Fiji will re-open for international travelers on December 1, 2021. Set among swaying palms, on the edge of a golden beach in the turquoise waters of the Fijian islands is a private hideaway. The perfect location for a romantic vacation in Fiji.
Taveuni Palms Resort is one of the world’s most exquisite luxury accommodation estates. This is the perfect setting for your honeymoon, wedding, or the romantic vacation of a lifetime. The Taveuni Palms in Fiji is an intimate retreat offering two private villas, on a secluded sandy beach. Furthermore, the island has many spectacular things to offer; such as scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.
Consequently, Taveuni Island is known for its unique and colorful sea life. Tropical fish, and amazing varieties of soft and hard coral. The Rainbow Reef, Great White Wall, Purple Wall, and Zoo dive sites are all within easy reach of the resort. The Great White Wall reef offers a tunnel with two exits. As you swim through, a white glow is given off by the soft coral surrounding you. You’ll find two dive centers that are minutes from Taveuni Palms, which offer you dive equipment and certified diving instructors. From beginners to expert divers, you can have a lot of fun scuba diving on your romantic vacation in Fiji.
The two separate villas at Taveuni Palms come with their own staff. Each separate villa offers a pool, two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, and a very unique indoor/outdoor bathroom. A private deck is equipped with chairs inviting you to spend time outdoors. Furthermore, views of the ocean lead way to spectacular sunsets, therefore turning into tropical nights with stunning starlit skies.
During the winter months, finding a beach vacation spot can be a little difficult. It doesn’t have to be. Below, you’ll find some resorts that offer a very unique twist, and will inspire you with winter beach vacation ideas. And if you’ll be travelling with a large group of people, you may also consider booking a bus charter to make your trip easier and more convenient.
Molokai Ranch and Lodge
On a white sand shore on the tiny Hawaiian island of Molokai, guests will stay in comfortable and unique tents. Each double unit canvas bungalow sits on a wooden platform and offers queen-size or twin beds, solar-powered lights, and a private bathroom with hot water showers. The Molokai Ranch and Lodge offers over 54,000 acres, including seaside cliffs with very lush valleys. The outdoor activities here include sea kayaking, cultural hikes, mountain biking, and horseback rides.
Long ago, a big swimming pool was enough to make guests happy. Nowadays, resorts compete in water activities such as lagoons, waterfalls, water slides, and even lazy rivers. Therefore, the Grand Wailea Resort offers several attractions, such as the 4,580 square foot Hibiscus pool, and the 25,700 square foot Canyon activity pool.
The US Virgin Islands National Park is a very unique vacation spot with white sandy beaches and lodging in comfortable tent cottages at Maho Bay. Therefore, as with the Molokai Ranch, guest cottages are built on platforms and designed to be both attractive and comfortable. Each one has a sleeping area, bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils, stove, ice cooler, and even a private deck. Water sports include kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, as well as Private eFoil Lessons. There is also an outdoor restaurant and a food store for those who want to cook from the privacy of their own room.
These are just a few of the unique winter beach vacation ideas that I have to share with you. Contact me for your personalized recommendations, and to start planning your winter beach vacation.
Have you been to Ireland? Is it on your bucket list? Ireland is one of my favorite places to visit. Having been to Ireland many times, and helping clients experience this magical place, below are some of my expert tips for a terrific first trip to Ireland.
You’ve put off visiting the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney National Park, and Blarney Castle long enough. It’s finally time to take that trip to Ireland! I applaud that decision, but before you book that brewery tour or get too excited about visiting Dublin’s Grafton Street, here are a few tips to make for a more enjoyable trip.
The perfect country for a road trip
Consider Car Travel
The best sites in the Emerald Isle are seen via public transportation or tour buses, but renting a car is not a bad idea to get to those obscure sites. Be sure the vehicle you rent is a small one, as rural roads in Ireland are narrow. Oh, and the Irish drive on the left side of the road and pass on the right; it takes some getting used to and is not for everyone. Also, in light of my recent experience, I firmly advocate using a mapping site like https://layermap.com/map-layer-index to explore the UK’s hidden gems. While travel guides and popular blogs often highlight major attractions, they frequently overlook the quaint, lesser-known spots that can truly enrich your journey. Remember, it’s not just about the big cities; the UK’s charm lies equally in its charming villages, historic sites, and stunning landscapes.
Tax-Free Shopping
All those goodies you’ll find to buy on Grafton Street are tax-free! That’s right, travelers who live outside the European Union can shop tax-free in Ireland. Make sure to apply for a Fexco Horizon Card prior to your trip so you can register and swipe it in affiliated stores in the country and claim sales tax back on your purchases.
Differing Currencies
And while we’re on the topic of shopping, it’s important to note that, as part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland uses pound sterling rather than the euro.
Dress Appropriately
Irish weather is not extreme, but the country does get a lot of rain, particularly along its west coast. And if you’re traveling to Ireland during winter, know that the season’s days are short. The sun rises at about 8 a.m. and sets at about 4 p.m., which means you have to cram a lot of sightseeing into a few hours. But during summer, the sunsets as late as 10 p.m. Be mindful of these seasonal changes, pack light layers of clothing and a pair of rain boots or waterproof shoes, and you should be just fine.
Public Transportation Pointers
The trains in Ireland carry you in comfort, but they are pricey. So if you intend to travel on one during your trip, make sure to book it in advance to take advantage of online discounts that the Irish Rail offers. If you choose to travel by bus, be aware that you must flag the bus to get it to stop.
Heritage Cards Are Helpful
If you plan to visit the country’s many cultural attractions, picking up a Heritage Card from the Office of Public Works is a great idea. This card entitles you to free admission to all heritage sites managed by the state for an entire year. These sites include castles and national parks.
So now that you have the tips to a successful Ireland trip, be sure to call or email me to help you plan your trip. As an Ireland destination specialist, I will help you plan your custom itinerary, and have more tips and tricks to make your first trip to Ireland one that you will never forget.
