Jetsettersblog

Royal Belize, a seven-acre private island dedicated to the exclusive use of a single party at a time, is offering a Sand and Sail package that offers guests exclusive use of a luxury yacht for the duration of their stay.

The new option enables guests at the island, located at the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, approximately nine miles off the central coast of Belize, to enjoy the services of a fully equipped personal yacht, which can be used for sailing local waters, offshore lunches or even sunset cocktails at sea.

The package includes exclusive use of the island; accommodations for two in Royal Belize’s Villa Alba; on-demand sailings aboard a crewed 47- or 50-foot luxury catamaran; meals prepared by a private chef; all beverages, including wine and champagne; unlimited use of all island entertainment, including WaveRunners, snorkeling gear, kayaks, and fishing equipment; and full concierge services.

The Royal Belize daily rate is $3,850; up to two additional couples will be housed in Casa Valentina and Casa Catalina at the rate of $1,600 per couple.

Rates for additional couples or children are available on request.

For more information, call 011-501-610-1701.

HOPKINS, Belize- Award-winning Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort showers guests with incredible adventures inland and at sea.

Using Hamanasi as a convenient home base, guests can venture out to explore the Best of Belize on and offshore.

Imagine spending a day scuba diving the Southern Barrier Reef or snorkeling with whale sharks and the next day trekking the Mayan Mountains in search of ancient ruins or searching for wildlife at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Hamanasi’s Reef and Rainforest Packages are designed to let guests customize their adventures based on the number of days they’ll be staying. Other possible trips include hiking to Mayflower Water, kayaking or canoeing through the jungle on the Sittee River, searching for tropical birds at a 19th century sugar mill, and hiking the caves of Blue Hole National Park.

At night adventurers will fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the ocean and coastal littoral forest.

Accommodations range from beach front rooms and cottages to private treehouses and honeymoon suites. Package prices determined by length of stay, season, and type of accommodation.

www.hamanasi.com

The Royal Belize resort in Hermit Caye is offering travelers a 45 percent discount off a five-night stay for two guests from Jan. 3 to March 15, 2012. The package includes accommodations, a complimentary one-way helicopter transfer and chauffeured drive through the Maya Mountains, all meals and beverages, including wine, spirits, and champagne, complimentary massages every full day in residence, one snorkeling trip on the Belize Barrier Reef, a cruise on the Sittee River, and a half-day of treatments at Butterflies Spa.

The double occupancy package is priced at $9,875, plus 9 percent hotel tax. Additional guests can be accommodated at a rate of $3,500 per couple. For reservations, call 011-501-610-1701.

Goway Travel is offering a 10-day World of the Maya trip that presents an opportunity to learn about the enigmatic culture of the Mayans during the year when the Mayan calendar comes to an end. According to Don Forster, Goway’s product and marketing manager for Latin America, although the Long Count Calendar of the Ancient Mayans ends on Dec 21, 2012, it does not necessarily predict catastrophe.

“Though the Mayans have calculated that the date of Dec. 21, 2012 A.D. (13.0.0.0.0 in the Long Count) marks the end of a cycle and a beginning of a new one, they did not stipulate or predict what this ending and new beginning may denote,” Forster said.

According to Forster, there are generally two schools of thought on the matter. One is a more holistic spiritual view in which we see the ending of one phase and the beginning of a new one. The other is what he calls the “Hollywood view” in which a catastrophic event may take place, even the end of the world as we know it.

The trip surveys Mayan culture in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala with opportunities to extend your trip into Belize. The record of the civilization of the Maya can be found carved on towering temples such as Copan and Tikal as well as in the handiworks and daily life rituals of the modern descendants of the Mayan culture, all seen on Goway’s World of the Maya.

The 2011-12 Latin America travel planner prominently features the journey as well as many other options in to Central and South America. To order a copy of the Latin America Travel Planner, call 888-469-2955, email info@goway.com  or visit www.goway.com

HOPKINS, Belize- The rich waters and forests of Belize offer up many opportunities to combine daily explorations with new adventures for the taste buds.

