Canadian World traveller Winter 2017-18 Issue

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G Adventures Launches Sri Lanka Sailing Trips
A tripling of demand for trips to Sri Lanka in the past year has led
adventure operator, G Adventures, to launch a new program of smallgroup
sailing tours along the southern coast, becoming the first travel
company to do so.
The seven-day ‘Sri Lanka Sailing’ trip, which travels from, and returns
to, Mirissa, begins on February 2nd, 2018, making it the perfect winter
escape. The trip can also be combined with a land-based itinerary
in Sri Lanka - known as ‘the pearl of the Indian Ocean’ - to create a
14-day land and sea getaway.
Highlights of the new itinerary include Galle, a magnificent fort city on
the southwest coast, which was founded by the Portuguese and feels like
a small European town. Travellers will also visit Ussangoda National Park, the newest national park in Sri Lanka, which is home
to a variety of wildlife and rare medicinal plants. Its red earth is said to be the
result of an ancient asteroid that crashed into the land.
While onboard travellers will be also able to spot the largest animal on earth,
the blue whale, as the giant creatures are drawn to feed in the deep-sea trench
just off the coast.
The launch of Sri Lanka sailing brings the number of sailing destinations offered
by G Adventures to eight, with 19 different itineraries across the British Virgin
Islands, Croatia, Cuba, Greece, Indonesia, Montenegro and Thailand.
www.gadventures.com
Princess Cruises Sail Back to
Eastern Caribbean Post Hurricanes
Although it has only been mere months since Hurricanes Irma and
Maria reeked havoc throughout the Eastern Caribbean, Princess
Cruises ships are up and running as normal, even stopping in ports
on the partially destructed islands. Contrary to popular belief, held
by even the most seasoned travelers, most of the ports on the
islands that saw the worst of the hurricanes have been open for
business since November.
The Crown Princess, one of the company’s eighteen ships, hosts
passengers throughout the Eastern Caribbean on a nine-day sail,
beginning in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and porting in St. Kitts and
Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Each of
Princesses’ excursions are led by local reputable operators who not
only have expertise in their fields, but also understand how crucial
their tourism income would be in restoring the recent damage to
their region.
As of mid December
2017, much of the
Eastern Caribbean has
regained power and
water. Though many
islands still have ways to
go before the massive
flooding is under control,
and life continue as nor-
mal, cruising doesn’t need the same degree of infrastructure as,
for example, a resort—passengers eat, sleep and have access to
water aboard the ship. The tours and the shores part of the itinerary
were all scouted by Princess representatives, and cleared
for safety before any ships were able to call there. Lawes continued,
“I think the islands have been very thankful for [Princess’]
efforts. Princess paid 200 persons to come and assist with the
recovery of the islands.”
These efforts have been truly seen by Princess Cruises—a proud
partner of FCCA (Florida Caribbean Cruise Association), an
organization committed to working with tourism boards and
restoring normalcy to the area.
Sailing on Crown Princess, guests will experience authentic,
adventurous and immersive land and aquatic excursions in the
varieties presented at each port. When not exploring destinations,
guests may choose to relax in the lush Lotus Spa to rejuvenate
with signature treatments, swim in an upper deck pool,
indulge in lobster mac and cheese at The Wheelhouse Bar, and
even try to rock a tune in karaoke.
Highlights of the 9 Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise include:
•Scuba diving in the coral reefs of Grand Turk
•Visiting the 1725 Georgian naval base
•Zip lining through the lush rainforests of Antigua
•Kayaking through the mangroves of St. Kitts
www.princess.com
Hurtigruten MSC Norwegian Oceania Ponant Princess Regent
versea Star-Clippers Uniworld Viking Windstar