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Luxe Destinations this Summer

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It’s Summer!!!

Yes, as you can see I am freaking excited about summer vacation! The smell of the sea, the summer heat… Ugh, I can’t wait to go on a trip! This pandemic really put a stop in my traveling and I’m going CRAZY!

Speaking of the trip, of course, we need to list the destinations that we want to go to. I have mine ready and would like to share with you some of my favorite luxe destinations you can go to this summer!

How to experience a luxe vacation? Price can lend to exclusivity, but shouldn’t be the only factor. True luxury tends to also revolve around authentic, unfiltered experiences that open your eyes to new ways of viewing the world and aren’t available anywhere else.

So here are the places on my list for luxe destinations this summer that I’m sure you’ll also love.

TURKS AND CAICOS

If you’re looking for year-round sunshine and miles of white sand beaches in the Turks & Caicos is just the ticket. Find lush rolling hills, vibrant green landscapes, and villages that have escaped being tarnished by an excess of tourism. 

Just seven of the 40 islands that make up the Turks & Caicos are developed, with each offering something a little different, while the rest are virtually untouched. SIDE-NOTE- this is our favorite island we visit a lot!

For shopping and luxury accommodation, head to Providenciales on Grace Bay, home to the majority of people who live here and, as such, also home to numerous drinking and dining options too. For a quieter experience, Grand Turk and Salt Cay are your best bet.

Meanwhile, under the crystal clear waters, there’s a world of activity just waiting to be discovered, with plenty of diving and snorkeling opportunities. Here, you’ll find more than 2,500 square kilometers of reef, impressive walls of coral, exotic species of fish, and some of the oldest shipwrecks in the western hemisphere. As well as the chance to spot humpback whales, the islands are also home to170 species of birds that live in the marshes and salt ponds.

On an evening, the fish fry provides a great glimpse into local life, with fresh catches cooked up while you wait, and served with a side of rum. Oh… how I love the place. You’ll also find local crafts for sale, good music, and dancing!

BORA BORA

If you conjure up images of the perfect island paradise in your head, it probably looks like Bora Bora’s stilted bungalows jetting out into the turquoise lagoon. A volcanic atoll, Bora Bora is surrounded by a circular coral reef, which makes it ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.

The private villas at Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa are nestled on an island called Motu Toopua. A semicircle of stilted bungalows is surrounded by breathtaking views of the turquoise-blue lagoon and Mount Otemanu in the distance. Enjoy a day of snorkeling, indulging in spa treatments with uninterrupted ocean views, or lounging by the infinity pool before retreating to the privacy of your villa. Accessible only by the property’s private boat, this remote resort is truly a paradise in the South Pacific.

FIJI

Fiji contains some of the world’s most incredible tropical landscapes—powdery white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, kaleidoscopic reefs, and jagged coastlines covered in lush greenery. An array of new luxury resorts offers travelers incredible experiences across the archipelago as well.

Kokomo Private Island Resort offers 140 acres of lush across the densely covered rainforest and pristine beaches. Guests can choose from 21 beachside villas and 4 hilltop residences, each featuring its own infinity pool. The resort’s backyard is home to the Great Astrolabe Reef, a scuba divers paradise teeming with colorful, diverse corals and exotic marine life including sharks, rays, and mahi-mahi. On Malolo Island, Six Senses opens, offering spa and wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, and nutritional advice. Also set to open this year: Nihi Fiji, on the west coast of Sumba, a remote Indonesian island. Travelers can stay at one of 27 private villas with plunge pools offering dramatic views across the Indian Ocean.

TAHITI

Often overlooked by travelers eager to experience the outer islands, Tahiti is more than just a means to an end. How much time you choose to spend here is up to you, but give yourself a chance to see everything the island has to offer—beyond the initial view from the plane.

The island of Tahiti is divided into two parts: The larger portion to the northwest is known as Tahiti Nui, while the smaller, southeastern peninsula is known as Tahiti Iti. Tahiti Nui is dominated by three extinct volcanic mountains including Mount Orohena, the tallest in French Polynesia; Mount Aorai, known for its incredible views; and Le Diadème, which appears to crown the island as the rightful queen. 

Home to the capital city of Papeete, Tahiti is the economic center of French Polynesia. Since all flights arrive through Faa’a International Airport, your tailored Tahiti vacation will begin and end in Papeete. While you may be tempted to jet off immediately to the other islands, we recommend staying at least a day or two. Tahiti strikes an interesting contrast to some of the more quiet, secluded islands in the region; and with a selection of wonderful and convenient Tahiti resorts available, you will never regret staying.

