Mexico's Vacation Playgrounds
White sand beaches, warm climate, and fabulous resorts.

Insider's View
In Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula with Angelica Espinosa.

Soft Adventure in Mexico
You'll find plenty to keep you active in this diverse country.

Cruising: What's New for 2012
There's a dizzying array of choices for 2012 with something for every type of traveller.

Ship Showcase
Disney Cruise Line®
Disney Dream™

Recipe Corner
Spicy Pear & Tropical Fruit Salsas

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WestJet Vacations
Take the one you love to a resort made for love.

Book a package to Sandals Resorts and save 65% plus get free nights. This romantic deal is valid at select Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, Saint Lucia and the Bahamas.

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Featured Cruises

Alaskan Explorer
Holland America
Departures begin May 6, 2012
7 days / 6 nights
From $719 CAD

Mediterranean Tapestry
Holland America
Departures begin Apr 18, 2012
12 days / 12 nights
From $1,729 CAD

Portugal, Spain & Canary Islands
Holland America
Departs Apr 16, 2012
19 days / 19 nights
From $2,239 CAD

We Recommend

Eyewitness Mexico
A guide book that is actually a pleasure to use.
From $16.50 CAD

Waterproof Housing Case
Take your camera underwater up to 5.0 metres (16.4').
From $27.95 CAD

Adventure Mask/Snorkel Set
Speedo's most popular adult recreational mask/snorkel set.
From $23.99 CAD

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Tahiti and Her Islands
These secluded emerald islands set in an azure sea are renowned for their breathtaking beauty.

Insider's View
Ili Matatolu on visiting fabulous Fiji.

South Pacific Wellness
Relax and rejuvenate with nature in the South Pacific.

Cruising the South Pacific
The romantic islands dotting the vast South Pacific Ocean make the region ideal for cruising.

Ship Showcase
m/s Paul Gauguin

Recipe Corner
Red Snapper Baked in Parchment

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Tahiti
A Name and a Destination

Tahiti - a name and destination that evokes visions of blue lagoons and verdant mountain peaks and white sand, palm fringed beaches has long been seducing honeymooners, romantics, adventurers, and vacationers looking for an escape from the ordinary.

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Featured Cruises

Tahiti & Society Islands
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Departs Feb 11, 2012 (8 days)
From $4,297 USD

Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Departs Apr 7, 2012 (15 days)
From $5,997 USD

Round Trip Honolulu
Norwegian Cruise Line
Departs Dec 17, 2011 (7 days)
From $799 CAD

We Recommend

Reed Rope Handle Tote
This large and fashionable beach bag compliments your day.
From $47.32 USD

Anytime Shelf Tank
Omni-Dry® technology will keep you cool and dry.
From $24.90 USD

Moon Fiji Guide
Written by South Pacific expert David Stanley.
From $11.00 USD

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On Safari in South Africa
A true adventure and an unforgettable experience.

Insider's View
With Our On Location partner, Virginia Dionisio.

Luxe Travel in South Africa
South Africa has it all when it comes to luxury travel.

Luxury at Sea
Check out these exceptional cruising options.

Ship Showcase
Star Clippers - Royal Clipper,
Star Clipper, Star Flyer

Recipe Corner
Grilled Strip Steak with Blue Cheese Butter & Pear Salsa

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Exclusive offer from Holiday House
Early booking bonus - Save up to 25%

Dynamic prices include hotel accommodation in a SQ Elite Deluxe Room – All-inclusive at the 5 star Azul Beach Hotel, along with roundtrip airfare to Cancun with WestJet.

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Featured Cruises

Africa, India, SE Asia
Princess Cruises®
Departs Apr 6, 2012 (30 days)
From $6,495 USD

China & Japan
Princess Cruises®
Departs Sep 12, 2012 (40 days)
From $9,999 USD

Canary Island Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line
Departs Dec 8, 2011 (9 days)
From $549 CAD

We Recommend

Bushnell Binoculars
16 x 50 Powerview Wide Angle Binocular featuring InstaFocus.
From $62.99 USD

Smith Embargo Sunglasses
100% UVA/B/C Protection Medium Fit / Wrap
From $118.97 USD

