If you want to be surprised by quality, and you love being pampered, and you don’t mind a long flight from Europe, and you like to name drop about having been to a place that almost nobody has heard of, then plump for The Princesse Bora Lodge on Ile Sainte Marie in Madagascar.

It would be fair to say I had never heard of it either, but as one of my dreams has always been to get close up and personal to whales, I am always looking for just a chance, and it was just by chance I found the Princess Bora Lodge, on the old pirate colony Island of Sainte-Marie .

You fly from Europe using Air France into Antananarivo (Tana), the lively Malagasy capital in the Central Highlands. On arrival proceed through customs and immigration and make your way to the domestic terminal for your flight to Sainte Marie.

When you arrive on the island airport you are picked up in a zebu chariot for the short journey to the Princesse Bora Lodge. In theory you could walk but it is a lot more fun this way.

You will be greeted perhaps by the owner himself, but certainly by uniformed staff. Although you will have read about this extraordinary hotel, you will still be surprised by how new, and beautifully designed it is. Madagascar is not renowned for its hotels, but this is the real exception.

Oh by the way, if you not only love whales, but want to get up real close and personal, then this must be the best place in the world to be between June and September, when literally hundreds and hundreds of humpback whales are in the waters offshore to breed.
Princesse Bora Lodge Ile Sainte Marie Madagascar is very heavily involved in the protection of the endangered humpback whales, and you will get fantastic opportunities to help in the scientific evaluations, as well as getting close enough to touch them.

To discuss the pros and cons of the Princesse Bora Lodge Ile Sainte Marie Madagascar almost seems churlish, because at this time of year visitors, and you will need to book early are there for the whales, not the great comfort and food.

You will however be very surprised by what you find when you eventually get there. This is a lovely place in quite beautiful surroundings

The accommodation is lovely, the ambience is lovely, the food, mainly seafood is quite splendid, the owner is worth the trip alone, and the whole ambience is amazing.
Go if you are a whalewatcher, go anyway if you are not.

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Chris Collison has contributed to www.worldwidevacationspots.com and uses it himself to investigate vacation destinations that are exciting and different

The Raffles Resort on Canouan is very special indeed, both beautiful, and relaxing, with stunning views.

Our villa was quite superb with two bathrooms, two big closets, a huge bedroom, and an enormous sitting room, up on the hill looking out to the reef, a view we couldn’t tire of, ever. The furnishings were very high class with Frette sheets.

To help you get around there are golf carts for every villa, which makes travelling around the resort pretty easy especially with members of staff to guide you wherever you go.

The staff were very attentive, and very good at remembering names, and wow, did they spoil their guests down at the beach!!

The restaurants are very good, especially La Varenne, and Jambu’s, in both places the chef makes a point of meeting the guests which is a nice touch, and should be done more often.

The golf course is difficult and offers wonderful views of the island, so much so, that even if you are a non golfer you should ask for a tour.

The spa is very nice with the massage situated to provide gorgeous views of the ocean.

It is well worth taking the Catamaran to the Tobago Keys, the crew and captain will just make your day.

There is a well organised kids club, and the children can come and go during the day.

Possibly one issue is the high price of food and drink, probably caused by the need to import everything, but as the resort is not a cheap option anyway I suspect most of the guests aren’t counting!!

This is a truly lovely place, and The Raffles resort has been well designed with great attention to detail, but remember it is still the Caribbean, and even in top resorts service can be slow!!!

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Kelly J. Wilson writes for and recommends www.worldwidevacationspots.com

We visited Lazy Lagoon after a safari, and what a place to unwind, and get the dust out of your pores.

It is a small private island lodge, and is run by Alex and Janie Fox, whose knowledge of Africa is just amazing.

You can only arrive one way, and that is by boat, and be warned you will get your feet and legs wet because you will have to wade ashore!!

When you get there a most pleasant surprise awaits because here in the back of beyond is a real Robinson Cruso island, a hidden, almost unknown gem, and speaking personally, I hope it stays that way!!

