Flight Centre’s Leesa Boyd joins us for part two of her travel blog series from Melbourne, Australia. Next up, a drive along Great Ocean Road to visit the Twelve Apostles and then off to Bell’s Beach, home of Rip Curl Pro. Then it’s back to Melbourne for some rural exploring and a little relaxing in the Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula. Let’s turn this over to Leesa.

My next excursion was a drive along the Great Ocean Road. We started by driving inland through Geelong (Victoria’s second largest city, after Melbourne) and Timboon, and began our coastal trip at Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are perhaps the most famous sight along the Great Ocean Road. They are giant rock stacks that poke up from the Southern Ocean – they are well known because there are a group of them together in one spot. From there, we drove along through Apollo Bay, until we reached Lorne (the largest town along that stretch of coast) where we stayed the night. I had a room booked at the Mantra Erskine Beach Resort. This is an older hotel, but the rooms have been recently renovated and were small, but clean. They have also built new holiday apartments for rent which are great for families. There is also a lively bar in Lorne – Lorne Pub, which fills up on weekends with both locals and tourists.

The next day we continued our drive along the Great Ocean Road until we reached Bell’s Beach and Torquay – the technical end of the road. Bells Beach is home to the world’s longest running surf competition – the Rip Curl Pro. When we stopped there, I was surprised to see that there were loads of surfers out in the water, even though it was freezing. Torquay is home to many of the major surf companies, such as Rip Curl and Quiksilver and therefore, there are tons of surf shops in town and even a few outlets.

The Great Ocean Road is something that is not to be missed on a trip to Australia. The windy road offers lovely vistas of the cliffs over the Southern Ocean and amazing deserted beaches that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Upon my return to Melbourne I stayed 2 nights at the Langham Melbourne – one of the Leading Hotels of the World. This was definitely the most elegant and upscale hotel I have ever stayed in. I had booked the Club Level Room which allowed me access to the Club Lounge. This included daily breakfast, internet usage, concierge service and daily hor d’oeuvres and cocktails – worth the cost to upgrade in my opinion! I had a fabulous room on the top floor with a view of the city centre and the Yarra River.

I spent my next day exploring central Melbourne, including Chinatown. I did alot of walking in the CBD (Central Business District) and shopping along Swanston st and Melbourne Central, the largest mall in town. I also explored Chinatown – the largest one in Australia. Later in the day I visited Eureka 88, an observation deck that allows awe inspiring views of the city. Eureka 88 is also a residential building – the tallest in the world; it is also the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere.

My final day in Australia was spent visiting the Peninsula Hot Spings on the Mornington Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from Melbourne. There are natual hot mineral springs here, along with a full service spa. The rates are very reasonable and it is definitely worth the drive from the city. Both my friend and I opted for a full spa package, followed by a soak in the outdoor springs – a great way to end an amazing trip!

I absolutely loved Melbourne – the city and surrounding area has so much to offer! I recommend a stop in Melbourne to anyone visiting Australia.

Melbourne, Australia is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on Melbourne, Australia? Contact Leesa Boyd, a Team Leader with Flight Centre based in Halifax, Nova Scotia who can be reached at 1 866 581 7769.

Flight Centre’s Sarah MacNeil travels to Samana and gives us great vacation ideas and resort recommendations. Sarah visits to the Bahia Principe Cayacoa and the Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado.

At the end of August I had the pleasure of going on a trip to Samana, Dominican Republic hosted by Air Canada Vacations. After viewing plenty of resorts during the week, these two in particular, stood out in my mind: Bahia Principe Cayacoa and the Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado.

