Just off the rugged coastline of Georgian Bay lies a private island where Ontario has made a big exception to the hunting rules followed just about everywhere else in the province.

Most places in Ontario have an open season on deer that lasts about two weeks. Up until recently, it lasted 11 weeks on Griffith Island, just north of Owen Sound, where the luxurious Griffith Island Club serves an exclusive clientele of North American elites. And earlier this year, the Doug Ford government quietly extended the deer hunting season again for Griffith Island and neighbouring Hay Island, which is also privately owned hunters in both places can now hunt deer with rifles there for 13 weeks, the longest season in the province.

Griffith Island Club doesnt list its current membership fees on its website, but in 1975 it charged $20,000 to join plus annual dues, according to a Macleans article published that year. Members and guests over the past half-century include MPPs and MPs from various parties, along with professional sports executives and plenty of Bay Street types. When the province proposed the idea for an extended season on Ontarios environmental registry last November, it said the change would allow the Griffith Island Club to better manage the islands [sic] deer populations and increase opportunity for clients and club members.

The office of Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Graydon Smith didnt respond to multiple emails and calls from The Narwhal asking why it has such an interest in expanding the hunting privileges enjoyed by members of the private club. The office of Premier Doug Ford also didnt answer when asked whether he or any MPPs in the Progressive Conservative caucus have ever been there.

The Narwhal also asked Griffith Island Club management questions about its price of admission, membership list and how exactly it ended up as the beneficiary of the policy change. In an email, club chairman Marc Dumont didnt answer most of the questions, including whether the club had asked the government for the extension Ontarios lobbying registry shows no record of contact between the Ford government and the club.

Hunting regulations are set by the Province of Ontario, and the club has no influence over the establishment of seasons, or any other legislation relevant to our operations or how these are publicly communicated by the minister, Dumont wrote.

The club, like any other business and employer in Ontario, fully complies with all provincial and federal legislation to legally operate. The club does not release any information that is considered personal or confidential in relation to our members and their activities. Dumont also didnt answer questions about why the clubs site advertises wild turkey hunting even though Ontarios publicly-posted regulations dont allow the bird to be harvested there.

While the dates for Ontarios hunting seasons in most areas are posted in an online provincial guide, that site contains no such information for Griffith Island and Hay Island, saying only that each has a unique season and that the public can call for more information (two other areas in Ontario have the same disclaimer, but those exceptions seem unrelated to the islands). This opacity has drawn criticism, especially about whether its fair for the 70 or so members of the club to enjoy a longer hunting season than everywhere else.

Lawrence Kowal is from the Kawartha Lakes region, northeast of Toronto, and has hunted for years near Haliburton, Ont. He heard about the changes to the hunting season on Griffith Island when a friend forwarded him the environmental registry posting, in which the idea was lumped in with a series of other adjustments to Ontario hunting regulations.

Why would you have to add two more weeks to a hunt season? he recalls thinking. That seems excessive.

The more he looked into it, he said, the more he saw red flags.

It was an absolute absence of information, he said. There should be more transparency.

The Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers, which represents over 100,000 members in the province, formally opposed the extended season when the government proposed it. The federations manager of policy, Mark Ryckman, said in an interview that some members were concerned, and that the organization generally doesnt support landowners getting preferential access to hunting opportunities.

Ultimately these are public wildlife resources or natural resources, managed on behalf of all Ontarians by the provincial government, so we dont want to see hunting or fishing for that matter become a pastime that only the wealthy can afford, Ryckman said.

Griffith Island is about 2,300 acres, though reports of its exact size vary. The federal government maintains a historic lighthouse on one side. The rest is owned exclusively by the Griffith Island Club.

The modern-day club can sleep 22 guests at a time. Theyre fed gourmet meals by a private chef and treated with access to a games room and sauna. Photos on the clubs website show cushy bedrooms and a woodsy guest lounge, adorned with glossy leather chairs, a pool table and a stags head mounted on the wall.

An airstrip on the island allows some to fly in on chartered aircraft (no jets, though those use the nearby airport in Wiarton, Ont.). Many cross over on the clubs ferry, Islander II. Guests can also fish, swim in the turquoise water or shoot clay targets on about a dozen courses.

The Griffith Island Club has a limited number of membership opportunities available to suitable candidates, its website says. All candidates are subject to a review process by the Club Board, with circulation to all members.

On Facebook and Instagram, visitors have listed the island as their location when posting photos of their time there. The pictures show ladies in billowing white dresses at the steps of a private plane, a hunter green napkin embroidered with the clubs logo and people with guns and neon orange vests posing by the deer and heaps of birds theyve bagged. One photo taken in front of a gun rack shows a teenage boy in a fur coat wielding a wad of cash the size of his head in one hand and an even larger bottle of brown liquid in the other.

