March 2023 – OFFSHORE

Intrepid launches trip to one of the world’s least visited destinations

March 31, 2023 No Comments

New for 2023, Intrepid is launching a specially designed itinerary to discover the local Timorese way of life and undiscovered land.

The new 9-Day Timor-Leste Expedition will be a fully inclusive trip, with provided meals, transportation, accommodations and activities. With a company mission to innovate beyond traditional tourism destinations and deliver travelers unique experiences in less-frequented parts of the world, Intrepid has created the remote trip to ignite new opportunities for adventure and connection.

Sustainable travel

Intrepid’s new trip was carefully developed in partnership with Market Development Facility (MDF).

The organization is a multi-country initiative promoting sustainable economic growth, with the purpose of supporting local communities, expanding the potential of tourism in Southeast Asia and delivering travelers alternative destinations for culturally rich and wildlife-dense adventure travel experiences.

Intrepid’s new 9-Day Timor-Leste Expedition (from $3,859 CAD) will depart for the first time on October 15, 2023.

Highlights include:

Hiking to the summit of Mt Ramelau, Timor-Leste’s tallest mountain, at sunrise.
Snorkeling from local fishermen’s boats at Atauro Island, a global hotspot for whales and dolphins with the most biodiverse marine protected coral reefs in the world.
Enjoying a local homestay to experience Timorese hospitality and daily life.
Discovering the capital of Dili, sampling traditional food, visiting the Tais market to learn about this traditional textile, and learning about the country’s complicated history during several tours, museum and cemetery stops.
Exploring local coffee farms, plantations and cafes to learn how coffee is produced here and understand its importance to local culture.
Visiting several social enterprises dedicated to supporting and empowering the people of Timor-Leste, including the Alola Foundation, an NGO aiming to improve the lives of women and children by addressing problems relating to education, economic development, maternal and child health, and gender inequality.

About Timor-Leste

In 2002 after centuries of colonialism, Timor-Leste, the only Asian country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, gained independence.

Influenced by many distinct cultures, this developing nation is home to a unique set of traditions and beliefs. It is well known for its unmatched natural beauty, boasting stunning beaches, towering mountains, untouched coral reefs, and a wide range of endemic species including sea turtles, rare spotted cuscus, monkeys, and tokays, one of the world’s largest lizards.

Virtuoso lists 2023 travel predictions for Canadians

March 29, 2023 No Comments

Virtuoso has identified when, where and why upscale Canadians will be venturing in 2023.

In Virtuoso’s 2022 Brand and Travel Trends Research, conducted in collaboration with YouGov, more than 500 Canadian travellers were surveyed. The majority – 75 percent – listed relaxation and disconnecting as the primary incentive for taking a leisure trip, followed by adventure, which is almost twice as important for Canadians than for global travellers (41 percent versus 25 percent).

Additional revelations include an affinity for sunny destinations, expedition cruises and a willingness to spend big and stay longer.

Warm weather getaways

Virtuoso’s study showed 61 percent of travellers preferred beach vacations, followed by city exploration (47 percent). Canadians are equally as likely to travel to Europe as they are to travel within their own country, and they showed a preference for the Caribbean or West Indies (36 percent versus 20 percent globally) and Mexico (30 percent versus 16 percent globally), which is likely due to a desire to escape to warmer climates during the winter months.

Reasons for family travel

Canadians indicated the most popular ways to travel are with a spouse or significant other and multi-generational family travel.

Travelling with school-age children is consistently popular. Interestingly to note while heading into March Break, over half of those surveyed believe travel is important to the development of children under 18.

Spending big and staying longer

Relative to 2019, travellers plan to spend 12 percent more in 2023 and the anticipated annual spend for Virtuoso-advised travellers in 2023 is even higher at $20,000 CAD per person.

While Virtuoso clients took about the same number of trips in the past year as other travellers, Virtuoso-advised travellers took longer trips, spent more nights in hotels, rentals and cruises, and skewed more towards international trips.

