The Best Smaller Islands to Visit in the BVIs – AFAR Media

Four of the British Virgin Islands get the most attentionTortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegadabut there are more than 60 isles and cays to explore in this Caribbean archipelago. Visit one of the lesser-known islands and youll find the same white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, just with smaller crowds and the added bonus of endangered wildlife, exclusive resorts, water-level caves, and prime dive sites.

Below weve rounded up the four best smaller islands to visit in the BVI, whether you want to hike through the jungle, hobnob with celebrities, search for hidden treasure, or dive down to a shipwreck. Expect a wholly different kind of day in paradise.

Fulfill your castaway fantasies by chartering a boat in Tortola and sailing it yourself to Sandy Cay. Once part of Laurance S. Rockefellers private domain, the uninhabited island, roughly three miles west of Tortola, is a nesting site for leatherback turtles and was declared a national park in 2008. A hiking trail tunnels through the jungle interior, topping out at the north-facing cliffs that rise above the churning surf, but most day-tripping Robinson Crusoes row dinghies ashore simply to sink into the soft sand.

Owned by Sir Richard Branson, this 74-acre gem just north of Virgin Gorda is surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with white sand. While beaches here are technically open to the public, the island operates as a luxury resort, complete with Balinese-style accommodations, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and specialty dining like a floating sushi bar. Its most often rented exclusively by groups (housing up to 22 people), but individuals, couples, and families looking to experience Necker Island for themselves can book a room for a seven-night stay on select Celebration Weeks throughout the year. Those lucky enough to snag a reservation may rub elbows with celebrities or even Branson himself at the beautiful main residence, which was entirely rebuilt after a fire in 2011 and again following Hurricane Irma in 2017.

At the southern tip of the BVI archipelago, Norman Island was once a favorite spot for pirates to store their booty. Its now referred to by locals as Treasure Island and is said to have been the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevensons novel of the same name. Still, the islands real treasure lies in its three water-level caves, which line the western edge of the large harbor. Spend the day here snorkeling or diving to spot jewel-toned tropical fish, then finish with a drink or two at Willy Ts, a pirate-themed bar on a converted cargo ship anchored just offshore.

A favorite spot for scuba divers, Cooper Island sits adjacent to the BVIs wreck alley, where several ships were deliberately sunk as dive sites. On shore, the island is home to a handful of private homes and the seriously cool Cooper Island Beach Club hotel, which uses solar power to brew its very own beer.

>>Next: The AFAR Guide to the British Virgin Islands

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The Best Smaller Islands to Visit in the BVIs - AFAR Media

This Entire B.C. Island Could Be Yours For Less Than $640000 – 604 Now

Its no secret that the cost of living in Vancouver is incredibly high. So high in fact, that you can buy your own island for around the same price as a typical condo in the city.

Burts Island is currently up for sale and it will set you back approximately $637,317 Canadian dollars.

You can find this hidden gem in the Bamfield Inlet within Barkley Sound on Vancouver Islands rugged west coast. The area is known as being one of the top fishing destinations in B.C.

RELATED: No Mans Land: Forbidden Places In B.C. Nobody Is Allowed To Visit

According to Private Islands Inc., the non-developed 5.3 acre island is one of the most affordable private islands on the B.C. coast.

The website states: Unlike the Georgia Strait and Inner Coast, very few private islands become available for sale on the west coast of the island.

That makes this steal of a deal even more rare.

Photo: Google Earth

Other highlights of the island include how easily accessible it is and that it features multiple choices for building sites.

With such a low cost, the potential owners would also have more of a budget to spend on building a dock and home surrounded by all the lush trees.

Where: In the Bamfield Inlet within Barkley Sound on Vancouver Island

Cost: Approximately $637,317 Canadian (listing online)

For more cool things to do and see in beautiful B.C., check out our Travel & Outdoors section.

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This Entire B.C. Island Could Be Yours For Less Than $640000 - 604 Now

The 15 most beautiful Scottish islands to visit – goodhousekeeping.com

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Here at Good Housekeeping, we love relaxing on gorgeous beaches, soaking up the beauty of the worlds best natural landscapes and learning about different cultures.

But you dont always have to travel long distances for exciting experiences as weve got a wealth of stunning beaches, amazing landscapes and interesting traditions right here in the UK.

Cornwall, the Isle of Wight, the Jurassic Coast and the Isles of Scilly are home to some of our favourite British beaches, but for really remote landscapes, bracing dog walks along the shore, unique food and drink tastings and fascinating heritage, there is nowhere quite like the Scottish islands.

There are over 900 offshore isles to explore, grouped into four main clusters: the northernmost Shetland Islands, the Neolithic Orkneys and the Inner and Outer Hebrides - famous for their white-sand beaches and brilliant outdoor activities.

Visitors will also find islands in Scotland's inlets and firths and on its iconic freshwater lochs (just watch out for mythical monsters!). Yet somehow, Scotland's beautiful islands are still one of Britains best-kept secrets.

To make things easier, weve narrowed down our 15 favourite Scottish islands and all of their best bits, with how you can visit, whether you love a spot of island hopping, travelling in luxury or you're after an eco-friendly escape.

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1Mull

Located in western Scotlands Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Mull is the fourth-largest Scottish island, known for its white-tailed sea eagles, a favourite on the BBCs Coast and Springwatch, the 700-year-old Duart Castle and the colourful houses that line the waterfront of Tobermory.

This town, which is the largest on Mull and the inspiration for CBeebies Balamory, is sprinkled with pubs, eateries, specialist shops and nature trails.

You can visit on a luxury private yacht with fellow Good Housekeeping readers.

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2Islay

Islay - also known as the Queen of the Hebrides - is Scotland's whisky isle, where you can sip single malts in one of nine working distilleries.

Its also the perfect spot for bird watchers, who will be keen to see the beautiful hen harriers up on Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve and the large flocks of wild geese who visit the isle every winter on their long journey to Canada.

Top tip: its pronounced 'eye-lah'.

You can visit Islay with Good Housekeeping this summer.

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3Eigg

Although tiny Eigg is only home to 90 people, its community is also made up of marine animals and birdlife, including gorgeous Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds.

On Eigg you can climb Britains largest pitchstone ridge, watch eagles fly over dreamy white sand beaches and learn about the worlds first renewably powered electricity grid, plus its just a short sail to the town of Inverie in Loch Nevis, where you can have a drink at the most remote pub in the British Isles.

Visit Eigg on a luxury cruise with Good Housekeeping.

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4Arran

One of Scotlands most popular islands, Arran packs in the culture. Time your visit to check out one of the many cultural festivals held on the island and make sure to taste the local cheese, beer and oatcakes.

You can also while away the hours admiring artworks inspired by the island scenery at Arran Art Gallery, or taking in the magnificent period furniture, waterfall and woodlands of Brodick Castle.

Other fun activities on Arran include seeing the early Christian carvings in Kings Caves, or a walk from Arran Brewery to Glen Rosa, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Goatfell ranges scraggy peaks.

5Lewis and Harris

Lewis and Harris are two real Scottish heritage islands. Youll still hear Gaelic spoken on the streets of Stornoway, the islands main town, and you can browse hand-woven Harris tweed clothing in the shops - perhaps what the area is most famous for.

Archaeology buffs will love the mysterious Neolithic landing stones at Callanish, which are even older than Stonehenge, and at the ancient blackhouse villages you can experience the unique Gaelic farming system of crofting.

You can visit Lewis during a cruise along the west coast of Scotland.

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6Jura

Jura gets its name from the ancient Norse word for 'deer', so its no surprise this narrow Southern Hebridean island is one of the wildest places in Scotland, where the 200-odd inhabitants are outnumbered by the local deer.

Jura is a walkers paradise and the west of the island is especially unspoilt - featuring wealth of wildlife, stunning views and a sense of total peace. Its probably why George Orwell chose Jura as the place to finish writing his bestselling novel 1984.

7Fair Isle

One of the craftiest of the Shetland Islands, Fair Isles past is interwoven with a rich history of wool, textiles and the inimitable Fair Isle technique. Fair Isle knits, with their classic geometric patterns, were made famous by the royal family back in the 20s and are still popular today.

You can learn all about the process of knitting with our sister magazine Prima. From seeing Uradale sheep on a local farm, to watching the dying process and even trying your hand at knitting in a workshop alongside experts Hazel Tindall and Kathleen Anderson, this is the perfect short break for everyone from beginners to knitting pros.

Visit the Shetlands with Prima.

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8Orkney

Weve all heard of Orkney crab. Well, theres nowhere you can have it fresher than here, in a restaurant on the craggy cliffs of Orkneys wild Atlantic Coast. But theres plenty more to do on Orkey.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site to see the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae - where remarkable dwellings appeared from beneath the sand dunes in a storm just 150 years ago. Interestingly, Gaelic was never spoken in Orkney, and locals - who speak a distinctive dialect of the Scots language - are called Orcadians.

9Skye

The Isle of Skye is on everyones bucket list, and with less foreign travel on the cards this year, we think nows the perfect time to make the trip. Skye offers spectacular sunsets over the mountains and into the sea, delicious seafood with a French twist in the Michelin-starred Loch Bay and magical hikes around the otherworldly Fairy Glen.

Portree, the isles capital, has a lovely harbour fringed by dramatic cliffs which is great to stroll around - a walk up to the Apothecarys Tower offers a view thats simply not to be missed.

