Recommend August 2012 - (Page 20)

Central America BELIZE Belize is wild about Harry, that is, Prince Harry of Great Britain who came calling at the Commonwealth country last March, and got right into the spirit of the islands. The Prince’s opening gig was a street fair festival in the capital city of Belmopan that showcased the sights, sounds and tastes of the Creole, Garifuna and Mestizo cultures. The prince enjoyed locally produced Belikin beer, conch fritters and dulce de papaya, a typical dessert. He also traveled to Xunantunich, a complex of Mayan pyramids. But Prince Harry will have to return to go diving (April through June with whale sharks) off Ambergris Caye along the second longest barrier reef in the world; to explore wildliferich Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s ﬁrst preserve established to protect the jaguar; and to go horseback riding and mountain biking in the pine-forested highlands of Mountain Pine Ridge. (travelbelize.org) Lodge at Chaa Creek in Belize Oct. 1 is opening day for El Secreto boutique hotel on Ambergris Caye, 11 miles north of San Pedro Town. The new property has 13 thatch-roof villas, ranging from the 1,188-sq.-ft. Sea Villas to one Spa Villa (2,093 sq. ft.) with its own private double massage cabin, steam room, jacuzzi and pool. All have king beds, full complimentary tech enjoy the services of a dedicated concierge and excursion planning, as well as complimentary sailing and kayaking. (elsecretobelize.com) What’s new can be old. As part of Belize’s year-long national celebration the Year of the Maya—actually the end of the Maya Long Count Calendar when the world begins anew, happening exactly on the winter solstice on 12/21/2012—the tourism and archaeology sectors are staging a very special event. Travelers (numbers are limited) are being welcomed to take part in the Equinox Celebrations at the archaeological site of the once-mighty city state of Caracol on Dec. 20-21, spending the night camping in the ruins to welcome the morning solstice with a traditional ﬁre ceremony (a ticket for this event costs $150, covering the camping fee, site entrance fee, professional guide, ﬁre ceremony and two meals). (travelbelize.org) The Lodge at Chaa Creek (chaacreek.com) and Ka’ana boutique hotel (kaanabelize.com) are offering guests special catered arrangements for this overnight. There’s been a name change: the Machaca Hill Lodge in the Toledo district is now Belcampo Belize. In addition to its world-class offerings for birders and anglers, the lodge has added authentic food and farming to its roster of adventure and indulgence. Newly created is a working farm to supply the kitchen, and a chance for guests to explore chocolate, coffee and rum in a purpose-built facility with expert guides. (belcampobz.com) What’s New in Belize COSTA RICA There is something very special about Costa Rica, a small country, yet ﬁnding room to put out the welcome mat for more than two million visitors who landed last year, mostly at one of two international airports. Certainly a good part of Costa Rica’s visitor appeal comes from being a friendly place, democratic, stable and wildly protective of its great outdoors. The nation is ﬁrmly established as the Central American darling of adventure aﬁcionados and the eco-tourism set, who come to survey the 850 species of birds, 150 different kinds of orchids and bats, and amazing undersea life. Travelers who land in San Jose stop to visit a handful of ﬁrst-rate museums—most popular are the Gold Museum and the Jade Museum— before heading out on a coffee plantation tour, a drive up to look down into the Irazu or Poas Volcanoes, and a day of whitewater rafting. The favorite corners of Costa Rica—all replete with excellent ecolodges and resorts—in which to hang one’s sombrero include Arenal National Park, the country’s multi-sport center for hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, windsurﬁng and ﬁshing; Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, or Puerto Jimenez, ﬁrst stop on the way to the Osa Peninsula, the richest biological zone in Mesoamerica. recommend.com S2 august 2012 LODGE AT CHAA CREEK http://www.travelbelize.org http://www.elsecretobelize.com http://www.travelbelize.org http://www.chaacreek.com http://www.kaanabelize.com http://www.belcampobz.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2012

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: DogSpa Resort & Wellness Center
Tour Talk: MLT Vacations
The Danube With AmaWaterways
Striking Gold With Vegas' Golden Gate
Central & South America Guide
Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, Cape Cod
New Zealand's South Island is Sheer Eye Candy
Seven Stars Resort, Turks & Caicos
Iberostar Cancun
Three Days in Cape Town & the Winelands, South Africa

Recommend August 2012