Dream Island Moorea: Private Bungalow Rentals in Paradise

Have you ever dreamed of being on your own secluded, exotic private island? Each of the two island style homes available are personally decorated by the family who owns them and feature full kitchens (stocked upon request), separate living areas, private bath and terrace. The bungalows are spacious, well ventilated and made from all local materials set amongst lush gardens which shelter a variety of exotic island wildlife. Enjoy white sandy beaches, panoramic views, spectacular sunsets and amazing star-studded skies with your loved one for a private exotic vacation you will never forget! 7-Nights Dates: Year Round (best time to visit is April - November) Rates: Depend on dates of travel. Each bungalow has the ability to accommodate four people at a discount. Contact our Exotic Island Vacation Consultants for Additional Information!

Caribbean Beachfront Vacations

Our impressive collection of unique beachfront resorts provides the best variety in Caribbean vacations. From the islands of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, steeped in history, seductive Nevis, lush and tropical St. Lucia, seductive Barbados or Palm Island; our private island paradise in the Grenadines, or our newest addition Grenada, the spice island, we have the perfect escape you are looking for.

If you are a couple seeking a Caribbean wedding, honeymoon or just a romantic getaway, planning family Caribbean vacations, have a group corporate function or bringing family and friends together for a reunion, or are single and simply want to get away from it all, we’ve got a Caribbean beach resort vacation just for you!

Our range of spectacular Caribbean beach resorts has everything you desire, from superior luxury to comfortable budget options. Contact us today to check availability and pricing or to learn more about our Caribbean beach resort vacations with NO obligation.

Main Beach Resort Guide

Main Beach

Introduction

Prestigious Main Beach is the sophisticated, elite end of the Gold Coast, with million-dollar homes on tree-lined streets, luxury high-rise apartments and condos, designer boutiques and speciality stores. Trendy Tedder Avenue is lined with dozens of restaurants, wine bars and cafés, and is the place to be seen.

Queensland's Gold Coast stretches 40km (24 miles) southwards from Main Beach (just south of Brisbane) to Coolangatta, on the Queensland/New South Wales border. The sunny, subtropical climate, superb beaches, hinterland rainforests and mountain peaks draw tourists year-round to this tropical playground.

Main Beach is just a short walk or bike ride to neighbouring Surfers Paradise.

Who goes there?

A year-round playground for the wealthy, Main Beach is both sophisticated and casual, drawing tourists and sun lovers of all ages from around the world.

Where in the world?

Basking under a subtropical sun 76km (46 miles) south of Brisbane, Queensland's capital, Main Beach marks the beginning of the sparkling Gold Coast.

Positioned between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Nerang River estuary known as the Broadwater, Main Beach is bounded to the north by a long sandbar called the Spit, home to the Gold Coast's two most exclusive resort hotels. A narrow isthmus extends south to Surfers Paradise and the 70km (43 mile) stretch of surf beaches that make up the Gold Coast.

When to go?

In the heart of Queensland's Gold Coast, Main Beach is popular year-round, basking in 300 days of sunshine a year. Winters are mild and warm, and temperatures in the sub-tropical summers average 19-29ºC (66-83°F).

Beach

Wide, golden sand beaches are popular for body- and board-surfing, with warm temperatures for swimming year-round. Surf fishing can haul in that fresh catch for dinner. Lifeguards patrol the beach from the surf lifesaving club. Take a break from the beach for an afternoon barbecue or game of Frisbee on the beachfront park.

Beyond the beach

Only a block away from the beach is the best people-watching spot in town in the alfresco restaurants and cafés lining the street. Luxury cars cruise past umbrellas shading the mix of tourists and sophisticated diners.

The wreck of The Scottish Prince is a great dive spot, or take a scenic flight along the surf-fringed coastline. Go for a 350hp adrenaline rush one-on-one with a professional rally driver instructor on the WRX Off Road Rally Circuit at Pimpana, five minutes from Dreamworld. Speed thrills are not just for kids!

