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September 18th, 2018 I loved my visit to India – the people are wonderful, the sights and sounds are incredible – that’s why the tourism board uses the phrase Incredible India – and it is true. Any trip to India must include some of the very special experiences this country has to offer – such as – A rickshaw ride through the colourful shopping market of Chandni Chowk, Delhi Sunset at the Taj Mahal Searching for tigers at Ranthambore National Park Jaipur – the Pink City and its beautiful Amber Fort Beautiful 5 star hotels are included in this special itinerary as well as flights from Calgary Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur - Delhi What a fantastic and economical way to have a quick peak at India. Here are the details INDIA AND THE TAJ MAHAL Flights from Calgary 5 star accommodation Daily breakfast 2 lunches, 4 dinners Sightseeing tours Taxes One departure only – 3 March 2019 $2899 per person ***** September 15th, 2018 Something different and exotic. A true sailing ship with an incredible itinerary from Singapore to Phuket. This unique cruise is on a proper clipper ship which reflects a proud heritage with polished brass and gleaming woodwork. While the Star Clipper offers the tradition and romance of the legendary era of sailing ships it does so with all modern comforts and amenities, great food, two swimming pools and gleaming teak decks. You can participate in the sailing by climbing up to the crows nest or helping to haul up the sails. Just 170 passengers means that you get into ports that other ships could not even visit. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal but you still come off the ship feeling as if you have participated in a latter day adventure. I loved my time on Star Clippers and I know you will too. Here’s a special offer to consider – 20th February 2019 departure Flights from Calgary 2 nights hotel in Singapore with daily breakfast Half day city tour 7 night cruise from Singapore to Phuket Ocean view stateroom All meals on board All cruise and air taxes included Cdn $3597.50 pp ***** Tuesday September 11th I want to talk about Star Clippers – the cruise line I experienced during my first week of vacation. Having cruised on many different cruise lines from large to small my experience on Star Clippers was a delightful surprise and exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I sailed on the Royal Clipper – the largest of these sailing ships – just 220 people maximum on board – 5000 tons. Just compare that to the largest cruise ships now …. Weighing in at over 228,000 tons with 6680 passengers – wow – what a different! What you won’t find on Star Clippers is a casino, a theatre, a photographer, an art auction – and so much more. What you will find is a sailing experience that on a beautiful teak authentic masted ship with real sails that are hauled up by ropes. Every port departure is a thrilling experience as guests gather on the deck as the crew work together in a tight choreography of pulling and winching as the sails slowly open out and fill with the wind – all this to the background of the majestic music - 1492: Conquest of Paradise is a 1992 music score by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis. The film, a recount of the voyage to America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus. Very fitting and very moving. For the adventurous you can climb up to the crow’s nest – suitably harnessed up by the staff – or just go and hang out on the net under the figurehead at the front – both are real photo ops! 26th January 2019 7 night cruise from Barbados All meals on board Coffee, tea and welcome cocktail Port charges Ocean view room Cdn $2470 Airfare is additional Book now and receive free gratuities added to your booking **** BLACK BOOK Three weeks in the South of Spain Flights from Calgary One bedroom apartment Airport transfers and taxes $1810 per person 1 November departure ***** Tuesday September 4th My visit to Lake Como has confirmed to me that if you decide to visit Italy this is one place you really don’t want to miss. Tiny towns climbing up the hillsides around the lake offer narrow streets, cobbled stones and harbour cafes. Many of the little towns mean that you have to be quite able bodied as there are a lot of steps - many of them cobbled - so good walking shoes are essential. We are staying here in Bellagio which stands on the tip of the promontory that divides the two branches of Lake Como - what a fantastic place to discover this region. Last year I stayed on Lake Maggiore but I have to say (sorry Lake Maggiore) this is my favourite. Having dinner last night was quite surreal - it was so beautiful and so perfect it was almost make make believe. So any plans to visit Italy should definitely include this pearl of the region. Here's a great way to do this a two week package fully guided in a small group travelling from Rome to Venice full stop it also includes Cinque Terre another of my favourite places. The highlight will be 3 nights spent in Lake Como. Airfare is included as well as all taxes and you can do this from 4605 per person. Summary 5 May 2019 Two weeks touring Rome to Venice Small group Stops in Cinque Terra and Lake Comp Flights from Calgary and taxes $4605 PP ***** TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018 Touring Italy in the Off Season Italy can get really crowded sometimes so why not step back a bit and go in the shoulder season. Crowds are less, locals are happier to welcome you into their towns and villages and you save money all round. I found a great itinerary for touring Italy and visiting some of my favourite places. The tour is 2 week long and the most important thing is that it is a small tour. No more than 16 at the absolute maximum but generally around 10 which is a great number to travel with. Let’s start off in Venice with accommodation in a nice hotel right on the Grand Canal - what could be better. I love Venice - no traffic to worry about and great little restaurants and coffee shops tucked into little piazzas all around the city. Then off to Cinque Terra - a must see when you travel to Italy. Sometimes a bit hard to get to but our group will be travelling there by small bus so no worries there. Then on to Florence - must go and pop in to see David. Another of my top choices. Then off on the train to Naples where you will be able to explore Pompei with an archeologist as well as enjoy a farm lunch and some limoncello and then - another of my favourites - walk the Pathway of the Gods. End up in Rome with memories to last a lifetime. Small group Lots of free time All hotels and transportation included Excellent expert tours included Can $3935 pp (flights are additional) 3rd November departure *** MALTA THREE WEEK ESCAPE 31 October 2018 Flights from Calgary 3 weeks hotel Daily breakfast Transfers and taxes $2449 pp TUESDAY 14 AUGUST 2018 Cruise on the longest river in Asia, visit the imposing three gorges and enjoy shore excursions to local villages. Let’s not forget China’s wonders! Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. A fantastic experience at a price you won’t believe. Let’s look at the itinerary – Start off with 4 nights in Beijing where you will enjoy –
Then another flight to your Yangtze River Cruise – 3 nights on board while you cruise and admire the 3 Gorges with lots of sightseeing trips to the small villages along the way. Another flight takes you to Shanghai with 3 nights to explore this fascinating Colonial city before you fly home. A trip of a lifetime – all for just $3674 per person Here is a summary Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and the Yangtze 13 days Most meals Flights from Calgary on Air Canada Flights within China All taxes $3674 30 October 2018 BLACK BOOK - CHINA 25 Feb 2019 from per person Cdn $2639 Includes: Round trip air from Calgary Transfers 21 night accommodations in studio room 2 night accommodations in Lisbon with breakfast Lisbon city tour Taxes ***** SATURDAY 11 AUGUST 2018 There’s a beautiful new ship coming to the Celebrity Cruise Lines family. It is called The Edge and it’s theme is outward looking which is a great concept in larger ships which traditionally have been inward looking. It has some interesting new features. The most interesting of these is called The Magic Carpet. It is a floating platform that changes mood, function and even its location. It is the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level so you can soar over the open water. Breathtaking views, a full bar and space for live music performances – amazing. Even more exciting than a floating venue is the fact that this floating platform will also help the tender experience. When a ship comes into a port that is not big enough to accommodate a ship it has to anchor and offer a tender service to the shore. Very often this can be a difficult procedure climbing down stairs and into a rocking boat. It can be especially difficult for those passengers with mobility issues. The floating platform solves all of that and has been engineered to make that an easier transition and serves as a luxury embarkation station. Pretty impressive. You can get to experience this brand new ship in the Mediterranean AND save some money with our exclusive rates – Go high with the Concierge verandah stateroom – enjoy those views – Regular rate Cdn $5134 per person – our rate $3649. Wow that is a saving of $2970 per couple! So where does this cruise take you and when – this is the itinerary – 13 July – depart Rome – visit Naples, Florence, Monte Carlo, Palma de Mallorca and end in beautiful Barcelona on 20 July. A fantastic time to cruise the Med. Some of the other fantastic features of this new ship include A pool deck positioned so that there are views of the sea on all sides 29 different food and beverage stations and restaurants on board The Concierge verandah features the Infinite Verandah – takes the whole room right to the water’s edge The ship is big but not super huge – holds 2900 – compare this to some of the ships holding more than twice that – 6500 passengers. My goodness – this ship looks boutique in comparison. Book it now – space is limited – the experience is amazing 13 July 2019 One week cruise from Rome to Barcelona Concierge verandah stateroom with Infinity Verandah All meals and on board entertainment Our rate $3649 per person (Save $1485 per person – that’s $2970 per couple) 7 August 2018 - TIME FOR A LITTLE LUXURY We all deserve a little pampering in a very unique place. One of my favourite in fact – Venice. What a gorgeous city – the best thing being no traffic. Add on Milan and Verona and you have the perfect combination. And do it all with 5 star accommodation – 2 nights hotel in Milan and then a 5 star river cruise experience. The best thing about doing the river cruise in Venice (based on my own personal experience) – the best location in the city. Yes – right on the canal. Views from every window. All drinks included – do you know how much you pay for an Aperol Spritz in a 5 star hotel in Venice? Around USD 15…. And how much per night would you pay for a 5 star hotel on the canal – with a view - I looked it up - The Gritti Palace - one night in October - Euro 1202. Yup – that’s $1800 – a night – that’s why this hotel / river cruise combo is such a good deal. One of the highlights for me when I did this trip was the private viewing at St Mark’s Basilica. They closed the doors to the public, switched off all the lights with just the candles and then switched on the floodlights onto all the frescos. It was indeed very special as we had an expert who explained to us the history of the building and the art work inside. This is a really special itinerary – one I would definitely do again. Here’s the price – 4th October Flights from Calgary 2 nights luxury hotel with breakfast in Milan 7 nights luxury all-inclusive cruising in Venice All meals, all drinks, daily tours, all gratuities, private viewings Cdn $7199 Take a look for yourself BLACK BOOK SPECIAL SORRENTO AND ROME ESCAPE 18 nights in all – Rome and Sorrento Flights from Calgary 4 nights in Rome with breakfast 14 nights in Sorrento with breakfast All transfers in between Airport taxes 7th March 2019 – one departure only $2949 pp July 31, 2018 It’s nice now in Calgary – but maybe it won’t be so nice in November. So start planning to get out of town with this amazing combo package – Cook Islands AND New Zealand. Here’s what it looks like – Fly out of Calgary via Los Angeles into beautiful Rarotonga, Cook Islands. These islands are the perfect place to relax on your way to New Zealand. Chill out for 5 nights in a garden studio at Lagoon Breeze Villas with daily tropical breakfast and a one day car rental to go exploring. I have been to this resort and just loved the beautiful tropical gardens. The beach here is on a quieter part of the island but if you want to explore you have a car to do that. You won’t get lost …. The main road is called the “cannot get lost” road. It is 32 kms in total and takes about 45 minutes to drive around the entire island. What a nice change from the highways and busy streets of Calgary. A different driving experience totally. After 5 days you will be ready to take off again and board your flight to Auckland. Pick up your car at the airport and you are off! Tour with ease knowing that your accommodation is included – 2 nights in Auckland, 1 night in Waitomo (famous for the glow work caves), 2 nights in New Plymouth, 2 nights in Wellington, 1 night in Taupo and 1 night in Rotorua.16 We have even thrown in 5 tours to make things complete including an evening Hangi and a concert in Rotorua. This package is only available for the month of November and is subject to availability so grab your spot now. Here’s a summary COOK ISLANDS AND NEW ZEALAND Flights from Calgary 5 nights in the Cook Islands with daily breakfast and a 1 day car rental 11 nights hotel in various locations on the North Island of New Zealand 12 day car rental 5 tours including a Hangi and a Rotorua concert All airport taxes $4835 per person Travel from 1 Nov – 30 Nov. and as always .... BLACK BOOK MALTA November departure 3 weeks hotel with daily breakfast Flights from Calgary Airport taxes From $2599 per person July 24 2018 When a week isn’t long enough….. then go for a month! We have a 30 day cruise here – ocean view all the way – taking you to some incredible places. How would you like to visit Rome, Athens, Dubai and India? How would you like to cruise through the Suez Canal? 30 days cruising from Barcelona to Singapore – all the way in an ocean view stateroom. Of course you have to have an ocean view room to do this. Wow - sailing through the Suez Canal – that is something on my bucket list for sure! Imagine how much it would cost if you had to fly to all these places – and pay for a hotel – never mind about restaurant meals. While on this cruise all your meals are included as well as coffee, tea, juice and iced water. Wonderful on board entertainment. To make things easier we have included round trip flights, all taxes and private transfers to and from the airports plus USD 100 on board spending money. And the best – this is a brand new ship – its inaugural sailing. Here are the details – 17th April – depart Calgary to Barcelona 18th April – cruise from Barcelona to Singapore 18th May – fly back to Calgary Ocean view stateroom, all taxes, All meals and on board entertainment $6499 CAD per person BLACK BOOK Split and Zagreb - can't decide which - do both Tour two beautiful cities 9 days / 7 nights 4 star hotels included Daily breakfast All transportation and airport taxes $2379 pp July 17th, 2018 Seeing as we are in the mood – let’s keep the country music going with this great 10 day tour from Nashville to New Orleans. On this Southern US tour, visit the cities and landmarks that have influenced America’s musical heritage—country, rock-n-roll, soul, blues, and jazz with Elvis Presley also thrown into the mix. Start in Nashville and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame; RCA Studio B, one of the country’s most important recording studios; and the Grand Ole Opry, where you have reserved seats. In Memphis, visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, celebrating the great Memphis soul music; Sun Studio, the most famous recording studio, which launched the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and more; and Elvis Presley’s Graceland. Travel deep into the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the “Birthplace of the Blues,” and visit the Delta Blues Museum, dedicated to the blues. Other musical landmarks on this tour include the B.B. King Museum and the Louisiana Delta Music Museum, where you will learn more about Louisiana Delta musicians such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and more. In New Orleans, visit the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. An easy way to do this – let someone else do the driving, carry your bags and arrange the accommodation. You just sit back and enjoy. Flights are included from Calgary as well as first class and deluxe hotels all along the way. Daily breakfasts, two lunches and 3 special dinners. Lots of time to explore and optional extra tours for those who want – such as Cajun dinner and zydeco music as well as dancing lessons. Here are all the details –
Cdn $4828 per person 5th October 2018 Black Book: 30th November 8 day package to the Caribbean Flights from Calgary Miami hotel 7 nights cruising in a verandah stateroom Complimentary drinks on board All taxes $2799 per person July 14th, 2018 Here’s a wonderful way to explore the mainland of Greece in an easy and inexpensive way. Anchor yourself in one spot along the coast and then use this as a base to explore – or just hang out at the beach or bag a table at the restaurant on the marina. This little seaside resort town is close enough to Athens for you to enjoy as much sightseeing as you like – but just far enough away for you to escape the crowds and enjoy some authentic Greek hospitality. The little town of Marathon is just 44 minutes drive from Athens – or if you are feeling energetic you can also run the distance … this is where the idea for the modern Marathon running events derives from. Make a couple of day trips into Athens to see the museum, climb the Acropolis and do some shopping – but in the evening head back to Marathon for the peace and quiet of this seaside town. You may want to do some island hopping – the port of Rafina is close by so easy to pop on a ferry to do some exploring as well. The hotel in this package has had a complete makeover and now features cool white décor with splashes of colour, a great pool and lots of activities on the beach. While there enjoy a superior room with daily breakfast. An easy and inexpensive way to experience Greece – here are the details – Package includes – Round trip airfare from Calgary Airport transfers from Athens to Marathon A superior room Daily breakfast All air taxes 6th October $2599 per person Note – local hotel tax of Euro 4 daily. July 10th, Ever wanted to do a river cruise but thought maybe it is too expensive. The best thing to do is take advantage of special offers and cruise in the off season. This way you get the best pricing and less crowds. Of course it will be a little cooler but having travelled to Europe before over this time (and in the early Spring) its fun to enjoy a hot mulled wine if you are feeling chilled. What you will enjoy most of all however will be saving some serious money. Going in the low season means travelling for at least half as much as you would pay earlier in the year – so let’s look at what you itinerary would look like – Fly out of Calgary to Nuremberg – straight onto your cruise ship. Once on board you can relax and unpack – no packing or unpacking for at least a week. While on board you will enjoy all your meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner and nightly entertainment from local performers. During the day complimentary guided excursions will take you to wonderful places such as
A fantastic opportunity to experience a river cruise at a great price Round trip flights from Calgary 7 nights cruising with all meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner Daily guided excursions Nightly entertainment 2 nights in Vienna with daily breakfast All taxes 15 November $3983 pp Black Book Special: A week in the city of love One week in Paris Apartment and all taxes Flights from Calgary 2nd October Price $1679 per person July 3rd, 2018 Contact us at info@southtravel.ca Let’s showcase our amazing country with these incredible tour that sells out every single year. Newfoundland, Labrador and the Iceberg Festival 2nd June 2019 13 days from Cornerbrook to St Johns with these highlights along the way –
