Category Archives: Romance

A Maritime Adventure — Nova Scotia

Posted on by

Every year, my mom and her friend, Tammy, take a trip to Nova Scotia to visit my aunt Danielle and her family. For the past five years, mom has always invited me, but every time I sadly had to turn her down because I’d be heading back to university. But this year, since I’m now graduated, I was able to go on this crazy, fun-filled five day adventure.

One of the three maritime provinces in Canada, Nova Scotia is rich in arts, culture and history. Having only been to the province once about 10 years ago, I was thrilled to get in the car and make the seven hour drive to Kentville. We stayed at the Sun Valley Motel, which was close to my aunt’s and centrally located to all the attractions we wanted to see. Over three days, we visited many small towns, local beaches and many shops (one which had the largest hammock in Canada!)  but I’m only going to highlight my three favorite attractions.

Peggy’s Cove

Located in the Coastal Region of St. Margaret’s Bay, Peggy’s Cove is a working fishing village and is only half an hour from the province’s capital, Halifax. Driving by the coast was absolutely beautiful–thousands of boulders were scattered amongst the greenery of the landscape, then as we crested the hill, we spotted the iconic lighthouse perched atop the rocky coast.

There’s so much to see in the tiny, picturesque village! Before we started exploring, we had a delicious, fresh Nova Scotian lobster roll, steak fries and coleslaw at the Sou’Wester Restaurant and gift shop located right near the lighthouse. The food was great  and the service was fast and friendly. After our bellies were filled, we ventured out onto the rocks and explored the coast. Since tourist season was winding down, it wasn’t as packed as it usually is during the regular season. It was absolutely beautiful: water crashing onto the rocks, seagulls flying above, sun beating down on me and wind making my hair fly.

The village is full of locally owned gift shops and crafts shops that feature Canadian and Nova Scotian artists. Down by the docks we saw many buoys, lobster traps, ropes and anchors and boats–it’s a photographers playground! It’s really great to explore the village and talk to the locals–who are very friendly to say the least! Even though Peggy’s Cove isn’t that big, you can also get a map of the village shops from the Sou’Wester gift shop. You can easily spend a day at Peggy’s cove wandering around the coast, checking out the shops, visiting with the locals, and learning about the history.

Halifax Harbourfront
After making a sufficient hole in my bank account at the Halifax Shopping Centre, mom, Tammy and I walked the harbourfront for the afternoon. The boardwalk stretches 4 km (10 city blocks) along the harbor, and you can start at either the north or south end. The Historic Properties (north end) gives the history of the city that started in the late 1700s. The old buildings are interconnected so you can travel through them easily. You’ll find many restaurants, bars, boutiques, coffee shops, a barber shop and a bookstore. From there, we wandered onto the Cable Wharf. Here you can get a tour of the harbor, go whale watching, deep sea fishing, tall ship sailing, and go on dinner and midnight cruises. To get the full Halifax experience, get on the land/sea vehicle, the Harbor Hopper–you’ll be sure to get a unique tour. The boardwalk also has the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic which has exhibits about life at sea in the Maritimes. A stop I’d highly recommend (but didn’t get to do) is the Alexander Keith’s Brewery. It’s the beer of Nova Scotia, so why not stop in and get a tour and taste the variety of pale ales? To mark the end of the boardwalk on the south end is the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. After exploring various gift shops along the way, we stopped at Black Bear Ice Cream–it was delicious! Best combinations of peanut butter and chocolate chip ice cream I’ve ever had!

It was later in the afternoon when we hiked up Citadel Hill to the National Historic Site. We walked around the hill and had a panoramic view of the entire city. We wanted to go on a tour but it was too late, the Citadel closed in half an hour, but they let us go in for free to explore on our own. Even though it was a quick visit, it was awesome to see the star-shaped military fort that was built in 1856 by the British to watch over the harbour.

Lunenburg
Probably my favorite stop, the painted little town of Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic District. Even after 250 years the original street plans are still followed and new construction doesn’t replace the history of the town, bur rather adds to it. The town people take pride in their commitment in the conservancy of Lunenburg’s heritage.

Ironworks is a micro-distillery that makes various flavors of spirits. The building was built in 1893 and was originally a blacksmith’s shop that made ironworks for the shipbuilding trade. We stopped in before they were getting ready to close ( I know, bad timing again!), but it was awesome. The floors were old barn wood and uneven to walk on, spirits were on display, and you can even have a free taste–mom and I had the blueberry liqueur, which was different, but I’d definitely have it again. I highly recommend going in and taking a tour! Walking down the main street and seeing all the buildings painted a different colour was so beautiful and unique! I could’ve easily spent the day there to take photos of every single building because they were all very different.

