Jaunted - Tag: It's Summer Somewhere

It's Summer Somewhere: Cape Verde

Christine Mattheis — 2008-02-29T16:00:01-05:00

If you want to look hip in five years, book a trip to Cape Verde now so you can say you visited before anyone else knew about it. The chain of volcanic islands sits off the west coast of Africa, and with its tropical climate, long stretches of beaches and turquoise waters, it's amazing that it hasn't yet met the same fate as the tourist-clogged Canaries.

It will soon, though. Its government says it expects tourism to increase by about 400% over the next decade.

If you can swing a vacation in March, it's a perfect time to visit Cape Verde because it's the start of festival season. Carnival kicked off Sunday in Mindelo with parades featuring kings, queens, ballerinas, witches, punks and other characters, according to the Afrol News. Similar events will continue throughout the month.

Related Articles:
· Carnival starts in Mindelo, Cape Verde [Afrol News]
· Verde islands are great escape [The Sun]
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage [Jaunted]

It's Summer Somewhere: Mendoza Wine Tours

egw — 2008-02-27T16:05:01-05:00

On Monday we covered a grapey getaway in South Africa. Another great place to go vineyard hopping this time of year is in the mountainous Mendoza province of Argentina, the fifth largest producer of wine in the world.

Postales del Plata offers packages ranging from weekend jaunts to ten-day wine safaris, including bookings at country lodges surrounded by grape-producing fields. In case you're not ready to travel now, return for winter wine tastings and some of the best skiing in the Southern Hemisphere.

Related Stories:
· It's Summer Somewhere: Muratie Estate [Jaunted]
· Wine Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· It's Summer Somewhere Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: c-weiss]

Koelenhof: It's Summer Somewhere: Muratie Estate, South Africa

sedona — 2008-02-25T13:05:01-05:00

South Africa is a great summer trip, as we've told you before. But if you're a vineyard fan now's really the time to get there for a seasonal plus: grape harvesting and stomping.

We'd recommend heading to Muratie Wine Estate at the base of the Simonsberg in Stellanbosch. March 1 brings their "Great Muratie Port Stomp" where for 40 Rand (about $5) you can go and stomp the new port grapes, reserve your own bottle of port, picnic on the lawns of this historic homestead and listen to the sounds of Jannie "Hanepoot" van Tonder's great 18-piece band playing a South African jazz program.

Stay on-site in one of the estate's two guesthouses or stay in Camps Beach, minutes from Cape Town with the same laid-back vibe at The Bay Hotel. It's got amazing views of Table Mountain, the ocean and is backed by the Twelve Apostles. Rooms are chic and minimalist with neutral decor. Be sure to do it up as The Bay's where all the beautiful locals come to congregate.

Related Stories:
· Cape Town Tourism [Official Site]
· Muratie Wine Estate [Official Site]
· It's Summer Somewhere Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: :: Rick ::]

Las Flores: It's Summer Somewhere: El Salvador

pbb — 2008-02-21T15:13:59-05:00

So, we're officially tired of winter. It was fun while it lasted, but we're ready to go to El Salvador and surf. Sounds fun, right?

Now our little fantasy springs from a trip we once took to Playa El Cuco. While we spent the night in a fairly shabby guesthouse, we shoulda booked at Las Flores Surf Club.

This ridiculously tricked out boutique property has more amenities than some Manhattan hotels, including three boats to take you out to the best waves, wherever they may be. (Something tells us they have brew-stocked coolers on board.)

If you're gonna get into surfing, we can't think of a better place. But if you'd rather just kick it on the beach, that's cool too. Current temperature at Las Flores? 89 degrees.

Luxor: It's Summer Somewhere: The Real Luxor

juliana — 2008-02-20T17:34:53-05:00

Ever since French President Nicolas Sarkozy publicly frolicked on the beach with former super model (and the object of all men's affections in the early 1990s) Carla Bruni, we have been super jealous.

No, not of Carla Bruni but rather because it's "balmy weather" over in Egypt right now. During the day, temps are hitting 78 degrees.

The duo, now married, passed their time at the Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor. And of course, they toured some of the ancient pyramids. We wonder if they toured the Mummification Museum?

Luxor depends on tourism to keep its economy afloat. And while it's been getting good tourism numbers, we read somewhere that more people actually visit the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas than the original Luxor. Sad but can you blame them? Drinking, dancing and gambling, versus ancient dead people? Hmm....

Anyways, we would be more than happy to help out Luxor by taking a trip over there. Now does Ryanair fly there?

Related Stories:
· Egypt's Pyramid Scheme [Jaunted]
· Ryanair Ready for Sarko-Bruni Honeymoon [Jaunted]

[Photo: Shelbyroot]

It's Summer Somewhere: The Maldives

The Lost Girl — 2008-02-19T10:00:01-05:00

Looks like we're not the only country gearing up for some pretty historic national elections. In November 2008, the Republic of Maldives will be conducting its first-ever presidential vote under a multi-candidate, multi-party system. Yay, democracy! What better way to show support for the political process--and contribute to the Maldives flourishing tourism sector--than by booking a getaway to the tiny Southeast Asian nation?

The country is comprised of more than 1,100 islands--and there are private resorts on 44 of them. These destination hotels are all seriously luxe, and set up as five-star retreats for the romantically inclined and seriously stressed-out. Shoestring travelers won't find many low-budget dives this far out.

If we had our druthers--and perhaps, sugar daddies--we'd stay at the Conrad Maldives Rangali, which spans two islands via a walkway surrounded by a blue lagoon. The property features 50 villas built on stilts over the ocean (nearly all come with private butlers) and 21 new Spa Water Villas (each featuring its own private mini-gym and treatment room).

In case the sea view from our room isn't satisfying enough, the spa has three glass-floored villas offering a direct view down to the coral reef below. Plus, the resort boasts the world's only all-glass undersea restaurant, above, where you can watch all manner of marine life float by as you tuck into grilled snapper.

Related Stories:
· Visit Maldives [Official Site]
· It's Summer Somwhere coverage [Jaunted]

Fernando de Noronha: It's Summer Somewhere: Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

sedona — 2008-02-18T10:30:02-05:00

Summer in Brazil can mean crowds, lines and swarms of tourists on the most popular beaches. But on Fernando de Noronha, a tiny little island just 200 miles off the country's northeastern coast all you'll find is a pristine summertime paradise. Why's that? The government only allows 240 visitors onto the island at one time, to preserve its extensive sanctuaries and white sand beaches.

Head there next month and join fellow tree-hugging types at the annual "Day of the Tree," where the entire place participates in a seedling planting campaign. It's not all utopia on the island. Visitors pay an "environmental tax," and access to the spot can be challenging. There are two flights from Recife and Natal on local airlines and you can charter a boat to get there from the mainland.

Once you get there, don't expect mega-resorts. You'll stay at a local family-owned pousada where you'll be expected to hang out with the kids at the dinnertable, but you'll get lots of local knowledge in exchange. Pousada Ze Maria is centrally located and fairly advanced with both room and apartment options where you can relax in a solar powered whirlpool, or while away under the cashew nut tree by the pool.

Related Stories:
· Fernando de Noronha [Official Site]
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Ze Eduardo]