THE DESTINATION GAZETTE NEWSLETTER

DESTINATION GAZETTE 2010

"Hello"!  I hope you and your family are doing well and looking forward to the arrival of the spring season. Ever since the beginning of the New Year, it has been very busy at Destinations by Dixon.  We have received bookings for throughout 2010 as well as into 2011.  Even our 2010 Christmas Market tour to Germany sold out within two weeks of its promotion!  Soon most everyone will have their taxes completed and will think next about a possible travel getaway.  There are many new exciting things I wish to share with you; a new cruise ship, new all inclusive resorts, new tours and also our new travel blog.  Postings to my new travel blog, "The Travel Virtuoso" will be featured on our Facebook and Twitter links & viewed at www.thetravelvirtuoso.blogspot.com.

CARNIVAL DREAM

The latest ship to arrive in Carnival's fleet, the Carnival Dream, is truly exciting and innovative!  Those who cruise onboard the Carnival Dream can expect such enhancements as the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat (located on two levels of the ship's forward decks & can accommodate up to 200 passengers), the Cloud 9 Spa (40,000 sq. feet), the largest children facilities within their fleet (more than 19,000 sq. feet) and the Carnival WaterWorks (303 ft. long waterslide is the longest at sea).  New accommodations include the Spa Staterooms and Suites (located directly below the Cloud 9 Spa these staterooms will have exclusive entry by either glass elevator or a spiral staircase & include special offerings for guests which include unlimited use of the thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool, two fitness classes each and upgrade in-stateroom amenities), Family Suites (these deluxe ocean view staterooms include two bathrooms & can accommodate five guests) and Cove Balcony Staterooms (these unique staterooms feature balconies that are closest to the waterline).  Also, new amenities offered onboard include the new dining concept "The Gathering" (a casual poolside restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a Tandoori oven and a 35 item salad bar), "The Lanai" (an outdoor area which features a wrap around promenade and cantilevered whirlpools suspended over the ship's side) and the "Fun Hub" (this intranet portal is the first shipboard social network; guests can create their own personal profiles, have the opportunity to meet & interact with other guests onboard, use the WiFi access or take advantage of a variety of information such as daily activities, menus & weather).  The Carnival Dream offers alternating 7 night exotic Eastern & Western Caribbean cruises.

NEW ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS

Secrets Resorts & Spas

Jamaica's tourism figures will rise even further this year with the addition of two new wonderful resorts in the area of Montego Bay; Secrets St. James and Secrets Wild Orchid.  both resorts offer adults an extra measure of romance in exquisite luxury settings.

Secrets St. James Montego Bay presents guests with a quiet, relaxing, oceanfront destination.  From suite to the 15,000 square foot Spa, the resort's classic furniture and modern fabrics echo this modern take on the sophistication of the Victorian era.

Indigenous art to chic design, Secrets Wild Orchid takes its inspiration from the island's gorgeous surroundings, steeped in the Ethiopian roots of Jamaica's African ancestors.  Made for the youthful soul and the young at heart, guests will discover a vibrant, hip locale with exclusive amenities.

The best thing of all, these two all-adult neighboring worlds let you share all the luxuries of both.  Imagine, nine gourmet restaurants, nine premium brand bars and endless day and night activities, where  everything is a part of your Unlimited Luxury privileges.

NH HOTELS

An architectural marvel has arrived to the area of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  The NH Royal Beach makes a striking impression while blending with the natural beauty of its surroundings.  The resort's 369 Royal rooms are spacious and stylishly decorated, offering guests stunning seaside views, an LCD TV, minibar and an outdoor Jacuzzi in a private garden.  Four large luxurious Royal Suites include butler service and a host of VIP amenities.  With two, world-class restaurants and the magnificent Royal Festival Buffet, guests can dine in style without leaving the resort.  The eclectic group of bars at the resort (Havana, Caracola and Coral) put three of the area's hottest nightlife destinations under one roof.

RIU HOTELS AND RESORTS

Costa Rica is the ideal tropical paradise for your next vacation.  Tourists can enjoy the pristine beaches and see whales and dolphins play.  Nature lovers will enjoy a variety of exotic wildlife and tropical plants, butterflies and orchids, crocodiles and sharks, turtles and toucans.  The rain forest covering the mountains are a paradise for eco tourism.

The Hotel RIU Guanacaste located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast is only 20 minutes from Liberia Airport.  Due to its excellent location, guests can enjoy a variety of day trip excursions such as Ricon de la Vieja Volcano National Park where guests can take a canopy tour, go horseback riding or hiking or they can take a leisurely boat ride on the nearby Palo Verde river where tropical birds, wild crocodiles, giant iguanas and lively monkeys are relatively easily spotted.

Families and groups of friends will enjoy the "family suites" with two bedrooms, one with two double beds and one with a king bed, two bathrooms and a common area with a sofa.  For couples seeking a romantic getaway or for honeymooners, the resort offers suites with one king bed and a lounge area with a sofa, as well as a hydro-massage bathtub and separate shower cabin in the bathroom.  Additionally, the resort offers Jacuzzi suites which have all of the same features of the standard suites along with a hot tub on the terrace.  These suites are effectively penthouses as they are located on the resort's top level.

The resort offers 24 hou all inclusive service, a variety of dining options, multiple bars and the Renova Spa.

NEW TOURS

Destinations by Dixon

Destinations by Dixon introduces this year an exclusive and personally designed tour, "Old World Christmas Celebration in Pennsylvania".  The tour visits the historical town of Bethlehem, PA. (listed in the book 1000 Place to See Before You Die) during its famous Christkindl Markts (listed in Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the best Christmas Markets in the world to see) as well as scenic and historical Lancaster Co.  Additional seasonal highlights of the tour are visits to the beautiful light and floral displays at Longwood Gardens and Winterthur, the estate home of the du Pont family.  The tour is December 4 to December 10 and is limited to 10 passengers.   The daily itinerary, inclusions and cost can be found on our website at: www.destinationsbydixon.com/groups.htm.

Celtic Tours

Celtic Tours new 6 night tour, "Irish Adventure" provides an excellent opportunity to see some of the most scenic areas of Ireland.  Travelers would be able to tour the capital city of Dublin, the beautiful Causeway Coast, scenic Achill Island and much more.  This is truly a unique tour which brings you beauty at a great value.  The daily itinerary, inclusions and cost can be found on our website at www.destinationsbydixon.com/diamonddestinations.htm.

DESTINATIONS BY DIXON

PAMELA A. DIXON, CTC, DS, ACC

TEL: 815-439-7999; FAX: 815-439-8068

EMAIL: destbydixon@comcast.net

WEBSITE: www.destinationsbydixon.com

www.thetravelvirtuoso.blogspot.com

Please join us on Facebook at destbydixon@comcast.net, Pamela Dixon 

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