Travel & Hospitality Awards | Americas 2018 | www.thawards.com

TRAVEL & 

HOSPITALITY 

AWARDS 

AMERICAS 

2018 

2

TEAM 

CEO 

Rob Bruce 

Contents 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Katherine Lozell 

ART DIRECTOR 

Marcs Bacera 

DIRECTOR OF SALES 

Stanley Lucas 

AWARDS DIRECTOR 

Brian Anson 

EDITORIAL LIAISON MANAGER 

David Hyde 

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING 

Azim Aftab 

SENIOR WRITERS 

Tasmai Dave 

Jacqui Irvine 

Joseph Wilton 

SENIOR DESIGNERS 

Antoine Jackson 

Hafiz Arslan 

AWARDS MANAGERS 

Adam Cole 

Zach Ford 

Peter Clement 

Joyce Lee 

RESEARCH MANAGERS 

Jerald Jaime 

Mukul 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Tracy Morgan 

Aisha Ahmed 

Criteria6 

The Super 810 

The Editors Picks10 

Chicago Running Tours 12 

Boca Roja Wine Adventures 14 

Santuario Diegueño Hotel 16 

Hotel De La Soledad 18 

Aunt Nea’s Inn 20 

Seascape Coastal Retreat22 

Gite Aux Pignons23 

Aquafari 24 

Cruising The Caribbean 27 

Kenard Cruises32 

Captain Kenard Cruickshank 39 

Morningstar Aruba 42 

MasterSki Pilou 46 

Travelling Is Learning 49 

The Avenue Gallery 51 

Aura Cocina Mexicana52 

Bahamas Jet Boat 54 

SeaPro Divers56 

Parques das Aves 58 

North America62 

Welcome To Canada65 

Water Sprite Bed and Breakfast 66 

Newfoundland & Labrador | 

A Nature Lovers Dream 69 

EcoTours Zodiac Adventures 71 

24 Hours In Ontario73 

Ottawa Boat Cruise74 

Grape Vine Tours Inc75 

Collingwood Charters76 

Alberta | Wilderness Epitomised79 

Mountain Haven Cabins 80 

British Columbia | Top 383 

Blue Waters Cottage 84 

The Castle at Swan Lake85 

Alternative Tourism In The Usa87 

SF Vampire Tour 89 

State profile | Mary Land 90 

Adventures for Creative Tourists 91 

State profile | South Carolina 92 

Gay Dolphin Gift Shop 93 

Dallas95 

Cynthia Smoot100 

Nevada | A World Within a State Apart 105 

Las Vegas Walking Tours 108 

Seattle and Washington State 2018111 

A Hiking Holiday In Hawaii 117 

Kona Cloud Forest119 

Mexico Road Trip 121 

El Callejon Boutique Hotel 123 

Cancun | Mexico 124 

Yum Cooking Workshop 125 

Princess Mayev 126 

Mexico Cassie 128 

Chiapas Hotel Express 132 

Malinalco | Mexico 133 

Hotel Amate del Rio Malinaico 134 

Central America136 

Costa Rica Top 3 139 

Yens – Drake Bay Getaway Resort140 

Mohagine Hotel & Finca140 

The Rise Of Tourism In Cuba 145 

Experience Cuba Tours 147 

Cuba’s Classic Cars 149 

Old Cars Havana 151 

Belize Top 10 153 

Jaguar Creek155 

Caribbean Beach Cabanas157 

South America158 

Falkland Islands | The One To Watch161 

Estancia Excursions 162 

Colombia 164 

Trair Colombia 165 

Hotel Boutique Posada Las Trampas 166 

3 4

CRITERIA 

Excellence in Service is an important category, as customer 

service can often be responsible for having guests return 

year after year. We look for the hotels and tour operators 

that go out of their way to please their guests, those that 

provide a personal level of service and take the time to 

get to know each visitor so that they might anticipate their 

every need. This can be something as simple as a 24-hour 

concierge desk, a hotel manager who offers a personal 

greeting or a tour guide who is happy to create bespoke 

private tours – but whatever it is, we are always pleased 

when we encounter staff that have been trained in the art 

of customer satisfaction. 

SERVICES 

It is no question that style and design plays a big part in 

selecting our awards shortlist. A guest will form an opinion 

about a hotel as soon as they arrive so it is important 

to us that all our winners make those first impressions 

count. We’re certainly not partial to a particular period of 

architecture – but whether we’re judging a gothic castle or 

an environmentally friendly lodge, the criteria remains the 

same. We consider factors such as architectural features, 

use of materials, creation of spaces, décor and the overall 

feel. We love it when we find a hotel that tells a story 

though its design and construction, or offers a design that 

is sympathetic to the natural surroundings of its location. 

STYLE & DESIGN 

Knowledge of the local area is essential for any 

organization, be it a hotel or a tour operator. The quality 

of services takes a great hit when the quality of this 

element is not up to the mark. Quite a few of our winners 

in this category are because they have displayed excellent 

knowledge about the surrounding areas. The criteria for a 

hotel is slightly lenient compared to a tour operator, as the 

latter is expected to have thorough knowledge of the area 

in order to provide good services. 

Image by: Steven Pahel 

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 

5 6

FACILITIES 

Award-winning guest rooms come in all shapes and sizes, 

but they all have one thing in common – a home-awayfrom-home 

feel. The comfort of the facilities on offer are 

of vital importance; we look for luxurious linens, stylish 

bathrooms and a coordinated colour scheme that work 

together to create a cohesive sense of relaxation. Additional 

touches, such as complimentary toiletries, free wi-fi or tea 

and coffee making facilities are always a bonus in making 

us feel welcome. We’re always impressed to find hotel 

rooms that embrace technology and offer amenities like 

tablets or smart thermostat systems, but this does not 

always necessarily trump the traditional – four poster beds, 

ornate fireplaces or antique furniture can add a touch of 

decadence to a hotel stay. 

LOCATION 

Location is one of the most important factors, but also 

one of the most subjective, as the ‘ideal’ is very much 

determined by the type of visitor and the type of hotel 

itself. However, there are a few factors we take into 

consideration when determining the winners of locationbased 

awards. The first is convenience; that is, hotels that 

are easy to travel to. Many of our winners in this category 

are in convenient locations, such as adjacent to airports, 

close to beaches or found in the heart of easy-to-navigate 

cities. We are always impressed when hotels go the extra 

mile to take the hassle out of traveling and offer such 

additional services as airport shuttles or car hire services. 

However, we’re always excited to come across a hotel 

that is, to use a familiar phrase, off-the-beaten-track. A 

hotel that can offer something a little different, in terms of 

natural surroundings, can make the difference between a 

good holiday and an incredible one. 

In today’s modern age, a hotel or tour operator cannot 

rely on word of mouth to get their message out into the 

world. As social media has become a vital part of everyday 

life, we like to see companies that go the extra mile to 

engage with their guests, both past and future. Attractive 

and informative websites and engaging and honest 

content are what we look for when judging a company’s 

use of marketing; how well they display their services, how 

up-to-date their content is, how well they get their brand 

message across, and, most importantly, how well their 

marketing can tempt us to go and see what they have to 

offer for ourselves. 

What better way is there to know about an organization 

than by getting first hand reviews? Customers are the best 

judges of any service as they are the ones who experience 

them and can assess whether they were up to the mark 

or not. Considering reviews from hundreds of customers 

gives us a fair idea about the general pros and cons of any 

organization and also gives us valuable inputs for the other 

criteria as well. 

MARKETING 

CUSTOMER REVIEWS 

Diversity is one important aspect that needs to be taken 

into consideration when in the travel and hospitality 

industry. It is essential to have staff that has varying diversity 

to ensure that the organization can properly connect with 

their guests. Diversity is taken into account in terms of 

gender, nationality as well as languages spoken among 

other factors. Not only do we take the diversity of the staff 

into account but even that of the facilities and services 

offered; a hotel or tour operator providing a better range 

of services is preferred over those that do not. 

It is of prime importance that an organization has thorough 

industry knowledge. Without knowing the nit-bits of the 

industry, it is difficult to flourish and provide services which 

are a class apart. Before any organization ventures into 

the industry, it is essential that they know how the industry 

is moving and how they should make changes to their 

methodologies in order to remain relevant and also be a 

top-performing organization. 

DIVERSITY 

INDUSTRY 

KNOWLEDGE 

7 8

THE SUPER 8 

THE EDITORS PICKS 

Image by: Dimitry Anikin 

9 10

USA 

CHICAGO 

RUNNING TOURS 

Tour Company of the Year 

All tours, whether it be running, walking, 

museum, or cemetery, delivered by 

Chicago Running Tours and More, are 

designed to contain four main ingredients. 

55 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL. USA ♦ Tel +630 702 9364 ♦ chicagorunningtours.com 

How is it that “running” can be considered 

the best vehicle to deliver a tour? 

Running participants can: 

(1) slip down tight alleyways and underpasses 

where buses won’t fit. (2) They are not confined 

to the geography of the river as boats are. (3) 

They can slip into indoor spaces bikes can’t 

go. (4) They are not confined to the myriad of 

limitations as are the Segway’s. (5) They can 

cover much greater distances and area vs a 

walking tour. 

The running tour guide has much more control 

over the route than guides of other vehicles. 

Stops can be added, stories lengthened or 

shortened, and photo ops galore provided. 

Chicago Running Tours & More tosses in a 

couple of added bonuses for running tour 

participants. 1) The guide takes numerous action 

and pose photos, with famous landmarks as 

back drops, along the route. Those photos can 

be electronically accessed at no additional cost. 

2) Participants will receive a follow up message 

containing a synopsis of information covered 

during the tour. So you don’t have to try and 

remember everything the guide said. Who else 

does that? 

1. We strive to make it “ENRICHING”: 

Participant experienced an enhanced 

quality of value. 

2. We strive to make it “FULLFILLING”: 

Participants expectations were met and 

or exceeded. 

3. We make it “MEANINGFUL”: Participant 

will hear relevant, useful, & significant 

information. 

4. We make it “MEMORABLE”: Participant 

will find experience unforgettable, 

indelible, and enduring. 

11 12

USA 

BOCA ROJA WINE 

ADVENTURES 

Wine Tour Company 

888 Prospect St #220, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA ♦ Tel +1 858 472 0321 ♦ 

bocarojawineadventures.com 

Have you ever 

wondered if wine 

tasting could also be an 

adventure? If you answered 

that question positively, 

then you might be aware 

of the hassles of going on 

a wine tasting trip. How do 

you plan the trip? Which 

wineries are worth going? 

How would you get there? 

However, Boca Roja Wine 

Adventures simplifies that 

for you. It is one of the most 

consistently high-rated tour 

service providers which 

organizes tours for you with 

ready itineraries so that you 

can enjoy the tour without 

any worries. They take care 

of accommodation, food, 

wine tasting and everything 

else there is to take care of 

on a wine tasting adventure 

around Baja. 

The Boca Roja Wine Adventures gets the crown 

from us for these exact reasons. 

1. It is consistently rated well across platforms by a 

large number of users. 

2. They provide a variety of tours – right from a basic 

pay-as-you-go to a 5-star wine tasting and food 

experience, tailoring to every need, demand, 

budget and occasion. 

3. They have one of the most well-maintained websites 

providing all kinds of information that one could 

imagine. Whatever is left, if any, is answered through 

their hospitable customer support. 

13 14

Mexico 

SANTUARIO 

DIEGUEÑO HOTEL 

Mountain View Hotel 

Tecate, Baja California, México ♦ Tel +665 / 654 4777 ♦ santuariodiegueno.com 

In the northern part of the Baja 

region, was a sanctuary for the 

Kumeyaay ethnic group. Inspired 

by the semi-nomad practices and 

ancient traditions of these people, 

Santuario Diegueño Hotel was 

created. Santuario Diegueño 

literally means Santuario 

Kumeyaay, as when the religious 

missionaries established the San 

Diego Mission in today’s San 

Diego, they named the region’s 

inhabitants Diegueños because 

they were part of the San Diego 

Mission’s jurisdiction. This hotel is 

one of the most scenic hotels you 

can come across. It is located at 

the start of Baja’s mountain range, 

surrounded by purple mountains 

and beautiful dawns; it has one 

of the most serene views around. 

The hotel draws inspiration from 

the Kumeyaay group for its 

interiors as well. It has interesting 

designed spaces, coupled with 

comfortable and plush facilities. 

They complement all of this with 

friendly and cordial hospitality to 

delight every customer. 

The hotel checks all of the boxes 

whether you are a traveler or 

are looking for a getaway. It is 

located at the northern entrance 

of Baja’s Wine Country, and is 

less than an hour’s drive from 

it, as it is from Tijuana and San 

Diego. It provides you with a 

complete boutique experience, 

tailoring its services to all your 

special needs. 

Add to that a beautiful and 

serene view and a design 

meant to provide aesthetic 

delight to your eyes – there is 

hardly anything more you can 

ask for. However, Santuario 

Diegueño complements all of 

this with a beautiful restaurant 

and bar, serving the best wines 

from the region. 

It is a great place just to escape 

from the day-to-day routine. 

Staying at Santuario Diegueño 

is a complete experience for 

your senses, touring its facilities 

and perceiving the garden 

blush aromas impregnated by 

the regional flora, appreciating 

the Mexican folk art all over 

the areas, and resting in its 

comfortable rooms makes for 

a mind and body relaxation, 

helping you create memorable 

moments throughout your stay. 

15 16

Mexico 

HOTEL DE LA 

SOLEDAD 

Luxury Hotel 

- LA JOYA COLONIAL DE MORELIA- 

Calle Ignacio Zaragoza No. 90, Morelia 58000, Mexico ♦ Tel +443 312 18 88 Ext. 506 ♦ 

hsoledad.com | hoteldelasoledad.com 

Located in the historic Mexican city of Morelia, Hotel de la Soledad is a stunning luxury hotel 

with a rich and vibrant history. The building is the oldest lodging site in Morelia, with its 

use dating back to the 18th century. Under new management in 2008, the property underwent 

an extensive restoration which transformed it into the modern and luxurious abode that it is 

today. The location of the hotel is perfect for discovering the wonderful sites of Morelia and is 

within walking distance of main attractions. Guests are ensured a unique and unforgettable stay 

in absolute luxury. 

Designed with your comfort in mind, the rooms are spacious and combine a colonial style 

with modern elegance to create an opulent ambience. All of the rooms are soundproofed 

and guests can opt to stay in one of the master or junior suites or a superior deluxe room. 

Intricate detailing sees the rooms decorated with original artwork and pieces in wood and 

marble to retain a colonial charm. The onsite restaurant and bar will also tantalize the taste 

buds with a delicious selection of mouth-watering Mexican food in a stunning setting 

overlooking the courtyard, which is beautifully adorned with palm trees. 

Hotel de la 

Soledad is also 

a part of Small 

Luxury Hotels 

of the World. 

17 18

Bermuda 

AUNT NEA’S INN 

Bed and Breakfast 

The location of the guest house is an advantage as well. You can easily visit all the 

important landmarks of St. George conveniently. Even if you wish to go on tours, the 

guest house staff will be glad to book them for you. The guest house is located just a few 

minutes away from the beautiful beaches of St. George where you can relax and enjoy 

the serene sunset views. You could even go shopping in the local markets which are just a 

few minutes’ walk away from the guest house. You can truly explore St. George like never 

before when you stay at Aunt Nea’s Inn. 

1 Nea’s Alley, St George’s GE05, Bermuda ♦ Tel +1 441 296 2868 ♦ auntneasinn.com 

Aunt Nea’s Inn serves as a 

gateway into the past. This 

historic Bermudian guest house 

is located in the UNESCO World 

Heritage Site of St. George’s. You 

can still feel the grandeur of this 

18th century home today when you 

see the splendid wood work and 

craftsmanship of the building. The 

guest house affords some stunning 

views of the harbour and garden 

and you will be able to sit back and 

enjoy these serene views for hours 

together at peace. 

While the building itself is historic, 

the comforts and amenities inside it 

are all modern. You can simply curl 

up in your bed with a glass of wine 

by the side and read your favorite 

novels and have a perfect weekend 

getaway here. The guest house even 

serves fresh breakfast every morning. 

You can choose from the 10 different 

rooms and suites here which are all 

uniquely furnished and decorated 

based on your appetite for luxury. 

19 20

Canada 

SEASCAPE 

COASTAL RETREAT 

Luxury Cottages 

Canada 

GITE AUX 

PIGNONS 

Family Friendly Guest House 

Situated on the ocean with panoramic 

views and surrounded by the Cape 

Breton Highlands National Park in Northern 

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Seascape 

Coastal Retreat is a luxurious adult-only 

retreat where peace and tranquility will 

surround you from the moment you arrive. 

This is a nature lover’s delight with 

spectacular bird watching from your own 

private deck from where pilot whales can 

also be seen playing in the bay. 

