TRAVEL

Turks & Caicos - Destination Paradise

By Kamala Cummings | Contributing Luxury Travel Consultant and Lifestyle Blogger

Imagine a vacation home complete with all the top-of-the-line amenities that your heart desires, centered right on the beach with morning views of the (picture perfect) turquoise ocean). Beach Enclave Villas embodies these characteristics and so much more. Turks & Caicos is the perfect destination for celebratory events for a group of friends celebrating a milestone birthday or a multi-generational family vacation. The design of each ensuite villa (three to five bedrooms) are thoughtfully designed, self-contained homes in paradise.

 Waking up to the sound of the ocean is just a small touch compared to the amenities and service. Each villa is staffed with a personal butler and housekeeper that never miss a beat. After one day, the entire staff is fully aware of your favorite breakfast pastry, afternoon drink and your favorite playlist to get the vibes going at your private plunge pool. As if that weren’t enough, guests are treated to a daily pool and beach set-up service (including umbrellas, sun loungers, and towels), non-motorized water sports equipment, 24-hour gym access and complimentary daily yoga with views that take your breath away! For those times when “work calls,” you can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the villa (and beach) and complimentary local and long-distance calls! Imagine you and a group of friends taking time to not only celebrate each other but celebrating life! Imagine music of your choice in the background while some take a dip in the heated pool, read a book on the hammock, engage in a fireside chat, or kayaking just a few feet from your “home.” Even with a self-contained villa, one can never visit a destination without shopping and dining with locals. For shopping, the gift shop at Grace Bay Resort is spectacular. With an assortment of one-of-a-kind jewelry, hats, swimwear and more, you will shop until your heart is content. While at Grace Bay, visit the Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar for dinner for their scrumptious dishes such as Curried Dungeness Crab & Cauliflower Soup and Strawberry & Tomato Gazpacho and selections from a very eclectic wine menu. You won’t be disappointed! One can never leave the island of Turks & Caicos without dining at Da Conch Shack, “island life at its basic best”! Located right on the beach, you are able to relax with your “toes in the sand,” while enjoying the best conch, jerk chicken and the island’s best beach party and live music (every Wednesday and Sunday).

Whatever one’s heart desires, everything you could want (and need) while vacationing has already been planned for you. And knowing that any request you have is all for the asking is the icing on the cake. Beach Enclave Villas is what every vacation should be. Sharing intimate moments with those you love; food, fellowship and conversating while watching the most amazing sunset is what life is all about!! Make these moments happen every chance that you can!!

Until next time…Love and Travel Awaits!!! 

 xoxo-Kamala…LuxTravelGirl  | kamala@intheknowexperiences.com

Kamala Cummings

Luxury Travel Consultant

IN THE KNOW EXPERIENCES

37 West 20th Street - #604

New York, NY  10011

m. 248.444.8230

Images courtesy of In The Know Experiences & Beach Enclave Villas.

Greece…Going? GOING,Gone!

By Olivia Ewing | Content and Entertainment Editor

Athens has the Acropolis, Mykonos the nightlife, and Santorini, the most dramatic views. If you’ve been on the fence about traveling to Greece, get ready because we will convince you to finally take that leap. Most travelers can’t help but become mesmerized by the charm of the Greek islands – and the reason they’re among the world’s most visited – is the fact they all offer something unique.

Whether it’s the thrill of rushing to the shoreline to get a good spot to join other spectators in applauding the majestic Oia sunsets - or the breathtaking view of the Aegean sea you get while walking down into the village of Fira via the cliff of the Caldera - Greece offers many marvelous wonders that seem to effortlessly captivate the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to visit. Visions of whitewashed villages set against the backdrop of skies so perfectly blue they appear as one with the sea instantly become indelibly etched into your memory. Beach life is done best in these parts, as Greece boasts some of the most beautiful beaches to ever grace planet Earth.