Visit Skye and Scotlands West Coast gems with Good Housekeeping in July or on an East to West sailing from Edinburgh to Glasgow, both on the square-rigged sailing ship, Golden Horizon. For something more intimate, visit in autumn on a luxury yacht.

10Eriska

To arrive at this private tidal island on Scotlands West Coast you have to cross a rattling wooden-decked bridge at low tide. But its worth it. The views across Loch Linnhe and its maze of small islands are spectacular, and the blue-green hills of Appin to the North and Morvern to the South stand proud in the distance.

There are also 300 acres of private gardens on Eriska, a gorgeous coastline, wildlife including deer, otters and badgers, and a Victorian mansion which was renovated into a luxury hotel and spa. Stay for pampering, sports and leisure, and walks through the secluded grounds.

Read Good Housekeeping's review and book a stay.

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11Gigha

Tiny Gigha (pronounced 'Gee'a') is the 'Good Isle' of the Hebrides, and is owned by the islanders themselves. The community here has been growing since the island was bought by its inhabitants back in 2002.

With a warm microclimate, Gigha is perfect for holidays taking in the sandy beaches and clear turquoise seas. Achamore House, set in over 50 acres of woodland gardens, has a renowned Rhododendron and Camellia Collection and exotic plants that are beautiful year-round.

Experience island hopping in the Hebrides with Good Housekeeping.

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12Inchmurrin

Inchmurrin in Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater island in the British Isles. Now covered in woodland, it used to be a deer park owned by the Dukes of Montrose and features the atmospheric ruins of a castle.

Stay in self-catering accommodation on Inchmurrin to enjoy swims from one of its many pretty beaches and visits to the highly rated Inchmurrin bar and restaurant.

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13Hirta

Although Hirta is a UNESCO double World Heritage Site and the 'jewel in the crown' of the National Trust for Scotland, a visit to the remote St Kilda archipelago is totally dependent on the weather - which is what makes it feel all the more dramatic.

The islands are the stunning remains of a volcanic crater, where thousands of seabirds like to nest. Its also a spot known for sightings of minke whales. But its difficult to live on this exposed island. Although Hirta was inhabited for over 5,000 years, the remote island community all self-evacuated in 1930. Want to know more? Head to the tiny St Kilda museum.

Visit Hirta during Good Housekeeping's island hopping cruise in the Hebrides.

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14Inchconnachan

Another of Loch Lomonds islands, Inchconnachan is in the Trossachs National Park and has an especially unusual feature: its home to a population of wallabies - yes, those cute marsupials native to Australia and Papua New Guinea!

It turns out the eccentric Lady Arran was fond of exotic animals and introduced them to Loch Lomond, where she grew up. You can visit the island on a ferry from Luss and stay at the old coaching inn, The Winnock, which has been welcoming weary travellers passing through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs for centuries.

If youre feeling inspired to explore Scotland, browse the full list of Good Housekeeping Holidays Scottish breaks.

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The 15 most beautiful Scottish islands to visit - goodhousekeeping.com

St Barts to re-open its borders to vacationers on June 9 – GlobeNewswire

St Barthelemy, June 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nils Dufau, the President of the St Barths Tourism Committee announced a plan today to re-open the islands borders to residents of the US and most other countries, effective June 9, 2021.

US Residents will be allowed to enter St Barts if they meet these two conditions:

For Residents of the UK & European Union

UK & European Unions residents only require a PCR test with 72 hour prior to arrival or Rapid Anti-gen test 48 hours prior to arrival

Villa rental agencies and hotels are tasked by the local government with collecting this proof of vaccination from their clients prior to arrival to verify that they meet the requirements for entry. Once a traveler arrives on St Barts they can move about freely, with no restrictions. Villa rental specialist WIMCO has summarized the requirements for entry in its St Barts travel bog.

CDC Lowers St Barts Travel Risk advisory from Level 4 to Level 1, June 7, 2021

In related news, As the COVID-19 situation evolves, the CDC is monitoring COVID-19 risk in destinations around the world and making travel recommendations. On June 7 the CDC issued new guidance on St Barts on June 7, reclassifying it as a level one the lowest level of risk.

Where to Stay in St Barts

Those visiting St Barts this summer would do well to consider renting a private villa. With spacious open-air living areas, fully equipped kitchens and private pools, travelers vacationing for the first time since the pandemic started might find staying private villa the most comfortable option. WIMCO Villas, which has operated in St. Barths for over thirty-five years, confirms that all 360 private villas it represents on the island are open and available to rent.

Most of the top restaurants on the island are open for business this summer including popular beach spots like Nikki Beach, Shellona, Lil Rock and Pearl Beach. For dinner, travelers have a wealth of options including Mayas, Tamarin, Black Ginger, Isola, Ociela and many more. Those seeking after dinner excitement will love Bagatelle, Baz Baz, Modjo and The Sky Bar.

Life on the island has returned to normal, added WIMCO president Stiles Bennet. the Islands highly regarded restaurants are open without restriction, and boutiques in Gustavia and St Jean are operating as usual.

In tandem with renting private villas, from its office on St Barts WIMCO also offers 24/7 concierge service to its clients. Families can feel secure knowing that WIMCO will outfit a villa in advance to make the arrival day less stressful. Their local WIMCO concierge team will provision a villa, deliver take-out, as well as arrange private chefs, whether for seated meals, or to prep for easy self-assembly.

About WIMCO Villas

Recently voted one of the Top Three villa rental companies in the world by the readers of Cond Nast

Traveler magazine, and featured in the New York Times, and on the Today Show, WIMCO offers a selective and personally visited collection of private villas in the Caribbean and Europe. Well-traveled Villa Specialists match clients with the right villa for their preferences and needs, and then arrange every aspect of their trip, including: booking international flights, pre-stocking groceries, and meeting guests at the airport. In addition, they can arrange rental cars, restaurant reservations, and local activities, all supported by itineraries.

WIMCOs portfolio of private villas with concierge service includes properties on eleven Caribbean islands (including St. Barths, Turks & Caicos, and Anguilla), a dozen private island resorts, and Southern Europe (including the Amalfi Coast, St. Tropez, and Mykonos). Browse villas at wimco.com or speak directly with a Villa Specialist at +1 (401) 849-8012.

WIMCO also operates a real estate sales office on St. Barths, with listings ranging from undeveloped land to spacious villa compounds. Inquiries for villa rentals or real estate sales may be sent to info@wimco.com

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St Barts to re-open its borders to vacationers on June 9 - GlobeNewswire

Celebrate World Oceans Day 2021 All Year Round At These Sustainable Luxury Resorts – Forbes

Since 2008, when the UN General Assembly passed a resolution designating June 8 as World Oceans Day, the date has reminded those around the globe of the vital significance of the ocean: covering some 70% of the planet, it produces at least 50% of the earths oxygen, is home to most of its biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people worldwide.

With 90% of big fish populations now depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, were taking more from the ocean than can be replenishedstark realities that inform this years theme, The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods, and the UNs reassertion of the commitment necessary to achieve its Sustainable Development Goal 14Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resourcesby 2030.

For the following inimitable resorts, conserving and sustainably using the oceans resources has long been a defining mission. By booking them, youll help directly support the crucial rehabilitation of our imperiled seas.

Baros, Maldives

Baros Maldives has been a pioneer of Indian Ocean coral reef conservation and education since its ... [+] debut in 1973.

Since its opening in 1973, BarosMaldivessituated in the North Mal Atoll, just 25 minutes by speedboat from Mal International Airporthas been a pioneer of Indian Oceancoralreefconservationand education, a passion that manifests today in initiatives to improve the condition and biodiversity of its surrounding reefs. This year, Baros introduced coral cubes to encourage coral regeneration. Living coral fragments are attached with reef-safe glue to the plastic-free, reusable cubes and then placed directly on the reef, with the goal of afforesting areas damaged by crashing waves and weather events.

Guests of Baros Maldives can help preserve the region's fragile biodiversity by installing coral ... [+] cubes on damaged segments of surrounding coral reefs.

Guests of Baros can plant their own coral cubes and learn about the surrounding ecosystem. Baros resident marine biologists carefully monitor the cubes as part of the resorts conservation strategy.

If You Go: Rates at Baros Maldives start from $675 per night in a Deluxe Villa on a B&B basis, excluding taxes. For more information, visitbaros.com.

Miavana by Time + Tide, Madagascar

Nestled on a protected island with a full-time environmental team trained in wildlife monitoring and ... [+] reforestation, Miavana's approach to conservation is truly hands-on.

Surrounded by a pristine reef offering superb snorkeling and diving opportunities as well as turtle, whale, and dolphin watching, fly-fishing, and deep-sea fishing beyond the reef, Miavana by Time + Tideis a private-island hotel located on Nosy Ankao, off the northeast coast of Madagascar. With a conservation heritage dating back to 1950, the sustainability-mindedTime + Tide contributes more than $300,000 annually to community, health, education, andwildlife conservation through its Time + Tide Foundation.

Uniquely positioned on a protected island with a full-time environmental team trained in wildlife monitoring and reforestation, Miavana cultivates a truly hands-on approach to conservation. To date, its efforts include monitoring nesting sea turtles on Nosy Ankao, conducting marine and terrestrial biodiversity surveys, seabird ringing and monitoring, and championing a conservation program for crowned lemurs, an endangered species endemic to Madagascar.

If You Go:MavrosSafaris offers journeys to Madagascar from $11,384 per person based on two guests sharing, which includes three nights atMiavana, roundtriphelicopter transfers from Nosy Be, all meals,butler, selected premium wines, top-shelf spirits and bar drinks, laundry, conservation fees,selectshared activities, and roundtrip international flights to Nosy Be.

