Belize!

Belize

Adventure and Relaxation

Belize is a rewarding, authentic destination for travelers in search of unique, intimate experiences in a Caribbean/Central American getaway. A Belize vacation will stir your soul, expand your mind and change your life.

Serenely situated in one of the last unspoiled places on earth, you can easily tour Belize’s rain forests, dive the Western Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef or explore mystical Maya temples – all during the same adventure.

The multitude of experiences offered by this compact paradise refreshes travelers of all kinds. A single day can take you cross-country through temple tours to marina-side martinis overlooking turquoise water.

Belize is renowned for both its preserved ancient treasures as well as its welcoming residents – often referred to as the country’s greatest natural resource. An enduring commitment to preservation of Belizean lands and waters inspires a genuine and intimate connection with Belize.

Wherever you come from, you are welcome to take part in extraordinary escapades without ever feeling like a stranger. Every journey promises opportunities to capture every moment and let the senses come alive.

For generations, the English-speaking people of Belize have demonstrated a cultural commitment to preserve the country’s one-of-a-kind charms. Through a convergence of natural wonder, delightful people, savory food and rare adventures, you can truly be one with Belize.

Mountains

Cayo is full of winding rivers, majestic waterfalls, mysterious caves and breath-taking mountains that engulf a tiny national capital and grand Maya cities. With surroundings so intimate, you can be one with all these genuine experiences.

Explore the largest district in Belize (home of the capital city of Belmopan), and you are rewarded with a treasure of eco-tourism adventures. With an astonishing 880,000 acres of protected land in the form of nature reserves and national parks, this district is truly a dream for an adventure traveler or couple looking for a unique, memorable excursion to add to a honeymoon package. On a trip to Cayo, you can explore temples by day and journey to nearby beaches of adjoining districts in time for sunset.

Countryside accommodations range from elegant jungle lodges to small resorts and intimate campsites. The lively twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena and the quiet border town of Benque Viejo del Carmen provide glimpses into the lives of the friendly residents. They also serve as an excellent base from which to explore pine forests, clear rivers, rocky plateaus, ceremonial caves, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and ancient Maya temples. Once you are in Cayo, open your soul to amazing experiences. You will find soul-stirring things to do in Belize.

Chaa Creek Resort – 4 night Inland Expedition package

Chaa Creek’s new Tree Top Jacuzzi Suites put you at the top of our Belizean Jungle world in comfort and style. Perched high atop the meandering Macal River, these large airy suites provide a one-of-a-kind Rainforest Experience in Belize’s verdant Western Cayo District. You’ll share a birds’ eye panoramic view with toucans, parrots, kingfishers and many other colorful avian species.

Nestled amidst tropical gardens, the spacious accommodation with its king sized bed, oversized day bed and leisure furniture also includes two private terraces for relaxing in hammocks or enjoying the outdoor Jacuzzi al fresco. Naturally perfect for families this charming cottage colony is just as popular with couples.

INCLUDED WITH EXPEDITION:

•                Round trip transfers from International Airport or Belize City

•                A visit to the Belize Zoo with transfer on arrival or departure

•                Cottage Accommodation

•                Full breakfast, *lunch and dinner (* daily lunch special)

•                Government Taxes

•                Gratuities to Chaa Creek Staff

•                Guided visits to our Natural History Museum, Butterfly Farm, and Rainforest Medicine Trail

•                Canoeing on the Macal River

•                Guided Early Morning Bird Watching

Alcoholic drinks, sodas and juices are not included in the package price.

**The 4night Expedition includes all the above plus your choice of two full day tours, a half day tour on non-transfer days, and unlimited onsite activities from our list of tours and activities.  **

Islands, Beaches and Atolls

After indulging in the multitude of mainland adventures, you can wander to postcard-perfect beaches and indulge in warm waters and a laidback Caribbean-style. You find this unspoiled paradise among the cayes and atolls of Belize. When you think of things to do in Belize or dream of a beach vacation, these exquisite and picturesque islands surpass any relaxing, romantic vision. Prepare for a soul-stirring experience.

