Jetsettersblog

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos – Both beginner and veteran scuba divers will enjoy the Scuba Dive vacation package deal offered at The Sands at Grace Bay for travel to Turks & Caicos now through December 20th. By partnering with Ocean Vibes LTD – a leading PADI dive and snorkel facility in Providenciales – this top-rated resort located on world-famous Grace Bay Beach is offering a weeklong “Surf & Turf” themed vacation package that features a discounted luxury resort stay and daily scuba dive excursions to breathtaking sights around the island that are selected based on the diver’s skill level and interests.

The “Surf & Turf” themed Scuba Dive vacation package rates start from $1,250 per person for a six-night stay, and from $1,480 per person for a seven-night stay (based on double occupancy) and include:

Studio Courtyard accommodations at The Sands at Grace Bay resort (room upgrades are available for an additional charge)
Resort taxes & fees
Two-tank scuba dive excursions for “two” offered through Ocean Vibes: The 6-night package includes 5 days of diving and the 7-night package includes 6 days of diving.

For the “turf” portion of this package, guests will enjoy luxurious accommodations at The Sands at Grace Bay resort located on world-famous Grace Bay Beach. The resort offers guests free use of non-motorized watersports including snorkeling gear, Hobie Cats, kayaks, windsurfing equipment and stand-up paddleboards, plus bicycles for island exploration. It also boasts three free-form swimming pools, tennis courts, and the island’s legendary Hemingway’s Restaurant.

For the “surf” portion of this package, guests will enjoy up to six days of two-tank scuba dive excursions with Ocean Vibes to explore some of the world’s leading dive sights. Each daily dive excursion is selected based on the diver’s skill level and includes: hotel pick-up and drop-off, a scenic 45-foot boat ride to the best dive sites around the island, and complimentary lunch and refreshments. Valid scuba dive certification is required. SCUBAPRO dive equipment rentals including regulators, wet suits and BCDs are available for an additional charge.

The Sands at Grace Bay’s “Surf & Turf” dive travel package is available for new bookings made for stays of six nights or more, for travel now through December 20, 2014. Package rates start from $1,250 per person for a six-night stay in a Studio Courtyard Suite, and rates vary based on room type, additional night add-on’s and hotel availability at the time of booking. To book this offer, call the resort’s toll-free reservations line from the U.S. (877) 777-2637 and request the “SCUBA DIVE” travel package. For more information about this package, visit www.thesandstc.com or the OceanVibes website.

About The Sands at Grace Bay

The Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach. Named one of the, “Top 15 Resorts in the Atlantic” by the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards, this gracious, family-friendly 114-room resort offers accommodations in studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet, all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. Suites also come with fully equipped kitchens appointed with stainless appliances, dining and living room areas, private balconies, washer/dryers and more. The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar – a legendary beach-side venue and local favorite – where guests can enjoy gourmet selections and island specialties seven days a week. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are also available by appointment.

Enjoy a 20 percent discount on your stay at this luxurious island oasis when you register for instructor development course beginning November 26 at the resort’s onsite dive center.

Bonaire, Dutch Antilles – Learn from some of the world’s top professional dive teachers at the Caribbean’s premier luxury dive and beach destination, and save 20 percent on your accommodations when you register for a newly offered instructor development course beginning November 26, 2014.

Great Adventures Bonaire at Harbour Village Beach Club has expanded its dive services to include instruction of professional level certifications, a greater range of diving education, and achieved PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Resort Rating. The dive center recently welcomed Gary Mawston, a Platinum Course Director with many successful years of experience working with instructor candidates in the Caribbean and Europe. In 2008, Mawston was ranked in the top five course directors worldwide with professional certifications in excess of 10,000 and is one of only 65 Platinum Course Directors worldwide.

“Gary is a great addition to the team at Great Adventures Bonaire and compliments the current teaching staff,” said Frank Gonzalez, Managing Director of Harbour Village Beach Club. Mawston joins PADI Master Instructor Christine Ball, Master Scuba Diver Trainers Mark Spychala and Jan Van Den Ouden, Open Water Scuba Instructor Alfonso Rodriguez, and Open Water Instructor/Dive Shop Manager Muriel Anderson Spychala, who collectively offer more than 80 years of teaching experience.