Top travel destinations for 2023

Virtuoso tapped into its data warehouse of more than $63.6 billion (USD) in transactions to determine the top destinations of 2023, as determined by Canada-based travellers:

Mexico – Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos
Canada – Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary
United States – Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas
Dominican Republic – Punta Cana, Puerto Plata
United Kingdom – London
Jamaica – Montego Bay
Italy – Rome, Venice
France – Paris, Nice
Australia – Sydney
Portugal – Lisbon, Faro

For more information on how to connect with a Virtuoso travel advisor who can turn travel dreams into reality, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Four Seasons has a new collection of luxury private retreats in Los Cabos

March 27, 2023 No Comments

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas is now reservations for its ultra-luxury Private Retreats collection.

Located within the exclusive Resort community of Costa Palmas on the less-travelled East Cape of Los Cabos, the new property is spread over 1,500 acres (607 hectares).

Four Seasons Resort and Residences are located on two miles (3.2 kilometres) of swimmable beachfront.

It also features Four Seasons’ first-ever private marina on the Sea of Cortez along the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, providing best-in-class access to national marine park and UNESCO World Heritage Site Cabo Pulmo, along with endless land and sea adventures singular to the East Cape of Baja.

About Marina Village

The Costa Palmas Marina Village, located at the heart of Costa Palmas international marina, adjacent to Four Seasons Resort and Residences, is alive from the earliest morning hours as fishermen set out, until the wee hours of the night as the late-night crowd heads in. 

The concept is designed to be a marketplace that works together as retail spaces, open pavilions, restaurants and cafes that open onto a central plaza to create a lively gathering place. 

Anchoring the community is Mozza Baja at Costa Palmas in partnership with James Beard Foundation Award winner, author and restauranteur Nancy Silverton. The Marina Village is also home to newly opened nightclub and lounge, Chiki. Designed by interior architecture and designer Martin Brudnizki, Chiki brings together rich Mexican culture with raw authenticity that extends itself into murals and mosaics that elicit an intimate and eclectic cantina vibe.

Guests of Four Seasons have direct access to sailing, fishing and cruising yachts up to 250 feet from the convenience of the Resort’s “backyard.”

The property offers a fleet of boats ranging from a 26-foot centre console to a 65-foot luxury cruising yacht. From direct access to Cabo Pulmo,, to nightly sunset cruises and guided sport and spearfishing adventures, Four Seasons is the only luxury resort in the market with seamless, private marina access.

Private retreats

Four Seasons Private Retreats offers more than 750 of the world’s finest luxury vacation homes.

The Los Cabos Private Retreats collection offers two to six-bedroom contemporary residences that seamlessly integrate indoor-outdoor living with flowing spaces, elemental design and native landscaping.

The collection offers a wide array of accommodations for up to 18 guests, each with private pools and expansive indoor-outdoor entertainment space.

For more information, click here.

Hyatt announces expansion plans into the Caribbean

March 24, 2023 No Comments

Hyatt recently announced a multi-property collaboration with Be Live Hotels that will include the growth of the Sunscape Resorts & Spas brand in the Caribbean.

Sunscape Resort & Spas provides all-inclusive family fun. Children 12 years of age and under can enjoy the supervised Explorer’s Club, while teens have their own space at the Core Zone. The Unlimited-Fun experience promises best-in-class service, gourmet á la carte restaurants with kid-friendly options and delectable drinks and endless day and nighttime activities for the entire family.

The deal is expected to expand Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, which was introduced following Hyatt’s acquisition of Apple Leisure Group in 2020, by nearly 2,000 rooms.

Two Be Live Hotels properties in the Dominican Republic, owned by Spanish hospitality company Globalia, will be renovated and transformed into Sunscape Resorts & Spas. The renovated hotels are expected to open in 2023, bolstering the family-friendly brand’s presence in the Caribbean.

