Dancing on the Waves, Ballroom Dance Cruise!

| November 1, 2017

Dancing, culinary delights, and great company await lovers of ballroom dance on this spectacular cruise with stops in some of Europe’s most romantic cities, including Rome, Amalfi, Dubrovnik and Florence. This cruise offers daily classes and shows with a host of internationally acclaimed dance professionals, so you can sail the Mediterranean sea while sharpening your ballroom dance skills. Excursions include private tours of the Ufizzi Gallery in Rome and boat charters in the sparkling grottos in the waters off Sorrento.

For more information click here view the vacation package details, or send us a message through our contact form and we’ll be glad to assist you.

African Safari Adventure

| November 1, 2017

Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure in Kenya & Tanzania!

Timed to coincide with the greatest migration event in the world, this itinerary will take you through Kenya and Tanzania as millions of animals cross the great Masai Mara and the Serengeti savannah. If you love the thrill observing animals in their natural habitat and enjoying the wonders of nature, this is the trip for you. Additional excursions include visits to meet the Masai people, an up-close look at the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wonder of the world, and a relaxing day on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar.

For more information click here view the vacation package details, or send us a message through our contact form and we’ll be glad to assist you.

Airbus and Bombardier Announce C Series Partnership

| October 20, 2017

On October 16, 2017 Airbus and Bombardier came to a partnership agreement on the C series aircraft program. With the combination of Airbus’ global reach and Bombardier’s state-of-the-art jet aircraft technology, the agreement will result in additional value and efficiency for all stakeholders — customers, employees, and shareholders alike.

Airbus will receive the majority stake at 50.01% in the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP), and will provide procurement, marketing, and customer support expertise to the accord. Bombardier’s share in the agreement places them with a stake of approximately 31%, with the remaining 19% of shares owned by Investissement Québec (IQ).

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Testimonial: educational seminar and world-class vacation

| August 30, 2017

What more could you ask for? We had a great educational seminar and a world-class vacation at the same time. The personal involvement of the conference coordinator and lecturer is unprecedented in any other learning atmosphere. We’ve recommended it to all our friends and colleagues!

—- Drs. Madelyn & Joel Abougoush, Calgary, Alberta

Testimonial: luxurious adventure

| August 30, 2017

My family and I attended a cruise conference aboard the Celebrity Summit. It was a luxurious adventure we will never forget! The scientific sessions were excellent and all details of the cruise were well handled by the on-board coordinator.

—- Dr. David Hamilton, Barrhead, Alberta

Testimonial: Team building travel

| August 30, 2017

I have attended 4 seminars in the past 3 years and continually find myself impressed with the high quality of venues, excellent level of customer service and organization. Bringing team members along has been a positive office-building experience with lasting results.

—- Dr. Lisa Bentley, Mississauga, Ontario

Testimonial: learning on the high seas

| August 30, 2017

Rest assured, Voyages GAM SPS Travel will not disappoint! I let them do all the hard work and found myself on a cruise ship learning from a well-respected lecturer. Relaxation, new friends and learning from the best is what awaits you. They put it together, you simply enjoy!

—- Dr. Chip Carin, Watsonville, California

Life Changing Experiences Through Travel

| August 30, 2017
Life changing trip

While many travelers are perfectly happy to enjoy a pre-packaged all-inclusive vacation, others are seeking a more immersive experience. They are hungry for new experiences, whether it’s the thrill of walking a full-grown tiger in Thailand or learning to make pasta from an ancient family recipe in a Tuscan village. They want to have exciting encounters, perhaps by descending into the ocean to swim with sharks, or authentic ones, like hiking the mountains of southern Spain on a private wine tour. Experiences like these were once extremely rare, but Bespoke Travel Services have evolved to meet the needs of these adventurous travelers. With the right Travel agent, your dream adventure can become reality.

Redefining luxury

Bespoke Travel caters to a niche community of travelers who have no interest in settling for mass-marketed travel packages. It offers unprecedented personalization, and when it comes to luxury, Bespoke Travel goes beyond simply finding five-star accommodations. “What we do is not transactional, it’s transformational,” said Ashish Sanghrajka of Big Five Tours at a recent Voyages GAM SPS Travel Industry gala. “Indeed, probably 95% of travelers are still being funnelled into the same moulds, whether they are private clients or mass market. We have deliberately chosen to look after the 5%”.

Experiences over things

“One commonality among our travelers is their curiosity and passion for unusual getaways,” says Gregory Respitz, Director at GAM SPS. “Anyone can buy luxury items at the store— it’s easy to get the latest Lana Marks – but unique and authentic experiences can’t be bought at the mall.” A recent survey by Harris Poll saw 78% of millennials answer they would rather spend money on experiences than things.

