(MIAMI, Fla., February 2012) – In an effort to meet travelers’ growing desire for authentic vacation experiences, a selection of Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, and Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America today announced the “Authentically Local” package – an exciting new program that introduces travelers to local culture and language.

Available now through Dec. 31, 2012, the “Authentically Local” package features accommodations and a number of local touches including:

·         Local culture consultants who provide can’t-miss authentic destination suggestions, such as snorkeling the crystal waters at Hilton Curaçao and hiking through a natural forest when visiting Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa

·         A hands-on cultural experience specific to each hotel and destination including a choice of dance lessons, cooking classes, cocktail tastings, boat tours and more

·         Traditional dinner with local flair, featuring everything from empanada appetizers at Hilton Buenos Aires and mole enchiladas at Hilton Mexico City Reforma to sancocho at Hilton Santo Domingo and conch at  British Colonial Hilton Nassau

For guests who want to expand their cultural engagement and give the local language a try, hotels will provide a language immersion pin identifying the guest as an “Authentically Local” participant.  Team members will then speak to the guest only in the local language.  An English/Spanish/Portuguese/Papiamentu dictionary and a list of language schools in the area, should guests want to return for a formal language course, complete the package.

From tango teachings in Buenos Aires and rumba lessons in Cartagena, to traditional caipirinha-making class in São Paulo and rum tasting in Bogota, the program offers culturally-rich learning experiences to “get local” at each of the following hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America: Hilton Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hilton São Paulo Morumbi, Brazil; Hilton Belem, Brazil; Hilton Bogota, Colombia; Hilton Cartagena, Colombia; Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport, Chile; Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort; Hilton Mexico City Reforma; Hilton Villahermosa & Conference Center, Mexico; Hilton Garden Inn Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico; Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa; DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Central Pacific – Costa Rica; DoubleTree Cariari by Hilton San Jose, Costa Rica;  British Colonial Hilton Nassau, The Bahamas; Hilton Barbados Resort; Hilton Curaçao; Hilton Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre.

Guests booking “Authentically Local” should check with culture consultants at each property to learn about the most celebrated experiences known to the destination.

For example, Chrystian De La Barrera, culture consultant for Hilton Cartagena, shared, “When visiting Hilton Cartagena, guest should not miss out on the opportunity to discover Colombia’s rich history.  The best cultural experience is offered during an ancient-walled city tour to get a glimpse of 18^th century architecture and learn how the city has evolved.”

Other culture consultants had tips of their own.  Food lovers visiting Hilton São Paulo Morumbi in Brazil should visit the city’s Mercado Municipal, São Paulo’s first grocery market built in 1928.  When staying at Hilton Santo Domingo, not-to-be-missed local sites include the Colonial Zone and Los Tres Ojos Cave, an open-air limestone cave with beautiful blue, green, and yellow reflections considered one of the nation’s most visited attractions.  Guests of Hilton Buenos Aires should stop for a snack at Cafe Tortoni – established in 1858, or visit with local artisans at Recoleta’s arts and craft fair.

For reservations, guests should call 1-800-HILTONS, contact the participating hotel directly, or call a local Hilton Reservations and Customer Care office, and request the Authentically Local package.

(PANAMA CITY, Jan. 25, 2012) – Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A., announced that it will begin non-stop service in June 2012 from Panama to four new destinations: Recife, Brazil; Liberia, (Guanacaste), Costa Rica; Las Vegas, Nevada and the island of Curacao.

Passengers who depart or connect to these new flights through Copa’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport will have access to a network of 63 destinations in 29 countries in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

As part of the airline’s strategic plan, Copa will add 10 new Boeing 737-800s Next Generation aircraft this year, for a total of 83 aircraft equipped with cutting-edge technology.

Copa announced the new destinations at a press conference in Panama during the reveal of its new corporate campaign and highlight the airline’s 2011 achievements.  Last year, the airline transported 8.8 million passengers and experienced a growth in capacity of more than 20% over 2010.

“Our sustained growth in the past few years has reinforced our position as the leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo services and made an impact on the business and tourism development of Panama and Latin America,” said Copa Airlines CEO, Pedro Heilbron. “We have opened doors to important key markets in the region with connectivity to 59 cities in the Americas.”

Copa’s achievements have been possible because “of our talented personnel, as we point out in our corporate campaign,” Heilbron added. “We will continue to strengthen our leadership position by offering the best service, flight frequencies and destinations for our passengers.”

