Learn Village Culture — The Mamanucas Islands-Fiji

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To get the most out of your trip to Fiji, aside lounging at the beach, exploring the island and enjoying various fruity drinks, if you have the opportunity to get invited to a Fijian village–don’t pass it up. It’s an experience of lifetime to be welcomed into a village and immerse yourself in a new culture. You should definitely expect culture shock; Fijian’s have very little, but are very full of life and happiness.

First off, it is considered incredibly rude if you show up to a village uninvited and start wandering around. If you become friendly with the locals and they invite you back to their village, bring kava root to the Turaga Ni Koko (head of the village) as a gift of thanks. From there, your host will most likely have you participate in a welcoming (kava) ritual in the Vale ni Bose (meeting house)–meaning they accept you into their village. Many resorts organize village visits for their guests. This is probably one of the easiest ways to get to experience the village life as you will have a guide accompany you making you aware of the ceremony and its rules of respect.

The ceremony consists of drinking yaqona from a coconut shell which solidifies the friendship between strangers. Sitting around the yaqona bowl and chatting is very common afterwards–it is also the best way to get to know the villagers. You’ll quickly find out that they are very curious people and will most likely ask a lot of questions and want you to take their photo. Keep in mind when taking photos: it is allowed, but remember common courtesy–ask if it’s all right to take a photo before you start clicking.

What not to Wear
When visiting a village it’s important to remember that you’re the guest and that you’re entering a new culture. What may be OK at home, may not be OK at the village. The rule for any village is to dress modestly. Proper dress for women would include below-the-knee dresses or slacks. Women should not wear shorts or walk around in a bikini and men should not be bare-chested. This is not acceptable and considered disrespectful and may have a negative reflection on the hosts. It is also considered rude to wear a hat-so either leave it behind or put it in your bag. The easiest way to make sure you are dressed appropriately is by wearing a sulu. Sulus are traditionally worn by men and women in Fiji and many resorts offer their guests a sulu as a welcoming gift.

Bring a gift 
Many villages are in need of basic supplies. A great gift to bring are school supplies for the children for instance. They don’t need to be fancy. A few pencils, writing pads… it all makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

Behavior
Remember growing up as a kid and your parents would teach you to be polite and on your best behavior? Well, remember all they’ve taught you. Fijian’s are probably the most polite, courteous and generous people you will ever encounter in a lifetime. So reciprocate the kindness. Here are a few tips when invited to stay inside a traditional bure:

  • Accept the offer to stay indoors rather than to pitch a tent outdoors. It sends a message to the villagers that your hosts bure is unpleasant.
  • Take off your shoes and place them on the doorstep.
  • Avoid standing upright inside because it is considered bad manners.

If you’re lucky enough to get invited back to a village to visit, make the most of it. It’s a whole new experience from being on your island resort. You’ll learn to appreciate the little things in life and give you a new outlook on how people live. Fijian’s are great hosts so show your appreciation and give thanks.

Learn the Island Lifestyle — The Mamanuca Islands-Fiji

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Located in the heart of the South Pacific, the Mamanucas are a chain of 20 islands and have some of the most established resorts in Fiji. From the Nadi International Airport (NAN), you can travel to your island destination by either ferry, private boat, sea plane or helicopter. The Mamanucas are a playground for lovers and families alike. Even though there are several adult-only islands, there are islands that are perfect for family getaways. Once you step foot on any island, you’ll be greeted by the warmth of Fijian hospitality. 

What to Expect 

Majority of the population in Fiji speak Fijian and Hindi, but English is also very prominent. Bula! That’s one word you’ll hear anywhere you go while traveling in Fiji. It’s like our ‘hello!’ or ‘how are you?’ Pick up the habit of saying Bula in Fiji, you’ll notice that you’ll get a friendly response.

The islands are all very different. So it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for and to do some research about each one. Questions you need to ask yourselves are: Do you want to snorkel directly off the island? Do you want to dive? Do you like to hike?… Islands vary greatly and these are important factors that will enhance your experience. The one thing every island offers is great beaches. And there is always an abundance of water activities available. Diving is very popular and great for beginners! Here’s a list of a few  activities you can expect to enjoy on your trip:

  • Snorkeling
  • Deep sea fishing
  • Island hopping
  • Para-sailing
  • Kite surfing
  • Kayaking
  • Village tours (if invited)

Some of these activities will be included in your stay at your resort, but additional activities will be at your expense, so make sure to budget ahead of time what you’d really like to do.

What to Eat

Just like the various activities on the islands, there are many local as well as foreign influences in the cuisine.  Many of the island chefs come from Australia or Asia which greatly plays a role in Fijian cuisine. One excellent chef you can find in the Mamanucas is Lance Seto who is an award-winning food and travel writer, author… currently based at Castaway Resort. No matter what chef though, you can expect to eat lots of seafood while you’re there.

The most famous Fijian delicacy likely is Kokoda (pronounced Ka-con-da) which is raw fish marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk. Often served with peppers, onions and tomatoes. Making good Kokoda is challenging. Fijians shave their own coconut and the right amount of each ingredient is very crucial, almost like a pastry recipe. If you are curious to try, check out Vomo Island Resort’s recipe:

Your Adventure 

Though Fijian accommodations are a wide variety, whether you choose a luxurious private resort, a more modern affordable island or a budget traveler, your Fijian adventure will give you the chance to escape from the real world and transport you to a stress-free paradise.

Want to travel to Fiji! Contact Stefanie at AAV Travel via email at info@aav-travel.com or visit the website www.aav-travel.com for more information.

