Happy Holidays!

On behalf of all the employees of the Kemp Travel Group, we'd like to wish everyone a safe & happy holidays.

We look forward to helping you with all your travel needs in 2008!

RIU Caribe - Cancun

I recently returned from the RIU Caribe, located in the hotel zone in Cancun, Mexico.

I'm a huge fan of the RIU properties, it doesn't matter which one you go to whether its Mexico, Dominican or Cuba, they are known for there customer service.

It is an older property but RIU has done major renovations to make the RIU standard.

The public areas are very clean and well maintained. You can see this as you stroll the lovely grounds. Rooms are very clean with beautiful bathrooms and every room is an oceanview (very nice views).

What I especially liked about the property was the staff, very friendly and willing to go the extra mile to help with your requests. The activity staff was one of the best I've ever seen, Enrique from Cuba was exceptional. He was a very talented and hard working person.

The hotel has three a la carte restaurants (Asian,Mexican,Steakhouse), one buffet that always had a huge selection. There is a 24 hour sports bar with snacks, pool bars, swim up bar and lobby bar. Always somewhere to go to eat or drink. The beach was nice there, but because it was very windy a lot of weeds were being washed ashore, which I found out wasn't typical.

It has great atmosphere for the young or young at heart!!

MSC Cruises

Recently Janice from our Bowmanville office went on a Mediterrean cruise aboard the MSC Armonia, here are her comments.

I was booked in an outside balcony cabin on deck #12, the cabin size was 237 sq ft, it was fabulous waking up to the sun rise every morning.

The Armonia is spotless with typical brass & glass decor, the staff is constantly working on the ship to keep it clean and it shows.

Dining

Breakfast: you could do the buffet or go to the dining room, both had lots of variety

Lunch: the dining room offered a la carte or there was a buffet with a huge variety of food

as well as a fresh pasta bar

Dinner: a la carte dining with fresh fish, chicken, beef etc, your typical 6 course meal, was nice because the dining room was pretty casual unlike some other cruises.

Excursions

Lots of variety and the most expensive was 46euros, we took a tour in Athens and Dubrovnik, most cities we moored at the pier so you could get off and walk around easily.

I would not hesitate to travel with MSC Lines again, staff was very helpful, most of them didn't have a problem speaking or understanding English.

The Value of a Travel Agent.

Undoubtedly, one of the biggest reasons for buying travel services from a Travel Counsellor is our network of support we can offer the traveller. Here's a breakdown of why:

Before the trip: We work with you to discover your needs. Travel is a service industry and servicing these needs is the first step towards a successful trip. We know how important it is for you to have that aisle seat, or that special meal you ordered for the plane or to have an oceanview room once you arrive at your destination. It's our job to confirm these special arrangements.

During the trip: We are here for you! You can contact us throughout your trip should anything go wrong. The perfect example is when Canada 3000 went bankrupt, we had most of our clients rebooked before they even knew something was wrong. People who booked online? They were left on there own.

After your trip: We're here to listen to your praise, take in your suggestions and help resolve any issues that may have arisen while on your trip. This is also where service comes into play. Whether its keeping your name in our database to inform you of special prices to your favourite place or inviting you to a special destination evening, the relationship continues.

There is no substitute for personal interaction. As much as online booking sites try to emphasize choice, freedom and independence, the bottom line is travellers are responsible for there own actions. So when you push the "enter" key I hope you've made the right decision.

Kananaskis

Alot of people take holidays in the summer but normally go outside of Canada and forget that we have many wonderful places here to see. Here is a review from my clients who just returned from the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis.

Lori, Jo-Anne and I had a terrific time at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis. The hotel is very spacious and sets a very relaxing tone.

The killer about this hotel is the location and how they have integrated it into the location. The location is up on the hillside overlooking the Kananaskis Valley. The view from the back of the property is stunning. This picture was taken from a hiking trail that runs around the perimeter of the grounds...hard to take ! When you are on the valley floor you cannot see the hotel however.

During the week we took a number of side trips including Lake Louise...I cannot tell you how glad we were that we did not go there. The location as special as it is, is overrun by tourists coming to see the lake. The crowd virtually overruns the hotel location. Although the scene is amazing there is nowhere on the grounds that can compare to the quiet and serenity of the

Delta. I managed to get a picture of Lake Louise after I pushed my way to the front of the crowd at the side of the lake...