The northern Gold Coast is a theme park mecca, with something for every taste. Dreamworld (Pacific Highway, Coomera) is a theme park ride extravaganza, with enough rollercoasters, waterslides and gravity-defying rides to suit any adrenaline-seekers. WhiteWater World (Pacific Highway, Coomera, 17km/10 miles north of Surfers Paradise) is a new theme park, boasting extreme waterslides and attractions for the whole family. Step back into the 1800s at Beenleigh Historical Village (Main Street, Beenleigh), where life is re-enacted in the 22 historical buildings complete with antiques, working blacksmiths, artists, residents and farm animals. At famous Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin) nurse a koala or feed brilliantly coloured rosellas and lorikeets.

Family fun

Try your skill at kite-surfing, or paddle an outrigger canoe through the surf. Breathe in the fresh sea air on a coastal walk or enjoy the calmer waters of Broadwater for various boating activities.

Learn more about life in the ocean at Sea World (Sea World Drive, The Spit), a 25-hectare (62-acre) marine park with exciting rides, and fascinating and interactive exhibits for the whole family. Gasp at the unbelievable at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum (Raptis Plaza, Cavis Mall), just down the beach in Surfers Paradise. Take a wild and fast spin on a Paradise Jet Boat (Mariner's Cove Marina, Sea World Drive, The Spit) up the Broadwater, past millionaires' yachts and cruisers, helicopters and float planes, and the opulent Palazzo Versace Hotel.

Retail therapy

Renowned for its cafe-lined boulevards and exclusive shops, the Main Beach shopping area abounds in designer boutiques, high-end fashion, jewellery, furniture and speciality stores. North of town, at the Spit, the Marina Mirage shopping complex showcases all the top fashion labels in its elegant designer boutiques. Visit the Sheraton Mirage (Sea World Drive) and Palazzo Versace (Sea World Drive) resorts for those exclusive gifts. Find the best bargains at Marina Mirage's Farmers Market the first and third and fifth Saturday of the month, or slip down the beach to Surfers Paradise on a Friday night for their famous outdoor evening market. More bargains abound at Harbourtown Factory Outlets at nearby Biggera Waters.

A night on the town

The Gold Coast is known for its wild and crazy nightlife, Surfers Paradise being the biggest hotspot. It is the place to go to party all night long, with an abundance of bars, clubs and adult entertainment. Join one of the many organised nightclub crawls to experience a sampling of tropical nightlife and entertainment.

Eating out

The chic and relaxed atmosphere of Tedder Avenue is adorned with the best strip of restaurants on the Gold Coast. Trendy wine bars, casual lunch spots and elegant alfresco restaurants provide menus with mouth-watering fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and a combination of Mediterranean, Australian and Asian fare. Shuck Restaurant (20 Tedder Avenue), famous for its Sand Crab Lasagne and Peking Duck Salad, reputedly serves the best seafood in southeastern Queensland. Thanks to a large Japanese population, excellent sushi abounds. North of Main Beach, on the Spit, the exclusive Marina Mirage boasts an uptown shopping complex with good waterfront dining.



Surf clubs in every Gold Coast oceanside suburb provide quality food at reasonable prices in their bistros. The most popular inexpensive meal in Australia is paper-wrapped fish and chips.

Getting around

Regular bus services link all Gold Coast towns with most area attractions and Brisbane to the north. Many tour companies offer hotel pickups. Except for a car to explore further afield, most dining and beach activities are within walking distance. Parking is cheap and plentiful for those with a car.

Exploring further afield

You can sample award-winning wines in the Gold Coast Hinterland Wine Country. Extending from the beautiful rainforests of Mount Tamborine to Canungra Valley's emerald countryside, this rapidly growing boutique wine region produces Queensland's best wines. Cellar doors and restaurants are often housed in historic homesteads, adding to the wine tasting experience. While in the region, visit Mount Tamborine's Gallery Walk for antiques, paintings and pottery.

Cathay Pacific's First Class Service to Asia

On Thursday we lift off for Bali via Hong Kong on one of Cathay Pacific's 777-300 ERs with three-class service. The aircraft seats 301 travelers with six in first class, 57 in business, and 238 in economy.

We decided to burn some of our frequent flyer miles and booked two first class seats. Here are some photos—courtesy of Cathay Pacific—of this cabin. The lie-flat bed will make it so much easier to get some rest and acclimate to the time change.

