Aguilar Lord Authentic Luxury Travel
An Unforgettable Yucatan Experience December 1–13, 2010 www.aguilarandlord.com
Designed by John & Alma Lord, this Yucatan vacation balances cultural authenticity with highend luxury travel. The result? A truly unique travel experience we call authentic luxury.
Welcome from the c Aguilar & Lord — and the December 2010 trip to the Yucatan — came about as a result of our own experience traveling though the Yucatan with an older family member; someone who loves learning about new places and people, but who wasn’t looking for a rugged trek through the jungle. It was the beginning of March. She had escaped the cold of a New England winter and come to spend a little time with us in Mexico to get the chill out of her bones. After a couple of days relaxing by the beach, we packed our bags and set out to explore. We left Cancun and headed for Merida in the interior, where we planned to visit Chichen Itza, one of the “new” 7-wonders-of-the-world. But as we approached the exit, she told us she didn’t want to stop.
company’s founders Disappointed but knowing that we could always come back another time, continued on. Still, it seemed strange for her to be so uninterested… after all, Chichen Itza is one of the things to see in Mexico. It wasn’t until later that we learned what was really going on. She believed that the only way to see Chichen Itza was to climb up and down a whole series of pyramids. And that was not something she was up for! But Chichen Itza isn’t a pyramid; it’s a city, an extensive Mayan cultural and religious center laid out with broad avenues, temples, plazas, ball courts and many other intriguing and easily accessible things to see. We missed seeing Chichen Itza, but we learned a valuable lesson. For the rest of that trip, Alma and I found ways to make traveling easy and fun. Then we took what we learned and starting putting it all together here. Many of us are past the stage in life when para-sailing or sprinting up pyramids are the must-do activities on a Yucatan vacation. Yucatan vacations are unlike any other in the Western Hemisphere. Where else can you find so many sites all so easily within reach? In less than thirty minutes after leaving the airport you can be digging your toes into warm white sand. In two hours or less, you can be walking in the shadow of a Mayan temple. And, with a few tips from a “seasoned traveler” who’s been there and done it all, you can enjoy your Yucatan Vacations adventure in style and comfort… without worry or stress. Thanks for joining us.
Bienvenidos,
John & Alma Lord
Itinerary Our 12-day luxury Yucatan vacation was designed with the active senior adult in mind. This intellectually stimulating adventure is perfect for the traveler looking to discover the authentic beauty, history, and culture of the Yucatan while also experiencing all of the local luxuries available in this beautiful region of the world.
DAY ONE | DECEMBER 1, 2010
Arrival at Cancun airport where we will meet you and escort you to your hotel, the Inter-Continental Cancun. Luggage handling and hotel check-in will be taken care of by our staff. All you need to do is relax and get ready for our opening night cocktail reception and dinner.
DAY TWO | DECEMBER 2, 2010
Tour of Coba, the first of our “must-see” archeological sites, once the home to more than 50,000 Maya. Today, Coba is only infrequently visited and retains its Indiana Jones “lost city in the jungle” appeal. At the end of the day we return to the Inter-Continental Cancun.
DAY THREE | DECEMBER 3, 2010
Leave the hotel and travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Chichen Itza, ancient capital of the mighty Itzá dynasty. Check in at Hacienda Chichen, once the base camp for the Carnegie Institution’s team of archeologists, now the quintessential “authentically luxurious” hotel.
DAY FOUR | DECEMBER 4, 2010
Use the whole day to explore the area with your guide, including visits to Ek Balam and the colonial city of Valladolid. Return to Hacienda Chichen.
DAY FIVE | DECEMBER 5, 2010
Leave Chichen Itza for a panoramic tour of Merida, the Yucatan state capital. Merida, known throughout Mexico as “La Ciudad Blanca” or “White City,” is a true Spanish colonial gem filled with charming squares and stately boulevards. At the end of the day, we continue on to the haunted and mysterious Maya site of Uxmal. Stay at Haciena Uxmal.
DAY SIX | DECEMBER 6, 2010
Tour to Uxmal and Kabah and the Ruta Puuc. Enjoy a nighttime sound and light show in Uxmal, and return to your hotel, the Hacienda Uxmal.