Hyatt’s portfolio of all-inclusive brands brings exceptional and immersive experiences to guests and members with Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts and Sunscape Resorts & Spas brands.

To learn more about the Inclusive Collection, please visit www.hyatt.com/newbrands.

Tivoli just opened its first Dutch hotel in a 16th century property

March 22, 2023 No Comments

Tivoli Hotels & Resorts recently opened its first property in the Netherlands.

The Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel is a 16th-century property in the classicist style overlooking the Amstel Canal; it is considered to be the oldest hotel in the Dutch capital. The property was the original home to Rembrandt Van Rijn’s famous painting The Night Watch (completed in 1642), which hung on a wall in what is now one of the hotel’s bedroom suites until it was relocated to the city’s famed Rijksmuseum.

Centrally located in Amsterdam’s historic city centre and walking distance from the city’s main tourist attractions, the heritage property has 81 guest rooms including seven suites, most of them overlooking the canal. It also boasts the elegant new Omber restaurant and bar, which is inspired by the art of Rembrandt, who lived very close to the hotel.

Old world elegance

Inspired by the Dutch Golden Age and the unique atmosphere of Amsterdam, Tivoli Doelen’s interiors blend an old-world elegance with contemporary service and special Tivoli touches.

The guest rooms and suites offer views over the canals or the city, with the interiors featuring pastel tones with splashes of red for a relaxing but vibrant atmosphere, combined with touches of natural wood.

New beds and bed linens provide the best night’s sleep, while marble bathrooms feature amenities from the French luxury brand Lalique.

For an ultimate Dutch experience, guests can book the 506-square-foot Rembrandt Suite, where they can view a perfect replica of The Night Watch, in the same room and on the exact wall where the masterpiece originally hung for 70 years. Another interesting room is the Empress Suite, which was once the boudoir of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, most well-known as Sisi.

With a unique C-shape design to maximize views of the canal, the suite has a king-sized bed with Dutch shields on the ceiling, which are a symbol of protection.

A touch of Rembrandt

On the ground floor and overlooking the canal, Omber restaurant and bar now offers a Mediterranean-Dutch fusion menu. The restaurant’s name was inspired by the craftsmanship of paint making and the limited colors Rembrandt used in his works of art– omber, or amber in English, being one of his signature colours).

Every dish on the menu contains an element inspired by his color palette. The menu also takes inspiration from the artist’s favorite dishes, such as herring and pickles, which has been recreated by the team and given Dutch name “Rembrandt Pauze”. The restaurant’s slow-cooked Dutch veal with parsnip, Carrots and Purslane is perfectly paired with Portuguese Cartuxa wine from Alentejo, a nod to the Tivoli brand’s Portuguese heritage.

Omber Bar, which opens daily at 4:30 pm, serves several signature cocktails have been created with Jenever, a typical Dutch gin that was also Rembrandt’s favorite drink. Most of the bar’s gin cocktails are made with a local Jenever producer, Wynand Fockink, which operates a similar distillery process to that used in the Dutch Golden Age.

The star cocktail, “Night Watch” is based on an old recipe found in the hotel archives dating back to the 17th century and is made with old Jenever, coffee liqueur, syrup and cherry bitters.

Suites at Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel start from $643.00 including breakfast for two people. For more information on Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam, visit https://www.tivolihotels.com/en/tivoli-doelen.

The ultimate hidden beach destinations to visit in 2023

March 20, 2023 No Comments

The tourism industry rebounded in 2022, reaching 70 per cent of its pre-pandemic levels globally. Airlines continue to add new international routes, hotel refurbishments and new builds are well underway, and now more than ever, travellers, especially affluent ones, are willing to pay more for a one-of-a-kind holiday. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up four of the best places to go for an unforgettable beach vacation.

