October 12, 2007, Travel News You Can Use, By Judy Newell

Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell

Mexico goings-on

I-do renewal

The Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun has introduced the Vow Renewal Package “Gratuit” for the 2007/2008 season. The package includes the wedding location, all document arrangements, minister, small cake, white folding chairs, dinner reservations for up to 25 guests, Le Blanc Honeymoon Package with wedding coordinator, special breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding, fruit platter and bottle of sparkling wine in-room upon arrival. Packages range from US$502 to US$718 per room, per night.

Palace Resorts opens Isla Mujeres in Mexico

Palace Resorts opened Isla Mujeres Palace on October 1, the latest addition to their all-inclusive luxury line. The island property is located eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres from Cancun. The 62-room resort offers Farouk bath amenities, a fully stocked in-room liquor dispenser in each room and a stocked mini-bar.

Isla Mujeres Palace features fine cuisine, 24-hour room service, top-shelf drinks, daily entertainment, wireless internet access, taxes and gratuities, as well as their choice of two excursions that offer guests an in-depth guided tour of the island or the opportunity to snorkel. Rates range from US$346 to US$522 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, depending on time of year.

Guests who book and stay seven nights or longer before Dec. 23, 2008 can take advantage of “Swim with the Dolphins” for free.

Cruise News

Lindblad joins with National Geographic

Lindblad Expeditions announced an expanded partnership with National Geographic. As part of the deal, Lindblad bought the 323-passenger ship “Lyngen.” Currently, Lindblad’s largest ship carries 110 passengers. Lindblad will rename all of its ships with the National Geographic brand (e.g., the “Islander” is now the “National Geographic Islander”).

World’s largest sailing ship

Star Clippers plans to build a new five-masted vessel to be delivered in 2010. It will be a 7,400-ton barque modeled on France 11, built in 1912. The new ship will be the largest and most expensive sailing vessel ever built at 518 feet long and 61 feet at the beam with a draft of 20 feet. The ship will carry 37 sails for a total of 68.350 square feet of sail surface area and the rigging will extend 217 feet above the waterline. The vessel will operate independently of any port infrastructure. The ship will carry 296 passengers in double occupancy and a crew of 140.

Is this the end for Windjammer cruises?

Things are looking grim for fans of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, a much-loved sailing line. Sources confirmed that the 60-year-old, family-owned company—which has been struggling to survive for several months—canceled sailings in the first week of October, the website is down and the company isn’t returning calls.

The company’s four vessels appear stranded in various ports—the “Legacy” is in Costa Rica, the “Mandalay” is in Panama, the “Polynesia” is in Aruba and the “Yankee Clipper” is in Trinidad. It’s reported that at least one of the vessels may have been seized by local authorities.

Cuisine Connoisseurs

Smithsonian offers four culinary tours for 2008

Smithsonian Journeys is offering culinary explorations to five world food capitals in 2008. Designed as immersion experiences, the tours debut with Chile’s Wine Country, March 6–15, with rates starting at US$5,450 per person. Quebec Cuisine, July 21–25, is priced from US$2,585 per person. The Joys of the Italian Table, September 10–18, starts at US$5,495 per person. Flavors of the Aegean, October 1–12, is a cruise from Istanbul to Athens aboard a 45-stateroom yacht. Rates start at US$9,975 per person. All rates are based on double occupancy, land only.

From Aztecs to Europe—The humble cocoa bean

For chocolate connoisseurs, heaven is a country where the average person eats 9 kilograms of chocolate a year. In the Belgian capital of Brussels, be sure to visit the privately owned Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate. Opened by third-generation chocolate maker Madame Draps, this is where to learn more about the history and origins of the Aztecs’ humble cocoa bean and its arrival and evolution in Europe.

Three floors of displays, short films, chocolate paraphernalia (including early porcelain chocolate services) and stunning chocolate sculptures will make your mouth water. Expert chocolatiers will show you how the creamy praline filling is made and the chocolates are produced. Yes, you’ll get to taste some.

In serious European chocolate circles, the best chocolate is sold according to the quantity of pure cocoa content. To be labeled “chocolate” there must be a minimum of 35 percent cocoa or cocoa butter. The higher the percentage, the more bitter the chocolate–and it’s usually dark chocolate.

Sources: ARTA, Forbes, Travel Age West, Modern Agent, OSSN, USA Today, The European@International Living

Judy Newell, a writer and travel industry executive, heads the custom tour company Perfect Journeys that specializes in luxury and adventure travel. Contact her with comments or suggestions at JudyNewell_03@msn.com or go to her website www.PerfectJourneys.net.