here - Interchange

The name behind quality tours since 1973
We have been organising tours since 1973, have featured Cuba since 1992, and now
have pleasure in introducing you to our first “stand alone” brochure to Haiti.
HAITI
The energy and exuberance of the Haitian people, resulting from their unique blend of French and African influences, have
given the country a rather turbulent history. However, throughout coup and counter-coup the natural warmth and humour of
the people never failed to shine. Their love of music and dancing is regularly celebrated during festivals, especially Mardi
Gras, and voodoo ceremonies. Saturday nights will often see spontaneous displays of the
national dance, the Meringue, with its infectious rhythm cutting through the
tropical night air.
First visited by Columbus in the 15th century, Haiti shares the small
island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic and is the
Caribbean’s most mountainous country with ranges which sweep
down to the coastal plain. The mountains are covered in pine
forests and virgin cloud forests which are home to numerous
species of animals, birds, butterflies, ferns and rare orchids.
The capital, Port au Prince, huddled round a horseshoe bay,
enjoys a stunning setting with lofty mountains overshadowing
the city. The mountains are now home to many residents of
the city as the population overflows into the foothills. The
central park, the Champs de Mars, a magnet for locals and
visitors alike, is overlooked by the white, domed presidential
palace. The Sainte Trinite Episcopal Cathedral houses an
awesome collection of biblical murals which are a must see for any
visitor. Many buildings in the capital exude an air of genteel decay in
particular in the leafy suburbs of Petionville, where many houses are
elaborately decorated with turrets and ornate balconies and the streets are
lined with intimate cafes, galleries and elegant boutiques.
Away from the capital, scenic gems are waiting to be discovered by the visitor: Jacmel, one of the prettiest towns on the
island, with meandering streets leading down to the sea and grand mansions reminiscent of New Orleans; the hill resort of
Kenscoff where the privileged used to retreat from the intense heat; Cap Haitien, on the north coast, with its Spanish-style
architecture and, inland, the ruins of imposing plantation houses. Overlooking Cap Haitien the formidable fortress, La
Citadelle, watches over the former royal palace of Sans Souci below and commands breathtaking views of the area.
The natural beauty of the island is evident in its coastline and the national parks. The Cote des Arcadins, north of Port au
Prince, stretches for miles and is well served by hotels. The exquisite reefs surrounding the offshore cays offer excellent diving
opportunities and so too do the reefs close to Cap Haitien which have the added attraction of shipwrecks. Who knows what
secrets the hulks of old pirate ships still conceal?
The remote south west peninsula is one of the most beautiful parts of the island, home to Macaya National Park and Haiti’s
last virgin cloud forest. The lush forest shrouds fierce rivers and roaring waterfalls, and tree-covered mountains crowd up to
the coastline, protecting the palm-fringed beaches and isolated villages.
Independent Travel
TAILOR-MADE FLEXIBILITY
We can arrange your international
flights, someone to meet you at the
airport, all your transport and hotel
accommodation and any excursions
you require.
All of these arrangements are made
specifically for you so you are not
herded around with a mass of others
and you have the flexibility of going
where you want, when you want, with
the certainty that you will be
expected and welcomed when you get
there.
For advice, information
information and bookings see your
Local
Agent
Local Travel
Travel Agent
INTERCHANGE
Interchange House,
27, Stafford Road, Croydon
Surrey CR0 4NG.
orcall
call
or
INTERCHANGE on
on
0181-681
FAX:020
0181-760
020
8681 3612
3612 or FAX:
8760 0031
0031
The independent specialists to HAITI
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All hotels in Port-au-Prince have the following, unless otherwise indicated:
Own generator; European, American and Creole cuisine; English-speaking doctors
on call; air-conditioning. All the hotels display the wonderful Haitian art.
Villa Creole ****
Hotel Montana ****
A ‘Caribbean Classic’, this
hotel continues a half
century of welcoming
distinguished travellers to
Haiti with an international
reputation for impeccable
service and friendly staff.
A 96 bedroomed hotel with
splendid view overlooking the
bay and city of Port-au-Prince,
the capital. The rooms are
decorated in tropical fashion, are
spacious and well appointed.
Trees have been left in situ and
guests may be able to pick their
own avacados from them!
It is a luxurious hotel with
70 rooms in a garden
setting. The rooms have European decor to a very high standard.
The restaurant has a chef from France and the fish and meat are
imported form the US.
Other facilities include: Conference rooms, gym, tennis courts, water
treatment plant, satellite TV and access to Internet in each room.
Modern telephone and fax system. Free safety deposit box. 45
minutes from airport, 5 minutes from El Rancho.
El Rancho Hotel ****
Nestled in the hills of
Petionville, the hotel is
more like a palatial private
estate than a hotel. It has
95 rooms, of which 5 are
suites. They have now
converted the original
owner’s rooms into a
Presidential suite which is
magnificent, with its own dining room and beautiful antique furniture.