SOUTH OF FRANCE

When we all think of the South of France, then the Cote d’Azur or French Riviera is the phrase that immediately springs to mind. From the warmth of its sun-kissed beaches to the aroma of its mouth-watering cuisine, a holiday in this sunny region is a treat for all the senses. Take in the scenery that inspired artists from Renoir and Van Gogh to Matisse and Cézanne. Listen to a concert at an ancient Roman amphitheater. Dine sumptuously at a Michelin-starred restaurant. A great transportation system makes it easy to access every seaside resort, medieval fortress, and world-class museum. Wherever you travel, the sights, sounds, and sensations you encounter in southern France will stay with you long after your trip is over. 

Think of the South of France and Nice comes squarely into mind. With its broad avenues, wide sweeping bay, and golden beach, it is not difficult to see why some 3 million people flock to Nice every year. Only Paris rivals it as a tourist attraction. With the famous Promenade des Anglais, the Matisse museum, the Russian Cathedral, and Vieux Nice, there is so much to do and see.

Nice is also home to a celebrated Jazz festival. In actual fact, Nice held the very first jazz festival in the world in February 1948. Over the years the Nice Jazz festival has been attracted all the great Jazz musicians of the age including Louis Armstrong, Miles Davies, Charlie Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ella Fitzgerald

MALDIVES 

The Maldives and luxury go hand in hand. At least half of its 200 private islands are resorts – there are 1,200 islands in total. Holidaying here feels very Robinson Crusoe-esque, albeit with a glamorous twist. How many places in the world can you sleep in an overwater villa at night and wake up to the soundtrack of the waves? All-inclusive holidays are very popular on the islands thanks to their remoteness. You can just kick back, relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery around you.

Mirahi Island has 30 villas with private decks overlooking the Indian Ocean and seven additional rooms. The boutique-style accommodation is beautifully designed to reflect the surroundings. The island has two restaurants, each of which serves stunning, freshly prepared dishes for guests. Guests are encouraged to leave their shoes by the door and walk barefoot across the island’s sand-covered floors. 

The Maldives is also great for diving – its waters are filled with whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and coral reefs.

Luxury holidays should also be enjoyed with complete freedom and flexibility. Wherever you go and whatever you do, it should be exactly what you want, when you want it. Nothing scheduled, no delays, and everything right where it belongs. 

Private flights are my favorite way to travel and can take you wherever you want, whenever you want, offering the most exclusive, all-inclusive travel experience available. If you’ve not flown private yet, I recommend it!

And most importantly, you have to enjoy every moment with people you love! Where are you traveling this summer?

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at http://Instagram.com/luxelife9,feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.

Let the JOURNEY begin!

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Who doesn’t want to be greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival in a luxurious suite, having a blast in a fine dining round table, and enjoying the time of your life to be off from the busy streets and fast-paced environment?

Travelling far from the city gives us the perks to be delighted and savour the precious time we had! I know it is somewhat usual for others but travelling will not just be in a place we wanted to be, also to broaden our horizons, enhance creativity, get real-life education, make memories, and a time for ourselves.

It’s fun to build your cabin or rent one and just getaway whenever you want.

The season of the year where it reminds us that our bodies, minds, and surroundings are aligned with development and need to emphasize how vital it is to us.

For this year’s scenario, dealing with travels, catching flights, backpacking, and last-minute bucket list will need a full review. This is due to a waiting game per se if there will be restrictions, cancellations, and emerging hotspots that will pop up anytime. U.S. – based infectious disease experts say we don’t have a vaccine or effective treatment for Covid-19 yet. The death rate might go up and up and this could happen through continued transmission particularly in the cities where we have crowding and close contact.

Many games won and many feelings hurt-lol 

But it will never stop me from wanting to get off my feet, make my itinerary, and hit the road!

Where Should We Go and What We Can Do?

Domestic travel is not bad, in fact enjoying the sun and the autumn breeze is the best comforting way to enjoy an incredible journey.

Some reviews show 65% of travellers are planning a vacation this fall despite the coronavirus pandemic with 79% getting out of town starting this month.

As the weather changes which brings the autumn leaves around the United States, let’s take a sneak peek of these places that mark Fall in style.