Islas Secas, Panama

Separated from mainland Panama by 20 miles of pristine ocean, Islas Secas offers guests an idyllic, ... [+] conservation-driven adventure.

Located in the Gulf of Chiriqu,theprivatelyownedIslasSecasseparated from mainland Panama by 20 miles of pristine seais an unrivaled destination for a marine-focused adventure with conservation at the fore. One of Central Americas best-kept secrets, the virtually untouched regionis home to sprawling coral reefs off PanamasruggedPacific coast, pristine beaches, and two vast, protected marine parks teeming with a plethora of underwater fauna and flora.

Designed to exist in seamless harmony with its surroundings, Islas Secas is designated an environmentally preserved protected area under Panamanian law. The privately funded Islas Secas Foundation also partners with conservation organizations to support efforts ranging from mangrove restoration to marine area protection, as well as environmental education in Chiriqu.

If You Go:RatesatIslasSecasstart from $1,500 per Casita, per night on an all-inclusive basis, including all F&B, select activities on and off-island, and road and boat transfers between the city of David Airport andIslasSecas.For more information, visitislassecas.com.

BawahReserve, Indonesia

Indonesia's Bawah Reserve is located in one of the world's most biodiverse marine environments.

An under-the-radar group of six tropical islands in Indonesia's Anambas Archipelago, BawahReserve's protected lagoons and powder-white sandsoffer guests the opportunity to explore this remote paradise while contributing to protecting its future.A pioneer ineco-friendly practices and all-encompassing marine and forest conservation, the plastic-free resort is certified by WWF Signing Blue program (an Indonesia-based WWF conservation initiative) as a five-star destination for responsible marine tourismthe first resort in Indonesia to receive this distinction.

To help protect Bawahs surrounding seas, thereservelaunched theAnambasFoundationin 2018, an independent charity whose goal is to improve the overallecosystem. The foundation works alongside local communities to educate residents about ways to combat the negative impacts of fishing and waste management.In 2020,thefoundation launched new initiatives for mangrove conservation and integrated waste management (IWM) on the surroundingAnambasIslands. Guests can also spend time with Bawahs expert marine biologists who educate during snorkeling trips and kayaking adventures.

If You Go:Rates at Bawah Reserve start from $1,980 per night for two people on a full board basis including daily spa treatments, laundry, in-room minibar, a host of land and water-based activities. For more information visitbawahreserve.com.

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Celebrate World Oceans Day 2021 All Year Round At These Sustainable Luxury Resorts - Forbes

Why agents need to have villas and private homes in their sights – TTG

Margot Estate in Corfu features with Luxury Villa Living

With villas, residences at hotels and private high-end home rentals already having been in growth mode before the pandemic, there are now so many great places to be found, whether in typical hot spots that might (eventually) make the green list this summer or more exotic options for future planning, especially for those looking for family reunion and special occasion locations.

With a growing portfolio, including the most recent addition of almost 100 properties around Cannes, onefinestay is more than happy to work with agents, opening up a top-notch little black book in the Cote dAzur for whenever France clears its amber status, and further afield too.

Our villa bookings have held up over the last year, and this year are stronger than ever; we are also seeing our average booking value rise, says Amanda Dyjecinski, chief brand and marketing officer for onefinestay. Services such as a helicopter ride to a private island for lunch and in-villa services such as celebration dinners have also become increasingly popular, as guests still want indulgent experiences, while limiting contact with others.

Seeing the way the market was moving, Relais & Chateaux has just launched a villa portfolio of its own too, presenting 500 villas across 30 countries, from grand palazzos on Mediterranean islands to a cliff-top cabin in Sri Lanka. The range is fully searchable online by destination or holiday interest, such as beachside, private pools, call of the wild or wine lovers. And agents can access the range via a dedicated section of the website, or 24/7 via a call to the global reservations team.

Now, more than ever, our guests value personal space, and our collection of incredible villas can give them confidence and peace of mind without compromising on hospitality, says Philippe Gombert, president of Relais & Chateaux. Our villa guests can expect the same level of refined service as if they were staying in one of our hotels how much they want and when is entirely up to them. This is an essential component of our ability to evolve and thrive as we begin to think beyond the pandemic.

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Why agents need to have villas and private homes in their sights - TTG

Privacy Is the New Luxury: 5 Caribbean Destinations Offering Ultra-Luxe Experiences – Yahoo Finance

The last year has brought challenges and changes to the travel landscape, particularly luxury, but the concerted efforts and solution-oriented approach that the Caribbean region executed has been incredibly impactful and dynamic as we look ahead, together.

While each island nation has developed unique protocols and strategies to help maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle, the collective region has had a consistency in messaging that can and should be directly linked back to the recent growth in inquiries, web visits and bookings. At The Hartling Group, we already have seen a number of sold out weeks in 2021 and a promising forecast for the summer and fall ahead, a welcome change from 2020 and a positive outlook in travel trends moving forward.

What the Caribbean offers is a diverse collection of exceptionally private escapes that are easily accessible from the U.S., which in the current travel climate, has been highly sought after and in line with what the high net worth traveler is looking for. Travel Age West reported that an American Express survey found 44 percentwere willing to pay more for a hotel where they could easily socially distance and 80 percent of respondents indicated that they were more likely to book a vacation to an uncrowded area or one offering private accommodations. Searches and bookings for private islands and private flights follow this same pattern.

Here are the Caribbean luxury gems that are offering the ultimate in privacy, service and experiences:

The Shore Club Turks & Caicos is the only resort on Long Bay Beach, Providenciales most pristine stretch of oceanfront real estatea less crowded and more discreet location to spend vacation or extended time away. Alongside the 106 guest rooms and suites, four pools, four dining venues, a wellness center and Dune Spa, the six private estate villas are the standout accommodations for exclusive escapes. With private plunge pools, personal beach access, stocked kitchens and even underground tunnel access, the stand-alone villas embody the best of indoor-outdoor living. They are the most sought after in the Caribbean and have hosted celebrities like actress Chrissy Metz and comedian Tracy Morgan. The resort itself offers direct access to the beach and a variety of activities like paddleboarding, kayaking and boat excursions.

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Jade Mountain in St. Lucia is known for its three-walled, open-air sanctuaries that are accessible by private bridges that extend from the main resort. The oversized suites feature private infinity pools, sweeping views of the twin Piton mountains and Caribbean Sea and 24/7 butler service. The resort offers private experiences geared towards relaxation, adventure and cultural exploration, from en suite spa treatments and learning to make signature sweets at the onsite Chocolate Lab to organic farm tours, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving to hiking the Gros Piton with a personal hiking butler who comes equipped with gourmet canaps and cold towels.

Necker Island, located in the British Virgin Islands, has reopened following a two-year closure after its destruction by Hurricane Irma. Stays on Necker Island generally require a full buy-out, which means guests have the entire place to themselves. Guests visiting in 2021 will be among the first to experience the new island following its restoration, including the brand new Bali Hi complex featuring an extended pool and outdoor lounges, as well as private pools in the individual Bali villas. Travelers to Necker get to interact with local wildlife, like lemurs, and can enjoy an abundance of water sports, like snorkeling off the shore.

Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is a Relais & Chteaux property, located in the high-end gated community of Cap Cana for next level privacy. Perched on a private beach, the property offers travelers an ultra-luxe boutique Caribbean experience. The 30,000-acre luxury resort is home to luxury accommodations (from multi-bed villas with private pools to beachfront suites), several dining destinations that celebrate regional produce, a brand-new spa and wellness experience and family-friendly programming.

The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, located on Paradise Island, Bahamas, is the ultimate destination for those seeking an ultra-luxe and private retreat. Some of the most sought after accommodations include the three- and four-bedroom beachfront villa residences that offer the glamour and luxury for which the resort is known. For an extended stay option, the new Home by The Ocean Club is a home-away-from-home concept designed to embody all the aspects of a luxury home with personalized pre-arrival designs (including family picture frames and decor).

Karen S. Whitt is the VP of Marketing for The Hartling Group (which owns and operates three Turks & Caicos luxury properties). She is also a longtime board member for the Caribbean Travel + Hotel Association and an award-winning former GM.

The post Privacy Is the New Luxury: 5 Caribbean Destinations Offering Ultra-Luxe Experiences appeared first on Worth.

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Privacy Is the New Luxury: 5 Caribbean Destinations Offering Ultra-Luxe Experiences - Yahoo Finance

Be the ruler of your own island on BC’s Sunshine Coast for just over $1 million – BC News – Castanet.net

Bob Kronbauer/Vancouver is Awesome - Jun 7, 2021 / 10:09 am | Story: 336203

Photo: LandQuest

As the B.C. real estate market continues to heat up and people start to look farther afield for property to invest in, one Lower Mainland real estate company is offering a rural escape that could see you be the owner of your own island.

From tiny parcels of land for $40,000 to semi-remote 10,000-acre cattle ranches, LandQuest Realty bills itself as "The Source' for Oceanfront, Lakefront, Islands, Ranches, Resorts & Land in British Columbia."

Among its listings is a two-and-a-half acre private island a few minutes from Saltery Bay on the Sunshine Coast, just 30 minutes from the town of Powell River.

Listed at $1,089,000, Dragonfly Island has what LandQuest is calling a small "starter cabin" and a dock, and more than enough room for a nicer, more permanent structure.