Curated Vacations

In an era of personalization – from playlists tailored to your mood and customizable shoes – it’s no surprise savvy travelers are looking for a more individual experience. “When planned right, a vacation can be a life-changing experience” says Shirlie Mauer, Director at Voyages GAM SPS Travel. “This is our niche. We have exacting standards of service and quality, and our goal is to provide the discerning traveler with a well-organized, one-of-a-kind vacation, curated just for them.”

Dream it, then live it

With Bespoke Travel, anything is possible. Which begs the question, where will your next trip take you?

Director’s Choice: Samana Peninsula, Dominican Republic

| August 30, 2017
Director's pick Samana

Welcome to our new feature ‘Director’s Choice.’ Here, we’ll share our collective wealth of expert knowledge on Bespoke Travel, exploring a different destination every month.

The directors here at Voyages GAM SPS Travel have decades of experience and an unparalleled passion for travel that has taken them to all corners of the world. From boutique luxury hotels to majestic African safaris – and of course, to secluded island resorts, like the one we’re featuring this month.

Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado,
Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic

The Samaná Peninsula is known for its lush terrain and pristine coastline. Located in the town of Samana, Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado is a luxurious, secluded escape – and it’s the only resort in the Dominican Republic on its own private island.

Reached by ferry, the resort boasts stunning views, two beautiful pools, butler service and virgin white-sand beaches. Guests can choose from five restaurants and three bars, or stroll the Maleçon, the town’s waterfront promenade.

“Samaná is a natural treasure. Wild, lush, rich vegetation, with secluded beaches, coves, waterfalls, mountains and awe-inspiring views,” says Shirlie Mauer, Director at Voyages GAM SPS Travel.

Whale Watching

In the winter season, thousands of humpback whales make their way to the warm waters of Samaná Bay to have their young. Excursions to see the pods range from highly scientific to a more relaxed atmosphere. In Samaná Town, the Whale Museum offers a chance to discover more about these graceful creatures, including a full-sized whale skeleton exhibit.

Chasing Waterfalls

Reachable by horse or mule, El Salto del Limón is a beautiful waterfall in a thickly forested area in the northeast of the peninsula. After the ride in, a swim in the naturally-occuring turquoise pool below is a welcome refresher. Along the way, keep your eyes open for the nearly-endangered Royal Palms, and the Cigua Palmera, a native heron that makes its nest in these majestic trees.

Caves and Caverns

Los Haitises National Park admits only a limited number of tourists each year, so booking early is paramount. Tours to this area vary and can fill up fast, so if it’s on your wish list, talk to your Travel Agent about securing one of these coveted spots. The landscape includes a mangrove forest, caves, sinkholes, and rocky plateaus. Two of the caves contain sculptures and pictograms left by the Taino people who lived there for millenia before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.

Popular Activities:

  • Whale watching
  • Waterfalls swimming
  • Scuba Diving
  • Ziplining
  • Cave discoveries
  • Safari
  • ATV Quad Adventures
  • Deep Sea Fishing

About the region

Samaná Province is distinguished by its lush greenery, mountainous terrain and calm turquoise waters.

  • Area: 853.74 km2
  • Elevation: 5 m
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time
  • Airports: 3
  • High Temperature Range: 24-27 Celcius
  • Population: 139,707 (2014)
  • Municipalities: 3
  • Languages: Spanish, Haitian Creole, Creole English. English is generally spoken in tourist areas.

Safety for Solo Female Travelers

| August 30, 2017
Women's travel safety

There’s nothing quite like solo traveling. It offers a unique opportunity to choose your own pace and path, and to immerse yourself in another culture. But for women travelers who decide to go the road alone, there can sometimes be additional safety considerations.

The best way to protect yourself when traveling, whether you are male or female, is to arm yourself with knowledge. The more you know about your destination, the safer you will be. Read our ‘Savvy Travel Safety Tips’ post for a starter, but also find out about the cultural norms where you are going. Are there restrictions on what women can wear, where they can go, and who they can talk to? While some of these customs may be illegal and discriminatory in Canada, your travel experience will be affected by your ability to adapt to them, so consider them carefully.

The best way to get a sense of the realities on the ground is to connect with other women who have recently traveled to the area. You can search for blogs or online communities dedicated to the region, or look for expat women’s groups in the area. Reading posts or a pamphlet is great, but don’t hesitate to reach out by email or social media and make connections with real people. Not only can they share relevant safety information, they may tell you about sights you won’t find in a guidebook. And if something does go sideways, they can be a valuable contact.

If you are thinking of taking the plunge into a solo-travel adventure, check out some of the top Solo Female Travel blogs on the net:

Adventurous Kate

Girl about the Globe

The Blonde Abroad

In addition, The Government of Canada offers a women’s travel safety guide called Her Own Way that has a great deal of practical advice.