Monthly Archives: December 2014

Sandals La Source Grenada – the sizzling hot all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean

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Grenada has been on top of my bucket list for a long time. I was hooked ever since I first tasted an authentic rum punch with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg at a traditional Grenadian restaurant in Zurich Switzerland in 2002. My friend Yvonne who invited me there, had traveled to many Caribbean islands at the time. She insisted that Grenada was the fairest and friendliest of them all. Little did I know, it would take less than 15 minutes for me to fall in love with this beautiful island.

Grenada – also know as the Spice Island – is located South of the hurricane belt, making it an excellent option for summer wedding couples looking for a Caribbean honeymoon without the hurricane threat. GND – Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport – is slightly outdated but fairly large and very convenient. Much better than many of its Caribbean neighbor islands. The airport’s runway has water on both sides which provides a little extra thrill when landing.

As soon as you get out of the airport you will start noticing the green rolling hills, long swaying grass, flowers and palm and fruit trees. What a great way to be welcomed to this lush island! You also immediately notice the rock–dark and very distinctively volcanic. The drive from the airport to Sandals La Source Grenada is less than 10 minutes, which is an extra perk after a day of travel.

Arriving at Sandals La Source literally means driving down a hill into a village. The lobby is airy and very welcoming. Sandals La Source is made up of several villages. Unlike other Sandals properties these are very sleek, almost a bit Asian inspired. There is a nice mix of rondovals, two-story cottage looking buildings, as well as a few high rise buildings.

With the exception of the “Pink Gin Village” (pictured above) all buildings at Sandals La Source were built from scratch. No expense was spared to create some of the most luxurious and at times, sexy accommodations. Everything there is for a romantic, but also fun-filled vacation. The new building blocks are off the beach. Some have views of the distant ocean, some overlook the rolling hills, some overlook the beautiful gardens and pools. A couple of romantic rondovals cluster in the middle of the property. Those offer the ultimate in privacy and romance and offer a charming focal point with their thatched roof tops.

The Pink Gin Village is located closest to the beach. It consists of the the original “LaSource Resort” which Sandals bought in 2013. Each building has several floors and the rooms were beautifully redone. The balconies are fairly small but the sound of the ocean carries right into these rooms. Just imagine laying in bed and falling asleep to the gentle sound of the waves.

As with all Sandals resorts there are many inclusions; from gourmet restaurants, bars, land and water activities as well as entertainment. Sandals Grenada will keep you busy! Here are a few things that deserve to be highlighted in particular:

Workout
If you are a fitness buff you will love finding this brand new, state of the art fitness center. Numerous treadmills, elliptical and weight stations await, all overlooking the beautiful lush gardens of Sandals La Source. A wonderful, air-conditioned area to burn some extra calories.

Sushi
You might think, did she really just say sushi? Absolutely.  True sushi lovers know that this particular delicacy can be a hit or miss at an all-inclusive resort. Not at Sandals’ La Source. Soy‘s sushi chef, Berwin Barraca, makes some of the best sushi we’ve ever had. So if you are a true sushi lover, this might just be your all-inclusive resort.

Butch’s Steak House
The newest addition to the Sandals restaurant family. The first ever Steakhouse at a Sandals resort, serving some fantastic meat. Expectations were high, given that it carries the Sandals Chairman and Founder’s name. It simply had to be good and truly did not disappoint!

Bathrooms
Yes, bathrooms. Some of the most spectacular might I add. You might just end up spending a couple of hours!

The resort is wonderful no doubt, but what about the island?
Air lift to Grenada is still limited but both, the islands’ government as well as the Sandals & Beaches management are working on getting more airlines to service Grenada. Either way, you simply need to make it to this beautiful Caribbean paradise. If not convinced yet, allow Zach and Morgan, both students in Grenada, tell you more.

 

Written by STEFANIE PICHONNAT
Stefanie Pichonnat is the Certified Sandals & Beaches Specialist at Cumar Gold Travel, a boutique travel firm specialized in creating and customizing personalized travel itineraries. You can contact her at stefanie@aav-travel.com

When is the best time to visit Ireland?

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Dreaming of standing on the cliffs, seeing vast, luscious shades of green expanding over many miles, feeling the wind from the Atlantic blow through your hair, and experiencing such beauty that you thought only existed in a fairy tale? According to World of Wanderlust, a reputable travel blog, Ireland ranked number two out of 15 destinations in the world to travel to in 2015–and for many good reasons!

