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Ensemble Vacations® brings you a world of opportunity, presenting within its pages experiences to
and create a new definition of your perfect getaway. As a member of Ensemble Travel® Group,
we have access to Ensemble® Exclusive programs, including the worldwide resources and expertise
of in-destination specialists, an extensive collection of distinguished properties around the globe,
Fall 2013
spark your imagination and whet your appetite. Allow our agency to bring your travel dreams to life,
ENSEMBLE VACations®
INSPIRING YOUR PASSION FOR TRAVEL
Inspiring your passion for travel
Fall 2013
VIP access, and upgrades and amenities that provide you with impeccably customized service.
Heavenly
Hawaii
DISCOVER THE ISLANDS
Roatan Reconnect
Panama Hat Trick
Local Encounters
Trinidad’s Delicious
Melting Pot
Connecting on a
Family Cruise
9
PLUS
of the
Caribbean’s best
golf courses
Vacations Fall 2013 Agency Covers.indd 1
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The best vacations
begin with your Ensemble
Travel Agency.
®
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Our
vacation specialists are some of the most highly trained
and experienced travel agents in the world. Over 300 Ensemble
Travel® Group agencies across Canada offer an astounding array
of vacation choices.
We’ve got you covered. In and out of the sun.
Choose from our Hotel & Resort Collection and relax in the
lap of ultimate luxury; discover our Ensemble® Hosted Cruises
with complimentary amenities; or set sail for great savings with
exclusive Ensemble® South Pacific Experiences; or get a
taste of real adventure with Bon Vivant – an exquisite feast of
unique culinary travel itineraries.
Whether you’re exploring new destinations or returning to a favourite vacation spot, protect yourself. After all,
the cost of travel insurance is minimal compared to the risk of being faced with a medical emergency expense
while away from home. With affordable coverage from RBC Insurance®, you can be taken care of with:
■
Our toll-free number offering immediate multilingual emergency assistance, available 24/7.
■
Medical care that will help get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
■
Coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Baggage & Personal Effects.
■
Upfront payments for eligible emergency medical and hospital expenses
whenever possible, so you won’t pay out of pocket.
For more information on travel insurance,
call your travel professional today.
TM
Underwritten by RBC Insurance Company of Canada. In Quebec, certain coverages underwritten by RBC General Insurance Company.
® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.
VPS84163
For the best vacation choices contact your Ensemble Travel Group Agent or visit www.ensembletravel.ca for our agency locator.
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Our exclusive collection of Ensemble Hosted
Cruises are thoughtfully tailored with
personal touches and complimentary amenities.
We offer a stunning Hotel & Resort Collection
providing luxury beyond your imagination
along with exclusive Ensemble offers.
in over 50 destinations world-wide, Ensemble
Villas and Vacation Homes range from single
bedroom apartments to expansive estates.
For the foody in you, we present Bon Vivant –
a collection of unique culinary itineraries and
a banquet of good taste in travel.
Our Ensemble South Pacific Experiences offer
first class travel at the best tropical locations
and incredible savings.
T E M P T I NG
meet
*Fuel supplement has been suspended. Holland America Line reserves the right to re-instate the fuel
supplement for all guests at up to USD $9 per person per day should the price of light sweet crude oil
U N FO
according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above USD $70 per barrel. Please
consult our website for current information. Fares are based on Promo RH. Featured fares are per person
Personalized service.
Sophisticated ambiance.
140 years of global exploration.
Explore the world with
Holland America Line.
14-Day Indonesian Discovery
Roundtrip San Diego
ms Rotterdam
Oceanview from (cat FF)
CAD $
02/28/2014
2,099
+Taxes CAD $205.06
RGET TA BL E
10-Day Panama Canal Sunfarer
Roundtrip Fort Lauderdale
ms Zuiderdam
Oceanview from (cat G)
CAD $
03/07/2014
1,599
+Taxes CAD $326.49
14-Day Pacific Treasures
Roundtrip Sydney
ms Oosterdam
Oceanview from (cat G)
CAD $
03/30/2014
1,899
+Taxes CAD $188.46
15-Day Panama Canal
San Diego to Ft Lauderdale
ms Veendam
Oceanview from (cat FF)
CAD $
03/30/2014
2,199
+Taxes CAD $390.77
Spacious, Elegant Ships
n
Gracious, Award-Winning Service
Extensive Activities and Enrichment Programs
based on double occupancy, cruise only. Fares are in Canadian dollars and include non-commissionable
fares. Taxes are additional and vary according to itinerary. Subject to availability. Offers are capacity
n
n
Worldwide Itineraries
Sophisticated Five-Star Dining
controlled, and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Restrictions may apply. Please refer to
the appropriate Holland America brochure for full terms and conditions. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.
Two unique
experiences, one trip
Panama City
Havana
Our SunPromotions
Winter
2013-2014
THE EARLIER YOU BOOK, THE MORE YOU’LL GET!
• More peace of mind when you travel • More hotel and destination choices
• More flexibility to change your plans • More savings on your vacation
Advantages of booking by:
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
• Save $200 per couple
• Have the opportunity to change
your travel date up to 3 hours
before departure
• Deposit of $50 instead of $250
• A chance to win your vacation
OCTOBER 31, 2013
• Save $100 per couple
• Have the opportunity to change
your travel date up to 72 hours
before departure
Terms & conditions apply, ask for details.
Vacations don’t have to come in neat
little boxes. Nolitours is pleased to offer
noliDUO, a line of packages that allows
travellers to enjoy a more complete
vacation experience by combining two
very different destinations.
Spend part of your vacation soaking up
the sun on a beautiful beach, and the
other half exploring the cultural and
historic attractions of an intriguing city
or town down South.
PANAMA
COSTA BLANCA AREA 5 nights
PANAMA CITY or
GAMBOA RAINFOREST 2 nights
HONDURAS new
ROATAN 2 nights
COPAN 2 nights
ROATAN 3 nights
CUBA
VARADERO 4 nights
HAVANA 3 nights
Contributors
Brian Kendall has golfed throughout the
world, but is especially partial to the palm
tree-lined fairways of the West Indies.
“Caribbean golf has really come of age,”
says the author of this issue’s Caribbean
Golf’s Front Nine article. “Luxury resorts
now feel they have to have a championship course to survive in a fiercely competitive market.” Kendall, who lives in
Toronto, writes regularly on golf for the
travel section of the Globe and Mail, and
his magazine articles have appeared in
publications such as Reader’s Digest and
Golf Canada. He is also the author of six
books, including Northern Links: Canada
From Tee to Tee, which chronicles his adventures in Canadian golf – from a tee off
in Yellowknife’s famous Midnight Sun tournament to a round with Marlene Stewart
Streit, Canada’s only member of the World
Golf Hall of Fame.
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Ensemble Vacations Fall 2013
Chris Robinson hosts and produces The
Chris Robinson Travel Show, the most
popular travel program on Canadian radio.
Over ten years and almost one thousand
shows, Chris has taken listeners to all parts
of the globe. This is just the latest chapter
in a travelogue that began with a roundthe-world trip aged six; a six month overland trip along the ‘Hippy Trail’ as a
teenager
across
Iran,
Afghanistan,
Pakistan and India to the Nepalese Himalaya; a Cambridge University expedition
to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru; many
years working for the world’s biggest vacation companies; and another multimonth, around-the-world trip with his wife
and ten week old son. He has advised the
Canadian Tourism Commission, he’s a
Board Member of Discover America
Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. But most of all he says,
“I just love enthusing readers, listeners and
viewers to travel”.
Colombian-born, Canadian raised
Mary Luz Mejia is a freelance food/
travel journalist, Gemini-nominated
food TV producer and food communications professional. She is a regular
contributor to TheLoop.ca‘s food
pages, the food and drink contributing
editor for the NATJA award winning
Ensemble Vacations magazine and she
was the brunch columnist for the
Toronto Star’s weekly column “The
Morning After” for the last year of its
existence. Her work has appeared in
the Toronto Star, Organic Gardening in
the US, The Globe and Mail, Canadian
Living online and Toronto Life. Saveur
Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief James Oseland calls her “One of Toronto’s most
passionate food journalists” and her
goal to is master iconic Latin American dishes, one plate at a time.
26 Panama Hat Trick
Fall 2013
Credits
Publisher
Ensemble Travel® Group
Editor
Helen Hewetson
Associate Editor
Mary Luz Mejia
Contributors
Brian Kendall
Chris Robinson
Christine Sismondo
Jennifer Ashton
Mary Luz Mejia
Michele Sponagle
Sam Ion
Tim Johnson
Art Direction
Valerie Lenoir
Bertrand Richer Fleur de lysée
30 Caribbean Golf’s Front Nine
Design
Bertrand Richer Fleur de lysée
Andy Thomas (Special Featured Sections)
TURN KEY Marketing Solutions Inc.
Production
Andy Thomas
TURN KEY Marketing Solutions Inc.
Advertising Sales
Travelweek Bulletin
122 Parliament St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5A 2Y8
Tel: (416) 365-1500; Toll Free Canada & USA.
1-855-392-8820
Sue Winiecki
Business Development Manager | Ext. 127
E-mail: swiniecki@travelweek.ca
Annie Cicvaric
Business Development Manager | Ext. 131
E-mail: acicvaric@travelweek.ca
Destination Marketing Hawaii
3555 Harding Ave
Honolulu, HI 96822
Kathryn Stringer
Account Manager
Email: katstringer@dmhawaii.com
P: 808-739-2200 l F: 808-739-2201
Ensemble Travel® Group
Co-President
Lindsay N. Pearlman
Vice President Marketing Georganne Shirk
Director of Marketing
34 Local Encounters
Franca Iuele
© Ensemble Travel Group. All rights reserved.
Fall 2013 Ensemble Travel® Group.
Ensemble Vacations®, Ensemble® Experience,
Ensemble® Exclusive,Ensemble® HostedCruises,
Ensemble® Villas & Vacation Homes,
Ensemble® On Location and Ensemble®
Hotel & Resort Collection are all proprietary
trademarks of Ensemble Travel® Group. No
part of this publication may be reprinted
or otherwise duplicated without written
permission of the publisher. Ensemble Vacations®
is published four times per year on behalf of
Ensemble Travel® Group member agencies.
Ensemble Vacations
69 Yonge Street, Suite 1403
Toronto, Ontario M5E 1K3
Tel: (416) 367-3660
Registration Numbers: vary by agency;
see back cover
Publication mail agreement: No. 40005027
Printed in Canada
Cover image Sand Bar, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu,
Hawaii © Douglas Peebles / eStock Photo
If you are a travel agent interested in
learning more about the Ensemble Travel
Group, please call (416) 367 3660 or visit
www.joinensemble.com
Travel
& Change
Recently I was put on the spot and asked
why I love travel. I realized that in 15 years
of working in the travel industry, I’d never
truly considered the question before.
While I stood there, contemplating, it occurred to me that I love travel because it
allows me to change and grow in ways I
never could at home. Travel gives me perspective: it’s not until I’m deep underwater
with flashes of colourful, shimmering fish
flitting past; or on top of a distant mountain, gulping in cold, fresh air as I admire
the view; or feeling goosebumps on my
arms as I gingerly step through an ancient
place of worship, that I feel truly alive and
rejuvenated. Those are the times when
everything falls into place.
That’s why, when the opportunity arose
to become the new editor of Ensemble
Vacations® Magazine, I jumped at the
chance. Helping people explore their
own lives through experiencing new and
different countries and places has always
– perhaps unknowingly – been my driving
force.
So I hope that through these pages you
will find inspiration for your own exploration. Whether you read a super tip from
one of our Ensemble® members, or find
8
•
a great Ensemble® Exclusive deal to help
you plan your holidays, or learn about the
newest and hottest restaurants from our
Worldly Delights section, this magazine is
designed to help get you started.
Winter planning season is just beginning, so this edition is about holidays to
warm destinations like the Caribbean and
Mexico, and Central America and Hawaii –
all places you can go and forget the winter
for a while. If you’re like me, you’ll love
having plenty of time to dream and plan
your days away.
Perhaps you’ll be tempted by Peru’s Pisco
Trail, or dream of snorkelling in Honduras,
or meeting the local people on the islands,
or kicking back in Panama. These are just
a few of the many ideas we’ve offered up
for you in this edition.
There will be some changes to the
magazine in coming months, so if you
have ideas of your own or would like to
comment on our stories, please drop me a
line. I would love to hear from you.
Warmly,
Helen Hewetson
Editor, Ensemble Vacations®
hhewetson@ensembletravel.ca
38 Roatan Reconnect
Fall 2013
Features
24 5 Top Family Friendly
Cruise Trends
A hassle-free holiday the
whole family will love!
26 PANAMA HAT TRICK
Three vacation spots:
one small country
30CARIBBEAN’S FRONT NINE
The most notable Caribbean
courses
34 LOCAL ENCOUNTERS
Caribbean warmth, local style
48 A Fiesta Fit for the Gods
38ROATAN RECONNECT
A girlfriend getaway
41 Heavenly Hawaii
Discover the islands
Detours
10DIVERSIONS
Rum running, food trucks and
travel spin-offs
11
LITERARY ESCAPES
Three books being released
this fall
12TRAVEL COMPANIONS
A packing list for fall getaways
14CASE STUDIES
The best of the all-new
ultralights
16CRUISE NEWS
50 Peru’s Pisco Trail
Hot or cold - Caribbean &
Antarctica
18TRAVEL FILE
A deluxe find in Riviera Maya
20 EV HOTLIST
Five hand-picked vacation
ideas from our partners
46WORLDLY DELIGHTS
An armchair voyage of
culinary discovery
68SEATMATES
Get to know Lindsay Pearlman
8A LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR
Detours
Periscope
Diversions
In Canada, they are single-minded food
trucks like Hamilton’s Gorilla Cheese (devoted to grill cheese), Reel Mac and
Cheese in Vancouver (for movie-themed
macaroni like Godzilla) and Calgary’s The
Perogy Boyz for carb-centric perogy
feasts. Sounds delicious.
Spin-off fever:
Big names branch out with
travel-minded goodies.
Movies and TV series aren’t the only ones
obsessed with spin-offs. The W Hotel
chain has a complete store devoted to its
branded merchandises, from CD’s to bed
linens. It seems that others are anxious to
expand their offerings.
Qantas is getting into the publishing business with a series of 10 novels, written
specifically for their passengers as part of
its in-flight entertainment lineup. Meanwhile, actor Gwyneth Paltrow is getting
into travel guide apps.
Rum running:
Super sipping done Caribbean-style
The Caribbean is synonymous with rum,
thanks to its expansive fields of sugar
cane. What better way to get a taste of
rum culture than with factory tours and
rum tastings? Here are some favourites:
Barbados Mount Gay Rum claims to be
the world’s oldest at 300 years old. A rum
tour at the visitors’ centre in Bridgetown
pays homage to its history and highlights
the aging and blending process.
Guyana The Demerara Rum Heritage
Centre centres around the Barrel Bar,
where you can sample through the entire
range of El Dorado rums. An amphitheatre
entertains guests with documentaries
about the island’s favourite beverage.
Jamaica Fan of Appleton Estate Rum
should make the trek to the pretty Nassau
Valley in St. Elizabeth. The best part of the
tour is the gift shop where you can buy exclusive rums not available anywhere else.
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Keep on truckin’:
North America’s unique
food trucks
The mobile food truck revolution is here.
Eclectic offerings are winning over new
fans to mobile cuisine. Portland, Oregon
may have lead the way, but other cities
like Vancouver and Calgary are following
suit. Here a few truck stops worth making:
In Seattle, Maximus Minimus is hard to
miss. This food truck serves up the best
pulled pork sandwiches in the west, but its
real claim to fame is its design. Look for a
giant truck fashioned into a big steel pig,
complete with front-end snout, ears, tail
and sunglasses when it’s parked.
With trucks in five U.S. cities, Coolhaus is
sweetening the appetites of ice cream
fans with funky flavours, sandwiched in
between delicious cookies. The twist here
is their wrappers. Don’t toss them in the
garbage eat them. They’re edible, made
with potato paper and soy ink.
Foodies can get a taste of the delights
served on board Rocky Mountaineer
trains, thanks to its new cookbook, Eat
Play Love. It showcases the best of Canada
with dishes like maple-cured salmon and
creamy barley risotto.
Detours
Literary Escapes
Required Reading
1Mastering the Art of French
Eating: Lessons in Food and
Love from a Year in Paris
Ann Mah
Penguin Group
On sale September 26
Julia Child brought French cuisine to
the masses. Now, author Ann Mah
goes one step further and reveals how
it evolved. As the young wife of a diplomat working in France, she ate her
way around the country visiting 10 regions and sampling the legendary
dishes, like buttery crepes from Brittany, steak et frites served in the cafes
of Paris, and salade Lyonnaise from
Lyon. She describes her culinary discoveries with lush sensual prose and
you can’t help but feel your appetite
stir with every paragraph. Thankfully,
you can try out the recipes that she includes. Through her connections with
chefs, fellow diners, restaurant owners
and artisans, she discovers the deep
bonds that develop over a mutual passion for food. More than anything, this
book creates a rich portrait of French
food and its lasting impact on global
taste.
2The Asylum
Simon Doonan
Penguin Group
On sale September 3
The world of fashion is a fickle one.