Cathay Pacific 777-300 ER first class cabin

Cathay Pacific 777-300 ER first class cabin

Roomy seating

Personal closet for carry-on luggage

Dining table

Lie-flat bed

If you've got any tips for making the 15-hour trip from the East Coast to Hong Kong a bit easier, please write a comment!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Cathay Pacific

Family Beach Vacation at Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort

Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort is a perfect family beach vacation destination since the resort is set on a 1,000-foot white-sand beach in the Bahamas.

You will be able to choose from activities for all ages, including playing in the pools, snorkeling in the ocean, sailing and other water sports.

Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort is set on 7 acres with three freshwater pools, waterfalls, whirlpools, and a swim-up bar. The kids' pool has a waterfall for playing in the water.

Each of the hotel's 694 guest rooms and suites has a private balcony or patio with views of the Atlantic Ocean or the gardens.

Bahamas Vacation at Pink Sands Resort

Pink Sands Resort is located on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, 50 miles east of Nassau. The resort is 20 minutes away from the North Eleuthera International Airport by car and water taxi. North Eleuthera International Airport is serviced from Nassau and other gateways by both scheduled and charter service.

Pink Sands Resort on Harbour Island is a Bahamas vacation getaway, 50 miles east of Nassau. This 18-acre celebrity hideaway offers a combination of luxury, privacy and natural beauty. Harbour Island's sandy beach, sheltered by a barrier reef, is made up of red coral mixed with white sand, giving it a pink tone.

The island is only 3.5 miles long and half a mile wide with a resident population of just 2,000. Many of the buildings on the island date from the early 19th century. The best way to get around the island is by bicycle or golf cart.

Pink Sands offers 25 secluded cottages decorated with sensual Moroccan, Indian and Balinese influences. This luxury Caribbean resort is surrounded with blue waters and the sound of birds, making it a perfect romantic getaway.

The 21 one-bedroom cottages measure 1,000 square feet is size, while the 4 two-bedroom cottages offer 2,000 square feet of space. Guest rooms have central air-conditioning, full bathrooms with Aveda products and private outdoor patios with teak furniture.

The hotel has a freshwater pool, three tennis courts, an exercise studio and a beach restaurant and bar. Snorkeling equipment and boogie boards are made available to guests.

The two restaurants at the resort serve Caribbean-International cuisine. Breakfast and dinner are served at the the Garden Terrace Restaurant, a romantic open-air restaurant with teak furniture and private candlelit corners. The Blue Bar is located on the beach and is open daily for lunch and cool drinks.

InterContinental Bali—A Preview

Later this week we'll arrive at the InterContinental Bali on Jimbaran Bay for a one-week stay. We'll be posting tons of photographs to this blog while we're in Southeast Asia. In the meantime, take a look at these images courtesy of the IC Bali.

One of the six pools at the InterContinental Bali.

A Resort Classic Room, one of the 418 accommodations at the InterContinental Bali.

Jimbaran Bay is located on the southern coastline of the island and is home to many beachfront resorts like the InterContinental Bali. The Rip Curl School of Surf offers sea kayaking and surfing right from the beach here.

InterContinental Bali.

InterContinental Bali pool area at dusk.

I look forward to arriving at the InterContinental Bali and will be sharing more photos and videos of the public areas, accommodations, beach and pool, special "resort within a resort" Club lounge and pool, and restaurants.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of InterContinental Bali

The Countdown to Bali

It's been a busy summer packed with projects for magazine and book publishers and movie studios. I just finished another guidebook project for Thomas Cook Publishing and Leonard has been recording music for a major motion picture. We're ready for a break!

So as the season winds down, we find ourselves gearing up for our next adventure. This week we head to Bali, Indonesia in Southeast Asia with a (very) short stopover in Hong Kong.

Over 17,000 islands comprise Indonesia with Bali being one of the best-known. You'll find stunning vistas as diverse as terraced rice paddies, white sand beaches, ornate temples, volcanoes (some active), and tropical rain forests. The culture is equally enticing and visitors often attend traditional Balinese ceremonies and dance performances.

For more information about Bali, visit these resources:
Bali Tourism Board
Indonesia—CIA World Factbook
Bali Forum at TripAdvisor.com
Bali Guide
Bali Eats

We're celebrating a special occasion and wanted to go somewhere to both explore and relax. Bali certainly fits the bill. While sailing aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit earlier this summer we met many crew members from Indonesia and they all told us that Bali should be on our "must visit soon" list. Call us convinced!