Lunenburg is the home of the Bluenose–which is a famous Canadian icon that you can find on the Canadian dime. The Bluenose is a celebrated fishing and racing schooner that was built in 1921 and went undefeated for 17 years in the International Fishing Challenging Cup. After being wrecked beyond repair in 1946, a replica–Bluenose II–was made in 1963 to commemorate the schooner. Though under current repairs and no tours are going on, you can see the Bluenose II docked in Lunenburg.

There are many different shops and boutiques on the main street to visit, and various galleries that feature local artists. Hand-carved wood, home-made jewellery, ship models, pottery and paintings of maritime heritage are a few things you can expect to see. When we were walking around the waterfront we saw people getting horse-drawn carriage rides to get the history of Lunenburg. It looked like so much fun! At the Wharf you could also go tall ship sailing and visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and explore their fishing vessels and aquarium.

Nova Scotia is a beautiful province. There are endless things to do and places to see. If you want a different kind of vacation from the traditional tropical paradise, this maritime province will make sure you get an experience of a lifetime. Instead of the typical white sandy beaches, I walked on a red sand/mud beach at Evangeline Beach in Wolfville. I sat in a gigantic Adirondack chair that was in the front lawn of our motel. I fed a box of soda crackers to ducks in Mahone Bay while watching the sunset over the bay. It was a different kind of vacation, but I loved every minute of it.

Discover the Beauty of Abel Tasman National Park–New Zealand

Posted on by

Turquoise blue water from Tasman Bay surrounding you, gentle waves splashing in the distance as they come up on the beaches, feeling the soft sand between your toes, a slight breeze in the air as the warm sun beats down–you’re not in Kansas any more, you’re in a paradise called Abel Tasman National Park. One of New Zealand’s finest coastal National Parks, Abel Tasman may be the smallest park but it’s a gigantic playground for adventurers and those looking to turn-off from the rest of the world and relax.

Create your own adventure
At Able Tasman, it’s up to you to decide the adventure–whether you want to take a day trip, or use several days to explore the park. You can choose from one day pass, three day pass or five day pass. The Able Tasman Coastal Track is 32 Miles (51 Km) long and perfect for walking, but keep in mind this isn’t a circuit track and you’ll need other forms of transportation at either end of the trail. You can always switch it up and decide to sea kayak some of the trail for whole new experience! Though there are no kayak rentals on the national park, you can arrange for a rental before you enter the park. Or, you can check out the awesome full-day and half-day guided kayak tours here.

Whether you want to adventure off into the park, take a boat tour and watch the dolphins swim alongside, kayak with seals, beachcomb, explore the parks natural flora and fauna and wildlife, there’ll be something for all types of vacationers to enjoy.

Accommodation
At Cumar Gold Travel we really love to work with Clare & Peter at the The Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge. This luxury boutique property is a great home base for  active couples who enjoy good food and nature. Set in 50 acres of wilderness with 5km of bush tracks it doesn’t get any more luxurious close to the park. The Resurgence offers rooms at the main house, or if you love privacy, luxurious stand alone cottages. Clare & Peter offer several packages including food and activities and will go out of their way to help you create the experience perfect for you. Activity options include day trips to Abel Tasman (hiking and kayaking), hiking to nearby Mount Arthur, a visit to a winery and much more. When you get home from your explorations and are ready to relax you will find a hot tub and salt water pool, gym and yoga area. You can also get pampered with massages, reflexology, reiki, facials and aromatherapy from their on-call therapists.

Travel Tip: Protecting your electronics on the water
Have you ever gone kayaking or boating and you wanted to bring your phone and wallet with you but you just didn’t know how to keep it dry? Have you ever taken your phone out then a wave hits your kayak and you drop your phone…and it’s gone to its watery grave? If you found yourself saying yes to these situations, or have been in similar ones, then you know you’re fed up with having to purchase new phones when something like this happens.

Whether you’re an avid adventurer or new to water activities, obviously you’ll want to take photos or videos to capture your experience. For $30 plus shipping you can get a waterproof case from Epic Kayak that allows you to store and use your phone in the bag. The bag is waterproof up to 30 M (100 ft) and the magnetic strips won’t interfere with your phone or credit cards. If you don’t feel like spending money on a waterproof bag, you can always go the el cheapo route and use a Ziploc bag. It’ll keep 99 percent of sand and water out and you can still use your phone’s touch screen through the plastic.