Great Adventures at Harbour Village Bonaire will run an Instructor Development Course from November 26 at the resort, with the Instructor Exams following on December 6 and 7. The center will also offer DiveMaster, Assistant Instructor, Emergency First Responder Instructor and Tec Rec Coures, as well as a number of specialty instructor ratings and new internship opportunities for divers interested in a professional diver instruction career.

Great Adventures Bonaire at Harbour Village is conveniently located along the resort’s white sand beach. “It’s the perfect location to learn to teach new divers,” said instructor Ball. “We also have our two air-conditioned classrooms and a peaceful beach gazebo that doubles as a great outdoor classroom,” she said.

Harbour Village, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is set within an exclusive beachfront enclave on a four-acre, private peninsula on the island of Bonaire that offers direct access the best diving in the Caribbean. Bonaire is designated as having the most pristine coral reef environment and most species of fish in the Caribbean by the NOAA and is consistently named Best Overall Dive Destination by Scuba Diving Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards.

Due to Bonaire’s leeward location outside of the hurricane belt, and its consistently pleasant climate, crystal-clear visibility prevails at any depth and gives an enthralling view of the undersea landscape. Dive sites just off Harbour Village’s shore include the shipwreck of the 60-foot “Our Confidence,” located just 50 yards out from the beach, while another popular dive site, “Something Special,” is also a short swim away.

Harbour Village Beach Club’s luxurious private villas are located just a few steps away from the beach and feature opulent décor and thoughtful details like secluded lanais and double hammocks. The resort is also home to the acclaimed La Balandra Restaurant and Bar, which gives the sensation of sailing into the Caribbean seascape with a dining deck located on a jetty extending out to sea, as well as The Spa at Harbour Village Beach Club.

In addition to diving, the resort’s concierge can help craft the perfect itinerary of island adventures. Explore natural wonders such as Bonaire’s famed solar salt beds and one of the world’s largest pink flamingo nesting grounds, or catch a glimpse of the island’s rare Bonairean Lora Parrot. Or relax at the resort, lounging at the seaside pool, dozing in a hammock on the beach or taking to the waves with our complimentary paddle boards and kayaks.

For more information, visit http://www.harbourvillage.com  or contact the dive center at gab@harbourvillage.com.

About Harbour Village Bonaire

Harbour Village Beach Club was voted Bonaire’s Leading Hotel in the 2013 World Travel Awards, hailed as the “Oscars of the Travel Industry” by the Wall Street Journal. Located in the Dutch Antilles within an exclusive beachfront enclave on a four-acre, private peninsula on Bonaire, Harbour Village Beach Club is often referred to as “the best kept secret” in the Caribbean where vacationing is effortless, and the world’s best diving and underwater landscapes are just steps away. Harbour Village Beach Club offers 30 luxurious guest rooms and suites, a private white-sand beach, onsite PADI 5 Star Dive and Water Sports Center, private 64-slip marina, beachfront restaurant, full-service spa, lighted tennis courts, beachside and cascade pools, fitness center, supervised children’s programs, complimentary wireless Internet and a wealth of other premium amenities.

Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the island of Bonaire offers year round sunshine, low annual rainfall, and has been designated as having the most pristine coral reef environment and most species of fish in the Caribbean by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation lists eight out of almost 90 of Bonaire’s dive sites in their top 10 in terms of species richness in the Caribbean — abundant underwater life includes more than 300 species of tropical fish and over 120 different types of coral. The island is able to maintain this environment and receive awards for Bonaire diving year after year because its surrounding waters have been protected as the Bonaire National Marine Park for over 30 years.

Call 800-688-9721
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Oceans Away Vacations

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Oceans Away Vacations

Islands In The Sun has partnered with French explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau and his non-profit organization, Ocean Futures Society, to empower tourists to learn all about the natural and cultural beauty of Queensland. Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Oceans Away Vacations are the perfect blend of adventure, exploration, and escape that highlight the best dive spots and some of the most beautiful locations in the Great Barrier Reef. Clients will be amazed by the colorful coral reefs, diverse wildlife, diving opportunities, and cultural experiences. Start planning a trip to the amazing Great Barrier Reef with Islands In The Sun today!