And all this with warm Maritimes hospitality. It can’t get any better. Hotels all along the way, daily breakfast and 3 dinners (including a lobster dinner of course) 2nd June (only one date) $3815 per person (includes all taxes – flights are additional) AND THAT LITTLE OLD BLACK BOOK? A week in Nice - Capital of the French Riviera Flights from Montreal Daily breakfast 7 nights hotel All taxes $1559 per person 30 September June 26th, 2018 CRUISE SALE We are having a cruise sale and I am excited about the exclusive offers I have been able to obtain from various cruise lines. Now this is for cruises for this year and we have lots of departures where we offer an exclusive shipboard credit – but what does this mean and how can you use it? SHIPBOARD CREDIT This is when you receive a credit for spending on board the ship. So what can you use this for? Well pretty much anything. You can charge your drinks or excursions, spa treatments or gift shop purchases to your ship board account and then simply apply your ship board credit to that to bring the whole bill down. We have ship board credits on different cruise lines ranging from $35 per stateroom up to $1000. Wow! Find the whole list on my website. Some examples of the special offers. Cruise in luxury with Silversea Cruises – everything is included while on board – fine cuisine, butler service, all your drinks, all your gratuities. Plus with this special offer $1000 shipboard credit AND airfare, transfers and shore excursions. You would have to use the $1000 in the spa or in the shop …. Which wouldn’t be too difficult. Cdn $7800 per person Cruise from Tokyo to Hong Kong 15 days luxury cruise Flights from Calgary All meals, drinks, excursions $1000 shipboard credit 29 October departure Or See beautiful Alaska with Celebrity Cruise Lines Our hosted cruise includes a private excursion on the Klondike Highway, pan for gold, enjoy Bison chili Private cocktail party on board Plus USD $100 shipboard credit 31 August – 7 nights cruise Verandah stateroom Vancouver to Seward Cdn $2423 pp BLACK BOOK One week in beautiful Prague Flights from Montreal 4 star hotel with daily breakfast All taxes 28 September $1479 pp June 19th, 2018 South East Asia is a very popular destination - it has incredibly diverse culture, amazing beaches, jungles and rivers and irresistible shopping. So what’s not to love? And where in South East Asia should you go to explore? Vietnam or Thailand? Myanmar or Laos? Malaysia or the Philippine islands? If you can’t decide and would like some expert advice then please come to our special evening in September where our South East Asia expert is travelling from Toronto to answer all these questions for you. But in the meantime - let’s take a look at Vietnam so we can start narrowing things down a bit. Hanoi is so diffirent to Ho Chi Minh City - or Saigon as it is still called by the locals. I really enjoyed Hanoi which still has all the vestiges of its French colonial days in some of the buildings and parks. A tuk tuk ride through the old city is a must. The highlight of Vietnam for me really was Ha Long Bay. Fantastic place to visit - I guarantee that you will take far too many photos while there. Wander along the cost through the coastal villages of Danang and Hue before heading into Ho Chi Minh City - a bustling and modern city now with skyscrapers galore and designer shops everywhere. A country of contrasts. Find out what makes Vietnam buzz behind the scenes from someone who has visited this area many times. How much does it cost? November departure - 24 November 12 day trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Upgraded accommodation Fully guided Flights from Calgary and all taxes $3739 While there - think about adding on Cambodia or another of the incredible countries of South East Asia. Sign up for our South East Asia evening 13 September at the Cardel Theatre - info@southtravel.ca BLACK BOOK Dubai adventure with airfare from Calgary One week includes – Hotel, daily breakfast Lots of tours and desert safari All taxes 24 January 2019 $2654 pp ***************************************** June 16th, 2018 Europe without the crowds A great way to experience Europe in the off season and an opportunity to save money. How about a river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam? Along the way visit some of the beautiful river cities such as Breisach, Strasbourg, Koblenz and Cologne. Explore the Black Forest and see the fairytale castles on the Rhine. Visit iconic windmills in Holland before docking in Amsterdam. But the fun isn’t over – we have added 2 extra nights in Amsterdam at the end so you can enjoy the vibrant city. Take a canal cruise, visit the museums or rent a bike for the day. A very special offer with very limited space – 27 October 7 nights river cruising with all meals Wine and beer with lunch and dinner Daily guided excursions Nightly entertainment 2 additional nights in the centre of Amsterdam with breakfast included 27 October - $3990 per person Airfare special - $699 round trip (includes all taxes) June 12th, 2018 Morocco – a shopper’s paradise for sure. While there I did not was a moment’s opportunity and bought some fabulous things. So what to buy when you are there? Carpets – there are so many opportunities to buy carpets but be sure to buy from a reputable source. Some of the carpets may be imitation, purely knotted or dyed and sure to be a disappointment when you get home. For a good carpet expect to pay from around $300 upwards depending upon the size, intricacy of design and the number of knots. Leather – amazing leather shoes and bags. You can find many shops in the souk offering these. Be sure to smell the leather, bend it to see that it has the proper flexibility leather should offer. Scarves – everywhere you look – cashmere, wool, silk – you name it. Creams made of roses, argon, spray bottles of rose water – visit the pharmacy in the medina for fantastic natural herbal medicines. You have to bargain …. Yes I hate it but it is expected. You should probably pay about 50% - 60% of the asking pricing. Be prepared to walk away. FLIGHT I flew home on the KLM new Dreamliner. What an amazing plane. Wow what a difference this new aircraft makes. Larger windows, ambient lighting and pressurized for a lower altitude which made such a difference to the physical experience. I did not feel dehydrated or tired. The aircraft combines new filtration, better pressure and more humidity to help passengers to feel less dryness and fatigue. The seats were comfortable. I will definitely look out for that equipment the next time I fly - but remember. Airlines can change equipment at any time. Maybe you want to start off doing Morocco for just a week Try this handy package – one week apartment in the South of Spain Fly to Casablanca and enjoy a one week fully guided program Then fly home out of Casablanca PRICING Flights from Calgary One week self-catering apartment in Malaga Flight from Malaga to Casablanca One week fully guided tour of Morocco with hotels and many meals included Transfers in Morocco Flight back to Calgary 27 October 2018 $2957 per person Black Book Special: JUST FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS Walking in Tuscany One week Your own room Fully guided $1599 per person (flights are additional) 9th October. Tuesday - June 5 - 2018 For those who want to explore Morocco from just one location Marrakech is ideally located. It is close enough to the mountains and to the desert to experience both. As it is an old fortified city and a UNESCO world heritage site the main focus is the main square Djemaa el-Fna where locals and tourists enjoy street foot, craft stalls and entertainers. In the sixties Marrakech became a hippy paradise with such names as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Yves St Laurent visiting often. You can enjoy this area for yourself at Club Med. Just 15 minutes outside of Marrakech and resort is spread out and provides tennis courts, archery and of course the usual circus school Club Med is famous for. While at the resort all meals and drinks are included Marrakech for one week Club Med all inclusive property Flights from Montreal All taxes Cdn $3006 per person Tuesday Global TV May 22, 2018 DOING PORTUGAL ON THE RIVER The beautiful Douro valley is home to amazing port wines and also listed as a World Heritage Site. The best way to see this area is on the river. Steep river banks are covered with grapevines and almond trees. Along the way experience the fantastic port wine that comes from this area. The river is quite narrow and as such only small river boats are able to offer this route. A wonderful way to explore – and for a whole week no packing or unpacking. But it would be a shame while there in Portugal not to visit some of the other great cities of this region such as Lisbon, Coimbra and of course Porto – the second largest city in Portugal. Working with Viking River Cruises we combine land and river to give the ultimate exploration trip of Portugal. An effortless way to see this part of the country – start off in Lisbon with 2 nights there and then onto Porto for 2 nights before embarking on your river cruise. While cruising you receive all meals and on board and wine with lunch and dinner. Daily guided excursions take you deep into the countryside and give you a real sense of this part of the country. Some special offers exclusive to The Travel Lady to make things even better for you – 23 September 2019 10 days land and river cruising All meals and wine on board the ship Guided daily excursions All taxes Cdn $5899 (not including international flights) BONUS OFFERS – EXCLUSIVE TO THE TRAVEL LADY Special group discount of $250 per stateroom FREE silver spirits package while on board valued at $420 per stateroom (Must book before 25 May) BLACK BOOK 10 days in Rome 4 star hotel Daily breakfast Airport transfers Flights from Calgary All taxes 31 May departure (Tourism tax payable locally – approx. 6 Euro per night) Saturday Global TV May 19th, 2018 ALASKA CRUISING – THE BEST ITINERARY Did you know that most Canadians will cruise Alaska on what we call a round trip – 7 day itinerary out of Vancouver. And why not? It is easy to get to – many of us can just drive there. However those people might just be missing the best of Alaska by not doing what we call Northbound or Southbound – where you cruise out of Vancouver all the way up to Seward – or vice versa. This is because you get the very best of the itinerary – and if you choose – you can always add on a land tour at the end to go and see Fairbanks, Denali and the tundra. Even better news – there are special rates for Canadian residents – so what are we looking at hereZ? Well first of all if you are travelling to Alaska you have to have a balcony – the views are just too fabulous to be in anything other than a room where you can sit on the balcony and enjoy your morning coffee. Alaska is all about scenery – and wildlife. What sort of cost? 22nd June 7 nights cruising from Vancouver to Seward On board meals and entertainment Deluxe ocean view verandah stateroom All port charges and taxes included Cdn $1891.87 pp May 16th, 2018 Do you feel you need to escape the city? Get away from traffic, highways, office blocks, shopping centres? Then how about an escape to Costa Rica. Lush jungle, volcanoes and rain forests. How adventurous are you? I can highly recommend the ziplining there – if I can do that so can you! This two week tour visits the highlights of Costa Rica and the best part is that you travel in a small group. And … it gets better. If you are single you are welcome to come along – you will be paired up with another traveller so you don’t have to pay the single supplement. Let’s look at what is included – and there are some special experiences –
