Special Edition Newsletter
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Greetings!
We're sending you this special edition newsletter to announce a fantastic 11 night package to the Galapagos Islands & Quito. This is your chance to make this amazing trip, and join us as we return after more than 10 years.
This incredible vacation includes 2 pre-cruise nights at the 5-Star JW Marriott in Quito, city tour, 7 night all-inclusive cruise on the 100 passenger Celebrity Xpedition in Category XP, Deck 4 staterooms, 2 post-cruise nights in Quito at the JW Marriott and round-trip airfare from Quito to Baltra.
Details and pricing:
The cruisetour begins in Quito on August 1, 2019 and the Galapagos Southern Loop cruise begins on August 3, 2019. The cost for the entire cruisetour is $6,769 per person. A $450 per person deposit must be received by
JUNE 10, 2018
to hold the stateroom, and is refundable up to 91 days prior to sailing. The final payment is due on March 6, 2019.
We hope you'll join us!
Contact us today
to reserve your place and make the
June 10, 2018
deadline! Please see the exciting itinerary below.
Hoping to see you soon,
Betty & Frank Villani
(909) 980-6040
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Galapagos Islands
& Quito, Ecuador
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Join us!
11 Nights!
August 1, 2019 when we revisit Quito and these spectacular islands onboard the Celebrity Xpedition!
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Thursday, August 1, 2019
Day 1 - Quito Arrival
On the first day of your journey, you’ll be greeted at the airport by a Celebrity Cruises representative and transferred to the JW Marriott hotel. Enjoy free time to relax and settle in.
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Friday, August 2, 2019
Day 2 - Quito
Breakfast is served at the hotel. During your guided tour of the capital of Ecuador, situated at an altitude of 9,350 feet, you’ll stand on the equatorial line at the Middle of the World Park and Museum, and marvel at the monastery of San Francisco and la Compañia Church. Your Tour Director will escort you throughout your Quito stay, and serve as your personal concierge. Lunch with a spectacular view of the city, and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local gourmet restaurant.
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Saturday August 3, 2019
Day 3 -Quito - Morning flight to Baltra Island - Embarkation
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, Galapagos. During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region’s main airport and where you will meet the ship. From the airport, it is just a short bus and Zodiac ride to the ship for embarkation
Afternoon: North Seymour Island
North Seymour is a small island just north of Baltra. It is home to the largest colony of frigatebirds in the Galapagos. While keeping an eye out for male frigatebirds trying to impress potential mates with an inflated red neck pouch, you may see blue-footed boobies dancing in a timeless courtship ritual. Sea lions and large land iguanas also roam about this rocky terrain. Excursion options: Walk and deep-water snorkel.
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Sunday August 4, 2019
Day 4 - Morning:
South Plaza, Santa Cruz Island
One of two islands off Santa Cruz, South Plaza was born of upheaval, uplifted during a geologic event. This small, but beautiful rocky island is strewn with tall prickly pear cactus and roaming land iguanas, marine iguanas, along with a colony of sea lions. Numerous seabirds nest in and soar over the cliff on the high side of the island. Excursion options: Walk
Afternoon: Santa Fe Island
Begin with a wet landing on the small beach in Barrington Bay. Large numbers of sea lions are found on the beaches and can often be seen surfing in the waves. Some of the island’s endemic species include massive Santa Fe Opuntia cactus, the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Snake, rice rats, finches, and the Galapagos Mockingbird. Hike past saltbush where Galapagos hawks and Santa Fe land iguanas tend to roam. Keep an eye out for sea lions and the occasional sea turtles or ray. Excursion options: Walk, swim, kayak, zodiac
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Monday, August 5, 2019
Day 5 - Morning: Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island
After disembarking onto the small green sand beach, hike up to a plateau, where the view and landscape are so spectacular it is well worth the effort. A steep gully leads up the cliff to a breeding ground for all three varieties of boobies: Red-footed, Blue-footed and Nazca. It’s the only place in the Galapagos where you can see all three species nesting together. Excursions options: Hike, kayak, snorkel, zodiac.
