Dream Destinations--Overwater Bungalows

As mentioned in previous posts, there is perhaps no more of a dream vacation than an overwater bungalow. Sleeping above the ocean? Walking out onto your balcony over the clear blue water? For me, that defines a dream! As always, I peruse locales with such bungalows, and this is one of the more extensive lists I've found. Of course, the legendary (and costly) chic resorts of Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti have these, but did you know about Bermuda? Panama? The Phillipines? If not, read on!

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/02/07/AR2007020701384.html?wpisrc=newsletter

Travel Tidbits--50 Best Romantic Getaways

Planning a honeymoon, anniversary, or other getaway with that special someone? Here is Travel & Leisure's guide to the 50 Best Romantic Getaways! They suggest some stunning U.S. and international destinations, including my #1 dream destination--Bora Bora!!! Might as well just add all of these to my dream vacation wishlist . . .

One particular idea that caught my attention is the Navutu Stars resort of Fiji. I have admittedly spent much time researching South Pacific dream destinations and daydreaming of dangling my toes in the ocean from my own overwater bungalow. Unfortunately, most bungalows starting price-per-night is approximately $1000. Not quite a budget-friendly vacation! And although the bungalows (bures) at this resort are not over-water, they still look absolutely stunning and start at $325 a night! Certainly not peanuts, but a 66% discount makes my dream seem a little more possible!!! And one of those "garden bures" at the low rate has an ocean view for guests seeking an economical option--sign me up!

Dream Destination--Dubrovnik

You may be asking yourself one question--where the heck is Dubrovnik? Doesn't sound like a dream destination. What if I told you it was in Croatia? Still sound sort of Dracula meets political strife? Well, Dubrovnik has become one of the most popular and sought-after destinations in the Mediterranean. Take a look at why!

Hello!!! To borrow the expression, "this ain't your momma's Croatia!!" Dubrovnik is a medieval town of the former nation of Yugoslavia. Although this region was full of conflict in the 1990s, it is now said to be a peaceful and safe destination that travellers flock to enjoy. It has also earned its name as the Jewel of the Adriatic, and from the site of this photo, it is well-deserved! (Not that I know much about its Adriatic contenders for the title...)

I was so interested in this destination that I watched a show on it on the Travel Channel last night. Unfortunately, it is hosted by the nice-seeming but not so bright former Hugh Hefner girlfriend Bridget and some friend of hers. The informational high points of the show were when friend A asked Bridget what a moat was and then they had a discussion about what city walls were used for. Bridget saw the canon and reasoned that it must have been to protect the city! Sherlock Holmes! (Not that I'm bitter that I don't have a travel show but these girls are seeing the world). So suffice it to say I didn't learn a lot about Dubrovnik, but between the shots of these two ladies in their bikinis (they aren't on there for their brains), I did see enough to know that I hope to make it there one day!

I decided to do a little more research about this intriguing place, and this is what LonelyPlanet.com says:

"Despite the hype, Croatia’s pleasures are more timeless than trendy. Along its 1778 km coastline, a glistening sea winds around rocky coves, lapping at pine-fringed beaches. Istrian ports bustle with fishermen while children dive into the sparkling water. . . . [C]ities throb with nightlife amid ancient Roman ruins. Yachts glide up the coast, movie stars discreetly arrange to buy one of Croatia’s 1185 islands. And no Mediterranean cruise is complete without a stop in Dubrovnik."

So the next ship leaving--I'm ready to sail! Words I never thought I'd say--Croatia here I come!

Dream Destination-- Antarctica

My dream destination of the day is the South Pole! Yes, I dream of going to Antarctica! Thanks to some great photos from my mom, courtesy of vacationstogo.com, I am even more enticed by this icy wonderland.

I heard a story from someone lucky enough to have recently taken a New Year's cruise to Antarctica, which is mid-summer there, where the sun was always shining and glistening off the ice and snow. I was told the sun merely does small circles in the sky, as it never truly rises and sets. This fortunate traveller has seen most of the world many times over, but he remarked that this was one place where you truly felt was not of this world-- I can only imagine!

Anyway, here are some pictures that take my breath away and make me want to take the next flight to, well, wherever you fly to to get to Antarctica. (Tierra del Fuego, maybe?)

Dream Destinations-- Eze, France

Many travellers dream of a trip to the French Riviera. I have heard of the enchanting destinations of Nice, Aix-en-Provence, and Cannes, but I had never heard of the town of Eze until I watched "Passport to Europe" with Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel. It was love at first ti-vo!

It is located between Nice and Monte Carlo, which already makes it sound amazing. It is a small medieval town, and the directions include the following quaint description: "you will find our reception, easily recognized as it includes a stable with our two donkeys." Only 15 inhabitants live in this tiny town in the off-season, but it's apparently a bustling tourist point in the summer. Although I've only known of it for 72 hours, I can see why! Enjoy these photos today's dream destination--the Chateau Eza in Eze:

And if that isn't enough to make you too fall in love with Eze, check out these 360 degree views from various vantage points-- I'm ready to pack my suitcase now! Maybe we can bring the town's year-round inhabitants up to 17?