10th June 2 weeks fully guided small group tour 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners $2199 per person (Flights to Costa Rica are additional – plan for spending approx. $700 pp – or use those points) Black Book Special: Thailand – 9th November 3 weeks Flights from Vancouver All taxes On sale at $2099 pp (Book and pay in full) May 8th, 2018 Mayday! Mayday! We are having a May moment and have a few of our most favourite trips on sale. Bali, Thailand, Greece and Portugal …. Here’s the deal. Book and pay in full and you get $100 off. What can you do with $100 in each of these destinations – let’s check BALI – $100 will buy you a full day scuba dive tour with 2 dives, lunch, transportation and equipment rental – you can get a good dinner for around $20 and a massage for $10. Pretty good! 3 weeks - $2799 – flights from Vancouver included – 1 Nov. THAILAND - $20 will buy you a meal at a fine dining restaurant – of course street food will be even less. Don’t be to afraid of street food. Anthony Bourdain recommends looking for the busiest street stall with the longest line up. That is the one to go to. Remember, he says, this guy is cooking for his friends and neighbours. He is not going to risk giving them a crappy meal or a dose of the Thai Trots! 3 weeks - $2199 – flights from Vancouver included – 9 Nov GREECE – steer clear of fancy tourist restaurants and go to the local taverna. You will get a good meal for $30. Once you are outside of Athens things become quieter – especially over the time of our long stay specials. Remember – it’s the Mediterranean diet. Couple this with some nice long walks every day and you could end up losing 10 lbs on holiday instead of putting it on! 19 nights - $2599 – flights from Calgary included – 6 Oct PORTUGAL – Forbes Magazine says it well - For an affordable and sun-soaked vacation, southern Portugal’s Algarve region should be hot on your radar. The city of Albufeira boasts a beautiful climate, fabulous beaches, inexpensive apartment-style hotels and a central location within the Algarve. There are over 100 different restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and Albufeira even has a charming Old Town with traditional Portuguese streets and plazas within the city center. The prices for both food and wine are extremely reasonable. A meal for 2 at a nice restaurant should set you back about $35. 23 nights – $2599 – flights from Calgary included – 1 Nov Summary – Book and pay in full and save $100 off these prices Bali - 3 weeks - $2799 – flights from Vancouver included – 1 Nov. Thailand - 3 weeks - $2199 – flights from Vancouver included – 9 Nov Greece – 19 nights - $2599 – flights from Calgary included – 6 Oct Portugal – 23 nights - $2599 – flights from Calgary included – 1 Nov Black Book Special A fantastic deal for the Fall 1 November 3 weeks in Bali 4 star boutique hotel Daily breakfast Flights from Vancouver All taxes $2799 pp SPECIAL OFFER – Early Payment Discount Save $100 per couple – space is limited May 1st, 2018 A special tour for singles - Calling all singles – yes people do care about you and are creating tours for you. Travel with a group of like-minded singles but have your own room. No sharing with strangers. How does this work? Well first of all you don’t have to be single (as in unmarried) just travelling solo. The group is generally small – around 20. Mixed group – men and women – all ages but generally 50 – 60. Does this sound like your type of trip. Now let’s add some exercise. Walk the Camino. This is a hike on many people’s bucket lists (including mine) and we do it in style with beautiful hotels along the way. Start off in Bilbao – and then walk your way to Santiago de Compostela – actually the good news is that each day the group starts with a couple of hours walk before being transported to the next stop. So you don’t have to be superman for this trip. Just a chance to get out and walk and enjoy the scenery. Travel in June for the best weather – the tour price includes hotel accommodation along the route, transportation and porterage, 7 nights hotels (3 and 4 star – your own room), daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 3 dinners. Summary of pricing and dates One week guided walk/tour of the Camino Trail 7 nights hotel accommodation Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 3 dinners Airport transfers 22nd June - $2449 Black Book Special: April 24th, 2018 From the Great Wall of China to the bustling modern metropolis of Hong Kong this 15 day cruise includes everything you need – flights from Calgary – fine dining – a verandah stateroom – wine and beer – daily excursions. Wow – you can’t ask for more …. Or perhaps at the beginning or end you would like to add a few days in either Beijing or Hong Kong. If not there is plenty to enjoy in between – Let’s look at the itinerary – Starting off in Beijing it is a must to see the Great Wall and you won’t be disappointed. Heading next to Dalian – a city you probably haven’t heard of. For many years it was under Soviet rule. Nowadays it is a relaxed modern city which is regarded as one of China’s most liveable cities. Next Quingdao – once known as the German Hong Kong - This former German and Japanese colony features very European style half timbered houses Cruise the Yellow Sea for a day – the name comes from the sediment that flows from China’s rivers into the sea. The rich mineral content draws tons of sea life. Shanghai – stroll down the Bund – the ship stops here overnight so lots to enjoy. Day at sea to relax. Okinawa – Japan. Rich WWII history and many UNESCO world heritage sites on this island. Ishigaki Island – known for its coral beaches and emerald green waters. Cruise the East China sea for the day Xiamen, China – a good place to practise your Tai Chi Hong Kong – an amazing harbor to arrive into – the ship stops overnight here so you can enjoy the city Back home The ship – The latest Viking Ocean Cruises ship – built this year – holds just 930 guests. A really nice size – not too big and not too small. All suites on the ship have verandas – fine dining is included as well as beer and wine and daily excursions. Excellent value for a quality product. Our special group pricing saves you money 4 October 2019 15 day cruise – verandah stateroom All meals, wine and beer Daily guided excursions Flights from Calgary and all taxes Cdn $7973 pp For more information come to our Viking Seminar on 17th May Black Book Special: 10 days in the most romantic city in the world PARIS Flights from Calgary Hotel Taxes 14th May 2018 $1965 per person April 17th, 2018 India remains one of my favourite trips that I have done. The people are incredible, the food amazing, the colours vibrant. I can’t wait to return. Now instead of going with a group you have the option to go privately – without breaking the bank! This incredible itinerary runs for 12 nights and includes some amazing highlights
Best of all you will travel through India in a private air conditioned car with your own driver with daily guided tours so you don’t miss out on anything. Also the joy of doing a private tour is that you can move more or less at your own pace without waiting for others and if you see something that you particularly like you can spend longer there. Also if you have a special interest such then this can be incorporated into your tour. I love the fact of spending a night in the desert in a luxury tent. I will definitely have to return to India to do this. This customised itinerary is based on pricing for high season – October through to March. The best time to visit India. Private tour of India 12 nights 5 star hotels Daily guided sightseeing Internal flights and trains Meals as listed in itinerary USD $3999 per person (international flights are additional) Black Book Special: Did you know that Europe is actually having a spring Try this – 8 June Barcelona – incredible city Flights from Calgary One week hotel with daily breakfast With taxes $1875 pp Global TV Saturday April 14th, 2018 One of my favourite exotic tropical vacations was in Tahiti and the Society Islands. It sounds so romantic and it is. Any brochure you have seen for this area – the reality is just as amazing or even better. Now this is an expensive destination – hotels are pricey and eating out even more expensive. So the best way to get value for money is to cruise around the islands. This way you get to see a variety of incredible islands all from the comfort of your beautiful small ship designed especially for this area – the Paul Gauguin. While on the Paul Gauguin everything is included – all your meals whether in the dining room or out on the deck and all your drinks including cocktails, wines, beers. On the ship there is a marina platform where you can use the kayaks and go exploring the different lagoons. They also include a fantastic beach day at one of the islands and set up a full bar on the beach with a huge barbeque and bring out all the water toys. Snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding and much more. All included in your price. Such good value for money as they also include the flight from Los Angeles direct to Papeete. We are able to offer a fantastic price reduction due to our special group departure – save over $1000 per person. 