November 10, 2003 -- Despite the boom in "eco" holidays, especially in Central and South America, there is still room for the ordinary beach lover, the person who wants to get away from "issues" rather than get deeper into them. Whatever your take, we've come up with three ecologically correct holidays and a defiantly hedonistic resort stay.
This thoroughly enjoyable sojourn comes from appropriately named Pleasant Holidays, (tel. 800/448-3333; www.pleasantholidays.com) which has teamed up with the Barcelo Ixtapa Beach Resort in Mexico for a money-saving fall holiday, available through December 16. Four-night, land-only stays begin at $195 per person, which adds up to a $114 savings per couple and ends up being less than $49 per person per night. Included are airport transfers, lodging, all hotel taxes and surcharges, and on-site assistance from Pleasant Holiday's customer service representatives. You can stay additional nights; depending on the duration of your stay, the sixth or seventh night will be free. Pleasant Holidays will be glad to arrange your airfare as well. At the resort, activities include golf, tennis, horseback riding, scuba diving and many others. Guest rooms are large, with good views and private balconies. Amenities include a giant pool with swim-up bar and two casual poolside restaurants.
Winter packages offered by EcoRepublic (tel. 877/777-7167 or 305/466-5652; www.ecorepublic.com), a group of independently owned lodges in Central and South America "for soft adventure and nature travel with comfort" are very interesting as well. With deals to Belize, Brazil and Peru, their offers start as low as $157 per room per night.
The "Amazon Combo" deal is offered from now through March 31, 2004, and starts at $1299 per person, based on double occupancy. It's a seven-night package which takes you from Miami to Manaus, Brazil and includes the roundtrip charter flight on TAM from Miami to Manaus, three nights on the yacht, three nights at the Ariau Amazon Towers (www.ariauamazontowers.com) in the rainforest and one night at the Tropical Hotel in Manaus as well as an alligator-spotting safari, jungle hikes, canoe rides, piranha fishing, visits to native communities and all meals.
The Pueblo Hotel located at the foot of one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu Citadel, has a deal of a one-night room package with breakfast starting at $195, or 25% off the regular room rate by booking a two-night room package with breakfast starting at $292.50. The offer is good from December 1 through February 28. The hotel's location is a good base for hiking local trails, trekking to Putuskui and bird watching.
Finally, think about staying in a "luxury ecolodge" in the Amazon Rainforest while visiting the remote Gamitana Ravine in southeastern Peru. From December 1 through February 28, you can take a three-night Gamitana Adventure package, starting at $215 per person (based on double occupancy). The package includes lodging at the Reserva Amazonica Lodge (click here to see pictures and a detailed description of the property from EcoRepublic's site), a hike along the Botanical Trail, a visit to Monkey Island and Lake Sandoval, a motorboat ride through the ravine, meals, transfers from the Puerto Maldonado Airport and hotel taxes.
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