Personalities like NHL executive Brian Burke and Chip and Pepper clothing line cofounder Chip Foster have made appearances at the club, as have former Progressive Conservative MPP Michael Harris and the former Conservative MP for the area, Larry Miller.

The clubs website boasts of the islands history stretching back to the landing there of Samuel de Champlain, but the Saugeen Ojibway Nation traces its history there much further back. The nation didnt respond to a request for an interview, but has said the Bruce Peninsula, which Griffith Island sits next to, and the surrounding area of Georgian Bay was stolen from them by the Crown in the 1800s. In an 1899 newspaper ad, the Department of Indian Affairs announced that it would accept bids for Griffith Island and its timber.

The island passed through various hands in the 20th century, including late Toronto Maple Leafs owner Jack Bickell, also a member of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, and a group of his businessman buddies. It later became the property of Frigidaire, then owned by General Motors. The company used it for the schooling and recreation of GM executives from all over the continent, The Globe and Mail wrote in 1957.

It was about that time when Griffith Island started appearing to be subject to different set of rules.

At the time, no deer hunting was allowed in the rest of Grey County, which Griffith Island is a part of, but it happened year round on the island, the paper reported. The Liberal MPP who represented the Bruce Peninsula at the time, Ross Whicher, raised the issue in the legislature, arguing that it was an injustice for deer hunting to be allowed so freely on the island when his constituents on the mainland would be fined for doing the same thing, even if they were trying to feed their family.

The company hung onto the island for about 13 years before selling it: GMs interest in it declined after one of its senior executives was killed in a hunting accident several years ago, said a 1975 article in The Globe and Mail.

By then, Griffith Island was owned by the group of wealthy businessmen who started the nonprofit Griffith Island Club. Its ties to Queens Park go back to its founding: the clubs first president was former Ontario premier John Robarts, a Progressive Conservative. Other early members included Frederik Eaton, president of Eatons of Canada, and a corporate director of the company that owned the Labatt brewery.

In 1975, a Windsor Star reporter who visited the island found that hunters there were allowed to shoot pheasants for seven months, though the season elsewhere in the province was just two weeks long. Deer seasons lasted a few days on the mainland, but two months on Griffith Island. The same year, the clubs manager paid a $100 fine for hunting without a license. Members of Ontarios cabinet hunted there at the time a former club manager gave the Windsor Star blunt assessments of their abilities in 1976, saying natural resources minister Leo Bernier was a good hunter, but transportation minister James Snow doesnt know a cockbird from a hen pheasant and cant hit a barn door.

After the Windsor Star began publishing stories about the club, an MPP questioned then-Ontario premier Bill Davis about it at the legislature, referencing reports of armed guards on the island, and the club serving alcohol without a liquor licence.

I have been there for dinner on one occasion, Davis said, redirecting questions about it to another minister. I have never hunted at Griffith Island. In fact I have never hunted anywhere.

According to media reports, Griffith Islands lax rules and mystique persisted: by 1983, the Toronto Star which investigated reports that club staff were making just $45 per day for 16 hours of work said that former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau had been spotted there. The younger Trudeau has never visited Griffith Island, with or without his father, the Prime Ministers Office said in an email.

Dont we have any rights? the club president at the time, William Doherty, said to a Star reporter. Youre going to write about us whether we want you to or not, is that quite cricket?

The desire for privacy was a theme then, too: amid a 1978 controversy over a planned and subsequently cancelled foxhunt at Griffith Island, the secretary for the club said he didnt think its anyones business Its a private club, we pay our taxes, were within the law.

In 2004, The Globe and Mail reported on a trip to the island taken in fall 2002 by then-Hydro One chair Glen Wright, who expensed a trip to Griffith Island to the utility provider in the years before it was privatized. Wrights bill to the Crown corporation was over $5,000 for a group trip: his guests included a Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, Tory political advisors and two Hydro One union leaders. The paper reported it cost $750 per night, and that Wrights expenses included $297 for shotgun shells and $178 for 17 pheasant pies. Wright reimbursed Hydro One after he learned The Globe planned to report on the expenses.

By 2003 the earliest year for which Ontarios hunting regulations are online the deer hunting season on Griffith Island had become an expansive 11 weeks. It stayed that way until being lengthened this year.

There isnt much out there about what happens at the Griffith Island Club today. The club has no public membership list, and the list of directors on its corporate registration appears outdated for example, it includes current Porter Airlines CEO and president Robert J. Deluce, who told The Narwhal that he hasnt been involved with the club for at least a dozen years and cant remember much about the membership process. Basically I lost interest because I was far too busy at Porter, he said in an email.