More than 200 islands dot the turquoise Caribbean waters off Belize.  Spelled “caye” (pronounced “key,” and meaning “island”), the cayes range in size from mangrove-covered masses to small outcroppings of sand and coral. They are ideal for your overnight fishing camp or adventure honeymoon. Throughout the islands, you will find individual resorts on private islands and exciting communities with intriguing populations. On the islands you will find opportunities for great Belize SCUBA adventures.

Most of the Belize islands lie within the shelter of the hemisphere’s largest barrier reef. Stretching from the most northern caye to Belize’s most southern point, the barrier reef protects the cayes and the mainland from the rolling breakers of the Caribbean Sea. You will become one with amazing scenery and calm coastal waters. That means you will experience the calm intimacy you want on a well-earned beach vacation or remote family trip.

Belizean waters host eight protected marine areas and showcase the region’s remarkably beautiful biodiversity as well as the country’s commitment to the protection and conservation of its unique marine ecosystems.

4 night package includes:  Roundtrip air from Belize City to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye

                                                          Roundtrip transfers between the airport and resort

                                                          4 nights in a 1 bedroom ocean view suite

                                                         Hotel taxes

Rates vary by season and number of people.  Belize is a very popular destination so advance planning is required to get the best prices.

Call us today to start planning your Belizean Vacation!

Top European Destinations of 2013

Paris and Rome are lovely this time of year, but they're also packed with summer travelers.

For something a little quieter, consider Lonely Planet's latest list of top European destinations that offer café culture, history and outdoor adventures outside of Europe's most popular cities.

This year's Europe list, developed by Lonely Planet's editors and writers, includes the next hot spots to visit as well as longtime favorites with something new to enjoy.

"We try to point out what's the next hot thing, what's been overlooked and deserving of more attention and places that people have heard about forever but may not know have been revitalized in recent years," said Andy Murdock, Lonely Planet's U.S. digital editor. "It's food for thought for travelers looking to explore Europe more deeply."

1. Porto & the Douro Valley, Portugal

Portugal's second-largest city has so much going for it, Murdock says. The birthplace of port, this picturesque hilly town in northern Portugal also has a thriving arts scene and up and coming culinary reputation. And it's a good value destination right now. (Many of the Port houses offer tastings and tours for free or a small fee.)

"Porto is really the best in show for this year," Murdock said. "Porto is a great value for people interested in food and the arts."

The Douro Valley's wine and port scene is very easy to explore as a day trip. There you can visit some of the most famous Port houses, including Taylor's, W & J Graham's, Fonseca Porto and Casa Ramos Pinto. Check their websites for tours and tastings.

2. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is starting to steal the cool from Berlin right now, Murdock said, with unique summer pop-up bars in old buildings and gardens. (The city's architecture is an eclectic testament to its previous rulers, showing the influence of the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Soviet regime.)

"There are a variety of different looks to them: Some are hipster weed patches with drinks, and others are manicured gardens," he said. "It's a unique type of bar you're not going to find most other places."

These "ruin bars" are mostly open in the summer, although some are starting to winterize their locations, so they can be open for more than the May-to-September season. Although some bars often switch locations, Szimpla Kert is one of the oldest, and visitors can find other bars on the same strip.

Sometimes known as "the City of Baths," Budapest has thermal spring-filled baths and traditional Turkish baths to choose from. Murdock recommends the Turkish-era Racz Baths, which recently reopened attached to the modern luxury Racz Hotel.

The Museum of Music History also had a recent update.

Top U.S. travel destinations for 2013

3. Northern Iceland

While everyone seems to know that Iceland is a cool weekend for U.S. East Coasters, Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon Spa and the Golden Circle are the popular stops on that quick trip. For a look beyond those spots, take a quick flight north to check out the Northern Lights in Akureyri, Iceland's second-largest town (population 17,000).

