Golfers enjoy best of both worlds in Mexican Caribbean
(NC)-Imagine playing a round of golf amidst impressive Mayan ruins and beautiful tropical foliage, with the magnificent Caribbean Sea in your sites. This is what thousands of Canadian golfers' experience each year when they choose a golf vacation in the tropical paradise of the Mexican Caribbean.
As an avid golfer, Ottawa's John Hardie loathes that fateful day in autumn when he finally has to put away his trustee golf clubs for yet another frigid Canadian winter. Two years ago Hardie decided, like thousands who share his passion, to extend his golf season one more week on a tropical golf vacation with a group of his friends in Cancun.
"We chose a golf package with Real Resorts at The Royal Playa Del Carmen," said Hardie. "It really is the best of both worlds. We had unlimited golf every day and real luxury accommodations at night with top of the line food and drinks. It's become our annual winter golf haven for my group for sure."
In Cancun, some of the world's most renowned golf course designers have teamed up with the surrounding lush nature and created a selection of nine legendary courses. Cancun course designs have come from some of the game's greatest names, including: Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Robert Von Hagge, Isao Aoki, Greg Norman and P.B. Dye.
Golfers of every skill level enjoy championship golf courses where the greens seemingly merge into the ocean and the dramatic fairways offer challenges at every turn. In fact, golf courses in the Mexican Caribbean meet the highest standards set by professional tournaments and expert golfers. And from the pro shop to the 19th hole, you can take advantage of familiar golfing amenities such as club, shoe and cart rental, practice areas, putting greens, course assistants, and lessons or clinics from club pros.
Hotels such as Real Resorts offer golf packages with the accommodation of your choice and exclusive inclusions such as unlimited greens fees.
"You can perfect your game by day and unwind in luxury by night," added Jeannette Vasconcelos, Marketing Manager of world-renowned Real Resorts in Cancun. "After their game, golfers return to the comfort of our resorts and pamper themselves with massages and treatments in the hotel Spa and then enjoy a superb meal in one of the hotel's award-winning a la carte restaurants."

Holland America Line's ms Veendam to Sail South America in 2009-2010

With South America emerging as one of the top destinations for cruises, coupled with the demand for passengers who wish to experience this part of the world in a more intimate and premium fashion,Veendam is set to cruise South America for the fall 2009 and the winter andspring 2010 season. By the time that Veendam embarks on its sailings in South America, it will have undergone extensive renovations that include a newresort pool, innovative lanai staterooms, new entertainment and enrichmentoptions, all new stateroom decor and more. The newly refurbished vessel will join ms Prinsendam which is also sailing South America and Antarctica in 2010.

The 10 sailings aboard the Veendam range from 16 to 20 days. In addition to port-intensive itineraries, guests will experience some of the most scenic cruising in the world as the Veendam navigates around the continent's fjords and glaciers. Additionally, she will spend more time in ports than most major cruise lines and is the only premium cruise line offering overnights in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires on select cruises.

"We have seen an increase in travelers who wish to take a South America cruise aboard a premium, mid-sized ship," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. "With the newly renovated ms Veendam sailing South America in 2009 and 2010, and the ms Prinsendam, our 793-guest Elegant Explorer, we are perfectly poised to meet travelers' discriminating demands as well as provide a premium, enriching and unforgettable experience to this remarkable continent."

For those who want to extend their vacation, Holland America Line offers several pre- and post-cruise land tours. Guests can opt to spend an extra night or two in Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de chile. Guests also can take overland tours ranging from two to five days to the famed ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, Iguacu Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, and Chile's wine country.

Opportunity to explore historic Machu Picchu

Veendam's first South America sailing departs San Diego, October 31, 2009, on a 19-day journey to Valparaiso, Chile, that takes guests to a variety of colorful ports in Mexico and Central America before making its way to Manta, Ecuador; Salaverry, Peru; and an overnight in Callao (Lima), Peru. While in Salaverry, guests may board a flight to take advantage of Holland America Line's optional, three-day, two-night shore excursion to one of the new seven wonders of the world: Machu Picchu.

Itinerary offers abundant scenic cruising

Departing Valparaiso November 19, 2009, and March 7, 2010, Veendam sails a 16-day South America Explorer cruise that is among the most scenic in South America. Ports of call include Ushuaia, Argentina, the town at the end of the world; Montevideo, Uruguay; Punta Arenas, Chile; and Puerto Montt, Chile. With an overnight in Buenos Aires, guests can take in a tango show or visit the legendary Iguagu Falls. Veendam sails the reverse itinerary from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso on December 5, 2009, as well as February 19 and March 23, 2010.

Antarctica 20-day cruise

Veendam departs December 21, 2009, on a special holiday cruise and again, January 10 and January 30, 2010-at the height of the austral summer-for a 20-day Antarctica voyage. Cruises for December 21 and January 30, begin in Valparaiso and end in Rio de Janeiro. The January 10 cruise sails the reverse itinerary. These cruises offer the ultimate blend of exotic ports and scenic cruising with calls in Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, Chile, as well as Ushuaia, Argentina. Following the rounding of Cape Horn, a nautical milestone, the ship continues to Antarctica, where glaciers adorned with penguins welcome the ship. Antarctica's pristine beauty and diverse sea life are showcased as Veendam spends three days exploring this mysterious and remote continent. Veendam also pays calls in Stanley, Falkland Islands, Buenos Aires (the Paris of South America) and Montevideo, Uruguay.

17-day South America-to-Fort Lauderdale 2010 crossing, includes Panama Canal transit

On April 8, 2010, Veendam ends its seasonal cruises in South America,departing Valparaiso for a 17-day journey that sails the western coast of South America as well as a transit through the Panama Canal. Overnights in Callao, Peru, and Fuerte Amador, Panama, give guests more time ashore to discover the myriad cultural flavors of the countries. An optional overland tour to Machu Picchu is also offered on this sailing. During this cruise, the Veendam calls at six ports throughout Chile, Peru, and Ecuador before transiting the 51-mile, man-made marvel, the Panama Canal. After calling at Holland America Line's award-winning private island, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Veendam ends its cruise in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where guests can opt to spend an extra night or two in post-cruise land tours.

For a 2009 South America cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-800-522-3399 or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com.