What was hot yesterday may be passé
tomorrow and the cast of characters,
from supermodels to designers and
photographers, is more colourful than
a Christmas parade. Fortunately, Brit
Simon Doonan sees the humour in it
all. In a series of personal essays, he
skewers the fashion scene with a
sharp wit backed by a keen talent for
observation. His job has given him access to fashion’s A-list, from Vogue
editor Anna Wintour to super waif
Kate Moss. His attitude about fashion
and its menagerie of personalities is
refreshing. Though he works in the
business, he has not drank the KoolAid. He clearly sees the ridiculousness
of fashion’s flightiness. There’s no
timidity about biting the hand that
has fed him in the industry he’s worked
in for more than two decades. Despite
the swipes Doonan dishes out, he
loves fashion and that’s what helps
make this book such a playful romp.
3Karma Gone Bad: How I
Learned to Love Mangos,
Bollywood and Water
Buffalo
Jenny Feldon
Sourcebooks
On sale November 5
India is a maddening, puzzling, magical place. It’s chaotic and charming all at
once. When Jenny Feldon, her husband and dog moved there from New
York, she experienced a roller coaster
of emotions. Navigating the Indian
medical system, trying to decipher
how to order a pizza for delivery and
searching for something that resembled fabric softener pushed her
patience to the limit. She had to rethink
what really mattered while embracing
the cultural. This book delves deeper
into what living in a developing country reveals about us. Feldon’s marriage
begins to unravel in India. Did living in
a new unfamiliar place expose its
cracks, or would they have appeared
eventually in their former lives in New
York? While Feldon doesn’t provide a
definitive answer, her untamed honesty and quirky sense of humour takes
readers on a fascinating ride from the
first chapter to the last.
•
11
Detours
Travel Companions
Packing List
1
London Calling, Bella
Canadian-designed and fabulously
functional, the Nella-Bella London Bag
is the stylish multi-tasker you’ve been
looking for in a travel companion.
From sleek evening clutch to day time
messenger bag, this pretty workhorse
goes from dinner and an opera to city
sightseeing faster than you can say
“Tea for Two!” Wear it or use it in one
of eighteen ways – like the travel
pouch that converts into a make-up
bag or the full sized handbag that
doubles as an iPad case. Made of durable, vegan material and available in a
spate of colours and patterns to
match your many moods. $125 per
bag and available online: nella-bella.com/collections/london
1
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2 Never Lose a Cell Phone
Again!
If you’re forever losing your smart
phone, misplacing your brief case or
can’t seem to locate your rental car in
a busy lot, consider packing the
Proximo next time you jet. This Appenabled proximity monitoring system
is designed to track your iPhone, keys,
luggage and other valuables at all
times. The device will alert you via a
customizable alarm as soon as you
move a set distance away from your
track enabled valuables. A Proximo
Starter Kit nets you additional tags or
fobs to keep an “eye”, so you’ll never
have to visit the “lost and found” in
any city again! $59.99 for the Starter
Kit. Available at Best Buy, Future
Shop, Amazon.ca and the Apple Store
Canada.
2
3 Feather-Light Footwear
Walking shoes don’t have to be
boulder-heavy, frumpy blocks that
look like something your great-grandparents would wear. The multisport
Zuuk by HI-TECH is your zippy, fun
-loving answer to funky footwear.
Highly breathable with performance
mesh uppers, they feature an Ortholite sock liner to deliver odour-busting, long-lasting cushioning for heavy
walking days. Weighing in at a mere
166g, these lightweight, compactable
troopers are designed to keep you
cool, comfy and looking hip. Available
for him and her in a rainbow of colours. $69.99 a pair, available at Sears
across Canada.
3
Detours
Travel Companions
Packing List
4 Stylish Sun Blocker
The Vera Suntect line from Coolibar
means you stay as cool as a cucumber
under exceptionally light and stylish
garments that completely block the
sun’s damaging rays. A touch of spandex holds the shape of these
cashmere-soft travel-worthy companions in a variety of styles. The tunic
top is a fetching transitional piece
from beach to a relaxed night on the
town. From ruched hoodies, hats and
slacks to polo tops, the Vera Suntect
line has you covered from tip to toe.
Prices start at $35 for some hats, up to
$119.50 for the tunics. Available online
at: coolibar.com 4
5 Tablet Friendly Travel
Designed to keep your iPad scratch
and dust free, the Victorinox
Vancouver is a Napa leather bound,
multi-functional integrated stand created to make travel with your tablet a
breeze. The interior stand folds into
two practical positions to create a
keyboard stand or a Facetime video
stand. Dual exterior zippers allow for
quick access while elastic bands strap
your tablet in, meaning that all buttons and ports are ready when you
are. Available online at unluggage.com
for $185
5
6 Wafer Thin Utility
This twelve-in-one, 1mm thin utility
tool makes anything else look like a
cable guy’s belt – while being flight
compliant and slipping into your wallet like a credit card. The willowy wonder that is the Pocket Monkey features
a bottle opener, a micro screwdriver
(ideal for wobbly sunglass arms), an
orange peeler and even a banana
nicker. An assortment of screwdrivers
and wrenches round out the possible
uses – ideal for a trip to the cabin, cottage, beach or boat. How handy is
that!? $14 per tool, available online:
zootilitytools.com
6
•
13
Detours
Case studies:
Weighing in on the newest in ultra-light luggage
These days, travellers are thinking plenty about weight control especially when it comes to their luggage. A combination of savvy
packing and the right suitcase can help you dodge potential excess baggage fees levied by airlines. Fortunately, this fresh crop of
ultra-light bags can help lighten the load for your next vacation.
Before you buy, check the height and sturdiness of the pull-up
handle. It should slide back into position easily and securely. Give
the wheels a whirl, too. Look for a smooth glide and solid construction. Check zippers for ease of movement and reinforced
seams that can stand up to jet-setting lifestyles.
Most of all, a suitcase should suit the way you travel and pack.
Some voyagers like to group similar objects in individual pouches
and pockets, while others prefer to unzip and see everything they
packed visible out in front of them. A divided hard-shell case may
be the ticket. Those with a tendency to over pack might see the
advantages of the forgiving properties of soft luggage.
Your best strategy, whether you choose hard or soft-shell types,
is to pack wisely and strategically. Choose your vacation wardrobe based on one or two predominant colours. Limit shoes to
three pairs. And think layers when it comes to cooler weather.
Take along trial-sized toiletries; download books and magazines
to your iPad or e-reader. Whittle down the amount of clothes you
take by using the hotel laundry service, find a Laundromat, or
hand wash items in your room.
The rest comes down to picking an ultra-light case that is as
ready as you are to take off.
Meet the contenders….
Travelpro Maxlite 2
20” Exp Spinner SwissGear Extra Light
collection 20’’ expandable
upright
Weight: 7.2 lbs.
Material: Nylon
Weight: 6.2 lbs.
Material: Polypropylene
This smartly designed, expandable
bag has plenty of thoughtful
touches to make it a good choice
for any frequent flyer. It has handy
exterior pockets to tuck in tickets,
boarding passes and electronics.
And rubber molded corner guards
helps it stand up to the torture any
baggage handler can dish out. The
four spinner wheels allows for
smooth gliding, even over uneven
surfaces. ($280 available online at
ebags.com)
Heys Lightweight Pro 21”
spinner
Weight: 5.2 lbs.
Material: polycarbonate
Go ahead and buy a few extra
souvenirs. This lightweight wonder
is expandable. Just unzip and the
space capacity leaps by 20 per
cent. The inside is fully lined for
tidy packing. On the exterior shell,
the diamond embossed surface
helps prevent scuffs and scratches,
so it stays good looking longer. It’s
well priced for those migrating into
hard-shell territory for the first
time. Warning: You may be hooked!
($280 at The Bay store and online
at thebay.com)
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A sturdy pull-up handle made of aircraft-grade alu
minum and ergonomic top and side handles make
this bag a solid, rugged choice for
global nomads. Its soft sides stand
up to over-zealous packing and expand to provide an extra two inches
of space. The exterior’s woven
jacquard fabric resists snags and
tears while giving the case a style
edge at a value price. ($180 available online at ebags.com)
Rimowa Salsa Air 21”
Weight: 4.2 lbs.
Material: Polycarbonate shell
Fellow passengers may look at you with
jealousy as you pull this hard shell
beauty off the luggage carousel at the
airport. Its sleek style gives it a contemporary flair that’s tough to match with
new gorgeous shades (like Ipanema, a
brilliant turquoise) being introduced.
It’s a winner in its weight class at just
over four pounds. It strikes a balance
between being rigid, courtesy of its
five-layer polycarbonate shell, and resilient enough to withstand compression
and high impact. ($475 available online
at ebags.com)
7888
Detours
Exclusive Access &
All-Inclusive Luxury
Cruise News
Winter Wonderland Antarctic
Crystal Voyage
On December 21, 2013 Crystal Cruises
will set sail for a magical winter wonderland sailing to Antarctica aboard the
award-winning Crystal Symphony. The
itinerary includes Argentina, Uruguay,
Chile, Falkland Islands, Drake Passage,
Cape Horn, and the Chilean Fjords and
numerous excursions to the Antarctic continent. Crystal is one of the few
cruise lines sailing to Antarctica, due
to the strict environmental regulations.
The 18-day cruise is packed with opportunities to explore nature- from volcanoes to
waterfalls, humpback whales, and elephant
seals to kayaking the Strait of Magellan
and visiting working farms in the Falklands
and Patagonia. Onboard speakers include
an Antarctic expedition book author, climate change researcher, shark conservationist, and CBS News correspondent.
For guests who want to explore Antarctica
there are many activities they can partake
in. Anything from flying, hiking, or hop-
ping into a zodiac over and on the icy continent, viewing Air Force homes, penguin
breeding grounds, and the gorgeous glacial scenery of King George and Ardley Islands. For those with an adventurous spirit
wanting to go the extra mile, Crystal offers
very limited number of overnight excursions at the Chilean Eduardo Frei Antarctic Base (INACH)
Ask about our amazing
Ensemble® Hosted Cruise
program and enjoy the
following amenities for this
Crystal Cruises select
departure:
Complimentary
Ensemble® Experience Shore Event:
PUNTA ARENAS - Punta Arenas And
Its Founders’ Story
Ensemble® Travel Host aboard
Complimentary Ensemble® Traveler
Cocktail Party
Families will enjoy the ultimate vacation experience as Nickelodeon®, the
number-one entertainment brand for
kids, will be part of the Getaway. Guests
will have the opportunity to cruise with
SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star,
Dora the Explorer and Diego, among other favorite Nickelodeon characters; as
well as participate in a variety of exciting interactive Nickelodeon experiences.
New Norwegian Getaway
great for families, foodies
and fun seekers.
The Norwegian Cruise newest ship, the
Norwegian Gateway, is set to sail from
Miami in early February 2014 on an Eastern
Caribbean itinerary. During her 7 day voyage she will visit Philipsburg, St. Maarten;
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau,
16
•
Bahamas. With 4,000 passengers, it will be
the largest ship to home port year-round
in Miami. The ship will feature a rich mix
of stateroom options including The Haven
by Norwegian - 42 Suites at the top of the
ship in an exclusive, private key-card enclave and 22 additional Suites located
throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers.
Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian
will bring a luxury seafood dining experience to The Waterfront and 678 Ocean
Place with three distinct dining locations on board. On the entertainment side
Norwegian Cruise Line continues to offer
innovative shows as it announced that the
seven-time Tony Award nominated musical Legally Blonde will be featured on the
Getaway, along with the dance sensation Burn the Floor and an all-new standup comedy program in partnership with
Levity Entertainment Group.
Detours
WETHINKYOUWOULDPREFER
AVIEWVS
AWALL
L E G E N D A R Y
ENSEMBLE EXCLUSIVE OFFER!
Book by October 31, 2013
& SAVE
150
$
per couple
on 2014
Avalon Waterways Europe
river cruises*
R I V E R
C R U I S E S .
I N S P I R E D
D E S I G N .SM
In the average cabin, the view from the bed never changes. You’re looking at the same
scene throughout your voyage: the wall. Meanwhile, outside your window, breathtaking
views of the European countryside are passing by. We had a beer idea. Let’s turn our bed
so it faces out the giant window. And to do that we angled the wall behind the bed, which
had two other benefits: it opened up the stateroom to give you more space, and it opened
up the bathroom behind the wall to give you a more spacious bathroom and vanity. More
space and a beer view. That’s what happens when you pay aention to the details.
We invite you to compare for yourself at WWWAVALONWATERWAYSCA.
BURGUNDY&PROVENCE
11 days from Côte D’Azur to Paris
$3,299 | Based on Mar 24, 2014 departure
or 11 days from Paris to Côte D’Azur
$3,449 | Based on Mar 30 & Oct 26, 2014
departures
Port charges: $126
FORRESERVATIONSORMOREINFORMATIONCONTACTYOURENSEMBLETRAVEL ®GROUPAGENCY
Featured prices are per person, land/cruise only, (cabin Cat. E), based on double occupancy, departure dates as indicated and do not reflect the $75 per person discount offer. Flights
and travel insurance are additional. * Save $75 per person on any 2014 Avalon Waterways European river cruise vacation when you book and deposit between August 22 and
October 31, 2013. Offer may be combined with other nationally promoted Avalon Waterways offers, as well as with the Journeys Club Repeat Traveller Benefit. Offer is valid on
new bookings only and will not be applied to pre-existing bookings and is available only through an Ensemble Group® Travel Agency. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional
restrictions may apply. 1061 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6C 2C9. TICO #1893755/50015835
Detours
Travel File
Ensemble® Hotel & Resort Collection
A world of exotic elegance and
luxury - Grand Velas Riviera Maya
World class hospitality and luxury accommodations make for a fabulous destination. The Grand Velas Resort in the
Riviera Maya is the perfect combination of these two things. One of the newest resorts to grace the beautiful Mexican
Caribbean, the Grand Velas is a premier
vacation destination, and the pinnacle of
all-inclusive vacation luxury. The uniquely
Mexican world-class hospitality provided
is “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare”, and is proud to be the only familyfriendly All Inclusive resort in the Mexican
Caribbean to have been rated Five Diamonds by the AAA.
This beautiful property is situated amongst
a stunning backdrop. Pristine white sand
beaches line the ocean front property,
while the Yucatan Jungle, mangroves and
fresh water cenotes surround the adjacent
grounds. The Grand Velas unique layout
allows families to enjoy memorable holidays together in the family friendly areas,
and boasts exclusive adult only sections
throughout. Guests enjoy every comfort in
18
•
their elegant suites that incorporate luxury
living, with contemporary Mexican decor.
Amenities such as oceanfront and jungle
terraces with private plunge pools, inroom massage tables, whirlpool bathtubs,
and 42” plasma screen TVs. Each of the
491 spacious Riviera Maya suites offers
stunning ocean or lush jungle views, and
1000+ square feet of living space. The resort’s Grand Class butlers represent
the ultimate in personal pampering, and
the Grand Class Butlers performs many
functions, from simple to the uniquely
personal. Fernando Garcia Rossette,
managing director of Grand Velas Resorts stated “Guests have asked our butlers for everything, including acquiring an
elephant for a wedding with less than 24
hours notice, acquiring an unusual orchid from another country, preparing special
foods, and even dancing in order to get a
baby to fall asleep.” This type of first rate
service makes the Grand Velas the perfect
choice for those wishing to truly relax and
experience pure indulgence.
Dining is perhaps one of the most important components to the ultimate vacation,
Ask for the exclusive
Ensemble® Resort Collection
amenities offer AT this
property:
 One bottle of Tequila
 20% off Spa treatments
 Upgraded room*
 Early check-in*
 Late check-out*
*Based on availability at time
of check-in
and the Grand Velas does not disappoint.
The resort provides a plethora of delectable dining options for everyone to enjoy.
From elegant selections for adults, casual
family restaurants, outdoor seating and international cuisine, there is delicious meal
waiting to be discovered and devoured at
one of the resort’s 8 restaurants.
Escaping to tropical paradise undoubtedly
marks the beginning of a fantastic vacation. Adding in attentive, first rate service,
stunning scenery and delicious dining
takes a fantastic vacation and turns it
into a truly unforgettable world class experience, which is what the Grand Velas
Riviera Maya offers up to all of its guests.
©Gran Velas Riviera Maya
Infinity Pool, Ambassador Family Section
MY PASSPORT HAS MORE DUST THAN STAMPS
ENSEMBLE EXCLUSIVE OFFER!
BOOK BY OCTOBER 31, 2013
& SAVE
150
$
*
PER COUPLE
ON ANY 2014
LAND-ONLY MONOGRAMS HAWAII VACATIONS.
OAHU & MAUI
7 days – from $869
Based on Jan 4 – Mar 31, 2014 departures
EXPLORE THE ENCHANTING HAWAIIAN ISLANDS!
A Road Trip by MonogramsSM is the easiest way to explore the vibrant and myth-inspiring Hawaiian
Islands. The oldest in the Hawaiian chain, Kauai is known for the historic Fern Grotto, Waimea
Canyon, the iconic folds of the Napali coast, cascading Wailua Falls and enchanting Hanalei.
Maui, voted the ‘Best Island in the World’, is home of the stunning Iao Valley, the scenic road to
“Heavenly Hana” and daunting Haleakala, the island’s slumbering volcano. The most populous
of the islands, Oahu is a crossroads of ancient and modern cultures. The highlights include the
vibrant Honolulu, Iolani Palace, Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbour with its poignant USS Arizona
Memorial. Dazzling waterfalls, golden beaches, majestic cliffs, volcanoes, tropical bird songs,
fragrant plumerias—only one word truly describes the Hawaiian Islands: PARADISE!