InterContinental Moorea

5 Day Great Barrier Reef Live-aboard Diving FROM $1099*

Package includes 2 nights onboard Pro Dives purpose built dive boat, 11 dives (including 2 night dives), unlimited snorkeling, full use of diving and snorkel equipment, moorings at exclusive dive sites, 2 nights in Cairns at the Pacific Hotel Cairns, full breakfast daily, transfers between the airport and the marina/hotel, and more!

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa

4 Day Port Douglas, Reef & Rainforest FROM $1799*

Package includes 3 nights in Port Douglas at Thala Beach Lodge, private transfers to/from Cairns to Port Douglas, 3 Breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, diving the Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest Adventure, flames of the Forest and Aboriginal Cultural Experience, 24/7 After Hours Emergency Travel Helpline, and more!

InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort

4 Day Jean-Michel Cousteau Oceans Away Vacation FROM $2999*

Package includes 3 nights in the Great Barrier Reef on Heron Island, round trip seaplane transfers from Gladstone to/from Heron Island, all meals, Great Barrier Reef Diving (20 dives sites within a 20 minute boat ride), 24/7 After Hours Emergency Travel Helpline, and more!

For those who regard themselves as well-travelled but rarely venture into the underwater world, then it’s time to expand your horizons says diving holiday specialist Regaldive. World Oceans Day takes place this Sunday and to mark the occasion, Regaldive is encouraging travellers to ‘Pledge to Plunge’. With over 70% of the planet lying under the water and nearly 50% of all living species on Earth residing there, there’s a whole world waiting to be explored.

If you are pledging to plunge for the first time, then the labyrinthine tunnels, canyons and arches of the Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean, offer the perfect setting. First timers can admire spotted, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins, turtles, octopus and rays close to the shore. Once confident, they can venture to adrenaline fuelled bubbling hydrothermal vents, the MV Dori wreck – a Liberian cargo ship which sank in 1964, and an eerie anchor graveyard. Seven nights’ at the Hotel Talisman on the island of Sao Miguel cost from £701 per person, including flights, transfers and B&B accommodation. A PADI Scuba Diver Course costs from £263 per person.

For those wanting to travel further afield, the nutrient rich waters of Pemba, in the Indian Ocean, will transport them to another world. Beginners can enjoy shallow inshore dive sites and the islands reefs and coral gardens, home to stunning gorgonian sea fans, barracuda, kingfish, wahoo, tuna, jacks and the endemic chromis damselfish. Once qualified, divers can venture to Manta Point for the rare opportunity to swim with mantas rays. Seven nights’ at the Manta Resort cost from £1,782 per person, including flights, transfers and all inclusive accommodation. Guests can upgrade to spend a night in the resort’s underwater room from £900. A PADI Open Water course costs from £375 per person.

For experienced divers pledging to plunge in the most exotic of locations, then the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean offer just that. The islands are recognised as one of the best locations to encounter sharks in large numbers. Regaldive’s eight day Galapagos Sky liveaboard journeys around Wolf and Darwin Islands, allowing divers the chance to swim alongside whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, dolphins and rays, in addition to other world renowned sites. Costing from £4,894 per person, the package includes flights, transfers, accommodation, most meals, diving, air tanks and weights.

Andreas Elia, Managing Director of Regaldive commented, “It’s well known that travelling opens up your eyes to the world and the same goes for diving. With so much of the planet lying under the water, the unforgettable sights and life-changing experiences on offer are endless. With this in mind, we’re asking people to pledge to take the plunge this World Oceans Day. To fully appreciate it you need to get to know it, and what better way to do that than to explore it!”

For more information, or to book, visit www.regaldive.co.uk  or call 01353 659 999.

Seeking to enhance Dominica’s growing reputation as the number one dive spot in the Caribbean, the Fort Young Hotel has launched a special summer all inclusive package aimed at travellers wanting to focus their holiday around diving. The new All Inclusive Summer Dive Package gives divers the chance to enjoy a huge amount of time underwater, fully aware that everything has been taken care of back on land, leaving them the maximum amount of time to enjoy themselves on and off shore.

