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Contours Travel would like to introduce the New:


SANDALS EMERALD BAY, GREAT EXUMA, BAHAMAS DEBUTS!

~Newest Gem in the Sandals Resorts Crown Welcomes Guests on February 4, 2010~

After months of great anticipation, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas officially opens its doors yesterday, welcoming guests to another new and exciting Luxury Included® holiday destination. “This is an exciting moment in the history of Sandals Resorts,” said Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts. “For years we have been committed to providing the very best Luxury Included® experience in the Caribbean, and the grand opening of our latest resort only further proves our dedication to exceeding our guests’ expectations. Sandals Emerald Bay sits on one of the most spectacular beaches in the region, and we are thrilled to be able to share this piece of paradise. We look forward to welcoming new and returning Sandals Resorts guests for years to come.”
Expanding on the company’s Luxury Included® concept, Sandals Emerald Bay is the first Sandals Resort to offer a Greg Norman-designed golf course, world-class marina and professionally-trained Butlers in all 183 beachfront rooms and suites. Additionally, the new Sandals Emerald Bay, set on one of the Bahamas’ most beautiful Out Islands, offers gourmet dining in a choice of five à la carte restaurants, premium brand wine and spirits, land and watersports including six Har-tru tennis courts all lit for night play, airport transfers and gratuities. An exclusive 16,000 sq. ft. Red Lane® Spa is also available to guests, featuring 17 treatment rooms and premier services that embrace the best of the Caribbean region.

Finch Bay Eco Hotel incorporates New Yacht SEA LION for Day Island Exploration

Starting March 1st, 2010, Finch Bay Eco Hotel, on Santa Cruz Island, will have a second yacht to operate day tours in the Galápagos.  This new addition increases the capacity of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel’s Land & Sea Programs – which will now operate with the SEA FINCH for 20 guests and the New! SEA LION for 16 guests.
Guests aboard both yachts enjoy the ample air conditioned inside lounge and dining room, as well as the outdoors deck to bask in the sun and delight with the ocean breeze during inter-island navigation.
The SEA LION was built in 1987 by Van der Hoeven Yachts/Holland, and was completely renovated in Ecuador during 2009; it has a crew of five, plus one or two English-speaking Naturalist Guides certified by the Galapagos National Park.  Maximum priority has been given to security matters, to comply with international safety standards at sea.
SEA LION YACHT
  • Tonnage:  60.53 tons
  • Length: 74 feet /22.5 meters
  • Width:  17 feet/5.2 meters
  • Motors: 2 x 275 HP Caterpillar, Model C-7
ISLAND VISITS
  • Monday:   North Seymour Island
  • Tuesday:  Plaza Island
  • Thursday:   Santa Fe Island (Barrington)
  • Friday:   Plaza Island
  • Saturday:   Bartholomew Island
The Finch Bay Eco Hotel –with a unique and extraordinary oceanfront setting-  now has six brand new ample Oceanview Suites with a private terrace; plus its 21 Premium Rooms, all with private bath, air conditioning and all amenities.  The hotel, which was refurbished in 2009, obtained the Smart Voyager Certification for best practices in sustainable tourism, and applies rigorous environmental, social and safety standards throughout its operation.
The Finch Bay Eco Hotel offers three-, four- and seven-night programs starting Sundays and Wednesdays.  The Land & Sea Programs include transfers from the airport, all meals, guided visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and exploration of neighboring islands on the hotel’s private yachts SEA FINCH and SEA LION.    Land & Sea Programs provide the utmost enjoyment of the Galápagos Experience in comfort and style.

BEACHES TURKS & CAICOS CERTIFIED TO RUN DISABLED DIVING PROGRAM
~ Guests of Beaches Turks & Caicos can now become Handicap Scuba Association (HSA) certified at the property ~

Beaches disabled scuba divers

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa has expanded resort programming for persons with disabilities and now offers a tailored disabled scuba diving program.  A team of twelve dive instructors from the resort, under the guidance of Mark Rausch of Poseidon Handicap Scuba Adventures, underwent an intensive training course that will allow guests to participate in three specialized programs. Through the Handicap Scuba Association (HSA), guests can become certified in the HSA Basic Open Water Scuba Diving, the HSA Junior Open Water Scuba Diving and the HSA Open Water Dive Buddy. The resort will continue to offer the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification in addition to the Handicap Scuba Association certification.

Michael Clark, Beaches Resorts Water Sports Manager, stated, “Scuba diving is the sport where gravity is not an issue,” he further stated, “we are delighted to be able to offer our disabled guests the full value of our ’Luxury Included’ facility including equal water sports opportunity that caters to their special needs.”

Handicap Scuba Association is made up of over 4000 underwater educators, with disabilities and supporting members, located in over 45 countries. Beaches Turks & Caicos is the first in the Beaches Resorts chain, as well as the island of Turks & Caicos, to receive HSA certification training and marks an important milestone in disabled programming at the resort.  

As with all Luxury Included® Vacations, a trip to Beaches Turks & Caicos includes deluxe accommodations, fine dining options, premium brand alcohol, nightly entertainment, water sports, airport transfers and all resort taxes and fees.