It has "panoramic seascapes" looking out onto Texada and other islands, as well as lots of trees, including one "beautiful gnarled mature Arbutus tree... found outcropping on the ledge of the south eastern tip bordering this site."

"Presenting various resourceful attributes, the Island's surroundings gift abundant oyster beds, clams, salmon, cod and prawn fishing," the listing adds.

In the heady atmosphere of Vancouver real estate, $1 million puts buyers in teardown territory, making this island an attractive option.

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Be the ruler of your own island on BC's Sunshine Coast for just over $1 million - BC News - Castanet.net

This Riviera-inspired island resort will be the ultimate party hotspot – What’s On

The incredible island is just a 20-minute boat ride from Dubai

Ever fancied visiting the ultra-chic French Riviera, home to Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez, but dont fancy the seven hour-plus flight from the UAE? What if we told you that you could get a slice of all that Mediterranean action on an island just a 20-minute boat ride from Dubai?

Say hello to the Cote dAzur Resort which can be found on the excitingThe Heart of Europe development on The World Islands. This incredible new resort, decked out in no less than 60 hues of the rainbow, is set to be the ultimate new party hotspot when it opens, slated to be later on in 2021.

The resort is set to reflect the vibrant French Riviera port cities, with each 220-room hotel being named after each: Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St Tropez. The hotels will be connected by four lagoon swimming pools which join together to form one gigantic waterway eight times larger than an olympic swimming pool.

overseer

Youll reach the resort by boat, where youll walk up a wooden pier to be greeted with arrival drinks, reminiscent of the signature arrival to the Maldives. An expansive golden beach stretches out ahead of you, dotted with blue and green deck chairs, with the brightly coloured hotels beyond.

The five-star resort will boast six stunning restaurants (including a luxury champagne and piano bar), a pool and beach club, with fiveswimming pools on the sea front, including private pools, luxury beach cabanas, entertainment area and games room, fitness facilities and a squash court.

The World Islands is a one-of-a-kind project, and one developed in line with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubais vision for the future of Dubais tourism sector. A large part of this development is The Heart of Europe a Dhs18.3 billion fully sustainable project comprising of seven distinct islands.

Keep this one on your radar its going to be big

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This Riviera-inspired island resort will be the ultimate party hotspot - What's On

The private islands you can rent in France, Spain and Greece from just 12pp a night… – The Sun

FAMILIES who want a bit of space for their next holiday don't have to splash the cash for a private island, surprisingly.

Head across to Europe and you can find some bargains for just 12 each, per night - here are the best places to book for your next holiday with friends and family members.

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Located off the coast of Vis island, the villa has modern bathrooms and two bedrooms, as well as amazing views of the sea.

An outdoor terrace area has almost panoramic views of the ocean.

There is nothing else on the island, which is accessible by private boat or transfer.

Costing around 640 per night, it means you could pay just 106 a night each if staying with five people.

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Saponohoma Greek Island Villa is located on the Greek Island of Ios - just next door to Santorini.

On the island is a traditional blue and white vila, with room for 13 people.

There is also a housekeeper and cook to assist you when staying, with fresh coffee and fruits for breakfast.

It costs 450 (382) per person for a week, working out to 54 each.

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Located near Venice in Italy, the 50 acre island is called Valle Falconera, and is home to a 6-bedroom pink farmhouse.

The Airbnb propertyis accessible by boat which goes across the lagoon surrounding the land.

While rustic, the rooms can welcome up to 16 guests at a time, but you can rent each of the private rooms separately as well.

It costs 516 per night - but if you can find 15 friends, will set you back just 32 each a night.

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A tiny laakeside chalet is a more modest island stay, surrounde dby water and trees.

Inside is just a bedrom and shower, so don't expect much luxury, but is perfect to get away from everyone for a quiet trip.

There is WiFi, however, as well as a Finnish hot tub and the house caretaker will also organise breakfast include croissants and juice in the mornings.

It is ideal for couples, and will cost you 81 each per night.

7

Head to Spain and you can rent an entire island with a castle.

Located near Madrid, the castle and glamping tents can welcome up to 38 people.

Inside the castle are four bedrooms, sleeping eight, with five luxury bell tents outside for six people, and starts from 428 per night.

Perfect for events or large holidays, there are beaches with water sports activities to keep everyone entertained, while not seeing another soul during the stay.

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An hour from Oslo is Vestery, where you will find a tiny cabin, which sleeps up to eight people.

Don't expect luxury here either - there is no running water and electricity is unreliable but you can get free drinking water at the grocery store.

However anyone who wants to be closer to nature can cook over the bonfire and do a food shop using the boat.

If you can find seven mates who don't mind bunking on the floor, it will cost just 190 a night, or 23 each.

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Scotland's many islands are uninhabited, but Isle of Skye has a former staff house open to visitors.

The cottage sleeps up to eight people with four bedrooms.

You won't see anyone else, apart from some wild animals, but it is easy to get to by boat and you can cross the shore for a visit to the nearby pub.

Stays start from around 550 per night, so get five friends and you can pay 91 each a night.

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If money isn't the problem, Sun Online Travel has also previously rounded up theluxury private islands you can buy.

A private island in the Bahamas is also up for sale, with six miles of private beach.

Earlier this year, we also reported on what's reportedly theworld's most expensive resort.

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The private islands you can rent in France, Spain and Greece from just 12pp a night... - The Sun

A New Private-Island Resort in the US Virgin Islands – Caribbean Journal

Theres a new private-island destination resort in the Caribbean.

Its called Lovango Resort + Beach Club, and its set on Lovango Cay just off the coast of St John.

The resort among the first new-build properties in the destination in three decades; its also home to a luxury beach club open to visitors traveling by yacht, ferry or boat.

Its the first Caribbean property for Little Gem Resorts, which is best known for owning and operating the Nantucket Hotel and Resort and the Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Marthas Vineyard.

The new resort is completely sustainable, powered by wind and solar energy, while converting seawater to potable water for drinking, bathing and cooking.

The resort is also partnering with the University of the Virgin Islands to restore the coral around the island.

The Beach Club restaurant, which is also now open, is helmed by Chef Stephen Belle, whose previous experience includes leading Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys.

The resort also includes Villa Lovango, a 5,400-square-foot villa with three bedrooms, an outdoor shower, a private patio and a private pool, among other amenities.

Over the course of 2021, the property will begin building a glamping offering that will consist of luxury tents; Lovango additionally plans to open new accommodations on the island each year through 2025.

Theres also a real estate component, with 14 private lots for sale, according to the company.

For more, visit Lovango Resort and Beach Club.

CJ

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A New Private-Island Resort in the US Virgin Islands - Caribbean Journal

Escape the island with a staycation on a smaller one – BreakingNews.ie

Desperate to escape the island of Ireland after the past year?

With international travel unlikely this summer, there may be a way to holiday away from the mainland in line with Covid-19 restrictions.

Uninhabited islands dotted along the length of Irelands coast provide the perfect solution for a socially-distanced staycation, and provide the illusion that you're somehow getting away. Quarantining never looked so idyllic.

Described as an idyllic getaway on a wild Irish island, Inishcoo House is a restored eighteenth-century coastguard house standing on an uninhabited 109-acre island off the Donegal coast.

The unspoilt car-free island boasts four natural sand beaches, an inland lake and a shipwreck. Accessible only by private boat, it is a five-minute trip from the mainlands fishing village of Burtonport.

With unlimited potential for walking, boating and swimming activities, Inishcoo's boatman is also available for trips to scout seals, cliffs or the caves of neighbouring islands during your stay.

The house can sleep up to 24 guests across eight bedrooms, and has six acres of enclosed private gardens home to wild flowers, along with an old stone boathouse now equipped with table-tennis.

The base rate for up to eight guests, with additional guests costing 7 per person after that, is 700 per night during the high season of July and August visit AirBnB or its website.

This private island retreat is set among an archipelago of islands in the heart of Mayo's Clew Bay and is just a couple of minutes by high-speed boat from the mainland and the town of Westport.

The 600-acre island is the largest in the bay and is home to beaches, rolling green hills, fascinating wildlife and 360-degree views of Clew Bay from its highest point.

Guests of the lodge, which sleeps up to 22 people, gain exclusive use of the island during their stay and will be met with their own private bar, hot tub, steam room and private beach metres from the lodge.

Activities on offer include paddle-boarding, kayaking and a guided sea safari that promises potential sightings of dolphins, whales, orcas and sharks.

There's even assurances that Chinese takeaway can be delivered to the island.

Visit AirBnB or its website for rates.

Not quite ready for total isolation? Home to a population of around 600 people, Valentia Island is one of Ireland's most westerly points and is linked to the mainland by a bridge at the village of Portmagee.

The island is located on the Skellig ring, an extension of the famousRingof Kerry, and is just a short boat trip away from the monastic Skellig Island, a filming site for Star Wars.

A stay in the Bosss Farmhouse within the heart of the small island gives you full run of the traditional restored house and its garden, just a four-minute drive from the islands main village.

With Valentia described as a walkers paradise, one road from the house leads to the islands shore just a kilometre away, while another leads to a breath-taking cliff area on the island's north-facing side.

The rustic farmhouse can sleep six guests across three bedrooms, housing a potbelly stove in the kitchen and a living room with an open fireplace for cosy evenings and turf supplied free of charge.

Visit AirBnB for rates.

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Escape the island with a staycation on a smaller one - BreakingNews.ie

Immunity pods of family and friends start to venture out on private vaxications – The Boston Globe

Traveling together in vaccinated pods is giving people an increased level of confidence, said Kristin Hughes, a travel health and wellness expert. Theyre excited to go back out there, but its also a matter of control.