Things we liked about the Delta Lodge :
- spacious, relaxing atmosphere
- facilities that inlcuded pool, tennis, fitness, hiking with golf within a 10 minute drive down to the valley
- location - 20 minutes from Canmore, 40 minutes to Banff, 1 hour to Lake Louise, 1 hour from Calgary
- tranquility of the location and the lack of tour bus traffic... yes there were some tours - maybe 1 bus /day but you were never overrun.
Also no hustle and bustle around the hotel as you find in Banff or Lake Louise. The hotel is about 10 minutes up the hill from the highway and there is nothing else there.
- incredible scenery around the hotel

Tks for your help putting this together.

Ross

Kelowna

Here is a review from Sheila Kemp, last weekend she was out in Kelowna, here's what she had to say.

I have just returned from Kelowna, located in the beautiful Okanogan Valley. I have been here many times before to ski at Big White but I have never been in the summer months. I stayed at the Cove Resort which is a brand new luxury condominium complex located right on Lake Okanogon. The recreational activities are abundant from hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding to a choice of over 53 local golf courses the Okanogon can keep you busy and entertained. The Okanagon is rich with lush orchards, gourmet restaurants and award-winning wineries, many of which have restaurants located on site. Why not try a feast for the palate with a wine pairing dinner. It is spectacular, something everyone should try at least once. Kelowna is truly a year round resort and with direct (41/2 hour) flights from Toronto why not give it a try this summer or go for the powder next winter.

Superclubs Guaranteed Getaways

SuperClubs is once again offering there year-round Guaranteed Getaways program!

To put vacationers' minds at ease during summer holiday plans, SuperClubs'guests can depend on Guaranteed Getaways even during hurricane season (June1 - November 30, 2007).

No Hurricane Guarantee: Should a hurricane happen to strike the resort, guests staying at the resort will receive a reimbursement for the total value of disrupted nights. In addition, a voucher for a future stay will be issued for the same number of disrupted nights for use during the same month the following year, excluding airfare.

Sunshine Guarantee: Expanded this year to include Breezes Curaçao, as well as six Jamaica resorts, every day is a "sun" day at SuperClubs. For each and every day the sun doesn't show its face during guests' stay, guests will receive a credit voucher equal to that day's Super-Inclusive room value, good for one year towards another SuperClubs vacation.

Satisfaction Guarantee: If a SuperClubs guest is not 100 percent satisfied with the holiday, the guest must notify the general manager of the problem immediately. If the general manager is unable to rectify the situation by the second night of the guest's stay, SuperClubs will issue a credit voucher for the entire value of the unused portion of the guest's hotel stay, good for up to one year at a SuperClubs resort.

Eurobics....

The traveler's need to exercise while on holiday can be seen in the state-of-the-art fitness centres and gym facilities that are now available at virtually every Caribbean resort and cruise ship sailing the seven seas. But what about this summer if you're touring Britain & Europe?

Here are a few simple ways to keep fit and keep active while seeing all the sites in your favorite cities across Britain & Europe.

Skate London - It's one of the great walking capitals of the world. What better way to see the city than online skating. Covent Garden is a great starting point, it's a short roller blade from the Royal Opera House, the National Gallery, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. You can easily burn up kilometers & calories exploring the streets and alleyways of Soho.

Bike Paris - Paris is another great walking city, with its broad, tree-lined boulevards, large parks and squares. About 5 minutes from the Eiffel Tower is Fat Bike Tours, burn calories while exploring the outer reaches of Paris and the countryside on a bicycle.

Jog Barcelona - Barcelona is easily among the most beautiful and captivating cities in all of Europe. Skirted by the rich, indigo seas of the Mediterranean, this cosmopolitan city dazzles and delights its visitors with a winning combination of ancient ruins, gothic cathedrals and modern hotels, restaurants and clubs. Whether you jog or walk, be sure to take in the mile long promenade that is called La Rambla de Barcelona, it's the city's main street.

Hike Dublin - Without a doubt Ireland is hiking and biking territory. The scenery, landscape, climate and pace of the country command a pastoral approach to the land. For the adventurous try Wicklow Way, its 132 kilometres of trails that will take you about 8-10 days to complete but you'll find plenty of affordable accommodation and restaurants along the way.

