BELIZE
**The Belize Tourism Board regularly sends us a tourism newsletter, and in its latest one, one property stood out as the recipient of many eco-awards. It's the Lodge at Chaa Creek and it looks as though it would be appealing to many TTS members. In addition to eco awards, the Pioneers in Prosperity Program, an international project honouring businesses that serve as role models to their communities, recently awarded the Lodge an honourable mention for its work with the local San Ignacio community. As part of this award, the Lodge will receive a grant to be used in expanding their employee educational scholarship programme, which gives naturalist guides top-rated local and international skills training. For a glimpse of the lodge and more information, visit http://www.chaacreek.com/
BRITAIN
**Be speedy if London, England, is in your thoughts. Transat Holidays is offering savings of $300 per couple on bookings made up to 31 October 2009 for departures 1 November 2009 to 31 March 2010 on their London packages. City Packages are available for $799 per person for a seven-night stay at the Royal National and the Montana Hotel Kensington. The President Hotel is available for $849, Ibis London Earls Court for $899 and Thistle Euston for $999 per person (taxes extra in all cases). The City Packages include flight, accommodation, buffet breakfasts and transfers. Bonus features include the Essential London Morning Tour. www.transatholidays.com
**And looking ahead to next summer we've already received details of those Summer School programmes at Cambridge University. Visit www.cont-ed.cam.ac.uk/courses/summer to learn more about staying in historic colleges, enjoying week-end and evening activities and taking part in two- and four-week classes in Art History, Literature, Science, History, Shakespeare or Medieval Studies.
MEXICO
**One of my colleagues is editor of the popular www.journeywoman.com website, a site full of tips for women travellers. Noticed in the last newsletter: a B&B in Mexico City that looks interesting for all, not just women travellers. Check out the Red Tree House at www.theredtreehouse.com and if any readers stay there, please send us a report!
MONTSERRAT
**If you'd love a Caribbean vacation this coming winter, but don't like to rub shoulders with too many other tourists, check out Montserrat, the tiny island that suffered devastating volcanic eruptions in the late 1990s. Many of the residents have returned to help re-build the 39 square mile island and now there's one full-service hotel and a wide range of accommodation from guest houses to villas that start as low as $700 per week. Apart from the island's natural beauty and water sports, visitors can visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, take riding tours and check out the new Cultural Performing Arts Centre. Be tempted by visiting www.visitmontserrat.com.