Let us plan your next adventure to New Zealand! Contact us at aav-travel.com 

 

 

Eat and Indulge in Rome – Running, Walking and Working Out in the City

Posted on by

Ever go on vacation and realize that you’ve gained a couple pounds when the button on your jeans doesn’t seem to want to…well…button? This can be the case for many travel-goers when their sweet tooth gets the best of them. But have no fear, you can still satisfy those cravings on vacation and still fit into your skinny jeans. Here’s a look at a how to indulge in one of the most mouth-watering places on earth and keep the weight off.

When in Rome…

When walking around in Rome you’ll never have to worry about finding a place to eat–every corner, every street there’s either a family run pizzeria, café or restaurant at every turn. Your taste buds will be satisfied at every meal with Rome’s simple, yet sophisticated recipes.

  • Restaurant Spirito DiVino: A family run restaurant where their passion for food shows with every taste. The cost per meal ranges from 24 to 40 Euros ($32 to $53). The four-course dinner has many delicious dishes to choose from; start with the deer bresaloa with salad, grapes and nuts as an appetizer. As your first course, the half rigatoni with white ragu sauce of mixed meats. For the main dish, try the grilled t-bone steak served with creamy mustard and salad. If you still have room after that, the creme brulée will sure hit the spot! Oh, there’s also a wine cellar that holds about 5,000-7,000 wines. You can buy from the glass (6 to 15 Euros/$8 to $20) or the bottle (16 to 800 Euros/ $21 to $1,068)–bring out your inner wino!
  • Li Rioni: Located near the Colosseum, this small, charming little restaurant is where you’ll experience the best pizza in your entire life. The heavenly first bite: the crunch of the thin crust, then the sweet Italian sauce, the melted cheese and then toppings of your choice–all the flavours mixed together so delightfully that you’ll never want to eat anywhere else. A perk: it’s very, very inexpensive.
  • Bar Pompi: Where the gelato is not just ice cream–it’s an art perfected from the ancient recipe by Guiliano Pompi. At Pompi, expect nothing but the freshest fruits and natural flavour. Keep in mind: gelato in Rome is very costly and can definitely break the bank a lot quicker than expected. Prices vary place to place, but expect to pay roughly 13 Euros ($19) each.

Workout in Rome

If you’re worried about adding on extra pounds due to indulging in the savoring tastes of Roman cuisine, you can still eat all you want and get a workout while on vacation. There are many options that you can consider while away.

  • LivItaly Tours: A different kind of tour service–get to experience the city history, architecture and landscapes while out for a group run. Not only do you get to enjoy the sites, you’ll learn about each place and get fun facts and the best part — you’ll be burning off calories while doing so. You’ll get to enjoy every minute of your vacation even if you’re working out. There are various tours to choose from that range from 29 Euros ($39) to 89 Euros ($118).
  • Moves Fitness Center: If you’re into the more traditional workout routine, there’s also fitness centers located in Rome. They have weights from 1 to 42 kg, treadmills, ellipticals and the typical compound and isolation machines. There are also different types of classes offered, such as: Pilates, yoga, body sculpting, aerobics and total body workouts.
  • Walking, Jogging, Running Routes: This website specializes in routes created by locals and people from all over the world. You can search the different types of routes (walking, running, jogging, cycling) and even create your own route to share with other people. All routes vary in length and are all over the city. You can even search upcoming events that are happening–maybe you’ll participate in a 5 km!

Indulge in Rome

There’s no need to worry about packing on the pounds while on vacation. You can enjoy all the delicacies that Rome has to offer while staying in shape. You won’t need to buy gym memberships when you get back home if you exercise to make up for stuffing your face the day before. Working out doesn’t have to feel like a nuisance–and it certainly won’t when you’re running by the Colosseum! Don’t let yourself say “should I really eat that?” because chances are this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, enjoy it.

Find us at www.aav-travel.com to plan your next Italy adventure.

Celebrity Honeymoon Spotlight: St. Barths

Posted on by

St. Barthélemy, or St. Barths in English, is known to be a top celebrity destination attracting many with its high-end accommodations and yacht harbor. It is listed  among the top eight honeymoon destinations for celebrity couples.

Pictured below is the famous Eden Rock resort, one of the world’s top 100 hotels. This unique property offers 34 individual accommodations “on the rock” and is a haven for gourmet food.