MAUI & KAUAI
7 days – from $829
OAHU, MAUI & KAUAI
10 days – from $1,129
Included hotels: Honolulu—Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; Maui—Royal Lahain Resort-Cottages; Kauai—Courtyard by Marriott Kauai at Coconut Beach.
FORRESERVATIONSORMOREINFORMATIONCONTACTYOURENSEMBLETRAVEL®GROUPAGENCY
Featured prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy, departure dates as indicated and do not reflect the $75 per person discount offer. Trans-Pacific
and intra island flights and travel insurance are additional and will be quoted at time of booking. * Save $75 per person on any 2014 Monograms Hawaii land only
vacation when you book and deposit between August 22 and October 31, 2013. Offer may be combined with other nationally promoted Monograms offers, as well
as with the Journeys Club Repeat Traveller Benefit. Offer is valid on new bookings only and will not be applied to pre-existing bookings and is available only through
an Ensemble Group® Travel Agency. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. 1061 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6C 2C9.
TICO #1893755 / 50015835
Detours
EV HOTLIST
New to the Ensemble® Vacations line up this year is the Editor’s Hot Picks. All of us here at
Vacations have come together to create a list of fabulous, affordable destinations we feel are
worthy of your time! Every issue will feature new and exciting deals that are bound to
spark your inner travel bug. From all of us at Ensemble Vacations – we hope you
have a wonderful time planning and experiencing your next adventure!
TRANSAT ESCAPES PUEBLO MAGICO – Transat Holiday
Discover the beauty and culture of Mexico with a Transat Holiday Escape
Package - a collection of out-of-the-ordinary experiences to complement your
dream vacation under the sun.
Editor’s Pick:
Puerto Vallarta & San Sebastien, Mexico
Nestled in the Sierra Madre, San Sebastian
del Oeste is a 17th century mining village of
600 residents. The town has retained its
colonial architecture - it is a living museum
untouched by time. You’ll see all the local
sights, including a museum, a church, an
ancient prison, a fort once used for storing
gold and a coffee plantation. Stop at a traditional restaurant and savor
authentic Mexican cuisine for lunch and then free time to explore the
sights. Overnight at the Hacienda Matel. In Puerto Vallarta choose from 4
All Inclusive Resorts.
From
$959
plus $359 tax & service
SAVE UP to $120 per couple when you book 35 days prior to
departure
CARTAGENA COLOMBIA - Nolitours
If your ideal vacation destination is a place that has it all- look no further then
Cartagena. Explore its historic walled district, impressive colonial mansions, beautiful
cobblestone alleys, and white sandy beaches. Add in an incredible array of culinary
delights to choose from and vibrant night life – Colombia after all is the land of salsa! –
making for a perfect adventure to discover Cartagena.
Editor’s Pick:
Occidental Grand Cartagena
The brand new Occidental Grand Cartagena is the only all-inclusive resort
in the city of Cartagena de Indias. It is the perfect choice for families and
couples seeking rest and relaxation in Colombia. Occidental Grand Cartagena enjoys
a stellar location along the shores of the Caribbean Sea; close to a beautiful city where
history and modernity combine to produce a warm, tranquil and captivating ambiance that
will melt your stress away.
From
$1,009
Book by October 31, 2013 and save $100 per couple. Plus, have the
opportunity to change your travel date up to 7 days before departure
20
•
Detours
TWO VACATIONS IN ONE – NY & CARIBBEAN CRUISES
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is conveniently located on the Hudson River in the heart of Manhattan and is only a
few blocks west of Time Square on the West Side of 12th Avenue between 46th and 54th Streets. Your vacation can start
with a week-end in New York to explore the historical landmarks. Begin with a stroll in Central Park, catch the latest
Broadway Show or a concert at Carnegie Hall, dinner options abound and finally some jazz at any of the small
intimate Manhattan clubs. And then set sail down the Atlantic coast for a Caribbean Cruise.
Editor’s Pick:
Princess Cruises Caribbean Islander.
Ports of Call: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn), New York;
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Curacao; Grand Cayman, Cayman
Islands; Island of Cozumel, Mexico; Houston, Texas
From
$699
CAD Cruise only (Interior Cabin)
plus $95 Government Fees & Taxes
EXUMA BAHAMAS – Air Canada Vacations
With sapphire-blue water everywhere, the Exumas are an exotic collection
of idyllic islands with footprint-free beaches and ultra exclusive resorts
fit for celebrities. In Exuma nature outnumbers man, coastlines remain
flawless and private homes play host to some of the world’s most
famous stars. The Exumas truly are the ultimate escape. And this year it
is more affordable than ever to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous
with Air Canada Rouge.
Editor’s Pick:
Sandals Emerald Bay
The brand new Sandals Emerald Bay
brings unprecedented luxury and comfort.
Secluded within 500 tropical acres along
a pristine, mile-long beach, with three
impressive pools — including a half-acre,
zero-entry pool with dramatic fire pit in the
middle, seven a la carte restaurants, the soothing Red Lane® Spa and the
Greg Norman designed Emerald Reef Golf Club it is the best getaway for
couples.
From
$2,973
per adult (tax and fees included)
SPLASHWORLD - Sunwing
This Winter Sunwing is introducing SplashWorld – a great collection of family
resorts with full access to the wettest, wildest and coolest water parks down south!
Sunwing has teamed up with top resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico and Florida to offer
you even more from your vacation. Every SplashWorld resort features unlimited use of an
on-site water park or free access to a nearby water park included in the price of your vacation
including transfers to and from the park.
Editor’s Pick:
MEMORIES SPLASH PUNTA CANA
This stylish all-inclusive family oriented resort is located on Bavaro Beach. It features
9 restaurants, 11 bars, 3 swimming pools, 24 hour all inclusive service and connecting
rooms for families.
From
$845
Book by October 25th and save up to $400 per couple. Kids
Stay, Play and Eat free
•
21
Price went down? Cheer up!
Book now and get the WestJet Vacations Price Guarantee.*
What’s the WestJet Vacations Price Guarantee? It’s our way of saying don’t worry.
Simply book your vacation early to lock in the lowest price, and if the price of your WestJet Vacations
package drops after you’ve booked, just let your travel agent know and we’ll gladly refund you the difference
in WestJet dollars.®
Here is what makes the WestJet Vacations Price Guarantee so great:
• The ability to exercise the Price Guarantee an unlimited amount of times for the same booking, as long
as minimum requirements are met.
• No refund maximums. WestJet Vacations only requires a $25 minimum in order to use the Price
Guarantee.
• Extensive travel dates.
*Offer valid on a minimum 3-night WestJet Vacations booking made between July 11, 2013 and October 31, 2013 (11:59 p.m. MT) inclusive, for travel from September 3, 2013 until June 23, 2014
inclusive. WestJet Vacations Price Guarantee is valid up to 21 days prior to departure. To qualify, an identical lower-priced WestJet Vacations package must be found by the guest. Reimbursement
will be granted when the guest calls 1-877-737-7001 with their booking reference number to notify WestJet Vacations of the lower price while the price is available online, and the WestJet Vacations
agent verifies the difference. Change must be for a minimum of $25 on the base price per booking. WestJet Vacations Price Guarantee may be used an unlimited amount of times for the same
booking as long as the minimum $25 variance and outside 21 days prior to departure requirements are met. Approved reimbursements will be issued in WestJet dollars®. Any promotional added
values may be forfeited when Price Guarantee is exercised. Valid for Mexico, Caribbean and U.S. bookings only. No name changes from original booking allowed. Other restrictions may apply. New
bookings only. Not valid on group bookings. Advance booking required. Offer is available to WestJet Rewards members only; if the guest is not a member at the time the Price Guarantee is exercised,
Book by: October 31, 2013
Travel between: September 3, 2013 to June 23, 2014
Plus, you can use WestJet dollars like cash towards the purchase of future WestJet flights and vacation
packages, with no blackout periods.
Why WestJet Vacations?
WestJet Vacations is your home for picture perfect getaways to some of the most beautiful spots in Mexico, the Caribbean
and the U.S. Our vacation experts work hard so that you can play hard. In fact, they’re always coming up with great deals
and packages to suit all tastes, interests and budgets. And we stand behind every one of those packages because
WestJetters don’t just work for WestJet, they own it. And owners care.
Please contact your Ensemble Travel agent for more details.
they will be required to join the program via a WestJet Vacations agent or at westjet.com/rewards. Only one individual may receive the WestJet dollars associated to the Price Guarantee. WestJet
dollars will be issued within 21 days prior to departure and date of departure by a WestJet Vacations agent. WestJet dollars amount awarded in association with this offer will expire within one year
of being issued. Non-refundable and non-transferable. WestJet dollars awarded with this offer can be used to pay for all or part of a published fare of a future flight marketed and operated by
WestJet (including WestJet Encore) or a future WestJet Vacations package. WestJet dollars cannot be applied against taxes, fees or charges and can only be used for new bookings. WestJet dollars
have no cash value. For terms and conditions on WestJet Rewards, visit westjet.com/rewards. Other restrictions may apply. Offer is subject to change without notice. WestJet reserves the right to
amend or discontinue the offer at any time. ®Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd. WestJet dollars is a registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd. Ontario travel agents are covered by
TICO. Mailing address: 6085 Midfield Road, Toronto, ON L5P 1A2. TICO registration number: 50018683.
5
Top Family Friendly
Cruise Trends
Mary Luz Mejia
There’s a world of choice out there when it comes to family
cruising. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be an all-for-the-kids or nothing-for-the-adults kind of proposition – especially since mum
and dad are footing the bill. Instead, we offer you our top five
family cruise trends that will leave the entire family with a smile
on their face and a spring in your step!
Royal Caribbean - Labadee Aqua Park
24
•
Family Time Together On
Board:
Some parents want to go away on holiday to
actually spend time with their kids instead
of shuffling them off to an onboard day care
or after-hours babysitting service. For those
of you who want to see the world through
your children’s eyes again, the great news is
there’s a spate of fantastic activities you can
all enjoy together. Parents and kids itching
to get their hands busy can construct their
own wooden boats at the Lowes-branded
“Build and Grow” program on board Royal
Caribbean ships. Those with a more competitive edge can take part in a round of
“Family Feud” – or the pool’s belly-flop competition. Norwegian Cruise Line features a
“Dora Dance Party” for those who want to
shake it on the dance floor – and just about
everyone will love a night “on the town”
on board, to see Blue Man Group; part art
show, part upbeat techno concert and always
a boisterous, good time.

Active and
“Edutainment” Shore
Excursions:
Time to change it up a bit and get your landlubber legs back? Disney Cruise Line has a
menu of top-notch shore excursions including the perennial favourite – a day spent on
Castaway Bay, Disney’s private Caribbean
island. Castaway Bay has a large family
beach (there’s even a dedicated teen beach
too), a bucket dump, huge floating platform
with sprayers, and water cannons – it’ll tucker out any hyperactive child by day’s end.
Other activities include parasailing over the
turquoise waters, and fishing tours. If your
child is more of a culture vulture than a cannon ball bomber, there is a wide variety of
family friendly activities to boost your kid’s
IQ while having fun. Take in a dolphin swim
in the warm waters of the Caribbean where
you’ll get to kiss a dolphin and learn about
these gentle creatures, or there’s kayaking
through mangroves in Key West. A more
active tour can include guided treks through
a rainforest, say in Belize. And an excursion
to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas can
net you and the kids a visit to the complex’s
stunning aquariums, as well as a beach day.
Other options include a visit to the Belize
Zoo or the Stingray City Sandbar in Grand
Cayman. Don’t forget the sun block!

Mega Ships =
Mega Options
A few years ago, the kinds of options available on today’s mega ships were pretty much
impossible. But, the new, bigger ships have
opened up a whole new world of activities
Norwegian Cruise Line – Blue Man
Group performance
Norwegian Cruise Line - The Gateway Ship
due to the sheer increase in square footage.
On tap on today are rock climbing walls,
miniature golf courses, bowling alleys,
massive water parks with slides, cannons
and rivers, outdoor, pool-side movie nights
for the whole family and even surfing wave
simulators. Some boats even come kitted up
with a zip line, you know, to switch it up a
bit. Just about anything you can think of to
while the day away in full-throttle, adrenaline-induced fun!

Cooking Classes:
The family that cooks together, stays
together, right? If that sounds like your
clan, you’re in luck because on board the
Norwegian Cruise Line, there’s a hands-on
pizza making class offered for the whole
family. No better way to customize dinner
and learn a few new skills to take home
with you. Most family-friendly cruise ship
lines offer a variety of culinary-based classes
including making and decorating your own
cakes, cookies or cupcakes, learning how to
make simple mains or for the more adventurous, advanced classes that look at the
foods of the cultures you’re visiting.

Interactive
Performances:
Stage performances are fun to watch, but
they’re even better for kids when they get
to be part of the action. The Disney Cruise
Line does it up right with their Pirate Night
Deck Parties. From the old treasure map
menus handed out at dinner and pirate-bedecked servers, to line dancing with pirates
on the dance floor, you’re part of the fun
from the get-go. But it’s the grand finale
with the battle between Captain Hook and
Mickey’s crew, complete with fireworks
launched into the inky, night sky that has
kids of all ages believing in magic again.
Norwegian Cruise Line – The H2O
Waterpark onboard
•
25
Panamanian woman
in traditional folk dress
26
•
©jacomstephens /istockphoto
Panama
Hat Trick
Chris Robinson
I thought I was coming to Panama for a simple beach holiday. But Panama has
seduced me into a three-centre vacation, serving up a hat trick of completely
different travel experiences. Unlike the Panama Hat - which actually comes from
Ecuador but was imported into Panama for the canal workers - these three other
worlds within Panama are authentically and uniquely Panamanian and are just a
part of the multi-layered allure of this tropical yet accessible destination.
Pacific Beaches
•••
There is no shortage of beaches to choose
from in Panama. Although it’s not a large
country – it’s roughly the size of New Brunswick – there are over 1,500 beaches strung
along its coastlines. And yes, that’s “coastlines” plural because Panama is situated at
the narrow waist of the Americas where
North and South America merge. It not only
has Pacific Ocean beaches, but hundreds of
Caribbean beaches too. In fact, it is the only
country in the world where, on the same day,
you can catch sunrise over the Caribbean
and then comfortably enjoy a spectacular
sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Many of the Panamanian beaches are truly
world-class. If natural simplicity à la Robinson Crusoe is your beach style - head for
Comarca Kuna Yala. Here are hundreds of
tiny islands off the Caribbean coast, where
thatched huts and hammocks are the rule.
Families will love another island group, this
time in the Pacific - Las Perlas. They are a
short plane hop from Panama City, with
dazzling beaches, calm waters and great
snorkeling. The Azuero Peninsula, also easily accessible from Panama City, has beaches
of all sorts - from sheltered coves that are
ideal for toddlers, to great surfing beaches…
all backed by a hot, dry landscape, peopled
by Panamanian cowboys.
Most of the Panamanian resorts you will
find in the holiday brochures are on the Pacific coast within a two-hour drive of
Panama City. I am staying at the Royal Decameron Golf, Beach Resort & Villas on
Playa Farallon, 140 kms west of Panama
City. A long beach of silvery sand fronts this
large all-inclusive complex. It boasts all the
facilities you might expect of a sophisticated
international resort…and yet, in typical
Panamanian fashion, a short walk down the
beach takes me to an authentic local fishing
village of palm thatched huts with fishing
nets strung over ancient wooden boats.
©Jarno Gonzalez/123RF
The Kuna Yala communities
in Panama
•
27
•••
To go to Panama and not experience the
Panama Canal would be like going to
Egypt and not seeing the Pyramids. Using
my beach resort as my base, a couple of
hours drive along the coast and I arrive at
Panama City. This is a booming, fast growing city of skyscrapers and the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The canal is a
monumental triumph of human engineer28
•
ing, but it came at a terrible cost: over
25,000 deaths, a revolution and a generation of poisoned US/Latin American
relations.
To appreciate the full scale of this monumental endeavor, the canal has to be experienced by boat. Our little tourist craft is
dwarfed in the gigantic locks of Miraflores
and Pedro Miguel. It seems tiny under the
magnificent span of the Bridge of the Amer-
icas, and we feel insignificant as we putter
through the Continental Divide along the
Gaillard Cut– which is the biggest excavation ever undertaken by Man. Huge container ships and cruise liners alternate along the
course of the Canal and the rainforest grows
ever denser as we entered Gatun Lake at 85
feet above sea level. And here the Panamanian seduction continues, as the call of the
jungle proves irresistible and I experience a
third face of Panama.
©SIME / eStock Photo
Canal Crossroads
©Chris Robinson
Teleferico aerial tram,
Gamboa Rainforest, Panama
Rainforest Riches
•••
USEFUL info
Gamboa Rainforest Resort is a treasure, buried in the wet and steamy jungle at the point
where the Chagres River meets the Panama
Canal in Gatun Lake. It has all the amenities
of civilization, yet is completely surrounded
by rainforest. I ride the Teleferico aerial tram
through the canopy to the top of a nearby hill.
From here, a guided hike in the dripping
forest takes me to an observation tower
above the canopy. There is a breathtaking
view over the rainforest to the Chagres River
below. Glimpses of colourful birds include
parrots and hornbills and the chatter of the
jungle creatures is incessant. Flowers are little
explosions of colour in the green of the trees.
