Midriff Islands: like the Galapagos, only less expensive

Photo by Baja AirVentures

You may never have heard of Mexico's Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez, but in these remote islands -- far from the country's health problems -- you will find:

* More than 900 species of marine vertebrates and more than 2,000 unique species of invertebrates.

* Up to 12 species of annual whales,  including Fin, Orca and Blue Whales (the largest animal that inhabits the planet).

* Bottlenose and Common Dolphins, California Sea Lions and Elephant Seals.

* Three orders of marine birds -- arctic, temperate, and tropical. The islands are inhabited by more than 50 species, including Blue Footed Boobies, Brown Pelicans, Royal Terns, Frigate Birds, Cormorants, Turkey Vultures and Osprey. More than 95 percent of the world's population of Heermans Gulls and Elegant Terns breed on nearby Rasa Island.

* In the Sonoran Desert along the coast, more than 20 cactus species,  Boojum and Elephant trees, Giant Cardon Cactuses (which are more than 60 feet tall) and Ironwood.

By comparison, the much better-known Galapagos Islands has 29 types of land birds (30 percent of them found only on these islands) and 19 main types of sea birds. There are 400  t species of fish and 12 species of sharks. Marine mammals include dolphins, sea lions and whales including Brydes, Pilot, Minke, Blue and Cuviers.

And then there's the question of cost. Kevin Warren, owner of Baja AirVentures, puts it this way: An eight-day/seven-night Galapagos cruise on a first class yacht is approximately $3,200 per person  (about $400 per day) for just the cruise portion  before the additional expense of pre/post trip lodging and international and regional air. Flight times to the islands can be  6 to 8 hours or more from most U.S. cities. In contrast, for departures from now through August, guests booking a four or six-day Baja AirVentures package also receive complimentary pre-trip hotel accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express in nearby Chula Vista, Calif. A 6 day/6 night program including meals, lodging, guided activities and roundtrip air from San Diego is $1,695 per person, double occupancy, or roughly $285 per person per day. Warren's company operates Las Animas Wilderness Retreat that is home base for the explorations.

Visit www.bajaairventures.com or call 800-221-9283. For information on the retreat, click here. For information on the Midriffs, click here.

Worth quoting

Outings are so much more fun when we can savour them through the children’s eyes. 

                                                                                                                  – Lawana Blackwell

2-for-1 summer savings in Fort Lauderdale

Many people consider Florida as a place to escape winter chills. But  the Greater Fort Lauderdale area wants to convince you that there is enjoyment even in summer by unleashing a string of 2-for-1 offers, good June 1-Sept. 30, for such stellar attractions as Aloha Watersports, Billie Swamp Safari, Butterfly World, Dixie Divers, Jungle Queen Riverboat, Fort  Lauderdale Duck Tours and many more.

   For a complete list, visit sunny.org/summer.

Cupcake Tea in a classy Boston hotel

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common is featuring its Cupcake Tea though June 27, with what the Ritz calls "bright, colorful and deliciously decadent cupcakes, along with a variety of other treats. The tea is  $20 per adult and $16 per child, plus tax and gratuity, and is available Saturdays 1-4 p.m. Reservations are required.  

Call 617-574-7176.  For hotel information, click here.

What's in a name?

In Canada, aspirin is not a generic name. Only Bayer Aspirin can be called by that name. All the rest are known as acetylsyclic acid, or ASA.

Angels, demons and then some

Rome's  Hotel Hassler Roma is offering an  Angels & Demons Package, where guests will experience first-hand the adventure from Dan Brown's novel-turned-movie. Guests will embark on a quest throughout the Eternal City that visits many of the settings from the book and movie and uncovers many of Rome's mysteries and secrets, the all while receiving service and pampering that the hotel says is comparable to what Hollywood stars received while filming the movie. The package, based on double occupancy, includes three nights in deluxe accommodations, daily breakfast, an "Angels and Demons Private Tour" of Rome conducted by an English-speaking guide, a map of the "illuminati" path, entrance fees for the Castel Sant'Angelo museum and all service charges. Rates start at about $2,323) and the package is valid through Dec. 21.

 For hotel information, visit www.hotelhassler.com. For package details, click here.