Both of these properties were beautiful! For those of you thinking about a honeymoon or just an above-average resort experience, you have got to try the Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado. Set on a private island just off mainland Samana, it is truly a lesser-known gem. With facilities and rooms rated 5 star, you are definitely getting what you pay for. From crystal clear water and several white-sand beaches all over the island, to the array of pools and private villas, you feel as if you are in paradise. Guests have their choice of rooms, either in the main building or a bungalow style villa set back from the main resort that offers privacy and a very romantic experience. Don’t worry about getting around though – they have a shuttle service that will take you anywhere you need to go on the island! The ala cartes were a first class experience, and the buffet was one of the best of the resorts I visited in Samana. Also, the boat ride over to the island offers great views. Be prepared for when you get off the boat – you will most likely be greeted with a cold drink and a chilled towel by the amazing staff.

The Bahia Principe Cayacoa is definitely a fantastic property and certainly deserves its 4.5 star rating. With beautiful rooms and delicious food, this hotel offers the very best of Samana. Set just minutes away from the town of Samana, this resort offers a more ‘cultural’ experience than other resorts as it is not in an isolated location, but rather, minutes from a town. The ocean view rooms offer great views of the marina and in some rooms you can actually see the Cayo Levantado property! The main thing that stood out to me at this resort was the impeccable customer service. You can tell the staff of the Bahia Principe Cayacoa and the Bahia Cayo Levantado really appreciate their guests and will do anything to make sure they are happy. One thing to note about the Cayacoa is that the beach is small, but there is a bridge you can walk out to another little island on. So, for those of you who like a nice long walk on the beach, this offers a unique alternative. Also, you will be impressed by the glass elevator with panoramic views of the ocean that takes you down to the beach area and beach bar.

Two great resorts everyone should visit!

Samana is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling to Samana and stayting at the Bahia Principe Cayacoa or the Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado.? Contact Sarah MacNeil, an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based at the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia who can be reached at 1 866 662 6530.

Photo Samana by Eduardo Mueses from Flickr.

Survey finds leading North American organizations are committed to reporting and reducing their carbon emissions with or without government regulation

Companies motivated to manage carbon for business reasons: expected cost of carbon and consumer pressure to be green

(March 1, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA) Over three quarters of the organizations surveyed by The Climate Registry said their future carbon management and reduction plans are not contingent on mandatory regulation. Instead, over 80 percent of the organizations indicated their primary driver is to be a sustainable organization, and almost 70 percent hope to save money through increasing their energy efficiency.

The Climate Registry, North America’s leading voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, issued its survey to gauge how its Members are planning for the future in light of regulatory uncertainty. The Climate Registry currently has over 400 Members, who use The Climate Registry’s highly regarded standards to calculate and publicly report their carbon footprints. Members include Walmart, Ford Motor Company, Eastman Kodak, SaskTel, Virgin America, United States Postal Service, Levi Strauss, Amtrak, Red Bull, the University of California school system, Salt Lake City, and Flight Centre Canada.

According to the survey findings, eight out of ten organizations expect that rising energy costs will have moderate to significant impact on their business operations over the next few years. Almost six out of ten indicated they expect to be under added consumer pressure to be green.

The survey was issued at the same time as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued its first-ever guidance on climate-related “material” risks. The Climate Registry is specifically noted in the SEC guidance document as one of the ways companies have been voluntarily disclosing their carbon emissions.

“We believe that there are many benefits associated with measuring and reducing our carbon footprint,” said Greg Dixon, President of Flight Centre Canada. “Understanding where the carbon is in our operations will help us manage the future costs of carbon and respond to climate-related disclosure requirements. And just as important to us, we want to be able to demonstrate to our customers and the community that we’re operating in a sustainable way.”

Eight-five percent of respondents defined corporate environmental leadership in 2010 as not only reporting and verifying your carbon emissions inventory, but also reducing your emissions. Well over half anticipate reducing their emissions in the next two to five years, with less than 20 percent of these indicating that their reduction goals are contingent on mandatory regulation.

“Accountability is a core principle at Kodak that we apply to all our actions — including our emissions to the environment,“ said Charles Ruffing, Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability at Eastman Kodak Company. “We support accounting for our carbon emissions not only because it is what our customers and investors expect of us, but it is what we expect of ourselves.”

