Spotlight on the South Pacific

As the dark, cold days of winter approach, wouldn't you rather be lazing on a South Pacific island, relaxing in an overwater bungalow, or taking a dip in a tranquil, azure lagoon?

Numerous island chains are dotted across the vast expanse of the South Pacific, easily accessible by those wanting a peaceful retreat for their vacation. There's plenty of adventure as well from off road jeep excursions to hiking, snorkelling in the lagoons, scuba diving, sailing and water sports.

The rich cultural heritage of Polynesia and Micronesia add to the vacation experience. History buffs will find there's much to learn as they explore the region including the migration of the early Polynesians; the expeditions of Captain James Cook; the Bounty mutiny and the exploits of Robert Louis Stevenson and Paul Gauguin, two of the many writers and artists who called the region home. Discover the Cook Islands, Fiji Islands and Tahiti Islands.

The Cook Islands

Rarotonga is the central island, where cruise ships call and visitors arrive by plane. It has all one expects of the South Pacific - high mountain peaks, lush rain forests, clear turquoise lagoons and white sand beaches.

Aitutaki is the most visited outer island. Its turquoise lagoon is massive at approximately 11 km wide by 16 km long. It's perfect for snorkelling with many coral heads to explore. Captain Bligh and his ship the HMS Bounty landed here in 1798 prior to the infamous mutiny.

Fiji Islands

This archipelago of over 330 islands is a nature lover's delight as Fiji is an unspoiled environment. Having avoided industrialization, and with its lack of dangerous animals and insects, it is a key area for Eco-tourism and outdoor adventure. The islands provide a tranquil escape at the many outstanding resorts. You'll feel very welcome here as the people are friendly and happy to have you visit.

You won't want to miss a Kava Ceremony when visiting a Fijian village. This common social custom involves sharing the herbal drink derived from the root of the Kava plant. It is said to have been the favourite beverage of the South Pacific's royal families and has medicinal as well as psychoactive properties.

Tahiti and Her Islands

The Society Islands are the best known of the French islands in the South Pacific. Comprised of Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a they have long been admired as the most magical and captivating in the region with many visitors considering them the most exquisite islands in the world. Their jagged mountain peaks, pristine coral reefs, white sand beaches and clear lagoons teeming with colourful fish make them a true paradise. Writer James Mitchener named Bora Bora as his favourite.

Tahiti and her islands are a major cruising centre with sailings to the Society Islands available year-round. There's a wealth of luxury resorts on the islands with inviting overwater bungalows, the most exotic way to experience these romantic islands.

Why You Should Visit Spain and Portugal

With sparkling beaches, dramatic landscapes, friendly people and history dating back 20,000 years, Spain and Portugal create a very rich experience for your vacation. They also offer great value with accommodation, meals and wine amongst the most reasonable in Europe. Read on for a selection of experiences not to be missed in the countries of Iberia.


Fabulous Beaches

• Sun and sand attract visitors to the coasts of Spain and Portugal for fly and flop vacations. You'll find great value at hotels and resorts and some wonderful local cuisine to enjoy. There's also lots of cultural and historical interest for exploring on more active days.
• Whether you want a long stretch of sand or an intimate cove beach, you can find it here. Excellent beaches are found along Portugal's Algarve coast and the Mediterranean beaches of Spain's Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Costa Brava.

Golf

• This is golfing heaven! The combination of a sunny climate, blue skies and outstanding facilities combine to make Spain and Portugal an ideal golf destination for your winter vacation. You'll find high class golf courses designed by well known architects, many with exceptional seaside locations. Check out the Costa Azul near Lisbon, the sunny Algarve region of Portugal and the Costa del Sol in Spain for the best greens.

Food & Wine

• There's much to enjoy in Iberia when it comes to food and wine. Food is Mediterranean style with wide use of olive oil and fresh ingredients. A variety of delicious dishes catch visitors attention, like Pescaito (small fried fish), the traditional rice and seafood Paella, Andalucian gazpacho and in Portugal, roast suckling pig, stuffed squid Lisbon-style and cod casserole.
• There are more than a dozen wine regions to discover! The variety of vintages includes sparkling Cava wines near Barcelona, Jerez Sherry in southern Spain and, of course, Port wine in the Portugal's Douro region.


Best reasons to visit

• Value - The cost of living between Spain and Portugal is still considered one of the best buys for North Americans with prices on average about 10 to 15% less. This is very much visible in the cost of accommodation from Deluxe to Tourist, especially in the small towns.
• People - The Portuguese people are seen by many visitors as the most friendly and welcoming in Europe.
• Geography - Portugal features enchanting and contrasting landscapes within a short distance. You can easily travel from the mountains, to the beaches, cities and flat lands in a couple of hours, making Portugal an ideal place for a unique and memorable vacation.

Discover South America

From the breathtaking views of Rio to the unique nature of the Galapagos Islands the many contrasting elements of South America create a memorable and exhilarating vacation experience. See modern cities and ancient ruins; the majestic Andes and the plains of the Pampas; Amazon rainforests and Patagonia's ice fields; all a part of South America's amazing diversity.