Others listed on the registration include a variety of Bay Street executives, big names in the road construction industry, a former CFL player, and Niagara Region Coun. Vince Kerrio who is seeking re-election this fall and didnt respond to an email sent through his campaign website. Other listed members who have mentioned visits to the island publicly include corporate leaders of trucking and mining companies.

Along with social media, other snippets of information can be found in job postings. The club is staffed year-round, though members can only visit from April until December. A recent posting for a receptionist describes managing the clubs membership list as a task that requires absolute discretion and confidentiality. Another for a head gamekeeper says candidates should be able to raise over 25,000 gamebirds, duties which include breeding and incubating eggs. Other workers who manage game on the island make $43,000 per year, according to a third posting, and pay $100 bimonthly to live onsite.

Across most of the province, hunters have voluntarily reported how many deer they harvest every year, with numbers online going back to 2008. Hunters on Griffith Island did not report any until the practice was made mandatory in 2019. The same is true on nearby Hay Island, which is also private and enjoys an equally long season: there, only one or two deer have been bagged each year for which there are records.

On Griffith, hunters have reported bagging roughly 70 deer per year, about the same as the number of licenced hunters active on the island, according to provincial data. Kowal, who hunts in Haliburton, said thats a lot a young deer would weigh at least 100 pounds, and big bucks can be four times that.

What they do with it is up to them, Kowal said. But thats an awful lot of people getting a very large serving of venison.

Usually, the Ontario government decides the length, timing and other specifics of local deer hunting seasons by considering how many of the animals live in an area and consulting with stakeholders, including experts in wildlife management. Rifle hunting is most tightly controlled hunters using less powerful weapons, like crossbows, can hunt for longer, in part because they tend to bag fewer deer.

Ryckman, of the hunters and anglers federation, said there could be a biological reason why Griffith Island needs a longer deer hunting season. The balance between predators and prey can easily be thrown off on islands, resulting in either too many deer which could necessitate a longer hunting season or too few.

But if thats why the Ontario government has given Griffith Island an extended season for so many years, the province hasnt said so: along with the current Progressive Conservative government, the Ontario Liberal Party didnt answer questions from The Narwhal about why it allowed an 11-week hunting season on Griffith Island during the most recent 15 years it was in power. The party also didnt answer when asked whether any of the partys current MPPs or staff had ever visited the island or been a member of the Griffith Island Club. The Ontario NDP and Green Party, likewise, did not agree to an interview about Griffith Island.

And if biological concerns are a problem, it may be odd that the longer deer season does apply to Griffith Island and neighbouring Hay Island which sold to a new owner last year for $14 million, after being advertised as an idyllic retreat with an extended hunting season but not White Cloud Island, which is just a stones throw away. On the provinces online proposal to add two weeks to the season on Griffith and Hay, one comment is a complaint that the extended season doesnt apply on White Cloud, where landowners arenot huge corporations but private people who own land on a private island. The comment, which was anonymized, said the move amounts to nothing but someone catering to big money and ignoring others who have spent their own money. It is a biased and blatant example of favouritism.

Ryckman said that while the federation is opposed to the exclusive access and the very long season provided to the owners of Griffith Island we dont really have any population health or sustainability concerns about the deer population on the island. For that reason, his organization is unlikely to push the issue much further: The primary focus of the OFAH is the conservation of the resource, he added.

Kowal said its unfair that Griffith Island gets preferential treatment. He gets exactly 13 days to hunt deer, rain or shine he usually spends them in the bush with friends, and if the weathers bad, they dont have the luxury of going again. They limit what they hunt and eat what they harvest, always thinking about conserving the deer so theyll be around next year.

Its something that you have to be mindful of and protect, he said. Its not mine to take without some form of rules.

To him, thats not the spirit of whats happening on Griffith Island.

Everyone should have to play under the same rules. They dont. Theyve been given privilege, and done a very good job of keeping it out of the public view.