You will sleep in one of twelve bandas, set by the beach, which is actually about five miles of unspoilt white sand paradise. The bandas are well furnished, and have solar powered hot water, a large shady verandah with spacious rooms and big windows. They are constructed from palm leaf thatch in keeping with the local tradition, and with a wooden panelled interior. The verandahs are perfect for relaxing in a hammock, and watching the fishing fleet go out and come in, and there is a loft area where childrens’ beds can be put.

There is room service, and the beach is right on your doorstep.

The food is impressive in its variety and choice, with all three daily meals being incredibly varied. The seafood as you would expect is abundant and very fresh.

You eat in the restaurant which along with the bar are at the tip of the island with the most glorious views of the lagoon.

There is as little or as much as you want to do, but after a safari most people will want to chill out for a few days, and the deserted beach, the beautiful clear turquoise sea can be swum in at high or low tide. Why not try snorkelling, or kayaking, or sailing, or take a dhow trip to a sand island, or a dusk cruise. Perhaps you just want to lie in the sun, and read.

Whatever you do, try to visit Bagamovo town, because it was Livingstone’s ‘Gateway to Africa’ with a truly dark past, as it was the slave port from mainland Africa to Zanzibar. You cannot fail to be moved by the whipping tree which can still be seen in the town square, and the cemetery which bears witness to the suffering and death of the Europeans who made their lives here.

Lazy Lagoon claims to be the most exclusive beach resort in Tanzania.

This might well be fair comment, but I would say a stay of three or four nights either before or after a safari would be about right

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Gordon Steven writes for and recommends www.worldwidevacationspots.com as one of the best places to look before you book a vacation.

If you are looking for a haven of peace and tranquility in one of the most spectacular settings anywhere on the Spanish coastline, then look no further than the renowned Aigua Blava Hotel.

Why Go To The Aigua Blava

Opened in 1929 with just eight rooms, it has gradually grown to 18 suites and 70 double rooms, all of them different to each other. You can relax over the many terraces, or enjoy tennis, swimming, boating and beaches. It is also considered a ‘best kept secret’ by many British families who keep very quiet about the fact that they return year after year, sometimes for over 20 years, and always in the same room, in case it becomes mobbed!!

It’s that kind of hotel. The staff is also part of the hotel family. These are not temporary employees who come and go – for most of them this has been the only job they ever had. They care about their guests, in a way that most hotels can never hope to achieve.

The Aigua Blava is a way of life, much more than just a hotel. A beautiful double room with private terrace, overlooking the sea, including breakfast buffet and four-course dinner will cost just € 87 per person per night, in May. That is marvelous value for money. In addition, if you are a golfer, the hotel has 20-30% reductions on the green fees of all courses.
Where is It

Aigua Blava is on the north west mediterranean coast, or the north east coast of Spain, not far from Barcelona, and just north of the beaches of the Costa Brava, but it is a different world from the tourist traps found only a few miles away.

Aigua Blava is the name given to the small but stunningly picturesque stretch of coastline around an inlet between two rocky, pine-covered headlands Literally translated from the Catalan as Blue Waters, it encompasses three beaches connected by a road.

Arrival

The Hotel Aigua Blava is about 40 minutes from Gerona airport and 90 minutes from Barcelona airport. It is easy to drive from the UK, and we did it in a day, so you have a car for exploring.
Accommodation

The Hotel has 70 double rooms, 6 suites and 11 junior suites, all with air-conditioning, heating, bathroom with shower, private balcony, satellite TV, hairdryer, telephone and safe, based either in the main building or in annexes.

Dining

The restaurant is the place for romantic dining, wonderful food, and spectacular views, it is first class with superb Catalan and international cuisine. Half board is included and represents excellent value. A comfortable and hospitable bar offers a warm atmosphere for aperitifs.

The levels of service and the quality of the Gastronomic Restaurant, together with an impressive wine cellar outclasses many 5 star hotels in other regions of Spain.

Amenities

The Aigua Blava is more than just a hotel, it is a resort. In June and September half board is offered as a mandatory inclusion, whilst in July and August, a unique full board package is offered.