Heilbron said that Copa Airlines will continue to add routes as well as enhance schedules and connections in 2012, and expects to transport 10 million passengers and to experience a 20% increase in capacity.

This growth will have a positive impact on the local economy.  Copa expects to generate more than 626 new positions in 2012 and have more than 7,900 employees system wide by year’s end.

The airline also will reinforce its position as a world-class Panamanian company when it joins Star Alliance, the largest global airline alliance, in April 2012. As a result, Copa expects to increase codeshare agreements with additional airlines, especially in Asia and Europe.  In addition, Copa will reaffirm its alliance with Continental Airlines (now United) and its award-winning frequent-flyer program: MileagePlus.

New service:

Recife, Brazil: Starting on June 23, 2012, Copa will offer four-times-weekly service to Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco in the northern part of Brazil. The new route will be Copa’s first in the northern region of Brazil and its seventh Brazilian destination.

Liberia, (Guanacaste) Costa Rica: This twice-weekly flight will increase travel options through the Hub of the Americas to the attractive province of Guanacaste, in Costa Rica, beginning June 24, 2012. Copa’s flight will provide the first jet service to this major tourist area from Latin America and will be Copa’s second destination in Costa Rica.

Las Vegas, Nev.: As part of its growing North American route system, Copa Airlines will offer four-times-weekly flights to Las Vegas, a major business, convention and tourism destination. The new flight, to begin June 27, 2012, will offer the first direct connecting service from Las Vegas to Central and South America. Las Vegas will be Copa’s seventh U.S. destination.

Curacao: Copa will operate flights to this major tourist destination four times a week starting June 10, 2012. Curacao is Copa’s 13th destination in the Caribbean.

Copa Airlines important achievements in 2011:

The airline achieved an on-time performance above 90 percent, among the best worldwide.

The airline added nine destinations to its network in 2011: Toronto, Canada; Brasilia and Porto Alegre, Brazil; Nassau, Bahamas; Asuncion, Paraguay; Chicago, Ill.; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Monterrey, Mexico; and Cucuta, Colombia. The airline rounded out the year with a total of 59 destinations in 28 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean from its Hub of the Americas.

Copa ended 2011 with a fleet of 73 aircraft, having taken delivery of 10 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft.  The airline also generated more than 886 new employment positions.

In June 2011, Copa Airlines implemented an important operational change in its Hub of the Americas, expanding from four to six flight banks (connecting schedules), providing passengers with improved connection times and more frequent flights to all its destinations.

As a result of new routes and frequencies, Copa Airlines increased its available seat mile capacity by approximately 22 percent.  The airline has maintained a sustained growth of 15 percent over the last five years.

For more information visit http://www.copaair.com/sites/us/en/Pages/homepage.aspx.

(Anaheim, October 2011) – With family travel in high demand, Trafalgar has introduced four exciting new itineraries in the 2012 Family Experiences brochure. Now adding up to 18 itineraries, the Family Experiences guided vacations are activity-packed and designed specifically to meet family travel needs.

The four new itineraries invite guests to explore Europe, as well as North America, Costa Rica, Peru and South Africa: Sorrento & Sicily Surprise; Greek Island Hopper; Conquistadors, Sacred Valleys & Inca Mysteries; and Dude Ranchin’ Yellowstone & Glacier Roundup. All of Trafalgar’s Family Experiences trips are designed with families in mind, customized to captivate travelers of all ages, and with sightseeing selected to fit a family’s travel needs so they can enjoy the trip of a lifetime together. On the popular 8-day California Dreamin’ trip, families enjoy a barbecue in Yosemite National Park, followed by eating s’mores around the campfire while listening to local folklore. Families on the 11-day Castles and Kilts trip will love that Trafalgar has something for everyone – kids can look forward to staying in a fantastic medieval-style castle for two nights and parents will revisit their youth on a day trip to Liverpool, where Beatlemania is still thriving.

“Our Family Experiences have become hugely popular with families looking for a well-organized, hassle-free vacation,” says Paul Wiseman, President of Trafalgar USA. “Trafalgar takes care of the details on the trip, so that everyone in the family can relax and enjoy traveling the world together.”