The All-inclusive Summer Dive package starts at US$1,541 per person based on double occupancy. It is valid on new reservations made between now and October 10, 2014 for travel between June 1st and October 15th 2014. Also available and customizable for groups, the package includes accommodations for seven nights, all meals and in-house beverages, and five days of 2 tank dive trips (ten dives) with visits to some of the Nature Island’s best loved dive sites. These include Champagne, where volcanic fumaroles beneath the sea bed fill the water around you with thousands of bubbles; the five dramatic coral-covered spires known as Danglebens Pinnacles, and the 1.5km long wall La Bym, where divers might just encounter a turtle or manta ray idling by. There will be plenty of time to discover why, this March, Scuba Radio said Dominica, “consistently delivers the best in Caribbean diving, if not the world”.

What really makes Fort Young the perfect hotel for a dive vacation in Dominica is how its facilities cater to divers. There’s an on-site dive shop as well as the hotel’s own jetty – itself an iconic site on the island, especially at sunset – where dive boats collect and drop divers off. The jetty is also the embarkation point for world class whale watching, and snorkelling trips from the hotel, as well as the romantic setting for many weddings.

Many of the island’s best dive sites are just 20 minutes or so from the hotel by boat. As a result of its unrivalled facilities and location, The Fort Young Hotel was chosen earlier this year to be the Dominica partner for Guy Harvey Outposts, a Florida-based specialist tour operator, which takes American guests on some of the finest marine holidays in Mexico, Galapagos, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman… and now Dominica.

Once back on land, divers can just sit back and relax. All meals are included in the package, along with any in house alcoholic beverage. And because the diving is so accessible from the hotel, there’s still plenty of time available to explore the rainforests for which Dominica is equally famous, and which are just as easy to reach from Fort Young. Or, guests can simply unwind in one of the hotel’s rooftop Jacuzzis, swim a few laps of the infinity pool, or enjoy dinner or drinks in its oceanfront restaurant and bars.

About the Fort Young Hotel:
Built into the original fort (first constructed in 1699), The Fort Young is Dominica’s leading hotel and a landmark in the capital city Roseau. The hotel has 32 original Fort rooms, 38 Oceanfront and Deluxe Oceanfront rooms, along with three suites, offering a combination of old world charm and spacious modern luxury. It features an on-site Dive Shop, Excursion Desk, Duty Free shopping as well as Massage & Wellness Center and Conference Rooms and free Wi-Fi throughout. The Fort Young Hotel serves as the perfect base for visitors to explore the island, whether for business, diving, leisure or shopping. For more information, visit http://www.fortyounghotel.com

About Dominica
In a region saturated by tourism, Dominica remains one of the hidden gems of the Caribbean. Known as the “Nature Island” due to its abundance of natural splendors: 365 rivers, the second largest boiling lake in the world, volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, black and white sand beaches; and below the water, volcanic vents, plunging sea walls, colorful reefs, soft corals, sea turtles and sperm whales. Much of the island is protected under national parks, one of which has been given UNESCO World Heritage status. Dominica is a paradise for divers, hikers, birdwatchers and nature-lovers.

Beachfront Resort Entices Travelers with New Rooms and Exciting Dive Experience

Curacao Rooms 3WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao – May 27, 2014 – With National Dare Day right around the corner (June 1), Hilton Curaçao has launched an exciting dive experience that challenges adventure seekers to discover the underwater world of Curaçao – recognized as a top diving destination in the Caribbean. Now through Dec. 24, 2014, pros and amateurs alike can explore the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean with Hilton Curaçao’s “Dare you to Dive” package and Caribbean Sea Sports, the resort’s new on-site dive center.

Starting at US$291* per night based on double occupancy, the thrilling package features:

Deluxe accommodation in a newly renovated guest room
One dive per person based on double occupancy, from 9:00am to 12:30pm, including tanks and weights
Fresh fruit on boat
Daily American breakfast buffet

Caribbean Sea Sports, a PADI 5 dive shop with over 20 years of experience, offers guests an array of water sports and beach activities. Professional dive instructors and crew welcome guests with superior service, modern equipment and flexible offers.