The survey highlights:
• 78% of the organizations indicated that they are subject to regulation under the US EPA’s Mandatory Reporting Rule or Environment Canada’s GHG Emissions Reporting program, but 82% said that their future carbon management or reduction plans are not contingent upon regulation.
• Almost half of survey participants indicated they had already established a carbon reduction goal, and 65% indicated that their short term goals include a carbon emissions reduction plan.
• 85% indicated that environmental leaders in 2010 reduce their carbon emissions, while 60% said that leaders also encourage their suppliers to report and manage their emissions.
• Over 80% indicated that their main driver for reducing emissions is a desire to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly company; almost 70% said they hoped to save money through increased energy efficiency.

The Climate Registry recently introduced the Climate Registered program to support and showcase leading organizations that are voluntarily reporting and reducing their carbon emissions with integrity.

Supported by several Governors, Premiers and environmental groups, the Climate Registered program has already attracted leading organizations Eastman Kodak Company, Flight Centre Canada, Allergan, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Ecology & Environment, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Seattle Steam Company, Armstrong World Industries, Bentley Prince Street, Left Coast Cellars and Thurston County. Organizations are able to apply to be a Charter Member the Climate Registered reduction program until April 1, 2010.

The survey of The Registry’s 400 Members was completed in mid February 2010.

About The Climate Registry
The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization that operates the only North American voluntary GHG registry. Governed by states, provinces, territories and tribes, The Climate Registry helps hundreds of public and private organizations measure, report and reduce their carbon emissions with integrity.

For more information, please visit www.theclimateregistry.org.

If Quote isn’t Beaten, Client Flies Free

VANCOUVER, BC (March 1, 2010) – Flight Centre is pleased to introduce its Lowest Airfare Guarantee. Flight Centre pledges to beat any genuine written airfare quote by $1 and also issue a $20 voucher which can be redeemed for future travel booked in any Flight Centre store. Furthermore, if a client presents a quote to a Flight Centre consultant and it’s not beaten, the company will provide that flight for free.

The Lowest Airfare Guarantee is aimed at reinforcing Flight Centre’s position as the price leader within the Canadian travel market.

“Flight Centre is committed to delivering travel expertise and unbeatable customer service in addition to the best airfares in the market.” said Carole Cooper, Vice President, Leisure Operations, Canada. “We are confident we provide the best value in the country and are prepared to stand by our offering.”

The Lowest Airfare Guarantee applies when Flight Centre can confirm the same product quoted is available and quoted from another registered Canadian travel agency, an airline or website quoting in Canadian dollars. For further information on all terms and conditions, please visit www.flightcentre.ca

About Flight Centre
Flight Centre (Canada) is a leading retailer of travel products and services for the leisure and corporate markets. Flight Centre’s presence in Canada includes more than 150 shops & businesses and over 1,000 staff across the country. www.flightcentre.ca

BestTravelJobEver.com contest launches and we want you to enter to win your share of $50,000 in prizes including trips, cash, gear, and clothing from Flight Centre, Intrepid Travel, Air Canada, Henry’s Photo, and Roots.

Ever dreamed of getting paid to travel and video blog the world? Well, we’re going to deck six people out with cameras and clothing and send them on adventure travels to places like South America, Asia, and Europe. If you end up being one of the top two finalists you will go on a second adventure travel tour with Intrepid Travel and Air Canada, get amazing camera gear from Henry’s Photo, more clothing from Roots, and $2,000 cash from Flight Centre.

It’s so easy to enter. Just make a two to four minute video of why you deserve to win the Best Travel Job Ever, post it to YouTube, submit it to BestTravelJobEver.com, and get your friends voting for your video. Promote your video on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google Buzz, everywhere.

Want to give your friends incentive to help by voting for your video? Tell them there’s Vote to Win by Air Canada where they can win $500 in travel just for voting. In fact, the more times they vote the greater their chances are at winning. That is one heck of a win, win situation don’t you think.