1.​ Old Edwards Inn and Spa: Highlands, North Carolina

The comfort and joy that it brings when you relax in the luxurious Blue Ridge Mountains while having a stunning view of reds and yellows of the season. Old Edwards Inn and Spa is a destination where everyone can say “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”. A getaway that brings you to the pristine headwaters feed rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and swimming holes. Perfect for dining, boutique shopping from hip to high-end including fashions, outfitters, and home pieces for your interiors.

2. ​Lake Placid Lodge: Lake Placid, New York

Voted as #8 in the Top 15 Resort Hotels in the Northeast by Travel+Leisure World’s Best Awards 2020. Make way for the Jewel of the Adirondacks! Be indulged and warmly welcomed to their beautiful lakefront destination. They even offer a Good Neighbor Discount to pay it forward to their neighbours with resident rates up to 5% Off.

3.​ Lumiere Hotel: Telluride, Colorado

At this boutique hotel, you will find leather, wood, and warm autumnal coloured rooms and residences. It has various rooms which you can choose from one to five bedrooms with chef’s kitchens and ample living accommodation (have a 3-bedroom residence that measures 2,600 square feet)

4.​ Castle in the Country: Allegan, Michigan

Experience the bliss and the royal treatment with this romantic getaway in Michigan. Fill your memories and create them that last a lifetime. A private 65 acres where you can enjoy the complimentary kayaks or paddle boats on their private lake. Sit back and relax in the screened gazebo or porch and be pampered by the couple’s massages in a beautiful natural setting.

5.​ Salish Lodge & Spa: Snoqualmie, Washington

How about giving a shot with a True Pacific Northwest experience? Overlooking Snoqualmie Falls is a breathtaking moment while staying at the Salish Lodge. Waking up in the morning and feel the fresh and captivating natural wonders. Ahhh! What a relaxing mood to start your day.

6. ​Topnotch Resort: Stowe, Vermont 

This place is called “Fall’s Color Capital”. From September through mid-October, many plants turn in various shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown. Staying at Topnotch Resort will unveil the beauty of the spectacular Green Mountains. A luxury resort, spa, and a feast-like dining experience also perfect for a romantic getaway.

Now having that list above will make your search for more. This will depend on what is your ideal Fall Travel looks like. Lots of travel destinations await us to be discovered and explore its realm.

Then, here’s the catch!

Prepare your bucket list and check these last-minute ideas to jump off and enjoy until the rest of the summer!

As an influencer and a cosmetic consultant, it is a hella-one-of-kind experience that I should get into to be able to come up with new learnings and ideas that could help do a superb job. Good to have this late summer bucket list at hand.

1. Take your busy feet from working to indulging! Go to a place where you planned to go a long time ago. It is good to put it into your list because that’s where you will discover new things in a new place. Maybe new beginnings or a new culture that could freshen up your mind with a lot of things.

2. ​Eat your heart out! Forget the calories! 

3.​ Feel the greens and hues, look at the skylines and smell the sea breeze. Inhale more. 

Nature comes with a healing and vibrant energy that it can offer for FREE. All we have to do is embrace the beauty in it and how our creator gave us a magnificent place to live in.

4.​ Write down the things that make you smile every day and inspires you in life. 

Appreciate little things in their little ways, because these simple things are the most precious and impactful to our lives.

5.​ Recharge.

Meditation, finding our purpose, looking beyond, giving back, and paying forward is one way of recharging ourselves into a merely new and fully charged battery. This will be our ticket to the continuity of what we just started.

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at http://Instagram.com/luxelife9,feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.

TRAVELING THE PHILIPPINES

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Hi loves!
Are you thinking about where to go next to your next travel? 
Do wanna go to beautiful beaches where you could relax and escape the cold weather? 

I’m telling you if that’s what you want you will definitely fall for the Philippines. The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country with no land links to neighbouring countries, meaning that any visit from the mainland is an out-of-the-way one. But, the paths leading to the Philippines are increasingly well-travelled. The Philippines beaches, jungles, and culture for themselves are a must-see and experience.


The Philippines are composed of seven thousand islands and known for their beautiful beaches. Located close to the equator, the Philippines is a consummately tropical country, that is why the weather here is mostly sunny if not rainy days.
If you are looking for beaches, Boracay and Palawan are well known for tourist local or foreign.

Boracay Island is located off the northwest corner of Panay Island and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region VI, of the Philippines. It has a beautiful white sand beach that is almost powdery in texture, crystal clear blue and turquoise water, stunning sunsets, great selection of food, water sports galore, and even some beach-front clubs for dancing the night away. 

