Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Colmar, France

With a charming country-town atmosphere and a strong historical heritage, Colmar is not only “the most Alsatian town in Alsace”, and the wine capital of the region, but also a place for the fairytale believers.

This dreamy place has a very privileged location near Germany and Switzerland, between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, between Strasburg and Mulhouse. There is also a special TGV route between Colmar and Paris. The best way to explore the Colmar is by taking long walks through the old city center and admiring its well preserved architecture.

Landmarks include the Dominican Church, Maison des Tetes, Unterlinden Museum (featuring historic artifacts and paintings by Renoir and Picasso) , the Bartholdi Museum (dedicated to the sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty and who was born here). Little Venice is a part of the city built on picturesque canals and also a great place to taste the Alsatian cuisine.

Alberobello, Italy

Unesco World Heritage Site Alberobello resembles a mini urban sprawl – for gnomes. The Zona dei Trulli on the western hill of town is a dense mass of 1500 beehive-shaped houses, white-tipped as if dusted by snow. These dry-stone buildings are made from local limestone; none are older than the 14th century. Inhabitants do not wear pointy hats, but they do sell anything a visitor might want, from miniature trulli to woollen shawls.

The town is named after the primitive oak forest Arboris Belli (beautiful trees) that once covered this area.

Burano, Italy

Burano is Italy’s technicolor town, located in the same lagoon as Venice. According to When On Earth, fishermen decided to paint their houses with bright colors so that they would be easily distinguishable through the thick fog. Today, residents can’t paint their houses just any shade — if they want to repaint, they have to send a letter to the government, and officials will reply with a list of acceptable colors.

Bibury, England

Bibury is situated in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds on the River Coln 9 miles from the market town of Burford.

The village was once described by William Morris as 'the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds'.

The village centre clusters around a square near St. Mary's, a Saxon church. Some of the Saxon remains inside the church are replicas as the originals are housed in the British Museum.

One of the village's main tourist spots and overlooking a water meadow and the river is Arlington Row, a group of ancient cottages with steeply pitched roofs dating back to the 16th Century.

Henry Ford thought Arlington Row was an icon of England. On a trip to the Cotswolds he tried to buy the entire row of houses to ship back to Michigan so that he could include them in Greenfield Village.

Bibury has provided the backdrop for blockbuster films including Stardust and Bridget Jones's Diary.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Ideally located on its very own peninsula, Sandals Grande St. Lucian is often described as the "closest vacation to a picture-perfect postcard." Cradled to the west by Rodney Bay - boasting the calmest waters in all of Saint Lucia - and to the east by the majestic Atlantic Ocean, this magnificent resort showcases awe-inspiring panoramic views that will linger in your heart forever. Volcanic mountains draped in blankets of green rise majestically from an impossibly clear blue sea. A sheltered mile-long beach extends an open invitation for days of endless water play. This is paradise as it was meant to be, full of natural beauty, rich in history, and resplendent in pure romance.

For a secluded, tranquil hideaway with unparalleled proximity to the beach, immerse yourself in the luxury of a beachfront Rondoval suite. Comprised of spacious, exquisite interiors with natural stone flooring and Roman soaking bathtubs perfect for two, these circular suites also offer unique outdoor opportunities on a private veranda, including alfresco dining, sunbathing and stargazing from your very own hammock, outdoor showers, and access to a private, refreshing pool and whirlpool. Secluded by lush, tropical greenery, these clandestine suites are the ultimate in luxury with extraordinary vistas of the famous Rodney Bay.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Cooper Island Beach Club

Just steps from the beach, our newly renovated guest cottages are nestled amongst palm trees, cactus gardens and tropical flowers. All rooms enjoy fabulous views of The Sir Francis Drake Channel and the islands beyond. A connecting door between balconies can be opened when friends are travelling together. Each open-plan room is bright and airy, featuring recycled teak furniture in driftwood tones.