For time not spent in the water, many would like to know what walking is like in Greece. Although the roads are well traveled, yet remain somewhat rocky, where they lead promises to never disappoint even the highest of expectations. It is with childlike awe and wonder that one can readily receive such sensuous impressions as those Greece has to offer.

Now that we’ve given you just a few top-of-mind reasons to visit, let’s explore a few more helpful tips you will need to know should you commence to planning your own Greek adventure:

When should I go? Spring and early summer (mid-Apr to mid-June) or autumn (Sept to mid-Oct) are highly recommended, especially if you aim to avoid the summer high season. If you travel outside these parameters, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Expect inflated prices, an overabundance of tourists and exceedingly high temperatures (heat waves of 100°F/+40C are the norm).

Which airline should I travel? Emirates is one of the most classy, friendly and favorite airlines that offers flights to Greece, most of which continue on to Dubai, should you consider extending your holiday. The airline offers industry-leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service.

Is there any easy, affordable and quick way to island hop should I want to see other islands? Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini can be traveled to usually within 4-5 hours via affordable express ferry rides. Golden Star Ship Company has the Superrunner and Superferry ferries, and Hellenic Seaways offers the Highspeed 7. Each has the option of VIP travel sections for a slight increase in fare should you wish to enjoy a more private experience getting to and from the islands.

What should I pack? You will most definitely want to pack light, in every sense. There is nothing more exhilarating than the feeling of having everything you need to travel abroad packed in a carry-on suitcase. Packing minimally and with style is not an easy feat, but knowing what to take is half the battle. Keeping it simple, you will want to take light-weight, light-colored clothing – linen and cotton are breathable fabrics that will serve you well. They are easy to wash, typically dry fast and are great for travel. Light sweaters or wraps come in handy for when you encounter air conditioning, so be ready. Shoes (sighs)... shoe lovers understand the complexities of determining which shoes they will have to leave behind, but trust that you really only need 2-3 pair: a stylish pair of sneakers, comfortable but cute sandals (preferably with a nice, thick sole for walking), and dressy sandals. Ladies, you can take those high heels if you can’t be caught without them, but unless you plan on being chauffeured to and fro every where you need to go, we don’t recommend it. As we mentioned earlier, pathways can be very rocky and after all, you’re on vacation - you came to see the sights, right? More than likely you will be spending most of your time traveling by foot, so in keeping with the ‘pack light’ theme, our recommendation is something to seriously consider.

Greek cuisine - what to expect: Be prepared to experience some of the most fresh and succulent seafood you will ever taste in your life! Paired with simple potatoes and organic vegetables, you will have a new love and appreciation for olive oil. The simplistic, wholesome and healthy preparation of the typical Greek meal will have you rethinking your food choices upon returning to your native land. Oh, and we would be remiss if we failed to recommend having a nice glass of “ouzo” with dinner; just ask your waiter.

Planning to rent a car, motorbike or ATV? While pre-arranged tours can be fun, some of the best views of Greece can only be taken in by doing it your own way, on your own time. However, most rental companies on the Greek islands require you to have an international driver’s license when renting any motorized vehicles. No worries, we have you covered. Either plan ahead by getting your IDL early, or give our friend Jim at IDL International a call at (859) 339-1754 or visit his website http://www.internationaldriverspermit.com. If you’ve left home without it, Jim can have legitimate, ready-to-use international driver’s license paperwork prepared for you in a matter of hours. Don’t forget to mention Haute is… sent you.

A few final, but equally important notes to bear in mind:

Don’t forget to support the local artists when purchasing souvenirs or special gifts for friends and loved ones back home. The love and creativity these local artisans pour into their work shows - which is almost, if not as equally important, as the gift itself.

If you’re worried about traveling to a foreign land where no one can understand you, set your fears aside here – you’ll be delighted to discover that almost everyone speaks a basic level of English in the most popular tourist destinations. The Greek are very friendly and welcoming, and will have you planning your return trip before your departure.

All scenic images courtesy of:  Olivia Ewing

Airline image courtesy of Emirates.com