Travelers who are already vaccinated are 20 percent more likely than those who arent to have already booked their next vacation, a survey by the travel agency association Travel Leaders Network found.

But many are returning to the world with caution.

One of the most exciting parts of travel is interacting with locals, meeting new people, trying new foods, and even the mishaps, Hughes said. But right now I think people are easing into travel after taking a big break. And this is at least something.

Pods of family or friends are renting cottages together in the Catskills, cabins at family camps, entire inns and lodges, and even self-piloted houseboats on the Erie Canal. All-inclusive resorts are rebounding, since they preclude the need to travel off the property for drinks or dining. So are private home swaps.

The travel industry has taken note. Accommodations are adding pod concierges and arranging private pod excursions. Attractions are inviting pods to buy them out on certain days and times for private use.

Boston-based Overseas Adventure Travel has launched personalized private adventures for groups of as few as five and up to 16. The travel company Naya Traveler has come out with bubble trips to secluded destinations for small groups, from a private island in Belize to a villa at the edge of a nature preserve in the Turks and Caicos. Charter aviation company VistaJet has compiled a list of safe havens.

Montana and Wyoming, the least densely populated states after Alaska, are suddenly hot escapes. Dude ranches in particular are getting new business, including at luxury settings such as Red Reflet Ranch, a 28,000-acre guest ranch in Wyoming that has fully stocked cabins, private hiking, mountain biking and ATVing, and its own airport.

Canyon Ranch spas have seen an increase in group bookings, a spokeswoman said; Canyon Ranch in Lenox, along with other locations, lets pods book rooms, meals, activities, and fitness classes together.

Adventure travel companies report big increases in the number of people who want private tours; Heli, which offers adventure trips worldwide, said 90 percent reserved so far this year are private or semi-private, including a kite-surfing excursion to the Red Sea for which clients and crew will all be COVID-tested and live on a boat. In other cases, its arranging for immunity pods to book entire lodges.

People are calling and asking, Where can I go and do a full takeover? said Clark Winter, chief operating officer. A lot of lodges are starting to organize their dates in pods or groupings where different groups can take over the whole lodge.

The Inns of Aurora in New Yorks Finger Lakes region is letting pods fully book three of its inns, which have from seven to 11 guest rooms, and offers grocery delivery, private hiking and fishing, and lakeside fire pits; so far eight families have booked the inns for private pod vacations in the next few months, at $1,500 to $2,500 a night.

The Foundry Hotel in Asheville, N.C., which consists of five buildings, has seen guests ask for clusters of rooms in one or another of them so they can be on their own, said Nikki Phillips Stewart, director of sales.

They have their private entryways and exits, Stewart said. Its definitely a trend, and we think its going to stick around at least for this year.

Secret Bay, whose biggest markets include Boston, reports 19 inquiries from immunity pods just since the beginning of the year. Eleven have booked cabins there, which start at $838 a night.

A lot of other secluded travel options also tend to cater to the well-heeled. For $130,000 a week, for instance, pods can book Quasar Expeditions motor yacht Grace for a private Galapagos Cruise. At the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, guests can call the pod concierge to arrange private beach parties and private tours of nearby El Yunque National Forest. The Ritz-Carlton Residences on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu also has a pod concierge who can organize private cocktail hours, meals, and activities.

Private activities, away from crowds and strangers, are in high demand. Norris Hot Springs, a geothermal pool in Montana, can now be booked for two hours at a time by groups of 15 or fewer. Bruliam Wines in Sonoma County, Calif., is offering private group tastings.

As people emerge from COVID and their desire to travel expands, theyre going to be selective about what they choose to do and who they choose to travel with, proprietor and winemaker Kerith Overstreet said.

Private home-swapping is also trending. Home-swap company HomeExchange, in a survey of its members, found theyre looking for less crowded destinations and 85 percent prefer to stay in single-family homes. The UK-based Love Home Swap reports a 282 percent year-to-year increase in home exchanges.

People want to be able to control the environment theyre in, said Celia Pronto, managing director. They dont doubt that staying in a hotel will give them safety in their bedrooms. What they dont like is the public spaces, such as the lobbies and the pools.

Among the biggest beneficiaries of the vaxication craze are resorts with free-standing cabins or cottages. Chatham Bars Inn has homes with kitchens and gas grills. So does the Winnetu on Marthas Vineyard. The Roxbury, in the Catskills, has added cottages with pop-culture themes Draculas lair, comic book superheroes, Austin Powers created by a theatrical set designer. The Sagamore Resort on New Yorks Lake George has debuted its newly renovated First House, and will deliver prepared meals to it. And the Chalet at Urban Cowboy Lodge in the Catskills has added a new freestanding cabin.

These types of destinations that have separate units are positioning themselves as places where a group of friends can travel safely, said Leora Halpern Lanz, chair of the masters in management hospitality program at Boston Universitys School of Hospitality Administration.

Conventional resorts arent the only places that have cabins. So do family camps. Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisc., has had so many bookings that its building new cabins, owner Tereasa Surratt said. Its also setting aside separate coves, picnic tables, and even beach zones for visiting pods.

People have been isolated in a home for so long and this is a chance for them to get out with their bubble, Surratt said.

Winnetu owner Mark Snider and his wife, Gwenn, had the good timing to add a private island to their portfolio (the Sniders also own the Nantucket Hotel); their Lovango Resort + Beach Club opened in December in the US Virgin Islands, with a private villa and more planned.

Though guests can travel the 10 minutes by ferry to St. John and St. Thomas, said Snider, half of them never leave the grounds.

People do like the fact that they can travel again and feel a sense of freedom, he said. But safely.

Jon Marcus can be reached at jonmarcusboston@gmail.com.

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Immunity pods of family and friends start to venture out on private vaxications - The Boston Globe

Royal Caribbean Thanks Emergency Services, NHS And Armed Forces With UK Homecoming, Set For This Summer – KPVI News 6

LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Royal Caribbean International is setting a spectacular soundtrack this summer with its return to the UK. The cruise line has announced that Anthem of the Seas, a firm favorite in the region, will begin sailing from Southampton, England as soon as this 7th July. UK families can choose from a combination of 4-night Ocean Getaways in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Plus, in recognition of the tremendous efforts of the emergency services, National Health Service (NHS), social care sector and armed forces over the last year, Royal Caribbean will offer 999 free staterooms on its first Ocean Getaways to those UK residents in these professions.

The new summer itineraries open for bookingson 7th April. Sailing with fully vaccinated crew, the cruises at this time will be available to UK residents above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results. These current health and safety measures, like others, may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Pre-registration for guests eligible for one of the 999 free staterooms open on 13th April, and final names will be drawn from a ballot by the end of April.

"The UK is a place we hold near and dear to our heart at Royal Caribbean. We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton,"said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International."We are delighted with the UK government's recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favorite such asAnthem of the Seas.After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind."

Welcoming guests of all ages, each and every aspect of Anthem of the Seas has been designed to repeatedly make this ship a top hit and favorite in the UK.From globally renowned entertainment and high-adrenaline activities, to a variety of cuisines from around the world, the award-winning ship makes for the perfect high-tech playground and relaxing getaway that will consistently wow and delight from bow to stern. Top highlights on board include:

On land there is adventure to be had in Liverpool, Scotland and Belfast. Liverpool is not only the birthplace of The Beatles and home to Premier League football clubs, but also a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that boasts a wealth of maritime history and modern art. Plus in Kirkwall, on north Scotland's enchanting Orkney Islands, guests have in store some of the most picturesque landscapes in the UK and the opportunity to discover and learn about the Viking heritage of this ancient Norse town. Belfast presents the perfect gateway to exploring Northern Ireland, known for its historic landmarks, ancient Irish castles and stunning natural terrain.

Guests can rest assured their well-being and that of the crew members and communities visited are Royal Caribbean's top priorities. Details on the health and safety measures to be implemented for the summer cruises in the UK will be announced at a later date. The comprehensive, multilayered health and safety measures will continue to be led by science and leverage expert guidance from theHealthy Sail Panel, Royal Caribbean Group's Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, and local government and health authorities.

Royal Caribbean's new UK sailings continue the cruise line's measured and safe return to cruising the world once again. They follow months of successful cruises in Singapore, with more than 50,000 guests to date who have sailed aboard Quantum of the Seas, as well as the recently announced plans for the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas to cruise from Haifa, Israel, and cruises from The Bahamas with Adventure of the Seas, Bermudawith Vision of the Seas and Cyprus with Jewel of the Seas. For more information on Anthem's limited series of summer cruises, visit RoyalCaribbean.uk.

Notes to Editors

To be eligible for one of the free sailings, UK residents must be able to show proof of an official Blue Light Card, which is available to those working in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces.Free sailings can be secured by pre-registering through the Royal Caribbean International website starting 13th April 2021. Pre-registrations will be entered into a ballot to be drawn by the end of April. Further terms, conditions and information on how to pre-register for the free sailings will be available from 7th April on the Royal Caribbean website.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean Internationalhas been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas,Perfect Day at CocoCay,the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 18 consecutive years in theTravel WeeklyReaders' Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following@RoyalCaribPRon Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of itsHealthy Sail Panelof public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation onall ofits sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements.U.S. cruises and guests: Formore information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.

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SOURCE Royal Caribbean International

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Royal Caribbean Thanks Emergency Services, NHS And Armed Forces With UK Homecoming, Set For This Summer - KPVI News 6

Camping Returns To Apostle Islands National Lakeshore – National Parks Traveler

Camping will be allowed at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore this year./NPS file

Camping on the islands of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin will return this summer.