Families can also expect the same First Class quality of service on these trips as they would receive on any Trafalgar guided vacation. Guests travel on a comfortable coach with a highly knowledgeable Travel Director and experienced driver. Travelers also rest their heads at fantastic hotels that are located in the heart of their destination, like the Thistle Marble Arch in London and the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Kids will love Trafalgar’s special accommodations on select itineraries, like the lodges they’ll stay at inside the Grand Canyon National Park on the 8-day Pioneer Adventures of the Old West and Lalibela Private Game Reserve in South Africa on the 13-day An African Adventure.

For European Family Experiences, Trafalgar is encouraging travelers to book their 2012 summer vacations early by offering savings of up to $500 per person! This offer is valid for bookings paid in full by December 1, 2011 for travel between April 1 and October 31, 2012.*

Families can also save big on traveling together with Trafalgar’s great offers for groups and young travelers. Passengers between the ages of 5 and 17 save 10% on any trip when traveling with an adult. Trafalgar also gives a reduction for triple- and quad-share rooms in First Class hotels, perfect for parents traveling with young children.

For more information and reservations, see your Travel Agent or call (866) 544-4434 or visit www.FamilyTravelExperiences.com. Brochures can also be ordered online.

Brendan Vacations, the Ireland Specialist, is also a leader in providing unique and memorable guided vacations to Latin America. Brendan is now pleased to announce their 2012-13 South & Central America 2012-13 Brochure highlighting the region’s vibrant culture and vast natural and historical treasures. Brendan knows it’s all about you, the customer– everyone has different travel needs and expectations.

By “taking you personally,” Brendan ensures its highly trained, hands-on team focuses on old fashioned service, taking care of each and every traveler, one by one, detail by detail. With such wonderful and exotic locations, three exciting new itineraries, and four new vacation styles, award-winning Brendan makes “taking you personally” more than just a motto–this is sure to be your most memorable vacation yet!

“We have included many new local tours in our Central and South American Guided Vacations program,” says Nico Zenner, President of Brendan Vacations. “Doing so adds tremendous value and a personal touch to an already great program. Our guests will enjoy lasting memories and will experience a personal connection to local culture and people. We crafted activities and tours with the assistance and guidance of regional experts so that authenticity is not only assured but is also exciting. “

On the new exciting 11-day Family Vacation, Conquistadors, Sacred Valleys and Inca Mysteries, see the vibrant cultures and unique traditions that make up this fascinating region. You’ll have the chance to touch llamas, alpacas and vicunas at a Sacred Valley ranch. Priced from $2595 land & intra-tour air, based on double occupancy.

On the new 12 day discovery tour Argentina and Across the Andes to Chile—12 days, you’ll visit Buenos Aires and other local sites and enjoy the inspiring journey across the Andes. With its vast horizons, scenic vistas and expansive lakes, you’ll be in awe at this beautiful part of the world. Priced from $3775 land & intra-tour air, based on double occupancy.

The new relaxed-paced 11-day Leisurely Vacation Glimpse of South America is perfect for anyone looking for an inside view of exotic Brazil and Argentina. Be amazed by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, be inspired by the stunning Iguassu Falls, and have plenty of time to absorb the vibrant culture of Brazil with days off for individual exploration. Priced from $2895 land & intra-tour air.

Exhilarating and exotic destinations like Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Brazil await your discovery—and for a limited time, save up to $300* on all Guided Vacations booked from the new brochure!

Some new features in our 2012/2013 brochure include:

Three New Itineraries:
- Conquistadors, Sacred Valleys and Inca Mysteries
- Argentina and Across the Andes to Chile
- Best of South America

New Vacation Styles:
- Discovery Vacations
- Regional Vacations
- Leisurely Vacations
- Guided Family Vacations

You’re Personally Invited:
Guests will be provided genuine local experiences as they dine in family homes, lend a helping hand on a farm, or learn about Peruvian textiles, for example.

Local Experts:
The services of local experts ranging from museum curators to anthropologists advise on every sightseeing, natural and culturally relevant stop on every tour.

Audio Headsets:
These state-of-the-art audio devices are now included on ALL South America itineraries.

To book, contact your local travel agent, call 800 421 8446 or go to www.brendanvacations.com for a full listing of Guided Vacation itineraries and to take advantage of this limited time savings.