Illustration: Shawn Parkinson / The Narwhal. Satellite image: Apple Maps

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Most Ontarians get 13 days to hunt deer. Members of this luxe club get 13 weeks - The Narwhal

Your honeymoon should provide some much-needed rest after months of wedding planning but in reality, planning an expensive honeymoon after an already-pricey celebration can feel a little daunting. According to WeddingWires 2020 Wedding Report, which is based on data from more than 25,000 USA couples who were married in 2019, couples spend roughly USD 28,000 (INR 23,06,105) on their ceremony and reception and an additional USD 5,000 (INR 4,11,804) at their honeymoon destinations, on average. By Evie Carrick

So, its understandable if youre feeling a little hesitant about booking that multi-country European tour youve been dreaming of. But, you can still book an amazing and affordable honeymoon (and an international one, at that) if youre smart about where and when you go. Booking a honeymoon on Oahu, rather than Maui or Kauai, can deliver that Hawaiian honeymoon experience for less. And, if you love Spain, but dont want to pay Spain prices, the neighbouring country of Portugal is a little less discovered and a little more affordable. In addition, travelling during a destinations off-season means lower-priced lodging (and fewer people), while tracking flights on Hopper will ensure you buy tickets when prices are at their lowest.

Fret not, frugal lovebirds, there are plenty of luxurious honeymoon destinations, even for couples on a budget.

Honeymooners love Belize, a gorgeous slice of Central America that serves up beach paradise with a side of tropical forest. Belize City, the nations largest urban area, is perfect for active couples. You can go kayaking or snorkelling and visit the nearby Mayan sites Xunantunich and Cahal Pech or the jaguar preserve.

Belize is also home to many all-inclusive resorts, which will save money on food and drinks. Xanadu Island Resort, located on Ambergris Caye and overlooking the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea, offers an array of complimentary activities, such as kayaking, bird watching, paddle boarding, and bicycle rentals. And, if you want to stretch your dollar into a really luxurious stay, you can even rent your own private island off the coast for less than USD 800 (INR 65,880).

If youre looking for somewhere warm to spend your honeymoon, head to Key Largo. This long, skinny piece of land in the upper Florida Keys has plenty of beach and water sports from snorkelling to paddleboarding but youll also want to make the short 45-minute drive to Everglades National Park, where you can try your hand at spotting the parks resident manatees and crocodiles.

Book your honeymoon adventure at the Bakers Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton, which stretches along the scenic Florida Bay, or check out the highly rated Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, which has a spa, outdoor pool, and a private beach area.

Flights from NYC are just over two hours, and upon arrival, youll be greeted by the islands famous pink-sand beaches and endless turquoise waters.

Stay at The Reefs Resort & Club, which has three restaurants and bars, two tennis courts, and complimentary kayaks and snorkel gear. Up the ante with the resorts romance package, which includes an ocean view room for four nights, a welcome Rum Swizzle, three gourmet dinners (one on the beach), a 60-minute couples massage, and champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival.

On the other side of the island, youll find Rosewood Bermuda, a property with seven restaurants and lounges and an unbeatable location on the coastline of Castle Harbour. With plenty of free or affordable activities to do in Bermuda, like walking the Royal Naval Dockyard or visiting the Unfinished Church, couples dont have to feel guilty splurging a little bit on their accommodations.

Jamaica is the land of good vibes, mountains, rainforest, and beautiful beaches but budget-conscious honeymooners will also appreciate the typically affordable flights to the island and the low cost of living. Save money by exploring the island on your own and hanging on the beach (which, lets be honest, never gets old), so you can splurge on a property like the GoldenEye resort, which is where author Ian Fleming wrote all 14 James Bond novels. Today, the property is a honeymooning couples dream, with a lagoon, secluded beaches, and stand-alone villas, cottages, and beach huts.

The island is also home to plenty of all-inclusive resorts, where you can pay upfront, then enjoy your honeymoon without stressing about that second round of drinks or late-night room service order. For the ultimate all-inclusive experience, check out the Azul Beach Resort Negril or one of the islands seven adults-only Sandals.

There is no lack of luxury in Californias Napa and Sonoma Valleys, but you can experience it on your own terms. Kick the celebration off with a flight of sparkling wine at Domaine Carneros winery, a French chateau-inspired spot with beautiful formal gardens perfect for photo opportunities.

Stay at the Carneros Resort & Spa, where you can book a luxury suite or hide from the world in a spacious cottage. With delicious food options onsite and an extensive spa, you will never have to leave the compound. Another attraction not to miss? The Napa Valley Wine Train, where you can take in all the sights with lunch and wine included. Compare different tour options before you go for the best price.

Head into the village centre of Sonoma for a quaint shopping experience at local boutiques, and check out a Spanish-style mission. Save a few bucks by bringing your own wine, cheese, and blanket for a romantic moment in the park on the square, or have a fresh, French meal on the rustic outdoor patio at The Girl And The Fig.

Mexico continues to lure honeymooners with its endless beaches, Mayan ruins, high quality of life, and low prices.

