Best Honeymoon Resorts in the South Pacific
May 8, 2015

Brides Magazine recently published a list if the best honeymoon resorts in the South Pacific. The list was compiled mostly from reviews on TripAdvisor, with a high percentage of those reviews being from honeymooners. As it turns out, we happen to agree with the list! Personally, we don’t need a special occaision to visit these properties. In fact, we’ve visited most of them already! Our only wish was that they had expanded their list to include resorts on other islands in French Polynesia. Oh, how we love Tahiti!!!

http://www.brides.com/honeymoons/2015/05/best-honeymoon-resorts-south-pacific#slide=1

 

Etu Moana – Photo Courtesy of Escapes by Janelle

 

 

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Our Favorite Resorts in Tahiti: Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island Resort
May 5, 2015

It’s #TravelTuesday/ #TahitiTuesday again! Today, we’re heading to Tahiti’s most iconic island- Bora Bora! Bora Bora is truly a bucket list destination, with bright, colorful lagoons and the most luxurious overwater bungalows in the South Pacific. There are 10 resorts to choose from on the island and each one offers a unique experience. However, one of our personal favorites is Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island.

Photo Courtesy of Sofitel Resorts

 

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Our Favorite Resorts in Tahiti: Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa
April 28, 2015

For the next few weeks, on #TravelTuesday / #TahitiTuesday, we’re going to feature a property in Tahiti that we absolutely adore. On this very first Tuesday, we’re highlighting Le Taha’a  Island and Spa!

 

Photo Courtesy of Le Taha'a Island Resort

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The Cheesy Side of Travel
March 2, 2014

How dare I call travel cheesy, right? Well, it’s not what you think! If you know me personally or have read a few of my reviews, you know that “cheesy” is purely a reference to my love of cheese fondue. One might think I’m left over from the fondue fad of the 70s, but in actuality, I just really love cheese, bread, and the combination of cheese and bread (and I have to add that I wasn’t alive for most of the 70s!) While most people collect postcards, Christmas ornaments, or various trinkets during their travels, my husband and I decided to take our love for fondue and combine it with our love for travel, creating “cheesy” memories that will last us a lifetime. So, be sure to check out my reviews for a my latest adventures in the world of cheese and I’ll continually update this post with a list of fondue restaurants we’ve visited around the world.

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Moorea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Tahiti – October 2013
November 16, 2013

In late October, I had the privilege of being a guest of Sofitel French Polynesia to visit their Moorea and Bora Bora properties. In addition, we also visited Tahiti’s “Hidden Paradise” islands of Taha’a and Rangiroa, staying at Le Taha’a, my perennial  favorite, and Kia Ora Rangiroa. This particular itinerary, and the activities planned, ranks as one of the best available to really see and feel French Polynesia. This trip highlighted French Polynesia’s best offerings and it will be hard to replicate the experience (though I will certainly try!)

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review

French Polynesia/Tahiti Packing List
November 7, 2013

 

Bora Bora

This list is helpful when beginning to pack for your trip to Tahiti and her islands!

Below is our recommended packing list, based on a 7 day trip.

 

3-4 bathing suits

7-9 t-shirts/tanks

2-3 nicer tops

2-3 pairs of shorts

2 casual skirts

2-3 sundresses

long pants for plane ride

light sweater

1 pair of walking shoes/socks

all undergarments

2 pairs of flip flops

1 pair of coral shoes

hat

sunglasses

beach cover-up/sarong

sunscreen (and tons of it!)

Tylenol/Ibuprofen

bug spray

Allergy medication

Immodium

Band-aids

Antibiotic cream

Itch stick

Antacids

Urinary meds

Aloe

Vitamins

All prescriptions

Toothbrush/paste/mouthwash

Shaving cream/razor

Shampoo/conditioner

Q-tips

Hair bands for long hair

Toiletry bag

Contact lenses/glasses (if you wear them)

Chap stick

Feminine products

Brush/comb

Deodorant

Lotions

Kleenex

Face wash/acne treatments

Nail clippers/file

Printed travel itinerary

ATM card for cash

Passport/driver license plus photocopies

Credit cards and photocopies

Camera, memory cards, batteries

Converter/adapter

Underwater cameras

Travel guides

cell phone/ipad/tablet and associated chargers

Water bottle/collapsible cooler

Copies of itinerary for contacts

Sewing kit

Small flashlight

Binoculars

Snacks (cereal, granola bars)

Candy, gum

Powdered Gatorade

Beach bag (preferably waterproof)

Trash bag for wet clothes

Snorkel gear

Tote bag for souvenirs

Addresses for postcards

Journal

Books (if ipad/kindle is not used)

inflatable raft

PACKING ADVICE

Dos:

  • Leave in hair conditioner. This will help with all of the tangles from swimming.
  • Light sweater. The evenings get chilly!
  • TONS of sunscreen of all SPFs
  • Water shoes for the coral are excellent protection against coral. If you get cut by coral, it will hurt and will need immediate treatment to avoid infection.
  • Long sleeve swim cover-up to protect from the strong sun
  • DO NOT OVERPACK!!!

 

Don’t Bothers:

  • Hair dryer, body lotions, shampoo and conditioner can be found in all hotels. Only bring special items if needed.
  • Tons of daytime clothing. You’ll be in your swimsuit!
  • Tons of Make-up. The humidity is thick and you’ll always be in the water. Light makeup in the evening works best.
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The Westin Princeville in Kauai, Hawaii – May 2013
June 11, 2013

 

This is a mish-mash of the original review I wrote back in January 2009 and my updated review following my visit in May 2013. I was in desperate need of a vacation after the Christmas season in 2009, so we decided to head to Kauai. This time, we were celebrating the graduation of my stepdaughter from high school. This was my fourth trip to the Hawaiian Islands and my second time to Kauai. After both stays, I think if I ever return to Hawaii (which I will!), I will always make Kauai a part of my itinerary.

 

 

 

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Etu Moana, Aitutaki, Cook Islands- April 2013
April 30, 2013

If you read my blog frequently, or are just glancing it over for the first time, it’s pretty obvious that I love traveling to the South Pacific. I have had the desire to visit the Cook Islands for some time now, not only because it’s a tropical paradise in my favorite part of the world, but also because it has always been billed as a more budget friendly alternative to Tahiti. I often get travel requests for Tahiti with a proposed budget in the $5000-$6000 range and, most of the time, it’s just not doable. However, would the Cooks be doable? And, if so, is it a worthy comparison? The answer is YES!

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Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, AZ – November 2012
November 28, 2012

We stay at the Westin Kierland several times a year, as it’s one of our favorite properties in Scottsdale. You may have read that in my Kierland Villas review already, so sorry for the repeat. It’s just that this resort has consistently delivered a fantastic experience for us each time we have stayed there. This time was no exception- well, almost.

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Westin Grand Central, New York, New York- October 2012
October 14, 2012

I had the incredible opportunity as a Starwood Preferred Guest member to purchase a SPG Moments “Hear the Music, See the World” concert package. This particular package, for an intimate Ben Folds Five concert at the Westin Grand Central, included access to the concert, a cocktail party, and a SPG goodies bag. It just so happens that my husband is a HUGE Ben Folds Five fan, one of Ben Fold’s songs was our wedding song, and the package became available before our wedding, so guess what I gave as a wedding gift? As part of this, I was also asked to provide an interview for SPG TV, so be on the lookout for me on your TV when you check into a Starwood hotel! I also booked a stay at the Westin Grand Central, which was just refurbished and reopened (was formerly the Helmsley Hotel) on October 1, 2012. So, we were among the first guests to stay there!

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