The Most Scenic Islands in Italy, Ischia

 Introducing Ischia, one of the most scenic Islands in Italy. Conde Nast Traveler recently ranked Ischia as 2^nd most scenic islands in Italy. Ischia may be less popular than Capri, but it’s also less crowded and offers much better beaches. It has a permanent population of approximately 58,000 and up to 6 million tourists. Ischia is an excellent island for everyone, providing a perfect spot for beaches, shopping and many historic sites to visit. It is situated in the hills above the sea and is nestled in a great private location.

Ischia is a volcanic island and many tourists enjoy the health benefits of its hot springs and volcanic mud. Ischia offers many different reasons to visit. Ischia is a great choice for spa vacations and for those who are interested in wellness. For the natural lovers, I recommend hiking to Mount Epomeo or visiting botanical garden. Also there are different museums or modern art galleries (If interested, please check UPCOMING EVENTS below). Last but not least, Ischia has beautiful beaches around the island. The best time for the travelers to visit Ischia is from April to October and is also a safe destination, even for women travelling alone.

*UPCOMING EVENTS*: There is a special festival even going on between August and September, called Settembre sul Sagarato. This is a festival held every year since 1988 in the village of Piazzale Battistessa, opposite the Church of San Pietro. The festival lasts for two weeks and is filled with painting exhibitions, parades of traditional costumes; wine tasting, fagiolate (bean stew tasting), concerts and shows;

Now, let me introduce Mezzatorre Resort & Spa. It is a five star resort set like a gem between the sky and the sea of Ischia on the northwestern side of the islands of Ischia, at the end of the San Montano Bay. Surrounded by seven hectares of pine wood and perched on a bluff above the sea, Mezzatorre Resort & Spa is is near the town centre of Lacco Ameno.

Mezzatorre Resort & Spa features 45 rooms and 12 suites with beautiful furnishing and modern amenities. From the hotel, guests can enjoy beautiful views from the Epomeo Mount up to the Vesuvio volcano. Mezzatorre Resort & Spa also provides swimming in the ocean, and offers many options with amazing view and privacy. I personally loved the heated seawater pool, which is set above the sea. There is also an excellent pool terrace lunchtime venue that provides excellent seafood with good local wines. 

The cuisine of Ischia by chef Giuseappe D'Abunto is top notch and provides a perfect blend of sea and land flavors. Mezzatorre Resort & Spa offers many signature local or Italian dishes; One of the most appreciated (also one of my favorite) is "Thick spaghetti with sea-urchins". Executive Chef Giuseppe D'Abundo is one of the main reasons for guests to come back to Mezzatorre. 

 Here comes my favorite part of this hotel! If you want to benefit from the well-known thermal water and muds of the island, Mezzatorre Resort & Spa’s Health & Beauty Center is a must. According to the general manager of Mezzatorre Resort & Spa, its philosophy is “Nourish your body, nourish your soul!”. They offer guests the possibility to nourish their body by means of the different health & wellness programs of their thermal spa, which prevent or cure diseases. Its offering of treatments is inspired by the salus per aquam philosophy. All the treatments provided the use therapeutic thermal water flowing at 45° from the hotel’s private spring. The treatments include mud therapy, balneotheraphy, anti-stress massages, and anti-aging facials. Guests (also one of my favorites) love the open-air massages sessions performed in the cozy gazebos with a sea view.

If you are looking for magical atmosphere, stunning setting with breathtaking views in Italy, I highly recommend Mezzatorre Resort & Spa. Mezzatorre Resort & Spa provides beautiful location with a very relaxed yet luxurious travel destination.

For 2015 Virtuoso Rate Includes:

*Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

*Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests

*A complimentary 4-course dinner for two people

*With a minimum 3 night stay guests also receive: One Themal water treatment in pool per person (value 50 EUR)

*Early check-in/late check-out

 For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, Jamie@classictravel.com  and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip. 

