TRAFALGAR OFFERS RARE ENCOUNTER WITH INDIGENOUS TRIBE

Trafalgar has unveiled its 2020 Latin America itineraries, now featuring 13 trips across eight countries in three continents.

As part of the launch, Trafalgar has introduced a new guided vacation to one of the world’s hottest emerging destinations, Colombia, showcasing exclusive experiences to add to its portfolio of award-winning itineraries worldwide.

Trafalgar has made a name for itself through its innovative and immersive trips and experiences that enable clients to connect to the people and places in the destinations they visit. Its latest Colombia Rediscovered trip is an example of how the brand continues to innovate with this immersive 13-day itinerary.

On this trip, clients will visit the scenic Caribbean town of Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park to meet one of Colombia’s most influential families, the Davilas, champions of sustainable farming and the largest producer of organic crops in South America. They will join the family’s patriarch for a night of storytelling during a casual cocktail reception. The next day, guests meet the rest of the family at their private beachfront villa inside the national park for a “Be My Guest” experience, including a Trafalgar exclusive with Colombia’s leading anthropologist, Dr. Santiago Giraldo, flown in from Bogota especially for Trafalgar’s guests. Clients will then have a rare cultural encounter as they meet members of one of the local Indigenous mountain tribes, an exchange only possible since Dr. Giraldo has been working with these tribes for many years, building a relationship of mutual trust and respect. These tribes rarely interact with outsiders, so Trafalgar guests get a simply unmatchable look into Colombian Indigenous life.

“Our experience and unmatchable connections in this part of the world have enabled us to craft this trip, packed with exclusive experiences for clients,” said Christophe Ghaye, Trafalgar’s chief product development officer of The Americas. “These unique experiences have been developed from the ground up with our local contacts to provide unprecedented access into the local life, history, culture and Indigenous heritage of Colombia that cannot be matched elsewhere, by anyone.”

This experience is not only enriching for guests, but is rewarding for the local Indigenous population.

As part of the brand’s JoinTrafalgar sustainability initiative, this experience helps support the preservation of the traditions of these ancient tribes. In addition, Trafalgar’s parent company’s not-for-profit foundation, TreadRight, is offering direct support to Dr. Giraldo’s work with the ProSierra Nevada Santa Marta Foundation.

Other highlights in store for the 2020 launch include a five-day trip extension, Ecuador with ME to WE, in co-ordination with long-term partner, the world-renowned charitable WE Charity and ME to WE, where guests work side-by-side with members of the local community on a sustainable development project.

Trafalgar favourites including the brand’s three popular Peru itineraries, as well as the 12-day Antarctica Peninsula Cruise – Land of Penguins and Icebergs trip, are back for the 2020 season.

www.Trafalgar.com

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A TRANSFORMATION IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Renovations at the Hilton Playa Del Carmen, formerly The Royal Playa Del Carmen, are set to be completed in December.

Steps away from Playa Del Carmen’s famous 5th Avenue, the all-inclusive resort managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts is being transformed in phases across its towers, so as to not disrupt guests during the process.
The adults-only property features 513 suites, eight dining venues, six bars and lounges, a full-service spa and salon and nightly shows. The popular resort for Canadians is located 45 minutes from Cancun International Airport. All rooms are being completely refreshed down to the flooring. The property features swim-out suites.

www.resortsbyhilton.com/playa-del-carmen

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CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON DEBUTS IN MEXICO CITY

Hilton has announced the opening of Umbral, Curio Collection by Hilton, representing the brand’s debut in Mexico City.

The modern 59-room boutique hotel is the latest addition to Curio Collection by Hilton, reinforcing the growth of its portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts in premier destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America.

Part of an ambitious program to restore historical buildings in Mexico, Umbral, Curio Collection by Hilton is a restoration project from a heritage building that was constructed in 1924. Situated in downtown Mexico City, the hotel overlooks the city’s most emblematic buildings, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the County Hall and El Palacio de Hierro Department Store.

All 59 guest rooms are comprised of two distinct environments – a darker intimate entrance that leads to a light guest room through a golden frame, symbolizing an umbral. Each of the 12 suites also offers a record player with a personalized vinyl collection – based on guests’ preferences – through a partnership with local vinyl shop La Roma Records.

Umbral is the city’s only hotel with an on-site gallery, featuring more than 100 pieces of art by respected local artists such as Jorge Montiel, Andrea Vores and Tomas Diaz. The property also features a 375-sq.-ft. room for intimate meetings and events for up to eight guests and a rooftop terrace for outdoor functions of up to 150 attendees.

Other amenities include an outdoor heated pool, fitness centre and a Wellness Bar. For dining, there’s the Terraza Umbral Restaurant which incorporates local flavours into traditional dishes. For after-dinner drinks, guests can stop by Terraza Umbral Bar – an exclusive mixology rooftop bar.

To celebrate the milestone opening, Umbral has launched two special offerings for guests. Through Dec. 30, travellers can take advantage of The Cross Over the Umbral package which includes overnight accommodations, two signa-ture Independencia cocktails at the Terraza Umbral Bar, breakfast for two on the hotel’s rooftop and a $50 dining credit. Additionally, guests who book stays between Aug. 31 and Dec. 1 will earn 1,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points per night.

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