Take a Holiday of a Lifetime – Visit the Galapagos Islands

By: Erika Gal, Branch Manager, Maritime Travel,  Hamilton, Ontario 

Erika Gal

The saying, The world is a book and if you do not travel you have read only one page is true.  I have worked in travel for over 25 years. Throughout that time I have traveled to all continents and sailed with over 50 cruises. I love travelling and exploring new countries and culture. Sometimes I go back to the same destination twice to appreciate it even more.

Now as a travel counselor with Maritime Travel in Hamilton, Ontario I am researching and designing travel packages to exotic destinations. I plan dream holidays or what I like to call “Holidays of a Lifetime”.  The holidays include 4-5 star hotels, historical and adventure tours and the opportunity to explore the local culture. Almost all tours and meals are pre-planned to compliment the itinerary so we can enjoy every minute of our stay.

My next “Holiday of a Lifetime” will be in March 2010 and will take us to Machu Picchu, Peru, Lake Titicaca and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.  This holiday is designed for a small group of 20 passengers.  Trip highlights include a fabulous train ride and overnight stay in “The Lost City of the Incas” or Machu Picchu, Peru.

Machu Picchu

Discovered in 1911, the stone city of Machu Picchu is an incredible structure even by modern standards. Each stone fits together impressively to create an exquisite structure that is unsurpassed.  From here we will enjoy the Orient Express train ride to Puno at Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on earth.  Lake Titicaca, once a holy water, today forms the natural border between Bolivia and Peru. Here we will take a half day boat tour to the floating islands of Uros.  The Uros are one of the most primitive pre-Inca people of Peru. They lived exclusively on artificial islands that they knitted on the shallow waters of the lake. Today they continue many of their ancestral customs.

Next, expert naturalist guides will offer an environmentally friendly and educational cruise focused on the natural history of the Galapagos Islands. As we cruise through the waters of the Galapagos we will see dolphins, whales and if we’re lucky a hammerhead shark!  Isla Salvador is a great place to see colonies of marine iguanas and we’ll also learn about the Galapagos penguins and sea lions. Bird watching is one of the most amazing experiences on the islands. As most birds here are exclusive to the Galapagos. This truly is a land like no other and will provide many very unique photo opportunities!

You’ll pinch yourself just to see if you’re dreaming when you join on this magical journey!

For more information on this program and to join the group please e-mail the group escort  Erika Gal at  egal@maritimetravel.ca