29th September Flights from Los Angeles to Papeete Ocean view stateroom all inclusive All taxes USD $4810 Regular price is USD 5834 per person April 10th, 2018 If you love food and wine then you will love Bordeaux. The city of Bordeaux is among France's most exciting, vibrant and dynamic cities. In the last decade and a half, it's shed its languid, Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty) image thanks to the vision of city mayor Alain Juppé who has pedestrianised boulevards, restored neoclassical architecture, created a high-tech public transport system and reclaimed Bordeaux's former industrial wet docks at Bassin à Flots. Half the city (18 sq km) is Unesco-listed, making it the largest urban World Heritage site. I was there three years ago and loved the layout of the city, the very clean and easy tram system and the incredible architecture. There is so much to do there that I would recommend on this trip to maybe add a few days on at the beginning or at the end just to be able to experience all that Bordeaux has to offer including some incredible food markets. However there is much to experience outside of Bordeaux along the rivers and estuaries of this area. We got to hunt for truffles, taste fresh oysters and make our own blend of cognac! But let’s look at the basics – what’s included in this particular trip and what makes it so different? Well first of all it is a river cruise – which is kind of strange because actually Bordeaux is a port city and actual ocean ships come and dock there. The river cruise is actually more of a river/estuary cruise as it takes place on the Garonne River and the Dordogne River which both run into the Gironde Estuary. This area is rich in wine estates and you can choose some wine tasting tours or even explore the chateaux by bike. Got to work off that food and wine somehow! While on the river cruise all your meals are included as well as wine and beer (who is going to drink beer in wine country?) – daily guided sightseeing excursions, your flights from Calgary and transfers. An excellent way to see this area. If you would like to learn more about this cruise and other special offers please sign up for our special event hosted by Viking River Cruises. We will be giving away a gift certificate for $500 towards your next Viking river cruise. Here are all the details – BORDEAUX RIVER CRUISE One week river cruising Meals, wine and beer Daily guided excursions Airport transfers Flights from Calgary and all taxes 5th May – $4498 per person VIKING RIVER AND OCEANS EVENING 17th May – 6.30 pm Sign up at www.thetravellady.ca Black Book Special: 3 weeks in Thailand Flights from Vancouver Hotel and daily breakfast Taxes $2149 9th November 2018 April 3rd, 2018 Australia is such a huge country and many who plan a visit there usually focus on Sydney, Brisbane and the Red Centre. But there is so much more to see there and sometimes a hand-crafted itinerary, rather than a guided tour, will give you the option to see a little bit more of this fascinating country. This is an example of such an itinerary taking you from Melbourne to Adelaide - 9 days to explore this area with your own car and hotel stops along the way - a fantastic opportunity to actually drive the Great Ocean Road. While driving along that famous route why not take in some time on Kangaroo Island - take the car across on the ferry and spend 3 nights there getting to know the place. Our suggestion is to incorporate this type of journey into a much bigger Australian adventure which we can customise for you. The 9 day self drive package price starts at just $1744 per person and includes 8 nights hotel accommodation, car rental and ferry crossing. If you want to find out more about Australia (and New Zealand) register for our special event on 12th April. Our speaker has been Australia and New Zealand so many times and has instensively covered the whole area. Summary for the board - 9 day self drive package Melbourne to Adelaide Includes 3 nights on Kangaroo Island with ferry From $1744 pp Find our more at our Australia New Zealand seminar 12th April - details on our website www.thetravellady.ca Black Book Special: 13th June One week in Lisbon 4 star hotel Airfare from Calgary $1841 pp March 20th, 2018 Think of France and you automatically think Paris – but there is more to this beautiful country than the Eiffel Tower. One of my favourite parts of France is the Bordeaux Region – parts of it are wild with long deserted beaches and sand dunes, others are filled with chateau and winefarms and cute little villages. The pearl is Bordeaux the town itself. Situated along the river it is full of gorgeous buildings and cobbled streets. Great food markets abound and it is easy to get around with a modern tram system. Why not use Bordeaux as a base with this fantastic package and then set out to discover the area. We have included lot of tours to make things easy such as –
All this with a great 4 star hotel located in the old wine merchants quarter of Bordeaux – AND flights from Calgary. 12th June 12 nights hotel All the above Taxes $2875 pp BLACK BOOK ONE WEEK IN MAUI Flights from Calgary One bedroom oceanfront apartment All taxes $1455 pp 19th April 2018 March 13th, 2018 If you have ever had the idea of visiting either Australia or New Zealand you will know that there is so much to consider when planning a trip down there. Do you do just Australia or include New Zealand as well? There are so many factors to consider – these being a few. Australia Most popular spots are the southern area and the Gold Coast and perhaps a visit to the Great Barrier Reef – but what about the Red Centre? Ayers Rock – or Uluru as it is known – is just absolutely amazing. I can honestly say it was one of the highlights for me. It’s slap bang in the centre of Australia and a bit expensive to visit but worth every penny. If you have been to the southern part of Australia then you might want to consider exploring more – Darwin and the Kakadu are well worth a visit and don’t forget about Perth and the beautiful and wild Western coastline. Yes – there’s a lot to consider. New Zealand North Island and South Island – vastly different – adventure capital of the world. Hiking, wine, farm to table food. There is so much there you have to choose wisely. So how to decide. Come to our special Australia New Zealand evening. I have a guest speaker, Leia Marvin, who is an expert in this area with over 20 years hands on experience. Come and hear from her about how to make the right choices for your experience down south. 12th April 2018 6.30 pm Cardel Theatre, Calgary South Register at www.thetravellady.ca Black Book Special: It’s true! Caribbean cruises on select departures Sailing 2 Dec 2018 per person Cdn $1442.00 per person 3rd and 4th passenger children only $1.00 plus port charges per person Cdn $182.27 Includes: 7 night cruise round trip from Ft. Lauderdale in balcony cabin $50.00 onboard credit per cabin Included onboard meals and activities Taxes and port charges SATURDAY March 10th, 2018 A special chance to explore Northern Italy and maybe some of the places you might not have thought about. Start off your tour being based in Vicenza – this small town is on the Unesco list of world heritage places due to its amazing architecture. It is a pretty town located in the plains outside of Venice – about an hour’s drive – and those in the know say that it is a fantastic option which is less crowded and much cheaper than Venice. You spend 10 nights here – plenty of time to explore the surrounding area or just hang out in the quiet and compact town square. From here head off to Tuscany for a week in Montecatini Terme which is probably the most famous spa town in Italy. It is known for its thermal waters and of course that great Tuscan cuisine. You can also visit a medieval village up in the hills over Montecatini getting there on a funicular railways built back in the 1800’s. End up with 4 nights in Rome – of course – that is a must. Rome was known as the Eternal City even among the ancient Romans themselves. It was so called because the Roman people thought that no matter what happened to the world, no matter how many other empires might rise and fall, Rome would go on forever. And so it does! Do all of this with hotels and daily breakfast, fully escorted by our Canadian hosts. 1 October 2018 Flights from Calgary 4 star hotels throughout with daily breakfast 10 nights Vicenza 7 nights Tuscany 4 nights Rome All taxes $3499 per person March 6th, 2018 Doesn’t this just sound divine – two weeks in the Greek Islands. You get time to explore Athens and then you are off island hopping. We take care of all the ferries and flights between islands, hotels with daily breakfast so you can really explore this fantastic part of the world. This is an ideal way to see the Greek Islands if you are the type of person who doesn’t want to be on a guided tour. We get you to each island – you do the exploring! Meet the locals – find your favourite beach – your favourite restaurant. Departures available all through the summer and fall. Travel at the end of September for best pricing and less crowds – here’s what is included – Flights from Calgary 14 nights hotel accommodation with daily breakfast Inter-island ferries and flights All taxes $3496 based on 26 September departure. Black Book Special: Had enough snow??? In the Algarve it’s going to be partly cloudy and 17 degrees 13th March 2 weeks condo Flights out of Toronto All taxes $1559 pp Feb 28th, 2018 For ages we have been talking about how singles end up with either having to pay a supplement or maybe share with a stranger. No longer. We now have special tours for singles. Finally! All guaranteed departures. Singles only. Everyone has their own large room. So let’s look at a typical singles style vacation – somewhere exotic like Croatia. This is a 5 star singles experience with accommodation at an incredible luxury hotel. While staying at the hotel for a week you will enjoy a superior room with a magnificent sea view room. Breakfast and dinner daily – fully hosted and guided – small group – all singles 29th