ssibilities B Y
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LU XU RY
C A R L S O N
W A G O N L I T
T R A V E L
ssibilities
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THE NEXT WAVE OF LUXURY THE MAYAN RIVIERA: MEXICO’S MAGNIFICENT MILES
THE HIGH LIFE: LUXURY & SCENERY ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER FLORENCE, LIVING MASTERPIECE
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ISSUE 1
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SUMMER
2016
Welcome to Possibilities
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hank you for joining us for our very first issue. We’ve launched this magazine for one simple reason – travel is in our DNA. It’s our business and our passion, and it has been for over 140 years. In 1872 we invented the sleeping car. And since 1931, we’ve been providing Canadians with exceptional quality travel planning. Our Travel Advisors have a wealth of expertise and knowledge that leads to superior service. No one works harder to get you the most value for your travel dollar. Best of all, our Advisors will handle every detail of your trip, from the day that planning begins until the day you’re home. We’ll do anything to give you peace of mind and make your time away a true escape. Because when travel is in your DNA, you want everyone to travel more, and travel better.
Contents
Ready to travel? G
The Next Wave of Luxury The Mayan Riviera: Mexico's Magnificent Miles Florence, A Living Masterpiece The High Life: Luxury & Scenery On The Rocky Mountaineer
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et in touch by phone, online, or at one of 170 locations across Canada. You’ll benefit from Carlson Wagonlit Travel Vacation Club perks, savings and special offers, and you can earn and redeem RBC Rewards® points.
——•• the ••—— NEXT WAVE ——•• of ••—— LUXURY ••
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gorgeous new ships will arrive on the scene, such as the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, coming this July, 2016. It has been selfdescribed as the “most luxurious ship in the world”, and will provide her 750 guests with a host of delightful amenities including all suites and verandahs, five dining choices, and a wide range of world-class musical and theatrical productions. The luxury liner will spend her inaugural season in Europe before heading to Miami for a series of Caribbean voyages.
legant and beautiful, our recommended cruise lines take you on marvelous voyages to the world’s most loved destinations, hidden harbors and exotic shores, all the while pampering you in the lap of luxury. Ranging from upscale cruise lines to expedition ships, and luxuriously appointed vessels carrying up to 750 guests, each is an award-winning company with excellent cuisine and service. The bar is continually being raised in the luxury segment of cruising. In the next two years, an unprecedented array of 2
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ost luxury vessels offer single open-seating dining and various alternative restaurants. In the case of the highly anticipated 600-guest Seabourn Encore, setting sail in December 2016, the line has partnered with renowned chef and restaurateur of French Laundry and Per Se fame, Thomas Keller. Design is also important in this segment of cruising, and in Seabourn’s case, the new Encore is being entirely designed by the acclaimed and much lauded, Adam D. Tihany – and it’s going to be beyond gorgeous! Guests will revel in superb amenities, especially the private glassed-in Solarium with a soaking tub and lounging bed. This ultra-luxury ship will feature two Grand Wintergarden Suites, designed like spacious vacation homes. Many sophisticated cruise lines offer the all-inclusive experience, which include premium wines, spirits, champagne and other beverages, a stocked bar cabinet in your suite, and gratuities included in the price. With Silversea, most suites have verandahs and each comes with the services of a butler.
the most
EXCLUSIVE ALL-INCLUSIVE NOW AVAILABLE ON SELECT 2016 MEDITERRANEAN, ASIA AND AFRICA VOYAGES Whether it’s a choice of worldwide destinations, a bespoke event ashore, or a butler to accommodate your every request, personalised travel is the very essence of Silversea. And now you can even choose your preferred style of travel — cruise-only or a complete, all-inclusive holiday featuring a deluxe hotel stay plus flights and transfers. Then step aboard and relax while we pamper you with Silversea’s legendary all-inclusive lifestyle. Please contact your CWT Travel Advisor for more information and to book.
