Paradise for food and wine lovers!

 Calling all foodies and wine lovers - especially those who also love the beach! There are still tickets left for the 27th Annual Taste of Cayman food and wine festival, held on Grand Cayman on February 7, 2015. Heat up your winter with some Caribbean spice on this gorgeous island!

 

Offering stunning beaches and water, luxurious accommodations, fantastic food, world-famous dive and snorkel sites, and a myriad of other sea- and land-based activities, Grand Cayman is a perfect destination for couples, families, and singles alike. Want to get a bit more off the beaten path? Follow up your Grand Cayman stay with some extra time on Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Can't get away for more than a few nights? Less than a 4 hour non-stop flight from more than a dozen US cities, the Caymans are also perfect for a quick getaway! 

Love food and the Caribbean, but can't make it in February? Between the Cayman Restaurant Month, Cocktail Week, , Cayman Cookout event, as well as food tours year-round, you can have an extraordinary culinary experience on the island any day of the year!

4-night packages with airfare, luxury accommodations, airport transfers, and tickets to the Taste of Cayman are currently available starting at $3500 per couple. Book before December 23rd and also receive a $50 food and beverage credit at the resort of your choice! For more details and to customize your Cayman Islands vacation, contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com

Photographs courtesy of CaymanIslands.ky

Overwater Bungalows in Africa!

 

Having trouble deciding between that South African safari or a beach vacation in a bungalow over the sea, but don't have the time or money to visit SA and Tahiti or the Maldives on the same trip?  No need to weigh the options for one more moment, thanks to Flamingo Bay Water Lodge in Mozambique! So go ahead, start narrowing down those safari lodges, and plan a relaxing pre- or post-animal-viewing stop in this amazing country!

 Only about an hour's flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to the town of Inhambane and a half-hour car ride will bring you to this eco-paradise.

 Flamingo Bay's barefoot elegance, laid-back style and atmosphere, excellent food and service, simple but lovely water chalets, and exotic setting would definitely be worth a splurge! However, the rates here could actually be more accurately described as a steal - $350-$400USD total for 2 per night, including daily breakfast and dinner!

Here, you can be as relaxed or as active as your heart desires...
Just want to laze? Spend time soaking up the sun on the deck of your chalet, jumping off now and then to cool off and snorkel in the clear waters below. After you've worked up an appetite, jump in one of the complimentary golf carts for the short ride from your chalet to the resort's restaurant and bar. A treatment at Flamingo Bay's spa is a fabulous way to spend the afternoon, and later, a sunset cruise is the perfect activity to cap off the day!

 

Want more adventure and excitement? Paddle around in a kayak, go for a horseback ride down the beach, take a guided city tour of Inhambane or a walk through one of the nearby small villages, try your hand at deep sea fishing, explore the local waters and islands by catamaran or traditional dhow, or take out a bike or ATV to visit one of the gorgeous nearby beaches!

No matter how you choose to spend your stay at Flamingo Bay, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Photos courtesy of Flamingo Bay, Barra Resorts, and Mozambique Tourism

Deal of the day! Huge savings PLUS a free night PLUS air credit at luxe Caribbean resorts!

Elite Island's resorts are some of my all-time favorite all-inclusive properties, so I'm very excited about the new specials they've just announced! Book a trip to one of their resorts before January 10th for travel anytime before December 20th, 2013 and receive up to 45% off rack rates, plus your 7th night absolutely free!

But as legendary informercial host Billy Mays would say, BUT WAIT!! THERE'S MORE!! If you book your trip with me during the same time period as this promotion, I will also throw in a $50 per person airfare credit as a holiday bonus. Since most of Elite Island's resorts are all-inclusive, you likely won't need to use the savings for extra umbrella drinks, but it could be very well-spent on a massage at one of the lovely spas!