Relax in the tranquil gardens filled with 

woodland creatures & birds. Situated in a 

private corner of the garden is an outdoor 

spa tub which is surrounded by grape vines 

& honeysuckle. 

A private pathway takes you down to the 

quiet beach below. Wilderness hiking 

trails, isolated pristine beaches, golf, whale 

watching & kayak tours are all close by. 

We are happy to share our wide knowledge 

of the area & offer complimentary day 

planning. 

Each cottage has a private deck with a 

BBQ, a large window and fireplace in the 

living room from where you can enjoy 

cooler evenings. 

seascapecoastalretreat.com 

165 Chemin des Pignons, Alma, QC G8E 1H4, Canada ♦ Tel +1 418 668-0713 ♦ 

auxpignons.ca 

Want a retreat away from the hustle-bustle of city life? Head over to the edge of 

Lac-Saint-Jean and relax in the cozy cottage – Gite Aux Pignons. Situated right 

next to the Decharge River, this cottage gives you a peaceful getaway with some beautiful 

views and lush greenery all around. At the same time, the cottage is not too far from the city 

center too! Every morning, you’ll be welcomed with the aroma of freshly cooked regional 

breakfast. But that is not it, they take pampering to the next level with freshly cooked 

lunches, complete with desserts and salads! Each of their four rooms has a totally different 

personality and is equipped with every amenity possible to ensure a comfortable stay. The 

cottage is a perfect destination for families wishing to take a break from the busy life and 

spend some quality time together. Gite Aux Pignons is truly your home away from home! 

21 

22

Curacao 

AQUAFARI 

Innovative Experience 

Piscaderaweg, Willemstad, Curaçao ♦ Tel +5999 5132625 ♦ aquafari.net 

You’ve been to a wildlife safari 

but have you ever been in 

an underwater Aqua Safari? That’s 

the exact experience that you can 

get with Aquafari. You can go down 

to the depths of the Caribbean in 

self-propelled submersible scooters 

and explore the underwater life! 

You’ll be able to see schools of fish, 

scenic underwater landscapes and 

other underwater creatures on your 

voyage in the infinite blue. 

You can glide without any efforts 

in the ocean in your very own 

submersible scooter. You can even 

see the beauty of the world beneath 

the surface of the seas. Be it fish that 

interest you or maybe even corals on 

the colorful coral reef, you can freely 

explore the oceans far and wide. The 

best part about this activity is that it 

is a great family activity so you can 

take a dip into the deep blue with 

your family and friends and have 

lasting memories there. 

They even have your photos covered 

so that you can totally concentrate on 

living the experience. You don’t need 

to even be an expert at diving. They 

have got your safety covered as well. 

The scooters come with an oxygen tank 

that is connected to a glass container 

through which you can breathe. This is 

your chance to explore the underwater 

world without being a scuba diver! 

All their tours are 1.5 hours long and you 

will be trained well before your voyage 

into the oceans. You could even choose 

to take their Beach Day Pass along with 

your dive. If you wish to have a romantic 

dinner by the beach, they arrange that 

for you as well. 

23 24

CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN 

The beautiful turquoise crystal clear seas of the Caribbean are so inviting and where 

better to join a cruise or go on a boat tour than this dream location? 

There are so many options on offer, you could choose to go on a luxury cruise, stopping 

at various ports along the way to your destination, with exotic locations such as Barbados, 

Saint Lucia or St Kitts and Nevis. The luxurious cruise liners have gourmet dining, spa and 

wellness centres, on board activities, so you have plenty to do and enjoy while you relax 

on the deck in a perfect climate with wonderful Caribbean views. 

There is also the option to take a Caribbean boat tour, there are many on offer, each with 

its own uniqueness, so you can choose a tour that provides best for your requirements. 

The luxurious Kitty Katt boat cruise takes you to the stunning coral reefs off the coast 

of Turks and Caicos, where you can snorkel and see the most wonderful marine life and 

tropical fish. Following the snorkelling experience, the boat sails to a deserted Caribbean 

beach, where you can relax or collect impressive seashells as memories of your trip. 

There are other boat tours such as party boats, fishing trips, or night time boat tours. You 

could even for go for something awe inspiring such as the Power 360 Cruise. The tour 

is on a luxury high powered catamaran that speeds along the Antiguan coast, passing 

spectacular sights such as Devils Bridge and Jumby Bay. The 360 Cruise stops off at Green 

Island, which is almost secluded, and where you can relax in the wonderful climate or 

enjoy lunch and drinks on board the catamaran, before speeding back along the coast to 

your resort. 

25 26

Another option to see more of the Caribbean is to charter 

a private yacht. There are many companies that offer this 

service, ranging from small boats, to luxurious yachts. 

The cost to chartering a yacht in the Caribbean will 

depend on the size, style and age of the vessel. The 

price of a luxury superyacht can range from $30,000 to 

$1,000,000 a week. 

The Caribbean is probably the world’s most popular 

destination for yacht charters. A crew is provided and 

with their experience, they will be able to take you to the 

beautiful private beaches or to unique locations where 

you can experience different Caribbean cultures. 

The Caribbean sailing season runs from November to 

July, although the high season is from mid-December to 

March. Outside of these months is the hurricane season 

.Although rare in the Southern Caribbean region, these 

months are usually quieter. For this reason, yacht charter 

can be less expensive. 

Island hopping is very popular in the Caribbean as many 

of the islands are very close together. There are three 

different ways to island hop. 

The first approach would be to take advantage of the 

many ferries and boat trips that operate in the Caribbean. 

These ferries and boats travel between the various small 

islands and this is probably the easiest way to move from 

one island to another, and the least expensive way. 

The second approach, although probably the most 

popular, is the most expensive way, and that is to island 

hop as part of your Caribbean cruise. The cruises are 

perfect to visit a selection of islands, but doing so in 

luxurious comfort with fantastic facilities. 

The final option for island hopping would be by air. 

This approach is typically used when the island you are 

planning to visit is a long distance away or where there 

are no connections by sea. Flight travel to the smaller 

islands of the Caribbean is actually not expensive, so it is 

a reasonable way to travel. Flights to the larger islands is 

typically more expensive. 

Safety should be considered when travelling in the 

Caribbean. Though the Caribbean has fantastic weather 

all year round, it is better to avoid August, September 

and October when storms and hurricanes are most likely. 

Avoid these months and you can enjoy calm seas and 

excellent weather. 

27 28

Security should be considered 

when in the Caribbean, but no 

more than any other country. 

Valuables left on a beach are at 

risk. Avoid taking anything of 

value to the beach if it is to be left 

unattended. 

On a yacht vacation, extra 

precautions should also be taken 

as there have been problems in 

some Caribbean destinations. It is 

recommended to choose a marina 

with good security and always lock 

your cabins when away from your 

yacht. 

It is likely, although it depends 

on where you are travelling from, 

that you will need a visa to visit 

the Caribbean. If on an organised 

cruise, it is likely the cruise line will 

organise the necessary paperwork 

for your journey. Otherwise, you 

should apply to the embassy for 

the appropriate visa. 

A few weeks before you travel to 

the Caribbean, it is recommended 

to check that all paperwork is 

in order, as it is possible there 

could be a change to the visa 

requirements for one of the islands 

you may be planning to visit. A 

small omission or change will take 

time to rectify, so don’t leave it too 

late. 

The Caribbean is a fantastic 

location for a vacation, and taking 

into consideration key information 

regarding island hopping, times to 

visit, safety and security, can ensure 

that you maximise your enjoyment 

in this tropical playground and 

create memories that will live with 

you for many years to come. 

29 30

Turks and Caicos 

KENARD CRUISES 

Luxury Tour Company of Year 

Bridge Street, Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos ♦ 

Tel +6492323866 / +6493323866 / US +954 3383792 ♦ kenardcruises.com 

You can choose from a wide variety of 

charters that they have designed. Apart 

from the full-day and half-day packages, 

you can take a sunset cruise that will give 

you some beautiful views of the sunset 

from the yacht, which makes for a great 

romantic evening. Or perhaps, Island 

Beach BBQ is more to your liking where 

you will go to a deserted island and have 

freshly barbecued food on the beach! Wish 

to have dinner along with the crimson 

shade of the sky during sunset? They do 

that for you as well! 

Visiting Turks and Caicos 

and want to do something 

different? Kenard Cruises has got 

the perfect activity for you. Hop 

on board their luxury yachts and 

experience the epitome of leisure 

on your vacation here. Whether 

you wish to simply head out into 

the infinite blue to explore some 

deserted islands or are looking to 

go for something more specific, like 

snorkeling or even fishing, they cater 

to all your requirements. 

If you’ve ever dreamt of going into 

the seas in your very own boat as a 

kid, this is the place where you can 

make this dream come true while 

enjoying the luxuries that Kenard 

Cruises provides on-board. You can 

choose between a half-day and 

a full-day charter based on your 

requirements and then lie back and 

relax on the boat while they cater to 

all your needs. A scrumptious lunch 

awaits you in the middle of the sea 

with local cuisine preparations that 

will definitely please your palate. 

31 32

If none of the above packages seem 

to fit your liking, you can create your 

very own custom charter by telling 

them what your exact requirements 

are; they will happily create a special 

itinerary for you! Sail away on their 

luxury yachts, Dream Aweigh II 

or Dream Aweigh III and enjoy 

your expedition. For the perfect 

snorkeling experience, their Dream 

Cruiser, a 29-foot speed boat, is 

perfect to zip over to the barrier reef. 

Their most popular package includes a trip to the famed Iguana Island, where you can 

spot hundreds of iguanas along the beach. Before this, there is a snorkeling session 

too, where you can see underwater biodiversity like starfish, corals and even the famous 

dolphin of Turks and Caicos, JoJo! Wish to take fun dives into the water? They let you 

jump or flip into the water from the yacht too! 

33 34

Other popular places for their 

cruises are the Grace Bay Beach, 

Water Cay and Parrot Cay. 

Their prime focus is on not only 

creating memories for you but 

to also pamper and spoil you 

during your stay on the yacht, 

with delectable meals with 

Caesar salads, shrimps, kebabs 

and more! They even pick you up 

from your resort and have loads of 

wines and beers on-board for you 

to have a relaxing outing! With 

hundreds of satisfied customers 

across the years, you are sure to 

have a gala time on board their 

yachts! 

35 36

CAPTAIN KENARD CRUICKSHANK 

TELL US A LITTLE BIT 

ABOUT GROWING 

UP IN TURKS & 

CAICOS? 

I came to the islands as a Scuba 

Diving Instructor on a Job 

placement. I instantly fell in love 

with the place, the beautiful 

waters and stunning beaches. 

I spent 3 years working as a 

diving instructor and during 

this time, I felt the need to 

do something of my own but 

with a more relaxed feel where 

people can enjoy the beauty 

of the islands in the they want. 

I started with a 42-foot Regal 

doing private days tours and 

then moved on to where we are 

today, the first and number one 

luxury yacht charter. 

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO SET UP A 

CRUISE COMPANY? 

Simply put the beaches and the water. The protection from the ocean has led to a great 

barrier reef. Also, because a cruise to the different islands is a must do once you are 

here. There is beauty here like nowhere else that only the islands offer. 

WHAT IS YOUR MOST POPULAR CRUISES OR PACKAGE? 

The most popular is the full day charter followed by the half day charters. 

YOU HAVE FANTASTIC REVIEWS ONLINE, 

WHAT DO YOU THINK SETS YOU APART FROM 

THE COMPETITION? 

Apart from the luxury and spacious yachts we offer, our team is the major part of our 

what we do. The crew is extremely professional, they’re all trained by me and uphold 

my high standards throughout. The crew do things the way I do and assess our guests 

needs throughout the entire cruise. We go that extra mile that’s necessary to ensure a 

memorable day out for our guests. 

I personally created & design the on-board menu and prepared onboard by myself as 

well. Food is always fresh and a big part of the cruise that our guests look forward to. 

37 38

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CREW TO YOU? 

My crew is vital to running the cruise. Without the crew we would not be where we are 

today and without them we wouldn’t have the review that sets us apart. 

HAVE YOU 

ENTERTAINED 

ANY CELEBRITIES 

OR ANYONE 

IMPORTANT? IF YES 

ARE YOU ALLOWED 

TO SAY WHO? 

We have had many celebrities 

aboard during our 10 years in 

business. There are many we 

won’t mention here, to name a few 

however we’ve hosted Michael 

Douglas, Prince, David Beckham. 

Lil Wayne, Keith Richards, Derek 

Jeter and so much more. 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE 

TO GET UP TO IN 

YOUR SPARE TIME? 

I love to travel. 

WHO ARE 

YOUR ROLE 

MODELS AND 

INSPIRATION? 

I would say, the Cunard 

Lines and Princess 

cruise line. As I always 

admire their cruises 

and service. 

ASIDE FROM YOUR CRUISE WHAT ELSE SHOULD 

VISITORS TO IN THE TURKS & CAICOS DO? 

Other attractions on the islands include the Thursday fish fry and Grace bay 

village shopping. 

39 40

Aruba 

MORNINGSTAR 

ARUBA 

Sailing Company of the Year 

Varadero Marina, Oranjestad, Aruba ♦ Tel +297 5649950 ♦ morningstararuba.com 

The beautiful islands of the Caribbean are 

best explored from the ocean and the 

island of Aruba is no exception. The Morning 

Star yacht is a splendid way to head into the 

infinite blue and have your very own adventure 

while exploring the beauty of Aruba. Morning 

Star is a 40-foot yacht with a center cockpit and 

was built in 1989. This luxurious yacht can host 

up to 12 guests and will take you on a journey 

of your dreams. Right from the moment you will 

step onboard this yacht, you will start getting 

pampered by the crew and get spoilt by the 

comfort of the plush furnishings onboard. 

While the cruise sails off into the deep blue, you 

can sit back and enjoy the sailing experience 

with the cool wind blowing on your faces. The 

able and ever-courteous crew does everything 

possible to make your stay on the yacht 

comfortable and will take you around the coast 

of the island and show you some of the finest 

attractions of Aruba right from the ocean. The 

best part about their trips is that all their charters 

are completely private so that you can get all the 

attention throughout the trip. Moreover, there 

are no pre-set departure timings so you can 

easily weave the sailing trip into your schedule 

as per your requirements! 

During the charter, you can go snorkeling, lie on the deck to perfect 

your tan and even enjoy their freshly prepared food. Right from a 

scrumptious breakfast to a five-course candlelit dinner, they prepare it 

all to tantalize your taste buds. The food has both vegetarian and nonvegetarian 

options based on your needs. To accompany the food, 

they have a selection of rums, vodkas, bourbons, gins, tequilas, beers 

and wines in the bar, including some exotic cocktails like Margarita, 

Cosmopolitan and Bloody Mary for your indulgence. Apart from the 

mainstream cocktails, they have their very own cocktail – Morningstar 

Rum Punch! If you prefer something non-alcoholic, they have cold 

drinks and various juices on offer too. 

41 42

They have several ready itineraries for both morning and evening sails along with full 

day sail packages. The sails start from as short as three hours to seven hours. All their 

day sails include snorkeling as well. If you choose to go for evening sails, you can have 

a romantic sail which is perfect for a private celebration. They also offer a snorkeling 

session in one of their evening sail packages at the Spanish Lagoon. If you wish to 

see the island from both air and water, you can choose their Fly and Sail package that 

takes you for a helicopter tour over the island first and then takes you for a romantic 

sail. This package is perfect for special occasions like proposals and anniversaries. If 

none of their packages seem to fit your liking, you can build your very own tailor-made 

itinerary with them too! 

If the flexibility and comforts weren’t enough, they have additional facilities which you 

can choose to order based on your requirements. The choicest selection of champagnes, 

flowers, cakes, decorations, and saxophonist are just some of the things you can add; the 

list is truly endless. Moreover, if you require transportation to and from the boarding point, 

they book that for you as well in your choice of vehicle. A trip aboard the Morning Star is 

nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is something you definitely must not 

miss when visiting Aruba; it truly is one of the best ways to discover the island. 

43 44

St Barthelemy 

MASTERSKI 

PILOU 

Charter Company 

Rue Jeanne d’Arc, Gustavia, 97133 St Barthélémy ♦ Tel +590 5 90 27 91 79 ♦ 

masterski-pilou.com 

Recognized specialist in the Caribean Luxury Yachting, Pilou and his team welcome 

you onboard their yachts where VIP service is required. Take a moment to come 

and join us on an Island adventure with a range of different water sports, discover an 

uninhabited wild beach inaccessible by foot, cruise onboard a sports boat or simply sit 

back and relax during a transfer between two Islands. 

Jet skis rental, seabob rental, flyboard & hoverboard rental are here too ! 

Image by: Oc Gonzalez 

45 

46

TRAVELLING IS LEARNING 

What better way to expand your knowledge than to experience the real thing? 