September Flights from Calgary included All taxes Tour of Dubrovnik with cable car ride Tour of Kotor and a special islands cruise with lunch 7 nights luxury sea view accommodation Daily breakfast and lunch $4349 Black Book Special: One week Panama City Flights from Calgary Modern 4 star plus hotel in the city centre All taxes 13th April - $966 per person Feb 20th, 2018 A special chance to explore Northern Italy and maybe some of the places you might not have thought about. Start off your tour being based in Vicenza – this small town is on the Unesco list of world heritage places due to its amazing architecture. It is a pretty town located in the plains outside of Venice – about an hour’s drive – and those in the know say that it is a fantastic option which is less crowded and much cheaper than Venice. You spend 10 nights here – plenty of time to explore the surrounding area or just hang out in the quiet and compact town square. From here head off to Tuscany for a week in Montecatini Terme which is probably the most famous spa town in Italy. It is known for its thermal waters and of course that great Tuscan cuisine. You can also visit a medieval village up in the hills over Montecatini getting there on a funicular railways built back in the 1800’s. End up with 4 nights in Rome – of course – that is a must. Rome was known as the Eternal City even among the ancient Romans themselves. It was so called because the Roman people thought that no matter what happened to the world, no matter how many other empires might rise and fall, Rome would go on forever. And so it does! Do all of this with hotels and daily breakfast, fully escorted by our Canadian hosts. 1 October 2018 Flights from Calgary 4 star hotels throughout with daily breakfast 10 nights Vicenza 7 nights Tuscany 4 nights Rome All taxes $3499 per person Blackbook Special: A new destination with non-stop flights 2nd March for one week Non stop flight to Belize One bedroom suite 5 star hotel All taxes $2889 pp Feb 13th, 2018 So what is the most romantic place in the world? Some say it is Bora Bora in the beautiful Society Islands of the South Pacific. Would this be a good place to take your Valentine? You bet! What’s so special about it? The water is truly crystal clear in an incredible aquamarine. You can take photos down there that look every bit as good as the brochure. The water is warm, the people are beautiful and the smell of flowers is everywhere. The only problem with Bora Bora is that it is an expensive paradise. Hotel rooms can go for as much as $1000 per night and breakfast can set you back $100 per person. Wow – so what’s the solution? A cruise of course – a small ship which is made just for these islands – with everything included while on board. All your meals, all your drinks and an incredible marina platform at the back of the ship fully equipped with complimentary kayaks. Now you can enjoy this paradise and save money – over $1000 per person 29th September 2018 One week all inclusive cruise Round trip flights from LAX to Papeete All taxes USD $4810 per person Black Book Special: 6th May 2018 Greek long stay vacation Flights from Calgary 18 nights hotel with breakfast All transfers and taxes $2494 per person Feb 10th, 2018 If you are going on a river cruise then make it a big one. A whole 2 weeks cruising from Amsterdam all the way down to Budapest. You will pass so many beautiful sites along the way, castles on the Rhine, cute little German villages and incredible medieval buildings. The best thing is that you can do this without having to move every day – you just unpack once in your river cruise stateroom and enjoy the fun. A river cruise is such a great way to see Europe – especially for first timers. The river ships are small enough to be intimate but large enough to provide lovely dining rooms, great lounges and public areas and the whole top deck to enjoy the scenery. All meals are included while cruising a well as wine and beer with lunch and dinner. In addition daily guided excursions are complimentary – such good value for money We have a very special offer exclusive to The Travel Lady. Just a few rooms left at an incredible discount of $1425 per person – Wow – that is a whopping $2850 per couple. And if that’s not good enough – FREE airfare from Calgary into Europe. Don’t wait too long …. Space is limited. Here is a summary of what is included – 14 September 2018 2 week river cruise Meals, drinks, excursions All taxes and transfers FREE airfare $6774 per person (regular price of $8199). Feb 6th, 2018 Put on your explorer hat and set out to discover the incredible Amazon River. This tour takes you down the river in style. Enjoy a night in Lima and then fly out to the Amazon and board this colonial style river boat hosting only 30 passengers. All meals are included while on board as well as non-alcoholic beverages, on board lectures and multiple daily excursions. Wend your way back to Lima to spend one more night exploring the city. Then it’s off to Paracas to spend 2 nights there – and this is when you get to do that flight over the Nazca Lines. Wow – what an experience. But it is still not over – on the way back to Lima you get to visit the Ballestas Islands. These islands are famous for sealions and penguins. An incredible adventure all round! 30 March 2018 Flights from Calgary 3 nights hotel Lima 6 nights river cruise on the Amazon 2 nights in Paracas Flight over the Nazca Lines All taxes $4233 per person BLACK BOOK Escape the winter …..it’s been too long Two weeks in Bali Flights from Vancouver Daily breakfast 5 tours 90 minute massage All taxes $1874 From now until the end of May Subject to availability LAST WEEK - February 1st, 2018 Let’s go to Russia! Many people might do a Baltic cruise and just visit St Petersburg but they are missing out an important part of Russia – Moscow! There is so much to offer in this city.
This tour gives you both St Petersburg and all its glory as well as Moscow – connected by high speed train. End off your guided tour with a 3 night stopover in Amsterdam on the way back. Your centrally located hotel includes daily breakfast and from here you will be able to explore the canals and museums. TWO CHOICES One week guided tour of St Petersburg and Moscow Flights from Moscow to Amsterdam 3 nights Amsterdam with daily breakfast $3929 pp Or Airfare inclusive option with flights from Calgary $5352 pp Black Book Special: Long stay Portugal for Oct 2018 Flights from Calgary 2 nights Lisbon 21 nights Algarve All taxes $2399 pp 31 October 2018 January 23rd, 2018 Bhutan – it is a magical, different hard to get to place – but worth the visit say those who have been there. You see Bhutan is a bit of a special place. Unlike many other countries who measure their GDP (gross domestic product = the monetary value of all goods and services) Bhutan chooses to measure their Gross National Happiness levels. They feel if their citizens are happy then the country as a whole will prosper. Wow – what a concept in today’s world! So how do we get to see this happiness in action – what does it look like and why is it hard to get to? Well the best way to get into Bhutan is via Nepal which is a fascinating country in itself. And the best way to get to Nepal is from Delhi, India. Now if I was doing this trip I would include a stay in India before or after – but that’s just because I love India anyway. So start off by flying into Khatmandu, Nepal. Doesn’t that conjure up images of the sixties and the Beatles and Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. Yes they all went to Khatmandu to find themselves. In the sixties Bhutan was not open for tourism but made the change in 1974 to allow foreigners to come and explore their country. They still jealously guard their culture and their environment – and that’s why it is a gem to go and see. Now travelling in these countries is not that easy and that’s where a good tour operator comes in – you want to be guided here – held by the hand if you like – and here is the tour to do it. So fly into Kathmandu and spend the night there – getting your bearings. Then explore the next day and spend one more night there – then off in a plane and flying into Paro. This is a famous airport because you fly in right through the Himalayas – exciting! Spend 6 nights in magical Bhutan exploring incredible sites like the Tiger’s Nest – you even get to hike up there. Don’t worry – we leave time for a little spa treatment – or a bit of yoga. SUMMARY 10 days Nepal and Bhutan Luxury accommodation All transfers including flights Most meals and gratuities Highlights
Black Book: Escape to a beach in Greece All inclusive resort One week Flights from Toronto All taxes $1744 6th May (Why not extend the airfare and do some island hopping – ask us!) January 16th, 2018 Some incredible world sites to cross off your bucket list on this combined cruise plus land tour. 2 weeks in total with so much included – all fully guided by Canadian representatives to look after you all the way. Head out of Calgary to beautiful Copenhagen and spend a pre cruise night there so you can enjoy a tour of the city before getting onto your cruise for a 10 day Baltic cruise which takes you all the way to St Petersburg as well as other amazing port stops such as Helsinki, Berlin and Stockholm. End your cruise with a flight to Amsterdam where you spend 4 days exploring this city of canals. If you have been to Amsterdam before then there is also the opportunity to change the package and spend 2 nights in Amsterdam and 2 nights in Bruges (subject to minimum numbers). Here's what is included – Flights from Calgary 1 night pre cruise hotel in Copenhagen with city tour 10 nights cruising with all meals, drinks and service charges 4 nights post cruise with Amsterdam with daily breakfast All transfers and flights within Europe All taxes and port charges One departure only – 25 August 2018 From $5799 per person Black Book Special Escape to sea and sand One week cruise around the island of Cuba Flights included from Calgary And all taxes 29 January $2437 pp January 13th, 2018 THE ROYAL WEDDING Everyone is excited about this – why? Probably because Harry is one of the most popular royals and in any event – it’s a wedding! And a Royal one. Imagine being there for this event. It’s going to be a busy day in London – there is talk of the pubs staying open late because the wedding coincides with the FA Cup Final. So other is going to be a lot of festivity in the air. How to get there and see the wedding? We have the perfect package for you – Flights out of Calgary 5 nights in London 1 night in Stratford upon Avon 1 night in Bath 1 night in Brighton 1 night back in London 17th May 2018 $3624 pp So you can combine some Royal wedding watching with a tour of the best spots that Southern England has to offer. January 9th, 2018 A fantastic opportunity to explore the wonders of China for less than you think. On this package all the main highlights are included. No visit to China would be complete without seeing Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City and of course the Great Wall of China. We have also included the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian. What I really like about this tour is that you also get to see the rural parts of China with a visit to the tea terraces and also a very traditional boat trip on the River Li. China is a big country and this tour includes train transfers and flights inside China to make the most of your time there together with 4 and 5 star hotels and jam packed with sightseeing and lots of included meals. This is definitely the way to see China – fully guided all the way. This 14 day trip prices out very well at Cdn $2474 per person Includes – Flights from Vancouver Domestic flights and trains within China Transfers, 5 and 4 star hotels Meals and sightseeing as per itinerary All taxes 9th April 2018 – limited seats Black Book Special: It’s a Royal Wedding – Let’s go ….. 