Travel

FORT LAUDERDALE — Europe was among the hottest cruise destinations in the world last year and 2008 promises to be even more robust.

Members of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) are committing a record number of ships - including some of the world’s newest and biggest - to homeports in Europe and the Mediterranean in order to satisfy the tremendous interest on the part of North American and European travellers in exploring western civilization’s greatest cities and treasured landmarks.

“Jamaica is a favourite sun destination for many Canadians and WestJet is thrilled to offer direct seasonal nonstop service from Toronto to Montego Bay this winter,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice president, guest experience and marketing. “Our international expansion strategy realizes the value of popular sun spots like Jamaica in the winter months and we look forward to bringing our low-fare, high-value service to Montego Bay.”

If spending the equivalent of a small country’s GDP on a local banquet hall and inviting 300 people you barely know, isn’t quite your idea of a dream wedding, then consider tying the knot under the sun with your close family friends along for the ride.

Riviera Nayarit, is just ten minutes away from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and is becoming a very popular attarction in its own right. Get up close and personal with nature thanks to a variety of new Riviera Nayarit vacation packages and excursions that focus on adventure and wildlife, above the sea and beneath the surface.

RedTag.ca presents The RainCheck promotion brought to you by Sunquest Vacations, Holiday House and Fun Sun Vacations. This new consumer promotion will enable travellers whose vacations have been rained out, the opportunity to go on that vacation again - FREE of charge!

In the Bahamas, front doors are unlocked, children enjoy their studies, tourists become residents and even the wildlife is having a good time!

New Travel Deals are springing up every day. Canadians are the biggest winners as vacations to Mexico, Bali, Bermuda, St. Martin and other Caribbean spots are all being slashed this winter.

Many travellers and even travel agents aren’t aware that Fort Lauderdale has transformed into a luxurious American city with some of the best beaches in all of Florida. A new marketing campaign being launched by the city’s tourism council is trying to change the misconception.

Large scale Caribbean Resort chains are competing for vacationers the old fashioned way – trying to outdo each other with more personal, luxury oriented service for their guests. Caribbean Islands are now stocked with choices for all sorts of modern travellers. Options include upscale boutique resorts with as few as 20 suites for the jet-set crowd to larger resorts offering bargains with more personal service such as ironing guests’ clothing and serving dinner on the beach. Will exceptional guest service make a difference in which hotels we choose? Absolutely!

Spanish travellers are choosing the sleek, new high speed trains to travel around Spain instead of flying. Since high-speed rail travel was introduced into the country a few years back, journey times are now shorter, fares are cheaper than airline tickets and lower carbon emissions are lighter on our environment.