It is all very well reading from a travel book about a particular country where 

you can read about its food, language, history and more, but to really appreciate and 

understand, travelling to the country cannot be beaten. 

Stay away from the tourist areas and head to the traditional tourist free towns, which have 

not changed over the years with the tourism revolution. Here you can meet and mingle 

with the locals, and experience their native language. Immerse yourself in their town and 

try to speak the language; you are sure to find a local who will help you along. You will 

soon be ordering your food and drinks in the local bar in the local language instead of 

learning pointless phrases from a text book. 

The bars and restaurants will typically serve food and wine local to the area, allowing you 

to taste the local cuisine and also appreciate how it is made traditionally. Often, you can 

watch the locals making a paella for example, and see the method they use which has 

probably been passed down the generations. 

Visit historic sites and museums to learn about the history of the region. For example, 

there are hundreds of books documenting the life of Che Guevara, but rather than read 

the viewpoints of others, why not have your own, and visit Cuba and be able to see the 

monuments and museums dedicated to him. Even better, speak with the locals who will 

have their own stories to tell on his life or their experiences with Che Guevara. 

47 48

There are attractions and sporting 

activities world-wide which we read about. 

It could be visiting a natural wonder, or 

bungee jumping from a famous landmark. 

Reading will paint a picture of what you 

could experience, but to actually witness 

and experience it for yourself, will create 

memories that will never be forgotten. 

So much can be learned as you travel 

around the world. Each town or country 

will offer a new experience and by 

actively partaking, you are continuing to 

expand your knowledge of the cultures 

of each location you visit. Each person 

will have different outcomes during their 

travels, and good experiences tend to be 

memories for the rest of your life, whereas 

gaining cultural knowledge from reading 

will never offer the same insight and 

educational value as the real thing. 

Canada 

THE AVENUE 

GALLERY 

Cultural Experience 

2184 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada ♦ 

Tel +1 250 598 2184 ♦ theavenuegallery.com 

Visit one of the premiere boutique 

art galleries in the Pacific 

Northwest, The Avenue Gallery, in 

Victoria, British Columbia, showcasing 

contemporary Canadian fine art since 

2002. With over twenty-five years’ 

experience in the art industry, owner 

Heather Wheeler, along with the gallery 

representatives, provide knowledge 

and expertise to this thriving Oak Bay 

contemporary fine art gallery. Patrons 

from around the world are treated to 

ever-changing exhibits and have access 

to unsurpassed collections by painters, 

sculptors, glaziers and jewellery artists. 

This impressive art gallery carries a 

broad spectrum of art that appeals 

to those new to the contemporary 

art scene as well as knowledgeable 

collectors. Having recently celebrated 

their fifteenth anniversary of operation, 

The Avenue Gallery continues to be 

the leading destination for critically 

acclaimed art exhibitions and events. A 

remarkable art gallery, not to be missed. 

49 50

Mexico 

AURA COCINA 

MEXICANA 

The Award for 

Excellence in Service 

Medellín 191A, Colonia Roma Norte, Mexico City, Mexico 06700 ♦ 

Tel +52 558434-7727 ♦ info@aurawclub.com ♦ auramexcooking.com 

Aura Cocina Mexicana lets you immerse into Mexico’s extraordinary food culture 

through cooking experiences; either with a traditional Mexican cookery handson 

workshop where you can rediscover the aromas of Mexican spices while using a 

“molcajete” to make a salsa or mole, explore new corners, colors and artistic murals 

through a culinary market visit or let us indulge you with a laid-back gastronomic 

experience. 

Enjoy a unique place where you will learn in small groups and a friendly environment, 

with a highlight of Mexican history, art and legends and a warm endeavor to “cook 

with your heart”. 

Located in one of the most traditional 

neighborhoods of Mexico City where you 

can live the “barrio” lifestyle, the Roma 

Norte, Aura Cocina Mexicana will surprise 

you with an intimate cooking studio. 

Either the intriguing eye-catching narrow 

façade observed from the sidewalk as a 

small minimalist front in intense blue with 

Mexican reminiscences, the pink wall that 

ultimately confers the character of the 

AURA house, the interesting murals of 

shadows and lights that floods the kitchen 

and dining room or the carefully selected 

crafts and furniture that proudly showcases 

the work of local communities; you will feel 

comfortable and at home the way we live it 

in Mexico: “Mi casa es tu casa”. 

Our name represents the luminous multicolor 

energy field that each person 

projects at a given moment, which, 

combined with the unique expression that 

a dish or beverage provides depending 

on the time we taste them, creates a 

unique moment where we are able to 

grasp, enjoy and experience it. We call it 

#momentosaura. It will be a pleasure to 

create a unique experience for you and 

share #momentosaura. 

51 52

Bahamas 

BAHAMAS 

JET BOAT 

Adventure Activity 

Elizabeth on Bay, Marketplace & Marina, Nassau, Bahamas ♦ Tel +242 323 0222 ♦ 

bahamasjetboat.com 

If you’re a fan of watersports, an unforgettable trip awaits you in the Bahamas. 

Bahamas Jet Boat takes you on a thrilling sightseeing journey in a high-speed boat 

filled with jumps and splashes on waves. Whether you’re looking to go on the tour as 

an individual or as a family, they make provisions for all. While this high-octane tour will 

surely have your adrenaline levels rising, they make sure that your safety is taken care of 

first. Their 24-seater boat makes it possible for you to take even larger groups on the tour 

with you. Moreover, Their highly-qualified staff and captain ensure that you have a gala 

time onboard. You could also choose their photography and videography packages to 

immortalize your experience on this voyage! You could also book the boat and tour for 

special occasions like birthdays and corporate team building exercises. 

Image by: Eirik skarstein 

53 54

Dominican Republic 

SEAPRO DIVERS 

Diving Company of the Year 

Calle Marcio Veloz Maggiolo, Punta Cana 00023, Dominican Republic ♦ 

Tel +809 754-3632 ♦ seaprodivers.com 

Heading to the Dominican Republic and wish 

to explore its crystal clear waters? SeaPro 

Divers is the perfect destination for you. With more 

than 24 years of experience in the field of scuba 

diving and watersports, you can enjoy the very 

best of the waters of the country. With centers in 

Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, they see to it that 

their diving services are available to those visiting 

different cities too. Apart from the diving in these 

cities, they have special dive excursions which take 

your further into the deep blue away from Punta 

Cana to the islands of Catalina and Saona. At these 

sites, you will get to see spectacular underwater life 

and also shipwrecks like Atlantic Princess and St. 

George. 

If you wish to have a more personalized experience, 

their dive charters are perfect for you. You can go 

for diving privately with your group and this charter 

includes everything – private transfer, boat, guide, 

and snacks. Their most unique diving experience 

though is a night dive excursion where you can 

enjoy the thrill of diving into the deep blue under 

the moon! If you wish to have a unique wedding 

proposal that you can cherish for a long time, they 

also set up underwater marriage proposals with all 

the logistics to make a truly wonderful experience 

for you. 

Moreover, Being a PADI certified diving company, they have PADI diving 

courses that can be completed within 3 days too! If you wish to go for 

shorter courses, they have a 1-day introductory diving course to get 

your feet wet. Apart from their diving related activities, they have other 

cool sports like parasailing in Punta Cana, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, 

speedboat excursions and even cool boat parties! 

55 56

Brazil 

PARQUES 

DAS AVES 

Learning Experience 

Av. das Cataratas, KM 17.1, Foz do Iguaçu Brazil ♦ Tel +55 45 3529-8282 ♦ 

parquedasaves.com.br 

With the increasing deforestation of 

Amazon rainforests, this park is a breath of 

fresh air. The rate at which destruction of 

species and forests is happening around 

us in the name of development, is causing 

irreparable damage to the environment 

and the nature. Amongst all of this, a park 

which the birds call their home without 

being caged is not just an attraction but 

also an example that humans can co-exist 

without destroying the nature. It is situated 

on the outskirts of Iguaçu National Park, 

near Brazil- Argentina Border. 

Parque Das Aves literally 

translates to The Bird 

Park. The park is spread over 

16.5 hectares of lush Atlantic 

Rainforests and houses more 

than 1400 birds from over 

150 different species. The 

entire park is built around the 

concept of bringing the wildlife 

in its entirety and glory to our 

civilization, to show us what 

we are missing out on. What 

separates this park from other 

biological parks is that more 

than 50% of the total birds 

are either donated or rescued 

instead of being caught from 

their natural habitat. The rest 

have been born and brought 

up in the park. Zoos and 

bird parks around the world 

display the animals in a caged 

or bounded environment. 

However, birds have wings 

which let them soar the heights 

of the sky and this is exactly 

what Parque Das Aves strives 

to do; they give them an open 

space to fly. 

The park was created by Dennis Croukamp 

in 1994. He and his wife cleared up the 

allocated land area from debris and 

invasive vegetation. After which, they 

planted hundreds of native trees which 

would become home to thousands of birds 

today. The park is the largest bird park in 

entire Latin America and one of its kind in 

the world. 

57 58

The park’s entry takes you into the natural habitat of birds and mesmerizes you not just 

by its grandeur and pristine state, in spite of regular human interaction with visitors, but 

also awes you and tickles the nature lover in you. The moment you enter, you see and 

feel everything in its natural form, so much so that all your senses get heightened. You 

realize the cleverness of nature’s design, appreciate the beauty of nature’s creation, 

and understand your connection with nature. With the background of Iguacu falls, the 

bird sounds hit your ears like a melody. 

You simply cannot come out of the park 

without a smile on your face. The park 

creates a spark of relationship with the 

nature and the birds. You will find a side of 

yourself, which you never thought existed. 

You will get to learn that we are not so 

much apart from nature as much a part of it. 

After your visit to the park, you are bound 

to observe the nature around you in your 

daily life more closely and feel for it with 

much more passion than you did before 

entering it. Visit the Park and experience it 

in person! 

This bird park boasts of not just the mighty 

eagle, or the nocturnal owl or colorful 

parrots, but also the big billed toucans, 

flamingos and macaws. The park also 

provides you with the opportunity to feed 

these birds or get a souvenir photo clicked 

with them to take home the memory of 

being reunited with the nature. The park 

consists of an entire ecosystem within itself, 

which consists of various butterflies and 

reptiles as well. The Boa constrictor in the 

middle of the park is one such attraction. 

59 60

NORTH 

AMERICA 

Image by: jameswheeler-5314099 

61 62

WELCOME TO CANADA 

Canada is the second largest country in the World, but one of the most sparsely 

populated. Sharing an unpatrolled border of 5,525 miles with the United States. 

With a number of major cities, Toronto is the most visited city in Canada. Tourism in 

Canada hit record levels in 2017, with almost 21 million visitors. 

Canada is a wonderful place to visit, with vibrant cities, culture, great trips and adventures 

to be had, natural wonders, unique wildlife and with the facilities to ensure that visitors 

have a wonderful Canadian experience. 

There is something on offer for everyone in Canada, the country is vast with wonderful 

landscapes, mountains, glaciers, secluded lakes and Forests, such as the Rocky Mountains 

and the Niagara Falls. The wildlife too, needs to be seen, to be appreciated. The list is 

endless with so many natural experiences to be had. 

If the wilderness is not for you, Canada is home to a number of vibrant cities, each with 

something different to offer, visit the 553-metre-high CN Tower in Toronto, the spectacular 

Mount Royal Park in Montreal, Stanley Park in Vancouver or Peace Bridge in Calgary, these 

are just a few of the many highlights of this outstanding country. There is no shortage of 

attractions to visit. You can even visit the places you learned about in school! 

Canada is a unique country, the outdoors are inspiring, the cities are cosmopolitan, 

safe, clean, friendly and an exceptional place to live or simply visit. A country you can 

continue to explore and to have new experiences, experiences that you could not have 

anywhere else in the world. 

Let’s go over to Newfoundland and Labrador Ontario, Alberta & British Columbia, and 

see what each has to offer. 

63 64

Canada 

WATER SPRITE 

BED AND 

BREAKFAST 

Luxury Bed and Breakfast 

208 Pelham Street, PO Box 663, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, B0J 2C0 ♦ 

Tel +204 960 7368 ♦ waterspritebb.ca 

People have been opening up their 

houses for travelers, and providing bed 

and breakfast service from a long time. It 

has been part of the Canadian lifestyle since 

so long that it is almost a default option of 

choice for travelers and vacationers to stay. 

Amidst all of this, Water Sprite in Lunenburg, 

a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Water 

Sprite is located in the heritage disctrict, is a 

place to visit. Water Sprite gets its name from 

the first ship which Harry, Barry’s father, had 

first sailed in 1937. The ship and the journey 

meant so much to Barry and Brad, the owners 

of the Bed and Breakfast, that their entire 

venture gets references from it. 

The Bed and Breakfast provides services 

throughout the year with summer (June - 

October) being the in-season time of 

business and November to May being 

the off-season. They provide 2 types of 

accommodation options – Mainsail and 

Staysail. The Mainsail has a Harbor view, 

sleeps 2 adults and a private ocean view 

balcony, spa like ensuite. The Staysail has 2 

rooms which accommodate up to 4 adults 

so that you can have a fun vacation with 

friends or family. You may choose to rent a 

single room or both the rooms. 

Water Sprite is an adults-only Bed and 

Breakfast and provides gourmet breakfast 

served hot. It also caters to special dietary 

needs. Sit back and enjoy an aperitif on 

the spacious covered deck and take in the 

spectacular views of the harbour. 

It also provides you connectivity to internet 

and cable along with access to Netflix. They 

take special care to ensure that the bedding 

and mattresses are also comfortable. They 

also provide concierge services. 

There are very few Bed and Breakfast 

options which cover the extra mile, just to 

make you comfortable. So, if Lunenburg is 

a stop for you in a longer journey or just 

a weekend getaway, make sure you give 

Water Sprite a visit. They would be more 

than happy to accommodate you and 

make your time there worthwhile. 

65 66

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR | A NATURE LOVERS DREAM 

Newfoundland and Labrador, with 29,000 kilometres of coastline, amazing 

landscapes that are always inspiring, is a stunning place to visit. It is surprisingly 

easy to travel to as well. It’s just a 5 hours flight from London. 

There are so many things to do in the natural environment of Newfoundland and Labrador 

– history, wildlife, culture, adventure or simply just relax and appreciate the fresh air direct 

from the Atlantic Ocean. So much of Newfoundland and Labrador is untouched, not 

spoiled or polluted, just there to be enjoyed. 

This is the perfect place for adventures, With thousands of miles of coastline, where 

you have the opportunity to see the extensive wildlife and birdlife that lives in this area. 

Spectacular scenery all year round that can be enjoyed in so many different ways, whether 

hiking or biking along the coastline, rafting on the Exploits River, or a visit to the gorge in 

Steady Brook, the options are unlimited. 

During the snowy winter months, why not hire a snowmobile and travel along the 

thousands of miles of trails and experience a completely different landscape? Of course, 

skiing and snowboarding are popular pastimes in Newfoundland and Labrador, due to 

the 16 feet of annual snow fall. 

67 68

Canada 

ECOTOURS ZODIAC 

ADVENTURES 

Tour Company of the Year 

Newfoundland and Labrador is a nature 

lover’s dream, with thousands of sea birds, 

marine life and other wildlife across the 

vast landscape. With no exception, there is 

no better place to go whale watching. 

Every year, the world’s largest population 

of humpback whales return to the area to 

feed, migrating from the Caribbean. The 

humpback whales are seen jumping out of 

the water and crashing back into the sea, 

between April and October. 

Other breeds of whales and dolphins 

also visit the area between May and 

September,. This includes the Orca, Blue, 

Sperm and Minke and you can witness this 

every year, close to the shores. 

To experience the whales at such close 

quarters is an amazing sight and it is 

possible to get even closer to the whales 

on a boat tour or a sea kayak. The kayak 

gets you up close and personal with the 

whales. 

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of 

the only places in the world that has visits 

from the whales, seabirds and icebergs all 

at the same time, as the animals migrate 

north, the icebergs are floating south. If the 

timing is perfect, there is a great chance 

you will see all three at the same time, but 

there is no guarantee! 

Lower Loop Rd, Witless Bay, NL A0A 4K0, Canada ♦ Tel +1 709 330 8687 ♦ 

ecotourszodiacadventures.com 

Nestled on the Southern Shore of Newfoundland’s East Coast, Ecotours Zodiac 

Adventures offers a unique sightseeing tour to those looking for adventure. Leaving 

from Witless Bay, join them aboard one of their two zodiacs where their friendly tour guides 

will take you on an hour and a half adventure tour, offered multiple times a day, 7 days a 

week, of the surrounding coastline area. Travel alongside Gull Island, part of the Witless Bay 

Ecological Reserve, which provides a home to the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in North 

America and thousands of migratory sea birds every summer. Ride across the ocean waves 

as they take you out in search of humpbacks, dolphins, and other beautiful marine life. 