Weddings in Paradise

With the costs of home town weddings continually soaring, wedding couples are flocking to the Caribbean more than ever! The typical destination wedding package, with an added week for a honeymoon, often costs less than a seated dinner at the local country club.

Uniqueness is what a destination wedding offers. The combination of charming gazebos, exotic gardens, tropical cocktails and a relaxing vacation are too tempting to pass on. In addition, travelling to the Caribbean to say ‘I do’ means your one special day turns into seven extraordinary days of celebration with family and friends. It is the chance to glide into married life stress-free and with a tan!

Simplicity and island weddings go hand-in-hand. Resorts offer qualified on-site wedding coordinators who are dedicated to making sure your big day is exceptional. Every detail, big or small, is taken care of for you. Upon arrival you will meet with your wedding coordinator to decide upon flowers, cake and dinner venue. Then it is time to unwind. Destination weddings allow you to focus on yourselves and your family.

Los Cabos

Los Cabos is one of my new favourite places to holiday, situated on the tip of the Baja peninsula are the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Cabo San Lucas used to be nothing more than a sleepy fishing village, it has now been transformed into a world-class tourist resort with an exciting and varied array of restaurants and nightclubs. If your hoping to catch a glimpse of a movie star this is the place to be, last time I was there I met people from the reality series, the Amazing Race.

If you prefer a more peacful experience but still close to the action then San Jose del Cabo is the spot for you, offering a tranquil atmosphere with boutiques, markets and an authentic Mexican feel.

Both destinations share multiple golf courses, plus deep sea fishing, scuba diving and seasonal whale watching opportunites.

What's Cooking?

T-shirts are fine, but what better souvenir to bring home from your trip than a fabulous gourmet meal to cook up for friends? Culinary schools are all the rage and a great way to marinate in the local culture. From the Marrakesh palmeraie to the Italian countryside to a sailboat in the blue Aegean, there's a trip for you.

You'll find that culinary learning vacations are a great way to marinate yourself in local culture, make new friends, and impress old ones.

Tours are available for passionate amateurs and combine an entertaining mix of hands-on cooking with visits to the kitchens of local chefs. You will get to experience wine & food tasting with excursions to the local markets.

Southern Hospitality!

I've just returned from the Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation located in Greensboro, Georgia and I will attest to the fact that yes indeed, southern hospitality still exists.

This property is a hidden gem in the southern States that I'm sure alot of people aren't aware of. Located on Lake Oconee you really feel like your in the Muskoka's but with alot more charm.

The staff here are absolutely incredible, constantly going out of their way to make your stay more enjoyable. The Lodge is the perfect combination of surreal elegance and outdoor tranquility, offering escapes such as fishing for large mouth bass, waterskiing and canoeing.

With 99 holes of golf, a full service spa & fitness centre and more than 35 acres of picturesque shoreline, you will never run out things to do.

European River Cruising

Discover why the road best traveled in Europe...is a river. Whether you've been to Europe once or a dozen times, a Grand River Cruise takes you through the timeless beauty of Europe in a way you've never seen before.

The ships sail along the historic waterways of Europe and dock in the heart of the quaintest villages and grandest cities. Arrive rested and ready to spend more time in each destination.

Follow in the footsteps of the adventures of days gone by as you embark on a history-steeped European journey taking you through many different countries and along three great rivers where you’ll experience the jewels of Europe.

As you sail along the Rhine, you’ll find yourself transfixed like artists, composers and poets of the past, as you see fairytale castles and sloping vineyards, and hear the legends surrounding the river throughout your trip. You’ll cruise through the spectacular 106-mile Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel, en route to the beautiful Danube. Sail through Austria’s lush vineyard-rich Wachau Valley, and all along the way, you’ll discover the diverse cultural heritage and rich history of three great rivers, the Rhine, the Main and the Danube.

St.Lucia

It's Friday afternoon and the sunshine has arrived just in time to make it a wonderful weekend here in Oshawa.

To keep the sun shining here is a glowing review of a resort in St.Lucia.

Welcome to Jade Mountain, St.Lucia.