In the summer one can hire boats from the harbour below the Hotel via reception, to explore the coastline.

Amenities include a secluded pool area with bar, tennis court, parking, outdoors cooking area, hairdressing and beauty salons and useful money changing facilities. Bar and terrace bar, 2 restaurants, table tennis, room service 7 am – 11pm.

Golf

All area courses are between a 15 – 40 minute drive making Hotel Aigua Blava the perfect place to stay during your Catalonian Golf Tour. The excellent golf courses of Pals and Emporda are both approximately 15 minutes driving time, while Girona, PGA Catalunya and Golf dÕAro are also within easy reach.

The hotel is closed from early November until end of February

What to See & Where To Go

The closest large cities are Girona and Figueres, and the roads are good and in the main uncluttered

The city of Figueres is the birthplace of the 20th century surrealist painter Salvador Dali, and the Dali museum here is the second most visited museum in Spain. Inaugurated by Dali himself, it is dedicated to his weird and wonderful work and will not fail to delight, surprise and puzzle.

Further south, the beautiful walled city of Girona hosts a number of ancient monuments within its old town. Further afield, beyond Barcelona, is Montserrat, a great mountain of strange rock formations shaped by centuries of wild weather and with one of Catalonia’s most important shrines, the Benedictine Monastery, perched on one side. Although popular with tourists and pilgrims, the Monastery is still inhabited by monks and is a fascinating place. If heights don’t faze you, the approach by cable car is the most dramatic.

You will enjoy a visit to the village of Cadaques, which has traditional white houses, narrow cobbled lanes and arty boutiques. It was made famous by Dali, who live close by, and it was a well-known haunt of artists.

The delightful coastal villages of Llafranc and Tamariu are close by and well worth a visit.

Summary

With clients coming back to the hotel year after year, early booking is essential at the Aigua Blava, because now you have found it, you must try it and discover why it is one of the best kept secrets in Europe

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Peter R Stewart is a contributor to www.worldwidevacationspots.com and recommends you check out the website if you like white sand beaches and tropical hideaways

Siboney in Antigua first came into my radar when I was researching, privately locally owned hotels in Antigua.

It struck me as possibly one of the more secluded romantic Caribbean resorts, and so having spent my honeymoon in Cocos in what I still think is one of the best Caribbean honeymoons hotels, I was anxious to return and try the Siboney Beach Club.

We stayed on the top, third floor in a one bedroom suite, with a small kitchen. It was very comfortable, well decorated, but we would have liked it air conditioned throughout. Only the bedroom has airconditioning, and not the other rooms, which could be unbearably hot, even with a ceiling fan.

There were also mossies but Deet took care of that problem, and I don’t wish to be critical really because the Siboney Beach Club gave us a great vacation, not least because of the input of the owner Tony Johnson who has a handle on everything, and it is so nice to stay in an hotel where the owner and not a faceless manager is so ever present.

Siboney is located at the far end of Dickenson Bay, although it’s not as beautiful as we were led to believe, with a Sandals resort to the right of the hotel, the beach there was far too busy, but in fairness go to the left past some crumbling buildings and you come upon a lovely deserted beach, totally peaceful.

There is an excellent restaurant right next to the hotel called the Coconut Grove, literally right on top of the beach, with superb food, at breakfast lunch and dinner, although at a price!

Be careful in Antigua with your money, because everything is in US$, not EC$ as it should be, and it can be difficult to get your hands on cash from an ATM, because they seem to be permanently empty!!

There is a lovely good size pool in the beautifully lush, and well maintained gardens, and you’ll often have it to yourself.

The sunsets are another memory of Siboney in Antigua, seen with the inevitable rum punch in hand.

Siboney in Antigua is undoubtedly one of the more secluded romantic Caribbean Resorts, and is exactly the right place to stay for people like us who hate all-inclusive gin palaces.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Jason Law writes for www.worldwidevacationspots.com and recommends to look it up for interesting articles about lesser known resorts and destinations