One of the suites features a red Victorian bath.
Other facilities include: A casino open nightly, water treatment plant,
satellite TV, pool and poolside bar, and health centre.
Plaza Holiday Inn ***
Lush tropical garden
setting. The 75 rooms are
well decorated in a rustic
style and the restaurant
offers various high
standard buffets during
the week. If you like to
have the main business
section of town at your fingertips, then this is the hotel – right up the
road from the National Palace and the Unknown Slave Statue.
Kinam Hotel ***
On the mountain in the old town of
Petionville, this hotel, originally a 19th
century ‘Gingerbread’-style mansion,
has been recently restored and
extended. It is set on a busy corner
near the main square and the pretty
restaurant overlooks the pool. The
rooms are charmingly decorated in a
tropical style. 30 minutes from airport.
Hotel Oloffson ***
The epitome of style is offered in this
‘Gingerbread’ hotel, which Graham
Greene made famous in his book ‘The
Comedians”.
The hotel offers three types of
bedrooms: Standard cottage (each
unique and spread around the
gardens, hidden amongst the trees),
and suites named after famous
musicians or journalists/authors who
have stayed there. This includes the
Graham Greene room. Unique ambiance utilising Haitian art and
antique furniture to create a different and original setting. Not all
rooms have TV and air-conditioning.
Situated in the town’s business area within its own spacious
grounds. 45 minutes from airport.
Moulin Sur Mer ****
This authentic colonial
plantation estate in
‘Gingerbread’-style has 67
rooms and dates back
from 1750 and hs been
restored and furnished
with antiques. Located at
Montrouis, 2 hours from
Port-au-Prince.
Kaliko Beach Club ****
This lovely 55-room beach hotel has
been refurbished and updated in 1998.
It overlooks the attractive pool,
restaurant and bar. The room price
includes 3 meals (the restaurant is of a
high standard with plenty of choice) and
a free bar (including the local Haitian
Rum, wine and soft drinks). The
excellent beach offers a wide area of
lovely white sand, palm trees and beach
loungers. Located about 2 hours from
the capital on the Cote des Arcadins.
Other facilities include: 2 conference rooms seating up to 150, water
treatment plant giving drinkable water on tap, 32 channels on TV,
tennis court, fitness room. 30 minutes from airport.
The 600 feet white sandy
beach is prolonged by a ‘Gingerbread’-style pagoda over the ocean.
Hotel Rio Christophe**
Former 18th century
French governor’s
mansion. Exceptional
character. Located
centre of Cap Haitien.
French restaurant, pool
and nearby private
beach.
Facilities include: Volley ball, water skiing, tennis, pool, 3 conference
rooms seating up to 225 people, honeymoon packages, diving.
Mont Joli ***
Set on a hilltop in the midst of town and surrounded by a curtain of
tropical foliage, the Mont Joli has superb views of Cap Haitien’s
harbours and mountains. Amenities include 45 air-conditioned
rooms (all with ocean views). 2 bars, pool, private beach minutes
away, dining room serving exquisite Creole cuisine and lounge
featuring nightly entertainment.
Highlights of
Haiti
(Indian name for Land of Mountains)
COACH TOUR
8 Days / 7 Nights
Our fully guided tour covers
Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, a
beach-side stay at Moulin sur
Mer, a stay at Cap Haitien in the
north, and tour of the Citadelle, a
UNESCO World Heritage site,
ending up back in Port-au-Prince.
Your holiday cost includes:
• Return scheduled flights between London Heathrow
and Port-au-Prince, with Air France.
• UK Departure Tax.
• 7 nights’ accommodation in 2- or 3-star hotels in
twin/double rooms with bath/shower.
• Meals as specified.
• Car or minibus transportation throughout.
• English-speaking guides.
• Assistance of our local representative.
• Porterage. • Folk-lore and craft presentation.
Not included:
• Insurance.
• Haiti Departure Tax (25 USD + 10 HAITIAN
GOURDES payable locally at airport after checkin). This tax is subject to change.
• Non-Haitian alcoholic drinks, and tips.
NB: Prices based on a minimum of 2 passengers.
Day 1: Arrive Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Transfer to the Plaza Holiday Inn /
Kinam Hotel; settle into
hotel/accommodation; welcome
drink with nibbles; brief introduction to programme by our
local representative; welcome meal.
Day 2: Breakfast. The Birth of a Nation tour: Visit the
Unknown Slave statue; the Statues of the 1st King and the 1st
Emperor; photoshoot of the National Palace; visit the
Pantheon Museum (showing a brief history of Haiti); visit St.
Trinity Episcopalian church with native paintings.
Lunch in Fermathe – the mountains – Self Help project café;
visit the Self Help shop; see a typical mountain market village;
visit Fort Jacques – nearly 200 years old with a panoramic
view of the whole of Port-au-Prince right over to the
Dominican Republic – photos; sample Haitian rum liqueur in
the renowned Chateau Barbancourt; visit Boutillier – views of
Port-au-Prince.