High on Morne Chastanet, overlooking St.Lucia's Piton World Heritage site and the Caribbean Sea, Jade Mountain is Anse Chastanet's new and exclusive resort within a resort.

The bold architectural design with individual bridges leading to the extraordinary infinity pool suites and columns reaching towards the sky makes Jade Mountain one of the Caribbean's most mesmerizing resort experiences.

Expect grand sweeping spaces beyond your imagination, with your bedroom, living area and extravagantly sized private infinity edge pool gliding into one another to form an amazing platform floating in space, with the 4th wall missing entirely - the result is a stage-like setting from which to embrace the full glory - and infinite views - of St. Lucia's twin Pitons and the shimmering Caribbean Sea - a view you are not likely to ever forget.

Enjoy the exclusivity and private setting of Jade Mountain, simply let go, forget the outside world and float away as the resort would like you to!

Welcome Back to New Orleans!

New Orleans is back, better than ever. If you haven't been before now is the time to go, the city has been revitalized, hotels have been refurbished, the essence of this city is back and its alive & thriving.

New Orleans has one of the freshest hotel products of any major city. The shops and boutiques - from the French Quarter to Magazine Street - offer the finest and most eclectic shopping options in the U.S. The arts scene is exploding and the galleries are among the finest in North America.

Although there was considerable damage to post-World War II outlying suburban neighborhoods, the historic architecture in the tourist areas is intact. The core of New Orleans’ hospitality and tourism destinations are open and thriving.

Now is the time to fall in love with New Orleans all over again. There is no need to wait, the time to visit is now!

Viva Cuba!!

Cuba - a land of rhythms.

Every year Cuba gets increasingly more popular with Canadians, with thier friendly locals, stunning beaches, diverse culture & history it's not hard to see why.

The vibrant rhythms of mambo and salso enrich the soothing sounds of ocean waves along miles of unspoiled pristine shores. A land where cigars are hand-rolled to perfection, where aged rum is served up in a Cuba libre, a national drink as popular as the heroes of this land and where a stroll through Havana's quaint cobblestone streets conjures up images of glory and grandeur.

Cuba's history, culture and exotic natural beauty are sure to awaken all of your senses.

Earth Day Canada

In keeping with the Earth Day theme, here are the top 10 actions you can do to help the environment.

1. Park it - leave the car at home for a day.
2. Shut down - turn off lights, computer, TV when not in use.
3. Where's the beef? - eat meat-free once a week.
4. Eat it - choose organically and locally grown foods in season
5. Let it rot - start composting either through the green bin program or with a composter in your backyard.
6. Don't let it idle - turn off your car if stopped for more than 10 seconds.
7. Keep your eye on the temperature - set thermostat above room temperature in summer and below in winter.
8. Bright ideas - use compact fluorescent bulbs.
9. Don't dump it - use your blue box.
10. Tell someone - brag about your green activities and encourage them to follow suit.

Happy Earth Day!!

As we head into this beautiful weekend, I'd like to remind everyone that Saturday is Earth Day. It is a day dedicated to the environmental health of our planet. If you are looking for some activities to enjoy the official Earth Day celebrations throughout the city here's the link to help you plan your fun http://www.oshawa.ca/whatsnew/Earth_Day_Activities.pdf

The streets in Oshawa will be happening, hopefully you will come out and lend a helping hand! All your work is greatly appreciated, wash your windows, sweep the walks and get ready to enjoy spring!

Travel Tips

Well the sun is finally out in Oshawa!! Please, lets hope it stays out. I think everyone is ready for the warm weather. Today I thought I'd share some travel tips with you, this will become a regular feature. If you have a question please email it to me and I will post an answer for you.

1.Please remember all Canadian citizens now require a valid Canadian passport to travel to the United States by air. If your travelling by car across the border a birth certificate and photo I.D. is still acceptable.

2. Liquids, gels and aerosols are now permitted in your carry-on but with restrictions as follows:
- must be packaged in containers with a capacity of 100 ml / 100 grams (3.4 oz) or less.
- The containers must fit comfortably in one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag with a
capacity of no more than 1 litre (1 quart).
- The approximate dimensions of a one litre/quart bag are 15.24 cm by 22.86 cm (6 in. by 9
in.) or 20 cm by 17.5 cm (8 in. by 7 in.).
- One bag per passenger will be permitted.