So, to make it into the Top 25 round you need to create and submit your video early. For your friends to help you, and help themselves, they need to vote early and vote often… so what are you all waiting for?

All the details are available at BestTravelJobEver.com.

Flight Centre’s Tracy McEwan travels to Egypt on a TopDeck Travel vacation adventure. Tracy learns a lot on her trip and shares her experiences so that fellow travelers can be well prepared in the art of bartering. Over to Tracy -

I have to admit, I shudder at the thought of bartering. I got my fair share of experience, however, on the most amazing trip of my life…to EGYPT!
The following is what I learned along the way; hopefully it will prevent you from going in as blind as I did!

First, it’s important to know when to barter, and when not to. Many shops have set prices, and you will know this when you see price tags on the merchandise. Otherwise, it’s fair game…so barter hard and have fun! Bartering environments can be crowded, loud, pushy, confusing, and all around stressful. Resist the feeling of irritation…laughing off pushy salespeople is your best defense.

So how does one do it? Start by counteracting the initial price by offering 10 or 20%. They will say you’re crazy, and come up with all sorts of creative ways to make you second guess yourself. But remember, bartering is a way of life in Egypt. They would almost be offended if you didn’t do it! After going back and forth a few times, buy based on how much you think the item is worth, and how much you are willing to pay. Shop around…you can always come back. Once the transaction is complete, feel good about your purchase, and don’t worry that you might have gotten ripped off. If you ended up spending a couple extra dollars than you had to because you didn’t barter hard enough, well then consider it a donation to the Egyptian economy. Chances are they need the money more than you do, anyway.

There are a couple things business owners do to gain the upper hand in the bartering scheme. By knowing these simple 2 tricks, you can quickly become a professional barterer.
Egyptians are very kind and want to know a bunch about you, including where you come from. They also ask this simple question to gage how much they think they can charge you! So instead of being direct with them, say something like, “I’m from my Mom,” or if you’re from, say Australia for example, tell them your from Tazmania, or an area they are not likely familiar with.

The other thing you will encounter is the bombardment of questions thrown at you while you’re shopping. The reason for this is so that you become distracted, and they can maintain control of the situation. Try being the first one to ask the questions, and keep them coming! This will throw off their usual routine, and gain you the upper hand. The more confidence you have in bartering, the better you will become at it.

Bartering is just one of the lovely cultural experiences of Egypt. You really have to go there yourself to see it…It’s unbelievable.

Egypt is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Photo Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, Egypt by S J Pinkney from Flickr

Looking for more information on travelling to Egypt and the art of bartering? Contact Tracy McEwan, an Assistant Manager with Flight Centre based at 1-635 Broughton St, Victoria, British Columbia who can be reached at 1 866 210 6135.

Flight Centre’s Corinne Spitznagel travels to Riviera Maya, Mexico and brings us incredible wedding and honeymoon travel suggestions. Get married on the beach of the Caribbean Sea or in a beautiful garden setting, either way you will experience a truly unforgettable Mexico wedding. Over to Corinne –

I’ve just returned from a week in the Riviera Maya and I can’t stop thinking about how gorgeous a destination it would be for a romantic beach wedding. Whether you are looking for a location for a small, intimate wedding or are thinking of a larger event, there is something for everyone in this beautiful part of Mexico.

Located on the eastern coast of Mexico and flanked by the Caribbean Sea, the Riviera Maya is home to numerous hotels and resorts spread out over a beautiful coast line with a very exotic and tropical feel. From Cancun in the north to Tulum in the south and even on the island of Cozumel, I saw so many incredible resorts and stunning wedding venues it is impossible to choose a favorite. Each area and resort has its own charm depending on what you prefer.