Hiking through the Mayflower jungle, trekkers can watch for hundreds of species of tropical birds, large land mammals, multi-colored reptiles, and spectacular flora. It’s possible a gibnut will pop out, an animal once dubbed the Royal Rat when served to Queen Elizabeth. If spotting wildlife gets anyone curious about the diet of these animals, knowledgeable local guides can supply a taste; termites anyone?

Along the central coast divers are working on a solution to invading lionfish: turn the problem into a delicious adventure. Lionfish are considered delicacies in their non-native areas, such as the Caribbean, so why not serve them up. Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort has a new Lionfish Spear fishing Day Trip where small groups of divers head out to the reef with a private Divemaster and help capture their dinner.

After a successful day on the reefs the chefs at Hamanasi prepare flavorful dishes using the catch. A popular Hamanasi recipe uses butter, olive oil, garlic, bell pepper, onion, and white wine to panfry the lionfish. Local favorites like cassava and dragon fruit appear on the Hamanasi menu as well.

An appetite for adventure may lead to unexpected surprises and unforgettable tales of Belize.

www.hamanasi.com

EcoAmerica Tours unveiled its 2012 brochure showcasing value-pricedE Experiential Journeys to exotic desinations in Peru, including Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Nazca, Paracas and the Amazon, with choice of tourist, first class and deluxe properties.

In Galapagos Islands EcoAmerica offers a choice of four cruising vessels.

On mainland Ecuador it offers a choice of tourist, first or deluxe hotels in three guided itineraries visiting the colonial cities of Quito, Otavalo and Cuenca, the city of Baños, the gateway to the Upper Amazon Region of Tena.

In two of the programs, clients will receive a one-hour massage at the Papallacta Thermal Springs.

The Costa Rica section includes eight locally hosted opportunities for guests to enjoy the National Parks and partake in their choice of adventures, from zip-lining to river rafting to ocean kayaking. In Belize, EcoAmerica is offering three Experiential Journeys — one of them is a nine-day combo with four days in the Inland Jungle of the Cayo District with all meals and adventure activities included, plus four nights at a choice of two beach resorts in Ambergris Caye.

The Belize Beach Adventure Holidays feature stay-put active vacations at the clients’ choice of destination, either Ambergris Caye Island with a choice of two beach-front resorts and a full-day visit to the Lamanai Maya Ruins and Wildlife Sanctuary in the mainland jungle and a snorkeling trip to the Hol Chan Marine Park, or the Placencia Peninsula with beach-view accommodations at the Robert’s Grove Resort and two adventures, a one-day expedition to the Jaguar Reserve and the Waterfall Jungle at the Cockscomb Rainforest and a day cruise to the nearby Cays for a snorkel adventure and beach picnic.

In Guatemala, EcoAmerica Tours’ Glimpses of Guatemala features first class or deluxe accommodations with overnights and visits to Lake Atitlan and Chichicastenango Open Air Indian Market, the Colonial city of Antigua and the Tikal Archeological Park. The Guatemala Discovery offers clients the opportunity to explore the sites from Antigua and Guatemala City with an additional overnight in Lake Atitlan and a visit to Chichicastenango.

Tikal is visited on a one-day expedition from Guatemala City. EcoAmerica pays 12 percent pre-paid commission on all programs and FITs. Groups are priced net and free tour escort benefits are usually offered with 15 paid guests. For more information, call 887-836-3006 or visit www.ecoamericatours.com

Specialist independent tour operator On the Go Tours has just launched brand new Mexico and Central America touring programs.

Its new flexible small group tours, with a maximum of 18 passengers that range from 9 – 22 days, provide an adventurous way to visit the very best that Mexico and Central America offer. From the Mayan sites of Palenque, Chichen Itza and Tiakal to the Colonial cities and towns of San Cristobal, Antigua and Granada the region is awash with history and culture. Added to this all of the countries in Central America and the southern regions of Mexico offer unrivalled natural beauty from lush tropical beaches to untamed rain forests.

Tour can also be combined so that it’s possible to travel from Mexico City to Panama City on a 51 day extravaganza passing through the Mayan Empires countries and onto the nature lover’s paradise of Costa Rica before finishing in the cosmopolitan capital of Panama City.

Each individual group tour has been designed to provide maximum local interaction and a true flavour of the individual countries. Throughout Central America local family run simple hotels and public transport has been selected so that the authenticity and charm of the region can be fully appreciated. All tours are fully escorted by an English speaking tour leader.