Mezzatorre Resort and Spa

Amanoi

Amanoi, also known as peaceful place in Sanskirt, really lives up to its name as this beach-side resort in Vietnam takes into consideration of your need for tranquility, calmness, and privacy. The Amanoi is well-situated among many different attractions; it is placed perfectly between the hectic yet lively city and the natural wilderness/reserves of Vietnam. The resort is located on a high level point of the Nui Chua National Park, which overlooks the Vinh Hy Bay (one of Vietnam's four most beautiful bays) that is surrounded by unique rock formations. The Amanoi is very easy to get to from the airport for both domestic and international travelers, as it is in close distance from Nha Trang Airport - round trip private transfers are included in The Amanoi's rates! Keep in mind, Amanoi is huge and there are no cars in the resort, but guests have unlimited access around the property grounds by a golf cart, which can be ready for you with one simple call. Guests are able to enjoy full privacy with accommodations that are not split by walls, but by individual pavilions.

The Central Pavilion is not an accommodation; rather it is an inspired traditional Vietnamese communal hall, where guests will walk up the steps upon check-in and be blown away by a panoramic view of the sea and coastline when they reach the top. It is an expansive terrace that occupies the hilltop and houses the Restaurant as well as the Bar. Next to the Central Pavilion is a Cliff Pool, one of two exquisite swimming pools in Amanoi, whereas the second pool is located at the Beach Club, which overlooks the white-sand beach and offers dining and lounging areas.

The Amanoi offers 31 Pavilions throughout the resort, a number of them that have private swimming pools, as well as five Aman Villas, which are all positioned on the hillside with their own impressive views of Vietnam. All accommodations are in line with a similar decor, encompassing contemporary elegance with traditional Vietnamese architectural styles that bring you closer to the culture. Each accommodation have views of either the Nui Chua National Park, the lake on Amanoi property, or the Vinh Hy Bay and the East Sea.

All 31 Pavilions in the resort have an identical layout and design, with a combined living and sleeping area with a king-sized bed, a timber sundeck with sun loungers, an LCD TV with international channels, as well as a mini-bar and an espresso machine. Although the design may be the same, there are four different types of Pavilions that you can choose from: the Pavilion, Pool Pavilion, Ocean Pavilion, and the Ocean Pool Pavilion.

The Pavilion offers a picturesque view of the surrounding mountains or lake whereas the Pool Pavilion is an updated version of the Pavilion, as it gives a similar sight, but is accompanied by your own private swimming pool that are real infinity pools heated with underwater lighting for late night swimming. The Ocean Pavilion gives an expansive view of the Vinh Hy Bay and the East Sea, and the Ocean Pool Pavilion offers the same alongside private swimming pools.
All Pavilions consists of pocket doors on both sides into the walls that can be pushed open for a better and clearer view of the National Park, the lake, and the Vinh Hy Bay.

The Aman Villa is a four or five bedroom with large living and dining pavilions, a large private swimming pool, and a live-in housekeeper and cook who will prepare any Vietnamese or Western cuisine dishes that you desire.

At the Amanoi, you will not only be immersed by the natural breathtaking views of Vietnam's nature, but also by the engaging activities that the resort has to offer. The Nui Chua National Park, awarded the national park status in 2003, is a huge asset to the Amanoi as it offers a number of different ecosystems. The Park is home to at least 1,500 plant species, 160 bird species, and 60 mammal species as well as some endangered species. Once you step foot into the Park, you will be amazed at the grand scenery - a typical tropical forest with streams carving their way through ravines, and rocky outcrops surrounded by vegetation. The Amanoi can generously arrange guides, picnics, and necessary transport throughout the National Park. Guests are also welcome to go snorkeling in calm, clear waters in the coral reefs of the East Sea, home to a myriad of tropical fish, as well as kayaking through Vinh Hy Bay.

There is honestly no better way to wake up and start your day than with a tranquil view of Vietnam's natural preserves with a cup of hot coffee at the Amanoi.

<For 2015, Virtuoso Rate Includes>:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests served in the restaurant
• A complimentary lunch for up to two people once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities 
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

As summer is nearing by, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa welcomes all who are in dire need of the sun, warmth, and tranquility, and a place to unwind after a hectic, busy winter. Located gently on Kauai's sunny south shore, the resort points you straight to paradise.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa consists of 602 renovated guestrooms, 37 that are suites and an exclusive Grand Room as their suitable accommodations. Each guest room in the resort are committed to environmental conservation, which exploits a natural elegance feel, consistent to the vibe throughout the resort. The guest rooms are built in a classic Hawaiian style, featuring rich mahogany furniture along with a flavorful and tropical decor. The Hawaiian theme truly follows you everywhere you go, whether you're outside roaming around the resort or when you come into your room at the end of the day. The resort is the number one choice, and is perfect for all guests, as it complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act by featuring several rooms that are convenient for people with or without disabilities. For an extra and more personalized accommodation with the Grand Hyatt Kauai, the resort's Grand Club is a private lounge that serves complimentary Continental breakfast by day and hors d'oeuvres at night. The Grand Club caters to your personal and specific wants and needs by personalizing them to the fullest.