Afternoon: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Santa Cruz
Visit the small waterfront town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the administrative capital of the islands. Excursion options: a tour of a local interpretation center and time for shopping or a fast-paced long walk to view scenic vistas, followed by a visit to the interpretation center.
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Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Day 6 - Morning : Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
Rich in history, this site is home to the post office barrel established in about 1793, where pirates, buccaneers, whalers, and others could leave their mail to be picked up by outbound ships. The tradition continues today, as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through mail left behind to deliver at home.
Baroness Overlook, Floreana Island
The Baroness’ Viewing Point is the ideal place to take in the unique scenery that defines Floreana, and to learn about the intriguing history of the island, once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers. Observe several marine species such as golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, mullets and occasionally Galapagos penguins on a zodiac ride around “La Loberia”. Excursion options: Zodiac, walk.
Afternoon: Cormorant Point, Floreana Island
Floreana was the first capital of the Galapagos, and where Charles Darwin met the islands’ Governor. Its small brackish lagoon is often home to flamingos, stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks, and one of its beaches is a popular nesting site for sea turtles. Check out the green-hued sand where you land! Excursion options: Walk and swim.
Champion Islet, Floreana Island
This bay provides a wonderful opportunity for ocean adventures. When snorkeling, tropical fish abound with frequent sightings of sea turtles, rays, sharks, sea stars, and sea lions if they’re in a playful mood. On a zodiac ride along the rocky shoreline keep an eye out for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigatebirds. Red-billed Tropic birds nest in the crevices below prickly pear cacti. The rare Charles Mockingbird also makes its home here. Excursion options: Snorkel, zodiac.
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Wednesday August 7, 2019
Day 7 - Morning: Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island
Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points in the Galapagos visited on our cruise. Enter a sheltered cove accessible only by zodiac. It is a wonderful and secluded mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge, resting, and feeding site for sea turtles, rays, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins, pelicans, lava herons, and more. Excursion options: Zodiac.
Afternoon: Moreno Point, Isabela Island
Along this beautiful rocky shore, a field of hardened black lava flows is pockmarked by shallow pools, which are home to shorebirds and flamingos. On the zodiac ride keep your eyes peeled for Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. Excursion options: Walk, zodiac.
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Thursday August 8, 2019
Day 8 - Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
The main population center of the islands, Puerto Ayora is home to the National Park Service tortoise-breeding center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. You will have the opportunity to take a bus ride to the highlands to observe giant tortoises in the wild and walk through a lava tunnel. Optional time for shopping will be available. Excursion options: Tortoise-breeding Center/Charles Darwin Center, Highlands.
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Friday August 9, 2019
Day 9 - Morning: Gardner Bay, Española Island
The beach at Gardner Bay, with its sparkling white sand, offers one of the best places to relax and swim in the Galapagos. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions in the archipelago, and is also a nesting site for sea turtles. Three species of Darwin’s finches and Española Mockingbirds may also be seen here. Excursion options: Swim, snorkel, and kayak.
Afternoon: Suarez Point, Española Island
Española is the oldest island in the Galapagos and home to an abundance of wildlife. At this site, visitors can expect to see sea lions, Galapagos Hawks, marine iguanas, and both blue-footed and Nazca boobies. Excursion options include a long, rocky walk to look for Waved Albatrosses (May to December), and observing an impressive blowhole that spews water like a towering geyser. A short walk is also available.
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Saturday August 10, 2019
Day 10 - Morning: Baltra Disembarkation / Airport Transfer
Baltra is home to the region’s main airport and where you will fly out after a zodiac and bus ride to the airport.
Afternoon: Quito
Upon your arrival in Quito, a Celebrity Cruises® representative will escort you to the JW Marriott hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
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Sunday August 11, 2019
Day 11 - Quito
Enjoy a day in the Ecuadorean capital at your leisure. Breakfast is included.
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Monday August 12, 2019
Day 12 - Departure
On Monday after the included breakfast, your Celebrity Cruises® representative will once again escort you to the airport for your return flight home.
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