Like every other destination, Ireland also experiences a high season, low season and shoulder seasons. But one thing that doesn’t change is the weather. One of Ireland’s most famous sayings goes: “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change.” It couldn’t be more true, due to the fact that the weather is so unpredictable and you can experience all four seasons in one day. Ireland is on the same latitude of Washington, USA and the weather is very comparable to Seattle, especially with the amount of rainfall. But don’t let the weather be a reason to not visit this beautiful, enchanting island, because it will be an experience like no other.

High Season
Generally starting the last two weeks of June because the days are long (6 a.m. sunrises and 10 p.m. sunsets–doesn’t that sound great?!) and lasts until August. You can expect the costs of airfares, hotels and car rentals to be sky high because this is the major time for tourists to flock to Ireland. Crowds will be very intense at the major attractions, such as Giants Causeway (pictured below) or, for example, the Cliffs of Moher get up to one million visitors a year! If you’re planning a trip during peak tourist season, make sure to book way in advance, because every B & B, guest house or hotel will be reserved. Destinations like Dublin, Killarney, Galway and Cork are only some of the few major stops along the way for tourists!

The weather during the summer, like mentioned earlier can be unpredictable. July and August are the warmest months, but they’re not scorching hot. The Irish consider anything over 20 degree Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) to be ‘roasting.’ You can expect to have nice sunny days with rain showers sporadically. It can also be chilly any time of the year in Ireland, so when you pack, think layers! That way, if you get warm you can take a layer off, or vice versa.

Low Season
November to March is considered the low season, where tourist traffic is at its lowest, and airfares and hotels are at their cheapest. But, the wind will really blow, some of the rural sites will be closed (or have winter hours), and a good amount of B & B’s will also be closed. Keep in mind there are holidays that will affect attraction closures, such as: Christmas (Dec. 25), St. Stephen Day/Boxing Day (Dec. 26), New Years Day (Jan. 1)  and St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).

The downside to visiting in the winter is the days are shorter and the weather ranges from cool to cold. Strong winds will blow from the Atlantic, and gales are common. The Irish consider anything below 1 degree Celsius (34 degrees Fahrenheit) to be freezing during the winter months. Wintertime to most means snow, but not in Ireland. Though they do get snow in the northern region it rarely sticks, and the island mostly gets frost.  But there is an upside to visiting during the winter! Not only will you get great deals to save on the overall cost of your trip, but major attractions won’t be crowded with tourists, so you can take your time. Just make sure to pack comfortable shoes, a warm jacket, layers of clothes and an umbrella!

Shoulder Seasons
April-May and September-October are considered Ireland’s shoulder seasons mostly because they’re not in the high or low seasons. The weather isn’t winter-like, or summer-like, but rather mild. The springtime is a great time to go because students are still in school, and family travel isn’t as prominent, plus you get to see everything in bloom! During the fall you’ll see the colors change, and students are back in school.

The shoulder seasons are a great time visit especially if you want to escape the crowds from the summer, but don’t want to experience the winter time in Ireland. This way, you’ll have a more relaxed atmosphere, without all the hustle and bustle to worry about.

Overall, whether you plan to visit during the high, low or shoulder season, your experience will be one in a lifetime. Ireland is a unique destination, it’s a place where you can have tropical climates in the south west and see lots of exotic plants and flowers, but you can also expect to see rare flora and fauna in the north where you won’t see anywhere else in Ireland. There’s a reason why Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, why not experience the rolling hills, greenery, and natural beauty first hand?

Written by STEPHANIE JELLETT
Stephanie Jellett is interning as a travel writer and social media manager at AAV Travel. You can contact her at stephanieljellett@gmail.com

 

in conjunction with AAV Travel’s Ireland Expert

STEFANIE PICHONNAT
Stefanie Pichonnat is the Ireland Specialist at Cumar Gold Travel, a boutique travel firm specialized in creating and customizing personalized travel itineraries. Having personally traveled to Ireland she can help you create a wonderful experience. You can contact her at stefanie@aav-travel.com

Where to Stay in Fiji? Vomo Island Resort — A Romantic and Active Island Getaway

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Just 15 minutes north via helicopter or seaplane from Nadi International Airport on the main island, Vomo is a luxurious island resort with endless possibilities. Vomo is the northernmost island of the Mamanucas, just before the Yasawa island chain begins.  Mount Vomo is located on the its eastern side, and those who dare to conquer it can get a breathtaking 30 degree view.