If you’ve been to one all-inclusive resort, you’ve been to them all. Short of offering some regional cuisine at the buffet restaurant, most all-inclusives lack the personality and charm of their respective countries. Paradisus Playa Conchal on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is no exception. While the property is spectacular, the rooms luxurious and the service superior, one could just as well believe she’s in Florida. That’s why my favorite part of Paradisus Playa Conchal was steps outside the gates of the resort on the beach. Using the resort’s complimentary snorkel gear, I could get close enough to touch colorful, tropical fish in the azure water. I took advantage of the $35 hour-long massages offered along the shore by one of several local masseurs while my husband scoured the Pacific for shells and sea glass and conversed with local vendors. Camped in a lounge chair, a mile-high stack of magazines and daiquiri in hand, it may not have been my most authentic Costa Rican stop, but one view of the white-sand beach and you’ll be convinced it’s a stop worth making.

www.paradisus-playa-conchal.com

Jennifer Rhodes is a writer and teacher whose big mouth and complete absence of sound judgment make her a liability in most professional and social situations.

I’m watching a young girl who seems to believe she’s posing for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. Draping herself over the black rocks in a small, churning waterfall, she arches her back and purses her lips. Steam rises from the warm water and condenses on the tropical flower tucked behind her ear. As her mom snaps her photo, a Jesus Christ Lizard darts across the surface of the water, right into the frame.

This is the Tabacon Hot Springs. When you get right down to it, the springs are the perfect representation of Costa Rica: Submerging in the interconnected lagoons, swirling with Arenal-volcano heated water of up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, surrounded by succulent plants in florescent pinks, greens and yellows it is easy to think you’re in paradise. And you are. But the occasional cheeky lizard reminds you that this is Costa Rica and you’re not just in heaven, you’re in store for an adventure, too.

www.tabacon.com

Jennifer Rhodes is a writer and teacher whose big mouth and complete absence of sound judgment make her a liability in most professional and social situations.

I am travelling from La Fortuna in the north, mid-western part of Costa Rica, to Playa Conchal, on the pacific coast. It is a four hour drive and I am starving. “We will stop at Aromatico,” my shuttle driver says as if reading my mind. He stops at an unassuming soda (the name for inexpensive restaurants) in the center of a small town.

My salad is composed in front of me, an amiable man piling on fresh vegetables and homemade salsa. I add some chilero, a traditional, marinated hot pepper condiment, from the large jar on the counter. My husband’s plate is generously filled with black beans, rice and fried chicken. We both top everything with Salsa Lizano and proceed to clean our plates entirely.

Costa Rican travelers take note: while the food at resorts is not bad, offerings are widely modified for the tourist’s palate. It was those meals I savored outside of the resorts, most at hole-in-the-wall sodas, that left their impression.

http://www.english.aromatico.net/restaurante.html

Jennifer Rhodes is a writer and teacher whose big mouth and complete absence of sound judgment make her a liability in most professional and social situations.

In one day, toucans perched on my shoulders, renegade frogs postured on my head and hummingbirds literally ate from the palm of my hand. I hiked through a lush Costa Rican cloud forest and felt the spray of 10-story high waterfalls crashing into crystal-clear lagoons below.

It’s just another typical day here at Peace Lodge’s adjoining property, La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park.

The nature park is comprised of two sections, including an animal reserve filled with Costa Rican wildlife including jungle cats, snakes, frogs, monkeys, butterflies and rare birds. Signs posted in the animal reserve explain that many of the animals were illegally owned as pets and were confiscated by the Costa Rican government. Unable to be released into the wild, the animal reserve gave these beautiful creatures homes.

The second section of the park, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, consists of a series of forest trails winding past majestic waterfalls, thick canopies and vibrant plant specimens. Personally, I’ve enjoyed my visit so much, I could see myself living here—just not near the snakes.

For more information about the La Paz Waterfall Gardens here: http://www.waterfallgardens.com/

Jennifer Rhodes is a writer and teacher whose big mouth and complete absence of sound judgment make her a liability in most professional and social situations.

My husband and I had passed through La Fortuna’s central park area several times travelling to various excursions. While I was excited for each adventure, every time we passed through, I was a little more tempted to scream “Stop the van!”, jump out and spend the day exploring. Through the van’s window I’d see laughing couples sharing ice cream on park benches, shopping bags in tow and marveling at the Arenal Volcano. After a day of adventure, it seemed like a fun way to pass a lazy late afternoon.