My top picks:
 *Palm Island - the Grenadines (full review coming soon)
A gorgeous private island resort, perfect for honeymooners, small groups, and anyone who loves the beach! Accommodations range from garden view rooms to beachfront bungalows to a 3-bedroom villa (which comes complete with it's own golf cart!). Food and service are excellent, and the beach and water are beyond stunning. The view of the mountain on neighboring Union Island is reminiscent of what you'd see from one of Bora Bora's motu resorts, and Palm Island's location is perfect for island-hopping to other Grenadine islands and the spectacular Tobago Cays (where parts of "Pirates of the Caribbean" were filmed). PI is adult-only (16 years and over) between January 3 and April 18. Under-16s are allowed other times of year, but I generally do not recommend this property for families with young children.

 

 

*Galley Bay- Antigua (full review here!)
One of Antigua's premier properties, Galley Bay is another fabulous option for romantics of all ages (as long as that age is older than 16!). Offering a variety of beach-front accommodations, private cottages with plunge pools, a gorgeous beach, and easy access to all of Antigua's attractions, it's hard to find a better tropical vacation spot!

Elite Island also offers properties on Barbados, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Anguilla, and St. Lucia, as well as 2 additional properties on Antigua. You can't really go wrong with any of them, so stop just dreaming of that beach vacation, and contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com to make it a reality!

Fabulous deal! Up to $2500 resort credit at Palace Resorts!

Love beach vacations, but don't want to spend the whole trip lazing in the sand? Then Palace Resorts have the deal for you! Book before March 23rd for stays through December 23, 2013, and receive $500-$2500 in resort credits (depending on length of stay; minimum stay 3 nights), to be used for spa treatments, off-property excursions/tours, golf (even lessons at the Jack Nicklaus Academy!), romantic beach dinners, room upgrades, and more!

To book your fabulous all-inclusive stay with resorts credits at one of Palace's 7 luxurious resorts, please contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com!

Spectacular La Samanna on St. Martin

I was lucky enough to get to spend a night at the stunning La Samanna Resort & Spa on St. Martin this summer, and cannot wait to return! This resort (in my opinion the most luxurious on the island) gets my top marks for accommodations, service, setting, food, and amenities.

Check in was quick, smooth, and friendly, and best of all, came complete with a gift bag! La Samanna has partnered with a Martinique rum producer to offer guests La Samanna branded rum. Currently, guests at the resort are presented with a bottle of this delicious elixir, plus a lime, sugar, and a recipe for ti punch (a classic French Caribbean cocktail). Now that's my kind of welcome gift - and I'm not ashamed to admit that the bottle was only half full by the time I checked out the next day!

50% off at the incomparable Royal Davui Island Resort!

Always wanted to stay at Royal Davui, but could not quite afford it? For stays in February of 2013, this incredible resort is offering an amazing half-off special!

There is a bit of fine print; over the course of the month, they will be doing some construction of new staff quarters and renovations of the existing ones. All of the guest facilities will be open as normal during this time, though! And having stayed at Royal Davui and being familiar with the location of these quarters (see my review and photos here), I am confident that any disturbance to guests will be negligible. This is truly a fabulous deal, and I hope to see many travelers take advantage of it!

To plan your Royal Davui dream vacation, please don't hesitate to contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com!

Unlimited spa treatments AND free helicopter transfers at Tokoriki Island Resort in Fiji!

  Gorgeous Tokoriki in Fiji's Mamanuca Islands has just announced an irresistible new deal for spa lovers! For $300 Fijian dollars (which is only about $150USD), guests of the resort can enjoy unlimited spa treatments over the course of 3 days! Staying longer? Then pay just a bit more and enjoy even more hours of bliss - $400FJD for 4 days or $500FJD for 5 days of all-you-can-luxuriate massages, facials, and more! The only caveat is that you will need to be able to travel soon - this deal is only valid through May 31!

Travelers staying 7 nights or more at this stunning property will also receive free round-trip transfers between the Nadi airport (or Denarau helipad) and resort via helicopter - just imagine those views!

For more information or book your stay at this little piece of heaven, please don't hesitate to contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com!

Two incredible deals at Qamea Resort & Spa in Fiji!