The Game Plan

• First class flight from the East Coast to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific
  
  
• Connecting business class flight on Cathay to Bali
  
  
• A week at the InterContinental Bali in Jimbaran Bay on Bali's southern coast
  
  
• A one-night stay at the InterContinental Hong Kong on our way home

Flying Cathay Pacific
I'm particularly looking forward to flying first class on Cathay Pacific. The gourmet meals, lie-flat bed, and excellent entertainment system will certainly make the 15-hour flight more bearable. (Read Tuesday's blog post for more information about Cathay Pacific's first class product.)

What's even better is that I was able to book these flights using my American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer miles (135k per ticket). It took two phone calls but the second agent was able to book me on the exact flights I wanted on my preferred travel dates. Of course, I spent quite a bit of time searching availability on Cathay's AsiaMiles website and British Airways partner award availability calendar before calling the AAdvantage desk. I booked these tickets about two months ago.

Jimbaran Bay
I spent far too much time reviewing hotel possibilities for Bali. There are some amazing properties to consider on the luxury end of the market. There are three Aman resorts—Amanusa in Nusa Dua, Amandari in Ubud, and Amankila in East Bali. There are also two Four Seasons (one in Jimbaran Bay and another in Ubud). All of those resorts look gorgeous and we plan to visit them to get a reference point for future stays.

In the end though, we decided to book the InterContinental Bali in Jimbaran Bay for several reasons. We're InterContinental/Priority Club fans and enjoy the upgrade perks we generally enjoy at IC properties. Also, Club level accommodations were priced right and we just felt it would be an ideal home base for our first trip to Bali. (Read Monday's blog post for more information about the InterContinental Bali.)

Putu Sudiana, Private Driver
To get the most out of our days on the island, we've hired private driver/guide Putu Sudiana of YourBaliDriver.com. His rates are incredibly reasonable (400,000 rupiah, or $40USD, for a 10-hour day). He came highly recommended by travelers who frequent TripAdvisor.com's Bali forum.

A Few Hours in Hong Kong
Finally, at the end of our trip we'll spend just one night at the InterContinental Hong Kong at Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. We booked a junior suite with harbor views. I wish we could stay at this hotel for a few additional nights! It looks beautiful!

Stay tuned as we blog from Asia starting later this week.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Bali Nusa Penida Dive Site, Dive spots In Bali Indonesia, Best Diving Vacation

Nusa Penida is the largest of 3 islands (the others being Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan). The water here is fairly cold (because of the ocean currents) but often startlingly clear, with gorgeous corals and prolific fish, with some turtle, shark (including grey reefs and silver-tips) and – Aug-Sep – Mola-Mola (the weird and wonderful Sunfish).

Dive Site in Nusa Penida Bali

SD Point
With a strong current flow in the area, generally there are many Anthias around, sometimes big fishes like Giant Trevally, Sharks and if you are lucky, the Sun Fish (the season for sun fish is between July to September). The dive site is stretched over kilometers, along the north coast of Penida Island .

Sampalan Point
The site is located on the north side of Lembongan, the marine life is similar to SD Point with some high lights of underwater structure that is quite different. Some sloping is full of soft coral with reef fish hover to get some nutrient from the rich water.

Blue Corner Point

The site offers a sloping reef with terrace at 20 to 30m. The current here is usually stronger than at other places (it may reach 3 to 4 knots). Consider it as one of the best places to see Sun Fish. The marine life is similar to SD Point but not as rich.

Toyapakeh Point
This is a very nice spot as it is protected from swell and current. Although the current is sometimes strong, usually it is negotiable. Many Blue trigger fishes at some point and near the Pontoon, there are usually many Giant Trevally. The shallow area is excellent for snorkeling. Some encounters with big pelagic is common.

Lembongan Bay point

The site is located in a protected area with water sports and pontoons. The site is shallow, 5 to 10m deep and offers it some varieties of soft and hard corals. The coral is rich and healthy with many varieties of reef fish.

Malibu Point
Malibu Point is considered one of the nicest sites in the island (besides SD and Toyapakeh). It’s slightly wilder than Toyapakeh with great schools of Jacks and Rainbow Runner, and Dog Tooth Tuna. The underwater structure is very interesting.

