The Travel Snob

Set Sail on the Sea of Cortez Aboard an 80 Foot Luxury Schooner Owned by Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa and Casitas Resort in Mexico. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

      

The new 80-foot Turkish schooner, Novia Mia ( My Girlfriend), recently debuted at the Marina of San Lucas, and can accommodate 35 passengers for day excursions or 8 overnight guests in six comfy cabins with bathroom; one kitchen; two dining rooms for indoor and outdoor dining; sun deck and TV with DVD player. Four exclusive packages are currently available (don't worry - you're not required to be guest at the resort):

• Snorkel Tour Three hours of snorkeling adventure from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels, refreshments including domestic open bar and gourmet snacks. Marquis butler and Michelin-star chef are included. A light lunch menu features Marquis appetizers such as Ceviche Yucatan Style, Shrimp Sushi, Oysters, Clams, Prosciutto & Provolone Sandwiches and Haagen Dazs ice cream for dessert. $120 USD per person (plus tax and service charge).

• Sunset Tour Three hours of spectacular sunset-viewing and evening snorkeling from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The tour includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels, refreshments including domestic open bar and gourmet snacks. The evening fare includes Marquis appetizers such as Salmon Sashimi, Fruit Brochette, Lobster Frittatas, Beef Turnovers with Fried Bananas and Chile Poblano and Mini French Cakes for dessert. (Marquis butler and Michelin-star chef are included.) $200 USD per person. 

• Private Tour Four hours of seclusion and water sport activities like snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. The tour includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels and refreshments including international open bar. The Michelin-star chef will customize an elaborate menu from signature restaurant selections at Vista Ballenas and Canto del Mar. $3,500 USD to rent the entire boat, plus tax and service charge.

• Wedding Package Cmbines 24 hours of wedded bliss on the high seas with water activities and brunch for guests. The bride and groom can host 8 overnight guests and 35 day guests on the schooner. The wedding ceremony can be performed in the afternoon aboard the Novia Mia, and afterward, the boat will travel through the Sea of Cortez overnight and arrive near the shoreline in the morning. After a Michelin star chef prepares brunch, arrival at the Marina of San Lucas is set for 2:00 PM - 3:00 P.M. Includes boat rental for 24 hours; fishing, snorkel and kayak equipment; international open bar; gourmet snacks; Maitre Cuisinier de France, Marquis butler, waiters and service employees to assist all wedding guests. $9,500 USD plus tax and service charge. (Wedding ceremony, reception dinner and décor are additional.)

For more info, visit MarquisLosCabos.com

- The Travel Snob

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Singles Travel International Announces New Luxury Cruises to the Caribbean, Galapagos, Alaska, Greece, Norway and QM2 Trans-Atlantic. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

      

Although the idea of braving a cruise sans partner might seem intimidating, Singles Travel International makes it downright desirable. Boasting a 75% repeat clientele, they specialize in trips for the solo traveler; every group with 20 or more members is accompanied by an international escort available around the clock, and their staff organizes multiple tour activities, allowing participants to be as involved (or not) as the mood strikes. With a full roster of fun destinations on offer, all you have to do is show up with your fabulous self - and prepare to meet other singles in the same, er, boat.

Singles Travel Internation 2007 Schedule (rates are per person based on double occupancy):

April, May, June

• April 2-10 Caribbean Cruise on the QM2. Celebrate the Easter & Passover holiday at sea and visit Eastern Caribbean - Bonaire, Grenada & St. Kitts. (Starts at $1,099)
• April 20-May 5 Galapagos & Optional Ecuador Extension.  Visit these isolated islands and their rare creatures aboard the Celebrity Xpedition. (Starts at $4,345)
• May 26-June 2 Liberty of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Memorial Day Weekend. Visit Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Private Island in Labadee, San Juan Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten. ($1,180)
• June 1-June 4 Real Estate Investment Cruise Designed for the new investor, from Miami aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas. Visit the private islands of Coco Cay, and Nassau, Bahamas. ($399)
• June 16-26 Norwegian Odyssey Cruise on QM2. Back by popular demand, view the Fjords of Norway aboard the Queen Mary 2. ($1,599)

July, August, September, October

• July 2-6 QM2 4th of July in the Bahamas. Experience the "Greatest Ocean Liner of Our Time" the Queen Mary 2. ($889)
• August 13-24 Heart of Alaska Cruise and Tour.  Enjoy Alaska's wilder side in this 11 day journey, with a combination of grand class cruising, and luxury, spend 2 nights in the #1 wilderness lodge south of Denali National Park. ($1,919)
• September 10-22 Mediterranean Medley Cruise aboard QM2. Discover a cache of treasures on this 12 day cruise from Southampton England to Rome, Barcelona, Portugal, French Riviera. ($2,129)
• September 22-28 Transatlantic Crossing on QM2.  From Southampton England to New York, think of this experience as a 5-day visit to a luxury spa with no interruptions. A must-do for any sophisticated traveler. ($1,059)
• September 28-October 7 New York Splendors of Fall Cruise aboard the QM2.  A fall colors cruise from New York to Quebec and the exciting stops in Newport, Boston, Halifax and Bar Harbor. ($1,729)
• October 20-27 Greek Island Cruise. Depart Venice, Italy on the Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas, and visit the Greek ports of Athens, Mykonos, Katakalon, Corfu, Split, and Croatia. ($749)

December, January '08

• December 20-January 3 Holiday Cruise. Celebrate the holidays like a star aboard one of the grandest vessels afloat. Visit Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas. Round-trip from New York. ($2,762)
• December 29, '07-January 5 New Year's Eve Caribbean Cruise.  Set sail from Miami aboard Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, and visit their private island in Labadee, Haiti; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Caymen and Cozumel, Mexico. ($1,290)

For more info, visit  SinglesTravelIntl.com

- The Travel Snob

Cruise Critic Picks the Year's Top 5 Cruises. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

From big ships in exotic destinations to small ships in more well-trodden ones, Cruise Critic - a leading cruise community and editorial site which reviews cruises, ports of call highlights, cruise deals, cruise news and features, and active cruise forums - looks for cruise lines and ships that play against type & conventional wisdom. Their Top 5 picks for the year include:

1. Bermuda Starting in May, Celebrity's new Journey will be the most contemporary mid-size ship offering Bermuda itineraries. A high ratio of cabins with balconies, multiple dining venues and a charming spa put it at the top of the list.
2. Disney Magic in Europe Sailing out of Barcelona, there are 10- and an 11-night itineraries available. Ports include Sicily's Palermo, Naples, Sardinia, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Tuscany, Marseilles, and Villefranche.
3. Liberty of the Seas or Freedom of the Seas A destination in its own right, the newly-debuted Freedom of the Seas boasts a surf park, kids' splash park and boxing ring, as well as an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, and indoor promenade teeming with shops and eateries. Sister ship, Liberty of the Seas, debuts in April 2007. They alternate between the same Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
4. Cross The Atlantic in Style Eight-day all-at-sea sailings between Europe and North America are on deck on the luxurious Regent Seven Seas Voyager or Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.
5. Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess in Asia The amenities of a big-ship, with a reasonable length, and moderate pricing. The 16-night trip sails between Beijing and Bangkok; stops along the way include Japan's Nagasaki and Okinawa, China's Hong Kong and Shanghai, Vietnam's Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City, and Singapore.

For more info, visit CruiseCritic.com.

- The Travel Snob

A 10-Day Vacation of a Lifetime for Just Under $500,000. Now That's Valentine's Day Amore. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Looking for the ultimate Valentine's Gift? How about a private jet, yacht, & island?  Villas of Distinction is offering a $425,000 travel love fest that takes the "wow" factor to new heights. Their My Distinctive Valentine Package can accommodate two intimate lovebirds, or up to 10 friends & family for the experience of a lifetime. The package includes:

• Private Jet Service The journey begins with a private jet service from New York to St. Martin on a Citation X for maximum style points.

• Private Yacht Upon arrival in St. Martin, board the 140 ft. Martha Ann luxury yacht for seven glorious days. This roomy & fab vessel is gorgeous - both to look at & stay on. It's fully air conditioned, with 5 cabins - featuring a main-deck master suite with king-size bed & his-and-her bathrooms - 42" flat-screen TVs, a wine cellar, six-person Jacuzzi, workout equipment, wet bar, barbecue; DVDs & videos, and a pimped-out sky lounge.

• Private Island Following the stay at sea, enjoy three amazing nights on Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson's fabulous private island hideaway. The single residence is a vast & magnificent 10-bedroom villa of breathtaking Balinese design, surrounded by 74 acres of private nature trails, a selection of sandy beaches, and the sparkling blue Caribbean Sea of the British Virgin Islands. The pace is tropical, the ambiance exotic - and your personal staff (of 18!) cater to every whim & indulgence. 

For more info, visit VillasofDistinction.com.

- The Travel Snob

Don't Let Your Single Status Impede Your Wanderlust. Singles Travel International Has a Trip for Almost Any Destination. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

    

A swingin' single in Costa Rica.

Let's face it, having a fellow travel fanatic to share adventures with on the road is fun! Singles Travel International (SinglesTravelIntl.com) caters to singles with the travel bug, specializing in luxurious trips all over the world. They boast a 75% repeat clientele, who enjoy fun-filled adventures plus amenities like an escort for groups of 20 or more (available 24/7). Travelers are encouraged to spend as much or as little time with the group as they like, and age-specific excursions are available so you can share your experience with others just like you. While it's a fun way to meet people, it's not a dating service...thankfully.

Singles Travel International 2007 trip schedule:
(Note: *rates are per person based on double occupancy)

MARCH

• Weekend in Ft. Lauderdale (March 16-18,'07) - Starting at $469*. Stay at Bahia Mar Beach Resort on the ocean and check out the St. Patrick's Day festivities on Las Olas Boulevard
• Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Jewel (March 18-24,'07) - Starting at $525*. Visits Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Grand Cayman - for 30s & 40s

APRIL/MAY

• Caribbean Cruise on the QM2 (April 2-10,'07) Starting at $994* with $100 upgrades. Celebrate the Easter & Passover holiday at sea and visit Eastern Caribbean (Bonaire, Grenada & St. Kitts)
• Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure (April 14-22,'07) Starting at $2,295*. Experience hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, canoeing, snorkeling and more.
• Galapagos & Optional Ecuador Extension (April 20-May 5,'07) Starting at $4,345*. Make like Charles Darwin at visit these isolated islands and their rare creatures aboard the Celebrity Xpedition
• Ecuador All-Inclusive Multi-Sport Adventure (April 28-May 5,'07) Starting at $1,923*. Stay in the center of the Andean heartland, and enjoy river rafting, mountain trekking and climbing.

MAY/JUNE

• Liberty of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-Jun 2,'07) Starting at $1,030*. Visit Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Private Island in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
• East African Safari (June 15-24,'07) Starting at $2,795*. Journey to the wide open wilderness and enjoy animals galore in their natural settings in Kenya. Have a bush dinner with the Masai Mara.
• Norwegian Odyssey Cruise on QM2 (June 16-26,'07) Starting at $1,599*. View the Fjords of Norway aboard the Queen Mary 2

JUNE/JULY

• New York City Weekend (June 30-July 2) Starting from $995*. 3 nights of action and romance with a Sex in the City Tour, dinner and salsa lessons in Soho, a singles party with the locals, bike ridge through Central Park and first class hotel accommodations. Add the QM2 4th of July cruise for a full week of excitement.
• QM2 4th of July in the Bahamas (July 2-6,'07) Starting at $899*. Experience a spectacle to remember on the "Greatest Ocean Liner of Our Time" the Queen Mary 2.
• Spectacular Spain for Singles in 30s & 40s (July 21-29,'07) Starting at $1,286*. An exciting 10 day vacation that allows time to experience a lot of Spain in a single visit including Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville, and Cordoba.

AUGUST

• Italy's Great Cities for Singles in 30s & 40s (August 1-8,'07) Starting at $1,626*. Enjoy museums, cathedrals, vineyards, and olive groves.
• Heart of Alaska Cruise and Tour (August 13-24,'07') Starting at $1,919*. Experience Alaska's wilder side in this 11 day journey, with a combination of grand class cruising, and luxury, spend 2 nights in the #1 wilderness lodge south of Denali National Park.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

• Mediterranean Medley Cruise aboard QM2 (September 10-22,'07) Starting at $2,129*. Discover a cache of treasures on this 12 day cruise from Southampton England to Rome, Barcelona, Portugal, French Riviera
• Transatlantic Crossing on QM2 (September 22-28,'07) Starting at $1,029*. From Southampton England to New York, it's like a 5-day visit to a luxury spa with no interruptions.
• New York Splendors of Fall Cruise aboard the QM2 (September 28-October 7,'07) Starting at $1,729*. A fall colors cruise from New York to Quebec, with stops in Newport, Boston, Halifax and Bar Harbor.
• Five Star Imperial Jewels of China (October 2-11,'07) Starting at $2,858*. View China's most imperial treasures, an exciting 3 night tour along the legendary Yangtze River, stay in Beijing, spend a night in Xian, and enjoy the skyline of Shanghai.
• Peruvian Paradise (October 7-12,'07) Starting at $1,795*. Mountain bike and raft through spectacular river canyons, and hike the ancient Inca Trail to the famous Lost City by way of beautiful stone paths, ancient stairs and mountain tunnels. Extensions available to the Peruvian Amazon and stunning Lake Titicaca.
• Greek Island Cruise (October 20-27,'07) Starting at $749 Departs Venice, Italy on the Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas, and visits the fascinating Greek ports of Athens, Mykonos, Katakalon, Corfu, Split, and Croatia

DECEMBER/JANUARY

• Holiday Cruise (December 20-January 3,'07) Starting at $3,182* Cruise the holidays like a star aboard one of the grandest vessels afloat. Visit the unique ports of Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas. Round-trip from New York.

- The Travel Snob

 

Sail through 7 Countries to the Black Sea, Replete with Old World Cities, Diverse Culture, and Folkloric Charm on a Vantage Danube Cruise. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Explore the diverse culture, history, and folkloric charm of Europe Explore in grand style, soaking up some magnificent old-world history along with the modern cultural rebirth of central and eastern Europe. 

Vantage Deluxe World Travel's popular Danube to the Black Sea Cruise, now includes Croatia, along with the Austro-Hungarian capitals of Vienna and Budapest, the Romanian city of Bucharest with its Communist relics, the ancient Byzantine city of Veliko Turnôvo overlooking a gorge on Bulgaria's Yantra River, and the resort town of Constanta, Romania, right on the Black Sea."Our Danube River cruises offer great diversity, encompassing everything from ancient ruins and picturesque medieval towns to spectacular, cultured capitals and cities bearing the modern vestiges of communism," says David Gevanthor, executive vice president of Vantage. "This year, we've also made upgrades to this tour, including a full-day excursion to the park-filled, university city of Osijek, Croatia." He adds that the Danube Valley offers some of the most spectacular natural wetlands and vistas.

Vantage's 18 day all-inclusive "Danube to the Black Sea" Cruise includes:

• SIGHTSEEING: a dozen sightseeing tours, and four UNESCO World Heritage sites
• CULTURAL CONNECTIONS: lunch with university students in Arbanassi; a home-hosted meal in Osijek, Croatia; a community meal with villagers in Neszmély, Hungary
• FOLKLORE: several folkloric and cultural performances, including a Bulgarian children's dance group, along with a classical music concert in Vienna
• LECTURES: onboard history and culture lectures and a visit by an icon painter
• PRICE: All-inclusive cruises span seven countries over 18 days, running as low as $3,699 including airfare from select gateways
• EXTENTIONS: Optional extensions are available for Prague and Bucharest. Departures run from April through September.
• MORE INFO: VantageTravel.com

- The Travel Snob