Head to Tulum, on Mexicos Riviera Maya, for a honeymoon that offers both relaxation (hello, Caribbean waters!) and adventure make sure you spend at least a couple of days exploring the areas Mayan ruins: the Playa Ruinas in Tulum and Chichn Itz just two hours northwest. Stay at the boutique Jashita Hotel, a white-sand oasis that begs you to relax on the beachfront lounge chairs with a cocktail in hand. You can book one of their oceanfront honeymoon suites and pass the time at the rooftop bar and adults-only infinity pool.

A generally less-expensive alternative to Thailands famous tourist destinations, Vietnam has a little something for every kind of honeymooner. Like to hike? Visit the Valley of Love in Dalat or enjoy scenic views of the Muong Hoa Valley or Fansipan mountain. Looking for a honeymoon filled with food and culture? Book a stay at the luxurious Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi where youll find an oasis in the centre of a buzzing city.

Honeymooners searching out beaches, spa, and relaxation will want to head to Con Dao, a group of islands off the coast that offers an affordable honeymoon filled with white-sand beaches and scenic trails. Check out Con Daos Six Senses resort, which is also a protected national and marine park with plenty of beachfront.

If Hawaii tops your honeymoon list but doesnt seem feasible when it comes to cost, consider bustling Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. Its a city that sits right on the beach, providing access to the stunning (and wonderfully surfable) coast of Waikiki Beach. You can pick up a board from Moku, which is just a block off the beach, for as little as USD 10 (INR 823) or hop on one of the citys easy-to-use Biki Bikes to cruise the canals and coastline.

As youd imagine, the city has hotels that fit various budgets. Honeymooners looking for direct beach access will love the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, while those looking for a refined, modern hotel (thats barely off the beach) should check out the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. An upscale stay can be found at the five-star Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, whose rooms even come with in-room kitchens that could help offset some honeymoon costs.

Costa Rica is known for its wildlife and rugged, rainforested terrain, but the country also offers a true honeymoon-perfect beach vacation. Book your own house, condo, or studio in the coastal towns of Playa Pelada or Playa Guiones (near Nosara) through Rent Nosara. Or check out the adults-only Hotel Makanda by The Sea, which has suites and villas with beach access and an on-site restaurant.

When youre ready to explore beyond the beach, take a yoga class in Nosara, book a zip-lining adventure, or visit Manuel Antonio National Park near Hotel Makanda.

Portugal is often overlooked by honeymooners planning their getaway, but it has the warm weather, beaches, and culture that most couples search out. Plus, its less expensive than Spain, France, and many other popular European destinations.

For an easy, accessible trip, head to Lisbon, where you can spend your days exploring the city on foot (or by tram) to search out the citys best pastel de nata, a Portuguese egg custard tart. Stay at The One Palcio da Anunciada and book a romantic dinner at Belcanto, the first restaurant in Lisbon to earn two Michelin Stars. For a more remote, off-the-grid experience thats an easy drive from Lisbon, book a perfectly picturesque hobbit pod at the coastal Slowlife Glamping property.

If youve got it in your budget for a second flight, head to the Azores islands off the coast to try your luck at spotting whales and dolphins.

Just across the USA-Canada border and a mere 20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is a small, quaint town called Niagara-on-the-Lake. Nicknamed The Loveliest Town in Canada, it truly lives up to the hype.

With a plethora of outdoor cafes and local, independent shops situated in colonial-style buildings, it is the perfect venue for a romantic stroll or a delicious cocktail. The town is also nestled in the heart of Canadian wine country, where you can sip on ice wine and wines made from local produce, like peaches.

Stay at the citys landmark hotel, Prince of Wales, a Victorian-style hotel that boasts an award-winning restaurant, a world-class spa, and a tea room, where you can (and should) take your tea daily. When youre ready to leave the historic property, spend the afternoon tasting at Peller Estates and have a romantic dinner for two among the grapes.

Flights to Guatemala tend to be affordable, and once youre there, the cost of living will ensure your wallet remains happily padded. You can eat, enjoy activities, and stay in luxe hotels for a fraction of what youd pay in other parts of the world. All that aside, the country of Guatemala is home to volcanoes, ancient Mayan sites, and lush rainforests, which offer plenty to see and do.

For a remote and romantic trip, book a stay at La Casa del Mundo on Lake Atitlan, a hotel built into the cliffs that are only accessible by foot or boat and has stunning volcano views all for an affordable price. From La Casa del Mundo, you can hike around the lake to neighbouring villages, book a boat tour, or take a day trip to the bustling Chichicastenango Market to pick up a couple of treasures to bring home.