Gamat Bay Point

The water is always clear, and the reef, a steep, rugged slope leading into the bay. You need your observation skill to see the macro things which lay beneath the surface. It is full of small caves and crevices and number of reef fish and invertebrates here are exceptional.

Crystal Bay Point
The location is situated in a very nice white sandy beach lagoon. The underwater structure is excellent with some variation of coral and alley. When the current is not strong, snorkellers can enjoy the underwater scenery from the bay. Fish life is very rich and occasionally Sun Fish , and Nurse Sharks hide under the corals.

Manta Point
Usually there are 3 to 4 Mantas cruising the site. The profile is slope down to 50m, there are not many corals, just limestone rocks. Other than Manta, there are also Tunas, Mackerels and other pelagic.

The Ultimate Bass Fishing Spots at Thousand Island, US

Bass fishing is a famous sport that is a phenomenon in the United States of America, which has hooked several people in the country. Bass fishing is usually a sport that is found on rivers, lakes and on other aquatic formations of United States. Thousand islands is a popular venue for bass fishing where approximately one thousand islands which are small existing in their lake of Ontario towards the east of St.Lawrence and in east central north America. Estimation shows that there are nearly 1,700 islands where a precise count is impossible as enumerable number of tiny islands is in existence.

Wolfe Island (127sq km/49sqm) is the largest in Ontario. Ontario’s’ recreational and scenic attraction is the waters. Lake of superior, Lake of Huron, Lake Eric, Lake Ontario is the four great lakes. Lakes like simcoc, muskoka are accessible from the North of Toronto which is famous centers for vacation. The Niagara falls, a greatest scenic attraction in New York, North America is shared by Ontario .Lake Ontario is left with patch of rivers by the thousand islands. Large rocks, cottages, hold farms and estates worth million dollars are catered by the island.

The game became extremely popular in a very short time, after its popularity as a famous vacation spot several lodges and resorts for accommodation are constructed for enthusiasts of bass fishing and other tourists. The activity of fishing in Ontario is bifurcated into report or recreational fishing and commercial fishing.

Small mouth bass species love to survive as the island is rocky. Large catch of freshwater to Canada comes from Ontario. Smelt, smallmouth and walleye are the species of fishes caught. The anglers are attracted by the fabulous bass fishng. Small and large mouths are existent, which are found in st.lawrence which includes the isles lakes, goose bay, Chippewa bay, circling the Admiralty Islands. Fox and grenadier islands, chamount bay are the key spots intake Ontario.

The island offers other vibrant experiences in the form of island of Ontario with its rich heritage and its characteristic features of bass fishing which is recognized to be the best sport makes this island a an edifice, welcoming tourists and enthusiasts around the world to this wonderful holiday spot.

JetSetter Deal for Paul Gauguin French Polynesia Cruise in September

Paul Gauguin Cruises—specializing in French Polynesian itineraries—is one of the best values in luxury cruising today and JetSetter.com is sweetening the pot by offering discounted fares for a limited time.

The current deal features a seven-night itinerary calling upon Tahiti, Raiatea, Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Bora Bora, and Moorea. This is the same fantastic Paul Gauguin cruise I experienced in May 2010.

JetSetter.com Rates
Category F Porthole Stateroom for 1 Guest = $3,150
Category F Porthole Stateroom for 2 Guests = $4,200
Category C Balcony Stateroom for 2 Guests = $5,470
Category A Veranda Suite for 2 Guests = $8,995

Rates include all food and beverages (non-alcoholic and select wines and spirits.) Category A also includes butler service.

Getting to Papeete, Tahiti
Of course even if you get a good deal on the cruise, you'll need to find a good deal on the airfare. Economy fares on Air Tahiti Nui and Air France are running approximately $1,200–$1,400 per person in economy for flights at the end of September. There is also some frequent flyer award tickets available on Air Tahiti Nui.

Air Tahiti Nui Frequent Flyer Award Availability from LAX to PPT
September 22: Flight TN1 = 4 economy award tickets
September 23: Flight TN 7 = 1 first class award ticket
September 24: Flight TN 1 = 1 business class & 4 economy; TN7 = 2 business class & 4 economy

Note: There is also availability on September 25 but I don't recommend flying in on the same day the cruise ship embarks.

