Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 - (Page HS9)

island sits amid the second-largest coral reef system in the world. Since only about six percent of Cozumel’s territory is developed, exploring the beaches and Mayan ruins around the island provides a sense of adventure. San Gervasio, an ancient Mayan ceremonial center thought to be dedicated to Ixchel, goddess of fertility, rises mysteriously out of the jungle. All inclusives such as El Cozumeleno and the Cozumel Palace are popular with honeymooners. an underground river, explore a re-created Mayan village, snorkel through a coral reef teeming with marine life and swim with dolphins (book ahead), and then bask on the beach before the evening dinner show featuring Maya and Colonial entertainment. Xel-Ha, an ecological park with great snorkeling, is often combined with a visit to the archeological site at Tulum. THE LOVE BOATS Although the original “Love Boat,” the Paciﬁc Princess, now sails Alaskan and South Paciﬁc waters, no less than six other Princess ships call at Mexican Riviera ports such as Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Ixtapa, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Alas, your newlywed clients won’t have the beneﬁt of sage romantic advice from Captain Stubing, Doc, Isaac, Gopher or Julie, but they’re sure to have a great time anyway. Other lines sailing to Mexico include Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean International. PACIFIC PARADISES Along the Paciﬁc Coast, a mountainous ridge provides opportunities for adventure as well as a scenic backdrop for the beachfront resorts. Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan are the most popular honeymoon destinations on this coast. Nevertheless, for luxury loving couples, exclusive resorts such as La Casa Que Canta, built into the cliffs overlooking Zihuatenejo, and the private pink and white casitas of Las Brisas in Acapulco are destinations in themselves. Puerto Vallarta attracts sophisticated couples with its lively contemporary art and restaurant scene. A special treat is Art Walk season, from October through April, when on Wednesday evenings galleries invite visitors to share a cocktail with owners and artists. Any time of year, the cobblestone streets and white-washed, red-tile-roofed buildings create a romantic ambience for shopping, dining and strolling. Accommodations range from grand resorts such as the Marriott CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta Resort and the Four Seasons Punta Mita (26 miles from town) to secluded eco-retreats such as Hotelito Desconcido, about 60 miles to the south, where the trappings of civilization— including electricity—are banished. ALONG THE RIVIERA MAYA The Riviera Maya, which stretches along the mainland coast north and south of Cancun, is known for its growing array of all-inclusive resorts, which vie for attention with services such as the “beach butlers” at the hip Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; the “UnlimitedLuxury” of the adults-only Secrets Resorts; and the “Life-Enriching Classes” such as meringue and massage classes at Sol Melia’s Paradisus Riviera Cancun. Along this coast, luxury can take on rustic look at resorts such as El Dorado Maroma, where couples stay in grass-roofed bungalows along the beach or in swim-out suites along a “lazy river” leading to the pool. For couples who want to tie the knot there as well, El Dorado Maroma recently opened a beachfront wedding chapel, as did its sister resort, AAA Four-Diamond El Dorado Royale. El Dorado Seaside Suites was recently named by Forbes.com as one of the world’s most romantic hotels. Many Riviera Maya resorts are located in and around Playa del Carmen, which offers great beaches and a charming, lively town center. Nearby Xcaret is a huge eco-tourism theme park where couples can ﬂoat down Princess Sapphire Mazatlan has a well-earned reputation for sport ﬁshing, particularly sailﬁsh and marlin, as well as non-stop partying, which spills over nightly from clubs at Fiesta Land complex. It also has a charming, traditional Mexican town, centered around its 19th century Cathedral and main square, as well as all-inclusive resorts such as El Cid Grenada Country Club. BAJA BOUND Los Cabos stretches across the tip of the Baja California peninsula from the charming historic village of San Jose del Cabo to the party-happy city of Cabo San Lucas. These two opposites are connected by the 20-mile “Corridor” which boasts some of the world’s most exclusive resorts, such as the One&Only Palmilla, complete with butler service, and Rosewood’s Las Ventanas al Paraiso, where suites include a telescope for star watching and a wood-burning ﬁreplace for cool desert evenings. The famous landmark arches at Land’s End, where the Paciﬁc Ocean crashes into the Sea of Cortés, are visible from land, but many couples boat over, where they may see sea lions sunning on the rocks and, between late December and March, whales. Bravos for Mexico Resorts Here are just a few of the accolades garnered by some of Mexico’s romantic resorts: • El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort (Riviera Maya), earned the 2007 AAA Four Diamond Award and was just named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World.” • La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico, was #1 on Travel + Leisure’s Top 25 Hotels in Mexico /Central & South America. • One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, was the top Mexico property on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2007 “Best of the Best” list. • Riviera Maya’s Maroma Resort, Royal Hideaway Playacar and The Tides made Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 “World’s Best” list. www.tauniv.com A Travel Agent Specialist Program 9 http://Forbes.com http://www.tauniv.com

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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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