To no surprise the island comes with a hefty price tag. However, off-season pricing drops drastically. The busy island atmosphere slows down from the heavy party scene, with bustling streets and busy shops and restaurants. It turns into a quaint and very relaxing island getaway. Personally I think it is the best time to go. Instead of traffic jams and overcrowded parking areas, you get vacant, secluded beaches, great dining and excellent off-season bargain shopping. Whether you decide to stay at one of the many hotels, rent a private villa, or stay at one of the guesthouses, the island is sure to enchant.

Some of its recent A-list honeymooners included Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo.  Power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé also known to enjoy St. Barths’ atmosphere. Another couple who chose St. Barths for their private relaxation is Real Housewives of New York’s star Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy who honeymooned there in 2010. They stayed at the Hotel Guanahani & Spa which consists of 68 creole-style, colorful cottages.  Bethenny raved about her stay and about the service when she visited.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat. For help with your travel planning or questions she can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aav-travel.com

Costa Rica: Arenal

Posted on by

My second visit to Arenal within a year. Arenal is a great area for all types of adventure activities but also offers a lot in terms of nature and wildlife.

The Arenal Volcano is spectacular and source of the hot springs which can be found on many hotel properties. Some of the best hot springs belong to the Tabacon Resort. Access can be purchased in form of a day pass if you are not staying at the hotel. I would recommend visiting in the evening when the crowds are gone. It is wonderful to dip in the natural hot springs, enjoy a drink, and relax below the volcano.

Arenal’s main town, La Fortuna, is charming and offers a little bit of everything. Shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream… It is a great place to mingle with locals and soak in some Costa Rican culture.

Whilst in the area we visited several of the resort properties but stayed at the Arenal Kioro. This family run hotel sits closest to the volcano and all rooms boast spectacular views. They also offer a very nice, cascading hot spring area on site. We were personally welcomed by the owner, his son and grand-daughter which was very touching. This is the view from our room:

During my stays I had the opportunity to experience several activities. My personal highlight was the waterfall rappelling which was really exciting. The first rappel was down a straight wall of 168ft. Looking over the ledge was very taunting. As you go along you will rappel down more walls, sometimes in a waterfall, sometimes next to it. It was real fun and I can definitely recommend it. The hardest part probably was getting out of the canyon. It is a steep walk up the side cliffs in the middle of the rainforest. The guides made sure we were safe and took very good care of everybody.

The Hanging Bridges are one of the area’s major attractions. A scenic walk in the middle of the rainforest, crossing different hanging bridges. We were accompanied by a guide who pointed out plants and wildlife. This area is great for snakes, birds, spiders, frogs, and also monkeys. I would classify the walk as moderate, however, there is a fairly steep finale.

Penas Blancas River Float is a very relaxing activity with 6 people sharing a small boat. It’s a great activity to do with smaller children. You are likely to see birds, lezards, monkeys, and other wildlife, whilst floating down the river.

From a vacation concierge standpoint I would recommend Arenal to anyone who wants to do plenty of adventure activities, see an impressive live volcano, and relax in hot springs. There are plenty of different resorts in this area and I would recommend trusting a specialist to help you choose the right one.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aav-travel.com

Costa Rica: From San Jose to El Silencio

Posted on by

This is the first part of a series of blog posts covering my trip to Costa Rica, early August 2011. This was my second trip to Costa Rica within a year, visiting additional areas and properties.

After the first night spent in San Jose we left early next day to visit the Poas Volcano. The area around the volcano is famous for excellent strawberries (best I’ve ever had) and string cheese. It has a very alpine feel to it – intensely green meadows and incredibly fresh air. Once at the Poas Volcano park we had to walk up the hill to see the crater of this active stratovolcano. It is really exciting to get this close to an active, water filled crater and the information center is very informative. The walk up the hill takes about 10 minutes and is very easy, despite the high altitude.

From Poas Volcano we traveled around more volcanic mountain ranges to get to a unique lodge called “El Silencio”. It is nestled in the middle of mountainous rainforest and comprises 16 luxury cabins with Egyptian Cotton sheets, gas fireplaces and wonderful outside hot tubs. Each cabin has a patio area with rocking chairs boasting views of the mountain range and rainforest.

El Silencio is a retreat in every sense of the word and the name is very suitable. It is a place in tune with nature – a place to reconnect and appreciate. There is no entertainment and a typical day consists of hiking, relaxing on the terrace, reading a book, and enjoying organic meals prepared from the goods harvested from El Silencio’s gardens and green house.

