Travel Bug
By Susan Campbell
Sandals makes a big footprint in Curaçao
The little Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is very excited with this big addition to their hosting options, with Sandals having invested multi-millions of dollars in transforming the historic resort
situated on the old Santa Barbara plantation into their 16th signature adult-only all-inclusive resort called Sandals Royal Curaçao. The ‘Sandalization’ process, as they call it, includes a stunning infinity pool, the brand’s very first floating restaurant and bar constructed from an authentic Dutch ship, and eight of the nine on-site restaurants will be new to the Sandals brand as well. Among the many new amenities will be 10 bars, a luxe spa, and they have access to the famed 18-hole Pete Dye seaside clifftop golf course, and superb snorkelling and diving ops are right offshore. Visit: sandals.com/curacao/
New luxury cruises to visit Saudi Arabia
Emerald Azzurra is Emerald Cruise’s very first oceangoing yacht, and it will debut with two new exotic itineraries that both include stops at the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia. Voyages will include bucket list experiences and a trip of a lifetime adventure aboard a custom-built ocean superyacht that will only host 100 guests in 50 deluxe suites and staterooms, most with private balconies. Choose from the 10-day The Mysteries and Treasures of the Red Sea departures starting February 2022 or the 12-day Saudi Arabia The Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece departing March 2022. The Great Pyramids of Giza and UNESCO World Heritage Site city Jeddah are some of the wonders you will visit, early-bird booking specials are happening now. Visit: emeraldcruises.ca/offers/2022-saudi-arabia
OWG offers a new airlift option to the sun
You might never have heard of Off We Go airlines (OWG), but they are a new boutique airline based in Quebec, a division of Nolinair Aviation. They operate a small fleet of Boeing 737s that will offer flights to Cuba, Jamaica, and possibly more sun destinations this year from Montreal and Toronto. They plan to announce the new scheduled flights and prices soon, so check their website for new information. They hope that their unique brand of hospitality called the OWG HIGH LOVE Experience will attract customers seeking a more personal and traveller-centred journey when seeking to fly south than one typically receives from the big airlines. Visit: owg.com
Hipcamp now covers Canada
The largest online resource for public and private camping that’s proved exceedingly popular in the U.S. and Australia has now put Canada on their Hipcamp map. They are a free one-stop-shop resource for some of the coolest nature stays in the country. Whether you seek a cozy or classy log cabin in Quebec, a unique stay at an alpaca farm in Ontario, a cool treehouse abode in British Columbia, or just a stellar spot to go camping or glamping, Hipcamp has you covered from coast to coast. All of their stays have been highly vetted and follow safety and health protocols, and they also offer RV listings and pet-friendly spots to stay, as well. Visit: hipcamp.com/en-CA or download their Hipcamp app.
Take a short trip between provinces on a zipline
The world’s first interprovincial zipline debuted in the National Capital Region this summer. It’s called Interzip, and it can shoot you across the Ottawa River from Gatineau, Quebec, to Ottawa, Ontario, at a speed of up to 50 km per hour!The 1,400-foot zipline stretches 120 feet over the water. Although it’s a short trip, 45 seconds, it is worth taking for an exhilarating new aerial perspective on both cities, including stellar views of the Parliament buildings. But it’s for a limited time, so better go before October 1st if you want to try it this year. There is no age limit, but you must be between 70 and 275 pounds, and you must be able to climb the 140 steps to the top of the tower to partake. Visit: https://interzip.ca/en
Susan Campbell is an award-winning travel writer originally from Ottawa, but now based in Montreal. Her work has appeared in hundreds of major print and web publications throughout North America