Explore Newfoundland’s Southern coastline which offers the landmark ‘The Spout’, towering 

sea stacks and coastal sea caves. Get a front row seat as you adventure in to nature with 

Ecotours Zodiac Adventures! 

69 

70

24 HOURS IN ONTARIO 

Ontario is one of Canada’s most popular Destinations and is the most populated 

province in Canada with over 13,500,000 living here. Toronto is the capital city 

and is the largest city in Canada. 

Ontario is the economic hub of Canada, but offers much more. Including the popular 

Niagara Falls, four of the five great lakes, beautiful countryside, national parks, and a 

diverse culture. 

Ontario offers so much to do, but what would we do if we only had 24 hours in Ontario. 

The Ottawa Boat Cruise is a certain way to ensure you see as many of the attractions of 

Ottawa in a limited amount of time. The tour along the Ottawa River passes attractions 

including The National Gallery of Canada, Parliament Buildings, Rideau Falls, the official 

residence of the Prime Minister of Canada and Rockliffe Park. 

The boat cruise is the best way to see the landscape of Ottawa whilst sitting back, relaxing 

and maybe enjoying a cool drink as you enjoy the spectacular sights. The cruise typically 

last around 90 minutes, which is more than enough time to capture these fantastic sights 

on your camera. 

The Essex County Wine Region is located in beautiful countryside and is home to a 

number of excellent wineries. 

The region has a long history dating back to 1860, when wine production was started by 

3 farmers. This has continued to grow and some of the finest wines of Canada are being 

produced here. 

In total, there are 17 wineries today, and there are some excellent tours available that 

will take you to a selection of these. Each estate offers their own wine tasting tours, with 

experts on hand to provide tasting advice, so take your own notes and decide what your 

preference is and maybe buy a few bottles of your favourite wines to take home with you. 

71 72

Canada 

OTTAWA BOAT 

CRUISE 

Innovative Experience 

Canada 

GRAPE VINE 

TOURS INC 

Tailor Made Tour Company 

895 Jacques Cartier, Gatineau, Quebec Canada ♦ Tel +1 819-246-3855 ♦ 

facebook.com/OttawaBoatCruise/ 

Kingsville, Ontario, Canada ♦ Tel +519 796 1543 ♦ grapevinetours.ca 

Visiting Ottawa and want to explore the beauty of the city? Get in touch with 

Ottawa Boat Cruise and see the city from a totally different perspective! They 

give you a chance to have a memorable trip down the canal cruising on their 100% 

electrical boat. Explore the rich history Ottawa has to offer with their knowledgable 

staff. Their tour guides will provide you with some great information about the city 

while keeping the trip both fun and informative. If you wish to have the boat to 

yourself, you have the option to charter it too! The boat can even be used for private 

functions! Who wouldn’t want a venue on the water? A unique perspective with an 

unforgettable experience. Ottawa Boat Cruise is a must do while in Ottawa! 

Grape Vine Tours Inc. is located in 

Kingsville Ontario. We provide 

private custom guided tours to the 

wineries of Essex County and the craft 

breweries of Essex – Windsor. Our area 

is also home to a large distillery industry 

which includes: Wiser’s, Canadian Club, 

Seagrams and Wolfhead, an award 

winning craft distiller. Grape Vine Tours 

operates all year round and welcomes 

visitors to the southernmost part of 

Canada. 

73 

74

Canada 

COLLINGWOOD 

CHARTERS 

Charter Company of the Year 

Hurontario St. & Sidelaunch Way by the L.C.B.O., Collingwood, ON, Canada ♦ 

Tel +705 443 1124 ♦ collingwoodcharters.ca 

Relax aboard the Huronic exploring 

Collingwood’s beautiful harbour rich 

in maritime history and learn interesting 

facts about the once active Collingwood 

Shipyards famous for side-launching 

new ships. Enjoy the rugged beauty of 

the Collingwood Terminals and continue 

your journey cruising by the Nottawasaga 

Lighthouse with the picturesque 

escarpment in the background. 

Collingwood Charters offers sightseeing 

tours, sunset cruises, local wine or beer 

tastings, dinner cruises and private 

charters aboard a 65’ tour boat, “Huronic” 

operating out of Collingwood Harbour. 

Perfect for ANY occasion with a capacity to 

hold up to 70 passengers. 

75 

What Our Customers Are Saying… 

“Incredible September Day! 

As a birthday gift for my daughter, I took 

her and my granddaughter out on a 

stellar weather September day on the 

Huronic. The crew was so friendly and 

accommodating offering to help at any 

time. The cruise was delightful with a 

little music, a history of Collingwood and 

surrounding waters and some quiet time to 

just enjoy the views, breeze and sunshine. 

A must-do when in Collingwood. I live here 

and would go again to take in perhaps the 

evening cruise- maybe I will plan my next 

family event on board! LOVED IT! Look into 

it for sure! Highly recommend…” 

Image by: wnk1029-6017062 

76

ALBERTA | WILDERNESS EPITOMISED 

Alberta is a popular tourist destination, close to nature, and a welcome break from 

the concrete jungles and over populated areas across the world. Located in the 

Western Province of Canada, the wilderness of Alberta is well known, and since Banff 

National Park was created in the 1880’s, four more national parks have been added, Elk 

Island, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, and Wood Buffalo National Parks. 

The national parks are protected and home to a variety of wildlife, including some rare 

species that continue to thrive. Visitors to the parks can not only enjoy the wildlife in their 

natural habitat but appreciate the fantastic landscape, including snow covered mountains, 

forests, desert Badlands, over 600 lakes, and fantastic night skies, unpolluted from city 

lights. 

Alberta has been a tourist destination 

since the early 20th century, with so 

many outdoor activities on offer, some 

more strenuous than others. In addition 

to the national parks, there are world 

class facilities for skiing, great hiking 

trails and camping, with adventures to 

be experienced as you explore the vast 

terrain. 

The wilderness of Alberta also offers 

fantastic hunting and fishing, with 

worldwide visitors looking to experience 

the real thing. Bow River is a dream 

location for fishermen, ideal for flying 

fishing in the amply stocked rivers, 

hopefully landing that “special catch” 

There are a number of must see museums 

in Alberta, such as the Royal Alberta 

Museum, a museum of human and natural 

history, this is the largest museum in 

Western Canada. 

There is so much to see and appreciate in 

Alberta for visitors, Alberta is geared up 

for tourism with a large selection of hotels 

of different standard on offer. Alberta 

covers over 600,000 km2, the planning of 

your trip is essential to ensure the “must 

see” attractions of Alberta are not missed. 

77 78

Canada 

MOUNTAIN 

HAVEN CABINS 

Country Retreat 

While you’re at the retreat, you may 

want to stay connected with the world. 

For this reason, the complete lodge is 

WiFi enabled free of charge. You can 

even bring your own vehicles along as 

there is free parking on site. Each of their 

rooms comes with air conditioning and 

heating facilities as well. 

18 Webb Avenue North, T0K 1N0 Mountain View, Canada ♦ Tel +1 403 331 0905 ♦ 

mountainhaven.ca 

If you want to get away from the moribund 

city life, there is no better way than to head 

away into the mountains. If you’re heading 

to the mountains and want a comfortable 

stay, head over to Mountain Haven Lodge 

and Cabins. This retreat is set in the heart of 

Mountain View and provides some stunning 

views of the mountains. 

The retreat provides a family lodge and 3 

cabins which serve as holiday homes. While 

the cabins are available all-round the year, 

the lodge can be rented only during the 

summers. So if you’re planning a getaway 

vacation for your family, this 7-bedroom 

lodge is the perfect place for you! It comes 

with its very own yard as well. 

The best part about the retreat is that each 

of their cabins comes with a fully-equipped 

kitchen where you can cook for yourself 

and stay there just like it is your home away 

from home. You can even find TVs and Bluray 

players in some of the cabins. If you feel 

like simply sitting back and lazing, you can 

sit back on the private patio and watch the 

mountains as your food gets slowly cooked 

on the propane barbeque there. 

While you’re there, you can go for some 

off-site activities as well. They have 

skiing, canoeing, horseback riding, 

hiking, fishing and windsurfing facilities 

available nearby too. Mountain Haven 

Lodge and Cabins truly lets you enjoy 

the tranquility of nature away from the 

cities. 

79 80

BRITISH COLUMBIA | TOP 3 

British Columbia is a vast terrain known for massive mountain ranges and beaches 

with amazing rainforests of natural beauty. It’s a great location for hiking or mountain 

biking, and also known for its ski resorts. In 2010, British Columbia hosted the Winter 

Olympics. 

A region full of attractions, but what are the top 3 things to do in British Columbia? 

1. Vancouver is a city with so much to offer, with shopping on the famous Robson Street, 

explore the historic town or admire the impressive views from all around the city with 

the rainforest and Pacific Ocean, almost always visible. 

For more energetic activities, hiking or skiing in the North Shore Mountains, or kayaking 

in the waterways is a very rewarding way to spend the day. 

2. Yoho National Park is certainly worth a visit, with its amazing scenery extending over the 

Rocky Mountains. Yoho National Park is easily accessed via the Trans-Canada highway, 

and this is great way to visit as access to the main attractions is easy and with ideal 

stopping points to take in the views. 

A must see is Lake O’Hara, the lake is surrounded by the mountains and the area is one 

of the best locations for camping and enjoying the hiking trails that surround the lakes 

and lead into the mountains. 

3. British Columbia has its own wine region, with over 100 wineries here, making it the 

second largest in Canada. Many of the wineries are close to each other, ideally located 

with fantastic views, so it’s easily possible to visit a few and sample their wines over a 

long weekend. 

This area has a unique climate that makes it ideal for growing grapes and with a 

mixture of well known and family run vine yards, this is a great way to spent a few days, 

comparing your wine tasting notes. 

81 82

Canada 

BLUE WATERS 

COTTAGE 

Cottage 

Canada 

THE CASTLE AT 

SWAN LAKE 

Hotel and Restaurant 

5218 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A2 ♦ Tel +604 865 0035♦ 

bluewaterscottage.com 

Tucked away on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Sechelt, Blue Waters Cottage gives 

you a chance to relax far away from civilization. This self-catering cottage is perfect 

for a long getaway from the city life for both couples and families and gives you some 

spectacular views of the sea. You can sit back and connect with nature and enjoy the 

tranquility of the location as well. The cottage is fully furnished and comes with amenities 

like barbeque, hot tub, private benches, and more! The kitchen is fully-equipped too so 

that you can cook your own meals and have a completely private vacation experience. 

If you wish to explore the area, there are loads of restaurants, beaches, hiking trails and 

shopping options around. For those who love outdoor activities, kayaking, golfing, biking 

and windsurfing options are available too! You can have the perfect home away from 

home experience on the Sunshine Coast at Blue Waters Cottage. 

7905 Greenhow Rd, Vernon, BC V1B 3S2, Canada ♦ Tel +1 778-475-4232 ♦ 

swanlakecastle.com 

Take in the stunning beauty of the 

Swan Lake and Okanagan Valley from 

The Castle at Swan Lake All Suite Hotel, 

which features balconies or decks either with 

views of the beautiful Swan Lake, stunning 

landscaped Courtyard or Pool 

We are ideally located near the pristine 

Swan Lake and close to the Kalamalka and 

Okanagan Lakes. Favored by mild climate 

and its remarkable natural beauty, North 

Okanagan offers endless attractions, outdoor 

adventures and voyages of discovery. 

At any time of year whether you’re traveling 

for business or pleasure, The Castle at Swan 

Lake is the perfect place to stay and play. 

Choose between our spacious, elegantly 

designed functional one bedroom area suites 

or two bedroom area loft suites, tucked into 

a paradise setting, boasting all the amenities 

that you expect including a fully equipped 

kitchen. 

Retreat to this ultimate all-season playground 

and stay in luxury and comfort. Located 

centrally to the best golfing, wine touring, 

shopping, orchards and farmers markets. Any 

time of year is the perfect time to enjoy your 

stay at The Castle at Swan Lake. 

83 84

ALTERNATIVE TOURISM IN THE USA 

America is home to some of the most shocking murders in history. True crime 

and other dark events are no longer seen as only for the fascination of the more 

unusual of individuals. 

Whether serial killers, vampire or Salem witch tours, these attractions are becoming more 

and more popular across the States and the selection of tours is continuing to grow, a few 

examples are detailed below. 

The Helter Skelter tour in Los Angeles reconstructs the events that led up to the infamous 

murders committed by members of the Manson family in 1969. The tour looks at the 

events from both sides, and does not hold back on the details of the whole macabre 

event. 

Another, which is proving popular, is the 

Jeffrey Dahmer tour, where you can follow 

his footsteps, and hear how he ate seven 

of his seventeen victims. The tour is so 

gruesome; it has been banned by certain 

tourism web sites. 

The murder tours are not the only dark 

tours proving popular. Tours such as the 

Salem Witch Walk where you are with real 

witches and take part in a real magical 

circle, and educated about modern day 

witchcraft and the accused witches of 

1692 are popular too. 

Vampire tours are on the rise too, typically 

beginning at nightfall, when the dark side 

of places like New Orleans commences. 

Chilling tours through creepy locations 

and fantastic storytelling of gruesome 

stories from the guide ensure that the tour 

is not for the faint hearted. 

Another dark attraction is Centralia, a 

modern day ghost town. Over the years 

the residents have left the town following 

an underground fire, which has left the 

town a ghost town with no residents and 

many buildings torn down. 

This has become a popular tourist 

destination, although there is nothing to 

do in Centralia and not much to see, but 

this is the fascination. 

So it would appear that the dark tourism 

is a growing industry, in some ways an 

education where the unpleasant stories of 

the past are told to new generations. 

85 86

People are fascinated by what has 

happened historically, but often these 

sites can be used as memorials to the 

victims and often are run by charities to 

raise funds, such as the Helter Skelter tour 

above. 

These tragic events of the past should not 

be forgotten and the organised tours is a 

way to ensure that future generations do 

not forget what events have occurred in 

years gone by. 

USA 

SF VAMPIRE TOUR 

Alternative Tour 

Nob Hill Neighborhood | San Francisco, CA, USA ♦ Tel +6502791840 ♦ sfvampiretour.com 

Do spooky things give you the thrills? Are you visiting San Francisco and want to go 

vampire hunting? SF Vampire Tour takes you to all such places like Grace Cathedral, 

Nob Hill Cafe, Huntington Park, Pacific-Union Club, Fairmont Hotel, and Mark Hopkins 

Hotel on every first Saturday of the month and Halloween. The tours will take you to pretty 

chilling places and we’re sure that you’ll get spooked out soon! You can either join the group 

for a regular tour or approach them for a private tour if you have a group size of more than 

10. This 2-hour tour can be undertaken by anyone as the walk is comfortable and easy. It is 

also a wheelchair friendly tour. Moreover, You can bring your dogs along on the tour too! 

This is your chance to dress up as a vampire yourself and get your spook on! 

87 

88

State profile | Mary Land 

How to Get in 

• Plane 

• Train 

• Bus 

• Drive in 

Get Around 

• Bus 

• Subway or Light Train 

• On foot 

• Water Taxi (Baltimore) 

America in Miniature 

USA 

ADVENTURES 

FOR CREATIVE 

TOURISTS 

The Award for 

Excellence in Service 

11521 Taber St, Silver Spring, MD 20902, USA ♦ Tel +202 294 4265 ♦ 

adventuresforcreativetourists.com 

Attractions & Sights 

• Annapolis 

• Ocean City 

• National Aquarium 

• Baltimore Basilica 

Things to do 

• The Appalachian Trail 

• Watch a College Lacrosse 

Match 

• Sail on a Woodwind 

Schooner 

• Try a Maryland blue 

crap 

Find out more – https:// 

www.visitmaryland.org/ 

Adventures For Creative Tourists has specially crafted tours that will give you more 

art, culture, and history of USA. We are a network of Master Qualified Certified 

Guides. Every single tour is created by our expert tour guides that have spent countless 

hours researching the collections, history, and communities. With our guides, you’ll get a 

chance to peek into the rich historic past of Washington DC by visiting some of the most 

prominent places in the city such as U.S Capitol, Library of Congress, National Gallery of 

Art, and Smithsonian American Art Gallery. Each guide is a local expert that is passionate 

about their own field dedicated to giving you in-depth insight into the art and culture you 

will experience. You could also choose to have a more exclusive private tour with one of 

our experts by contacting our company directly. 