Located on a magnificent stretch of white sand beach on the edge of the turquoise Caribbean, Hilton Curaçao resort recently completed a renovation of all 196 guest rooms. Drawing inspiration from the island of Curaçao itself, the completely redone rooms deliver an elegant, relaxing and comfortable tropical ambiance, complete with new bedding, furniture and residential feel. All rooms and suites are outfitted with the Hilton Serenity Collection of amenities featuring plush bedding, high-definition LCD flat screen television, alarm clock with MP3 player connection, high-speed Internet access, Peter Thomas Roth bathroom products and more. New neutral wood-toned furniture reflects sophistication and tropical character, while redesigned bathrooms offer stone vanity, porcelain tile, glass shower and upgraded fixtures. New closets with a hospitality unit including an under counter refrigerator, and subtle lighting add the final touch to the rooms’ decor.

Guests staying in executive rooms and suites will benefit from access to the executive lounge offering daily continental breakfast, light snacks and beverages throughout the day, complemented by amazing ocean views and the resort’s picturesque surroundings.

Additionally, Hilton Curaçao recently debuted a new Cornershop and dive center. After a complete transformation, from shop-like style to trendy café, guests at the new Cornershop can enjoy a chic setting while savoring a selection of freshly brewed coffee, delicious sandwiches, warm pastries and crispy salads in a relaxed atmosphere. Trained baristas indulge guests for breakfast, lunch or an evening bite with a perfectly fresh brewed artisan coffee that ignites all the senses. The Cornershop is open daily from 6:30am until 10:00pm.

For reservations or further information, visit www.hiltoncuracaoresort.com.

* This offer is subject to availability and seasonal variations. Blackout dates and certain restrictions may apply. Rates are per room per night based on double occupancy, do not include taxes, service charges or gratuities, and are subject to change without notice. Tax and service charges are additional at 19.84%. Minimum length of stay of 2 nights is required depending on flight itinerary. There are different dive options for certified vs. non-certified divers. Divers must dive with a buddy and dive within the non-decompression limits. Please contact the hotel for further details regarding the dive options.

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About Hilton Curaçao
Located on Piscadera Bay just 10 minutes from Hato International Airport, the beachfront Hilton Curaçao resort welcomes guests with gentle tropical breezes and two pristine white sand beaches. Set on 23 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Hilton Curaçao guests will be mesmerized by the turquoise sea and underwater world that awaits discovery. Five minutes from quaint downtown Willemstad, guests can also venture out to discover the island’s heritage and history. All 196 guest rooms and suites, including accessible rooms, rooms for guests with allergies, and executive floor rooms, feature private balcony, stunning ocean or island views, and the Hilton Serenity Collection of amenities. An executive lounge offers daily breakfast, as well as snacks and beverages throughout the day. Leisure-seekers can take advantage of all that Hilton Curaçao has to offer. Water enthusiasts can visit the on-site PADI five-star Golden Palm certified dive center and explore underwater coves, caves and colorful sea life, or enjoy the center’s water sports activities. For relaxation, guests can unwind under a palm tree on the resort’s private beaches, cool off in the refreshing swimming pool, or schedule a treatment at the Color of People Spa. Families can enjoy a children’s pool and Kidz Paradise activity center with an array of fun and games. Additional recreation options include a casino, fitness center, and tennis courts. To tempt palates, the resort features authentic Curaçao cuisine or international specialties in two restaurants. For business travelers and event planners, Hilton Curaçao offers over 4,000 square feet of meeting space with capacity for up to 450 guests, and a Hilton Meetings complex with boardroom, six meeting rooms, plus a business center.

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Founded in 1919 as the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of savvy global travelers at more than 550 hotels across six continents. Hilton is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader in hospitality with Team Members shaping experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Access the latest news at news.hilton.com and begin your journey at www.hilton.com or www.hilton.com/offers for the latest hotel specials. View a list of official social channels at www.hilton.com/social. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market leading brands.

The Islands of The Bahamas Announces: 10 Islands, 7 World-Famous Underwater Photographers, One week to Shoot.

Alert Diver Magazine is very excited to collaborate with the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Bahamas Dive Association in creating an event whereby seven highly-qualified and esteemed professional underwater photographers/videographers will travel to the Bahamas May 24th to 31st, 2014. For six days, these seven photographers will photograph a ‘week in the underwater life’ of the Bahamas covering 10 islands. Each evening the photographers will be uploading content to Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms as well as offering ‘live’ interactivity with diving consumers around the world.

