By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Save up to 40% this winter at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres
Save big on all-inclusive luxury with the winter sale at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa. Located on the shores of Mexico’s best beaches, the resort features gourmet cuisine, exceptional facilities and entertainment. With ‘Infinite Indulgence’, it’s all included.
Offer valid for bookings made by January 9, 2023 for travel from now until January 1, 2024. Four night minimum stay is required.
International News: The Last Days of Mini-toiletries
You’d better cling onto your stash of miniature toiletries as they could soon be a thing of the past as the more sweeping regulations on this beloved hotel perk rolls out measures that are part of a broader effort to reduce European waste. While it’s not been fully approved yet, the European Union has introduced new legislation that would see mini shampoos, shower gels, and tubes of toothpaste banned from hotels – the largest ban of its kind.
It’s not just Europe, though. The U.Ss has also had similar legislation emerge. New York will see its own ban take place in 2024, allowing hotels time to use up their current stocks. California will feel changes sooner, with large hotels switching in 2023 and smaller ones in 2024.
Many hotels oppose the move, mainly for financial reasons, but it hasn’t stopped IHG and Marriott. The franchises have already installed soap dispensers at over a thousand hotels worldwide. Marriott admitted it throws out over 500 million toiletries every year.
Lunar New Year Tradition
The lunar New Year or Tet will be on January 21, 2023 welcoming the Year of the Cat.
The annual Flower Street tradition on Nguyen Hue, a pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City, will take place January 19-26. The Flower Street attracts locals from all over Vietnam who come to admire the floral and cultural display during this festive time.
Kosher Offering at Marataba
Marataba Safari Lodge is situated in a breath-taking private game reserve in South Africa’s malaria-free Limpopo region, and can now specifically cater for Jewish guests.
Gourmet cuisine is freshly prepared in a dedicated kitchen with designated cookware, utensils, storage, and preparation and cleaning areas for meat and dairy. All ingredients, as well as served beverages and snacks, are certified kosher. Guests can also request a private Mashgiach to supervise all meal preparations.
If you wish to celebrate Pesach, Rosh Hashana or Chanukah in Africa – or just have a wonderful kosher safari – Marataba is your destination.
Cruise News: ‘Tis the Season to be Jolly
This holiday season NCL is giving you a reason to book that vacation you’ve been dreaming of. Check destinations off your bucket list and save big with 2nd Guest Free. See just how far this deal can take you when you see a new city in Europe every day or go whale watching in Alaska. Wherever you cruise, you get more with Norwegian’s Free at Sea including free airfare, free unlimited open bar, free special dining and more.
Best Sale Ever:
It’s back and Princess Cruises “best» is even better this year. Starting now thru March 1, you can enjoy low fares up to 35% off. Reserve with just US $100 deposits, and also get up to US $150 to spend on board.
Plus, you can book with extras: drinks, MedallionNet® Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, fitness classes and premium desserts included. That’s over a US $950 value on a 7-day cruise. There’s a reason Princess calls this the Best Sale Ever!
And there are plenty of cruises to choose from: the Caribbean, Hawaii, the California Coast, Mexican Riviera, Canada & New England, and Alaska, Europe, Asia and beyond.
Offer is valid until March 1, 2023.
Diamond Princess Sets Sail with a Season of Mexico & Hawaii Cruises
The newly-refurbished Diamond Princess welcomes guests onboard for an inaugural sailing from its new homeport, San Diego. From November 2022 through to February 2023, Diamond Princess is offering a series of new cruise itineraries ranging from five- to 16-night and calling at ports along the Mexican Riviera, California Coast, and the Hawaiian Islands.
Deal of the Week
Virgin Voyages Waves Hello to 2023 with Most Inclusive Offer Ever
Following the excitement of the holidays, Sailors can take advantage of the most inclusive offer ever, which includes up to US $600 in free beverages and hand-crafted cocktails for all new bookings.
Additionally, between January and March, every voyage will have an on-board experience rooted in wellness as it unveils a line-up of restorative and Zen-inducing events such as sound bath meditations and healthy happy hours to start off 2023.
Starting now through January 31, 2023, travelers may purchase a voyage for one Sailor and get the second Sailor voyage at 60% off. Everyone will be treated to a complimentary bar tab: US $300 for voyages six nights or fewer, and US $600 for voyages seven nights or more. All four Virgin Voyages vessels are eligible over the following dates:
- Scarlet: December 18, 2022 – December 27, 2023
- Valiant: December 17, 2022 – December 30, 2023
- Resilient: May 14, 2023 – March 15, 2024
- Brilliant: December 24, 2023 – December 30, 2023
This special closes at midnight on January 31, 2023.
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 each 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 judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. Her office is in Rancho Los Labradores, on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo.