To protect the health of those who work and visit national parks, face masks are required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS facilities. With the support of public health professionals, park operations will be regularly evaluated and adjusted based on local conditions.

Reservations for all camping must be made in advance throughRecreation.govor parkvisitor centers.

Campsites within the park have size limits and specific reservation timelines:

There is no car or RV camping within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Campsites within the national lakeshore must be reached by boat, except for the Mainland 1 campsite, which can also be accessed by hiking 6 miles.

Avariety of state park and private campgroundswith facilities for car and RV camping are available in the Bayfield area and on Madeline Island. Madeline Island is not part of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and access is by private boat or ferry.

Due to the advanced nature of kayaking and varying weather conditions on Lake Superior,proper planning is required. Kayakers with little or no experience on Lake Superior are encouraged to go with professional guides authorized tooperate within the park. If you need boat transportation, private water taxis are available from many companies authorized toprovide services in the park.

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Camping Returns To Apostle Islands National Lakeshore - National Parks Traveler

Staycation in Scotland: 6 remote and beautiful Scottish Island escapes – HeraldScotland

Looking for a post-lockdown getaway? Let Andrea Pearsonbe your guide with this selection of hotels on some ofScotlands most remote and beautiful islands...

Contrast the romance of the Orkneys Islands ancient past with the taste of contemporary Scottish cuisine at The Foveran, the islands beloved restaurant with rooms overlooking the sparkling waters of Scapa Flow.

The family-run hotel is a foodie paradise having twice won the Orkney Food Festival Best Evening Meal Award. Chef and proprietor Paul Doull sources local livestock, fish, and a surprising array of fruit and vegetables grown in the long hours of summer daylight to create seasonal menus. Kirkwall Bay scallops, lobsters and langoustines are among the star attractions, along with grass-fed beef, Grimbister Farm cheese and North Ronaldsay mutton which gets its distinctive texture and flavour from feeding on seaweed along the rugged island shoreline.

Finish the day with a dram of famous Highland Park whisky from Kirkwall. The kitchen also keeps the tradition of baking bere bunno or bannock, using stone-ground beremeal flour from the Barony Mill.

All eight of the rooms have recently been renovated to create the perfect stop between visits to some of the islands Neolithic sites.

http://www.thefoveran.com/

2. Jurassic lark

Perhaps Scotlands most romantic island, Skye offers rocky skylines, sandy beaches, castles, ancient monuments, and other-worldly geology if you are very lucky you might spot an actual dinosaur footprint. The four-star Marmalade hotel in Portree is a beautiful blend of historic manor house and contemporary architecture. Any time here is best spent sitting back to allow the dramatic landscapes envelop you like a huge tartan blanket.

The rooms and suites are contemporary and exquisitely stylish, but it is the views from the generously-sized windows that really make you realise that you are not in Kansas any more. Drink in the wonderful landscapes while enjoying complete comfort in your room with Nespresso coffee machines, Bose music systems, and beds draped in luxurious linens.

And new for this year is a stylish and Covid-safe outdoor seating area where the evening can be enjoyed around a roaring fire in the firepit.

By day, explore the lush gardens to enjoy the views over the harbour village and the Cuillins. Every stay in the hotel is completed by fine dining in the hotels excellent Chargrill restaurant.

perlehotels.com/marmalade

3.Remote control

Scarista House on Harris is quite simply one of the most beautiful and remote places to stay in Scotland, with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, heather-covered mountains, and a three-mile long sandy beach.

This comfortable, elegant hotel and restaurant is set within a 200-year-old manse with 3ft-thick walls, atmospherically creaky floorboards, and real fires.

Cooking is a serious business, and the menu is meticulously created using as much organic, wild and homegrown produce as is possible, while all bread, cakes, biscuits and ice cream are homemade.

Scarista House is the only Outer Hebrides restaurant to be featured in Alastair Sawdays Eat Slow Britain, and it is listed in the Michelin Guide. It is also the kind of place to bring the dog (by arrangement) for a good run on the beach and resident pooches Brodie and Maud are very welcoming.

scaristahouse.com

4.Private property

Ever dreamed about having your own island? A stay at the Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island can make this a reality.

And you dont even need to negotiate yourself on and off the CalMac ferry this island is joined to the mainland, just north of Oban, via a small, private bridge. Relax in your private island hideaway as Highland cattle graze, badgers visit, and otters and grey seals swim in and out of the sparkling seaweed along the shorelines.

Or live the sporting life by joining in traditional activities such clay pigeon shooting, archery or Viking-inspired axe throwing. With a nine-hole golf course and the chance of croquet on the lawn, it is very much a lairds weekend.

eriska-hotel.co.uk

5. For peats sake

For a truly indulgent break away filled with luxuries and seven miles of bleached white sands, it might be hard to beat the wonder that is the Machrie Hotel & Golf Links. Islay is, of course, peated whisky heaven and a birdwatchers paradise, but The Machrie now adds a championship links golf course into the mix.

Originally an 18th-century farmhouse, The Machrie reopened in 2018 with 47 new rooms, suites and lodges enjoying stunning views across the links or to the sea. Find apres-golf (or even anti-golf) treats at the hotels gym and spa or book a trip with Islay Sea Adventure to see seals, white-tailed sea eagles, and occasionally a basking shark.

On fine evenings, dine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the sea and top the day off with some of Scotland very finest whiskies. Slainte.

campbellgrayhotels.com/machrie-islay-scotland

6. Coll of the wild

The little island of Coll, all 13 miles by three miles of it, offers the epitome of social distancing. And if the call of Coll gets you in summer 2021, The Coll Hotel as the only hotel and pub on the island is where you will probably find yourself.

The hotel is known for delicious, freshly-caught seafood expect lobster, crab and langoustine as well as delicious Hebridean grass-fed lamb. As is the case with many a small island kitchen, homemade just about everything is the order of the day.

A stunning array of chutneys, marmalade, jams, pickles, breads, ice cream, and pastas are all made at the hotel. By day, explore the could-be-the-Caribbean beaches or take the binoculars to spot birds in the remote but spectacular RSPB reserve.

collhotel.com

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Staycation in Scotland: 6 remote and beautiful Scottish Island escapes - HeraldScotland

Ghislaine Maxwell Faces Two New Trafficking Charges, Raising Pressure On Prince Andrew And Others Listed In Jeffrey Epsteins Little Black Book -…

Party Like It's 1999: A February 2000 event at Mar-a-Lago. From left, then-real estate developer ... [+] Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Ghislaine Maxwell has had a tough winter. During January and February this year, her attorneys have filed serial motions to dismiss part or all of the charges against her that have yet to succeed. For their part, the prosecutors of the Southern District of New York have been hard at work digging up evidence to do the exact opposite, namely, to widen the scope of the case she faces at trial, still foreseen to begin in Manhattan on July 12. The new now-eight-count indictment of the British socialite, pictured above at a Mar-a-Lago party with Epstein and Donald Trump in 2000, was released on March 29.

Specifically, federal attorneys have increasedthe time frame of her alleged criminal activity by seven years, to 2004 from 1997, and, based on evidence from a new witness, have added two significant new charges, the first, conspiracy to sex traffic (with Jeffrey Epstein), and the second, sex-trafficking of a minor. Both charges are based on the government's evidence obtained from an alleged victim named by the prosecutors as "minor victim-4." In other words, the new charges do more than just bring the number of counts she faces up by a third. The indictment now brings to four the number of minor females that the government has found who allege that they were recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell for Jeffrey Epstein's subsequent exploitation.

Royal Ascot Race Meeting, Ladies Day: Prince Andrew, Duke Of York and Ghislaine Maxwell At Ascot. ... [+] (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Maxwell's attorneys have yet to respond, but the increase in time frame in which her alleged criminal behavior occurred and the existence of minor victim-4, who was reportedly recruited by Maxwell when she was fourteen, presents Maxwell and her legal team with yet another direct accusation of tremendous gravity with which they must contend. As first submitted in summer 2020, the indictment presented the Maxwell team with a highly complex, multi-pronged fight. Now, that will be layered with, presumably, a believable then-young witness who reportedly underwent serial abuse from Epstein and Maxwell at the beginning of her teenage years. Suffice it to say that any jury would be moved by listening to testimony such as that.

Drinks With Friends: Ghislaine Maxwell and Piers Morgan attend a party in 2013 in New York City. ... [+] (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Unlike that of Virginia Roberts-Giuffre, whose testimony is not included in the trial, the narrative of minor victim-4 does not include national or international travel, but that, according to the indictment, was only because she turned down the invitation from Ghislaine Maxwell to help her get a passport.

For her part in further investigating Epstein, U.S. Attorney Denise George is not done with her assessment of the many Epstein flight logs into and out of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in whose jurisdiction Little Saint James, Epstein's private island, falls. What that means for Prince Andrew and many other denizens of Epstein's 'little black book' who visited Little Saint James at Epstein's invitation, remains to be seen.

Despite that unresolved flight-log investigation, the redoubled pretrial federal pressure on his good friend Ghislaine Maxwell means that Andrew's difficulties in being able to find ways to delay his cooperation with the U.S. prosecutors will grow rather than diminish. The Southern District of New York prosecutors have also announced that they will be submitting at the Maxwell trial evidence from their investigation of Epstein, himself, that includes statements from an extraordinary 250-plus additional witnesses, which, as in the Virgin Islands inquiry, will include service staff.