9 INTIMATE SHIPS • 7 CONTINENTS • INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
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ome lines also focus on lectures and enrichment programs, as well as authentic destination offerings that truly bring each port to life. This is never more evident than on Silversea’s expedition ships - the Silver Galapagos, Silver Discoverer and Silver Explorer - which cruise to distant lands such as Antarctica, Australia’s renowned Kimberly, and to the Galapagos Islands to see the blue-footed booby. Each carries around 100 guests and assures life-changing sights and experiences aboard. The new six-star, 596-guest Silver Muse will join the fleet in 2017, and promises to raise the proverbial bar yet again. A world cruise not only takes one to far off exotic ports not visited on a typical cruise itinerary, but has many more days at sea, so you can truly immerse yourself and enjoy all the onboard amenities and facilities. Imagine an extended stay on a cruise around the globe on one of these ships. Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas all offer world cruises, with options such as a 180-day Grand Voyage, a three month World Cruise, or a segment of just a few weeks. If you seek an upscale or luxurious experience with pampering of the highest degree, look no further than a cruise of this caliber.•
Delight is the World at extraordinary savings. Complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences
Spacious all-suite accommodations
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Complimentary fine wines poured at lunch and dinner
Tipping is neither required nor expected
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Complimentary welcome champagnes
Award-winning gourmet dining, and more
Please contact your CWT Travel Advisor for more information and to book. Asia, Arabia & India • Australia & New Zealand • Caribbean & Panama Canal • Mediterranean • Northern Europe • South America & Antarctica 4
The
Mayan Riviera Mexico's Magnificent Miles
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all it the Mayan Riviera or the Mexican Caribbean – either way; this sun-kissed coastline is home to some of Mexico’s finest resorts and most popular destinations. With a climate that invites year-round beach basking, a trip to the Riviera Maya offers a host of varied experiences, including spectacular scenery and fascinating attractions.
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This stretch
of coastline in the north-eastern Yucatan Peninsula is host to some of the world’s hottest vacation destinations. In just a few decades, Cancun has exploded into the Caribbean’s premier tourist choice. Once a rustic diver’s retreat, Cozumel still lures SCUBA lovers, but has blossomed in recent years, adding upscale hotels and fine restaurants. From the ancient ruins at Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum, to world-class dive sites off Cozumel, to the bio-diversity of the World UNESCO site at Sian Ka'an, and the hot nightlife of Cancun – this is Mexico at its best.
The Magnificent Mayans Hire a guide to show you the sites and explain the significance of El Castillo at Chichen Itza, built to honor the snake god and believed to be the scene of his twice-yearly return. Or visit Tulum, among the most fascinating Mayan sites, where you can dive into history first, and then into the ocean nearby.
A Natural Approach Cozumel welcomes SCUBA pilgrims who flock to the island’s coral reefs to view some of the world’s best underwater scenery. You can also explore Isla Mujeres’ MUSA, an underwater museum where divers glide amongst hundreds of submerged statues that create an artificial coral reef.
THE
LUXE COLLECTION
Nothing but gourmet dining, 24-hour room service, outstanding care and elegant style at these deluxe resorts handpicked to give you the best.
ALL LUXE COLLECTION resorts feature
• 5 stars • Gourmet dining including a refined menu and elegant presentation • 24-hour room service
Contact your CWT Travel Advisor for more details and to book ®
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The Mayan Riviera is also home to the nature lover’s paradise of Sian Ka'an, a massive World Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the mangrove-lined canals by boat to see 103 species of mammals and plant life. Spot resident birds from your kayak and search for loggerhead or hawksbill turtles.
Dining and Dancing
In just a few decades, Cancun has exploded into the Caribbean’s premier tourist choice.
Because the Mayan Riviera is such a favorite with travelers, dining choices are many. You’ll find everything from palapa-shaded beachside bistros, to sophisticated restaurants serving international cuisine. Choose local fresh fish—grouper, dorado, red snapper and sea bass. One great seaside choice is La Choza in Cozumel, and if you’re longing for luxury, try Casa Rolandi on Isla Mujeres.
There are countless spectacular activities along the Riviera
Maya ideally suited for a range of shore excursions. Perhaps charter a luxury yacht for the day, replete with a personal chef who will cook a tasty lunch as you loll on a gorgeous beach and snorkel in crystalline water. A catamaran half-day sail may be more your style, or take a tour to El Cielo Beach, which is one of the finest in the area. Play a round of golf, try your hand at deep sea fishing, or relax and rejuvenate at one of the many fabulous spas. There is such a wide range of choice activities, and the locals are known for being authentic, paying homage to nature, and providing a true sense of place along this beautiful coast.
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THE FINEST RESORTS Luxury Collection with additional VIP Inclusions: VIP Lounge at airports • Private roundtrip transfers Free Option Plus • Free WIFI • Unlimited à la carte gourmet dining Terms and conditions apply.
Please contact your CWT Travel Advisor for more information and to book.
Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres, Cancun
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, Los Cabos
Iberostar Grand Hotel Bávaro, Punta Cana
•FLORENCE•
A LIVING MASTERPIEC E
city built for strolling, Florence’s captivating and narrow, winding streets open up into beautiful squares, punctuated by stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Gelato shops and pizzerias beckon, and stores filled with elegant leather handbags and jackets abound. Glittering gold shops overlooking the River Arno on the Ponte Vecchio leave you dazzled. An art aficionado’s dream, Florence is home to many beautiful paintings and sculptures, many of which were produced under the sponsorship of the powerful Medici family. Highly educated lovers of art and culture, the Medici offered patronage to Florence, making
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it the most culturally important city of the Italian Renaissance. The family’s splendid art collection was later bequeathed to the city and much of it remains today. We wanted to be fully present and enjoy every moment of our trip, free of worries and hassles, so booking a guided tour was essential. We enjoyed a five-day art-focused itinerary in Firenze, under the tutelage of outstanding guides - a local art historian, and art history lecturers from local campuses of prestigious U.S. universities. From them, we received invaluable keys to the religious and artistic significance of many works we might never otherwise have seen. We visited the major sites, including the massive Florence
Cathedral, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery, but the two most captivating were Michelangelo’s breathtaking David (perfection, in almost seventeen feet of marble), in the Gallerie dell'Accademia, and the Baptistery of St. John, named for St. John the Baptist. In the Baptistery, our guide gave us a fascinating overview of the religious significance of the ceiling – a masterpiece of Renaissance skill. Without a guide to explain it, however, its beauty could simply wash over you in a wave of golden paint. A drive through the lush Tuscan landscape took us to Vinci where we found several museums dedicated to the work of famous son Leonardo. Again, our guide expertly explained the genius of Da Vinci’s stunning inventions and artwork, including the Mona Lisa, arguably the most famous portrait of all time. We then enjoyed a rare treat available only to our tour group – a visit to the studio of renowned Italian leather designer Jennifer Tattanelli – receiving an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at her exquisite collection. Our minds and souls feasted on the culture of Florence, but our stomachs weren’t neglected! We often walked with tour leader Birgit through narrow streets to dine in fine, but well-hidden restaurants. On our last evening, we enjoyed a hilltop restaurant outside the city where the food and views were fabulous. Our journey had taken us through centuries of beautiful art and architecture, and the works of geniuses like Michelangelo, Botticelli and Da Vinci. Before heading home, we watched the twinkling lights of the city around us, pausing for a final embrace of this fabulous experience.
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THE HIGH LIFE L U X U RY & S C E N E RY O N
T H E RO C K Y M O U N TA I N E E R
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he morning air fills with sound as a horn blasts, brakes squeal, and wheels clack down the track. The Rocky Mountaineer makes its entrance at the picturesque Banff train station. The train is painted crisp white, blue and gold, and its windows form a type of mural, reflecting the surrounding forests and snow-capped mountains. Traveling through the mountain landscape between Vancouver and Calgary is a spectacular journey and guests aboard the Rocky Mountaineer are highly pampered. The service addresses every aspect imaginable and the staff are considerate, efficient and friendly, anticipating your every need. Riding these rails is like being part of a great nature documentary. It’s a view denied to all but adventurists and those privileged to take this train. We passed
prairies, foothills, wetlands, forests, snow-capped mountains, and glacier-fed rivers and lakes. We saw beaver dams, elk, deer, bear, osprey and gravity-defying big-horned sheep that jump from one improbable perch to the next. The sightseeing was accompanied by fabulous meals in our private dining room. The breakfast menu offered fresh omelets, scrambled eggs with steelhead salmon, kelp caviar and crème fraîche, Eggs Benedict, and more. Lunch, which changed daily, ranged from vegetarian to wild B.C. salmon and Alberta pork tenderloin. The wine list featured the very best of B.C.’s vineyards. The Rocky Mountaineer offers two categories, each with its own style of rail car - Silver and Gold - and I was in the Gold Leaf Service, the most luxurious. Here, 68 guests shared a dome car staffed by three seat attendants, two chefs, and several dining room servers. We sat in sunshine 12
enjoying the panorama outside and the superb food inside. The bonus in each dome car was the substantial open-air balcony where guests could inhale the aroma of forests and mountain lakes, and snap spectacular photos as we rolled past pioneering communities with names like Skuzzy Creek, Jackass Mountain, Avalanche Alley, Jaws of Death Gorge and the Three Sisters Mountains. We even experienced the engineering miracles of the “Spiral Tunnels”, where the Cathedral Mountain tunnel turns 250 degrees in 3257 ft., and the Mount Ogden tunnel turns 230 degrees in 2992 ft. The wonderful and elegant experience on Rocky Mountaineer not only caters to those who appreciate nature and great food, but also provides a glimpse into the discovery of the continent through the magic of modern rail travel.
The Peak of Perfection A journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer is much more than just a train ride through the Canadian Rockies. It’s the key to unlocking a hidden world of shifting landscapes and unparalleled beauty. Indulge all of your senses as you wind through awe-inspiring scenery, complemented by gourmet cuisine, vibrant storytelling, and impeccable service. Journey to a place that’s truly above and beyond the extraordinary.
Please contact your CWT Travel Advisor for more information and to book
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