Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - (Page 42) DESTINATIO NS The Hotel Grand Plaza lives up to its descriptive name CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40 art galleries and intimate gourmet restaurants. La Paz (www.visitlapaz.org), the state capital, is a popular vacation destination for Mexicans (especially honeymooners), but still relatively undiscovered territory for American tourists— which means the nearby beaches are not crowded and the prices very affordable. Its malecón—a long, sweeping waterfront promenade adorned with graceful, whimsical sculptures—is a delightful place for lovers to stroll. La Paz is the leading gateway to unforgettable adventures in the Sea of Cortez, from sport fishing to whale watching to swimming with sea lions. Finally, as a city that plays host to politicians and businessmen, it has its fair share of excellent restaurants. Where to Stay In Todos Santos—designated a pueblo magico by the Mexican government for its special charm—try to book your clients into the Hotel California (www.hotelcaliforniabaja.com). The myth that this is the Hotel California that inspired the Eagles song was debunked long ago, but the legend continues to lend it iconic status. There are only 11 rooms in this elegantly funky place, each with its own personality, so reservations have to be made far in advance. 42 | TravelAgent July 21, 2008 The only other hotel here worth considering is the centrally located Todos Santos Inn (www.todossantosinn.com), the restored hacienda of a 19th-century sugar baron. A bit more traditionally romantic than the Hotel California, the Todos Santos Inn is even smaller, with only eight rooms, so early booking is a must. It is no great tragedy, however, if a visitor does not spend the night in Todos Santos; it is easy enough to return to lodgings in either Los Cabos or La Paz. The swankiest hotel in La Paz is the Fiesta Inn (www.fiestainn.com), built alongside the newer of the city’s two yacht-filled marinas. Sleek, modern and comfortable, the Fiesta is geared more toward the business traveler; as such, it lacks the charm and ambiance of a true vacation property. At the other edge of town—and of the architectural spectrum—is the Grand Plaza (www.grandplazalapaz. com), a grande dame of a property that has the expanse and feel of a sprawling hacienda complex. With its multiple pools and spacious apartments with full kitchens, it is suitable for families with children. The preferred choices for most travelers to La Paz are the Hotel Marina (www.hotel marina.com.mx) and Los Arcos (www.losarcos. com). The former is an all-suite beachfront hotel with sea views and lush grounds, yet still in walking distance to the malecón. For those who like to be in the middle of the downtown action, Los Arcos is a modern hotel on the main drag with some nice features of Spanish colonial architecture, including a tropical garden. In a category all by itself, for passionate scuba divers, is Club Cantamar (www. clubcantamar.com), opposite the pier where modern ferries ply the Sea of Cortez to the west coast of Mexico’s mainland. Club Cantamar takes its role as host to adventurers very seriously: It owns a shark cage, and sends spotter planes out to look for hard-to-find marine wildlife like whale sharks. Where to Eat Both cities are blessed with surprisingly fine restaurants—perhaps not at the gastronomic level of Los Cabos, but certainly more reasonably priced. In Todos Santos, the Coronela Restaurant, in the courtyard of the Hotel California, is a pleasant place to enjoy a light meal and refreshing margarita. For a cup of coffee and a snack, the Caffe Todos Santos is known for its pastries. CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 PHOTO BY ALICE GERSCHLER http://www.losarcos.com http://www.todossantosinn.com http://www.visitlapaz.org http://www.fiestainn.com http://www.grandplazalapaz.com http://www.grandplazalapaz.com http://www.hotelcaliforniabaja.com http://www.hotelmarina.com.mx http://www.hotelmarina.com.mx http://www.losarcos.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Europe Pacific/Asia Tanzania South Pacific Pacific Northwest Las Vegas Florida Mexico The Caribbean Comes to D.C. Cruises Tours Hotels Agenda Luxury Travel Expo Global Destination Update Small Luxury Hotels Expands into Asia ASTA is Changing, and Growing Carnival Reduces Direct Business In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contributors (Page 8) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Contributors (Page 9) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 16) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 17) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 18) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Europe (Page 19) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 20) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 21) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 22) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 23) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 24) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 25) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 26) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tanzania (Page 27) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - South Pacific (Page 28) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - South Pacific (Page 29) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific Northwest (Page 30) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Pacific Northwest (Page 31) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 32) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 33) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 34) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 35) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 36) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 37) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 38) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Florida (Page 39) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 40) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 41) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 42) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 43) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 44) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Mexico (Page 45) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 46) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 47) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 48) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 49) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 50) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 51) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 52) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - The Caribbean Comes to D.C. (Page 53) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 54) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 55) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 56) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 57) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 58) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 59) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 60) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Cruises (Page 61) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 62) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 63) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 64) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Tours (Page 65) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Hotels (Page 66) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Hotels (Page 67) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Agenda (Page 68) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Agenda (Page 69) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Agenda (Page 70) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 71) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Global Destination Update (Page 72) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Small Luxury Hotels Expands into Asia (Page 73) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - ASTA is Changing, and Growing (Page 74) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Carnival Reduces Direct Business (Page 75) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 76) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Classified Marketplace (Page 77) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 78) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 79) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page 80) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - July 21, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover4)
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