Air Tahiti Nui Frequent Flyer Award Availability from PPT to LAX
October 2: Flight TN102 = 1 economy award ticket
October 4: Flight TN2 = 1 economy award ticket

The timing of this deal won't be right for everyone, but if you've been waiting for a good rate on a seven-night Society Island cruise, this is it. Book at JetSetter.com by Friday, August 21, 2010.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Bora Bora © Leonard Hospidor

Cayo Espanto Belize - Private Island Resorts

Located in a tropical island in Belize, Cayo Espanto is a cool vacation with just six guest accommodations. Guests are provided even with walkie-talkies so that staff need not be disturbed unless they are contacted. With only six villas, it's easy to feel like you have a place (like you do 'for a few nights, at least). Accommodation Every house inhabited at least 1,500 square meters and has his own name as Casa Brisa Spanish, or Casa Estrella, having chosen the island even more attractive and comfortable. Decorative fine villa, but all include a private pool, walled garden and a bath in the open.

Bed linens Yves Delorme is equipped with king-size and can easily cost twice the price of staying the night. Nearest snorkeling and diving tours to one of the world's hot sites.

As the second largest coral reef in the world lies off the coast of Belize, those who enjoy diving or snorkeling must be missing an opportunity to take a private charter Cayo Espanto.

Private guided reef diving and snorkeling tours and fishing charters and deep sea are available and tours to the mainland for a picnic, golf and Mayan ruin tours can be arranged. private boat, plane and helicopter charter services available.

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

I admit that I've got a few obsessions in life... two of which are rock concerts and cruise vacations. In my younger days I worked for Musician magazine and spent more time at concerts than in the office. These days I'm more selective about the shows I see, but still love being in the middle of the crush as a band plays to fans who know every word of every song on the set list.

On the cruise front, I love trying new ships and have a checklist that keeps track of which ships and ports of call I still need to visit. It's little wonder then that I was daydreaming earlier today and came up with a wish list of rock concert that would be amazing if they were staged aboard luxury cruise ships.

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

1. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers aboard Paul Gauguin Cruises' m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia
   
   
2. U2 aboard the Yachts of Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn in the Norwegian Fjords
   
   
3. Jackson Browne aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit in the Mediterranean
   
   
4. Martin Sexton aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Explorer in Hawaii
   
   
5. Daniel Lanois aboard Windstar Cruises' Wind Star in Costa Rica
   
   
6. Brian Setzer Orchestra aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth for a transatlantic crossing
   
   
7. John Mayer aboard Oceania Cruises' Marina in the Caribbean
   
   
8. Jimmy Buffett aboard SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream II in the Caribbean
   
   
9. James Taylor aboard Regent Seven Seas' Voyager in New Zealand and Australia
   
   
10. Nora Jones aboard Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony in New England and Canada

Note: THIS IS JUST A DREAM LIST; these concerts (sadly) will never happen. It's just something fun to think about. Which bands would be on your cruise wish list?

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Trusted Adventures Consortium Presents Extraordinary Active Vacations

If active travel is your thing, it's time to get acquainted with Trusted Adventures. This alliance, headed up by executive director Brad Moss, is made up of like-minded travel providers that focus on cruise and yacht vacations, eco trips, biking and hiking getaways, rafting adventures, and more.

Read about the group and explore each member's website. I guarantee they'll be a few trips you bookmark for future reference.

American Safari Cruises—focus is on active and luxurious yacht cruises in Alaska, Mexico's Sea of Cortez, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and Hawaii.

Austin-Lehman Adventures—specializes in adult and family vacations around the world, including Yellowstone, Bryce/Zion, Grand Canyon, Costa Rica, the Canadian Rockies, the Galapagos, South Africa, and several western European countries.

Ciclismo Classico—offers expertly designed biking expeditions in many locations, including Croatia, Norway, Italy, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

Great Alaska—this is the place to find sport fishing and wildlife adventure trips to Alas.ka, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

InnerSea Discoveries—this is the sister company to American Safari Cruises (mentioned above); InnerSea offers active cruise adventures at a more affordable price in Alaska.

Myths & Mountains—unusual excursions to Asia (Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Tibet), Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam), and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, and Peru).

ROW Adventures—from Idaho rafting adventures to the Galapagos Islands and everything in between...ROW offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing, fly fishing, barge and yacht cruising, biking and hiking trips, and much more.