89 

90

State profile | South Carolina 

How to Get in 

• Plane 

• Train 

• Bus 

• Drive in 

Get Around 

• Drive 

• Bus 

• On foot 


• Myrtle Beach 

• Charleston 

• Hilton Head Island 

• Fort Jackson 

Things to do 

• Fishing & Watersports 

• A Walking Tour in 

Charleston 

• Experience Authentic 

Soul Food 


discoversouthcarolina. 

com 

Rich history, lovely beaches and 

spectacular cuisine, welcome to 

the quintessential Southern State 

USA 

GAY DOLPHIN 

GIFT SHOP 

Local Experience 

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, South Carolina USA ♦ Tel +1 843 448 6550 ♦ gaydolphin.com 

Located on the Myrtle 

Beach Boardwalk in South 

Carolina, the Gay Dolphin Gift 

Cove has been an amazing 

shopping destination since 1946. 

If you wish to purchase something 

from this region as a gift or for 

memories, Gay Dolphin is the 

perfect place for you. Spread 

out across 10 floors and 35,000 

square feet, this place is more of a 

shopping experience rather than 

a simple gift shop. In its 72 years 

of operation, it has delighted 

multiple generations of customers 

and has become a local landmark 

of sorts. With thousands of 

options for gifts to choose from, 

you’re definitely going to be 

spoilt for choice when shopping 

here. If you’re ever visiting Myrtle 

Beach, You should know that Gay 

Dolphin Gift Cove is a gateway to 

discovering the city rather than 

just a shopping destination. Shop 

here and come one step closer to 

discovering Myrtle Beach. 

91 

92

DALLAS 

Forty Years After the Iconic DALLAS series, Dallas Continues to 

Shine. There is plenty to see and do in the popular Texas city 

DALLAS – (April 2018) – This year marks the 40th anniversary of DALLAS, the legendary 

television series that put the city on the map as an international visitor destination, but 

there are plenty of developments that will continue the city’s momentum going beyond 

2018, making it an ideal destination for international travelers. From new hotels to 

upcoming arts and sports events, visitors have several reasons to visit Dallas. 

Hotel Highlights 

THE ADOLPHUS HOTEL 

OPENED LATE 2017 

Anheuser Busch founder Adolphus Busch 

built the Adolphus Hotel in 1912 as Dallas’ 

first luxury property. Situated on the 

original site of City Hall, the Adolphus has 

served as a Dallas icon and an integral part 

of the city’s history and culture. Early this 

year, the hotel wrapped up an extensive 

renovation that celebrates the hotel’s 

storied past and adds new amenities. Most 

recently, the hotel reopened the French 

Room restaurant, which was restored to 

its original European interior décor. The 

restaurant menu focuses on traditional 

French cuisine, offering a seasonal 

three-course menu as well as a special 

experiential menu that incorporates the 

hotel’s various dining areas. 

THE STATLER 

OPENED LATE 2017 

Downtown Dallas’ historic Statler now 

flies the Hilton flag again after a $255 

million redevelopment. The 59-year 

old landmark opened last fall, paying 

homage to its musical roots and Conrad 

Hilton’s original vision for the special 

property. The property also has more 

than 200 apartments on its upper floors 

and lower levels of the building are home 

to several restaurants and shops as well 

as the new Dallas Morning News office. 

The property recently celebrated with a 

week-long grand opening celebration in 

February, announcing the opening of all 

its restaurant concepts. 

VIRGIN HOTEL 

OPENING LATE 2019 

In 2019, Virgin Hotels will open a 200- 

room hotel in Dallas’ hip and growing 

Design District. The $80 million lifestyle 

hotel will cater to the new, savvy traveler, 

offering free Wi-Fi, cancellation and late 

checkout and a complimentary social hour 

for guests. It’s the fourth planned Virgin 

Hotels property in the United States. 

93 94

New Flights 

ICELAND 

This summer, three airlines will have new flights from Dallas Fort Worth International 

Airport to Reykjavik, Iceland. WOW Airlines’ seasonal flights will operate three times a 

week beginning May 23. Icelandair will launch its year-long service on May 30, offering 

four flights a week with connections to more than 30 cities, including Heathrow and 

Gatwick. The third flight will launch on June 7 from American Airlines and will fly daily 

through October 27. 

Arts & Culture 

SOLUNA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC & 

ARTS FESTIVAL 

MAY 6 – 28, 2018 

SOLUNA International Music & Arts 

Festival brings together international 

artists with the help of Dallas’ various art 

organizations. The festival celebrates the 

city’s cultural legacy and diversity through 

contemporary and classic performing arts 

anchored by performances with Jaap 

van Zweden and the Dallas Symphony 

Orchestra. 

RIVERFRONT JAZZ FESTIVAL 

SEPTEMBER 2018 

Texas Horse Park will be the home of 

Riverfront Jazz Festival in its inaugural 

year, Labor Day Weekend 2018. The 

three-day festival will be a celebration 

of Jazz, R&B, Soul, Blues and Neo-Soul 

with more than 30 performers on the two 

main stages and Promising Young Artists 

Stage. The line-up includes local artists 

Erykah Badu, Euge Groove, Oleta Adams, 

Jon Secada and Ruben Studdard among 

others. 

DALLAS HOLOCAUST AND HUMAN 

RIGHTS MUSEUM 

OPENING SUMMER 2019 

This fall, the Dallas Holocaust and Human 

Rights Museum began construction 

of a new building that will expand the 

educational and cultural programming in 

the southwest United States to advance 

human rights and combat prejudice, 

hatred and indifference. The design of the 

new facility — to be located Downtown 

in Dallas’ historic West End — will create 

a narrative that shows the journey of the 

many who experienced the Holocaust 

and other social injustices. 

95 96

Sports 

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 

DRAFT 

APRIL 26 – 28, 2018 

The AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas 

Cowboys will be the host of the 2018 

National Football League (NFL) Draft in 

2018. The draft will be the first time in 

history the event will be held at an NFL 

stadium. The draft site will encompass the 

field, stands and outdoor plazas which will 

be turned into an NFL Draft Experience 

festival. 

AT&T BYRON NELSON AT TRINITY 

FOREST GOLF 

MAY 2018 

Less than ten minutes from downtown 

Dallas on Great Trinity Forest Way, the 18- 

hole championship golf course designed 

by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw has a 

traditional golf course design that is also 

carried over to the short course and ninehole 

“Horse Course.” Trinity Forest Golf 

Club is the new home of the PGA AT&T 

Byron Nelson, which will be celebrating 

its 50th anniversary in 2018. The Club 

will also host an annual NCAA Invitational 

tournament and is the new home for 

Southern Methodist University’s golf 

team. 

SOCCER HALL OF FAME 

LATE 2019 

As part of a $39 million addition to 

Frisco’s Toyota Stadium, home of FC 

Dallas, located north of Dallas, the arena 

will also become home to the National 

Soccer Hall of Fame Museum. The hall 

will house the museum collection as well 

as trophies from the Women’s World Cup, 

Gold Cup and other U.S. memorabilia 

and Olympic medals. The hall will be the 

first major league sports hall of fame to be 

built within a stadium. 

DALLAS TIES: FC Dallas CEO Dan Hunt made it a personal mission to bring the Hall of 

Fame to Dallas in honor of his father Lamar Hunt. The elder Hunt championed the sport 

and brought Dallas its first soccer team, the Dallas Tornado, in the late 1960s. 

Dallas is a city that surprises and a destination that inspires big ideas. As the ninth-largest 

city in the country, Dallas is already one of the country’s leading hubs for business and 

innovation, and the Dallas metro area is a top visitor destination in Texas. Learn more at 

www.visitdallas.com. 

About VisitDallas 

VisitDallas markets Dallas as the ideal visitor and convention destination in Texas. Dallas – 

The Most Texan City in Texas – celebrates its heritage in hospitality, and it’s the one city 

where Southern meets modern and legacy meets luxury. Dallas is the leading business 

and financial center in the Southwest offering travelers an unparalleled array of amenities 

and a central location with two major airports with more domestic nonstop flights than any 

other U.S. city. As the ninth-largest U.S. city, and part of the fourth-largest metropolitan 

area in the nation, Dallas is the top visitor destination in Texas. You really can do it all in 

Dallas. For more information, visit http://visitdallas.com/. 

97 98

Oh So Cynthia – Dallas 

CYNTHIA SMOOT 

Q&A 

Tell us a little about yourself 

I am a partner at Gangway Advertising 

where I create buzz for some of Dallas’ 

hottest brands through interactive digital 

strategies and public relations for the firm’s 

lifestyle clients. Through my wildly popular 

lifestyle blog, Oh So Cynthia, readers get 

the latest scoop and inside information 

on fashion, food, philanthropy, events, 

celebrity and reality TV news. I describe her 

blog as “a love letter to the city of Dallas” 

and enjoy taking readers along for the ride 

as I experience all that the city has to offer. 

I consider myself THE go-to resource for 

what’s happening and who you need to 

know in Dallas. 

What made you decide to set up a 

lifestyle blog? 

I started the blog in 2008 as a way to keep 

my family connected to our lives in Dallas. 

I quickly discovered the “Mommy Blog” 

community and fell in love with the support 

I received from other first-time Moms 

trying to figure out this parenting thing like 

me! Through the process of blogging I also 

realized how much I loved being able to 

marry my love of photography and creative 

writing into one outlet. The blog for me as 

always been a hobby – now it’s just a hobby 

gone wild! 

You’ve met a lot of celebrities, who is 

the most famous person you met? Who 

was the most fun? 

Oh my, that is a hard question to answer 

because I have met so many famous 

people over the years. I would have to 

say that my absolute favourite was Reese 

Witherspoon. I met her a few years ago 

when she opened her clothing store, 

Draper James, in Dallas at Highland Park 

Village. She is everything you would expect 

and more – just a delight. As successful and 

famous as she has become (and continues 

to be) she has not forgotten her roots and 

proudly clings to our Southern traditions of 

family, food and manners. I can’t imagine 

anyone not being madly in love with her. 

What do you think sets Dallas apart from 

some of the other major US cities? 

Oh honey! Texas is a state of mind! The 

television show DALLAS launched in 1978 

and Larry Hagman and that cast made 

our city famous (and infamous) around 

the world. The curiosity has never waned 

about our city – it’s all true! We have big 

hair, big closets, big cars and even bigger 

personalities. What makes Dallas different 

from other major US cities is also our 

fashion. Dallas women love to dress. We 

will wear fur and diamonds to go to the 

grocery store. Designers love to come 

to Dallas because they appreciate our 

love of color and prints. We like to have 

fun with our wardrobes. I also love that 

Dallas has such a philanthropic heart for 

the community. We take care of our own 

– and anyone else who needs it. You can 

find a charity luncheon, trunk show or gala 

happening daily in this town. Everything 

we do is designed to give back to others. 

Lastly, the cost of living here is amazing 

(hence all those big ‘ole mansions we have) 

which is why Texas has the fastest rate 

of growth in the country. Dallas is just an 

amazing place to live and raise a family. 

99 100

What is the most popular attraction in 

the city? 

That depends on who you ask. Top 

attractions are the Sixth Floor Museum at 

Dealey Plaza dedicated to remembering 

one of the nation’s most tragic and defining 

moments – the shooting of President John 

F. Kennedy; the beautiful gardens of the 

Dallas Arboretum; our annual State Fair of 

Texas is world-renown for its unique fried 

foods; and my personal favorite, North Park 

Center which houses some of the world’s 

best stores and boutiques along with 

rotating pieces from the Nasher family’s 

personal art collection – so it’s a museum 

and mall in one! 

The best way for a tourist to get around? 

Definitely by car. The city (and its 

attractions) are very spread out but thanks 

to on-demand car services like Uber and 

Lyft, it is super easy to get where you want 

to go via an app on your phone. 

Are there any big events happening in 

the city over the next 12 months? 

My favorite annual events include the State 

Fair of Texas which runs from the end of 

September to the end of October; the 

Greenville Ave. St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 

March is loud boozy fun; the Deep Ellum 

Arts Festival for art and music in April and 

the Greek Food Festival which happens 

every September. 

Have you ever considered showing 

people around, offering private tours? 

I show people around town every day 

through the stories on the blog! I love 

sharing what’s fun and cool about Dallas to 

encourage people to get off the couch and 

experience all that the city has to offer. 

Best place to grab a coffee and why? 

If you are Downtown, stop by Commissary 

to enjoy coffee drinks with a bevy of baked 

goods, salads, and sandwiches made 

in-house. In Uptown, visit Fiction where 

their baristas are known for their intricate 

latte art. Ascention Café has multiple 

locations around town and any time of day 

I encourage you to order the tres leches 

coffee cake; it’s worth the splurge. 

Finally, if someone was looking to get 

out of Dallas for a day trip, where would 

you recommend? 

My perfect day in Dallas would start with 

breakfast or brunch at Bread Winners 

Café in Uptown. Then head to the Arts 

District to visit the Dallas Museum of Art, 

Nasher Sculpture Museum and/or the 

Perot Museum of Nature and Science 

(depending on your personal interests). 

Now that you have gotten some culture, 

head over to Highland Park Village and 

shop the array of designer boutique and 

grab some delicious TexMex food and a 

margarita at Mi Cocina. End your day at 

Truluck’s Steak and Seafood House. They 

have live entertainment nightly, so grab a 

drink at the bar and enjoy the show before 

you head upstairs for an amazing meal. 

https://www.cynthiasmoot.com 

https://www.facebook.com/OhSoCynthia 

https://www.instagram.com/ohsocynthia 

https://twitter.com/ohsocynthia 

101 102

Nevada | A World Within a State Apart 

Lake Tahoe 

Lake Tahoe is known as the 

jewel of Nevada. It is the 

nation’s largest alpine lake, 

22 by 12 miles of sparkling 

water surrounded by 72 miles 

of pristine shoreline. During 

the warm summer months, it’s 

a water-sports paradise and 

when it snows, winter sportsenthusiasts 

think they’ve died 

and gone to heaven. 

The crystal-clear lake is roughly 

divided into two shores, north 

and south. South shore is the 

lively side, with so much to do, 

both in and out of the water. 

Most of the large hotel-casinos, 

from Harrah’s to Harveys to 

MontBleu, can be found here 

in the town of Stateline, along 

with the base of Heavenly 

Mountain Resort, Heavenly Village. It’s 

full of shopping, dining and recreation 

options, all within easy walking distance 

of the hotels. On the southeast shore, 

Zephyr Cove is bursting with watercraft 

activities, parasailing and beach lounging. 

It’s also home to the famed paddle-wheel 

cruise boats, the M.S. Dixie II and the 

Tahoe Queen. There are scenic cruises, 

dinner cruises, specialty cruises, even 

charter cruises for weddings and parties. 

Life moves a little slower on Tahoe’s north 

shore, where the focus is on celebrating 

quiet mountain life. The Hyatt Regency 

Lake Tahoe Resort in Incline Village is a 

grand hotel with old Tahoe charm. The 

nearby Cal-Neva Resort is in Crystal Bay, 

where it straddles the Nevada-California 

state line. In fact, the border runs right 

through the hotel and pool, making it 

the only hotel in the world located in 

two states! Another famous spot on the 

north shore is Squaw Valley USA, known 

for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. It’s 

still a favourite of locals and visitors alike, 

and it’s just one of 18 alpine resorts in the 

Lake Tahoe area. The high concentration 

of resorts is due to the truly epic winters 

at Tahoe, which gets somewhere between 

300 and 500 inches of snow annually. The 

powdery Sierra snow makes for amazing 

downhill and cross-country skiing, not 

to mention fantastic snowshoeing, dogsledding, 

snowmobiling and more. 

When the snow melts and the highaltitude 

air cools that hot summer sun, the 

Tahoe Rim Trail is a popular destination for 

hikers from all over the world. Measuring 

165 miles, the trail system passes through 

two states, six counties, one state park, 

three national forests and three natural 

wilderness areas. Guests of the trail have 

their pick of several trailheads around the 

lake with varying degrees of difficulty and 

length. And for the elite hikers, there’s 

always the 165-Mile Club, reserved for 

those who have tackled the trail in its 

entirety. 

103 104

The byway is the Scenic Loop 

Drive at Red Rock Canyon 

National Conservation 

Area, 12 miles west of Las 

Vegas off State Route 159. 

The one-way scenic drive 

is completely paved and 

features self-guided trails, 

picnic areas and stunning 

vistas. The Visitor Center 

has audio programs and 

scheduled interpretive 

activities about the natural 

history of the canyon. Red 

Rock Canyon National 

Conservation Area is a fee 

demonstration project area. 

A fee of $5 per vehicle is 

collected at the entrance to 

the Scenic Loop Drive. All of 

the money collected remains 

at the site for improvements. 

Red Rock 

The Red Rock Canyon National 

Conservation Area [RRCNCA] is located 

just a few miles west of Las Vegas within 

the Mojave Desert. It is easily recognisable 

by the thick Aztec sandstone escarpment 

that stretches for nearly as wide as your 

eye can see. This main escarpment sits 

within 195,819 acres of wilderness and is 

home to 10 major canyons with several 

highly distinguishable peaks. Amongst 

these large formations are numerous 

other lower elevation peaks, in addition 

to sub-peaks and even smaller sandstone 

“hills.” The most recognizable formations 

from left to right are Mt. Wilson, Rainbow 

Mountain, and Bridge Mountain. There 

are also the Calico Hills, the smaller yet 

still impressive formation that is often 

explored by newer visitors looking 

to experience Red Rock at a more 

manageable scale. 