For more images from Fiji, check out photo gallery on the Facebook.

A Visit to Barcelona

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When my friend asked me late last year if I wanted to join her on a trip to Barcelona I did not hesitate. Not only had I been fascinated by the city I visited over 20 years ago for just one day, but also had I received more and more client requests for this area. Movies like Vicky Cristina Barcelona and the fact that Barcelona is a major departure port for Mediterranean cruises has increasingly put the city on a map. Trust me, the trip and city did not disappoint!

Despite it being early spring (mid-March) the temperatures were fairly comfortable and the weather quite good. Although it is considered off-season, the city was packed with tourists from Europe, particularly lots of student groups.

Barcelona has come a long way in its recent years. It is a very creative and passionate place. Despite its multicultural appearance few English is spoken and we found ourselves in quite a few funny situations.

One of the main challenges are the streets and numbers. Once you find your path thru the maze of streets and squares, success is not guaranteed, as house number do not follow any particular rule. Sometimes number 3 is next to number 550, and some buildings have no numbers at all. We quickly learnt that the key to success was knowing your cross streets.

There are lots of things to see and do in Barcelona. The main attractions, e.g. Sagrada Familia, Balto House, Picasso museum, Guell Park can be visited in 1 to 2 days. Apart from these wonderful sites, Barcelona is famous for its phenomenal nightlife.

Taking advantage of our jet lag (EST – 6 hours behind) it was easy for us to go to dinner at 9pm and then check out the different bars and locales. Some of the coolest things we did was eating Calçots at Can Xurrades and then strolling the Gracia neighborhood, famous for it bars and restaurants where you can find locals and expatriates mingle until the early morning. We also went to the Aire de Barcelona, an old restored Roman hammam (bathhouse) for a 10pm to midnight session. It was fairly strange to receive a 10pm massage and then soak in different baths until midnight. What was even weirder, is that some people came in at midnight and stayed until 2am. Another event not to miss is an evening of Flamenco, we were enchanted by the performers at Palau de Musica.

In addition to Barcelona itself there are a few easy day trips that you can do. My top would be Sitges. It is a small picturesque town along the coast which can be reached in about 30 minutes by train from Barcelona. Sitges is a very cute town with excellent shops and a very nice beachfront where you will find plenty of restaurants to sit outside and soak up the sun. Some of the best Paella is served at Cal Pinxo.
There would be much more to tell but I think everybody should make their own experience. However, these are my main tips and conclusions:

  • Getting from the airport to town is easy and takes about 30 minutes. The cab is probably the most convenient way and at EUR 30 reasonably priced. Know where you go though as language can be an issue.
  • Cab fares are generally low and offer a great way to get around town particularly for shorter distances. The subway is EUR 2 per person/way and if you are only going 2 stops a cab for 2 is usually equal to that (EUR 4).
  • Study your map before you go and know where you want to go. It will come in handy.
  • Barcelona is generally safe, even at night. We walked around a lot, even late at night and had no issues. The only place I felt unsafe was walking the beach front between Hotel Arts and the W at night. Everybody will warn you about pick pocketing. Keep your purses close and make sure they are zipped close.
  • Try to get off the beaten tourist path. It is so worth it. Not only are you going to have much more fun (the Spanish are super friendly and fun) but you are also going to pay way less.
  • Spaniards are passionate. There is a lot of public display of affection.
  • Make friends with some English speaking locals and have them give you tips. Alberto Jimenez at the Mandarin Oriental and Jordi Baldó from the Soho Hotel both proved to be great resources.
  • Know your cross streets and do not rely on the cab driver to know your hotel and its location.
  • Try Cava. This Spanish sparkling wine is delicious, inexpensive and there are lots and lots of different brands to try.
  • It is not always easy to find “free wi-fi”. That being said, if you heavily rely on it, pick a hotel that offers wi-fi.Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aav-travel.com

Vacation Packing Tips

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We often get asked by our clients what to pack. This is a collection of our personal  packing tips:

  • Pack light but make sure you pack right!
    What do you really need for a beach vacation? Swimsuit and light clothes, right.Not much really, just keep in mind that you might have to dress up for some dining spots.What about shoes? Limit yourself to 1 pair of comfortable, 1 pair of functional and 1 pair of pretty. In terms of beach vacation that translates into: e.g. a Keen or Teva (to go on excursions), a pair of flip flops (for the beach) and a nice summer sandal (for dinner).
  • Try to wear the heaviest and bulkiest stuff!
    Going to a destination you might need a thick coat or sturdy shoes. Wear them during travel. It will save space and weight in  your suitcase for other things.
  • Have a checklist!
    Making a list ahead of time will avoid forgetting stuff. Also, if you travel frequently make sure to save the list. That will keep you from having to do it over and over.
  • Carry a basic first aid kit!
    Ibuprofen, neosporin, immodium, dramamine… You don’t want to have to look for these things at your destination.
  • Check in online for flights!
    Usually you can do so 24 hours prior to your flight. This might help you score the exit row seat or any other preferred seat assignments.
  • Travel with a positive mindset!
    Things happen. Flights get delayed, you stand in line… The more you stress about it, the worse it gets. In the end you always get home.
  • Enjoy your destination!
    Don’t shut down, stay open minded, meet people, explore their culture, taste the cuisine. You cannot claim having been to a place unless you’ve really given it a chance to be experienced.

These are my personal travel tips. Feel free to add yours in the comment section!

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

Celebrity Honeymoon Spotlight: St. Barths

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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