Orchids and epiphytes grow in profusion,
watered by the never-ending showers dripping through the jungle canopy. Birds and
reptiles, mammals and rodents scuttle every-
where – cleverly camouflaged for the most
part. But in clearings, and by the brown rainforest rivers, I see crocodiles, caimans,
turtles, agouti, iridescent butterflies, parrots,
eagles and the world’s largest rodent: the absurdly rotund capybara.
Beaches –
But So Much More
©Heeb Photos / eStock Photo
Miraflores Locks,
Panama Canal
•••
The Panamanian people I meet are universally warm and joyful. The children are irrepressibly adorable, whether clad in their
Sunday finest or playing on the ground. Travelling in Panama mixes beaches and rainforest, skyscrapers and thatch huts, flora
and fauna…and of course the Canal. It’s a potent cocktail of hugely diverse worlds and I
am happy that my simple beach vacation has
turned into a Panamanian hat trick.
WHEN to go:
The best time to visit Panama
is during their dry season,
which happily coincides with
our winter: December to April.
Panama City, Casco Viejo (old city),
Independence square
HOW to get
there:
Ask us about noliDUO – Two
unique experiences, one trip!
Combine your dream tropical
beach vacation with a stay in
the cosmopolitan city of
Panama City or the country’s
beautiful lush rainforest.
•
29
Royal Isabela, Puerto Rico
Caribbean
Once largely reliant on a traditional sun, sand and sea tourism strategy, the Caribbean
has embraced the golf boom of recent years with the zeal of the converted. Pete
Dye, Greg Norman, Tom McBroom and other top architects have left their marks
at high-end resorts by either revamping existing courses or building entirely new
course with bunkers that mimic the pounding surf to jungle fairways where chattering
green monkeys outnumber the paying guests.
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© Brian Kendall
showpieces. Here, nine of the Caribbean’s very best — from a Canadian-designed
Golf’s
Front Nine
Brian Kendall
Teeth of the Dog, Dominican
Republic
One of the world’s elite resorts, Casa de
Campo is most famous as the home of Teeth
of the Dog, a Pete Dye-designed masterwork
unforgettable for its seven ocean-side holes—
including the eponymous 16th, a treacherous
par three set in a rock cove roughly shaped like
a dog’s snapping jaws. Two more Dye-designed
jewels, The Links and Dye Fore, complete the
all-star golf roster at a 2,833-hectare retreat
that attracts a Who’s Who of the social registry and entertainment world.
CuisinArt Golf Club, Anguilla
A tropical paradise made popular by Brad
Pitt, Celine Dion, Robert De Niro and
other A-list celebrities, Anguilla is home
to Cuisinart Golf Club (formerly Temenos
Golf Club), one of the Caribbean’s most
graceful and challenging courses. Designed
by Greg Norman, golf ’s Great White Shark,
the course offers invitingly wide fairways, although golfers who spray the ball will pay the
penalty in roughs of packed sand and prickly
underbrush. Tougher still is playing through
the gale-force trade winds almost constantly
blowing from the east. On a really blustery
day, holding a green on even a short par three
demands the surgically precise shot-making
ability of the Shark himself.
Black Pearl, Roatan
A favourite haunt of the cognoscenti for its
world-class scuba diving and relaxed expatriate vibe, the Honduran island of Roatan made
a splash with the launch of Black Pearl in 2011.
Pete Dye and his son Perry carved Roatan’s
first course through the rolling jungle surrounding luxurious Pristine Bay Resort. Black
Pearl starts almost at the ocean’s edge before
climbing into hills covered in palms and gumbo-limbo trees. Visual drama is added by waste
bunkers contoured to repel inferior approach
shots. A more pleasing distraction is provided
by the sweeping ocean views from no fewer
than 14 holes.
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31
Teeth of the Dog, Dominican Republic
We’ve negotiated some great exclusive
offers with many of the top golf
hotels worldwide. Here are some of
our Caribbean offers:
Casa de Campo Resort
– Teeth of the Dog,
Dominican Republic
 $200 credit per booking for
spa treatment
 Upgraded room at time of
check-in*
 Early check-in & late check out*
Limited Time Offer
Extended Casa Stay
Enjoy one more day to dine, play,
unwind and relax. For a limited time
you can get your 3rd or 4th Night Free
– ask for details.
HALF MOON, A ROCK RESORT –
ROSE HALL, JAMAICA
Ensemble® Exclusives
Limited Time Offer
Ensemble’s Summer Break promotion:
Half Moon offers the 4th Night
Free plus US$150 resort credit –
ask for details.
 Full breakfast for two daily in
the hotel restaurant
 Round-trip airport transfers
via private air-conditioned
motorcoach
 Upgraded room*
 Early check-in & late check out*
*all offers based on availability
at time of check-in
32
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Half Moon Golf Club, Jamaica
Jamaica’s dramatic northwest coast provides
an idyllic setting for Half Moon Golf Club, a
classic design by the legendary Robert Trent
Jones Sr. at Half Moon, A RockResort, a
plush retreat whose high-society guest list
has included Queen Elizabeth II and John
and Jacqueline Kennedy. Opened in 1961
and renovated in recent years by Roger
Rulewich, the lushly tropical layout flows
seamlessly through gentle foothills to the
east of Montego Bay. Half Moon’s spacious
fairways provide inviting targets off the tee.
But nasty bunkers and challenging green
complexes help stiffen the test at this, one
of the Caribbean’s flagship courses.
The Golf Links at Royal
Isabela, Puerto Rico
Opened in 2011, the Caribbean’s newest
marquee course curls along rugged bluffs
near the popular tourist town of Isabela
on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast. Native
grasses, sand dunes and craggy cliffs all come
into play at a wonderfully natural layout
designed as the centrepiece of this members-only club (also a housing community
and resort). Architect David Pfaff skillfully
flows one spectacular hole into the next,
but the best of all—and certainly the most
thrilling—is the par-three 17th, demanding a
heroic 200-yard tee shot over the crashing
ocean to a cliff-top green.
Royal St. Kitts Golf Club,
St. Kitts
Brilliantly remodelled by top Canadian
architect Tom McBroom, Royal St. Kitts
Golf Club put the former British colony on
the map of Caribbean golf with its unveiling in 2004. The links-style layout, which
McBroom rebuilt on top of a flat and badly
irrigated course of the same name near the
capital city of Basseterre, includes three
thrilling new ocean-side holes on the back
nine. Most memorable of all is the par-three
15th, where the green is flanked on both sides
with a cascade of bunkers designed to mimic
the waves crashing ashore in the background.
Tierra del Sol Golf Course,
Aruba
Situated near the lighthouse on Aruba’s
desert-like northwest coast, Tierra del Sol
Golf Course is a 6,811-yard emerald oasis in
an otherwise stark landscape of giant cactus
and divi-divi trees. Architect Robert Trent
Jones Jr. nestled his greens amid the sun
-bleached boulders and cactus, while adding
marshes as hazards and to provide a sanctuary for local and migrating birds. Herons,
egrets and burrowing owls (Aruba’s national
bird) are frequent visitors. Far more unnerving are the sizeable lizards seen scurrying
across fairways almost constantly buffeted
by the prevailing winds.
© Brian Kendall
Ensemble® Exclusives
© Brian Kendall
Apes Hill Club, Barbados
Dipping and twisting through lush jungle, an
abandoned coral quarry and a former sugar
plantation, Apes Hill Club is the centrepiece
of a hilltop residential community offering
panoramic views of both the Atlantic Ocean
and the Caribbean Sea. Launched in 2009,
the gorgeous 7,150-yard layout by Jeff Potts
and Chris Cole winds seamlessly through a
still mostly wild landscape where chattering
green monkeys are often seen feasting on
ackee and breadfruit. Especially thrilling are
the jungle holes; 11 to 14, a quartet enthusiastically described by Golf World Magazine
as “every bit as dramatic and invigorating” as
Augusta National’s Amen Corner.
CuisinArt Golf Club, Anguilla
Four Seasons Resort Nevis
Golf Course, Nevis
© Joann Dost
Attendants indulge guests with Evian
spritzes and eucalyptus-scented towels at
a posh Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that
climbs the slopes of Mount Nevis, a dormant
volcano rising 3,232 feet from the jungle floor.
But distracted golfers will suffer the consequences at a layout that demands steely
focus on every hole. Easily the highlight is
the par-five 15th, the highest point on the
course, where the carry over a chasm from
the back tee is a gargantuan 240 yards—and
the solace for failure is the island’s best view
of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
MESA VISTA VILLAS –
ENSEMBLE® VILLAS & RESORT
COLLECTION, ARUBA
Half Moon Golf Club, Jamaica
Mesa Vista 54 is a free standing
home with 4 bedrooms on two
levels that can accommodate
up to 8 guests. The home is
completely air-conditioned and
is located in the Mesa Vista,
Caya Mesa Bista neighborhood
at Tierra Del Sol.
Amenities
 Complimentary Yoga classes
during your stay
© Brian Kendall
 Use of all the amenities of the
Spa, such as gym, sauna, steam
room and private Jacuzzi
 Special spa packages with
your stay
 Stay and play golf packages
for only $29 p/p, per round
Royal St . Kitts Golf Club, St . Kitts
•
33
Group of old men playing
traditional Cuban music
in Havana street.
Local
Kamira/ Shutterstock.com
Expand your holiday horizons
a taste of life
34
•
Encounters
by getting
as a local
Jennifer Ashton
Sports
In the Dominican Republic, baseball isn’t so
much a sport as a religion. The D.R.’s own
Winter Baseball League plays from October
to January. The price is right, at about US$10
per ticket, and that includes musical entertainment between innings and the spectacle
of fanatical fans, cheering (or booing),
screaming, shouting and leaping out of their
seats. Your hotel front desk can help with
transportation and tickets.
In the British-heritage islands, it’s hard to
find red-blooded men (and women) who
aren’t cricket fanatics. Barbados sets aside
Sunday for church and cricket – why not
join local families at one of the many cricket fields as they picnic and cheer on their
favourite players? No charge, even for the
colour commentary, and any Barbadian will
be happy to demystify the game for you. In
Bermuda, there’s even a national holiday –
Cup Match Weekend – centred on cricket,
and countless games island-wide throughout
the year where visitors are always welcome.
Looking to brush up on your backhand? The
Tennis Academy in the tiny island of Anguilla
(rhymes with vanilla) offers six stunning new
courts available at just US$20 hourly per
court. A facility geared to making the sport
accessible and affordable for all Anguillians,
the Academy has classes for kids as young as
four (who are as enthusiastic as they are cute).
Ahh, the Caribbean - we love the islands for the exquisite
beaches and lovely climate. But there’s a lot more than
sand and salsa classes: away from the seashore there’s a
whole country to explore, meet the locals, and see how
they live. Here’s just a sampler of what you can do to
experience island living…authentically.
Meet and Mingle with Locals
on their home turf
In the Bahamas and Jamaica there’s easy
opportunity for you to meet locals with interests similar to yours, whether you’re into
gardening, photography, or if you’d just like
to get a different perspective over a coffee.
These initiatives (Meet the People in Jamaica
and People- to-People in the Bahamas) are
operated by the respective tourist boards at
no charge and each involve several hundred
hospitable local participants who simply
want to show off their home country. In the
Bahamas some 2,000 travellers participate
each year by visiting local family homes. On
a recent trip, we enjoyed great company and
delicious traditional favourites like conch
fritters paired with that oh-so-tasty secret
•
35
RiumaLab / Shutterstock.com
Old man playing Dominos
If eating a full Bahamian feast isn’t your
thing, perhaps take a scenic drive around
the island and see where people live and
play, attend church together, or participate
in a service club meeting. If you’d like to
partake in these real experiences, it’s best to
make the arrangements in advance of your
holiday so you can be matched with a local
host more easily.
Not to be outdone, Cuba has a unique network of private homes where you can go for
dinner. Called paladares (after a restaurant in
a Brazilian soap opera beloved by Cubans),
there are now hundreds across the island, in
every city. You’ll be served a two-course meal
with usually a choice of meat, fish, pork, and
even lobster for typically between $7 and
$15 per person plus drinks. They’re not officially advertised (ratcheting up the intrigue
quotient), so you’ll have to ask your hotel
where the local latest hotspot paladar is, and
to arrange taxi transportation. English may
not be spoken by your hosts, but food is the
international language claro que si?
When you’ve finished dinner at the paladar,
head out for a stroll and listen for a descarga
(jam session). These spontaneous events
36
•
range from a couple of old men playing
traditional Cuban boleros on their weatherbeaten guitars to a large group of drummers
banging out an irresistible Afro-Cuban beat.
More often than not, a descarga will grow
and develop into a colorful conga (mini
street festival) – yet another fabulous way to
get to know the locals.
Shop – like a local
There’s nothing like a colourful market to
make wonderful vacation memories (and
affordable souvenirs). Head to Grenada’s, in
the capital St. George’s, for tables of spices,
tropical fruit and vegetables – and you’ll
undoubtedly meet the locals getting caught
up on the gossip. Here you can also sample
fresh rotis, fishcakes, nutmeg ice cream or
oildown – a Grenadian stew. Local bargains
include the island’s famous spices in pretty
and inexpensive wreaths or gift baskets: a
fragrant souvenir.
Even a supermarket can be a wonderful
insight into local culture. Venture into
any in Mexico and you’ll be amazed at the
endless display of chili peppers. Islands
such as Barbados and Jamaica seem like a
glimpse into traditional Britain with their
shelves of Ribena, Horlicks and Dettol. And
the French islands including French SaintMartin have sophisticated patisseries where
the pastries look almost too beautiful to eat.
Cricket game in Barbados
MAT / Shutterstock.com
dipping sauce, peas n rice, and the ‘tastes like
more” scrumptious Guava Duff dessert that
Bahamians are famous for. We washed it all
down with an ice-cold Kalik beer, brewed
right in the Bahamas, and topped off the
night with a rowdy game of Dominos with
various uncles. It doesn’t get much better.
© V. J. Matthew
A passenger ferry running along the
waterfront in Hamilton, Bermuda
The legendary Nassau Straw Market (revamped after burning down in 2001) in the
downtown core of the island is a must- see
for those who want to buy hand crafted authentic souvenirs. The last time I visited the
market, I encountered a 70 year old mama
hand plaiting dried palm strips that were
turned into stunning straw creations. I purchased a beautiful straw clutch with the most
stunning intricate details- well worth the
$30USD: after all, someone put their heart
and soul into it.
© Bob Krist / eStock Photo
© Jennifer Ashton
Getting around is cheap
and fun
Ready for a mini-adventure? There’s nothing more fun (and more green) than using
Grenada, St. George,
colorful market scene
the local transit service. In Grenada, for
example, you’ll join school kids and commuters on colourful mini-buses that wind
their way along the island’s mountainous
roads, radios blaring. Getting a bit crowded?
You’ll just have to “get yourself up smaller”
as the locals say. At less than $1 a ride it’s a
bargain – and great fun to boot.
Bermuda’s public transport system has a
nautical twist: take an inexpensive ferry ride
and join businessmen in Bermuda shorts
(seriously!) commuting to work. Or hop
on a bus - pink, of course. Bus stops are
painted blue (for routes heading out to the
beaches) or pink (for routes heading into the
capital Hamilton).
Kids at the Tennis Academy in
the tiny island of Anguilla
The Bahamian capital Nassau also has
wonderful, inexpensive transportation that
is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Walk
to the edge of the road and hail down a
number 10 jitney if you want to head into
downtown Nassau to explore the capitals
rich and colourful history. Just don’t forget
that ‘island time’ is in effect, so no timed
schedules really exist. Not to worry, the
colourful mini-buses pass by around every
10 minutes. Payment is on the honour
system- hop aboard (don’t worry about the
open side door while moving- it’s safe!) chat
with the drivers, sing along to some tunes,
and ding the bell (or yell) when you need to
get out. Payment is $1.25 at the end of your
journey, and well worth the ease, but most of
all the adventure.
Let’s not forget the inter-island ferries. This
is the way local people get around when travelling throughout the islands and it’s easy
and fun. The ferry ride between St. Kitts and
Nevis takes about 45 minutes and provides
beautiful views of both islands. There are six
ferries operating between the two islands:
Caribe Queen; Carib Breeze; Carib Surf;
Mark Twain; Sea Hustler and the Sea Bridge.
These vessels work together to provide service, between Basseterre and Charlestown,
leaving from the Southeast Peninsula and
transporting vehicles to Nevis and back.
By travelling like a local, you can really get a
feel for the destination, and at the very least,
you’re guaranteed a great story!
•
37
© Marc Wisniak
Roatan is well-known for incredible beaches
38
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Roatan
Reconnect
Sam Ion
This year, as usual, we sat on the phone
looking over the holiday brochures to decide where to go. This time it was Roatan,
Honduras.
Roatan is one of the Bay Islands, 56 Km
from the Atlantic Honduras coastline in
Central America. Shaped like a string bean,
it is 50 km long yet always under 8 km wide.
Off the beaten tourist path, it was a refuge
long ago of pirates and adventurers who were
mostly English and Spanish. The island has
been a disputed trophy, which is why English
is widely spoken, as well as Spanish, and in
some cases the native language, Garifuna.
This history is why there is a lovely combination of British and Afro-Caribbean architecture. The majority of the islanders
are of Afro-Caribbean descent and make
a living from fishing. Many live in the
sheltered New Orleans-style port town of
Coxen Hole on the south side, in picture
pretty clapboard houses often set on piles
directly over the water.
