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TRAVEL GALLERY - WINTER SPRING 2012
 
(2012 - Winter/Spring Issue)

Writer: CATHY STAPELLS



More vacation ideas . . .

Puerto Plata is the crown jewel on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast and no one knows it better than Nolitours. Since the town became part of Nolitours’ “It Zone,” featuring six area properties to this all-inclusive offering, the action has been non-stop. Not only can you stay at your favourite beachfront hotel and dine to your heart’s content while washing it down with your favourite vintage, you also get to choose from a treasure trove of additions, excursions and add-ons, all for the same one-stop price. Participating area hotels include Allegro Puerto Plata, Grand Paradise Playa Dorada, Barcelo Puerto Plata, Casa Marina Reef Resort Cameleon Select, Celuisma Playa Dorada and the Grand Ambar by Lifestyle Cameleon Gold. Call your travel agent to book your spot in the sun. nolitours.com

Air Canada Vacations recently introduced non-stop Saturday flights from Toronto to the beautiful island of Curaçao. Situated between Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao is known for its pearl-white beaches, great scuba diving and the pastel-coloured historic buildings of its capital, Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travellers can choose from nine hotel and resort packages including the five-star Baoase Luxury Resort and the four-star Avila Hotel and Blue Bay Curaçao. Executive Class service is available starting from $299 extra. Flights are available until April 7, 2012. aircanadavacations.com; curacao.com

The stunning new Herta and Paul Amir Building has opened at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Designed by Preston Scott Cohen, the 18,116-square-metre concrete-and-glass building combines Mendelsohn and Bauhaus architectural styles, and doubles the size of Israel’s largest contemporary art museum. The museum centres around a spiralling 26.5-metre-high atrium known as the “Lightfall” and features five levels with rectangular galleries using natural light. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is home to a comprehensive collection of Israeli artworks. A selection of some 250 works by Israeli artists dating from 1906 to the present are on view at the Amir Building, creating the country’s largest permanent installation of Israeli art. tamuseum.com; goisrael.ca

Combine a history lesson with a little cycling on the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure, July 14–21, 2012, to explore the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. This eight-day, 720-kilometre, fully-supported bicycle tour from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Ontario/Québec border follows much of the same route invading American armies took in 1812/13/14. En route, experience delicious local food and wine, entertainment and charming shops as the itinerary passes through 41 diverse Ontario communities. The cost is $699 per adult  from Niagara-on-the-Lake and $649 from Toronto. Taxes are extra. For those who don’t wish to cycle the entire route, the price is $115 plus tax per day. Included in the eight-day tour are seven nights’ camping in host waterfront communities; long-term parking in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Cornwall; programmed events and activities (some optional); luggage transfer; support vehicle; a team of experienced volunteer cyclists to provide first aid and basic bike repair; celebration dinner; breakfast on Day 8; pizza lunch at finish; and commemorative Finishers Medal. waterfronttrail.org/gwta_web

Occidental Hotels & Resorts is celebrating the grand reopening of the upscale, beachfront all-inclusive resort, Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta. Previously known as the Allegro Nuevo Vallarta, this five-star resort has completed a year-long renovation and features 270 guest rooms. Elegant and sophisticated with a modern Mexican ambience, it’s located on a gorgeous stretch of golden beach 35 minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s downtown area and just one block from the Paradise Plaza Mall. There’s a new state-of-the-art casino featuring blackjack tables and slot machines, live nightly shows and musical performances. Four dining options include La Hacienda, an authentic Mexican restaurant, and Los Olivos featuring Italian cuisine and Mediterranean-style à la carte dining. Additional features include a Kids’ Club, a nearby 18-hole golf course, massage services, motorized water sports, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. occidentalhotels.com

With the recent opening of the new Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto (at the corner of Bay and Adelaide Streets), the SUITS™ Lobby Lounge is the place to relax, meet friends and colleagues, and enjoy signature cocktails, beers, wines and a selection of vodkas from the world. SUITS™ Master Sommelier John Szabo and his mixology team have created a menu of libations that blend all-time favourites and a variety of signature cocktails. As well, the bar menu will also include one of the country’s most impressive lists of organic, natural and biodynamically produced sustainable wines and local craft beers as well as excellent sharing plates for those who desire a small bite to accompany their drink. Don’t miss the signature vodka and caviar pairing. trumptorontohotel.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has gone tropical this winter with its all-inclusive 10- and 11-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, many with convenient round-trip departures from Fort Lauderdale. The “Tropical Escapes” itineraries aboard the all-suite Seven Seas Navigator are offered now through April 2012. Guests enjoy a free one-night luxury hotel package before sailing and can choose from as many as 51 complimentary shore excursions. Itineraries include: Realm of the Maya (departing February 27 and March 19), which explores the Western Caribbean including Cozumel, Belize City and Costa Maya; and Sun-Splashed Sea Breezes (departing April 3), which combines the islands of the Caribbean with the charm of the South, visiting Savannah, Charleston and Wilmington, plus Bermuda for an overnight stay. The 490-guest Seven Seas Navigator features all suites with ocean views, 90 per cent with private balconies. All-inclusive fares include all gourmet dining venues without any surcharges, fine wines and premium spirits, a selection of shore excursions in all ports, on-board gratuities and air transportation from more than 25 gateway cities. rssc.com