While beach towns like Positano, Cinque Terre and Amalfi get plenty of attention during the summer months from tourists, on the island of Sicily lies a sleepy medieval town worthy of the same fanfare. Home to just under 15,000 people, Cefalù is a coastal town that hugs the Tyrrhenian Sea. Every summer, when blue and white-striped parasols dot the beaches and sun bathers turn golder by the hour, millions of tourists flock here.

The main draw is the town itself, which is home to architectural wonders that date back nearly 1,000 years. In Piazza del Duomo, visitors will come across the Cefalù Cathedral, a Norman structure built in 1131 characterized by two unmistakable bookended towers. A welcome escape from the sweltering sun, inside the church, visitors can marvel at an ancient mosaic depicting saints and prophets.

As the town itself is quite small, it’s easy to explore by foot. The Piazza del Duomo is an ideal spot to enjoy a glass of wine on a back terrace, or enjoy a gelato from one of the nearby cafes. There are several high-end hotels in the area, including Club Med Cefalù, which opened in 2018. Those up for a stroll can actually walk along the coast from the resort straight into town in roughly 45 minutes, either by following the seawall or sticking to the main road.

To reach Cefalù, Canadians can fly into Palermo, Italy. For travellers in Rome, non-stop flights to Palermo are available, at a duration of just one hour.

Geographically located directly across from Bari, Italy, at 2,500 years old, Budva, Montenegro, is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea. For travellers who have previously visited the medieval city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Budva is surprisingly familiar—for starters, it’s a mere two-hour drive away.

Budva’s Old Town, characterized by its red clay rooftops, is enveloped by defensive, medieval stone walls and rests on a rocky peninsula. The rest of the city is characterized by multiple high-rise apartment buildings, plenty of public, sandy beaches and a backdrop of hilly green mountains found throughout Montenegro.

Budva’s Old Town is home to several beautiful, sandy beaches, but many are found outside of it. Jaz Beach, west of Budva’s centre, is home to many restaurants and is a popular spot for musical events, festivals and nightlife. Mogren Beach, perhaps the best-known one in the region, is less than a ten-minute stroll from the Old Town. If it’s architecture and history you’re after, all four medieval churches can be found in the Old Town’s public square, including Santa Maria in Punta Church which dates all the way back to 840 AD. There’s also a 15th century monastery roughly a 30-minute walk from the town square.

Part of a chain of 32 smaller islands, Canouan is a mere 5.6-by-2 kilometre destination that is part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In fact, the destination is so tiny, it’s not visible on Google Maps without zooming out significantly! Though the island’s population is less than 2,000, it’s home to a multimillion dollar marina, a runway for private jets, and plenty of luxury hotels and villas for the affluent clientele who flock here.

The easiest and fastest way to reach Canouan is from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines directly—the flight time is just 15 minutes. Ferries to the island also operate daily, and the journey takes roughly three hours.

Not too long ago, there were no paved roads or running water on the island, meaning wildlife flourished and at one point, Canouan was home to more sea turtles than people!

Adventure-seekers can enjoy crystal clear waters and protected reefs that offer incredible snorkelling opportunities. Canouan’s most popular beach is located at Carenage Bay, within Mandarin Oriental Canouan, the island’s most famous hotel. Along with lavish villas and a breathtaking swim out pool, the resort is home to the Jim Fazio-designed 18 hole championship golf course.

Once a humble fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now one of the busiest commercial port cities in Tanzania. With a population of just over six million, it’s the largest East African city and is situated right on the shores of the Swahili Coast on the Indian Ocean.

Though Dar Es Salaam has plenty of sandy beaches in the northern Msasani district, some of the best ones can be reached by ferry. Bongoyo Island, accessible by boat from the luxurious Hotel Slipway, is an uninhabited island that is a popular day trip option for tourists and locals alike. The journey from the mainland takes approximately 30 minutes.

With a distinctive elongated white sandbar peninsula surrounded by dense forest, the ultimate draw here is swimming, snorkelling or sunbathing for hours on end, interrupted by crowds. A handful of small restaurants provide refreshments and dining options, but the majority of Bongoyo is deserted with limited facilities, so be sure to pack the essentials before heading back to Dar es Salaam for the evening.