It’s a flip-flops and fins kind of holiday, so
Wendy left her cocktail dresses and evening
shoes at home and packed her flippers and
mask instead.
Once we got there, it was easy to see why
the divers have long kept it a secret: the
island offers some of the last unspoiled
Caribbean. Our chosen accommodation was
the Fantasy Island Beach Resort situated on
a 21-acre private island accessed by a quaint
bridge. We were looking for quiet, sun, and
gorgeous water and beach. We found it.
Wendy and I are sisters of the heart. We’ve worked
together, travelled together, owned a business together,
and of course, we like to laugh together. Between the two
of us we have cats, dogs, grown up kids, husbands and
careers. We live busy lives, two hours apart, so we make
do with phone calls, email, Facebook, and by getting
together once a year or so, on a vacation just for us.
Roatan is part of the most bio diverse barrier reef in the world and has fabulous scuba
diving. Importantly for us non-divers, this
also meant fabulous snorkeling, and calm
crystal clear waters where we played in the
turquoise sea.
The tranquility, natural beauty and location were wonderful. It’s rare today to find
a place so laid-back, just like being at the
cottage without having to cook meals and
change sheets. We were just steps from the
ocean, and when we weren’t in it, we could
sit on our deck with a glass in our hands
and look at it. In the morning all the divers
left and the resort was empty. If there were
20 people on the beach for the rest of the
day, we considered it crowded.
•
39
A curious capuchin monkey
We took one of the included kayaks out on the
sheltered waters, and still catching up, talked
while we explored the shoreline with its little
coves, mangroves and pristine beaches.
Another great thing about our Roatan experience was the wildlife all around our resort. Peacocks let us hand feed them, and
we loved interacting with a family of three
monkeys, with the baby on the mom’s back
the whole time.
We had our laptops and used the Wi-Fi in
the lobby to check on family and business.
By the time we finished moaning about what
was happening at home “you won’t believe
it, he couldn’t find the vacuum!” - it was time
for a drink and a swim.
ASK US ABOUT SUNWING SMALL & FRIENDLY
COLLECTION in Honduras. These small resorts and
boutique hotels offer intimate ambiance,
personalized service and attention to details.

Book before October 25, 2013 and save
$400 per couple.

Learn to Dive Packages also available
from $200 per person.

5 day Professional PADI Dive Master program
from $310 per person.
The reef is magnificent. You can start from a
gazebo on the shore and swim across a short
channel to a reef. It goes on for many kilometers and you can spend hours snorkeling.
We snorkeled often because it was so easy.
Not to mention we saw every type of fish
among good healthy corals, including spotted mantas, moray eels…fish you could
scarcely imagine. Even a sea turtle, now unfortunately increasingly rare.
For a small fee, you can also go out with the
dive boats if there is room, and snorkel right
from the boat. The water is clear and you
can see the reef easily.
The hotel’s dive operation has at least four
boats, the one we were on is quite new and
the crew was great. Other divers on the boat
raved about the quality of the dive operation
and the great value of the dive packages on
Roatan compared to other destinations in
the Caribbean.
Guests are tired at night and often in bed by
nine. There is very little entertainment but
there is little need for it and the beach bonfires were party enough…besides we always
had talking to do.
40
•
As time flew by we had to make choices.
We passed on checking out the local wildlife
in the bars and clubs of West End, the party
hardy area with plenty of discos, restaurants
and bars. We used the divers as mentors and
went to bed early.
I did shop for the unique black, taupe, and
brown Honduran pottery to add to my collection – but we were careful to visit the cute
little shops in Coxen Hole on the day when
there wasn’t a cruise ship in port, (when
prices inevitably go up).
We had a wonderful time and for the first
time ever, we’re planning on going back to
the same destination. We can hardly wait till
next year.
A typical Roatan house on stilts
Discovering Hawaii by the Island
Mary Luz Mejia
If you’ve ever flown into any of Hawaii’s six islands, you’ll know to breathe in deeply. It’s not just the intoxicatingly
alluring scent of the islands’ plumeria flowers that you’re inhaling (likely draped around your neck in a lei as you
arrive!), it’s also the people’s warm, welcoming Aloha spirit. In that spirit, we offer you some of the top sights and
must-experience sensations on four of Hawaii’s six unique and special islands.
Go ahead and let the kids sleep in late.
This is “us time”. When the two of you can be one
again. A little before the Room & Car package
turns into “where are we going next Daddy?”
MAUI’S NEWEST LUXURY RESORT. SPACIOUS STUDIOS & 1 - 3 BEDROOM SUITES. GOURMET KITCHENS, WASHER & DRYERS.
MANAGED BY INTRAWEST HONUA KAI HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT. 130 KAI MALINA PARKWAY, LAHAINA, HI 96761
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ENSEMBLE TRAVEL AGENT FOR MORE DETAILS.
Kauai
© HTA - Robert Coello
Verdant, lush and scenic, if you’re looking for breath-stopping vistas, look
no further than the beaches of Kauai. For outdoors adventurers, hike the
Waimea Canyon for snap-worthy panoramic views of one of Hawaii’s
many geological wonders. Along the way, take a minute to find your
Zen zone amidst tropical forests, wild flowers and fauna like Hawaii’s
iwi and moa birds. If you prefer to wander the locations found in the
films “Thornbirds” or “Lilo and Stitch,” head to Hanapepe Town. Historic
buildings here are also home to the art capital of Kauai, where every
Friday, artists and artisans open their homes and studios to visitors.
Oahu
© HTA - Kirk Lee Aeder
Hawaii’s third largest island was once playground to the Hawaiian royal
family. Waikiki was their preferred beach and continues to be one of the
world’s most famous. Take a stroll along the beach side Promenade for
a shopping excursion, fine and casual dining as well as vibrant nightlife.
History buffs will want to take in one of the most important national
landmarks on the islands, memorializing the December 1941 attack at
Pearl Harbour. Those seeking a little something more celebratory can
soak up the eight cultures represented at The Polynesian Cultural Centre,
while surf enthusiasts ought to make a b-line to the North Shore. Winter
months are surf months here, where the best surfers from around the globe
descend to pit their talents against some of the fiercest waves anywhere.
Kailua Beach, Oahu
Make an authentic connection.
Connect with the culture, warm traditions and natural beauty of Oahu
while staying at one of our beachfront hotels in Waikiki.
See your Ensemble Travel Agent for more details.
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
Outrigger Reef on the Beach
H AWA I I • F I J I • A U S T R A L I A • T H A I L A N D • B A L I • G U A M • M A U R I T I U S
Maui
© HTA - Ron Garnett
Also known as paradise island for its scenic, rolling landscape and over 80
beaches that have repeatedly been voted as amongst the world’s best. Eye
candy abounds on most of the Hana Highway’s 620 curves and 59 bridges.
Rainforests, plunging pools crowned by majestic waterfalls and pristine
seascapes await the intrepid wanderer. Luxury travelers delight in the three
mile stretch of talcum sand and clear waters of Kaanapali Beach with its upscale
resorts and world class shopping. But it’s the awe-inspiring, multi-hued sunrise
at the summit of Haleakala that truly steals this island’s natural wonders show.
Hawaii’s Big Island
© HTA - Tor Johnson
Big city amenities interspersed with Hawaiian culture and history abound
on the largest island in this group. From luxury resorts and award-winning
golf courses to sacred sites and geological marvels, there’s something for
everyone in Hawaii. If exploring one of the most active volcanoes on earth
is your speed, hike around the Kilauea volcano’s 150 miles of trails where
craters, parched desertscapes and rainforests await. Should coffee be more
your flavour, the plantations in Kona, producing some of the finest in the
world, are on offer here. Explore the coffee mills, learn about how they’re
processed and enjoy a rich, full bodied cup. And no visit would be complete
without a stop at Hilo, where sophisticated galleries, shops and cultural sites
mingle fluidly with artisanal crafts and some of the finest local art available.
3RD NIGHT FREE AND OCEAN VIEWS GUARANTEED.
Fall into Winter with a warm getaway to Waikiki. Oceanfront rooms from $295 per night and your 3rd night is FREE.*
Complimentary shuttle throughout Waikiki and special amenities for Ensemble guests — daily breakfast buffet for two with an upgrade upon arrival,
early check-in and late check-out upon availability. And, no mandatory resort fees.
* Fall into Winter promotion is valid for stays 10/1/13 - 12/22/13 inclusive. Rates are per room, per night, plus applicable taxes, based on single/double occupancy and subject to availability. Some restrictions apply.
HPWR-37851_VacationsMag.indd 1
6/27/13 3:32 PM
SOMETIMES IT’S THE LITTLE, UNASSUMING MOMENTS
THAT STAY WITH YOU, FOREVER.
Aston vacations leave lasting impressions. For over 65 years we have delighted travelers with
gracious hospitality, premier value and unforgettable locations in Hawaii, Lake Las Vegas and
Lake Tahoe. Stay at an Aston condominium resort and enjoy spacious suites with full kitchens,
separate bedrooms and living areas, and private balconies. Plus at Aston, kids stay free!
HAWAII
For more information, contact your
Ensemble Travel® Group agency.
LAKE LAS VEGAS
LAKE TAHOE
E V E RY DAY I S … A P E R F E C T DAY
At Occidental Hotels & Resorts every day is a perfect day whether you are planning a family vacation, couples getaway, destination
wedding and honeymoon or just need time to escape from it all. Select from the elegant all-inclusive Occidental Grand or Royal Hideaway
resorts or the affordable and fun Allegro Resorts in tropical destinations like Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic
and Mexico. If it is a city break that you are after; discover our Occidental City hotels in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Spain.
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Detours
Trinidad’s Delicious Melting Pot
Worldly Delights
At first, the culinary terminology was a wee
bit daunting, and, to be honest, rather inscrutable. “Buss-up-shut?” I didn’t even
know where to start—and it certainly didn’t
sound very appetizing, anyway. “Doubles”
for breakfast? Well, not so sure about that.
“Shadow benny?” I had no idea if it was
an ingredient, some sort of vintage automobile, or a loveable cartoon character.
And then there was the whole matter of
“bake and shark”—something that I initially
took to be “bacon shark”— and that, I can
now say, would have been something else
entirely. But the moment I learned to stop
analyzing terms and just taste its many
diverse flavours—that’s when I truly started
to understand Trinidad.
Delicious food choices in Trinidad & Tobago
A large island in the southernmost reaches
of the Caribbean, Trinidad—a place known
more for its surfeit of great restaurants
than its bounty of sandy beaches—has
long been attracting travellers in search of
one thing: delicious food. With chefs who
routinely win top honours at the Taste of
the Caribbean food awards and a cuisine
that brings together the best of India,
China and Africa with fresh, juicy, tropical ingredients, Trinidad has been doing
fusion since long before it was cool. Reflecting its fascinating cultural mix, this island delivers top-drawer cuisine in both
the capital’s finest restaurants and the hinterland’s busiest little roadside stands.
Buss-up-shut, it turned out, was actually a
local pronunciation for “busted up shirt,”
which didn’t really help me, at least initially. But then I learned that buss-up-shut
is actually the Trini take on roti, and the
first time I tasted it, all was revealed. To try
it, I went to a spot called Pataraj Roti. Inauspicious (think: cinder blocks and a tin
roof) and tucked away on a back lane in
Port-of-Spain—the island’s bustling, hardworking capital—Pataraj is nothing less
than an institution to Trinidadians. First,
I went back into the kitchen and saw how
they busted it up, rolling out the dough on
a flattop, browning it, then—improbably—
taking two long wooden sticks and thrashing it until it looks like a beaten up old
T-shirt that has seen far too many trips
through an industrial dryer.
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Then, I tucked into a heaping pile of the
stuff. It was glorious. Smothered in a combination of curried goat, potato, chana
(chickpeas) and pumpkin spice, it packed
a savoury punch, and the buss-up-shut
was the perfect delivery method—thin and
tasty and slightly doughy. It was a messy
task, and I found that I had thrown myself
into it with such hungry vigour that, when
I stood up from the table, both my shirt
and shorts were streaked with curry, and
I had a stray chickpea here and there.
After cleaning myself up a bit, I set off to
learn a bit more about the culture that underlies the island’s culinary mix. My guide, a
friendly Trini native named Wendell Griffith,
took me to the Indian Caribbean Museum
in the small village of Waterloo, where the
simple displays and friendly docents ex-
plained that, between 1845 and 1917, the
British—former colonizers here—brought
over some 145,000 Indian workers, who laboured on Trinidad’s sugarcane, coca and
coconut plantations for five years, in order
to pay for their passage. They brought with
them their language, their religions and
their food, and the vast majority of them
stayed, laying down permanent roots here.
Griffith then took me around the village,
showing me a Muslim cemetery, a pig farm,
a Hindu school, a Presbyterian church, and
nearby, the tallest Hindu temple outside
of India. “That’s Trinidad!” exclaimed Griffith with a laugh, noting that there’s little
racism here on the island. “We have too
many ethnicities, and everyone has intermarried—African and Indian and Chinese,
French Creole and Chinese and
Seattle Dredge
Tim Johnson
Cabin on the beach, Maracas Bay,
Trinidad
Cod fritters tapas, one of Trinidad’s specialities
site—mango and guava and lime, as well
as herbs like thyme and the elusive “shadow benny,” which it turns out is actually
spelled “shado beni” and is a type of coriander, pervasive in Trini cuisine.
Richard Semik
Nito
Detours
First Nations. Together, we’ve created
one culture.”
The deliciousness continued in the ensuing days. I drank fresh juice from little
vendors along the sidewalk, ate “chows”—
fresh fruit pickled in all sorts of spices—at
a stand on a hilltop, along the main highway across the island, and went to beautiful Maracas Beach for “bake and shark,”
which turned out to be breaded, meaty
black tip fried over an open flame and
served with mango chow and chutney,
tamarind and hot sauce.
And one morning, I partook in a favourite Trini breakfast, stopping for Doubles
at Araby Ali’s, which was little more than
a big, airy shed alongside a busy fourlane road. Clad in an apron and a knit
cap, Ali told me about the origins of the
dish—invented by his own grandfather and available only here in Trinidad—
as he served it up to a steady stream
of grateful customers picking up breakfast on their way to work. A combination
of chana and various fruits and spices,
doubled up on a bara (fried bread) base,
it was a spicy start to the day, especially when I ill-advisedly decided to have
mine with “killer pepper.” My mouth felt
like it had caught fire—my lips tingled,
my nose dripped like a faucet and tears
streaked down my cheeks. Once I’d recovered (with the help of a glass of juice),
Ali took me out to the garden behind his
shop, showing me where he grows many
of the ingredients he adds into his curries
and sauces, which he makes by hand, on
I finished my culinary tour at one of the
island’s finest restaurants, Chaud Creole,
chatting with Chef Khalid Mohammed,
who has opened three restaurants on the
island in the last seven years. He told me
how he takes pleasure in combining the
homegrown—methods he learned from
his mother, and recipes from own family
or even his staff—with his haute cuisine
training, preparing dishes made from
the finest, freshest ingredients. I related
my dining experiences from the past few
days, and he wasn’t surprised. “We have
so many cultures here. At Chaud Creole,
we have African stews and Indian curries,
but we might throw in some soy sauce,
too,” he said. “Here, we have all these cultures and cuisines colliding. I guess you
could say we have a very rich melting pot.”
Rich—yes, I agreed. And delicious, too.
•
47
Detours
A Fiesta Fit for the Gods –
The Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival
Worldly Delights
Mary Luz Mejia
While wet snow pelted winter weary Canadians this past March, one Montrealer
proudly stood by to watch his baby, the
Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine and Food Festival, get caliente for the second year in a
row (www.crmfest.com). Featuring over
25 gourmet lover’s events spanning four
days along the shores of turquoise Caribbean waters, the stellar line up of international and top Mexican chefs literally
offered something for every palate.
Lionfish Ceviche
Mayan archaeological site of Tulum
He did exactly that, spending a three month
sabbatical on Cancun’s fabled beaches
subsequent to sealing the life changing
business deal. “I became convinced this
destination was the best one I could think
of to create one of the most magical festivals in the world,” says Amar. He figured
if Aspen, South Beach and NYC could host
these kinds of events, so could Cancun/Riviera Maya, “We have a stunning setting
here, excellent airport and hospitality infrastructure, undiscovered chefs, unique
products, a culinary school and beautiful
resources. This festival was a natural.”
He’s right of course, and it doesn’t hurt
that the Riviera Maya is also culturally rich.
Apart from the natural beauty of the location with its stunning white sandy beaches,
cool water cenotes, islands, yachting options and superlative customer service,
it’s Mayan roots are not only intriguing –
they’re breath-taking.
Some guests attended culinary events at
the beautiful Xcaret Park featuring a starchef prepared lunch, while others mean-
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dered through ancient ruins like Tulum,
Ek-Balam or Coba where a hike up majestic temples transports you to another time.
The festival’s international appeal also
embraces the concept of comparing the
evolution of cuisine in the Americas with
emerging global trends, particularly those
in Europe. Last year it was Spain’s turn; this
year, the spotlight shone on Italy.
Renowned Italian chef Massimo Bottura,
owner of Osteria Francescana in Modena, the #5 restaurant on San Pellegrino’s
Top 50, spoke to media during the festival. Bottura’s desire to modernize Italian
dishes is somewhat controversial in Italy.