No wonder that this is the number one in the list of most foreign tourists! I mean we love to relax and vibe right? lol

If you are worried about how to get around, not a problem. Locals know how to speak in English and are very hospitable–a very distinct characteristic of a Filipino.

Palawan is also a paradise. The islands
of Palawan stretch between Mindoro in the northeast and Borneo in the southwest part of the Philippines. It lies between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. If you wanna go here I recommend you to go to El Nido and Coron. Seriously, these places are like paradise on earth. If island hopping is your thing, this place is a must-go.

If you are planning to stay in Manila after a trip from these places and is looking for hotels to stay, I will recommend a few of the best hotels there.
– Conrad Manila
– Makati Shangri-La, Manila
– Pan Pacific Manila
– Fairmont Makati
– Hyatt Regency Manila City of Dreams
– Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila
– Nuwa City of Dreams Manila
– Raffles Makati
– Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
– Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
– Sky Tower at Solaire Resort and Casino
– The Peninsula Manila

These Hotels are world-class hotels awarded by Forbes with great customer service and you will surely enjoy your stay. You could simply just search them in your hotel booking apps. And if you plan on going to some historical places while in the
metro, there is a must-go place just within metro manila, the walled city, Intramural. 

Construction of the walls was started by the Spanish imperial Government in the late 16th century to protect the city from foreign invasion. Being there feels like you’ve been taken to a different timeline. 
The Philippines is a former Spanish colony so you could see a lot of Spanish influence in their culture. From the old building structures to churches and even festivals. Oh, you must go to the Sinulog
Festival in Cebu. 

The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City. 
It’s a very colourful and lively festival that could really lift up your mood. The street dancing, their colourful costumes, everything spells party. I should note that Filipinos love to party and they would find every reason to party. I found out that Sinulog is only one of the several festivals being held in the Philippines, imagine going to these festivals with these
happy people. You’ll surely have a great day.

Filipino’s are known for being resilient, in times of calamities and catastrophes, Filipinos always manage to rise above the challenge. Instead of
wallowing, they manage to pick themselves up and smile. They’re happy people as I said, it’s part of their culture.
They are also very religious and respectful; they have this culture thing that they called “pagmamano” where they raise the backs of the hands of their elders to their foreheads as a sign of respect, which is still being practised up to these days.

It really amazed me that they still have that practise up until now, they also called their elder siblings Kuya (for older brothers) and are (for older sisters) a sign of respect for them. They also have this culture that they called “Bayanihan”, where they help their fellow countrymen in times of needs—without expecting anything in return—so that undertaking their tasks and responsibilities becomes much easier.
Oh, before I forget, the Philippines have the longest Christmas celebration. Even as early as August, you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the malls or in the restaurants. The mood becomes festive, with many people shopping and
in good spirits. Christmas celebrations last until around the first or second week of January. Imagine that? And here I thought Christmas is only in Decembers. (I start in October)

Talking about malls, you don’t need to worry about shopping here. You would be surprised to see how malls in Manila looks and feels like you’re in the US. Not only stores but also restaurants. America has a big influence on the Philippines nowadays even in fashion, and did I mention that their second language here is English? Even the jeepney drivers could talk to you in English so you don’t need to
worry about the language barrier.

And yes, jeepney. A public utility vehicle that can only be seen here in the Philippines. Not a very sophisticated means of transport, but it’s really amazing how this type of vehicle got a long history with it and is one of the most iconic things that the Philippines has.

So, if you are planning on your next travel, try to consider going to the Philippines.
Find out why to visit this fun island group. I’m sure you going to love it. Just like what their tourism slogan said, It’s more fun in the Philippines.
Drop a line below and tell me where your next vacation is going to be too!

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at http://Instagram.com/luxelife9,feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.

Getaway Travel (At last!)

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Hi Loves! How is everyone? I hope you are all doing fine amidst all the things that are happening around us. Do you feel like you need to unwind and wish that you could travel somewhere? Well, how does travelling around in our own country sounds? 

Yes, we could still travel around the U.S., perhaps there are still lots of places that you haven’t visited yet. Now’s the perfect time to go to our very own tourist spots. Maybe you’re like me, that all of the travel plans have been cancelled, so to make up for that, I am bounded to go to Ozarks myself next week and am very excited about it! 

