Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 - (Page 58)

DESTINATIONS Night on the boardwalk at Cotton Tree Lodge Resources Getting there: With daily flights to Belize on American Airlines (www.aa. com), US Airways (www.usairways.com), Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com), Continental Airlines (www.continental.com) and Grupo Taca (www.taca.com), this Central American destination can be easier to reach than many domestic ones. The sole international airport in the country is in Belize City, which is only a twohour flight from either Miami or Houston, and a three-hour flight from Dallas. Belize’s domestic carriers are Tropic Air (www.tropicair.com) and Maya Island Air (www.mayaairways.com). Both operate single-engine propeller aircraft that carry 14 passengers at a time on the short routes. A passenger can easily end up sitting in the co-pilot’s seat! Connections are generally coordinated well with incoming flights, and the airport is conveniently small, but the long lines to pay domestic departure taxes can be frustrating. Moreover, the international departure tax is high, even by Caribbean standards: U.S. $36.25 per person. Visitors are advised to skip Belize City and travel straight onwards to their final destination. Taxi fares from the airport into the capital are exorbitant, and there is nothing that warrants a stopover. Cruise lines serving Belize are Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (www.royal caribbean.com) and Carnival Cruise Lines (www.carnival.com). The waterfall slide at Cotton Tree Lodge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57 Dining: In addition to the recommended restaurants in Placencia, the best restaurant in Punta Gorda is Emory’s. Shopping: Although Belize is not known as a shopping destination, native handicrafts and Mayan artifacts can be purchased at the entrances to ruins and antiquities sites. Sightseeing and other activities: Kayaking, sailing, river tubing and rainforest hiking are common outdoor activities on the mainland. Other attractions and points of interest include the Mayan ruins at Lubaantun and other locations, as well as cultural excursions to one of several villages along the coast, most notably Hopkins/Dangriga and Barranco, populated by the Afro-Carib Garifuna people. The country’s stunning Barrier Reef is a mecca for snorkeling and scuba diving buffs. Recommended scuba operators are the Inn at Robert’s Grove Dive Shop (www.diverobertsgrove.com) in Placencia and Reef Conservation International (www.reefci.com) in Punta Gorda (Cotton Tree Lodge staffers can help coordinate trips for guests). grove.com, 011-501-523-3565). Just a few miles up the road from Robert’s Grove is a more affordable alternative, the small Maya Breeze Inn (www.mayabreezeinn.com), which has hotel-style rooms, bungalows on the beach and large suites by the new pool and poolside bar. Like Robert’s Grove, all units have either a refrigerator, kitchenette or full kitchen, as well as the usual amenities of air conditioning, ceiling fans, cable TV and lockboxes. Verandas on which to enjoy the scenery complete the picture. The Maya Breeze’s Monarch Cafe only serves breakfast, although guests are free to use the hotel’s kitchen to prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner for themselves. By next season, the Inn plans to serve all three meals. In the meantime, the Maya Breeze refers its guests to restaurants in neighboring resorts (including Robert’s Grove), as well as in the town of Placencia, now booming with tourist trade. Recommended restaurants in Placencia are Trattoria, which offers Italian fare, and DeThatch, known for its shrimp specials. Given the surging growth in this popular area of Belize, new venues are bound to open by the time you book your next trip. I CONNECTING YOU For more information on traveling to Belize, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/belize 58 | TravelAgent March 17, 2008 http://www.aa.com http://www.aa.com http://www.delta.com http://www.usairways.com http://www.taca.com http://www.continental.com http://www.mayabreezeinn.com http://www.tropicair.com http://www.mayaairways.com http://www.royalcaribbean.com http://www.carnival.com http://www.royalcaribbean.com http://www.diverobertsgrove.com http://www.reefci.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/belize

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - March 17, 2008

Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Contributors Africa: Lodges that will Make your African Safari through Tanzania Unforgettable Special Supplement: Honeymoon Specialist Africa News and Briefs Caribbean: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino is a Perfect Choice for all Types of Clientele Hawaii: The Less-Visited Island of Molokai Provides a taste of Old-Time Hawaii Central and South America: Where to Enjoy the Reefs, Rainforest and Ruins in Belize’s Maya Country Hotels: Properties that Cater to the Growing Trend of “Girlfriend Getaways” Cruises: Increasingly, Cruisers are Choosing Outside Companies for their Off-Ship Excursions Barbados: A Caribbean Travelers' Dream Airline Update: Several European Airlines Offer New Nonstop Service Ski/Snowboard: Three New Hotels Hit the Slopes in Wyoming, Utah and British Columbia Multi-Generational Travel: Cavallo Point: the Lodge at Golden Gate is a New “Green” Hotel Outside of San Francisco Agent Profile: Lynda Turley of Alpine Travel of Saratoga in Saratoga, CA Agency Profile: Largay Travel’s Company Retreat Cover Story: Barbados Technology: Open Travel CRM Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Onsite from Jordan Travel Mart Harrah’s Draws Younger Clients to Atlantic City Cruise News India’s New Hotels and Nonstop Flights Saluting Travel Industry Contributors Report from Travel South In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 17, 2008

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