Red Rock Canyon is a maze of canyons 

and peaks, ledges and chimneys, chutes 

and gullies leading to surprises around 

every wall which is perfect for hiking. 

There are 26 different hikes and trails 

that take you from the deep canyons to 

the highest points of Red Rock Canyon. 

Climbing is also becoming increasingly 

popular as the great boulders and sheer 

rock faces bring climbers from around the 

world. 

105 106

USA 

LAS VEGAS 

WALKING TOURS 

Walking Tour Company 

Image by: zzim780-726251 

Las Vegas, Nevada USA 89101 ♦ Tel +888 571-6587 ♦ lasvegaswalkingtours.net 

See, explore and discover Las Vegas like never before on a 2-hour guided walking 

tour of Downtown Las Vegas’ famous Fremont Street. Your experienced local guide 

will take you on a 7-block ‘Walk through time’ from humble outpost to infamous ‘Glitter 

Gulch’, a gem of urban renewal and revitalization. 

Peel back the layers of neon to expose the rich history underneath and discover Downtown 

Las Vegas is again a vibrant, top attraction in the USA home to legendary casinos, hotels, 

wedding chapels, top restaurants, and even reality TV stars. 

Fun for the single adventurous traveler, couples, and the whole family. The tours have a 

maximum of 12 guests and wireless audio headsets, which ensure a personal experience 

with your guide while hearing every fascinating story along the way. 

Tips, tricks and recommendations throughout will have you feeling like a ‘Vegas Insider’. 

Area restaurant list and business coupons will provide plenty of options following your 

tour. 

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Seattle and Washington State 2018 

Washington State is in the Pacific Northwest where Seattle 

crowns the state and cruises head to Alaska 

New flights 

In 2018, two airlines launch new direct, 

non-stop routes to Seattle underscoring 

its growing popularity with the UK and 

Irish markets. 

Aer Lingus launches 18 May with four 

flights a week on Monday, Wednesday, 

Friday, and Sunday from Dublin to 

Seattle, with pre-clearance of customs 

and immigration in Dublin. Prices from 

498 Euros return www.aerlingus.com. 

Thomas Cook Airlines launches 27 

May 2018 with two flights a week from 

Manchester to Seattle on Thursdays 

and Sundays, from £399 return www. 

thomascookairlines.com. 

In addition, Seattle has direct non stop 

services from London Heathrow daily with 

British Airways from £411 return (www. 

ba.com) and Virgin Atlantic from £410 

return (www.virginatlantic.com) and four a 

week with Norwegian from £349.80 return 

(www.Norwegian.com) from Gatwick. 

Seattle sizzles with a hip vibe and laidback sophistication and with new flights at very 

competitive prices, new hotels and new cruise options, it has never been a better time 

to visit. 

New Hotels 

Nine new hotels are expected to open in 2018 in Seattle, providing the city with 2,568 

more rooms, a 21.6% increase and bringing the total number of rooms to 14,480 in 

downtown Seattle. The new hotels include the Moxy, Embassy Suites, Even Hotel, 

Staybridge Suites, Hotel at the Mark, State Hotel, The Charter, Hotel at former Potala 

Tower and the Hyatt Regency. 

109 110

Space Needle renovation 

The Space Needle is undergoing a $100 

million renovation programme to reinvent 

the Observation Deck to an all glass look, 

and to upgrade the restaurant level. 

The Observation Deck will re-launch at 

the end of May 2018 and the restaurant 

will re-open in Autumn 2018. Check the 

latest news and timings at http://www. 

seewhatsup.space/ 

Small Ships to Cruise Ships 

The Norwegian Bliss, a 4000 berth ship 

built specially to sail to Alaska will launch 

at the end of May this year, providing a 

stunning brand new, superbly appointed 

option for the cruise market out of Seattle. 

Over 1 million passengers on 215 cruise 

ships are expected to sail to Alaska from 

Seattle in 2018. 

Small ship cruising is growing in 

popularity as travellers seek more unique 

experiences and more intimate journeys 

in the Pacific Northwest. On small ship 

sailings, travellers visit inlets, channels 

and smaller ports, and see Puget Sound’s 

marine wildlife up close. UnCruise 

Adventures and American Cruise Lines 

operate in the Pacific Northwest. 

Seattle highlights 

The city which swept coffee into the 21 st 

century is an addiction like no other. From 

the iconic Space Needle to the glittering 

angles of the new Mark Tower, Seattle’s 

skyline is encircled by snow-capped 

volcanoes, verdant forests, lakes and 

sensational seascapes. World renowned 

for Hendrix, then grunge 30 years ago, 

Seattle remains cutting-edge with riveting 

scenes of Americana, indie rock, hip hop 

and electronic music today. 

Premium wines born from Washington 

State’s 900 vineyards complement the 

exceptional dining experiences serving 

up lashings of the freshest seafood from 

its Pacific waters and local farm to fork 

treats in its restaurants and hotels. 

Above all, it’s Seattleites and their 

neighbourhoods you come to experience. 

HIP! – the word was made for us. 

The adventure begins in Seattle. It’s 

a walkable city. Discover the Seattle 

Aquarium and the Great Wheel on Elliot 

Bay waterfront. 

Take the Monorail from Westlake Center 

in the heart of the city to the Seattle 

Center, to see the Space Needle, MoPop 

(a pop culture wonderland) and the 

beautiful Chihuly Garden and Glass which 

showcases the glass blowing skills of artist 

Dale Chihuly. 

Head over to watch the flying fish at 

the famous Pike Place Market or stop at 

Starbucks’ Reserve Roastery and Tasting 

Room. 

Up for a bigger adventure? Take a day trip 

and tour the Boeing airplane factory, hop 

aboard a seaplane to the San Juan Islands 

or enjoy one of Washington State’s great 

national parks. 

National Parks 

There are three National parks near 

Seattle – The Olympic National Park, 

Mt Rainier National Park and the North 

Cascades National Park. 

The Olympic National Park is home to 

high mountains, Pacific surf beaches, 

whales and the only temperate rainforests 

in US, with their spectacular massive 

bearded mossy spruces just like those in 

Lord of the Rings. 

At almost one million acres, including 

73 miles of Pacific coastline, the 

Olympic National Park is the epicentre 

of the Olympic Peninsula. Designated 

a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 

International Biosphere Reserve, almost 

95% of the park is designated wilderness. 

The park is also home to 26 endemic 

species and is visited by over two million 

people a year, placing it among the top 

10 most visited national parks in the USA. 

The Olympic Peninsula also has one of 

only three Victorian coastal towns in the 

US, Port Townsend, with lovely character 

lodges, and B&Bs to stay in. 

Mount Rainier National Park is one of 

the highest mountains in the USA and 

features amazing hiking trails and wildlife. 

It has over 120 glaciers and views across 

the live volcano Mount St Helens, 

one of the most active volcanoes in the 

Cascades. 

The North Cascades National Park, east 

of Seattle, is the wilderness adventure 

capital of Washington State. It offers a 

range of mountains, lakes and forests, and 

is a great area for outdoor adventurers 

with horse riding, kayaking, white water 

rafting and even rock climbing. 

A 400 mile drive called the North Cascade 

Loop gives visitors access to many of its 

highlights and towns and villages. The 

drive starts in Seattle and could take just 

two to three days to complete, but visitors 

may like to stay longer to enjoy more 

adventures in the region. 

111 112

Top Festivals/events 2018 

Taste of Washington 22-25 March 2018 http://tastewashington.org/ 

Seattle Film Festival 17 May – 10 June 2018 https://www.siff.net/festival 

Upstream Festival 1-3 June 2018 https://upstreammusicfest.com/ 

Bumbershoot 31 August – 2 September 2018 www.bumbershoot.com 

Pearl Jam plays Seattle – Don’t miss Pearl Jam playing in their home city! They will play 

two ‘Home Shows’ at Safeco in August, pledging $1 million to Seattle-area homeless 

initiatives, on Wednesday August 8, and Friday August 10. This marks the first time in 

five years that Pearl Jam has played its hometown. 

Divine Wines 

The Washington state is second only to 

California for wine production, with nearly 

900 wineries around the state. There are 

some amazing places to stay to enhance 

the experience plus touring options from 

horse riding to cycling to walking and 

driving between them! 

Drives 

There are 25 Scenic Byways in the state 

of Washington – lots of great drives! 

Wildlife 

Washington state is a wilderness and 

wildlife viewing playground. Don’t miss 

whale watching in Seattle’s Puget Sound. 

See native orca pods all year round, plus 

many and varied visiting whales including 

humpback, grey, minke and of course, 

seals and dolphins! Go squid catching, 

see Salmon Ladders where the fish swim 

and leap, bald eagles and bears. 

Rocky Mountaineer 

Travel between Vancouver and Seattle 

along one of the most beautiful coastline 

in the US on the Coastal Passage train for 

a luxurious and relaxing experience. 

Canada, Oregon and California 

Take a Clipper boat to Victoria, Vancouver 

Island off the coast of Canada. Vancouver 

is a 3 hour drive from Seattle so enjoy 

combining the USA and Canada to make 

a Two Nation Vacation. 

Lots of visitors also like to pair Portland in 

Oregon with Seattle, or take in the whole 

west coast of the USA between Seattle 

and Los Angeles. 

Films and TV 

Many films and TV shows have been set 

and filmed in Seattle and Washington 

State including Sleepless in Seattle, Grey’s 

Anatomy, Frasier, 50 Shades of Grey, An 

Officer and a Gentleman, Practical Magic 

and Captain Fantastic to name a few. 

The Twilight series and the latest series 

of Twin Peaks were both partly filmed in 

Washington state. 

More information and holiday 

itineraries are available at www.Seattle- 

WashingtonState.co.uk 

HELPFUL LINKS 

http://www.portseattle.org/Cruise 

http://www.experiencewa.com/guides 

http://www.visitseattle.org 

For further media enquiries contact: 

There’s so much to see and do – this is just a taster. If you let me know any specifics you’re 

interested in I’ll explore and come back to you with more. 

Caroline Corfield-Rose, Director, Core Communications Europe Ltd 

27 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5AS 

Tel: 00 44 1923 839 375 / Mobile: 00 44 7979 706 5539 

caroline@corecommunications.co.uk / Twitter: @carolineatcore 

113 114

A HIKING HOLIDAY IN HAWAII 

Hawaii is a great place for hiking, it can lead to the most amazing adventure, but can 

be dangerous at the same time, so you should be aware of the potential hazards. 

The difficulty of hiking in Hawaii is varied with trails for beginners to trails that are 

recommended only for the most experienced of hikers. 

It gets dark quickly in Hawaii due to its 

proximity to the equator. This is because 

the sun quickly drops lower towards the 

sea. light disappears rapidly. It is important 

to plan to finish your hike long before 

darkness; in the summer, it is completely 

dark by 7.15pm. 

Be aware of the weather conditions, as 

Hawaii can have high winds and torrential 

rain, leading to slippery trails and even flash 

floods, as some of the trails are narrow and 

can be close to sheer drops on both sides. 

You need to be careful here in even good 

conditions, so better to avoid them in poor 

weather. 

The best time to plan to hike in Hawaii 

is between April and October as during 

these months, the weather conditions are 

the best. 

There are many excellent hiking trails in 

Hawaii, uch as the Ala Kahakai National 

Historic Trail along the 175 mile Kona 

Coast. This trail will lead you through 

cultural sites, Hawaiian fishponds and other 

historical sites. 

Pololu Valley Lookout is another trail 

popular with hikers. The trail leads to a 

black sand beach via the green Waipio 

Valley; the landscape and scenery are 

outstanding. 

Why not take part in a Hawaiian rainforests 

hike, with dense forests, ideal for another 

adventure? Admire the tropical plants, as 

well as streams, waterfalls, trees and exotic 

animals. 

115 116

It is important to stay on the trails and 

not wander off as there are potential 

dangers, such as hunters (wear bright 

clothes so easily seen) or illegal marijuana 

growers, although you are unlikely to 

meet the illegal farmers as their patches 

are typically not close to the hiking trails. 

If you are hiking alone, always keep a 

mobile phone handy, with the uneven 

ground, your ankle could be easily injured, 

and as many of their trails are remote, it 

may be a long wait before another hiker 

passes. 

In summary, Hawaii is a fantastic place 

to hike with many wonderful trails which 

allow you to experience all Hawaii has to 

offer. A little extra care can ensure your 

trip is unforgettable. 

USA 

KONA CLOUD 

FOREST 

Walking Tour Company 

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740, USA ♦ Tel +808 640 3888 

Rising 3000 feet above sea level on the island of 

Hawaii, Kona Cloud Forest is a wonderful experience 

for young and old. The professionally-guided walking tour 

covers 1.2 miles (1.6 km) and usually last 2 1/2 to 3 hours. In 

that time you’ll not only bear witness to the only remaining 

cloud forest in Hawaii, but one of 25 in the entire world. 

During your tour you will see many exotic trees, plants and 

flowers. 

By definition, a cloud forest is a tropical or subtropical 

forest characterized by persistent low-level clouds. As one 

would imagine, the vegetation inside the confines of this 

ethereal environment is dense and the trees are somewhat 

dwarfed by the limited access to sunshine, creating an 

enchanted and unique experience. 

If you love Nature this is a must-see experience while 

visiting Hawai’i.Note: All tours by appointment only, call 

(808) 640-3888 or KonaCloudForestTours@Gmail.com 

#KonaCloudForest #KellyDunn 

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118

MEXICO ROAD TRIP 

Planning a road trip in Mexico? There are many things to consider, such as what route 

to take, essentials to know and how to stay safe. 

The roads in Mexico are not of a very high standard, so when planning your route, it is 

better to stay focussed on the main roads. In Mexico, these are known as “cuota” and are 

the best and fastest roads. These are toll roads, but you will have a much more enjoyable 

journey. 

There can be delays due to security stops between states, where they search your vehicle, 

so allow plenty of time for the journey. When travelling, watch out for speed bumps which 

often appear without warning and hitting one at speed could actually damage your car. 

Mexico is an inexpensive country for most things purchased, but the cost of driving is high, 

with fuel costs in line with the prices in the UK. 

THe dangers of Mexico are well documented and safety is a key consideration. There is 

a risk of drug related violence, especially on the roads heading South away from the US. 

Plan your journey well and be aware of where exits lead, to make sure you choose the right 

points to leave the highway. 

If you are entering Mexico from America, it is necessary to purchase your insurance at 

the border. It will be necessary to provide certain documentation at the border including 

passport, vehicle registration document, driver’s license (each of these you need the 

original and a copy) and the Mexico Tourist Card which is received when the border is 

crossed. 

119 120

Your road trip can take you through 

deserts, along amazing coastlines and into 

traditional Mexican towns and get a unique 

experience. 

This includes locations such as Mexico City, 

the melting point of Mexico, full of strong 

Mexican culture. At first glance, it is a dark 

and uninviting city, but given time, there is 

so much to keep you interested. 

Another location for your trip could 

be Cancun, Chichen Itza and Playa del 

Carmen; these areas are for tourists but 

certainly worth visiting. These are fun and 

vibrant places with superb water sports 

and activities on offer. There is something 

here for everyone to enjoy. 

You can see baby turtles hatching on the 

beach and swim with whale sharks, this 

should be a must visit destination. 

It’s your road trip, so plan your trip well 

and have the most amazing Mexican 

experience. 

Mexico 

EL CALLEJON 

BOUTIQUE HOTEL 

Hotel 

Callejón Morelos 103, Centro, 68040 Oaxaca, Oax., Mexico ♦ 

Tel +52 951 351 5917 ♦ hotelelcallejon.com 

Oaxaca is a city situated towards the south of Mexico’s capital. In the heart of 

Oaxaca is a nonchalant hotel – El Callejon Boutique Hotel. The name of the hotel 

literally means “the alley” and the appearance of the hotel would definitely lead you 

into believing that there is nothing extraordinary about it. However, inside is where all 

the magic is. While the adobe walls give you a sense of age, the inside is full of modern 

architecture. The whole hotel is a mix of modern and classical architecture. The hotel 

provides ample amount of open space and natural light and yet the artificial lights put up 

stand out and add their own flair to the hotel. There is a distinct charm about the hotel 

and one cannot help but be spellbound with it. It is a boutique hotel and has a strange 

synergy with the nature and the culture around it. It incorporates all of it together and 

tailors it to provide you with one of the most unique experiences. 