"Explore lava fields, waterfalls like you've never imagined, horseback rides and great whale watching out of Husavik (an hour from Akureyri)," Murdock said.

Myvatn Nature Spa offers a mini version of the Blue Lagoon -- without the tourists.

4. Cinque Terre, Italy

The five villages of Italy's popular Cinque Terre are ready for visitors again. Repairs to the cliffside villages after the devastating floods of 2011 were made more difficult because of the Cinque Terre's remote, mountainous location. The towns are connected by trains and are served within the villages by public buses. A national park and UNESCO site, the villages don't allow cars or motorbikes.

"It's very well-known but hard to reach," Murdock said. But it's worth it if you're ready to walk, he says. "They rebuilt the paths, the stone terraces are back, the vineyards are replaned, and the drainage is improved for the next flood."

The small, isolated beaches below the towns are also worth a visit. "They have a sense of fishery stewardship, allowing line-caught fish only. There is really lovely seafood coming out of the waters in Cinque Terre."

5. Moravia, Czech Republic

If you've been to Prague or shy away from popular cities that have been overtaken by tourists, try Moravia. It's known locally for bike tours and wine tasting, especially big robust reds. "It's a lot slower pace (than Prague) and gives you a much different feel of the country," Murdock said.

For a mini version of Prague, head to Olomouc, home of the country's second-oldest university, a lovely town square and the Holy Trinity Column (an 18th-century baroque sculpture on UNESCO's World Heritage list). For Gothic charm, head to Telc, which is also on UNESCO's list. The region's capital, Brno, has great museums.

Airports where architecture soars

6. Bern, Switzerland

When travelers land in the capital of Switzerland, they tend to head out into the mountainous region of Bernese Oberland, but the city itself is worth a visit. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval architecture, Bern is also home to one of Albert Einstein's homes and a Paul Klee museum designed by Renzo Piano that includes other artists' works.

"We're trying to call attention to Bern itself," Murdock said, calling it a very interesting mix of "historical, modern and edgy" things to do. Although people think of Swiss food as a bit stodgy, Murdock raves about the locavore restaurants on the river than runs through town.

Try visiting in August, when the streets of Bern are filled with musicians, puppeteers, jugglers and other entertainers for theBuskers Bern Festival.

7. Marseille, France

This year's European Capital of Culture, "Marseille is one of those incredibly historic seaport towns along the Mediterranean," Murdock said, and he's not kidding. The town dates to 600 B.C., when Greeks first settled in the area.

France's second-largest city is trying to shake off its reputation as a "gritty, dangerous seaport town," Murdock said. With the cultural capital designation, "a lot of money has been poured into new museums and public transportation."

That includes the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations that opened June 7. And the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Marseille, housed in the left wing of the Palais Longchamp, has reopened after a renovation. The museum's exhibit, "From Van Gogh to Bonnard," runs through October 13.

Foodies can enjoy the city that's home to bouillabaisse at the Old Port, where maritime culture and fresh seafood mix.

8. Croatia

In some ways, Croatia's popularity is old news to American travelers, but a lot of people are seeing the coast. There will be a lot more attention on the country if it enters the European Union in July.

"Zagreb is an interesting and underrated European capital, with a huge coffee and café scene," Murdock said. "If you have that image of Italy or Paris, sitting at a café and watching the world go by, that's preserved in Croatia.

"There's also an extension of northern Italian cuisine because the border in Istria (now Croatia) has jumped around, and the cuisine doesn't abide by the border," Murdock said, pointing to Croatians' "same Italian love of cured meats and cheeses," and there's seafood on the Adriatic as well.

For "Game of Thrones" fans, Dubrovnik is the place to visit to see King's Landing location shots. (Tours are available.) And you can find a hikers' paradise in the 16 turquoise blue lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Northern Ireland

If you're addicted to "Game of Thrones," Northern Ireland should be on your itinerary, too. A lot of the scenery is in Northern Ireland, including the Causeway Coast and the Glens. The sites on the self-guided and tour-guide-led tours are so magnificent that fans and non-fans alike can appreciate their majesty.

The Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it can be very crowded. Although its basalt columns can appear to look constructed by the might of giant Finn McCool, the causeway is actually the result of ancient volcanic activity. A new visitor's center opened last year.

The truly adventurous can walk the 16-kilometer route from Giant's Causeway to Ballycastle, taking a moment to cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. It's a 20-meter walk on the bridge to the island of Carrick-a-Rede, swaying 30 meters above the rocky waters below. It's not for those with a fear of heights, says Murdock, who loves it all. "There are all these inlets, islands, castles and ruins and sea birds and stunning scenery," he said.

Also not to be missed is Derry/Londonderry, this year's UK City of Culture. Remembering the religious strife in Northern Ireland, the walk and cycle Peace Bridge across the Foyle River opened in June 2011. It's considered a symbolic handshake across the river, connecting historically Catholic and Protestant sides of town.

'Game of Thrones' tours in Ireland, Croatia

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish capital of Copenhagen is the place to visit for ecotourists and foodies. The city is a poster child for the green movement, where almost half of the residents commute to work by bicycle and hotels brag about their green construction.

In the two-Michelin star Noma, the city boasts the No. 2 restaurantin the world (according to Restaurant magazine's annual rankings). "It's the new Nordic cuisine with very clean and local experimental flavors," Murdock said.

And there's a little more Swedish mixing into the city these days. Ever since the 10-mile Øresund bridge and tunnel system was completed in 1999, the residents of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmo, Sweden, are more easily connected. "It changed the feeling of both cities once only connected by ferry," Murdock said.

I Dream of South Africa

Ever dream of going to South Africa? Come visit us at Travel Planners and let us help you plan the perfect adventure.

Discover the Charming Town of Prince Albert. Founded in 1762, the picturesque town of Prince Albert is located on the southernmost edge of the Great Karoo, with the majestic Swartberg Mountains as a backdrop. Loads of Edutainment at Pretoria Zoo. The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa!Explore the Klein Karoo Wine Route. As the easternmost wine producing region in South Africa, the Klein Karoo Wine Route includes the area along Route 62 from the Langkloof in the East to Montagu in the west, with spectacular mountain ranges and fertile riverban. Take Time to Meander Through Magaliesberg. The Magaliesberg region offers a host of leisure-time options just an hour or so beyond the city limits of both Pretoria and Johannesburg.

With excellent weather, breath-taking scenery and an abundance of amazing flora and fauna, South Africa is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. By means of a variety ofactivities, South Africans enjoy their natural heritage to the full, inviting visitors to do the same. Many consider hiking to be the best way to truly enjoy some of South Africa’s most picturesque regions, and there is no shortage of carefully planned hiking trails throughout the country designed to showcase the natural wonders of each region.

A wide variety of water sports are enjoyed by locals and international visitors, both inland and along the coast. Choose from scuba diving, surfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, kayaking, boating, snorkeling, fishing and more. Looking to get the adrenaline pumping? Try crocodile cage diving or shark cage diving for an up close and personal encounter with these natural predators. Prefer getting a bird’s eye view of things? Try hot air ballooning, paragliding, micro-lighting or sky diving. Want to get to grips with things? Try rock climbing or mountaineering.

South Africa's wide range of activities even includes snow skiing – not a sport readily associated with Africa. Other activities to consider include golfing, game viewing, 4x4 driving, horse riding, bungy jumping, abseiling and day trips and tours to places of historical, cultural and natural interest. If watching the action is more your style, why not spend the day at one of South Africa’s premier horse racing tracks. Wagering is legal in South Africa and can be enjoyed at a number of race tracks throughout the country. When shop-aholics need their fix, the malls in South Africa's bigger towns and cities are of a world-class standard. With all the activities on offer, there need never be a dull moment when exploring sunny South Africa.