DAY SEVEN | DECEMBER 7, 2010
Travel to the walled colonial city of Campeche. Once an infamous pirate stronghold–and the undoubted inspiration of Disney’s Pirates of the Carribean attraction–Campeche is today a lovely and sedate seaside capital filled with museums, shops and sidewalk cafes. Stay at Hacienda Puerta Campeche.
DAY EIGHT | DECEMBER 8, 2010
Today we visit Edzna and the 2,600 year old capital of the Itzáes, one of the Yucatan’s most famous ruling dynasties. This is the same dynasty which centuries later established its capital at Chichen Itzá. Return to Hacienda Puerta Campeche.
DAY NINE | DECEMBER 9, 2010
Leave Hacienda Puerta Campeche and travel to Calakmul area, the largest bioreserve in the Yucatan. Late afternoon check in at your hotel, The Explorean.
DAY TEN | DECEMBER 10, 2010
Enjoy a full day at The Explorean with your choice of activities including birdwatching, jungle tours or visiting nearby archaeological sites, including the huge and largely unexplored Maya city of Calakmul. Return to The Explorean.
DAY ELEVEN | DECEMBER 11, 2010
R&R at The Explorean until noon, then we travel north along the spectacular Riviera Maya. Check in at the allinclusive Xpu-Ha Palace resort.
DAY TWELVE | DECEMBER 12, 2010
Full day to relax at the Xpu-Ha Palace. Closing night celebration.
DAY THIRTEEN | DECEMBER 13, 2010 Transfer to airport
SENIOR-FRIENDLY What is senior-friendly?
We know that baby boomers and older travelers crave adventure, intellectual stimulation and truly unique travel experiences. It was with these factors in mind that John and Alma Lord designed this exceptional luxury Yucatan travel experience. What’s more, John and Alma thought about other things that are important to older travelers, too: safety, health, and a pace that keeps things lively, but doesn’t exhaust. Here’s what you can expect on Aguilar & Lord’s seniorfriendly, authentic luxury trip to the Yucatan: • A nurse will travel with the group throughout the entire trip. • Limited time spent checking into hotels — we’ll handle it. • Visits to exciting archeological sites fully accessible to all of our guests. • A pace that allows you to truly absorb and experience the Yucatan. • Additional assistance available by special request.
Discounts for seniors
Our authentic luxury Yucatan vacation offers the cultural, intellectual and educational stimulation that many older travelers are looking for. Aguilar & Lord is pleased to offer a 5% discount to members of the AARP, as well as retired college and university professors. This represents a savings of $360 per person based on double occupancy.
TRIP COSTS & DETAILS The cost for this once-in-a-lifetime Yucatan adventure is $7,200 USD per person in double occupancy. The surcharge for single occupancy is $2,420.
PAYMENT POLICY
A 25% down payment is required to secure your spot on the trip. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the departure date. Payments can be made via check, money order or credit card.
INCLUDED IN OUR PRICE
Prices are valid for your tour Wednesday, December 1, 2010 through Monday December 13, 2010. This includes the 12 night hotel accommodations mentioned, taxes, tips to porters (except to our guide and driver), welcome drinks in each hotel, VIP check in done by John & Thomas (client only needs to sign hotel forms), meals as specified (full board), transportation in first class luxury bus, specially-trained and well-prepared tour guide (Thomas Ebert), nurse accompanying the group, all entrance fees to sites, arrival and departure transfers, fully-guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees), bottled water supplied during sightseeing, Chaya welcome drink (or similar) as courtesy by us at check in, visit at Mayan community or household.
CANCELLATION POLICY
There will be no charge for cancellations received 90 days or more prior to departure. 89-65 days will be subject to 20% of the package price 64-40 days will be subject to 40% of the package price 39-25 days will be subject to 60% of the package price 24-15 days will be subject to 80% of the package price 14 days or less will be subject to 100% of the package price
RESERVE YOUR SPACE This unique travel experience is limited to 12 travelers, so be sure to reserve your spot now! To reserve your spot, simply fill out the reservation form on our website: www.aguilarandlord.com
You will be personally contacted by John and Alma with additional details.
Note: Spots are reserved for 7 days after you are contacted by John and Alma. If a 25% deposit is not received in this time frame, your reservation will be released.
Aguilar & Lord
info@aguilarandlord.com www.aguilarandlord.com