The Ozarks, also known as the Ozark Mountains or the Ozark Plateau, is a physiographic region in the U.S. states of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and the extreme southeastern corner of Kansas. The Ozarks cover a significant portion of northern Arkansas and most of the southern half of Missouri, extending from Interstate 40 in Arkansas to Interstate 70 in central Missouri. It hasn’t always been at the top of many travel lists, but often the stepchild of its larger, more sophisticated surrounding cities. The land has long been a destination for those seeking outdoor adventures among its rugged woodlands, limestone bluffs, and pristine waters, and travellers are finally catching on to its beauty.

If you haven’t been there already, why not book your travel now? There are a lot of things to do here, especially if you are a nature lover. So, here are some of the places to go and things to do at the Ozarks.

Do you enjoy fishing? Or perhaps your significant other? How about fishing at Norfork Lake? You can catch for stripers, hybrids, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Kentucky bass, white bass, and walleye all year round. Or you can also go for Bull Shoals Lake and the White River whose waters entice trout and bass fishermen nationwide.

Winding your way south puts you in a perfect position to experience Table Rock Lake. This area of the Ozarks is working to move away from its reputation as a kitschy country music hub with top-billed golf courses and the Branson Landing. But it’s perfectly okay to bypass all of that and head straight for the real gem: Table Rock Lake. The fresh blue-green waters are where you’ll find locals and their boats come any warm summertime weekend.

Bull Shoals Caverns is one of the world’s oldest caverns formed approximately 350 million years ago, during the Ordovician period, and was carved out by water method. Bull Shoals Caverns is nestled in the heart of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in central northern Arkansas and is still alive and growing today. Features formations millions of years in the making; the site has been used by prehistoric natives, Civil War soldiers, and moonshiners; underground rainbow trout stream, miniature lake; visitors tour the cave via concrete walkways. The caverns are home to camel crickets, bats, and salamanders. There are underground streams that flow throughout the caverns and varieties of cave formations. The caverns are air-conditioned by nature, 59 degrees year-round. There are no stairs on the floor of this cave, which once sheltered the Indians who roamed the region. At the back of the cave is a waterfall and is available for private wedding ceremonies; available by appointment only.

And if you go to the Bull shoal Caverns, you can also enjoy Mountain Village 1890. Mountain Village 1890 is a historic re-creation of an Ozark settlement with authentic historical buildings from the 1800s. A tribute to the pioneers who first settled in this remote part of the country. These were hardy men and women who followed the trails into the mountains from the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia. The village is a Bull Shoals, Arkansas attraction that draws families, particularly those interested in history, from across the United States.

If hiking is one of your favourite activity there are a lot of trails that you can choose. Runners, walkers, and bikers enjoy Missouri’s second-longest rail-to-trail path, the Frisco Highline Trail. It’s a 35-mile route that connects Springfield to Bolivar with four trailheads, 16 railroad bridges, and lots of rural character. If you like a more urban trail experience with easy access to dining, libations, a great city park, and a notable point of interest, then Galloway Creek Greenway is for you. There is also the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Where are several great hiking trails, but The Long Trail, which is an easy 1-and-2/3-mile jaunt, offers some of the best scenery. And these are just a few of them, there are still a lot of trails that you can choose whatever the level of difficulty that you want. And, it’s a good way to burn those calories you’ve accumulated. lol.

If hiking isn’t a thing you enjoy, then you can go to Springfield’s Downtown, Missouri, an ever-growing city that’s nestled in the Southwest corner of the state. Downtown offers plenty to peruse, with precious antique shops, cocktail bars, and restaurants that dot the historic streets. But did you know that just southeast is the Rountree district, it’s this very neighbourhood, with charming Craftsman- and Bungalow-style homes that famed the photographer Julie Blackmon whose work photographs have appeared in Time, The New Yorker, and Oxford American, has used to set the scene for most of her work.

Those are only a few of what the Ozarks can offer and writing this makes me feel more excited about going to the Ozarks next week. I can’t wait! lol. 

It’s a great thing to unwind and enjoy while learning some of or history. Let’s appreciate our very own culture and history. So have you guys decided where to go? You can also give some suggestions about where to go next! I hope I had given you some ideas on how to make the most out of this time and pray that you are always safe and healthy.

Previous Visits: Beautiful sunset at Table Rock Lake 
Previous Visits: Brunch outside cabin 
Previous Visits: The Branson Ferris Wheel
Previous Visits: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Rescue
Previous Visits: Ziplining across Table Rock Lake
Previous Visits: Wonderful lobster at Whipper Snapper 
Previous Visits: We always charter a yacht for fun on the water 
Previous Visits: My very first cabin ever

As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at http://Instagram.com/luxelife9, feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.