There are no tvs in the cabins and wifi is only available in the bar and entertainment room in the main building. Since the hotel is so secluded you have to book the lodge including meal plans. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are selected from a seasonal a la carte menu. There is a fridge with snacks and juices in the cabin which are also included in the cost.

El Silencio also has a wonderful spa! The conical treatment room is probably one of the most spectacular massage areas I have ever seen. It offers an absolutely magnificient atmosphere, especially at night, when you can see the moonlight shine through.

One morning we visited El Silencio’s gardens, greenhouse, fish pond, chicken den, and went on a hike. The walk took us to 3 spectacular waterfalls. We also spent half a day zip lining about an hour away from El Silencio. Some people in our group chose to take a cultural tour to Bajas del Toro instead. They learnt to make tortillas in a locals home and planted coffee plants in a back yard.

From a vacation concierge standpoint I would recommend this area to anyone who loves seclusion, rainforests, and supports eco-friendly efforts. You will enjoy this area if you like to be close to nature, away from it all, secluded in the silence (and noises) of the rainforest. I do definitely recommend contacting a specialist to make your travel plans since it is an out of the way destination and there are ways to optimize your stay.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aav-travel.com

Celebrity Honeymoon Spotlight: Anguilla

Posted on by

Pirates of the Caribbean’s Orlando Bloom and the Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr jetted off to Anguilla after a secret wedding in the US last year. They stayed in one of the Viceroy’s private villas. Set in 35 acres of lush tropical vegetation, their villa came with their own private pool, cabana, spa, and personal butler. After four days in Anguilla, the pair flew off to two additional Caribbean islands rumored to be St. Lucia and Mustique. Other celebrities visiting Anguilla include Sandra Bullock, Robert De Niro and Uma Thurman.

Viceroy Resort Anguilla

Anguilla is a warm and welcoming island tucked away in the northern Caribbean. It is surrounded by stunningly white beaches and breathtaking turquoise water. Anguilla is casual and easy, a unique blend of high style and low-key elegance, and the best of the good life set to a slow and casual island tempo.

One of the most popular things to do on Anguilla is sailing. There are plenty of options to charter all kinds of boats. The island can easily be explored by renting a bike. With one main road and very easy-to-navigate side roads you can discover this paradise at your own pace. There are plenty of small shops and art galleries throughout Anguilla and the island boasts some of the finest Caribbean rum and cigars.

Anguilla is a great destination for a honeymoon couple who is looking for a true Caribbean paradise to get away from it all. Take every day as it comes and do as much or as little as you wish.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aah-travel.com

Celebrity Honeymoon Spotlight: Paris

Posted on by

Paris is well known for being one of the most romantic cities in the world. Recent celebrity couples spending their honeymoon in the City of Lights include Lily Allen and Sam Cooper as well as Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Lily and Sam got married in June 2011 and traveled to Paris by train for their honeymoon. Lily is a famous British singer, very well known in Europe, less so in the US. If you would like to check find her on Myspace. Little is known about their stay, however, they added an interesting twist by spending a couple of nights in a luxury tent at the Glastonbury Music Festival in England. More details here.

Another famous couple who chose Paris for their honeymoon are Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen. They spent a week in the Coco Chanel Suite at the Ritz. The lavish two-bedroom suite was previously inhabited by the legendary fashion designer. A bit more about their wedding and honeymoon from People Magazine.

Paris is a great honeymoon destination for a couple wanting to romance but also explore and enjoy European culture. What I think is really neat about Paris is that you can do it either very lavish, or on a budget. Having lived in Paris for a year I feel it offers plenty of options for both. Climbing up to Sacre Coeur at night and taking in the spectacular view of the illuminated city is priceless, super romantic, yet totally free.

Work with a travel consultant that knows the city, can explain the different pros and cons of the “arrondissements”, that makes sightseeing suggestions, and helps setting them up. We like to go as far as making dinner reservations for our clients, pointing out off the beaten track sights as well as hot spots…

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aav-travel.com

Visiting Tortuguero National Park – Costa Rica

Posted on by

Traveling by land from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park is quite an adventure. Leaving San Jose behind we drove through the National Park of Braulio Carrillo which offered great cloud forest views. Around 10am we stopped for breakfast in Guapiles and continued our way along a 14 mile dirt road afterwards. We stopped to visit one of the banana plantations which are the main income source of the area.