Dream Destination-- Caneel Bay, St. John and Little Dix Bay, BVI

A good travel motto could be, "If it's good enough for Lawrence Rockafeller, it's definitely good enough for me!" Well, Caneel Bay on St. John's USVI, which was founded by Rockafeller as his private retreat, and Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda BVI would certainly pass the test! The rooms have no televisions and no phones, so be prepared for absolute peace and quiet! And the great news--visitors can take a ferry boat between the hotels and experience both in one trip! Now that's paradise!

Although I'm always bargain hunting while dreaming of beautiful destinations, unfortunately these resorts do not come at bargain prices. The best bargain plan for this trip is to get free flights through flyer miles, and the hotels do offer some promotional deals like one free night or so. But otherwise, this trip comes with a price tag--ocean view rooms are around $800 per night!

Two final ideas to cut costs and still have a breathtaking experience-- visitors could always stay on beautiful St. Thomas, where you would have to fly into anyway to get to St. John or Virgin Gorda and go to Caneel Bay or Little Dix Bay for one luxurious night. The ferry is easily accessible between the islands, and there is much shopping and beauty to enjoy in St. Thomas! Magen's Bay of St. Thomas is often listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and I can attest that it is wonderful after visiting on a cruise to St. Thomas! Also, I have heard that there are much less expensive hotels on both St. John and Virgin Gorda that have all the natural beauty without the costs. Perhaps to keep a tighter budget travellers could visit or dine at the hotels to get a piece of the experience for less of the price! Finally, even if a visitor never actually stays on St. John or Virgin Gorda, it's always an easy day trip from St. Thomas and even from a cruise ship, which often runs specials on the amazing Southern Caribbean route-- so there are many less expensive ways to see the beauty of this area of the Caribbean!!

The famous horseshoe-shaped Magen's Bay of St. Thomas!

This is one of my own photos of me relaxing in Magen's Bay! My mom and I went to St. Thomas in 2006 and had the time of our lives! Now this is the life!!!

And if all of these photos weren't enough to convince you that this is one fabulous dream destination, check out this photo of Little Dix Bay-- there is gold[en sand] at the end of the rainbow!!!

Dream Scuba Destinations

Looking for a dream scuba destination? Travel & Leisure magazine recently published its list of favorite scuba sites in the world! Here's the list! Although not on the list for some strange reason, here are my two personal dream scuba locations:

1) The Blue Hole in Belize:

2) The Great Barrier Reef of Australia (I have had the amazing opportunity to snorkel there, but I wasn't old enough to be scuba certified when I went! So I must go back for the full experience!

Dream Destination-- African Safari, Victoria Falls

Perhaps it's inevitable that anyone who has watched "The Lion King" or visited a zoo will dream of one day going on an African safari. I have recently come across one of the most visited spots for such a journey--Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

Many people may never have heard of Ngorongoro Crater. I had not until recently and consider myself an avid travel enthusiast. But Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most visited natural wonders of our world every year. Visitors see open fields of lions, cheetahs, zebras, flamingos, rhinos, wildebeast, elephants, giraffes, and thousands of other animals in their natural habitat. What a relaxing world where the idea of a traffic jam is this:

For more information on Ngorongoro Crater: http://ngorongorocrater.com/ It also contains links to other popular safari sites.

If I ever make it to Africa, also on my list of places to see is Victoria Falls on the nearby border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Dream Destination-- South Pacific Cruise

My idea of heaven is a vision of Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, or just generally the entire South Pacific. If this magnificent paradise is heaven, then the road to heaven may just be travelled by Princess Cruise Lines!

Princess Cruises has a wide variety of cruises sailing all around the picturesque South Pacific:

http://www.princess.com/learn/destinations/hawaii/index.html

Which one is my dream of all dreams? The Hawaii to Tahiti 11-night voyage! Check out this itinerary: Honolulu. Kauai. Maui. Hilo. Christmas Island. Bora Bora. Moorea. Tahiti. 11 days and nights of absolute bliss!

Of course, bliss comes with a price tag. The cruise starts at about $1600 per person per night, but considering that it includes accomodations for 11 nights and all meals, it comes out to about $290 per day for a couple. It would be a challenge to find a Caribbean or Mexican all-inclusive resort for that rate. If you could manage to use flyer miles to get there, which is sometimes challenging because cruise dates are fixed and flyer miles are not always easy to use on fixed dates, you could theoretically make this journey for about $3200 . . . not too shabby to spend 11 days in one of the most breathtaking places on the globe!

And if you save up another $800 for one last once-in-a-lifetime luxury, you could spend your night in Tahiti before flying home in one of the storied over-water bungalows:

Can you tell I have it all planned out? :-)

Dream Destination-- Hong Kong

I've been dying to go to Asia for some time now, and I am determined to find my way to Hong Kong one day! I would love to see the city from Victoria Peak and would love to take a boat ride through the harbor. Not to mention the food and shopping!

Anyway, years ago I found this hotel where I want to stay! Just look at this pool overlooking Hong Kong's skyline! It's actually reasonably priced and affords the most amazing view of the city from across the harbor in Kowloon. If I ever need any incentive to do any boring survey or meet with a Ameriprise Financial agent for a free consultation for 3,000 miles (yes, these are the things I do for free travel), all I have to do is take a look at this photo for inspiration!