A strong trend in resorts in the Riviera Maya is towards clean, modern, yet earthy designs that reminded me very much of the South Pacific and South East Asia. The greatest benefit is that it is much closer and a much more affordable destination to travel to from Canada. Can you think of anything more romantic than tying the knot under a breezy gazebo on the beach with the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea lapping on the shores? The Excellence Playa Mujeres just north of Cancun and the El Dorado Spa Resorts in the Riviera Maya are a couple of favorites I saw in this category.

Of course there are many resorts with a traditional Mexican feel with more focus on the Mayan culture, design and heritage. Since the area is rich in Mayan culture and in close proximity to some of the most important Mayan ruins, I really enjoyed the hotels with this kind of look and feel. I particularly liked the Iberostar Paraiso properties and also the Barcelo properties, all located in the Mayan Riviera with a distinct Mexican design.

All of the resorts have their own wedding coordinators on staff to help with the fine details at destination. Some resorts even have their own judges to perform legal weddings without having to bring one in, although the on site wedding coordinator would make all the arrangements as required for each and every type of wedding ceremony. There are two main types of wedding ceremonies that can be done at destination. The first is a legal wedding which would be a legally binding ceremony, second are symbolic weddings which could be performed when the couple has already done a legal wedding at home. While legal weddings do require a bit more detail in planning, both legal and symbolic weddings are both easy to coordinate. There are even options for ceremonies such as vow renewals for those who are celebrating a special anniversary or milestone.

The bride and groom will usually have three options for a wedding venue at each resort. The most popular location is usually right on the beach. There are also gazebos which are typically in a garden setting with a view of the ocean. There are also some really lovely chapels available at most resorts for a full Catholic service if desired. Each resort also offers wedding packages to choose from for color themes, wedding cakes, flowers and decorations to suit the bride and groom’s taste.

Finally there are some incredible spas in the area that a bride and groom could visit to enjoy some pampering before or after their special day. How about a Sky Massage in a beach side Bali bed with a soothing breeze off the Caribbean Sea? Maybe a full day of pampering in a couples room at the spa with your own private Jacuzzi? The bride won’t have a thing to worry about when getting ready on her wedding day as she can take advantage of the full service spa and salon on site at most hotels for her hair, nails and make up.

If you’re thinking of a destination wedding I encourage you to look into the Riviera Maya as I’m sure you will find the perfect place to meet all of your expectations!

Riviera Maya, Mexico is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on weddings, honeymoons, and vacations in Riviera Maya, Mexico? Contact Corinne Spitznagel, a Weddings and Groups Specialist with Flight Centre Weddings and Honeymoons based at 1449 Lonsdale, North Vancouver, BC who can be reached at 1 866 386 0840.

Flight Centre’s Hayley Gore jets off to slice through the snowy slopes of Western Canada. Grab a seat next to the fire as Hayley details her vacation adventure down the Powder Highway to Fernie, Panorama, Kicking Horse and Revelstoke. From pints to parties and hot tubs to cold dogs Hayley does it all. Hey Hayley, we’ve got our lift passes, let’s go!

Our powder highway journey began with a flight with Westjet from Toronto to Calgary. Once we arrived in Calgary we met the rest of the group and boarded our minivan. With luxurious reclining leather seats, a flat screen TV and DVD player, this van (provided by Pure Travel Group) was not an ordinary van groups usually travel in – it was spectacular!

The scenery on the Powder Highway was magnificent. It was my first experience of a snow fall and I found it like a beautiful dream to see the small towns and rolling green mountain peaks covered with snow.

Our first stop was at the Fernie Alpine Resort. We stayed at the Timberline lodges in an amazing two bedroom suite filled with all the latest luxuries a person could ask for. One of the best things about the Timberline lodges is the short walk to the bottom of the ski hill.

The first night in Fernie, we caught a taxi for a short ride into town. It was delightful to stroll along the snow covered roads in town. We warmed ourselves over a pint or two at the local pub. The next day in Fernie, we all went skiing. Everyone in my group was experienced skiers so I decided to have a lesson. I found the lesson very helpful, but, at the end I was still a nervous skier.