Snuggled between the Haupu Mountain and the Pacific, the Poipu Bay Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course on 210 oceanfront acres that was designed by a nature designer, Robert Trent Jones Jr. This 18-hole golf course consists of 85 bunkers and five water hazards - a course that was even a high challenge for professional golfers who participated in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf (which the Poipu Bay Golf Course hosted from 1994-2006. The challenging yet intriguing course itself is not the only thing that attracts so many players. The scenic backdrop that surrounds the golf course - from the lush, emerald mountains to the rolling plateaus carefully sculpted above the Pacific Ocean, Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed this course around historical attractions of Hawaii. The Poipu Bay Golf Course wraps around several ancient Hawaiian heiau, places of worship, handmade stone walls, and cultural treasures that are constantly protected and maintained by Poipu Bay staff. Players who wish to play on the golf course will also receive amenities that are special only to the Poipu Bay Golf Course:

• In-cart satellite navigation system that tells the exact distance to the hole and pin placement, shows graphic depictions of each hole and the course layout, course rules and pro tips
• Citrus-scented chilled towels
• Daily clinics and video instruction
• Group tournaments
• Youth programs
• Poipu Bay Clubhouse - perfect for a quick stop for breakfast or lunch
• Golf shop with full line of Poipu Bay Logo wear
• Golf club rentals
• Club storage and locker facilities

The golf course invites golf players to play, learn, and indulge in Hawaiian culture.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa hosts events from professional and business meetings to social events, catering, and weddings; however, the resort is known for specializing in weddings. The Grand Hyatt Kauai assures that they will be with the bride and groom every step of the way, and makes sure that the burden is off of you, and onto them. Following your wedding ceremony at the resort, the hotel also offers a Grand Hyatt Kauai Honeymoon Package with the following amenities:

• A bottle of sparkling wine, compliments of the resort
• One day complimentary use of your own poolside cabana
• 15% off Anara Spa's Couples Treatments
• Complimentary dessert with your dinner at Tidepools or Dondero's

Whether it be for a wedding, honeymoon vacation, family getaway, or for a golf paradise, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is waiting to give what they can in return!

<For 2015, Virtuoso Rates Includes>:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• Evening appetizer Seaview Terrace once during stay
• Complimentary daily spa access for 2 ($60 value per day)
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip.

Finca Cortesin

Ever been to Spain? For those who have - and even for those who haven't - it's not rocket science that finding a luxuriously spacious feel of a home is not so easy. The Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa on the other hand, is ready to give you just that. Located right on the beaches between Marbella and Sotogrande, the Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa whisks you away to "A Paradise of Privacy" in their Mediterranean lifestyle-resort.

The Finca Cortesin consists of 67 suites: the Junior, Executive, Pool, the Cortesin, and the Private Villa. Every suite in the resort comes with a terrace and a private garden or swimming pool, with a view of the Mediterranean. Unlike the three suites, the Private Villa includes four suite bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, dining room with a fully furnished kitchen equipped with the most advanced appliances, and marble bathrooms. The Private Villa is custom-made to make your stay at the Finca Cortesin just like home, but even better and more relaxing.

The dining restaurants within the resort are built on two concepts: "exclusivity and exceptional quality." They strive to cater their guests with innovative culinary experiences through its range of different themed-cuisine restaurants. The El Jardin de Lutz for example is a traditional Spanish cuisine with an interior of tall ceilings and Portuguese clay tiled and painted tiles, and an outdoor venue of a terrace with views to the Mediterranean, and gardens that are filled with 1,000 year-old olive trees. The Kabuki Raw is the hotel's signature restaurant, and is a world leader in Japanese cooking with a total of three Michelin starred-restaurants among the five that are currently open. The Kabuki cuisine is known for its orthodox Japanese dishes with the use of prime raw materials and simplicity. One of the perks for the Kabuki Raw is that guests are welcome to watch the chef at work in the kitchen as he is preparing their food.

