Vacation the easy way.
Europe: Price/Seasonality: High season goes from June to mid September, when trans-Atlantic air is at a premium. Low season is during the winter. Mid season is fall and winter. Weather: Weather is best from mid Spring to mid Fall. Best time to travel: Mid September to mid-October is best in terms of pricing and weather. Hawaii: Price/Seasonality: High season is[…]
Read moreThere’s no other place in this world that evokes the imagery and senses like Tahiti. This is the land of Polynesian beauty, immortalized by Gaughan and revised by Hollywood. Air perfumed by vanilla trees and tropical flowers. This is paradise. The island of Tahiti is the largest of 118 islands and atolls of French Polynesia. These islands are divided into[…]
Read moreAh, my favorite destination of all…Tahiti. Officially known as French Polynesia, this broad collection of South Pacific islands is about 2 hours due south of Hawaii. With pristine, calm lagoons, beautiful views, ideal weather, gentle people, and tropical flowers perfuming the air this destination embodies the perfect beach destination. If this is your one and only trip to[…]
Read moreCan’t decide where to go this year? Should you return to one of your favorite resorts or is it time to check a new destination off your bucket list? Here’s a short list of South Pacific destinations to generate some new ideas. Hawaii – generally experienced one island at a time, staying 5 to 8 nights. If you have 8 or[…]
Read moreOn a remote island in the South Pacific’s Tuamotu Archipelago sits a gem of a resort, the Hotel Kia Ora. This island – Rangiroa – is a coral-sand strand of pearls that makes up the largest lagoon in the South Pacific. Rangiroa is known by diving enthusiasts, but is otherwise still a well kept secret for most American tourists. This[…]
Read moreFebruary is Romance Month, with Valentine’s Day sitting prominently in the middle! of the calendar! This year, consider planning a special vow renewal vacation for you and your spouse. Make the trip for just the two of you, or extend the love by inviting friends and family. My favorite locations for vow renewals are Bora Bora (Tahiti) at Bora Bora[…]
Read moreLeMeridien Bora Bora is a wonderful, 4 1/2 to 5 star resort set on a motu island and facing back to Mount Otemanu and Bora Bora’s famous lagoon. This resort is best known for their sea turtles onsite (you can swim with them). This resort recently (late 2010/early 2011) had underwent renovations. LeMeridien Resort Bora Bora Video Well, thank you[…]
Read moreBucket list (def.) – a popular way to indicate the places to see and things to do before you die. Some people’s bucket lists are more extensive than others. If your bucket list includes the obscure, out of the way, rarely-visited destination gems, consider adding Tikehau. Tikehau is a small Tuamotu atoll in French Polynesia, located just west of the[…]
Read moreHere’s a delightful recipe from the folks at Tahiti Tourisme – baked papaya… Ingredients: 3 Papayas 3 Vanilla Beans 6 Tablespoons sugar 6 Tablespoons Rum 1 Grated Coconut Butter Cut the papayas in half and remove the seeds Place them in an ovenproof dish. In each papaya, pour: 1 pat butter 1/2 Vanilla Bean 1 Tblespoon sugar 1 Tblespoon Rum[…]
Read moreAn atoll island in French Polynesia, Rangiroa is best known for its amazing lagoon and drift diving. However, the last year Rangiroa has been without any decent accommodations, since the Hotel Kia Ora closed for a complete rennovation. But yay, good news! The Hotel Kia Ora is scheduled to open on time — September 2011. Bungalows and public buildings were[…]
Read more