Here are some of the best things I did on an eight-day trip to Israel

March 17, 2023 No Comments

Of all the things I envisioned doing in Israel – from floating in the Dead Sea to visiting the historic Western Wall – one thing I didn’t remotely anticipate was to wind up defacing public property.

Yet here I am, feeling like a rebel, with a can of light pink spray paint in my right hand in the back streets of Tel Aviv – in broad daylight to boot.

Let me rewind a bit. This wasn’t my idea. It all started innocently enough under the guise of a graffiti tour through the artsy Florentin neighbourhood. After seeing some impressive pieces and learning about different types of street art such as site-specific murals that incorporate structural elements of a building, like an exterior cable or a pipe into the design, our tour guide and Tel Aviv-based musician, Maor Abitbul, opened his backpack and proceeded to pass out cans of spray paint. “Now it’s your turn,” he says.

One by one, everyone on the tour quite literally started leaving their mark on Tel Aviv. Suddenly, our amateur creative process was interrupted by a family who had witnessed our mischief. But rather than stopping us, they asked to borrow a can of spray paint and we watched on as their young daughter stepped up to the wall to continue our masterpiece.

In all honesty, it was a practice wall for artists so no damage or vandalism was done, but looking back on it now, it’s one of the experiences that made my first visit to the country so memorable.

New charm in the Old City

In a destination where old meets new, iconic religious sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre —the site where Jesus was said to have been resurrected — are steps away from vibrant markets and lively restaurants.

The Machane Yehuda Market, also known as “The Shuk,” truly comes alive at night. During the day some 250 vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables, spices and a variety of street food and desserts, but at night it’s a hotspot to hangout. Craft beer fans will want to visit the Beer Bazaar, which offers more than 100 types of Israeli beer.

Right next door is a trendy spot called Thinkers Distillery, which is known for its vodka.

Michael Ginosar, vice president of business development for Thinkers Distillery, says the idea behind Thinkers is to build on Israel’s reputation as a start-up nation and take advantage of advances in science, technology, chemistry and physics to take spirits to the next level. “We incorporate all that into the production process with the goal of making the best possible spirits,” he says. “The aim of this whole company is to make the best possible spirits and start exporting them all over the world.”

Today, Thinkers Distillery has a visitor’s centre that’s open for tasting sessions as well as distillery tours. Although they have big ambitions, he says there aren’t many others in their industry in Israel. “Israel has a lot of wineries — and it’s a good place to grow grapes. There are excellent wines coming out of Israel,” he adds. “There’s a brewing industry that’s really grown in the past 10-15 years, you’re seeing a lot of craft breweries, but for spirits, it’s still a really, really small industry.”

Wine tourism is another area that continues to expand in Israel.

Over the last two decades, Israel’s wine scene has grown tremendously from a handful of producers to more than “300 boutique wineries,” notes Nevo Winery’s general manager Lior Perl. The winery, which has indoor and outdoor tasting rooms, is located in the Judean Hills, about a half hour from Jerusalem.

Set on the premises of what was previously a kindergarten, she says Nevo Winery has the distinguishing feature of having a wine cellar that’s located in a former bomb shelter. “We produce about 20,000 bottles a year, on a regular year,” Perl explains ahead of a tasting.

Where to stay in Israel

Dan Tel Aviv Hotel

Want to follow in the footsteps of Justin Bieber, Anthony Kiedis, 50 Cent, and Keith Richards? The main entryway to Dan Tel Aviv Hotel is lined with autographs from the celebrities who have previously stayed at the five-star property.

The hotel is situated directly across from the main beach with unforgettable sea views to catch the sunset. One of the aspects that sets it apart is its lavish breakfast spread. We’re talking shakshuka, smoked salmon, fruit, freshly baked goods and even multiple kinds of cheesecake!

