By Judy Newell

Mexico News

Waldorf Astoria Cancun 

Tick all the boxes with a luxurious beachfront retreat to the Waldorf Astoria Cancun, an oceanfront oasis with six restaurants, US$300 resort credit, and valet parking. Combining vibrant Mexican culture with opulent style and set on a sparkling stretch of glorious Mayan coastline, this resort gives you the chance to experience unrivaled relaxation and impeccably tailored service.

Relish magnificent oceanfront views in a spacious and bright guestroom complete with a dreamy king bed, ultra-modern bathroom, and a unique balcony shower. Buy now choose dates later. Secure with a 20% deposit. Five nights from US$3,145 per room, valued at up to US$4,395, a 28% savings.

International News

Discover the Mysteries of the Inca Empire

Unlock the secrets of the Inca Empire with a tailor-made trip to Peru. Experienced guides will lead you through the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu and the historic streets of Cusco. 

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this extraordinary country where ancient traditions and modern life intertwine. Create unforgettable memories as you explore the mystical landscapes, indulge in the local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Peru. 

Discover ”Peru and Its Colors” in eight days and seven nights on tour, starting at US$1,249 per person.

Special Deals this Week

Italy: Five nights in Tuscany plus one night in Milan, with air and hotels, from US$779 per person. 

Caribbean: Get four all-inclusive nights at VIK Arena Blanca & Cayena Beach, with air, from US$601 per person.

Amazing Canyon Country Getaway, with Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado from US$1,375 per person. 

Portugal: Up to 50% off seven-night trip with air, hotel, breakfast and more, from US$1,299 per person.

Ireland: B&B Getaway with air, lodging, breakfast, and car, from US$899 per person. Included air is from U.S. gateways.

Cruise News

Solo Travelers Benefit 

Solo travelers pay no single supplement on select sailings to Antarctica, Alaska, Galápagos Islands, Greenland, and more with Hurtigruten Cruises.

Variety Cruises Welcomes Solo Travelers 

Variety Cruises, Greece’s leading small-ship cruise company, is welcoming solo travelers with a new no-single supplement offer for select seven-day cruises and itineraries in Greece, Tahiti, and the Seychelles through September. 

Being on a small boat has many benefits such as discovering remote shores that other, larger, boats cannot approach. It also allows for a personalized and intimate experience, which, for solo travelers looking to socialize with fellow cruisers, would be ideal.

Itineraries with no single supplement include Greece, Seychelles, and Tahiti.

Classical Greece Cruise: No Single Supplement

If you have not yet finalized your holiday plans for the summer of 2023, Variety Cruises is launching great opportunities for you to go deeper into your bucket-list destinations with new, space available, special offers. These include a seven-day Classical Greece cruise that, for this year only, will be operated on Variety’s flagship, Variety Voyager, which loves to seduce its select 72 guests with its sleek lines and ample deck space redefining what yachting was meant to be. Warm fabrics, rich marbles, and soft tones wood-paneling are just some of the elements that define its essence.

The offers include complimentary transfers and drinks with meals. And if you are a solo traveler, these specials will allow you to join with no single supplement.  

Cruise dates available for this special offer are June 16, 23, and 30; July 7, 14, 21, and 28; and August 18 and 25.

Deal of the Week 

Thailand Real Food Adventure

Take a tantalizing culinary journey through Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Indulge in the complex flavors, fresh aromas, and heavenly spices that make Thai food so addictive. 

Explore bustling markets and taste tropical fruits and aromatic dishes whipped up in front of your eyes. Learn the trick behind making palm sugar, experience the thrill of cruising through Tha Kha Floating Market by paddleboat, slurp noodles alongside locals in Bangkok, enjoy some home cooking with a family in Chiang Mai, sit down to a khan tok feast, and tour all the must-see sights of Thailand. 

This is an incredible culinary journey through one of Southeast Asia’s most addictive food cultures.

• Learn how to prepare and present the traditional 11-dish Northern Thai specialty khan tok and experience Thai life from a local’s perspective at a village home stay.
• See dishes whipped up before your eyes, like kaeng som, spicy fish cakes at a community farm, and roti sai mai at a market food stall in Ayutthaya.
• Cruise Bangkok’s floating market on a paddleboat and sail aboard a longtail boat to an island Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya.
• Tuck into your favorite iconic Thai dishes and discover new ones along the way: guay-tieo-ruea (boat noodles), roti sai mai, khao soi, som tum, larb, and more.
• Dine on a plant-based meal at a Chiang Mai restaurant that sources organic, local, vegetables for their daily array of delicious meals.

Eight days, from US$1,672

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. Her office is in Rancho Los Labradores on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo.

Sources: Luxury Escapes, Acqua by Indus, Travelzoo, Hurtigruten Cruises, Insider Travel Report, Variety Cruises, Intrepid