On from Fernie, we visited the charming village of Panorama. In Panorama, we stayed at the Panorama Mountain Village which is situated at the bottom of the ski run; right in the heart of the village. Unfortunately, due to a small injury, I didn’t get to ski that day. However, I still had a wonderful day! First, I visited Solspa for a deep tissue back massage which was just what I needed! Then, I got to go out to the snow dog camp where I met the snow dogs and got to see how everything works. I have to say, it was definitely a highlight of my journey to meet the dogs. After meeting the dogs, I spent the rest of the afternoon using the heated pool and relaxing.

I was glad to see a large range of activities are available in Panorama if you aren’t a skier or if (knock on wood) you are injured. Besides skiing, Panorama offers day spas, snow dog sled riding, horse drawn vehicle rides, cook outs , snow shoeing, snowmobile programs, hot springs buses and into town buses. The other resorts offer similar activities. So, there is plenty to do in Panorama and other resorts if you are a non-skier.

Our next stop was Kicking Horse. In Kicking Horse, we stayed at the Vegabond Lodge. This lodge was a fantastic experience; very friendly and welcoming. In the morning, the owners spoilt us with the most delicious home cooked breakfast! Due to me being a nervous skier, I found Kicking Horse the best and most enjoyable. I had a wonderful day out on the mountain. I found the best lessons and guides to be at Kicking Horse. The instructor at Kicking Horse went through different techniques and I felt a lot more comfortable and happy by the end of the day; enough to try some different, steeper runs. I highly recommend any beginner take a lesson, as it makes a huge difference to your confidence and gives you more options of runs to ski on.

After Kicking Horse, we went to Revelstoke. Now, Revelstoke was by far, the most amazing accommodation of the journey. We stayed at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort in a lavish two bedroom suite. Located at the bottom of the ski run, our suite had brand new furnishings including flat screen TVs, DVD players, iPod station, full kitchen, washing machine and dryer. Each bedroom had its own full bathroom and flat screen TV. The living area had a larger flat screen TV and a full dinning table with chairs. It was an absolutely gorgeous two bedroom apartment and I would have loved to have stayed there longer!

I found that Revelstoke doesn’t really cater for beginners as it is a more advanced ski hill. I would recommend Revelstoke to people who are experienced skiers after a challenge. I only skied one ski run at Revelstoke and then went into town to enjoy the Sandman Inn hot tub (Revelstoke Mountain Resort is in the process of getting a hot tub and offered guests to use their sister property in the town).

The last day, we drove from Revelstoke to Kelowna to catch our flight home to Toronto with Westjet.

Overall, I found this trip to be a hugely rewarding experience for me. Being from Australia and new to this country, I am extremely thankful that I got to experience the exquisite accommodation, breathtaking ski mountains and scenery with a wonderful group of people.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada is highlighted on the Flight Centre Travel Map.

Looking for more information on travelling to Calgary and hitting the powdery slopes of British Columbia’s Powder Highway including Fernie, Panorama, Revelstoke, and Kicking Horse? Contact Hayley Gore, an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based at 2088 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 388 4297.

Flight Centre’s Andrea Freed travels from Toronto to holiday in Jamaica and she gives us the inside details of what you can expect from a Sandal’s Luxury Included Vacation. From private, hassle-free check-ins to beach butlers and fantastic food to melting massages Andrea tried it all. Hey Andrea, is it island time yet?

We started our journey to Jamaica very early in the morning, flying direct to our holiday in Montego Bay with Air Canada. Our first travel tip is to be sure to check in online or at a kiosk to avoid extra line ups! Also, remember that if you book a latitude fare on Air Canada, food is included! Arrive early at the airport, especially in high season – lines at check-in and security can be very long.

