12 Feb 2013

Sweetheart deal - deadline is Feb. 16


Hola,

Thanks to a miscommunication with Sunwing, there are still some seats available for my April 4 group going to Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, Cuba - at the original low rate! But, this offer will only last until Feb. 16. Need a really special Valentine's Day gift? Here you go! And, yes, they take credit cards.

I will be away, so please contact Michelle Linares at Sunwing (contact info. below), if you want to take advantage of this deal. And, if you sign up, please send me an email (jennicacuba@gmail.com or jcgb@vianet.ca) to let me know. 

If you want to join the April 2013 group, here’s what you need to know:

• We depart April 4 from Toronto for 7 or 14 nights in Cuba.

• This is an all-inclusive resort package, covering accommodation, food, beverages, flight (Toronto to/from Cuba) & taxes – no hidden fees.

• There are several options to choose from…
                     
BASIC HOTEL ROOM (per person) for 7 nights:
                   - Single   $748                        - Double   $678                        - Triple   $658

VIP CABANA DEAL (per person) for 7 nights:
                   - Single   $798                        - Double   $738                        - Triple   $718

BASIC HOTEL ROOM (per person) for 14 nights:
                   - Single   $988                        - Double   $858                        - Triple   $818

VIP CABANA DEAL (per person) for 14 nights:
                   - Single   $1058                       - Double   $918                       - Triple   $888

VIP Bonus
Valid only for guests booking the CABANA VIP AI & HTL VIP SUP BONS AI room categories:
• Express check-in
• Room upgrade to either Cabana or Superior room
• Different bracelet
• Welcome letter signed by the general manager of the hotel
• Fully stocked mini bar on arrival with the best Cuban brands
• Free use of safety deposit box
• Express reservations for the a la carte restaurants
• 1 Gala dinner per stay with lobster and wine (reservation required)
• 1 Sunset tour included per stay
• 2 Excursions to Cayo Blanco per stay
• 1 Lagoon tour per stay
• 1 Picnic-style tour per stay
• Free late check-out


Call to book; these special rates are available until Feb. 16th.   Ask for Michelle and say you would like to be added to the Manzanillo April4th Special (a.k.a., Jenny's group).

Michelle Linares Friends & Family
Sunwing Vacations | Signature Vacations
Tel: 416.620.4955, ext. 3560 l 1.877.877.1755 ext. 3560
Email:mlinares@sunwing.ca
27 Fasken Drive, Toronto, Ontario M9W 1K6


10 Feb 2013

We're invited to dinner at Agustin's!

I am very happy to announce that a pig roast is being planned for the April 2013 group! 

The idea has been in the works for some time but we needed an appropriate venue. The home had to be large enough to accommodate our gang and close enough to the resort that transportation wouldn't bee too difficult. This year, the pieces finally clicked into place, thanks to my pal Agustin. He and his wife Yadira have agreed to be our hosts! The details remain to be sorted out but I'm going to guess that Saturday evening will be a good time for this party.

I'll never forget the first time I met Agustin and Yadira, in October 2009. As the sun began sliding lower on the Western horizon, Wendy Oke – one of my three travelling companions on that trip – and I decided to go for a stroll along the beach. As we were walking, we saw a couple silhoutted in the distance, slowly coming towards us, hand in hand. We introduced ourselves and chatted a little. Agustin was carrying a burlap sack because they were going to get some food for his chickens, he explained in his simple English. Shy Yadira, who speaks only Spanish, smiled a lot – as she still does!

Both Wendy and I immediately had a good feeling about this couple and when, during another encounter, Agustin invited us for dinner at his house, we were glad to accept. As Agustin had proclaimed, Yadira is a very good cook. We had a lovely time and I have visited their home many times since. It seems perfectly fitting that one of my groups will now have the privilege of going to dinner there too! 


Agustin is a farmer but I don't know if the "guest of honor" at the roast will be one of his pigs or not. Maybe it's best not to know! Whenever I visit his home, I try to take a few photos of his ever-changing menagerie. The dogs and cats are constants but the other critters tend to come and go.