Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba

Situated on 10 kilometers of pristine, white-sand beach, this 5-star resort features palm-lined shores and uninterrupted sea views. Surrounded by countryside, there’s a tranquil feeling but despite its back-to-nature charms, the Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria is as modern as they come. The two swimming pools are huge and lagoon-shaped, separated by a bridge and mini grass islands, and also have an outdoor whirlpool and a poolside bar. The beautiful beach is just a stone’s throw away, so swapping sun terrace for sand is a breeze.

The 624-guestroom accommodations are spaced around the hotel’s lush gardens, and feature a casual Cuban beach style. Dining is 5-star, and varied with a Cuban eatery, a cosy Italian restaurant, a Spanish restaurant and two beachside grills, as well as 2 buffet restaurants. For after-dinner drinks, you’ve got two theatre bars offering up cabaret, live music, dancing and comedy. Add in two children’s clubs, and you have the perfect setting for a wonderful vacation for everyone.

Accommodations Include:

• 2 beds or 1 king size bed
• telephone
• satellite TV
• hairdryer
• safe
• mini bar with water, beer and soft drinks (refreshed daily)
• AC
• balcony or terrace
• iron & ironing board
• CD player.

Dining & Beverages:

• 4 à la carte restaurants, dinner only
• 2 Buffet restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Themed evenings
• 2 Snack bars
• 8 Beverage bars

Other Amenities:

• 2 Large lagoon-style pools
• 1 Children’s pool
• 2 Swim-up bars
• Whirlpool
• Pool towels
• Children’s Clubs: Baby Club (0-4), Mini Club (5-12)
• Evening entertainment
• Conference meeting rooms

Activities Included:

• Tennis
• Football
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Giant chess
• Pedal Boats
• Kayaking
• Windsurfing
• Snorkeling
• Introductory scuba diving lesson in pool
• Aerobics
• Aqua aerobics
• Darts
• Dancing Lessons
• Language lessons

Website

Note that all travel to Cuba requires payment of a departure tax, payable at the airport when leaving, of 25CUC (roughly equal to $25 USD).
 

Departing Toronto April 9, 2011 via Air Canada Vacations (taxes additional $235)

Adults based on double occupancy $1175+taxes
Adults based on single occupancy $1300+taxes
Adults based on triple occupancy $1150+taxes
Children 2-12 $750+taxes

Connectors are at an additional charge as per below:

Halifax $155
Winnipeg $135
Montreal $15
Grande Prairie $95
Moncton $145

EBB (Early Booking Bonus): If you wish to pay in full by October 31, 2010, please deduct $305/adult from the rates above.

Flight schedule, from Toronto:

09APR2011 YYZ 1610 SNU 1950 AC1888
16APR2011 SNU 2050 YYZ 0025 AC1889

It would be preferred if you could email your booking request. Please feel free to call for information, but an email eliminates any issues like spelling mistakes in names, etc.

This is the information that we require for a booking:

1. Your Full Name as it is listed in your passport.
It is essential that your passport name and your airline ticket name be identical. If you have not yet requested a passport, make sure that the name you give is exactly the same name that you put on your passport application. If the name is not changed to reflect the exact same name, then you will be denied boarding on travel day!

2. Your Full Mailing Address, including postal code.

3. Your Phone Number (s) that you can be reached at.
We need to have to have at least one phone number where you can be reached. We need this for a number of reasons: Should the resort sell out (stop sell), they have the right to ask for final payment immediately instead of waiting for the final payment date....Should the airline change the flight times....Should there be any problem with the credit card you gave for payment....we need to be able to reach you immediately.

4. Your Email Address
We would like to have your email address so that we can send out a general distribution email should any group issues arise.

5. Your Date of Birth
We require your date of birth for the files, and in order to process your travel insurance.

6. Your Credit Card Information
We will require your credit card information for the initial deposit, and then again for your final payment. If both payments will be made using the same credit card then we only require this once.  Air Canada Vacations requires a deposit of $200 per person at the time of booking to hold the vacation package. Then, the balance owing, if you should decide to pay by the EBB (early booking bonus) date, will be due on October 31, 2010. If you choose NOT to pay by the EBB date, final payment will have to be paid 60 days prior to the vacation departure date, which will be February 9, 2011. You can make also make installments/payments at any time prior to then but we will need final payments to be processed by that date.

If you have any questions regarding the resort itself, the pricing of the rooms, the insurance, or anything else, please send an email to Pauline Blacoe at shine@shinetravel.ca or call Pauline directly at 705-294-1545.

As much as everyone is there for Cynthia and Remi, we also want to make sure that your vacation is exactly what you want and expect.