La Fortuna de San Carlos, a picturesque town in Costa Rica’s Alajuela province, basks in the shadow of Costa Rica’s most active volcano, Arenal. As a whole, the town is a hotbed for tourist activity, both adventure-based (waterfall excursions, hiking, ziplining and canopy tours) and relaxation-centered (hot springs and top-tier resorts). The central park area, however, caught my eye immediately.

The central park is essentially a few blocks of touristy stores and restaurants situated around a lush green park. Meticulously manicured, a variety of tropical plants, brilliantly hued flowers and vine-covered trellises line the park’s paths. In the center is a stone fountain, a perfect place to sit and gaze at the towering volcano while sharing ice cream from one of the many casual restaurants, or sodas.

My first order of business at the park was to visit Don Rufino’s, a restaurant widely reputed to be the best in the area. It’s a charming venue, mostly open-air (there is a roof, but several walls are raised during the day) with a bar on the street, a popular feature in Costa Rican restaurants and sodas. We entered the dining room, warmly decorated with Spanish tiles and rich woods, and were presented with menus—written in both Spanish and English. The service was efficient and hospitable; the food impeccable. My husband ordered Pollo al Estilo de Abuela (Grandma’s Style Chicken), a generous barbecue-honey mustard glazed portion prepared in a folded banana leaf. The presentation was equally impressive: our server opened the parcel tableside for my husband to approve its doneness. My vegetable platter was a monumental step above the frozen vegetable medley often served in the states. A veritable garden of fresh grilled vegetables were artistically and liberally styled on a large platter. With some Salsa Lizano, a popular Costa Rican condiment, on the side, this was easily one of the best (not to mention most affordable) meals we enjoyed in Costa Rica. My husband insists it was one of the top five meals he’s ever eaten.

I was now ready to explore the shops lining the park. Treasures and trinkets made of mango wood-lined store shelves, displayed popular items like placemats, coasters, serving pieces and traditional Costa Rican drip-coffee makers. Several art galleries boasted work in all mediums and price ranges from small ceramic pieces to high-end oil paintings. The selection of jewelry was plentiful and included everything from precious gemstone pieces by local artisans to hand-beaded necklaces. After thoroughly perusing the stores, a purchase under my arm— a hand-carved rosewood serving piece—I had to stop at the main street’s grocery store to stock up on my favorite Costa Rican foods: Salsa Lizano, 1820 Coffee (Britt is the pricier coffee that resorts hock, but locals will tell you 1820 is superior), and, admittedly, Choco Zucaritas (chocolate Frosted Flakes).

My husband and I further explored the park itself, weaving through the paths, posing for photos amidst the plentiful flowers, petting the amiable stray dogs who call the park home and conversing with the locals convened there. Sitting in the central park on the fountain’s edge, gazing at the volcano towering overhead, I was content with my afternoon in La Fortuna.

“Ice cream?” my husband asked, knowing that was my original plan.

I was still too full from our late lunch.

It was nearly 6:00 and the sun was beginning to set on Costa Rica. Lights illuminated the park and clouds settled in at the peak of the Arenal, obscuring it from view. As I boarded one of the numerous taxis parked in La Fortuna’s streets, I hoped that one day I’d be fortunate enough to return, and this time, I’d save room for ice cream.

Jennifer Rhodes is a writer and teacher whose big mouth and complete absence of sound judgment make her a liability in most professional and social situations.

My driver is navigating a winding, dangerously narrow dirt road. Not a problem, save the fact that one false move and the van will careen off the road and over the side of a cliff.

The white-knuckled ride proves worth it though, when I arrive at the isolated Peace Lodge in Costa Rica’s cloud forest. While I’ve never been one for themed rooms, the inn’s rock façades aplenty, faux waterfall shower and rustic wooden beams somehow seem appropriate.

Each of Peace Lodge’s rooms faces the majestic Poas Volcano, which I find myself admiring each afternoon from my room’s balcony hot tub.

I’m informed I can fish in the lodge’s trout lake and the chef will prepare my catch for dinner if I’d like. A vegetarian, I do not take up this offer. I do, however, approve of the fishing rules posted prominently at the lake: should you lose your fishing lure, a $5 fine will be imposed: $3 to replace the lure and $2 on behalf of the fish.

Learn more about the Peace Lodge here: http://www.waterfallgardens.com/

Jennifer Rhodes is a writer and teacher whose big mouth and complete absence of sound judgment make her a liability in most professional and social situations.