One of my favorite properties in Fiji, Qamea was already incredible, but its value has now become even better! Three delectable meals a day have always been included in Qamea's rates, but all guests staying at the resort between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013 will now be able to also enjoy complimentary Fijian draft beers, selected New Zealand wines, and selected soft drinks by the glass between noon and 10PM daily!

 In addition, from now through March 31, 2013, Qamea is offering a fantastic buy one get one free deal on the transfers between the international airport in Nadi and the resort (these are via plane from Nadi to Taveuni, then car and boat between Taveuni and Qamea), and is also discounting the paid transfer! This will save travelers an average of nearly $850USD per couple - pretty much enough to indulge in a couple of spa treatments every single day for a week in Qamea's fabulous jungle spa!
Note: transfer deal is valid for travelers staying 7 nights or more.

There's no better time to visit this gorgeous piece of paradise - what are you waiting for?! For more info or to book your trip, please don't hesitate to contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com!

Photos courtesy of Fijitourism.com

Fly to Tahiti for only $899!

For travel January 28-March 31, Air Tahiti Nui is offering a fabulous airfare deal between Los Angeles and Papeete, Tahiti. For only $899 per person including all taxes and fees, you can fly to this dream island for up to 5 days - believe me, it's worth the trip!

For more information or to book your Tahitian getaway, feel free to email me at caroline@easyescapestravel.com!

Fabulous deal at Sofitels in Moorea and Bora Bora!

For travel now through March 31, book 5 nights at the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort or the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island and pay for only 3, plus get free daily breakfast! Honeymooners will also receive a host of added perks, including a 30-minute couples massage, bottle of champagne, and other special gifts!

This special is valid on the following room categories:
Sofitel Moorea - Luxury Beach Bungalow, Superior Overwater Bungalow, Luxury Overwater Bungalow

 Sofitel Bora Bora - all categories except Luxury Lagoon Front Bungalow

To take advantage of this super special, contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com!

A new Cancun luxury resort - complete with limited-time deal!

I'm excited to announce that one of my favorite all-inclusive brands, Secrets Resorts and Spas, will be opening a beautiful new property in Cancun come August - Secrets The Vine Cancun! And to celebrate, they are offering some fantastic deals!

Introductory Rate
Secrets Resorts & Spas is offering a limited time pre-opening special of $160 per person per night based on double occupancy for travel between August 1 - October 28, 2012, and $175 per person per night for travel between October 29 – December 27, 2012.*

* NOTE: The booking window is 11/29/11 to 1/31/12. 

To book your stay at Secrets The Vine Cancun or any other tropical luxury resort, please don't hesitate to contact me at caroline@easyescapestravel.com! 

Press release and more details on this new luxury resort after the jump!

Pay 5/Stay 10 in French Polynesia extended!!

Because there's no bad time to visit paradise, Pearl Resorts have re-upped their amazing "stay 10/pay 5" deal for November 1, 2011-April 30, 2012! If you love fabulous resorts, rich culture, delectable food, and the most stunning scenery on earth, take advantage of this deal - it's not likely to come along again soon!
For more information on this deal: http://travelprincessatl.blogspot.com/2011/01/incredible-last-minute-deal-to-french.html

Go ahead, tell me you don't wish you were here right now!

Fantastic "double deal" at two exotic Caribbean hideaways!

The weather may have gotten cold in many parts of the world, but Firefly Mustique and Firefly Bequia are heating things up with their "Best of Both Worlds" special! These luxury resorts in St. Vincent & the Grenadines are still not exactly cheap, but this deal makes them less of a splurge, and is well worth every penny!

For $5999 per couple*, you'll receive:

+4 nights at Firefly Bequia
+4 nights at Firely Mustique
+Upgrade upon arrival to the best available room at each resort
+Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner at both resorts
+Daily afternoon tea at Firefly Bequia and daily sunset snacks at Firefly Mustique
+Free flight from Barbados to Bequia for both travelers
+Free flight or boat ride from Bequia to Mustique for both travelers
+Free flight from Mustique to Barbados for both travelers
+Transfers between airports/docks and resorts
+Complimentary use of Club Caribbean Lounge at Barbados airport
+All other inclusions as per resort policy

*Not including airfare to Barbados or airport taxes/fuel surcharge; airfare from the US and Barbados starts at around $420 per person

A pictures is worth a thousand words, so check out the websites, and I'll let these speak for themselves...don't you wish you were there right now? If so, please feel free to contact me at Caroline@easyescapestravel.com for a fully customized quote!