3.Find out how many pieces of luggage you are allowed to take with you. Checked and carry-on baggage limits vary by airline and destination.

4. Pack your own bags; never let someone else do it.

5. Know how early you should arrive at the airport. Check with your airline, because check-in times may vary by airline and destination. New security measures can cause delays for travellers. Be sure to arrive well before your departure time.

Thanks to Rheal for all his expertise!!!! It's much appreciated!

Alaska Cruising

Now that I think Spring is actually on its way, people start to plan there summer holidays and what a better way to see Alaska than from your own private verandah while sailing up the coast.

See the Alaskan wilderness while you sip a cappuccino from your verandah and hopefully catch sight of a humpback whale or wolf pups frolicking in the snow.

From the breathtaking sights of Hubbard Glacier to the pioneering spirit of Juneau, the gold-rush spirit of Skagway and the totem poles of Ketchikan, Alaska is as rustic and romantic as one could ever imagine.

Do you have the Monday morning blahs?

Since it's raining again and the weather is very bleak here in Oshawa, thought I would share another fabulous hotel review to try and brighten your day! I have just returned recently from the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun and I know people are still leary about Mexico in general. Well I for one thought it was fabulous and I can honestly say Cancun is back better than ever.

The spectacular Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort is located 5 miles south of the airport in Cancun's tranquil south shore. Nestled between 123 acres of tropical foliage and a secluded white sand beach stretching nearly 2000 feet, perfect for non-motorized water sports, this resort offers 2,103 luxurious rooms with either ocean or garden views. It is divided into two sections, Sunrise and Nizuc, each one with its own characteristics. Full fitness facilities, a kids club, restaurants featuring a wide variety of cuisines, several bars to quench your thirst and an attentive service make of this resort a truly destination for travelers of all ages.

Happy Friday the 13th !!!!

Is spring ever going to officially arrive? To brighten your day, here is a wonderful review of the
Royal Hideaway Ensenachos in Cuba.

Outstanding!!!!!
** Grounds and rooms were beautiful**
**Champagne upon arrival**
**Amazing beach**

At the beach there were people to find you a lounge and they put your towels on the lounge for you. At the pool, they brought you a cushion for your lounge chair as soon as you sat down. Again they put your cushion and towel on the lounge chair. They had golf carts to take you to the buffet if you didn't want to walk. Some days we were walking to the buffet and they would stop to pick us up along the way. We had day maids and night maids.

We had the Italian a la carte delivered to our room and they set everything on the balcony including flowers on the table. All was done with a huge smile. Our villa was directly across from the pool and right beside the board walk to the beach. The snack bar was incredible, it had a full menu, more than a snack bar. The beach was amazing too. The sand was so white and soft. You never had to look for a lounge or Pallapa there were so many and always one to be had. The staff always went out of your way for you. The spa was beautiful and the spa area was gorgeous.

Doesn't this sound fabulous??

Staff review of the Bahia Principe Punta Cana

A member of our staff just returned from this beautiful resort with these comments. Please feel free to call us for more information.

This is a really nice resort, rooms are all Jr Suites and decorated very nicely. The resort is very long and first impression is it is miles to the beach but in actual fact from the beach to the lobby takes about 12 minutes. There are shuttles that run constantly (they must have at least 10 of these) never have to wait long for them.

There are many different room locations to choose from, such as the golden club, diamond club and gold rooms, its best to call us for suggestions on which room is best for you.All rooms have stocked mini bars..beer and soft drinks and 2 big bottles ofwater everyday.

Shows are ok but not great. Restaurants were good and food was very good even at the buffet. Breakfast was a buffet each morning (no omelet station) and most of the restaurants offered breakfast.There were over 4000 people at the hotel and it did not seem busy. If you want a chair at the pool or beach you can usually find one if you hunt but best to be down in the am.The beach was wonderful...long and lovely sand right out into the ocean. It is right beside the Palace and the Iberostar so on a nice day the beach is very busy. There is a market on the beach about 1/2 hour walk down the way. You could get premium liquor at some of the bars..CC, Smirnoff, Bacardi (about as premium as you can get) wine typical not great but you could choke it down!