Recommend April 2013 - (Page 72)

island for tourism in the Galapagos, and many small hotels have expanded the infrastructure in the main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. But of course the island’s attractions were just waiting to be discovered: Cerro Brujo, possibly one of the Islands’ nicest beaches with its colonies of sea lions and blue-footed boobies; Kicker Rock, an hour by boat from the main town; Isla Lobos, home to the large colonies of sea lions and blue-footed boobies; Galapaguera, a giant tortoise reserve; and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as the best surﬁng in Galapagos. Of course, the new land-based tourism wouldn’t be possible without the two intra-island air carriers: Aero serves the islands— Santa Cruz (Baltra Island airport), Isabela and San Cristobal with a 30-passenger Saab once daily; and Emetebe Airlines connects Baltra, San Cristobal and Isabela with more frequent daily ﬂights on 5- and 9-passenger aircraft. Islands are also connected via scheduled services of high-speed water taxis running between Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela; special arrangements must be made for boat service to Floreana. ● New Boats Aﬂoat • The newest passenger yacht to cruise in alapa gos is the Grand Odyssey, enjoying cabins (averaging s . ft. and including one Grand Odyssey suite with panoramic windows that open; light, airy, beautifully furnished lounges, dining rooms, a library, two jacuzzis, and a mini spa; and land excursions supplemented by snorkeling and kayaking. Sample prices: night cruise from , to , pp dbl high season . galapagosodyssey.com • The newest and first mega catamaran is Haugan Cruises luxury passenger Ocean Spray. The elegant design includes handsome social areas, huge sundeck, jacuzzi and spacious cabins, each with private balcony. Sailing on , and night cruises, priced from , . ; haugancruises.com • Soon to capture the newest” title will be Royal Galapagos passenger Majestic yacht, designed and built to cruise the islands and making its debut in May. The crew vessel will be fitted with nine double cabins four on main deck , modern social areas with panoramic windows, and a big, comfy sundeck with large jacuzzi. Cruise costs pp sharing are: night cruise, , ; night cruise, , ; and night cruise, , . ; majesticgalapagos.com • big change in the cruise scene finds Silversea Cruises the purchaser of Canodros S.A. tourism company, owners of the luxury passenger Galapagos Explorer II. The vessel will continue its cruise schedule until September, when part of the refurbishment will include a new name, Silver Galapagos. The year round schedule of day expedition voyages will begin operating on Sept. , starting with a orth Central itinerary, which alter nates with a estern itinerary. Cruises will sail Saturday to Saturday from altra Island, and fares start at , pp dbl. ; silversea.com expeditions 72 april 2013 68-72 LA Galap,Easter.indd 72 “Land-ing” with Adventure Life Adventure Life, well known for its variety of island hopping itineraries, s ueezes all the adrenaline packed activity possible into a day Galapagos Multisport itinerary: kayaking, nature viewing with an experienced guide, snorkeling, hiking, and mountain biking. dventurers spend the first night in uito; y to San Cristobal for a night stay of hiking in the high lands, as well as kayaking and snorkeling in arwin ay and at Isla obos; two nights on Isabela with a mountain bike ride and volcano hike; and two nights on Santa Cruz with hiking in the highlands, sea kayak ing in ivine ay and a visit to the Charles arwin esearch Station before returning to uito for a final night stay. Monika Sundem, a travel consultant at Adventure ife, is one of many travelers who prefers the freedom and exibility of the alapagos experience on land. ur land based tours in alapagos sell fantasti cally well because today s travelers are seeking out real and authentic adventures,” Sundem points out, and there s a big audience of those who like get ting to know the local people, going for a sundown drink at the town bar, having plenty of time for hiking to the rims of volcanoes on Isabela and stupendous snorkeling off San Cristobal shores.” ccording to Sundem, the Galapagos Multisport is a particularly popular choice for active families and adventurous honeymooners. dditionally, she says, This tour really adapts to most levels of physical fitness and many levels of adventure, for basically clients need only to be able to hike for an hour and a half and be able to kayak for an hour.” The Galapagos Multisport cost of , pp dbl includes night accommodations, almost all meals, private guide, gear rentals, boat travel Isabela Santa Cruz and air San Cristobal Isabela. Start dates from uito are offered monthly, with two in uly and e cember; Galapagos Multisport can also be customized to adventurers interests. ; adventure life.com Archived related articles (available on recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive): In Chile: Going to Extremes (March 2012) contact information La Casa de Marita: galapagosisabela.com Finch Bay Eco Hotel: (888) 572-0166; ﬁnchbayhotel.com Galapagos Safari Camp: galapagossafaricamp.com Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel: (800) 513-5257; iguanacrossing.com.ec or guyharveyoutpost.com Pikaia Lodge: (800) 606-0273; slh.com Posada de Mike Rapu: (866) 750-6699; explora.com Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges: (888) 254-3190; redmangrove.com Royal Palm Hotel: royalpalmgalapagos.com or lhw.com recommend.com 3/21/13 7:01 AM http://www.galapagosodyssey.com http://www.haugancruises.com http://adventure-life.com http://www.majesticgalapagos.com http://www.recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive http://www.galapagosisabela.com http://www.finchbayhotel.com http://www.galapagossafaricamp.com http://iguanacrossing.com.ec http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com http://www.slh.com http://www.explora.com http://www.redmangrove.com http://www.silversea.com/expeditions http://www.royalpalmgalapagos.com http://www.lhw.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2013

Editor's Notes
The Islands of Tahiti
Hotel Desk: Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Tour Talk: Islands in the Sun
A Med Escape: Greek Isles & Cyprus
Set Sail
The Seychelles' Private Island Resorts
Portrait of Israel
Booking 2 on the Isles: Easter Island & Galapagos
Island-Hopping in Mexico: Cozumel, Isla Holbox & Isla Mujeres
The Pulse of Poipu, Hawaii
Florida's Islands: Amelia, Captiva & Sanibel
The Real Caribbean: Grenada & Martinique

Recommend April 2013