Culinary die-hards, he says, find his food
philosophy an abomination, while others
applaud his culinary sense to move past
what Bottura sees as outdated methods of
cooking that no longer, rigidly apply. Festival-goers had an opportunity to meet the
famed chef – who was inspired by Ferran
Adria – at the Star Chefs Dinner - Taste the
New World event held poolside at the Paradisus Hotel, Playa del Carmen.
The Star Chefs Dinner continues to be one
of the festival’s most popular events, with
tantalizing offerings this year from Mexican chef Javier Plascencia’s Misión 19
showcasing fan favourites such as his charcoal broiled octopus and a Baja clam and
pork chin chowder. He was joined by Food
Network USA staple Aaron Sanchez, who
represented his restaurant Mestizo with
braised lamb enchiladas in black mole,
as well as Canadian, Argentinean, Ven-
©ostill/123rf
The event’s “Taste the New World” motto
endeavours to showcase the best of the
Americas, from Canada to Tierra del Fuego.
Canadian businessman, David Amar is the
president and founder of what he hopes
becomes “the best food and wine festival in Latin America.” A former international strategy consultant working and living
between Montreal, Paris, London and New
York, Amar discovered some of the world’s
finest restaurants, wineries and gourmet
festivals first-hand on his travels. He made
a quiet promise to himself that when he
sold his consultancy, he would reinvent
himself around his passion for what he
calls “great gourmet lifestyle events.”
Lunch at Xcaret Park
©jerrydeutsch
©Vivaphotgraphy
Detours
ezuelan, Italian and French chefs who all
brought their best to the table.
This global influence and a resurging pride
in regional Mexican cooking means Cancun/Riviera Maya is upping its culinary
game. So long Señor Frogs! Hello Benazuza
by Ferran Adria in Cancun’s Oasis Sens, Le
Chique – helmed by homegrown Adria disciple Jonatan Gomez Luna – at Karisma
Hotel’s Azul Sensatori Resort, and Spain’s
Tempo restaurant, created by Spain’s Martin Berasategui. And that’s a mere Cole’s
Notes of the international talent flocking
to these balmy shores.
At Le Chique, Chef Luna spoiled us with
his innovative takes on classical Mexican
dishes using modernist techniques. The
croquettes disguised as black truffles were
not only delicious and playful, they were
lovely to behold. Based on Michelin-starred chef Martin Berasategui’s inaugural lunch at the architecturally impressive
Paradisus, another must-savour experience is to be found at the hotel’s sanctuary
of fine food “Tempo” – whether at festival
time or on your travels through the region.
Mexican wine and mezcal tastings,
coupled with tapas dishes from local talents (the fresh, Lion Fish ceviche from local star Federico Lopez was outstanding) is
yet another festival highlight. I’d be remiss
if I didn’t encourage you to enjoy a “Mayan” dinner at the Fiesta Americana Coral
Beach, where a pyrotechnic show and traditional dance performance on the beach
can be enjoyed by a couple or a group. The
service at this hotel is outstanding, the junior and master suites providing guests
with pristine oceanfront views and ample
terraces. Take advantage of the Seven
Wonders of the World Gem Spa treatment, where the impressive hydrotherapy
pool alone is worth a visit to this oasis
of tranquility.
Next year, the spotlight will pair The Americas with France. Daniel Boulud is the honoured guest, with Montreal’s own top
toque Normand Laprise joining as one of
the featured chefs alongside other culinary luminaries who will send your taste
buds soaring into the inky black, star-studded Caribbean night.
•
49
Detours
Peru’s pisco trail
Worldly Delights
Pisco Portòn
Christine Sismondo
Master Distiller Johnny Schuler at
La Caravedo Distillery.
Until recently, the global ambassador for
Peru’s signature spirit has been the
Pisco Sour.
With good reason, too. The nearly
100-year-old cocktail has stood the test of
time and attracted people to its birthplace, Lima, because … well, frankly, it’s
sensational. Some call it the world’s
best drink.
But pisco is starting to prove that it’s
hardly a one-trick pony with recent appearances on the menus of some of the
London, New York and San Francisco’s
best bars, where bartenders have turned
on to this clear brandy because of its remarkable versatility.
“You can substitute pisco for any clear liquor in a cocktail and make a better version with pisco,” says Johnny Schuler,
Master Distiller of Pisco Portón and, quite
possibly, the foremost authority on the
spirit. “One of the most popular cocktails
in Peru, the El Capitan, is like a Manhat-
50
•
tan, so pisco can even work in whiskey
cocktails.”
Schuler, a Lima native restaurateur and
television personality, has been tirelessly
championing pisco ever since he had an
epiphany moment, when he sampled a
finely-crafted pisco that he decided was
as good, or better, than a lot of the imported liquors he’d been used to drinking.
This prompted trailblazing “Pisco Johnny”
to map out las Rutas del Pisco, the “pisco
trails” that are now gaining immense popularity as the next hot destination in Peru.
That’s right, the newest trail in Peru has
nothing to do with Incas.
And Pisco Portón, Schuler’s latest venture,
is the jewel in the crown of this nascent
pisco trail, since it’s the first truly state-ofthe-art, visitor-friendly, Napa-style vineyard and production facility. Dating back to
1684, it’s of serious historical interest, too.
“This, originally known as La Caravedo, is
the oldest working distillery in the Amer-
icas,” explains Schuler, proudly conducting an informal tour of the beautiful
estate near Ica. “We preserved all of the
original fermentation vats and the old
environmentally-friendly methods and
still use those for some of the pisco produced here.”
Schuler’s techno-artisanal hybrid incorporates both modern, custom-made German stills and the traditional pisco-making
technology to produce one the best piscos available in North America. But
Schuler takes great pains to explain that
he isn’t trying to standardize pisco and is,
in fact, a huge supporter of the many craft
producers in the area. It’s also a fact that
even his own pisco has slight variations
vintage to vintage.
Of course, the smaller producers represent a huge part of the charm for trail visitors, who delight in the fact that all over
the dusty region, often behind closed
doors that don’t seem very promising, are
Ildi Papp
Detours
Peruvian ceviche and Pisco, a
delicious combination.
Pisco Viringo
little gems of bodegas like “El Carmen,”
where Rosa Margarita de Elias carries on
the family business to produce Don Saturnino, a gold medal-winning pisco. “El
Carmen” is actually just south of Ica, located in a small clutch of bodegas, all worth
a shot for a mini pisco tour.
ing set. A little further north there’s
Paracas, with several luxury ocean-front
resorts, including the Libertador, an easy
stroll to catch a boat tour of the Ballestas
islands – the “poor man’s Galapagos” – to
see marine mammals and birds, including
even Humboldt penguins.
Somewhat larger – and a must for pisco
tourism is Ica’s Hacienda Tacama Bodega,
a small producer with its own vineyard
and a highly educational tour that illuminates how pisco, an un-oaked brandy, differs from other spirits. In sum, more than
perhaps any other spirit, pisco is a pure
and unadulterated expression of the grape
and, by extension, the terroir of the region.
Since neither water nor flavour and colour
from oak are ever added to pisco, this is a
seriously naked grape.
After the brandy, though, the second
starring attraction on the pisco trail has
to be the food – especially since the
brandy’s popularity is at least partially
the result of the cocina novoandina phenomenon. Modern Peruvian gastronomy
is billed by many as “the next big thing”
and pisco is riding the crest of that tidal
wave. Since the pisco trail literally connects foodie hot spots Arequipa and
Lima, pisco is a natural fit for the gastrotourist. And with stunning examples of
traditional Peruvian cuisine, like the open
air La Olla de Juanita, with its green bean
salad and mouth-watering tacu tacu, a
fried steak with fried egg, Ica does not
disappoint. In the nearby town of Pisco,
Los Choritos Magicos, mussels with rocoto peppers and shallots, is an absolute
must-eat.
There are amazing hotel options ranging
from the quirky and rustic El Carmelo
Hotel and Hacienda in Ica to the splurgeworthy resort and spa, Las Dunas, that offers horseback riding and dune-buggy
expeditions at nearby Huacachina, a
desert oasis popular with the sand-board-
1 oz Pisco
.5 oz Campari
1 oz fresh ruby red grapefruit juice
.5 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
.5 oz egg white
Put all ingredients in a shaker with ice and
shake. Strain into chilled coupe glass and
garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.
The Pisco Viringo is a variation on the
Greyhound cocktail but, instead of vodka,
we use pisco, which gives it a little more
depth of flavour. To balance out the dryness
of the brandy, use simple syrup (to taste),
fresh lime juice, Campari and a bit of egg
white to pull all the ingredients together.
For a little kick, dust lightly
with chile arbol.
And, of course, at every turn, people beckon visitors to try the family pisco, either
straight-up, with ginger ale or in the classic sour. Peru’s brandy may have finally
proven that it shouldn’t be typecast but,
hopefully, we won’t forget how stellar a
performance it gives in the traditional dry,
creamy and tart Pisco Sour.
Thankfully, it hasn’t fallen out of fashion in
its homeland. They’re lined up – ready to
be sampled – all along Peru’s pisco trail.
•
51
Detours
NEW AND NOTABLE
Worldly Delights
Mary Luz Mejia
Tel Aviv goes Asia Terranean
Chef Yuval Ben Neriah’s unique spin on South East Asian street foods comes to life as
he reinterprets the street eats of China, India, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam at his
recently opened, state-of-the-art restaurant, Taizu – Asia Terranean Kitchen. Located
in the uber-fashionable city of Tel Aviv, Ben Neriah secured Israeli starchitect Pitsou
Kedem and Baranowitz-Amit Design Studio to create a unique space reflecting the
five elements of ancient Chinese philosophy: fire, water, metal, wood and earth. Fine,
casual dining at its best with tandoori calamari, wild fish carpaccio with yuzu juice,
and smoked octopus with roasted peanuts constitute some of the menu items set to
please the senses in the restaurant’s conceptually beautiful rooms. taizu.co.il/en
Mayan Soul
The new Nizuc Resort & Spa in Punta Nizuc, Cancun is now home to Ramona, a contemporary interpretation of traditional Mexican cuisine served in a stunning beachfront setting. A refreshing trilogy of local fish ceviches awaits, or perhaps you’d rather
a Caribbean lobster served with a plantain puree and bathed with an exotic Mexican
seed-based sauce? A chef’s table awaits the culinary curious, or if dining à deux is
more to your taste, a private wine cellar dining room awaits. nizuc.com
From Garage to Gusto in this Design Award Winning Restaurant
Mediterranean fare made with molto Italian amore is on the menu at Toronto’s Gusto
101, where the city’s only year-round, retractable rooftop patio provides rooftop
views of the downtown core. Owner Janet Zuccarini had the former 1900s auto body
shop turned into the sleek Italian eatery it is today. Touches like the handsome woodfired Tuscan grill, visible in the theatre kitchen from the main dining room and the airy,
sleek rooftop patio have garnered the prestigious 2013 Hospitality Design award.
Family style platters of hand crafted pastas, pizzas and aperitivi created by Executive
Chef Daniel Mezzolo will have you feeling like you’re ensconced in a hip hideaway in
Trastevere. gusto101.com
High End Steaks
This fall, Chicago will be home to the much anticipated RPM Steak, the sister resto to
RPM Italian helmed by reality TV stars Giuliana and Bill Rancic with veteran hospitality mavericks Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. Modern, sleek and featuring top
grade, aged meats along with an extensive raw bar, this is one steakhouse that aims
to please. From an impressive meat-lover’s program to oysters and tartars, RPM Steak
will offer modern takes on trad steakhouse items with a focus on fresh seasonal vegetable dishes as substantial sides. Steak your claim! rpmitalian.com
Mas Masa in Margaritaville
Chef Paul Menta travelled to Mexico, fell in love with the food and decided that
Key West needed a little taqueria that makes its own, all-natural corn taco shells infused with some sun-kissed Key West flavour. Menta’s Amigos Tortilla Bar features
Key West fish – caught by local fishermen that same day – as well as other taco-tastic fillings. You want shrimp? Only Key West pink shrimp make it onto the menu, where
everything is homemade, preservative free and vegetarian and gluten-free friendly.
Indulge in a square taco (a proprietary, filling-holding beaut) and people-watch on
Duval with a Mexican beer, or a KW favourite – the Margarita, of course. Ole!
amigoskeywest.com
52
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Cruising
South American Adventures
Exotic Explorations
Tropical Paradises
The Ensemble Difference
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For the best vacation choices contact your Ensemble Travel Group Agent
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Meet Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas® – you’ll never
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Ports of Call: Port Canaveral, FL; CocoCay, Bahamas; Charlotte
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Departure Dates: January 12, 2014
SHIP: Freedom
of the
Seas®
$1,179 USD plus $94.02 taxes and government fees per person
(Category E2 - Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony)
Cruising
Ensemble Exclusive Offer:
Book a 7-night or longer Caribbean cruise in a balcony category
or above stateroom from September 1 – October 31, 2013 and
receive a specialty dinner for two on Royal Caribbean sailngs
departing November 17, 2013 – February 28, 2014.
See page 66 for terms and conditions.
•
55
7
C ONTEMPOR A RY
7
NIGHTS
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Eastern Caribbean
Eastern Caribbean
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Ports of Call: Miami, FL; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US
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Departure DateS: Every Saturday February 1 – May 17, 2014
Departure Dates: Saturdays & Sundays, December 21, 2013 to
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$799 CAD plus $114.92 taxes and government fees per person
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From
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Sunwing cruise packages include roundtrip airfare from
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PREMIUM
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SHIP: ms Oosterdam
$1,699 CAD per guest (Category L - Interior stateroom)
From $1,899 CAD per guest (Category G - Oceanview stateroom)
From $2,499 CAD per guest (Category VF - Veranda stateroom)
$1,799 CAD per guest (Category L - Interior stateroom)
From $2,099 CAD per guest (Category FF - Oceanview stateroom)
From $3,799 CAD per guest (Category BB - Veranda stateroom)
From
From
Plus $276.76 CAD taxes and government fees per guest
Plus $205.06 CAD taxes and government fees per guest
100 minute Internet Package; Pinnacle Grill lunch;
complimentary photo
58
•
100 minute Internet Package; Pinnacle Grill lunch;
complimentary photo
7
PREMIUM
DAYS
Eastern Caribbean
DELUXE
12
Days
Southern Seas Soliloquy
Special Theme:
Mind, Body & Spirit
East meets West on the Mind, Body & Spirit
theme cruise through the South Pacific.
Guest instructors and speakers focus on
yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and general mental,
physical and spiritual health.
Bonus Offer
Reduced Deposit and Shipwide Savings Coupon Book
Ports of Call: Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Princess Cays®, Bahamas; St.
Thomas, USVI; St. Maarten; Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Departure Dates: Jan 5 & 12, Feb 9 & 16, Mar 9 & 23, 2014
SHIP: Royal Princess®
Ports of Call: Valparaiso, Chile; Easter Island, Chile; Pitcairn Island/
Adamstown, UK; Moorea, Society Island; Papeete, Tahiti, Society Island
(overnight)
Departure Date: January 8, 2014
SHIP: Crystal Symphony
$1,299 CAD (January 5, 2014 departure) plus $95 taxes and government fees per
From
person (Category DD - Balcony Stateroom)
per person (Category E - Deluxe Stateroom)
$2,975 USD plus taxes, port charges and government fees of $300
Book by October 31, 2013 and save $1,000 per person
(Savings is reflected in the price above)
(based on double occupancy)
$50 Onboard Credit per stateroom
$250 per person Shipboard Credit
•
59
19
DELUXE
Days
New York to San Francisco
Days
San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale
Bonus Offer
Bonus Offer
$300 Onboard Credit and Reduced Deposit.
DELUXE
15
$300 Onboard Credit and Reduced Deposit.
Ports of Call: New York, NY; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Oranjestad, Aruba;
Limon, Costa Rica; Transit the Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; San
Francisco, CA (Overnight)
Ports of Call: San Francisco, Putarenas, Costa Rica; Transit the
Panama Canal; Oranjestad, Aruba; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands;
Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Departure Date: April 1, 2014
SHIP: Queen Elizabeth®
SHIP: Queen Victoria®
$3,599 CAD plus $286.64 taxes and government fees per person
$2,849 CAD plus $277.49 taxes and government fees per person
(Category BC - Balcony Stateroom)
(Category BC - Balcony Stateroom)
Up to $300 Onboard Credit and a tray of chocolate covered
strawberries per stateroom
60
•
Up to $300 Onboard Credit and a tray of chocolate covered
strawberries per stateroom
10
DELUXE
Days
Caribbean Hideaways
LUXURY
10
NIGHTS
Edens in the Sun
Ensemble Hosted Cruise package
• An Ensemble Host
• An Exclusive Ensemble Traveller cocktail party
• A Complimentary Exclusive Ensemble Experience Shore Event in Belize City
Bonus Opportunity: In lieu of Ensemble Experience you may select $150
per person Shipboard Credit (max $300 per suite) OR work with your travel
agent to create a customized event or hotel stay valued up to $175 per
person (max $350 per suite).
Ports of Call: Miami, FL; Tortola, British Virgin Islands;
St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Gustavia,
St. Barts; Miami, FL
Ports of Call: Miami, Florida; Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras;
Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico;
George Town, Cayman Islands; Key West, Florida; Miami, Florida
Departure Date: March 12, 2014
SHIP: Riviera
SHIP: Seven Seas Navigator®
From
$2,899 USD per guest including all taxes, port charges and fees and
economy air from select Canadian gateways.