16th May 9 nights hotel in London Airfare from Calgary All taxes $1880 pp Take your camera! January 2, 2018 Oh my goodness – we haven’t had cold like this for a long time – so here are a couple of options to get us out of town quickly and into the heat. One is luxury and one is the Black Book! Here we go …. Luxury – 11 days cruising from Singapore back to Singapore. What a fascinating itinerary this is, with stops in Thailand and Myanmar. The highlight I think is cruising out of Singapore. This very modern city is home to a lot of history, especially for World War II buffs who would like to see the Changi memorial. I would therefore recommend a couple of extra days in Singapore. But if you don’t have time because this is a real last minute escapade then you do have 11 days to enjoy on board with interesting places to explore all along the way. February 11 2018 11 days small ship luxury cruise All meals, drinks, gratuities and excursions included Flights and taxes included USD $6800 Or our ever popular Black Book Do one month on the South Coast of Spain Newly built one bedroom apartment – spotless and modern Full kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine Go out and explore 15th January Flights from Calgary with taxes 1 month one bedroom self-catering apartment Cdn $2829 per person December 19th, 2017 Well it looks like winter is finally coming ….. now it is time to think about escaping. The Caribbean is back and ready for business and the sun is shining down there. There are some fantastic deals out there for cruises – but first – why do people love cruising so much and why is a cruise better than an all inclusive vacation? Here’s why –
As ships get bigger and compete with each other for your business they are always adding new and exciting activities on board such as gigantic slides, ziplines, flo riders, dance classes, outdoor movies, trapeze school, culinary classes and if all that sounds too exhausting and busy you also an adults only solarium, a fantastic spa and fitness area and on board guest lecturers. Heck you don’t have time to get bored. So here are a few deals to think about - 3 March – One week cruise Ocean view From Cdn $1068 per person Just can’t wait for March – 28 Jan – one week cruise Ocean view From Cdn $1392 per person 3 Feb – one week cruise Ocean view From Cdn $1166 per person Black Book Special: What about Panama – a week in the sun 23 January Flights from Calgary 7 nights hotel All meals and drinks All taxes $1753 pp December 12th, 2017 First hand destination knowledge is a key part of being a good travel consultant. Amanda Morrison in my office has just returned from a Tanzania safari. As she is one of our South African specialists she said it was good to see for herself the difference between a safari to South Africa and a safari to East Africa. The Serengeti was her favourite part and she had some fantastic animal sightings including leopard and cheetah which can sometimes be hard to see. Things to bear in mind when doing Tanzania is that you do quite a bit of travelling by 4 wheel drive in order to cross the National Parks, which are quite big. Best time of year to visit is during the dry season – June to October – and during June and July there is a good chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. Summary One week intensive game viewing safari All transportation included Small group – average 5 people Hotels, lodges and safari tented accommodation All meals Flights from Calgary and taxes Cdn $6449 pp 14 June 2018 Black Book Special: This time Caribbean includes – Flights from Calgary 1 night hotel in Florida 7 nights cruising All meals, all drinks, all gratuities 17 March 2018 From $2411 pp December 9th, 2017 Do you see yourself as an explorer? Maybe if you could do it on a luxury ship you would! Well I have the perfect cruise. The most luxurious ice class ship doing Antarctica can give you what I think is a contradiction really – luxury expedition. So let’s look at where you go – 10 days cruising from the End of the World – or Ushuaia as it is called – all the way to the Antarctic. Imagine going to a continent where nobody lives! Once you get to Antarctica your itinerary will be very flexible depending on what is out there – maybe whales, maybe penguins, maybe icebergs. You will have a chance to get up close to all this wonder in one of the on board zodiacs in the company of experts. After your excursion what a pleasure to come back to first world luxury cruising with all that you would expect – beautiful suites (all with butlers), multiple restaurants to choose from, premium beverages and wine, all gratuities and excursions also included. You will be so spoilt you might not want to come home. But wait – let’s compare how this luxury expedition cruise prices out against a more basic expedition cruise to the Antarctic. Same date – Same length – Not included – charter flight from Santiago to Ushuaia Not included – alcoholic beverages Not included – tipping Not included – butler service Not included – complimentary Parka Price – Cdn $ 13,799 pp Here’s the summary of the luxury option 15 Feb 2019 Flight from Santiago to Ushuaia 1 night hotel pre cruise 9 nights luxury all-inclusive cruising From USD $9540 December 5th, 2017 Is there a little bit of Scottish in your background – then you are going to love this tour. This guided tour takes you from Edinburgh and Glasgow all the way up to the Orkney Islands and West to the Isle of Skye. Highlights include –
Superior and well located hotels throughout. A great opportunity to see difficult to reach places in Scotland. $5531 per person – includes flights from Calgary September 8th, 2018 departure for (hopefully) the best weather. Black Book Special: One week cruise around Cuba Flights from Calgary Includes drinks, meals, gratuities and shore excursions 22 Jan 2018 from per person Cdn $2567 SINGLE TRAVELER? YOU PAY THE SAME! BOOK BY 15 DEC AND RECEIVE $50 ONBOARD CREDIT PER PERSON November 28th, 2017 Independent travelers just love the idea of having a little place of their own – a base really -where they can explore the surrounding area. Go to the local shops and markets – perhaps pick up a car rental for a couple of days. If you have a mind to escape Calgary’s winter for 6 weeks here’s an offer to think about. Head out of Calgary on 7 Feb and fly to Brisbane, Australia. Once there settle into your beautiful beachfront one bedroom apartment for 3 weeks. Take your time to enjoy the area, have some beach time, do some exploring, visit the local markets and enjoy the fresh fruits, vegetables and fabulous Australian wine. Then pack up and head out to Auckland New Zealand – stay for 5 nights in the city centre – enjoy a full day Hole in the Rock cruise and another half day city tour of Auckland to get your bearings. Then pack up one more time and head out of town to Wellington where you can enjoy 16 nights in your own one bedroom apartment. So what does Wellington have to offer – here is what the Wellington Tourism Board says and I couldn’t say it any better – Wellington is famous for a vibrant creative culture fueled by great food, wine, craft beer, coffee and events. See for yourself what makes Wellington the coolest little capital in the world. Recap – 7 Feb 2018 from per person Cdn $8941 Includes: round trip air from Calgary flights between Australia and New Zealand all ground transfers in Australia and New Zealand 21 night accommodation on Sunshine Coast in Australia 5 night accommodation in Auckland 2 guided tours in Auckland 16 night accommodation in Wellington New Zealand taxes Black Book Special: $2474 China – 5 city tour Air from Vancouver 12 nights 21 meals and sightseeing Internal flights Transfers 9th April 2018 November 25th, 2017 One of the great things about being a travel agent is that you get to go out and experience the product first hand. That’s exactly what Miranda in my office did just recently when she flew to Europe to experience a river cruise for herself. It is so important to have first hand knowledge because there are many questions customers ask us and not all the answers can be found in the brochure or online. This particular cruise was along the Rhine – one of my favourite rivers. The castles and small towns along the banks are just like out of a fairytale. You really have no need to worry about anything when you are on the river cruise – all the meals are included as well as wine or beer with dinner. Each day you can enjoy a complimentary guided excursion and local entertainment on board at night. It is so intimate and small that you make friends easily and nothing is ever a hassle – no lining up or complicated check in procedures. Better still there are great offers for next year which you can take advantage of with just a deposit. Here’s one that would be ideal for those who have to stick to school holidays such as our