Sun shines on winters abroad
The load was a little lighter this time after my annual visit to the travel agency for the new fall-winter vacation catalogues from Canada's major tour operators.
Missing were ones from Conquest, which has closed, and Signature, which has merged with Sunwing Vacations. But there's still an impressive choice of sun destinations.
And I'm not talking about more than Cuba, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, which dominate the winter-escape business. Take Grenada, for example. Most Canadians I've met who've visited stopped there briefly on a cruise. I think Grenada's well worth a longer stay.
Lush and mountainous, it's one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands I've seen. The beaches are public; there are no high-rises; the locals seem genuinely friendly and speak English, albeit with an engaging accent; and one of our loonies buys two and a half Eastern Caribbean dollars, the local currency.
Grenada will soon be easier to reach. Starting Nov. 23, Sunwing will fly there non-stop from Toronto on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Belize, in Central America, is another interesting addition to Sunwing Vacations' catalogue.
Divers are lured by the world's second largest barrier reef. Others are drawn by Mayan ruins and an emphasis on eco-tourism.
English is widely spoken -- Belize was once a British colony -- and our dollar is worth nearly two of theirs.
Sunwing will start flying there from Toronto via Roatan Island, Honduras, in December.
Club Grand Bahama, a new program in which WestJet Vacations is participating, is worth a look.
It's being promoted as an all-inclusive concept that allows vacationers to not only choose where to stay on Grand Bahama Island, but where to eat and what to do, all for a fixed price.
Depending on whether you buy a silver, gold or platinum package, you get a choice of five hotels for accommodations, meals at up to 18 restaurants as many as 50 destination activities and three golf courses.
But Club Grand Bahama isn't really all-inclusive. It doesn't provide lunch, just breakfast and dinner. And, except for the drinks served at a welcome reception and a beach party, it doesn't include alcohol.
WestJet flies to Grand Bahama Island from Toronto twice weekly. Visit website or call a travel agent.
Vacationers interested in Central and South American resorts can find several in Nolitours' catalogue, including Cartagena, Colombia, Margarita Island in Venezuela, and El Salvador.
Air Canada Vacations has packages in such less-visited islands as Bermuda and Anguilla.
Sunquest has targeted some resorts for baby boomers, with such features as shade areas at beach and pool and local or on-site medical attention. Well, the boomers are getting older too, you know.
The all-inclusive crowd likes it hot, but mild is just fine for many wanting longer winter stays. Here are a couple of areas to consider:
- Portugal's Algarve coast, which has been attracting Canadians, mostly seniors, for decades.
Canadian Travel Abroad (CTA) has a large selection of apartment packages in it's 2010 brochure. CTA's new owner, Rhonda Stephenson used to be national sales manager for JM Vacations, a company that specializes in Portugal and Spain. She's considered an expert in the Portugal long-stay market.
- North Carolina's Brunswick County coast, where Merit Vacations is offering a 29-night holiday at Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort for $1,990 per person, double occupancy. That includes round trip airfare from Toronto to Raleigh/Durham or Myrtle Beach, car rental for 30 days, accommodation in a one-bedroom condo. Packages are available through March 1. Phone 1-866-341-1777
Two major tour operators will be making non-stop flights from London International Airport this winter.
Both Sunwing and Sunquest will fly to Cancun/Mayan Riviera and Varadero on Mondays, starting Dec. 21.
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