The Islands of The Bahamas has been voted #1 for Big Animals by Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers over 25 times in a row, and to show the diversity of the diving, this amazing project will showcase all the diversity of the Country!

Photographers/Videographers planned to participate in this amazing event include:

Stephen Frink, Publisher Alert Diver
Grand Bahama Island, Abacos, Bimini, Cat Island

Berkley White, www.Backscatter.com
Andros, Exumas

Alex Mustard, www.Amustard.com
Long Island, Conception Island, San Salvador

Eric Cheng, www.Echeng.com
Nassau/NPI, Harbour Island

Cristian Dimitrius, Writer, Mergulho Brazil Magazine, and shooting video for Brazilian TV distribution. www.Cristiandimitrius.com
Nassau/NPI, Grand Bahama, Long Island, Conception Island, San Salvador

Adam Hanlon, Wetpixel
Long Island, Conception Island, San Salvador

Abigail Mullens, Wetpixel
Grand Bahama Island, Abacos, Bimini,

Neal Watson, President of the Bahamas Diving Association explains the event: “We were looking for a way to explain the diversity of our dive product, and Stephen Frink is a long time friend of the Bahamas, so it seemed like a natural partnership. Mr. Frink has also graciously allowed all the photos and content that will be published in DAN’s Alert Diver magazine to be republished in Mergulho Dive Magazine in Brazil, Tauchen Dive Magazine in Germany and Sport Diver Australia/Asia Dive Magazine covering the Pacific Rim, Australia and Tropical Asia markets. Worldwide coverage of this event, including the social media aspects will run into billions of impressions in 2014/2015.”

Many resorts and dive operations are offering their services and facilities to make this ground-breaking event happen in the Bahamas. Without the strategic and financial support of the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Bahamas Dive Association, this event would not be possible.

Press conferences are planned as follows for this event:

Event Press Conference, Nassau, New Providence, May 22nd, 3pm
Event Kick Off Press Conference, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, May 23rd, 5pm
Event Closing Press Conference, Alice Town, Bimini May 31st , 5pm

Brendal Stevens, Vice-President of The Bahamas Diving Association offered “We are honored to work with so many great tourism boards, promotion boards and dive association members to make this amazing event possible. Hopefully we will be able to show the true diversity of The Bahamas dive product with this project.”

Through the eyes of an explorer, discover the majestic beauty of Queen’s Garden Resort and experience Saba, the Caribbean’s smallest island known as the “unspoiled queen.”

Located 1,200 feet about sea level on the lesser-known Caribbean island of Saba, the smallest special municipality of the Netherlands, Queen’s Gardens Resort is built atop Troy Hill. The elevation keeps this 12-suite property secluded with bewitching panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the Saba rainforest, sparking an instant admiration for nature within the adventurous spirit ready to embark on hiking and scuba-diving explorations.

Considered as one of the world’s best scuba-diving destinations, Saba is home to three professional dive operators and Saba Marine Park with its famous pinnacles and seamounts, schools of tropical fish and Saba’s robust shark population. Colorful, quaint, quiet and uniquely exotic, Saba is a scuba enthusiast’s dream.

For nomads, Saba offers an exceptional range of hiking opportunities with seven eco-systems, a tropical rainforest, volcanic peaks and remote backcountry villages, largely descended from pirates. Saba’s trails present a complex mix of ecological and historical themes that provide a hiker with many days of pleasure, especially with Saba’s tour guide Jungle James, who delights in sharing the island’s hidden treasures with new explorers.

Guests in pursuit of both above and below the surface adventures indulge themselves in Saba paradise with the following packages offered at Queen’s Garden Resort:

4-Day Double Tank Diving – starting at $2850: Package is for a seven-night stay and four days of tank diving with dive shop Saba Deep. Round-trip diveshop transfers and scuba dive gear for four days of diving included as well as lunch at the shop’s Deep End Bar & Grill

3-Day Triple Tank Diving – starting at $2375: Package is for a five-night stay and three days of triple tank diving with dive shop Saba Deep. Round-trip diveshop transfers and scuba dive gear for three days of diving included as well as lunch at the shop’s Deep End Bar & Grill

3-Day Double Tank Diving – starting at $2050: Package is for a five-night stay. Round-trip diveshop transfers and scuba dive gear for three days of diving included. Marine park fees and Nitrox are not included in this package.