Ultimate Sun Shirt
A UPF 50+ travel shirt with stow-away scarf & fold-down cuffs.
From $69.00 USD

Spotlight on South America
Natural, beautiful South America has many ways to deliver an exciting vacation experience.
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Insider's View
Our on-site specialist, Luz Nilo, offers info and recommendations on fascinating Chile.
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Adventure Hot Spots
Add some fun to your South American vacation with these exhilarating options.
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Celebrity Cruises

Enjoy up to $150 onboard credit on select departures with Celebrity Cruises

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14 Day New Zealand and Australia
Holland America Line
ms Volendam
Aukland to Sydney
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14-Day New Zealand Discovery
Holland America Line
Volendam
Roundtrip Sydney
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Cruising the Galapagos Islands
With so many islands to explore, small ship cruising is the perfect way to discover this fascinating area.
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Ship Review
Seabourn Quest is the embodiment of Seabourn-style cruising.
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Recipe Corner
Vanilla Ice Cream with Spicy Pineapple Salsa and Quick Buñuelos
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Top Tips - South American Markets

After exploring the famous tourist attractions in South America, make sure you save some time to discover another side of this beautiful continent. Check out some of the many unique markets filled with local goods and foods. Here are our top 3 local markets:

1. The Witches' Market, La Paz, Bolivia - Venture off Calle Sagárnaga onto Calle Linares and you'll find yourself in the appropriately named ‘Witches' Market, which runs during daylight hours. Here, you can buy a ghoulish variety of charms, spices, and magic potions to help cast a positive spell on your future.
2. Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, Manaus, Brazil - This beautiful iron-and-glass market hall is a great place to see exotic Amazonian fish, fruit, and vegetables. A number of stalls have indigenous handicrafts at reasonable prices.
3. Pisac's Crafts Market, Peru: Thousands of tourists descend each Sunday morning on Pisac's liveliest handicrafts market, which takes over the central plaza and spills across adjoining streets. Pisac is one of the best spots for colorful Andean textiles, including rugs, alpaca sweaters, and ponchos.

Cool Gear

Patagonia Baby
Sun Bucket Hat
This hat goes on when the sun rises above the horizon, and stays on when raindrops start falling.
from $25.00 USD

Hands of the Rainforest
The Emberá people of Panama use their hands to turn the gifts of the tropical rain forest into meals and essential daily supplies.
from $14.33 USD

Toiletry Case
Easy, elegant organization with feminine flare.
from $12.97 USD

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Spotlight on Australia &
New Zealand
Take a look at some of the unique highlights which draw travellers from around the world.
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Insider's View
We're in New Zealand with our on-site specialist, Toni Bell, to get the latest on visiting this remarkable country.
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Extreme Adventures
Are you ready to get your adrenalin pumping? Check out these adventures, above and beyond the norm.
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Visit Australia

The state of South Australia is renowned for its combination of wildlife, outback and wine. Visit Adelaide, South Australia’s elegant and relaxed capital - your perfect gateway to authentic Australia.

Melbourne is known as Australia’s style-setter, with a passion for food and wine, a vibrant arts scene and home to the nation’s major events and festivals.

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14-day New Zealand Discovery
Holland America Line
ms Volendam
Roundtrip Sydney, Australia
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*Canadian dollars

Eastern Mediterranean
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Equinox
Roundtrip Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
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*Canadian dollars

Great Barrier Reef
Orion Expedition Cruises
Orion
Cairns to Brisbane
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Cruising Australia &
New Zealand
There are now more options than ever when planning a cruise to Australia and New Zealand.
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Ship Review
Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class Ships
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Recipe Corner
Rack of Veal with Roasted Vegetables and Thyme Glaze
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Top Tips - Australian Wildlife

Australia is a great destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The natural beauty down under ranges from tropical rainforest and hidden lagoons to red-stone deserts as far as the eye can see. The wildlife is just as unique and diverse. Here's our top 3 Australian animals, not to be missed:

1. Kangaroo - Australians have a special place in their heart for these marsupials; the kangaroo is Australia's national symbol and widely used on coins, in logos, and as mascots. There are over 40 million kangaroos down under, and different subspecies of kangaroos can be found all over the continent.
2. Koala - Koalas' role in nature is very similar to the sloths of South America. They live almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves and have a very slow metabolism, which causes them to sleep most of the day. Koalas are mostly found in the coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, but they also live in some more inland areas consisting of woodland.
3. Platypus - This is one of the weirdest looking animals you'll find in Australia; platypus have the feet of an otter, a tail of a beaver and the beak of a duck. Platypus live in the eastern part of Australia, including Tasmania, and can be viewed in several wildlife sanctuaries in the Gold Coast, around Brisbane and in Sydney.