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Main and Feature Image Credit:Matteo Colombo/Getty Images

Related: Redefining Romance: 12 Ultra Luxury Honeymoon Destinations Across The Globe

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12 Swoon-Worthy Honeymoon Destinations That Wont Break The Bank - Travel + Leisure India

The smallest country in the world is Vatican City. Other than the Vatican (a very specific country), one of the tiniest countries in the world is the South Pacific Island nation of Niue, with less than 2,000 residents. Niue is a forgotten Pacific Island paradise like no other and a place where things are "the way they used to be." Imagine visiting a nation with the population of a small village. Niue offers a stark contrast to the over-commercialized Pacific Islands like Tahiti.

Niue is self-governing and in free association with New Zealand (so New Zealand does some things on its behalf, like diplomatic relations). Cook Island is also a country in free association with New Zealand and another great authentic Pacific experience.

Being around 1,500 miles northeast of New Zealand, Niue is very isolated. It is located in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands.

Niue is one of the world's largest coral islands and is often called "The Rock." The island has a plateau in the center and a limestone cliff running along the coast. A coral reef surrounds the island.

The country only has around 1,500 residents who are spread across 14 colorful villages. The people are known for their warmth, respect, and welcoming nature. Most people there grow their own crops and fish to support their families, and going to church is an important part of the community.

It is believed that Polynesians first settled on the island over 1,000 years ago. It may have been settled with two major migrations (one from Samoa and another from Tonga). The famous explorer Captain James Cook sighted Niue in 1774. He tried to land three times on the island but was unable to as the local people prevented him - he called the island "Savage Island."

It wasn't until 1830 that the first European landed on the island. It became a British Protectorate in 1900, was annexed to New Zealand in 1901, gained self-government in 1974, and today the people have dual citizenship and are free to move to New Zealand if they wish. Niueans are New Zealand citizens, and an eye-popping 90-95% of the Niuean people live in New Zealand.

Related: Samoa Vs American Samoa: Why Are They Worth It, And Which You Should Visit?

The only flight to Niue is from Auckland to New Zealand. Air New Zealand runs services to Niue weekly, with the flights taking just over 3 hours. Remember, the country is little more than a sleepy village, and there is no public transport on arrival. This is a place without crowds, queues, traffic lights, or any of the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Visitors need to arrange transfers with their accommodation prior to arrival. It is strongly advised that visitors hire a car or bicycle while on the island so that they can get around and explore the island and villages.

Visitors need to pre-book their accommodation for the duration of their stay prior to leaving (a mandatory requirement for entry). Things like camping and couchsurfing are not available or permitted in Niue.

The island is ringed with a 64-kilometer (40 miles) long road with them bush tracks leading off it. The main ring road is mostly sealed. The dedicated website for planning a visit to Niue is Niue Island.

Related: This UNESCO Island In Tahiti Is At The End Of The World

The accommodations in Niue are predictably limited. Visitors can book a self-contained apartment or a villa or motel on the island. They also have 'private fales' that are equipped with multiple bedrooms and air conditioning.

There is one resort in the country - the Scenic Matavai Resort Niue. It is a stunning resort located on a clifftop affording picturesque 180-degree views of the Pacific. It is located only 10 minutes from all the major facilities and services on Niue.

The resort has swimming pools, a restaurant, in-room Wifi, air conditioning, Cable TV, and more basic facilities. It has 32 renovated rooms with balconies - all have a rain-head show, and most face the ocean. From one's balcony, it is possible to gaze out and see humpback whales, spinner dolphins, and more.

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Niue: Visit The Smallest Pacific Island Country With Less Than 2,000 Residents - TheTravel

Finding oneself rag-dolling under a canopy of white water rapids on the Nile River isnt an opportune time to wonder: Did my guide say there are or arent man-eating crocodiles and hippos in the water?

Moments earlier, Id been sitting on the front bench seat of a raft with another passenger and a pair of guides. Together wed already paddled through a series of Class IV and V rapids, with names like Overtime, Retrospect, Novocaine, and Itanda (meaning The Bad Place). Even though the bow and stern of the raft were bouncing like a possessed seesaw, we managed to stay within the vessel. However, in this particularly angry junction, a wall of water hit our starboard side, and before the words Hold on! could pass my guides lips, I was airborne.

Not that I was underwater for more than a few beatsaided by a sturdy life jacket, my yellow helmeted head soon broke through the surface of the Nile, sputtering and swearing. A few seconds later, I was clinging to one of the three inflatable safety kayaks, being towed back to the main raft.

That wasnt so bad, was it? the lead guide said before pulling me back in and handing me an oar. Ready to keep going?

One amenity of Wildwaters Lodge? Sipping gin and tonics pool (and river) side.