Day 3: Transfer to the Cote des Arcadins, staying at Moulin
sur Mer by the beach: opportunities for snorkelling,
swimming, volley ball, basket ball or just relaxing.
Visit the historical museum in Ancient Colonial House at
Moulin sur Mer; lunch, dinner and local drinks included; stay
overnight at this beach hotel.
Day 4: Trip to Cap Haitien in the North of Haiti. Plenty of
stops for photoshoots; lunch en route; arrive at the central
Hotel Rio Christophe or the Hotel
Mon Joli (slight upgrade cost if
Rio Christophe not available)
and settle in; walk around Cap
Haitien.
Day 5: Visit the Sans Souci Palace
at Milot, and then on to the
Citadelle, a fortress 3,000 ft. up
the mountain, nearly 200 years
old; take the bus so far up and then a horse to arrive at the
top for last half hour with assistance from local guides – no
previous riding experience needed! Spectacular view plus a
guided tour of the Citadelle – a UNESCO World Heritage site;
lunch and visit to a coffee plantation; visit Labadie or look
around town of Cap Haitien.
Day 6: Return to the Cotes des Arcadins with lunch en route.
Stay at the Kaliko Beach Hotel (lunch, dinner and local drinks
included).
Day 7: Return to Plaza Holiday Inn or Kinam Hotel in Port-auPrince /Petionville. Free time in the cooler upmarket town of
Petionville in the mountains above Port-au-Prince. The chance
to experience the bustling market, local art galleries and local
shops; farewell dinner at hotel, followed by folklore and craft
presentation.
Day 8: Free time at leisure until check out of hotel; travel to
airport to take your scheduled flight home, arriving the next
day in the UK – Day 9.
Please note that beach extensions are possible – contact
Interchange for details.
For details and brochures call: 0181 681 3612 or ask
your local Travel Agent
YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT
Traveller’s Advice for Haiti
• The island of Hispaniola which comprises
Haiti at the Western end and the Dominican
Republic in the East, is situated below Florida
and 90 miles from both Cuba and Jamaica.
• Haiti can be reached from Miami in 1 hour
45 minutes. Or 11 hours from Paris. Air France
and American Airlines fly to it regularly.
• Population: 7 million.
• Language: The national language is Creole
and the official language French.
• Currency: There are 3 different currencies:
Gourdes - the local Haitian currency; Haitian
Dollars - made up of around 16 Gourdes to the
US Dollar; US Dollars. All three are used
concurrently. Bring US dollars not pounds.
• Climate: Maximum temperature - 90°F (at
noon - Aug), minimum temperature - 65°F (at
5am - Feb). The hurricane season is between
September and December, which means there
is a possibility for more rain at this time.
• Electric Current: The electricity runs on the
same current as the United States (110 volts).
There are frequent power cuts in the capital so
it is wise to bring battery powered or
rechargeable appliances.
• Essential Shopping: Items such as films,
toiletries and general pills and medicines can
be freely bought.
• Departure tax: There is an exit tax of US
$25, payable locally, plus 10 Haitian Gourdes.
• Passports: All passports must be valid for at
least 6 months after your departure date from
Haiti. Visas are not required by Nationals of the
UK holding passports that indicate right of
abode in the UK (i.e. holders of British
Commonwealth passports may require visas).
• Health: There are no compulsory
vaccinations at the moment, but Tetanus and
Typhoid are recommended. We also
recommend that you consult your doctor or
contact the Health Advice for Travellers on the
Health Literature Line on telephone 0800
555777. Please note that if you are arriving
from an area infected with Yellow Fever, then
it is compulsory that you carry a valid
inoculation certificate. Hygiene is not up to
European standards, especially in public areas.
You should always drink bottled water and
ensure that the seal is still intact when
purchasing the bottle. As Haiti is sub-tropical,
mosquitoes can be a problem so you should
take adequate precautions, especially after dark
when mosquitoes are most active.
A further
Selection from
our Spirit of
Brochures for
the Independent
Traveller
Available Soon:
Interchange
Interchange
House,
StaffordRoad,
Road,House,
Croydon, Surrey
4NG,
UK UK
Interchange
House,
2727
Stafford
Croydon,
SurreyCR0
CR0
4NG,
27Tel:
Stafford
Road,
Croydon,Surrey
CR0
4NG
Tel:
0208681
8681
3612
0031
020
3612
•• Telefax:
Telefax:020
0208760
8760
0031
e-mail:
interchange@interchangeworldwide.com
e-mail:
interchange@interchangeworldwide.com
Tel:
0181-681
3612 Fax: 0181-760 0031
INTERCHANGEwww.interchangeworldwide.com
-www.interchangeworldwide.com
The name behind quality tours since 1973
INTERCHANGE
– Thename
namebehind
behind quality tours
1973
INTERCHANGE
– The
tourssince
since
1973
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