As I learnt along the way, Tortuguero is located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Not only is it supposed to constantly rain there, it is also “Jamaican” territory. We quickly understood that there was a certain rivalry between the two sides, the Caribbean/Jamaican and Costa Rican that is. For one, they do not agree on the recipe for rice and beans, and for two, the Caribbean side tends to listen to reggae music. Adrian, our guide was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable. During the 5 hour drive we learned a lot about his country.

After the two hour dirt road drive we arrived in Palacio, from where we contiued out journey by boat. We stocked up on supplies at the General Store.

The National Park was an archipelago of volcanic islands until alluvial sediments from the interior mountains, filled in the spaces and formed a network of marshy islands. The beaches, canals, lagoons and wetlands of Tortuguero are areas of exceptional biodiversity. Houses are mainly on stilts along the different canals. People travel by boat. After about 1 hour and a half on the boat we finally arrived at Pachira Lodge, our home for the night.

Pachira Lodge has a rustic rainforest charm. No air conditioning, just ceiling vans. Rooms are spacious, bathrooms tiny. They don’t offer much privacy. Windows are closed by screens only. Our cabin was located somewhere in the rainforest about 5 minutes from the main complex. We learnt later that the night before our arrival they had to remove an 8 foot boa constrictor right out of our back patio.

Most people visit Tortuguero during turtle nesting season. This is the place to see large turtles waddle their way up the beach, laying their eggs, covering them up and making their way back to the ocean.

Visits are arranged in groups with a guide who makes sure no flashlights or flashes are used. They also scare of hungry Jaguars. If you don’t wish to participate in one of the evening adventures you can make your way to the beach in the early morning and see if you can spot a baby turtle hatching and making its way to the ocean. It is amazing to see how these small creatures struggle through the sand to reach their goal.

Tortuguero is also home to a large amount of birds and other wildlife, incl. several monkey species. You can see plenty of exciting things with patience and a good eye. There really is not much to do in the area other than appreciate nature. As a matter of fact you can consider yourself lucky to find an internet connection. Most people stay for two nights and spend their days on wildlife safaris. Some resorts also offer canoes and there is the possibility to zip line in the area. Given that the area is flat, the zip line is more a chance to get a closer look a the tree tops than an adrenaline rush.


From a vacation concierge standpoint I would recommend this area to anyone who loves nature, particularly birds, and is patient enough to be rewarded. It can also be a romantically secluded destination for couples who are looking to be cut off from the world. Although I spent two days without an inkling of rain I was assured that it rains all the time. Whilst you can travel to Tortuguero via land both ways you might want to consider flying at least one way to save time. I do definitely recommend contacting a specialist to make your travel plans since it is an out of the way destination and there are ways to optimize your stay. Also, should you decide to travel one way by plane you will be subject to considerable luggage weight restrictions and a travel concierge can help you making arrangements to avoid problems.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aav-travel.com

Pura Vida! – Costa Rica -Nature Makes it Hard to Leave

Posted on by

I had very high expectations for Costa Rica. Oftentimes when you travel, high expectations are not necessarily rewarded. In this particular case however, Costa Rica exceeded anything and everything I imagined. As a lover of lush, green nature I was more than compensated. The country is small and versatile and within a week you can experience several different regions and micro climates. It is an instantly gratifying place as there is always something to see or do.

What probably surprised me most was the friendly and ease-going people. Having traveled to quite a few so called 3rd world countries, I not once felt harassed or unsafe.

The country is surprising on many levels. Earlier this year, Costa Rica welcomed its first female president, Laura Chinchilla. They have not had an army since 1949. Independence from Spain in 1821 wasn’t won during a bloody fight. As a matter of fact the King of Spain simply sent a letter granting them their freedom.

Costa Ricans understand that they are only as rich as their nature and are very much into protecting the environment. Everywhere you go, recycling is top of mind. The country’s people are very aware of the nature surrounding them and make a sincere effort to protect it. Costa Rica has very strict rules on cutting a tree and animals are highly protected. They are re-educating their children, teaching them to respect nature and wildlife.

During my 8 day visit I had the opportunity to experience different areas of the country, and I will be writing separate blog posts covering Tortuguero National Park, Arenal as well as Guanacaste.

From a vacation concierge standpoint I would recommend this country to anyone who loves nature, likes to explore and be active, and feels comfortable meeting a different culture. It is an excellent destination for couples, families and adventure travelers. Different areas offer different things to do and there is a perfect itinerary for everyone. However, I do recommend contacting a specialist to make your travel plans since it is easy to underestimate travel logistics and infrastructure.

Photogallery

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aav-travel.com