Courtesy of Wildwaters Lodge

Id come to eastern Uganda to visit Wildwaters Lodge, a safari-style setup on a private 2.5-acre island right in the middle of the Nile River near the town of Jinja. The lodge consists of 10 stand-alone stilted suites, each with high thatched roofs, a canopied king bed and daybed, and a deck with a private clawfoot soaking tub overlooking the river.

A few miles upstream, the churning lifesource that is the Nile pours from the mouth of Lake Victoria, pulsing more than 4,000 miles like a heartbeat through northeastern Africa until it spills into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt. In some places, like the islands western side, the river runs as smoothly and steadily as a conveyor belt (were able to access the island relatively easily via a metal skiff boat). In other spots, like the islands eastern shore, where boulders and erosion over time have caused varying water levels and speeds, the river is an unpredictable, convulsing vortex. Signs across the island warn visitors about the dangers of getting too close to the rivers edge.

Prior to booking at Wildwaters Lodge, I wasnt aware that the Nile originated in Uganda (or that it ran through or along the borders of 11 African countries). All I knew was that it was a sedate river in Egypt, popular for cruising. But over the centuries, its waters were originally used for fishing and to aid in farming. Eventually, it became an important transportation and trade route. Its only been in the past few decades that its started making a name for itself as a white water rafting destination.

My room, suite 10, overhangs one of the biggest, most dangerous sections of rapids in Uganda, and the way the water swirls and churns like soup about to bubble over is equal parts hypnotic and stomach-tightening. While the western side of the country is known for gorilla and chimpanzee treks, this area is known more for its adventure sportsmountain biking along the Nile, kayaking along the Nile, bungee jumping over the Nile, and yes, river rafting in the Nile. Even knowing that ahead of time, I had hoped that reading a book from my open-air bathtub would be the most immersive experience Id have. Or at least thats what I told the lodge manager during lunch on the first day.

Everyone enjoys the rafting, he tutted, adding, Go, youll see. And dont worry, the water is warm.

Warm is about 75 degrees, though the latter statement wasnt my primary concern. The next morning, I found myself signing a safety waiver and reading over the rapid namessuspiciously devoid of names like Kiddie Pool or Lazy River and instead given names like Vengeance and Pandemicon the route map. Was it too late to chicken out?

We were going out with one of Wildwaters partners, Adrift Uganda, a company that over some 30 years has seen everyone from locals to royalty (Prince William participated in 2003) and Jedi Masters (Ewan McGregor was a guest in 2009). In addition to the two guides in our raft, three others would flank us in inflatable kayaks as an extra safety measure.

As we push off, our lead guide tells us that white water rafting on the Nile in Uganda is considered among the best in the world. The 12-mile span wed be doing marries quiet zones full of forested islandswhere the water teems with river otters, monitor lizards, cuckoos, and turacoswith booming rapids and sudden drops. (This is also when he tells us there are no crocodiles or hippos in this part, though the information sadly doesnt stick.)

White water rafting trips with Adrift typically run between four and five hours.

The first rapid is easyits only a Class II, and we jitter over the lightly boiling water like a popcorn kernel in hot oil. Just as I start to think this could be easy, we approach a cascading rapid called Big Brother, and well before we reach the lip of the falls, we can feel the water sucking us forward. Over the thunderous roar of the water, our guide yells for everyone to Get down! I tuck my head, white-knuckle the safety rope that runs along the side, and brace for impact as we soar over the edge.

In an instant, were underwater. Not out of the boatjust blanketed momentarily by a giant wave. The raft pinballs between a half dozen or so rocks for another few seconds before were spit forward into smoother water. If not for the wet hair plastered to my cheeks, you might not have known what had just transpired.

High five! our leader says, holding the blade of his oar aloft. We all touch paddles in the air and laugh. I can feel the tension in my shoulders release and my confidence buoy. Sure, this is barely contained chaos, but it is fun.

Honestly, as we continued to wend our way down the river, it was largely calm. We passed mated pairs of African fish eagles sunbathing on rocks, small villages where children waved from the shoreline, fishermen in dugout canoes, and miles of dense jungle. At one point, a guide chopped up a pineapple, and we sprawled along the edges of the raft, nibbling on the treat and soaking up the sun.

Each time we came up to a set of rapids, our leader would instruct us when and how vigorously to paddle, and each time we came out on the other side, wed clap our oars together in celebration.

Other than me being unceremoniously dumped into the drink, we only left the boat onceto portage around a particularly nasty Class VI rapid too dangerous for us nonprofessionals to attempt (though one of the safety kayakers deftly glides over it, as if its a bunny hill and hes a black-diamond skier).

