Set Sail for
Cortés Gold with CruiseWest

Cruise fares start from $2,199/person. BONUS: book by October 31 and
receive a $100 Hideaways Travel Certificate, plus a one-year gift membership!

A warm sea breeze on your face . . . crystal-clear water that shimmers in the sunlight . . . giant cardón cacti towering over a desert landscape . . . private beaches and turquoise coves that beg for a refreshing swim . . . whales, dolphins, and countless other varieties of marine life just waiting to be discovered. Welcome to the world of CruiseWest and the exotic Sea of Cortés, where your cruise adventure will shine with all the allure of Cortés' famed gold. Come aboard the Spirit of Yorktown for this delightful 8-day Whales & Wildlife cruise along the Baja Peninsula; you'll be thrilled with the small-ship comforts and intimate level of service you'll share with the ship's other 137 or so guests.

CruiseWest is famous for providing up-close encounters with both wildlife and the local Mexican culture; in fact, whenever the ship visits the colonial city of La Paz, guests are invited to accompany crew members as they deliver basics like toothbrushes and school supplies to a local orphanage. But if you prefer, you can wander the city's mile-long waterfront promenade and explore its busy shops. Later, everyone gathers for an authentic fiesta, complete with Mexican music and dancers.

And because you may want to explore the Los Cabos area more thoroughly, we suggest a pre- or post-cruise stay at elegant Cabo Azul, where members save 10% and receive their Hideaways member-only perk of a complimentary dinner for two at Javiers.

Day 1 - ARRIVE IN CABO SAN LUCAS
Transfer from Los Cabos Airport to your ship at Cabo's inner harbor. Begin your Sea of Cortés cruise at sunset, to enjoy evening scenery and cruising.

Day 2 - ISLA ESPIRITÚ SANTO
This 23,383-acre island near La Paz is centered in one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world and is a major environmental success story. Several plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world, including the blacktailed jack rabbit and antelope squirrel. John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, who jointly wrote "Sea of Cortez" and "The Log of the Sea of Cortez" explored this island's tide pools at two places, a sandy stretch at the south end of the island and a coral-head environment at Baha San Gabriel.

Take a guided walk among the tangle of exotic cacti, or swim, snorkel, and kayak the crystal clear sea here that supports 900 species of fish. No need to bring snorkel gear or wetsuits as gear will be provided to you.

SPECIAL OFFER!

Plan now to spend part of the winter on the warm and nurturing Sea of Cortés with CruiseWest. Departure dates for the Whales & Wildlife cruises run Dec-20-08 through Mar-7-09. Cruise fares start from $2,199/person.

As an added bonus, book your cruise with Hideaways Travel Services (877-843-4433) by Oct-31-08, and you'll receive a $100 Hideaways Travel Certificate that can be redeemed on this cruise or on any future booking with Hideaways. Plus, when booking any cruise, you receive a one-year gift membership or membership extension—a $195 value!

Day 3 - WHALE WATCHING
This whole day is spent pursuing up-close viewing of marine life. The Sea of Cortés is home to huge schools of common and bottle-nosed dolphins, as well as humpback, minke, fin, and blue whales. In the shallow lagoons of Baja's Pacific shore, hundreds of gray whales annually congregate to calf most reliably from mid-January to mid-March. When our local contacts tell us the whales are present, we'll cross the peninsula by motorcoach to the Pacific side. There board an outboard-equipped panga to observe the grays, who have migrated some 6,000 miles from Alaska's Bering Sea to mate, give birth, and rear their young. When whales are not present in Baha Magdalena, we will use our maneuverable small ship to search for whales and other marine life in the Sea of Cortés.

Day 4 - ISLAND EXPLORATION
Guided by the weather and tides, visit one of the beautiful and special islands of the Sea of Cortés on a day full of island exploration and nature appreciation. Isla Coronado's volcanic cone rises above the horizon. There will be time to kayak, hike, beachcomb, snorkel, swim or relax on the beach.

Isla San Francisco and Isla San José offer excellent snorkeling and kayaking opportunities wind permitting. And look for dolphins in the cove.

Day 5 - LORETO
Founded in 1697, Loreto's Nuestra Señora de Loreto Mission was the original "mother" church from which all the other California missions were founded, along El Camino Real, eventually leading as far north as Sonoma, California.

A museum adjacent to the mission displays artifacts and paintings from Baja's colonial era. Stroll the streets and plazas of this picturesque seaside village, capped by a wine and cheese reception in a lovely downtown courtyard featuring homemade cheeses, local fruits and wines and a talented local singer to entertain you.

Day 6 - LOS ISLOTES & ISLA PARTIDA
Los Islotes is a steep seamount punctured by sea caves. Blue-footed boobies reside on the cliffs, and a large colony of California sea lions haul out on the rocks below. Weather permitting, swim and snorkel as the female sea lions and their curious young pups float about you in the sea. Continue to Isla Partida nearby, to hike the island's rugged canyons, kayak up-close to rock-walled headlands, or just relax on the beach. In the sheltered cove of Ensenada Grande, where the silky sandy bottom shelves out very gradually for hundreds of feet, gentle waves lap onto the mangrove-backed beach.

Day 7 - LA PAZ
Today, your ship ties up at the central waterfront of Baja California Sur's capital and largest city, which was founded in the 1530s. Explore the shops, gelateras , and the miles-long waterfront malecón or promenade. A host of options will be available and you will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive fiesta, complete with Mexican music, and dancers. Later, depart La Paz to sail overnight to Cabo San Lucas.

Day 8 - DISEMBARK IN CABO SAN LUCAS
Disembark in Cabo San Lucas. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Los Cabos Airport.

Cruise fares start from $2,199/person. BONUS: book by October 31 and receive a
$100 Hideaways Travel Certificate, plus a one-year gift membership!

Contact Hideaways Travel Services Today
Toll-free 877-843-4433, or E-mail: ts@hideaways.com
Hideaways International, the luxury and niche cruising specialists