teachers. One week river cruise with meals, wine, excursions 2 nights pre cruise in Zurich with a hotel and daily breakfast All transfers Flights from Calgary All taxes 22 July 2018 $4472 per person November 21st Hi all – just got back today from Buenos Aires – what a beautiful city. So much to see and do there but definitely some highlights - best way is to do a city tour to get your bearings and then head out to some of the special areas such as La Boca – brightly painted houses, street cafes and lots of tango. Then also a must is the cemetery – make a point of seeing Evita’s tomb – fresh flowers are always placed there by her devoted followers. There are lots of parks to enjoy in Buenos Aires and great restaurants specializing in barbecue beef and also empanadas. What might surprise you are the very traditional cafes where you can enjoy English tea in the afternoon with scones. On this tour you start in Santiago Chile so you get to explore that area as well as Bariloche and then fly into Buenos Aires where you spend 6 nights to really explore the area. Price summary – Flights from Calgary 8 days exploring Chile and Argentine countryside Flight from Bariloche to Buenos Aires 6 days in Buenos Aires All hotels and taxes $3900 per person Based on 7 February departure. Black Book20 NIGHTS IN COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN Departures between 10 Jan – 18 April 2018 from per person Cdn $1769 Includes: Round trip air from Calgary 20 night accommodation in 1 bedroom apartment Transfers Local representative taxes November 14th Uruguay is a fascinating country of which I knew little about until my visit here. Set up by the British to form a barrier between Argentina and Brazil it has developed into a small and stable society with a booming art culture and beaches to rival those in Rio. From our part of the world it does not seem to be a top choice of destination and when looking through different tours to this part of the world it seems that Uruguay often gets overlooked in favour of more popular Brazil and Argentina. Perhaps therefore a cruise is the best way to enjoy a visit here as two ports of call in Uruguay are included my cruise with Silversea so I get to enjoy Montevideo and Punta Del Este - famous for its huge beach sculpture The Hand. In fact Punta Del Este is the top choice for “beach cottage” for those who can afford it in Buenos Aires - an escape from the city. You can enjoy both these designations as well as beautiful Buenos Aires and Rio with a 10 day luxury cruise on this same ship - the Silver Muse - next year in February. Here is the information - 6 Feb 2018 10 night luxury small ship cruise Fine dining, butler service, all drinks From usd $5800 pp Airfare from $199 pp Black Book- Bali Special 12 nights hotel 4+ star Flights from Vancouver All taxes Daily breakfast 5 sightseeing tours Departures Jan through to March November 7th Ushuaia is sometimes known as the End of the World - but in fact it is just the beginning for many travellers of a once in a lifetime discovery of Antarctica. Getting to Ushuaia is not always that easy but in this instance Silversea has you covered. There is a special promotion on right now that includes one night hotel in Buenos Aires plus the charter flight you need from Buenos Aires into Ushuaia. Once you get into Ushuaia you set sail on your expedition ship complete with Zodiacs and expedition specialists such as Marine Biologists, Geologists and Historians. You will be doing Antarctica expedition style but also - in complete luxury. Who doesn’t like the idea of a glass of champagne from the comfort of your seat on the zodiac while you set out to see sights that few have seen before? So what does all this cost and what is included - 1 nights pre cruise hotel in Buenos Aires Charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia 10 nights luxury expedition cruising All meals, drinks, guided daily excursions All transfers and taxes 15 Feb 2019 - early booking rate of USD 9540 pp Special offer of round trip airfare to Buenos Aires for $899. October 31st On Tuesday I will be in Valparaiso and hopefully the internet gods will shine on me and give me a good connection. Please stay tuned to Global TV for my live broadcast. This is what I will be talking about – Valparaiso and the town next door – Vina del Mar – are both features in the book – 1000 places to see before you die. Today in Valparaiso is where I start my cruise on the lovely Silver Muse – part of the Silversea fleet. Valparaiso is a very interesting city – once it was an extremely busy port but with the building of the Panama Canal many of the ships took the shorter route. Despite its size, it is Chile's most distinctive city and one of South America's most intriguing. Occupying a narrow strip of land between the waterfront and the nearby hills, its convoluted centre has distinctive, sinuous cobbled streets, and is overlooked by precipitous cliffs and hilltop suburbs which are accessed by funicular railways and stairway footpaths. It is conducive to maze-like strolls and rides on the funicular, and its natural history, fine arts and maritime museums are justly famed. Muelle Prat, the recently redeveloped pier, is a lively market area. When planning a cruise along the west coast of South America, Valparaiso is a great place to start. From here you can go north or south along the coastline visiting incredibly beautiful national parks and hard to get to places. This sort of coastline lends itself to expedition style cruising where you can go out in zodiaks and enjoy hiking but still cruise in the luxury of Silversea Cruises. So much is included – Here’s a really good offer for this level of style and comfort – Sail out of Valparaiso on 11 March next year Enjoy 10 days of luxury expedition cruising Valparaiso to Lima Fine dining, premium beverages, butler service Guided land and sea excursions All gratuities AND Free airfare if you book before 30 Nov From USD $4860 pp TUESAY 24 October 2017 Treat yourself this New Year’s eve. Instead of having to kiss strangers and spend a huge amount of money at some New Year’s Dinner down town get on a plane to Costa Rica. This exciting tour departs Calgary on 31 December and takes in this incredible itinerary – here are some of the highlights Guided boat trips through the canals and coastal jungle Overnight in a remote jungle lodge Search for monkeys, sloths and turtles Learn how to make tortillas at a local home Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Region End your adventures with a couple of days on the beach All this fully guided, unique accommodations and incredible experiences. Flights area included Package includes – 14 nights accommodation 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners Flights from Calgary All taxes 31 Dec departure $3589 pp ****** BLACK BOOK SPECIAL GREECE LONG STAY 6 May 2018 Includes: Round trip air from Calgary, 18 night accommodation, Daily breakfast Round trip transfers Taxes per person Cdn $2494 ****** SATURDAY 21 October 2017 A CELTIC VACATION So many Canadians have ties to Scotland and Ireland so here is a way of seeing both countries without being too structured. All transfers are hosted and daily breakfast is included – then you can go as you please or join in with some excursions organized on the spot by your Canadian hosts. This gives you the best flexibility for your vacation and lots of free time for yourself. The longer stays in the three main cities mean that the pace of this package is leisurely. No packing and unpacking – no early morning departures – no hours and hours in a coach. First we will fly you into Edinburgh where you will enjoy 4 fabulous nights in this truly beautiful city. It has a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers. Arthur’s Seat is an imposing peak in Holyrood Park with sweeping views, and Calton Hill is topped with monuments and memorials. Then across the country to spend 3 nights in Glasgow a port city on the River Clyde in Scotland's western Lowlands. It's famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, a rich legacy of the city's 18th–20th-century prosperity due to trade and shipbuilding. Today it's a national cultural hub, home to institutions including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, as well as acclaimed museums and a thriving music scene. Next hop on a ferry to Belfast. A guided city tour will show you the highlights. I just came back from Belfast a couple of months ago and was blown away by the fantastic restaurants and wonderful gaelic music at the pubs. Next down the road to Dublin – one of my personal favourites – and spend 5 nights here exploring. With 5 nights there you have lots of time to explore the surrounding countryside and look into some local tours. Castles and cliffs abound and definitely make sure to include a day trip out to Howth - a pretty rural spot not far from Dublin. Here are all the details - 29 May 2018 From per person Cdn $3849 Includes: Round trip air from Calgary 4 nights in Edinburgh 3 nights in Glasgow Belfast city tour 5 nights in Dublin Daily breakfast, transfers and ferry All taxes $3849 per person – 29 May 2018 PREVIOUSLY ON GLOBAL TV It seems crazy but the Fall foliage cruises are so popular and have such a narrow window of opportunity that they sell out quickly. So what’s out there that might appeal? How about a bit of luxury – we all deserve pampering – right? This exquisite luxury small ship cruise takes you from New York to Montreal in 10 days. While on board you can enjoy being pampered by your butler (yes!) and dine in first class restaurants with all drinks and gratuities included. Just 296 guests means that you will never feel crowded and getting on and off the ship will be a breeze. To make it even better they are offering an early booking discount and FREE airfare. Free and pampered luxury seem to go nicely together! So what’s the detail? 20 October 2018 New York to Montreal 10 days luxury cruising Beverages in suite and throughout the ship – including Champagne Fine dining All taxes Free airfare From USD $4590 per person. |
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Black Book Special!
Two weeks on the Algarve
Air from Calgary
All taxes
Studio self catering apartment close to the marina
18th November
$1599 per person
Air from Calgary
All taxes
Studio self catering apartment close to the marina
18th November
$1599 per person