The Magdala Hotel

For a one-of-a-kind experience, The Magdala Hotel at the shores of the Sea of Galilee is built around an archeological site.

The boutique hotel actually has fewer rooms than were initially planned because ruins were discovered from the first century town of Magdala in the building process. Known as the crossroads of Jewish and Christian history and the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, Magdala Hotel is home to The Magdala Stone and a first century synagogue.

To make it even more unique, there’s an original first century fountain in the lobby of the hotel.

Uniworld introduces limited edition cruise collection

March 10, 2023 No Comments

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises introduces its Limited Edition Collection, including one-time sailings and offerings with just one or two special departures per year.

Limited Edition cruises are Uniworld-exclusive experiences with special programming, from surprise sailings to themed cruises and more.

“Our Limited-Edition Collection is full of incredible journeys, created to bring likeminded travellers together for extra special trips that are unique to our portfolio,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

“The collection includes inclusive LGBTQ+ sailings hosted by gay and lesbian travel veterans, floating art workshops with special guest artists, cycling-themed cruises and more on select dates. Plus, some offerings in the collection are offered for one-time only, such as our popular surprise Mystery Cruises and world trips spanning the globe. We’re even adding a women’s cruise for 2024 to the collection, so female travelers should keep an eye out for more details coming soon.”

To learn more about the Limited Edition Collection, visit https://www.uniworld.com/ca/limited-edition

A $1 billion casino resort is opening in Canada this summer

March 8, 2023 No Comments

A $1 billion, brand-new entertainment resort, known as Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto will open its doors at the intersection of Highways 401 and 427 this summer.

With its transformative architecture and impressive 33-acre footprint, the destination adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack will feature a modern Vegas-style casino, integrated 400-room hotel, 5,000-seat live entertainment venue, and multiple on-site dining options, bringing to life a new, one-of-a-kind entertainment district in Toronto with best-in-class gaming, entertainment and hospitality experiences.

The existing Casino Woodbine will continue to operate with no interruption until Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto debuts its new, re-imagined destination.

“We see this as an unprecedented opportunity to introduce an entirely new, world-class experience in Canada that will bring together the best in casino gaming, exceptional live entertainment, dining, and accommodation in one very special place,” said Matthew Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer, Great Canadian Entertainment. “We are very excited to reveal more about what this landmark destination will feature and what our guests can expect in the coming weeks, including the announcement of an opening date. This project has been several years in the making, and we are thrilled that we are close to bringing it to life,” concluded Anfinson.

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is scheduled to open this summer, and an opening date will be announced in the coming weeks.

Royal Caribbean launches new mini trips for 2024/2025

March 6, 2023 No Comments

Royal Caribbean International has revealed the lineup of short Caribbean cruises, featuring eight ships sailing to destinations that make for the ultimate short escapes in 2024-2025.

Families, friends and vacationers alike can set their sights on making the most of their vacation time on a variety of ships.

Allure of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship to sail 3- to 4-night cruises, will extend its short Caribbean season homeporting from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. Mariner of the Seas sets sail from the cruise line’s new, net-zero terminal in Galveston, Texas, for the first time; and four more amplified ships with new and signature experiences on board, cruising from four different cities in Florida, Texas and California.

The short Caribbean cruises in 2024-2025 are now open for bookings on Royal Caribbean’s website.

One-of-a-kind vacations

Vacationers will have a wide range of destinations to choose from, including Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee, Haiti.

From 13 waterslides in Thrill Waterpark to the new adults-only Hideaway Beach opening in 2023, vacationers will find adrenaline-pumping thrills and ways to chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Labadee, located along the northern coast of Haiti, is home to five shorelines and beautiful mountain backdrops.

Families and travelers of all ages can have their pick of one-of-a-kind vacations that feature stops at locales in the Eastern and Western Caribbean including destinations like Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and more.

For more information, visit royalcaribbean.com.