On the Go Tours run the following tours in Mexico and Central America:

Cancun to Antigua – 10 days from £610

Costa Rica Calling – 14 days from £1090

Cost Rica to Panama – 14 days from £1,030

Footsteps of the Mayans – 13 days from £740

Mayan Empires 22 – days from £1280

Mexico City to Guatemala – 22 days £1310

The Way to San Jose -15 days from £990

Wild Cost Rica – 9 days from £580

www.onthegotours.com
Tel: 020 7371 1113
ABTA, ATOL & AITO bonded

Guatemala and Honduras with Friendly Planet Travel JENKINTOWN, Pa.-October 24, 2011-Central America’s exquisite culture, picturesque views, and rich history have attracted travelers for ages. Now, thanks to Friendly Planet Travel, a leading tour operator of high-quality, affordable vacation packages to exotic destinations worldwide, travelers can experience the untamed nature and impressive sites of Guatemala and Honduras on the 11-day Best of Guatemala and Honduras tour, visiting four UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guatemala combines the best of colonial Spanish culture with traditional Mayan heritage, and Honduras is the heart of ancient Mayan culture, with impressive Mayan tombs and step-pyramids. Seeing these two historic countries on one value-packed trip will make it the trip of lifetime for any traveler. They’ll get all this for the unbeatable price of $1,999, which includes airfare, superior accommodations, fully escorted tours, and more.

Travelers begin their journey in Guatemala’s capital and largest city, Guatemala City, before heading to the colonial town of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nestled between three picturesque volcanoes and colonial architecture.

As travelers explore Antigua, they’ll walk the cobblestone streets and discover Antigua’s most famous sites, including Church of San Francisco, La Merced Church, and Antigua’s Jade Factory. Travelers will stop at the bustling, colorful, open-air markets of Chichicastenango and enjoy the unique opportunity for lunch with an indigenous family before heading to the shores of the beautiful Lake Atitlan for a boat ride to Santiago and Santa Catarina. Later, travelers return to Guatemala City. From there, travelers will cross over the Honduran border through the vast coffee and fruit plantations, and continue to Copan, the most renowned archeological site in Honduras and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The abandoned ruins of Copan, dense tropical vegetation, and mystical monuments will round out the sightseeing in Honduras. Travelers continue back to Guatemala, stopping along the ancient trade route of Quirigua, another UNESCO World Heritage Site known for intricately carved, giant sculptures, including the massive Zoomorphs. A balanced mix of tour and leisure time continues as travelers enjoy a ride across Rio Dulce, also called the “Sweet River,” and visit an indigenous community development organization, Ak-Tenamit to learn about the indigenous communities of Guatemala and the sustainability of Mayan culture in a modern world. A stop at the Fort of San Felipe and logging village of Sayaxche is sure to inspire the history buffs on the trip. A tour of the twin cities of Yaxhe and Topoxte in the jungles on the shores of Yaxha Lake and later exploration of the islands of the lake will keep travelers enthralled. A final stop at the fourth UNESCO World Heritage of Tikal, located in the heart of the Mayan biosphere, entices travelers with impressive tropical forests and enormous amounts of plant and animal species. A climb to the top of some of Tikal’s tallest pyramids rounds out the best Guatemala and Honduras has to offer. The trip includes round-trip airfare from Miami and all transportation; superior hotel accommodations; 10 full buffet breakfasts, four lunches and one dinner, including lunch with an indigenous family; comprehensive sightseeing with a local, English-speaking expert guide; and a visit to the Ak-Tenamit sustainable development community. “This tour’s combination of the unmatched culture and nature in Guatemala, and impressive temples and terraces in Honduras and Guatemala, will attract even the most experienced traveler,” says Peggy Goldman, President of Friendly Planet Travel. “Magnificent monuments; exotic, tropical landscapes; dynamic Mayan culture; and stops at four UNESCO World Heritages Sites make for an unforgettable exploration of Central America’s gems.” Friendly Planet’s 11-day Best of Guatemala and Honduras tour has the following departures at the $1,999 rate: Mar. 16, Apr. 20, May 18, June 15, and July. 27. For more information about Friendly Planet Travel’s Best of Guatemala and Honduras tour, please visit the company’s website at www.FriendlyPlanetTravel.com; the blog at blog.friendlyplanet.com; or contact Jackie Zima at 610-228-2138 (office), 215-534-2973 (mobile), or write to Jackie@GregoryFCA.com. ABOUT FRIENDLY PLANET TRAVEL Friendly Planet Travel makes high-quality exotic travel affordable for everyone. Since 1981, Friendly Planet Travel has been arranging all-inclusive escorted discount vacation packages and cruises to the most exciting destinations in the world at the lowest possible prices. Each year, Friendly Planet Travel offers more than 30 different group travel packages to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South America-at discounts of hundreds of dollars off similar vacations. With no hidden charges, add-ons or surprises, Friendly Planet Travel vacations include convenient flights and airfare, carefully-selected first-class and superior hotels, knowledgeable English-speaking guides, many meals, and itineraries as well as friendships and memories that last a lifetime. Friendly Planet Travel offers its extensive, economical travel services to private groups including universities, religious institutions, alumni associations, and families. Groups who wish to travel together can count on Friendly Planet Travel’s three decades of experience to operate their group travel program expertly and always at the very best possible prices. Visit us at www.FriendlyPlanetTravel.com. You can also follow Friendly Planet on Twitter and Facebook.