So many unique places are found in South America, no wonder it's a favourite with all types of travellers. Here you'll find some of the most intriguing and amazing sights in the world. From Caracas to Cape Horn, imagine being at these remarkable places:

Angel Falls, in Canaima National Park, Venezuela - The world's tallest uninterrupted water fall at 979m (3,230 ft), the view from the air is unforgettable.

Cartagena, Colombia - The colonial walled city and fortress are a UNESCO World Heritage site well worth wandering for the history and striking architecture.

The Amazon River - The longest river and largest river basin in the world, the Amazon runs 6,400 km (4,000 miles) through seven countries; Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil. With a diverse eco system and many unique species, it is a major destination for adventure and eco-travellers.

Ecuador & the Galapagos Archipelago - The smallest country in the Andes has much to offer visitors. The colonial centre of Quito, Pacific beaches, volcanoes both active and extinct, white water rafting, mountain cabins and Amazonia jungle lodges. The Galapagos Archipelago with its unique habitat and marine reserve is a province of Ecuador situated 970 km (600 miles) west of the mainland.


Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Peru - This area is the centre of Incan civilization where ruins are still being discovered and visitors marvel at stories of ancient life. Machu Picchu, the ruined city high in the mountains is nothing short of breathtaking and the most visited site in Peru. Museums in Cusco and Lima bring Incan history, art and culture to life. Active travellers will want to take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a four-day hike ranked one of the best in the world.

Lake Titicaca, Peru and Bolivia - At 3,812m (12,500 ft) in the Andes, this is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. The vistas of coastline and mountains are beautiful and there are some unusual islands to explore- like the Uros floating reed islands, some of which welcome visitors.

Patagonia, Chile and Argentina - This expansive and remote region of ice fields, fjords, glaciers and mountains contains such romantic places as the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas, Cape Horn, the Beagle Channel, Torres del Paines National Park. Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia; the world's southernmost city. Visit Magellanic Penguin colonies and enjoy the rugged outdoors in one of the most beautiful areas on the continent.

Buenos Aires, Argentina - The favourite city of many world travellers is known for its magnificent architecture (including the home of the President, the famous Pink Palace), wide avenues, street side cafes, manicured parks and colourful barrios or neighbourhoods. Seeing Tango dancers perform spontaneously in the street at historic La Boca gets you in the mood of this exciting city.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil - Spanning the border of Argentina and Brazil is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world and the top attraction in South America. Walkways allow for good viewing of the 275 falls which stretch along a 2.7 km (1.67-mile) stretch of the Iguazu River. Entry is through the Visitors Centre where you buy tickets to the Iguazu Falls National Park. Tour on your own or hire a bilingual guide. Nearly 2 million people visit the falls each year.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - With magnificent beaches and mountains right in town, this is one of the world's most spectacular cities. Enjoy the long, sandy- and legendary- Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon beaches while the famous statue of Christ watches over you from atop Corcovado Mountain. Take a cog railway ride to the top to see this amazing statue and panoramic views of the city and coastline. Rio's annual Carnival is the most lavish in the world and the most colourful time to visit.

Spotlight on the Grand Canyon

While the Grand Canyon National Park isn't a city, it's definitely worth a spotlight. It's one of those places that Wendy, owner of Lloyds Travel, visited lately that she says is a must do before you die. However, before you start packing your suitcase, if you want to stay in the park (worth every penny!) you need to book well in advance. Staying on one of the lodges or cabins around the rim is the best experience the canyon could offer. To really see the way the skies light changes colour is only a possibility if you're going to be there all day and night! Staying in the park itself is affordable too, with the higher end places falling in about $200 a night, versus the small cabins close to $90 a night. Wendy assures you it's worth it to stay in the park!


The idea of the lodges and cabins are to retain the natural setting of the park while allowing visitors a personal experience with the Grand Canyon and the surrounding nature at the same time. The lodges are not at all glamorous but very distinctive - and not to mention well priced! So what is it about the Grand Canyon that makes it a "do before you die" or a bucket list entry? Wendy said the experience was phenomenal and she's extremely glad she had the opportunity to experience it. Here's what makes the Grand Canyon special...

Nearly five million people see the 1 mile deep (1.6 km) Grand Canyon each year. Most of them see it from their car at overlooks along the South Rim (this includes Grand Canyon Village, Hermits Rest, and Desert View). The South Rim is the most accessible part of the park and is open all year. Other people access the canyon from the North Rim, but it's far less accessible and closes during the winter months.


Something special about staying in the park is having more time to access the Inner Canyon. The Inner Canyon includes everything below the rim and is seen mainly by hikers, mule riders, or river runners. There are many opportunities here for more adventurous travelers who want to backpack, ride a mule to Phantom Ranch, or take a river trip through the Canyon on the Colorado River (which can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks. There are no one-day river trips through Grand Canyon).

Wendy said there were tons of hiking trails, great view points and phenomenal lighting effects. If you want to visit the park, call Wendy today at 1.800.800.7252 and book your trip now! Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? Leave your experience below!