(Deluxe Ocean View stateroom),
Special Offer:
• Free Airfare
• 2 for 1 Cruise Fares
• $2,200 per stateroom Early Booking Savings
Pre-Paid Gratuities
$4,799
2-for-1 Fares From
USD per person,
including taxes, government fees, and $1,500 Bonus Savings
(Category H - Window Suite)
Special Offer:
• 2-for-1 Fares
• Additional Bonus Savings of
$3,000 Per Suite
• FREE Roundtrip Air*
• FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury
Hotel Package
• FREE Transfers Between Airport,
Hotel and Ship
• FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions
• FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities
• FREE Unlimited Beverages
Including Fine Wines and Premium
Spirits
• FREE Open bars and Lounges plus
in-suite mini-bar replenished daily
• FREE Specialty Restaurants
• FREE 24-Hour room service
•
61
LUXURY
7
NIGHTS
Days
Tahiti & the Society Islands
Ports of Call: Papeete; Huahine; Taha’a (Motu Mahana; Bora Bora
(overnight); Moorea (overnight); Papeete
Departure Dates: 2013: Dec 7; 2014: Feb 15; May 10; Sep 27, Nov 15; Dec 13
SHIP: m /s Paul Gauguin
From
$4,345
LUXURY
7
USD per guest plus $89 taxes and government fees per person
(Category E - Oceanview Stateroom)
Flavors of the Caribbean
Ports of Call: Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roseau, Dominica; Pigeon
Island, St. Lucia; Les Saintes, F.W.I.; Nevis (overnight); Basseterre, St. Kitts;
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Departure Dates: Dec 14, 2013; Jan 11 & 25; Feb 8; Mar 8 & 22, 2014
SHIP: Wind Surf
From
$1,699
USD per guest (December 14, 2013 departure) plus $85 taxes and
government fees per person
(Category B - Oceanview Stateroom)
$100 per person Shipboard Credit
62
•
16
LUXURY
DAYS
Australia & New Zealand Odyssey
16
LUXURY
DAYS
South America
• A Complimentary Exclusive Ensemble Experience Shore Event in Punta
Arenas
• A Complimentary Exclusive Ensemble Experience Shore Event in Port Chalmers
Ports of Call: Auckland, New Zealand; Tauranga (Rotorua) New
Zealand; Wellington, New Zealand; Picton, New Zealand; Cruising
Queen Charlotte Sound; Akaroa (Christchurch, NZ); Port Chalmers
(Dunedin), NZ; Oban (Halfmoon Bay), New Zealand; Cruising Fiordland
Natl Park; Melbourne, Australia; Geelong, Australia; Burnie, Australia;
Sydney, Australia
SHIP: Seabourn Odyssey
$6,579 CAD per guest (Oceanview Suite)
From $7,599 CAD per guest (Veranda Suite)
From $14,179 CAD per guest (Penthouse Suite)
From
Taxes: $859 CAD per guest
Ports of Call: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay;
Punta Del Este, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland
Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina (overnight); Punta Arenas, Chile; Puerto
Chacabuco, Chile; Puerto Montt, Chile; Valparaiso, Chile
Departure Date: December 20, 2013
SHIP: Silver Cloud
$9,450 USD per guest including taxes, port charges and government fees
(Category VI - Vista Suite)
Special Themes:
Wine Series - Enjoy lectures, tastings and optional private tours to renowned vineyards &
world-class wineries — a famous château in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, for example, or a
winery in the Barossa Valley in Australia. On board, you’ll enjoy an extensive selection of fine
red & white wine pairings with both lunch and dinner.
Bridge Sailing - Though guests are welcome to play Bridge on any Silversea cruise, a Bridge
Sailing features a formal programme of Contract and Duplicate Bridge. Bridge Sailing activities
are complimentary and guests can enjoy daily Bridge sessions, Bridge lectures for beginning
and intermediate-level players, and opportunities to earn ACBL Master Points. Silversea
supplies all Bridge materials and hosts the programme in a dedicated Card Room on board.
•
63
Our
exclusive collection of Ensemble® Hosted Cruises is
thoughtfully tailored to offer special, personal touches and
complimentary amenities.
Ensemble® Hosted Cruises include an expert Ensemble Host
onboard your cruise, an exclusive Ensemble Traveller cocktail party,
and an Ensemble Experience – a custom-designed shore excursion.
Featured
DATE
Ensemble Hosted Cruises
®
DAYS
CRUISE LINE
SHIP
EMBARK
DISEMBARK
ENSEMBLE EXPERIENCE
Asia and the South Pacific
Silver ShadowAuckland Melbourne
Saturday, January 04, 2014
14
Silversea Cruises
Monday, January 06, 2014
20
Silversea Cruises
Silver Whisper
Los Angeles
Auckland
15
Azamara Club Cruises
Azamara Journey
Singapore
Hong Kong
Friday, January 10, 2014
16
Seabourn
Seabourn Odyssey
Auckland
Sydney (Australia)
14
Seabourn
Seabourn Legend
Hong Kong
Singapore
10
Silversea Cruises
Silver Whisper
Auckland
Sydney (Australia)
Saturday, February 01, 2014
18
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seven Seas Voyager
Sydney (Australia)
Singapore
Monday, February 03, 2014
14
Seabourn
Seabourn LegendSingapore Singapore
Thursday, February 06, 2014
23
Silversea Cruises
Silver Whisper
Sydney (Australia)
Shanghai
14
Silversea Cruises
Silver ShadowSingaporeSingapore
Sunday, February 16, 2014
12
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony
Sydney (Australia)
Bali
11
Silversea Cruises
Silver Shadow
Singapore
Hong Kong
Friday, February 28, 2014
12
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony
Bali
Singapore
Saturday, March 01, 2014
18
Silversea Cruises
Silver Whisper
Shanghai
Singapore
Thursday, March 06, 2014
15
Seven Seas Voyager
Hong Kong
Tianjin
Thursday, March 06, 2014
12
Royal Caribbean International
Rhapsody Of The Seas
Sydney (Australia)
Sydney (Australia)
Monday, March 17, 2014
18
Seabourn
Seabourn LegendSingapore Dubai
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
17
Silversea Cruises
Silver WhisperSingaporeMuscat
Friday, March 21, 2014
18
Seven Seas Voyager
Beijing
Bangkok
14
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony
Singapore
Hong Kong
Sunday, March 30, 2014
9
Silversea Cruises
Silver Shadow
Hong Kong
Singapore
Sunday, April 06, 2014
16
Seabourn
Seabourn OdysseySingapore Dubai
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
12
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony
Hong Kong
Beijing
13
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Millennium
Hong Kong
Shanghai
Saturday, April 19, 2014
14
Silversea Cruises
Silver Shadow
Hong Kong
Tokyo
7
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin
Papeete
Papeete
Hobert
Lahaina, Maui
Ho Chi Minh City
Port Chalmers
Ho Chi Minh City
Dunedin
Darwin
Phuket
Manila
Yangon
Darwin
Ho Chi Minh
Kota Kinabalu
Chan May (Hue/Danang)
Seoul
Lautoka
Phuket
Mumbai
Hanoi (Ha Long Bay)
Ho Chi Minh City
Chan May (Hue/Danang)
Cochin
Shanghai
Jeju Island
Jeju Island
Bora Bora
Our highly trained and knowledgeable cruise specialists have made us Canada’s ‘Nº 1 Producer’
for the vast majority of cruise lines. With our North American buying power, you’ll enjoy special
features, extra amenities and exclusive offers. We provide a huge choice of cruises tailored to
suit every style and budget. Our ‘On Location Experts’ enable us to customize unique and
individually tailored shore excursions to enhance your cruise experience. And unique pre-cruise
and post-cruise packages add an extra dimension to your destination experience! With our
exclusive collection of ‘Hosted Cruises’ you can depend on personalized care and exciting land
excursions while you enjoy complimentary amenities and superb added value features.
Caribbean, South America and Panama Canal
Sunday, January 05, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Friday, January 31, 2014
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
Friday, February 07, 2014
Friday, March 07, 2014
7
9
7
14
14
14
14
7
9
9
7
15
16
7
20
7
7
18
15
7
7
10
7
7
7
7
7
Seabourn
Silversea Cruises
Seabourn
Silversea Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Seabourn
Silversea Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Seabourn
Seabourn
Seabourn
Silversea Cruises
Seabourn
Seabourn
Seabourn
Seabourn
Seabourn
Celebrity Cruises
Seabourn Pride
Charlotte Amalie
Silver Spirit
Fort Lauderdale
Seabourn Spirit
Bridgetown
Silver Spirit
Bridgetown
Celebrity Infinity
Santiago (Valparaiso)
Celebrity Infinity
Seven Seas MarinerMiami
Seabourn Pride
Charlotte Amalie
Silver Spirit
Rio de Janeiro
Explorer Of The Seas
Cape Liberty Cruise Port
Celebrity Reflection
Miami
Celebrity Century
Fort Lauderdale
Silver Spirit
Buenos Aires
Seabourn Spirit
Bridgetown
Seven Seas Mariner
Callao
Seabourn Pride
Oranjestad
Seabourn Spirit
Bridgetown
Silver Spirit
Seabourn Quest
Manaus
Seabourn Spirit
Bridgetown
Seabourn Pride
Charlotte Amalie
Seven Seas Navigator
Miami
Seabourn Pride
Charlotte Amalie
Seabourn Spirit
Philipsburg
Miami
Allure Of The Seas
Fort Lauderdale
Navigator Of The Seas
Galveston
Charlotte Amalie
Bridgetown
Philipsburg
Rio de Janeiro
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Callao
Charlotte Amalie
Buenos Aires
Cape Liberty Cruise Port
Miami
Los Angeles
Philipsburg
Buenos Aires
Charlotte Amalie
Philipsburg
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale
Philipsburg
Charlotte Amalie
Miami
Charlotte Amalie
Bridgetown
Miami
Fort Lauderdale
Galveston
St. Kitts
St. Johns
St. Johns
Salvador De Bahias
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas
Cartagena
St. Kitts
Punta Del Este
St. Thomas
ST. Maarten
Punta Arenas
Ushuaia
St. Johns
Puerto Montt
St. Lucia
St. Johns
Manta
Barbados
St. Johns
St. Kitts
Belize City
St. Kitts
St. Kitts
St. Maarten
Falmouth
Falmouth
DATE
DAYS CRUISE LINE
SHIP
EMBARK
DISEMBARK
ENSEMBLE EXPERIENCE
Europe
Saturday, May 03, 2014
Monday, May 05, 2014
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Sunday, June 01, 2014
Monday, June 02, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Friday, July 04, 2014
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Friday, August 01, 2014
Monday, August 04, 2014
Thursday, August 07, 2014
Saturday, August 09, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Monday, September 01, 2014
Monday, September 01, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Friday, September 19, 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
7
11
11
7
7
9
12
11
11
9
7
10
12
11
10
9
7
12
11
10
12
14
10
10
7
14
9
10
7
7
10
12
7
9
12
9
10
9
9
10
12
9
10
12
14
10
9
12
12
12
9
7
12
11
9
7
7
7
11
10
11
12
7
7
Uniworld
Celebrity Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Avalon Waterways
Holland America Line
Crystal Cruises
Uniworld
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Uniworld
Crystal Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Uniworld
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Uniworld
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Uniworld
Silversea Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Uniworld
Silversea Cruises
River Queen
Basel
Amsterdam
Celebrity Silhouette
Rome (Civitavecchia) Venice
Crystal SerenityIstanbul
Venice
Silver Spirit
Rome (Civitavecchia) Barcelona
Azamara Quest
Barcelona
Nice
Silver Wind
Venice
Rome (Civitavecchia)
Brilliance Of The Seas
Harwich
Harwich
Avalon Scenery
Paris
Cote D’Azur
Noordam
Rome (Civitavecchia) Barcelona
Crystal Serenity
Barcelona
SS CatherineAvignon Lyon
Azamara Quest
Rome (Civitavecchia) Istanbul
Silver Cloud
Dover
Stockholm
Silver Whisper
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Silver Spirit
Silver Wind
Venice
Venice
Seven Seas Voyager
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Crystal Serenity
Istanbul
Rome (Civitavecchia) Rome (Civitavecchia)
Crystal Symphony
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Azamara Journey
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Ryndam
Dover
Dover
Crystal Symphony
Stockholm
Copenhagen
Silver SpiritVenice Istanbul
River BaronessParis
Paris
Crystal SymphonyCopenhagenCopenhagen
Silver Cloud
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Azamara Journey
Stockholm
Copenhagen
Liberty Of The Seas
Celebrity Equinox
Istanbul
Seven Seas MarinerVenice
Istanbul
Crystal Serenity
Monte Carlo
Dover
River BeatricePassau Budapest
Silver Wind
Barcelona
Nieuw Amsterdam
Venice
Barcelona
Silver Whisper
Stockholm
Stockholm
Seven Seas Voyager
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Crystal Serenity
London (Dover)
Lisbon
Silver CloudLondon Reykjavik
Crystal Symphony
Stockholm
London (Dover)
Azamara Journey
Copenhagen
London (Southampton)
Silver Wind
Venice
Azamara Quest
Serenade Of The SeasBarcelona
Barcelona
Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Silver Whisper
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Silver Spirit IstanbulIstanbul
Crystal Serenity
Rome (Civitavecchia) London (Southampton)
Celebrity EquinoxBarcelona Venice
Seven Seas Voyager
London (Southampton) Stockholm
Crystal Symphony
London (Dover)
Hamburg
River Royale
Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Adventure Of The Seas
Southampton (London) Southampton (London)
Silver Cloud
SouthamptonLisbon
Silver Wind
Barcelona
Liberty Of The Seas
Azamara Journey
Barcelona
Monte Carlo
River CountessVenice
Venice
Noordam
Istanbul
Athens (Piraeus)
Silver SpiritVenice Istanbul
Celebrity Silhouette
Venice
River Queen
AmsterdamBasel
Azamara QuestVenice
Venice
Silver Cloud
Monte Carlo
Marksburg Castle
Kusadasi
Dubrovnik
Porto Mahon
Calvi (Corsica)
Dubrovnik
St. Petersburg
Beajolais
On Board Event
St. Tropez
Provence
Kusadasi
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
Kusadasi
Kotor
St. Petersburg
Valletta
Kusadasi
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
On Board Event
St. Petersburg
Kusadasi
Versailles
Tromso
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
Marseille
Valletta
Athens
Lisbon
Vienna
Calvi (Corsica)
On Board Event
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
Bordeaux
Eskifjordur
St. Petersburg
Liverpool
Dubrovnik
Kusadasi
Split
On Board Event
St. Petersburg
Yalta
Lisbon
Kusadasi
St. Petersburg
Bordeaux
Arcachon and Oyster Tasting
Alesund
Bordeaux
Calvi (Corsica)
Marseille
Calvi (Corsica)
Venice
On Board Event
Kusadasi
Dubrovnik
Koblenz
Kotor
Portofino
Alaska and Canada & New England
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
7
7
7
7
10
7
7
7
12
7
9
10
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Seven Seas NavigatorVancouver
Vancouver
Radiance Of The SeasSeward
Vancouver
Silver ShadowSeward Vancouver
Seven Seas NavigatorVancouver
Anchorage
Silver Shadow VancouverVancouver
Celebrity SolsticeSeattle
Seattle
Celebrity MillenniumVancouver
Seward
Silver ShadowSeward Vancouver
Seven Seas Navigator
Vancouver
San Francisco
Rhapsody Of The SeasSeattle
Vancouver
Silver Shadow VancouverVancouver
Crystal Serenity
Boston
Quebec City
Wrangell
Skagway
Juneau
Juneau
Skagway
Juneau
Juneau
Juneau
Juneau
Skagway
Skagway
Lunenburg
Terms and Conditions
Celebrity Cruises
Prices are cruise-only, per person, based on double occupancy, on select sailings and subject to availability. Prices quoted in U.S. dollars. Itineraries, ships and prices are subject to change without notice. Government taxes and
fees are additional. Space is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or closed at anytime. 2-category upgrades are based on availability within the category booked (outside to outside and not outside to veranda). Headquarter Groups are applicable to new bookings, existing FIT bookings may not transfer into the group. Offers can not beapplied to deep discount promos, off-tariff price promos, or agency phone # driven promos such as, Net rates,
Celebrity ExcitingDeals, Ind. incentive rates (IIT), Gross rates, Interline rates,Friends & Family rates, EZN rates, travel agent rates, etc. Offers alsocan not be combined with other offers or promotions, including, but not limited to,
other onboard credit or dollars (savings) offOffers, Captain’s Club Offers, Shareholders benefits, Future or Celebrity Voyages offers and benefits. For more details, please contact Ensemble Travel®Group Cruise Department. ©2013
Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ships’Registry: Malta
Crystal Cruises
Per person savings of $1000 must be booked by 10/31/2013 to receive savings off of the 2-for-1 fares. Book Now Cruise-Only Fares are per person in U.S. dollars, double occupancy and as stated includes cruise port, security and
handling charges of $300. 2-for-1 Fares are per person based on 50% of brochure fares. Optional air add-ons are available from Crystal Cruises’ designated gateway cities in the U.S. and Canada and include all government taxes
and fees. All offers may not be combinable with other promotions, apply to first two full-fare guests in stateroom or suite, are capacity-controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice.