HOPKINS, Belize- Imagine climbing pyramids previously inhabited by kings, entering the underworld through a sacred cave, snorkeling reefs in search of animals once used for bloodletting ceremonies, and trekking to ancient cities hidden deep in the rainforest.

Welcome to Belize and the land of the Maya.

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, located on the Belize’s central coast, can put together a customized itinerary with these and other Mayan-inspired adventures as part of a new Maya End of the World package. Join a local Mayan family for lunch, hike to an unexcavated Mayan site, swim in pristine waterfalls dating back thousands of years, find pieces of pottery and even skeletons once belonging to the Mayan.

2012 is a significant year in Mayan culture, with the end of the long calendar bringing speculation about worldwide impacts. Now is the time to venture to Belize and explore this exotic and mysterious culture firsthand. Learn more about package inclusions and options at

www.hamanasi.com/mayan_packages.html

www.hamanasi.com

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort
www.hamanasi.com

HOPKINS, Belize- Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort located in Southern Belize is offering a new Lionfish Spear Fishing Adventure. Lionfish are an invasive species in the Caribbean that aggressively eat juvenile fish, posing a significant threat to local fish populations. Belize is supportive of efforts to rid its waters of this voracious eater.

This new spear fishing adventure begins with a briefing describing the lionfish followed by a scientific explanation of the threat the lionfish poses to the Caribbean and how hunting the species can help. Divers will travel to Belize’s Southern Barrier Reef with a private Divemaster for a two-tank trip.

On the first dive, the Divemaster will point out lionfish and its habitat. Next there will be a demonstration on how to spear and bag the fish. During the surface interval, divers learn how to clean the fish. On the second dive, divers with adequate skills; including buoyancy control, can test their skills at spear fishing. All lionfish caught will be recorded and used for the table.

Lionfish originated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. According to a fact sheet created by the USGS, REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation), NOAA, and St. Fraser University, they were introduced in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean by the US aquarium trade in the 1980s. Their venomous spines pose a danger to divers and swimmers. Their appetites and lack of natural enemies in these waters, can lead to heavy losses in native marine species. For more information about lionfish and negative effects in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean visit http://www.reef.org/lionfish

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort is a PADI Gold Palm Resort situated on the central coast of Belize. Hamanasi specializes in award-winning customer service while offering guests the Best of Belize on and offshore. Accommodations include cozy beachfront rooms, deluxe tree houses in the Coastal Littoral Forest, and spacious honeymoon suites all displaying casual elegance. Hamanasi was the first beachfront resort in Belize to receive Green Globe certification and is dedicated to being a premier provider of sustainable accommodations and eco-tourism in Central America.

For more information about Hamanasi or the new Lionfish Spear-hunting Adventure contact Dana Krauskopf at Dana@hamanasi.com  or call 571-405-7664.