|
|
Tribal dancers at Mt. Kenya Safari Club
|
Out-of-pocket expenses can easily soar to twice the cost of air fare and accommodation. Unless you're spending your lottery winnings, that's when anxiety sets in. A better way to travel is to pre-pay as much of your vacation as possible. This usually means booking an all-inclusive vacation with those annoying extras built into the package price. This first winter of the New Millennium, they are varied enough to suit every traveller's needs and budget. We have reviewed a few to give you some ideas. Exact prices are subject to date of travel, so our approximate prices are quoted in Canadian dollars, based on two people sharing a double room.
Where it all began
Claimed as the originator of all-inclusive holidays, Club Med boasts vacation villages in 36 countries across five continents. Some are for adults only, some have children's clubs for guests from four months to 13 years. Others feature schools where you can learn anything from in-line skating or wall-climbing to flying the trapeze in Circus School. There are discounts for early bookings, for being 55 or over, and for honeymooners. And everything is included.
|
|
Jerusalem, Israel
|
Bora Bora in French Polynesia is one of Club Med's most exotic locations. Its week-long program is priced at $3,300 from Calgary.
On Mexico's Pacific coast, Huatulco's club has a six-night package priced at $1,453 for adults from Toronto, $1,134 for four- to 11-year olds, and $934 for children two to three years.
Florida's Sandpiper has excellent children's programs, as well as excursions to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and similar family attractions. Including air from Toronto, the cost is $1,453 for adults, $903 for children over three years, $553 for two- to three-year olds for a week here. Land-only packages at Sandpiper are also available, as is a second week priced at 30 per cent less than the first.
Sunquest diversions
Sunquest Select provides upmarket all-inclusive vacations with that same good-value offered by Sunquest Vacations. Flights are on scheduled airlines or charters and accommodation is first-class or better.
A 13-day tour of Israel covers most of the country's traditional sites. Return air from Toronto via El Al, accommodation, tours, ten breakfasts (believe me, an Israeli breakfast leaves little room for lunch) and 11 dinners, entrance fees, and ground transportation are included in the approximate price of $2,900 for first-class hotel accommodation, and $3,400 for superior.
|
|
Moorea, Tahiti
|
Sunquest's South Africa program on British Airways via London includes game-viewing in Kruger National Park and a tour of lush vineyards of the Cape Province in its 15-day Panorama Tour. Everything, except a few meals, is included in the price starting at $4,600 out of Toronto.
Meanwhile, Sunquest Vacations unveiled several new and upgraded properties for this winter's sun holidays. The following fall in the range of $1,400 to $1,600 per person per week from Toronto.
In Antigua, Club Antigua is scheduled to re-open in December as The Odyssey Antigua. Located on the island's best beach, it is expected to be a big hit with its additional pools, restaurants, children's program, and sports facilities.
Costa Rica's Costa Smeralda has been taken over by the prestigious Spanish Occidental Hotel Group. It has a children's club, and along with the Blue Bay Village Papegayo, it offers an excellent all-inclusive vacation for families interested in eco-tourism.
Since Aruba can be expensive, all-inclusive options for this island are especially welcome. The Allegro Americana, offered as an all-inclusive program by Sunquest, is a five-star resort located on Palm Beach. Brand new to Sunquest, the 4 l/2-star Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort has studio accommodation as well as ocean-view suites, and a $150 beverage credit per room per week for Sunquest visitors.
|
|
Allegro Resort in Cozumel, Mexico
|
Beachside bliss from Signature
When the staff at Signature Vacations discussed their personal favourites, they agreed on three resorts.
Galley Bay in Antigua was selected for its glorious beach, gourmet food,
and self-contained circular rooms set in ravishing gardens. An adults-only resort, it is described by Signature's Martha Chapman as "very romantic, especially if you're not into beach volleyball, macrame lessons, and doing the macarena." Everything is included in the price starting at $2,350 from Toronto.
La Source on Grenada's Pink Gin Beach is a new 40-acre resort featuring mahogany four-poster king-sized beds, a yoga centre, and great on-site spa. Prices start at around $2,300 from Toronto.
Finally, about an hour south of Cancun, Mexico's Allegro Royal Hideaway, positioned on one of Mexico's finest beaches at Playacar, is in its second year. Rooms are equipped with VCRs and mini-bars—the contents of which are free. Twenty-four-hour room service is included in the price, approximately $2,500 from Toronto.
Back to top
|
