The all-inclusive resorts of the Dominican Republic have usually been rated below their counterparts in Mexico for cuisine and accommodation. The small Live Aqua chain, with its Wow factor, is changing that perception.
About John and Sandra Nowlan
John and Sandra Nowlan are established travel and food writers based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They have travelled to and written about all seven continents. Their articles and photographs have appeared in newspapers and magazines across Canada, the US and Australia.
John is a retired CBC Television producer/director and Sandra is a food scientist (MSc., Cornell) and author of three cookbooks.
They have three adult children spread across the world and share a home in downtown Halifax with two cats. They are both members of the Travel Media Association of Canada.
Oceania Allura – Culinary Creativity
The cruise line promotes itself as having “The Finest Cuisine at Sea”. When we learned that half the crew of 800 were dedicated to the food and beverage teams (there’s a chef or cook for every eight passengers), we realized why Oceania received such high ratings for its culinary excellence.
Direct Flights to the Sun. The Bahamas Awaits.
The Islands of the Bahamas have become an even more popular vacation destination for Canadian travellers seeking a warm weather alternative to the southern United States. Like Canada, the Commonwealth country is known for its warm and friendly people. Air Canada now offers non-stop flights to Nassau, the Bahamian capital, from five Canadian cities and has recently added our city, Halifax. With the winter we’re having we jumped at the chance to take advantage.
Culinary Cruising on Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur
A culinary theme cruise is always appealing to foodies like us, especially on an ultra-luxury line like Regent. In this case the unusual twelve-day itinerary made it even more fascinating. We started in Amsterdam, sailed through the North Sea to begin our visits to several ports in Scotland and Wales before disembarking in Le Havre, France, for a visit to the Canadian D Day cemetery and flights home from Paris.
Fredericton – Cosmopolitan, Cultured and Quirky
Fredericton, New Brunswick, a provincial capital city with fewer than 75,000 residents, has always impressed us as punching well above its weight.
Orlando and Northeast Florida – Beyond the Theme Parks
With some water spray and wind in our hair it felt like an exhilarating theme park ride but it was in the open air with natural surroundings and real wildlife. Wild Florida, just outside Orlando, features exciting, hour long airboat rides through the shallow, boggy edges of Cypress Lake.
Viking – A European River Cruise… and More
Throughout history, Vikings have always had a sense of restlessness and adventure. Norway based Viking Cruise Line has tapped into that urge for travel and has become the major player in river cruises on European waterways. Most guests from North America fly into the town or city where one of Viking’s Longboats awaits them, and leave for home on disembarkation. Our cruise was different.
Cuisine, Spa, Service. A World Class Resort in Mexico
We didn’t expect a fine French restaurant at an all-inclusive jungle/beach resort along Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. But in almost all aspects, especially its cuisine, the five-star Grand Velas Riviera Maya, located half an hour south of Cancun, lived up to its reputation as one of the most luxurious resorts in Mexico or the Caribbean.
The Florida Keys and Key West – Unique Attractions, Fresh Fish, and Key Lime Pie
One local resident was quite adamant. “We know that Florida has a lot of divisiveness and political intrigue” she told us. “But Key West is NOT Florida.”
Regent – The Ultra-Luxury Cruise Experience
As much Canadian lobster as you want. Prime filet mignon on the menu each night. Unlimited caviar at Sunday brunch. Just three of the culinary indulgences on a cruise line with the motto, “Luxury Refined”.
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