Arizona | Brazil | Cancún, Mexico | New Orleans | New York | Vail, Colorado
Has it all… and some
Vast plains, snow covered mountain ranges, deserts, skyscrapers, stunning coastlines, impressive national parks, along with a fascinating melting pot of cultures & traditions.
Arizona
Rich, native American culture, chiseled canyons, ponderosa pine forests, white water rafting, skiing, fiery sunsets, chili-based southwest cuisine and acres of Cowboy country take a lot of beating. There is year round good weather in southern Arizona (Tuscon, Phoenix and Scottsdale) with 320 days of sunshine, a clear atmosphere and clean air. High standards of accommodation, combined with amazing natural wonders and friendly southwest hospitality, is clearly a potent mixture that continues to make Arizona a popular incentive & group destination. Scottsdale, the upmarket residential and shopping district is 25 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and adjacent to Phoenix itself. The two counties form the 160 square mile Valley of the Sun, a bigger land mass than Los Angeles.
Brazil
The main port of entry into Brazil is the Southeast where the pace is dynamic and the region’s contrasts exciting. Rio de Janeiro with its world-famous beaches is relaxed and fun loving, nestling between the mountains and the sea. Guests soon discover why Rio is known as the Marvelous City where the people are carefree and friendly and the City itself never sleeps.
The Iguassu Falls are located at the point where the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet and are formed by the meeting of the Parana and Iguassu Rivers. Made up from 275 waterfalls, the Falls are 3km in length, up to 90 metres high and their waters descend with such a torrential force that the sound can be heard miles away. The Falls are the largest in the world and great clouds of spray climbs upwards often carrying rainbows into the sky.
Since 93% of Brazil’s territory is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the direct opposite to those in Europe or the United States. The high season to visit Rio de Janeiro is January but this can often be too hot. Unless you wish to visit particularly during Carnival time it is best to avoid 9th-12th February as prices are hugely inflated. March is the start of their autumn with an average high of 28°C although there is the risk of some rain.
Cancún, Mexico
Cancún has everything: crystal-clear waters, white sand, some of the finest hotels in the world, superb restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. But it is much more than that. Cancún is the gateway to the wonders of the Mexican Caribbean and the Maya World and the vast nature reserves of the state of Quintana Roo. The possibilities for entertainment, adventure and contact with nature are endless. Cancún truly has it all.
Little more than twenty years ago, Cancún was just a Mayan name, a deserted, sun-drenched island off the northeast tip of the Yucatan peninsula.
The magnificent resort city of Cancún now offers visitors over 25,000 rooms in four and five star hotels as well as all inclusive accommodations that offer package deals including food, beverage and rooms. Some hotels are internationally recognized, but there also small family style hotels that offer first class service and accommodations.
Cancún Island is approximately 16 miles long with the highest point above sea level being 200 feet. The State of Quintana Roo is located 550 miles south of Miami, in the South-eastern part of Mexico. Along the coastline of about 540 miles, there are numerous coral islands and a reef barrier, the second largest in the world.
If you are searching for calm, peaceful days to enjoy the sun and the sand, Cancún boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
For those who go out more for daytime than night-time sports, Cancún, with its beaches of powdery coral sand, is the place to be. Cancún is a snorkel and scuba diving paradise, the lagoon enclosed by the -L- shape of the island, is ideal for sailing and water-skiing. Deep-sea fishing and diving are fantastic in the open sea, which stretches out in shades of light-green to turquoise from the shoreline to the violet-blue horizon.
If you prefer to visit the surrounding areas, there are many excursions to the mysterious Mayan archaeological sites of Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza or Uxmal with. Boat trips to the nearby islands of Isla Mujeres, Cozumel and Contoy are popular and easy to do.
New Orleans
The unofficial Louisiana state motto, laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll), pretty much says it all for most people — and let there be no mistake, New Orleans rolls plenty. Known as the ‘The Paris of the Americas’, ‘The Crescent City’ and ‘The Big Easy’, it is also called by some, ‘The City That Care Forgot,’ emphasizing New Orleans’ well-earned reputation for bawdiness and frivolity. While this is certainly a big draw, so is its colourful past and unique cultural gumbo of African, Indian, Cajun and Creole elements. Whether you’re looking for history, drama and intrigue or just a darn good be-bop in the street, New Orleans has a flavour like no other city in North America.
New Orleans is one of the few cities in the world that truly lives up to the hyperbole — it’s not a city, it’s an experience.
The weather in New Orleans can change quickly and drastically at any give moment. April and October are two fabulous months to visit New Orleans for the mild weather.
New York
No place else is quite like New York. Simply stated, there is more of the best to delight and entertain than anywhere else in the world: 150 world class museums, 18,000 restaurants of all types and price ranges, 37 Broadway theatres, a revitalized Times Square and Grand Central Terminal and an unbelievable array of shopping.
No other city has such a diversity of people and cultures. You can march to a reggae beat on your way to hear a German opera, order Japanese sushi for lunch and hearty Brazilian feijoada for dinner or go from a room full of Dutch Old Master paintings into one filled with cutting-edge fashion. Welcome to New York, where the only limit is your imagination.
First-time visitors to New York cannot see and do everything but they can get a wonderful introduction to the sights, visit famous attractions and make notes for a return visit.
The best months to visit New York are May, June and September or during December for Christmas shopping. During the summer heat waves are common with temperatures staying over 37°C for several days. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year and snow is expected December through to March.
Vail, Colorado
Framed by the majestic Gore Range and surrounded by the White River National Forest, Colorado’s Vail Valley is a dynamic collection of resort communities. From Beaver Creek to Vail to Cordillera, the Vail Valley offers first class fun and entertainment for all!
Vail, which is located at the eastern end of the Valley is primarily known for it’s skiing, yet offers a host of other adventurous summer and winter activities, including whitewater rafting, horse riding, jeeping, snowmobiling and snowshoe tours. Just 10 miles (16km) to the west of Vail is the charming village of Beaver Creek. Both Vail and Beaver Creek offer some of the finest winter & summer group activities in the world.
Further to the west is Cordillera, known as a golfer’s paradise with three mountain courses. Minturn is a thriving enclave of quaint art galleries, restaurants and shops. Avon, once a small ranching and farming community, has blossomed into a major recreation and commercial centre for the Vail Valley. Arrowhead is a first class, private community with the Jack Nicklaus-designed Country Club of the Rockies. Whether you are a first time visitor or a seasoned regular, the Vail Valley offers the best of the Rockies all year long.