When we arrived in Jamaica we went directly to the Sandals Lounge where we were able to have a cold drink with our furry Beaches buddy Elmo and we have the pictures to prove it. Our luggage was corralled to the transfer bus and in no time at all we were en route, stopping at Scotchie’s for amazing Jamaican food – jerk chicken, pork, festivals, and yummy Rum drinks – there are 2 locations we know of – one in Montego Bay near the airport – and one in Ocho Rios. After about an hour and half drive we arrived in Ocho Rios. Beverages were also available on the private transfer bus.

Arriving at Royal Plantation we were greeted with a cold towel and a welcome drink, check-in was private, no line ups at all as the property is very exclusive and only 74 suites in total. We were shown to our suites and already were blown away – all are ocean view, massive suites with beds that looked and proved to be so comfy. There is a mini bar in each suite that is restocked daily and 24 hour room service, but we will get to that later. The views were amazing, the bathrooms have a double vanity, closets are big, tub/shower in our rooms were standard size – we recommend upgrading your room to a higher category that might include Jacuzzi tub and walk in shower!

The hotel has three floors, with an elevator servicing only the west wing of the hotel. Do not be surprised if you see peacocks roaming the property.

Ok, The Beach – the most private beach you can be on other than owning your own island. The beach is a bit of a walk down several stairs, but it is well worth it, and if you are having any trouble getting down the stairs, the staff at Royal Plantation will literally carry you down.

The beach butlers (yes we said BEACH BUTLERS) will greet you and get your chairs set up and give you a beach towel and a flag – this is a magic flag! You put the flag up or in the sand and a butler will appear to take food and drink orders. There is every drink you can imagine and a grill that serves food from 11 am to 4pm daily. You MUST try the coconut shrimp! Fantastic!

There is a big pier with chairs set up so if you don’t want to be in the sand all day, head there for some great late afternoon sun worshiping. The pool is on the small side, classic peanut shape, but won’t disappoint as it’s very pretty with lots of local flowers and plants surrounding it.

If you are a large group, there is also a stunning three bedroom villa adjacent to the main property, only a few feet away, where you will have your own private pool, butler etc. The hotel manager and our sandals representative tell us that soon every room at Royal Plantation will include personalized Butler service!

Now let’s talk about the food – Wow is all we can say. We experienced breakfast daily in our rooms, with open windows, floor to ceiling, overlooking the ocean. The room service was quick and one morning we even amended the menu to include waffles that were not listed. They arrived hot and delicious! If you aren’t as lazy as we are, you can enjoy buffet breakfast at The Terrace restaurant, which is also ocean view and overlooks the main courtyard. Lunch is also served here, (or in your room) or as mentioned above, the beach grill is a lunchtime pleasure.

Ok, dinner time! Our most amazing meals by far, were at Le Papillion, the French restaurant on property – reservations are recommended and we suggest you make them upon arrival! While waiting, you can enjoy the only champagne and caviar bar in the area (not part of the inclusive package). Our recommendations are: filet mignon, sea bass, and lobster (add this to whatever you order as a “side”), mixed seafood appetizer, chocolate pudding (a molten cake you will have more than once for sure) and with dessert, have some fancy coffees – Italian is our favourite (made with amaretto – yum).

The Red Lane Spa had a serene ambience and so many treatments to choose from. Five star all the way. We loved the complimentary full body scrub with aromatherapy that the hotel was offering for free with any massage. The seaweed wrap was detoxifying and the saunas and steam rooms, which can be used anytime, were clean and eucalyptus scented. We recommend taking home some of the amazing luxurious products from the Red Lane spa. Ditto the gift shop had lots of cute stuff, Sandals own jerk sauce, clothing, jewelry etc.

We left the property a couple of times, including a trip to Mystic Mountain, a super cool spot where you can zip line, take a canopy chair lift to the top of the mountain and try your luck at Jamaican bobsledding.

Also, we made an appearance at Margarita Ville in Ocho, for dancing and oversized drinks. Don’t forget the Sandals chains all include golf, and scuba diving. There are lots of other excursions available that Sandals staff will help you decide upon and many of the Sandals properties are near to each other and “stay at one and play at all” rules apply; you can enjoy the other properties/restaurants as an added bonus included with your stay.