There are so many reasons to visit our nation’s capital: skating on the Rideau Canal, terrific museums and art galleries, the ByWard Market and restaurants galore, the Canadian Tulip Festival’s 60th anniversary and the Juno Awards. Now you can save on accommodation by getting the third night free at participating hotels for bookings and travel until March 31. ottawatourism.ca

Three Fairmont hotels in B.C. have installed Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. In partnership with GE Energy Industrial Solutions, The Fairmont Waterfront and The Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver as well as The Fairmont Empress in Victoria have charging stations available for patrons. Drivers simply swipe a card, plug in and charge their vehicles at the stations. The GE DuraStation’s design is capable of charging in just four to eight hours, depending on the size of the vehicle’s battery. The three Fairmont hotels also offer a new incentive for guests to “drive green.” Guests who arrive at the hotel in hybrid or electric cars are rewarded with complimentary valet parking, valued at more than $40 per night, for the duration of their stay. Local diners are also provided complimentary valet parking for their hybrid or electric car when they enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurants (dinner only, minimum purchase of $100). fairmont.com/environment

There are so many reasons to visit Virginia, and they’re all in the new 2012 Virginia Travel Guide, including new destinations, family favourites, great beaches, museums, wineries and attractions. New features this year include vacation ideas for all four seasons, a special section on small towns, scenic drives and a listing of the most recent attractions to open in Virginia. Highlights include the Patsy Cline Museum in Winchester, new wineries, the Golden Eagle Tree House at Primland and the upcoming OpSail 2012 Virginia event. With 4,800 kilometres of coastline, inspiring scenic drives such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, plus historical highlights including the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and Emancipation, there’s something special for everyone in Virginia. Virginia.org

Beginning in spring 2012, luxury Crystal Cruises is going “all-inclusive” and will be offering free fine wines and premium spirits, open-bar service in all lounges, and prepaid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff. This new initiative starts with the spring transatlantic crossings of the Crystal Symphony (March 19), and Crystal Serenity (May 8). crystalcruises.com

Excitement is building at The Confederation Centre of the Arts in anticipation of the 2012 Charlottetown Festival, which runs June to September. As one of Canada’s premier live theatre houses, the centre brings together a colourful array of comedy, legend and romance through stories, dance and music. One of this season’s new shows pays tribute to the legendary man in black with Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash in the Homburg Theatre. Patrons are also invited to enjoy Prince Edward Island’s summer family tradition, Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™. Back by popular demand, Come-All-Yehost and comedian, Patrick Ledwell, will have you howling for more with his hilarious take on Island life. In Studio 1, The Kitchen Witches is a comedy about two arch rivals who do their best to upstage each other in a dysfunctional cooking show. charlottetownfestival.com

Canadian wine lovers who appreciate culture and natural scenery should consider vacationing in one of Germany’s 13 wine-growing regions where enjoying good food and wine are something of a tradition. Delightful thrills for the palate at more than 1,000 wine festivals each year await you in the Ahr, Baden, Franconia, Hessische Bergstrasse, Middle Rhine, Moselle, Nahe, Palatinate, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut, Saxony and Württemberg. Calendar highlights include the winery Open Day in Saxony in late August and the celebration, in September, of the year’s new wine, which, in some regions, is known as federweisser and traditionally served with bacon and onion flan known as zwiebelkuchen. germany.travel

With the debut of more adventure, excitement, laughter and awe-inspiring moments, 2012 promises to be an extraordinary year at Universal Orlando Resort. New experiences begin in February with a new Blue Man Group show and, in March, with breathtaking new animation and effects in The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Starting this spring, dance along with your favourite animated characters during Universal’s all-new daily Superstar Parade. Opening this summer, Universal Orlando’s newest attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, will take guests on an unforgettable 3-D adventure with Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous minions. Other new experiences opening in 2012 include the unique 36-hole Hollywood Drive-In Golf experience; a new immersive retail entertainment experience that will be home to Nichelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants; a brand new nighttime show called Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular; and the largest interactive family water play area in Florida at Wet ’n Wild. universalorlando.com

 
 
 
 
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