By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Ladies Who Travel
After a two-year hiatus of the global travel industry, I am excited to return doing what I love most and that is creating unforgettable travel experiences.
The newly-formed Ladies Who Travel Club will meet on Tuesday, January 31, at 4pm at Geek & Coffee in Fábrica Aurora to discuss 2023 and 2024 international tour and cruise plans. Designed for San Miguel’s single, widowed, and divorced women and for those whose partners don’t wish to travel, the travel club will immerse you in local cultures through unique experiences that reflect a wide range of interests.
There are no fees to join or attend the seminar and best of all, no single supplements. Get ready for your bucket list to come to life because we’re here to take you on the trip of your dreams.
Cruise News
What are Expedition Cruises?
Going further than ever before, expedition cruises embody the very meaning of travel. They take people to remote, if not untouched, places on smaller ships that allow for excursions where engaging with nature and local culture is key.
Post-pandemic, a slew of new expedition ships has taken to the water, often led by eco-minded tech, forging new routes into some of the world’s most far-flung and fascinating archipelagos, islands, and rocky outcrops.
Aviation News
TSA to Expand Facial Recognition Technology at U.S. Airports
Transportation Security Administration officials have quietly been testing controversial facial recognition technology at 16 major U.S. domestic airports for passenger screening and plan on expanding the system to all airports in the United States by next year.
The identification system, called Credential Authentication Technology with Camera (CAT-2), compares live photos of travelers with images on their driver’s license or state ID card in order to confirm their identity, eliminating the need for TSA agents to manually verify each traveler’s ID.
Originally implemented at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in DC due to coronavirus concerns, the technology has grown to include airports like Los Angeles International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Launch of Nonstop Service from Atlanta to Cape Town
South African Tourism recently celebrated the launch of Delta Air Lines new nonstop service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. The year-round service will operate three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The route also compliments Delta’s existing service from Atlanta to O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, which now makes a stop in Cape Town upon its return, completing the seasonal “triangle route.”
For travelers looking to explore beyond the Mother City to discover the urban beat of Johannesburg, the year-round sunshine along Durban’s Golden Mile, or the world-class safari and wildlife experiences of Mpumalanga or Limpopo, several local carriers offer attractive options to easily connect within the destination.
Frontier Airlines Launching Unlimited Flight Pass
Frontier Airlines is introducing an unlimited flight option, called the GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Pass. Valid for one year, it can be used on any Frontier route with no limit on the total number of flights. However, there are some blackout dates when All-You-Can-Fly Pass flights cannot be booked. The low-cost carrier serves 18 overseas destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The airline hasn’t announced yet how much the All-You-Can-Fly Pass will cost.
Deal of the Week
Four Cruise Specials for 2023
Seven Day Scandinavia and Fjords
September 3, 2023
Copenhagen to Dover
Seabourn Ovation
- Up to a US$1,700 Onboard Credit
- Special Low Rates
- Free gratuities, free open bar, all suite accommodations, open seating dining, shore excursions, and more
- Seabourn Club Savings: earn exclusive savings on select sailings.
From US$4,789
Nine Day Greece/Turkey/Black Sea
April 29, 2023
Fusina (Venice) to Athens/Piraeus
Seven Seas Voyager
- Up to US$1,700 Cash Back
- Free three or four-night pre/post land program on select 2023 European voyages
- Two-for-one fares plus one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel package, free gratuities, drinks, in-suite mini-bar, unlimited shore excursions, 24-hr room service, butler service, and more
- Receive up to US$250 shipboard spending credit
- 25% discount is off the cruise fare only
Suite from US$5,679
Seven Day Transatlantic
April 23-December 15, 2023
Southampton to New York City
Cunard Queen Mary 2
- Explore with More: up to US$2,000 onboard credit plus free specialty dining for two, includes hotel and dining service charges, and 50% reduced deposit. Drinks package is included on all Grill Suites
- Military Special: Up to US$250 onboard credit
- Complimentary box of chocolates
- English National Ballet performances
From US$1,009
Seven Day Alaska-Inside Passage
May 6 – September 30, 2023
Roundtrip Vancouver
Holland America Koningsdam
- Up to US$1,700 cash back
- Holiday Sale: free upgrades, up to 30% off fares, free and reduced fares for kids, 50% reduced deposit, and more!
- Get up to four free amenities, up to three shore excursions, signature beverage package, up to three-night specialty dining package, and Wi-Fi surf package
- Reduced deposits from US$100 per person on select sailings
- Up to US$400 onboard spending: per stateroom
From US$429
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for over 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 client’s interests, physical abilities, and budgets. Please contact Judy for further information on Travel News topics, Mexico, and international travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765; Vonage 949 300 3682; email at judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. Her office is in Rancho Los Labradores on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo.
Sources: Travel Mole, The Navigator, South Africa Tourism, Frontier Airlines, and Cruise.com.