We were so sad to leave the Royal Plantation and can’t wait until we have the chance to go back.

If you have any questions, feel free to be in touch.

Montego Bay, Jamaica has been marked on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling to Jamaica and experiencing the lavish feel of a Sandals Luxury Included Vacation? Contact Andrea Freed, a Flight Centre Team Leader based in Forest Hill, Toronto, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 581 7768.

Flight Centre’s Wes Farrar invites us along to visit the Emerald Isle of Ireland as he treks off for a UK holiday adventure with our friends at Contiki. Wes travels to Dublin, Galway, Kilarney, Cork and Kilkenny chasing pots o’ gold and swilling tasty Guinness. Hey Wes, top o’ the morning to you laddie!

I just returned from my first Contiki Adventure on which we toured around Southern Ireland for nine days. The trip began in Dublin, headed westwards to Galway for two nights then down the coast to Kilarney. Next, we ventured eastwards to Cork, continuing to Kilkenny and eventually finished back in Dublin.

I was extremely happy with the information Contiki provided in their package about their optional side trips (which I highly recommend!) that definitely added flavour and excitement to the trip. Contiki even provided detailed information on how to make your own way to the first hotel. For me, arriving in a city I have been in before and making my own way around is all part of the thrill of travelling. They provided some great tips on what transport to take and how much it would cost.

If you have never been to Dublin I would suggest arriving one day early to take in the city on your own. At the end of the tour you do have a full day to see the city but nothing beats the thrill of seeing a new city for the first time when you just get there. Dublin is very traveller friendly. St Stephens Green is beautiful and Grafton Street is amazing. But for those looking for a little retail therapy however be warned as it is expensive. A McDonald’s combo in Canada is six Canadian and in Dublin it’s six Euros so the conversion is a bit steep.

If you are a history buff then you’re in the right place as there is no lack of history in Dublin. Take the hop on hop off bus to familiarize yourself with the locations of the major attractions, and if you enjoy the occasional cocktail then Temple Bar is the best spot to enjoy a few tasty Guinness’. Don’t forget to take a stroll along the river Liffey as well. There’s a lot to see and great mix of history and modern culture all throughout the city and don’t forget to pop into Trinity College to view the book of Kells.

As much as I loved Dublin, the west coast was what I’d gone to Ireland to enjoy. Galway is a beautiful city that you could easily spend six or more hours walking around, trust me I did. A little tip; there’s fantastic fish and chips in the main pedestrian area as well. Once again, as can often seem the theme in Ireland, there is no shortage of pubs. We had two days in Galway, a beautiful west coast former fishing town and it was worth every minute.

The Cliffs of Moher was one of the most scenic places I have ever visited. Make sure there’s lots of room on your digital camera as you will need it all. Combine that with the stone wall meadows seemingly everywhere on the west coast and the ring of Kerry and it’s a photo buffs dream.

The Sheppard’s pie I enjoyed just outside Kilarney was second to none (my wife would kill me if she read that… sorry but it’s true!).

I would recommend this trip to anyone that has ever wanted to enjoy the amazing wonders of Ireland but is short on time. Of course with it being a Contiki Holiday, it is only for those 18-35 but I can also add that those who are worried that it may be a bunch of young kids wanting to booze it up need not worry. I’m 30 and had a blast! There’s lots of free time to enjoy yourself the way you want to and take in the sights you went there to see. There is nothing in the itinerary that states you must make time for drinking, although since you are in Ireland and as the old saying goes: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Well, when in Ireland …SLAINTE! Which is Gaelic for Cheers!

Dublin, Ireland is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling to Ireland and enjoying the fun and camaraderie of a Contiki tour? Contact Wes Farrar, an International Travel Consultant and a UK & Ireland Specialist with Flight Centre based at 2960 Kingsway Drive Kitchener, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 581 7766.