In short, in addition to the hard, direct accusations of criminal behavior within the March 29 amended indictment, Ghislaine Maxwell's prosecutors are literally bringing a mountain of circumstantial evidence that places their quarry firmly at the center of Epstein's operations. In other words, the prosecutors will present a detailed schematic of the Epstein procurement operation's reporting structure, in which Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly exercised a tremendous amount of responsibility. That will increase the likelihood of Andrew's presence at this or that Epstein venue or event coming into the courtly discussion, for instance, his presence at the dinner held in his honor in Epstein's mansion in December 2010, attended by, among other denizens of the Epstein black book, Woody Allen, Katie Couric, disgraced former broadcaster Charlie Rose, and political pundit George Stephanopolous.

The indictment raised the question of whether Ghislaine Maxwell's defense team would have the time to prepare to fight these additional charges by the July 12 start of the proceeding. Clearly, by releasing the amended indictment more than 90 days before that courtroom date, the government's opinion is that three-plus months is sufficient. In light of their to date unsuccessful attempts at winnowing the charges facing their storied client, it's considered likely that Ms. Maxwell's attorneys will be arguing that point differently.

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Ghislaine Maxwell Faces Two New Trafficking Charges, Raising Pressure On Prince Andrew And Others Listed In Jeffrey Epsteins Little Black Book -...

Private Plane Vacation Packages Are the Big New Thing in Resort Travel – InsideHook

Crowded airports. Long lines. Jam-packed seating. Nuisances in the best of times; nightmares during a pandemic. With much of global travel grinding to a halt over the course of 2020, a safer, and swankier, solution has arisen: private plane vacation packages. While far from a new idea, theyve never been more popular and prudent, and theres a growing contingent of hotels, resorts and tour operators who are looking to whisk you away.

So it was that with a fresh negative COVID-19 test stashed in my pocket and a mask on my face, I hopped aboard a Makers Air private flight at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport bound for Andros Island in the Bahamas. There were four passengers on the plane, including myself, and two bottles of sparkling wine. I liked my odds. The destination was Caerula Mar Club, a luxury resort on South Andros offering private beachfront villas and suites with direct pool or beach access.

If the hotel sounds familiar, then youve been keeping up to speed with your reality television during lockdown. The resort and its owners, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, are the subject and stars or vice-versa, depending on your perspective of HGTVs Renovation Island, a show which follows the couples hands-on transformation of the property from shuttered and out of date to a classy, modern and now finally reopened boutique hotel.

A Makers Air flight sailing over the Caribbean

Makers Air

Caerula Mar is currently offering the Caerula in Style package, which includes round-trip private flights from FXE airport and five nights in a private villa for up to eight guests, as well as all meals and alcohol, and a number of other inclusions, starting at $40,000 for travel through the end of August 2021. From private plane to private villa, the idea is that you can vacation with your family (or whomever youve ensnared in your pandemic pod) and be as safe and isolated as possible while still capitalizing on a supremely luxe travel experience.

People still want to travel, but they have a much higher expectation of safety and security than in the past, says Sarah Baeumler. Instead of leaving things to chance with commercial air carriers, flying private gives travelers control. Its also perfect for groups who have been quarantined together to get away safely. Its much easier to get where youre going, its more comfortable and isolated.

Her resort has partnered with Makers Air for flights from Florida as well as Apollo Jets for flights from across the U.S. All you have to do is show up with the appropriate negative PCR test and matching health certificate visa from the Bahamas, and the rest will be taken care of for you.

The private flights allow our guests to get here hassle-free, so they can spend more of their vacation relaxing and enjoying the island, Baeumler says. Were definitely seeing an uptick in requests and bookings for villa accommodations, particularly extended villa stays, so it seemed natural to pair the villas with our private flight offering.

With only a few dozen rooms including the villas, Caerula Mar feels like your own private paradise even when your personal pod crosses paths with one or two others. Youll basically have the run of the joint and its pristine, white sandy beachfront, and all the while, you can fill your days with snorkeling or diving excursions, sailing trips, secluded beach picnics, hikes to one of the islands blue holes or even cooking classes with the chef, Sebastian Perez, who makes it his mission to interact with every group and cook something special based upon their preferences. (Cheat code: Lobster mac n cheese.)

Whether it was a mid-flight sip of Champagne while looking down on strings of small islands or the first taste of a toes-in-the-sand pia colada while observing the impossibly blue Bahamian waters, early on in this endeavor something clicked. A major stress relief valve was opened deep in the interiors of my psyche, and a wave of contented relaxation crashed down upon me. Its what Baeumler refers to as experiencing the essence of their barefoot luxury approach, and what I call simply savoring the moment. Unhinged Twitter timelines, vaccine waiting lists and political conspiracy theories seemed millions of miles away.

Such a mental escape, momentary as it may be, feels more important and more necessary than ever, and all the better if you can experience it while taking proper precautions to keep yourself and those around you safe. A private plane vacation was always thought of as a nicer option, but I think now its been rebranded as a safer one, Baeumler says.

When it comes to private plane vacations, youre always encouraged to dream big. Thankfully, theres no shortage of options as you prepare to plan for your 2021 adventures.

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Private Plane Vacation Packages Are the Big New Thing in Resort Travel - InsideHook

Valentine’s Special: 16 Spectacular Heart-Shaped Islands and Lakes on Earth (PHOTOS) | The Weather Channel – Articles from The Weather Channel |…

2. Heart Island, Galesnjak, Croatia

View of Heart Island, Galesnjak, Croatia. The privately-owned island is one of the world's few naturally occurring heart-shaped objects. (paulprescott72/Thinkstock)

Mother Nature has a romantic side, and it shows in these spectacular natural displays of hearts all over the world. This Valentine's Day, explore the stunning heart-shaped islands and lakes dotting the Earth from a sun-drenched island resort in Fiji to a small lake high in the Swiss Alps.

1. Galesnjak, Croatia

View of Heart Island, Galesnjak, Croatia. The privately-owned island is one of the world's few naturally occurring heart-shaped objects.

Located in the deep-blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, the private, heart-shaped island of Galesnjak, located in Zadarski Kanal between Zadar and the Island of Pasmanin Croatia, came to the attention of romantics everywhere via Google Earth. It wasn't long before the owner of the uninhabited islandwas swamped with requests from couples to stay there, according to the Telegraph. As the most perfectly heart-shaped island in the world, Galesnjak, also known as Lover's Island, may serve as a romantic wedding venue (the island is available for bookings). But it won't be convenient: The tiny island is completely deserted, containing only wildvegetationand untouched beech forest, according to the official website.

2. Tupai, French Polynesia

A tiny atoll located just north of Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Tupai is a popular wedding spot and romantic getaway.

It's a common misconception that Tahiti is a heart-shaped island. But what many people may have been referring to is the heart-shaped atoll of Tupai in the island chain of Tahiti. For years, visitors (mostly couples) to French Polynesia only had the opportunity to fly Tupai via helicopter but Air Tahiti now offers flights to and from the island, according to GoTahiti.com. Tupai, about 11 miles to the north of Bora Bora, is fast becoming a popular wedding (and engagement) spot, with aerial tours and diving day trips also available. If you just want a glimpse of this romantic island, make sure to sit on the right side of the plane when departing Bora Bora.

3. Trnovacko Lake, Montenegro

View of the Trnovacko Lake lake in northern Montenegro, best known for its heart-like shape. The area is popular with local summer campers.

Located at the Bosnian-Montenegro border, Trnovacko Lake's beautiful heart shape makes itone of the most photographed locationsin the region, according to the Cross-Border National Parks website. The green-blue lake is 2,300 ft long and 1,300 ft wide set amidst a "huge amphitheatre of rocky peaks." The lake is drained from the Maglic, the Volujak and the Bioc hill ranges. According toLonely Planet: Western Balkans, the lake and its surrounding areas arepopular with local campers in the summer. There are several large beaches and a beech forest that provide shade during the hot summer days.

4. Heart Reef, Australia

Aerial view of the Heart Reef, a heart-shaped coral reef in the Coral Sea, in the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

The Heart Reef,a beautiful composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart in the Whitsunday Islands in Australia, is perhaps the most photographed location of the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays' most recognized attraction. It is best experienced from the air by helicopter or seaplane, as visitors are unable to snorkel or dive there due to its protected status, according to Live Science.

5. Lago di Tom, Switzerland

View of the Lago di Tom in the Piora Valley, in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland.

Lago di Tom is one of the main lakes in the Piora Valley,inTicino, Switzerland. Surrounded by the green peaks of the Ticenese Alps, the lake is one of the region's most scenic views, making it a popular hike.Aside from the heart-shaped wonder, however,tourists visit the valley for another rarity: local Alpine cheese, which is produced from the milk of cows that spent the summer high up on the mountains, according to the official website of Switzerland Tourism.

6. Tavarua, Fiji

Tavarua is a heart shaped island resort in Fiji known for its seven main surfing breaks. The island hosts annual professional surfing competitions.

The heart-shaped island resort of Tavarua in Fiji is considered one of the world's best surfing destinations. It's known as home to one of the most famous breaks in the surfing worldCloubreak. With waves breaking in the 10-20ft range, the island attracts surfers from all over the world. Located close to the main Fijian island, Viti Levu, and surrounded by a coral reef, Tavarua also offers a variety of vacation activities such as sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling and kayaking.

7. Coeur de Voh, New Caledonia

View of the Coeur de Voh, a natural large formation of mangrove vegetation that resembles a heart and can be seen only from above.

