to help agents select the right cruise for each client, a decision that is even more crucial when mom and dad are traveling with kids. While all ten cruise companies offer special features or amenities geared to families, they are all different and offer different itineraries. Vazquez also pointed out that this is the best time of the year to sell cruises. During Wave Season, the first three months of the year, cruise companies typically log more than 50% of their entire year’s bookings. The lines that offer something special for families are as follows: Royal Caribbean, which sails to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and the Mexican Riviera, offers a new family din-ing option, which actually allows parents to dine quietly without the children, while the kids are being chaperoned in another restaurant. RCCL also offers a spectacular Carousel for children, rock climbing and a skating rink, and has separate activity programs for kids aged three to 17. Celebrity Cruises, which sails to the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska, offers an extensive kids’ program, including a activities for kids under three. It also offers specialty restaurants designed to appeal to the unique culinary requirements of children, and Celebrity also offers in-room babysitting. Carnival, which last year carried some 675,000 children on itinerar-ies in the Caribbean, and to Alaska and the Mexican Riviera, offers Camp Carnival, with activities geared to kids aged two to 17. Carnival also offers a selection of family staterooms with joining rooms. MSC Cruises, which sails in the Mediterranean, as well as in the Caribbean and up into Canada, offers activity programs for kids aged three to 17, and it offers “kids sail free”, for kids aged two to 17. Note that this policy will be changing in the fall, when it will be reduced to kids sail free, up to age 12. MSC also offers family suites, a games arcade and a teens disco. Disney Cruise Line, where everything is geared to entertain-ing the kids, offers itineraries in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and, beginning in 2011, it will offer Alaska cruises from Vancouver for the first time.

Teaming up to present the new EncoreCruiseEscapes family focus bro-Teaming up to present the new EncoreCruiseEscapes family focus bro-chure were Stephanie Vazquez, (L) DSM, Western Canada, and Stephanie Vazquez, (L) DSM, Western Canada, and Stephanie Vazquez Elizabeth Elizabeth Story (R) director of sales, Toronto. Joining them at the presentation was (R) director of sales, Toronto. Joining them at the presentation was Story (R) director of sales, Toronto. Joining them at the presentation was StoryMichael Mullin (C), manager Western Canada for the Thomas Cook sister (C), manager Western Canada for the Thomas Cook sister Michael Mullin (C), manager Western Canada for the Thomas Cook sister Michael Mullincompanies, Boomerang Tours and Exotik Tours.

FIFAHorizon & Co of Toronto is offering packages to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa in June. For information on schedul-ing, packages and pre and post safari packages throughout South Africa and to Kenya and Tanzania.email Craig Nattress at craig@horizon-co.com

Bali BargainSilk Holidays is offering its Famous Bali Super Bargain, from $1499 pp dbl with air from Vancouver with Japan Airlines, 12 nights accom-modations at the four-star Ramada Benoa, daily breakfast, five sight-seeing tours, return airport transfer and the added value of a bottle of wine per room and a 90-minute massage per person. Add-ons are available from other cities.

January 26 - February 8, 201026

BARBADOS

INTRODUCING DYNAMICALLY PACKAGED VACATION OPTIONS

by

DYNAMIC PRICES INCLUDE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN ASUPERIOR STUDIO ISLAND VIEW – EP AT BUTTERFLY BEACH HOTEL – 3 STARALONG WITH ROUNDTRIP WESTJET AIRFARE TO BARBADOS

THE PRICES FEATURED IN THIS SECTION ARE PER NIGHT, ACCOMMODATION ONLY

7 NIGHT STAYDEPARTING FROM TORONTO $629 Cdn pp

Mar 01/10Taxes add $93

7 NIGHT STAYDEPARTING FROM OTTAWA $675 Cdn pp

Mar 01/10Taxes add $117

7 NIGHT STAYDEPARTING FROM EDMONTON $779 Cdn pp

Mar 01/10Taxes add $122

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