The Wayfarers—unique walking tours in the British Isles, South Africa, New Zealand, India, and Alaska.

Western River Expeditions—looking for a rafting adventure? Western River Expeditions offers trips in the Grand Canyon, Utah, and Idaho.

Wildland Adventures—Wildland has a varied list of itineraries that feature the best of wildlife viewing and active pursuits in the United States, Africa, Central and South America, the Antarctica, and the Far East.

For more information about these travel companies, visit their websites, call your travel agent, or do some research at Trusted Adventures.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Try Crystal Cruises' New Priority Check-In & Planning Center

While not every traveler feels the need to digitize their cruise plans, more and more luxury lines are offering online planners and reservation mechanisms. Crystal Cruises just announced a serious upgrade to its pre-cruise planning functionality by introducing its Priority Check-In and Planning Center.



The Priority Check-in Checklist takes care of all the basics like...

• immigration forms
• credit card information for onboard charges
• preferences, such as bed configuration
• air itineraries for transfer arrangements

The Planning Center can assist with...

• spa and salon appointments
• Crystal Dining Room reservations (through Open Dining by Reservation, beginning in 2011)
• specialty restaurant and Vintage Room winemakers' dinner reservations
• Crystal Adventures shore excursions
• tuxedo rental
• Creative Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea classes

The Cruise Calendar function keeps track of all your reservations and preferences and provides a day-by-day snapshot of your cruise. Helpful information includes dress codes, docking times, and port locations for each day of your voyage.

The great thing about Crystal's new online planner is that you can choose to use it yourself or designate that duty to your travel agent. Give this new online planner a try once you put down a deposit on your next Crystal cruise.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Celebrity Cruises Opens Bookings for Australia & New Zealand

I don't blog about Celebrity Cruises often enough. Yes, it's a tier down from the luxury cruise lines I generally write about. However, Celebrity is one of my favorite cruise lines in the premium category. Its new ships—Solstice, Equinox, and Eclipse—are beautifully designed and the food aboard Celebrity always hits the mark.

That's why I was really excited to learn that Celebrity Century will sail Australia and New Zealand in 2011 and 2012. The line is also offering four- and five-night escorted cruisetours in Australia, which combine a cruise with land adventures. Travelers can choose from 10 itineraries and six different embarkation ports.


Here's one itinerary that looks especially enticing...

12-Night Sydney, Australia–Auckland, New Zealand
November 30, 2011: Sydney, Australia
December 1, 2011: at sea
December 2, 2011: Hobart, Tasmania
December 3–4, 2011: at sea
December 5, 2011: Milford Sound, New Zealand and Doubful Sound
December 6, 2011: Dunedin, New Zealand
December 7, 2011: Christchurch, New Zealand
December 8, 2011: Wellington, New Zealand
December 9, 2011: Napier, New Zealand
December 10, 2011: Tauranga, New Zealand
December 11, 2011: Bay of Islands, New Zealand
December 12, 2011: Auckland, New Zealand

Reservations are now open for Celebrity Century's Australia/New Zealand cruises. Book by December 31, 2010, for special onboard credit and savings on back-to-back sailings. Call your travel agent or Celebrity Cruises at 1-(800) 437-3111.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

August Issue of Wow Travel Magazine Available Now

I'm always looking for travel magazines that focus on the destinations that are on my "must visit" list. Lately I've been enjoying the relatively new Wow Travel magazine, which is edited by Jim Tobler and published by the Kiwi Collection (a curated hotel collection with the tagline "Hotels for People Who Care Where They Stay").

It's always fun to page through the magazine to see which of Wow's favorite places are your favorites too.

This month, Wow Travel tells readers about...

• Secret island hideaways from Fregate Island in the Seychelles to Faafu Atoll in the Maldives and Madagascar's Tsarabanjina Island.
  
  
• The temples, lake, and tea house at Amanfayun in Hangzhou, China, just outside of Shanghai.
  
  
• The beautiful Portuguese Riviera.
  
  
• Istanbul Fashion Week 2010.
  
  
• Two orphanages that were recently "adopted" by the St. Regis Bali.
  
  

The writing in Wow Travel is topnotch and every article is accompanied by beautiful photographs. Bookmark Wow Travel magazine and check in often to see what's new.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com