Seniors headed to Cancun should check out the Melia Turquesa’s year-round 50 percent discount for people over 65. With proof of age, seniors get discounts except on major holidays and according to room availability. The discount is valid for the remainder of 1994 and for all of next year.
The five-star, 444-room Turquesa offers three restaurants, a swim-up bar, live entertainment nightly, a travel agency (arranging tours to nearby Mayan ruins), and staffed activities such as sailing, wind surfing, scuba diving, fishing and golf.
Other Melia hotels are operated in Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos; there is a second hotel in Cancun. Melia hotels are operated by Spanish-based Grupo Sol, which operates about 160 properties worldwide. For more information, reservations and the location of other Melia hotels, contact a travel agent or call 1-800-336-3542.
Discounts for ducks
Seniors will get a special rate break during 1995 at the Peabody Orlando hotel. With proof of age, seniors 50 and older can stay in a luxury guest room for only $89 a night, which is at least a $121 reduction on standard rates. The Peabody rate, which is in effect from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, is based on availability. To get in on the deal, seniors should simply mention the senior rate of $89 per night when making their reservations.
The hotel offers three unique restaurants and lounges, a full-service athletic club, beauty salon, four lighted tennis courts, an Olympic-length swimming pool and two large whirlpools.
The hotel provides a round-trip Double-Ducker bus service to the Disney attractions. The hotel is also within minutes of Sea World, Universal Studios Florida, downtown Orlando and the Orlando International Airport.
One of the most interesting aspects of a stay at the Peabody is viewing the daily ritual of four mallard ducks marching from the elevators at 11 a.m. to spend the day swimming in the lobby fountain. At 5 p.m. the process is reversed as the male and his harem of three march up the red carpet back to the elevator to head for their aviary. For more information and reservations, call 1-800-PEABODY.
Driving safely
Officer Harry Thornton of the Atlanta police department, in cooperation with the Ford Motor Co., has come up with some suggestions for a safe and happy auto trip.
— Before leaving, get the car thoroughly inspected, including tires, fluid levels, instrument panel warning lights, transmission, belts, hoses, cable connections, horn, brakes, spare tire and changing equipment.
— Pack an emergency first aid kit.
— Pack an emergency tool kit that includes a flashlight, flares, white cloth, duct tape, water container, gloves, engine oil, pocket knife, blanket, fire extinguisher, jumper cables and basic tools such as a lug wrench, jack, screwdrivers and hammer.
— Take the safest route. Avoid isolated roads and stick to the freeway system.
— Be sure the car has plenty of gasoline at all times. Try to keep the tank at least half full to avoid stopping and pumping gas after sunset.
— Before you enter your car, check to see that no person has gained entry and is lurking in the rear seat.
— Lock your car at all times, when you’re in or out of the vehicle.
— Drive only during daylight hours.
— Always wear safety belts, even if the car has air bags.
— An excellent rule to follow on an auto trip: Expect the unexpected and try to plan for it.
Big band cruising
Sun Line’s 10-day Christmas/-New Year’s cruise in the Caribbean – departing Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 23 – will feature the Al Marks orchestra aboard the Stella Solaris. Santa will visit the ship via helicopter on Christmas morning. Other highlights include Midnight Mass and caroling, a seven-course Christmas dinner and the traditional Greek celebration of the New Year during that one lucky passenger will receive a ceremonial gold coin insuring good luck through the upcoming year.
Unescorted ladies who want to dance to the big band sounds can take advantage of Sun Line’s Dance Host program with mature, single gentlemen screened to meet the line’s standards and requirements. The cruise, which sails round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, will call at Nassau, San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Thomas. Savings of 25 percent are available. For more information and reservations, contact your local travel agent or the line at 1-800-872-6400.
St. Vincent/Grenadines
ElderTreks, specializing in cultural tours for travelers 50 and over, is offering two tours to the Caribbean islands of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Daily hiking trips, designed for older adults, will explore the lush island with its steep mountain ridges, tropical rain forests and cascading waterfalls. There is also a tour of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western Hemisphere.
Two 10-day tours will leave on Dec. 2 and Feb. 3 from Barbados. Group size is limited to 15 participants. Cost, including airfare from Barbados to St. Vincent, is $1,535; it includes accommodations, transportation in St. Vincent, two boat excursions, most meals, a tour escort and local guides. For more information, call ElderTreks at 1-416-5885000.
Europe in winter
Cosmos Tourama’s most popular tours operate throughout the winter when prices are at their lowest, cities are least crowded and the theater, music and art seasons are in full swing. November and December departures are priced from $90 to $135 per person below peak season rates.
For example, there’s an 11-day “Continental Sampler,” that visits London, Brussels, The Hague, Amsterdam, Bonn, the Rhine and Moselle valleys, Trier, Luxembourg and Paris. There also are 15and 20-day tours that visit a host of other cities. Departures are scheduled to London two to five times a month. Prices include superior tourist-class hotels with private bath, a daily continental breakfast, some dinners, motorcoach travel on the continent, a multilingual tour escort and sightseeing. Air-inclusive packages can be booked from various American cities, including those in Florida. For more information and a Europe brochure, call Cosmos at 1-800-851-0728, ext. 518.