Im not sure whether its natural euphoria or basic human relief, but Im elated as we disembark. As we walked back to the lodgeme drenched, sunburnt, a little bruised, and somehow missing both a hair tie and a nose ringthe manager looked up from his desk and gave me a conspiratorial smile. He could have asked how it was, but he knew the answer.

Fly into Entebbe International Airport in Ugandas capital city and either rent a car or hire a driver. Its about 2.5 hours to Wildwaters Lodge.

Book now: Wildwaters Lodge

The Lodge offers 10 spacious, stilted cabins on a private island in the middle of the Nile River.

The shared spaces include a restaurant and bar where all meals are served, an infinity pool, a circular library, and a decadent massage platform situated over a calmer spot in the river.

Wildwaters Lodge is owned and operated by Lemala, a company that offers boutique camps in Tanzania and Uganda.

Book now: Adrift Uganda

Adrift has been operating rafting trips on the Nile River since 1996. On the morning of your trip, its guides will pick you up directly from Wildwaters Lodge. Tours cost $140 per person and typically take four to five hours. Guests have the option to choose between a mellower Class III course or the more challenging Class V option. All tours include life jackets, helmets, and rafting equipment.

See more here:

What it's Like to White Water Raft the Nile in Uganda - AFAR Media

Looking for a beachy getaway? Pack your sandals, your best sunglasses, and some flattering swimwear, and check out these luxurious resorts in the Caribbean. With sandy beaches and clear blue waters, you will be able to relax and soak up the sun in no time.

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Here are 5 of the most popular and highly rated options you should put at the top of your list.

This well-known and respected Caribbean beach resort covers 395 acres by Montego Bay. Enjoy luxurious Grand Hotel amenities in the well-appointed rooms and common areas, delicious meals at multiple restaurants, and plenty of opportunity to relax on the half-mile-long white beach.

This resort also offers many activities including tennis and racquetball as well as traditional watersports. You can choose from more affordable hotel rooms or super luxury private villas.

The Half Moon is 4-star rated by Forbes Travelguide and 5-stars in our hearts. Its one of the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean and it will take your breath away.

Check out the Half Moon Jamaica here.

Crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, and days full of sun are the foundation of any great Caribbean beach resort. Fowl Cay in Great Exuma, Bahamas offers plenty of extras that any traveler will appreciate.

If you get tired of sunning yourself or playing in the surf, try petting a shark, playing tennis, or going kayaking.

This luxury vacation includes use of a golf cart. Amazing restaurants live for attention with your own private kitchenette if you opt for a holiday villa.

Fowl Cay is owned by Sandals Resorts International, one of the most renowned resort companies in the world. So expect only the best when you rent out one of their private Villas.

Explore 1000 acres of beautiful Caribbean countryside at this beach resort frequented by celebrities and millionaires. It is a private island with a mom full mile of golden sand beaches to enjoy.

You can spend your time relaxing by the turquoise waters, take a hike with a skilled guide, or enjoy the luxurious on-site spa with a huge list of therapy and relaxation options. Beautiful rooms, impeccable service, and 24-hour VIP perks can all be yours.

This is one of the best reports in the Caribbean simply for its seclusion. You will find endless beaches to walk to and interior cays to explore. What an incredible place to spend your holiday when you visit the Caribbean.

What could be more special and memorable than visiting a resort that takes up an entire private island just off the coast in the Caribbean?

The Cayo Espanto is the perfect romantic getaway for those who like more privacy and a smaller crowd of tourists around them.

There are just seven luxurious villas with amazing ocean views and access to the water. Do you want something even more amazing?

The Casa Ventanas honeymoon suite has a glass viewing panel in the floor where you can watch sea life swim by.

Ideal for both families in search of adventure and couples who want a more romantic getaway, this five-star hotel offers an amazing array of options for fun and relaxation.

The air-conditioned rooms and suites are well-appointed with all the latest amenities. On-site restaurants and bars make it easy to find a delicious meal.

They offer both kid-friendly activities and more grown-up options like a cigar lounge, nightclubs, and more. The location is simply beautiful.

Now some people may be concerned about traveling to Cuba but the good news is that it is no longer as difficult as it was is past years/ Traveling to a Cuban resort is as easy as booking a flight and packing your bags.

Explore theNews in South Floridato learn about more travel opportunities to the hottest resorts in the Caribbean. Even though these five options are excellent choices for your next tropical adventure, there are even more places to explore in these beautiful island nations.

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These Are The Best 5 Beach Resorts in The Caribbean - South Florida Caribbean News