Cool Gear

Men's Translite Mid
Walking shoes
The Translite series from Timberland is made for long walks, rugged trail walking and hiking.
from $69.99 USD

New Zealand - The Great Walks, 2nd edition
A guide book for getting to each trailhead; health and safety; environmentally-sensitive hiking.
from $17.95 USD

Bushnell H2O Binoculars
Magnify your adventures on and around the water.
from $119.00 USD

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Spotlight on Italy
There's a magical quality to this ancient land which makes it even more special to experience.
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Insider's View
Rome: The Eternal City. Filippo Curinga shares tips on visiting this remarkable city.
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Culinary Travel in Italy
Discover Italy's rich culinary heritage with food and wine experiences in every region.
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20-Day Mediterranean Adventure Collectors’ Voyage
Holland America Line
ms Noordam
Roundtrip Civitavecchia (Rome)
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*CDN dollars

Sailing the Mediterranean
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Jade
Roundtrip from Venice, Italy
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*USD dollars

Cruising the Mediterranean
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Epic
Roundtrip from Barcelona, Spain
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*USD dollars

The Culinary Scene at Sea
Cruise lines are pulling out the stops when it comes to innovative food and wine programs at sea.
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Ship Review
Oceania Cruises’ Marina, heralded as the most beautiful ship in the modern era of cruising.
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Recipe Corner
Orecchiette with Sausage and Escarole
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Cool Gear

Top Tips

Wine picnic set
Experience a real Italian outdoor wine picnic with your favorite wine, some great cheeses and of course a beautiful Italian sunset.
from $29.95 USD

Label Lift
Bring memories of your favorite Italian wine with you; Label Lift removes labels from wine bottles and laminates them.
$9.85 USD

Made in Italy: Food & Stories
Italian cook Georgio Locatelli shares his love for food through his favorite recipes, personal stories, and the history of Italian food.
$38.02 USD

Italian cuisine has been influenced by many other cuisines around the Mediterranean and its roots are going back all the way to 400 BC. It is very popular around the world, with each region adding its own flavor. Well known Italian dishes are pasta, pizza and cheeses, but a typical Italian “Dolce”, or sweet dessert, is definitely something you don’t want to miss. Here’s our top 3 Italian “Dolce”:

1. Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts made of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet creamy filling, usually ricotta cheese and succade. The size of a cannollo (“little tube”), can range from the size of a finger to the size of a fist.
2. Spumone is a molded Italian ice cream with differently flavored and colored layers. The traditional combination is chocolate, pistachio and cherry ice cream with cherry bits. Spumone is very popular in the North American Italian cuisine.
3. Tiramisu is one of the most popular Italian cakes and is made of coffee-dipped biscuits layered with a mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese, and flavored with cocoa and marsala wine. There are many different versions of the dessert, including variations in cakes, cheeses and liquor.

Spotlight on the Mediterranean
From artistic Barcelona to exotic Istanbul, let's take a look at the features of these great cities.
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Insider's View
Get the inside scoop on visiting Croatia from tour operators Christiane and Ivan Mandukich in Dubrovnik.
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Dining Out
We've selected some of the most popular and best restaurants along the Mediterranean for you to try.
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Burgundy and Provence

SAVE $1,000 on Select 2011 Departures with
Avalon Waterways.