121 

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Cancun | Mexico 

How to Get in 

• Plane 

• Bus 

• Drive in 

Get Around 

• Drive 

• Bus 

• Local Taxi 


• Isla Contoy 

• Chichen Itza 

• Parque de las Palapas 

Things to do 

• Scuba Dive 

• Swim with the Whale 

Sharks 

• Jeep Safari 

• Attend a cooking class 


www.visitmexico.com/ 

en/main-destinations/ 

quintana-roo/cancun 

A paradise unto itself with sandy 

beaches, stunning weather, luxury 

resorts and a vibrant nightlife unlike 

any other. 

Mexico 

YUM COOKING 

WORKSHOP 

Culinary Experience 

30, 77509 Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico ♦ Tel +52 1 998 168 9224 ♦ yumcancun.com 

If you have ever thought of cooking Mexican food, this is your chance to learn to 

cook it to perfection. Yum Cooking Workshop in Cancun teaches you prehispanic and 

colonial cuisines which are made from the choicest ingredients. You will also be taught 

how Mexican chefs are using these age-old recipes to create new fusion dishes. But if you 

thought that making food is all you’ll learn about, you are wrong. They will even teach 

you about Tequila and Mezcal and will introduce you to the process of making and tasting 

them. At the end of it all, you can feast on their fine 6-course menu and pair it up with a 

selection of Mexican wines! It is one thing to eat Mexican food and a completely different 

thing to make it from the scratch. Yum Cooking Workshop welcomes you to experience 

this gastronomical journey with them when you visit Mexico. 

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Country Mexico 

NAME PRINCESS OF MAYEV 

HOTEL/TOUR 

Sea View Hotel 

Award 

Paseo Punta Santa Cruz, P Chahue, 70987 Bahias de Huatulco, Oax., Mexico ♦ 

Tel +52 958 587 2955 ♦ princessmayev.com 

Princess Mayev is situated in the charming town of Huatulco, set on Mexico’s vibrant Pacific 

Coast. Striking views of the glittering ocean and verdant palm trees stretch out for miles 

below this hilltop sanctuary, which is situated less than a kilometer away from Chahue Beach. 

Bursting with character, each of the hotel’s elegant rooms offer a clean minimalist design with 

dashes of traditional Spain incorporated. Atop the camel tiles, wicker seating and polished 

wooden furnishings create a chic and tranquil environment, though a classical Spanish theme is 

maintained. You can sit back in the comfort of your rooms and enjoy the serene sea view while 

sipping on a cup of coffee. 

Rising above the rest of Barcelona, Hotel 

Arts located on the waterfront, provides a 

luxurious stay with spellbinding views of the 

sea and city. With some amazing facilities 

like terrace gardens, outdoor swimming 

pool and spa, they ensure that the guests 

here get a unique experience. If that was 

not enough, you can keep up with your 

gym schedule at the fitness center or get 

pampered in the hairdressing salon and 

luxury fashion boutiques. The sophisticated 

rooms and suites have elegantly done 

Mexican favorites such as fajitas and 

nachos are served alongside fresh seafood 

and succulent steaks in the onsite Xima 

Lounge Restaurant. You could even dine in 

the comfort of your room or in the balcony! 

Sun-kissed and sophisticated, the terrace 

bar is a serene spot overlooking a sea of 

verdant palm trees, perfect for enjoying a 

refreshing pick-me-up in the sun. The hotel 

even has a swimming pool with sunbathing 

beds right next to it so that you can laze 

around and soak in the Mexican sun while 

enjoying the stunning views from there. 

décor and plush furnishings.To top it all off, 

the hotel boasts of some amazing duplex 

penthouses that offer the pinnacle of luxury 

travel experiences. The penthouses come 

with a butler and shopping concierge to 

provide assistance along with luxury private 

transfer to shopping places. 

Anducipit et as nonem 

faccatu mquam, 

is magnatem quis 

eariorpore volorrum 

The hotel offers a host of tours to some 

of the most breathtaking locations in 

the surrounding area. Equipped with 

impeccable knowledge of the region, 

passionate guide lead you in exploring the 

surrounding bays and waterfalls throughout 

Oaxaca, as well as Puerto Angel, a popular 

fishing village. 

125 126

Mexico 

MEXICO CASSIE 

Q&A 


I’m Mexico Cassie. I’m from London 

originally but my family and I now live 

in Mexico. We had had enough of the 

stresses of London life and decided to 

make a change. We wanted to slow down, 

live somewhere new and be able to spend 

more time together as a family. 

My husband and I feel strongly that we 

have to make the most of our lives and that 

we want to teach our kids to follow their 

dreams, not be stifled by the expectations 

of others. By moving to Mexico we are 

demonstrably doing exactly that: living 

the life we want to live, not the life society 

expects of us. Our kids will be bilingual and 

bi-cultural, which we feel is an incredible 

gift to give them. 

What made you decide to set up a travel 

blog on Mexico? 

When we decided to leave London it was 

also a decision to leave behind our old 

professions (I worked in the third sector). I 

have always been a writer so I decided to 

write about our new experiences in Mexico. 

I realised that Mexico isn’t always portrayed 

in a positive light across the world and I 

want to change that, to encourage people 

to visit and decide for themselves. This is 

such a diverse country, with so much to do, 

see and learn. 

Oftentimes Mexico tends to receive 

negative press, how safe is Mexico on a 

whole for travellers? Are there any nogo 

areas? 

In my opinion, Mexico is perfectly safe for 

travellers. As with any country you want to 

visit, talk to locals, read up on what’s going 

on and figure it out for yourself rather than 

listen to scaremongering from others with 

a potential axe to grind. Yes, there are nogo 

areas in Mexico right now but, please 

don’t let small areas of danger put you off 

a trip to a huge country that is, for the most 

part, perfectly safe. Just don’t do anything 

stupid like to go areas of cities that are 

currently known to be out of bounds and 

don’t try and buy drugs. You’ll be just fine. 

When is the best time of year to visit? 

Mexico is such a huge country that there 

is no single ‘best time’ to visit. There will 

always be somewhere that’s just right 

whenever you want to go. 

How important is it to be able to speak 

Spanish? 

Obviously speaking Spanish is useful when 

visiting Mexico. In most of the areas people 

are likely to visit, the majority of Mexicans 

will have at least a basic understanding of 

English (remember we’re right next to the 

USA here). If you’re heading off the beaten 

path then yes, Spanish would be helpful. 

And even when people do speak English, 

showing willing in Spanish will make people 

even more happy to help you. 

127 128

What cities or places would you recommend to someone 

planning a road trip? 

The Yucatan Peninsula is a great starting point for people who 

haven’t been to Mexico before. It’s beautiful, full of history, has 

great beaches and the food is delicious. Oaxaca and Chiapas would 

also make for a great road trip, we did that for our honeymoon. 

What would you say is the best off the beaten path attraction? 

What? Reveal my secrets? Oh, ok then. Well, we loved exploring 

the Copper Canyon. It’s the biggest canyon range in the world and 

not that many foreigners visit, it’s very much a Mexican destination 

still. The train through the canyon is one of the only passenger 

trains in Mexico and the views are breathtaking. 

The day of the dead is world renowned, do you have any tips 

for anyone planning to attend? 

Be respectful. Yes there’s a party atmosphere but that doesn’t mean 

this isn’t an important time for Mexicans. You’re always going to 

be welcome to join in but, please, remember to ask permission 

before taking photos of decorated tombs or alters. Do not ever 

touch an alter or remove anything from one. They matter. 

Mexican street food is extremely popular all over the world, 

what is your favourite dish and why? 

There’s nothing I love more than a street-taco for breakfast, 

especially if it’s covered in spicy salsa. There’s something so 

addictive about Mexican salsa, I just can’t help myself. 

In the evenings we love esquites. This is a cup of corn mixed 

with mayonnaise (or cream), cheese, lime juice and chile. It’s so 

delicious. 

Finally, what does the future hold for Mexico Cassie? Planning 

to see more of central America? 

I have a lot more of Mexico to cover still. I don’t think I could ever 

get bored with Mexico. But yes, of course, there’s a whole world 

out there and I want to see as much of it as possible. 

Please include any website links and social media handles below. 

blog: https://www.mexicocassie.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mexicocassie 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mexicocassie 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mexicocassie 

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cassiepearse 

129 130

Mexico 

CHIAPAS HOTEL 

EXPRESS 

Hotel and Restaurant 

Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico. Z.C. 29010 ♦ Tel +52 9611407217 ♦ chiapashotel.com 

Malinalco | Mexico 

How to Get in 

• Plane 

• Bus 

• Drive in 

Get Around 

• Drive 

• Local Colectivos 

• On foot 

This new city is the perfect base for 

exploring the rugged state of Chiapas 


• Cascada El Chiflon 

• Plaza de la Paz 

• Canon del Sumidero 

• Estadio Victor Manuel 

Reyna 

Located in the heart of Tuxtla Gutierrez in Chiapas, Chiapas Hotel Express provides 

a luxurious stay for family and business travelers alike. Choose from one of their 32 

single and double bedded rooms and estrellas. Each of their accommodation options is 

well-furnished and is equipped with all necessary amenities to ensure a comfortable stay 

for you. The hotel’s bilingual staff leaves no stone unturned to ensure all round comfort 

for you. The hotel also features an in-house restaurant, El Itacate Restaurant, where you 

can choose from some of the finest Mexican and Latin preparations. The restaurant is 

even vegetarian and vegan-friendly! The location of the hotel gives you the advantage of 

easily reaching all the prominent landmarks of the city. The airport, Sumidero and Canyon 

viewpoints are all located at a few minutes distance from the hotel. You could even rent a 

car at the hotel and explore the city at your own pace. 

Things to do 

• Bike Tour 

• Zipline 

• Flight Club Valle Bonito 

• Try Mole Sauce 




chiapas/tuxtla-gutierrez 

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Mexico 

HOTEL AMATE 

DEL RIO 

MALINAICO 

Hotel 

Malinalco, State of Mexico, Mexico ♦ Tel +52 722 783 1133 ♦ amatedelrio.com 

Hotel Amate del Rio Malinaico welcomes you to experience its relaxing settings in 

the midst of nature. The hotel offers you comfortable accommodation options 

with each room equipped with plush amenities to make sure that you have a luxurious 

holiday experience. They offer continental buffet breakfast every single day to start off 

your day in style. They have something for your kids as well. There’s a kid’s playground 

and a garden so that you can laze around and enjoy the peace of nature. You could take 

a dip in their outdoor swimming pool in the midst of the garden and have the perfect 

holiday experience. If you want to get pampered even more, you could go for a massage 

session as well. The location of the hotel, makes it easy for you to get around town and 

explore its beautiful sights. 

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CENTRAL 

AMERICA 

Image by: pacificazure-315491 

135 136

COSTA RICA TOP 3 

There are so many things to do in Costa Rica. The country is beautiful with stunning 

beaches and welcoming locals who will introduce you to their culture as well as 

the local cuisine. 

However, the thing that stands out the most in Costa Rica is its natural beauty, with 

volcanoes, waterfalls, the rain forest and, of course, the spectacular wildlife. 

These are our top three recommendations for Costa Rica. 

2. Snorkelling and scuba diving in Caño Island Biological Reserve is so rewarding, enjoy 

the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and discover the colourful life beneath the 

ocean. 

The opportunities are here to admire a large variety of exotic marine life with species 

such as turtles, sharks and manta ray. There are also dolphins and humpback whales, 

that you may come across during your dive. 

1.A visit to Arenal Volcano National Park is a must. Enjoy long cycle rides or hikes 

admiring the hot springs and wildlife which includes tree frogs, toucans, parrots and 

even jaguars. Arenal Volcano is still active and the remnants of the 1968 eruptions 

can be seen in the cooled lava fields. The area is popular for fishing and water sports. 

Take a dip in one of the hot springs, which are perfectly safe as the volcano has 

been dormant since 2010. La Fortuna Waterfall, southwest of La Fortuna, is another 

attraction worth a visit within the national park. 

3. The Gold Coast is yet another beautiful location of Costa Rica with secluded beaches 

and a sunny climate, it is very different to the rain forests. It has fantastic landscape 

which includes volcanoes, small fishing villages and traditional hotels. 

Of all the beaches on the Gold Coast, the Playa Carrillo beach is the ideal place for a 

beach vacation, with white sand, palm tree forests and clear waters, although these 

traits are typical of most beaches in Costa Rica. 

137 138

Costa Rica 

YENS – DRAKE BAY 

GETAWAY RESORT 

Q&A 


I am originally from Costa Rica and used 

to live in Seattle. In my old job the money 

was good, but I hardly found any time for 

life. Patrick and I would travel to Costa Rica 

for holidays and finally decided to sell up 

and build our hotel on the Southern coast, 

where I grew up. We had some land which 

we purchased from my family a few years 

earlier. This would be the home for our 

luxury sustainable hotel 

Where did you come up with the name 

Getaway Resort? 

Since we wanted to “get away” from our 

high-tech jobs and fast-paced lives in the 

USA and our town is named Drake Bay, 

we decided to name our hotel Drake Bay 

Getaway Resort. 

Who would you say is your target 

market? Do you offer any packages 

related to this? 

Both families and honeymooners are our 

target market. About 50% of our guests are 

from the USA and about 50% from Europe. 

We offer several Night Packages to our 

guests. 

What sort of dining options can guests 

expect at the resort? 

We offer gourmet meals made from local, 

fresh ingredients. Meals are prepared 

based on individuals’ special diets and 

requirements. Please visit our Dining for 

more details. Also, please see documents 

attached. 

Drake bay itself is famous for Eco tourism, 

what steps or measures have you put in 

place to ensure you’re eco-friendly? 

We take sustainability seriously. Please visit 

our Sustainability for details. 

Wildlife is a key attraction of Drake Bay 

& Costa Rica in general; do you organise 

any tours related to this? 

Yes, we organize all our tours. Please visit 

our Tours page. 

What is your favourite attraction? 

Corcovado National Park day-hike at Sirena. 

Aside from Drake bay what other parts 

of Costa Rica would you recommend to 

travellers? 

San Gerardo de Dota. 

La Fortuna. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMdVf25zvYI 

https://www.facebook.com/drakebaygetaway.costarica.hotel 

Costa Rica is a famous coffee producing 

country and Seattle is considered the 

Coffee capital of America. Having a 

unique insight into both, which would 

you say is better for a coffee lover? 

Costa Rica offers amazing coffee beans. 

However, most hotels and restaurants don’t 

offer gourmet coffee (lattes, cappuccinos, 

etc). At our resort, our guests can enjoy 

gourmet coffee drinks for free as part of 

their stay! 

What does the future hold for Drake Bay 

We plan to add more hotel amenities 

and tours in the future in order to make 

our guests’ stay even more exciting and 

memorable. We also plan to continue to 

support initiatives and projects in our local 

community in order to improve the lives of 

the people who live here. Here are some of 

our Community Commitment. 

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Costa Rica 

MOHAGINE 

HOTEL & FINCA 

Traditional Hotel 

Camino Aerodromo, 2de Esquina Calle Principal, Drake Bay, Osa, 

Puntarenas, Costa Rica ♦ Tel +506 2775 0043 ♦ mohagine.com 

On the beach of Drake’s Bay in Costa Rica, is a hotel which still runs in the most 

traditional way and yet would be called unconventional today. The Mohagine 

Hotel was started in 2015 and gives you an experience like no other. The hotel has 

20,000 square meters of hotel and farm and 50,000 square meters of protected primary 

rainforest. They boast more than 50 varieties of orchids alone. If this weren’t enough, they 

grow more than 60 varieties of fruits and 70 varieties of other tropical flowers, making 

them one of the unique tropical gardens in the area, if not the world. This garden is 

surrounded by rainforests and hence frequent visits by our exotic friends from nature is a 

common sight. Amongst all of this, the accommodation and the hospitality does not take 

a back seat. Mohagine offers natural air-conditioned accommodations to ensure privacy. 

There is a fully-functional kitchen along with parking. The huts also provide comfortable 

beds for you to relax and breathe in nature, one breath at a time. 

141 

Image by: Nick Dietrich 

142

Cuba’s Classic Cars 

Visiting Cuba will take you back in time and automotive history, it could easily be a 

living car museum. It is normal in Cuba to see a row of dusty classic cars waiting 

to exit from a junction. To the outsider this is fascinating, to the locals, this is the everyday 

life in Cuba. 

Car enthusiasts from around the work would 

pay a fortune for many of the cars on the 

dusty streets of Havana, with such a wide 

range of classics to see such as Chevrolet, 

Buick, Ford, Chryslers old Plymouth, 

and also a range of Russian vehicles are 

common on the streets. These classic cars 

are Cubans’ run-around vehicles. 

Cuba has that lost in time feeling following 

Fidel Castro’s long-term dislike for the 

United States. Even though Cuba is just 

a short distance from Florida, Cuba has 

held a ban on the import of vehicles for 

many years making it almost impossible to 

purchase a foreign made new vehicle. This 

ban also made maintenance of the Cuban 

cars most difficult with purchasing of fuel 

and spare parts for the aging classics, 

becoming a very difficult transaction. 