Adventure Package – starting at $1975: Package is for a five-night stay and includes Discovery Scuba class for two, an exciting guided island tour, a guided hiking tour and a culinary workshop with the resort’s executive chef.

All packages are valid for a double-occupancy stay in the resort’s superior suite, which also features a large living room, a separate master bedroom with a four-post king size bed, and extra queen-size sofa bed and a bathroom with massage shower. In addition to the exceptional hospitality and services delivered at Queen’s Gardens Resort, guests booking this package receive a surprise four-course dinner, daily continental breakfast, and airport transfers are also included in each package.

After trekking under water or atop hills, relaxation comes easy at Queen’s Garden Resort with spacious amenities, in-room spa services, and in-suite Jacuzzi. The three-bedroom Haiku House, evoking a 16th century Japanese style abode, is an exclusive hilltop villa for extra privacy.

For more information or to customize a personal adventurous package, please visit www.queensaba.com  or email info@queensaba.com

Located in the lush Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and surrounded by the sparkling Five Sisters waterfalls, GAÏA Riverlodge is one of Belize’s most celebrated ecotourist destinations.

RETREAT

Escape to your private cabana, perched on the edge of a valley overlooking the Five Sisters waterfalls.
GAÏA Riverlodge offers 15 private cabanas featuring Belizean hardwoods, traditional bay leaf thatched roofs and richly varnished mahogany interiors. With panoramic windows or a private veranda with hammock, ceiling fans, a bathroom decorated with hand-painted Mexican tiles, beds with pillow top mattresses, and Matouk and Frette linens, your stay has all the comforts you desire.

EXPLORE

Seek adventure with exciting activities such as cave tubing, zip-lining, mountain biking, and bird-watching among the trees. Or, take a day trip to the Mayan ruins at Caracol to experience Belize’s ancient wonders.

DINE

Soak up expansive views from the wrap-around terrace at GAÏA Riverlodge’s restaurant and lounge, magically located directly above the falls. You’ll enjoy globally inspired cuisine prepared with locally sourced fruits and vegetables, and fresh seafood from the Carribean Sea.

INDULGE

Experience sumptous treatments and blissful relaxation at the newly opened Spa on-site. Natural ingredients from the Belizean jungle are infused in each treatment, such as the Banana Papaya facial, Sunset Aromatherapy Massage and Eco-calm facial.

For further information, visit www.gaiariverlodge.com

About Belize

The only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize is situated on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. This unique country includes lush tropical rainforests, the mysteries of the Ancient Maya, glorious white sand beaches and a spectacular 174 mile-long barrier reef. With direct flights to Belize City from Miami, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte and Atlanta, Belize is your perfect destination for a short weekend getaway or long Caribbean adventure. Discover GAÏA Riverlodge’s sister property in Belize, Matachica Resort & Spa at www.matachica.com

Jumeirah Beach Hotel offers In-house guests FREE Discover Scuba Diving sessions!

We are pleased to announce that The Pavilion Dive Centre is now offering Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s in-house guests complimentary Discover Scuba Diving sessions in the pool as part of their benefits when staying in the Dubai hotel. This is applicable to all guests as per the maximum room occupancy including children from 10 years old and above, subject to availability.

This 5-star luxury Dubai hotel has a private beach and features over 16 dining options, five pools and a climbing wall with guests staying at the Hotel able to enjoy free unlimited access to Wild Wadi Waterpark. Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s rooms are spacious and have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the Arabian Gulf. Each features a cable LCD TV, evening turndown service and free Wi-Fi access. Jumeirah Beach offers a wide variety of international cuisine including Lebanese, Argentinean and Italian. Refreshments are offered at the rooftop Lounge 360 and the hotel’s swim-up bar Ocean Blue. Facilities offered at the hotel’s Pavilion Marina & Talise include tennis courts, a state-of-the-art gym, aerobics classes and a full-service spa. Sinbad’s Kids Club has a daily activity programme for children.