New Caledonia's Coeur de Voh, a large landscape formation of mangrove vegetation with a heart shape that can be seen only from above, was made famous byYann-Arthus Bertrand, who used an aerial photograph of the mangrove in his book"The Earth from Above."But its image constantly changes. As the mangrove vegetation changes,the colours and textures of the formation also change over time, according toKaren McKee of the U.S. Geological Survey - National Wetlands Research Center. Few people have seen the Coeur de Voh up close but in December 2012, a group of mangrove experts visited the location. They had to pass through a tangled forest of Rhizophoratrees to get there, but they found the area teeming with rich wildlife, such as mudskippers and tree-climbing crabs. The experts believe climate change may affect the heart shape of the Coeur de Voh in the future, however. With rising sea levels,Rhizophora trees may dominate the formationand obliterate the heart border and shape, according to a video produced by McKee.

8. Island near Port Chalmers, Alaska

Aerial view of a heart-shaped island near the Port Chalmers area, hidden in the beautiful fjords of Alaska.

While one may not be able to visit this heart-shaped island, lovers can enjoy this amazing aerial photograph taken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Located at Port Chalmers in Alaska, the tiny islanddisplays the colour banding ofvarious bands of marine and terrestrial flora, according to NOAA.

9. Lake Antrona, Piedmont, Italy

A general view shows the heart-shaped lake of Antrona, nothern Italy, on September 22, 2014, near Antrona Piana.

The heart-shaped lake of Antrona in Piedmont in northern Italy is a popular hike. Visitors can walk around this jewel in about an hour and it's fringed with numerous wondersfrom a picturesque waterfall to charming bridges and tunnels. It's also surrounded by some of the best mountain views of the region.

10.Lough Ouler, Wicklow Mountains, Ireland

Located in Ireland's Wicklow Mountains National Park, Lough Ouler is a lake formed in a cirque excavated by a glacier. 

Located in Ireland's Wicklow Mountains National Park, Lough Ouler is a lakeformed in a cirque excavated by a glacier.The name 'Ouler' was derived from 'Iolar,' Irish for eagle, suggesting that eagles were seen here in the past. The lake is enclosed on the east side by a series of moraines which allow only a small stream to flow out of the lake to join the Glenmacnass River, according to the official website for the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

11.St. Paul's Bay, Lindos, Rhodes, Greece

View of St. Pauls Bay, located just south of Lindos on the southeast coast of Rhodes, Greece.

The heart-shaped St. Paul's Bay in Lindos, on the southeast coast of Rhodes in Greece is one of the most beautiful bays on the island, featuring a stunning, sandy beach, turquoise-blue waters, and majestic views. It is believedthat St. Paul came here in the year 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. A small church built on the hillside to commemorate the visit has become a popular wedding venue, mainly because of the picturesque views of the bay and Lindos Acropolis visitors can enjoy from the site.

12.Llynnau Cwm Silyn, Snowdonia, Wales

The heart-shaped Llynnau Cwm Silyn (and its nearby twin lake Cwm Dulyn) is an inviting swimming hole, with clear, blue waters perfect for a refreshing dip after a hike.

Snowdonia in Wales boasts a magnificent landscape of mountains, valleys and forests dominated by the parks namesake peak. But it's also home to the Snowdonia National Park and stunning, sparkling lakes. One of these lakes, the heart-shapedLlynnau Cwm Silyn (and its nearby twin lake Cwm Dulyn)is an inviting swimming hole, with clear, blue waters perfect for a refreshing dip after a hike.

13.Lake Calvaresc, Switzerland

Located about 7,000 feet up the Calanca Mountain Trail between the Calanca and Mesolcina Valleys in the Swiss Alps, Lake Calvaresc is a stunning pool of water surrounded by scenic mountains views.

Located about 7,000 feet up the Calanca Mountain Trail between the Calanca and Mesolcina Valleys in the Swiss Alps, Lake Calvaresc is a stunning pool of water surrounded by scenic mountains views. Most hikers reach this beautiful, heart-shaped lake after three-day hiking trek from San Bernadino, staying in mountain huts along the way, according to Inhabitat.

14. Lake Heart, Khamar-Daban Mountains, Russia

A small, heart-shaped lake is seen near Russias Lake Baikal.

Trekkers to the Khamar-Daban mountains, a mountain range near Baikal Mountains in Siberia, Russia, and the Chersky Peak are rewarded by spectacular views of the massive, ancient Lake Baikal and Lake Heart, a small but stunning lake named for its romantic shape, on the mountain valley. Several tour companies offer guided treks of the Khamar-Daban mountains.

15.Heart-Shaped Lake, Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan

A majestic heart-shaped mountain lake is seen in Tien Shan mountains, Kyrgyzstan.

The Tien Shan mountains, also known as "Heaven's Mountains," in Kyrgyzstan's easternmost tip are home to the breathtaking landscape of towering peaks and hanging glaciers. The region is also home to iceberg-filled lakes, including a turquoise-blue heart-shaped gem.

16.Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Brazil

The heart-shaped Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon is photographed at dusk in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2019.

A lagoon in the district of Lagoa in the Zona Sul (South Zone) area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is also called the "heart of Rio de Janeiro" due to its shape.Connected to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing seawater to enter by a canal along the edge of a park, the lagoon also serves as a recreational area for local residents, with nearly three miles of bike and jogging trails, and boathouses for rowing, according to Viator Travel.

**

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Valentine's Special: 16 Spectacular Heart-Shaped Islands and Lakes on Earth (PHOTOS) | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel |...

Skulls, Private Islands, And Wu-Tang: Fun Things Jeff Bezos Could… – 2oceansvibe News

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Last week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced that he was stepping down as CEO of the company, with former Amazon cloud chief Andy Jassyset to take over.

Anybody familiar with Bezos management style knows he wont be stepping away completely, but the multi-multi-multi-billionaire is going to free up some time to pursue his other passions.

Those include The Day One Fund, the Bezos Earth Fund, and Blue Origin, his private spaceflight company.

The man has options.

If he decided he felt like spending his money a touch foolishly, The Verge has outlined a few ways he might splurge, whilst leaving a good hundred million dollars in his account for a rainy day.

At the time of running the calculations, Bezos net worth sat at $193,2 billion. Thats just a touch more than the Forbes real-time billionaire tracker, which now has his worth at $192,2 billion.

First up, your man Bezos could buy 1 932 diamond-bedazzled Damien Hirst skulls:

In 2007, artist Damien Hirst hit the headlines withFor the Love of God, a model of an 18th century European mans skull that was swathed in 8,601 diamonds. Oh, and those teeth? Those are the originals, from the dead guy.

The skull sold for a cool $100 million.

That large pear-shaped diamond in the centre of the artwork is called the Skull Star, and ranks amongst the most significant and exceptional coloured diamonds in the world.

Nobody is saying Bezos needs1 932 of these, but now he knows he could.

If he went full petrolhead, he could also snap up 64 400 Bugatti Chirons:

The Bugatti Chiron, a $3 million car, is the kind of thing car people geek out about: With fluid curves and angrily squinting headlights, this coupes exterior design communicates power and performance, and its standard 1500-hp engine endows it with acceleration capabilities worthy of a bullet train, writesCar and Driver, dreamily.

Does anybody need more than 64 000 vehicles? No.

How about a private island, then? Bezos knows better than to get involved in the messy business of buying Jeffrey Epsteins Paedophile Island, but if you shop around, you can find some zingers:

Okay, listen, pretty much any millionaire can afford a private islandbut Larry Ellisons island, Lanai, is special. (He owns 98 percent of it.)

For starters, its Hawaiian, which means a more salubrious climate than Nova Scotia. It has everything! An art collection worth millions, a resort hotel thats been featured on Secret Lives of the Super Rich, a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus that hosted Bill Gates wedding

Bezos could technically afford Ellisons island 644 times over, but thats not possible.

If he branched out, and perused whats on offer via Private Islands Online, he could snap up virtually every island worth in excess of $50 million and have change left over.

Is Bezos a huge Wu-Tang Clan fan? No idea, but in the hypothetical scenario that he woke up and decided he was, he may want to snap up the Martin Shkreli-owned Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, a Wu-Tang Clan album, of which there is just a single copy.

Shkreli paid about $2 million for the album, according to Bloomberg. In that 2015 story, Shkreli toyed with the idea of having artists make more private albums for him. Bezos could actually do this nearly a hundred thousand times.

He could create an entire private Beyonc catalog! Now thats what I call music.

With a price of $2 million, Bezos could afford the album a cool 96 600 times.

All that wanton spending above aside, Bezos could also make quite a difference in the lives of billions around the world.

His fortune is enough to end hunger in the US seven times over (its estimated that ending hunger would cost around $25 billion), or buy 9,6 billion doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine ($2 billion for 100 million doses).

That would be enough to vaccinate 4,8 billion people, with each vaccination requiring two doses.

Pretty wealthy, right? Yes, I know he doesnt have the full $190-odd billion lying around in disposable cash, and its linked to his Amazon ownership and so on, but allow the number-crunching above for the sake of escapism.

Last year, Bezos committed $10 billion to launch the Bezos Earth Fund targeting climate change, and $100 million to Feeding America, a network of more than 200 food banks across the country.

Next up, he may want to consider the working conditions of Amazon warehouse employees.

[source:verge]

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Skulls, Private Islands, And Wu-Tang: Fun Things Jeff Bezos Could... - 2oceansvibe News