By Judy Newell

Mexico News

Grupo Xcaret’s Second Hotel is a Celebration of Mexican Art

Grupo Xcaret, owner of Hotel Xcaret and the Xcaret theme parks in Quintana Roo, has opened its second hotel, the Hotel Xcaret Arte. The adults-only hotel is the result of a US$427 million investment and features 900 luxury suites, all designed with the concept of Mexican arts in mind. 

This is the second hotel project for Xcaret Hotels, following the opening of the Hotel Xcaret in 2017.

The resort celebrates Mexican art via six distinct “casas.” Casa de los Artistas, for example, will inspire guests to paint, while Casa del Diseno will offer a textile workshop with weaving lessons. Casa de la Musica will hold dance lessons. At Casa de la Piramide, guests can explore the pottery traditions of Mexico. Casa de la Paz offers cooking workshops, and Casa del Patron serves as the resort’s main events and convention space. 

As for its culinary program, the resort features eight international chefs who combine culinary traditions from different cultures. The three-Michelin-star chef Paco Mendez oversees the menu at Encanta, which serves everything from Mexican flavors to those from the Caribbean and Barcelona. 

Other restaurants include China Poblano, serving cuisine from both China and Puebla. VI-AY-PI serves Oaxacan cuisine, while Kibi-Kibi serves traditional Yucatecan food. Xaak restaurant serves food from Mayan and Zapotec communities. Several other dining venues include Mediterranean cuisine, vegan cuisine, and more.

Like the original Hotel Xcaret, the Hotel Xcaret Arte integrates the brand’s “all-fun” inclusive concept that offers guests unlimited access to Grupo Xcaret’s parks as well as roundtrip transportation to the parks, hotels, and airport.

In the summer, Xcaret will open another theme park, Xibalba, which will be the group’s first project in the state of Yucatan and will feature eight cenotes.

International News

Universal Orlando Vacations from US$89 per Night

This 5-day, 5-night vacation package is the vacation your family really needs at an unbeatable rate. 

Starting from US$89 per person, per night, based on a family of four, limited availability. Book by May 5, 2022. Travel now through December 31, 2022.

Vacation package includes:

• 5-night hotel accommodations
• 3-park, 3-day base + 2-day free promo ticket to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay, one park per day
• Early park admission up to one hour before the park opens (valid theme park admission required, select attractions)
• Access to select live entertainment venues at Universal City Walk

Cruise News

Luxury Operator Plans Kosher Cruises 

The luxury tour operator iWorld of Travel and two Israeli companies will launch a quartet of kosher river cruises in the spring. Two of the sailings will be promoted to the Israeli market in May on the Danube and the Rhone, and the other two, targeted at American cruisers, will sail the Danube between Budapest and Passau, Germany, in June and July.

There will be team aboard each cruise, including a rabbi, who will oversee the efforts, from making sure all food preparation areas on the ship are sanitized between regular sailings, to sourcing kosher food both for the ship and during excursions.

Sailing times are scheduled to follow the rules of Shabbat (Sabbath), and there will be an onboard synagogue. Scheduled excursions on the Danube sailings offer a mix of traditional sightseeing with sites related to Jewish heritage. 

There are also a variety of one- to seven-night pre- and post-sailing Jewish Heritage land packages in Hungary, Germany, Poland and Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. 

Pandaw Plans Return to River Cruising in the Fall

River cruise operator Pandaw has secured funding to resume operations on Asian waterways in the fall.  The company shut down in October 2021 because it could not secure funding to maintain ships that were laid up due to pandemic-related circumstances.  

Pandaw will open its 2022-2023 season with sailings in Thailand, India, and Cambodia. The cruises will be available to fully vaccinated travelers.

Deal of the Week

RailEurope’s 90th Anniversary

RailEurope’s 90th Anniversary promotion is still going! Enjoy the Duo offer on France-Spain high-speed, and the upcoming 10% discount on Eurail and 50% discount on TGV Est and TGV France-Germany trains.

France-Spain high-speed: 30% off first class
Sales dates: February 15–April 10, 2022

Travel dates: 6 months booking horizon
Offer: 30% off the best first-class price; Second class: 5€ less than first class
Conditions: Non-refundable, non-exchangeable 

TGV EST: 50% off
Sales dates: March 14–April 10, 2022
Travel dates: March 14–August 28, 2022
Popular routes: Paris ↔ Freiburg
Conditions: Offer available in first and second class
Non-refundable, non-exchangeable 

TGV France-Germany: 50% off
Sales dates: March 14–April 10, 2022
Travel dates: March 14–October 9, 2022
Popular routes: Paris/Strasbourg → Mannheim; Paris/Strasbourg → München; Paris/Strasbourg → Stuttgart
Conditions: Offer available in first and second class
Non-refundable, non-exchangeable 

Paris-Luxembourg TGV: 50% off
Sales dates: March 14–April 10, 2022
Travel dates: March 14–July 15, 2022
Popular routes: Paris ↔ Luxembourg; Luxembourg ↔ Lyon; Luxembourg ↔ Marseille
Conditions: Offer available in first and second class
Non-refundable, non-exchangeable 

Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for 50+ years, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit clients’ interests, physical abilities, and budgets. Please contact her for further information on Travel News topics, Mexico, and international travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765, Vonage 949 300 3682; email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. 

Sources: Grupo Xcaret, Travel Mole, Travel Weekly, Pandaw River Cruises, Rail Europe