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10-Day Mediterranean Enchantment
Holland America Line
ms Noordam
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy roundtrip
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*Canadian dollars

11-Day Burgundy & Provence
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Scenery
Côte d’Azur to Paris
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*Canadian dollars

14-Day Hawaiian Adventure
Cunard Line
Queen Victoria®
Los Angeles, roundtrip
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*US dollars

Cruising the Mediterranean
Cruising is certainly the perfect way to visit the fascinating countries along the Med.
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Ship Review
Celebrity's Solstice® Class Ships
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Recipe Corner
Coriander-Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Bell Peppers and Raisin Rice
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Cool Gear

Croatian Dictionary & Phrasebook
A reliable, portable, and easy-to-use travel essential.
from $6.25 USD

Tilley Hat
Repels rain and mildew, blocks UVA and UVB radiation (UPF 50+), and is machine washable. Lifetime Guarantee.
from $66.00 USD

Mini speakers
The perfect stereo speaker system for your iPod, iPhone, iPad, Macbook or any Laptop and MP3 player.
from $39.99 USD

Top Tips

The Mediterranean is a great region to visit if you’re interested in exploring historical sites. Many of the sites you’ll find here are remainders of the Roman Empire that once included most of the Mediterranean. Aside from exploring the buildings, you’ll also be able to enjoy various cultural events. Here’s our top three Roman theaters:

1. Aspendos Theatre in Turkey — The theatre was built in the 2nd century AD and has been renovated many times, which explains the great condition it is in. The theatre hosts the annual opera performances and concerts, and has seating space for 20,000 spectators.
2. Roman Theatre of Orange, Southern France — Situated in Provence, the Roman Theatre of Orange is the best preserved Roman theatre in the western world and has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It houses many different events throughout the year, including falconry shows, the Roman festival, and the opera festival in July and August.
3. Pula Arena, Croatia — The amphitheater in Pula is one of the best preserved historic monuments in Croatia. The Pula Arena was built around the first century AD and could chair over 26, 000 spectators. Today it's used to host a range of festivals and performances during summer time months.

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Spotlight on Ireland
The Emerald Isle's exciting mix of sights, cultural experiences and scenery creates an outstanding vacation experience for visitors.
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Insider's View
We're in Dublin with Garreth Cooke, Managing Director of a leading Irish tour company. Check out Garreth's tips and advice.
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Long Stay Vacations
Got time for an extended adventure abroad? There are many surprisingly affordable options for long stay travellers.
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Kids Fly FREE to Europe!

Valid through the following gateways: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto & Montreal. Children must be between 5-17 years of age at time of booking.
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13 Days - The Blue Danube Discovery
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Tranquility
Budapest to Prague
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*CDN dollars

12 Days - Greek Isles
Princess Cruise Line
Ruby Princess®
Venice to Rome
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*US dollars

12 Days - Greek Isles & Agean Treasures
Cunard Cruise Line
Queen Victoria®
Rome to Venice
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*US dollars

Cruising Ireland
Consider including captivating Ireland on the itinerary when planning your European cruise.
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Ship Review
The Uniworld S.S. Antoinette will clearly set the standard in luxury and innovation.
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Recipe Corner
Grilled Lamb Chops with Oregano and Apple Chutney
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Cool Gear

Tire Gauge & Multi-Tool
A 6-in-1 multi-tool for on-the-road emergencies.
from $24.85 USD

Emerald Islands
Music Inspired by Ireland and Scotland
from $9.20 USD

Lonely Planet
Hiking in Ireland
from $17.35 USD

Top Tips

The Irish over the ages have had a great influence on other cultures, mostly in the fields of literature and science, but also in art, music and dance. There are many traditional Irish dance and music festivals and visiting one of these is a great way to immerse yourself in Irish culture. Here are our top 3 Irish festivals:

1. St. Patrick's Festival, Dublin - Dublin's St. Patrick's Festival is the country's largest annual event, with several days of street theatre, fireworks, music, dance, a treasure hunt and visual art exhibitions. Every year in March.
2. Smithwick's Cat Laughs Festival, Kilkenny - This festival has rapidly established itself as one of the best comedy festivals in the world. Five days of fun and laughter are guaranteed with over 85 live performances in the relaxing surrounds of 14 of Kilkenny’s best loved venues. Every year in June.
3. Temple Bar TradFest, Dublin – Temple Bar is Dublin's premier celebration of traditional music and culture. It brings a line-up of Irish music favorites and some exciting new talent to The Ark, along with other Dublin venues. There are also workshops and films at the Button Factory and Project Arts Centre. The festival was named Best Traditional Music Festival in the 2008 and 2009 Festival Awards. Every year in January.