Photos courtesy of Firefly Resorts

Incredible last minute deal to French Polynesia - 10 nights for the price of 5!

Baby, it's COLD outside! But why stay indoors when you could be sunning yourself on the beach in the famed islands of French Polynesia? Book now for travel through March 31st, and you can get 5 or more nights free!

Here's how it works:
Book 5 or more nights at the Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa or the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort Spa in an Overwater or Premium Overwater Bungalow...
And then receive the same number of nights free in ANY room category at Huahine Te Tiare Beach Resort, Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, or Manihi Pearl Beach Resort! Having trouble deciding where to use your free nights? No problem - they can be split between any of these gorgeous properties!


For more details, please feel free to contact me at caroline@easyescapestravel.com!


Need a few more reasons to take advantage of this incredible offer? Check out the photos below from my stays at these resorts and islands, along with the top reasons for visiting each of them!
Disclaimer: I have not yet stayed at Manihi Pearl Beach Resort, so photos of that property are courtesy of spmhotels.com.

Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa
Great for those looking:
*To not travel far from Tahiti - Moorea is accessible via a 10 minute flight or 30 minute ferry from Papeete!
*To experience a gorgeous, lush, and laid-back tropical island, while still having access to plenty of activities and excursions
*To experience an island that is less developed than Tahiti or Bora Bora, but not totally off the beaten path
*To explore via a car or buggy--the island can be circumnavigated in a few hours!
*To interact with dolphins
*To visit a fruit juice and tropical liqueur distillery (and enjoy free tastings!)
*To see sea turtles from the deck of your overwater bungalow
*To get married in paradise, complete with traditional Polynesian wedding leis  
*To hike up to Belvedere Lookout for great views of Cooks Bay, the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's "One Particular Harbour"
 

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
Great for those looking:
*To spend time on the most iconic of French Polynesia's islands
*To swim (or just float!) in a crystal clear lagoon often referred to as "the eighth natural wonder of the world"
*To enjoy the sun rising over Bora Bora's famed Mt. Otemanu
*To swim with sharks and stingrays
*To have dinner at Bloody Mary's, the island's most famous restaurant and legendary celebrity hangout
*To stay in an overwater bungalow in the waters off a motu (tiny coral island)
*To snorkel in coral gardens teeming with colorful and exotic sea life
*To slip into pure bliss with a couple's massage at the gorgeous Manea Spa

Te Tiare Beach Resort, Huahine
Great for those looking:
*To take a peek into traditional Polynesian life
*To visit the island's sacred blue-eyed, long "eared" eels
*To rent a car and explore 2 islands at once - Huahine Iti and Huahine Nui
*To relax in an incredibly beautiful and tranquil setting
*To enjoy a classically Polynesian dinner and show

 

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort
Great for those looking:
*To snorkel or dive among incredible sea life - in a recent study, the Jacques Cousteau Institute found that Tikehau has the highest concentration and variety of marine life in all of French Polynesia
*To enjoy a "luxury Robinson Crusoe" experience
*To really get away from it all in a remote and gorgeous location
*To explore one of the quietest and least-touristed villages in the South Pacific
*To spot birds during a 1/2 day trip to Oe Oe (Bird Island), a nesting spot for noddys and white fairy terns
*To kayak to deserted motus for a picnic lunch

 
 
 
 
 

Manihi Pearl Beach Resort

Great for those looking:
*To visit a pearl farm
*To snorkel and dive with schools of sharks, manta rays, barracuda, and other large fish
*To get off the beaten path, while still enjoying resort amenities and excellent service
*To eat seafood that was caught in the lagoon only minutes before
*To have a breakfast delivered to your overwater bungalow via outrigger canoe
*To go deep sea fishing