All itineraries, fares, programs and policies are subject to change. Other restrictions apply. ©Crystal Cruises, Inc. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas.
®
Cunard Line
On Board Credit offer based are per stateroom, based on double occupancy and quoted in USD. Singles paying the single supplement earn the equivalent of the per stateroom On Board Credit. All categories are eligible for the On
Board Credit. On Board Credit has no cash value and is only applied on sailed bookings. Valid only on new bookings deposited between September 20th and October 5th, 2013. Third/fourth-berth guests are not eligible for this
offer. Offer is only combinable with Early Booking Fares, Group, regional, past guest fares and National Account promotions. Cunard’s Air Programme will apply to all voyages. The standard Transfer Programme will apply. Reduced
Deposit: Reservations made during the Cruise Sale will receive a waiver of the deposit on the second person. Promotion code CN1. Fares are per person, quoted in CAD dollars, do not include air travel, are voyage only, based
on double occupancy, applies to the first two guests in a stateroom and does not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth guests. Fares apply on a space-available basis at time of reservation, were correct at time of printing and are
subject to change. Fares for other categories not shown vary. This offer is capacity-controlled, is subject to change and may not be combinable with any other public or past guest discount. Offer is available to residents of the 50
United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older. Government fees and taxes are additional, are subject to change, and may be higher for Canadian residents. Offer may be
withdrawn at any time without notice. Please refer to the applicable Cunard brochure for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. Certain restrictions apply. Ship’s Registry: Bermuda. ©CUNARD 2013
* The Onboard Value Booklet promotion is valid for new bookings only made between September 15th and October 14th, 2013. All Cruise & Cruise Tour bookings will receive an Onboard Value Booklet (Grand Voyages are
excluded.). Onboard Value Booklet amenity will be applied to passengers 1 & 2 and is applicable for all categories. NOT combinable with any non-refundable promotions (FJ*, FL*, etc.), TA/F&F/Interline/Vendor/Community Appreciation (Y**), or Incentive groups (XI*) All amounts in U.S. dollars. Cannot be used in conjunction with any promotional programs, sale items, Mariner Society®, Holland America Line discounts or any other discount programs. Total
Onboard Value Booklet savings are calculated based on the total savings amount available. Only Value Booklets distributed on board will be valid. All offers require a purchase to receive the discounted item. Subject to availability. No
photocopies. Coupons are not refundable, non-transferable and have no cash value. Fuel supplement has been suspended. Holland America Line reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to USD $9
per person per day should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above USD $70 per barrel. Please consult our website for current information. Fares are based
on Promo RH. Featured fares are per person based on double occupancy, cruise only. Fares are in Canadian dollars and include non-commissionable fares. Taxes are additional and vary according to itinerary. Subject to availability.
Offers are capacity controlled, and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Restrictions may apply. Please refer to the appropriate Holland America brochure for full terms and conditions. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Fares shown are in Canadian. dollars and are per person, based on double occupancy. Government taxes, & fees, are additional. Prices are based on availability and subject to change.
Oceania Cruises
Fare shown was current at time of printing but is subject to change as of 9/1/13. All advertised fares and offers are in USD per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and may not be
combinable with other offers. Cruise-related government fees and taxes are included. Cruise Ship Fuel Surcharge may apply for new bookings. “Free Airfare” promotion does not include ground transfers and applies to YOW, YUL,
YVR, YYZ. Other gateways are available from $199 per guest. Ships’ Registry: Marshall Islands
Paul Gauguin Cruises
All fares and offers are per guest based on double occupancy, in U.S. dollars, reflect promotional savings, are for new bookings only, subject to availability, may not be combinable with other offers, are capacity controlled and may
be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Government fees and taxes are included. Free Air is in Economy Class, based on double occupancy and available from LAX only. Air add-ons apply for other gateways and for additional
guests in the suite. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Paul Gauguin Cruises reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. Ship’s Registry: Bahamas©2013
Paul Gauguin Cruises.
Princess Cruises®
Fare $1,199 CAD on 1/5/14 Royal Princess sailing in category BD balcony group rate. Onboard credit is per stateroom, based on double occupancy. Onboard credit may be used on a single voyage only, expires at the end of
that voyage and is not redeemable for cash. Onboard credit is quoted in U.S. dollars. Some restrictions apply. This offer may not be combinable with Future Cruise Credit promotions and select promotions. Total value of coupons
combined is $325 USD. Coupon book offers are based on current Shipwide Savings booklet, which is subject to change. One coupon book is provided per person, up to two maximum per stateroom. Applicable on new bookings
only deposited between September 20th and October 5th, 2013. Reduced deposit applies to each of the first two passengers in a stateroom and does not apply to the World Cruises and 45+ day World Cruise Segments. The
deposit for the World Cruises and 45+ day World Cruise Segments is 5% of the cruise fare. Void where prohibited by law. Fares are per person, non-air, cruise-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two passengers
in a stateroom. . Fares for other categories or sail dates may vary. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth passengers. Government fees and taxes are additional, are subject to change. This offer is capacity controlled
and may not be combinable with any other public, group or past passenger discount, including onboard credits. Offer is not transferable and is available to residents of the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the
District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older and receive this offer. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Please refer to the applicable Princess Cruises brochure or princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all
bookings. ©2013 Princess Cruises. Ships of Bermudan registry.
®
Limited Time Offer. All fares and offers are per person (unless otherwise noted), for new bookings only, are capacity-controlled and subject to availability, may not be combined with other offers and may be withdrawn at any time
without prior notice. At the time of your purchase, fares may be higher. Regent Seven Seas Cruises® reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares or promotional offers at any time. Complete
pricing terms and conditions and Guest Ticket Contract can be found at www.RSSC.com. Ships’ Registry: Bahamas ©2013 Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
*Air Inclusive Program applies to economy, roundtrip flights only from select U.S. & Canadian gateways: ATL, BOS, CLT, DCA, DEN, DFW, EWR, FLL, IAD, IAH, JFK, LAX, LGA, MCO, MIA, MSP, ORD, PBI, PHL, PHX, SAN, SEA, SFO, TPA,
YUL, YVR and YYZ. HNL requires a supplement. Transfers between airport and ship are included. Some airline-imposed personal charges, including but not limited to baggage, priority boarding and special seating may apply. For details, visit exploreflightfees.com. Air routing, scheduling and air carrier are at the discretion of Regent Seven Seas Cruises®. Business Class Air applies to international flights from the select U.S. & Canadian gateways mentioned above
and may not apply to U.S. domestic or intra-continental flights within North America, Europe, South America, Asia or Africa. Air Inclusive Program and Air Upgrade offers are not combinable with 3rd and/or 4th guests in a suite.. Air
Inclusive Program and Air Upgrade offers are not combinable with 3rd and/or 4th guests in a suite.
Prices are per person, double occupancy, cruise only, and on select sailings. Prices shown are for stateroom categories as noted and are shown in U.S. dollars. Government taxes and fees are additional. Airfare is not included.
Prices and itineraries are based on availability and are subject to change without notice. Prices and itineraries may vary by ship and sail date. Special offer is valid for bookings made on Caribbean itineraries between September
1 – October 31, 2013 on select Royal Caribbean sailings departing November 17, 2013 – February 28, 2014. Bookings on applicable [7] Night or longer Caribbean & Bermuda sailings made in a Balcony Category and above
stateroom will receive a complimentary dinner for two in a specialty restaurant. Booking eligibility is based on when the booking is created not deposited or date of final payment. This offer is not transferable. Dining voucher is
applicable for one dining experience in a specialty dining restaurant for up to two guests. Restaurants vary by ship. Not all ships feature specialty dining and restaurants vary by ship. Guests sailing on ships with no specialty dining will
receive a bottle of wine in the room on embarkation as a substitution. Coupon is valid for dinner only for Chops Grille, Portofino, Giovanni’s Table, Samba Grill or Solarium Bistro. On Oasis-class ships, 150 Central Park and Johnny
Rockets Special dining events that take place in Specialty restaurants are excluded from the dining offer. Izumi, Chef’s Table, Mystery Dinner Theater, Vini d’Italia and Portofino Wine Series on all ships are also excluded. Special dining
events that take place in Specialty restaurants are excluded from the dining offer. Voucher cannot be used toward the purchase of specialty dining packages. Alcoholic beverages and sodas are not included, and are available at an
additional cost. Specialty dining gratuities are included. Coupon has no monetary value and it is the guest’s responsibility to present this coupon to the restaurant when making their reservation should they wish to utilize this coupon.
Reservations must be made onboard, and cannot be made in advance online in order to redeem this voucher. Voucher may not be broken up into multiple single dining experiences. This offer does not give guest(s) any priority
for reservations, or if there is a wait to be seated in the restaurant. Dining offers can be used on port days only. Offers are applicable to individual bookings only. Not applicable to groups. Offer can be withdrawn at any time without
notice. Additional restrictions may apply. ©2013 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships registered in the Bahamas.
Seabourn
All fares are in Canadian dollars, cruise-only, for new bookings only, per guest, double occupancy, subject to availability, and valid only for residents of the Americas. Fares based on promo RU. Some suite categories may not be
available. Government Fees and Taxes of CAD $859 per person are not included. Fares may vary by sailing date, are capacity controlled, and are subject to change without prior notice. Seabourn reserves the right to charge a fuel
supplement for all guests, without prior notice, if the NYMEX oil price exceeds USD $70.00 per barrel, and may collect such a supplement even if the cruise fare has been paid in full. Shipboard credit is based on double occupancy
for 1st and 2nd passengers only. Certain restrictions apply. Information herein is accurate at time of printing. Seabourn reserves the right to correct errors. Ships’ registry: Bahamas. ©2012 Seabourn
Silversea
Silver Privilege Fares shown are cruise-only, in U.S. dollars, per guest based on double occupancy in a Vista Suite, capacity controlled, may change and/or withdrawn without notice, and reflect the highest savings available for
each voyage. Fares for single guests are available upon request. All fares, savings, offers, itineraries, and programs are subject to change without notice. For additional terms and conditions, please visit Silversea.com. Ships’ registry:
Bahamas
Sunwing Vacations
Prices are based on double occupancy for new bookings and include airfare, cruise accommodation and transfers. Staterooms and above prices are limited, capacity controlled and available at the time of printing. Gratuities are
extra. *Prices and product available at time of print.
Transat Holidays
Price is per person based on double occupancy for new individual bookings and is subject to availability and change at time of booking. NCF Fees (non-commissionable fees) are included in the cruise fare as they are not considered a tax. The NCF amount is not included in the taxes. The indicated tax amounts include the cruise government taxes and fees and the flight transportation taxes. † $50 per person savings reflected in advertised price. Valid on
Air Transat/Canjet roundtrip flight from Toronto to Ft.Lauderdale booked in conjunction with the Celebrity Silhouette. Flight cost must be a minimum of $79 before taxes to qualify. Other restrictions may apply.
Ship registry: Malta
Windstar Cruises
Lead-in price departure date 12/14/13 in Category B stateroom. Fares listed are per person, based on double occupancy. Government fees and taxes ($85) per person are
additional. All fares are cruise only and include non-discountable amounts. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at the discretion of Windstar Cruises.
Offer valid 9/1-10/31/13. Ships’ Registry: Bahamas.
Cruising
Create lasting Memories.
Choose from one of four
24 hour all inclusive
beachfront resorts in
Cuba offering flavours
from around the globe,
international drinks,
supervised kids activities,
and entertainment for all
ages.
CELEBRATE
THE MOMENTS
Resorts & Spa
CAYO COCO
MEMORIES CARIBE
BEACH RESORT HHHH
CAYO COCO
MEMORIES FLAMENCO
BEACH RESORT HHHHPLUS
CAYO SANTA MARIA
MEMORIES PARAISO AZUL
BEACH RESORT HHHHPLUS
VARADERO
MEMORIES VARADERO
BEACH RESORT HHHH
TO BOOK YOUR VACATION AT
MEMORIES RESORT & SPA,
CONTACT YOUR ENSEMBLE AGENT
Lindsay Pearlman
Seatmates with Lindsay Pearlman
Helen Hewetson
Since I’m new to this role, I decided to sit down with Lindsay Pearlman so I could get to the heart of what the company is all about.
Lindsay is Co-President of Ensemble Travel and with 850+ member agencies located all over the US and Canada, he’s a busy guy:
he’s travelling for business on a regular basis. But despite juggling this hectic workload he still manages to balance his home life with
his lovely family, stays fit and healthy, and maintain a sense of humour. I caught up with him for a quick chat.
Q: Ensemble Travel is a bit of a mystery to
some people; what exactly do you do?
A: We’re a consortium of top-notch travel
agencies. Our members are all Ensemble
shareholders, so our job at head office is to
make sure they have all the products and
tools at their disposal to provide the services people are asking for.
Q: Why are you so convinced that travel
agents are the way to go? Can’t people
book online so easily now?
A: Sure – there are ways you can do it yourself, but many people don’t realize that
there’s no support available if you do run
into trouble. One of my family members
(who will remain nameless), found himself
stuck in Paris during the volcanic ash incident a couple of years ago. He couldn’t get a
flight or a hotel room at any price, so he
called me while I was on the road in Turkey,
asking for advice. I told him to “Just call
your travel agent! They’ll sort you out, no
problem.” When he told me he’d booked it
himself, I just laughed – I told him his best
option was to get a canoe and start paddling back to Canada. The poor guy was
stuck there for ages with no way out. On
the plus side, he’s very familiar with the
Paris airport, and he always books through
an agent now.
68
•
Q: OK – that makes sense, but what sets
Ensemble apart? Why not just book with
any travel agent?
A: Well, for starters, Ensemble member
agencies are independently owned and
operated. And they’re managed by the
owners themselves: these people care
deeply about their clients. After all, they’re
not sitting in an impersonal call centre on
the other side of the planet; they’re located
in the neighbourhoods they serve. Plus, our
members have access to exclusive offers
and deals through our carefully negotiated
partner programs. No matter what a client
is looking for, our member agencies can
easily reach out to a worldwide network of
top-notch suppliers and people on the
ground to make any travel dream come
true – which can’t be said for all agents.
Q: I know you travel a great deal, so if it’s
not too personal, may I ask what your airline ‘status’ is?
A: Ha! That is a little personal, but let’s just
say I’m on very good terms with Air
Canada. Seat 12A is reserved for me!
Q: What is the one thing you won’t travel
without?
A: (with no hesitation) My Blackberry!
Q: Where do you want to go back to
one day?
A: That’s a difficult choice to make, but I
recently went on a trip to New Zealand and
loved it – there is so much left to explore.
Q: Where’s your next vacation going to be?
A: Well, I do sometimes dream of vacationing at home, but I’m also in the middle of
planning an exciting trip to the Amazon.
Q: Who is your favourite travel companion?
A: That’s another tough one! With all due
respect to my wonderful family, I guess it
would have to be my little friend Hula Barb.
She never complains, never has too much
luggage, and she’s totally willing to accompany me anywhere I go!
Hula Barb
The best vacations
begin with your Ensemble
Travel Agency.
®
…
…
……
…… … ……
…………
Our
vacation specialists are some of the most highly trained
and experienced travel agents in the world. Over 300 Ensemble
Travel® Group agencies across Canada offer an astounding array
of vacation choices.
We’ve got you covered. In and out of the sun.
Choose from our Hotel & Resort Collection and relax in the
lap of ultimate luxury; discover our Ensemble® Hosted Cruises
with complimentary amenities; or set sail for great savings with
exclusive Ensemble® South Pacific Experiences; or get a
taste of real adventure with Bon Vivant – an exquisite feast of
unique culinary travel itineraries.
Whether you’re exploring new destinations or returning to a favourite vacation spot, protect yourself. After all,
the cost of travel insurance is minimal compared to the risk of being faced with a medical emergency expense
while away from home. With affordable coverage from RBC Insurance®, you can be taken care of with:
■
Our toll-free number offering immediate multilingual emergency assistance, available 24/7.
■
Medical care that will help get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
■
Coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Baggage & Personal Effects.
■
Upfront payments for eligible emergency medical and hospital expenses
whenever possible, so you won’t pay out of pocket.
For more information on travel insurance,
call your travel professional today.
TM
Underwritten by RBC Insurance Company of Canada. In Quebec, certain coverages underwritten by RBC General Insurance Company.
® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.
VPS84163
For the best vacation choices contact your Ensemble Travel Group Agent or visit www.ensembletravel.ca for our agency locator.
84163 AD_103872_0713_EnsembleMag_E.indd 1
30/07/13
PM
13-07-25 12:17
9:47 AM
Ensemble Vacations® brings you a world of opportunity, presenting within its pages experiences to
and create a new definition of your perfect getaway. As a member of Ensemble Travel® Group,
we have access to Ensemble® Exclusive programs, including the worldwide resources and expertise
of in-destination specialists, an extensive collection of distinguished properties around the globe,
Fall 2013
spark your imagination and whet your appetite. Allow our agency to bring your travel dreams to life,
ENSEMBLE VACations®
Inspiring your passion for travel
Fall 2013
VIP access, and upgrades and amenities that provide you with impeccably customized service.
Heavenly
Hawaii
DISCOVER THE ISLANDS
Roatan Reconnect
Panama Hat Trick
Local Encounters
Trinidad’s Delicious
Melting Pot
Connecting on a
Family Cruise
9
PLUS
of the
Caribbean’s best
golf courses
30/07/13 12:17 PM

Picture - Ensemble Vacations Magazine

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