Honestly, this is what you've been waiting for. The Finca Cortesin's Championship Golf Course opened in early 2007, one of Europe's longest layouts designed by Cabell Robinson. The Finca Cortesin Golf Course has wonderful views of the horizon with 18 scenic holes. In addition to its breathtaking landscape, the Golf Course is topped with excellent service both from the equipment available such as the buggy for transportation through the course, and the helpful and encouraging staff right by your side. Ranked in the top ten golf courses in Spain by Golf Digest Magazine in 2012, the Finca Cortesin Golf Course offers three different memberships for any and all golf lovers: Individual Membership, Family Membership, Corporate Membership, and the "Discover Cortesin" Membership (a trial period of two years).

The Memberships include perks that you won't be able to resist:

• Unlimited play on the golf course
• Priority reservation of tee times
• Free use of the practice areas
• Free access to special areas and services restricted to members
• Special rates and discounts
• Correspondence with other golf clubs around the world

With or without these memberships, the Finca Cortesin Golf Club offers several packages during all three seasons: the high, the medium, and the low.

The Golf Experience package includes the following:

• 3 or 5 nights stay in one of our Suites
• Linger over a delicious daily breakfast in our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• While checking-in you will enjoy a superb sea view and a Typical Andalucian "Welcome Drink"
• Seasons Fresh Fruit Basket & Premium Water at your arrival
• Welcome Golf Package at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and some Tees
• Fresh Country Side Flowers will be placed in the room upon arrival
• Complimentary access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Access to our Finca Cortesin Beach Club operation during the summer season (approx. 6 months per year) with shuttle from and to the Beach Club included
• Complimentary Facial Diagnosis or Corporal Diagnosis will be offered at our Spa as well as national Premium Water and infusions
• Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi connection as well as Business Facilities will be available
• Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
• THREE Night Stay: 4 Green Fees per stay in Finca Cortesin Golf Club (one per person for 2 days)
• FIVE Night Stay: 6 Green Fees per stay in Finca Cortesin Golf Club (one per person for 3 days)

The Golfer's Dream Came True; Play the Four Finest Golf Courses in Spain package includes:

• 5 or 7 nights in the selected Suite category based on double occupancy
• Fresh Fruit and Premium Water in your Suite
• Welcome Golf Pack at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and Tees
• Complimentary Wi-Fi connection
• Daily breakfast at our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• Access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability
• Welcome drink during check-in
• Play the Classics:
• 2 Green Fee in Finca Cortesin Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in Valderrama Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in La Reserva Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in San Roque Club Old Course per stay

*This package includes shared buggy in each course

Green fees should be booked in advance and are subject to availability in all courses.

Last but not least, the European Golf Experience packages includes:

• 3 or 5 nights in the selected Suite category based on double occupancy
• Fresh Fruit and Premium Water in your Suite
• Welcome Golf Pack at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and Tees
• Complimentary Wi-Fi connection
• Daily breakfast at our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• Access to our Finca Cortesin Beach Club operation during the summer seasons (approx. 6 months per year) with shuttle from and to the Beach Club included
• Access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability
• Welcome drink during check-in
• Play the Classics:
• 2 Green Fee in Finca Cortesin Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in Valderrama Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in La Reserva Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in San Roque Club Old Course per stay

*Green fees should be booked in advance and are subject to availability in each course.

For beginners and those who want to increase their skill, the Nicklaus Academy located right in the resort offers lessons in an ideal learning environment for all players. The core of the Nicklaus Academy's philosophy are as follows: "how to properly deliver the club to the golf ball in such a way to start it down its intended target, then learn how to control the trajectory and distance the golf ball travels." The Academy is equipped with the latest technology to better cater to the players' needs adn to accurately deliver the right type of exercises for each person. The Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa is definitely one to consider especially with a Golf Course and an Academy on the same property!

<For 2015, Virtuoso Rate Includes>:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast for two in room guests
• A complimentary 50-minute massage for two people, per room, once during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip.