Cuba's El Senador hotel, owned in part by ex-NHL stars and known in particular for its January hockey tournaments for Canadians, has changed hands.Montreal real estate firm Thibault, Messier, Savard et Associés Inc. reports that it has sold its share in the Cayo Coco resort, with daily operations assumed by NH Hoteles, a large hotel management company currently managing 250 hotels in 19 countries, such as the prestigious Parque Central in old Havana.
The newly named NH Krystal Cayo Coco Villas & Resort will retain is four-star standing and family-oriented atmosphere.
Situated on a beautiful white sand beach, amenities include three pools, kid's pool, six bars, four a la carte restaurants, pool grill, café, cigar lounge, disco, gym, hydro massages, Internet access, and
much more.
Nolitours reports that it is offering the resort from $1,149 p.p. per week, excluding taxes and service fees from Toronto. Departures are also available from Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City.
Nolitours clients also receive such bonuses as savings for single parents, while honeymooners receive special extras. And Nolitours passengers booked in the Villa Suite on Laguna will also receive an additional a la carte dinner.
Since its opening in 2001, the El Senador has enjoyed positive reviews from Canadians. "This is an exceptional performance, and we are proud of what we have accomplished," said partner and former Montreal
Canadiens great, Serge Savard.
Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is Canada's leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups. Our Luxury Adventures are about the perfect combination of calibrated luxury with calculated risk, and thus are more about the amount of freedom than the amount of gold leaf, about tasting wine from the barrel rather than a crystal goblet, about sleeping under the stars rather than between Frette sheets. In our definition, luxury is more about the richness of the experience than the cost of the accommodation.
These trips seek to move beyond merely seeing the sights or getting away from it all in pursuit of serendipitous moments of personal discovery and meaning. We make it easy by taking care of all of the details and distractions, arranging the necessary props, assembling the local cast of players, and otherwise setting the mise-en-scene for the theatre of travel so that you can focus on immersing yourself in the moment.
After all, while it may be worth risking some stiff muscles, a parched throat and some unforeseen adventure on a day's excursion into the wilderness, it's not worth risking inedible food, undrinkable wine and stultifying conversation on your only vacation of the year.
SUMMER ICE Diamond Adventure
Capture the romance of the Canadian Wilderness in pursuit of the perfect diamond. Kayak across an arctic lake, sauté perch over an open fire at your private wilderness camp, mingle with curious caribou, and drift off to sleep under the midnight sun. In Yellowknife, learn the history of diamonds, then choose your stone and watch it evolve into a sparkling masterpiece. Return home with a treasured gem and a wealth of memories. Click here for a detailed itinerary
DATES JUL-AUG, 2006
PRICE PP CDN $3,600 / US $2,985 SGL SUPP N/A
DAY 1 YELLOWKNIFE. Tour old town, transfer by float plane to Blachford Lake Lodge. DAY 2 WILDERNESS. Sail Great Slave Lake, overnight in private luxury wilderness camp in insulated miner's tents. DAY 3 BLACHFORD. Hike in the wilderness or fly-fish for fresh perch in Great Slave Lake. DAY 4 YELLOWKNIFE. Breakfast in bed, flight to Yellowknife, afternoon at leisure. DAY 5 YELLOWKNIFE. Visit Aurora College, polish and design diamonds, visit diamond factory. Golf under the midnight sun. DAY 6 YELLOWKNIFE. Trip ends.
WINTER ICE Diamond Adventure
Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime winter journey through the magnificent Canadian Wilderness on a quest for the perfect diamond, the enduring symbol of love and commitment. The swish of your dogsled racing through the fresh snow, a private wilderness camp for two, a luxurious post-and-beam lodge and a private bush plane flight across the endless permafrost will only enhance the romance and authenticity of your experience. Click here for a detailed itinerary
DATES FEB-APR, 2006
PRICE PP CDN $3,600 / US $2,985 SGL SUPP N/A
DAY 1 YELLOWKNIFE. Tour old town, transfer by ski plane to Blachford Lake. DAY 2 WILDERNESS. Winter activities (ski, skate ,etc), guided dogsled expedition to private wilderness camp, overnight in insulated miner's tents with wood burning stove. DAY 3 BLACHFORD. Guided wildlife walk, evening hot tub. DAY 4 YELLOWKNIFE. Flight to Yellowknife, afternoon at leisure. DAY 5 YELLOWKNIFE. Visit Aurora College, polish and design diamonds, visit diamond factory. Northern Lights. DAY 6 YELLOWKNIFE. Trip ends.
NEWFOUNDLAND Earth to Human
Join us as we shine the light of culture, history and ecology on what it means to be human with this journey through the staggering beauty of UNESCO-protected Gros Morne National Park. From magical performances of music and theatre to sagas of Norsemen and sailing the fjords, this intellectual and sensory exploration of Newfoundland in the company of artists and experts will charm and enlighten. Click here for a detailed itinerary
DATES JUL 16-23, 2006
PRICE PP CDN $2,995 / US $2,400 SGL SUPP CDN $495 / US $400
DAY 1 ROCKY HARBOUR. Dinner at Java Jack's Restaurant. DAY 2 MAINBROOK. Drive the Viking Trail to the Northern Peninsula. DAY 3 MAINBROOK. Norse saga by a fully costumed Viking. DAY 4 COW HEAD. Internationally acclaimed production of "Tempting Providence." DAY 5 NORRIS POINT. Pond boat tour of the fjords. DAY 6 GLENBURNIE. Enjoy the "North America in Painting, Poetry and Piano" DAY 7 GLENBURNIE. String quartet performance of Bach's, The Art of the Fugue. DAY 8 GLENBURNIE. Trip ends.
VIETNAM Cultural Sampler
Vietnam is a country of immense beauty and immeasurable sadness. Join us as we journey from the island-studded waters of Ha Long Bay to Imperial Hue, perfectly preserved Hoi An and the lush tributaries of the Mekong Delta. With exclusive activities ranging from a culinary tour of Ho Chi Minh City's morning market to making paper lanterns with artisans near Hoi An, this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Click here for a detailed itinerary
DATES SEPT 25-OCT 4, OCT 16-25, 2006
PRICE PP CDN $4,820 / US $3,850 SGL SUPP CDN $610 / US $485
DAYS 1-2 HANOI. Rickshaw ride in French Colonial quarter. Private water puppet show. DAYS 3-4 HUE. Visit the tombs of past emperors. Explore local markets. DAYS 5-6 HOI AN. Painting class with local students. Cam Chau village for lantern making. DAY 7 MEKONG DELTA. Sampan cruise to Unicorn Island. DAYS 8-9 HO CHI MINH CITY. See the Cu Chi tunnels with Viet Cong veterans. Shop with celebrity chef. DAY 10 HO CHI MINH CITY. Trip ends.
*This trip is also available as an Independent trip.
SUMMER IN THE YUKON
In the long, lazy months of summer, the landscape of the Canadian Arctic becomes illuminated by a preternatural glow. Join us as we tee off for a round of golf under the midnight sun, sample arctic char in the heart of Whitehorse, raft through the rushing whitewaters of the Tatshenshini, and pan for gold like the gold-seekers of 1897, complete with hip waders and pick axe. Click here for a detailed itinerary
DATES JUL 20-26, AUG 9-15, 2006
PRICE PP CDN $6,995 / US $5,600 SGL SUPP CDN $355 / US $290
DAY 1 WHITEHORSE. Historic Miles Canyon. DAY 2 MARSH LAKE. Kayak, mountain-bike, canoeing. Evening golf at Meadow Lakes. DAY 3 MARSH LAKE. Kluane National Park, white water rafting on Tatshenshini River. DAY 4 TIN CUP LAKE. World-class fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking. DAY 5 KLUANE. Float plane to Dawson City; gold panning, formal "Klondike" dinner. DAY 6 TOMBSTONE MOUNTAINS. Heli-hiking among the spectacular peaks. DAY 7 WHITEHORSE. Trip ends.
WINTER IN THE YUKON
In the depths of winter, the Canadian Arctic, the world's last great wilderness, is one of the most captivating places on earth. Join us as we are whisked away on a chariot led by Alaskan huskies through the Tombstone Mountains, try your hand (or rather feet) at the art of snowshoeing, and curl up under a canopy of northern lights amidst a blue-white Arctic oasis.Click here for a detailed itinerary
DATES APR 22-28, APR 26-MAY 2, 2007
PRICE PP CDN $6,995 / US $5,600 SGL SUPP CDN $430 / US $350
DAY 1 DAY 1 WHITEHORSE. Bison steak dinner. DAY 2 DAWSON CITY. Snowmobile to the Midnight Dome, poker lesson at the casino. DAYS 3-4 TOMBSTONE MOUNTAINS. Dogsledding, camping under northern lights in expedition-style insulated tents. DAY 5 WHITEHORSE. Flight over Kluane National Park - home to Canada's tallest mountain and the world's largest non-polar icefield. DAY 6 MARSH LAKE. "Snowmobile safari" for wildlife viewing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing. DAY 7 WHITEHORSE. Trip ends.
Exploratory Series: If you are over 35, luxury-conscious, spiritually-curious and non group-travel oriented, then our Exploratory Series of escorted and independent trips may be the perfect solution. These trips are designed to immerse you in the character of a place, to allow you to slow down, go deep, and participate in something that is authentic, meaningful and real. The itineraries are built with a focus on personal freedom to allow you to savour experiences, haggle in the marketplace, linger over meals, lounge around the pool, curl up with a book, and imbibe wine with the locals at the cafe.
Our Escorted Trips are designed for sociable travellers who want access to our Horizon guides on the ground 24 hours a day so that they can focus on having fun, meeting new people, and getting the most out of their travel experience rather than spending all of their time planning logistics, making choices, or reaching into their wallets. The itinerary, prices and dates are all fixed, and every trip is escorted by a Horizon guide.
Our Independent Trips are designed for independent-minded travellers who like to travel on their own, but still want to experience our superbly designed itineraries at reasonable prices (and who don't have the time, inclination or expertise to do all of the planning themselves). The itinerary and prices are always fixed, the departure dates may be flexible or fixed depending on the specific trip, and there is no Horizon guide.
For more information, visit the Horizon Tours website.