Your Stay
There are four different types of accommodations to choose from on Vomo. There are 28 luxurious beachfront villas with a personal deck and a place to lounge. Imagine waking up in paradise and only being steps away from the sandy beach. There are also private hillside and garden villas that are below the lower slopes of Mt. Vomo and offer breathtaking views of the gardens, island or ocean.  Both the beachfront and private villas sleeps either three adults, or two adults and two children.

The Royal is your own private getaway of true Fijian style living. With a maximum of six guests, there are three ensuite rooms, separate dining, kitchen and living areas, entertainment space and a great outdoor oasis–with your own private pool. Does it get any better than that?

If you need more room, The Residence offers up to eight guests their own private island lifestyle at their own compound. There’s a full kitchen so you can cook up something yourself or choose on-site catering. There’s also indoor and outdoor dining, entertainment area, and there’s a free 24 hour butler service. Another perk, you’ll get sunset canapés and a bottle of champagne on arrival.

Kid’s are welcome in paradise
At Vomo, they understand that family is important. Which is why the resort is family-friendly. There is a “kid-village” facility (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) specifically for the children. All ages are welcome, but children under four are to be accompanied by a parent or a ‘baby butler’ (an additional charge). If you are there with your children and want to enjoy the spa for a couple hours, the staff at the kid village will keep them entertained with group activities, treasure hunts and crafts. The kid village is a complimentary service available during the day and into the evening. You can relax and know that your kids are having just as much as you are!

The Fun Never Ends
At Vomo, you can have endless amounts of fun–on land and the water! From building sand castles on the beach, splashing around in the pool, windsurfing, Hobbie Cats, paddle boarding, single and double kayaks (also glass bottom kayaks!) and who can forget snorkeling?! You can snorkel off the beach or go on a guided excursion offered everyday at 11 a.m. Snorkeling around Vomo and the close by private island is absolutely spectacular! Hands down some of the best we’ve ever experienced. The new PADI Dive Centre is great for all levels of experience–beginner to advanced–and they offer an array of courses.

There’s plenty to do on land as well to keep you busy. As a guest you have access to the tennis courts, gym, hiking and jogging trails, badminton and volleyball nets. There’s also a 9 hole-par 3 golf course on the island. So for golf lovers, you won’t have to worry about letting your swing get away over your vacation. And what a better way to spend a beautiful morning out on the course, underneath coconut trees?

For additional costs, there are also other activities available at Vomo, such as: deep sea fishing, sunset cruises, island hopping tours, Fijian village tours and trip to Cloud Break for surfing.

A Personal Touch
Vomo can even be booked for private hire, like a destination wedding, special occasion or corporate event. Imagine having a whole island for just you and your guests! The staff at Vomo will be at your service to make sure everything is perfect, just for you. 

Or to add a little romance into your stay, you can book a private picnic for two on the sister island, Vomo Lailai. The best part? You’ll be dropped off with a gourmet picnic, chilled drinks and a two-way radio, and it’s only a two minutes away by boat. You can stay as long as you like! When you’re ready to return back “home” you can just radio in and staff will come pick you up, or simply just swim back. It’s your own little deserted island.

Vomo is one of the more “lifestyle” oriented resorts in the Fijian islands. Almost a bit hip if you like. US viewers might even recall the resort being featured in the “The Bachelorette” Season 7. Here is a short clip of the final Rose Ceremony where Ashley stands at the beach with Vomo Lailai (little Vomo) in the backdrop.

Aren’t those drift wood flower decorations just gorgeous? Fijian resorts are generally a wonderful option when it comes to destination weddings. Perfect to elope to!

Another famous guest of the island was Prince Albert of Monaco. Him and his new wife stopped there on their honeymoon.

Written by STEPHANIE JELLETT
Stephanie Jellett is interning as a travel writer and social media manager at AAV Travel. You can contact her at stephanieljellett@gmail.com


in conjunction with AAV Travel’s Fiji Expert



STEFANIE PICHONNAT
Stefanie Pichonnat is the South Pacific Specialist at Cumar Gold Travel, a boutique travel firm specialized in creating and customizing personalized travel itineraries. You can contact her at stefanie@aav-travel.com