How did the Cubans continue to keep their 

classic American cars running when new 

parts were impossible to purchase? There 

was just one option and that was to hand 

build parts and improvise with what was 

available, a fantastic feat! 

143 144

However, times are changing in Cuba and 

soon Cuba could have new car imports 

like most other countries. The need for 

permission to purchase a foreign made car 

has been abolished for the first time since 

1959, so now at last Cubans can purchase 

whatever vehicle they desire, although the 

prices could be very expensive. 

Residents of Cuba are delighted with the 

ruling, but the beautiful site of the classic 

cars on the dusty streets of Cuba could 

soon be lost, unless the locals decide to 

retain their old ways. 

The changes to the automotive industry 

in Cuba will happen over a longer period 

of time, and certainly will not be major 

changes overnight. What will become of 

the many classic cars in Cuba? Maybe they 

will be exported to America, where there 

would be no shortage of buyers willing to 

pay a premium for these classic cars. And 

maybe, the premium paid for these classic 

motors would be enough for the purchase 

and import of a new foreign vehicle! 

Cuba 

EXPERIENCE 

CUBA TOURS 

Private Tour Company 

Vedado, Havana, 10400, Cuba ♦ Tel +1300 79 55 31 ♦ experiencecubatours.com.au 

Visiting Cuba and want to 

get the finest experience 

of the country? Get private tours 

and the most authentic Cuban 

experiences with Experience 

Cuba Tours. Based in both Cuba 

and Australia, this company 

ensures that you will see the very 

best of the country without having 

to worry about travel specifics or 

local hazards. Everything right 

from visa applications to private 

transport and transfers around 

Cuba is handled by them so that 

you can devote all your attention 

to seeing the nation. Their small 

group tours allow a maximum 

of seven people to ensure that 

you can get a more personalized 

experience and you can choose 

their many packages ranging 

from short, 4 days Hotel Tour to 

the Grande 15 days tour of Cuba! 

However, their most famous tours 

are the private tailor made tours 

where you can design your own 

itinerary with them and see Cuba 

exactly the way you wish to! 

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The Rise of Tourism In Cuba 

Cuba has continued to grow as a tourism destination over the years, a low cost of 

living and beautiful scenery are all on offer at the largest of the Caribbean islands. 

With its fantastic winter weather and hundreds of white sandy beaches with clear seas, 

tourists flock to the country. There are the inspiring landscapes of Viñales Valley and 

Havana is from another era, with its classic cars on the dusty streets and architecture from 

the art deco era. 

There are many attractions in Cuba that are worth visiting, a few of which are listed below. 

1. Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is a UNESCO World Heritage site with many historic 

buildings that have received renovation, a fantastic piece of history has been 

preserved for all to enjoy, attractions include Hemingway’s favourite hangout, 

Bodeguita del Medio and Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a military fortress. 

2. The town of Trinidad, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most visited 

and impressive cities of Cuba, second only to Havana. Once again, the buildings 

have been renovated to ensure architecture from the past can be enjoyed by all, and 

with plenty of attractions, Trinidad is a town well worth the trip. 

Cuba is also a very safe place, with little major crime, so visitors can feel safe to explore 

all areas. 

Accommodation for tourists is easy to find and the evidence of the growth of the tourism 

market was clear to see when Airbnb named Cuba as the fastest growing market in 2016. 

It was estimated in 2017, a record 4.5 million tourists visited Cuba, this included a large 

proportion from the USA. Tourism is now the leading source of foreign income, now 

ahead of sugar. 

147 148

3. Cuba is known for its beautiful beaches and one of the best is Playa Paraiso. The 

sheltered white sandy beach is the perfect place to relax, with a dry sunny climate, 

and few other attractions, all you can do is enjoy the surroundings. 

4. Santa Clara is the site of the last battle led by Che Guevarra in 1958. His body was 

laid to rest here. Monuments at Santa Clara include his mausoleum (Mausoleo del 

Che Guevara) and the monument, the Memorial Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara. 

Cuba 

OLD CARS 

HAVANA 

Local Experience 

Havana, Cuba ♦ Tel +53 5 2905142 ♦ oldcarshavana.com 

Some of Che Guevara personal possessions can be seen at the Museo Historico de la 

Revolucion and the Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, the site of the final battle 

between Che Guevara and the Batista troops. 

If you’re in Havana or 

Varadero and want to 

explore the city in a good 

“old’ vintage car, you can 

contact Old Cars Havana. 

You can explore the city with 

guided and un-guided tours 

in their royal vehicles. They 

are the only tour company 

to offer guided tours in 

English, Spanish, German, 

Italian, French and Russian. 

Whether you wish to see 

the city of Havana, follow 

the footsteps of Ernest 

Hemingway or even see the 

beautiful Havana Vinales, 

they have tours for it all. 

You could choose to go in 

a hardtop car, a mini bus or 

even a convertible car! Wish 

to have an airport transfer or 

beach transfer, they do that 

as well. You could also go to 

the Buena Vista Social Club 

in the VIP vehicles and enjoy 

the nightlife of Cuba as a 

royal guest! They invest their 

profits in preservation of old 

cars and English lessons for 

Cubans. 

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150

BELIZE TOP 10 

If you are thinking of visiting Belize, consider the top 10 things to do when you visit. 

There are plenty of choices, whether relaxing on the beach or being more adventurous 

and visiting vast underground cave networks, the choice is yours. 

1. Maya Ruins and Temples, once the 

centre of the Mayan civilization. 

Temples and underground ritual 

chambers remain, and so do historic 

artefacts such as pottery, stone carvings 

and paintings. 

2. Caye Caulker is a small Caribbean 

island off the coast of Belize, with a laid 

back attitude from the locals, beautiful 

blue sea, the barrier reef, and fantastic 

seafood. This was once a hidden gem, 

slowly being discovered by tourists. 

3. Over 160 species of marine life have 

been identified in the Hol Chan Marine 

reserve. This includes 40 different 

species of corals, 3 marine mammals 

and 3 species of sea turtle. This is the 

perfect location for snorkelling and 

diving. 

4. The ATM cave, is an ancient Mayan 

archaeological site, nestled in Belize’s 

lush rainforest in the Cayo District. 

You can hike through the caves, swim 

through deep water , experience 

amazing sights and create wonderful 

memories of ancient history. 

5. The Jaguar Preserve is known for one of 

the most impressive jungle hiking trails 

in Belize. During the hike, Jaguars are 

often seen and fantastic fauna can be 

seen along the way. 

151 152

6. View Belize’s Great Blue Hole from 

above on a helicopter trip that flies 

directly over the UNESCO-listed 

natural wonder. Also get a bird’s eye 

view of the Turneffe Atoll island cluster, 

Lighthouse Reef, and more of Belize’s 

barrier reef. 

7. Try some unusual Belize food, such as 

the traditional stewed gibnut or hudut. 

Belize’s artisan chocolates should also 

be tasted, Belize produces high-quality 

chocolate, made from Belizean cacao 

beans. 

8. The Belize coastline extends 175 miles 

along the Caribbean Sea with stunning 

beaches such as Placencia and Cave 

Caulker, which are ideal locations for 

relaxing, snorkelling or scuba diving. 

9. Originally opened as a refuge for wild 

animals, the Belize Zoo is not a typical 

enclosed zoo. Here the animals live in 

a natural jungle environment. You can 

spot over 150 animals here which are all 

rehabilitated, orphaned animals or are 

born in the zoo. 

10. To visit the real Belize, away from the 

tourists, head to Dangriga. . A hotbed 

for music such as Punta Rock and 

Paranda, this is certainly a town with a 

vibe, where you can really appreciate 

the culture. 

Belize 

JAGUAR CREEK 

Lodges 

Hummingbird Hwy, Belize ♦ Tel +501 610-2034 ♦ jaguarcreek.org 

Located in the heart of the rainforests of Belize, Jaguar Creek gives you a jungle 

adventure experience like none other. While Belize is known for “it’s stunning” beaches 

and diving, it’s less discovered beauty lies in the jungle. While you’re here, you can stay in a 

private jungle cabana that offers peace and comfort. With screened in windows that allow 

for an indoor outdoor experience you can see thousands of trees towering above you on 

all sides. Our 1700 acre grounds offer views of lush rainforest, a self-guided jungle walk, 

caves, tropical birds and self guided tours of our cacao plantation. Our full service dining 

room provides a homemade breakfast each morning, afternoon and evening. Jaguar Creek 

not only supports local entrepreneurs, limits our environmental impact and develops local 

talent but we also donate a large percentage of our profits to PathLight International, an 

innovative non-profit organization that is changing the lives of children, teachers and local 

communities immediately around Jaguar Creek. For the newlyweds or couples looking for 

a romantic getaway, our honeymoon suite offers privacy and romantic touches. With eight 

private cabanas, multiple private family cabanas and a ranch house that sits amongst the 

garden, this is the unique vacation adventure experience you have been looking for. 

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Image by: Nico Carrera 

Belize 

CARIBBEAN 

BEACH CABANAS 

Beach Front Hotel 

Placencia Sidewalk, Placencia, Belize ♦ Tel +501 622-4142 / 011 501 622 4142 ♦ 

caribbeanbeachcabanas.com 

When you hear of the Caribbean Islands, the image which comes to mind is that 

of a picturesque beach along the coast with the pristine blue waters of the 

Caribbean Sea washing your feet. Caribbean Beach Cabanas in Belize are the embodiment 

of the same generic image of the Caribbean. Their beauty lies in their simplicity and their 

old world charm, and rustic nature of things adds to it. It is the only adults-only resort in 

the entire peninsula and provides you with a host of options to choose and plan your stay 

there. The hotel is a perfect getaway for a romantic weekend with your partner. It also offers 

to organize your dream destination wedding, the memories of which would be etched on 

your mind for the rest of your life. The life in and around the resort is so colorful and yet so 

quiet and tranquil that you would be forgiven if you thought you had travelled back in time. 

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156

SOUTH 

AMERICA 

Image by: Giacomo Buzzao 

157 158

FALKLAND ISLANDS | THE ONE TO WATCH 

The Falkland Islands are remote islands in the South Atlantic, a real wilderness with 

a rugged landscape, cliffs along the coast, a population of less than 4000, and the 

perfect habitat for a variety of birdlife. 

You can find miles of stunning landscapes, wilderness and secluded beaches, where you 

can relax in peace with the exception of the sound of the sea and the wildlife, in particular 

the birdlife. 

To travel to the Falklands, most visitors 

arrive by cruise liner, but it is also possible 

to fly from Argentina or Chile, but flights 

are limited. 

Whatever means of transport you choose, 

on arriving the remoteness and wilderness 

are so apparent, but there is still plenty to 

see and do. 

You can appreciate the wildlife, a 4x4 

is essential to get around, but there are 

locations such as the Bluff Cove where 

you can see and walk amongst over 3000 

Gentoo Penguins. 

There are also many sights to see such as 

Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley, and 

many other landmarks. 

The Falklands War of 1982, plays a 

prominent part in the Islands history, with 

the 1982 Liberation Memorial, Memorial 

Wood, the Argentine Military Cemetery 

and the Stanley Military Cemetery well 

worth a visit. 

Anyone visiting the Falklands, should take 

advantage of a country which must be 

one of the most fantastic places to walk in 

unpolluted, fresh air and clear skies, such 

an invigorating environment. 

Having such a small population, most of 

which lives in Stanley, your walk across the 

rugged terrain, will be a peaceful, often 

not meeting any others walking but more 

likely to meet with the islands’ wildlife. 

And at the end of a long day, relax in one 

of the hotels and guest houses, typically 

found in and around Stanley, where you 

can recharge your batteries ready for 

tomorrow’s adventure. 

159 160

Falkland Islands 

ESTANCIA 

EXCURSIONS 

The Award for Excellence 

in Service 

7 Allardyce Street, Stanley, East Falkland FIQQ1ZZ, Falkland Islands ♦ estancia-excursions.com 

Located in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, Estancia Excursions is a tour 

operator run by Nyree Heathman. 

Estancia Excursions provides an array of tours and day trips giving visitors the chance to 

explore the Islands’ impressive wildlife and delve into its fascinating history. With many 

years’ experience in the tourism industry, Nyree guarantees a reliable, professional and 

friendly service for visitors to this remote South Atlantic archipelago. 

Among the tours offered are day trips to Volunteer Point to see the Falklands’ largest King 

Penguin rookery. Mingling with over 2000 breeding pairs of King Penguins and their cute 

fluffy chicks, as well as the numerous Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins that this location 

has to offer, isn’t to be missed. 

For those with an interest in Falklands history they also conduct battlefield tours to 

Darwin, Goose Green and San Carlos, sharing their knowledge of the Falklands way of 

life as the road meanders through farms where you may spot shepherds working. The 

Stanley Mountains Battlefield Tour will give you a deep insight into the history of the 1982 

Falklands War as you visit the mountain tops that hosted the battles for Stanley, and pay 

your respects at the many memorials along the way. 

Meanwhile, visitors with a passion for wildlife can embark on a tour to Cape Bougainville 

to view the famous Rockhopper Penguins and possibly even spot an elusive Macaroni 

Penguin or two. Here you can also observe King Cormorants crash landing into the cliff 

top rookeries that they share with the penguins, or take a trip to Whale Point to see the 

docile Elephant Seals slumbering on the beach and surrounding grassy slopes. You can 

also spot some of the finest birds of the Islands such as Variable Hawk, Ruddy Headed 

Geese and the endemic Flightless Steamer Duck. 

Whatever your interests they have a tour for you. 

161 162

Colombia 

How to Get in 

• Plane 

• Bus 

• Ferry 

Get Around 

• By Plane 

• Drive 

• Bus 

• Taxi 

• Metro 

(only in Medellin) 

• Cable Car 


• El Peñón de Guatapé 

• Isla Gorgona 

• Salt Cathedral of 

Zipaquirá 

• Tatacoa Desert 

Things to do 

• Learn Spanish 

• Hike 

• Visit Cartagena’s 

Old Town 

• Try Aguapanela 

• Learn to Salsa 




chiapas/tuxtla-gutierrez 

With caribbean beaches, lush forests, 

a culturally thriving capital, precolonial 

history, trendy nightlife and 

wonderful cuisine, Colombia is quite 

simply the worlds most underrated 

travel destination 

Colombia 

TRAIR COLOMBIA 

Unique Tour Company 

Ruitoque Condominio , Colombia ♦ Tel +01 8000 180 020 / +57 310 610 5672 ♦ 

trair.com.co 

If you’re looking for a unique way of seeing Colombia, Trair Colombia is the perfect tour 

company for you. With them, you will get to have a bird’s eye view of the entire city 

and natural landscapes all around. You can take private helicopter tours of iconic regions 

of Colombia like Chicamocha Canyon and Topocoro Reservoir. WIth 3 helicopters and 4 

private planes to choose from, you’ve got plenty of options to experience Colombia like 

never before, in a luxurious manner. If you wish to share the helicopter or the airplane with 

others, you can do so as well. Moreover, They’ve two dedicated trips for destination picnics 

where you will get to fly to Chicamocha and then enjoy a typical breakfast or lunch of 

Santander. All their tours are narrated in both English and Spanish too. With Trair, you can 

truly discover a new side of Colombia; one which only a few are lucky enough to witness. 

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Colombia 

HOTEL BOUTIQUE 

POSADA LAS 

TRAMPAS 

Traditional Hotel 

Image by: Ricardo Gomez Angel 

Honda, Tolima, Colombia ♦ Tel +57 1 2981752 / +57 3 103057335 ♦ 

posadalastrampas.com ♦ Facebook: posadalastrampas1 ♦ Instagram: Posada Las Trampas 

Located at walking distance from 

the Magdalena River, Hotel 

Boutique Posada Las Trampas is a highly 

recommended property in Honda. Set 

in a colonial style house, it has fourteen 

individual guest rooms with private 

bathrooms. The rooms feature all basic 

amenities including air conditioning, 

cable TV and free WiFi. Parquet flooring 

and rustic furnishing greatly enhance the 

beauty of these rooms. 

Guests can enjoy the street views from 

their private patio or take a stroll down 

the shaded galleries. You can also soak in 

all the sunshine on sun loungers near the 

swimming pool. The in-house restaurant 

serves delicious American breakfast. The 

hotel also has a bar and offers free parking. 

You could also indulge in some relaxing 

massages. Nearby attractions include 

an aquatic park named Agua Sol Algeria 

and Rio Magdalena Museum. The nearest 

airport is Perales Airport, located just 88 

miles away from the hotel. 

If you are looking for a place that combines 

rustic vibes with modern amenities, then 

this place is the right fit for you. 

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Travel & Hospitality Awards | Americas 2018 | www.thawards.com

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